Welcome to another edition of The Pro Wrestling Post. In this edition we look at the WWE contacting Chael Sonnen, more TNA wrestling and a sponsorship deal for TNA.
WWE contacts The American Gangster
F4WOnline.com reports that the WWE has contacted Chael Sonnen about working with the WWE. No word yet on whether Sonnen is interested. Sonnen is familiar with the WWE as it was revealed during the runup to UFC 148 that Sonnen trained at Stone Cold Steve Austin’s ranch in conditioning. Sonnen is a friend of CM Punk and initially was to be escorted by the WWE champ to the Octagon against Michael Bisping for UFC on Fox 2.
Payout Take: Is Sonnen going to re-create the Mean Street Posse? With tales of coming straight of West Linn, Oregon, it’s entirely possible. More likely, its a ploy by the WWE to get some buzz after the big UFC weekend. Sonnen was present the last time the WWE went through Oregon so it is possible he could make an appearance sometime down the road.
TNA to 3 hours
A weekly wrestling program is going to 3 hours. No its not the WWE, but TNA programming on Spike TV Thursday nights is going to three hours as it will include a review show, “Rewind” before the 2 hour live broadcast. The recap show will precede Impact Wrestling.
Payout Take: Another hour of programming of TNA Wrestling? Its done this in the past with a post-show so we will see how a pre-show does. It will be interesting to see if they keep TNA to 3 hours once Bellator comes to the network assuming it comes to Thursdays.
TNA partners with EFX for sports wristbands
TNA Wrestling and EFX Performance announce limited edition “TNA/EFX” bands which will be sold on TNA’s web site. EFX Performance has partnered with NASCAR and Major League Lacrosse to produce similar bands.
Payout Take: This partnership is similar to that of Shawn Michaels signing a deal with Eyeblack. Its a good sponsorship deal but I personally do not understand the utility of the product. The TNA/EFX bands make a little more sense here as the bands will likely bear the logo of a TNA wrestler. So, I can see fans purchasing the bands of their favorite wrestler. Any usefulness from the product is an added bonus. Currently, the TNA site has them with the “Impact Wrestling” logo for $24.99.
Well Sonnen did say he would quit the UFC if he lost to Silva, so it makes sense. Take the train.
I don’t watch WWE so it’s perfect for me.
When did Sonnen say that? I believe he said he would quit fighting if he could not be champ. But just because he lost to Suilva doesnt mean he cant be champ. Silva could lose at any time and Chael could have that guys number. Also i believe Chael was just hyping the fight when he said that. He has been fighting a long time at the bottom of the sport. If he will bounce around in low level promotions and getting beat here and there and not quit then he isnt going to quit while in the UFC making big money as long as he is compeitive. Im not saying he wouldnt leave to go to the WWE but i dont think he was ever going to quit if he lost to Anderson Silva.