Impact Wrestling Archives - StayTuned Magazine

Taya Valkyrie Looks for Her Career to Take Flight in Impact Wrestling

January 25, 2018 Scott Fishman

Since beginning her pro wrestling career, Taya Valkyrie has taken the road less traveled. After the Impact Wrestling and Lucha Underground star graduated from the Lance Storm Training Academy, it didn’t take long for the Canadian to get on the WWE radar. And just when she was packing up all her belongings, the newcomer found the developmental deal fizzled out. The setback motivated Valkyrie to work that much harder. The 34-year-old traveled to Mexico where it was trial by fire, immersing herself in the lucha libre culture. The blond beauty stood out and success followed as she earned the respect […]

Exit Interview: Chris Adonis on Working for Impact Wrestling

January 18, 2018 Scott Fishman

Chris Adonis just turned 35 and has spent nearly half his life in pro wrestling starting early on in WWE. The former Chris Masters took what he learned against the likes of John Cena and Shawn Michaels to other promotions he has worked for since then. Among them Impact Wrestling, which is where Adonis had been until recently. The performer, real name Chris Mordetzky, announced his departure from the promotion via social media. A day before the tweet, he sat down to discuss a number of topics backstage at the Impact television tapings at Universal Orlando. This included how the latest run […]

‘The Amazing Race’ alum and ‘Impact Wrestling’ Star Robbie E Wants to Help You Avoid the Dad Bod

August 30, 2017 Scott Fishman

After 17 years in pro wrestling, Robbie Strauss is used to staying in shape and maintaining a busy schedule. However, the minute he and his wife Tara welcomed their twin boys Carter and Cash to the world, life for the two was turned upside down. Strauss, known to fans as Robbie E, found out firsthand how challenging it can be to get gym time in while fulfilling all these new responsibilities. He knew if it was hard for him, other parents were going through the struggle. This is why The Amazing Race alum jumped at the chance to start a […]

Josh Mathews on Slammiversary and How Impact Wrestling is Making Moves

June 25, 2017 Scott Fishman

There was a time when Josh Mathews was just a college kid sending in a VHS tape to New York hoping to be chosen for a new WWE reality show on MTV called Tough Enough. Even though he made it on the inaugural season of the competition in 2001 and didn’t win, the experience provided him with an opportunity to crack open the door to his future. The 36-year-old went on to have a lengthy career in WWE working as a broadcaster with occasional physicality in the ring. These days Mathews works for Impact Wrestling and is gearing up to lace […]

Pro Wrestling Moms of the Ring

May 14, 2017 Scott Fishman

Season six of WWE Total Divas closed with Brie Bella revealing to husband Daniel Bryan that after much trying she was pregnant. Fast forward to today and the happy couple are sharing the joy of bringing home their daughter, Birdie Joe. Brie wanted to become a mom so much that she made the tough decision to step away from the ring. She is the latest in a line of women in pro wrestling who have taken the similar path. However, there are also those who juggle motherhood while still kicking butt in the squared circle. Among them is Mickie James, […]

Matt Hardy on how his broken brilliance is fixing TNA Impact Wrestling

December 11, 2016 Scott Fishman

Matt Hardy has proven that even in today’s era of pro wrestling over-the-top characters can thrive and resonate with fans. The “Broken” persona has been a shot in the arm for his career, as well as helped garner newfound interest in the TNA Impact Wrestling product. Hardy’s creative renaissance truly took shape during a feud with brother Jeff, dubbed Brother Nero. Their rivalry climaxed in a grand spectacle known as the “Final Deletion” at Hardy’s residence in Cameron, North Carolina. With the off-the-wall vignettes leading up to the fight, unique way it was shot and overall production of the event, […]

From WWE to TNA: Aron Rex is Bound for Glory

September 26, 2016 Scott Fishman

Aron Rex — the man formally known as Damien Sandow and born Aaron Steven Haddad — was done with pro wrestling after his WWE release earlier this year. He planned to do a couple of appearances as a way to thank the fans who had supported him over the years. Since the audience played a pivotal role in the opportunities he was given in WWE, he felt like he owed them. Then John Gaburick, TNA Impact Wrestling vice president of creative and talent relations, reached out and the seeds for the arrival of Aron Rex were planted. Sandow went down for a visit […]

Rosemary on why the Decay is blossoming in TNA Impact Wrestling

July 27, 2016 Scott Fishman

Since TNA Impact Wrestling started its run on Pop TV, the direction of the program and the promotion has been very character-driven. And when you look at the roster, the Decay is one true success stories of this new era. Veteran Abyss and Crazzy Steve found new life, ironic given the name of the group. But the important piece of the puzzle for “The Death Dealers” has been Rosemary. The Canadian honed her skills over the last eight years on the independent scene before opportunity came knocking. “I had a lot of experience,” Rosemary said. “Getting signed with TNA was […]

TNA champ Drew Galloway on Slammiversary and being an ambassador for the company

June 8, 2016 Scott Fishman

Many fans were saddened to read about Drew Galloway’s release from WWE on June 12, 2014. Rather than give up and fade into obscurity, the 30-year-old’s passion for pro wrestling and drive to succeed grew stronger. Two years to the day, the TNA Impact Wrestling heavyweight champion will defend the gold against Bobby Lashley Sunday at 8/7CT on pay-per-view from Universal Orlando. Needless to say Galloway is living the dream. “It was a lifelong goal of mine to be world champion,” he said. “It’s something that meant the world to me. It felt significant and important. I don’t get the chance to […]

Jeff Hardy on his big in-ring return to TNA Impact Wrestling

March 14, 2016 Scott Fishman

It has been a long road back to the ring for Jeff Hardy. The daredevil suffered a broken leg in a dirt bike accident last year. Now the popular TNA Impact Wrestling performer is revving up for a return to regular competition in a match against Eric Young Tuesday y 9/8CT on Pop TV. “It’s going to be exciting to see the Orlando crowd again,” Hardy said. “The Impact Zone crowd will be on fire, I’m sure. I’m going to push myself the hardest than I have since I started wrestling again. It’s kind of like when I did with James […]