While speaking to Cerrito Live, James Storm was asked about possibly returning to NXT and mentioned it’s definitely a possibility that he could return to that brand.

“People always say, ‘main roster or bust type of guy,’ but if you look at NXT, it’s one of the hottest things going right now no matter what people say. And it’s one of those things where anybody would be proud to be signed to NXT and have a good run there. I mean, it’s plain and simple. They are doing as much as the people on the main roster is on the road and stuff like that right now. So, I mean, I’d definitely go and work with those guys and help them out as best I can.”

Storm also talked about his next move and revealed that he wants to keep it under wraps and make it a surprise.

“There are a lot of companies and the funny thing is that I’m now free to talk and negotiate with other companies and actually go work for other companies. But right now, I think I kind of want to keep it under wraps, make it a surprise where old James Storm pops up.”

Storm explained, “I just want to be a surprise because today, especially in our social media world, there [are] not that many surprises anymore. And because everybody wants to be cool and I always say, ‘people are wrestling for the likes and the retweets’ or GIFS, whatever they call those things these days. But to me, I always try to keep stuff kayfabe and keep stuff secret until it happens or whatever, so it’s even cooler when it’s a surprise.”

The post James Storm Says He’d Definitely Work for NXT Again appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

Photo: WWE

James Storm Parts Ways With Impact Wrestling

James Storm is done with Impact Wrestling. As we reported last week, there was speculation that Storm would be the next name to leave the company, and during last night’s tapings in Ottawa, he finished up with his long-time promotion.

#ThankYouStorm @JamesStormBrand says thank you to @RealJeffJarrett, @TNADixie, & @brydertna @IMPACTWRESTLING pic.twitter.com/W3734QVYi3

— Main Event Radio (@maineventradio) November 10, 2017

Storm’s contract with the company isn’t up until January of 2018, but with these tapings carrying Impact through the end of this year, this was his last appearance for the promotion.

………#ThankYouStorm pic.twitter.com/Vmxa52ELTB

— James Storm (@JamesStormBrand) November 10, 2017

Austin Aries On His WWE Departure

Despite reports to the contrary, Austin Aries apparently did not ask for his release from WWE, nor was he unhappy with his role in the company. During a recent appearance on Talk Is Jericho, Aries cleared up any confusion on how and why he left the company earlier this year.

“I mean, long story short, and I can’t speak to stuff that I’ve read or that people have read because those things were never brought to me personally, so that’s really… I don’t like to deal with speculation. Just plain and simple, I was told that they had nothing for me creatively. I was set to start… I just started rehabbing some nagging injuries on my neck. I’m obviously finishing up the program with Neville, and it left me… they didn’t have anything solid for me creatively, so speaking with the doctors, that it was a good time to give me a little time off, let me rehab, get some strength back. I had lost some size. And I was looking forward to that and then I got a call actually the day after I started doing that and just said that there was nothing for me creatively and that was really it.

“I was just told they have nothing for me and they’re going to let me go. And I expressed that, obviously, that was unfortunate. I wasn’t completely surprised. I felt maybe from things leading up to it that that maybe the direction we’re going to head, but, hey man, that’s a business decision and the bottom line is I think I appreciate the opportunities that I was given there. I didn’t want to leave. I didn’t ask to be released. It never crossed my mind. I never had that conversation with anybody. I was more than happy to spend the time getting healthy and figuring out what they had for me next because, literally, I was happy to do whatever. I’ll go to NXT, put me as a mouthpiece, take me out of 205 [Live]. You can do anything with me. Like, I’m open and I’m at a point in my career where I’ve won championships, I’ve done all these things, and it’s cool, and I realized that I take pride in being a utility guy. Like, could you build Austin Aries to be the world champion? Well, yeah, you could. Right, but if you asked me, ‘would you build Austin Aries to be the world champion?,’ I’d go, ‘well, there [are] probably 10 other guys I’d do first, but could you do it with me? Sure, against the right opponent, with the right story and the right build, I can handle the load. I know, like, I have the talent, but I wouldn’t be the ideal choice and that’s not lost on me. Luckily for me, I can do a lot of things and be a valuable asset that has nothing to do with winning titles or championships or any of that, so that [has] never been an issue. It was a business decision and I respect that.

“There could or could not be more to that story and I will never know and it doesn’t really matter because you’re always the last one to find out anything anyway. So to worry about the things I’ve heard, or the speculation, or the things that have been written about me, man, I’m just going to go with the facts.”

The post James Storm Parts Ways With Impact Wrestling; Austin Aries On His Departure From WWE appeared first on TopRopePress.com – Wrestling News, WWE News, TNA News, Wrestling Results.

James Storm announced his farewell from the Impact Wrestling at tonight’s tapings. The announcement came after Storm was defeated in a “Loser Leaves Impact” match.

As previously reported, Storm’s contract expires in January of 2018 and the belief was this week’s television tapings could be his last with the company unless he reached a new deal with the company.

The post Spoiler: Top Impact Talent Announces His Farewell appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

Photo: Impact Wrestling

Impact Wrestling Viewership For Thursday’s Show

This week’s Impact Wrestling episode, featuring the final build for Sunday’s big Bound For Glory PPV, drew 275,000 viewers. This is up from last week’s 231,000 viewers. Impact Wrestling ranked #140 on cable’s Top 150 for this week, which is up from last week when they were at #149.

James Storm Leaving Impact?

We’ve been reporting on all of the talent leaving Impact Wrestling over the past several months, and the latest name to be rumored as the next to go is James Storm.

It’s being reported that Storm’s contract with Impact runs out in January, and he probably won’t re-sign with the promotion. Impact has a round of television tapings scheduled for next week, following Bound For Glory, and these may be the last dates that Storm works for the promotion.

Storm has been with TNA/Impact since 2002, leaving briefly in 2015 to work a short stint in NXT before returning to TNA in January of 2016.

Earl Hebner Gone From Impact Wrestling

Earl Hebner is the latest name to part ways with Impact. The long-time referee reportedly left the company this week due to the promotion informing the referees that they would be using local officials while in Canada for Bound For Glory and the subsequent television tapings.

Hebner had been with TNA/Impact since 2006, and with his departure, Impact lost their last referee. The others, including Brian Hebner, announced their departures earlier this week.

The post Impact Wrestling Viewership (11/2/17); Earl Hebner Departs Impact Wrestling; James Storm The Next To Leave The Company? appeared first on TopRopePress.com – Wrestling News, WWE News, TNA News, Wrestling Results.

While speaking to Wrestling Inc, James Storm responded to the rumors that he didn’t sign with WWE because the company reportedly gave him a low-ball offer. According to Storm, that wasn’t the case.

“A lot of people say it was money, but it wasn’t. It was a family thing,” Storm said. “Hunter told me they’d run 100-125 shows over the next two years. My wife wanted to have another kid, but she had to do shots, and I had to be at home a lot more. It was a decision: do I go and live this crazy of wrestling in the WWE or do I stay home and help my wife have another child that she wants? I decided that my family was what is really important to me.”

You can check out the full interview here.

The post James Storm Shoots Down Rumors on Why He Didn’t Sign with WWE appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

Photo: Impact Wrestling

James Storm Talks Rebranding & The Future

During a recent media call, Impact Wrestling’s James Storm talked about the company’s rebranding, which seems to happen on a weekly basis these days.

“I’m so used to calling it TNA, just because I’ve been here for 15 years. I know a lot of other guys still refer to it as TNA. But I think it’s just the lettering – especially here in the States, when you tell someone you wrestle for TNA, they look at you like you’re a weirdo because they think something totally different – but I think it should just be called Impact Wrestling. Plain and simple. That’s what the name of the show is, that’s what a lot of wrestling fans are accustomed to. But at the end of the day, that’s not my call.”

As for his future in the company, he had the following to say:

“There’s a lot that I can’t really talk about, but I always say: you never know what the future holds. There might be a new door opening, I don’t know. All I can do is work my butt off, get in the best shape I can, just show up to work and do what I’m told. Right now I’m just having fun being the old Cowboy James Storm.”

Impact Wrestling Preview (10/5/17)

Here’s the spoiler-free preview for tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling on POP TV.

• Knockouts Champion Sienna has a few words for the division.
• GFW Tag Team Champions oVe will be in action.
• Petey Williams, Sonjay Dutt, & Matt Sydal vs X-Division Champion Trevor Lee, Andrew Everett, & Caleb Konley.
• Impact Grand Champion EC3 & James Storm vs Texano Jr. & El Hijo del Fantasma.

The post Preview For Tonight’s Impact Wrestling; James Storm On Impact Rebranding appeared first on TopRopePress.com – Wrestling News, WWE News, TNA News, Wrestling Results.

The following matches will most-likely take place at the upcoming GFW Bound for Glory event:

* GFW World Heavyweight Title Match: Johnny Impact vs. Eli Drake

* GFW Knockouts Match: Gail Kim vs. Taryn Terrell vs. Allie vs. Sienna (Confirmed)

* GFW X Division Title Match: Matt Sydal vs. Sonjay Dutt vs. Petey Williams vs. Trevor Lee (others may be added)

* Monster’s Ball: Grado vs. Abyss (Confirmed)

* James Storm and Impact Grand Champion Ethan Carter III vs. Texano and Fantasma

The post Rumored Matches for GFW Bound for Glory appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

While speaking to USA Today, James Storm talked about his departure from WWE and reveled why he left. He also indicated that he is open to a return to the company if the opportunity presented itself.

“Everything is about timing. I didn’t think it was the right time. I was treated with respect when I went down there, Hunter (WWE executive vice president Paul ‘Triple’ Levesque and I talked about things. He just said, ‘At the end of the day, you have to do what’s best for you. If things don’t work out, you have my number. Give me a call.’ It was great for him to say that to me. At the time, I don’t think I was ready for it with some stuff with my family life and my personal life to take care of. He understood that. It had nothing to do with wrestling. But never say never is the wrestlers’ motto that we live by. If it presented itself, I would talk it over my family again and see what we could do.”

You can check out the full interview here.

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