Jason Powell at ProWrestling.net is reporting that TNA is scheduled to run three shows in New York City this summer at the Hammerstein ballroom. Powell reports that a source told him that TNA is paying $300,000 to Hammerstein for building rental and production work. These shows are slated to take place in June, July, and August.
Powell said that one of his sources theorized that this could be a desperation move to impress the executives at Spike TV since the two sides have not yet reached an agreement on a new TV deal. Spike TV corporate offices are located in New York City so I would bet that Spike execs will attend these shows. The report said that it is not clear if Spike is paying a portion of the bill or if everything is being funded by TNA.
Obviously this will not sit well with alot of the talents in the company. Many wrestlers in the company are making very little and the guys with the bigger contracts know that their time is limited in the company since they won’t be getting similar deals when their contract talks come up. I don’t know if this is even a possibility but if TNA wanted to impress Spike TV executives then I would offer CM Punk a nice deal to come in and work those shows in New York. Perhaps if they offered him enough money and promised him a nice schedule then perhaps he’d consider it but who knows what Punk’s mindset would be by then.
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