Go386 - Publicity great for TNA Wrestling

Bubba the Love Sponge bashing Haiti.

Awesome Kong beating up Bubba the Love Sponge.

Threats of lawsuits.

Jeremy Borash told to stay off television.

AJ Styles being pushed as a heel, with women by his side, as the crowd chants "You're married" to the wedding-ring-around-the-neck champion.

The six-sided ring being eliminated in favor of the four-sided ring -- there's even a petition on this at: http://www.petitiononline.com/n2k4mlcj/petition.html

TNA staff telling the crowd they are cast members and that they shouldn't curse or make obscene gestures.

What's going on here?

Publicity, that's what.

People are talking about all these crazy things going on in TNA Wrestling, and these topics are actually stealing the spotlight away from WWE.

It's smart, whether these are topics are real or not, because any publicity is good publicity.

The wrestlers know this game is getting the job done, too.

Every day, it seems Hulk Hogan or someone else is on Bubba the Love Sponge's show talking about wrestling.

And the domino effect has the Internet running with these stories, and then columnists like yours truly spending an entire blog post writing about it.

And we haven't really even gotten to the beginning of stronger angles between Hulk Hogan vs. Jeff Jarrett or Hulk Hogan vs. Vince Russo or Hulk Hogan vs. Mick Foley or Kurt Angle vs. Jeff Jarrett.

My only concern with TNA Wrestling, having looked at the spoilers for the past three days of tapings that will air the next four weeks, is that no surprises can be dished out the next four weeks. That's insane that four weeks of television are ready to air.

Yes, there are no live shows and if anything happens backstage or in the world that deserves a story line angle, it likely can't be done.

It's more of a reason to stop taping so far in advance, and/or go live weekly.

I am pleased TNA Wrestling will counter the crowd heat Hogan is getting by having him help out Kurt Angle against Scott Hall and Sean Waltman. Sorry for the spoiler, but four weeks from now when it airs, will you even remember you read it here?

In closing, TNA Wrestling should relish this week. As WWE prepares for the Royal Rumble next week, the talk will shift from our Orlando neighbors to "that company up north."

LATEST HEADLINES AND MY REACTS

WWE

Budgets for movies the next few years to add up to about $45 million. REACT: At $5 million per movie, let's hope there are a few good ones -- like in the past.

Jerry Lawler refers to Randy Orton as Randy Savage. REACT: Mistakes happen. Big deal.

The Rock hints he will return to WWE but not to wrestle. REACT: Wuss. Kidding. I'm still hopeful for The Rock vs. John Cena at WrestleMania. It's more likely we'll see Rock-Cena during the summer. How about The Rock winning the Rumble and ending Undertaker's streak? Just throwing it out there -- don't say I didn't predict it.

Feb. 8 guest host will be Carl Edwards. REACT: That close to Daytona? Wow!

UFC

Brock Lesnar tells ESPN he almost had a hole in his stomach. He lost 40 pounds in 30 days (I've been there, Brock. Well, 20 pounds in three weeks on two seperate occasions). He went 11 days without food or water. He says he got a health miracle. He said he will fight again this summer. REACT: Awesome news to hear Lesnar will fight again. I've always been a Lesnar fan, and moreso now that he's gone through this. I can relate, to an extent.