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http://www.nwatna.com/columns/bankshot/2004/1/24/bankshot.html

01.24.04 | The Bank Shot with Bill Banks

All signs are pointing to this being our best month yet here on
NWATNA.com! And thanks to you, the fans, the TNA name is getting out.
I've noticed many fans are also using our TNA Banners on their own
websites. We appreciate this tremendously, and thank everyone who has
done so. If you'd like to check out the free TNA Banners for your
website, CLICK HERE

TNA TO OPEN WRESTLING SCHOOL
There's been speculation over the last several months that TNA would
be opening a wrestling school. Well, let me be the first to tell you
those rumors are in fact, true! I've been given the go-ahead to
officially release the news on the TNA training facility, which will
be taking applications by the end of the week once we get all the
information on the website. From what I understand, TNA officials
Terry Taylor and Scott D'Amore will be instrumental in the training,
which will take place at the TNA Asylum. Like I said, all the info
will be up mid-week, but if you're serious about getting into the
wrestling business, give it a read.

JAMES STORM INJURED
During this past Wednesday's Pay-Per-View match against The Redshirt
Security, James Storm of America's Most Wanted suffered what looks to
be a broken hand. He also damaged his neck in some way, but had yet to
receive an official prognosis as of Friday when he stopped by the TNA
offices before seeing a doctor. We hope to have an update on James
Storm on either Monday or Tuesday here on the website, and wish him a
speedy recovery.

FEBRUARY 11 X CUP TEAMS ANNOUNCED
Also on Wednesday's Pay-Per-View, the official teams for the February
11 Americas X Cup event were announced. The returning Jerry Lynn will
captain Team NWA, including X Champion Chris Sabin, Primetime Elix
Skipper and Sonjay Dutt. The AAA Team will consist of X-style
superstars Hector Garza, Juventud Guerrera, Abismo Negro and Mr.
Aguila.

We all saw the amazing matches Juventud Guerrera had in the Super X
Cup tournament back in September, and having seen Hector Garza, Abismo
Negro and Mr. Aguila over the years, the amazing X matches we will see
that night is mind-blowing.

I'm always felt that one of TNA strongpoints is that we are different
with the X Division, and I strongly believe that on February 11, fans
will be truly impressed with what they see that night.

(KINDA) BIG BALLS
A lot of people in the locker room were shocked to see a slimmed-down
Balls Mahoney show up for the TNA Pay-Per-View this week. According to
Balls, he was up to 400 and felt horrible at the weight. He stuck to a
diet and was able to get down to the 280 range. Kudos to Mahoney, as
he was in a great mood in the locker room and was a pleasure to work
with that night.

TNA TO HOST MAJOR ENTERTAINMENT EVENT
For fans unfamiliar with CTAM, it's an organization that hosts a
series of annual events dedicated to the cable and Pay-Per-View
industry. Each year, many of the "major players" from Hollywood and
entertainment meet at the conference to discuss the latest trends and
technology in cable. This March 11 at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los
Angeles, TNA is honored to be the official host for the closing
reception, which will be attended by many cable representatives, movie
studios and network heads. TNA President Dixie Carter, along with NWA
World Champion Jeff Jarrett, Jonny Fairplay and several TNA
representatives will be on hand to address the assembly about the
growth of TNA and our plans for the rest of 2004.

UPCOMING ON TNA DVD
Based on the tremendous success of our recent "Best of TNA" DVDs, our
staff recently sat down to plan out the release schedule of some new
TNA DVDs.

Coming up next (probably around mid-March), we'll be releasing the
"Babes of TNA" DVD featuring footage of Trinity, Goldylocks, Traci and
the TNA Dancers. It will include match footage, exclusive footage from
the 2004 TNA Calender shoot, interviews and so much more. I also
understand the bonus feature footage will be WELL worth the purchase,
but we have yet to finalize those details!

We hope to be taking pre-orders for the Babes of TNA DVD on the
website in the next few weeks!

ODD FACT OF THE WEEK:
How tough is Kevin Northcutt? The man has a bullet stuck in his arm
from a shooting he was once involved it. I didn't believe him at
first, until he showed it to me - it's right under his skin and is
rather disgusting. Add to that a series of stabbing scars on his
stomach, and he's got quite a violent past to talk about. We hope to
be doing another interview with him soon here on NWATNA.com.

OTHER NEWSBITS:

Poor Shane Douglas - he's been sick on and off the past few weeks, and
was in a miserable condition when it came time to fly to Nashville
this past week. Hoping to get some peace and quiet while he tried to
recover, The Franchise found himself surrounded on the plane by an
army of Rosie O'Donnell porkers all going to a Mary Kay convention.
For two hours, a groggy Douglas suffered through constant conversation
about makeup and eyeliner.

We'll hopefully have pictures on the website of the upcoming TNA
trading cards by the end of the week.

There are new TNA Babe photos up in the multimedia area. You can check
them out by CLICKING HERE. We know many of our online fans would love
to see more live photos from the TNA events, and we hope to be
addressing that in the upcoming weeks.

Kudos go out toe NWATNA.com resident artist Scott Blair for his main
page drawing of the Insane Clown Posse this week. (If it's not on the
main page by the time you read this, then check back soon!). Scott's
work is amazing, and many of his TNA talent drawings are available in
the Desktop Wallpaper Area, which you can check out by CLICKING HERE.

Thanks again for reading, and see you next week!
Bill Banks


--- Internet Rex 2.29