source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
-- As reported last week, TNA fired referee Rudy Charles (real name Dan Engler) in a cost-cutting measure. TNA's decision to let him shocked a number of people because he was popular with management and had been with the company from the start, not to mention that he performed so many tasks for the company. However, the feeling is TNA will simply hire a local referee to replace him, and that others in the office will pick up the jobs he was doing. Although it's been noted they'll have to be trained to run the errands he did. Besides being a referee and involved in timing of the shows, he also sat in on creative meetings. It was also said that TNA could save on transportation costs by using a referee who lived near Orlando.
-- TNA posted the following cards for this weekend's slate of live events on its website. It's interesting to note that the company is continuing to use Kip James as he is scheduled to appear on the tour. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
July 17th in Johnson City, Tennessee
AJ Styles vs. Samoa Joe for the Legends Championship
Beer Money vs. Booker T & Scott Steiner for the World Tag Team Championship
Taylor Wilde vs. Daffney
Suicide vs. Chris Sabin vs. Jay Lethal
Appearances by Matt Morgan, Madison Rayne & Kip James
July 18th in Winston-Salem, North Carolina
Kurt Angle, Booker T & Scott Steiner vs. AJ Styles & Beer Money
Taylor Wilde vs. Madison Rayne
Jay Lethal vs. Chris Sabin
Appearances by Samoa Joe, Matt Morgan, Daffney, Suicide & Kip James
-- Today is Bobby Lashley's birthday. The TNA newcomer turns 33.
Karen Angle *BUNKING* with a TNA wrestler - find out who (>)