Sting Retirement Update, Did Tara’s TNA Debut Draw?, Attendance

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Quite like every year since he came back to TNA, there has been a lot of talk as of late concerning Sting possibly retiring. This year’s Bound for Glory pay-per-view is being targeted as the show where he could possibly retire. Every year, Sting, 50, say it’s his last year, and every year TNA president Dixie Carter gives him a good deal and talks him into staying for another year. Internally, many believe the same thing will happen this year as a result of the new television taping schedule. His schedule would have him working four days per month, all in a row, once a month, since he doesn’t work live events or foreign tours. Plus, he’ll earn north of $500,000 per year, so it’s a guarantee he’ll always be on top. As noted earlier, his son Garrett will be playing college football in the fall at Azusa Pacific, which is an NAIA school in Southern California. Considering the games are on Saturday, with his limited wrestling schedule he wouldn’t miss any games.

As reported earlier, last week’s episode of TNA iMPACT! drew a 1.06 cable rating with 1.6 million viewers. The show did a 0.79 in Males 18-34 and 0.93 in Males 35-49. Mick Foley’s in-ring promo with Jeff Jarrett where he threatened to kick him out scored the show’s highest quarter hour, doing a 1.18 rating. Alex Shelley and Jay Lethal vs. Team 3D lost 181,000 viewers, more than 10% of the viewers. A backstage segment with Jarrett and Foley, plus Samoa Joe vs. Scott Steiner in a First Blood Match, and Samoa Joe vs. Booker T in a First Blood Match also lost 181,000 viewers. Daffney beating up Taylor Wilde, Jeremy Borash interviewing The Beautiful People, and Cody Deaner training with ODB gained 15,000 viewers. Shane Douglas’ wrestling return was a hit as his match with AJ Styles gained 136,000 viewers, Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for newcomer Tara as her TNA in-ring debut against Madison Rayne lost 45,000 viewers (along with a backstage segment following it in which Eric Young slapped Jeremy Borash). The main event featuring Kurt Angle vs. Sting gained 136,000 viewers to finish at a 1.10.

In attendance notes, the 6/4 live event in Kent, Washington drew 1,072 people for a $29,705 gate. The 6/13 live event in Council Bluffs, Iowa drew 300 fans whereas the 6/14 show in Kearney, Nebraska drew 1,000.

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