Update on Road Dogg’s TNA Wrestling status
Brian “Road Dogg” James is reportedly still working through the process of signing with TNA Wrestling.
PWInsider reports that, while James was in Boston on Sunday and backstage at Slammiversary, the two sides are still “ironing out a deal” for him to come in. James is expected to join TNA in a behind-the-scenes capacity as part of the creative team. He was the co-lead writer of SmackDown before choosing to depart WWE this March.
Just before Slammiversary, TNA went through a big creative change with Tommy Dreamer exiting the promotion by what was referred to as a mutual decision. The PWInsider report notes that the shakeup did not lead to plans for Slammiversary altering in any significant fashion, and the company is “very happy” with how the show played out.
Dave Meltzer reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter last week that, once James is officially added, the TNA creative team will include Hunter Johnston (former ROH wrestler/booker Delirious), Eric Tompkins, and James.
“Hunter Johnston is expected to be lead booker and Eric Tompkins, the company’s Vice President of TV Production along with James are expected to be working with him in that role,” Meltzer wrote.
Upcoming TNA schedule —
TNA will be in Albany, New York this Wednesday and Thursday for its first post-Slammiversary television tapings. At the end of the month, the promotion heads to Philadelphia on July 30-31. These Impact episodes are building toward TNA’s Lockdown pay-per-view in Chicago on August 23.
Joseph Currier is the lead editor of F4WOnline.com, directing daily news coverage and writing articles on professional wrestling. He is a graduate of the University of Massachusetts, obtaining a journalism degree in 2016. Joseph joined F4W during his time at UMass and has now been writing about the industry for nearly a decade.
In addition to his work with F4W, Joseph has previously contributed to Sports Illustrated's wrestling coverage. He lives in Massachusetts and is a diehard fan of the Boston sports teams and Liverpool Football Club.