Steel cages and Hulkamania set for Wembley, says TNA boss Dixie Carter

Joshua Fowler, Reporter Thursday, January 24, 2013
12:38 PM

Steel cages, pyrotechnics and Hulk Hogan are enough to reduce most respectable, fully-grown men into their screaming fanboy alter-egos.

Wrestling giants TNA are bringing exactly that to Wembley Arena on Saturday at an event president Dixie Carter says is full of firsts.

Speaking to London24.com, the Texan promised the company’s first UK cage match and the return of the industry’s biggest name, Hogan - accompanied by his daughter Brooke.

“This year on the tour we are bringing the steel cage over for the first time, plus we’re going to record a month worth of television in the UK which I’m so excited about”, said Dixie.

The company’s latest show, British Bootcamp, saw Dixie and general manager Hogan choosing between four UK wrestlers attempting to earn a professional TNA contract.

The show came to a conclusion on Tuesday on Challenge UK when Rockstar Spud beat off competition from Party Marty and The Blossom Twins to take home the contract.

All four will compete at Wembley, but Dixie believes Spud has the “it factor” that just put him ahead of his rivals.

She said: “They were all great and do all have great personalities, but he had a few more years on the other guys.

“We did a great job finding the top talent over here and it was a tremendous success. Adding Rockstar Spud to the roster is going to be really interesting and I can’t wait to see what he’s got.”

A company continuing to grow, TNA has seen a boom in recent years that has attracted top names such as former Olympian Kurt Angle, as well as legends Sting and Ric Flair.

The success, says Dixie, can be attributed to the English fans as TNA begins to beat goliaths WWE in the television ratings.

“I feel this is a tipping point and this year is going to be big for us”, said the TNA president.

“A big part of our expansion has been the UK and we are the best right now. We have the best talent, our ratings are better and for a company that never acknowledged us the big guys are starting to copy us.”

In a world full of egos, the authority figure claims she leads her locker room of superstars by example.

The company’s tight knit feel stems from Dixie’s down-to-earth approach, as she believes “if I’m not a diva, no one else can be.”

With big names such as The Hulkster, Kurt Angle, Bully Ray, Sting and Bobby Roode all lined up for the tour - this is a wrestling landmark not to be missed.

TNA’s Road to Lockdown runs from 7.30pm on Saturday at Wembley Arena. Tickets are available at www.gigsandtours.com/tna2013.