ESPN Star Sports powers up wrestling action for fans in South Asia
14 Aug 2008, 1921 Hrs

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New Delhi, Aug 14 (ANI/Business Wire India): Asia's leading sports broadcaster, ESPN STAR Sports (ESS) today announced a new long-term deal for the exclusive rights to broadcast TNA Wrestling across the Indian subcontinent including India, Pakistan, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Maldives.

With this deal, TNA will return to STAR Sports starting September 3 and the heart-stopping action continues with the two popular TNA programs 'TNA iMPACT!' and 'TNA Xplosion' every week and big, special blockbuster events each month.

TNA iMPACT! The flagship show from TNA Wrestling, will air on STAR Sports on Thursdays at 6 pm. The 2-hour show features new and exclusive action-packed fights each week, as well as behind the scenes looks. On Wednesdays at 6 pm, STAR Sports will broadcast 'TNA Xplosion', featuring highlights as well as exclusive matches between key wrestlers.

This explosive action will be topped up with blockbuster fights in special TNA events featuring some of the most innovative and riveting themes in wrestling each month. Wrestling fans will also get their fill of classic matches from the history of TNA, with ESPN STAR Sports' specially produced original programming every week.

TNA fans can now look to never before opportunities to experience TNA action as ESPN STAR Sports announced plans to bring leading TNA Wrestlers to the subcontinent on yearly promotional tours. Fans will also get a chance to fly to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida and get up-close and personal with the TNA stars through special consumer contests that ESS and TNA plan to launch.

For wrestling fans who are more interested in the wrestling action than just the skits and stories, TNA has been a breath of fresh air and has fast become the destination of choice. Fans believe TNA consistently excels at showcasing the best wrestling action between highly skilled performers, with well-matched contests that are not as one-sided as in some other professional wrestling.

TNA believes in allowing wrestlers to really showcase their wrestling talent. Featuring the innovative six-sided ring and the high flying X-Division, as well as concept matches such as "Ultimate X," "King of the Mountain," "Six Sides of Steel," "Lethal Lockdown" and "Elevation X," considered the most dangerous match in professional wrestling, TNA Wrestling delivers a distinct brand of high-risk, athletic entertainment featuring some of the biggest names in wrestling today, such as Kurt Angle, Booker T, Kevin Nash and Christian Cage, as well as the hottest new stars in the business: A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe, The Latin American Xchange and the Motor City Machineguns.

TNA's Indian fans have keenly followed the exploits of Sonjay Dutt in the 6-sided ring. The "Original Playa from the Himalaya," Sonjay Dutt has been a mainstay within TNA's X Division and his high-flying maneuvers have garnered him many wins throughout his time in TNA. His Hindu Press finishing maneuver has thrilled fans for years and has left nearly all of his opponents defeated. Recently, Dutt found his "inner peace" as a competitor and now calls himself "The Guru."

TNA Wrestling joins STAR Sports' action packed calendar for wrestling and fight fans with K-1 featuring fight events which mix various martial arts from Muay Thai, Karate, Taekwondo, Kickboxing, traditional Boxing, and many more to select the single best stand-up fighter in the world. (ANI)