Spike TV and Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling Take 'TNA iMPACT!' Live for the First Time

'TNA iMPACT!' To Telecast Live On Spike TV From Universal Studios Orlando Thursday, March 27

NEW YORK, March 3 -- Spike TV and Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling announced today that "TNA iMPACT!" will telecast live for the first time in the show's history on Thursday, March 27 (9:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) from Universal Studios Orlando.

In addition to the live telecast, TNA will tape two additional two-hour episodes of "TNA iMPACT!" at Universal Studios Orlando on Friday, March 28 and Saturday, March 29, with these episodes premiering on Spike TV in April. For information and specific times on attending these Spike TV/TNA events, fans can visit www.tnawrestling.com.

"This first ever special live event is a treat for TNA fans, but it is also an opportunity for viewers who are not familiar with TNA's distinct brand of high-impact wrestling to tune-in and experience first-hand that TNA is indeed the new face of wrestling," says Spike TV senior vice president of sports and specials Brian Diamond.

"Thousands of pro wrestling fans will visit Orlando, the home of 'iMPACT,' at the end of March. We're celebrating by taking 'iMPACT' live for the first time ever so that fans from across the globe can experience the best professional wrestling available today," says TNA President Dixie Carter.

"TNA iMPACT!" launched on Spike TV with a weekly one-hour show on October 1, 2005. This past October, with consistent ratings and demographic growth, "TNA iMPACT!" expanded to a two-hour telecast on Spike TV. Currently, the show averages a weekly audience of 1.5 million viewers.

"TNA iMPACT" has called Orlando, FL home since June of 2004, when it moved into its current location, dubbed "The iMPACT Zone," on Soundstage 21 at Universal Studios Orlando.

Each week, viewers who miss the action can log on to spike.com to catch up on the latest TNA action with weekly video highlights from "TNA iMPACT!"

About TNA Wrestling:

TNA Wrestling delivers a distinct brand of high-risk, athletic entertainment. TNA's roster features the biggest names in wrestling, including Kurt Angle, Booker T, Christian Cage and Kevin Nash, as well as the hottest new talent in the business, such as Samoa Joe, A.J. Styles, and the Motor City Machineguns. TNA features the innovative six-sided ring and the high-flying "X Division," as well as concept matches such as "Ultimate X," "King of the Mountain," and "Six Sides of Steel."

About Spike TV:

Spike TV is available in 96.1 million homes and is a division of MTV Networks. A unit of Viacom , MTV Networks is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. Spike TV's Internet address is www.spike.com.