Dot Net TNA News: TNA's India project to feature several former WWE wrestlers, two notable TNA wrestlers added, former WWE wrestler training Indian talent

By Jason Powell

The TNA India projected is backed by a major production company known as Endemol. The TNA offshoot promotion will be taping television this month and again in January that will air on the Colors network in India.

The point man for the project is Jeff Jarrett. Former TNA creative team member Dutch Mantell is involved in the creative end of the project, and former WWE creative team member Dave Lagana is in charge of the actual writing and formatting of the series. Former WWE wrestler Savio Vega, who also worked as a TNA agent, is helping train some of the Indian talent at Ohio Valley Wrestling.

The talent pool for the project is said to include Chris Masters, Chavo Guerrero, Nick Dinsmore (a/k/a Eugene), Sonjay Dutt, Shawn Daivari, and Arya Daivari. Plus, the show will also feature the Indian talent that is being trained by Vega.

There was a notable Indian celebrity that was attached to the project, but the man had to back out due to medical reasons. With the celebrity out of the picture, the decision was made to bring in Matt Morgan and Abyss to add more star power to the roster.

Powell's POV: Mantell and Lagana were backstage at the Impact Wrestling tapings last week. Lagana was said to be adamant with those he spoke with that he is not involved in the Impact Wrestling creative process. The original plan was to use a lot of TNA undercard talent on this project. While some undercard wrestlers may still be used, it appears that the addition of Morgan and Abyss may have led to a change in plans for some of the undercard talent.

Masters announced his involvement on Twitter, and Shawn Daivari noted that he and his younger brother Arya would be involved when I interviewed him recently. Former WWE wrestler Carlito Colon is rumored to be involved with the project, but sources could not confirm that he will be working the tapings. The project is merely an offshoot of TNA, so there's no guarantee that the former WWE wrestlers who are working the tour will end up doing additional work for TNA.

The project is considered a major plus for TNA, as Endemol is a very successful television production company, and the venture has the potential to be very lucrative. Although the show is being made specifically for the Indian market, it may be available on some cable or satellite systems that feature international programming - specifically the Colors network.

Update: We've also heard that Bobby Lashley will be on the India tour.

Dot Net Members received the first look at this news on Tuesday. They will be hearing more details about the WWE Network in today's Dot Net Weekly audio show. Plus, they are listening to a two-hour interview with former WWE wrestler Shawn Daivari. To become a member for as little as $5.50 per month, visit the Dot Net Members' Signup Page.