Kurt Angle told BetweenTheRopes.com on Tuesday that he and Samoa Joe will have a mixed martial arts match at the Lockdown pay-per-view. “We’re going to have an MMA style match at the pay-per-view and this is the beginning of what TNA is going to start doing.” He said he provides a preview of the match on Thursday’s Impact and claims he knocked out one of the wrestlers he fought “for real.”

“Joe and I are actually putting a hell of a a match together that is going to be very much MMA oriented. It’s going to be inside a cage. I don’t even think we’re wearing shoes. We’re going to tape our ankles. We’re going to be putting on the gloves.” He also admitted that they’re trying to show up the Floyd Mayweather vs. Big Show match.

Angle also said he and Randy Couture have agreed to fight in a legit MMA-style match this summer. He didn't specify which promotion they'll work for or what type of match they're going to have. To listen to the full interview, visit BetweenTheRopes.com.

Powell’s POV: This is an encouraging interview. Angle addressed many of the concerns I’ve expressed with the product by saying they intend to eliminate some of the run-ins, cheap finishes, and ref bumps. He even said they intend to have the heels go over clean occasionally. He said there will still be some comedy, but they are shifting toward a more serious MMA style.

I know Kurt has said some outlandish things while dealing with the media, but I really hope he was being sincere in this interview. I’m curious to see where they go with the MMA style. I’m not an advocate of doing all worked MMA-style matches, but I’m all for incorporating more of an MMA flavor into TNA. He’s also right about the need for some comedy. The problem I have with TNA is that they tend to go overboard with the campy humor.

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