In this week’s Raw After the Bell, watch as the recently fired Santina Marella issues a farewell to all of her fans.

“I have heard people say, ‘It’s not a big deal to beat their lowest rated show,’ but I disagree. It’s a huge success for TNA, which five years ago had just 300,000 viewers in a Friday afternoon timeslot on Fox Sports. So now we’re setting our sights on their second-rated show, Smackdown – and that gap has closed significantly over the past six months.”

Talk a little bit about your US television partner Spike TV.

“When we first went to meet with Spike TV years ago, they had just parted ways with the WWE and were not interested in getting back into wrestling,” Carter said. “However, we were not prepared to take ‘No’ for an answer, and I think they saw that. Our presentation and determination was just intriguing enough that they decided to stick their little toe back in the water. Today, I think they are happily swimming in the wrestling pool, so to speak, and I look forward to exciting announcements from us in the near future.”

Carter added: “Thursday nights are tough. Besides being the most competitive night on TV for networks, we are always up against the biggest sporting events, including high-profile playoffs games. The recent NBA Playoffs had record ratings success, yet TNA held its own. As Spike officials have said, and I agree, ‘God Bless the TNA fans.’”

When asked if Thursday night will remain in TNA’s future, Carter confirmed, “Nothing is set in stone, but no move is being planned right now. Our goal has always been to be competitive and go head-to-head against one of our competitor’s programs. So we hope that might happen sometime in the future.”

And what about TNA’s in-ring product, led by current World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle? Well, Carter doesn’t mince words about the wrestlers.

“In my opinion, TNA has the best in-ring performers in the world and (the roster) just continues to get better,” she said. “Every show we tape, I watch as a fan sitting in the arena among the fans. Sometimes I am overwhelmed at the star power in the ring. Just a few short years ago it was a dream to have the roster we now have; today it is a reality.”

“The audience of 2009 is significantly different from the audience during the height of the WWF-WCW run. And we have to continue to change accordingly. Today’s fans are smarter, more involved. They don’t want their intelligence insulted, and we have been guilty of that at times in the past. Can we please everyone all the time? No, that’s not realistic. But you have to strive to please them much more than not.”

Asked what is the single biggest challenge in the business, Carter said: “Making new superstars.”

“We have an amazingly talented group of young guys ready to break out in a big way. It is their time. They have earned it and deserve it,” Carter said. “The landscape in TNA over the next 12 months is going to change dramatically. Our veterans are here to show that their greatness is beyond themselves and to help create other superstars. These (veterans) are secure enough to know that that’s what is needed for this company to continue to grow. Their leadership in and out of the ring is unmatched.”

Here are Dixie Carter’s comments about a few more topics:

AJ STYLES
“Simply PHENOMENAL. He has taken the in-ring product to another level and is really starting to embrace his own stardom, which is a big part of being a star. I am so proud when I hear the ovation he gets around the world when he enters the arena; it usually is the loudest of the night. He has helped build TNA. AJ is the first and only TNA Gland Slam winner, and his time is just beginning.”

MATT MORGAN
“Matt Morgan has amazing potential and is going to be a huge star in this business.”

SUICIDE
“The creation of Suicide has been a great marketing and creative success.”

LAX
“LAX features two amazingly-talented stars. People are just beginning to see what these guys bring to the table as a team and individually.”

THE BRITISH INVASION
“In a very short period of time, the British Invasion has come in and really established itself; they have that natural charisma and confidence that it takes.”

KNOCKOUTS DIVISION
“I’m very proud of the Knockouts. As a woman, it’s important to me that these ladies be represented properly. They are the best in the business, and the recent addition of new Knockouts, such as Tara and Sarita, will only further strengthen this division.”

COMINGS & GOINGS
“I think the roster is in a really good place right now. There might be a few additions, though, and, if so, they will be big additions for us.”

WORLDWIDE ECONOMIC CRISIS
“It’s interesting that we’ve had our biggest growth during a period when the economy has been its worst, and we’re very grateful for that. We know that for people to spend their hard-earned money on TNA, that means more today than it ever has, so we have to give them more than we ever have.”

THE TNA LIVE EXPERIENCE
“Anyone who has never been to a TNA Live! event, they really are missing something because we try to make that experience so much more than just a wrestling show. It’s interactive; it’s personal; it’s different from all other pro wrestling shows. I get emails everyday from people who say, ‘TNA is the best live event they have ever been to.’ That is the ultimate compliment. The talent always gives 100 percent effort in the ring, and then takes the time after the show or during an intermission to let the fans know how much we appreciate their support. It doesn’t matter how many people are at a TNA show, the wrestlers perform like it’s a sold-out Madison Square Garden.”

AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH TNA PRESIDENT DIXIE CARTER

The seven-year itch has TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter scratching for continued success and primed for a run at the top spot in professional wrestling.

“After seven years, we’ve come a long way. We’ve overcome some tremendous obstacles, but have a long way to go,” Carter said. “Until we are the biggest wrestling company in the world, we won’t be satisfied. And then with that comes another set of challenges, but I look forward to those challenges one day.”

TNA celebrated its seventh anniversary in June and now heads into the summer on a ratings roll with “TNA iMPACT!” (Thursdays, 9-11 p.m. ET) on Spike TV.

“We’ve set very high, very realistic goals along the way, and I don’t think there’s been one (goal) that we haven’t met or exceeded,” she said. “We have not been infused with hundreds of millions of dollars, nor had a parent company that is a network. We have fought hard for every bit of success we have attained. We’ve done it fan by fan, success by success. And that, to me, is what makes TNA special, because it truly is a company of the fans; they’ve been the ones who have allowed us to grow.”

Such that “TNA iMPACT!” now regularly draws close to 2 million viewers on a weekly basis. As of late, “TNA iMPACT!” ratings routinely surpass the WWE’s ratings for ECW on the Sci-Fi Network. TNA is now focused on surpassing Smackdown in ratings, which is the WWE’s stalwart on Friday nights.

“I think we have accomplished more in the last six- to 12-months than we have in the last several years,” Carter said. “I look at our ratings over the last year, and they are up more than 20 percent.”

And yet the ratings for the WWE’s three main shows are relatively flat or significantly down. How do you feel about that?

“We actually don’t want that to happen,” Carter said. “We want everyone’s ratings to go up. In order to succeed, we don’t think we have to take ratings away from anyone else. As a wrestling industry, we all have to grow the fan-base worldwide.

“We can’t just say we’re going to beat Raw (in the ratings). Right now, that’s unrealistic. We had to start with a more obtainable goal to beat the ratings of our competitor’s third-rated show, ECW – and we’ve done that.

WWE taped next week’s edition of Raw at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California. Special thanks to Wrestling News World reader David Mayorga for sending the following results. If you are attending a future WWE television taping and would be interested in sending us live updates, please email your name, mobile number, and show date to wnwryan [at] yahoo.com. Thanks for your support!

Raw: (Airing Next Week)

Raw opens with music and pyro.

Legacy comes out onto the stage then the Million Dollar Man’s music hits and it’s Ted Dibiase Sr. as they walk to the ring together. Ted jr. holding the ropes open for his father. Ted Sr. announces there will be no title defenses on Raw tonight but that the tag belts will be on the line at Night of Champions against Legacy. Ted Sr. announces that Cody Rhodes will take on Mark Henry and Ted Jr will take on the WWE Champion Randy Orton later tonight.

Match #1 is Team Ego (Edge & Chris Jericho) vs. Primo & Carlito

Faster paced match compared to last weeks RAW (6/29). Jericho hits the codebreaker on Carlito and Edge nails Primo with the spear for the cover and the win. Afterwards Carlito turns on Primo by sending him into the turnbuckle then throws him over the top rope to the outside. Carlito exits to the outside part of the ring and throws Primo over the announce table and walks away.

Segment: Legacy and Orton are in the locker room talking about the matches Ted Sr announced earlier this evening. Orton goes on about how if it were my father… when Ted Jr cuts him off by saying how he (Ted Sr.) isn’t your father and that my father was a whole hell of a lot better than your father!

Match 2: Divas tag-team match of Alicia Fox & Maryse vs Gail Kim and Mickey James

A short match with all four competitors getting in some offense. Gail Kim picks up the win for her team via what looked like a single arm DDT on Maryse.

Segment: Ted Sr. is getting his nails done when Cody Rhodes enters his office. Rhodes says that he wants to thank him for making the match. Ted Sr. gets Rhodes pumped up, discussing his father’s background and how *…he’s just a common man…* then says how its a travesty that the American Dream is in the Hall of Fame and that I’m not. Ted Sr. teases how he should make Cody go out there tonight in polka dots just like his father (insert Ted Sr’s trademark laugh)

Match 3: Cody Rhodes vs. Mark Henry

Pretty much a squash match. Henry hits the World’s Strongest Slam on Rhodes who then rolls out of the ring and gets counted out giving Mark Henry the win.

Video of Cena preparing for his Night of Champions tournament final match later tonight

Match 4: Ted Dibiase (Jr) vs WWE Champion Randy Orton

An excellent match between these two superstars. Dibiase with the early advantage hitting a baseball slide on Orton to the outside. Action leads back into the ring where Orton reverses an irish whip, hits a clothesline and begins to systematically pick apart Dibiase, stomping on his arms and legs. Orton hits an impaler DDT with Dibiase’s feet on the ropes. Goes for the cover but only a 2 count. Another attempt at a cover and another kick out at 2. Match finish has Dibiase and Orton fighting it out, countering each other’s maneuvers. Dibiase attempts to lock-in his Cobra Clutch Legsweep but is countered into the RKO. Orton with the cover and a hard fought win over his fellow Legacy cohort.

Segment: HHH is preparing for his match with Cena later. Josh Matthews interviews HHH about facing Cena later tonight for a chance at the WWE title. HHH says that if you are looking for “epic” look no further than this match tonight. HHH concludes the interview by saying that he will do anything to reclaim the WWE championship.

Segment: The VIP Lounge with MVP already at the lounge. His special guest tonight is one of RAW’s newest accquistions in the trade from last week… Jack Swagger! MVP welcomes Swagger to OUR (referring to the crowd) VIP lounge. MVP asks Swagger how it feels to be seen as a fraud after his actions last week on RAW. Swagger says that I’m a two-time two-time All american at the University of Oklahoma Know what that means? MVP retorts “What? You couldn’t get into a better school?” which draws some laughs from the crowd. Swagger then talks about MVP’s past. How MVP is a criminal and that if anyone is an “MVP” it should be me! MVP responds by saying that he doesn’t hide his past. That he made some bad choices but that he paid his debt to society LIKE A MAN (nice pop from the crowd). Swagger says MVP is a pathetic excuse for a human being. MVP says that a big difference between you and me is that Swagger while you run from a fight…(MVP removes his gold chains and shades)…me? I’ve never been afraid of a fight. Loud MVP chants following that last comment. Swagger slowly exits the ring saying how he doesn’t fight criminals. MVP says you don’t fight at all but if you ever want to fight me, you can find me right here in the VIP lounge where I’m straight up…Ballin!

Segment: Ted jr is on screen talking to his father, upset at him. Claiming that you set me up to lose against Orton tonight and that it’s still about you isn’t it? Well, now… it’s my time and a very loud slap to his dad’s face (the redness immediately visible). Ted jr says “Thanks a lot dad” and leaves.

Match 5: US Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Evan Bourne (non-title)

Very fast paced match with some mat wrestling mixed in. Bourne manages to connect with the Shooting Star Press on the US champion for the win! This should make Evan Bourne the number 1 contender for the US championship. After the match, Bourne and Kingston shake hands as the Big Show’s music and pyro hits. Big Show attacks both Bourne and Kingston, hitting a vicious spear on Bourne and then applying the Camel Clutch on Kingston.

Segment: Josh Matthews interviews Cena about their upcoming match. Cena recounts what HHH said earlier that when the WWE title is on the line, all bets are off indeed. Only one person can be champion…. and that it’s been too long since ive said these words: “The Champ Is Here!”

Main Event: Triple H vs. John Cena (Winner faces Orton at NoC for the WWE Championship)

Both HHH and Cena come out to loud ovations from the crowd. They stare each other down in the ring. Loud alternating “Let’s go Cena” and “Triple H” chants. This crowd is hot for tonight’s main event! Very similar to their match last year at Night of Champions however Legacy run out to the ring and interfere, attacking both Cena and HHH. Chioda calls for the bell and Lillian announces that due to the intereference, this match is ruled… Orton comes out onto the stage with a mic in hand cutting of Lillian saying yes yes we all know the result…. That it’s a double disqualification. Since no one won the match, Orton claims that neither Triple H or John Cena will face him at NoC for the title. Ted Sr. comes out and says Orton while you said nobody won, I see it as nobody lost. Therefore Orton, your match at Night of Champions will be a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship!

Dark Main Event: Legacy w/ Randy Orton vs. John Cena and Triple H

Before the match starts, Cena is on the mic telling everyone how tonight was like Wrestlemania in this building till Legacy so rudely interrupted their match. He tells Legacy (who are all standing on stage facing the ring) they have two options. Option 1, you can apologize to everyone in this arena for interrupting or 2… Cena stops talking as Legacy is methodically walking to the ring. Cena picks up again, I thought you might try that. As Legacy enters the ring, Orton gets into a stare down with Cena and HHH but Legacy quickly retreats to the back leaving Orton to fend for himself. Cena hits the Attitude Adjustment on Orton and Triple H hits the Pedigree as his music hits to end the match.

Legacy watching all of this up top the stage is suprised by Ted Sr’s music playing as he comes out and lays out his own son with a haymaker to the face which draws a loud cheer from the crowd.

HHH high-fives fans around ringside as Lillian thanks us for coming out tonight.

Biggest Pop:
Cena & HHH (tie)
Mark Henry (seriously)
Ted Dibiase Sr

Biggest Heat:
Orton
Big Show

Donald Trump’s brief tenure as the owner of Raw may have ended, but his actions taken at that time continue to reverberate throughout the WWE landscape.

On Monday’s episode of Raw, the WWE Universe learned that, before selling Raw back to Mr. McMahon, “The Donald” had orchestrated more than a dozen Superstar trades, extending through all three WWE brands and including the following:

Moving to the Raw roster:
Gail Kim
Alicia Fox
Jack Swagger
Evan Bourne
Mark Henry

Moving to the SmackDown roster:
Matt Hardy
Finlay
The Hart Dynasty – David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd & Natalya

Moving to the ECW roster:
Shelton Benjamin
Goldust
William Regal
Brie & Nikki Bella

The man who prides himself on having mastered the “art of the deal” has made a career out of getting the last laugh in the business world. And now the same can be said of Trump’s interactions with Mr. McMahon, the fellow billionaire who so publicly fired him. After all, Trump not only slapped The Chairman after the firing, he also walked away with twice the amount he had paid for Raw upon selling it back to Mr. McMahon. And now, a full week after his departure, the effects of Trump’s tenure are just now bubbling to the surface.

Could there be more earth-shaking revelations in store? We can’t be certain, but stay tuned!

Divas Champion Maryse vs. Mickie James

-The Score in Canada will be airing WWE Vintage Collections every Saturday at 7 PM ET beginning July 4th, 2009.

-WWE will be touring Mexico in October of 2009. Here are the dates & locations:

October 15th – Monumental Bullring in Monterrey

October 16th – Hermanos Serdan Baseball Stadium in Puebla

October 17th – Sports Palace in Mexico City

SAN JOSE - One week after purchasing Monday Night Raw back from Donald Trump, Mr. McMahon had two shocking announcements for the WWE Universe. First, The WWE Chairman announced that he would be shaking things up by way of a 15-Superstar trade originally set into motion by former Raw owner Donald Trump, that would see five new ring warriors brought to the Raw roster. Even more shocking, McMahon revealed that the show would henceforth have a series of “special guest hosts,” starting that very night with The Animal, Batista.

-Mr. McMahon announced a 15-Superstar trade for all three WWE brands and revealed the first Raw “special guest host” to be Batista; The Animal put WWE Champion Randy Orton in a 3-on-1 Gauntlet Match and set up a Night of Champions Tournament to determine the No. 1 contender for the WWE Title

-Triple H def. MVP to advance in the Night of Champions Tournament

-Unified WWE Tag Team Champions Edge & Chris Jericho def. Carlito & Primo

-John Cena def. The Miz to advance in the Night of Champions Tournament

-Next week’s Raw “special guest host” to be The Million Dollar Man

-Mickie James def. Kelly Kelly, Beth Phoenix and Rosa Mendes to become No. 1 contender for the Divas Championship. Mickie will face Maryse for Divas Championship at Night Of Champions PPV

-Alson announced that World Champion C Punk will take on Unified Tag Team Champion Edge in this week’s WWE Superstars on WGN

-United States Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Big Show ended in a double count-out

-WWE Champion Randy Orton def. Evan Bourne and Jack Swagger (count-out); Mark Henry def. Orton (3-on-1 Gauntlet Match)

-15 MAN STAR SUPERTRADE