ESPN Classic Canada to Televise TNA Wrestling

Nashville, TN (July 16, 2004) – TNA Entertainment, LLC announced today it has signed a new one-year deal with ESPN Classic Canada providing the network with complete access to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling’s pay-per-view programming library.

ESPN Classic Canada will televise the entire TNA Wrestling collection, chronologically, every Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ET (encores at 12 midnight ET, and Thursdays at 6 a.m. ET and 4 p.m. ET). The ringside action premieres Wednesday, Aug. 4 at 6 p.m. ET with TNA Wrestling’s first ever pay-per-view event from June 2002.

"TNA Wrestling's popularity continues to grow around the world, especially in Canada,” said Dixie Carter, President, TNA Entertainment. “We’re thrilled to have ESPN Classic Canada as a partner."

“Our new deal with TNA Entertainment offers wrestling fans a rare chance to revisit the birth of one of the sport’s most exciting and intense divisions,” said Phil Piazza, Director, ESPN Classic Canada. “It’s a perfect fit for our network’s Wednesday night wrestling lineup.”

TNA Wrestling’s diverse roster includes such squared circle luminaries as three-time NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett, veteran grappler Dusty Rhodes and ‘The Most Hated Man in America’ Jonny Fairplay of Survivor: Pearl Islands fame. Country music superstar Toby Keith, actor/comedian Chris Rock, NFL Pro-Bowler Brian Urlacher and NASCAR drivers Hermie Sadler and Sterling Marlin have made celebrity appearances during TNA Wrestling events. Wrestling legends Dory Funk Jr., Harley Race, Jackie Fargo, Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat and ‘Bullet’ Bob Armstrong have also appeared.

The alternative for the true wrestling fan, Total Nonstop Action Wrestling prides itself on delivering quality, family programming that is clean, innovative, cutting edge and with the high-risk, high-flying athleticism that TNA Wrestling is known for. Available on pay-per-view every Wednesday night at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on, iN DEMAND, and TVN as well as Viewer’s Choice, Bell ExpressVu and Shaw PPV in Canada. Total Nonstop Action Wrestling “Impact!” on Fridays at 3 p.m. on Fox Sports Net (check local listings). For more information, log on to www.tnawrestling.com.

ESPN Classic Canada, where the legends come to play, features great individual performances, controversial victories, huge upsets, momentous comebacks and unforgettable team dynasties. ESPN Classic Canada has encore broadcasts of the most cherished classic games and moments from the world of sports. The network has all the bases covered with baseball, basketball, hockey, football, curling, golf, wrestling, boxing, soccer, tennis, skating, Reel Classics sports movies and much more. ESPN Classic Canada's Web site is located at www.tsn.ca/classic