Kurt Angle Pulls Out Of HOF + DirecTV/Viacom Update

– DirecTV and Viacom are said to be making “slow progress” in working toward a resolution to the issue that led to Viacom channels, including Spike TV, getting pulled from the service last night. DirecTV executive Derek Chang said that the two sides are still far apart on a rate increase and also said that Viacom wants an increase of over 30% while DirecTV has offered a “double-digit increase” that Viacom rejected.

Change repeated DirecTV’s opinion that Viacom’s programming isn’t worth what it is trying to charge and that it would eventually force consumers to pay the bills for the higher fees. Whether this will be resolved before iMPACT! Wrestling tomorrow is unclear.

– Kurt Angle has withdrawn from the National Wrestling Hall of Fame ceremony this weekend in Waterloo, Iowa. Kyle Klingman, the director of the Dan Gable Museum, said that Angle had to bow out due to TNA obligations. Angle was set to be honored at the event, which will feature appearances by WWE Hall of Famers Jim Ross and Jerry Brisco, Dan Severn, Road Warrior Animal and JBL.

Regarding JBL, Klingman said, “He is going to be a big draw because he really doesn’t make appearances any more. From the feedback we’ve gotten his appearance has probably drawn the most interest. Everybody but Kurt is going to make it. It’s going to be a fun weekend.”