TNA founder Jeff Jarrett was not at last night's Victory Road PPV and will not be at this week's Impact tapings. Jarrett is taking "personal time off", according to what TNA front-office employees were told late last week during a company meeting. Jarrett was scheduled to be involved in at least some backstage pre-taped segments during the PPV. TNA TV had also been building a program between Jarrett and Eric Young, so this was not a planned hiatus.

I am told that the TNA office was informed on either Thursday or Friday that Jeff would be taking the time off

In Jarrett's absence, the rest of the creative team and several agents, including Dutch Mantel, Jim Cornette, Terry Taylor and Vince Russo ran the backstage aspect of the PPV.

Jarrett's hiatus comes on the heels of an incident on Bubba the Love Sponge's radio show last week where an "anonymous TNA employee", who had their voice distorted, claimed that Jarrett was now involved with Kurt Angle's ex-wife Karen and that the two were allegedly living together.

The caller was repeating an oft-cited rumor that had been bouncing around the wrestlers for many, many months. Given the cause and effect of the statement and Jarrett "taking time off", one does have to consider the timing.

TNA's Steven Godfrey declined to comment when contacted this morning at the TNA offices, saying he could not "comment on personnel issues at this time."

Jarrett's absence was a large topic of discussion among the wrestlers at last night's PPV and I believe it was the first PPV in the company's seven year history that he was not running or in attendance at.

There is no timetable for Jarrett to return to his duties.

TNA is falling apart...saw that and it shouldn't matter anymore since Karen and Kurt are divorced...that siad this is wrestling and the two will make amends and work this real heat into storyline heat.

"Dirty" Dutch Mantel and Savio Vega who had worked backstage as agents in TNA were released yesterday. Mantel had been with the company since day 1 and was Jarrett's right hand man. Given the recent news of Jarrett and Karen Angle's relationship the timing of these firings are interesting. Many folks think that Kurt Angle is using his political influence with owner Dixie Carter to supplant Jarrett's regime and eventually force Jeff out. This could get ugly folks........

I want one of the 2 to come back to WWE! Talk about a kick to TNA!

Dying days of TNA soon to come????...Total Non Stop Russo - here we come!!! Baby!!!

Panda Energy, has 72% of the company - they are a "strong" company (so I hear), but the TNA arm has never made them a cent...how long will it last?

Kurt = self absorbed moron.