Quinton "Rampage" Jackson will make his debut on tonight's live "TNA Impact" telecast to kick-off a new deal that the mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter signed this week with the wrestling company.
"I think I'm a natural pro wrestler," said Jackson during his conference call discussing his new venture. "People don't know about my love of pro wrestling. I've been watching TNA. They got Sting and Hulk Hogan, come on. I need to go over there and learn from the best and put on a great show."
Much like Muhammed "King Mo" Lawal's deal, Jackson will compete for both TNA and Bellator MMA. Jackson's deal also includes a four-part reality show series building up to his Bellator debut, as well as potential movie projects through Paramount. Jackson played Mr. T's character BA Baracus in the 2010 movie re-make of the television show, the "A-Team" and wants to continue exploring opportunities in Hollywood.
"When other fighters get the chance to see everything I'm able to do with this deal and the benefits it provides, you're going to see a big change in MMA. I guarantee it," Jackson said to TMZ.
TNA president Dixie Carter says that "Rampage" will start right away, going into training after his Thursday night debut. She feels that Jackson can handle what the demanding work schedule.
"This relationship works perfect for us. We are going to be supporting and working closely with Spike, with Bellator, with Paramount as we build 'Rampage'," said Carter during the conference call. "He has a huge commitment that he has made to me and this sport to take it seriously, but I do know when he does come in, it will be in a big way."
"Rampage" has won MMA championships in PRIDE and Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), having defeated the likes of Chuck Liddell, Dan Henderson, Wanderlei Silva, and Lyoto Machida. Jackson unified the UFC and PRIDE 205-pound title after defeating Henderson at UFC 75.
Jackson is currently on a three-fight losing streak - having been handed defeats by light heavyweight champion Jon Jones (title match), Ryan Bader, and Glover Texeira - and split from UFC under acrimonious terms with president Dana White, partly because of his role in the "A-Team" movie.
"I kind of almost regret doing the damn movie and stuff now," said Jackson. "That's how Dana and I kind of fell out. It caused a whole bunch of problems. I'm under contract where I can't really go into details. I signed a disclosure where I can't really talk about it."
Carter believes that Jackson's addition to TNA Wrestling is as beneficial to her company as it is for "Rampage".
"This is a unique partnership and innovative as 2013 is a big strategic growth year for us," said Carter. "We are in this expansion process on the show and in different things we are getting involved in."