TNA President Dixie Carter makes her TNA iMPACT television debut at 9 p.m. EST Thursday, Aug. 27 on SpikeTV, but this experienced and intelligent business leader has already made quite an impact in the wrestling world.

In 2002, Carter brought a winning drive, passion and open mind to TNA from her prior workings in advertising, business, entertainment and marketing. With her initiative, family backing and talented associates, she helped save TNA.

Introduced to TNA by co-founder and vice president Jeff Jarrett, this is a success story, especially for women.

Carter is proving herself in a male dominated industry. Now she will be appearing on TNA's primetime television show with pro wrestler, amateur wrestler and mixed martial arts star Bobby Lashley during an interview by Jeremy Borash.

Vince McMahon and Vince Russo, people in power in the wrestling business who later became TV personalities on their programming. (Russo currently writes for TNA.) Eric Bischoff and Paul Heyman were wrestling stars before taking bigger positions in WCW and ECW, respectively, and bigger roles on TV.

``I would much rather be sitting [in the stands] watching TNA iMPACT being taped than appearing on it,'' said a humble Carter, ``but there are so many great things in TNA right now. It just seemed like the right time to do this.

``We've had such great growth in a short period, the past 12 to 18 months, and I think we'll see our greatest changes to our company in the next 12 to 18 months.''

A 1986 graduate of the University of Mississippi with a bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Carter interned at Levenson and Hill, a marketing and advertisement firm in Dallas. Upon graduating, she became a full-time employee of Levenson and Hill, receiving a promotion to vice president by age 27. In 1993, she started her own business in Nashville, focusing on sports and music representation.

Carter's business sense stems from her desire, education, experience and her parents, who own Panda Energy, a successful Dallas-based energy company. In October 2002, Carter saved TNA from closing as Panda Energy purchased a majority stake in the company. She was appointed president of TNA Entertainment in spring 2003.

Carter focused on her strengths. She was instrumental in securing a television deal with Fox Sports Net in 2004, and in July 2005, she helped negotiate a more lucrative television deal with SpikeTV, and TNA eventually became primetime.

Things happen -- positive and negative -- in any business. So how does she deal with any negativity?

``I don't put up with it,'' Carter said. ``You have to lead by example. If I'm going to go around and conduct myself a certain way, I expect other people to do that as well. Amazingly, that's what you get back, when you lead by example and run it a certain way. We really don't have those problems.

``Is it perfect all the time? Absolutely not. We have our minor issues, but it doesn't matter who you are within the roster. Everyone is treated the same way. You have rules you have to live by. We all do in life. That makes for a very good working environment.''

The Midas touch. Just recently, Carter did it again, negotiating a three-year extension with SpikeTV which includes a new original series of 10 one-hour specials.

``I don't think that's the only programming that we'll be developing with Spike,'' she said. ``We have a lot of different shows we're talking about. I think you'll see more programming besides these 10 specials on Spike or on other networks.

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