If you're wondering where the hell Austin Aries has been and why TNA hasn't used him in quite some time, it's not because he's on his way out of the company like, say, former X Division stalwart Chris Sabin. No, apparently it's because he's been in the doghouse for a "blow up" at a television taping.
That's according to the Wrestling Observer, who states that the story behind MVP not using him because of Aries turning on him to join Bobby Roode's team at Lockdown has just been a cover to put Aries on the shelf for a while.
The timing of all this is interesting if only because -- SPOILER ALERT -- Aries is scheduled to make his return to TNA on tonight's (April 17, 2014) episode of Impact on Spike TV. He'll be setting up a match with MVP in a continuation of the story they started telling that was apparently a cover to get him off TV.
There hasn't been any word on what exactly it is Aries did to get himself in trouble, so we'll reserve judgement here. This wouldn't be the first time he's gotten himself in hot water within the company, however. Roughly one year ago, he was disciplined for putting his crotch in ring announcer Christy Hemme's face after she mistakenly introduced him as someone else.
Either way, he's back tonight.