Joel “Truck” Anderson, who was eliminated from tonight’s “Survivor” reality show, has been training with TNA wrestlers before recent television tapings. He’s been working with agent Pat Kenney before the events and training regularly in Phoenix with Johnny Stamboli (a/k/a Rellik). Anderson and Stamboli both live in Phoenix. He’s also been talking regularly with Kurt Angle and Kevin Nash, who are said to be high on his potential.

Powell’s POV: Anderson is the “big guy” backstage sources described last month as “some reality guy” who came to the show and hung out with Jonny Fairplay. Some wrestlers are already assuming the worst in suspecting that TNA owner Dixie Carter is “marking out” and “overpaying” for two reality stars, and there is still a lot of bitterness toward Fairplay over his last run with the company. However, office sources have been quick to point out that Fairplay and Anderson do not have contracts at this time.

I suspect the knee-jerk reaction of most people will be that this is another lame publicity stunt that will cost TNA a bunch of money and blow up in their faces. And it very well could if they overpay for Anderson and fail to promote his appearances properly. That being said, he has been one of the stars of “Survivor” over the last few weeks and the show has been doing very well in the ratings.

Anderson is a muscular guy with a good look, and he’s said to be one of the tallest guys on the TNA roster. For instance, one source noted that he’s bigger than Tomko. Angle and Nash are said to be high on his potential and have been telling people that he has the right attitude. There’s no word yet on when he’ll debut, but one would have to assume that it will happen quickly to capitalize on his “Survivor” notoriety.

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