It was announced during ECW that Vince McMahon would induct Steve Austin into the WWE Hall of Fame. The HOF will air on USA at 10pm.
Class of 2009
March 31, 2009
WWE Hall of Fame Update
ECW Results: Extreme Anticipation
Just five days before the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, Mark Henry looms over friend and foe alike as he prepares to go to WrestleMania Money in the Bank. Full results.
Jeff Hardy and Beth Phoenix Interviewed for the WrestleManiART Auction
Jeff Hardy & Beth Phoenix discuss their artistic backgrounds.
Breaking News - Tazz Quits
PWInsider.com has reported that following last night’s Smackdown taping, Tazz has left WWE. His contract expired today. WWE.com is yet to mention it. With the former ECW World Champion now having left the company, it’s going to be interesting to see who calls the action with Jim Ross on future Smackdowns (or Cole if Ross returns to RAW during the draft).
Kaliqo's Commentary - The Family & The Legacy; Furthering the Storylines
It will interesting to see how this McMahon Family vs. Legacy storyline plays out after WrestleMania. Some points to think about:
Triple H has admitted that future storylines with him could be compromised because he has now been "outted" as the boss' son-in-law. If things don't go his way - he could just get them changed, right?
Creative has yet to address the issues between Stephanie and Shane. Several weeks ago Shane made a derogatory comment to his sister about "sleeping with the talent". Stephanie reacted by slapping him. Could there be a swerve coming at WrestleMania? Maybe Shane aligning himself with the Legacy. Or maybe aligning himself with Cody Rhodes. Last night after Raw went off the air, Randy Orton and Ted Dibiase escaped from Hunter, Vince and Shane by running through the crowd. They left Cody to take a beating from "The Family". Is that because there are issues within The Legacy?
Also on Raw last night, Randy said that he talked to Vicki Guerrero and got the ok to change stipulations for his match with Hunter. How is it that Vicki's authority trumps Stephanie's?
This Day in Wrestling History - The First WrestleMania
WrestleMania 1 takes place at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The event features Hulk Hogan and Mr. T defeating Paul Orndorff and Rowdy Roddy Piper. Muhammad Ali acted as the special guest referee.
March 31, 1985
March 30, 2009
Raw Results: All in the Family
Randy Orton's WrestleMania address was interrupted by his WrestleMania opponent, WWE Champion Triple H, as well as two men with their own bone to pick with The Legend Killer: Mr. McMahon and his son, Shane. Full results.
Kane Fired Up for WrestleMania
Who better to give us a preview of Mania than Kane - the wrestler who has performed in 11 of them. Here is what the veteran, real name Glenn Jacobs, had to say.
Shawn Michaels Speaks on Flair Wrestling
In an interview with The Orlando Sentinel, Shawn Michaels was asked if he would ever give his "blessing" to Ric Flair and allow him to wrestle again. HBK said, "We all know, if you’re a friend of Ric Flair which I am, you know him and you know how he is about this line of work. So, I know that might be a struggle for him. And that’s OK. You can’t be somebody’s friend and put requirements on it and I don’t do that to him and I wouldn’t do it to him. My job was to go out there and, in my mind, believe that it was going to be his last and do the absolute best job I could to pay tribute to that and honor that and that’s what I did. Ric Flair is a grown man and he can make his decisions and I would still be his friend no matter what decision he made."...More?
source: orlando sentinel
This Day in Wrestling History - Triple H Becomes the Leader of DX
Triple H kicks Shawn Michaels out of D-Generation X and Hunter becomes the leader of the group. Later that night X-Pac, Billy Gunn and Road Dogg join Hunter and Chyna.
March 30, 1998
March 29, 2009
Interview with Adam "Edge" Copeland
Highlights of an interview Edge did with guardian.co.uk:
Pantomime? I don't think so. What we do is a very physical form of entertainment. People who think wrestlers don't get hurt haven't watched us. I don't understand how you can see someone get thrown 10 feet and not think it hurts. We don't have crash mats, we don't have stunt doubles. I've broken my neck. Does that happen in pantomime?
When you first get in the ring, everything hurts. You learn to land on your back on the mat. That hurts. You learn how to bounce off the ropes. That hurts. Eventually you look around the ring and wonder, "Jeez, is there nothing in this contraption that doesn't hurt?"
Eventually you build up a resistance. Hitting the mat makes you foggy at first, it scrambles you, and it takes a while before you're able to get up and continue a match properly after being thrown. But at some point, your body adapts and you just gets used to it.
Click here for the rest of the interview.
Kevin Nash says Scott Hall is Still "Having Some Hard Times"
In an interview with pojoslam.blogspot.com, Kevin Nash commented on longtime friends Scott Hall and Sean Waltman:
"Scott's not doing well at all right now. I was with him last weekend. He's really having some hard times. You know, the WWE is very concerned even though they've sent him several times on their dime. They're very concerned that one of their guys is still out there and sick. They're still trying to figure out what they can do. It's hard because they're publicly traded."
"The system...you can't go 55 times, you know. It just doesn't work that way. The longer I've been around the addiction of different people, you just realize that your friends and family can want them to be well, but if the person doesn't have the will to be well, it doesn't matter what everybody else does. Until he wants to take the steps to be clean, he's just not going to be clean. There's plenty of people that love him and want him to do it, it's just, he's got to make that decision himself. We can't do it for him. Nor can Vince or anybody else."
Click here for the full interview.
This Day in Wrestling History - 93,173 Fans at WMIII
WrestleMania 3 sets an attendance record of 93,173 at the The Pontiac SilverDome.
March 29, 1987
Hulk Hogan vs Andre the Giant
"The irresistible force meets the immovable object" - Gorilla Monsoon
March 28, 2009
WrestleMania XXV Press Conference
On Tuesday, March 31st, Edge, Eve, Ric Flair, Triple H, Mark Henry, Chris Jericho, Kelly Kelly, Shawn Michaels, Roddy Piper, Big Show and more are scheduled to appear at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania Press Conference.
Hard Rock Cafe
1501 Broadway
New York, NY
11:30 AM
Awesome Kong & Cheerleader Melissa on Jeopardy-Twitter Style
Do you Twitter? If not, you should for no other reason than to read/watch Awesome Kong and Cheerleader Melissa (Raisha Saeed on TNA) ask each other Jeopardy-type questions on Twitter. Here is a recent exchange:
awesomekong I'll take You know you're at an Indy show..... for $100
CheerldrMelissa What is when the ring is lit up by the headlights of the ring truck during an outdoor show?
CheerldrMelissa I'll take you know your at a Japanese Indy show for $200
awesomekong What is when the main eventers are also the ring crew?
awesomekong Indy for $300
CheerldrMelissa What is when promoter is also their world champion.
CheerldrMelissa I'll take Indy style payoffs for $500
awesomekong What is when the promoter runs off with the payday!
Good stuff!
This Day in Wrestling History
Stone Cold Steve Austin defeated The Rock for the WWF(E) Heavyweight title
March 28, 1999
Stephanie McMahon Helmsley defeated Jacqueline for the WWF(E) Women's title
March 28, 2000
Happy Birthday to Mr. Perfect Curt Henning
March 28, 1958
Update on The Great Khali
KLQ Disciple Jatinder Dhoot sent this in... The Great Khali joined WorldBand Media for an interview. Here are the highlights:
Khali was involved in the filming of a movie starring Sean Penn and Brad Pitt, which is now in post-production.
When Khali went to India a few months back, he missed his opportunity to be written into the main storyline of WrestleMania.
The interview was conducted in Hindi. If you understand Hindi, you can listened to it here.
March 27, 2009
Christian Reborn Back in the WWE
Jay Reso got away from WWE to regenerate himself mentally and physically. Eight years on the road had worn on him. A reduced schedule with TNA, which operates out of Orlando, near his Tampa home, gave him what he needed. But it also drove the star we know as Christian back to WWE...More?
source: slam wreslting
A Phenomenal Entrance
The Showstopper paid a special "tribute" to his WrestleMania opponent, Undertaker (Match preview), making his entrance in the spirit of the bizarro world where everything is opposite. He slowly walked to the ring wearing a long white coat, white pants, white shirt, a lowered white hat and white padded gloves. He even surrounded himself with druids in white hoods as smoke consumed the air in every direction. Full results.
Linda & Stephanie McMahon at the NYSE
Donna Goldsmith - COO, Linda McMahon - CEO, Stephanie McMahon Levesque - EVP Creative Development & Operations, Michelle Wilson - EVP Marketing
Watch the interview. Click here.
Rumor Mill - Strained Relationship Between Vince McMahon & Michael Hayes
There continues to be a bit of a beef between Vince McMahon and head SmackDown writer Michael Hayes. The bitterness between the two continues to be a topic of conversation amongst those in the company.
Apparently, Hayes made a late suggestion to add an inter-promotional match to the 500th episode of SmackDown last week. This, according to several sources, prompted Vince to blow up at him - explaining they have more important things coming up than the 500th SmackDown, such as WrestleMania 25.
This isn't an isolated incident between the two, as McMahon is reportedly growing frustrated with Hayes, some of his ideas, and how they've played out in recent months.
source: prowrestling.net
Dixie Carter Responds to Vince McMahon's Negative Comments about TNA
TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter responded to Vince McMahon's comments to The Hollywood Reporter in a statement issued to the The Sun. Carter addressed McMahon's claims that some things on TNA television were "reprehensible" with the following statement:
"I think it's wonderful that Vince watches TNA iMPACT... And I agree with him that things such as the brutal beating of a sixty-year-old man, a vicious home invasion and gratuitous man-on-woman violence can be seen as reprehensible - and that's just the last three Monday nights."
More from The Sun
I'm sure Vince thinks it's wonderful that Dixie watched the last three weeks of Raw.
"Legacy Gate" on the Keith Olberman Show
Yesterday on Countdown with Keith Olbermann, the Randy Orton, Stephanie, and Triple H angle from Raw Monday Night got a mention during the "Still Bushed" segment. Olberman referred to it as Legacy Gate and explained what went down during the angle and how the crowd booed Randy Orton. Then he pointed out how WWE played a Tribute to the Troops video after the show which had former President George W. Bush in it and the crowd booed Bush more then they booed Orton.
This Day in Wrestling History
Randy Savage wins a 16-man tournament at WrestleMania IV to become the WWF(E) World Champion. On the same day, the first ever "Clash of the Champions" is held, featuring a 45 minute draw between Sting and Ric Flair.
March 27, 1988
Happy Birthday to:
Kenta Kobashi - March 27, 1967
Charlie Haas - March 27, 1972
March 26, 2009
Orton Continues Psychotic Rampage
The number one psycho killer of all time has to go to Christing Bale as Patrick Bateman from “American Psycho.” Anytime someone murders a rival broker with a fire ax while listening to “Hip to be Square” by Huey Lewis and the News, it’s nothing less than genius… Just like Randy Orton and the WWE...More?
source: rebel yell
WWE Encyclopedia Reaches No. 1;
Receives Praise
According to the Nielsen Bookscan ending the week of March 22, WWE Encyclopedia reached No. 1 on the Sports & Recreation charts...More?
SmackDown Preview: Shedding Light
Shawn Michaels will pay a very special tribute to his 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania opponent, Undertaker, on SmackDown.
This Day in Wrestling History - The Last WCW Nitro
Vince McMahon simulcasts on RAW and Nitro to announce the
purchase of WCW
March 26, 2001
Sting defeated Ric Flair in the last WCW Nitro match
March 25, 2009
John Cena & Mr. Kennedy's Differing Opinions on Steroid Use
Ken Kennedy on WWE's Wellness Policy:
Kennedy feels the tests are "a little much" as the WWE is quite vigorous over testing for banned substances, including having an outside official watching the wrestlers give urine samples on an almost weekly basis. Kennedy adds, "If you're not hurting anybody – then what's the big deal?"
source: the sun
John Cena on steroid use:
"The government should take the initiative, and if you get caught using drugs, then you should go to jail. A criminal record will hurt your endorsements and long-term contracts."
source: nydailynews.com
WWE Issues Press Release on their Drug Rehabilitation Services
Beginning in September 2007, WWE distributed its first rehabilitation assistance offer to all former WWE contracted talent. The goal of the initiative is designed to help any former talent that may have a substance-related dependency problem. The WWE distributes an annual letter to all former talent notifying them of the program and relevant details. In March 2009, more than 535 former talent letters were sent out. The WWE has a confidential hotline where former talent may call and seek admittance to a certified treatment center, with all expenses covered by WWE. In addition, the WWE maintains regular contact with talent who have entered a rehab program or reached out for WWE assistance. To date, 3.1% of former talent have accepted assistance.
To read the annual letter, please click here.
Shawn Michaels Interview at KJ97
Lou Ramirez of KJ97 in San Antonio, TX has posted a new interview with HBK. Click here to listen.
Charges will not be filed against
Chris Jericho
Victoria police will not lay charges in the melee that erupted after a February wrestling event at the Save-on-Foods Memorial Centre where pro wrestler Chris Jericho was swarmed by heckling fans and accused of punching a woman.
Police have interviewed several witnesses and watched hours of video recordings of the incident after the World Wrestling Entertainment bout Feb. 7, said police spokesman Sgt. Grant Hamilton. The evidence presents conflicting stories and charges would not be approved by the Crown, he said...More?
source: timescolonist.com
Interview with Vince McMahon
Highlights of an interview with the Hollywood Reporter:
On weaker TV ratings going into WrestleMania 25:
"Quite frankly our TV ratings have been very good. We averaged over a 4, I think, three weeks ago. Last week and the week before it was a bit less so because of a number of factors: how many people watched TV and one-off events. What you have to look at is our overall reach in the course of a week. On TV, we reach over 15 million people each and every week, 52 weeks a year."
If he sees TNA as a competition or a cause for concern:
"My concern with TNA is not in terms of competition. My concern with TNA is that they are TV-14, and we are PG. They have to change with the times. I think some of the things they do on television are reprehensible, but it is a TV-14 rating. That's the only bone I have to pick with them. Their TV ratings are a fraction of ours."
If the success of UFC has affected WWE business:
"Most people thought at one point that we would be competitors. But it turns out they are not competition to us at all, or hardly at all. They are sport, we are entertainment; it's a huge difference. The revenue they have cut into is that of boxing."
This Day in Wrestling History
The WWF(E) held their draft on RAW, where they split their roster into two separate brands.
March 25, 2002
March 24, 2009
ECW Results: Red is the Color of Money
Kane stood tall at the end of the VIP Lounge on ECW on Sci Fi this week. Full results.
Kizarny Questions WWE Release
When the call came that he had been released by WWE, Kizarny (real name Nick Cvjetkovich) was dumbfounded. As far as he knew, everything was rolling along fine...More?
source: slam wrestling
The Women of the WWE take Center Stage at the NYSE
On Fri., March 27, the women at the forefront of World Wrestling Entertainment® – CEO Linda McMahon; COO Donna Goldsmith; EVP, Creative Development & Operations Stephanie McMahon Levesque; and EVP, Marketing Michelle Wilson will visit the New York Stock Exchange and ring The Opening BellSM to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania and WWE’s fourth theatrical release “12 Rounds” starring WWE Superstar John Cena.
Silence of the McMahons... Err... Lambs
Now that was RAW. That was an episode you did not want to miss. Though it's almost the last minute, the storylines leading up to this year's WrestleMania finally hit their stride in one of the most compelling episodes of RAW in recent memory...More?
source: buddytv.com
Rumor Mill - Stephanie McMahon Injured?
A Wrestling News World fan sent word that Stephanie McMahon was legitimately shaken up after she took a stiff shot from Randy Orton on Monday's Raw. Reportedly, after the show went off television, the referee gave the "x" signal and Stephanie was stretchered out by WWE training staff.
This is possibly a work to further the Triple H/Randy Orton storyline. A similar "Finlay Finish" was used with Umaga a few weeks ago. It was reported that he was injured when he really wasn't. Take this with a grain of salt.
This Day in Wrestling History
Hulk Hogan defeated Sgt. Slaughter for the WWF(E) Heavyweight title.
March 24, 1991
Goldberg signs with the WWE. Goldberg had been inactive in wrestling after WCW went out of business.
March 24, 2003
Happy Birthday to The Undertaker (Mark Calaway)
March 24, 1965
March 23, 2009
Raw Results: Kiss of Death
With The Game restrained, Orton said that there was only one person who could save Triple H and that she better come out. Against the warnings of the WWE Champion, a terrified Stephanie McMahon made her way down the entrance ramp. After climbing onto the ring apron, the Executive Vice President had second thoughts and tried to get away, but her path was blocked by Rhodes & DiBiase. Orton then grabbed her, delivering a vicious DDT from the second rope. Playing further mind games with The Cerebral Assassin, The Legend Killer leaned down and kissed the unconscious Stephanie, taunting Triple H before clobbering him with a sledgehammer. Full results.
Rumor Mill - Christian was Unhappy Shortly after his TNA Debut
Pwtorch.com and Submission Radio are reporting that WWE star Christian became unhappy in TNA less than a month into joining the promotion in late 2005, according to ROH wrestler, Jerry Lynn. Christian joined the company when Lynn was a backstage agent and he says Christian soon disliked the company’s politics.
“It didn’t take very long until Christian wasn’t happy in TNA,” Lynn recently said on the Submission Radio show. “It was two weeks to a month. He wasn’t happy there.”
Lynn says he wasn’t surprised when Christian decided not to renew his TNA contract after three years with the company and return to WWE. There are plenty of wrestlers not happy in TNA, according to Lynn.
“There’s a tremendous amount of talent that’s not happy there, but they don’t say anything because they have nowhere else to go,” Lynn said.
Kid Rock and Nicole Scherzinger to perform at WrestleMania
WWE has announced that Kid Rock and lead Pussycat Doll, Nicole Scherzinger, will perform at the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania on April 5 at Reliant Stadium in Houston...More?
WWE to "Rebrand" ECW on Sci Fi
Variety.com has an article up at this link looking at the strong ratings among males for WWE television on the USA Network, Sci Fi, MyNetworkTV and soon on WGN America with the forthcoming "WWE Superstars" show that begins in April. The article quotes WWE's VP of marketing Kevin Dunn who notes that WWE is working closely with Sci Fi executives to develop a rebranding plan for the weekly ECW program.
Movies Not Just a Hobby for John Cena
John Cena said he won't leave WWE for Hollywood during a Miami Herald interview. "I'm going to be the first guy to work two full-time jobs,'' Cena said. "I'm certainly not going to leave wrestling anytime soon, but I'm not going to do movies as a hobby. I really want to devote 100-percent effort into any project I get involved with."...More?
Piper States Pro Wrestling Needs a Union
"As someone who has been in the business for a long time, I don't mind saying that the movie really got to me," Piper said. "I had the chance to speak to Mickey, and I told him, 'I don't know what kinda research you did, but you hit the nail right on the head.' What stood out to me as a wrestler was that at no time did that character ever get physical outside the ring. And that's very typical; most of us are pretty soft outside of the ring.
"But even moreso than that, the thing that probably grabbed me the hardest was the way it ended. All my brothers (wrestling peers) are dead, man. So, at the end, it caught me because it just went to black, and that's how it happens in our world. Look at Curt Hennig (who died in 2003 due to cocaine intoxication) -- he was the picture of health. And boom! Black. Not fade to black, just black. I've been to so many funerals."
"The WWE have done some wonderful things for wrestlers. But we can't keep on dying. The wrestlers give their hearts -- they give the best part of their lives. So as the success goes on, why aren't they being taken care of?"...More?
source: slam wrestling
Update on Indy Wrestling Show Featuring Former DX & NWO Members
It was recently reported that the WWE sent a cease & desist order to wrestling promoter David Herro for a Great Lakes Championship Wrestling show he was promoting featuring Kevin Nash and Scott Hall vs. Kip James and BG James. The show was held this past Saturday night in Waukesha, WI and drew about 1,500 fans. A fan in attendance noted that Scott Hall was totally out of shape and appeared to be intoxicated. Nash even had to help Hall up the ring steps. The fan noted that while Hall's hair is quite gray, he has dyed it a blue/black color that looks more blue than black. Nash worked the match with a hockey elbow pad covering his staph infection that he has been recovering from. Hall could barely work and wore blue jeans and an ICP jersey.
The finish of their match came when Hall went for a tag but Nash jumped off the apron and Kip James hit the Fameasser on Hall for the win. According to the fan, Nash cut a promo on Hall after the match saying he knows how it feels to be left out in the cold but at least give him credit for showing up.
source: impactwrestling.com
Former WWF(E) Tag Team Wrestler
Passes Away
Steve Doll, 44, known as Steven Dunn in WWF(E) as part of the Well Done tag team, passed away earlier today. Dunn teamed with Timothy Well to form the Well Done tag team in the WWF from 1993-1995 and also performed in various southern promotions as Steve Doll. Reports are he was taken off life support and died shortly thereafter.
source: onlineworldofwrestling.com
This Day in Wrestling History - The End of WCW
The WWF(E) buys WCW for 2.5 million dollars
March 23, 2001
March 22, 2009
Q&A with Champion Wrestler Triple H
Highlights from an interview Hunter did with USA Today:
You're the best but who is the guy closest to you?
Shawn Michaels. I know he’s been my tag team partner but he’s the best guy I’ve ever been in the ring with. He’s incredible. He can do anything in the ring.
What is the one Man Law you never violate?
Don’t drink so much in a room alone with your friends that you pass out.
Are you mad that you were a vampire years ago in the Blade movies and now vampires are cool?
That has gotten me a little steamed up. I do a vampire movie and a year later all of a sudden vampires are hot. I think I could have made a very sexy vampire in one of those movies but I guess they don’t want to typecast me now. My wife loves that True Blood, she is addicted to it. She couldn’t have cared less when I was a vampire.
What comes with being Teen Mr. New Hampshire?
(Laughs): At the time, absolutely nothing.
Last kid's flick you saw?
Peter Pan. I enjoyed it actually.
Do Not Call Me Paul
This person does not like their birth name; if you call them by it, they will either correct you or ignore you. This could be for a number of reasons. They might feel that you are assuming too much familiarity with them. They might find their real name embarrassing (though their aliases are not always much better). They could want to reinvent themselves. Or it might be that no one calls them by that name besides their parents.
Unfortunately for them, it does not always stick; someone will always call them by their old name, much to their chagrin. This person is not only known by their nickname, despite their best efforts. The person who calls them by their real name might be trying to mock them or threaten them, or perhaps is unaware they feel this way.
The name comes from the fact that the professional wrestlers Triple H (Paul Levesque) and the Big Show (Paul Wight) both have told fans who refer to them by their birth names that since all their friends and even their spouses refer to them by their ring names, as far as they are concerned, those are their real names.
source: tvtropes.org
Styles Enjoys the Circus Inside a
Six-Sided Ring
It still hasn't hit Allen Jones. No matter how many times he walks down the aisle in the toy department, no matter how many times his two young sons may find a mini-version of their dad behind see-through plastic, the man wrestling fans call "the Phenomenal A.J. Styles" doesn't think he's reached the summit of his career.
"It's cool to have the action figures and get to be in all of the video games," the TNA (Total Nonstop Action) wrestling headliner says, almost tossing the accomplishments aside like one of his opponents. "But I don't think I've made it yet."...More?
source: spencerdailyreporter.com
Bobby Lashley defeats Jason Guida
The official scores were 30-27 by all three judges for Bobby Lashley. Detailed report.
Abdullah's Back: There will be blood
Abdullah the Butcher is saying goodbye to Canadian wrestling fans, leaving a trail of blood in his path. Born Larry Shreeve in Windsor, the Canadian Abdullah will return to Montreal on April 4 (Centre Notre Dame-du-Rosaire, 955 Villeray Est, show starts at 7:30 p.m.) in his "retirement" match, when he'll face Hannibal. Abdullah hopes to do the same later in the year in Calgary, where he long ago had a series of bloodbaths against Archie "The Stomper" Gouldie...More?
source: slam wrestling
This Day in Wrestling History
WCW Executive Vice President, Bill Busch, resigned from his duties. Eric Bischoff was rehired as the Executive Vice President of WCW
March 22, 2000
March 21, 2009
Shawn Michaels Interview
Talks about his wife and son, who most likely will induct him in the WWE Hall of Fame when the times come, his "Mr. WrestleMania" crown, what keeps him coming back to the business, not enjoying ladder matches anymore and other interesting topics. Click here.
TNA Teasing the Return of "The Fallen Angel" Christopher Daniels?
The TNA website appears to be teasing the return of the "Fallen Angel" character played by Christopher Daniels. When the site loads, it shows a Fallen Angel symbol, but it gets covered up. The symbol is of the Ankh symbol he uses, with wings attached to it, and engulfed in flames.
Christopher Daniels has been portraying the masked "Suicide" character while Kaz recuperates from an injury.
WWE Flexes Its Muscle
World Wrestling Entertainment has pinned down an aggressive multimillion-dollar marketing and promotional campaign around the 25th anniversary of its venerable Wrestlemania pay-per-view event franchise.
From a unique Wrestlemania merchandising tie-in with retail giant K-Mart, to interactive and on-demand revenue opportunities for operators and satellite providers tied into the April 5 show, the pro-wrestling outfit is rolling out the most extensive promotional campaign in the event's 25-year history, according to recently named WWE executive vice president Michelle Wilson...More?
source: multichannel.com
This Day in Wrestling History
X-Pac makes his return & knocks out Hollywood Hulk Hogan, joining the nWo on SmackDown four days after WrestleMania 18
March 21, 2002
March 20, 2009
Layin' the SmackDown 500 Times Over
As SmackDown celebrated its historic 500th episode, a love triangle took a painful turn, The Game grew more intense, a new champion was crowned, extreme passion rang forth, heartbreaking music was played out, and complete submission was demanded in an incredible extravaganza on The Road to the 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania. Full Results.
Triple H will have Artwork up for Auction at the WrestleManiArt Show
WWE’s Superstars and Divas will be “going Picasso” to create original paintings, sculpture and comic artworks which will be auctioned off to benefit The Houston Public Library Foundation. The artwork of WWE Superstars Triple H, Edge, Big Show, Jeff and Matt Hardy, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Mickie James, Kung Fu Naki, Beth Phoenix, Santino Marella, CM Punk, Eve and Vickie Guerrero will be on display and available for purchase at auction...More?
source: houstonpress.com
TNA Wrestling Earns Finalist Honors
TNA Wrestling has earned finalist honors at the MI6 Awards, which recognizes excellence in the marketing of games. TNA claimed two of the five finalist spots in their category, one for the arrival/crossover of Suicide as well as the incorporation of "iMPACT!" game footage into superstar entrance videos. The awards show will be taking place on April 8 in San Francisco.
Update on WWE Superstars
WWE.com has launched a section promoting their new series, which you can see at the following link.
This Day in Wrestling History
After losing to his brother Owen earlier in the show, Bret Hart goes on to defeat Yokozuna for the WWF(E) Title in the main event of WrestleMania 10
March 20, 1994
Big John Studd died of Hodgkin's disease at 46
March 20, 1995
Happy Birthday to:
Ronnie Garvin - March 20, 1944
Sting - March 20, 1959
Rick Martel's WrestleMania Memories
There are few performers who have appeared in as many Wrestlemania events as Quebec’s Rick Martel. The former AWA title-holder -- the 25th anniversary of which occurs in May -- enjoyed no less than six such spectaculars, and it would have been seven, had his final tag team match at Wrestlemania X not be cancelled on the day due to time constraints...More?
source: slam wrestling
March 19, 2009
Kevin Nash on Indy Shows, Steroids, More
Kevin Nash recently spoke to the Bristol Times in CT. He’s working an indy show on March 28th at Bristol Central High School for Northeast Wrestling, that also includes Ric Flair and Jimmy Hart. Here are some highlights:
On working with Shawn Michaels: “Shawn was a little guy and he saw me as the perfect complement to him because I was a gigantic big guy. The combo of the two of us was pretty much unstoppable. I ended up learning from the best ever” Nash said of Michaels. “It was on the job training.”
On working the upcoming indy date: “These shows are more one-on-one,” Nash said. “In the WWE or WCW, there is no fan interaction. You just do your thing and get out. Here, I can spend some time with everyone. I really want to catch up with Ric. […] Wrestling for TNA, I’m lucky enough to be able to do this.”
On steroids: “Now I don’t think it’s a big deal because it’s a different era. Look at Samoa Joe; nobody thinks he takes steroids. There’s always going to be a genetic freak, and people are going to question him, but steroid use is very small. With our financial state in this country, do you think senators should be giving Roger Clemens the better part of a week to appear in front of them? Does he deserve it? But it’s all steroids, steroids, steroids. These senators need to worry about paying their taxes, not steroids. Honestly, cigarette smoke is just as bad. If cigarettes were developed today, the FDA would never approve it. But it’s entrenched. Maybe if there were steroid lobbyists things would be different.”
WWE Rep Confirms Rourke will be at WrestleMania
Access Hollywood has an article up at this link noting that a representative from WWE has confirmed that Mickey Rourke will be attending WrestleMania 25 on Sunday, April 5 in Houston, TX.
Update on Kip James and Jacqueline
To follow up on reports coming out of the Destination X PPV on Sunday, Kip James and Jacqueline have now been phased out as performers on TNA TV and will likely remain with the company working as agents for the Knockouts division going forward reports PWInsider.
Triple H Interview with TV.MSN
If you're a wrestling fan, the chance to talk to Triple H is, well, an honor. A 15-year wrestling veteran, the Game is the Man in the WWE. In the ring, he, along with Ric Flair, is one of the most decorated champions in pro wrestling history. His presence is a mixture of intense showmanship and horrifying thuggish behavior (whether he is playing a hero -- i.e. baby face -- or a villain -- i.e. a heel) and has made him one of the most popular and/or hated figures ever in the WWE. Outside the ring, he is equally as interesting. Five years ago he married the boss's daughter, wedding WWE CEO Vince McMahon's "little girl" Stephanie, and the two now have two children. In addition, Triple H has been a huge part of the WWE creative team, coming up with angles and story lines that continue to enchant wrestling fans. Oh, and the dude wields a sledgehammer and enters the ring to a Motorhead tune. C'mon!...More?
source: tv.msn.com
March 18, 2009
Short Clips of Paul & Stephanie's Wedding
Look closely and you will see short clips of Paul & Stephanie's wedding in the video package that aired on ECW last Tuesday.
Commentary on the March 16th
Edition of Raw
Speaking of non-verbal answers Triple H made the statement of the night and he didn’t say a word, either. When Todd Grisham asked him on his way to the car how he persuaded RAW General Manager Vickie Guerrero to lower a steel cage over his match with Cody Rhodes he slammed the door and kissed his wife, Stephanie McMahon. Maybe it's the backstage dynamic; maybe it's the fact that Triple H and Stephanie really are in love; or maybe it's always just an odd sight to see a tough guy like Triple H get all gooey. But any good serial drama needs a couple. Triple H and Stephanie are a good one and I'd love to see them continue their on screen dynamic past Wrestlemania.
source: buddytv.com
Paul Levesque Listed as "Related Party" in WWE Corporate Documents
From the Definitive Proxy Statement under Certain Relationships and Related Transactions:
Shane McMahon is the son, and Stephanie McMahon Levesque and Paul Levesque are the daughter and son-in-law, of Vincent and Linda McMahon. Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon Levesque are executive officers of the Company whose total compensation in 2008, calculated in a manner consistent with the Total column (j) of the Summary Compensation Table, was approximately $611,419 and $609,277, respectively. Paul Levesque is a key performer for, and independent contractor of, the Company who receives talent pay and royalties, subject to a guaranteed minimum. We believe his pay is generally consistent with that of our other top stars. The employment of Shane McMahon and Stephanie McMahon Levesque predated the Company’s initial public offering in 1999 and the formation of the Audit Committee. The importance of Paul Levesque as one of the Company’s top superstars predated both the Company’s initial public offering and his marriage to Mrs. Levesque which resulted in his becoming a related party...More?
source: investor.shareholder.com
Chyna in "Vanity Fair"
Joanie "Chyna" Laurer will be featured on the cover of the upcoming Summer-edition of the "Vanity Fair" magazine. The article will contain photos of Chyna and an article on her new book "Paper Doll".
source: wrestlezone.com
Still Lashed to the Mast of Controversy
If Bobby Lashley, 32, thought his MMA life would be free from beyond-the-ring drama (a regular element in his pro wrestling stint from fall 2005 to winter 2008), the events surrounding his second MMA bout have blown that belief sky-high.
Lashley was poised to move up in caliber from his inaugural tussle, a Dec. 12, 2008 fight against fellow first-timer Joshua Franklin. His next opponent: Shamrock, a UFC Hall of Famer and 45-year-old first-generation icon from way back when they used to call the sport "extreme fighting." Then word came down from on high -- the California State Athletic Commission -- that Shamrock had tested positive for three banned substances in his previous bout, a knockout win over Ross Clifton on Feb. 13 in Fresno...More?
source: sports.espn.go.com
March 17, 2009
ECW Results: Bourne is Back
Tonight on ECW on Sci Fi, the risk-taking, gravity-defier Evan Bourne returns to the Land of the Extreme. Tune in to see "Air Bourne" once again take flight. Full results.
Sports Legacy Institute Reveals Study on Benoit's Brain
In the first educational presentation ever provided on the Benoit murder/suicide, the Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), founded by former WWE pro wrestler Christopher Nowinski, details what SLI found, what it tells us about the tragedy, and how this information will change the professional wrestling industry forever.
Hosted by SLI founder and President Christopher Nowinski and SLI Athlete Advisor Booker T. The 20 minute presentation will be followed by 10 minutes of Q&A. Christopher Nowinski will also sign autographs for anyone attending the seminar.
Admission Fee: $20
100% of proceeds will benefit the Sports Legacy Institute and Booker T Fights for Kids, both 501(c)(3) charitable organizations. This educational event is being run with the knowledge and support of Michael Benoit.
TNA President Not Fond of Kip James
Accoridng to pwtorch.coc, TNA President Dixie Carter and her right-hand man, Executive Vice President Andy Barton, have never been high on the former DX member, and according to multiple sources, Jeff Jarrett has never been crazy about him either. Kip's saving grace appears to be BG James, who works as an agent for the company. He is close to Jarrett, and according to a source, has gone to bat several times in the past for his former tag team partner. Kip James was not used at Sunday's Destination
X pay-per-view and there have rumblings of the company not renewing his contract when it comes due.