Great article on the MIT wrestling blog
MIT Comparative Media Studies
April 30, 2007
Marking out: The willing suspension of disbelief
April 29, 2007
April 28, 2007
Woman ‘Tricked into Sex’ by Penis Cream Treatment
A Syrian-born airline pilot allegedly tricked a schoolteacher from Haverfordwest into having sex with him by pretending he had to administer ointment on the end of his penis, a jury heard yesterday (Tuesday).
read more | digg story
Stewart Backpedals on WWE Comment
TALLADEGA, Ala. (AP) -- Before he was allowed in the racetrack, NASCAR made sure Tony Stewart knew the rules. Summoned to a 6 a.m. meeting Friday morning with top series officials, the two-time champion retracted every bit of the sharp rant he launched against NASCAR while admitting he damaged the sport's credibility by likening it to professional wrestling.
"I'm sure I did hurt the integrity of it, and unfairly," he said.
Although Stewart wasn't punished for the comments he made on his weekly Sirius Satellite Radio show, NASCAR did fine him $10,000 for skipping a postrace news conference in Phoenix last week. He also was placed on probation through the end of the year. "I can assure you, Tony Stewart knows where he stands with NASCAR right now," spokesman Jim Hunter said.
That was obvious as a humbled Stewart issued several mea culpas after his hour-long meeting with NASCAR. His team was forbidden from unloading Stewart's car until the meeting concluded, forcing his crew to wait at Talladega Superspeedway while the driver met with president Mike Helton, competition director Robin Pemberton and series director John Darby. "It's a little tender for me to sit down right now," Stewart deadpanned after the meeting.
But Stewart otherwise was serious about the controversy he started by accusing NASCAR of using bogus debris cautions to orchestrate the races. The comments were made on his Tuesday night radio show, and in comparing NASCAR to wrestling, Stewart perpetuated every stereotype that NASCAR battles in mainstream America.
For that, some believed Stewart should have been punished severely....More?
source: nbcsports.com
April 27, 2007
Crackhead Update
The crackhead that I work with (PK) told me that her boyfriend (the deputy sheriff) writes down the amount of money he spends on her every time he takes her out. She wanted to know what she should do about it. If she laid off the coke, she could probably figure it out for herself.
Wacko Tries to Run Over Jesse James
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. -- A woman who authorities say is obsessed with Sandra Bullock was arrested after she allegedly tried to run over the actress' husband in a confrontation outside the couple's home.
Marcia Diana Valentine, 45, of Huntington Beach tried to run over Jesse James, host of "Monster Garage," with her silver Mercedes after Bullock asked her to leave the couple's home on Sunday, Jim Amormino, an Orange County sheriff's spokesman, said Thursday.
"She jumped in the car, put it in reverse and accelerated in his direction," Amormino said. "She attempted to hit him three or four times."
James was not injured, and Valentine fled before authorities arrived, he said.
Authorities said it was not the first time Valentine showed up at the celebrity couple's home. On several occasions, Bullock and James had found Valentine lying in front of their garage door, Amormino said.
Valentine was arrested Monday for investigation of assault with a deadly weapon. She was released after posting $25,000 bail. A court hearing was scheduled for May 22, and formal charges were pending, said Farrah Emami, spokeswoman for the Orange County district attorney's office.
"Both Jesse James and Sandra Bullock are fine, and it is now in the hands of authorities," said Cheryl Maisel, Bullock's publicist.
Valentine could not be reached for comment. It was not immediately known whether she had hired an attorney.
source: nbc4.com
April 26, 2007
This Day in Wrestling History - The Making of the Game
On April 26, 1995, Hunter Hearst Helmsley made his WWF(E) televison debut defeating Buck Zumhoff on Wrestling Challenge.
April 25, 2007
Officer Suspended After Accusations Of Shoplifting WWE Action Figures
PHILADELPHIA -- A Philadelphia police officer has been suspended and will be fired after accusations that he stole action figures from a pharmacy, NBC 10 reported.
Officer Shawn Goodstone, 32, is accused of stealing while in uniform from a Rite Aid pharmacy in West Kensington last month.
Store officials said they have surveillance video of him opening two packages containing WWE action figures valued at $7.99 each, placing the toys in his pockets and walking out.
The district attorney's office is considering criminal charges.
April 24, 2007
April 23, 2007
TNA Star In WWE Shirt
source: wrestlezone.com
Last night in Bel Air, Maryland, there was an MCW show. Alex Shelly was supposed to be featured in a cruiserweight title match but his opponent didn’t come out. Shelly then sat in a chair inside the ring and said he wasn’t leaving until he wrestled a match. After a few minutes of waiting in the ring, former WWE star, Joey “Mercury” Matthews made his way out to the ring with MNM music playing. He was featured in his WWE style gimmick with the fur coat and flashy pants.
VKM was also featured at this show last night in a match against the Ghetto Mafia.
Later after the event, BG James was at a local bar wearing a WWE Condemned shirt.
Poor BG James longing for the old WWE days. The VKM gimmick is tired and doesn't work since Triple H is hurt and I think he burned too many bridges by insulting the son-in-law.
A Corporate Asset Humiliation
By Mona Amuse
I have always liked teasing men. It goes back to my days in
high school, I always used my bosom and my wiggly bottom
to get my way. That's how I got into my predicament. Teasing.
To supplement my income after college I temped
for bit in NYC. I also stripped but that's another story.
I got placed as a secretary to the Vice President of a
small advertising corporation. His regular girl was on maternity
leave and the current temp wasn't working out.
The office was completely populated with men except for me.
And Dave was a hunk. This was my kind of place. I took great
effort at the interview to maintain a mixture of friendly banter and
professional conduct. I also batted my eyes a lot.
I was hired. The first week I worked my tail off, advertising
was work, don't let anyone tell you different. After two weeks
I was bored stiff. I had the job wired, and I needed a diversion.
So I decided to start teasing the men. Sure, I was bitch, but I
was b-o-r-e-d.
I began to wear more and more revealing outfits to the office
each day, all the while trying to gauge the other men's opinions.
Since they were all married, I'd never go with any of them, but
it would be fun to guess who would make the first move.
My boss Dave, seemed the most intrigued with watching me move
around the offices. He almost stared whenever I was working
at the lower filing cabinet drawer while wearing a skirt, showing my
g-string.
I, being well aware of his interest, made sure I occasionally bent over
his desk and revealed my lacy bra or when the working situation
allowed, the creamy tops of my breasts spilling over it..
I was amazed at the amount of attention I managed to get - not only did Dave
watch avidly, but other account executives found reasons to hang around
the VP's office throughout the day, trying to casually pass the time while they
tried to observe me. Office lunch meetings suddenly became
popular and I was 'expected' to attend, to take notes
which wasn't my job, but really so that the men could spend
time looking - and dreaming.
Yet none approached me, at least none I took too seriously.
I encouraged them to look and even dared them to touch as
much as I wanted to be touched.. The situation was turning
me on. I need something to happen soon...
After everyone left from the meeting table one day, Dave
lingered and asked if I would wait with him. As soon as we were alone,
he looked at me and said "Mona, I have really come to appreciate how
truly lovely and sexy you are since you've changed your wardrobe.
Claire never dressed like you. The others agree with me wholeheartedly.
I would like to make you more of a corporate asset, if you are willing."
"Well of course, Dave," I replied with a smile, "If there is anything I could do
to be more of a team player or more help to the organization I'll
gladly do it!!"
Big mistake...More?
April 22, 2007
Hulk Hogan Has Lost His Mind
Hogan was once again on the Bubba the Love Sponge show with some interesting views concerning Vince McMahon. Hogan has obviously taken too many chair shots to the head. His time has come and gone and he should continue concentrating on pimping his daughter.
411mania.com
UFC President Dana White Speaks Out as MMA-Boxing Feud Heats Up
Neil Davidson, Canadian Press
MANCHESTER, England (CP) - Never a shrinking violet, UFC president Dana White took a swipe at boxing in the leadup to the mixed martial arts organization's UFC 70 card.
"The bottom line is boxing needs to face the facts. They're looking at me and us, like we're the bad guys," he told a news conference. "I'm not trying to destroy boxing. Boxing has destroyed itself. The people who have controlled boxing over the last 40 years have stuck their hands in, ripped the life out of it and stuck it in their pocket. That's what wrong with boxing, it has nothing to do with me or any of these fighters.
"Floyd Mayweather is shooting his mouth off, making all these challenges and writing cheques that his ass can't cash."
Mayweather made disparaging comments about the UFC in a recent conference call to promote his May fight against Oscar De Lay Hoya.
"It ain't but a fad. Anyone can put a tattoo on their head and get in a street fight," he said, alluding to UFC light-heavyweight champion Chuck Liddell.
"These are guys who couldn't make it in boxing," he added. "So they do (MMA). Boxing is the best sport in the world and it's here to stay."
Mayweather also challenged the UFC.
"We should put Liddell against a good heavyweight, under Mayweather Promotions," Mayweather said. "If Chuck wins, then I'll give him a million dollars out of my own pocket."
White responded by offering to pit Mayweather against UFC lightweight (155-pound) champion Sean Sherk.
"He'll get smashed, and so will any other boxer," White said. "It is what it is. It's apples and oranges, Boxing is one little component of this sport. No professional boxer could come into this sport and beat any of these guys. I don't know what boxing's problem is."
White went on to say that boxing is his "road map of what not to do," saying boxing was only interested in making a buck while his organization is investing to spread the sport of MMA around the world.
"You've never see anybody in boxing do that. Until you do, boxing's in big trouble."
More?
source: www.canada.com
Texas Jury Awards $9 Million to Beating Victim
LINDEN, Texas (AP) -- A jury awarded $9 million to a black man who suffered permanent brain damage after being beaten and dumped in a field by four men in 2003.
Billy Ray Johnson, 46, lives in a nursing home because of the injuries he suffered in the beating. In the criminal case, the men accused of assaulting him were fined and sentenced to probation and jail time, but none served more than 60 days behind bars.
In a four-day civil trial in District Court that ended Friday, jurors found James Cory Hicks and Christopher Colt Amox responsible for Johnson's injuries. Defendants Dallas Chadwick Stone and John Wesley Owens previously reached confidential settlements, attorneys said.
A jury of 11 whites and one black deliberated less than four hours before returning a unanimous verdict, said attorneys for the Southern Poverty Law Center, which brought the lawsuit on behalf of Johnson.
"The jury told all of Texas and, indeed, the entire country, that Billy Ray is a human being who deserves to be treated with dignity -- that the life of each of us, rich or poor, black or white, abled or disabled, is truly precious," said Morris Dees, founder and chief trial attorney for the Montgomery, Alabama-based law center.
Authorities in this poor, pine-locked east Texas hamlet had said that Johnson, well-known around town as a friendly but "slow" character, was lured to an all-white pasture party where underage drinkers fed him alcohol and picked on him.
Authorities said Johnson, who lived with his mother and brother and had no criminal background or history of violence, was taunted for the defendants' amusement. He was found unconscious on a fire ant mound and had suffered a serious concussion and bleeding in the brain.
Jurors in the criminal cases against Amox and Hicks acquitted them of serious felony charges, instead convicting them of a lesser charge and recommending probation. Stone and Owens pleaded guilty to an "injury to a disabled individual by omission" charge.
District Attorney Randal Lee said before the sentences were imposed that the juries' decisions were in line with other juries who sympathize with first-time offenders. He pointed out that the so-called beating involved one punch.
source: cnn.com
April 21, 2007
April 20, 2007
WWE Severs Ties with DSW
World Wrestling Entertainment has ended its relationship with Deep South Wrestling. For the past two years, DSW has served as one of WWE’s developmental territories. The move had been rumored for months and following a contentious relationship that saw Deep South Wrestling’s Jody Hamilton lash out at WWE for removing Bill Demott from his position as trainer. Hamilton quickly removed the negative comments that had been posted online about Demott’s removal, but it was a public sign of the friction that had been brewing between WWE and Hamilton.
According to several sources, WWE made the decision to sever ties with Jody Hamilton’s Deep South Wrestling after a number of issues the company wasn’t happy with in recent months. When Bruce Prichard visited the developmental territory last week, he brought back a negative report, which was said to be the final straw in the situation. WWE sent someone down to DSW to oversee the split from their end today. Nothing has been settled yet as to what will happen to the WWE developmental talents that were assigned to DSW. Some will be sent over to Ohio Valley Wrestling, while it’s also possible some may be released due to the glut of talent. There’s also a chance some may be brought up to the main rosters to fill out the existing brands.
source: insideprowrestling.com
Full Text of Alec Baldwin's Call to his Daughter
The following is a message that was allegedly left by Alec Baldwin for his 11-year-old daughter, as reported by TMZ.com. Click here to listen to the message. Warning, some vulgar language is used in the message.
Hey, I want to tell you something, OK? And I want to leave a message for you right now. 'Cause again, it's 10:30 here in New York on a Wednesday, and once again I've made an ass of myself trying to get to a phone to call you at a specific time. When the time comes for me to make the phone call, I stop whatever I'm doing and I go and I make that phone call. At 11 o'clock in the morning in New York and if you don't pick up the phone at 10 o'clock at night. And you don't even have the G**damn phone turned on. I want you to know something, OK?
I'm tired of playing this game with you. I'm leaving this message with you to tell you you have insulted me for the last time. You have insulted me. You don't have the brains or the decency as a human being. I don't give a damn that you're 12 years old, or 11 years old, or that you're a child, or that your mother is a thoughtless pain in the ass who doesn't care about what you do as far as I'm concerned. You have humiliated me for the last time with this phone.
And when I come out there next week, I'm going to fly out there for the day just to straighten you out on this issue. I'm going to let you know just how disappointed in you I am and how angry I am with you that you've done this to me again. You've made me feel like s**t and you've made me feel like a fool over and over and over again. And this crap you pull on me with this G**damn phone situation that you would never dream of doing to your mother and you do it to me constantly and over and over again. I am going to get on a plane and I am going to come out there for the day and I am going to straighten your ass out when I see you. Do you understand me? I'm going to really make sure you get it. Then I'm going to get on a plane and I'm going to turn around and come home. So you'd better be ready Friday the 20th to meet with me. So I'm going to let you know just how I feel about what a rude little pig you really are. You are a rude, thoughtless little pig, OK?
Mick Foley to Star in New Reality Show
Credit: PWInsider.com
Mick Foley recently discussed filming a reality series plot for the A&E Network in an interview with hobotrashcan.com.
In the interview he noted, “You know, the people at A&E really sold me on what the show could be. I watched some of their shows specifically and I think that in the same way I was really proud of being in Beyond the Mat, I could be proud of a reality show, especially if it allows me to cover some of my interests outside of wrestling and may draw people into supporting some causes that I do."
Foley also noted that his wife was "terrified" of the idea but the intention of the pilot is to focus on Foley himself, not his family.
For upcoming Foley fictional novels in the future, Foley may be releasing under a pen name to prevent what has been a recurring theme in his writing career when it comes to reviewers, his work being dismissed because he's a professional wrestler, as opposed to being judged on its own merits.
April 18, 2007
"Paul Levesque … a really really smart, wonderful young man." - Vince McMahon WWE Shareholders Meeting September 15, 2005
Wrestling Link To VA Tech Massacre
Written by Tom Wilkens on Apr 18, 2007
Something else to blame wreslting for:
In an AP story on Cho Seung-Hui, the student who perpetrated the massacre at Virginia Tech University, he was described as being a loner who spent time on his computer and watching TV, noting he watched Friday night wrestling. The article said, "He (roommate Karan Grewal) said Cho usually worked alone on his computer and watched TV, including Friday night wrestling. He was always alone _ in the dining hall, watching television, working out with weights in the gym. He rarely spoke to anyone." Also, MSNBC's 'Hardball with Chris Matthews' mentioned this fact on today's show.
partial source: Wrestling Observer
April 17, 2007
Stone Cold Presents CMT Award
By Kara A. Medalis
Written: April 17, 2007
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin was a presenter at the 2007 CMT Music Awards in Nashville, Tenn., last night. He and Grammy Award-winning singer Gretchen Wilson presented the Male Video of the Year award.
“Since this award is all about the strong, solid men of country music, they wanted the toughest person in the room to give the award away,” Stone Cold said to a cheering audience at The Curb Event Center at Belmont University.
“Yes, and we’re all glad you could come along, too, Steve,” Wilson joked to a smiling Stone Cold.
They presented the buckle award to Kenny Chesney for “You Save Me.” The annual CMT Music Awards are country music’s only fan-voted awards and air on the Country Music Television network. Comedian Jeff Foxworthy hosted.
Stone Cold’s appearance is just one of many for the busy WWE Superstar, who is traveling around the country promoting WWE Films’ action/thriller The Condemned, which hits theaters nationwide April 27. This weekend he was the Grand Marshall at NASCAR Nextel Cup’s Samsung 500 in Fort Worth, Texas. Tomorrow, he’ll be a special guest at the San Francisco Giants game at AT&T Park, where he’ll take batting practice and meet several of the team’s players.
source: wwe.com
April 16, 2007
Who’s next in line to reign over the ring?
McMahons yet to unveil succession plan for WWE
By ALEXANDER SOULE
Vince McMahon may have had his locks shorn by The Donald, but at least he got paid for the indignity by The Bear.
The World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. chairman and his CEO wife, Linda, have begun accepting salaries once more, set at $850,000 and $500,000, respectively, for 2007. The celebrity executives declined most compensation from Stamford-based WWE in 2006 and 2005. The staged “Battle of the Billionaires” between Donald Trump and McMahon at Wrestlemania 23 on April 1 set a record gate for WWE, with 80,000 fans showing up to see Trump shave off McMahon’s coif. In addition to Vince’s hair cut, the McMahons are taking a pay cut in fiscal 2004, the last full year they accepted pay, Vince McMahon received a $1.2 million salary and an equivalent bonus, and Linda McMahon received $750,000 in each compensation category.
Lowell Weicker Jr., the former Connecticut senator and governor once nicknamed “The Bear,” chairs the compensation committee of WWE’s board of directors. Weicker and other WWE shareholders are getting a bargain under the McMahons, WWE’s stock is up 60 percent in the past 20 months to about $16 per share, valuing Vince McMahon’s holdings today at $750 million. While a publicly traded company, McMahon wields nearly total control of it. In its most recent fiscal year ending April 30, 2006, WWE bounced back from a 2006 sales decline with a $47 million profit on $400 million in revenue. WWE is in the process of aligning its fiscal year with the calendar year, making past comparisons knotty.
Attendance at WWE events in North America increased 6 percent in fiscal 2006 to 1.7 million, or 5,000 per show, and 6.2 million people watched on pay-per-view, nearly 1 million more than the year before. Overall revenue from live events declined slightly, however, which the company blamed on a lower average ticket price. WWE closed the year with 560 employees, excluding its “superstars” who are independent contractors. The company expects to pay $16 million this year for “talent” and employment contracts.
Vince and Linda McMahon have been compensated both for their performance running the company and in the ring, as have their children. The McMahons’ employment contracts run through October 2008, and are automatically extended in one-year increments, though the McMahons and WWE both hold opt-out clauses. Even as McMahon continues to thrive in the limelight, mugging paroxysms of agony for the crowd at Wrestlemania 23 as Trump wielded the razor, he has yet to shed light on a succession plan for the company whether that might involve a sale to a media, sports or private equity company, or keeping the company in the family. “Succession planning has been undertaken, and is an ongoing process,” said WWE spokesman Gary Davis, in an e-mailed statement. “However, WWE expects that Vince McMahon will be leading WWE for many years to come.”
Son Shane McMahon, 37, is one of five people to hold the title of executive vice president or unit president, not including Michael Sileck, a former Monster Worldwide executive who was elevated in February to chief operating officer. He received $470,000 during the transitional fiscal period between May and December last year. The McMahons’ daughter Stephanie Levesque is also a WWE employee and received $350,000 in compensation between May and December. Like Shane a past WWE performer, she now does behind-the-scenes work including creative writing. Stephanie is married to Paul Levesque, one of WWE’s top draws who performs under the stage name Triple H.
“You have seen Michael Sileck come in at the (chief financial officer) level, and then get promoted to COO he is seen as a solid operating guy,” said Michael Kelman, an analyst who tracks WWE’s stock for Susquehanna International Group L.L.P. in Bala Cynwyd, Pa. “They have a lot of good managers below that level who run the day-to-day stuff, but this is a business owned by the McMahon family.”
source: www.fairfieldcbj.com
April 15, 2007
Triple H Update
Triple H told people at the Hall of Fame ceremony in Detroit that he hoped to be back in the ring by July. Let's hope so.
What would Jackie have done about Imus?
By Ray McNulty
WWJD? What would Jackie do?
Can we spend a few moments on this special day — the 60th anniversary of the most important event in the history of American sport — thinking about that?
Can we look back on all the commotion of the past couple of weeks and ask ourselves: What would Jackie Robinson do?
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Can we try to imagine what this wonderful athlete, this courageous pioneer, this great man would've done if confronted with the issues that generated so many headlines on the way to today's celebration?
Certainly, it's something worth pondering. And, maybe, we'll be better for it — because Robinson, who broke the color barrier in major league baseball on this date six decades ago at Brooklyn's Ebbets Field, was so much more than a historic sports figure.
He was, arguably, the most compelling role model the sports world has given us. He was a man of strong character and tough discipline and tremendous class, filled with grace, dignity and poise. He was the type of principled person all of us should strive to be.
That he also was the greatest all-around athlete this country has produced merely provided him with a stage.
It was his mental and emotional makeup, as much as his physical talents, that made him the perfect choice for a mission that forever changed the fabric of America.
Because failure wasn't an option...More?
source: msnbc.com
April 14, 2007
Dixie Carter Blasts the Wrestling Fans
"I love the passion of wrestling fans but there is just so much that they get wrong, that they perceive to be one way when it's not. It's interesting that at our last PPV during the Sting v Abyss match they started that chant("Fire Russo"). First of all that match was something Vince had absolutely nothing to do with. Second of all it wasn't 120 seconds later that the crowd were jumping up and down screaming 'holy s***' and 'TNA'. Vince is human, and has one of the best hearts in this business, so I am sure the chants hurt him. They hurt me for him. But it's amazing how off the mark these folks are. One thing they blame him for is that we sometimes try and cram too much into our TV shows, as we only have 42 minutes, but Vince has actually been a big part of helping me slow that down and make positive changes. But the hardcore fans don't see it and there's no telling them any different."
source: wrestlingnewsworld.com
German Army in New Racism Row
CNN.com
Howard Stern, Don Imus, Rush Limbaugh, German army - they are all the same. What else is new...
Paul Levesque's Standing in the WWE
Triple H's importance to the structure and integrity of the WWE predated his relationship to Stephanie McMahon-Levesque and this fact has been acknowledged in their 2006 Transition Report:
As provided in its Charter, the Audit Committee is responsible for reviewing and approving related party transactions, which the Company defines as those required to be disclosed by applicable SEC regulations. While no written policies exist, the Audit Committee believes it will apply a standard of reasonable business practices to any such related party transactions. The employment of Shane McMahon and Stephanie 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 Stephanie Levesque which resulted in his becoming a related party. The Audit Committee does not review the retention of these individuals each year nor does it approve the individuals’ level of compensation. Instead, as to levels of Compensation, the Audit Committee relies on the approval procedures of the Compensation Committee, in the case of Shane McMahon and Stephanie Levesque (who are employees of the Company). In the case of Paul Levesque (who is an independent contractor of the Company), his pay is set by a multi-year agreement that was last negotiated by the Company’s Chairman and Talent Relations Department prior to Transition 2006. The Audit Committee believes that this oversight of employee and talent pay by the Compensation Committee and the Chairman/Talent Relations Department, respectively, is consistent with relevant expertise and good business practice.
source: corporate.wwe.com
April 13, 2007
April 12, 2007
2 Die in Road-Rage Crash on I-270
By Ernesto Londoño
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, April 12, 2007; Page B01
The young couple in the convertible were headed to a North Carolina beach house when they crossed paths with a man in a green pickup truck south of Frederick yesterday morning.
The two male drivers got into a spat, police said, "exchanging obscene gestures" as they whizzed south on Interstate 270 during the thick of rush hour.
Near the Urbana exit, in an apparent attempt to have the last word, police said, the pickup driver slammed on his brakes when the Chrysler Sebring convertible was on the truck's tail, prompting the convertible's driver to swerve right. The convertible slammed against the guardrail, flipped over and barreled into an embankment shortly after 8 a.m.
The driver, Christian M. Luciano, 28, and his girlfriend, Lindsay L. Bender, 25, both of Harrisburg, Pa., were ejected from the car and died almost instantly, police said.
The driver of the pickup sped away. Police are searching for him.
Maryland State Police troopers described the driver as a white male in his 30s with dark, collar-length hair who was wearing a dark baseball cap. The driver was behind the wheel of a light-green late 1990s or early 2000 model Chevy Silverado standard-cab truck with a diamond-pattern rear bumper, said Trooper 1st Class Eric Corbin, one of the investigating officers.
"We're definitely looking for anyone with information of his whereabouts," Corbin said.
Police encourage anyone with information about the crash or the driver of the pickup truck to contact police at 301-644-4151.
washingtonpost.com
April 11, 2007
Want to Be A WWE Timekeeper?
A Release from Mennen: Speed Stick Offers A Chance for Week-Long Dream Jobs- No Work Experience Required
April 11, 2007
April 2007 (New York, NY) –Help wanted. Mennen, the maker of new Speed StickÒ 24/7 GametimeÔ, is seeking average people for a chance to win one of six one week-long dream jobs that include an exotic test car driver, WWEÒ Timekeeper, supermodel scout, rock band critic, video game reviewer and a stand-up comedian. Unique to this “job” contest, relevant experience is open to personal interpretation and the desire to succeed trumps all of the usual qualifications. Everyone will now have the chance to prove high school teachers across the nation wrong and show that they can amount to something on charm and creativity alone.
Applicants are offered the chance to apply on www.guymennen.com, a satirical self-help website that teaches the “philosophy” of brand ambassador and life coach Guy Mennen. With a simple video application, hopefuls are encouraged to demonstrate originality, desire for the job and quirky personal qualifications.
Candidates can also enter in-person when the Guy Mennen Sweet Smell of Success mobile job office rolls into select cities. This national tour is designed to feel more like a fun night out than a job contest. It features four dream job training centers that allow individuals to brave corners at high speeds in an exotic car simulator, pose with a beautiful model for a mock cover of Maxim, call a WWE match and rock on stage for a game of name that tune. In addition, sexy Gametime girls will be roaming the job office encouraging entrants to create their video application on-site.
“Our brand is about helping the average person achieve success so we turned the interview process upside down to give them an equal chance to win their dream job experience,” said Anu Sehgal, associate brand manager for Colgate- Palmolive Company.
Each candidate may enter for one of the six week-long dream jobs beginning on April 5, 2007. Applications must be started by July 20, 2007 and complete contest entries must be submitted by July 31, 2007. Six winners will be awarded dream job prizes on or about September 1, 2007. Each dream job lasts one work week and will occur within the timeframe of October 2, 2007 and November 15, 2007. Prizes are not offers for current or future employment. The contest is only open to U.S. residents 21 and over.
For official Dream Job Contest rules and complete dream job prize descriptions, visit www.guymennen.com.
source wwe.corporate.com
April 10, 2007
WWE and the Make A Wish Foundation
Michael Pena's Wish Comes True
April 9, 2007
Michael Pena’s wish came true today when he got to play Raw GM for the day.
With the help of Mick Foley, Michael fielded requests for everything from matches to raises. In the end, Michael announced that the main event at Backlash would be John Cena, Edge, Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels in a Four Way Match for the WWE Championship.
Michael’s visit was arranged through WWE’s partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, where he and his family met all the Superstars at Raw. His mother, younger brother Kyle, age six, older brother Charlie, age 13 and his 15-year-old sister Jennifer joined him.
Michael has been busy all day, but has enjoyed every minute for it.
“It’s bigger than I thought,” said Michael. “Today I’ve gotten to meet almost all the Superstars. It was very cool hanging out with Mick Foley.”
Before going out to make his big announcement in front of a sold-out Bridgeport, Conn., crowd, Michael said he was both excited and nervous. Afterward, he took some time out of his busy night to speak with WWE.com.
“It was very fun and at the same time scary, because you never know what the reaction of the crowd is going to be,” said Michael, who received a great reaction from the audience. “It was exciting.”
source: corporate.wwe.com
April 9, 2007
MSNBC Drops Imus for 2 Weeks Amid Rutgers Flap
YORK -- MSNBC will suspend its television simulcast of radio shock-jock Don Imus' morning talk show for two weeks after the host called members of the Rutgers University women's basketball team "a bunch of nappy-headed hos," the network announced Monday.
Despite apologies from Imus on Friday and Monday, the suspension will start April 16, the network said in a written statement.
"Don Imus has expressed profound regret and embarrassment and has made a commitment to listen to all of those who have raised legitimate expressions of outrage," it said.
"In addition, his dedication -- in his words -- to change the discourse on his program moving forward, has confirmed for us that this action is appropriate. Our future relationship with Imus is contingent on his ability to live up to his word."
Two of the nation's biggest media companies -- CBS Corp. and NBC Universal -- will ultimately decide the fate of Imus' daily program.
After a career of cranky insults, Imus was fighting for his job following one joke that by his own admission went "way too far."
Imus apologized Monday, both on his show and on a syndicated radio program hosted by the Rev. Al Sharpton, who is among several black leaders demanding his ouster.
Imus could be in real danger if the outcry causes advertisers to shy away from him, said Tom Taylor, editor of the trade publication Inside Radio....More?
source: cnn.com
Mick Foley To Appear As Guest Speaker At M.I.T.
From Sam Ford at mitcmsprowrestling.blogspot.com
Multiple-time New York Times bestselling author and World Wrestling Entertainment superstar Mick Foley will be appearing in a free public speaking event open to the public from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday on the campus of MIT.
Foley will be speaking in Building 54, Room 100, in an event called "The Real World's Faker than Wrestling: Former WWE Champion and Best-Selling Author Mick Foley," part of the Comparative Media Studies weekly colloquia series at MIT.
For more information and directions for Mick's appearance, contact the MIT Comparative Media Studies program at cms@mit.edu.
Foley will be on campus on Wednesday and Thursday to share his thoughts with a Comparative Media Studies class focused on pro wrestling in America.
The class, taught by Master's candidate Sam Ford, focuses on the history of American professional wrestling and its place in popular culture. Ford will graduate in June with a Master's degree from the Comparative Media Studies department. While at MIT, he has worked as a media analyst for the MIT Convergence Culture Consortium, located at http://www.convergenceculture.org/.
source: wrestlingworldnews.com
April 8, 2007
Main Event - Ric Flair v. Andre the Giant October 1977
Friday, October 14, 1977 Richmond, VA
If you haven't discovered this site yet, you need to check it out. For those of us from the mid-atlantic area these ads bring back memories.
source: http://www.midatlanticgateway.com
April 7, 2007
MD Lets Students Back With No Shots
Thank God I don't have a child in either one of these school districts. Since there are many ways to get your child immunized at no cost to the parent, there is no excuse for not getting it done. In addition, unless you have been living under a rock, you have no excuse for not knowing about the change in the law. I would prefer that these parents keep their potential germ carriers out of my school system and away from my child until they get their act together.
washingtonpost.com
April 6, 2007
Pr. George's Official Charged With Assault
Well it's about time they did something about this idiot. You would think that killing someone would be enough. Washington was on a power trip with his badge and gun and needed to be stopped.
washingtonpost.com
WWE Teams-Up With Apple
by: Eric Cohen
Usually when World Wrestling Entertainment releases a new product, wrestling fans are bombarded with advertisements and plugs for the new product during WWE programming. In this case, World Wrestling Entertainment has done the exact opposite. For their latest music release, WWE: The Music Volume 7, they have made no mentions of it on TV. The album is only available on iTunes.
This is the company's first iTunes-only release. It is obvious by the track listing that this is a test of some sort because, for the most part, it features the theme songs of the B-Stars of WWE programming. Only time will tell if this is a one-shot deal or if there will be more collaborations between these companies. Currently, episodes of TNA:iMPACT! are available for download. Will we eventually see WWE programming available on the site? Hopefully, the answer to that question will be yes.
source: http://prowrestling.about.com/
Imus Called Women's Basketball Team "nappy-headed hos"
Don Imus is at it again. I'm not going to repeat the comments here. You have probably heard them by now and if you haven't you can click the link. Obviously he won't be fired or even sanctioned in anyway. That's the norm. He is your typical white, middle age, right-wing, ultra-conservative, closed minded extremely ugly, rascist bigot that should be done away with and wouldn't get noticed if he wasn't on the radio.
Media Matters
April 5, 2007
Hey Floyd Mayweather Jr., pipe down! The UFC has become much bigger than boxing, Pretty Boy!
I want my UFC
By Mary Buckheit
Page 2
I hate to disagree with boxing's best pound-for-pound fighter, but I've got a bone to pick with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Last week, during a press conference to publicize his upcoming bout with Oscar De La Hoya, Floyd took a shot at the Ultimate Fighting Championship -- which has been near and dear to my heart since I caught my first whiff of The Octagon.
Chuck Liddell
AP Photo/Marlene Karas
Think Mayweather would get in the ring with Chuck Liddell, the UFC light heavyweight champ?
"UFC ain't s---," Mayweather said. "It ain't but a fad. … These are guys who couldn't make it in boxing. So they do [mixed martial arts]. Boxing is the best sport in the world and it's here to stay."
Mayweather is 30 years old. The Pretty Boy should know better.
He should know that boxing is a dinosaur, and that the pet pit bull of us 20-somethings is the UFC. That's an unarguable fact. Check the ratings, and the pay-per-view receipts.
We of the age of MTV want our UFC. Sure, if us kids know what's good for us, we come to MMA with inherent respect for Ali, and Marciano, and Tunney, and Dempsey, and Frazier, and the other idols of our fathers. But the generation that is up all night making cheese sandwiches on George Foreman grills is hooked on board shorts and bare hands -- not the big red-gloved traveling circus.
Look no further than the present if you're still playing the b.s. "UFC isn't mainstream" card.
First, just last week, the majority owners of the Ultimate Fighting Championship agreed to buy their biggest mixed-martial-arts rival -- the Japan-based PRIDE Fighting Championships....More?
source: sports.espn.go.com
K-Fed's Divorce Settlement
A 2004 pre-nup called for Kevin Federline to get $250,000 for each year of their marriage, but Spears upped that figure to $500,000 to speed up the negotiations.
He receives half the proceeds from their Malibu mansion, which is on the market for $13.5 million. $25,000 a month in child support for each of the couple’s two children until they reach 18. He also gets custody of the boys four days a week.
Federline gets to keep all the gifts Spears bought them during their marriage.
He’s forbidden from writing a tell-all about their marriage.
source: thebosh.com
April 4, 2007
April 3, 2007
A 'Salute' to Lashley
Bobby Lashley, the current ECW Champion will be on the cover of the April/May edition of Salute magazine.
WWE: TV Shows > ECW > News > A 'Salute' to Lashley
Always Second Place
Mtv.com has an interesting article on their website about top acts that have never had a #1 album. There is a section mentioning Hunter and Motörhead:
....Motörhead: OK, while this one doesn't exactly fall into the "shocking" category, we'd like to state for the record that it's a crime of monumental proportions that Lemmy and his mates have not had a #1 album on the Billboard chart (though 1991's 1916 did reach #142). In fact, Mr. Kilminster's biggest chart success came in 2001, when WWF: The Music, Vol. 5 — featuring Motörhead's "The Game," which wrestler Triple H used as his entrance music — sold 176,000 copies and debuted at #2, proving once again that you should never doubt the broad cross-market appeal of Hunter Hearst Helmsley....
source: mtv.com
First Ladies
By Noah Starr
Written: April 3, 2007
The woman who might be considered the first lady of WWE, Linda McMahon, was in Washington, D.C. last Tuesday evening to present a special World Heavyweight Championship to United States first lady, Laura Bush. Later in the evening, Mrs. Bush was honored with a lifetime achievement award from the USO of Metropolitan Washington.
At a private reception before the start of the annual gala, Mrs. McMahon presented the first lady with the championship which was inscribed, “USO Champ: Laura Bush”. Mrs. Bush has been a long-time supporter of the USO’s efforts and spends countless hours visiting wounded soldiers in military hospitals and stuffing care packages for those serving in the armed forces.
As a proud sponsor of the Care Packages program and all of the USO’s efforts, WWE presents championships to those select few who have gone above and beyond to support the valuable efforts of the USO.
source: wwe.com
April 2, 2007
April 1, 2007
Vince McMahon Bald
source: wwe.com
Ford Field Attendance Record
Tonight's attendance of WrestleMania 23 is 80,103 and is a new Ford Field record.
source: wrestlezone.com
Triple H - WWE Hall of Fame
The WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony was last night. Dusty Rhodes made a very nice, heartfelt comment about Hunter.
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
