Making his return to SmackDown, The World’s Largest Athlete had already made his presence felt earlier in the night, knocking out both Chris Jericho and Edge. And now, after suggesting that Jack Swagger add “early retirement” to his resume, Big Show delivered his third earth-shattering knockout blow to the outspoken World Champion. Full results.
source: wwe.com
April 30, 2010
SmackDown Results: The New Faces of SmackDown
Recap of WWE's 2010 Shareholders Meeting
Vince had Stephanie McMahon and executive vice president of marketing Michelle Wilson address the shareholders on marketing and talent relations. Wilson announced that WWE will have a huge presence in a campaign with 7-11. Plus, there will be a marketing campaign with Burger King that will feature Undertaker, Triple H, and John Cena toys.
Stephanie praised the guest host concept. She said the hosts have fun playing in front of thousands of people and get promotional value out of their appearances. She noted that WWE is bigger than the late night shows and Saturday Night Live. "We really are what's cool to do in Hollywood right now, which can only help our image and brand building," Stephanie said.
Stephanie also discussed the NXT brand. She noted that it was previously ECW. She stated that they are featuring the stars from their developmental territory FCW. She said it's exciting to see how the future stars perform with the spotlight on them.
On a few occasions Vince and other memebers of the executive team referred to the "Wonder Women of the WWE" which is Donna Goldsmith COO, Michelle Wilson, EVP Marketing, & Stephanie McMahon, EVP Creative Development & Operations. Vince closed the session by praising the management team and saying it's the best team they've ever had in place. I think this is further insight into why Shane left the company.
Vince stated that he does not intend to return to the ring...More?
The video of the meeting can be viewed here.
partial source: prowrestling.net
WWE Declares Quarterly Dividend
A funny side-note. When Vince introduced Stephanie, he commented that everyone will notice that she had gained weight since last year. Stephanie replied back, "Darn Triple H!"
Linda McMahon Won't Take Pay If Elected
"Linda just doesn't believe politics ought to be a cushy job that turns into a profession," said McMahon's spokesman, Shawn McCoy. "There's an enormous amount of work that needs to be done to get this country back on track beginning with job creation and tightening of government's fiscal belt. Her refusal to take a salary, I think, is an important symbolic gesture that underscores her principles on this."...More?
source: courant.com
Interview with Awesome Kong
In one of her first interviews since leaving TNA in March, Awesome Kong speaks to Diva Dirt to discuss her time with TNA, her departure from the company and her return to Ring of Honor on May 8th in New York. Also, we get Kong's reaction to being blindsided by Bubba the Love Sponge on The Cowhead Show earlier this week and her response to his challenge to a sanctioned fight. Kong also discusses her thoughts on the current direction of the Knockouts division, the pay discrepancies amongst the Knockouts, whether she'd go to WWE and her reaction to meeting 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin at the Cauliflower Alley Club reunion. Click here to listen here.
source: diva-dirt.com
Tony Atlas Released
Standard line from wwe.com:
WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Superstar Tony Atlas as of today April 30, 2010. We wish Tony the best in all future endeavors.
This Day in Wrestling History
Superstar Billy Graham defeated Bruno Sammartino for the WWWF(WWE) Heavyweight title.
April 30, 1977
Greg Valentine defeated Roddy Piper for the NWA U.S. Heavyweight title
April 30, 1983
Chris Benoit defeated Booker T for the WCW Television title.
April 30, 1998
The Rock defeated Triple H for the WWF(E) Heavyweight title at Backlash at the MCI Center, Washington, DC.
April 30, 2000
April 29, 2010
WWE Superstars Results: Creating A Dynasty
In their first title defense since capturing the Unified Tag Team Championships from The Miz & Big Show on Raw, The Hart Dynasty proved their victory was no fluke. Going up against the talented young duo of Caylen Croft & Trent Barreta, Tyson Kidd & David Hart Smith had to be prepared for an explosive team that wasn’t afraid to take risks. Unsurprisingly, the Hart Dungeon-trained technicians rose to the occasion, grounding their high-flying opponents with devastating submission maneuvers before putting Croft away with the Hart Attack. Full results.
source: wwe.com
SmackDown's Move to Syfy Profiled on MSNBC
Presumably fulfilling its post-rebranding promise to “Imagine Greater,” the former Sci Fi Channel — now known as Syfy — has imagined its way right out of the niche that made the cable network.
Forget about space operas, tech dramas or B-movie monsters, programming shake-ups reveal Syfy is ready to live up to its theme-less new name. If the recent announcement that “Top Chef” alum Marcel Vigneron would be joining the network for a cooking show called “Marcel’s Quantum Kitchen” wasn’t proof enough, Syfy’s acquisition of “Friday Night SmackDown” should be...More?
Melissa Anderson Back on the Indy Scene
Melissa Anderson is not confused about who she is any longer. There was a time she was three different characters -- Raisha Saeed, Alissa Flash and Cheerleader Melissa. But now, free of TNA Wrestling, she is what she wants to be: independent...More?
source: slam wrestling
Daniel Bryan's Latest WWE Blog Calls This Week's NXT Challenge "Brutal"
In his latest WWE blog, Daniel Bryan called this week's NXT challenge of selling programs to WWE fans "brutal". In his last two blogs, Bryan has not shied away from questoning how the challenges are relevant to being a WWE wrestler...More?
source: pwtorch.com
I couldn't agree more. The "challenges" have turned what I thought was a cool show with new talent to a corny show with new talent.
Chyna Accused of Assault
TMZ has learned former WWE star Chyna has been named in connection with an LAPD battery investigation -- and the alleged victim claims Chyna got so violent, she thought she was going to die.
Law enforcement sources tell us the alleged incident went down Saturday night at a motel in Sherman Oaks, CA. Cops wouldn't release any details, but according to the accuser -- the whole thing was like a scene out of a bad wrestling skit.
The accuser, Gabriela Targos, tells TMZ Chyna called her up to hang out at the motel Saturday -- but when Gabriela arrived, she claims Chyna immediately snapped and began attacking her for no reason.
Targos, who claims she's been friends with Chyna for years, says the former wrestler punched her in the face, dragged her by the hair, beat her with a wire hanger and threatened to kill her.
Gabriela claims she somehow managed to run out of the motel room, booked it down the street, and approached some cops who were eating dinner -- who then took a police report. Gabriela claims she met with LAPD detectives Wednesday morning. So far, no arrests have been made. Multiple attempts to reach Chyna for comment were unsuccessful.
Homicide Comments on TNA Management
"I have no faith in nobody. It's like somebody telling me every six or eight months they are going to give me a call and nothing happens... I want my money every Monday and we'll see what happens."...More?
This Day in Wrestling History
Steve Austin & Triple H defeated Undertaker & Kane to win the WWF(E) Tag Team Titles.
April 29, 2001
Former AWA, Portland Wrestling, and WWF(E) star Playboy Buddy Rose (Paul Perschmann) died.
April 29, 2009
April 28, 2010
iMPACT! TV Ratings Less Than WWE NXT
WWE's newest one-hour show WWE NXT beat TNA's two-hour show iMPACT! in the ratings this week. WWE NXT did a 0.79 cable rating with 1069000 viewers and iMPACT! did a 0.5 rating with 739,000 viewers.
WWE Stock Update
According to an article on Learning Markets, WWE stock has beat analyst expectations. WWE is a part of the General Entertainment industry and during the next five years, analysts expect the earnings-per-share (EPS) growth rate in the industry to be 15.57 percent.
Analysts also believe WWE's earnings are going to grow at a rate of 14.34 percent. WWE has gained 0.07 percent during the past month and is currently above its 200-day moving average. You can read the full article here.
Notes On The WWE Draft and Why It Was So Raw Heavy
The reason that RAW got the bulk of the "big name" talent in the draft is due to SmackDown's status on MyNetworkTV. Many MNTV affiliates have started to move SmackDown! off of Friday nights, which will cause the show to have less penetration than it has in the past. The WWE realized that with this being the case, there is no reason to push the show at this time. They plan to build it back up with the move to SyFy in October.
source: wrestling observer newsletter
TNA Knockout Leaving in May
TNA Knockout Tara (Lisa Marie Varon) will reportedly be finishing up with TNA next month after her one-year contract expires. Varon posted on her myspace blog that she went to TNA for a fraction of what she was worth and is now seeking a modest raise. TNA won't budge and is spinning story that she was difficult to negotiate with...More?
source: pwtorch.com
Ric Flair Loses More Than Blood and His Hall of Fame Ring
Kevin Eck of The Baltimore Sun posted the following on his blog Ring Posts:
There was a time when Ric Flair getting back in the ring after the grand sendoff he got in WWE two years ago disappointed me, but it’s gotten to the point now where watching him on TNA Impact just makes me sad.
In the main event of Monday night’s show, Flair wrestled hardcore specialist Abyss with both Flair’s Hall of Fame ring and Hulk Hogan’s Hall of Fame ring that he gave to Abyss on the line. Flair ended up losing a lot of blood (again), the match, his ring, and most importantly, some more of his dignity.
It’s very unsettling to see the 61-year-old Flair covered in blood every week, especially when there’s absolutely no benefit to it. He spilled a bucket of blood on Monday’s show fighting over rings that no one cares about, all just to get a 0.5 Nielsen rating.
When Flair gave his emotional farewell speech on Raw in 2008 (see the YouTube clip below), I never would have imagined that two years later he’d be wrestling Abyss on Impact – using his WWE Hall of Fame ring as a prop – and looking as if he stuck his head in a meat grinder.
I wish Flair would have taken the title of the Fuel song that was the soundtrack for his sendoff literally and left the memories alone.
This Day in Wrestling History
Owen Hart defeated Rocky Maivia(The Rock) for the WWF(E) Intercontinental title.
April 28, 1997
Wrestling legend, Lou Thesz, passes away at the age of 86.
April 28, 2002
April 27, 2010
WWE NXT Results: Cornfed Victory
Riding the momentum he picked up last week by winning the Rookies Challenge, NXT Rookie Skip Sheffield finally earned his first victory on Tuesday’s WWE NXT. The Cornfed Meathead faced fellow NXT Rookie Daniel Bryan when Bryan’s WWE Pro, The Miz, declared he was unable to compete due to the injuries he suffered from Big Show’s knockout punch the night before on Raw. Sheffield countered Bryan’s impressive offensive efforts and submission holds with a dominating defense, quickly unleashing his Over the Shoulder Boulder Holder finisher on the much-smaller Bryan. Finally, Sheffield’s WWE Pro, William Regal, gave him an approving glare after the match, while The Miz remained frustrated with his NXT Rookie, Bryan. With the victory, Sheffield’s record moved to 1-5, while Bryan remained winless and is now 0-9. Full results.
source: wwe.com
Triple H Set to Star in Another WWE Movie
Pwinsider is reporting that Triple H will be starring in another WWE Studios film, "The Chaperone." The film, believed to be a comedy, will tell the story of an ex-con who ends up chaperoning his daughter's school field trip.
The film will shoot this June in the New Orleans area. It will be Triple H's second WWE film in as many months. He is currently shooting "Killing Karma."
Raw/iMPACT! April 26th Ratings Breakdown
This week's Raw, the three hour Draft Special, did hours of 2.6, 3.27 and 3.34 with 4,628,000 viewers. The traditional two-hour broadcast of Raw did a 3.3 rating. Raw's final rating was 3.1.
By comparison, iMPACT! did a 0.5 rating, with 739,000 viewers.
CHIKARA: Rudo Resurrection - The Video Game
CHIKARA has partnered with some like-minded gaming trailblazers to create "Rudo Resurrection," a new video game currently in pre-production, set for release later this year! This story-driven game takes full advantage of the ever-deepening CHIKARA mythology, and features the macabre UltraMantis Black as he re-animates characters from CHIKARA's storied past. We're proud to announce "Rudo Resurrection" is coming to multiple gaming platforms in 2010, and more information about this highly-anticipated project will follow, but for now, we want to confirm that the first three playable characters in the game will be none other than Fire Ant, Soldier Ant and Green Ant of the Colony!
Watch the official trailer for the game here.
WWE Studios Wrestles with Gorgeous George
In an age where books routinely get tiny movie options and languish in development, one could do worse than make a deal with wrestling mogul Vince McMahon's WWE Studios. In a mid-6 figure outright buy, WWE acquired the 2008 John Capouya book Gorgeous George: The Outrageous Bad-Boy Wrestler Who Created American Popular Culture. Not only was the deal brokered by Justin Manask generous for the author, but WWE Films has committed to a 2011 start date for a film about a journeyman wrestler who remade himself into a preening, vamping villain and became a national TV star at a time when there was little on the boob tube but wrestling and Milton Berle. WWE Films set John Posey to write the script for a film that will be the last of nine features WWE will generate in less than two years. The fourth, Killing Karma, is shooting now...More?
source: deadline.com
2010 Supplemental Draft Results
Great Khali & Ranjin Singh to Raw
Chavo Guerrero to SmackDown
Cody Rhodes to SmackDown
Natalya to Raw
Chris Masters to SmackDown
Ezekiel Jackson to Raw
Goldust to Raw
Hornswoggle to SmackDown
JTG to Raw
Rosa Mendes to SmackDown
MVP to SmackDown
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Frank Gotch
April 27, 1878 - December 16, 1917
Frank Gotch is truly one of the original pioneers of professional wrestling. Long before the money, fame, and glitz of modern wrestling, long before the post WWII boom of Gorgeous George and "TV wrestling," before Lou Thesz, before Ed "Strangler" Lewis, before there was even a such thing as a "federation" in wrestling, there was Frank Gotch.
During this fleeting time of legitimacy in wrestling, Gotch was renowned for his great skill and power, despite his deceivingly small stature, and became perhaps wrestling's first true box-office attraction. As crafty and ruthless as he was skilled, Gotch held the undisputed World Title until he retired, undefeated as champion. His professional record was an impressive 132 victories out of 140 total matches...with several of his losses coming in handicapped matches. His bouts with Hackenschmidt, Jenkins, Stanislaus Zbysko and others were truly legendary...and can be traced back to the earliest days of what we now know as professional wrestling...More?
source: wrestlingmuseum.com
April 26, 2010
New TNA Ranking System
TNA Wrestling’s Monday Night iMPACT! Launches TNA’s Top 10 Contender Rankings. Fans get in on the action and make an impact by voting each and every week for who you believe most deserves a shot at a title match from the TNA Wrestling roster.
The fans vote, along with that of the TNA Championship Committee (Dixie Carter, Eric Bishoff and Hulk Hogan), will go a long way in determining the monthly Top 10 Contender rankings and ultimately who gets a shot at the coveted TNA World Championship Belt.
Individual rankings are determined by a combination of weighted factors. These factors include individual wrestler career performance, won/loss record and online fan voting. Each monthly ranking will be announced LIVE on Monday Night iMPACT! the day immediately following each of our scheduled Pay-Per-View events...More?
2010 Supplemental Draft this Tuesday at Noon ET
It was announced on Raw tonight that the Supplemental Draft will be held on Tuesday instead of Wednesday on wwe.com beginning at noon est.
2010 WWE Draft Results
Kelly Kelly to SmackDown
Big Show to SmackDown
John Morrison to Raw
R-Truth to Raw
Edge to Raw
Kofi Kingston to SmackDown
Christian to SmackDown
Chris Jericho to Raw
Big Ben's Problems Linked to Head Trauma?
People who suffer repeated head injuries often exhibit signs of aggression, childishness, impaired self-control, inappropriate sexual activity and alcohol abuse, according to the National Institutes of Health.
“Ben Roethlisberger is a guy with a lot of concussions,” said famed forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht. “It would be a very wise decision, a very appropriate one, for the NFL to test him for damage related to them. That’s being very fair to Ben. It’s conceivable to think that there is a possibility that those concussions have led to some behavioral issues.“...More?
source: yardbarker.com
2010 WWE Draft
The 2010 Supplemental Draft will be held on wwe.com on April 28th and begin at 12:00 pm est.
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Kane (Glen Jacobs)
April 26, 1967
Sting defeated Diamond Dallas Page for the WCW Title. That same night, DDP regained the title defeating Sting, Bill Goldberg and Hulk Hogan.
April 26, 1999
April 25, 2010
Rumor Mill - Triple H's Status
Triple H leaving on a stretcher tonight is believed to be his exit from the WWE storylines for a little while. Triple H is expected to take time off to heal some injuries and film a new WWE movie, Killing Karma. He has been removed from all house show line-ups and is reportedly only scheduled for tv and pay-per-views.
partial source: f4wonline.com
Haste Lays Waste
In the wake of the skirmish, Triple H appeared to be seriously injured. So much so, in fact, that his participation in the Street Fight remained in question throughout the night. When the bout was finally scheduled to take place, The King of Kings refused to forfeit, emerging from the trainer’s room, albeit gingerly, after suffering nerve damage and numbness in left arm. For his part, Sheamus, who had promised to send The Game into retirement like his friend Shawn Michaels, appeared eager to claim his already wounded prey.
While Triple H put on a brave face, his opponent put on an exhibition of cruelty. In a match where there are no count-outs or disqualifications, The Celtic Warrior used his overwhelming hunger and imposing strength to punish his target with a steel pipe to the temple. The Game fought back valiantly, snapping Sheamus with a kendo stick outside the ring. In the end, though, a series of kicks to the skull leveled Triple H and helped The Celtic Warrior secure the pin.
The victory officially established Sheamus as a Superstar with a bright – if terrifying – future and Triple H as one of the most devoted competitors in WWE history.
source: wwe.com
Extreme Rules Results 2010
12,278 was the announced attendance at tonight's pay-per-view at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.
Dark Match: Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston
Winner: Kofi Kingston
Triple H vs. Sheamus - Street Fight
Winner: The match never got started. Sheamus knocked out Triple H backstage with a steel pipe.
Show/Miz talks to Teddy Long. Show/Miz wants to be called the greatest tag team ever. Long sets up a mini-tournament to determine if they will be called that. Show/Miz has to beat three teams and if they lose, the team that beats them will get a Tag Title shot on RAW tomorrow night.
Show/Miz defeats Morrison/Truth
Show/Miz defeats MVP/Henry
Show/Miz loses to the Hart Dynasty w/Bret Hart
Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk - Hair Match
Winner: CM Punk - Rey Mysterio was attacked by Joey Mercury
Shad Gaspard vs. JTG - Strap Match
Winner: JTG
Randy Orton vs. Jack Swagger - World Heavyweight Championship Match
Winner: Jack Swagger (c)
Triple H vs. Sheamus - Street Fight Part Two
Winner: Sheamus
Michelle McCool vs. Beth Phoenix - Extreme Makeover Match
Winner: Beth Phoenix - New WWE Women's Champion
Edge vs. Chris Jericho - Steel Cage Match
Winner: Edge
John Cena vs. Batista - Last Man Standing Match
Winner: John Cena
Top 20 Moments in Baltimore Wrestling History
Top Moments 1-10
Top Moments 11-20
16. ARNOLD SCHWARZENEGGER LAYS THE SMACK DOWN ON TRIPLE H (1999): Schwarzenegger, who was at SmackDown to promote his latest movie, sat in on commentary during the eight-man tag team main event that pitted The Rock, Test, Kane and Shane McMahon against DX (Triple H, The Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and X-Pac), with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin as the special enforcer referee. Schwarzenegger got involved in the finish. He handed a chair to Austin, who blasted Triple H over the head with it, allowing Test to score the winning pinfall. After the match, Triple H took a swing at Schwarzenegger, who ducked and then proceeded to beat down “The Game.”
To watch the end of the match and the post-match angle, click here.
source: ring posts
Rumor Mill - Batista Done With WWE After Tonight's PPV?
The word within the WWE locker room in Baltimore, which plays host to tonight’s WWE Extreme Rules PPV, is that Batista will be finishing up with the company this week. Batista is set to challenge John Cena tonight in a Last Man Standing match for the WWE Championship...More?
source: pwinsider.com
Awesome Kong & Cheerleader Melissa at the CAC Reunion
Two of my favorites: Awesome Kong & Cheerleader Melissa with Little Egypt
credit: howard brody
This Day in Wrestling History
In a very surprising move by WCW, David Arquette pinned Eric Bischoff in a tag team match to become the new WCW Champion that saw Arquette team with DDP against Bischoff & Jeff Jarrett. He vacated the title six days later on May 1.
April 25, 2000
April 24, 2010
Triple H, Stephanie, WWE, a Bus and a Lawsuit
Music City Coach is suing Star City Coach for breach of contract, conversion of property and other issues related to a bus that was to be leased by the WWE for Triple H & Stephanie McMahon.
Music City hired Star City to customize the coach bus for Triple H and family to use while on the road for WWE. There were issues with payments and Star City went well past the due date to deliver the bus causing Music City to get an injunction.
The WWE, Paul Levesque & Stephanie McMahon Levesque have been named as third party defendants in the counter-claim filed by Star City. Star City claims that WWE, Paul, Stephanie and other employees of Music City are jointly and severally responsible for the $200,000+ payment that is due to them.
You can read a memorandum on the issues here.
Stone Cold Fighting Sharks on Twitter
Classic Stone Cold on Twitter this morning. Steve Austin posted several tweets about fighting sharks at his house that he originally thought were Jehovah's Witnesses! Read below:
i guess i was sleep walking last night with my shark skin jacket on...3 bullet holes in it...and 250,000 dollars in a briefcase by my bed
6 black lincoln town cars just pulled up outside...dark tinted windows..cant see anything inside...better get to my safe.. doesnt look good.
just uncocked all my pistols...it was a bunch of jehova's witness people and they had the wrong address...thank God. no pun intended...
not gonna believe this...they just came back..what the hell?? these people wont take no for an answer..hold it...somethings not quite right.
they are not jehovas witnesses after all.they are SHARKS dressed up like jehovas witnesses!! cant believe i didnt see the dorsal fins...
damn...they have my house completely surrounded...i just picked up the phone...they thought i was calling 911...wrong!!
just ordered three pepperoni pizzas and and a case of beer...this may take a while and its tough to shoot and cook at the same time...
three news helicopters and a swat helicopter buzzing over head...neighbors must have called..im digging in and planning for the worst...
it seems as if everything is happening in slow motion..the anticipation of blood, gunfire, and death has...made me hungry.damn i love pizza.
they just threw a Gideon Bible through my window!!! it has a message attached to it...they want me to come out with my hands up!!!
just busted out my own bible...reading them a script from the chapter of Austin...verse 3:16...you know what happens now...
i cant describe the brutality and chaos that just happened...i would probably get kicked off twitter...it all happened so fast...
i have taken a few hits.6 rounds..got the bleeding stopped.yep im ok.reach and pull a cold one out of the cooler and survey the carnage....
there are dead sharks everywhere...everywhere... a combination of jonestown meets apocalypse now meets jaws...and its not even noon...
not even i know what to make of all this...i guess the moral of this story is-dont fuck with me until i have had my morning coffee...
gotta clean up all these dead sharks....have a great day folks!
This Day in Wrestling History - Johnny Valentine Passes Away
Buddy Rogers vs. Johnny Valentine - 1953
Johnny Valentine (born John Theodore Wisniski, September 22, 1928–April 24, 2001) was a professional wrestler with a career spanning almost three decades. He has been inducted into four halls of fame for his achievements in wrestling. Wisniski is the father of professional wrestler Greg "The Hammer" Valentine.
He held numerous world champion and regional titles, including the NWA United States Championship and the World Heavyweight title. He had long running rivalries with Bobo Brazil, Pat O'Connor, Buddy Rogers, Antonio Rocca, Lou Thesz, Harley Race, The Sheik, Wahoo McDaniel, Fritz von Erich, Bruno Sammartino, Johnny Powers, Antonio Inoki and Jack & Jerry Brisco. He alternated between being a villain and a hero during the Golden Era in the 1940s through 1960s of wrestling.
In 1975, he was injured in a plane crash; he suffered a broken back and was forced to retire from wrestling. He worked briefly as a manager before retiring altogether. He suffered from several health problems during his career, which worsened considerably after a fall in 2000. He died the following year.
source: wikipedia.org
April 23, 2010
WWE: Top 25 Most Bizarre Matches
#1 Hollywood Backlot Brawl ("Rowdy" Roddy Piper vs. Goldust)
#2 Hogpen Match (Triple H vs. Henry Godwin)
#3 Boiler Room Brawl (The Undertaker vs. Mankind)
#4 Blindfold Match (Rick "The Model" Martel vs. Jake "The Snake" Roberts
#5 Bar Fight at Vengeance 2003 (Brother Love, Doink the Clown, The Brooklyn Brawler, Matt Hardy, Kung Fu Naki, Ron Simmons, JBL & The Easter Bunny)
The Father/Daughter "I Quit" match with Vince & Stephanie McMahon was #16. Click here for the rest of the list.
WWE: Top 25 Entourages of All TIme
#1 Hart Foundation
#2 NWO
#3 Four Horseman
#4 D-Generation X
#5 Heenan Family
Evolution was #10. Click here for the rest of the list.
Rumor Mill - Triple H vs. The Undertaker at WMXXVII?
Sources inside WWE reveal that World Wrestling Entertainment executives are already thinking ahead to next year’s WrestleMania. And the Undertaker may once again headline the event. His opponent? Possibly Triple H. If rumblings and speculation are to be believed, the WWE is interested in developing a storyline in which Triple H wants to avenge the career-ending loss of his best friend Shawn Michaels by defeating the man who eliminated HBK from the WWE – the Undertaker.
Triple H, however, has already lost to the Undertaker on the grandest stage in sports entertainment. Triple H, as many wrestling fans recall, lost a hard-fought battle to the Undertaker at WrestleMania 17. Could a rematch ten years in the making headline WrestleMania 27 when the spectacle comes to Atlanta, Georgia?
As it stands, this is the main event the WWE wants. And if previous rumors are to be believed, Triple H is interested in retiring in the not so distant future. As a result, Triple H may take a page from Shawn Michaels’s book and put this career up against the Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania 27, resulting in the likely continuation of the Taker’s streak and the end of yet another storied career.
source: examiner.com
SmackDown Results: To the Extreme
CM Punk and his loyal disciples – Luke Gallows and Serena – brandished a barber’s chair at ringside, promising to induct a new follower into The Straight Edge Society and shave his head.
Their explosive match with Rey Mysterio and Kane was intense from beginning to end. As Gallows and The Big Red Monster brawled outside the ring, The Master of the 619 propelled himself off the ropes, directly at The Second City Saint. Although Mysterio was unable to dial up the 619, he did kick Punk into the barber’s chair after the match. However, before he could continue the hair cut he had started to give Punk on Raw, Serena jumped in between them and allowed her “savior” to escape. Full results.
source: wwe.com
Triple H Spotted Filming Movie in New Orleans
Triple H was spotted filming the new WWE Studios project "Killing Karma" on Thursday in the New Orleans area reports Prowrestling.net. One wrestling fan spotted Triple H filming a scene about 20 miles down river from the city in a remote part of St. Bernard Parish.
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to:
Tony Atlas
April 23, 1956
Terry Gordy
April, 23, 1961
John Cena
April 23, 1977
Curt Hennig defeated Tito Santana in a tournament final for the WWF(E) Intercontinental title.
April 23, 1990
April 22, 2010
Another WWE Release
Standard line from wwe.com:
WWE has come to terms on the release of Mike Knox as of today, April 22, 2010. We wish him the best in all future endeavors.
Update on Vince Russo and His Role With TNA
Vince Russo has stated that he is burned out on the creative side and is going to take a break from the writing process. Russo will be taking a break from the creative team, and move to Nashville, reports the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Russo no longer wants to be the head writer, but will still have input in the creative process.
source: wrestleview.com
WWE Superstars Results: Rookie Mistake
After the disappointing events of tonight’s main event, Carlito might be ready to give his NXT Rookie Michael Tarver a failing grade. For the second Thursday in a row, the young competitor attempted to help his NXT Pro grab a victory on “WWE Superstars” and ended up costing him the match. Still, it’s hard to say whether or not the Puerto Rican Superstar would have defeated John Morrison anyway. The Friday Night Delight was absolutely explosive in this main event, hitting Carlito with an array of dazzling maneuvers on his way to victory. Full results.
source: wwe.com
6 Added to the Future Endeavor Club
WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Divas Mickie James and Katie Lea Burchill as well as Superstars Shelton Benjamin, Kung Fu Naki, Slam Master J and Jimmy Wang Yang as of today, April 22, 2010. We wish them the best in all future endeavors.
April 21, 2010
The Genius Of Floyd Mayweather Jr.: Caricature (And Character) Outsells Talent
“The thing people need to realize is that ‘Money’ Mayweather is a (caricature/character). And that’s what these fighters need to learn about business. If you had a character you’d have something to sell. But a lot of these fighters don’t have nothing to sell because they don’t have any personality.”
With those words, spoken by the boxer himself, and made available on a hidden away interview placed On Demand (and not during the first two episodes of HBO’s 24/7) Floyd Mayweather Jr. lays out a lesson I wish every artist would pay attention to if they were serious about succeeding in the marketplace, and not just being famous or good at what they do...More?
source: allhiphop.com
Jerry Lawler Draws Exclusive WWE Comic Cover
To celebrate the launch of Titan Publishing's WWE Heroes comic series, an exclusive cover drawn by WWE legend Jerry 'The King' Lawler has been released...More?
source: 411mania.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Ken Patera defeated Pat Patterson for the WWWF(WWE) Intercontinental title.
April 21, 1980
Hulk Hogan defeated Triple H for the WWF(E) Unified Heavyweight title.
April 21, 2002
April 20, 2010
Triple H, Undertaker Help Offset Missing Stars on Raw
Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun reviews Monday Nignt Raw:
Triple H’s opening monologue was funnier than anything involving MacGruber. He had me laughing out loud a few times, especially during his verbal exchange with CM Punk. When I saw former WWE ring announcer Lillian Garcia sitting at ringside (she filled in for Justin Roberts), I knew Triple H was going to take a shot at her, and he didn’t disappoint. He said that Garcia “came back just to horse around.” It’s apparently an inside joke in the WWE locker room that Garcia has a horse face...More?
WWE NXT Results: NXT Rookie Rocks 'The Best'
NXT Rookie Heath Slater earned the biggest victory of his NXT Rookie career Tuesday night, besting six-time World Champion Chris Jericho! And to the “one-man rock band’s” credit, he did it without the presence of his WWE Pro, Christian, who was still stranded in Europe due to the Icelandic volcano eruption.
Slater showed no fear against his WWE Pro opponent, reversing Jericho’s attempts at the Walls of Jericho, and rolling him up for the pin for the monumental victory. Jericho and his NXT Rookie, Wade Barrett, were left stunned after the match, as Jericho argued the call with the WWE official: “There’s no way! I’m the best in the world at what I do! Full results.
source: wwe.com
Former WWE Star Returns in a SmackDown Dark Match
Joey Mercury (Matthews) made his WWE return tonight in the dark match before the NXT and SmackDown tapings in Uncasville, CT. Mercury lost to Shelton Benjamin. Mercury was re-signed by WWE at the end of 2009. He is expected to appear on SmackDown soon.
source: impactwrestling.com
RAW is SmackDown and TNA iMPACT! Ratings
The April 19th editions of Raw and iMPACT! ratings are in. Smackdown's Invasion of Raw posted a 3.05 cable rating. TNA iMPACT! headlined by Rob Van Dam pinning AJ styles for the TNA title, earned a 1.0 cable rating.
Rumor Mill - AJ Styles Not Happy About Dropping the Title
AJ Styles was not a happy camper last night. Not only was Styles upset about having to drop the title, he was also quite upset when Van Dam failed to hook his leg for the pin. When Styles returned to the back, he simply changed and left the building without conversing with others.
The backstage reaction was mixed with some feeling Styles was being a bit of baby for not wanting to drop the title, as others felt management didn't keep Styles strong as he looked weak losing the strap the first time he didn't have Ric Flair in his corner.
In recent times, Styles has been keeping to himself, doing his own thing backstage and not always tuned in to television monitors to watch the show.
source: wrestleview.com
CHAIR SHOTS: HHH On His Game
With the rest of the Raw roster stranded in Europe, Triple H turned things up a notch to deliver a great show-opening promo, and the Undertaker competed for the first time since WrestleMania, among other surprises in a bizarre Raw.
All things considering, I think WWE did a pretty good job putting together the show last night with most of Raw's top stars, including John Cena, Batista, Randy Orton and Sheamus - all key players in Sunday's Extreme Rules pay-per-view - stuck in Belfast, Ireland. Three of them made appearances via satellite for promos, though they were nothing special.
Triple H, on the other hand, delivered a great promo with C.M. Punk to open the show, even if it did drag on for a bit. Much has been made of WWE scripting interviews for its talent, but I'm pretty sure Triple H is one of the few they just let fly. Punk might be one of the others.
source: carrollcountytimes.com
What Happened After Raw Went Off the Air in NJ
After Raw goes off air, Triple H gets on the mic and blames The Undertaker for retiring Shawn Michaels. Triple H called out Undertaker. A referee was in the ring and a match appeared to be kicking off. Triple H tells Undertaker they are the "last two" of a dying breed and there is only room for one. The heels make a run-in including CM Punk, Luke Gallows, Chris Jericho, Jack Swagger, Zack Ryder, Carlito, Kozlov and Dolph Ziggler. Undertaker and Triple H fight them off. Triple H gives the referee a Pedigree and then walks into a Tombstone. The show ends with Undertaker posing.
source: wrestleview.com
This Day in Wrestling History - Rick Rude Passes Away
Rick Rude of dies of a heart attack at age 40.
April 20, 1999
Richard Erwin Rood
December 7, 1958 – April 20, 1999
This Day in Wrestling History
Triple H defeated Taz in the first match between a WWF(E) heavyweight Champion and an ECW Heavyweight Champion
April 20, 2000
April 19, 2010
Cerebral Ash-sassin
While no man is an island, Triple H certainly appeared adrift in unfamiliar waters when he opened Raw. The Superstar explained that, unlike the remainder of the red brand’s roster, he had remained stateside during Raw’s European tour.
With volcanic ash stranding Raw's roster overseas, Monday night became besieged by the Superstars of SmackDown. The eruptions continued, as The Cerebral Assassin became the sole Raw titan trading blows and earning victory against Friday night's finest.
source: wwe.com
Rumor Mill - Backstage WWE Problem With Batista?
It was reported earlier that WWE issued a press release noting that Triple H will be starring in a new WWE Studios film titled "Killing Karma".
Various wrestling news sites are reporting that the lead role was initially supposed to go to Batista, however, WWE made the decision to replace him with Triple H. It's being said that when Batista learned that he was being replaced by HHH, he became furious over the news as acting is what he wants to focus his future on when he leaves wrestling. "Batista wants to be a movie star," a source was noted as saying.
Batista has been telling people that he does not intend to wrestle in WWE for too much longer, and that he might likely quit the business when his current deal expires. When this happens, he wants to focus mainly on acting.
WWE’s reasoning for the replacement, according to insiders, is that Batista has yet to sign a new deal with the company, and its primary motive for casting wrestlers in its movies is to expand their profile within the realm of WWE. Triple H obviously is not going anywhere, so he represents a more surefire investment.
sources: f4wonline.com and wrestlezone.com
Former WWE Star Luther Reigns Recovering from Stroke in Glendale
Although the symptoms of Matthew Wiese's stroke are typical, the events that led to it are anything but. Known to wrestling fans as Luther Reigns, Wiese performed in sold-out arenas across the country as one of World Wrestling Entertainment's biggest stars for nearly two years.
It sounds like a dream come true for any aspiring pro wrestler, but for Wiese, it was also a period marked by tremendous physical pain and drug abuse, which he said was exacerbated by a culture of steroid and painkiller abuse that led to the debilitating stroke he experienced in December.
"We wrestled every night, damn near every night," Wiese said. "We were beat to hell. So we needed pain pills to do our job."
In addition to the 40 to 50 pain pills he took each day, Wiese said, he was on steroids, a habit he carried over from his time at ASU and his stint in the now-defunct World Championship Wrestling organization. His addiction continued after he retired from the WWE to manage his girlfriend's acting career. The years of drug abuse caught up to him when he suffered the stroke at his home last year...More?
source: azcentral.com
Raw Preview: WWE Calls on “MacGruber” as SmackDown Invades Monday Night Raw
With the volcanic eruption in Europe stranding the majority of the Raw roster, WWE’s flagship show is going blue. Even as the cast of the film MacGruber takes the reins as special guest hosts for the potentially cataclysmic show in East Rutherford, N.J., Triple H prepares to share the ring with several top SmackDown Superstars.
Although Raw is trapped in Belfast, Ireland, the SmackDown Superstars were able to arrive in Newark by charter early this morning, after traveling through the night by bus to get to a place where they could take off.
source: wwe.com
"WWE Latest" News App for iPhone and iPod Touch
WWE has announced the "WWE Latest" news app for iPhone and iPod Touch..More?
source: pwinsider.com
Triple H Filming WWE Movie
Triple H is currently filming a new movie for WWE Studios, tentatively titled "Killing Karma."...More?
source: lordsofpain.net
WWE Press Release
An interesting side-note is that Batista was originally announce to be in this movie:
Batista to Begin Filming New WWE Movie Next Week
Report: Batista Taking Long Break from WWE
Rumors are flying that Batista is none too happy about Triple H getting the starring roll in this movie.
Update on Raw Crew Travel Issues
WWE will shoot some form of tonight's RAW from the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It remains to be seen just who from the RAW brand will actually appear tonight. A few guys like Triple H, Carlito and Yoshi Tatsu are here in the States but the majority of stars including The Miz, Bret Hart, Randy Orton and many others likely will not be appearing on TV unless it's some kind of taped video. Stars from the movie MacGruber are scheduled to host tonight's show.
The Wrestling Observer is reporting that the current plan is to have the SmackDown crew carry the Raw show.
WWE is giving refunds to ticket holders that request them.
partial source: impactwrestling.com
This Day in Wrestling History
The first Jim Crockett Sr. Memorial Cup tag team tournament is held. The Road Warriors win the 1 million dollar prize.
April 19, 1986
April 18, 2010
TNA Lockdown Results 2010
Highlights:
Sean Waltman may be done with TNA after no-showing Lockdown tonight. Waltman was telling people at an indy show over the weekend that he had no plans on showing up for Lockdown.
Frankie Kazarian is the new X Division Champion after winning a three-way with Homicide and Shannon Moore at tonight's Lockdown pay-per-view. Doug Williams was stripped of his title after being stuck in the UK due to travel problems from the volcano eruption.
Madison Rayne is the new TNA Knockouts Champion after pinning Tara in the tag match at Lockdown. Madison still holds one-half of the Knockouts Tag Team Championship with Velvet Sky.
source: impactwrestling.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to "The Brooklyn Brawler" Steve Lombardi.
April 18, 1961
Wahoo McDaniel passes away due to a stroke at the age of 63.
April 18, 2002
April 17, 2010
Update on WWE Travel Problems
The ash spat out by an Icelandic volcano that has left thousands of air travelers stranded is also affecting celebrities, filmmakers, musicians and even pro-wrestlers.
The WWE is nearing the end of a two-week European tour and several wrestlers and crew members traveled for nearly 17 hours in buses and ferries to make it from Lieven, France, to Belfast, Ireland. The trip normally takes about an hour and a half in a plane.
WWE spokesman Kevin Hennessy said it was unclear if everyone would arrive in time for Monday night's scheduled "WWE Raw" event at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, N.J. He said the WWE wrestlers and crew normally "fly commercial, but we are booking a charter just to be safe." Hennessy added that "Sunday is normally a simple travel day — very easy."...More?
source: associated press
Triple H Donates Items for Silent Auction at The World School
Triple H donated several items for a silent auction at The World School to benefit their Tuition Assistance Program and the purchase of a defibrillator. Last year's auction raised $10,000. The World School is located in Nashua, NH and their Director is Lynn Ouellette, Hunter's sister. The auction is closed, but you can view the items here.
Orioles Ready To Talk If Ripken Wants Job
Cal Ripken Jr. has not offered himself to the Baltimore Orioles as a prospective employee, team owner Peter Angelos said Saturday, adding that if Ripken wants to be part of the organization, he'd be happy to sit down and talk with the Hall of Famer about a job.
Angelos was responding to a FoxSports.com story that he turned down the opportunity to hire Ripken, who spent all 21 of his major league seasons with the Orioles...More?
source: espn.com
Clamor About McGwire Never Materializes
The jury remains out on how Mark McGwire will fare as the Cardinals' hitting coach. In something of an upset, though, one aspect of McGwire's tenure has already been established: the feared circus-like atmosphere simply has not materialized...More?
source: mlb.com
Mark McGwire gets big ovation in Cardinals' home opener
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Rowdy Roddy Piper (Roderick George Toombs)
April 17, 1951
Adrian Adonis & Dick Murdoch defeated Tony Atlas & Rocky Johnson for the WWWF(WWE) Tag Team title
April 17, 1984
WCW filed suit in Fulton County Superior Court against Ric Flair for breech of contract
April 17, 1998
April 16, 2010
O's Turned Down Ripken for Job
The Orioles, losers of nine of their first 10 games, could use a little help.
Yet, owner Peter Angelos recently declined to hire the franchise’s biggest legend, Hall of Famer Cal Ripken Jr., in a baseball capacity, according to multiple major-league sources.
Ripken met with Andy MacPhail, the team’s president of baseball operations, about rejoining the organization, sources said.
Angelos, however, nixed the idea in a separate conversation with Ripken, telling him, according to three sources, that he did not want Ripken to receive credit once the team returned to prominence...More?
source: msn.foxsports.com
SmackDown Results: "All-American American" in London
Jack Swagger will face Randy Orton for the World Title at Extreme Rules, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long attempted to launch a preemptive strike. With both Chris Jericho and Edge claiming that they were the Superstar to keep the coveted title on SmackDown, Long made a pre-Extreme Rules Triple Threat World Championship Match.
In the midst of Triple Threat fury, Jericho looked ready to use Edge’s own finisher against him. But, at the last second, The Rated-R Superstar turned the tables on the “best in the world at what he does,” blasting him with the Spear once again. However, when The Ultimate Opportunist went for the cover, Jack Swagger suddenly yanked him out of the ring and grabbed the huge pin for himself. Full results.
source: wwe.com
Coyotes Goaltender Puts WWE on Ice … and on his Mask
Phoenix Coyotes goaltender Jason LaBarbera makes the save against the Calgary Flames. LaBarbera is sporting a special WrestleMania XXVI tribute on his goaltending mask. View the photo gallery for an up close look at the mask.
source: wwe.com
The 10 Most Intimidating Athletes in the World
Most of the time, we prefer our athletes to be warm, smiling characters. Contained below are the most frightening, snarling athletes that the general public would do well to avoid like their lives depend on it:
1. Mike Tyson
2. Serena Williams
3. Ray Lewis
4. Scott Parker
5. Albert Belle
6. Bernard Hopkins
7. Lawrence Taylor
8. Randy Johnson
9. Wanderlei Silva
10. Brock Lesnar
source: guyism
Staples Center Announces 10 Greatest Moments
The general manager of Staples Center on Thursday revealed what more than 25,000 fans voted as the 10 greatest moments in the history of the 10-year-old facility:
10. Kobe Bryant scores 81 points, Jan. 22, 2006
9. Britney Spears' Circus Tour, April 16-17, Sept. 23, 2009
8. U2 Vertigo Tour: April 5-6, Nov. 1-2, 2005
7. WWE Wrestlemania 21, April 3, 2005: Batista beat Triple H to win the heavyweight title.
6. Garth Brooks Concert, Jan. 25-26, 2008
5. "Frenzy on Figueroa," Kings defeat Red Wings in Game 4 of Western Conference Quarterfinals, April 18, 2001
4. Kobe to Shaq Alley-Oop/Comeback in Western Conference Finals Game 7, June 4, 2000
3. Michael Jackson Public Memorial Service, July 7, 2009 and his children.
2. Travis Pastrana's Double Back Flip at Summer X Games 12, Aug. 4, 2006
1. Robert Horry's Game-Winning Shot in 2002 Western Conference Final, May 26, 2002
source: latimes.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Chris Benoit wins the first ever "Super J Cup" junior heavyweight tournament in New Japan Pro Wrestling
April 16, 1994
Triple H defeated Jeff Hardy for the WWF(E) Intercontinental title
April 16, 2001
April 15, 2010
WWE Superstars Results: Must Be The Money
Ever since he strapped his father’s legendary Million Dollar Championship around his waist, Ted DiBiase has been competing with a newfound edge in WWE. This shot of confidence served him well in the main event of tonight’s “WWE Superstars” when he went one-on-one with the always-exciting MVP. While each Superstar has talent to spare, it was DiBiase’s underhanded tactics that won out tonight as he hit The Ballin’ Superstar with Dream Street to pick up a big victory. Full results.
source: wwe.com
Jim Ross: No Longer A Fit In WWE?
A few of the wrestling news sites are claiming that top WWE superstars such as Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker requested that JR call their match at WMXXVI and were upset that he wasn't given a bigger role. Ross even wrote in his blog that Vince McMahon didn't make any time for him during WrestleMania weekend.
JR is great on commentary and has shown his loyalty to the WWE, but isn't it time to move on? The IWC has been clamoring for "new blood" in the main events and the WWE has responded with WWE NXT and more changes to come with the upcoming draft. Why wouldn't they look to change announcers too.
I don't understand. Why the uproar? Companies change staff according to their needs. School systems will replace teachers and administrators if they are not performing up to par. Government officials can be voted out. But how dare the WWE replace JR! People seem to forget that JR wasn't taken off of TV. He had another Bells Palsy attack. JR has stated that he more than likely will not be "camera-ready" for the WWE.
Quite frankly I'm tired of the whining. I can understand having a great job and not wanting to give it up, but please stop whining. Personally , I thought JBL was great on commentary but I don't think they will be able to get him off the links.
The WWE may need to tweak the announcer line-up, just like they tweak their roster of wrestlers and divas. A fresh start can be a good thing.
Tiger Woods Should Become a Bad Guy - Golf's Version of Triple H
The next time Tiger Woods plays on the PGA Tour, he should show up in black clothes and dark sunglasses. Steve Williams, his caddie, should carry a golf bag that has a scarlet "X" stitched on it.
Tiger should curse on the golf course enough to make Redd Foxx blush. He should put a Perkins restaurant sticker on his bag. He should throw his clubs like a javelin when he misses an easy putt. He should text-message in between shots. If a reporter asks him about his emotional state, Tiger should channel Bobby Knight and make a bunch of ridiculously juvenile faces.
Tiger should become a bad guy. He should be golf's version of the WWE's Triple H...More?
source: espn.com
Since Batista is working his way through the Diva's locker room, I would think that he is more like Tiger than Triple H. I'm just sayin'...
Joyce Grable to be Honoured by CAC
Las Vegas has always been known as America's playground. But to wrestling fans, it is also recognized as the home of the Cauliflower Alley Club. Since 1965, this non-profit corporation has been in place to celebrate the accomplishments of pro wrestling's elite. And one of this year's honouree is a woman that opened many doors for a lot of female wrestlers today, so it's only fitting that the CAC opens its doors for Joyce Grable.
Grable will be the recipient of the women's wrestling award when the CAC reunion returns to Vegas on April 19. Grable has attended the reunion in the past and witnessed many of her peers receive that award, and she is absolutely thrilled that this year is her turn...More?
source: slam wrestling
WWE Travel Concerns Due to Volcanic Ash
A volcanic eruption in Iceland has caused airport delays and cancellations in various parts of Europe effecting the WWE European tour. WWE is in France and Germany today and they are doing everthing possible to move their Talent around. Click here for more.
Chris Jericho Defends "Flowers and Rainbows" Segment on NXT
In a lengthy post on Twitter, Chris Jericho defended the "Talk the Talk" segment on Tuesday night's NXT show...More?
Actor From 'The Wrestler' Sentenced To Prison For Steroids, Fleeing Police
LoHud.com is reporting that Scott Siegel, an actor in the movie "The Wrestler" starring Mickey Rourke, was sentenced to five years in prison for possession of steroids and leading cops on a high speed pursuit. Siegel, who is 35, actually played a steroids dealer in "The Wrestler" with Rourke...More?
April 14, 2010
Austin Aries Comments on Tyler Black, Jim Cornette, the Monday Night Wars, Bryan Danielson and Nigel McGuinness
Monday Ratings Tell Similar Story for Both WWE and TNA
The ratings are in for both wrestling shows on Monday night and there were no major changes for either company.
WWE Raw scored a 3.2 rating with 4,700,000 viewers which is almost identical to the numbers from last week. The rating for the company's flagship show has been down about a half a point from earlier this year.
Meanwhile, TNA iMPACT! scored a 0.8 rating with 1,100,000 viewers which is slightly down from the previous week. Some of that could be attributed to its new 8:00PM ET start on Spike TV. Regardless, the rating for iMPACT! since moving to Monday nights has to be viewed as a disappointment so far.
The TNA ReAction program which debuted the hour before iMPACT! drew a 0.25 rating with nearly 280,000 viewers. Not a surprise considering that there was almost no promotion for the show in advance.
source: fanhouse.com
Rumor Mill - More on Triple H's Injuries
The Wrestling Observer is reporting that in addition to issues with his neck, Triple H is also dealing with issues to his quadriceps.
The Osirian Portal Headed to Japan
CHIKARA has come to terms with Zero-1 to present the Japanese debut of The Osirian Portal - Ophidian and Amasis! The Portal will join Zero-1 for action in the month of May. These former Campeones de Parejas are among the very finest tag teams active today, and are sure to represent us well in the Far East. They will challenge for the NWA International Lightweight Tag Titles (presently held by Ikuto Hidaka and Munenori Sawa) on May 25th in Tokyo.
source: chikara pro facebook
WWE Shopping NXT Around to Other Networks
Variety is reporting that WWE is currently shopping the show around to other networks. Click here.
Talent Scouts for WWE
Pro Wrestling Revolution is proud to announce that it has come to an agreement with the World Wrestling Entertainment® (WWE), the leader in sports entertainment, to scout talent/luchadors for their company. This is a great opportunity for all involved and we are looking forward to working with them...More?
Gene Kiniski Dead at 81
Wrestling legend and former NWA World Hvt. champion Gene Kiniski died this morning at age 81...More?
April 13, 2010
WWE NXT Results: The Party Rages On
In one of the biggest matches of his NXT Rookie career, Darren Young defeated Luke Gallows, not only proving his worth to his WWE Pro, CM Punk, but also saving his hair.
Earlier, Young apologized to Punk for his actions on SmackDown, and pleaded with him not to cut his hair. While Punk told Young he thought he showed guts, Straight Edge Society disciple Gallows took offense. Punk ordered his NXT Rookie to face the menacing Gallows with his hair on the line. When it mattered most, Young delivered, impressing Punk and the WWE Universe by pinning Gallows. Afterward, Punk raised Young’s hand in victory as a stunned Gallows looked on. Full results.
source: wwe.com
The Wide World of Sports According to Pro Wrestling
Have you ever thought how much better life would be if all sports more closely resembled the WWE?
Think about it for a second-in the WWE, anybody can issue a challenge to the champion at any time. Imagine if after the 2009 World Series, the bitter Red Sox challenged the Yankees to a no-holds barred steel cage match for the 2009 World Series trophy. Are you trying to tell me you wouldn't want to watch this? Click here.
source: thedepauw.com
Update on SmackDown Moving to Syfy; WWE NXT Leaving
WWE and Syfy announced today a multi-year agreement that brings Friday Night SmackDown to the "Imagine Greater" network beginning in October 2010. Friday Night SmackDown will premiere on its new home October 1st at 8:00 PM ET.
Syfy's original Friday night drama series will move to Tuesday night. WWE NXT will leave Syfy in October as Friday Night SmackDown joins the schedule...More?
source: corporate.wwe.com
I wonder if SmackDown is going live? That would be great.
This Day in Wrestling History
ECW makes its debut on Pay Per View. The show called "Barely Legal" was headlined with Terry Funk vs. Raven for ECW World Title.
April 13, 1997
April 12, 2010
WWE's 'SmackDown' Moving to Syfy
Syfy Channel has pinned a deal for "SmackDown." World Wrestling Entertainment Inc's "SmackDown," which for years was a mainstay on the UPN and CW networks before moving to News Corp.'s My Network TV, is now headed to NBC Universal's Syfy Channel, people close to the situation said.
A deal, which will be announced later this week, further solidifies the growing relationship between NBC Universal and Vince McMahon's WWE. Syfy already carries the show "NXT". NBC Universal's USA cable channel carries "WWE Raw".
WWE is still looking to launch its own cable network, probably sometime in 2011. This latest deal with NBC Universal is another sign that the two could end up partnering on such a channel. WWE chief Vince McMahon has close relationships with NBC Universal brass, particularly Dick Ebersol, who oversees all sports programming for the company...More?
source: latimes.com
Update on Triple H's Neck Injury
It was reported earlier that Triple H had been taken off WWE's European tour and has been taken off the house show schedule due to a current neck injury he's suffering from. WrestleZone reported on March 1st, that Triple H suffered an injury at the Elimination Chamber PPV when he took the Celtic Cross bump from Sheamus. Hunter's current neck issue is directly linked to the injury he sustained at Elimination Chamber, and he has been working through the pain ever since the event.
source: wrestlezone.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Mike Von Erich (Michael Brett Adkisson) died of a drug overdose at age 23.
April 12, 1987
April 11, 2010
Who’s Next to Challenge The Undertaker’s Undefeated WrestleMania Streak?
Triple H is a possibility. A Triple H-Undertaker match next year would mark the 10-year anniversary of their meeting at WrestleMania X-7 in 2001. It also would be a match-up of the two biggest remaining stars from the Attitude Era. The story line could be similar to the one I proposed with Cena, with Triple H saying that he has done it all in WWE except one thing – ending The Undertaker’s streak. There also is the obvious angle of Triple H wanting to do it for his best friend Michaels, who was forced to retire because he failed to end The Undertaker’s streak.
No matter who The Undertaker faces at WrestleMania next year, they are certainly going to have a tough act to follow after Michaels and “The Dead Man” raised the bar significantly in terms of story line and match quality at the past two shows. The larger question is how many more WrestleMania matches The Undertaker has left. He turned 45 a few weeks ago and I don’t think it’s any secret that his body is banged up. My guess – and that’s all it is – is that WWE would like to have The Undertaker get to 20-0 – a nice, round number – and call it a career...More?
source: ring posts
Rumor Mill - Triple H Only Working TV & PPVs Due To Neck Problems
According to F4WOnline.com, Triple H is currently booked for television and pay-per view events only, and not house shows due to some neck problems he's going through. That would explain Triple H missing the overseas events this weekend.
Former TNA Writer Criticizes TNA's Creative Effort
Former TNA writer/agent Dutch Mantell says he believes TNA doesn't understand its audience and the current creative team has an arrogant attitude that it's the fault of the audience for not understanding the product as ratings have declined.
"I don’t think they know their audience. In their eyes, if you don’t understand it, it’s not the writing, it’s you," Mantell told Mike Mooneyham of the Charleston Post & Courier newspaper. "The joke seems to be on them."
Mantell's comments come on the heels of Hulk Hogan essentially blaming the audience for low TV ratings during an appearance on Bubba the Love Sponge's radio show earlier this week. "The audience needs to warm up to how TNA is changing and how they're stepping up and how fast it's moving," Hogan said.
Mantell also suggested there is a dark cloud hovering over TNA and the company will be in trouble if Spike TV ever decides to drop TNA programming. "I’ve been around a lot of offices with the death knell, and the TNA office has got the death knell about it," Mantell claimed. "The only money they’re really making is off Spike, and if Spike balks, they’re screwed."
“What a war this has turned out to be,” laughs Mantell. “This hasn’t even been a border skirmish yet. How can you have a war when one side doesn’t even know it’s going on?”
source: pwtorch.com
This Day in Wrestling History
While the WWF(E) was in Kuwait, Vader attacked Bassam Al Otham, the host of "Good Morning Kuwait" after being asked if wrestling was fake. Vader was detained in Kuwait for a week. He ended up paying a $200 fine.
April 11, 1997
April 10, 2010
TNA Star Says He's Taking Time Off After Lockdown
TNA star Kurt Angle has posted the following on his official Twitter account: "I will be taking some time off for a month to heal up. To TNA fans, I am not injured. At Lockdown, I plan on kicking Anderson's ass, then I'm going to relax for a few weeks."
TNA Reaction Premieres Monday
Spike presents TNA Reaction, a never-before-seen look at the combustible world of TNA Wrestling with exclusive backstage access and candid interviews featuring the biggest names in wrestling. Fans will experience all the unseen drama as rivals speak openly about their plans to destroy their most hated foes. TNA superstars featured include Hulk Hogan, Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, and more.
TNA Reaction premieres this Monday night on SpikeTV at 7/6c, one hour before TNA Wrestling "iMPACT!" at the new start time of 8/7c.
Three hours of TNA..oh joy...
WWE Sabotaging UFC Expansion?
Rumor has it that the recent set backs the UFC has experienced in Germany were aided and abetted by Vince McMahon of the WWE working behind the scenes to sabotage his competitors. As we know from watching the UFC try and fail to break into the Japanese market or sign Russian superstar Fedor Emelianenko, Zuffa needs some diplomatic help in dealing with foreign markets.
Since international expansion has been such a huge priority of Zuffa's, the involvement and backing of a group of serious players from the UAE brings a whole new set of established relationships, especially in hard to reach, but potentially huge markets like India, China and Russia.
Zuffa sold a 10% stake in the UFC to Flash Entertainment, a wholly owned subsidiary of Abu Dhabi. Some have speculated that the Fertittas' Station Casinos money troubles and the UFC's own significant debt obligations made this cash infusion a must. Shane was recently spotted in Abu Dhabi at a media summit where potential media investors meet.
source: cagesideseats.com
If Vince is trying to sabotage the UFC, I really don't think it has anything to do with the UFC. I think it has more to do with Shane McMahon possibly doing consulting work for them and trying to help them expand internationally. Just my opinion.
Rumor Mill - Triple H Injured?
Triple H missed another WWE live event on the European tour in Glasgow. At first it was thought he was missing from the tour due to Stephanie McMahon's pregnancy, but Dave Meltzer notes that Triple H is suffering from a neck injury which is likely why he isn't on the current tour. No more details are known right now.
source: lordsofpain.net
Mixed Blood Enters the Wrestling Ring
The world of smackdowns and body slams is being transported from the ring to the stage in a new production that's opening at Mixed Blood Theatre.
The play, called "The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity" is a local playwright's exploration of the underbelly of a sport he loves...professional wrestling...More?
source: minnesota.publicradio.org
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Paul Bearer aka Percy Pringle
April 10, 1955
Eric Bischoff and Vince Russo return to WCW and declare all WCW titles vacant.
April 10, 2000
Jeff Hardy defeated Triple H for the WWF(E) Intercontinental title.
April 10, 2001
April 9, 2010
SmackDown Results: Extreme Contention
At WrestleMania, Edge battled Chris Jericho for the World Title. But on this night, both veterans were fighting for a chance to face newly-crowned World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger at Extreme Rules.
After a long, gritty battle it looked like The Ultimate Opportunist had Jericho where he wanted, as he stood poised to deliver a Spear. However, the former champion leaped over Edge to avoid the devastating maneuver. Afterward, Jericho dashed out of the ring. Edge wasn’t far behind.
The fight continued outside the ring, spilling out into the WWE Universe. Undaunted by the ref’s 10-count – which ended the bout – both Superstars continued to slug it out. The battle finally came to an end back inside the ring, where The Rated-R Superstar finally decimated Jericho with a venomous Spear. Full results.
source: wwe.com
Linda McMahon Tipped Off Steroid Doc
Republican Senate candidate Linda McMahon tipped off doctor George T. Zahorian that the U.S. Department of Justice might be about to launch an investigation.
In a 1989 memo from McMahon to a World Wrestling Federation executive. "Although you and I discussed before about continuing to have Zahorian at our events as the doctor on call, I think that is now not a good idea," McMahon wrote. "Vince agreed, and would like for you to call Zahorian and to tell him not to come to any more of our events and to also clue him in on any action that the Justice Department is thinking of taking."...More?
source: politico.com
Triple H/European Tour Update
As noted before, Triple H missed the RAW live event on Wednesday in Austria. The Game also missed last night's show in Newcastle, England where he was scheduled to wrestle John Cena in the main event that ended up being Cena vs. Sheamus. No word yet on why Triple H missed the shows but with Stephanie McMahon being pregnant again, he may have had to take some time off live events like last time.
source: impactwrestling.com
Wrestling the Way to Profit
WWE had its most profitable season ever last year. So what is its secret?
source: cityam.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Tiger Ali Singh defeated Owen Hart in the finals to win the Kuwaiti Cup Tourny.
April 9, 1997
April 8, 2010
WWE Superstars Results: Rising Tensions
Two of Raw’s most exciting Superstars joined forces this week as Evan Bourne & Yoshi Tatsu teamed to take on the arrogant duo of Chavo Guerrero & Zack Ryder. While the self-proclaimed “Mexican Warrior” and The Long Island Loudmouth proved to be worthy opponents, the two simply weren’t able to keep up with the explosive offense of Bourne & Tatsu. In the end, “Air” Bourne nailed Chavo with a breathtaking Shooting Star Press to pick up the victory for his team. Full results.
source: wwe.com
UFC to Afghanistan
Dana White said that the UFC is planning on copying WWE's Tribute to the Troops idea by running a live show in Afghanistan in the next 3 months.
I wonder if Shane McMahon had anything to do with this?
Matt Hardy Aiming for a Top Spot...Is He Serious?
Matt Hardy says he's aiming for a top spot in WWE when The Undertaker and Triple H take time off this year. Hardy, who has gained a reputation for doing a lot of talking about wanting to be a main-eventer, told ESPN during WrestleMania weekend that he feels he's ready to seize an opportunity.
"There's going to be some time coming up where guys like The Undertaker and Triple H are going to need to take some time off, and there's going to be opportunities for guys like Matt Hardy and Christian to step up," Hardy told Jon Robinson of ESPN at THQ's annual WWE video game competition. "I'm really motivated and ready to rededicate myself, especially after overcoming such severe injuries."...More?
source: pwtorch.com
I'm not sure why Matt Hardy thinks he is in the caliber of The Undertaker or Triple H. A top spot might be available, but surely it isn't for him. He can't equate himself with Christian and keep a straight face. Now that Jeff is gone he should try to stay under the radar if he wants to keep his job. Did I mention I wasn't a Matt Hardy fan?
Future Raw Guest Hosts Revealed
Flava Flav will host the May 10th show and Jon Lovitz will host the May 24 show.
Raw House Show Results - Vienna, Austria
Triple H, who was advertised as a headliner, did not appear on the show in Vienna. Click here.
Dos Caras Debuts with WWE in Vienna
Dos Caras Jr. made his WWE main roster debut last night at the RAW live event in Vienna, Austria, losing to Christian in a match that was said to be the highlight of the night...More?
source: lordsofpain.net
"Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase Glad Ultimate Warrior Wasn't at the WWE HOF
"Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase, this year's WWE Hall of Fame 'main eventer,' says he's glad Ultimate Warrior declined Vince McMahon's invitation to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame because he feels he didn't deserve it...More?
source: pwtorch.com
J.R. Comments on Best Wrestler/Next Big Star on WWE NXT
Jim Ross posted on his Twitter page who he thinks is the best wrestler on NXT and who he thinks the next big star will be:
"Who's the best, pure wrestler on NXT? Daniel Bryan. Who's the nx big star on NXT? No brainer...Otunga. Has some 'Rock' characteristics."
source: twitter.com/jrsbbq
April 7, 2010
TNA iMPACT! Changing Monday Timeslot But Still Drops the Ball
TNA President Dixie Carter announced via her twitter account that TNA iMPACT is permanently moving to 8PM EST. iMPACT will remain 2 hours, but starting next week - the show will have a 1-hour lead-in to WWE RAW and will only go head-to-head with the first hour of RAW.
This week's iMPACT was a test run to see how the show would do starting an hour earlier and the ratings were enough to convince TNA that a permanent shift is a good move. Monday's iMPACT did a 0.85 rating, with the first unopposed hour drawing a 0.91 and the second hour, which went head-to-head with RAW, drew a 0.79.
Carter also announced on Twitter that SpikeTV will be adding a replay of iMPACT to its weekly schedule The replay will air Thursday nights at 9PM EST, iMPACT's old timeslot.
source: impactwrestling.com
So they finally realize that they can't compete with WWE, but why would I watch iMPACT! on Monday's when I can watch it on Thurdays? There is no incentive to make iMPACT! must-see-tv. Still droping the ball....
Lance Storm Commentary: "TNA: I'm Done"
Well folks I’m done. I’m not going to rant, I’m not going to tell you all the things I hated about Impact this week, because none of it matters, I’m just done; I’m done watching Impact for good. I’ve stopped watching before just for my own sanity and peace of mind, but each of those times I intended it to be a temporary break. This time I’m not planning on coming back and checking to see if things have gotten better after a while, I’m washing my hands of the whole thing; I’m done.
The straw that broke the camels back for me was the unprotected chair shot to the head of Rob Terry by Homicide. Yes they have done chair shots to the head before, and they bothered me then too, but this one was different; this unprotected chair shot to the head came just 2 days after Chris Kanyon’s suicide death and I just couldn’t stomach it. I know there will be defenders out there that will want to argue that Chris Kanyon’s depression that led to his suicide has not been determined to as a result of concussions he suffered due to chair shots to the head, but that is just a cop out, in my opinion...More?
source: stormwrestling.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Kevin Nash returns to the WWE & starts a feud with Triple H that lasts for three months.
April 7, 2003
April 6, 2010
WWE NXT Results: Slater Gets Rocked
NXT Rookie Heath Slater impressed the WWE Universe earlier in the evening, winning the Keg Carrying Challenge, receiving a main event match against Kane. The Big Red Machine defeated all eight NXT Rookies by disqualification last week on SmackDown, and despite a strong fight from Slater, Kane bested the one-man rock band on WWE NXT. A confident Slater fearlessly fought The Big Red Monster, but ultimately fell to the dominant Kane’s vicious chokeslam. Slater’s record fell to 4-2. Full results.
Last week on WWE NXT, the WWE Pros’ Poll revealed that despite his winless record, NXT Rookie Daniel Bryan was No. 1, while NXT Rookie Darren Young was No. 8. WWE.com polled the WWE Universe to rank the NXT Rookies themselves, and with more than 150,000 votes, the results are in.
source: wwe.com
Rumor Mill - New Heel Faction
One of the creative ideas that has been discussed is to form a new heel faction on Raw consisting of Ted DiBiase Jr., his brother Brett DiBiase and Joe Hennig, the son of the late WWE hall of famer "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, dubbed the Fortunate Sons, according to Dave Meltzer. Brett DiBiase and Joe Hennig are currently training with Flordia Championship Wrestling in Tampa, FL.
source: wrestleview.com
Triple H – The Game, The King of Kings, The Cerebral Assassin, What's Next?
Triple H finds himself somewhat at a crossroads. Not quite at main event level and without his long-time DX associate Shawn Michaels to accompany him now.
As HBK leaves it severely weakens Triple H’s potential long term adherence to being a baby face. Phenomenally popular as a good guy and massively respected as a heel, Paul Levesque is able to portray both sides of the fence convincingly which is one of the main reasons for his success and longevity. As he decides what to do next he can look back and maybe take inspiration from the past...More?
source: wwewrestling.suit101.com
Men's Fitness: Sheamus One Of "25 Fittest Guys In The World"
In the feature, The Celtic Warrior talks about how he learned to work out from his father. Sheamus also emphasizes the importance of stepping up his game, plus how he keeps in shape and constantly looks to better himself to accomplish his goals.
This Day in Wrestling History
Mildred Burke defeated Clara Mortensen for the WWWA Heavyweight title.
April 6, 1937
April 5, 2010
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Diamond Dallas Page
April 5, 1949
Andy Kaufman met Jerry Lawler in a Grudge Match at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis Tennessee.
April 5, 1982
April 4, 2010
Raw/iMPACT! March 29th Ratings Breakdown
Segment breakdown of both Raw and Impact from March 29th in regards to viewership:
The WWE Divas in a hot tub with the stars of "Hot Tub Time Machine" and Triple H's attempt at a farewell to Shawn Michaels with a Sheamus interference gained 345,000 viewers, while Impact featuring "The Pope" D'Angelo Dinero's in-ring promo, a Samoa Joe clip and Orlando Jordan's segment did a 0.5 losing 123,000 viewers (possibly one of the lowest quarter hours in the history of Impact)...More?
source: wrestleview.com
Christopher Daniels & TNA Officially Part Ways
F4WOnline.com is reporting that Christopher Daniels and TNA Wrestling have officially parted ways.
Tragic Week in Pro Wrestling
Along with the apparent suicide of Chris Kanyon, this past week has been tragic in the pro wrestling world:
Jimmy "Playboy" Candler, 24, of Spiro died Sunday, March 28, 2010, in Van Buren. He was a member of Southern Alliance Wrestling.
Glen Bussell, a 22-year-old pro wrestler from Kentucky, died in a four-car accident on Saturday, according to a report by the local NBC affiliate in Lexington, Ky. He went by the name of "Ice Pick" on the local independent scene.
Bob Ziolkowski, known by the names Baby Haystacks and Big Daddy, reportedly died this morning at the age of 34-years-old. Independent wrestler "Judge" Jesse tells the Torch that he is a former Powerhouse Pro Wrestling (PHPW) champion.
sources: wrestlezone.com & pwtorch.com
If Today's Media Covered The Crucifixion Of Jesus
Larry King sits across from a hastily convened panel, including Pat Robertson, Nancy Grace and oddly enough, Vince McMahon. They appear to be engaged in lively discussion before all falling silent as the camera focuses on Larry:
LARRY KING
Thank you for joining us for a special edition of Larry King Live. We have a lot to talk about on such a strange and momentous day, and so I won't waste your time introducing our panelists. So, let's just get to it, shall we? There is a man - well for now, let's assume he's a man - who was arrested in Jerusalem for claiming to be the son of God. Apparently there was some show trial and later today he is scheduled to be executed via crucifixion by local authorities. Your thoughts?
VINCE MCMAHON
Wait just a minute there, Larry. That's interesting, the King of Kings. Now, as everyone I'm sure knows, we have trademarked that phrase, King of Kings, for our worldwide famous superstar Triple H. I don't know who this Jesus character is...this Jesus character should feel lucky that the local authorities got to him before our attorneys...More?
source: heavy.com
Jim Ross Comments on Shane McMahon Not Appearing at WMXXVI Activities
From the Q&A section of J.R.'s blog:
bretra88 Asks:
JR - My question is, were you surprised that Shane McMahon was not at the Hall of Fame or Wrestlemania? I know he left the company a few months ago but I would have thought at least as a fan of the WWE and it's history, he would have been at the HOF. Is this a sign that he truly wanted out and away from the WWE completely? Thanks Tracey!
J.R.'s Answer:
I don't know what it is a sign of but Shane not being at WM26 activities wasn't a shocker.
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
