December 31, 2011
Major Lawsuit WWE & UFC Need to Follow
The long debate over the National Football League’s handling of concussions is reaching the courts in a flurry of lawsuits, raising the possibility that dozens of former players will go before juries to outline the league’s medical practices and describe long-term cognitive problems they say were caused by the sport.
More than a dozen suits, filed since July on behalf of more than 120 retired players and their wives, say that the N.F.L. and in some cases helmet manufacturers deliberately concealed information about the neurological effects of repeated hits to the head. Several suits also say that even if the league did not know about the potential impact of brain trauma sustained on the field, it should have known.
Taken together, the suits filed in courts across the country amount to a multifront legal challenge to the league and to the game itself. While the retired players, including stars like Jim McMahon and Jamal Lewis, face a time-consuming and difficult battle, the N.F.L. will have to spend heavily on lawyers to fend off the chance that juries might award the retired players millions of dollars in damages.
The league must also grapple with unflattering publicity as former players claiming to be hobbled by injuries and, in some cases, suffering from financial problems sue their former employer, the steward of America’s most popular sport. The stakes will only get higher if any of the cases go to trial, where details may emerge about what the N.F.L. knew about concussions and when, how it handled that information, and whether it pushed manufacturers to make the safest helmets possible...More?
source: nytimes.com
Chris Benoit Film Biopic CROSSFACE Includes Triple H & Eddie Guerrero As Characters
The controversial ‘biographical thriller’ of former WWE World Champion Chris Benoit that covers the shocking 2007 double murder of his wife and son before he then committed suicide, will feature Kurt Angle, Triple H and the late Eddie Guerrero as characters, according to the film’s writer.
Former Weinstein Company staffer Sarah Coulter who has now completed the first draft of her script told Worst Previews;
“There are a lot of unknowns about that weekend [when the murders/suicide took place], which is probably why so many people have tried to fill in the blanks with conspiracy theories,” she explained. “Chris Benoit was behind the murders, but we still wanted to touch on several of those theories.”
“Eddie [Guerrero] is obviously very important to the story,” she said. “Triple H, Kurt Angle, they’re all there, but it’s early and things can still change.
Coulter has confirmed several actors are in talks for the lead role and an official casting announcement is due soon before filming begins late 2012. No director has been set yet.
A close and long time friend of Benoit, Eddie Guerrero’s sudden death in 2005 just 18 months before Benoit’s murder incident is of course often seen as a huge catalyst in the wrestler’s depression at the time of the murders. The use of Kurt Angle and Triple H is less clear, especially as Angle had left the WWE a year before the incident (though Benoit did have some of his very best matches in the company with him) and Triple H was nothing more than a work colleague but presumably because he worked for the WWE at the time he is included and more recognisable faces that Coulter hasn’t directly mentioned.
However things can change in scripts all the time and what she has written now may not end up on screen necessarily and there could be some legal issues if wrestlers like HHH and Angle are portrayed in a way they, or the WWE don’t enjoy...More?
source: whatculture.com
Stephanie McMahon to Appear on Heavy Muscle Radio
Stephanie McMahon Levesque will appear on Dave Palumbo’s Heavy Muscle Radio Show, this Monday night at 8:00 PM. To listen, go to http://www.rxmuscle.com/rx-radio/heavy-muscle-radio.html.
This Day in Wrestling History
Ed "Strangler" Lewis defeats Taro Miyake for the "juijitsu championship of the world" in Chicago, Illinois.
December 31, 1923
Frank Goodish (Bruiser Brody) defeats Rocky Johnson for the NWA Florida Heavyweight Title in Tampa, Florida.
December 31, 1975
Kevin, Kerry and Mike Von Erich win their third World Class Six-Man Tag Team Title, by defeating Chris Adams, Gino Hernandez and Jake Roberts in Fort Worth, Texas.
December 31, 1984
The 449th edition of "RAW is WAR", a Best of 2001 special edition, aired on USA. The show got a 2.4 rating, the lowest of the year. Although this rating is typical of a highlight show, it was the lowest for "RAW" since October 27, 1997.
December 31, 1997
December 30, 2011
This Day in Wrestling History
The Masked Marvel goes to a draw with Wladek Zbyszko in the International Tournament at the Manhattan Opera House.
December 30, 1915
1922 - Ed Strangler Lewis challenges boxing champion Jack Dempsey and puts up a reported $10,000 to do so.
December 30, 1922
Steve "Dr. Death" Williams died at the age of 49 after a long bttle with cancer. Williams held numerous wrestling titles in North America and Japan throughout his career. He achieved All-American status as a football player at the University of Oklahoma.
December 30, 2009
December 29, 2011
Jim Cornette Gives His Thoughts On WWE's Future
Paul “Triple H” Levesque’s promotion in September 2010 to Senior Advisor and then to EVP, Talent in August 2011 made official what was already informally apparent: Vince McMahon’s son-in-law will one day run the sports entertainment empire. Speaking to Power Slam Magazine, Jim Cornette comments on whether Levesque is qualified to succeed McMahon as head honcho of WWE.
“Nobody’s qualified to replace McMahon,” says Cornette. “Vince is one of a kind, a guy who will never come along again.
“Triple H is a student of the business, but he’s still got his own little quirks. He’s Vince’s son-in-law, and he’s being groomed for the spot because he thinks in large part like Vince McMahon in terms of what a star is supposed to look like: a jacked-up bodybuilder. So, some things are not going to change. He’s probably going to bring a more youthful approach to it, although [Triple H is] in his early 40s. So, he’s not exactly youthful—but Vince is 66.
“So, no: nobody’s qualified to replace Vince. [Triple H] might do an okay job. But, personally, I think when General Patton [Vince] passes on, I think they’re in trouble. [WWE is] always going to exist because they have a lot of money in the bank and they’ve grown into such a global company, but I don’t think there’s going to be any giant ground broken or revolutionary things done after Vince is gone.”
The Latest on Randy Orton's Injury
WWE Superstar Randy Orton suffered an injury at SmackDown in Indianapolis that could keep him sidelined for a few weeks, and will prevent him from competing at upcoming WWE live events.
Although the full extent of The Viper’s injury remains to be seen, WWE physician Dr. Michael Sampson examined Orton and updated WWE.com about his condition.
“Randy suffered a herniated disc on the L4-L5 level on the left side, and that’s resulting in pain and weakness down his leg.” Dr. Sampson explained. “He’s going to need some time off for rehab, anti-inflammatory medications and physical therapy.”
Sheamus is scheduled to replace The Viper in Street Fights against Wade Barrett at WWE live events this week.
source: wwe.com
Stephanie Levesque: First Daughter of the WWE, Super Mom of 3, Woman with Food Demons!
source: rxmuscle.com
CM Punk, Jill Thompson and Marvel Tag-Teaming in 2012?
CM Punk is currently on top of the wrestling world; he’s not only the current WWE champion, but he’s also one of the WWE’s most popular and most talented performers, both on the microphone and in the ring. So where do you go when you’ve conquered the squared circle? Movies? TV? Disneyland? In Punk’s case, it might be comics.
Punk is no stranger to comics, as he talks about them on Twitter and was the subject of one of Marvel’s Fightin’ Fanboys segments. He also sometimes quotes the Thing’s “It’s clobberin’ time!” on his way to the ring. Earlier today a series of tweets took the idea of Punk actually writing comics right to the top of Marvel Comics, ending with Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso saying, “…let’s make it happen.”
It started with a tweet from John M. Coker, who asked Beasts of Burden artist and wrestling superfan Jill Thompson if she had attempted to recruit Punk to a write a comic she would draw.
Both Punk and Thompson said they were up for it, and comics creator Scott Ziolko suggested a character at Marvel they could work on together (The Thing was a pro wrestler in his solo series in the '80s).
If the comic does eventually happen, Punk would join several other wrestlers, including Mick Foley, Kevin Nash and Raven, in making the jump from the ring to the comics page. Incidentally, Thompson also worked on several clothing designs for current World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan, so that’s two champions she’s been associated with in the past few weeks. So if you’re a WWE superstar looking for a push, forget Vicki Guerrero — you could do worse than aligning yourself with Thompson.
source: comicbookresources.com
William Regal Clarifies Retirement Rumor
William Regal has posted the following update on Twitter:
“Can I please make this clear.I have never said I’m retiring.Not at the O2 last year nor this week.Not wrestle as much,yes,but not retire.”
“Nor have I been removed from NXT or the WWE.Not been in trouble either(shock I know).”
Rumor Mill - WWE Network PPV Plans
As of right now, the monthly pay-per-views will be available on the WWE Network according to The Wrestling Observer. The only pay-per-views that will remain exclusive to traditional pay-per-view ordering is WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam and Survivor Series.
This will being once the network launches which is expected on April 1st, the day of WrestleMania 28. This means that the Extreme Rules PPV would be the first to be available for those who have the WWE Network.
source: wrestlezone.com
This Day in Wrestling History
The Monday Night Wars continued, WCW Monday Nitro's 4.6 rating defeated WWF Monday Night RAW's 3.6 rating. RAW in Uniondale, New York featured Owen Hart defeating WWF Champion Shawn Michaels by disqualification when Triple H broke one of his crutches over Hart's head while he had Michaels in the sharpshooter. Nitro was just over 200 miles away in Baltimore, Maryland, and featured Ultimo Dragon defeating WCW Cruiserweight Champion Eddie Guerrero by submission to win the title for the second time, Booker T winning his first of a record six WCW World Television Titles from Disco Inferno, and a main event of WCW World Champion Sting defeating Hollywood Hulk Hogan.
December 29, 1997
Mick Foley (as Mankind) defeated The Rock for his first WWF(E) Title after Stone Cold Steve Austin returned knocking out The Rock with a steel chair. The show would air on the following Monday, January 4, 1999. That night Tony Schiavone would reveal the result during WCW Monday Nitro, airing live that night, noting that Mankind as champion "ought to put a lot of butts in the seats." Schiavone would later claim Eric Bischoff fed him that line to say. D-Generation X celebrated with Foley after the match.
December 29, 1998
On an edition of ECW on SyFy from East Rutherford, New Jersey, Tommy Dreamer wrestled his last match for WWE's version of ECW, facing Zack Ryder in a match where Dreamer promised to leave ECW if he lost.
December 29, 2010
December 28, 2011
WWE Announces Randy Orton’s Absence, Offers Refunds to Fans
It was announced at tonight’s WWE SmackDown live event in Detroit, Michigan that Randy Orton will be out of action for six months, meaning he will most likely miss WrestleMania 28.
WWE were offering refunds at tonight’s live event to anyone who wanted them, since Orton couldn’t appear.
source: f4wonline.com
Rumor Mill - WWE Officials Discuss Michael Cole's Commentary
WWE officials held a meeting last week after the RAW ratings came in where Michael Cole's commentary was discussed according to F4Wonline.com
TV ratings patterns show fans have little interest in seeing anyone on TV besides the top Superstars. Consideration was given to maybe that's because of Cole burying the talents for the past year.
E:60 Feature on Scott Hall Nominated
ESPN's E:60 documentary on Scott Hall from earlier this year is nominated for Sports Illustrated's "Best News Feature on a Sports Program" award in their 2011 Media Awards. SI.com wrote:
"The superhero physique he had during his days in the WWE is long gone. Scott Hall is now 53 and says he takes 11 heart and seizure medications daily. He has a pacemaker and says he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. He looks shockingly frail. In October, E:60 aired a 16-minute piece on one of the more interesting figures in pro wrestling history, given his fame and self-destructive nature. For those of us of a certain age, it was a devastating portrait, a man wrecked by drug addiction and alcoholism. There's no narrator and no reporter fronting the piece, which adds to the sullen mood. Lead producer Ben Houser and associate producer John Minton III are to be commended for their work. Same with the terrific job of video editing by Bluefoot Entertainment's Matt McCormick."
Details And Update On Randy Orton's Injury
Wrestlezone.com is reporting that WWE Smackdown main eventer Randy Orton's back injury was discovered last week, and that the storyline played out on Smackdown last night was to cover the injury.
Orton is expected to undergo several tests in the next few days to determine the severity of the injury. If you're reading elsewhere that Orton "will be back for WrestleMania," or that Orton "will miss WrestleMania," both of those reports are premature. Orton's status for WrestleMania is unknown. Right now Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon Levesque have asked the writers to prepare for scenarios with Orton included in Mania, and for Orton to be out "at least until a month or two past Mania."
Orton himself is said to be upset with the injury, "but dealing with it much better than in the past when he faced similar situations with time off," we were told by a key WWE insider this afternoon. We will keep you up-to-date with our inside information on Randy Orton's injury as it becomes available.
Randy Orton Injured
From wwe.com:
Due to an injury he sustained at SmackDown in Indianapolis, Randy Orton will be replaced by Sheamus in scheduled Street Fights against Wade Barrett at WWE live events this week. Check back with WWE.com for more updates on Orton's condition.
Due to an injury he sustained at SmackDown in Indianapolis, Randy Orton will be replaced by Sheamus in scheduled Street Fights against Wade Barrett at WWE live events this week. Check back with WWE.com for more updates on Orton's condition.
This Day in Wrestling History
Sting defeated Hulk Hogan for the WCW World Title at Starrcade in Washington, DC.
December 28, 1997
December 27, 2011
Update on Seth Rollins
WWE developmental wrestler Seth Rollins, who was scheduled to work this week's Raw house show tour, will instead appear on SmackDown events this week.
This Day in Wrestling History
Greg Gagne defeats Adrian Adonis in a tournament final to become the first AWA International Television Champion in Las Vegas, Nevada. On the same card, Madusa Miceli defeats Candi Devine to win the AWA World Women's Title, which had been vacant since July 1987 when champion Sherri Martel jumped to the WWF(E).
December 27, 1987
Big Van Vader makes his Japan debut. Vader squashes Antonio Inoki in only 2 minutes in the main event match. The result starts riots in the area.
December 27, 1987
Alex Wright defeated Jean Paul Levesque (Triple H) with a rollup at Starrcade.
December 27, 1994
Starrcade was held in Washington, DC at the MCI Center, and saw the end of Bill Goldberg's huge storyline winning streak of 170+ matches.
December 27, 1998
December 26, 2011
Sean Waltman Addresses Drug Possession Arrest
Former WWE wrestler Sean Waltman addressed last week's arrest on Twitter today:
"I read what has been reported about me. I learned the other day that I had a warrant over something that happened months ago. I was never in jail. I did get my pic taken & printed. I want to elaborate more, but I should talk to my lawyer about what I can say," Waltman said. Waltman was booked at a Hillsborough County Jail in Tampa, Fla. on December 21st on drug possession charges.
WWE Top 25 Matches of 2011
WWE in 2011 will be remembered as the year CM Punk emerged as the leader of a new school, but that didn’t stop two old school icons from having the standout match. Meeting on The Grandest Stage of Them All like two old gunslingers taking their spots in the center of town, Triple H and The Undertaker clashed in a No Holds Barred Match with their legacies clearly defined. In one corner stood a megalomaniacal barbarian driven mad by his desire to break The Streak. In the other was the once-indestructible Deadman, made vulnerable by two decades of dominance. What followed was brutal, captivating and emotional. Damned if that isn’t what sport-entertainment is all about.
Click here for the full list.
This Day in Wrestling History - Gorgeous George Passes Away
"Gorgeous George" Wagner died of a heart attack at 48
March 24, 1915 - December 26, 1963
Muhammad Ali acknowledged that his own approach to flamboyant self-promotion was influenced by George. A 19-year old Ali met a 46-year old George at a Las Vegas radio station. During George's radio interview, the wrestler's promo caught the attention of the future heavyweight champion. If George lost to Classy Freddie Blassie, George exclaimed, "I'll crawl across the ring and cut my hair off! But that's not gonna happen because I'm the greatest wrestler in the world!" Ali recalled, "I saw 15,000 people comin' to see this man get beat. And his talking did it. I said, 'This is a gooood idea!'" In the locker room afterwards, the seasoned wrestler gave the future legend some invaluable advice: "A lot of people will pay to see someone shut your mouth. So keep on bragging, keep on sassing and always be outrageous." - wikipedia.org
Gorgeous George vs Larry Moquin
Beth Phoenix Coming to Baltimore, MD
WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix will be appearing at the Motor Trend International Auto Show in Baltimore, Maryland on February 11th, 2012 from 1pm until 3pm.
This Day in Wrestling History
After 14 years in operation, NWA Hollywood Wrestling, also known through the years as the North American Wrestling Alliance and World Wrestling Association (prior to NWA membership), closes. It had been run by Gene and Mike LeBell. NWA Hollywood Wrestling had a working relationship with both New Japan Pro Wrestling and the Japan Wrestling Association/All Japan Pro Wrestling, during which time the NWA United National Heavyweight Title (now part of the All Japan Triple Crown) was created.
December 26, 1982
Starrcade, nicknamed "True Gritt" is held at the Scope in Norfolk, Virginia. This is the first Starrcade to not be held on Thanksgiving, as WWF had successfully bumped them out of the spot with the Survivor Series. Cable providers would not allow the companies to have head-to-head Pay-per-view events again (like in 1987), so the proven PPV commodity (WWF) won out, forcing the change.
December 26, 1988
December 25, 2011
Rumor Mill - HBK to Referee HHH vs. Undertaker II at WM 28
WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels is scheduled to act as the special guest referee for the planned rematch between The Undertaker and Triple H at Wrestlemania 28 next year in Miami, Florida reports The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The match is slated to be No. 2 on the card.
This Day in Wrestling History
Ric Flair wins his first World title. Flair teams with Greg Valentine to beat Gene and Ole Anderson for the NWA World Tag Team Championship
December 25, 1976
Kevin Von Erich defeated Bruiser Brody to win the NWA American Title and Ernie Ladd defeated Ray Candy by forfeit to win his 4th Mid-South North American title
December 25, 1978
World Class Championship Wrestling holds the first "Christmas Star Wars" event at Reunion Arena in Dallas, Texas, drawing a crowd of 18,000 fans (and a Texas record gate at the time) for a show that featured one of the most famous heel turns of all time, a turn that sparked arguably the greatest feud in Texas wrestling history, the Von Erichs vs. The Fabulous Freebirds.
December 25, 1982
Magnum T.A. & Mr. Wrestling II defeated Butch Reed & Jim Neidhart to win the Mid-South Tag Team Title
December 25, 1983
The Rock 'N' Roll Express defeated Ted DiBiase & Hercules Hernandez to win their 3rd Mid-South Tag Team Title
December 25, 1984
UPN airs the first ever WWE Smackdown "Christmas In Iraq/Tribute To The Troops", which was taped at Camp Victory in Baghdad, Iraq on December 20th for an audience of soldiers overseas. The show included Vince McMahon knocking down Santa Claus for not bringing him a gift, only for "Santa" to reveal himself as Steve Austin. Austin then gave McMahon a stunner.
December 25, 2003
December 24, 2011
Alberto Del Rio Injury Update
WWE physician Dr. Chris Amann has confirmed that Alberto Del Rio suffered a groin tear during the tag team main event of the Dec. 19 edition of Raw SuperShow.
"We were able to look at an MRI, and it appears as though he has a groin injury that’s severe enough to require surgery," Dr. Amann told WWE.com. "Fortunately for Alberto, the surgery is minimally invasive and the recovery time is usually four to six weeks."
source: wwe.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Controversial announcer Mark Madden was fired by WCW
December 24, 2000
December 23, 2011
Sean Waltman Arrested for Drug Possession
According to the The Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office website Sean Waltman was arrested on December 21st for possession of Hydrocodone, Hydromophone and drug paraphernalia. He was released on a $2,150.00 bond.
More Ex-Players Sue NFL Over Concussions
Nearly two dozen former NFL players are suing the league over severe and permanent brain damage they say is linked to concussions suffered on the job.
The complaint filed Thursday in Miami follows a similar one in Atlanta earlier this week. It is the latest in a series of recent lawsuits against the NFL by ex-players.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of ex-Miami Dolphins teammates Patrick Surtain, Oronde Gadsden and 19 other players. It accuses the NFL of deliberately omitting or concealing years of evidence linking concussions to long-term neurological problems.
The NFL denies the charges and says player safety has long been a priority...More?
source: msn.foxsports.com
The 50 Best Professional Wrestlers of 2011 Named
For the eighteenth year, Power Slam magazine presents The PS 50, which ranks the 50 best-performing wrestlers in the industry. Rankings in The PS 50 are basted on grapplers’ in-ring showings over a 12-month period (December 1, 2010 through November 30, 2011).
1. Hiroshi Tanahashi
2. Randy Orton
3. Davey Richards
4. Prince Devitt
5. Shingo Takagi
6. Christian
7. Kurt Angle
8. C.M. Punk
9. Kota Ibush
10. Takashi Sugiura
11. KENTA
12. Go Shiozaki
13. PAC
14. Akira Tozawa
15. Hirooki Goto
New Japan Pro-Wrestling Hits 40
High-impact slams, chokeholds and daredevil feats of athleticism aren't the usual way to celebrate a 40th birthday, but that's how New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW) will be spending its big day.
The promotion company was founded by square-jawed wrestling legend Antonio Inoki in June 1972. Its signature event has been held annually on Jan. 4 at Tokyo Dome since 1992, but in 2007 they dubbed it "Wrestle Kingdom" after a video game.
For fans of the popular U.S.-based World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) promotion and its dramatic soap-opera shenanigans, Japanese puroresu (pro-wrestling) might take a little getting used to. The basics are still the same: count-outs, muscleheads, bodyslams and matches that appear somewhat predetermined. The difference comes in the presentation — puroresu takes itself way more seriously...More?
source: japantimes.co.jp
December 19th Raw TV Ratings Breakdown: Main Event with New Champs Disappoints
In what is a very bad sign, the overrun for the CM Punk, Daniel Bryan & Zack Ryder vs. Alberto Del Rio, The Miz & Dolph Ziggler match gained only 59,000 viewers. This is almost impossible as people tune into USA to see the next TV show. This means wrestling fans were tuning out in large numbers. Fans tuned out mostly during the first part of the match but viewership picked up some at 11pm.
The RAW six-man main event did a 2.67 rating, which might be the lowest rated RAW main event of this year...More?
source: wrestling observer
CM Punk Comments on if WWE Needs to Get Rid of "PG" Programming
"I don't think the WWE is going to go anything but PG. I don't see the need for the TV-14 rating because that was the past and we are opening new doors to fans across the world. Swearing to just swear isn't entertaining to me whatever you're watching. There are some things I get away with, but at the same time I have to remember it is a family-orientated show. I think the product in general is a lot better when we have to police ourselves, knowing that families are out there watching and listening to every word. The so-called "Attitude Era" is not needed in this day in age of sports entertainment."
source: redeyechicago.com
December 22, 2011
Rumor Mill - NBA Star in Talks With WWE for WM28 Match
Retired NBA star Shaquille O'Neal said during a satellite radio interview Wednesday that is in talks with WWE for a potential match against Big Show at WrestleMania 28 next year in Miami. It's a match WWE has been trying to book since Shaq's guest-hosting appearance on a July 2009 episode of Raw when Shaq and Big Show collided, drawing media attention for WWE. Shaq talked about negotiations on the Abe Kanan show, which airs on the Howard 101 channel. Kanan's show tweeted Wednesday, "@SHAQ just confirmed on the @abekanan show on @SIRIUSXM Howard 101 that he is in talks to wrestle the Big Show at @WWE Wrestlemania!"
source: pwtorch.com
Jim Ross Comments on his Current Role in WWE
“I’m a senior advisor, like a consultant. I still play the J.R. character on television. It’s a recurring role on TV, just that," Ross said. "I’m a senior advisor in talent relations and talent-development. I’m actively engaged in recruiting, training, and observing rookies in the system, the next generation of sports-entertainment performers that are trained in the WWE’s facility in Tampa. I’ll spend more time in that area than I did when I was executive vice president and the primary play-by-play voice of the brand.”
source: thegazette.com
Things You Learn As A WWE Intern
Try Not To Block Stephanie McMahon In The Parking Garage of Titan Towers:
This might not exactly an exciting story, but it was a bit of a nerve racking experience, at least at the time. I was leaving Titan Towers after a day's work selecting photos for a project WWE was working on with a certain toy manufacturer - really interesting stuff. So, I go to leave Titan Towers and I unwittingly pull behind a vehicle that was occupied by none other than Stephanie McMahon. We played that awkward musical vehicle in which I try to back up, and then she adjusts the angle of her car, and I try to go around but to no avail. Finally I say "screw it," put my car in park and let the bigger car move along. Certainly not worth getting into an accident with one of the higher-ups in the company your interning with - let alone a McMahon...More?
source: ugo.com
Rumor Mill - Brodus Clay's Delayed Storyline
It seems WWE has dropped the Brodus Clay storyline, for now at least. Since Brodus tweeted that he was going to lay out John Morrison a few weeks back on Morrison's final RAW, he's been forgotten about.
source: wrestling oberserver
More on Chris Hero's Health Issues
Regarding Chris Hero and WWE, word is that he is still on their radar the company has not passed on him. Hero will be undergoing more medical tests in January and if things go as expected, he will be signed. Hero's last round of tests for WWE were done in September.
source: wrestling observer
Ex-Players Blame NFL for Brain Injuries
Jamal Lewis, Dorsey Levens and two other former NFL players have sued the league over brain injuries that they say left them struggling with medical problems years after their playing days ended.
Lewis and Levens, along with Fulton Kuykendall and Ryan Stewart, filed the lawsuit against the National Football League and FNL Properties LLC this week in U.S. District Court in Atlanta.
The players maintain the NFL knew as early as the 1920s of the potential for concussions to harm its players but only went public last year.
''The NFL has done everything in its power to hide the issue and mislead players concerning the risks associated with concussions,'' the players argue in the lawsuit...More?
source: msn.foxsports.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Wladek Zbyszko defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in a tournament final to stake his unrightful claim as the World Heavyweight Champion in New York City, New York. He would lose to the rightful champion, Earl Caddock on February 8, 1918 in Des Moines, Iowa.
December 22, 1917
Rikidozan becomes the first and only Japanese Heavyweight Champion in Tokyo, Japan, defeating Masahiko Kimura. The title would be abandoned on August 27, 1958 when Rikidozan defeats Lou Thesz for the NWA International Heavyweight Title in Los Angeles, California.
December 22, 1954
Long before Kevin Nash let Hulk Hogan pin him with the push of a finger, WWF did a similar angle during an edition of Raw (show was taped on December 11th). Commissioner Sgt. Slaughter, at the start of the show, ordered Shawn Michaels to defend the WWF European Title against DX partner Triple H. During the show, tensions seemed to rise between the two, with Michaels calling Helmsley a loser and saying he could never beat him in a match. When the bout took place at the end of the show, Michaels simply laid down in the ring and let Triple H pin him for the title, showing the argument to all be an act.
December 22, 1997
December 21, 2011
Latest on Whether WWE Views UFC as Competition
WWE's latest internal view of UFC is that is competition, but it isn't competition. WWE CFO George Barrios danced around the subject during a presentation at the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference on December 5. "I think we get a lot of questions about MMA, as I often say, it’s because I think people see that the both are performers are wearing some form of spandex, so they think there must be some natural competition there. We don’t view it that way," Barrios said. "We tend to -- we take the broader view, which is we are a pop culture entertainment brand, and anything that takes attention away from us is something that gets our attention. We don’t really view UFC or MMA more broadly as a specific competitor, but you know they are part of entertainment landscape and they take eyeballs away from -- or they soak up eyeballs, so we obviously have to be aware of them. But we don’t view them as specific competitor. Barrios concluded, "I don’t want to diminish them as a competitor but I also don’t -- we don’t anyway elevate them as a specific competitor."
source: seekingalpha.com
How Important is WWE's Social Media Presence Internally?
During the UBS Global Media and Communications Conference on December 5, WWE CFO George Barrios identified WWE's social media presence on the level as house show business, PPV buys, and TV ratings to determine the overall health of the company. Barrios said during a presentation reaching a broad audience, "Some of those metrics that we look at pretty intently is our live event attendance both in North America and overseas, our television ratings for the four to six hours that we will have on the air domestically at given time, which we also report. We also look at our rating globally...We always look at how we are trending in social media, primarily Facebook and Twitter. Google Trends and Google Analytics also gives us a sense of how the brand is trending from a search perspective. We look at our own unique and page views on our own site as well as the streams that we do - we do about 75 million video streams on YouTube every month. So, we track that."
source: seekingalpha.com
Updated Details from WWE’s Pilot Tapings in Florida
As noted earlier this morning, WWE quietly held tapings at Full Sail University in Florida earlier this month with FCW and WWE Superstars. The one-hour content filmed would be for a new Network show on WWE’s developmental territory while the thirty-minute show filmed would be something that focuses on one specific match or rivalry. All episodes filmed were pilots and may never be aired.
In addition to Triple H being there to oversee things, John Laurinaitis was also there. Triple H even came out and cut a promo to the crowd. The University was used to make the FCW product look better on TV but also as a test run for doing a more potentially “intimate” WWE show for the Network.
Update on Physical Hall of Fame
WWE has been doing a lot of internal work on a physical Hall of Fame over the past few weeks. Currently they are looking at buildings in Florida as well as the Northeast United States and trying to secure historical pieces for the Hall.
source: pwinsider.com
Update on Plans for the WWE Network
WWE’s longterm plans for the new Network is to help eventually brand the company as more of a lifestyle instead of just a “sports entertainment and pro wrestling company.”
This is something that Vince McMahon has been pushing for years. WWE is looking to completely re-invent the wheel over the next few years and the Network will lead the way.
source: pwinsider.com
Details on WWE Possibly Bringing FCW to The Network, Triple H Involved
As KLQ reported earlier, WWE's developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling held a taping two weeks ago at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. The show was held to see about potentially using the building for tapings of a new show. No word yet if that show will be a local FCW television show or a program on the WWE Network.
The current FCW show suffers because the sparse crowd is always the same people and it looks bad on TV. FCW taped three shows that night - a one-hour show with FCW talents, a thirty-minute show with FCW talents and another thirty-minute show with WWE Superstars Drew McIntyre & Cody Rhodes vs. Sheamus & Daniel Bryan.
Triple H was in attendance overseeing everything and a combination of Jim Ross, Byron Saxton and Chris Russo were used as announcers. The shows taped were all pilots and experimental, and there's no word yet if they will ever air.
sources: wrestling observer newsletter & klq wrestling
This would explain why Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Kevin Dunn, John Saboor, Ty Bailey, and Pete Leone visited Full Sail University back on August 3rd.
December 20, 2011
Rumor Mill - WWE Rescinds Offer to Chris Hero
WWE has rescinded their contract offer to Ring of Honor star Chris Hero after results from his drug test showed elevated testosterone levels, reports WrestlingNewsWorld.com.
USA Scores "Upset" Over ESPN
In a rare occurrence during the NFL season, USA Network, backed by a three-hour WWE Raw episode, beat ESPN in the weekly cable TV rankings for the week of December 12. ESPN featured a weak Monday Night Football game last Monday, which helped USA to a victory in adults 18-49 ratings and overall viewership.
source: tvbythenumbers.com
The Treasures of WrestleMania
If the future WWE Hall of Fame were ever to open a wing devoted to The Show of Shows, here are items that will hopefully find their way inside:
Piper’s Boxing Gloves
Seen At: WrestleMania 2
Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake’s Scissors
Seen At: WrestleMania V
Battle Royal Trophy
Seen At: WrestleMania IV
Arrogance Atomizer
Seen At: WrestleMania VI
Blindfold
Seen At: WrestleMania VII
Zipline
Seen At: WrestleMania XII
Mike Tyson’s Pants and Shirt
Seen At: WrestleMania XIV
Undertaker’s Cape
Seen At: WrestleMania XV
Shawn Michaels’s Confetti Cannons
Seen At: WrestleMania XIX
Rey Mysterio’s Headdress
Seen At: WrestleMania 22
John Cena’s Mustang
Seen At: WrestleMania 23
Triple H’s Mask
Seen At: WrestleMania XXVII
source: wwe.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Bret Hart defeated Bill Goldberg for the WCW World Heavyweight Title and Chris Jericho and Chyna pinned each other to become co-holders of the WWF(E) Intercontinental title
December 20, 1999
December 19, 2011
Rumor Mill - Budget for the New WWE Network
The 2012 budget for payroll for the new WWE Network is estimated at around $20 million for the first year and $25 million in the second and third year. Production facilities and technical equipment will run the company another $18 million per year along with satellite uplinking estimated at around $13 million. This puts the first year budget anywhere from $60 to $90 million.
Income will be based on carriage fees, which is largely dependent on how much they will be able to charge cable operators for programming. Given the amount of money being invested, many wrestling media writers and others covering the network launch in the mainstream have dubbed this Vince McMahon's "next flop." McMahon reportedly has seen this network launch as a necessity dating all the way back to 2005.
This was largedly in part to Raw's contract expiring with Spike TV and felt he could make far more money in rights feeds by bidding all of the major cable networks against each other. When Spike dropped out early, everyone but USA and WGN weren't interested. The company went with USA given the low clearance for WGN. In going with USA the company ended up gaining a worse financial deal than they had on Spike. McMahon reportedly was vocal around this time about how the company could never risk a time where they weren't on American television.
source: wrestling observer
WWE Wins Six Mashable Awards
WWE won six social media Mashable Awards for 2011:
Must Follow Actor: Dwayne Johnson
Must Follow Athlete: John Cena
Must Follow Brand: WWE
Digital Company of the Year: WWE
Game of the Year: WWE '12
Best Social Good Cause Campaign: be a STAR
Bonnie Hammer on What She Thought WWE Should Be, Vince Comments
The New York Times ran a feature today on NBCUniversal executive Bonnie Hammer that featured quotes from WWE CEO Vince McMahon. Vince said about working with Hammer:
"She just came in and rolled up her sleeves. She taught us a lot about network quality writing, story arcs, character development. She really helped the overall brand."
Hammer told The Times that she thought WWE should be a male soap opera and decided that a heavy sports emphasis of WWE's programming limited its audience.
The Queen of Cable TV
CM Punk Comments on "Change" in the WWE
"Very proud right now. Proud of @WWEDanielBryan proud of @ZackRyder proud of my crew of young, talented hard workers. @findevan @TrueKofi and a ton of others. Tonight was a great step toward the future of the wrestling business. That change I've been talking about? Started. My march to Wrestlemania doesn't begin after the rumble. It's starts today. You're in or you're out. If you're out, you'll be left behind."
Kevin Nash Thanks Triple H
According to a source close to Kevin Nash, in his mind his match with Triple H at TLC was his retirement match. WWE could always decide to bring him back for another feud but Nash is under the impression that's it. He wrote on Twitter last night:
"Thanks Paul,nice to end it with someone I love."
This Day in Wrestling History
Frank Gotch is buried in Humboldt, Iowa with Iowa Governor W. L. Harding delivering the eulogy.
December 19, 1917
WCW held its 17th-annual "Starrcade" pay-per-view at the MCI Center in Washington, DC. WCW World Heavyweight Champion Bret Hart defeated Goldberg by "submission" in a No Disqualification match to retain the title. Many referees were taken out during the match. Roddy Piper ended up taking over officiating duties, and called for the bell while Goldberg was locked in the Sharpshooter without Goldberg submitting, in Montreal Screwjob fashion. Hart's win ended a four-year losing streak for WCW World Heavyweight Champions at "Starrcade". Bret Hart suffered a severe concussion during the match, due to a mule kick by Goldberg. Unaware of the severity of the injury, Hart continued to wrestle, but was soon diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome. The injury would prove to be career-ending, as Hart retired from wrestling soon after.
Madusa defeats Evan Karagias to win the Cruiserweight Championship at Starrcade. This was the first time a woman was crowned with this title.
December 19, 1999
December 18, 2011
Triple H Shows No Mercy
In a punishing contest between the best friends turned bitter enemies, Triple H showed no mercy at WWE TLC once he managed to grasp the sledgehammer hanging above a ladder. Blow after blow, The Game made Nash pay for injuring him on the Oct. 24 Raw SuperShow and causing havoc in WWE over the last four months. When the torment was through, Nash had to be stretchered out of 1st Mariner Arena.
WWE TLC PPV Results 2011
WWE United States Title Match: Zack Ryder vs. Dolph Ziggler
Winner: Zack Ryder - New United States Champion
WWE Tag Team Title Match: Epico and Primo vs. Air Boom
Winners: Air Boom
Tables Match: Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton
Winner: Randy Orton
WWE Divas Title Match: Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix
Winner: Beth Phoenix
Sledgehammer Ladder Match: Kevin Nash vs. Triple H
Winner: Triple H
Sheamus vs. Jack Swagger
Winner: Sheamus
Chairs Match for the World Heavyweight Title: Big Show vs. Mark Henry
Winner: Big Show - New World Heavyweight Champion. After the match, Show looks at the title when Henry attacks from behind with a chair, taking his leg out. Henry DDT's Show on top of a steel chair. Daniel Bryan runs down and cashes in Money in the Bank. Bryan covers Show to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Winner and New World Heavyweight Champion: Daniel Bryan
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: Booker T vs. Cody Rhodes
Winner: Cody Rhodes
Triple Threat TLC Match for the WWE Title: The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk
Winner: CM Punk
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to "Stone Cold" Steve Austin
December 18, 1964
Toru Tanaka defeats Fritz Von Erich in Houston, Texas to win the NWA American Heavyweight Title (later to become the World Class World Heavyweight Title), ending Fritz' eighth reign as champion.
December 18, 1970
Happy Birthday to Rob Van Dam
December 18, 1971
Happy Birthday to Trish Stratus
December 18, 1975
Giant Baba won All Japan Pro Wrestling's 20-man Open Championship tournament in Tokyo with 11 points, beating out second place finishers Abdullah The Butcher and Dory Funk Jr. by one point.
December 18, 1975
Ricky Steamboat defeats Ric Flair in Toronto, Ontario, Canada to win the United States Title for a second time. This also marked the end of Flair's second reign with the belt.
December 18, 1978
Blue Panther defeats Satanico in a tournament final to become the first CMLL World Middleweight Title in Acapulco, Mexico. Panther would vacate the title six months later when he jumped to the rival AAA promotion.
December 18, 1991
partial source: pwinsider.com
December 17, 2011
CM Punk and Wrestling Nostalgia: How WWE Has Co-Opted its Most Radical Star
Inevitably, CM Punk was going to let us down. We had all our hopes pinned on him, not as the next great wrestler but as a world-altering event; he wasn't so much our Messiah as our Rapture. And like so many cultists foretelling the end of days, we wake up the next morning only to find that everything is exactly the way it was yesterday. No holy fire from the sky. No bright new era of professional wrestling.
The real question, however, isn't what happened to the reckoning, but how much did Punk ever really want a new era? As he emerged as the WWE's top star over the past six months, Punk's character seemed in conflict with himself. He was a progressive figure — an agent of change, as he'll frequently say — but remained fixated on the past. He billed himself (functionally, if not explicitly) as wrestling's savior, the man who would rescue WWE from its monotonous, outmoded ways. Yet he spends more time rhapsodizing about the wonders of WWF ice cream bars than plotting an inspired path for the future...More?
source: grantland.com
This Day in Wrestling History
The WWF(E) ran at Madison Square Garden in New York City, New York, with a card airing live on the MSG Network in the New York area, but also in Japan, as this card was almost immediately following the Antonio Inoki-Bob Backlund WWF(E) title controversy in Japan, as well as featuring many Japanese stars. This card also featured the Madison Square Garden debut of Hulk Hogan.
December 17, 1979
The 18th, and final, Starrcade event was held in Washington, DC at the MCI Center. Three months later, WCW would be purchased by the WWF(E), and thus ending the eighteen year streak of Starrcade events, going back to the days of Jim Crockett Promotions.
December 17, 2000
December 16, 2011
Update on Dean Ambrose
WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose competed in his first match before a WWE crowd at Friday's SuperShow in Fort Myers, Florida. He lost to Daniel Bryan in a comedy match.
The former Jon Moxley signed a developmental contract with WWE in April and is considered one of the top wrestlers in Florida Championship Wrestling. His series of matches with Seth Rollins this year have garnered rave reviews.
Randy Orton to Appear at the Washington D.C. Auto Show
Randy Orton has been announced to appear at the Washington Auto Show at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center 801 Mount Vernon Place NW, Washington, D.C. on February 1, 2012 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
This Day in Wrestling History
Frank Gotch dies of uremic poisoning at the age of 39 at his home in Humboldt, Iowa.
December 16, 1917
Scott Steiner makes his return to RAW for the first time in 8 years and challenges Triple H for the World title.
December 16, 2002
December 15, 2011
WWE Bring it Back!: Evolution
The classy suits, the fast-moving party atmosphere, the unbridled ruthlessness, the past, present and future of the squared circle. What was must be again. WWE.com calls for the return of Evolution.
It seemed to be a moment of sheer destiny, the natural progression of all that had come before it. During a 2003 episode of Raw, the WWE Universe stood witness as “the past” – 16-time World Champion Ric Flair – joined forces with “the present” – one of the top grapplers in the game Triple H – and “the future” – then up-and-coming Superstars Randy Orton and Batista. Together, they formed Evolution and instantly grew into one of the most dominant WWE factions of all-time...More?
Hulk Hogan Gets Ripped for No-Showing Interview
Hulk Hogan was described as being ripped pretty badly for no-showing the Steve Czaban show on Yahoo! Sports Radio. The Wrestling Observer reports that Hogan was buried on the air and was scheduled to promote his new video game. The hosts instead decided to push the new WWE '12 video game. At the end they thanked Hogan for the great interview.
Update on Road Dogg Jesse James in WWE
BG James has changed his Twitter handle to @WWERoadDogg. Regarding his new job as Producer with WWE, James will be working behind-the-scenes at all television and pay-per-view events.
source: allwrestling.com
More on Chris Hero to WWE
Regarding Chris Hero joining WWE, it's said that some kind of medical issue has held up WWE signing him to a developmental contract. He's expected to sign eventually.
source: f4wonline.com
Triple H's Changes Regarding FCW
WWE’s developmental system is on the verge of undergoing some major changes in the coming months – and it all has to do with how WWE calls up their talent to the main roster.
Recruiting talent is not an issue at this point – as Florida Championship Wrestling currently features one of its best rosters ever. Triple H’s latest inititive is not to bring developmental talent to the main roster until the WWE creative team has a character in mind for them and a long-term idea of how to use them. On many occasions, WWE has called up wrestlers without properly introducing them or having an angle for them.
Matt Matalaro, who has been working hands-on in FCW including as an announcer, is now working at WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT with the creative team. His role is to help coordinate debuts and new characters being called up.
source: wrestling observer
WWE Tribute to the Troops TV Rating
WWE's Tribute to the Troops special on the USA Network did a 1.92 cable rating with 2,767,000 viewers. Last night's show did hours of 1.9 and 1.94. Viewership actually increased from hour one to hour two.
source: allwrestling.com
CM Punk says he has "a lot of work to do" to "fix" WWE, fires another shot at Rock, defends Cena, and more
WWE star CM Punk appeared on the Mickey, Amelia, & Spiegel show on 98 Rock Baltimore and discussed several topics. Among the highlights:
Punk on changes in WWE: "I recognize I still have a lot of stuff left to do. People need to get comfortable at the idea that stuff doesn't happen overnight. I'm in this for the long haul, and I'm such a student of the game. I actually care so much, I'm not looking at tomorrow for everything to be different and better, I'm looking 10 years from now."
Punk on the Rock: "I don't know Dwayne personally. I'm glad he's back. He came back for Survivor Series, some more people watched the show, and they watched me become the man and watched me steal the show. So, it's a business thing, but whatever industry you're in, if that happens...I'm pissed off that I'm on the only one pissed off. It's like, 'Come on guys, don't you have any pride in what you do? You're just gonna let this guy come in [and steal the show]?"
Punk defending John Cena: "No, here's the thing. I think John Cena is tremendous. I think Cena doesn't gets the credit for how hard he works. I said it in the promo I cut in Vegas, 'I don't dislike you, John, I dislike this idea that you're the best and you're afforded all of these opportunities.'...I don't hate John at all. He's actually one of my favorites guys to get in the ring with."
source: prowrestling.net
Why is he using Triple H's catch phrase? Student of the game...
WWE Stars Release Anti-Bullying PSA
WWE stars working with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) have released an “Amplify Your Voice” PSA designed to encourage young people to take a stand against all forms of bullying, and in particular anti-LGBT bullying.
The PSA, which was produced with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), features WWE Superstars and Divas Eve Torres, Kelly Kelly, Alicia Fox, Sheamus and Kofi Kingston.
“Tides continue to shift as more and more athletes, celebrities and sports leagues speak out in support of equality for everyone,” said Mike Thompson, Acting President of GLAAD, in a statement. “By taking a stand against anti-LGBT bullying, WWE is sending a clear message that homophobia is unacceptable both in and outside of the ring.”
GLAAD began working with WWE earlier this year after the group raised concerns on behalf of the LGBT community regarding wrestler John Cena’s (always in-character) homophobic taunts. These taunts included references to the film Brokeback Mountain, to insinuating an opponent was a “fairy,” and that an opponent needed to be taught how to be a man.
Given that WWE had, at the time, recently started promoting itself as PG-rated entertainment, and that a large part of its fan-base is adolescent males, the concern was this kind of example could lead impressionable viewers to think it is acceptable to bully others on the basis of their perceived or actual sexual orientation.
GLAAD has since met with talent and editorial staff to discuss LGBT inclusion and the harms of anti-LGBT language.
Other celebrities to have participated include NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal, Russell Simmons, Vinny Guadagnino, Rev. Al Sharpton, Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Chaz Bono, Tori Spelling, Naya Rivera, Mario Lopez and Dustin Lance Black, among several others
source: care2.com
This Day in Wrestling History
The most important figure in the history of professional wrestling in Japan, Rikidozan, dies of complications from a stab wound suffered on December 8th at the age of 38. Rikidozan, who debuted in 1951, helped to popularize professional wrestling in post-WWII Japan, and would train Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba, who would become two of the most influential and powerful individuals in Japanese wrestling. While it was thought that Rikidozan, whose Japanese name was Mitsuhiro Momota, was born in Nagasaki, Japan, in truth he was Korean. Because Koreans were heavily discriminated against in Japan, his real background was kept secret, not being revealed until long after his death. Rikidozan's final match was on December 7th, teaming with Great Togo & Michiaki Yoshimura to battle The Destroyer, Buddy Austin & Illio DiPaolo to a draw. Stories of what happened the night Rikidozan was stabbed are cloudy, with legend and fact often getting mixed up. He was stabbed in a nightclub and allegedly it was by a member of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. However, stories have circulated for years that he beat up his attacker and partied into the night before going to the hospital, which is why the wound got infected and ended up killing him. Obviously, there are many that doubt that account of the stabbing.
December 15, 1963
Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk wrestled a legendary match against Abdullah The Butcher and The Sheik in Japan. The match turned the Funks fan favourites in Japan because of the extreme violence.
December 15, 1977
A tribute show to Stu Hart was held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the Calgary Corral, the site of many Stampede Wrestling shows.
December 15, 1995
Triple H defeated Shawn Michaels in a two-out-of-three falls match in 38:30 to capture the Raw World Title.
December 15, 2002
partial source: pwinsider.com
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
