As much a staple of the Ultimate Fighting Championship as the eight-sided cage and bloody mats, the Tapout crew are out to prove they're more than the ugly cheerleaders of mixed-martial-arts.
Armed with their trademark freak show look and a film crew, the California trio hopes to transform unknown fighters into mainstream stars.
"This is the same thing we've been doing for the past 10 years, only now there are cameras following us around," says Mask, the unofficial leader and the loudest of the three.
The formula for the show, which airs in Canada Fridays on Showcase Action, is simple and one that is custom-made for both veteran fight fans and newcomers to the sport.
The trio hits the road in a pimped-out tour bus collecting virtual unknowns from some of the world's top fight camps and bringing them to their first professional scrap...More?
source: winnipegsun.com
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September 2, 2007
Tapout crew out to make stars out of scrappers
Randy Orton's Status
WWE is telling people that Orton fessed up to his dealings with Signature Pharmacy a few months ago, and somehow "already did his time." Most of the guys in the locker room are not buying it at all and see this as WWE trying to get out of losing him right now when they need him in his high-profile storyline with John Cena.
source: pwtorch
Stephanie McMahon & Triple H Conduct Talent Meeting
Before the ECW/SmackDown taping in Cincinnatti, Ohio, Stephanie McMahon conducted a talent meeting. The meeting was held at 4pm with the main subject being the changes to the Wellness Program.
The main changes made to the program and announced to the talent are:
- New talent signed by WWE will need to be drug tested before being signed.
- Marijuana testing will now be in effect by WWE. If tested positive, talent will be fined one thousand dollars each time failed. Also, if tested positive for marijuana, talent will not be suspended and will not be included in their “three strikes” rule.
- The drug “anti-estrogen” will be added to the banned items talent will be tested for.
- From November 1st, talent who violate the Wellness Program will be made public by WWE.
Also, before the ECW/SmackDown taping took place on Saturday, Triple H addressed the stars during a pre-show meeting. He told the stars that the whole industry is now being under attack and it’s now time for everyone to stick together.
source: 1wrestling
Status of Batista & Chavo Guerrero
Rey Mysterio took on Chavo Guerrero in an "I Quit" match at tonight's SmackDown taping. The match went about 20 minutes and said to be pretty good. Sports Illustrated reported on Thursday that Guerrero received Somatropin (HGH), Nandrolone (an anabolic steroid) and Anastrozole (to ward off breast tissue development after using steroids) between April 2005 and May 2006 through the Signature Pharmacy drug firm. Because Guerrero purchased drugs over the Internet, he is in violation of the WWE Wellness Policy, thus meaning that he is subject to suspension. Considering that Guerrero wrestled in an "I Quit" match as opposed to a regular match, it looks this was WWE's way of writing Guerrero out of the storylines for the time being. Guerrero definitely looks to be on the suspended list.
One wrestler who has apparently been cleared of any wrong doing is Batista. He appeared at tonight's SmackDown taping in a tag match with Kane as they took on The Great Khali and Finlay. He also did a run-in to fend off Khali, who had attacked Mysterio after his "I Quit" match with Chavo Guerrero. To further cement Batista's good standing status, Theodore Long came out soon after and announced a change in the SmackDown main event at Unforgiven. He said that Khali wil be defending his belt in a triple threat match. It will be Khali vs. Mysterio vs. Batista. ESPN.com reported on Thursday that Batista was a client of the busted Signature Pharmacy firm. However, his name was never implicated in the back-breaking article by Sports Illustrated. It appears as though that Batista has been cleared.
source: pwtorch
Breaking News: Eugene Fired By WWE
The following is from WWE.com:
WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Smackdown talent Eugene as of September 1. We wish Eugene the best in all future endeavors.
September 1, 2007
Spoiler - ECW Title Change
CM Punk defeated John Morrison for the ECW Championship. As reported earlier, Morrison is involved in the doping scandal.
D.C. Officials Investigate Sex Charges
Authorities are investigating allegations of sexual misconduct within the D.C. fire department, including reports that at least two employees were running a prostitution ring, officials said yesterday...More?
source: washingtonpost.com
List Of Known Previous WWE Wellness Policy Violations and Suspensions
Click here for the list of WWE Wellness Policy violations & suspensions and the reasons behind them dating back to the implementation of the program in February 2006.
Dallas Cowboys QB Coach Linked to Doping Scandal
The NFL on Saturday confirmed that Dallas Cowboys quarterbacks coach Wade Wilson admitted to NFL officials that he bought and used performance-enhancing substances while an assistant with the Chicago Bears...According to the New York Daily News, Wilson received human growth hormone while working for the Bears from 2004-06. The league said that Harrison, Wilson and Richard Ryzde, a former doctor for the Pittsburgh Steelers, were involved in an Internet pharmaceutical distribution ring for steroids and other performance enhancers being investigated by the Albany (N.Y.) District Attorney's office...More?
source: espn.com
NE Patriot's Player Linked to Doping Scandal
The NFL will suspend New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison four games for violating its substance abuse policy, Harrison said Friday night.
“Tomorrow, the commissioner will announce that I’ve been suspended,” a somber Harrison said in a hastily announced conference call.
Although the hard-hitting defensive back said he has never used steroids, “I did admit to the commissioner that I did, in fact, use a banned substance.”...More?
source: nashuatelegraph.com
Kurt Angle Linked to Doping Scandal
Sports Illustrated writer Louis Fernando Llosa was a guest on MSNBC yesterday. He said that Kurt Angle was on the customer list, but he referenced him as a former Olympic Gold Medalist, not a current pro wrestler.
