Tragedy Erupts

As Jeff Hardy was approaching the ring to be the guest of his Royal Rumble opponent, the Rated-R Superstar, on “The Cutting Edge,” something with his pyrotechnics display went horribly wrong, surrounding him in a sea of sparks and flames; causing him to collapse to the ground in excruciating pain. As the smoke cleared, the reality set in to the WWE Universe that the black cloud that surrounded Jeff Hardy toward the end of 2008 is continuing to follow him in 2009. The show came to a frantic close as the bedlam ensued. Full Results.

Indy wrestler featured in "The Wrestler" passes away

Northeast independent wrestler Paul E. Normous (Paul Fuchs) passed away today reports PWInsider. He was 33. Fuchs had a cameo and was mentioned by name in a locker room scene in "The Wrestler" starring Mickey Rourke. No details are known at this time about his passing. Ruchs worked for Ring of Honor in its early days along with other promotions such as WXW, 3PW and many others in the New York City tri-state area. He had also taken part in an Ohio Valley Wrestling invitational training camp back when it was the official WWE developmental territory. Paul Fuchs is pictured on the left with Mickey Rourke.

source: wrestleview.com

Wrestling Legends Discuss 'The Wrestler'

Listen in as Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake, Lex Luger, "Diamond" Dallas Page, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper and Greg "The Hammer" Valentine discuss the merits of Darren Aronofsky's new movie The Wrestler. Watch the full series of videos here.

Another Superstar Released

Standard line from wwe.com:

World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of Raw Superstar Bob "Hardcore" Holly as of today, January 16. WWE wishes Bob the best in all future endeavors.

Dixie Carter comments on Christian Cage's return to the WWE

In a recent interview. Dixie Carter said she was not happy with Christian's decision to return to WWE:

"I’m very disappointed," she said. "I like him as a person as well as a talent. It’s interesting, he was the first big name to jump ship to us and he’s been the first to jump back. I wish him all the best."...More?

source: dailystar.co.uk

'The Wrestler' role isn't Nicolas Cage match

Nicolas Cage knows how to find national treasures, but he sure missed out on getting a Golden Globe. Hold on to your ring ropes - we'll explain the connection to wrestling.

According to my gremlins, last year Cage accepted, then reflected and finally rejected the lead role of a washed-up grappler looking to come back in a film project called "The Wrestler." So exit Nic and enter Mick.

Director Darren Aronofsky played a longshot, giving the part to an actor many thought to be washed up: Mickey Rourke. Well, sometimes longshots do come in, and Rourke rode the role to the winner's circle by winning a Golden Globe for Best Actor on Sunday night!

In a twist of fate, Rourke, who gave up a promising acting career in 1991 to enter the boxing ring (bad move) now resurrects his career entering a different ring...More?

source: nydailynews.com

Another WWE Firing - Stephanie's Executive Assistant

Mary Blinstrubas, Stephanie McMahon's executive assistant who had been with the company since November of 2006, was let go amidst last week's layoffs.

Blinstrubas was said to be incompetent. For instance, she'd constantly send out creative scripts via e-mail to random departments within the company, putting random people in the loop on creative plans before Vince McMahon himself even had a chance to review the shows. She'd also slip up and call Michael Hayes 'Virgil' and refer to Dusty Rhodes as 'Brian' (after Gewirtz). Blinstrubas would also accidentally patch in important calls with random extensions on the WWE board during conference calls with Vince.

Blinstrubas' other duties included grocery-shopping for Stephanie, buying her clothes, relaying messages to her nanny, etc.

source: wrestling-edge.com

TNA iMPACT! Recap 01/15

Victoria Comments on her Retirement from the WWE

From Victoria's myspace blog:

It's been announced on WWE.com, so I guess I should address it. This Friday's Smackdown is my last match with WWE. I started with the company in 2000. I have had so many once in a lifetime experiences. It's been incredible. I was part of an era in Women's Professional Wrestling that will never be duplicated again.

Choosing to leave was a very difficult decision. I think many of my colleagues considered me a "lifer". That is, they thought I'd be with WWE until I was old and grey. But I was not happy with the oppurtunities that were available to me within WWE. And at the end of the day, there are thousands and thousands of women who would kill or die for the chance to be a WWE Diva. It isn't right for me to fill that spot if my heart weren't in it.

And I didn't make a rash decision to walk away. On many occasions I pushed for the Victoria that I'd want to watch. But we were on different pages. I respect their decisions, and they are their decisions to make. Being with WWE is very time consuming. And again, with where we were at, I would rather spend more time at home...More?

This Day in Wrestling History

Ted DiBiase defeated Brad Armstrong for the Mid-South North American Heavyweight title
January 16, 1985

Arn Anderson & Bobby Eaton defeated Dustin Rhodes & Rick Steamboat for the WCW World Tag Team title
January 16, 1992

Happy Birthday to:

Abdullah the Butcher
January 16, 1941

Triple H x3 = 3.9 Million Viewers

Last Friday night's edition of SmackDown reigned supreme as the most watched show in MyNetwork TV history with 3.9 million viewers.

Rourke's 'The Wrestler' has North Jersey roots

Credit a group of real-life, small-time wrestlers at a Parsippany gym with helping Mickey Rourke get off the canvas of a nearly wrecked career to win a Golden Globe this week as best actor for his performance in "The Wrestler."

The movie takes place in the seamy underworld of small-time professional wrestling, where life is depicted as a series of Saturday night smack downs that regularly send dreams crashing to the canvas.

Critics have praised the film, which opens Friday in North Jersey, as both a realistic portrayal and a real-life comeback for its leading man, the often-troubled Rourke. The actor delivers a heart-breaking performance that is generating serious Oscar buzz. East Coast Professional Wrestling provided many of the wrestlers Rourke grapples with in the film....More?

source: northjersey.com