Triple H Comments on the WWE Wellness Policy and Retirement Prep

Triple H is featured in the weekend edition of "Pop," the weekly TV guide in the Canadian province of New Brunswick. Hunter promoted WWE's Wellness Policy and retirement preparation for the Superstars:

"We have financial planning for guys. We have been helping them to have a normal life," Hunter said. "Once you're out of the spotlight, how do you go back to being a normal guy? Do you still have money left? We offer all that to our talent that are current, and we also have programs for talent that have worked for us in the past."

WWE's SummerSlam Kickoff Party

WWE held their "SummerSlam Kickoff Party" last night in Hollywood, which was attended by both wrestlers and celebrities alike. Among those in attendance were Triple H, Randy Orton, Big Show, "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, MVP, The Bella Twins, Alicia Fox, Dolph Ziggler, Eve Torres, Rosa Mendes, Gail Kim, Michelle McCool, Tiffany, Christian, Tommy Dreamer, Cryme Tyme, William Regal, Ted DiBiase, Maria Menounos, Melody Thornton, Verne Troyer, Nancy O'Dell, Joel Madden, and Leeza Gibbons, among others. You can see pictures from the event by clicking here and here.

Rumor Mill - DX T-Shirt Causing Controversy - UPDATED

The new D-Generation X t-shirt that WWE recently released features the slogan "World's Biggest Member" on the back. Apparently the t-shirt caused some kind of reaction, as the shirt has already been pulled off the WWE merchandise website page.

The slogan on the shirt did seem out of place since it was marketed to children.

D-Generation-X wore the shirt at SummerSlam and on Raw. The shirt is again available on wweshop.com

David Lagana Speaks on his Departure from WWE and Rumors He was an "Internet Leak"

“I was on vacation, I got a phone call to see Stephanie, [McMahon] and that was it. It had been six years almost to the day. I went to WWE in the hopes of lasting six weeks to go to Wrestlemania 18 and it became my life.”

“Wouldn’t the story of me being a leak, be a leak in itself? I’m sure whoever put that information out had a grudge. I’m a fan first; I love the surprise aspect of the business. Nothing is better than a live crowd living and dying on the emotion created by the boys in the ring. To spoil is ruin; I wouldn’t still be trying to help the business if I was out to ruin.” Plus, if I was the leak I would have had much better press out about me. Some people out there really dislike me. Spend an hour talking wrestling or even life with me; you’ll learn what I’m all about.”...More?

source: wrestlezone.com

This Day in Wrestling History

Wahoo McDaniel defeated Sgt. Slaughter for the NWA U.S. Heavyweight title.
August 22, 1982

Mick Foley defeats Steve Austin & Triple H in a Triple Threat Match to become WWF(E) Champion at SummerSlam '99. Jesse "The Body" Ventura was the special guest referee.
August 22, 1999

Lita defeated Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley for the WWF(E) Women's title and Shane McMahon defeated Steve Blackman for the WWF(E) Hardcore title.
August 22, 2000

Professor Toru Tanaka (Charles "Charlie" J. Kalani, Jr.) died of a heart attack at age 70.
August 22, 2000

Cody Rhodes Weighs in on the Lack of Stars on Raw

"I personally think that when people say stuff like that, when people say there hasn't been a breakout, I ask them if they saw the last breakout coming," Rhodes said in an interview with AOL Fanhouse. "Monday Night Raw is like a varsity team. And it's filled with freshmen. Very talented, very young, but it's something the fans are now getting to grow with. It's a cool experience. I can remember watching Michaels go from tag to Intercontinental Champion to taking the longest run possible to the WWE championship. I think it might be a while till somebody becomes that breakout star, but I know that you have a lot of hopefuls."

Rhodes specifically put over Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne and, of course, Legacy as the potential stars of the future.

SmackDown Results: Hardys Ride Again

The night’s main event featured the reunited Hardy brothers, who proved they are once again a force to be reckoned with in WWE. A fired-up Matt Hardy took care of business by dropping No. 1 contender CM Punk with a Twist of Fate to get the pinfall for his team. Full results.

source: wwe.com

Kaliqo's Commentary on the Mickie James vs. Gail Kim Match

Reportedly, Mickie James received a lot of heat for showing her frustration at the the end of her match with Gail Kim. It was obvious that Gail was hurt during the match. Mickie broke character, and showed her concern for Gail. She raised Gail's hand at the end of the match, even though she pinned her.

If this is true (and I hope it is), I am in agreement with the WWE office being upset with her. We fans understand that the Superstars/Divas are not legitimately trying to hurt each other. And I'm sure when they do, they feel remorse - well at least some of them. But wrestling is about playing your part and Mickie didn't play her part last Monday.

When The Kliq (Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall) embraced in the middle of the ring at Madison Square Garden, Hunter was chastised, offered his release, humiliated and buried. If Mickie only go yelled at, I think she got off easy. It has been roughly 13 years since the "MSG Curtain Call". You would think the younger starts would learn from the mistakes of the veterans. She isn't going to get much sympathy here.

Fox L.A. Profiles John Morrison

Pro-Wrestling/NOAH Training Camp

Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat will be representing Talent Relations from WWE and Prowrestling NOAH will also have representatives at the camp scouting talent for its next generation of Superstars...More?

Mickie James #1, Awesome Kong #2?

Pro Wrestling Insider has ranked WWE Diva Mickie James as the top female wrestler in the world. Number two this year is TNA's Awesome Kong, who was ranked number 1 last year.

Sports Entertainment vs. Pro Wrestling

It's no secret WWE wants to make itself more Hollywood to become more mainstream with the audience. Celebrity guest hosts on Monday Night Raw is the latest example.

Sports entertainment differs from pro wrestling as it brings the company and personas to other levels of opportunity and popularity. Out with the old. In with the new.

Like him or not, we have a new President, change. Like it or not, we have new technology, change. Like it or not, we have a new genre of wrestling/sports entertainment, change.

Change hopefully resonates growth. If things remain status quo, it is difficult to grow. Whether WWE's sports entertainment format works will take time to answer, but you never know unless you try.

source: miamiherald.com