New U.S. Champion

During the no disqualification, no count-out bout for the United States Title, it seemed as if half of Canada had charged the ring. Before beloved Canadian Bret Hart battled The Miz, the U.S. Champion employed enforcers William Regal and Vladimir Kozlov to watch the ring. To combat the duo, Unified Tag Team Champions The Hart Dynasty fought them off. During the melee, Chris Jericho and Miz entered the ring and surrounded The “Hit Man.” The Hart family, however, had the back of one of their own.

When Miz attempted to lock the Sharpshooter onto Hart, The Hart Dynasty leveled the loudmouth, allowing The “Hit Man” to lock in his signature maneuver himself for the win and championship gold.

source: wwe.com

WWE Stock Analysis

It's true that, more often than not, high insider ownership equals excellent shareholder returns. The WWE guys maintain a significant ownership position in the company. Who knew wrestling impresario Vince McMahon had this much staying power - or the chops to run a major sports business and do a good job. This is one solid company with loads of cash to payout 175% of its earnings in the form of dividends. Its 8.48% yield is one of the highest in the consumer goods sector and virtually debt-free. Most impressive is McMahon's compensation. He receives no stock awards or bonuses and just under $900,000 in annual salary. He's apparently satisfied with his 59% economic interest and 86% voting interest. Vince isn't going anywhere and that's a good thing for shareholders.

source: stocks.investopedia.com

Fan Comment on the Current State of Professional Wrestling & Triple H's Babyface Run

The following is a comment from a fan on bleacherreport.com in response to questioning what brought on Triple H's current run as a babyface:

Every article in this community is someone complaining and b*tching about what they wanna change and how much things suck. Why they still watch is beyond me. People need to just accept the fact that WWE is PG. The old HHH is gone. Austin and Rock are gone. DX is gone. There is nothing wrong with Triple H. The man is in his 20+ year of this business. 90% of the wrestlers from the attitude era are gone, but HHH is still here, and still worthy of the main event. The man can retire 100 times over, buy a house in Tahiti, and spend time with his wife and kids if he wanted. He could also take some cake job behind the scenes making a ton of loot if he wanted. But he is still here, traveling all over the world, continuing to pound on his body, and all anyone can do is complain. Triple H is of a dying breed, he is one of the last guys from the old school in WWE along with Taker, and both of them will be gone soon. Enjoy this legend while you still can...

This comment sums up my feelings about professional wrestling and Triple H. If you don't like it or him, don't watch and don't complain about it.

This Day in Wrestling History

Bruno Sammartino defeats Buddy Rogers for the (WWWF)WWE Championship at Madison Square Garden.
May 17, 1963

Vince McMahon Sr. died of cancer at 69.
May 17, 1984

Marty Jannetty defeated Shawn Michaels for the WWF(E) Intercontinental title.
May 17, 1993

"British Bulldog" Davey Boy Smith died of a heart attack at 39.
May 17, 2002

TNA Sacrifice Results 2010

Parker Posey Comments on Triple H's Role in "Inside Out"

In “Inside Out,” Posey plays Claire Small, the wife of high-strung, low-level mobster Jack Small (Michael Rapaport). However, she has never stopped loving her former beau, AJ (Triple H), a parolee determined to go straight after serving 13 years for the murder of his abusive step-father.

“Our characters were all friends in high school,” she said. “Basically, Triple H went to jail and Michael Rapaport moved in on him. I was alone, but I still have feelings for Triple H. My husband wants to continue in the criminal world, but Triple H learned how to make pickles in prison and wants to capitalize on that.”

While the premise sounds humorous, Posey said the film helps display a number of sides of the former WWE champion.

“He’s a sweetheart,” she said. “He just looks like the Incredible Hulk. His first film was with me in ‘Blade: Trinity.’ I look forward to seeing what kind of career he has.”...More?

source: leadercall.com

EVP of WWE Studios Comments on "Inside Out" and Triple H

Mike Pavone, executive vice president of WWE Studios, is serving as producer on the film. Pavone said New Orleans provided a great place to shoot the company’s slate of six films.

“New Orleans has always offered terrific incentives,” he said. “It’s a great city that embraces film making. They want us to be here and that makes it very comfortable for us.”

Pavone said New Orleans can also provide a number of different looks. Film crews have already made the city look like Oklahoma and California. Pavone said “Inside Out” is a New Orleans-based movie so “we can see the city and show it off.”

“Algiers, a nice residential area right outside of New Orleans, also afforded us a great look,” he said. “We don’t build a lot of interiors on stage because our budgets don’t afford it. We have to use a lot of practical locations.”

Pavone said Triple H plays a character that is “fairly intense.”

“He’s a terrific actor and has been a joy to work with,” he said. “I like working with athletes a lot because their training and mentality is different. The WWE superstars are really dedicated and show up on time, ready to go.”

source: leadercall.com

Assault Allegations Rejected Against Former WWE Diva

TMZ has learned former WWE star Chyna will not face criminal charges over an alleged incident in which she allegedly beat the daylights out of another woman in a motel room in L.A.

Chyna was named in a criminal complaint filed by a woman named Gabriela Targos -- who told LAPD cops that Chyna battered her so badly back in April ... she thought she was gonna die. But now, the L.A. City Attorney has officially rejected the case, claiming there's "insufficient evidence" that can prove Chyna carried out the attack.

Rumor Mill - TNA Expected To Make Budget Cuts Soon

During today's episode of Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer announced that TNA is expected to be making budget cuts this week, and will most likely be looking to reduce its rather large roster, which currently features about 70 performers. Meltzer was quoted as saying, "It's the moment of truth," in reference to TNA's current state.

source: wrestlezone.com

Interview with Cody Rhodes

This Day in Wrestling History

Andy Kaufman dies of kidney failure due to large cell carcinoma in Los Angeles, California. Kaufman is best known in the wrestling world for his 1982 match with Jerry Lawler at the Mid-South Coliseum in Memphis, Tennessee, and subsequent expletive-laden appearance with Lawler on the Late Show with David Letterman.
May 16, 1984

Bryan Danielson on Daniel Bryan

“Daniel Bryan is a figment of the WWE’s imagination. Daniel Bryan has never been anywhere except WWE. Daniel Bryan has lost every match he’s ever been in."

“But Bryan Danielson is a former world Champion. Bryan Danielson is champion wherever he’s ever been. Bryan Danielson is one of the best wrestlers in the world. And he doesn’t just say that himself, people say that about him,” he said, referring to the highly-skilled, widely-respected independent wrestler."

“The real me is Bryan Danielson. I was trying to fit into what they want me to be but that’s not me. Bryan Danielson is the real me.”