J.R. Comments on an Internet Report Linking Linda McMahon's Senate Run to Danielson's Release

Jim Ross posted the following blasting an internet report claiming that Linda McMahon's senate campaign was the driving force in the termination of Bryan Danielson:

"I've had plenty of personal issues with WWE, for the record I still think that I should be working on the air, and this blog likely won't endear me to some of the higher ups but let me make this clear....Linda McMahon nor any of her campaign workers or staff have a damn thing to do with how the WWE operates from a business perspective and they never will.

The decisions that are made within the WWE are made in the best interest of a public company. End of story.

For someone to be 'anonymous' and to try and take a cowardly approach to why the mysterious termination of Daniel Bryan took place and to place the blame on a political campaign is simply insane. I have great respect for all fans and their opinions regarding the many complex facets of the business but this one has struck a chord that I felt compelled to address."

J. R. had a lot more to say on this topic. Click here for the full post.

This Day in Wrestling History

At WCW's Great American Bash in Baltimore, MD, Scott Hall and Kevin Nash attacked Eric Bischoff. Nash powerbombed him off the stage.
June 16, 1996

WWE NXT Results: Week Two Rumblings

Third-generation competitor NXT Rookie Michael McGillicutty has a lot of lineage to live up to. As the grandson of WWE Legend Larry “The Axe” Hennig and son of former Intercontinental Champion Mr. Perfect, McGillicutty must quickly make an impact on the WWE Pros and the WWE Universe – an accomplishment he achieved during week two of competition. He kicked off his first match by boldly tagging himself in to face the daunting Mark Henry. Then, with the help of his WWE Pro, Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston, McGillicutty earned victory when he pinned the competitive Lucky Cannon.

McGillicutty left a strong first impression, as his WWE Pro, Kingston, called him a “man on a mission” who “took a step in the right direction.” Despite their loss, Henry said his NXT Rookie, Cannon, “has a lot of potential.” But not all of the WWE Pros agreed. Cody Rhodes berated Cannon, calling him a loser. “You’re all style and no substance,” Rhodes said. Then, Henry challenged Rhodes to face Cannon one-on-one. A cocky Rhodes accepted the match for next week, then shockingly took a cheap shot at NXT announcer Matt Striker, knocking him off the stage! Full results.

source: wwe.com

WWE Star Suffers Concussion on Raw Last Night

Zack Ryder suffered a concussion during last night's fatal four way match for the WWE United States Championship reports The Wrestling Observer. Ryder suffered the concussion when John Morrison gave The Miz a sunset powerbomb over him.

Update on Bryan Danielson

Dave Meltzer is now reporting that Bryan Danielson's friends believe he has been fired. He has talked to other promotions about working dates, and TNA has contacted him about coming in. He would have the standard 90-day no compete clause in his release.

Another Raw Guest Host Revealed

Florence Henderson will host the July 12th edition of Monday Night Raw.

Wrestling Stars Pile-Drive the Multiplex

The Vince McMahon-run enterprise is pressing forward with its attempt to make modestly budgeted films that feature (but don't necessarily give lead roles to) the wrestlers whose careers they've helped cultivate.

The latest bit of development news comes with a new movie from WWE star Edge. The fighter-performer will star in "Chasing the Hawk," an action comedy about a New Orleans lawyer who loses a classic car he holds dear and then sets out to find it.

Principals at WWE Studios, the organization's film-production arm, say they hope to make more than just action films. One previously announced development project: "Inside Out," which stars Triple H, but in more of a crime drama, with the unlikely cast of Michael Rapaport, Parker Posey and Bruce Dern around him. The wrestler formerly known as Paul Levesque also will star in an family comedy called "The Chaperone," about an ex-con who tries to take his teenage daughter on a class trip but finds the past catching up with him, "Kindergarten Cop"-style...More?

source: latimes.com

This Day in Wrestling History

Happy Birthday to:
Scott Flash Norton - June 15, 1958
Brad Armstrong - June 15, 1961
Chuck Palumbo - June 15, 1971

Dick Murdoch died of a heart attack at age 49.
June 15, 1996

Medusa lost a retirement match to Akira Hokuto, WCW Women's Champion.
June 15, 1997

Bryan Danielson Conspiracy Theory

If the Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson firing is a work (and I believe it is) the WWE should get a standing ovation.

First, they sign arguably the best indy wrestler on the market, make him a focal point of their new show WWE NXT, have him participate in an invasion angle that finally brought some surprises to Raw and then fire him for being too violent on PG TV. But his firing to me came at a strange time.

The show was on Monday and Danielson wrestled at FCW on Wednesday. The standard "future endeavors" statement was posted on wwe.com late Friday evening. By Saturday morning, it was all the IWC could talk about. Coincidentally, TNA's Slammiversary VIII aired the same weekend. Dixie Carter even teased "suprises" for the ppv, (which turned out to be Tommy Dreamer and wasn't much of a surprise since everyone knew before the ppv). I don't think it's a coincidence that all this took place before the TNA ppv.

Another curious item...John Cena's twitter post praising Danielson and claiming he will sign a petition to have the WWE bring him back. These tweets started around 8:00pm, just prior to the start of Slammiversary VIII.

If I have been reading too much into all this and Danielson has been terminated for choking Justin Roberts, the ring announce, then I say shame on the WWE for not grasping a hold of social media and using it to their advantage. But if this is all the beginging of a great storyline I must tip my hat to them and hope for more of the same.

Triple H is Coming to Washington, DC

RAW returns to the Verizon Center Monday, September 6th at 8:15pm.

Featuring: John Cena; Edge; Randy Orton; Triple H; Chris Jericho; Sheamus; Miz; R-Truth; John Morrison; Ted DiBiase; Mark Henry; the Divas & more!

Don't miss your chance to get the best seats first, BEFORE tickets go on sale to the general public. Tickets start at $20! - WWE is the best value in entertainment.
Presale: Monday June 14, 10am thru Friday June 18, 10pm - This presale has a 4 ticket limit. Password: WWE906

Tickets Go On Sale to the General Public on Saturday, June 19th at 10am. Tickets available at the box office, Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com or charge by phone 1-800-551-SEAT

Another Knockout Departs TNA

TNA Knockout, ODB, posted the following on her twitter account:

“thanks tna fans for all the support but tna and odb have parted ways.it was a decision I made.bamm bitches”

ODB’s departure would follow Roxxi’s at last night’s TNA Slammiversary PPV.

Raw Milestone This Summer

The 900th edition of Monday Night Raw will air on August 30th from Boston, MA.