Rumor Mill - No "Tribute to the Troops" in the Middle East This Year

According to a report by Mike Johnson of PWInsider, WWE will not be holding its annual "Tribute to the Troops" event overseas in the Middle East this year. The belief is that with some live event schedule reshuffling in late November and early December, it will make it impossible for an event to be arranged. Were told WWE is looking into doing something similar domestically at a military base. WWE had held events in the Middle East for the last seven years since 2003.

“Countdown" with Mick Foley

J.R. Comments on Raw's Ratings Decline

Lots of talk about Monday Night Raw's last couple of TV ratings and them being lower than normal. There are two primary reasons for this matter, in my opinion. Monday Night Football provides immense competition on cable TV on Monday nights. ESPN/ABC has a huge investment in the NFL and they spend countless hours promoting each Monday Night Football contest. MNF on TV is a right of passage in America. ESPN battles with the USA Network for ratings supremacy and popping big numbers on MNF is the key to ESPN's success from September thru January. The flexible scheduling is much more amenable to strong football ratings and that did not exist years ago. Bottom line is that football has seemingly become America's game of choice and MNF still has significant cache as a brand...More?

TNA iMPACT! Recap 09/30/10

WWE Superstars Results: Locked Up

In the main event of “WWE Superstars,” two of SmackDown’s most talented young competitors went at it as the high-flying Kofi Kingston took on Jack Swagger. As expected, the match was a heated contest with the explosive Kingston using his frenzied offense to counteract the former World Heavyweight Champion’s ground based attack. But Kofi couldn’t avoid Swagger’s feared ankle lock. And as he’s done in past altercations with Big Show and Rey Mysterio, the intense Swagger snapped and refused to release Kingston from the hold. The official had no choice but to disqualify the collegiate wrestling standout, but although he lost the match, The “All-American American” was the only Superstar who walked away unharmed. Full results.

source: wwe.com

Chris Nowinski Recalls his Recent Long Conversation with Vince McMahon Regarding Head Trauma

Former WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski discussed the head trauma issues in professional sports with the Philadelphia Inquirer, and recalled a long talk he had with Vince McMahon on the matter last week. ""The WWE interestingly had a more advanced program more quickly [than the NFL] six months after the Chris Benoît tragedy," Nowinski said.

"They instituted neuropsychological testing. They've had it over a year now. They have pre-talks with new hires on concussions and CTE. They limit bumps in their wrestling school, repetitive falls on your back." Nowinski noted that WWE does not advertise their head trauma policies and said it's likely due to liability reasons...More?

source: prowrestling.net

WWE's Growth Is Real

World Wrestling Entertainment (NYSE: WWE) certainly does not get a lot of respect on the street, but not for reasons related to the overall performance of the company. For sophisticated Wall Street types, it's difficult to explain to their peers that they cover a company run by a man who wears tights and creates unimaginable story lines aimed toward the company's legions of middle-American fans.

But to the Foolish investor, WWE is a well-run company, with a management team that has created generous returns for its shareholders, and has a growing customer base across not only America, but the world...More?

source: fool.com

'The Fallen Angel' Christopher Daniels Comes Home

Glen "Kane" Jacobs: "Help, Help, I’m Being Exploited!"

WWE superstar Glenn "Kane" Jacobs comments on the independent contractor vs. employee controversy and the lack of benefits the classification comes with:

Because of my legal status as an independent contractor, as opposed to a company employee, I am often asked if I feel that it is fair that I do not receive employer-provided benefits like health insurance and a retirement program. Why is it that I should be responsible for securing those services myself and not my employer? Gasp, don’t I feel as if I’m being exploited?!

Isn’t it ironic that even after history has proven his theories wrong, dangerous, and potentially suicidal, Karl Marx still influences so much of contemporary economic thought?...More?

source: lewrockwell.com

This Day in Wrestling History

Two of the most important figures in the history of professional wrestling, Shohei "Giant" Baba (founder of All Japan Pro Wrestling) and Antonio Inoki (founder of New Japan Pro Wrestling), make their pro wrestling debuts at a Japanese Wrestling Association show in Tokyo, Japan. Baba defeats Yonetaro Tanaka in his debut, while Inoki loses his match with Kintaro Oki.
September 30, 1960

Happy Birthday to Chris Von Erich
September 30, 1969

Marie Vagnone & Jane Sherill defeat Jumbo Miyamoto & Maxie Murata for the WWWA World Tag Team Title in Kawasaki, Japan.
September 30, 1971

WWWF(WWE) ran at Shea Stadium in Flushing, New York, drawing over 20,000 fans for a show main evented by a battle of the babyfaces, as WWWF World Champion Pedro Morales and Bruno Sammartino wrestled to a curfew draw after 75 minutes of wrestling. The two shook hands and embraced before exiting the ring. During the match, George Steele tried to interfere, but was escorted out by security.
September 30, 1972

Ox Baker defeated Captain USA (John Studd) for the NWA American Heavyweight Title in Houston, Texas.
September 30, 1977

Gypsy Joe & Tojo Yamamoto defeat Ken Lucas & Dutch Mantel in Chattanooga, Tennessee for the NWA Mid-America Tag Team Title.
September 30, 1978

Five Reasons Triple H Will Be The Raw GM

1. We all know he wields enough backstage power and is someone Vince trusts, so rather than pretend he’s just another wrestler, he should be the GM. Hell, with D-X gone and having feuded with everyone, what else is there?

2. Edge is a heel wrestler and whoever feuds with him should be a face wrestler so that a physical confrontation is possible. This rules out Stephanie McMahon, who, along with being a mostly full time mother, is a terrible face.

3. Edge is something of a mastermind. Whoever’s outsmarting him should be one, as well. Triple H, despite his clever plans boiling down to “smack him with a sledgehammer,” has the reputation and name of Cerebral Assassin, so he can out-think Edge without it being a huge deal.

4. All the hints were Attitude era star based and Triple H is the last major star of that era. He also notably doesn’t like Bret Hart.

5. H tends to crush a former top heel who can work but isn’t seen by WWE as a true all-the-time franchise guy, such as Booker or Chris Jericho. Well, Edge surely fits.

source: inside pulse wrestling

WWE Fan Appreciation Day in Hartford Next Month

WWE will be holding an event called "WWE Fan Appreciation Day" on October 30th, 2010 at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. Bell time is 3 PM. Tickets go on sale October 5th, 2010 at noon. Scheduled to appear are The Undertaker, Kane, John Cena, The Big Show, Sheamus, Randy Orton, Wade Barrett, Edge, Rey Mysterio & Alberto Del Rio. Go to http://wherewrestlinghappens.tk or http://prowrestlingevents.webs.com for info about upcoming wrestling shows worldwide.

source: wrestleview.com