November 30, 2010
WWE Pushes Back Plans For "WWE Network" To 2012-2013
World Wrestling Entertainment Inc plans to launch a cable TV network featuring its hulking wrestlers and scripted storylines in mid-2012 or early 2013, later than it had previously hoped, a top executive said on Tuesday.
WWE Chairman and Chief Executive Vince McMahon said in February that he hoped to have a network up and running in 18 months, implying August 2011.
However, Chief Operating Officer Donna Goldsmith said on Tuesday that it would likely be a year or two beyond that date.
"It's taken us longer to galvanize the troops and figure out where we're going," she said at the Reuters Global Media Summit. "My guess is more like the middle of 2012 or even the beginning of 2013 before we're ready to go forward."
Goldsmith said she had not yet spoken to potential advertisers, saying she wanted first to work out details related to programming.
She also reiterated that WWE is leaning toward a network model similar to that instituted by Major League Baseball, where several pay-TV operators own a stake in the venture. That decision has not yet been finalized, she added.
Beyond the launch of the network, Goldsmith said priorities also included international expansion, including building WWE's presence in spots like Brazil, India and Russia.
source: wrestlezone.com
WWE Comes to Russia
World Wrestling Entertainment® and 2X2 today announced a two-year TV distribution deal for Russia.
WWE’s flagship weekly TV show ‘Raw®’ will premiere on 2X2 in February 2011, bringing WWE’s unique style of action entertainment to more than 24 million homes across Russia including Moscow and St. Petersburg.
WWE ‘Raw’ continues to be one of the most watched regularly scheduled TV programs on ad-supported cable television in the U.S. and is currently distributed to over 100 countries worldwide.
“We are delighted to be bringing WWE ‘Raw’ back to Free TV in Russia and look forward to working with 2X2,” said Andrew Whitaker, Executive Vice President, WWE International. “We are confident that this partnership will be the first step in expanding the WWE brand in Russia.”...More?
Colt Cabana T-Shirt
The t-shirt that CM Punk wore during RAW last night is the t-shirt for Ring of Honor star Colt Cabana, known as Scotty Goldman during his WWE run last year. You can pick one up at coltmerch.com.
November 29, 2010
Raw Results: All Hail, No!
In the first defense of his new title, WWE Champion The Miz faced Jerry “The King” Lawler in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match. Although the two exchanged heated words earlier in the evening, once inside the ring, they let their actions do the talking.
Unfortunately for Lawler, Alex Riley would also have a say. The Miz's assistant attempted to intervene, but "The King" fought him off. Later, Michael Cole would also interfere in the dangerous duel when he sensed the WWE Champion might lose. The Miz acolyte halted Lawler's ascent up a ladder, costing him the bout and allowing The "Cleveland Screamer" to bask in the glory of his first successful title defense. Full results.
source: wwe.com
Update on Batista's First MMA Fight; Strikeforce CEO Announces Target Date in 2011
Former WWE star Dave Bautista is expected to make his MMA debut for the Strikeforce promotion in second quarter 2011.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said on today's MMA Hour talk show with Ariel Helwani that "there's still dialogue" with Bautista, but they expect him to be fighting for Strikeforce between April and June of next year.
Bautista, age 41, left WWE in the spring of this year and began training for a potential MMA cross-over. Bautista reportedly wants a three-fight deal with Strikeforce.
In October, Bautista said his first MMA fight could be in March 2011. It appears the target date has been pushed back one-to-three months.
Coker was on the MMA Hour today promoting this Saturday's Strikeforce fight card that will be airing on Showtime from St. Louis.
source: pwtorch.com
Lex Luger Makes a 'Virtual' Return
It's been more than 15 years since Lex Luger set foot in a WWE ring, but all that will change this holiday season when the legendary Superstar makes his SmackDown vs. Raw debut as a playable character through the latest downloadable content package...More?
source: wwe.com
Lucha Star Hijo de Cien Caras Murdered
Off the heels of the murder of LL-USA star, Solid, last week yet another luchador has been gunned down this month. IWRG star, Hijo de Cien Caras, was shot and murdered Sunday night outside of a house in Mexico. He and a woman, Adela Luna (possibly his wife), were sitting in a car when an unidentified man walked up to the car and began firing shots into the car striking Caras 4 times. Hijo de Cien Caras, real name Ignacio Jimenez, was only 33 years old...More?
source: wrestleview.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Jerry "The King" Lawler
November 29, 1949
Happy Birthday to John Bradshaw Layfield
November 29, 1967
Indy wrestler "The All American Jeff Peterson" lost his battle to lymphoma
November 29, 2002
Larry Lathman aka Moondog Spot died of a heart attack in the ring during Jerry Lawler's Birthday Bash show.
November 29, 2003
November 28, 2010
"Juan Cena" in Maryland
John Cena tweeted the following: "CeNation. Just received western union tellagram via carrier pigieon from mexican cousin Juan. Apparently he just got hired by wwe... And would like me to watch his first match tonight in salisbury md. I got nuthin but time on my hands. Ill be there!"
CeNation. Juan was there tonight. I was just in the crowd supporting him. Now off to philly
Interview with Shelton Benjamin
Former WWE Superstar Shelton Benjamin recently spoke with Blackvoices.com:
Why did WWE let you go?
Honestly, I'm still wondering that myself. What I think it boils down to is that I'd been there for so long and they had such high hopes for me. For me to continue in the position that I was in I would have gotten to the point where family would have lost faith in me. I think while I'm still young every now and then you need to completely disassociate yourself from the company to freshen yourself up. It would be one thing for me to say I am gonna leave and take three months off and when I come back I'll be fresh and new, but it's a total other thing to disassociate yourself from the company completely. The point that they didn't resign me doesn't really bother me because I felt like I needed to go and near the end of my career work for me wasn't fun. I remember when I first started I could not wait to get to work. Near the end, I couldn't stand when I had to wake up and go to the airport. It was one of those things where we were both in agreement that I needed to step away. Do I believe that's a permanent departure? No. If you have watched the history of the WWE or if you have ever worked there and you were ever any good; you don't have just one run with the WWE. The door is open for me to come back. We parted ways on good terms, but as far as a lot of the decisions they made with my career, I'm still dumbfounded...More?
