My conversation with the wrestler-come-booker who will inherit Vince McMahon’s empire will run in an upcoming issue of FILM INK magazine, so you’ll have to wait till then to get the full story. When you’re a lifelong WWE fan chatting to a guy who’s been in the business for decades the conversation will inevitably stray just a little towards the hard stuff though… So here are a couple of interesting titbits from our chat which I know won’t make the final cut of the article:
Triple H has recently taken on the behind-the-scenes role of Senior Adviser to Vince McMahon. Here is Trips on the prospect of inheriting the business, and how it has changed his outlook…
I think anybody is going to grow as they go into a different position. I’ve always been involved behind the scenes to some degree, even before I became close with Steph (*Triple H is the real-life husband of McMahon’s daughter Stephanie, with whom he shares three daughters). I’ve always looked at the business different to how a lot of talent does. I think that word says it all – it’s a business. A lot of the wrestler’s just see it in terms of their performance and that is the sole focus. For me it’s just seeing the big picture. And how much every department effects every other department. I once looked purely at the creative side and the stories and now I see the marketing side and how that locks into the creative side. It’s fascinating to cross the line – it’s a big learning curve. Of course I’d never seen that other side in such detail until recently.
On inducting Shawn Michaels into the 2011 Hall Of Fame…
If he asks me and if he would desire that then I would be absolutely thrilled. He is probably the greatest performer in the history of the business. It’s up to Shawn, but I am ready and waiting…
While playing ‘Word Association’ the name ‘Stephanie’ came up…
That’s so easy Julian – the love of my life...More?
source: julianshaw.com.au
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February 3, 2011
Julian Shaw Interviews Triple H
Former ECW Official Launching New Promotion
Former ECW General Manager Steve Karel is launching a new wrestling venture - The Urban Wrestling Federation - later this year.
The concept for the UWF will be to mesh hardcore, gritty pro wrestling with hip hop music and culture. One person described it to me as "ECW meets Urban Underground."
Karel, who has been distributing a number of PPV events in recent years, including King of the Cage MMA and WEW Women's Wrestling, has already cleared deals with several PPV carriers and is currently in the early stages of negotiations with a national cable outlet.
The promotion will officially launch it's website at www.UrbanWrestlingFederation.com shortly and are currently soliciting talent information and demo reels. Interested parties can find more information by going to the promotion's website.
source: pwinsider.com
Kevin Nash On Why He Left TNA & Ending Career With WWE
From Nash's new tumblr blog:
I finally moved on to you……
The most significant aspect of anyone’s life is the relationships that they build. Sometimes in personal growth and closure, these relationships are strained, if not broken. In this past week, I had to break relationships in order to receive closure in others. I would first off thank Jeff Jarrett for inviting me back into the wrestling world upon my completion of ‘The Longest Yard’. Alot of people don’t realize what a close relationship Jeff and I have. In the dog days of the WWF, I’m sure we traveled more than a million miles together. What he went through with the loss of his wife Jill and the happiness he’s now found, while trying to keep TNA together, was amazing to witness. What Bob Carter did to make sure this dream stayed alive, I can only say Sir you have my utmost respect. To Serge and Dixie, who I consider my friends, I wish them continued success. And now the hardest part. To the Boyz, that means you too Knockouts, we’ve laughed, cried and bi###ed all along knowing how lucky we were to be pro-wrestlers. So few people get to truly go to work and do what they love. Me leaving TNA was a decision my wife and I made. For 23 years my wife has put up with this sh## of ME making decisions of everyday life. 14 of those have affected my son. After 3 yrs of self doubt and thoughts of quitting the business, I met Vince McMahon and within 24 hrs of helping Shawn Michaels win the ICC, I MEANT something. And I haven’t looked back. The glass is way less than half full. My wife and I had a long discussion and I told her how important it was for me to end my career where I began. I think it took her 2 seconds to agree. I don’t know how many of you have seen Vanilla Sky. Don’t know if Boston was real or lucid dream. When they chanted Diesel, it sure as hell felt real for ME! You make decisions in life, sometimes never getting proof that it was the right decision. The crowd in Boston on Sunday night assured me that I MADE THE RIGHT DECISION. I can’t thank the WWE enough for making it happen for me. My true friends at TNA text and called with their love and support w/in hours. Don’t think it will ever be forgotten. Didn’t realize how much I missed Diesel.
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Kerry Von Erich
February 3, 1960
Happy Birthday to Marty Jannetty
February 3, 1962
Vince McMahon announced the XFL (eXtreme Football League)
February 3, 2000
XFL debuts with 10.3 rating on NBC
February 3, 2001
February 2, 2011
Chyna Wants to Teach in Japan
Former WWE Diva Chyna told TMZ.com that she is studying to become an English teacher in Japan. She has currently enrolled in language classes at UCLA in California.
Booker T Joins SmackDown Announce Team
Booker T debuted as the newest member of the Smackdown broadcast team at the tapings in Uniondale, Long Island, New York. Booker replaced Josh Mathews on commentary to join Michael Cole and Matt Striker.
Triple H Scheduled For Final Raw Before WrestleMania XXVII
Triple H is being advertised for an eight-man tag match in the main event of the scheduled WWE live event in Chicago on March 28th.
Hunter will team with Randy Orton, Edge and John Cena to face the combination of The Miz, CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio and Wade Barrett.
