May 4, 2011
TNA iMPACT! Renamed to Impact Wrestling
It was announced during the TNA Impact taping on Tuesday that there has been a name change to "Impact Wrestling," according to Dot Net readers Michael Sanregorio and Ernie Cruz. Dot Net has confirmed that the name change is for the Impact television show, not the entire company.
source: prowrestling.net
This Day in Wrestling History
Henri Deglane defeats World Champion Ed "Strangler" Lewis by disqualification in Montreal, Canada after allegedly being bitten by Lewis. Deglane then claims the Paul Bowser recognized American Wrestling Association World championship and it splits off from the main line of World champions. This match has become legendary with many speculating that Deglane actually bit himself in the locker room between falls and then hid the bite until the match restarted thus getting the DQ win over Lewis.
May 4, 1931
It was announced by Vince McMahon that Andre the Giant had suffered a broken ankle. The injury was blamed on Killer Khan, setting up a series of grudge matches after Andre recovered. WWE maintained ownership of the giant cast used to set the ankle and often displays it at their annual AXXESS events.
May 4, 1981
During an edition of Smackdown in Tucson, Arizona, Jacquelyn (aka Jackie Moore) answered an open challenge from WWE Cruiserweight Champion Chavo Guerrero, defeating him with a low blow inside of three minutes to win the Cruiserweight Title, the first woman to do so since the belt became a WWE property.
May, 4, 2004
WWE publicly confirmed they were bringing the ECW brand back as a full-time entity and were signing talents to deals with the brand slated to debut at the June 2006 One Night Stand PPV.
May 4, 2006
The Necro Butcher's scene with Mickey Rourke in "The Wrestler" where they brandish a staple gun in the midst of their hardcore CZW match was nominated for the very dignified "WTF Moment" MTV Movie Award. The scene did not win, but was one of many notable mainstream media mentions for Butcher that year, including a shout-out during the Academy Awards.
May 4, 2009
Following a less than stellar run on Monday Nights, SpikeTV issued a press release that TNA Impact would be returning to Thursdays on 5/13/10. “The fans have spoken and with their input we have determined the best timeslot to maximize the TNA audience is on Thursday nights where we are confident it will be among the most-watched shows with young men,” said Brian J. Diamond, senior vice president, sports and specials for Spike TV, in the release, which also announced the addition of Reaction, a well produced series that followed up on Impact's developments. Reaction ended up running several months and in some weeks, was better than Impact.
May 4, 2010
partial source: pwinsider.com
May 3, 2011
Triple H Comments on the WWE Name Change
Triple H had the following to say regarding the recent WWE name change to Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun:
"See, here's the thing. I think a lot of people misunderstand what we're saying. When we say we're just going to be 'WWE' now and not 'World Wrestling Entertainment,' I think people think we're walking away from our core product. That's not it all," He said.
He added: "We just do so many things very well. We're a live event production company that does live events probably better than anyone else on the globe...We do live event touring probably better than anyone else in the world. We do merchandising and marketing as well, if not better, than anyone else in the world. There are abilities for us to take those core competencies and offer them to the outside world in addition to what we do."
Hulk Hogan's Lawsuit Against Wells Fargo Dismissed
TBO.com is reporting that a Pinellas county judge has dismissed Hulk Hogan's lawsuit against Wells Fargo Southeast. Hogan's claim was the insurance company didn't advise him that he was inadequately covered. Hogan had to pay out of pocket for a settlement with John Graziano's family due to lack of coverage. Graziano suffered severe brain damage following an August 2007 car accident in which Hogan's son, Nick, was the driver.
The insurance company provided proof that they did indeed notify the Hogan's that they should increase their coverage. They sent them letters in 2000, 2002, 2005, and 2007. Hogan's ex-wife, Linda, who was in charge of the couple's finances, declined each notification...More?
Rumor Mill - Kurt Angle's 'Mistress' Revealed
ProWrestling.net is reporting that Joanie "Chyna" Laurer is going to debut at tonight's Impact tapings as Kurt Angle's mistress. Laurer appeared in WWE from 1996 to 2001 and has not been on wrestling since then.
Rumor Mill - Triple H Behind Sin Cara's Move to SmackDown
WrestlingNewsWorld.com is reporting that it was Triple H, head of talent development for the company, who wanted Sin Cara moved from Raw to Smackdown. Triple H made the call to move Sin Cara from Raw to Smackdown in last week's WWE Draft. Hunter felt that Sin Cara would do better on the taped show until he gets more comfortable adjusting to the new WWE style of wrestling. Apparently Hunter has accepted Sin Cara's eventual role as Rey Mysterio's replacement; however, it is going to take some time and will not be an instant transition.
Rumor Mill - Backstage Update on Triple H
Wrestlezone.com is reporting the follwoing:
"The locker room dynamic is much different now than even six months ago, as HHH is gaining popularity in his role as liason between the talent and Vince. The wrestlers feel HHH understands things from a talent perspective, and that's winning him a lot of points. He also advises the wrestlers on how they can solve problems with Vince, so HHH in many ways has become what's he's always wanted to be ... the top dog in the locker room and in the office."
May 2, 2011
Highspots.com vs. Ric Flair Lawsuit Update
In an update on the Ric Flair vs. Highspots.com legal issue, Flair still has not made his agreed upon payment to Highspots and is by the letter of the law, is now in contempt of court for failing to adhere to a binding court ruling. Highspots can now petition the Court of Mecklenburg County for additional legal remedies in order to get Flair to adhere to their settlement agreement, including jail time or garnishing his wages.
Former NFL Player Dave Duerson Suffered From Brain Damage
Dave Duerson, a former NFL player who committed suicide in February, had ''moderately advanced'' brain damage related to blows to the head, according to the researcher who made the diagnosis...More?
source: foxsports.com
Michelle McCool Gone From WWE
Michelle McCool is gone from WWE after losing a Loser Leaves WWE Match to Layla last night at Extreme Rules. Khamrma, the wrestler formerly known as Awesome Kong, made her WWE television debut immediately following McCool’s defeat and laid out the multi-time champion with an Implant Buster. In an indication as to why she’s leaving WWE, McCool revealed to WWE.com that she’s endured a slew of injuries the past two months:
“My foot has been injured for two months now, broken toe, torn joint capsules, torn MCL. I took a good beating by Layla and Kharma, too. I know I’ll be feeling it tonight, tomorrow and probably the next day,” McCool said. “But I’ll wear it with pride.”
McCool was introduced to the WWE audience in 2004 as a competitor in the inaugural Diva Search. Although the former school teacher lost the competition, WWE signed her to a contract in November of that year. She had been wrestling ever since.
“I’ve been doing this for six years now. Love me or hate me, I hope the WWE Universe can respect that night in and night out, I’ve given it my all,” McCool tearfully said. “This is definitely emotional, and I’m sure it’ll be like that for awhile.”
While McCool hopes to see her fans again, it won’t be in the ring.
“Thank you for the love and the hate. Thank you for being you and for watching. Hopefully I’ll see you around – not in the ring – but maybe someday.” She echoed similar comments on Twitter, writing, “Thx for the love guys….I know there will always be rumors, but that was it – real talk! @mslayel ….nothing but luv 4 u! Luv u all…nite!”
Rumor Mill - Kurt Angle's 'Mistress' Revealed
As seen on TNA iMPACT! in recent weeks, the company has added a new twist to the ongoing Kurt Angle, Jeff Jarrett, and Karen Jarrett storyline following the TNA Lockdown pay-per-view.
According to a source, current plans call Isis The Amazon, or Aloisia, to be revealed as Angle’s “mistress” in the coming weeks. This is the same woman who tried out for WWE several months ago. WWE opted not to sign her after several photos surfaced online showing her nearly nude.
Isis The Amazon recently made an appearance in a dark match prior to an iMPACT! taping in Orlando, FL. TNA sources described her as 'sloppy' and 'green' but obviously liked her look.
source: allwrestling.com
