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July 7, 2011
Rumor Mill - Hulk Hogan Blames Vince Russo for Quality of Impact
According to a report by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, while making an appearance at the E3 convention to promote his new video game, Hulk Hogan was overheard blaming the quality of Impact Wrestling on Vince Russo when people or regular fans would say to him how bad the show was.
This Day in Wrestling History
Sting defeated Ric Flair for the NWA Heavyweight Wrestling title.
July 7, 1990
Ric Flair defeated Konnan for the WCW U.S. Heavyweight title.
July 7, 1996
Kevin Nash, Scott Hall & Hulk Hogan shock fans by forming the NWO at WCW's Bash at the Beach Pay Per View.
July 7, 1996
July 6, 2011
WWE Wrestlers Robbed in Cape Town
After flying a domestic flight from Johannesburg to Cape Town on Tuesday, the wrestlers found that their luggage had been broken into, with valuable items missing.
The series is currently on a tour of the country.
Randy Orton – popularly known as the Viper – tweeted in the early hours of this morning: “Landed in Capetown a few hours ago. Beautiful here. Too bad over half the roster had various items stolen out of they're checked luggage (sic).”
John Langford, chief operating officer of Big Concerts – the promoters of the tour – said when the luggage came off the carousel, the WWE bags had been broken into.
“The bags that had locks on them had been targeted,” he said. “They stole everything from watches to GPS [navigators] – things that had financial and sentimental value.”
Rumor Mill - Triple H Reaching Out For Undertaker's Help; Veteran Voice Needed in the Locker Room
WrestleZone has confirmed with two key WWE insiders that Triple H has personally reached out for The Undertaker in order to stem the tide of unrest that is obviously happening in the WWE locker room. "In the past few months, WWE has seen Jericho decide not to renew, Rey Mysterio announce he's considering not renewing, MVP decide not to renew, Punk decide not to renew and even lower card talent like Chavo Guerrero decide WWE is just not worth it. Something is going on here!" a key WWE insider told us this evening.
Apparently, Triple H feels that with 'Taker off the road, Shawn Michaels retired, and HHH himself now in the office, the locker room has a leadership void. "John Cena is obviously the leader of the Raw side, and Orton has stepped up behind the scenes on Smackdown," we were told by another key WWE insider, "but the veteran voice in the locker room is missing, and both (WWE Chairman) Vince (McMahon) and Triple H are trying to stop a trend that is definitely developing!"
HHH asked Taker to scout talent in the Florida developmental system recently, a task that has also been assigned to Good ol' JR Jim Ross and "X-Pac" Sean Waltman.
This Day in Wrestling History
Goldberg defeats Hulk Hogan for WCW World Championship.
July 6, 1998
Waldo von Erich passes away
July 6, 2009
July 5, 2011
Rumor Mill - WWE Major Heat On WWE Executive Over CM Punk's Contract Situation
Sources within WWE have exclusively revealed that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and Triple H are said to be very angry at talent relations executive John Laurinaitis over his failure to re-sign CM Punk. We have been told the heat on Laurinaitis is serious because this is seen as his second serious failure this year, with the failure to keep Chris Jericho on the roster falling on Laurinaitis’ shoulders as well.
One WWE source says “this is the same job JR had for years, and it’s a heat-magnet because you’re trapped between Vince’s expectations and the talents who want to break away from the brutal schedule.”
Another company source told us “Laurinaitis has made millions in salary and stock options. He’s expected to perform for that money, and produce results. Right now, he’s not getting done the job Vince expects of him!”
source: sescoops.com
GLAAD To Train WWE Talent After CM Punk's Anti-Gay Incident; WWE Spokesman Says CM Punk's Contract Is Expiring And He Will Not Be Re-Signed
GLAAD is in discussions with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) to train its on-air talent, including its performers, following another anti-gay outburst by a WWE personality over the 4th of July weekend.
At a live WWE event in Australia, wrestler CM Punk was caught on camera directing an anti-gay slur towards a heckler. While the show was not broadcast, that doesn’t excuse his remarks. On his Twitter account, the wrestler actually thanked the TMZ website for airing the video and apologized for what he’d said.
WWE told TMZ: “WWE does not condone this type of language or bias and we reinforce that with our talent who are independent contractors.”
As for how this fits in with our ongoing work with WWE, GLAAD provided training to members of WWE’s editorial staff and writing team in May, but because this event was not intended to be televised, and it took place during an unscripted interaction with the audience, none of the people we had already trained were involved. As a result, we are now in discussions with WWE to provide trainings to its on-camera talent, including the wrestlers themselves.
WWE officials also told GLAAD this morning that CM Punk’s contract will expire in a few weeks, he will not be immediately renewed, and he will no longer be with WWE as of July 18. A spokesperson told us “this departure is not part of a storyline. He is contractually leaving the organization.”
A spokesperson for the WWE told us “We are taking this very seriously.”
source: opposingviews.com
Claudio Castagnoli Comments on Possibly Signing with WWE
"I think I would prefer to go as a package with Chris Hero. But I would be comfortable working there on my own. We have a the unique ability to perform in a singles environment and in a tag environment. I think we definitely have very good chemistry and we have greater potential as a team."
"I think we could survive in the right circumstances. We have the tools to flourish in any wrestling company. We both have unique abilities to talk. Both Chris (Hero) and I are both really good singles wrestlers and tag wrestlers so I think we bring a lot to the table there. And the next step is to bring in actual teams (into the WWE) and not just two singles-wrestlers coming together. That's what's missing - actual teams that look alike and seem to have been a team for a long time."
source: right after wrestling
Ric Flair Responds To Claims He Didn't Appear At Live Event; Claims He Is Going After TNA World Title
After not appearing at Friday night's TNA BaseBrawl event in Brooklyn despite being advertised, Ric Flair appeared at Saturday's show in Asbury Park. Flair was claiming backstage that he was never told he would be appearing in Brooklyn before the live crowd, so that' why he didn't go out.
At the show in Asbury Park, Flair came out to cheers and asked why everyone was cheering him since he's the bad guy. Flair then talked about how he is on a mission to return to Impact and capture his first TNA World Title, no matter who he has to go through.
source: f4wonline.com
Backstage Look at a WWE Taping
PWInsider.com was sent the following from a man (who is remaining anonymous) that worked a recent SmackDown taping on the production staff. In it, he provides a very detailed look at what goes on backstage in terms of preparation and planning, and is a must read for wrestling fans wanting to learn more.
"I worked the production crew on the Smackdown taping last week and wanted to provide some insights:
First, Its not difficult to see why WWE wants to branch out and provide live event production for outside entities. Their crew is incredibly efficient, and the operation is unbelievable. The WWE crew is also very courteous and knowledgeable. The stage manager, a man named Jet steers the ship, and he does a hell of a job.
A man named Paul Jay (although it may have been Jay Paul, it was a long day) had his last day on the job. I was told that he is an extremely well respected audio engineer/producer. The entire crew, wrestlers included, serenaded him while "so long, farewell..." played on the PA. He was presented with a cake, which Triple H gently smashed in his face.
There were several talents that I did not recognize from either NXT, TE, or the FCW roster page that got significant time in the ring during the early rehearsal, so I am guessing they were locals who were getting private tryouts with the company. They all worked matches, which Nunzio refereed. Some of them looked pretty good. There was a guy with a blond mohawk with a decent look. There was also a tag team that called themselves the "Freak Squad". Their look was less than impressive.
Derek Niekirk's dark match with Johnny Curtis was not especially smooth. He was in great shape, though.
The segment with the MITB participants received a full and very thorough rehearsal. Those who got mic time read directly from scripts. Cody actually read his script completely in character, which made for humorous moments when he flubbed a line or misread something. You can tell that Daniel Bryan is uncomfortable with the whole scripted promo thing. The promos were either rewritten, or the wrestlers went off script, as they were different for the show.
Triple H was very involved in every aspect of this segment.
