Matt Hardy's arrest today in North Carolina has had immediate repercussions -- he's been DROPPED from TNA.
A rep for TNA tells TMZ, "TNA today released Impact Wrestling star Matt Hardy from its roster. Hardy was already under suspension from the company."
August 20, 2011
Matt Hardy Out of TNA Following DWI Arrest
Matt Hardy Arrested for DWI
Wrestling superstar Matt Hardy was arrested in North Carolina today for suspicion of driving while intoxicated ... TMZ has learned.
According to the Moore County Jail, Hardy was busted this afternoon by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol and released around 7:00 PM ET.
Hardy is currently part of Total Nonstop Action Wrestling, but made his name in the WWE.
According to the North Carolina State Highway Patrol, a trooper discovered Hardy after his 2009 Corvette ran off the road and struck a tree. Hardy was by himself at the time and did not suffer any injuries.
The trooper observed signs of impairment and arrested Hardy. He was charged with DWI and the trooper found no other contraband in the vehicle. Hardy submitted to a blood test, the results are pending.
Critic of WWE's Anti-bullying Campaign Issues Retraction and Apology
Lisa Wright, program director of the national non-profit organization Council for Unity, has issued a retraction and an apology regarding her criticism of the Be a STAR Alliance's anti-bullying campaign with WWE.
Wright wrote a letter earlier this week criticizing their campaign after receiving an e-mail concerning the numerous "fat jokes" being directed towards performer Vickie Guerrero on television. She asked how the organization's partnership with WWE fits their mission to show tolerance and respect since professional wrestling consists of name calling and threats culminating in violence. She concluded her letter by requesting the removal of the Council for Unity from the Be a STAR Alliance website's list of organization affiliates. Wright, however, has since rescinded her request and issued an apology to WWE and the Be a STAR Alliance:
Yesterday, a letter that I had written, that was never intended to be made public, was. In the letter about my perceptions regarding the alliance between the Be a Star Alliance and the WWE with regard to bullying prevention, it was never my intention to disparage the Be a STAR Alliance, the WWE, the wrestlers or their many fans.
After careful consideration and research on my part, plus some intelligent feedback from some of the loyal fans of WWE, I realize that perhaps I reacted too harshly and without enough information. I have been reminded that the important issue is the prevention of bullying and the protection and support of those that have been victimized by it. Ultimately, my own actions, intended or no, have had a negative impact.
In the spirit of tolerance and understanding, which I have been reminded I must practice as well as preach, I hereby offer an apology to the Be a STAR foundation and the WWE. I also wish to rescind my request that my organization be removed from the Be a STAR Alliance website. There are often many ways to reach a goal; the important thing is that we support each other on our journey.
Again, I sincerely apologize.
Lisa Wright
Injury Update on Rey Mysterio
According to a new report by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Rey Mysterio blew out his knee during his match with Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Championship on Raw in San Diego. Mysterio reportedly felt the knee tear during a baseball slide spot. We are told Mysterio was unable to walk at all backstage following the match, with many feeling he shouldn't have been wrestling in the first place. Mysterio stated on Twitter on Wednesday that he underwent an MRI and would make the results known soon. Prowrestling.net had reported earlier in the week that Mysterio would not have to undergo surgery. The belief is that he will be out of action for the next few months.
Rumor Mill - WWE Executive Out
From pwinsider.com:
Numerous sources have sent word that Brian Kalinowski, who was WWE's Executive Executive Vice President of Digital Media, departed the company this week. Kalinowski had been with WWE from 2007 on.
John Morrison Plays Name Association With Melina, CM Punk, Triple H & Vince
During a recent interview with the London Free Press, RAW superstar John Morrison was asked to play the "name association game" and had this to say about the following WWE personalities:
CM Punk: “Opinionated.”
Triple H: “Ambitious, yet unproven.”
Randy Orton: “Bad Ass. It’s tough to sum him up with one word. He’s an anomaly. It seems as if he did everything a certain way because of who he is. But he’s charismatic. And he’s entertaining to watch. You can’t deny that.”
The Miz: “Really, really loud and annoying. Yet deceivingly loyal to his friends.”
Melina: “The most talented diva ever to be employed by WWE. She’s got charisma and sex appeal. But the main thing that sets her apart is she makes people feel when she’s in the ring ... whether she’s angry, happy, surprised or pissed off. Whatever she feels, the audience feels that.”
Vince McMahon: “A supertalented workaholic. Micromanager. A perfectionist who expects the same from his employees.”
Triple H...unproven? Really?
This Day in Wrestling History
Bret Hart returns to the ring for the first time after the untimely death of his brother Owen. Bret defeated Hulk Hogan by DQ at a WCW house show.
August 20, 1999
August 19, 2011
CM Punk Asked If He Can Escape a Feud with Triple H "Undamaged"
Former WWE Champion CM Punk recently appeared on Mark Madden's radio show in Pittsburgh. Madden asked Punk if he was headed for a feud with Triple H and if he was, could he escape that feud "undamaged."
"That's a fantastic question," Punk said. "And I'm not so sure that's where we're headed. I guess that's the $64,000 question. Everybody immediately assumes based on past experiences and past TV shows that this is what's going to happen. 'Punk's going to get buried.' That's one of those things, Mark, I hate to give you this answer but you have to wait and see. Is there a way I can escape that undamaged? Absolutely. Unless we're doing things we were doing 10 years ago and we don't really care about the future of the business. Because let's be honest, the future of the business is in jeopardy right now. If we want to make the same mistakes, then I'm obviously speaking out against it. But if we do make those same mistakes, I don't know if there's going to be a business in 30 years."
WWE Tag Team Division Lacks Focus
On Monday, the announcing duo of Jim Ross and Jerry "The King" Lawler pointed out the blandness of the current WWE tag team division on RAW, as tag team champions David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty squared off against Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston in a non-title match. Their criticisms are dead on.
"David Otunga and Michael McGillicutty are WWE tag team champions for quite some time and I'm just waiting for these guys to do something big, something special. I mean really excite people," said Lawler. "I know they are champions and you know what ... I mean ... they're just ... I don't know ... it's like the bland leading the bland up there. I want these guys to do something. I want them to excite me."
The commentators, including Michael Cole, went on to give their take on the two participating tag teams.
"I think that Bourne and Kingston could make a very good team if they are regular partners, get some dynamic, chemistry, development," said Ross. "I think that Otunga and McGillicutty could use some stiff competition for the WWE tag team titles and quite frankly I haven't seen that occurring on a regular basis."
"I'd like to see them (Otunga and McGillicutty) put their titles at stake a little more often," Lawler added, which good ol' JR agreed with. Bourne and Kingston would go on to win the match in exciting fashion and JR closed out the segment by saying, "Well maybe business will pick up now in the tag team division. Give Bourne and Kingston a title opportunity; let's heat this tag team division up."
It was almost obvious that JR and Lawler were poking at an idea for the WWE to re-focus some attention on the tag team division; inject some energy and money into the division, make it successful once again...More?
source: slam wrestling
TNA Signs Five New X-Division Talents to Deals
TNA has officially signed X-Division talents Mark Haskins, Zema Ion, Jesse Sorensen, Anthony Neese and Kid Kash to new deals.
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
