Update on Abdullah the Butcher Hepatitis Lawsuit

MacLeans.ca featured a piece on the lawsuit brought against WWE Hall of Famer Abdullah the Butcher by Canadian wrestler Devon Nicholson (aka Hannibal), who has alleged that Abby passed on Hepatitis C by blading Nicholson without his consent.

According to the piece, Abdullah's lawyers recently filed a response in court, noting that Nicholson was the promoter of the event in question and Abdullah was simply following his orders.

Abdullah, who has yet to provide a blood sample to prove he doesn't have the disease, also noted that if he is carrying Hepatitis, it's because Abdullah caught it from Nicholson.

Abdullah was interviewed in the piece, noting that he believes he was targeted because it's well known he saved his money (he's notoriously cheap and will pull anything to squeeze an extra few dollars out of those he's working for) and is set up with his restaurant while others are not as lucky.

The article also noted that Abdullah is in line for a hip replacement, but has to drop 100 lbs. first and sometimes wakes up screaming at night from the pain he's in. Abdullah has been more or less immobile in the ring in recent years and walks with a cane. There is a lot on Abby's life in the piece as well.

Nicholson is also interviewed, noting that WWE is the only place he ever wanted to go and work and now that's over. He's working as a trainer and painted it as a terrible fate "filling water bottles and training fat people" while watching his friends all move on with their dreams and careers....More?

Title Belts Are The New Sports Bling

There’s nothing quite like it. The feel of 20-plus pounds of leather and metal, draped over the shoulder or tightly snug around the waist. It’s even wife-proof.

Sure, she’ll stroll into the family room, as you sit there watching television, feeling like a king in his throne. She’ll flash that look of disdain in your direction, pausing for a moment afterward to finally ask, “Why are you sitting on our couch with a championship belt on … what exactly are you the champion of?’’

Of course you have the answer. You’re the champ.

You hit the mute button on the flat screen, look her in the eyes, and calmly reply, “I’m the champ of being me.’’

Welcome to my mid-life crisis.

It’s all about “The Belt’’ these days. Or as the people at the WWE will constantly correct you on, “It’s a title. Belts are what you buy at the store to hold your pants up.’’ Semantics won’t change what’s going on in the culture of sports.

There’s Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who has done for the “Championship Belt Touchdown Celebration’’ what former Michigan great Desmond Howard did for the “Heisman Pose.’’ The gesture is simple, yet catchy. Rodgers scores? The hands drop down to his waist, and are pulled back simultaneously, gesturing to the crowd place belt here. Bears fans have seen it a few times, and might get another look at it on Sunday when the Packers travel to Soldier Field.

So when the Packers and Rodgers won Super Bowl XLV last season, what rested comfortably over the shoulder of Rodgers in almost every photo op? A championship title....More?

source: suntimes.com

WWE No Longer Showing Superstars Online

At least for now, WWE has discontinued airing the weekly Superstars show online due to low traffic. The show will continue to be taped for international distribution as part of WWE's international TV contracts. After a two-year run on WGN, the show was moved to WWE's website on Thursdays, but WWE has not released this week's episode and has removed virtually all references to Superstars on their website. The show will be kept alive for international distribution, but WWE said in their most-recent conference call with investors they would like to find a new TV home for Superstars by the end of the year. If not, the show will likely return on the WWE TV Network in 2012.

source: wrestlezone.com

Rumor Mill - WWE Trying to Get Mileage Out of Sin Cara vs Sin Cara Rivalry

According to F4Wonline and Wrestlezone, a match between the two Sin Cara's is being planned to take place at the Hell In A Cell ppv.

Apparently, this will not be a one time deal. WWE is expecting to "get some miles" out of rivalry and the entertainment the matches could provide. Sin Cara vs Sin Cara is also being advertised to take place when the WWE goes to Mexico City for SmackDown tapings.

WWE Considering A Cooking Show With Big Show & His Wife

WWE sent out a survey yesterday to seek fans interest on a potential cooking show with The Big Show and his wife Bess. The description of the show reads like this:

"How do you handle a hungry man? Just ask Bess Wight. Her husband is Paul “The Big Show” Wight, WWE Superstar and the world’s largest athlete! “Show” is seven feet tall and 425 pounds…

Bess is bodacious, beautiful, and one big time cook! And if you think The Big Show is tough, you haven’t met his wife! Bess and Show are about to give viewers an all-access pass into the controlled chaos that is their kitchen.

You’ll meet their friends, their families, and even some of Big Show’s fellow WWE Superstars – you never know who will stop by their house to whip up something delicious! Once you see this larger than life couple in the kitchen, we know you’ll be hungry for more!"

This Day in Wrestling History

Happy Birthday to Matt Hardy
September 23, 1974

Kurt Angle defeated Steve Austin for the WWF(E) Heavyweight title and Christian defeated Edge for the WWF(E) Intercontinental title.
September 23, 2001

IMPACT Wrestling Recap 09/22/11

DGUSA Star Works WWE Superstars Taping

Johnny Gargano of Dragon Gate USA worked the Smackdown taping last night, wrestling Brodus Clay on an episode of WWE Superstars.

Gargano, who is under contract to DGUSA, worked the taping with the blessing of the promotion. DGUSA has shown in the past they are willing to release contracted talent (Jon Moxley, who is now in WWE developmental as Dean Ambrose) if WWE wants to sign them.

CM Punk Discusses WWE Ice Cream Bars, Teases New Treats Coming

It looks like we might be getting some WWE ice cream bars soon but not from the company Good Humor. WWE's website features a new interview with Punk, talking about his new ice cream bar t-shirt and more. The shirt, which Punk wore this past weekend, is now available for pre-order on WWE's website.

He told WWE's website: "My inspiration for the shirt? I want the freakin’ ice cream bars back! I’m still working on that. But in the meantime, I’m going to keep shoving it down people’s throats. Because everyone likes ice cream, which goes in your mouth and then goes down your throat.

"You know what? There are other ice cream companies out there. Good Humor, we’re giving you a gift. We’re giving you an option here, and if you don’t want to take it, we will sell our wares elsewhere.

I love ice cream. What can I say? I’m a skinny fat-a**."

Late last night, Punk wrote the following on Twitter:

"My day of hustling is over. Many steps were taken to get ice cream bars. Now it's gym time. The future is bright and tastes like vanilla."

source: allwrestling.com

Ric Flair to Undergo Surgery

Sixteen-time world heavyweight pro wrestling champion Ric Flair learned Wednesday that he will have to undergo surgery next week for a torn left triceps.

Flair, 62, suffered the injury during a match with Sting last week on TNA’s weekly Impact show. Initially Flair was told that the injury was limited to a broken bursa sac in his left elbow.

“I thought it was getting better but the swelling just wouldn’t go away,” Flair said Wednesday night.

Flair, who was at Boston’s Fenway Park on Tuesday to throw out the first pitch and present Red Sox players Dustin Pedroia and Josh Reddick with replica TNA title belts, said the pain had increased in recent days. “When I threw Tuesday, the arm blew up to about twice the size of the other arm. It’s all black and blue.”...More?

source: postandcourier.com

This Day in Wrestling History

Owen Hart & Davy Boy Smith defeated the Smokin' Guns for the WWF(E) Tag Team title.
September 22, 1996

ECW interrupts a match at a WWF(E) In Your House PPV. The Sandman, Paul Heyman and Tommy Dreamer bought ring side tickets. The three are escorted out of the building after The Sandman spits beer on Savio Vega.
September 22, 1996

Rumor Mill - More on Vince Being Upset at RAW, Meeting Held with Staff

As noted before, Vince McMahon was apparently upset at Monday's RAW because Alberto Del Rio mentioned his name on TV. The mood at this week's RAW was described by some as the most negative environment they could recall. Vince McMahon was said to be in the worst mood.

Word is that Vince felt Del Rio gave away the end result of the Kevin Nash and John Laurinaitis storyline by mentioning him. Some say that Vince was in a bad mood before Del Rio name dropped him. It's said that Stephanie McMahon and Triple H both took more of the brunt from Vince this week than others, as did the agents, mainly Dean Malenko and Arn Anderson.

The writers had to do the usual script changes this week but sources say it was worse this week than most others.

Regarding the Mark Henry and Jerry Lawler angle, they went back and forth all day on whether or not to have Henry put Lawler trough the table. Shortly before RAW started, they made the decision to put him through it. The table was supposed to be gimmicked so it would break easier but because of the late decision, somehow the table wasn't gimmicked and Lawler was put through it the hard way.

Both Henry and Lawler were upset about the angle but Vince himself was said to be furious about it. After RAW ended, Vince called the agents and writers in for a meeting. Sources say Vince went into a "full-on red faced promo" where everyone felt they were being warned.

source: wrestling observer newsletter