This Day in Wrestling History

Alex Aberg draws with Ed "Strangler" Lewis at the Manhattan Opera House.
December 4, 1915

In a rather controversial segment, Rowdy Roddy Piper blamed Vince Russo for the death of Owen Hart live on NWA TNA's weekly PPV event.
December 4, 2002

Paul Heyman made his exit from World Wrestling Entertainment. Heyman was sent home from a Raw/ECW taping in North Carolina following a meeting with Vince McMahon, one day after the disastrous ECW December to Dismember Pay-per-view. Heyman was removed from the ECW Creative team, while a storyline reason for his departure was posted on WWE.com, stating Vince sent him home because: "The WWE Chairman cited slumping television ratings and a disgruntled talent roster as causes for Mr. Heyman's dismissal." Heyman had been portraying the heel "ECW Representative" on television.

The backstage story was that Vince McMahon was irate about how awful the PPV was and wanted to pin the blame on Heyman for it, despite many feeling that the poor PPV (which ended a half hour early) was the result of what the McMahons (Vince and Stephanie) booked for the show. Heyman was said to be unhappy with the way that the PPV was booked and backstage sources claim he voiced that concern both before the show began and after it. It was obvious that there were issues between Vince McMahon and Heyman because of the how the show played out on PPV, with everyone knowing it was a disaster.

A number of sources stated that a meeting was held around two o'clock with Heyman, Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon-Levesque. Heyman came out of the meeting and seemed like his normal self, with no one realizing what had just taken place. Shortly thereafter, Heyman gathered his things and left the building to go home.
December 4, 2006

Eddie Fatu, better known to WWE fans as Umaga, passes away.
December 4, 2009

partial source: pwinsider.com

Tyler Reks Debuts New Animated Series

Tyler Reks has debuted the first episode to his new YouTube animated series, MidCard Mafia, featuring characters voiced by himself, Curt Hawkins and Tyson Kidd. They all voice characters that are similar to their WWE personas.

Daniel Bryan Nominated for PETA Award

WWE is drawing attention to Daniel Bryan's vegan lifestyle in a positive light. The company announced Bryan has been nominated by PETA for the Most Animal-Friendly Athlete of 2011. Bryan is competing with MLB player Chase Utley, MMA fighter Jake Shields, and NFL RB Willis McGahee. WWE writes: "Bryan's animal-friendly vegan lifestyle caught the eye of the organization; apart from his strict diet, Bryan also spends time working with shelters to find homeless animals a place to live."

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source: pwtorch.com

Stephanie McMahon's Entry in CableFAX Magazine's "Most Powerful Women in Cable" Issue

Stephanie McMahon EVP, Creative, WWE
Industry veteran McMahon is the creative mind behind all WWE television and PPV programming, talent management and branding, as well as booking and marketing live events. She oversees the creation of scripted storylines, and character development for all WWE content, including the ever-popular “Monday Night Raw” and “Friday Night Smackdown.” Though she cites her three daughters as her greatest accomplishment, McMahon says her top professional accomplishment is yet to come—with the launch of the WWE Network in 2012. “It won’t feel like a true accomplishment until the network is live successful,” she says.

What WWE Does Behind The Scenes Cannot Be Overlooked

Former WWE wrestler Tommy Dreamer wrote a column for TheWhig.com on the good that WWE does. Dreamer wrote about the company's rehab program for current and former talent, the medical screening process, royalty checks, and Make-A-Wish work.

More?

Shawn Michaels eBook

On December 27th, WWE is releasing a Shawn Michaels EBook titled Diary of a Heartbreak Kid. Former WWE.com writer Craig Tello is listed as the co-author.

Update on the Chris Benoit Movie

SRG Films issued the following announcement on their planned film adaptation of the book "Ring of Hell":

"Crossface", a biographical thriller, delves into the pressures WWE superstar Chris Benoit faced throughout his wrestling career as the combination of drug-use, depression, and head trauma became increasingly impossible for him to handle. The true story made headline news in 2007 when Chris murdered his wife and young son before taking his own life.

SRG Films head Dale Alexander Carnegie is producing the film, while William Morris Endeavor (WME) is on board to package the project. Former Weinstein Company staffer, Sarah Coulter, turned in the first draft of the script in mid-October.

"All of us grow up believing that wrestling is fake, but looking at the shocking number of deaths in the industry, it quickly becomes evident that there is nothing fake about the dangers of this sport," Carnegie said. "Chris Benoit has become a poster child for everything that's wrong with professional wrestling and Sarah's terrific script captures his struggles and the many factors that led to the deaths of three people."

Coulter added: "People immediately point to steroids, never thinking about the brain trauma these wrestlers can, and do, incur in their profession, nor do they consider the rigorous schedule that keeps them working even when they shouldn t be. The Benoit story is one that needs to be brought into the light.

SRG Films, currently in talks with directors and actors, plans to begin filming in the fall of 2012.

Photo: Triple H at DeFranco's Gym

credit: joe defranco twitter

This Day in Wrestling History

Hulk Hogan defeated the Undertaker for the WWF(E) Heavyweight title.
December 3, 1991

"Macho Man" Randy Savage makes his debut on a live broadcast of WCW Saturday Night. Savage had been with WWF for well over a decade.
December 3, 1994

WWE Announces Launch Date for New YouTube Channel

On February 1, 2012, WWE is rolling out with a new WWE YouTube channel featuring exclusive, one of a kind videos from your favorite WWE Superstars and Divas. Get ready and subscribe today!

Vince McMahon & Others Headed to Afghanistan

Vince McMahon, Kofi Kingston, Brie Bella and Nikki Bella, among others, will be visiting troops in Afghanistan next week. Footage from the trip will air on WWE's annual Tribute to the Troops special.

Sara Del Rey Comments on Joining WWE and her Status with ROH

The Queen of Wrestling, Sara Del Rey, has revealed that ROH is hoping to launch a women’s division next year. Plus, the first ever SHIMMER Champion speaks about her “main focus and goal” which is to join WWE.

On her status with ROH: “I’d like to know as well! [Laughs] I have no idea. Once the Kings of Wrestling left, I understood I wasn’t going to be used for all the shows because mainly I was used in a managerial role. I knew that my presence would be limited in Ring of Honor. I think when I went to Japan a few months ago, I came back and I saw the new website and I was like, ‘Wow, that looks great!’ and then I went to the roster page and I was like, ‘Woah!’ It was just kind of a shock [to not see herself on there].”

On ROH looking to launch women’s division in 2012: “Right now, they’re really starting from scratch again just re-establishing the brand and the product with Sinclair. I’ve talked to them recently and they have hopes to start the women’s division up, hopefully next year sometime, and they definitely want to include me.”

Wanting to join WWE: “I haven’t been shy about saying that’s my next career goal [joining WWE]. I’ve been doing this nearly 11 years now and I just feel like that would be a very new, interesting challenge for me to be there. I’d love to be there and be a part of it. I think it’s awesome that the fans want to see it too. With the way storylines are going in WWE right now for the women, I think it’d be great. I’d fit in well with what’s going on now.”

“That’s my main focus and goal right now — just to get a shot [at WWE]. I’ve never done it. I don’t think I’ll be wrestling the rest of my life, so I’d like to do it before my wrestling career is over, so that’s my main my focus for the rest of 2011 and 2012.”