IMPACT Wrestling Recap 12/15/11

WWE Bring it Back!: Evolution

The classy suits, the fast-moving party atmosphere, the unbridled ruthlessness, the past, present and future of the squared circle. What was must be again. WWE.com calls for the return of Evolution.

It seemed to be a moment of sheer destiny, the natural progression of all that had come before it. During a 2003 episode of Raw, the WWE Universe stood witness as “the past” – 16-time World Champion Ric Flair – joined forces with “the present” – one of the top grapplers in the game Triple H – and “the future” – then up-and-coming Superstars Randy Orton and Batista. Together, they formed Evolution and instantly grew into one of the most dominant WWE factions of all-time...More?

WWE Superstars Results 12/15/11

Hulk Hogan Gets Ripped for No-Showing Interview

Hulk Hogan was described as being ripped pretty badly for no-showing the Steve Czaban show on Yahoo! Sports Radio. The Wrestling Observer reports that Hogan was buried on the air and was scheduled to promote his new video game. The hosts instead decided to push the new WWE '12 video game. At the end they thanked Hogan for the great interview.

Update on Road Dogg Jesse James in WWE

BG James has changed his Twitter handle to @WWERoadDogg. Regarding his new job as Producer with WWE, James will be working behind-the-scenes at all television and pay-per-view events.

source: allwrestling.com

More on Chris Hero to WWE

Regarding Chris Hero joining WWE, it's said that some kind of medical issue has held up WWE signing him to a developmental contract. He's expected to sign eventually.

source: f4wonline.com

Triple H's Changes Regarding FCW

WWE’s developmental system is on the verge of undergoing some major changes in the coming months – and it all has to do with how WWE calls up their talent to the main roster.

Recruiting talent is not an issue at this point – as Florida Championship Wrestling currently features one of its best rosters ever. Triple H’s latest inititive is not to bring developmental talent to the main roster until the WWE creative team has a character in mind for them and a long-term idea of how to use them. On many occasions, WWE has called up wrestlers without properly introducing them or having an angle for them.

Matt Matalaro, who has been working hands-on in FCW including as an announcer, is now working at WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT with the creative team. His role is to help coordinate debuts and new characters being called up.

source: wrestling observer

WWE Tribute to the Troops TV Rating

WWE's Tribute to the Troops special on the USA Network did a 1.92 cable rating with 2,767,000 viewers. Last night's show did hours of 1.9 and 1.94. Viewership actually increased from hour one to hour two.

source: allwrestling.com

CM Punk says he has "a lot of work to do" to "fix" WWE, fires another shot at Rock, defends Cena, and more

WWE star CM Punk appeared on the Mickey, Amelia, & Spiegel show on 98 Rock Baltimore and discussed several topics. Among the highlights:

Punk on changes in WWE: "I recognize I still have a lot of stuff left to do. People need to get comfortable at the idea that stuff doesn't happen overnight. I'm in this for the long haul, and I'm such a student of the game. I actually care so much, I'm not looking at tomorrow for everything to be different and better, I'm looking 10 years from now."

Punk on the Rock: "I don't know Dwayne personally. I'm glad he's back. He came back for Survivor Series, some more people watched the show, and they watched me become the man and watched me steal the show. So, it's a business thing, but whatever industry you're in, if that happens...I'm pissed off that I'm on the only one pissed off. It's like, 'Come on guys, don't you have any pride in what you do? You're just gonna let this guy come in [and steal the show]?"

Punk defending John Cena: "No, here's the thing. I think John Cena is tremendous. I think Cena doesn't gets the credit for how hard he works. I said it in the promo I cut in Vegas, 'I don't dislike you, John, I dislike this idea that you're the best and you're afforded all of these opportunities.'...I don't hate John at all. He's actually one of my favorites guys to get in the ring with."

source: prowrestling.net

Why is he using Triple H's catch phrase? Student of the game...

WWE Stars Release Anti-Bullying PSA

WWE stars working with the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) have released an “Amplify Your Voice” PSA designed to encourage young people to take a stand against all forms of bullying, and in particular anti-LGBT bullying.

The PSA, which was produced with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), features WWE Superstars and Divas Eve Torres, Kelly Kelly, Alicia Fox, Sheamus and Kofi Kingston.

“Tides continue to shift as more and more athletes, celebrities and sports leagues speak out in support of equality for everyone,” said Mike Thompson, Acting President of GLAAD, in a statement. “By taking a stand against anti-LGBT bullying, WWE is sending a clear message that homophobia is unacceptable both in and outside of the ring.”

GLAAD began working with WWE earlier this year after the group raised concerns on behalf of the LGBT community regarding wrestler John Cena’s (always in-character) homophobic taunts. These taunts included references to the film Brokeback Mountain, to insinuating an opponent was a “fairy,” and that an opponent needed to be taught how to be a man.

Given that WWE had, at the time, recently started promoting itself as PG-rated entertainment, and that a large part of its fan-base is adolescent males, the concern was this kind of example could lead impressionable viewers to think it is acceptable to bully others on the basis of their perceived or actual sexual orientation.

GLAAD has since met with talent and editorial staff to discuss LGBT inclusion and the harms of anti-LGBT language.

Other celebrities to have participated include NBA Legend Shaquille O’Neal, Russell Simmons, Vinny Guadagnino, Rev. Al Sharpton, Amy Poehler, Rashida Jones, Chaz Bono, Tori Spelling, Naya Rivera, Mario Lopez and Dustin Lance Black, among several others

source: care2.com

Interview with Wade Barrett

This Day in Wrestling History

The most important figure in the history of professional wrestling in Japan, Rikidozan, dies of complications from a stab wound suffered on December 8th at the age of 38. Rikidozan, who debuted in 1951, helped to popularize professional wrestling in post-WWII Japan, and would train Antonio Inoki and Giant Baba, who would become two of the most influential and powerful individuals in Japanese wrestling. While it was thought that Rikidozan, whose Japanese name was Mitsuhiro Momota, was born in Nagasaki, Japan, in truth he was Korean. Because Koreans were heavily discriminated against in Japan, his real background was kept secret, not being revealed until long after his death. Rikidozan's final match was on December 7th, teaming with Great Togo & Michiaki Yoshimura to battle The Destroyer, Buddy Austin & Illio DiPaolo to a draw. Stories of what happened the night Rikidozan was stabbed are cloudy, with legend and fact often getting mixed up. He was stabbed in a nightclub and allegedly it was by a member of the Yakuza, the Japanese Mafia. However, stories have circulated for years that he beat up his attacker and partied into the night before going to the hospital, which is why the wound got infected and ended up killing him. Obviously, there are many that doubt that account of the stabbing.
December 15, 1963

Dory Funk Jr. and Terry Funk wrestled a legendary match against Abdullah The Butcher and The Sheik in Japan. The match turned the Funks fan favourites in Japan because of the extreme violence.
December 15, 1977

A tribute show to Stu Hart was held in Calgary, Alberta, Canada at the Calgary Corral, the site of many Stampede Wrestling shows.
December 15, 1995

Triple H defeated Shawn Michaels in a two-out-of-three falls match in 38:30 to capture the Raw World Title.
December 15, 2002

partial source: pwinsider.com