The Miami Herald interviewed current TNA star Jeff Hardy where he talks about his past issues and overcoming his demons. Below are the highlights:
How his problems started: “I really believe that people learn from examples and through problems themselves. OK, my brother [Matt] and myself, for example, we never drank. We never did drugs. Nothing. I was 21, 22, when I started drinking beer, in wrestling, and then it escalated.
“It’s easy to do. It’s easy to get addicted, but if you never start, you’ll never have to stop. That’s the best advice I can give anybody. I’m back to a place now where I was before, where I don’t need a pill to go paint a canvas. That’s my new fix is doing it again. It took a while to get there, but I’m here, and I’m a father now as well. That’s another huge inspiration in my life.”
How he overcame his demons:“”I’ve got my hardcore fans and I thank them so much for being there for me and not giving up on me… You look back and you go, ‘Why was I doing what I was doing?’ It takes a while, but after when you do sober up and months go by, you kind of look back. I was lost. I was like, ‘What the he## was I doing?’
“It’s crazy. Early remission was a great gift for me, and then it’s just been steady climbing. So the best advice to kids is do what you love. Also, never start [alcohol, drugs], and you’ll never have to stop.”
Being in TNA: “Everybody here in TNA, there’s so much talent here, and I’m so excited where these guys are going to go in the next 20 years. I’m thrilled to be able to help them now while I’m still good at my game. The future’s exciting, and it’s been great.”
January 14, 2012
Interview with Jeff Hardy
Update on WrestleMania at Cowboys Stadium
The Dallas Observer has a report online in regards to rumors of talks to bring Wrestlemania to Cowboys Stadium. Brett Daniels, a spokesman for the Dallas Cowboys, confirmed talks with WWE and that it wouldn't be happening in the next two years.
"We can't host WrestleMania the next two years because of NCAA Regional in '13 and Final Four in '14. We've talked with them and gave it a shot but couldn't make the schedule work."
WWE Cuts Deal with Zack Ryder Band
Luke Barry & Duane Doogan of the "Luke & Duane Show" announced they signed a deal with WWE on Friday to use their Zack Ryder YouTube series theme song on WWE television. The duo's song, "Just Take Care, Spike Your Hair (The Broski of the Week Song)" will now be appearing on future WWE programming for Ryder-related segments.
source: pwtorch.com
CM Punk UFC Appearance with Chael Sonnen Cancelled
C.M. Punk will not escort Chael Sonnen to the Octagon for his upcoming UFC fight in Chicago. Punk told MMAFighting.com that Vince McMahon decided against allowing Punk to appear at the January 28 event, which will be broadcast by FOX.
source: prowrestling.net
This Day in Wrestling History
Sean O'Haire & Chuck Palumbo defeat Kevin Nash & Diamond Dallas Page for the WCW Tag Team Titles. They would be the last official tag champions before WCW was bought out by the WWE.
January 14, 2001
January 13, 2012
Interview with Stephanie McMahon: What Did You Do Today?
The 35-year-old WWE Executive VP of Creative oversees a multimedia sports entertainment empire that includes USA's Raw (Mondays at 9 p.m.) and Syfy's Smackdown (Fridays at 8 p.m). Here's how one of the most powerful women in cable filled a recent Wednesday:
8:30 a.m. Review emails about Tuesday night's taping of SmackDown
"I had to catch up on last night's show, and went back and forth with some of the writers about what worked, what didn't work, what deviated from the script, and why. I also get a Trendrr report about what reactions were like on social networks on the Web."
10:30 a.m. Merchandise approval
"My husband [WWE Superstar Triple H] and I always take two of our daughters to school in the morning, then the first big meeting was about merchandise to make sure they line up with where we're going creatively. For one T-shirt, we go through between 5 and 10 designs, work with the talent, then have it available in about two weeks. It's a quick turnaround."
11:30 a.m. Check in with WWE Studios President Michael Luisi about the feature films No One Lives and The Day.
"We're in post production right now on a hardcore horror film called "No One Lives," which stars Luke Evans form "Immortals." We also talked about our plan to go to Sundance to see what we can acquire."
12:30 p.m. Update on programming for WWE Network with Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Wilson
"We're rolling out our own network in 2012. We're talking about a bunch of different programming ideas, but one that is already is pre-production is called "Legends House," which is a reality show that will put 8 to 10 Legends under one roof. Guys like [WWE pros] Roddy Piper, the Iron Sheik, and Dusty Rhodes. We want to make it the most interactive network in history. Even during a rerun of a show, there will be a live interactive component."
2:00 p.m. Writers meeting with Dad (and WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon)
"We have 16 writers, plus Vince. Today we talked about the Royal Rumble [which airs Jan. 29], and then we talked about WrestleMania. Vince--I always call him Vince when we're at work--is very open to listening and discussing different ideas, but once he makes his final decision, he's the boss."
3:30 p.m. One-on-one meeting with Vince
"Our one-on-one topic changes from week to week, and today it was about digital products. We've partnered with Youtube to launch original programming there, and we're also relaunching our website and introducing a new app."
4:30 p.m. Interview with EW
5:30 p.m. WrestleMania meeting
"My team talked about ways to get people engaged in our main event, which is the Rock against John Cena. We want fans to take sides and engage in virtual face-offs---think Team Edward versus Team Jacob."
6:30 p.m. Daily recap meeting with Director of Operations, Talent, Shawn Cogdill
"After going over the day's decisions and taking a look at ongoing issues, my husband and I left together at 7:15 p.m. Work didn't stop until about 10:30 p.m., though--that's when I was done reading scripts while doing cardio in my home gym."
source: entertainment weekly
This Day in Wrestling History
Vince Russo is fired from his job as WCW's head writer due to the lack of ratings and backstage heat he had with management
January 13, 2000
January 12, 2012
Rumor Mill - Locations of WrestleMania 29 & 30
Wrestlezone.com is reporting that WrestleMania 29 is going to take place at MetLife Stadium, home of the New York Giants and Jets football teams.
This will be the first time this venue has held a professional wrestling event. WrestleMania 29 will also beat the NFL to the punch of having a major event there because WrestleMania 29 will take place in late March or early April of 2013 and the NFL is going to hold the Super Bowl there in February of 2014.
This is reportedly a huge success for Vince McMahon as he is wanting to hold the first big event at MetLife stadium and set an attendance record before the Super Bowl takes place there.
WrestleMania 29 taking place at MetLife Stadium will also give the New York market a WrestleMania which has some significance because WrestleMania 30 is not going to be held in New York's Madison Sqaure Garden as tradition would have it. WrestleMania 30 is going to take place at the Dallas Cowboys stadium located in Arlington, Texas.
WrestleMania 30 will not be at MSG because WWE wants to stick with only having WrestleMania at stadiums from here on out. Madison Square Garden is expected to continue to get big pay-per-views like it did with Survivor Series this past year.
Future Mania Location Rumor - More to Triple H Attending NFL Practice?
There may be more to Triple H visiting New York Giants practice Wednesday, as PoptheCrowd.com reports Hunter was finalizing a deal to bring either WrestleMania 29 or 30 to MetLife Stadium, the new home of the Giants and N.Y. Jets. MetLife has been rumored for WM30 in 2014 to continue the pattern of WM1, WM10, and WM20 in the New York area market. Cowboys Stadium has been rumored for WM29 in 2013, especially after Edge was announced for this year's Hall of Fame to essentially cancel out Toronto for 2013, but Cowboys Stadium is hosting the NCAA College Basketball tournament, which could cause logistical issues.
source: pwtorch.com
