WWE has hired a former Warner Bros. executive to the position of "Senior VP of Creative and Development," reports Variety.
The executive, Eric Pankowski, will oversee "TV Creative development," focusing on the current WWE TV product and developing new programs for the reality genre and aimed at kids.
Variety reports Pankowski will also "manage WWE's Creative writing teams" - under the supervision of executive Stephanie McMahon - and will oversee the sale and distribution of WWE's product to other networks, studios, and distributors.
"Eric is a creative veteran whose knowledge and experience will be a tremendous asset in both the creation of new WWE content as well as enhancing our core product," said Stephanie McMahon.
January 31, 2012
WWE Hires Executive to Oversee Creative Team, Will Also Develop New TV Shows; Stephanie McMahon Comments
Update on Kharma
WWE Diva Kharma gave birth to her child on December 31, according to TMZ. Kharma, who had been on maternity leave for nearly eight months, gave birth to a boy named Jamie and has been getting into ring shape over the past month.
Kharma and her wrestler fiance are set to tie the knot in June.
This Day in Wrestling History
Chris Benoit, Perry Saturn, Eddie Guererro and Dean Malenko show up on RAW. The group would be known as "The Radicalz."
January 31, 2000
January 30, 2012
The Undertaker Returned with his Sights Set on Triple H
As John Laurinaitis gave himself high job ratings, WWE COO Triple H came out to call the Interim GM a spineless backstabber. After making him sweat out what his fate would be – including hinting at a Gauntlet Match and joining the legendary Kiss My Ass Club – The Game said he was going “to do what needs to be done.” But before he could go any further with Laurinaitis' review, The Undertaker’s ominous gong sounded, announcing his dark presence.
source: wwe.com
Booker T To Release Autobiography - "From Prison to Promise"
Booker T will release an autobiography entitled From Prison to Promise. The book will focus on his life before the squared circle.
The synopsis reads: "As a six-time world champion, TV commentator, and holder of over thirty-five major titles in WWE, WCW, and TNA, Booker T. Huffman knows what it means to fight. He learned long before he entered the ring, when daily survival was a fierce battle.
"Booker T: From Prison to Promise details Huffman’s struggles from his youngest years. Losing his father at only ten months and his mother at only thirteen years old, Booker was forced along with his seven siblings to navigate life alone. Wrestling with hunger, poverty, and criminal influences, he struggled to survive in urban Houston and soon spiraled out of control, gravitating toward gang life and ultimately landing in prison.
"Finally confronting himself while incarcerated, Booker made a promise to rise above crime and hopelessness to accomplish greater things and become an agent of change in his community. From anonymity to stardom, from rags to riches, Booker T takes us on his journey From Prison to Promise . . . Now can you dig that, SUCKA?"
Booker T co-wrote the book with Andrew William Wright. It will be released via Medallion Press on September 1, 2012. It is available for order here.
Mike Tyson Being Inducted Into the WWE Hall of Fame
Mike Tyson can now boast that he's a member of not one, but two halls of fame -- because the legendary boxer is going to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame ... TMZ has learned.
Tyson will be inducted during the ceremony at American Airlines Arena in Miami, FL on March 31. As has become tradition, WrestleMania XXVIII takes place the following day.
Iron Mike tells TMZ, "I am honored to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. I was the youngest heavyweight champion of all time, but the most fun I ever had in the ring was with WWE."
Tyson's history with the WWE goes back to 1998 when, after a confrontation with Stone Cold Steve Austin on Monday Night Raw, Tyson served as special enforcer for the main event at WrestleMania XIV between Austin and Shawn Michaels (see above).
Tyson made his return to the WWE last year, when he hosted Monday Night Raw.
This Day in Wrestling History - Joe Stecher vs. Earl Caddock Draws 80,000 at MSG
Joe Stecher defeats Earl Caddock in New York City at Madison Square Garden. The show draws a gate of $80,000. Caddock takes home $15,000 and Stecher $25,000. This match pits Joe Stecher's claim of the World Championship against Caddock who had never truly lost the title and made one Undisputed World Champion in Stecher. The match is the oldest known wrestling match which still survives on film.
January 30, 1920
January 29, 2012
Kharma Makes her Return at the Royal Rumble
Kharma returned to WWE television as a surprise entrant during the Royal Rumble match making her only the third female in history to compete in the Rumble.
Kharma, who has been away since late May 2011 due to pregnancy, was eliminated by Dolph Ziggler. However, before her elimination, she managed to hit him with the Implant Buster.
source: diva-dirt.com
"WWE on YouTube" Announced
During tonight's WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event, it was announced that beginning this Wednesday, WWE and YouTube will be partnering up to show 9 special WWE-related original programs. This will be referred to as "WWE on YouTube."
The shows are: WWE Presents, Download, Outside the Ring, Santino's Foreign Exchange, Are You Serious?, Zack Ryder's "Z True Long Island Story," Backstage Fallout, WWE Inbox, and Superstar Toyz.
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
