WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin detailed the origins of his Stone Cold Stunner finisher in a new blog on BrokenSkullRanch.com . Austin noted Michael P.S. Hayes came up with the concept in 1996, with inspiration from current executive/on-air authority figure John Laurinaitis, who was using the Ace Crusher in Japan. Austin also endorsed Hayes and the Fabulous Freebirds for eventual WWE HOF induction.
Austin concluded his story, "I don’t know how many Stunners I’ve dealt out in my career. There were some nights when my back was so torched the last thing I wanted to do was jump up in the air and land on my ass…BUT…After getting beat like a drum for a good portion of my career, no matter how bad I was feeling…I NEVER B!TCHED ABOUT HAVING TO GIVE A STUNNER. The setup kick…The Stunner…The explosion from the fans in attendance…Damn what a way to make a living!"
source: pwtorch.com & brokenskullranch.com
March 11, 2012
Origin of the Stone Cold Stunner
March 10, 2012
WWE Changing Up Presentation at House Show Events
According to a report filed to PWInsider.com, WWE is continuing to change up the live event experience at house show events. As last night's 3/9 Raw event in Toronto, the show opened with the usual Monday Night Raw intro and featured backstage footage of John Cena and Chris Jericho hyping matches later in the night. They also did a deal where if fans purchased Dolph Ziggler's new t-shirt, they would get the opportunity to get an autograph and pose for photos with Ziggler.
This Day in Wrestling History
The Assassins (Jody Hamilton and Tom Renesto) defeat Skandor Akbar and Swede Karlson to win the Tri-State NWA United States Tag Team Title in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
March 10, 1967
Yukiko Tomoe defeats The Fabulous Moolah for the NWA World Women's Title in Osaka, Japan, ending Moolah's second reign.
March 10, 1968
Ernie Ladd, one of the first black wrestlers to rise to prominence in the United States, died in Franklin, Louisiana at age 68 after a three-year battle with cancer. Nicknamed as "The Big Cat", Ladd was one of many athletes to venture off the football field and into the squared circle. Ladd, a defensive tackle at Grambling State University, was drafted by the American Football League's San Diego Chargers in the first round of the 1961 draft, and he played in the AFL for eight seasons with the Chargers, Houston Oilers and Kansas City Chiefs, including a 1963 championship with the Chargers. At 6 feet, 9 inches tall, and 315 pounds, Ladd was arguably the biggest and strongest man in not just the AFL, but all of professional football during his career. He was inducted to the Chargers Hall of Fame in 1981. Ladd made his wrestling debut in 1961, wrestling during the football off-season, and became one of wrestling's most hated heels during the 1970s, and had feuds throughout the years with André the Giant, Paul Orndorff and The Junkyard Dog. He won titles all over the country: in Florida, Georgia, Texas, New York, Los Angeles, and in Mid-South, where the majority of his title wins took place. Ladd was inducted to the WCW and WWF Halls of Fame in 1994 and 1995, respectively.
March 10, 2007
March 9, 2012
Conn. lawyer gets probation for bomb threat at GOP fundraiser attended by Linda McMahon
A Connecticut lawyer has avoided prison time for calling in a bomb threat to a 2010 Republican fundraiser attended by U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon.
The New Haven Register reports (http://bit.ly/xH0MJA) that a Superior Court judge granted accelerated rehabilitation Thursday to 70-year-old James Byrne of Madison. The program for first-time offenders charged with less-serious crimes results in charges being dismissed after the successful completion of probation.
Authorities say Byrne called police in September 2010 to report a bomb at the Madison home of Tom and Eileen Banisch, who were hosting a political gala featuring McMahon. The threat forced the evacuation of the house,
Prosecutors say Byrne and Tom Banisch were involved in a dispute while both were on the Republican Town Committee.
Byrne apologized for the incident in court Thursday.
source: therepublic.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Nikita Koloff
March 9, 1959
The Road Warriors, Animal and Hawk, make their Japan debut in Tokyo. They are an instant sensation.
March 9, 1985
Immediately after the SmackDown taping, Brock Lesnar abruptly quit the WWE but agreed to work his scheduled match at WrestleMania.
March 9, 2004
March 8, 2012
WWE Stock Nears 52-Week Low
WWE's stock price nearly hit a 52-week low on Thursday. The stock, which has steadily declined since WWE reported fourth quarter and year-end results two weeks ago, reached as low as $8.78 on Thursday, close to the 52-week low of $8.67. The stock eventually rebounded slightly to a closing price of $8.90. The closing price two weeks ago on financial reporting day was $9.40.
source: pwtorch.com
Man Charged With Stealing $50K From WWE
A Tennessee man was extradited to Stamford this week and charged with stealing more than $50,000 from a World Wrestling Entertainment bank account.
James Dewayne Bass, also known as Kelly Monique, 34, of Prospect, Tenn., was charged with first-degree larceny and four counts of second-degree forgery.
During an arraignment hearing Thursday, Stamford Superior Court Judge Robert Genuario set Bass' bond at $50,000 and continued the case until March 22. Genuario transferred the case to the Part A docket, where more serious crimes are heard. The judge set bail without prejudice, which allows Public Defender Howard Ehring to argue for a lower bond amount at a later date.
Stamford Police Sgt. Peter diSpagna said the arrest stemmed from a complaint by a WWE attorney, who called in November to complain that $50,816 had been taken out of a company account and the majority used to buy merchandise and services over the internet or by phone.
Nigel McGuinness Attempting DVD Release On Why He Quit Wrestling
Former TNA/ROH wrestler Nigel McGuinness (Desmond Wolfe) is attempting to release a DVD documentary explaining his pro wrestling journey and why he quit wrestling related to his health issues. McGuinness has launched a fundraiser through Kickstarter.com to raise funds to produce, edit, and distribute the DVD.
"Moving on from wrestling is the toughest decision I have ever had to make. I am looking to get the funding, not only to make the documentary, but also to learn the skills to be able to explore other avenues beyond the ring in the future," McGuinness says about why the doc is important to him. "More than this though, I think it's a story everyone will enjoy and learn from. I know I did."
source: pwtorch.com
March 7, 2012
