Monday night, an unreliable online news source published an erroneous report that WWE was shutting down operations of our developmental facility, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). In order to set the record straight, WWE.com interviewed WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent, Paul Levesque (also known as WWE Superstar Triple H) to address this issue.
“It is absolutely not true. FCW is not closing,” Triple H said. “I don’t know how the rumor started but I believe it’s a situation where the ‘dirt sheets’ want to believe they have the scoop on everything. If anything, we are in the process of ramping up our entire developmental system. It’s the lifeblood of our company. It’s what feeds our future and in no way are we going to close it down.”
Levesque also addressed plans to relocate training or FCW TV tapings out of its home of Tampa, Fla.
“There are plans in the works, but nothing definitive I can discuss right now,” he said. “Shortly after WrestleMania, there will be a major announcement about our developmental system.”
He continued, “WWE’s developmental system is being revamped, not shut down. If anything, it’s going to get bigger and better than ever. WWE Developmental cultivates the future talent of WWE. By no means is it going to get smaller or shut down.”
March 20, 2012
WWE EVP Triple H Refutes False Reports of FCW's Closing
Steve Keirn Says There Is “No Truth” To FCW Shutting Down Rumor
Florida Championship Wrestling President Steve Keirn responded via email this morning to rumors regarding WWE shutting down the Tampa-based promotion. Keirn replied with the following quote:
There is no truth to the rumor we are at school today training and the WWE will respond to this to clear it up. Thank you for your concern. SK
News broke late last night/early this morning when WWE informed their local TV affiliate, the Bright House Network, they were pulling the series effective immediately. The initial word was that the remaining programming taped would air but the series would end in three weeks.
WWE Developmental Shakeup
According to F4Wonline.com, WWE officials notified television partner Bright House Network Monday that they have opted to cease their affiliation with the Florida based sports network because they are shutting down Florida Championship Wrestling effective immediately.
FCW programming, which was taped last Thursday in Tampa, Florida, will cease to air on the network in three weeks.
Everyone involved with Florida Championship Wrestling will relocate to WWE's home location of Stamford, Connecticut, until a further decision regarding the developmental programs future is announced.
WWE employees reportedly have been given the impression that a developmental promotion will ultimately open in Connecticut with the possibility of a second at an undetermined location.
The promotion was started by former wrestler Steve Keirn in 2007 to be WWE's second developmental promotion when they ended their relationship with the Georgia-based Deep South Wrestling in early 2007. It became their only developmental promotion in early 2008 when they ceased any affiliation with Ohio Valley Wrestling.
partial source: wrestlezone.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to:
Ronnie Garvin - March 20, 1944
Sting - March 20, 1959
After losing to his brother Owen earlier in the show, Bret Hart goes on to defeat Yokozuna for the WWF(E) Title in the main event of WrestleMania 10.
March 20, 1994
Big John Studd died of Hodgkin's disease at 46.
March 20, 1995
March 19, 2012
Rumor Mill - Identity of Lord Tensai
WWE began airing vignettes on tonight’s Raw Supershow for a new character with a Japanese-like gimmick named Lord Tensai.
Tensai is actually Matthew Bloom and his signing was a topic of conversation backstage at this weekend’s live events. Bloom has spent the past six years with New Japan Pro Wrestling working as Giant Bernard and was in WWE during the Attitude Era as A-Train.
Bloom denied over the weekend he had signed with WWE.
source: wrestlingnewsworld.com
Oklahoma Lifts WWE Ban
Jim Ross wrote on Twitter that WWE's issues with the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission have been resolved and that the scheduled October TV tapings in Tulsa and Oklahoma City would take place as scheduled. We haven't heard anything further but it may be that Oklahoma made WWE exempt from their decision to cancel combat sports events.
source: pwinsider.com
Kevin Nash: Taker and Triple H Aren't Done Yet
Nash — who is close friends with both grapplers — gave SunSport a call to preview this year's Mania, which will be held in Miami.
And the match that was most on his mind was the one that pits his best pal Triple H — real name Paul Levesque — against Mark Calaway, aka the legendary Undertaker.
Nash told us: "It's going to be hard for them to follow last year, because the match they had was so epic.
"By adding the cell and by adding Shawn Michaels, they've got some more things to use as far as from a psychology and moving parts standpoint.
"It changes the psychology of the match. I'm really looking forward to seeing that what they do.
"I know that Mark's beat up, like we all are. I know Paul's beat up. His job is behind the scenes and in the office. When he does wrestle it's an added thing.
"It's added responsibility and I think that puts a ton of pressure on him, because he is so involved in so many day-to-day decisions that are made within the WWE.
"For something like WrestleMania it's easy for either one of those guys, the calibre of performer that they are, to be able to put one out of their hat...More?
source: the sun
John Cena in Car Accident
John Cena's ride was the lead dog in a 3-way chain reaction crash in Philadelphia this morning ... and TMZ has the first photos from the smash site.
WWE.com broke the story ... Cena was leaving a media appearance ... when his SUV was rocked from behind by another car.
Now, we've learned ... Cena's ride was hit by a small Honda Civic ... which was ALSO hit from behind by a massive big rig.
As we previously reported, Cena didn't appear to be seriously injured ... but plans to visit with doctors as soon as he arrives to the arena for Monday Night Raw.
March 18, 2012
