Happy Birthday to Ron Simmons
May 15, 1958
The Sheik defeats Bobo Brazil for the Detroit NWA United States Heavyweight Title in Detroit, Michigan, ending and beginning both men's ninth reigns.
May 15, 1976
The WWF(E) debuted at the Houston Coliseum forthe first time. The venue was a long-time stronghold of promoter Paul Boesh, who did commentary for the event. Ted DiBiase, who had just signed for the Million Dollar Man role, made his first appearance in seven years for the WWF(E) here, cutting an in-ring promo announcing he was now part of the company. The One Man Gang came out for his match and a physical issue was teased, since DiBiase had been a babyface in the market and hadn't yet been introduced as the persona he's known worldwide for these days.
May 15, 1987
WWF(E) broadcast Raw as part of a three episode TV Taping in Binghamton, NY. The taping featured Hunter Hearst Helmsley, the future Triple H, in his Raw debut. Hunter Hearst Helmsley pinned John Chrystal at 3:10 with a standing Diamond Cutter.
May 15, 1995
Shawn Michaels resigned as WWF(E) Commissioner and Ric Flair defeated Jeff Jarrett for the WCW Heavyweight title and his 15th Heavyweight title reign.
May 15, 2000
The final arena based WWE NXT episode was taped at the SmackDown TV taping in Hershey Pennsylvania for broadcast via WWE.com on May 16th. WWE announced on May 14th, that they will tape NXT on Thursday from Full Sail University on a weekly basis.
May 15, 2012
partial source: pwinsider.com
May 15, 2012
This Day in Wrestling History
May 14, 2012
Paul Heyman delivered Brock Lesnar’s lawsuit to Triple H
Next, a tense standoff ensued when Paul Heyman, accompanied by a lawyer, hand-delivered Triple H a lawsuit from Lesnar. According to Heyman, Lensar is owed millions after his contract was breached. “Consider yourself served,” Heyman said after calling Triple H a “corporate sycophant.”
As Heyman and Triple H squared off, Heyman criticized The Game’s business acumen. When emotions reached a boiling point, The Game grabbed hold of Heyman by the face. “You tell Brock Lesnar, he’s going to get everything he deserves,” Triple H said. But before things got even more physical, The Game relented and released his grip. As The Game left ringside, Heyman threatened another lawsuit – assault and battery – and vowed to see the COO in court.
source: wwe.com
More on WWE NXT Filming at Full Sail Univ; WWE Press Release
WWE and Full Sail University announced today an innovative partnership that moves live tapings of WWE NXT® series to Full Sail Live, the university’s state-of-the-art performance venue, and creates a new student scholarship fund.
Beginning May 17, 2012, students of the university’s entertainment-focused degree programs, including Film, Show Production, Digital Arts and Design, Internet Marketing and Entertainment Business, will have the opportunity to gain real-world experience working with WWE, a leader in global entertainment, to produce NXT.
Throughout the taping schedule, Full Sail University students, staff, faculty and the general public will be invited to attend the live tapings on the campus. All proceeds from ticket and merchandise sales will go towards a scholarship fund for students enrolled at or planning to attend Full Sail University.
"WWE has always been a leader in creating superstars in front of the camera. Now, with this unique partnership with Full Sail University, WWE will develop stars behind the camera as well,” said Paul “Triple H®” Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent and Live Events for WWE. “With the opportunity to host events at Full Sail's top-notch facilities and the chance to tap into Full Sail's greatest resource, its students, we are excited to provide real-world experience while giving us a fresh, creative perspective from ambitious students."
“As a leading entertainment and media focused institution we are delighted to announce this remarkable new collaboration, which highlights WWE’s commitment to education and advanced growth in the entertainment industry and Full Sail’s commitment to bringing industry-leading organizations directly to our students,” said Ken Goldstone, Chief Operating Officer for Full Sail University. “We look forward to sharing this incredible experience with our students, the entire Central Florida community and the millions of WWE fans worldwide.”
WWE NXT airs in more than 60 countries worldwide and also on WWE.com. WWE NXT showcases WWE’s brightest young talent as they battle to become the elite WWE Superstars of tomorrow.
May 13, 2012
Changing 'THE GAME' - Triple H's New Training Regimen
Two years ago, I was training a group of NFL & college football players when I received a message to call back a man by the name of Paul Levesque. "I couldn't really hear the message because it's so damn loud in here; but I think he's supposed to be a WWE wrestler or something", Ashley explained to me.
"Just put his number by my gym bag and I'll call him back if I have time tomorrow...I doubt the guy is actually in the WWE", I replied.
Then, one of my college athletes interrupted the conversation..."WAIT! What did you say his name was?! Did you say Paul Levesque? If so, that's Triple H! Go call him back right now! We can finish the workout on our own!"
The rest, as they say, is history...More?
source: defrancostraining.com
WWE TV News
We noted before that beginning July 2nd, many of WWE’s RAW Supershow tapings will begin 90 minutes before the live RAW broadcast airs on TV. Currently, tapings begin 30 or 45 minutes before RAW hits the air. Speculation now is that WWE may be filming a countdown show for RAW with that extra time. Officials have been wanting something like a RAW pre-show for a while now.
WWE is also looking at doing a Lucha Libre show with high-flying Spanish wrestlers and Spanish announcers. With the Cruiserweights show also set for this November, the bottom line is that WWE is looking to do a lot more TV shows this year as they prepare for the Network launch.
With NXT and FCW being taped at Full Sail University soon, word is that WWE will still be taping another show on Tuesday nights before the Superstars and SmackDown tapings.
Regarding the new tapings at Full Sail University, speculation is that Jim Ross and William Regal may end up announcing that show. The new tapings are being described as Triple H’s own project and something that Vince McMahon doesn’t have his “fingerprints” on, yet.
source: f4wonline.com
Linda McMahon Senate Run Update
Linda McMahon update #1: The Democratic Party in Connecticut has endorsed Congressman Chris Murphy for the state's U.S. Senate general election. However, Murphy will still face Democratic candidate Susan Bysiewicz in a primary election in August. If McMahon gets the Republican Party nomination, it appears she will face Murphy in November.
Linda McMahon update #2: The majority of Republican party delegates in Stamford, Conn. (home to WWE headquarters) are pledging votes to McMahon's chief GOP opponent, Chris Shays. However, the mayor of Stamford has already endorsed McMahon. The Stamford Advocate noted the mayor, Michael Pavia, received a $1,000 donation from McMahon during Pavia's 2009 mayoral campaign.
source: pwtorch.com
ESPN anchor says he was held back due to WWE background
ESPN anchor Jonathan Coachman ("The Coach" in WWE) says he was held back by ESPN management due to his background as an on-air WWE commentator and wrestling heel prior to joining the sports network.
"It really held me back for a while. There were certain people (ESPN executives) that were fearful of some negative backlash that they hired a guy best known for wrestling," Coachman told the local newspaper in Hutchinson, Kansas. "It was frustrating. I knew where I should be, at and I knew where I wasn't. But I also knew the reason." Coach also talked about being in Kemper Arena when Owen Hart died at the Over the Edge 1999 PPV when he was a sports reporter for Kansas City's ABC affiliate...More?
source: hutchnews.com
Will MMA fans watch King Mo in TNA?
Seventy-seven percent of MMATorch.com readers say they will not be tuning in to Impact Wrestling to watch MMA fighter King Mo in a wrestling ring. The following are MMATorch's poll result on a question of whether readers will tune in for King Mo in Bellator, TNA, neither, or both.
No for both - 40 percent
No for TNA; Yes for Bellator - 37 percent
Yes for both - 17 percent
Yes for TNA; No for Bellator - 6 percent
This Day in Wrestling History
The Boston Garden has its last pro wrestling show, put on by the WWF(E). The show was called "A Night To Remember".
May 13, 1995
