People who work in the WWE offices report that Brian Wittenstein as very open about his knowledge of TNA while working for WWE. Someone in WWE finally realized that Wittenstein could be hurting them with what he was doing and he was fired. Wittenstein didn’t even make it out of his probationary period as he was fired before 90 days were up.
Wittenstein worked on the New York independent scene before getting a job with TNA and later WWE. People in both companies say that he talked too much, had a big mouth and didn’t know his place.
After WWE fired Wittenstein, they wanted to protect themselves so they approached TNA with what they knew. TNA, feeling that Ric Flair was giving them trouble because he wanted out of his deal to return to WWE, put the two situations together and felt like they had the right to file suit against WWE.
As noted before, the feeling within WWE is that they are being sued by TNA for doing the right thing.
source: pwinsider.com
Declarationofindependents.net has a article about Wittenstein allegedly harassing female talent while working with UXW. You can read it here.
TheBurningHammer.com has an article about Wittenstein alleging issues with Wittenstein and TNA dating back to 2005. You can read that here.
May 28, 2012
More on Brian Wittenstein - The Person at the Center of the TNA/WWE Legal Issues
This Day in Wrestling History
NWA Vice President Bill Behrens strips Dan Severn of NWA World Title due to him not being available to defend it at the debut NWA-TNA ppv event.
May 28, 2002
May 27, 2012
This Day in Wrestling History
WWF finds itself in the midst of a very embarrassing public relations disaster as television and newspaper reports come out that the previous evening, Hacksaw Jim Duggan & The Iron Sheik were arrested by New Jersey State Police. The two wrestlers, who were feuding at the time on WWF shows, were pulled over on May 26th when a trooper saw Duggan drinking a can of beer while driving. Duggan was charged with possession of marijuana and drinking alcohol while driving. The Iron Sheik was charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana. Duggan would receive a conditional discharge, while Sheik was put on probation for a year. Both were immediately suspended from the WWF. Duggan would return a few months later, while Sheik would be not return for several years. Believe it or not, The Iron Sheik actually gave an interview months later where, in an attempt to maintain kayfabe, claimed that he didn't have a driver's license in the U.S. and the WWF forced him to travel with Duggan to the show.
May 27, 1987
One of the most famous moments in modern wrestling history takes place, as Scott Hall (Razor Ramon), fresh from his stint in WWF, shows up during the first-ever two hour edition of WCW Monday Nitro, entering from the crowd and informing Eric Bischoff that he was there to "declare war" on WCW. This was the beginning of what would become the New World Order.
May 27, 1996
source: pwinsider.com
May 26, 2012
More on the TNA/WWE Legal Situation
There seems to be quite a bit of misinformation since the news broke on the TNA and WWE legal sparring. First and foremost it should be noted that there is no lawsuit against the WWE by TNA. Not yet. The initial court records show that TNA simply filed an injunction against the WWE to prevent them from destroying any documents that may pertain to Brian Wittenstein and the WWE speaking of any TNA related.
The second most important fact of the case is TNA's use of an expedited discovery which implies that once the court serves Wittenstein and the WWE, they can expedited or set a deadline for them to appear for a hearing with the evidence from the court order in hand.
It is also important to note that TNA Chief Financial Officer Dean Broadhead is named in the case with evidence and an affidavit or sworn statement, likely documents that implicate both Wittenstein and the WWE. As of Wednsday, the courts have yet to officially serve WWE and Wittenstein with any injunction and temporary restraining order.
It is also important to note that the WWE did come forward and notified TNA that confidential information had been given to them by Wittenstein. The legal motions set fourth by TNA were put in place to find out exactly what Wittenstein told the WWE during his employment.
As for the charges that Wittstein violated his contractual obligations with TNA, we have been given word that TNA as of late, have placed high level office and creative employees under a NDA or nondisclosure agreements preventing them from talking about the inner workings of the company once they part ways with the company.
The hearing is expected to take place on Monday June 11. Click here to view the legal document.
source: tnainsider.com
May 25, 2012
New Details Revealed on WWE's Revolution and their Next Game
WWE's Revolution promos are apparently for the new WWE '13 video game that comes out on November 1st, 2012. A video was leaked on YouTube last night but has since been deleted by THQ. The leaked video was a THQ teaser for the game that featured WWE Champion CM Punk.
The tagline for the game is "Live the Revolution."
The video showed a re-creation of the Big Show and Mark Henry spot where they destroyed the ring with a superplex, so apparently you will be able to do that in the game.
Other teases in the video included a new CM Punk entrance and attire, Chris Jericho, Steve Austin, Attitude Era Undertaker, Mankind, Sheamus, Big Show in an Army singlet, Mark Henry plus new RAW and SmackDown side-trons.
The video also showed Chris Jericho doing a Lionsault from the ring apron through the announcers table and CM Punk doing a top rope elbow drop through the announcers table. Austin and Mankind were shown fighting in an old school arena before breaking the barrier and fighting into the crowd.
source: pwinsider.com
WWE Threatens the Journal Inquirer with Libel Lawsuit
U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon’s wrestling empire on Friday threatened the Journal Inquirer with a libel lawsuit because of the May 21 column by Managing Editor Chris Powell, which observed that the candidate’s great wealth "derived from the business of violence, pornography, and general raunch." (See http://www.journalinquirer.com/articles/2012/05/25/chris_powell/doc4fba49b1ed31d736446549.txt)
The threat came in a letter written by World Wrestling Entertainment Vice President Brian Flinn and sent to news organizations throughout the state as well as to the JI.
"This is now at least the second time you have made false statements that damage our corporate reputation, and the second time you have stated that WWE is involved in pornography," Flinn wrote to Powell. "WWE programming, like Hollywood movies and Broadway shows, is an exciting blend of action, characters, and fictional storylines of good versus evil entertaining millions every week."
Flinn demanded a retraction from the JI by June 4, or else "we will seek legal and all available remedies."
TNA vs. WWE Lawsuit News: WWE attorney defends the company's approach
Jerry McDevitt, WWE's longtime attorney, said WWE has not tried to lure Flair or any other wrestlers under contract with TNA.
The lawsuit claims that former TNA employee Brian Wittenstein went to work for WWE and then leaked the information.
A message left at a phone number listed for Wittenstein in Nashville was not immediately returned Friday.
He signed a contract with TNA saying he would not disclose any of the company's confidential information after his employment ended.
McDevitt said that WWE never asked Wittenstein to disclose the information and that the company fired him when he did. Furthermore, WWE told TNA officials about the breach and sent back the information Wittenstein leaked.
"To us, it's no good deed goes unpunished kind of thing," McDevitt said. "They sued us for doing the right thing."
Shawn Michaels, Jim Ross & JBL Comment on Chris Jericho's Brazil Incident
Shawn Michaels:
"Wow, waking up to find twitter blaming me for an apparent suspension of @IAmJericho Seems to me I'd blame the horrific PC world we've allowed ourselves to be caught up in where you can't "act" & have it called "acting." BS!! I'll stand behind @IAmJericho any day of the week & twice on Sunday...what's the big "E" stand for in WWE anyway!! I honestly don't see how many of you make it w/that much anger in your life...seems exhausting & a colossal waste of time!! See, that's all I've got & I'm already tired!! Time to workout & hit my day. Y'all have a wonderful day!! :-)"
Jim Ross:
"He was playing the part of a wrestling villain in an entertainment based entity. It's not like he was at a sporting event like soccer and disrespected the flag, but rules are rules and they have strict rules regarding the flag in their company... He's playing a character, did an ad lib, and unfortunately he stepped over the line for the local culture, so he's been suspended indefinitely and hopefully it will work out."
JBL:
"After seeing reports of Chris Jericho in Brazil-it was what I suspected--Chris trying to entertain and be a heel. Apparently a Brazilian Flag comes into ring and Chris grabs it and kicks it (or something to that effect). Compare that to Sgt Slaughter burning the flag or all the crazy stuff that has gone on. This is nothing. EXCEPT we are in a new era and now that isn't acceptable.
Chris did what most old heels would have done, he reacted and a decade ago it would have been loved for the heat. However, times change and we have to as well-Chris acknowledged this and apologized. Chris is a wonderful person and one of all time great entertainers-there was no malice here from what I see and know about Chris. A mistake was made and is being dealt with.
As far as being illegal, please, if done in an entertaining arena it is considered as such. Like saying you can prosecute Anthony Hopkins for cannibalism because of his role in 'Silence of the Lambs'. I understand the arguements, I went through same thing in Germany and it was never considered a problem in Germany-only over the Internet and the Internet reporters. Chris' intent was to entertain not insult anyone in Brazil or the great Brazilian fans.
Times change and for the better. Chris did what a ton of older heels would have done and he reacted. He is being punished and he apologized. He is one of all time greats and a great friend, old habits are hard to change but we must.
Times change and we have to change with it, and we all will."
Jericho's Suspension Time Changed
WWE amended Chris Jericho's suspension from indefinite to 30 days.
Chris Jericho Suspended
Chris Jericho has been suspended indefinitely due to an irresponsible act of denigrating the Brazilian flag at a WWE live event in São Paulo on May 24. WWE has apologized to the citizens and the government of Brazil for this incident.
At a WWE Live Event in at São Paulo, Brazil, on Thursday evening, Chris Jericho reportedly denigrated the Brazilian flag during a match against WWE Champion CM Punk. Suspended indefinitely, Jericho responded to the incident in his own words.
“I made a bad judgment call in the course of entertaining [WWE] fans in Brazil,” Jericho told WWE.com. “I apologized to the people in the crowd for showing disrespect.”
During Jericho’s match with the WWE Champion at São Paulo’s Ginásio do Ibirapuera, the flag found its way into the ring, where Jericho crumpled it up and then kicked it.
Local law enforcement stopped the bout and gave Jericho the opportunity to apologize to those in attendance or face incarceration. The former World Champion expressed his regret to the crowd and the WWE Live Event continued.
Due to his actions, WWE officials suspended Jericho indefinitely.
“It was a bad move,” Jericho said. “I did it with [our] fans’ entertainment in mind and I’ll accept the consequences for that.”
This Day in Wrestling History
The Brian Pillman Memorial event is held in Cincinnati, OH at the Schmidt Field House. The card features the memorable Chris Benoit vs. William Regal match.
May 25, 2000
