June 7, 2012
Shane McMahon to ring the NASDAQ stock market opening bell
Former WWE executive Shane McMahon will ring the opening bell at the NASDAQ stock market on Friday morning in Times Square in New York City. Shane is the Chairman and CEO of YOU On Demand Holdings, Inc. The company describes itself as the leading national pay-per-view and Video On Demand platform. It was upgraded to NASDAQ stock status on May 30.
Departure from WWE developmental system
Eli Cottonwood has decided to leave WWE's developmental system with Florida Championship Wrestling. The Wrestling Observer reports that Cottonwood is leaving the system for another job. Cottonwood was part of the second season of WWE NXT.
Final FCW TV taping tonight
WWE announcer/wrestler William Regal and Developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose will close down the FCW TV era at Thursday's final FCW TV taping in Tampa. Early Thursday morning, Regal tweeted in-character about their blow-off match. "Dear Dean, in only a few hours our lives will change. For what I am about to do to you may my children forgive me. William," he said. WWE announcer Jim Ross is scheduled to be on-hand handling commentary for the FCW TV finale.
This Day in Wrestling History
José Lothario defeats Johnny Valentine to win the WCCW Texas Heavyweight Title in San Antonio, Texas, ending Valentine's third reign.
June 7, 1969
Rena Mero (aka Sable) files a $110 million dollar lawsuit against WWF(E).
June 7, 1999
June 6, 2012
Opinion: Triple H's Rise to Power
Wrestlingnewsworld.com's owner gave his thoughts on Triple H's rise to power:
Triple H mastered the art of backstage politics early on, forming alliances with those in power and gaining the favor of Vince McMahon. As a result, his career has flourished and he even ended up in a martial relationship with Stephanie McMahon. Obviously there are a lot of people jealous of Hunter’s influence, control and power but who wouldn’t be? He started out just like any other worker and one day will be head of the world’s largest pro wrestling empire, even beating out Vince’s biological son Shane McMahon. Triple H is a guy that “gets it” and has a very close relationship with his father-in-law who sees him as the son he never had. A lot of the younger workers could learn a lot from Hunter, especially how he angled himself behind-the-scenes to gain influence.
Rumor Mill - Heat on Brock Lesnar?
There is reportedly to be "nuclear heat" on Lesnar, some of which stems his recent appearance at the UFC 146 pay-per-view.
Brock Lesnar visited the event and met with UFC President Dana White without the advance knowledge of Vince McMahon. Even before the UFC incident, Lesnar has been extremely difficult to deal with behind the scenes. Lesnar was high maintenance during his first run with the company nearly a decade ago. Now, he's back, making much more money and working far fewer dates.
WWE has taken a few shots at Lesnar on television in recent weeks, including the Big Show's promo talking about being a "fighter, not a sports entertainer" and Triple H's taped promo on RAW where he was not wearing an arm brace to sell Lesnar's recent attack.
WWE has had to deal with contract negotiations with megastars before (The Rock, Steve Austin), but Lesnar is a different animal because he does not like the wrestling business and has the option of going back to UFC to make huge money to fight a few more times.
Instead of keeping Brock Lesnar's character on television through video packages or appearances by Paul Heyman, he's now off the radar entirely until it's time for WWE to start building towards his match against Triple H at SummerSlam.
After SummerSlam, Lesnar is not expected to make any more appearances for many months. It's known that Lesnar's contract requires very few appearances - and it's now believed that the number of required dates is even fewer than previously reported. He is not scheduled to wrestle at Survivor Series and might not be back until 2013. It's known whether he'll even be at the Royal Rumble, so right now, the only events that are locked in are SummerSlam and WrestleMania 29.
source: wrestling observer newsletter
Triple H And Arn Anderson Appear Off-Camera At Last Night's SmackDown Tapings
Triple H appeared off-camera at last night's WWE SmackDown tapings in Greenville, South Carolina. After a match with Sin Cara, Drew McIntyre was cutting a promo demanding a WWE official come out and explain why he isn't main eventing SmackDown. Triple H came out, hit a Pedigree on McIntyre and then left.
The dark main event after last night's tapings saw Sheamus retain the World Heavyweight Title against Kane in a Steel Cage match. Teddy Long came out and announced there must be a winner. WWE Hall of Famer Arn Anderson was brought out in a referee shirt as the guest enforcer.
The match saw Kane shove Anderson, which led to Anderson hitting a low blow on Kane and Sheamus hitting the Brogue Kick for the win.
WWE Anti-Bullying Night
David Otunga, Lilian Garcia, Natalya and Zack Ryder have been announced to appear at MCU Park in Brooklyn, New York on Wednesday, June 27 as part of the Brooklyn Cyclones' and WWE's Anti-Bullying Night. The WWE Superstars and Divas will make a special pre-game presentation on behalf of WWE's anti-bullying initiative "be a STAR," which encourages people to Show Tolerance And Respect for all people, prior to the 7:00 p.m. game with the Hudson Valley Renedages. Following the presentation, they will remain at the ballpark to sign autographs for fans in attendance.
Tickets for event are available here.
Note On Tom Pritchard's Release, Who Let Him Go?
The future endeavoring of Dr. Tom Pritchard was done by none other than Paul Levesque. This is one of several changes Levesque has made as he begins to assume full control over FCW. Bill DeMott, Pritchard's replacement, came as a major surprise to everyone.
source: wrestling observer
Triple H Added to No Way Out PPV
Triple H will be appearing at the 6/17 No Way Out PPV to discuss the "lawsuit" brought against the company by Brock Lesnar and to "address his future."
