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August 19, 2013
The Ric Flair Weekend Follies, Jim Ross Caught in the Fallout
For those that missed it yesterday, Ric Flair had quite a weekend at the Symposium for the new WWE video game (you can find a video of the entire conference on the site). In a nutshell, Flair was feeling no pain and basically hijacked the show about half way in. WWE management was said to be really angry at Flair's behavior, pulling him from any more activity after the panel ended. The word I have received was that the video game company didn't really have any problems with how the panel went, but to be fair their interests overall are different than WWE's. A lot of the things that Flair said aren't in line with the mores of a family-friendly company.
Some sites apparently reported that Jim Ross, who hosted the event, was drunk at the panel symposium as well. Ross stated on his Twitter that he was not and if you watch the video, I think it would be a stretch for anyone to think that he was. On his Twitter he mentioned that any slurring in his voice was related to his Bells Palsy condition. As I mentioned yesterday he was certainly acerbic and brutally honest at times, but that doesn't equate to drunk. I found him to be very entertaining. Flair was too, but for a much different reason.
source: pwinsider.com
August 18, 2013
Paul Levesque's Updated Corporate Bio
Paul Levesque is the Executive Vice President of Talent and Live Events. In this role, he oversees the talent relations and talent development departments, training of WWE Superstars and Divas and management of worldwide recruitment and live global events. In addition to his talent and live event duties, Levesque has continually had an integral role behind-the-scenes. As a director and producer, he works to shape the creative direction and storylines of WWE’s programming.
Levesque recently oversaw the development of the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL, serving as the new home to WWE’s talent developmental system, NXT. Equipped with a 12,000 square-foot world-class training facility with seven training rings and 5,500 square-foot training room, the new Performance Center will give WWE the ability to train more potential performers than ever.
In addition to the new Performance Center, Levesque has helped expand WWE’s global presence to more countries than ever before. Under his guidance, WWE reached new milestones in 2012 by holding live events in Abu Dhabi, Russia, Egypt and Brazil for the first time. WWE held a total of 66 live events internationally in 2012 across 12 tours and 24 different countries, with plans for another 66 live events in 23 countries in 2013.
Levesque debuted as a WWE Superstar in 1995. To this day, he still competes in the ring as Triple H and is one of the most prolific performers in WWE history. Most recently, at WrestleMania 29 with his career on the line, Levesque defeated Brock Lesnar in a “No Holds Barred Match” in front of sold out crowd of 80,676 fans at MetLife Stadium and millions watching around the world. Also known as “The Game” and the “King of Kings,” Levesque was a founding member of the popular faction — D-Generation X — a pop culture phenomenon throughout the last two decades. He has captured every major championship, headlined thousands of WWE events and entertained millions around the world.
WWE Event Sponsored By Grey Goose?
The big story this morning stems from the video that we posted earlier today. Suffice it to say, WWE management is said to be really unhappy with how the WWE 2K14 panel "discussion" went last night. In case you missed it, Ric Flair was completely off the rails. Jim Ross, who was hosting, also appeared to be feeling no pain. In fact at a few points in the presentation JR even made a few references that the event was being sponsored by Grey Goose, which of course is high end vodka. To me, the best part of the presentation was when Paul Heyman got up and ripped up Jim Ross' script as it became obvious by that point that the thing had become a train wreck.
The ironic thing about Flair's behavior last night is that there has been a lot of talk about the company bringing him in as someone of a WWE Ambassador. If last night was a tryout for that spot, Flair has a lot of work to do. Seriously, WWE can't send him out to promote of TV PG product if that is the way he is going to conduct himself.
source: pwinsider.com
Controversial 2K WWE Legends Panel Featuring Ric Flair, Jim Ross, Steve Austin, Ziggler, Foley & More
Twitch.TV has posted a 75 minute video of the WWE 2K14 30 Years of WrestleMania Symposium that needs to be seen to be believed. Jim Ross hosted the event and, let's just say that he was in a condition where he was very acerbic and quite honest. Perhaps it was due to the "Snapple" he was drinking.
The panel consisted of Dolph Ziggler, Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio, Mick Foley, Paul Heyman, Steve Austin and Ric Flair.
Flair was also in, uh, rare form, going down some roads that WWE probably wish would have stayed unpaved, so to speak. Things really get wild around the 38 minute mark.
You can watch the video, which is really unreal, at this link.
WrestleZone has learned that Ric Flair was pulled from last night's 2K Sports Legends panel, and it appears as though WWE sent Jerry Lawler to the event to replace Flair in talking to the media. According to a backstage source in WWE, WWE Executives Jane Geddes and Mark Carrano were summoned by TV exec Lisa Lee to the event to remove Ric Flair from the stage while the event was still ongoing. Lisa Lee apparently was shooting the event on her cell phone and notifying WWE management of the fact Flair appeared to be intoxicated. WWE is said to be furious about the public display by Flair, who has been negotiating to be the good will ambassador for the company.
Flair was said to be “out of control, profane and a total wreck.”
We can also exclusively confirm Stephanie McMahon LeVesque personally came to the event, and was whisked in by her own personal security staff to apologize to 2K Sports on behalf of WWE.
WrestleZone has been told WWE is furious with Flair, and also at host Jim Ross for losing control of the situation.
source: wrestlezone.com & pwinsider.com
The Must-Read Ric Flair Story From The WWE 2K14 Panel
Arda Ocal was at the WWE 2K14 Panel yesterday who tweeted on Ric Flair's emotional revelation:
Ric Flair shares touching story: he placed one of his original WWE Hall of Fame rings on his son Reid's finger before they closed casket.
— Arda Ocal (@arda_ocal) August 18, 2013
When Ric Flair went to NXT a couple months ago, @tripleh replaced the Hall of Fame ring, gave Flair a new one. What a story. #WWE2K14
— Arda Ocal (@arda_ocal) August 18, 2013
Paul also had Reid's name engraved into the inside of the ring given to Ric.
August 17, 2013
August 16, 2013
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
