At the start of the night, both Batista and Rey Mysterio vehemently proclaimed they would defeat the other and become the No. 1 Contender. With emotions running high, they went as far as saying the other would not walk away from the match. Their words proved true, but things didn’t turn out quite as they predicted. Full results.
source: wwe.com
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January 8, 2010
SmackDown Results: Stunned Contenders
Big Show Warns Young Stars: "They Have to Earn It"
There was much criticism through 2009 that the WWE's headliners were the same old faces such as Show, his tag team partner Chris Jericho, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Undertaker, John Cena and Randy Orton.
Things have changed recently with newer stars like Scot Drew McIntyre and Kofi Kingston getting a push and Irish wrestler Sheamus even winning the company's world title from Cena.
But nobody has yet challenged 37-year-old Show's spot as the company's top big man — and he says it will stay that way until someone "steps up" to earn it:
"I want to let you know flat out there's not anybody good enough to take my position. And I'm certainly not going to give my position up just because I've been on top for a while, and nor would anyone else. If there's another giant that can walk in and take my position, then good for him. He can run with it and I'll retire. Until then I'm going to work on top as long as I can, make as much money as I can and entertain the fans as much as I can. It's up to the younger generation to come to the locker room, step up and be leaders. Every one of us who is on top right now has had to fight and dig and bend to the penthouse and bend to the outhouse as far as booking and positioning goes. I'm not just going to lay down because somebody new comes in — they're going to have to earn it."
Big Show refuses to blame Vince McMahon for failing to push the newer talent and instead says it's all about not enough guys having the right work ethic...More?
source: the sun
Danielson & Steamboat, Jr. Headed to FCW
Former Ring of Honor star Bryan Danielson will make his debut in WWE developmental territory FCW shortly. Ricky Steamboat Jr. will also train at FCW and arrived in Tampa this week.
This Day in Wrestling History
WCW debuts its second weekly show called "Thunder" on TBS.
January 8, 1998
January 7, 2010
WWE Superstars Results: New Year's Brawl
On ECW Yoshi Tatsu has proven himself to be one of the brand’s most promising young stars, catching the attention of ECW Champion Christian and the WWE Universe alike. But recently The Land of the Extreme has been host to an equally impressive tag team in the form of Caylen Croft & Trent Barreta. In his first singles outing, Croft went head-to-head with Tatsu on “WWE Superstars.” To the dismay of Croft’s partner Baretta and the delight of Tatsu’s associate Goldust, the Japanese sensation pinned his opponent for the win. Full results.
source: wwe.com
Rumor Mill - Triple H/Shawn Michaels Royal Rumble News
It's been talked about within WWE that Shawn Michaels and Triple H will be the last two participants in the Royal Rumble match later this year. It would certainly be an interesting twist but hasn't been confirmed yet.
source: f4wonline.com
Best in Ontario to be Honoured this Saturday
While WWE and TNA may be the only wrestling companies some fans are familiar with, there are countless independent promotions that provide sports entertainment to local markets. This Saturday, indy wrestling in Ontario will be celebrated through one of the most unique shows of the year.
The Ontario Indy Wrestling Awards ceremony will kick off at the Royal Canadian Legion Hall in Oshawa at 6 p.m. on Saturday, January 9th...More?
source: slam wrestling
Recap of Linda McMahon on the 'Today Show'
Linda Mahon was interviewed by Matt Lauer on the Today Show this morning. Click here.
WWE Promotes Andrew Whitaker to Head WWE International
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. today announced that Andrew Whitaker will take on additional responsibilities and head up WWE International effective immediately.
In his new role as Executive Vice President, Whitaker will be responsible for determining the strategic direction for WWE's business outside of the U.S. across all revenue streams. He will report directly to WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and has been named an Executive Officer of the company. Whitaker will relocate back to WWE's global headquarters in Stamford.
Whitaker joined WWE in 1987 as part of the team delivering television syndication and developing WWE's pay-per-view business. He moved to WWE's international division in 1991, working in live events, international television and the pay-per-view business from WWE's London office, where Whitaker negotiated the largest international television contracts in the company's history. In November 2007, Whitaker began managing several of WWE's regional business units internationally and his role was expanded in January 2009 to include all areas outside of the U.S.
"Andrew has been instrumental to WWE's international growth. We are confident that he will continue to expand the breadth and depth of opportunities for WWE internationally," said Vince McMahon.
source: corporate.wwe.com
Whitaker is basically filling Shane McMahon's old position. Th press release states that Whitaker has been managing WWE international business "to include all areas outside of the U.S." since January 2009. What was Shane doing for the past year?
Son’s Sanity Questioned in Attack on Ex-Chief; Family is Friendly with Triple H
Prosecutors have questioned whether the son of a former police chief is mentally competent to stand trial on charges that he kidnapped and severely beat his father last spring, court records show.
According to Assistant County Attorney Roger Chadwick, police found a T-shirt in Eric Largy’s possession which originally was embroidered with an image of a police officer and police dog, with the words, “It’s all about loyalty.”
Underneath that, Eric Largy had written, “I ERIC LARGY LOVE VINCE with all my HEART SOUL I TRUST & ADMIRE the greatness of the MAN HE IS MY REAL FATHER AND IS BEST DAD ANY BOY could have LOVE & Thanks.” Eric Largy signed the message, and also wrote a “lengthy handwritten diatribe” on the back of the shirt, accusing his father of abusing him as a child and of trying to “ruin” his life because Eric was “SMARTER BETTER LOOKING HAD GREAT IDEAS.”
Police found no evidence of any history of family abuse, Chadwick wrote, and he asked that if the case goes to trial, Eric Largy should be required to outline his evidence before being allowed to make any such claims in court.
Chadwick wrote that “Vince” apparently refers to professional wrestling promoter Vince McMahon, whom Eric Largy had met through his family’s friendship with a local wrestler, “Triple H.” Eric Largy has never had any significant relationship with McMahon, however, Chadwick wrote...More?
source: nashuatelegraph.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Nicole Bass sues the WWF(E) for sexual harrassment
January 7, 2000
ECW's last pay per view prior to the WWE revival, Guilty As Charged, takes place in New York City.
January 7, 2001
January 6, 2010
WWE Wonder Women
At World Wrestling Entertainment, women are a driving force behind the company's success. If you find that surprising, here's another revelation: to a large degree WWE is run by a few women. Sure, chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, the very public face of WWE, still sits atop the organizational chart. But it's estrogen rather than testosterone that wafts through the executive offices. Three women in particular — Donna Goldsmith, chief operating officer; Michelle Wilson, executive vice president of marketing; and Stephanie McMahon, executive vice president of creative development and operations — are the day-to-day drivers behind this $500 million-plus marketing engine.
The leading ladies are aware that people are sometimes surprised to hear WWE is not a male-dominated organization, but Goldsmith is adamant that there is no glass ceiling and everyone is treated equally. McMahon is somewhat blunter: "Women rule the world. We just let men think they do."...More?
source: magazine.continental.com
The article notes at the time it was being produced, Linda McMahon had just left to campaign for a seat in the U.S. Senate representing Connecticut. This is the second article I have found that emphasizes the "female force" behind the WWE and it seems apparent that the WWE wants you to know that Stephanie McMahon is a big part of that. Could this be why Shane left? Just a thought...
Documentary About MOTÖRHEAD's Lemmy to Premiere at SXSW
According to RollingStone.com, "Lemmy", a documentary that follows MOTÖRHEAD's frontman Ian "Lemmy" Kilmister on the road and into his home, will premiere at the 2010 South By Southwest (SXSW) festival in Austin, Texas this March.
The film promises fans more access than ever before to Kilmister's life, and includes interviews with past and present bandmates and such peers/admirers as Slash, Dave Grohl, METALLICA, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osbourne and wrestling superstar Triple H.
Directors/producers Greg Olliver and Wes Orshoski, spent three years with Lemmy to capture the life and history of the legendary rocker, traveling from Kilmister's Hollywood home to concerts in Scandinavia and Russia...More?
source: blabbermouth.net
Shane McMahon Update
Dana White recently said that Shane McMahon was looking to do some consulting work for UFC but did not know if they would make a deal. Apparently Shane, through intermediary and former WWE employee Carl DeMarco, has been looking at getting involved with the Strikeforce MMA promotion.
source: wrestling observer newsletter
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to Jacqueline
January 6, 1966
Larry Hennig & Harley Race defeated Crusher & Dick the Bruiser for the AWA Tag Team title
January 6, 1967
Nick Bockwinkel & Ray Stevens defeated Verne Gagne & Billy Robinson for the AWA Tag Team title
January 6, 1973
Harley Race defeated David Von Erich for the Missouri State Heavyweight title
January 6, 1984
January 5, 2010
ECW Results: Straightedge Homecoming
SmackDown’s straightedge savior, CM Punk, who earlier in the night promised Christian he’d be challenging him to become the Straightedge ECW Champion, met fellow former ECW Champion, Mark Henry. The World’s Strongest Man seemed to feed off Punk’s kick-fueled attack with his offensive domination. But when Punk distracted the WWE official, his associate, Luke Gallows, kicked Henry in the head. Then, Punk capitalized with two more kicks to the head, knocking Henry to the ground and pinning him for the win. Punk moves on in the ECW Homecoming, but will he be the one to challenge Christian for the ECW Title at Royal Rumble? Full results.
source: wwe.com
TNA Impact Sets Records for Spike, But is Smacked-Down by WWE Raw Anyway
Spike TV’s TNA Impact! set a viewership record during Monday night’s three-hour special featuring Hulk Hogan, averaging 2.2 million viewers. The previous viewing record was 1.9 million viewers set in April 2008.
The first hour of the special averaged 2.5 million viewers.
Records or not, USA Network’s WWE Monday Night Raw put the smackdown on TNA Impact with an average of 5.5 million viewers from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m vastly outdistancing the the 2 million viewers the TNA Impact! averaged during those two hours.
source: tvbythenumbers.com
Details on Last Nights's TNA iMPACT! Special and Monday Night Raw Ratings
TNA iMPACT!
The first hour of last night's three-hour TNA iMPACT scored a 1.69 rating with 2.5 million viewers, making it the most-watched hour of TV in TNA history.
The second hour slipped to a 1.44 rating but featured the most-watched 15 minutes in TNA history with a 1.88 quarter-hour rating for Hulk Hogan's debut at 9PM EST, head-to-head with Bret Hart's return on WWE's RAW.
The least-watched segment of the show came at the end of the second hour with a 1.16 quarter-hour rating with the Pope vs. Wolfe match and AJ Styles interview. This segment went up against the DX vs. JeriShow match on RAW.
The third hour of iMPACT dropped to a 1.22 rating. The range of quarter-hour ratings was between 1.17 and 1.30. The third hour peaked in the final 15 minutes of the show with a 1.30 rating. This was the end of Angle vs. Styles and the Foley beatdown from Hall, Nash and Sean Waltman with Hogan watching. TNA iMPACT! set a viewersip record with 2.2 million viewers.
Raw
Last night's episode of Monday Night RAW with the return of Bret Hart averaged 5.60 million viewers, making it the largest RAW viewing audience since the show on August 24th, 2009, the night after the SummerSlam pay-per-view.
This week's show drew a 3.37 rating in the key demographic, males 18-49. This was RAW's highest M18-49 rating since the commercial-free RAW on June 22nd, 2009. Raw did an average of 5.5 million viewers from 9pm to 11pm. The over-run featuring Vince and Bret drew a 4.4 rating.
source: impactwrestling.com & multichannel.com
JR's Monday Night Thoughts
"The chemistry and magic between Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart still exists after all these years. It's another illustration that "personal issues" are the life's blood of the wrestling business. This particular "personal issue" has been simmering for 12 years and I still felt like an emotionally invested fan watching it"...More?
Grand Jury Indicts Pro Wrestler Jeff Hardy on Drug Charges
A Moore County grand jury indicted professional wrestler Jeff Hardy this week on drug charges stemming from a search on his Cameron home last September by law enforcement agents.
Hardy’s December probable cause hearing was delayed until Jan. 27, but prosecutors moved forward with the indictments, meaning the cases will be placed on the Moore County Superior Court docket. Hardy was arrested in September after a search of his home revealed Vicodin pills, Soma prescription pills, cocaine, drug paraphernalia and 555 milliliters of anabolic steroids.
source: associated press
Interview with Triple H
The Cerebral Assassin, The King of Kings, The Game himself - Triple H - Joins Heavy Muscle Radio for their first radio show of the New Year! Dave and John find out who Triple H thinks will win the upcoming Arnold Classic and what he has in store for 2010! Click here.
Stone Cold Injured Stallone During Fight Scene
During the filming of the movie The Expendables, star Sylvester Stallone suffered a broken neck during a fight scene with "Stone Cold" Steve Austin. "Actually, my fight with Stone Cold Steve Austin was so vicious that I ended up getting a hairline fracture in my neck. I'm not joking. I haven't told anyone this, but I had to have a very serious operation afterwards. I now have a metal plate in my neck."
source: prowrestling.net
Returns and Debuts at TNA iMPACT!
The following are a full list of returns and debuts from the three-hour TNA special on Spike TV this past Monday, January 4th:
Hulk Hogan
Eric Bischoff
Ric Flair
Jeff Hardy
Shannon Moore
Scott Hall
Sean Waltman
The Nasty Boys
Val Venis
Orlando Jordan
Jeff Jarrett
Sting
Bubba The Love Sponge
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
