According to a report by Jason Powell of Prowrestling.net, Vince Russo made the decision to quit in his role with TNA's creative team despite being under contract for several more months. The report stated Russo became "frustrated by his lack of power" in regards to writing content for the show. The belief within TNA is that Russo is being paid until his contract expires.
February 29, 2012
Rumor Mill - Vince Russo's Departure from TNA
February 28, 2012
WWE Breaks Records in Abu Dhabi
WWE made history as it broke numerous records with the Raw(R) World Tour in February at the International Tennis Complex within the Zayed Sports City in Abu Dhabi.
WWE set the highest attendance record for a single event; the highest attendance record for a series of three entertainment events; and the highest average spend per person on merchandise for a single event. WWE performed for more than 16,000 fans over its three-day run from February 9th-11th at the International Tennis Complex with a sold-out crowd of 5,964 fans on February 10th.
As a result of the overwhelming success of this Raw World Tour, WWE announced today that it plans to return to the United Arab Emirates with more live events in 2013. Exact dates and on-sale information will be forthcoming...More?
WWE Board of Directors Announcement Revealed
Below is WWE.com’s Board of Directors announcement regarding who is in control of RAW and SmackDown.
Statement:
"Both Raw and SmackDown are about to get extreme makeovers. In an effort to help determine which General Manager should control both shows, the WWE Board of Directors has decided to switch control of each show next week. SmackDown GM Theodore Long will take control of Monday night’s Raw while Raw GM John Laurinaitis takes the reins of next Friday’s SmackDown.
The decision comes one week after Laurinaitis announced at Elimination Chamber that he will seek control over both shows, bolstered by flattering testimonials by Superstars Mark Henry, Christian and Alberto Del Rio. A perturbed Long made it clear to Laurinaitis that he’s not about to take the threat to his position lying down.
Last week on SmackDown, the two got into a heated argument as they tried to overrule one another during a match between WWE Champion CM Punk vs. World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan. Last night on Raw SuperShow, the two were at it again as tensions continued to escalate. What will the GMs have in store for their respective rival as they switch roles? And how will each try to outshine the other? Tune into both Raw and SmackDown to see the lengths they’ll go to impress the Board of Directors – and get back at each other."
Triple H Appears For Live Raw Crowd
It's being reported that after The Miz lost to John Cena on Raw last night, during a commercial break, Miz pitched a fit and demanded that a WWE official give him a match at WrestleMania. This prompted Triple H to come out, crotch chop The Miz, and then pedigree him.
sources: wrestlezone.com & prowrestling.net
This Day in Wrestling History - Happy Birthday to Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat
Richard Henry Blood
February 28, 1953
2009 WWE HOF Speech
February 27, 2012
WWE Releases Statement Regarding Next Week's RAW & SmackDown
WWE has posted the following on their official Facebook page:
WWE's Board of Directors has just informed WWE.com that there will be a change in leadership for next week’s Raw SuperShow and SmackDown. The Board’s official statement on the futures of SmackDown GM Theodore Long and Interim Raw GM John Laurinaitis will be released exclusively on WWE.com at 10 a.m. ET tomorrow!
Top Ranked Dividend Stock WWE is Oversold
The DividendRank formula at Dividend Channel ranks a coverage universe of thousands of dividend stocks, according to a proprietary formula designed to identify those stocks that combine two important characteristics — strong fundamentals and a valuation that looks inexpensive. World Wrestling Entertainment Inc (NYSE: WWE) presently has an above average rank, in the top 50% of the coverage universe, which suggests it is among the top most “interesting” ideas that merit further research by investors...More?
source: forbes.com
Belding Teen Granted Wish of Meeting WWE Stars
Thanks to the Kids Wish Network and other sponsors, a 15-year-old Belding resident was able to meet his favorite members of World Wrestling Entertainment.
Dylan Odland suffers from cystic fibrosis, which is a disease where the body produces a thick mucus that affects the lungs and digestive system by obstructing the pancreas and stopping digestive enzymes, and clogging the lungs which can lead to life-threatening lung infections. According to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, about 30,000 people in the United States suffer from the chronic disease.
Odland said he connected with the Kids Wish Network and with his personal wish coordinator, filled out some paperwork and explained how his greatest wish was to meet WWE’s Chief Operating Officer and former wrestler Triple H. Odland said the experience has fueled his desire to become a wrestler and inspired him to do his best in all areas of life. “That actually made me want to work harder,” he added.
Through the wrestlers present themselves as intimidating and aggressive characters, Odland said he is very pleased to see the WWE stars’ true colors shine through the fact they were willing to meet and spend time with him. “That’s just amazing,” he added. “They all have nice hearts.”...More?
source: sentinel-standard.com
Wrestler Sues Opponent Over Career-Ending Injury
John Levi Miller, a former pro wrestler, filed a lawsuit Monday in Indiana against another wrestler, Clinton Woosley, and a wrestling promotion claiming he suffered a career-ending injury via kick to the groin during a match. Miller is accusing Woosley of "rupturing his right testicle during a match last June" and accusing the promotion, Coliseum Championship Wrestling, of breach of contract for allowing an untrained wrestler to wrestle. The lawsuit does not specify the amount of money sought for damages from surgery, potential future surgery, and other health related issues...More?
source: pwtorch.com
Ex-Writer On Wrestlers Being Jealous Of The Rock
Former WWE creative writer Seth Mates reacted on Twitter to the apparent jealousy within WWE circles of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson being successful in Hollywood.
“Talking point: let’s say WWE Films had been a success. Don’t you think VINCE would have done same thing The Rock did – leave for Hollywood?” he wrote. “Vince has conquered wrestling over and over. If he’d smelled blood in Hollywood, he’d have already handed the keys to the kingdom to HHH and Steph.
“The jealousy towards Rock isn’t for him leaving. It’s that others can’t.”
This Day in Wrestling History
Jerry Lawler quit the WWF(E) over the firing of his wife, Stacey (The Cat) Carter
February 27, 2001
February 26, 2012
Jim Ross Comments on The Undertaker vs. Triple H HIAC at WM 28
"As far as Undertaker vs. HHH inside HIAC, one can safely say that these two future Hall of Famers have logged more WrestleMania main events than they have left. Am I saying that this is the last time that we see either HHH or Undertaker compete at a WrestleMania? No. However, no one ever beats Mother Nature which is why I think that these two, talented, dedicated and passionate veterans will have a match for the ages inside the unyielding HIAC. Both know what to do inside ’Satan’s Structure” to maximize the impact of their presentation. I see two, proud men wrestling as if this could be their last WM match because no one can guarantee our tomorrows."
New Name Confirmed for WWE Legends House
Hall of Famer Tony Atlas has been confirmed for the WWE Legends House reality show. We know that the Legends traveled to a local Gold’s Gym to tape footage there. Names confirmed include Atlas, Roddy Piper, Jim Duggan, Gene Okerlund and Jimmy Hart.
This Day in Wrestling History
Verne Gagne defeats Maddog Vachon for the AWA World Heavyweight Title in St. Paul, MN.
February 26, 1967
Dick Murdock beats Ted Dibiase for the Missouri State Heavyweight Title in St. Louis, MO.
February 26, 1978
Davey Boy Smith defeated Owen Hart to become the first ever WWE European Champion.
February 26, 1997
February 25, 2012
February 24, 2012
WWE Signs Dragon Gate Talent
WWE signed DGUSA referee Jason Harding to a developmental deal. He is already heading to FCW. In recent months, a number of DGUSA stars have been told they are on WWE's radar.
source: pwinsider.com
February 23, 2012
Highlights From CM Punk's Interview with Peter Rosenberg at Hot97
On smart/internet fans: "More power to them but you can take any one of those people and give them the position of booker and they would lose their mind. They don't realize the intricate little things that go into putting stuff together.
"On top of that, we worry about ratings in this company which, to me, is madness at this point. Ratings don't mean anything expect to the sponsors. Which is why we do it because we want to keep sponsors happy. ... I just think everyone loves being negative. 'Ah! Punk came back too soon. They did this,' and it's like, 'Shut up and enjoy it.' Yeah. I know that sometimes it gets really, really bad. You can be vocal about that. But they don't let anything play out. They almost forget that there's going to be a Raw next week."
On his relationship with Triple H: "It's pretty good, I think. [Laughs.] I mean, you know, honestly, I guess I'll never really, truly know. We have a good, open relationship, I guess. We talk. He's very knowledgeable about the business and he's in a spot that he knows about a lot of the behind-the-scenes stuff that fascinates me. I pick his brain about that stuff."
On Brodus Clay getting on TV only to be taken off shortly thereafter: "[Triple H] is in a position and now I'm in a position where I can ask him, 'OK. I don't understand why we put a guy like Brodus on TV and then he's off TV for two weeks. Explain that to me, Hunter.' Then he tells me, and I get it.
"We're not just catering to the people that are probably watching this. [Waves to the camera.] We're catering to a much wider audience."
Irate HBK: “Am I better than Triple H?”
In an exclusive phone interview with WWE.com Thursday, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels lost his composure when faced with pointed questions pertaining to Triple H and The Undertaker’s Hell in a Cell Match at WrestleMania.
The conversation with HBK began amicably, as "Mr. WrestleMania" expressed satisfaction that his best friend had finally agreed to The Phenom's WrestleMania challenge. The tone of the interview changed, however, when it turned toward a topic The Deadman had broached during Raw SuperShow Monday night, and HBK was faced with the question, "If Triple H wins at WrestleMania, will he be better than you?" Michaels grew increasingly incensed in his response, culminating in a heated conclusion to the interview. Click here.
This Day in Wrestling History
Ring of Honor makes its debut. The show features Low Ki vs. Bryan Daniels vs. Christopher Daniels in the main event.
February 23, 2002
February 22, 2012
USA Network Planning WWE Special Before WrestleMania
USA will be running a Rock/John Cena special on March 26th at 8 p.m. before Raw to hype their WrestleMania match. It will be a behind-the-scenes look at their rivalry. It will re-air on March 31st.
WWE Says Shaq Not Wrestling at WM28
WWE released a statement Tuesday night saying retired NBA legend Shaquille O'Neal is not scheduled for a match at WrestleMania 28. WWE's website incorrectly reported that Shaq told HollywoodLife.com that he would compete in the ring. In the actual article, Shaq said he would be at WrestleMania, but did not say whether he would be wrestling. WWE did not address Shaq's actual claim that he would be at WM28. In prior months, Shaq was rumored to face Big Show in a match.
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
