WrestlingINC.com: When you had come back from that first stint and Triple H made a dig at you about coming back slimmer, was that something you knew ahead of time that he was going to say? Was that scripted, or was that an off-the-cuff remark?
Masters: No, that was a scripted interview. People always ask me about that and some people think it was a cheap shot. I am more under of the impression... first of all, I remember the way Hunter looked at the time... I don't know. I didn't really treat it much as an insult as a lot of people jumped on it like it was that big of a deal, but I was still thinking to myself, you know, you [Triple H] take off your shirt and stand next to me and we'll see who looks better? I mean, you know, he wasn't exactly the sharpest knife in the drawer either, he is a little pudgy. So, in his defense, Hunter is a ball buster and is an equal opportunity ball buster, so you know, it might have been a cheap shot. I mean, you seen the way him and Shawn are, that's just the way he is, he's a ball buster. So it was probably like not the most appropriate thing to do, especially where the business is and the message they were trying to convey. But you know, it was said and I'm sure if they could take it back - considering the controversy it raised - I am sure they would. But they don't live in the past, so they don't even think about it.
source: wrestlinginc.com
March 22, 2012
Chris Masters Comments on Triple H's Controversial Crack at his Weight Loss
Rumor Mill - Stamford, CT Developmental Extension
PWInsider.com is reporting that the WWE is planning on opening up an extension of their developmental system in Stamford, CT over the next several months. WWE have a person in mind to head the project and it is believed to be the middle ground before talent make the jump to the main WWE roster.
At this stage there are no plans ot shut down Florida Championship Wrestling. In the past week, they have been looking for new locations in Florida to film the FCW TV show. WWE officials were extremely upset about the reports of FCW shutting down this week.
This Day in Wrestling History
WCW Executive Vice President, Bill Busch, resigned from his duties. Eric Bischoff was rehired as the Executive Vice President of WCW
March 22, 2000
March 21, 2012
Sacred Heart University Names Building after Linda McMahon
Sacred Heart University in Fairfield is naming its new student commons building after Linda McMahon, the former wrestling executive who is running for Senate and gave the Catholic university a $5 million gift.
McMahon, who provided the gift for capital projects, has been a member of the university's board of trustees since 2004.
The V-shaped Linda E. McMahon Commons will link Sacred Heart's upper and lower campuses. The new building, which cost $22 million, will include a bookstore, 250-seat student dining hall, private dining room, informal lounge spaces and outside seating.
A dedication ceremony is planned in April. McMahon, a Republican making her second bid for the Senate, is a former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, now called WWE.
New Name Announced for the WWE Hall of Fame
During last night's Smackdown tapings in Newark, New Jersey, they announced that Yokozuna would be entering the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012. There is no word on who will induct him yet.
This Day in Wrestling History
Wladek Zbyszko defeats Ed "Strangler" Lewis in New York City with a turn away crowd of 5,000. Zbyszko pins Lewis after an hour an a half. The "World Championship" which had been claimed by Lewis dating back to John Olin is now lost. Though Earl Caddock has never officially lost the "World Championship" to anyone, Wladek Zbyszko's claim is now as strong as any others.
March 21, 1919
John Pesek defeats Marin Plestina to win the first Midwest Wrestling Association title. Al Haft and Heywood Allen are promoters.
March 21, 1931
X-Pac makes his return & knocks out Hollywood Hulk Hogan, joining the nWo four days after WrestleMania 18 on SmackDown.
March 21, 2002
March 20, 2012
Rumor Mill - More on Possible Changes to the WWE Development System
There have been plans to move the FCW TV Tapings outside of the FCW school in Tampa in recent weeks. The most likely location appears to be The Full Sail University facility, where WWE filmed several secret pilots a few months ago.
In regard to the idea of expanding the developmental system, there has been talk for years of expanding to add something in the Northeast, but the company has never pulled the trigger on those plans. Some of the discussed plans in the past ranged from running a small promotion (think ECW in 1990s level in small facilities) to a system where the top prospects in developmental would work and train in CT directly before going to the main roster, so WWE Creative and production could have a hand in grooming them before they debut. There were also plans several years ago to open a number of smaller regional groups as developmental outlets, but again, the trigger was never pulled on those plans.
The WWE article did not address the end of FCW TV on The Brighthouse Sports Network, which Brighthouse confirmed this morning to PWInsider.com.
Chris Jericho's Feud With CM Punk Getting Too Personal?
Personal demons have long been exploited for the sake of advancing a professional wrestling storyline.
As a matter of fact, current WWE Champion CM Punk is no stranger to it, as he himself brought Jeff Hardy's history with drugs and addiction into their feud a few years ago.
But when it comes to Punk's current battle with Chris Jericho, one has to wonder what exactly is the point? The promo exchange between the two the past few weeks hasn't focused on Punk's demons but those of his family. - baltimoresun.com
I think Stephanie McMahon is behind Chris Jericho's quest against CM Punk to be labelled "The Best in the World":
She mentioned to CM Punk that "everyone gets what they deserve.":
I think her quest is revenge for what CM Punk put her husband through:
Vince McMahon has always had a way of turning a situation to his favor and I think that is what we are seeing here. It has gotten personal with CM Punk and his family because Punk made it personal with McMahon and his family.
WWE EVP Triple H Refutes False Reports of FCW's Closing
Monday night, an unreliable online news source published an erroneous report that WWE was shutting down operations of our developmental facility, Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW). In order to set the record straight, WWE.com interviewed WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent, Paul Levesque (also known as WWE Superstar Triple H) to address this issue.
“It is absolutely not true. FCW is not closing,” Triple H said. “I don’t know how the rumor started but I believe it’s a situation where the ‘dirt sheets’ want to believe they have the scoop on everything. If anything, we are in the process of ramping up our entire developmental system. It’s the lifeblood of our company. It’s what feeds our future and in no way are we going to close it down.”
Levesque also addressed plans to relocate training or FCW TV tapings out of its home of Tampa, Fla.
“There are plans in the works, but nothing definitive I can discuss right now,” he said. “Shortly after WrestleMania, there will be a major announcement about our developmental system.”
He continued, “WWE’s developmental system is being revamped, not shut down. If anything, it’s going to get bigger and better than ever. WWE Developmental cultivates the future talent of WWE. By no means is it going to get smaller or shut down.”
Steve Keirn Says There Is “No Truth” To FCW Shutting Down Rumor
Florida Championship Wrestling President Steve Keirn responded via email this morning to rumors regarding WWE shutting down the Tampa-based promotion. Keirn replied with the following quote:
There is no truth to the rumor we are at school today training and the WWE will respond to this to clear it up. Thank you for your concern. SK
News broke late last night/early this morning when WWE informed their local TV affiliate, the Bright House Network, they were pulling the series effective immediately. The initial word was that the remaining programming taped would air but the series would end in three weeks.
WWE Developmental Shakeup
According to F4Wonline.com, WWE officials notified television partner Bright House Network Monday that they have opted to cease their affiliation with the Florida based sports network because they are shutting down Florida Championship Wrestling effective immediately.
FCW programming, which was taped last Thursday in Tampa, Florida, will cease to air on the network in three weeks.
Everyone involved with Florida Championship Wrestling will relocate to WWE's home location of Stamford, Connecticut, until a further decision regarding the developmental programs future is announced.
WWE employees reportedly have been given the impression that a developmental promotion will ultimately open in Connecticut with the possibility of a second at an undetermined location.
The promotion was started by former wrestler Steve Keirn in 2007 to be WWE's second developmental promotion when they ended their relationship with the Georgia-based Deep South Wrestling in early 2007. It became their only developmental promotion in early 2008 when they ceased any affiliation with Ohio Valley Wrestling.
partial source: wrestlezone.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Happy Birthday to:
Ronnie Garvin - March 20, 1944
Sting - March 20, 1959
After losing to his brother Owen earlier in the show, Bret Hart goes on to defeat Yokozuna for the WWF(E) Title in the main event of WrestleMania 10.
March 20, 1994
Big John Studd died of Hodgkin's disease at 46.
March 20, 1995
March 19, 2012
Rumor Mill - Identity of Lord Tensai
WWE began airing vignettes on tonight’s Raw Supershow for a new character with a Japanese-like gimmick named Lord Tensai.
Tensai is actually Matthew Bloom and his signing was a topic of conversation backstage at this weekend’s live events. Bloom has spent the past six years with New Japan Pro Wrestling working as Giant Bernard and was in WWE during the Attitude Era as A-Train.
Bloom denied over the weekend he had signed with WWE.
source: wrestlingnewsworld.com
Oklahoma Lifts WWE Ban
Jim Ross wrote on Twitter that WWE's issues with the Oklahoma State Athletic Commission have been resolved and that the scheduled October TV tapings in Tulsa and Oklahoma City would take place as scheduled. We haven't heard anything further but it may be that Oklahoma made WWE exempt from their decision to cancel combat sports events.
source: pwinsider.com
Kevin Nash: Taker and Triple H Aren't Done Yet
Nash — who is close friends with both grapplers — gave SunSport a call to preview this year's Mania, which will be held in Miami.
And the match that was most on his mind was the one that pits his best pal Triple H — real name Paul Levesque — against Mark Calaway, aka the legendary Undertaker.
Nash told us: "It's going to be hard for them to follow last year, because the match they had was so epic.
"By adding the cell and by adding Shawn Michaels, they've got some more things to use as far as from a psychology and moving parts standpoint.
"It changes the psychology of the match. I'm really looking forward to seeing that what they do.
"I know that Mark's beat up, like we all are. I know Paul's beat up. His job is behind the scenes and in the office. When he does wrestle it's an added thing.
"It's added responsibility and I think that puts a ton of pressure on him, because he is so involved in so many day-to-day decisions that are made within the WWE.
"For something like WrestleMania it's easy for either one of those guys, the calibre of performer that they are, to be able to put one out of their hat...More?
source: the sun
John Cena in Car Accident
John Cena's ride was the lead dog in a 3-way chain reaction crash in Philadelphia this morning ... and TMZ has the first photos from the smash site.
WWE.com broke the story ... Cena was leaving a media appearance ... when his SUV was rocked from behind by another car.
Now, we've learned ... Cena's ride was hit by a small Honda Civic ... which was ALSO hit from behind by a massive big rig.
As we previously reported, Cena didn't appear to be seriously injured ... but plans to visit with doctors as soon as he arrives to the arena for Monday Night Raw.
March 18, 2012
WWE MSG House Show Results 03/18/12 - Triple H Returns to Action
(1) Zack Ryder beat The Miz. Ryder scored the pin after a Rough Ryder. Solid match.
(2) WWE tag champions Primo & Epico (w/Rosa Mendes) beat Kofi Kingston & R-Truth to retain the Tag Titles. Initial finish: Kofi scored a pin, but the ref didn’t see a foot under the ropes. The faces were announced as new tag champs, but John Laurinaitis came out, as he saw the foot under the ropes. The match was re-started. Primo then pinned Kofi with a backstabber to retain. Surprisingly good match.
(3) U.S. champion Santino beat Jack Swagger (w/Vickie Guerrero) to retain the U.S. Title. Santino with the Cobra and pin to retain. Again, a false finish in this match. Swagger pinned Santino using the ropes for leverage, then Teddy Long came out and said he saw the feet on the ropes, and ordered the match re-started. Laurinaitis then came out and started arguing with Long. Hornswoggle ran to the ring, bit Swagger on the backside, and Swagger, distracted, walked into the Cobra. Fun match.
(4) Alberto Del Rio beat Mason Ryan via submission. Del Rio with the armbar in less than a minute. Squash.
(5) Triple H & WWE champion C.M. Punk & Randy Orton beat Chris Jericho & Dolph Ziggler & IC champion Cody Rhodes in a six-man tag match. Best match of the night. Hunter Pedigreed and pinned Ziggler for the win. Punk and Orton took turns being beaten up by the heels. Jericho tagged in twice when Punk was at a disadvantage so he could work him over. Hunter was in once early, then came in for the finish while Punk and Jericho battled back to the dressing room. Punk returned, but Jericho did not.
(6) Divas champion Beth Phoenix & Natalya beat Kelly Kelly & Tamina Snuka. Beth pinned Kelly with a powerbomb. Eve was out before the match and told the crowd she knows what she did to Ryder was wrong and she wants to win the crowd back. Decent Divas match.
(7) World Hvt. champion Daniel Bryan beat Mark Henry and Big Show in a three-way match to retain the World Title. Usual match with Bryan either getting bounced around or running for a cover. Finish: Show chokeslammed Henry, but Bryan attacked the legs from behind. Bryan then pounced on Henry for the pin. I have seen this one before.
(8) John Cena beat Kane in a Last Man Standing match. Mixed reactions for both wrestlers. The match was good for what it was. Most of the time, Kane would bring in a weapon and bash Cena, who would get up at the count of nine. Kane used a chair, the bell, a microphone, and a table. Finish: Kane brought in a second table, set it up, but Cena caught him with the Attitude Adjustment to smash him through it. Kane couldn’t beat the ten count, giving Cena the win.
source: pwtorch.com
New Senior Director of Talent Development at WWE
WWE has hired former professional beach volleyball player Canyon Ceman has Senior Director of Talent Development. His summary from LinkedIn is as follows:
I am in a career transition. The 15 years from 1994-2008 were spent as a professional beach volleyball player, a real estate entrepreneur, and a traveling writer... among other things. A wonderful life that I didn't want to give up...
After my MBA at UCLA, I spent some doing strategic and financial consulting to socially responsible startups. Some clients include Green Earth Waterless Car Wash, Olade Organic Lemonade, Dig for Kids Not for Profit.
..
In 2009-2010, I went to work for the AVP (first as Bus Dev Consultant, then Strategic CFO) to try to save the sport I love and owe so much. Despite our best cost cutting effort, revenues fell too far to avoid the sad fate of Bankruptcy in Nov 2010.
From May 2011 to December 2011, I worked as an apprentice trader/ analyst at Diamondback Capital, focused on Fixed Income.
In addition to seeking capital for a new Fixed Income Hedge Fund with my previous employer, I am now seeking an opportunity with a more established sports/ finance property... ideally in business development, sponsor relationship management, or finance.
My long term goals include a managerial position with a sports/ entertainment property, ideally within a growing international brand.
WWE To Call Up Wrestlers After WM28?
Jim Ross comments on FCW talent:
I'd expect that WWE will 'call up' several deserving talents sometime after WM28 and it will be interesting to see how these talents are introduced to the mass, TV audience and how said talents respond to their new found opportunities and the pressure that they will discover at the next level.
Several talents are fundamentally ready for the chance of a lifetime but none are as good as they should aspire to be. Comfort zones are the kiss of death and striving each day to get better at what ever one does is not optional but a requirement in my perspective. Those that approach their professions in such a manner greatly enhance their chances of success. Only time will tell but I'm optimistic that WWE fans will embrace several new, FCW trained talents in the coming months.
source: jrsbarbq.com
March 17, 2012
Rumor Mill - WWE Re-Signs A-Train
WWE has reportedly re-signed the former A-Train/current Giant Bernard for the New Japan Wrestling promotion. Bernard will report to WWE after WrestleMania, according to the Wrestling Observer. Bernard's re-hiring will likely be for a bodyguard-type for on-air heel authority figure John Laurinaitis. Earlier this week, Bernard was asked on Twitter if he's been contacted by any U.S. promotion to be on their TV. Bernard simply replied, "Nope." In NJPW, Bernard had a recent IWGP Tag Title run with Karl "Machine Gun" Anderson.
source: pwtorch.com
This Day in Wrestling History
Today would have been Andrew "Test" Martin's 37th birthday.
March 17, 1975
"Beyond the Mat" debuted in theaters.
March 17, 2000
Triple H defeated Chris Jericho for the WWF(E) Unified Heavyweight title at WrestleMania 18. The event also featured The Rock vs. Hulk Hogan.
March 17, 2002
March 16, 2012
