Maryland Band Provides Theme Music for WWE's No Way Out PPV

The official theme song for WWE’s No Way Out pay-per-view is “Unstoppable” by Charm City Devils of Baltimore, MD. You can listen to it here.

Charm City Devils

TNA vs WWE Update - Hearing Monday

WWE filed a motion with the court yesterday in Nashville asking for a conference to be held on 6/4 in regard to a number of matters regarding the lawsuit TNA brought against them last week. The court agreed and there will be a conference this Monday at 1:30 PM in Nashville.

WWE noted in their filing that while the court has allowed a Temporary Restraining Order and expedited discovery in the case, they and TNA have been unable, as of yet, to agree to the order, locations and dates for the depositions.

WWE also noted that John Laurinaitis, who is among those scheduled to be deposed, is scheduled for "previously advertised and committed television appearances" in the United States and Spain next week as well as the date of the hearing for the temporary injunction order meeting on 6/11.

WWE noted that due to the deadlines set by the court, they are concerned "they will be unable to adequately prepare" for the 6/11 hearing and will not be able to comply with the expedited Discovery Order "without considerable inconvenience and expense".

Jerry McDevitt has filed paperwork to represent WWE.

As of yesterday, Brian Wittenstein, the former WWE and TNA office worker also being sued, had yet to respond to the court or have a legal representative file paperwork that they will be representing him in his defense.

source: pwinsider.com

"Stream of Consciousness" from Paul Heyman

Paul Heyman took to his Twitter account @Heymanhustle and spent a good amount of time talking about how thankful and blessed he is for the career he has had, as well as what aspiring people in the wrestling business need to do to get themselves over today:

"I walk into the offices of #Looking4Larry and there's a bunch of #ECW pics sent to me by George Tahinos (who is a phenomenal photographer) . I guess in honor of the ECW DVD/Blu-Ray coming out next week and NO, I can't express myself in 140 characters or less and I couldn't help staring at this pic of me and Bill Alphonso from 1995 ...and I'm looking at that pic and wondering "how fuckin' long was my hair back then?" #HolyShit And then I immediately thought, "Who would follow THAT rebel leader? I look at some of these pics, and I realize how blessed I was in my career. Some guys have to wait forever for a lucky break. I managed @AustinIdolLive and Tommy Rich at the age of 21. Also The Orig Midnights, which I got to do on @ESPN. Got to debut in WCW on TBS at 23 years old. So I was @JRsBBQ color commentator at 23 years old. NO ONE IS GIVEN THAT OPPORTUNITY IN TODAY'S ENVIRONMENT! I will admit, with all modesty, I #Hustled my ass off, and GOT MYSELF the opportunity with ambition, politics, and pure assertiveness. Even "down periods" would give me the chance 2 work w/ people like Mean Mark. U know him as "The Undertaker" At 26, I managed @SteveAustinBSR, Rick Rude,Arn,Eaton, Zbyszko ... The Dangerous Alliance (didn't forget @Madusa_Rocks) I'm working with these legends, these giants of the industry, these absolute top guys in my 20s In today's system, most super talented people spend a great portion of their 20's just trying to make it onto the main roster and yes, that has to change. I got to take over the creative of #ECW a week after my 28th birthday By the time I became @JRsBBQ commentator on @WWE #Raw in 2001, I was 35 years old. STILL a "kid" but I was already a veteran with decades in the business, and yet a 35 year old today would just be getting that chance and working with @JRsBBQ on #RAW allowed me to commentate Wmania 17 and @SteveAustinBSR vs @TheRock. By the time I worked with Brock Lesnar, which has become my best known managerial role, I was 36 years old. I look at some of these pics and videos #HustleTweeters send me, and I realize what an amazingly blessed career I've had. I've had more lucky breaks, more open doors, more perfect-storm-timing-opportunities than anyone else I've known. These pics don't just remind me of "accomplishments," they remind me of what a lucky bastard I've been to be able to ...work with these magnificent people, and play these roles, under these various circumstances. I've hit the lottery so many times, it's easy to just "expect" the next opportunity, or get a sense of entitlement. But I've never felt entitled. Always blessed. Privileged. Lucky as all Hell. And yet, I know how much hard work goes into it, and how you have to SCORE with your opportunities. The next generation in this (or any other business) doesn't just need to "Step Up," they need to "Stand Up" and "Get Noticed!" Think it was easy for @CMpunk? Think it was easy for @WWEDanielBryan? They had to scratch and claw and fight for every ...inch of turf they could pry away from the previous generation, who made them fuckin' earn it!!! It's not about backstabbing. It's not about kissing ass. It's not about pulling a hot stunt and getting momentary publicity. It's about creating your own opportunity (like @SteveAustinBSR did with "Stone Cold") and working harder than every1 else looking for the big break, the next chance, the golden opportunity. This isn't a pep talk. It's the lay of the land as I see it in today's sports entertainment industry. I would have written a blog, but who knows if anyone will click on the link? And while this may be a "stream of consciousness" diatribe, it's a message to those who may be getting frustrated a message to those who may be wondering "will I ever get that chance? that break? that opportunity?" DON'T WAIT FOR IT TO COME TO YOU! RELY ON YOURSELF!!! Do you think @SteveAustinBSR relied on anyone? Did HHH? Did @TheRock? Did Hulk Hogan? Did @CMpunk? With great humility, I ask you, did I? FUCK NO. If there was no opportunity, I created my own, pushed my way in, manipulated the circumstances to beg, borrow, plead, blackmail, bribe, cajole, threaten, bullshit and/or manufacture. All I wanted was a mic in my hand and a time frame in which I had to deliver my message. I knew I would score. I've seen it in this business for ages. I saw @ShawnMichaels go from tag team wrestler to greatest all around in-ring performer ever. Think it was easy for him? I remember when Shawn and Marty were blackballed in the business, and could only work in Ala-fuckin-bama. Think it didn't take @ShawnMichaels everything "and then some" to break out of The Rockers and get a chance as "HBK"? AMBITION. ASSERTIVENESS and the ABILITY TO BACK IT UP is what it takes to create the next generation of main eventers. And it's time for the next group of superstars to stake their claim and create their own generation for others to follow. Period. Excla-fuckin-mation point. The lecture is over. Pontification has ended. Hope I've been of help 2 ANYONE who follows this acct and maybe even to someone who doesn't!

We now return you to our regularly scheduled nonsense...."

Some time after these tweets, CM Punk tweeted once again "I'm a Paul Heyman guy," while Chris Jericho responded "I agree with @Heymanhustle diatribe and I would like to add one more piece of advice. To really make it in this business...you have to be willing to take a chance. And if that pisses people off than so be it! Stop being so nice. Nice doesn't cut it."

I find it interesting the Heyman is getting praise for something that Triple H and Jim Ross have been saying for years.

This Day in Wrestling History

Vincent Kennedy McMahon and Titan Sports purchase his father's Capitol Wrestling Corporation.
June 1, 1982

IMPACT Wrestling Recap 05/31/12

TNA to Announce First Hall of Fame Inductee at Slammiversary

TNA President Dixie Carter announced on Thursday night's live edition of Impact Wrestling that at the upcoming Slammiversary pay-per-view event, TNA will announce the first inductee into their new Hall of Fame.

Stand Up for WWE: WWE issues a second statement about the Journal Inquirer and Darien Times columns

To provide further clarification on WWE’s recent letters to Chris Powell of the Journal Inquirer and Joshua Fisher of the Darien Times, the WWE issues the following statement:

“WWE is a global television content creator and a publicly traded company whose core business is monetizing that very television content. When our content is unfairly mischaracterized, it seriously jeopardizes our business.

Since 2008, all WWE broadcast programming has been rated TV-PG and prior to that some of our programming had a rating of TV-14. WWE’s content ratings are set not by us, but by the network TV distributors (NBCUniversal) and their standards and practices departments. According to the TV Parental Guidelines established by the television industry and adopted by the Federal Communications Commission, neither TV-PG nor TV-14 content would be considered pornography or anything close to it. In addition, the FCC would not permit our content to air on network or basic cable television if it were pornographic.

WWE refuses to be bullied and will not allow our content to be inaccurately categorized. This is not about politics or Linda McMahon’s (former CEO of WWE) candidacy. This is about protecting WWE’s business and setting the record straight that WWE has never been in the business of pornography. We must vigorously defend our company with any and all resources at our disposal.”

CT Journalist Retorts to WWE's Second Warning Statement

After WWE threatened Journal Inquirer (Conn.) editor Chris Powell with a libel suit earlier this month following a characterization of WWE's product as pornographic, Powell wrote a follow-up editorial published Thursday firing back at WWE. This was after WWE issued a "second statement" to Powell Wednesday, which read, in part: "WWE is a global television content creator and a publicly traded company whose core business is monetizing that very television content. When our content is unfairly mischaracterized, it seriously jeopardizes our business."

WWE said their programming has been rated PG since 2008 and "WWE refuses to be bullied and will not allow our content to be inaccurately categorized." Powell wrote in his follow-up editorial that he's not buying WWE defending the company, itself, rather than former CEO Linda McMahon, who he said profited from WWE's product before 2008 in order to fund her two Senate campaigns. Powell concluded, "Republicans who think otherwise, people McMahon can't buy, she tries to bully."...More?

source: pwtorch.com & journalinquirer.com

Tom Prichard Released by WWE

PWInsider.com is reporting that WWE has released Tom Prichard from his duties with developmental for Florida Championship Wrestling. Prichard had been with the company since 2007 at the start of FCW when he replaced Bill DeMott as the head trainer (DeMott had been working with Deep South Wrestling). In a strange twist, DeMott will reportedly be replacing Prichard as the head trainer of FCW shortly.

WWE NXT Results 05/30/12

Randy Orton Suspended for 60 Days

In accordance with its Talent Wellness Program, WWE has suspended Randy Orton for 60 days effective today for his second violation of the company's policy.

source: wwe.com

Rumor Mill - Tensai Reportedly Deemed A Flop By WWE Officials, Possibly Being Repackaged

Tensai failed to impress WWE officials in his pinfall victory over John Cena on the April 16 Raw SuperShow in London, England and was deemed "a flop" as a result. He was initially pegged to face Cena at the company's Over the Limit and No Way Out pay-per-view events but his poor showing in the main event match led to his push being curtailed and Big Show taking his place. WWE also canceled plans for summer live events to be headlined by Tensai and John Laurinaitis vs. Cena, instead replacing the former tattoo artist with Big Show.

Though Tensai has yet to be defeated on television, he suffered his first pinfall loss before a WWE crowd in in a dark match following Monday's Raw SuperShow—to Cena. He is being largely relegated to WWE Superstars while his character is retooled. He has already undergone tweaks as he appeared sans robe, competed more aggressively and had his named modified within the past two weeks. More changes could be in the works as there was talk this past week of additional modifications.

TNA Impact Wrestling Announces "Next Evolution of Pro Wrestling"

TNA IMPACT WRESTLING announced today that the highly-rated weekly series will be making changes to its programming to include a hybrid of reality and explosive action each Thursday, live on SPIKE TV at 8:00pm/ ET. The reality elements and production technique represent the most significant evolution in this genre in more than 15 years.

“We took a step back to look at our product with fresh eyes,” says TNA IMPACT WRESTLING President Dixie Carter. “People watch TV differently today than before, and the wrestling format itself has become stale. What happens backstage, in the office and on the road is so entertaining that we decided it was time to pull the curtain way back and give viewers a peek at that world as well. Over the next few weeks and months, viewers will continue to see our show evolve as we expose more real aspects of our business that have always been sacred,” she continued.

This announcement is a key component in the continued growth of the TNA IMPACT WRESTLING brand that is bringing game-changing programming to the world of professional wrestling. Cameras will be everywhere. Meetings will be shot in real time and unscripted as we capture moments; not produced segments. Access to conversations and vantage points that have never been seen before, such as production meetings, talent evaluations and post match critiques, will be revealed. Combined with an emphasis on story structure, long term character and story development, these changes will help IMPACT WRESTLING pioneer the next generation of wrestling entertainment programming.

Going live allows IMPACT WRESTLING a deeper connection with our audience via social media. Starting with the May 31st broadcast, IMPACT WRESTLING will be the most socially interactive television program in the history of professional wrestling. Viewers will have a variety of unique opportunities to participate and influence certain elements of the program through various social media platforms. Also, backstage will take center stage, as fans will have access to live interviews being conducted featured on www.impactwrestling.com.

More Details on TNA vs. WWE

A look at the lawsuit TNA filed last week against World Wrestling Entertainment and Brian Wittenstein provides deeper insight into exactly what confidential materials TNA alleges that Wittenstein provided to WWE, why they are suing WWE as well as Wittenstein and why the company feels WWE tampered with Ric Flair's TNA deal.

In the 37 page lawsuit filing obtained by PWInsider.com, TNA stated that Wittenstein signed a Severance Agreement with the company in August 2011 (which means that unlike what he claimed to PWInsider, Wittenstein was let go by TNA) where he agreed to a severance package in exchange for returning any company materials and not disclosing confidential TNA information. TNA included a copy of Wittenstein's Severance Agreement in the filing, blacking out only the amount he was paid by the company as severance.

In violation of the Severance Agreement, Wittenstein then allegedly "downloaded and took TNA's confidential, trade secret and proprietary information after leaving his employment with TNA." The lawsuit noted that Wittenstein, in his position as Talent Relations Coordinator, had access to TNA's computer network and proprietary information.

TNA's lawsuit admitted that the company TNA is "uncertain of the full breadth of Wittenstein's "theft and at minimum, the company believes he took documents including "copies of TNA's policies and procedures, a spreadsheet contained personal and confidential information regarding TNA's wrestling talent and staff, a spreadsheet containing the terms of TNA's contracts "with its prospective, present and past wrestling talent", a spreadsheet containing "confidential information regarding activity, payment and royalty reports" for TNA talents, a draft contract between TNA and one of its wrestlers, an executed contract between TNA and one of its wrestlers and a draft promotional agreement between TNA and a licensee.

TNA noted that their Severance Agreement with Wittenstein allowed him to go work for WWE or any other competitor as long as he "complied with his obligations" not to use TNA's material or information.

Instead, Wittenstein sent a memorandum to WWE "summarizing TNA's contracts with its wrestling talent." TNA's filing included an excerpt of Wittenstein's email, where he wrote, "Attached, please find a contract status and terms chart for the TNA Wrestling roster. I combined a bunch of different documents I had from there to put it all in one concise spreadsheet that should capture all the relevant information you would be interested in. Here are a few notes for you regarding the TNA deals."

So, TNA is alleging that every piece of important material relating to their roster's contracts were handed over to their primary competitor, which explains the Unfair Competition aspect of their lawsuit. They believe WWE knows all of their contractual details when it comes to talent and can make moves to out-maneuver TNA when necessary with that information.

More?

WWE Now Focusing on their TV Product

WWE’s new primary goal is TV ratings and their various TV products. The change in direction has been in the making for some time now and comes straight from Vince McMahon.

In the past, pay-per-view has been WWE’s #1 goal but that’s no longer the case. One of the main ideas now is to use pay-per-view events to bring in viewers to WWE’s weekly TV shows.

source: pwinsider.com

This Day in Wrestling History

Joe Stecher defeats Stanislaus Zbyszko for the World's Heavyweight Wrestling Title in St. Louis, Missouri. It marks Stetcher's third World Title reign, but is not without controversy as Wayne Munn, who Zbyszko had won the title from, was still recognized as World Champion in Illinois and Michigan. Ed "Strangler" Lewis would later beat Stecher and Munn to unify the World Title.
May 30, 1925

Joe Silva defeats Adolfo Bonales to win the Mexico National Lightweight Title in Mexico City, Mexico.
May 30, 1943

Marshall Estep defeats Ken Fenelon for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight Title in Toronto, Iowa.
May 30, 1945

Jake "The Snake" Roberts (birth name Aurelian Jake Smith, Jr.) is born in Gainesville, Texas.
May 30, 1955

Killer Kowalski defeats Yvon Robert in Montreal, Quebec for the Montreal World Heavyweight Title, beginning his seventh reign and ending Yvon Robert's 16th.
May 30, 1956

Antonio Inoki defeats Andre the Giant by countout in Osaka, Japan to win the first-annual New Japan Pro Wrestling MSG League.
May 30, 1978

WWE 13 News: Roster Size & New Game Features Revealed

Video game publisher THQ's official website has launched a new sub-section for the upcoming WWE '13 video game.

THQ is touting the "biggest roster" ever in a WWE game. So far, confirmed players include: Steve Austin, The Undertaker, CM Punk, Sheamus, Mankind, Big Show, Mark Henry and Chris Jericho. The THQ website says the game will feature 77 playable characters - 38 Superstars, 7 Divas and 32 Attitude Era Legends.

More?

Shane McMahon's Company Uplisted to NASDAQ

YOU On Demand Holdings, Inc. , China's leading national Pay-Per-View (PPV) and Video On Demand (VOD) platform, today announced that it has been approved to list its common stock on the NASDAQ Capital Market. Trading on NASDAQ will commence at 9:30 a.m. EDT on May 30, 2012. YOU On Demand's common stock will trade under the new ticker symbol "YOD" (formally otcbb:CBBD).

"We are excited to list our shares on NASDAQ, one of the world's premier stock exchanges," said Shane McMahon, Chairman and CEO of YOU On Demand. "This is a significant milestone in YOU On Demand's development and validation of our corporate governance practices. We believe that our listing on a national exchange as prestigious as NASDAQ will give our company the potential to broaden our shareholder base, improve liquidity and increase visibility of our achievements moving forward."

Rumor Mill - More on Brock Lesnar’s Meeting winth Dana White and What He Told WWE About It

Brock Lesnar met with UFC President Dana White in Las Vegas last weekend following the UFC pay-per-view. There was some speculation that WWE and UFC were in on the whole thing as part of the Lesnar storyline.

Word now is that WWE had no part in the meeting and it was all Lesnar’s doing. Speculation now is that Lesnar was trying to fuel his WWE storyline and at the same time make a “power play” with the two companies.

Lesnar actually told WWE officials that he met with White but nothing happened out of it. Lesnar reportedly brought up the idea of doing something with UFC but White wasn’t interested. White does not want a pro wrestling connection with UFC and isn’t interested in working with Lesnar while he’s with WWE, despite teasing it at the post-fight press conference.

source: pwinsider.com

CM Punk Responds To “Selling Out”, Asked About Retirement & TNA

A fan asked WWE Champion CM Punk if his run with TNA back in the early 2000′s will be covered on his upcoming DVD from WWE. Punk said he thinks it’s mentioned.

Punk was also asked when he will retire from professional wrestling. He replied, “Way sooner than you think.”

Finally, Punk wrote the following in response to fans saying he sold out:

“I enjoy people’s opinions on my”selling out”for various reason.As if I’m supposed to feel guilt for being successful.Hard work.No shortcuts. If you’re good at something, never do it for free. I remember people in Chicago being pissed at the fact I worked two shows in the same day. People who couldn’t do what i do. When you want something, you go after it. When you work harder than everybody else, you get it.”

source: pwmania.com

Update on Brock Lesnar meeting with Dana White

According to a report by The Wrestling Observer, Brock Lesnar and UFC President Dana White met on Saturday and while details of the conversation aren't known at this time, the report claims the meeting "did not go well." As reported over the weekend, Lesnar showed up at UFC 146 and informed White he would be doing so around a week in advance. White addressed Lesnar being at the event at the post-fight press conference on Saturday night, but wouldn't provide any other details.

WWE Applies to Register ‘Raw Active’ Trademarks for Fan Chat

World Wrestling Entertainment Inc. (WWE) (WWE), the Stamford, Connecticut-based sports-entertainment company, has filed three applications to register “Raw Active,” and “#Raw Active” as trademarks.

According to the database of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, WWE plans to use the marks in connection with fan- oriented online chat rooms and social networking. The applications were filed May 17.

source: businessweek.com

This Day in Wrestling History

The WCW World Heavyweight Title, which was still recovering from the David Arquette title reign a month earlier, followed by Vince Russo's stripping Ric Flair of the belt for no reason, took another blow in Salt Lake City, Utah. Kevin Nash, who defeated Jeff Jarrett for the belt six days earlier, announced he was just going to give the belt to Ric Flair, saying that Flair should never have been stripped of the belt to begin with. Flair accepted the title, then lost it to Jeff Jarrett that same night. So Flair's eighth reign with the WCW Title was started with Nash handing him the title, and ended less than two hours later with his loss to Jarrett. This would be Ric Flair's shortest title reign of record.
May 29, 2000

source: pwinsider.com

Raw Results 05/28/12

More on Brian Wittenstein - The Person at the Center of the TNA/WWE Legal Issues

People who work in the WWE offices report that Brian Wittenstein as very open about his knowledge of TNA while working for WWE. Someone in WWE finally realized that Wittenstein could be hurting them with what he was doing and he was fired. Wittenstein didn’t even make it out of his probationary period as he was fired before 90 days were up.

Wittenstein worked on the New York independent scene before getting a job with TNA and later WWE. People in both companies say that he talked too much, had a big mouth and didn’t know his place.

After WWE fired Wittenstein, they wanted to protect themselves so they approached TNA with what they knew. TNA, feeling that Ric Flair was giving them trouble because he wanted out of his deal to return to WWE, put the two situations together and felt like they had the right to file suit against WWE.

As noted before, the feeling within WWE is that they are being sued by TNA for doing the right thing.

source: pwinsider.com

Declarationofindependents.net has a article about Wittenstein allegedly harassing female talent while working with UXW. You can read it here.

TheBurningHammer.com has an article about Wittenstein alleging issues with Wittenstein and TNA dating back to 2005. You can read that here.

This Day in Wrestling History

NWA Vice President Bill Behrens strips Dan Severn of NWA World Title due to him not being available to defend it at the debut NWA-TNA ppv event.
May 28, 2002

This Day in Wrestling History

WWF finds itself in the midst of a very embarrassing public relations disaster as television and newspaper reports come out that the previous evening, Hacksaw Jim Duggan & The Iron Sheik were arrested by New Jersey State Police. The two wrestlers, who were feuding at the time on WWF shows, were pulled over on May 26th when a trooper saw Duggan drinking a can of beer while driving. Duggan was charged with possession of marijuana and drinking alcohol while driving. The Iron Sheik was charged with possession of cocaine and marijuana. Duggan would receive a conditional discharge, while Sheik was put on probation for a year. Both were immediately suspended from the WWF. Duggan would return a few months later, while Sheik would be not return for several years. Believe it or not, The Iron Sheik actually gave an interview months later where, in an attempt to maintain kayfabe, claimed that he didn't have a driver's license in the U.S. and the WWF forced him to travel with Duggan to the show.
May 27, 1987

One of the most famous moments in modern wrestling history takes place, as Scott Hall (Razor Ramon), fresh from his stint in WWF, shows up during the first-ever two hour edition of WCW Monday Nitro, entering from the crowd and informing Eric Bischoff that he was there to "declare war" on WCW. This was the beginning of what would become the New World Order.
May 27, 1996

source: pwinsider.com

More on the TNA/WWE Legal Situation

There seems to be quite a bit of misinformation since the news broke on the TNA and WWE legal sparring. First and foremost it should be noted that there is no lawsuit against the WWE by TNA. Not yet. The initial court records show that TNA simply filed an injunction against the WWE to prevent them from destroying any documents that may pertain to Brian Wittenstein and the WWE speaking of any TNA related.

The second most important fact of the case is TNA's use of an expedited discovery which implies that once the court serves Wittenstein and the WWE, they can expedited or set a deadline for them to appear for a hearing with the evidence from the court order in hand.

It is also important to note that TNA Chief Financial Officer Dean Broadhead is named in the case with evidence and an affidavit or sworn statement, likely documents that implicate both Wittenstein and the WWE. As of Wednsday, the courts have yet to officially serve WWE and Wittenstein with any injunction and temporary restraining order.

It is also important to note that the WWE did come forward and notified TNA that confidential information had been given to them by Wittenstein. The legal motions set fourth by TNA were put in place to find out exactly what Wittenstein told the WWE during his employment.

As for the charges that Wittstein violated his contractual obligations with TNA, we have been given word that TNA as of late, have placed high level office and creative employees under a NDA or nondisclosure agreements preventing them from talking about the inner workings of the company once they part ways with the company.

The hearing is expected to take place on Monday June 11. Click here to view the legal document.

source: tnainsider.com

SmackDown Results 05/25/12

New Details Revealed on WWE's Revolution and their Next Game

WWE's Revolution promos are apparently for the new WWE '13 video game that comes out on November 1st, 2012. A video was leaked on YouTube last night but has since been deleted by THQ. The leaked video was a THQ teaser for the game that featured WWE Champion CM Punk.

The tagline for the game is "Live the Revolution."

The video showed a re-creation of the Big Show and Mark Henry spot where they destroyed the ring with a superplex, so apparently you will be able to do that in the game.

Other teases in the video included a new CM Punk entrance and attire, Chris Jericho, Steve Austin, Attitude Era Undertaker, Mankind, Sheamus, Big Show in an Army singlet, Mark Henry plus new RAW and SmackDown side-trons.

The video also showed Chris Jericho doing a Lionsault from the ring apron through the announcers table and CM Punk doing a top rope elbow drop through the announcers table. Austin and Mankind were shown fighting in an old school arena before breaking the barrier and fighting into the crowd.

source: pwinsider.com

WWE Threatens the Journal Inquirer with Libel Lawsuit

U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon’s wrestling empire on Friday threatened the Journal Inquirer with a libel lawsuit because of the May 21 column by Managing Editor Chris Powell, which observed that the candidate’s great wealth "derived from the business of violence, pornography, and general raunch." (See http://www.journalinquirer.com/articles/2012/05/25/chris_powell/doc4fba49b1ed31d736446549.txt)

The threat came in a letter written by World Wrestling Entertainment Vice President Brian Flinn and sent to news organizations throughout the state as well as to the JI.

"This is now at least the second time you have made false statements that damage our corporate reputation, and the second time you have stated that WWE is involved in pornography," Flinn wrote to Powell. "WWE programming, like Hollywood movies and Broadway shows, is an exciting blend of action, characters, and fictional storylines of good versus evil entertaining millions every week."

Flinn demanded a retraction from the JI by June 4, or else "we will seek legal and all available remedies."

More?

TNA vs. WWE Lawsuit News: WWE attorney defends the company's approach

Jerry McDevitt, WWE's longtime attorney, said WWE has not tried to lure Flair or any other wrestlers under contract with TNA.

The lawsuit claims that former TNA employee Brian Wittenstein went to work for WWE and then leaked the information.

A message left at a phone number listed for Wittenstein in Nashville was not immediately returned Friday.

He signed a contract with TNA saying he would not disclose any of the company's confidential information after his employment ended.

McDevitt said that WWE never asked Wittenstein to disclose the information and that the company fired him when he did. Furthermore, WWE told TNA officials about the breach and sent back the information Wittenstein leaked.

"To us, it's no good deed goes unpunished kind of thing," McDevitt said. "They sued us for doing the right thing."