August 31, 2013
August 30, 2013
NFL, players agree to settle concussion lawsuit
The NFL has agreed to a $765 million settlement deal with thousands of former players who sued the league, accusing it of hiding the dangers of brain injury while profiting from the sport's violence, according to court papers released Thursday.
The league agreed to fund medical exams, concussion-related compensation and a program of medical research as well as to cover some legal expenses, according to a filing in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania on Thursday.
The settlement is considered something of a win for the league, which observers estimated generates annual revenue as high as $10 billion...More?
source: chicagotribune.com
August 29, 2013
Dolph Ziggler Says He's 'Sick' Of WWE Always Backing Randy Orton
Mike Jones from DC101 in Washington DC spoke to Dolph Ziggler today, who was promoting Sunday's WWE live event at the Verizon Center. During the interview, Ziggler discussed WWE backing Randy Orton and seemed to mix storyline with reality.
"If you've been familiar with WWE for the last 10 years or so, you would understand without Triple H coming up front and coming out and saying this is our hand picked guy, he's the face, no matter what we're behind him," Ziggler said. "If you've been watching the last 10 years or so, you'd already know that they made up their mind about him long time ago. No matter what he does, good or bad, they're behind him and they'll go out of their way to cut peoples legs from underneath them to make sure Randy comes out looking great.
"So, the fact that it's now out in the open, and I'm allowed to comment on it, it actually makes me sick. I'm really happy from Randy, he's awesome, he's so good at this. It makes me mad how good he is. But the opportunities that he gets over and over again makes that chip on my shoulder feel that much bigger to me. I wanna go out there and prove that they're wrong, prove [to] Triple H that he backed the wrong guy for the last 10 years, and no matter what, I'm going to come out on top, one way or the other."
Ziggler also discussed what he feels is coming down the road for him, being a fan of Christian, who he would like to take on in the future and more. You can listen to the full interview by clicking here.
August 28, 2013
Trial Date Set For TNA/Scott Steiner Lawsuit
A trial date has been set for the TNA lawsuit against former performer Scott Steiner. According to a report by Mike Johnson, the trial will begin in Nashville, Tennessee on March 31, 2014 with a pre-trial meeting on March 14, 2014.
TNA had filed a lawsuit against Steiner in June 2012 for alleged defamation of Hulk Hogan, Eric Bischoff and others on Twitter, as well as a breach of contract. Steiner then counter-sued TNA in September 2012 for breaching their contract with him.
source: pwinsider.com
The WWE's Difficult Men
At SummerSlam, Daniel Bryan bested John Cena in an incredible, hard-fought match that saw Bryan — playing the scrappy, scraggly underdog — overcome immeasurable odds to defeat Cena, WWE's most unflappable and dominant hero since the heyday of Hulkamania. Bryan got the lion's share of the crowd's adulation, leaving Cena in the limbo of lukewarm applause that has become his standard. Let's call it "That awkward moment when your biggest hero is also your biggest villain." Cena still gets his cheers, but he also gets a lot of "heat" — the angry response a pro wrestling villain gets from crowds. Despite the abuse Cena suffered at the hands of unappreciative Angelenos in the Staples Center audience, he managed to get through SummerSlam without being the most hated guy on the roster. After Cena left the scene, WWE found a villain so pure at this pay-per-view that even the ironic boos of meta-fans couldn't dilute the audience reaction, and WWE got the best heat that it has seen in ages.
On Monday's episode of Raw, Triple H stood atop the entrance ramp with the entire roster in cowed silence as Bryan was callously thumped in the ring by the Shield. If any wrestler objected, they would be fired. Some might call this a delicious storytelling device. Some might say Triple H is once again acting out his power-trip fantasies in story lines. The message boards fumed with indignation: Triple H is back to burying the roster. He loves to hear himself talk; he loves to be in the spotlight; he loves to boss everybody around. When Orton strolled to the ring and coolly hit Bryan with the finishing blow, fans said, "Get that guy off my TV screen." And that's exactly what they're supposed to be saying. WWE figured out how to turn the meta-fans into old-school marks.
When I said good-bye to Triple H after our interview, he said everybody always asks him what's next for WWE, now that Vince has transformed it from a territorial wrestling operation to a global enterprise. "One word," he said. "Disney." If his heel turn is any indication, WWE might have found the formula. It's expanded beyond childish things — the simplistic storytelling archetypes of good and evil. And in doing so, it's finally figured out how to make good heroes and villains...More?
source: grantland.com
August 27, 2013
Rumor Mill - Triple H, Dolph Ziggler, Paul Heyman & Rob Van Dam
Dolph Ziggler is in the WWE doghouse. He was put under to Antonio Cesaro in a match taped for WWE Superstars and it’s rumored that he recently got into it with Randy Orton.
Paul Heyman got “major props” backstage for what was described as one of the best in ring action promo angles ever on this week’s Monday Night Raw. When he got to the back, Triple H put him over and called his work “magic.”
The plan as of this week is for a new Paul Heyman guy to “save him” at Night of Champions next month. This is the current course of storyline progression.
Do not be surprised if WWE straps Rob Van Dam at the pay-per-view next month. He’s expected to get a huge pop in Detroit and if WWE wants a title change for a few weeks or even a transition to Damien Sandow, this could be the opportunity.
source: wnw premium
Video: Triple H gives Brad Maddox specific orders for the Daniel Bryan vs. The Shield Gauntlet Match
August 26, 2013
Eric Bischoff Comments on the Internet Wrestling Community
"Unfortunately, the internet, the dirt sheets, the blogs, whatever you want to call them - a lot of them are operating with partial information. And that hurts a lot of the different parties involved. It hurts the talent in certain respects; it hurts the business in certain respects; it hurts the credibility of the people who write about things that they don't fully understand. It's unfortunate, but that’s the nature of the business."
Shane McMahon's Company Under Threat of Being Delisted by NASDAQ
Shane McMahon's company, YOU On Demand, filed the following 8K with the SEC on August 23rd:
Notice of Delisting or Failure to Satisfy a Continued Listing Rule or Standard; Transfer of Listing.
On August 20, 2013, YOU On Demand Holdings, Inc. (the “Company”) received a notice from Nasdaq indicating that the Company’s stockholders’ equity reported for its most recently completed fiscal quarter did not meet the minimum requirement of $2,500,000 for continued listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market as set forth in Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(1). As reported in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2013 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 14, 2013, the Company’s stockholders’ equity was $1,553,238 as of June 30, 2013.
Under the applicable Nasdaq rules, the Company has 45 calendar days to submit a plan as to how the Company would seek to regain compliance with this requirement. The Company has been in contact with Nasdaq and will submit such a plan to regain compliance through transactions that result in a net increase in equity value. If the Company’s plan is not accepted by Nasdaq the Company will have the opportunity to appeal that decision to a hearings panel.
As a result of a gain on the Company’s recent sale of all of its interest in Jinan Guangdian Jia He Broadband Co., Ltd., the Company believes that it will be able to demonstrate compliance with Nasdaq Listing Rule 5450(b)(1), however there can be no assurance that any plan to achieve continued compliance submitted by the Company would be accepted by Nasdaq or would be successful in maintaining the Company’s listing on the Nasdaq Capital Market for its common stock. Any such failure may impact the liquidity and market price of the Company’s common stock and the Company’s access to the capital markets.
Talking Parenthood with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon
What happens when a wrestling fan meets Triple H and Stephanie McMahon from the WWE? They talk parenting of course.
For those of my readers that don’t know, Triple H is one of the biggest stars to ever step foot in a wrestling ring. With his intimidating and fierce character and win at all cost mentality, he rose to the top of the wrestling food chain and held the championship title 13 times. Along with performing on WWE telecasts, he is the COO of the WWE. Stephanie McMahon is the EVP of the WWE and in charge of creative development. She also happens to be the daughter of Vince McMahon, the owner of the WWE. Stephanie and Triple H are married to one another and have 3 daughters.
I had the pleasure of meeting Triple H and Stephanie at an event for Milk Mustache in NYC. After watching Milk Mustache’s new ad campaign, I got to step into the ring with them. The on air persona of these two is quite intense. On TV, they are ruthless, mean, and difficult to work with; you don’t want to be on their bad side. In real life, they are ruthless, mean, and difficult to work with. I’m kidding. I have no idea how they are in real life. I met them for a few minutes, so how am I supposed to know what they’re really like? I don’t believe everything I read on the internet, and neither should you… Except on this site. You should always believe what you read on this one.
The first thing I thought as I shook their hands was, “Triple H’s neck is huge!” And I couldn’t help but be put at ease by Stephanie’s calm and humble demeanor. After mentioning briefly my displeasure in the beat down they gave Daniel Bryan (my kids’ favorite wrestler) the previous weekend, I jumped into our parenting discussion.
Since the event was about promoting health eating habits, I asked the two about the Helmsley-McMahon family’s eating habits. My family travels a lot and we have a difficult time eating healthy when on the road, but Triple H reminded me that you can find milk in every hotel and you can get plenty of your protein by drinking it. He also suggested staying away from fatty foods, eating a healthy serving of fruits and vegetables, and not taking the easy way out by eating a breakfast burrito type of food.
After talking about healthy eating on the road, I turned the question to their breakfast table at home. I looked at Triple H and asked what he serves his daughters when time is short in the morning, and he motioned for Stephanie to answer and she jumped right in. I expected to hear that they had a nanny or maid that set out their food for them each and every morning and I was waiting for it. Then Stephanie smiled like she completely understands what it is like to have to get kids up and off to school. Of course since it was a milk event, she brought up the importance of drinking milk with breakfast, but also planning ahead and eating fruit and healthy cereals.
USA Network Credits WWE Raw For Being #1
USA IS THE #1 CABLE NETWORK FOR THE 8TH CONSECUTIVE SUMMER
POWERFUL SLATE OF ORGINALS, WWE Raw, AND SYNDICATED SERIES HELP DRIVE VICTORY FOR THE NETWORK
USA Boasts Four of the Top Ten Dramas Across All Cable, Including Freshman Series Graceland
NEW YORK – August 26, 2013 – For an unprecedented 8th year in a row, USA is summer’s #1 cable network in total viewers (2.95 million), P25-54 (1.15 million) and P18-49 (1.08 million). USA’s win was driven in great part by its powerful mix of originals, WWE Raw and syndicated programming. The network was home to four of the summer’s top ten scripted series including newcomer GRACELAND, as well as Burn Notice, Suits, and Royal Pains.
This Day In Wrestling History
Harley Race defeated Dusty Rhodes for the NWA Heavyweight Wrestling title.
August 26, 1979
Bret Hart defeated Curt Hennig for the WWF(E) Intercontinental title.
August 26, 1991
Raven returns to ECW helping Tommy Dreamer defeat The Dudley Boyz for the ECW World Tag Team Titles. This was also The Dudley Boyz last match in ECW before joining the then-WWF.
August 26, 1999
Stephanie McMahon announces that WWE Unified Champion Brock Lesner would be exclusive to SmackDown.
August 26, 2002
Triple H returned to a huge ovation and win over Booker T at SummerSlam. Hunter had been out since January of that year after injuring his right quad during a match at New Year's Revolution.
August 26, 2007
August 25, 2013
WWE Star Triple H to Wife Stephanie McMahon LET'S BOX
WWE superstar Triple H and his wife Stephanie McMahon got all Million Dollar Baby this week in NYC -- training with the guy who taught Hilary Swank how to box for the Oscar winning movie ... and TMZ has the footage.
WWE superstar Triple H and his wife Stephanie McMahon got all Million Dollar Baby this week in NYC -- training with the guy who taught Hilary Swank how to box for the Oscar winning movie ... and TMZ has the footage.
It all went down at Gleason's Gym in Brooklyn, where the couple strapped on the gloves for “Protein Fight Club” – a campaign to promote milk.
The guy putting them through the paces is Hector Roca – who famously trained celebs like Wesley Snipes, John Leguizamo and Jennifer Lopez.
Roca tells TMZ … HHH and SM trained for about an hour doing basic training techniques – with Stephanie showing some real flashes of promise in the ring.
As for HHH -- "Boxing is not really his sport."
source: tmz.com
Let's think about this. The man doesn't want to punch his wife in the face and that means he isn't good at boxing. Ok......
August 24, 2013
Happy Birthday Vaughn
Not really sure of Vaughn's birthdate. It was orginally reported that she was born on the 24th of August which is also Vince's birthday. However in this picture that Linda posted on her Facebook page she referenced July 20th. Anyway, Paul & Stephanie will be celebrating their youngest daughter's second birthday.
August 23, 2013
Rumor Mill - Vince Reportedly Meets with Warrior
While The Ultimate Warrior was in Los Angeles for WWE 2K14 business over SummerSlam weekend, he reportedly met with Vince McMahon. No word yet on what was discussed or how the meeting went.
This Day In Wrestling History
Dick Shikat defeats Jim Londos in Philadelphia, PA. The National Boxing Association's wrestling division (later the National Wrestling Association) recognizes Shikat as the new World Champion.
August 23, 1929
Triple H defeats Mick Foley for his first WWF(E) World Title one night after SummerSlam.
August 23, 1999
August 22, 2013
Triple H Talks About the WWE Developmental System
Triple H responds to a question during an interview with Grantland about running the developmental system:
Yeah, that's mine. Everything that has to do with talent, from the legends41 to the developmental system, to the live events and all of its operations and the towns we book, to where the pay-per-views are, all of it. Obviously I have a massive team that does all that, but they report to me.
I started in the office full-time a few years ago. Vince had been bugging me for a while, saying "When are you going to stop messing around in the ring and come get a real job?" So one time when I was injured, I shadowed him in the office for three months. I did everything he did. When I finally started full-time, he was like, "Take a few months. I want you to dig into everything. Have meetings with finance, dig into every part of this company and see what you think needs work." And the thing I came back to him with was we have this huge global marketing juggernaut, but we're a victim of our own success. We've shut down all the other territories. There's almost no place for guys to go learn, and when they do, they're learning how to work in a junior high in front of 50 people. It's a completely different thing than working in front of 10,000 or a million on TV with a camera in your face.
So I started this little division called talent development. It was basically to build a bridge between creative and the developmental wrestlers. Now, other than Vince saying, "OK, you can have that amount of money," he doesn't have anything to do with it. Honest to god, he hasn't even seen the Performance Center yet. He's supposed to go next week.*
*This interview was conducted on August 14, 2013.
'Getting Ready for a Car Crash’: An Interview With Triple H
Last week, before Triple H was the special guest referee in the WWE Championship match between John Cena and Daniel Bryan at SummerSlam, before Bryan beat Cena cleanly in a magnificent match, before Triple H turned heel on Bryan and helped Randy Orton cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase to win Bryan's title, he sat down for an interview with Bill Simmons and me. The WWE superstar and real-life front-office executive gave us a peek behind the curtain and into the head of the man who might be professional wrestling's biggest enigma — as well as its future. Click here.
source: grantland.com
Ric Flair on His 2K Legends Panel Behavior: "I Don't Know What Happened Last Night"
Steve Austin recently interviewed Ric Flair for his podcast, and the following is what Flair had to say regarding his behavior on the 2k Sports Legends panel over the weekend:
"I don't know what happened last night," Flair said. "They told me to entertain 'em and I did, but apparently it wasn't received the way it was supposed to be. The people who are running the game loved it, but the problem is corporate WWE gets mad at me, number one, which upsets me because I love the company and respect them so much. I guess we just drifted and told stories and they wanted the focus of the evening to be about the game."
WWE Investing In Marvel Superheros Project
WWE is one of several big investors in a new touring company featuring Marvel coming-book stars, according to The New York Times. “Marvel Experience” is set to launch in 2014 according to a Los Angeles based start-up company, Hero Ventures.
Other investors include a Disney relative, a co-owner of the New York Giants NFL team, and the co-founders of Guess Jeans. It’s unknown whether it was this specific investment that WWE was referencing in their most-recent Quarterly Report on August 2nd:
“On May 30, 2013, the Company made an investment of $2.2 million in a live event touring business. Our investment does not provide the ability to exercise significant influence over the investee.”
Heroes hit the road for 'The Marvel Experience' in 2014
August 21, 2013
Triple H & Stephanie McMahon Promoting The Protein Fight Club
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon Levesque were in Brooklyn, NY today to shoot footage for the The Protein Fight Club. The idea is to inform people that milk is a great form of protein. The campaign, MilkPEP, the team behind the old Milk Mustache campaign, developed "The Protein Fight Club" to spotlight that there are 8 grams of protein in each 8 ounce serving of milk.
The new video campaign puts the spotlight on protein by depicting milk in a series of humorous breakfast battles that showcase how its protein stacks up against the competition.
You can find out more about the campaign at this http://thebreakfastproject.com/proteinfightclub/.
