Happy Birthday to Chris Jericho
November 9, 1970
The infamous "Montreal Screwjob" occurs as Vince McMahon, Shawn Michaels, Earl Hebner and others, screwed Bret Hart out of the WWF(E) title. Bret Hart immediately spat in Vince McMahon's face and later knocked him out backstage with a punch.
November 9, 1997
Steve Austin defeated Owen Hart for the WWF(E) Intercontinental title.
November 9, 1997
WWF(E) filed suit against the Parents Television Council for harassment.
November 9, 2000
November 9, 2013
This Day In Wrestling History - Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Montreal
November 8, 2013
New Head Of WWE Talent Relations
WWE has named Sean Cleary as the new head of WWE Talent Relations. Clearly has been with WWE since 2012 was previously in charge of the company's Human Resources department. He replaces Jane Geddes, who has been promoted to the Senior Vice President, Operations for Talent and Live Events.
Update On The Status Of Michael Hayes
WWE has requested that Hayes enter rehab and that so far, he has “seemed agreeable.” There is no timetable yet for his return to WWE. Hayes was suspended in October after reports surfaced that he was seen having a drink at a bar with Rosa Mendes (who has a history of substance abuse and recently completed WWE-funded rehab).
Edge Responds To Triple H's Recent Remark On Raw, Will He Return To WWE?, Talks Haven
As seen on the October 21 episode of Raw during the contact signing for the WWE Championship Match between Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton at Hell in a Cell, Triple H offended WWE Superstars and fans alike with his verbal burial of the talents of Bryan, as well as Chris Jericho, Edge and Rob Van Dam. WWE's Chief Operating Officer grouped Bryan with his three predecessors and declared that like them, he is not capable of being "The Face of WWE." The official WWE website caught up with Edge for an interview and asked him about the WWE Chief Operating Officer's flippant remark.
"When you look back on WWE’s history, how many guys really were “the guy”? There was Bruno Sammartino, then Hulk Hogan, Steve Austin, The Rock and now John Cena. Then again, does Triple H like guys with long hair that are better looking and more athletic than him? Probably not. And I think the three of us fall into that category," responded Edge.
"The Rated-R Superstar" previously addressed Hunter's remarks on Twitter, stating, "I think everyone forgets it's entertainment. Santa isn't real either. Or the Easter Bunny(I think, rabbits are sneaky)."
The 11-time World Champion appears regularly on Syfy series Haven, which started in July 2011, as Dwight Hendrickson. In response to whether he envisioned the show lasting through a fourth season then, Edge said, "I envisioned the show [going to season four], but I don’t know if I envisioned myself going to season four. [My involvement began] when WWE got in contact with the “Haven” producers, who were interested in using a wrestler. WWE said, “We got this guy. He just retired. We think he can do it.” And it just worked out. I went out and one scene turned into four scenes, turned into four episodes, turned into being asked back for the next season. That turned into seven [episodes] and then being asked back again next season and becoming one of the focal characters of the show."
Edge was also asked whether he will return to WWE, and replied, "I’ll use the absolute most over-used cliché, “never say never,” because when I have come back, it has been fun. If it’s fun, cool and creative and would shake things up and help some new, young talent, I would."
Edge has been posting paintings on Twitter, and discusses this and more in the interview. To access it, click here.
November 7, 2013
WWE Planning Another Animated Series for 2014
There are plans for a WWE Slam City animated series to be released in conjunction with the 2014 Royal Rumble pay-per-view. No details have been provided as of yet on how the series will be distributed.
According to PWInsider, the series would be released as part of a toy line from Mattel with the same time, likely meaning the series is for a very young audience, and that it will be an extension of the current WWE Rumblers toy line.
Changes in WWE including Talent Relations
Jane Geddes, who had been working for WWE as Senior Vice President of Talent Relations has been given a promotion and will be working going forward as Senior Vice President, Operations for Talent and Live Events.
The promotion puts Geddes as the number two person working directly with Triple H, specifically in handling the planning and execution of WWE's live events.
WWE officially announced the promotion in-house on Tuesday.
There is no word who will replace Geddes as Head of Talent Relations as of this writing. Geddes replaced John Laurinaitis, who was moved into a role as Top Producer.
Geddes was hired by WWE in October 2011.
There are a number of other departures and changes going on within the company, which may be to help prepare for the launch of the WWE Network.
WWE Releases History of WWE & Raw 20th Anniversary Collections on DVD & Blu-Ray
WWE today announced two new home entertainment titles for release, The History of WWE: 50 Years of Sports Entertainment, a three-disc DVD and double Blu-ray set, and Raw 20th Anniversary Collection: The 20 Greatest Episodes Uncut & Unedited, a 12 disc DVD set. Each commemorative compilation set will be available at WWEShop.com and through major retailers on Tuesday, November, 19, 2013 and Tuesday, December 3, 2013, respectively.
The History of WWE chronicles the evolution of WWE from a small, regional promotion into the global phenomenon it is today. The DVD includes more than 45 interviews with WWE Superstars past and present, including The Rock®, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin®, Triple H®, John Cena®, Undertaker®, Big Show®, Shawn Michaels®, Bruno Sammartino, Mick Foley and many more. This exclusive collection gives fans an inside look at each era of WWE as well as the launch of WrestleMania® and Monday Night Raw®.
A must-own for any WWE fan, the Raw 20th Anniversary celebrates the longest-running, weekly episodic television program in history. The collector’s set features 20 years of Monday Night Raw’s greatest moments including the first telecast, the original DX® invasion, the 15th Anniversary special and Bret Hart's return in 2010.
Why Was Triple H Visibly Upset During Monday's WWE RAW Segment with Big Show?
Triple H reportedly "blew a gasket" towards the end of Monday's RAW in the main event segment with Big Show. When The Shield came out and RAW went to commercial, Triple H was visibly upset and was seen dropping a "f-bomb" before grabbing a headset and arguing with whoever was on the other end.
It turns out that the segment was going long and someone in the back, either Kevin Dunn or Vince McMahon, sent out The Shield as a cue for commercial. Triple H was upset because they cut before Big Show could be told he was indeed getting a WWE Title shot. RAW ended up going 5 or 6 minutes long and that's because this segment had problems.
Kevin Nash Talks Working With Triple H During His Last WWE Run, Differences With Hulk Early On, More
Former WWE and WCW World Champion Kevin Nash was interviewed on this week's edition of the Big WrestleShark Show, ahead of his upcoming appearances alongside Scott Hall and Sean Waltman on the UK Takeover Tour. In the near hour long interview, Kevin discusses who took him under their wing, the feeling in the locker room when he joined WWF, jumping to WCW, the early days of the NOW, his thoughts on TNA as competition for WWE, working a ladder match at 52 years old and more. Here are some highlights from the interview:
Stories from the road: "We spent 300 days a year on the road when I first came in, and we would spend a ton of time in the UK because we did so well there. I think it kept the WWF alive. I remember doing a 19 day tour, being home for clothes and going back for a 21 day tour; only setting foot in the states to do TV's. At the same time, those trips were the craziest because you had a driver …when you have a driver and you're on a bus, there isn't much to do but drink beer and play cards, and that's what we did.
"We were all young guys, we knew we had to do this together, we were a team, and it was just like stone by stone, we had to build this thing back to what it once was. I think that group of guys on that bus, those 12 – 18 guys… I've got a picture of that group in the back of the bus; it's Taker, the Kliq, Stone Cold, the only person who's really not on that bus is The Rock. It's like the Attitude era and the NWO Era combined in the back of that bus (you can check out the photo here). It makes me feel good that I was fortunate enough to be part of that group of guys. It was the perfect storm."
His last run in WWE against Triple H: "If you would have told me at 50 years old, that at 52 I'd be in a ladder match [laughs]. I think it was a rib. I think they booked it, they called me up, put me on speaker and were waiting for me to start cursing and then I said 'alright fine I'll do it,' I think they just thought 'oh my god he's going to do it.' Visit Wrestling Inc. I knew it was against Paul, and I've always said I'll work against anyone good enough to carry me! I can't ballroom dance on my own. Gimme someone who can dance and I can do my part.
"He's so busy from a running the company stand point, we basically called it on the fly because we didn't have time to do anything. I got out there, picked up the ladder and I'm like, 'oh my god this thing is heavy.' I'm waiting for him to get up, and I know when he does I'm gonna swing it at him and I know just from the physics of it, I'm not gonna be able to stop this ladder once I swing it... so it's comin. That's the thing about working with your friends; you'll take real good care of somebody you don't know, but you'll beat the hell out of your friends."...More?
November 6, 2013
Paul Heyman Talks Future Goals, Current Role With WWE, Zeb Colter’s Success
Slam Wrestling! spoke with Paul Heyman about a variety of topics, including his current role with WWE, his future goals with the company and Zeb Colter's success. Below are the highlights:
On his current role with the company:
"If I look at my schedule right now… I don't have one booking as a manager. I'm booked all over Europe, I'm booked all over this country, in two-on-one handicap matches. So I'm booked as a wrestler right now, not as a manager. At 48-year-old, I still have not had formal training as a wrestler. The role has changed. We're not just doing the typical old-school gimmick matches that Lou Albano used to participate in."
On Zeb Colter's recent success:
"I think Zeb fit a need at the moment. When things really click in this industry, it's when they service the needs of the moment, and it ends up playing into the long-term. You have all these hot-button issues in the country, with immigration and health care, etcetera, and here's somebody who, Dutch is very articulate… here's a person that can speak on these subjects from any position that you want him to.He fit the immediate need that the company had to play on these hot-button issues, which then ties into the long-term of, which of his guys can he get across to the public to become bigger stars, into the bigger, more personal issues and money-drawing programs."
On his future goals with WWE:
"I've never managed in the main event at WrestleMania and I would love [that]. There are things that I know Brock wants to accomplish for us in this industry, that I prefer that Brock goes public with those goals when it's time. I know that Brock and I have talked about things that we'd like to accomplish, that we haven't had a chance to do yet. Hey, I'd love to be the first guy to ever manage the WWE and the WWE World heavyweight champion at the same time as well."
Triple H Being Patient With Rey Mysterio
Rey Mysterio may be out of action until 2014 while he waits on his knee to strengthen. Unlike in the past where WCW and WWE have put heavy pressure on him to return, this time around Triple H has been very good with him, telling Mysterio not to rush things and putting zero added pressure on him.
The Call Nominated
“The Call” was nominated for Favorite Thriller Movie in the People’s Choice Awards 2014. The film, considered to be the first hit under the new strategy of WWE Studios, starred Halle Berry with David Otunga in a supporting role. The People’s Choice Awards air on CBS on January 8, 2014.
Author Talks HHH & Stephanie Taking Over
The Squared Circleauthor David Shoemaker appeared on The Street and discussed the recent WWE stock surge, which is currently trading at around $13. Shoemaker noted that part of the reason in the increase in the stock price has been because the McMahon family has learned how to deal with investors. He also said that after speaking to Triple H last summer, both Triple H and Stephanie McMahon seemed ready to take over the company whenever Vince McMahon decides to hand over the reigns. He also discussed the WWE Network, the UFC using WWE's business model, TNA "may or may not" being up for sale, deaths in wrestling and more, you can watch the appearance here.
WWE Announce Kane's New Role
WWE today announced that Triple H has named Kane the new "Director of Operations" for WWE.
This is of course in-keeping with the current on-screen storyline.
November 5, 2013
Rumor Mill - The Future Of The Corporation Angle
The anticlimactic return of Big Show was due to the massive amount of long-term booking changes we’ve seen over the last couple of weeks. The main criticism with the entire corporation angle is nothing has been long-term. The only thing seen to be an inevitable probability is an on-screen feud between Triple H and Vince McMahon.
Fightin' Fanboys: John Cena
The World Champion of WWE speaks about his new partnership with Capri Sun, WrestleMania XXX, Captain America and more! Click here.
source: marvel.com
Ex-WWE Star Comments on Camp WWE
WWE will be coming out with a new adult-themed animated series called Camp WWE. Former WWE star Tyler Reks, who got into some trouble while he was with WWE for his Midcard Mafia cartoon, reacted via Twitter:
"I almost get fired 4 an "irreverent" cartoon & @WWE decides 2 make their own? Hope Mark Henry doesn't cry about it. Kinda makes me wanna release the 2 episodes of MidCardMafia season 2 that I have sitting here...."
November 4, 2013
Update on Hulk Hogan to WWE Rumors
Hulk Hogan had an option attached to his TNA contract for another year, however, TNA wanted to “sign him to an extension,” which was basically a way of asking him to take a pay cut for more years on his deal. Hogan was not receptive to taking less money and felt he still had value in the eyes of WWE. Regardless of what Eric Bischoff claims, Hogan in WWE 2K14 was one of the first steps in Hogan re-building the bridge for him back to WWE. However, let’s also be clear – Hogan didn’t think TNA would actually decline the option to his contract and they did. This left Hogan a “free agent,” which is his status currently. Now Hogan is clearly interested in returning to WWE and sources within WWE indicate there is obviously interest from the McMahon machine. The question seems to indicate – what would Hogan’s role be in WWE? WWE wanted something that would feature him on television but used primarily for merchandise and licensing. Hogan’s camp claims he wants John Cena at Wrestlemania XXX. So that’s where we are – Hogan is interested and WWE is interested.
Update on Rumors of Billy Corgan Possibly Buying TNA, Another Popular Name Interested?
With Lou D'Angeli confirming rumors that Billy Corgan is in talks to buy TNA, Jason Powell of Prowrestling.net notes that Corgan was not the person he was referring to when he reported that a notable name has shown interest in purchasing the company.
Also, Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter adds that there's not much to the Corgan rumors because he wouldn't have the money needed to buy TNA and carry it. F4Wonline.com adds that Corgan was not the leading candidate to buy the company as of a few days ago.
D'Angeli has since deleted all tweets referring to Corgan buying TNA.
Rob Van Dam Talks About His Recent Deal with WWE, WWE's Drug Testing and Lots More
Rob Can Dam recently spoke with Sam Roberts at Ringside Fest 2013. Here are some highlights:
What was it like coming back to the WWE: "Different and better. The whole vibration is there, it's different. First off, I've got seniority now, which I didn't have. When I was there before, they treated me good, but, because I mean it's not like I'm going to put up with someone not treating me good, but above me on the pecking order before there was what, Batista, the Rock, Stone Cold, Undertaker, nWo, D-Generation X. Hogan and Flair were still wrestling. There were so many guys and they're not there anymore. So that gives me a good chance, with all the RVD fans screaming my name, it gives me a chance to get noticed and get to the top of the card. So that goes a long way."
His short term deal meaning he wanted to be there: "That's true too. It's a mutual deal, so hopefully it's beneficial to them, not only because I get the crowd rocking, but also wrestling with their less experienced guys. Hopefully they're learning something. When you've been wrestling almost 25 years like RVD, a lot of the wrestlers are less experienced. In fact, I think to have as much experience as RVD has, you're supposed to be old and beaten up and broken down. I'm understanding that from getting all the feedback from everyone else that's so amazed.
"I got to tell ya. I feel the same, if anything better, than I did ten years ago or 20 years ago. As far as listening to my body to tell me when it's time to quit, I don't see any quitting in sight. So it's fun to be there and knowing that I was only there for a short time always gave me the light at the end of the tunnel because it really is a monotonous schedule of traveling from town to town to town to town to town. As fun as that may sound, and it is fun sometimes [it's long]. Without ever, ever, ever seeing an end, ever, unless you're injured, sometimes you go huh, I wonder if there's other things in life I'm missing out on just by driving, flying to Huntsville, Alabama tonight."
How long will it be until he comes back again: "A lot of it has to do with what else is going on. There's a few projects that might possibly come to pass within this time frame. There's an action movie that I'm not trying to talk about so much in case it doesn't happen.
"I had one starring role in this movie Wrong Side of Town, you can go check it out. The same production crew has been trying to pick up the pieces since then because producers were fighting on the set and nobody wanted to work together. But the plans were to do a whole bunch of those, so that's coming around. In fact this coming week I may have news on that. It may possibly be that if that happens, it could prolong the return if I wanted to go [in that direction]. But otherwise, just based on wrestling, what's the right amount of time to take off, it's like a mutual decision, again. My deal's done. I still consider myself in the WWE family, but technically on paper, I am now without contract."
Do they drug test with short term deals: "Yes. That's all part of working for them. That's different than it was before too, by the way. The testing is different. The fines are different. The dress code, how strict they are. That's a little different. The call times, when you have to get to the arena, that's a little different. So when you ask how are things and I say they're better and you want to know why, it used to be you had to be at the building at one o clock or you're fined 500 dollars. I had it happen several times. That means that if you're driving all night, you get to a hotel at three or four in the morning, and then it takes you a while to do your nightly whatever the hell you do's, and you go to sleep, you better get up. You better get up and check out and get to the building if you don't want to be fined."
Hulk Hogan on Oprah Winfrey Network Show
Hulk Hogan will be appearing on the November 17th episode of the Oprah Winfrey Network's "Where Are They Now?" program. Hogan will discuss life following his darkest period.
Billy Corgan Rep and TNA Respond to Rumors of Corgan Buying the Company
Newsday.com has reached out to both Billy Corgan and TNA for comments on the rumors of Corgan potentially buying TNA Wrestling. The following is the response from TNA, which is a forward of a recent memo issued by Janice Carter:
"An unfortunate aspect of this business is that there are wrestling 'reporters' who consistently post 'news stories' without proper facts. I want to assure you these are just rumors and that I am committed to TNA and its future."
A representative for Billy Corgan responded to the rumors by issuing the following statement:
"There is no reason to comment on rumors. Billy is completely focused on Resistance Pro's upcoming 2nd anniversary [show on Nov. 23]."
WWE Star Pulled From Pay-Per-View Plans, Has Backstage Heat
R-Truth hasn’t worked since the October 21, 2013 WWE Superstars taping in Memphis, Tennessee because he recently underwent oral surgery. The surgery caused him to miss Hell in a Cell and that put him in the WWE doghouse. Truth was featured on the promotional poster for the show and expected to wrestle but was pulled as a result of the surgery.
Apparently Truth has heat over the scheduling of the procedure. As one observer questioned, since when does it matter that a worker featured on a promotional poster doesn’t actually work the pay-per-view?
WWE Signs Olympic Wrestler to Begin Training at the WWE Performance Center
WWE has signed amateur wrestler Chas Betts to a developmental deal. He will begin training at the WWE Performance Center today. Betts was a member of the 2012 US Olympic team in Greco-Roman wrestling at 185 pounds. Betts posted on Facebook this weekend:
“On Oct. 19th of last year, I asked Kristi to give me one year to attack and pursue a new dream after I retired from Greco-Roman Wrestling…
It ended up taking two weeks longer than I asked for, but I think she’ll forgive that — considering we’ve moved to sunny Orlando, FL just as the Minnesota winter was about to kick in.
I am proud to announce I have signed a contract with WWE and begin training tomorrow at the WWE Performance Center here in Florida. For those that have known me a long time, you know being a pro-wrestler has been a dream of mine since I was 11 or 12 years old. I’m honored and humbled by the opportunity. I am extremely lucky to have a wife and family that has supported me in every dream I’ve chosen to chase, however unlikely it may be. Never underestimate the power of a good support system, people!
For those interested in following the journey, feel free to follow me @chasbetts on Twitter. See ya down the road, friends!”
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
