Wrestling Legend Terry Funk Dead At 79

WWE wrestling icon Terry Funk has died at age 79, his manager Timothy Beal confirmed to CBS News Wednesday. His cause of death was not immediately released, but Beal said that Funk "was in bad health for some time" and was "in a nursing home."

Funk's death was also confirmed in a statement by the WWE. 

For Funk, wrestling was a family affair. Growing up in in Amarillo, Texas, his father, Dory Funk, Sr., was a professional wrestler, and he started out as a tag-team wrestler with his brother Dory Funk, Jr., according to his WWE biography.

Funk broke out as a wrestling star in the 1980s when he appeared in a tag team with his brother at WrestleMania 2. He then competed singularly throughout the U.S. and in Japan over the course of his 50-year career, the WWE said. 

He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame with his brother in 2009. His final wrestling match was in 2017. 

Funk was also known for his breakout roles in Hollywood films. He appeared in "Roadhouse" with Patrick Swayze, "Paradise Alley" and "Over the Top."

TAMMY SYTCH FACING UP TO 25 YEARS IN PRISON... After Pleading No Contest To DUI Causing Death

Former WWE Diva Tammy Sytch just pleaded no contest to a felony charge of DUI causing death ... and she's now facing a prison sentence of up to a quarter of a century, TMZ Sports has learned.

The 50-year-old wrestling Hall of Famer was first hit with the count -- and seven others -- back in May 2022 ... after officials alleged she killed a 75-year-old man during a drunken car crash just two months prior.

Sytch had initially pleaded not guilty to all of the charges ... but changed her pleas in a Volusia County courtroom on Wednesday afternoon -- days before the case was slated to go to trial.

According to court documents, in addition to the plea to felony DUI causing death, she also pleaded no contest to one felony charge of driving with license suspended causing death, four misdemeanor counts of DUI with damage to a person, and two misdemeanor charges of DUI with damage to property.

A sentencing hearing for Sytch has not yet been put on the docket ... though, according to court docs, she's facing a maximum sentence of 25 years behind bars whenever it comes up.

Sytch has been in jail since May 2022 in the case ... after prosecutors claimed she crashed her car into the back of another vehicle on a Florida road in March 2022 while it was stopped at a traffic light. The officials alleged at the time of the accident she had a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.

Sytch had at first received bond in the case, but days later, she was thrown back in jail after prosecutors called her a danger to the community.

The case was not the first time Sytch had been accused of drinking and driving -- she had also been arrested at least six times for impaired driving before, including back in 2019 in New Jersey.

The former wrestling personality was also jailed last year for allegedly threatening to kill a man with scissors.

source: tmz.com

WWE Admits That Stephanie McMahon Spoke With Tubi Executive, Denies MLW’s Claim

WWE has formally denied allegations made against the company by Major League Wrestling after MLW filed an antitrust lawsuit against WWE in 2022. The lawsuit, which has since been amended and filed again after being dismissed last year, stemmed from MLW's claims that WWE prevented it from competing in the streaming market. MLW alleged that WWE pressured third parties to abandon contracts and prospective relationships with the company.

Wrestlenomics' Brandon Thurston posted a portion of new court filings to Twitter on Monday. In the documents, WWE denied the allegations. but did confirm that Stephanie McMahon spoke with a Tubi executive in August 2021. The filing denies that she pressured the streaming platform to kill a deal with MLW. The full court document can be seen online.

MLW's lawsuit alleges that Stephanie McMahon pressured the Tubi executive to "deny MLW a time slot that would compete head-to-head with WWE's NXT programs on Tuesday nights." It goes on to say "WWE threatened Tubi's affiliate, Fox, that it could lose WWE's business or preferred content if Tubi didn't acquiesce to WWE's demand and terminate its agreement with MLW." WWE formally denied these accusations.

There's no end in sight for the legal battle between WWE and MLW. According to the new filing, WWE has demanded a jury trial on "all issues so triable" in the Northern District of California where the antitrust lawsuit was filed.

Details On Endeavor Deal, WWE-UFC Merger And Plans For NXT

Following the news from earlier this week that the WWE-UFC merger under Endeavor is expected to close next month, Dave Meltzer's latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter offers up some additional details. The report states that layoffs and other efforts to save money are expected to begin within the company very soon. Additionally, Meltzer indicates that people within Endeavor are hoping to work with WWE to make NXT more of a "sustainable third brand."

The idea behind that is to increase the show's ratings, allowing it to bring in higher TV rights fees. According to Meltzer, the company hopes to make NXT a touring brand once again, with both live events and TV taped on the road. However, there is no timeline for when this will become a reality.

As for the previously discussed revival of "NXT U.K.," there is reportedly an idea for a full-time Performance Center in London, as well as the introduction of a new show focused on all of Europe. However, there will be no updates on that until at least next year.

WWE's stock price hit another record-high earlier this week, reaching $114 per share, giving the company a market valuation of nearly $8.5 billion. When the dust settles, the board of TKO will include six individuals from Endeavor and five from WWE. On the WWE side, that includes both Vince McMahon and current WWE CEO Nick Khan, as well as Steve Koonin, Nancy Teliem, and one more individual who has yet to be revealed.

In addition to remaining on the Board of Directors, Vince McMahon will own 16.4% of the stock for the new company, which will be called TKO. Stephanie McMahon will own 1.1% while Linda McMahon will have 0.3% of the company's stock. There was no word on how many shares Shane McMahon will own.

Triple H: Vince McMahon Is Not Currently Involved With WWE Creative Day-To-Day

WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H says Vince McMahon is not involved with WWE creative day-to-day.

McMahon reportedly had major spinal surgery in late July. Sean Ross Sapp of Fightful Select reported that it was unclear whether the surgery would affect McMahon’s work. McMahon had reportedly been making changes to WWE shows from a remote location in recent months.

During the WWE SummerSlam post-show press conference, Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics asked Triple H about Vince McMahon’s current contribution to creative. He also asked what extent McMahon recovery will impact his ability to contribute. Triple H noted that he wasn’t sure how long McMahon’s recovery would take. He also highlighted McMahon’s legacy.

“As far as the surgery, I’m not a doctor,” Triple H said. “I can’t tell you how fast that recovery will be. If I’m a guessing man, I’ve seen Vince come back from some remarkable things way faster than anybody else I’ve ever seen do it. He still brags that he was back quicker from two quad tears than I was from one. So how long that it, I don’t know.

“As far as contributions, I would just say this. The reason WWE is what it is, the reason this business, not just WWE, because you could make an argument that without Vince and his vision for this business, maybe it wouldn’t be here anymore. There was some things at that time back in the day that were very popular that just disappeared off the face of the planet. Vision of what he did changed the business, changed all of it for 50 years. Incredible run of success. No greater mind in the business.”

Triple H continued by noting that it would be silly not to ask for “counsel” from McMahon. However, he stated that McMahon is not involved with WWE creative on a day-to-day basis.

“At this point, if all of us didn’t look at moments in time for counsel from him on thoughts or ideas or if we had a question to go to him and ask, we’d be silly not to,” Triple H said. “It’s sitting next to somebody that knows more about this, it has forgotten more about this, than you’ll ever know, and to not utilize that in some aspect. But is he day-to-day? No. Is he in it all the time? No. If anybody has, he’s earned that right to be able to do that.”

IMPACT Wrestling's 1,000th Episode Celebration to Feature Return of Beautiful People and Awesome Kong

Next month, Impact is gearing up to record its 1,000th episode, and excitingly, the lineup for the special event includes the appearances of Beautiful People and Awesome Kong.

In an announcement made on social mieda, the promotion revealed that these former Knockouts will be making their return during the taping, scheduled for September 9th in White Plains, New York. Comprising Angelina Love and Velvet Sky, The Beautiful People boast an impressive history as former Knockouts Champions and Knockouts Tag Team Champions. Adding to the anticipation, Awesome Kong, who holds the title of former Knockout Champion and was also honored with an induction into the Impact Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2021, will be part of this momentous occasion.

WWE & Vince McMahon Statements On Grand Jury Subpoena, Search Warrant

WWE revealed in their latest earnings report that Executive Chairman Vince McMahon was served with a search warrant and federal grand jury subpoena on July 17. In an update, both WWE and McMahon have provided statements pertaining to the subpoena.

McMahon stated, "In 2022, WWE formed a special committee to review allegations of misconduct against me. That review was concluded in November 2022 following an extensive investigation. Throughout this experience, I have always denied any intentional wrongdoing and continue to do so. I am confident that the government's investigation will be resolved without any findings of wrongdoing. I am focused on completing the recovery process from my recent spinal surgery and on closing our transaction with Endeavor, which will create one of the preeminent global sports and entertainment brands."

WWE responded, "We believe this is a continuation of the investigation that commenced last summer. WWE has cooperated throughout and fully understands and respects the government's need for a complete process."

No charges have been filed against McMahon as of this writing. The details of the warrant and subpoena are currently unknown, although it has been publicized for more than year that the 77-year-old has been under investigation for hush money allegations pertaining to sexual misconduct.

McMahon underwent major spinal surgery on July 21, just mere days after being served the warrant. He is currently on medical leave until further notice. WWE confirmed that McMahon will remain Executive Chairman during this time as the company continues closing in on its merger deal with UFC under Endeavor.

WWE boss Vince McMahon hit with federal grand jury subpoena and search warrant

Federal law enforcement agents executed a search warrant on World Wrestling Entertainment

Vince McMahon last month and served him with a federal grand jury subpoena, the company disclosed Wednesday.

The actions represent an escalation of an ongoing investigation into allegations that McMahon paid millions of dollars over the years to women after being accused of sexual misconduct.

WWE also revealed Wednesday that McMahon “went on medical leave after undergoing major spinal surgery.”

McMahon’s leave began July 21, and he will “remain on medical leave until further notice but will remain Executive Chairman” of WWE, the company said in its quarterly report to the Securities and Exchange Commission...More?

source:  cnbc.com

WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon on Medical Leave “Until Further Notice” Following Surgery

The WWE said in a footnote to a SEC filing that federal agents executed a search warrant and served a federal grand jury subpoena on McMahon July 17...More?


source: hollywoodreporter.com

WrestleMania Generated $215 Million For the Los Angeles Region

WWE continues to tout the success of its second quarter earnings. On Wednesday, the company announced that WrestleMania 39 generated $215 million in economic impact for the Los Angeles region. WrestleMania events spanned several days in the "City of Angels" with "WWE SmackDown," the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony, NXT Stand and Deliver, the two-night WrestleMania event, and "WWE Raw" the following Monday, plus other local events.

Applied Analysis conducted the economic impact study. With that being said, WrestleMania 39 broke the record from the year prior when WrestleMania 38 brought $206.5 million in economic impact for the Dallas/Arlington region in Texas. It was also noted in WWE's press release that WrestleMania events have generated more than $1.2 billion in cumulative economic impact for host cities since 2016.

Other statistics from the study found that out-of-town visitors stayed for an average of four nights in Los Angeles. More than half of the attendees came from outside of southern California and 15% of fans traveled from international markets.

WWE previously announced that WrestleMania 39 brought in $21.6 million in ticket sales, which was a 27% increase from the previous record and made it the highest-grossing WWE event of all time. They also sold 20% more merchandise than the year before. Night One drew 80,497 attendees, while Night Two drew 81,395 for a combined attendance of 161,892.

WWE Executive Chairman Vince McMahon Has Major Spinal Surgery

Vince McMahon, WWE's former CEO and current executive chairman, reportedly underwent a major surgical operation on his spine recently. According to TMZ, which cited sources close to McMahon, the procedure took place last week and lasted more than four hours. The outlet reported that the operation was considered successful, and that McMahon has been recuperating in the time since.

Wrestling Inc. reached out to WWE; a spokesperson said the company has no statement at this time but acknowledged that the facts of TMZ's report are believed to be true.

Happy Birthday Triple H

Paul Michael Levesque
July 27, 1969