Saturday, September 24, 2011
Friday, September 23, 2011
Kurt Angle Interview 9/24/11
You’ll never believe how close we were to Kurt vs Randy Couture, and Kurt vs Kimbo Slice.
So, in his own words, here’s Kurt Angle on…
…his new movie, Warrior
I play a dominating character called Koba. He’s a Russian fighter, and I had to lose 30lbs for the movie because my character fights in a 185lb weight class, but I had to be a little bit bigger than the other guys because they wanted me to be more imposing.
I was really humbled that I got that part, and I was able to get three movies last year on my own, just off my name, that are in theatres this year.
Dylan Dog came out earlier this year and did pretty well. It’s a comic book movie about vampires and werewolves. I’t s really bad-ass movie, I really like it. It’s a lot like Supernatural, or actually, more like Men In Black. It’s pretty funny and a really cool action movie.
Then I did Warrior, and then there’s Beyond The Mat, where I’m a high school wrestling coach. I enjoyed that one because it was really close to home. I got to coach these wrestlers, and it’s a really great movie and tells a great story.
…trying out for the 2012 Olympics
My competitive spirit came out in me this year, and me and my nephew had a long talk, and we both agreed that we’re going to try out for the 2012 Olympic team. We’ll have had a full year to train before the first round, the US open. I’m excited. I feel good. I’m really confident. I’m healthy, thank God. That’s the one thing I was worried about, staying healthy and being ready for this, but we’ve been training our butts off. If I do it I’ll be the oldest member ever of the USA wrestling team.
The weight classes have changed since last time. My fighting weight is about 210, I weigh about 230, but it’ll come off me fast. I believe the weight class is 211, so I’ll be right where I need to be and I won’t need to cut weight or anything. I never did, I always wrestled up a weight class. In the 1996 Olympics I wrestled at 220, but I weighed 209. I was the only guy there that was underweight. I never worry about my weight because it affects your training. If you’re cutting weight, you’re not eating, you don’t have any energy to train. Rather than go down to 198, I stayed at 220 so I didn’t have to lose any weight and didn’t have to worry about it. And I was able to train a lot harder.
And that was the benefiting factor in me winning the Olympics, because I tired out my opponents; I spent most of my training conditioning, fatigue training, training so I couldn’t train any more but keep on going, because I had the energy to do it. These other guys put plastics on and starved themselves but when they roll around the mat they’re dead.
But people don’t believe I’m actually trying out for the Olympic team because of what happened when I was talking about going into MMA.
…MMA
I’ve tried out five times; let me tell you what happened.
I met with the IFL, I met with Pro VFC, I met with Pride, I met with the UFC twice, and the reason I did not sign with any of them was, the three other companies weren’t paying me near what UFC was offering, so there was a money issue; then, the UFC, who I would have signed with in a second (and I passed their physical, thank God) wanted me to start just four-and-a-half weeks later. No way.
I had to do what they wanted under their terms. Me trying out for the Olympics is under my terms. I choose my weight class, how I’m gonna train, who I’m gonna train with, and that the US Open is when I’m gonna start.
It was hard because I love Dana White and I respect him a lot. The first time I met him he wouldn’t let me wrestle and fight, and I had just signed with TNA, and I didn’t want to go back to TNA and say “Hey, I’m not doing this now…” so he said “call me when you’re done wrestling”.
I called him a couple of year later – I was getting a little tired of wrestling – I said “Hey, I’m ready”, so we had another meeting and he had me do a physical, and he threw a great offer at me, but said “I need you in four and a half weeks.”
I said “I can”t do that. You’ve gotta give me 3-6 months,” but he said “I need you in four a half weeks,” so I said “Well then, we’re not going to be able to do this.”
We didn’t talk for a while, but now we’re back to being good friends.
The reason Dana White wanted me so quickly though, is because he wanted to put me in the next available PPV against Kimbo Slice.
I could have done it it four-and-a-half weeks, but I wanted to be at my best. I didn’t want to start training, almost be at my best, but not quite. No matter who it was, I knew I wanted to take them down and pound them, but I wanted to be 100% ready, I didn’t want to just train for four weeks. In fact, I couldn’t have trained for four weeks anyway. I would have trained for two weeks, and then tapered down for two weeks, to get ready. It didn’t even make sense. Two-and-a-half weeks of training? Who does that? Also, I hadn’t even trained in MMA for at least a year-and-a-half.
So, under Dana White’s terms I couldn’t do it, so I decided I wanted to try out for the Olympic team because I still want to compete. And it’s gonna be harder than the UFC. Making the team is gonna be harder than fighting in the UFC, that’s how competitive wrestling is right now. It’s at its highest peak since 1980 because of MMA. Everybody wants to wrestle because they want to be an MMA fighter.
…improving with age
I think I’m a better fighter now than when I was originally in the Olympic team. I trained five months MMA because I thought I was going to do it, then I did the movie Warrior and I did another three months of strict MMA training,
What I wanted to learn was jujitsu and striking and combine that with a great base in wrestling.
I tried kicking, I sucked at it, so I didn’t do it. If you stink at something, you don’t do it. I threw it out the window. I knew what I needed to get good at in order to be effective.
I could have fought at light heavyweight or heavyweight, I’m like Randy Couture – I hover around 225. Randy Couture was a teammate of mine in the 1996 Olympics. I actually called him last year to see if he wanted to talk to Dana White about him and I fighting, and Randy called Dana, but I guess Dana wasn’t too excited about it. I mean, me and Randy are friends, but we were excited about doing it, there was money in it and we were gonna have a good time doing it. But, Dana didn’t think it was a good idea, and I’m sure it had a lot to do with me not signing with him previously… twice.
Randy’s a good striker with great takedown skills who can ground and pound, and I knew that’s what I was going to do but my MMA career is over. I always wanted to do it, but I think going back to wrestling at the Olympics will fill that void, that ‘what if…’
…working smarter
I’m doing this Olympic thing under my terms. I am going to do it, I am going to follow through with it and try out. Am I going to make the team? I don’t know. Am I smarter now than I was back then? Yes. I made a lot of mistakes back then – I’m going to be a much wiser wrestler and be smarter about my training. I overtrained when I was younger, WAY overtrained. I took a lot of chances, made a lot of mistakes, my opponents capitalised on them and I had to play catch-up. Now I know what I have to do. I have to score and keep good positioning and let my opponents make the mistakes.
I’m confident that I have a chance of making the team and I’m gonna go after it and see if I can win another gold medal.
…the transition from pro to amateur wrestling
My amateur background really helped when I went into professional wrestling, but there’s nothing I can take from my experience in the WWE and TNA that will help me go back. In pro-wrestling you have to let your opponent throw you around, you have to bump to your back. In amateur wrestling you can’t go back to your back at all – that’s why a lot of amateur wrestlers, when they fight in MMA, make the mistake of turning to their stomach – and that’s when they get choked out.
It’s not like my pro-wrestling is going to suffer though, I’m only going to wrestle a few times a month.
TNA have given me a lot of time off to train, thank God. They’ve given me their blessing to go ahead and try out for the Olympics, they think it’s a great thing for them, for me, for my food company (more on that later). But I didn’t do it for the media or the publicity, I’m doing it for me.
…the TNA brand change
I love the change in brand. I went to Dixie Carter about a year ago and said “We’ve got to change some things. We’re starting to do too much talking and not enough wrestling on TV.” Also there are a lot of difficulties in our matches, because many of them didn’t have finishes – there was always a DQ or a run-in. I told her, “If you want to get the viewers watching and you want to get our numbers up, then we need great matches with great finishes.”
It was like the only time we had finishes were at the pay-per-views, they were always protecting the wrestlers by not having a finish, but in wrestling, anyone can beat anybody on any given day, so why not have finishes on TV? People want to see the finish of the match. They don’t want to see matches get DQd because someone ran in or someone used a chair. That was an issue I had, they started cleaning that up and started having finishes and ratings went up, thank God. Now we’re doing more wrestling, less talk and delivering great matches.
We are wrestling. Wrestling matters. We even changed our name to Impact Wrestling. We went the opposite way to the WWE. They said “We’re entertainment,” but the thing is, you can’t take the wrestling out of pro-wrestling because no matter what angle, what storyline, or what beef you have with your opponent, you always end up in the ring. That’s the climax – you end up in the ring at a pay-per-view.
…”sports entertainers”
I find it offensive when (WWE chairman & CEO) Vince McMahon makes everybody use that term. We train to wrestle. Sure it would be nice to have great actors on TV for the storylines, but wrestling has to come first. The acting comes second. You need to be able to cut a good promo, you need to be able to have a good character with charisma, you need to be able to act fairly well, but most importantly you need to be a great wrestler.
I’ve seen guys who’ve made a great living from wrestling alone, who don’t even talk… like The Undertaker. All he says is “You. Me. Summerslam.” and there you go, that’s your match. You can do all the acting and all the entertaining you want, but at the end, you’ve gotta wrestle.
…WWE
I still watch it every once in a while. I caught a bit last Monday. I watch the guys that I worked with, but I really don’t know a lot of guys now. It seems that WWE has lost a lot of talent in the last two or three years. I mean Shawn Michaels and Taker have gone, HHH was out with injury, man, they had to bring The Rock back for WrestleMania.
They’re in a position where everything rests on Cena, who is maybe an above average wrestler at most – he’s not a great wrestler but he gets the job done – and Randy Orton, who is the best wrestler they have right now, bar none.
But other than them and Rey Mysterio, I’m looking round and thinking “who are these guys?” I mean, where did Sheamus come from? And who is Kofi Kingston? And who’s this kid who is using my ankle lock? I don’t even know his name. What’s his name? Swagger? Yeah, that’s him.
A relative of mine went on my Twitter and was saying stuff about it and then I got slammed about it, people were saying “It’s not even your move, Angle, it’s Shamrock’s.” But I wasn’t using that move when Shamrock was wrestling, I waited until he was retired before I started using it. I’m using it now and this kid’s over here and he’s not only using the ankle lock but he’s wearing red, white and blue!
I teased Randy Orton because he started using my finish, the Angle Slam, I said “Hey, I don’t mind you using it, but at least give it a name.” When he hits it the announcers just say “Well, he just hit that… thing.” So I said “Think of a name, Randy. If you’re gonna use my finish at least think of something you can call it.” And he said, “I’m thinking, Kurt, I’m thinking.” I don’t care if you use it, that’s cool… just… think of a finish.
So anyway, when it comes down to it, they’re hurting right now for talent. I guess Swagger and Kofi Kingston and Sheamus have picked up the slack, but I haven’t watched it in so long… the ratings aren’t what they were. I mean, they’re better than ours, and they always will be – at least for another five to ten years – but they’re such a monster company they really do need more talent.
With TNA though, look at our roster, we’ve got all the old guys like Hogan and Flair and Bischoff, but now we got the guys that WWE made a mistake of not utilising, like Mr Anderson. How do you not make that guy your top guy? He can wrestle, he can cut a promo better than anybody, and The Pope D’Angelo Dinero – that kids so frickin’ talented… and with Sting back, and me and Matt Morgan and Bully Ray. We’ve got so many great wrestlers and they’re so recognisable because they were with WWE, you just look at our roster and we’re crushing the WWE right now.
….on the Knockouts
We take pride in making our Knockouts Division about wrestling, not about looking pretty. Vince has the Divas but y’know, a lot of girls that Vince has passed up that are with us might not exactly be a perfect ten – maybe a nine – but they’re pretty enough that they look good while they’re out there but they can wrestle.
…his future
The future at TNA is wrestling, wrestling, wrestling, wrestling. I’ve signed a new three year deal with TNA. The rumour was I was going back to WWE, but that’s not happening. I’m staying here until I retire.
A lot of people say “Why don’t you go back to WrestleMania and retire there?” and that’s not a bad idea. But I look at it and think “I want to stay in TNA for the rest of my life.” I’m always going to have a job there. Either as an ambassador, talent relations, a writer, a booker, maybe office personnel, I’m always going to have a job there. Why walk away from that just to have a retirement match at WrestleMania? It is a big deal – I think WrestleMania is the grandpa of them all and it’d be a great way to go out, but it’s not worth it to me to risk my lifetime job at TNA.
…becoming an agent
When you look at a lot of the agents in wrestling, most of them never really made it to the main event level. That doesn’t mean they’re not great agents, but I think a lot of the main eventers in pro-wrestling never have to work again. The Undertaker made enough for the rest of his life, so did Shawn Michaels, so has HHH, The Rock, Stone Cold.. they all made enough, they don’t need to be agents.
But if you have a love for it like I do, I mean – I would love to be an agent, to help other wrestlers put together matches, finish it, structure it, teach them – that’s more my style. I have no shame being an agent eventually if that’s what TNA wants me to be. They’re going to pay me well to do it, but I will be a part of the company and I really believe I can help – either in front of the camera or behind it. Or you know what, in three years I might just do three PPVs a year and be an agent the rest of the time.
…on injuries
It’s always in the back of my mind now. I can’t get inured now. If I get any injury, my Olympic hopes are gone. I’m not worried about it from a professional wrestling standpoint, because even if I get injured – God forbid I do – I still get paid. But if I get injured and I can’t try out for the Olympics, that’s gonna hurt me more than anything, so right now, I need to wrestle smarter in that ring.
Some of the things that happened at Lockdown in April weren’t supposed to happen. When I fell on my head, that was because Jeff Jarrett was supposed to powerbomb me, but he hurt his ribs earlier and couldn’t hold me up and I just dropped and fell right on my head.
Thank God I didn’t get hurt. And of course there was the moonsault too… those things weren’t meant to happen and they’re the things I can’t do any more – not until after the Olympics. I just need to be careful and do what I do best. I don’t like the runs, I like to wrestle in the middle of the ring, I like submissions, I like wrestling. I’m not much of a spot guy. I’m just like to keep it simple and that’s worked for me.
But, every once in a while the dumbass comes out in me and I do stupid shit. I’ll never forget when I dove off the stage onto Abyss, I don’t know what I was thinking. He didn’t even know I was coming. I did flip off the stage from about 15 feet in the air. Thank God, Abyss caught me, I mean he’s a big target, but I don’t know what I was thinking when I did that.
I do this stuff every once in a while cos you get these writers on the websites saying “Angle’s too old, he doesn’t have it anymore,” so sometimes I pull something out to show them I do still have it.
I once got injured in Korea, cos TNA was subleasing me to Japan and Korea. They were making a lot of money, I don’t get paid much from that, so TNA were making their money back because they paid me such a huge figure – which I’m grateful for, I thank God every day that I get paid what I get paid. They would sublease me and then they would make money from that, usually around the $50,000 range for one match, so they’d send me over there four or five times a year. But I got dropped on my head in Korea and injured my neck so I went back to TNA and said “no more – I’m not going outside of TNA”.
They would also sublease me to independent shows, but I told them no more of that either. When you have the top guy in your company doing independent shows, it doesn’t look too good on the resume, so TNA stopped that and the last few years I haven’t done any of that and now they’re treating me like the top guy. They’ve realised that it’s not what they’re paying me, but the value of having me – my name, my branding and me as a wrestler – it’s worth more than the money they pay me.
When I got there, the company was going through growing pains. They were only doing one hour of TV and they were only doing 20 house shows a year; when I signed it went right to two hours and they were doing 125 house shows a year. So right away as soon as I signed, it went BAM and everyone was like “oh, they’re legit”. I’m not going to take all the credit, but I’ve loved seeing the growth of TNA over the last five years. It makes me feel good to be a part of it. I’m helping them to become what WWE is now, and that makes me happy.
And yeah, sometimes I’ll go to a show and there are only 1,000 people there when I’m used to 10,000 plus in WWE, but that doesn’t bother me. I think, those are 1,000 loyal fans who came to see us wrestle, so I’m gonna go out there and perform for them. Our average house show is 2,500 people, which is really good. Is it at WWE level? No. But we’ll get there. It’ll take another five years or so, but we’ll get there.
…on AngleFoods
We came up with the company after finding this product over in Germany called Ultra Fiber DX which was made specifically for obese people and people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, and it nearly got these people off their medication. What they would do was drink it 20 minutes before they ate meals and the fibre would expand in their stomachs – it’s an eight-layer fibre matrix, the only one of its kind. It made them feel full, so they ate less, it lowered their blood sugar, it lowered their blood pressure, it lowered their cholesterol and it made them lose fat quicker than any other product on the market.
So, we brought it over here, and my manager and his partner are the only distributors in North America, and my manager had the idea of infusing it into food. We found this chef who has this incredible gourmet Italian food company, so we had him play with it. He thought it was more like a flour than a powder, so he got pizza dough and took 65-70% of the pizza dough out – which is bad carbohydrate – and replaced it with Ultra Fiber DX, and it worked. Also, it tasted just as good, if not better. So we took a pizza which was traditionally high in fat and carbohydrate and managed to reduce both of those but at the same time increase protein and fibre.
We started using it in all different kinds of meals, and it was working. It was working in gravy, in sauces, we even made cookies that were high protein, high fibre, with no sugar in them that tasted incredible, so we based the company around Ultra Fiber DX, and called it Angle Foods. We’re in health food stores, regular grocery stores and it’ll be a worldwide company in the next year-and-a-half. Now though, we’re not just making it for obese people and people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, we’re doing it for prevention and also for performance athletes.
It’s a performance food. If someone eats four ounces of chicken with brown rice and vegetables and you add the AngleFoods gravy on top of it which tastes incredible and has the Ultra Fiber DX in it, you’ve added 15 more grams of protein and 15 grams of Ultra Fiber DX. It also regulates you – which is to say, helps you go to the bathroom properly. It’s like a high-octane fuel.
It also reduces your insulin spikes, and if you eat sugary food it will reject the food and not make your blood sugar go up – and that’s why diabetics were getting off their medication. Basically, we made a food for everybody, and now we’re getting into hospitals and schools and we’re kinda revolutionising the food industry.
the-void.co.uk
Thursday, September 15, 2011
New Triple H Interview
Triple H: I don't think we have to evolve. It's two totally different things. I think now especially there's this thing like, "oh it's very similar."
I don't see us needing to evolve to what UFC does because quite frankly sometimes the fights are long and boring, guys lying around and sometimes the fights are fast and over in five seconds. I've always thought one of the things about us, if you look at us solely from a sports standpoint, is that we always give you a good show. We're never going to give you a crap game.
I think if anybody needs to evolve, it's them.
Give more of an entertainment standpoint. Give more form; they just have fighters who walk in in T-shirts and shorts and just stand there and then they fight and then they win and then they go "thanks, I'd like to thank my sponsors" and then they leave. The whole world was up in arms when Brock was flipping people off and was cussing at the beer company because they didn't give him any money and everyone thought, "oh my god, he's disrespectful," -- the whole world was talking about it. They couldn't wait to see him get beat up. And then he did well, and he beat some guys and then people jump on his bandwagon going "Brock's the greatest."
I'm good friends with Floyd Mayweather and Floyd would be the first to tell ya, "I make the most money in boxing and I have the biggest buyers because I have the biggest mouth." He'd be the first guy to tell you that. That's what it's about.
Sports is entertainment.
MF: Brock left wrestling under controversial terms because he chose to walk away while he was still young, rather than stay on for too long.
HHH: Well [the terms] weren't controversial. Brock's a country bumpkin. And I don't mean that in a derogatory way. Brock just wants to be on his farm and he doesn't like being famous. He doesn't want to be bothered. Before he left, he was talking about buying a prop plane, and hiring a guy to fly him so he wouldn't have to go to airports ever. He could just literally fly from town to town so he wouldn't have to see anybody, go to the building and wrestle. That's the one thing about what we do for a living: you go to the ring twenty minutes every night, it's the highlight of your day. But you're on the road a couple 100 days of the year, that twenty minutes a night, that is the juice.
The rest of the time is the pain-in-the-butt stuff that you have to do to get you to the twenty minutes a night. It's the flying, it's the airports, the hotels, it's the rent-a-cars. You go through all of that stuff to get to that twenty minutes of adrenaline and then you go to the next town and you do it all over again. And Brock just couldn't deal with the other twenty three hours and forty minutes of the day outside of his 20 minutes in the ring. He loved that twenty minutes in the ring. The rest of it? Not so much.
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Scott Hall Checks into Jail
Scott Hall checked into a Florida jail today. The following is from TMZ.com:
Former wrestling superstar Scott Hall -- aka Razor Ramon -- checked himself in to a Florida jail today to begin his 10-day sentence stemming from a drunken arrest in 2010 ... TMZ has learned.
52-year-old Hall was ordered to serve ten days behind bars after he was found guilty of resisting arrest at a Florida bar back in May 2010. Hall had allegedly been drunkenly screaming at patrons.
Hall's rep tells TMZ the wrestler will be staying in the medical unit of Seminole County Jail because of his "bad health."
Hall has already been credited with time served ... and should be out of the slammer in eight days.
Monday, July 4, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
OMG! WWE DVD Info and Cover Art
The Top 50 Incidents In WWE History” DVD set, courtesy of WWEDVDNews. The DVD and Blu-ray set will be released on August 23rd in North America. The cover photo features Edge spearing Mick Foley through a flaming table at WrestleMania 22.
“OMG! – The Top 50 Incidents In WWE History counts down the most outrageous moments in the history of WWE. What moments will make the cut, the top 10, and what is the greatest moment of all time? Is it the King of the Ring tournament where Austin 3:16 was born? Mick Foley’s devastating fall of the top of the Hell in a Cell cage? The Montreal Screwjob? The explosion that consumed Mr. McMahon’s limo? This three-disc set is the perfect release for fans that love to debate which moments were their favorites.”
Brock Lesnar Negotiating With WWE
Heyman and Lesnar have reportedly either made a deal or are at least in very serious negotiations to have a business relationship with WWE. Regarding Lesnar, word is that he won’t be wrestling and won’t be a TV character, should he have a business relationship with WWE again. Heyman would start working with the company again under a deal similar to Lesnar, according to the report by the Wrestling Observer.
In This Writers Opinion,If Brock Were To Leave the UFC after One or Two more bouts, and the WWE were to offer him a cushy schedule Like Only TV's and PPVs. As well as a Guaranteed multi-million dollar contract. He would Accept. Or what if he never returns to the UFC ?
One person close to the situation notes that CM Punk mentioning Colt Cabana, Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar during his promo on Monday’s RAW has to do with all three of those stars possibly coming back to WWE.
The source notes that Punk recently asked WWE to hire his good friend Colt Cabana. He also requested that Colt be placed on the main roster. This was a sticking point as to whether Punk would re-sign with the company. As far as CM Punk's future is concerned, WWE's creative team has been told that he's finishing up with the company at the Money in the Bank PPV. Of course, that could change depending on what Punk decides to do. Most backstage feel he's leaving come July 17th. WWE has an offer on the table right now for him to stay.
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Kurt Angle Clarifies Twitter Comments on CM Punk
- Yesterday, Kurt Angle wrote the following on his Twitter about CM Punk: “CM Punk had classic promo last night. Good for Him. But if U ever say another word about Me again, Ur toast! If U don’t believe Me, try Me!”
Angle clarified those comments today on his Facebook. He wrote:
“To all the fans who MISUNDERSTOOD my old tweets toward CM PUNK. He mentioned me on twitter a while back. It didnt cross my mind until i heard he did a good promo and I just wanted to be the bigger man and tell him he did a good job and for now on if he has something to say, call me up like a man instead of tweeting his personal feeling towards
New Randy Orton Interview 6/29/11
* Orton was broached on the subject of not being able to say he’s a wrestler, but rather, a “WWE Superstar.” Orton added, “Honestly, a lot of things we’ve talked about thus far in this interview, they’d be upset with. I’m not like, ‘eff it,’ but I try to be real.”
* Orton shared a story of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson trying to get him in trouble prior to WrestleMania. Orton said he gave his opinion on The Rock during an interview with ESPN—that he wasn’t buying his return speech about returning to WWE and never leaving again. Orton said Johnson called management and claimed the WWE Superstar slammed him and Triple H in the interview. Orton feels Rock mentioned Triple H to grab their attention even though he didn’t criticize “The Game” in the interview.
Orton said he had “got in trouble” and “made Vince mad” for his statements. He feels the interview was “blown out of proportion” and that Johnson should have confronted him over his remarks, rather than complaining to Vince McMahon and management.
* Orton said Cena is “light years” ahead of everyone in WWE on the microphone, including The Rock. Orton then criticized Cena’s wrestling ability by laughing at his in-ring style.
“When I watch him, I feel he’s a little stiff, hard to move, robotic. It certainly hasn’t hurt him. I’m much better than John Cena, but on the mic, he’s light-years ahead of all of us, including The Rock,” Orton said.
– Orton knocked the actresses who have portrayed his wife on television.
“Both those women were actresses. Not even actresses. They were like models who couldn’t act; it was awful. (hosts laughed) It actually ruined both segments because they couldn’t act,” Orton said.
– Orton brought up Chris Jericho, who said he is missed as a locker room leader. When asked about Downfall on ABC, Orton said he doesn’t think Jericho received permission from WWE to host the game show. He said there was some conflict over the matter, but Jericho is the type to approach Vince McMahon.
“Jericho is type of the guy to go in Vince’s office and tell him this is what he’s doing and tough,” Orton said. “A lot of newer, younger guys are intimidated by Vince. They’re scared to knock on his door. Jericho—I miss him being around—would go tell McMahon what’s going on.”
– Spured on by the hosts, Orton levied some unflattering remarks towards WWE Divas Champion Kelly Kelly after saying he worked a brief romance storyline with her a few years ago.
“I would be a method actor, and actually sleep with her,” joked host John Holmberg.
“I could name a few method actors in WWE,” Orton replied. “Like, ten guys.”
The hosts tried to pry names from Orton, who tried to deflect from the topic by joking that it’s all the big guys on the roster. Orton and the hosts continued to joke about who Kelly has or hasn’t slept with throughout the show.
– Several other minor topics were discussed including his baby oil look, whether he’s defecated in the ring, wishing there were more wrestlers like Sheamus, Mark Henry being difficult to work with, and more.
More Wrestlers Comment On CM Punk, Rock, JBL, Kurt Angle, and More
The Rock posted the following on Twitter in response to CM Punk's promo from RAW…
"CM Punk: it's simple business - The Rock is the main event at Wrestlemania cause it draws more money in one night, then u will in lifetime."
- Chris Jericho wrote the following on Twitter last night about CM Punk’s RAW promo: “Congrats to @cmpunk and Vince McMahon for doing something tonight that hasn’t been done in awhile…make history.”
- Bret Hart wrote the following about CM Punk leaving WWE: “Can’t help but feel like @CMPunk leaving WWE is like Steve Carrell leaving “The Office”
- John Cena wrote the following on Twitter regarding CM Punk’s RAW promo: “CeNation. Headed to australia. Very excited. I feel as if I do not need to comment on raw last night. I think what happened needs no explination.”
- For what it’s worth, the people at WWE Magazine wrote the following online after Monday’s RAW: “The mood backstage is…edgy, to put it mildly. @CMPunk is in a meeting with a lot of the people he just called out…
- JBL wrote more online about CM Punk’s RAW promo after finally watching it yesterday:
“I haven’t watched a wrestling program since well before I left WWE 2+ years ago. Heard about CM Punk’s promo and watched it this morning-WOW! That was awesome, as good as I have ever seen. I worked with CM when he first became champ-really enjoyed it and really happy to see what a stud he has become. When you can put doubt as to whether shoot or work-you have done your job very well!”
- Beth Phoenix, who has been linked to CM Punk, wrote the following about his segment on Monday’s RAW: “So many of u asking me about my feelings on how Raw went off the air.Shocking, compelling & struck a nerve. Passion&Talent cannot be denied.
- Kurt Angle wrote the following about CM Punk’s RAW promo on Monday night, on his Twitter page this afternoon:
“CM Punk had classic promo last night. Good for Him. But if U ever say another word about Me again, Ur toast! If U don’t believe Me, try Me!”
It should be noted that Punk didn’t mention Angle on Monday night. Angle may have been referring to a comment Punk made on Twitter
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
New Punk News
WWE officials told Punk to go out and say in his own words why he was leaving the company, why he wanted the WWE Title and why he wanted to leave with it in his possession. There was a discussion that when officials felt Punk was going too far, they would pull the plug on the segment and cut his mic.
It’s said that Punk was upset months ago when Triple H came back to feud with The Undertaker and while some of his comments on RAW towards Vince McMahon were well thought out to appear not as a shoot to the average viewer, most believe that Punk’s comments towards Triple H and John Laurinaitis were strictly a shoot.
Word also is that Punk had some notes for his speech jotted down on his wrist tape.
As far as his contract status, Punk’s deal apparently expires the second week of July but he signed an extension to work through Money in the Bank. Still with last night’s new storyline development, sources maintain that Punk is leaving at Money in the Bank
Transcripts of CM Punk's Amazing Shoot On Raw
“John Cena, while you lay there, hopefully as uncomfortable as you possibly can be, I want you to listen to me.
I want you to digest this because before I leave in 3 weeks with your WWE Championship, I have a lot of things I want to get off my chest.
I don’t hate you, John. I don’t even dislike you. I do like you. I like you a hell of a lot more than I like most people in the back.
I hate this idea that you’re the best. Because you’re not. I’m the best. I’m the best in the world. There’s one thing you’re better at than I am and that’s kissing Vince McMahon’s ass.
You’re as good as kissing Vince McMahon’s ass as Hulk Hogan was. I don’t know if you’re as good as Dwayne though. He’s a pretty good ass kisser. Always was and still is.
Whoops! I’m breaking the fourth wall! (Punk waves to the camera)
I am the best wrestler in the world.
I’ve been the best since day one when I walked into this company. And I’ve been vilified and hated since that day because Paul Heyman saw something in me that nobody else wanted to admit. That’s right, I’m a Paul Heyman guy. You know who else was a Paul Heyman guy? Brock Lesnar. And he split just like I’m splitting. But the biggest difference between me and Brock is I’m going to leave with the WWE Championship.
I’ve grabbed so many of Vincent K. McMahon’s brass rings that it’s finally dawned on me that there just that, they’re completely imaginary. The only thing that’s real is me and the fact that day in and day out, for almost six years, I have proved to everybody in the world that I am the best on this microphone, in that ring, even in commentary! Nobody can touch me!
And yet no matter how many times I prove it, I’m not on your lovely little collector cups. I’m not on the cover of the program. I’m barely promoted. I don’t get to be in movies. I’m certainly not on any crappy show on the USA Network. I’m not on the poster of WrestleMania. I’m not on the signature that’s produced at the start of the show. I’m not on Conan O’Brian. I’m not on Jimmy Fallon. But the fact of the matter is, I should be.
This isn’t sour grapes. But the fact that Dwayne is in the main event at WrestleMania next year and I’m not makes me sick!
Oh hey, let me get something straight. Those of you who are cheering me right now, you are just as big a part of me leaving as anything else. Because you’re the ones who are sipping on those collector cups right now. You’re the ones that buy those programs that my face isn’t on the cover of. And then at five in the morning at the airport, you try to shove it in my face and get an autograph and try to sell it on Ebay because you’re too lazy to go get a real job.
I’m leaving with the WWE Championship on July 17th. And hell, who knows, maybe I’ll go defend it in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Maybe…I’ll go back to Ring of Honor.
(Punk looks at the camera and waves)
Hey, Colt Cabana, how you doing?
The reason I’m leaving is you people. Because after I’m gone, you’re still going to pour money into this company. I’m just a spoke on the wheel. The wheel is going to keep turning and I understand that. Vince McMahon is going to make money despite himself. He’s a millionaire who should be a billionaire. You know why he’s not a billionaire? Because he surrounds himself with glad-handed, non-sensical, douchebag (censored) yes men, like John Laurinaitis, who’s going to tell him everything he wants to hear, and I’d like to think that maybe this company will better after Vince McMahon is dead. But the fact is, it’s going to be taken over by his idiotic daughter and his doofus son-in-law and the rest of his stupid family.
Let me tell you a personal story about Vince McMahon alright. We do this whole (anti) bully campaign
(Mic cut off.)”
Monday, June 27, 2011
The Rock Confirms He'll be in GI Joe, Raw Roulette Options Revealed, and More
- WWE has released an image on their website of the RAW Roulette wheel they will be using on tonight’s show. Here are the options:
* Strange Bedfellows
* Player’s Choice
* Steel Cage
* Pillow Fight
* Handicap
* Lumberjack
* Blast from the Past
* Flag
* Mystery Match
* Falls Count Anywhere
* Tornado
* Blindfold
* Body Slam
* ? On A Pole
* No DQ
* Tables
* Special Guest Referee
* Trading Places
* Submission
* Song & Dance
Former World Champion Diamond Dallas Page revealed on Twitter that he is backstage for tonight’s RAW in Las Vegas. DDP showed a photo of WWE crew members and a steel cage, indicating that there will be a cage match on tonight’s show.
- WWE Hall of Famers Bob Orton Jr. and Ted DiBiase Sr. both need their knees replaces. Orton Jr. will be having the surgery soon while DiBiase doesn’t have a date yet. Doctors told DiBiase that they could treat his hip issues with medication, therapy and getting his weight down from his current 320 lbs.
- WWE NXT: Redemption talent Darren Young is now without a Pro after Chavo Guerrero was released this weekend. Young wrote the following on Twitter about Guerrero:
“Chavo passed off his wisdom to me! Now I’m taking the crown home all by myself! Thanx to the @mexwarrior for his advice and willingness to help me become a better superstar. Its much appreciated Chavo!
Kelly Kelly Talks Winning the Title and More, Former Diva Ties the Knot, and More
- After being chosen to take on WWE Divas Champion Brie Bella last Monday on RAW, Kelly Kelly (53%), who beat out Beth Phoenix (36%) and Eve (11%), took full advantage of her opportunity. Kelly relieved Brie of the title to begin her first championship reign.
Kelly revealed her thoughts on finally winning the strap to WWE.com.
"The biggest compliment for me was the fans voting for me on Raw," Kelly said. "I feel like the fans have really connected with me for five years. I think some might see me as the underdog – always working hard, but just never getting a chance."
The fans weren't the only ones lined up to congratulate Kelly as she was greeted with a warm welcome by her peers upon returning backstage.
"The Divas were standing there by the locker room, waiting and clapping for me," Kelly revealed. "I've never been injured. I've worked the live events five years straight with no real off weeks. I've worked so hard for this, and I think the other Divas recognized that."
- Former WWE talent Maria Kanellis and Angela Fong (a/k/a Savannah) are advertised to appear at the Frank & Son Collectible Show in City of Industry, California on Saturday, August 27 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Visit www.frankandsonshow.com for more information.
- Former women's wrestling champion Madusa (a/k/a Debrah Miceli) wed her fiancée of six months this past Saturday in Memphis, Tennessee. She had the wedding broadcast online.
JR's Newest Blog, Hogan Talks TNA Going on the Road
- Jim Ross has a new blog entry up, at http://www.JRSBARBQ.com/ Here are the highlights…
On WWE's TV Week: It's hell week for WWE TV personnel as they have their 'doubleheader' tonight and then two more, consecutive days of Smackdown tapings Tuesday and Wednesday. I've been a part of many of these marathon weeks and I can assure you that one really has to pay attention, take great notes and sleep when one can or announcing and continuity mistakes can easily occur. I hear that UFC TV production personnel are experiencing 'burn out' to some degree with all the TV's that they have been doing lately, too.
On Sin Cara vs. Even Bourne: It will be fun to see Sin Cara vs. Even Bourne for those who like the flying stuff. Both guys are talented and I'm curious to see if they have in ring chemistry with the other. I hope that sooner than later Sin Cara can begin to speak some English as that will help him connect better with what could be a sizable audience for the Mexican star as time goes on.
On CM Punk: I'm very curious to see what @cmpunk says tonight on Raw about his upcoming departure which seems as if it will occur in Chicago, Punk's hometown, after the MITB PPV there in July. Punk is at the top of his game, without question, and I, for one, feel that the Raw TV shows leading into the Chicago PPV could be compelling as it relates to Punk. His loss will be significant but w/ any loss comes the opportunity for someone to step forward.
The HBK-Bret Hart DVD Project: @shawnmichaels_ and @brethart and I talked about WM9 in Vegas which was my first live WWE event (toga) where Shawn wrestled Tatanka and Bret lost the WWE Title to a fatigued Yokozuna. Not the most auspicious of nights for either HOF'er but they discussed this era and this event in detail when we did our DVD sit down last week. Again, that project is slated to be released in October. The interview was real. The answers were real. They did not know the questions that I was going to ask ahead of time. Their reactions were real. I realize that because of the genre that there will be doubters but when one sees the finished product I think all concerns about realism and honesty will be alleviated. Plus, this project wasn't solely about 'Montreal' even though the '97 Survivor Series was throughly addressed.
- According to a source, there has been on and off talk with SpikeTV that TNA will be taking more iMPACT! tapings on the road. According to Hulk Hogan's Twitter, that will come in August…
"Getting ready for 2days of IMPACT tapings in Oorlando, can't wait till August and we start going on the road every other taping."
Hogan also claims that he turned down a cameo in the new American Pie move, posting the following…
"Just turned down a cameo for the new American Pie movie, they wanted me to dance, I told them they should get Jericho, not my deal brother. HH"
Sunday, June 26, 2011
More Matt Hardy, Flair Avoids Jail, and Lots More
- Ric Flair has paid up the $35,000 he owed Highspots.com. The site posted the following to their Facebook page:
"Letting our own social media get the scoop, we have FINALLY been paid by Ric Flair for the debt dating back years ago. No jail time for Naitch. Whichever Angel pitched in the $ for him THANK YOU."
- WWE.com has posted an article on Shawn Michaels' new TV show, Shawn Michaels' MacMillan River Adventures, in which Michaels says that Triple H and other current and former Superstars will be appearing on the show.
- After Matt Hardy tweeted yesterday that anyone who asked for a refund from the Fort Wayne show would get their story "re-tweeted", Abyss posted the following to his Twitter (which was re-tweeted by Karen Jarrett):
Our roster of talent is the best and brings everything they have to the ring everynite and our Impact live events give the fans alot for their money. No refunds required or requested. Thanks for being great fans no matter whos on the show. You guys are the best
That's Abyss (and Karen Jarrett) basically telling Matt Hardy to shut his mouth.
- Tyson Kidd appeared as a babyface at last night's SmackDown live event in Hidalgo, Texas. He defeated Heath Slater, who was accompanied by Justin Gabriel.
- Layla celebrated her 33rd birthday yesterday. She is expected to be sidelined until next year due to tears of the anterior cruciate ligament and medial collateral ligament in her knee.
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Batista Opens Twitter Account, Talks WWE Product and More, Plus Matt Hardy/TNA Feud News
Former WWE star Batista has launched an account on Twitter via twitter.com/Real_DBautista. The account has been confirmed by his official website, Demon-Wrestling.com. He posted an introductory message explaining what he’s been up to since parting ways with WWE last year.
“So I’m giving in to my rule of NO social networking because I promised my boy Josh Rafferty that i would……so here we go!” Batista wrote. “First off!!!!! NO HATERS ALLOWED!!! I hate HATERS!! I wish all haters a Nick Diaz style ass woopin! go somewhere else!
“This is what i’ve done since I left WWE a year ago….3 movies, first one “House of the Rising Sun” being released next month. riding low with my homies…. THE IMPERIALS!!!! Los Angeles chapter….sup Francisco,Junior, El Presidente Tomas..(we miss you Jesse) training my ass off at Gracie Fighter Pleasant Hill Cali, Gracie Fighter Tampa Fl., and Powerhouse Gym in Downtown Tampa. ….and chillin with Sarah : )”
Batista also says he plans on fighting no matter what.
He wrote, “So I’ll repeat myself because haters are not only losers but they also seem to be illiterate! NO FUCKING HATERS! no negative chi here!!!! and God willing…YES I will be fighting. even if i have to walk my old ass to the cage with a cane!”
Batista then criticizes WWE’s “PG” product, writing, “I’m the biggest wrestling fan there is..which is why I’m boycotting the PG BS! They’re selling watered down art bro. Kills me.”
Batista also responded to queries regarding his recent weight loss. He says he gave up weights and eliminated certain foods from his diet.
“Gave up the weights, gluten, red meat, pork….down to 260…feel great,” he wrote. “Leaner than ever though. I feel great at this weight
Matt Hardy has been pulled from several weeks of TNA events because of his recent suspension, including house shows. Because of this, Hardy posted the following on his Twitter account:
"If you asked for a refund in Ft. Wayne cuz I wasn't there, tweet me your story & I will RT it. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart!"
It was reported earlier this week that Matt Hardy was suspended by TNA Wrestling due to continuously arriving late to live events and posting a video online of himself urging Jeff Hardy to stun a woman with a taser, "among other reasons." It was noted to Hardy on Twitter that a group of "thirty people" asked for refunds when it was announced that he would not be on hand for Friday's live event in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Right. Instead, they were given free merchandise.
Hardy wrote, "I thank those peeps who stood up for me. I haven't done anything wrong.. And the "Fans Voices Should Matter"-don't ever forget that!"
He continued, "If you asked for a refund in Ft. Wayne cuz I wasn't there, tweet me your story and I will RT it.. And I thank you from the bottom of my heart!"
Hardy also continues to take issue with wrestling websites that publish "inaccurate" stories.
"As I said earlier, I have no more beef with the net. They're people tryin to make a living off of the business that we are the lifeblood of," Hardy wrote. "With that said, you certainly can't believe everything you read. There's always details to situations that they have no clue about and therefore report incorrectly."
As you can imagine, TNA management is not happy with these latest tweets. One source noted that he's basically "egging them on". Sometimes it's better to keep your mouth shut.... something Hardy obviously knows nothing about.
Chavo Guerrero Released, Chavo Comments on Release
WWE.com announced today that Chavo Guerrero has been released from his WWE contract.
Chavo Guerrero released
June 25, 2011
World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of WWE SmackDownSuperstar Chavo Guerrero as of today, June 25, 2011. We wish Guerrero the best in all future endeavors.
WWE announced this morning that the organization has come to terms on the release SmackDown Superstar Chavo Guerrero. The third generation grappler commented on his departure from the organization and revealed that he had requested to be let go due to unhappiness with his position.
Guerrero wrote, “Yes, it’s true. My release is the big news I was talking about. But let’s get something straight. I asked for my release. I was just tired of not being used correctly. Just cuz u can make other ppl look good, doesn’t mean they should just have u lose to them. The same thing happened to Eddie. After being champ, they still had him working mid card status. Being a Guerrero, we’ve been taught since diapers to get the most out of ppl & matches. It’s our gift, but also our curse. WWE has always used us to make other ppl look good.
“It all comes down to being happy. I was not happy in WWE anymore. I had a smile on my face last night though when I got my release though! now it’s time for me to start being a Guerrero again, and start kicking ass again, be able to tell stories in the ring like u know we can. Win or lose I will never go back to the place WWE put me in. I will never go back to being under utilized and watching ppl who suck get bigger “pushes” than me!
Thank u to all of u who stuck by me and kept reminding me, I was better than that! stay tuned. Big things coming!! Now I will really be able to entertain u! like me or hate me, 1 thing I have always tried to do is entertain u and give u fans your $ worth. Even if my hands were tied most of the time. I love u all and can’t wait for the future!! So happy. ”
He continued, “Hey, u guys have me trending World wide!! Thanks. I should of quit a long time ago! I know it may sound like it, but I’ve got no hard feelings toward the WWE. I’ve just been unhappy there for a long time & if you have watched the show, u will no why. I made a lot of money, but I’m better than just cashing a paycheck. I wish no hard feelings toward the WWE and want to see them and all my friends there succeed! I love wrestling & want nothing but wrestling to get better & bigger. U fans deserve nothing but a great show and great stories& athleticism for staying so true to wrestling. It’s in my blood & always will be.
“People asking what I’m gonna do now..I’m gonna stay home and be a Dad. going to watch my son’s football practice now. Happy!”
Friday, June 24, 2011
ROH Press Confrence 6/24/11, Also Complete List Of Markets For New Show
BALTIMORE, MD - WNUV CW Saturdays at 10 PM and Sundays at 12:00 AM
BIRMINGHAM, AL - WABM MyNetworkTV at Saturdays 9 PM and Sundays at 11 PM
BUFFALO, NY - WNYO MyNetworkTV Saturdays at 9 PM
BUFFALO, NY - WUTV FOX Sundays at 11 PM
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA -KFXA FOX Saturdays at 11:30 PM
CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA - KGAN CBS Saturdays at 3:30 AM
CHAMPAIGN-SPRINGFIELD, IL WICS/WICD ABC Saturdays at 12:00 AM
CHARLESTON, SC - WMMP MyNetworkTV Saturdays at 10 PM
CHARLESTON, SC - WTAT FOX Sundays at 1 AM.
CHARLESTON-HUNTINGTON, WV - WVAH FOX Sundays at 11 PM.
CHARLESTON, HUNTINGTON, WV - WCHS ABC Sundays at 1:30 AM.
CINCINATTI, OH - WTTE FOX Sundays at 12 AM
COLUMBUS, OH - WTTE FOX Sundays at 12 AM.
DAYTON, OHIO - WRGT FOX Sundays at 10:30 PM and 3:00 AM.
DES MOINES, IOWA - KDSM FOX Sundays 11 PM and Saturdays at 2 AM.
FLINT, MI - WSMH FOX Sundays at 11 PM
GREENSBORO, NC - WMYV MyNetworkTV Saturdays at 8PM and 12 AM.
GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG-ASHEVILLE (CAROLINAS) WMYA CW Network Saturdays at 10 PM.
GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG-ASHEVILLE (CAROLINAS) WLOS ABC Saturdays at 1:30 AM.
LAS VEGAS, NV - KVCW CW Network Saturdays at 10 PM and 1 AM.
LEXINGTON, KY - WDKY FOX Sundays at 12 AM.
MADISON, WI - WMSN FOX Saturdays 12:30 AM and 3:30 AM.
MILWAUKEE, WI - WVTV CW Network Saturdays at 9 PM and Sundays at 12 AM.
MINNEAPOLIS-ST. PAUL - WUCW CW Network Saturdays at 9 PM and Sundays at 1 AM.
MOBILE-PENSACOLA - WFGX MyNetworkTV Saturdays at 9 PM and Sundays at 12 AM.
NASHVILLE, TN - WUXP MyNetworkTV Saturdays at 10 PM and Sundays at 1 AM
NORFOLK, VA - WTVZ MyNetworkTV Saturdays at 10 PM and Sundays at 1 AM.
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - KOCB CW Network Saturdays at 9 PM and 2 AM.
PADUCAH-CAPE GIRARDEAU - WDKA MyNetworkTV Saturdays at 9 PM and Sundays at 2 AM,
PEORIA, IL - WYZZ FOX Sundays at 11 PM and Saturdays at 3 AM.
PITTSBURGH, PA - WPMY MyNetworkTV Saturdays 10 PM and Sundays at 12 AM.
PORTLAND-AUBURN, MAINE - WGME CBS Saturdays at 1 AM.
RALEIGH-DURHAM, NC - WRDC MyNetworkTV Saturdays at 10 PM and Sundays at 12 AM.
RICHMOND, VA - WRLH FOX Sundays at 11:30 PM.
ROCHESTER, NY - WUHF FOX Sundays at 1:30 AM.
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS - KMYS CW Network Saturdays at 9 PM and Sundays at 1 AM.
ST. LOUIS - WDNL ABC Saturdays at 1:30 AM.
SYRACUSE, NY - WNYS MyNetworkTV Saturdays at 10 PM and Sundays at 1 AM.
TALLAHASSEE, FL - WTWC NBC Saturdays at 1 AM.
TAMPA-ST. PETERSBURG, FL - WTTA MyNetworkTV Saturdays at 9 PM and Sundays at 9 PM.
Update on Bret Hart/HBK DVD
While initial reports on the Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart DVD stated that the DVD would be focused on the Montreal Screwjob, which is not the case.
The DVD interviews that were filmed yesterday were for a DVD that will follow the entire series of matches and feud between the two both backstage and on screen. The Montreal Screwjob will be discussed of course, but it is not the focus of the DVD.
Bret Hart Returning To TV, Stings New Movie, HBK on Raw, And Tons More
- As noted before, Bret Hart is booked for upcoming SmackDown live events. There has been talk of The Hitman returning to WWE TV for some kind of storyline soon.
- Sting stars in a new Christian movie called “The Encounter” that was released earlier this month on DVD. He told The Baltimore Sun the following about the movie:
“It’s about five people traveling down a road, and due to weather they all get stuck. They end up at a diner, which maybe one or two of them saw, and the rest of them never did. They go into the diner and have an encounter with a guy named Jesus, who actually ends up being Jesus Christ. He meets each one of us where we are in our lives. We’re all then forced with a choice to make, to either accept him or not. It really covers pretty much every walk – every person who has that choice.
- Shawn Michaels may be doing the “wheel spinning” at Monday’s RAW Roulette show from Las Vegas
- Here are some recent TNA attendance figures:
* June 16th in London, Ontario drew 1,000 fans
* June 17th in Toronto, Ontario drew 1,000 fans
* June 18th in Buffalo, NY with Hulk Hogan drew 2,000 fans for BaseBrawl
- After the Tough Enough finale part of RAW a few weeks back, WWE’s John Laurinaitis ripped into Andy Leavine for about five minutes about how Leavine shit on everything Vince McMahon and Steve Austin have done for the business, and about how he was a piece of crap who will never amount to anything in the business. Laurinaitis was mad because they felt Andy should have stayed down longer after the slap from Vince and the Stunner from Austin.
- The value of the McMahon family’s WWE stock is currently $163 million. For a comparison against UFC, Lorenzo Fertitta’s stock would be worth $506 million, Frank Fertitta’s would be worth $506 million and Dana White’s stock would be worth $113 million.
- WWE officials now realize that they have dropped the ball twice with Ted DiBiase Jr. and reuniting him with Cody Rhodes on SmackDown is supposed to be a way of reversing things. The idea now is to re-create the dynamic that Alex Riley and The Miz had, with Rhodes and DiBiase. The plan right now is for DiBiase to continue doing Rhodes’ “dirty work” until Ted turns babyface and feuds with Cody.
Thursday, June 23, 2011
New Interview With Sting, Abyss Defending Title, and Matt Hardy Tells You Who He Is, Plus More
- Sting recently spoke with The Baltimore Sun. Here are some highlights:
Do you have any more film projects in the works?
It’s so tough [because of the wrestling schedule]. I’ve had to pass on a couple other projects with some really good people, but I’m looking forward to doing some more. But, yes, I know that I will have time coming up here and I’d like to do a whole bunch more.
There is a lot of adult content on Impact Wrestling. As a man of faith, is it a concern for you to be on that type of show?
Absolutely. There’s no question about it. This is something that many Christians will use as their ace in the hole, and I’ll use it, but I’m not going to use it in a real loose way, and that is that Jesus Christ himself went in amongst the sinners – the murderers, the adulterers, the idolaters, the drunkards, and so on and so forth. And he didn’t come to judge them, he came to save them, be a doctor to them. I’m not putting myself on that level obviously, but at the same time, we are in the world, we are not of the world, if we are believers. I’m not going to put myself in a shell – it’s just not going to work that way. You have to get out there somehow or another and try to be a light or be the salt of the earth, and that’s all I’ve tried to do. As far as the content goes, I will only involve myself in situations that will not jeopardize my walk or my witness. You won’t hear vulgar things coming out of my mouth or sexual innuendos and all that kind of stuff.
In your current story line with Hulk Hogan, it almost seems as if there are some religious overtones as far as you trying to save the Hulk Hogan character and get him back on the right path. Is that the case or am I reading too much into it?
You know, there’s probably a thread of that in there for sure. Most of my story lines do have some sort of a redemptive quality to them. Vince Russo is writing a lot of this stuff, and many people may not know this, but he also is a believer. He writes with that kind of flair. The other thing, too, is I really believe that because of the nostalgia of Hulk Hogan – you know, he made an appearance on “American Idol” and got a huge, gigantic reaction – wrestling fans all over the place would love to see the story line for real. I think they want to see him come back and just be Hulk. I’d like to see it.
What was your reaction when WWE began airing the mysterious vignettes early this year that turned out to be for The Undertaker’s return, but initially had a lot of wrestling fans believing that the videos signaled that you were coming to WWE for to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania? And the second part of my question is: Did WWE contact you to come in and do something at that point?
I’ll answer the second part first. Yes, I was contacted by WWE people. The vignettes I can honestly tell you that I do not understand that one even now, unless it was some kind of deal where they were just trying to test the waters, I really don’t know, because so many people were saying, “I hope it’s Sting, I hope it’s Sting.” I thought, “Gosh, I wonder if they’re going to shoot themselves in the foot there by making this choice, because if things do not work out, why did they do it to begin with?” I had all kinds of things going through my head. But, yeah, I was very, very close to going up there, and I believe there probably would have been something with Undertaker. That was the word at least.
What are your thoughts on what went down the night you faced Jeff Hardy at the Victory Road pay-per-view?
I want to be careful with my words here because I really like Jeff Hardy. I’m hoping he can come back because that guy is so talented, but he has personal issues in his life and it just became too much for him, too overwhelming, and he just couldn’t cope and didn’t know how to handle it. So he made some bad choices and he’s having to deal with those choices and the consequences now. I hear he’s doing much, much better. Last I heard, he was riding his bike 10 miles a day and just getting in great shape and his life was getting in some kind of order.
You’ve said in the past that you intended to retire several times, but every year when your contract comes up in TNA, you get talked into staying for another year. At this point, how much longer do you plan to continue wrestling?
You know, you’re right. I think I’ve said every year for at least the last four years that this will be my last year. And I’m speaking the same way again now. I think I’ve smartened up a little bit. When I know it’s done, I’ll know it’s done. I’m going to go as long as I can, but, honestly, whether I want to or not, I cannot see going too much farther.
– Abyss stated Wednesday during a chat session on TNAOnDemand.com that he would be defending the X Division Championship (which he renamed the Extreme Title) against Brian Kendrick next month at Destination X.
– Kazarian is featured in Impact Wrestling’s latest “Why Wrestling Matters” video. The former TNA X Division Champion discusses what drives his passion and dedication for professional wrestling.
“There are a number of people out there, old and young, male and female, that want an alternative, that want a pro wrestling company,” Kazarian says. “They want to be entertained by what happens inside of a wrestling ring. They don’t want to be talked to, they don’t want to be lied to, they want to watch people fight. That’s why Impact Wrestling is important today, more so than it ever has been.
– TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Mickie James will be holding a live concert at Jim Porter’s Good Time Emporium in Louisville, Kentucky on Friday, July 15. The show will begin at 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit JimPorters.com or call 502-452-9531.
James also stated on her Twitter account that she will be doing a VIP meet and greet.
– In Matt Hardy’s latest YouTube blog, he posted a preface for an upcoming entry that will explain ‘Who is Matt Hardy.”
“You will all understand, who the real Matt Hardy is,” Hardy says. “You will all understand, what makes Matt Hardy tick. You will all understand, why Matt Hardy… is Matt Hardy.
“I promise you this, it’s going to be a YouTube entry you do not want to miss. I promise you that. I promise… you that.
“THE GOSPEL! THE GOSPEL! THE GOSPEL! Will be spoken.
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