WWE News Bytes

December 7, 2007

by Sassy

NOT WWE NEWS

Funeral arrangements for "Angel of Death" Dave Sheldon

Posted on 12/06/107 by Bob Magee, Source: www.pwbts.com

(Courtesy: Georgianne Makropoulos)

Thanks to Larry Dwyer for this funeral information on Dave Sheldon:

There will be a MEMORIAL service for Angel of Death (David Sheldon) this Saturday, December 8th at 3 PM, at North Hills Funeral home, 8525 Mid Cities Blvd., North Richland Hills, TX. 76180. Call 817-581-0777.

A place to meet afterwards will be announced there.

There will be an announcement in the Ft. worth newspaper tomorrow.

Also not WWE News, but I’m posting this everywhere…

BREAKING NEWS/MMA: Sam Vazquez dies, becoming MMA's first documented fatality (The Fight Network)

Posted on 12/02/107 by Mike Informer

Sammy Vasquez, 35, Becomes MMA’s First Documented Fatality

By Anthony Armstrong

The Harris County Medical Examiner’s office confirmed today that Samuel Vasquez, a 35-year-old mixed martial artist from Houston, Texas, died on Friday, Nov. 30. A representative for the Joseph A. Jachimczyk Forensics Center verified the time of death at 8:15 p.m. CST. Vasquez’s death appears to be the first documented fatality resulting from a regulated MMA fight.

Vasquez (1-2) suffered a third-round knockout loss to Vince Libardi (4-3) during a Renegades Extreme Fighting bout on Oct. 20 at Houston’s Toyota Center. After the fight, Vasquez was taken to Saint Joseph Medical Center’s Critical Care Unit, where he began a 47-day struggle.

The official cause of Vasquez’s death has not been released, pending a determination from the medical examiner.

During his hospitalization, Vasquez’s wife, Sandra, is believed to have documented his status on a public comment board at TXMMA.com. She reportedly wrote that Vasquez underwent surgery to remove a blood clot that was not a result of the initial injury. This has led to speculation that Vasquez may have had a pre-existing condition.

According to the comments posted, Vasquez then suffered a second blood clot, fluid on his brain, brain swelling and a massive stroke that induced a coma.

The Vasquez family has not spoken directly to the press.

According to a report by Sherdog.com, Vasquez had been released to an area hospice on Nov. 29. Hospice care is traditionally provided for patients who have been given six months or less to live.

Paul Erickson, owner of TXMMA.com, photographed the event in which Vasquez was injured.

“There was nothing out of the ordinary,” Erickson said. “They scrambled and hit the cage. Sammy stood up and looked a little wobbly. Then he when down again and the referee called the doctor in. It didn’t seem like any was out of the ordinary. Sammy was winded and looked exhausted, but he wasn’t unconscious when they carried him out [on a stretcher]. Everyone was puzzled at the time because no one could tell when or where he was injured.”

Erickson, who has trained in and covered Texas MMA since 1997, also observed that “the cage was properly padded and reinforced, everything was inspected before the fights started, and there were no illegal moves or strikes. This is the frustrating part, in that there’s no easy explanation.”

In the sport’s 14-year history in the United States, there had been no serious life-threatening injuries. The only reported death occurred internationally at a non-regulated event in the Ukraine in 1998 after American Doug Dedge passed out shortly following his bout. Following his death, unsubstantiated reports claimed Dedge had a pre-existing medical condition.

In a previous interview, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation representative Greg Alvarez said the TDLR was monitoring Vasquez’s condition closely. “If Sammy’s condition takes a turn for the worse,” Alvarez said, “we will investigate [the incident] further.”

Alvarez had also stated that TDLR ensured all of the regulations, licensing and safety checklists were adhered to but had been reluctant to talk about the night Vasquez was critically injured.

Renegades Extreme Fighting is owned and promoted by Saul Soliz, a longtime striking coach to Tito Ortiz and Ricco Rodriguez and well respected figure in the MMA community. Renegades has held 23 events to date. Soliz has not returned repeated calls for comment.

In her last purported TXMMA.com posting on Nov. 17, Vasquez’s wife stated, “I do not hold anyone responsible for what has happened, and I know in my heart that Sammy doesn’t either ... Please do not speculate as to what, when, where, who or how. It’s part of life, things happen.”

Vasquez is survived by his wife, Sandra, and 7-year-old son.

Who’s Back

WWE Raw superstar, D.H. Smith made his return to the ring at the Raw live event in Savannah, Georgia this week defeating Santino Marella. Smith is returning from his suspension for failing a WWE drug test.

Who’s In

Drew Mcintyre's profile is now up on the roster pages.

Who’s Out

Update On Carlito Leaving (Or Not)

Article By: Ryan Clark,  December 4, 2007, 7:26pm

Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

WWE would like Carlito to stay with the company after he gave his notice a few weeks ago. However, he is leaning towards leaving in a few weeks.

On the heels of Booker T leaving WWE a few weeks ago, apparently they don't want another huge WWE name to make the jump to TNA and that's why they want to keep him around.

Carlito wants to leave the company because he's upset with how the company has treated him in recent months not to mention that he feels WWE has tried to humiliate him.

Trish Stratus has been removed as one of the stars scheduled for Monday Night Raw’s three hour show.  She has been replaced with Lita.

Ric Flair’s Retirement Plans

Flair Retirement Angle Changed, More On Senshi's TNA Release

Submitted by Mike Shalik on Wednesday, December 5, 2007 at 11:07 AM EST

Source: PWTorch.com

After starting off strong as the centerpiece of the 11/26 RAW, the Ric Flair retirement storyline has taken a new direction. Despite the fact that this week's RAW took place from South Carolina (Flair country), he did not appear on this week's show and the angle was not acknowledged. He had been promoted to appear in the WWE.com RAW preview. Something happened over the past week that has resulted in the angle being put on hiatus. WWE was expecting Flair's return on 11/26 to pop a rating but the show drew a typical 3.5. WWE has been hyping some of "biggest names of all time" to appear on next week's 15th Anniversary special, but no mention of the Nature Boy. It's likely that Flair and his retirement angle will be moved over to SmackDown in the next few weeks.

WWE Stars Now Taking Wellness Policy Very Serious

Written by: Ryan Gray, 12/05/07

Partial Source - Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Regarding the WWE Wellness Policy, backstage everyone is said to now believe it is real and are taking it very serious. Privately, physiques are continuing to change, and even one superstar who everyone believed to be clean (because his physique wasn’t outrageous) has lost a sudden 15 - 20 pounds. One of the biggest things talked about in recent weeks is how certain guys are still getting around it.

WWE Ratings

(WWE) RAW Rating Is In

Headline Posted by Ryan Gray on 4:59:49 PM Dec 5, 2007

According to data compiled by Nielson Media Research this week's edition of WWE Monday Night RAW did a 3.24 cable rating with 4.8 million viewers tuning in.

Last Week’s Friday Night Smackdown did a 3.23 rating. Source: www.rajah.com

Since ECW did not air until Thursday night, we won't have the rating for this week's ECW until next week's WWE News Bytes.

Monday Night Raw’s Three Hour Special

List Of Possible "Greatest Superstars"

Article By: Kyle Faust, December 4, 2007, 12:12am

The following is the list of wrestlers shown in the graphic when they hyped Vince McMahon naming the greatest superstar in the history of Raw next week was as follows:

Diesel – Kevin Nash, Currently working for TNA

Razor Ramon - ?

Edge

Hulk Hogan - Actor

Big Show – Training for MMA

Yokozuna - Deceased

Eddie Guerrero - Deceased

Rey Mysterio

Trish Stratus

Kurt Angle – Currently working for TNA

Chris Jericho

Lita – Musician

Mick Foley - Author

Booker T – Currently working for TNA

Randy Orton

Ric Flair

Kane

Undertaker

Shawn Michaels

Batista

Triple H

Steve Austin - Actor

John Cena

Bret Hart – Currently author

The Rock - Acting

I think it is quite evident that a lot of these names will not be appearing on RAW next week for obvious reasons (a lot of them are in TNA). Also, Rey Mysterio, who debuted on the Smackdown brand, has since been on RAW only a handful of times, therefore it probably will not be him.

Lance Storm’s Wrestling School

In Calgary, Canada, is staying busy.

Chris Jericho was recently there working off his ring rust

Harry "D.H." Smith spent part of his 30-day WWE suspension there. 

WWE & Jimmy Hart in talks with Hogan for WrestleMania 24

Tuesday, December 04, 2007 - Scott Adams   

Jimmy Hart is currently trying to persuade Hulk Hogan into coming back for WrestleMania this year. The thought is that if NBC's American Gladiators is a hit they can use WrestleMania as a vehicle to cross-promote the show.

Hogan and Vince initially had a fall out early in 2007, largely because of his SummerSlam payoff. He was originally scheduled to be Donald Trump's representative at WrestleMania 23 in the role that went to Bobby Lashley. There were also ideas last year of having Hogan face Big Show or Great Khali at Ford Field with the idea of duplicating the famous Andre the Giant slam from 20 years earlier. Another idea that was pondered was to have Shane McMahon be Hogan's opponent with Khali in the corner (with the idea they couldn't trust a Hogan vs. Khali match) to build to a slam. The final straw for Hogan was when the WWE creative team did an angle where they used Jillian Hall to mock his daughter Brooke.

Hogan and Eric Bischoff had also talked about starting a new wrestling promotion as a nostalgia tour. The idea would be to take Hogan outside of North American to markets he had either rarely or never appeared. The talk of doing a U.S. tour lost a lot of interest after the Memphis show which tested the market for Hogan vs. Paul “Big Show” Wight by only drawing 2,200 fans. This was the only Hogan match this year, and since Nick's accident in August all talk in direction of the promotion has seemed to have been dropped.

With Hogan confirmed for next week's WWE Monday Night RAW 15th Anniversary show it does appear that his relationship with Vince is improving.

Source: www.kocosports.com

Court News That Does Not Involve the Hogan Clan

Federal Lawsuit against JAKKS Pacific(R) by WWE to Be Dismissed

MALIBU, Calif.\--Dec. 2, 2007--The Federal court has issued an order stating that it will dismiss the lawsuit against JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK), its officers and other defendants in the federal lawsuit initiated by World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE). The judge in the action captioned World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. v. JAKKS Pacific, Inc., et al., 1:04-CV-08223-KMK in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York, stated in his order that the Court "has determined that it will grant Defendants' motions to dismiss Plaintiff's Amended Complaint", and that a "comprehensive opinion" "will be issued in short order" in which "the reasons for this decision are explained in detail." The state court litigation among the parties remains pending.

About JAKKS Pacific, Inc.

JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK) is a multi-brand company that designs and markets a broad range of toys and consumer products. The product categories include: Action Figures, Art Activity Kits, Stationery, Writing Instruments, Performance Kites, Water Toys, Sports Activity Toys, Vehicles, Infant/Pre-School, Plush, Construction Toys, Electronics, Dolls, Dress-Up, Role Play, and Pet Toys and Accessories. The products are sold under various brand names including JAKKS Pacific(R), Play Along(R), Flying Colors(R), Creative Designs International(TM), Road Champs(R), Child Guidance(R), Pentech(R), Trendmasters(R), Toymax(R), Funnoodle(R), Go Fly a Kite(R), Color Workshop(R), JAKKS Pets(TM) and Plug It In & Play TV Games(TM). JAKKS and THQ Inc. participate in a joint venture that has worldwide rights to publish and market World Wrestling Entertainment video games. For further information, visit www.jakks.com.

This press release may contain forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about JAKKS Pacific's business based partly on assumptions made by its management. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in such statements due to numerous factors, including, but not limited to, those described above, changes in demand for JAKKS' products, product mix, the timing of customer orders and deliveries, the impact of competitive products and pricing, and difficulties with integrating acquired businesses. The forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date on which they are made, and JAKKS undertakes no obligation to update any of them to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release. (C) JAKKS Pacific, Inc. All Right Reserved.

MEDIA: WWE plots digital strategy (Adweek.com)

Posted on 12/05/107 by Mike Informer

WWE Plots Digital Strategy, December 05, 2007, By Shahnaz Mahmud

The goal is to distribute its content (100 percent owned by the WWE) and advertise widely on the Web.

NEW YORK World Wrestling Entertainment hopes to create an aura of Wrestlemania on a global scale driven by its digital platform.

Digital contributes 7 percent of the company's overall revenue, but the WWE is aiming for 25-50 percent growth annually, said Michael Sileck, COO. Sileck revealed plans at the 35th annual UBS Global Media & Communications Conference this morning.

"We are trying to tap into the strength of the Internet," he said. The goal is to distribute its content (100 percent owned by the WWE) and advertise widely on the Web.

This will be core in its strategy to expand internationally, particularly into emerging markets such as China, Japan and Latin America (targeting Mexico and South America). The WWE expects to have success in Japan, given the heritage of wrestling in the country (Sileck was referring to its sumo culture). Next week, the WWE will formally announce an alliance with Brazilian TV network Sistema Brasileiro de Televisao. It already has a major distribution deal with Taj TV in India. The sports entertainment company currently has a presence in 130 countries outside of the U.S.

The WWE has established an office in Shanghai, and will look to open outposts in Australia, Brazil and Japan next year. "By developing a local presence we can expand distribution, particularly through the digital platform to create advertising and sponsorship opportunities in those markets," said Sileck.

One of its strategies to drive online traffic is to focus on continuing WWE plotlines on the Web. "We had one story line where someone got blown up in a car. We created a message saying, 'For more on this story line, go to www.wwe.com," said Sileck. Within 20 minutes he said there were a significant amount of hits.

At present, the WWE is directing everyone to its U.S. Web site, though the company has a small Japanese Internet presence. By creating a localized digital presence, this "creates global inventory we can then monetize, which can become significant over time," said Sileck.

Sileck also emphasized growing mobile opportunities, which will also be a primary driver in its digital platform, given its predominantly young male demographic. "Mobile lends itself nicely to our content because of its relationship with the younger demographics, which are increasingly looking to this medium to receive content," he said.

COLUMBIA RECORDS AND WWE RELEASE RAW ALBUM

Columbia Records is releasing a WWE theme song album titled 'RAW -Greatest Hits - The Music' for the RAW 15th anniversary. The album is being released on Tuesday December 18th and is the first one released under the new Columbia Records/WWE Music Group arrangement. 15 tracks will be available with themes of John Cena, Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, Shawn

Michaels, Undertaker, Mr McMahon, Batista, Rey Mysterio, Chris Jericho, Mick Foley, Trish Stratus, Evolution, Kane and Degeneration-X. Two bonus tracks are also on the disc which are of Melina and Mr Kennedy.

WWE Events

Latest Card for Armageddon

Confirmed

World Heavyweight Championship - Triple Threat Match: Batista vs. Edge vs. Undertaker

WWE Championship Match: Randy Orton vs. Chris Jericho

Shawn Michaels vs. Mr. Kennedy

Triple H vs. Jeff Hardy

WWE Womens Championship Match: Beth Phoenix vs. Mickie James

Finlay vs. The Great Khali

Rumored

WWE United States Championship Match: MVP vs. Rey Mysterio

CM Punk & Kane vs. Big Daddy V & Mark Henry

WWE's Triumph and Tragedy of World Class Championship Wrestling DVD set is now available at K-Mart stores, selling for $19.99 with a limited time off of 25% off. K-Mart is also having specials on other WWE DVD's so make sure you go snatch up a good deal.

WWE Talent Events

WWE Superstars Rey Mysterio and CM Punk along with WWE Diva Layla will be participating in this year’s Boston Globe Santa Sleigh program. On Tuesday, Dec. 11, from noon- 1 p.m. in Faneuil Hall, the Superstars will help Santa collect donations from individuals passing by and local companies who bring corporate donations as well as spread holiday cheer. Since 1956, the Globe Santa has collected donations to be used to purchase toys for the area’s underprivileged children. Over the last 50 years, Globe Santa has distributed books and toys to 2.4 million children who might have gone without. If you are in the Boston area, stop by Faneuil Hall to say hello to Santa and the Superstars while helping making it a happy holiday season for area children!

Posted on www.gerweck.net: from Adam Lebow: Late tonight WWE posted part 2 of Day 1, with Michael Cole going over all of the gear that WWE is bringing over to Iraq. He does the report in-flight, and in the background and on B-Roll footage, Superstars that are on the trip include...

HHH

Chris Jericho

Arn Anderson

Mark Henry

Lilian Garcia

Micky James

Dean Malenko

Carlito Caribbian Cool

Shawn Micheals

Not 100%, but it also looked like Ken Kennedy and Undertaker were both there as well, but the video quality was too low to be 100% certain.

Chris Jericho's band Fozzy has released a DVD of their performance at the 2005 Download Festival which featured the band playing in front of the largest crowd of their career.

CANADA/MEDIA: CM Punk attends Canadian event for World AIDS Day (Mississauga News)

Posted on 12/02/107 by Bob Magee

Sports heroes take on AIDS

By: The Mississauga News

November 30, 2007 - Wal-Mart executive Don Cameron is taking the fight against AIDS personally.

So, last night he fielded a team of sports all-stars that simply couldn't lose.

Montreal Canadiens hockey great Jean Beliveau and Toronto Maple Leafs legend Frank Mahovlich were the superstars in a line-up that also included an Academy Award winning actor, a red-hot wrestler and a former Canadian Football League star quarterback at the the sixth annual Teresa Group charity fundraiser. The swanky affair, a guaranteed sell-out ever year, is arranged by Canada's toy company executives to raise money for children and families affected by HIV and AIDS.

Tomorrow is World AIDS Day.

Cameron started the fundraiser his daughter was tested for HIV after a series of medical procedures. She tested negative, but the turn of events inspired her father to take up the fight. Last year's event generated $300,000 for the Teresa Group, a Canadian charity serving children affected by HIV and AIDS and their families.

In addition to Mahovlich and Beliveau, last night's star-studded line-up of celebrities included Champ Car Driver Ashley Taws, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) star CM Punk, former Toronto Argonaut pivot Matt Dunigan, Academy Award winning actor Jon Voight and comedian Gerry Dee.

One of hockey's greatest ambassadors, the distinguished-looking Beliveau sahred his insights with the gathering as he auctioned off his famous No. 4 jersey for $2,500. He said it was the same jersey he wore when his team won 10 Stanley Cups.

“In hockey, just like life it is important to be surrounded by right people,” he said.

Beliveau told hockey fans in the crowd he never regretted his decision not to become an instant millionaire by joining the World Hockey Association in 1972, even after he was offered a contract higher than any in his 18 years in the National Hockey League.

“I was 40 years old at that time and I knew it wouldn't be fair for the team or the fans,” he said.

Mahovlich — The Big M — told fans he took about 2,000 stitches in his head over 21 years. He also shared his frustrations about the arena of politics.

“Being a senator is not like playing hockey,” Mahovlich said with a grin. “ In hockey, if you didn't like somebody, you could always wring his neck on the ice, whereas in the Senate, you sit up in your seat and wish you could wring his neck.”

Up for auction last night were an array of items including original autographed sweaters worn by Mahovlich and Beliveau during their many Stanley Cup wins, a guitar signed by members of rock group Pink Floyd, a light sabre signed by George Lucas, tickets to a Hannah Montana concert and a puck autographed by Philadelphia Flyers legend Bobby Clarke.

CM Punk revealed to his fans that 'CM' stands for Cookie Master, a nickname that dates back to childhood, courtesy of his mother.

“I was a fat little kid very fond of cookies so my mother called me Cookie Master,” he told the crowd.

Where Are They Now

Kurt Angle was scheduled to make a court appearance today for his DUI & Careless Driving arrest back in October. According to CBS Pittsburgh affiliate KDKA, his court date has been postponed until December 18. KDKA did not report a specific reason for the postponement. sources: PWInsider.com, Wrestling Observer Newsletter, www.lordsofpain.net

Former WWE Champion Rob Van Dam will be a special guest at Booker T’s PWA show on December 28th in Pasadena, Texas. Source: www.rajah.com

CANADA: Brock Lesnar MMA feature shown on Rogers Sportsnet

Posted on 12/05/107 by Adam Lebow  Source: www.pwbts.com

Was just watching Sportsnet Connected, and they aired a 3:30 focus feature on Brock Lesnar, and his shift from WWE to NFL to K1 and now to UFC. The WWE footage that was mostly used was the footage from the ring implosion angle he did with Big Show on Smackdown a few years back.

The first 3 minutes of the video is available here: http://www2.sportsnet.ca/video/latest/20071204_Brock_unleashes_in_February

After that, they did a 30 second piece with Showdown Joe Ferraro, who basically said that the UFC took a risk booking this match against Frank Mir and he expects Lesnar to lose. Interesting that they would do a 3 minute focus on a guy who the Sportsnet analyst doesn't expect to win.

Four-time WWE World Tag Team Champion Sylvain Grenier is one of the latest additions to the TNA family. He is currently announcing the French language broadcasts of TNA Impact. He was backstage at the Impact tapings two weeks ago, but there are no plans for him in TNA past his role as the French language announcer.

Buff Bagwell, Manny Fernandez, Bob and Brad Armstrong are all scheduled to be wrestling in Woodstock, Ga at the Hot wheels Skate Center on December 23rd.

Former WWE Superstars, Chris Masters, Rob Conway and Gangrel are scheduled to be wrestling in Cartersville, GA at the Civic Center on January 20th.

Sting, currently with TNA and formerly of WWF, has not signed a contract extension with TNA at this time. It is rumored that he will be taking off  the entire month of December to spend the holidays with his family.

Alicia Webb, aka Ryan Shamrock in WWE, who lives with boyfriend Sean Waltman, aka X-Pac in WWE, was a no show at a AAA event in Mexico. The rumors are that she has receive some major heat from the company due to her absence.

Scott Hall, aka Razor Ramon in WWE, was a no show at TNA’s December PPV, Turning Point.  Rumors are that the sent a text message to TNA management late in the day staying he was suffering from food poisoning. Due to his absence, Showtime Eric Young was given the vacant spot in the main event.

Tomko, who was injured in Japan last week, has given word that he is 100% after undergoing an emergency surgery on a muscle injury he sustained. There were rumors of Robert Roode possibly taking Tomko’s place in the main event at TNA’s Turning Point PPV, however, those rumors were false, as Tomko did appear in the main event.

Former ECW wrestler Hack Myers was backstage at TNA’s Turning Point PPV. He was hired to handle the backstage security.

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson isn't scheduled to be appearing on next week's three-hour 15th Raw anniversary special on the USA Network. There were earlier reports stating that WWE had contacted Johnson about appearing on the show. Plans can always change, but as of now he isn't scheduled.

There's a strong rumor going around the entertainment industry saying former WWE Diva Rena "Sable" Lesnar/Mero will have a solid role on the next season of Desperate Housewives as a sister of the character Edie, played by Nicolette Sheridan, who does resemble Sable in some ways. Rena is still married to former WWE superstar Brock Lesnar.

Hulk Pulls The Plug On Brooke's Career

Article By: Ryan Clark , December 3, 2007, 2:37pm

The never ending saga of the Hogan family continues.

According to various news sources, Linda Hogan was telling "anybody who would listen" this past summer that their hit VH1 reality show "Hogan Knows Best" show was over since she and Brooke were moving to Los Angeles.

This news ties into an even bigger story, which is that Brooke's career has been a major source of conflict between Hulk and Linda for quite some time. Originally, it was Hulk who was pushing for his daughter Brooke to become a pop star. Hulk and Linda bankrolled much of Brooke's singing career - an investment which reportedly cost them upwards of $2 million.

Hulk eventually saw the writing on the wall and came to terms with the fact that Brooke is not the next big pop star. He decided to pull plug on her career financially, which made Linda furious. Linda is dead set on having her baby girl become a star and wants some of Hulk's fortune to continue funding Brooke's career.

Source: www.prowrestlingfans.com

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