WWE News Bytes

December 21, 2007

by Sassy  

Death Notice

Posted by Michael Weaver, WU Online, December 20, 2007:

WWE Superstar, Gregory Helms has suffered a death in his family. In his most recent blog, he reveals that his mother, Karen, passed away this past weekend. He gives no other information except that a viewing will take place tonight at The Coley Funeral Home in Kenly, North Carolina starting at 6 PM. WU Online asks that wrestling fans give Gregory and his family the privacy they need during this terrible time. You can post encouraging

comments at his blog which is located at http://blog.myspace.com/gshelms.

If you would like to send Gregory Helms a card for the loss of his mother,

you can send it to

Gregory Shane Helms

P.O. Box 746

Wendell, NC 27591

Wrestling Bodyslam sends our condolences to the Helms family.

Birthdays

Super Crazy, December 3, 1973

Michael Cole, December 8, 1968

Rey Mysterio, Jr., December 12, 1974

Who’s In

Chavo Guerrero made his official “I’m back from suspension” return on this week’s ECW. Chavo entered the ring and beat down CM Punk, ECW Champion, after Punk had already been taken out my MVP in a match.

John Bradshaw Layfield aka JBL is putting up the mic and putting on the wrestling trunks for another shot in the ring. This will leave an open spot at the announcer’s table next to Michael Cole. We understand Tazz will be covering for JBL in the near future but there is no word yet on whether or not Tazz will be a permanent replacement.

Silas Young has been signed to a WWE developmental deal and has already been down in OVW training for a week.

Source: www.angrymarks.com

Ted DiBiase Jr. Wins Title, Backstage

Article By: Ryan, December 19, 2007

Last night Ted DiBiase Jr. became the Southern Heavyweight Champion of Florida Championship Wrestling, WWE's developmental territory. Dibiase, son of the legendary Million Dollar Man, defeated The Stampede Kid TJ Wilson with - what else, the Million Dollar Dream.

Maybe or Maybe Not

This week’s WWE ECW featured a match between Shelton Benjamin and Colin Delaney. According to Delaney, he was from Rochester, NY and this was his first match. Something about him seemed very familiar so I went scouting through some Indy sites and found him: Colin wrestles the Indy circuit under the name Colin Olsen and tags with Jimmy Olsen as the tag team The Olsen Twins. http://www.wrestlersunion.ca/.

Jeff Hardy has been pushing WWE to hire Ron “The Truth” Killings who recently parted ways with Total Nonstop Action wrestling. Killings has worked with AAA in Mexico and some believe he will head south to work with them again.

Major New Update On Bob Sapp/WWE/TNA

Article By: Ryan Clark, December 18, 2007

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

TNA is in negotiations with MMA star Bob Sapp, reports the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. TNA has offered him an initial four-month deal, in which Sapp would be paid $2,500 per match. TNA wants Sapp to work a program with Kurt Angle, and then later with Samoa Joe. Sapp is paid about $35,000 per match for Hustle (he is under contract with Hustle for one year), and has received a seven figure offer from WWE. It appears WWE has been in talks with Sapp once again. Apparently, WWE and Sapp had serious talks a few months ago. There was talk that WWE would promote Sapp as a combined MMA/pro wrestling star.

Source: www.prowrestlingfans.com

Injury Update

Matt Hardy is said to be resting and recuperating after his emergency appendectomy. His brother Jeff says that he is healing nicely.

Bobby Lashley is still out after sustaining an injury in the ring earlier this year.

John Cena is still out recuperating from a torn pectoral muscle.

Candice Michelle is still out after sustaining a fractured clavicle during a match with The Glamazon Beth Phoenix.

Gregory Helms is out of action due to a serious neck injury.

Dave Meltzer stated in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Shawn Michaels’ knees are in the worst shape that they have ever been. Whether or not this has anything to do with WWE not giving him a title run is unknown, although there has to be concern as to the longevity of his career at this point.

Carlito Update

Wrestling Observer update on Carlito's status: As you're no doubt aware as a reader of this site Carlito was talked into staying with the company by Vince McMahon despite having given his notice. Vince had a meeting with him December 3rd and tha's when Carlito decided to stay, as WWE did not want to give up another "name talent" to TNA and they apparently feel that he has value in Carlito, especially when they try to expand business into Central and South America. Hmm - seems like I might have said something exactly like that on a recent AngryMarks.com Podcast, wink wink. Carlito had been upset with his direction and push and wants to be a more edgy heel like he was when he feuded with John Cena at the beginning of his run in WWE. The odd thing about all of this is that if Carlito and Santino are going to team together for a while, the natural conclusion would have been to have Carlito beat him up to turn babyface, because Santino SUCKS as a babyface and Carlito is at least passable. Hopefully it will turn out their union was only a one-time thing because otherwise this report from Observer only makes things more rather than less confusing.

Lillian Takes a Tumble

WWE RAW ring announcer Lilian Garcia had yet another accident at the Armageddon pay-per-view. According to various fan reports, Lilian fell right before announcing Beth Phoenix as the winner of the WWE Women's Championship match against Mickie James. Lilian also had another accident in Pittsburgh during a live RAW broadcast back in June 2006 when Charlie Haas bounced her off of the ring apron. Source: www.prowrestlingfans.com

If You Missed Armageddon

WWE Armageddon PPV Results - 12/16/07

Location: Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Announcers: Jim Ross & Jerry Lawler, Michael Cole & JBL and Joey Styles & Tazz

Report By: Adam Martin of WrestleView.com

The WWE promo hits.

A video package airs looking at the WWE Championship Match tonight between Randy Orton and Chris Jericho and the Triple Threat for the World Heavyweight Championship between Batista, Edge and The Undertaker.

A graphic opening then welcomes us to Armageddon as we go live to the Mellon Arena. A display of pyro goes off as Michael Cole and JBL open the show.

Rey Mysterio defeated MVP via countout; MVP retains the WWE United States Championship. Early in the match, Mysterio took out MVP with a dive over the top rope right over the top of the referee to the floor. MVP countered a huracanrana attempt and sent Mysterio into the turnbuckle. Mysterio finally takes out MVP with a huracanrana, but MVP quickly responds with a quick kick to the face. The finish saw Mysterio hit another huracanrana on MVP on the floor. MVP then walked off and took the countout finish. Mysterio gets the win, but MVP retains the United States Title.

Backstage, Todd Grisham was with WWE Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy. Hardy said tonight was his time to take it to the next level against Triple H.

Big Daddy V & Mark Henry defeated ECW Champion CM Punk & Kane. They let this match go a lot longer then I'm sure many expected considering most of these guys haven't worked the best together recently on ECW. Early in the match, Big Daddy V and Henry exchanged tags and worked on Punk in the corner. Kane eventually got the hot tag and took out both Henry and Big Daddy V. The finish saw Punk hit a springboard off the ropes, Big Daddy V caught him on his shoulders and then hit a big samoan drop to get the pinfall.

Vickie Guerrero is ready to throw Edge a victory party tonight after his World Title Match against Batista and The Undertaker.

Shawn Michaels defeated Mr. Kennedy. Very good match between these two. Before the match, Mr. Kennedy got on the mic and said it didn't matter if he liked, hated or respected HBK, the only thing that matters is if he beats him and promised it would happen tonight. Kennedy was very aggressive with HBK early on in the match with a series of offense. HBK then took out Kennedy, chop blocking him and then going to work on his arm. Kennedy speared HBK to the outside. HBK responded by stomping on Kennedy's hand over the steel steps. Back in the ring, Kennedy sent HBK into the corner. The finish saw Kennedy attempt an STO, but Michaels got to the ropes. Kennedy attempted a DDT, HBK countered, Kennedy with a big left, Kennedy holds his hand in pain and then HBK connects with Sweet Chin Music to get the pinfall.

A promo for the Royal Rumble on January 27 airs.

Backstage, Todd Grisham was with WWE Champion Randy Orton. Orton promised to shut down Jericho tonight.

WWE Intercontinental Champion Jeff Hardy defeated Triple H in a #1 Contendership Match to earn a shot at the WWE Title at the Royal Rumble. The story early on in the match was that Hardy held back hitting Triple H and Triple H yelled at him to bring it. Hardy eventually slapped Triple H across the face and Triple H smiled. The action spilled to the outside where Triple H sent Hardy into the steel steps. Back in the ring, Hardy takes out Triple H with a crossbody and a Whisper in the Wind for two close two counts. Twist of Fate attempt by Hardy, but Triple H counters and hits a quick DDT. Hardy with a Swanton Bomb attempt, but Triple H moves, Hardy hits the ring, Triple H covers, but only gets a two count. The finish saw Triple H go for the Pedigree, but Hardy counters into cradle pin for the win.

The Great Khali cut a promo about his match with Finlay backstage.

Finlay defeated The Great Khali. The story with this match was that Khali dominated throughout the match. Khali had a nerve hold on Finlay when Hornswoggle interfered. Khali threw Hornswoggle off the ring apron and then started to remove the top turnbuckle. With the referee distracted, Hornswoggle low blowed Khali with a shillelagh and then Finlay hit Khali with the shillelagh to get the pinfall.

Promo for "Tribute to the Troops" on USA airs.

Chris Jericho defeated Randy Orton via DQ; Orton retains the WWE Championship. Lots of quick aggressive offense by Jericho early on in the match on Orton. Orton finally got back in it with a big DDT on Jericho followed by a big dropkick. Both were knocked out when they hit each other near the corner. Both were up by the eight count of the referee. Some more back and forth action between the two with Jericho hitting Orton with an uppercut and Orton taking out Jericho with a clothesline. Jericho countered an RKO attempt into a quick backslide for a two count. Jericho went for the Lionsault, but Orton got his knees up, attempted the RKO, Jericho shoved him away and then finally connected with the Lionsault. They brawled to the outside and Orton threw Jericho on the Smackdown announce table right into JBL. Jericho shoved JBL away when he got off the table as the action spilled back into the ring. Orton countered a Codebreaker attempt by Jericho into a powerbomb in the corner. The finish saw Jericho get the Walls of Jericho applied. He pulled Orton to the center of the ring when JBL got in and kicked Jericho in the face causing the DQ finish. Orton retains his title. After the match, JBL yelled at Jericho and then Orton hit him with an RKO.

Before the match, Jillian Hall came out and plugged her Christmas album on iTunes. She started to sing "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" when Mickie James' music cut her off.

Beth Phoenix defeated Mickie James to retain the WWE Women's Championship. Phoenix overpowered James early in the match. James tried to bulldog and send Phoenix into the ropes, but each were met by counters from Phoenix. Phoenix took out James later with a quick powerbomb that resulted in a two count. Phoenix gets taken down by James with a Lou Thesz Press. James took out Phoenix with another followed by a big dropkick. The finish then saw Phoenix catch James with a kick to the gut followed by her Fisherman's suplex to get the pinfall and retain her title.

Tazz is commentating the main event with Michael Cole since JBL left to the back after taking out Chris Jericho earlier.

Edge defeated Batista & The Undertaker in a Triple Threat Match to become the NEW World Heavyweight Champion. The match kicked off with Undertaker and Batista brawling while Edge looked on. Edge then got involved knocking Undertaker off the ring apron, but Batista took out Edge and then worked on him in the corner. Batista countered a Spear attempt by Edge by kicking him and then hitting a quick powerslam. When Batista went for the pin, Undertaker pulled him out. Undertaker then pulled Edge's head under the bottom rope looking to hit a leg drop over the ring apron, but Batista caught Undertaker with a clothesline. Undertaker took out Edge with a big boot later on and set him up for the Last Ride, but Batista took out Undertaker with a Spear. Edge was thrown out of the ring and then Undertaker applied a triangle choke on Batista. While on the outside, Edge ran the ringside bell and Undertaker released the hold thinking he won. The referee let Undertaker know the match wasn't over. Edge then hit the ring and took out Undertaker with a Spear. Edge also took out Batista with a Spear and then got two chairs. Batista kicked one of the chairs into Edge's face. Big spot saw Undertaker take out Batista with a big superplex off the top rope. When Edge returned to the ring, Batista took him out with a Spear. Michael Cole and Tazz noted on the mic that they could see two Edge's laying at ringside. A "fake" Edge jumped off the top rope and was given a chokeslam by Undertaker. Another "fake" Edge was spotted at ringside as well. The finish saw Undertaker hit Batista with a Tombstone Piledriver and the real Edge hit the ring hitting Undertaker with a chair. Edge pinned Batista and got the win to become the new World Heavyweight Champion. After the match, two "fake" Edge's could be spotted crawling up the ramp as Edge celebrated his title win. The PPV went off the air with Undertaker having a confused look on his face looking on at Edge.

Another Scare for WWE Roster

WWE Stars Have A Scare In Iraq, More

Article By: Ryan Gray, December 17, 2007

Source - Wrestling Observer Newsletter

While in Iraq for the Tribute to the Troops taping, several WWE superstars found themselves in grave danger. A helicopter carrying Dean Malenko, Mickie James, Carlito, Chris Jericho, JBL, and Ron Simmons was damaged while landing, stranding the superstars for five hours in a war zone in Tarmiyah, Iraq. They were in the middle of fires, smoke bombs, dead animals, and razor wire everywhere while hanging out with soldiers in an unsecure location.

WWE Ratings and Television News

Last week’s Smackdown did a 2.7 rating.

This week’s Raw did a 3.5 rating.

This week’s ECW did a 1.3 rating.

SBT in Brazil has already begun carrying WWE programming.

What We Didn’t See

On Raw this week, the dark matches were:

Drew McIntyre d. Atlas DaBone.

After Raw:

Chris Jericho d. Randy Orton via DQ when JBL interfered.

WWE Heat:

The Highlanders d. Hacksaw Jim Duggan & Super Crazy.

Snitsky d. Mike Toland.

DH Smith d. Charlie Haas.

Mr. Kennedy and Superstar Billy Graham

Superstar Billy Graham Responds To Ken Kennedy Calling Him A Hypocrite

Submitted by Richard Gray on December 18, 2007

Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com posted a link to an interview today done with Superstar Billy Graham and Eric Gargiulo. In the interview, Graham speaks out about Ken Kennedy calling Graham a hypocrite only to get suspended by WWE for violating their Wellness Policy. Below is what Superstar Billy Graham had to say:

"That blindsided me Eric because I have always taken the heat for my own steroid use and never blamed anyone except myself. Except for a period of time when I did file a fictitious lawsuit against Vince McMahon over the steroid issue. I was very saddened by Kennedy’s remarks because I had actually told him in person when I was having my book tour, one of the towns, he was coming off of an injury that he was so talented that he should never consider using steroids to enhance his physique because of his natural talking ability. I told him that I thought he could be another Roddy Piper-type character, and my wife was sitting there with me when we had this hour long discussion. It seemed like he did have a lot of respect for me and I felt sad. I counseled with Jim Ross over that Kennedy reaction and Jim Ross told me that he felt that Kennedy being the great guy that he is, “just needed more time under the learning tree,” a young guy, had not really matured.

I sent an email directly to Kennedy through John Laurinaitis’ secretary and my first interview that I did, it was on CBS’ Katie Couric, national news on CBS and before I went on the air Linda McMahon called me here in Phoenix from Stamford to thank me about going on the air and distancing the Benoit tragedy from steroids. I did that in my first interview and I got a personal phone-call from Linda McMahon and I reminded Ken Kennedy of that, and every interview that I did I distanced Benoit’s tragedy from the use of steroids.

I was very disappointed in Kennedy because he was such a nice guy to me and he probably still is a nice guy, but then to make that stand and then to be exposed. Honestly Eric and I am going on record right now, I am disappointed that Ken Kennedy has not sent me an apology email. I have been waiting for that apology and you know what, it has never come. I am going on record and I am extremely disappointed in Ken Kennedy and his character. His character should have automatically said, “Alright let me re-evaluate this situation and let me go back and do some research on all of the interviews that Billy Graham did.”

I was out there you know that, I was on a lot of television stations. I am very disappointed and honestly I am going to tell you right now, his failure to reach out to me and make amends was the final blow as far as me recognizing wrestlers as really good, honest, human beings that most of them are. It just crushed me that the guy didn’t have the decency to send me an apology and has let me down in the quality of character in professional wrestlers. "

WWE Legal News

WWE Lawsuit vs. Jakks Pacific and THQ Continues

STAMFORD, Conn.--The United States District Court for the Southern District of New York today clarified that its dismissal of WWE's amended complaint in the lawsuit World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. v. Jakks Pacific, Inc. et al. does not include WWE's state law claims, which will now be transferred to and heard in the state court action between the parties.

The lawsuit was filed by WWE in October 2004 against Jakks Pacific, Inc. ("Jakks"), two foreign subsidiaries of Jakks, THQ, Inc. ("THQ"), a purported joint venture involving Jakks and THQ, Stanley Shenker & Associates, Inc. ("SSAI") and Bell Licensing, LLC. The suit also named as defendants certain individuals employed by the corporate defendants, including specifically Jack Friedman, Stephen Berman and Joel Bennett, the three highest-ranking executives of Jakks, and Stanley Shenker and James Bell. Shenker was WWE's licensing agent and Bell was WWE's Senior Vice President of Licensing and Merchandising at the time the unlawful conduct occurred. The suit alleged that, on the orders of Jakks' highest ranking officers, payments were made to Shenker secretly via a series of transactions involving foreign subsidiaries of Jakks during the time licensing rights were being sought, including the right to WWE lucrative videogame license. Shenker and Bell have both subsequently plead guilty to being dishonest servants and are currently incarcerated, and the court in Connecticut previously ruled that Shenker perjured himself and obstructed justice by concealing the payments he took from Jakks and then split with Bell.

In the federal case, the Jakks defendants argued that a release, given to it after a royalty audit of the toy license, operated to somehow preclude WWE from pursuing its state law claims. Today, Judge Kenneth Karas indicated that he found that the release specifically did not bar any of these claims.

In a statement issued today, Vince McMahon, the Chairman of WWE, stated: "We are pleased that we now finally have the opportunity to litigate the merits of our state law claims in state court and to place our evidence before a jury of how Jakks and its partners conducted themselves. WWE's intellectual property is a valuable asset of the Company, and this lawsuit is necessary to preserve the integrity of our licensing process and essential to ensure that WWE receives appropriate and fair compensation for the grant of a license to use our intellectual property."

Additional information on World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE - News) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. Go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide for information on our global activities.

Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. ECW is a trademark of WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, feature films, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated. In addition to these risks and uncertainties, our dividend is based on a number of factors, including our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan, our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends and such other factors as our board of directors may consider relevant.

Source: AngryMarks. Have you noticed how many times WWE shows up with new “legal news”?

Breaking News: WWE Threatens To Boycott

Article By: Ryan Gray, December 18, 2007

The following article is from the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution:

Pro wrestling group threatens to leave Georgia

Group balks at regulations from state's boxing commission

World Wrestling Entertainment says it will pull out of the state if subjected to state regulation.

"If those regulation are applied to us, we won't do Georgia," WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt warned Monday afternoon.

The threat came on the eve of Tuesday morning's scheduled 11 a.m. meeting of the Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission in which the state governing body is expected to discuss abuses in professional wrestling.

The body, which is better known as the state boxing commission, regulates the state's boxing and mixed martial arts, as well as ticket brokers.

Professional wrestling also falls under the group's jurisdiction, but the WWE had been exempt thanks to a 2005 statute that excluded groups with total assets or more than $25 million. Only the state Legislature can undo the exemption.

"Almost every state knows, and has known for years, that wrestling is entertainment and not a sport," he said. "It's like Ice Capades."

Georgia Athletic and Entertainment Commission chairman Kelly Farr declined comment when reached at his office.

One of the board's commissioners, Atlanta-based attorney Cary Ichter, represents the father of deceased wrestler Chris Benoit, whose murder of his wife and son and subsequent suicide at their family home in Fayettville precipitated the series of events leading to this point.

Ichter, who has championed for the better care of wrestlers since the Benoit tragedy in late June, said he wasn't surprised to hear of the WWE's threat to pull out.

"What else would you expect a bully to say?" he said.

Tuesday's meeting of the boxing commission is expected to focus largely on small-time wrestling events and not the conglomerate that is the Connecticut-based WWE.

The commission is expected to take public comment before considering a number of amendments to its rules.

Ichter has said he would love to see the WWE's loophole eventually rescinded and have its performers subject to drug testing and other regulation just like participants from other sports in Georgia

Of course WWE can afford to pull out of Georgia and hold events everywhere else in the country. I said this when the story first broke and I posted it on this week’s Indy News Bytes, WWE could have showed up with a plan that would have helped wrestling organizations and at least tried to show some support for the Indy organizations.  They did not and I have to agree that WWE is nothing but “a bully”.

WWE Events

The dates for the WrestleMania XXIV Fan AXXESS tour are now available. The annual tour will feature WWE superstar appearances, autograph sessions, free giveaways, and more events to help promote WWE’s flagship pay-per-view event. One of the things added to this year’s tour is that fans will be able to create their own ring entrance with a special set that they will be able to bring home on a free DVD. The dates are as follows:

New York City on January 25th-27th

Toronto on February 2nd & 3rd

Minneapolis on February 9th & 10th

Las Vegas on February 15th-17th (No Way Out weekend)

Los Angeles on February 23rd & 24th

Houston on March 1st & 2nd

Chicago on March 8th & 9th

Nashville on March 15th & 16th

Miami on March 21st & 22nd

Orlando during WrestleMania 24 week

Where Are They Now

Former WWE Superstars, Chris Masters, Rob Conway and Gangrel are scheduled to be wrestling in Cartersville, GA at the Civic Center on January 20th, 2008.

"Psycho" Sid Vicious and "Rowdy" Roddy Piper are confirmed for World Wrestling Association Bash at the Ball Park event in Florida's Space Coast on January 19th. Scotty Too Hotty, The Honky Tonk Man, Tatanka, Buff Bagwell, Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka, Demolition Ax and Smash, The Powers of Pain - Warlord and Barbarian are all also confirmed to be appearing on the show.

WWE Hall of Fame inductee William 'Refrigerator' Perry visited the dentist for the first time in twenty years and now has a full smile reports AOL Sports. William Perry?s teeth were seriously decayed, with twenty years without going to a dentist and he started getting embarrassed to smile. "It's wonderful,'' he said, "They look great. It's unbelievable. And I love them,'' William Perry said to the Chicago Sun-Times. Since his first visit, he has made several more visits to the dentist and is now pleased with his teeth.

Former WWE Superstars and members of Cyme Tyme, Shad Gaspard and JTG are scheduled to be appearing on the first JAPW event of 2008. The first JAPW event of the year is scheduled for January 19th at the Golden Door Charter School, 180 9th St, Jersey City, NJ.

Andrew “Test” Martin has officially retired from wrestling.  You can read all about it on his MySpace page: http://www.myspace.com/7439092. The last we heard, Martin was dating ECW’s Kelly Kelly. No word yet on whether his retirement will have any effect on her wrestling (I know, I know, it’s lame) career.

The Atlanta Constitution Journal printed an article about professional wrestling. You can read it here: http://www.ajc.com/search/content/metro/stories/2007/12/19/wrestling_1219.html. Lex Luger is quoted regarding faking drug tests in order to stay in the game.

Hulk Hogan is sorry he put his family through the ordeal of his reality series “Hogan Knows Best”. The article is here: http://www.buddytv.com/articles/hogan-knows-best/hulk-hogan-regrets-decision-to-14887.aspx

USA Network has landed the TV rights to "The Game Plan," The Rock's most recent box office blockbuster. (PWI) USA will likely tie the airing of that movie with future editions of Raw. Source: AngryMarks

RVD Says WWE Shouldn't Test For Weed

Article By: Ryan Gray, December 17, 2007,

Former ECW Champion Rob Van Dam said during a recent interview that he does not feel that WWE should be testing of marijuana. He said that when you are dealing with things such as anti-depressants or painkillers, weed should be the least of WWE's worries. If you remember, RVD was busted by police last year with Sabu after winning the WWE Championship smoking marijuana. If you fail a marijuana test in WWE you are not subject to suspension but are fined for the violation.

Former WWE Diva Carmella DeCesare was recently named Sexiest Celebrity Sports Wife / Girlfriend of United States Athletes by a popular online magazine. DeCesare is linked to Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia. They married on April 21, 2007 at the CordeValle Resort in San Martin, California. Source: ProWrestlingFans

TNA apparently still has interest in Joey Matthews (Mercury) and Johnny Swinger as a tag team.

Joey Matthews, as Mercury, formerly worked for WWE tagging with now John Morrison and Melina.

From Michael Fedorov: I would like to inform you, that wrestling superstar and TNA wrestler RAVEN have been in Moscow, Russia on the previous week, taking part in two wrestling-related events: on December 12 th he took part in the Extreme Sports Fest named " Proryv' " ("Breakthrough"), where he was going through the no-disqualification match against Joe "The Legend"; and on December 15th he took part in the Annual show "Kubok Presidenta" ("President Cup"), hosted by "first and only? Russian wrestling federation NFR (in English ? IWF/Independent Wrestling Federation, don't with American IWF, last yea IWF "President Cup" Special Guest was WWE Executive Vice President of Global Media Shawn McMahon). On that show Raven appeared at the end of the match for IWF Hardcore title between Blue Thunder and Vladimir Kulakov (whom he helps via his trademarked "Raven Effect").

Raven previously worked for WWE.

TNA World Champion Kurt Angle's rescheduled court date for his DUI was set to take place December 18, 2007.

Angle previously worked for WWE.

Glenn Gilberti and D'Lo Brown are now the newest backstage producers for TNA.

D’Lo Brown previously worked for WWE.

Source: ProWrestlingFans

Diamond Dallas Page has posted new blog on his official web site. In it, he talks about a recent visit that he had with Lex Luger. Despite regaining some feeling and movement, Luger is still paralyzed and is living at a spinal rehabilitation center in Marietta, George. Page gave the following address for those that want to send Luger a card: Lex Luger - c/o Aaron Chiropractic Center - 2000 Powers Ferry Road, Suite I - 10 - Marietta GA 30067.

Kimberly, former WWE Diva, revealed in a shoot interview she did this past year that she had her large breast implants removed shortly after she did the movie because she was fed up with only being offered T & A spots such as this one and that she wanted to get some serious acting roles. Unfortunately for Kimberly, she said she stopped receiving offers as soon as she told her agent (who was aghast) that she was removing her implants and no longer taking T & A acting roles. Kimberly has since left the acting business and moved from Los Angeles to Utah to take a job as a marketing executive. She graduated from Northwestern University with a Masters Degree in Marketing in 2006. She also does some residential interior decorator work on the side.

Former WWE Star Pissed Off At WWE

Article By: Ryan, December 19, 2007

Former WWE star Damian Demento is now a 'YouTube Shooter'. He's posted up a few videos on YouTube with his thoughts on a few things relating to pro wrestling. Previously, he was posting up videos displaying his art work, but he's now talking about wrestling.

In one video, Damian Demento is angry with WWE because they brought up his name & put up his picture on the company website to hype the 15th Raw Anniversary show a few weeks ago. His name is frequently brought up when people look back on the history of Raw because he wrestled Undertaker in the main event of the debut edition of Raw in 1993. He is angry because he thinks fans on the Internet will talk negatively about him and say that he was a "nobody" and that he never won a title or had a major angle. He then adds, "I'll say this much though. I maintained my integrity and my reputation, and nobody can take that away from me. So all you little ring rats out there, that are going to start saying crap, you have no idea, no idea. I didn't ask for this. So keep your stupid comments to yourself. So what is said. So what is written. So shall it be done." You can see that video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-0AlsyCQIs0.

He also posted another video relating to his phone number circulating among people in wrestling. Apparently, after WWE put up his picture on their website, he started getting phone calls from wrestling convention promoters looking to book him. Demento said, "Thanks a lot Vince McMahon. Now I'm getting phone calls from trade show agents who wanna book me. What do they think, I'm I'm stuck in the past? I didn't ask for this crap. Because you guys went and put my picture up on your website, people think I'm out there and I'm still living Damian Demento. It's in the past. And I wanna know who gave out my (expletive) phone number. I don't wanna be getting phonecalls. I put wrestling, way behind me... I'm gonna find out... And it better not be who I think it is..." You can view that video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wuMCrLlV1_4.

There's also a video where he challenges Vince McMahon. He says that if you search on YouTube, there's a bunch of videos showing botched spots from wrestlers. He doesn't want wrestlers taking these unnecessary risks because they can seriously hurt themselves. He challenges McMahon to put an end to wrestlers doing those high flying spots. He then switches subjects and encourages the usage of steroids. "Frankly, wrestling's fake and I wanna see a freak show. I don't want to see a 190 pound guy or a 210 pound guy. I want to see a freak out there. That's what it's all about." He then says that he's going to be 50 years old soon, and if he could get a hold of steroids, he would take them because he's competing against a bunch of younger guys in the construction business who could take his spot. He feels if they could get make him more physically capable to do his job, he'd use them because it would mean more money and more food on the table for his family. You can view that video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h4fsnmObYyM.

It should also be noted that he's apparently "acting" to a degree in these videos. In one reply to a person on YouTube, he wrote, "You're not supposed to laugh. Haven't my acting classes paid off? I'll have to crank it up a notch... without profanity. thanks, I think you "get it" unlike others." Also, he had an old account on YouTube, but closed it a few weeks ago. He did a rant on the Iron Sheik, but thought it was a mistake after people started posting negative replies to the video. He said his views in the video weren't his real views. He wrote, "My earlier rant that I removed was a bad commentary of Sheik. It got alot of attention, but folks thought they were my views. I removed the whole site because of all the negative comments, some of which were filled with cussing."

 

 

WWE NEWS BYTES / DECEMBER 14
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