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WRESTLING GLOBE NEWSLETTER
Sunday November 22, 2009
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Wrestling Globe Newsletter by Mike Aldren – All the latest professional wrestling news, gossip and occasional opinion direct to your mailbox.
WGN is read by industry power players, many top wrestlers and thousands of fans from all around the world.
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WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS
11/16 Raw TV results from New York City, New York: The Miz over MVP to retain the U.S. title; Chavo Guerrero over Santino Marella; Melina over Alicia Fox to retain the Divas title; Jack Swagger over Evan Bourne; and The Undertaker & John Cena over DX following interference from JeriShow.
11/17 ECW TV results from Philadelphia, PA: Hurricane over Paul Burchill so Burchill & Katie Lea leave ECW; Vance Archer over Johnny Andrews; and CM Punk & William Regal over Christian & R-Truth.
11/19 Superstars TV results: Zack Ryder over Shelton Benjamin; Eric Escobar over Jimmy Wang Yang; and Mark Henry over Cody Rhodes.
11/20 Smackdown TV results from Philadelphia, PA: Batista over Matt Hardy; Drew McIntyre over Finlay; John Morrison over Dolph Ziggler two falls to one to retain the IC title in a best two out of three falls match; Mickie James over Layla; Tyson Kidd over Rey Mysterio via DQ; and The Undertaker & Kane over Big Show & Chris Jericho via count out.
Survivor Series is live tonight on PPV from Washington, DC with The Undertaker vs. Big Show vs. Chris Jericho in a three-way for the World title; John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels in a three-way for the WWE title; Rey Mysterio vs. Batista; Team Kingston (Kofi Kingston/Christian/MVP/Mark Henry/R-Truth) vs. Team Orton (Randy Orton/Ted DiBiase/Cody Rhodes/CM Punk/William Regal); Team Morrison (John Morrison/Evan Bourne/Matt Hardy/Shelton Benjamin/Fit Finlay) vs.
Team Miz (The Miz/Jack Swagger/Sheamus/Dolph Ziggler/Drew McIntyre); and Team Piggy (Mickie James/Melina/Kelly Kelly/Gail Kim/Eve Torres) vs.
Team McCool (Michelle McCool/Beth Phoenix/Layla/Alicia Fox/Jillian Hall).
Monday’s Raw is a three-hour Thanksgiving themed show from Hershey, PA with Jesse Ventura as the guest host. Smackdown/ECW tape TV on Tuesday in Bridgeport, CT. We’re looking for reader reports from both shows to you2us@wrestlingglobe.com.
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Paperwork filed by Linda McMahon in Connecticut for her Senate run in 2010 revealed that she and Vince McMahon have a joint personal fortune of $103.7 million, plus a further $355 million worth of WWE stock options, bank accounts, and other holdings, including a significant property portfolio. As noted, Linda has already donated over $3 million to her campaign.
The latest Linda McMahon promotional video is online at http://tinyurl.com/yg34f23… The Hartford Courant spoke to Superstar Billy Graham about Linda’s Senate candidacy and his reasons for opposing it. Story is at http://tinyurl.com/yacmqy4. As noted, Graham was hospitalized with intestinal problems last week.
Dwayne Johnson said during a radio interview this week that he is working with WWE on a new TV project. He didn’t go into specifics but said this would be something separate from appearing in a guest host role. He said: “I love that world and being able to entertain, especially if I could go back whether it’s on Smackdown and do a promo or guest-host or we could create this cool show, whatever that may be…
Especially now, I’m at the point where I can go back and give back to the fans and help out the guys in any way I can.” He added that he has a great relationship with Vince McMahon: “I am in the process of creating something really cool for the fans, something very special and unique.”
The Sun has an interview with Jerry Lawler at http://tinyurl.com/yb9kqre where he is quoted saying that Jim Ross could make his return at Wrestlemania… Ross wasn’t happy with the interview. He wrote in his latest blog at www.jrsbarbq.com: “When talking with Jerry about when I was going to return, I mentioned that there was NO time table due to not knowing when the facial nerve on the right side of my face was going to kick start. I mentioned that IF it was going to be close to Wrestlemania that it might be good just to wait and return at WM26. The facial nerve could ignite tomorrow…or next week…or 2-4 months from now. No one knows. The last time that I had Bells palsy it hit me in December and I returned to Wrestlemania in late March and broadcast one match, Austin vs. The Rock but I had to hold one side of my face up to speak clearly.
This attack isn’t as severe as that one in my opinion. I do feel better other than the facial paralysis and some lingering issues with my right eye but all in all I truly believe that I am improving. I’m also making several life style changes that I think are timely and career enhancing.” Ross noted that his contract negotiations with WWE are still not finalized but is confident everything will work out to every one’s satisfaction.
Lawler also told The Sun that Hulk Hogan signing with TNA doesn’t concern anyone in WWE. “I’ve told this to a lot of people, and I don’t know if they believe it, but no one in the WWE ever talks about TNA,”
Lawler said. “There is no concern whatsoever. They don’t acknowledge, think or worry about them.” He added: “Even with Hulk Hogan, I don’t think the WWE feel they are any threat at all. Maybe they don’t worry if TNA does well as competition is a good thing. The best years WWE had was when we were embroiled in the big war with WCW.”
The Great Khali was suspended by the Punjabi Police for an unauthorized leave of absense. Since leaving his day job as assistant subinspector to join WWE five years ago he had been on an official absence, which expired this past December. His former boss Arunpal Singh, Commandant of 7th Batallion of Punjab Armed Police, told TargetIndia.com that his department has given up waiting for Khali to report back to duty.
Sherri Shepherd of The View noted that she had her head down Tweeting while sat ringside during Raw at Madison Square Garden when she was hit on the head by the book thrown by Triple H.
Lilian Garcia made an impromptu appearance to sing the national anthem at MSG. She was backstage visiting at the show, so she did the anthem as a surprise for the live crowd… Lilian, Kelly Kelly and Melina were spotted partying with the Black Eyed Peas at a restaurant/nightclub called Butter in NYC into the early hours following the show.
The Piper’s Pit segments on Raw were pre taped a couple of hours before the show went live. There was one promo by the Iron Sheik that was cut by Stephanie McMahon when talking about Hulk Hogan.
There was also a segment cut from ECW this week with Tommy Dreamer, Goldust and Yoshi Tatsu filmed on location at the famous Tony Luke’s cheese steak place in Philadelphia.
Piper is now back in Los Angeles working on developing a TV Sitcom.
Becky Bayless and The Briscoe Brothers had try outs this past week.
Bayless remarked on her Twitter that it took her 16 years to wrestle in a WWE ring… 16 years ago Bayless was 11 so I assume that was the age when decided to become a pro wrestler.
Much of the locker room talk at the TV tapings this past week concerned the health of Brock Lesnar.
Michael Altieri (Mikey Batts) was hired back as a referee. I believe he is the real life cousin of Billy Kidman who currently works as a trainer in FCW. Altieri had a developmental deal that he was released from 2006 and had pretty much retired from wrestling to pursue MMA which didn’t work out for him.
Maryse is scheduled to return imminently, maybe tomorrow night on Raw.
Alfonso Castillo of New York’s Newsday interviewed Bruno Sammartino about the WWE Hall of Fame at http://tinyurl.com/ybn6vbp. A very interesting exchange that ends with Sammartino, who hasn’t watched wrestling on TV for around a decade, saying that it would take a lot to convince him to accept an induction and feels if he did he would become a hypocrite to his peers and fans that largely consider the WWE Hall of Fame as a joke.
A lot of internal controversy over the new “Piggy James” storyline on Smackdown.
ECW ring announcer Lauren Mayhew isn’t at the PPV tonight because she is attending The American Music Awards in Los Angeles.
CM Punk is featured on the promotional poster for the Tables, Ladders and Chairs PPV, three weeks tonight in San Antonio, TX.
Hulk Hogan Unreleased Collector’s Series, a WWE-produced DVD, came out this past week.
The upcoming John Morrison DVD has been titled John Morrison: Rock Star which will be a feature documentary and matches.
Brother’s Keeper with John Cena starts shooting in New Orleans on December 7. He won’t be missing any television time during filming but has been pulled from a few house shows.
The Ginger Bread House Bakery in Rochester, MN was asked by WWE to produce a gingerbread wrestling ring to use as the cover of their office Christmas cards this year. The local ABC affiliate picked up the story at http://tinyurl.com/ycoghy5 noting that Fed Ex refused to insure the cake so the owners are going to deliver it personally to Stamford, CT on Tuesday.
Superstars will premiere in the UK on Sky Sports on December 11 in a weekly 5pm time slot. As of today there is nothing signed between BskyB and WWE regarding a contract renewal although an announcement is expected to be made shortly.
Paul Burchill and Katie Lea are advertised for upcoming Raw house shows.
Raw on Monday did a 3.5 rating and a 5.05 million viewers, an increase of nearly 20 percent in viewership from the previous week… ECW on Tuesday did a 1.1, and Smackdown back on November 6 did a 2.0, which is the latest number available.
The Bella Twins turned 26 on Saturday.
Today’s Diva of the Day is Maria at http://tinyurl.com/yfw9egd.
TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION WRESTLING NEWS
Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair received a huge amount of press with Flair bloodying Hogan at a press conference for their Australian tour on Wednesday. Some local media were treating the press conference as a shoot rather than a stunt to sell tickets. Fox Sports in Australia covered the angle with video which included Hogan bleeding in a white t-shirt while Flair whipped him with a belt. A rep for Hogan told TMZ back in the U.S. that the angle was real, but Hogan later admitted it was staged, except for the part where he fell backwards off the stage, which he didn’t plan on doing. The angle also got media coverage in the UK, Germany, Holland and France. The UK press made fun of the Australian press for covering the conference as a legit news story.
The Hulkamania tour kicked off in Melbourne at the Rod Lever Arena on Saturday night before an estimated 8,000 fans. There were a lot unhappy people here, some who paid $350 AUS for front row seats weeks ago only to discover they were sitting next to people who had purchased the same seats for just $50 in the days leading up to the show. The production values were said to be very good including backstage interviews shown on a big screen. The show was also taped to be broadcast at a later date on One HD, a free-to-air channel in Australia. Results: Nick Dinsmore & Pimp Father over Rock of Love; Spartan 3000 over Shannon Moore; The Nasty Boys over Vampire Warrior & Black Pearl; Brutus Beefcake bover Heindenreich; Lacey Von Erich won a Bikini contest; Ken Anderson over Seam Morley; Solofa Fatu & Brian Christopher over Orlando Jordan & Edward Fatu; and Hulk Hogan over Ric Flair in their first matches in nearly two years. We have a detailed report in today’s mailbag. The tour continues with shows Tuesday at the Burwood Dome in Perth, Thursday at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre, and next Saturday at the Acer Centre in Sydney.
Eric Bischoff claimed on his Twitter earlier this week that Hogan was due in Canberra (Australian capital) to meet with the Australian Prime Minister, but it turned out he was meeting Sports Minister Kate Ellis to help grant a wish for the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Bischoff had a business meeting with Dixie Carter at the TNA offices in Nashville last week before flying out to Australia.
Hogan and his girlfriend Jennifer McDaniel reportedly just got engaged.
Due to a Star Wars marathon, Impact has been bumped on Christmas Eve on Spike.
Daffney, ODB and Dr. Stevie didn’t appear at today’s Super Mega Fest convention in Boston, MA. Daffney wrote on her Twitter that the promoter never sent them flight tickets as agreed so they didn’t go. She said she wanted to make it clear that they didn’t no-show.
Kip James was bitten by his dog this past week and needed 10 stitches to close a wound on his hand.
Chris Sabin aggravated a neck injury and his doctor is recommending that he rest his neck for a couple of weeks.
The person who runs Sid Eudy’s website sent out emails claiming that Sid is coming to TNA. Nobody in TNA knows anything about this.
Former WWE wrestler Robbie McAlister (Derek Graham-Couch) of the Highlanders was visiting backstage at the TV tapings this past week in Orlando. An interesting back story is that last March during a live broadcast of Impact, Couch was shown on camera sitting in the crowd with his son after being promised by TNA officials that the cameras wouldn’t pick him up. Well, long story short is they screwed him, although it’s probably his own fault, and showed him with a graphic listing his real name. The show took place a few days prior to Wrestlemania 24 in Orlando and the Highlanders ended up with a ton of locker room heat and were eventually released a few months later.
Impact on Thursday night did a 1.1 rating.
Mick Foley was photographed with Miss Universe Zulayka Rivera over the weekend in Puerto Rico at http://twitpic.com/qixjt.
Kevin Nash was having a hard time with his neck and knee after TV tapings this week. He noting it took him an hour just to get out of bed on Wednesday.
Awesome Kong noted on her Twitter earlier this week that she gave a speech about violence to 5th graders at an elementary school in Tampa.
The latest Hermie’s Hotseat has Tara as a guest at http://tinyurl.com/yhvjgrt.
Angelina Love & Velvet Sky are booked together on upcoming indy shows billed as The Beautiful People.
Xplosion premieres on One HD in Australia starting in December.
OTHER WRESTLING NEWS
Mid-Atlantic wrestling legend Sandy (real name Angus) Scott underwent surgery to remove a pancreatic cancer tumor on Monday. The operation took doctors over 15 hours and he has just been moved from ICU to a regular room. He is said to be alert but in a great deal on pain. His family has requested prayers and all the positive energy they can get, and any words of encouragement can be addressed to: Mr. Sandy Scott, WFU Baptist Hospital Medical Center, Room ICU4, North Tower, Medical Center Blvd. Winston Salem, NC 27157. Sandy along with older brother George formed The Flying Scotts, a top tag team in the Carolinas during the 1950s and 60s. After hanging his boots up Sandy worked in the offices of Jim Crockett Promotions before the sale to Ted Turner in 1988, and later Jim Cornette‘s Smoky Mountain Wrestling from 1991 to 1995.
Brock Lesnar underwent intestinal surgery this past week in Bismark, ND.
He is currently convalescing at his home in Alexandria, MN and is scheduled to undergo a battery of tests next week at the Mayo Clinic.
According to his chiropractor, Larry Novotny, Lesnar will not make any decision regarding his career until he recovers from his various ailments. However, Lesnar’s longtime friend and Jiu-Jitsu coach Rodrigo Medeiros, told media that Lesnar is getting better and wants to fight again in six months. Medeiros was quoted as saying: “I can just say that the heavyweights can stop laughing and get ready to start crying because the champion will be back soon.” Dana White has confirmed plans to schedule an interim championship fight during Lesnar’s UFC absence.
Tammy “Sunny” Sytch took a cheap shot at the Lesnar family via her Facebook. Sytch, who has had long standing issues with Lesnar’s wife Rena, the former WWE Diva Sable, wrote: “How long will it be before Rena leaves Brock? She’s left him twice before…once when he left the WWE, and once when the Vikings dropped him…His income flow might stop again because he’s sick….so how long will it be? I also wonder if this post will make internet news, LOL.”
Planet 51 with Dwayne Johnson debuted at No 5 at the U.S. box office with a gross of $12.6 million. The weekend belonged to Twilight: New Moon which grossed $140 million to become the third biggest opening gross in movie history behind Spider Man 3 and The Dark Night.
Johnson recorded a PSA for NASA as a tie-in to his new movie at http://tinyurl.com/ych9s27.
Greg Valentine filed a lawsuit against Windy City Pro Wrestling after some stairs leading to the ring collapsed causing him unknown injuries during a show back in July. I believe this was the show at Toyota Park billed as Hulk Hogan Appreciation Day. Valentine claims that WCPW was negligent when it, among other things, “failed to adequately light the catwalk and stairs leading from the wrestling ring.” He is also suing the village of Bridgeview, IL because it participated in the construction of the catwalk and stairs leading to the ring.
The Silverdome in Pontiac, MI, host to Wrestlemania III headlined by Hulk Hogan vs. Andre the Giant, sold to a Canadian real estate company for just $583,000 after a lengthy auction process. The new developer hinted that they intend to use the Silverdome to host Major League Soccer games. The sale of the Silverdome, constructed in 1975 for $55 million ($220 million in 2009 dollars), is viewed by many as symbolizing the collapse of real estate prices in the Detroit metropolitan area.
Gabe Sapolsky’s new Evolve group announced its debut show on January 16 in Rahway, NJ at the Rec Center.
Nick Hogan has landed another movie role in Onion Head which starts shooting next month in Louisiana. The film is about a teenage couple who are attacked when a group of kids release a monster from it’s burial ground, breaking the curse that trapped it there.
Former WWE Diva Joy Giovanni is getting recertified in massage therapy for a new business venture.
Former TNA knockout Sojourner Bolt is back helping out with OVW in Louisville, KY.
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