WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT
4/14 Raw house show results from Strasbourg, France: Evan Bourne over Chavo Guerrero; Christian over Dos Caras; Willian Regal over MVP; Eve Torres over Maryse; The Miz over Kofi Kingston & Ted Dibiase in a three-way; Sheamus over Mark Henry; and Randy Orton & John Cena over Batista & Big show.
4/14 Smackdown house show results from Oberhausen, Germany: Kane over Shad Gaspard; Michelle McCool & Layla over Beth Phoenix & Mickie James; R-Truth over Dolph Ziggler; The Hart Dynasty over Caylen Croft & Trent Baretta; John Morrison over Luke Gallows; Drew McIntyre over Matt Hardy; Rey Mysterio over CM Punk; and Jack Swagger over Chris Jericho & Edge in a three-way.
The European tour continues today with Raw in Lille, France and Smackdown in Hannover, Germany. There may be some travel issues as many airports in Europe today are shut down due to volcano eruptions in Iceland, which has sent harmful volcanic ash up into airspaces.
Superstars tonight on WGN includes Matt Hardy vs. Carlito and MVP vs. Ted DiBiase.
***
Ezekiel Jackson underwent quadriceps surgery on Tuesday in Birmingham, AL and is expected to require six months of recovery time.
Matt Hardy was diagnosed with a deep bruise to his biceps but there was no tear so he's happy about that.
Comedian Chelsea Handler on her E! show Chelsea Lately, ripped David Hasselhoff and wrestling fans last night after Hasselhoff hosted Raw calling him a "Hoff-hole". Said Handler: "I do have one deep, dark secret. No, I do not have a secret love child or a penis. No, I, Chelsea Lately, am a fan of professional wrestling. Everybody knows I enjoy those over-sized meaty bodies, but what I really get hooked on is the masterful storytelling and subtle acting techniques. The other night when I tuned into WWE's Monday Night Raw, I was pissed. Someone made a guest appearance and reigned on my sweat Speedo parade. Check out this jackass... I shouldn't be so surprised that he made this appearance, this wienerschnitzel knows his demo. The same people who think wrestling is real think he's a real lifeguard."
A story in the UK Daily Record on Drew McIntyre talks about his relationship with Tiffany (Taryn Terrell). The story notes that Tiffany met his family for the first time on the European tour after getting engaged last year, and they may have their wedding in May, possibly in Scotland. He said, "From the moment Taryn and I met just over a year ago, we clicked. It was a fantastic moment and our relationship has just got better and better." McIntyre's mom was also quoted. "I've spoken to (Tiffany) on the phone and she sounds like a lovely girl. She's a real stunner. Drew's a lucky lad. It would be fantastic if they tied the knot in Scotland but he's been keeping things under wraps. It would be just like Drew to spring a surprise wedding on us at the last minute. He's always on the road and his plans are never set in stone but it will be lovely to see him. I miss him loads but I always knew he would end up living a jet-set lifestyle. He always wanted this and I'm just so happy that he's living out his dream."
Daniel Bryan noted in his blog that he's suffering from a fever and was really sick at the TV tapings this week. He wrote that he was unhappy with his promo on NXT. "It didn’t help that Matt Stryker interrupted me, but its not like I was going to light the world on fire anyways. When he said 'passion,' the idea that ran through my head was this: Explain the Daniel Bryan Manliness Meter. Describe one thing I’ve done that was really manly (in 2007 I detached my retina in a match and then continued fight for another ten minutes). Say that not only was that manly but it shows the passion I have. My closing line was going to be, 'Passion is what got me here, and passion will take me home.' It’s a line I’ve heard somewhere else, but I can’t remember where. Alas, I never got there and I didn’t feel like I had enough time after the interruption, so I just went for a cheap crowd reaction. And I DO love England! As a side note, I saw Vickie Guerrero later in the evening and she said, 'You sucked tonight.' Nothing to boost the old confidence like constructive criticism." He also talked about being thrilled working with Regal but wished they had longer than two minutes.
Regarding promos on NXT, Chris Jericho wrote on his Twitter: "To truly make it in the WWE, you have to be able to adapt to any situation and be ready for anything every time you step into the ring. Sometimes you have to add five mins onto a match with no notice. Sometimes injuries occur and you have to change things on the fly... And sometimes you have to cut a 30 second promo about toothpaste. The best can go with the flow and succeed in all situations and that's why the NXT Rookies had the talk off this week and that's why it was a very important and relevant segment."
NXT on Tuesday night did a 1.0 rating and 1.2 million viewers.
WWE will release their first quarter earnings results on 5/6 with a Vince McMahon hosted conference call that morning. These calls aren't as much fun as they used to be since WWE started screening callers and only allowing soft ball questions from certain people.
Mattel are releasing a special Undertaker action figure for the San Diego Comic Con this summer... Speaking of Taker, as things stand he is off house shows now until 6/19 at Madison Square Garden, but will be working some TV and PPV in a limited capacity.
WWE and Best Buy have reportedly signed a Blu Ray distribution deal.
TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION WRESTLING
As noted yesterday, Jim Cornette published an email promo he wrote to TNA Director of Talent Terry Taylor and the response he received from TNA's lawyers for what they viewed as "terroristic threats" towards Vince Russo. Cornette talks in depth about what led to the situation at http://whosslammingwho.podomatic.com/ explaining that the legal package he received contained the original email he sent, but showed that Taylor forwarded his message to Russo, so he views Taylor as "a stooge" and believes Russo pushed for legal action. He said he was venting to Taylor in a personal email and feels betrayed by his former friend of 30 years.
Russo is reportedly planning to move from Colorado to Nashville to be closer to the office. He's also been telling people lately that he's burned out on writing television and feels frustrated at tapings because people complain about their segments too much which leads to re-writes on the day of the shows.
Eric Bischoff on Cornette from his Facebook page: "Cornette doesn't know any business. He is a low rent con man that is only good at gaining the attention of the internet wrestling community. He's all yours! Trust me, he never has nor ever will become a part of a meaningful national promotion. But if you are looking for a bootleg DVD or a fake autograph... he's your guy!"
A lot of people have been praising Bischoff of late, especially after going on the house show loop last weekend. People were leery of his presence but noted that Russo has never attended a loop, which considering he's head writer is just mind boggling.
No decision has been made yet from Howard Stern's people regarding "Hulk Hogan Uncensored" becoming a regular radio gig on Sirus. We did get a detailed report from Monday night. Some total BS from Hogan here and bare in mind he was drinking Miller Lite during the show. The Wrestlemania 3 story is now that he tore his lat as well as his biceps and quadriceps doing the famous bodyslam on 700lb Andre the Giant. During that time he said he was wrestling 400 matches per year claiming he did double-shots on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. I guess that's a better explanation than in his book where he claims he did all these shows due to flying backwards and forwards across international timezones. He claimed in WCW that Chris Kanyon used to call him all the time and confessed he was gay and was always worried about it getting out. He also claimed his movie career never took off because a gay Hollywood producer came onto him in his 20s and blackballed him after he refused his advances. The best story he told was claiming that one time Ed "Brutus Beefcake" Leslie stayed at his house with a female who was giving him a blow job. He claimed Linda's mom walked in on Beefcake during the night and was convinced that she saw Hogan giving the blowjob to Beefcake. You can't even make this stuff up. Well, I guess you can...
Brutus Beefcake did an interview this week with http://hardcoresportsradio.com saying he's ready for TNA whenever Hulk Hogan calls.
TNA Epics returns tonight on Spike at 11 with a Mick Foley themed show including Sting's Warriors vs. Jarrett's Army from Lethal Lockdown 2006; Foley vs. Kevin Nash from Hard Justice 2009; and Foley vs. Sting inside the cage from Lockdown 2009.
Velvet Sky is the latest guest on Hermie Sadler's TNA webshow at http://tinyurl.com/y7gg98m.
OTHER WRESTLING NEWS
Indie wrestler J.T. Lightning (James Hasse, 40) out of Cleveland, OH was just diagnosed with cancer.
Nick Dinsmore Pro Wrestling Training Class will begin its very first semester on 5/11. Nick, formerly WWE's Eugene, has 14 years of professional wrestling experience and 9 years of training experience. He has helped train over 100 of the wrestling stars seen today. The class will meet two times a week for 10 weeks in Louisville, KY at the OVW Davis Arena. The class is designed for all experience levels. Cost is $1000. For more info email you2us@wrestlingglobe.com and we will forward your message or go to www.ovwrestling.com.
Torrie Wilson is busy working on a few new projects including some possible reality shows and movies. She's one of the few people that has shied away from wrestling-related bookings since leaving WWE a few years ago.
Former WWE Diva Ashley Massaro recently underwent minor surgery.
Austin Idol is currently writing a book on his life in the wrestling business. He also has a new website at www.tampasuperstars.com.
The American Wrestling Federation will be presenting Jimmy Snuka with a lifetime achievement award on 5/2 in King of Prussia, PA.
For more info call 484-681-4078.
There is another wrestling convention this weekend in White Plains NY at the Stepinac High School. Advertised names include Jim Duggan, Vampiro, AJ Styles, The Godfather, The Pope, Amazing Red, Tommy Dreamer, Greg Valentine, Tito Santana, Gillberg, Ox Baker, Butterbean, Shelly Martinez, Velvet Sky, Angelina Love, and Traci Brooks. More info at http://www.bedofnailz.com/fanfest
Bill Behrens at www.sbibookings.com is now booking for Tracy Brooks and Paul Burchall.
Awesome Kong is heading back to work in Japan soon for Neo Ladies Wrestling.
Dick Togo (Shigeki Sato, 40) recently announced his retirement for June 2011. Togo has worked for numerous Japanese promotions for 20 years as well as WWE, the original ECW and Ring of Honor.
Strikeforce is hoping to schedule Bobby Lashley for a May or June fight after plans for this weekend's show fell through.
Steve Austin talks hunting on his Texas ranch at http://tinyurl.com/y4h6847.
Dawn Marie's www.wrestlersrescue.org canceled their planned July charity cruise. "It has come to our attention that there is a similar cruise event being held within a month of our event. Due to the fear of not having enough participants because of this we are withdrawing our fundraiser cruise. We hope to plan another trip similar to this in the near future. We will keep everyone posted. Thank you for your continued support and understanding."
Today's Diva of the Day at Molly Holly http://www.thewrestlingpress.com/DailyDiva.
DORRY FUNK JR. ON GENE KINISKI
Funk's Corner - Gene Kiniski, "Give Him Hell Kid"
Giant Gene Kiniski caught me with a double leg pick-up and spun me around in a “Giant Swing” (Grabbed me by the ankles and spun me 360 degrees around and around). I could see the ring light at the Amarillo Sports Arena spinning overhead then I nearly passed out but came to as Gene slowed the Giant Swing and dropped me to the mat. Gene jumped on top of me with a rear chin lock and said, “Here comes your mother, kid. She is coming to help you. Dorothy is coming to ringside.”
Gene Kiniski was 6’ 5” tall 280 pounds of perpetual energy trained by my Father, Dory Funk Sr. We wrestled that night at the Amarillo Sports Arena to a one hour draw. I have often said that match with Gene Kiniski was one of the most demanding athletic events I have ever participated in.
Vancouver British Columbia 1963 - I wanted to be spectacular in the Battle Royal, "Impress the promoter." I was in the corner on the top rope with Tex McKinzie and Mike Sharpe in front of me, both 6' 9" tall. From the top rope I jumped over the top of them. As I jumped, Mike reached up and grabbed at my leg, throwing me off balance. In an effort to land standing in the middle of the ring I reached for the floor with one leg only. As I landed, I could feel my knee break to the inside.
The next morning I was in the doctors office. He said, "Check in the hospital tomorrow and we will do surgery." Disappointed and Dejected, I called promoter, Rod Fenton to give him the bad news. Fenton said, "Before you have surgery, call Gene Kiniski. I didn't speak much to Gene, I just listened. "Kid, go to a sporting good store and buy some tough skin, some tape, and long wrestling tights. Shave your leg and show up for the show one hour ahead of time.” I did what he said.
That night I had to cover up and sneak in the back door. I was on the main event and couldn't let the wrestling fans see that I couldn't walk. Gene was there one hour ahead of schedule. He taped my leg tight as a cast from top to bottom, then said bend it till you get a slight tear in the tape by your knee. As Gene left the room, he growled, "Okay kid, I will see you in the ring."
Gene Kiniski was there every night that week one hour ahead of schedule to tape my knee before we wrestled, then we would go into the ring and he would whip the heck out of me but leave the knee alone. I owe it to Gene Kiniski that I did not have to have surgery on my knee in Vancouver or ever in my life and Gene may have saved my career in professional wrestling.
Gene even told me what I should give him for a present as I was leaving Vancouver to return home to the Amarillo Territory. On the way I stopped by his home in Blain Washington with a 5th of Crown Royal.
When I first came to St. Louis, Gene Kiniski would tell me, "Listen Kid, I don't want to catch you staying at the Claridge Hotel or at the Senator Hotel where all the other wrestlers stay. You stay at a first class hotel, the Jefferson Hotel over on 12th street. I want to always see you in a suit or a sport coat. If you are going to make it to the top, you have got to dress and live like you are at the top. When you go into the ring, I want to see some wrestling holds, not just meat chopping. The sign out front says wrestling and that is what people want to see." Gene was my mentor, advisor and at times caretaker.
February 11, 1969 in Tampa, Florida I won the NWA World Championship from the man who saved my career Gene Kiniski. No one could be prouder of my career as NWA Champion than Gene Kiniski.
1996 - WCW Slamboree show in Atlanta - Gene was my manager in the legends match against Nick Bockwinkel with Verne Gagne in Nick‘s corner. As we walked into the ring at the Omni, Gene had his arm around my shoulder, still the boss and still telling me what to do. As we came to the center of the ring, He stopped, looked at me and said, "Look up, pointing to the top of the Omni Arena, “Your father is up there looking at us now. Do you see Nick Bockwinkel over there?" "Give Him hell Kid."
Gene Kiniski was a legend in the wrestling business as NWA World Champion and as a friend I can never thank enough for the guidance he was willing to give.
My condolences to Kelly, Nick and the family of Gene Kiniski.
Now on our website at http://www.dory-funk.com NWA World Championship Match February 11, 1969 from Tampa, Florida, Dory Funk Jr. vs. Gene Kiniski commentated by Gordon Solie.
