----At the Smackdown tapings the change for the main event at Unforgiven - it will be a triple threat match, Khali vs. Mysterio vs. Batista. So, that puts Mysterio and Batista safe for that PPV and probably not on the suspension list.
----C.M. Punk defeated John Morrison to win the ECW Title in the same building for the ECW tapings tonight. Meltzer reported that as a spoiler to the fact that Morrison is one of the first suspended, but as reported in the post below Ken Kennedy and Umaga were pulled from tonight’s show, but Umaga will be at the RAW taping tomorrow. My guess is that Kennedy/Umaga may work tapings tomorrow, but especially if Umaga loses the belt, then we know he is one of them suspended.
---The first three of the 11 that will be suspended looks to be Morrison, Umaga and Kennedy.
Saturday, September 01, 2007
Steroid Updates!!!
----I enjoyed a break today from the wrestling world and was gone from the computer for about 10 hours at a pool party today. Guess what the main topic of conversation with the guys was?? This is a group of guys that have never been anything but fans of the business. Along with Wade Wilson, since we had three big time Cowboys fans [me included], steroids and wrestling was the main topic. Meltzer makes a good point below - the reason why some guys were not suspended is because this is only suspensions handed down for Signature Pharmacy.
Dave Meltzer reported the following today...
--On the suspension front, a press release sent out yesterday by WWE for tonight's Raw house show in Terre Haute has pulled Umaga and Mr. Kennedy off the show according to the latest info in radio ads. Main matches are John Cena vs. Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy vs. Carlito and Cryme Tyme vs. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch. If this is correct, then Randy Orton was not suspended, and there are company wrestlers who are of the belief Orton wasn't suspended, but this seems like an indication that's the case.
--RAW Main Events to be taped tomorrow - HHH vs. Carlito and Umaga vs. Jeff Hardy for the IC title.
--All the suspended wrestlers were flown the last few days into Stamford for a meeting with Vince McMahon. After saying two more would be suspended yesterday on Thursday night's Greta Von Sustren, Jerry McDevitt confirmed to Newsday in an article at www.newsday.com as saying there was one more suspension (making 11 total) and there would be no others. It is believed the final suspension was a wrestler who somehow missed his flight, which didn't exactly leave the office happy.
--The only firing was Mike Bucci. The identity of the 60 day suspension will likely be clear in a few days.
--For the frequent questions about how can so-and-so not be on the list of guys suspended. None of these suspensions have anything to do with drug testing. They are simply wrestlers who purchased steroids (or in two cases Growth Hormone) from one specific pharmacy through the Internet. Many wrestlers continued to receive steroids through their home doctor, or from other wrestlers who have a source. People asking why, say, Bobby Lashley wasn't listed, it's because he was not a customer from this pharmacy. Asking why no women were listed is because the women obviously had different sources or were clean. It is also openly talked about that the rich guys are taking things you can't detect in a test, and make sure to not leave a paper trail. The key guys if they are using go to great lengths not to be caught because they are the key guys. A guy making $150,000 a year doesn't have the ability to pay for designer drugs, nor have assistants on payroll to make sure nobody can trace things (similar to Barry Bonds, whose purchases have never been able to be proven).
Credit: http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/
Dave Meltzer reported the following today...
--On the suspension front, a press release sent out yesterday by WWE for tonight's Raw house show in Terre Haute has pulled Umaga and Mr. Kennedy off the show according to the latest info in radio ads. Main matches are John Cena vs. Randy Orton, Jeff Hardy vs. Carlito and Cryme Tyme vs. Lance Cade & Trevor Murdoch. If this is correct, then Randy Orton was not suspended, and there are company wrestlers who are of the belief Orton wasn't suspended, but this seems like an indication that's the case.
--RAW Main Events to be taped tomorrow - HHH vs. Carlito and Umaga vs. Jeff Hardy for the IC title.
--All the suspended wrestlers were flown the last few days into Stamford for a meeting with Vince McMahon. After saying two more would be suspended yesterday on Thursday night's Greta Von Sustren, Jerry McDevitt confirmed to Newsday in an article at www.newsday.com as saying there was one more suspension (making 11 total) and there would be no others. It is believed the final suspension was a wrestler who somehow missed his flight, which didn't exactly leave the office happy.
--The only firing was Mike Bucci. The identity of the 60 day suspension will likely be clear in a few days.
--For the frequent questions about how can so-and-so not be on the list of guys suspended. None of these suspensions have anything to do with drug testing. They are simply wrestlers who purchased steroids (or in two cases Growth Hormone) from one specific pharmacy through the Internet. Many wrestlers continued to receive steroids through their home doctor, or from other wrestlers who have a source. People asking why, say, Bobby Lashley wasn't listed, it's because he was not a customer from this pharmacy. Asking why no women were listed is because the women obviously had different sources or were clean. It is also openly talked about that the rich guys are taking things you can't detect in a test, and make sure to not leave a paper trail. The key guys if they are using go to great lengths not to be caught because they are the key guys. A guy making $150,000 a year doesn't have the ability to pay for designer drugs, nor have assistants on payroll to make sure nobody can trace things (similar to Barry Bonds, whose purchases have never been able to be proven).
Credit: http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/
Another Classic Angle From Continental by Gene Jackson
Everyone knows I'm a huge mark for the old Continental territory and a while back I posted youtube videos of the classic heel turn of "Nightmare" Ken Wayne on his long time partner Danny Davis. Well another classic angle of the Eddie Gilbert booking era of Continental is "Dr." Tom Prichard vs. "Dirty White Boy" Tony Anthony and the Dirty White Girl (who plays a big role in this) With all the crap that's being thrown on tv these days check out these three videos that shows the Prichard/DWB feud unfold. Gordon Solie also plays a crucial role in getting this over as well. Check it out and leave feedback in the kayfabe forum on your thoughts about this and how it would get over with today's audience.
Video 1- The Streetfight
Video 2- Prichard's Revenge
Video 3- "Attempted Murder"
Video 1- The Streetfight
Video 2- Prichard's Revenge
Video 3- "Attempted Murder"
Football Linked To Signature Pharmacy
----www.nydailynews.com reported that Rodney Harrison and Wade Wilson were part of the Signature Pharmacy customer base also. If names keep being released this could be the biggest sports doping scandal ever.
New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison and Dallas Cowboys assistant coach Wade Wilson have both admitted to league officials that they received illegal performance-enhancing drugs as part of an Internet drug scam, the Daily News has learned.
Harrison will be suspended for four games, sources said, and Wilson, whose career as a quarterback ended in 1998, faces a yet-to-be-announced punishment.
Harrison, speaking on a conference call last night after his suspension was reported by ESPN, apologized to fans, especially those in "high school and college."
"I want to make it clear that not once did I ever use steroids," Harrison said. "I did admit to the commissioner that I did use a banned substance. My purpose was never to gain a competitive edge. Rather, my use was solely for the purpose of accelerating the healing process from injuries I sustained."
Wilson admitted receiving human growth hormone and anabolic steroids while a coach with the Chicago Bears, where he worked from 2004-2006. League officials were interested to know whether he used the drugs himself or whether he supplied them to players. Harrison admitted to receiving human growth hormone. Although the league does not test for HGH, a player can be suspended under the NFL doping policy if he admits or it can be proven that he took or possessed anything on the banned substances list.
The two are the first of what is expected to be many connected to the NFL to arise in the investigation. Sources said officials from the Albany Co. District Attorney's office approached NFL officials about Harrison and Wilson, saying that both had received drugs from Signature Pharmacy in Orlando. Under the scam, in which nine have pleaded guilty, doctors, hired by "anti-aging" clinics, signed prescriptions for patients they never saw, and those prescriptions were filled at Signature and other pharmacies. Albany and Florida law enforcement agents raided the pharmacy and several clinics in February.
New England Patriots safety Rodney Harrison and Dallas Cowboys assistant coach Wade Wilson have both admitted to league officials that they received illegal performance-enhancing drugs as part of an Internet drug scam, the Daily News has learned.
Harrison will be suspended for four games, sources said, and Wilson, whose career as a quarterback ended in 1998, faces a yet-to-be-announced punishment.
Harrison, speaking on a conference call last night after his suspension was reported by ESPN, apologized to fans, especially those in "high school and college."
"I want to make it clear that not once did I ever use steroids," Harrison said. "I did admit to the commissioner that I did use a banned substance. My purpose was never to gain a competitive edge. Rather, my use was solely for the purpose of accelerating the healing process from injuries I sustained."
Wilson admitted receiving human growth hormone and anabolic steroids while a coach with the Chicago Bears, where he worked from 2004-2006. League officials were interested to know whether he used the drugs himself or whether he supplied them to players. Harrison admitted to receiving human growth hormone. Although the league does not test for HGH, a player can be suspended under the NFL doping policy if he admits or it can be proven that he took or possessed anything on the banned substances list.
The two are the first of what is expected to be many connected to the NFL to arise in the investigation. Sources said officials from the Albany Co. District Attorney's office approached NFL officials about Harrison and Wilson, saying that both had received drugs from Signature Pharmacy in Orlando. Under the scam, in which nine have pleaded guilty, doctors, hired by "anti-aging" clinics, signed prescriptions for patients they never saw, and those prescriptions were filled at Signature and other pharmacies. Albany and Florida law enforcement agents raided the pharmacy and several clinics in February.
Friday, August 31, 2007
Another Name Added To The List
----Sports Illustrated writer Louis Fernando Llosa, appearing on MSNBC, also included former-WWE performer and Olympic Gold Medalist, Kurt Angle on Signature Pharmacy's customer list. It makes you wonder whether it was pain killers or roids?? But, it looks as if all the guys that bought from Signature only bought steroids or HGH. He looks pretty big in this pic?----Remember the Rey Mysterio piece I posted last week?? Brian Kilmeade said Kurt Angle was four times the size he was in the Olympics and that he was a patient of Dr. Phil Astin. It also brings up Mysterio's name again - when did he purchase his Stanozolol and Nandralone in Phoenix??
Bret Hart To Help The New Hart Foundation??
----"The Big Cheese" just made comments earlier today about the new Hart Foundation. It would be interesting to see if they can get Bret to participate in the angle. If so, it might be something I would want to see. TJ Wilson was also signed during the same time Teddy/Harry/Nattie were signed; right?? What are they doing with him?? Wilson/Smith were teaming as the "Stampede Bulldogs" even in DSW and OVW; right?? I added a youtube video of the new Hart Foundation in OVW. It makes me wonder after seeing Nattie whether they will make her get a boob job or not??
For months we have been covering the story of the new "Hart Foundation" that's headed to WWE. The group consists of Teddy Hart (Bret's nephew), Harry Smith (Davey Boy's son) and Nattie Neidhart (the Anvil's daughter). The trio has been under WWE developmental contract for quite some time and is expected to be brought up to the WWE roster in the next several months.
Despite early reports that Teddy Hart was already causing trouble behind the scenes (he is notorious for being hard to work with), the group has been getting rave reviews for their behavior in and out of the ring.
The current plan is for the new Hart Foundation will begin working house shows some time this fall. SmackDown writer Michael Hayes proposed bringing the group in as heels, but almost everybody else (including Stephanie McMahon) thinks the Hart family is too famous and beloved to be brought in as "bad guys".
WWE is interested in using Bret Hart in an angle to introduce the new group. While this may seem like a real long shot, the chances of Bret Hart being involved in a WWE storyline are better now then they've been since Montreal 10 years ago. Bret was last seen on WWE television back in June, when he taped a brief promo talking about Mr. McMahon's exploded limosine.
Years ago the idea of Bret Hart participating in a WWE storyline sounded impossible. Since then, Bret Hart has been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, participated in his "best of" DVD and more. This month, WWE is airing a Bret Hart tribute PPV special. With Bret's new book coming out this fall, we could see him participate in this angle in exchange for WWE promoting the book.
Credit: http://www.wrestleview.com/ and The Wrestling Observer Newsletter
VOICE YOUR OPINION - ABOUT NEW HART FOUNDATION - NEW KAYFABE MESSAGE BOARD!!
For months we have been covering the story of the new "Hart Foundation" that's headed to WWE. The group consists of Teddy Hart (Bret's nephew), Harry Smith (Davey Boy's son) and Nattie Neidhart (the Anvil's daughter). The trio has been under WWE developmental contract for quite some time and is expected to be brought up to the WWE roster in the next several months.
Despite early reports that Teddy Hart was already causing trouble behind the scenes (he is notorious for being hard to work with), the group has been getting rave reviews for their behavior in and out of the ring.
The current plan is for the new Hart Foundation will begin working house shows some time this fall. SmackDown writer Michael Hayes proposed bringing the group in as heels, but almost everybody else (including Stephanie McMahon) thinks the Hart family is too famous and beloved to be brought in as "bad guys".
WWE is interested in using Bret Hart in an angle to introduce the new group. While this may seem like a real long shot, the chances of Bret Hart being involved in a WWE storyline are better now then they've been since Montreal 10 years ago. Bret was last seen on WWE television back in June, when he taped a brief promo talking about Mr. McMahon's exploded limosine.
Years ago the idea of Bret Hart participating in a WWE storyline sounded impossible. Since then, Bret Hart has been inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, participated in his "best of" DVD and more. This month, WWE is airing a Bret Hart tribute PPV special. With Bret's new book coming out this fall, we could see him participate in this angle in exchange for WWE promoting the book.
Credit: http://www.wrestleview.com/ and The Wrestling Observer Newsletter
VOICE YOUR OPINION - ABOUT NEW HART FOUNDATION - NEW KAYFABE MESSAGE BOARD!!
HEADS ARE GOING TO ROLL: Mike Bucci Is The First
----The below is from www.wrestlezone.com and Ryan Clark. Bucci has been the major player in this area putting on camps with Bert Prentice and a few others. He was considered John Laurinaitis’ right hand man, so it is scary to see him go even though many had been talking about him having heat the last few weeks. Something that probably will not be reported on others sites, but I know as fact, Bucci during his camps featuring guys from this area stated to many of the guys that they could do steroids up it the point of being tested for the first time when they got a developmental deal. He was telling them to get big and have the “look”, when now that “look” does not mean anything.
Mike Bucci, who is better known as Simon Dean and also one of the names listed on the New York Daily News' list of Signature Pharmacy clients, has been fired by WWE. Bucci was largely the manager of WWE's developmental territories, leaving behind his career as an active wrestler last summer to take the management position.
A number of sources within WWE are saying that the company terminated Bucci's contract sometime this afternoon. The word among wrestlers is that Bucci was called in for a meeting today by WWE officials on the heels of his name being mentioned by the The New York Daily News yesterday as one of the wrestlers named in the Signature Pharmacy growth enhancing drug scandal. Wrestlers at the Florida Championship Wrestling training center were told of Bucci's dismissal this afternoon according to sources.
It is believed that Bucci was something of a sacrificial lamb, hence his sudden dismissal from the company. He wasn't getting good reviews with his work and thus he was considered to be expendable. Bucci was someone WWE could let go to "show" that they were serious about the current problem. Considering that he was in a management position and wrestlers fell under his leadership, WWE felt that they had no choice but to let him go because "they couldn't have him setting an example like that."
Bucci's dealings with Signature Pharmacy likely occurred when he was an active wrestler for WWE, not while he was a manager of WWE's developmental territories. Had he not moved into that leadership position, he probably would have only faced a 30-day suspension. But since he was in a leadership position, he is now out of a job.
Bucci had been affiliated with WWE since 2002. After working in OVW for two years, he was finally promoted to the main roster in the fall of 2004 under the guise of a physical-fitness guru named Simon Dean. He faded away from his active wrestling duties in 2006 and wrestled in his last match in June of last year. He was taken off the road as an active wrestler so that he could put more focus on his Head of Developmental Talent Relations job. When WWE pulled their affiliation with DSW in April, Bucci was transferred to Florida Championship Wrestling to help run the developmental league with Steve Keirn.
Also keep in mind that Bucci had incredible heat on him from his regular job in talent relations and was in the doghouse before his name surfaced.
Credit: Clark and www.pwinsder.com
Mike Bucci, who is better known as Simon Dean and also one of the names listed on the New York Daily News' list of Signature Pharmacy clients, has been fired by WWE. Bucci was largely the manager of WWE's developmental territories, leaving behind his career as an active wrestler last summer to take the management position.
A number of sources within WWE are saying that the company terminated Bucci's contract sometime this afternoon. The word among wrestlers is that Bucci was called in for a meeting today by WWE officials on the heels of his name being mentioned by the The New York Daily News yesterday as one of the wrestlers named in the Signature Pharmacy growth enhancing drug scandal. Wrestlers at the Florida Championship Wrestling training center were told of Bucci's dismissal this afternoon according to sources.
It is believed that Bucci was something of a sacrificial lamb, hence his sudden dismissal from the company. He wasn't getting good reviews with his work and thus he was considered to be expendable. Bucci was someone WWE could let go to "show" that they were serious about the current problem. Considering that he was in a management position and wrestlers fell under his leadership, WWE felt that they had no choice but to let him go because "they couldn't have him setting an example like that."
Bucci's dealings with Signature Pharmacy likely occurred when he was an active wrestler for WWE, not while he was a manager of WWE's developmental territories. Had he not moved into that leadership position, he probably would have only faced a 30-day suspension. But since he was in a leadership position, he is now out of a job.
Bucci had been affiliated with WWE since 2002. After working in OVW for two years, he was finally promoted to the main roster in the fall of 2004 under the guise of a physical-fitness guru named Simon Dean. He faded away from his active wrestling duties in 2006 and wrestled in his last match in June of last year. He was taken off the road as an active wrestler so that he could put more focus on his Head of Developmental Talent Relations job. When WWE pulled their affiliation with DSW in April, Bucci was transferred to Florida Championship Wrestling to help run the developmental league with Steve Keirn.
Also keep in mind that Bucci had incredible heat on him from his regular job in talent relations and was in the doghouse before his name surfaced.
Credit: Clark and www.pwinsder.com
A Piece of my Mind Aug 31st 2007 by "The Big Cheese" Sal Corrente
It has come to my attention that there will be a new Hart Foundation. I wonder who gets credit for this stroke of brilliance? You have three kids one with a history of creating problems and two others who have no history at all. So let’s put all kinds of pressure on them and doom them to failure from the very start. I have never seen Teddy Hart wrestle. I generally tend to shy away from people who have a reputation for creating problems. My sources have told me that Teddy has something special and if he can keep his head on straight he can contribute. The other two have not set the wrestling world on fire as of yet. Did whoever came up with this turn away crowds idea even consider what made The Hart Foundation special? You had Bret Hart, considered on of the best a wrestling technicians of all time, and Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart who did not have the most impressive looking body but he did had great facial expressions and they had a manager. Why would Vince make such a not going to draw you a dime move? I can tell you why, desperate men and women do desperate things. It’s clear the next big thing hasn’t dropped in McMahon’s lap yet and I don’t think that the stork even knows where Dixie Carter lives. Please reconsider this decision. Give Teddy, Harry and Nattie a chance to make it in the business without being saddled with the burden of trying to duplicate something that is remembered with great respect. When was the last time something like this worked? The simple answer is never! If there is anyone who isn’t afraid to voice an opinion can get someone to listen in WWE please advise them to change their plans for these kids quick.
If, by chance, you disagree with me or think that there is a chance that The Hart Foundation 2.0 is a great move then tell me how do you think it should go? Should they have a manager? Who should the manager be? What kind if impact will they make? Will the fans accept what appears to be a watered down version of a faction held in the highest regard? Think about it … a New Midnight Express a much younger version with no Jim Cornette; a new Freebirds without Michael Hayes … would that really make sense?
It seems that TNA sits around waiting for the next WWE cast off. I think they believe when they get enough of them success will be right around the corner. I have a hint for them - WRONG! There are only two possible solutions that I can see for TNA. If I was Dixie Carter I would interview all potential booking candidates. I would base my decision on these points. Has the person ever been successful anywhere? Will the person put your company before his own ego? Will they realize that what is best for you is best for them? I would have them draw out a two year plan storylines and angles. If they don’t know what they would do already it isn’t just going to pop into their head. I would give them a guaranteed three year deal. I know this could be considered radical. I make this statement with the belief that is going to be hard to book a territory correctly with all the back stabbing and sabotaging that goes on. If someone has job security they will be able to do what they feel is best without fear of being dismissed in weeks. I realize this could create a problem but if you own a company of this magnitude shouldn’t you be able to pick a booker. This is the real world people this type of thing happens in baseball, football, basketball, etc not everything in this world can be a do over. If you are too incompetent to hire a booker yourself, perhaps you can contract Cary Silkin of ROH to do it for you; he sure seems to have gotten it right.
How and why did the Wrestling Manager go away? Who decided that we didn’t want to piss people off anymore and get real heat? The WWE was using this guy Armando Alejandro Estrada for awhile. I say they stopped using him as a manager because his entrance started to get over. This is the only business in the world where you become successful then they make you disappear. Who in the hell has ever heard of connecting with your audience being a bad thing? It could only be a problem in workplace where ego is the driving force.
How in the world do you have a guy like Paul Heyman sitting at home collecting a check and doing nothing? He is considered one of the best minds in the business. So why wouldn’t you turn the booking over to him? You will find that he would be able to get the very most out of the talent that you have. He won’t be walking around clueless hoping something comes along to save him. Why not put the McMahon family ego in storage and give Heyman a chance? If you don’t you may find USA Network booking the TV for you soon. Talk about eating crow! If you don’t turn control of the TV over to Paul then at least let manage some people and get some damn heat.
If I was a stockholder I would be asking these questions. Is everyone in WWE upper management lost? I can’t understand paying someone to sit at home who can make a major contribution. You know what it must be with Vince? It isn’t about money anymore. All that’s left for Vince is to feed his own ego and prove to the world that he is better than he really is. That’s why he branches out into all these other things. He knows that, to the real world, he will never be more than a glorified Carny from the wrestling business. In every venture he has made outside of wrestling he has failed. It must be a tough pill to swallow you have all the money in the world but it can’t buy you respect.
Well we are one day away from Memphis Wrestling on TV 30 if you live in the viewing area you can feel comfortable that you will be watching a show where the top guy isn’t loaded with steroids or any other drugs. Which goes to prove that a lousy wrestling program can be put together with or without steroids.
If you were expecting me to write something about the recent steroid scandal findings what can I really say that someone else wont say. I will only mention this that perhaps wrestling needs to hit ROCK BOTTOM to be built back up. I hope this is the start of the rebuilding and healing process
If, by chance, you disagree with me or think that there is a chance that The Hart Foundation 2.0 is a great move then tell me how do you think it should go? Should they have a manager? Who should the manager be? What kind if impact will they make? Will the fans accept what appears to be a watered down version of a faction held in the highest regard? Think about it … a New Midnight Express a much younger version with no Jim Cornette; a new Freebirds without Michael Hayes … would that really make sense?
It seems that TNA sits around waiting for the next WWE cast off. I think they believe when they get enough of them success will be right around the corner. I have a hint for them - WRONG! There are only two possible solutions that I can see for TNA. If I was Dixie Carter I would interview all potential booking candidates. I would base my decision on these points. Has the person ever been successful anywhere? Will the person put your company before his own ego? Will they realize that what is best for you is best for them? I would have them draw out a two year plan storylines and angles. If they don’t know what they would do already it isn’t just going to pop into their head. I would give them a guaranteed three year deal. I know this could be considered radical. I make this statement with the belief that is going to be hard to book a territory correctly with all the back stabbing and sabotaging that goes on. If someone has job security they will be able to do what they feel is best without fear of being dismissed in weeks. I realize this could create a problem but if you own a company of this magnitude shouldn’t you be able to pick a booker. This is the real world people this type of thing happens in baseball, football, basketball, etc not everything in this world can be a do over. If you are too incompetent to hire a booker yourself, perhaps you can contract Cary Silkin of ROH to do it for you; he sure seems to have gotten it right.
How and why did the Wrestling Manager go away? Who decided that we didn’t want to piss people off anymore and get real heat? The WWE was using this guy Armando Alejandro Estrada for awhile. I say they stopped using him as a manager because his entrance started to get over. This is the only business in the world where you become successful then they make you disappear. Who in the hell has ever heard of connecting with your audience being a bad thing? It could only be a problem in workplace where ego is the driving force.
How in the world do you have a guy like Paul Heyman sitting at home collecting a check and doing nothing? He is considered one of the best minds in the business. So why wouldn’t you turn the booking over to him? You will find that he would be able to get the very most out of the talent that you have. He won’t be walking around clueless hoping something comes along to save him. Why not put the McMahon family ego in storage and give Heyman a chance? If you don’t you may find USA Network booking the TV for you soon. Talk about eating crow! If you don’t turn control of the TV over to Paul then at least let manage some people and get some damn heat.
If I was a stockholder I would be asking these questions. Is everyone in WWE upper management lost? I can’t understand paying someone to sit at home who can make a major contribution. You know what it must be with Vince? It isn’t about money anymore. All that’s left for Vince is to feed his own ego and prove to the world that he is better than he really is. That’s why he branches out into all these other things. He knows that, to the real world, he will never be more than a glorified Carny from the wrestling business. In every venture he has made outside of wrestling he has failed. It must be a tough pill to swallow you have all the money in the world but it can’t buy you respect.
Well we are one day away from Memphis Wrestling on TV 30 if you live in the viewing area you can feel comfortable that you will be watching a show where the top guy isn’t loaded with steroids or any other drugs. Which goes to prove that a lousy wrestling program can be put together with or without steroids.
If you were expecting me to write something about the recent steroid scandal findings what can I really say that someone else wont say. I will only mention this that perhaps wrestling needs to hit ROCK BOTTOM to be built back up. I hope this is the start of the rebuilding and healing process
Steroid News: The Rock Talks About The Story
----As we had stated that two more names will be revealed today or at least suspended, but nothing has come of it. Dave Meltzer reports on his web site, "Judging from the WWE web site, the key name still listed in the front is Batista."
----Meltzer is also reporting that Alex Marvez has an interview with Dwayne Johnson on the WWE drug suspensions up at http://www.foxsports.com/ [I could not find it??]
"Clearly, there has to be an aggressive educational program put in place," he said. "These guys have to be armed with the knowledge and understanding of how bad these drugs are and the dangers of mixing these drugs with the lifestyle they lead." Johnson said he used steroids entering his freshman year at the University of Miami, but not as a pro wrestler. "When I got into the wrestling business, I never cared about being the biggest guy. I just wanted to be the most entertaining." He also talks about his reaction to Chris Benoit.
----Is it just me?? I think The Rock was on the juice during part of his WWE career. I say that because I remember talking to his dad, Rocky Johnson, after seeing The Rock on an awards show and saying to Rocky, "Dwayne looks small, but in great shape." And Rocky's response, "He don't have to be so big in the movies."
----A quick side note on the above, before I get blasted for NOT knowing The Rock and calling him Dwayne. I have had dealings only with his dad Rocky, who actually married a friend of mine from Steele, MO. If you do not call The Rock either "Dwanye or Dewey" when talking to Rocky, then either he pretends not hear you or he ignores you. In his mind, The Rock is Dwanye and he [Rocky Johnson] is "Rock". LOL
----Meltzer is also reporting that Alex Marvez has an interview with Dwayne Johnson on the WWE drug suspensions up at http://www.foxsports.com/ [I could not find it??]
"Clearly, there has to be an aggressive educational program put in place," he said. "These guys have to be armed with the knowledge and understanding of how bad these drugs are and the dangers of mixing these drugs with the lifestyle they lead." Johnson said he used steroids entering his freshman year at the University of Miami, but not as a pro wrestler. "When I got into the wrestling business, I never cared about being the biggest guy. I just wanted to be the most entertaining." He also talks about his reaction to Chris Benoit.
----Is it just me?? I think The Rock was on the juice during part of his WWE career. I say that because I remember talking to his dad, Rocky Johnson, after seeing The Rock on an awards show and saying to Rocky, "Dwayne looks small, but in great shape." And Rocky's response, "He don't have to be so big in the movies."
----A quick side note on the above, before I get blasted for NOT knowing The Rock and calling him Dwayne. I have had dealings only with his dad Rocky, who actually married a friend of mine from Steele, MO. If you do not call The Rock either "Dwanye or Dewey" when talking to Rocky, then either he pretends not hear you or he ignores you. In his mind, The Rock is Dwanye and he [Rocky Johnson] is "Rock". LOL
TIWF TV Report 8.30.07 by the Rambling Critic
TIWF TV Report
HOLY CRAP!!! They fixed the technical difficulties. No bars, no shaking, and the sound is lined up. Well....its about time.
Show start with 4 straight interviews...yes 4.
Interview # 1
Lawman Williams
States that he knows who attacked him. Convicts from his past. The lights go dim and the convicts come out to attack again. Lockerroom makes the save. Convicts are Wyked and a masked man who I am 99% sure it is TIWF referee Tim Sadler. His outfit was completely prison stripes, including the mask.
Interview # 2
Way Cool
Way Cool can't talk. Only interesting point is that he insinuates that "the company down the road" offered him a better contract. So NBW or TLCW.... Strange. I'm pretty sure he ain't talking about Memphis...but I could be wrong....no not on that one.
Interview # 3
Empire
The Empire is preparring for their match. Basic comedy promo, but it was not funny.
Interview # 4
Team TIWF
Team TIWF preparring for their match. All were sitting around playing cards and checkers. They were laughing at their opponents and saying that was all the training they needed. Why do I want to see this match now? They basically don't care about the match enough to train.
Why 4 interviews? And bad ones at that.
Show goes back to studio with Jon Seymore asking Wildside why he was wearing his gear? I nearly lost it on that one....seems like someone has been reading this review. Well, Wildside attacks him and gets rid of Seymore (wow, they have been reading it). Ravishing Randy is the new co-host. He did ok but seemed stiff....better than Seymore....not as good as Wildside. Crowd is in the 35-40 range. A lot of little kids again.
Match # 1
J.R. Rich vs Johnny Thunder
Thunder wins with a running power slam. This was not a good match up. No one there to lead the match. 1/2 Star.
Match # 2
Overkill vs Wyked
Overkill still needs gear and training. He's gonna end up breaking his arms or his wrists if he keeps bumping the way he is (putting his arms back). Wyked wins with a chain shot. Not a good match...not a bad match. No psychology and all of Wyked's heat was edited out. 1 Star.
Match # 3
Women's Hardcore Match
Brianna Starr vs Jennifer Justice
I'm not a fan of hardcore matches. Anyone can get hit with random objects. Wrestling is wrestling, not cookie sheets. My problem with this match was that if a person were to get hit in the head repeatedly with metal...wouldn't they bleed? Most of the shots given in this match were head shots and yet no blood. Jennifer wins after a trash can shot off the 2nd rope. 2/3 Star.
Match # 4
TV Title Match
Spyder (c) vs Chico Mendoza
I think Chico brought half the crowd. He is by far the most over person so far with this crowd. I really can't see why. He wrestles lazy and doesn't seem to care at points. Spyder wins with a belt shot. Spyder needs a promo video, I wouldn't let him talk yet. How about film him getting into fights in local "pubs" as training. 1 1/2 Stars.
Match # 5
Team TIWF (Weasel, PK Ripper, Moondog Rex, Lawman Williams, & Jon Seymore) vs Team Empire (Steven Rampage, Big Boy Bob, Dre Black, Wildside, & Ravishing Randy)
Order of Elimination: Moondog Rex by Wildside, Wildside by PK RIpper, PK Ripper by Steven Rampage, Ravishing Randy by Jon Seymore, Weasel by Big Boy Bob, Big Boy Bob by Lawman Williams, Lawman Williams by Steven Rampage, Steven Rampage by Jon Seymore, and Dre Black by Jon Seymore.
Basic spotfest with no psychology. Huge amounts of scew-ups and blown spots in the match. Hotrod gives away the finish during the middle of the match. Finish had Dre Black turning on Rampage and then laying down for the pin. This was a crappy ending to a storyline thats been running for 7-8 months. Way to put over Jon Seymore.... 1 Star. If someone had to turn I would have used Bob...and not told Hotrod. Crowd would have eaten that up.
Notes:
People complain about Corey Maclin's lack of wrestling lingo, but listen to a Hotrod called match and Corey seems like good ole JR. He gave away the finish in the main. I thought he used to be good, I don't know what happened.
Tim Sadler is the slowest counting referee I've ever seen. He's not a bad ref, but way too slow. He blew probably 4 pins in the main. Just stopped counting. Also, what is up with one week your a wrestler and the next your a ref. J.R. Rich first and now Sadler (I'm 99.99% sure it was him under the mask).
But I do give kudos for the bookers and writers over at TIWF for reading this report. It’s obvious. Maybe they will listen even more, it can only help. Also, thank you for fixing the technical stuff. Not getting a seizure from watching the program was a plus. NBW, the report is coming soon. Until next week...
VOICE YOUR OPINION ON THE NEW KAYFABE MESSAGE BOARD!!
HOLY CRAP!!! They fixed the technical difficulties. No bars, no shaking, and the sound is lined up. Well....its about time.
Show start with 4 straight interviews...yes 4.
Interview # 1
Lawman Williams
States that he knows who attacked him. Convicts from his past. The lights go dim and the convicts come out to attack again. Lockerroom makes the save. Convicts are Wyked and a masked man who I am 99% sure it is TIWF referee Tim Sadler. His outfit was completely prison stripes, including the mask.
Interview # 2
Way Cool
Way Cool can't talk. Only interesting point is that he insinuates that "the company down the road" offered him a better contract. So NBW or TLCW.... Strange. I'm pretty sure he ain't talking about Memphis...but I could be wrong....no not on that one.
Interview # 3
Empire
The Empire is preparring for their match. Basic comedy promo, but it was not funny.
Interview # 4
Team TIWF
Team TIWF preparring for their match. All were sitting around playing cards and checkers. They were laughing at their opponents and saying that was all the training they needed. Why do I want to see this match now? They basically don't care about the match enough to train.
Why 4 interviews? And bad ones at that.
Show goes back to studio with Jon Seymore asking Wildside why he was wearing his gear? I nearly lost it on that one....seems like someone has been reading this review. Well, Wildside attacks him and gets rid of Seymore (wow, they have been reading it). Ravishing Randy is the new co-host. He did ok but seemed stiff....better than Seymore....not as good as Wildside. Crowd is in the 35-40 range. A lot of little kids again.
Match # 1
J.R. Rich vs Johnny Thunder
Thunder wins with a running power slam. This was not a good match up. No one there to lead the match. 1/2 Star.
Match # 2
Overkill vs Wyked
Overkill still needs gear and training. He's gonna end up breaking his arms or his wrists if he keeps bumping the way he is (putting his arms back). Wyked wins with a chain shot. Not a good match...not a bad match. No psychology and all of Wyked's heat was edited out. 1 Star.
Match # 3
Women's Hardcore Match
Brianna Starr vs Jennifer Justice
I'm not a fan of hardcore matches. Anyone can get hit with random objects. Wrestling is wrestling, not cookie sheets. My problem with this match was that if a person were to get hit in the head repeatedly with metal...wouldn't they bleed? Most of the shots given in this match were head shots and yet no blood. Jennifer wins after a trash can shot off the 2nd rope. 2/3 Star.
Match # 4
TV Title Match
Spyder (c) vs Chico Mendoza
I think Chico brought half the crowd. He is by far the most over person so far with this crowd. I really can't see why. He wrestles lazy and doesn't seem to care at points. Spyder wins with a belt shot. Spyder needs a promo video, I wouldn't let him talk yet. How about film him getting into fights in local "pubs" as training. 1 1/2 Stars.
Match # 5
Team TIWF (Weasel, PK Ripper, Moondog Rex, Lawman Williams, & Jon Seymore) vs Team Empire (Steven Rampage, Big Boy Bob, Dre Black, Wildside, & Ravishing Randy)
Order of Elimination: Moondog Rex by Wildside, Wildside by PK RIpper, PK Ripper by Steven Rampage, Ravishing Randy by Jon Seymore, Weasel by Big Boy Bob, Big Boy Bob by Lawman Williams, Lawman Williams by Steven Rampage, Steven Rampage by Jon Seymore, and Dre Black by Jon Seymore.
Basic spotfest with no psychology. Huge amounts of scew-ups and blown spots in the match. Hotrod gives away the finish during the middle of the match. Finish had Dre Black turning on Rampage and then laying down for the pin. This was a crappy ending to a storyline thats been running for 7-8 months. Way to put over Jon Seymore.... 1 Star. If someone had to turn I would have used Bob...and not told Hotrod. Crowd would have eaten that up.
Notes:
People complain about Corey Maclin's lack of wrestling lingo, but listen to a Hotrod called match and Corey seems like good ole JR. He gave away the finish in the main. I thought he used to be good, I don't know what happened.
Tim Sadler is the slowest counting referee I've ever seen. He's not a bad ref, but way too slow. He blew probably 4 pins in the main. Just stopped counting. Also, what is up with one week your a wrestler and the next your a ref. J.R. Rich first and now Sadler (I'm 99.99% sure it was him under the mask).
But I do give kudos for the bookers and writers over at TIWF for reading this report. It’s obvious. Maybe they will listen even more, it can only help. Also, thank you for fixing the technical stuff. Not getting a seizure from watching the program was a plus. NBW, the report is coming soon. Until next week...
VOICE YOUR OPINION ON THE NEW KAYFABE MESSAGE BOARD!!
Suspension Update: More Expected Today!!
----WWE's lawyer Jerry McDevitt was a guest on "On the Record" with Greta Van Sustren last night. He confirmed that 10 guys had been suspended and would not reveal their names. He also stated that he expected to see at least 2 more names added to the list today.
----I talked last night with an old friend about the developmental organzations and he stated that he felt the guys there were scared also. OVW and Florida Championship Wrestling both have probably over 50 guys under contract. My thoughts here are that Vince McMachon really needs some people to pick for positive drug tests. The developmental guys feel that since they are not "that important", then Vince could test a bunch of them to go along with his current "superstars". Remember though, the current 10 that are being suspended are NOT because of testing positive. It is because of the findings of the DA.
----Dave Meltzer had the headline "WWE wrestlers are so screwed this time" on his http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/ website last night. He noted that "Based on these dates, the entire policy's credibility is shot in the sense there were detectable drugs purchased by talent through Internet doctors, a practice banned by the company's Wellness policy." He also went on to say "Ken Anderson (Mr. Kennedy) comes across like a complete fool.." in reference to his claims on talk shows about his steroid use.
----I also talked with Meltzer via e-mail last night, because a visitor brought up some questions about Vince that I was not sure of. Is Vince ever tested?? Since the WWE is a public owned company could he be forced to do so or fired from his position?? Meltzer wrote back, "I don't think Vince is tested. He owns 70% of the stock so they canpressure him, but they can't fire him." Typical bs boss stuff here. Vince tells everyone they will be tested, but he is not doing the same thing?? I have been in management and employee positions. I have always felt the boss should follow the same set of rules with maybe a few added perks. If a boss tells you that if you come into work late again, then you will be fired - but he is suppose to be there at 9 and shows up at 11 every day?? How can respect that?
----I talked last night with an old friend about the developmental organzations and he stated that he felt the guys there were scared also. OVW and Florida Championship Wrestling both have probably over 50 guys under contract. My thoughts here are that Vince McMachon really needs some people to pick for positive drug tests. The developmental guys feel that since they are not "that important", then Vince could test a bunch of them to go along with his current "superstars". Remember though, the current 10 that are being suspended are NOT because of testing positive. It is because of the findings of the DA.
----Dave Meltzer had the headline "WWE wrestlers are so screwed this time" on his http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/ website last night. He noted that "Based on these dates, the entire policy's credibility is shot in the sense there were detectable drugs purchased by talent through Internet doctors, a practice banned by the company's Wellness policy." He also went on to say "Ken Anderson (Mr. Kennedy) comes across like a complete fool.." in reference to his claims on talk shows about his steroid use.
----I also talked with Meltzer via e-mail last night, because a visitor brought up some questions about Vince that I was not sure of. Is Vince ever tested?? Since the WWE is a public owned company could he be forced to do so or fired from his position?? Meltzer wrote back, "I don't think Vince is tested. He owns 70% of the stock so they canpressure him, but they can't fire him." Typical bs boss stuff here. Vince tells everyone they will be tested, but he is not doing the same thing?? I have been in management and employee positions. I have always felt the boss should follow the same set of rules with maybe a few added perks. If a boss tells you that if you come into work late again, then you will be fired - but he is suppose to be there at 9 and shows up at 11 every day?? How can respect that?
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Umaga Added To The List - SI.com Breaks The Case Wide Open!!
Since last summer, Sports Illustrated reporters Luis Fernando Llosa and L. Jon Wertheim have been investigating an illegal steroid distribution network that has implicated pro athletes. On Feb. 27, the reporters accompanied federal and state drug enforcement agents on a coordinated raid of an Orlando compound pharmacy and a Jupiter, Fla., "anti-aging" clinic that investigators allege conspired to fraudulently prescribe steroids, human growth hormone and other performance enhancing drugs over the Internet.
With its rare confluence of hot button topics -- sports, kids, death, and drugs -- the double-murder, suicide case involving pro wrestler Chris Benoit and his family made for a cause celebre last summer. When the news cycle passed and the media turned its attention to a corrupt NBA referee and an NFL quarterback financing a dogfighting ring, investigators continued to explore the pipeline that enabled professional athletes to obtain steroids and human growth hormone through a chain of compound pharmacies, "anti-aging" clinics and venal doctors who often rubber-stamped prescriptions, sometimes without treating their "patients."
As the WWE is embattled by charges that its wrestlers die early and unexpectedly with alarming frequency, it must now counter evidence that the culture is awash in illicit drug use. That cause wasn't helped on Thursday, when, based on information provided to the WWE by the Albany District Attorney's office, the organization suspended 10 wrestlers for violating the company's drug policy.
While the WWE declined to release the names of the suspended athletes, SI has learned that a dozen professional wrestlers have received steroids and/or human growth hormone through the drug network. The WWE would not confirm which, if any, of the following wrestlers are among those suspended:
• Benoit, who died June 24, 2007, received nandrolone and anastrozole in February 2006. (Anastrozole is used by athletes to counter side effects of steroid use, such as water retention and breast enlargement.)
• Two weeks prior to Eddie Guerrero's death on Nov. 13, 2005, he was sent nandrolone, testosterone, and anastrozole. Guerrero died in a Minneapolis hotel room due to what a coroner later ruled as heart disease, complicated by an enlarged heart resulting from a history of anabolic steroid use.
• Chavo Guerrero, who found his uncle Eddie dead in the Minneapolis hotel room, received, among other drugs, somatropin (HGH), nandrolone and anastrozole between April 2005 and May 2006.
• Between November 2003 and February 2007, Shane Helms, a/k/a The Hurricane, received, among other drugs, testosterone, genotropin (HGH) and nandrolone. (As previously reported by SI, he allegedly received HGH from an Arizona doctor in 2005.)
• Starting in September 2004 through February 2007, Randy Orton received somatropin, nandrolone, stanozolol.
• John Hennigan, a/k/a Johnny Nitro, a.k.a. Johnny Morrison, is the current WWE Extreme Championship Wrestling's heavyweight champion. Between June 2006 and February 2007 he was prescribed somatropin, anastrozole, testosterone, stanozolol and chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced naturally during pregnancy. (HCG is taken by anabolic steroid users to stimulate the production of testosterone, which is suppressed as a result of steroid use.)
• Ken Anderson, a/k/a Mr. Kennedy, lost to Eddie Guerrero in Guerrero's final match on Nov. 11, 2005. Kennedy received shipments of anastrozole, somatropin and testosterone between October 2006 and February 2007.
• Shoichi Funaki received somatropin in March 2006.
• Brian Adams, a/k/a Crush, who retired from the pro circuit in 2001, was found dead of unknown causes on Aug. 13. He received nandrolone, testosterone and Somatropin or HGH in December 2006.
• Charles Haas was prescribed anastrozole, somatropin, stanozolol, nandrolone and chorionic gonadotropin between August 2006 and January 2007.
• Edward Fatu received somatropin between July and December 2006.
• Between November 2004 and November 2006, Darren Matthews received stanozolol, somatropin, genotropin, and anastrozole.
• Adam Copeland, a/k/a Edge, received somatropin, genotropin (both HGH), and stanozolol between September 2004 and February 2007.
• Sylvain Grenier received somatropin, nandrolone, genotropin and stanozolol, starting in February 2005 through July 2006.
Through WWE spokesman Gary Davis, the applicable WWE wrestlers listed above declined comment.
In the wake of Eddie Guerrero's steroid-related death, the WWE instituted a "Talent Wellness Program" in February 2006. The policy "prohibits the use of performance-enhancing drugs, as well as other prescription drugs which can be abused, if taken for other than a legitimate medical purpose pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician. For purposes of WWE's policy, prescriptions obtained over the Internet and/or from suppliers of prescription drugs from the Internet are not considered to have been given for a legitimate medical purpose."
Under the Talent Wellness Program, an initial positive test triggers to a 30-day suspension and a second positive leads to a 60-day suspension. A third positive yields a termination.
After Benoit's death, Representative Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) contacted the WWE requesting more information on the Talent Wellness Program. In addition to the rash of recent wrestler deaths, Congress has expressed concerned that the WWE counts more than more 500,000 kids among its weekly viewership.
Credit: http://www.si.com/
With its rare confluence of hot button topics -- sports, kids, death, and drugs -- the double-murder, suicide case involving pro wrestler Chris Benoit and his family made for a cause celebre last summer. When the news cycle passed and the media turned its attention to a corrupt NBA referee and an NFL quarterback financing a dogfighting ring, investigators continued to explore the pipeline that enabled professional athletes to obtain steroids and human growth hormone through a chain of compound pharmacies, "anti-aging" clinics and venal doctors who often rubber-stamped prescriptions, sometimes without treating their "patients."
As the WWE is embattled by charges that its wrestlers die early and unexpectedly with alarming frequency, it must now counter evidence that the culture is awash in illicit drug use. That cause wasn't helped on Thursday, when, based on information provided to the WWE by the Albany District Attorney's office, the organization suspended 10 wrestlers for violating the company's drug policy.
While the WWE declined to release the names of the suspended athletes, SI has learned that a dozen professional wrestlers have received steroids and/or human growth hormone through the drug network. The WWE would not confirm which, if any, of the following wrestlers are among those suspended:
• Benoit, who died June 24, 2007, received nandrolone and anastrozole in February 2006. (Anastrozole is used by athletes to counter side effects of steroid use, such as water retention and breast enlargement.)
• Two weeks prior to Eddie Guerrero's death on Nov. 13, 2005, he was sent nandrolone, testosterone, and anastrozole. Guerrero died in a Minneapolis hotel room due to what a coroner later ruled as heart disease, complicated by an enlarged heart resulting from a history of anabolic steroid use.
• Chavo Guerrero, who found his uncle Eddie dead in the Minneapolis hotel room, received, among other drugs, somatropin (HGH), nandrolone and anastrozole between April 2005 and May 2006.
• Between November 2003 and February 2007, Shane Helms, a/k/a The Hurricane, received, among other drugs, testosterone, genotropin (HGH) and nandrolone. (As previously reported by SI, he allegedly received HGH from an Arizona doctor in 2005.)
• Starting in September 2004 through February 2007, Randy Orton received somatropin, nandrolone, stanozolol.
• John Hennigan, a/k/a Johnny Nitro, a.k.a. Johnny Morrison, is the current WWE Extreme Championship Wrestling's heavyweight champion. Between June 2006 and February 2007 he was prescribed somatropin, anastrozole, testosterone, stanozolol and chorionic gonadotropin, a hormone produced naturally during pregnancy. (HCG is taken by anabolic steroid users to stimulate the production of testosterone, which is suppressed as a result of steroid use.)
• Ken Anderson, a/k/a Mr. Kennedy, lost to Eddie Guerrero in Guerrero's final match on Nov. 11, 2005. Kennedy received shipments of anastrozole, somatropin and testosterone between October 2006 and February 2007.
• Shoichi Funaki received somatropin in March 2006.
• Brian Adams, a/k/a Crush, who retired from the pro circuit in 2001, was found dead of unknown causes on Aug. 13. He received nandrolone, testosterone and Somatropin or HGH in December 2006.
• Charles Haas was prescribed anastrozole, somatropin, stanozolol, nandrolone and chorionic gonadotropin between August 2006 and January 2007.
• Edward Fatu received somatropin between July and December 2006.
• Between November 2004 and November 2006, Darren Matthews received stanozolol, somatropin, genotropin, and anastrozole.
• Adam Copeland, a/k/a Edge, received somatropin, genotropin (both HGH), and stanozolol between September 2004 and February 2007.
• Sylvain Grenier received somatropin, nandrolone, genotropin and stanozolol, starting in February 2005 through July 2006.
Through WWE spokesman Gary Davis, the applicable WWE wrestlers listed above declined comment.
In the wake of Eddie Guerrero's steroid-related death, the WWE instituted a "Talent Wellness Program" in February 2006. The policy "prohibits the use of performance-enhancing drugs, as well as other prescription drugs which can be abused, if taken for other than a legitimate medical purpose pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician. For purposes of WWE's policy, prescriptions obtained over the Internet and/or from suppliers of prescription drugs from the Internet are not considered to have been given for a legitimate medical purpose."
Under the Talent Wellness Program, an initial positive test triggers to a 30-day suspension and a second positive leads to a 60-day suspension. A third positive yields a termination.
After Benoit's death, Representative Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) contacted the WWE requesting more information on the Talent Wellness Program. In addition to the rash of recent wrestler deaths, Congress has expressed concerned that the WWE counts more than more 500,000 kids among its weekly viewership.
Credit: http://www.si.com/
ESPN REPORTING 3 MORE NAMES
----www.espn.com in reporting this story listed 3 more names not listed on the other sites as customers of Signature of Orlando: Shoichi Funaki, Dave Bautista and Chris "Masters" Mordetsky. Many people will be surprised at Funaki being listed and I am not sure if he obtained steroids or something else. I think that even guys here in this area in the wrestling business could never estimate how many of the boys do the juice. I would say it is would be a 90% figure. My question would be "Who is Clean??" and then next would be "Do they use other drugs??"
----I am not saying everyone is a drug head, but it is not looking good for the WWE right now. This will go down in wrestling history as one of the biggest blows EVER. It will change the business. The general public will get a look into the "dirt" of the business and they are the ones that watch the TV, buy the advertisements and such. They will HAVE TO CLEAN UP THE BUSINESS!! Why does Barry Bonds look different now?? Because he had to do it.
----Those that consider the adult industry to be seedy and illegal needs to take a closer look at their business model when it comes to "wellness". In 1998, out of the fear of AIDS and the government shutting down the industry, the Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation was formed. Wonder why you see so many condoms in porn today? This set up a system where erotic actors/actresses in the adult film industry are tested for AIDS every 30 days. All sexual contact is logged, and a positive test result triggers the contacting and re-testing of all sexual partners during the previous three to six months. This system has resulted in low rates of HIV transmission, and hence low rates of infection among erotic actors: reportedly, not a single HIV test had been positive in the four year period prior to 2004.
----In 2004 Darren James, tested positive for HIV and, to prevent another HIV outbreak, an urgent search was initiated for his potentially infected partners. A total of four more performers were diagnosed with the virus by the end of the testing rounds, including one unrelated case. James had apparently had contact with 12 women since his previous negative HIV test.
----WWE/TNA need to step up quick and form an organization that can help keep the guys clean. For all those that think these two groups could not work together, then it really will not matter. Do you know how many companies participate in adult films?? You think all the major players in that industry like each other?? This organization may have to be formed by an independent source and be funded with help from WWE and TNA.
----WWE has to be in major "damage control" mode right now. They need no mistakes and I am not just bringing this up to put any heat on Nick Dinsmore or say in any way he would do this again. But, I hope there is not another case like him during these investigations.
----On November 18, 2005, Dinsmore was rushed to the hospital after passing out in a hotel lobby and was suspended. Dinsmore admitted to taking prescription drugs such as somas, went to rehab and did his time. This coincided with the announcement of WWE's new drug policy following the death of Eddie Guerrero due to heart failure aggravated by his past history of drug abuse, who had died only 5 days before this incident.
----I am not saying everyone is a drug head, but it is not looking good for the WWE right now. This will go down in wrestling history as one of the biggest blows EVER. It will change the business. The general public will get a look into the "dirt" of the business and they are the ones that watch the TV, buy the advertisements and such. They will HAVE TO CLEAN UP THE BUSINESS!! Why does Barry Bonds look different now?? Because he had to do it.
----Those that consider the adult industry to be seedy and illegal needs to take a closer look at their business model when it comes to "wellness". In 1998, out of the fear of AIDS and the government shutting down the industry, the Adult Industry Medical Health Care Foundation was formed. Wonder why you see so many condoms in porn today? This set up a system where erotic actors/actresses in the adult film industry are tested for AIDS every 30 days. All sexual contact is logged, and a positive test result triggers the contacting and re-testing of all sexual partners during the previous three to six months. This system has resulted in low rates of HIV transmission, and hence low rates of infection among erotic actors: reportedly, not a single HIV test had been positive in the four year period prior to 2004.
----In 2004 Darren James, tested positive for HIV and, to prevent another HIV outbreak, an urgent search was initiated for his potentially infected partners. A total of four more performers were diagnosed with the virus by the end of the testing rounds, including one unrelated case. James had apparently had contact with 12 women since his previous negative HIV test.
----WWE/TNA need to step up quick and form an organization that can help keep the guys clean. For all those that think these two groups could not work together, then it really will not matter. Do you know how many companies participate in adult films?? You think all the major players in that industry like each other?? This organization may have to be formed by an independent source and be funded with help from WWE and TNA.
----WWE has to be in major "damage control" mode right now. They need no mistakes and I am not just bringing this up to put any heat on Nick Dinsmore or say in any way he would do this again. But, I hope there is not another case like him during these investigations.
----On November 18, 2005, Dinsmore was rushed to the hospital after passing out in a hotel lobby and was suspended. Dinsmore admitted to taking prescription drugs such as somas, went to rehab and did his time. This coincided with the announcement of WWE's new drug policy following the death of Eddie Guerrero due to heart failure aggravated by his past history of drug abuse, who had died only 5 days before this incident.
This Makes Nick Look Real Bad!!!
Nick Bollea got more bad news as in an as yet unpublished article in "Rides" Magazine, he bragged how his Yellow Supra was a pussy magnet and how panties "start dropping off" at the sight of it. He also bragged about being let off twice for driving faster than 100 miles per hour because he's a Hogan.
Credit: http://www.tmz.com/
Credit: http://www.tmz.com/
CONGRESSIONAL PANEL WILL TALK TO WRESTLERS
----This is probably the reason that WWE suspended people today. It keeps them from looking stupid if they didn't suspend them. WWE has to be worried until they know who will be called. As I have said, there are probably a dozen Jose Canseco or MORE that will testify AGAINST WWE.
A congressional panel that grilled Bud Selig, Paul Tagliabue and David Stern about performance-enhancing drugs in sports two years ago will hold a hearing next month on steroids and professional wrestling.
The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection will hold the hearing in late September, three months after World Wrestling Entertainment star Chris Benoit allegedly strangled his wife and suffocated his 7-year-old son before hanging himself with a weight-machine pulley in his suburban Atlanta home.
"I am extremely concerned about the possible illegal and destructive practices by professional entertainment athletes that negatively influence the younger generation," said Rep. Bobby Rush, the Illinois Democrat who is the chairman of the committee. "We must make sure that today's wrestling sports heroes are not using illegal performance-enhancing drugs that, unfortunately, can and have led to their untimely deaths."
A congressional source told the Daily News that the panel has not yet compiled witness lists, and it is still not clear who will be asked to appear at the late-September hearing. Rush's subcommittee sent a letter to the WWE on July 31 requesting information about the wrestling federation's drug-testing policies. Similar letters were sent to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance on Aug. 13.
WWE spokesman Kevin Hennessy said his organization was unaware of the hearing but would comply if asked to attend. A spokesman for TNA declined comment. NWA officials could not be reached for comment.
The subcommittee's ranking Republican, Rep. Cliff Stearns of Florida, called for Congress to investigate steroids in wrestling two weeks after Benoit's death.
As the Daily News reported, Benoit abused the drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, also known as the "date-rape drug." Experts say GHB can lead to violent mood swings, especially when users are withdrawing from the drug.
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, and that committee's ranking Republican, Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, also have asked the WWE for information about its steroid policy, but no hearings have been scheduled. A committee source said aides were reviewing the material.
Sources said the hearing was fueled in part by reports that scores of wrestlers have died prematurely during the past two decades. "I am working in a bipartisan manner to determine how much the industry is trying to detect and prevent illegal drug use among wrestlers," Rush said.
Credit: http://www.nydailynews.com/
A congressional panel that grilled Bud Selig, Paul Tagliabue and David Stern about performance-enhancing drugs in sports two years ago will hold a hearing next month on steroids and professional wrestling.
The House Subcommittee on Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection will hold the hearing in late September, three months after World Wrestling Entertainment star Chris Benoit allegedly strangled his wife and suffocated his 7-year-old son before hanging himself with a weight-machine pulley in his suburban Atlanta home.
"I am extremely concerned about the possible illegal and destructive practices by professional entertainment athletes that negatively influence the younger generation," said Rep. Bobby Rush, the Illinois Democrat who is the chairman of the committee. "We must make sure that today's wrestling sports heroes are not using illegal performance-enhancing drugs that, unfortunately, can and have led to their untimely deaths."
A congressional source told the Daily News that the panel has not yet compiled witness lists, and it is still not clear who will be asked to appear at the late-September hearing. Rush's subcommittee sent a letter to the WWE on July 31 requesting information about the wrestling federation's drug-testing policies. Similar letters were sent to Total Nonstop Action Wrestling and the National Wrestling Alliance on Aug. 13.
WWE spokesman Kevin Hennessy said his organization was unaware of the hearing but would comply if asked to attend. A spokesman for TNA declined comment. NWA officials could not be reached for comment.
The subcommittee's ranking Republican, Rep. Cliff Stearns of Florida, called for Congress to investigate steroids in wrestling two weeks after Benoit's death.
As the Daily News reported, Benoit abused the drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate, or GHB, also known as the "date-rape drug." Experts say GHB can lead to violent mood swings, especially when users are withdrawing from the drug.
Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, and that committee's ranking Republican, Rep. Tom Davis of Virginia, also have asked the WWE for information about its steroid policy, but no hearings have been scheduled. A committee source said aides were reviewing the material.
Sources said the hearing was fueled in part by reports that scores of wrestlers have died prematurely during the past two decades. "I am working in a bipartisan manner to determine how much the industry is trying to detect and prevent illegal drug use among wrestlers," Rush said.
Credit: http://www.nydailynews.com/
NAMES LISTED IN SIGNATURE PHARMACY!!!
----Dave Meltzer is reporting that he believed the suspensions would likely be based on proof that performers were using Signature Pharmacy or another Internet prescription type firm after the implemenation of the Wellness policy. If this is true, then this list is not THE guys, but will probably include some of them. Rey Mysterio is being suggested by many as being one of them also. Meltzer makes a point here that when do they consider anything suspendable when it is done before the wellness program, BUT if is just based on what they bought and not how they tested, then it will go back to them - their testing sucks.
In an article by T.J. Quinn of the New York Daily News, the newspaper received a list of wrestlers who were clients of Signature Pharmacy. The names listed were:
Randy Orton
Charlie Haas
Adam Copeland aka Edge
Robert Huffman aka King Booker
Shane Helms aka Gregory Helms
Mike Bucci aka Simon Dean
Anthony Carelli aka Santino Marella
John Hennigan aka John Morrison
Darren Matthews aka William Regal
Ken Anderson aka Mr. Kennedy
Chavo Guerrero
Based on records obtained through sources by the Observer months back, Copeland's last reported prescription came several years ago, when he was recuperating from neck surgery. So many of these incidents here may have predated the Wellness policy implemented in February 2006. It is known Orton and Helms' had transactions that predated the policy, and that the timing of both Copeland and Helms' transactions at the time came during periods of injury rehabilitation. So it may not yet be the time to make Ken Anderson look like a fool, depending on the date, because he has admitted use prior to February of 2006.
It is by no means confired that these men are among the ten who were suspended earlier today.
WWE was aware of many of the names months ago from a Sports Illustrated investigation and chose not to suspend the wrestlers at the time because the time frame predated the Wellness policy.
If the prescriptions did predate the policy, suspensions are questionable, but perhaps due to government pressure, WWE feels it has no choice. If the prescriptions were dated after February of 2006, the company had little choice in the matter.
Three other names, now deceased, Chris Benoit, Brian Adams and Eddy Guerrero were also on the list. There are believed to be several more former WWE wrestlers on the list.
credit: http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/
VOICE YOUR OPINION ON THE NEW KAYFABE MESSAGE BOARD
In an article by T.J. Quinn of the New York Daily News, the newspaper received a list of wrestlers who were clients of Signature Pharmacy. The names listed were:
Randy Orton
Charlie Haas
Adam Copeland aka Edge
Robert Huffman aka King Booker
Shane Helms aka Gregory Helms
Mike Bucci aka Simon Dean
Anthony Carelli aka Santino Marella
John Hennigan aka John Morrison
Darren Matthews aka William Regal
Ken Anderson aka Mr. Kennedy
Chavo Guerrero
Based on records obtained through sources by the Observer months back, Copeland's last reported prescription came several years ago, when he was recuperating from neck surgery. So many of these incidents here may have predated the Wellness policy implemented in February 2006. It is known Orton and Helms' had transactions that predated the policy, and that the timing of both Copeland and Helms' transactions at the time came during periods of injury rehabilitation. So it may not yet be the time to make Ken Anderson look like a fool, depending on the date, because he has admitted use prior to February of 2006.
It is by no means confired that these men are among the ten who were suspended earlier today.
WWE was aware of many of the names months ago from a Sports Illustrated investigation and chose not to suspend the wrestlers at the time because the time frame predated the Wellness policy.
If the prescriptions did predate the policy, suspensions are questionable, but perhaps due to government pressure, WWE feels it has no choice. If the prescriptions were dated after February of 2006, the company had little choice in the matter.
Three other names, now deceased, Chris Benoit, Brian Adams and Eddy Guerrero were also on the list. There are believed to be several more former WWE wrestlers on the list.
credit: http://www.wrestlingobserver.com/
VOICE YOUR OPINION ON THE NEW KAYFABE MESSAGE BOARD
AP STORY: 10 Suspended!!
WWE suspends 10 for violating policy that requires drug tests
Associated Press
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- World Wrestling Entertainment has suspended 10 performers for violations of a policy that requires drug tests, the company said Thursday.
Stamford-based WWE says it issued suspension notices based on independent information received from investigators from the Albany County (New York) District Attorney's Office.
WWE spokeswoman Jennifer McIntosh would not identify the performers or specify how they violated the policy. She referred other questions to the district attorney's office, where a message seeking comment was left.
Under the wellness policy, which requires tests for steroids and other drugs, a wrestler faces a 30-day suspension for a first violation, a 60-day suspension for a second violation and firing for a third violation.
In June, pro wrestler Chris Benoit killed his wife and young son and hanged himself. Investigators say Benoit had a steroid and other drugs in his system at the time.
Earlier this month, WWE officials met with New York prosecutors investigating illegal steroid sales.
At the time, McIntosh confirmed the meeting but declined to comment on what was discussed.
Associated Press
NEW HAVEN, Conn. -- World Wrestling Entertainment has suspended 10 performers for violations of a policy that requires drug tests, the company said Thursday.
Stamford-based WWE says it issued suspension notices based on independent information received from investigators from the Albany County (New York) District Attorney's Office.
WWE spokeswoman Jennifer McIntosh would not identify the performers or specify how they violated the policy. She referred other questions to the district attorney's office, where a message seeking comment was left.
Under the wellness policy, which requires tests for steroids and other drugs, a wrestler faces a 30-day suspension for a first violation, a 60-day suspension for a second violation and firing for a third violation.
In June, pro wrestler Chris Benoit killed his wife and young son and hanged himself. Investigators say Benoit had a steroid and other drugs in his system at the time.
Earlier this month, WWE officials met with New York prosecutors investigating illegal steroid sales.
At the time, McIntosh confirmed the meeting but declined to comment on what was discussed.
10 SUSPENDED!!
Based on independent information received from investigators from the Albany County, NY D.A.’s office, WWE has today, under the penalty provisions of its wellness policy, issued suspension notices to 10 of its performers for violations. It has been WWE’s practice not to release the names of those who have been suspended, but notice has been sent to all WWE performers that names of anyone who is suspended under the Wellness Policy as of November 1 will be made public.
Credit: www.wwe.com
Credit: www.wwe.com
Shows of The Weekend 8.31.07 to 9.01.07
----Hard to pick just one show that stands out this weekend, but here is my TOP 3. Friday night there is a big JWS show in Wheeler, MS with FOP vs Lawler/Dundee. Friday also has the LAW 5th Anniversary show, which is an accomplishment in this day to last that long as an indy promotion. Saturday night XOW presents their second show, since the split, with a good lineup and a good cause.
----Friday Night Jumpertown Wrestling Showcase Wheeler MS Wheeler High SchoolBell Time 8pm Tickets 10 dollars at door, 7 in advance…Main Event - Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee w/ Grady Watson vs. Family of Pain w/ Jesse James..Special Referee - ??? ( we all know him though)…Max Steele vs. Brett MichaelsCasket Match...Slammer vs. Mark Mayhem…JWS Heavyweight Title Justin Rhodes(c) w/ PHAT Foundation vs. Dalton Storm…JWS Tag Team Titles Chris Fontaine and Chris Stevens(c)'s w/ PHAT Foundation vs. The Fullers
AC Styles vs. Neil Taylor w/ Leslie Jones…Nick Grymes and Mitch Torreta vs. Danny Morris and Randy Rose….Including Justin Rhodes reveals who is surprise PHAT Foundation member is.
----Friday Night for USWO @ Stadium Inn in Nashville, TN…Main Event - to determine who faces USWO Champion Kid Kash on 9/7 Five-way match with participants to be determined by fan voting from a group of 9 candidate: (Names mentioned include: Gary Valiant, J-5, Tim Renesto, Arrick Andrews, LT Falk, TJ Harley, Hammerjack)….USWO TV Title Hammerjack (c) vs Gary Valiant (w/Miss Boogie)…J-5 & Tim Renesto vs LT Falk & TJ Harley Quinton Quarisma & Jay Phoenix vs Cousin Jason X & (the returning) Ruffhouse Jordan…USWO 3-way title! New York Gangster (c) vs Damien Payne vs Petey Wright Shane Smalls vs Michael Jablonski Adam will seek redemption from another.
----Friday Night in Osceola, AR for MCW with TW Justice, Showstopper, Jackhammer, Bad Luck Lucky, The Hambone Express, Tank, Pimptacular, Chris Lexx, Derrick King, White Lightning, Tojo Yamamoto Jr, Stretch, Kilo. Mr. Excitement, Hillybilly Nate and more.
----Friday night for LAW in Rector, AR for A FREE 5th ANNIVERSARY SHOW with “The Asylum” [Psycho/Arnez] vs “Treat Connection” [San Francisco Treat/Loose Cannon], LAW Title Match: “The Golden Boy” Greg Anthony vs Slim Pickens, Tommy Redneck, Rockin’ Randy,Jon Michael, Tim Alfonso, Dell Tucker and many more.
----Friday night for The Future of Wrestling has a show at the TFW Arena in Tupelo, MS with Shawn Reed,Josh Matthews, Chris Styles, "Bad Attitude" Tony Dabbs, Special Ed, Cassanova Kid, Chris Kaos, Hittman, T-Byrd, "Southern Thunder" Chris Kilgore, The Freakshow, The Interns, Hunter Montgomery Jackson, and much more.Tickets are $5. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 8:00.
----Saturday night, Golden Triangle Wrestling returns for a show behind Cathy's restaurant, located on Highway 45 in West Point, MS. "The Warrior" Justin Reed, Hittman, Josh Matthews, Chris Styles, Jack Irons, "Southern Thunder" Chris Kilgore, Hunter Montgomery Jackson, and much more. I believe tickets are $5. Doors open at 7:00 and the show starts at 8:00.
----Saturday night for Xtreme Outlaw Wrestling Fulton MS Fulton National Guard Amory Bell Time 8pm Main Event – “Family of Pain” [Mickey Ray/Sarge O’Reilly vs. “The New Age Cowboys” [Chris Kilgore/Josh Holly]…Josh Matthews vs. Nick Grymes..Plus -- Neil Taylor, AC Styles, Chris Rocker, Tony Dabbs, Chris Styles, Sammy Hall, Giant Hillbilly, Max Steele, Crazy-N-Sexy w/ Dirty Rell Moe, Anton Leveigh, and many more!...This is a benefit show for Chris Kilgore's aunt & uncle who were in an accident.
----Saturday night for the Real Pro Wrestling in Ecru, MS “Pure Destruction” [Brody and Cody Hawk], Bonecrusher, Izzy Rotten, Hittman, Brian So Fine, Tommy Knox, Psycho, Pappy, Colton Anderson and many more.
----Saturday night New Blood Wrestling @ Country Nights 1901 Saint John Ave - Bell time 8:00 PM in Dyersburg, TN –Tank, “Real Deal” Tim Edwards, Gunner Thompson, Kilo, Jeremy Moore, Slim Pickens, “Black Label Society” [Void, AJ Bradley, Robbie], Chris Rocker and more.
----Saturday night @ True Force Arena 256 Gill Street Jackson, TN at 7:30 PM in Way Cool, PK Ripper , Steven Rampage, Big Boy BOB, Moondog Rex, Lawman Williams, Ravishing Randy, Wildside, Hardknox, Johnny Thunder, Billy Joe Dream, Punisher Dra Black, Azreal.....All taking place this Saturday night bell time 7:30 tickets only $5.00
----ASWF Saturday Night - At The Valiant Arena 201 Hwy 67 N Tuckerman Ar. (870) 349-2050 Belltime 7pm. Tickets: All Seats $6 Appearing X-Kaliber, Team Adrenaline (Austin Lane & The Juice) w/Nikki Lane & Miss Juicy, Reno Diamond,Blalock The Blazer, Marcus O'Neil ,Acid, Announcers Michael Ward, Brian Edwards, Cody Murdoch, Morgan Lane and more.
----Saturday Night for SAW in Nashville, TN…Main Event - Both SAW Heavyweight and SAW TV belts at stake! TJ Harley (both C) vs Kory Williams vs AM Vision (If KW wins, he gets the TV title. If AMV wins, he gets the Heavyweight title)…Return grudge match Hammerjack vs Gary Valiant (w/Miss Boogie)…Shane Eden vs Chris Michaels..."The Inn Crowd"-Rob C & Justin Spade vs C-4 & J-5 (w/Cocky Cody)…Arrick Andrews returns!...So does Michael Jablonski!
----Saturday night in Ripley, TN with TLCW 207 Washington ST Seth Knight, Rockin Randy, TGB Greg Anthony, “Hot Topic” [Stan Lee/Derrick King], “The Posse” [Lil Chris/Simon Reed],Dustin Starr, Tim Grind, Jerry Weezy,”Genocide” [Maxx Corbin/Albino Rhino], Gaylon Ray, Tommy Redneck, Dell Tucker, "Rhythm & Blues" [Brian Steele/Ike Tucker] and much more!!!
----Saturday Night in Batesville, Arkansas. Main Event Wrestling located at the Old Miller Gym at 9th and Oak Street. Admission is FREE to the public, sponsored by local businesses and community leaders. With such star's as "Crazy" Luke Graham Jr., Gerry "Chubby" Graham, The Casino Kid, "Mr. Playboy" Tommy Wayne, "The Suicide King" Ray Ray, Danger Zone{"Hot Rod’ John Ellison, "Dangerous" Dave Cox, Johnny Harper}, "The Southern Submission Machine" Wild Bill, Eric Wayne, Kid Nickels, Chris Stryker, Matt Justus, and many more. Bell Time is 8 P.M, doors open @ 7:15 P.M.
VOICE YOUR OPINION ON WHAT YOU FEEL IS THE "SHOW" OF THE WEEKEND ON THE NEW KAYFABE MESSAGE BOARD.
----Friday Night Jumpertown Wrestling Showcase Wheeler MS Wheeler High SchoolBell Time 8pm Tickets 10 dollars at door, 7 in advance…Main Event - Jerry Lawler and Bill Dundee w/ Grady Watson vs. Family of Pain w/ Jesse James..Special Referee - ??? ( we all know him though)…Max Steele vs. Brett MichaelsCasket Match...Slammer vs. Mark Mayhem…JWS Heavyweight Title Justin Rhodes(c) w/ PHAT Foundation vs. Dalton Storm…JWS Tag Team Titles Chris Fontaine and Chris Stevens(c)'s w/ PHAT Foundation vs. The Fullers
AC Styles vs. Neil Taylor w/ Leslie Jones…Nick Grymes and Mitch Torreta vs. Danny Morris and Randy Rose….Including Justin Rhodes reveals who is surprise PHAT Foundation member is.
----Friday Night for USWO @ Stadium Inn in Nashville, TN…Main Event - to determine who faces USWO Champion Kid Kash on 9/7 Five-way match with participants to be determined by fan voting from a group of 9 candidate: (Names mentioned include: Gary Valiant, J-5, Tim Renesto, Arrick Andrews, LT Falk, TJ Harley, Hammerjack)….USWO TV Title Hammerjack (c) vs Gary Valiant (w/Miss Boogie)…J-5 & Tim Renesto vs LT Falk & TJ Harley Quinton Quarisma & Jay Phoenix vs Cousin Jason X & (the returning) Ruffhouse Jordan…USWO 3-way title! New York Gangster (c) vs Damien Payne vs Petey Wright Shane Smalls vs Michael Jablonski Adam will seek redemption from another.
----Friday Night in Osceola, AR for MCW with TW Justice, Showstopper, Jackhammer, Bad Luck Lucky, The Hambone Express, Tank, Pimptacular, Chris Lexx, Derrick King, White Lightning, Tojo Yamamoto Jr, Stretch, Kilo. Mr. Excitement, Hillybilly Nate and more.
----Friday night for LAW in Rector, AR for A FREE 5th ANNIVERSARY SHOW with “The Asylum” [Psycho/Arnez] vs “Treat Connection” [San Francisco Treat/Loose Cannon], LAW Title Match: “The Golden Boy” Greg Anthony vs Slim Pickens, Tommy Redneck, Rockin’ Randy,Jon Michael, Tim Alfonso, Dell Tucker and many more.
----Friday night for The Future of Wrestling has a show at the TFW Arena in Tupelo, MS with Shawn Reed,Josh Matthews, Chris Styles, "Bad Attitude" Tony Dabbs, Special Ed, Cassanova Kid, Chris Kaos, Hittman, T-Byrd, "Southern Thunder" Chris Kilgore, The Freakshow, The Interns, Hunter Montgomery Jackson, and much more.Tickets are $5. Doors open at 6:30 and the show starts at 8:00.
----Saturday night, Golden Triangle Wrestling returns for a show behind Cathy's restaurant, located on Highway 45 in West Point, MS. "The Warrior" Justin Reed, Hittman, Josh Matthews, Chris Styles, Jack Irons, "Southern Thunder" Chris Kilgore, Hunter Montgomery Jackson, and much more. I believe tickets are $5. Doors open at 7:00 and the show starts at 8:00.
----Saturday night for Xtreme Outlaw Wrestling Fulton MS Fulton National Guard Amory Bell Time 8pm Main Event – “Family of Pain” [Mickey Ray/Sarge O’Reilly vs. “The New Age Cowboys” [Chris Kilgore/Josh Holly]…Josh Matthews vs. Nick Grymes..Plus -- Neil Taylor, AC Styles, Chris Rocker, Tony Dabbs, Chris Styles, Sammy Hall, Giant Hillbilly, Max Steele, Crazy-N-Sexy w/ Dirty Rell Moe, Anton Leveigh, and many more!...This is a benefit show for Chris Kilgore's aunt & uncle who were in an accident.
----Saturday night for the Real Pro Wrestling in Ecru, MS “Pure Destruction” [Brody and Cody Hawk], Bonecrusher, Izzy Rotten, Hittman, Brian So Fine, Tommy Knox, Psycho, Pappy, Colton Anderson and many more.
----Saturday night New Blood Wrestling @ Country Nights 1901 Saint John Ave - Bell time 8:00 PM in Dyersburg, TN –Tank, “Real Deal” Tim Edwards, Gunner Thompson, Kilo, Jeremy Moore, Slim Pickens, “Black Label Society” [Void, AJ Bradley, Robbie], Chris Rocker and more.
----Saturday night @ True Force Arena 256 Gill Street Jackson, TN at 7:30 PM in Way Cool, PK Ripper , Steven Rampage, Big Boy BOB, Moondog Rex, Lawman Williams, Ravishing Randy, Wildside, Hardknox, Johnny Thunder, Billy Joe Dream, Punisher Dra Black, Azreal.....All taking place this Saturday night bell time 7:30 tickets only $5.00
----ASWF Saturday Night - At The Valiant Arena 201 Hwy 67 N Tuckerman Ar. (870) 349-2050 Belltime 7pm. Tickets: All Seats $6 Appearing X-Kaliber, Team Adrenaline (Austin Lane & The Juice) w/Nikki Lane & Miss Juicy, Reno Diamond,Blalock The Blazer, Marcus O'Neil ,Acid, Announcers Michael Ward, Brian Edwards, Cody Murdoch, Morgan Lane and more.
----Saturday Night for SAW in Nashville, TN…Main Event - Both SAW Heavyweight and SAW TV belts at stake! TJ Harley (both C) vs Kory Williams vs AM Vision (If KW wins, he gets the TV title. If AMV wins, he gets the Heavyweight title)…Return grudge match Hammerjack vs Gary Valiant (w/Miss Boogie)…Shane Eden vs Chris Michaels..."The Inn Crowd"-Rob C & Justin Spade vs C-4 & J-5 (w/Cocky Cody)…Arrick Andrews returns!...So does Michael Jablonski!
----Saturday night in Ripley, TN with TLCW 207 Washington ST Seth Knight, Rockin Randy, TGB Greg Anthony, “Hot Topic” [Stan Lee/Derrick King], “The Posse” [Lil Chris/Simon Reed],Dustin Starr, Tim Grind, Jerry Weezy,”Genocide” [Maxx Corbin/Albino Rhino], Gaylon Ray, Tommy Redneck, Dell Tucker, "Rhythm & Blues" [Brian Steele/Ike Tucker] and much more!!!
----Saturday Night in Batesville, Arkansas. Main Event Wrestling located at the Old Miller Gym at 9th and Oak Street. Admission is FREE to the public, sponsored by local businesses and community leaders. With such star's as "Crazy" Luke Graham Jr., Gerry "Chubby" Graham, The Casino Kid, "Mr. Playboy" Tommy Wayne, "The Suicide King" Ray Ray, Danger Zone{"Hot Rod’ John Ellison, "Dangerous" Dave Cox, Johnny Harper}, "The Southern Submission Machine" Wild Bill, Eric Wayne, Kid Nickels, Chris Stryker, Matt Justus, and many more. Bell Time is 8 P.M, doors open @ 7:15 P.M.
VOICE YOUR OPINION ON WHAT YOU FEEL IS THE "SHOW" OF THE WEEKEND ON THE NEW KAYFABE MESSAGE BOARD.
Gaming Meets Grappling - Wrestling Attracts Alot of Nerds!!
WRESTLING VIDEO GAME LOCAL HISTORY
----I stole this link from Trent's board, but thought I would post the full story and video clip here. I bought the Japanese version of "No Mercy" [Virtual Pro Wrestling 2] and the convertor, so I could play in on my US N64. When I went to create "The Riot Squad", they had these "cut-off" black shirts as an option. I used those on the characters on the game, because the real "Riot Squad" [Paul Justice/Rick Justice] actually wore shirts like that. The characters on the game had American writing on the shirts that said, "Feel The Power", which I have no idea what that meant to Japanese wrestling, but as usual it probably was some weird translation. "Feel The Power" actually became the "Riot Squad" motto that we used on T-shirts and it used still here on the site banner.
----Toukon Retsuden 2 for the Playstation was also a classic for me. That game was in the PSOne for almost a year. I had tons of created characters and such. The funny thing though was that you couldn't make them Caucasian. LOL Bret Hart was Japanese!!! LOL
----Psycho's finisher the "Straight Jacket was also a move on Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 that I stole from the game and gave to him.
----Finally, I have also seen some area workers do video game taunts. I am not sure who he was wrestling, but Stan Lee was doing video game taunts one night in Dyersburg, TN [LAW or WWOF] after every move. I can't remember, but I believe one of his opponents was also.
----I stole this link from Trent's board, but thought I would post the full story and video clip here. I bought the Japanese version of "No Mercy" [Virtual Pro Wrestling 2] and the convertor, so I could play in on my US N64. When I went to create "The Riot Squad", they had these "cut-off" black shirts as an option. I used those on the characters on the game, because the real "Riot Squad" [Paul Justice/Rick Justice] actually wore shirts like that. The characters on the game had American writing on the shirts that said, "Feel The Power", which I have no idea what that meant to Japanese wrestling, but as usual it probably was some weird translation. "Feel The Power" actually became the "Riot Squad" motto that we used on T-shirts and it used still here on the site banner.
----Toukon Retsuden 2 for the Playstation was also a classic for me. That game was in the PSOne for almost a year. I had tons of created characters and such. The funny thing though was that you couldn't make them Caucasian. LOL Bret Hart was Japanese!!! LOL
----Psycho's finisher the "Straight Jacket was also a move on Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 that I stole from the game and gave to him.
----Finally, I have also seen some area workers do video game taunts. I am not sure who he was wrestling, but Stan Lee was doing video game taunts one night in Dyersburg, TN [LAW or WWOF] after every move. I can't remember, but I believe one of his opponents was also.
RassleResults: RPW Ecru, MS 8.25.07
----Jay Webster by DQ over Colton Anderson…Pappy over by DQ Brian So Fine…Bonecrusher/Izzy Rotten over “24/7” [Kross/JR Mauler]…Tommy Knox/Colton Anderson over Pappy/Jay Webster with Fine as special ref…Psycho/Pappy over “Pure Destruction” [Brody & Cody Hawk]
----I was told the house was up a bit. There were probably around 40 to 45 in the building with a gate around $200…Hittman will be in this week…Brian So Fine booked this show. It seems that some of their best houses in the past have been with Fine as champion. Fine is an above decent worker and great on the mic…Main event started out as a handicap match with Pappy finally coming in to make the hot tag. It must have been Pappy “night”?? LOL
----I was told the house was up a bit. There were probably around 40 to 45 in the building with a gate around $200…Hittman will be in this week…Brian So Fine booked this show. It seems that some of their best houses in the past have been with Fine as champion. Fine is an above decent worker and great on the mic…Main event started out as a handicap match with Pappy finally coming in to make the hot tag. It must have been Pappy “night”?? LOL
More On Nick Accident
The family of crash victim and friend of Nick Hogan, John Graziano, remains in critical care as reported earlier. The 22 year old who returned from duty in Iraq has many loved ones grinding it out praying he will make a safe recovery as they are gathered at Glen Oak Parks near the crash sight to show support.. Tampa Bay's 10 News has an article with photos from the crash scene as well as John and his girlfriend.
Ashley Berry, Graziano's girlfriend is praying that he can once fight through another battle. The first one being Iraq.
Here is what Ashley Berry, Graziano's Girlfriend had to say:
"He's too strong not to. He's been to war and back. He's too strong of a guy not to, he doesn't give up, and he's too persistent."
Here is what Graziano's Sister, Cristin Carson, had to say about her brother:
"Right now he'd be upset at all the fuss being made over him because he doesn't like a fuss in any way, he's an independent, strong, healthy man."
The nurses say that's what's going to get him really rehabilitated and back to normal in no time.
According to Graziano's sister he was supposed to return to fight the war on Iraq this upcoming October. However it is quite obvious that will not be happening anytime soon.
Tampa Bay's 10 is reporting that his parents and brothers are at the hospital with him at this hour. The Hogan family has dropped by to pay respect by bringing food and has called a special doctor to ensure John is receiving the best care possible.
Credit: http://www.tampabays10.com/
Ashley Berry, Graziano's girlfriend is praying that he can once fight through another battle. The first one being Iraq.
Here is what Ashley Berry, Graziano's Girlfriend had to say:
"He's too strong not to. He's been to war and back. He's too strong of a guy not to, he doesn't give up, and he's too persistent."
Here is what Graziano's Sister, Cristin Carson, had to say about her brother:
"Right now he'd be upset at all the fuss being made over him because he doesn't like a fuss in any way, he's an independent, strong, healthy man."
The nurses say that's what's going to get him really rehabilitated and back to normal in no time.
According to Graziano's sister he was supposed to return to fight the war on Iraq this upcoming October. However it is quite obvious that will not be happening anytime soon.
Tampa Bay's 10 is reporting that his parents and brothers are at the hospital with him at this hour. The Hogan family has dropped by to pay respect by bringing food and has called a special doctor to ensure John is receiving the best care possible.
Credit: http://www.tampabays10.com/
Poll Results: Derrick Wins!
----The poll results on “Who Should Have Won The Memphis 10?” finished with RRO Wrestler of the Year 2006 Derrick King winning solid with 48% of the vote. RRO Best Damn Performer of The Year 2006, Austin Lane came in second with 18%. Lane was the actual winner of the tournament. Reno Diamond finished with 15%, Danny B Good with 9% and Chris Lexx with 7%. Thanks to all that voted – it was the most voted poll on the site so far, so I guess people had strong feelings about the outcome of the tournament.
Hulk Not A Suspect!!
St. Petersburg Times is reporting that authorities in Florida have interviewed the driver of the car witnesses say was racing against Nick Hogan's Yellow Toyota Supra. Victim in crash, John Graziano, is still in critical condition after being sent to Clearwater hospital Sunday evening.
There were speculation that Hulk Hogan himself may have been driving the car that was witnessed to be racing his son Nick. Hulk does own a Dodge Viper similar to the one that was reported racing. The name of the driver of the Viper has not yet been released.
This is what a police spokesperson had to say:
" Mr. Bollea was not in a car, was not driving the Viper and had no proximity to the wreck".
On one of FOX News Channel's headlines shows, "On The Record", Greata Van Sustren was covering the accident which involved Nick Hogan. She reported that if his passenger dies, Nick could be charged with vehicular manslaughter and face up to 15 years in prison.
The Hogan family has reportedly hired an attorney, who specializes in criminal defense and drunk driving case in the event charges are filed. A prayer vigil was held last night for Nick Hogan's passenger, John Graziano, whom is a Marine who returned from Iraq earlier this year. At this time, recent reports indicate he may have brain damage from the accident.
Credit: http://www.sftimes.com/ and http://www.pwtorch.com/
There were speculation that Hulk Hogan himself may have been driving the car that was witnessed to be racing his son Nick. Hulk does own a Dodge Viper similar to the one that was reported racing. The name of the driver of the Viper has not yet been released.
This is what a police spokesperson had to say:
" Mr. Bollea was not in a car, was not driving the Viper and had no proximity to the wreck".
On one of FOX News Channel's headlines shows, "On The Record", Greata Van Sustren was covering the accident which involved Nick Hogan. She reported that if his passenger dies, Nick could be charged with vehicular manslaughter and face up to 15 years in prison.
The Hogan family has reportedly hired an attorney, who specializes in criminal defense and drunk driving case in the event charges are filed. A prayer vigil was held last night for Nick Hogan's passenger, John Graziano, whom is a Marine who returned from Iraq earlier this year. At this time, recent reports indicate he may have brain damage from the accident.
Credit: http://www.sftimes.com/ and http://www.pwtorch.com/
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Charges Ahead for Nick Bollea??
Law enforcement sources tell TMZ -- God forbid -- worst case scenario, Nick Hogan could face charges of gross vehicular manslaughter, if there's proof that alcohol, excessive speeding or drag racing were involved. The maximum sentence is 15 years in prison.
TMZ has also obtained three traffic citations Nick Hogan received in the last year -- and he's only had a license for one year ... AND that doesn't even include this week's crash. Go speed racer, go!
In the first incident, on Sept. 17, 2006, Nick was pulled over for doing 115 mph in a 70 mph zone. That's not even close! He completed traffic school for that one.
For his second offense, Hogan (real name Nicholas Allan Bollea) was clocked doing 57 in a 30. Ha, child's play!
And for his third bust, the little Hulkster was clocked doing 106 in a 70.
Apparently, he never learned.
credit: http://www.tmz.com/
TMZ has also obtained three traffic citations Nick Hogan received in the last year -- and he's only had a license for one year ... AND that doesn't even include this week's crash. Go speed racer, go!
In the first incident, on Sept. 17, 2006, Nick was pulled over for doing 115 mph in a 70 mph zone. That's not even close! He completed traffic school for that one.
For his second offense, Hogan (real name Nicholas Allan Bollea) was clocked doing 57 in a 30. Ha, child's play!
And for his third bust, the little Hulkster was clocked doing 106 in a 70.
Apparently, he never learned.
credit: http://www.tmz.com/
RassleResults: TIWF Jackson, TN 8.25.07 - "Empire" Disbands and Black Turns!!
----Johnny Thunder beat JR Rich…”Convict” Wykkid beat Overkill…Spyder beat Chico Mendoza…Jennifer Justice beat Brianna Starr in a Falls Count Anywhere, No DQ, No CO – The Brawl to End It All!!...”Team TIWF” beat “Team” Empire in the Main Event.
---- I bet the Justice vs Starr bout was wild and crazy. I remember a bout that Jennifer and “The Real” Kayte had which lead to them brawling in the parking lot and some getting slammed on a car for CCW…The stips on the main event had if Empire won then Commish Jon Seymour would leave town and if TIWF won, then Empire would disband. It is an elimination type bout with Moondog Rex, Big Boy Bob, Weasel, PK Ripper, Ravishing Randy, Lawman Williams and Wildside being eliminated leaving Seymour in the ring with Steven Rampage and “The Punisher” Dre Black. Black turned on Rampage and hit the “blackout” on him with Seymour pining him.
---- I bet the Justice vs Starr bout was wild and crazy. I remember a bout that Jennifer and “The Real” Kayte had which lead to them brawling in the parking lot and some getting slammed on a car for CCW…The stips on the main event had if Empire won then Commish Jon Seymour would leave town and if TIWF won, then Empire would disband. It is an elimination type bout with Moondog Rex, Big Boy Bob, Weasel, PK Ripper, Ravishing Randy, Lawman Williams and Wildside being eliminated leaving Seymour in the ring with Steven Rampage and “The Punisher” Dre Black. Black turned on Rampage and hit the “blackout” on him with Seymour pining him.
Site News - DK Story, Site Focus, RRO Text Messages, Discussion Board and AdSense
----So, how many people did I fool with the “Cryme Time 2” story?? Well, it looks like a lot. LOL When I posted that DK was on RAW I got a few IMs that said, “You know that is not Derrick; right??” LOL Then, even today I had someone say, “What was that with Derrick??” I guess this site has an evolved into something totally different that no one actually got the joke. I think it actually turned a bit more serious when I did start covering the Benoit story and then there has been story after story mainly me talking steroids or just serious stuff. I love writing comedy, but I am usually not “on” enough to do it on a regular basis. I actually have only written three pieces since the start of this site and in the original zine RASSLIN RIOT, comedy was a main focus of the newsletter. I have decided after advice from a friend, that from this point on stories like that will be called “The Lighter Side of Riot” and will have disclaimer on them, so I will not fool so many people. The DK story has been tagged for those just joining us.
----I am really not sure what this site will eventually become, but I am enjoying doing it the way we are doing it right now. The main focus is still the Memphis area, even though I have tried to integrate news from Alabama and Florida, it has not happened much. The logo again will be changing, because I and the writers seem to be happy with the direction it is going in. It is sort of the quirky little dirt sheet site that covers the Memphis area and other GOOD STUFF. I am at the point that I think I could not just cover Memphis and actually keep a readership, but I don’t need to do RAW reports and such.
----For those that have subscribed to the text messages – all I can say is THANKS!! The response was more than I expected. There is NO CHARGE to you, but your carrier text charge. By entering your phone number, it DOES NOT record it and the site does not sell it to others. That is personal information that ONLY I see. If you do not want to put your phone number in some site widget, then send a text message with SUBSCRIBE RASSLINRIOT to 41411 whenever you want, and you'll automatically get a message back right away with the latest information!
----The death is near for the Discussion Board. When I started the new Kayfabe Board just last week, I wonder if the site could actually support both boards. Everything that is being discussed is over at the Kayfabe Board and it seems that not only am I enjoying the board, but I have a BUNCH of regulars that are either participating or reading. The Discussion Board will be removed from the site in the next few days and just a Message Board link will be present to the Kayfabe Board. There are actually a few things that I will take off the discussion board and add to the Kayfabe Board, so we can talk about them on it. Thanks again to everyone that went for the change and it has been successful with just a few bad apples.
----I have also added AdSense banners after every post. They are just small ads that you can click if you want. They are targets towards “stuff” that hopefully some of the readers will be interested in.
----I am really not sure what this site will eventually become, but I am enjoying doing it the way we are doing it right now. The main focus is still the Memphis area, even though I have tried to integrate news from Alabama and Florida, it has not happened much. The logo again will be changing, because I and the writers seem to be happy with the direction it is going in. It is sort of the quirky little dirt sheet site that covers the Memphis area and other GOOD STUFF. I am at the point that I think I could not just cover Memphis and actually keep a readership, but I don’t need to do RAW reports and such.
----For those that have subscribed to the text messages – all I can say is THANKS!! The response was more than I expected. There is NO CHARGE to you, but your carrier text charge. By entering your phone number, it DOES NOT record it and the site does not sell it to others. That is personal information that ONLY I see. If you do not want to put your phone number in some site widget, then send a text message with SUBSCRIBE RASSLINRIOT to 41411 whenever you want, and you'll automatically get a message back right away with the latest information!
----The death is near for the Discussion Board. When I started the new Kayfabe Board just last week, I wonder if the site could actually support both boards. Everything that is being discussed is over at the Kayfabe Board and it seems that not only am I enjoying the board, but I have a BUNCH of regulars that are either participating or reading. The Discussion Board will be removed from the site in the next few days and just a Message Board link will be present to the Kayfabe Board. There are actually a few things that I will take off the discussion board and add to the Kayfabe Board, so we can talk about them on it. Thanks again to everyone that went for the change and it has been successful with just a few bad apples.
----I have also added AdSense banners after every post. They are just small ads that you can click if you want. They are targets towards “stuff” that hopefully some of the readers will be interested in.
Nick Bollea Coverage: Hulk Not A Suspect??
----TMZ.com who also made it point to say that Nick's father, Hulk Hogan, happens to own a silver Viper, but cops made it very clear that the wrestler is not a suspect. But was it possibly that car he was racing?
----It also being report that Nick with his jaw wired has been reportedly seen on VH1 in advertisements for the new episode of "Hogan Knows Best" which will air on Sunday, September 2nd. Is it just a clever marketing ploy or has Nick received an injury serious enough to have his Jaw wired shut? It would seem fairly odd that VH1 would have filmed anything since the accident.
Credit: http://www.postchronicle.com/
----It also being report that Nick with his jaw wired has been reportedly seen on VH1 in advertisements for the new episode of "Hogan Knows Best" which will air on Sunday, September 2nd. Is it just a clever marketing ploy or has Nick received an injury serious enough to have his Jaw wired shut? It would seem fairly odd that VH1 would have filmed anything since the accident.
Credit: http://www.postchronicle.com/
Could It Have Been Hulk Driving The Viper???
----This update was provided by By TAMARA EL-KHOURY of www.sftimes.com and she has been doing excellent work on this story. This was posted late last night [early in the morning] and it will be a major blow if it is learned that Hulk Hogan was driving the the Viper. It would explain him getting the scene so quick also. Would he have went home and switched cars before arriving to the scene??
Nick Bollea, son of wrestler Hulk Hogan, was racing against a Dodge Viper moments before a high-speed crash that left his passenger in critical condition, witnesses say.
Frances Vitalis, a Plant City registered nurse, was riding home from Clearwater Beach on a motorcycle with a friend Sunday when she saw Bollea's yellow Toyota Supra and the silver Viper speeding between traffic lights.
"We knew something was going to happen," Vitalis said Tuesday. "You know that this is a bad situation and these guys are hotdogging."
The roads were slick from scattered summer showers. One car would speed away, then the next would catch up, she said.
The cat-and-mouse game ended when the Supra fish-tailed and crashed into a palm tree, Vitalis said. She ran to the car and tried to open the driver's door and then the passenger's door. The car was so mangled they wouldn't open, she said.
A 2006 silver Dodge Viper coupe, a distinctive and uncommon vehicle, is registered to Terry Bollea, Nick Bollea's father, who is also known as Hulk Hogan. It's unclear whether it's the same Dodge Viper spotted by witnesses, who also could not tell who was driving the car.
On Tuesday, passenger John J. Graziano, 22, remained in critical condition at Bayfront Medical Center. Nick Bollea, 17, who is also known as Nick Hogan, was treated for minor injuries and discharged Monday.
Clearwater police did not release any new information Tuesday about the investigation into the accident at 1290 Court St. No charges have been filed. Police spokesman Wayne Shelor said there was no obvious evidence Bollea was racing.
But witnesses say otherwise.
Rabih Cheaib, 20, of Dunedin said he was in a car with three other friends at Rita's Italian Ice on Court Street when he also saw the yellow Toyota and the silver Dodge Viper speed by.
Cheaib, who builds race cars for fun, estimated the cars were traveling faster than 60 mph in the 40 mph zone. As a former street racer, he wasn't shocked by the speed.
"It's nothing new to me, so I didn't think, 'Oh, those crazy kids,'" Cheaib said. "I thought it was pretty sweet."
As Cheaib and his friends left Rita's, they noticed Court Street was blocked. They walked to the crash site, where Cheaib learned the passenger was Graziano, the brother of his best friend, Mike Graziano.
Cheaib said John Graziano attended local Toyota Supra meets and videotaped auto races. He described Graziano as quiet but outgoing and into skydiving, jet skiing, surfing and "anything that gives an adrenaline rush."
He said Graziano has two brothers and a sister and had been friends with Bollea for several years.
Graziano, a 2003 graduate of Dunedin High School, is a Marine and served two tours of duty in Iraq. He returned home in October.
Sgt. Maj. Edgardo Guzman served with Graziano in Fallujah and Ramadi. He said the young Dunedin man had a good attitude and got along well with others.
When they first met, Graziano was serving as a truck driver, transporting Marines and equipment. Guzman said Graziano then joined a Tampa reserve unit.
"He could have just went home and got a civilian job and went to college," Guzman said. "He decided to join the local reserve unit and continue to be a Marine and serve his country."
A prayer vigil will be held for Graziano today at 7 p.m. at 1345 Court St. Cards or care packages can be sent to Bayfront Medical Center in Graziano's name.
Nick Bollea, son of wrestler Hulk Hogan, was racing against a Dodge Viper moments before a high-speed crash that left his passenger in critical condition, witnesses say.
Frances Vitalis, a Plant City registered nurse, was riding home from Clearwater Beach on a motorcycle with a friend Sunday when she saw Bollea's yellow Toyota Supra and the silver Viper speeding between traffic lights.
"We knew something was going to happen," Vitalis said Tuesday. "You know that this is a bad situation and these guys are hotdogging."
The roads were slick from scattered summer showers. One car would speed away, then the next would catch up, she said.
The cat-and-mouse game ended when the Supra fish-tailed and crashed into a palm tree, Vitalis said. She ran to the car and tried to open the driver's door and then the passenger's door. The car was so mangled they wouldn't open, she said.
A 2006 silver Dodge Viper coupe, a distinctive and uncommon vehicle, is registered to Terry Bollea, Nick Bollea's father, who is also known as Hulk Hogan. It's unclear whether it's the same Dodge Viper spotted by witnesses, who also could not tell who was driving the car.
On Tuesday, passenger John J. Graziano, 22, remained in critical condition at Bayfront Medical Center. Nick Bollea, 17, who is also known as Nick Hogan, was treated for minor injuries and discharged Monday.
Clearwater police did not release any new information Tuesday about the investigation into the accident at 1290 Court St. No charges have been filed. Police spokesman Wayne Shelor said there was no obvious evidence Bollea was racing.
But witnesses say otherwise.
Rabih Cheaib, 20, of Dunedin said he was in a car with three other friends at Rita's Italian Ice on Court Street when he also saw the yellow Toyota and the silver Dodge Viper speed by.
Cheaib, who builds race cars for fun, estimated the cars were traveling faster than 60 mph in the 40 mph zone. As a former street racer, he wasn't shocked by the speed.
"It's nothing new to me, so I didn't think, 'Oh, those crazy kids,'" Cheaib said. "I thought it was pretty sweet."
As Cheaib and his friends left Rita's, they noticed Court Street was blocked. They walked to the crash site, where Cheaib learned the passenger was Graziano, the brother of his best friend, Mike Graziano.
Cheaib said John Graziano attended local Toyota Supra meets and videotaped auto races. He described Graziano as quiet but outgoing and into skydiving, jet skiing, surfing and "anything that gives an adrenaline rush."
He said Graziano has two brothers and a sister and had been friends with Bollea for several years.
Graziano, a 2003 graduate of Dunedin High School, is a Marine and served two tours of duty in Iraq. He returned home in October.
Sgt. Maj. Edgardo Guzman served with Graziano in Fallujah and Ramadi. He said the young Dunedin man had a good attitude and got along well with others.
When they first met, Graziano was serving as a truck driver, transporting Marines and equipment. Guzman said Graziano then joined a Tampa reserve unit.
"He could have just went home and got a civilian job and went to college," Guzman said. "He decided to join the local reserve unit and continue to be a Marine and serve his country."
A prayer vigil will be held for Graziano today at 7 p.m. at 1345 Court St. Cards or care packages can be sent to Bayfront Medical Center in Graziano's name.
Ross & Lawler Will Stay A Team
----I had only seen this mentioned on one other site, which was credit to Ryan Clark [who was an original subscriber to the zine RASSLIN RIOT] at http://www.wrestlezone.com/. Since I never seen it on any of the other major sites, then I just didn't comment it on it. But, after Tazz was with Jim Ross, it was rumored that he would be replacing Jerry Lawler and Lawler would be going to ECW. Not the case. Here is the commen
t that Ross had on his Blog.
Credit: http://www.jrsbarbq.com/
t that Ross had on his Blog."We got a fair amount of feedback about the rumor that King and I will be split up in the near future. I can only say that no one has spoken to me about it, whatsoever, and I seriously doubt the validity of the rumor."
----The news center over at Jimmy's site even has a poll up with "Should JR and Jerry Lawler be split up as an announcing team??" There are only 12 more hours to vote, but it looks like the answer is going to be NO winning at this point at 48% of the vote.
----The news center over at Jimmy's site even has a poll up with "Should JR and Jerry Lawler be split up as an announcing team??" There are only 12 more hours to vote, but it looks like the answer is going to be NO winning at this point at 48% of the vote.
Credit: http://www.jrsbarbq.com/
Benoit Coverage: AP Report On The Estate
Families of Benoit, slain wife in court over estate
The Associated Press - FAYETTEVILLE, Ga.
The father of pro wrestler Chris Benoit questioned Benoit's mental state when he killed his wife and son before killing himself, suggesting he may have had "diminished capacity."
During a Tuesday estate hearing, attorneys for Michael Benoit said that would mean the state's "slayer's statute" _ which keeps a killer or their heirs from profiting from the crime _ would not apply.
Chris Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, and 7-year-old son, Daniel, in June before hanging himself in their Fayetteville home, authorities said.
"Chris' actions in doing this are wholly at odds with the person I knew him to be and everybody else who knew Chris," said Cary Ichter, one of two Atlanta attorneys representing Michael Benoit at the probate court hearing. "He was the model father. He was the model husband. He was a great guy, as nice a person as you'd ever want to meet."
A toxicology report showed Chris Benoit had extremely elevated levels of testosterone in his body but no other illicit drugs or alcohol.
In another development, Judge Martha Stephenson designated Michael Benoit as the permanent administrator to Chris Benoit's estate, while Nancy Benoit's mother, Maureen Toffoloni, assumes that same role for the estates of Nancy Benoit and Daniel.
The decision could help defuse tension between the families, who had objected to one another as estate administrators. Neither Chris Benoit nor his wife had wills.
It could be months before the court determines the issue of heirs. Whether Nancy Benoit died before Daniel will determine whether control of millions of dollars goes to Chris Benoit's two children from a previous marriage or to the Toffoloni family.
If Nancy Benoit died first, as authorities have said, then her estate would flow to Daniel's. His subsequent death would then mean his two half-siblings would be next in the line of inheritance per Georgia law.
But if Daniel died first, then the estate would have flowed to Nancy Benoit before her death. In that case, her family stands to get the inheritance.
Officials have said Chris Benoit killed Nancy Benoit before Daniel. Her family has contested that finding.
As part of Tuesday's agreement, neither side is allowed to spend any estate assets without court order or without the consent of all the parties involved. All sides also agreed to refrain from further legal actions without court permission.
The Associated Press - FAYETTEVILLE, Ga.
The father of pro wrestler Chris Benoit questioned Benoit's mental state when he killed his wife and son before killing himself, suggesting he may have had "diminished capacity."
During a Tuesday estate hearing, attorneys for Michael Benoit said that would mean the state's "slayer's statute" _ which keeps a killer or their heirs from profiting from the crime _ would not apply.
Chris Benoit killed his wife, Nancy, and 7-year-old son, Daniel, in June before hanging himself in their Fayetteville home, authorities said.
"Chris' actions in doing this are wholly at odds with the person I knew him to be and everybody else who knew Chris," said Cary Ichter, one of two Atlanta attorneys representing Michael Benoit at the probate court hearing. "He was the model father. He was the model husband. He was a great guy, as nice a person as you'd ever want to meet."
A toxicology report showed Chris Benoit had extremely elevated levels of testosterone in his body but no other illicit drugs or alcohol.
In another development, Judge Martha Stephenson designated Michael Benoit as the permanent administrator to Chris Benoit's estate, while Nancy Benoit's mother, Maureen Toffoloni, assumes that same role for the estates of Nancy Benoit and Daniel.
The decision could help defuse tension between the families, who had objected to one another as estate administrators. Neither Chris Benoit nor his wife had wills.
It could be months before the court determines the issue of heirs. Whether Nancy Benoit died before Daniel will determine whether control of millions of dollars goes to Chris Benoit's two children from a previous marriage or to the Toffoloni family.
If Nancy Benoit died first, as authorities have said, then her estate would flow to Daniel's. His subsequent death would then mean his two half-siblings would be next in the line of inheritance per Georgia law.
But if Daniel died first, then the estate would have flowed to Nancy Benoit before her death. In that case, her family stands to get the inheritance.
Officials have said Chris Benoit killed Nancy Benoit before Daniel. Her family has contested that finding.
As part of Tuesday's agreement, neither side is allowed to spend any estate assets without court order or without the consent of all the parties involved. All sides also agreed to refrain from further legal actions without court permission.
RassleTube: LAW Recap 8.25.07
----This was the first time that I have got a chance to see Tommy Wayne and Ray Ray work. Both guys are real small. Ray Ray seem to have a good match with TGB. Jeff O'Dell is getting as bad as Maclin with "that's their move" or something like that calling finshes. Get names for them bro!!
Free Text Messages!!
----I am not sure if this is something that visitors would even want to access, but I am trying out something new here. To the right, you can subscribe to RASSLINRIOT text messages. The service is free from this site, but your regular text charges apply. Enter your phone number and you will start getting free updates of this site right to your phone!!
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
DK STORY: Final Post - DK's NEW GIMMICK REVEALED!!!
----Attention All!! Spoilers for 9.08.07 Memphis Wrestling TV Tapings. That’s right, Derrick King, after talking hours with Corey Maclin, has come up with his new gimmick. The angle involves “Too Kool 2” turning babyface when they refuse to beat up Johnny Dotson for DK at the front of the show. DK promises them that he will have a tag team partner by the end of the show vs TK2 for the belts. DK will bring out Johnny Dotson as his partner!! WTF?? DK's hair will be back to his nature color and along with Dotson they will announce their new gimmick --- “Cryme Time 
2”!!! The show will end with CT2 beating up TK2 and stealing their pants. TK2 have been instructed to wear g-strings and to have Flex run backstage when this happens. Grind has been instructed to run thru the crowd first, then backstage. My fear here is with Grind running thru the crowd some lady might get her eye poked out.
----All I can say is kudos the creative team of Memphis Wrestling!! We will finally see the TK2 turn!! I am a bit confused at how Maclin will explain Dotson just turning and teaming with DK, but Maclin will do a good job with that, like he always does. I have been told that Maclin has smoothed things over with Vince and that when they start promoting big shows again, then they will bring in “Cryme Time” to wrestle them for one show. Rumors are that the next big show will be taking place in Maclin’s backyard.
----I have more Spoilers for the 9.08.07 tapings, since I have the full booking sheet. I am sorry but I only have the spoilers for the first show, but as you can tell, they all make perfect sense. Mr. Hughes will beat The Posse, Tatt2 and Dustin Starr in a handicap match. Koko Ware will return to turn on Corey and Corey’s dad will make the save. Mr. White and Kevin are expected to do another great interview bringing out a chalkboard to explain what SPERM is to Maclin. Brian Christopher comes out and does an interview that no one understands, but everyone pops for. He then beats Sid Vicious in 3 minutes. Lawler will send in an interview with Renee, which will feature Jerry and Renee going to see Mark Chestnutt at the fair. Finally, The Assassins are scheduled to return on the show in some angle as babyfaces to feud with “The Typhoons” . “Typhoons” [Maxx Corbin/Albino Rhino] are also known as “Hurricanes”, “Secret Agents”, “Men In Black” here and “Genocide” on the local scene.
“The Lighter Side of Riot” Disclaimer: This is not a real story. It is my attempt at presenting a “lighter side” of Riot and having fun. If you do not see the humor in it or it doesn’t even make you laugh, then click to the next story. Thank you for visiting.
2”!!! The show will end with CT2 beating up TK2 and stealing their pants. TK2 have been instructed to wear g-strings and to have Flex run backstage when this happens. Grind has been instructed to run thru the crowd first, then backstage. My fear here is with Grind running thru the crowd some lady might get her eye poked out.----All I can say is kudos the creative team of Memphis Wrestling!! We will finally see the TK2 turn!! I am a bit confused at how Maclin will explain Dotson just turning and teaming with DK, but Maclin will do a good job with that, like he always does. I have been told that Maclin has smoothed things over with Vince and that when they start promoting big shows again, then they will bring in “Cryme Time” to wrestle them for one show. Rumors are that the next big show will be taking place in Maclin’s backyard.
----I have more Spoilers for the 9.08.07 tapings, since I have the full booking sheet. I am sorry but I only have the spoilers for the first show, but as you can tell, they all make perfect sense. Mr. Hughes will beat The Posse, Tatt2 and Dustin Starr in a handicap match. Koko Ware will return to turn on Corey and Corey’s dad will make the save. Mr. White and Kevin are expected to do another great interview bringing out a chalkboard to explain what SPERM is to Maclin. Brian Christopher comes out and does an interview that no one understands, but everyone pops for. He then beats Sid Vicious in 3 minutes. Lawler will send in an interview with Renee, which will feature Jerry and Renee going to see Mark Chestnutt at the fair. Finally, The Assassins are scheduled to return on the show in some angle as babyfaces to feud with “The Typhoons” . “Typhoons” [Maxx Corbin/Albino Rhino] are also known as “Hurricanes”, “Secret Agents”, “Men In Black” here and “Genocide” on the local scene.
“The Lighter Side of Riot” Disclaimer: This is not a real story. It is my attempt at presenting a “lighter side” of Riot and having fun. If you do not see the humor in it or it doesn’t even make you laugh, then click to the next story. Thank you for visiting.
A Piece of my Mind- August 28th 2007 By "The Big Cheese" Sal Corrente
I want to discuss the product presented by the WWE Sunday night at SummerSlam. I would expect that creative would get a lot of the credit for the show. Only people who don’t know the truth think that WWE creative would be responsible. If you were trying to feed a child who refused to eat unless he had exactly what he wanted, what would you do? I would think most people would give the child what he wants. Now what if the child wanted Apples and Ketchup, what about a Pastrami sandwich on wheat with mayo, or mustard on a donut. I know it wouldn’t make sense to most people but that’s what the kid wants. Now if you are part of the WWE creative team by this point you know what Vince wants to eat and you feed it to him, whether it makes you sick to your stomach or not.
If Vince wanted what was best for his company he would let his wife run the company and I am very serious about that. She makes a great impression and is likeable and very professional.He would turn the booking over to Paul Heyman and I am even more serious about that. He would then put himself in a talent position. He is actually the top babyface in the company and the top heel at the same time. I would say that you could make a case for Vince having some of the best facial expressions in the business. I am not sure what Stephanie should be doing. I am sure of this its not what she is currently doing and I am open to suggestions. Any ideas???? If Shane could actually become interested in being on television as a character I find him to be quite enjoyable and he gives one hundred percent effort all the time. They seem to make this more difficult than it is. I think Vince could benefit greatly from the book Who Moved My Cheese. It was a best seller for years
How about what they did with Umaga on Monday Night Raw? Was it good booking?? Did it swerve everyone did it swerve anyone? I don’t know if it is or it isn’t, or whether it did or didn’t. If I was forced to choose I would say more erratic “all over the place I am not sure what to do with anyone type of booking”. I can say that Raw has just ended and I was caught by surprise at the attack on Cena’s father. We will see what it brings to the product. If Cena doesn’t get over as a babyface now what else is there for him. What I can say is this, that at least tonight there were two things that I didn’t see coming from a mile away. On the other hand a wrestler pulls a man out of the stands and assaults him, I was quite shocked that Jerry Lawler didn’t jump up and run to the assistance of the fan. Oh that’s right first of all Randy Orton would beat him silly and second who in the hell ever heard of a wrestler assisting a fan in a fight against another wrestler. Oh yes the Tunica County Mississippi court system has.
The WWE had an event in NYC the other day. It was a well attended event a big success. I was shocked to see how some of the TV stars wrestlers were dressed. I was really shocked they looked like bums to me. You know when George Scott made Ric Flair “The Nature Boy” he told him if you can’t be "The Nature Boy" from the time your feet hit the floor in the morning until the time you crawl back into bed let me know right now. Of course if you listen to Flair tell the story he was "The Nature Boy" in bed as well. I would say this was a man who followed direction and he did it like he was supposed to. If anyone is paying attention Flair lived his gimmick and always made an impression. Why show up to greet thousands of fans looking like every Tom, Dick, or Harry. I remember Jimmy Hart telling me during WrestleReunion 2 that when he was on tour with The Dick Clark Caravan of Stars. That Dick called a meeting with The Gentrys, The Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher and that one of the things that came out of the meeting was. If you keep dressing like the audience than perhaps you belong in the audience.
In the world of TNA is the best thing they could come up with is to book Karen Angle. By all means she is a beautiful women but they already have several beautiful women that they have no clue how to book now. Is this what is going to cause a rating increase?
It’s hard to see the long term vision of the company. In the world of business you should have a five year plan. I would be shocked to know that TNA has a two week plan. I don’t have children so I don’t know, but it is amazing what the love of a child can do. Maybe the theme song for TNA should be Daddy’s Little Girl.
When I went to Memphis Wrestling it was to work a program with The Assassins against Koko B. Ware and Corey Maclin. Well that was what it looked like to the fans but the real goal was to work a program with Jimmy Hart. I had never worked in Memphis but anytime I had managed I had gotten heat with the fans. It was good old fashioned Lou Albano type heat. I hoped that it could work for me again. I wanted to help Corey with his TV program and the few house shows that they ran. We eventually had a tag team match where Jimmy was managing those guys and I was managing The Assassins. In the end Jimmy was whipping me with a strap and we got a very good reaction to that. I know Jerry Lawler was aware of that reaction. I should have known right then and there that I was finished. I was in a position where the local and national hero Jimmy Hart was whipping me like a dog and the people loved it. We were getting the reaction that Lawler wanted to get from his matches. The following show when I walked out with The Assassins the people were screaming and wanting our blood. How long has it been since their was a heel in Memphis with real old fashioned heat?? Sure why not let your ego get in the way, Lawler what were you thinking? I can almost guarantee that more people would have shown up to watch you wrestle me, than most other people you bring in to the territory. What Memphis person wouldn’t want to see the local hero beat up the big mouth from NY. Hmm, you actually qualify for a spot on the WWE Creative team . I was still to naïve to believe that someone would want to sabotage their own company. I can tell you what Lawler get for his troubles a hot angle finished and attendance continuing to go down. I am sure Lawler said that he was a partner in the company under oath in court. I didn’t notice any tax returns or notarized documents verifying his ownership. I wonder if any of that type of stuff exists or if it is some handshake deal between Corey and Lawler. Now that is what I call a binding contract !!
I was working one day on an AWA booked show in Ct. on a show in which Jerry Lawler was wrestling Curt Henning in the main event. At the time Rob Russen was working for the Gagne’s so I helped him with the show. I had told Russen about this young kid named Mick Foley who needed a break. What could be better than to let Lawler see him and bring him to Memphis? It wasn’t long after that night that Mick had his break. Of course from there he was on his own and what a run my friend Mick Foley has had. I bring up this show in particular because one of the funnier moments I was ever involved in happened on this show. There was a loud mouth heckler in row three. In one match “The Raging Bull” Manny Fernandez was wrestling Chief Wahoo McDaniel it was a typical chop fest. It wasn’t all that long before that match spilled out onto the floor. I found myself watching two guys chop each other relentlessly. Well the heckler decided to get up and stand right next to the two men throwing chop after chop, yelling Hit Em Hit Em Hit Em, eventually I heard Wahoo tell Manny to duck. Well Manny ducked and that guy took a chop from Wahoo. I can tell you that guy ended up back in his seat in row three courtesy of Wahoo McDaniel. That guy didn’t say another word the entire night, boy oh boy those where the days.
In a final note as we prepared for WrestleReunion 1 we called Tully Blanchard and convinced him to come out of retirement to wrestle Jeff Jarrett for the NWA World Title. There are many things I could talk about regarding this match and how it could have been so much more than what it was. I will only say this, Tully worked very hard to get back in ring shape for this event. He continued to work on indy shows giving 100% and having some great matches including a series of them against Dusty Rhodes which were part of some of the best drawing Indy shows of 2005. I had heard that Tully was having what is anticipated to be his last match this month. It was against Dustin Rhodes which wasn’t something that hasn’t happened before or something extra special. It was just two great workers and perhaps a fitting end to a career. A match against your arch enemy’s son is a good way to go out. I did speak to Tully recently, he indicated it all went well but that the door wasn’t closed. If something came up I could give him a call, there would be no guarantee of a yes, but I was expecting a 100% NO when we called him for WrestleReunion.
If Vince wanted what was best for his company he would let his wife run the company and I am very serious about that. She makes a great impression and is likeable and very professional.He would turn the booking over to Paul Heyman and I am even more serious about that. He would then put himself in a talent position. He is actually the top babyface in the company and the top heel at the same time. I would say that you could make a case for Vince having some of the best facial expressions in the business. I am not sure what Stephanie should be doing. I am sure of this its not what she is currently doing and I am open to suggestions. Any ideas???? If Shane could actually become interested in being on television as a character I find him to be quite enjoyable and he gives one hundred percent effort all the time. They seem to make this more difficult than it is. I think Vince could benefit greatly from the book Who Moved My Cheese. It was a best seller for years
How about what they did with Umaga on Monday Night Raw? Was it good booking?? Did it swerve everyone did it swerve anyone? I don’t know if it is or it isn’t, or whether it did or didn’t. If I was forced to choose I would say more erratic “all over the place I am not sure what to do with anyone type of booking”. I can say that Raw has just ended and I was caught by surprise at the attack on Cena’s father. We will see what it brings to the product. If Cena doesn’t get over as a babyface now what else is there for him. What I can say is this, that at least tonight there were two things that I didn’t see coming from a mile away. On the other hand a wrestler pulls a man out of the stands and assaults him, I was quite shocked that Jerry Lawler didn’t jump up and run to the assistance of the fan. Oh that’s right first of all Randy Orton would beat him silly and second who in the hell ever heard of a wrestler assisting a fan in a fight against another wrestler. Oh yes the Tunica County Mississippi court system has.
The WWE had an event in NYC the other day. It was a well attended event a big success. I was shocked to see how some of the TV stars wrestlers were dressed. I was really shocked they looked like bums to me. You know when George Scott made Ric Flair “The Nature Boy” he told him if you can’t be "The Nature Boy" from the time your feet hit the floor in the morning until the time you crawl back into bed let me know right now. Of course if you listen to Flair tell the story he was "The Nature Boy" in bed as well. I would say this was a man who followed direction and he did it like he was supposed to. If anyone is paying attention Flair lived his gimmick and always made an impression. Why show up to greet thousands of fans looking like every Tom, Dick, or Harry. I remember Jimmy Hart telling me during WrestleReunion 2 that when he was on tour with The Dick Clark Caravan of Stars. That Dick called a meeting with The Gentrys, The Beach Boys, Sonny and Cher and that one of the things that came out of the meeting was. If you keep dressing like the audience than perhaps you belong in the audience.
In the world of TNA is the best thing they could come up with is to book Karen Angle. By all means she is a beautiful women but they already have several beautiful women that they have no clue how to book now. Is this what is going to cause a rating increase?
It’s hard to see the long term vision of the company. In the world of business you should have a five year plan. I would be shocked to know that TNA has a two week plan. I don’t have children so I don’t know, but it is amazing what the love of a child can do. Maybe the theme song for TNA should be Daddy’s Little Girl.
When I went to Memphis Wrestling it was to work a program with The Assassins against Koko B. Ware and Corey Maclin. Well that was what it looked like to the fans but the real goal was to work a program with Jimmy Hart. I had never worked in Memphis but anytime I had managed I had gotten heat with the fans. It was good old fashioned Lou Albano type heat. I hoped that it could work for me again. I wanted to help Corey with his TV program and the few house shows that they ran. We eventually had a tag team match where Jimmy was managing those guys and I was managing The Assassins. In the end Jimmy was whipping me with a strap and we got a very good reaction to that. I know Jerry Lawler was aware of that reaction. I should have known right then and there that I was finished. I was in a position where the local and national hero Jimmy Hart was whipping me like a dog and the people loved it. We were getting the reaction that Lawler wanted to get from his matches. The following show when I walked out with The Assassins the people were screaming and wanting our blood. How long has it been since their was a heel in Memphis with real old fashioned heat?? Sure why not let your ego get in the way, Lawler what were you thinking? I can almost guarantee that more people would have shown up to watch you wrestle me, than most other people you bring in to the territory. What Memphis person wouldn’t want to see the local hero beat up the big mouth from NY. Hmm, you actually qualify for a spot on the WWE Creative team . I was still to naïve to believe that someone would want to sabotage their own company. I can tell you what Lawler get for his troubles a hot angle finished and attendance continuing to go down. I am sure Lawler said that he was a partner in the company under oath in court. I didn’t notice any tax returns or notarized documents verifying his ownership. I wonder if any of that type of stuff exists or if it is some handshake deal between Corey and Lawler. Now that is what I call a binding contract !!
I was working one day on an AWA booked show in Ct. on a show in which Jerry Lawler was wrestling Curt Henning in the main event. At the time Rob Russen was working for the Gagne’s so I helped him with the show. I had told Russen about this young kid named Mick Foley who needed a break. What could be better than to let Lawler see him and bring him to Memphis? It wasn’t long after that night that Mick had his break. Of course from there he was on his own and what a run my friend Mick Foley has had. I bring up this show in particular because one of the funnier moments I was ever involved in happened on this show. There was a loud mouth heckler in row three. In one match “The Raging Bull” Manny Fernandez was wrestling Chief Wahoo McDaniel it was a typical chop fest. It wasn’t all that long before that match spilled out onto the floor. I found myself watching two guys chop each other relentlessly. Well the heckler decided to get up and stand right next to the two men throwing chop after chop, yelling Hit Em Hit Em Hit Em, eventually I heard Wahoo tell Manny to duck. Well Manny ducked and that guy took a chop from Wahoo. I can tell you that guy ended up back in his seat in row three courtesy of Wahoo McDaniel. That guy didn’t say another word the entire night, boy oh boy those where the days.
In a final note as we prepared for WrestleReunion 1 we called Tully Blanchard and convinced him to come out of retirement to wrestle Jeff Jarrett for the NWA World Title. There are many things I could talk about regarding this match and how it could have been so much more than what it was. I will only say this, Tully worked very hard to get back in ring shape for this event. He continued to work on indy shows giving 100% and having some great matches including a series of them against Dusty Rhodes which were part of some of the best drawing Indy shows of 2005. I had heard that Tully was having what is anticipated to be his last match this month. It was against Dustin Rhodes which wasn’t something that hasn’t happened before or something extra special. It was just two great workers and perhaps a fitting end to a career. A match against your arch enemy’s son is a good way to go out. I did speak to Tully recently, he indicated it all went well but that the door wasn’t closed. If something came up I could give him a call, there would be no guarantee of a yes, but I was expecting a 100% NO when we called him for WrestleReunion.
Nick Bollea Accident Coverage - Face Of His Passenger
----This is the first picture I have seen posted of Nick's passenger. This is also the first time I seen mention that alcohol and drugs are not ruled out. If this kid does not pull through this accident or remains in a coma or had brain damage, then look for a major lawsuit.
In the driver's seat, a teenager living in the spotlight with a passion for fast cars.
Seated next to him, a young war veteran home from Iraq.
In the driver's seat, a teenager living in the spotlight with a passion for fast cars.
Seated next to him, a young war veteran home from Iraq.
On Monday, the day after paramedics pulled the pair from the wreckage of a 1998 Toyota Celica Supra, the passenger, 22-year-old John J. Graziano, was in critical condition at Bayfront Medical Center. 
The driver, Nick Bollea, also known as Nick Hogan, the son of famed wrestler Hulk Hogan, was discharged from the hospital but remained by his friend's side.
"His sole concern is for the wellbeing of his friend," Linda Bollea, Nick's mother, said in a written statement. "On behalf of my family, we ask that your thoughts and prayers be with John and his loved ones."
Clearwater police continued their investigation into why Bollea lost control of the Toyota and hit a Court Street median, causing the car to skid about 25 yards. It then spun around and crashed trunk-first into a palm tree.
Although police have not determined how fast the car was traveling, speed was definitely a factor in the 7:30 p.m. crash, according to police spokesman Wayne Shelor.
Although police have not determined how fast the car was traveling, speed was definitely a factor in the 7:30 p.m. crash, according to police spokesman Wayne Shelor.
"It's clear to everybody that the speed was excessive," he said.
Shelor said drugs and alcohol have not been ruled out as a factor, although Bollea showed no overt signs of impairment at the scene of the crash.
Shelor said drugs and alcohol have not been ruled out as a factor, although Bollea showed no overt signs of impairment at the scene of the crash.
Investigators did not find any obvious signs that Bollea was racing another car when he crashed, Shelor said.
No charges have been filed.
Bollea has been in trouble before for driving too fast.
On Aug. 10, Pinellas Park police pulled him over on the 10100 block of U.S. 19 for going 82 mph in a 45 mph zone, according to police. He was cited for speeding in a construction zone with workers present and not wearing a seat belt. His court date was set for Sept. 10.
In April, he was cited for going 106 mph in a 70 mph zone in Osceola County, according to state driving records.
Nick Hogan became a familiar name in households throughout the country after VH-1 made his family the focus of a reality television show, Hogan Knows Best.
But little was known Monday about his connection to Graziano, a 2003 graduate of Dunedin High School.
After graduation, Graziano joined the Marines Corps and twice served two-year tours of Iraq. He returned to his Dunedin home in October.
No one answered the door at his tidy brick home on Curlew Road in Dunedin, which has a U.S. Marine Corps flag hanging outside.
Graziano's family members told a hospital spokesperson that they did not want to comment.
No one answered the door at his tidy brick home on Curlew Road in Dunedin, which has a U.S. Marine Corps flag hanging outside.
Graziano's family members told a hospital spokesperson that they did not want to comment.
On his MySpace.com and Facebook profiles, Graziano said he likes to surf, snowboard, wakeboard and do anything outdoors. He lists his heroes as the 19 soldiers he fought with in Ramadi, Iraq who "paid the ultimate sacrifice."
At the Hogan's Belleair home, neighbors dropped off care packages for the family Monday afternoon. Reporters and television news crews surrounded the property.
The Hogan family could not be reached for comment. In her written statement, Linda Bollea said her son's injuries were minor, and he had been treated and released from the hospital. She said he remained at Bayfront to be with Graziano and his family.
The Hogans were shooting their series in Miami but returned to the Tampa Bay area full-time a couple of weeks ago.
Bollea's fascination with race cars and a motor sport called drift-car racing or "drifting" was highlighted in various episodes of the VH-1 show.
Drifting is described by racing experts as a competition of style and skill. It involves cars sliding sideways, or drifting, through tight corners of a course.
Bollea failed a couple of attempts to acquire his Formula Drift license but earned the professional license several months ago, said John Pangilinan, a spokesman for Formula Drift, the only professional drifting series in North America.
So far, Bollea has competed in just one professional drifting event, which took place in Atlanta on May 12, Pangilinan said. Bollea has also tested a drifting car at the Gainesville Raceway on "more than one occasion," according to Don Robertson, the raceway's executive general manager.
"He's a nice young fella," Robertson said. "We didn't have any problems."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)