The Sony Six Marketing Manager, the network on which TNA television programming airs in India, sent out the following tweets recently regarding a potential upcoming TNA tour of India:
Looking forward to the #TNA superstars tour in India , follow @SonySIX for more details !
— Pooja (@Pooja0903) November 27, 2013
Gearing up for the #TNA starts , tour of India.. Countdown begins , follow @SonySIX for all the action !
— Pooja (@Pooja0903) November 29, 2013
– WWE is looking to hire a new “Network Social Moderator”, who will be responsible for what appears on their Twitter scroll during WWE television programs such as WWE RAW. For more information, visit Careers-WWECorp.icims.com.
– WWE is also looking to hire a new Associate Producer for their international television production team. For more information, visit Careers-WWECorp.icims.com.
– A “Director for Network Origination Operations” is also a role WWE is looking to fill. For more information on that, visit Careers-WWECorp.icims.com.
– Finally, WWE is seeking a travel agent. Information on that job can be found at Careers-WWECorp.icims.com.
– There are no WWE live events scheduled for this weekend. WWE Superstars were given the weekend off due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
– WWE Hall Of Famers Bret “The Hitman” Hart and Tammy “Sunny” Sytch will be headlining a benefit show for former WWE star Sir Mo in Humboldt, Tennessee this weekend. Also on the show will be an Ultimate Invitational Tournament. For more information, visit HeroesAndLegendsWrestling.com.
– There will also be a benefit show for WWE Hall Of Famer Maurice “Mad Dog” Vachon this weekend in St. Paul, Minnesota. TNA star Mr. Anderson will be replacing Perry Saturn, who was originally scheduled for the event. Former WWE Superstars Rikishi, Armando Estrada, Ken Patera and Stan Kowalski are also scheduled. For more information, visit HeavyOnWrestling.com.
– WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels is scheduled to appear at the 54th annual O’Reilly Auto Parts Autorama event at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston, Texas this weekend. HBK’s timeslot will be 11:00am to 2:00pm. For more information, visit Autorama.com.
Infrequently seen WWE Superstar Christian celebrates a milestone birthday Saturday as he turns 40-years-old. The six-time world champion was sidelined in August due to a concussion, which according to this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, he has yet to fully recover from. However, he is expected to return to action in early December.
Christian is the sixth wrestler to join “The 40 Club” since the beginning of 2012, boosting the WWE main roster total to twelve. The complete list is as follows:
* Big Show – 41
* Christian – 40
* Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 41
* Goldust – 44
* Kane – 46
* Mark Henry – 42
* R-Truth – 41
* Tensai – 41
* The Great Khali – 41
* Triple H – 44
* Undertaker – 48
* William Regal – 45
It should be noted that there is no active WWE wrestler in his fifties.
– The official WWE website has published highlights from Shawn Michaels’ recent interview with WWE Magazine discussing the various facets of professional wrestling he learned throughout his career, such as the art of cutting a promo, making an entrance and knowing what it means to fight an uphill battle.
During the interview, Michaels says wrestlers should learn to think outside the box as to not continually do the same thing over and over again. On his September 1996 match with Mankind at In Your House 10: Mind Games, Michaels states, “Mick and I wanted that match to be something different. We had no background together. We didn’t know if we were going to have chemistry. Both of us wanted to make a WWE Championship Match that wasn’t typical of the business at the time. Mankind was an opponent with a rugged style that Shawn Michaels had never faced before. Had we not tried to add those extra elements, it wouldn’t have felt special. I wasn’t a fan of having a definite ‘style.’ I get that there are different styles, and some guys do things a certain way but, as a fan, I don’t prefer one over another. So, throughout my whole career, it always made sense to go out and try to mix things up. One of the easiest ways to keep people from saying, ‘It’s the same old thing,’ is to not continually do the same thing.”
– The top ten talk show moments in WWE and WCW history are counted down in this edition of “WWE Top 10.” Moments featured include Shawn Michaels turning on Marty Jannetty, The Boogeyman scarfing down Jillian’s mole, and the infamous debut of The Shockmaster,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGSF9F-80Is
– As seen Monday night on Raw, WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston and Mark Henry defeated the team of Ryback and Curtis Axel, with Henry being portrayed as a mentor to the young up-and-comer. This alliance is not expected to last, because as of this week, WWE creative has plans for “The World’s Strongest Man” to battle Langston at the Royal Rumble.
– As seen Sunday night at Survivor Series, Mark Henry returned to action by answering Ryback’s open challenge, and defeating him. According to F4WOnline.com, the short-lived storyline was copied from TNA Wrestling. On Impact Wrestling on Spike TV, former WWE Diva and reigning TNA Women’s Champion Gail Kim has been issuing open challenges, which inspired WWE’s creative department to utilize the idea for themselves.
– According to a source within WWE, plans are in place for the company to heavily focus on tag team competition in 2014, and company officials are contemplating holding a three-day tryout camp for independent wrestling duos early in the year. It is said that WWE honcho Paul “Triple H” Levesque is a huge fan of tag team wrestling.
(source: F4WOnline.com)
– WWE officials are once again interested in having Rey Mysterio face Sin Cara at WrestleMania XXX, with hopes of breaking the world record for the most people wearing a mask in one area.
Though Sin Cara has not appeared on WWE programming since August, his merchandise is reporting selling very well.
– This week on “Backstage Fallout” for SmackDown, WWE cameras catch up with Zeb Colter following his unpleasant incident on the show. Plus, find out how Titus O’Neil is feeling.
(source: F4WOnline.com)
– New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Karl Anderson recently revealed his annual salary in a new tweet posted on his official Twitter account. Anderson tweeted the following:
To set the record straight, for all you marks that keep asking me, I make $640,000 a year, downside. And ppv bonus for when I pop the house.
— Karl Anderson (@Machinegunka) November 29, 2013
– The following is the official video preview for this Sunday’s edition of WWE Total Divas:
SESCOOPS.COM reader Chris Chisum sent along the following:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Shannon Rose and Marc Mero Join Forces to Raise Awareness of Bullying
(Los Angeles, CA) Nov 28- Shannon Rose, Owner of Eclectic Media, and Marc Mero, International Speaker and Former Wrestling Champion join forces to raise awareness of bullying.
Approximately 2.1 Million students bully approximately 2.7 Million students each year.
Marc Mero is saving and changing the lives of youth with The Champion of Choices School Program, which focuses on many timely and significant challenges that students experience daily including: bullying, substance abuse, suicide prevention, choosing the right friends and goal setting.
During a live, 70 minute full-production presentation, Marc Mero presents a powerful, candid and moving message that encourages students to make meaningful choices and pursue their passions. His personal and entertaining stories about his own positive and negative choices inspire students to choose to be champions.
About Marc Mero
Marc is a former internationally known WWE and WCW Wrestling Champion. Marc has presented over 700 full-production presentations at schools, corporations, and churches. Marc’s message is powerful and entertaining, but ultimately, it is intended to inspire students and people of all ages to make the right choices and dream big. The Champion of Choices School Program is currently America’s #1-Requested Anti-Bullying School Program.
About Shannon Rose
Shannon Rose is a Professional Speaker where he Ring Announces for various wrestling companies. A Hollywood Reporter, Radio Personality and Publicist with insider connections in Television and Radio to bring you closer to the goals you wish to reach. Shannon has over 20 years of experience working in Public Relations.
For more information on Marc Mero visit: http://www.championofchoices.org/index.html
For more information on Shannon Rose visit: http://mediaproductions.tv
Marc Mero is represented by Eclectic Media Productions.
Website: http://mediaproductions.tv/
– The stars of TNA Wrestling are heading back to high school.
The promotion announced four live event dates for January, and two shows are slated to emanate from high schools (in Arkansas and Tennessee). Adding to the uniqueness, tickets to the Tennessee event are being sold through a cupcake shop.
Details on these upcoming events, which includes a date at a community center in Arkansas, are as follows:
January 3: Batesville, Arkansas (Live Event)
Southside High School 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at Mark Martin Ford or online at www.ShopTNA.com/tickets
Tickets on sale Friday, December 6
January 4: Jonesboro, Arkansas (Live Event)
Earl Bell Community Center 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at Front Page Cafe or online at www.ShopTNA.com/tickets
Tickets on sale Friday, December 6
January 5: Jackson, Tennessee (Live Event)
Jackson Northside High School 6 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at HaliHannigan’s Cupcakery or online at www.ShopTNA.com/tickets
Tickets on sale Friday, December 6
January 19: Albany, Georgia (Live Event)
Albany Civic Center 5 p.m.
Tickets are on sale at www.ticketmaster.com or by phone at 800-745-3000
Tickets on sale Friday, December 6
– In this “#IMPACT365” former TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Brooke and her family celebrate “Twerksgiving.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLDsOBteloE
– Rockstar Spud, TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter’s Chief of Staff, is looking to impress his boss. He remarked the following on Twitter today: “Have been on several Black Friday shopping errands for Madam @TNADixie today! Hope she like the cream cake I bought for her #HailToTheChief.”
[poll id=”22″]
At the conclusion of Sunday’s WWE Survivor Series, World Heavyweight champion John Cena confronted WWE Champion Randy Orton after his match and teased a champion vs. champion showdown. On RAW, Triple H announced that the upcoming Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view will feature John Cena vs. Randy Orton in a TLC match – with both of their titles on the line. WWE stated that one man will walk out of TLC as the definitive champion – but stopped short of saying the WWE Championship & the World Heavyweight championship would be merged once again into a Unified Champion.
During his weekly sit-down interview with Michael Cole at WWE.com, Triple H said he “wants” there to be an Undisputed champion crowned at TLC – but WWE still has not formally announced or “gaura-damn-teed” that one of the belts (the World Heavyweight title) is going away.
This has led to many fans speculating that we’re in for yet another screwy finish at TLC. Will John Cena and Randy Orton each grab a belt and swap titles? Why hang 2 belts above the ring in the first place if the y want to crown one winner?
We want to know what you think – will there really be an Undisputed WWE Champion crowned at TLC? Vote in the poll above and comment below with your theories of who will be holding championship gold after TLC.
– It was revealed this week through social media that former WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn got engaged to bodybuilder boyfriend PJ Braun, who reigns as President of Prime Nutrition and Blackstone Labs. Speaking to WWE.com, the 27-year-old discussed his unexpected wedding proposal and the beginning of this exciting new chapter in her life.
Braun first noticed Kaitlyn when she was competing on the bodybuilding stage years ago, but they did not date until recently.
“We always joked that we would probably end up together someday,” said Kaitlyn, while also noting that their busy schedules and personal lives prevented them from taking things “to the next level.” “We didn’t start dating until this summer, which is funny because he lives in Florida and I was living in Florida for three years. I finally moved back home to Houston, and we started dating shortly after that. We lived a few hours from each other for three years!”
Braun popped the question following Tuesday night’s WWE SmackDown taping at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. However, that wasn’t his original strategy.
“He was planning on asking me today [Friday] while we were in New York City, but when he got to Connecticut, he lost the ring in the airport,” Kaitlyn said. “So he sits me down in the big suite after SmackDown and we’re laughing and hanging out [with his family] and he’s telling me this ridiculous story about how he lost it and eventually found it. After that, he knew he had to ask me the very next time he saw me. I had no idea it was coming.”
Kaitlyn also discusses her ring and why her wedding ceremony will be anything but conventional. To read the full article, click here.
– John “Bradshaw” Layfield, who turns 47-years-old today, receives the ultimate happy birthday on the latest edtion of The JBL & Cole Show. Plus, Aksana asks JBL a question, Andy Kaufman stops by to say hello and “#CasualCole” does some green screen improv.
Former WWE Superstar Matt Hardy has posted another video promo to hype his upcoming ladder match against fellow former WWE Superstar Carlito at Saturday’s WrestleCade event in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
You can check out Hardy’s promo below:
– WWE has changed their scheduled lineup for their post-Christmas event in Madison Square Garden. The new main event will feature John Cena vs. Randy Orton in what is being billed as a “title unification match.” Also added to the show is a WWE Tag-Team Championship match featuring Goldust & Cody Rhodes vs. The Usos vs. The Real Americans.
– Jim Cornette has announced a tour of the United Kingdom in February of 2014. The dates and venues are as follows:
2/18 in Manchester at the Comedy Store
2/19 in Birmingham at the Glee Club
2/22 in Nottingham for a fans dinner at Restaurant 88
2/23 in Dagenham for a booking and managing seminar
2/23 in London at the Leicester Square Theater
2/25 in Cardiff, Wales at the Glee Club
For more information, visit WrestleTalk.tv.
WWE Superstar The Miz spoke to This Is Infamous this week to promote his new movie, Christmas Bounty. During the interview, The Miz spoke about
John Morrison “Saving” His WWE Career: “If Miz and Morrison never happened, I truly believe that I would have been fired within a year. I think being with Morrison really gave me the opportunity to take risks. It gave me the opportunity to really stand tall in our realm. When we created a thing called The Dirt Sheet, which… Back then, YouTube was just getting going with its popularity. WWE now has its own YouTube channel. It didn’t have its own YouTube Channel. It didn’t have those internet shows. We were the first. So we kind of became originals and we were doing those sorts of things that were going against the grain because we wanted to get noticed. I think Morrison pushed me and I pushed Morrison to really do the best that we possibly can. We brought the best out of each other, is what I thought.”
Fighting The Perception of What Makes A WWE Superstar: “You have to work hard, dedicate yourself, and don’t let people tell you that you can’t do it. Because that’s exactly what people are going to do. It’s your job to go against the grain. It’s your job to fight and claw and scratch to that top, and if people are telling you no, it’s your job to say yes. That’s why I always have these shirts that say “Haters Love Me,” and “Haters Want It,” because you’re going to get hated on by everyone and everything. Whether it’s backstage, in the WWE Universe, or even corporate. It’s your job to rise above it and figure out a way to make yourself noticed. And that’s exactly what people like Daniel Bryan and CM Punk have done.”
Daniel Bryan’s Rise To The Top Of WWE: “I knew that Daniel Bryan was going to have a struggle, because he doesn’t really have that size that WWE normally looks for. I mean even me: I’m 6’1 and 220 pounds and I had to struggle and fight and claw because I wasn’t the stereotypical 6’6? and 250 pounds of pure solid ripped muscle. That’s basically the quintessential star in the WWE now. Daniel Bryan had an uphill battle, but he definitely went strong and he dedicated himself, and this guy is now the most anticipated person whenever we come to a show. He’s the person that people want to see. You’ll see them chanting “Yes,” and you’ll see them chanting “No.” It’s kind of insane how great he’s become, and it’s all after his hard work.”
– Byron Saxton has published an article at WWE.com profiling NXT star Aiden English.
– The following matches have been announced for the December 5th NXT live event from Tampa, Florida:
– Diamond Dallas Page and his girlfriend Brenda announced on Youtube yesterday that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer:
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
His One Man Show: “Monday, Live Nation is scheduled to send out a press release regarding all the info one will need to know on my first, one man show coming to New York City in March of 2014. Tickets will go on sale in a few days for this event that has special significance to me.”
Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania XXX: “Seems as if the topic of one of my blogs a few weeks ago is beginning to pick up steam. I suggested that I’d personally like to see Hulk Hogan be a part of WM30 in New Orleans but I never implied that I wanted to see Hogan in a match. I don’t. I do think that Hulk can add viable cache to the landmark event and timing seems to be favorable to do so as it relates to his business obligations.”
Warrior/Savage In WWE HOF: “If Savage and/or Warrior were to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, Hulk would fit perfectly in that process.”
Goldberg At WrestleMania XXX: “I have no idea if Bill Goldberg wold return to WWE for a special, WM30 appearance but it would seem that it will now or never simply based on my fellow Oklahoman’s age and time away from the ring. I think WWE will need to import some alumni to give WM30 the sizzle that it’s going to require for the 30th addition of their biggest event of the year.”
Promoting the release of WWE 2K14, Ultimate Warrior addressed a series of WWE-related topics in an interview with DigitalSpy.com, including the possibility of being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.
“The simple answer is they’ve got to tell the right story. That’s a possibility. Being in the Hall of Fame – Ultimate Warrior being inducted into the Hall of Fame, or me standing there at the Hall of Fame participating in it – is not going to mean anything to my goals in my life and the kind of quality of life I’m going to have, what kind of things I’m going to do, how productive I’m going to be as I move on throughout my life,” remarked Warrior.
“I only get this one life, so I’m not going to sit in my own pile of poop and feel sorry that I’m not in the Hall of Fame. The Ultimate Warrior character relative to professional wrestling or WWE, he’s definitely a Hall of Famer. He’s a Hall of Famer whether he gets into the Hall of Fame or not.”
Warrior does not watch WWE programming, but says with the internet, “it’s impossible not to be aware of some of the top talent.” The former WWE Champion, however, reiterates that he will not return to the ring to face a premiere WWE Superstar.
“I’m one of the first guys in recent years that’s gone on the record and said to all my colleagues that were in the business at the same time I was that it’s time to pack your f**king gear bag and go home. Let the other guys have their chance and get your nose out of their business,” remarked Warrior.
“People will say Ryback – ‘What would Warrior have been like with Ryback?’ Or Goldberg. I know why they say those things – because of the intensity and body look, the aggression, the power. Those kind of matches tend to be f**king stinkers, you know? You want to work with somebody who’s got a different style. Wrestling is more than just being big.”
“Even when I was on the road and we traveled all over the world, I met so many big, huge guys, great-looking guys, guys that looked like they were carved out of stone. They thought that they could be in the business if they were just given a chance or devoted some time to doing it or learnt the basic moves. It takes much more than that. It takes more than a body or a physique to make it happen.”
Warrior says his toughest opponent was former rival “Macho Man” Randy Savage: “The toughest for me was the one that brought the best out of me, out of my character. That’s different from ‘Who’s the toughest guy, who’s the most badass opponent I ever faced?’.
“The toughest opponent for me would have been Randy Savage, the Macho Man, because his intensity paralleled mine. He became totally caught up in his character, which was a requisite to success in the business at the time.”
Warrior also weighs in on his creative promos and his legacy. The full interview is available here.
– The official WWE website has published an article highlighting the various Superstars and Legends who received their debut Mattel action figures this year, which includes The Shield, Bruno Sammartino, Antonio Cesaro, The Funkadactyls, Kaitlyn and Miss Elizabeth. One WWE Superstar admits to being weirded out by his toy.
“I stared at [my figure] for a couple of minutes, and then I put it down and said ‘I’m just going to pretend that this is a thing that doesn’t exist,’ because it weirds me out,” United States Champion Dean Ambrose. “It’s strange to see stuff like that.”
Cesaro added, “It’s got my trademark ‘Cesaro smirk.’ The first time I saw it was somebody on Twitter — that’s @AntonioCesaro by the way — sent a picture of me during an entrance, and I thought, ‘I don’t remember that.’ Then I realized it was my [Elite] action figure in front of a self-made WWE set. That’s how accurate these figures are nowadays.”
– Joyce Farhat, the widow of WWE Hall of Famer The Sheik (Ed Farhat), has passed away, according to SLAM! Wrestling and PWInsider.com.
Former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Sabu, The Sheik’s nephew, stated on his Facebook page that Farhat passed away on Wednesday evening after being ill for a while. She had been on life support.
Joyce appeared as The Sheik’s valet and spoke on behalf of her late husband in 2007 at the WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
– WWE.com has an article up looking at “Action Figure Firsts” in 2013 – Superstars who got their first WWE action figures this year.
– WWE’s William Regal posted an essay on Twitter about what young wrestlers should do in order to make it in WWE. Regal encourages talent to find a good wrestling school with a reputable trainer, get the basics down first, study the greats, become a great talker and train for endurance and strength instead of bodybuilding. You can read the full essay here.
– Former WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase Jr. is working on a movie about the career of his father called “The Price Of Fame”. Here’s the trailer:
– Vince McMahon’s “Million Dollar Mania” giveaway, which saw the WWE Chairman give away his personal wealth to Raw viewers for three weeks in 2008, is now considered a misfire by WWE.
The official WWE website is polling fans on the greatest catastrophes in the history of professional wrestling and McMahon’s ratings-drawing strategy is listed as an option. Other choices include The Shockmaster’s debut, Papa Shango’s voodoo curse on Ultimate Warrior, the hiring of Mike Adamle, the Kennel from Hell Match, Sycho Sid speaking on the mic, the lights going out during the May 1996 In Your House 8: Beware of Dog pay-per-view, the Brawl for All tournament, the formation of The Dungeon of Doom, and Scott Steiner speaking on the mic.
– Yahoo! TV UK has published article speculating on The Undertaker’s return to WWE airwaves and what his involvement may be. Sam Moore feels the obvious choice involves the Wyatt Family.
“Bray Wyatt proclaims to be controlled by the Devil and it would make perfect sense if The Undertaker was indeed the higher power orchestrating everything,” wrote Moore. “The move would not only integrate the deadman into WWE’s most interesting storyline but also be a massive boost to The Wyatt Family who desperately need to be made to look as legitimate as possible. This role could also work well for The Undertaker because he wouldn’t have to get physical a great deal, just talk and put over some of the younger guys.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Greg “The Hammer” Valentine has been announced to appear at the Kentucky Flea Market taking place Dec. 28-31 at the Kentucky Expo Center 937 Phillips Lane Louisville, Kentucky.
– Jim Ross tweeted the following this week:
Pass the word, major news coming Monday regarding my 1st, one man show ever in USA. NYC in 2014. Stories, Q&A'S, Meet/Greet. Tkt info Mon.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) November 28, 2013
– Dolph Ziggler did an interview with Chris Van Vliet of Channel 19 in Cleveland, OH:
Dolph Ziggler answers fan questions in his hometown of Cleveland, OH. He talks about why he hasn’t received a push lately, having a dream match at Wrestlemania 30 against The Undertaker or Shawn Michaels, whether he liked the Spirit Squad gimmick or being Kerwin White’s caddy better, who he would like to face in a 60-minute Iron man match and much more.
– In a fallout match from the Survivor Series, Jimmy and Jey Uso take on the Real Americans on this week’s episode of WWE Superstars. Plus, Zack Ryder squares off against Fandango. Courtesy of WWE’s YouTube account, here are highlights from both matches.
– WWE rookie Diva Summer Rae celebrated her thirtieth birthday on Thanksgiving Day.
“Being home & being able to spend time with my family made today a great birthday & Thanksgiving,” she wrote on Instagram. “Laying on the couch with the pups, watching movies with the fam, & eating a great meal. Oh & it wouldn’t be complete without my birthday candles in the pumpkin pie!”
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Rob Van Dam will appear at the Frank & Son’s Collectibles Show tomorrow from 10:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. The event takes place at 19649 San Jose Ave. City of Industry, California.
The following is a spoiler-free preview for Friday’s “Thanksgiving” edition of WWE SmackDown:
– WWE Tag Team Champions Rhodes Bros. vs. The Shield (Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns)
– Mark Henry vs. Curtis Axel
– Xavier Woods & R-Truth vs. Tons of Funk
– Antonio Cesaro vs. Titus O’Neil
– Los Matadores (Diego, Fernando & El Torito) vs. 3MB
There will also be appearances from CM Punk, Rey Mysterio, Vickie Guerrero.
Continue to Page 2 below for the spoiler results:
TNA Impact Wrestling *Spoilers* for December 5th:
– Jeff Hardy def. Bobby Roode in a Tables Match to advance in the TNA Title Tournament.
– Magnus def. Kurt Angle in a Last Man Standing Match to advance in the TNA Title Tournament.
– Robbie E. & Jessie Godderz def. James Storm & Gunner via Disqualification to retain the TNA World Tag-Team Championships.
– Gail Kim def. a local women’s wrestler in an Open Challenge Match.
– Ethan Carter III did a match segment with referee Earl Hebner.