– Friday’s WWE Smackdown had a Trendrr.tv social media score of 70,253, down 12% from the previous week’s post-WrestleMania edition. Smackdown ranked #2 on cable for the night.
– Here is the latest WWE Backstage Fallout:
Who does Big Show blame in WWE for his recent losses? Plus, The Great Khali, Natalya and Hornswoggle make a statement on the SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout.
– Former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis mocked Ryback’s promo from RAW on Twitter. She wrote the following in response to the short phrases used by Ryback:
“Stop talking Ryback! Stop talking Ryback! Stop talking Ryback!” “So sweaty…. Bring me towel. Bring me towel. Bring me towel.” “I breath heavy! I breath heavy! I breath heavy!” “I read teleprompter! I read teleprompter! I read teleprompter!”
– Rob Van Dam has announced that he signed a contract for his comic book Twisted Perception. RVD, a free agent, first teased that he might have signed with a wrestling promotion before making the announcement. Here’s audio:
– NJ.com has an article up about the approximately 450 workers who built the elaborate stadium setup at WrestleMania 29 earned approximately $1.4 million in gross salaries and benefits.
– UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman was reportedly very upset that CM Punk was shown on camera at the TUF finale show instead of him.
Punk also attended this weekend’s UFC on FOX show with his girlfriend Amy “Lita” Dumas and is planning to attend the UFC 159 PPV on April 27 to see his friend Chael Sonnen fight Jon Jones.
Prior to the debut of his Funkasaurus gimmick, WWE superstar Brodus Clay briefly had a stint as Alberto Del Rio’s enforcer. During a recent interview, Clay openly discussed his early days in WWE and how being paired with Del Rio held him back:
“Coming out of NXT I felt that I was robbed and I finished second and I cut a pretty good speech on the crowd. I told them I was going to get some back because I was angry, and being with Alberto Del Rio was basically similar to when I was with Snoop. My role was to get his back and make him look as tough as possible and me smiling and cracking jokes wasn’t going to do that. So I had to put my personality in the back seat to take care of the job, but I knew it was a doorway for me to get my own personality an opportunity.
So the time with Alberto was good in terms of learning and Alberto’s a great competitor and his experience helped me a lot, but as soon as I got a chance to be me, I never was a guy who was angry, that mean tough guy is usually the scariest guy in the room, I always noticed the guy that looked the meanest and act the meanest was terrified, that’s why he looked mean. And the guy who was smiling at you before he fought you was the guy you really worried about because he’s not sweating you.
So that’s kind of like how I was, even body guarding with guys I was more of a talker and ran my mouth and smiled and stuff and it kept people off, especially if a guy’s is fired up and you’re laughing at him or smiling or winking at him it just messes with their mind. That was more who I am. Shaquille O’Neal was the same way. If you looked at him before a basketball game, he was silly, joking around, dancing, but come tip-off he was the business and I’m trying to be more like that.”
The Rock tweeted the following over the weekend, revealing graphic details about the injury he sustained at WrestleMAnia 29:
Saw my Dr who had to push my intestines back thru the tear in my abdomen. Kinda romantic.
Surgery is next week. #BringItOn
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 21, 2013
He also indicated to media that he will filming for the movie Hercules for over 4 months between May and October. This brings into question his involvement for SummerSlam, as he would have very little time to promote any potential match of his for the PPV.
Our friend Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) of New York City’s Hot 97 radio station recently interviewed The Rock and as The Rock put it, “this is some exclusive shit you’re getting right here.” The Rock discusses the controversy surrounding his injury and whether WrestleMania 29 was his final match:
Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 24 minutes
Solomonster is back to talk wrestling after a terrible week in the news, Rock having surgery, WWE’s new Performance Center and other locations where they should expand developmental, the end of Antonio Cesaro’s title run, why it may be the best thing for him and what WWE should do with him now, the Fandango embarrassment from last Monday, ranting on Impact and dumb wrestling referees, rumored storylines we never got to see and a FULL review of the Bret Hart “Dungeon Collection” DVD set!
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– The theme song for WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view is “Live It Up” by the band Airborne.
– The Rock was recognized by the University of Miami’s Alumni Association with the Edward T. Foote II Alumnis of Distinction Award on Thursday night.
– Ryback tweeted the following message to John Cena, channeling the “Terminator” aspect of his character:
https://twitter.com/Ryback22/statuses/325450163894226945
He also tweeted this about his workouts while overseas in the UK with WWE:
https://twitter.com/Ryback22/statuses/325458238374027264
Concept art photos and layout blueprint of WWE’s planned developmental training facility in Orlando, including a large training area with seven rings.
Below is the official synopsis for the upcoming WWE Payback pay-per-view, which takes place on Sunday, June 16th from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.
“WWE reinvigorates its pay-per-view line up with a fresh new concept that will serve as the perfect stage for all the top Superstars to settle their long simmering grudges and set the stage for the sizzling road to SummerSlam. All major championships will be on the line including the revamped WWE Championship, plus the World Heavyweight Championship and much more. From the clashes for the ultimate prize, to fierce heavy-hitters with scores to settle, WWE fans will want to relive the historic debut of this riveting new event.”
Barry Blaustein, the director of Beyond The Mat joined Inside The Ropes this past Thursday to discuss the movie, here are the highlights:
On Vince almost not letting him film the Royal Rumble 1999 event with Foley and The Rock:
Towards the end, wrestling took off during the making of the movie and I think Vince regretted letting me do this, because he didn’t have ownership of it. Originally Vince offered to fund the movie but I told him it’s a documentary and you can’t have the subject matter be the funder of the documentary. During the course of the filming the WWE took off and became very mainstream and at a certain point, one of the CEO’s…I was about to film the Royal Rumble match and I knew I needed that match. I told them like two months in advance that I’d be filming on this day and they said fine. The CEO called up and said “you’re not gonna be allowed to film, filmings over” I said it was unfair, unfair and I finally got to Vince. I said “I know you too well. You’re becoming your character, you tell me in your heart you know this is the right thing to do and you’re not screwing me over. Wrestlings riding high and all this stuff and everyone’s kissing your ass right now, but you know it goes up and it goes down and I was here when it was down and when it goes down again, I’ll still be here” So he agreed and said “Alright, but that’s it, this is the last day” I remember telling my crew, We gotta get everything cos we’ll never be allowed back here.
On Jake Roberts being unhappy with the movie:
I told him the same thing I told everyone “This is a documentary about professional wrestling, showing these guys as real human beings” I said it would probably go direct to video because originally we thought it would go straight to video. But there was none of this that he claimed we were doing it for charity or an anti drug thing. I’ve never spoken with Jake since. I know he’s threatened me.
On a potential Beyond The Mat 2:
They kept asking me to do Beyond The Mat 2 and I have extra footage. i just didn’t think it would be as good. As a wrestling fan, wrestling fans are always being ripped off by promoters and I didn’t wanna contribute to that. I felt an allegiance to other fans. I thought if I do anything else, I’d want it to be something worth people putting down their hard earned money for.
To hear the full interview where Barry talks about being in the meeting with Droz and Vince, initial research of the film, Dennis Stamp, Terry Funk and much more, head over to http://www.facebook.com/
– After revealing this week to a Twitter user that she would not be on hand for any iMPACT! Wrestling events for a ‘few months,’ Tara announced Thursday night that she will be competing on next week’s show:
Update on my great news… I will be at @IMPACTWRESTLING next week for some good old fashion wrestling! Yay! I won't be off TV!
— Lisa Marie Varon (@REALLiSAMARiE) April 19, 2013
Tara has been encouraging people to visit her new Squared Circle pizzeria in Chicago. She was there in person last night and watched SmackDown with the fans in attendance.
– TNA cameras catch up with AJ Styles backstage after his victory over James Storm on IMPACT – is AJ Styles with TNA or The Aces and Eights?
– WWE Hall of Famer Edge will now be a series regular on the upcoming season of the hit SyFy show Haven. Edge has had a recurring role on the show as Dwight Hendrickson. Wikipedia describes the role as, “a shrewd longtime Haven resident and a former Army Ranger felled by a supernatural affliction in Afghanistan who puts his tactical skills to use in Haven as the mysterious ‘Cleaner’.”
– Here is the latest episode of Outside the Ring with Mick Foley in the WWE Warehouse:
“Join recently enshrined WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, as The Hardcore Legend tours WWE’s warehouse and relives some of the most famous — and painful — moments from his legendary career”
– After a series of high profile losses, there is an effort being made in WWE to protect Ryback in his feud with John Cena. A gimmick match is being discussed for their expected match at Extreme Rules, with a tables match the likely stipulation. WWE already has them working a tables match on the European tour.
– Here are tonight’s confirmed WWE SmackDown matches:
– Chris Jericho is currently on hiatus from WWE, but is scheduled to appear on Monday’s WWE RAW from the UK, since he’s overseas with his band Fozzy. The former WWE Heavyweight Champion is currently working on setting up a tour of the United States this summer. Jericho’s schedule over the next few months will focus mostly on Fozzy with intermittent WWE dates.
– There is reportedly an adult video website that is advertising a movie featuring former WWE Diva Beth Phoenix. There are also edited photos of the former WWE Divas floating around as well that have contributed to the buzz. As far as we can tell, there is no validity to the rumors.
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus was recently interviewed on TSN’s Off The Record and discussed getting into wrestling, quitting at the right time, being inducted into the Hall of Fame and more. Here are some of the highlights:
“Well, I feel I had a robust seven years. … It was so full. I’ll put it this way: When I retired, everyone asked do you regret leaving? Do you miss it? I never missed it, I never regretted it. I did everything I wanted to do in the business. I had sort of a bucket list I guess you could say of things I wanted to do and things I wanted to accomplish.
“I worked with every girl that was a worker in the company. And I had really great storylines, not only with the girls but with the men superstars. So, I really had a full career that allowed me to do a bit of everything.”
“…I recognized there was a limited shelf life. I mean, as a fan, you watch it and you just know — there’s a point where you watch it and you go, that guy should just go away. I think I knew at 30 that 30 was a good time to leave. There’s all that hot business, and I didn’t want to be that hot chick that looks good for a 30-year-old.”
“First of all, I had a very healthy background coming from the fitness world. I knew that my body was my instrument and that’s what allowed me to continue doing what I was doing. I just literally did not go out. In school, I was always a nerd. I did my school work, my studying — and in WWE it was the same thing.
“I didn’t go out and do the bar thing. I just went out and I did my job. I’m here to work. I didn’t want to go out and even if I was just tired, I’d be affected in my match. My body work is affected by my sleep the night before. So, for me, I was just aware of that the entire time.”
“…I had a back-up plan. A lot of the guys, that’s just their life. For me, it was a part of my life, it wasn’t my life. I had extracurricular activities I was pursuing. I was pursuing other businesses and I [took an interest in] branding myself. Whatever I create here for the next seven years, I need to take that and hopefully parlay that into something else.”
“You go into any profession, any career, and you want to leave an impression and a mark. I mean, knowing what we did in the women’s division and the work I did during that time, I mean, we really changed how women’s wrestling was perceived. And the role of females was kind of redefined after we did all that work. So, it was kind of a nod to my body of work, which is sexy. [Laughs.] Sorry.”
“It was funny because my character did an evolution but the women’s division and the way women were viewed also did an evolution. So for that moment, it was like, yes, he degraded me. Then there was that moment where my character was like, ‘I’m not taking this anymore.’ She stood up to Vince, slapped him at WrestleMania 17 — the biggest stage of all — and moved on to become a full-time wrestler on her own. That’s what Trish Stratus did. But for us, that’s what we did too. The women were simply storylines, they were on the side. Now, we are actually a viable part of the program.”
NJ.com has published the first details on the economic impact that WrestleMania 29 had on the New York & New Jersey area.
WWE is reporting that 140,000 total tickets were sold between WrestleMania 29, the Hall of Fame ceremony, the post-WrestleMania RAW and the four-day AXXESS events. This year’s AXXESS has been named by WWE as having the highest attendance to date thanks to the company putting AXXESS in an arena as opposed to the convention center.
According to a union leader, employees earned in the area of $1.4 million in gross salaries and that as many as 450 people worked at the events, which included setting up the WrestleMania set, staffing WWE AXXESS, and staging RAW the night after Mania.
The report also notes that the $524,000 that the company’s “Superstars for Sandy Relief” initiative raised will be split between the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City and the Hurricane Sandy New Jersey Relief Fund.
Jim Ross has blogged about this year’s Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion. Here is what he had to say about the event…
Great time at the 48th Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion this week in Las Vegas. It wasn’t a money making trip as my lovely wife attended and did her part to contribute to the economy of Vegas by doing two days worth of shopping. Seriously, we both had a wonderful time seeing so many old friends and fans that we have gotten to know over the years.
CAC is a great non profit organization that does many amazing, charitable things for those in need from within the wrestling biz. CAC doesn’t look for publicity as many of their benevolent acts would bring embarrassment to many of the recipients. But, take it from me, CAC helps lots of people that you know or have heard of over the years and I’m of the mindset that more people, fans and wrestlers alike, should join the organization. For more info check out the CAC website at http://www.caulifloweralleyclub.org.
I wish the event would be moved to June as I feel that following WrestleMania so closely and while many WWE talents are in Europe and can’t attend doesn’t serve the attendance at CAC well. Two trips in one month are too much for many to endure both physically and financially. Hopefully the CAC Board of Directors will take this into consideration. If they want to grow, get younger, etc then why not have their only, annual fundraiser when fans can bring their children who are in school during the month of April but are available to travel to Vegas in June?
I had the pleasure of presenting Adam Copeland AKA Edge the Male Wrestler Award from CAC in a surprise presentation. Only three people knew of this matter as it was a total surprise to Edge. I followed such powerful and serious presentations as the DDP/Jake the Snake Roberts duo and the late, Paul Bearer/Percy Pringle presentation so I attempted to ad lib my way into a more light hearted mood in what felt like a somber room and rightfully so at that particular time of the evening.
Reading Adam’s resume is really amazing as he’s accomplished and earned an amazing body of work winning over 30 titles in WWE. However, Adam is a much better human being with a kind soul and unwavering character which even surpasses his professional accomplishments inside the ring. The 2012 WWE Hall of Famer is one of my all time favorite signees as we signed him, and Christian, in 1997.
We loved spending time with Adam and his best pal Beth Phoenix in Vegas as Adam prepares for a five month stint of filming the new season of SyFy’s Haven in Nova Scotia, if I’m not mistaken. Adam’s character on Haven has expanded to appear on every episode at this time.
The amazing work that DDP is doing with Jake Roberts is awe inspiring. I met 3 of Jake’s 8 children at CAC and it was a wonderful reunion for the previously estranged family. Obviously, it was a very emotional weekend for the family as the creator of the DDT is well on is way to recovery from drug and alcohol abuse and let’s all pray that he steers the course and reaches his destination. Jake’s speech at CAC was damn amazing as was DDP’s.
It was great seeing Ivan Koloff who has issues getting around and walks with a cane. Ivan is still barrel chested but like many older veterans is ‘shrinking’ or so it seemed. Uncle Ivan was a great hand with amazing endurance and strength back in the day and is now an ordained minister and spends most of his time helping others including speaking with inmates in prison. The former WWWF Champion, who defeated his hero Bruno Sammartino, always treated me wonderfully when I went to work for Jim Crockett Promotions back in the 80’s.
Nora Greenwald aka Molly Holly also received an award, presented by Lisa Moretti aka Ivory, that was well deserved and beautifully received. If more people, men and women alike, had Molly’s character and integrity, the business would be infinitely better off. I hired her on the recommendation of Dean Malenko and even though she did not fit the stereotypical mold of a WWE Diva, Nora was one of the most successful and productive women that ever worked in WWE. She’s now working in a drug treatment facility in Minnesota and is happily married.
– TNA champion Bully Ray & TV champion Devon will be signing at the Legends of the Ring convention in on June 8th in Monroe, NJ.
– TNA iMPACT! will air live from Indiana, PA on April 25th. Once the live show ends, they will then tape the May 3rd episode.
– The 4/18 edition of TNA Impact Wrestling did 1,268,000 viewers, up from 1,170,000 last week.
– A new article at WWE.com acknowledges John Cena’s “Super Cena” label, noting that fans have compard him to Superman because of his “seemingly superhuman strength and his ability to emerge victorious even when all of the chips are stacked against him.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will be replacing John Cena at three consecutive WWE live events next month, on 5/24, 5/25 and 5/26. Michaels will not be wrestling. Other talent scheduled for the events include The New Age Outlaws and Chris Jericho.
In an interview with Forbes, Triple H talked about the Attitude Era, if he would regret having his career ended in a match and more. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
The Attitude Era: “It’s one of those things — I’ve talked about this with Austin and a little bit with Rock, too — you don’t realize is happening at the time; it’s just what you’re doing. We were all so wrapped up in what we were doing, and it was so competitive with each other. It’s only now that I think we can look back and go, ‘Wow. That was a pretty special time, and we shared some pretty special things all together and made history.’ I think at the time you’re doing it, you realize it’s going well, but you’re just so deep in there that you can’t even fathom really what you’re doing. To look back at it now and see all those times, and to watch the video game…when we did the voiceovers to the video game, to go back and watch some of those scenes take place, it’s crazy because you forget what a…that was just another day then.”
If he would regret being forced to retire after a match: “I wouldn’t have one regret. I wouldn’t have any. I’ve had a hell of career, a hell of a run. I’ve done everything I wanted to do in this business. I’ll never leave this business. It’s ironic. Years ago when I said it about being in the game, you know that statement was really about the business. It was about being a student of the game and about this business and when I say the game will never die, I truly mean that. None of us are bigger than this. None of us are bigger than the WWE. It will always continue to go on and I will always be a part of it.”
If he plays video games: “Let me just say right now that if I gave advice to a gamer it would be terrible because I don’t play them and it would probably surely cause their demise in the game.”
– After revealing this week to a Twitter user that she would not be on hand for any Impact Wrestling events for a ‘few months,’ Tara announced Thursday night that she will be competing on next week’s show.
“Update on my great news… I will be at @IMPACTWRESTLING next week for some good old fashion wrestling! Yay! I won’t be off TV!” she wrote.
Meanwhile, Tara has been encouraging people to visit her Chicago, Illinois based restaurant, The Squared Circle, because they will be able to watch WWE television broadcasts with her. She will be at the restaurant tonight with SmackDown on Syfy tuned in.
– TNA Wrestling will premiere a Knockouts website next Thursday. The following video was released promoting the site, featuring ODB, Mickie James, Taryn Terrell and others.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Utaog1JIlWo
– TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bully Ray and fellow Aces & Eights member Devon have been announced to appear at the Legends of the Ring convention, taking place Saturday, June 8 at Crowne Plaza Hotel in Monroe, New Jersey.
This week on The Breakdown, the show arrives on it’s new time – every week on Friday – and Steve takes a look at how the WWE’s writing crew – and the WWE’s attitude on writing – is hurting the product
– Ryback revealed in the May 2013 issue of WWE Magazine that one of his goals is to go one-on-one with The Undertaker at WrestleMania.
“For [The Undertaker] to be able to last this long in a business where you see the roster changing every year, it’s really amazing,” Ryback remarked. “I know it’s one of my goals to step in the ring at WrestleMania with him someday. It didn’t happen this year, but I’m hoping I’ll be at the very top of that list next year.”
More information on WWE Magazine is available here.
– Former WWE Superstar Carlito took a lighthearted jab at World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler on Twitter Thursday over the one-time Wellness offender’s physique. After revealing his goal to become “shredded” again following a muscle-gaining program, the 34-year-old jokingly said he’ll look similar to the WWE Superstar, but with muscles.
“Bulking process is done! Now back to being shredded!” wrote Carlito. “Im gonna look like a dolph ziggler…well, if he had muscles!!”
– Baltimore Sun writer Arda Ocal revealed the following tidbit via Twitter concerning the legendary career of WWE Hall of Famer J.J. Dillon: “JJ Dillon told me on top of his head, 3,250 matches in his active career. He kept a log of every match/mileage for tax purposes.”
WWE COO Triple H and Florida Gov. Rick Scott announced Thursday the opening of the WWE Performance Center in Orlando. The sports-entertainment organization issued the following press release touting the opening.
NEW WWE® PERFORMANCE CENTER OPENING
STAMFORD, Conn., April 18, 2013 – Opening this summer, the WWE state-of-the-art Performance Center will serve as the new home to WWE’s talent developmental system, recently re-branded NXT® and create nearly 100 high-wage jobs in Orlando, Florida.
With 26,000 square-feet, seven training rings, a world-class strength and conditioning program and cutting-edge edit and production facilities, the new Performance Center will give WWE the ability to train more potential performers than ever before through a comprehensive program including in-ring training, physical preparedness and character development. The new center will be the training ground for talent that includes former professional and collegiate athletes, Olympians and entertainers, and will offer a best-in-class sports medicine program creating a central location for all WWE talent to receive the best care both in and out of the ring.
“Our economy has created nearly 300,000 new private sector jobs in just over two years, meaning that thousands of Florida families now have the opportunity to pursue their dreams,” said Governor Rick Scott. “WWE could have chosen anywhere in the world to house this new global performance center – and they chose the Sunshine State. Today’s announcement that WWE will create nearly 100 more jobs for families in Central Florida is further proof that everything we do is geared towards job creation and it’s working.”
“We are so excited that WWE has chosen to establish its training and talent development operations in Central Florida,” said Teresa Jacobs, Mayor of Orange County. “In addition to strengthening our burgeoning entertainment production industry, the WWE Performance Center brings high-value jobs, capital investment and continued economic expansion to our area.”
Today’s announcement solidifies WWE’s presence in Orlando and evolves WWE’s partnership with Full Sail University. Last year, WWE and Full Sail announced an innovative partnership that moved live tapings of WWE NXT series, WWE’s weekly one-hour show that broadcasts on WWE.com and in more than 60 countries worldwide, to Full Sail Live, the university’s state-of-the-art performance venue. The partnership, which created a new student scholarship fund, also allows students of the university’s entertainment-focused degree programs, including Film, Show Production, Digital Arts and Design, Internet Marketing and Entertainment Business, to gain real-world experience alongside WWE production staff during WWE NXT tapings.
“The WWE Performance Center and our partnership with Full Sail University are critical to the future of our company,” said Paul “Triple H®” Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent and Live Events, WWE. “Orlando is now the home to the next generation of WWE Superstars.”
“Collaborating with WWE has elevated the education experience here at Full Sail University by creating many opportunities for our students to gain hands-on experience by being mentored by some of the best minds in the entertainment production industry,” said Garry Jones, President of Full Sail University. “We are excited to welcome WWE to the neighborhood and can’t wait to see what the future holds for this evolving partnership.”
The following statement was issued by Robert Horne, who fans may remember as Mabel’s tag team partner Mo in Men on a Mission: For years Sir Mo, along with perennial tag team partner King Mabel, entertained millions as part of the WWE. Getting their start in the Carolinas and later moving to the USWA working for Jerry Lawler the duo quickly became one of the hottest tag teams in wrestling and caught the eye of WWE CEO Vince McMahon who brought them to New York and gave them a huge push that included a run with the WWE World Tag Team Championship.
After Mo finished up with the WWE he returned to Memphis and the USWA as well as other off-shoot promotions in the area and then it would seem Mo would fade into obscurity.
Though Sir Mo was little more than a memory to hardcore fans, Bobby Horne continued to be part of the business, starting his own promotion, running shows and helping up and coming stars realize their dream. What many do not know is that while Horne was helping others he was actually the one in need, suffering from kidney failure.
For over seven years Horne has battled with kidney disease that is now end stage renal failure and he undergoes dialysis three times a week as he awaits a kidney transplant.
Dialysis is a process that helps remove waste and excess water from the blood and takes at minimum four hours each time but the after effects can leave one feeling drained and depleted for hours after it is finished. Horne has to receive dialysis treatment three times a week and is often found resting the rest of the day when it is over. There are good days and bad days even with dialysis and the fluid build-up has an effect on more than just his kidneys, it also takes a toll mentally.
“My faith gets me through most days,” Horne said. “That and the fans who have always been there for me, they are a great comfort too.”
Doctors say Horne is a good candidate for a transplant and is on the list but that list is ever increasing and often by the time a suitable donor is found, it is too late. Horne is fortunate though because his step-daughter has offered to donate one of her kidneys and is willing to put off her college and career plans to help her step-father.
“I’m blessed in so many ways and what she is doing, she is an angel. God love her she is an angel.” Horne said.
Even though it would seem all is right with the world, a kidney from a willing and compatible donor and the fortitude to carry on even though the surgery is very risky for both he and his step-daughter, things are far from easy for the former WWE SuperStar.
Transplant surgery is one of the most expensive operations to perform and can exceed a million dollars depending on what organs are replaced and how much time is involved in the procedure. For Horne this surgery will cost upwards of $150,000 of which he must raise 20% or $30,000 before doctors will schedule the operation.
“The WWE has made money from my likeness for 20 years and will continue to do so after I am dead and gone. They donate millions from a corporate account to help people in the ghetto and they have spent hundreds of thousands on rehab for people. I asked them for help and they sent me a couple of small boxes of merchandise worth maybe a couple hundred dollars to auction off,” Horne lamented.
“Maybe I should turn into an alcoholic or a drug addict or get arrested for DUI since that seems to be the kind of people they (WWE) are quick to help,” he added. “I’ve never had a drug problem but I have been dealing with kidney failure for seven years and three on dialysis but they (WWE) are not willing to help anyone with legitimate medical issues.”
A benefit show that was scheduled in April to help raise funds to defray the costs for Horne had to be canceled. “I have to go to Charlotte for more tests, to make sure I am healthy enough for the surgery. I have to lose about 20 more pounds and come up with the money before they (doctors) will even consider it though,” Horne stated.
Out of sight out of mind seems to be a disease many veterans of the squared circle suffer from, they are all too often forgotten about once they are no longer on TV or not part of a national wrestling group. There are a number of former wrestlers who are dealing with lingering injuries and medical problems who have to suffer because they do not have the resources to seek the proper care and sometimes surgery. Although many believe some of the veterans “made tons of money” while they were in the spotlight that is not often the case since in the 80s and 90s wrestlers were responsible for their own transportation, lodging and food as well as trying to maintain a home and family.
There have been campaigns using platforms like Kickstarter and IndieGoGo to raise funds to help some of those in need get capital for much needed surgery including Scott Hall and Marty Janetty. Such a campaign is currently being considered for Horne and there are other benefit shows in the developmental stage but for now Horne remains optimistic and hopeful.
“I thank God every day he lets me see the sunshine.”
