Apparently in response to comments Eric Bischoff made on The Bubba The Love Sponge Show yesterday, Chris Jericho fired back at Bischoff on his Twitter account this morning, writing, “Bischoffs right I can’t headline in TNA…cos I’m not in my 50s.”
Bischoff said yesterday during his “State of TNA” address that he didn’t see Jericho as a headliner in WCW and apparently Vince McMahon doesn’t either in WWE considering that he only gave him two brief title runs in 2008.
— This week’s TNA iMPACT! did a 1.4 rating, a new record for the company for a Thursday night broadcast. The show did hours of 1.46 and 1.3 with an average of 1,867,000 viewers. The show peaked in the opening 15-minute segment with a 1.51 rating. (Source: PWTorch.com)
— During Friday’s appearance on the Bubba the Love Sponge Show, Eric Bischoff shot down The Honky Tonk Man’s claim that he is “close to signing with TNA.”
“I’d rather drive a rusty ice pick through my eye than work a day with him. This guy couldn’t draw flies if you rolled him in cow s—. He’s negotiating with himself. No truth to that at all.”
On the other hand, Hulk Hogan said he would not mind bringing The Honky Tonk Man to TNA. He joked that HTM trademarked “Linda Hogan” because nobody else did and suggested he work a program with Bubba.
“If we brought him in and we did a program with Bubba, it would mean something,” Hogan said.
— TNA Knockout Tara (formerly Victoria in WWE) has posted a picture on Twitter with several other WWE divas, including Candice Michelle, Ashley Massaro and Torrie Wilson. To see the picture of the 4 former WWE divas together, click here.
— Atlanta, Georgia’s 70,000+ person Georgia Dome will host WrestleMania 27 next spring, according to AccessAtlanta.com. WWE will make the announcement on Monday at a press conference at the Georgia Dome. “Atlanta has a long-standing reputation of hosting the highest level of sporting events,†said Atlanta Sports Council president Gary Stokan. “Adding Wrestlemania 27 to our list of wins would further showcase Atlanta as the sports capital of the world.â€
Credit to Scott Remington and Pwinsider.com for this recap of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischof’s appearance on Bubba The Love Sponge today and their “State of TNA” address:
Q: Confirm or deny Honky Tonk is joining TNA
A: EB “I would rather drive an icepick through my thigh than work with the Honky Tonk Man”
Q: How do you feel about Dixie wanting to go family friendly?
A: Hulk: Not going to happen, we are going to keep pushing the envelope.
Q: Are you going live on March 1?
A: EB: Haven’t heard anything, I have just been reading it on the internet.
Hulk: Nothing has been confirmed, it’s not a lock. I would like to have it but it’s not set yet.
Q: Ongoing talks with Savage?
A: Hulk: “I would love to have him come in and manage his illegitimate son.”
Q: Can you tell me the peaking order of how the writing goes:
A: Hulk: Bottom line is that Eric has the final say.
Topic comes up with Vince Russo about the “fake wrestling” twitter post.
Not really answered just some disparaging words thrown at Russo.
Q: What do they think of Lacey Von Erich?
A: Hogan says she can’t work.
EB: “We will teach her how to work”, and likes her look.
Q: Are you guys big on Desmond Wolfe?
A: EB: Very high on him, good look.
Hulk says he killed it last night, he’s “real close.”
Q: What is the Montreal angle really, is it a shot at Vince?
A: EB: It’s a shot “kind of”, but it’s entertaining and as long as they (fans) love it or hate it’s about whether they are talking about it. Hang with it and watch where it goes.
Q: WWE has a farm system, are you guys going to be doing something?
A: EB: There is no developmental as such. Brian Knobbs and Saggs have a school they are looking at. “Hopefully we will be able to develop our own but we aren’t ready for a farm system”.
Name Associations.
Black Pope: Both EB and Hulk love him and he is going to be getting a push.
Abyss: Hulk: My favorite wrestler of all “he’s my next John Cena”. EB likes him a lot and committed to his character.
Q: Are you interested in taking a look at FCW guys?
Hulk: He says they definitely would be interested.
EB: Says “if they are free we could”.
Q: Any WWE talent interested in TNA?
Hulk: Yup.
Q: Sting no showing them.
A: Hulk: Sting’s a great talent, wishes he would have come up north for the WWE. He understands why personally he wasn’t there but professionally it hurts the company.
EB: “Everyone has to make a commitment. I understand where Hulk’s coming from. But if you’re not 110% committed then it’s probably not going to work out.”
Q: Any chance we will see Hogan vs. Flair on TNA PPV.
A: Hulk: Doesn’t really answer the question.
Q: Will we see the Australian tour on PPV?
A: EB: Not likely for financial reasons.
Caller: Hulk is the worst wrestler since 1989 and how can you evaluate talent? Stone Cold hates you and won’t work a program with you?
– Lots of banter back and forth lots of swearing. Bottom line is they don’t answer the question.
Q: Has working with Vince McMahon changed your thought process?
EB: There’s no denying he’s a great businessman, he’s arrogant but he likes him and “I wouldn’t hang out with him” but he thinks he’s great. On a business level he is very smart. On a creative run he thinks he takes credit for too much and he doesn’t think he’s that good.
Q: Was there a time when you were going against the Rock and you just thought WCW was going to fail?
A: EB: “When AOL/Time Warner took over and put more hands on our product by making it more family friendly, that’s when things starting taking a turn for a worst. Now history is repeating itself and we have a chance to go after that older audience.”
Q: Are you going to be signing any more books Hulk?
A: Hulk: Not in the near future.
Q: Richard Ortiz, are you interested in him.
A: EB: I don’t know him.
Q: Is there one talent from WWE you both want?
A: Hulk: Orton and Cena. But he would also love the Big Show.
EB: “I have a problem with Show, never been committed, he’s lazy. I would like Cena and Orton.”
– EB says he never crapped on Jericho, likes him, but doesn’t think he can headline.
– Hulk would love to have Chris in TNA.
Q: Why do you feel it’s necessary to acknowledge Vince on TNA?
A: EB: You can’t win a fight with throwing a punch, “we are going the fight”.
Q: If you could wrestle one person in TNA.
A: Hulk: AJ Styles, “if he doesn’t get too full of himself”.
Credit to Scott Remington and Pwinsider.com for this recap of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischof’s appearance on Bubba The Love Sponge today and their “State of TNA” address:
Q: Confirm or deny Honky Tonk is joining TNA
A: EB “I would rather drive an icepick through my thigh than work with the Honky Tonk Man”
Q: How do you feel about Dixie wanting to go family friendly?
A: Hulk: Not going to happen, we are going to keep pushing the envelope.
Q: Are you going live on March 1?
A: EB: Haven’t heard anything, I have just been reading it on the internet.
Hulk: Nothing has been confirmed, it’s not a lock. I would like to have it but it’s not set yet.
Q: Ongoing talks with Savage?
A: Hulk: “I would love to have him come in and manage his illegitimate son.”
Q: Can you tell me the peaking order of how the writing goes:
A: Hulk: Bottom line is that Eric has the final say.
Topic comes up with Vince Russo about the “fake wrestling” twitter post.
Not really answered just some disparaging words thrown at Russo.
Q: What do they think of Lacey Von Erich?
A: Hogan says she can’t work.
EB: “We will teach her how to work”, and likes her look.
Q: Are you guys big on Desmond Wolfe?
A: EB: Very high on him, good look.
Hulk says he killed it last night, he’s “real close.”
Q: What is the Montreal angle really, is it a shot at Vince?
A: EB: It’s a shot “kind of”, but it’s entertaining and as long as they (fans) love it or hate it’s about whether they are talking about it. Hang with it and watch where it goes.
Q: WWE has a farm system, are you guys going to be doing something?
A: EB: There is no developmental as such. Brian Knobbs and Saggs have a school they are looking at. “Hopefully we will be able to develop our own but we aren’t ready for a farm system”.
Name Associations.
Black Pope: Both EB and Hulk love him and he is going to be getting a push.
Abyss: Hulk: My favorite wrestler of all “he’s my next John Cena”. EB likes him a lot and committed to his character.
Q: Are you interested in taking a look at FCW guys?
Hulk: He says they definitely would be interested.
EB: Says “if they are free we could”.
Q: Any WWE talent interested in TNA?
Hulk: Yup.
Q: Sting no showing them.
A: Hulk: Sting’s a great talent, wishes he would have come up north for the WWE. He understands why personally he wasn’t there but professionally it hurts the company.
EB: “Everyone has to make a commitment. I understand where Hulk’s coming from. But if you’re not 110% committed then it’s probably not going to work out.”
Q: Any chance we will see Hogan vs. Flair on TNA PPV.
A: Hulk: Doesn’t really answer the question.
Q: Will we see the Australian tour on PPV?
A: EB: Not likely for financial reasons.
Caller: Hulk is the worst wrestler since 1989 and how can you evaluate talent? Stone Cold hates you and won’t work a program with you?
– Lots of banter back and forth lots of swearing. Bottom line is they don’t answer the question.
Q: Has working with Vince McMahon changed your thought process?
EB: There’s no denying he’s a great businessman, he’s arrogant but he likes him and “I wouldn’t hang out with him” but he thinks he’s great. On a business level he is very smart. On a creative run he thinks he takes credit for too much and he doesn’t think he’s that good.
Q: Was there a time when you were going against the Rock and you just thought WCW was going to fail?
A: EB: “When AOL/Time Warner took over and put more hands on our product by making it more family friendly, that’s when things starting taking a turn for a worst. Now history is repeating itself and we have a chance to go after that older audience.”
Q: Are you going to be signing any more books Hulk?
A: Hulk: Not in the near future.
Q: Richard Ortiz, are you interested in him.
A: EB: I don’t know him.
Q: Is there one talent from WWE you both want?
A: Hulk: Orton and Cena. But he would also love the Big Show.
EB: “I have a problem with Show, never been committed, he’s lazy. I would like Cena and Orton.”
– EB says he never crapped on Jericho, likes him, but doesn’t think he can headline.
– Hulk would love to have Chris in TNA.
Q: Why do you feel it’s necessary to acknowledge Vince on TNA?
A: EB: You can’t win a fight with throwing a punch, “we are going the fight”.
Q: If you could wrestle one person in TNA.
A: Hulk: AJ Styles, “if he doesn’t get too full of himself”.
— During an interview with InYourHeadOnline.com, BG James (a/k/a Road Dogg) said he recently spoke to WWE officials about returning to the organization, but noted, “it wasn’t meant to be.”
James said he feels he’s too old to keep up with the younger wrestlers, but believes he can contribute behind the scenes. He said his best memories in the industry took place during the Attitude Era, mentioning selling stunners for “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
— In less than 24 hours, the brand new digital release of Superstar and Diva entrance themes, WWE The Music: A New Day, climbed the charts to be the No. 1 album on Amazon.com in the Rock and Soundtrack categories. The music album can be downloaded at Amazon.com for the low price of $3.99 for a limited time because after Tuesday, the price goes up.
— WWE Monday Night Raw on April 5th, 2010 will be held at the I Wireless Center in Moline, Illinois. Tickets go on sale February 6th, 2010 at 10 a.m. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Candice Michelle spoke to www.Candi-Shop.org on a slew of topics including her favorite wrestling matches, whether she will ever return to the industry, what made her decide to enter the Diva Search contest in 2004, her greatest accomplishment, and much more.
The former WWE Diva also made note of her multiple injuries, saying her biggest regret was returning to the ring too quickly from them. However, she wants people to know that she’s not injury prone.
“The biggest frustration of my career has been my lack of responsibility to myself thus resulting in my injuries,” Michelle said.
“Some things are unpredictable in the ring but after one broken collarbone and not a release note from the doctor to get back in the ring, but I did anyways because I was so excited to get back resulting in shattering it and surgery. Then I tried overdoing it on my return and not listening to my body resulting in the two torn ligaments. So to everyone who thinks I’m injury prone, that’s such phony baloney! It would be easy to say that but I’m a big girl and learned to take responsibility for my mistakes. “There’s no mistakes as long as you learn from them!” Needless to say I learned the hard way!”
You can read the interview in its entirety at the following link. She also reveals whether she was upset with being released by WWE.
— Former WWE Divas Candice Michelle, Lisa Marie Varon, Lilian Garcia and Amy “Lita” Dumas are available for personal appearances and autograph sessions via The I.P.A. Network, which represents a number of celebrities and wrestling stars. Those interested in booking them can contact Steve Woolf at [email protected] or visit www.ipanetwork.com.
— Lilian Garcia is auctioning off a sexy red outfit featured in the 2005 book “WWE DIVAS UNCOVERED.” You can view the auction at the following link.
— In today’s wrestling birthday, Bob “Hardcore” Holly turns 47 years old.
Both The Hurricane and Santino Marella have been removed from Sunday’s Royal Rumble match, while as noted earlier, Matt Hardy and Chris Masters have been added. Thus far, 24 participants have been announced.
It should be noted that R-Truth has not yet been officially added to the Royal Rumble match.
Here is the updated card:
Raw: Big Show, Carlito, Chris Masters, Cody Rhodes, Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, John Cena, Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, MVP, Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, The Miz and Triple H
SmackDown: Batista, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Kane, Matt Hardy and The Great Khali
ECW: Shelton Benjamin, William Regal, Yoshi Tatsu and Zack Ryder
It was also announced on Friday that Michelle McCool would defending her WWE Women’s Championship against Mickie James at the event.
Matches announced thus far include:
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Undertaker (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
WWE Championship Match
Sheamus (c) vs. Randy Orton
ECW Championship Match
Christian (c) vs. Ezekiel Jackson
WWE Women’s Championship Match
Michelle McCool (c) vs. Mickie James
Both The Hurricane and Santino Marella have been removed from Sunday’s Royal Rumble match, while as noted earlier, Matt Hardy and Chris Masters have been added. Thus far, 24 participants have been announced.
It should be noted that R-Truth has not yet been officially added to the Royal Rumble match.
Here is the updated card:
Raw: Big Show, Carlito, Chris Masters, Cody Rhodes, Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, John Cena, Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, MVP, Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, The Miz and Triple H
SmackDown: Batista, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Kane, Matt Hardy and The Great Khali
ECW: Shelton Benjamin, William Regal, Yoshi Tatsu and Zack Ryder
It was also announced on Friday that Michelle McCool would defending her WWE Women’s Championship against Mickie James at the event.
Matches announced thus far include:
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Undertaker (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
WWE Championship Match
Sheamus (c) vs. Randy Orton
ECW Championship Match
Christian (c) vs. Ezekiel Jackson
WWE Women’s Championship Match
Michelle McCool (c) vs. Mickie James
TNA star Jeff Hardy has commented on the news of Jeff Hardy and Gregory Helms’ getting arrested this week for public intoxication. Hardy wrote on Twitter:
“Sure tmz picked up their mug shot..big deal..their awesome &why should that be second guessed over an extremely simple situation?Love Je …”
He added, “They got arrested…it’s a shame they care or think it makes them look bad..their amazing employees…..&”
Jeff’s girlfriend Beth, who is good friends with Helms and Matt, wrote on Twitter: “WOW! MMH made the TMZ headlines! He’s on the scoreboard now! So hilarious that the story is about nothing…TMZ is in the entertainment business also, keep that in mind. Funny thing is, Matt wasn’t even drinking & didn’t have any involvement. Classic TMZ sensationalism. Actually, I was asked to post that. And, to clarify, he wasn’t DRUNK. Better?”
As always, visit PWTweets.comto follow 80+ wrestlers & divas on Twitter.
Cincinnati.com had an article up yesterday evening about the arrests of Hurricane Helms and Chris Jericho. They noted that around 4AM on Wednesday, an Erlanger police officer patrolling Crescent Springs saw a group of five people being rowdy in a shopping center parking lot. The officer told the group they needed to leave and some of them got a taxi. This was shortly before the taxi driver pulled over and called 911 after the incident in the backseat.
While other reports have came out since then, Cincinnati.com noted that Helms ran and was later found by police but Matt Hardy couldn’t be found by them. It’s been mentioned now that Hardy was not sober and the woman involved is now claiming that the whole thing was blown out of proportion.
A conviction on the misdemeanor charge of public intoxication carries a fine of $25 and court costs of $134. Helms and Jericho can appear in court on February 16th to challenge the charges or they can have the charges dismissed by paying $159 total before court date.
WWE released a statement to the paper saying that they assume the authorities will take proper action if necessary but declined further comment.
TNA President Dixie Carter was interviewed for the latest issue of the UK’s Fighting Spirit Magazine. Carter spoke at length about Hulk Hogan’s new role in TNA, where she sees the company going and more. Here’s what she said about:
Dealing with Big Egos In TNA: “To me, it’s not hard at all I feel if you treat somebody with respect, that’s the only way you can win it back. If you work hard, that’s the way to expect other people to work hard. I don’t have tiered systems of how I treat different people, I treat everyone as the same. don’t care if you’re Kurt Angle or the newest guy on the roster, you’re gonna be treated with the same level of respect, and I expect that back. To me, that’s the easiest way to keep individual egos in check, because I’m not playing a game with different people or favouritism.”
Her Leadership Style vs. Vince McMahon‘s: “I have a philosophy and it may not be right, but I feel that if people are happy personally, they’ll work harder for you than if you motivate them through fear. I want to make TNA a place where they bring their families, where their wives are welcome, where their husbands are welcome, where their children are. It creates a different type of atmosphere backstage, but it creates a place where we are all in this for the same goal.”
Former WWE & ECW Champion Rob Van Dam was interviewed by FanHouse.com to promote this weekend’s WrestleReunion event in Los Angeles. Some highlights:
How to “Spice Up” Today’s Wrestling: “I would say bring back the day of the jobber. When I was a fan, when I was younger, wrestlers were larger than life because I would watch them totally annihilate some local scrub, some guy that was in the ring, I didn’t know who the jobber was. We called those enhancement matches and they hardly ever do them anymore. That to me was how you build the wrestler, and when I found out two of these superstars would be battling each other, whether it was near me at a live show or when it was on Saturday Night’s Main Event, that was huge and it drew great interest and enthusiasm because I got to see these two big wrestlers who I’ve seen just destroy everybody actually face each other.”
Van Dam feels that the Monday night wars forced both companies to abandon jobbers and always put on marquee matches, but looking back, it’s hurt the companies’ abilities to build stars and the overall product:
“Ever since Monday Night Wars, every single match from the bottom to the top of the card seems like it has to be main-event quality — superstar vs. superstar, superstar vs. superstar — and then you gotta find a political way to go into the finish, you know, to try to deck one guy while doing what you want with the other. It’s a bunch of bulls**t I think. You know, I really think that the enhancement matches were what brought everybody into WWE in the ’90s.”
The possibility of returning to WWE or going to TNA: “I mean, it’s possible that I could be interested in either TNA or WWE if it was the right amount of work vs. pay ratio. That’s basically what it is, and I haven’t had that deep of conversations with anyone yet, really. So I don’t know if it’s out there or not, since I haven’t been the active one out there pursuing, you know, the information comes to me as it comes when they’re reaching out to me.”
Former WWE & ECW Champion Rob Van Dam was interviewed by FanHouse.com to promote this weekend’s WrestleReunion event in Los Angeles. Some highlights:
How to “Spice Up” Today’s Wrestling: “I would say bring back the day of the jobber. When I was a fan, when I was younger, wrestlers were larger than life because I would watch them totally annihilate some local scrub, some guy that was in the ring, I didn’t know who the jobber was. We called those enhancement matches and they hardly ever do them anymore. That to me was how you build the wrestler, and when I found out two of these superstars would be battling each other, whether it was near me at a live show or when it was on Saturday Night’s Main Event, that was huge and it drew great interest and enthusiasm because I got to see these two big wrestlers who I’ve seen just destroy everybody actually face each other.”
Van Dam feels that the Monday night wars forced both companies to abandon jobbers and always put on marquee matches, but looking back, it’s hurt the companies’ abilities to build stars and the overall product:
“Ever since Monday Night Wars, every single match from the bottom to the top of the card seems like it has to be main-event quality — superstar vs. superstar, superstar vs. superstar — and then you gotta find a political way to go into the finish, you know, to try to deck one guy while doing what you want with the other. It’s a bunch of bulls**t I think. You know, I really think that the enhancement matches were what brought everybody into WWE in the ’90s.”
The possibility of returning to WWE or going to TNA: “I mean, it’s possible that I could be interested in either TNA or WWE if it was the right amount of work vs. pay ratio. That’s basically what it is, and I haven’t had that deep of conversations with anyone yet, really. So I don’t know if it’s out there or not, since I haven’t been the active one out there pursuing, you know, the information comes to me as it comes when they’re reaching out to me.”
Friends and fans of Torrie Wilson are concerned after some disturbing messages she posted on Twitter this week.
The former WWE diva wrote that she was alone at home and felt scared, so she got out a loaded pistol, took the safety off and accidentally fired a shot into her bathroom that went right through the ceiling.
Torrie wrote: “Funny story: last nite i was alone & scared so i pulled out my pistol 4 protection & pulld the safey & let go n it SHOT outta my hands ito the bathroom & thru the ceiling! Crazy n glad didnt kill a dog!!eiling! Glad noone died!”
Several people repled asking if she was ok, including TNA Knockout Tara (former WWE Diva Victoria).
Tara wrote: “How scary. Be careful … Call me to let me know you are okay. Everyone is worried about you. Especially me Siz!!!”
Torrie replied: “ok guys i promise im taking a gun handling class! i know its not funny but since im ok it kinda is..mostly cuz THAT situations typical -tor”
It’s also worth noting she was hospitalized back in October after having a bad reaction to prescription medications she was taking. Let’s hope everything is alright with Torrie.
As always, visit PWTweets.comto follow 80+ wrestlers & divas on Twitter.
– Wednesday night’s episode of Psych on the USA Network starring John Cena drew 3.3 cable rating with an average of 4.4 million viewers. This is the best rating the show has done in quite some time.
– Psych’s Dule Hill, who hosted RAW this past week, told The Futon Critic in a new interview that he’s more of a fan of WWE legends like Andre the Giant, Iron Sheik, Tony Atlas and Jimmy Snuka but is becoming a fan of the current WWE product after working with John Cena.
– Matt Hardy noted on his Twitter that he’s been working on an autobiography. He wrote:
“I’ve been working on my future autobiography here & there-it’ll be an amazing look into my career & the business.. It’ll totally be REAL.. And for the record, the book would be something that would happen WAAAY down the road.. So don’t get overly excited, HaHa!”
As always, you can follow 80+ wrestlers & divas on Twitter at PWTweets.com.
– Wednesday night’s episode of Psych on the USA Network starring John Cena drew 3.3 cable rating with an average of 4.4 million viewers. This is the best rating the show has done in quite some time.
– Psych’s Dule Hill, who hosted RAW this past week, told The Futon Critic in a new interview that he’s more of a fan of WWE legends like Andre the Giant, Iron Sheik, Tony Atlas and Jimmy Snuka but is becoming a fan of the current WWE product after working with John Cena.
– Matt Hardy noted on his Twitter that he’s been working on an autobiography. He wrote:
“I’ve been working on my future autobiography here & there-it’ll be an amazing look into my career & the business.. It’ll totally be REAL.. And for the record, the book would be something that would happen WAAAY down the road.. So don’t get overly excited, HaHa!”
As always, you can follow 80+ wrestlers & divas on Twitter at PWTweets.com.
– There is a tremendous amount of respect for Ric Flair within the TNA locker room. At the last set of iMPACT tapings, Flair was very outgoing, getting to know some of the young wrestlers and was telling people he loved being there since he felt he was being used right by managing the World Champion AJ Styles. He was shown a ton of respect backstage with the wrestlers and agents “in awe” of him. Flair’s interviews have also received ave reviews.
– TNA management is said to be “putting up with” Scott Hall and Sean Waltman, but are trying to make the most of them while they’re part of a big storyline. Most people figured that Hall wouldn’t work out but there’s a lot of disappointment in Waltman as some figured that he would have shown up in better shape considering it’s probably his last shot with a major US promotion.
– There is a tremendous amount of respect for Ric Flair within the TNA locker room. At the last set of iMPACT tapings, Flair was very outgoing, getting to know some of the young wrestlers and was telling people he loved being there since he felt he was being used right by managing the World Champion AJ Styles. He was shown a ton of respect backstage with the wrestlers and agents “in awe” of him. Flair’s interviews have also received ave reviews.
– TNA management is said to be “putting up with” Scott Hall and Sean Waltman, but are trying to make the most of them while they’re part of a big storyline. Most people figured that Hall wouldn’t work out but there’s a lot of disappointment in Waltman as some figured that he would have shown up in better shape considering it’s probably his last shot with a major US promotion.
– Days after President Obama delivered his first State of the Union address, it’s time for the first-ever “State of TNA Address.” Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff will be appearing on Bubba the Love Sponge’s radio show this afternoon at 12:15PM EST to answer questions and take phone calls from fans. Visit BTLS.com for more.
– The ring name for the valet with Desmond Wolfe now in TNA is Chelsea.
– It appears that Spike TV and TNA jumped the gun with their announcement about TNA iMPACT airing on Monday, March 1st.
Spike’s schedule on their website has been changed as iMPACT is no longer listed on March 1st at 9PM. That slot now says “TBD (to be determined).
On a related note, the Universal Studios website updated their TNA schedule also, replacing March 8th and 9th with March 1st and 2nd. The schedule on TNA’s website still says March 8th and 9th.
Not to worry, as we’re hearing TNA will in still be aring a live show on March 1st. The company does however want to make the announcement on their own terms, not have it leak out on some online TV schedule. Stay tuned for word from TNA about Monday nights.
A TMZ camera guy caught up with Randy Orton at an airport this week and aske him his thoughts about fellow WWE stars Chris Jericho and Gregory Helms getting arrested on Wednesday morning for public intoxication. Orton could not believe the news, saying “No, no, no, not Chris.”
When asked if pro wrestlers are living a rock and roll party lifestyle, Orton said wrestlers don’t get in trouble and they represent WWE “in a very positive manner.”
A TMZ camera guy caught up with Randy Orton at an airport this week and aske him his thoughts about fellow WWE stars Chris Jericho and Gregory Helms getting arrested on Wednesday morning for public intoxication. Orton could not believe the news, saying “No, no, no, not Chris.”
When asked if pro wrestlers are living a rock and roll party lifestyle, Orton said wrestlers don’t get in trouble and they represent WWE “in a very positive manner.”
After this week’s edition of WWE Superstars, Matt Hardy, Chris Masters and R-Truth have been added to the list of Royal Rumble entrants. Three spots now remain.
Here’s an updated list of the 27 confirmed entrants:
Raw (15): John Cena, Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes, MVP, The Miz, Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Big Show, Evan Bourne, Carlito, Santino Marella Chris Masters
Smackdown (7): Batista, Chris Jericho, CM Punk, Great Khali, Kane, R-Truth and Matt Hardy.
ECW (5): Shelton Benjamin, Yoshi Tatsu, William Regal, Zack Ryder and The Hurricane.
Rob Van Dam knows TNA wants a piece of him and said once again the “ridiculous never-ending” WWE schedule will play a factor in which company he decides will wrestle for. Van Dam told Alex Marvez of Scrippsnews:
“I do have some interest right now in what’s going on with the big companies. I know (Hulk) Hogan would like to have me. Eventually, (TNA) may start to wear me down and my ‘no thanks’ will become ‘well, maybe.’ I have some interest, but I don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t see myself going back to the full-time, ridiculous never-ending WWE schedule. I couldn’t wait to get away from it before.”
The former WWE and ECW champion says he has been wrestling across the world since leaving the national wrestling but doesn’t have any bookings past this Saturday’s PWG show in Los Angeles.
Aside from the brutal WWE schedule, Van Dam still has sour grapes about how WWE handled the “new” ECW:
“WWE destroyed that and made it very symbolic. They wanted everyone to know ECW was dead and this new group happened to be called ECW. That was the last cycle of frustration for me.”
