FOR MARINE RECON SNIPER JOE LINWOOD… THE VACATION IS OVER….

LOS ANGELES, CA. — Twentieth Century Fox Home Entertainment (TCFHE) and WWE Studios present *The Marine 2* — the second installment of “The Marine” movie franchise — debuting on Blu-ray Disc (BD) and DVD Dec. 29, 2009.

Inspired by a true story, *The Marine 2* was shot entirely on location in Phuket, Thailand and stars WWE Superstar Ted DiBiase as Marine recon sniper Joe Linwood. Reminiscent of the 2001 Dos Palmas incident, Linwood’s trip to paradise with his wife is suddenly shattered when guerillas take control of a secluded five-star resort asking for a substantial ransom. The guerilla leaders begin murdering hostages as the clock ticks away, forcing Joe to use his expert skills to save the hostages from certain death.

Directed by Roel Reiné (Pistol Whipped) and produced by Michael Lake (/12 Rounds/) and Chris Lowenstein (Bangkok Dangerous), *The Marine 2* also stars Temuera Morrison (Star Wars: Episode II — //Attack of the Clones), Lara Cox (“The Lost World”), Robert Coleby (The Marine) and Michael Rooker (Jumper). The Blu-Ray and DVD special features contain: behind-the-scenes footage of the climatic fight scenes — without stunt doubles– between DiBiase and Morrison and between DiBiase and the film’s Muay Thai fighters; a look at the making of the terrorist siege sequence including storyboards, miniatures and hotel guests’ reactions to filming at the five-star resort; a Ted DiBiase profile, including interviews with “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Sr. and Ted’s brother, Brett; an inside look at the production style, filming techniques and shooting in Thailand; and, a music video of previously unseen sequences with director introduction.

The BD will be available for a suggested retail price of $29.99 U.S. and the DVD for $22.99 U.S. Additionally, a DVD two-pack featuring both The Marine and *The Marine 2* will also be available for $34.98 U.S. Pre-book is December 2.

*The Marine 2* is the second direct-to-video premiere resulting from the first-look agreement between WWE Studios and Fox Filmed Entertainment (FFE)

*Blu-ray Disc and DVD Special Features:
– Behind-the-scenes footage of climactic fight scenes
-Making of terrorist siege sequence
-Profile of Ted DiBiase including interviews with Ted DiBiase Sr. and brother Brett
-Inside look at Thailand film shoot
-Deleted and extended scenes

— ECW wrestler Vladimir Kozlov was among those becoming United States citizens today in Tampa, Florida.

“Oh to be a U.S. citizen has been like a dream for long time, Kozlov said. “When I was raised and born in Russia, I had [a] dream to come to United States because U.S. [is a] land of big opportunity. If you work hard, you can reach whatever you want.”

The Fox news affiliated out of Tampa has a story and interview with Kozlov, which you can check out at the following link.

— WWE Studios has plans to release a film entitled Big Red. No word yet on who will be starring in the movie. The synopsis reads as follows: “In 1965, as the world changes all around him, 12-year-old Andy Nichol comes of age when he’s asked by his favorite teacher, Mr. Simon, to partner with school outcast Big Red for an English assignment.” (source: PWInsider.com)

— The WWE website has posted new photos of backstage announcer Savannah.

In anticipation of his debut tonight on ROH on HDNet (8pm), Jim Cornette has written a commentary, or contract, with all of the fans who “want their wrestling back.” Here is some of what he wrote:

“So I make this agreement, this contract, with all the wrestling fans who want an alternative, who “want their wrestling back.” I don’t care if you’re a young fan who has never seen serious pro wrestling, or an older fan who has gone away because you gave up hope, ROH is new style with old school philosophy. I am committing myself to ROH, putting my reputation and credibility where my mouth is. I am not a “big name” taking a payoff to endorse something I don’t believe in. I will not forsake ROH if or when a better offer comes along to reenter the “sports entertainment” cesspool. I truly believe Ring of Honor IS “the wrestling of the future” – and the future is NOW!

“I make this pledge as my end of the contract – in return, I ask all the fans who want an alternative, who want their wrestling back, to support ROH as well. Watch the TV on HDNet – attend live events in your area – check out the DVD’s, go to their website, ROHWrestling.com – and most importantly, spread the word to your fellow fans, current AND disenfranchised. Just as ROH is bigger and better than it was three years ago, it’s not nearly what it will be in 6 months, or a year, or two years, and you can keep track of, even be responsible for, its progress.

“ROH is a company that will listen to, not scoff at, its fans’ requests. But it needs your support, because NO promotion can thrive without the fans. Want your wrestling back? We want to give it to you! That’s why I make this contract with you. I will not forsake you again. Don’t forsake Ring of Honor. If you will us your support, your attention, your dedication, I pledge to you that we will not let you down.”

You can read his commentary in its entirety at the following link.

Also, here are two videos for tonight’s ROH On HDNet show:

Steen/Generico vs The Briscoe Brothers

Cornette’s promo before tonight’s show.

For more info on tonight’s show – www.rohwrestling.com and twitter.com/ROHonHDNet

— As seen this past Thursday on iMPACT, Kristal Lashley cut a promo ripping Scott Steiner, specifically noting that she’s never been harassed at her husband’s MMA events. “I guess things are a little bit different around here,” she said.

This was the start of a new storyline where she plays the role of a snobby person who looks down on professional wrestling. Her character has her thinking pro wrestlers are low-class individuals and that MMA is a higher-class environment. (source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— One half of the reigning Knockout Tag Team Champions, Sarita, recently won the CMLL Bodybuilding Championship for the fourth consecutive year. Dalys finished in second place while Amapola finished in third in the women’s division. The TNA Knockout also took part in Freestyle Fitness 2009 this past week just outside of Mexico City, which is a model-athlete competition with catwalk in a bikini, cocktail dress, and an obstacle course.

To see photos of Sarita’s big win, click here.

source: www.f4wonline.com

— After a brief hiatus from the squared circle following her sudden departure from TNA Wrestling this past September, Angel Williams (a.k.a. “Angelina Love”) has resumed an active wrestling schedule on the independent circuit. The former Knockouts champion has been telling people at said shows that she’s returning to TNA. However, according to this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer, they “haven’t heard anyone even mention her name.”

— Awesome Kong’s apartment complex in Tampa caught fire two weeks ago. Fortunately for Kong, she wasn’t injured and her actual apartment only had minor smoke damage.

— TNA plans on having Hernandez work more live events.

— The January 4th edition of WWE Raw, which will go head-to-head with TNA’s special 3-hour Monday night iMPACT!, will tape place from the Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. The show is currently scheduled to be a 2-hour broadcast, but it will be interesting to see if WWE offers any counter programming to offset TNA’s 1-hour lead-in that night.

— Ashley Massaro got some new tattoos on her wrists over the weekend. The former WWE diva wrote a message on Twitter saying, “This is one of 2 I got yesterday, small but were building, awesome artist, i wanted to distract from the roman num”

To view a picture of the new ink, click here.

She noted that the picture is backwards/inverted and the picture she posted is of her right wrist.

She said the new tattoos are in addition to the roman numerals .. The word/name “Lula” is new – anybody know if the cupcake and heart are also new?

The WWE website announced last night that John Morrison would be defending his Intercontinental Championship against Drew McIntyre at the upcoming Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view. Here is the updated card:

Tables Match for the WWE Championship
John Cena (c) vs. Sheamus

Chairs Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Batista vs. Undertaker (c)

Ladder Match for the ECW Championship
Christian (c) vs. Shelton Benjamin

Tables, Ladders & Chairs Match for the Unified WWE Tag Team Championships
Chris Jericho and Big Show (c) vs. D-Generation X

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
John Morrison (c) vs. Drew McIntyre

partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

— The CNN website has posted an article regarding the passing of former WWE talent Edward “Umaga” Fatu. The article offers comment from former WWE Diva Dawn Marie.

“He had his demons, but he found a lot of strength in his family,” said Dawn Marie Psaltis, family friend and founder of Wrestlers Rescue. “He was always a jokester, he was always playing a practical joke on someone. He comes from a long line of professional wrestlers and did his family proud.”

To read the article, click here.

— Former WWE talent Armando Estrada (real name Hazem Ali), has said that his match tonight against Mr. Ken Anderson in Milwaukee for the Great Lakes Championship Wrestling promotion will be his retirement match. The former General Manager of ECW has done very few indy dates since being released by WWE on November 18, 2008. Since then, he opened a restaurant called Baby’s Steak and Lemonade in Glendale, Arizona and is attempting to franchise the brand.

– The movie Aztec Revenge starring Mil Mascaras is scheduled for release next year.