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Last week, we debuted a new feature on the Elite version of the site called The Wrap Up. It is an extension of our weekly newsletter. On Monday, Wednesday and Friday we will post, in one place, all of the pertinent news that has taken place over the preceding days. It's a one-stop shopping feature. In addition to news posted on the site, it will also include items that are only posted in the Elite section as well as our commentary on the issues taking place in the wrestling business today.
This version of the Wrap Up went live yesterday morning and will give you an idea as to what is in it. If you like what you see, please feel free to support the site by joining the Elite section. You can do so at the link below.
http://www.pwinsider.com/elitesignup.php
WWE
WWE RELEASES
On 11/19, World Wrestling Entertainment Shad Gaspard, Luke Gallows Vance Archer, Caylen Croft, Tiffany and Jillian Hall.
Dave: Hey everyone, Happy Holidays! Seriously, yes they will get paid for 90 days but to release people at the holidays is just cold. But when revenues are down (and even when they aren't) WWE will cut people they don't "have anything for". It's a shame, but that is how WWE operates.
Mike: I could point out that Linda just dumped $50 million...or that the company did a huge first day ticket sale run for Wrestlemania....or that they have millions in the coffers, but hey, why point out things that would explain that it's silly to drop talents who aren't make a lot of money for your company, especially some, like Gallows and Hall, who were good soldiers and/or had more to give?
WWE STARS COMMENT ABOUT TODAY'S TALENT CUTS
by Dave Scherer @ 6:17 PM on 11/19/2010
About today's cuts, Dolph Ziggler wrote the following on his Twitter page: "I hate to see anyone go, whether they need to move on or they are let go! Friends or not, we really are a family! And a lot of friends have Come and gone, for most it was their dream since childhood, others it was still a 24/7 life. Cheers to all of my family that has been let go I hope you all move on to bigger and better things, And I hope we still stay in touch down the road! :) because the door is never closed :)"
CM Punk wrote the following on his Twitter page: "Days like today bum me out. Gallows, many times was given chicken #!@%*# and turned it gold. He has heart, hustles, and loves wrestling." Beth Phoenix retweeted it.
Tyler_Reks wrote the following on his Twitter page: "Retweet for my boy: RT @VanceArcher I'll be taking bookings at lancehoyt@yahoo.com. Contact me here for any bookings or interviews. Again thankU to All of You!
Dave: It's nice to see some of the people stick up for those that are gone. It also reads cold to me when other WWE stars are tweeting about mundane things on a day when people are losing their jobs, but that is just me I guess.
Mike: Given how closely we've heard the StraightEdge Society ran together, not a shock that Punk was bummed his friend was let go. I just hope that we don't see Joey Mercury end up with the same treatment.
ANOTHER WWE RELEASE, VANCE ARCHER COMMENTS ON WWE DEPARTURE, UPDATES ON TWO FORMER ECW GENERAL MANAGERS, LOU E. DANGEROUSLY AND MORE
by Mike Johnson @ 9:42 AM on 11/20/2010
Referee Aaron "Goose" Mahoney was also released yesterday. He had been with the company since their days of using Ohio Valley Wrestling as a developmental territory.
Vance Archer commented on his WWE release, noting, "It is what it is. I ain't done by a long shot. Bet that. ThankU to all for all the support."
Dave: What else can you say, really?
Mike: Nothing at all. We'll see where the future takes him.
Former WWE star Tiffany launched an official Facebook page at www.facebook.com/officialtarynterrell.
Dave: She was probably ticketed for release the day the news of the hotel incident came out.
Former ECW personality Lou E. Dangerously, who worked behind the scenes for WWE and is now working for Cirque Du Soliel, is working on a documentary about the Philadelphia heavy metal scene of the 1980s and has launched a twitter at www.twitter.com/LDAngeli.
Former WWE star Armando Estrada recently returned to the ring in OVW. Other former contracted talents working for the company right now are Cliff Compton (Domino) and Mike Mondo (Mikey from the Spirit Squad).
Dave: I guess since he closed his restaurant in Arizona, Estrada is looking for something new.
RELEASED DIVAS COMMENT ON BEING LET GO, BARRETT TALKS ABOUT BEING MENTORED BY CHRIS JERICHO AND MORE
by Steven Fernandes @ 10:40 PM on 11/19/2010
The Baltimore Sun has an interview with Wade Barrett talking about working with John Cena and Randy Orton, Chris Jericho mentoring him off-screen, resentment from the locker room for all the original NXT guys, working with Sheamus and Drew McIntyre on the UK wrestling scene and more.
Barrett also did an interview with The Well Versed talking about why he became a wrestler, attacking John Cena and CM Punk to start the Nexus angle, Old School RAW, the official status of Skip Sheffield in Nexus and more.
ESPN.com has a Jeopardy-style quiz where one of the answers is "The WWE recently released its list of the top 50 wrestlers of all time, a list topped by this wrestler (who didn't play a movie character called Thunderlips)."
Tiffany tweeted the following - "Thank you WWE for an amazing journey. I am saddened by the news but forever grateful for the experience. Blog to come later today. Thank you to all my supportive fans. You are wonderful. For Appearances ande Bookings contact; Mike Esterman - Mike@Esterman.com
Jillian Hall tweeted "I am doing very well and I'm in a great place in life! I have a lot to say, but there's no room here, lol. Thankyou so much for your support"
TIFFANY PROVIDES IRONIC COMMENTS ON HER WWE RELEASE
by Mike Johnson @ 10:08 AM on 11/20/2010
Former WWE star Tiffany made the following comments on her twitter account this morning:
"I am sad that I won't be able to work with Drew [McIntyre]. He is the best thing in my life and I know he is going to do amazing things with WWE. WWE is still a major part of my family and will always be. I am so proud of my husband and will be his biggest cheerleader. If it wasn't for WWE, we would have never met. I love you Drew. Thanks for being my rock."
The irony here is that Tiffany's arrest last August during a domestic incident involving McIntyre at a hotel SummerSlam weekend is what set the stage for her eventual WWE release as she was never utilized again, even after prosecutors opted not to pursue charges.
She also noted that she appears in Playboy's Special Edition Magazine "Big Boobs, Hot Buns", which is now available and that she can be contacted for bookings via Mike@Esterman.com.
Dave: I can just see Christmas at her house. "Sure, I lost my WWE gig but I am in 'Big Boobs, Hot Buns' so it's not all bad!" Seriously, the writing was on the wall for her after the the SummerSlam incident.
Mike: Anyone who thought she was coming back had to really have their head in the sand. Vince doesn't forgive people who embarrass the company on his dime.
LUKE GALLOWS, TIFFANY DISCUSS THEIR DEPARTURES FROM WWE AND MORE
by Steven Fernandes @ 3:29 PM on 11/21/2010
Slam Wrestling has an interview with Luke Gallows talking about his release. He says on Friday morning, he was on the phone talking with WWE creative about a new direction they were gonna take with his character in the coming weeks, and on Friday afternoon, he was called by John Laurinaitis saying that he was released. He also said he was supposed to do a roughneck babyface character a week after he had the match with CM Punk on Smackdown, but it never got off the ground, adding that he and Freddy Prinze Jr. had some good ideas for the gimmick. He mentions that since he got released, he's got 12 bookings, a convention, and agreed to do 20 interviews. He also talks about the other people released and says he might reunite with his former tag team partner Ray Gordy (Jesse), who is now a sheriff deputy in Cobb County, GA, for some shows.
Dave: Damn, talk about the left hand not knowing what the right is doing. Hey Luke, we have some great ideas for you. It turns out they were to fire you. Sheesh.
Mike: Yeah that is absolutely ridiculous.
Tiffany posted a blog thanking everyone she worked with in WWE at www.myspace.com/tnt1228/blog/540805371.
Scotty 2 Hotty tweeted the following: "Just autographed an old wrestling outfit of mine that was stolen yrs ago 4 fan in the lobby of my hotel in Tokyo."
LOTS OF EXCLUSIVE BACKSTAGE NOTES FROM THE SURVIVOR SERIES PPV
by Mike Johnson @ 9:32 AM on 11/22/2010
Dolph Ziggler was getting checked out for a concussion after yesterday's PPV bout against Kaval. A few people I spoke to after the PPV said Ziggler seemed fine. I wouldn't be shocked to see him held out of the ring as a precaution, but I don't have that confirmed as taking place. Ziggler absolutely had his bell rung by a Kaval kick.
Dave: That was stiff, for sure.
Mike: You could see the latter part of the match was off just a tad but what a performance by both. They worked their asses off. If Ziggler doesn't win most improved wrestler this year, it will be a true shame.
For those wondering where Paul Bearer was last night, he was indeed backstage but wasn't used as that kidnapping storyline will continue.
Dave: He was there, but not used. I don't have a problem with that. Save the storyline stuff for TV. The finish of that was weak.
Mike: Yeah, talk about a match that never really got going. There was very little chemistry at all. Edge as a babyface never really clicks anymore.
There were a lot of people wondering how Matt Striker blew the call at the end of the Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton match. I am told that was partially because the announcers and just about everyone else were kept in the dark as to the finish to protect it from getting out and Striker simply got caught up in the moment.
Dave: You can't get caught up in the moment if you are the announcer!
The Miz segment was designed simply to get him over as a heel by burying the Miami Heat and LeBron James, but also to plant the seeds for something down the line as James has been discussed internally as a Wrestlemania celebrity idea or as a Raw Guest Host down the line. I don't believe the company has reached out to him yet. There were no plans for him to "cash in" last night but WWE wanted fans to think he would to build buzz for the show.
Note: Everett sent word shortly after I posted this that the Miami Heat have a game in New Jersey the evening of Wrestlemania, so he wouldn't be available for the PPV.
David Arquette was extremely friendly to the wrestlers last night and was said to have been fun to have been around as he knew everyone and all the storylines and spent a good amount of time talking to everyone on the roster, no matter where they were on the card. Sometimes, celebrities will pay attention to the top names and ignore the others but that wasn't the case last night at all.
Dave: Since Courtney Cox dumped him, he has free time on his hands. I don't know how he got her to begin with but damn once he did he should have done all he could to keep her.
CM Punk was backstage last night and is expected to do more announcing work this week. One person described him to me as the guy "on the team dying to get back in the game and do something."
Rey Mysterio's inner ear infection is said to be doing much better.
Dave: He looked good last night.
Mike: Yeah, I am really glad to see the level of work he had last night. He was on fire.
A lot of FCW talent were backstage at the PPV and will be backstage tonight at Raw as well. I believe Ricky Steamboat was backstage as well.
SURVIVOR SERIES DARK MATCH RESULT, FORMER WCW WORLD CHAMP AT PPV
by Mike Johnson @ 12:18 AM on 11/22/2010
Former WCW World champion David Arquette was sitting ringside for the Survivor Series PPV and introduced to the crowd before they went on the air tonight. The dark match before the PPV saw R Truth pin Zach Ryder.
Thanks to Billy Krotchsen.
LINDA MCMAHON RETURNING TO TV THIS WEEK
by Mike Johnson @ 9:52 AM on 11/22/2010
Linda McMahon's campaign has taken out local ads in the Northeast thanking those who supported her political run for the Senate. McMahon is apparently looking into another run in 2012 for the other Senate seat of Connecticut.
Dave: She did an interview last week saying she hasn't ruled out a return and a run in 2012. That is politician-speak for count on me running.
Mike: Oh yeah, she's going to keep trying and spending money. What a world!
WWE LEGEND HIT BY DRUNK DRIVER
by Dave Scherer @ 10:36 PM on 11/19/2010
On his official Twitter page, Shawn Michaels posted the following tonight:
"The fam&I got hit by a drunk driver 2nite @50mph.All r OK. I did however jerk him out of his seat quite abruptly&say"bad" words;-)"
He added:
"Thx all. We're fine. Car is fine. I drive a tank. Kids were fired up. Wanted 2 beat him up. Poor guy hit the craziest fam he cud:-)".
"All I can say is he was staring at a couple "things" that let him kno he hit the wrong people. Legally speaking of course:-) We appreciate u 4 caring. Hey
on a side note. Make good choices if u can. Nobodys perfect, just try ok? Luv ya, u nuts:-)"
We are just glad to hear that he and his family are OK. Thanks to Sean Horton and Eric Wade for sending that along.
Dave: This had to be scary. As I said on Friday, I am just glad they are OK. It's ironic how this happened right after Alex Riley got popped on suspicion of DUI.
Mike: The irony is that Riley has a job when 13 others were fired in the last two weeks. I am really glad Michaels and his family are OK and man, I can't even imagine what it'd be like for Michaels to revert back to the old school pissed off Shawn in 2010.
WHY NEW YORK CITY LOST SUMMERSLAM
by Mike Johnson @ 5:54 PM on 11/19/2010
In asking why WWE switched the show back to Los Angeles, I was told that the Garden warned WWE that their renovations (they are doing a massive rebuilding of the MSG setup, starting with the lower level this summer and the upper level next year) wouldn't be done in time to accommodate WWE, so WWE went back to old faithful in Los Angeles and scheduled Survivor Series in NYC instead.
2011 will end up being the third straight year that Los Angeles hosts Summerslam, partially so WWE can use their agent, William Morris Endeavor, to plug them into the Hollywood community for networking.
SUPERSTARS RATINGS
by Dave Scherer @ 6:30 PM on 11/19/2010
The 11/18 edition of Superstars did a 0.53 rating with 611,000 viewers.
The replay did a 0.18 rating with 147,000 viewers.
WHY WWE CHANGED THEIR STANCE AND BROUGHT BACK THE TRADITIONAL 'SURVIVOR SERIES' MATCH FOR TOMORROW'S PPV
by Mike Johnson @ 9:33 AM on 11/20/2010
The Survivor Series elimination tag was a last minute addition to tomorrow's PPV. The original plan was to have Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio in a Best of Three Falls "Lucha" match.
Since Mysterio has been dealing with an inner ear infection, the decision was made last week to have the ten man tag and to limit Mysterio's work to protect his health.
That's why Mysterio has been used sparingly on TV this week and his singles bout with Del Rio was turned into a Battle Royal last night on Smackdown as well.
Dave: It was so bizarre that they brought back the PPV name and then decided not to do a Series match. At least in the end we got one.
Mike: I think they brought the PPV back because they were initially in denial that UFC spanked them running a PPV the same weekend and then when the Wrestlemania 26 numbers came in, reality set in as to why they got hammered with the 2009 Series PPV.
THE FUTURE OF NXT REVEALED
by Mike Johnson @ 9:02 AM on 11/20/2010
Greg Sansone from The Score appeared on the November 19th edition of Right After Wrestling and revealed that he was told that there will be a 4th season of NXT, featuring male wrestlers, beginning in early December. Thanks to Devin Cutting.
Dave: Yippee, I am so not excited. That makes me wonder if they are going to go forward with Tough Enough.
Mike: That moaning you hear is David Jakielo's.
SEAN MORLEY-WWE UPDATE
by Mike Johnson @ 10:54 AM on 11/20/2010
Since some readers have asked, Sean Morley has been tapped to work as a Producer in World Wrestling Entertainment. He will not be used as an in-ring talent on a regular basis.
Dave: Between that and working with young talents, that is the perfect use for Morley at this point. The Val Venis character has run its course.
Mike: Yeah, Morley wouldn't be able to move any interest levels among fans in 2010 but using him to help in a Finlay-like role is a smart move. He's always been well liked internally by management. There were a lot of people who were shocked he wasn't tapped to run talent relations years ago.
JIM ROSS COMMENTS ON WHETHER HE IS DONE ANNOUNCING AND WHERE HE MAY TURN UP NEXT, ROSTER CUTS AND MORE
by Dave Scherer @ 10:11 AM on 11/20/2010
Jim Ross has posted his latest blog at his JRsBarBQ.com website. Here are some highlights.
About Alberto Del Rio:
"Alberto Del Rio has a bona fide upside but needs to be more aggressive and allow his mean streak to be vividly be on display when he's on the offensive. I really think that Del Rio can be a star in WWE but it may take him a little longer than some may like. Patience is the key as Alberto has a great look, wrestling heritage, and the legit skills to be a major player over time and then for years to come. Del Rio walking the edge of the PG rating might be interesting."
He also liked MVP's promo on Smackdown:
"MVP's promo on Friday Night Smackdown was his best in months and maybe ever. I listened intently to every word and to be perfectly honest I rarely listen to every word of every wrestling promo that I hear during the week of seemingly endless TV broadcasts.
Promos in wrestling need to be like great reality TV and come off as real, organic and natural while not being contrived and memorized copy. Those that can ad lib to a certain degree and rise to the occasion when challenged to perform extemporaneously often times end up becoming stars. During WWE's self proclaimed transition period, it would be fun to see who could thrive in the emotional, natural, old school promo environment which is as much about delivery as it is about content."
Dave: Well said JR. And MVP did kick, for sure.
Mike: MVP was AWESOME on Smackdown. I hope his renaissance continues.
About whether he is done announcing:
"Emailer....I don't think that Monday night was my official 'send off ' from WWE announcing or at least no one told me such. After doing a piece of the Celtics radio broadcast with pal Sean Grande a couple of weeks ago in OKC and with the OU Football and Basketball job coming open next year, I would like to think that I will be doing some broadcasting work before I finally hang it up which will be years from now. The UFC upper mgmt people know that I have an interest in their product and I think that my style would fit what they do quite well especially when they begin expanding their roster of broadcasters. Who knows, WWE might want me to do something on an occasional basis but I must point out that there is absolutely no plans to that affect at this time.
The good news is that I've regained my health and the fire is burning again to do something along the aforementioned lines. time will tell but no matter what happens I will remain happy and attack every day with every intention to enjoy that day to the fullest. Plus, I don't feel like the traditional old timer who can't do his job any longer as broadcasters have a much longer shelf life than do the wrestlers."
Dave: I like this. Hey UFC, if WWE doesn't want me, give me a call. I hope someone does. It's too soon for JR to be put out to pasture.
Mike: Ross is taking one out of the Hulk Hogan Wrestlemania playbook. You go, JR!
On roster cuts:
"Roster cuts are never fun especially for those that are released or endeavored and for those making the phone calls and relaying the bad news. I hated that aspect of the job but it simply goes with the turf. Only way to do it is respectfully and truthfully. Most folks take it fairly well until a few years later when some of them who need the cash sit down to do the infamous shoot interviews and bury every one in sight except the person that they see in the mirror. I've been gut and quartered on many occasions bu y those that I always felt that I treated fairly. Such is life in the wrestling biz in my old role.
I could see all the individuals that WWE cut on Friday finding success in the wrestling biz if they identify what it is that they are lacking and go to work immediately to address their liabilities. Honestly, a fresh start is often times good medicine as opposed to just existing on the bottom of the roster waiting for someone else to make it happen for you. As the King would say, "One can't grieve forever" so rise up, develop a plan, and begin to get better at one's vocation. Take it from me, it isn't the end of the world. Plus, if you have your health a large part of your battle back is done."
As always, there is much more at the site. JR is always an entertaining read.
WWE HALL OF FAMER COMMENTS ON RELEASE, NEW WWE BOOK OUT NEXT WEEK, WADE BARRETT TALKS TO ESPN AND MORE WWE NEWS
by Mike Johnson @ 1:52 PM on 11/19/2010
Jim Ross commented on the release of Shad Gaspard on his twitter account, writing, "He certainly has discernable physical attributes & I hope he discovers best in ring persona. “I hate to see any one lose work but the Cryme Tyme team had run its course imo. If Shad wants it badly enough he will be fine.”
Wade Barrett was interviewed by ESPN.com today, discussing the big push he's receiving in the last year, working with legends at the old school Raw, the new WWE videogame and more, which you can read by clicking here.
The WWE Championship book, which chronicles the creation and run of WWE's top belt, will be officially released this Tuesday 11/23. The book was authored by Kevin Sullivan, who co-wrote the WWE Encyclopedia.
WWE returns to the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Witchita Falls, Texas on January 15th, 2011 at 7:30 PM. Tickets go on sale December 4th, 2010 at 10 AM. Thanks to Devin Cutting.
WWE will be doing a Christmas-themed episode of Smackdown as part of a promotion SyFy is doing with a number of their series.
JOEY STYLES SET TO APOLOGIZE TO WWE FANS NEXT WEEK
by Dave Scherer @ 5:36 PM on 11/19/2010
On his Twitter account tonight, Joey Styles posted the following: " Will begin Tuesday's NXT Live Chat with apology for being unprofessional & prematurely revealing Aksana's elimination last Tuesday."
On Tuesday 11/16 Styles had written: "Oh the hell with this, this show was taped over three hours ago. Aksana was eliminated. Who cares? I can't watch this episode any more. Yes I spoiled the end of this awful episode. Tweet your complaints to me @joeystyles."
In response, the WWE NXT Twitter posted: "WWE apologizes for @JoeyStyles' tweet spoiling tonight's @WWENXT elimination. His actions were unprofessional & unacceptable."
Dave: I wondered what the hell he was thinking when he posted that last Tuesday. Unless it's an angle (and if it is, who would care anyway) it really was unprofessional for Styles to say that stuff.
Mike: This certainly plays like a dopey angle.
WWE LOOKING INTO 3D PROGRAMMING
by Mike Johnson @ 1:21 PM on 11/19/2010
World Wrestling Entertainment issued a survey to fans on their mailing list today asking about their interest in the company broadcasting an event in 3D. Several months ago in the PWInsider.com Elite section I noted that the company was looking into the idea of doing a 3D broadcast once Smackdown moved to SyFy and at the idea of doing a live 3D event that could conceivably be aired via Fathom Events in movie theaters.
In the survey, WWE asked about the reader's interest in seeing programming in 3D and whether they planned to buy a 3D Television in the future.
Mike: I don't think anything outside of a theater deal or a deal where they hand out free glasses for you to watch on SyFy is worth doing. The 3D TV technology is nowhere near as widespread as some would like you to believe.
WWE CREATIVE DEPARTURE
by Mike Johnson @ 1:13 PM on 11/19/2010
Chris DeJoseph, the WWE writer who appeared on camera as Big Dick Johnson, is gone from World Wrestling Entertainment, according to Jason Powell at ProWrestling.net.
We heard yesterday that a writer had been released and the company has been actively scouting for new members to add to the creative team in the last few weeks.
Dave: I never want to see anyone lose his job but I am happy we won't have to see his oiled up, g-string wearing body again.
Mike: I heard this was a McMahons call and was several months in the making. I was told Michael Hayes championed hard for the company to keep him but Hayes didn't get his way. I am hearing DeJoseph is already trying to hook up with some indies in the Southwest.
WWE RETURNING TO TURKEY
by Mike Johnson @ 3:17 PM on 11/19/2010
WWE returns to the Abdi Ipekci Arena in Istanbul, Turkey on April 22nd, 2011 at 6 PM. Tickets go on sale November 24th, 2010.
Dave: They should have gone on Thanksgiving. OK, that was bad.
WADE BARRETT TALKS BARE KNUCKLE FIGHTING, PUNK AND PHOENIX IN MIAMI, MVP AND MORE
The Miami Herald has an interview with MVP that you can read by clicking here.
CM Punk and Beth Phoenix are scheduled to appear at tonight's outdoor FCW show at Harley Davidson of Brandon in Miami.
Steven Fernandes sent this item. ... IGN.com has an interview with Wade Barrett talking about being a bare-knuckle fighter, if he would be using the Knockout Punch if it wasn't Big Show's finisher, Colt Cabana teaching him his current finisher, main eventing one of the "Big 4" PPV's, the Nexus angle still continuing on, which wrestlers he idolized growing up and describing the current British indie wrestling scene. You can read it by clicking here.
UFC STAR SAYS HE WANTS TO WORK FOR WWE, NOWINSKI NOMINATED FOR BIG HONOR, BARRETT, FLAIR AND MORE
by Steven Fernandes @ 1:26 PM on 11/20/2010
Slam Wrestling has an interview with Wade Barrett talking about his WWE character is based on real life, and is an extension of his "dark side" as well as how he will be never be remembered as a fan favorite. You can read it by clicking here.
Vickie Guerrero is selling a '2007 Southern Comfort Limited Edition Avalanche' SUV that she designed as a tribute to Eddie Guerrero, on Ebay at this link.
Chris Nowinski has been nominated for Sports Illustrated 'Sportsman of the Year' award for his work with head trauma. The winner will be announced Nov 29th.
Mike: Talk about an award he is absolutely deserving to win. Nowinski has done more for the sporting world than anyone can truly imagine. That is a hell of an inspirational person in my mind.
Ariel Helwani of Fanhouse.com has an interview with UFC headliner Quinton "Rampage" Jackson where he mentions how he would like to work for WWE in the future if they would have him. He says he would not be able to do their road schedule because of his kids, but would be open to do occasional appearances.
SHAD GASPARD TRAINING VIDEOS SURFACE ON YOUTUBE
by Stuart Carapola @ 2:45 PM on 11/20/2010
Lara Rean sent along links to a couple of videos of Shad Gaspard doing some MMA training down in Tampa, which may provide some insight into whatever plans WWE may have had for him if he hadn't been released. You can check out the videos at Youtube.com.
Dave: It's worth a shot I guess.
DOLPH ZIGGLER READY TO CARRY KAVAL TOMORROW, MVP, VICKIE GUERRERO AND MORE
by Dave Scherer @ 5:58 PM on 11/20/2010
After we posted the Tip Sheet today, a few people emailed to ask me if I would be surprised tomorrow night if they had John Cena count the pin for Wade Barrett when he has Randy Orton down, beat up Barrett the way he said he would and then have Miz come out and cash in his Money In The Bank and take the title from Barrett. It wouldn't shock me at all. In fact, I expect it to happen. No spoiler here because I have no knowledge but it seems like the way they would go. We will have full coverage of the show here tomorrow.
Dave: Well, it didn't happen that way. The way they did it was predictable and hokey, but I am not shocked they went that way. Cena is Superman and the kiddie hero, plus a merch machine, so it is what it is. Over all, the PPV started strongly and then faded at the end. The two title matches really brought the show down. It was going along very well until then.
Mike: The first 90 minutes of the PPV are well worth going out of your way to see. The rest, well....
On his Twitter page, Dolph Ziggler wrote the following about his match tomorrow with Kaval: "My back is healing just in time to carry another indy hero to ANOTHER show stealing match! You're welcome for the SUPERSTAR rub, Mr. Peepers"
Come on, that is pretty funny.
On her Twitter page Vickie Guerrero wrote the following about why she is auctioning off the Eddie Guerrero Tribute SUV on Ebay: "I'm selling truck because I'm working on another car project."
Devin Cutting sent this item. ... WWE returns to the Kay Yeager Coliseum in Witchita Falls, Texas on January 15th, 2011 at 7:30 PM. Tickets go on sale December 4th, 2010 at 10 AM.
AllVoices.com has an interview with MVP at this link.
STEVE AUSTIN COMMENTS ON A WWE RETURN, GETTING RESPECT FROM BRET HART, THE LEGACY OF EDDIE GUERRERO AND MORE
by MondayNightMayhem.com @ 10:44 AM on 11/19/2010
WWE Hall of Famer & former WWE Champion "Stone Cold" Steve Austin was one of the featured guests on this week's live edition (11/15/10) of the award-winning Monday Night Mayhem. You can feel the "MNM Fall Tour '10" every Monday evening (at 7PM ET/6PM CT), exclusively on The Monday Night Mayhem Radio Network (www.MondayNightMayhem.com, www.AudioWrestling.com, www.Hybrident.tv, www.iTunes.com, www.Facebook.com/MondayNightMayhem, www.Twitter.com/FeelTheMayhem, & www.MySpace.com/MondayNightMayhem).
"The Texas Rattlesnake" joined The Big Mosh & "The Chairman of the Board" Todd Vincent for his highly anticipated return to "Your Home of Wrestling Radio" (for the first time since MNM's WrestleMania XXVI Countdown Special) to preview the release of his new film "Hunt To Kill," which is now available in Windows Streaming Media or via the official MNM Podcast on iTunes:
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin/Monday Night Mayhem Interview (MNM Streaming Audio): www.mondaynightmayhemarchives.com/waxfiles/111510.wax
"Stone Cold" Steve Austin/Monday Night Mayhem Interview (MNM Podcast on iTunes): www.mondaynightmayhemarchives.com/nov10/111510.mp3
Interview highlights courtesy of The Mayhem's official correspondent, Paterson from New Jersey:
How he was approached to appear in Hunt to Kill & how certain aspects of the film mirror what he has gone through in his personal life: "We were doing an outdoor scene for another movie, and we were looking around. It was a rainforest similar to one we shot 'Hunt to Kill' in, and my manager says 'Hey man, this could be your next movie. We'll call it 'Hunt to Kill,' and we just came up with the title right there. We hired a writer to write it. Obviously, it was tailored to me. I grew up hunting, fishing, riding ATV's, shooting bows and all the weapons, and it's just what I do. So we wrote the story around me. I am in my element. As far as my relationship with my daughter in the movie, I'm trying raise her as a single father, and she really doesn't know me, and I really don't know her. From my 15 years on the road, I've kind of been in a similar situation with my two daughters. Sometimes I've been gone for too long, so I kind of drew from that, and that was one of things enjoyed about the movie."
His commitment to movies since making the transition from World Wrestling Entertainment: "I'm having fun, and I'm getting a chance to be more selective with the material. Sometimes when you're just looking for a start, you're just looking for any kind of vehicle to jump in. Now I can be picky and choosy about what I jump in and have more control over what I do. Back in the day when I jumped in that business I was greener than the grass, and it was a lot of work and dedication. I turned into a hell of an in-ring performer and sold a lot of tickets. My goal in anything I've ever done, from my athletic background in high school trying to be the best athlete that I can be, you've got to apply yourself. I don't care what you're doing, if you're going to do something, you want to be the absolute best that you can be. With that being said, I'm not trying to be Daniel Day Lewis or Marlon Brando, but I'm damn sure trying to be the best actor that I can be and find the combination of what works for me as far as success in the movie industry."
What is was like being "handpicked" by Bret "The Hitman" Hart for his comeback match at the 1996 Survivor Series at Madison Square Garden & why the build-up and the match itself ranks so highly on his personal list of his favorite matches of all-time: "That's probably my #3 favorite match of all-time, behind WrestleMania 13 with Bret Hart and X-Seven with The Rock, which was absolutely tremendous. That Survivor Series match and the promos leading up to it, I was basically handpicked by Bret for him to make his comeback after some kind of treatment on his knee. He was making his comeback. I was starting to gather a lot of momentum as 'Stone Cold,' but still in the heel vain. It was an old-school wrestling match. I watched that match probably three months ago doing cardio in my garage. The ring was mic'd different. Madison Square Garden has that aurora, that feeling about it, and that atmosphere. That was a bad-ass match, and I think very highly of that match, and it was just that, a wrestling match."
What he remembers the most about working with/being around Eddie Guerrero & what he feels Guerrero's legacy will be in the business: "I was always in awe of everything that Eddie did. I could watch a match with a normal wrestling fan, and because I've been in the business so long and because what I lived, and breathed, and understand about the business, I could look at the little things that Eddie did, and just some of his body language, and the charisma he had in the ring. I'm a huge Stevie Ray Vaughn fan, and when you watch and listen to Vaughn play the guitar, he is that instrument, and it plays through his heart. He's just endless and flowless. He never stops creating, and to me, that's what Eddie Guerrero was in the ring. He just never stopped, and everything came so natural to him. When he was in a ring, it seemed like that was when he was at his happiest. He was a true bad-ass hand in the ring and a superstar. I've got a ton of respect for Eddie Guerrero, and he is on my list of all-time most gifted and talented workers that ever got in the ring."
After the rumors have been swirling for the past several weeks of Steve returning to the WWE for a comeback/final match, along with him potentially guest starring on a forthcoming edition of Monday Night RAW, what does this message & demand by the fans tell Steve: "First of all, I heard the rumors that I was going to be in New York, but I know nothing of it, because I plan on being deer hunting at my ranch in South Texas. I will say this: I'm proud of my wrestling career. Wrestling is what I wanted to do with my life. I love the industry back then, and I still do today. Above and beyond that, I love my wrestling fans, and I broke and busted my ass to put on a good product that they could enjoy, and that's what I enjoyed doing. My style was what I lived, and thrived, and loved doing. If it wasn't for my wrestling background, I wouldn't be where I am today and had the opportunities that I've had. Those are rumors. I can't say that it's true, because like I said, I'm going to go make a movie, go deer hunting, and then go make another movie. I wish I had some kind of answers to that. I think people want to see real hardcore entertainment and stop the sugar coating. I'm not saying I'm the only one that can do it, because there are a lot of guys that can do it, but it doesn't need to be so candy coated."
More is contained in "Stone Cold" Steve Austin's return to The Monday Night Mayhem Radio Network, including his candid thoughts & comments on who inspired his "Stone Cold" promos the most, why he would abolish scripted promos (if a return to the business presented itself), what he has learned in the world of acting over the past several years from both Sylvester Stallone and Eric Roberts, other genres of the movie industry we could see him in besides action films, a sneak preview of his newest picture ("Hangar 14"), where he would like to see himself in Hollywood five years from now, plus so much more! Follow the travels of "The Texas Rattlesnake" on Twitter (at www.Twitter.com/SteveAustinBSR). And remember: Your chance to win a copy of "Hunt to Kill" on DVD comes by listening to this week's all-new edition of Monday Night Mayhem and by following "Your Home of Wrestling Radio" on Twitter (at www.Twitter.com/FeelTheMayhem).
DWAYNE JOHNSON'S NEW FILM TO PREMIERE MONDAY
by Mike Johnson @ 9:18 AM on 11/21/2010
Dwayne Johnson's new film "Faster" will have its Premiere tomorrow at Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood tomorrow night. The film is a return to a harder-edged story after a number of family friendly films by the former WWF champion. Johnson plays Driver, an ex con who will stop at nothing to avenge his brother's death.
Mike: It was funny how many emails I received asking if Johnson would be at Survivor Series in Miami until I wrote about the premiere tonight.
Next up for Johnson is a major role in the fifth "Fast & Furious" film, where he'll square off with Vin Diesel, followed by a lead role in "Journey2 3d", a sequel to the Brendan Frasier "Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D".
Devin Cutting sent the following:
The November 20th, 2010 edition of WWE Vintage Collection featured these matches:
*Marty Jannetty, Barry Horowitz, Bob Holly & Hakushi vs. Rad Radford, Tom Prichard, Skip & The 1-2-3 Kid from Survivor Series 1995
*The New Age Outlaws vs. The Headbangers vs. Mark Henry & D-Lo Brown from Survivor Series 1998
*The Undertaker vs. Yokozuna from Survivor Series 1994
Tammy "Sunny" Sytch will be appearing tomorrow at 7 p.m. at The Dawg House Bar & Grill at the Mardi Gras Casino in Hallandale Beach as they screen the Survivor Series PPV.
The Hartford Courant featured a photo gallery on the WWE Fan Appreciation Day event in Connecticut earlier this month at this link.
Devin Cutting sent the following....Johnny Fabulous (AKA John Cena Sr.) will be appearing at the Whaling City Wrestling event in Fairhaven, Massachusetts on Friday, December 10th, 2010.
TNA
TNA FINAL RESOLUTION 2010 PPV ANNOUNCED, FINDING HULK HOGAN THOUGHTS, TNA SAYS GOODBYE TO THE ASYLUM AND MORE TNA NEWS
by Mike Johnson @ 10:38 AM on 11/19/2010
The main event of the 12/5 TNA Final Resolution PPV in Orlando, Florida will feature TNA champion Jeff Hardy vs. Matt Morgan. For details on the VIP weekend package, which if you are going to any TNA PPV, I highly suggest, visit www.shoptna.com.
The "Finding Hulk Hogan" A&E special will have a number of replays in the next few days and is worth going out of your way to see just based on the production levels. The editing on this thing was incredible and Bischoff-Hervey outdid themselves here. If you have followed Hogan's career closely over the last few years, you likely won't learn anything new and some of the presentation of facts might upset you, but it was Hogan's side of that story, so you can't begrudge them for setting out to show how he's been broken down and is rebuilding his life. The entire point of view was to create a sympathy for Hogan with the viewers and they accomplished that goal. TNA President Dixie Carter is interviewed and comes across as someone who wants to help Hogan close his legacy on his terms, not on the terms of all his outside turmoil. They tried to paint TNA as something that needs work to get to the next level, although the reality is that the company a year later, TNA still needs that work and the Hogan blueprint wasn't the intangible "it" they are still looking for.
Dave: I can begrudge Hogan's side of the facts. He said that Linda left him after he and Nick got into a thing, or something like that. Jeez, that is weak even for Hogan. I just have trouble believing anything that Hogan says because he has gilded the lily so many times in the past. You never know where the truth ends and Hogan's version of it starts. My favorite line was when he said his doctor said that if he keeps going he will need three surgeries including one "he wouldn't live through". Uh Hulk, what friggin' doctor would give anyone a surgery that he knows that they wouldn't live through. It's why I can't believe a word he says. Mike says go out of your way to see it. I say only do that if seeing the truth isn't important to you. With that said, it was well put together.
Mike: I said go out of your way to see it for the production level. Whoever edited this thing together created a hell of a piece of propaganda. Even if I don't agree with the stuff Hogan said, I can appreciate the craftmanship they put into this.
ShopTNA has released a new Rob Van Dam t-shirt, one of the better looking TNA shirts of late, as well. Their Black Friday sale, with up to 80% off, is still ongoing.
TNA has released a double DVD set of the 2010 No Surrender and Victory Road PPV events.
TNA posted a video of their return to Nashville, TN in what will likely be the final wrestling event held at the Nashville Fairgrounds. I am quite sad about hearing the venue will be ripped apart as it was one of the first venues specifically built for pro wrestling and when you think about the history of TNA, it's probably the most important venue the company ever ran. There's a lot of emotion and close calls when it came to the health of TNA that played out in that building during the era of the weekly Wednesday night PPVs. Without that venue, TNA wouldn't have lasted, something that might be lost on those who weren't there during the era where the Jarretts were the only owners and Jill Jarrett spent time painting the venue to make it presentable for PPV. It's as important to TNA as the ECW Arena was to ECW -perhaps moreso - so I'm glad they had a chance to "bid farewell". Hopefully, this eventually makes it's way to DVD.
Dave: It's a shame that place is going down. It has a ton of history.
Mike: There are some trying to save it but my gut is that in the end, we'll see it meet its maker. Truly a shame.
TNA RUNNING MIDDLE EAST NEXT WEEKEND
by Mike Johnson @ 9:51 AM on 11/20/2010
TNA will be running a trio of shows in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates next weekend. I am told that the company's troupe will be leaving next Friday. I haven't confirmed what talents are going over yet, but have confirmed the events, which surprisingly have flown under the surface, so to speak, thus far.
Dave: Very cool for TNA.
Mike: I am told they are sold shows, which is why we haven't heard much about them. It was on the local promoters to promote them in that market.
MICK FOLEY CAMPAIGNING TO HELP RAPE VICTIMS, PAROLE TURNED DOWN FOR MAN WHO MURDERED KURT ANGLE'S MENTOR AND MORE
by Mike Johnson @ 2:16 PM on 11/19/2010
Mick Foley was in Washington, DC earlier this week campaigning for the Sexual Assault Forensic Evidence Registry (SAFER) Act to be pushed through legislation. The act would "locate $10 million a year for a national registry to chronicle the backlog in DNA testing on rape kits and allow local law enforcement to audit their backlogs, " according to TalkingPointsMemo.com, which interviewed Foley about the cause. You can read their piece by clicking here. I can't say enough how impressed I am by the amount of charity work Foley does at this point in his life. If ever there was someone that should be pointed to as an inspirational figure during a cynical time, it's Foley.
Dave: I am with Mike here. Foley deserves huge props for this.
The United States Court of Appeals refused to allow millionaire John DuPont's attempts at overturning his murder conviction for shooting Kurt Angle's mentor Dave Shultz on DuPont's compound in 1995. TNA star Kurt Angle had been training at the du Pont facility at the time of the murder and wrote in great detail about his experiences there in his 2001 WWF autobiography "It's True! It's True!" Angle immediately departed du Pont's facility after the murder and became the first member of the Dave Schultz Wrestling Camp, which sponsored his Olympic bid. After winning his gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta, Georgia Olympics, Angle dedicated the win to Schultz. In his autobiography, Angle noted Schultz had been his mentor since his sophomore year of college all the way through to his death. You can read more about the Court of Appeals' decision at this link.
Steven Fernandes reporting. ... Ric Flair will be appearing at the Pantages Playhouse in Winnipeg on December 16th as a speaker for 'Icons Uncensored'.
TNA IMPACT AND REACTION RATINGS
by Dave Scherer @ 6:30 PM on 11/19/2010
The 11/18 edition of Impact did a 1.07 rating with 1,377,000 viewers.
The 11/18 edition of Reaction did a 0.59 rating with 705,000 viewers.
INJURY UPDATES ON KEN ANDERSON AND DESMOND WOLFE, TAZ IS UNHAPPY
by Mike Johnson @ 5:00 PM on 11/21/2010
The word making the rounds is that Ken Anderson isn't expected to return to the ring at all before the end of the year, although he's feeling better and may be doing some angles and on screen appearances before then.
Craig Brown sent word that TNA's Dixie Carter wrote the following on twitter: "Just spoke to Desmond. Expect London Brawling to be back on iMPACT! soon."
Wolfe had been advertised for the 2011 British tour in recent weeks.
Mike: Really happy to hear he's on his way back and I hope whatever the health issue is, it's permanently taken care of. He's a world class talent and a hell of a nice guy.
Craig also sent word that Taz wrote the following on Twitter today and it sure sounds like he's unhappy, although he didn't make exactly what has upset him clear, beyond the fact that it was financial:
"To my supporters, Sorry i havent been on here for a few days. Something PISSED me off last week- so i have nothing nice to say, still mad."
"My anger has to do with $$. Thats all I can say right now. Enjoy the NFL today, take care all."
TAZ RESPONDS TO INTERNET PICKING UP EARLIER COMMENTS
by Mike Johnson @ 6:00 PM on 11/21/2010
TNA star Taz went on a tear on twitter this evening after his comments from earlier today were published online, including on PWInsider.com. To review, his earlier comments (sent to us by reader Craig Brown) were as follows:
"To my supporters, Sorry i havent been on here for a few days. Something PISSED me off last week- so i have nothing nice to say, still mad."
"My anger has to do with $$. Thats all I can say right now. Enjoy the NFL today, take care all."
After word of the comments made their way around on the Internet, Taz returned to Twitter and commented:
"My sons football team lost their championship game today in OT...THATS what Taz is unhappy about! So if I post, "thats it, Im really pissed!"- than the wrestling internet should post (ASSUME) that its work related? Friggin sh** stirrers. I guess I have nothing else in my life except my career w/TNA? I really could care less. Just mk sure u watch TNA on Spike every Thurs 9p est! Did I NOT say here 3 days ago that Im working on something that hasnt been done in the biz before?!? But they dont report THAT! Why?"
One has to take into account that Taz, a public figure, made the comments on his twitter, a social media outlet available to anyone who wishes to read the comments. When he (or anyone) decides to make cryptic comments, obviously, anyone who reads them are going to try and figure out what he is referring to. Not only is that human nature, but when you are putting something out there for public consumption, you can't be shocked that the public responds to it.
As far as his comments about "sh** stirrers", I don't know what was reported elsewhere, but we made it clear when we ran the comments earlier that Taz "didn't make exactly what has upset him clear, beyond the fact that it was financial," so I don't believe he meant PWInsider.com, as some readers wrote us asking.
Finally, in regard to Taz's comments three days ago about "working on something that hasn't been done in the wrestling business before" and complaining that the Internet didn't report that, well, PWInsider.com did JUST that on Friday, when I wrote the following:
This should be interesting. Taz commented on Twitter yesterday that he was, "Working on something that hasnt really ever been done in wrestling biz before. Some of u could benefit from it...Im 60% there. Stay tuned." He also noted he doesn't like to tease things online like others, but admitted he was now guilty of it.
So, there are indeed websites that treat those they are writing about fairly out there.
Taz also posted the following a few minutes ago.
"I will say, i regret & was wrong to tweet I had a $ thing I was pissed about. I shouldnt have done that."
Dave: It's true, if you put cryptic things out there on Twitter, people will try and guess what it is you are trying to say.
Mike: My guess is he must have been having a bad day because Taz has always come off really smart in how he presents himself and it seemed out of character for him to just vent about anything in that manner.
ROH, DGUSA AND OTHER NEWS
MICHINOKU PRO WRESTLING ANNOUNCES GRAN NANIWA HAS PASSED AWAY
by Mike Johnson @ 9:41 AM on 11/21/2010
Michinoku Pro Wrestling disclosed on their website last night that Gran Naniwa, a star for the promotion during its heyday in the 1990s, passed away on 10/6 from a heart attack at the age of 34.
Naniwa was a regular babyface for Michinoku Pro, known as Northeastern Wrestling in Japan, wearing a crab-like mask and mannerisms to define his persona. He later went on to work for All Japan Pro Wrestling. He competed in the 1995 Super J Cup, losing to Jushin Liger.
During his time in Michinoku, Naniwa traveled to the United States to work a series of six man tags building to an appearance at the debut ECW PPV, Barely Legal. Naniwa suffered an arm injury and missed the PPV, replaced by Masato Yakashiji. Naniwa later returned to ECW in 1998, facing Gran Hamada at the 1998 House Party event in Philadelphia.
Dave: This is a bummer. Michinoku Pro was always one of my favorites and the crab man will be missed.
Mike: The amazing thing is that it was kept so quiet for so long. Talk about respecting the family. To me, it showed me how far we've fallen in that TMZ-era of journalism. I discussed this on the Post-Game Show but Michinoku was a company that I loved and when they came into ECW in the late 1990s, I was so happy. I am really sad to hear of Naniwa's passing as he was a hell of a wrestler and that was an hell of an era.
LUCHA LIBRE USA STAR CHRIS 'SOLID' LONG KILLED IN SHOOTING LAST NIGHT
by Mike Johnson @ 11:27 AM on 11/21/2010
I am deeply saddened to report the passing of Chris Long, a Georgia-area independent wrestler who worked regularly as Solid, a comedic sidekick to Marco Corleone in the MTV2 Lucha Libre USA series.
Long was shot and killed last night at a Doraville, Georgia strip club where he worked as a bouncer. The story making the rounds is that Long was bouncing at a club, Shooter Alley, where he and several other bouncers were involved in an altercation, removing three patrons.
Long wrote on his twitter, "Three a**holes just jobbed out to the bouncers."
Sometime later, around 5:30 AM, it is believed those thrown out of the club returned, shots were fired and Long was killed. We are still waiting on further details but have confirmed Long's death
Our deepest condolences go out to Long's family and friends during this awful time.
Mike: This is absolutely horrible. When I heard this morning that he left behind two children, my heart broke. I really hope they find those responsible and give them what they deserve. There was no call for this.
EDDIE EDWARDS INJURY UPDATE
by Mike Johnson @ 10:45 AM on 11/20/2010
The latest on ROH TV champion Eddie Edwards' shoulder separation is that he is only expected to miss a few weeks. The early estimate is that he'll return to the ring at the ROH TV tapings in Louisville, Kentucky next month, but that is not 100% set.
Dave: That is good to hear.
Mike: Yeah, that could have been a terrible blow.
YOUR CHANCE TO RELIVE THE CM PUNK VS. SAMOA JOE FEUD, NEW TALENT AND MATCHES ANNOUNCED FOR ROH ON HDNET IN LOUISVILLE, EDDIE EDWARDS UPDATE AND MUCH MORE
by Mike Johnson @ 2:01 PM on 11/19/2010
Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin vs. The All Night Express has been added to the 12/10 ROH on HDNet taping in Louisville, Kentucky. Colt Cabana vs. Roderick Strong has been added to 12.9 in Louisville. Homicide has been added to those tapings as well.
Delirious, Chris Hero and Claudi Castagnoli are touring with Pro Wrestling NOAH this week.
Mike: Delirious has quietly pulled himself off the ROH shows as booker but is still working elsewhere. Smart move.
Eddie Edwards pulled himself off several bookings this weekend to allow his separated shoulder some rest.
The 12/15 Allied Forces event in Dayton, Ohio will feature a bonus DVD of all three CM Punk vs. Samoa Joe matches when that show is put on DVD. That Joe vs. Punk series, especially the first 60 minute match in Dayton, really saved the company in a lot of ways. You can pre-order the DVD now at www.rohwrestling.com.
Dave: Awesome stuff for those that haven't seen those matches.
Mike: The first match saved ROH. It was held in the post-Rob Feinstein gets caught going to meet an alleged 14 year old boy on camera era and there was a lot of anger and sadness about the company and whether it could weather the storm. Punk and Joe put on a classic legitimate 60 minute bout and took all the attention and put it right back in the center of the ring. They literally made a statement that they, not the owners, were what made ROH what it was.
Ring of Honor announced the following:
Ring of Honor on HDNet Vol. 4? is now in stock and available exclusively in the ROH Online Shop. This volumes features the final two HDNet matches of Bryan Danielson as part of The Final Countdown Tour from September 2009. First Danielson teams with Roderick Strong against The American Wolves, then in his final appearance goes one-on-one with Strong. The complete list of matches on this DVD include:
1. Jay and Mark Briscoe vs. The Young Bucks- Episode 32
2. Nigel McGuinness vs. Colt Cabana- Episode 32
3. Non Title: The American Wolves vs. Bryan Danielson and Roderick Strong- Episode 33
4. Bryan Danielson vs. Roderick Strong- Episode 34
5. Non Title: The American Wolves vs. The Young Bucks- Episode 35
6. Dark City Fight Club vs. Jay and Mark Briscoe- Episode 36
7. Non Title: Austin Aries vs. Colt Cabana- Episode 36
8. Jay and Mark Brisoce vs. Kevin Steen and El Generico- Episode 37
9. ROH World Title Match- Austin Aries vs. Davey Richards vs. Kenny Omega vs. Roderick Strong- Episode 37
DVD Bonus:
-Tyler Black and Jerry Lynn vs. Kenny King and Rhett Titus- Episode 27
-Sonjay Dutt vs. Delirious- Episode 28
FORMER WWF AND ECW STAR MATT 'SPIKE DUDLEY' HYSON RETIRES; FINAL SHOW COVERED BY PROVIDENCE CHANNEL 12 LOCALLY
by Mike Johnson @ 11:15 PM on 11/20/2010
On 11/12, former WWF, ECW and TNA talent Matt Hyson, best known under the ring name Little Spike Dudley, officially retired from professional wrestling during an Fall River, MA event promoted by Top Rope Promotions, where Hyson had been an integral part of the promotion in recent years.
Hyson was a two time ECW World Tag Team champion with Balls Mahoney and in the WWF, held the Cruiserweight, The Hardcore, The European and the Tag Team championship with Tazz. Renowned for his incredible ability to take punishment, Hyson was always an extremely underrated, hard working performer and probably was one of the most well liked individuals in every locker room he worked in.
Dave: Spike was always a good guy. I wish him all the best in his life going forward.
Mike: Amen, no ego and a hard working guy. I could never understand how someone with his small size could absorb the punishment he took and I only hope he's feeling OK as he gets older. He's a bright guy and can do anything with his life.
FULL DETAILS ON DRAGON GATE USA'S NEW YORK CITY DEBUT IN TIMES SQUARE
by Mike Johnson @ 9:02 AM on 11/22/2010
Dragon Gate USA will announce today that they will debut on Friday 1/28 in New York City at B.B. Kings, PWInsider.com has confirmed. The DGUSA will be the first time that venue, which is one block from Times Square, has ever housed professional wrestling. The concert venue has hosted boxing events in the past.
That show will be the first of three events held over that weekend, with a PPV taping at the promotion's Philadelphia return scheduled for Saturday 1/29 and a matinee event set for Union City, NJ at the ACE Arena on Sunday 1/30.
In other DGUSA news, the promotion will launch a Black Friday sale today at www.dgusa.tv.
Mike: DGUSA has been sort of cursed with venues that were a little out of the way in recent months, outside of the ECW Arena, but this is friggin' awesome. The venue is one block from the NYC Port Authority and a one or two block walk from EVERY major NYC subway line. There is no way that people would have a problem finding the venue, as it's famous and well known and literally, in the middle of Times Square. I just hope the company can draw because the last few shows have been quite the challenge for them to get people in the doors. I really hope this works out for them.
DRAGON GATE USA UPRISING DVD REVIEW: MASATO YOSHINO CHALLENGES BXB HULK FOR THE OPEN THE FREEDOM GATE TITLE, THE JIMMY JACOBS-JON MOXLEY WAR CONTINUES, CHIKARA SEKIGUN'S ISSUE WITH KAMIKAZE USA REACHES THE BREAKING POINT, BRODIE LEE MAKES A STATEMENT, AND MORE TAG TEAM WRESTLING AS ONLY DRAGON GATE CAN DO IT
by Stuart Carapola @ 9:00 AM on 11/22/2010
Dragon Gate USA finishes up its first swing through our neighbor to the north, Canada, with the Uprising PPV. Masato Yoshino, fresh off defeating his longtime rival Dragon Kid in their "last match" in DGUSA, will step up to the plate and challenge BxB Hulk for the Open The Freedom Gate Title.
Uprising: 5/8/2010 in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
The show opens with a Johnny Gargano promo, and he talks about how all the Japanese stables want American representatives and then puts himself over as DGUSA's hottest free agent. He says he's going to sit back and enjoy the show before deciding which faction he wants to join.
The opening match saw Masaaki Mochizuki take on Akira Tozawa in a match that is notable for featuring both the oldest and youngest wrestlers on the Dragon Gate roster. Mochizuki is kind of like the Fit Finlay of the Dragon Gate roster, he's a grizzled older veteran who is stiff as hell and always has great matches. Fortunately, he does not have a midget accompanying him to the ring. He does, however, have a lot of really nasty kicks which he uses to beat up poor Tozawa. Tozawa gets some token offense in, including a really nice bridging German Suplex, but in the end Mochizuki litteraly just gives him a high kick to the head to knock him out and pin him.
We go backstage to Lenny Leonard and Chikarson as they run down the top matches on tonight's event, and then we're off to the second match as Gran Akuma of Kamikaze USA faces Tyson Dux. As I pointed out in my Open The Northern Gate review, Dux is local to the Toronto area and has been in the business a lot longer than you'd guess just looking at him. He's in great shape and is a terrific wrestler, and I really think he'd do well for himself if he got a shot in either DGUSA or ROH as a regular. Akuma, on the other hand, I see definite potential in as a badass, but he just doesn't have that killer instinct I think he needs to really put himself over the top. He comes out looking like a badass karate dude, but all his strikes look really soft, and a lot of times he goes beyond being methodical and gets to the point of moving as slow as molasses. I would really like to see him just come out and viciously destroy somebody one day, I think that would do more for him than being Kamikaze USA's henchman, quite frankly. In any event, Akuma and Dux have a rollup exchange and Akuma uses a handful of tights on a schoolboy to get the win.
Next up is a No DQ Match pitting Jimmy Jacobs against Jon Moxley, the next step in what started out as a Jacobs-Brian Kendrick feud with Moxley joining up with Kendrick after the title tournament, but once Jacobs bounced Kendrick from the company, Moxley was left on his own and wanted to get revenge on Jacobs for his friend while also getting the chance to enjoy beating up Jacobs for himself. They did lay a beating on each other here, but didn't get too out of control since they were building to more brutal matches down the line (including the awesome I Quit Match at the iPPV last month), but this match told a great story where Moxley took advantage of the No DQ stipulation as any good heel would: by having his goons Gran Akuma and Akira Tozawa run in and beat Jacobs down, allowing him to get an easy win. BxB Hulk ran out and made the save and again offered Jacobs a World-1 shirt in hopes that he would join the group, but Jacobs blew him off and walked out again. Another good storyline element: Jacobs had spent years relying on various people: BJ Whitmer, Brent Albright, Age Of The Fall, but now he wants to prove that he's good enough to do it on his own and will refuse any help offered to him.
The next bout saw Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw of CHIKARA Sekigun face off with Naruki Doi & PAC, representing World-1. Total Lucha match and I think we all know by now how I feel about those kinds of matches. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the athletics and they do pull off some cool moves, but it's impossible to build heat when someone can just come in at any time without needing to tag, and you have guys putting themselves into contrived spots to take moves, or the referee randomely stopping counting because someone's slow hitting some fancy move to break a fall. Doi and PAC go over after Doi hits the Doi Fives and the Wacky Guitar sliding kick on Jigsaw for the win. After the match, Mike Quackenbush calls out YAMATO and challenges him to settle the feud once and for all, but while he's busy paying attention to YAMATO, Akira Tozawa and Gran Akuma come in out of the crowd and attack the CHIKARA guys and hold both of them so YAMATO can kick them in the Johnson. I liked the setup for the blowoff match at the First Anniversary Show, but hated the rest.
Before our next match, we head out to the parking garage where he's calling Moxley out and telling him to fight him without his Kamikaze USA goons, because he doesn't need anybody backing him up.
We head back into the building, where Lenny Leonard tells the fans that they held a seminar earlier tonight, and two guys made such an impression that DGUSA wanted to give them an opportunity and let them open up the second half. Those two men are Rip Impact and Johnny Wave, and they're going to get their big opportunity RIGHT NO....oh wait, no they won't. Brodie Lee comes running out before the match and destroys both of them, then grabs a microphone and informs Dragon Gate USA that he's only going to say this once: he's the biggest, baddest guy in the locker room and he'll take on anyone. Nobody comes out of the locker room, so I guess Brodie's going to have to wait until another day. Great stuff, and don't feel too bad for the tryout guys, I know at least Rip Impact got more matches on Bonus Cards later on, so it's not like he just came out, got killed, and was done.
We go to Mike Quackenbush and Jigsaw back in the men's room (which I guess would be the ideal place to examine the damage YAMATO caused after their match), and they're understandably upset at what went down yet again. Quack says now they know the rules, and it's time to end this.
Time for some of that awesome Dragon Gate tag team action, as YAMATO & Shingo (Kamikaze USA) take on CIMA & Dragon Kid (Warriors). I gotta be honest, I can sit here watching Dragon Gate tag matches all day because it's really on a level all of its own. In this case, there's an added element of underlying heat since Shingo turned on Dragon Kid to join YAMATO and form Kamikaze USA, and after another fast paced, hard hitting tag match, it came down to those two guys for the last several minutes. Shingo hit his version of the Here It Is Driver and Dragon Kid kicked out but was visibly hurt, and Shingo kept up the attack with more stiff shots and finally finished Dragon Kid with a wrist clutch version of the Death Valley Driver off the top rope that made for a great visual and a dramatic finish. Now Kamikaze USA has all the momentum going into their match with CHIKARA Sekigun at the Annversary Show.
Backstage, Johnny Gargano is bouncing off the walls with excitement over the match we just saw, but says there's still the main event before he can make his decision about which group he'll offer his services to.
Speaking of said main event, it's up now as BxB Hulk defends the Open The Freedom Gate Title against his World-1 partner Masato Yoshino. BxB Hulk's dance performance during his entrance is a big part of his character, but I also think it's great because it gives me plenty of time to finish typing up what happened in the last segment. Hulk's Hulkette for tonight's performance appears to be Jade Chung, though I can't say for sure because I haven't seen her in years and I'm woefully behind in my PWG DVDs. This title shot has been a long time coming for Yoshino, who opened up with two straight losses to Dragon Kid on the first two DGUSA events, but has come back and been undefeated since, scoring several impressive wins up to and including the night before when he finally won the feud with Dragon Kid by beating him in a two out of three falls match. The only thing left to cap off Yoshino's year now is the OTFG Title, and he's going to have to go through his partner to do it. Really solid match where instead of going all out right from the beginning, they slowly built to a crescendo at the end where they started breaking out all the big stuff. At the end it was Hulk dominating his partner but Yoshino kept catching him with quick rollups and other impact moves, but couldn't put Hulk away, and finally Hulk got the win after hitting an EVO off the top rope. Almost the moment the bell rang, Jon Moxley came out and informed Hulk that he was in Kamikaze USA's crosshairs and they were gunning for his title, but Hulk wasn't going to know when or where it was coming. On cue, Shingo and YAMATO jumped in the ring and attacked Hulk and Yoshino, which led to Jimmy Jacobs running out, but instead of helping Hulk he went right after Moxley and the two of them brawled to the back. The other members of Kamikaze USA and Warriors came out and it turned into a huge brawl with CIMA and Dragon Kid left standing in the end. CIMA got a microphone and thanked the fans in Canada for coming to the show, and promised that Dragon Gate USA would return to Toronto in the future.
Good show overall, though I thought that Open The Northern Gate was the better overall event this show had some great stuff too in the final two matches. I also really liked how Kamikaze USA were literally making their presence felt all over the show, clearly setting themselves up as the top heel faction in the company and locking themselves into multiple top storylines with CHIKARA Sekigun, Jimmy Jacobs, and BxB Hulk and the Open The Freedom Gate Title.
But now it's time to move on to the ever-popular Bonus Disc!
Bonus Disc
We start out with the obligatory PPV promo package and also highlight video of the show, and I like what they do at the end of the PPV promo video where they say "we're going to stop telling you how awesome Dragon Gate USA is and just show you" and then play a video of a Yoshino-Dragon Kid match from Untouchable. However, after watching the highlight video, it occurred to me that they probably shouldn't show slow motion replays of guys doing crazy flippy moves that barely graze the opponent. Not naming names since PAC is a nice guy and I don't want to single him out, but it looks really fake.
We move on to one of my favorite DGUSA matches (and one I wish would eventually appear on the main show with at least midcarders) is the FRAY! match, which is basically eight guys entering Royal Rumble style and being eliminated by pinfall or submission until there's one man left standing. While these matches can be a bit spotty at times, they're a lot of fun to watch and, historically, winners of FRAY! matches have a pretty good shot at getting on a main DGUSA show in the future. Tonight's contestants include Kyle O'Reilly, Anthony Fiasco, Xtremo, Brodie Lee, Cheech & Cloudy, Brent B, and Phil Atlas, and the thing that really stood out to me is that DGUSA needs to start going easy on the guardrails. I love watching the dives, but twice during this match someone hit the same segment of guardrail and knocked it over into the fans in the front row, and the second time it seemed to land on some lady's leg and hurt her. I saw a lot of the same stuff at the show in Rahway last month, where the guardrail on one entire side of the ring buckled badly and nearly collapsed onto the fans altogether. I'm sure there's plenty of fans who sit front row hoping for stuff like that to happen, but there's also probably a lot of people who don't want to get hurt by attending a wrestling show. The dives are fine, but maybe it's time to tell some of the guys to dial it down a bit before someone gets hurt. It came down to Brodie Lee, Fiasco, and Cheech & Cloudy, and Brodie went through all of them one by one to win the match. Brodie was so impressive in this one that he actually ended up doing that run in later in the evening during the PPV, and is now a member of Warriors and, I would surmise, in line for a pretty healthy push in 2011.
Bonus match #2 comes from FIP's Fallout 2006 event, as Matt Sydal (aka Evan Bourne in WWE) takes on SHINGO of DP Associates. The story here was that Sydal wanted a shot at Bryan Danielson's FIP Title, but manager Dave Prazak said no way, and that if Sydal wanted a title shot he'd have to go through SHINGO. Solid match, and a bit different as FIP tends to have an in-ring style that's closer to an old school NWA territory than the all out, leave it all in the ring style you would see in ROH or Dragon Gate. SHINGO had several members of DP Associates interfering on his behalf liberally through the match, but eventually Cyber Kong's interference backfired and Sydal reversed a clothesline attempt into an inside cradle for the win.
We move on to Susumu Yokosuka taking on Austin Aries from WrestleJAM on 7/12/06 in Tokyo, and the release of this DVD actually worked out pretty well in terms of timing as Austin Aries was making his DGUSA and EVOLVE debuts right around the time of its release. Not sure if Gabe and Sal knew he was on his way out of ROH when they put this set together, but if they did, it's genius strategy and if they didn't, it's incredible luck! Yokosuka was the Open The Dream Gate Champion at the time, while Aries was one half of the ROH World Tag Team Champions and was the "old" Austin Aries, not A Double. Awesome match with a hot finish where Aries hit the brainbuster and 450 splash, but Yokosuka kicked out and then started killing Aries with a series of power moves before turning him inside out with three stiff clotheslines in a row to pick up the win.
We wrap it up with the finals of the Summer Adventure Tag League III tournament, taking place on 8/26/2009 in Tokyo. We saw two prior matches in the tournament on the Open The Northern Gate bonus disc, and for those unfamiliar with it, the tournament (and most tournaments in Japan) are run a little differently than what we get here. Instead of a bracketed, single elimination model where a guy is eliminated when he loses, this is a round robin tournament where everyone wrestles everyone and you get points for winning, and nothing for losing. Once everybody's wrestled everybody and the first round is over, the four teams with the highest point totals move on to the semifinals, and then the winners advance to the finals and wrestle each other for the championship. This is obviously not something that can be done in one night, and indeed these tournaments often span several weeks or months before we have a winner. Gabe Sapolsky tried doing something like it with the Field Of Honor in 2003, and while I thought it led to some good matches, a lot of people didn't have the patience to watch it play out since it literally stretched over the course of something like six months. It's too bad, because I think that it would have been more exciting if ROH ran more shows in 2003 so it could have moved a little quicker, but I guess it's a moot point now.
Anyway, our finalists are SHINGO & YAMATO facing off with Masaaki Mochizuki & Katsuhiko Nakajima, with the guarantee of new champions this year since the previous two winners, Naruki Doi & Masato Yoshino, had both been eliminated. On the Open The Northern Gate DVD review I did last week, there were so many awesome Dragon Gate tag matches between the main show and the bonus disc that I ran out of ways to describe how awesome they are, and this match beat all of those. In fact, I thought this was the best match on this entire DVD set. This match was just insane, there was no down time, no restholds, nothing, just nonstop action that kept building in intensity, and by the end they were just destroying each other with kicks and lariats. It was a really fun match to watch because Mochizuki and Nakajima have some of the best kicks in the business, and YAMATO & SHINGO aren't exectly known for being timid about laying in stiff shots themselves. Tons of near falls at the end but YAMATO finally caught Mochizuki in a choke and SHINGO blocked Nakajima from breaking it up by catching him in a triangle choke, and Mochizuki passed out, giving the tournament win to YAMATO & SHINGO. A Japanese girl came over and handed them a check for 2 million Yen (which probably exchanges to more US Dollars than it used to), and then Mochizuki grabbed a microphone after the match and said something I couldn't understand a word of, but it must have been real nice because everybody applauded. Then SHINGO & YAMATO said stuff and it must not have been as nice because they got into a scuffle with Nakajima, and almost started a fight with the six or seven guys who came out to break it up. They said more stuff that made the crowd laugh, and then Nakajima said something and left with Mochizuki. I have no idea what happened after the match there, but I can tell you that the match itself was awesome and easily the best thing on this DVD set.
* * *
With this show, the stage was set for the First Anniversary Show in Philadelphia: Masaaki Mochizuki had come in and steamrolled over everyone in his path and was now in line for a shot at BxB Hulk for the Open The Freedom Gate Title, and the Kamikaze USA-CHIKARA Sekigun war had come to a head and they were ready for one big tag match to blow off the feud. Masato Yoshino lost his shot at Hulk's title, but within weeks would defeat YAMATO in Japan to win the big one, the Open The Dream Gate Title, which had the double effect of making himself the top guy in the company and thrusting himself right into the thick of the Kamikaze USA-CHIKARA Sekigun feud. Of the two Canadian events, I liked the Open The Northern Gate show better in terms of the in-ring action, but this one did more with the storytelling and setting us up for the First Anniversary Show which, by a major stroke of luck and timing, would feature the newly-available free agent Bryan Danielson. Still, there was a lot of great action on here as all the matches on the bonus disc except Sydal-SHINGO were awesome, and the main show had two amazing main events and some great stuff on the undercard from Moxley & Jacobs as well as Mochizuki. Solid thumbs up for Uprising.
COMPLETE EVOLVE 6 RESULTS FROM NEW JERSEY: AUSTIN ARIES VS. CHUCK TAYLOR, JIMMY JACOBS, REBY SKY, JOHNNY GARGANO AND MORE
by Stuart Carapola @ 11:14 PM on 11/20/2010
EVOLVE returned to Union City, New Jersey.
*Silas Young defeated Drake Younger with a Dumpster Roll into a springboard moonsault to hand Younger his first loss. Younger was visibly frustrated as he made his exit.
*AR Fox defeated Tony Nees, Rich Swann and Scott Reed in a four way match. There was one really scary part when Fox went for some kind of shooting star move to the outside, but undershot and crashed hard on the floor. Fortunately he was okay and able to finish the match.
*Before the next match, "Larry" came out and took a seat at ringside with a couple of girls.
*Bobby Fish defeated Kyle O'Reilly in an incredibly stiff match that was more MMA fight than wrestling match, as they were killing each other with kicks and submissions. Fish cut a postmatch promo saying he knew he could do it and gives a shout out to his girls at home.
*Up In Smoke defeated the Super Smash Bros when Cloudy pinned Player Uno with Code Red, then cut a postmatch promo saying they're 4-0 and 2011 will be their year.
*Jon Moxley defeated Homicide under relaxed rules when he got Homicide in a crossface chicken wing and the ref stopped the match. Homicide was mad he lost and attacked the ref and then brutally assaulted Moxley. It had to be seen to be believed, Homicide tore Moxley up with a fork, a scalpel, and the ring bell and hammer, and Moxley refused to fight back and kept mocking Homicide for losing and telling him he was going to be suspended. The assault went on for at least ten minutes, basically until Homicide got tired of beating him up.
*After intermission, Larry Dallas announced he would now be sponsoring wrestlers, and introduced the new backstage interviewer (didn't recognize her) and also his first charge, Chuck Taylor.
*Ricochet defeated Adam Cole. Crowd was not into this match at all.
*Johnny Gargano pinned Jimmy Jacobs by reversing the Contra Code to a rollup for the clean win. Larry Dallas came in and introduced Gargano as his second wrestler. Jimmy told Larry he doesn't belong in wrestling, so Larry offered Reby Sky to Jimmy, but Jimmy expressed his reluctance to risk his health by being with her. She smacked him, so he spanked her.
Mike: I heard Sky's mic work was awesome. She's going to be a major, major star.
*In the main event, Austin Aries defeated Chuck Taylor with the Last Chancery. Taylor seemed to visibly dislocate his shoulder and had a lump sticking out for the rest of the match. Aries put Taylor over for his guts and told him he got an education tonight.
NEW NWA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS CROWNED
by Richard Trionfo @ 1:16 AM on 11/21/2010
On Saturday night at the Pro Wrestling Krush show in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, the Dark City Fight Club (Jon Davis and Kory Chavis) defeated the Skullkrushers (Rasche Brown and Keith Walker) to become the new NWA Tag Team Champions.
Brown and Walker held the titles since October 4, 2008.
Mike: Dark Fight are pretty good. Nice to see them get the nod.
CHYNA SPEAKS OUT ON RUMORS OF ANOTHER ADULT VIDEO
by Mike Johnson @ 8:48 AM on 11/20/2010
Former WWF Intercontinental champion Chyna took to twitter to shoot down rumors that she had allegedly recently filmed another adult film, commenting, "The porn rumors are 100% untrue. Media never takes the time to verify these reports before posting them no matter how damaging they are, sad. A lie can make it half way around the world before the truth ever got it's ass out of bed"
The odd thing about this is the only place I've heard the rumor is Chyna's denial.
For what it's worth, Vivid Entertainment, which was the alleged distributor, has also denied that there is any video.
Dave: As long as the world is not subjected to more of her boinking that is all that matters.
Mike: The sad thing is, there's probably someone out there disappointed.
Chyna and Sean Waltman both appeared in the infamous "One Night in Chyna" video. Waltman discussed the film in great depth, claiming it was her idea and once he had realized what he had done after drying out in rehab, he was extremely embarrassed. You can hear Waltman's entire account by checking out Kayfabe Commentaries' Youshoot with Waltman at www.KayFabeCommentaries.com.
Dave: Was he embarrassed that he did the video or that he boned her?
Mike: The video, although he admits that she's such a manipulative person that he dropped her off at a hospital years ago and ran the other way, never speaking to her again. I can't even imagine what that relationship was like.
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