Author Topic: Industry News & Notes: (Read 786505 times)

wolfgang187 · « **on:** January 25, 2009, 02:08:58 AM »

HHH Royal Rumble Plans Dropped, WWE HOF'er Flying To The Rumble
By Daniel Pena
Jan 24, 2009 - 7:37:13 PM

source: www.f4wonline.com

-- On SmackDown, they were doing a storyline where Vickie Guerrero was going to have Triple H enter the Royal Rumble match as the number one entrant, but the angle has been dropped. The Rumble match has been re-booked in recent days and his originally scheduled role and storyline in the match has changed.

-- WWE Hall of Famer "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. was on the plane to Detroit, Michigan this morning for tomorrow night's Royal Rumble event. No word yet if he'll be used on the show. Bob Orton, Jr. was dropped from his WWE contract on February 13, 2006.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #1 on:** January 25, 2009, 02:10:51 AM »

WWE Cancels Show Due To Low Ticket Sales, Great Khali Wins Award
By Daniel Pena
Jan 24, 2009 - 8:35:03 PM

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

-- The Smackdown brand house show scheduled for Wednesday, February 18 in Tijuana, Mexico has been canceled due to poor ticket sales. WWE's running a show on Thursday, February 19 in Leon, Mexico instead. Tickets for the event went on sale this past Thursday.

-- SmackDown Superstar The Great Khali's "Khali Kiss Kam" was named "Worst Gimmick" in the 29th annual Wrestling Observer Newsletter readership awards announced this past week. This is Khali's second Wrestling Observer Newsletter award as he was voted "Most Overrated" by the publication's readership last year. Here is the final voter tally:

1. KHALI KISS CAM 62
2. Whiny world champion Samoa Joe 59
3. Super Eric 52
4. G.M. Mike Adamle 25
5. Stone Cold Shark Boy 21
6. Cute Kip 19
7. Kung Fu Naki 15
8. Sheik Abdul Bashir 14
9. Charlie Haas 12
10. Bella Twins 11

-- Reportedly, Michelle Wilson, who recently quit her job as head of marketing for the U.S. Tennis Association, will be joining World Wrestling Entertainment to replace Geof Rochester as head of marketing. Rochester was among those laid off two weeks ago during the company's cost-cutting initiative. Wilson has previous ties with WWE as she was Vice President of marketing with the XFL. When the league folded, Wilson moved to the tennis group.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 25, 2009, 02:12:45 AM »

WWE Returning To MSG, Maryse Hospital Pics, Dos Caras, Jr. Update
By Daniel Pena
Jan 24, 2009 - 7:20:51 PM

sources: PWInsider.com, www.f4wonline.com

-- WWE will holding a Smackdown/ECW television taping on Tuesday, April 28, 2009 at "The World's Most Famous Arena," Madison Square Garden.

-- Lucha Libre star Dos Caras, Jr. said he is not going to WWE after all as he recently signed a four-year contract with CMLL. Reportedly, WWE officials wanted Caras to go to their developmental program and "learn to work" first. Caras said if that was the case, he wasn't going to WWE. For several months, Caras said he was going to debut at the Royal Rumble.

-- WWE Divas Champion Maryse made her much anticipated return on last night's SmackDown after dislocating her kneecap at a SmackDown live event in Raleigh, North Carolina late last month. She isn't quite ready to return to the ring yet, but she did join Tazz and Jim Ross at the announce table last night. The WWE site has posted recovery photos from her stay in the hospital, which you can see at the following link.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #3 on:** January 25, 2009, 02:14:06 AM »

No Way Out Spoiler, Big Star Appearing At WrestleMania?, Low Ki
By Daniel Pena
Jan 24, 2009 - 6:32:14 PM

sources: PWInsider.com, www.f4wonline.com

-- During last night's SmackDown in the Washington area, a local commercial aired promoting the 2/15 No Way Out pay-per-view at the KeyArena in Seattle. Like last year, the commercial said both the WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight Championship will be defended in the Elimination Chamber.

-- WWE (or rather, Vince McMahon) have done a complete turnaround on their stance regarding The Wrestler ever since lead actor Mickey Rourke won a Golden Globe and got an Oscar nomination for his role in the film. On last night's SmackDown, they ran a video promoting the movie, and on the company website they have another video regarding the film with Ric Flair, Lilian Garcia and Mark Henry offering their thoughts on it (you can see the video at this link). WWE changed their stance to ride the wave of success of the movie through WrestleMania in hopes of getting mainstream attention. Also, there has been internal talk of doing something with Rourke at WrestleMania.

-- You can see photos from Thursday's Florida Championship Wrestling television taping at the following link. The show featured a number of WWE stars including DJ Gabriel, Kizarny, DH Smith, Ricky Ortiz, Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes, Tiffany and Ryan Braddock. Kawal (Low-Ki) beat TJ Wilson in the main event of the show in what was said to be an excellent m

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #4 on:** January 25, 2009, 02:15:48 AM »

Randy Orton On ESPN.com, 2 More Rumble Participants, The Wrestler
By Michael Bluth
Jan 24, 2009 - 10:16:00 AM

-- ESPN.com has an interview up with Randy Orton. Orton goes in and out of character during the interview, talking about kicking Vince McMahon in the head on RAW, Sunday's Royal Rumble and possible additions to The Legacy, growing up as a the son of a wrestler and the influence that Ric Flair and Triple H had on his career.

-- WWE's website has posted a a video about "The Wrestler" with comments from Mickey Rourke, Lilian Garcia, Mark Henry and Ric Flair, who gives the film a "Whoo!" You can check it out WWE.com.

-- Last night on Smackdown, it was revealed that The Great Khali and Chavo Guerrero will be part of the Roya

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #5 on:** January 25, 2009, 02:18:30 AM »

TNA Interested In Ric Flair, Update On His Reality TV Show, Reid
By Daniel Pena
Jan 24, 2009 - 6:57:28 PM

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

TNA continues to send out feelers to Ric Flair, but he has said several times he's not interested in joining them. Flair is not contractually eligible to join TNA until Monday, March 30, 2009 based on the terms of his release from World Wrestling Entertainment last August. TNA is expected to make a substantial offer to Flair after the date.

His reality show is currently being shopped around with multiple offers on the table. The show will be based around Ric and son Reid living together as bachelors with Ric living vicariously through his son. He will be training him to be a professional wrestler, show him how to pick up women, and live life like how he did.

Reid will be teaming up with brother David in a series of tag matches over the next two months which includes a stop at a Millennium Wrestling Federation show in New England where Ric will manage his sons in one corner and John Cena's father will manage two other wrestlers in another corner.

Karl Kox · « **Reply #6 on:** January 25, 2009, 01:50:17 PM »

Good Stuff man

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 25, 2009, 10:56:23 PM »

Royal Rumble Dark Match, Who Was Backstage & More
By Michael Bluth
Jan 25, 2009 - 11:42:39 PM

Here are some more Royal Rumble news items:

- The announced attendance for tonight's Royal Rumble pay-per-view was 16,685. The show was a legitimate sellout.

-- Among the names backstage at the Royal Rumble in Detroit were "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Umaga and Evan Bourne. (Source: F4Wonline.com)

- Jimmy Wang Yang beat Paul Burchill in a dark match prior to the show going live on PPV.

- Randy Orton, the winner of tonight's 30-Man Royal Rumble match, entered as the eighth participant and was in the match for 48 minutes and 27 seconds.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #8 on:** January 25, 2009, 10:59:17 PM »

Update On J.R.'s WWE Hall of Fame Plans, Cena vs. Orton, More
By Daniel Pena
Jan 25, 2009 - 7:20:50 PM

source: www.f4wonline.com

-- It has been confirmed that Jim Ross will be inducting "Cowboy" Bill Watts into the WWE Hall of Fame this April. Ross worked under Watts in the Mid-South territory in the 1980s and have been close friends for a number of years.

-- Joe sent in the following... First off, great site, I read it daily. Secondly, found this little tip that could spoil the next two PPVs including tonight's Royal Rumble. WWE Raw on 2/16 scheduled to take place at the Spokane Arena is advertising a main event of John Cena vs Randy Orton for the championship on the arena's event calendar. You can see the official calendar (with the spoiler) at http://www.spokanearena.com/arenaevents.php - just scroll down to Feb 16.

-- Nick Cleroux sent in the following... I was on WWE.COM a few weeks ago and noticed that their Royal Rumble history section is wrong. The first Royal Rumble was indeed held back in 1988 but it took place in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada at Copps Coliseum not at MSG as the WWE states on their Rumble History page. I've E-Mailed WWE several times without response which makes me think that they don't really care about being correct. They even show pictures of the first Rumble match and the pictures clearly aren't of MSG. Whenever there is a WWE show at MSG, the ring is always dead centre with that tunnel that leads to the back (They've used it as an entrance way for countless PPV's). You will notice that in the pictures of the '88 Rumble, there is no tunnel. Just thought you guys might like to know.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #9 on:** January 25, 2009, 11:01:28 PM »

Update On Changed Royal Rumble Plans, Jeff Hardy's "Overdose"
By Daniel Pena
Jan 25, 2009 - 7:06:46 PM

source: www.f4wonline.com

-- Booking plans for tonight's Royal Rumble were changed at some point between the SmackDown double tapings nearly two weeks ago and the airing of Friday night's show. Last Friday's show was scheduled to be based around Vince Guerrero forcing Triple H to be first person to enter the Rumble match, but the angle was completely scratched. Commentary and interviews were redone, and all references to the storyline were removed from Friday's broadcast.

-- WWE's tease of Jeff Hardy overdosing on the morning of the Survivor Series pay-per-view this past November was named the "Most Disgusting Promotional Tactic" in the 29th annual Wrestling Observer Newsletter readership awards announced this past week. Here is the final voter tally regarding this dubious award:

1. WWE JEFF HARDY TEASED OVERDOSE TO GET HITS 241
2. TNA Using Jill Jarrett’s death in Angle vs. Jeff storyline 165
3. WWE having the set collapse on Vince McMahon just days after a TNA crew member was killed in similar fashion 49
4. ROH Larry Sweeney rape tease on Allison Danger 46
5. IWA Mid South Mike Levy incident 41
6. Elite XC pushing Kimbo Slice as a main eventer 29
7. AAA using Antonio Pena’s ashes in an angle 25
8. WWE McMahon’s Millions 23

-- Today is the birthday of the longest reigning WWE Intercontinental Champion of all-time, the Honky Tonk Man. His real name is Wayne Ferris and he turns 56 years old today.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #10 on:** January 25, 2009, 11:04:47 PM »

Complete List of Royal Rumble
Entrants & Eliminations
By Michael Bluth
Jan 25, 2009 - 11:25:17 PM

The 2009 WWE Royal Rumble is in the books and Randy Orton is our winner. Orton entered the Rumble at #8 and eliminated Triple H at the end to secure his place in the main event of WrestleMania 25. Here's the complete list of entrants and eliminations:

Order of Entry

1. Rey Mysterio
2. John Morrison
3. Carlito
4. MVP
5. Great Khali
6. Vladamir Kozlov
7. Triple H
8. Randy Orton
9. JTG
10. Ted DiBiase
11. Chris Jericho
12. Mike Knox
13. The Miz
14. Finlay
15. Cody Rhodes
16. Undertaker
17. Goldust
18. CM Punk
19. Mark Henry
20. Shelton Benjamin
21. William Regal
22. Kofi Kingston
23. Kane
24. R-Truth
25. RVD
26. Brian Kendrick
27. Dolph Zigler
28. Santino
29. Hacksaw Jim Duggan
30. Big Show

Order of Eliminations

1. Great Khali (by Kozlov)
2. MVP (by Kozlov)
3. Carlito (by Kozlov)
4. Kozlov (by Triple H)
5. Miz (by Triple H)
6. Morrison (by Triple H)
7. JTG (by Undertaker)
8. Goldust (by Cody)
9. Mark Henry (by Rey Mysterio)
10 Shelton Benjamin (by The Undertaker)
11. William Regal (by CM Punk)
12. Kofi Kingston (by Brian Kendrick)
13. Brian Kendrick (by Triple H)
14. Dolph Zigler (by Kane)
15. Santino (by Kane)
16. Jim Duggan (by Big Show)
17. R-Truth (by Big Show)
18. CM Punk (by Big Show)
19. Rey Mysterio (by Big Show)
20. Mike Knox (by Big Show)
21. Finlay (by Kane)
22. RVD (by Chris Jericho)
23. Chris Jericho (by Undertaker)
24. Kane (by Legacy)
25. Big Show (by Orton)
26. Undertaker (by Big Show)
27. DiBiase (by Triple H)
28. Cody Rhodes (by Triple H)
29. Triple H (by Randy Orton)

Your winner: RANDY ORTON

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 25, 2009, 11:05:37 PM »

Latest On Austin-Flair-WWE HOF, Cena Pulled From Shows, Orton
By Daniel Pena
Jan 25, 2009 - 6:55:00 PM

source: www.f4wonline.com

-- "Stone Cold" Steve Austin had his eyes set on Ric Flair inducting him into the WWE Hall of Fame in April, but he will not be getting his way. Vince McMahon made the call this past week to not have Flair induct Austin into the Hall of Fame. However, Flair has been invited to the event nonetheless. Austin's inductor is up in the air now, although Vince McMahon has been speculated as the most likely choice.

-- John Cena has been pulled from next week's Raw brand house show swing. Cena was advertised to defend his belt against Chris Jericho, but the main events have been changed to Rey Mysterio vs. Jericho in two out of three fall matches.

-- The story on "Cowboy" Bob Orton, Jr. flying to Detroit yesterday for tonight's Royal Rumble event is not true. The WWE Hall of Famer flew to Virginia on Friday and wrestled at an indy show in Danville, West Virginia last night.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #12 on:** January 26, 2009, 09:09:51 AM »

RVD's WWE Status, More Rumble Stats, Orton's Titantron Updated
By Michael Bluth
Jan 26, 2009 - 10:27:56 AM

-- Several readers sent in word that video footage of Randy Orton's attack on Vince McMahon from last week's RAW was already edited into his Titantron entrance video at last night's Rumble. As Jim Ross wrote in his blog this weekend, the storyline WWE is going with is that Vince McMahon suffered a concussion from Orton's head kick.

-- While Randy Orton was the final man standing after last night's Royal Rumble, Triple H spent the most time in the ring (49:55) and tied Big Show for the most eliminations (6). For more Rumble stats, visit WWE.com.

-- The word backstage was that Rob Van Dam's appearance at last night's Royal Rumble was a one-time appearance. While the door is open for him to make a full-time return at any time, he is currently tending to his wife's health issues. WWE approached Van Dam about about making the cameo two days before the PPV. From reading several live reports, his appearance got the biggest pop of the night.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #13 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:23:35 PM »

NEWS > WWE >

Posted in: WWE
WWE's
Cost-Cutting Continues, Elimination Chamber, Raw Before WM
By Daniel Pena
Jan 26, 2009 - 6:53:26 PM

source: www.f4wonline.com

-- In WWE's latest cost-cutting move, the company is shutting down its Canadian office with the exception of its sales division. People working with WWE's broadcast partner in Canada, The Score, received memos regarding the news. This makes at least three offices gutted in the past few weeks as WWE recently shut down their offices in Sydney, Australia and China as well.

-- WWE has begun the push for next month's Elimination Chamber Match(es) at No Way Out. They posted the rules to the match tonight on the company website at the following link. The event will take place less than three weeks from now on Sunday, February 15.

-- The final Raw before WrestleMania will be taking place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas on Monday, March 30. Tickets for the event go on sale on Saturday, February 21st at Noon.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:25:21 PM »

Possible Legends Match At WrestleMania, Maria Looking Beyond WWE
By Daniel Pena
Jan 26, 2009 - 6:15:01 PM

source: PWInsider.com

-- This year's WWE Hall of Fame special on the USA Network will be sponsored by THQ's Legends of Wrestlemania video game, which will be released in March. There has been talk of holding some sort of nostalgia match at Wrestlemania XXV to coincide with the release of the game.

-- SmackDown Diva Maria Kanellis has launched an official website at www.MariaKanellis.net. Maria appears to be looking beyond World Wrestling Entertainment as she's largely pushing her burgeoning career in the entertainment world rather than her career in professional wrestling on the website. On the website she lists herself as an "Actress/Model/Singer/Wrestler" in that order. The website features her resume as well as some non-WWE modeling photos.

-- At last night's Royal Rumble, Melina won the WWE Women's Championship for a third time by beating Beth Phoenix. You can see a new photo gallery of Melina posing with the belt at the following link.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #15 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:26:48 PM »

TNA Impact Named Worst TV Show, Beautiful People On Soccer AM
By Daniel Pena
Jan 26, 2009 - 5:56:52 PM

-- By a landslide, TNA Wrestling's flagship television program "iMPACT!" was named 2008's "Worst Television Show" in the 29th annual Wrestling Observer Newsletter readership awards announced this past week. The program won this dubious award last year as well. Here is the final voter tally:

1. TNA IMPACT 520
2. Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling 43
3. WWE ECW 41
4. WWE Raw
34
5. AAA 11
6. WWE Smackdown 10

-- TNA Knockouts Angelina Love and Velvet Sky appeared on the Saturday morning UK program Soccer AM this past week promoting TNA's show at Wembley Arena. The Beautiful People were named honorary "Soccerettes" due to their appearance on the show. In case you missed it, you can see video of their appearance on Soccer AM at the following link.

-- TNA is taping the next two editions of "iMPACT!" this week. The 1/29 show is being taped tonight with the 2/5 show being taped tomorrow. Stars scheduled to appear at this week's tapings include Sting, Kurt Angle, AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, Booker T, Team 3D, The Latin American Xchange, The Motor City Machineguns, the TNA Knockouts and more.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:29:52 PM »

TNA Named Worst Promotion of the Year, TNA Star Interviews, More
By Daniel Pena
Jan 26, 2009 - 5:02:11 PM

-- TNA Wrestling was named "Worst Promotion of the Year" in the 29th annual Wrestling Observer Newsletter readership awards announced this past week. It beat out defunct MMA promotion Elite XC, which ceased operations this past October. TNA won this dubious award last year as well. Here is the final voter tally:

WORST PROMOTION OF THE YEAR
1. TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION 404
2. Elite XC 232
3. All Japan Pro Wrestling 36
4. World Wrestling Entertainment 34
5. Inoki Genome Federation 19
IWA Mid South 19
7. Hustle Fighting Opera 18
8. AAA 16

-- Dave Power of the World Wrestling Revolution website conducted interviews with TNA wrestlers AJ Styles, Consequences Creed and Alex Shelley during TNA's recent tour of Dublin, Ireland. You can listen to the interviews at www.wwr.ie.

-- The TNA house show at the Eastwood Expo Center in Niles, Ohio has been moved to April 26th. This is the second date change for this event. It was originally scheduled for March 13th, then got changed to April 23rd. Go to http://prowrestlingevents.tk or http://prowrestlingevents.webs.com for info about upcoming wrestling shows worldwide. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #17 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:32:39 PM »

NEWS > WWE >

Posted in: WWE
RVD Talks About Rumble Appearance, Heyman Blogs On WrestleMania
By Daniel Pena
Jan 26, 2009 - 4:09:42 PM

-- Rob Van Dam made a surprise appearance during last night's Royal Rumble match before eventually being eliminated by Chris Jericho. Following his appearance, RVD appeared on the WWE Universe's live blog. RVD said he received a phone call from management to appear at the event just last Friday. "The idea to be in the Royal Rumble is only 2 days old. Got a phone call Friday and it worked out," Van Dam said. RVD also explained to fans that his appearance was a one time thing, but he appreciates the company's open door policy for him to return one day. "I'm back in WWE..for tonight," Van Dam said. "Still happy at home. I'm not here full time by my own choice. I appreciate the open door that I have here and I appreciate being Home in California with Sonya even more." On how he felt being out there last night, Van Dam said "awesome." You can read a transcript of his chat session at the following link.

-- In Paul Heyman's latest commentary on the UK's Sun website, he raves over Randy Orton's performance during the conclusion of last week's episode of Raw. He also believes Orton will be the focal point of this year's WrestleMania. "Orton has been chosen by McMahon to be WWE's focal point heading into this year's WrestleMania, and bluntly, there isn't a member of the roster who could possibly be a better choice," Heyman wrote. "So here's Vince, reveling in the spotlight, and Stephanie, delivering what could be her best performance ever," he continued. "And yet, when Orton stepped into the ring and started talking, he compelled you to watch him. Orton's control of the mic was masterful." {Heyman: Now it's Orton's time}

-- The term "Royal Rumble" was listed on the "In The News" tab on the Google News homepage this afternoon (news.google.com).

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #18 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:39:28 PM »

NEWS > WWE >

Posted in: WWE
WWE Working On A New Reality Show
By Brad Ingles
Jan 26, 2009 - 2:54:36 PM

WWE creative team members have been discussing the possibility of producing a new reality show. Several ideas have been pitched and one source described it as a "Tough Enough reboot".

Vince McMahon has been indecisive on if development talent or proven wrestlers should star in the show. He wants there to be fan voting if there is an elimination process, and it is possible the show would launch this year.

Credit: ProWrestling.net

Karl Kox · « **Reply #19 on:** January 26, 2009, 04:56:03 PM »

look at wolfgang on top of shit. very nice

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #20 on:** January 28, 2009, 04:01:46 AM »

Details On Vince McMahon and Randy Orton
Angle
By Brad Ingles
Jan 27, 2009 - 8:47:21 PM

WWE officials were concerned with last week's Raw angle when Randy Orton punted Vince McMahon's head. It was a legit kick and McMahon's face was cut from Orton's boot. Recent reports have said Vince McMahon suffered a concussion following the incident but that was not the case. Vince told Orton to bring it for the angle to make it more realistic and draw more viewers in since he has a known history for taking real abuse from past angles.

Credit: Figure Four Weekly Newsletter

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #21 on:** January 28, 2009, 11:21:38 AM »

Top WWE Star Missing WrestleMania, Jericho Honored, DJ Gabriel
By Daniel Pena
Jan 28, 2009 - 2:06:19 PM

-- In the latest update on the official website of Batista, www.Demon-Wrestling.com, his people are saying he won't be cleared to return to the ring from injury for five or six months. WWE still had hopes for Batista to wrestle at WrestleMania, but that's off the cards now. Here is his website's statement:

Dave's recovery is going very well. He's in the gym twice a day but being very cautious.

Looking forward to coming back as soon as he's able.

Doubtful he'll be cleared before 5-6 months but he'll be back stronger and better than ever.

-- Chris Jericho was honored with the "Wrestler of the Year" award in the 29th annual Wrestling Observer Newsletter readership awards announced last week. Jericho beat out Edge by a mere 30 votes. Here is the final voting tally:

1. CHRIS JERICHO (139)1,198
2. Edge (116)1,168
3. Shawn Michaels (157)1,111
4. Keiji Muto (97)976
5. Nigel McGuinness (45)658
6. John Cena
(73)595
7. Shingo Takagi (57)449
8. Cibernetico (53)377
9. Kurt Angle (32)275
10. Bryan Danielson (12)215

-- ECW Superstar DJ Gabriel posted a blog on the WWE Universe site admitting he's not a great dancer. Gabriel wrote: "Granted, there are probably a great many people out there in the WWE Universe who aren't too fond of my dancing in particular. But that's o.k! I don't pretend for one minute that I'm a great dancer, I'm not going to be a contender on 'Dancing with the Stars'. I'm just being myself, and proving that I don't mind making a fool of myself in front of millions of people in the name of entertainment." {Shall We Dance?}

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #22 on:** January 28, 2009, 11:24:56 AM »

Orton Storyline Disorder Linked To Steroid Use; WWE Encyclopedia
By Daniel Pena
Jan 28, 2009 - 1:46:07 PM

-- On Monday's Raw, WWE explained Randy Orton's recent rash of violent behavior by saying he had the behavioral disorder IED (intermittent explosive disorder). According to a number of medical websites, IED is defined as "a behavioral disorder characterized by extreme expressions of anger, often to the point of uncontrollable rage." It's interesting to note that medical websites link the disorder to steroids as IED can be exacerbated by steroid use based on chemical changes in the person's brain.

The news website www.huliq.com posted an
href="http://www.huliq.com/3257/76784/what-intermittent-explosive-disorder" target="new">article yesterday regarding intermittent explosive disorder and Randy Orton was mentioned. They wrote: "Interestingly, according to recent reports, WWE wrestler Randy Orton has intermittent explosive disorder or IED. He says he's been diagnosed with it, in fact. But it should be noted that some have posited that IED may be exacerbated by steroid use."

For the record, Orton has ties to past steroid use as in March 2007, Sports Illustrated said the former WWE Champion was part of a steroid and HGH ring used by a number of professional athletes in several sports. The article mentioned several current and former WWE wrestlers, including Orton, who was alleged to have obtained clomiphene citrate, anastrozole and the steroids stanozolol, nandrolone, oxandrolone, and testosterone. WWE made a statement on the situation, claiming that the allegations preceded the Talent Wellness program WWE launched in February 2006. However, it was later revealed that Orton continued to receive drugs until February 2007. Amidst the Signature Pharmacy drug scandal in August 2007, Sports Illustrated said Orton received somatropin, nandrolone and stanozolol from September 2004 through February 2007 when the online pharmacy was shut down by authorities.

-- A one-volume encyclopedia with more than 700 WWE entries and more than 2500 images will be released on Tuesday, March 30. Here is the official product description of the WWE Encyclopedia: "As a unique, one-volume encyclopedia with more than 700 WWE entries and more than 2500 images, this is the book for all WWE fans! Featuring hundreds of superstars of all eras, from the World Wrestling Federation of the 60s and 70s to today's WWE, this thrilling, one-of-a-kind reference guide contains a visual glossary of all wrestling moves and provides coverage of the television shows that put the WWE into millions of households. From the Hardcore Champion to the World Heavyweight title holder, from the WWE's showcase events to the Pay-per-views, from Survivor Series to the grand spectacle of WrestleMania-this encyclopedia covers it all."

-- On Monday's Raw, Santino Marella was seen wearing a new T-shirt. The red "Flex" T-shirt is now up for sale on WWEShop.com.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #23 on:** January 28, 2009, 11:26:22 AM »

WWE Star Changes Brands, Mickie James Appearing At OVW, Swagger
By Daniel Pena
Jan 28, 2009 - 12:14:25 PM

-- ECW General Manager Theodore Long kicked off last night's edition of ECW by saying former ECW Champion Matt Hardy was leaving the brand for SmackDown. The move comes after Hardy's betrayal of his own brother, former WWE Champion Jeff Hardy, at the Royal Rumble. Long said Hardy asked for his release and the GM OK'd the move to the blue brand. Hardy's profile has been moved back to the SmackDown section.

-- Mickie James will be the next WWE star to appear at Ohio Valley Wrestling's headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky. James will be making her appearance on Tuesday, February 24 at 4:00 p.m. the Davis Arena, located at 4400 Shepherdsville Road, Louisville, KY 40218.

-- WWE.com has a brand new feature updating every Monday though Friday, the "Jack Swagger Photo of the Day." You can see the feature at the following link.

wolfgang187 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 28, 2009, 11:27:28 AM »

Ric Flair Comments On A WrestleMania Appearance (Interview Recap)
By Brad Ingles
Jan 28, 2009 - 10:17:24 AM

Ric Flair confirmed in an interview with the Houston Chronicle that he would be at WrestleMania 25. “Let’s just say, I will be at Wrestlemania, and that’s all I’m saying,” Flair said.

Rourke said on the red carpet before the Screen Actors Guild Awards that Flair is teaching him some tricks.