Mr Kennedy Interview

The UK Sun has posted a "WrestleCast" audio interview with Mr. Kennedy, addressing a number of topics, including his comments on failing WWE's Wellness Policy test after making very bold statements regarding drug use in a previous interview with The Sun.

Here's a few highlights from the interview:

On who else tried out for the part in Behind Enemy Lines: Columbia:

"Spanky (Brian Kendrick) was in there, Cody Rhodes, I think Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy a bunch of guys read for the part."

On Chris Jericho:

"I think he's one of the greatest guys in the business right now. I told him when he came back, when guys are heel, they basically put on a mean face and come out and tell the crowd "boo for me", whereas Jericho, he just gives off this aura of cockiness about him, where you really feel he thinks his s*** doesn't stink. It's like a really good movie with a bad guy where you want to jump through the screen and throttle him and strangle him."

On whether he would want to see Steve Austin vs. Hulk Hogan:

"(Laughs) Yeah, everyone would want to see it. Personally, I always wanted to see Austin-Goldberg, just because it was WCW's version of Austin."

On his promos on TV:

"Well, apparently I have this thing where I'm too funny. To me, it's just me, but Vince (McMahon) hates it when I do stuff, he says 'Goddamn it, stop being so funny' and I say 'I'm not, I don't mean to be funny.' It's just me, it's just the way that I am, so it's a real tug-of-war where I'm trying to be me, but he doesn't think it's me."

On the finishes to Wrestlemania not being set in stone:

"It's always like that, it could change right down to the last couple of minutes. I've been standing at the Gorilla Position and had the finish to a match switched on me."

On the controversy following his last interview:

"I just felt so passionately about... we're trying to get past all those negative stereotypes, and I just felt so passionately about it, maybe I didn't go about saying things the right way, but, whatever. I speak my mind sometimes and like I said unfortunately, sometimes people spin what you say. I don't have time to sit down here, we don't have two hours, for me to go through my whole life history tell you every little incident that ever happened and why I chose to do what I did at this particular moment in my life and that particular moment in my life. And when you leave or omit certain things because you have a minute and a half to tell a story that needs three or four hours... and also to be perfectly honest with you, it's nobodies business what my medical history is and it's not. I'm a celebrity, I put myself out there, but, you know."

On being named in the Sports Illustrated story on wrestlers buying items from an online pharmacy:

"Honestly, I thought it was bulls*** in the first place. The whole suspension and everything. Again, I'm just going to say this again. You go through your life, and at the point I was trying to get into WWE, you do everything you can and I made some decisions that, whatever. I'm not unhappy about it, I'm not happy about it, I just made those decisions and I've got to live with them. But, what happens is when you stop taking that stuff, your natural levels of testosterone ... you feel like s***. You can't get out of bed in the morning, when your natural levels of testosterone just stops. I believe it was a legitimate medical issue I had. But then somebody will say, "The WWE Policy says you're not supposed to go online....", I never went online once, ever. It was an actual guy, who said he was a doctor, that I got my stuff from."

On WWE's drug testing:

"The testing is ridiculous, I swear it is more rigorous than the NFL. I hear stories that when they get tested, they get told in advance. They get called up a month or two months ahead of time and are told 'You'll have a test on such-and-such a date'. So, if they are taking anything, they can stop taking it, get it out of their system, then take the test. I don't know how many times I've been tested this year. It seems like every time I go to TV, I get tested. There's a note up on the wall, and I have to go in front of a guy, pull my pants around my ankles, pull my shirt up to my armpits, and stand there and pee into a little cup. They watch the pee come out of the end of your willy. When you're doing it on a weekly basis, it tends to be a little much. But I do understand the health reasons. I'm probably going to get myself in trouble here, but we live in a free country, if I'm not hurting anybody, what's the big deal? I'm not hurting you. If I have health issues down the road, then I have health issues."

On people using illegal substances in WWE's current environment with the frequent testing:

"I don't see how anybody can get away with it."

On Shawn Michaels vs. Undertaker at Wrestlemania:

"This should be the last match of the night."

You can listen to the interview at this link.

Vince McMahon Interview

Vince McMahon was interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter today to promote Wrestlemania XXV.

Some interesting highlights of the interview:

WHETHER WWE IS CONCERNED WITH TNA AS COMPETITION

"My concern with TNA is not in terms of competition. My concern with TNA is that they are TV-14, and we are PG. They have to change with the times. I think some of the things they do on television are reprehensible, but it is a TV-14 rating. That's the only bone I have to pick with them. Their TV ratings are a fraction of ours."

MMA AND UFC'S IMPACT ON WWE

"Most people thought at one point that we would be competitors. But it turns out they are not competition to us at all, or hardly at all. They are sport, we are entertainment; it's a huge difference. The revenue they have cut into is that of boxing."

TRIPLE H SLEDGEHAMMER DURING HOME INVASION OF RANDY ORTON

"Right. What we try to do in situations like that is use things that you can't find around the house. You will never see us use a baseball bat. You don't find folding metal chairs around the house. We are very selective. You can go up to the line. It's storytelling; that's how our business thrives. If you have well-defined characters and put them in the right story line against other characters, people care about their welfare."

Vince McMahon also discusses the use of celebrities at Wrestlemania, the idea of building regional stars for specific markets, the best international markets for the company, Wrestlemania XXV and more.

You can read the complete interview by clicking here.

Huge Kurt Angle Update

Here's a huge update on WWE turned TNA star Kurt Angle.


HOWARD STERN

Kurt was interviewed on the Howard Stern radio show - here are some highlights:

-Howard asked Kurt about Vince McMahon. Kurt said they had a falling out, and claimed Kurt wanted to go to rehab, but Vince wouldn't let him because ECW just started. Kurt says Vince wanted him to get clean, but do it without rehab.

-Howard asked Kurt if he divorced his wife because of this stuff or because of Spice Boy. As background, there is a belief among the "Stern Crew" that one of the reasons the Angle's got divorced is because Karen was participating in phone sex with Spice Boy, a member of the crew of Bubba The Love Sponge's show. Kurt basically said that he made Karen a millionaire, and she cheated on him with someone in the locker room - he is positive. Kurt throws a low blow saying Karen wasn't the best sex he's ever had.

-Conversation then turns to Kurt's interest in Robin. Kurt said he wrote her a poem. He says he's dated black women since he got divorced, and he thinks he has some black heritage in him on his mother's side. Kurt said he isn't very "large", but he'd do whatever to make her happy. Kurt read his poem to Robin, and it mentioned many Stern inside jokes insinuating that either Kurt is a huge fan of Howard Stern Show, or this was written for him. Everyone thought the poem was great. Robin said that she was impressed. She said that he hasn't asked her out yet so she's not sure if she would or not. Howard asked if she was ready to be a step-mom to his kids. Robin said she loves kids so she would do that. Then Kurt asked her if she would go out. She said yes to that. Kurt figured that she'd say no to him so he wasn't prepared for that. There was a lot of talk about what a sexual experience between Kurt and Robin would be like, and they discussed setting up a date when Kurt returned from his current tour abroad.

-They brought up Kurt dating Rhaka Khan - he said she was a great person, but they met at the wrong time.

-They brought up Kurt's web reality show and, specifically, a girl that Kurt was dating threatening his wife. Kurt said Robin wasn't in danger.

-Howard read that Kurt once made out with a woman who turned out to be a transsexual. He didn't know it at the time but found out weeks later when he went on the Rikki Lake show. The woman claimed to be Kathy Ireland's sister. Kurt said that this woman had contacted him and flew him out to meet her. This was years ago when he was in the Olympics. Kurt said that the chick fooled him and he had no idea. He said that he made out with that chick for 7 hours! They got into further details and Kurt said he'd kill her if they ran into each other again.

-Iron Shiek called in and got in a shouting match with Kurt Angle. Angle said Shiek never made the Olympics and Shiek said he'd kill Angle.


Angle stayed in the offices after he came off the air, and was working the phones, and hanging with the crew, so its possible more story/bits will come out tomorrow.

OPIE AND ANTHONY

Kurt Angle also appeared on Opie & Anthony.

Highlights:

They talk about the wrestling organization that he is in now, TNA, and his falling out with the WWE He mentions that he went to Vince for help with his drug addiction and Vince pretty much told him to fix it while he was on the road. He claimed it took about 5-6 months to fully get off the pain pills.

Opie asks Kurt more about what went down with his problem he had with pain pills after one of the five times that Kurt broke his neck. I believe he said that he took upwards to 20+ pills a day. Kurt talks about the addiction that he had to them and says that he won't take them anymore even if he needs them for something else.

Kurt talks briefly about the drug policy that TNA and WWE have. Says that Vince has made it possible for former stars to go to rehab at no cost. Also stresses that BOTH companies need to be around for everyone to succeed, and touches on the number of guys that have gone back and forth between the two companies, mentioning Christian by name.

Opie then asks Kurt about steroids which they talk about for a little while. They talk about MMA and Kurt's opportunity to get into it - he says that he will get into it but wrestling will remain his top priority. He says that he already has had some MMA training. Kurt talks about the few people from WWE whom he still keeps in touch with. The Rock and Stone Cold are two guys he wishes still stayed in touch, but understand they are busy with other projects and movies.

Opie asks "Primetime" Sam Roberts of NYSWF fame if they covered everything they should with Kurt and Sam asks Kurt about Internet rumors of someone Kurt dated. Kurt tells them about his divorce and kids, and how this is the third time he has split with Karen. They goof around about Mick Foley a little, Jim Norton asks Kurt what he thought about The Wrestler movie he loved it and felt that they took a lot of Jake the Snake and put it into the movie, and they end by goofing about Vince McMahon a little.

They promoted TNA on Thursday nights and the upcoming PPV.

FINAL THOUGHT

Probably one of the best interviews I've read regarding Kurt Angle.

Evan Bourne Shooting Star Comments

Evan Bourne has been interviewed in the new issue of the WWE Magazine.


BOURNE TO INTERVIEW

In the new issue of WWE Magazine, Evan Bourne is asked how he was able to bring back the once-banned Shooting Star Press (pictured, above) and commented,

"Honestly, when I signed my contract with WWE, there was no mention the move was banned. I did the maneuver all over Japan, so when I got to WWE, I wanted to use it. It's my specialty. Once I showed them how I perform it, I was encouraged to use it."

FINAL THOUGHT

Guess WWE just had a grudge against Kidman for injuring Chavo Guerrero.

And to think, Chavo has come such a long way since then...

Ric Flair Injury

Ric Flair has suffered an injury, less than 2 weeks away from WrestleMania 25


NATURE BOY BUSTED

On the 23rd March, 2009 episode of Monday Night Raw, Ric Flair and Chris Jericho were involved in a segment whereby Jericho viciously assaulted Ric Flair - to the point where Flair was busted open - literally.

Ric Flair needed close to a dozen staples in order to close a legitimate wound opened when Chris Jericho nailed him with the WWE HD video camera during the segment.

Miss WrestleMania Battle Royal Update

There's been a slight change to the 25 Diva Battle Royal at WrestleMania.


TWO DOWN

Gail Kim was removed from the WrestleMania XXV Miss WrestleMania Battle Royal graphic last night on Raw as she hasn't "officially" debuted yet. Her inclusion last week was a mistake.

Candice Michelle was also removed from the graphic, which may be a sign WWE doesn't expect her to be medically cleared from her ankle injury by the PPV. If so, that would be the second straight WrestleMania she would miss due to injury as she missed last year due to a broken clavicle.

FINAL THOUGHT

So with a large amount of ex-WWE Divas are saying no to the battle royal, what is the solution?

Kick two more Divas off - Yay!

Trish Stratus New Look

Trish Stratus makes a surprise return to the screen, by doing the weather and sporting a brand new brunette look!

This honestly took me by complete surprise.

Trish then speaks on her current lifestyle and her successful Yoga business.

The news anchors also ask Trish if she misses being in the ring, to which she replied

"I did make a little return in December...I get my fix every now and then"

FINAL THOUGHT

Bring back Trish! *clap clap clap clap clap*

Kane Interview - Fight with UFC Star?

WWE Superstar Kane has recently conducted an interview with popular newspaper, The Sun


HELL, FIRE AND INTERVIEWS

Earlier this week, blogs and internet forums were reporting that Affliction fighter Sylvia had suffered a broken nose and black eye at the hands of the Big Red Machine.

They had supposedly traded blows at a venue in Detroit with the 7ft, 320lbs wrestling star, real name Glen Jacobs, said to have come out on top.

However a WWE spokesman immediately dismissed the story, saying:

"This is a total fabrication."

Pals of the pair added that neither man had been in Detroit at the time of the alleged incident.

And now, for the first time, Kane has spoken out about the rumours.

KANE:

"I was sitting at home at the time and someone told me – that was the first I’d heard about it.

"I hear I handled it pretty well though. I’m happy with myself!

"I’m pretty sure Tim won’t hold a grudge"

FINAL THOUGHT

Funny little interview with Kane. Glad to see that a monster inside the ring, still has a killer sense of comedy, outside of the ring

Click here to read the full article

ROH Champion Nigel McGuinness Injured

Ring of Honor champion Nigel McGuinness suffered an arm injury last night at their Elizabeth, PA event that required ROH to call for a doctor to examine him after the event.

The belief is that the injury was not to the arm he's had previous issues with. There was concern McGuinness might need surgery stemming from the injury.

UPDATE

The latest word on Nigel McGuinness is that he is expected to wrestle on ROH Anniversary show against KENTA, so he's going to work through his latest arm injury, suffered last night in Elizabeth, PA.

Video of the Month - March Edition: Stone Cold & The Rock Sing

Introducing a brand new segment here on From The Turnbuckle, called Video of the Month!

Basically, I'll post a favourite wrestling video for each month


Kicking it off, we've got Stone Cold Steve Austin and The Rock singing on the 12 November, 2001 edition of Monday Night Raw

Enjoy!

WWE Encyclopaedia Released

WWE has released their official Encyclopaedia

ENCYCLO-THIS!

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.

WWE Superstars Site Launched

(Click the picture above to load the WWE.com video, advertising WWE Superstars)

WWE has officially began promoting its new show, WWE Superstars, on their website.


SUPERSTARS LAUNCH

From WWE.com:

WWE is coming to WGN America
For the first time ever, the biggest Superstars from Raw, SmackDown and ECW debut on “WWE Superstars” – a one-hour exclusive new weekly television show – featuring original matches between any WWE Superstar from any brand, at any time. "WWE Superstars" is the only place to see it all! "WWE Superstars" premieres Thursday, April 16. It's like no other TV show in WWE history. Expect Everything.


FINAL THOUGHT

If by "Expect Everything", they mean John Morrison making a save for Rey Mysterio, then I'll pass.

Hopefully, they will make this like the Attitude Era - when back then, we literally did "Expect Anything"

John Cena tells why he hates The Rock

The Doctor of Thuganomics has finally revealed as to why he hates Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.


WORD LIFE

In his appearance on Jimmy Kimmel's show, promoting his new movie 12 Rounds, John Cena was asked about what the issues he has with Dwayne Johnson were.

The beef, explained Cena, stems from Johnson's past insistence he would stay loyal to his pro wrestling roots (his father and grandfather were both pro wrestlers) even as his star in tinsel town rose.

CENA:

"He's obviously .... got his start in the WWE, gone onto movies, but in the process, the whole time while he was in the WWE, he just preached to our fans -- who are very loyal -- how much he loved the business," Cena said of Johnson. "He says he loves the business so much, but then just up and leaves. So here I am, I've done The Marine, I'm still working full-time for the WWE, I've got 12 Rounds coming out ... and everybody's asking, 'When are you leaving?'"

Cena, in a moment of unintentional comedy at its best, said he would continue wrestling even if he wins an Oscar.

To watch the video, click here

Triple H Interview

Dave McCoy at MSN Entertainment interviewed WWE Champion Triple H to promote the 500th episode of Friday Night Smackdown.

THE KING OF INTERVIEWS

Here are some of the highlights:

The Road:

"It's funny because I'll watch those VH1 "Behind the Music" shows and I'll hear these bands say, "After four months on the road, we're ready to crack. We're at each other's throats." I'm thinking, "Four months?" We don't have time when we don't tour. That's the thing that's a bit daunting about what we do. You know, we have WrestleMania 25 coming up and it's our Super Bowl. Once that Super Bowl is over, there is a party, but if you are a top guy you really don't want to go to the party too long because you have to get up the next morning. You have a live TV show the next night, a live "RAW," and it starts all over again. It's a never-ending cycle."

Working for Vince McMahon:

"Well, the good thing is I had a really good relationship with him before I even met Steph. We had a great relationship not only from a talent standpoint, but I used to work a lot with Vince hand-in-hand to create story lines behind the scenes, not just for myself but other guys. But if you have ever met Vince, he's a complex man and it can be trying. There are times he wants to choke me and there are times when I want to choke him.....But we are very careful to separate the two out. I can be in the office and we can have a big drag-out over something to the point where he wants to strangle me, but then two hours later we all go to dinner and it's like nothing ever happened. There is business and personal. If it was going to destroy my personal life, I would walk away from the business. My kids are going to grow up knowing their grandparents. No business or job is that important."

Backstage Work vs. Performing:

"When I come up with a good idea in the back, there's not 70,000 people standing up and cheering. [Laughter.] Usually when I have an idea in the back, it is dismissed and Vince will bring it up later and pretend it is his idea. There's nothing like it. And that is why you see guys like Ric Flair and the older guys and they are still doing it. I get it. Even if they don't need the money, I get it. There is something about going out there and entertaining people and having them go crazy. I don't think that's just our business. I think that is why the Stones still play or AC/DC puts out albums. You see these guys performing, very late in their lives and acting like kids. It's an addictive thing to be able to go out there and do what you do and have that many people express their appreciation for it. It's a trip. If you go to an event, or a WrestleMania, and you sit there and feel that energy and then imagine being on that stage and that energy being directed at you ... it's an amazing, addictive thing."

Heel vs. Babyface:

"If I had my way, I'd have been a heel my whole career. I compare it to Darth Vader by the second or third movie, when he came on, you started saying, "Yeah!" Even though he was trying to kill Luke Skywalker... he was just cool. There was a point in time with my character where I had been here a long time, I had a certain amount of respect [from the fans] and ... you know, I beat up a lot of people and caused mayhem, and to teenagers and kids, that is cool. It just became a cool character and we were struggling ... the worse things we thought I was doing, the louder the audience would cheer me for it. I was coming out and drilling a guy with a sledgehammer and people would go nuts. So I had no choice as people basically turned me. If I thought it would work, I'd turn back in a minute."

You can read the entire piece by clicking here.

Hulk Hogan New Book

It seems that Hulk Hogan is writing another book - but this one wont be about his 24 inch pythons.


CONTROVERSIAL-MANIA

The New York Post has an article today that talks about an autobiography that Hulk Hogan is writing.

One of the things teased in the book is "a headlined fallout with World Wrestling Entertainment Chairman Vince McMahon."

To read the full article, click here


FINAL THOUGHT

The Hogan family is in a shambles, and if this is Hulk's attempt at a popularity re-boost then lets hope for his sake that it works.

Chyna featured in Vanity Fair

Chyna will be on the cover of an upcoming summer issue of Vanity Fair Magazine.


CHYNA REVIVAL

From: Alivingwonder.com

Chyna will be on the cover of an upcoming summer issue of Vanity Fair Magazine.

The interview article will feature several new photos of Chyna as well as an article on Chyna's new book, coming this fall which will be called "Paper Doll". In the Vanity Fair interview Chyna also discusses upcoming movie roles, how her life has changed since appearing on Celebrity Rehab, her plans for the future and much more.


FINAL THOUGHT

Good to see Chyna back in the limelight

Bret Hart speaks out Andrew Martin

Former WWE and WCW World champion Bret Hart, who originally broke Andrew "Test" Martin into professional wrestling, has posted a blog on his official website regarding Martin's passing at this link.

HITMAN BLOG

The following are excerpts from the Hitman's blog:

"I met Andrew, along with his equally huge friend George, at the Planet Hollywood restaurant in downtown Toronto in 1996. WWE exec, Carlo DeMarco brought them both up to meet me and to see if I’d be interested in possibly training them as wrestlers. Andrew was, as my father would say, a fine specimen; 6’ 6”, lean, hard and handsome with a big, boyish smile. I wasn’t actually looking for any more prospects but I saw something in him and told him if he could get over to Calgary I’d personally teach him, free of charge."

"I was working a full WWE schedule back then and was preparing to begin teaching, or fine tuning, some of the many young wrestlers that were starting to pop up everywhere. I instantly liked Andrew and I can smile now at the memory of coming home from the road, physically exhausted, only to remember that I’d promised Andrew a real match in my dungeon. I found myself reluctantly wrapping my knees and lacing up my boots so I could wrestle Andrew on my precious day off. That day Andrew went from dreaming of being a wrestler to actually working with the WWE World Champion in his home. I wrestled Andrew for over a half hour and I knew back then that, with his size and ability, he was going to go far in the business."

"Death brought Andrew and I back together when we saw each other at Bryan “Krush” Adams’ funeral two years ago. It was during that sad, dark time - after the recent losses of Sherri Martel, Bam Bam Bigelow and the blackness of the Chris Benoit tragedy - I was hearing that Andrew was having drug addiction problems again and I was fearful he might be next. I saw a need to keep in touch with him and do all I could to encourage him to save himself, and maybe some others too. We renewed our friendship and stayed in touch."

"This past November I had the luck of doing a wrestling tour in France for two weeks with Andrew and he seemed to be a new man. He’d completed WWE sponsored rehab and had a new lease on life. Andrew clearly had his demons on the run and we talked about him becoming the poster child for wrestlers that desperately needed a voice urging, “If I can beat this, so can you!” Andrew convinced me he had the commitment and the determination to make a difference. I had a great time with him on that tour."

"Following the tour I had painful knee replacement surgery and now it was Andrew calling me to see if I was doing okay. A few weeks ago he talked of coming to visit me here in Hawaii. He seemed so strong and focused that I never thought to question him about how he was doing. I again urged him to use his experience to reach out to the many wrestlers who are still losing their battle with drug addiction."

"Now I wish so much that I could’ve somehow known that Andrew was losing his grip on his addictions, beginning to slip. I failed to see the signs of him losing a battle that I thought he’d already won. My heart has been heavy since the news of his passing. In our last phone call, a few weeks ago, I kidded him about how he worked that entire France tour and never took one bump and I smile at the memory of his deep booming laugh echoing over the phone. That’s how I choose to remember my friend. I’m sorry I didn’t see his pain and suffering; had I known I’d have tried harder to save him. He slipped and we lost one of the good ones. Nobody has anything but the nicest things to remember about Andrew Martin. I will miss him. He was a dear friend, one of very few I had left in a profession where too many die too young. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his entire family. Somehow, as hard as we all tried, we lost another good soul forever."

FINAL THOUGHT

RIP Andrew Martin

Stone Cold Hall of Fame Shirt

WWE Shop has advertised a new Steve Austin shirt for an upcoming release.

The shirt (pictured above) will list Steve Austin's bio and career accomplishments on the back.


FINAL THOUGHT

I wish I could be there to see the man that sparked my life long interest in the Professional Wrestling world, be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

Tyson Tomko Released

World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms with the release of Tyson Tomko.


RETURN? REJECTED

Tomko's successful WWE return and reunion with friend, Christian, never happened.

This can be narrowed down to two, simple facts.

Fact 1: Vince McMahon does not view Christian as a main event wrestler.


ORIGINAL STORY

Fact 2: The whole point of bringing back Tomko, was to persuade Christian to sign on to WWE - and eventually reunite / start a feud against one another.

Again, this never happened because of Vince McMahon

Michael Hayes (head writer for SmackDown) originally wrote the whole "whos after Jeff Hardy" storyline for Christian. It would have surprised both Hardy and Edge.

But no, Vince didn't approve - so the alternate option was to go with Matt Hardy, which I predicted.

So, with the destruction of a really good comeback storyline, and Christian shipped off to ECW - Tyson is no longer required.


ALTERNATE METHOD

What would have worked better, for both Christian and Tomko, would be to have Tomko start a single career - whereby he would dominate most of the roster - evetually setting up a match between Tomko and another "monster" style character (E.g. Kane, Umaga, Big Show etc.). Tomko could then throw all that he can, and eventually be interrupted by a viral video.

The video would then show most of the attacks against Jeff Hardy, and then produce the name "HARDY" could come up on screen, and eventually spin to reveal the words TOMKO

Christian could then appear, wearing a hooded mask and attack Tomko.

& roll the "Who is this mystery man" segment from the commentators.



FINAL THOUGHT

Sad to see Tomko leave, before he even [re]started

Freddie Prinze Jr. fired, then hired

Actor / Writer Freddie Prince Jr. (pictured, right) has left the WWE Creative department.


WHY? FREDDIE, WHY?

In a surprising move, Prince Jr. decided to leave the WWE himself - shame, I was looking forward to yet another default internet page with the words

"...We wish him all the best in his future endeavours"

Not.

Stephanie McMahon herself requested that Freddie stay - she even offered him pay rise.

Prinze declined.

PRINZE PICKED UP

Luckily, Freddie Prinze Jr. has been cast in the pilot of "No Heroics" a new comedy about four B-Level Superheroes living together.

Prinze will play a A-list superhero that one of the leads is jealous of and sees as his nemesis

FINAL THOUGHT

Bring back the actor who played in such serious films as "She's All That" and "Scooby Doo"

Oh, hang on. Those were never serious films.

Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising Released

The stand-alone expansion pack to EA's hit, Command and Conquer: Red Alert 3 has been released!


UM, THIS ISN'T WRESTLING?

Wrong!

With every new game that EA bring out, there is always an element of hollywood involved - be it real time locations or Hollywood Actors being involved in a game's cut-scenes / intro videos.

This year, EA has enlisted and enrolled a solider known as Commander Hill - but to the wrestling world, hes known only as Ric Flair


AEROPLANE FLYIN', CARPET BOMBING - WOO - SON OF A GUN!

Flair stars as Allied Commander Hill in Command & Conquer Red Alert 3: Uprising. A veteran of the battlefield disgruntled with the way the war is being handled, Hill takes charge of the Allied Forces to show the troops how it's done.

(Flair as Commander Hill)

Players will have the opportunity to challenge Commander Hill on the battlefield, but rest assured, he will not go down without a fight, or a good tongue-lashing.


FINAL THOUGHT

It's a shame this game is playable only upon downloading it from EA, and it's a huge file size aswell - around the 5.6GB mark.

I guess we'll all have to suck it up and WOOOO our way past the huge download and rock out with Commander Hill and the Allied Forces

Flair in an All-Star Sprint Race

The Nature Boy has been invited to be the Honorary Race Director at the 25th Anniversary of "Lowe's Motor Speedway Sprint All-Star Race"


ADDING A BIT OF FLAIR

The speedway announced that 16-time World Wrestling Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair will serve as the annual event’s Honorary Race Director. Flair will attend the drivers’ meeting, assist with driver introductions and serve as a judge for the second annual Pennzoil Victory Challenge prior to the start of the All-Star Race. In addition, Flair will assist in the speedway’s television and radio advertising campaign leading up to the event.

Flair spoke out on the Honorary position:

"I'm honored to be a part of the 25th running of the Sprint All-Star Race," Flair explained. "I'm a long-time Charlotte resident and Lowe's Motor Speedway is an integral part of our city. It's one of the things that makes Charlotte a great place to live. There's nothing like NASCAR and the 'Nature Boy' to get you pumped up! WoooOOOooo!"

FINAL THOUGHT

This sprint race is celebrating the same anniversary as WrestleMania - 25 years.

Coincidence? Who knows?

I'd love to see Flair doing the strut across the finish line!

Ex-WWE Star Bobby Lashley comments on steroid usage

Blast from the recent past, Bobby Lashley has done an interview expressing various issues within the wrestling and MMA community


LASHLEY LASHES OUT

The interview, conducted by Fanhouse.com, had Bobby Lashley talking about his upcoming MMA fight with Jason Guida, Ken Shamrock getting suspended, and leaving WWE for MMA.

He spoke onperformance-enhancing drugs in wrestling:

FUNHOUSE: How prevalent are performance-enhancing drugs in pro wrestling?

LASHLEY: I don't think there's any now.

FUNHOUSE: Really?

LASHLEY: They have a really, really, really strict testing policy in the WWE. I know that for a fact. So I know that there is no one who is really on anything now. I think in the past there were some, but -- and also, in professional wrestling it's not "performance-enhancing." You're not enhancing your performance. You're getting bigger and stronger, but it's not like that makes you win in wrestling. I think there used to be more wrestlers on something than there are now, but it's not like everyone was on something in professional wrestling. Not at all.

FINAL THOUGHT

Impressive interview from Mr Lashley. I find the "I know that for a fact" bit amusing

I mean, he obviously hasn't taken any performance enchancing drugs....



To read the full interview, Click here.

Kelly Kelly addresses Andrew Martin's passing.

With the death of Andrew Martin (a.k.a. Test), WWE Diva Kelly Kelly, whom previously dated Test, has spoken out.


SHORT, BUT SWEET

WWE Diva Kelly Kelly posted the following on her official Myspace Page in regard to Andrew Martin's passing

"You were my world my best friend the one i always ran to u were always there for me..what happened to our plan...Why did god take u away from me...my heart is always with u and u only..I know your in heaven watching over me now my angel..."

FINAL THOUGHT

Heartbreaking.

Andrew "Test" Martin passes away.

It comes as a great upset and complete shock, as for WWE Superstar Andrew "Test" Martin has passed away.


FIRST INFO

Andrew Martin was found dead in his apartment on March 13th, 2009 in Tampa, Florida.

Martin was 33 years of age. On the date of his death, he was only four days shy of his 34th birthday.


POLICE REPORT

Here is the official comment from the Tampa Police Department

"At approximately 8:00pm on Friday, March 13, 2009, Tampa Police Officers responded to the Post Harbour Apartments, located at 725 Harbour Place Drive to check on the welfare of Mr. Andrew J. Martin. A neighbor reported that she could see into his apartment through a window and that Mr. Martin appeared motionless for several hours.

Officers entered the apartment and discovered Mr. Martin to be deceased. At this time there is no indication of foul play. The deceased was transported to the Medical Examiners Office for an autopsy to determine the cause of death. The date of the autopsy is undetermined at this time. The next of kin has been notified of the death.

Andrew "Test" Martin is a former wrestling champion with the WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment).

Lieutenant William Ferguson

Tampa Police Department"

FINAL THOUGHT

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Martin family. Such a shock to see Test pass away.

I'll always remember T&A (Test and Albert) with Trish Stratus as their manager - those were the days.

R.I.P. Andrew Martin.

Ric Flair debuts in Ring of Honor

WOOOO! Ric Flair has officially made his debut in Ring of Honor.


FLAIR OF HONOR

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair made his debut appearance for Ring of Honor tonight in the St. Louis market, doing autograph signings and an angle with ROH champion, Nigel McGuinness.

Flair came to ringside for an interview with ROH's Dave Prazak. It was your typical Flair promo putting over the company he was appearing for, commenting that the ROH locker room would produce the next Shawn Michaels and that he and ROH were going to be great together.

ROH champ Nigel McGuinness, who Flair had commented on in a video the promotion posted on their website, came to ringside and said that he would never think to criticize Flair as a wrestler, he was a terrible husband and father. This led to a back and forth teasing that Flair would eventually manage Reid Flair in ROH against McGuinness and that Flair would see McGuinness "next week" when ROH ran in Virginia.

As it turned out, Flair saw McGuinness again before the show was over. Flair was later at ringside for McGuinness' ROH title defense against Brent Albright. When Claudio Castagnoli interfered for a DQ finish and the heels were stomping away at Albright, Flair hit the ring for the save and raised Albright's hand to end the show.

Multiple sources within ROH tagged tonight's crowd at an overflowing 1,000 fans with every available seat used and tons of fans standing. It was easily the largest crowd for the company thus far in the market to the point that earlier today, there was concern they were going to have to turn fans away at the door due to lack of room in the venue.

Flair is believed to be signed to five more ROH appearances and there's been talk of him working as a special referee down the line as well.

FINAL THOUGHT

Good to see Flair doing ring work again

TNA Lockdown 2009 Poster Revealed

Well, two posters in one day - coincidence?

POSTER PROPAGANDA

I think not.

WWE and TNA have always had a back and forth relationship - basically because Ex-WWE Superstars are shipping on over to the TNA boat - then retreating back to the WWE.


TNA LOCKDOWN PROMO

The InDemand PPV website lists the following for the 4/19 TNA Lockdown PPV:

"Two decades in the making…Two of wrestling’s biggest legends…One historic showdown inside the infamous six sides of steel cage.

Hardcore legend Mick Foley…“The Icon” Sting…The battle of a lifetime!

TNA Wrestling presents Lockdown, where every match takes place inside the barbaric six sides of steel cage. Live! Sunday April 19th on Pay-per-View"

FINAL THOUGHT

Interesting to see Foley V Sting - I'm guessing Sting may have to carry Foley through the match.

WWE Backlash 2009 Poster Released

A poster for WWE Backlash has been released online.


POSTER PANDEMONIUM

The "leak" of these posters usually create a large amount of controversy.

Mainly because 3/4 of wrestling fans always think that a fellow fan decided to photoshop the crap out of a basic WWE Image and host it as an official poster.

Most of those "photoshop" cases actually turn out to be the official poster, which is a tad embarrasing - both for fans, and the WWE.


FINAL THOUGHT

I hope the Backlash poster is better than a single image of Randy Orton.

Knowing the WWE, it won't be.

Kizarny Released

WWE is basically shooting SmackDown Superstars in a barrel, as Kizarny (pictured above) has been released by the company.


KIZARNY KUT

Kizarny (Real name: Nick Cvjetkovich), was signed by the WWE in July 2007 and debuted on the main roster in October 2008, staring in various vignettes (Promo videos introducing a persona to the audience).

He didn't officially make his WWE in-ring debut until January 2009, after spending time in WWE's training camp, Florida Championship Wrestling.

Kizarny was previously a carnival freak, a persona that he transferred into his on air character.

He originally broke in on the Canadian/Michigan independent scene alongside lifelong friends Edge and Christian. He also worked for TNA a few years back as part of Jim Mitchell's "New Church".

KRAZY KOMMENTS

Before being released, Kizarny posted a blog (which has already been taken down) on the official WWE Universe fan-to-superstar page, where he said one of his goals was:

"...To convince Vince McMahon to dress up as Doink the Clown and then they can go after tag team gold."

I guess Vince must not have been impressed. Kizarny also blogged that he wanted to have all the gold in WWE.

FINAL THOUGHT

Somehow, I don't think Kizarny winning WWE Gold will happen.

Candice Michelle Injured - Again

Candice Michelle (pictured above) has put herself back on the WWE Injury list.


CANDICE CANCELLATION

Not so long ago, Candice Michelle was out of action due to a drastic neck injury suffered inside the squared circle. She took alot of time off, but eventually returned and captured the WWE Women's championship.

Now, it seems that Candice is out of action - again.

Candice recently suffered an ankle injury.

The injury is so severe that it's forced Candice to be put on the injury list to at least April 2009.


FINAL THOUGHT

Best wishes & a speedy recovery to Candice.

Andromeda Update

The TNA website is teasing a new star named "Andromeda" is coming into the company.

It has now been revealed that Andromeda is Mexican talent Cassandro coming in under a new ring name.

Cassandro worked a dark match at the TNA tapings a few weeks back and is expected to appear at this week's TNA tapings.

WWE Releases The Boogeyman

The Boogeyman won't be coming to get you - as WWE has come to terms with the release of the ECW Star.


BOOGEY NO MORE

The company confirmed the release today on their website.

This is actually the second time Boogey had been released from the company. The first time, WWE changed their minds and quickly rescinded the release under the agreement that he would spend more time training and trying to improve at Booker T's school in Houston, Texas.

Boogey was originally signed shortly after trying out for and being disqualified from the final version of Tough Enough. Although he cut a great promo and had a good physique, he had lied about his age, leading to WWE from booting him from the competition. He was later signed to a developmental deal.

WWE Saturday Night Main Event DVD

Format: Box set, Color, DVD-Video, Full Screen, NTSC
Language: English
Number of discs: 3
DVD Release Date: February 10, 2009
Run Time: 540 minute

DVD INFO:

From 1985 through 1992, WWE fans turned to NBC (and then Fox) for some of the biggest matches of the year. While WWE's syndicated programming displayed WWE Superstars easily dispatching overmatched opponents, fans had to turn to PPV events for the settling of major scores - until SNME. For the first time since the 1950s, professional wresting returned to network television and scored huge ratings.

The Rock to host Saturday Night Live

The Rock has confirmed that he will be hosting an upcoming episode of "Saturday Night Live"


FINALLY, THE ROCK HAS COME BACK!...

The Rock will be returning to host Saturday Night Live this weekend, March 7th, along with musical guest Ray Lamontagne.

As most know, The Rock previously hosted Saturday Night Live in 2000 and performed a skit featuring WWE Superstars Triple H, The Big Show and Mick Foley.

This will be the third time The Rock has hosted Saturday Night Live. The Rock had a second, less memorable, stint as host.


FINAL THOUGHT

Let's hope The Rock is still as funny as he was during his time in the WWE.

Kevin Nash Interview

Kevin Nash done and interview with The Orlando Sentinel where he talks a lot about basketball, to which he called it his first love.


JACK-KNIFE INTERVIEW

Nash spent most of the interview speaking on his first love, for the game of Basketball.

Nash stated that currently in TNA, he was confined to mic work as he is still recovering from a staph infection that has "left a hole in his elbow the size of a golf ball"

Surprisingly, Nash talked about being in the army:

"What Nash did was a couple of years in the Army, then European basketball until his knee went out. He turned to wrestling at age 29, a late start, but he's had 20 years mostly as a mainliner in the major organizations.

"Not the easiest life on earth," he said, "but I pinch myself each day for having a good life — a jock's life. When you've been on the pirate ship for 20 years, it's hard to live with the normal people.""

You can read it by clicking here.


FINAL THOUGHT

Surprised that Nash didn't speak on TNA - but what can you do when you've got one good elbow -- not to mention 1/3 of a good hip left.

Bret Hart Interview

Bret "The Hitman" Hart (pictured above) has finally done an interview - and its revealing as ever!


THE BEST THERE IS...

Bret Hart has recently conducted an audio interview with Blog Talk Radio.

Bret discusses various things in his life, including his time in the WWE.


THE BEST THERE WAS...

Noted that in the interview, Bret stated that he has no desire to work with WWE again, though he is on cordial terms with Vince McMahon.


THE BEST THERE EVER WILL BE...

You can listen to it by clicking here


FINAL THOUGHT

Bret "The Hitman" Hart was one of my favourite's growing up - and I'm probably not alone when I say that.

I wish we could see the Hitman stride down that aisle one more time, and give a lucky fan those ultra cool purple shades.

Jim Ross blogs on The Rock

Jim Ross has updated his blog, speaking on numerous things - including The Rock.


ROCK SOLID

Here are the highlights from JR speaking about The Rock

"The Rock had been around the wrestling biz his entire life. From day one since he arrived on this planet, Dwayne Johnson had been surrounded by wrestling. I think his love of the business will always be with him but he had a wonderful opportunity to move into films

, earn a great living, maintain his physical health, but most importantly move into a vocation that had interested him for years. Even though Dwayne Johnson has likely wrestled his last match I would not bet against seeing the "Great One" appear at a WWE function before all is said and done sometime in the future. On this one, I certainly feel that the old wrestling cliché of never say never is applicable. No fan, no one in the wrestling business, and no one but the man himself can say conclusively that wrestling fans will never see Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson at a wrestling event again."

JR also speaks on WrestleMania ticket sales & the UFC


Check out the full blog entry here.

WWE Hall of Fame Update

There has been an update on who's inducting who at this years WWE Hall of Fame.


INDECISIVE INDUCTIONS

There has been back and forth decisions as to who should induct who at this year's WWE Hall of Fame.

Most notably, the discussion over who will be inducting Stone Cold Steve Austin (pictured above).


CONFIRMATION CHRONICLE

The Houston Chronicle reported that Steve Austin will reportedly be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by Vince McMahon and that the Von Erichs will be induced by Michael Hayes.

Then again, neither inductor has been confirmed by WWE.

To read the Houston Chronicle's coverage of the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2009, click here.


FINAL THOUGHT

One of the most popular rivalries in the WWE is that of Vince McMahon and Stone Cold Steve Austin, so Vince inducting Austin makes sense.

WWE acknowledges Victorian Bushfires

WWE did something that no one saw coming, and acknowledged the Australian audience and the current Victorian Bushfire situation.


CENA COMMENTS

WWE programming in Australia this week, started with John Cena making a statement regarding the Victoria Bushfires in Australia.

Cena stated that the broadcast was dedicated to the memory of those lost and to the hard work of the local and international firefighters.

He also urged people to donate to Red Cross Australia.


FINAL THOUGHT

Good to see WWE cares about Australia.

I actually thought they wouldn't mention it.

Chris Benoit Hollywood Tragedy

E, the entertainment news cable channel, broadcasted a show entitled "15 Unforgettable Hollywood Tragedies".


CRIPPLER COUNTDOWN

The show focused on various Hollywood tragedies that have affected numerous Hollywood star's families and the media itself.

The Chris Benoit family tragedy was included in the show, ranking in at number 10.


FINAL THOUGHT

I hate E.

Rey Mysterio Skips House Shows

Rey Mysterio has asked to miss both RAW and WWE house shows this weekend.

This is due to a health issue in his family.


FINAL THOUGHT

All the best to Rey and his family.