— As of Sunday, the idea was that guest hosts would be used on Raw every other week instead of every week. (source: www.f4wonline.com)

— As seen last night on Raw, Bret Hart was removed from the Raw General Manager position by Vince McMahon for not attending the previous night’s Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view (kayfabe). McMahon then informed fans that a new, anonymous General Manager would take control of the show, emailing announcer Michael Cole his orders. His profile has since been removed from the Raw Superstars section.

— It was also announced on Raw that the Rookies from the first season of NXT have earned contracts with World Wrestling Entertainment (kayfabe). Their respective profiles have been added to Raw Superstars section. It was also revealed that Wade Barrett had been granted a future pay-per-view title match again by the mystery General Manager.

To follow up on Monday’s news that former WWE superstar Batista claims he’s signed with the Strikeforce MMA promotion and has his first fight lined up already …

– Strikeforce director of communications Mike Afromowitz toldMMAFighting.com that the company has not signed former WWE Champion Dave Batista.

– TMZ.com, which broke the original story of Batista headed to Strikeforce, caught up with former WWE & TNA star Booker T, who got into a legitimate scuffle with Batista back in 2006. Booker T says he doesn’t think Batista can “match up” with some of the big boys in Strikeforce. In fact, Booker says Batista wouldn’t last 5 minutes in the cage with Bobby Lashley or any of Stikeforce’s other heavyweight fighters.

What do you guys think – is Batista’s Strikeforce deal legit, and if so – does he have a chance of being successful?

Bret Hart is gone for the time being..

While there is talk that he might be back by the end of the Summer, the NXT crew kidnapping him on RAW a few weeks back was WWE’s way of writing him off television – and he’s gone indefinitely.

Hart will be getting married for the third time this summer, which could be the reason for the hiatus.

Originally Bret was going to do a face-to-face angle at with the NXT Rookies at Fatal 4 Way, but when he didn’t make it to the show, plans had to be changed.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) sent the following letter to Vince McMahon this week, urging the WWE Chairman to rehire Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson) – who is a vegan.

PETA is also urging their supporters to send a polite comment to WWE about bringing Daniel Bryan back.

Here’s the letter:

Dear Mr. McMahon,

On behalf of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) and the WWE fans among our more than 2 million members and supporters, I’m writing to toss our name into the ring as yet another proponent of the push to bring back Daniel Bryan (Bryan Danielson). I might not personally carry the same clout as other Bryan supporters like John Cena or Shawn Michaels (although I do consider myself “The Showstopper of PETA”), but I am, along with many of my colleagues, a huge Daniel Bryan fan, not only because he humiliated the Miz and Michael Cole a few weeks back on Raw but also because he’s vegan.

Lots of athletes, including baseball slugger Prince Fielder, the NBA’s Raja Bell, MMA fighters K.J. Noons and Mac Danzig, and Olympic Legend Carl Lewis, show that vegetarians often leave meat-eaters in the dust, gnawing on their greasy chicken wings as they wonder what hit them. But Bryan represents the quintessential vegan badass. He knows that unlike WWE superstars, animals beaten to a pulp by the meat industry don’t want to be there. The worst
Hell in a Cell match is nothing compared to what animals in slaughterhouses go through, such as having their throats cut and being scalded alive and dismembered, often while still conscious. Even Mick Foley couldn’t withstand that kind of abuse. Just by being vegan, Bryan saves more than 100 animals a year, a feat far more impressive than any of Jack Swagger’s “accomplishments.” Savvy athletes go vegan for the health benefits, too, as they slash their risk of heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.

So what do you say, Mr. McMahon? Bring back Bryan and let him prove that he belongs. And maybe there could even be a storyline romance between Bryan and the gorgeous vegan diva Tiffany! (Who, in your PETA fans’ opinion, deserves another shot at Layla.)

WWE star Chris Jericho spoke to Fanhouse.com to promote his new “Downfall” game show – which premieres tonight at 8pm ET on ABC.

Here’s what Jericho said about:

Jericho’s WWE Contract Expiring: “Yeah, it’s coming up fairly soon, it’s coming up very soon. It’s one of those things we’ve been talking about for a while to get it rolling again. Like I said, to me, I’ll leave the business when I’m ready to and I’m not ready yet. I still want to continue to work. I still have some things that I can offer. I still think I’m among the best in what I do, if not the best just because of the fact I have 20 years of experience which is a rare thing nowadays. You can’t teach experience. You can teach someone to do a promo kind of, you can teach someone to do a move but you can’t teach someone experience.

Attitude Era vs. TV PG: “PG, I think, is a great idea. To me, the Attitude Era was stupid. Hot Lesbian Action and Meat with a (expletive) (expletive) in his pants because he has a (expletive) and Mark Henry getting a (expletive) from a guy and necrophilia. That’s not entertaining by anybody’s standards. That’s just stupid and I never liked that stuff. For me, for them to go family oriented, I’m all for it. It’s family oriented but in this day and age where you can still go out there and have kick ass matches. It’s still edgy, there’s still great characters. I’ve got no problem with it. I like it much better than the Attitude Era because I thought the Attitude Era was just childish, dropping (expletive) on each another and stuff. C’mon, that’s not funny if you’re five years old.”

To hear what Jericho said about Batista’s MMA career and more, visit FanHouse.com.

TOTAL NONSTOP ACTION (TNA) WRESTLING RELAUNCHES ‘TNA XPLOSION’ FOR INTERNATIONAL AUDIENCES

Total Nonstop Action (TNA) Wrestling has re-launched its one-hour weekly program “TNA Xplosion”.

Currently seen internationally, the re-fitted show will feature new and exclusive matches with the TNA Superstars, as well as updates on everything TNA, including coverage of its flagship series “iMPACT!”

“TNA features more talented superstars than ever before in company history, so it made sense to refresh “Xplosion” and make it a more important part of the TNA brand,” said TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter.

In addition to the format changes, “Xplosion” will feature a new announce team, a new logo, graphics and theme music performed by Victory Records recording artist “Taproot”.

Representatives of Martha Hart issued the following press release this morning.

Widow of Deceased Professional Wrestler Owen Hart Files Lawsuit Against World Wrestling Entertainment, Vince McMahon & Linda McMahon

WWE continues to use Owen Hart’s Name and Image for Marketing more than 11 Years After he Was Killed in a WWE-sponsored Stunt; In Violation of Contract and Contrary to Family’s Wishes

HARTFORD, Conn., June 22 /PRNewswire/ — Martha Hart, the widow of the late Owen Hart, a professional wrestler who was killed in a May 1999 stunt orchestrated by World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) today filed suit in the U.S. District Court here against WWE, Vince McMahon (current chairman and CEO) and Linda McMahon (CEO until 2009). The lawsuit alleges the WWE and the McMahons used Owen Hart’s name and likeness without right in dozens of commercial videos and other materials, violated a contract restricting the use of Owen Hart’s name, likeness and wrestling footage, and disregarded Martha Hart’s wishes against further association of her late husband’s name with WWE following his death. (Mrs. Hart and WWE settled a wrongful death lawsuit in 2000. Mrs. Hart established the Owen Hart Foundation later that year.)

“In the eleven years since Owen’s tragic and avoidable death, I have worked tirelessly to disassociate Owen’s name and likeness from anything related to WWE in order to protect our children from any reminder of the circumstances surrounding their father’s death, and to avoid any misplaced perception that I endorse WWE,” said Martha Hart in a statement.

“Unfortunately, even though WWE, Vince McMahon and Linda McMahon were and are well aware of my wishes and desire to shield my children from WWE and its activities, I was shocked to learn earlier this year that they have been using Owen’s name and likeness in videos, websites, television programs and print materials. Given this callous, insensitive and irresponsible behavior, one must question the moral character of Vince and Linda McMahon and the manner in which they conduct their business.”

According to the lawsuit filed today before the U.S. District Court in Hartford,

“Since Owen’s death, the WWE and McMahons have sought every available opportunity to further exploit Owen’s personality for their own commercial benefit. Their use of Owen’s name and likeness draws attention to the WWE’s ongoing violent and highly questionable theatrical activities that caused Owen’s death. Defendants’ use of Owen’s name and likeness is also in direct disregard of Martha’s and her children’s objections…The WWE’s wrongful use of Owen’s name and likeness, over Martha’s continuing objection to any association with defendants and in the absence of any legal right of use, creates the wrongful impression that Martha and the Estate now support, approve or condone the video (which they do not).”

The lawsuit seeks to enjoin the WWE from further use of Owen Hart’s name and likeness, and seeks unpaid royalties as well as damages for breach of contract, copyright infringement, unjust enrichment, accounting and unfair and deceptive trade practices.

Mrs. Hart is represented by the law firm Nixon Peabody LLP.

Note to Editors: A copy of the complaint can be found at www.marthahartsueswwe.com

Information on the Owen Hart Foundation can be found at www.owenhart.org

Wrestler’s widow suing WWE, Conn. Senate candidate
By SUSAN HAIGH (AP)

HARTFORD, Conn. — The widow of a World Wrestling Entertainment performer who died in a 1999 stunt says she’s suing the Connecticut-based company and its leaders, including Republican U.S. Senate candidate Linda McMahon.

Martha Hart said McMahon, who stepped down as WWE chief executive to run for Senate, and her husband, Vince, the current chairman, have continued to use Owen Hart’s image to promote the business despite agreeing to stop after his death.

Hart is filing her lawsuit Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Hartford.

Owen Hart died when he fell 78 feet from a harness as it lowered him into a wrestling ring in Kansas City, Mo., on May 23, 1999. He was 34.

His family sued the WWE and several other defendants in the death. Martha Hart agreed to a $18 million settlement with the WWE in 2000.

In her new lawsuit, she alleges the WWE and the McMahons violated a contract that restricts the use of Owen Hart’s name, likeness and wrestling footage.

She said in a written statement Tuesday that she learned earlier this year that his image was appearing in WWE promotional materials.

“In the 11 years since Owen’s tragic and avoidable death, I have worked tirelessly to disassociate Owen’s name and likeness from anything related to WWE in order to protect our children from any reminder of the circumstances surrounding their father’s death, and to avoid any misplaced perception that I endorse WWE,” she said in a statement.

Representatives for the WWE and McMahon’s Senate campaign said they could not immediately comment but expected to release statements later Tuesday.

— The trailer for WWE Studios’ upcoming John Cena film, Legendary, has been released. It can be viewed here. The movie, which also stars Patricia Clarkson and Danny Glover, hits theaters this fall.

— Chris Jericho noted on his Twitter account that he will be appearing on ABC’s Good Morning America tomorrow morning at 8:15 a.m. ET to promote Downfall. The game show, which has been described as “unique, high-stakes and adrenaline-pumping,” premieres Tuesday night at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.

— Maryse’s wardrobe malfunction at last night’s Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view provoked a tidal wave of internet searches pertaining to the sexy French Canadian as “maryse wardrobe malfunction” is a top trending search topic tonight on Google.com, according to Google Trends. The malfunction occurred when Alicia Fox pinned Maryse to conclude the match.

— Regarding Rey Mysterio’s World Heavyweight Championship victory at last night’s Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view, the title switch was done for a few reasons, reports www.f4wonline.com.

For starters, company officials were unhappy with Jack Swagger’s reign as Champion as he hadn’t gotten over to the degree they would have liked. It’s also being said that Mysterio has been unhappy the company as of late and this was management’s way of appeasing him. Additionally, plans for Mysterio to take a month long vacation were scrapped when Undertaker went down with multiple facial injuries, so giving him a title run persuaded him to stick around.

— The official WWE website has posted a feature counting down the top 25 Intercontinental Champions of all-time. “Macho Man” Randy Savage was deemed the greatest IC Champ of all-time as he is ranked No. 1 on the chart. He is trailed by Chris Jericho, Ultimate Warrior and Mr. Perfect.

— WWE returns to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey on August 29th, 2010 at 5 p.m. Tickets go on sale June 26th, 2010 at 10 a.m. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

— Apparently in reference to WWE’s Lay-Cool act, an upset Angelina Love wrote the following on her Facebook account Friday night while watching television: “So this is what I get for quickly flipping thru the channels on a friday night……a blonde & a brunette blatantly ripping something off……..BRUTAL!!!”

The TNA Knockout made similar remarks online last year after Maryse took a page out of “The Beautiful People” playbook by spraying Mickie James with hair spray during an episode of Monday Night Raw.

“You can try, but you cant and you never will be TBP!!!,” Love angrily typed on MySpace. “The Beautiful People- often imitated, NEVER duplicated!!”

Days before Love’s latest remark, Layla responded to those accusing her and Michelle McCool of ripping off TNA Wrestling’s “Beautiful People” act, writing on Twitter: “Cuz all of the tweets about this subject For the Record I do Not watch TNA So copy cat thing… kinda NOT!! This is All I will say Done!!”

— TNA Wrestling has launched a website solely promoting its live events tour. The website’s address is
www.tnaliveevents.com.

— TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Madison Rayne squares off against Taylor Wilde in the following webmatch.

— Melina is being advertised to appear at Florida Championship Wrestling’s live event taking place at the Orlando Armory on Wednesday, July 14. She will be taking part in a meet and greet before the show. Click here for more information.

In an update on when she expects to return to the ring, she wrote the following on her Twitter account last night: “I truly don’t know when I will be back. One step at a time. I just want to focus on better mobility in my knee and building strength. Next is running. Hopefully I can hit my mark for getting cleared but if I don’t, then I just have to keep working at it. We shall see when I got to FCW in a few weeks.”

— Beth Phoenix said last night during a chat on WWEUniverse.com that she is three to five months away from making a full-fledged return to the squared circle. “The Glamazon” has been sidelined since early May due to a torn ACL.

— WWE is working on a DVD release profiling Hall of Famer Bobby “The Brain” Heenan. The DVD set is scheduled for release on December 18. (source: PWInsider.com)

— WWE’s upcoming three-disc DVD set on Chris Jericho has been officially titled Chris Jericho – The Highlight Reel. This title is set for release on September 21.