SEScoops

Author: Staff

  • WrestleMania 11 Celebrity Main Eventer Arrested (Mugshot)

    WrestleMania 11 celebrity wrestler and NFL Hall of Famer Lawrence Taylor was arrested on Sunday night in Dade County, Florida after police say he fled the scene of an accident.

    According to TMZ.com, Taylor allegedly crashed his Cadillac Escalade into a 1984 Ford van and then a guard rail before driving away from the scene. No one was injured. Cops told TMZ.com that Taylor was found standing outside of his car several miles from where the crash took place. The car was missing a front tire, leading police to believe that he drove several miles on just the axle.

    Taylor, who has been arrested twice before on drug-related charges, appeared sober at the time of the arrest and was said to be “very cooperative.” H was eventually released on $500 bond.

    Here’s LT’s latest mugshots:

    ltmugshot

  • JR Blog: Fedor Needs A Manager, Strikeforce & CBS’ Strategy

    WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with some thoughts about Fedor Emelianenko’s Saturday night win over Brett Rogers, what the win means for CBS and Strikeforce and how they can get the most out of Fedor. Ross wrote:

    Fedor Emelianenko won his CBS fight Saturday night with not too many strains and pains but also not without some angst and a bloody face which likely added to the moment. Fedor really needed to win to help CBS build their MMA franchise around their only big time, marketable star. Brett Rogers, who did much more press than did Fedor because Fedor allegedly doesn’t speak English well enough, was obviously gassed in the second round and became easy prey for the hard hitting Russian who continues to build his mystique and legend among MMA fans.

    Remember, CBS’s involvement in MMA isn’t about building the sport it is solely about building a TV rating. That’s not a bad thing for a TV network but somewhere CBS might get it that building stars will build their TV brand and building their TV brand will build their ratings.

    If I were CBS I would hire Fedor an English speaking manager. One who could do media and get people talking. Any challenger of Fedor cannot be a sucker and be obligated to do most of the press because Fedor is Russian. If the TV rating is decent it will be fun to see if a major network can build a MMA star.

  • JR Blog: Fedor Needs A Manager, Strikeforce & CBS' Strategy

    WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with some thoughts about Fedor Emelianenko’s Saturday night win over Brett Rogers, what the win means for CBS and Strikeforce and how they can get the most out of Fedor. Ross wrote:

    Fedor Emelianenko won his CBS fight Saturday night with not too many strains and pains but also not without some angst and a bloody face which likely added to the moment. Fedor really needed to win to help CBS build their MMA franchise around their only big time, marketable star. Brett Rogers, who did much more press than did Fedor because Fedor allegedly doesn’t speak English well enough, was obviously gassed in the second round and became easy prey for the hard hitting Russian who continues to build his mystique and legend among MMA fans.

    Remember, CBS’s involvement in MMA isn’t about building the sport it is solely about building a TV rating. That’s not a bad thing for a TV network but somewhere CBS might get it that building stars will build their TV brand and building their TV brand will build their ratings.

    If I were CBS I would hire Fedor an English speaking manager. One who could do media and get people talking. Any challenger of Fedor cannot be a sucker and be obligated to do most of the press because Fedor is Russian. If the TV rating is decent it will be fun to see if a major network can build a MMA star.

  • Ken Anderson Says He Wouldn’t Return To WWE

    Former WWE superstar Ken “Mr. Kennedy” Anderson recently spoke to Phil Strum of the PojoSlam blog and said he was unhappy in WWE for a long, long time before his eventual release. “After I got the initial shock and the punch in the stomach, it was like an elephant just stepped off my chest,” Anderson said. I was pretty unhappy there for about three years.

    “I thought that I could used a different way and I wasn’t. That’s OK. That was their business decision. They decided not to go that way. That’s fine. That’s on them. Now, I’m going to try to stick it (to them, expletive) basically and prove them wrong. Hopefully, someday they’ll look back and say ‘(expletive), we could have had that guy.’”

    When asked if he would ever return to World Wrestling Entertainment, Anderson said that it’s highly unlikely and that things would have to change drastically for him to even consider it. “Things would have to drastically change and I don’t think that’s going to happen. My answer to that is no.

    Anderson is getting into acting and is currently seeking movie roles, television roles, commercials, voiceover work. He’s booked for the upcoming Hulkamania tour of Australia later this month. There’s been talk of him going to TNA Wrestling at some point but at this point nothing seems imminent.

  • Ken Anderson Says He Wouldn't Return To WWE

    Former WWE superstar Ken “Mr. Kennedy” Anderson recently spoke to Phil Strum of the PojoSlam blog and said he was unhappy in WWE for a long, long time before his eventual release. “After I got the initial shock and the punch in the stomach, it was like an elephant just stepped off my chest,” Anderson said. I was pretty unhappy there for about three years.

    “I thought that I could used a different way and I wasn’t. That’s OK. That was their business decision. They decided not to go that way. That’s fine. That’s on them. Now, I’m going to try to stick it (to them, expletive) basically and prove them wrong. Hopefully, someday they’ll look back and say ‘(expletive), we could have had that guy.’”

    When asked if he would ever return to World Wrestling Entertainment, Anderson said that it’s highly unlikely and that things would have to change drastically for him to even consider it. “Things would have to drastically change and I don’t think that’s going to happen. My answer to that is no.

    Anderson is getting into acting and is currently seeking movie roles, television roles, commercials, voiceover work. He’s booked for the upcoming Hulkamania tour of Australia later this month. There’s been talk of him going to TNA Wrestling at some point but at this point nothing seems imminent.

  • JR Blog: Jericho TMZ Controversy, Rourke Wrestling, WM26

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Some highlights:

    WrestleMania Ticket Sales: “This is NOT official but I hear out of Arizona that the first day of ticket sales for WM26 saw between 35-40,000 tickets sold. This is not WWE info therefore it isn’t official. Might be a little low or a little high. But I’m guessing that it is close. As an idependent business man and dealing with the economy daily, those numbers seem strong to me. I think the event is slated for approximately 72,000 seats. Perhaps the official numbers will be updated this week.

    Jeff Hardy Update: Smart move by Jeff Hardy keeping mum and not talking to any of the media. Jeff must have a helluva lawyer. (Original story: Jeff Hardy living in seclusion, not talking to anybody)

    Chris Jericho: O.K. so Chris Jericho made an error in judgment with an insensitive remark recently that has made TMZ, etc headlines. Chris’ choice of words are regretful but he is one of the most open minded and fair people that I know. Now this Lobo dude is running with the press op’s which under score that Lobo wasn’t as emotionally distraught over this untimely incident that has been blown largely out of proportion. Next.

    Mickey Rourke Wanting to Wrestle: Acclaimed actor Mickey Rourke “really” wants to wrestle in a big time WWE match? Wow. I’m tapping on this one. This would not be my personal cup of tea so you might as well consider it booked. I have no idea where this matter may or may not be going but perhaps it will be something that could be done on Raw. I don’t know what to make of this and know only what I’ve read on the internet. (Original Story: Mickey Rourke wants to wrestle for WWE)

  • Jeff Hardy In Seclusion & Not Talking to Anybody

    Source: FayObserver.com

    Gilbert Hardy, father of Matt and Jeff, spoke to the Fayetteville Observer newspaper last week and said Jeff has been keeping a very low profile in the weeks and months since his September 11th drug arrest. “He won’t talk. He ain’t talking to nobody,” the senior Hardy said. “He doesn’t even want to talk to me.”

    The newspaper tried getting a quote from Jeff, but he refused to speak to them.

    Hardy was due in court last week for a probable cause hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant indicting the former WWE champion on the various drug charges (including six felonies) he’s facing. The hearing was rescheduled for December 2nd.

    If convicted of the opium trafficking charge alone, Hardy faces nearly six years in prison, at a minimum, said Warren McSweeney, a Moore County prosecutor. “It could be substantially more,” he added.

    Greg Price, who runs the NWA Legends Fanfest each August in Charlotte, said he doesn’t believe Hardy’s career will be jeopardized even if he’s found guilty of drug charges. “The worst-case scenario – jail time,” Price said. “Honestly, in the wrestling business, all that would do is delay his career. No wrestling promoter out there today is not going to use him because of that. I think again, that comes back to society and prescription pill use. A lot of people don’t look at that as being illegal.”

  • Jeff Hardy In Seclusion & Not Talking to Anybody

    Source: FayObserver.com

    Gilbert Hardy, father of Matt and Jeff, spoke to the Fayetteville Observer newspaper last week and said Jeff has been keeping a very low profile in the weeks and months since his September 11th drug arrest. “He won’t talk. He ain’t talking to nobody,” the senior Hardy said. “He doesn’t even want to talk to me.”

    The newspaper tried getting a quote from Jeff, but he refused to speak to them.

    Hardy was due in court last week for a probable cause hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to warrant indicting the former WWE champion on the various drug charges (including six felonies) he’s facing. The hearing was rescheduled for December 2nd.

    If convicted of the opium trafficking charge alone, Hardy faces nearly six years in prison, at a minimum, said Warren McSweeney, a Moore County prosecutor. “It could be substantially more,” he added.

    Greg Price, who runs the NWA Legends Fanfest each August in Charlotte, said he doesn’t believe Hardy’s career will be jeopardized even if he’s found guilty of drug charges. “The worst-case scenario – jail time,” Price said. “Honestly, in the wrestling business, all that would do is delay his career. No wrestling promoter out there today is not going to use him because of that. I think again, that comes back to society and prescription pill use. A lot of people don’t look at that as being illegal.”

  • Jericho “Victim” Challenges Him To Thumb Wrestle

    Mr. Lobo, the goof that Chriss Jericho taunted on stage at the Sacramento Horror Film Festival, isn’t satisfied with Jericho’s lackluster apology and now wants to get physical with the WWE superstar.

    Lobo rants about “drunken celebrities embarrassing themselves and/or other people in public” and challenges Jericho to “wrassle” him – with his thumb – “anywhere, anytime.”

  • Jericho "Victim" Challenges Him To Thumb Wrestle

    Mr. Lobo, the goof that Chriss Jericho taunted on stage at the Sacramento Horror Film Festival, isn’t satisfied with Jericho’s lackluster apology and now wants to get physical with the WWE superstar.

    Lobo rants about “drunken celebrities embarrassing themselves and/or other people in public” and challenges Jericho to “wrassle” him – with his thumb – “anywhere, anytime.”

  • JR Blog: WWE Cable TV Channel, Grisham & Striker, WM26

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Some highlights:

    A WWE Cable Channel: “As I wrote earlier in the week, the potential of a WWE Channel is another positive. There are virtually unlimited ways to create new programming notwithstanding the Legends Roundtables, watching DVD releases w/ the talents involved with the production, daily blocks of World Class, AWA, ect has credence. Producing internet “radio shows” along the line of ESPN’s Mike and Mike, etc would work. Producing a specfic number of hours of daily programming and then repeating it seems doable. The potential is really limitless.

    WrestleMania 26: “It will be interesting to see how Wrestlemania 26 gets out of the box for Phoenix. It’s a great time to be a fan. There will be several days of activities for fans making the trip to the valley of the sun. I’ve attended a Fiesta Bowl there and the facility is incredible.

    New Smackdown Announce Team: Grisham and Striker are beginning to mesh as a solid broadcast duo and their efforts will continue to be a work in progress which is to be expected. I like their potential. Their progress may see yours truly assume another role TBD upon my return which works for me. I feel that I’m fortune to be able to help the team in a variety of ways. All of that is up in the air and is pure speculation until I’ve been medically cleared. Maybe there is a there man booth in my future especially on selected PPV’s. Who knows but I for one am not concerned. Just anxious to get back in the game.

  • JR Blog: WWE Cable TV Channel, Grisham & Striker, WM26

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Some highlights:

    A WWE Cable Channel: “As I wrote earlier in the week, the potential of a WWE Channel is another positive. There are virtually unlimited ways to create new programming notwithstanding the Legends Roundtables, watching DVD releases w/ the talents involved with the production, daily blocks of World Class, AWA, ect has credence. Producing internet “radio shows” along the line of ESPN’s Mike and Mike, etc would work. Producing a specfic number of hours of daily programming and then repeating it seems doable. The potential is really limitless.

    WrestleMania 26: “It will be interesting to see how Wrestlemania 26 gets out of the box for Phoenix. It’s a great time to be a fan. There will be several days of activities for fans making the trip to the valley of the sun. I’ve attended a Fiesta Bowl there and the facility is incredible.

    New Smackdown Announce Team: Grisham and Striker are beginning to mesh as a solid broadcast duo and their efforts will continue to be a work in progress which is to be expected. I like their potential. Their progress may see yours truly assume another role TBD upon my return which works for me. I feel that I’m fortune to be able to help the team in a variety of ways. All of that is up in the air and is pure speculation until I’ve been medically cleared. Maybe there is a there man booth in my future especially on selected PPV’s. Who knows but I for one am not concerned. Just anxious to get back in the game.

  • Lilian Garcia Assaulted In New York – Attempted Mugging

    During the Yankees World Series victory parade in New York City on Saturday, former WWE ring announcer Lillian Garcia was assaulted. She was thrown to the floor after somebody tried to grab her cell phone.

    She was not harmed, but was shaken by the ordeal and grazed her elbow during the fall. Police hope to catch the culprit from CCTV footage after Garcia filed a police report.

    “I just had a punk kid try and steal my phone,” Garcia wrote on Twitter. “Luckily, I held on tightly and he didn’t get it, but now be fore he threw me to the ground. As reported, Garcia mentions she has filed a report and is doing OK.

    Lillian Garcia is concentrating on her music at present and is not currently accepting any new convention bookings.

  • Victim Of Chris Jericho’s Offensive Slurs Rejects His Apology

    The man Chris Jericho targeted with racist and homophobic slurs on stage at the Sacramento Horror Film says Jericho’s apology was a “bunch of crap” and calls the WWE superstar an ***hole.

    Mr Lobo, the host of the film festival, told TMZ.com he was deeply offended by the insensitive remarks and denies Jericho’s claim that “everyone on stage was having a blast.”

    Lobo says he has never received an apology from Jericho, saying, “I don’t think [Chris] has the capacity to give an honest apology. I don’t think it’s in his character.”

  • Victim Of Chris Jericho's Offensive Slurs Rejects His Apology

    The man Chris Jericho targeted with racist and homophobic slurs on stage at the Sacramento Horror Film says Jericho’s apology was a “bunch of crap” and calls the WWE superstar an ***hole.

    Mr Lobo, the host of the film festival, told TMZ.com he was deeply offended by the insensitive remarks and denies Jericho’s claim that “everyone on stage was having a blast.”

    Lobo says he has never received an apology from Jericho, saying, “I don’t think [Chris] has the capacity to give an honest apology. I don’t think it’s in his character.”

  • Big Update On Edge’s Health & When He Can Return

    In an interview with Frech PlayStation3 website Play3-Live.com, WWE superstar Edge gives an update on his health status following surgery to repair a torn achilles tendon . “I’m doing stairs on it now,” Edge said. “I started therapy. I’m on the long road to getting back. I’m on the road now. Before I wasn’t even on the road. I had crutches and I was in a cast, but now I can I can actually do some things like walk again and I can wear shoes.”

    The former WWE World Champion asked whether he will be ready to return to action in time for WrestleMania in March, but he’s not so sure about it. “It will definitely be next year,” Edge said. “It won’t be anytime before next year. I would love to come back in time for WrestleMania and earlier, but it’s too soon to tell. It’s been four months. They said six months, so who knows.”

    Before his injury, Edge had been teaming Chris Jericho and the two Canadians were WWE tag champions. Jericho cut some scathing promos on the Rated R Superstar shortly after his injury, setting up what could be a killer program in early-mid 2010 when Edge is healthy.

    In his latest blog at JRsBarBQ.com, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross said the following about Edge’s health status:

    “I think Edge being 100 percent by Wrestlemania 26 is going to be a photo finish and I hope that I am wrong on that assumption. Edge had taken his game to another level prior to his injury and he will no doubt return to the ring fresher and ready to turn more heads if he makes sure that he is totally healthy. Torn Achilles obviously cannot be taken lightly. Edge would arguably need to be close to ready by January to really be able to capitalize on the promotional, TV build up for Phoenix or at least that’s one school of thought.”

  • Big Update On Edge's Health & When He Can Return

    In an interview with Frech PlayStation3 website Play3-Live.com, WWE superstar Edge gives an update on his health status following surgery to repair a torn achilles tendon . “I’m doing stairs on it now,” Edge said. “I started therapy. I’m on the long road to getting back. I’m on the road now. Before I wasn’t even on the road. I had crutches and I was in a cast, but now I can I can actually do some things like walk again and I can wear shoes.”

    The former WWE World Champion asked whether he will be ready to return to action in time for WrestleMania in March, but he’s not so sure about it. “It will definitely be next year,” Edge said. “It won’t be anytime before next year. I would love to come back in time for WrestleMania and earlier, but it’s too soon to tell. It’s been four months. They said six months, so who knows.”

    Before his injury, Edge had been teaming Chris Jericho and the two Canadians were WWE tag champions. Jericho cut some scathing promos on the Rated R Superstar shortly after his injury, setting up what could be a killer program in early-mid 2010 when Edge is healthy.

    In his latest blog at JRsBarBQ.com, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross said the following about Edge’s health status:

    “I think Edge being 100 percent by Wrestlemania 26 is going to be a photo finish and I hope that I am wrong on that assumption. Edge had taken his game to another level prior to his injury and he will no doubt return to the ring fresher and ready to turn more heads if he makes sure that he is totally healthy. Torn Achilles obviously cannot be taken lightly. Edge would arguably need to be close to ready by January to really be able to capitalize on the promotional, TV build up for Phoenix or at least that’s one school of thought.”

  • Video Of Dixie’s Carter’s Talent Meeting Speech From iMPACT!

    This week’s edition of TNA iMPACT! opened with footage from a staff meeting led by TNA president Dixie Carter. Dixie addressed the TNA roster and said there have been some big changes in TNA recently and there are more changes ahead in the coming weeks and months. The TNA roster has the choice to stand behind her or step aside.

    For those wondering, we’re told that the talent meeting legit – the speech and the comments made by Carter came from her and was not something scripted for her by the creative team.

    In case you missed it, here’s the video:

  • Video Of Dixie's Carter's Talent Meeting Speech From iMPACT!

    This week’s edition of TNA iMPACT! opened with footage from a staff meeting led by TNA president Dixie Carter. Dixie addressed the TNA roster and said there have been some big changes in TNA recently and there are more changes ahead in the coming weeks and months. The TNA roster has the choice to stand behind her or step aside.

    For those wondering, we’re told that the talent meeting legit – the speech and the comments made by Carter came from her and was not something scripted for her by the creative team.

    In case you missed it, here’s the video:

  • Slammy Awards Announced, PPV Dropped But Prices Increase

    — WWE Issued a following press release today announcing that comedian Dennis Miller will host a special 3-hour edition of WWE Raw on December 14th. The 3-hour broadcast will take place from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, TX and will feature the 2009 WWE Slammy Awards. 2009 Slammy Award categories will include: WWE Superstar of the Year, WWE Match of the Year, and WWE Diva of the Year.

    Read more: WWE Press Release.

    — A WWE memo sent out to various Pay-Per-View providers reveals that World Wrestling Entertainment will be eliminating one of its June PPV events in 2010, bringing the annual total down to 13. While this does seem like a step in the right direction, WWE will be making up for that lost PPV revenue by increasing the suggested retail price of its other PPV events (excluding WrestleMania), by $5.00, to $44.95. According to the memo, this will be the first price increase for non-WrestleMania events since 2006. The suggested retail price for WrestleMania will remain $54.95.

  • JR Blog: Jeff Hardy, Declining PPV Buyrates, WWE TV Channel

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross
    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted another blog update with his thoughts on the sharp decline in Pay-Per-View buyrates revealed in yesterday’s 3rd Quarter 2009 financial results (more on that), whether Edge will be healthy in time for WrestleMania in March and an update on Jeff Hardy’s legal woes. Some highlights:

    WWE’s Declining PPV Buyrates: “PPV’s coming at us fans with such frequency is challenging to. process, prioritize and to afford. However, with the PPV business being such a vital part of any wrestling organization’s bottom line, I would be surprised to see the number of PPV’s decrease. So, it will come back to providing the consumer with what they are willing to and can purchase which will always be attraction driven fueled by button pushing creative which is no exact science.”

    Jeff Hardy’s Legal Situation: I see the continuance of the Jeff Hardy legal issue as positive news for Jeff. I’m not an attorney nor do I play one on TV but one can make an argument that if the authorities thought that they had an overwhelmingly strong case that they would not be interested in postponing the proceedings. I strongly feel that Jeff Hardy is NOT a drug trafficker whatsoever and that he will be vindicated. I am also not unbiased in this matter as I am a Jeff Hardy fan and have been since signing Matt and Jeff to their first WWE contracts.

    A WWE Cable TV Channel: “WWE TV Network…to me it seems as this is a logical progression for WWE in the future. If I had to place a bet, I would bet that WWE having their own TV channel on cable and satellite would happen sometime Sooner than later. I don’t know when this channel would launch but I do know that WWE has plenty of programming to help start a network. Plus new, non live event programming can be facilitated much like ESPN has done with their, seemingly, zillion hours of original programming that they produce for their multiple platforms.

    As always, there’s plenty more to the blog, which you can read at JRsBArBQ.com in its entirety.

  • Mickey Rourke Wants To Wrestle, Piper Hosting Raw Soon

    — WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper is expected to host Monday Night Raw when it emanates from Madison Square Garden later this month.

    — According to a report today by The Sun, Mickey Rourke says he would like to wrestle for World Wrestling Entertainment after being disallowed from competing at WrestleMania XXV earlier this year. The Academy Award-nominated actor says in his new book, Wrestling With Demons, that a clause in his contract for the Iron Man 2 prevented him from taking part in a one-on-one match with Chris Jericho due to the possibility of injury, which would delay filming.

    Rourke says he walked away from WrestleMania “disappointed” due to his limited involvement with the event, which saw him punch Jericho following the WWE star’s handicap elimination match with Hall of Famers “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka. Rourke says he wanted to put his wrestling skills to the test after training for the lead role in The Wrestler. To read The Sun’s report, click here.

    — Tuesday’s episode of ECW on Syfy drew a 1.0 cable rating, the same number as last week.

    — John Cena, Big Show, Evan Bourne, MVP and several other WWE stars paid a visit to the National Guard’s Marseilles Training Center in Illinois in September. Click here to see photos from their visit.

    (Credit to f4wonline.com and pwinnsider.com for some of the information used in this report)

  • RVD Talks About Going To TNA – Hogan & Bischoff A Factor?

    Monday Night Mayhem radio with Rob Van Dam
    Hosts: Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent
    Available at MondayNightMayhem.com.

    Since leaving World Wrestling Entertainment two years ago, rumors have continued to swirl that Rob could be moving over to TNA…and those rumors kicked into high gear after he attended last month’s Bound For Glory PPV in California (as a guest of Booker T) and met both Dixie Carter and Vince Russo. Now that Hulk Hogan has officially signed with TNA, how appealing is TNA to RVD? The question on the hearts and minds of fans across the globe was answered exclusively on The Mayhem.

    “With Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff now in TNA, it’s a very interesting time in the wrestling business…and in a very positive way,” Van Dam said. “I was at Bound For Glory saying hi to some friends. And part of that was, ‘Oh, hi, Dixie, nice to meet you.’ We have talked on the phone…Same thing with Vince Russo. Now that Hogan and Bischoff are there, it’s definitely putting a lot of energy on TNA, a lot of focus and eyes. Now if they can follow up with that, they could really, really grow.” He went to add, “It’s more appealing because they raised the stakes.”

    Many people in the wrestling industry are indeed skeptical about TNA’s acquisition of “The Hulkster,” with such superstars as The Honky Tonk Man saying Hogan joining the company very will could be “the end of TNA.” Others have speculated that some of Hogan’s long-time friends and colleagues (such as Brutus Beefacke and The Nasty Boys) could have jobs again in the business with Hogan in charge. RVD knows Hogan well (especially after having the opportunity to be a special guest trainer on last fall’s “Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling”), and was asked what can Hogan bring to the table at this time to TNA.

    “Hulk Hogan brings credibility and name recognition,” he said. A lot of people that don’t watch wrestling and many haven’t watched wrestling in five or ten years, they all know who Hulk Hogan is. He is a great representative of what wrestling can be. Should he have the book? I don’t know. Just because you have one talent in the business, doesn’t mean you have something else. I can’t imagine myself having the book and being in charge. If they do allow Knobbs and Beefcake and those guys to come in, we can all say TNA wasn’t that smart.”

    Rob was asked if the industry can get back to when there was five-star matches all the time and if there can be a rebirth of sorts:

    “I would hope so, but I would understand if it went the other way too, because I had enough so I would understand when other people have had enough. I don’t watch wrestling in fact I haven’t watched it since 2001, so when I was in the WWE, I would record the show and fast-forward through it to my to critique it. It became about business to me, and I didn’t want to watch other people work. I see what they are doing, and I’m not impressed with a lot of what I see on TV. I see people going through movements, but they have no sense of art and pro wrestling is an art.”

    He continued by adding: “Can we get the wrestling business fun with Hulk Hogan in TNA? I don’t know but here’s one thing, part of why it’s not interesting to watch anymore is because it’s so routine and mundane. Every match from the beginning to the end, have to be ‘superstar vs. superstar.’ They have to be treated like main events, they all have to go six or seven minutes, they have to back and forth all the time, and someone catches a fall. What happened to the jobber matches? Big John Studd would have a squash match with two or three guys, and then when he faced like Hulk Hogan, it meant something. But now every match, we have to see the babyface cry and sell, and the heel do his stuff, and the babyface make his big comeback. Every match? I don’t enjoy that.”

    More goodness is contained in this exclusive interview with “The Whole F’n Show,” including his candid comments and thoughts on Shane McMahon’s departure from the WWE, what he would like to see more of in wrestling today, and a special “Get Well” message to the voice of World Wrestling Entertainment, Jim Ross. Don’t forget to log onto www.RobVanDam.com and www.MySpace.com/GoToRobVanDam.com to get the latest on RVD TV (and how you can score a free membership), RVD Radio, and Rob’s forthcoming overseas European tour!

  • RVD Talks About Going To TNA – Hogan & Bischoff A Factor?

    Monday Night Mayhem radio with Rob Van Dam
    Hosts: Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent
    Available at MondayNightMayhem.com.

    Since leaving World Wrestling Entertainment two years ago, rumors have continued to swirl that Rob could be moving over to TNA…and those rumors kicked into high gear after he attended last month’s Bound For Glory PPV in California (as a guest of Booker T) and met both Dixie Carter and Vince Russo. Now that Hulk Hogan has officially signed with TNA, how appealing is TNA to RVD? The question on the hearts and minds of fans across the globe was answered exclusively on The Mayhem.

    “With Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff now in TNA, it’s a very interesting time in the wrestling business…and in a very positive way,” Van Dam said. “I was at Bound For Glory saying hi to some friends. And part of that was, ‘Oh, hi, Dixie, nice to meet you.’ We have talked on the phone…Same thing with Vince Russo. Now that Hogan and Bischoff are there, it’s definitely putting a lot of energy on TNA, a lot of focus and eyes. Now if they can follow up with that, they could really, really grow.” He went to add, “It’s more appealing because they raised the stakes.”

    Many people in the wrestling industry are indeed skeptical about TNA’s acquisition of “The Hulkster,” with such superstars as The Honky Tonk Man saying Hogan joining the company very will could be “the end of TNA.” Others have speculated that some of Hogan’s long-time friends and colleagues (such as Brutus Beefacke and The Nasty Boys) could have jobs again in the business with Hogan in charge. RVD knows Hogan well (especially after having the opportunity to be a special guest trainer on last fall’s “Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling”), and was asked what can Hogan bring to the table at this time to TNA.

    “Hulk Hogan brings credibility and name recognition,” he said. A lot of people that don’t watch wrestling and many haven’t watched wrestling in five or ten years, they all know who Hulk Hogan is. He is a great representative of what wrestling can be. Should he have the book? I don’t know. Just because you have one talent in the business, doesn’t mean you have something else. I can’t imagine myself having the book and being in charge. If they do allow Knobbs and Beefcake and those guys to come in, we can all say TNA wasn’t that smart.”

    Rob was asked if the industry can get back to when there was five-star matches all the time and if there can be a rebirth of sorts:

    “I would hope so, but I would understand if it went the other way too, because I had enough so I would understand when other people have had enough. I don’t watch wrestling in fact I haven’t watched it since 2001, so when I was in the WWE, I would record the show and fast-forward through it to my to critique it. It became about business to me, and I didn’t want to watch other people work. I see what they are doing, and I’m not impressed with a lot of what I see on TV. I see people going through movements, but they have no sense of art and pro wrestling is an art.”

    He continued by adding: “Can we get the wrestling business fun with Hulk Hogan in TNA? I don’t know but here’s one thing, part of why it’s not interesting to watch anymore is because it’s so routine and mundane. Every match from the beginning to the end, have to be ‘superstar vs. superstar.’ They have to be treated like main events, they all have to go six or seven minutes, they have to back and forth all the time, and someone catches a fall. What happened to the jobber matches? Big John Studd would have a squash match with two or three guys, and then when he faced like Hulk Hogan, it meant something. But now every match, we have to see the babyface cry and sell, and the heel do his stuff, and the babyface make his big comeback. Every match? I don’t enjoy that.”

    More goodness is contained in this exclusive interview with “The Whole F’n Show,” including his candid comments and thoughts on Shane McMahon’s departure from the WWE, what he would like to see more of in wrestling today, and a special “Get Well” message to the voice of World Wrestling Entertainment, Jim Ross. Don’t forget to log onto www.RobVanDam.com and www.MySpace.com/GoToRobVanDam.com to get the latest on RVD TV (and how you can score a free membership), RVD Radio, and Rob’s forthcoming overseas European tour!

  • Gay & Lesbian Organization Calls Jericho’s Apology Insincere

    The Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) is effectively rejecting what they call Chris Jericho’s “insincere and worn” apology for using anti-gay and racist slurs at a recent film festival.

    GLAAD president Jarrett Barrios issued the following statement to TMZ.com this afternon:

    “Just three months ago Chris Jericho’s boss and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon acknowledged to GLAAD that words matter.

    There is no time, context or occasion in which it is acceptable to utter racist and anti-gy slurs. Jericho’s hollow apology ‘if (he) offended anyone’ is a template used by many and is insincere and worn.”