SEScoops

Author: Staff

  • *Spoiler* 2 Familiar Names Backstage For iMPACT! Taping

    Credit: prowrestling.net

    Warning: The following information contains a spoiler for tonight’s TNA Impact taping

    — Former ECW and NWA Champion Raven is backstage in Orlando for tonight’ TNA iMPACT! taping and will appear on tonight’s show. The feeling backstage is that he’s signed a short-term deal with the company.

    — Former WWE tag champion Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart is also currently backstage tonight’s taping. Neidhart was the longtime partner of WWE Hall of Famer Bret “Hitman” Hart and is the father of WWE Diva Natalya. He’s expected to be used on-camera tonight. For those wondering if this is a result of Hulk Hogan & Eric Bischoff’s affiliation and a sign that more early 1990’s wrestlers are headed to TNA (ie. Brutus Beefcake & the Nasty Boys), we’re told that Neidhart was booked for tonight’s show before Hogan and Bischoff signed with the company.

    The show that is taped tonight will air next Thursday, 11/12.

  • Linda Responds To Hulk Calling Her An Abusive Alcoholic

    The on-again off-again feud between Hulk Hogan and ex-wife Linda appears to be on again due to Hulk described Linda as an “abusive alcoholic” in his new book, “My Life Outside the Ring.”

    “As far as what he has said about Linda, it’s not accurate about her being involved with heavy alcohol and being abusive, and trying to hit Nick with a wine bottle? Absolutely false,” attorney Ray Rafool stated.

    “It’s disappointing and it is irritating. We disagree and wish he would have stuck to the facts instead of sensationalism to sell his book. It does reheat a lot of stuff, but it makes her feel all the more happy that she’s divorced and away from him. He’s Jennifer’s problem now.”

    “You can now understand the fear that Linda had when she was going through the divorce because she knows his personality, heard these rumors, knew what he was doing, and that’s the reason why she was so concerned. We’re thankful that at this point, he has straightened his life out,” Rafool said.

    A rep for Hulk says that he “stands by what is written in the book.”

    For more on this never ending saga, visit FoxNews.com.

  • Next Week’s Raw Guest Host, ECW & SmackDown Matches

    – WWE has announced that principle photography wraps this week in New Orleans on their next movie, Knucklehead. The movie stars Big Show, Mark Feuerstein from Royal Pains and Melora Hardin from The Office. Fight promoter Memphis Earl (Feuerstein) is in debt and thinks his luck is about to change when he comes across the 7-foot lifelong orphan, Walter Kronk (Big Show). He tries to convince Kronk to wrestle professionally and Kronk finally agrees to wrestle on behalf of his fellow orphans, setting up a road trip. The movie is currently scheduled for a theatrical release in the Spring of 2010. Click here to see a picture from the set.

    – As reported here last week, boxer Ricky Hatton will be the guest host of next week’s WWE Raw from Sheffield, England.

    – Tonight’s edition of ECW on Sci Fi will feature ECW champion Christian & Yoshi Tatsu teaming together against Vladimir Kozlov & Ezekiel Jackson. Also, the Hurricane will take on Paul Burchill.

    – Batista vs. Matt Hardy has been announced for Friday’s SmackDown.

    – This week is “WWE Week” on MyNetworkTV. In addition to Friday’s SmackDown, the network will be featuring two WWE-themed episodes of the “Deal or No Deal” gameshow on Tuesday night and will air John Cena’s action movie “The Marine” on Thursday night.

  • Next Week's Raw Guest Host, ECW & SmackDown Matches

    – WWE has announced that principle photography wraps this week in New Orleans on their next movie, Knucklehead. The movie stars Big Show, Mark Feuerstein from Royal Pains and Melora Hardin from The Office. Fight promoter Memphis Earl (Feuerstein) is in debt and thinks his luck is about to change when he comes across the 7-foot lifelong orphan, Walter Kronk (Big Show). He tries to convince Kronk to wrestle professionally and Kronk finally agrees to wrestle on behalf of his fellow orphans, setting up a road trip. The movie is currently scheduled for a theatrical release in the Spring of 2010. Click here to see a picture from the set.

    – As reported here last week, boxer Ricky Hatton will be the guest host of next week’s WWE Raw from Sheffield, England.

    – Tonight’s edition of ECW on Sci Fi will feature ECW champion Christian & Yoshi Tatsu teaming together against Vladimir Kozlov & Ezekiel Jackson. Also, the Hurricane will take on Paul Burchill.

    – Batista vs. Matt Hardy has been announced for Friday’s SmackDown.

    – This week is “WWE Week” on MyNetworkTV. In addition to Friday’s SmackDown, the network will be featuring two WWE-themed episodes of the “Deal or No Deal” gameshow on Tuesday night and will air John Cena’s action movie “The Marine” on Thursday night.

  • *Spoilers* TNA iMPACT! Tapings Results For Thursday

    Credit to Dylan Wolfe and PWInsider for these TNA iMPACT tapings results that will air Thursday night:

    Madison Rayne vs. Taylor Wilde
    Wilde wins by pinfall. Rest of Beautiful People run in and beat down on Wilde. Sarita attempts the save but gets beat down. ODB runs in and clears the ring.

    AJ Styles makes his way to the ring. Talks about Hogan bringing TNA to a whole new level. Switches to who has jumped him and calls him out. Daniels comes out they go back and forth and ends with Daniels calling AJ arrogant and saying he is spoiled by TNA. Daniels claims he is just as good as AJ. Now Joe comes out to join the conversation to stir things up saying Daniels is jealous of AJ. Sets up AJ vs. Daniels for tonight.

    EY and Rob Terry vs. Beer Money
    Beer Money wins after EY accidentally hits Big Rob with the Legends Title. British Invasion comes down to save EY from a DUI. When W.E. gets to the top of the ramp they are jumped by the MCMG.

    Penzer announces that Joe will be the ref for the AJ vs Daniels match.

    Cody Deaner vs. Desmond Wolfe
    One clothesline and its done…guess who won…Wolfe. He goes to the top of the ramp to address Kurt just running him down wondering why he would want to get back in the ring with him at Turning Point.

    Joe comes down the ref AJ vs. Daniels with latex gloves on?

    Daniels makes his way to the ring and they cut to AJ in the back with JB. AJ is attacked by his mystery attacker so its not Joe or Daniels…as Daniels goes back to check AJ, Joe jumps him and gives him a muscle buster.

    Tara vs. Hamada
    Tara wins after a Widow’s Peak. Kong comes out but is stopped by security just before she can get in the ring. Tara goes to the top rope and dives on Kong and security.

    Penzer claims Daniels vs. AJ will still happen.

    Mick Foley comes out and says he has a gift for Abyss which turns out to be a drawing of him and Abyss. He praises who Abyss has become. Next week Abyss vs. Dr. Stevie. If Abyss pins Stevie then he is gone from TNA.

    Homicide vs Bobby Lashley w/ Krystal who quickly gets sent to the back by Earl Hebner. Lashley wins after a one handed press slam. Cide attacks Lashley from behing only to be brought up for another press slam Lashley drops him after he sees Steiner on the screen going after Krystal. Lashley goes to the back. Cide pushes Earl Hebner twice until Red comes out to save Earl.

    AJ vs. Daniels (Take 2)
    Crowd was really behind this one and it was a great match that went back and forth between the two. AJ wins after the Styles Clash. At the end of the match Joe looks like he is about to leave and instead chokes AJ out and poses over the two holding the title belt.

    Team 3D vs. Morgan and Hernandez
    During the match Rhyno comes down mid match and attempts to give Brother Ray a chair but he pushes Rhyno away. Ray finally snaps and uses the chair on their opponents. They 3D looks disappointed in themselves and Rhyno gores both Hernandez and Morgan. He then raises 3D’s arms in the middle of the ring.

    The Beautiful People and Kong vs ODB, Sarita, Taylor Wilde, and Tara
    Heels win after Kong pinned Taylor.

    Explosion Match
    Kiyoshi w/ Bashir vs. Suicide
    Suicide wins after his finisher.

  • Sting’s Future, Cornette On Hogan-Bischoff, ODB Re-signs

    — Sting is not expected to return to TNA action soon. Word going around is that he won’t return until several months into 2010.

    — TNA President Dixie Carter announced via her twitter account that Knockouts champion ODB has signed a “new multiyear deal” with the promotion.

    — Jim Cornette updated the Q&A section of his website with a long response to the question “What is your opinion of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff signing with TNA?” Cornette answered, “This whole thing reminds me of why I hate corporate wrestling. I must admit there are bright spots, like imagining Vince McMahon’s face and blood pressure when he heard the news, or hearing Hogan bitchslap Vince Russo by saying they’d be OK if “he stays in his place.” Can TNA make their minds up, LAST month everybody had to be “100% behind Russo’s creative direction” and THIS month they hire a guy who once SUED him for his lousy booking? They have reunited the same team that helped WCW lose more money than any wrestling promotion in history.” To continue reading, visit cornette’s official website.

  • Sting's Future, Cornette On Hogan-Bischoff, ODB Re-signs

    — Sting is not expected to return to TNA action soon. Word going around is that he won’t return until several months into 2010.

    — TNA President Dixie Carter announced via her twitter account that Knockouts champion ODB has signed a “new multiyear deal” with the promotion.

    — Jim Cornette updated the Q&A section of his website with a long response to the question “What is your opinion of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff signing with TNA?” Cornette answered, “This whole thing reminds me of why I hate corporate wrestling. I must admit there are bright spots, like imagining Vince McMahon’s face and blood pressure when he heard the news, or hearing Hogan bitchslap Vince Russo by saying they’d be OK if “he stays in his place.” Can TNA make their minds up, LAST month everybody had to be “100% behind Russo’s creative direction” and THIS month they hire a guy who once SUED him for his lousy booking? They have reunited the same team that helped WCW lose more money than any wrestling promotion in history.” To continue reading, visit cornette’s official website.

  • Ric Flair Training Hard For In-Ring Return & Austin Movie News

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here’s what JR said about:

    Ric Flair: “Ric Flair called me Saturday as I was pulling into Owen Field in Norman about two hours before the Sooner game. Ric is staying very busy and the state lottery, promotional endorsement that he’s doing may be growing to other states outside the old, Mid Atlantic Territory area. Ric told me he was working out twice a day, when he could, in preparation for the upcoming Australian tour on which he’s booked. After talking to ‘Naitch’ it’s obvious to me that he still has the passion and the fire to perform inside a wrestling ring which should come really as no shock or surprise and I don’t think that his passion to perform will ever wane. Mother Nature might cause Ric more ‘female problems’ but Ric’s will to compete and perform can’t be deterred.”

    Steve Austin: “Steve Austin called me Sunday afternoon during the Packers-Vikings game and most of our discussion centered on football and how I was doing battling my ‘little friend’ Bells palsy #3. Steve is preparing to head up to Vancouver to film another action/adventure movie that is going to be largely done outdoors in the beautiful terrain of Vancouver, British Columbia. The Texas Rattlesnake expects to encounter plenty of ‘weather’ including ample rain which apparently is what they want for the film to have the organic grittiness to fit the script. I don’t know the release date but one can assume some time in 2010 nor do I know the title. I obviously don’t know much but as I said we talked football and not work.”

  • Ric Flair Training Hard For In-Ring Return & Austin Movie News

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here’s what JR said about:

    Ric Flair: “Ric Flair called me Saturday as I was pulling into Owen Field in Norman about two hours before the Sooner game. Ric is staying very busy and the state lottery, promotional endorsement that he’s doing may be growing to other states outside the old, Mid Atlantic Territory area. Ric told me he was working out twice a day, when he could, in preparation for the upcoming Australian tour on which he’s booked. After talking to ‘Naitch’ it’s obvious to me that he still has the passion and the fire to perform inside a wrestling ring which should come really as no shock or surprise and I don’t think that his passion to perform will ever wane. Mother Nature might cause Ric more ‘female problems’ but Ric’s will to compete and perform can’t be deterred.”

    Steve Austin: “Steve Austin called me Sunday afternoon during the Packers-Vikings game and most of our discussion centered on football and how I was doing battling my ‘little friend’ Bells palsy #3. Steve is preparing to head up to Vancouver to film another action/adventure movie that is going to be largely done outdoors in the beautiful terrain of Vancouver, British Columbia. The Texas Rattlesnake expects to encounter plenty of ‘weather’ including ample rain which apparently is what they want for the film to have the organic grittiness to fit the script. I don’t know the release date but one can assume some time in 2010 nor do I know the title. I obviously don’t know much but as I said we talked football and not work.”

  • TNA Founder Comments On Hogan & Bischoff Signing With TNA

    Jerry Jarrett, one of the founders of TNA Wrestling, posted the following comments on his Facebook page today regarding TNA’s new partnership with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff:

    The hot news currently is all about Hulk Hogan and Eric Bishoff signing with TNA. I sincerely wish them well and from the one comment I read, Hulk might be able to bring a positive shift to the company. Hulk stated that he wants to help the new talent learn and appreciate the “Art of Professional Wrestling”. If he is allowed to do this, the product will greatly improve and it will be positive for the business.

    The “Art of Professional Wrestling” has been lost recently and I place the blame squarly on the shoulders of the promoters of the business. Wrestling talent currently is over-produced to the point that most wrestlers are reduced to trying to be actors, (which most are not) by giving scripted interviews and robotic matches. To make matters worse, the scripts are written by producers who don’t have a clue what professional wrestling is all about.

    In about five years the business changed and in my opinion for the worst. I discovered in 2002, when we started TNA, that the heart of the business had been removed and all that remained was the illusion of professional wrestling. I walked in the building in Huntsville, Ala. to find the ring filled with wrestlers rehearsing every move that they planned to make during their match. I watched as wrestlers sat reading and memorizing interviews. I was dumbfounded when I discovered that basic principals of the business were alien to the new wrestlers. I felt that I was talking in a foreign language. What is heat? What is a ring general? What is selling? What do you mean when you say listen to the fans?

    I was told after I broke into this business that it was our duty to teach the new talent the “Art of Professional Wrestling”.I was told when we began TNA that the business had changed and it was not possible to go back to that art form. I have my personal excuses for not going in that direction, but I regret not trying and this is why I truly hope Terry can do what I could not do.

    The business today has truly changed. The new wrestlers are taught in “training camps”, or wrestling schools. It seems to me that if you put twenty wrestlers in a school and one man teaches them all, they would tend to be somewhat clones of each other. Wrestlers should be taught the business by other wrestlers in live situations. A student who goes to a wrestling school will learn everything he is going to lean at the school in 90 days. He will never advance until he learns from veteran wrestlers in live match situations. Far too much emphases is placed on in ring work anyway. I think this is the result of wrestling websites, written by people who have never had a match, telling wrestlers that they have a 5 star match or a 2 star match. I’d guess that Hulk Hogan has never been given one 5 star match rating in his career. I’d also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestles combined.

    Superstars of the wrestling business become Superstars because of their personalities and not because of their in-ring wrestling abliity. Verbal skills are much more important that physical skills when it comes to drawing money in this business. You don’t develop verbal skills in a talent by writing a script and allowing the talent to read his lines. How can a writer of these interview scripts not produce clone interviews? The unique personalities of wrestlers are hidden and only the thoughts of this one writer are expressed.

    The uniqueness of professional wrestling and it’s great public appeal is based on the interaction of personalities of the talent. To not understand this concept is to fail. If you take a walk in your memory and remember the great stars of professional wrestling, you will find that you best remember the personality and not the matches of these stars.

    So Terry, good luck in your efforts. You have a big job in front of you.

    Jerry

  • TNA Founder Comments On Hogan & Bischoff Signing With TNA

    Jerry Jarrett, one of the founders of TNA Wrestling, posted the following comments on his Facebook page today regarding TNA’s new partnership with Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff:

    The hot news currently is all about Hulk Hogan and Eric Bishoff signing with TNA. I sincerely wish them well and from the one comment I read, Hulk might be able to bring a positive shift to the company. Hulk stated that he wants to help the new talent learn and appreciate the “Art of Professional Wrestling”. If he is allowed to do this, the product will greatly improve and it will be positive for the business.

    The “Art of Professional Wrestling” has been lost recently and I place the blame squarly on the shoulders of the promoters of the business. Wrestling talent currently is over-produced to the point that most wrestlers are reduced to trying to be actors, (which most are not) by giving scripted interviews and robotic matches. To make matters worse, the scripts are written by producers who don’t have a clue what professional wrestling is all about.

    In about five years the business changed and in my opinion for the worst. I discovered in 2002, when we started TNA, that the heart of the business had been removed and all that remained was the illusion of professional wrestling. I walked in the building in Huntsville, Ala. to find the ring filled with wrestlers rehearsing every move that they planned to make during their match. I watched as wrestlers sat reading and memorizing interviews. I was dumbfounded when I discovered that basic principals of the business were alien to the new wrestlers. I felt that I was talking in a foreign language. What is heat? What is a ring general? What is selling? What do you mean when you say listen to the fans?

    I was told after I broke into this business that it was our duty to teach the new talent the “Art of Professional Wrestling”.I was told when we began TNA that the business had changed and it was not possible to go back to that art form. I have my personal excuses for not going in that direction, but I regret not trying and this is why I truly hope Terry can do what I could not do.

    The business today has truly changed. The new wrestlers are taught in “training camps”, or wrestling schools. It seems to me that if you put twenty wrestlers in a school and one man teaches them all, they would tend to be somewhat clones of each other. Wrestlers should be taught the business by other wrestlers in live situations. A student who goes to a wrestling school will learn everything he is going to lean at the school in 90 days. He will never advance until he learns from veteran wrestlers in live match situations. Far too much emphases is placed on in ring work anyway. I think this is the result of wrestling websites, written by people who have never had a match, telling wrestlers that they have a 5 star match or a 2 star match. I’d guess that Hulk Hogan has never been given one 5 star match rating in his career. I’d also bet that he had drawn more money in the wrestling business than all the 5 star rated wrestles combined.

    Superstars of the wrestling business become Superstars because of their personalities and not because of their in-ring wrestling abliity. Verbal skills are much more important that physical skills when it comes to drawing money in this business. You don’t develop verbal skills in a talent by writing a script and allowing the talent to read his lines. How can a writer of these interview scripts not produce clone interviews? The unique personalities of wrestlers are hidden and only the thoughts of this one writer are expressed.

    The uniqueness of professional wrestling and it’s great public appeal is based on the interaction of personalities of the talent. To not understand this concept is to fail. If you take a walk in your memory and remember the great stars of professional wrestling, you will find that you best remember the personality and not the matches of these stars.

    So Terry, good luck in your efforts. You have a big job in front of you.

    Jerry

  • Linda Responds To Illegal Campaign Contribution Allegations

    The Connecticut Democratic party has filed a formal complaint against Linda McMahon and World Wrestling Entertainment, alleging that WWE executives provided an illegal “in-kind campaign contribution” by having several embarrassing videos removed from YouTube.

    “If Linda McMahon is going to talk glowingly about her role as CEO of the WWE, then she also must answer for the kind of female-degrading, sexually-exploitive, steroid-fueled programming it’s become known for,” said Nancy DiNardo, chairwoman of the Connecticut Democratic Party.

    After Linda McMahon’s political rivals drew attention to some of the more outrageous segments featured on WWE programming in recent years (including the infamous scene of Triple H simulating sex with a Katie Vick’s corpse), WWE officials immediately had the videos removed from YouTube and claimed they were protecting their content from piracy. Democrats allege Linda McMahon’s campaign violated federal law when WWE had the videos taken off YouTube.

    “WWE has selectively enforced its rights only insofar as they benefit Ms. McMahon’s candidacy. The facts demonstrate that WWE made expenditures in connection with an election, in clear violation of FECA,” the complaint says. “WWE expended its corporate resources – including the time of Mr. Zimmerman and other corporate personnel, and its attorneys – all used in the service of Ms. McMahon’s campaign to force YouTube to remove only the videos that reflected poorly on Ms. McMahon, while ignoring the multitude of other WWE-owned material still hosted on YouTube.”

    For more on the Democrats’ complaint, visit Courrant.com.

    Linda McMahon’s spokesman Ed Patru calls the Connecticut Democratic party’s formal complaint a “baseless accusation” and says McMahon has complied with rules and regulations established by the federal government.  “This latest attack from Chris Dodd speaks volumes about just how worried he is about Linda’s campaign,” Patru said. “It’s troubling that Chris Dodd’s political apparatus seems more concerned with watching wrestling videos on the Internet than restoring trust in government.”

    For more on Linda McMahon’s response to the Connecticut Democratic party’s complain, visit TPM.com.

  • RAW Preview, Shad Gaspard Swine Flu Update, WWE Week

    — Tonight’s edition of WWE Raw takes place from the DCU Center in Worcester, MA. Rock legend Ozzy Osbourne and his wife Sharon will be the special guest hosts. The advertised main event is John Cena, Triple H, and Shawn Michaels vs. Randy Orton, Chris Jericho, and Big Show. This is expected to be a dark match, as its the same match that took place after last week’s Raw went off the air.

    — After writing on Twitter that he has “Officially recovered from the Swine Flu!,” WWE star Shad Gaspard has changed his tune and says he never had the illness. He now says, “I was just sick no swine flu…Cryme Tyme has the dopest fans!” When questioned about the conflicting Tweets, he said, “I don’t and and never did have the swine flu.”

    — This week is “WWE Week” on MyNetworkTV. In addition to Friday’s SmackDown, the network will be featuring two WWE-themed episodes of the “Deal or No Deal” gameshow on Tuesday night and will air John Cena’s action movie “The Marine” on Thursday night.

  • SEScoops.com Readers Halloween Costume Gallery

  • Dwayne Johnson Makes Ammends With Snubbed Fan

    Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson got some negative press last month after he refused to sign an autograph for a fan. According to ContactMusic.com, the former WWE champ is making it up to the fan in a big way.

    It all started when a security guard on the set of his upcoming film “The Other Guys” approached Johnson and asked for an autograph and a picture for his son. Johnson refused, saying he can’t sign autographs for every single person who asks.

    The story was reported in the New York Post newspaper and caught the attention of Johnson. Determined to make the situation right, he tracked down the fan out the fan and offered him a walk-on role in the ‘Other Guys’ movie and an autographed photo for his son. A source told Contact Music, “He was very apologetic.”

  • Jim Ross Says WWE Needs To Overhaul Its Recruiting Process

    In an interview with Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross spoke at length about how important it is for WWE to overhaul its recruiting process and find the next generation of superstars.  “It’s just a matter focusing on recruiting and finding world class athletes and encouraging them to have the aptitude and desire – and maybe more importantly, be fans of the product – to try this profession.”

    Ross continued, “It’s imperative. The scouting and the whole process has to be accelerated and maintained and improved upon every single day. As long as they have that mind-set, they’re going to continue to find good young guys that have potential. And then about one or two out of 10 will make it. It’s going to be an interesting future, but I don’t perceive it to be bleak whatsoever.”

    Ross also commented on fellow Oklahoman Jack Swagger’s strengths and weaknesses. “Swagger’s got a blessing and a curse,” Ross said. ” He has the blessing of having so much God-given physical ability as a natural 6-5 or 6-6 kid that’s 260, so he has good size. He has an amazing athletic background. He’s been wrestling since he was in elementary school.  He wrestled in a Division I program [at Oklahoma] with good success. But he’s one of those guys that is so good that he can put it in a little above neutral and be better than most. What he has to find is the fire inside him that’s going to drive him internally to get to the next level and the next level after that.”

    To read the full interview, visit BaltimoreSun.com.

  • Hulk Hogan Rips Vince McMahon & Hypes His Return

    In an interview with the Chicago Tribune newspaper, Hulk Hogan pulled no punches when talking about his relationship with WWE CEO Vince McMahon. Hogan admits that his return to wrestling is partially motivated by money, but says the desire to help the industry and compete with Vince are also factors.

    “Some people say Vince made wrestling and some say it was Hulk Hogan,” Hogan said. “We both did it together. I thought it would be cool to see who has more juice right now.” He added “I still have reasons to go do this, and it’s not just because I need to make money — which I do. I still love it. I still love it, man. I don’t know what else to say.”

    Hulk explained that he wears his WWE Hall of Fame ring to cover up a tattoo of his ex-wife’s name, but any value the ring has is purely sentimental. “I think Vince McMahon paid $20 for it. My high school ring was better than this thing.”

    Despite the expectations that he’s coming to TNA to wrestle, his true motivation is to get people excited about wrestling again. “It’s all about having fun and making the crowd go crazy and I think I can still do that, man. I might limp a little and might have to pull myself up by the ropes to get up, but I won’t know until I get in there,” he said. “If I really do embarrass myself to the point where fans are laughing at me, I’ll leave.”

    Hogan also talked about his unsuccessful attempts to join the rock bands Metallica and the Rolling Stones. To read the entire interview, visit ChicagoTribune.com.

  • Hulk Hogan Rips Vince McMahon & Hypes His Return

    In an interview with the Chicago Tribune newspaper, Hulk Hogan pulled no punches when talking about his relationship with WWE CEO Vince McMahon. Hogan admits that his return to wrestling is partially motivated by money, but says the desire to help the industry and compete with Vince are also factors.

    “Some people say Vince made wrestling and some say it was Hulk Hogan,” Hogan said. “We both did it together. I thought it would be cool to see who has more juice right now.” He added “I still have reasons to go do this, and it’s not just because I need to make money — which I do. I still love it. I still love it, man. I don’t know what else to say.”

    Hulk explained that he wears his WWE Hall of Fame ring to cover up a tattoo of his ex-wife’s name, but any value the ring has is purely sentimental. “I think Vince McMahon paid $20 for it. My high school ring was better than this thing.”

    Despite the expectations that he’s coming to TNA to wrestle, his true motivation is to get people excited about wrestling again. “It’s all about having fun and making the crowd go crazy and I think I can still do that, man. I might limp a little and might have to pull myself up by the ropes to get up, but I won’t know until I get in there,” he said. “If I really do embarrass myself to the point where fans are laughing at me, I’ll leave.”

    Hogan also talked about his unsuccessful attempts to join the rock bands Metallica and the Rolling Stones. To read the entire interview, visit ChicagoTribune.com.

  • VIDEO: Flair Cuts A Promo About His Return To The Ring

  • TNA iMPACT! Rating: Did The Hulk Hogan Buzz Help?

    The news of Hulk Hogan’s partnership with TNA Wrestling helped this week’s iMPACT! increase 20% over last week.

    The 10/29 edition of iMPACT! drew a 1.3 rating. By comparison, the 10/29 edition of WWE Superstars on WGN did a 0.9 rating.

    This week’s iMPACT! featured footage from Hulk Hogan’s press conference from Madison Square Garden in New York City. The footage aired in the show’s final segment and TNA hyped it all night.

  • Kofi Kingston Reveals Why He Dropped The Fake Accent

    In a recent interview with SkySports, WWE Raw superstar Kofi Kingston explains why he’s dropped the Jamaican gimmick and is now billed from his real birthplace, Ghana, West Africa.

    “I was actually born in Ghana, West Africa,” Kingston said. “As far as the whole Jamaican thing is actually concerned, growing up I actually loved everything about Jamaica. I loved the food, the culture, the laid-back attitude. When I came to the WWE initially I wanted to come out to something that attributed both my love for wrestling and the Jamaican heritage.

    “I wanted to come out to something unique and something people had never seen before. But at a certain point it becomes about being real and true to yourself, as opposed to playing a character. You look at guys like Triple H. When he first started out he was Hunter Hearst Helmsley and before that he was Terra Ryzing – I don’t know if a lot of people know that.

    “Stone Cold Steve Austin was Stunning Steve Austin before he became Stone Cold. The Rock
    was Rocky Maivia before he became The Rock. Shawn Michaels was a Rocker before he became the Heartbreak Kid. I think in wrestling and the WWE you see a trend of guys who make transitions. And I think for me I’m in that transition stage into coming into my own.”

    To read the full interview, visit SkySports.com.

  • Hogan Explains Why He Chose TNA Over WWE & His Goals

    In an interview with Time Magazine, Hulk Hogan says that he chose to partner with TNA Wrestling instead of returning to World Wrestling Entertainment mostly because he wants to help the younger generation of wrestlers.

    “When I woke up and realized I should be my own man and be responsible for being happy, I realized I still have a lot to contribute to the wrestling business,” Hogan said. “And jumping into TNA and being a part of that company is huge. I have a chance to give back and help these young wrestlers who don’t understand the business and the art form.”

    Hogan explains how the business has changed dramatically since the 1980s. “The business moves so much faster now,” he responded. “It used to be if Andre the Giant and I had a feud, it’d probably play out six or seven months later at a big event. Nowadays, if Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan have a feud at 9 o’clock, it’s usually over by 9:30. It’s a story-telling art form to create emotion and drama and I just think a lot of that is lost.”

    Here’s a classic Hogan quote .. The interviewer asked him about steroids, and how commonplace they were in the industry when he was coming up. Hogan said, “I just drank an iced tea here with lunch. If next year they say iced tea is worse than steroids, I’ll probably quit drinking that too. But at the time it was legal, just like drinking an iced tea is legal.”

    To read the full interview, visit Time.com.

  • Hogan Explains Why He Chose TNA Over WWE & His Goals

    In an interview with Time Magazine, Hulk Hogan says that he chose to partner with TNA Wrestling instead of returning to World Wrestling Entertainment mostly because he wants to help the younger generation of wrestlers.

    “When I woke up and realized I should be my own man and be responsible for being happy, I realized I still have a lot to contribute to the wrestling business,” Hogan said. “And jumping into TNA and being a part of that company is huge. I have a chance to give back and help these young wrestlers who don’t understand the business and the art form.”

    Hogan explains how the business has changed dramatically since the 1980s. “The business moves so much faster now,” he responded. “It used to be if Andre the Giant and I had a feud, it’d probably play out six or seven months later at a big event. Nowadays, if Andre the Giant and Hulk Hogan have a feud at 9 o’clock, it’s usually over by 9:30. It’s a story-telling art form to create emotion and drama and I just think a lot of that is lost.”

    Here’s a classic Hogan quote .. The interviewer asked him about steroids, and how commonplace they were in the industry when he was coming up. Hogan said, “I just drank an iced tea here with lunch. If next year they say iced tea is worse than steroids, I’ll probably quit drinking that too. But at the time it was legal, just like drinking an iced tea is legal.”

    To read the full interview, visit Time.com.

  • JR Blog: Good Health News, Being Replaced, Lesnar-Heyman

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

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has posted a blog update at JRsBarBQ.com where he shares some good news about his health. After the latest round of tests, doctors have ruled out the possibility of him having multiple scleroses, which is great news. JR had been waiting for a week to hear the results of that test. He wrote, “We have more tests scheduled next week as the process is essentially trying to eliminate issues that I might have but likely don’t. The waiting process gets a little stressful and my wife is a Saint for putting up with my orneriness as patience isn’t a virtue for yours truly. “

    WWE “Replacing” Him: One concerned emailer to this site responded to my last blog with the fact that WWE has ‘moved on without me.’ The way I see it, WWE had to move on without me, for now, as they have shows to do and I am unable to carry my share of the water. If the new broadcast teams click and I am not needed on a weekly basis then, poor me, I will find other projects on which to work. Yeah, getting off the road 51 weeks a year would be a real heart breaker. I’m partially joking here but until I get healthy WWE has to move forward without me and get their work done. I am pulling for Todd Grisham and Matt Striker to light it up on Friday night’s.

    Brock Lesnar & Paul Heyman: Did you know that Paul Heyman “consults” Brock Lesnar on selected projects? Strategic move by Brock who doesn’t like to deal with matters of this sort. I hope the UFC Champion gets well soon and enjoys the holidays while preparing for his next fight tentatively scheduled for January 2010. If I’m still on IR, or whatever, I might try and make that one in Vegas.

    Ross also talks about Lance Cade returninig to WWE, an upcoming WWE-themed episode of cable TV show Dinner Impossible – which you can read at JRsBarBQ.com.

  • Future Raw Guest Host Revealed, Jeff Hardy & Dixie On Twitter

    — The UK Sun is reporting that boxer Ricky Hatton will be guest hosting WWE Raw on 11/9 from the UK’s Sheffield Arena. Hatton will be the second boxer to host Raw after his recent opponent Floyd Mayweather Jr appeared held the job back in August.

    — TNA president Dixie Carter has joined Twitter at Twitter.com/TNADixie. Her first post detailed an eventful day at TNA headquarters. “Celebrated the Hogan signing at staff meeting this morning with champagne and donuts” Carter called it “a new beginning for TNA!”

    — Speaking of Twitter, former WWE superstar Jeff Hardy’s Twitter page is now back online at Twitter.com/jeffhardybrand. He has not added any posts yet. The page was taken down shortly after his drug arrest on September 11th.