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Tag: Andy Leavine

  • Backstage News On USA Network Being Upset With WWE Over Tough Enough

    Sources at the USA Network indicate that officials in the network believe pro wrestling’s popularity is cycling downward, which is indicated by the recent decline in ratings.

    USA Network reportedly feels that the format of Tough Enough being taped and live isn’t working because it doesn’t give the judges enough time to make fair decisions, and fans are only given a few minutes instead of a full day or full week to vote. They apparently feel this turns off the audience and leads to a poor word-of-mouth buzz.

    Additionally, USA officials felt Steve Austin was a dynamic presence with charisma that carried the previous Tough Enough season, while Chris Jericho comes off as a game show host. They aren’t blaming Jericho for anything as much as they are blaming the format of the show. They feel Tough Enough comes off like a game show instead of a reality TV competition.

    USA is also concerned with the fact that the last two Tough Enough winners — Daniel Puder and Andy Leavine — were released by WWE before ever amounting to anything in the promotion. The feeling is that winning the show means nothing, which is another reason why fans don’t seem to care about it.

    (Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

  • Final Impact Wrestling Rating, Tough Enough Winner Wants To Work For Jeff Jarrett

    – Thursday’s edition of TNA Impact Wrestling scored a final cable rating of 1.14, according to Nielsen Media Research. That is down from the 1.24 final rating that the show drew the previous week. As noted earlier, Thursday’s Impact Wrestling show averaged 1.421 million viewers, which was also down from the 1.481 million viewers that tuned in the week prior.

    – WWE Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine recently expressed interest in working for Jeff Jarrett’s new pro wrestling promotion. Leavine recently tweeted the following:

  • VINCE MCMAHON Returning To RAW, Sting/WWE Update + Wyatt Family BREAKING UP?!

  • Update On Bobby Eaton’s Condition, Several Wrestling Birthdays Today

    – As previously reported, legendary pro wrestler “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton was hospitalized due to complications with diabetes. Eaton has been working as an agent for Traditional Championship Wrestling (TCW) and has apparently been in rough shape for a while, but took a turn for the worse in recent weeks. Eaton was doing a seminar a few weeks back with David Taylor and apparently had no appetite and was said to be in bad physical condition.

    – There are several notable wrestling birthdays today. Those include Bill “Demolition Axe” Eadie (66), Bill Goldberg (47), Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine (26), Bart Gunn (50), Chyna (43), Rosita (23) and Antonio Cesaro (33).

  • Details On WWE’s Planned SURPRISE ENTRANTS For The 2014 Royal Rumble Match

    [Partial Credit: PWInsider.com]

  • Cody Comments On Dusty Rhodes/RAW, McIntyre Talks Flip Spot, Leavine Update

    -Cody Rhodes recently posted a tweet on his official Twitter account discussuing his father, Dusty Rhodes, returning to WWE television on tonight’s post-Night Of Champions edition of RAW. Cody wrote:

    “Dream is my HERO, but I don’t concur with the decision to head to #RAW perhaps he & @StephMcMahon can avoid things going too far. #Outlaw”

    -Speaking of Twitter, WWE Superstar and 3MB member Drew McIntyre tweeted about his wild flip over the top-rope spot during the Night Of Champions Kickoff show. McIntyre wrote:

    “Why. So. Shocked? You can bet I have more than a flip over the top rope in my move set. I am the most complete sports entertainer #WWENOC”

    -And finally, former WWE Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine tweeted about his upcoming participation in a Strongman Competition. Leavine wrote:

    “Big week comming up, heavy endurance training! Countdown 5wks away #StrongmanNationals”

    Backstage News From Night Of Champions + Major RAW *SPOILERS*

  • The Rock Turns 41 & Touts WM29 Success, Cena Injury Update On RAW & More

    – WWE superstar The Rock turns 41 years old today. Speaking of The Rock, he tweeted the following about WrestleMania 29 being the highest-grossing event in WWE history:

    – Michael Cole noted on Wednesday’s Main Event broadcast that WWE Champion John Cena will give fans an update on his injury status this Monday night on RAW.

    – Wrestling legend Vader missed an independent show in Canada over the weekend after being denied entry into the country due to a past DUI charge.

    – Former Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine (and partner Samson Walker) recently won the WWC Tag Team Titles in Puerto Rico.

    Photos: KELLY KELLLY & Her Hot Friends Attend A Hockey Game This Week

  • Jim Ross Calling NBA Game Today, The Latest From Andy Leavine

    – WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross will be broadcasting the second quarter of the Boston Celtics vs. Oklahoma City Thunder NBA basketball game this afternoon.

    – WWE Tough Enough Winner Andy Leavine was recently interviewed by Alex Marvez of Fox Sports and spoke about his time in WWE after winning Tough Enough:

    “It was a weird situation. They were thinking one thing and obviously I was thinking another … It was frustration on my end that did me in. I felt like they had put me in a position to shine and I was getting held back. Granted, there had been a lot of guys ahead of me that had been wrestling for a long time who were getting their shot, which they deserved. But I felt like, ‘You put me in this position where you spent millions and millions of dollars to build me up into something.’ It’s kind of like going on a big date and at the end of the night she goes, ‘All right, I’ll call you tomorrow.’ Come on, man!”

  • New TNA TV Champion, 2 Former WWE Talents At Thursday’s Impact

    – TNA Xplosion matches taped last night in Orlando were Magnus vs. James Storm and Kazarian vs. Eric Young.

    – Samoa Joe defeated Mr. Anderson on Thursday night’s episode of Impact Wrestling to win the vacant Television Title.

    – Former WWE Divas Champion Jillian Hall wrestled a dark match prior to Thursday’s Impact, losing to former WWE co-worker Tara.

    Hall lives in the area but there’s on word yet if TNA plans on signing her.

    – WWE Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine was backstage and sitting ringside for last night’s TNA Impact Wrestling. Leavine currently wrestles in Puerto Rico and is the WWC Universal Champion.

  • DDP Discusses Potential WWE HOF Induction, Update On Leavine

    – Diamond Dallas Page clarified remarks he made during a recent interview concerning a possible induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. The former WCW World Heavyweight Champion noted that until Randy Savage and Jake Roberts are in the elusive Hall, he’s content waiting in line. Speaking to Wrestling Inc., he now says that he would “absolutely” accept an invitation to be inducted if offered.

    “When I was being interviewed, they kept asking me over and over and over again [if he wanted to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame],” Page said. “I told them, ‘listen, it’s not that big of a deal. Until Jake Roberts and Randy Savage are in, who am I to bitch about anything? [laughs] What happens, happens. It’s not something I sit around thinking about.’

    “But I sure as hell didn’t say that I’d turn it down… that’s ridiculous. The [expletive] that wrote that took me out of context.”

    – Andy Leavine is scheduled to debut this weekend for World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico. He is being billed as the nephew of Dan Spivey (a/k/a Waylon Mercy), though he is actually his cousin. WWE released the winner of the last season of Tough Enough earlier this year, reportedly due to his lack of progress in their developmental program.

    Former WWE developmental talent Wes Brisco is also scheduled to appear for WWC this weekend.

  • Backstage News On Leavine’s Release, Austin Comments

    The decision to release Andy Leavine from his WWE developmental deal was made a few weeks back, according to f4wonline.com. WWE management felt that he was not improving in the ring and decided to cut their losses with him.

    WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin, who was one of the judges on the Season of Tough Enough that Leavine won, tweeted the following regarding his release:

    “Big Andy won Tough Enough. All day long and twice on Sunday. Thanks for your passion and opinions. Like it or not…He won. End of story.”

  • WWE Releases Tough Enough Winner Andy Leavine

    Andy Leavine, winner of the most recent season of Tough Enough, has been released by WWE.

    Leavine had actually been signed to a WWE developmental contract before the 2010 season of Tough Enough. After winning the reality competition, he was sent to Florida Championship Wrestling, where he wrestled as Kevin Hackman.

    He was suspended for 30 days last August for violating WWE’s Talent Wellness Program.

    (Source: PWInsider.com)

  • JR Says Leavine Not Ready For WWE, Chris Hero Update & More

    – WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross was at WWE’s developmental territory FCW this week evaluating talent – and was asked by a fan on Twitter when we’ll see Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine on WWE television. Ross replied:

    “Don’t see it being eminent. Lots of work to do.”

    – To update the status of Ring of Honor star Chris Hero headed to WWE, company officials reportedly wanted to sign him a few months back when they signed his partner Claudio Castagnoli to FCW. Hero began taking physical exams for WWE – which is around the time the whole process stalled.

    Either WWE  found a medical issue that made him unfit to sign or the contractual negotiations broke down, but he’s still not under contract. Hero hasn’t gone back to work for ROH or NOAH since his WWE physicals, so it’s still possible he’ll show up in FCW soon.

    – WWE is gearing up for Saturday’s Tribute to the Troops tapings (airing Tuesday night on USA) – and has a few days of events for the troops lined up. Several superstars and divas will be visiting the Advanced Airborne School and the Tolson Youth Center in Fort Bragg, North Carolina this Friday morning. On Friday evening, there will be a meet and greet event at Sports USA for any Department of Defense cardholders. WWE will then tape Tribute to the Troops on Saturday from Fayetteville’s Crown Coliseum. Tickets are available free of charge to DOD cardholders.

    (Sources: pwinsider.com, f4wonline.com)

  • Developmental Wrestler Released, Update On Andy Leavine

    The official website of Florida Championship Wrestling has removed developmental wrestler Rodney Thomas from their roster section, which would indicate that he has been released from his contract with WWE.

    Thomas, previously known as “Shotgun” Brock Barker on the Canadian independent wrestling scene, is a graduate of Lance Storm’s professional wrestling academy in Calgary, Alberta. He signed a developmental contract with WWE earlier this year following a tryout.

    Meanwhile, Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine has been added to their roster under the name Kevin Hackman. Photos of Leavine holding the Tough Enough Championship are enclosed but no mention is made of the Florida native winning the reality television series.

    Leavine has been training at their Tampa facility since June, during which he was reportedly suspended for a violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program. He has since returned to action.

  • Latest On Leavine’s Suspension, Chavo Classic Knocks Sin Cara

    — It was reported two weeks ago that Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine, who is currently training in Florida Championship Wrestling, was suspended for 30 days due to a violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program. WWE, however, never publicly announced the suspension. The latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter speculates that it could be due to Leavine being considered a developmental wrestler and not a main roster talent.

    — Chavo Guerrero, Sr. (a/k/a Chavo Classic) knocked WWE’s attempt to market Sin Cara. The former WWE Cruiserweight Champion wrote the following on Twitter (in Spanish): “Whoever hired Sin Cara does not know the Hispanic market.”

    — Alex Riley’s father, Kevin Kiley, Sr., has been hired as the morning talk show host for WKRK FM in Cleveland, Ohio. The CBS affiliate is switching from a music to an all-sports format.

    source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • Andy Leavine Reportedly Suspended Due To Drug Test Failure

    PWInsider.com reports that Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine, who is currently training in Florida Championship Wrestling, has been suspended for 30 days due to a violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program.

    Leavine’s suspension has yet to be publicly announced by WWE. He is believed to have failed a drug test.

    The organization announced earlier today that referee Mike Chioda had been suspended for 30 days due to a violation of their Talent Wellness Program.

  • Austin DVD News, Cole On HBK’s Hunting Show Tonight, Leavine

    – WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin wrote the following on Twitter on Monday regarding his new WWE DVD set, which is being billed as the “final” Austin DVD:

    “WWE film crew to come down to the Broken Skull Ranch in a few days. Filming last SCSA DVD. Please send your questions to my twitter acct. “

    “Also send any suggestions on matches you would like to see from WCCW, USWA, WCW, ECW, and of course WWE. Thanks for the help. Gonna be good.”

    – WWE Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine, who was profiled on Monday’s RAW, is currently training at Florida Championship and wrestled on last Saturday’s show from Fort Meyers, where he lost to Peter Orlov.

    – RAW announcer Michael Cole is the latest WWE personality to appear on Shawn Michaels’ hunting show on the Outdoor Channel. Michaels tweeted the following about tonight’s episode:

    “Just reviewed [tonight’s] MRA show. I sure hope everybody has a sense of humor. @MichaelCole is gonna b hated in the outdoor biz as well:-)”

  • Update On Tough Enough Winner Andy Leavine’s Backstage Heat

    Tough Enough competitor Jeremiah Riggs was interviewed over the weekend by Sean Walford of the Aftershock Wrestling radio show. Riggs spoke about his time working with WWE for Tough Enough, as well as TNA, ROH, UFC and more. You can listen to audio of the appearance by clicking here. (MP3)

    One of the more newsworthy topics discussed was the major heat Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine received after not selling the Stone Cold Stunner he received following the Tough Enough season finale. Here’s what Riggs said about that situation:

    “I think that a lot of people may have just bit there tongue on that one and let it pass, however I do know that he got his ass chewed that’s for sure. I ain’t gonna blast nobody, I ain’t gonna mention nobody’s names or anything, but there certainly was some people that knew what the deal was and they weren’t happy.”

    The fact that Andy Leavine was already under a developmental contract with WWE during Tough Enough was also addressed. Regarding that situation, Riggs said:

    “You know it is what it is. Hell, he is back in FCW, so it’s not like the WWE invested in something they already had. I don’t think that it’s much, but I tell you that when I get my chance I’m gonna come through there and I’m gonna shake some things up. I’m gonna step on some toes. If someone is in my way then they can either move or get hit over. I think in this business your gonna get pushed around, however I’m gonna push myself to the top and I’m gonna give it my 

     

  • Bret Hart’s WWE TV Return, DiBiase-Rhodes, Heat On Leavine

    – Bret Hart is rumored to be returning to WWE television in the near future. The Hitman is booked for several upcoming SmackDown shows and creative is discussing possible storyline ideas for him.

    – There has been talk of the USA Network airing a new ‘preview’ show on Monday nights prior to WWE RAW, similar to what the NFL does with its pre-game show for Monday Night Football.

    – Despite several botched attempts at establishing Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase as a viable tag team, WWE officials are said to be committed to getting them over on the SmackDown brand. The dynamic between The Miz and Alex Riley is being seen as a blueprint for what WWE will do with DiBiase and Rhode, with DiBiase doing Rhodes’ dirty work for now and then eventually turning babyface and feuding with Rhodes.

    – Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine got screamed at backstage at RAW the night of the Tough Enough season finale. A top WWE official ripped into Leavine for about five minutes due to the way he didn’t sell the slap from Mr. McMahon and Steve Austin’s Stone Cold Stunner. Leavine was told that he’s a piece of crap who doesn’t respect the business and will never amount to anything in WWE.  As previously reported, Leavine will be heading to developmental to sharpen his skills in the coming months. Considering the heat on him, it will be interesting to see if he ever makes it out of FCW.

    (Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, f4wonline.com)

  • Andy Threatens Luke On Twitter, Jillian Comments On Return

    — A fan on Twitter informed Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine of critical comments runner-up Luke Robinson made during a recent interview. Robinson stated last week that Leavine used pity to win the contest by saying he has children to take care of.

    Leavine wrote to Robinson on Twitter, “All the BS aside its over now. You want to run your mouth? Remember if you make it here-I’m already in the locker room.”

    — Former WWE Divas Champion Jillian Hall participated in her first match since leaving WWE on June 18 at an independent show in Orlando, Florida. She reveals in an interview with Diva-Dirt.com that she was not completely ready to return to the squared circle and was nervous as a result.

    “My nerves came from me not knowing if I was ready to be in a ring again,” Hall explains. “When I left WWE, there was a part of me that truly thought that chapter of my life was over. I had turned down many requests to do a match before taking the Orlando show because it just didn’t feel right and on top of that my body wasn’t and still isn’t 100%. You wouldn’t think it, but it was a very emotional day for me.”

    She continued, “I was nervous up until the very moment I walked out that night. I wasn’t sure how the people would react to me. When I walked out and turned “Jillian” up, it felt very natural like I had done it yesterday. I was literally afraid I was going to throw up when I took my first bump, but that, also, was very natural. The crowd accepted me even though I wasn’t 100% and that’s something I really appreciated.”

    The interview is available here.

  • Jim Ross Surgery Update, Andy Leavine To FCW & More

    – After undergoing successful stomach surgery on Wednesday, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ros wrote the following on Twitter regarding the procedure:

    “Surgery done. 11 staples used, came home, bleeding restarted, back to doc & now resting @ home. Sore but will be ok. Thx 2 all.”

    — The WWE website announced this week that Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine will not be headed to the main roster any time soon, but instead will begin training at the company’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling.

    – Former high school coach Joseph Simone, 22, was arrested at Tuesday night’s WWE SmackDown tapings in Providence, Rhode Island for impersonating a State Trooper. Simone was arrested earlier this year on charges of child pornography, solicitation and extortion.

    – The May 23rd episode of WWE RAW was the most-DVD’d episode of RAW ever, with 458,000 homes recording the show for later viewing. Factoring in the viewers who recorded the show, the 3.4 rating that RAW scored that night actually gets bumped put to around a 3.86.

    (Partial Source: Wrestling Observer)

  • Punk Posts Tweet Slamming WWE, Cannon Comments On Arrest

    — CM Punk retweeted the following message on his Twitter account slamming WWE’s creative braintrust regarding tomorrow night’s Raw:

    “Why does something tell me that even though @WWE will have @steveaustinBSR and @CMPunk under the same roof tomorrow, they’ll fuck it up.”

    — NXT contestant Lucky Cannon commented on a story that emerged yesterday stating that he was arrested earlier this year in Florida for impersonating a police officer. He claims all charges relating to the arrest were dropped.

    He wrote on Twitter, “Old news.. Charges dropped. Old news ;-)”

    The WWE talent was arrested on the morning of February 28, 2011 in Hillsbourgh, Florida and charged with falsely personating a law enforcement official. He was booked into the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office at 11:26 a.m. and subsequently released on $2,000 bail.

    — Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine announced today on his Facebook account he’s en route to Uniondale, New York for tomorrow night’s Raw taping.

  • JR Responds To ‘Mania Rumors, Tough Enough Drama

    — Jim Ross has responded to yesterday’s report that current creative plans call for him to announce at least two matches at WrestleMania XXVII.

    “I find it interesting that so many websites know my wm27 role, allegedly, and I don’t. ‘Net rumors= news items. Irresponsible ‘reporting’,” he wrote on Twitter. “My role at WM27 is to appear @ Axxess. NOTHING else has been confirmed. ‘Net sites should tell me the outcome of my Drs visit later 2day.”

    — Tough Enough contestants Christina Crawford and Andy Leavine were under contract to WWE when they were tapped for the USA Network reality show last month. There has been some grumbling on the set of the two being ‘ringers’ (ie. somebody with experience being placed in a situation with amateurs) due to their recent association with WWE’s developmental system.

    (Partial Source: Pro Wrestling Torch)