With WWE currently overseas for the WrestleMania Revenge tour, Randy Orton posted the following [short] story on Twitter about his friend, the late Lance Cade:

Tomorrow we are in Belfast, Ireland. I remember Lance [Cade] and Trevor [Murdoch] intervened just as I was about to take a shot to the face from a fan at the hotel bar. They took out 3 other threats all in about 6 seconds. We had to put our $ together to bail them outta jail the next morning. RIP Lance Cade RIP”

Lance Cade pased away last summer on August 13, 2010.

Former WWE performer Lance McNaught (a/k/a Lance Cade) died on August 13, 2010 from accidentally ingesting multiple drugs combined with the effects of a an enlarged heart, according to an autopsy report from a medical examiner in San Antonio, Texas.

A staffer of the Bexar County, Texas, Medical Examiner’s Office said of McNaught’s death to The New Haven Register in Connecticut: “The cause was ruled mixed drug intoxication, complicating a cardiomyopathy.” His death was ruled accidental.

The medical examiner’s report does not indicate whether McNaught’s use of anabolic steroids contributed to cardiomyopathy, which has been linked to steroid abuse.

Robert Zimmerman, a spokesman for World Wrestling Entertainment, told the newspaper that WWE obtained e-mails written by McNaught to a fellow wrestler, saying he had ordered two types of steroids in March and expected to fail a drug test.

McNaught was released from WWE in October 2008, then rehired in September 2009. He was sent to drug rehabilitation at his request, but was released a second time in April.

For more on the story, click here.

In an exclusive interview with SLAM! Wrestling, Trevor Murdoch talks about the death of his partner and best friend, Lance Cade.

Murdoch wants everybody to share in some of his positive memories of Cade, rather than the people he dislikes for merely using the 29-year-old Cade as a political pawn during Linda McMahon’s Senate run.

“To be honest, there’s been a lot of other web pages that have called me, and I haven’t done anything with them. So whatever we do, I’d like you to put it out there to EVERYBODY,” Murdoch told SLAM! Wrestling Producer Greg Oliver. “I want everybody to read this. I want this to be what everybody reads and goes, ‘Holy shit, I didn’t know this about that situation. I didn’t know that about Lance.’

“I’m not going to talk to anybody else.”

Murdoch’s wife, Amanda, called Cade “The Other Woman” since they spent so much time together, and would call each other on days off as well, eager to discuss ideas they had for their characters.

“Ninety per cent of the time, it was just him and I,” Murdoch said. “If I got to a town before he did, I’d wait for him and we’d get a rental car. If he got there before me, I would wait for him. If he got there first, he’d wait for me. It was a strong partnership, and not just a partnership, but a friendship.”

Initially, Cade (Lance McNaught) was asked to choose between Murdoch (William Mueller), fresh from Harley Race’s wrestling school, and Kevin Thorn (Kevin Fertig), who he had known in the WWE’s developmental system.

Murdoch’s unique look (“country by nature”) appealed to Cade, and they clicked, sharing a deep passion for the business.

“WWE thought they were putting two guys together so they could make a million dollars. What they didn’t know is they were putting two guys together that became best friends. And it breaks my heart every day,” Murdoch choked out, breaking down in tears, “it’s hard to talk about it now, man.”

The call came to Murdoch on August 13, 2010. He was asleep, and was woken by his wife and bar manager, Darin Waid, with the news. In disbelief, he checked his phone and there was a text message from Shawn Michaels — who trained Cade — asking him to call.

“I called him. I said, ‘Shawn’ — I don’t cuss around Shawn, I try to be respectful — ‘what’s all this shit I hear about Lance dying?’ He said, ‘Kid, I’m sorry, but he’s gone.'”

In the hour and a half interview, Murdoch addresses far more than their partnership. He talks about his visits with Cade’s family, how his own kids — who called him Uncle Lance — are dealing with his passing, and what the funeral was like.

Murdoch doesn’t shy away from the bigger questions, either.

“I think an addiction took control of his life, and he fought that addiction, and fought that addiction, and did everything he could,” said Murdoch, who admitted they talked frequently about the problems.

“My partner’s been gone three and a half weeks now, and you’re really the first person I’ve spoken to just for the simple fact that I don’t want anybody thinking that I’m trying to capitalize on my best friend’s tragedy, and my best friend not being here,” Murdoch said. “Because I would trade anything in this world besides my wife and children to bring that man back here, and for him to be here with his kids. It is a tragedy and it is something where personally I’m struggling with Jesus right now, because I really don’t understand what the point is, taking a good man like that.”

The lengthy story is available in its entirety exclusively at SLAM! Wrestling. The article can be read here.

Harley McNaught, father of former WWE performer Lance McNaught (a/k/a Lance Cade), responded to Linda McMahon’s recent statements regarding his deceased son.

McMahon claimed to the Connecticut Post last week that she “might have met him once” when asked if she knew the former WWE Tag Team Champion.

Reiterating the details of the WWE’s Wellness Program, she then told reporters that World Wrestling Entertainment can no more be held accountable for deaths of performers “than a film studio could have prevented Heath Ledger’s death”.

“Who knows what causes people to have addictions and do what they do?” she added.

Her flippant response has left Harley and his family furious.

“I’ve been with him on two different WWE functions where she came up to him and knew him by name,” McNaught said in an interview with TheDay.com.

“She disrespected him,” McNaught said. “She disrespected my family.”

A McMahon campaign spokesman said it “certainly wasn’t Linda’s intent to diminish any additional interaction she may have had” with McNaught.

“WWE has nearly 600 employees and about 140 performers, and I think it’s understandable that Linda may not recollect every interaction she’s had, particularly given the fact that she’s personally met with thousands of voters since resigning her position at WWE in September,” said Ed Patru. “Linda’s a very kind and sympathetic person, but she is human.”

McNaught added that Lance, “would have cut his arm off for Vince McMahon, but it wasn’t there in return. [Vince] don’t care any more than the man in the moon for them, other than as dollar signs.”

To read the article, click here.

Alex Marvez of Scrippsnews.com conducted a phone interview with former WWE superstar Charlie Haas last week.

Haas, who was released from WWE in February after almost a decade with the company, says despite his athletic ability, other forces held him back from being a main event performer.  “When you’ve got guys on top who hate you and are burying you behind your back, you’re not going to go anywhere.”

Here are some highlights of what he said about:

Working With Shelton Benjamin Again: “I’m not only excited to be back with Shelton, but also being able to have the handcuffs taken off so we can wrestle the way we want to. We’re going to work for a company that appreciates wrestling and wants you to go out and steal the show. You don’t have to play political games. This is going to be a great match.”

Drug Use In WWE: “WWE is cleaning things up. There was a group of guys who were addicted to all that stuff before the wellness program. They thought you need to do pills, drugs or whatever to live the life of a wrestler. People are being really educated now that you don’t have to do that anymore.”

Lance Cade’s Death “With each individual person it’s different. Some have addictive personalities that might be in their genetic code. A lot of times, it’s an individual decision. I get angry about a lot of it. Once you’re an addict, you don’t see how badly you’re hurting people. Eddie’s kids won’t know what it’s like to have their daddy in their life. Lance will never be there to walk his daughter down the aisle or see her graduate. It really breaks my heart.”

— The funeral service for former WWE performer Lance McNaught (a/k/a Lance Cade) was held yesterday at Porter Loring North Chapel in San Antonio, Texas.

McNaught died of apparent heart failure last Friday in San Antonio, Texas. Autopsy results will be released within the next eight to twelve weeks revealing what contributed to his passing.

— A representative of Scott Hall issued the following statement concerning the former WWE performer’s health, who reportedly checked into a rehabilitation facility:

Ok… so the news is out.. but let me see if I can clarify a few things.. We all know that Scott got arrested several months ago.. for being.. drunk in a bar…no big secret… knew he went to court.. was put on probation… public record… Did he not.. do an interview.. with Gods of Rock Radio..a couple months ago.. and 800,000 people heard this interview…. As always The Bad Guy told it, how it is.. he told how he had suffered from Depression, which contributed to other issues he has..told you all if you did.. to find help.. talk to somebody.. so what.. now he is.. and bless Vince for helping out here.. but once again… those who really don’t know what’s going on speculate… i. No one but Rico Casanova and myself.. know.. where he is.. and have contact with him.. so as I hear how he progresses.. I will post here.. Once again.. if you want the truth… come ask.. Please keep The Bad Guy in your thoughts and prayers… give him A for effort.. Thanks Again for being a Scott Hall Fan. As he always say’s.. IT’S NOT OVER .. TIL HE SAYS IT’S OVER…:)

Thanks,
Maggie
Scott Hall Web Crew

— A number of former WWE stars are on hand for this weekend’s Chicago Wizard World Convention running today through Sunday including Lita, Kevin Nash, Diamond Dallas Page, Mick Foley, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, The Honky Tonk Man, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, The Iron Sheik, Christy Hemme, Victoria, Lilian Garcia, Miss Jackie, Rikishi, Kevin Sullivan, Shane Douglas, Raven and Virgil. Click here for more information.

While it seems a bit morbid to think this way, many wrestling and political analysts have questioned how Lance Cade’s death last week might effect the United States Senate campaign of former WWE CEO Linda McMahon.

According to The Connecticut Post newspaper, Linda McMahon was quick to distance herself from the tragedy.

McMahon told reporters, “I might have met him once.”

Linda said WWE can no more be held accountable for deaths of talents “than a studio could have prevented Heath Ledger’s death.”

“Who knows what causes people to have addictions and do what they do?” she said.

What do you guys think? Will Lance Cade death affect Linda’s campaign in any way? Should it?

— There is not much happening backstage in LA for SummerSlam. The Undertaker is expected to play a role in the finish of Rey-Kane, and the story for the 7-on-7 match is being kept under wraps. It’s not likely that another match will be added as the tag match will have a minimum of 7 falls and likely will have 11 or more, meaning it will need over half an hour.

— During SummerSlam Axxess this weekend, Cody Rhodes beat Chavo Guerrero and The Hart Dynasty beat Luke Gallows & Joey Mercury. The autograph lines for Randy Orton was said to be three hours long.

— The New York Post has an article on Linda McMahon today, with quotes from both Michael Benoit and Chris Nowinski. The story also says that McMahon and her opponent Richard Blumenthal have agreed to have three debates.

— Another story on Linda McMahon, which paints her in a positive light, is available at http://www.boston.com/

— At the All-Japan show today at Korauken Hall in Tokyo a ceremony was held in honor of Lance Cade. He was scheduled to work the show.

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

World Wrestling Entertainment confirmed Friday the death of former performer Lance McNaught (a/k/a Lance Cade). His father, Harley McNaught, told WWE officials that his son — who had spoken publicly about his battles with pain killers and sleeping pills addictions — died of apparent heart failure.

He was 29 years old.

Regarding details of McNaught’s passing, his wife Tanya noticed earlier in the week that he didn’t look healthy and appeared to have trouble breathing. She called an ambulance Tuesday night and he was rushed to an area hospital.

McNaught passed out while at the hospital, but was later revived. He asked to be released Wednesday.

McNaught’s father said Lance showed up to his work Thursday and did not appear well. Harley took him to his San Antonio home and was discovered having passed away Friday morning. He was scheduled to leave that day for a two-week tour of All Japan Pro Wrestling.

McNaught’s wife believes he had not been drinking.

McNaught was under contract to WWE from March 2003 to October 2008. He returned to the organization’s developmental promotion, Florida Championship Wrestling, in September 2009, and was released in April 2010 following a stint in rehab.

McNaught leaves behind two daughters and a stepson.

Credit to f4wonline.com for some of the information used in this report.

As reported earlier, Lance Cade was released again last week by World Wrestling Entertainment. He was re-hired this past October, but was conspicuously never used sans a one-off appearance in developmental.

In an interview last week with PWInsider.com, Cade said John Laurinaitis told him last December they were going to call him up to the main roster, but he was having problems going through pain killer withdrawal and it was keeping him awake. He said that led to getting hooked on sleeping pills, so he called the office and asked to be put into rehab.

Cade completed four weeks of rehab and in early March, talked to his mentor, Shawn Michaels. He claimed HBK told him “he’s done” and would never be used a top guy.

During the interview, Cade expressed his displeasure with being let by WWE as he couldn’t understand why they would fire him for asking to go to rehab considering that everyone else is given an ultimatum to take up rehabilitation assistance or have their contract terminated. He felt he was doing the right thing by addressing the issue and asking to enter rehab, especially considering that his ongoing pill problems stemmed from working for WWE. He then said he doesn’t want to be part of a company that says they want to help wrestlers with their issues, but then turn their backs on them when they ask for help. He also feels it sends a bad message to the wrestlers in the locker room that if they get injured and take time off, they’ll lose their spot. Or, if they have issues medication and ask for help, they’ll be fired.

Additionally, Cade implied during the interview that there are top guys doing stuff much worse than he had done, saying WWE’s drug testing policy “doesn’t apply to everyone.”

Cade was previously released from WWE on October 14, 2008. Jim Ross later stated on his official website that “he made a major league mistake while utilizing bad judgment” and that it was instrumental to his departure. J.R. also made reference to Cade having a seizure on a plane and needing emergency medical care.

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

WWE released Lance Cade on Friday, reports PWInsider.com.

He was brought back to the company this past October, but was never called up to the main roster. He worked a Florida Championship Wrestling event late last year and was never used again.

The former World Tag Team Champion was previously released from WWE on October 14, 2008. Jim Ross later stated that “he made a major league mistake while utilizing bad judgment” and that it was instrumental to his departure. J.R. also made reference to Cade having a seizure on a plane and needing emergency medical care.

His representatives said he can be reached for independent bookings via lancecade@gmail.com.

— Regarding Lance Cade, he remains under contract to WWE but is simply not being used in any capacity. He worked a Florida Championship Wrestling event late last year and hasn’t been seen since. Furthermore, no one knows when he’ll be returning to television let alone which brand he’ll end up on.

— You can follow Wade Barrett on Twitter at twitter.com/WadeBarrett. He is being mentored by Chris Jericho on WWE NXT.

Source: PWInsider.com

World Wrestling Entertainment has signed former tag team champion Lance Cade to a new contract.  He reported to Florida Championship Wrestling, WWE’s developmental territory, earlier this week.

Cade, who was trained by Shawn Michaels in Texas, is best known from his tag team with Trevor Murdoch. He had been in the midst of the biggeset push of his career, working as Chris Jericho’s second during a feud with Michaels when he was suddenly released in October 2008. WWE announcer Jim Ross reported at the time that Cade was let go after suffering a seizure on a flight that required emergency treatment. The belief at the time was that Cade’s seizure was the result of “something he had taken.”

Since his WWE releasse last year, he’s been working for the NWA in California as well as in Japan.