– WWE is currently planning to launch the WWE Network in the fourth quarter of this year, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
– Former WWE star Bobby Lashley could be headed to the Bellator MMA promotion. Lashley tweeted this week that he recently met with Bellator VP of Talent Relations Sam Caplan.
– Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon will participate in the first 90-minute Republican Senate debate for the state of Connecticut tonight in Norwich. The debate will stream live at 7pm EST on norwichbulletin.com.
– The final episode of ECW on SyFy aired on this date back in 2010. The main event saw Ezekiel Jackson defeat Christian in an Extreme Rules match to become the final ECW Champion.
– According to the latest polling for the upcoming Connecticut Senate race, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon is currently trailing Democratic candidate Chris Murphy by 9 points.
– There is a strong feeling among WWE officials that today’s roster is lacking the main event star power of previous generations. While there are a handful of who carry themselves like stars and have major drawing power, overall – the locker room atmosphere is very different than what it was a decade ago.
During the tail end of the Attudie Era, WWE had guys like Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, The Undertaker, Mick Foley, Kurt Angle and Brock Lesnar as big draws. The next tier of talent included names like The Hardy Boyz, Edge, Eddie Guerrero and more who were hungry to climb the ranks and had the to make skills it happen. Today’s locker room and WWE’s developmental system are chock full of promising talent, but WWE has gone many years without effectively building mid-card talent and they are now paying the price.
Christopher Shays, a former member of the United States House of Representative who is running as a Republican against Linda McMahon in the 2012 United States Senate election in Connecticut, took the former WWE CEO to task over the numerous WWE performers to pass away before the age of 50: who McMahon made part of her campaign narrative of corporate success and economic prosperity.
“Let’s think about it. She’s got over 41 people 50 years and younger who’ve died in her jobs. That’s quite a job record that she’s created,” Shays said Wednesday.
In response, McMahon campaign spokeswoman Erin Isaac released a statement saying that the two-time Senate contender is focused on finding solutions for unemployment. No mention was made of WWE or the numerous wrestling deaths.
“Nearly 160,000 people woke up in Connecticut without a job this morning,” Isaac wrote. “Linda spent her day talking with folks about her plan to put them back to work. This positive message and Linda’s proven record of job creation are exactly why she is endorsed by more than 1,800 hardworking families and small business owners and nearly 130 grassroots leaders across the state, including 20 Republican State Central Committee members and 60 Republican Town Committee chairs.”
More details on the story are available at CTPost.com.
United States Senate candidate Linda McMahon is being accused of plagiarizing an op-ed piece that she ran last week on a Connecticut news site.
In the piece, which can be read at CTNewsJunkie.com, McMahon writes the following about of TransCanada’s pipeline:
“Keystone XL stands ready to put some 13,000 Americans to work to construct the actual pipeline. These would be pipefitters, welders, mechanics, electricians, and heavy equipment operators, among others.”
Compare McMahon’s quote to the following text from the TransCanada website:
“TransCanada is poised to put 13,000 Americans to work to construct the pipeline — pipefitters, welders, mechanics, electricians, heavy equipment operators, among other jobs.”
McMahon also wrote:
“Another 7,000 manufacturing jobs would be created across the U.S. What’s more, thousands of additional spin-off jobs likely would be created by the increased demand for local goods and services along the pipeline route.”
Compare that with what’s on the TransCanada site:
“… in addition to 7,000 manufacturing jobs that would be created across the U.S. Additionally, local businesses along the pipeline route will benefit from the 118,000 spin-off jobs Keystone XL will create through increased business for local goods and service providers.”
McMahon’s office on Tuesday defended the language:
“These are factual statements widely used by advocates for the Pipeline,” said McMahon spokeswoman Erin Isaac via email to HuffingtonPost.com. “In researching the project and arguments both for and against it, the most compelling language revolves around job creation. These stats are repeated by respected industry experts and across multiple sources including TransCanada’s website, which we should have cited in our piece. Ultimately, this project represents thousands of jobs and it remains unacceptable that this administration would continue to put up roadblocks when millions of Americans are still looking for work.”
– In response to WWE selling “Cena Sucks” t-shirts, John Cena noted on Twitter that WWE has wanted to make the shirts since 2008 and he is not bothered by them. Sources close to Cena say that he legitimately does not mind that the shirts are being sold and gets royalties from every single one sold.
– With Linda McMahon second run for United States Senate underway, the former WWE CEO is making an effort to distance herself not only from the WWE product this time around, but the McMahon name as well. Her campaign material pushes the name LINDA with no mention of her business experience running WWE or her last name. Instead of using all her own money this time, Linda is raising funds from her supporters.
Last weekend’s 12/16 live event from Fort Myers, FL drew 5,500 paying fans for a live gate of $155,000. The next night’s Nassau Coliseum show drew 7,000 and a $285,000 live give, which isn’t good for the New York market. The New York market, however, did get three shows in a month, so that could be one of the reasons.
– Former WWE star JBL recently had a scooter stolen from in front of a police station in Bermuda, where he now lives. For more on the story, visit TMZ.com.
– After capturing his first Mixed Martial Arts championship earlier this month, former WWE & TNA star Bobby Lashley is seeking independent wrestling booings.
A representative for Lashley sent us the following:
“If promoters are interested in bringing in Bobby Lashley, email LashleyBookings@yahoo.com. Lashley is also working on a new official website that should be ready by 2012 and will feature news and information for both Bobby’s wrestling and MMA career. You can follow Lashley on Twitter @FightBobby.”
– Former WWE tag team the New Age Outlaws have posted their latest online video, which you can check out at Blip.tv.
– United States Senate candidate Linda McMahon will be appearing at the “Ladies Who Launch” event on Monday, 12/12 in New Canaan, Connecticut. The event is described as non-political and not a fundraiser, but a “chance for good conversation among women who want to be informed.” [TheDailyWeston.com]
– United States Senate candidate Linda McMahon has officially endorsed Rebpulican candidate Mitt Romney for the 2012 Presidential election. For more on Linda’s endorsement of Romney, check out Politico.com.
– At Thursday’s WWE Investor conference call, it was announced that revenues from WWE Studios plummeted a staggering 51% during the third quarter of 2011. Vince McMahon stated on Thursday that WWE plans to “monitor and refine to improve future performance.” WWE plans to release three films already wrapped over the next six months.
Entertainment publication Variety has an article up looking WWE’s struggling film division, which you can read here.
– CTPost.com has an article up looking at the strong performance of WWE’s stock on Thursday despite the company’s Q3 earnings dropping to $10.6 million, down from $14.3 million last year. CTPost wrote:
“Stamford-based WWE reported earnings Thursday and saw shares up 3.4 percent to $10.66 on the New York Stock Exchange. The wrestling entertainment company said earnings fell to $10.6 million, or 14 cents per share in the third quarter, from $14.3 million, or 19 cents a share, over the same period last year.”
“WWE’s film business was a drag on earnings again, but revenue from live and televised events rose nearly $5 million to $78.1 million in the quarter.”
– The Federal Election Commission has ruled that Linda McMahon violated election laws in 2010 by appearing in a WWE commercial for the Make-A-Wish-Foundation. No action will be taken against McMahon and it will not affect her run for Senate in 2012.
Linda’s political opponents in the Connecticut Democratic State Central Committee alleged that WWE coordinated corporate contributions with Linda’s 2010 Senate campaign. One of the accusations was that WWE held their Fan Appreciation Day in the state of Connecticut just three days before the election. The commission found no issue with this as Linda’s name, her opponent’s name and her campaign period wasn’t mentioned during Fan Appreciation Day. It was probably just a coincidence ..
– This year’s Tribute to the Troops special will be taped on December 11th from the Crown Colliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina. The show will first air on the USA Network on 12/13 as a 2-hour special and will then air later that weekend on 12/17 NBC.
Considering the fact that Tribute to the Troops has performed poorly on NBC in recent years, some believe WWE airing the show first on the USA Network can be WWE’s excuse if the rating on NBC bombs again this year.
– While WWE was on tour in Mexico, 7 stars from the CMLL promotion received tryouts at Sunday’s SmackDown tapings from Mexico City.
As we reported here on the site over the weekend, a number of stars from the AAA promotion as well as a few other independent wrestlers received tryouts at Saturday’s RAW tapings.
– Black Sin Cara will debut a new theme song on Friday’s Smackdown called “The Curse.”
– Former WWE announcer Todd Grisham, who made his ESPN debut over the weekend, is also a correspondent for the ABC show America This Morning.
(Credit to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter for some of the information used in this report.)
— It’s been rumored for quite some time and now it’s official, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon will announce Tuesday that she’s once again running for United States Senate next year. The announcement will be made Tuesday morning from the Coil Pro factory in Connecticut.
“I am running for Senate to help give entrepreneurs like Jeff the legislative support they need to succeed,” McMahon said. “If we are going to get our economy growing again, government needs to be a partner, not an adversary to job creators. We need to send to Washington people who know how the economy works, who know how job creators think, who have created jobs and who have had to deal with the real-world consequences of the taxes and regulations Congress passes. You don’t fix the problems in Washington by sending back the same people who created them. I’m a job creator, I’m not a politician.”
For more on Linda’s decision to run, visit Connecticut’s Courtant.com.
— This past week, Edge gave a scholarship for free pro wrestling training to a young individual at Squared Circle Training in Toronto, ON. Check out this video featuring Edge awarding the scholarship to a young lady who is already working the independents:
– Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon has hired Corey Bliss a campaign manager – a strong indication that she’ll be running once again for United States Senate next year. Bliss told GreenwichTime.com:
“I am a political consultant who has talked to he. She has not made up her mind.”
– The July 4th episode of WWE RAW was the most DVR’d RAW ever, with 400,000 homes watching the show after the original broadcast – which breaks down to 14.2% of that show’s overall audience. The following week (7/11) had 324,000 homes watching on DVR and the week after that (7/18) had 319,000 homes watching on DVR.
– WWE is releasing two original novels, which will be aimed at younger readers. They will be written by Jeff Gottesfel, and the first is titled “Superfan.” In that book, CM Punk is slated to play a major protagonist.
– The London riots have effected both WWE and TNA as a Sony warehouse that stored millions of DVD’s stocked for Europe was destroyed by a fire.
– Five young talents have been added to the official roster page of Florida Championship Wrestling, the official developmental territory of WWE:
Three superstars: Alexander Rusev, Dean Ambrose, and Ethan Levin.
Two divas: Audrey Marie and Eden Stiles.
– Following an unsuccessful bid for United States Senate last November, former WWE CEO Linda McMahon is still strongly considering another run next year. McMahon’s publicists issued a brief statement to Connecticut’s Hearst Newspaper this week, saying: “It is still a very strong consideration.”
– WWE has announced details for the upcoming SummerSlam Axxess convention. The 2-day event will take place on August 13th and 14th from the Nokia Plaza in Los Angeles. Tickets will go on sale July 9 at 10 AM PST. For more information on the event, click here.
– Former United States Senate candidate Linda McMahon appeared at a community center this week in New Haven, Connecticut and said she is still considering another Senate run in 2012. It’s considered likely that Linda will run again, since she still has a ton of cash on hand and has the ‘campaign infrastructure’ ready to go from her previous campaign.
– Former WWE star Chris Jericho tweeted the following on Thursday:
“Said “Never Evvvvvvvvver” for the first time in 6 years in an interview today. Gave me, the soundguy and the camera man goosebumps…”
– It’s been announced that WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper will be starring in a new stars in a new movie called Fancypants, a comedy about play-by-play wrestling announcers. The film is being shown today (Friday) at the Sunscreen Film Festival in St. Petersburg, Florida. Check out this “behind the scenes” look at Fancypants:
— WWE conducted an injury angle yesterday morning at WrestleMania Axxess which would likely affect the Eight-Man Tag Team Match at WrestleMania XXVII featuring Big Show, Kane, Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov vs. The Corre. Following Kozlov’s victory over Tyler Reks, The Corre attacked the Raw Superstar. The faction used the steel steps to crush The Moscow Mauler’s shoulder against the ring post.
In an update on his condition, the official Twitter account of WWE Magazine tweeted the following: “We haven’t heard any more definitive news on Kozlov, but it looks like he’s gonna be out of action tonight…”
— During his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame last night, Drew Carey said how much he respected the WWE performers. According to sources within the organization, he was very respectful and complimentary to everyone. He went out of his way to introduce himself to everyone and appeared knowledgeable about the wrestlers.
— Shane McMahon is not in Atlanta. Linda McMahon, however, is. She was on hand for yesterday’s WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony. She also made an appearance at WrestleMania Axxess.
— Brock Lesnar appeared on ESPN’s Sportscenter this morning to promote the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter and was asked by anchor Hannah Storm about the possibility of returning to World Wrestling Entertainment.
“I should never say never,” Lesnar responded. “When my stint in the UFC is over, it’s a possibility. But folks, it ain’t happening very soon. That’s for sure.”
— The Boys & Girls Club of Stamford, Connecticut has received a $300,000 pledge from the Vince and Linda McMahon Family Foundation. The foundation will donate $100,000 per year over the next three years. (Article link)
— The March 26 episode of A.M. Raw on the USA Network drew a 0.5 cable rating, with 572,000 viewers.
Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon told the Greenwich Times this week that she is “seriously considering” another run for United States Senate in 2012.
“I’m leaning in that direction,” McMahon told the Greenwich Times this weekend. “I’m seriously considering another run, but I haven’t made up my mind yet … I’m getting a lot of calls, a lot of encouragement from people around the state. I enjoyed my campaign.”
Daniel Kelly, Executive Director of the State Democratic Party, had this to say about Linda running again:
“I think she runs, and, if she runs, her money, I’m sure, makes her a formidable candidate within the Republican primary. But if she gets to the general (election), she’s the same Linda McMahon, and she has the same failed record of laying off employees and paying herself millions, the same record of steroid abuse and degradation of women in the WWE and she spent nearly 50 million in one of the most Republican years ever and came up short.”
Connecticut’s Republican party chairman Christopher Healy, said: “I think she’s doing what anybody would do. I think she’s been evaluating what the campaign was about, what was good, what was bad. I think that’s appropriate for anyone running for statewide office next year. You’ve got to start early.”
When asked about whether she plans to work for WWE again, she shot down the idea. “I have no plans to return to WWE.”
The New York Times published an article this week looking at former WWE CEO Linda McMahon’s political future and whether she will run for United States Senate again in 2012. Based on public comments she’s made in recent months, speculation from political pundits and the tremendous amount of personal wealth she still has (despite spending upwards of $50 million of her own money in her unsuccessful 2010 campaign), the New York Times thinks there’s still a strong chance of her giving it another shot. You can read the NYT piece at this link.
Earlier this week, Connecticut Senator Joseph Leiberman announced that he is retiring and will not be seeking another term in 2012. Linda McMahon posted the following statement on her official Facebook Page regarding Leiberman’s retirement and whether she will make another run for that job:
“Senator Lieberman announced today that he will not seek re-election. I believe he deserves our respect and appreciation for bringing a strong, independent and principled voice to Washington. Many people have asked me what my plans are. While running for the U.S. Senate in 2012 remains an option for me, I will spend …the next few months focusing on how I can best serve the people of Connecticut.”
Linda McMahon’s campaign issued the following to her mailing list:
Dear Friend,
It has been my honor and pleasure to have had the opportunity to run for the United States Senate here in Connecticut.
I couldn’t have done it without you. Your faith and trust in me during the past 13 months has meant so very much.
I have thoroughly enjoyed traveling around our beautiful state from the northwest corner, to the quiet corner down along the shoreline and into Fairfield county with points in between. We racked up 52,000 miles on the campaign vehicle but the journey has been a joy.
I am also very proud of the campaign that we have run. Our ground game was tremendous: hardworking volunteers like you knocked on 100,000 doors, made more than 400,000 phone calls and proudly placed countless yard signs in front of your homes and businesses.
My campaign’s focus was on economic recovery and job creation, and today, that same focus must remain the top priority of our newly elected officials. Let us all make sure they have our support for the good of our state and our country.
The United States is the best place to live in and I truly believe we as American’s have a strength and resolve that will pull us through these next few unpredictable years. We must look ahead and bring ourselves to remember as President Ronald Reagan once said, “If you’re afraid of the future, then get out of the way, stand aside. The people of this country are ready to move again.”
Thank you all for your heartfelt support and encouragement. Sincerely,
Connecticut’s Hartford Courant newspaper spoke to Linda McMahon following her United States Senate campaign loss on Tuesday night ..
Linda McMahon was asked if she’d be returning to work for World Wrestling Entertainment now that the campaign is over, she said no.
When asked about running for the U.S. Senate again in 2012, she replied with a smile saying “Oh, I don’t know.”
When asked again specifically about running in 2012, she replied to ask her again in 2012.
You can read more of the Hartford Courant’s post-election interview with Linda McMahon here.
Speaking with a source at WWE headquarters in Stanford, Connecticut today, the overall mood at the office is fine and things were described as “business as usual.”
Vince McMahon, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Shane McMahon, WWE lawyer Jerry McDevitt and other members of the McMahons’ inner circle joined Linda as she gave her concession speech in Connecticut on Tuesday night.
Linda called this past year campaigning “unbelievable” and thanked everyone for their hard work. Linda said, “no matter what, I consider this a victory.”
CBS News in New York has posted an audio clip of Linda McMahon’s concession speech, which you can listen to here.
FOX News is projecting Democratic Candidate Richard Blumenthal defeated Republican candidate Linda McMahon in the United States Senate race out of the state of Connecticut.
NBC News has also projected Blumenthal defeated McMahon, although no margin of error was given.
CNN projected based on raw exit poll data a potential 15 point margin of victory for Blumenthal.
– Tonight’s episode of WWE’s Monday Night RAW will take place from the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York. Comedian Pee-Wee Herman will be the show’s guest star. As of last week, there were plans to incorporate characters from “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” into the show .. Pee-Wee is the last celebrity on WWE’s schedule of RAW guest stars.
No matches have been announced as of Monday morning, but last week WWE teased Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz for tonight.
Local advertisements are promoting that WWE Champion Randy Orton will defend against John Cena, Sheamus and Wade Barrett in a fatal fourway match as the dark match main event.
– Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has endorsed Linda McMahon’s Unites States Senate campaign. At a campaign rally in Windsor, Connecticut last Friday, Giuliani said that McMahon is the right person for the job.
– WWE developmental talent Brodius Clay worked the house shows over the weekend for the Smackdown brand and is expected to be on the road with WWE this week. (Source: pwinsider.com)
— Sean Morley (a/k/a Val Venis) is telling people he has re-signed with World Wrestling Entertainment.
— Triple H and Stephanie McMahon appeared at the Danbury Get Out The Vote Rally yesterday in Danbury, Connecticut to support Linda McMahon’s Senate campaign. The former WWE CEO was also on hand for the event.
— The Bella Twins hosted Nickelback’s pool party concert yesterday at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
— It was reported earlier that Chavo Guerrero is playing the role of Jack Swagger’s eagle mascot. Current creative plans call for the mascot’s identity to revealed on television. (source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
— Matches taking place on tonight’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows: Mark Henry vs. Jey Uso, Zack Ryder vs. Tyson Kidd, MVP vs. Curt Hawkins, and the advertised main event of Tyler Reks vs. Chris Masters.
Michael Benoit Campaigns Against Linda McMahin (Photo by Jessica Hill)
Michael Benoit, the father of the late Chris Benoit, is speaking at a press conference in Connecticut today for Linda McMahon’s Democratic Senate race opponent, Richard Blumenthal. Benoit is speaking out about how WWE treats its wrestlers and said he was there to “change an industry that is out of control.”
Benoit says that Vince and Linda McMahon are motivated by nothing but money.. “The only reason that woman wants to go to Washington is to protect the dollars that WWE makes, to head off any attempt to regulate their industry.” said Benoit.
Linda McMahon spoke to reporters shortly before Benoit’s press conference and calls Michael Benoit’s position “bitter and sad.”
“I think Mr. Blumenthal has really tried to focus in only saying that WWE does not treat its performers well, when in fact, WWE treats its performers incredibly well and it wants to make sure that those men and women in the ring are protected,” she said.
“I can truly understand the pain of a father who has not only lost a child but a son who was involved in a heinous crime of killing his wife and his son,” McMahon said to reporters. “I can understand that his feelings are bitter, sad, wants to find answer and would like to also find someone to blame.”
Benoit responded: “Maybe I come off as a bitter father. I’m determined to make change in this industry so we don’t have people dropping dead at the age of 30.”