– Natalya joins Colt Cabana on the latest Art Of Wrestling podcast (listen here), where she discussed breaking into the professional wrestling industry against her father’s wishes, relocating from Calgary, Alberta, Canada to Tampa, Florida upon signing a WWE developmental contract, various wrestling cities, Hart family tales and more. The SmackDown Diva also addressed fan concern with her lack of WWE television time in recent months.
“Just because you’re not the Diva’s Champion that day, or just because you’re not on TV that week, or just because you lose a match people get so worked up about it,” she says. “It’s all very cyclical, that’s what I’ve come to realize. Especially for women in the business, it’s very very cyclical. You can’t be on top forever.”
– A video from 2001 of former WWE Women’s Champion Amy “Lita” Dumas’ appearance at an autograph signing for the It Just Feels Right video release has drawn attention online as one of the fans she meets appears to be a teenage AJ. Dumas was asked on Twitter whether the young girl in question is the current WWE Diva, who became very emotional upon meeting her heroine.
Dumas replied, “YES. So cute.”
AJ joked about the encounter, writing to Dumas, “Haha. Proof I stalked you before stalking anyone else.”
– WWE has reached out to Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch in the last week about making an appearance building to or for the historic 1000th episode of Raw.
– Brutus Beefcake is advertised to appear for Abbotsford Agrifair in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada on August 4 and 5, 2012.
– Amy “Lita” Dumas appears on the debut album of JD & the FDCs as a guest vocalist for the song “From the Shadows.” Additional information is available here.
– Big Show is today’s Superstar of the Day on WWE.com.
– Several fans sent word that WWE did not draw a big crowd for for No Way Out at the IZOD Center. Several upper level sections were tarped off and there were a l ot of empty seats throughout the entire arena, even ringside. Attendance was estimated at under 12,000, not even close to a sell out.
– Former TNA star Amazing Red was backstage for WWE’s No Way Out pay-per-view on Sunday. The former X Division champion Red was telling fans at the arena that he had a tryout earlier in the day.
– It was announced at No Way Out that WWE will return to the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey for a RAW Supershow on October 22nd.
– Former WWE Diva Lita was in attendance for WWE’s No Way Out pay-per-view last night. She is reportedly dating WWE champion CM Punk. Hip-hop legend DMC of Run DMC fame was also in attendance with his family.
Rory McAllister, who appeared for WWE from 2006 to 2008 as a member of The Highlanders, feels today’s crop of Divas don’t compare to the extraordinary bombshells of days gone by. Though attractive in their own right, he categorizes today’s female talent as ‘girls,’ rather than ‘Divas,’ and lacking special, indefinable attributes.
“WWE has some pretty girls working there but what happened to having Divas!? Trish, Candace, Torrie. WOMEN of hotness!” McAllister voiced on Twitter Thursday.
He then makes a daring comparison.
“I can see pretty much most of today’s chicks at any bar on a Friday night. #nothingspecial.”
A follower of McAllister’s stated, “WWE doesn’t believe in having divas who can wrestle, they’d rather just give them 3 minutes and and tell them to bounce around.” The wrestler responded, “Agreed, but they’re not even hot enough to hold my interest.”
He continues, “Like I said I see them in any bar. But! If Trish walked into a bar, EVERYONE would be like “who the fuck is that!” Same goes for Torrie Wilson, Candace, Lita etc. The new chicks have zero “IT” factor.”
McAllister also feels that WWE’s premiere starlet, Kelly Kelly, lacks je ne sais quoi.
“She’s a good lookin chick but no “holy shit” factor!” he wrote.
WWE brass may share similar sentiments; no Diva has solely graced the cover of their magazine since 2006.
– WWE.com announced Thursday that United States Champion Santino Marella has challenged Ricardo Rodriguez to a Tuxedo Match at No Way Out on Sunday. The website asks, “Who’s best suited for the cummerbund-crushing contest: The Milan Miracle or Alberto Del Rio’s personal ring announcer?”
Click here for a WWE.com video of Marella issuing his challenge to Rodriguez.
– Former WWE Divas Lita and Torrie Wilson, as well as WWE Champion CM Punk, attended Wednesday’s New York Yankees vs. Atlanta Braves game at Turner Field. Wilson is in a relationship with Yankees star Alex Rodriguez while Lita dates Punk.
– Shawn Michaels is promoting the upcoming season of the Outdoor Channel’s MacMillan River Adventures on June 23 at a Bass Pro Shop location in Gurnee, Illinois. The autograph session is free and takes place from noon to 2:00 p.m.
– Linda McMahon, who spent $50 million of her own money in her first Senate run in Connecticut, has been spending and loaning her campaign much less so far as she makes a second bid, according to federal elections records. The Associated Press reports McMahon loaned her campaign $5.1 million through mid-May and spent $3.8 million as of late April.
– John Laurinaitis (“People Power” ring gear from Over The Limit) is rumored to be a playable character in the new WWE 13 video game, in stores October 30th.
– Former WWE Diva Lita will be a celebrity judge for “SugarSlam III: Batter Royal – The Most Delicious Championship in Sports Entertainment.” For more information on the wrestling-themed bake off, visit bakeanddestroy.net.
– Hornswoggle celebrated a birthday this week and it sounds like they had a celebration for him after Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings. He tweeted on Tuesday night:
“Thanks to @johncena for what you did after the cameras stopped rolling tonight! Never thought in a million years that I wouldve gotten that!”
— The latest issue of The Wrestler has a feature on CM Punk revealing elements of his past including the origin of his ring name, why he left TNA Wrestling, the meaning of some of his tattoos and even which women wrestlers he has dated. Regarding the women’s wrestlers Punk has been romantically linked to, the magazine writes:
“We all know women love the bad boys. Though Punk isn’t really a bad boy in the traditional sense given the way he lives his life, he looks the part. Whatever the reason, he has been romantically linked to several Divas and Knockouts, including Daffney, Traci Brooks, Maria Kanellis, Amy “Lita” Dumas, and most recently, Beth Phoenix. What is Punk’s type?”
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has addressed the meaning behind one of his most famous catchphrases, “Jabroni.”
When asked of the meaning of the word Tuesday on Twitter, he wrote, “Jabroni was a term I started using to describe a phony, goof, punk or a ham & egger. #NoCandyAssJabronis.”
— WWE has updated the logo for their Over the Limit pay-per-view—see here. This year’s show takes place on May 20 at PNC Arena in Raleigh, North Carolina.
— WWE conducted an angle at Friday’s SmackDown house show at the Odyssey Arena in Belfast, Ireland where ring announcer Lilian Garcia nearly came to blows with Natalya during a heated confrontation. Fed up with the third generation wrestler’s shabby treatment of her, Garcia aggressively shoved Natalya’s jacket back at the SmackDown Diva following her loss to AJ.
— Brie and Nikki Bella are scheduled for next week’s television events at The O2 Arena in London, England but not any house shows. As reported earlier, the twin duo is expected to part ways with WWE after their respective contracts expire on April 30.
— WWE will hold a SmackDown house show at the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex in Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday, June 3, 2012 at 6:00 p.m.
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Lita turns 37 years old on Saturday.
– With the recent signing of Brock Lesnar, there are some people in WWE that are hoping it will help the company recruit more amateur wrestlers.
– The Dean Ambrose vs. Mick Foley feud continued on Wednesday night, with Ambrose tweeting the following messages about Foley:
“I wonder if Mick would be so happy sitting on his high horse if it was his kids in wheelchairs.”
“I’d rather go work in a gas station than apologize for what I said in Miami, Spin it however you want cuz I didnt ask for anybodys opinion”
— Former WWE diva Amy “Lita” Dumas was in Miami for WrestleMania weekend and spoke to fans at the Axxess fan fest about the current state of WWE’s Divas division. In the following video, Lita talks about being frustrated with the situation, calling it a “bummer” to see what the division has become after her and Trish took it to unprecedented heights 10 years ago:
— WWE Champion CM Punk revealed his favorite WrestleMania match during an interview with Marvel.com promoting WrestleMania XXVIII.
“WrestleMania 13, right in my backyard of Chicago. Bret ‘The Hitman’ Hart vs. Stone Cold Steve Austin,” he said. “I can remember every punch thrown, every bodyslam and every submission move. It’s just one of those perfect matches that told a story. There’s just so many to choose from, but this match is the one that sticks out the most.”
The Straight Edge Superstar also discusses his impending WrestleMania match with Chris Jericho, belief in Captain America, his kinship to Tony Stark and more.
— SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia has joined The Creative Coalition and WWE’s “Be a STAR” campaign as she, American Idol contestant James Durbin, Alicia Fox, David Otunga, The Miz, Rey Mysterio and Dolphins’ mascot T.D. will encourage students at two Miami-Dade schools this week to take a against bullying by showing tolerance and respect.
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Lita will participate in a meet and greet for FWE Wrestling on April 28 from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Legged Dog Studios 80 Greenwich Street New York City.
— WWE e-mailed a general schedule to people attending WrestleMania Axxess and former WWE Diva Lita will be among the stars on hand for the festivities. The former WWE Women’s Champion is advertised to appear at the event on WrestleMania XXVIII morning at 8:00 a.m.
— Matches taped Tuesday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows:
* Heath Slater vs. Justin Gabriel
* Jinder Mahal vs. Ted DiBiase
— On behalf of ‘be a STAR,’ the anti-bullying alliance co-founded by WWE and The Creative Coalition, David Otunga spoke at an anti-bullying rally in Springfield, Massachusetts on Monday.
“Most people know me as being a WWE superstar in this larger than life character with muscles, larger than life, even arrogant character, but they don’t know that when I was a kid I was just like them,” Otunga told www.wwlp.com. “I was insecure, I was short I was picked on, I had thick glasses and I was smart, that didn’t help, because everyone called me a nerd.”
— Jim Ross stated on Twitter that he assumes Amy “Lita” Dumas’ appearance on Monday’s Raw SuperShow was a one-time occurrence but that she’s opening to “doing more.” He also added details regarding her arrest Friday.
“Her recent traffic arrest was speeding,” he wrote. “License wasn’t suspended. Computer glitch.”
AugustaCrime.com lists Dumas’ as awaiting trial on charges of speeding in excess of maximum limits and driving with a suspended license. She was released on $2,200 bond. Her court date is not listed.
— A.J. stated on Twitter that WWE developmental wrestler Naomi was traveling with her to WWE shows this week.
— WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas appears at the Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame 30 East Main St. Amsterdam, New York on January 14, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Former WWE performer Amy Dumas (a/k/a Lita) is backstage at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia and scheduled to present a Slammy Award during tonight’s three-hour Raw SuperShow broadcast.
The former WWE Diva was arrested Friday in Columbia County, Georgia on charges of speeding in excess of maximum limits and driving with a suspended license. She was released on $2,200 bond.
Former WWE performer Amy Dumas (a/k/a Lita) is backstage at the Norfolk Scope Arena in Norfolk, Virginia and scheduled to present a Slammy Award during tonight’s three-hour Raw SuperShow broadcast, according to PWInsider.com.
The former WWE Diva was arrested Friday in Columbia County, Georgia on charges of speeding in excess of maximum limits and driving with a suspended license. She was released on $2,200 bond. She later poked fun at the matter on Twitter:
“You guys make a Team Extreme jailbird graphic yet? Get to work! #slackers”
— As reported earlier, former WWE talent Amy Dumas (a/k/a Lita) was arrested Friday in Columbia County, Georgia on charges of speeding in excess of maximum limits and driving with a suspended license. She was released on $2,200 bond and has already poked fun at the matter.
She tweeted Saturday afternoon, “You guys make a Team Extreme jailbird graphic yet? Get to work! #slackers.”
— A DUI charge against WWE talent Jonathan Fatu (a/k/a Jimmy Uso) has been continued until January.
The SmackDown star was arrested on September 29, 2011 in Tampa, Florida on suspicion of driving under the influence. An officer observed Fatu at approximately 3:00 a.m. that day driving the wrong way down a one-way street in a silver Mustang.
— David Otunga appears at the Cricket Communications Store at the Brickyard Mall 2650 N. Narragansett, Chicago, Illinois on December 26 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
— Numerous Twitter users noted today that Beth Phoenix is no longer following CM Punk and Amy “Lita” Dumas on the microblogging website. Punk appeared on Dumas’ Atlanta based radio show, Punkrockalypse, Sunday night. The former WWE Women’s Champion was backstage at the following night’s Raw SuperShow.
The November 2011 issue of Maxim features an article on Punk and it’s noted that Phoenix has been his girlfriend for approximately a year.
— The official Twitter feed of WWE issued the following notice Wednesday: “Watch The Insider tonight on CBS stations for Eve, Kelly Kelly and Alicia Fox! Check local listings for time & channel!”
— Darren Young turns 32 years old Wednesday. WWE.com announced on October 5 that Young was suspended for 30 days for his first violation of their Talent Wellness Program. He is eligible to resume performing on Friday.
— After Monday’s WWE RAW from Atlanta, GA went off the air, John Cena and C.M. Punk defeated The Miz and R-Truth in a tag team match. Both Cena and Punk hit their finishers on Miz and Truth.
After the match, Cena said he was tricked by R-Truth’s attack (dressed as the villain from the Scream movies) – so the crowd deserves a treat. The treat was Miz getting another Go To Sleep by CM Punk to end the show.
— Former WWE Womens champion Amy “Lita” Dumas was backstage at Monday’s RAW. She lives in Atlanta and was just visiting.
— WWE.com has posted an interview with Jim Ross backstage at Saturday’s Raw television taping in Mexico City, Mexico furthering his on-screen feud with interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis. He says Laurinaitis has changed a great deal since the “jobless guy” that he hired when WCW went belly up and that he’s disappointed in the human being he’s turned out to be.
Regarding his return to Raw, he thought that when he received a call from Laurinaitis’ office to appear at the show, he would be returning to announce, but instead found out he would be wrestling.
— Despite being advertised, Amy Dumas (a/k/a Lita), Tully Blanchard, Buddy Landell, Baby Doll and Tommy Rich did not appear on Awesome Wrestling Entertainment’s Night of Legends pay-per-view event Saturday night.
— Triple H is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Power Slam.
— Former WWE talent Amy Dumas (a/k/a Lita), who was romantically linked to Matt Hardy from 2001 to 2005, released a statement on Twitter regarding her ex-beau’s unfortunate twist of fate.
“Been out of the loop down here in Nicaragua,” Dumas wrote. “Just read up on Matt and I am absolutely sick. Really hoping he can find inner peace.”
Hardy was arrested Saturday in Moore County, North Carolina for driving while intoxicated, after crashing into a tree. He was also later charged with reckless driving, with a hearing scheduled to take place Oct. 11. Four days later, Hardy was rushed to an emergency room, after falling down in his house.
— Gail Kim, who remains under contract to WWE, is advertised to appear for IWC Wrestling on Saturday, Nov. 19. The event takes place at the Meadville Area Senior High School Gymnasium, located on 930 North Street Meadville, Pennsylvania.
— WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter, who celebrates his sixty-third birthday on Saturday, has launched a Facebook page at www.facebook.com/SgtSlaughterOfficial.
— TNA Wrestling has released the promotional poster for Bound For Glory, which takes place Sunday, October 16 at the Liacouras Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
— On Twitter, Velvet Sky was asked to name which woman which she would like wrestle that she hasn’t before. She replied, “Lita!!!”
The TNA Knockout has stated in the past that Lita inspired her to enter the world of professional wrestling.
Sky also noted that she won’t be appearing on Impact Wrestling until next week’s show.
— WWE has released the trailer for their upcoming Randy Orton video release, Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator.
Orton narrates, “You may think it’s the voices that define me. Well it’s not. It’s the choices. The good and the bad. They have made me who I am today. Paved my road. Taken me on the journey.
“From my darkest days. To my brightest hour. This is my story. This is my evolution.”
It is scheduled for release in North America on September 6 via three-disc DVD and a two-disc Blu-ray sets.
— WWE developmental wrestler Roman Leakee is now listed as Leakee on the official website of Florida Championship Wrestling.
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Amy “Lita” Dumas is now available for autograph signing bookings effective July 10 through December 1. To inquire about booking her, contact her booking agent at celebritysignings@sbcglobal.net.
The law firm of Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. issued the following press release Sunday announcing a $5 million settlement with WWE following a motor vehicle accident involving a WWE employee in 2007.
World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. Sued for $5 Million
Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C. recently accepted a settlement offer of $5 million after 4 weeks of trial on behalf of a client who was injured in a low impact motor vehicle accident in downtown Manhattan. The client suffered a knee injury which resulted in surgical procedures and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome.
New York, NY (PRWEB) June 12, 2011
Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., a leader among personal injury and medical malpractice firms in the New York area, recently settled a case (Index No 13451/08- Kimberly Benson v. World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. and Matthew T. Yackeren) for $5 million involving a knee injury caused by a low-speed, low-impact motor vehicle accident.
According to court documents, On November 2, 2007, Kimberly Benson’s car was struck in a sideswipe collision by a vehicle operated by Matthew Yackeren, an employee of World Wrestling Federation Entertainment. As a result of the low impact motor vehicle accident that occurred at a low rate of speed, Ms. Benson suffered a knee injury.
According to the case, Yackeren was driving a commercial van in the financial district of downtown Manhattan. While attempting to pass traffic, he backed up and then struck Ms. Benson’s jeep in the back driver side bumper with the side of his van. Damage to both vehicles was minimal.
Court documents show that Ms. Benson, a 41 year old mother and phlebotomy manager with a pre-existing knee injury, suffered a fracture of the cartilage in her knee and underwent several surgical procedures. In addition to the pain, degeneration of soft tissue and difficulty ambulating, Benson also developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) aka Reflex Symptomatic Dystrophy (RSD), a debilitating chronic pain condition which rendered her disabled and incapable of working.
Benson sued World Wrestling Federation Entertainment and their driver, Matthew Yackeren, for past and future medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering. The case (Index No 13451/08) went to trial, and the defense argued causation- the low impact accident that occurred at such a low rate of speed could not have caused an injury.
After four weeks of trial, both parties settled the case. Benson recovered $5 million from World Wrestling Federation Entertainment and Matthew Yackeren. Andrew L. Libo, the attorney for Benson from Gersowitz Libo & Korek, P.C., was satisfied with the result. “Kimberly’s life and the life of her daughter will never be the same, due to this accident. We refused to settle this case before trial because we knew Kimberly deserved justice, and we were willing to fight as long as needed to ensure she was justly compensated.” The trial was conducted by Jeff S. Korek and Nicolas Bagley.
— WWE Superstars, which finished its run on WGN America last week, has found a new home. The show will air every Thursday at 5:00 p.m. EST on WWE.com.
Advertised for today’s episode is The Great Khali vs. Zack Ryder. Other matches taking place include:
* Gail Kim and Natalya vs. Maryse and Melina
* Chris Masters vs. Curt Hawkins
— A scene was edited from the Tough Enough elimination process where Steve Austin asked contestant Michelle Deighton what her favorite match was. While Ariane Andrew sealed her fate on the program by naming Melina vs. Alicia Fox as her all-time favorite match (and being unable to name another match), Deighton said Bret Hart vs. Owen Hart.
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Lita celebrates her 36th birthday today.
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson revealed on his Twitter account that he’s flying to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil tomorrow morning. The worldwide premiere of his latest film, Fast Five, takes place in the city next Friday, which would indicate that he won’t be on hand for Monday’s Raw.
Fast Five will be released in the United States on April 29.
— WWE will hold three-hour episodes of Monday Night Raw on June 13 and June 20. The June 13 show will be held in Long Island, New York, while the June 20 show is set for Baltimore, Maryland.
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Lita is scheduled for an autograph signing tomorrow from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at George’s Cards & Collectibles 7755 New Falls Road Levittown, Pennsylvania. Visit www.GeorgesCollectibles.com for more information.
Trish Stratus met up with former WWE divas Amy “Lita” Dumas and Tammy “Sunny” Sytch over WrestleMania 27 weekend in Atlanta .. Check out these pictures of the legendary WWE divas together:
