Post by The Ultimate Nullifier on Aug 15, 2013 8:02:40 GMT -6
PRO WRESTLING NEWS:
---E! and WWE are adding six episodes to their new reality series Total Divas, the show tracking the in-ring and behind the scenes lives of pro lady wrestlers Natalya, the Bella Twins, and the Funkadactlys as well as their male WWE superstar counterparts and the network’s divas-in-training. Three episodes of the WWE and Bunim-Murray production have aired so far with the series debut hitting 1.3M viewers and last Sunday’s episode notching a series high 1.7M viewers. The initial episode run will have its summer finale on September 15, with the newly added six episodes returning this fall on November 17 at 10 PM ET/PT.
---The grand opening for the Jerry "The King" Lawler museum at the Resorts Casino Tunica in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi will take place on Saturday, August 24th. Lawler will be at the opening signing autographs from 2pm - 4pm. You can get more details at www.resortstunica.com
---On the latest episode of Pancakes and Powerslams, I had the pleasure to talk to Crimson fresh off his release from TNA. This is the first interview since his official departure last month. Here are some highlights: Transition from TNA to OVW: "It was an easy transition. Prior to OVW I sat at home for a couple of months. I made the call to Al Snow and said can you use me in OVW and he said sure. It was a double-edged sword. I loved working with Al. At the same time there was a lot of frustration staying at home. What it did was allow me to sit back and work on more character development. I heard nothing but great feedback. The hopes were to get that [military] character on TV." Details of his TNA release: "Word was going around that they were ready to clean house. I didn't expect to be released. I was hoping that they would have enough faith in the investment they've made the past three years. I got a call from Al Snow. Once I had him on the phone I kinda knew what it was. I wasn't too upset. We leveled with each other and that was it." Reason for his release: "The way I was explained it was more budget than anything. Going on the road is a big expense for TNA. They had to do a restructure and some of that talent who were sitting home making money had to be let go. All I know is they are using budget cuts as the reason. Other than that, I don't know." He also talks about who inspired him to wrestle, his final TNA promo getting cut for sounding too real, feelings about Dixie Carter, Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan, WWE aspirations and much more. You can listen to the entire interview here: www.blogtalkradio.com/pancakesandpowerslams
---DirecTV interviewed Dolph Ziggler, who was promoting Sunday's SummerSlam pay-per-view. Here are a few highlights: His favorite opponent: "Me and Kofi Kingston have fought each other so many times, that it has become laughable. But every time we get out there, it works. It's something fun. They like Kofi, they hate me, they hate both of us and it work. We have these totally conflicting styles. He's a good guy that bounces around. I'm the bad guy that likes to stick it to everybody. We have a chemistry that is amazing. There is a reason we are always in matches against each other. And every time we try to make it better and try to bring the best out of each other. We try to outperform and exceed each other athletically. And hopefully in 20 years, when people talk about Steamboat and Flair, people will talk about Kofi and Ziggler. That we go out and gave it our all and tried to make it different and fun. And made it work. Hopefully it will be on a bigger stage one day. And lately, me and Del Rio. When we get out there it just clicks. You can tell when guys like Randy (Orton) and Del Rio are out there. They don't even have to try. They are that good. They just have it. And then there is someone like me who is trying to prove he is has it and is as good, we just have a great chemistry out there." His dream opponent: "Shawn Michaels, and not me in Spirit Squad like I was a few times (laughs). I mean me now. I've never been more comfortable in the ring. I am having the time of my life every time I go out there. I feel like I am better than everyone else on so many levels. And I know, in my head, he's the greatest of all time and I'd love to go toe to toe with him, In an ironman match. Where we go out and try to outdo each other and out sell each other. That's what makes a great match." Favorite SummerSlam moment: "I'm bad at remembering things, but I'll always remember this one. Mr. Perfect vs. Bret Hart. There is such a special look in their eyes. That something as basic as a headlock take over, which is a basic move in our business, you can see them just connect and flow and everything was so crisp. When you can make a basic maneuver look like that, it is just special, you are so you know what good at what you do, and people just can't look away when you start getting into the bigger moves. Which they did every single match, but I specifically remember this one at SummerSlam. And Perfect's singlet gets ripped halfway through the match (laughs) I remember that for some reason. I can watch it over and over. Such a special match between two awesome Hall of Fame guys. That's what you strive for, to catch people's attention in the first minute, whether you are a star, or trying to be one."
---Lex Luger will be appearing on FOX & Friends on 8/20 to promote his new autobiography "Wrestling with the Devil."
---Former WWE star John Morrison will be working for World Wrestling League on 9/6 at the Plaza de Toros in Monterrey Nuevo Leon and 9/8 at the Arena Coliseum of Monterrey. Morrison is also scheduled for the promotion's 10/26 return to Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
--- www.highspots.com have launched a new DVD series titled "When Wrestling Was on the Marquee" featuring footage from Joe Blanchard's Southwest Championship Wrestling, including a volume devoted to Tully Blanchard & Gino Hernandez.
---Family Wrestling Entertainment's next live event will be in 10/12 in Brooklyn, NY and will feature the first round of their Grand Prix tournament. First round matches will feature Tony Nese vs. Paul London, Tommy Dreamer vs. Carlito, Mike Bennett vs. Jorgi Santi, Brian Kendrick vs. the debuting Joey Ryan, Colt Cabana vs. Jay Lethal, Chris Masters vs. Wes Draven, Petey Williams vs. Sonjay Dutt and FWE champ John Morrison vs. the debuting Matt Morgan. Angelina Love and Katarina Leigh (Winter) are also announced. For more, visit www.FWEWrestling.com.
---HELLO TO ALL THE INTELLIGENT FANS!
We are back with a second round of funding to ensure that the story of the man, the myth, THE LEGEND the IRON SHEIK can be brought to the people.
We missed the mark of our first fundraising efforts, but we believe due to the overwhelming momentum we gained in the last week of our campaign that we can raise the funds needed to complete this film.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We need your help to raise the funds to finish this film. We raised a little over $40,000 in our last campaign, but that will not cover the costs of post production, music rights, stock footage rights, or legal. Right now this project is in the balance, we have restructured our financing plan, tightened the belt, and have come up with a new budget that we feel can bring this project to you, the fans, the most cost effectively.
THE PERKS:
We have also streamlined the perks. After much interaction with our wonderful funders we’ve decided to make our perks very simple and clear.
TO THE AMAZING FUNDERS OF OUR FIRST CAMPAIGN:
We want to insure that EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU will get your perks in short order. We can’t thank all of you enough. With your help we raised desperately needed funds that are going towards the completion of this film. With a little bit more we can really make this a great project, worthy of the man like the Iron Sheik.
Please forward, Tweet and share this link to all of your networks- igg.me/at/IronSheikdoc
Looking forward to making this a reality.
Sincerely,
#Team Sheikie
---HBO Sports was filming at Diamond Dallas Page's Accountability Crib in Atlanta this past weekend. The piece will air on the next episode of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. In the episode, correspondent Frank Deford will go one-on-one with Diamond Dallas Page. Deford will also interview Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Scott Hall about embracing the DDPYOGA program, and the success that they've had. Scott's Hall, Cody, was also interviewed for the story. "I remember when I got Scott [Hall] a job with WCW and we made him the Diamond Studd," Page recalled during a telephone conversation we had yesterday. "Scott was telling me how he needed a job, and that his wife was pregnant. She was pregnant with Cody, and here we are years later. Now Cody's wrestling, he can be booked at cody_thall@yahoo.com." The episode premieres on Tuesday, August 20th at 9:00 p.m. on HBO.
---Daily Political reports that WWE Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Wilson sold 27,600 shares of WWE stock last Friday, for a total transaction of $282,624.00. She now owns 72,714 shares of the company's stock.
---A story in the Los Angeles Times stated Fox Sports 1 had reached deals with Time Warner Cable, DirecTV and the Dish Network.
The deals were crucial before the station's Saturday launch with the live UFC show from the TD Garden in Boston.Terms were not listed, but the deals will push the availability of the station from about 45 million homies to 85 million homes.
---Lance Storm on his career and more at www.stormwrestling.com/081313.html
---A video interview with Ted DiBiase is at pojonews.co/1d4tseC
---B.J. Whitmer and Uhaa Nation are both off the 8/30 AIW show in Cleveland. Whitmer is out of action due to spine injuries from his 8/3 match with Mike Bennett. Uhaa Nation has also pulled out of the show due to obligations in Japan.
---Traditional Championship Wrestling on 9/6 in Nashville at the Fairgrounds with Tommy Dreamer vs. Doug Gilbert in a street fight, plus Tracy Smothers, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, Rob Conway, Lance Hoyt (Archer), Bobby Eaton and Dan Severn.
---MexPro on Saturday night in Huntington Beach, CA: J.D. Horrow b BC Killer, Joey Ryan & Mikey O'Shea b Robby Phoenix & Eric Watts, Famous B & B-Boy b Cjay Kurtz & Tito Escondido, Supreme b Carnage, Dr. Rocky Bikaki & Jizzy Gilespie b Zokre & Phoenix Star, Kaos b Brian Cage
---Canada's Fight Network announcing a launch in Belgium in October, making the fifth country they have expanded into.
---wXw has two of its biggest shows of the year this weekend in Oberhausen, Germany. On Saturday, Tommy End defends the wXw title against Bad Bones and Big Van Walter & Robert Dreissker defend the tag titles against Jay Skillet & Jason Hendrix. Super Crazy & Ricky Marvin face Axel Tischer & Ivan Kiev. For Sunday there will be a drawing for teams in a Triangle tournament.
---WWE superstar Darren Young just dropped a bombshell, telling TMZ, he's gay ... and no, this isn't part of the act.
Darren was at LAX Wednesday when we asked whether a gay wrestler could succeed in WWE, and Darren laughed, saying, "Absolutely. Look at me. I'm a WWE superstar and to be honest with you, I'll tell you right now, I'm gay. And I'm happy. I'm very happy."
For the record, Darren is now the first openly gay wrestler ever at WWE ... and the first headlining wrestler ever to come out while still signed to a major promotion.
Other pro wrestlers have been rumored to be gay, but that's it ... just rumors.
---John Cena's elbow is worse off than they are letting on.
---Matt Hardy and Reby Skye have a section on their wedding website for the marks to send them presents.
---Brooke Orndorff, the granddaughter of WWE Hall of Famer Paul Orndorff was arrested at her home in Fayetteville, NC yesterday and charged with robbery and battery from an incident that took place on 8/3. Her father, Paul Orndorff III, was also arrested and charged with was charged with being party to robbery, party to the battery and two counts of financial identity fraud. The Citizen reported that the male victim was dropping Brooke off at her home when she attacked him physically. He exited his car, where the beating continued. Brooke's father "threatened" the victim not to get up. A third person, who the authorities are still looking for, allegedly stole the victim's wallet. The victim suffered a facial fracture as well as cuts and bruises.
--- Necro Butcher suffered a really bad leg injury working the Gathering of the Juggalos event for the Insane Clown Posse. An online donation fund has been set up to help defray the costs of his medical expenses, so if you'd like to donate, you can at : www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/sfw2/dylan-summers-medical-expenses
---AIW in Cleveland announced that BJ Whitmer will be vacating his AIW championship due to his injuries.
---Kevin Nash, on his Twitter account, took aim at TNA, noting that he works independent shows that outdraw the company and mocked them in comparison to WWE while calling for the company to put Jeff Jarrett back in a position of power in regard to their production.
---As noted, Maria Menounos and Natalya will face Brie Bella and a partner at SummerSlam Axxess. Brie revealed on Twitter that Eva Marie will be her partner. The Bellas tweeted: "We have discussed & chosen Brie's tag partner 4 Axxess. We feel she needs a warm up 2 the #SummerSlam match... So @natalieevamarie congrats!"
---Xfinity published an interview with WWE's Paul Heyman. Here are some highlights: His thoughts on Daniel Bryan: "I'm not done recruiting Daniel Bryan. I think Daniel Bryan is a fascinating performer who has put on arguably the most consistent string of best matches of the past year. The striking thing about Daniel Bryan is the best is yet to come with him. Daniel Bryan still has more to offer. And having seen footage of him dating back to when he was wrestling in VFW halls and very small arenas and high school gymnasiums, he still has so much more that the WWE Universe hasn't seen. I'm admittedly, and I will confess to this, a huge fan of Daniel Bryan." His thoughts on John Cena: "I think there's a streak going involving John Cena that both the WWE Universe and the media have failed to pick up on. The glory days of 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin lasted two, maybe two-and-a-half years. That was the peak of his run. He came back as General Manager, but day-to-day, going to every city, main eventing every Pay Per View, the focal point of Monday Night Raw… Steve Austin's peak was two-and-a-half years. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's peak was along the same lines. John Cena has been the focal point of WWE since 2005. For eight and now going on nine years, John Cena has not only main evented all the Pay Per Views, been the major attraction on Raw. John Cena has gone to every city, main events all the live events, and yet he still makes all these media appearances, he's done more Make-A-Wish Foundation visits than anybody in history…and he's a tireless workhorse. And he shows up last Monday with his elbow…looking grotesquely…is that a word? His elbow was so messed up and yet he says, 'Wrap me up, I'm going out there to perform because the people are counting on me." There is a work ethic to John Cena that is to behold.' His thoughts on Bray Wyatt: "It's an emotional presentation, and it sets him apart from everyone else which means that Bray Wyatt will stand out. Whether it's in WWE or UFC or Major League Baseball or the NBA or the NFL or television or movies…any genre that is star-driven has the need for unique personalities. And Bray Wyatt is as unique as they come." How TNA handled Rob Van Dam: "I don't mind getting into detail. I think TNA squandered the opportunity of exploiting the talents of Rob Van Dam. And I don't think that's a mistake the WWE is going to repeat."
---Taryn Terrell has taken time off TNA because she's pregnant. Her boyfriend is Mark Lewis, a hard rock music producer.
--- TNA had a long-term angle in place for Kurt Angle at Bound For Glory. No word yet on when Angle will be back or if he will be working Bound For Glory.
--- TNA has announced the following for tonight's Hardcore Justice episode of Impact Wrestling: * Mickie James and Gail Kim vs. ODB and Velvet Sky in a tornado match * Magnus vs. Samoa Joe vs. Mr. Anderson vs. Bobby Roode in a Bound For Glory Series table match * AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Kazarian vs. Austin Aries in a BFG Series ladder match * Bully Ray vs. Chris Sabin in a steel cage match for the World Title
---The Wyatt Family is a major Triple H project right now and the feeling is that they're getting ready for a big push, in a sense they're being groomed for The Shield's spot. There is a lot of talk about The Shield being moved down. With recent Triple H projects like Kharma and Sin Cara bombing, he's likely going to go hard with The Wyatts.
--- Word is that Eddie Edwards, Davey Richards and Midwest indy wrestler Prince Mustafa Ali will be attending the WWE tryout camp at the end of this month.
--- The WWE live event on August 11th in Oakland, California drew 4,500 fans for $200,000.
---No word yet if WWE still plans on turning Triple H at SummerSlam. The longterm idea is to have Vince McMahon eventually turn babyface and bring in a "conquering hero" to take out Triple H at WrestleMania XXX.
--- As of this week, the plan for WWE's Night of Champions pay-per-view in September is to have Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton with John Cena not in the WWE Title picture, likely due to surgery plans.
---Ring of Honor wrestler BJ Whitmer was diagnosed earlier this week with a bruised spinal cord in his neck. This stems from a piledriver on the ring apron that Whitmer took in his match with Michael Bennett at the 8/3 ROH live event in Toronto. Whitmer was also diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which ended the careers of Edge and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Whitmer will be seeking a second opinion and is scheduled to undergo more medical exams in the upcoming weeks. There is no timetable as of this writing for his in-ring return.
---Former "Bachelor" reality television star Gia Allemand died on Wednesday in a New Orleans hospital.Allemand was found hanging in her home by her boyfriend, Ryan Anderson, who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans NBA team.Allemand was a participant in one of the WWE Diva Search contests, and also starred alongside pro wrestling personalities Colt Cabana, Disco Inferno and Johny Fairplay in the 2011 film, "Ghost Trek: The Kinsey Report."Allemand was 29 years of age at the time of her passing.
---E! and WWE are adding six episodes to their new reality series Total Divas, the show tracking the in-ring and behind the scenes lives of pro lady wrestlers Natalya, the Bella Twins, and the Funkadactlys as well as their male WWE superstar counterparts and the network’s divas-in-training. Three episodes of the WWE and Bunim-Murray production have aired so far with the series debut hitting 1.3M viewers and last Sunday’s episode notching a series high 1.7M viewers. The initial episode run will have its summer finale on September 15, with the newly added six episodes returning this fall on November 17 at 10 PM ET/PT.
---The grand opening for the Jerry "The King" Lawler museum at the Resorts Casino Tunica in Tunica Resorts, Mississippi will take place on Saturday, August 24th. Lawler will be at the opening signing autographs from 2pm - 4pm. You can get more details at www.resortstunica.com
---On the latest episode of Pancakes and Powerslams, I had the pleasure to talk to Crimson fresh off his release from TNA. This is the first interview since his official departure last month. Here are some highlights: Transition from TNA to OVW: "It was an easy transition. Prior to OVW I sat at home for a couple of months. I made the call to Al Snow and said can you use me in OVW and he said sure. It was a double-edged sword. I loved working with Al. At the same time there was a lot of frustration staying at home. What it did was allow me to sit back and work on more character development. I heard nothing but great feedback. The hopes were to get that [military] character on TV." Details of his TNA release: "Word was going around that they were ready to clean house. I didn't expect to be released. I was hoping that they would have enough faith in the investment they've made the past three years. I got a call from Al Snow. Once I had him on the phone I kinda knew what it was. I wasn't too upset. We leveled with each other and that was it." Reason for his release: "The way I was explained it was more budget than anything. Going on the road is a big expense for TNA. They had to do a restructure and some of that talent who were sitting home making money had to be let go. All I know is they are using budget cuts as the reason. Other than that, I don't know." He also talks about who inspired him to wrestle, his final TNA promo getting cut for sounding too real, feelings about Dixie Carter, Eric Bischoff and Hulk Hogan, WWE aspirations and much more. You can listen to the entire interview here: www.blogtalkradio.com/pancakesandpowerslams
---DirecTV interviewed Dolph Ziggler, who was promoting Sunday's SummerSlam pay-per-view. Here are a few highlights: His favorite opponent: "Me and Kofi Kingston have fought each other so many times, that it has become laughable. But every time we get out there, it works. It's something fun. They like Kofi, they hate me, they hate both of us and it work. We have these totally conflicting styles. He's a good guy that bounces around. I'm the bad guy that likes to stick it to everybody. We have a chemistry that is amazing. There is a reason we are always in matches against each other. And every time we try to make it better and try to bring the best out of each other. We try to outperform and exceed each other athletically. And hopefully in 20 years, when people talk about Steamboat and Flair, people will talk about Kofi and Ziggler. That we go out and gave it our all and tried to make it different and fun. And made it work. Hopefully it will be on a bigger stage one day. And lately, me and Del Rio. When we get out there it just clicks. You can tell when guys like Randy (Orton) and Del Rio are out there. They don't even have to try. They are that good. They just have it. And then there is someone like me who is trying to prove he is has it and is as good, we just have a great chemistry out there." His dream opponent: "Shawn Michaels, and not me in Spirit Squad like I was a few times (laughs). I mean me now. I've never been more comfortable in the ring. I am having the time of my life every time I go out there. I feel like I am better than everyone else on so many levels. And I know, in my head, he's the greatest of all time and I'd love to go toe to toe with him, In an ironman match. Where we go out and try to outdo each other and out sell each other. That's what makes a great match." Favorite SummerSlam moment: "I'm bad at remembering things, but I'll always remember this one. Mr. Perfect vs. Bret Hart. There is such a special look in their eyes. That something as basic as a headlock take over, which is a basic move in our business, you can see them just connect and flow and everything was so crisp. When you can make a basic maneuver look like that, it is just special, you are so you know what good at what you do, and people just can't look away when you start getting into the bigger moves. Which they did every single match, but I specifically remember this one at SummerSlam. And Perfect's singlet gets ripped halfway through the match (laughs) I remember that for some reason. I can watch it over and over. Such a special match between two awesome Hall of Fame guys. That's what you strive for, to catch people's attention in the first minute, whether you are a star, or trying to be one."
---Lex Luger will be appearing on FOX & Friends on 8/20 to promote his new autobiography "Wrestling with the Devil."
---Former WWE star John Morrison will be working for World Wrestling League on 9/6 at the Plaza de Toros in Monterrey Nuevo Leon and 9/8 at the Arena Coliseum of Monterrey. Morrison is also scheduled for the promotion's 10/26 return to Bayamon, Puerto Rico.
--- www.highspots.com have launched a new DVD series titled "When Wrestling Was on the Marquee" featuring footage from Joe Blanchard's Southwest Championship Wrestling, including a volume devoted to Tully Blanchard & Gino Hernandez.
---Family Wrestling Entertainment's next live event will be in 10/12 in Brooklyn, NY and will feature the first round of their Grand Prix tournament. First round matches will feature Tony Nese vs. Paul London, Tommy Dreamer vs. Carlito, Mike Bennett vs. Jorgi Santi, Brian Kendrick vs. the debuting Joey Ryan, Colt Cabana vs. Jay Lethal, Chris Masters vs. Wes Draven, Petey Williams vs. Sonjay Dutt and FWE champ John Morrison vs. the debuting Matt Morgan. Angelina Love and Katarina Leigh (Winter) are also announced. For more, visit www.FWEWrestling.com.
---HELLO TO ALL THE INTELLIGENT FANS!
We are back with a second round of funding to ensure that the story of the man, the myth, THE LEGEND the IRON SHEIK can be brought to the people.
We missed the mark of our first fundraising efforts, but we believe due to the overwhelming momentum we gained in the last week of our campaign that we can raise the funds needed to complete this film.
WHY WE NEED YOUR HELP!
We need your help to raise the funds to finish this film. We raised a little over $40,000 in our last campaign, but that will not cover the costs of post production, music rights, stock footage rights, or legal. Right now this project is in the balance, we have restructured our financing plan, tightened the belt, and have come up with a new budget that we feel can bring this project to you, the fans, the most cost effectively.
THE PERKS:
We have also streamlined the perks. After much interaction with our wonderful funders we’ve decided to make our perks very simple and clear.
TO THE AMAZING FUNDERS OF OUR FIRST CAMPAIGN:
We want to insure that EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU will get your perks in short order. We can’t thank all of you enough. With your help we raised desperately needed funds that are going towards the completion of this film. With a little bit more we can really make this a great project, worthy of the man like the Iron Sheik.
Please forward, Tweet and share this link to all of your networks- igg.me/at/IronSheikdoc
Looking forward to making this a reality.
Sincerely,
#Team Sheikie
---HBO Sports was filming at Diamond Dallas Page's Accountability Crib in Atlanta this past weekend. The piece will air on the next episode of Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel. In the episode, correspondent Frank Deford will go one-on-one with Diamond Dallas Page. Deford will also interview Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Scott Hall about embracing the DDPYOGA program, and the success that they've had. Scott's Hall, Cody, was also interviewed for the story. "I remember when I got Scott [Hall] a job with WCW and we made him the Diamond Studd," Page recalled during a telephone conversation we had yesterday. "Scott was telling me how he needed a job, and that his wife was pregnant. She was pregnant with Cody, and here we are years later. Now Cody's wrestling, he can be booked at cody_thall@yahoo.com." The episode premieres on Tuesday, August 20th at 9:00 p.m. on HBO.
---Daily Political reports that WWE Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Wilson sold 27,600 shares of WWE stock last Friday, for a total transaction of $282,624.00. She now owns 72,714 shares of the company's stock.
---A story in the Los Angeles Times stated Fox Sports 1 had reached deals with Time Warner Cable, DirecTV and the Dish Network.
The deals were crucial before the station's Saturday launch with the live UFC show from the TD Garden in Boston.Terms were not listed, but the deals will push the availability of the station from about 45 million homies to 85 million homes.
---Lance Storm on his career and more at www.stormwrestling.com/081313.html
---A video interview with Ted DiBiase is at pojonews.co/1d4tseC
---B.J. Whitmer and Uhaa Nation are both off the 8/30 AIW show in Cleveland. Whitmer is out of action due to spine injuries from his 8/3 match with Mike Bennett. Uhaa Nation has also pulled out of the show due to obligations in Japan.
---Traditional Championship Wrestling on 9/6 in Nashville at the Fairgrounds with Tommy Dreamer vs. Doug Gilbert in a street fight, plus Tracy Smothers, Ricky Morton, Robert Gibson, Rob Conway, Lance Hoyt (Archer), Bobby Eaton and Dan Severn.
---MexPro on Saturday night in Huntington Beach, CA: J.D. Horrow b BC Killer, Joey Ryan & Mikey O'Shea b Robby Phoenix & Eric Watts, Famous B & B-Boy b Cjay Kurtz & Tito Escondido, Supreme b Carnage, Dr. Rocky Bikaki & Jizzy Gilespie b Zokre & Phoenix Star, Kaos b Brian Cage
---Canada's Fight Network announcing a launch in Belgium in October, making the fifth country they have expanded into.
---wXw has two of its biggest shows of the year this weekend in Oberhausen, Germany. On Saturday, Tommy End defends the wXw title against Bad Bones and Big Van Walter & Robert Dreissker defend the tag titles against Jay Skillet & Jason Hendrix. Super Crazy & Ricky Marvin face Axel Tischer & Ivan Kiev. For Sunday there will be a drawing for teams in a Triangle tournament.
---WWE superstar Darren Young just dropped a bombshell, telling TMZ, he's gay ... and no, this isn't part of the act.
Darren was at LAX Wednesday when we asked whether a gay wrestler could succeed in WWE, and Darren laughed, saying, "Absolutely. Look at me. I'm a WWE superstar and to be honest with you, I'll tell you right now, I'm gay. And I'm happy. I'm very happy."
For the record, Darren is now the first openly gay wrestler ever at WWE ... and the first headlining wrestler ever to come out while still signed to a major promotion.
Other pro wrestlers have been rumored to be gay, but that's it ... just rumors.
---John Cena's elbow is worse off than they are letting on.
---Matt Hardy and Reby Skye have a section on their wedding website for the marks to send them presents.
---Brooke Orndorff, the granddaughter of WWE Hall of Famer Paul Orndorff was arrested at her home in Fayetteville, NC yesterday and charged with robbery and battery from an incident that took place on 8/3. Her father, Paul Orndorff III, was also arrested and charged with was charged with being party to robbery, party to the battery and two counts of financial identity fraud. The Citizen reported that the male victim was dropping Brooke off at her home when she attacked him physically. He exited his car, where the beating continued. Brooke's father "threatened" the victim not to get up. A third person, who the authorities are still looking for, allegedly stole the victim's wallet. The victim suffered a facial fracture as well as cuts and bruises.
--- Necro Butcher suffered a really bad leg injury working the Gathering of the Juggalos event for the Insane Clown Posse. An online donation fund has been set up to help defray the costs of his medical expenses, so if you'd like to donate, you can at : www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/sfw2/dylan-summers-medical-expenses
---AIW in Cleveland announced that BJ Whitmer will be vacating his AIW championship due to his injuries.
---Kevin Nash, on his Twitter account, took aim at TNA, noting that he works independent shows that outdraw the company and mocked them in comparison to WWE while calling for the company to put Jeff Jarrett back in a position of power in regard to their production.
---As noted, Maria Menounos and Natalya will face Brie Bella and a partner at SummerSlam Axxess. Brie revealed on Twitter that Eva Marie will be her partner. The Bellas tweeted: "We have discussed & chosen Brie's tag partner 4 Axxess. We feel she needs a warm up 2 the #SummerSlam match... So @natalieevamarie congrats!"
---Xfinity published an interview with WWE's Paul Heyman. Here are some highlights: His thoughts on Daniel Bryan: "I'm not done recruiting Daniel Bryan. I think Daniel Bryan is a fascinating performer who has put on arguably the most consistent string of best matches of the past year. The striking thing about Daniel Bryan is the best is yet to come with him. Daniel Bryan still has more to offer. And having seen footage of him dating back to when he was wrestling in VFW halls and very small arenas and high school gymnasiums, he still has so much more that the WWE Universe hasn't seen. I'm admittedly, and I will confess to this, a huge fan of Daniel Bryan." His thoughts on John Cena: "I think there's a streak going involving John Cena that both the WWE Universe and the media have failed to pick up on. The glory days of 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin lasted two, maybe two-and-a-half years. That was the peak of his run. He came back as General Manager, but day-to-day, going to every city, main eventing every Pay Per View, the focal point of Monday Night Raw… Steve Austin's peak was two-and-a-half years. Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson's peak was along the same lines. John Cena has been the focal point of WWE since 2005. For eight and now going on nine years, John Cena has not only main evented all the Pay Per Views, been the major attraction on Raw. John Cena has gone to every city, main events all the live events, and yet he still makes all these media appearances, he's done more Make-A-Wish Foundation visits than anybody in history…and he's a tireless workhorse. And he shows up last Monday with his elbow…looking grotesquely…is that a word? His elbow was so messed up and yet he says, 'Wrap me up, I'm going out there to perform because the people are counting on me." There is a work ethic to John Cena that is to behold.' His thoughts on Bray Wyatt: "It's an emotional presentation, and it sets him apart from everyone else which means that Bray Wyatt will stand out. Whether it's in WWE or UFC or Major League Baseball or the NBA or the NFL or television or movies…any genre that is star-driven has the need for unique personalities. And Bray Wyatt is as unique as they come." How TNA handled Rob Van Dam: "I don't mind getting into detail. I think TNA squandered the opportunity of exploiting the talents of Rob Van Dam. And I don't think that's a mistake the WWE is going to repeat."
---Taryn Terrell has taken time off TNA because she's pregnant. Her boyfriend is Mark Lewis, a hard rock music producer.
--- TNA had a long-term angle in place for Kurt Angle at Bound For Glory. No word yet on when Angle will be back or if he will be working Bound For Glory.
--- TNA has announced the following for tonight's Hardcore Justice episode of Impact Wrestling: * Mickie James and Gail Kim vs. ODB and Velvet Sky in a tornado match * Magnus vs. Samoa Joe vs. Mr. Anderson vs. Bobby Roode in a Bound For Glory Series table match * AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Kazarian vs. Austin Aries in a BFG Series ladder match * Bully Ray vs. Chris Sabin in a steel cage match for the World Title
---The Wyatt Family is a major Triple H project right now and the feeling is that they're getting ready for a big push, in a sense they're being groomed for The Shield's spot. There is a lot of talk about The Shield being moved down. With recent Triple H projects like Kharma and Sin Cara bombing, he's likely going to go hard with The Wyatts.
--- Word is that Eddie Edwards, Davey Richards and Midwest indy wrestler Prince Mustafa Ali will be attending the WWE tryout camp at the end of this month.
--- The WWE live event on August 11th in Oakland, California drew 4,500 fans for $200,000.
---No word yet if WWE still plans on turning Triple H at SummerSlam. The longterm idea is to have Vince McMahon eventually turn babyface and bring in a "conquering hero" to take out Triple H at WrestleMania XXX.
--- As of this week, the plan for WWE's Night of Champions pay-per-view in September is to have Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton with John Cena not in the WWE Title picture, likely due to surgery plans.
---Ring of Honor wrestler BJ Whitmer was diagnosed earlier this week with a bruised spinal cord in his neck. This stems from a piledriver on the ring apron that Whitmer took in his match with Michael Bennett at the 8/3 ROH live event in Toronto. Whitmer was also diagnosed with spinal stenosis, which ended the careers of Edge and Stone Cold Steve Austin. Whitmer will be seeking a second opinion and is scheduled to undergo more medical exams in the upcoming weeks. There is no timetable as of this writing for his in-ring return.
---Former "Bachelor" reality television star Gia Allemand died on Wednesday in a New Orleans hospital.Allemand was found hanging in her home by her boyfriend, Ryan Anderson, who plays for the New Orleans Pelicans NBA team.Allemand was a participant in one of the WWE Diva Search contests, and also starred alongside pro wrestling personalities Colt Cabana, Disco Inferno and Johny Fairplay in the 2011 film, "Ghost Trek: The Kinsey Report."Allemand was 29 years of age at the time of her passing.