Interview: Edge Talks About His WWE Return, Sheamus, His WWE Contract and More
By Marc Middleton
Dec 17, 2009 - 12:27:38 PM
Source: PWInsider.com, Terri Bey
- Edge appeared on the Bubba the Love Sponge show this morning. Here are some highlights:
* He mentioned he was in the North Carolina mountains in new property he has there. He said he didn't mind sitting out and getting paid.
* His WWE deal ended in October but they added on injury time and said however long it takes to recover, that much time will be added to his deal.
* He said he's went to Dr. James Andrews for follow-ups to the injury and is doing some major therapy in North Carolina with other therapy sessions in Florida.
* Edge said Christian and Shelton Benjamin had the best match at WWE's TLC but he also enjoyed the main event.
* He put over Sheamus. He also put over FCW and talked about Ted DiBiase and Drew McIntyre coming out of FCW.
* Edge said Umaga's death hit him hard as they were close. Umaga called Edge the night before he died but he said he didn't even think to keep the message.
* Edge put over The Undertaker and said he has no idea how he performs so well. Edge said they have always been on good terms.
* He has no idea when he will return. He was originally told six months to a year. He has to see Andrews and then get in a wrestling ring to see how everything holds up. He said he's hoping for the first quarter of 2010.
Obama Distances Himself from WWE, Themes for WWE's Royal Rumble, Maria on G4TV
By Marc Middleton
Dec 17, 2009 - 12:18:02 PM
- WWE Diva Maria will be guest hosting G4TV's Attack of the Show this afternoon.
- The theme songs for WWE's 2010 Royal Rumble pay-per-view will be Martyr No More by Chris Jericho's band Fozzy and Hero by Skillet.
- After Linda McMahon seemed to use Barack Obama's promo on WWE's Tribute to the Troops special for political gain, The White House issued a statement to The Hartford Courant paper stating that the message Obama filmed for the special was for the Troops and not done in any way to show support for WWE. The White House said that Obama did not tape the promo for WWE but for the Troops and doesn't mention WWE once in the message.
Mickie James responds to "Piggy James" critique, Talks her weight
By Brian Cantor
Dec 17, 2009 - 12:13:01 PM
After issuing a blunt Twitter response to criticism of WWE's "Piggy James" storyline, Diva Mickie James was quick to clarify that she was not specifically ripping on her company or the angle.
Responding to a Tweet, "I'm really offended right now with the WWE making jokes about your [weight]...I really worry about girls who watch wrestling, see this kind of thing, and fall victim to hating their bodies," the Diva wrote, "I agree. I think the example being set is pathetic. Giving the youth a warped perception of beauty; after all...one has to love themselves first. Society makes that hard...I love myself and my body. 130 is hardly fat."
When a story broke quoting Mickie James as saying WWE's handling of the storyline is "pathetic," James responded, "I never said WWE...if anyone read it, I said society."
While it is true that Mickie did not specifically mention the WWE storyline in her response, one cannot fault those who assumed her response was WWE-centric: the Tweet to which she responded was purely related to the company's ongoing mockery of her weight.
Knockout Retires from Wrestling, Who's Getting Fired at TNA's Final Resolution?
By Marc Middleton
Dec 17, 2009 - 12:04:32 PM
Partial source: PW Torch
- Word is that Cody Deaner won't be with TNA much longer. He's expected to be the one who grabs the "Fired" briefcase at Sunday's Final Resolution pay-per-view in the Feast or Fired match.
- TNA Knockout Christy Hemme announced on the RHS Podcast last night that she has retired from in-ring competition but would remain with TNA.
Hemme said she found herself tense and nervous about the possibility of re-injuring her neck during the six Knockout tag match on iMPACT a few weeks. Hemme said: "For the first time in wrestling, I was totally nervous. I knew in that match I was done."
Hemme told TNA officials at the recent tapings that she wasn't going to continue wrestling but asked them if they had anything else she could do. The company told her they would find a place for her, understanding her situation.
WWE's Developmental Territory FCW Beginning 15-City Wrestlelution Tour in 2010
By Marc Middleton
Dec 17, 2009 - 11:58:27 AM
- The following was sent out earlier:
** NEW YEARS WRESTLELUTION TOUR**
Tampa, Florida – December 16, 2009
FCW Wrestling is kicking off 2010 with the “New Years Wrestlelution Tour”. The tour will make stops in 15 cities including first time visits to 7 new venues. Fans can catch some of their favorite FCW Superstars including Florida Heavyweight Champion Justin Angel and many of the future Superstars of RAW, Smackdown and ECW.
FCW Wrestling is the official WWE Developmental Territory. FCW Wrestling is where it all started for current WWE Champion Sheamus and Inter-Continental Champion Drew McIntyre.
Bell time is 7:30 pm with doors at 6:30 pm unless otherwise indicated. Tickets are now on sale for the following Live Events.
WHAT: Florida Championship Wrestling Live – New Years Wrestleution Tour
WHEN /WHERE:
January 9, 2010 (Saturday)
Eustis Fl
Lake County Fairgrounds Expo Hall
2101 County Road 452
January 15, 2010 (Friday)
Ft. Myers, Fl
Harborside Event Center
1375 Monroe Street
January 16, 2010 (Saturday)
Crystal River, Fl
Crystal River Armory
8551 W. Venable Street
January 22, 2010 (Friday)
Plant City, Fl
Plant City Armory
4004 Airport Road
January 23, 2010 (Saturday)
Orlando, Fl
Orlando Armory
2809 S. Ferncreek Ave.
January 29, 2010 (Friday)
Melbourne, Fl
Melbourne Armory
1889 Stewart Road
February 5, 2010 (Friday)
St. Petersburg, Fl
St. Petersburg Armory
3601 38th Ave. S.
February 6, 2010 (Saturday)
Haines City, Fl
Haines City Armory
1107 Commerce Ave.
February 12, 2010 (Friday)
Deland, Fl
Volusia County Fairgrounds Expo Hall
3150 E. New York Ave.
February 13, 2010 (Saturday)
Palatka, Fl
Palatka Armory
1301 Moseley Ave.
February 15, 2010 (Monday)
Tampa, Fl, Fl
Florida State Fair
3150 E. New York Ave.
February 19, 2010 (Friday)
Plant City, Fl
Plant City Armory
4800 US Hwy. 301
Bell time 2pm
February 20, 2010 (Saturday)
Brooksville, Fl
Hernando County Fairgrounds Auditorium
6434 Broad St.
February 26, 2010 (Friday)
Palmetto, Fl
Palmetto Armory
1107 14th Ave.
February 27, 2010 (Saturday)
Cocoa, Fl
Cocoa Armory
308 N. Frisked Ave.
TICKETS: Kids $10
Adults $115
Ringside Reserved (Rows 1-2) - $25
TICKETS AT: Online at
www.fcwwrestlinglive@yahoo.com and participating Buddy’s Home Furnishings Stores.
TELEVISION: Florida Championship Wrestling airs every Sunday on Brighthouse channel 47 from 6-7 p.m.
ABOUT FCW: For nearly half a century, Florida Championship Wrestling has been the Sunshine State's primary wrestling promotion. Now officially sanctioned and recently reorganized by WWE, FCW has also become the training ground for future WWE Superstars.
Under the tutelage and leadership of Florida wrestling legend Steve Keirn, FCW's goal for the fans is simple: To give them a glimpse at the potential Superstars of tomorrow, while providing exciting ring action that leaves the entire family with smiles on their faces.
The key objective within Florida Championship Wrestling is to train the next generation of WWE Superstars. FCW takes enormous pride in its live events all over the southeast, and in promoting tryouts at the organization's Tampa location to showcase young men and women interested in a career as a sports-entertainer.
FCW Wrestling where it all started for current WWE Champion Sheamus and Inter-Continental Champion Drew McIntyre
INFORMATION
For more information please login
www.fcwwrestling.comNew Details on Bret Hart's WWE Return, Possible Plans with Vince, New DVD & More
By Marc Middleton
Dec 17, 2009 - 2:21:57 AM
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- A source close to the situation says that Bret Hart has signed a short-term contract with WWE that will run from January 1st, 2010 until April 10th, 2010, about two weeks after WrestleMania. It was said that Hart wanted his signing to be kept quiet and his return a surprise but WWE all but officially announced it on RAW this past week.
The deal had been talked about for months now, possibly as far back as SummerSlam. WWE has expected Hart to come in for a program in the past but it's never materialized until now. There had also been talk over the past few months of possibly have Hart do something with The Hart Dynasty on TV to help move them up the ladder but that talk never materialized either.
Sources are under the impression that WWE wants to move forward with a storyline between Vince McMahon and Bret, playing off the Survivor Series 1997 screwjob. Some who were let in on Hart's return were even told that he would actually be wrestling, possibly only one match, but that still seems unlikely to most. Given his age and health, Hart wrestling probably won't happen.
A DVD on the Hart family is also part of the deal between Bret and WWE. It is still not confirmed that Hart will host the January 4th RAW head-to-head with TNA but he currently is not scheduled to appear for WWE before the 4th.
WWE Stars Worried About Their Jobs, More on DX and Hornswoggle, Miller Talks WWE
By Marc Middleton
Dec 17, 2009 - 2:18:30 AM
Partial source: PWInsider.com
- WWE has been booking little people all week and have booked a Miami area courtroom for this coming Monday afternoon so it appears the segment with DX and Hornswoggle is finally happening after being put off for weeks.
- Dennis Miller noted on FOX's O'Reilly Factor show last night that WWE paid him no money for hosting the Slammy's last week and what he got in return was to promote the USAcares.org charity.
- There are a lot of undercard talents in WWE who are worried about their jobs right now as everyone is expecting the company to release a number of talents after the first of the year.
More on the Recent WWE Tryouts, Jericho Reminder for Tonight, WWE Scouting OVW
By Marc Middleton
Dec 17, 2009 - 2:14:47 AM
Partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- As noted before, WWE sent Edge and Tiffany to speak to talents at the recent developmental tryouts at FCW. Other names who spoke were Dusty Rhodes, Ricky Steamboat, Mike Rotunda, Santino Marella, Tyson Kidd and David Hart Smith. There were 32 wrestlers at the tryouts.
- WWE's John Laurinaitis is scheduled to travel to Louisville, KY soon to scout the wrestlers at former WWE developmental territory OVW.
- Chris Jericho will be appearing on tonight's episode of Late Night with Jimmy Fallon on NBC to promote this Saturday's Tribute to the Troops special.
WWE Tapings vs. TNA Final Resolution on Sunday, WWE 2009 DVD Updates, WWE Extras
By Marc Middleton
Dec 17, 2009 - 2:12:20 AM
Partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- The most-shipped WWE DVD's so far this year is the WrestleMania DVD with 233,000 units shipped, the Rise and Fall of WCW DVD with 144,000 shipped, the Greatest Stars of the 90's DVD with 115,000 shipped and the Best of SNME DVD with 131,000 units shipped.
- A lot of the extras used at WWE's TV tapings this past week were talents who worked the recent FCW tryouts or have applied for tryouts.
- Due to the Christmas break, WWE will be taping next week's ECW and SmackDown this Sunday evening in Orlando. TNA's Final Resolution pay-per-view will be going on at the same time just a few miles away.
Ex-WWE Tag Champ Returning to SmackDown?, Bad News on SmackDown vs. RAW and More
By Marc Middleton
Dec 17, 2009 - 2:07:09 AM
Partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- WWE had 14.5 million website viewers in October, which is the highest in several months. WWE averaged 871 orders per day on their shop website in October, up from 567 in September.
- Early numbers for WWE's SmackDown vs. RAW 2010 game aren't looking good. Video game charts for October in the United States showed that the only version to crack the top 20 was the Xbox version at #15.
- There has been talk within WWE of bringing Lance Cade back to the SmackDown brand.
TNA Planning Something for WrestleMania Weekend?, More on Hogan Wrestling in TNA
By Marc Middleton
Dec 17, 2009 - 2:03:19 AM
Partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
- TNA has canceled their live events planned for Calgary, Alberta, Canada and Lethbridge, Alberta Canada during WrestleMania 26 weekend. A staff member at one of the buildings told Devin Cutting that it was TNA's decision to pull the shows. No word yet if TNA will try to have a presence in Arizona during WrestleMania 26 weekend.
- The analogy given by one source for Hulk Hogan as a wrestler in TNA is to be like the 1980's version of Bill Watts, where maybe once a year he gets pushed too far and comes back for a big match.
Major Ric Flair return update, New WWE star, Nash, WWE vs. UFC, Daniels
By Brian Cantor
Dec 17, 2009 - 12:33:14 AM
-- According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Ric Flair and TNA are closing in on the financial aspect of their negotiations. An interesting rumor going around claims that Flair wants to be contracted to Panda Energy, rather than TNA, so that he would still be entitled to a pay day if TNA went out of business.
-- To update the earlier story on Bryan Danielson's status, he is actually training at Randy Couture's "Xtreme Couture" gym in anticipation of his call from WWE.
-- Kevin Nash has reportedly been vocal in conveying his disapproval of Taz as a commentator.
-- WWE presently has a SmackDown! house show scheduled for 1/11, which would be the night WWE RAW goes head-to-head with UFC Fight Night. WWE has not yet committed to running that episode as a three-hour RAW, but should it make such a call, the assumption is that the house show would be postponed so that the SD wrestlers could work the TV show.
-- On Wednesday night Jeff Wilen had a chance to chat with Christopher Daniels about his world-title shot at TNA's Final Resolution pay-per-view this Sunday. The interview can be read HERE.
