More on Shane McMahon's WWE Resignation, His Future Plans and Internal Reaction
By Amish Patel
Oct 21, 2009 - 3:48:00 PM
Source: F4W Newsletter
- As of this week, nobody who is talking within WWE has any idea what caused Shane McMahon's resignation from WWE or what he plans on doing next. People who worked under Shane are said to be shocked and devastated, saying it came completely out of left field. The department that Shane was in charge of always has had great morale and word is that all the good morale plummeted on Friday when the announcement came out. A lot of people were very worried about their future with the company and there was talk that layoffs might be coming.
Shane was flooded with calls over the weekend and he pretty much told everyone the same thing he said in his official statement. It is very likely that the only people who know what is going on are Shane, Vince McMahon and perhaps Linda or Stephanie. Even people who spoke with Triple H had the impression that he didn't know really what went down.
While Vince had good things to say about Shane's departure in the release, word within WWE is that Vince went on a complete rampage (as our own Brian Cantor reported yesterday) when the news came out and everyone was doing anything they could to not be seen. The release was issued early Friday morning because they were concerned that the news would leak out and be on other wrestling websites before WWE broke it. Vince's behavior suggests that Shane might not be leaving to work on his mother's Senate campaign, which has been speculated. The reports of Vince flipping out may be a bit hyped up because we do know that Shane was in the office on Friday and Monday. Shane will continue working for WWE until January 1st of 2010.
It's still unknown what Shane plans on doing with his future. There is a lot of speculation that he will jump into the world of promoting MMA and it's no secret that he's a huge fan and has had interest before in getting involved. One source close to Shane says he is very intrigued by the TV and film business and could end up there but as noted above, nobody right now knows what's next for Shane. Shane is playing it smart by not talking about his plans. Most expect that he will be approached with lots of offers in the next few months.
There was a lot of people in WWE who were nervous when the story broke because they saw it as Vince's son had decided it was time to get out of the family business, for whatever reason. Some are concerned that Shane feels the WWE ship has sailed and is getting out so he doesn't go down with it.
Real Reason Why ROH Star Didn't Sign With WWE
By Amish Patel
Oct 21, 2009 - 3:37:44 PM
- We noted last night that Nigel McGuinness was telling people at last night's iMPACT tapings that he didn't sign with WWE because they took too long to send him his contract. However, Prowrestling.net reports that it's confirmed he failed WWE's pre-screening test and WWE pulled their verbal offer to him and never offered him an actual contract.
The story goes that this was not the case of Nigel failing a drug test, but a medically related test that caused WWE to shy away from signing him. TNA does not have a pre-screening test for their incoming talents.
Batista Says Rey Mysterio is Wasted in WWE and Why Carlito is Off TV
By Amish Patel
Oct 21, 2009 - 3:32:09 PM
Source: F4W Newsletter
- Apparently Batista did an interview in Mexico recently saying that Rey Mysterio's talent was wasted in WWE and that the high-flyer should be a top main-eventer.
- Carlito is off WWE TV right now because the creative team has nothing for him. The feeling is that he doesn't care too much these days and creative would rather spend more time with people that are actually contributing ideas.
Hulk Hogan Talks About His Suicide Attempt & Family Turmoil
By Michael Bluth
Oct 21, 2009 - 3:14:53 PM
WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan says he had his finger on the trigger of a gun and was about to kill himself when he received a phone call from a concerned celebrity friend.
The New York Daily News has published quotes from Hulk's new book "My Life Outside the Ring," where he describes hit rock bottom after the nasty breakup with his wife of 23 years and coping with Nick's car accident that put Nick in jail and left family friend John Graziano brain-damaged.
Hulk says he did everything he could to keep his family together. "I practically begged her, 'Please, don't file. Our son's just had this accident -- if we do this now, it'll make us look like the Britney Spears family. Please, don't file for divorce.'" Hogan calls Linda an abusive alcoholic who once threatened to beat Nick with a wine bottle. Hulk says the extend of Linda's crazy side was never really seen on their "Hogan Knows Best" VH1 reality show because "There were plenty of times when Linda would lose it, but no one wanted to see that kind of ugliness on TV."
Hogan then describes a darker chapter in his life, where he almost committed suicide. Hulk said one day while filming NBC's "American Gladiators," he downed a heavy cocktail of rum and the anti-anxiety medication Xanax. Later in the day, he received a phone call from co-host Laila Ali, daughter of boxing great Muhammad Ali, who was concerned for him after noticing he seemed distracted at work. Hogan said in the book that he had reached for a gun and put his finger on the trigger when Ali called.
RVD Talks About Meeting Dixie Carter & Vince Russo At BFG (Interview)
By Michael Bluth
Oct 21, 2009 - 1:19:09 PM
Former WWE & ECW champion Rob Van Dam appeared on the Between The Ropes radio show with Brian Fritz on Tuesday night and talked about his experience at Sunday's TNA Bound For Glory event. Van Dam met Vince Russo and Dixie Carter for the first time at the show. To listen to the full interview, visit BetweenTheRopes.com.
Regarding his meeting with Vince Russo, he said, "I think that was the first I've met him," Van Dam said. "I've talked to him on the phone a few times. I stood there and talked with him for a few minutes the other day. I've only known him by reputation before, which was a little choppy." Van Dam sounded a bit skeptical of Russo, but acknowledged that most of what he's heard has been second and third hand information.
Van Dam also described his brief encounter with TNA president Dixie Carter. "It was real short," Van Dam said. I introduced myself to her. She said, 'Yeah, we've talked on the phone.' And then it was it was real awkward like she wanted to talk, but there wasn't anything to say."
Vince McMahon goes on backstage rampage?, WWE RAW rating, Maria
By Brian Cantor
Oct 20, 2009 - 11:12:20 PM
-- This week's edition of WWE RAW posted a 3.3 rating, which marks a very slight decline from last week's number. More newsworthy than the actual household number, however, is the fact that the telecast once again lost viewers from hour one (3.48 rating) to hour two (3.17). While competing sports programs generally draw more viewers for later parts of the game (and thus become more competitive against RAW), the presence of baseball and football on other networks has not historically produced that kind of hourly drop on a weekly basis--something about WWE's program is presently turning away viewers mid-episode. (Source: PWInsider)
-- A wise move to correspond with her publicity for "Celebrity Apprentice," Maria received the featured WWE.com Diva Gallery on Tuesday. It is titled "en fuego."
-- While the motivation behind Shane McMahon's resignation is still largely a mystery, F4WOnline.com reports that the situation was intense enough to cause Vince McMahon to go on a "complete rampage" the morning the resignation was announced. Even though most do not believe any sort of major family blowup occurred, the McMahon reaction does seemingly indicate the resignation was about more than Linda's Senate campaign.
Latest On The Undertaker's WWE Future, Solofa Fatu Jr. (Rikishi) Interview
By Brad Ingles
Oct 20, 2009 - 6:36:41 PM
There has been speculation that the Undertaker will retire at WrestleMania 26, however a new report from ProWrestling.net revealed that is not the plan. Undertaker is hoping to work his current schedule for another two to three years, and then just make special appearances for major events.
There was also speculation that Undertaker had hip replacement surgery after WrestleMania, but one source said that is not the case. "That's physically impossible to come back that soon," said the source.
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Interview by Harold Williams
One of the most popular and charismatic stars in the history of
professional wrestling, Solofa Fatu Jr. (previous ring name, "Kishi" and
formerly contracted to WWE as, "Rikishi") is looking forward to taking
part in the HULKAMANIA - Let the Battle Begin tour.
Q: When you were first contacted regarding the HULKAMANIA - Let
the Battle Begin tour, what was your reason for being interested in
being a part of it?
A: I was first contacted by KNOKX PRO ENTERTAINMENT awhile back. I
wanted to be a part of wrestling history coming to Australia, Hulk
Hogan's first time ever in the country. Also I miss the fans of
Australia. It's been awhile since I've been there.
To be a part of this TOUR is a BIG deal. I mean everyone and anyone
who's in the wrestling business are trying to get on. I mean who doesn't
want to be on the same show as the ICON OF WRESTLING with the MAN HULK
HOGAN, FLAIR. BLACK PEARL, MY BROTHER Eddie Fatu formerly known as
"UMAGA", man the list goes on.
You got to be stupid not to accept an invitation. You mean I get paid to
go to Australia and have fun. And be a part of WRESTLING HISTORY in
Ossieland (Fun Place). That's awesome. I'm there!!
Q: Who will you be wrestling on the tour, and is there anyone in
particular that you would like to wrestle on the tour?
A: Really don't know yet. But I will be in a tag team match teaming up
with my buddy GRANMASTA BRIAN CHRISTOPHER. It doesn't matter who we
face, but you can bet GRANMASTA and myself will bust a move on who ever
steps in to the ring with us. Bring your 'A' Game, boys.
I'm bringing the whole OSSIELAND fans with us ......
Q: What do you think the tour will lead to in the future? Do you see it
expanding to other countries, perhaps even growing into a full-time
promotion?
A: Surely I have no doubt that Michael Condon of CONDON SPORTS &
ENTERTAINMENT GROUP AND Reno Anoa'i of KNOKX PRO ENTERTAINMENT can book
any type of events there in Australia. Hell if they can bring WRESTLING
ICON HULK HOGAN there with the help of Bischoff Hervey Entertainment,
anything's possible in the future for these two groups as for
ENTERTAINMENT EVENTS...
This event is BIG and STRONG enough to move into other countries and
even GOOD enough to open a NEW WRESTLING LEAGUE. Just depends how far
these 3 groups want to take it. My hope is that they are ALL able to
work together in the future to give the WRESTLING/MMA fans a chance to
see other LEAGUES beside the same two companies in US over and over again.
Q: How long is your commitment for this tour? Is it only for November,
or are you planning on being a part of it if it goes longer?
A: For 4 events. I'm committed to Michael Condon of CONDON SPORTS &
ENTERTAINMENT GROUP and Reno Anoa'i of KNOKX PRO ENTERTAINMENT. I
believe in these two gents. They are professional guys with BIG VISIONS
for AUSTRALIA and other oversea countries for Pro Wrestling / MMA.
To have Australia have their own MAINSTREAM WORLDWIDE WRESTLING COMPANY
like the other two in USA. Would be BIG. And I believe these two can
pull it off.
Q: You have wrestled all over the word. How are Australian fans
different in regards to fans in other countries where you have wrestled?
A: OSSIELAND fans are full of energy and CRAZY. They're loud and come to
see a fight or get entertained. Just fun people. I love them.....
Q: KnokX Pro is involved in promoting the tour, and you are one of the
coaches at their school. Along with being a beneficial experience for
the individual talents involved, do you think that the tour will be
beneficial to KnokX Pro as a promotion as well?
A: YES. Its getting lots of media attention WORLDWIDE being involved
with HULKAMANIA TOUR. Which is good for us. Along with CONDON SPORTS &
ENTERTAINMENT GROUP and Bischoff Hervey Entertainment.
Q: For fans who are interested in being trained to wrestle, in your
opinion, why is KnokX Pro Academy the school that they should choose?
A: We provide our students the ALL around knowledge of the wrestling
business. The ins and outs of the wrestling world. For one we know what
we're talking about and also lived the life of wrestling. It's very easy
to teach something that you've lived all your life. KnokX Pro has that.
I have trainers who know what to teach to get our student ready for the
wrestling world and business part.
We care about my students. They're like my own kids when they walk
through that door of THE DOMAIN at KnokX Pro. We will teach them to be
ready when they leave us for the PRO WRESTLING WORLD. At the DOMAIN we
are all family. Tight and close bunch, who work hard together to help
fulfill the dreams of each other in pro wrestling life.
We are committed to our students and each other. We WILL give them the
BEST of the BEST training they can possibly get. To be THE NEXT BIG
THING IN PRO WRESTLING 50 yrs of EXPERIENCE COMBINED .....
Come see us at
www.knokxpro.com "WHERE THE CHAMPIONS PLAY"
That's a GUARANTEE ...
Q: You are a very big part of a promotion that is based in Italy, and
also has shows in Spain and Switzerland. Do you have in any interest in
bringing the tour to those areas in the future?
A: But of course. We are looking in on that as we speak. Those markets
are very big in Pro Wrestling / MMA. I mean they love it out there. So
hopefully we are able to move into that part of the world with this tour
OR any other CONDON SPORTS & ENTERTAINMENT GROUP and KNOKX PRO
ENTERTAINMENT event in the near future .
Sky's the limit here....
Q: With your involvement in the tour, combined with your work in Italy
and coaching for the KnokX Pro Academy, it seems like your career is
busier than ever. When you first started in the business, did you ever
imagine that over 20 years later, you would be this active in the industry?
A: Yes I know huh!! Crazy. But I love this business it's what I'm good
at. I am no longer working with the Italian company it was good while it
lasted, but now its full-time with my students at The DOMAIN .....I got
to give them 22 yrs of my mind in PRO WRESTLING BIZ .......
Q: During the rare opportunities that you have spare time, how do you
use it?
A: FAMILY TIME, FAMILY TIME, FAMILY TIME. Just try to catch up lost time
cause of being on the road. I like to cook for them. Maybe catch a DVD
movie or else just simply relax and listen to some reggae music and
chill. Or Billie Jean (Michael Jackson). I'm easy ..... Spend time with
my lil boy everyday
,,,,,,,,,,, Now that's a full-time, but I love it.
Daddy at home.
KISHI/ JR FATU on the road .....
Fa'afetai lava ( Thank You Much ) Peace and Love to Australia and the
World !!!!