Post by Head Booker on Feb 11, 2007 17:52:35 GMT -6
source: f4wonline.com
Apparently, Andrew "Test" Martin has been suspended. Test has been pulled off the road due to the WWE Wellness policy. This is the first WWE Wellness policy violation since September, at least that we know of.
The policy calls for talent to be suspended for 30 days should they fail a drug test. Also, some of the talent have a way of getting around the program. If the person tests positive for steroids or some other substance in violation of the policy, the person can still get around the suspension if the individual's next test shows a decreased usage of whatever substance he or she is using because it shows that he or she is trying to improve him or herself. But if the test shows no marked improvement, the individual will get suspended.
Vince McMahon had recently given up on pushing Test as a top headliner in ECW. That's why he was beaten in all of his encounters with Bobby Lashley.
source: PWInsider
--The voice of RAW, Jim Ross recently commented on Hulk Hogan in his latest blog. Ross writes, "You folks know as much as about the status of Hulk Hogan as do I. I don’t regularly converse with the Hulkster and whatever he says on his various radio appearances is what it is as I see it. I heard he was going to have knee surgery which I hope goes well, but I don’t see Hogan wrestling an ambitious schedule for anyone at anytime ever again. How fans could expect a man north of 50 to be as active as he was when he was younger is beyond me, especially an athlete with his fair share of injuries and surgeries." You can check out the entire blog (which also includes comments on RVD rumors) at this link.
--Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown did a 3.0 fast national rating with a 5.0 share. This is slightly down from last week’s 3.1, but still a strong number for the show. The final number will be out early next week.
--Former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar will be attending the grand opening of The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa on the weekend on February 17th. More information cab be obtained by calling (319) 233-0745.
Source: PWInsider.com
- WWE has dipped into NASCAR as they are providing sponsorship for driver Jeremy Mayfield. While the sponsorship is nothing major, Mayfield wears a small WWE logo on his racing suit.
- Newsday has a feature online in their business section talking about the competition that World Wrestling Entertainment faces with Mixed Martial Arts. Click here to check it out.
- There’s a story on Canada.com on ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley. The feature is written by an arts writer who provides a unique view of the business. Click here to read it.
source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
In regards to Rob Van Dam's contract status, if he didn't give in his notice by the end of last week, his contract would have automatically rolled over. This doesn't mean he's leaving, but it gives him the option to leave in the summer, and they'd have to renegotiate a new deal to keep him. Van Dam's downside guarantee is about $250,000. He probably actually makes about $500,000 if you include merchandise, pay-per-view payoffs and such. Although, he worked all those low drawing ECW house shows, and thus he got a lot of $500 to $750 payoffs while on top, so that may be a high estimate. The ECW guys are now working the higher grossing SmackDown shows, so his payoffs should be back up to speed again anyways.
Also, RVD has a standing offer to go to All Japan. Although, it doesn't seem to mean nearly as much as when he was a regular there earlier in his career because they run very few dates. But between All Japan, TNA, U.S. and Europeam indies, he should still be able to make a lot with far more time off, not to mention control of his schedule. That's why there is a good possibility that he could be leaving WWE in the summer. He'll probably be able to get about $2,500 or more per date on the indie scene, along with hotel & airfare expenses paid, at least at first. But once six months to a year have passed, it may be harder for him to get as many bookings at that rate.
There is talk within WWE of trying to get its "last word" in. Figuring he's leaving, Johnny Ace may make an offer that he'll probably turn down so that he can get the last word in, not to mention as a receipt for him embarrassing at a recent company meeting (RVD made a smart alec remarks towards Ace). People within WWE say that RVD has been telling people that he plans on leaving, but other people think he'll make his decision based on WWE's money offer.
source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
It has been confirmed that WWE plans on releasing a DVD on 'Mr. Perfect' Curt Hennig. The DVD will likely be released in 2007. It was four years ago on Saturday that Hennig passed away.
Thomas Penmanship of Chaotic Wrestling out of Lowell, MA has been signed to a WWE developmental deal. He has been assigned to OVW. Penmanship made an appearance on SmackDown in the summer of 2005 as Muhammad Hassan's "lawyer" during his brief feud with The Undertaker.
'The Wild Samoans' Afa & Sika have been asked to be in the WWE Hall of Fame this year.
partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
2006 WWE Diva Search contestant Erica Chevillar is featured in this month's edition of Playboy. Chevillar was a 10th grade history teacher from Boca Raton, Florida that came under fire when a parent complained about some racy bikini modeling photos that she found of her online. Chevillar said that the photos were taken of her when she was in college.
TMZ.com has posted some less than flattering photos of a sobbing Joanie "Chyna" Laurer leaving the CNN Studios in Hollywood, CA after her sputtering interview on Larry King Live on Thursday night.
As silly as it sounds, Super Crazy's minor push as of late can be linked to RAW writer Brian Gerwitz recently seeing the movie Nacho Libre. Gerwitz realized that they had a chunky flying Mexican wrestler on the roster, thus meaning that they could do some stuff with him similar to what was done in the movie. Expect scenes similar to the movie to be on RAW with him getting more face time.
Credit: PWInsider.com
- The episode of "The George Lopez" featuring former WWE diva Stacy Keibler did a 5.0 broadcast rating.
- WWE has apparently given up on the idea of airing ECW on a tape delay basis.
- In a recent interview with the Sun newspaper in Canada, Chris Jericho made it clear he didn't retire from wrestling. He also said he doesn't expect a return any time soon.
-Paul Heyman remains under a deal with WWE and is still on the payroll. As of now, there are no indications that he has been asked to do anything at this point and the feeling within the company is that he won't be asked to return to the booking team right now.
WWE management is said to be happy with Super Crazy both on and off camera, so this explains his mid-card push on Raw as of late.
credit: Gerwick.com
- Johnny Nitro is apparently in the WWE doghouse because of his ongoing real life relationship with Melina. Melina has heat dating back to her days in Smackdown, and has done nothing to improve her reputation. Despite their current standing in the company, WWE recognizes their main event act potential.
- Ric Flair's Raw promo on Carlito was something of a shoot. Both Carlito and Shelton Benjamain are viewed as superstars with a lack of drive and passion, unwilling to go the extra mile. Agents have tried to motivate Carlito, but thus far he simply hasn't responded.
Apparently, Andrew "Test" Martin has been suspended. Test has been pulled off the road due to the WWE Wellness policy. This is the first WWE Wellness policy violation since September, at least that we know of.
The policy calls for talent to be suspended for 30 days should they fail a drug test. Also, some of the talent have a way of getting around the program. If the person tests positive for steroids or some other substance in violation of the policy, the person can still get around the suspension if the individual's next test shows a decreased usage of whatever substance he or she is using because it shows that he or she is trying to improve him or herself. But if the test shows no marked improvement, the individual will get suspended.
Vince McMahon had recently given up on pushing Test as a top headliner in ECW. That's why he was beaten in all of his encounters with Bobby Lashley.
source: PWInsider
--The voice of RAW, Jim Ross recently commented on Hulk Hogan in his latest blog. Ross writes, "You folks know as much as about the status of Hulk Hogan as do I. I don’t regularly converse with the Hulkster and whatever he says on his various radio appearances is what it is as I see it. I heard he was going to have knee surgery which I hope goes well, but I don’t see Hogan wrestling an ambitious schedule for anyone at anytime ever again. How fans could expect a man north of 50 to be as active as he was when he was younger is beyond me, especially an athlete with his fair share of injuries and surgeries." You can check out the entire blog (which also includes comments on RVD rumors) at this link.
--Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown did a 3.0 fast national rating with a 5.0 share. This is slightly down from last week’s 3.1, but still a strong number for the show. The final number will be out early next week.
--Former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar will be attending the grand opening of The Dan Gable International Wrestling Institute and Museum in Waterloo, Iowa on the weekend on February 17th. More information cab be obtained by calling (319) 233-0745.
Source: PWInsider.com
- WWE has dipped into NASCAR as they are providing sponsorship for driver Jeremy Mayfield. While the sponsorship is nothing major, Mayfield wears a small WWE logo on his racing suit.
- Newsday has a feature online in their business section talking about the competition that World Wrestling Entertainment faces with Mixed Martial Arts. Click here to check it out.
- There’s a story on Canada.com on ECW World Champion Bobby Lashley. The feature is written by an arts writer who provides a unique view of the business. Click here to read it.
source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
In regards to Rob Van Dam's contract status, if he didn't give in his notice by the end of last week, his contract would have automatically rolled over. This doesn't mean he's leaving, but it gives him the option to leave in the summer, and they'd have to renegotiate a new deal to keep him. Van Dam's downside guarantee is about $250,000. He probably actually makes about $500,000 if you include merchandise, pay-per-view payoffs and such. Although, he worked all those low drawing ECW house shows, and thus he got a lot of $500 to $750 payoffs while on top, so that may be a high estimate. The ECW guys are now working the higher grossing SmackDown shows, so his payoffs should be back up to speed again anyways.
Also, RVD has a standing offer to go to All Japan. Although, it doesn't seem to mean nearly as much as when he was a regular there earlier in his career because they run very few dates. But between All Japan, TNA, U.S. and Europeam indies, he should still be able to make a lot with far more time off, not to mention control of his schedule. That's why there is a good possibility that he could be leaving WWE in the summer. He'll probably be able to get about $2,500 or more per date on the indie scene, along with hotel & airfare expenses paid, at least at first. But once six months to a year have passed, it may be harder for him to get as many bookings at that rate.
There is talk within WWE of trying to get its "last word" in. Figuring he's leaving, Johnny Ace may make an offer that he'll probably turn down so that he can get the last word in, not to mention as a receipt for him embarrassing at a recent company meeting (RVD made a smart alec remarks towards Ace). People within WWE say that RVD has been telling people that he plans on leaving, but other people think he'll make his decision based on WWE's money offer.
source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
It has been confirmed that WWE plans on releasing a DVD on 'Mr. Perfect' Curt Hennig. The DVD will likely be released in 2007. It was four years ago on Saturday that Hennig passed away.
Thomas Penmanship of Chaotic Wrestling out of Lowell, MA has been signed to a WWE developmental deal. He has been assigned to OVW. Penmanship made an appearance on SmackDown in the summer of 2005 as Muhammad Hassan's "lawyer" during his brief feud with The Undertaker.
'The Wild Samoans' Afa & Sika have been asked to be in the WWE Hall of Fame this year.
partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
2006 WWE Diva Search contestant Erica Chevillar is featured in this month's edition of Playboy. Chevillar was a 10th grade history teacher from Boca Raton, Florida that came under fire when a parent complained about some racy bikini modeling photos that she found of her online. Chevillar said that the photos were taken of her when she was in college.
TMZ.com has posted some less than flattering photos of a sobbing Joanie "Chyna" Laurer leaving the CNN Studios in Hollywood, CA after her sputtering interview on Larry King Live on Thursday night.
As silly as it sounds, Super Crazy's minor push as of late can be linked to RAW writer Brian Gerwitz recently seeing the movie Nacho Libre. Gerwitz realized that they had a chunky flying Mexican wrestler on the roster, thus meaning that they could do some stuff with him similar to what was done in the movie. Expect scenes similar to the movie to be on RAW with him getting more face time.
Credit: PWInsider.com
- The episode of "The George Lopez" featuring former WWE diva Stacy Keibler did a 5.0 broadcast rating.
- WWE has apparently given up on the idea of airing ECW on a tape delay basis.
- In a recent interview with the Sun newspaper in Canada, Chris Jericho made it clear he didn't retire from wrestling. He also said he doesn't expect a return any time soon.
-Paul Heyman remains under a deal with WWE and is still on the payroll. As of now, there are no indications that he has been asked to do anything at this point and the feeling within the company is that he won't be asked to return to the booking team right now.
WWE management is said to be happy with Super Crazy both on and off camera, so this explains his mid-card push on Raw as of late.
credit: Gerwick.com
- Johnny Nitro is apparently in the WWE doghouse because of his ongoing real life relationship with Melina. Melina has heat dating back to her days in Smackdown, and has done nothing to improve her reputation. Despite their current standing in the company, WWE recognizes their main event act potential.
- Ric Flair's Raw promo on Carlito was something of a shoot. Both Carlito and Shelton Benjamain are viewed as superstars with a lack of drive and passion, unwilling to go the extra mile. Agents have tried to motivate Carlito, but thus far he simply hasn't responded.
