Feb 16-22

WWE

John Cena doesn’t do steroids and thinks steroid users should be incarcerated. (PW)

At the recent RAW/ECW show in Los Angeles, security was tightened where the wrestlers drive their vehicles out, probably in response to the Chris Jericho incident. (PW)

Guests at that event included Michael Clarke Duncan and Arsenio Hall. (PW)

Candice Michelle is whining about not getting enough TV time. (PW)

Look for a Survivor Series DVD anthology soon. (PW)

To keep leaks about Edge’s involvement in the Elimination Chamber and winning the WHT, WWE crew put a “huge tarp” over the Elimination Chamber on Sunday so no one could see the wrestlers working out their match inside. (PW)

The WWE hosted an Oscar Party on Wednesday to celebrate WM25. Lots of famous people were there, and if you care to see who, click here: http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/11618 (PW)

Christian was originally supposed to be the mystery man attacking Jeff Hardy, and Michael Hayes was behind the plan. When he realized what Vince thought of Christian, Hayes changed his plan to the current Jeff vs Matt feud. John Laurinaitis was behind using Christian now rather than in April. Brian Gerwitz wanted Christian to debut on RAW to fill Matt Hardy’s now-vacant position. As Vince McMahon thinks of Christian as a mere upper-mid-carder, they decided to feud Christian with someone that Vince likes a lot, hence his feud with Swagger. Several planned segments having Christian meeting and interacting with ECW talent to push him as a “big deal” were nixed, as was the planned ending to the match of having Christian wrestle a great match and Swagger being counted out or DQed. (PW)
BTW, for some reason, WWE.com lists Christian’s trainer as Bret Hart. He was actually trained by Ron Hutchinson, Dory Funk Jr and Tom Pritchard. Christian and Edge did once go to Bret’s home in for a “training session,” after both had signed WWE deals. (PW)

In case you’re wondering, Christian’s entrance theme is called “Just Close Your Eyes.” (PW)

Look for Gail Kim to return sometime after WM, probably on SmackDown. (PW)

The novelty of having Freddy Prinze Jr aboard is wearing off on everyone, including Freddy Prinze Jr. He has “parted ways” with the WWE. (PW)

WWE is looking to produce another reality show along the same lines as Tough Enough. (PW)

Look for Sgt Slaughter to appear as a part of the Jericho storyline soon. (PW)

Look for a Rey Mysterio autobiography in November or December, titled “Behind the Mask” (PW)

Batista will be returning to the ring in early August. (PW)

Scotty Goldman has been released. (PW)

In case you missed the sit-down with Jim Ross that was aired this week, Triple H talked about Vince and Shane being family and Stephanie his wife. (PW)

Look for Chris Jericho in a direct-to-DVD movie called “Albino Farm” in the fall. He filmed while on break from the WWE. (PW)

Ted DiBiase Jr has thought about bringing back the Million Dollar Championship. (PW)

Unfortunately for you boys, there will be no WWE Divas appearing in the April issue of Playboy, as they traditionally have to promote WM. (WV)

With his win on Sunday, Triple H has held the WWE Title the most times now, at 8 (The Rock held it 7 times). (WV)

HALL OF FAME NEWS
Inductees confirmed so far:
Stone Cold Steve Austin
The Von Erich Family
Terry and Dory Funk Jr
“Cowboy” Bill Watts

Kevin Von Erich and sons will be accepting the HOF award on behalf of their entire family. (PW)

Terry and Dory Funk Jr will be inducted to the HOF by Dusty Rhodes this year. (PW)
Speaking of the Funks, Dorothy Funk Culver, the mother of Terry and Dory, sadly passed away on January 30. (WV)

The Honky Tonk Man would like you to know that he will be in attendance at the HOF ceremony. (PW)

Look for an hour special on the USA Network for the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday April 4 at 10pm EST. It will replay on April 5 at 1am EST (PW)

WRESTLEMANIA 25 NEWS
The confirmed card so far:
WWE Championship Match: Triple H vs Randy Orton
Jeff Hardy vs Matt Hardy
Shawn Michaels vs The Undertaker
Money in the Bank Match

The word is that whether or not Hogan faces Chris Jericho or someone else depends on Mickey Rourke’s decision about attending WM25, which he is expected to make after the Oscars. Whatever the case, Hogan is definitely in talks with McMahon about wrestling a match. (PW)
However, Hogan said on Bubba The Love Sponge on February 20 that he would not be appearing at WM25, unable to come to an agreement with Vince McMahon. (WV)

Expect to see Steve Austin at WM25 in some role beyond that of a HOF inductee, but not in a match. Rumour has it he might be the special guest referee for Triple H vs Randy Orton.

According to Slam Wrestling, Trish Stratus has been contacted by the WWE about returning at WM25. (PW)


TNA

Tim Brown from PWTorch.com would like you to know that there are no “cliques” in the TNA locker room. (PW)

Despite rumours, Vince Russo apparently did not “lashed out” at Jeff Jarrett backstage recently. (PW)

The following is a quote from a fan that saw Scott Steiner recently in Florida. I just thought it was funny and worth repeating: “Steiner seems completely normal when he’s out of character, aside from the fact that he is huge and has a weird goatee.” The fan also says that despite rumours about Steiner being decrepit, he seemed to be in good health. (PW)

Petey Williams’ contract was not renewed because creative seemed to have nothing for him. TNA “never made a formal offer” after Petey’s contract expired. (PW)

It appears TNA will continue to use the “Off The Wagon” challenge to write more released and departing wrestlers off the roster. (PW)

Speaking of released and departing wrestlers, Sonjay Dutt is on his way out, surprisingly because he is the company’s public face in India, where TNA does very well. Dutt is apparently being eyed by the WWE now. (PW)

There seems to be a rift in TNA administration between Jarrett and his supporters and Panda Energy people. Dixie Carter “butts heads” with Jarrett at times, but remains supportive of him. (PW)

In case you care, “One Night With ODB” is probably rigged. There are no official rules and one of the clips in the promo that airs is indy wrestler Cody Deaner (the guy with the mullet), who has been signed with a deal for some time now. (PW)

Look for Sting vs Kurt Angle, Beer Money vs Team 3D, Samoa Joe vs Scott Steiner, AJ Styles vs Booker T for the Legend’s Title, and the Ultimate X match consisting of Shelly, Sabin, Creed, Lethal and more to be included on the card for Destination X. (PW)

Look for a new Knockout to debut soon, Sarah Stock. She is a body builder that has competed in Mexico. (WV)

Robert Roode has signed a new deal with TNA for 5 years. (WV)


ROH

Look for Ric Flair in ROH soon. They have signed a “multi-event” deal, with Flair’s first appearance being on March 13 in Illinois. (PW)


OTHER

Val Venis will be joining Giant Bernard (formerly known as Prince Albert) and Black Tiger in a stable in New Japan Pro Wrestling. (PW)

Look for “Another Night in Chyna” on adult film store shelves soon. You’ll be happy to know that Chyna did not give her consent for the film to be released, and you’ll be equally happy to know that the new film is really just outtakes from the first one. The film company (Red Light District) owns the rights to all the footage and didn’t need either party’s consent to release said film. (PW)

Victoria has been training for MMA. (PW)

Dwayne Johnson would like you to know that he doesn’t mind being called “The Rock.” (WV)

Verne Gagne was involved in an incident at a facility in Bloomington, MN that treats Alzheimer’ patients and other people with memory problems. Gagne allegedly threw down a 97 year old patient, who broke his hip and later died. Gagne has been kicked out of the facility but the other patient’s wife isn’t pressing charges. Gagne is 83 and is suffering with Alzheimer’s. (WV)

Ever wonder what Matt Bentley (Michael Shane) is up to these days? He’s in a rock band called Lost in Chaos and playing in the Tampa and Orlando area. (WV)


INTERVIEWS AND RECAPS

Matt Hardy’s kayfabe blog about Jeff Hardy: http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/11571 (PW)

JR Blogs:
http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/11574 (PW)
http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/11617 (PW)
http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/11622 (PW)
http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1235031675.php (WV)

Terry Funk on being inducted to the HOF: http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/11591 (PW)

Matt Morgan’s Pain Clinic recap: http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/11624 (PW)

Natalya Neidhart blog: http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/11627 (PW)

Paul London’s Live Audio Wrestling recap: http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1234811726.php (WV)

Bret Hart’s review of The Wrestler: http://blog.macleans.ca/2009/02/16/the-hit...stler%E2%80%99/ (WV)




WV-www.wrestleview.com
G-www.gerweck.net
PW-www.prowrestling.com