NOTES
Sorry about the lack of news last week. I started a new job and my schedule was a little wonky. It's all back on track now!! Enjoy!!

WWE
WWE is trying hard to get TNA’s Kurt Angle to jump ship and return to their company, despite being 41 this December and quite a bit smaller than his time in WWE. Many believe that the lighter TNA schedule and the fact that his size is not a factor in TNA are two overwhelmingly good reasons to stay with TNA, despite WWE offering a lighter than WWE-standard travel schedule and, of course, much more money. (PW)

Watch for The Great Khali’s role in a movie called “The Tree of Life” starring Brad Pitt, Sean Penn and Joanna Going, scheduled for release in 2010. (PW)

Rumour has it we might be seeing Mike DiBiase in the WWE soon. He is the son of Ted Dibiase Sr and brother of Brett (who is wrestling for WWE developmental right now) and Ted Jr. (PW)

Look for John Cena in an Under Armor men’s clothing ad soon. (PW)

The Undertaker was a great, easy-going, and fun emcee at the post-WM party, surprising many there. (PW)

Speaking of the Undertaker, it was announced at a WWE event in Dublin recently that next April’s European tour would be part of the Undertaker’s path to retirement. The name of the tour will be “The Undertaker’s Rest In Peace Tour,” but one source says it won’t be a goodbye tour, rather a marketing device. (PW)

Understandably, no one, including the Divas, was happy with the 25 Diva Battle Royal. (PW)

JR says Mr Kennedy is still more than a month away from returning. (PW)

DJ Gabriel’s future is in doubt after his manager, Alicia Fox, was moved to SD in the Draft. DJ Gabriel would like you to know, however, that this is phooey. (PW)

Apparently the reason Frank Shamrock was sitting beside Mickey Rourke at WM was because “Rourke wanted a tough guy there in case Jericho or someone else tried to jump him.” Furthermore, as a result of the knock out punch he delivered to Jericho at WM, Rourke apparently broke his hand. (PW, WV)
Jillie’s Note: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaahahahahahahaha!

A match between Matt and Jeff Hardy had to be stopped in Cologne, Germany during an SD event on April 17th because Matt got busted open. He required 13 stitches after the match but will be fine. (PW)

In case you’re wondering, Kelly Kelly is Wrestling’s Sexiest Woman according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated. (PW)

Dolph Ziggler not only suffered a collarbone injury in a match vs Sim Snucka during WM Axxess, he was also busted open above the lip. He will be fine. (PW)

Look for “The History of DX” book to be released on October 6. (PW)

Rumour has it Beverly Mullins (Wesley Holiday) has been released by WWE developmental. (PW)

The WWE Superstars theme is “Invincible” by Adelitas Way. (PW)

The rumour that Ashley Massaro will be returning to the WWE by or at SummerSlam is unfounded. The rumour started on a fake Ashley Massaro Twitter page. (PW)

As has been rumoured, Jeff Hardy has given his notice to the WWE. He has three months left on his current contract and will not be resigning. (PW)

“Superstar” Billy Graham was released from his $24,000/year contract last week to save costs. (PW)

You will be happy to know The View’s Sherri Shepard will be acting as MVP’s manager at the SD tapings from MSG on April 28. (WV)

The WWE apparently edited a couple of phrases used by ECW commentaries on that brands’ replays this week. “Match of the Year candidate” and “five star match” were both edited out from the Morrison vs Bourne match. (WV)

Shawn Michaels will be taking a break until July. Look for him to start a program heading into SummerSlam. (G)

Apparently there is a new law in Canada stating that if one parent was born in Canada, you are automatically a Canadian citizen. This makes Carlito Canadian. (G)
Jillie’s Note: I’m pretty sure this isn’t a “new” law, but I’m taking Gerweck.com’s non-Canadian word on this.


FINAL DRAFT RESULTS
* Mr. Kennedy goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Shad Gaspard goes from RAW to SmackDown
* Alicia Fox goes from ECW to SmackDown
* Primo Colon goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Mike Knox goes from RAW to SmackDown
* Ezekiel Jackson goes from SmackDown to ECW
* Nikki Bella goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Candice Michelle goes from RAW to SmackDown
* Zack Ryder goes from SmackDown to ECW
* Chavo Guerrero goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Ricky Ortiz goes from ECW to SmackDown
* Layla goes from RAW to SmackDown
* Hornswoggle goes from ECW to RAW
* DH Smith goes from SmackDown to ECW
* John Morrison goes from ECW to SmackDown
* Carlito goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Natalya goes from SmackDown to ECW
* Festus goes from SmackDown to RAW
* JTG goes from RAW to SmackDown
* Dolph Ziggler goes from RAW to SmackDown
* The Brian Kendrick goes from SmackDown to RAW
* Charlie Haas goes from RAW to SmackDown
* Hurricane Helms goes from SmackDown to ECW
* Brie Bella goes from SmackDown to RAW

Expect to see some SD Diva’s turning heel soon, as, after the draft, the faces are over-represented. (PW)

Melina is not happy about have to change brands and no one backstage cares. (PW)

The RAW people promoting WWE’s Mexican tour were upset that Rey Mysterio has been drafted to SD, saying that they had planned their whole tour around him. (WV)


BACKLASH RESULTS – April 26
**Last Man Standing - World Heavyweight Champion John Cena vs Edge
**WWE Champion Triple H, Batista and Shane McMahon vs Randy Orton, Ted Dibiase and Cody Rhodes (**if Triple H’s team loses, he loses the title to Randy Orton)
**ECW Champion Jack Swagger vs Christian
**I Quit Match – Jeff Hardy vs Matt Hardy
**Kane vs CM Punk
**Chris Jericho vs Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat
**Santina Marella vs Beth Phoenix

The official theme song for Backlash is Veer Union’s “Seasons.” (PW)

Apparently a fight in the crowd distracted the fans from the Hardy brothers’ match. Several people report the fight resulted in someone getting thrown down a flight of stairs. (PW)

If you didn’t catch it, Lilian Garcia thought the show was called “Backslash,” and Michael Cole was booed heavily coming down to the announce table. (PW)


TNA
TNA’s Slammiversary will be held in Detroit, but this has not yet been confirmed. Sacrifice will be held in Orlando on May 14th. (PW)

Watch for TNA’s “Second 2 None: TNa’s Toughest Tag Teams” DVD on May 5th. It’s TNA’s answer to the WWE’s “Allied Powers: the World’s Greatest Tag Teams” DVD on July 14. (PW)

Chuck Palumbo would like you to know that he’s been talking with TNA and might show up on TNA television before the year is out. (PW)

Apparently Awesome Kong, Matt Morgan and Taylor Wilde were in a car accident in Philadelphia on April 18. Morgan was reportedly driving, with Kong in the passenger seat and Wilde in the back of the SUV. They were rear ended making a left turn, with the other car going 40-50 mph. Morgan and Kong had to be checked out by medics after hitting their heads on the windshield. Everyone was fine and performed at Lockdown, thanks solely to the fact that all three were wearing their seatbelts. (PW)
Jillie’s Note: Thank goodness they were wearing their seatbelts!!! This is a big thing to me – my uncle died when a drunk driver hit his van and he was not wearing a seatbelt, which would have left my two baby cousins with a father!

Check out the new “Tag Team Domination” t-shirt, which has the date April 19 and a listing of 3D’s title wins to date on the TNA website. (PW)

In case you’re wondering, Mick Foley can use the name Cactus Jack despite a WWE trademark on the moniker because he used the name before working for any WWE-owned promotion. (PW)

Christopher Daniels will be going by simply “Daniels.” (PW)

For yet unknown reasons, Paul London, who was supposed to debut on Impact as the tag team partner of Amazing Red, has left TNA before he even debuted. The only thing anyone is saying about the situation is that TNA management is not happy about how the whole thing went down. (PW)

Sonjay Dutt and Petey Williams were considered as London’s replacement. (G)

Roxxi, and Rhaka Khan are no longer being used on TNA television. Their deals expire soon. (G)

In case you hadn’t noticed, Daffney’s entrance theme is a rip off of Marilyn Manson’s “The Beautiful People.” (G)
Jillie’s Note: Gerweck.net also pointed out that Kip James and Jackie Moore were no longer being used and that their contracts are up soon, as well. From what I understand, both are now working as agents or in some other backstage aspect for TNA management.

There may be some shake-ups in the broadcast team soon. It has been rumoured that Taz might be joining the announce table. This means that Don West’s role with TNA is in question, as both Jarrett and Tenay are staunchly against a three-man announce team and, while Dixie Carter personally likes West, she doesn’t think he does a good job as a colour commentator. (PW)

Look for Kaz to return next month. (PW)
Jillie’s Note: I’ll believe it when I see it, quite frankly.

Rumour has it that Lance “Trevor Murdoch” Cade, who is currently competing in Japan, might be heading to TNA. (PW)

Black Machismo Jay Lethal has been re-signed to a multi-year deal. (PW)


LOCKDOWN RESULTS – April 19
**Danny Bonaduce vs Eric Young
**X Division Xscape Title Match (X Division Champion Suicide vs Black Machismo vs Sheik Abdul Bashir vs Consequences Creed vs Kiyoshi)
**TNA Knockouts Queen of the Cage Match – ODB vs Madison Rayne vs Daffney vs Sojo Bolt
**New Japan Jr Tag Team Champions The Motor City Machineguns vs The Latin American Xchange vs No Limit
**Doomsday Chamber of Blood Match – Abyss vs Matt Morgan
**TNA Knockouts Women’s Champion Awesome Kong vs Taylor Wilde vs Angelina Love
**TNA World Tag Team Champions Beer Money, Inc vs IWGP Heavyweight World Tag Team Champions Team 3D
**Lethal Lockdown - Team Angle (Main Event Mafia) vs Team Jarrett (Jarrett, Styles, Joe, Christopher Daniels)
**TNA World Champion Sting vs Mick Foley

Names being speculated for Jarrett’s final Lethal Lockdown team member were Taz (who was the strong favourite) or ROH’s Neil McGuiness. Obviously, it was Christopher Daniels. (PW)

Speaking of Daniels, he worked two matches at Lockdown. Obviously, he worked Lethal Lockdown and also wore the Suicide suit for the Xscape match, despite the expectation that Kaz would return. (PW)

Bobby Lashley arrived at TNA Lockdown just moments before he appeared on camera, part of a plan to keep the whole thing a very big secret. While some in the company have said he has signed a short term contract, there are reports that there is no contract at all yet. The WWE was not surprised at the signing, as Lashley is a friend of both Booker T and Kurt Angle. He will continue to pursue his MMA career, as well – his next fight is May 15 against Mike Cook. (PW)

If you missed it, it was revealed that Dr Stevie is actually Stevie Richards. (PW)

Also, if you missed it, Samoa Joe was talking to someone before he came out for his match, getting last minute instructions. He proceeded to get into the ring and hit a number of different suplexes, most of which were signature moves of Taz. Taz currently is under a no-compete clause with the WWE, but will be joining the TNA roster as Samoa Joe’s advisor and “will likely make a transition to the broadcast booth.” (PW)

Wondering who the security guard was that caught Suicide after his dive off the cage? It was JAPW’s Monsta Mack. (PW)

Angelina Love suffered a concussion after being hit in the jaw by Taylor Wilde’s hip when Wilde hit a crossbody. Love says she was knocked out and doesn’t remember winning the TNA Knockouts Championship. (WV)

There were no other notable injuries from Lockdown. (WV)


ROH
Larry Sweeney has apparently quit ROH, announcing this on his Facebook. (WV)


OTHER
Bret Hart recently drew over 600 people to a book signing in London, England. (PW)

Watch for DDP in two upcoming movies: Red & Blue Marbles and Gallowwalker (starring Wesley Snipes). (PW)

Watch for Torrie Wilson in a new NBC reality show called “I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here.” She’ll be joining Stephen Baldwin, Janice Dickenson and John Salley, and possibly Dog the Bounty Hunter. The premise of the show is that celebrities are left to fend for themselves in a remote location – according to Wilson it will be the Costa Rican jungle. (PW)

Juventude Guerrera announced that he is suing Konnan and Jack Evans over the altercation that took place in the AAA locker room some weeks ago in a press conference in Mexico last week. (G)


INTERVIEWS, RECAPS, AND QUOTES
Ric Flair on steroids: [quote] Our company’s as clean as can be. We’ve got the most stringent drug-testing policies in place in the world. There’s no ifs, ands or buts. The guys pee in an open area. … It is what it is. The guys pay the penalty now. We’re not going to mess around with that after all we’ve been through.[/quote] (PW)

Hulk Hogan on OJ: [quote] I could have turned everything into a crime scene, like OJ, cutting everybody's throat. You live half a mile from the 20,000-square-foot home you can't go to anymore, you're driving through downtown Clearwater and see a 19-year-old boy driving your Escalade, and you know that a 19-year-old boy is sleeping in your bed, with your wife . . . I totally understand OJ. I get it.[/quote] (PW)

John Cena Sr on WWE’s Storylines: [quote] Vincent Kennedy McMahon, who I have a great deal of respect for, one of the greatest guys in the business that I know today has come out and I think he started it all when he said, 'Now it's sports entertainment'," Cena Sr. said. "Yeah, they tell a story, but you know, some of the stories they tell, and I'm gonna probably get my head kicked in by son but, you know, some of the stories they tell just don't make too much sense.[/quote] (PW)

Lance Storm on TNA Impact’s April 16th episode: [quote] Impact was freakin great. I don’t mean great “by Impact standards.” I mean flat out, straight up, this was a great show… [The main event] was done so amazingly well I almost can’t believe it. […] To everyone at TNA, I may bitch about you guys a lot, but I speak from the heart and am more than happy to give you your due when you deserve it, and My God do you deserve it this week. This was a great freakin show, with some great angles, and great wrestling matches. Please everyone out there TNA Lockdown this Sunday live on PPV, send the message that this kind of programming works and this is what we would like to see more of.[quote] (PW)

Trish Stratus on the Divas: [quote] It is disappointing. I think what it is, they have too many women. And I think they can't even see who's who because there's so many of them. I think they need someone maybe that can focus on the women.[/quote] (PW)

Kurt Angle on truth in pro-wrestling: [quote] I’m listed at 6-feet-2. Everyone in wrestling is four inches shorter than the program says they are.[/quote] (PW)

Kurt Angle on “the art of wrestling”: [quote] The fans instigate the match. They control us. We don’t control them. You need to listen to them and disappoint them at the right time, and you need to please them at the right time. It is a really a neat way of screwing with the people. You want them to be emotionally involved. That comes with physicality and selling with your face. It is all about showing emotion.[/quote] (WV)

Trish Stratus on her WM no-show: http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/12207 (PW)

JR Blog Recaps: http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/12219 (PW)
http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/12235 (PW)
http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/12260 (PW)

Jeff Jarrett’s Newsday.com highlights: http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/12221 (PW)

Kevin Nash’s Ring Posts Live highlights: http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/12224 (PW)

Taz’ Facebook comments about his retirement: http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/12233 (PW)

Bret Hart’s UK Maxim highlights: http://www.prowrestling.com/article/news/12234 (PW)

Ric Flair’s The Poughkeepsie Journal highlights: http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1240700791.php (WV)

Brother Ray’s Slam Wrestling highlights: http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1240093339.php (WV)

Alex Shelley’s The Baltimore Sun highlights: http://www.wrestleview.com/news2009/1240093082.php (WV)


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