Friday, November 15, 2013

The Shield & The Wyatts to Face Off at WrestleMania XXX?



As seen on Monday's Raw, the show concluded with The Shield battling The Wyatt Family in a short-lived brawl before both parties turned their attention to the babyfaces. Despite Monday's event, don't expect the nefarious factions to feud quite yet. 

During tonight's episode of SmackDown, a video package aired highlighting the heated conclusion of Raw and the brawl is not shown. 

According to F4WOnline.com, people within the organization feel it was a tease that will be touched again early next year. Meanwhile, Dave Meltzer stated in this week's issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that creative had suggested they duel at WrestleMania XXX.

Jim Ross Comments on Why Chris Benoit's Son Should Stay Away from Wrestling



WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his Q&A on jrsbarbq.com. Here are some highlights: 

Why does he think David Benoit should stay away from the wrestling business? 

I don't speak fir WWE. Just expressed my personal opinion. Not sure the kid finds happiness in his dad's old business plus over 90% of those that try out for wwe don't make it no matter their name. I'd say same to my kids. 

Does he think The Great Khali will be inducted into the Hall of Fame one day? 

Strictly as a guess, I'd say not likely. 

Not wanting to run his own wrestling promotion:

To invest my money and my time in a wrestling promotion isn't something that I would ever consider. The lack of talent that's available...TV production costs...dwenling crowds...the baby sitting that's involved, etc isn't something that interests me whatsoever. Plus, small promotions are challenged to even break even financially and I'm not a break even guy. 

Who should The Undertaker face in his final match?

Brock...Cena...Rock would be on my short list. 

His favorite William Regal moment? 

My favorite Regal moment was being able to help him salvage his career because of personal demons. 

Shane McMahon to Appear at WrestleMania XXX?


Triple H and Stephanie McMahon are interested in having Shane McMahon make an appearance at WrestleMania XXX in New Orleans, Louisiana, according to F4WOnline.com on Friday. No word yet on whether the former wrestling executive is interested. 


McMahon left WWE in 2010 to pursue other opportunities. In July, McMahon voluntarily stepped down as CEO of YOU On Demand, whilst remaining YOD's principal executive officer and Chairman of the Board.

Ryback to Feud with Brock Lesnar



Ryback appears to be turning babyface after Paul Heyman dismissed Ryback as a potential "Paul Heyman Guy" on Raw on Monday. According to F4WOnline.com, current plans call for Ryback to feud with Brock Lesnar, with a match likely taking place at Royal Rumble pay-per-view event. 

Bill Goldberg Not Likely to Wrestle Ryback at WrestleMania XXX



While WWE officials would like to have Ryback face Goldberg at WrestleMania XXX, sources within the company don't expect the former WCW Champion to come on board since he would almost certainly be asked to job. Goldberg stated in an interview earlier this year that he would not return to the company to lose. 

Hulk Hogan Says He Will Be At WrestleMania XXX



WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart told Ring Posts that Hulk Hogan plans on being at next year's WrestleMania XXX pay-per-view event. 

"Hogan knew I was doing this press tour with WWE promoting the DVD," Hart told The Baltimore Sun. "He told me to say exactly this: Hulk Hogan will be at WrestleMania if he has to buy a ticket and sit at ringside. 

"I think he can step into the ring one more time. We have a school in Florida, and he stepped into the ring there and did some stuff, and he looked great. As his friend, I'd be the first one to say, 'Listen Hulk, do us a favor, just go out to the ring to Real American, say OK Brother, rip the shirt, do the pose, sign a bunch of autographs and people will still be just as happy,' ... but he does have a couple of good matches left in him, he really does. I've got my fingers crossed we see something at WrestleMania." 

Jimmy also said that fans would like to see Hogan face John Cena at WrestleMania.

"The Million Dollar Man" Ted DiBiase Comments on Bullying


With the current Miami Dolphins bullying controversy going on, The Miami Herald spoke with WWE Hall of Famer Ted DiBiase about bullying in sports and wrestling. He said: 

"Whether it’s wrestling or football or whatever, when you are the rookie or the new kid, there are things they will put you through to break you in. Some of it I think is fine, but when it comes to bullying, and on the level this appears to be, there is no place for that." 

"I do school assemblies and talk to kids about bullies. Basically, in my opinion, most bullies are cowards because most bullies don’t pick on people their own size. They pick on someone smaller, or maybe not smaller like in this case, [rather] underneath you of rank. The whole I’m a veteran and you’re the rookie, and you’re going to smile and take it because I’m the veteran." 

"There is no place for name calling. There is no place for racism, if in fact that is what is involved here. I don’t know what went on behind the scenes. Just from the stories I’ve heard, if I was owner of the team, I would have been appalled." 


WWE Makes Several Changes to Their Wellness Policy



WWE made some changes to their Wellness Policy back in July that went under the radar until now. The most notable changes appear to be fines for testing positive for alcohol and a new way talents can get violations erased from their record with the Redemption Program. Here are some of the changes: 

 A WWE Talent may request a Therapeutic Use Exception (“TUE”) for a prohibited drug under the Policy if 
(i) such use is for a legitimate medical purpose given pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician of the WWE Talent;
(ii) the use of such prohibited drug is required for more than sixty (60) consecutive days; 
(iii) the medical need for the prescription and for the prescribed dosage is documented in accordance with standards and practices commonly accepted within the United States medical community; and
(iv) the medical need is confirmed by the Medical Director. A WWE Talent in need of a TUE must immediately notify, or cause his/her issuing physician to notify, the Medical Director of the existence of a prescription for a prohibited drug and the medical need for the TUE. Whenever requested to do so by the Medical Director, the WWE Talent shall provide, or cause his/her issuing physician to provide any and all documentation supporting the issuance of the prescription. If requested by the Medical Director, a WWE talent will be examined by physicians/consultants designated by the Medical Director with an expertise in the specific area covered by the prescription. Following the review of all documentation provided by WWE Talent and his/her medical team and, if necessary, the results of any medical exams/tests performed by physicians/consultants designated by the Medical Director, the Medical Director shall make a determination as to whether or not a TUE should be granted to a WWE Talent. The Medical Director shall report his determination to the WWE Talent, the PA and WWE. 

A TUE shall be effective for no more than one
(1) calendar year (or the remainder of the calendar year then in effect) from the date the WWE Talent first notified, or caused his/her issuing physician to first notify, the Medical Director of the need for a TUE and the existence of a prescription for a prohibited drug. The TUE shall not be effective for any use or possession of a prohibited drug prior to that date. After initial issuance, a TUE may be renewed annually, upon request of the WWE Talent, if (i) the WWE Talent is in full compliance with the terms of the previously issued TUE;
(ii) the WWE Talent provides updated medical documentation necessary to support the continued need for a TUE, and
(iii) the WWE Talent submits to any additional medical tests or exams required by the Medical Director to confirm the continuing need for the TUE. 

A urine sample which is found to contain a prohibited drug will not be deemed a positive test result if such sample was provided by a WWE Talent with a valid and effective TUE for that prohibited drug. A WWE Talent with a TUE for a prohibited drug does not violate the Policy by possessing or using that prohibited drug. A WWE Talent who is determined not to qualify for a TUE may not challenge a determination that he/she violated the Policy by contending, in connection with a “no fault or negligence” defense or otherwise, that he/she believed he/she would qualify or had qualified for a TUE. 

 Any WWE Talent, who is arrested, convicted or who admits to a violation of law relating to use, possession, purchase, sale or distribution of drugs will be in material breach of his/her contract with WWE and subject to immediate dismissal. 

 In the event of a positive test for alcohol, the WWE Talent shall be fined Two Thousand Five Hundred US Dollars ($2,500.00) per positive test, which shall be deducted from the WWE Talent's downside guarantee. 

A WWE talent who has “two” violations under the Policy may, subject to Medical Director approval, enter the Redemption Program. The Redemption Program is an eighteen (18) month process that requires the following: 
* An initial assessment conducted by the Medical Director (or, as the case may be, an addiction specialist recommended by the Medical Director) who will analyze the addiction related issues and health related concerns then being experienced by the WWE Talent, develop proposed treatments, therapies and/or support programs that may assist the WWE Talent in managing these issues/concerns and determine initial entry date for the WWE Talent into the Redemption Program; 
* Compliance with the assessment recommendations made by the Medical Director (or, as the case may be, an addiction specialist recommended by the Medical Director) for the duration of the eighteen (18) month program; 
* Mandatory unannounced follow-up testing as set forth in Section 8(C) (1) of the Policy; and 
* No violations under the Policy for eighteen (18) consecutive months after initial entry into the Redemption Program. 
* Upon successful completion of the Redemption Program, the WWE Talent shall request the PA, with the approval of the Medical Director, to delete one (1) of the two (2) violations of record for such WWE Talent. In the event the PA determines in favor of the request, the violation record for such WWE Talent will then be amended to reflect the reduction of a violation leaving the WWE Talent with only one (1) violation under the Policy. 

 Pain medications, and other substances prohibited by this Policy, may be abused at times and can become addictive. A WWE Talent who believes he/she may have a problem with substance abuse is encouraged to self-report and request assistance. No penalties are imposed on WWE Talent for voluntarily acknowledging a problem to the Medical Director prior to a drug test being performed herein and WWE will assist in securing rehabilitation services in such situations. The rehabilitation process can be engaged by a WWE Talent notifying the Medical Director, the PA, WWE Ringside Physicians or the WWE Wellness Coordinator that he/she has a problem and needs assistance. 

CM Punk Makes Child & Mother Cry at WWE Event



CM Punk saved a message on Twitter from an upset fan about being snubbed by him on Wednesday in Nottingham, England outside the Nottingham Capital FM Arena. Writing to AJ Lee (and not Punk), the message states, "Wish I could of said hello to you today. My mum asked cm punk nicely and he made me and my mum cry. I don't like him anymore." 

The fan is claiming that as fans were snapping photos of Punk outside the venue, her mother asked Punk permission to do so as well. Punk gave an angry response, as the fan claims he shouted at both of them. 

Last week on Twitter, former WWE star Bob "Hardcore" Holly criticized Punk for not being friendlier to fans. 

Carla.WWEFamilyRocks @carlaking900 
@TheBobHolly I just wish they all had ur thinking Bob. I've been tweeting 2 @CMPunk 4 mnths, he's blanking me completely I'm sure!xx 

@carlaking900 @CMPunk Yea i will NEVER understand , u all made him who he is, he didnt do it by himself, if not for u, they wouldnt be paid

Billy Kidman playing doctor role in WWE live event


WWE agent Billy Kidman had a tearful reunion with former WCW star Alex Wright at the WWE live event in Germany this past week. As noted, Kidman appeared as Paul Heyman's doctor at some of the live events over the past week. Here is a photo: 


Who Should Ricardo Rodriguez Manage?



We noted before that WWE officials had discussed possibly putting Ricardo Rodriguez with Rey Mysterio when he returns but for now, Ricardo will be kept off TV until they have something new for him. He asked fans who they would like to see him manage on Twitter: 

"Random thought. If I were to go and manage someone else in @WWE who would you see me partnering up with?"