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'The Wrestler' Trailer Hits

Darren Aronofsky's crowning achievement could be resurrecting Mickey Rourke's career in 'The Wrestler, which is set for release on December 17th.

Somethin Fishy With "The Animal" and "The Hammer"

Last June we talked about the new movie with WWE HOF'ers Greg Valentine and George Steele. Now it looks like it will be hitting the big screen...at least in Florida.

Written and produced by Arte Tedesco of Monkey Fist Productions, Inc. in Orlando, Florida, the trailer of this homegrown project attracted over 1,500 views in the first three days after its posting on www.YouTube.com.

Because of this phenomenal response, Monkey Fist Productions will produce a series of “Webisodes”, which will be available for viewing at www.Somethin-Fishy.org. The movie premiere will be held on Friday, December 5th, 2008 at the Darden Theater in the Orlando Science Center located at 777 East Princeton Street in Downtown Orlando.

Doors open at 7:00 pm with three film showings: One at 8 pm, the second showing at 8:45 pm and the last screening begins at 9:30 pm. Tickets are $10 each and proceeds will benefit Bridges, Inc. a national non-profit organization that cares for people with special needs.

Both George "The Animal" Steele and Greg "the Hammer" Valentine will be on hand that evening and will offer a unique photo opportunity—to have a picture taken with either of these legends of pro-wrestling, or both! The photo will then be printed and autographed on the spot! Additional copies can be ordered through the www.somethin-fishy.org website.

Raffle tickets are also be sold for various prizes, including, commemorative T-Shirts, Souvenirs and Memorabilia, as well as a $1000 certificate towards a Corporate, Training, Commercial or Music Video produced by Monkey Fist Productions. An after-hours party with the cast of the film will also be raffled off.

Buzz: UFC 91, 50 Cent, Lashley and More

* 50 Cent just dropped a new joint(trying to sound hip) called 'Get Up' in this video for UFC 91, featuring Brock Lesnar and Randy Couture...


* Yesterday we posted Dana White's video blog featuring behind the scenes footage from his visit to ESPN to promote this weekend's fight. Here's the final cut...


* The press conference for the upcoming fight tomorrow night is up at UFC.com. Also, today at 7PM ET/4PM PT, UFC.com will be streaming the official weigh in for the event.

* Bobby Lashley's opponent for next months debut MMA fight has been announced as Joshua Franklin. Franklin is also new to the sport and will be competing in his first match then as well.

Brock and Sable Talk UFC

In Dana White's most recent video blog, he has a chance to talk to Brock Lesnarand his wife about the training for the upcoming fight this weekend, the mentality and the transition from the WWE to MMA. That segment is about 6:00 into the video, after the ESPN studio stuff...

Buzz: Hall+ICP=TNA?, Kennedy, UFC 91 and More...

* In what Mike Tenay simply referred to as "familiar faces", is causing a buzz this morning. Scott Hall and Insane Clown Posse(ICP) showed up ringside during last night's TNA 'Turning Point' PPV. They showed up during the match between Rhino vs. Bashir and caused the crowd to be distracted throughout. But they had tickets...where have I seen that before?

* Mr. Kennedy Kennedy took the time out of his busy schedule(!) to do an interview with the Miami Herald. In it he plugs Wrestlemania 25, talks rehab and his take on the Presidential election...

``I'm really looking forward to my return. Unfortunately, I had another bump in the road. It seems like every time Mr. Kennedy gets his wheels underneath him, the carpet gets swept out. That's just the breaks in this business. What we do isn't ballet."

``The human body is bound to get injured every once-in-a-while, and unfortunately, I've had a couple of setbacks, but I definitely don't let that cast a gloomy cloud over me. I try to always make something positive out of it."

``I, personally, wasn't too thrilled about the outcome of this election. However, being a good American and a good citizen, I'll definitely support the President in whatever he does and what he tries to do."

``I was a little disappointed in the way the media kind of portrayed McCain and Sarah Palin and really treated Barack Obama as a media darling and celebrity. I don't think they gave both sides a fair opportunity to present their case.''

* As part of their illegal substance testing, WWE is now cracking down on marijuana use. What's next? Alcohol and pain killers?

* Tonight @ 11PM ET, SPIKE will be running a UFC 91 Countdown special to hype this weekends big matchup between Lesnar and Couture...

"Go behind the scenes as 3-time UFC® Heavyweight Champ Randy "The Natural" Couture and wrestling powerhouse Brock Lesnar prepare for the biggest fight in mixed martial arts history! Can the legend prevail? Or will a new hero rise?

Re-airs:
Thursday November 13, Midnight
Saturday November 15, 6:00 pm"

UFC.com also has a good article outlining the blueprint to victory this weekend. Also, if you haven't checked out the official UFC 91 site, do so.

Buzz: Mr. Richards, HHH' Ego, Austin and More...

* Former leader of 'Right to Sensor', ECW original and WWE Hardcore Champion Michael Manna, a.k.a. Stevie Richards, will be an instructor at the Connecticut School of Broadcasting. You can see the school's official announcement here.

* TNA has announce Kurt Angle and Jeremy Borash will be on the Howard Stern show on Monday...

OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST KURT ANGLE ON THE HOWARD STERN SHOW ON MONDAY

Olympic Gold Medalist Kurt Angle and Jeremy Borash will be making the trek direct from the California live events this weekend across the country to appear on the Howard Stern show this Monday morning. TNA cameras will be on hand to document the visit.

We invite all of our TNA fans with Sirius Satellite Radio to tune in and listen to Angle on the Stern show! Look for exclusive footage right here on TNAwrestling.com in the days that follow the appearance!

* So, what's bigger Triple H's nose or his ego?(Rhetorical question) When I previewed the demo of the new Smackdown vs RAW a month ago, I noticed that some superstars looked cheesy and the one that had the most detail put into him(out of the few that were on the demo disc), was HHH. An interesting note regarding the game came when THQ sent out the media game code of conduct, which of course always says the do's and don'ts regarding the games exposure in the media, such as having screen shot approval. These shots cannot show superstars bleeding or weapons being used(WWE's PG rating)... here's the kicker, media is not allowed to use any screenshots of Triple H losing or in a "defenseless or vulnerable position"...really?!

The PS3 demo for the game is now available at the Playstation store.

* According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, during filming "Damage", Steve Austin broke the nose of MMA fighter Paul Lazenby when filming a fight scene last week. Lazenby wasn't mad and said it was a complete accident.

* Umaga is expected to make his return to Smackdown very soon.

Buzz: Lashley, Lesnar, Booker and Sting

* Yesterday we posted that the MMA fight in December featuring Bobby Lashley was postponed due to the AFL taking some time off. MMAMania helped us to straighten this thing out. AFL is indeed taking a hiatus, but allowing their fighters to still fight for other promotions. So, Lashley will be making his MMA debut at Mixed Fight Alliance: “There Will Be Blood” at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Fla., on December 13.

* I was checking out the Vegas odds for some football this weekend, so I also thought I'd check out the UFC 91 odds for the Randy Couture vs Brock Lesnar fight in 2 weeks...and Brock is the favorite! It blows my freaking mind that a guy with 3 fights(2-1) is favored over a top 5 heavyweight in the world. But I'll take that bet, and if I'm wrong - I owe Brock a congratulations.

* According to that Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Booker T has plans to picket a Houston sports bar called Vito’s Deck House because he believes they discriminated against the Christian faith.

On Sunday afternoon, Booker T and Marty Wright (The Boogeyman) went to the sports bar to watch a football game. Wright, who was wearing the cross, was asked to take it off by the bartender, or leave. According to the bartender, it was a violation of the bar's dress code.

Booker got upset and asked to speak to the manager. The manager explained that it was a violation of the dress code. Booker asked where the dress code was posted at, and as it turns out, it wasn't posted anywhere. Booker refused to leave and told Wright not to leave.

Police were called and police officers told Booker and Wright to leave the premises. Booker said he saw two other patrons at the bar wearing crosses and they were not approached by management and told to leave. Although, the two patrons left the sports bar when they saw Booker and Wright being kicked out over Wright wearing the cross.

Booker has a protest scheduled and he hopes it gets as much publicity as possible to inform people about the sports bar suppressing people's freedom to express their belief in God.

Now can you dig that?....SUCKA!

* In a great interview with the UK Sun, Sting revealed that he was really close to signing with WWE.

"I was really close at least three, four times over the years.

A few times in the early 1990s, when I chose TNA and once at a real key moment when WCW had overtaken WWE as the No1 group in wrestling. And I was pretty much at the peak of WCW, in their peak days.

I forget how many weeks in a row WCW beat them in the ratings wars but it got really bad for WWE - WWF at the time. That was a key moment, and I was really close to jumping."

So why not?

"There was always something in me that thought that Vince McMahon wanted me more to undermine WCW than he wanted me as a talent. I just always believed that.

I saw a lot of guys from WCW that went to WWE and that happened. Anyone who made it to a higher level within WCW and then tried to jump over – it just didn’t work.

The other thing was that WCW ended up giving me what I wanted in my contract."

Is he going to hang it up soon?

"Yes, because I cannot go on much longer. I don’t want to embarrass myself, or embarrass Spike or embarrass TNA.

We all know it’s a wave that is coming in to shore. I don’t know when exactly it will hit, but it’s gonna hit.

I thought probably this year. Actually it’s over the last couple of years it seems the thought has been in-and-out, in-and-out, in-and-out these thoughts of retirement and everything else but under the circumstances I think that I want to stick it out for one last – and this is THE last – hurrah.

I don’t know when it will end for sure, but as long as I stay healthy into 2009. But how far into 2009 I don’t know."

He also goes on to talk about how Undertaker vs Sting would be one for the ages.

Buzz: Lashley MMA Debut, Postponed, Bourne Out and More

* In a statement released on their website, AFL is halting their operations until 2009, which means we won't see the debut of Bobby Lashley in the MMA until then...

"The American Fight League has made the decision to halt operations until the first quarter of 2009. The organization's doors are still open and the roster of fighters remains the same. AFL fighters are free to fight in whatever organization that they wish while maintaining their current contract status. "Don't believe everything that you hear", CEO BJ Santiago said. "Big things will happen in 2009 for the American Fight League and it's fighters"."

* If you missed the debut of 'Redemption Song' on FUSE, starring the Ayatollah of Rock and Rolla Chris Jericho, you can view the first part of the debut episode below and the rest here.



I wonder if Jillian Hall will make an appearance?

* Grandson to Blackjack Mulligan and son of Varisty Club captain and tax man, Mike Rotunda, Taylor Rotunda, has been signed to a WWE developmental deal and is now training at FCW in Florida.

* Evan Bourne did some serious ligament damage to his ankle on this weeks ECW. Doctors are telling the up and coming superstar that he might be sidelined for up to 4 months!

Buzz: Lashley MMA, Ventura, Nash, and More

* As I was getting caught up on my DVR from last week, I watched Inside MMA with guests Dave Meltzer(Wrestling Observer Newsletter) and MMA hopeful Bobby Lashley. I found it really interesting to listen to Lashley's incite regarding MMA, especially since WWE never really let him speak. He also noted that he wanted to get into MMA before he started pro wresstling.



* Jesse Ventura stated the obvious in a recent interview, when he said this year would be the year for a third party to step up and end this bipartisan B.S.. But then he also compared America to Nazi Germany...

"Since 9/11, we’ve been following a philosophy that number one you’re convinced that we’re under attack and number two you denounce the pacifists for being unpatriotic and you denounce them for supposedly putting the country in danger," said Ventura. "Where Thomas Jefferson said, one of his most famous quotes, he talked about was that dissension was the greatest form of patriotism. Yet we’re told that dissension – you’re unpatriotic. Now the first words that I spoke, who did those words come from? The fact that it’s easy to take a country to war? All you have to do is convince them they’re under attack, denounce the pacifists for being unpatriotic, and then denounce the country for putting them in a dangerous position." He added, "I find it very disturbing when my country is following the philosophy of Nazis.”

* He created it, so he can destroy it, I guess. Vince McMahon moved away from using the term "Professional Wrestling" a few years back, in favor of a new terminology called "Sports Entertainment". Now he has outdone himself, by totally taking the sport out of his product and banning the term "Sports Entertainment" and dubbing his business as..."Entertainment". So much for taking pride in the legacy of the art.

* In a recent interview with Keith Lipinski of F4WOnline.com, Kevin Nash said he was close to resigning with the WWE, but his wife changed his mind.
"At one point I was 99.9 percent sure I was going back to the WWE and finish up. I talked with Shawn (Michaels) and we were trying to work out some storyline things of what we wanted to do. My wife looked at me and said, 'Why would you want to go back on the road when we live in Florida, you are ninety minutes away from work five days a month? If you do go on the road it's only a couple days a month. You're home, you saved your money, you're beat up. I just can't see you going on the road being on the road and doing 12-14 days a month with say Batista or someone like that working every night.'"

Buzz: The "DAMN I Missed A Lot While on Vacation" Edition

So I've been in hiding in Chicago, forgetting about the real world and not checking email or messages for a few days...I probably should have at least changed my Fantasy Football lineup since I ended up screwing the pooch, but that's irrelevant, cause I feel like I was in a coma for a since Reagan was president, let's try to get caught up a little...

* CMT is happy with the debut of Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling and released this statement...

"The season premiere of Hulk Hogan’s Celebrity Championship Wrestling on Saturday, October 18 at 8 p.m. increased CMT's primetime average +50% and was particularly strong with men, averaging a whopping +106% above CMT’s primetime average.

The series also repeated strongly across the weekend and continued to perform above daypart averages. Catch the second episode of Hulk Hogan's Celebrity Championship Wrestling premiering Saturday, October 25 at 8PM ET/PT on CMT. "

* After only serving 166 days of his 8 months sentence, Nick Hogan was released from jail. Would anyone really be surprised if Brooke and Nick wrote a song about how rough prison life is?

* Leah Maivia, wife of the late High Chief Peter Maivia and grandmother to "The Rock", passed away on Sunday, Oct. 19, at the age of 81. Our thoughts go out to the Maivia and Johnson families.

* MMA company EliteXC is calling it quits after their franchise Kimbo Slice got knocked the f**k out on national TV. So who will pick up the fighters? My guess is Affliction...but what about the women?

* Brock Lesnar's ESPN E:60 debuted last night and I found to be well put together. If you missed it, here it is...


* The Honky Tonk Man has in fact been contacted to be at the PPV this Sunday and plans on making the trip. So don't excpect to see the "Hassy Tonk Man".

Buzz: Why Cade Was Released, McMahon/Jackass, UFC Figures and More...

* J.R. recently gave incite in his latest blog, as to why Lance Cade was really let go...

"Lance Cade was dismissed from the WWE because, like many humans, he made a major league mistake while utilizing bad judgment that cost him his job. This included Lance having a seizure on an airplane and having to have emergency medial care. Luckily, Lilian Garcia was on the same flight and was instrumental in helping Lance get taken to a hospital where a battery of tests were run that luckily determined that there was nothing seriously wrong with the young man such as a brain tumor, etc.

Everyone makes mistakes, Lord knows I have made plenty in my career, but in this day and time some mistakes just simply can't be condoned. To some fans, Lance Cade will likely still be perceived as the victim in this matter and his punishment too harsh.

Under the circumstances of the situation, I don't know what other decision the WWE could have made. I'm just relieved that it wasn't me in my former role that would have had to address this matter. I really like this kid and hope that he continues to follow his dreams. Second chances are not foreign in the wrestling business so perhaps that could be in Lance's future but that's just a personal observation."

* Word backstage is that Vince McMahon was elated with the way the segment with Johnny and Chris from Jackass, Glamarella, The Great Khali, Big Dick Johnson and Hornswoggle went on this week's RAW.

* If you haven't seen the latest November issue of Maxim with Stacy Keibler gracing the cover...I suggest you pick one(or two) up.



* UFC and Ringside Collectibles debuted their new line of action figures at the Fall Toy Fair in Dallas. Click here to check out Randy Couture and Brock Lesnar in the Octagon.

Buzz: Cade Gone?!, Flair Inducted and More...

* In a surprising move, WWE has released Lance Cade, who has been involved in the Jericho vs HBK program. Since separating from the redneck duo of Lance and Cade, creative never gave him the push needed. Here's WWE's formality statement.

* The 'Nature Boy' Ric Flair was finally able to accept his induction into the NWA Hall of Fame after the WWE c*ck-blocked him from doing so last summer...



* Ashley Massaro put up a blog on her MySpace hinting at what we can look forward to in the future...

"So I know from my last blog you guys are wanting to know about the big ole secret ;o) well youll find out soon enough I promise…and in the mean time, I can give you a little hint at a piece of wonderful news I got the other day. I’ll give you a few guesses. Heres your hint, k….it was awesome that I had an opp to do it last time and I loved it…..n….it starts with a capital P ))))))))"

* Scott Hall get's the 'Dumbass of the Month' award(but there's still 2 weeks left) for his involvement in 3 recent incidents, one of which involves a bar scuffle that stemmed from him telling some guy's wife how he'd like to pleasure her day in and day out, and then calling the husband a "f*cking mark" repeatedly. The husband's side of the story can be read here.

Buzz: JR/Young Talent, Lashley, Masters Shoots on Warrior

* I personally felt that J.R. made some very valid points in his most recent blog, about the young talent in the industry that have made it, but are taking it for granted and not looking at the big picture...

"Listening to some young wrestlers talk amongst themselves recently, I was shocked to hear of the variety of subject matters they so "profoundly" discussed. IPods, IPhones, "I" period but nothing about wrestling, counters, submissions, paying their taxes, saving their money, hiring a financial planner, preparing for their future....you get the picture. It is easy for many of today's wrestlers to bitch and moan about their position in their chosen profession or lack thereof and provide an overall woe is me version of their lives to whomever will listen but change for the better, or worse, starts with looking in the mirror. I walked away from this inadvertent eavesdropping shaking my head but thinking that young wrestlers are no different than young stockbrokers (bad analogy), young professionals, etc. All company's can do a better job in putting the right tools in the hands of their people but only the people themselves can make the tools work for them. Broke and seemingly helpless wrestlers from any era can largely blame themselves for not having the common sense or discipline to prepare for their futures. "

* Bobby Lashley has signed on to train with American Top Team MMA out of Florida. It's recognized as one of the, if not the top training center for today's MMA fighters. Some of the fighters that have or are currently representing the camp are Jeff "Snowman" Monson, Thiago Alves, Antonio 'Pezao' Silva and Thiago Silva.

* Chris Masters refers to The Warrior as the "The Ultimate @$$hole" in a recent interview with SLAM!. Masters was on the same show that The Warrior made his lackluster return to pro wrestling on, and hasn't been heard from since. "The guy is 50 years old and he expected the red carpet rolled out for him in NWE. We were doing a three-week tour of Spain and they brought him in to create a buzz for the product. He had one match to do with Orlando Jordan for our big show in Barcelona. They rented him a house and flew out his wife and daughters and all I was hearing about from the guys higher up was his bitching and saying, 'I am the Ultimate Warrior, you should be promoting this more,' and doing everything he possibly could to be a dick and make it hard for those of us who were working every day busting our asses."

"The guy trained for this match like it was a bodybuilding show. He hadn’t wrestled legitimately in about 15 years, because let's be honest that WCW run doesn’t even count. He gave Orlando a hiptoss and a backdrop and then blew up in two minutes; there was nothing that Orlando could do. He stunk the whole joint out. We were backstage and it was unlike any atmosphere I have ever felt. We asked Juventud Guerrera what they were chanting in Spanish and it was things like boring and bullsh--. Whatever he thinks his value is, he is completely delusional. It is safe to say the Ultimate Warrior is an asshole, the best way to describe him is ugh."

Bret Hart Morning Radio Interview Notes

Bret Hart was on the 93x morning show out of Minneapolis this morning to promote the book that took him 7 years to write. He commented on how the book originally was 1,200 pages when it was sent to the publisher and was then cut down to 500+.

He noted that he's proud of this book and how it's his "send off", and that it's all he has left to say about pro wrestling.

Bret also discussed the fact that the way wrestlers are treated today, is really no different than back in the day. "They're just cattle" he said, "wrestlers have to do what their told, if they don't do it, they'll find someone that will." He also said that there is nothing to protect their well being, and the only attempt to protect them by organizing some kind of union was tried by Jesse Ventura and Hogan ratted him out to the powers that be, which put an end to that. Hogan would have been the only one with any clout, that would have been able to organize something like this

When asked if he could do it all over again, would he have hit McMahon twice? He jokingly replied, "No, once is all it took. But I would probably have taken a flame thrower to Shawn Michaels."

The book is called "Hitman: My Real Life In The Cartoon World Of Wrestling" and is available now.

In JR's latest blog, he gives the following opinion on the book:
"I can't remember when I felt compelled to read one 'wrestling' book twice but the Bret Hart book is the first. If you are a real fan of the business and you don't read this book then you are not really a fan of the business. "

Buzz: Brooke/Kelly Kelly/Playboy, Warrior and More...

* As reported a while back, Brooke Hogan was offered to pose for Playboy. US Weekly is reporting, through a representative of Brooke's, that she will not be all kinds of naked anytime soon. "Brooke just didn't feel that it was the right time," the rep said. But did add that, "It's not out of the question for the future, but we'll have to see".

* In more Playboy news, Kelly Kelly posted the following blog on her official MySpace regarding the recent rumor of her pictorial...

hey everyone! i know its been a while but i wanted to check in now that i am able to get on and post..im sorry that i dont post more but i just dont get on as much as i want to but i do read all the messages so i thank you soo much...all of you...ok so anyways here is the answer to the question people have been asking me..i finally have a chance to set the record straight...im not posing for playboy..nothing against playboy at all but i dont know who is posing for playboy but it wont be me. i just want to concentrate on wrestling right now.

thank you all for your support..it means soo much to me and keep the messages coming. xoxo kelly kelly

...Boooo...

* The Warrior's ex-wife is pitching a tell all book to publishers entitled "Behind the Paint; My Life with Wrestling's Ultimate Warrior".

For the very first time, the wife of a professional wrestling star speaks out. Shari Tyree was married for ten years to Jim Hellwig, known as the Ultimate Warrior, and saw him through his meteoric rise, and bizarre fall from the pinnacle of WWE.

Warrior packed the aisles, and was a merchandising boom to pro wrestling. Fans, known as 'Little Warriors' screamed and cheered, and then were left baffled by his abrupt disappearance at the height of his success. Only Shari Tyree knows the stunning truth behind the Warrior's face paint. Hellwig was a man possessed by demons, abusing steroids to achieve his massive, muscular frame, and then pain medications and anti-anxiety drugs to quell his fears, who had led a secretive double life that filled his marriage with turmoil and doubts about his fidelity, and even his sexuality. The avowed anti-homosexual avenger and anti-drug advocate battled with his own duality, and became the engine of his own destruction.

Behind the Paint chronicles Helwig's early career as a bodybuilder, and his stunning rise in pro wrestling, the excesses of success beyond imagination, his battles with Vince McMahon and the private life no fan could have guessed at.

Hellwig continues to be a media personality, even outside the wrestling ring, making frequent personal appearances to espouse his anti-gay, anti-drug ideals.

* The fight poster for UFC 91, Couture vs Lesnar, has been released online...



*

Buzz: Sandman, Foley, Khali/Knoxville and More...

* According to a bulletin sent out by The Sandman's MySpace handlers, he's calling it quits...

Ladies & Gentlemen,

I Just Spoke With Sandman & He Wanted Me To Let you All Know That After Speaking With Tommy Dreamer & Having A Long Talk He Has Decided That After 20 + Years In The Pro Wrestling Business That It Is Time To Hangup The Boots & Call It Quits. He Would Like To Thank All Of You Fans That Have Supported Him Throughout His Time In & Around Wrestling. His Last Match Date Will Be Announced In The Coming Weeks. You Can Still Book Him In These Few Weeks. BUT After That He Said He Is Done. He Has A TWO Month Old Child & A Girlfriend To Look After So Now It Is Time To Step Out of The Spotlight.

Thanks A Bunch
Team Sandman

* If you ever wanted to see all the mundane details of a pro contract, click here. These are documents that are being used in the ongoing lawsuit against the WWE by Scott Levy (Raven), Chris Klucsarits (Kanyon) and Mike Sanders.

* Mick Foley officially has been added to the TNA profiles. Bang-Bang!



* HHH and Kelly Kelly just got done filming a commercial for the upcoming Smackdown vs RAW 2009, which will be released next month(Nov. 9).

* Johnny Knoxville will be in attendance at next week's RAW. Likely to start a fued with The Great Kahli after this incident...



From Jackassworld:

So the other day I sat down with the WWE’s Great Khali for a “One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer.” Aside from the time I watched Umaga fight Pontius and Steve-O, I haven’t kept up with professional wrestling since I was little. (By the way, if you haven’t seen Pontius and Steve-O wrestle Umaga then do yourself a favor and check it out online somewhere. Steve-O gets the shit kicked out of him and had to see a doctor afterwards. Heh heh…) Anyway, someone sent me a photo of the Great Khali staring down at Mike Tyson (who was in a mask), and I thought it looked pretty hilarious. The guy is fucking huge, so I thought it might be cool to sit down and interview him for the show. Well, it was pretty cool … for a little bit, anyway. I don’t know if this guy is touchy about the certain area of the body that I asked him about or if he just hated me and simply wanted to leave. Whatever the reason, he bailed about five minutes into the show. For the record, this is the first “One Bourbon, One Scotch, and One Beer” that has ended bad—or good, depending on how you look at it. Heh heh… Anyway, I don’t know who lit the fuse on the Great Khali’s tampon, but here is the shortest show we have ever done.

Sincerely, Knoxville

P.S. After reading the comments below for the Great Khali interview, I agree with some of our community members that maybe the reason for the Great Khali’s bilious reaction has something to do with the blog I wrote about the African penis thieves. Maybe he thought I took or shrunk his tallywhacker. Or maybe he just walked in that way! Anyway, if you haven’t checked out the African penis thieves article, now would be a perfect time.

Buzz: The Wrestler, Jericho, HBK and More...

* Giovanni Roselli aka Romeo(Former WWE Tag Team 'The Heart Throbs') joins R-Truth in the upcoming, Oscar-buzzing, Darren Aronofsky film "The Wrestler". An interview with him regarding the project can be found here.

* Those who missed WWE's No Mercy last night, missed Chris Jericho's Mick Foley imitation by getting his front tooth knocked out during the ladder match with HBK.

* Set your DVR's, HBK is scheduled to appear on the 700 Club today...(blink)...

* Linda Hogan was busted by police last week and fined $206 for doing 71mph in a 55mph zone, on her way to visit Nick in jail. Nick is scheduled for release on the 21st of this month.

* For those who missed the Kimbo Slice vs Rocky...I mean Seth Petruzelli(which was watched by 4.31 million viewers), here it is again...

EliteXC: Heat - Kimbo Slice Vs. Seth Petruzelli


With the Kimbo hype over, a Shamrock vs Slice bout is nothing more than a grudge match that really isn't intriguing at all. It'll be interesting to see what EliteXC does now that their poster boy has fallen.

Rourke Gives His Respect To Wrestling

At a press conference following a screening of the upcoming, highly awarded movie "The Wrestler", Mickey Rourke made some interesting comments regarding his career and how his new character Randy "The Ram" Robinson(a down on his luck wrestler looking to make it back on top), really hits close to home.

"I didn't want to change until I lost everything and then I realized 'man, you better change or you better just blow your ... brains out. Either you change and you move on with life or you're just a piece of shit."

"I can honestly say ("The Wrestler") is the best movie I ever made and the hardest movie I've ever made, and I was so God damn thankful the day we were done with it," he said. "I'm no spring chicken and this would be hard for a 20 year-old to do."

"I had a newfound respect for this as a sport as far as it being entertainment, because these guys really lay their asses on the line and get hurt," he said. "I got hurt more in the three months doing wrestling that I did in 16 years boxing."

The movie opens in the states on December 19th.

Here are some clips and an interview with the Director...

Buzz: Nash/WWE, Andre Movie, Hogan and More...

* Kevin Nash has told News-JournalOnline.com, that he has NOT signed a new deal with TNA and has been in talks with the WWE...

"I talked to Vince (McMahon)," Nash said. 'He offered me a contract, but he wanted me to dye my hair."

Do to the demanding road schedule of the WWE, TNA is much easier for him, unless of course they can't work out the merchandising clause of the contract by October 10th.

* Speaking of October 10th, the independent film "'Andre: Heart of the Giant" will be released on that day as well. The movie is based on the life of wrestling great and WWE Hall of Famer Andre The Giant. The original actor to portray Andre, Matthew McGrory, died in 2005. Which is what has caused the movie to be delayed for a few years. Check out the trailer below...



* Apparently CMT is reportedly so optimistic on the future success of Celebrity Championship Wrestling (October 18th), that their looking into a second season. As we reported last week, the official site is live, but to see the preview of the show, click here.

Buzz: Lenny Lane, WWE Kids, HBO and More

* "Rock and Roll" Buck...no I take it back, Lenny Lane jobbed to “The All-American American” Jack Swagger(who could start a stable with Miz and Morrison called "The Triple A D-Bags") last night on ECW. I guess that answers yesterday's question of how his tryout went.

* WWE has launched a new kids site justly called WWEKids.com. It's obviously geared toward ages 5-12. But the Rey Mysterio match game is addicting.

* Edge revealed, in an interview with BetweenTheRopes.com, that the reason he took time off was not to nurse injuries, but to recharge his batteries. "I needed to kind of just get a break and kind of step back from the 120 mile per hour pace and lifestyle for a little bit," he said. "I actually asked for it. Nobody has to force me to take time off."

* According to JR, More than 50 wrestlers are featured on this weeks Smackdown premier on My Network TV.

* In a page out of Darren Aronofsky's("The Wrestler") book, HBO will be producing a drama series called "Everybody Hurts", based on the world of pro wrestling in the 1970's. Former WCW VP of Marketing Aaron Blitzstein will be writing the show that focuses on a family run pro wrestling territory base out of New York...Hmmm...where have I heard that story before...Oh, nope, my bad...the McMahon's live in Connecticut.

* Those of you with the new TNA iMPACT video game for XBOX 360 can play against Samoa Joe and Jay Lethal today and tomorrow. All you have to do is send a friend request to SamoaGWF(October 1) and JLethalGWF(October 2), and be online half an hour before the 'Game with Fame' session starts on Wednesday October 1 at 8:00 P.M. ET and Thursday October 2 at 7:00 P.M. ET. For more details click here.

Live RAW Thoughts - MN Local Talents Scouted

This was the first live show that the WWE has brought to Minnesota in a long time, so it was a nice change from the TV taping experience that can sometimes leave fans confused. The crowd was into it more than I had seen in years and the place was nearly sold out. Was this a result of live TV or the product?

After the cameras went off, DX stayed in the ring and HHH started to do the "for the thousands in attendance and millions watching around the world" line when HBK stopped him and said that they're off the air, Trips then changed it to "the million of people NOT watching around the world". It was a funny, you had to be there moment. They also took the time to circle the whole ring and greet fans, shake hands and kiss babies at ringside after they finished posing in the ring.

Before the show, WWE had invited some of the local talent, as they usually do, to tryout. Some of those in attendance for that session were Black Stallion, Johnny Parks, Thoruf, second generation star Dakota Darsow(Smash Jr.) and Lenny Lane...yes, THAT Lenny Lane. Interesting notes from onlookers during the tryout, Johnny Parks was escorted out by security(not sure why), Thoruf(I think that's how he's spelling it), who has been wrestling in Japan and is getting a pretty big name around the Midwest, was tossed out of the ring by Arn Anderson and told to leave.

There was an altercation backstage between Shad of Cryme Tyme and Lenny Lane. Apparently Shad told Lenny to get out of his locker room because it's for WWE Superstars. Which apparently led to Lenny wanting to tear his head off. I'm sure more of that story will unfold. But what I want to know is how did Lane's tryout go and is WWE considering bringing the former WCW World Cruiserweight Champion into the fold? Never say never...D-Lo.

Lane currently has a wrestling camp called The Dojo in Minneapolis. Only a selected few of the ass-load of local talent in the area are invited to work out there. Among them are Dakota Darsow(who is coached by his father Barry...who will still kick your stinkin teeth down your stinkin throat!), Zero Kinkade, Billy Blaze and The Asylum - who, by the way, was also seen back within the bowls of the Target Center with local living legend Eddie Sharkey. No word on if he had a tryout, but he was apparently dressed to the nines and seen talking to John Laurinaitis. The Asylum did have a tryout with the WWE last year in Green Bay, so it still seems like there is still some interest out there for the big guy. Considering the focus is slowly turning back to Minnesota as being a hotbed for pro wrestling and producing stars like Ken Kennedy, Shelton Benjamin, Brock Lesnar, Bam Neely, Sheik Ab...Davari, Ms. Payton Banks and ODB(am I missing anyone?), one has to think that they're really scouting this area heavily for their next find.

Jesse "The Conspiracy Theorist" Ventura?

Jesse Ventura's not going to be "The Judge" as previously reported, but will be getting down to the bottom of national conspiracy theories. I hope he has a sidekick called Adrian, Mac Man or Gorilla.

Official press release...

NEW YORK, Sept 29, 2008 -- Pilot From A. Smith & Co. Productions Begins Shooting Next Month

Jesse Ventura, a man who has lived a dangerous life, is about to explore mysteries behind the most compelling modern day conspiracy theories for truTV. Production of a pilot featuring Ventura begins in October. The project comes to truTV from A. Smith & Co. Productions.

Ventura will travel across the country, investigating cases and getting input from believers and skeptics to make a final determination about a theory's validity.

Ventura embodies truTV's promise to bring viewers real-life, high-stakes action and fascinating characters. Ventura was a U.S. Navy frogman/SEAL; a famous professional wrestler; mayor of Brooklyn Park, Minn.; and governor of Minnesota. All the while, Ventura maintained his reputation as a rebel and free-thinker.

Ventura is passionate about the world of conspiracy theories and holds non-traditional opinions on many of them. He has no qualms about questioning authority and seeking truth. No matter how dangerous, who is involved or what is uncovered, Ventura will hunt down answers, plunging viewers into a world of secret meetings, midnight surveillance, shifty characters and dark forces.

Ventura stated "I've been a mayor; I've been a governor. Now, I get to be a detective, and seek the truth."

"We are thrilled to be working with Jesse Ventura and with our production partners at A. Smith & Co.," said Marc Juris, executive vice president and general manager at truTV. "Jesse is a savvy, high-energy and highly intellectual person. Above all, he's someone who is as real as they come."

"This show will tackle some of the most popular conspiracy theories. Who better than Jesse Ventura to get to the bottom of each and reveal the truth?" said executive producer Arthur Smith of A. Smith & Co. "There is also no better place to exhibit the show than on truTV, which has an audience prepared to join Jesse on each of his investigations."

The pilot will be executive-produced by Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Frank Sinton of A. Smith & Co. and by Michael Braverman and Barry Bloom of the Braverman/Bloom Co. Ventura will serve as producer. For truTV, Robyn Hutt is the executive in charge of production. David Schiff, A. Smith & Co.'s vice president of production and development, will oversee the project for the company.

Founded by Arthur Smith and Kent Weed in 2000, A. Smith & Co. Productions generates some of the most innovative, highly rated and high-quality unscripted programming for the domestic and international television marketplace. Since its launch, the company has created over 500 hours of programming and developed and produced the number one show in America an astonishing 12 times and a top five show over 50 times. The company's current production slate includes the Emmy(R)-nominated hit show Hell's Kitchen, as well as Kitchen Nightmares with Chef Gordon Ramsay, I Survived a Japanese Game Show, Trading Spaces with host Paige Davis, the critically acclaimed documentary series American Gangster and UFC Countdown.

truTV is television's destination for real-life stories told from an exciting and dramatic first-person perspective. Currently seen in 91 million U.S. households and enjoying more than a year of solid and consistent ratings growth, truTV features high-stakes, action-packed originals that give viewers access to places and situations they can't normally experience. Among truTV's primetime fan favorites are the original series Smoking Gun Presents; Most Daring; Speeders; Ocean Force; Principal's Office; Forensic Files; and Dominick Dunne's Power, Privilege and Justice. During the daytime, the channel features expert trial coverage under the name IN SESSION.

Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.


Maybe he can figure out why Randy Savage has been black balled from the WWE and HOF.

Buzz: RAW, Latino Heat and More

Against my better judgment, I will be in attendance tonight when RAW comes to you live from the Target Center, downtown Minneapolis. I say that because I prefer to watch a WWE production from my couch so I can hear the announcers and see the cut scenes and promos. But when you're handed ringside seats...you kinda feel like a douche if you don't go.

* RAW Preview for tonight: My guess is there's going to be a cliff hanger...since it's the RAW before the PPV.

* The last time RAW was in Minneapolis, was an unfortunate situation. The passing of Latinio Heat, Eddie Gurerro. So, being the timely person I am, let's talk about the upcoming 3 DVD set entitled "Viva La Raza - The Legacy of Eddie Guerrero". It looks fantastic, beginning with his days in ECW and WCW, up until his Championship run with the WWE and his final match.

Disc 1

The Complete Package

Vickie Guerrero - Early Eddie

ECW World Television Championship Match
2 Cold Scorpio vs. Eddie Guerrero
Hardcore TV April 8, 1995

Dean Malenko - A New Style in ECW

ECW World Television Championship Match
Eddie Guerrero vs. Dean Malenko
Hostile City Showdown April 15, 1995

Jim Ross - Arrival in WCW

Eddie Guerrero vs. Shinjiro Otani
Starrcade December 27, 1995

Ric Flair - US Title

United States Heavyweight Championship Match
Ric Flair vs. Eddie Guerrero
Hog Wild August 10, 1996

Chris Jericho - Battling for Respect

United States Heavyweight Championship Match
Eddie Guerrero vs. Chris Jericho
SuperBrawl February 23, 1997

Rey Mysterio - Striving for Perfection

WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero
Nitro November 10, 1997

Dean Malenko - Rivalry Renewed

WCW Cruiserweight Championship Match
Eddie Guerrero vs. Dean Malenko
Starrcade December 28, 1997

Chavo Guerrero - Adapting Wrestling Styles

Eddie Guerrero vs. Ultimo Dragon
Slamboree May 17, 1998

Chavo Guerrero - Ring General

Juventud Guerrera vs. Eddie Guerrero
Nitro August 3, 1998

Vickie Guerrero - Car Accident

Psychosis vs. Eddie Guerrero
Thunder June 24, 1999

Disc 2

Chris Jericho - Latino Heat

European Championship Match
Chris Jericho vs. Eddie Guerrero
RAW April 3, 2000

Matt Hardy - Master of Psychology

King of the Ring Qualifying Match
Eddie Guerrero vs. Matt Hardy
SmackDown! June 8, 2000

Jerry "The King" Lawler - Frogsplash

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Rob Van Dam vs. Eddie Guerrero
Backlash April 21, 2002

Jeff Hardy - The Perfect Wrestler

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Eddie Guerrero vs. Jeff Hardy
RAW April 29, 2002

Edge - The Conclusion

No Disqualification Match
Edge vs. Eddie Guerrero
SmackDown! September 26, 2002

Chavo Guerrero - Los Guerreros

WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Team Angle vs. Los Guerreros
Backlash April 27, 2003

John Cena - Low Rider

Latino Heat Parking Lot Brawl
John Cena vs. Eddie Guerrero
SmackDown! September 11, 2003

Chavo Guerrero Sr. - Family Rivalry

Eddie Guerrero vs. Chavo Guerrero
Royal Rumble January 25, 2004

Vickie Guerrero - Champion

WWE Championship Match
Brock Lesnar vs. Eddie Guerrero
No Way Out February 15, 2004

Extras
Los Guerreros Vignettes
* Los Guerreros Vignette - Baby Carriage
* Los Guerreros Vignette - Pool
* Los Guerreros Vignette - Low Rider
* Los Guerreros Vignette - Golf
* Los Guerreros Vignette - Vale
* Los Guerreros Vignette - Outtakes

Disc 3

Rey Mysterio - True Champion

WWE Championship Match
Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio
SmackDown! March 18, 2004

JBL - Heated Rivalry

WWE Championship Match
Eddie Guerrero vs. John "Bradshaw" Layfield
Judgment Day - May 16, 2004

JBL - Wrestling a Live Wire

Steel Cage Match for the WWE Championship
JBL vs. Eddie Guerrero
SmackDown! July 15, 2004

Michael Cole - Entertaining

WWE Championship Series
Eddie Guerrero vs. Kurt Angle
SmackDown! April 14, 2005

Rey Mysterio - Born with Charisma

Steel Cage Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Eddie Guerrero
SmackDown! September 9, 2005

Batista - Losing a Friend

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Batista vs. Eddie Guerrero
No Mercy October 9, 2005

Remembering Eddie

Extras

Chris Jericho Meets Eddie for the First Time

Eddie's Final Match
Eddie Guerrero vs. Mr. Kennedy
SmackDown! November 11, 2005

* Paul Heyman gets Stratusfied in his latest blog. In it he talks about Trish's accomplishments in and out of the ring. I'm also convinced he wasn't wearing any pants while writing that story.

* I'm sure they be a lot of MN Wrestling Alumni and aspiring talent on hand tonight. I guess I am looking forward to it. We'll talk tomorrow.

Buzz: Angle/MMA, Orton, Salinas/eBay and More

* Kurt Angle told The Sun that he WILL be fighting in the MMA arena in 2009 and is in talks with several MMA companies, including the UFC, where Brock Lesnar is tearing up the ranks and has a title shot in November.

“I’m talking to several fight companies about doing MMA by the end of next year - 2009.

“I’m going to cross over to the MMA world for a while but I want to end up back in TNA and back in wrestling.

“I’ve always wanted to do it. I’m the only Olympic gold medallist that will enter the Octagon and it feels right for me.

“I can almost guarantee you’re going to see me in the Octagon.

“Obviously I’m going to have to take a few months away from pro wrestling to get ready for that.

“But I welcome that, it’s something I’ve always wanted to do and TNA have given me their best wishes.

“I’m 100%. A lot of people on the internet are bashing me but I’ve never felt better.”

* During a media tour of the UK last month, Randy Orton was asked by Power Slam if he thought his record of being the youngest World Champion could be broken by any of the newcomers. Here's his answer...

"That's a good question. I'm trying to think of the age of everybody. Cody and Teddy are young, right? Kenny Dykstra (who's 22) I knocked him out in Australia, actually one time. He was drinking and thought that he would f--k with me, and I warned him and slapped him so hard in the temple that I knocked him out. I never liked him at all. And everyone always told him, "You're the next Randy Orton." And you know what? F--k that. Make your own name. What does that mean anyway? I slapped the s--t out of Kenny Dykstra. And I don't even know where he is right now. But age-wise, Cody's 23. That's a long way to go (in less than a year).

I got very lucky. I was wrestling Edge a lot back then. And I was over as a heel and getting a chance because I was wrestling Edge.... They thought I was over, so they thought, 'Let's give this kid a run.' Plus, Brock Lesnar had been the youngest champ and they didn't like Lesnar (who had left the company in March 2004), so I had a lot of luck in getting that spot.

I don't know if the business is going to be ready for a Cody Rhodes as champ. I love him, I think he's really great, he's got his own little niche, but I don't see him or Teddy being the heavyweight champion. I don't know who else is of that age. D.H. Smith (who is 22)? I don't know. Hopefully, no one because, to be honest, I don't want anyone to break my record and I don't think there's any potential right now for anyone to (do so), either."

* You can win..er, buy a date with Shelly Martinez (AKA Salinas) on eBay. As of this morning the bidding is over $10,000.

Speaking of Ms. Martinez, she's in a new horror(ible) movie called "Porn Shoot Massacre".



* The WWE has scheduled a 3 hour RAW for November 3rd when they're in Tampa Bay, FL. No announcement yet to what the special occasion is, but expect it to be announced soon

* Former WWE star Viscera, a.k.a. Big Daddy V, a.k.a King Mabel, a.k.a Mabel of Men on a Mission, a.k.a. Nelson Frazier, Jr., is now going by King V on the independent circuit.

Buzz: HHH/Motorhead, Team Beefcake vs Team Nasty

HHH and Stephanie were at the Motorhead(the play rock and roll show over the weekend and "Trips" came on stage to introduce "F*cking Motorhead!".



Team Beefcake vs Team Nasty...you heard correctly. Hulk Hogan's CCW(Celebrity Championship Wrestling) will be set up like the Ultimate Fighter, 2 teams of contestants will get eliminated over a period of 8 weeks until 1 man or woman becomes the CCW Champion. The teams are coached by the mayor of Nastyville Brian Knobbs and Team Beefcake, of course is coached by non other than Brutus "The Barber". To watch the trailer, go to Hogan's site and click the 3rd video down. To learn more about the show, click here.

The Final Segment of TNA iMPACT - Foley Debuts

Mrs. Foley's baby boy debuted in the iMPACT Zone last night at the end of the final segment...

Buzz: Foley, Diva Magic, FCW, Hardy and More...

* Florida Championship Wrestling (FCW) will host its first Talent Evaluation Clinic on Thursday, October 16th through Tuesday, October 21. Run by FCW Chief Steve Keirn and FCW trainers Tom Prichard, Billy Kidman and Norman Smiley, the clinic will include WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes, WWE producers and talent scouts, and other special guests.

* Be sure to see the debut of Mrs. Foley's baby boy tonight on iMPACT.

* Thursday, October 2's episode of Magic's Biggest Secrets Finally Revealed on myNetworkTV is scheduled to be a WWE-themed show. The show will feature WWE Divas. It is slated to air right after the WrestleMania highlight show at 9:00 p.m., the same timeslot as iMPACT.

* WWE has plans to release "The Best of Kane" on Tuesday, December 9th.

* Yesterday's Bubba the Love Sponge radio show, Bubba reported that Kurt Angle told him that he has filed for a divorce from Karen. Sources from TNA have confirmed this news to be true.

* Jeff Hardy, who was accompanied by Matt Hardy and Gregory Helms at the Nashville airport, was was removed from his plane by police. Details are sketchy as to why.

* Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will once again be cashing a Disney paycheck. Variety is reporting that he has signed on for their new movie called "Tomorrowland".

Quick Observations on Smackdown vs RAW 2009

Last night I was invited over to a friend's place to play the XBox 360 demo of Smackdown vs RAW 2009 from THQ, which comes out in November. (A little background, my friend plays video games for a living...and I hate him.)

The first thing I had to try was the new Inferno Match that they are introducing this year. The way you win this match is to hit big moves on your opponent to bring the temperature of the flames surrounding the ring up to 500 degrees, then drag your opponent to the ropes to start them on fire. I was the Undertaker and couldn't wait to beat the crap out of the Miz and set him on fire. Once you drag your opponent over to the ropes to go for the win, it will cut scene to show you throwing your opponent over the ropes, then another cut scene to show your opponent's tights on fire. Kind of lackluster.

Next was the new backstage environments, Locker Room and Backstage. Both of which were pretty lame and when you would try to throw your opponent to an area off screen, they would just stop, the view would not pan out to show them still running. The interaction with your environment wasn't that great either, I felt it was better in years past.

I also noticed that some of the balance issues still have not been corrected. For instance, when you are performing a move on the announcer's table and your opponent slides off, he still will go through the motions of the move without being touched. Oh, and the commentary is still very repetitive, annoying and sucks.

BUT, I am not negative on the entire game! On the positive side, the entrances were really good, especially the Undertaker's...druids and everything. The detailing on most of the wrestlers were amazing, right down to the sweat drops and tattoos. The gameplay is similar to last year's engine that they introduced, so it was easy to pick up. You will no longer fall off the top of the cell when performing a move on your opponent during a Hell in a Cell match(yay!). Create a Finisher mode was fun and easy to do, you can even add it to a current superstar (we used it with Jericho). But, if you set up a finisher that is based on all 10 stages available, it takes a while to perform, kind of like a really long combo(unless you adjust the speed) and will be annoying during online play. I also liked the new arena 'Tribute To The Troops', which is an outdoor arena in the Iraqi dessert, based on their yearly visit every year.

All in all, it was another THQ/WWE wrestling game that will no doubt sell as many copies as previous years, if not more. Given, the version that I played was a demo version, so they still have time to work on it. I look forward to playing the full version when it comes out.

Jake Roberts Falls of the Wagon...

...and then he got drug behind it. I've been waiting for more clarification on the events that took place last weekend at an independent show in Ohio that Jake "The Snake" Roberts appeared at, and now we have it. Watch the video, then read the statement released by Jake's handler and after thatone from Jake...



"Jake was booked at a show this weekend in Cleveland. He went to this show, doing a live interview earlier in the morning for the promotion that, by all reports, went very smoothly. His appearance at the show did not.

Before I tell you what I know about what happened to him at the show and that knowledge is very limited, I was not there. I will tell you this: Jake's behavior would normally be construed as completely unacceptable. I understand from the promoter that he spend endless time wandering back and forth to the bar.

Jake took his rehab from the WWE very seriously and has not done such a thing in months, so this behavior made me really scratch my head as to the REASON. My sincere apologies go out to JC, the over the top kind natured promoter who did nothing to deserve this and has been nothing but kind to Jake, and by association, myself as well.

My sincere apologies to the fine fans of Cleveland; you did not deserve this at all.

Jake was given an open container of what he was told was a cold drink. That happened when he got to the venue. He remembers nothing between that time, and the time he woke up the next morning in the motel, alone, beaten, injured.

I had a really fun time getting him back on the same page, by phone, to just get him to the airport to try to get back home. It was a constant string of conversation just to get him to MOVE. This is not how he behaves ever. On his worst days, Jake has always had total recall.

Jake was drugged. He has been home since Saturday afternoon about 4:30PM and up until last night about 8:30PM, had not eaten or slept. His standard answer for everything the last two days has been "I don't know."

That is the other side of the story, folks, believe it or not, it is certainly your choice. I'm dealing with the guy they sent home, and folks, it is frightening to both me, and to him, and really not much fun.

To the guys who did this, and I say this often when confronted with sub-human behavior, something I see far too often I'm sorry to say, God's a funny guy. You'll get yours, I have no doubt at all.

Thank you for reading.
Shannon, Jake's assistant

Update September 15, 2008 @ 6:30pm: We have a witness to the effect of who MIGHT have made a direct attempt to do Jake great harm at the show. WE KNOW WHO YOU ARE. One of the men IN THE RING with Jake is somebody we are going to take a much closer look at. Somebody saw this man with an envelope with some powder in it at the show. Somebody saw what happened here. We now are very SURE Jake was in fact drugged. More details will be forth coming as soon as we can get permission from this fine individual to offer them."


Now an interview that Jake did regarding the incident:

Chris Yandek: Tell me exactly what happened and we'll go from there.


Jake Roberts: “I really wish I could Chris. I don’t remember anything up until the next morning whenever I called Shannon [Jake’s assistant] and did not know where I was at, what I was doing there, what I was supposed to do. Anything. I am still very foggy. I can’t think. I can’t put things together. I can’t remember anything. First off, I just want to say I am terribly embarrassed. I am hurt. I know how many people I’ve let down. I am scared too because I’ve never felt this way in my life.”

Buzz: SvR, Credible, Flair and More...

* There's some new screenshots and videos up on IGN.com of for the upcoming Smackdown vs RAW 2009.

* Reportedly, former ECW champion Justin Credible, who has been spotted working at his local Olive Garden, is actually currently going to culinary school. "Hey Credible! Get me more bread sticks!"

* Highspots.com payed Ric Flair a reported $50K to record a shoot interview yesterday that they will sell on DVD. Can't wait for the controversies and mud slinging to begin!

* Rumors are flying that Paul Burchill is once again on the chopping block.

* There's a great interview up with "The Wrestler" writer/director over at slashfilm.com. In it, he talks about coming up with the idea for the movie 15 years ago and what inspired him to do it.

* Rumor is that the WWE has NOT contacted The Honkey Tonk Man(The Greatest Intercontinental Champion of All Time) about coming in to work an angle with Santino Marella, but Honky is aware of Santino's countdown do beat his 64 week title reign.

McMahon Screws the Fans...Again!

In a move that would cause him to loose money rather than gain money, The Wrestling Observer is reporting that Vince McMahon has decided to pull Randy Savage as a playable character in the upcoming "Legends of Wrestlemania" video game which is slated to be released by THQ next March. Savage, who competed in 9 out of the first 10 Wrestlemania's and won the WWF Championship at two of them, is being regarded by THQ as a huge loss to the video game(...no sh*t!). In addition to Savage, McMahon has also made the decision to pull Mick Foley from the game even though his character had already been created. McMahon made the decision following Foley's departure from WWE and announcement that he has signed with TNA. Several other names were also removed from the game at McMahon's request, but those names have yet to be released. I guess we can rule out the Red Rooster and Big Daddy Cool too!

'The Wrestler' Slated for December Release

(Reuters)

TORONTO (Hollywood Reporter) - Arthouse studio Fox Searchlight has acquired U.S. rights to Darren Aronofsky's acclaimed Mickey Rourke drama "The Wrestler," days after it won the top prize at the Venice International Film Festival.

The deal, reported to be in the $3.5 million-$4 million range, was sealed at the Toronto International Film Festival, where the film screened for eager buyers.

The News Corp-owned studio plans a December release that will seek to capitalize on the momentum of both Toronto and Venice, where "Wrestler" won the Golden Lion award on Saturday.

An all-night negotiating session that included Overture, Senator and Lionsgate came to a head around 5 a.m. Monday, as it became clear that filmmakers wanted to go in the Searchlight direction. The deal was finally closed at about 11 a.m.

More can be found at this location

Buzz: Unforgiven is Jericho, Sid, Kennedy and More!

* In a day full of football, the WWE went with the play action fake and surprised us with not only Chris Jericho being a part of the RAW Championship scramble, but winning it. You had to wonder how they were going to set up a CM Punk program that might put him more over with the audience, like starting a stable feud between the Second/Third Generation superstars(Including Manu[Afa Jr.], who we saw last night) on the roster and another faction(Survivor Series build up?)...2 big rivalry Monday Night games and a promising RAW...it's going to be a busy night.

* According to the Wrestling Observer, WWE talent head John Laurinaitis is pushing to bring Sid back to the company. In recent weeks he has been praising him a lot and pushing for his return to the creative team. Laurinaitis is looking to sign him and get him a good spot in the company. In a time where some key players are on the IR(injured reserve), Sid could really make an impact.

* For those who like to seek clues for the inevitable, Mr. Kennedy was removed from the SmackDown intro starting with last week's show. This only gives strength to the rumor that the WWE has decided not to renew his contract.

* R-Truth and former WWE Superstar/current actor Romeo Roselli shot several scenes for the highly acclaimed movie "The Wrestler". The two performed a wrestling match that was taped for the film.