WWE Daily

-The Selvedge Yard has an great article on Andre “The Giant”. Talks about his drinking binge and greta rare vintage photos of Andre. You can read the article.

-Superstar Billy Graham is selling off his jacket that he specifically bought and wore for his WWE Hall Of Fame Induction in 2004. You can view the auction on Ebay.

-Todays WWE Diva on demand is diva Beth Phoenix “The Glamazon”. Her recent photo shott is entitled, “Beth: Dark Phoenix”

-BBC News has reports that an 65 year old woman was arrested on the death of two mini Lucha stars, which were twin brothers were discovered in an hotel room last month. More on the story.

-Gossip website TMZ has posted an photo of WWE star Dave Batista in speedo’s. TMZ mocks Batista by saying,”Nothing’s scarier than a man with a reverse tramp stamp.” Mocking Dave on his belly tattoo.

-PWInisder reports that TNA KnockOut Christy Hemme is scheduled to return to tonight’s iMACT taping in Orlando Florida. Hemme will be wrestling Sojo Bolt.

Funk’s Corner - Karl Von Brauner

In San Angelo Texas, the ring announcer tried to speak then waited for the crowd to calm down. The noise only grew louder as the heels stood at attention in the ring opposite of my brother Terry and myself.

The ring announcer tried but could not be heard above the roar of the sold out crowd at the San Angelo Coliseum. It seemed a riot was about to begin even before the match got started.

When your Heels have so much heat you cannot introduce them, you have the kind of heat that draws money. A tribute to The Von Brauners, Karl, Kurt and their manager Saul Weingroff..

Not only in San Angelo, but throughout the Amarillo Territory, the Von Brauners drew capacity crowds.

The first time I saw Karl Von Brauner was in my high school days. I will not forget the great match between Karl Von Brauner, (Doug Donavan at the time) and another great worker and high flyer, Larry Chene.

Karl Von Brauner was also an excellent pilot and along with Eddie Graham got me interested in flying airplanes. The Amarillo Territory had some long trips and often we would fly the long shots in private rental planes. Karl would fly the bad guys and I would fly the good guys.

I spent many hours talking to Karl about safety in flying airplanes especially, single engine at night.

I was surprised and saddened to hear of the passing of Karl Von Brauner. Karl spent the last years of his life away from the wrestling business, but his contributions to my learning the wrestling business and aviation are much appreciated.

My condolences to the family of Karl Von Brauner.

Dory Funk Jr. - Coach of the Funking Conservatory Wrestling School - http://www.dory-funk.com.

Here are an few highlights from JRBarBQ website:

JR Talks Hosts for Allied Powers DVD: I did think that Miz and Morrison were unique choices to host the DVD and that someone like an Arn Anderson amd/or a WWE HOF’er might have offered more of a historical slant to the production but as is often said, “This is a young man’s game.”

JR talks with Edge after surgery: I talked to Edge mere minutes after his Achilles tendon surgery last week and he had a more positive attitude about returning to the ring than most would. Edge has been faced with many challenges over his career and if any one can return and be as good as they were before they were hurt then it will be him. However, we should all be realistic about this situation as Achilles tendon injuries can be devastating for an athlete that maintains a schedule like Edge. My money is on Edge to return ready to rock, be more popular than ever and perhaps even possibly having a one on one match with Chris Jericho at WM26 which could be a show stealer. Yes, that’s all speculation but a guy can dream, can’t he?

-Bruiser Brody Anniversary of his death: Hard to believe that Bruiser Brody was senselessly killed today in 1988 at the age of 42. The wrestler who stabbed Brody to death in a Puerto Rican shower at an arena was tried and found innocent. The judicial system works in mysterious ways. Brody was arguably the best all around brawler I ever saw and was also one of the most fiercely independent individuals who ever laced up a pair of boots. Insiders either hated Brody or they liked and respected him. I have friends who still can’t stand the late Frank Goodish and his free spirit but I miss the guy and always enjoyed being around him.

FreeBird Terry Gordy Passed Away: Also on this date in 2001 Terry Gordy died at 40 years of age. The former Freebird was the greatest in ring performer I ever saw when Terry was a teen. Gordy never lifted weights or participated in organized athletics or likely even graduated high school but his in ring timing and natural abilities were amazing. I have yet to see any one 16-17 years of age that even remotely compares to Terry Gordy nor any one in any developmental program or indy circuit. Read the full entry go here.

-TNA’s Jeremy Borash has confirmed on his Twitter that TNA Wrestloing has signed Japanese female wrestler Ayako Hamada to an TNA contract. Borash then says that she will be flying in later this week.

- Miyako Blassie, surviving wife of the legendary “Classy” Freddie Blassie is selling their Lincoln Town Car on WWE auction. You can read the story here. You can head on over to WWE’s auction to bid on this piece of history here.

-In this exclusive video, JB, Scott Steiner, and a strange young man from Canada named JT go on an all out Fourth of July balls out fireworks of doom extravaganza! We are professionals… don’t try this at home.

-Wally Sieber known as Waldo Von Erich passed away lat night at the age of 75. For more information go to Slam Wrestling.

- Here are a few highlights from Jim Ross webiste JRSBarBQ:

-The WWE is doing HUGE biz in Australia as we speak as the Raw brand is on tour “Down Under.” Brisbane had a near capacity crowd in attendance and grossed over $650K at the box office. Sydney had 18,543 in the arena which is a new WWE record for the facility. The event Monday in Adelaide was also close to capacity and sold over $550K in tickets. This international tour is going to be highly successful for WWE which should come as no surprise as Australia is one of WWE’s hottest territories. Even though the trips are all early morning flights and some of the flights are not short ones, the large crowds always motivate any performer and the live events have been really solid from what I have read and from the emails we have received here on our site.

-Sheamus, the Celtic Warrior, is earning good reviews while touring with WWE. Sheamus is a big, tough, Irish kid who has a discernible up side and could be a future star if he stays healthy and sane along with getting a little good luck. Sheamus formerly played rugby which isn’t for the faint of heart and speaks for the young man’s toughness.

-After looking more throughly at the recent 15 person trade announced on Raw last week, I think that two WWE Superstars will contribute in a big way to Raw, Gail Kim and Jack Swagger. I am a big Gail Kim fan and feel she can become, arguably, the hottest Diva on Raw which could well mean another championship for the young lady who grew up in Toronto and who now lives in Tampa. Swagger is a future PPV main eventer and even though that might be a year or so away from happening I think that it will happen. Swagger has the youth, size, and athletic ability to evolve into a great asset for WWE if he keeps working hard, learning his craft, stays out of trouble and off the injured list.

Read the full entry here.

The following is posted on Mick Foley’s Myspace account:

Misawa
I was really stunned to hear of the death of Misawa. At first we heard the death was a heart attack, and, as tragic as that would have been, there at least seemed be a rationale to such a death. I had heard that he’d been under incredible pressure over the last couple of years. But to hear of a death inside the ring was difficult to digest, because it’s obviously something that could have happened to any one of us - especially to someone who took so much physical punishment for so long. I always regretted that Misawa was the one top guy I didn’t get a chance to wrestle with when I was on my lone All-Japan tour in 1991 - never more so than today.

I will have plenty to talk about in the next couple of weeks. But for now, I just wanted to share those brief thoughts on one of the true all-time greats.

-Slam Wrestling reports that Billy Red Lyons died Monday after a long battle with cancer.

CM punk pay tribute to the late legendary Mitsuharu Misawa on tonight’s Monday Night Raw. As you can clearly see, CM Punk wrote Misawa’s name on his left wrist tape as he was walking down the cat walk to enter the ring.

-John Laurinaitis, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent Relations has released this statement on the passing of Mitsuharu Misawa:

Wrestling legend Mitsuharu Misawa passes

“On behalf of WWE, we were deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of Mitsuharu Misawa. We extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends and fans. Misawa will be remembered as one of the all-time greats in Japan.”

Laurinaitis worked with Misawa in the 1990’s in Pro Wrestling NOAH.

-More details on the death of Mitsuharu Misawa:

Mike Aldren of the Wrestling Globe Newsletter is reporting Misawa took the suplex at around 8:45 PM JST. The referee asked him if he could move, he responded by saying no and lost consciousness a few seconds later. The match was stopped just after the twenty-seven minute mark and Pro Wrestling NOAH officials came into the ring.

A doctor was brought in from the crowd and he tried a heart massage on Misawa (something that was performed on Owen Hart after his tragic fall). According to Aldren, Misawa had stopped breathing by that point and the massage brought back his pulse. He was rushed to a hospital and officially pronounced dead at 10:10 PM JST.

-Friends over on Gerweck.net has an $5 off voucher for this coming TNA Slammiversary pay per view being held at The Palace of Auburn Hills, Michigan.. You get the voucher here.

-Jim Ross has posted the following on his JRSBARBQ.com website. Here are a few highlights:

JR Remembers Misawa : Mitsuharu Misawa was never an acquaintance of mine but I felt like I knew him from watching many of his DVD’s which were usually with men that I did know. Misawa was arguably the best in ring performer in the world in his prime. First of all, Misawa knew how to wrestle and how to wrestle physically. The fundamentals had been drilled into this legend as a young man who went on to become a Japanese National Amateur Champion. Several things stood out to me about Misawa. In addition to be a physical, fundamentally sound athlete, timing and toughness were two of his greatest attributes. Great timing is a gift that largely can’t be taught. It’s like ring psychology. Some of it can be taught but mostly it must be a learned trait and some people are in the business for years and never learn great timing or main event level ring psychology. Toughness is another trait that can be nurtured but generally can’t be taught. Misawa was naturally tough and it showed. And his fans loved him for it. They also loved his passion and the emotional ride on which he would take them. That’s what pro wrestling is, selling emotion.

JR Comments on Umaga’s Release: I haven’t commented much on the Umaga situation here but I have addressed that matter and many similar issues in the Q&A section. Nonetheless, I have been asked what is next for Umaga? I don’t have an answer as the man himself is the only one who can provide that info. I do hope that Umaga takes the time to carefully think things through and to evaluate all aspects of his life and not just his wrestling career. Umaga has been blessed with many athletic skills but nothing compares to the blessings of having a wonderful family which has to come first in any of our major decisions.

Read the complete entry here.

The SUN.UK has released an photo of legendary japanese wrestler Mitsuharu Misawa, after he collapsed in the ring. during an Pro Wrestluing NOAH Match in Hiroshima, Japan Saturday night. You an see the photo here.

Misawa has taken this move thousands of times, an routine back suplex but this time he remained motionless in the ring.

He was then stretcher to the ambulance, then he was declared dead at 10:10PM at an nearby local hospital Saturday night.

WWEDaily is truly sadden by the outcome and wishes the Misawa family our condolences.

WWE Daily has learned the passing an japanese legendary and founder of Pro Wrestling NOAH Mitsuharu Misawa, he collapsed in the ring following an “routine” belly to back suplex.

Th crowd, realized something went wrong went silent then began chanting Misawa’s name. It is believe that Misawa suffered from an heart attack following the move. EMTS attempted to revive him in the ring via AED in the ring and he was rushed out to an ambulance.

It is being reported that Misawa passed away at 10:10PM. There is an possible chance that he passed away before hand in the ring, but that is what reprots say.

PWInisder has more on the story, here.

Visitation for the Former WWF maganer John Tolos will be on June 3rd at the Crawford Mortuary located on 8717 Tampa Avenue in Northridge, California. Visitstion hours are between 5pm to 8pm. Call if you need direction: 282-349-9701.

The memorial service will be held on June 4th at St. Nicolas Greek Orthodox Church at 10 AM. Located at 9501 Balboa Blvd, Northridge, CA 91325

Also if anyone would like to send John’s son Chris a sympathy card, here is his address:
Chris Tolos - 23012 Bigler Street, Woodland Hills, CA. 91364-2705

John Tolos, who passed away on May 28 at the age of 78.

A legendary rough and rugged superstar who hailed from Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, he and his brother Chris entered the then World Wide Wrestling Federation, and the Tolos Brothers captured the United States Tag Team Championship from Gorilla Monsoon and Killer Kowalski.

Tolos entered the WWWF as a singles competitor in the early 1970’s and had a series of matches with WWWF Champion Pedro Morales in New York’s Madison Square Garden.

One of Tolos’ longest running feuds was with his arch rival WWE Hall of Famer Classy Freddie Blassie. Their battles were epic in every sense of the word, and one in particular in 1971 drew an enormous crowd to the Los Angeles Coliseum. Tolos was a mainstay in the Los Angeles area for over a decade.

In his later active years, Tolos returned to WWE in 1991. He called himself “Coach”, complete with whistle, and was a manager to WWE Hall of Famer “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig, in addition to the Beverly Brothers.