WWE Daily

To Lance Storm, pro wrestling is an art form and the ring his canvas. No matter the promotion, he painted a number of masterpieces throughout his career, earning the respect of fans and peers with his unmitigated technical prowess.

After spending two decades perfecting his skills, the veteran passes his knowledge to wrestling students at his Storm Wrestling Academy in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and others.

When Ring of Honor makes its Toronto debut on Friday, July 25, Storm will speak with ROH stars, lending advice. He will also follow the group to Detroit the following night for its pay-per-view taping.

”I’m really excited about it,” Storm said. “It’s an amazing atmosphere. The crowd is its own different entity, and it’s so much more energetic than a lot of other promotions. It’s a lot of fun to be around, and the locker room is really cool, too. I’m looking forward to doing it again.”

The last time Storm was part of ROH he had a classic confrontation with Bryan Danielson. This time Storm, 39, is retired from active competition. So his ROH return will be a non-wrestling role. Storm confronts, helps aspiring talent

-What does a 400-pound WWE Superstar read on his down time? Anything he wants…especially when that anything comes from the House of Ideas.

“The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry stands tall as one of World Wrestling Entertainment’s fiercest, most destructive forces and—after recently taking the title during Night of Champions—the reigning ECW champion. But Henry is one giant soothed not by music, but by Marvel Comics.

“I’ve been reading comics since I was a young kid,” recalls Henry. “But I’ve been more serious as an adult because it’s the only thing that entertains me other than wrestling. It’s so interactive and you can take your mind to a place that is real to you.” Fightin’ Fanboys: WWE’s Mark Henry

Promoting his new book! Former WWE Superstar and Governor Jesse “The Body” Ventura was seen by TMZ photogs the other evening on tour to promote his new book. Jesse’s book, “Don’t Start the Revolution Without Me” was released April 1 and is classic Ventura. It is filled with conspiracy theories and “unspoken” topics. For instance, Jesse speaks about being warned not to talk about the Kennedy assassination.

…and claims that during a trip to Dallas as governor a police officer warned him to avoid talking too much about “things that certain people don’t want brought to light.

If I get my hands on a copy, I’ll do a full review, as it looks like it may be extremely interesting. You can read more about the book here, and can see the Jesse give it back ot the TMZ photographers here.

According to Amazon.com, Ventura’s book was released on April 1,2008.

Wow! A few hours away from the computer and all hell breaks loose. First, and probably most importantly, Jeff Hardy has once again been suspended. This is his second violation of the Wellness policy, meaning that he has to spend 60 days away from wrestling. One more suspension and he will be fired. Again. Well, alright, technically last time he chose to leave at the same time that he was going to be let go for refusal to go into drug rehab and because of his bad behavior during shows.

On the other side we’ve got Jake “The Snake” Roberts, who will be getting out of his third stint in rehab. The 52 year old was the first former wrestler to take advantage of the Rehab program that the WWE set up after the Benoit tragedy. He granted an interview to Chris Yandek of CYInterview.com discussing how he feels and his future. Here are a few quick excerpts:

“First off I want to say, thanks to the WWE I have a new lease on life. I feel like I’ve truly exercising the demons I carried for so many reasons. Without the help of Vince McMahon and company I wouldn’t have had it. It’s been very expensive. It’s been very intense. It’s been a whole lot of damn hard work. Truth be known the first time I went to rehab and the second time I went to try to save a job. This time I truly went to save my life.”

CY: Was the time easier for you in there, I know you still have some time left – because you had the company of Scott Hall and Ron Simmons who were also still there with you?

JR: “Well, they pretty much keep us apart from each other and rightfully so. They’re trying to get us to work on our own stuff. We see each other in between breaks and stuff but that’s about it. I can’t cure Scott Hall or Ron Simmons and they can’t cure me. Just as luck would have it we’re all in there together. I will say it’s great seeing those guys in there because they’re man enough to say I need help too. My addictive mind said Jake you’re a pussy if you can’t beat this on your own. Jake you’re not a man just if you can’t say no. Well, Nancy Reagan can kiss my ass. Just saying no is a bunch of bullshit because it is much more than that when it becomes an addiction and you have to do the things the right way. These people have worked hard very hard with me and very hard with everybody there to open all the doors they need to, to clean up those closets to clean up that mess. Not only does it need cleaning up but show us this mess will grow again if we don’t deal with it and deal with it properly and deal with it daily.�?

CY: There are a lot of rumors going around that you’ll be part of this year’s WWE Hall of Fame group. Can you confirm or deny this?

JR: “I have not heard any truth to this at all. It makes me laugh. The times I use to get pissed off by these things then I go on the internet and for Christ sakes I’ve been dead four or five times and gosh I am still here. It bothers me sometimes a little bit more than others. This especially because it’s a special time in my life, need to clean, get right, and the doors are opening. No I have not been contacted in any way by them about anything that’s going on the net. That’s the damn thing about this damn internet. There is a lot of good things on there but there is a whole lot of bullshit on there too.�?

For more of the interview, and for a pic of our favorite snake wrangler with the interviewer, head here

Ric Flair calls out HBK in the beginning of this 3 hour Raw. He tells HBK that he wants 100% of teh show stopper for WrestleMania. HBK says that he considers himself to be Mr. WrestleMania. It is announced taht Flair will take on Edge and the Edge Heads on Smackdown on Friday in a 3 on 1 match. HBK one ups it and says that he will be Flair’s partner on Friday, making it a 3 on 2 match instead.

Randy Orton comes out and we’re unfortunately reminded that he’s “in charge” this week. He says that almost all of the matches tonight will be WrestleMania re-matches.

Match #1: Wrestlemania 22 Rematch - Casket Match
Undertaker VS Mark Henry

Undertaker gets Henry in a submission hold, blood comes from his mouth. Undertaker kicks Henry as he rolls into the open casket. The refs closed the casket.

WINNER: Undertaker

Triple H wants WrestleMania gold. At WM 23 he was out due to an injury inflicted by Randy Orton. HHH never got his rematch and claims that this year, its personal.

Match #2: Mr. Kennedy VS Finlay

JBL comes out and accepts Finlay’s match at WrestleMania for a Belfast Brawl.

Finlay upset and, disturbed by JBL’s disruption of his match, attacks Kennedy with his shileliah repeatedly. The ref comes down and calls the match.

WINNER: by DQ - Kennedy

Make A Wish - 50 wish kids from 50 states hosted by Raven Simone at WrestleMania. By next month, John Cena will have granted 100 wishes from the Make A Wish foundation, which is the most that have ever been granted by one superstar from the WWE. Cena says, “The cure for any illness is happiness.”

Match #3: Intercontinental Championship match
Jeff Hardy VS Chris Jericho

Hardy - twist of fate and missed the swan-ton-bomb! Jericho hits the code breaker!

WINNER: Y2J - New Intercontinental Champ!

Iron Sheik and Nikoli Volkoff come out with Barry Windham and Mike Rotunda to do a WM I rematch! Too amazing! Unfortuantely Jillian comes out and croaks “born in the USA” and Rotunda picks her up in an airplane spin, Jillian leaves, and the match never really goes on (but it was really great to see these older wrestlers!)

It is announced that Jack and Jerry Birsco will be 2008 Hall of Fame Inductees. They recently opened Brisco Brothers, a body shop in Tampa, FL.

Match #4: Wrestlemania 15 Rematch
HHH VS Kane

WINNER: HHH via pedigree as Orton watches

John Cena says that he beat all of the odds in returning to the WWE as early as he did, and will defy all odds again by winning the gold.

Match #5: Wrestlamania Pre-Match

Melina w/ Glamazon VS Maria w/ Candice Michelle

Santino comes down to the ring carrying a copy of Maria’s Playboy issue. He rips up the magazine and gives Melina the opportunity to pin Maria.

WINNER: Melina

Santino leaves with Melina and the Glamazon

Money Mayweather has taken the WWE logo and has flipped to it mean Money Mayweather Entertainment. Shane McMahon announces the weight in ceremony. Big Show is the only athlete to hold the ECW, WWE, and heavyweight titles, while Floyd Mayweather is 35-0, 24 by KO.

Mayweather - 159 lbs.
Big Show - 441.4 lbs

Big Show sees that Mayweather has brought his “posse”, so he has brought a “posse” as well, all WWE superstars who wanted to see the 20 million dollar man. Big Show announces that he can see two scenarios at WrestleMania. The first is that he takes pity on Mayweather and lets him live to fight another day. The second is that if Mayweather continues to disrespect Big Show, he can “guarantee” that Mayweather will never box again.

Mayweather tosses some $100 bills around and says that at WM 24 “I will break your jaw”. Mayweather’s posse leave big show, who picks up Mayweather and tosses him out of the ring. All hell breaks loose versus the posse and the superstars. Shane McMahon takes a tumble as well. As a result, Mayweather “hurt his right arm”. Will he wrestle for WrestleMania?

Match #6: Edge VS CM Punk

CM Punk gets distracted by the Edgeheads, which gave Edge the time for a spear.

WINNER: Edge

Vince McMahon now has a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, and will be inducted on March 14, Friday, at 11:30 a.m.

Match #7: Wrestlemania 23 Rematch
HBK VS John Cena

HBK pushes Cena into the turnbuckle, Orton comes out of nowhere and knowcks out HBK. He pulls Cena into the ring and sets up a chair for an RKO. Cena throws Orton onto the chair instead.

Next HHH will be in charge of Raw and Cena will not be going one on one, they will be put in a tag match against the whole Raw Roster!

Now THAT’S going to be something to see!

Heath Ledger wasn’t a wrestler, but he’s earned the contempt of one. Today the Ultimate Warrior went on a rampage about Heath’s death, claiming that the actor killed himself and that now his daughter is better off because of it. He calls Heath “Leather Ledger” and calls Brokeback Mountain “Bendover Brokeback”. Now, I’m not a fan of the movie (I’ve avoided seeing it), but I recognize that Heath is an actor, and do not condone anything that the Ultimate Warrior said.

To see video og warrior on Ledger, click here.

Here is the post from his blog:

In the interest of full disclosure, I must tell you I have watched Brokeback Mountain no less than 45 times and I own the Limited Edition DVD, signed by Willie Nelson a short time after he wrote that queer cowboy song as a tribute to the courage of the producers and actors who broke such incredible creative ground when they made their agenda-less movie. Serious. Until I saw Bendover Brokeback, Braveheart was my favorite movie. But the love scenes of Brokeback sucked me right in and I had no choice but to give myself over to the passion of its wide open range, if you get my drift. Such courage this young man and his collaegues have. Reminds me of the courage of classic movie stars, where during the War they enlisted and flew bomber planes and fought on frontlines, then came back and picked up their lives and careers right where they left off, without anti-American sentiment, whining and complaining, or self-destructive self indulgence. I’m equally inspired.

Apparently, Leather Hedger had sleeping troubles and anxiety and dealt with terrible mood swings. So do soldiers but they don’t self-destructively f*** up their lives. In fact, they don’t sleep, handle anxiety and mood swings while dealing with whether or not they might at any moment lose their life. And they do this all the while they are dangerously protecting the freedom of others to f*** up their own. By the way, how many 28 (or older or younger) year old soldiers met their death yesterday? It’s not easy to find out. None of them made the headlines of any news.

By today’s standard, though, I do have to agree that he was a great father. Perhaps even greater then the father of the year, Hulk Hogan. After all, Leather Hedger did what it took to kill himself. His kid is without a father, yes, but the negative influence is now removed and his own child has the chance for a full recovery. Hogan, on the other hand, won’t go quite that far. He insists on sticking around to keep further ruining, and profiting off of, the parentally mismanaged lives of his own children.

It is sad and tragic … that we don’t demand attention be paid to greater things.

Yeah - greater things - like the fact that under all the paint and makeup, the Ultimate Warrior is an asshole…

Source

To see why the Ultimate Warrior is the way he is, click below;
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The Hulkster has rebuttled with his own paperwork about the divorce against Linda. He has said that he believes that both and and Linda are able to support themselves and that there should be no need for the money accrued to be divided. He also says that he believes that Nick is old enough to make his own decision about who he should live with, but that he feels the best thing for Nick would be to be raised by both parents.

Here is the petition Hulk’s attorney has prepared:hogandivorcepetition.pdf
You can see the story, here.

This is Scooter’s wife, Randi - I’m the one reading and doing the review on Bret Hart’s autobiography. Scooter will be reading it too, but it takes him a lot longer to get through a book than it does me (the man is always busy!). Anyway, I figured I’d give a partial review because it’s going to take me awhile to get through the book.

DISCLAIMER: I am a wrestling fan - there are some wrestlers that I love, and some that I don’t. I will be honest and say that I don’t know all of the finishing moves and I also don’t know who every single wrestler has been since the beginning of time, but I do know a lot about the world of wrestling from my research and I had absolutely NO strong feelings either way about Bret Hart going into the reading of this book, so this is a thoroughly impartial review

Let’s stat with how big this book is. I am a very avid reader and usually have a book finished in less then three days. I started reading this on Monday, however, and I am only a quarter of the way through it. This book tricks you, because it is 553 pages long, which is a respectable amount for any book to be, but the words are so tiny that, should the print have been normal sized, the book would have easily reached over 1,000 pages. I can only guess that the publishers figured people wouldn’t buy the book if it was that long, so they made the print smaller to compensate.

In the beginning, Bret gives readers a very good look into what life in the Hart household is like. He talks about not being able to get any homework done because of the noise, and of Stu throwing one of his kids down the stairs when he started a fire in the attic. He talks about how he got to go to his first wrestling match when he was 4, and how his first job was handing out programs.
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Shocker of shockers, guess what’s happened?! Joanie Laurer, known to the WWE fans as Chyna, has gone to court in order to have her name offically changed to Chyna!

When she left the WWE, she was told that she could not use the name Chyna because it was “owned” by the WWE and by Vince. Instead, she went by the name Chyna-doll, and that’s how she was known.

Something’s going on with Chyna - first she takes her dog breeder to court, now she’s standing up to Vince! Way to go Chyna! According to TMZ, Chyna had this to say after she recieved her documentation making her new name official:

“Do I want to go back to get abused by you and get punched in the head every day and have people not stand up for me besides the fans? No. Would I like to go back for one day representing myself and all these people to kick your ass and your ass only? Cause you are the boss, right Vince? Then I would love to do it. You know my number. You know where I live, obviously. And you know my name. Bring it, Vince!”

You can see the article on TMZ here. TMZ also has a video up - I haven’t been able to see it yet (for some reason it’s not loading), but keep checking back…I’m sure it will load soon!

Note to Chyna: GOOD FOR YOU! I’d love to interview you more about what happened when you were let go - your true fans deserve to know the truth!

EDITED: Finally watched the video - it’s good. Chyna’s obviously still upset (and who can blame her) and she REALLY wants Vince to go after her. Something makes me wonder if - maybe - just POSSIBLY - she’s the Save_US.222? Could Chyna be coming back to WWE?

Nah…..although it’d kick ass if she did.

Remember how yesterday I reported that the WWE had a whole “scoop” up about the Montreal Screw Job? Get ready for part 2!! Today the WWE has got Part 2 of the story up for your enjoyment. Go here to read it - trust me, it’s worth it.

On to Nick Hogan: TMZ is reporting that John Graziano is being moved to a veteran’s hospital instead of staying at Bayfront Medical Center. Graziano has been at Bayfront Medical Center since the accident two months ago. George Tragos, the lawyer of John’s mother, has stated that Graziano is being moved to the James A. Haley VA Hospital in Tampa at the request of the Veteran’s administration due to cost reasons.

Okay - time to stick my nose in - they’re moving Graziano due to COST reasons. Has the Hogan family offered to pay for his medical necessities since their son was the one driving the vehicle that caused the crash? If I was John’s parent, I would demand that the bills get taken care of, or supplemented, by the Hogan family, so that John can get the best care possible.

With WWE hitting on the “Hitman”, is Vince feeling guily. On WWE.com they have a few photos of the “Montreal Screwjob” way back when.

This event happened on Survivor Series on November 9, 1997 at the Molson Centre (now Bell Centre) in Montreal, Canada. This screwjob in wrestling terms happened when HBK had Hart in a sharp shooter (Bret’s signature move). By orders of Vince McMahon, Earl Hebner, referee for this match, called for the bell even thou Bret had not submitted. HBK was declared the winner by submission and the new WWF Champion.

The rest is history.

Way back when Viince was already in the business ( he had purchased WWF silently from his father) about three plus years he was running it while out any one knowing, except for Bret Hart.

Also WWE has the complete match of Bret Hart VS Shawn Michaels at Survivor Series 1997, the birth place of the “Screwjob” in Montreal. Click here.

For more of the Montreal Screwjob
Carefuly examine each and every photo. Each photo tells its own story.

Source

Vince and Linda McMahon gave an interview just recently to CNN. During the interview they discussed a lot of things; from the amount of time performers have to stay on the road to how they feel about the Benoit situation. There are so many things that were said in the interview, and let me tell you this: Vince didn’t shut his mouth for one moment. The man answered (or half-answered) every question that the interviewer could throw at him.

I’ll give you some of the highlights, but I highly suggest that you take some time to read the entire interview, to be found here.

Here are a few of the things that caught my eye:

GRIFFIN: When you found out initially that he was dead, without knowing how, you decided to switch the show that night, and you came on, and this was going to be a tribute to Chris Benoit.

VINCE McMAHON: Right, and to his family.

GRIFFIN: Talk me through that decision. You guys with Mr. [Owen] Hart’s accidental death, you unfortunately had some experience in these kinds of things. But you made the decision right then to make it a tribute show.

VINCE McMAHON: Right, it was a last-minute split decision, obviously, to do that. We had footage, a lot of it, from Chris Benoit’s performances in the past, and again, everyone was in a state of shock. I don’t think any performers really felt like performing, because as far as we knew, someone had killed Chris and his entire family.

There was no thought that Chris could have done this, given, again, the fact that he was a mild-mannered person. So based upon that information we very quickly put together a tribute show.

GRIFFIN: Then you came on that next night and said, I’m going to be the last one that says Benoit’s name in this ring.

VINCE McMAHON: Well, again when after something like this is over and you find out, you know, the facts, regardless of whether or not we had been fooled, or whatever it may be, to put on a tribute show, the fact of the matter, that anyone who becomes a murderer, I mean, you want to disassociate yourself with that individual, there’s no question about that, from an emotional standpoint, a business standpoint, everything else.

Chris Benoit will not, and has not, defined WWE. You know, our job is to entertain people all over the world, and we do that. To me it’s the, the second greatest job you could possibly have, the first one being curing cancer or whatever it may be as a, as a research scientist or a doctor.

GRIFFIN: As a leader of an organization of wrestlers, guys who get hit in the head a lot, is that concerning?

VINCE McMAHON: Well, let me just say something about this report from a layman’s standpoint, and the report states that Mr. Benoit, Chris Benoit had a mind of an 85-year-old individual suffering from dementia, that was the quote.

So I would, as a layman certainly wonder whether or not that report has any credibility because if you’re an 85-year-old and you suffer from dementia, you can’t do what Chris Benoit did for a living. It’s impossible. You can’t function as a normal human being in terms of even getting to the airport to come to work.

So, I would question whether or not that information is accurate if they define what his problem was as an 85-year-old with dementia.

GRIFFIN: Right. Are you concerned, at all, of the pace or the lifestyle of your performers?

VINCE McMAHON: Let me just say this in terms of the pace. The average top talent in World Wrestling Entertainment wrestles approximately 120 days a year. Those that are under contact to us, and being paid, obviously, sums of money that are not top talent, wrestle an average of 70-some days a year.

I don’t know about you, but compared to the average person out there, that’s a pretty good gig. Hundred and twenty days a year, on average, if you’re a top talent.

I’m jumping in here to say that he says the talent WRESTLES 120 days a year - but doesn’t it take time to get to the matches? I vaguely remember, when Tough Enough began, the trainers saying that you had to be on the road over 270 days a year…anyone else remember that?

GRIFFIN: Do you think you’ll ever find out that it (the Benoit Tragedy) was connected in any way to his job?

LINDA McMAHON: I don’t think so.

VINCE McMAHON: Well, it might be connected to his job from the standpoint that, let’s face it, this job takes you away from home. You are away from home.

And if there were problems with that, problems with a marriage, of Chris Benoit leaving his home to have to go to work, on a weekly basis as many salesmen do year in and year out here in this country and other countries, then that could have been one of the marital problems. We’ll never know.

There is tons more to be found at the interview here. Seriously - take some time and read it - I guarantee you’ll walk away with some kind of view about Vince McMahon.

I caught the Family Feud special today that aired on Monday. It was funny to see King Booker and Queen Sharmell on the Feud when they’re no longer a part of the WWE family. Here are a few of my observations:

- Mr. Kennedy is actually fairly intelligent.
- Queen Sharmell has a nice voice when she’s not screeching “KING BOOKA”.
- Maria is a dumb blonde masquerading as a red-head.
- Candice Michelle is hot - oh yeah, and she’s pretty smart too.
- Rick Flair can still “WOOO” a crowd.
- John O’Hurley thinks he’s halarious. He’s not.

It was a pretty good show. I haven’t watched the next episode yet (thank God for DVR’s), but I’ll be sure to let you know what I think of it! Meanwhile, check out this blast from the past - the WWF stars vs. Body Builders!!

On WWE.com, I believe they have found their number one fan of the WWE Fanation from around the world ( well Ummm..eerrr… I think so..:))

Maurice Weber has dubbed his 1952 Chevy Deluxe as a WWE Master-Piece. This chevy has been immortalized with WWE Superstars and Diva galore.

Here are pics of his Chevy Deluxe:

To watch this tribute , click here.

WWE Fanatic, Maurice Webster

Here is a clip of The Montreal Screwjob. One of the Most controversial event in the life of Bret Hart and the WWE. Was Vince justifial in telling Bret to lose his belt in Montreal, in his own town? Was Earl Hebner, the WWf referee true to his word on swaering on the life of his kids?

Bret Hart, Montreal Screwjob, Youtube

Rumors abound that Ric Flair has quit the WWE, but has he really?

The most up-to-date gossip rags say that he walked out one evening because he was frustrated that he wasn’t getting any action. He felt that the WWE wasn’t pushing his character at all, and that he was become obsolete.

Officials at WWE are saying that they’re “in discussion” with Flair about his future, so is he in, or out?!

If he’s out, TNA is standing by, ready to snatch up the aging superstar.

In my opinion, he’s an amazing wrestler. But every dog has his day, and I think it’s time for Flair to step down. He’d be an awesome wrestling teacher, as he has so much to give to the younger generation. He could make them TRUE wrestlers, and teach them about “old school” wrestling. Maybe he could hook up with Dory Funk or Harley Race.

What do you think?

Ric Flair, WWE