WWE Daily

WWE Daily reader Carol sent in the following:

I understand where the other person is coming from but not all people r going 2 sign autographs, no matter if they’re wrestlers, actors, ball players. I went 2 the Jun 20 IL raw house show, I worked 12 hour shifts 4 2 1/2 wks to pay 4 the tickets, gas, something 4 each of my girls 2 bring home 2. This was my bday present, my husbands fathers day present, our anniversary. I was inches away from touching Triple H as he left, but there was nowhere 2 go 2 try 2 c them 2 get autographs, trust me, I would have tried, but I know they’re tired & off 2 the next city. Its hard to please evry1 & its sad but u can’t fault only wrestlers.

Here is an WWEDaily reader understands how wrestlers work their tail off to entertain….”sports entertainment” for their fans. This reader has lumped all special days into “one day of dreams” for her entire family.

“Some hearts are bigger than others, when they too see the light”..thanks again for the great story and hopefully more too come….lol

Jim Ross has posted another update on JRSBarBQ.com, here are just an few snippets:

-It looks as if as many as one dozen candidates may run for Mayor of Memphis including several professional politicos. The African American vote in Memphis will be critical for Jerry Lawler and his opponents. From what I read in the Memphis media, some of the black candidates may divide a large segment of Memphis voters which might enhance the King’s chances of winning the election. Nonetheless it will be a daunting challenge for any candidate to win the October special election without an established, clear cut favorite and, unfortunately, it may be the candidate who spends the most money on TV and radio ads that “buys” their way into running the city of Memphis. The current Mayor is leaving office but will enjoy, from what I understand, an approximate $90K annual pension of which the Mayor of Memphis earns after one term in office or so it was told to me. The King has tremendous name identity in his home town but his path to City Hall won’t be easy and is going to require using a great deal of “shoe leather” and pressing the flesh and spending virtually every waking minute working on his campaign. I haven’t talked to Jerry in a couple of weeks but likely will soon, in Philly at the Night of Champions, and will be interested in seeing how his campaign is going.

-I got a nice email from “Hitman” Bret Hart a day or so ago and he is moving around very well with his new knee that replaced the original equipment several weeks ago. Bret is spending time in Calgary this summer and we were hoping to get together when WWE is in Alberta in a few weeks but that looks iffy due to our respective schedules. Bret and I stay in somewhat regular contact and I know he’s been keeping an eye on the Hart Dynasty which are now appearing regularly on Friday Night Smackdown.

-For those sites that cover our blogs, please do not print the entire blog as that sort of defeats the purpose of people visiting our site. This site is here to create traffic with the hopes of selling more of our products, plain and simple. If we can’t generate enough sales from our site then there is no reason to continue to put the work in maintaining this venture. Don’t get me wrong, I love communicating with wrestling fans and all those that visit us here but the cost of doing business isn’t cheap which is why I am not afraid to “ask for the order.” Thanks for your time and consideration.

Read the full entry at JRsBarBQ.com.

Win An Autographed Robe by TNA Wrestler Chris Daniels!

/UCWE/ - Journeying through the ranks of “Indy” promotions worldwide to being recognized as one of the rising stars of TNA (http://www.tnawrestling.com), among being a former four time “X-Division” champion, “Fallen Angel” Christopher Daniels, is renown throughout the world as a great ring technician. Wrestlers Rescue (http://www.wrestlersrescue.org) would like to give any fan or collector a chance to win a “TV/Ring Worn” robe signed by Daniels!
The auction will begin bidding today, July 13th, 2009, and will start at $150.00 US for this unique item that Daniels contributed in assisting Wrestlers Rescue in their “Dr. Death Campaign” to raise funds for former superstar and cancer survivor “Dr. Death” Steve Williams to obtain a “hands-free” voice device to help fight infections and to speak as a result of his stoma.

To place a bid on this auction, click here http://www.wrestlersrescue.org.

For more information about Wrestlers Rescue, the “Dr. Death Campaign”, and more, please visit http://www.wrestlersrecue.org.

Jim Ross has posted his newest thoughts on his personal website, JRSBARBQ. Com Here are a few details:

JR Speaks to Gerald Brisco:I spoke with my old friend Jerry Brisco on Friday and he was feeling better and looking forward to what he hopes will be his heart procedure next week in Tampa. As tests continue to be done and more info is provided Jerry, it has been discovered that he did not have any artery blockage whatsoever including his neck and that the sole source of his strokes was a result of a faulty heart valve along with a small hole in his heart both of which Jerry was born. It is amazing that Jerry was able to participate and succeed at such a high level athletically his entire life with a heart defect while showing no ill affects of the issue. Jerry’s speech, as a result of the stroke issues, has improved tremendously since I talked to him last but I told him that he would always sound like an Okie which I don’t perceive to be a bad thing. So the sole culprit of Jerry Brisco’s health issues was a heart issue that he was born with and that he has been living with his entire life. The hospital stay after surgery is generally only 1-3 days while recovery time for such procedures is 4-6 weeks as a rule. With that said, it will probably be 2-3 months before Jerry is back at 100% and with his ticker then operating without defects I suspect the former Oklahoma State Cowboy will feel better than he has in years. Jerry Brisco, is a deserving WWE Hall of Famer, who has been a major asset to WWE for many, many years and is a credit to the profession. Brisco’s eye for talent and his ability to recruit top quality athletes is an invaluable asset for WWE.

JR and his wife was invited to Michael Jacksons Estate: Many years ago I turned down an opportunity to join my wife, along with several WWE corporate types, at a private function at Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. I believe the occasion was a birthday party for a Jackson family member. My wife recalls the Jackson kids asking if “J.R. was o.k.” as that apparently was around the time Kane BBQ’ed yours truly. Many within the Jackson household followed WWE on TV regularly as Jan remembers getting bombarded with questions and some of the Jacksons have attended WWE events over the years. My wife recalls the experience as being a great deal of fun and remembers being pretty sure that she saw Michael in costume wearing a “fat suit” so as to not to distract from the other family member’s birthday celebration by causing a commotion amongst the visiting guests. Neverland Ranch was an extraordinary place for an individual’s residence even someone as unique as Michael Jackson. Coming off the untimely death of Jackson this week at only 50 years of age, in hindsight I wish I had accompanied the Mrs on this trip. Jackson was an impeccable showman with precision like timing and possessed amazing crowd psychology…..which are all enviable traits of a great wrestler in any decade past, present or future.

JR Remembers Farrah Fawcett: Farrah Fawcett and I had a mutual friend, the irrepressible John Paul Shellnut who resides in Houston, Texas and who is also great friends with Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top fame. JP put me on the phone with Farrah many, many years ago after I told him of my fascination of the woman who was considered at one time to be the sexiest woman in the world. Michael Jackson’s death seemed to have put Farrah Fawcett’s passing on the back burner which I feel is unfortunate. The reason is that Farrah battled cancer so bravely and that battle should be a great example for all of us when we are faced with major challenges in our lives. Farrah was fun and feisty with me on the phone and I was probably childlike in my brief albeit memorable conversation with her as she was out socializing with my pal JP. Farrah even sent us a signed photo that we have hanging in our J.R.’s Family BBQ in Norman where she wrote a lovely inscription in her amazingly artistic handwriting. Farrah Fawcett was an icon who kept her gifts of sex appeal and charming personality as her calling card for many years even though her talents reached much farther than simply appearing on arguably the most famous poster ever made.

JR Wants Lashley to WIN:Lots of ticket selling trash being talked about from big Bob Sapp who tangles with former WWE alum Bobby Lashley this weekend in Biloxi. Unless Lashley walks in front of a gigantic, Sapp right hand and/or attempts to trade punches with the one dimensional Sapp, Lashley should be able to take his much larger foe down and pound Sapp into submission Saturday night.

Read the full entry here.

Shane Helms has posted on his twitter that WWE star Paul Burchill brother passed away in Afghanistan.
Keep Paul Burchill in your prayers, he just recently lost a brother in Afganistan I believe.

Major Sean Burchill passed away last week stationed over in Afghanistan for Great Britian. You can read the Military Operations news article on Major seam Burchill here.

The WWE Daily sends out condolences and prayers for the Burchill Family.

WWEDaily reader Steve wrote:

Hey I found this site, and they have an exclusive interview of Mickey Whipwreck that you don,t have on your site. Maybe you can put it up. here is the link: http://forceofwrestling.com/fow-exclusive-interview-featuring-mikey-whipwreck/

Whipwreck comments on his past:

Any mistakes you have made in your20career that you wish you can go back in time to undo?

I wish that when I was hurt I took the needed time off and got the recommended surgery instead of having the I’m hardcore attitude. It definitely took a lot of years off my career.

-WWEDaily reader Aaron wrote:

-I thought you and WWEDaily.com readers would be interested in the following information:

Exclusive photos you can share: WWE women Out and About!

Check out Fight Club’s WWE Ladies in the Ring and Out of It photo gallery to see the lovely women of the WWE entertain fans and hit the red carpet.
http://www.msg.com/photos/wwe-ladies-in-the-ring-and-out-of-it/slide/1/

Jim Ross has posted on his JRSBarBQ website. here are a few snippets from his entry:

Brisco update:Gerald Brisco is feeling much better and after a “false start” regarding his lab work looks as if he will have his “valve job” for his ticker next week. In order words, Jerry Brisco is scheduled, as I write this, to have the small hole in his heart and the faulty heart valve repaired in Tampa next week. Jerry seems to have made a positive turn from the affects of his multiple strokes. The Brisco’s are tough and have always been winners and I can feel Jerry attacking this matter with the competitive edge with which he was born. Recovery time for all the native Okie’s health issues will likely be a couple of months, maybe a little more, but what some folks wouldn’t give to have a couple of months off and get away from the challenging, weekly travel schedule.

-This Week’s Smackdown:This week’s Friday Night Smackdown show is a really solid, two hour effort with lots of wrestling and some extremely entertaining interaction between Mr. McMahon and Theodore Long. You can judge for yourself Friday night but I think you will agree that the SD team created an awareness for The Bash PPV which it needed. With so many PPV’s makes it challenging to give all of them the time and TLC that they need to fully engage the consumer in buying them. I think that this Sunday’s PPV has a chance to be really good especially if the match times allow for compelling stories to be told.

-Smackdown at The Bash:SD has four bouts at The Bash which also includes Melina defending the WWE Women’s Title against Michelle McCool, this one will be physical if my instincts are accurate, and the Ziggler vs. Khali bout which might surprise us. I’m not saying it will be Brisco-Funk or HHH-HBK but still, Dick, I mean Dolph Ziggler vs. The Great Khali might offer a surprise. Or not.

-Y2J/Goldberg Altercation:Chris Jericho was telling the story in Milwaukee Tuesday night of the locker room altercation he had with Goldberg on Goldberg’s first night in WWE. I saw the incident and it was essentially over in the blink of an eye as Jericho grabbed a tight, front face lock on his larger adversary and then the mêlée was broken up. Jericho smiled when remembering that moment and many of the young guys seemed to enjoy hearing the story.

Read the full entry here.

The St. Petersburg Times reports that former WWF wrestler and Hillsborough County Commissioner Brian Blair was arrested in the early hours of this morning on two counts of child abuse.

Brian Blair, former WWF Killer Bee, now 52 was arrested shortly after 5 a.m. following an altercation with his two sons

-USA Network is doing everything they can to increase ratings because network exec Bonnie Hammer wants to win the cable ratings race every single week now that the NBA Finals are done. The commercial-free RAW is completely USA Network’s idea because they are in a ratings war with TNT and feel this will give them an edge. There is tremendous stress on the creative team right now because it’s their job to put together the best show possible next week to impress the (expected) increased audience

-George the Animal Steele will be appearing at the Burlington, VT Lake
Monsters on 9/2.

-Raw on Monday night did a 3.6 rating over the three hours. For its regular two hours the show did a 3.9 averaging 5.9 million viewers which makes this the most watched Raw since the night after Wrestlemania 25.

-MVP wore a Manchester United jersey (UK soccer team) during his entrance on Raw. We’re told it was part of a deal where a kid had made the request from the Make A Wish Foundation.

-TNA is now featured in the new www.YouTube.com/shows area that features
full length exclusive matches, classic matches and new editions of
Hermie’s Hotseat and the Spin Cycle.

-Matt Hardy posted a note on his Twitter page and updated his hand injury. “Getting better,” Hardy wrote. “My hand has healed to the point I can train again-so it’s time to buckle down

The most famous wrestling arena, The Madison Square Garden will be getting an estimated $500 Million Updgrade. For more information on the project go here.

Here is what is to be expected, on the completion of Madison Square Garden:

MADISON SQUARE GARDEN RENOVATION FACT SHEET

 Comprehensive, top-to-bottom transformation; significantly enhanced experience for customers, athletes, entertainers, fans and partners

 Renovation to include:

o Upgrade of the MSG experience, from the first seat to the last
o Beautiful new entrance which doubles in size and features interactive kiosks, retail, climate controlled space, and broadcast studio
o Public concourses doubling and tripling in size, some with spectacular city views
o Wide selection of food and beverage options, including Blue Seat Bar, Party Deck and Bridge, all which open directly to the arena bowl
o Larger, more comfortable seats
o Improved upper bowl sightlines that put patrons 17.5 degrees closer to the action
o State-of-the-art lighting, sound and LED video systems in HDTV
o Improved dressing rooms, locker rooms, green rooms, and production offices
o Additional bathrooms
o Building will be fully ADA compliant
o Homage to MSG’s storied history
o Maintaining intimacy of the arena bowl and MSG’s world famous ceiling
o Corporate offerings which include: 58 Lower Level suites that will be 40% larger and half the distance to events and include seats in the arena bowl and 20 Event Level Suites that offer a lounge/entertaining atmosphere
o Increased partner opportunities
 Project will generate thousands of construction jobs

 Renovation will be paid for in its entirety by Madison Square Garden

 Timeline: lower bowl expected to be ready for the 2011-2012 seasons and upper bowl for the 2012-2013 seasons

o Renovation will be done in phases with the majority done in the summer months to minimize disruptions
o Building will remain operational throughout the NHL and NBA seasons

 Architect: Brisbin Brook Beynon

 Construction Manager: Turner

Contact: Justin Edelman (212) 465-6442

Jim Ross has posted on his JRSBARBQ.com website here is an snippet from it:

Today marks the 11th year anniversary of the car accident death of my friend the Junkyard Dog, Sylvester Ritter. Dog was never a great wrestler but had a magnificent presence, charisma, and was a superbly effective communicator. The WWE HOF’er became a star in Bill Watts’ Mid South Wrestling under the learning tree of Watts and Ernie Ladd. No doubt that next week the JYD memories will be prevelent when WWE is in New Orleans & Lafayette. I sure miss my dominoe games with Dog and The Big Cat. I am honored. to have know both men and they both taught me so much about African American athletes. JYD died in a car accident on June 2, 1998. I can’t tell you the hell Watts caught from many white, wrestling promoters because of the way Watts positioned JY and Ernie in the Cowboy’s company. The Junkyard Dog will always be know as one of wrestling’s greatest “attractions.”

-WWE Diva Candice Michelle has posted on her Twitter that she will be returning to the ring sometime this month.

Here is what she wrote:

Great news…I will be back in the ring this month!

China’s ONLY Pro Wrestling Online Radio Show www.wrestle-network.com and its owner Daddy Shawn sat down and talked to former IWGP Champion and K1 fighter Bob Sapp about his appearance for Planet Battle. June 4th Bob Sapp will be in attendence to scout on his opponent in November. Bob Sapp also talks about his up-coming fight with Bobby Lashley as well.

The Aiken Standard has an interview with WWE superstar Ted Dibiase Jr. One excerpt:

What was it like growing up with the Million Dollar Man as a father?

It was really cool. For show and tell, I was the coolest kid because I got to bring the million dollar belt to class. It was kind of hard to tote it around because it was so heavy.

Read the complete interview here.

-WWE puts on show in Las Cruces

-Chris Jericho gives his input on Star Wars character Darth Maul in Episode I, Read his comments here.

- Mr. Kennedy is backstage at tonight’s Raw show. . It remains to be seen who will be the fifth person added to the big 10 man tag, but Kennedy being at the show has started some speculation that he could be filling the remaining open spot.

Mick Foley has posted on his official myspace:

Bar-b-que with JR, steaks with the Funker
I had a great time on the TNA house show loop in Oklahoma City and Amarillo, Texas. Oklahoma, as anyone who’s watched wrestling over the last couple decades could tell you, is JR country. Indeed, of all the people who ever worked in the WWE offices, no one ever liked the state of Connecticut less, or was more overjoyed to go back home than good ol’ JR. I know it was probably not the most politically correct of wrestling moves on either of our parts, but JR and I got together in full view of many fans who happened to be dining at JR’s restaurant before heading down to the matches. But, hell, I’ve known JR for almost twenty years now, and it’s a friendship that is bigger than wrestling politics. I had a great time catching up with JR and his lovely wife Jan, and was glad to bring along a couple of the TNA guys who were looking forward to a chance to shoot the breeze with a true legend of our business.

Speaking of legends and Oklahoma - Danny Hodge was at the show. For those who came along a little too late, or who may not be fully up to date on wrestling history, Danny Hodge was one of the true greats in the business, and on anyone’s short list of the toughest men to ever step foot inside the ring. Danny’s hand strength was legendary, and I heard stories of how he could bring grown men to their feet with a simple handshake.

Things were looking tough for me the following night in Amarillo. Scott Steiner was not pleased about my selection as the special guest enforcer at ringside, and let me know about it in an in-ring promo that nearly saturated my large frame with saliva molecules. I told Steiner that ordinarily I might be intimidated by his choice of metal head attire , but that this was no ordinary night. No, because on this night, for the first time in recorded wrestling history, the Special Guest Enforcer had a Special Guest Enforcer! Enter the Funker, striding slowly, but confidantly to ringside to join his hardcore protege in the always difficult task of watching a match from the side of the ring.

Afterward, a bunch of us broke bread with Terry, his wife Vicky, and Jolie Ayres, the daughter of one of Terry’s very best friends, former San Francisco 49er, the late John Ayres. We may well have been the most culturally diverse group of people to ever walk through the door of an Amarillo Steakhouse; two African Americans, an Iranian, a Samoan, and an assorted cast of white guys. A good time was had by all.

I’ve got to tell you - I’m getting quite a kick out of a couple of youtube videos I’ve seen of the almost impossibly voluptuous Trina. Not only is she a rare treat for the eyes, but her wrestling promos are really funny in a believably bitc*y type of way. I talked to Dave Lagana, the former WWE writer who has worked with her quite a bit, and he said she was passionate about the business, and, all appearances to the contrary, fun and easy to work with. I think she could really be someone to watch for in the future. But, if you want to watch her now, you can go to youtube.com/trinamichaelsvideos

Now, it’s on to Sacrifice. Sure, I’m a little nervous, but I will call upon the same vast supply of intestinal fortitude that carried me to victory over former world champion Rocky Balboa, to guide me to an emotionally satisfying outcome inside the six-sided ring. Thanks for reading - I will post something again soon, if there’s anything left of me to write with after my first pay-per-view match with Kurt Angle.