Professional Wrestling (WWE, TNA, ROH, etc)

[koberulz]

When the idea of bringing back DX had come up, Shawn Michaels decided to do what was right for business and go through with the angle. He was said to be somewhat against the idea but apparently had changed his mind and seemed to not care about the DX antics.

However, now it seems as if his personal beliefs are being met with conflict. Earlier today, we found out that Shawn Michaels had a close meeting with the WWE in regards of the current state of DX. Michaels has asked that he please be pulled out of this angle as soon as possible or at least around SummerSlam. This story is just coming in so we have not received a response yet from WWE officials or anyone else from the WWE. Word has it that there will be some furious people that HBK will have to deal with.

yet he was perfectly fine having god as his tag team partner?

The past two Great American Bash PPVs have been some of the weaker WWE PPVs in recent memory and while the company mindset is to get over that stigma, few believe that it can. In the locker room apparently, the consensus is that at the end of spring every year, SmackDown! is either robbed of talent by RAW (and ECW this year) leaving the brand void of credible main eventers, or many established stars are injured and/or forced to go on hiatus (like Kurt Angle in 2004 and JBL this year).

As revealed at the SmackDown! tapings, Great Khali will face Undertaker in a "Punjabi Prison" match, for which the rules have not yet been announced. As has been reported also, a promo video has leaked on-line for the PPV mentioning Batista going up against Mark Henry. So far, these are the only two matches set in stone.

While it could still change, it looks like Booker T will take on Rey Mysterio, and the feeling there is that Booker T might win the championship and be a transitional champion to Batista by dropping it to him at Summerslam and playing off their heavily publcizied fight from a few weeks ago.

Other matches rumored right now are Brian Kendrick & Paul London defending their WWE Tag Team Championship against Kid Kash & Jamie Noble, Finlay or William Regal taking on Bobby Lashley, & either Super Crazy versus Psicosis or a triple threat for the Cruiserweight Championship involving the former Mexicools and champion Gregory Helms. Naturally, as we get closer to the PPV, more spoilers, plans, and rumors will be revealed.

Credit: Pro Wrestling Torch & Pro Wrestling Insider

--On Monday's RAW it looked as if the fake Kane had been given the brush off by WWE after he was effectively man handled by the real Kane, but it seems those plans may have changed. After noting his weekly MVP pick (Edge) on WWE.com, Ross implied that we may have not seen the last of the imposter: "The Imposter Kane got kicked to the curb, or actually out the back door, but for some reason I don't think we have seen the last him. Just warning you." There was talk after Monday's angle that the fake Kane would not be returning, but there is also a possibility that the angle may continue.

--TNA has added some of their new shows to iTunes. They have added editions of iMPACT! for $1.99 + tax. While the USA Network is on iTunes as well, they do not have any WWE programming available.

--As we reported last week, TNA has shut down their official discussion forums on TNAWrestling.com. It appears they are trying to focus more on their MySpace site, because the company has always tried to integrate the online hot trends into their Internet presence.

[Andrew]

yet he was perfectly fine having god as his tag team partner?

I agree, that seems somewhat hypocritical.

[Yessie]

Agreed. The Kane gimmick should retire with Jacobs. It was his only successful gimmick after all the crap he's had to settle with (Isaac Yankem, Fake Diesel)

LOL i forgot about the fake diesel.

[Null17]

wow. i'm really disappointed with RVD. the least he could do was not get caught smoking pot when he was champ. At least this'll probably mean the end of the whole WWE vs ECW title clusterfuck that's been going on.

[koberulz]

The Ironton Tribune is reporting today that Rob Van Dam and Sabu were arrested Sunday night as they were driving from yesterday's ECW show in Huntington, WV to tonight's Raw taping in Philadelphia, PA. RVD was driving the car near Hanging Rock, OH when they were pulled over for speeding. When the trooper approached the car, he smelled marijuana and performed a search. The story reported that RVD, real name Robert Szatowski, was found to have 18 grams of marijuana and five Vicodin in his possession.

The story also stated that Sabu, real name Terry Brunk, "was charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and also had nine pills that were not immediately identifiable, but were known to be controlled substances, according to the OSHP." They were cited and posted bond at the scene. They are both scheduled to appear at 10 a.m. on Thursday in Ironton Municipal Court.

Obviously, marijuana would fall into the "illegal drugs" category and is a violation of the policy. WWE does not include marijuana in their "random testing" unless there is "reasonable cause" to do so. However, it is included on their list of prohibited drugs under the following listing:

"Illegal drugs. The possession, use, and/or distribution of any drug made illegal to possess, use and/or distribute by the laws of the United States of America and/or any of its fifty states is prohibited by this Policy."

As for Vicodin, which Van Dam allegedly had in his possession, that would fall under the category of "prescription drugs" and WWE's policy has a section regarding the non-medical use of such drugs, stating:

"For purposes of this Policy, the phrase “non-medical use” shall mean use of a drug by a WWE Talent for other than a legitimate medical purpose pursuant to a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician. Prescriptions obtained over the internet and/or from suppliers of prescription drugs from the internet shall not be considered to have been given for a legitimate medical purpose."

So, if Van Dam does not have a legitimate prescription from a physician for the Vicodin, he would be violating the policy.

While most of WWE's policy outlines the steps involved in testing for drugs, and the consequences of a positive test, item 13 of their policy is very clear on the punishment for violating the law:

"13. DISCIPLINE FOR VIOLATION OF LAW

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

--A deal is being put together that would bring Hulk Hogan back on WWE television. He would engage in a feud with Randy Orton. A Hogan vs. Orton match is tentatively scheduled to take place at SummerSlam. When Orton did some media appearances in the UK last week, he believed that his match with Hogan would be taking place at Wrestlemania, but it looks like it will be rushed for SummerSlam. An angle was teased on RAW last Monday when Brooke Hogan's music video aired, and then WWE quickly cut to a backstage shot of Orton smirking as he was watching the monitor. The basic gist of the angle is that Orton would psychotically pursue Brooke. This would lead to Hulk Hogan coming out to defend his daughter. WWE may even run with Randy Orton and Brooke Hogan becoming an onscreen couple - which of course would drive The Hulkster crazy. The latter scenerio would seem far too rushed to be ready for SummerSlam, however, its being said that the angle is being hotshotted at this point. Everyone besides Hulk is said to be negative towards the angle. The angle would bring her an incredible level of exposure, however, WWE has a negative stigma. The feeling is that if she goes through with the angle, it will give her an even more difficult time of being taken seriously in the music industry because most people see her as a publicity stunt (being Hogan's daughter). If she appears on a wrestling show, she will probably become more of a joke of an act in the eyes of people outside of professional wrestling. Also note, Hogan's WWE contract gives him full creative control on both angles and finishes.

--In a possible sign of things to come, the advertised card for the August 14th ECW show in Salisbury, Maryland has only one match, Sabu vs. Test, listed as an Extreme Rules match. In the original ECW, all matches were under Extreme Rules.

[[Q]]

Agreed. The Kane gimmick should retire with Jacobs. It was his only successful gimmick after all the crap he's had to settle with (Isaac Yankem, Fake Diesel)

HAHA
I remembered Isaac Yankem DDS (lol his DDT finisher was called the DDS) and he was "friends" with The King. He helped the King during his battles with Bret Hart. (Remember the "Kiss My Foot match"??)

The fake Diesel was god awful. please don't mention that ever again. I had completely forgotten about that.

[Andrew]

Looks like RVD blew his big break, though in some ways it might be a blessing in disguise. They had their "moment" with ECW triumphing over WWE, now it's time to focus on making the brand work on its own.

[Srbija]

I remember the time when Triple H asked Shawn Michael's to form DX again and he gave him the shirt of DX to wear, then a few moments later they came into the ring and they just about as they were going to do the DX taunt, Triple H done a pedigree to Shawn Michaels.

Anyway, Triple H sucks and so does the new DX.

Thank you.

[John WB]

Looks like RVD blew his big break, though in some ways it might be a blessing in disguise. They had their "moment" with ECW triumphing over WWE, now it's time to focus on making the brand work on its own.

Yeah, looks like he was punished straight off the bat. At least he's still ECW Champion.

[koberulz]

Anyway, Triple H sucks and so does the new DX.

Thank you.

care to explain why?

[Null17]

Looks like RVD blew his big break, though in some ways it might be a blessing in disguise. They had their "moment" with ECW triumphing over WWE, now it's time to focus on making the brand work on its own.

How he and Rey Mysterio were booked as champs were quite bad anyway. They both came out really weak.

[Andrew]

I think now would be as good a time as any to end the brand split, save for WWE and ECW. I know I've said that before but this would be a golden opportunity. Let ECW do its own thing with RVD or whoever as the champion and unify the belts (keeping the title history of the belt Edge currently holds active) and shows, because Smackdown is looking really weak these days with RAW and ECW taking some of the top talent. One brand, two shows as in the old days will eliminate that problem while providing wrestling fans with four hours of wrestling action.

If both shows are utilising all the talent, it should also mean that there'll be more of a balance in promos and wrestling. DX might mostly do skits on an episode RAW but then they'll have a much on Smackdown, for example. It worked in the old days, after all.

[Yessie]

Looks like RVD blew his big break, though in some ways it might be a blessing in disguise. They had their "moment" with ECW triumphing over WWE, now it's time to focus on making the brand work on its own.

Yeah, looks like he was punished straight off the bat. At least he's still ECW Champion.

Big Show your NEW ECW champion.. RVD suspended 30days.

[Andrew]

A month into the ECW project and it's already going down the tubes. At this rate, I wonder if it will keep going past the initial eight week commitment the Sci Fi network made.

Caught RAW today. I know a lot of people disagree but the DX stuff is hilariously juvenile. I have to hand it to Vince, his expressions during his humiliation in the ring was priceless. A shame HBK wants out of the angle.

[Null17]

I don't get the candice thing though....isn't she supposed to be on Vince's side?

[Andrew]

Yes, but that would be acknowledging continuity and that hasn't been the WWE's strong suit for years.

[J@3]

I loved the bit where HHH sent HBK away to go look for Mr Fuji when the girls stripped with his whole God bothering thing it fit in well. I didn't realise he wanted out though DX are the only decent thing the WWE has going for it at the moment.

[koberulz]

I don't get the candice thing though....isn't she supposed to be on Vince's side?

what happened? i missed RAW due to a dentist appointment, managed to catch most of the DX stuff on Youtube, but didnt see anything to do with candice. mind filling me in?

[koberulz]

Goodbye ECW....

--The old ECW referee crew is apparently gone after last night as WWE is going to use their own refs. The refs will have an opportunity to come back when ECW returns to the Northeast again.

--Apparently all ECW Rules matches will have to be assigned to the particular match because as of last night, all matches are run under WWE rules unless stated otherwise.

--Vince McMahon is more hands on with ECW right now than the flagship Raw show, reports Dave Meltzer.

What in the blue hell are they smoking? (anyone who mentions the RVD incident will be shot)

--WWE felt forced to get both the WWE and ECW Titles off of Rob Van Dam following his drug bust. With media outlets like the New York Times picking up the story, it became impossible to ignore the situation.

--Brooke Hogan's musical representatives think Brooke doing a WWE angle would turn her into a joke.

[Andrew]

what happened? i missed RAW due to a dentist appointment, managed to catch most of the DX stuff on Youtube, but didnt see anything to do with candice. mind filling me in?

She came out to talk to HHH about the video truck and they both got, shall we say, "orally serviced" by a couple of girls in DX shirts. Not the greatest skit of the night, HHH's squeezing of a mustard bottle to suggest ejaculation was probably the highlight since as far as sophomoric humour goes that one's a classic. An admittedly pointless skit overall though.

I loved the bit where HHH sent HBK away to go look for Mr Fuji when the girls stripped with his whole God bothering thing it fit in well. I didn't realise he wanted out though DX are the only decent thing the WWE has going for it at the moment.

"I love Mr Fuji!"

It'll be a shame to end it quickly because the way they're pulling it off is really entertaining. If anything, HBK's new personal beliefs that come through in his character make things more fresh and interesting with HHH doing the risque stuff and HBK playing off him in the "straight man" role.

I forgot to mention Coach getting sent flying off the stairs of the video truck, HBK's "Where are you?" acting and then the shot of Coach lying awkwardly on the ground. Possibly one of the most hilarious things I've seen on RAW in months.

[koberulz]

sounds like i'll be taping this one.

[Null17]

If they are gonna extend the DX run....they should pass the torch to the younger guys and then later on kick HBK and maybe HHH out...since it's kinda weird seeing a 39 and 41 yr old men doing these things...especially if the other one is a little hesitant

[afgshady]

when did this candice thing happen cuz last time i watched raw dx was banned from the building and they messed with the mic when people were talking i never saw the candice thing

[Andrew]

If they are gonna extend the DX run....they should pass the torch to the younger guys and then later on kick HBK and maybe HHH out...since it's kinda weird seeing a 39 and 41 yr old men doing these things...especially if the other one is a little hesitant

I wasn't aware either of them were in their 40s just yet, I thought HBK was around 36 and HHH was also in his early 30s. It might be a bit out of place but I think they're carrying it well; it's not so much that the characters are immature, they've been screwed over by Vince and are trying to piss him off by any means necessary.

Besides, it hardly makes less sense than the Boogeyman or Paul Burchill wanting to be a pirate (though the latter was admittedly entertaining).

when did this candice thing happen cuz last time i watched raw dx was banned from the building and they messed with the mic when people were talking i never saw the candice thing

It was the skit before HBK and HHH were in the video truck getting ready to take control of the show.

[Null17]

Good point. At least they're younger than Batista or at least the same age