The General Wrestling Thread

[EmpireWF]

WWE sent out a press release and held a press conference to announce the switch to just being known as WWE.

Vince said they will look to acquire production/content companies while pushing their own abilities in live event production, licensing and production.

He said they are moving forward to start their own TV network within the next 12-18 months and have talked with a variety of potential distributors.

Closest he ever came to saying WRESTLING:

“The new business model of the company better reflects what WWE is all about, being a global entertainment company,” stated Vince McMahon, Chairman and CEO, WWE. “We will always be loyal to our core business that made WWE a globally known entity, however, the future of WWE will be the addition of new entertainment content opportunities beyond the ring.”

The release also mentioned that HHH is the head of a new talent development department. The first guy signed by the department was Mistico.

----

The LA Times had a line in their coverage where they wondered if WWE was setting themselves up to be purchased by a bigger company:

Some analysts wonder whether WWE wants to grow to position itself for an eventual sale. There are very few independent programmers left, and with its healthy balance sheet WWE might be attractive to one of the bigger media companies. Also, McMahon is 65, and although he's still going strong, there hasn't been a clear heir apparent since his wife, Linda, resigned as chief executive in 2009 to pursue a political career.

At the moment, McMahon, who with his family is controlling shareholder, doesn't sound like a seller.

"We're very independent-minded," he said. "I don't see that happening."

[Warner2BruceTD]

The LA Times is lost. Steph & HHH have been pegged to take over when Vince croaks for years. And Vince will work until he's dead.

And lol@giving HHH credit for Mistico. Great stuff.

[Warner2BruceTD]

Oh, and as I've always said, if Vince can find a way to not do matches at all and still make money, he will do it. The man is a wrestling promoter who hates wrestling. But he has failed at every other thing he has ever tried to do.

HHH will run things more like a wrestling business when Vince is gone. And I bet Shane gets back in the fold, too.

[LiquidLarry2GhostWF]

The company trying congeal its entire portfolio of "entertainment" sure sounds like a sell move, to me...but knowing McMahon, he'll never sell or be bought by big wigs.

He just hates wrestling, for some weird reason.

[IamMedellin]

still an awesome promo vid

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKe-ghkabuY&feature=related"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKe-ghkabuY&feature=related[/ame]

[EmpireWF]

Yeah, both of those videos were nice. Stupid of them to not air them on the RAW before when they have over 5 million people watching.

[IamMedellin]

recent Austin interview

When asked about how active he got filming Tough Enough he said: ” One of the kids was pretty mechanically inclined, so I got in there with him…and shoot, I guess that means I haven’t been in the ring in seven or eight years…but I took a few bumps from him, gave him a few bumps, it was a lot of fun. I think if we do it again, I think I’ll be even more active and get in the ring a lot more.”

He was also asked about WWE stars appearing on Tough Enough and said: ” Absolutely, the Rock came by, several of the guys came by. I think we had a WWE Superstar come by every week and talk to the kids about a different subject. We were fortunate to have a lot of visitors from the WWE roster.”

In talking about WrestleMania he said: “This is a special Wrestlemania. I thought it was going to be a weak effort this year, but they’ve put together a monster card. Undertaker and Triple H, Undertaker trying to extend his streak. I’m coming in, Rock’s coming in to host. We’ve got some other great matches, it’s a loaded card, it’s a great event. I love Atlanta and I’m coming to raise hell.”

He was asked why he thought the show was going to be weak initially and said: ” They’re pretty thin on talent, they’ve had some injuries. They’ve brought the Rock in to host it. They brought me back. I didn’t know if the Undertaker was going to make it, he’s had some injuries. Triple H is getting back in the ring. Until they brought all those players out they had a lot of green guys.”

He was asked about possible return he said: ” I could still, you know if I was in a bad situation, I could still get two years out of my carcass on a full-time basis.” He then added, ” But I’m happy where I’m at. And in ten or twenty years I still want to be doing the things I’m doing with my hunting and fishing. I want to continue to do that in a pain-free fashion. And right now I’m living a pretty pain-free lifestyle.”

He was asked about CM Punk and said: ” I really like C.M. Punk. I think he’s one of the top workers in the ring. I love his promos. I love his style. There’s no smoke and mirrors. I like the straight-edge lifestyle stuff he does. You want to start pairing that against the beer-guzzling “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, I think you’d have an interesting feud to say the least. He would push me to the limits, I would teach that kid a thing or two, and there would be some wonderful promos going back and forth. I like him a lot.

WWE's 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin on 'Tough Enough,' Wrestlemania | XFINITY TV News

Id pay to see that

[EmpireWF]

Apparently, Hogan is going to film a new reality show (because the genre has treated him so well) about teaching dwarfs/midgets/little people/etc. how to wrestle.

Just saw a headline so don't know if it's true or what the fuck.

[krulmichael]

Apparently, Hogan is going to film a new reality show (because the genre has treated him so well) about teaching dwarfs/midgets/little people/etc. how to wrestle.

Just saw a headline so don't know if it's true or what the fuck.

I wouldn't doubt if it was. Over Spring Break round this time last month I saw him at the Club promoting a midget federation...actually found a video of it online. Crazy that I got to see the Hulkster. Skip to 41 sec mark.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T92fkKrSX1E"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T92fkKrSX1E[/ame]

[SHOGUN]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7rt9FAsAgo"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X7rt9FAsAgo[/ame]

[Nature Boy]

From TMZ:

Wrestler Hospitalized After Strange Performance

4/9/2011 11:55 AM PDT by TMZ Staff

Former wrestling legend Scott Hall (or Razor Ramon, as he was once known) was hospitalized after a low-rent wrestling event in Massachusetts during which he clearly was not all with it.

A rep for Hall tells TMZ he is currently in the hospital being treated for cardiac issues. The rep says Hall will be in the hospital for at least three more days while doctors check him out.

The rep says doctors are looking into the various meds Hall is taking -- 10 in all, for various ailments.

Hall's appearance at a Top Rope Promotions event last night was sketchy to say the least -- he looked clearly out of it the entire time and it took him 10 minutes, with the help of a few police officer, just to leave the ring.

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su8cbULm1bI&feature=player_embedded"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su8cbULm1bI&feature=player_embedded[/ame]

[SuperKevin]

That's just depressing. I give it 3 more months until he's the next wrestler to die

[Kuzzy Powers]

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su8cbULm1bI"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Su8cbULm1bI[/ame]

Lol.. Scott Hall a complete mess.

[SuperKevin]

Wow. a repost only 2 posts apart. Is that a new record?

[JayDizzle]

Nash was tweeting earlier about how he was at the hospital where they're keeping Hall.

NWO 4 Life isn't just an expression for those two it seems.