Update on former WWE developmental talent Mack "Daddy" Johnson

-- Thanks to James Young of The Dark Match for sending this in:

Former WWE Developmental Talent turned Country Singer/Actor Mack "Daddy" Johnson will be coming out of retirement to say goodbye to his wrestling fans and to have one more Professional Wrestling match before he continues his new Country Music/Acting Career.

A special guest tag team parter will be announced to team up with Mack Johnson for his last match and the opponents have yet to be named.

Mack Johnson, who had to retire and give up his WWE Contract due to injuries, is now currently traveling around the Southern State's performing his country music at various country shows, and is currently filming a movie with Tommy Lee Jones, John Goodman and the legendary musician, Buddy Guy in Louisiana.
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WWE Spring Cleaning '07

By Art Shimko
shimko_7@hotmail.com

-- Four wrestlers were released from WWE this past week:
- Sabu (this could be for the best, Sabu's broken down and in major pain... plus his high spots were scary to watch as it looked like he would lose his balance on the top rope or not make it over the ropes after slowly leaping off a steel chair in the ring. Maybe Stevie Richards can take his place on the Originals team.)
- Rob Conway (It's a shame, this guy had lots of potential and was in line to come to ECW in the La Resistance tag team but then Conway got his walking papers. TNA or ROH might get this guy, TNA more likely.)
- 2 Cold Scorpio (Scorpio never even made it to TV, I think he did a dark match here and there, otherwise Scorp was sitting at home collecting checks.)
- Vito (Good riddance!)
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World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. Reports 2007 First Quarter Results

Revenue Increase of 13%
STAMFORD, Conn., May 3, 2007 ­ World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE) today announced f inancial results f or its f irst quarter ended March 31, 2007. Revenues totaled $107.4 million as compared to $95.1 million in the comparable prior year quarter. Operating income was $20.6 million as compared to $14.3 million in the prior year quarter. Net income was $15.1 million, or $0.21 per share, as compared to $9.5 million, or $0.13 per share, in the prior year quarter.

"We are very pleased with our results for the first quarter of 2007 as revenue continues to show year-over-year growth," stated Linda McMahon, Chief Executive Officer. "In addition to the increase in revenue, many of our key metrics, which illustrate the overall presence of our products in the marketplace, continued to improve. Also in the quarter, we expanded our wireless presence with an exclusive mobile content agreement with AT&T, which will provide our fans wireless access to everything WWE," continued Mrs. McMahon.

"Subsequent to the quarter we experienced tremendous success with our sold-out WrestleMania® 23, which was witnessed by more than 80,000 fans live and achieved a record number of pay-per-view buys for WWE®. With successes like WrestleMania 23, we anticipate the remainder of 2007 to be just as exciting as the first few months have been," concluded Mrs. McMahon.

Comparability of Results

Our effective tax rate of 35% in the current quarter was significantly lower than the 45% rate in the prior year quarter. The prior year effective tax rate was high due to state and local tax examinations.

Results By Business Segment

The following chart reflects net revenues and profit contribution by segment for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and March 31, 2006. (Dollars in millions)

Three Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
Net Revenues 2007 2006
--------------------------------- ----------------- ------------------
Live and Televised Entertainment $ 63.0 $ 61.3
Consumer Products 37.4 28.9
Digital Media 7.0 4.9
WWE Films - -
----------------- ------------------
Total $ 107.4 $ 95.1
================= ==================
Three Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
Profit Contribution 2007 2006
--------------------------------- ----------------- ------------------
Live and Televised Entertainment $ 23.7 $ 23.8
Consumer Products 23.6 18.5
Digital Media 2.0 1.4
WWE Films - -
----------------- ------------------
Total profit contribution $ 49.3 $ 43.7
================= ==================
Profit contribution margin 46% 46%
----------------- ------------------
Live and Televised Entertainment

Revenues from our Live and Televised Entertainment businesses were $63.0 million for the current quarter as compared to $61.3 million in the prior year quarter, representing a 3% increase.

Live Event revenues were $18.2 million as compared to $17.0 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to an increase in North American average attendance.
There were 71 events, including 8 international events during the current quarter as compared to 72 events, including 11 international events, in the prior year quarter. All of the 8 international events in 2007 were buy-out deals with guaranteed fixed revenues.
North American average attendance was approximately 6,900 in the current quarter as compared to 6,000 in the prior year quarter, an increase of 15%. The average ticket price for North American events was approximately $36.30 in the current quarter as compared to $33.60 in the prior year quarter.
Pay-Per-View revenues were $15.8 million as compared to $17.1 million in the prior year quarter. There were three Pay-Per-View events produced in each quarter.
The details for the number of buys (in 000s) are as follows:

Three Months Ended Three Months Ended
Events (in chronological order) March 31, 2007 March 31, 2006
-------------------------------- ------------------ ------------------

New Year's Revolution(R) 220 294
Royal Rumble(R) 491 548
No Way Out(R) 218 219
------------------ ------------------
929 1,061

Prior events (28) 122
------------------ ------------------
Total 901 1,183
The North American retail price of our Pay-Per-View events was $39.95 in the current quarter as compared to $34.95 in the prior year quarter. This increase in price partially offset the decline in the number of buys reported in the current quarter.
Venue Merchandise revenues were $5.2 million as compared to $4.4 million in the prior year quarter, primarily reflecting the increase in North American attendance and an increase in per capita spending by our fans of approximately $0.80 to $11.30 in the current year quarter.
Television Rights Fees revenues were $21.9 million as compared to $20.7 million in the prior year quarter. This increase is primarily due to the rights fees received from our ECW telecasts in the current quarter. ECW began airing on the SCI FI Channel in June, 2006.
WWE 24/7(TM) revenues were $1.0 million as compared to $0.3 million in the prior year quarter. The increase in revenues reflects the growth in the number of subscribers for this video-on-demand program.
Consumer Products

Revenues from our Consumer Products businesses were $37.4 million versus $28.9 million in the prior year quarter, representing a 29% increase.

Home Video net revenues were $13.4 million as compared to $12.4 million in the prior year quarter. We shipped over 140,000 DVD units of The New and Improved DX, which represented our best selling title in the current quarter.
Licensing revenues were $20.6 million as compared to $13.3 million in the prior year quarter, primarily reflecting increases in videogame and toy related sales. Videogame revenues increased by $4.3 million, reflecting the strong sales of our SmackDown® vs. Raw® 2007 title. Revenues related to toy sales increased by approximately $1.9 million in the current quarter.
Magazine publishing net revenues were $2.9 million, essentially flat to the prior year quarter. In the current quarter we published three magazines as compared to six magazines in the prior year quarter. In July 2006 we began publishing WWE Magazine, which replaced our two former magazines, Raw and SmackDown.
Digital Media

Revenues from our Digital Media related businesses were $7.0 million as compared to $4.9 million in the prior year, representing a 43% increase.

WWE.com revenues were $2.8 million as compared to $2.2 million in the prior year quarter, reflecting additional revenues from our wireless content.
WWEShop revenues were $4.0 million as compared to $2.6 million in the prior year quarter, primarily due to a 64% increase in the number of orders processed during the current quarter. The average amount spent by our customers per order was approximately $49.00, which was consistent with the prior year quarter.
WWE Films

Our third feature film, The Condemned(TM) starring Stone Cold Steve Austin, was released domestically on April 27, 2007. Our first two feature films, See No Evil(TM) and The Marine(TM), were released in 2006. WWE does not participate in any revenues associated with these film projects until the print and advertising costs incurred by our distributors have been recouped and the results have been reported to us. Accordingly, no revenues have been recorded to date.

Profit Contribution (Net revenues less cost of revenues)

Profit contribution was $49.3 million in the current quarter as compared to $43.7 million in the prior year quarter. Total profit contribution margin was approximately 46% for both the current and prior year.

Selling, general and administrative expenses

SG&A expenses were $26.4 million for the current quarter as compared to $27.0 million in the prior year quarter.

EBITDA

EBITDA was approximately $22.9 million in the current quarter as compared to $16.7 million in the prior year quarter.

Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities was $24.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2007 as compared to $17.8 million in the prior year quarter.

Business Outlook

In lieu of providing specific financial guidance, we have expanded the depth of our business metrics, and made these available to investors on a monthly basis on our corporate website - corporate.wwe.com. Additionally, as a specific point of reference, the Company has targeted 2007 EBITDA growth of approximately 12% over the prior calendar year for the payout of management bonuses.

Note: World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. will host a conference call on May 3, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss the Company's earnings results for the first quarter of 2007. All interested parties can access the conference call by dialing 800-894-5910 (conference ID: WWE). Please reserve a line 15 minutes prior to the start time of the conference call. A presentation that will be referenced during the call can be found at the Company web site at corporate.wwe.com. A replay of the call will be available approximately three hours after the conference call concludes, and can be accessed at corporate.wwe.com.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWE - News) is an integrated media and entertainment company headquartered in Stamford, Conn. Additional information on the Company can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com.

Trademarks: All World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, and logos are the exclusive property of World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. and its subsidiaries. ECW is a trademark owned by WWE Libraries, Inc. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include the conditions of the markets for live events, broadcast television, cable television, pay-per-view, Internet, feature films, entertainment, professional sports, and licensed merchandise; acceptance of the Company's brands, media and merchandise within those markets; uncertainties relating to litigation; risks associated with producing live events both domestically and internationally; uncertainties associated with international markets; risks relating to maintaining and renewing key agreements, including television distribution agreements; and other risks and factors set forth from time to time in Company filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Actual results could differ materially from those currently expected or anticipated.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Income Statements
(dollars and shares in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

Three Three
Months Ended Months Ended
March 31, 2007 March 31, 2006
--------------- ---------------

Net revenues $ 107,391 $ 95,078

Cost of revenues 58,097 51,420
Selling, general and administrative
expenses 26,361 26,994
Depreciation and amortization 2,352 2,374
--------------- ---------------

Operating income 20,581 14,290

Investment income, net 2,298 1,998
Interest expense 108 142
Other income, net 406 984
--------------- ---------------

Income before income taxes 23,177 17,130

Provision for income taxes 8,039 7,676
--------------- ---------------

--------------- ---------------
Net income $ 15,138 $ 9,454
--------------- ---------------

Earnings per share - basic :
Net income $ 0.21 $ 0.14
--------------- ---------------

Earnings per share - diluted:
Net income $ 0.21 $ 0.13
--------------- ---------------

Shares used in per share calculations:
Basic 71,041 69,885
=============== ===============
Diluted 71,853 70,940
=============== ===============
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
As of As of
March 31, December 31,
2007 2006
------------- ------------
ASSETS

CURRENT ASSETS:

Cash and equivalents $ 76,495 $ 86,267
Short-term investments 178,909 161,889
Accounts receivable, net 44,505 52,113
Inventory, net 3,866 3,049
Prepaid expenses and other current
assets 19,440 13,803
------------- ------------
Total current assets 323,215 317,121

PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET 67,527 67,972

FEATURE FILM PRODUCTION ASSETS 54,278 53,560

INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET 2,971 3,328

OTHER ASSETS 12,835 11,304
------------- ------------

TOTAL ASSETS $ 460,826 $ 453,285
============= ============

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Current portion of long-term debt $ 877 $ 862
Accounts payable 14,428 14,909
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 22,221 25,837
Deferred income 21,650 20,166
------------- ------------
Total current liabilities 59,176 61,774

LONG-TERM DEBT 5,574 5,800
NON-CURRENT TAX LIABILITY 10,377 -

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Class A common stock 234 233
Class B common stock 477 477
Additional paid-in capital 290,327 286,985
Accumulated other comprehensive income 1,009 666
Retained earnings 93,652 97,350
------------- ------------
Total stockholders' equity 385,699 385,711
------------- ------------

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 460,826 $ 453,285
============= ============
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

March 31, March 31,
2007 2006
--------- ---------
OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 15,138 $ 9,454
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
provided by operating activities:
Revaluation of warrants (352) (1,012)
Depreciation and amortization 2,352 2,374
Realized loss on sale of investments - 555
Amortization of investment income (123) (565)
Stock compensation costs 2,118 1,407
Provision for doubtful accounts (50) 289
Provision for inventory obsolescence 550 530
Provision (benefit) for deferred income taxes (443) 430
Excess tax benefit from stock-based payment
arrangements (20) -
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable 7,657 13,223
Inventory (1,367) (759)
Prepaid expenses and other assets (6,502) (3,586)
Feature film production assets (718) (799)
Accounts payable (514) 465
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 5,363 (4,254)
Deferred income 1,608 1
--------- ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities 24,697 17,753
--------- ---------

INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Purchase of property and equipment (1,488) (1,807)
Purchase of other assets (62) (875)
Purchase of short-term investments (21,667) (931)
Proceeds from sales or maturities of short-term
investments 5,000 50,015
--------- ---------
Net cash (used in) provided by investing
activities (18,217) 46,402
--------- ---------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Repayments of long-term debt (211) (195)
Dividends paid (17,056) (16,628)
Issuance of stock, net 369 243
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 626 8,885
Excess tax benefit from stock-based compensation
arrangements 20 -
--------- ---------
Net cash used in financing activities (16,252) (7,695)
--------- ---------


NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH
EQUIVALENTS (9,772) 56,460
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD 86,267 101,314
--------- ---------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 76,495 $157,774
========= =========
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Supplemental Information - EBITDA
(dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)

Three Three
Months Ended Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
2007 2006
------------ ------------

Net income reported on U.S. GAAP basis $ 15,138 $ 9,454

Provision for income taxes 8,039 7,676
Interest and other, net (2,596) (2,840)
Depreciation and amortization 2,352 2,374

------------ ------------
EBITDA $ 22,933 $ 16,664
============ ============
Non-GAAP Measure:

EBITDA is defined as net income from continuing operations before interest and other income, income taxes, depreciation and amortization. Although it is not a recognized measure of performance under U.S. GAAP, EBITDA is presented because it is a widely accepted financial indicator of a company's performance. The Company uses EBITDA to measure its own performance and to set goals for operating managers. EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to net income, cash flows from operations or any other indicator of World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.'s performance or liquidity, determined in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.
Supplemental Information - Free Cash Flow
(dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)


Three Three
Months Ended Months Ended
March 31, March 31,
2007 2006
------------ -------------

Net cash provided by operating activities $ 24,697 $ 17,753

Less cash used in capital expenditures:
Purchase of property and equipment (1,488) (1,807)
Purchase of other film library assets (62) (875)

------------ -------------
Free Cash Flow $ 23,147 $ 15,071
============ =============
Non-GAAP Measure:

We define Free Cash Flow as net cash provided by continuing operations less cash used for capital expenditures. Although it is not a recognized measure of liquidity under U.S. GAAP, Free Cash Flow provides useful information regarding the amount of cash our continuing business is generating after capital expenditures, available for reinvesting in the business and for payment of dividends.
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Free WWE Tickets for Virginia Tech students

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/virginiatech

WWE is offering complimentary tickets to Virginia Tech students for this Sunday's "WWE Raw & The Condemned present WrestleMania Revenge" in Roanoke. To claim their free ticket, Virginia Tech students must show their valid student ID at the Roanoke Civic Center box office on event day (Sunday, 5/06/07). (One complimentary ticket per VT student ID.) Show time is 3 p.m. & doors open at 2 p.m.

More information

Smackdown spoilers from Birmingham (Wrestling Observer)

Wrestling Observer/Original article

Boogeyman (and Little Boogeyman is back with him) b William Regal. Both David Taylor and Kane were involved in this

Jimmy Wang Yang b Gregory Helms

Brian Kendrick b Domino

Fit Finlay b The Miz

Matt Hardy b Mr. Kennedy (which to me ups the possibility Kennedy winds up as champ sooner than later)

MVP b Kane when Regal & Taylor interfered

Undertaker vs. Batista for the title will be a cage match in Pittsburgh on Tuesday

Teddy Long interviewed Dusty Rhodes about being his assistant. It was all done for comedy with Dusty thinking he was taking over.

Pro Wrestling/Mixed Martial Arts news and notes 5/02/07

By Art Shimko
shimko_7@hotmail.com

-- Pro Wrestling/Mixed Martial Arts news and notes 5/02/07

-- Stanley Shenker, whose company provided licensing for WWE, and James K. Bell, a senior VP of licensing and merchandising in WWE, were both sentenced to prison in Bridgeport federal court for taking part in a kickback scheme that cost WWE $1 million. The sentencing that took place on Tuesday resulted in Shenker receiving 33 months in prison, three years of probation and owing $2.8 million in restitution to WWE and Bell receiving an eight-month sentence, three years of probation and must pay a $6,000 fine and more than $950,000 in restitution. Both men defrauded WWE when Shenker paid Bell close to $1 million between 1998-2002 and concealing the payments, and Shenker used fake invoices to write off the expenses when filing taxes. The fake invoices had stated that Bell had earned the money for consultation.

-- From WWE.com: Matt Cappotelli, former Tough Enough winner and Ohio Valley Wrestling Champion, underwent brain surgery today to remove a growing brain tumor. Doctors called the surgery a success.

-- Following a Raw house show at Freedom Hall in Johnson City, TN this Friday, an after-party will be held at Gatsby's with metal bands Down From Up, Seventh Seal, and Shadows Of Light performing. Admission is $7 and the bands begin at 10:30PM.

-- The Las Vegas Sun has an article on Mike Tenay discusses how he became interested in wrestling and also reveals that Tenay hit a milestone in his broadcasting career by appearing on his 2,000th wrestling show on TV recently. "I have considered every day I have been on TV a bonus," Tenay says. "I consider myself fortunate to have fallen into this job. But I don't think of myself as having been lucky. I was opportunistic. And when my time comes to leave, I hope I can be the gentleman Gordon Solie was."

-- The opening match for CZW's Tournament Of Death VI this June will be Necro Butcher vs. "Simply Marvelous" Mitch Ryder in a no rope barb wire match. The finals will be 200-light tube lumberjack match where the participants will have to go through the lumberjacks, retrieve the TOD trophy and bring it back to the ring.

-- Mike Quackenbush will be wrestling at ROH's 6/9 show in Philadelphia.

-- J.R.'s latest blog

-- Aspiring professional wrestlers, and their fans, live their dreams in Lawrenceville

-- Wrestling Reality power slams Shiretown

-- Wrestle-mania in Decatur

-- Ex-doctor reaches deal in steroid case

-- Tito Ortiz will be a special guest at an Armed Forces Day program at the Banning Armory [99 E. Ramsey St.] in Banning, CA on 5/19 where he'll speak at a ceremony and do a meet and greet with soldiers. The event begins at 9AM PST. "It is a privilege for me to be invited to this event," said Mr. Ortiz. "I try to support our troops in any way I can and will continue to do so. Whatever I do, however, doesn't even come close to what our guard and other soldiers do for us every day. My heart is always with the families of those who serve our country and especially with those whose loved ones have made the ultimate sacrifice."

-- Tito makes an appearance on MadTV this Saturday (11PM EST) where he'll be in a mock deodorant commercial.

-- Five Ounces of Pain: Conversation with Tito Ortiz, Part I

-- Sean Sherk on fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr. in an MMA match: I don't think that fight would last longer than a minute, to be honest with you. And I don't think he should be talking about something that he can't back up, because I'll fight him tomorrow. I literally would, if they called and asked me to fight Floyd Mayweather, Jr. tomorrow, it's done. He's not going to fight me though, and he's just running his mouth. I don't really respect that a whole lot."

-- Matt Lindland will be hosting the The Team Quest Northwest World Team Grappling Qualifying Trials on 5/19 at Olympia High School in Olympia, WA. 15 men and 12 women will qualify for the U.S. Grappling World Team Trials in Las Vegas on 6/8-6/10. From there wrestlers will advance to the World Wrestling Games in Antalya, Turkey on 9/7-9/9.

-- I.D. Systems, Inc chairman and CEO Jeffrey M. Jagid joined the IFL Board of Directors on Tuesday. Jagid, who joined I.D. Systems, Inc in 1995, became the company's CEO in 2000 and chairman in 2001.

-- An IGN interview with FL Battleground co-host and former Miss Georgia and 2005 Playboy Playmate of the Year Tiffany Fallon.

-- Mixed Martial Arts Coming to the Big Screen

-- Local promoter not keen to have King of the Cage come and 'invade his territory'

-- The Iceman looks to end UFC string of upsets when he meets Rampage Jackson
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See what the ECW Originals think of Vince McMahon winning the ECW Title

-- Click Here~!

Two WWE wrestlers injured

By Art Shimko
shimko_7@hotmail.com

-- Dr. James Andrews has been busy early this week examining two WWE wrestlers suffering recent injuries. Former ECW world champ Bobby Lashely has had an injured shoulder for some time now but at Sunday night's Backlash pay-per-view his injury was aggravated in a handicap match against Umaga, Vince and Shane McMahon. Dr. Andrews' examination determined that Lashley has a damaged rotator cuff though surgey won't be necessary. According to Figure 4 Weekly (www.f4wonline.com) Undertaker also went to see the good doctor on Tuesday because he has a torn biceps. It's possible that the biceps tear is full and that Taker may need the rest of the year off. Taker is scheduled to be at the Smackdown tapings this evening and a possible title change may take place.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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AS I SEE IT 4/30: The New WWECW champion...and giving it all away

AS I SEE IT
Bob Magee
Pro Wrestling: Between the Sheets
PWBTS.com

Vince McMahon as WWECW Champion (I refuse to refer to it by the name he does...period). No wonder my eyes are all red, and my nose is running this Monday morning as I add this paragraph. I'm having an allergic reaction to egotistical booking...or is it pollen? My bet says egotistical booking.

Menawhile, in Orlando....Think about it...coming off of their last PPV, Sting vs. Kurt Angle as the Main Event, a dream match for many mainstream fans...what were the ratings for this IMPACT?

1.0.

With Vince suffering a dip in post-Wrestlemania RAW and Smackdown ratings, TNA had an opportunity to reach outto fans and proved again their ratings are stuck at 25% of WWE's.... at 1.0.

If you want further proof of the mood within TNA, witness this comment from a well-known TNA figure who was at an independent booking a couple of weeks ago. A PWBTS writer, who hadn't seen IMPACT in a few weeks, asked this performer who [they] worked with in TNA. [The worker]asked our writer "Don't you watch the show?" The writer answered "No". [The worker] responded with "Ehhh, nobody else does either".

Nice to see how TNA wound up Christopher Daniels, who finished up with Ring of Honor this past Saturday in Chicago Ridge, IL. Ring of Honor played off of it by having him cut a heel promo by praising TNA and "quit" Ring of Honor, claiming in the promo that he wished he never had returned to the company after TNA pulled him following the last time they had attacks of jealousy over Ring of Honor (but blamed it on the Rob Feinstein incident).

Just gives fans one more thing to be pissed off at TNA about, and I don't mean in storyline. It is sort of amusing that Gabe Sapolsky did the windup heeling out someone who's going to TNA, and claiming they're going for the money.

> From Anthony Gonzalez from Lawton, Oklahoma :

"' how dare u insult tna u dumb mark. stfu already. at least they put on great performances and have great storylines.'

Wow what am I saying? TNA fans are very oblivious to the truth. Let me just start of by saying how great of a job you have been doing in writing your columns. Every time I ready, I feel myself agreeing to everything you have to say about TNA.

It is a shame to see TNA fans think that their company is not letting them down. It was the head honchos in TNA who called them WWE employees on the WWE's payroll. Though, it is hard to convince them what is going on because they are very emotionally stuck to TNA. I watched TNA last week, and I had to ask myself, "'hy do people even bother watching this crap when they know it is going to suck.'

Judging by the comment by the TNA worker above and the 1.0 rating, apparently not that many.

"One of my main problems though with TNA fans is that they say TNA uses young talent. My God please help me, look at the main event at lockdown. 3 out of the 10 guys from the main event were actual fresh talent from TNA. The rest were either from the old WWE, WCW, or ECW. Also, look who got the pin in the main event, Sting..................again.

I would continue on, but I think I have vented enough of my anger for now. Keep up the good work, and don't let those TNA 'fans' get to you".

TNA isn't using its main strength...the X division...as anything but comedy straight men for Kevin Nash. The fact is that not that many people wanted to see even Angle vs. Sting. If TNA hadn't spayed and neutered its X division, they could have gone back to them. It'll be hard to go back to them after they've been busy playing Randy Savage

> From Lucas:

"Hey, Bob. I read all the columns on this site, but yours seems to draw the most fire from TNA loyalists, some with deranged fury, but I'm here to defend what you're saying about the company that continues to spin its wheels. I'm going to make a bold statement right off the bat, and this goes for each and every wrestling fan out there. People who love TNA, people who bash TNA, people who work for TNA, and people who don't. NOBODY WISHES TO SEE TNA DO BADLY! I certainly don't. If TNA sank it would be bad for the wrestling industry as a whole. Even WWE has to recognize this, they have to know that the wrestling industry is on the downslide and is not in the public eye as it once was. Being the only game in town would only hurt the business. Competition is great for the WWE, TNA, everybody.

But then again I'm not one of these hypnotized TNA loyalists who you know all too well in ranting, raving emails. They bow at the altar of TNA and sing its praises no matter how badly they know it is in the back of their minds, attacking anyone who says otherwise, denouncing them as being on the WWE payroll.

I watch Impact every week and, I don't know about those angry emailers, but I don't make a habit of pointing at a dog turd and calling it a diamond ring, no matter how much I want it to be a diamond ring it's still crap. I read the emails sent to you saying that TNA is week in and week out the best wrestling program they've ever seen in their lives and all I can do is stare at the screen and say 'What show are you watching?!' They can't be watching the same show I am, because the one I see is so rushed they can't establish anything.

I keep reading articles, reports, magazines that always say so-and-so's going to make the jump to TNA, this wrestler, that wrestler. At any one time about a dozen wrestlers are supposed to be or are thinking about making the jump. I even read a magazine where the cover had Paul Heyman, Sabu, RVD, Lita, and a few others with the question WILL PAUL HEYMAN LEAD AN ARMY TO TNA? That'd be a lot at one time.

One glaring question keep leaping out at me whenever to read about something like that. Where is TNA supposed to get the money for all these people? Last I heard TNA is hemmoraging money right and left, losing money on PPV's, hovering over going out of business with every passing month. And now they're supposed to double their roster?! And where in their one hour program are they supposed to fit these wrestlers in? The show's rushed enough as it is. What, are the matches going to be two minutes long now? Are there going to be ten wrestlers in each match? I'd love an answer to this.

Thanks for lending an ear, Bob. Keep leading the good fight against, not necessarily TNA, but against crappy wrestling. It's not your fault that that's where it all seems to be coming from these days. Now where's my paycheck?

Heh. Yours is coming about the same I get my first from WWE. I'm still waiting. Vince, are you listening?

> From "The Wrestling Follower":

"The only disagreements with your previous TNA columns have been from nuts who refuse to or are unable to see the big picture. TNA was built off of the backs of wrestlers who made their names elsewhere. Abyss is the only exception I could think of, but he developed in NWA Wildside as Prince Justice.

Austin Aries made his name in Milwaukee indies and later, Ring Of Honor ironically by pinning Samoa Joe for the title. Do I need to name the rest? Styles, Lethal, Shelley, Sabin, Daniels, Rhino, Cage, Steiner, Angle, Nash, etc. I think the issue is freedom of expression with this newest story....

...ROH isn't invading Orlando any time soon, so what exactly is it that they are afraid of??? I love how ROH takes the high road. The Samoa Joe Farewell tour was the answer to TNA's decision earlier this year. Maybe Aries should beat Morishima for the title and become 2 time champion to show that they support him."

Well, that didn't happen...nor was there any real chance of it happening given Ring of Honor's tour in Japan; and their desire to have the belt on Morishima at least until then. At that point and after what I suspect will be some matches with KENTA and Marifuji on the tour, they can start a program that will eventually put the belt back on Bryan Danielson.

Since TNA hasn't given in and given fans what they want as of yet...If you feel that TNA is acting in a manner contrary to what you want them to do...just like any other company...with any other product... let TNA know that you'll no longer be spending the money you used to spend on TNA products; and will now be spending that money on Ring of Honor DVDs, live shows, and other revenue sources for that company.

To contact parties concerned:

Contact TNA to express your thoughts on this matter at http://www.tnawrestling.com/contact/index.html. Make clear to them that you will also be contacting Spike TV and Universal Studios.

Contact Spike TV at their feedback site at http://www.spiketv.com/interact/feedback/feedback.jhtml

* Debra Fazio/Spike TV - 212-767-8649 debra.fazio@spiketv.com

* Salil Gulati/Spike TV - 212-767-8705 salil.gulati@spiketv.com

Point out to them, as has been said before, that NWA-TNA needs Ring Of Honor's fan base to survive. and that those online and smart mark fans that have kept them alive until they were supported by their current backers. Without that fan base, they might well not survive.

You can also contact NWA-TNA via snail mail at TNA Wrestling, 209 10th Avenue South - Suite 302 Nashville, TN 37203.

If you use the snail mail method, send TNA copies of your recent cable bills that show you are now ordering their PPVs. Remind them that they will be losing a customer starting with their February 11 PPV.

Finally, since the last few weeks hasn't gotten anyone to back off, here's a list of the advertisers that ran ads on last week's IMPACT and their contact information:

Taco Bell
Taco Bell feedback

Campbell Soup Company (Swanson) - CampbellSoupCompany.com

Burger King, 5505 Blue Lagoon Drive,Miami, FL 33157
(305) 378-3000

Quizno's Quiznos.com

Subway's Subway.com

Snapple Snapple.com

Proctor and Gamble (Old Spice), The Procter & Gamble Company, One Procter & Gamble Plaza, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

Ubisoft.com Ubisoft.com

SEGA of America SEGA.com

Electronic Arts Inc., 209 Redwood Shores Parkway, Redwood City, CA 94065
Phone: 650-628-1500/Fax: 650-628-1422

Sony/Columbia Sony.com

Monster.com Monster.com

Gamefly.com Gamefly.com

If you're moved to respond, tell the advertisers you're acting in support of a company you say you support. Tell the advertiser you won't be seeing their ads, since you won't be viewing the show they appear on. Tell them you're going to put your money where your mouth is, and tell a company like TNA that's made a business decision that you in turn have made a business decision of sorts; and you'll no longer support them as long as they continue with the "business decision" they've made.

Until next time...

If you'd like to add advertising on PWBTS.com (the flagship website of this column), banner ads are available for $400 for one year/$200 for six months. These ads would appear on each newspage appearing on the newsboard. Cube ads are available for $200 for one year, which would be placed on the main newsboard page. If you have comments or questions, if you'd like to add the AS I SEE IT column to your website or for advertising requests, I can be reached by e-mail at bobmagee1@hotmail.com.

(As always...this column represents the view of this writer and not necessarily of the website on which it appears).
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04/27/07: AngryMarks.com Pro Wrestling Podcast #020

-- The resident Joisey Girl was taking care of business this week, but Nikes the Sneaka Pimp was able to take it a break from the fighting in New Mexico to join Stevie J & Killa Kev for a podcast. We covered the past week of action for WWE and gave predictions for this Sunday's WWE Backlash PPV. Kev & Steve trashed TNA's lack just about everything except making us confused, and we wrap up discussion of what's happened with Hulk Hogan's big supercard in Memphis since it was announced. Check out the podcast, sponsored by RocketBusta Radio and WrestleCrap!

http://www.angrymarks.com/podcastery/AngryMarks/2007-04-27.mp3

PRO WRESTLING: BIG ASS THURSDAY UPDATE~! 4/26/07

By Art Shimko
shimko_7@hotmail.com

-- Tons of news and notes from the past week...

WWE
-- This weekend Steve Austin's upcoming action flick The Condemned will be in theaters, he appeared on Howard Stern and did a live text chat Monday night. Lots of reviews are in for The Condemned and it's a mixed bag of opinions although not many are in favor of the movie, here's a sample:
- Originality is loser in WWE’s death match
- Movie 'condemns' audience to torturous viewing
- Two middle fingers up for The Condemned
- WWE star has something new to prove in 'The Condemned'
- Stone Cold Heats Up
- Bottom Line: D-grade "Running Man" ripoff

-- Here's an Austin interview on Sports Illustrated's site.

-- Last week WWE dropped Deep South Wrestling as a developmental territory after reports that the operation was in complete disarray. Vince McMahon had a shit-fit about the situation and decided to drop all developmental territories including Ohio Valley Wrestling. Fortunately McMahon was talked out of dropping OVW and it looks like all DSW trainees will be shipped to Steve Keirn's school in Florida. Meanwhile, Jody Hamilton has decided to shut down the DSW promotion.

-- Randy Orton's acting like a rock star these days... or more like an asshole. Orton was sent home last week from the European tour after he trashed a hotel room, the estimated damages were said to be between $30,000-$50,000. Man, this guy must've been going through a (supposed) roid rage or something. Orton has not been suspended as of yet although he was fined and it looks like he'll certainly do the job this weekend at Backlash in a four-way for the WWE title which could be one of many jobs he'll be doing for some time. With Vince paranoid about firing talent and ending up on TNA it looks as if Orton is secure in WWE... for the time being. [source for info on last two items: Figure 4 Weekly newsletter www.f4wonline.com]

-- Speaking of Backlash, Casey, Euan and myself did a preview podcast for this mundance PPV. Casey and I also discuss current news in the MMA world.

-- An interview with Vince McMahon about pay-per-view business.

-- WWE will be releasing a 2-DVD "Ladder Match" set, you can see the match listing here.

-- Batista left quite the impression with fans at an autograph session in Wolverhampton, England. Batista was said to be jet-lagged and what would normally be a two-hour session was cut to an hour. One youngster had anticipated meeting the former world and tag champ but instead was disappointed afterwards, his father stated: “Kyle got a ticket and couldn’t sleep the night before, he was so excited at meeting Batista and he had the afternoon off school. All his mates were telling him how jealous they were. “But when he got there we were told Batista would only be signing WWE merchandise. We queued for nearly two hours and he signed a WWE book, didn’t even look at him or say a word and that was it. His mum was trying to take a picture of the two on the mobile phone but his bouncers kept standing in the way to stop it. “And he refused to sign a birthday card that Kyle had taken in because it is his birthday in three weeks. “I think it is absolutely disgraceful for a man who is loved by so many kids to behave like this. We go down to the Wolves training ground all the time and they can’t do enough for us. If they can make the effort I don’t see why a jumped-up bloke in tights can’t do the the same. Kyle couldn’t stop crying.”

-- On Tuesday Mickie James won the Women's title at a house show in Paris against Melina and Victoria when she pinned Victoria for the win. Apparently Victoria didn't kick out on the three-count as she was supposed to, and a few matches later Melina won the title back from Mickie. Surprisingly, WWE made note of the title switch.

-- Super Crazy was injured at a weekend show in Oberhausen, Germany during a tag match. "Super Crazy landed awkwardly and twisted his knee during a match," said Dr. Ferdinand Rios. "I agree with the trainer's original assessment that Super Crazy has a torn ligament in his left knee. We aren't sure if he tore his ACL or MCL so we have scheduled an MRI for later this week.

-- Cade and Murdoch shoot... or maybe work-shoot on internet fans... do these clowns even get internet access in their trailers?

-- Balls Mahoney will be appearing on Sci Fi Channel's Who Wants to Be a Superhero? this summer as he will help critique and inspire these costumed crusaders in their battles with the show’s villain, Dr. Dark.

-- Philadelphia police officer Shawn Goodstone has been suspended and will lose his job for stealing two WWE action figures from a Rite Aid in West Kensington last month.

-- WWE is suing Dale Gagne who runs shows under the AWA banner for copyright infringement. WWE purchased AWA trademarks from Verne Gagne in 2003, WWE also cites that Dale Gagne (real name: Gagner) dropped the "R" from his last name in order to allegedly make like he was related to former AWA promoter Verne Gagne. You can read Dale's response to the suit here.

-- WWE will be reporting its first quarter earnings in a conference call on 5/3 at 11AM EST, participants can call 800-894-5910 (conference ID: WWE).

-- J.R.’s Back With Plenty to Say!

-- Flair is taking fight with money manager to court

-- Divas shine in Jared Gold’s designs

-- Michelle McCool measures up her competition

TNA/ROH/CZW/INDIES
-- Sean Christopher Haire, who got punched out during a scuffle in front of a Hilton Head Island bar last month, was charged on Monday with felony high and aggravated assault and battery. Juan Hamilton Brantley, the guy who punched Haire in the eye, was also arrested for the same charges, both men remain in the Beaufort County Detention Center. Capt. Toby McSwain of the Beaufort County Sheriff's Office stated, "It's a little surprising that the court has issued warrants to both of them, but I guess the judge listened to both sides of the story and couldn't determine who the primary aggressor was."

-- Alex Marvez's lastest column on "Dr. Death" Steve Williams.

-- A card for the Hogan/Wight Memphis show on Friday was finally released.

-- Two-time NASCAR champ Tony Stewart recently compared his sport to pro wrestling on his Sirius Satellite Radio Tuesday night when discussing how NASCAR officials use bogus caution flags to fix races: "It's like playing God," he said on his Sirius Satellite Radio program. "They can almost dictate the race instead of the drivers doing it. It's happened too many times this year." Stewart, who said he was fighting a fever and left the two-hour show early, went on to say fans are complaining about debris cautions and NASCAR isn't listening. "I guess NASCAR thinks, 'Hey, wrestling worked, and it was for the most part staged, so I guess it's going to work in racing, too,'" he said. "I can't understand how long the fans are going to let NASCAR treat them like they're stupid before the fans finally turn on NASCAR. "I don't know that they've run a fair race all year." NASCAR's response: "NASCAR has been running races since 1948, and we place the safety of the drivers at the top of the list," spokesman Jim Hunter said. "We have more people and more resources than ever officiating our races. The safety of the drivers is our first priority. It has always been that way and will continue to be that way.

-- Footage of Christian Cage against Abyss from last year's TNA Lockdown PPV was shown on this week's episode of FOX's House.

-- Austin Starr has been suspended from TNA for 90 days after he questioned the reason for filming a vignette on his day off. After arguing and pressing the issue, Starr eventually cooperated and agreed to filmed the vignettes but TNA was so annoyed with his attitude that they laid down the law making an example out of Starr by sending him home. [source: Figure 4 Weekly newsletter www.f4wonline.com]

-- TNA holds its Slammiversary PPV on 6/17 at the Municipal Auditorium in Nashville, TN. Tickets go on sale 5/19.

-- ROH's 5/12 show at the Manhattan Center is close to a sell-out and a card hasn't been announced yet.

-- ROH world champ Takeshi Morishima recieved the future legends award at the Cauliflower Alley Club 42nd Annual Banquet & Awards last weekend.

-- ROH this Friday at the St. Paul Armory [600 Cedar Street] in St. Paul, MN: Takeshi Morishima vs. Austin Aries for the ROH title; Roderick Strong defends vs. Christopher Daniels for the FIP title; World Tag Team Title Ultimate Endurance: Jay & Mark Briscoe vs. Pelle Primeau & Mitch Franklin vs. Mike Quackenbush & Jigsaw vs. Hallowicked & Gran Akuma; Jack Evans vs. Delirious vs. Rocky Romero vs. Erick Stevens; Colt Cabana & Homicide vs. Brent Albright & Adam Pearce with Shane Hagadorn; BJ Whitmer vs. Shingo; Rain & Lacey vs. Sara Del Rey & Allison Danger

-- Jay Briscoe got a deep gash in his head after taking a light tube/headbutt shot from Necro Butcher at FIP's show last Saturday.

-- CZW will holding its sixth annual Tournament Of Death in Delaware on 6/9, the first match announced is Nick Gage (winner of TOD V) vs CZW Jr. Heavyweight champ Scotty Vortekz.

-- CZW on 5/12 at the New Alhambra Arena, announced so far: CZW World Jr. Heavyweight Championship: Vortekz defends against Cloudy; Ruckus vs. "The Anomaly" Niles Young; Derek Frazier vs. "The BLK Jesus" Sabian; The Iron Saints (Sal & Vito Thomaselli) vs. Team AnDrew (Andy Sumner & Drew Gulak); "The New Jersey All-Star" JC Ryder vs. "Irish Lionheart" CJ O'Doyle; "The Son of a 1,000 Maniacs" Jon Dahmer vs. "Hotshot" Ryan McBride

-- IWA Mid-South/ACW results from 4-22 in San Antonio, TX: "One Man" Mike Dell def. xOMGx; Showtime Scott Summers def. Joey Ryan to retain the ACW heavyweight title; Mickie Knuckles defeated Daffney to retain IWA Women's title; Roderick Strong def. "Biohazard" Jakus Plisken; "Extreme Bulldog" Rexx Reed def. Massive; Low Ki def. Hotstuff Hernandez; Necro Butcher defeated Masada; 4 Team Elimination Hardcore battle for the ACW Tag Team Titles - Children Of Pain retain the titles by defeating Old & Younger, Naptown Dragons & Chuie Martinez/Hugh Rogue

-- IWA Mid-South presents "April Bloodshowers: The Final Chapter" on 4/28 at the Don Preston Recreational Center [14500 Kostner Avenue] in Midlothian, IL: Drake Younger vs CJ Otis; Brandon Thomaselli vs Josh Abercrombie for the IWA World Light-Heavyweight Title; North Star Express vs Iron Saints in a double-dog collar match; Chuck Taylor vs Joey "Magnum" Ryan for the IWA world championship; Ian Rotten vs "The Strong Style Psycho" Tank; Arrogance vs "Unreal" Michael Elgin and Ash

-- Metal and Wraslin’ Mayhewm on Friday 4/27 at The Mission in Augusta, GA featuring wrestlers from Flatline Championship Wrestling and music provided by Anger Management, Dear Enemy and Deleveled.

-- King of Europe Cup this weekend (4/28-4/29) at the Liverpool Olympia: First round: Rhino Vs Nigel McGuinness; Chris Hero Vs Claudio Castagnoli; Matt Sydal Vs El Generico; Davey Richards Vs The Zebra Kid; Ryo Saito Vs Jody Fleisch; Go Shiozaki Vs Martin Stone; Trent Acid Vs PAC; Doug Williams Vs Ares. Bell time is 6:30PM, tickets can be ordered at 0151-263-6633.

-- Pure Wrestling Association at Port Hope High School in Port Hope, Ontario on 5/4. For more information, contact Mike Kelso at 905-835-1186

-- UWF on 5/11 at Lake Norman High School in Mooresville (Charlotte), NC: James Storm and Jackie Moore vs Chris Harris and Gail Kim; Jerry Lynn vs Raven; Rikishi and D-Lo Brown vs Elix Skipper and David Young; Team Macktion vs Steve Corino and CW Anderson

-- National Wrestling Superstars on 5/11 at the South River VFW [31 Reid Street] in South River, NJ. Appearing on the card: Kip James, Kevin Sullivan, Danny Doring, and Slyck Wagner Brown. Call (732) 888-1704 for more info.

-- School's no-holds-barred good guy

-- Pile-driving, gut-busting, back-breaking theater

-- Local church uses wrestling as witnessing tool

-- Wrestling match, puppets, booths bring event's message home

-- Fan fests bring Demolition back together
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WWE ends affiliation with Deep South

WWE ends relationship with DSW [WWE.com]

-- World Wrestling Entertainment has ended its relationship with Deep South Wrestling. For the past two years, DSW has served as one of WWE's developmental territories.

WWE news including plane fire, Austin at the CMT Awards, Tickets for upcoming events, Hogans drama, UFC/HBO deal, IFL/Shamus, lots more

By Art Shimko
shimko_7@hotmail.com

-- WWE.com reports that the Raw roster experienced quite the flight scare Monday night when a charter plane they were on originally en route from Milan to Rome experienced an engine fire, fortunately there weren't any catastrophes that resulted. As WWE agent Tim White stated, “Thankfully, the engine blew on the ground and not over the Atlantic.” While the plane was on the runway its engine was revved up to an extreme level causing engine fumes over 900 degrees. With the flight grounded the wrestlers had to make a mad dash for any flights available in order to make the Rome show.

-- Steve Austin was on hand Monday night at the 2007 CMT Music Awards in Nashville where along with country singer Gretchen Wilson presented the award for Male Video of the Year award which went to Kenny Chesney for “You Save Me.”

-- GameDaily has an interview with Steve Austin.

-- Attenion gamers: Want a chance to play against Shelton Benjamin and Johnny Nitro via Xbox Live in WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2007? You can do so before next Monday's edition of Raw from London by sending the following info to wwewrestlers@gamewithfame.net: Name, Age, Nationality, Gamertag. This takes place 4/23 at 13.00 – 15.00 GMT / 14.00 – 1600 CET.

-- Tickets for this year's Survivor Series (11/18) at the America Airlines Arena in Miami go on sale Saturday at Ticketmaster locations, the AAA box office, or on WWE.com.

-- Smackdown and ECW are back in Philadelphia on 6/12 at the Wachovia Center, tickets are on sale Saturday at 10AM.

-- PWInsider.com have both ECW Spoilers and Smackdown spoilers.

-- The Hogans make PAGE SIX~!

-- Wichita mother Barbara Stewart may be charged with child endangerment for letting her son and his friends do backyard wrestling. "I've had lightbulbs in my face," says Alex Whaley. "My lip has been split open, had 32 stitches." Remember everyone, that's the future right there... future of what I have no idea. Stewart's thoughts? "I feel like I failed as a mother."

-- Alan Wojcik will be back with TNA spoilers for the 4/30 Impact tapings as well as the Sacrifice pay-per-view.

-- Champion Christian happy to be back in Bristol

-- DOI has the latest in CZW's utter stupidity... as you can see, it's always easier to fix the small, easy problems.

-- During a UFC 70 pre-teleconference president Dana White revealed that the company struck a deal with cable giant HBO, a move discussed and contemplated for some time now. Expect a UFC broadcast on HBO sometime this summer although it won't be UFC 72 taking place 6/16 in Belfast, Northern Ireland as that will either be on pay-per-view or Spike TV. HBO will be using its own production team and announcers for the broadcasts, which announcers are used will be interesting and when asked if HBO boxing commentator Jim Lampley would be used White shot that down immediately.

-- UFC on Spike this week: (Times EST) Unleashed tonight at 9PM; Ultimate Fighter on Thursday at 10PM; UFC 70 Countdown: Cro Cop vs. Gonzaga on Thursday at 11PM, Friday at midnight and Saturday at 6PM; Unleased at 7PM and 8PM, UFC 70 at 9PM on Saturday.

-- Ticket info for UFC 72: UFC Fight Club Presale Wednesday 4/18 - 9am GMT [http://www.ufcfightclub.com]/4am ET/1am PT. UFC Newsletter Presale Friday 4/20 - 9am GMT [Join UFC Newsletter]/4am ET/1am PT. General public on-sale begins Saturday 4/21 - 9am GMT/4am ET/1am PT

-- Myself, Casey, Euan and possibly Ric (all of CARE Preview fame) will be recording a podcast previewing UFC 70 on Wednesday. I doubt it'll be as WACKY as the TNA Lockdown podcast was

-- IFL CEO Gareb Shamus was named one of Brandweek Magazine’s 10 “Marketers of the Next Generation”. Shamus is the only sports-oriented subject on the list, others included Senior Vice President of Marketing for Hilton Hotels Amy Spatz; Ryan Clarke, director of marketing for Kraft Foods’ South Beach Brand; and Eric Kintz, vice president of global marketing strategy & excellence, Hewlett Packard.

-- The Fight Network Teams With MediaMen to Assist in International Expansion

-- Pavilion scores one of its top crowds ever with cage fight

-- HIGHLAND: Mixed martial artist leads by example
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WWE: Ashley injured, back on the shelf

photo: WWE.com

By Art Shimko
shimko_7@hotmail.com

-- Just as she's getting a huge push with being a Playboy cover model and all, WWE.com reported that Ashley Massaro will be on disabled list for an undetermined amount of time. Massaro needs surgery tightening a screw to a plate inside her ankle recieved last year after fracturing both the tibia and fibula in a match.

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Weekend Wrestling/MMA news & notes (4/13/07)

By Art Shimko
shimko_7@hotmail.com

PRO WRESTLING NEWS
-- From WWE.com: For the first quarter of 2007, individual episodes of WWE Monday Night Raw accounted for six of the top ten highest rated cable telecasts among households, according to Nielsen Media Research. Among adults 18-49, individual episodes of WWE Raw accounted for eight of the top ten highest rated cable programs with Raw achieving the second, third and fourth highest individual ratings in that demographic finishing only behind the NBA All-Star game.

-- This Friday night edition of Smackdown is the 400th episode.

-- Steve Austin will be the Grand Marshall at Sunday's 500 NASCAR Nextel Cup at the Texas Motor Speedway in Dallas/Fort Worth.

-- Edge has an NHL blog here.

-- Where Are They Now? Percy Pringle

-- Wrestler Foley's Lecture Packs a Punch

-- Cheats and codes for the WWE SmackDown! vs. RAW 2007

-- The Times Herald out of Port Huron, MI has an article on D'Lo Brown and the Springfield Stallions, a Continental Indoor Football League team that he co-owns with Justin Gettys, who are currently 0-1. Brown, a defensive end at the University of Maine during early 90s, has been wrestling for All Japan Pro Wrestling but took some time off to help with the team. "Things are going very well," said Brown, 36, a former World Wrestling Entertainment grappler. "It was an easy mix to lend myself to the team and become part of the organization. They're still trying to get me on the field."

-- The Torch's James Caldwell has an article about the Don Imus controversy.

-- IGN has an interview with Christopher Daniels.

-- Myself, Casey Trowbridge and Euan Taylor (both from Old Country Times) recorded a podcast to attempt previewing this Sunday's TNA Lockdown pay-per-view. You listen to the podcast here but if you get easily offended then don't listen.

-- Christian Cage, Samoa Joe and Kurt Angle will be appearing at Wrestlefest on 4/22 at Bristol Central High School in Bristol, CT at 5PM. The show will feature 8 matches and a meet-and-greet with Joe, Christian and Angle at 3PM. Tickets can be purchased at: FYE Music and Video stores; Bristol Central High School' main office; Tropical Suntan Center [194 Main St]; the Webster Bank on Queen Street in Southington; S & S Sports Apparel [117 Broad St.]; Curves for Women on Farmington Avenue; Southington's Modern Formals and Fazo's Deli in Waterbury; through www.northwestwrestling.com or by calling (860) 874-1244.

-- IWA Mid-South Saturday night at Southwestern High School in Shelbyville, IN: Demolition Ax vs. Tank; Honky Tonk Man vs. "Marvelous" Mitch Ryder; Danny Basham vs. Ian Rotten; Josh Abercrombie vs. Brandon Thomaselli (Tables, Ladders & Chairs match for the IWA Light Heavyweight Title); Chuck Taylor vs. Drake Younger (IWA Mid-South Heavyweight Title); "Spyder" Nate Webb vs. C.J. Otis; Mickie Knuckles vs. Kristy Summers (IWA Mid-South Women's Title); Puppet vs. T.O.; Iron Saints vs. Billy Roc & Tony Kozina; Vortekz vs. Diehard Dustin vs. xOMGx, Jack Thriller vs. Ricochet vs. ?

-- Mike Quakenbush will be special guest referee for Claudio Castagnoli and Chris Hero's match at Chikara's Rey de Voladores event on 4/22 at the New Alhambra Arena (Viking Hall) in Philadelphia.

-- Director Lovestruck on wrestling

-- A 64-year-old pro wrestler set to perform in Newbury

-- Power Team spreads message in Statesboro

-- MCRD Parris Island sailor lived professional wrestling dream

MIXED MARTIAL ARTS NEWS
-- A post-fight piss test revealed that Melvin Guillard tested positive for cocaine following his 4/5 Fight Night match with Joe Stevenson. This is just plain fucking stupid. So far we've seen two stoners compete in MMA, guys who don't make weight three months before a title fight and don't make weight for a TV show where 155-pounders are competing and guys doing blow before their matches... recreation is great and all, but god damn these guys know they have a fight coming up and that the commission tests for drugs or that they MUST make weight for a fight... like Ric James said, "that cocaine is a helluva drug!"

-- In a CBS Sportsline interview with Brock Lesnar, when asked how Kurt Angle would do in MMA, he replies: I think Kurt would do rather well in the 205 category, but I think father time has caught up to him rather quickly because of the demand of professional wrestling and what he gave to professional wrestling, and what he gave his body to. I think that he might have a couple of fights in him but ... poor guy, he's given his life and his heart, mind, and soul to be a professional wrestler and he's hurt himself.
Lesnar's spent the last 10 months training and between 265-270lbs., he's trained with Pat Miletich and currently trains at Minnesota Mixed Martial Arts Academy. As far as training with Royce Gracie Lesnar says their schedules are unable to accomodate time to train together but maybe after the K-1 6/2 event at the L.A Coliseum they'll get to train. Lesnar confirms that his K-1 contract is for one fight only and says that Vince McMahon attempted to arrange Lesnar and Kurt Angle to have individual fights with Evander Holyfield and Mike Tyson but the boxers nixed that idea.

-- Dana White loves Canada~! "Canada's been a phenomenal breakthrough market for us, the sleeper market," White told The Canadian Press in an interview. "When we were looking at this thing, when we first purchased it, we had no idea that Canada would become so huge."

-- Matt Serra talks about his recent win against Georges St. Pierre and has some words about Matt Hughes in this video interview.

-- Serra on rise in UFC after stunning St. Pierre

-- Here's an article on Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou; Prior to Sokoudjou's recent victories in Pride over Antonio Rogerio Nogueira and Ricardo Arona he fought just three times for the Total Combat promotion in San Diego and Sportfight in Portland, OR. Sokoudjou arrived in the States six years ago to train for Olympic judo competition when he met Pride Middleweight and Welterweight Champion Dan Henderson as he was training to fight judo practitioner Kazuhiro Nakamura. From there Sokoudjou got into MMA but admits the transition wasn't so smooth: "I thought it would be easy, but it was really hard for me to kind of understand that judo and mixed martial arts are two different things," he said. "I thought, 'I know judo so I can go ahead and judo everybody." Sokoudjou has modest aspirations in this sport: "I would love to say I'm going to get a bunch of belts. Lots of people out there have a bunch of belts, but they suck," he added. "My goal is to put on a good show and make sure everyone who comes and watches me fight is always satisfied."

-- From the IFL: The International Fight League (OTC.BB: IFLI), the world’s first team-based professional mixed martial arts league, and USA Wrestling, the National Governing Body for wrestling in the United States, today announced a strategic partnership between the two organizations aimed at increasing the awareness level and creating unique grassroots programs and branding opportunities for both groups. “This is a great day for the IFL and for the sports of Mixed Martial Arts and wrestling,” said IFL Commissioner and Co-Founder Kurt Otto.“This partnership will give us the platform to reach a very passionate demo with one of the most respected National Governing Bodies. This cooperative program will help us further our mission to expose these great IFL athletes to a larger audience and show how they can use their wrestling skills as part of MMA.”

-- Dragons Cage at the Williamson County Pavilion in Marion, IL on Saturday 4/14. For more info long onto www.dragonscage.com or call (618) 699-4374.

-- There's an MMA show at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi on Saturday. Go to www.fightforce.org or www.bomberpromotions.com for more info.

-- Mixed martial arts notebook: Lindland ready for the fight of his life

-- Average Joes go head to head

-- Ex-Delawarean mixes hip-hop style with mean right cross

-- Local man using martial arts, religion to reach out to TYC youths

-- When in Rome...do as the Romans do
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