The Squared Circle

[Dr. Evil]

I follow wrestling and have seen Yuji Nagata wrestle, but I probably wouldnt notice if I walked by him on the street. Does that make me any less of a fan..?? I hate the IWC sometime

True. I did not recognize Tanashi in street clothes when he was posing with Jeff Hardy until it was mentioned on Gerweck.net.

 

[NDX]

- WWE.com has put up photos from Raw's tour of Japan. One photo features Ric Flair shaking hands with former IWGP Champion Yuji Nagata with the text "East Meets West as Fans Welcome Flair". Another photo features Jeff Hardy posing with another former IWGP champion Hiroshi Tanahashi with the text "Jeff Hardy Branches out with a Japanese Fan". I wonder if the idiots who run WWE.com even following wrestling at all ?

from: gerweck.net

Lawd.

I'm sure someone screwed up somewhere....on the other hand, why do people still bother with Gerweck??

It's just easier. And his making a fool of himself is amusing.

I follow wrestling and have seen Yuji Nagata wrestle, but I probably wouldnt notice if I walked by him on the street. Does that make me any less of a fan..?? I hate the IWC sometime

Yes, it does make you less of a fan. Now go, stare at footage of him for the next 4 weeks so that every asian person looks like him!

News...ish:

- Those in the TNA locker room aren't too happy about the buzz about Jonny Fairplay returning to TNA. Most in the company see Fairplay as a pain in the rear and don't want him around. Back in his earlier TNA days, a group of wrestlers almost ribbed Fairplay by turning out the lights in the locker room and shaving his head one night, but it never happened. The Survivor star does have some friends in the TNA locker room including Sharkboy.

- Samoa Joe's current contract with TNA expires in June of this year. Joe rejected a renewal offer from the company earlier this year but there's always that chance that he and TNA have came to terms on a new deal in private. There is talk within TNA of putting the World Title on him sooner than later. People close to Joe think he would sign with WWE if they made him a comparable offer to TNA's and if WWE presented him with a good enough gimmick.


- No word yet if TNA is interested in hiring former ECW writer Dave Lagana. WWE fired Lagana earlier this year due to news leaks to pro wrestling websites. Lagana may have some sort of clause in his contract that would prevent him from working for another wrestling company for a certain amount of time.

- Sources say that some people backstage in the SmackDown locker room are uncomfortable with the way the current Edge and Vickie Guerrero storyline is going. However, Vickie is said to be doing fine and enjoying being in the locker room and a part of the show every week. There is no heat on Edge for his involvement in the storyline.

A lot of people are worried how Vickie and her daughters feel about the angle but people say Vickie has told anyone who asks that she thinks her late husband Eddie Guerrero would be fine with the storyline.

 

[BlackLantern]

I'm hoping Fairplay ticks off the wrong person and something f***ed up happens to him...too bad Randy doesn't work there or he could crap in his bag

 

[NDX]

Randy is beyond defecating in gym bags.

Now it's stringing up dead kittens in lockers.



Many wrestling sites over the past several days have reported that Stephanie McMahon is in fact pregnant. WWE released the following statement today:

Congratulations are in order for Stephanie McMahon and her husband Paul Levesque. The daughter of WWE Chairman Vince McMahon has confirmed to WWE.com that she is pregnant with her second child.

“Being a mom is the greatest gift in the world,” said McMahon. “I couldn’t be more excited.”

McMahon’s statement to WWE.com confirms rumors that have been circulating in the press that she is expected to give birth to her second child this summer.

We at WWE.com would like to wish the expectnt parents a healthy and happy pregnancy.

 

[BlackLantern]

hhh and steph must be at it whenever he is home.....

 

[NDX]

sources: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWInsider

- Legendary manager Bobby "The Brain" Heenan has been suffering a lot of complications stemming from his recent reconstructive jaw surgery and procedures.

- Penny Banner's health has taken a turn for the worst in her long battle with cancer. Banner is suffering from laryngitis and serve dehydration and complete loss of appetite. She has last about 20 pounds, and is said to be weak and can hardly move.

- Royal Rumble at Madison Square Garden did a live gate around $1.3 million.

- At last word, WWE had done a surprisingly low advance for next week's Raw in Anahiem. Only about 6,500 tickets had been sold.

- Independent wrestler Tyrone Evans has signed a WWE developmental deal.

- TNA sent out a mobile alert earlier today touting that their are plans to do what they call a "fully interactive PPV" later this year.

- According to Mike Johnson the new female valet of Scott Steiner will be named Rocka Chan.

- Highspots.com will be releasing a shoot interview with former TNA tag team The Naturals very soon.

- ShopTNA.com is now selling dog tags and a skull cap for The Motorcity Machine Guns.

- Kurt Angle claimed in a recent interview that TNA's upcoming video game will outsell WWE's Smackdown series this year.

- TNA will be announcing new live vent dates very soon.

- Live Audio Wrestling was scheduled to interview a TNA star Sunday night after the Against All Odds PPV, as the Canadian radio show usually does following a TNA PPV. According to the hosts, TNA pulled the scheduled guest as TNA's PR department apparently hasn't been happy with their line of questioning for their talent.

- Matt Morgan, Chris Masters, and MMA star Erin Toughill will meet with officials from "American Gladiators," as all three are being considered as potential new members of the troupe.

- Kurt Angle and Jeremy Borash shot an episode of the A&E show "Mindfreaks" on 2/2 before they attended the UFC PPV that evening.

- Low Ki debuted in New Japan on 2/2 in Sanjyo as part of the group with Shinsuke Nakamura, Hirooki Goto, Minoru and Prince Devitt.

- TNA should be announcing the location of their April PPV "Lockdown" very soon. The front-runner is said to be Chicago at this point.

- TNA's May PPV Sacrifice is likely to be held in Orlando, FL but those plans could change.

- TNA is lookng into holding a PPV in the South West Ohio area later this year.

- As previously mentioned Vince Russo has been booking most of what is seen on iMPACT!. According to numerous sources Jeff Jarrett comes up with the feuds and matches he wants and then gives Vince the task of setting up the angles and storylines around them.

- Most of the Abyss/Mitchell/Mesias storyline was booked by Mantell with ideas from Abyss.

- Brother Ray booked alot of Team 3D and Devine's feud with Machismo and The Motorcity Machine Guns.

-Kurt and Karen Angle have alot of booking freedom over their own segments and angles. If they have and idea 9 times out of 10 it happpens even if it is thought to be a bad idea.

- The match agents aka producers in TNA currently include Glen Gilberti (Disco Inferno), Scott D'amore, D'Lo Brown and Pat Kenney (Simon Diamond) while one of the members of Phi Delta Slam is currently working the gorilla position.

- The storyline behind Rhino's departure and return was that he suffered a relapse of his alcoholism due to the actions of James Storm during their fued and went to get treatment.

- TNA's new slogan "Cross the Line" refers to the fact that TNA doesn't feature clear cut faces and heels. This has always been a mainstay of Vince Russo booking as he feels there are no true good and evil people in this world.

- As previously mentioned TNA has contacted Dragon Gate about using some of their stars in late March when they are Orlando for two ROH events.

- Mike Johnson reports that Don West will be returning to The Shop At Home Network soon on a part time basis.

- According to reports ROH's last PPV "Undeniable" only had 19 total buys on all of Dish Network. As previously reported the PPV only did 36 buys in the entire country of Canada which has led to them no longer being shown there. ROH is likely to stop airing PPV's once the final two have aired.

- Due to cost cutting Daniel Puder and Joey Matthews are no longer going to be used. Tank Toland and several other talents will only be used in the area where they live so ROH doesn't have to pay to fly them in.

- There is major heat on Necro Butcher for skipping the Dayton and Chicago shows in order to film a scene for the movie "The Wrestler". There is talk talk that his roster spot may be in jeopardy.

- Final Battle 2007 has been released on DVD.

- TNA has contacted Dragon Gate about using some of their talents when they are in Florida at the end of March for two ROH events.

 

[TheFuture]

Really dismayed at the WWE right now. I was actually looking forward to WM24 until that tit Cena came back at the RR. Now it is so predictable;

Trips v Cena

Undertaker v Edge

I would love to be shocked and see;

Hardy v Cena (with hardy winning)

Mysterio v Batista (Mysterio winning)

The WWE is too focused on kids and that's why when the Flair storyline is wrapped up I'm gonna switch off.

 

[Hunter Rider]

I follow wrestling and have seen Yuji Nagata wrestle, but I probably wouldnt notice if I walked by him on the street. Does that make me any less of a fan..?? I hate the IWC sometime

While i wouldn't expect every fan to know who Tanahashi was, it's pretty ignorant of WWE's ppl not to know that Jeff was standing with the former IWGP champion.

 

[Hunter Rider]

 

[Sarge 2.0]

Well...goddamn.

 

[Luchastyle]

indeed.

 

[kane9321]

lawd have mercy

 

[Dr. Evil]

Chris Masters won't be one of the new American Gladiators for next season because he will test positive for Steroids.

 

[BlackLantern]

Really dismayed at the WWE right now. I was actually looking forward to WM24 until that tit Cena came back at the RR. Now it is so predictable;

Trips v Cena

Undertaker v Edge

I would love to be shocked and see;

Hardy v Cena (with hardy winning)

Mysterio v Batista (Mysterio winning)

The WWE is too focused on kids and that's why when the Flair storyline is wrapped up I'm gonna switch off.

No, the WWE is really focused on money and they are going the safe route because HHH and Cena make a lot of money, Cena V Hardy would generate more intrest but probably wouldnt make as much money in terms of buys and merchandise sells

 

[Lobo]

Source: Miami Herald

Stone Cold Steve Austin was interviewed by the Miami Herald this week. Austin talked about his new "Legacy of Stone Cold Steve Austin" DVD, his health and his movie career.

Regarding his health, he said, "I feel real good right now. I have an active life, hunting and fishing. I'm making movies. Physically, I feel fine, and my past injuries don't effect me filming movies. I can do what I need to do in the movies, and it doesn't hold me back at all."

He also had some interesting news about the possibility of appearing at WrestleMania 24:

"There was a pitch thrown at me for WrestleMania [24 in Orlando], but I turned it down,'' he said. ``I'd like to go to the Hall of Fame and see the guys get inducted. They got enough talent in WWE that they don't need me for WrestleMania, and it's not my desire to go back into the ring."

"If I really needed the money, I'd go back in the ring, but I've been conservative with my money and invested wisely. I have fond memories of the business, and I love the business, but I don't miss it."

 

[citizenpain]

hhh and steph must be at it whenever he is home.....

well, steph is quite the hottie.

 

[TheFuture]

No, the WWE is really focused on money and they are going the safe route because HHH and Cena make a lot of money, Cena V Hardy would generate more intrest but probably wouldnt make as much money in terms of buys and merchandise sells

Would it really though? We have seen it once before, and I doubt Triple H will come out on top because they will stick the title on Cena for another bloody year.

I would love to see Jeff win EC and face Cena. I think they could make Cena into a kind of dismissive character of Jeff, making him come over as arrogant. And I don't mean the same way they did with Orton. Something tells me Cena could play the aloof kind of character down to a T. Hell, he's the #1 Babyface and still manages to come over as a d*ckhead.

 

[Hunter Rider]

Kurt Angle Says WWE Is SLIGHTLY Beating TNA In Ratings
02/14/2008 by Ryan Gray

TNA Champion Kurt Angle made some questionable comments in a recent interview with VideoGamer.com. Below are some highlights:

When asked if he was confident that fans would pick TNA Impact! over WWE SmackDown vs. RAW Angle said:

"No I'm not confident that will happen. I believe in the long run we will end up selling more than they will. But I believe the fans will pick Smackdown first, they will try it out and then they'll go back and they will pick TNA Impact! up and they'll try it and say "wow I shouldn't have bought Smackdown". What's going to happen is after the first round of people buy they're going to call their friends and say TNA Impact! is so much better than Smackdown, get that.

Angle went on to say that it will take awhile but they will eventually destroy the new SmackDown game:

"During the first week I don't think we're going to win the war. I think within a month we're going to be crushing them in the war. So it's just going to take a couple of weeks for everybody to realize that we have the better game."

The interviewer asks Kurt why it may take a month for Impact to pass the WWE game. His answer was:

"It's just that right now WWE is slightly beating us in the TV ratings and they are going to have the advantage because they've had experience."

 

[Colossal Spoons]

Kurt is slightly bald

 

[Mister J]

Kurt is slightly insane.

 

[TheVileOne]

WWE.com writers are incompetent, stupid, and ******ed for calling Tanahashi a "Japanese fan".

 

[Sarge 2.0]

Kurt Angle Says WWE Is SLIGHTLY Beating TNA In Ratings
02/14/2008 by Ryan Gray

TNA Champion Kurt Angle made some questionable comments in a recent interview with VideoGamer.com. Below are some highlights:

When asked if he was confident that fans would pick TNA Impact! over WWE SmackDown vs. RAW Angle said:

"No I'm not confident that will happen. I believe in the long run we will end up selling more than they will. But I believe the fans will pick Smackdown first, they will try it out and then they'll go back and they will pick TNA Impact! up and they'll try it and say "wow I shouldn't have bought Smackdown". What's going to happen is after the first round of people buy they're going to call their friends and say TNA Impact! is so much better than Smackdown, get that.

Angle went on to say that it will take awhile but they will eventually destroy the new SmackDown game:

"During the first week I don't think we're going to win the war. I think within a month we're going to be crushing them in the war. So it's just going to take a couple of weeks for everybody to realize that we have the better game."

The interviewer asks Kurt why it may take a month for Impact to pass the WWE game. His answer was:

"It's just that right now WWE is slightly beating us in the TV ratings and they are going to have the advantage because they've had experience."

I wonder what he'll say when that doesn't happen.

 

[The Sage]

Kurt Angle Says WWE Is SLIGHTLY Beating TNA In Ratings
02/14/2008 by Ryan Gray

TNA Champion Kurt Angle made some questionable comments in a recent interview with VideoGamer.com. Below are some highlights:

When asked if he was confident that fans would pick TNA Impact! over WWE SmackDown vs. RAW Angle said:

"No I'm not confident that will happen. I believe in the long run we will end up selling more than they will. But I believe the fans will pick Smackdown first, they will try it out and then they'll go back and they will pick TNA Impact! up and they'll try it and say "wow I shouldn't have bought Smackdown". What's going to happen is after the first round of people buy they're going to call their friends and say TNA Impact! is so much better than Smackdown, get that.

Angle went on to say that it will take awhile but they will eventually destroy the new SmackDown game:

"During the first week I don't think we're going to win the war. I think within a month we're going to be crushing them in the war. So it's just going to take a couple of weeks for everybody to realize that we have the better game."

The interviewer asks Kurt why it may take a month for Impact to pass the WWE game. His answer was:

"It's just that right now WWE is slightly beating us in the TV ratings and they are going to have the advantage because they've had experience."

Well this is better than Kurt tearing his shirt off in public and babbling about who he could beat in shoot fights.

 

[Dr. Evil]

Any chance Orton retains the WWE Championship this weekend? Maybe Cena wins by DQ or Countout but Orton retains the Title.

It would lead to a Triple Threat Match at Wrestlemania 24. Randy Orton vs. John Cena vs. Triple H.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

^That would be preferable IMO