– Click here for the latest Smackdown superstar. Wow.
– In other news, Road Warrior Animal has been released from WWE.
– ECW.com has posted the following stories in advance of tomorrow’s WWE vs. ECW special on USA Network: “Taste of hardcore: Despite having to face Sabu at WWE vs. ECW Head to Head, John Cena is looking forward to Wednesday night; “Heyman speaks: Paul Heyman told ECW.com that Head to Head may be the single most important day in ECW history;” “Challenge answered: Kurt Angle responds to Randy Orton’s attack on RAW and answering his challenge for One Night Stand.”
– Major League Baseball great and WWE Hall of Famer Pete Rose spoke with SLAM! recently. It’s an interesting read.
– PWInsider.com has reported that Beth Phoenix underwent successful oral surgery and will be out of action for a couple of months. She now has a metal plate in her jaw as a result of last night’s injury. Lilian Garcia is expected back behind the microphone without skipping any time, having suffered a wrist sprain.
– PWInsider.com is also reporting that, according to their sources, Justin Credible, New Jack, Chris Hamrick and Puma have been granted releases from their MTV Wrestling Society X contracts as of June 8. This of course will allow Credible and New Jack to be available for the new ECW, and is the official release for Puma, who already had verbal permission to work TNA and elsewhere. WWE has previously shown interest in Hamrick as well. The Wrestling Society X project which has not been officially picked up, but time will tell. Teddy Hart, Vampiro, Sean Waltman, Aaron Aguilera, Jack Evans, Kaos, Luke, Alkatrazz, and announcer Kris Kloss have all signed 30-day extensions through July 7, as MTV shops the show around within its networks.
– The following press release was issued recently by TNA, and this news was also on TNAWrestling.com:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 1, 2006
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Terry Taylor has been named Director of Talent Relations for TNA Wrestling, it was announced today.
Taylor has been living in Atlanta for the past 14 years. He previously worked for WCW and WWE/WWF, and was a wrestler for 17 years before officially retiring earlier this year.
“I believe in TNA,” Taylor said. “This company is doing big things and I am excited to be part of the team and contributing to the growth, as well as the future of the business as a whole.”
As Director of Talent Relations, Taylor is responsible for all matters related to TNA’s on-air talent, including contract negotiations, management and expanding the company’s roster. He will be working out of the Nashville office.
“We are excited to have Terry in this important job,” said Dixie Carter, president of TNA Wrestling. “We pride ourselves on our roster and want the very best for them. Terry is the perfect fit for relating to and aiding our talent.”
– In other TNA news, PWTorch.com reports that last Thursday’s iMPACT got a 1.1 rating, down slightly from last week’s 1.2, but still high in key demographics (1.2 M18-49, 1.8 M18-34, #2 for the night behind NBA playoffs on TNT). The show had an average audience of 1.2 million viewers.
