– Hulk Hogan was on Live with Regis & Kelly this morning, and is at Pokemon’s Party of the Decade today in Bryant Park, NYC. He is also scheduled to be on CNN’s “Showbiz Tonight” today at 11 p.m. ET. On Regis, he talked about his legacy, “Brooke-a-mania,” his knee surgery, upcoming birthday (this week), Pokemon, getting hurt wrestling Andre and more. While he didn’t explicitly mention Summerslam or Randy Orton by name, he said he was scheduled to wrestle in a few weeks but it was “touch and go” due to the knee injury.
– Paul Heyman was given more influence in the ECW on-air product last week, according to PWInsider, which reports that this is supposed to continue this week.
– The latest Diva Search hopeful that was eliminated talks with WWE.com here. According to PWInsider, she came across as clueless off-camera as on, and people backstage last night were glad she was voted off.
– Also backstage at RAW, Vince McMahon was said to be very agitated about the 1999 “wrestling and violence” study that was recently re-released, writing mentions of the study into the show and storming around backstage at the show, according to PWInsider, who also reports that people who thought he should leave well enough alone and ignore the study were smart enough to not get in Vince’s path last night or disagree with the boss.
– Paul Bearer appeared at this weekend’s Mobile, AL, Smackdown house show, introduced by The Miz as “Percy Pringle III” and plugging his indie promotion Gulf Coast Wrestling, according to a house show report on PWTorch.com. Ryan Wilson (former Tough Enough hopeful and TNA’s Tryton/member of Red Shirt Security) and Chuck Palumbo wrestled on the show, perhaps as a hint that they will be part of Teddy Long’s New Talent Initiative. Rene Dupree worked the ECW shows.
– Eric Bischoff has partnered with WWE for a “multi-year licensing and promotions partnership,” which can be read about here. Bischoff’s Socko Energy drink will be promoted through limited edition RAW- and Summerslam-branded products, collectors edition cans, etc.
– There’s a story on Mickie James here, where she talks about her engagement to Kenny and more.
– Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Lance Storm’s latest commentary Q&A is up here, talking about the divas, Jericho, Kane and more.
