Rey Mysterio’s contract expires in 2008, not 2007 as originally reported.
In a recent CBS study on prime time TV shows and children’s viewing, Smackdown was found to be the second most popular show for children to watch with their parents (behind Supernatural). The survey also asked parents and children questions about the show afer it ended yet, despite it’s popularity, Smackdown ranked the 90th in terms of retention levels.
Carmella DeCesare, a former Diva Search contestant, is now engaged to Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jeff Garcia.
Harley Race recently underwent a successful third back operation. There were numerous bone spurs pushing into the nerves in his spine after his first operation, which have now been cleared.
Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim is planing a Hogan’s Heroes short cartoon using ’80s WWF action figures and the tune of the old Hogan’s Heroes TV show.
The Chicago Tribue ran a feature on the Armed & Famous reality TV show. It was noted that Trish Stratus was used in a late-night prostitution sting.
The Portland Tribune ran an article with Roddy Piper, who talked about his cancer: “The worst part, I can’t physically control it. I’ve broken my neck three times, been stabbed and had my hip replaced. I could deal with that. This is something I don’t know how to react to. I can’t fix it. I’m lost. If this beats me I know I’m going to heaven because I’ve been to hell.” Piper was in so much pain on the European tour he needed a shot of morphine just to get laid out by Edge and Randy Orton when the tag titles changed hands. He was rushed home and doctors found three broken bones in his back, one near a nerve. They found the tumour in his lymph nodes when opening him up for the surgery. They said odds are 70% that Piper will recover.
There is a potential property infringment case regarding WWE.com’s Mr McMahon’s Ass cartoons. Apparently the artwork is very similar to a character on a Cartoon Network show, which leaves WWE open to a lawsuit from, of all people, Turner Broadcasting. WWE.com is run by Michael Cole, who is in hot water because of this. Cole is also getting heat after hiring kids straight out of college with no wrestling knowledge to script wrestling angles for the website as the kids have been getting a poor reputation backstage. Stephanie McMahon has been particularly critical of them.
The plan for Vladmir Kozlov is to start him off as a ‘naive, loveable, funny immigrant’ similar to Latka from Taxi, then either the fans turn on him for being foreign or something makes him snap and he turns heel. They do expect him to be a main event heel eventually. One person described the prospect of seeing Batista vs. Kozlov as ‘perversely entertaining’. Kozlov tripped over the ring ropes while leaving the ring at a recent house show in Albany.
Robert Gibson has joined Steve Williams as a part-time developmental trainer. They will spend one week per month in either OVW or Deep South to teach the students hands-on. Another name under consideration as a teacher is Marty Jannetty. No, really.
Barry Windham was finally be hired as an agent, after first being offered the spot a year ago but turning it down to take care of his father. The company had left it as a standing offer.
Mickie James received her AA degree in Business Administration recently. She will be started a BA in February, studying online. Her goal is to open a horse farm, as well as a coffee shop with her sister.
Booker T ran his first show in Pasadena, Texas on 12/21. He pinned Charlie Haas, now with corn rows in his hair, in the main event. Umaga, The Boogeyman, Torrie Wilson, Rob Conway and Rene Dupree also appeared on the card. The next show will be on 01/25, with Haas & Benjamin facing La Resistance.
Credit: Wrestling Observer newsletter (click here for subscription information)
