[Source: 1Wrestling]
Before the ECW/SmackDown taping in Cincinnatti, Ohio, Stephanie McMahon conducted a talent meeting. The meeting was held at 4pm with the main subject being the changes to the Wellness Program.
The main changes made to the program and announced to the talent are:
- New talent signed by WWE will need to be drug tested before being signed.
- Marijuana testing will now be in effect by WWE. If tested positive, talent will be fined one thousand dollars each time failed. Also, if tested positive for marijuana, talent will not be suspended and will not be included in their “three strikes†rule.
- The drug “anti-estrogen†will be added to the banned items talent will be tested for.
- From November 1st, talent who violate the Wellness Program will be made public by WWE.
Also, before the ECW/SmackDown taping took place on Saturday, Triple H addressed the stars during a pre-show meeting. He told the stars that the whole industry is now being under attack and it’s now time for everyone to stick together.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Source: 1Wrestling]
Yesterday, World Wrestling Entertainment released Nick "Eugene" Dinsmore.
According to reports, Nick Dinsmore was surprised by the release. He was in the arena at last night’s ECW/SmackDown tapings in Cincinnatti, Ohio and was at the talent meeting before the event started which Stephanie McMahon conducted.
After the meeting, he was notified of his release and was apparently escorted from the arena.
Nick Dinsmore was not in the list of names listed by the media as being a Signature Pharmacy customer, however reports suggest that his release was due to a Wellness Program violation. Dinsmore was previously suspended in November 2005 due to violating the program.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: PWTorch.com
Due to the tragic car accident last weekend in Florida that left Nick Hogan's passenger John Craziano in critical condition, the stage is set for a major lawsuit against Hulk Hogan.
Because Nick Hogan, real name Nick Bollea, is only 17 years old and still considered a minor, Nick's legal guardian (Hulk) would be the defendant in any lawsuits filed.
Hulk Hogan has been seen on "Hogan Knows Best" encouraging Nick's street racing. If it's found that Hulk has used the "Hogan" name to get Nick out of traffic tickets Hulk would inheret even more liability. In the recent issue of RIDES Magazine, Nick speaks about getting out of speeding tickets after being pulled over two seperate times by different officers in one drive because he is a "Hogan". The third time he got pulled over on that day he got a ticket for going 123 MPH in a 50 MPH zone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Credit: PWInsider.com, TNAWrestling.com)
Last night’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown! scored a 2.5 fast national rating, which finished last among the five networks. The final rating will be out next week.
WWE talent will no longer be speaking with the media nor will they be making appearances for the next several weeks. This is exactly what they did when the Benoit family tragedy took place last June. Talent will still honor some of their scheduled appearances but those that are expected to be on radio shows or talking with newspapers will be pulled.
Christian Cage and Rhino will be signing autographs and photos next Saturday at Team 3D’s “Power Blendz.†Signings will begin at 3 and end at 6pm. Power Blendz is located at 1894 North Wickham Rd. in Melbourne, Fl. Admission is 5$, children four and under are free.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As it has done in the past with taped World Championship changes, WWE.com features a main page story touting CM Punk's ECW World Heavyweight Championship victory. Punk captured the belt at Saturday's taping (the ECW episode airs on Sci-Fi this Tuesday) by defeating John Morrison. Media reports labeled Morrison a customer of alleged steroid distributor Signature Pharmacy, and the belief is that he is one of the eleven suspended WWE superstars.
WWE.com confirmed that Umaga will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Jeff Hardy on the RAW taping. Umaga is also presumed to be one of the suspended wrestlers, so a title change appears likely.
Triple H vs. Carlito will also take place on the show.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Mark Henry recently signed a contract extension and plans to remain with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Figure 4 Weekly recently noted that WWE was operating under the assumption that Henry was not going to re-sign, but it appears such reports have proven incorrect.
A similar issue arose the last time Henry was due to renew his contract; media reports said that Mark Henry was definitely not signing, only for such reports to ultimately prove inaccurate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsday reported late Friday night that WWE has suspended yet another wrestler for violation of the company's Wellness Policy.
The outlet credited WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt with confirming the eleventh suspension; the attorney added that no more suspensions were expected.
WWE first announced the ten suspensions Thursday after confirming information it received from the Albany County district attorney's office, which apparently labeled the wrestlers as clients of Signature Pharmacy, an Internet dealer accused of distributing steroids and other prescription drugs.
It had not issued a website update confirming the eleventh suspension at press time, nor had it revealed the identities of the other ten.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PWInsider.com reported Friday that WWE officially released Mike "Simon Dean" Bucci, who was one of the wrestlers the New York Daily News linked to alleged steroid and prescription drug distributor Signature Pharmacy.
WrestlingObserver.com added that Bucci, who had left his active wrestling career in favor of a management position in WWE's talent relations department, was already "on the bubble" due to heat he had from his behavior in that position. News of his linkage to Signature Pharmacy was apparently the nail in the coffin.
That angle to the story is furthered by PWInsider's report, which said some WWE sources believe Bucci was likely released because he was expendable and provided WWE an easy opportunity to convey how seriously it is taking the drug issue. That website's report also noted that WWE officials felt compelled to let Bucci go because of his managerial status -- "they couldn't have him setting an example like that."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Before the ECW/SmackDown taping in Cincinnatti, Ohio, Stephanie McMahon conducted a talent meeting. The meeting was held at 4pm with the main subject being the changes to the Wellness Program.
The main changes made to the program and announced to the talent are:
- New talent signed by WWE will need to be drug tested before being signed.
- Marijuana testing will now be in effect by WWE. If tested positive, talent will be fined one thousand dollars each time failed. Also, if tested positive for marijuana, talent will not be suspended and will not be included in their “three strikes†rule.
- The drug “anti-estrogen†will be added to the banned items talent will be tested for.
- From November 1st, talent who violate the Wellness Program will be made public by WWE.
Also, before the ECW/SmackDown taping took place on Saturday, Triple H addressed the stars during a pre-show meeting. He told the stars that the whole industry is now being under attack and it’s now time for everyone to stick together.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Source: 1Wrestling]
Yesterday, World Wrestling Entertainment released Nick "Eugene" Dinsmore.
According to reports, Nick Dinsmore was surprised by the release. He was in the arena at last night’s ECW/SmackDown tapings in Cincinnatti, Ohio and was at the talent meeting before the event started which Stephanie McMahon conducted.
After the meeting, he was notified of his release and was apparently escorted from the arena.
Nick Dinsmore was not in the list of names listed by the media as being a Signature Pharmacy customer, however reports suggest that his release was due to a Wellness Program violation. Dinsmore was previously suspended in November 2005 due to violating the program.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: PWTorch.com
Due to the tragic car accident last weekend in Florida that left Nick Hogan's passenger John Craziano in critical condition, the stage is set for a major lawsuit against Hulk Hogan.
Because Nick Hogan, real name Nick Bollea, is only 17 years old and still considered a minor, Nick's legal guardian (Hulk) would be the defendant in any lawsuits filed.
Hulk Hogan has been seen on "Hogan Knows Best" encouraging Nick's street racing. If it's found that Hulk has used the "Hogan" name to get Nick out of traffic tickets Hulk would inheret even more liability. In the recent issue of RIDES Magazine, Nick speaks about getting out of speeding tickets after being pulled over two seperate times by different officers in one drive because he is a "Hogan". The third time he got pulled over on that day he got a ticket for going 123 MPH in a 50 MPH zone.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Credit: PWInsider.com, TNAWrestling.com)
Last night’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown! scored a 2.5 fast national rating, which finished last among the five networks. The final rating will be out next week.
WWE talent will no longer be speaking with the media nor will they be making appearances for the next several weeks. This is exactly what they did when the Benoit family tragedy took place last June. Talent will still honor some of their scheduled appearances but those that are expected to be on radio shows or talking with newspapers will be pulled.
Christian Cage and Rhino will be signing autographs and photos next Saturday at Team 3D’s “Power Blendz.†Signings will begin at 3 and end at 6pm. Power Blendz is located at 1894 North Wickham Rd. in Melbourne, Fl. Admission is 5$, children four and under are free.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As it has done in the past with taped World Championship changes, WWE.com features a main page story touting CM Punk's ECW World Heavyweight Championship victory. Punk captured the belt at Saturday's taping (the ECW episode airs on Sci-Fi this Tuesday) by defeating John Morrison. Media reports labeled Morrison a customer of alleged steroid distributor Signature Pharmacy, and the belief is that he is one of the eleven suspended WWE superstars.
WWE.com confirmed that Umaga will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Jeff Hardy on the RAW taping. Umaga is also presumed to be one of the suspended wrestlers, so a title change appears likely.
Triple H vs. Carlito will also take place on the show.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Mark Henry recently signed a contract extension and plans to remain with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Figure 4 Weekly recently noted that WWE was operating under the assumption that Henry was not going to re-sign, but it appears such reports have proven incorrect.
A similar issue arose the last time Henry was due to renew his contract; media reports said that Mark Henry was definitely not signing, only for such reports to ultimately prove inaccurate.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsday reported late Friday night that WWE has suspended yet another wrestler for violation of the company's Wellness Policy.
The outlet credited WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt with confirming the eleventh suspension; the attorney added that no more suspensions were expected.
WWE first announced the ten suspensions Thursday after confirming information it received from the Albany County district attorney's office, which apparently labeled the wrestlers as clients of Signature Pharmacy, an Internet dealer accused of distributing steroids and other prescription drugs.
It had not issued a website update confirming the eleventh suspension at press time, nor had it revealed the identities of the other ten.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PWInsider.com reported Friday that WWE officially released Mike "Simon Dean" Bucci, who was one of the wrestlers the New York Daily News linked to alleged steroid and prescription drug distributor Signature Pharmacy.
WrestlingObserver.com added that Bucci, who had left his active wrestling career in favor of a management position in WWE's talent relations department, was already "on the bubble" due to heat he had from his behavior in that position. News of his linkage to Signature Pharmacy was apparently the nail in the coffin.
That angle to the story is furthered by PWInsider's report, which said some WWE sources believe Bucci was likely released because he was expendable and provided WWE an easy opportunity to convey how seriously it is taking the drug issue. That website's report also noted that WWE officials felt compelled to let Bucci go because of his managerial status -- "they couldn't have him setting an example like that."
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
