World Wrestling Entertainment released the following press release:
WWE(R): Flexing Its Muscle
Wednesday September 26, 3:47 pm ET
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., the global leader in sports entertainment, has announced a new global organization. Shane McMahon, Executive Vice President, Global Media, is expanding WWE's operations into London, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Toronto and Sydney in an effort to tap into WWE's strong worldwide appeal.
The regional office in London will be led by Andrew Whitaker as the President of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Carl DeMarco will continue to focus on expansion through the Toronto office as the President of Canada, Latin America and China. Jonathan Sully will establish WWE's headquarters in Sydney, Australia, as the President of Asia Pacific.
"Whitaker, DeMarco and Sully will oversee integrated sales, marketing and digital initiatives as well as focus on new and emerging markets. This new structure will allow us to more quickly exploit business opportunities and leverage the strength of the WWE brand," said McMahon.
WWE showcases its unique cast of characters in more than 130 countries, putting smiles on faces worldwide.
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Source: Wrestling Observer
-- The Rock says in a new interview that The Game Plan will be the last movie which he is billed as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. According to the former WWE superstar, starting with his next film which comes out next month, Southland Tales, he will now be billed as just Dwayne Johnson. The Rock also says while he was wrestling, he never thought about getting into movies but thought about doing sitcoms.
-- The security guards on RAW this past week were indy wrestlers Shane Hill, Hardcore Craig, Dinn T. Moore, Steve Stone, Eric Chiowda, Mike Mercury and Matt Longtime. The press photographers who were backstage with Jonathan Coachman were Jason Cash, Trevor Blanchard and Rick Swift.
-- With all the talk of Chris Jericho returning to WWE this week, his name is now #13 on Yahoo's Top 20 Searches Movers list.
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-- On tonight’s episode of Survivor: China on CBS, WWE Diva Ashley was eliminated after a noble fight, and an unfortunate conflict with fellow tribe mate.
On day four at the Zhan Hu tribe’s camp, tensions arose as Self-appointed leader, Dave, bossed around his fellow castaways, who were hungry and forcing them to build a fire pit before eating rice. “We got the flint last night at Tribal Council, and we haven’t even attempted to make a fire, and we’re starving,†Ashley explained. “It just seems like we take the longest route possible to make something happen. I’m losing faith rapidly.†Ashley urged Dave to get a fire started before the rain started to fall, but Dave refused, antagonizing Ashley. “How many fires have you lit, sweetheart?†he asked her. “I don’t want to fight with Ashley. If she wants a fight I can give her a fight. The rest of the team is great. Ashley…†Dave secretly said, shaking his head. After her departure, Ashley left a few thoughts, including some wise words for the Zhan Hu tribe leader, Dave. “I think I got voted out because of a personal conflict with our leader, and Dave is going to show them the reason that he shouldn’t be in control. And I guarantee you I’ll see him on the flip side way sooner than he imagines,†Ashley warned. “Dave – if I had one word to describe him, he’d be a tool. Because that is the perfect word for him, he’s a tool.â€
-- We reported several weeks ago that Ashley was going to be cast off the show on the second week, which in this case it was proven.
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Source: Angel Aramboles and AIWrestling.com
Tammy Sytch appeared on Pro Wrestling Insider on Sports Talk Cleveland with Paul Belfi and Buck Woodward in the second hour. Paul mentioned an appearance at Mulberry's in Cleveland in October 10th. There is a meet and greet before the show. Tammy talked about WWE. She says that she doesn't watch WWE and the storylines aren't interesting for her.
Tammy says that for the past couple of years she's kind of been staying away from wrestling. She went back to school and did an indy show here and there. She said that her new boyfriend got her back in the gym and she's lost a ton of weight and looks like the old Sunny. She says that she's been keeping busy and is booked through May.
Paul asked if she'd be interested in coming back to WWE or go to TNA. Her preference is WWE because she could use the name Sunny. She said that she's only 34 years old and she thinks she still has a couple of good years left. Paul referenced a picture that was posted on Sports Talk's message board showing Tammy back in Sunny shape. Tammy says that she's only 10 pounds away from being the same weight she was when she was Sunny.
Tammy says that because of that she's getting booked. She's going to England, Germany, and Scotland before May. She said that she kind of hated the business for a while but she's loving it again.
Paul mentioned that she was the single most downloaded person in 1996-97 on AOL and received awards from AOL. Paul asked about her thoughts about how they use women in the business these days with little or no wrestling experience. Tammy said that she is not a fan of the diva search concept because she's not a fan of having too many girls around. Tammy said that back when she was around there were only a 2 or 3 females around and it was a big deal and now there seems to be a girl in every segment so it doesn't mean anything.
She believes TNA is going in the wrong direction with all the women. She's also not a fan of women's wrestling. She said she'd much rather manage. She said the only person that she could watch is Trish Stratus because she came from nowhere and worked so hard and respects the business.
Buck mentioned that he saw her at a convention in Long Island and mentioned that Tammy knows the words to the AWA WrestleRock Rumble song. They played it and she sung to some of it. Funny stuff.
Paul asked if she keeps in touch with people in the business. She still talks to Terri Runnels and Dawn Marie. She is very good friends with Traci Books. She mentioned that she talked to Al Snow yesterday. She talks to Terry Funk and Sabu. Paul wrapped up the interview and plugged the event this Sunday.
Tammy said that she would make an announcement on the show and mentioned the matches. There is a meet and greet around 6pm with Tammy. Show is at 7. Tammy sounded great.
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- WWE.com has posted their final part in a three-part interview with Trish Stratus. Here are some highlights from that interview which can be read on WWE.com.
- Stratus will be featured on MTV Cribs in the near future. She and her husband will be featured in 2 Magazine, and she'll be presenting at the Gemini Awards -- Canada's version of the Emmys.
- Trish is currently planning to open a yoga studio in North Toronto this winter called "Stratusphere Yoga." It will offer three different disciplines of yoga under one roof.
- Trish will join other celebrities in a Tri4Dignity triathlon race in the Turks & Caicos Islands on Dec. 1. The former Women’s Champion's leg of the triathlon is the 13-mile half-marathon road course. The event raises money for Dignitas International, an international medical humanitarian organization.
- When asked about her WWE return, Trish said "[The fans] all want to know about a comeback and when's it going to be. I don't know. I left with such a fantastic farewell, that I don't ever want to spoil that. It was so sweet."
Trish says she still keeps in touch with some of the Divas and watches the occasional RAW and checks out WWE.com. But she warned the other Divas, "If someone started talking (expletive deleted) about me and calling me out, you know, I'd have to come back."
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Source: PWInsider.com
- The Undertaker graces the cover of the latest issue of WWE Magazine. The magazine was obviously put together before the news of all of the suspensions as it features an interview with King Booker talking about going to South Africa and having a Zulu marriage ceremony with Sharmell. Due to suspension Booker obviously didn’t make the trip.
- Mick Foley’s Hardcore Diaries will be available on paperback on April 1, 2008. Usually Foley’s paperbacks feature some additional exclusive material, so I would not expect this book to be any different.
- KC James who has done work on SmackDown and is now working in Ohio Valley Wrestling as one half of the James Boys recently cut his hair.
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Source: PWInsider.com
- WWE has filed a motion to receive a default judgment in their lawsuit against Dale Gagner’s AWA Superstars company. Representatives of World Wrestling Entertainment have requested the judgment because they feel Gagner is not adhering to court instructions and is representing himself as opposed to hiring counsel. According to WWE’s motion, it is illegal for a corporation to represent itself. WWE legal is also frustrated by Gagner’s slow timed responses to their requests. WWE filed the lawsuit against Gagner and the AWA Superstars company over trademark infringement and confusion in the marketplace as WWE owns the copyrights for Verne Gagner’s American Wrestling Association.
- Former WWE diva Stacy Keibler will play a role in the upcoming film, The Comebacks to be released on October 19th. It is believed that Keibler has a limited role in the flick.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WWE(R): Flexing Its Muscle
Wednesday September 26, 3:47 pm ET
STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--World Wrestling Entertainment Inc., the global leader in sports entertainment, has announced a new global organization. Shane McMahon, Executive Vice President, Global Media, is expanding WWE's operations into London, Shanghai, Tokyo, Sao Paulo, Toronto and Sydney in an effort to tap into WWE's strong worldwide appeal.
The regional office in London will be led by Andrew Whitaker as the President of Europe, Middle East and Africa. Carl DeMarco will continue to focus on expansion through the Toronto office as the President of Canada, Latin America and China. Jonathan Sully will establish WWE's headquarters in Sydney, Australia, as the President of Asia Pacific.
"Whitaker, DeMarco and Sully will oversee integrated sales, marketing and digital initiatives as well as focus on new and emerging markets. This new structure will allow us to more quickly exploit business opportunities and leverage the strength of the WWE brand," said McMahon.
WWE showcases its unique cast of characters in more than 130 countries, putting smiles on faces worldwide.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Wrestling Observer
-- The Rock says in a new interview that The Game Plan will be the last movie which he is billed as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson. According to the former WWE superstar, starting with his next film which comes out next month, Southland Tales, he will now be billed as just Dwayne Johnson. The Rock also says while he was wrestling, he never thought about getting into movies but thought about doing sitcoms.
-- The security guards on RAW this past week were indy wrestlers Shane Hill, Hardcore Craig, Dinn T. Moore, Steve Stone, Eric Chiowda, Mike Mercury and Matt Longtime. The press photographers who were backstage with Jonathan Coachman were Jason Cash, Trevor Blanchard and Rick Swift.
-- With all the talk of Chris Jericho returning to WWE this week, his name is now #13 on Yahoo's Top 20 Searches Movers list.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-- On tonight’s episode of Survivor: China on CBS, WWE Diva Ashley was eliminated after a noble fight, and an unfortunate conflict with fellow tribe mate.
On day four at the Zhan Hu tribe’s camp, tensions arose as Self-appointed leader, Dave, bossed around his fellow castaways, who were hungry and forcing them to build a fire pit before eating rice. “We got the flint last night at Tribal Council, and we haven’t even attempted to make a fire, and we’re starving,†Ashley explained. “It just seems like we take the longest route possible to make something happen. I’m losing faith rapidly.†Ashley urged Dave to get a fire started before the rain started to fall, but Dave refused, antagonizing Ashley. “How many fires have you lit, sweetheart?†he asked her. “I don’t want to fight with Ashley. If she wants a fight I can give her a fight. The rest of the team is great. Ashley…†Dave secretly said, shaking his head. After her departure, Ashley left a few thoughts, including some wise words for the Zhan Hu tribe leader, Dave. “I think I got voted out because of a personal conflict with our leader, and Dave is going to show them the reason that he shouldn’t be in control. And I guarantee you I’ll see him on the flip side way sooner than he imagines,†Ashley warned. “Dave – if I had one word to describe him, he’d be a tool. Because that is the perfect word for him, he’s a tool.â€
-- We reported several weeks ago that Ashley was going to be cast off the show on the second week, which in this case it was proven.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: Angel Aramboles and AIWrestling.com
Tammy Sytch appeared on Pro Wrestling Insider on Sports Talk Cleveland with Paul Belfi and Buck Woodward in the second hour. Paul mentioned an appearance at Mulberry's in Cleveland in October 10th. There is a meet and greet before the show. Tammy talked about WWE. She says that she doesn't watch WWE and the storylines aren't interesting for her.
Tammy says that for the past couple of years she's kind of been staying away from wrestling. She went back to school and did an indy show here and there. She said that her new boyfriend got her back in the gym and she's lost a ton of weight and looks like the old Sunny. She says that she's been keeping busy and is booked through May.
Paul asked if she'd be interested in coming back to WWE or go to TNA. Her preference is WWE because she could use the name Sunny. She said that she's only 34 years old and she thinks she still has a couple of good years left. Paul referenced a picture that was posted on Sports Talk's message board showing Tammy back in Sunny shape. Tammy says that she's only 10 pounds away from being the same weight she was when she was Sunny.
Tammy says that because of that she's getting booked. She's going to England, Germany, and Scotland before May. She said that she kind of hated the business for a while but she's loving it again.
Paul mentioned that she was the single most downloaded person in 1996-97 on AOL and received awards from AOL. Paul asked about her thoughts about how they use women in the business these days with little or no wrestling experience. Tammy said that she is not a fan of the diva search concept because she's not a fan of having too many girls around. Tammy said that back when she was around there were only a 2 or 3 females around and it was a big deal and now there seems to be a girl in every segment so it doesn't mean anything.
She believes TNA is going in the wrong direction with all the women. She's also not a fan of women's wrestling. She said she'd much rather manage. She said the only person that she could watch is Trish Stratus because she came from nowhere and worked so hard and respects the business.
Buck mentioned that he saw her at a convention in Long Island and mentioned that Tammy knows the words to the AWA WrestleRock Rumble song. They played it and she sung to some of it. Funny stuff.
Paul asked if she keeps in touch with people in the business. She still talks to Terri Runnels and Dawn Marie. She is very good friends with Traci Books. She mentioned that she talked to Al Snow yesterday. She talks to Terry Funk and Sabu. Paul wrapped up the interview and plugged the event this Sunday.
Tammy said that she would make an announcement on the show and mentioned the matches. There is a meet and greet around 6pm with Tammy. Show is at 7. Tammy sounded great.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- WWE.com has posted their final part in a three-part interview with Trish Stratus. Here are some highlights from that interview which can be read on WWE.com.
- Stratus will be featured on MTV Cribs in the near future. She and her husband will be featured in 2 Magazine, and she'll be presenting at the Gemini Awards -- Canada's version of the Emmys.
- Trish is currently planning to open a yoga studio in North Toronto this winter called "Stratusphere Yoga." It will offer three different disciplines of yoga under one roof.
- Trish will join other celebrities in a Tri4Dignity triathlon race in the Turks & Caicos Islands on Dec. 1. The former Women’s Champion's leg of the triathlon is the 13-mile half-marathon road course. The event raises money for Dignitas International, an international medical humanitarian organization.
- When asked about her WWE return, Trish said "[The fans] all want to know about a comeback and when's it going to be. I don't know. I left with such a fantastic farewell, that I don't ever want to spoil that. It was so sweet."
Trish says she still keeps in touch with some of the Divas and watches the occasional RAW and checks out WWE.com. But she warned the other Divas, "If someone started talking (expletive deleted) about me and calling me out, you know, I'd have to come back."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: PWInsider.com
- The Undertaker graces the cover of the latest issue of WWE Magazine. The magazine was obviously put together before the news of all of the suspensions as it features an interview with King Booker talking about going to South Africa and having a Zulu marriage ceremony with Sharmell. Due to suspension Booker obviously didn’t make the trip.
- Mick Foley’s Hardcore Diaries will be available on paperback on April 1, 2008. Usually Foley’s paperbacks feature some additional exclusive material, so I would not expect this book to be any different.
- KC James who has done work on SmackDown and is now working in Ohio Valley Wrestling as one half of the James Boys recently cut his hair.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source: PWInsider.com
- WWE has filed a motion to receive a default judgment in their lawsuit against Dale Gagner’s AWA Superstars company. Representatives of World Wrestling Entertainment have requested the judgment because they feel Gagner is not adhering to court instructions and is representing himself as opposed to hiring counsel. According to WWE’s motion, it is illegal for a corporation to represent itself. WWE legal is also frustrated by Gagner’s slow timed responses to their requests. WWE filed the lawsuit against Gagner and the AWA Superstars company over trademark infringement and confusion in the marketplace as WWE owns the copyrights for Verne Gagner’s American Wrestling Association.
- Former WWE diva Stacy Keibler will play a role in the upcoming film, The Comebacks to be released on October 19th. It is believed that Keibler has a limited role in the flick.
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