Today's News

Jim Ross on incident that ended his WWE career:

He was talking about the Video Game launch press conference held at SummerSlam last year...

"I knew that when it was over, a lot of the top WWE officials were very anxious to get Ric Flair out of the facility. So I knew there was some concern there, but I didn't know that the concern involved me. A story started out of misinformation that I had been drinking with Flair all day. And the issue was that if they [WWE officials] had checked their schedule, I had been booked all day with WWE activities and SummerSlam that had nothing to do with Ric Flair. My job was to keep the rudder in the water [at the symposium]. I didn't do that. And so, the decision was made that we part ways. And to be honest with you, and this is not looking back, or trying to cover somebody's tracks, or cover my own [behind], I was really looking for an opportunity to move on. I wanted to get into the podcast business, I wanted to get into one-man show stuff . . . I wanted to look at other opportunities, like this Fox Sports thing that I'm doing now. And I knew I couldn't do those things while I was under contract to the WWE. But to be honest, to be totally frank with you, I had such a loyalty to that company, and I still do, that after 20 years I didn't know how I was going to say goodbye."

He went on to ponder the future of CM Punk...

"At some point, he is going to want to get back into a game. Where that game is, I don't know. Who's gonna be playing in that game, good question. But I would be surprised to see him wrestle anywhere other than WWE on any ongoing basis. But I can certainly see him, if somebody had a new promotion, and they wanted someone with a bright mind and a fresh mind, who understood the product and who could communicate well, which he can do, he might be a great fit in a new promotion: upper management, creative, working with talent. He may be perfect for that. Let me tell you what I think he would be perfect at. I think if he doesn't come back to WWE, which I do hope happens, I think he would be an amazing MMA broadcaster."

Styles worried for TNA's future:

AJ Styles was asked about a possible TNA return during an interview, and he expressed his concerns for the promotions survival, citing their financial issues...

"I'm not saying that they're going under, but it sure does seem that way. They're really saving a lot of money in places. If they're so desperate to save money that they cut loose one of their top guys, the one guy that was known as the TNA guy, they must be hurting pretty bad. Either that or they think that loyalty means absolutely nothing to them, or they think I suck. I don't know which one of those it is."

Wrestling misses out:

None of the wrestling stars that put their name forward to box teenager Trayvon Martin's killer in a celebrity fight, managed to get the spot. Rapper DMX was awarded the bout vs George Zimmerman.

BattleGround:

Battleground has survived, the second event will happen in Tampa, Florida in July.

CM Punk:

Producers at Comedy Central are now unsure if CM Punk will attend a TV show taping on February 12.

Punk has been offered a new job, as a Porn star by Brazzers.

Also WSOF have come in with an offer of an MMA contract, following Bellator, who wasted very little time in declaring an interest in securing Punk's services, after he quit WWE. WSOF even have a match proposed for him, vs Jason David Frank, who once starred in children's TV show ''The Power Rangers'', and has real heat with Punk dating back some time. Frank has wanted to fight Punk for a while, and despite mocking wrestling, even offered to do it in a wrestling ring once, but would prefer to do it in his style, MMA.

WWE are set to take a hit financially in the wake of Punk's departure. Despite leaving he has just moved into second place, ahead of Sin Cara, on the biggest earners list, in terms of merch sales for the company. John Cena is first by a long, long way.

The Punk situation is causing a split in the head office of WWE, Vince McMahon wants him back, however other officials of equal prominence (HHH and Steph?) are urging Vince to just let him go, and want to move on without him.

TNA:

TNA have a cross promotional PPV planned in March, with Japanese group Wrestle-1. The relationship between the two companies was forged by Jeff Jarrett, but has seemingly survived his departure, however, the Japanese promotion are considering severing ties to the American company. There is strong resentment and anger toward Vince Russo in the country of Japan, he is deemed to be racist by many wrestling fans in the country after his anti-Japan comments during his time with WCW. Wrestle-1 are concerned by stories that Vince Russo is back working for the promotion in the creative department, and are not willing to be associated with him, or any promotion affiliated with him.

Ron Simmons remembers Mae Young:

"The only thing I can say about Mae Young is that it was just an honor to have been around her for the many years that I had the privilege of seeing her even in action and being around her. She was just a great woman; always cheerful, always had something uplifting to tell you. Along with (The Fabulous) Moolah, her partner, when you saw one of them you might as well had seen them both because they were very much alike, and they were fantastic women as well as great wrestlers period. I don't want to say just for being a woman, I mean period; as tough as they come, and she will surely be missed. God bless her."

Hogan on TV show:

Hulk Hogan is apparently listed to take a spot on WWE Hall Of Famer Donald Trump's TV show ''Celebrity Apprentice''.

WWE release:

Justin King, a WWE Referee, has been dropped by the promotion.

WrestleMania 30:

WrestleMania 30 will run for 5 hours, starting with a one hour kick off show.

Rob Van Dam has tweeted that he wants to be involved in the show.

WWE PC:

WWE are training the stars of NXT at the PC to use just one clearly defined finisher. So when they hit that move, fans know it is a big one. The company feel too many of the main roster stars, have too many moves to finish a bout, and want to make it easier for fans to follow the story of a bout.

WWE Hall Of Fame 2014:

The late Paul Bearer is expected to be the next name confirmed for this years class.

A third star from the era currently confirmed to be recognized, that of Jake The Snake and The Ultimate Warrior is penciled in.

The celebrity induction is set to be Mr. T, and it seems independently, rather than the Mania 1 main event group induction. Although, T has refused multiple times over the years, so WWE are keeping Cyndi Lauper on ice, should he do so again.

Danny Hodge is also rumoured, he was a legend in the New Orleans area, and this is thought to be his best ever chance to get in.

The female induction is set to be Lita.

This is from the Wrestling Observer, and is quite different to a list published earlier this week by PWI. They name Scott Hall, Stacy Keibler, Cyndi Lauper and Paul Bearer as the rest of class of 2014.

Sting to WWE:

Sting and WWE are in the final stages of talks for his WWE debut. The only thing left to work out is merchandise rights.

The Rock:

The Rock told WWE he would not be working for them this year, in August last year. He is open to a return in 2015.

WWE Network:

An in house trial of the WWE Network has received wide praise, it was described as ''Like Netflix'' in the layout and ease of finding content.

TNA sale story was legit:

Jeff Jarrett and Toby Keith did bid to buy TNA from the Carter family, and were very close to getting it done at one point. Bob, Dixie's Father and Keith had hashed out a price, but Mr. Carter demanded that Dixie was kept in place, with the same job title and responsibilities. Keith did not not want any creative limitations, but Carter was adamant, so the singer walked away. He then started to discuss the creation of a new promotion with Jarrett, and that is currently in the works.

Sources within TNA say the memo from Janice Carter, (Dixie's Mother), denying the talks, came after Keith walked away, and was possibly their way of putting a full stop on the matter.

There was a long term transitional plan in place, where the deal and the ownership transfer would be done late in 2014. They were at stage 1 of 10, of the transition when the talks broke down.

Heat on Angle:

Kurt Angle is in a bit of heat with TNA, recent tweets praising WWE talent, including Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan, have been seen as him preparing for a future return to the 'E'.

New baby:

Hall Of Famer, Edge and Beth Phoenix welcomed their first child, a baby girl, into the world a few weeks ago. Congratulations to them.

Billy Kidman:

An upcoming book based on the life and career of Billy Kidman is not authorised by the former WWE man.