Updated throughout the day, the Torch News Ticker delivers a constant stream of news and information from WWE, TNA, ROH, Japan, the independents, and whatever else pops up. Keep it open in a new tab and bookmark it every Monday! Promoters and readers: Send in news, upcoming events, interview highlights, or wrestling-related information to the Torch News email address, Wade Keller, and James Caldwell for inclusion on the constantly-updated Ticker. Contact link.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

Morning Update

- Results Wanted: We are looking for reports from last night's Raw house show in Hamilton, Ontario and the Smackdown house show in Moncton, New Brunswick. ... WWE has three shows today in Canada. We're looking for reports from the Raw show in Barrie, Ontario, and the matinee SD/ECW show in Fredericton, N.B., and the evening show in Saint John, N.B.

- The latest on the Ashley Massaro situation is that Ashley denied the accusations from Rolling Stone magazine of being involved in an escort service. "Just got buzzed on some BS that is going around," she posted on her myspace page on Saturday. "Don't believe it for a second. Getting in touch with my lawyer as we speak." TMZ picked up the story and contacted WWE for comment, but they did not receive a response. The other issue, as reported by Dave Meltzer on WrestlingObserver.com, is that a similar-looking model from Las Vegas goes by the same name. It remains to be seen whether Rolling Stone had the right Ashley in their report. TMZ article.

- Mike Mooneyham in the Charleston Post & Courier writes about the controversial endings to Raw and ECW this past week in his Sunday column. Article link.

- The latest on Hulk Hogan's reality wrestling show is that 10 yet-to-be-named celebrities will be lined up to train and compete for the title of Celebrity All-Star Wrestling Champion on Hogan's show set to air this fall on CMT. Bob Kusbit, CMT's head of TV development, said the idea is for Hogan to train the celebrities, give them a character, and "pull back the curtain on how intense, colorful and difficult it is to be a champion." He said it's a big win for the channel and its viewers. Multichannel News report.

- Great Khali's return to India has generated plenty of press in India this weekend. Indianexpress.com published a fascinating story on Khali's upbringing, where the story is that his grandfather was a few inches taller than him, and Khali couldn't even live in his own home as a teenager because he was too tall. The headline reads: "Khali returns: from illiterate labourer to TV wrestling’s Indian poster-boy." Article link.

- In other Khali matters, he might have "discipline" awaiting his return to Punjab, where he has supposedly been on sick leave from the police force for over two years. In the interim, he's still collected a monthly salary of 15,000 rupees while earning millions in WWE. Article link. ... And for a classic and candid Khali photo in an article touching on the same subject, follow this link.

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Saturday, May 3, 2008

Afternoon Update

- WWE Smackdown from last night averaged a weak 2.3 rating for last night's broadcast. Despite the low rating, the show took fourth place on the night, ahead of FOX. The show averaged a 2.1 first hour and 2.5 second hour. The effect of baseball season and a very competitive NBA playoff game between Boston and Atlanta last night is certainly being felt.

- As reported by Jason Powell on prowrestling.NET, the latest issue of Rolling Stone Magazine details an F.B.I. bust of an adult escort service that WWE diva Ashley Massaro was allegedly involved in at one time. With Michael Hayes's racism allegations, Santino arrested on DUI charges, and this news item involving a diva who was in one of WWE's most-hyped WrestleMania matches, it hasn't been a good two weeks for the WWE P.R. department. Jason's report.

- Chris Jericho and Edge are interviewed in the Winnipeg Sun to promote WWE's tour of Canada this weekend. Jericho told a funny story from early in his career when he wrestled in front of seven people in Alberta because the promoter booked the show the same night of a free beer bash at the local college. Edge said wrestling in Canada is different than the States. "Everywhere else, the fans hate me, but it's different here. This is home," he said. "It's like my home town is the whole country."

Edge also details his philosophy on being a heel, which he never thought he could pull off four or five years ago. "I tried to take the humour out, I wanted to have no redeeming social qualities," he said. "I still had to be entertaining, but I didn't want to be overly entertaining. ... The sarcasm is part of me ramped up. I try to get into the fans' heads. If I was sitting at home watching, I would hate me." Article link.

- Edge was also interviewed in the Daily Gleaner to promote this weekend's shows in eastern Canada. Edge said he got his start wrestling seven days a week on the east coast, including wrestling Bad News Brown. Half of the tickets have been sold for Sunday's matinee show in Fredericton, New Brunswick. Edge claimed there should be a strong walk-up with parents deciding to take their kids to the show. Article link.

- Great Khali touched down in New Delhi on Friday night for his return to India. They're already doing an angle in the papers, as a man by the name of Palwinder Cheema is trying to make a name for himself by challenging Khali to an exhibition match. Cheema is apparently training for the Beijing Olympics, and he wants to show that Khali is a fraud. "He said that Khali was a showman and befooling people by acting at WWE," reported the Punjab Newsline. Article link.

- Kansas City Star newspaper has a blurb on Ron Simmons being inducted into the college football Hall of Fame. "Say what you want about pro wrasslin’. And call Simmons, the WWE star, what you want, but now you have to call him a Hall of Famer. Before his years of success in the wrestling ring, Simmons played nose tackle at Florida State and by his senior season in 1980, he had helped the Seminoles become a national power. Simmons on Thursday was selected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Damn!" Article link.

***

Friday, May 2, 2008

Evening Update

- WWE Notes: The Raw brand is in Montreal tonight, so we're looking for a live report from tonight's show. ... Maria made FHM's Top 100 Sexiest women of 2008 list. ... WWE's website continues to promote the Mike Adamle storyline, with it unclear whether Adamle will be on the ECW show this week. The article reasons that Adamle left the set due to a "hostile environment" at WWE events. Of note, the article describes "hostile environment" as teasing from WWE wrestlers and fans shouting insults at Adamle, but no mention of the folks in the headset. ... Michelle McCool commented on WWE's website about being the number one search item on Yahoo this past weekend. Article link.

- TNA Notes: The big TNA Shop item from Don West's Deal of the Day that was promoted on Impact last night is a commemorative plaque from Samoa Joe's TNA Title victory at the Lockdown PPV last month. The plaque includes a piece of the ring mat, Joe's towel, and steel cage. ... Tickets are now on-sale for TNA's house show in Poplar Bluff, Mo. on June 6. All the big names are scheduled to appear. ... TNA posted a storyline interview with Kip James discussing his current program with B.G. James. Article link.

- Barrie Advance in Canada published an interview with Mr. Kennedy to promote this weekend's WWE house show in Barrie, Ontario. Kennedy discusses his start in the wrestling business after being a fan of Steve Austin prior to entering the business. Kennedy has an interesting story on working The Undertaker early in his WWE career. "I remember early in my run with Undertaker, we were in the Philippines and we had a match and I remember walking up to him and saying, just out of respect, ‘what do you want to do tonight?’ And he looked at me and said, ‘work my legs, and at some point I’ll drop you on your head.’ And that was all he said to me, and we went out and did 32 minutes. That’s the kind of talent you’re working with.” Good interview on Kennedy. Article link.

- Barrie Advance also published an in-character interview with Santino Marella on current storylines, including Carlito, Maria, and Jerry Lawler. Entertaining read. Article link.

- Stevie Richards and Kevin Thorn will be at the FCW show in New Port Richey, Fla. this Saturday. Big match is Stu Sanders & Drew McIntyre vs. Eric Perez & Eddie Colon. Show details.

Morning Update

- Jim Ross posted a new blog on jrsbarbq.com discussing a variety of hot topics from the week. He said he should be dropping by the FCW developmental facility in Tampa within the next few weeks to scout and observe the talent. He said if the facility is like college, the students need to be tested on a variety of wrestling "subject matter," which includes their personal choices. Hinting at the Santino DUI, Ross said, "This would include issues with alcohol and cavorting around Tampa after midnight."

Ross said he recently received a text message from Ric Flair, who joked that he's suffering from post-WrestleMania withdrawal while in his new "ambassador" role for WWE. ... Ross provided an update on Bobby Heenan, who he said recently had another jaw surgery procedure. He said Heenan is currently recovering through physical and speech therapy. ... Commenting on various announcing situations, Ross said Coach is doing sports work with the MSG Network, he's interested to see how Mick Foley does with Michael Cole on a full broadcast, and he'll be tuned in for ECW this week for a potential "car wreck" with the uncertain broadcasting line-up. Blog link.

- Bruno Sammartino is interviewed by Kevin Eck in the Baltimore Sun regarding his longstanding position against WWE, and why he won't be part of their Hall of Fame. Sammartino clears up a past meeting with Vince McMahon, where Sammartino says he told McMahon he won't work with someone who pays a few thousand dollars to old-timers for special appearances, but he'll pay millions of dollars to outsiders from sports or entertainment for one little appearance.

"Those who have given their whole life to this business and never made any real money, what do they get for all those years of banging their bodies up?" he said. "And a lot of them are physically practically handicapped. They get a bone thrown at them. This is respect for the old-timers? Give me a break." Sammartino also talks about his famous WWWF Title match in Baltimore against Billy Graham in 1977. He closes the interview by saying people think who think he's bitter are mistaken. "They just haven’t a clue of what a happy, happy guy I really am at this stage of my life," he said. Definitely an interview worth reading in its entirety. Interview link.

- TNA is holding a Fan Interaction during their U.K. tour next month. The event will take place June 14 at Liquid and Envy in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. Event lasts from 1-4 p.m. before TNA's house show in Coventry that night. All of the big names are scheduled to appear, including Joe and Angle. Interaction details.

- ROH Biz Notes: Mark Briscoe's wrist injury was far worse than initially thought. When the doctors performed surgery, they were expecting to only repair the wrist, but they discovered that a complete reconstruction was necessary. Mark's timetable for returning is 3-6 months. ... ROH is 50/50 on breaking their all-time attendance record next Saturday at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. ... Daizee Haze, who appeared on TNA Impact last night, is still a part of ROH. Her status isn't affected. ... ROH is negotiating to bring back Shelley & Sabin for summer cards. ... Human Tornado was scheduled to begin regular dates with ROH, but that's on hold with his severe leg injury. Biz notes link.

- Diamond Dallas Page talks about his yoga program for guys in an interview with Alex Marvez for his weekly syndicated column. DDP calls his program "inspirational and perspirational." Article link.

- Northeast Wrestling is holding a fundraiser in North Rockland, N.Y. on Saturday night with a good line-up of stars, including Samoa Joe, Booker T and Sharmell, Jerry Lawler, and Velvet Sky. Meet and Greet session starts at 5:30. Show details.

***

Thursday, May 1, 2008

Morning Update

- TNA Impact preview: Tonight continues the Deuces Wild tournament with LAX vs. Kaz & Eric Young and A.J. Styles & a partner to replace Tomko vs. Hoyt & Rave. Jim Cornette announces the eight wrestlers for the tournament and the new concept match to debut at the Sacrifice PPV. ... Main event is Samoa Joe & Kurt Angle vs. Scott Steiner & Petey Williams.

- The top story on WWE's website this morning is still Mike Adamle walking off the ECW set two nights ago.

- Daily Gleaner paper in Canada reports that 2,500 tickets have been sold for WWE's weekend house show in Fredericton, New Brunswick, Canada on Sunday afternoon. It's part of WWE's first tour of Canada in nearly a year. Article link.

- Trish Stratus's new yoga facility in Toronto is getting plenty of publicity. Yorkregion.com published a story on Trish's grand opening, with comments from Trish on saving her career when she was in WWE by discovering yoga. Article link.

- Detroit Free Press is giving away WWE DVDs to help promote Raw's return to Detroit later this month. Contest details.

- Part 3 of Kevin Nash's pre-Mania interview with Jeff Wilen of the Daytona Beach News Journal includes Nash's thoughts on the Benoit tragedy, steroids in wrestling, and his favorite moments in his wrestling career. Interview link.

- The UPW promotion in Los Angeles, which trained the likes of John Cena, Samoa Joe, and Chris Masters, is reopening its Ultimate University training school this month. Joey Ryan is heading up the training. The UU facility is in El Segundo, Calif. with sessions starting May 7. All the details.

***

Wednesday, April 30, 2008

Evening Update

- Ch. 2 in Atlanta published Irv Muchnick's story on the final phone calls in and out of the Chris Benoit residence prior to the double murder-suicide last June. Muchnick has been following the story closely the last month, with his reporting covering the latest details of the story in-depth. Muchnick blog with details || Ch. 2 article link.

- TNA sent a message to Mobile subscribers that Petey Williams suffered a severe eye injury at last night's TV taping in Orlando. The message said the injury appears to be a "broken orbital bone". Petey will require surgery, which means he'll probably be out of in-ring action for a few months.

- NWA is celebrating its 60th year with a mega-show at Phillips Arena in Atlanta, Ga. on Saturday, June 7. The show has been in the works for several months, with NWA hoping to add some big names to draw a strong audience. The show is currently being headlined by Sid Vicious. Tickets go on-sale this Saturday. NWA website.

- Charlotte News & Observer posted an animated clip spoofing Ric Flair running for president. The video asks why vote for posers like Clinton, Obama, and McCain looking for wrestling votes when there's Ric Flair? Flair's running mate in the spoof video is Dusty Rhodes, because of the "American Dream" slogan. Awesome video. Video link.

- UGO.com posted a story on test-running the TNA video game set for release later this summer. The article concludes: "From the perspective of a wrestling non-fan, TNA Impact seems to offer an entertaining, generally accessible experience. The action looks good and moves quickly, bolstered by responsive controls and agile fighters. Those who want more info on the game's story mode have some waiting still to be done, but the fundamentals are definitely in place for a solid wrestling game." Article link.

Morning Update

- WWE's headline story on their website this morning is Mike Adamle leaving the broadcast position prior to the ECW TV main event. The follow-up angle is that both Adamle and Tazz marched straight to the parking lot and left without returning calls or texts. WWE's story reads: "It has been no secret that our traditional ECW fans have not been satisfied with Adamle’s lackluster commentary. Speculation is this could have led to the play by play and color commentator walking off during a WWE broadcast. Did Adamle and Tazz leave of their own volition or were they asked to leave?"

- Paul Heyman attacks TNA's marketing of the company's identity and Samoa Joe as new TNA champion in his latest column on the U.K. Sun website. Heyman says TNA will be stuck in the same holding pattern of 1.0 and 1.1 ratings until they expand the marketing beyond the tired "Cross the Line" marketing campaign. Heyman article link.

- Washington Post published a chat transcript with filmmaker Chris Bell on his documentary "Bigger, Stronger, Faster" that looks at the culture of steroid use by larger-than-life athletes and entertainers, such as Hulk Hogan and Sylvester Stallone. The film opens in New York and Los Angeles on May 30, and in Washington, D.C. and other select cities on June 6.

"The film is exploring the truth about steroids," Bell said. "I think a lot of times in society we tend to tell kids that things will kill them or destroy them without knowing the facts. The fact of the matter with steroids is we don't have enough information so therefore we can't even tell kids the truth about it. We need more research done." Bell said he is a former WWE writer, so he had the opportunity to work with the likes of John Cena and The Rock. He said the experiences helped him with the documentary. Article link.

- Merinews.com in India published a story on Great Khali turning to yoga and dieting to improve his physical well-being. The story goes that when Khali was losing matches, his new spiritual guru encouraged him to pursue yoga to "cool him down and to help him control his temper". They say he's on a vegetarian diet, but Khali's daily meal consumption includes five gallons of milk, five chickens, and two dozen eggs. Article link.

- Yes Weekly out of Greensboro, N.C. published a story on wrestlers hanging out at the local Hooters after last week's TV taping. Brian Clarey's article looks at the behavior of a bunch of wrestlers eating wings and drinking beer while interacting with fans looking for a close-up of the wrestlers. Article link.

- The curse of injuries to PWG champions continues, as Keith Lipinski reported yesterday that current PWG champion Human Tornado suffered a severe leg injury over the weekend. Tornado reportedly blew out his knee during his ring entrance for a match in Springfield, Ill. for the JCW promotion. PWG has not made a call on Tornado's status as champion or his status for the DDT4 tournament in three weeks.

***

Tuesday, April 29, 2008

- ECW Preview: Officially announced for tonight's show is Chavo Guerrero & Bam Neely in a handicap match against ECW champion Kane following Kane's victory over Chavo at Backlash. ... Storylines to be continued: Shelton and Kofi, Miz & Morrison and Yang & Moore, Kelly Kelly and Layla, and, of course, Week 3 of Adamle.

- For last week, USA Network edged out TNT for the top ratings on cable in prime time thanks to three hours of Raw. TNT nearly ended USA's streak of victories, as TNT's coverage of the NBA playoffs helped the network average 2.73 million viewers in prime time, compared to 2.75 million viewers from USA Network. Variety article.

TVbythenumbers.com posted the Top 20 show ratings for last week, with the third hour of the three-hour Raw on April 21 taking the top spot on cable with 5.1 million viewers. The second hour came in third with 4.8 million viewers, following ESPN's NFL Draft coverage on Saturday. So, that's Raw 1st, Draft 2nd, and Raw 3rd. The first hour didn't make the Top 20, however. Top 20 ratings.

- Hulk Hogan found a new way to keep himself in the news. TMZ posted a story on Hulk Hogan sunbathing with his daughter, Brooke, with the angle being that he appeared to be rubbing suntan lotion on Brooke's crotchal region. During a commercial break on the American Idol broadcast on FOX, this was the lead item on TMZ's teaser video for their syndicated TV show. TMZ article.

- Jim Ross posted a new blog on jrsbarbq.com with his post-Backlash and post-Raw thoughts from the broadcast position. Ross said many folks were "edgy" backstage the last two days after taking a week to recover from the European tour. Regarding Ultimate Warrior challenging Vince McMahon for a match at WrestleMania 25, Ross said, "Much like a grotesque car accident, one would have to at least peek (sic) at a Mr. McMahon-Warrior encounter." Ross commented on Dusty Rhodes looking healthier than he had seen in some time with Rhodes off the road and working with the developmental talent in Florida. Article link.

- AGweb.com published Jay Leno's monologue line from last week on the presidential candidates on Raw. "Well, earlier this week, all three presidential candidates made appearances on the WWE’s ‘Monday Night Raw," he said. "How many think having candidates for president appear on a wrestling show cheapens the political process? How many…think the wrestling show was cheapened by having the candidates on?”

- The Barrie Advance in Ontario, Canada published an interview with Santino Marella to promote WWE's tour of eastern Canada next week. Santino commented on how the heel comedy character came about. “The evolution of the character kind of happened on its own. I have a good relationship with the writers in the office and it was one of those things where they have to gain confidence in you and your ideas,” he said. “And everybody’s really happy about the character.”

Santino said the hard part about being in WWE is life on the road. "I think I am born for the road," he said. "For some people it’s really tough, you have responsibilities at home that you just can’t get out of your mind. I am able to function on the road, definitely. I love it. I am not one to sit still anyways. A new town every day is fine by me.” Really good article worth reading. Article link.

- Meanwhile, the Barrie Examiner published an interview with Maria to promote WWE's Canada tour next week. Maria talked about the Playboy shoot, beating Beth Phoenix on Raw two months ago, and wrestling at WrestleMania. ""Wrestling is just such a huge sport and it has such a great history," Maria said. "That's why I really appreciate the opportunity WWE has given to me; it's incredible." Article link.

- On bloggingstocks.com, Jim Cramer of Mad Money defended the McMahons against a New York Times article on WWE financials on Monday. The article claimed the McMahons are being enriched by WWE's dividend. "WRONG!" Cramer said. "They boosted the dividend for the other shareholders only, not themselves. That's why I said they are so pro shareholder on the show! Ouch!" Cramer also discussed NYT's article on CNBC's "Stop Trading" show Tuesday morning. He called WWE an example of "niche cable that is making so much money."

- Pop culture reference of the day comes from the New York Times, where an article on Merger & Acquisitions talk between media companies such as Yahoo and Microsoft started with this line: "Watching the WWE special event earlier this week, I just wished M&A could be so much fun. Then we could see Steve Ballmer superfly onto Jerry Yang (and) John Malone and Barry Diller in a real cage match." Blog link.

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