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Torch Today
TORCH TODAY RECAP 1/6: Every News Item for Tuesday in one handy guide Jan 6, 2009 - 11:56:49 PM
-- Friday: WWE Raw/ECW brand in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.
-- Saturday: Raw/ECW brand in Lake Charles, La. and Smackdown brand in Tyler, Tex.
-- Sunday: Raw/ECW brand in Baton Rouge, La. and Smackdown brand in Bossier City, La.
-- Monday: Raw TV live in New Orleans; Smackdown/ECW house show in Alexandria, La.
Torch readers: If you attended one of this weekend's house shows, be sure to send in a report to pwtorch@gmail.com.
RESULTS
1/6 ECW TV from New Orleans, La.: (1) Jack Swagger beat Finlay in 15:00. ... (2) Katie Lea (w/Paul Burchill) beat Alicia Fox (w/D.J. Gabriel) in 4:00. ... (3) The Boogeyman beat Brett Stevens in 2:00. ... (4) ECW champion Matt Hardy beat Mark Henry (w/Tony Atlas) in 12:00. ... Hardy vs. Swagger for the ECW Title set up for next week's show.
NEWS
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WWE News: WWE expanding TV broadcast of ECW show to additional cable channel
WWE and mun2 announced today that a re-broadcast of WWE's weekly ECW on Sci-Fi show will begin on January 9 at 10:00 p.m.
mun2, a Spanish and English-language premium cable channel, already airs WWE Raw on Wednesday nights at 11:00 p.m. EST in Spanish.
"The popularity of WWE among young Latinos has prompted us to continue providing action-packed, WWE entertainment for our audience, all while building strategic partnerships for the network," said mun2 general manager Alex Pels.
The premium cable channel reaches 26 million U.S. homes, including Comcast customers, and is under the NBC Universal umbrella of cable and network TV channels.
WWE News: What happened to the Jim Duggan and Cryme Tyme storyline? We finally have an answer
After Chris Jericho lost a re-match against John Cena for the WWE World Hvt. Title at the Armageddon PPV in December, Jericho was scheduled to face Jim Duggan in a "rebuilding" match the following night on the Dec. 15 episode of Raw.
Jericho instead cut a promo on Duggan, calling him "a bottom-of-the-barrel talent" in the scripted promo. In the storyline, Jericho refused to wrestle, leaving Duggan despondent with his classic puppy-dog look telling the story.
Backstage, Cryme Tyme approached Duggan and led him away, saying "it's time." It wasn't clear what they intended, perhaps it was time for Duggan to call it a career, be led off to the glue factory, or initiated as part of the team.
Duggan hasn't been seen on WWE TV since being told "it's time," but we have an answer as to Duggan's whereabouts. The past two weeks, WWE's Mobile service has published clips of Duggan involved in Cryme Tyme's shenanigans.
Currently on WWE Mobile is footage of Duggan helping Cryme Tyme "set up another apparent scheme designed to separate people from their paper." Apparently on last week's episode, Duggan handed over "pocketfuls of money" to JTG and Shad Gaspar. Link:Mobile details on Duggan/Cryme Tyme.
-- If anyone actually has access to WWE Mobile on the AT&T service, we're certainly looking for a correspondent who can recap some of these clips prior to their assumed debut on WWE TV.
Meanwhile, PWTorch.com readers have free, easy-to-use, convenient, and state-of-the-art Mobile access to the PWTorch.com website by typing in "http://www.pwtorch.com" on your Mobile cell phone web browser or downloading the FREE Pro Wrestling Torch app in the Apple store for your iPhone.
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WWE News: ECW diva Tiffany says whether she'll wrestle in WWE; background note on dating "Fresh Prince" star
ECW diva Tiffany plays the role of assistant (to the?) General Manager alongside Teddy Long on Tuesday nights. Tiffany's background is modeling, but she was training to be a wrestler at the Florida developmental school prior to being called up to the ECW brand in June 2008.
"I am training to wrestle," Tiffany said in a WWE Universe chat last night. "But for now, management seems to be my calling."
Tiffany (real name Taryn Terrell) placed fifth in the 2007 Diva Search and WWE signed her to a developmental contract in February 2008. She was involved in programs with the Bella Twins, Beth Phoenix's #1 fan, and Alicia Fox while in Florida.
Tiffany added that her focus is on the "management side" on TV and Teddy Long has taught her a great deal about being on TV during their short time working together.
FYI: Some interesting personal notes on Tiffany's background that she is currently dating Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton Banks on Will Smith's "Fresh Prince" TV show in the early 1990s.
Other News: Notes from "The Wrestler" U.K. premiere - Mickey Rourke describes most difficult scene; conflict with Marisa Tomei
Appearing in London's West End to promote the premiere of "The Wrestler" in the U.K., Mickey Rourke was asked by national press reporters about rumors of strife between himself and co-actor Marisa Tomei, who did not attend the U.K. premiere.
Rourke said working with her was "an experience," and the stronger movie scenes were with Evan Rachel Wood, who played his character's estranged daughter in the movie.
"The more heavy emotional scenes were with the very young and talented Evan Rachel Wood," Rourke said at the premiere. "They were the hardest to do. It was all about a father and a daughter. He (Randy Robinson) was more concerned with being on the road and wearing his tights than he was with bringing up his daughter."
Rourke said he had 15 years to think about a movie role he could sink his teeth into and he decided to accept director Darren Aronofsky's offer thinking the script, with his re-writing, would be the one.
"I had 15 years to think about what I was going to do when I got a part I could sink my teeth into," he said. "So you just step up to the plate, or you go get a job."
WWE News: List of locations for Mr. Kennedy's tour stops to promote "Behind Enemy Lines" DVD
It's not quite the Lex Express, but Mr. Kennedy will be touring U.S. locations over the next two weeks to promote the WWE Studios DVD release of "Behind Enemy Lines" and the Royal Rumble PPV at the end of January in Detroit.
Kennedy, who remains out of action in the ring while rehabbing a serious injury, will be making his first stop tomorrow night in Philadelphia, Pa. at the FYE store on South Broad Street. Kennedy will have a meet-and-greet from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. at the store.
On Friday, Jan. 9, Kennedy will be at the Best Buy on Old Country Road in Westbury, N.Y. signing autographs from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Three other stops include Scott Air Force Base in St. Louis on Jan. 10, Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma City on Jan. 11, and Ft. Bliss Military Base in El Paso, Tex. on Jan. 17.
Where Is He Now: Former U.S. champion Mongo McMichael lining up for NFL coaching job
Former University of Texas and Chicago Bears defensive lineman Steve "Mongo" McMichael is lined up for a potential NFL coaching position with the San Francisco 49ers.
His former Bears teammate, Mike Singletary, was recently named permanent head coach and previously told McMichael he would hire him on his staff if he became an NFL head coach.
McMichael, a former U.S. Heavyweight champion in WCW, recently appeared on the TNA Bound for Glory PPV in Chicago and refereed the Monster's Ball match. McMichael was a little rough around the edges, but still showed solid athleticism delivering the three-point stance shoulder tackle during the match.
In a recent interview with the Chicago Tribune, McMichael talked about being hired for an NFL coaching position.
"Mike told me that if he ever became a head coach, I would be his defensive line coach," McMichael said. "He knows how much time I spent in the film room and that I knew how that translates to the field. We were family. We always think of each other as family, and we’re willing to help."
FYI: Mongo McMichael started with WCW as a color commentator before beginning a pro wrestling career in WCW. He wrestled off-and-on from 1996 until 1999, including one U.S. Title reign.
TNA News: Rhino discusses wrestling Kurt Angle, his time in WWE, future of TNA
Former TNA champion Rhino faces Sting for the TNA World Hvt. Title on Sunday night in Charlotte in a match virtually off the radar in favor of the Jeff Jarrett vs. Kurt Angle match headlining the Genesis PPV.
Rhino feels honored that TNA has been confident in him to main event recent PPVs. "It was a great pay-per-view overall," Rhino said to Jim Varsallone in the Miami Herald about the Final Resolution PPV in December where he faced Kurt Angle, "and to be a part of the main event is something that will live in history. It's an honor."
He also gave the standard TNA response about the company's growth and building momentum for the new year.
"We're all working hard to make this thing grow. The fans see the growth. They're entertained, and they're there for us," Rhino said. "It's a rewarding feeling to see the crowds grow and the pay-per-view buy rates grow."
Rhino said he's fortunate crowds "get up" for his ring entrances and are involved in his matches. He said not every wrestler has the ability, but he feels he's developed that over time.
Asked about his time in WWE after ECW folded and before going to TNA, Rhino was positive about his experience, which is quite different than how he felt after leaving WWE.
"My time with WWE was fine. It was good," he said. "I enjoyed it and had a lot of big matches."
Other News: News from the premiere of "The Wrestler" in the U.K., Mickey Rourke attends red-carpet affair
MSN published video footage of Mickey Rourke representing "The Wrestler" at the U.K. movie premiere yesterday. Rourke was the key representative of the award-winning movie and he was asked what his chances are to win the Golden Globe for best actor on Sunday.
"It's out of my hands," Rourke said. "You know, I'm feeling positive about the movie and what I did in the movie. In the end, yes, it should be about the acting. Sometimes there is a lot of gray and it is a business, so there's a lot of politics involved."
Rourke says he put forth his best possible work and he feels that should be enough for people voting on year-end movie awards.
"I did all I could do to be the best actor I could be in this movie," he said. "I got to let the ball fall where it falls, you know."
FYI: "The Wrestler" debuts on January 16 in the U.K. and will continue to expand in North America over the next few weeks. The "Golden Globes" ceremony airs Jan. 11 on NBC at 8:00 p.m. EST.
WWE News: Mr. Kennedy comments on his training background for WWE's "Behind Enemy Lines" DVD released today (w/VIDEO)
Mr. Kennedy's role in WWE's first direct-to-DVD movie release, "Behind Enemy Lines: Colombia" was essentially to shoot guns, have funny dialogue, and blow up things.
Kennedy's background in the U.S. Army Reserve certainly helped prepare for his role in the movie, which is out on DVD today.
"I had gun training in the past," Kennedy told movieweb.com on the set while filming in Puerto Rico. He said he was a security guard for a nuclear plant (prior to being a full-time wrestler) and he was trained on extensive weapons use for his job.
"I've learned quite a few moves from Mr. Kennedy, yeah, he's a pro," said co-star Channon Roe.
Video Selection below: A full rundown of the movie from director Tim Matheson, who describes all of the blowing-up and such. Also, a brief sit-down with Mr. Kennedy from movieweb.com.
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WWE News: Main event star no-shows Smackdown house show last night; Vince McMahon's view on kids audience
Last night in Alexandria, Louisiana, WWE held a Smackdown brand house show to extend their weekend tour in the South. With this Friday night's Smackdown already taped, WWE scheduled an additional house show on Monday night before the next weekend tour starts on Friday, Jan. 9 in Arkansas.
WWE champion Jeff Hardy did not attend the house show as originally advertised. A local newspaper outlet, the Town Talk, reports that "fans were told that wrestler Jeff Hardy couldn't attend but were surprised when they found out Undertaker and Big Show would wrestle in a steel-cage match."
Jeff Hardy wrestled Edge in the main event of Saturday's house show in Tyler, Texas, but we have not received a report from Sunday's house show in Bossier City, La. as to whether he appeared on that show.
The Town Talk interviewed several kids for their story on the Smackdown house show, and the kids were not surprisingly Jeff Hardy and John Cena fans. And the wrestling product looks very real to them. But, perhaps Vince McMahon sees his audience through a different set of glasses.
"I would suggest to you that adolescents are pretty smart, even though that is a very small segment of the viewing audience that we have. But nonetheless, I think that they're pretty smart. They know that what we do is a performance. So they know that everything we have are characters. They are not real-life individuals. So I would suggest that no one believes any of these human beings are role models any more so than Batman," Vince McMahon said in his Congressional testimony in December 2007.
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