Red Mask

Where's Hogan?

2009-11-20T22:22:00.001-05:00

It has been three weeks since the Hogan announcement was made, yet all we've seen of Hogan on TNA is clips from his press conferences and talk from TNA superstars. So, if Hogan is going to make TNA the fastest growing wrestling promotion, where is he?

Well, he is promoting himself, of course. In fact, the timing of this deal with TNA probably had something to do with his new book. (Kinda like I'm sure the timing of the WWE making a DVD with previously unreleased footage of "Hogan in his prime" wasn't and accident, either.) He has been in Australia promoting his autobiography, My Life Outside the Ring. And, he hasn't been alone...

On Impact this week, Kevin Nash mentioned Hogan wasn't coming to TNA alone. Now, that could mean a reformation of the NWO, but I think Vince McMahon has the rights to that name. It could also be the rumor that Ric Flair is coming to TNA.

Flair is in Australia with Hogan (as is Kato, I mean, Nasty Boy Brian Knobbs), and at a staged press conference on Tuesday, the two got into a fight, involving blood pouring from a, um, cut on Hogan's forehead. They were promoting a wrestling event...

I'm not exactly sure when Hogan is coming back from the Outback, but it probably won't be before the end of the month since the Wentworth Courier reports he is scheduled for an event on Nov. 28.

So far, this deal seems to be great for promoting Hogan, but considering many TNA fans don't like the young talent which made TNA a success being pushed aside by older acquired stars, those 24-inch pythons better make their way to the hexagon before the the TNA angle gets stale for those tuning in to see Hogan.

Noble retires

2009-11-11T21:36:00.002-05:00

Sheamus vowed to end Jamie Noble's career last week, sending him out of the ring on a stretcher. After 7 years with the WWE, Noble retired Tuesday shortly after being released from the hospital.

"Luckily, the doctors tell me I'm going to recover again." Noble told WWE.com. "But I'm laying here thinkin' about how great my life is with my wife and my son. I'm thinkin', how many more times am I gonna be lucky enough to walk out of the hospital on my own?"

Noble is a former Cruiserweight Champion. He has suffered a few injuries to his neck through his career, including one in February which also sent him to the hospital.

Hulkamania comes to TNA

2009-10-29T17:41:00.003-04:00

That's right, TNA announced yesterday they inked a deal with Hulk Hogan, and Hogan makes his TNA debut tonight.

In a release issued by TNA, Hogan said, "My fans have been asking me to return to the business for many years on a full time basis, but the timing or the opportunity has never been right until now. TNA Wrestling is a great company with an already excellent fan base, business and broadcast partner."

The deal was negotiated by Eric Bischoff, and through Hogan's partnership with Bischoff Hervey Entertainment, TNA will be working with the company to "develop new programming extensions of the TNA brand." (and yes, "Hervey" is Jason Hervey of "The Wonder Years" fame)

By the way, Hogan's book, My Life Outside of the Ring, is available now.

JR out for the time being

2009-10-21T22:02:00.003-04:00

Jim Ross was absent from Smackdown last week because he took one of his days off, but this week he will be out because he suffered his third Bells Palsy attack Monday night during a flight from Oklahoma City to Atlanta.

At first, after getting the medication he needed to slow the paralysis effect, he thought he could go on for the Tuesday night taping, but it was determined an hour later he should not risk his health. He saw his neurologist today and was diagnosed with full-blown Bells palsy. He will have an MRI on Friday to determine if any damage was done to his brain.

In his blog, JR wrote, "It is on the right side of my face and has adversely affected my vision in my right eye more than previous bouts... my face has drooped some on the right side making me not TV friendly."

However, JR believes this not the end of his career.

"My face may be sagging, my right eye may be not so good, my tongue is numb, my head aches and my right ear is sensitive to sharp noises but my heart and my soul are stout and my desire to get back in the game has never been stronger."

JR's first attack was in January 1994 and his second was in 1998. We certainly all wish JR gets well soon.

To read JR's blog, visit JR's Bar-B-Q.

Capt. Lou Albano dies

2009-10-14T22:11:00.004-04:00

Wrestling legend and WWE Hall of Famer Captain Lou Albano died today. He was 76. The cause of death was not disclosed. Albano did suffer a heart attack in 2005.

For those you who don't know, Albano was recognized by his Hawaiian shirts and rubber band accessories, including a rubber band to contain his beard. He also played Cyndi Lauper's father in the "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" video and was the voice of Mario in "The Super Mario Bros. Show."

Albano worked for the WWE from 1983-1996, but he started a career in wrestling in the 1950's and started working with Vincent J. McMahon in the 1960's.

In a statement on their web site, the WWE said, "He will be greatly missed by the WWE and his fans."

SD! meets the Trenton fans

2009-10-07T18:35:00.003-04:00

Yes, your friendly neighborhood Red Mask was in the audience at ECW/Smackdown last night, and I'll try not spoil anything for those of you who weren't there. However, if knowing which Superstars wrestled and against whom is considered a spoiler by you, you may want to stop reading now.

First, I'd like to make a couple shout-outs to fans that stole my attention from the show.

- To Chris Jericho's #1 fan in section 114. Yes, we saw you rocking out to Jericho's theme music. Never stop breaking the walls down with your bobbing head...

- To the girl who insisted on raising her "Where's Jeff Hardy?" sign and blocking the view for some of us. If you read this blog you'd know where Jeff Hardy is-- dealing with the legal issues surrounding his arrest last month for possession and trafficking of drugs.

- To the fans chanting "Ziggler" while he was competing against John Morrison. I really hope that was joke, or that you were happy because he meant you got to see Maria.

- To all the children in audience. Wow, I don't think I've ever seen that many children at a WWE event. It was school night, too! I'm sure Stephanie and Shane are happy the next generation of viewers is so large and excited about their product.

All in all, we got to see all the biggies for Smackdown- Batista, Rey Mysterio, Morrison, Cryme Tyme, The Hart Dynasty, Michelle McCool, Kane and, of course, World Heavyweight Champion Undertaker. Some of us were disappointed R. Truth came down ramp instead of through the crowd. One unexpected highlight was an appearance by the Chairman himself, Vincent Kennedy McMahon!

ECW gave us a chance to see Christian, Tommy Dreamer and Goldust in action, Tiffany's return and the aforementioned kiddies' favorite, Yoshi Tatsu.

EC-Dub comes to Manville - sort of

2009-10-01T23:38:00.002-04:00

EC-Dub legends The Sandman and Sabu will be appearing at a National Wrestling Superstars event on Saturday, Oct. 10 at the Manville VFW Hall. The card will include plenty of the regular NWS superstars as well.

Sabu, the so-called "homicidal, suicidal, genocidal, death-defying" madman, has not been seen in ECW since getting busted with drugs along with former cohort Rob Van Dam, who made just a brief re-emergence in WWE at the Royal Rumble before disappearing again.

Bellas coming to Trenton

2009-10-01T23:35:00.002-04:00

If you want a good look at the Bella Twins - and I know you do - they will be appearing along with John Morrison at a ceremony at Sovereign Bank Arena on Tuesday, Oct. 6, the day of the Smackdown show. The ceremony will be at 9:30 a.m. and it will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the arena, which actually hosted WWE as its first event 10 years ago also.

The show should be terrific. Stay tuned for developments from Sunday's pay-per-view to see how Tuesday's card is shaping up.

"Hell" in Jersey

2009-09-30T20:04:00.004-04:00

So, Hell in A Cell premieres this weekend in Newark! Have you got tickets? At press, there were still floor seats available (tickets range in price from $25-$300)! This event puts matches in a 16 ft high steel cell. The Hell in a Cell match has only appeared 16 times since created in 1997, with Undertaker and Shawn Michaels in the inaugural match.

I'm assuming WWE planned to have this PPV in Jersey because we are the home of the Jersey Devil and the arena is the home of the Devils NHL team (which, by the way, has opening night Saturday).

I wonder if any of the Superstars (say, Santino and Hornswoggle) will go a Jersey Devil Hunt, as many of us have done in our youth, perhaps finding the Devils' mascot or that guy who dresses up as the Jersey Devil during the hockey games... (if they actually do it, they'll probably run into the Bogeyman along the way!)

Smackdown will also be filmed Tuesday in Trenton... Tickets start at $15 for this event. Also, a championship match between Taker and CM Punk is being advertised. Does this mean Punk will need to use his rematch clause? Look for a Trentonian meeting with a couple of Divas later on this weekend...

Government Smackdown

2009-09-17T12:51:00.003-04:00

If you've been watching Raw, you know Jerry "the King" Lawler is running for Mayor of Memphis (This is his second time, by the way-- his first run for the office was in 1999). But now, another face of the WWE has entered the political arena-- Linda McMahon.

According to the Associated Press, McMahon stepped down from her role as WWE CEO and is one of four Republicans trying to unseat Connecticut Sen. Christopher Dodd. Her opponents in the Republican primary are U.S. Rep. Rob Simmons, state Sen. Sam Caligiuri and former U.S. Ambassador to Ireland Tom Foley.

Earlier this year, McMahon was appointed by Connecticut Gov. Jodi Rell to serve on the state's board of education. She has served the community in many other ways, as can be read in her WWE profile.

McMahon co-founded the WWE with her husband, and she has been CEO since 1997. As of Sept. 16, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon assumed the role of CEO.

Hardy in trouble again

2009-09-16T11:39:00.002-04:00

CM Punk never seems to shut up, but he was right about Jeff Hardy being trouble waiting to happen.

Hardy was charged this week with trafficking in opium, two counts of possession with intent to sell or deliver a Schedule III controlled substance, maintaining a dwelling for drugs, possession of cocaine, and possession of drug paraphernalia, according to The News and Observer of Raleigh.

Police raided his home in Cameron, NC, and allegedly found 262 Vicodin prescription pills, 180 soma prescription pills, 555 milliliters of anabolic steroids, a residual amount of powder cocaine, and drug paraphernalia.

If Hardy is convicted of opium trafficking, he faces a minimum prison sentence of three years.

Here's hoping Hardy gets his life straightened out for real and not just on TV.

Smackdown in Trenton Oct. 6

2009-09-16T11:27:00.002-04:00

The WWE is coming back to Trenton, and this time, it's a TV taping of Smackdown/ECW at Sovereign Bank Arena on Oct. 6.

This should be an awesome show, and there are many reasons to get your tickets now.
* This will be the taping of the ECW and Smackdown episodes immediately following the Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. Usually, the shows right after PPVs are the best ones, since new plots develop, people take revenge, etc.
* Two words - THE UNDERTAKER. If you haven't seen him live, get there. His entrance is nearly worth the price of admission. It is cool on TV, but you haven't seen anything until you've seen it live.
* Tommy Dreamer is not getting any younger, and for any Philly-area wrestling fans who used to watch him go through flaming tables in the real ECW back in the day, this could be your last chance to see him in action.
* Batista is back, and if he can avoid the injury bug that bites him so frequently, he will likely compete for the Trenton fans.
* The talented Hart Dynasty could make an appearance, a pair that in my opinion includes two promising young stars in Tyson Kidd and DH Smith.
* John Morrison will be in the house as well, and if we're lucky, he will compete. Morrison could be the next HBK.

I'd say you ought to be there.

Angle cleared on most charges

2009-09-16T11:16:00.002-04:00

Kurt Angle was cleared of charges that he stalked former girlfriend Rhaka Khan and that illegally possessed HGH. He still faces an assault charge against Khan from during their relationship.

In the ring, Angle was pinned by AJ Styles last week on IMPACT thanks to interference from Matt Morgan, who later slammed Angle and essentially ended their pretend friendship. The four-way title match at No Surrender should be fantastic, and I think Sting is least likely of the four to come out on top. He will likely work to get the heretofore unheralded Morgan over, while also boosting his protege Styles' chances to be the main star in TNA when all the old guys finally conk out. It feels like the right time for the belt to come off Angle for a while, and they have been giving Morgan a major push. I'm going with Styles, though, to sneak in and become the new TNA world heavyweight champ.

As for Homicide betraying Hernandez, that is a shame because now it is Hernandez against seven or eight guys every week. He needs allies in a hurry or it wlil become tiresome to watch him get a beatdown every Thursday.

Montreal Submissions

2009-09-09T20:45:00.002-04:00

Sunday night will be the premiere of a new PPV event in which all matches will be submission matches. The most interesting match won't be a title match-- it will be the DX v. Legacy match, a Submissions Count Anywhere match.

It won't be because I'm dying to see Jerry Lawler's idea that toilets could be used for submissions purposes come true.

You see, almost 12 years ago, in very same arena Breaking Point will be held in, Shawn Michaels made history with the Montreal Screwjob. (If you have no clue what I'm talking about, look it up on You Tube) Triple H was at ringside and stayed at Michaels side backstage as they swore they knew nothing.

I'm hoping on Monday night the tape of Bret Hart's wife telling Triple H "what comes around goes around," outside the locker room after the Screwjob isn't replayed to show the ironic twist of the previous night's match...

TNA's wild ride

2009-09-01T14:32:00.002-04:00

Kurt Angle, fresh off his recent arrest for possession of HGH and stalking his girlfriend Rhaka Khan, is still calling the shots in TNA. I guess there is no 30-day suspension coming his way like the one that got Rey-Rey in WWE.

In any case, Angle is messing with Matt Morgan, who as it turns out, can talk. He has more of a personality than we were led to believe when he was in WWE, and I like what he has done lately, though his rants are too long at times.

Bobby Lashley, meanwhile, gets Rhyno for his first match at the pay per view. Lashley says he loves to fight, then adds that he also loves professional wrestling. This marks the second time that TNA was candid enough to allow a character to openly discuss the true nature of the business that in most circles is known but not spoken of on TV.

Speaking of the Lashley announcement, TNA president Dixie Carter appeared on camera for the first time ever to make the match, and man was I disappointed when it wasn't the woman from Designing Women. Seriously, though, maybe she will make some more appearances and channel her inner Linda McMahon.

One other thing, what was with Kyp James (who I still like to call Billy Gunn) showing up at the beginning of IMPACT to park Sting's car, then saying he had one back when he was over? Memo to Kyp/Billy: Get back into DX and maybe you'll be over again.

Smackdown loses two stars

2009-08-28T23:04:00.002-04:00

Jeff Hardy is leaving the WWE for the time being because he is "burned out," several sources say. His contract has expired, and Jeff, who turns 32 on Monday, decided to take some time off, and the WWE has said they will welcome him back whenever he's ready to return. It's possible this is all for show (we've been fooled before), but this one appears to be for real.

"When the time is right, I'll see you all again," Jeff said after losing in the Steal Cage Match.

Interestingly, another star is leaving for 30 days thanks to a violation of the Wellness Policy-- Intercontinental Champion Rey Mysterio! According to WWE.com, the suspension will be effective Sept. 2-- I guess this is so they can get that belt off his waist and hand it off to Dolph Ziggler.

It is a good thing Taker is coming back next week to distract us...

Update: Fan attacks referee

2009-08-24T17:46:00.003-04:00

Rumor has it the fan who attacked the referee may be the newest member of Legacy. Now, I'm not sure about the reliability of my sources, however, it is believed the person is Brett DiBiase, Teddy's little brother.

Brett does have a contract with the WWE, and he has been performing in FCW for about a year.

I'm sure that if this information is correct, we'll find out later tonight on Raw. (By the way, Floyd Mayweather's run in with police earlier today will not affect his hosting gig tonight, AP says.)

So, either they didn't let John Cena know they were doing this, or the man really is a great actor...

Fan attacks referee

2009-08-23T23:35:00.002-04:00

A fan jumped into the ring and put a referee in a chokehold during the Orton v. Cena match at Summer Slam Sunday night.

After three restarts due to Randy Orton trying to cheat his way to retaining the title, John Cena was in position to win with Orton in the STFU. Suddenly, a man wearing a white T-shirt and jeans slid under the bottom rope and attacked the ref. Security quickly grabbed the man, pulled him out of the ring and escorted him backstage. Meanwhile, the ref held his throat, Orton backed out of the ring and Cena stood back in shock and almost fear. After the stun was over, Randy made his way over to the ramp side of the ring, RKO'd Cena, and quickly pinned him for the win.

Fans online in WWE's live chat wondered if the interruption was planned or an actual rowdy fan, and the WWE representatives in the room, Corey Clayton and The Fink, had no answer. As soon as I find out any more information, if any more is released (sometimes these things are swept under the rug to discourage this kind of conduct), I will let you know...

By the way, TAKER IS BACK!

What's next for DX?

2009-08-19T21:10:00.002-04:00

Yes, it's already in the bag that DX will win at Summer Slam, since the Legacy boys were able ambush them Monday night. (Oh, and I did like DiBiase's "The answer to your question is yes, we're ready.") So, even though I am still purchasing the PPV and throwing a DX party, I have moved on and am wondering what's next for one of our favorite duos?

I say, they start a search for new members and have initiations/hazing for those interested, playing off Randy Orton's initiation process for joining Legacy. I can see Triple H introducing the idea-- "You know, Shawn, we're no spring, uh, chickens anymore..."

Then, I can see Santino, The Miz, maybe even MVP, oh, and to get one of the Divas involved, Kelly Kelly, too, being paraded around the ring frat-boy style dressed in drag and being made to pull pranks on guys like the Big Show and of course, Michael Cole. Perhaps they will have an encounter with Vince McMahon, who will stop by to tell Triple H and Michaels to stop the hazing process, they can get sued, blah, blah, blah.

Now, I really don't see any of these guys, except maybe Kelly, actually getting the privilege of induction into DX, but it will be fun to watch.

Wrestling Soup

2009-08-13T21:10:00.003-04:00

Just a few random thoughts...

- Shawn Michaels did what many wish they could-- he played a little Sweet Chin Music on his boss before quitting. (oh, yeah, and rejoining Triple H as DX)

- Speaking of Raw, I'm wondering when the WWE will have to tap out of the guest host stint due to a lack of interested parties-- this week we had WWE employee Sgt. Slaughter, and next week we have former Smackdown writer Freddie Prinze, Jr. Jeremy Piven's appearance should make anyone embarrassed to plug a movie on Raw. Interestingly, Prinze actually could plug his newest project, but because "24" will probably air against Raw - as my DVR knows all too well - he probably can't.

- Could Christy Hemme wear any less clothing in the ring?

- UFC 100, featuring Lesnar v. Mir, will air on Saturday at 10 p.m. on Spike.

- Thought you'd never see Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka? Well, he's scheduled to appear at the NWS show in Basking Ridge July 22. Tickets start at $18, go to www.nwswrestling.com for more information.

If I were GM...

2009-08-09T19:07:00.002-04:00

Vince McMahon still isn't happy with Smackdown GM Teddy Long's abilities to run the Friday night show. As a result, I have come up with a list of things I would do differently if I were GM. Perhaps if he reads this, Vince will give me a shot when SD comes to Trenton Oct. 6...

1. Cut off CM Punk's mic after 1 minute. He talked for 8 minutes this week, but it felt like 30. I really find it interesting how they flipped his character to a heel, but it's not interesting when he says the same thing every week, and repeats everything a few times in one promo. We get it, really.

2. Let Maria know Dolph Ziggler was once in the Spirit Squad. (Nicky!)

3. Change Mike Knox's character. He needs to be something more interesting, like the new Typhoon.

4. Instead of opening the show with talking, I would open it with something to get the blood flowing-- Rey Mysterio, Cryme Tyme, R Truth or John Morrison would always open the show in a match.

5. Let Natalya wrestle. Why isn't she being used as a wrestler? She didn't go through the Dungeon to be a valet!

Beefcake gets cut down

2009-07-31T01:34:00.003-04:00

Brutus "The Barber" Beefacake stepped in for Jose Canseco in a celebrity boxing match last week in Aston, Pa. and was defeated by chicken wing eating champion Bill "El Wingador" Simmons in the first round.

I wish I made that sentence up, but in fact, all of it is true.

Disturbing.

Are you ready?

2009-07-29T22:49:00.002-04:00

So, I've heard the question, "When will Triple H realize he can't beat Legacy on his own?"

My answer? When Shawn Michaels comes back from his hiatus and SummerSlam has DX v. Legacy on the card.

Good ole JR wrote last week in his blog that even though the speculation is out there, nothing is confirmed for Michaels appearing at SummerSlam, as far as he knows. (JR's Blog, and while you're there, order some sauce, the man knows what he's doing)

My reason for the speculation and finally feeling confident enough to post about it this week?

For once, Triple H was knocked out of contendership, thereby ending the seemingly endless three-ways between him, Orton and Cena. These guys are great, but there are only so many times you will pay your money to see them wrestle each other.

Plus, next week on Raw, Triple H is facing the younger two-thirds of Legacy, potentially setting up a tag team match in the future.

Mark my words-- SummerSlam will be spray-painted green!

Lashley's back - for real this time?

2009-07-17T11:04:00.002-04:00

Bobby Lashley, who briefly poked his head in at two TNA events a couple of months ago, officially announced Thursday that he has signed a contract with TNA, making him the first active MMA fighter to participate in professional wrestling simultaneously. (Lashley is 4-0 in his MMA career, including a submission win over once-feard monster Bob Sapp.)

TNA announced in a statement that it expects Lashley to make an "immediate" impact, which begs the question, will he appear at Victory Road? Further, is he the secret advisor for Samoa Joe?

If he isn't, the faces sure could use a hand right now against the Main Event Mafia, which has been running wild lately. I am seeing a lot of wins for the MEM at Victory Road, as Jeff Jarrett has been hinting at a company-wide crisis for some time.

One way or the other, Lashley will be the key to the balance of power in TNA. Stay tuned.

Shore to be Wrestling

2009-07-16T20:42:00.003-04:00

Can't make it to WWE's Night of Champions in Philly on Sunday, July 26, because you will be down the shore that weekend? Well, there's plenty of events to satisfy wrestling fans in the Jersey Shore communities that weekend...

On Friday night(July 24), National Wrestling Superstars will be in Middletown at the VFW Hall. The event will feature Bob Howard (Hardcore Bob Holly in WWE), James Maritato (Nunzio in WWE), Brook Carter, Sal Sincere and Angel Orsini. Howard and Carter will team up against Sincere and Orsini in a mixed tag match. Tickets are $20 for adults, $18 for children and seniors.

On Saturday night (July 25), WWE will be in Wildwood at the convention center. This is a supershow, with stars from all three brands competing. The card includes John Cena v. Big Show in a No DQ match, as well as a tag team match pitting Rey Mysterio and Jeff Hardy against CM Punk and Dolph Ziggler. (Steamboat fans-- Hall of Famer Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat is listed as one of the superstars to make an appearance!) Tickets range in price from $20-$40 (at press, $60 tickets were sold out).

Then, on Sunday night (July 26), NWS has quality competition for WWE's PPV-- an event held outside under a circus tent! The first-time ever big top event will be set up at the Elks Lodge show grounds in Pt. Pleasant Beach. There will be a Chairs, Tables and Ladders match between Nicky Oceans, Devon Moore and Mike Quest. The event also features Howard. Tickets are $19 for adults, $17 for children and seniors.

For more information and tickets, visit WWE at WWE.com and NWS at nwswrestling.com.