Backstage Reaction to Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff Signing
The news of Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff is being greeted with a “wait and see” attitude from within TNA. The expectations from those within the industry is ranging from a short-term deal all the way to an ownership stake of TNA.
At one point Hogan and Bischoff were seeking a stake in ownership during a previous negotiating stint with the company, however TNA turned that idea down.
There is a wide range of emotions amongst the wrestlers in the company about the news. More than one wrestler has expressed fear that TNA would become all about Hogan and friends, such as Brutus Beefcake and The Nasty Boys. However, others have expressed optimism that the duo of Hogan and Bischoff could open new doors in the business world for the company. Some wrestlers were excited by the possibility of working with Hogan in the ring, even if it means putting him over.
The biggest fear with most of the wrestlers in TNA is that the company will become like WCW, in that older wrestlers receive almost all of the spotlight. It’s been described as a “roller coaster” for the TNA roster by one source, since it felt like they were finally getting their chance to shine when Vince Russo was put in charge of creative and he made it clear he was going through with his youth movement. The movement is being labeled a success so far within the company, as Russo has pushed the three names Dixie Carter gave him (AJ Styles, Matt Morgan and Hernandez) to create into new marquee names.
Jericho Apologizes For His Slurs
Chris Jericho is apologizing for some recent comments he made at a film festival that many would consider to be racist and homophobic.
Jericho took part in a “Q&A” session at the Sacramento Horror Film Festival a few weeks ago following the screening of his movie, Albino Farm. Jericho referred to the session moderator as “Hadji”, a racial slur used against Middle Easterners. After the host jokingly checked Jericho’s drink for alcohol, the WWE Superstar used a gay slur towards him.
Jericho has since apologized and told TMZ.com, “After seeing the video I realize some inappropriate comments were made and I apologize if I offended anybody. Just know that everyone on stage was having a blast and we all shared a drink and a laugh after! The good news is I got my wish of being posted on TMZ.”
Jarrett Barrios -- president of the Gay & Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation -- tells TMZ:
"Just three months ago Chris Jericho's boss and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon acknowledged to GLAAD that words matter.
There is no time, context or occasion in which it is acceptable to utter racist and anti-gay slurs. Jericho's hollow apology 'if (he) offended anyone' is a template used by many and is insincere and worn."
Interview With The Miz
Here are some highlights from an interview with The Miz on OrlandoSentinel.com:
Miz talks about the young guys getting a break: "I think right now we’re at a time where a lot of the veteran WWE main-eventers are starting to get a little older and we’re starting to realize that they’re not going to be here for the next 10, 15 years and they need to start bringing up a new crop of new WWE superstars."
Miz also commented on the difficulty of earning the respect of his peers due to his reality show background. "That’s always a topic of conversation," he said. "People always ask me how does the locker room like you and the locker room has always hated me. I’ve never had too many friends in the WWE whether it was jealousy, whether they just didn’t like me because I came from the reality world."
"I find it amazing that WWE fans but also the locker room will take in MMA stars, they’ll take in football players, they’ll take in seven-foot tall people, you know. But a reality star comes in and oh, low and behold, he can’t fight. He can’t come into our business. I’m there just to prove everyone wrong, to prove to all those people that said he’s not supposed to be here, he’s just from a reality show."
"Let him host something. Let him host a Diva thing or something. I can actually wrestle and I can actually mean business and do what I say I am and actually be the best in the business."
Abyss Blogs About Hulk Hogan Coming To TNA
Abyss is writing a blog, in character, in the TNA website. You can check out the column at TNAWrestling.com. In the latest edition of The Monster Blog, Abyss gives his take on Hulk Hogan joining TNA, the Michael Jackson concert film This Is It, “Balloon Boy,” Mick Foley and more. Regarding “The Hulkster,” Abyss wrote: “Hulk Hogan is coming to TNA!!!!! I can’t believe it. I grew up watching the Hulkster. My entire life has been spent watching the man that put wrestling on the map. That man is Hulk Hogan. There were times when I was a child, and even later on in life when I experienced jail time, mental issues, and psychotherapy that I spent countless hours watching the Hulkster. He helped me get through those tough times. His addition to TNA is a monumental and exciting addition to an already great wrestling company! I’m so excited about the great things that lie ahead for TNA!!!”
Melina States Her Preference on Being Face or Heel
In an interview with Ring-Rap.com, WWE Diva Champion Melina Perez commented on her preference to working as a heel or a babyface:
"Well I am amazing at anything that I try but I think my heel character was very fun," Melina said. "It gave me a chance to be the 'mean girl' without being slutty like all the past heel divas.
"My heel character let me use all attitude as well as show my humor by doing things like making faces and making fun of the other divas.
Jericho Comments On His Controversial Slurs Gaining Publicity
Chris Jericho posted a message on Twitter which is likely a response to his controversial slurs that have gotten publicity:
"I guess this is my 'the Beatles are bigger than Jesus' moment. Let the Jericho merch burning begin..."
Update on The Undertaker’s Movie
Reading the Undertaker movie WWE studios has in production right now, it is slated to go straight to DVD as previously reported and Dave Rich is the attached executive producer, as he was for "The Condemned", starring Steve Austin.
JR Blog
Jim Ross' has a new blog up at http://www.jrsbarbq.com/ - the following are among the highlights:
- "Been exchanging emails with Matt Cappotelli, former WWE Tough Enough winner and developmental wrestler. Matt has been undergoing chemotherapy for cancer seemingly forever and hopes to finish chemo next summer which will mark three years of chemotherapy treatment. Matt's a warrior with an amazing spirit and is an inspiration with which to speak..."
- "My top priority remains getting healthy and then seeing where my next assignment will be. That 'next assignment' isn't something that I dwell on as it really doesn't matter until I'm well and ready to kick down the door and get back in the hunt."
Future Guest Host
Nikki Bella announced on her Facebook today that Rob Dyrdek of MTV's Fantasy Factory and Rob & Big show will be hosting RAW in the future.
Possible Names For WWE Hall of Fame
With Wrestlemania 26 already less than four months away, we're already starting to hear some talk regarding who is being considered for the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2010.
Names that keep coming up lately for the Class of 2010 include Ted DiBiase, the Road Warriors, Demolition, Ron Simmons and Slick.
Other names that are being discussed but are a little less likely are Ultimate Warrior, Lex Luger and The Honky Tonk Man.
Out of all these names, Ted DiBiase is considered to be the most likely possibility.
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