By: David Stephens of Wrestleview.com
Welcome back to the only Wrestleview column covering topics both nowhere yet everywhere at once. If you are new to the column you are probably going to hate me for the first couple weeks, but then you are going to hit a point where you say ‘oh wait a minute, I think he gets it’. Don’t worry, that’s exactly how it is designed to be. This column is all about gut reactions and traveling thoughts. As the great Andy Kaufman once said: “I just want real reactions. I want people to laugh from the gut, be sad from the gut, or get angry from the gut”.
Are you ready? The stop questioning your heart and join me, because it’s time for “That’s a Wrap”!
What’s in the News?
Congrats to former WWE diva Candice Michelle, who announced today she is pregnant with her second child. She has been teasing an announcement on Valentine’s Day for days.
-man, I just had a strange wave of emotions. I went from confused as to who this was, excited when I remembered, really excited when I googled her and saw some pictures, then disappointed when I realized she was pregnant and thus no longer attractive (I look forward to your letters – pregnant women that think they are hot)
According to an article by Glamorousones.com, a deal has been finalized between Justin Bieber and WWE to have the pop star perform at Wrestlemania 27 on Sunday, April 3 in Atlanta, Georgia.
“Biebermania hits WWE. At last word, Justin Bieber and WWE were close to a deal for him to appear at WWE’s super bowl “Wrestlemania.” We have learned that a deal has been made and Bieber will be performing at the show.”
-and I’m like “Baby, baby, baby oooh”. Yes, Bieber Fever is hitting Wrestlemania, it’s finally official. The move makes sense on so many different levels, though I don’t know why I’m even going to bother explaining because most fans are too close minded to understand the benefits. This is Business 101. First and foremost, the singer has a rabid fan base. They’ll do anything to see their man perform. There are many fathers who should be able to use this to compromise with their wives and daughters to order Wrestlemania thanks to his inclusion. It’s the best of both worlds for the family. Plus, it’s going to be hilarious to see the fans boo him. I think the WWE should play up that fact, but he’ll probably just sing America the Beautiful. Cause he’s Canadian and that makes sense. Add in the mainstream attention this will garner, and you’ve got your rational.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was officially revealed as the guest host of Wrestlemania 27 during WWE Monday Night Raw in Anaheim, California.
-is this guy a big deal or something? There seems to be a lot of hoopla about this reveal.
Miami Herald interviewed former WWE Divas champion Alicia Fox. On the diva championship:
“I would really like to hold the championship again, whether it is on the Road to WrestleMania or at WrestleMania,” Fox said. “”I am grateful to have become divas champion, because I think that was really when Alicia Fox was born.”
-dear God don’t this happen. She hits her finisher less than Morrison hits the Starship Pain. What I’m trying to say is that she is terrible.
GoFightLive, the company that provides internet PPV events for Ring of Honor, Dragon Gate USA and other wrestling promotions, issued the following press release.
GO FIGHT LIVE is officially now…GFL COMBAT SPORTS NETWORK
-while I appreciate the enthusiasm that the company used with the capital letters, the new name is more terrible than Alicia Fox. No I’m kidding – nothing is more terrible than Alicia Fox
To follow up our earlier report, WWE Diva Michelle McCool stated via her official Twitter page that her injury is a broken toe, torn ligament in her foot, torn join capsule and swelling in the bone.
-damn, this means no more foot fetish videos for awhile. Oh wait, that was Rex Ryan’s wife. Yeah, take that – Jets fans. Way to not make it to the Super Bowl after mouthing off all year.
WWE announced today that Miss USA, Rima Fakih will be one of the aspiring contestants on USA Network’s upcoming non-scripted series WWE TOUGH ENOUGH.
-I’m picking her to win!
Pikeville, Kentucky appears to be the top candidate to host the next set of TNA Impact TV tapings outside of the Impact Zone in Orlando following the first set on February 24 in Fayetteville, North Carolina. A decision was expected to be made this week about holding the tapings in Kentucky instead of waiting to see how things go with the tapings in Fayetteville. The plan is to hold tapings outside of Orlando at least once a month. They could be dropped rather quickly if not successful given how expensive the shows are to run.
-this move makes sense. The shows feel so tired when they emanate from the iMPACT Zone.
Enterprisenews.com interviewed former WWE and WCW superstar Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake. The 53 year is still active in the ring.
“Physically, I’m in as good of shape as I’ve been in in my life. I’m going to wrestle for as long as my body is capable and I’m still having fun. You never grow old. It’s just fun to get out there and interact with people.”
Beefcake will be among the pro wrestling headliners Saturday night at The Shaw’s Center in Brockton.
-allow me to quickly translate this story. “I’m going to keep wrestling, because I need money”. His delivery was certainly more eloquent.
Former TNA and ROH star Austin Aries wrote on Twitter, “Apparently not big, young, or tough enough. While it’s been amazing, the AA chapter of my life may be coming to an end very soon.”
PWInsider.com reports that Aries was under among a talent pool being considered for WWE’s “Tough Enough” series and wasn’t picked for the final cast.
-look, I’m a fan of Aries, but this report makes him sound pretty whiny. Maybe by the AA chapter being over, he means that he is going to start a new character?
According to a report by Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE went to great lengths to keep the return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson pretty quiet. Internally, those within the production staff were told it was going to be Justin Bieber. It was even scripted into the show with the title, “Leave it to Bieber.” Johnson ended up doing the total opposite teasing a return on Facebook and then later launching an official Twitter account that same night with a photo of him filming a WWE promo backstage.
-I love this stuff
Following the storyline on last night’s 600th episode of WWE Smackdown, WWE.com is officially listing Dolph Ziggler as a former WWE World Heavyweight Champion on the “World Heavyweight Championship Title History” page.
-I honestly never thought that a member of the Spirit Squad would win a World Title. Well done!
As noted earlier this week, filming for WWE “Tough Enough” has officially started. The belief is that they will be filming for the next seven weeks. Most of the cast involved has indepedent wrestling experience. For those wondering, there are both men and women in the house.
-“in the house”? We are now reporting news in jive, nice.
I brought the news section back this week. And not just because I had nothing else to talk about either! Ok, I’ll admit it, I just had nothing else to talk about.
So ‘that’s a wrap’…. Love it? Hate it? Disagree with everything I said? Just want to chat wrestling? I’m always up for reading your thoughts so send them ’em on over.
Look for latest edition of “The Teacher’s Lounge” featuring Anthony Valvo (From the Desk of Mr. V) and myself this Saturday on the Wrestleview Radio Network
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