--The WWE Network has delayed their launch from April 1, 2012, which was to coincide with WrestleMania, until early fall. One of the reasons given for the delay is a lack of qualified or interested persons to fill pivotal positions in administrative and marketing departments. Another issue, according to those close to the situation, are cable and satellite companies have expressed no interest in the network or are stonewalling negotiations to add the network to their programming line-ups.
--Direct TV, which has 19 million subscribers, has said they have no interest in the WWE Network at this time and Dish TV, which has 15 million subscribers, is taking a wait and see approach and is likely to gage viewer interest in the network before making a commitment. Time Warner Cable is said to be negotiating with the WWE but are moving slowly while competitor Comcast, the nation’s largest cable company has refused to comment. Even with moving the launch date back for the WWE Network, the idea itself may be a hard sell for the WWE since analysts predict all cable and satellite providers are expected to lose half a million subscribers over the course of 2012.
--In an effort to continue to alienate old school wrestling fans, the WWE announced the induction of the Four Horsemen into the worked WWE Hall of Fame. The group, which includes Tully Blanchard, Ric Flair (meaning he will be inducted twice), Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and JJ Dillion, suspiciously leaves out Ole Anders, one of the founding members of the group. Ole has had heat with Vince McMahon stemming back to the day when the Brisco Brothers sold their portion of Georgia Championship Wrestling to McMahon and left to work for the WWE. Ole has made disparaging remarks over the years about McMahon and the WWE. Windham is getting help from the WWE with paying for his hospital and rehabilitation bills after suffering a heart attack and stroke some months back.
--Edge was also announced as being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame as well as Mil Mascaras. Not real sure Edge belongs at this stage of his career but then again, the whole concept is a work so it really does not matter.
--Brwodus Clay, who was advertised as returning on RAW for some time, made his long awaited debut this past week and it was a career killer. His new character seems to channel Flash Funk, Ernest The Cat, The Godfather and who knows what else. Whatever the WWE is trying to do, if it is not kill Clay’s career, is awful…
--As reported in this column some time back, Chyna has wrapped a new adult video with Vivid Entertainment and it is based on wrestling. According to Vivid, no release date has been set as of yet and the DVD is in post-production.
--Steve Austin, ever trying to be relevant, has endorsed Tim Tebow and the John 3:16 and Austin 3:16 and there are so many people finding ways to incorporate 3:16 into what happened on Sunday including passing yards, attempts, average yards per throw and etc.
--The Warrior v. Kevin Nash Twitter feud went from the sublime to the ridiculous when Nash offered to shoot fight Warrior with each of them putting up $100,000 cash winner take all. I am doubting Nash has that kind of money and with all the publicized issues Warrior has had with money it would be a stretch for him as well. Warrior responded by saying $100,000 was not enough to warrant fighting Nash and further stated that he would need adequate time to train in MMA. Nash stated anytime, anywhere for free and for fun…
--This Sunday Wide Open Wrestling will have a tribute show for Kamala in an effort to raise funds to help defray his medical expenses and provide some income for him while he recovers from having his leg amputated due to complications from diabetes. The show will be in South Fulton, Tennessee starting at 5:00p.m and will feature two ladies matches, midgets, a cage match, battle royal and more.
--There is a photo of Kelly Kelly that reveals a little more than was probably wanted floating around the internet. She is topless but covered by her hair but there is a peek-a-boo(b) moment…
--The Brock Lesnar v. Undertaker rumors have started to pick up steam once again due in part to a drunken Dana White saying he did not care if Lesnar returned to the WWE. While Lesnar v. Undertaker would certainly be better than Triple H v. Undertaker and would get a better buy rate there is a lot of talk of Chris Jericho v. Undertaker and some rumblings that Jericho will go over and end the streak. The WWE has concerns about The Rock v. John Cena doing good business after their pairing at Survivor Series resulted in a lower than expected buy rate.
--Torrie Wilson has been all over the news and tabloids lately due to her relationship with New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez. Here again is that Valtrex coupon…
--Stacy Keilber continues to be in the spotlight as well with her continuing relationship with George Clooney and he may have just not read the comments about the whole marriage/family thing she made.
--Goldberg, in a desperate attempt to stay relevant, said via Twitter that he was interested in a re-match with Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.
--Maryse, who said she was done making a living with the help of pro wrestling, will be appearing at the WrestleReunion convention in Miami, FL this March. She will also make an appearance in June at the Legends of the Ring convention in New Jersey and has some Comic Con shows on her agenda.
--Yokozuna is thought to be included in those inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame along with The Rock since WrestleMania is in Miami this year.
--Randy Orton is going to the Bahamas with his family to rehab his back and work on his tan.
--This new story crosses over many planes of news including “Who Cares Department,” No Longer Relevant Department” and the ever popular “Just Stupid Department” but Madusa, who worked as Alundra Blaze in the WWE and threw her WWE Women’s Championship into the trash when she made here WCW debut, has said she would like to wrestle Beth Phoenix for the trash can title.
--If you enjoy this column please be sure to visit The Charlotte Pro Wrestling Examiner for even more news and commentary.
