According to PwInsider.com, WWE talent executive Mike “Simon Dean” Bucci was released today by WWE from his post in talent relations. Bucci was largely the manager for the developmental territories, leaving his career as an active wrestler to take the management position. The word among the wrestlers is that Bucci was called in for a meeting today by WWE in the wake of his name being mentioned by the The New York Daily News yesterday as being someone on the list of workers named in the Signature Pharmacy growth enhancing drug scandal.
Talk about the WWE making a move to show they are “tough on drug abuse”. It doesn’t take a genius to realize that among everyone on the list of wrestlers that got drugs from Signature, that besides Funaki, Bucci was the most expendable one on this list. This is a pathetic move by the WWE. This isn’t the first time Edge’s name has been associated with steroids, but is he going to be fired. No, he draws too much money for the company, so he will probably just get a 30 suspension without pay. But I would think the WWE would still use him on tv in a non-wrestling role without pay. Or what about Bautista, Mr. Kennedy or the returning Rey Mysterio Jr? Again they are draws for the company so look for a 30 day suspension without pay or nothing at all.
I hope congress sees through this move and takes the WWE and professional wrestling to the mat on the rampant drug abuse.
Former WCW star Johnny Stamboli is booked to go on the road with the company for several weeks as something of an extended tryout next month but has not signed a full-fledged WWE deal.
PwInsiders.com is reporting that TNA officials told a number of wrestlers at the Impact tapings Monday in Orlando, Florida that the company would be moving into a two hour weekly program this October, so negotiations must be close to or already completed. The obvious choice is SpikeTV but TNA did have several rounds of meetings with FOX as well.
RealityTVWorld.com is reporting that John J. Graziano, the 22-year-old who was riding with Nick “Hogan” Bollea in the front passenger seat when he crashed his car into a palm tree on Sunday night, remains in critical condition and is possibly facing brain damage according to his grandmother Catherine. The Tampa Tribune reports that Graziano is a Marine who recently returned from a tour of duty in Iraq. While Nick Bollea hasn’t been charged with anything yet, the story says that “eyewitnesses alleged they spotted Nick’s Toyota Supra racing a silver Dodge Viper prior to the accident”. A Clearwater, FL police spokesman did say however that “Everything that happened [on Sunday night] was because of excessive speed. When the car hit, it largely exploded or disintegrated.”
Bollea has a history of speeding. He has had three speeding tickets in the last year, according to Florida state driving records obtained by TMZ. Last September, he was ticketed for driving 105 MPH in a 70 MPH zone in Collier County. In February, he was cited for driving 57 MPH in a 30 MPH zone in Dade County. In April, he was ticketed for driving 106 MPH in a 70 MPH zone in Osceola County. According to the St. Petersburg Times, Pinellas Park, FL police also cited Nick for a fourth speeding offense on August 10 — a 82 MPH in a 45 MPH zone violation that, due to its pending court status, does not yet appear on his state record. The Hogan Knows Best co-star is reportedly due to appear in court on September 10 for the Pinellas Park offense, which took place in a construction zone that had workers present.
Continue reading Was Nick Hogan Racing A Silver Viper
TMZ has obtained a statement from the Linda Hogan, wife of Hulk and mother of Nick. Her son was involved in a serious car accident in Florida on Sunday:
“My son Nick and a friend were involved in a car accident last night. Nick suffered minor injuries and has been treated and released from the hospital. At this time, his friend, John Graziano remains hospitalized. Nick is currently at the hospital with John and his family. His sole concern is for the well being of his friend. On behalf of my family, we ask that your thoughts and prayers be with John and his loved ones.”
The son of professional wrestler Hulk Hogan was seriously injured in a car crash Sunday night, police said. A Toyota Supra driven by Nick Bollea was traveling at a high rate of speed at approximately 7:30 p.m., Clearwater Police spokesman Wayne Shelor said. Bollea, which is Hogan’s real name, lost control and hit a raised median. The car flipped around, and the back end hit a palm tree. “The car was destroyed,” Shelor said. Bollea and an unidentified male passenger were extricated from the car by paramedics, Shelor said. Then they were airlifted to Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg. Their official conditions were not immediately available, but Shelor described the injuries of both men as serious.
The crash occurred on State Route 60, a main drag through downtown Clearwater. The road had to be shut down in both directions for several hours, Shelor said. Alcohol is not believed to have played a part in the crash. The crash seems to have been caused by excessive speed, Shelor said. Bollea appears on the reality TV show “Hogan Knows Best” with his father, mother and sister. TMZ.com has posted several pictures of the wrecked Supra.
Bubba The Love Sponge, a close friend of Hulk Hogan, has reported in a blog update that Nick Hogan has been released from the hospital. According to Bubba the passenger remains in the trauma center and “needs our prayers”.
WOW, i just got back from the hospital, hulks son nick and a friend named john were involved in a pretty bad car crash today around 730pm, i cant get into details, but myself and my attorney kevin haslett were the only ones allowed to be in the trama center with hulk. i can tell you this, nick left the hospital with me when we were leaving and is headed home to rest, he is ok, the other boy john, needs our prayers……….he is still in the hospital, thats all i can say at this point,
i came home and gave both julia and tyler kisses on the forehead while they were sleeping…………
terry needs our prayers….he is having a very tough time right now………
bubba
World Wrestling Entertainment is in negotiations Ring of Honor/Wrestling Society X star Matt Sydal recently. No word on when he’ll report to WWE developmental, although he’s expected to fulfill his independent obligations. Sydal had been pretty sought after since the demise of WSX with ROH and TNA both making plays for him and Dragon Gate in Japan wanting him as well.
PwInsider.com is reporting that TNA has opened discussions with former WWE and IWGP champion Brock Lesnar about coming into the company this fall. The belief is that discussions circled around the idea of Lesnar coming into the company once TNA moves forward with its expected two hour expansion of Impact on SpikeTV. As long as negotiations are completed as expected, that expansion is believed to take place in early October. Kurt Angle is working as something of a conduit between the two sides and had a long conversation with Lesnar about coming in while the two were both in Japan working for Antonio Inoki. One source has indicated to me that Lesnar quietly traveled to Nashville for an initial meeting several weeks ago.
Tampa police and fire/rescue workers arrived at Brian Adams’ home this morning after receiving a call from his wife that he was unresponsive. Rescue workers found him in bed and not breathing. They attempted to revive him but were unable to do so and he was pronounced dead at the scene. The body has been transported by the medical examiner to their offices and an autopsy is expected to be performed tomorrow. Cause of death is unknown but the incident report says there were “no visible sign of injuries”.
1Wrestling.com cited one unconfirmed report they received from a WWE source that said Adams may have choked on his own vomit.
Marvel Studios is interested in casting Triple H as the title character in their new comic book adaptation Thor. Apparently, recently signed Thor director Matthew Vaughn is less than enthusiastic about casting a lead with someone who’s biggest role was a supporting role in Blade: Trinity. Triple H was previously attached to star in the John Milius Vampire-Western Journey of Death.