WWE has come to terms on the release of ECW Superstar Marcus Cor Von as of September 19. Cor Von, real name Monty Brown, had taken extended time off from the company to assist with his family following the death of a relative. He had been expected to return once the situation had resolved itself. Cor Von signed with the company in November 2006 after a long run with TNA.
PwInsider is reporting that Sonny Siaki was released by World Wrestling Entertainment late last week. He had been teaming with Afa Jr. in recent months in Deep South Wrestling and Florida Championship Wrestling. It appears Afa will be put into a team with Matt “Rosey” Anoia as The Sons of Samoa.
WWE.com announced today that WWE has released Sandman. They released a statement saying: WWE has come to terms on the release of Raw Superstar and ECW Original Sandman as of September 11. We wish him the best in all his future endeavors.
During the TNA tapings, Rikishi, using the ring name Junior Fatu, debuted for TNA. In the second hour, Christian Cage defeated Fatu after AJ Styles interfered. Tomko hit the ring and Samoa Joe made the save.
Toxicology reports reveal that WWE Hall of Famer Sherri Martel died from an accidental overdose according to a story at TuscaloosaNews.com.
Several prescription medications were found in her system, including a high concentration of oxycodone. Oxycodone is a drug commonly given to cancer patients. The story did not say if Martel was being treated for cancer. Martel passed away in June at age 49.
Chris Kanyon is the latest to sound off on the recent study released by the Sports Legacy Institute about finding brain damage related to concussions in Chris Benoit’s brain. Kanyon takes the WWE to task for writing off the findings as speculative and trying to paint Michael Benoit as a “desperate man reaching for straws.” Kanyon talks about two of the matches he had with Chris Benoit where Benoit had a concussion and a bloody nose after each match caused by his diving headbutt. Some can say Kanyon has an “axe to grind” with the WWE, but it’s an interesting view from a wrestler who worked for both WCW and the WWE at the same times as Chris Benoit. Some of you may not agree with him, but I think he makes very valid points and it is worth the read.
I just finished watching NightLine on ABC. The show talked about the Chris Benoit tragedy, specifically the study that the Sports Legacy Institute recently completed about how concussions may have caused brain damage. Former WWE Superstar Chris Nowinski, who retired from wrestling due to concussions, convinced Michael Benoit to donate a portion of Chris’ brain for study. The neuropathological tests demonstrated that Chris Benoit suffered from a type of brain damage called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), which was found in all regions of his brain. And the WWE is writing it all off as speculation and Michael Benoit trying to prove to himself that his son wasn’t a monster.
The Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), which oversaw and coordinated the testing, is an independent medical research organization dedicated to studying the long-term effects of head injuries in sports. SLI President Christopher Nowinski contacted Michael Benoit on June 28th, the Thursday after his son’s death, to obtain permission to study the wrestler’s brain. SLI’s research has indicated there is a connection between the repeated head injuries suffered by many athletes involved in contact sports and an aggregation of abnormal Tau proteins in the brain, causing CTE. CTE’s most common symptoms include depression, cognitive impairment, dementia, Parkinsonism and erratic behavior. Experts believe that CTE may have been a cause or contributing factor in the Benoit tragedy.
Continue reading Shame On You World Wrestling Entertainment
NEW YORK, Sept. 5 /PRNewswire/ — Leading medical experts associated with the Sports Legacy Institute today appeared with Michael Benoit, father of professional wrestler Chris Benoit, to release the results of neuropathological tests that demonstrate his son suffered from a type of brain damage called Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), which was found in all regions of his brain. The Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), which oversaw and coordinated the testing, is an independent medical research organization dedicated to studying the long-term effects of head injuries in sports. SLI President Christopher Nowinski contacted Michael Benoit on June 28th, the Thursday after his son’s death, to obtain permission to study the wrestler’s brain. SLI’s research has indicated there is a connection between the repeated head injuries suffered by many athletes involved in contact sports and an aggregation of abnormal Tau proteins in the brain, causing CTE. CTE’s most common symptoms include depression, cognitive impairment, dementia, Parkinsonism and erratic behavior. Experts believe that CTE may have been a cause or contributing factor in the Benoit tragedy. While CTE has long been found in boxers, and more recently in NFL football players, the findings of CTE in Benoit suggest that athletes involved in other contact sports may also be at a heightened risk for this type of brain injury.
Continue reading Results Released On Study Of Chris Benoit’s Brain
The recently fired Mike Bucci is looking to move on from professional wrestling altogether after being let go by World Wrestling Entertainment. According to those who have spoken to him, Bucci has stated that everything he had been taking was for a legitimate medical purpose as a retired pro wrestler but he also understands why the company let him go. Bucci has told several that he completely understands the political situation WWE is in but at the same time, also realizes that it’s time for him to move on from the business. Bucci has told those close to him he’s saved his money and is already looking into new career possibilities.
Andrew “Test” Martin was pretty much sent home from his first TV Taping after the Hard Justice PPV where he teamed with Abyss and Sting. PwInsider.com is reporting that Martin won’t be back. He had never officially signed a deal with the company.