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WWE Sports Entertainment News Update: Shawn Michaels, Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman, CM Punk, John Cena...
In recent years, the debate on whether WWE superstars should be classified as "pro wrestlers" or "sports entertainers" has continued on television, social media and talk.
At times, it's been used as part of storylines, with performers like CM Punk and Chris Jericho mocking the use of the words "sports entertainment." But on the most recent edition on WWE Raw, fans saw the back curtain and kayfabe lift the lid even more.
Look at the careers of Shawn Michaels, who was being recognized in his hometown of San Antonio, Texas, and Brock Lesnar and there's a huge difference. One is Mr. "WrestleMania," and the other is a former UFC champion and self proclaimed "ass kicker" (and not "entertainer").
Yet they stood across the ring from each other on Raw, with Paul Heyman speaking on Lesnar's behalf. Heyman event went as far as to call Michaels the greatest "entertainer" in WWE history.
But even that, he said, couldn't compare to Lesnar's abilities as a fighter and a warrior. Michaels responded by saying he has faith in his longtime friend - and frequent enemy - Triple H to take care of business.
And Michaels will have a front-row seat for the action, as he plans to be in Triple H's corner.
The segment ended without much drama, as Triple H emerged and Lesnar left, with Heyman cryptically indicating that they'll be seeing Michaels before SummerSlam.
WWE has done a top job with the slow build to the Triple H-Lesnar match, and Heyman deserves a lot of the credit, as he's carried the program on the Lesnar side to this point.
The Rock-John Cena fued leading up to this year's WrestleMania was the first attempt at a long-term build with limited appearances by one of the competitors, and it was apparently a success, as WWE seems to be adopting that strategy with Lesnar, as well as The Rock's Royal Rumble challenge.
After losing the Cena at Extreme Rules, Lesnar needs to be the alpha male and dominating in order for his WWE return to be considered successful. Wrestling insiders are hoping Lesnar bests Triple H at SummerSlam.
Ed note: The jury is still out whether Lesnar got into a real fight with Ryback, as reported on as Super Luchas and Wrestling Observer. Stay tuned, but we think not to expect an official comment from WWE, as they will be obviously looking to protect their rising monster and touted future champion Ryback.
WWE SummerSlam Matches Confirmed...
WWE added two items to the Summerslam PPV line-up in two weeks. Most notable is Shawn Michaels in Triple H's corner for Hunter's headline match against Brock Lesnar.
WWE also announced Daniel Bryan vs. Kane in a singles match. WWE did not draw attention to Charlie Sheen, who was mentioned for a potential fight/confrontation/scrap/match against Bryan in recent weeks.
There is a good chance that Chris Jericho will also be on the card, as his rock band 'Fozzy' are not going ahead with their prior rock concert commitment.
Australia fans can order WWE SummerSlam via Foxtel - Main Event TV. The PPV will be broadcast on Main Event on Monday 10th August at 10am.
Summerslam PPV line-up
Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H with Shawn Michaels in his corner.
WWE champion C.M. Punk vs. John Cena vs. Big Show for the WWE Title.
World Hvt. champion Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio for the World Title.
Daniel Bryan vs. Kane.
Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler
WWE superstar and ex Olympian Mark Henry checks out Olympic talent at London 2012...
WWE superstar "The World's Strongest Man" Mark Henry has been attendance at various events at Olympic Park to catch Olympic action.
The Olympic Games is used to seeing huge performances, but there can be fewer bigger performers at London 2012 than Henry.
Six foot three, 412lb WWE superstar Mark Henry has been in attendance to take in the sights and sounds of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Henry knows all about life as an Olympian after his time representing Team USA in weightlifting in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
As a weightlifter, Henry gained recognition for his intimidating size and massive strength.
His talents were rewarded three years later when Henry won gold, silver and bronze medals at the Pan American Games.
His successes on the podium did not go unnoticed. Impressed by his sporting achievements, WWE signed Mark Henry in 1996 sparking an illustrious career that is as impressive today as his Olympic performances of old.
He continues to follow weightlifting and is apparently scouting talent for the WWE at this year’s Olympic competition.
The Media Man agency reckons WWE would do well to check out Olympic shot putter Reese Hoffa. He appears to have the "It Factor". How well he would adapt to WWE rings in yet to be known, but surly worth more investigation.
Fox Sports Dominique Dawes investigates how Olympic shot putter Reese Hoffa went from unwanted child to Olympic hopeful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OjVjWcowN9w&feature=player_embedded
YouTube Wrestling Footage...
Greco-Roman wrestler's insane 'flying squirrel' takedown via YouTube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oW8Mf3IL4zA
Brock Lesnar Submits! Ryan Tobin still has South Dakota Title
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMbMvtK372c&feature=related
Rosa Mendes alleges assault by ex-WWE wrestler fiance, WWE issues statement...
The San Antonio Police Department has issued a police report on an alleged incident involving WWE Diva Rosa Mendes (real name Milena Roucka) that began Sunday in Las Vegas and carried over to San Antonio when Roucka arrived in San Antonio for Monday's Raw. The following was reported by TMZ:
- Roucka alleged that she was assaulted by her fiance, former WWE wrestler Jackson Andrews, who infamously had a very brief stint on WWE TV as Tyson Kidd's bodyguard. Roucka told police that she "was afraid (her fiance) would try to kill her." She also stated the abuse was "on-going."
- The rumor of Roucka being intoxicated at the San Antonio Airport was included in the police report. Police said Roucka was under the influence of alcohol at the time they made contact with her at the airport. However, Roucka was not arrested, as was rumored, but escorted from the airport by police.
- Mendes filed a battery report around 10:17 p.m. on Sunday night and police took 30 photos of where she appeared to have bruises and scratches on her body from the alleged assault.
- WWE issued a statement to TMZ on the serious nature of the situation, which read: "Milena Roucka contacted a WWE Talent Relations representative this morning to notify WWE that, upon her arrival in San Antonio last evening, she contacted police at the airport to report alleged domestic abuse that occurred just prior to her flight."
WWE added that the company will "provide her with professional assistance." Jackson Andrews, real name Andy Slocum, was not able to be reached for comment.
WWE RAW social media score up 54 percent - 7th August 2012
Monday's WWE Raw episode was up 54 percent in social media activity compared to last week's post-1,000 hangover show as WWE tries to find a baseline during the three-hour era. Raw scored 401,202 on Monday, up from 259,203 last week, but down from a record 907,443 two weeks ago. Raw ranked #4 on cable TV Monday night, trailing Olympics coverage on NBC Universal and "Love & Hip Hop Atlanta" on VH1.( Data: Trendrr.tv )
Olympics-Wrestling-Korean "Mowgli": Greco-Roman king - 7th August 2012...
A South Korean wrestler nicknamed 'Mowgli' won gold in the Greco-Roman wrestling at the London Games on Tuesday, overcoming a badly swollen eye that left him struggling to see properly.
Kim Hyeonwoo, 23, beat Hungary's Tamas Lorincz in the 66kg final, the third lightest category in one of the world's oldest and most physical sports.
With his mop of black hair and winning smile, he bears more than a passing resemblance to the little boy raised by wolves in the Disney adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic stories, "The Jungle Book".
"In my high school, I used to run around in my bare feet, so my friends gave the nickname of Mowgli," he said. "I'm very happy with that, even though my foreign friends in the (wrestling) fights keep calling me Mowgli, Mowgli."
Kim's bruising route to the final owed more to the Rocky films than Disney, however. He suffered a nasty blow to the right eye in the first qualifying round and it had closed by the time he reached the final.
"I couldn't open the eye, I couldn't see," he said. "The swelling got bigger and bigger as I went on."
After winning the final, Kim knelt on the wrestling mat and kissed his country's flag as a packed arena cheered.
IRAN'S HAT-TRICK
There was more success for Iran in the second final of the night when Ghasem Rezaei won the Greco-Roman heavyweight class, taking his country's wrestling gold tally to three.
The Iranian, who only managed 16th place in Beijing four years ago, beat Russia's Rustam Totrov in the final of the 96kg weight class.
Jubilant Iranian supporters roared and waved their nation's flags as Rezaei kissed and hugged his coach in celebration.
Rezaei had beaten the Armenian favourite Artur Aleksanyan in the quarter-final. Totrov won bronze at the world championships in 2011 and was among the favourites for gold in London.
"To see all the Iranians inside the stadium and back home, to bring smiles to their faces is the happiest moment of my life," said Rezaei.
It was the final day of the Greco-Roman, a discipline where holds must be above the waist and athletes are restricted from using their legs to bring down an opponent.
The freestyle - where athletes can use their legs to defend and attack - runs from Wednesday to Sunday. (Reuters)
Olympics wrestling: Ghasem Rezaei wins another gold for Iran...
Ghasem Rezaei added another Olympic wrestling gold to Iran's haul in London, beating Rustam Totrov in the -96kg Greco-Roman final.
Rezaei, 26, beat his Russian opponent 2-0 1-0 at ExCeL.
It was the third wrestling gold medal of the Games for Iran, following previous victories in both the men's -55kg Greco-Roman and men's -60kg Greco-Roman categories.
Armenia's Artur Aleksanyan and Jimmy Lidberg of Sweden took bronze medals.
They defeated Yunior Estrada Falcon of Cuba and Belarusian Tsimafei Dzeinichenka respectively.
Rezaei, who finished 16th in Beijing four years ago, lifted his opponent off the mat to win the first period before successfully defending a par terre in the second.
Iran had not won any golds in the Greco-Roman discipline before London.
Final Results
Rank Athlete Country Result
1 Rezaei IRI 3
2 Totrov RUS 0
3 Aleksanyan ARM 3
3 Lidberg SWE 3
Tarash gets lonely at training - 28th July 2012...
Australian wrestler Farzad Tarash struck an unexpected training snag on just his second day at the Olympics.
No one to train with.
Tarash arrived at the Redbridge training facility just outside London early Friday morning (local time) only to find himself all alone.
Typically before a big meet, rival wrestlers pair up for training sessions and for a two or three minute bout.
But Tarash, 25, couldn't find anyone in his 60kg division to match up with, although some Cuban wrestlers arrived just as he was leaving.
It seems the Melbourne engineer is a tad more driven than some of his wrestling mates.
"Yeah, Cuba came but it was a little bit too late," he told AAP.
"I think it's very quiet because people are taking it easy because it's going to be a long night with the opening ceremony."
Tarash is unlikely to make the podium in London, but is hoping to feed off the experience.
"I know most of the wrestlers in my weight division and it's good to have them as training partners.
"Some have very broken English, but we seem to understand each other somehow.
"Wrestling is not a sport where you need too many words." (AAP)
Cuba's Lopez wins wrestling gold - 7th August 2012...
Mijain Lopez of Cuba won gold Monday in the men's 120-kilogram category of the Greco-Roman wrestling at the London Olympics.
Lopez defeated Heiki Nabi of Estonia 2-0, 1-0 to win his second straight Olympic gold medal.
Lopez is the third wrestler to win multiple golds at 120 kilograms, joining Russian legend Alexander Karelin and Alexander Koltschinkski of the former Soviet Union.
Lopez, the four-time world champion, also beat Turkey's Riza Kayaalp in the semis after losing to the Turk in Istanbul during last year's world championships.
beating Estonia's Heiki Nabi
in the final.
Turkey's Riza Kayaalp and Johan Euren of Sweden took bronze medals. (AP)
Iran's Noroozi wins Olympic wrestling gold...
Omid Noroozi of Iran won the gold medal Monday in men's 60-kilogram Greco-Roman wrestling at the London Olympics.
Noroozi, the defending world champion, beat Georgia's Revaz Lashkhi 1-0, 1-0 to give Iran its second Greco-Roman medal in as many days.
Hamid Soryan won the country's first Greco-Roman gold on Sunday.
Noroozi beat Kazakhstan's Almat Kebispayev in a rematch of the 2011 world championship final, then took out Lashkhi for his first gold medal.
Russia's Zaur Kuramagomedov and Japan's Ryutaro Matsumoto won bronze medals. (AP)
First Second unveils André the Giant comic...
First Second has confirmed its André the Giant biography.
Cartoonist Box Brown is working on the book charting the life of the professional wrestler and actor, reports ICv2.
André Roussimoff was a star and one-time champion of the World Wrestling Federation (now WWE).
He is also known for his role in cult classic movie The Princess Bride.
Roussimoff has the condition acromegaly, which saw him grow to 7'4" in height. He died of heart failure in 1993 at the age of 46.
Box is the author of Xeric grant-funded graphic novel Love Is a Peculiar Type of Thing.
The untitled André the Giant biography is scheduled for release in 2014.
Fans of Andre will be delighted to hear that an Andre The Giant online slot game is available on Virgin Casino - Virgin Games, which can be accessed via the Media Man network.
McMahon finds herself on familiar Connecticut turf: attacked, ahead - 28th July 2012...
Pro wrestling mogul Linda McMahon finds herself in a familiar position this summer -- attacked as a candidate depending more on her personal wealth than her political skills to win a U.S. Senate seat in Connecticut -- but once again the likely Republican primary winner.
The only real difference for the millionaire, former professional wrestling executive is the primary attacks this year have been exceptionally harsh, even compared to those against McMahon in her debut 2010 run.
One ad two years ago shows a wrestler pretending to smash a folding chair over the head of his opponent, then McMahon, a former World Wrestling Entertainment chief executive officer, standing in the ring hand-in-hand with husband and company founder Vince McMahon.
This year’s primary opponent, former GOP Rep. Christopher Shays, recently called McMahon “clueless” and said she is the political opponent for whom he has the least respect, after having served 32 years in elected office.
“I have never run against an opponent that I have respected less,” Shays told the New Haven Register after a July 18 debate, then characterized McMahon’s performance as “embarrassingly clueless.”
McMahon’s camp and political analysts have said the recent comments from the well-respect Shays suggest his frustration and realization that his political career might be coming to a close as McMahon holds a significant lead just weeks before the August primary.
“It has become increasingly clear that Shays has become unglued,” McMahon campaign manager Tim Murtaugh said. “It’s sad to see his career end this way.”
A recent Quinnipiac poll shows McMahon leading Shays by 29 points.
Shays, a moderate with support from such Washington Republicans as Karl Rove, appeared to suggest after the debate that he faces long odds in extending his political career, considering the campaign could not afford TV ads – crucial when trailing late and because he has under-whelming name recognition despite 21 years in the House.
His campaign said this week it had received an infusion of money for media buys and remains optimistic about winning.
Communications Director Amanda Bergen didn’t question the validity of the Quinnipiac poll, but said it might not reflect true voter sentiment because voters disconnect during the summer.
“People won’t start paying attention until early August,” she said.
Bergen said the campaign is also focusing on Republican primary voters and spending its advertising money in their specific markets.
“This election is too important to waste,” she said. “Chris votes on principle (and) he has the experience to hit the ground running.”
The Shays campaign also has repeatedly characterized McMahon as scripted and unprepared for Congress, much like she was criticized in the 2010 primary against former Rep. Rob Simmons and in the general election with Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who defeated her.
Regardless of who wins, either candidate will have a difficult time defeating the Democrat challenger in the race for the open seat of Sen. Joe Lieberman, an independent, considering the blue state has a no Republicans in either the House or Senate.
Meanwhile, McMahon continues to poor millions of her own money into the race, as she did in 2010. And her campaign continues to stick to its message and look ahead to a match up with likely Democratic nominee Rep. Chris Murphy.
“Linda McMahon will be the Republican winner on the night of August 14,” Murtaugh told FoxNews.com.
He also said the campaign is sticking to its grass-roots campaign effort to contacts thousands of voters and tell people that McMahon is not a career Washington politician, but in fact a jobs creator whose wrestling business started as a kitchen table operation that once went bankrupt.
“She understands the plight of the small business person because she has lived through it,” Murtaugh said. (Fox News)
Brock Lesnar - Ryback backstage fight? - Internet rumour lights up...
Rumors of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar attacking WWE rising superstar Ryback have been sending the internet news sites crazy.
The rumor has been covered on several pro-wrestling news sites, including Mexican wrestling website SuperLuchas, WrestlingInc.com and Pro Wrestling Observer.
SuperLuchas—as well as multiple sources throughout the Internet—claims that the news was first broken by the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, despite the lack of evidence of the reputable newsletter ever publishing such news.
According to the websites which cite the alleged Wrestling Observer Newsletter report:
Lesnar left the building after getting into a physical altercation with fellow WWE superstar, Ryan Reeves, known in ring as Ryback.
Not much information is being let out, but the source says Lesnar was in the arena early to rehearse a major angle with SummerSlam opponent Triple H. Before things even began, Reeves, who was also in the building, got into a heated argument with Lesnar. It is uncertain what the argument was about.
Reeves put his hands on Lesnar, though the source tells us that people who witnessed it said Reeves was going to apologize. Lesnar shoved Reeves back and a shoving match ensued. Lesnar threw Reeves to the floor and hit him in the face three times before being pulled off.
Reeves suffered a laceration above his left eyebrow which is required stitches. 'Ryback' will not be competing tonight as he was originally planned. Lesnar left the building immediately, and all efforts to reach him have failed.
Ex Olympian Kurt Angle in movie...
You can donate as little as $2 to help get Angle's first starring role in a feature film, Singlet: The Dana Kelly Story, made. Angle plays Dana Kelly in the film, which takes a look at the world of Olympic Weightlifting. You can get more details here
http://www.moviehatch.com/index.php/component/option,com_moviehatch/competition,-1:/movie,640/task,detail/
Media Man Wrap-Up...
We told you we had a ripper news update for today. Fans, as always, keep checking the Media Man blogs for more news on these developing news stories.
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