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| NEWS AND NOTES |
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| February 2, 2007 The biggest story of the week has to be the battle for exclusivity of Samoa Joe. Joe, a highly regarded talent who came to prominence with Ring of Honor before splitting time becoming a top star with TNA, announced a couple of days ago that he would be leaving ROH. In an encrypted message on Tuesday, Joe stated that he was being “forced to say farewell to a company that I love.” Obviously, TNA has backed him into a corner and wants him to be available for full time commitments as they move further into booking their talent out to local promotions, under the disguise of a TNA “house show”. His final event as part of ROH will be in March on a tour of the UK. The irony of all of this to me is that some of the same fans who support WWE are crying foul now that one promotion is attempting to raid another. This really is no different that when the WWF was sucking talent from the territories some twenty years ago. We reported a couple of days ago that high school wrestling in Minnesota had been cancelled when many cases of herpes gladiatorium had been reported throughout several wrestlers over multiple schools. A report yesterday says that a case has now been confirmed in South Dakota. The virus, commonly known as mat herpes, is spread by skin-to-skin contact and symptoms include lesions on the face, head, and neck. The infection is caused by a viral herpes simplex type 1, the same type that causes cold sores. ‘Dr. Death’ Steve Williams has authored a book, published by Sports Publishing. How Dr. Death Became Dr. Life, with a foreword written by Jim Ross and Barry Switzer, is said to tell an inspiring story of his rise from youth as a standout football player, to his days as a top name in the wrestling business, and going deep into the triumphs he has had during his battle with throat cancer. Dr. Tom Caiazzo, credited as co-author, is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at East Georgia College near Statesboro, where he lives. Greg Oliver has written a nice piece for Slam! Wrestling on the late Jim LaRock. It turns out LaRock died in August 2006, and as Oliver put it, his death went under the radar. LaRock – an outstanding amateur wrestler, appearing in the 1952 Olympics – who spent about a decade as a pro, wrestled in Georgia in 1959. Click here for the full article. From the “debunking rumors” department, it came to my attention that someone had told Paul Jones recently that ‘Big’ Bill Dromo had died, and that he had begun calling people telling them the news. Bill is indeed alive and well. The Wrestling Observer is reporting that TNA is nearing a deal with Spike TV to expand their weekly program to two hours. Speaking of TNA, it was reported that Scott D'Amore was seen today talking with WWE President Carl DeMarco. In more news from the Observer, more details are coming out regarding Deep South Wrestling’s recent upheaval of talent, namely trainer Bill DeMott. It seems the trainees were complaining about DeMott’s philosophies regarding workouts. Cameras were reportedly installed in the facility so that DeMott could be monitored. The young men were complaining to whomever would listen in Stamford that it was akin to militaristic boot camp. After hearing some of the old school stories of how some of the legends of this business broke in, I can just hear them all laughing about the whining. There are also reports in the Observer that DSW promoter Jody Hamilton may be on the bubble as well, and that John Laurinaitis is protecting him despite many people at the top wanting him out. There are some rumors floating around that the Wild Samoans, Afa and Sika, will be among the inductees to the WWE Hall of Fame at WrestleMania XXIII. Also buzzing is a hint that Mick Foley may be returning to television for WWE soon. Foley has a new book coming out, titled Hardcore Diaries, in March, and he is expected to do a signing tour. It appears that Bob Backlund’s recent appearance with TNA was not just a one-shot deal. He is reportedly going to be making regular visits as an on-air figure with them. |