Wrestling News August 19, 2005

CZW wrestler, Chris Cash, died last night in a tragic accident. Chri$ Ca$h - Christopher Bauman Jr. passed away last night after being involved in a motorcycle accident near his home in South Jersey. On behalf of the CZW family we would like to send our condolences to the Bauman family who are mourning Chris as are we. The thoughts and prayers of the CZW family are with them and those of the CZW fans also are.

SD: This is a shame. CZW is one of the top indie feds going and from what I hear he was a big part of it. PTP send its condolences to Chris’s family and friends.

Joey Styles will be unable to work the wrestling show he put together due to his WWE contract. "I was approached to participate in JOEY STYLES' EXTREMELY HARDCORE well over one year before I signed a part-time, non-exclusive, two-year agreement with WWE in June in order to host ECW branded television projects. However, I am disappointed to announce that there is language in my WWE agreement which makes it necessary for me to resign from JOEY STYLES' EXTREMELY HARDCORE." said Joey Styles.

The company will continue with a new name and a new announcer but will feature the same wrestlers and style of wrestling that hardcore wrestling fans crave and sorely miss.

The card for this Saturday Night remains:
Former WCW World Champion vs. Former ECW World Champion
Dallas Page vs. Justin Credible with Francine and Jason

Hardcore Street Fight
Atlanta's New Gangstas, New Jack and Murder One vs. Balls Mahoney and Axl Rotten

Dog Eat Dog
Pitbull Gary Wolfe vs. Rotweiller Rodney Begnaud

North vs. South
Buffalo, NY's Mikey Whipwreck vs. Raleigh, NC's The Enforcer, CW Anderson

SD: The bad news is, this will only further prevent Joey Styles from joining the WWE on a fulltime basis. The worse news is that the one thing that was making me lean towards buying this ppv is now gone. The horrible news is the only match I’d want to see is Mikey Whipwreck vs CW Anderson.

TNA is now playing hardball with their contracted performers because of their new DVD distribution deal. TNA has informed their talents that they must have their indy dates approved and that they may not work for indy groups that release DVDs nationally in retail sales chains such as Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Target, Best Buy, Circut City, etc. This would mean that TNA talents Raven, Jerry Lynn, Rhino and Sabu could not appear on Shane Douglas' upcoming Hardcore Homecoming shows (beginning next month) which will be distributed nationally by Big Vision Entertainment.

Now that TNA has their DVDs distributed nationally by Navarre, the national DVD restriction joins the pay-per-view restriction (and one would also assume television) for TNA talents.

This should not prevent TNA talents from appearing on Ring of Honor shows as ROH sells their DVDs direct response only.

SD: Great news for ROH fans anyway. Otherwise, this is a necessary move for TNA as they make their next move as the #2 promotion in the American wrestling scene. Merchandising is an absolutely vital move for NA at this stage of the game. If they want to look like major players they need to pretend they are and not allow other companies to put the focus on their stars in the public eye in case their people are booked to lose.

ROH News & Notes:
-If you are unsure of where to start. Check out this article for info of when the DVDs fit into their history
- The winner of the Four Corner Survival mini-tournament at "Do Or Die V" will be booked on the double shot featuring Kenta Kobashi on Oct. 1st in Manhattan and Oct. 2nd in Philadelphia.
- Tickets are now on sale for ROH's return to Chicago on Nov. 5th

WWE renewed contracts for Jonathan Coachman and Christy Hemme. Guess which one I am happy about and which makes me consider not watching Raw for a while.

Wrestling News August 18, 2005

Frankie Kazarian’s website first told of his departure from the WWE. Frankie Kazarian has parted ways with World Wrestling Entertainment as of Saturday evening. Kazarian wishes WWE all the best in their future endeavors.

Then came notice from WWE.com – in their site’s game section. Frankie Kazarian and WWE have parted ways. We suggest you don't pick him for your roster.

And finally, Frankie himself comments on the break-up. In the end, I feel just did not fit personally or professionally with the company, at this point in my career. It was decided by both sides, that we, at this time should no longer do business.

WWE is a great company, and I wish all the people there nothing but the absolute best. Lets face it, WWE is the reason a lot of folks are wrestling fans today.

While there, I learned so much, and was able to reconnect with some old friends, as well as make some new ones. I thank everyone there for their help and input, and I thank the WWE for the fantastic opportunity.

SD: There are rumors circulating all over the internets about it. First, the writers not knowing he is on the roster, his not being used until he asked to be put on, his not appearing on Smackdown, officials asking him to get a haircut, not walking the dog, refused to eat figs, who knows.

Frankie was somebody to be built up slowly and groomed into the uppercard. He has the look, charisma, talent, whatever. As for where he’s going next, we’ll see. Will TNA want him back? Probably not right away despite his being undefeated on Velocity over the WWE’s top cruiserweights.

Personality clashes are a major problem in the industry. In an increasingly corporate WWE, an outside trained performer might not get the chance he deserves unless he’s already a household name. And a company like TNA is struggling to stay afloat right now. They aren’t going to respond lightly to a perceived slight against them. Kazarian is most likely in a tight spot now. Best of luck to him.


TNA released their official show schedules for the next few months and that they debut on SpikeTV on October 1st. TNA “iMPACT” will air Saturday nights on SpikeTV starting October 1.

The upcoming TNA Television Taping Schedule is as follows:

Sunday, September 11- “Unbreakable” live and exclusively on Pay-Per-View
Tuesday, September 27 – TNA’s first taping for “iMPACT!” on SpikeTV
Tuesday, October 11 – “iMPACT” on SpikeTV television taping
Sunday, October 23 – “Bound For Glory” live and exclusively on Pay-Per-View
Tuesday, October 25 - “iMPACT” on SpikeTV television taping
Sunday, November 13 – "Genesis" live and exclusively on Pay-Per-View
Tuesday, November 15 – “iMPACT” on SpikeTV television taping
Tuesday, November 29 - “iMPACT” on SpikeTV television taping

SD: I’m trying to get excited about this but TNA has dropped the ball so many times that I’ve just about lost all heart.

The Blue Meanie issued commentary over the rumor that the BWO is no more in the WWE. Hey everyone. Just dropping a quick (or not so quick) note to let you guys no what's going on. As far as the bWo goes and the WWE the only thing I can say is your guess is as good as mine. I knew going in that it wasn't a full time gig so I can't complain but I would have liked to have had my phone calls returned to let me know yay or nay.

I had an awesome time catching up with my friends, getting some new exposure and getting out of the finanical hole I was left in back in January. But most importantly it was great to perform for you the fans on a grander scale.

SD: From all accounts it doesn’t seem Johnny Ace is the most approachable boss does it? Still, the writing was on the wall. If they meant for it to go any longer Meanie wouldn’t have been on a week-to-week basis. Best of luck, Meanie.

ROH News & Notes:
- Jamie Noble promises he won’t leave ROH until after he loses the World title.
- ROH officials are considering hiring somebody for an “on-air” commissioner role for their programs. The scripted reasoning is that there have been far too many count-outs and other non-finishes lately which is against what the company was founded on.
- AJ Styles suffered a knee injury at last Sunday's TNA PPV and is taking things day by day. There is a good chance that he might miss this Saturday's event. ROH officials are urging AJ to take the show off if AJ isn't able to perform up the level that the fans expect and if there is risk at further injury. The final call will be made on Friday.
- BJ Whitmer has just left for a tour of NOAH. It looks like the next ROH Tag Team Title defense by champions Whitmer & Jimmy Jacobs will be October 1st at the New Yorker Hotel in Manhattan. ROH
- And just for me and my Cleveland readers (unless you’re coming here during that time for some reason), Here is the first talent list for ROH's debut in Cleveland on October 14th: ROH Pure Champion Samoa Joe; ROH Tag Team Champions BJ Whitmer & Jimmy Jacobs; Bryan Danielson; The Embassy featuring Jimmy Rave, Alex Shelley & Abyss with Prince Nana; Generation Next of Austin Aries & Roderick Strong; Homicide & Ricky Reyes of The Rottweilers; Chad Collyer; Colt Cabana; Nigel McGuinness plus more to be added!!!