Former WWE Executive Court Bauer sent word that David Kreizman is now a WWE head writer. Kreizman is a Daytime Emmy award winning soap opera writer.
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Puerto Rico:
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Credit – Wrestling Observer
WWE has been negotiating with Olympic wrestler Jaime Espinal, who won a silver medal at 185 pounds in 2012. Espinal was one of only two Olympic medalists in any sport from Puerto Rico. Recruiting Espinal is part of WWE’s movement to try and create ethnic and national heroes going forward. Espinal has interest in both WWE and MMA.
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- Randy Orton will replace Rey Mysterio during WWE shows in Puerto Rico next weekend. Orton will team with Sin Cara to take on Primo and Epico.
- WWE is now officially advertising The Rock’s return to Raw on the January 7, 2013 episode in Tampa, Florida.
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The following press release was sent out:
DECEMBER 28TH,2012-Chicago, IL Fight Card Entertainment looks to shock the MMA world & the wrestling industry with the signing of former WWE star Ivelisse “The Huntress” Velez to make her MMA debut at FIGHTCARD48:RUTHLESS.
The Puerto Rican native, Velez has been wrestling in the independent circuit for years from Puerto Rico, New York and all over Chicago. She was turned onto MMA with a local gym & home for 2011 Team Fighting Champions “Team 110″ literally around the corner from where she lived in Chicago in 2010. “I was totally hooked. Don’t get me wrong, wrestling is an intense & brutal training regiment but in there with Coach Franco & Team 110, it’s a whole another world.” Velez states.
After several months of MMA training, “The Huntress” was slated to make her fight debut at the end of 2010 when the pinnacle wrestling company, the WWE, came calling . Velez would be side by side with big names as Stone Cold Steve Austin & Trish Stratus as a contestant on WWE’s reality show Tough Enough. She was quickly signed with WWE in November 2011 and took on the role under “Sofia Cortez” that most relates to her as the “anti-diva”.
” I didn’t want to be known as a pretty face. I’ve busted my ass all these years to prove to everyone I’m a wrestler not a model.”
Although wrestling in big shows in Florida due to relocation, Velez’s new passion of MMA still held her attention. “I would always have (Muay Thai) mitts with me or first chance I get to hit the bag, I was there. On nights of wrestling events, I’d warm up hitting mitts sometimes.” Velez stated. Ivelisse would also train from time to time at Gracie Fighter in Tampa to continue to work on her ground game.
In August 2012, Ivelisse Velez was released with unknown reasons from the WWE and although still wrestling on other shows, looked to get back to her original plan of stepping in the cage and reached out to the one promotion that really made an impression, Fight Card Entertainment. “I’ve always respected Brian and Fight Card Entertainment. When I was living in Chicago, I went to their shows, went backstage and never pressured into anything or asked for anything. In the wrestling industry and I’m sure in the MMA industry, the talent is always treated like a piece of meat. I didn’t get that from them.” Velez responds about FIGHTCARD
Although an opponent has not been announced yet. Ivelisse looks to train hard and go out and give it her all. FIGHTCARD48 is scheduled on Saturday March 2nd, 2013 at the 2200 seated venue Cicero Stadium with the expectancy of a SOLD OUT show. No other match ups are announced but a Light Heavyweight 4 Man Grand Prix for the vacant title will kick off. Stay tuned and mark your calendars for the biggest crossover event to take place in Chicago.
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Another Former WWE Developmental Star Weighs in on the Infamous Bill Demott Naked Stinkface Incident
0Former WWE developmental wrestler Devon Nicholson has issued a statement addressing the reports of ‘inappropriate conduct’ at WWE’s former training school at Deep South Wrestling.
“I was in DSW during the time of the incident between Zack Ryder, Melissa Coates and Drew Hankinson. Nobody involved in the “Naked Jelly Donut Incident” were forced to do it. They volunteered to do it to get out of training that day. Bill had come up with the elaborate game because he wanted them to train and didn’t think they’d agree to it.
“Hankinson was not “nearly naked” he was totally naked, the only thing covering his genital area were his hands. He was in the ring nude for approximately 30 – 45 minutes while Demott walked from one corner to the other holding up approximately 18 jelly donuts for Hankinson to “stink face” on both Zack Ryder and Melissa Coates. Ryder and Coates were cheered on heavily by many of the DSW talent who also did not want to train.”
“I had passed a try out and was paying to be there to learn wrestling and attempt to get a WWE contract but went back to wrestling in Puerto Rico shortly after this incident occurred. I doubt Vince McMahon knew that this type of “training” was going on in his territory and I had assumed him finding out was one of the reasons it was shut down and Demott was let go. Although I disagreed with some of his training methods, I had a good relationship with Bill Demott while I was in DSW and valued the wrestling related advice he gave me.”
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JBL Issues an Apology to Carlos Colon Sr, Primo, & Epico For a Heel Remark He Made on Commentary Monday
0JBL posted the following blog on his personal Facebook Page:
Wrestling has always had good guys and bad guys (heels), if there were no heels there would be no heroes.
I remember being in Austin, Texas and cutting a promo on how UT had lost to Oklahoma and mocking the Longhorns (which killed me as I am a lifelong UT fan). Or, being in Dallas with Tony Dorsett (one of my heroes, again a lifelong diehard Cowboy fan) being there and cutting a promo on the Cowboys about why they were losers. Both of those just killed me, but it’s a work-it’s what I do.
This past week I did 5 hours of TV for WWE, I am a heel announcer. I do my best to get over talent, story lines and hopefully entertain.
This past week I said many ‘heel’ things not intended to offend but rather to entertain.
I had said (working with two of best announcers in WWE history) that I was a ‘dollar working with two dimes’ (referring to JR and Cole).
I had said Brodus Clay was a cross between LaToya Jackson and Free Willy or a ‘Justin Timberlake trained sea monster’.
I said Mil Mascaras had a huge ego and glad his nephew ADR did not (when in reality ADR has a huge ego filled character on TV), it was a way to entertain-or at least try.
I went to Primo and Epico and made sure I had their title history as well as their father Carlo Colon’s, so I could try and help them in a very short match with Ryback.
I quoted their history, did my best to put them over and then made a comment with something to the effect of ‘Primo comes from a great heritage his father was a 24 time Puerto Rico champion’. I added, ‘he still owes me money… and many others’. I’m a heel.
However, apparently I have offended Mr Colon and/or the wrestling community/office in Puerto Rico. This was never intended, there was no malice. I was trying to entertain–and put his kids over by listing their histories.
So my apologies to Mr Colon, Primo and Epicco, and any of the other wrestling community in Puerto Rico that are now upset.
I had assumed they would know that I was merely trying my best to do my job and no malice was intended-that is obviously not the case, please understand my only intention was to entertain.
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Upon learning of developmental talent Ivelisse Vélez’ release from WWE last week, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who coached the Puerto Rican grappler on Tough Enough last year, tweeted, “I was very surprised to hear that.”
Meanwhile, Vélez has changed her Twitter handle to @RealIvelisse. She has re-tweeted multiple fan messages in support of her.
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Ivelisse Vélez, who appeared in Florida Championship Wrestling as Sofia Cortez, says she has been released by WWE.
She announced Saturday on Twitter, “I, as well, have been released by WWE. Sorry my #Soljas….”
Vélez, who began her professional wrestling career in 2005 in Puerto Rico, rose to prominence as a contestant on Tough Enough last year, a televised competition that awarded the winner a WWE contract. Vélez was eliminated from the competition due to injury, but offered a developmental contract in November. She had been appearing on WWE NXT as of late.
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WWE Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine, who was released from WWE earlier this year, is booked this weekend on WWC shows in Puerto Rico.
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Andy Leavine is scheduled to debut this weekend for World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico. He is being billed as the nephew of Dan Spivey (a/k/a Waylon Mercy), though he is actually his cousin. WWE released the winner of the last season of Tough Enough earlier this year, reportedly due to his lack of progress in their developmental program.
Former WWE developmental talent Wes Brisco is also scheduled to appear for WWC this weekend.
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- Here are some notes from last weekend’s WWC Aniversario 2012 event in Puerto Rico:
* Former FCW stars Wes Brisco and Andy Leavine will be working upcoming WWC events.
* Matches of interest for Night 1 in Ponce, PR saw Melina defeat Velvet Sky, WWE Superstar Epico defeat WWC Universal Champion Gilbert in a non-title match and Carlito defeat John Morrison by DQ after Thunder & Lightning interfered. WWE Superstar Primo and Apolo made the save, which led to the final match of the night – Thunder & Lightning defeating WWE’s Primo & Apolo.
* Matches of interest for Night 2 in Bayamon, PR saw Melina defeat Velvet Sky and WWE Superstars Primo & Epico defeat the team of John Morrison & Shelton Benjamin.
* Night 3 in San German, PR saw Velvet Sky & Xix Xavant defeat Melina & Davey Richards, Shelton Benjamin lose to Gilbert and John Morrison lose to WWC Champion Apolo.
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The WWC promotion in Puerto Rico will hold their Anniversario 2012 shows this coming weekend. Friday’s show in Ponce, PR will feature WWE Superstar Epico vs. Gilbert, John Morrison vs. Carlito, Melina vs. Velvet Sky plus WWE Superstar Primo in the main event teaming with Apolo to take on Thunder and Lightning. Saturday’s show in Bayamon, PR will feature Melina vs. Velvet Sky and WWE Superstars Primo and Epico vs. John Morrison and Shelton Benjamin.
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The Full Nelson recently interviewed Andy Leavine. Here are a few highlights.
On the news of his release from WWE and why it happened: “To be honest, man, I wish I knew the whole story of why I was released. It was one of those things where (John) Laurinaitus called me up and told me I wasn’t progressing enough down there at FCW. So, they released me to go out on the independent scene and gain a little experience. … Yeah (I was released over the phone).”
On what reason he was given for his release: “To be honest with you, for whatever reason, FCW wasn’t a good fit for me. I was born and raised in Tampa and it just wasn’t a good environment for me. I was only wrestling maybe once every two or three weeks. When you’re breaking into something, that’s no way to learn. Kind of struggling and whatnot. To be honest with you, I think it was the best thing for me.”
On what he plans on doing now that he’s been released: “Just go out there and work, man — have matches. It’s the only way you get better at something. Back when I played football, the only way you learned is getting your ass on the fire. That’s what I intend to do.
“I’ve been in contact with a couple of different promotions — UCW and CPR in Puerto Rico. So, I think I’m going to be heading down to Puerto Rico on the 14th of July. Hopefully, I’ll get a chance to work and earn my grit.”
On the people he’s heard from since his release: “I’ve heard from Matt from Tough Enough. He gave me a bit of encouragement. He was a really cool guy on the show and he’s a cool dude in real life. I heard from a couple of guys from WWE developmental. I talked to Bill DeMott and he encouraged me to keep at it. He said that a lot of people out there liked me, but they want me to go out and get a little more experience.”
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In a battle of former WWE Superstars, Matt Hardy challenges Eric Escobar for the PRWA Heavyweight Championship this Saturday at Lajas Coliseum in Lajas, Puerto Rico.
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Mickie James spoke to Mike Buda of SportstownChicago.com promoting her match on June 30 against Melina at the Coliseo Ruben Rodriguez in Bayamon, Puerto Rico. During the interview, the multi-time women’s champion commented on whether she would consider returning to WWE.
“In this business, it’s not one of those things where you can never say never. Right now, I’m having a great time at TNA and I’ve been enjoying it. I can’t say anytime soon,” she said.
James also addressed TNA Wrestling’s Knockouts division.
“We have a very strong division. The only difference is the style and the types of matches and the length of the matches that we have. It’s a rarity when a woman can main event the show and I’ve been fortunate enough to do that. I’m very blessed to be looked at as equal as someone who can hold that level at the end of the show. It’s an honor. We have Sarita, who’s very well known in Mexico and a main star in the Knockouts roster. Everybody is a little bit different,” she said.
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