Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

One of the main reasons the time limits were enforced in a more strict fashion at this year's 2009 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is because the original idea was that by booking the show to start at 6:00 p.m. local time that they would have had until 9:30 p.m. to finish the show for the airing on the USA Network since it would air at 11:00 p.m. ET (10:00 p.m. CT).

However, two weeks before the show USA decided to move the start time from 11:00 p.m. ET to 10:00 p.m. ET cutting an hour off the time they thought they would originally have to edit and get the show ready for airing. In previous year's the show aired in the 11:00 p.m. ET timeslot on USA. As a result, the WWE crew was intent on not having the show still taking place as the TV show started on USA since the network only wanted a one hour show and not go any longer.

This is why many live reports from the show noted how much more strict they were with time limits this year then in the past. Some have suggested the company look into running the show on the Friday night of WrestleMania weekend instead of Saturday night giving them enough time to edit the show and give the inductees as much time as they would like to talk. It should be noted that the WrestleMania 25 DVD will include the full 2009 Hall of Fame ceremony along with extended interviews conducted with inductees over the weekend.

Labels: 2009 WWE Hall Of Fame Induction, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:36 PM | Permalink | Comments

From: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

For people wondering where MVP's losing streak is going, he was told it will result in a babyface turn at the conclusion of the storyline. MVP is now accepting of the angle with the rationale that he can protect his body because he's not supposed to have stellar matches during the losing streak, which means less physical risks.

Labels: MVP, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 1:43 AM | Permalink | Comments

From: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

According to sources, WWE has already started the creative process of the return of Christian. Edge will cost Jeff Hardy the title, and reveal Christian as the "mystery person" who attacked Jeff the morning of Survivor Series. Triple H vs. Edge and Jeff Hardy vs. Christian is the current plan for WrestleMania 25. Jeff will get a chance to win back his title at WrestleMania by winning the Royal Rumble or in an Elimination Chamber at No Way Out against Edge, but will pass on the title shot for a grudge match against Christian.

There has been no confirmation of Christian signing with WWE, but the belief from people within TNA and WWE is that he will return to the company.

Labels: wrestlemania 25, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:39 PM | Permalink | Comments

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Matt Striker was moved to Raw because there is a lot more interview time on the brand compared to ECW and he'll be much more useful there. He could be used as a manager for some guy in developmental that gets called up, or used like Santino Marella as a guy that gets a lot of interview time but whose main role is to put over the mid-level babyfaces of Raw.

Labels: matt striker, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

Mr. Kennedy isn't expected to get much of a push despite his move back to SmackDown, reports the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. The feeling is that he'll continue to tread water and pretty much stay in the same position he's been treading on Raw during the past year.

Labels: mr. kennedy, smackdown, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

From: PWPIX.net

After his recent split from tag team partner Deuce, SmackDown star Clifford "Domino" Compton is said to be on the chopping block, reports the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Labels: domino, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:12 PM | Permalink | Comments

source: www.f4wonline.com

Randy Orton is said to very upset regarding a recent Internet report originally reported in Dave Meltzer's Wrestling Observer Newsletter. It was reported two weeks ago that the severity of Orton's broken collarbone was worse than originally thought and that his return to the ring had been pushed back until October instead of August. According to Meltzer, October is the time frame the creative team is expecting him back. Well, Orton is saying that he should be back in the ring as early as the middle of August and that the pain in his collarbone is pretty much gone. Orton said he's been using a special machine that helps regenerate bone growth and thus speed up his recovery. The machine has an electromagnet that gives a direct pulse to the break of the bone.

Labels: randy orton, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 3:59 PM | Permalink | Comments

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

World Wrestling Entertainment has changed their drug testing procedure after the company got wind of some wrestlers cheating on drug tests by using a "Whizzinator." The "Whizzinator" is an easy to conceal urinating device with a realistic prosthetic penis that's used to defeat drug tests.

WWE has since fired a crew of people who were collectors for not monitoring things a bit more closely. WWE brought in a new crew of monitors to television and the new rule for talent is that you have to be nude "from your ankles to your nipples." This new testing procedure has left a lot of talent unhappy on two fronts.

Perhaps the biggest complaint is that it's not exactly fun for talent to have to take off their clothes in front of a monitor and then watch them urinate, especially from the people who were doing things fair and square. Also, there were some wrestlers getting by the drug tests thanks to the "Whizzinator," and that has obviously left the cheaters unhappy.

WWE believed they had to do it because if someone who cheated got laid off, he or she might brag about how easy it is to cheat the system.

The wrestler who apparently caused the new change in procedure is none other than WWE developmental wrestler Afa Anoa'i, Jr., who currently wrestles for Florida Championship Wrestling. Anoa'i is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Afa, younger brother of former WWF tag team champion Samu, and of course, cousin of Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, who has spoken out numerous times in the past year against drug use in professional wrestling. If you recall, Afa Jr. was suspended back in March for a violation of WWE's drug testing policy. He didn't necessarily fail a drug test, but was caught cheating on one with a "Whizzinator." As a result, he was suspended for 30 days.

Labels: afa anoai, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:08 PM | Permalink | Comments

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

BBC News out of the U.K. has an article on The Great Khali today, which you can read at this link. Khali claims that he lives a modest lifestyle, and that he can't afford a customized car. "I have no fancy villa or cars," he said. "I live in a simple home and do not have the money to order a customized car that would fit my size." Khali believes that Americans had a hard time with his character at first. "Americans could not imagine someone from India in WWE," Khali said. "They are now actually having a lot of fun." Khali also reveals some of the ring names that were pitched to him prior to his WWE debut in April 2006. Khali himself proposed the name 'Big Bhima', which he got from an Indian movie. The names 'Giant Singh' and 'Lord Shiva' were also discussed, but ultimately rejected due to concerns that they would offend Indians. Khali ended up taking his name from Kali, an Indian goddess with destructive powers.

Labels: the great khali, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 4:56 PM | Permalink | Comments

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Jonathan Coachman’s WWE contract is expiring within the next few months. There has been quite a bit of speculation that Coachman could leave the company for a full-time job with MSG Network, although he hasn’t said anything about it yet.

Labels: Jonathan Coachman, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 1:56 PM | Permalink | Comments

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

There has been talk of turning CM Punk heel, but since his merchandise is selling far better than someone in his position should be selling, some believe that he should be built up higher as a babyface.

There has also been talk of Punk switching brands.

Labels: c.m. punk, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:34 PM | Permalink | Comments