From: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

As noted earlier, D-Lo Brown (Accie Connor) signed a deal with WWE to rejoin the company. The word going around in recent months was that Vince McMahon wanted more African-Americans on television, so Brown's impromptu signing when he last had a dark match ten months ago likely had something to do with this. McMahon has been looking to obtain some more African-Americans talent for a few reasons. Ratings have gone down in that demo, they've lost quite a few talent what with the departures of Booker T, Lashley, Kristal Marshall & others in the past year, not to mention the whole Michael Hayes racism controversy.

Labels: booker t, D-Lo Brown, kristal marshall

Posted by Matt Loede at 4:04 PM | Permalink | Comments

In a quiet, hidden part of the companys website on Monday, the WWE officially put out that Bobby Lashley is gone from the company. It was an interesting ride for Lashley, who was a US Champ, ECW Champ, and even was high on the card at WrestleMania as he wrestled for Donald Trump vs Umaga in the famous Hair vs Hair match that saw Vince McMahon get his head shaved.

The company's statement simply said: "WWE has come to terms on the release of Bobby Lashley as of today. We wish Bobby the best in all future endeavors." The word was that Lashley was peeved when the company dumped his real-life girlfriend - Kristal Marshall, after she refued to do the Edge sex scandal storyline. It will be interesting to see where Lashley goes from here.

Labels: bobby lashely, kristal marshall

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments

From PWInisder

Here is the latest on the Bobby Lashley-WWE situation. Lashley has definitely informed WWE that he wants to leave the company. There are a lot of reasons for him wanting to do so. The word we have gotten is that part of it has to do with how his girlfriend Kristal Marshall was treated by the company when she balked at being paired with Edge and doing the Lita gimmick, and was then quickly released. Let's just say that there is a line of thought that at least part of why she didn't want to do the angle was fear of a racial element being added to the storyline by the Smackdown creative staff.

I have also heard of other issues behind the scenes where Lashley reportedly feels like he hasn't been treated well himself while he has been out rehabbing. There is said to have been little communication between Lashley and Vince McMahon and no firm plans in place to get him back on TV now that his injury has healed and this was frustrating to him.

At this point, Lashley needs to negotiate an official release from WWE as he is still under contract (and thus is still listed on the company website). As always in this business, things can change at the drop of a hat but for now, his plan is to move on from WWE and then plan the next phase of his life.
Here is the latest on the Bobby Lashley-WWE situation. Lashley has definitely informed WWE that he wants to leave the company. There are a lot of reasons for him wanting to do so. The word we have gotten is that part of it has to do with how his girlfriend Kristal Marshall was treated by the company when she balked at being paired with Edge and doing the Lita gimmick, and was then quickly released. Let's just say that there is a line of thought that at least part of why she didn't want to do the angle was fear of a racial element being added to the storyline by the Smackdown creative staff.

I have also heard of other issues behind the scenes where Lashley reportedly feels like he hasn't been treated well himself while he has been out rehabbing. There is said to have been little communication between Lashley and Vince McMahon and no firm plans in place to get him back on TV now that his injury has healed and this was frustrating to him.

At this point, Lashley needs to negotiate an official release from WWE as he is still under contract (and thus is still listed on the company website). As always in this business, things can change at the drop of a hat but for now, his plan is to move on from WWE and then plan the next phase of his life.

Labels: bobby lashely, edge, kristal marshall

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:21 AM | Permalink | Comments