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Rich Swann Suspended by TNA after Being Arrested in June
EDIT: Link to Post Wrestling Article
PWInsider is quoting PostWrestling.com but it's Mike Johnson so the story is likely vetted.
>PostWrestling.com is reporting that TNA has suspended former TNA Champion Rich Swann after they became aware that Swann was arrested this past June and charged with disorderly public intoxication and causing a disturbance, a misdemeanor offense. TNA stated to PostWrestling.com that they were not aware of Swann's 6/8 arrest until being asked for comment.
>Swann was released on a $250 bond on 6/9. He has a case hearing this week in Florida.
>It should be noted that on his Facebook page, Swann has posted numerous times in recent months that he has been alcohol free, which would line up with right after the arrest.
>βTNA Wrestling takes any and all charges against its performers seriously,β TNA told POST Wrestling in a statement. βRich Swann is responsible for his own personal actions. He has informed TNA Wrestling that he is voluntarily entering into a substance abuse rehabilitation program. TNA Wrestling has suspended Rich pending the completion of its investigation into the incidents.β
>Swann had been paired with AJ Francis as First Class in recent months.
Bobby Lashley, MVP Gone From WWE
Bobby Lashley and MVP were each moved to WWE.com's Alumni Section this morning.
PWInsider.com can also confirm each have been removed from the company's internal roster.
With the expiration of their WWE deals, each would be a free agent able to wrestle or sign anywhere they wish going forward.
MVP teased his debut as part of Josh Barnett's Bloodsport last month in NYC.
Lashley has talked up a potential future boxing match in recent interviews as well.
Scott D'amore Says a 'difference of Opinion' Led to His Exit as TNA President
Scott D'Amore appeared on Busted Open today and discussed for the first time, his exit from TNA.
He noted that two days before the TNA name was brought back at the Hard To Kill PPV, he was given the word that he was done and his speech that night was his love letter to professional wrestling. He stated that while he had spoken to Anthem Head Len Asper about it and knew it was coming, "It still hit me pretty hard." He admitted the company was paying him a "ton of money to sit at home, which is kind of nice."
D'Amore said it was a "difference of opinion" on how the company should be that led to his departure, which lines up with what PWInsider.com reported at the time. He said he took it hard but didn't take it personally. He said that when he finished out working at the TNA tapings, he set up Jordynne Grace working the 2024 Royal Rumble and looked into acquiring the company, which Anthem turned down.
D'Amore felt that the Hard To Kill PPV put the exclamation mark on his seven year run with the company and noted that he didn't want all the credit nor all the blame for anything as it was a team effort. D'Amore also noted how proud he was to build the team behind the scenes, saying the company was "deader than dead" as a brand and he had an 80 hour plus obsession to rebuild it, naming Tommy Dreamer, Jimmy Jacobs and Robert Evans specifically as part of the team.
D'Amore said he was very proud of what they had done and admitted to being very upset that the reigns were taken away from him when he felt the company was ready to "explode" into a larger position.
D'Amore announced the debut of his Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling promotion for this October in Windsor with the shows streaming live on TrillerTV.
Source: PWInsider
WWE Officials Met With Hardy Boyz
No word on what was discussed, but we have also heard some content was filmed to be rolled out via WWE digital as well.
The Hardys are scheduled for this weekend's TNA tapings and are signing today at Wrestlecon's Destination Cleveland.
WWE Hall Of Famer Gone From WWE
WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix is no longer under contract to WWE, PWInsider.com has confirmed with multiple sources.
Phoenix last wrestled for the company in 2023 and had also been working as an announcer.
I copied their headline, but man is it worded dumb when they could just say Beth Phoenix has departed the company. But they wouldn't get a click that way.
Backstage reaction to MonΓ© vs. Vaquer at Forbidden Door
>There was a lot of praise internally for the Mercedes MonΓ© vs. Stephanie Vaquer bout within AEW, specifically for Vaquer getting over so strongly with the live crowd in NYC for her work. We are told that MonΓ© went into the bout with the express goal of "making" Vaquer and that even with Vaquer getting into town late as she didn't arrive until the afternoon of the PPV (most were in the night before), the feeling was that they hit the goal.
>The story that George Clooney sent MonΓ© a bottle of tequila at the PPV was 100% legitimate.
Chris Kaiser, Executive Vice President of WWE Television, has left the company.
>Chris Kaiser, who held the post of Executive Vice President of WWE Television, exited WWE this afternoon, according to several sources. We are told he was the latest Exec cut by the company.
>Kaiser had been with WWE for nine years after coming over from TV Land and Spike TV in 2015. He initially started as Senior Vice President of TV Production before being promoted to the role of Executive Vice President: WWE Television Operations and Production and then taking on his role of EVP of WWE Television in 2021.
>Kaiser had worked as Executive Producer for a number of WWE reality series and documentaries, including WWE 24, WWE's Most Wanted Treasures, Total Divas, Total Bellas, and Miz & Mrs. He was also intricately involved with the creation and execution of The Thunderdome during the COVID-19 pandemic.
>Kaiser's LinkedIn Profile described his position as leading "the production, operations, and development of WWE's extensive portfolio of original content, delivered to a global audience across multiple platforms and partners" and noted his core competencies as including "new media, branding, third-party productions, special projects, technical operations, and media asset management. He is a key member of the company's executive leadership team and a trusted advisor to WWE's distribution partners, such as FOX Sports, NBCUniversal, and Peacock."
Jamie Kellner, Exec Who Canceled WCW Television, Passes Away
Broadcasting Executive Jamie Kellner, who helped to launch both FOX and the now defunct WB Network passed away this weekend according to multiple reports, including Variety.
In the professional wrestling periphery, Kellner is best known as the executive who took over Turner Broadcasting after parent company Time Warner merged with AOL - making the decision to cancel World Championship Wrestling programming, including Monday Nitro on TNT, Thunder on TBS and WCW Saturday Night.
Ricochet Will Exit WWE
PWInsider.com has confirmed with multiple sources that WWE's Ricochet has given notice that he intends to exit the company when his current contract expires this summer. We are told that Ricochet is expected to be written out of WWE storylines very soon in advance of the contract expiration. Ricochet is currently part of WWE's Raw brand.
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One source we spoke with said they were giving Ricochet "all the credit in the world for betting on himself." One would think he'll quickly be a hot commodity as a free agent.
Eddie Kingston Injury Update, It's Not Good (Tore ACL/Miniscus Too)
> Kingston suffered a tibular fracture working for New Japan Pro Wrestling several weeks back in California. > >Kingston confirmed that he suffered tears to his ACL and meniscus as well. They will require surgery. > >While Kingston had hoped to be back by AEW's All In: London, his post-surgery recovery will likely mean he will be out closer to nine months.
Cash Wheeler Case Dismissed, Prosecutors Don't Want to Go to Trial
Next week's scheduled trial against AEW's Daniel "Cash" Wheeler will not go forward, PWInsider.com has confirmed.
This afternoon, the Prosecutor's office filed "Nolle Prosequi."
The Latin phrase is used in court records as a legal notice that the Prosecution in a legal case has opted to drop and abandon the case. There is no word as to why the Prosecutors made that decision or why it took them until the week before the trial to drop prosecution.
As of this morning, there was a pre-trial hearing set for tomorrow afternoon at 2 PM and a trial slated for 5/20. All of that has been canceled. Wheeler's bond has been released and the case was officially closed as of 3 PM this afternoon.
WWE Releases - 04/19/2024
Vince McMahon Puts All Remaining Shares in TKO up for Sale
TKO Group filed a SEC filing this evening, revealing that all of Vince McMahon's remaining stock in TKO Group are now registered for sale, potentially opening the door for McMahon to exit as an owner if all of the stock is eventually sold.
McMahon currently holds about 5% of the stock and has been greatly selling off stock since his resignation for the company, building a massive cash warchest.
AEW Talent Releases
PWInsider.com has confirmed the following AEW talents were released today:
-The Tate Twins aka Dalton Castle's Boys.
-AnthonyΒ Henry.
-Stu Grayson.
-Gravity.
-Dasha Fuentes.
-Slim J.
-Parker Bordeaux.
-Jose The Assistant.
-Jora Johl.
In speaking to several sources, we are told AEW is currently evaluating their talent roster and making cuts to benefit both the company and the talents.Β The belief is the released talents would be 100% free agents immediately.
We are told this was likely the complete list of talents who were cut today.Β No word if additional names will also be released.
The Rock will be out of action in WWE from May 1st until August 1st to film a movie. That would likely take him out of doing anything physical for WWE during that time period.
CJ Perry & Miro Separate, Perry Comments
TMZ.com reported this evening that former WWE and current AEW stars Miro and CJ Perry have split up.
Perry told TMZ.com, "Miro and I have made the difficult decision to separate after many wonderful years together, and have decided to move on as friends, and hopefully onscreen characters somewhere down the road."
The report states that Miro has moved back to Bulgaria.
PWInsider.com sends our best wishes to all involved.
WWE Partners with Wheatley Vodka as the "Official Vodka of WrestleMania XL"
As part of the deal, according to SBJ, "Wheatley will also be presenting sponsor of a yet-untitled, six-part content series on WWE social/digital channels featuring WrestleMania headliner Cody "The American Nightmare" Rhodes interviewing other WWE stars. A Wheately-branded tour bus will be in the series."