Bubba the Love Sponge Caller Claims TNA iMPACT! Might Be Canceled by Spike

The man who once said "F--k Haiti," former TNA employee Bubba the Love Sponge, might've just drawn the ire of the wrestling public once again.

A caller on his radio show this week claimed to work for Spike TV before going on to say that TNA iMPACT! is Spike’s lowest-rated show (P.S.: that’s extremely far from the truth), then implied that the show might be cut from Spike's lineup.

David Schwarz, vice president of communications at Spike, made the following statement to PWinsider.com in response (unedited):

"I can assure you the caller was a fake and TNA iMPACT is not only among the highest rated shows with young men on Spike, but on Thursday nights as well. This past Thursday, Among Basic Cable Networks between 9p-11p, TNA ranked #3 in M18-49 behind ESPN (NBA Conf Semis CAVALIERS/CELTICS) and TBS (Disturbia, Family Guy). And our relationship with Dixie and TNA has never been stronger."

Bubba (during the show): “I wasn’t being racial...I don’t want to cause no problems there (TNA) 'cause I got so many friends there...Screw Dixie...God bless the boys...She’s (Dixie) a mark...She makes her decisions based on following marks.”

Needless to say, the entire call and discussion was devoid of any credibility whatsoever, but listening to Bubba revisit and re-question his firing from TNA was hilarious.

The caller kept trying to claim TNA's ratings were worrying Kevin Kay and various Spike execs, and that they were against the firing of Bubba. Bubba in reply kept referring to Kay, president of Spike TV, as Kevin Costner.

That was hopefully a pathetic attempt by Bubba to pretend he was not in on the call. If it wasn't, then I do fear for his intelligence—no offence to him, of course.

Michael Benoit Denounces Linda McMahon’s Senate Campaign

The father of the late Chris Benoit sent a letter to The Hartford Courant concerning the McMahons. Here are some excerpts:

...My son, Chris Benoit, 40, was one of WWE's top superstars. In June 2007, our lives changed dramatically, when he tragically killed his wife, son and himself. The press jumped on steroids as the cause of his actions. But tests showed that brain damage in the form of Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy, or CTE, not steroids, was responsible for our loss. CTE, caused by repetitive trauma to the brain, can bring on serious disorders such as a loss of emotional control, addictions to drugs and alcohol, depression, aggressive and violent behavior.

...Most people view wrestling as fake and the McMahon family pushed that theory to avoid regulation. But in its lust for higher ratings and dollars, WWE began demanding that performers use more weapons and dangerous stunts in wrestling matches. Although matches are rigged and scripted, the harsh physical abuse in the form of blunt force steel chair shots to the head and power bombs through tables onto cement floors are real. I believe that this change in the industry is responsible for the majority of deaths it experienced in the last 20 years.

...USA Today in 2004 published research stating that wrestlers are 20 times more likely to die before the age of 45 than are pro football players. What has the McMahon family done to make pro wrestling safer? They will spend up to $50 million to get Linda elected to a position where she could head off any effort to regulate their business.

...You might say that these young wrestlers make their own choices, and that is true. And the McMahons entice them with prospects for fame, wealth and glory that few achieve. If this were any other business or sport, there would be congressional hearings and laws passed to reform this dirty and dangerous enterprise. The McMahons have steadfastly held that wrestlers are just independent contractors and not entitled to health care benefits, pensions or unionization to represent their best interests.

This is how Linda McMahon made the money she uses for her Senate race. This is how she ran her business. This is the true character behind the fancy, Hollywood advertisements. I pray the people of Connecticut do not allow her to buy her way into the world's most distinguished legislative body.

First off, I am glad that Michael Benoit acknowledges that WWE performers are in no way forced to take the risks they do and that they do have a choice. Certainly the independent contractor argument is one that Vince McMahon has tried to sidestep for decades.

As for the use of steel chairs and the like, that is an evil of professional wrestling that, until the McMahon run began, was not reduced significantly.

Unless McMahon’s political opponents seize upon the contractual terms imposed on WWE wrestlers, this issue will not be addressed the situation shall not change, sad as it may be.

Moving on..

 

NXT and Brian vs. Cole

Last night's episode of WWE NXT did a 0.89 rating, with 1,253,000 viewers.

Credit: PWInsider

Not a great rating, and still below the average ECW rating last year.

However, it is an increase from last week; the optimistic Internet will put it down to Brian Danielson, but we will have a clearer picture next week.

 

Que?

One of the reasons Hernandez was sent to Mexico was to take Spanish classes and be in Mexico so he's basically forced to use the language. While Hernandez is Hispanic by heritage, he didn't know much Spanish. The idea when he returns, which is happening soon, is to have him do his interviews like Rey Mysterio where he uses both English and Spanish.

Credit: F4WOnline.com

Good move on TNA’s part, something I have not been able to write in a while. TNA’s biggest draw in the Latino market is Hernandez, and his supposed newfound ability to speak Spanish coupled with having wrestled regularly in Mexico should only serve to elevate him.

 

What do you guys think?