Joe's 411: B/R Pro-Wrestling News (July 23, 2009)

Welcome to an all new Joe's 411: B/R Pro-Wrestling News.  The 411 has some big information today, some that may change one company as we know it! So let's get to it, here is the 411!

Vladimir Kozlov face turn

I believe there is already an article about this very subject on B/R currently, but I thought I would look into it and write something regarding it.

If you saw ECW Tuesday, you saw Ezekiel Jackson dominate some poor unsuspecting soul. The match was literally over in one minute, in fact.

After the match, Vladimir Kozlov came out and did a similar finishing move that Jackson did on the smaller man in the ring.

They looked at each other, Jackson with a puzzled yet angry look and Kozlov with a bit of a smirk. Some believed at this point Kozlov may turn face. This is actually not going to happen, as much as the WWE would like for it to.

Kozlov is a main event caliber (if you can really call him that) heel on ECW along with Benjamin. The WWE wants Jackson and Sheamus to really be pushed as heels on the ECW Brand too, but they know that because the two are just starting out, it won't happen.

Shelton Benjamin is really the only other person who could compete for the ECW Title face vs. heel wise other than Kozlov, so having him turn face now would not work out.

Plus, his character is just unable to be anything other than a heel. Keep in mind this whole thing with Jackson could be a rivalry, but that does not mean one has to be a face and the other has to be a heel.

In fact, look at the Unified Tag Title match at Night of Champions. Legacy (heels) vs Chris Jericho and his not yet known partner. However, who Jericho has as his partner is pretty much guaranteed to be a heel after the PPV, too.

They may have not developed a big storyline around the match, but the fact that they having them face off against one another is key, because all are heels currently.

While you may cheer more for one team compared to the other, you still have to know at the end of the match, all will still be heel characters.

Kozlov and Jackson are both heel characters, but that does not mean either will turn face if they face off against one another. Heck, to me it looks like they are possibly going to make a tag team out of the pair sooner or later.

The WWE wants Kozlov to be in the hunt for a title, but because the ECW Title is going to be involving other stars on ECW other than him, he won't be getting that anytime soon despite the fact that he is "considered" a main event heel on the ECW Brand.

So that would mean the only other title for him would be the Unified Tag Titles that any person from any brand can hold.

So don't think it is too farfetched to see Kozlov and Jackson teaming up anytime soon.

Eugene Update

Nick Dinsmore, aka Eugene, is indeed being brought back to the main roster as Eugene as they want him to help mentor some of the younger wrestlers, not to mention add more depth to the roster, according to reports.

One report said he was going to work down in FCW to help train people there, but the WWE felt he could do a better job on TV, bringing back his character along with helping the younger guys.

The idea is to bring him to ECW, but many are thinking he could go to SmackDown to help out there. Both have young stars, so it is possible to see him on either one.

Keep in mind, Eugene was released back in September 2007 for drug issues. He was released for a painkiller problem, which many wrestlers have struggled with in the past.

Before the WWE signed him they made him undergo an extensive drug test to prove he was 100 percent clean, including providing a hair sample. 

People forget that the WWE put Eugene in a lot of main event matches. While he was not wrestling for the World Title a lot, he had matches with Triple H, Randy Orton, and others on RAW.

The WWE had him in many storylines on RAW because he was a good actor, so I would assume they would involve him in many more when he comes back. There is no word on the exact date he will be back.

I would guess that the WWE would have him come back after a marquee PPV like say, Summerslam.

RAW Guest Host Update

It looks like the WWE has something big here in the RAW Guest Host gimmick. The WWE has mentioned that they have contacted tons of celebrities who are fans of the WWE or want to promote a film, TV show, music, etc.

The celebrities realize that it is a huge thing because so many people watch the RAW program. It is basically like going on the Tonight Show and promoting something, except you're doing it on WWE RAW their way.

Many celebs actually like the idea of being all over a show because it gives them more face time to talk about their projects they want to promote. And they have over one hour to do all of this, which is more than they will get on any talk show.

For those of you who don't know Shaquille O'Neal will host RAW this Monday, but he won't be alone. According to a press release sent out yesterday, Entourage star and Emmy Award Winner Jeremy Piven will be alongside the big man Monday Night.

Rumor has it that Piven was going to host next week, but was unable to make it. So instead the WWE asked if he wanted to host with Shaq this week, and he accepted.

For those of you who don't know much about Entourage, the show is known for the huge guest stars it has. A WWE Superstar is said to be in an upcoming show, so he may be there to promote that along with the new season starting up in a little while.

Piven is a great actor, which you can obviously tell by the many Emmy Awards he has won. I think he and Shaq will do well as the co-hosts of the show Monday personally.

Transcript of the infamous Bubba the Love Sponge Call

It seems the entire wrestling world is talking about the call in to Bubba the Love Sponge Radio Show. As most of us know by now, it was about Kurt Angle's ex-wife Karen living with TNA Founder Jeff Jarrett.

A lot of people heard the story from other people, and a lot of it was missed in conversation. The Show was taken off all outlets for copyright issues, so no one was able to hear what was said in full anymore.

Well, that may be the case but I found the transcript. So, here is exactly what was said in the call.

Bubba: James, out of Orlando, you're on protection, James.

James: You got me on protection, yeah?

Bubba: Got you on protection, yeah.

James: I just wanted to call you up and let you know, man, you know Karen Angle...I know you and Kurt are good friends...Karen Angle is not who you think she is.

Bubba: Hold on, Karen Angle is a good friend of mine as well. I'm friends with Kurt Angle, Karen Angle...What's wrong with her?

James: I don't think she's the type of person you think that she is, man. I don't want to get into it too much, but she's actually living with Jeff Jarrett now. She and the kids are living with Jeff Jarrett. And Dixie (Carter) is...

Bubba: Hold on. Whoa. Whoa. Whoa. First of all, she and Kurt are divorced. But, you're talking about Jeff Jarrett as in the wrestler, as in part owner?

James: Yes. And Dixie is upset, man.

Bubba: You mean Dixie Carter? First of all, I don't necessarily believe that. I would probably have to hear it from Kurt, Karen, or Dixie herself if Dixie's in the mix. Secondly, Dixie is the president and almost-all owner of TNA Wrestling. Sir, do you work close to the situation?

James: I work on the lot for TNA. I don't want to say much more...anything more than that.

Bubba: First of all, sir, I don't know this to be true.

James: Oh, it's true.

Bubba: Secondly, how in the hell can Kurt work with Jeff Jarrett if that's indeed the truth?

James: I don't know how much longer Jeff Jarrett is going to be with TNA. Dixie is upset. She's talking about buying him out or maybe firing him.

Bubba: Wow. Is this a thing that has just been recent or has it been long going? How can I verify this, sir?

James: Now I can't say that this was happening when she was with Kurt or that this led to the divorce or anything. This is something I just personally found out about.

As much as the back-story of how long it's been going on, I don't know. It's been going on for a little while...it's my understanding. But, I do know that she is living with Jeff Jarrett.

Bubba: And the kids?

James: And the kids, absolutely. That gives you something to think about with Karen Angle.

To let you in on things, the "protection" James was talking about getting was a disguised voice. Bubba gave it to him because he offered huge information and didn't want his voice revealed. I can't blame Bubba for doing it, can you?

In any case, I feel the whole thing is kayfabe and one big storyline. Keep in mind what was said in this call. Kurt Angle and Bubba are good friends; Kurt is an avid listener to the show in fact.

He has mentioned many times that he listens to the show every time it is on. And that is not just on the show itself, but in other interviews.

Karen is also a friend of Bubba's. She even modeled for the show, look online in Google images and you'll see her in a Bubba the Love Sponge Radio Hoody, which is not being worn as a hoody, but I digress.

Now, Jarrett has also been known to be a fan of the show and even made an appearance or two on it.

What I am saying is, they are all friends. And friends do things for friends, such as have a fake caller call in pretending to be a TNA employee with big information on Jarrett and Karen.

The caller tells huge information and suddenly Jarrett disappears, then we see the Main Event Mafia win every title they contend for at Victory Road, while also adding Taz to the mix.

They have been talking about taking over TNA once Victory Road is over this whole time, they claimed that once they won all the titles they would have ultimate control.

Now Jarrett is not around, and the Mafia is reigning supreme. How can this not be a storyline?

The fact that they have talked about taking over for weeks, and keep in mind this is not something that came out right before the Victory Road PPV. They talked about this in the iMPACT tapings for a while.

Keep in mind TNA does the three iMPACT tapings right after the PPVs, which means they are done within one week. So they have two or three weeks to go before the next PPV.

The information on the Angle/Jarrett love triangle came out right before the Victory Road PPV. Is it just me, or has TNA planned this all along?

This is nothing outside the box from them, or even their staff.

Does anyone know the name Vince Russo? He works for them, and I don't think I have to go into what he did in WCW.

Now, TNA itself has done some controversial things. Does anyone remember the whole "If Hulk Hogan won't come to TNA, TNA will come to Hulk Hogan" angle?

The press conference with Hogan was said to be real. Then here comes Jarrett smashing a guitar over Hogan's head.

It's a good move for business, but for people to think this whole thing is real may be dumb.

While Karen is not married in real life and neither is Jarrett, I don't think Jarrett would miss a huge chance for a storyline here. He is in charge of bookings, so really, he does add to many storyline ideas.

Karen has not been in TNA for almost a year now, yet according to reports she wants to get into acting.

So really, could you say that she saw a chance to work in a non-wrestling storyline with TNA, and took it?

Many people connected to the wrestling world know Kurt and Karen split; they even did it on TNA TV already. So storyline set-ups are okay, and the fact that she was in TNA before helps them out because people already know her and there is a connection.

So because of all of that, Karen works here. I could see the Mafia taking over, and then Jarrett needed to get inside the head of "The Godfather" of the Mafia. So who better to do that than Karen?

Jarrett could bring her in and possibly date her publicly to get inside Angle's head. It works, and it is something TNA is not above doing.

It's totally kayfabe to me.

Jeff Hardy Update

Some people backstage are not happy with Jeff Hardy's decision to take time off while Smackdown is short of main event talent.

However, the WWE has been impressed with his work ethic on the road and his great job of putting CM Punk over. The feeling is that Hardy will indeed take an extended break. This is why WWE is working hard to get talent like John Morrison and Dolph Ziggler over.

But we cannot hold Hardy down as much here. Other than Edge, he has been in the most matches of anyone this past year.

He has not had a break since his suspension was over, and he has wrestled every single week at least two or three times. That is not including his work on SmackDown or PPVs. So Hardy is in serious need for time off.

He wants to be out for a year or so to do other things he knows he cannot do under WWE contract. That is not a bad idea if you ask me.

Also, Hardy has offered to stick around until Summerslam. The Undertaker is set to be back then, which means he will take Hardy's main event spot.

John Morrison is getting increased popularity and will be main eventing; also, Edge will be back later on to be another main event face.

Also, maybe the WWE should rethink not putting Christian on SmackDown. As we all know now, the WWE's stupidity is showing even more than usual.

Hardy is not the problem, the WWE knew he was leaving before they did the 15 Superstar Trade. They could have brought Christian or another main event caliber face to the brand, but they didn't.

That is not Hardy's fault; it's the WWE's.

Bobby Lashley News

As the 411 mentioned previously, Bobby Lashley signed with TNA and is set to make an iMPACT appearance or two. As a matter of fact, he was in a match this past week at the Wednesday taping.

This probably means we won't see Lashley compete this week, but next week on the show.

Lashley apparently had a fight with the now uber-popular Fedor Emelianenko set to take place next weekend.

The fight was supposedly declined by Lashley, but many think it just didn't work out for either party. 

Lashley is no slouch, and is undefeated in MMA competition. Brock Lesnar (UFC Heavyweight Champion) cannot even say that. This would be a huge fight for Lashley, if he defeated Fedor; it would open doors for him easily.

He was said to have been offered $500,000 to do it, but still turned it down. Of course, it was on short notice. So, Lashley probably knows how good Fedor is and does not want to risk losing to a man he has not had a while to prepare for.

Who can blame him? He is undefeated now, and he has a lot riding on that fact. If he were to lose to anyone who was not a big name, Lashley may have no chance to get to UFC, where he really wants to go.

If he lost to Fedor, people would think it was just Fedor beating an inexperienced young fighter. He was the better fighter going in, and is a MMA Heavyweight Champion. So obviously he has to be one of, if not the best in the world.

But if Lashley defeated Fedor, what does that do for his MMA career? It would sky rocket it! So to me, Lashley was smart here. While he would love to fight and beat Fedor to up his MMA stock, he knows he needs more time to prepare.

He is a smart man if you ask me.

John Morrison News

While many see John Morrison improving and doing very well, most do not know where he will go from here. With Jeff Hardy leaving soon, Undertaker will be back to take his main event spot and probably will be the World Heavyweight Championship contender.

However, many think that Morrison should take over the Hardy role. Many internally believe the only way to put Morrison over as a main event face is to have him win the World Heavyweight Title at Summerslam.

It is a huge PPV for the WWE, and the WWE wants to make Morrison one of the premier stars on SmackDown.

With the lack of main event faces, and the fact that Morrison is over with fans and he is already considered the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Title at Summerslam, you have to think the WWE is smart to put the title on him.

As the 411 mentioned above, the WWE is trying to push Dolph Ziggler and Morrison to main event status. Ziggler is getting there, but he is not getting any World Title matches right now.

Morrison vs. Punk is something people would want to see, and people would want to see it last longer if it's good. Just because Taker is coming back does not mean he should be in all the World Title matches on SmackDown.

It is not fair to any of the rising stars there if you ask me. People within the WWE feel that by just putting Morrison in a small storyline that ends at the next PPV with Punk won't help Morrison or SmackDown out much.

They really want to put the strap on him, and the WWE feels that he can be the face of the SmackDown brand if they went with him winning the title.

Now, there is no word on how long he will hold the title. He could lose the title the very next PPV or SmackDown, for all we know.

Nevertheless, the SmackDown writers are seriously considering placing the World Heavyweight Title on Morrison to jump start a big rivalry with CM Punk similar to their ECW days...which many say is the best rivalry that ECW has had since it came back to the WWE as a Brand.

Small 411

Superlucha.net has reported that The Sandman will be wrestling in Mexico on August 8. He will face LA Park for X-LAW.

JR apparently has been asked this question more than any he has ever had, so he is finally addressing it. WHEN WILL HBK BE BACK???? Here is what he had to say in his blog regarding it.

"There is rampant speculation that Shawn will return to WWE in time to compete at Summerslam but I have yet to hear that confirmed. HBK returning at Summerslam would be my guess, but I just can't be sure at this time. Michaels is still, arguably, the best in-ring performer in the business today."

On the latest episode of Live Audio Wrestling, former WWE star JBL said one of the main reasons he is off doing his own projects was because Vince never offered him a non-wrestling role with the company.

JBL was an announcer for SmackDown a little while, and they are in need of a color guy if King has to leave for the Mayor position, so JBL may be back sooner or later.

That is all for the 411 today, make sure to check out B/R every other day for the latest 411.

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