by James Caldwell, Assistant editor

RESULTS

1/9 WWE Smackdown on MyNetworkTV: (1) Triple H beat John Morrison in 5:00 in a tables match. ... (2) The Undertaker beat U.S. champion Shelton Benjamin in 13:00 in a non-title match. ... (3) Bella Twins beat Michelle McCool & Victoria in 4:00. ... (4) Triple H beat The Miz & Chavo Guerrero in 5:00 in a handicap match. ... (5) WWE tag team champions Carlito & Primo Colon beat The Brian Kendrick & Ezekiel Jackson in 7:00 to retain the titles. ... (6) Big Show beat Triple H in 17:00 in a Last Man Standing match.

NEWS

WWE News: Another veteran wrestler released by WWE today

In addition to former WWE European champion D-Lo Brown and former La Familia member Bam Neely released today, WWE announced long-time veteran Val Venis has been released.

Venis joined WWE over ten years ago, debuting in May 1998. He won the Intercontinental Title twice, European Title once, and went through several gimmick changes over the past decade.

Venis's last prominent TV appearance was at WrestleMania last April when he participated in the pre-show battle royale. Venis was out of action with an injury prior to his official release announced today.

***

WWE News: WWE announces first batch of wrestlers to be released today

WWE announced they have released Raw brand wrestler D-Lo Brown and Smackdown brand wrestler Bam Neely effective today.

Neither man had been used much on TV recently, with Brown returning to the company a few months ago to work with younger wrestlers in the ring.

The releases were part of the expected fall-out from WWE announcing a 10 percent job-cutting of its corporate staff earlier today.

***

WWE News: Great, touching story about C.M. Punk's charity work with seven-year-old girl

Stories about wrestlers, such WWE World Hvt. champion John Cena, granting wishes through Make-a-Wish or meeting with disabled wrestling fans prior to wrestling shows are usually overlooked. It's viewed as part of the corporate responsibility of working for a publicly-traded company such as WWE.

However, one story about C.M. Punk and Shawn Michaels's interaction with seven-year-old Aubrey Raspotnik is worth retelling.

Aubrey was diagnosed with having a neuroblastoma on her spine, which is a cancerous tumor usually found young children. After surgery, she must be monitored carefully and have blood work done frequently.

Her favorite wrestler is C.M. Punk and the Kids Wish Network worked with WWE to organize a chance for her to meet with Punk after last month's show in Tampa, Fla. Shawn Michaels, who knew about Aubrey's story, was also backstage for the meeting.

Aubrey is described in a press release as "a firecracker" with "nonstop energy and an extremely outgoing personality." Punk and Michaels commented afterward that she's the "cutest little thing" and inspired them before the TV taping.

Although WWE chairman Vince McMahon claimed to Congress that he doesn't think WWE wrestlers should be considered role models to the audience that watches the product, it's obvious children look up to the wrestlers for inspiration and hope, otherwise WWE wouldn't be such a valuable member of the charitable community.

"They know that what we do is a performance. So they know that everything we have are characters," McMahon told the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform last year. "They are not real-life individuals. So I would suggest that no one believes any of these human beings are role models any more so than Batman."

That probably wouldn't fly with Aubrey, who met the human beings behind the C.M. Punk and Shawn Michaels characters that inspire her in the fight against the cancer that she's trying to overcome.

Thanks to Alicia True of Kids Wish Network for the information. Kids Wish Network is a nationally recognized non-profit organization dedicated to infusing hope, creating happy memories, and improving the quality of life for children. If you know a child between the ages of 3 and 18 who may be in need of its wish granting services, please call 727-937-3600 or toll free 888-918-9004. For more information on Kids Wish Network, visit their website at www.kidswishnetwork.org.

***

TNA News: Easiest way to win tickets to TNA's upcoming tour featuring Kurt Angle

-- TNA has sold-out its United Kingdom "Maximum Impact" tour later this month, but two outlets are giving away tickets to readers if they can answer some very simple questions.

The St. Helen's Star is giving away two tickets to the Manchester show on June 20 for readers who can answer the following question: "Who is the only Olympic Gold Medal winner in professional wrestling history?"

That, of course, would be Kurt Angle, who was interviewed by the Star newspaper to promote TNA's U.K. tour.

"TNA has a lot of great young talent that are extremely athletic like A.J. Styles, Samoa Joe and the entire X-Division who are all seasoned athletes and excellent performers to work with," Angle said.

Link: St. Helen's Star giveaway

-- The other give-away comes from Virgin Media, whose Virgin Sports division is giving away a double ticket pass to the Jan. 16, 20, 21, 22, and 24 shows.

Their question to answer is: "What is the finishing move of wrestler Shark Boy?" ... Virgin is promoting the U.K. tour, as they will be opening a dedicated TNA section on their sports page to cover the latest TNA news.

Link: Virgin Media story.

***

Other News: "The Wrestler" with a huge theater expansion this weekend; find out where you can see the movie

Three weekends after debuting in New York City and Los Angeles, "The Wrestler" has its most significant theater expansion this weekend, with the movie debuting in several major markets for a total of 67 theaters.

Moviefone.com has a nice list of showtimes in your area, which I've carefully compiled below.

Texas
-- Austin: Alamo Draft House and Regal Cinemas Arbor Cinema
-- Dallas: Angelika Film Center

Southern California
-- Hollywood: ArcLight Cinemas Hollywood
-- Los Angeles: The Landmark
-- Pasadena: Laemmle Playhouse 7
-- Laguna Niguel (OC): Regency Rancho Niguel
-- Irvine (OC): Edwards University
-- Sherman Oaks: ArcLight Sherman Oaks
-- Woodland Hills: AMC Promenade 16 Woodland Hills Cinema
-- Brea: Edwards Brea Stadium 12
-- Long Beach: AMC Theatres Marina Pacifica
-- San Diego: AMC Theatres Mission Valley
-- Rancho Mirage: Century Theatres @ The River
-- La Jolla: AMC Theatres La Jolla 12
-- Rolling Hills Estates: Regal Cinemas Avenue 13
-- Santa Barbara: Metropolitan Metro 4

Northern California
-- Campbell: Camera 7 Theatres
-- San Jose: CineArts @ Santana Row
-- Mountain View: Century Cinema
-- Pleasant Hill: Century CineArts
-- Berkeley: Landmark California 3
-- San Francisco: AMC Loews Metreon, Landmark Bridge
-- San Rafael: Century Regency

New York
-- NYC: Landmark's Sunshine Cinema, Clearview Chelsea Cinemas, AMC Loews Kips Bay, AMC Theatres Empire 25, Lincoln Plaza Cinemas, Clearview First & 62nd Cinemas

New Jersey
-- Voorhees: Ritz Theatres Ritz Sixteen

Virginia/Maryland
-- Arlington: AMC Loews Shirlington
-- Washington, D.C.: AMC Loews Georgetown 14 and Landmark E-Street Cinema
-- Bethesda: Landmark Bethesda Row Cinema

Massachusetts
-- Waltham: Embassy Cinema
-- Cambridge: AMC Loews Harvard Square 5

Pennsylvania
-- Philadelphia: Ritz Theatres @ the Bourse

Illinois
-- Chicago: AMC Theatres River East 21
-- Evanston: Century Evanston 12

Minnesota
-- Minneapolis: Landmark Uptown Theatre

Michigan
-- Birmingham: Uptown Theatres 8

Wisconsin
-- Madison: Sundance Cinemas 608

Colorado
-- Denver: Landmark Mayan

Arizona
-- Scottsdale: Harkins Camelview

Washington
-- Bellevue: Lincoln Squares Cinemas
-- Seattle: Regal Cinemas Meridian 16 and Landmark Seven Gables Theatre

Canada
-- Toronto: Famous Players Paramount @ Festive Hall, Alliance Cinemas Cumberland, Famous Players Silver City & Yonge
-- Oakville, Ontario: AMC Winston Churchill 24
-- Woodbridge, Ont.: Famous Players Colossus
-- North York, Ont.: Empire Theatres @ Empress Walk
-- Scarborough, Ont.: Famous Players Coliseum Scarborough

***

WWE News: How did WWE lay-off news affect WWE's stock price? Number of jobs cut today

As of the end of 2007, WWE's corporate staff was 570 employees, according an AFP wire report. With WWE expanding jobs at the Stamford, Conn. office and opening new international offices in 2008, a fair estimate is that WWE had 600 employees prior to today's 10 percent lay-off.

With approximately 60 employees cut today in order to save $8 million of CEO Linda McMahon's $20 million target, more cuts can be expected in operational budgets for various departments or physical employees/independent contractor wrestlers.

Wall Street did not respond kindly to the 10 percent lay-off announcement, as shares of WWE stock plunged 5.0 percent to $10.51 per share at closing. The price dipped as low as $10.49 during the afternoon trading session.

Along with the day-to-day stock price drop, analysts continue to drop their 52-week outlook for WWE's stock price. The outlook was recently $15.79 on November 20, 2008 before sliding to $15.08 on Nov. 24.

The outlook remained at $15.08 for several weeks before being revised to a lower $14.90 one-year outlook. The news of WWE cutting costs certainly factored into the analyst estimates.

***

Where Is He Now: Former WWE star Chris Masters hosting pro wrestling seminar this month

***image1***Former WWE star Chris Masters (Chris Mordetzky) was released from his WWE contract on November 8, 2007 after his second violation of WWE's Wellness Policy. Since then, Masters has bounced around in Japan and on the U.S. independent circuit.

Masters is resurfacing in Michigan later this month, as he will be hosting a two-hour pro wrestling training seminar on January 31 prior to the WPW independent show. The event in Westland, Mich. will also feature Masters wrestling an opponent to be named.

Tickets for Masters's seminar are $25, then actual show tickets range from $12-21. Wrestlers also booked on the show include Josh Abercrombie, M-Dogg 20 Matt Cross, Josh Prohibition, and Sterling James Keenan.

Link: Wolverine Pro Wrestling show information.

***

WWE News: Comparing WWE staff lay-offs to NBA, NFL, and MLB downsizing

WWE officially announced today that 10 percent of its corporate workforce was cut as part of the company's restructuring to eliminate $20 million of expenses from the company's day-to-day operations.

Other major sports organizations have gone through similar restructurings. The NBA and NFL recently cut staff numbers and Major League Baseball issued a hiring freeze while cutting vacation time. Meanwhile, the Arena Football League cancelled the upcoming season.

Darren Rovell, CNBC sports reporter and former antagonist to Vince McMahon during the limo explosion angle, reported on the changes to the major sports organizations and how the National Lacrosse League, of all sports, is doing just fine in the economic market.

WWE oft-repeats that they're competing against all forms of entertainment and sports - anyone trying to make a dollar. The NLL charges an average of $39 per ticket for their well-attended games, while WWE has steadily increased ticket prices at house shows and TV tapings.

FYI: Ticket prices for this weekend's house shows in the Southern U.S. for Smackdown and Northern U.S. for Raw/ECW are ranging from $15-50. Same with Monday's TV taping in Sioux City, Iowa.

Link: Darren Rovell's CNBC report.

***

TNA News: Jeff Jarrett launching personal TNA DVD - massive collection; very rare footage

Coming April 14, 2008 is a four-disc, 12-hour "Jeff Jarrett: King of the Mountain" DVD chronicling TNA owner Jeff Jarrett's wrestling career.

One of the major items on the massive DVD collection is rare footage from Jarrett's early days, utilizing Jim Cornette's collection of wrestling tapes that he has allowed to be used on the DVD.

Prior to gaining national exposure with WWE in the early 1990s as a country music singer, Jarrett wrestled for his father, TNA founder Jerry Jarrett, in the Continental Wrestling Association during the late 1980s.

He also wrestled for Jerry's USWA promotion in Texas after Jerry bought out the Von Erich's World Class Championship Wrestling promotion and merged it with the CWA.

The TNA DVD will include Jarrett's "best TNA matches and moments, a lengthy and candid sitdown interview on his life, career and TNA Wrestling, rare photos, and guest commentary."

Link: TNA Wrestling press release.

***

WWE News: Former WWE star Lance Cade's autograph signing competing against Raw house show

Former WWE star Lance Cade was running with Chris Jericho on TV just a few months ago before a public incident where he had a near-seizure on an airplane led to his immediate release from the company on October 14, 2008.

With WWE running a Raw brand house show in Rochester, Minn. on Saturday night, Cade is brushing shoulders with WWE once again.

Cade will be featured at a meet-and-greet with fans at Mickey's Irish Saloon at 10:00 p.m. on Saturday night. Although he is not linked to the Raw house show at the Mayo Civic Center, the timing of the autograph signing allows fans to attend the signing after the house show.

Civic Center officials tell the Post-Bulletin newspaper that they estimate 3,900 tickets have been sold for Saturday's house show and they expect heavy walk-up sales for the event.

Link: Details on Raw house show and Cade signing.

***

Other News: The Rock vs. John Cena once again; Dwayne Johnson tabbed for major award show presentation

WWE Studios and John Cena's "12 Rounds" movie opens on Friday, March 27 - one weekend prior to WrestleMania 25 in Houston. On Saturday, March 28, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will host the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, going right after Cena's target demographic.

Johnson will be promoting the release of his new kids-themed sci-fi movie, "Race to Witch Mountain," which opens on March 13.

"Dwayne is a pop culture icon and a Kids' Choice veteran who has been a presenter and a nominee for Favorite Male Movie Star," said an executive VP for Nickelodeon in a press release. "Our audience loves him."

Johnson said in the release that the best way for him to honor the opinions of the kids is to lead "millions of kids into total chaos, crazy fun, and endless buckets of slime!"

Link: Nickelodeon press release.

***

TNA News: Mick Foley says why he left WWE; describes idea for a new movie/book

When a wrestler or, in the case of Mick Foley, a former wrestler turned authority figure turned announcer, leaves WWE for TNA, the company line is about wanting to help TNA grow, be part of something that could change the wrestling business, and take advantage of the lighter schedule.

Rarely is there a discussion of the talent currently in TNA to show a strong knowledge of the product or wanting to be involved in specific storylines that could enhance the hot-and-cold TV product.

Asked about the advantages of joining TNA in the Charlotte (N.C.) Observer to promote Sunday's PPV, Foley said it's mainly the schedule.

"Travel is more limited. It's a more regular schedule," Foley told Courtney Devores. "I'm glad I had the opportunity to see most of this country and quite a bit of the world, but I have four kids. I'm getting a chance to spend more time with my younger kids than I was able to with my older kids."

Although no specifics were offered on how he could make a difference in the wrestling business working with TNA, Foley said a strong consideration for him personally was believing he couldn't make more of a difference in WWE.

"It felt like I'd done everything I could in WWE," Foley said. "The TNA opportunity sounded like a positive way to make a difference in the wrestling business. I thought I would have some doubts, but it's been a guilt-free move - the best thing I could have done."

Foley said watching "The Wrestler" inspired him to consider an idea he's thrown around in his head for a future fictional story related to a wrestling trip to West Africa in 1987.

"It was a hectic trip, and the government was overthrown within weeks after I left," Foley said. "I had always thought I could tell an interesting tale, but until the critical acclaim of 'The Wrestler,' I didn't think there would be interest."

FYI: TNA's "Genesis" PPV takes place Sunday night at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte. TNA is offering several discount ticket offers, which readers can find out about here.

Link: Charlotte Observer interview with Mick Foley.

***

Other News: "The Wrestler" movie wins first major award of 2009; more awards in the future

Although Mickey Rourke hasn't picked up new hardware in 2009, "The Wrestler" won its first major award in the new year when Bruce Springsteen's "The Wrestler" music track won the Critics's Choice Award for best original song in a movie.

Springsteen was not at the 14th annual award show presented by the Broadcast Film Critics Association in Santa Monica, Calif., but director Darren Aronofsy accepted the award on behalf of the movie. Link: Yahoo AP story.

Up next for "The Wrestler" is the Golden Globes, which is presented Sunday night on NBC. Mickey Rourke has been nominated for Best Actor, Marisa Tomei for Best Supporting Actress, and Bruce Springsteen's track for Best Song.

***

ROH News: Second ROH "Rising Above" PPV teaser released - focus on new production value

Ring of Honor released its second "movie trailer" teaser for the "Rising Above" PPV that debuts next Friday, Jan. 16.

After the first ROH PPV trailer focused on the Nigel McGuinness vs. Bryan Danielson main event match, the second trailer focuses on the violent final match between Austin Aries and Jimmy Jacobs.

Evident in the trailer is the new production value of tighter camerawork and new high-angle camera angles to capture the action. VIDEO of the first ROH PPV trailer.



***

WWE News: WWE announces major staff lay-off; cost-savings in the millions

WWE wants to join the club of major publicly-trading companies announcing lay-offs, as they announced today that 10 percent of its corporate staff was recently cut "across all areas of its global operations."

The staff lay-off is part of WWE's day-to-day business expenditure restructuring that CEO Linda McMahon described during the third quarter 2008 earnings report two months ago. The goal is to cut costs by $20 million, with WWE achieving nearly half of the goal.

WWE said in its press release that the cost-cut will save the company approximately $8.0 million in annual compensation and benefit pay-outs. As a result, WWE will record a $3.0 million one-time restructuring charge in the first quarter earnings for 2009.

"These efficiencies will help position the Company for the long term, by placing it in a stronger, more flexible position," said Linda McMahon in a press release. "With these actions, we believe we can execute our key strategic initiatives, including our digital strategy and international expansion, in a more profitable manner."

Link: WWE press release.

Caldwell's Analysis: Street Insider, CBS Marketwatch, Reuters, and MSN Money are some of the websites that ran a story this morning with the basics on WWE's cost-restructuring, so WWE grabbed a little attention. WWE won't be picking up headlines, though, with the December job market figures coming in this morning showing the highest rate of unemployment since 1993.

The restructuring, especially in the international market, certainly hurts WWE's progress in building market presence in those key markets that are essentially keeping WWE's business on the positive, money-making side of the ledger. We won't see the full effect until this current quarter ends, but we'll see some signs when WWE reports fourth quarter 2008 earnings probably in February.

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