WWE News (Page 6)

WWE has come to terms on the release of Raw Superstars Cryme Tyme (Shad Gaspard and Jayson Paul) earlier today.

The tag team was involved in an incident with Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch at the house show yesterday in Terre Haute, Indiana. Details of the incident have not come to light yet. By all accounts, though, has nothing to do with any drug related issues.

WWE announced last night that they it's releasing Smackdown superstar Eugene from his contract. Here is the official statement by the company:

WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Smackdown talent Eugene as of September 1. We wish Eugene the best in all future endeavors.

In an update that calls into question the credibility of WWE Wellness Policy, Sports Illustrated revealed that many wrestlers allegedly received steroids, growth hormone and other prescription drugs via a supposed Florida-based Internet drug network in the past two years.

They are:

• Chavo Guerrero received somatropin (HGH), nandrolone and anastrozole from April 2005 to May 2006.

• Shane Helms received testosterone, genotropin (HGH) and nandrolone from November 2003 to February 2007.

• Randy Orton received somatropin, nandrolone, and stanozolol from September 2004 to February 2007.

• John Morrison was prescribed somatropin, anastrozole, testosterone, stanozolol and chorionic gonadotropin from June 2006 to February 2007.

• Mr. Kennedy received anastrozole, somatropin and testosterone from October 2006 to February 2007.

• Funaki received somatropin in March 2006.

• Charlie Haas was prescribed nastrozole, somatropin, stanozolol, nandrolone and chorionic gonadotropin from August 2006 to January 2007.

• Umaga received somatropin between July and December 2006.

• William Regal received stanozolol, somatropin, genotropin, and anastrozole from November 2004 to November 2006.

• Edge received somatropin, genotropin (both HGH), and stanozolol from September 2004 and February 2007.

• Recently released Sylvan Grenier received somatropin, nandrolone, genotropin and stanozolol from February 2005 to July 2006.

• The late Brian Adams, who was not under WWE contract, received nandrolone, testosterone and Somatropin in December 2006.

• The late Chris Benoit received nandrolone and anastrozole in February 2006.

• The late Eddie Guerrero received nandrolone, testosterone, and anastrozole two weeks prior to his death in November 2005.

The WWE is in severe trouble right now. We'll keep you updated.

T.J. Quinn of the New York Daily News obtained a list of wrestlers who were clients of the Signature Pharmacy. The names are:

• Randy Orton
• Charlie Haas
• Adam Copeland (Edge)
• Robert Huffman (King Booker)
• Shane Helms (Gregory Helms)
• Mike Bucci (Simon Dean)
• Anthony Carelli (Santino Marella)
• John Hennigan (John Morrison)
• Darren Matthews (William Regal)
• Ken Anderson (Mr. Kennedy)
• Chavo Guerrero

Shortly after that article was published, ESPN issued three more names to the list:

• Dave Bautista (Batista)
• Shoichi Funaki
• Chris Mordetzky (Chris Masters)

Despite these listings, this has no indication on who has been suspended.

WWE has suspended 10 wrestlers for violating the terms of its wellness policy.

"Based on independent information received from investigators from the Albany County, NY D.A.’s office, WWE has today, under the penalty provisions of its wellness policy, issued suspension notices to 10 of its performers for violations," said WWE in a statement on its corporate web site.

While specific details are not available, the information likely provided proven connections between the wrestlers and one of the Internet pharmaceutical companies linked to steroid distribution.

WWE had, at press time, not revealed the names suspended - but with ten names out of action, some of their identities should become clear when next week's television is taped.

Effective November 1, WWE will publicly reveal the identities of all wrestlers who are suspended under the Wellness Policy.

WWE.com has posted a mini profile about the WWE Diva Search Finalists. Let's take a look...

Lyndy Frieson, 25 – Vancouver, British Columbia: This outdoorsy Canadian was a Miss Hawaiian Tropic Canada and has a background in martial arts. Lyndy says she loves entertaining people and her interests include horseback riding and hiking.

• Brooke Gilbertsen, 21 – San Diego: A self-proclaimed risk-taker, Brooke loves the spotlight. The native Californian’s interests include modeling, fitness instruction for children, dancing and hopping on her pink Vespa with her toy poodle in tow.

• Jessica Hatch, 25 – Houston: This Texas native is a sports enthusiast who played college volleyball and softball. Jessica has also taken top honors at various fitness shows, and even plays a mean game of bowling.

• J. Kim, 21 – Catawba, N.C.: A former Miss Hawaiian Tropic, this Carolinian says she’s a country girl at heart, and enjoys getting dirty while bow hunting, fishing and four-wheeling. A true fitness buff, J. is a personal trainer and loves helping others accomplish their fitness goals.

• Naomi Kirk, 21 – Los Angeles: This Canada native is a Dallas Cowboys cheerleader and Dallas Mavericks dance team member. A model and TV host, Naomi says her supreme self-confidence is what has gotten her so far at a young age.

• Taryn Terrell, 22 – New Orleans: A student and model, Taryn also has extensive training in powerlifting and weight training, and stays fit through rollerblading, kickboxing and drill training with the New Orleans Saints, to name a few ways. Taryn is a master scuba diver, and has done charity work with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

• Eve Torres, 22 – Los Angeles: This L.A. Clippers Spirit Dancer loves running, aerobics, kickboxing and salsa dancing. Eve isn’t just a pretty face – she’s known to be adept at solving a Rubik’s Cube, too!

• Lena Yada, 28 – Los Angeles: A native Hawaiian, Lena is ranked No. 8 in the world in professional tandem surfing and is a former Miss Hawaiian Tropic Japan. Lena’s also starred in TV commercials and had a role in the recent movie I Now Pronounce You Chuck & Larry.

The New York Times recently conducted an interview with WWE's Linda McMahon discussing a variety of topics. Here are some highlights from the interview:

How the company has coped with the loss of Chris Benoit:
"That was a terrible tragedy for any company or any family. Plus, [Chris Benoit] had been with us for over eight years, beloved by the people he worked with. Our company, obviously, was stunned. For the first time, we canceled our live event scheduled for that night. But I think, in general, we have come through it."

On the WWE's second quarter revenue jump:
"The increase was driven across all of our core businesses, but WrestleMania was a big contributor. It was our largest-grossing event — more than 80,000 people at Ford Field. It was quite a spectacle. We had attendees from every state in the United States, as well as from 24 countries. It performed above our expectations."

Her reaction to "The Condemned" being a flop:
"We are still surprised at the returns on “The Condemned.” We had produced two movies before that that did O.K. at the box office. Our emphasis is now going to be on DVDs."

If WWE events are geared towards the family:
"We don’t market them as family fare, but if you were to go to one, you’d clearly see a lot of families. We really have a cross section — I used to say Americana — but it’s really almost the same demographic breakdown if you travel the world. There are parents. There are children. There is a large group of teenagers and young adults. It’s a mix. It’s cross-generational."

If UFC is hurting WWE's PPV business:
"Any competition in the marketplace for the entertainment dollar is competition for us. However, WWE clearly has longevity in the marketplace. It’s a part of our American culture."

• The latest season of Survivor, which features WWE Diva Ashley Massaro, will debut on September 20th on CBS.

• The Condemned, starring Steve Austin, will be released on DVD September 18th.

• King Booker is expected to sign a three-year extension with WWE. Part of the extension agreement is for him to work a lighter schedule.

• Hulk Hogan made a special cameo appearance for the fifth installment of Scary Movie, currently in production. The film won’t be released to theaters until next October.

• This week's edition of ECW On Sci Fi scored a 1.5 cable rating for the second week in a row.

• Bret Hart and Batista will be releasing their autobiographies on October 16th.

• As noted earlier, Steve Austin will make his WWE return this week on WWE’s Saturday Night’s Main Event. He was brought back in mainly to help promote the DVD release of The Condemned. The DVD goes on sale September 18.

• Last Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown did a 2.4 cable rating, with a 4.6 share.

• Dave Scherer is reporting that Bobby Lashley has a tear in his labrum. He’s expected to be out for four months. Lashley was working with the tear since April or May.