HEADLINE NEWS: Lending a Hand!
- "The War To Settle The Score" is a benefit for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. The event's being held on August 22nd in Freehold, New Jersey. The show's held during ISPW's Media Week, August 10th through 16th & would like to put the word out to as many wrestling radio shows as possible. If you're interested in helping the cause, PLEASE contact Ben Keirn ASAP this week & he'll pass you on the event organisers details (Tommy Fierro) in order for you to set up interviews. He's been informed 1 of the stars from the show will be made available as a guest for your show. www.ISPWLive.com & wrestling-radio.com/?view=ISPWLive for more information.  Ben Keirn, DIRECTOR OF WWW.WRESTLING-RADIO.COM ~ ben@wrestling-radio.com

PAY-PER-VIEW NEWS: Night of Champions, Summerslam, Survivor Series, WrestleMania & More!
- Check out my write-up of the recent WWE Night of Champions pay-per-view @ fans.wwe.com/ringrust/blog/2009/07/28/_n...

- @ this point, it's highly unlikely that the UnderTaker'll be returning in time for SummerSlam. The current target date for his return's the September pay-per-view on the 13th, Breaking Point. Although, 2016 WWE Hall of Famer "HeartBreak Kid" Shawn Michaels is indeed expected to return @ SummerSlam.

- In other Summerslam news, during this week's SmackDown taping from the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland, it was announced that Chris Jericho & the Big Show will defend the Unified WWE Tag Titles.  No opponents have yet to be announced.

- Speaking of which, WWE's launched the new www.SummerSlam.com, which's pretty flashly, complete with the Aerosmith theme song & animated yellow & red carnival-style graphics. It's interesting to note that Michaels, who hasn't been on WWE television since WrestleMania, is 1 of the main superstars WWE's advertising for the event.

- WWE will be returning to the Verizon Center on November 22nd for Survivor Series. Tickets for the event officially go on sale this Saturday @ 10am on www.Ticketmaster.com, but the presale's already begun. There are 2 presale passwords, which are VIPWWE & CLASSIC

- Travel packages for WrestleMania 26 will be released to the general public this week. As always, 3 different packages will be offered ~ Platinum, Gold & Silver. The difference between the 3's the seating location. For Platinum, you get within the 1st 10 ringside rows & you also go home with the collectible chair. In Gold, you get seating in the 1st raised section behind the 1st 10 ringside rows. In Silver, you get higher up & seat in the permanent stadium seats. Each travel package contains a ticket to WrestleMania Axxess, a ticket to the Hall of Fame ceremony & a gift, along with 3 night accommodation. There'll be 3 different hotels this year, with each hotel hosting the different packages. The Arizona Biltmore Hotel will be hosting the Platinum fans, The Pointe Hilton Tapatio Cliffs Resort will host the Gold group & The Pointe Hilton Squaw Peak Resort will host the Silver group. The 1-person Platinum package's going for $1,895 US, Gold for $1,247 US, while Silver for $1,064 US. Price goes down if you stay more than 1 person in the same room. Unlike previous years, all Travel Packages will be sold through www.WWEShop.com

- This also in from www.wrestling-online.com ~ "With WWE releasing their own packages for WrestleMania, we are also giving you a choice to stay with us & take advantage of our special offer for Phoenix. For the weekend of WrestleMania & for just $169 per night, you have the chance to stay @ The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix complete with full breakfast. When getting separate tickets & adding our hotel, you'll come out much, much cheaper than buying a WWE package, especially if you're in a double occupancy. With WWE, you save a couple of hundred dollars only on double, whereas if you book your stay with our promotion, you won't have to pay twice for the hotel accommodation, as 2 or 3 people can stay in the same room for the same price. For more information & to book, check out bit.ly/Sv4aI ; Your credit card won't be charged if you make a booking, not even a deposit & you'll only pay once you complete your checkout. All reservations are handled directly by The Ritz-Carlton, Phoenix hotel."

- TNA Wrestling's announced the Bound for Glory travel packages, which offer similar deals to the WrestleMania packages that WWE offer every year. BFG will be held @ the Bren Events Center @ the University of California campus on October 18th. 2 packages ~ Platinum & Gold ~ are available, which include a ticket to the show, 3 night stay @ a hotel, VIP ticket to the Fan InterAction event the day before, 8x10 photos of each TNA Superstar on the roster, Bound For Glory PPV t-shirt & a welcome reception with TNA Superstars. Single Platinum packages, which include a guaranteed front row seat, start from $799 US, while Gold packages start from $769 US. More info @ www.TNAWrestling.com

- The dates & locations for the remainder of the TNA pay-per-views in 2009 have been announced. Hard Justice, August 16th @ Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. . .  No Surrender, September 20th @ Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. . .  Bound For Glory, October 18th @ the Bren Events Center in Irvine, California. . .  Turning Point, November 15th @ Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. . .  Final Resolution, December 20th @ Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.

- WWE's list of dates & locations for all of their 2009 PPV's as follows: Summerslam, August 23rd @ the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. . .  Breaking Point, September 13th @ the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec. . .  Hell in a Cell, October 4th @ the Mellon Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. . .  Bragging Rights, October 25th @ the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. . .  Survivor Series, November 22nd @ the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.

WWE NEWS: RAW Rumblings, Birthday Celebrations & the Smackdown Heavyweight title!
- WWE Hall-of-Famer Jim Ross updated his blog & you can read the latest posting @ www.jrsbarbq.com

- There's a degree of frustration moving through the RAW locker room, regarding how the brand has been booked in recent weeks. The feeling's that, despite gaining some potential players in the recent roster trade, RAW has stuck to its recurring HHH/John Cena/Randy Orton main-event scene. Of interest to the main event monotony's the fact that the situation comes just months after reports broke of WWE firmly committing itself to developing new top stars on its roster.

- In happier news, though, a surprise birthday party was thrown for HHH, right after RAW went off the air, which involved the whole locker room, including WWE Owner Vince McMahon & a surprise appearance by Dave "The Animal" Batista, who's also from Washington DC. The Game tried to escape the surprise, but Vinnie-Mac told him that he'd sing if the Cerebral Assassin didn't return. Eventually McMahon sang happy birthday anyway & then the fun began. The McMahonopolizer got 1 cake & splashed it in the face of the King of Kings. Batista came out & Vince & the Big Show held HHH, while the Animal splashed another cake, only for The Game to duck & it hit TBS instead. All 4 in the ring ended up in a cake-throwing contest, with the former WCW Giant getting smashed in the face the 2nd time by Vince, who quickly left the ring after throwing it. The Big Show was playing funny, slipping on the cake inside the ring & The Cerebral Assassin falling on him. You can ahve all of you rillusions of professional wrestling quashed by seeing a video of all this @ bit.ly/t8GKo

- Former Smackdown Heavyweight Champion CM Punk recently took part in an interview with the UK’s The Sun. Check out a synopsis here

- Speaking of the Smackdown Heavyweight championship, Jeff Hardy will make his 1st title defense against John Morrison on this week's episode of Smackdown. YAY!

- Evan Bourne was scheduled to appear on RAW Monday, but was pulled because creative changed their minds on what to do with him. He worked a Superstars match last week & creative had plans for him to feud with The Brian Kendrick, starting this week, but that too was nixed. Even though he'd been doing stuff with United States champion Kofi Kingston & Big Show in recent weeks ~ including a pinfall victory over Kingston ~ there were never any plans for him to wrestle in the 6-Pack Challenge for the Championship @ Night of Champions.

- It was announced during last night's episode of ECWWE, that Christian will be defending his newly-won Heavyweight Championship against "innovator of Extreme" Tommy Dreamer in an Extreme Rules Match on next week's show. Also announced last night, HHH will be wrestling Cody Rhodes & Ted DiBiase Junior in a Handicap Match on this coming week's episode of RAW.

- Now, don't go squirting yet, kiddies ~ you can now follow Ezekiel Jackson on Twitter @ www.twitter.com/ezekielwwe You can also follow JTG @ www.twitter.com/Jtg1284 Both accounts have been confirmed by WWE's page.

- Smackdown's Shad Gaspard was @ the recent Comic Con & had the following to say about it: "This was my 1st 'COMIC CON' & it was the best fun I’ve had in a long time. I've been a big comic book fan ever since I was a kid. . .  A lot of fans asked me what I was doing @ Comic Con this year. Well, 1st, I’m a big comic book fan & I was helping to promote a new movie I might be in next year called 'Dead & Gone'. The film currently has a $9,000,000 budget & is to be set in the US & Fiji. It's being produced by Jordan Yale Levine, Franco Sama & Fylmar Productions. Written by David Frigerio; it's an action drama about 2 brothers, 1 white, 1 black, who never met each other & come together to avenge their father's death, before the rival mob boss kills them. My character helps them get revenge. I’ve done several interviews with G4, Comic Con & more, so check out their web sites & see the interviews or read more about it on the web."  Say, wasn't that the storyline for  how the Dudley Boyz came together? . . .  Anywho, check the Cryme Tymer out @ www.myspace.com/bkbeast13

- Just in case you're mildly amused by the idea of the RAW Celebrity Guest Host. . . after NBA Superstar Shaquille O'Neal hosts RAW this coming Monday, Emmy Award-winning actor Jeremy Piven will be hosting the August 3rd show. Piven ~ the star of the new movie "The Goods: Live Hard" ~ will be there to promote his comedy, as well as have some fun with the WWE Superstars. Piven's best known for his role as Ari Gold on the hit TV show "Entourage".

- Starting from next week, John Cena's movie '12 Rounds" will be hitting theatres in several overseas locations, starting with Italy, which's pretty big on WWE. The movie will start showing there, as well as in Ecuador, on July 31st. In August, the movie hits Central America, Bolivia, India & France, while it arrives in Peru, Spain & Venezuela in September. The movie's out already on DVD & Blu-Ray here in the normal part of the world.

- WWE European DVD distributor Silver Vision has released the match listings of the upcoming Dave "The Animal" Batista 3-disc DVD set, titled "Batista: I Walk Alone". The title's a part of his current theme, performed by Saliva. The 1st disc will be a sit-down documentary style interview, covering topics such as his early days, training with Afa, WWE arrival, Evolution, family problems & much more. Discs 2 & 3 will feature 18 of his best matches, starting from Ohio Valley Wrestling, all the way to his rise in the WWE ranks. The DVD's set for release on October 20th. You can see the artwork & the list of features & matches @ bit.ly/15zpew

- In other WWE DVD news, www.Amazon.com has a deal going on the "Rise & Fall Of WCW" DVD, where if you pre-order it now & the price drops before it ships, you'll automatically be charged for the lower price instead. You can check it out @ www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0028X36EE?ie=...

TNA NEWS: Jeff & Karen's Total NonStop Action, Styles' Staph Infection & more iMPACT!
- For all the latest Total NonStop Action news, join the MySpace TNA community @ www.myspace.com/wrestlingwarlordtnafan

- The Jeff Jarrett~Karen Angle story was confirmed to be true by www.PWInsider.com proving that the anonymous caller from the Bubba the Love Sponge radio show last week was correct. The caller, who identified himself as "James from Orlando" said he worked on the TNA lot in Universal Studios & dropped the bomb that Angle's romantically involved with the TNA co-owner. The website, however, shot down the story that the 2 are living together & JJ decided to take his time off on his own, rather than being forced by TNA President Dixie Carter. Jeff & Kurt Angle had legit heat between them, when they were feuding on the screen & it's believed that Kurt knew his ex-wife was seeing Jarrett, which's why there were a lot of real emotions involved in the angle. Jeff's wife Jill died on May 23rd, 2007 ~ 8 years to the day, that his best friend Owen Hart passed away. Kurt & Karen Angle had their divorced finalized late last year. You can listen to the caller on the Bubba the Love Sponge radio show @ bit.ly/1VbXh1

- "Phenomenal" AJ Styles is doing better, after he was diagnosed with a staph infection over the weekend. Jeremy Borash on his Twitter account said he talked to the former X Division & Legends champ & said that Styles had another follow up with his doctor Monday. "Aside from the hole in my leg, I'm feeling much better," AJ said, as quoted by Borash. He also added that the Pheomenal 1 shouldn't be missing any ring time.

- TNA iMPACT! tomorrow will be running for 15 minutes extra, as Spike TV gave the go-ahead for more airtime to celebrate the 200th episode of the show. All the big TNA Superstars will be participating, including the newly-signed Taz & Bobby Lashley. The show starts @ 9PM EST on Thursday & if you DVR the show, make sure you set it to run longer than usual.

- Speaking of the former Human Suplex Machine, TNA's new arrival's been praising the company & its workers, saying he's really enjoying his new gig, after a bit of over 3 months away from the business. In a Facebook post, Taz said that he'll not, under any circumstances, be wrestling or getting physical in the ring. "I physically CAN'T WRESTLE ANYMORE!! I can't BUMP anymore. I have numbness in my right arm on a daily basis. . . I have about 40% range of motion in my neck, folks! For the 20,000,000,000th time. . . I'm DONE. Hence, why I'm an announcer," the former ECW Heavyweight champ wrote. He also mentioned that he met Samoa Joe for the 1st time on Sunday, before the pay-per-view & by the next day @ the TNA iMPACT! tapings, he felt like he knew him for 20 years. "Awesome guy, great attitude & tremendous athlete! I'm proud to work with him!"

- The planned TNA 1st iMPACT! Tour Event in Linz, Austria's canceled. No reason has been given. & the following people have been fired, in alphabetical order. . .  Simpson, Homer. That is all.

- Newfoundland TNA fans!!  Tired of not being able to see pay-per-views @ a local establishment?  Same here!  So that's why I've set up a MySpace page to help get our message across!  As per instructions on www.tnawrestling.com, if fans want to promote TNA in their local area, they can set up a "TNAtion" page on MySpace & get other fans from their area to pitch in to help get the word out locally about the great wrestling action of Total NonStop Action!  So if you wanna get TNA Wrestling pay-per-views into local bars around St. John's, or even have a dream of even the slimmest chance @ getting a house show here in the unforeseeable future, then add www.myspace.com/tnanewf as a friend & pledge your support!

HAUGHTY HOTTIES NEWS: SHIMMER, Traci Brooks Nekkid, Kiebler Spotted & More!
- To read the coolest news on the hottest women in wrestling today, check out Shimmer's official Yahoo! Group -- sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/shimmerwre...

- SHIMMER will hold its 4th Anniversary Celebration tapings this fall @ the Eagles Club in Berwyn, Illinois. SHIMMER management & Eagles Club management are currently working on the details concerning the festivities. Look for an announcement soon!

- TNA's Jeremy Borash posted on his Twitter account that a TNA Knockout has posed for Playboy & rumours are that Traci Brooks is the 1 who'll appear in her birthday suit in an upcoming issue of the popular magazine. This will mark the 1st time that a TNA Knockout appears on the magazine, as previously Playboy had an agreement with World Wrestling Entertainment. WWE's idea to move to more PG-oriented programming left the Playboy deal cold. A WWE Diva used to pose for Playboy every year, just in time for WrestleMania. It now looks that TNA took over that deal, a very important deal for the male demographic that both companies are after. The Canadian Brooks has been with TNA since 2003 & her hmm. . .  rather large chest was used as marketing, when they moved to Spike TV, with Brooks posing with a bra & a Spike necklace showing on her boobs. Certainly a great choice on TNA's part to put Brooks as their 1st Playboy girl. You can see why Brooks will do good in Playboy @ bit.ly/Kf2up ; Hey, I blogged about that shortly before WrestleMania ~ www.myspace.com/tnanewf ~ & Traci was indeed 1 of the Knockouts that I'd've liked to've seen nekkid!

- Former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler attended the 3rd Annual Matt Leinart Foundation Bowling Night Benefit last week, which was held @ the Lucky Strike Lanes in Hollywood, California. Several other C-list celebrities were in attendance as well. Keibler was looking gorgeous as always, wearing an orange top & black jeans. You can see some photos 1-handedly @ bit.ly/WtKg3

- Former WWE Women's champion Trish Stratus did an interview on The Surf on Bite TV in Canada, where she talked about several items, including her traveling show titled "Stratusphere", wrestling, yoga, fitness videos & much more. The show, which lasted 40 minutes, ended with Stratus showing the host ~ dressed in some ridiculous outfit ~ some fitness & yoga techniques. Afterward, he asked for an autograph, to which Trish said okay & 2 people brought out a huge Trish poster, where she was in a very revealing outfit & pose. She agreed to sign it, only if the host did the same pose on the floor. Pretty funny. In a poll @ the end of the show, only 8% of the fans wanted her to return to WWE, with 12% wanting her to try MMA, 38% to host the show she was on @ the moment & 42% wanting her to run for Prime Minister of Canada! You can watch the full interview @ bit.ly/7w3RH ; HA!  Trish as PM! . . .  Saaaaaaay! . . .

- Here's some news for Missy Hyatt fans: "I'm adding 2 events I'm working @ the weekend of August 1st for Justin Credible, to my fanpage right now. If you're in the Connecticutt area, come check them out."  For more information on the 1st Lady of Wrestling, go to www.facebook.com/MissyHyattFans

- Former RAW Divas champ Maryse Ouellet's currently in Birmingham, Alabama, to get her knee checked by the always-busy Doctor James Andrews. Her knee problem wasn't due to an injury she suffered lately, but rather a combination of issues that have been going for almost 6 months. Maryse dropped the Divas title on Sunday night to Mickie James, during the Night of Champions pay-per-view.

- For those of you who were wondering, "whatever happened to my favourite bootylicious CEW~NCW Valet, Samara?" check it out here ~ blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=b...

- TNA Knockout Taylor Wilde posted the following blog to her Myspace page: "Allo ladies & gents! Not only by nature am I eco-friendly, but Toronto's waist deep amongst a garbage strike. Thus, making me conscious of the amount of garbage I may be creating. I just posted my latest auction on eBay, which is the lipstick I used to make all the pristine kisses on the TNA Knockout's kiss cards. I kept the lipstick from the 1st round & used it on the 2nd as well, hence the rant about not creating any extra rub****. Bid away!!!" Follow the link @ blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=b...

- Say it ain't so, Vyper! "1st I wanna thank you all for all the love & support you've given me for the past 5 years on MySpace & 4 Years Professionally Wrestling. I've made the decision to take a break from wrestling for awhile. A hard decision to make, but it has been done. I told my bookers @ CCW, I'll no longer be attending shows @ least for now. I'm welcomed back whenever I want, so it's not over until it's over. For now though, it is. I've enjoyed wrestling & am extremely happy that I was involved in my short time. I learned a lot & met a lot of wonderful fans. For those of you who have been to the shows & seen me, it's very sad to me that I'll no longer get to see you, I wish you all well & hope you keep in contact. For my MySpace Fans/Friends. I want to thank you for always writing, checking in on me & caring to even look @ my updates. I'm keeping this MySpace page, because after all, Vyper isn't dead. I'll still be doing my modeling & updating my page regularly. But for now, no more wrestling pictures, videos or shows. I hope you'll all continue to be a fan of mine, even though I'm taking some time off. I'll be auctioning off some of my Wrestling Goodies for Animal & Children Hospitals in a few weeks. I'll also have all my old photos @ the Next CCW show for any1 to come & get 1 Free. Thank you all again, You're all so dear to me. It makes me so proud to know I have fans like you!" Keep track of Vyper @ www.myspace.com/Vyper

- You can download the high resolution version of Nicholas Andrews' new SHIMMER highlight video "1 Shot" (featuring clips from Vols. 19-22 of the SHIMMER DVD series) @ www.sendspace.com/file/rptgxb

DECLARATION of INDEPENDENTS NEWS: JBL, Hot Rod, StoneCold & the Divorster
- To view an up-to-date listing of all the omnivorous upcoming independent shows, check out www.prowrestlingevents.tk/

- Some websites started a rumour that John Brad$haw Layfield has been in discussions with TNA Wrestling, to join their company, after WWE didn't offer him anything following his last match @ WrestleMania 25. On a blog on the WWE Universe website, JBL said that he didn't have any talks with TNA, although he wishes them the very best. Brad$haw said that, in 1995, WWE Owner Vince McMahon gave him an opportunity of a lifetime & would never join a competitor, out of respect for the opportunity he was given. "Let me repeat ~ I have never had talks with TNA & they have never approached me about joining their company. . . I'm a WWE guy & will never be anything but a WWE guy." JBL also shot down the rumours of him being unhappy that WWE didn't offer him another role after WrestleMania, saying that it was his decision to move away & go home. "My relationship with WWE's as good as ever, as far as I'm concerned."  Then why am I reporting it in the Declaration of Independents. . .  jerk! . . .

- www.TMZ.COM is reporting that the Los Angeles City Attorney has filed criminal charges against WWE Hall of Famer "Rowdy" Roddy Piper for his DUI arrest on July 2nd. Piper was pulled over by the cops, when he was in Hollywood, California & was given a sobriety test on the spot. Hot Rod failed & was jailed immediately after, with bail set @ $5,000 US. Piper was charged with 1 misdemeanor count of driving under the influence & 1 count of driving without a valid license. Thursday in court, he pleaded not guilty to both charges. If he's convicted, he can face up to 6 months in jail & a $1,000 fine. He's due back in court sometime in August.

- The Detroit News has a story about former WWE Heavyweight champion & 2009 Hall of Famer StoneCold Steve Austin owing the state of California over $22,000 US in back taxes. A lien was filed against Austin for $22,024 US, on June 10th by the Los Angeles County Recorder of Deeds office. Austin moved from Texas to Los Angeles to pursue his Hollywood career.

- The divorce between Hulk Hogan & Linda Bollea's coming to a close before the case hits trial, as it's being reported that legal parties for both the Hulkster & Linda are in negotiations to settle this ugly battle & a surprise announcement could be done early next week. The WWE Hall of Famer's currently paying Linda $40,000 US per month, as per the court orders, while he has most of his assets frozen. A Judge temporarily split their belongings ~ including homes & cars ~ & put a ban on use of certain vehicles. Linda filed for divorce in November 2007, just days before Hogan was ready to start filming the new American Gladiators show in Los Angeles. Their public fights & war of words were big items in the gossip world.

- NEW FRONTIERS, Sunday August 2nd @ the Broxbourne Civic Halls.  Coach 1: Manchester, Milton Keynes, Broxbourne ~ Departs from Stockport @ 10am, Milton Keynes @ 12:30pm, then eturns to Milton Keynes approximately 11pm & Stockport approximately 1:30am ~ SOLD OUT – NO SPACES AVAILABLE. . .  Coach 2: Hull, Nottingham, Broxbourne ~ Departs from Hull @ 9:30am & from Nottingham @ 11:30am, then Returns to Nottingham approximately 12am & Hull approximately 2am ~ SOLD OUT – NO SPACES AVAILABLE. . .  Coach 3: Exeter, Swindon, Broxbourne ~ Departs Exeter @ 9am, August 2nd & departs Swindon @ 11:30am, then returns to Swindon approximately 11pm & to Exeter approximately 2am ~ LIMITED SPACES STILL AVAILABLE.  Packages cost £37 & include: Return coach travel to & from the venue from the departure point of choice. . .  Ticket to the FWA Fan Slam, which includes the FWA Unsigned show, video game competition, plus Q&A session featuring ‘The Guvnor’ Martin Stone, ‘Rockstar’ Spud, Doug Williams & Phil ‘Flash’ Barker. . .  Ticket to the main FWA show, featuring Williams, Stone, Spud, Dave Moralez, Leaders of the New School, Jody Fleisch, Jonny Storm, PAC & many more.  For further information or to book a place, please email bustrips@fwauk.com

- Classic Championship Wrestling's now on Myspace @ www.myspace.com/ccwclassic

- Scott Hall's scheduled to be wrestling Justin Credible in the main event of “Big Time Wrestling” event this Saturday, August 1st. The event will be taking place from Memorial Athletic Field in Webster, Massachusetts. More information can be found @ www.websterwrestling.com