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-- Two developmental talents were released last week in the midst of holiday season. The first being former K-1 fighter Imani Lee who signed with WWE back in May and was said to be close friends with Batista.
The second being Mike Jarvi, who worked under the name Giant Titan in FCW. Jarvi was trained by Dori Funk Jr. and was said to have been pushed by Jimmy Hart to the company when he was signed in October 2007.
-- Vince McMahon had reportedly contacted Hulk Hogan within the last two months and requested that he be part of WWE's "Tribute To the Troops" show in Iraq. However, Hogan turned down the offer for various reasons. The timing of Vince's request was poor as Hogan's divorce has been described as a full time job for him. Hogan is working closely with lawyers and felt that he couldn't take time away to go overseas. He also heard horror stories about travel conditions which could of also factored into his decision.
-- WWE Talent officially touched down in Iraq yesterday and a number of talents have been sent to various Forward Operating Bases. The WWE "Tribute to the Troops" special which will air on NBC on 12/20 will be taped this Friday December 5th at the Camp Liberty Base Complex in Baghdad, Iraq at 12pm locally.
-- This past Monday's edition of Monday Nigh tRaw received a 3.4 rating, which is up from the 3.3 rating it received last week. The first hour drew a 3.33 rating with 4,881,000 viewers. The second hour received a 3.49 rating with 5,072,000 viewers. WWE officials are reportedly very happy with the rating increase since John Cena's return.
-- WWE Diva Brie Bella has told friends at a recent birthday bash in Hollywood, CA that she's been dating former Poison guitarist Richie Kotzen for roughly four years.
-- ECW Original Francine and her husband are expecting their first child. Francine, who had managed The Pitbulls, Shane Douglas, Tommy Dreamer, and others during the original run of Extreme Championship Wrestling currently books the Philadelphia based Womens based Extreme Wrestling group that runs out of the former ECW arena.
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