A few of the Chicago Bears were on hand for last night's WWE Judgement Day, but it was Alfonso Soriano that became the highlight of the show. Well for at least 5 minutes or so. Real World/Road Rules/WWE Star, The Miz, called the outfielder out during a segment, and all Soriano could do was stand there and take it....

That was really about it. Pretty funny stuff for awhile, Soriano looking awkward, then wrestling between two random dudes. That was awfully merciless though, and I have to say the "yearly injury" part was my personal favorite. Good times.

Now far be it from me to poke fun at a Tournament that is trying its hardest to let people know it's right around the corner, but when you employ Don King and the WWE to do so....I have to comment. The U.S. Open is getting underway today, but the past few weeks have been rather interesting in the way of PR for the matches in Flushing, New York.

First up was Nike's campaign hyping the potential final matchup of Nadal v. Federer. The Swoosh decided to turn the potential meeting into a pseudo-weigh in for the two Tennis stars and even brought in Don King to do what Don King does. Hype. Via the Telegraph....

King, speaking exclusively to The Daily Telegraph, revealed his “delight” at being called up to promote one of the greatest sporting rivalries on the planet. “You had the 'Thrilla in Manila’, you had the 'Rumble in the Jungle’ now we have the 'Grapple in the Apple’. We gonna take it to the moon. They try to pretend to be friends. But they’re no kin and they’re gonna bend. They got to be competitive.”

King, getting into character, insisted in his idiolect that the US Open would be “free of trickeration”. Tennis may never be the same. But nor would boxing have had some of its most memorable nights without the genius of King.

As annoying as King is, that's pretty clever and that poster is pretty spot on. You would think that "stunt" was enough, but oh no, they weren't done there. "Hey, Let's try to use the most obvious avenue to cross promote the Tourney. Why of course that's the WWE!"



Well then.....that was special. The collaboration between WWE and the U.S. Open isn't anything new, but I think it's safe to say that having a wrestler jump off a judges chair onto a tennis player is taking it to another level.

'Apple Grapple' brings a gleam to Don King's eye (Telegraph)

I'm still not exactly sure what Tiki Barber does for NBC outside of Sunday Night Football. The guy just shows up randomly on various NBC networks throughout the day and is made to do weird stuff.

Well apparently part of his job description entails having a gold medal winning wrestler picking him up over his shoulder and carrying him around the set. Via Deuce of Davenport....

I love the look on Tiki's face when Tamron Hall says, "but let him pick you up." You could almost see him thinking for a second. "Oh come on....well....I like my job so okay." I guess that's a good way to promote Olympic Wrestling, but couldn't have Gardner gone ahead and slammed him to the ground?

Tiki Barber Swallows His Pride For Our Entertainment (Deuce of Davenport)

I have to admit that I check in on the WWE from time to time. I'm no expert, and I'm not even sure who's champ at the moment (according to Google some guy named CM Punk), but the business side of it intrigues me. Well how about this for a business decision? Actor, and husband to Sarah Michelle Gellar, Freddie Prinze Jr. has been hired by the WWE to be a storyline writer for the Sports Entertainment behemoth....

Freddie Prinze, Jr., a long-time fan of World Wrestling Entertainment(R), has joined WWE(R)'s creative team. Prinze, Jr. will now have a behind-the-scenes role contributing to USA Network's ratings powerhouse, WWE Monday Night RAW, as well as WWE's weekly television and pay-per-view programs.

"Bringing on board an experienced Hollywood writer, actor and producer like Freddie Prinze, Jr. will only increase the level of entertainment to millions of viewers and passionate WWE fans every Monday on USA," said Chris McCumber, Executive Vice President Marketing Digital & Brand Strategy, USA Network."

"Freddie Prinze, Jr.'s passion, energy and creativity make him an excellent fit for WWE," said WWE Chairman Vince McMahon.

How random is that? It must be nice to be able to work wherever you want to. I also promise Vince McMahon that if he gets Freddie into a storyline, I'll start watching on a regular basis again. The guy has certainly been in some crap movies but he's also been on Robot Chicken and Boston Legal recently.

Freddie Prinze, Jr. Joins WWE Creative Team (Market Watch)

The "Tales From The News Desk" posts haven't been coming as frequently as of late because there really hasn't been anything to share. Sure I could shown you the Bill O'Reilly clip or the Sue Simmons f-bomb, but you've more than likely seen those before. Well I've found the perfect clip for your Thursday morning. Watch as this Greensboro reporter....well just watch....

Wrestling events always bring out the best in people. I was in attendance for Macho Man's return to the WCW back in the day (only Wrestling match I've ever been to) and I think I drank so much that I tried to punch the Big Show. I also think I may have pissed my pants, but that's another story.

Anywho, Mountain Men kissing unsuspecting reporters will always have a spot on this site.

One of the big stories regarding the "Leader" last week was the signing of WWE announcer Jonathan Coachman. Well according to Canoe.com those rumors are false....

In a statement to SLAM! Wrestling, Dave Nagle, Manager of Media Relations for ESPN's Communications Department, stated that "all I can say is that these 'rumors' are untrue...we do not have a signed deal. There is nothing more to say."

The rumours on Coachman's departure began soon after his seemingly final Smackdown broadcast on April 26, 2008. As of the Backlash pay-per-view April 28, Coachman had been replaced by Mick Foley as the Smackdown colour commentator alongside play-by-play man Michael Cole.

Saying that they do not "have a signed deal" doesn't really deny the fact that they are interested I guess, but it appears all of the Wrestling sites last week were wrong. Most of you said the guy is pretty good on broadcasts outside of the WWE, so hopefully you're right and ESPN gets that contract signed.

ESPN denies Coachman signing (Canoe)

Good news for fans of crazy this afternoon as former news anchor and Richard Eisen friend Alycia Lane took a deal in her New York court case. The anchor was charged with striking a female police officer and calling her a dirty name (dyke). The unfortunate thing is that we'll apparently never know if she really did those things or not....
Former CBS3 anchor Alycia Lane moved a step toward vindication in a five-minute hearing this morning in criminal court in Manhattan.

A judge signed off on an agreement stemming from a Dec. 16 incident in New York that will result in all charges being dropped in six months.

The deal is known as an adjournment in contemplation of dismissal. Under an ACD, if Lane stays out of trouble for six months, her record will be wiped clean. She will carry neither a guilty plea nor a conviction.
Well then. So I guess we can expect a Wrongful Termination suit thrown at Philly's CBS Channel 3 then next. Also, there were rumors of her being invited to the WWE, but it looks like that's not going to happen. Darn.

Alycia Lane goes free (Philly.com)
This Alycia Lane Saga Just Gets Weirder, She's Been Offered A Job With The WWE (Awful Announcing)
Alycia Lane Is Officially Free (From Her Job) (Awful Announcing)

Our favorite cop beating anchorwoman is back in the news, and this time it's even weirder than the other 40 times. Vince McMahon has reportedly offered Alycia Lane a job in professional wrestling. Via Media Bistro....

According to Alycia Lane's boyfriend, the troubled ex-television news anchor just got a job offer from the WWE. Yes, the pro wrestling league. Radio host Chris Booker was quoted in the Philadelphia Daily News as saying that Lane was offered an on-camera job at the WWE by Vince McMahon.

Confirmation from the WWE was unavailable... but it's not too surprising. Lane, an news anchor in a large regional market, came to national prominence through two high-profile scandals in a single year. First, the Rich Eisen bikini pictures and then slugging the cop. For Lane (if the offer is true), the choice might just be between working for the WWE and kissing serious news goodbye... or accepting a job in a small Midwest or Southern market.

Something tells us she might just go for the first.

Nice! She should so take him up on the offer because her life's been playing out like a WWE plot line anyway. Hell the script is already written....she sends photos to Triple H, Stephanie McMahon gets pissed and then they fight in a cage match. I'm brilliant I know.

Alycia Lane's New Move... Pro Wrestling? (Media Bistro)

(Thanks to Mark B for the link)

Back in December I told you that Kelly Ripa and her husband were making a documentary about a Florida Wrestling team for ESPN. The documentary of the Brandon High wrestling team, which has been undefeated for 34 years, was scheduled to be released in October 2008.

Well that might be on hold after the team suffered it's first loss after winning 459 matches in a row......

The Brandon High wrestling program's national record of 459 consecutive dual match victories -- the longest for any high school sport -- was snapped Saturday night by South Dade, which, at 9:02 p.m., sealed its 32-28 history-making victory in the finals of the Jim Graves "Beat the Streak" Tournament.

The streak, started nearly 34 years ago from scratch in near-empty gyms before the Bucs existed, the Vietnam War ended and ESPN was created, was broken in front of about 800 fans and an ESPN camera crew.

Dagger. They'll probably be spinning this into a how will the team handle it's first loss in 34 years, but I would imagine they would have rather had an undefeated season.

Brandon wrestlers' long reign ends (St. Petersburg Times)
Kelly Ripa And Whoever Her Husband Is Are Making A Documentary For ESPN (Awful Announcing)

(Thanks to reader Dave for the tip)

Guess what it's about. I'll give you three guesses. Baseball? Nope. Soccer? Try again. The WNBA? Wrong. Give up? It's Wrestling. No not WWF Wrestling....Regular Wrestling. High School Wrestling actually....

Produced by ESPN Content Development in conjunction with Kelly Ripa’s and Mark Consuelos’ Milojo Productions, in association with critically acclaimed producer John Hock (Through the Fire) and Hock Films, the film will follow the 2007-08 season of the Brandon High School (Tampa, Fla.) wrestling program which sits atop a 451-0 record dating back 34 straight years. Ripa and Consuelos will serve as co-executive producers for the project to be televised October 2008.

Ripa and Consuelos said, “This is the type of story we want to tell. We are extremely happy to be in business with ESPN.” Consuelos went to Bloomingdale High School in Tampa, a rival of Brandon High School, but did attend one semester at Brandon.

Aren't these the last people you want associated with your Sport? I've got a hundred dollars that Kelly Ripa doesn't leave her house in the Hamptons once to attend the filming.

(Source: ESPN PR)

Here's your weekly installment of Announcing Team locations. We get a special treat week as Chris Spielamn gets two games, and WWE's Coach (Jonathan Coachman) is inexplicably calling a CSTV game with ex-NFL Tight End Roland Williams. If you're just hiring random people CSTV....I'll do a game for free!

I'm a;sp surprised that Brent Musburger and Co. didn't get the CAL-USC game. I thought that was a prerequisite for that team. This week's schedule is brought to by SI's Cheerleader of the Week, Washington State University's Jesica Calkins. Jes wants you to know who is calling which game and also that she's huge Lil Wayne and T-Payne fan!

Ready??? Okay!!!

Tuesday, November 6

Central Michigan @ Western Michigan (ESPN2, 7:30 Tue) - Bob Wischusen, Ray Bentley, Todd Harris

Wednesday, November 7

Ohio @ Akron (ESPN2, 7:30 Wed) - Rece Davis, Mark May, Lou Holtz, Rob Stone

Thursday, November 8

Louisville @ West Virginia (ESPN, 7:30 Thu) - Chris Fowler, Doug Flutie, Craig James, Erin Andrews
TCU @ BYU (VS, 8:00 Thu) - Joe Beninati, Glenn Parker, Tim Neverett

Friday, November 9

Bowling Green @ Eastern Michigan (ESPNU, 7:30 Fri) - Dave Ryan, Tom Luginbill
Rutgers @ Army (ESPN2, 8:00 Fri) - Sean McDonough, Chris Spielman, Rob Stone

Saturday, November 10

Michigan @ Wisconsin (ESPN, 12:00) - Dave Pasch, Andre Ware, Erin Andrews
Wake Forest @ Clemson (ESPN2, 12:00) - Pam Ward, Ray Bentley, Rob Simmelkjaer
Indiana @ Northwestern (ESPN Classic, 12:00) - Eric Collins, TBA
Penn State @ Temple (ESPNU, 12:00) - Clay Matvick, Larry Coker
Michigan State @ Purdue (BTN, 12:00) - Thom Brennaman, Charles Davis, Charissa Thompson
Minnesota @ Iowa (BTN, 12:00) - Wayne Larrivee, Chris Martin, Marshall Harris
Texas A&M @ Missouri (FSN, 12:30) - Joel Meyers, Dave Lapham, Jim Knox, Dan McLaughlin
Kansas State @ Nebraska (VS, 12:30) - Ron Thulin, Kelly Stouffer, Lewis Johnson
Air Force @ Notre Dame (NBC, 2:30) - Tom Hammond, Pat Haden, Alex Flanagan
Auburn @ Georgia (CBS, 3:30) - Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson, Tracy Wolfson
Illinois @ Ohio State (ABC/ESPN, 3:30) - Brad Nessler, Bob Griese, Paul Maguire, Bonnie Bernstein
Florida State @ Virginia Tech (ABC/ESPN, 3:30) - Gary Thorne, Bill Curry, Joe Schad
Arizona State @ UCLA (ABC, 3:30) - Dan Fouts, Tim Brant, Todd Harris
Texas Tech @ Texas (ABC, 3:30) - Ron Franklin, Ed Cunningham, Jack Arute
Connecticut @ Cincinnati (ESPNU, 3:30) - Doug Bell, Charles Arbuckle
Wyoming @ Utah (CSTV, 3:30) - Tom Hart, Trev Alberts
Baylor @ Oklahoma (FSN, 6:30) - Bill Land, Gary Reasons, Emily Jones
Virginia @ Miami (ESPN2, 7:15) - Mark Jones, Bob Davie, Stacey Dales
Central Florida @ UAB (CSTV, 7:30) - Johnathan Coachman, Roland Williams
Florida @ South Carolina (ESPN, 7:45) - Mike Patrick, Todd Blackledge, Holly Rowe
Kansas @ Oklahoma State (ABC, 8:00) - Brent Musburger, Kirk Herbstreit, Lisa Salters
Boston College @ Maryland (ABC, 8:00) - Dave Lamont, Chris Spielman, Quint Kessenich
USC @ California (ABC, 8:00) - Terry Gannon, David Norrie, Jeannine Edwards
Washington @ Oregon State (FSN, 10:15) - Barry Tompkins, Petros Papadakis, Jim Watson
San Diego State @ UNLV (CSTV, 11:00) - Carter Blackburn, Brian Jones
Fresno State @ Hawaii (ESPN2, 11:00) - TBA [simulcast of Fresno State's local coverage]

Everyone knows that they're bringing American Gladiators back on NBC right? Right. Well today they announced one of the show's hosts....

Professional wrestler and VH1 reality show star Hulk Hogan has signed on to host NBC’s upcoming remake of “American Gladiators,” sources say.

Hogan made the rounds at NBC’s Burbank offices last week and has accepted the job. The deal is still being finalized, but sources say both parties are committed.

NBC sees Hogan as “the perfect fit” for the “Gladiators” revival, sources say. In addition to his experience as a physical performer during his years with the World Wrestling Federation, Hogan has proved he can draw viewers with sheer force of personality in his successful VH1 reality series “Hogan Knows Best.”

Hell yeah! What are you going to do when Hulkmania, Blazer, Lazer, Tazer, and their tennis ball cannon run wild on you?!?!?!

Hulk Hogan Finalizing Deal to Host NBC’s 'American Gladiators' (TV Week)

The details of the Benoit Family deaths are pretty grim, but I'm going to give them to you in a nutshell from what I've heard so far. The rumor/report is that WWE Star Chris Benoit gets a call from his wife and he has to leave a scheduled PPV appearance for an emergency. He comes home to find his son dead by the hands of his wife. In a fit of rage he kills his wife, and then later himself.

UPDATE: TMZ is now reporting that..."Several Atlanta-based law enforcement sources have told TMZ Benoit may have strangled his wife on Saturday, then smothered his son in his bed a day later. Investigators refuse to officially comment, pending final confirmation by the coroner on the cause and time of the deaths. One source told TMZ that Benoit was texting friends during Sunday's WWE "Vengeance" Pay-Per-View program -- possibly watching the show with his son, who may have been alive at the time. According to sources, Benoit then hanged himself Monday in a weight room inside the family home."

Ugh....that website background that they took down makes me feel even more sick about this whole thing (see below).

Last Update/Rumor to add to the mix. This website is reporting that....."PWTorch.com has learned that one major media entity has received an email purporting to be from a friend of the Chris Benoit extended family saying that Benoit accidentally killed his wife in a domestic argument, then panicked and killed his son later so his son could be with his mother rather than grow up without a mom and knowing his father as a murderer.

Double Ugh.
___________________

Well I just want to share with you this screen shot to display how much sesnitivity the WWE seems to have in regards to this tragic event.....


See that background of splattered blood....you think you might want to change that perhaps?!?!?!?! Good lord....the stockholders and parties involved with WWE should be ashamed of themselves.

Here's a snippet of Vince's "performance" last night after the WWE told ticketholders to head home...

Wrestling Superstar Found Dead (TMZ)

UPDATE: There are varying reports out there, but the above one is the latest I heard on the radio on the way in.

UPDATE #2: Just like Jeff noted in the comments....the bloody page is gone. See for yourself....


UPDATE #3: The first description of the act has been updated to include the new findings from TMZ. The original post was from the details I heard on the radio on the way in. Either way you slice it....this is pretty nasty stuff.

I haven't watched the WWF in years, but this just had me rolling on the floor. Apparently they have a plot line that began last night in Pennsylvania that has left their Chairman and mogul Vince McMahon dead.

WILKES-BARRE, Pa. – WWE.com has learned that United States federal agents have arrived at the crime scene in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., where Mr. McMahon was presumed dead less than 24 hours ago. As rumored, given the severity and nature of the car bombing, by law, federal authorities have taken full control of the investigation.

As first speculated in previous reports by WWE.com, last night’s limousine explosion was the result of a car bomb, as confirmed by federal agents. Moreover, it has been confirmed that a body was not recovered from the limousine’s blackened remains. Investigators believe that Mr. McMahon’s body could possibly have been incinerated in the blast.

I wonder how many outlets are reporting this as his actual death? People are saying that they don't know if it's a hoax or not....uhh, let's check the tape.....


Hoax. Also, According to the release, "people from Mr. McMahon's past - from Donald Trump to Snoop Dogg to Bob Costas to Stone Cold Steve Austin - had less than flattering things to say about the WWE Chairman, but would any go so far as to actually blow him up?" It was sooooo Costas....that d***!!!

McMahon Explosion Update (WWE.com)

Sorry for being late today....as an added bonus I'm giving you this just amazing interview of Macho Man Randy Savage from 1989 on Arsenio. God I miss the old WWF...

OHHHHH YEAAAAAAAH!

You may remember back in 1994 a certain Tight End that would be the cog in the "Music City Miracle" got suspended for steroid use by the NFL. The player in question was Frank Wycheck and played for the Redskins at the time. Obviously I was pissed. I cursed him all throughout his career with the Oilers/Titans.

Well fast forward to today. Wycheck is doing radio in Tennessee, and is apparently somehow involved in TNA wrestling....

The "Slammiversary" will mark TNA's return to Nashville for the first time in three years and take place at Municipal Auditorium.

It's unclear how Wycheck will tie into the affair, but it could be motivated by his presence at a 2002 TNA event in Nashville when two of his teammates at the time, Fred Miller and Zach Piller, got involved in the action.

I haven't watched wrestling in years, but apparently TNA has a really big following. I can only hope that Wycheck gets hit in the head with a chair for real....bastard.

Wycheck to join wrestling press conference (The Tennessean)

For more on what TNA is, check out this clip set to the music of Disturbed!