Backstage Candice Michelle Update, JBL Loses 63 Pounds, Santino
Candice Michelle returned to the ring prior to the RAW taping on Sunday. Many in the company are really rooting for her to stay healthy this time as she has put a lot of work into improving as a wrestler.
John Bradshaw Layfield has posted his latest blog on the WWE Fan Nation website, which you can read at the following fans.wwe.com. Since his retirement, JBL claims he's lost 63 pounds. "Speaking of — I have lost 63 pounds so far. I have had a broken back, several knee surgeries, a double hernia operation in the past, a current herniated disc, a past torn bicep, and a current torn rotator cuff and labium in my shoulder — however, I have developed a product that allows me to get up in the morning and feel like training. No kidding, I have got the thing that will help a ton of Americans — I am proof. You will see this product in a few weeks." He pokes fun at Joey Styles and politicians.
WWE is expected to announce a Smackdown/ECW house show for the weekend after Christmas at the Continental Airlines Arena in East Rutherford, NJ.
Santino Marella has been confirmed as part of the roster for the Smackdown vs. RAW 2009 video game.
Jakks Pacific sent out this press release today: WWE's Entire Case against JAKKS Pacific and Its Senior Officers Dismissed MALIBU, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–As reported on August 29, 2008, the Superior Court of Connecticut granted summary judgment dismissing WWE's remaining state claims against JAKKS Pacific, Inc. (NASDAQ:JAKK – News) and its senior officers relating to alleged wrongful acts occurring more than a decade ago of bribery and conflict of interest involving its videogame license and amendments to its toy license. The Connecticut Court determined that WWE's claims were time-barred under Connecticut State law. In addition, the Connecticut Court separately found that WWE was precluded from litigating its state court claims based on the previous federal court determination that WWE's then remaining federal claim was time-barred by the applicable federal statute of limitations. The Connecticut Court also dismissed WWE's state antitrust claim based on the lack of any antitrust injury under Connecticut State law and, separately, because WWE was precluded from relitigating in state court antitrust claims that the federal court had already dismissed under federal law. As a result of prior federal court decisions, all of WWE's federal claims against JAKKS Pacific and its senior officers were dismissed, including claims alleging violations of RICO, the Sherman Antitrust Act, and the Robinson-Patman Act. Now, by virtue of this Connecticut Court's summary judgment ruling, all of WWE's remaining claims relating to the procurement of the subject licenses have also been dismissed. Jack Friedman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JAKKS Pacific stated, "From the outset, we have maintained that WWE's claims against us were meritless and part of an attempt by WWE to force us to relinquish our financial stake in our licenses. We have refused to be bullied into submission and are delighted that the Connecticut Court has granted summary judgment in our favor." WWE has indicated that it plans to appeal the adverse rulings against it, and JAKKS Pacific and its senior officers, consistent with what they have done until now, intend to vigorously defend on appeal the court rulings.