Vince McMahon Not At MSG Show?, J.R Blogs, Batista's Surgery
WWE.com has an interview with Batista discussing his successful hamstring surgery. Like the original surgery announcement, they continue to mix scripted elements into the storyline. Batista started physical therapy Sunday afternoon and will remain in Birmingham, Alabama for a few more days. WWE is claiming Batista's injury occured at SummerSlam in the match that also put John Cena on the shelf. Batista could be out for 6 months and WWE is hoping to have him back in time for SummerSlam 2009, where they could book Batista vs. Cena II.
Vince McMahon wasn't in attendance at Saturday night's Madison Square Garden house show, which is very unusual. The McMahon's have always considered the Garden shows to be the measuring stick of what's working and not working regarding the company's direction.
Jim Ross has posted his latest blog entry over at JRsBarBQ.comJRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights:
WWE Going "PG": That's what the WWE is offering and that's what my primary area of concern is because that who employs me and pays me. I personally like the PG ratings for many reasons. Selfishly, now my daughter will allow her 5 and 3 year old daughters to watch their grandpa on Friday nights because the program content isn't as edgy and doesn't have to be constantly monitored or at least monitored as closely. PG is more family friendly. PG is more advertiser friendly. PG is more network friendly. The key to PG is not unlike any other era and that is still getting stars "hot" and involved in reality based, personal issues that are highlighted by physicality and athleticism.
Sports Illustrated saying Mick Foley was the inspiration for "Randy The Ram": I have subscribed to S.I. longer than I am sure many of you have been alive...I am not planning on canceling my subscription either but S.I. was in the wrong when they inferred that Mick Foley was a role model for the Mickey Rourke character in the film "The Wrestler." I am not "damning" S.I. but the writer simply did not do his home work and unfortunately some readers will accept his account of watching the film with Foley as factual. The writer was wrong and will hopefully address his errors but I'm not holding my breath.
Chyna's Weekend Overdose: Really sad to hear about Joanie "Chyna" Lauer's recent troubles. I am thankful she is alive after apparently overdosing on her birthday. I truly hope Joanie gets more professional help, the WWE is an option for her, with whatever issues she has and find true happiness in her life. I'm not sure that her kind of happiness is going to be found in Tinseltown. Joanie was always so health conscious when she was on the WWE roster and the reports about her issues the past several years have been personally troubling to me. She had many challenges in her life LONG before she arrived in the WWE which I honestly feel are at the root of her problems today. Nonetheless, I am no Dr. Phil but I do hope that Joanie gets better and finds a vocation that is personally rewarding to her.