SD! Rating, Former World Champion Passes Away, Vince, Linda News & More
– The October 29th edition of SmackDown! did a 1.68 (1.7) cable rating with 2,443,000 viewers. Those are down from last week's 1.74 (1.7) and 2,524,000 viewers, and are both all-time lows for the show since it arrived on SyFy.
– Edouard Carpentier, real name ?douard Wiecz, passed away on Saturday in Quebec at the age of 84. Carpentier's career was marked by his acrobatic moves for the era, and he's largely credited for innovating the high-flying aspect of professional wrestling. He held the NWA World Heavyweight Championship in the late 1950's and trained wrestlers after his retirement including Andre the Giant. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living former NWA World Champion. On behalf of everyone here on the website, our condolences to the family, friends and fans of Edouard Carpentier.
– The press release that Vince McMahon sent out about being threatened by the Justice Department was based around a letter WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt received from the U.S. Department of Justice today which read: "The Department of Justice has recently received information indicating that your client, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), might be providing or planning to provide free merchandise to voters at polling places. However, the available information also indicates that, if this practice is actually planned or occurring, it is open and notorious. Accordingly, this letter is to advise you that WWE might be operating in ignorance of applicable federeal criminal law, and to notify you of that law. Specifically, Section 1973i (c) of Titale 42 of the United States Code makes it a federal offnse to pay or offer to pay an individual a thing of value for voting. Violations of Section 1973i (c) is punishable by imprisonment up to five years and a fine not to exceed $250,000. Please note the Department's understanding that this statute prohibits a person from providing a thing of value–such as clothing–in return for an individual's participation in the voting process. Thank you for your attention to this matter."
– Due to the DoJ's letter, Vince McMahon has now decided against giving away any merchandise near polling places tomorrow.
– The Quinnipiac poll released today showed Linda McMahon closer to Richard Blumenthal than last week, down 53% – 44% compared to 54% – 42%. The Rasmussen poll has Linda down 53% – 46%.