Dirt Sheet History: April 2010

Take a trip back to a memorable timeline in sports entertainment with the most important stories reported as fact in the journalistic world of pro wrestling dirt sheets.

Following the timeline of the last Dirt Sheet History looking back at March 2010, we get a glimpse into the top scoops from April of 2010 as we read Dirt Sheet History.

Reminder that you can find all past editions of Dirt Sheet History looking at 2004 through 2009 right here. Now enjoy April 2010!

4/1/2010

Vince McMahon‘s evil “Mr. McMahon” character is said to be finished, according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

The character was spawned back in 1997 following the infamous Montreal Screwjob. McMahon’s on-air character turned heel for the first time and it became the antagonist to the company’s top star “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in arguably the best run in the history of the company.

With Bret Hart’s return to WWE after 13 years, McMahon felt WrestleMania would be the perfect chance for Bret Hart to get his ultimate revenge and wipe out Mr. McMahon once and for all. The over-the-top beatdown he sustained at the hands (and feet) of the Hart family signified the end of the character.

McMahon is a firm believer in pushing younger acts and is not blind to the fact that he’s in his 60’s and the character more than ran its course.

4/2/2010

Daniel Bryan shared the following thoughts of critics of his in WWE via his WWE Universe blog:

“I know I’m not what WWE usually looks for in a Superstar. It’s quite obvious by Michael Cole’s commentary that he doesn’t think I have what it takes and I know there are even more people in the back who think the same thing. They doubt my mic skills and they doubt whether the WWE Universe can get behind someone who looks as plain as I do…but none of them doubt my in ring ability,” Bryan said.

“I may not be what the WWE looks for when they’re recruiting, but most of the people they recruit don’t have the passion for this business that people like Shawn Michaels have. I do, and I’ve proven it over the last ten years. I will outwork, outsmart and outclass 99.9% of the muscleheads and pretty boys that they think have the right ‘look.’”

4/3/2010

As reported yesterday, reaction to Orlando Jordan‘s segment on Monday’s iMPACT! was largely negative amongst the wrestlers in the locker room. Ric Flair was said to be among the most vocal detractors of the segment when it was taped on Mar. 23. Later that night, a number of wrestlers and personnel headed out a nearby bar. Flair had a few drinks and began complaining about the manner in which Jordan’s on-air male companion was dancing on the bar’s dance floor and added there’s no place for him in the locker room. He eventually got so worked up that he angrily approached the male companion and created a scene.

One wrestler said Flair “cut a Ric Flair promo on him.” He then told him he’s “an embarrassment” and demanded that he “sit the f— down.”

The male companion was said to be shaken by the wrestling legend’s comments and left the bar shortly thereafter.

4/4/2010

WWE Magazine conducted a “Twitterview” with Dolph Ziggler this evening on the social networking site.

When asked to give his pick to win NXT, he selected Heath Slater. It’s worth noting that during his response, he referred to David Otunga with the following: “And the one guy is simply here because he dates some chick that’s in magazines, he’s not even in the Diva’s league.”

4/5/2010

TNA officials aired interest in Roderick Strong when his contract with Ring of Honor expired. However, TNA didn’t issue a contract offer and he ending up re-signing with ROH. On another note, Strong is WWE wrestler Evan Bourne‘s roommate.

4/7/2010

Last night on Twitter, Paul Heyman went on a rant about the the way TNA has booked Rob Van Dam and Jeff Hardy in recent weeks. Heyman started off by writing:

“To answer all the questions, I will not be blogging on last night’s TNA Impact. What am I going to say that has not been said already?”

A minute later, Heyman let it fly:

“Okay, I can’t resist. How many times can u beat up RVD and Jeff Hardy and not give them a ‘revenge-minded’ interview afterwards? Heels beat up babyfaces. Babyfaces swear revenge. People tune in. Holy s—! The formula is not that f’n complicated, people!”

“I don’t want any1 to think I am saying I know it all. I DON’T KNOW IT ALL. I still have a lot to learn. I don’t know how to grow hair on top of my head. I don’t know how to get six pack abs.”

“BUT I KNOW THAT IF A HEEL BEATS UP A POPULAR BABYFACE, THEN BABYFACE NEEDS A CHANCE TO PROMOTE THE TIME AND PLACE OF THE BABYFACE’S REVENGE.”

4/9/2010

Reality television star “Dog The Bounty Hunter” was in the crowd at Tuesday’s iMPACT tapings in Orlando. Based on messages TNA star Jeff Hardy wrote on Twitter, it doesn’t sound like his meeting with Dog went too well:

“Dog tha Bounty Hunter is a AssHole!!!he&his posse just treated me & Shannon like shit!I thought him&beth were cool…oh well”

4/11/2010

TNA alerted the authorities about Jim Cornette‘s email to Terry Taylor threatening to kill Vince Russo.

4/12/2010

Jim Ross and Eric Bischoff have responded to fans asking what they think about Jim Cornette‘s wild threats to Vince Russo earlier this week.

Ross wrote on his blog, “JC has an intense temper at times. I wish he had not expressed himself in the forum that he did but I do not believe for a second that Jim seriously considers ‘murdering’ anyone and this ill conceived deal is over blown to a large part.”

Meanwhile, Eric Bischoff, who called Cornette a “low rent con man” earlier in the week, answered a few more questions about Jim Cornette’s comments on his Facebook page. Bischoff wrote, “Jim needs psychological help. I know it must be tough getting up in the morning and looking at yourself in the mirror and realizing you look like 240 pounds of sausage stuffed in a 12 ounce polyester bag….but Jim needs to move on. The television business passed him by many Big Macs ago.”

Bischoff continued, “Threatening to kill someone, posting confidential corporate information, and posting terroristic threats doesn’t make you a “genius” any more than criticizing the efforts/success of others when they realize that you have nothing to offer. Jim is a washed up, has been IWC icon to the 5% of the people that makes up a television audience.”

4/15/2010

Scott Hall and Kevin Nash did much griping regarding the stability of the cage TNA debuted on iMPACT! following a recent match. However, those in the locker room did not feel too badly for them as both wrestlers arrived late to the building that day and never bothered to examine the structure before their match. Hall reportedly arrived to the building at 4:30 p.m. that day with Nash arriving even later. They were not reprimanded.

4/16/2010

Christopher Daniels has told friends that his attitude towards TNA’s creative direction was cited among the reasons for his recent release from the company.

4/17/2010

Dos Caras, Jr. (Alberto Del Rio) made his in-ring debut for WWE during the company’s recent tour of Europe. While he’s considered a good worker, some feel he has an inflated opinion of himself. Though he’s been traveling with WWE for only two weeks, he’s been talked to already about making claims that he’s going to be the next Rey Mysterio.

4/19/2010

World Wrestling Entertainment issued a press release this morning announcing WWE Studios is currently filming a new film in Louisiana, Killing Karma.

Batista had been publicly announced for the lead role a few months back, but was replaced by Triple H. According to sources, Batista is furious over the change.

“Batista wants to be a movie star,” one source noted.

There was much discussion over the company’s tour of Europe that Batista will leave WWE when his current deal expires in the summer. He’s claimed to friends in recent months that he’s looking to wind down his in-ring career in order to focus on acting.

4/20/2010

Rob Van Dam, Evan Bourne and Brad Ward were all very happy today.

4/21/2010

According to a reliable source in TNA Wrestling, several company executives met with Jim Ross earlier this month.

Ross met with TNA Chief Financial Officer Dean Broadhead, Dixie Carter and her father Bob Carter a few weeks ago to discuss working with the company when his WWE contract expires in just 10 days. One of the main points of contention Ross brought up was that Vince Russo would have to be removed from the creative team before he would even consider any serious negotiations.

Jim Ross told the Carters that if he were to sign with TNA – he’d be looking to be not just an announcer, but a top level company executive. With the amount of time Ross spent as one of the top players behind the scenes in WWE, he would be an invaluable asset to TNA in terms of talent development and the overall direction of the company.

4/22/2010

WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Divas Mickie James and Katie Lea Burchill as well as Superstars Shelton Benjamin, Kung Fu Naki, Slam Master J and Jimmy Wang Yang as of today, April 22, 2010. We wish them the best in all future endeavors.

4/24/2010

F4WOnline.com reports that Mickie James was released, in part, due to problems on the company’s recent tour of Europe.

James was late for the bus on more than one occasion, and her tardiness held transportation up. It was considered the straw that broke the camel’s back dating back to her being disciplined by being sent to SmackDown due to substandard performances and issues with her weight.

4/25/2010

Maryse is claiming that she was attacked by a stalker today in West Hollywood.

“Had security escort me back to my place, got attack by a stalker in middle of street in middle of day in WeHo, what the heck, CRAZY,” she wrote on Twitter. “I’m still out of breath, I got sooooo scare! I couldn’t talk! I’m alright!”

4/27/2010

TNA is interested in signing Shelton Benjamin, who was released from WWE last week. With Benjamin’s former tag team partner Charlie Haas currently a free agent, many within TNA want to see the company sign both Haas and Benjamin and reunite them with their former onscreen “mentor” in WWE, Kurt Angle. “Team Angle” was a dominant force on the SmackDown brand almost 10 years ago and that gimmick was arguably the peak of Haas and Benjamin’s WWE careers. Benjamin is the only recent WWE release that TNA is looking to pick up at this time.

4/28/2010

Bret Hart has been very hands-on mentoring David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd and Natalya. He watches all of their matches and sends them a report card each week if he’s not on the road with them.

4/30/2010

For those curious, there is indeed heat between Matt Striker and Jerry Lawler. Michael Cole is also not a fan of Striker. The former teacher reportedly has a reputation for coming off as an elitist, which rubs a number of his peers the wrong way.

“He has a long way to come off as good as he thinks he is,” said one company source regarding Striker.

There have been times where Striker wanted to prepare for broadcasts with Cole and Lawler, but he irritates them so much they go out of their way to avoid him until show time.

Though many of his co-workers feel he comes off as an annoyance, there have been several accounts of Striker going out his way to please fans after shows.

– Tune back in next month for more Dirt Sheet History as we continue 2010.

Stories are credited from Rajah, PWTorch, PWInsider and The Wrestling Observer. Month name photo art is by Phillip Martin.

All past editions of Dirt Sheet History are found here.