Dirt Sheet History: February 2006

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 January 2006, we get a glimpse into the top scoops from February 2006. Reminder that you can find all editions of Dirt Sheet History looking at 2004 and 2005 right here at this very link. Now enjoy February 2006!

2/1/2006

* Spike TV will be making an announcement regarding TNA iMPACT! new slot. The show will be moving to a Thursday night primetime slot. The show will air from 8-9PM EST, followed by two hours of UFC.

TNA iMPACT! scored its highest rating last week when Sting made his first appearance on national television since the ending of WCW. The show received a 1.1 rating. It was watched by 1.3 million viewers, and posted a 1.0 in both young male demographics (18-34 and 18-49).

2/2/2006

* A booth attendant at a Boca tanning salon has told cops that she was groped by someone she identified as World Wrestling Entertainment boss Vince McMahon, according to two Boca Raton police sources.

In a report expected to be made public this week, an attendant at Tanzabar on North Federal Highway claims McMahon, 60, came in for a routine tanning session late Sunday night. But things got a little weird.

“The alleged victim says Mr. McMahon first showed pictures of himself naked on his cellphone,” said one source, who saw the report. “Then she says he made unwelcome advances and finally cornered her in a tanning booth and groped her.”

Calls left for Tanzabar owner Amy Murray were not returned. An attendant at the salon said she couldn’t comment on the incident.

McMahon, who starred in a wrestling show Monday night, has been a longtime Boca resident. He lives with wife Linda at The Excelsior on South Ocean Boulevard. Apartments there fetch in the $6 million range.

McMahon couldn’t be reached. But, at home in Boca, Linda called the allegations “totally bizarre.” His daughter, Stephanie, also a star of wrestling specials, confirmed her dad goes to Tanzabar.

“Yeah, he was there the other night,” she said. “I’m not aware something happened.”

The tanning attendant’s name is being withheld until police investigate further and classify the nature of the alleged incident.

2/4/2006

* WWE has already begun laying out the framework for their second ECW One Night Stand PPV on June 10, 2006. Discussions on what venue they will use have included returning to the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, where the show was held last year or moving it to somewhere in Philadelphia, PA. It is unlikely that they will go to the ECW Arena due to the fact that it looks nothing like it did due to recent renovations.

Both Chris Benoit and Dean Malenko have expressed interest into working a match for the show, as Malenko was unable to work last year due to his wife scheduled to give birth the day of the show. If the match occurs it will be done as an Eddie Guerrero tribute match.

2/8/2006

* Mick Foley recently expressed his anger with WWE in his latest “Foley Is Blog” entry on WWE.com for the way that they are using Eddie Guerrero’s name in order to get heat on Randy Orton. Foley stated that he disagreed with WWE’s decision to use the memory of Eddie Guerrero for “cheap heat” for Randy Orton. One point in the article Foley says that perhaps his “concerns might be more appropriately expressed in a personal phone call to Vince McMahon.”

Foley went on to talk about his personal history with Guerrero and said that he does not believe that Eddie’s wife appreciated Orton’s “Eddie’s in Hell” statement and that Orton “doesn’t need this” in order to be effective.

He ended the article by saying: “the recent SmackDown episode did not honor his legacy, it exploited his death. I hope it will end, and the sooner the better. For by exploiting his death we achieve what I thought wouldn’t be possible: We cheapen his life.”

2/12/2006

* For those who have not heard, WWE developmental talent CM Punk worked last night’s Ring of Honor show as a one-time deal. Punk asked WWE officials permission to work the show when Low Ki pulled out. Obviously WWE granted him permission and it allowed Punk to give an “East Coast Sendoff” to all of his fans that he didn’t get the chance to say goodbye to.

WWE Diva Maria was backstage at the ROH show as well and signed autographs for fans in attendance. There were rumors that both Paul Heyman and Tommy Dreamer were at the show; however, they have proved to be inaccurate.

2/13/2006

* UPN 33 out of Miami aired an interview after SmackDown went off the air Friday night with Kurt Angle that was taped when WWE was in town for the Royal Rumble PPV. In the interview Angle discussed how he felt that company lost faith in him as a champion and how he had to change people’s perspectives of him by working harder than he ever has in the last two and a half years. Angle said that he plans on wrestling for another five years and would like to start a career in acting and noted that he has a movie coming out where he has a lead role. The feature on UPN 33 was called All Access: Kurt Angle as the channel promoted a similar segment with Triple H that will be forthcoming.

2/14/2006

* It was announced on tonight’s edition of RAW in Greensboro, NC that former WWE superstar Bret “Hit Man” Hart will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 1, 2006 during WrestleMania 22 weekend.

For months now WWE had planned on making Bret Hart and Eddie Guerrero “star inductees” into their Hall of Fame. However, given Hart’s less than perfect past with WWE many were pessimistic that he would not accept the honor.

Apparently after a series of meetings with WWE officials Hart has agreed to take his place in WWE history by being inducted into the Hall of Fame.

2/17/2006

* Ohio Valley Wrestling wrestler CM Punk has been receiving heat from other wrestlers for working the Ring of Honor show this weekend. Those backstage disapproves Punk’s attitude, and with working an indy event, it did nothing to help his reputation. WWE management allowed Punk to work the event, but it is not a move wrestlers backstage approve.

CM Punk is expected to graduate from Ohio Valley Wrestling and begin working for the SmackDown! brand later this year. Management had an idea of having Punk and Matt Hardy becoming tag team partners, but that idea was nixed.

Those affiliated with Ring of Honor are saying that CM Punk was offered a deal prior to signing with WWE that would have paid him much more than what he gets from Ohio Valley Wrestling.

2/19/2006

* Bret Hart finalized the deal to be inducted into WWE’s Hall Of Fame on February 6, 2006. Hart has stated in the past that he would never work for WWE again, due to what transpired at Survivor Series in 1997. He will not be paid for the appearance. WWE will be inducting him, and it is expected for Hart to give a speech. Bret will use this opportunity as his farewell to the company. It is unknown if he will have anything to do with the WrestleMania PPV and who would be inducting him.

When TNA heard of Bret Hart making an appearance at WWE’s Hall Of Fame, they contacted him to setup a meeting to prevent the appearance. A meeting was schedule but was canceled due to Jeff Jarrett having a family emergency. It was expected for TNA to offer Hart a major deal to prevent him from appearing for WWE.

2/20/2006

* Based on the current card for WWE’s tour of England, here is where some of the current storylines will be heading post-WrestleMania 22:

John Cena‘s feud with Triple H will continue.

Edge and Ric Flair‘s feud will continue.

If Shelton Benjamin becomes the Intercontinental Champion, he will begin a program with Rob Van Dam.

Mickie James will be working as a heel with Victoria and Candice.

Jamal will be moved to RAW’s main roster.

A triple threat match will take place at WrestleMania 22 featuring Kurt Angle, Randy Orton, and Rey Mysterio.

Chris Benoit will defend the United States title against Mark Henry.

MNM will still be the Tag Team Champions.

Giant Singh will be placed on SmackDown’s main roster and go under the name Dalip.

Chavo Guerrero will remain a face on RAW.

2/24/2006

* It appears likely that TNA and Samoa Joe have come to an agreement of a 2-3 year contract locking him up with the company. The deal has not been finalized as of yet, but is expected to be done shortly.

2/26/2006

* Former WWE wrestlers Christian Cage, Brother Ray, Brother Devon and Rhino, have formed a clique backstage at TNA events. They often dress different from the other wrestlers, but unlike most of the WWE cliques, the four are very friendly and social with others backstage.

2/27/2006

* With the quickly approaching arrival of WrestleMania 22, officials within WWE are discussing possible ways to re-introduce Jim Ross back onto television. The odd thing however is, that they don’t plan on Ross announcing but do feel he should have some sort of presence up until the show.

2/28/2006

* Scott Steiner is in negotiations with TNA about making an appearance for their Thursday night primetime debut on Spike TV. The talks between both sides are believed to be serious.

TNA is looking to work out a deal with up to five top “Monday Night Wars” era wrestlers who are not with WWE.

– Tune back in next week for the Dirt Sheet History edition of March 2006.

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

Past editions of Dirt Sheet History are found here.