MICHELLE OBAMA IN WWE HEAD-QUARTERS

World Wrestling Entertainment issued the following press release Friday announcing that Vince McMahon has extended an invitation to First Lady Michelle Obama to visit the company’s corporate headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut while she is in town this Monday.

WWE® Invites First Lady Michelle Obama to Visit Headquarters

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (WWE) today announced that CEO and Chairman Vince McMahon has extended an invitation to First Lady Michelle Obama for this Monday, October 18 while she is in town, to visit the company’s corporate headquarters in Stamford, CT, and discuss WWE’s corporate outreach initiatives. These programs include outreach to at-risk youth, support for military troops and their families and partnerships with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, Muscular Dystrophy Association, The Young Adult Library Services Association and others.

“Given President Obama’s previous appearance on ‘Monday Night Raw’, and WWE’s dedication to giving back to the community we welcome the opportunity to speak candidly with the First Lady and educate her about WWE’s initiatives that focus on children and families,” said Vince McMahon, WWE CEO and Chairman. “We hope to learn more from the First Lady about the important initiatives she is leading.”

WWE DEVELOPMENTAL CORRECTION

 It was reported this week that Ron Myers, a WWE developmental wrestler recently added to Florida Championship Wrestling’s roster page, previously wrestled in the promotion as Kris Logan. This is incorrect as Myers is a different wrestler. He is actually Ron Price, a Northeast-based wrestler the company signed earlier this year to a developmental contract.

JEFF HARDY BLASTS ON WWE

During an interview with the Daily Star, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy railed World Wrestling Entertainment for their treatment of his brother Matt.

“I’m not going to give WWE their props for the way they’ve dealt with Matt. He is such a giving talent, ready to do anything for them, and he’s been given the run-around. They’ve treated him like sh*t.

“I think if he came here, you would see the happiest, most dangerous and exciting Matt Hardy you’ve ever seen. I hope that they let him leave and he shows up here any day now.”

WWE REMOVED MICK FOLEY AND MICKIE JAMES FROM ALUMNI

The official WWE website has removed both Mick Foley and Mickie James from its Alumni site. Foley was recently added back to the section while James debuted last week for TNA Wrestling. It is company protocol to remove former WWE performers who appear for the rival promotion.

TRIPLE H RETURNING AT FAN APPRECIATION

 WWE has announced that Triple H will return for “one night only” at the Fan Appreciation and Supershow event on October 30th in Hartford, Connecticut. The updated listing for the event doesn’t specify if The Game will be wrestling or just appearing.

Matches announced for the event include Kane vs. Big Show vs. Undertaker for the World Title, Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett for the WWE Title, Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio and a 16-man battle royal with the winner facing Dolph Ziggler for the Intercontinental Title.

UPDATE ON BRAGGING RIGHTS PPV

The official WWE website announced following SmackDown that Kane will defend the World Heavyweight Championship against The Undertaker in a Buried Alive Match at Bragging Rights.

Friday’s show saw Team SmackDown assembled as Rey Mysterio, Jack Swagger, Alberto Del Rio, Edge, Kofi Kingston and the returning Tyler Reks all win their respective qualifying matches. They will be joining Big Show for the WWE Bragging Rights Tag Team Match

UPDATE ON WWE HALL OF FAME

Among those discussed this past week for induction into the 2011 WWE Hall of Fame were Bill Goldberg, Lex Luger and Ron Simmons.


Also under consideration for induction into the Hall is that of the Four Horsemen. Company officials would prefer to induct the group as opposed to solely Arn Anderson. However, the group’s induction will likely hinge on whether Ric Flair re-signs with TNA Wrestling once his current contract expires early next year. WWE also has strong interest in inducting Sting into the Hall of Fame, though his availability hinges on whether he re-signs with TNA Wrestling for 2011.

BATISTA'S FUTURE WITH WWE AND CAREER

Batista told Dave Meltzer of The Wrestling Observer at the recent Strikeforce event that he had not given up on his MMA career. Batista said he would not rule out WWE in the future but right now he is focusing on his acting career.


The former World Champion noted that he’s working on a movie in a few weeks and is in talks for a major movie role that would be a big boost to his career. If that deal works out, the movie would begin filming around Christmas time.


Batista has met with Strikeforce four times and they still haven’t reached a deal, mostly because of financial issues. Batista is interested in a multi-fight deal and feels he could be ready for a fight by March. He realizes that he needs to fight soon if he’s going to do it because he turns 42 in January.


Batista is interested in three fights with Strikeforce with one being a tune-up fight, the second being against someone like Bobby Lashley and if he is victorious in that fight, the third fight would be against a bigger name on pay-per-view. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker wants to put together a Lashley vs. Batista pay-per-view match and then go from there on more fights with Batista.


He also said that TNA made him some good offers but if he is going to return to pro wrestling, it will be with WWE.

WWE RELEASES MATT HARDY

WWE announced today that Matt Hardy has been officially released from the company. Their statement reads:


“WWE has come to terms on the release of Matt Hardy, effective as of October 15, 2010. WWE wishes Matt Hardy the best in his future endeavors.:


WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross commented on the situation, writing on Twitter:


“WWE has come to terms on the release of Matt Hardy. Know no details just that fact. Good luck to Matt. Probably best 4 all involved.”

WWE STARS FRUSTRATED WITH CURRENT PRODUCT

Several WWE stars have privately indicated in recent weeks that they are contemplating leaving the organization—and the wrestling business altogether—once their current contracts expire.


Edge, who’s current deal with World Wrestling Entertainment expires in two years, has been telling people that he may retire from the wrestling industry once it concludes.


One company insider noted to Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer that four other WWE stars have stated in recent weeks that they’ve completely lost their passion for wrestling, to such a degree that they vow to leave the business altogether once their contracts expire.


A fifth wrestler claims he will leave WWE once his current deal runs out, but will continue wrestling elsewhere.

UNDERTAKER VS SHEAMUS BOOKED FOR LIVE EVENTS

 The Undertaker vs. Sheamus is advertised to take place at two live events in December; at the Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nev. on the 4th and at the Citizens Business Bank Arena in Ontario, Calif. on the 5th. Also advertised for the Ontario show is Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett and Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio.

EVAN BOURNE INJURY UPDATE

Evan Bourne said this morning on Twitter that he underwent (shoulder) surgery Tuesday and is “already on the road to recovery.” Bourne is expected to be sidelined for the rest of the year while he recovers from surgery. He was written off television on Monday’s RAW as a result of CM Punk’s attack on him following their match.