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More On Why WWE Fired Long Time Executive

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As noted earlier, the official MLW Twitter account reported last night that WWE has fired Executive Vice President of Content Lisa Fox Lee. Lee has been with WWE since 1995 and was part of the Stephanie McMahon regime.

This past January, Lee was promoted to Executive Vice President of Content and reported directly to Vince McMahon. She was put in charge of overseeing the development and distribution of WWE programming across all platforms, as well as overseeing WWE’s creative team. The word I received was that Lee was let go because she basically checked out after being promoted.

Before she was promoted, she held roles in television production, programming, business strategy and sponsorship sales.

Madusa Talks Reconciling With Vince McMahon, Current Relationship With WWE And More

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As has been reported, the annual “Where Are They Now?” issue of Sports Illustrated currently out on newsstands features an in-depth look at WWE, as well as stories on Rikishi, Tito Santana, and Debrah Miceli (also known as Alundra Blayze and Madusa). SI.com has published its story on Miceli, where she talks about crossing paths with Vince McMahon for the first time in 20 years last March.

In December 1995, WWE—then known as the World Wrestling Federation (WWF)—opted not to renew Miceli’s contract. She signed with WCW, and as part of an angle concocted by Eric Bischoff, showed up on a live episode of WCW Monday Nitro to throw the WWF Women’s Title belt into a trash can. After years of feeling like a pariah, she contemplated showing up at WWE’s headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut to return the belt, which she kept in her home safe. In January, Miceli received a phone call from a WWE executive informing her the company was inducting her into its Hall of Fame. During a run-through before the ceremony in San Jose, California, she met McMahon for the first time since leaving the sports-entertainment organization. They exchanged pleasantries before having an emotional embrace.

“We both just held each other and I squeezed him so tight,” Miceli says, who was told by McMahon that she could keep the belt. “I started getting emotional and kind of crying.”

During their hug, Miceli apologized to McMahon for what she did. The WWE Chairman and CEO told her that she was the kind of performer his company needs today.

“I think I almost fainted,” says Miceli.

In response to constant questions about dumping the WWF Women’s Championship belt in the trash on WCW Monday Nitro, Miceli’s inductor, Natalya, brought out a trash can during the ceremony. Miceli withdrew the belt, which she stressed was a good-looking “women’s wrestling belt,” and said it was finally “back home where it belongs.” She held the belt on her shoulder, and referred to herself as the reigning WWF Women’s Champion. Miceli told Sports Illustrated that she was taken aback by the warm reception she received that weekend.

“I never knew people felt this way,” Miceli says. “I always thought they hated me.” Even the younger generation? “I didn’t think they gave two s–ts.”

Miceli noted to Sports Illustrated that she signed a five-year contract with WWE that includes merchandise and personal appearances. Regarding this, she cryptically says, “It could be anything.”

Miceli has also stayed in touch with a handful of WWE’s current crop of women and has grown particularly fond of those in NXT. The group, headlined by NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks, Bayley, Becky Lynch and Charlotte, reminds her of time wrestling in Japan. She is optimistic they will shake things up in WWE.

“There’s gonna be a great, great change,” Miceli says. “Watch and see what happens. It’s gonna be wonderful.”

In addition to monster truck racing (her contract with Monster Jam expires at the end of the year and she is currently in negotiations for a new deal), Miceli is working on her doctorate in naturopathy and recently spent a month studying in the Bahamas to become a certified yoga instructor. She is also writing a book about her career.

“There’s something more coming,” Miceli says, who hopes her next chapter is her best yet. “I can feel it.”

Miceli also discusses her entry into professional wrestling, competing in Japan, facing bankruptcy in the early 1990s, being let go by WWE, infamously dumping the Women’s Title belt into a trash can, the tail end of her wrestling career in WCW, and of course, monster truck racing.

More On Bruno Sammartino Having Surgery Recently, How He’s Doing Now, WWE’s Dr. Joseph Maroon

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Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

We noted back in late June that WWE Hall of Famer Bruno Sammartino, who turns 80 in October, underwent back surgery after being hospitalized for a few weeks.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Bruno started feeling unsteady some on his legs while in San Jose for WrestleMania 31 this year. Bruno was walking in his home just over a month ago and his legs gave out, causing him to fall. Bruno got up but that week one leg ended up being swollen twice the size of the other leg. Bruno went to doctors and had several tests done but doctors wanted to operate on the leg. However, top WWE doctor Joseph Maroon, who has been a personal friend and physician of Bruno’s for years, wouldn’t let the other doctors operate on the leg because he found that the damage was in Bruno’s back.

Bruno was in and out of the hospital for a month before getting the “delicate back operation” from Maroon. Bruno has been out of the hospital for over a week and is said to be doing really well. Bruno is not using pain medication but it was noted that he’s not in too much pain. Bruno still walks with a walker and has been increasing the distance each day. He hopes to be walking on his own soon.

WWE Releases Roddy Piper From Legends Deal After Issues With Steve Austin

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According to PWInsider.com, Ric Flair revealed on a recent edition of his “Woo Nation” podcast that WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper has been released from his WWE Legends deal.

As noted, Piper’s podcast was recently removed from the PodcastOne line-up, and the reason for both his podcast removal and the loss of his WWE Legends deal is because of issues Piper recently had with Steve Austin.

Updated Card For Saturday’s WWE ‘The Beast In The East’ Special

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With Tamina Snuka replacing Naomi, below is the updated card for Saturday’s “The Beast In The East” live WWE Network special from Tokyo, Japan.

NXT Title Match
Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens

WWE Divas Title Match
Tamina Snuka vs. Paige vs. Nikki Bella

Kofi Kingston vs. Brock Lesnar

Kane and King Barrett vs. Dolph Ziggler and John Cena

Neville vs. Chris Jericho

The New Day vs. The Lucha Dragons

Cesaro vs. Diego

Appearances by Hideo Itami and WWE Hall of Famer Tatsumi Fujinami

WWE Live Event Results From Tokyo (7/3): Finn Balor Vs. Chris Jericho, Kevin Owens, Divas, More

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– Thanks to Col. Richardson for the following WWE live event results from today’s show in Tokyo, Japan:

* Neville defeated Kofi Kingston

* Cesaro defeated King Barrett

* The Lucha Dragons defeated Los Matadores and Big E & Xavier Woods to become the new #1 contenders

* Dolph Ziggler defeated Kane in a Street Fight

* Nikki Bella retained her Divas Championship over Tamina Snuka

* Finn Balor defeated Chris Jericho in the match of the night. This was amazing, worth the price of admission alone

* John Cena defeated Kevin Owens by DQ after a low blow. Cena came back and put Owens down to close the show but damn if Owens didn’t carry the main event

Vito Lograsso Releases Statement On His ‘Concussion Lawsuit’ Against WWE

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Source: PWInsider

Former WWE Superstar Vito LoGrasso released the following statement about his “concussion lawsuit” against WWE:

My thoughts for today. You know people, when you dont walk my shoes, how would you know what is right and what is wrong? Have you ever done something so demanding that you don’t know how things will end up?
As for today’s suprise, you have a lot of people comparing and giving there opinions of lawsuits. Some are very valid, some are total nonsense.

Today, a lawsuit came across from a man who is no longer here. It’s been a long time since we heard the name. But, if it mattered when the person was alive, wouldn’t he have done it himself? Or was that person still dreaming of one more chance to do what he loves at any cost?

Sometimes, thinking with your heart and not your head can get you into something that isn’t right. This goes for life, relationships, and other beliefs you have. You stand your ground, your life, your thoughts. I am no one’s judge, neither is anyone else. But when people who have just an outsider’s view and scrutinize you and tag you in Facebook posts, mention your name, but dont have the manners to ask politely in private, what gives you the right to go into someone else’s life and judge? Make rude comments, talk behind your back. Whats better, it is my own friends, accuaintences, colleagues. I havent heard from my family, but if they too have something to say, then go right ahead.

Funny, last year, I had some good friends, like brothers, tight. Those same friends jest, make comments, mock me, needless to say, I haven’t heard from them in a long time. Best of all, it got back to me what you think and how you feel. Sad, hurtful.

But, if I see them, I got nothing to say. Just a hello, that’s it. When standing up for something then people join in, you see the right and wrong in it. Like I said, you never walked my shoes, how do you know?

You think you do, but your giving an estimated guess. You never made a living at it or only did it on weekends and home home to your family. How about living on the road and living it everyday? I doubt alot would give up all they have to be that person. Not for a month, but for Years.

Today people, it’s a time when the World has changed, not just in a Wrestling ring, but in everyday life. Today, if your gay, you can live it. How about a guy wearing a dress when it wasnt a time for it, and did it anyways? I could care less what you thought, I didn’t wait for anyone to break the barrier, I did it myself. My life, my views. Now, being gay in pro sports is acceptable on paper. Gay marriage, congrats. But if you’re the guy who steps forth and sets the tone, dosen’t that count for something?

My lawsuit, it has merit, and I am standing for not me, but a good cause that has been a fight for years. People who know me, know, I love what I did, I want to, but, one little mistake, I would be the fool. Just for all those who think they know me, I am not broke and destitute. Like many of you understanding friends, and fans think. I am Vito J. Lo Grasso, a self made man. I will say and do as I want in my life. No one owns me, or better yet, tells me how to feel, think, or go about my business in my life.

If I was an ass kisser, I would have been World Champ. I was not that guy. I am good with just knowing guys respected the hell out of me and when they saw the lineup board, they knew, it was work time. No joking, no playing, in shape and ready.

If you went to the office after a tuff match with me, hey, you can have your manhood back now, if you learned something, I am happy. If you’re the guy who b—–s and complains he isn’t on TV and a major star, I told you what to do, but you choose the easy way, thats why you’re still in the same spot you been in for over 10 years and better.

Life people, it’s a choice. My views and my life. Maybe there is a lesson here or maybe not. You see the changes in wrestling today, its a start, if guys have medical, a 401K, a retirement plan, better place to work….are we all aware that it’s been one way for years, I think its time for a change, don’t you?

My thoughts

~Vito J Lo Grasso.

Dana White Talks CM Punk’s Progress And When He’ll Fight, Gives Advice To Ken Shamrock

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TMZ recently spoke with UFC President Dana White, which you can check out in the video above. During the interview, White was asked about CM Punk’s progress.

“The respect that this guy has earned from his team, his coaches, he’s a dog” Dana said. “He actually just moved to Milwaukee so he can be closer to training and he’s committed to this thing. The guy’s an absolute stud and a joy to work with… He’s looking phenomenal.

“He can call me and when he’s ready to fight, he calls me and it’s on, man. I’m thinking early next year.”

Dana also had some advice for Ken Shamrock, who was knocked out by Kimbo Slice at Bellator 138 last month.

“I love Ken, Ken you’re 52. Man, it happens to us all, it’s time to hang it up.”

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