WWE and had a court conference yesterday in regard to the lawsuit TNA has filed against over confidential information former employee Brian Wittenstein allegedly provided to WWE. As noted on PWInsider.com last week, the conference was requested by WWE, who told the court that the deadlines set by the court for expedited discovery put them into a position where "they will be unable to adequately prepare" themselves for a planned 6/11 hearing. WWE also claimed they would not be able to comply with the "without considerable inconvenience and expense".
At yesterday's hearing, WWE filed an affidavit showing they were compliant with the temporary restraining order the court filed against the company, forcing them to return, unaltered, any materials that had been provided to them by Wittenstein. Over the course of their statement, the timeline of how this lawsuit came to be became clear - with WWE naming who Wittenstein gave the information, when he was let go and when TNA was contacted.
According to WWE's statement, the company fired Wittenstein on 4/27 after they became aware that Wittenstein "had provided" WWE's John with a CD and a printout of confidential TNA information that Wittenstein had claimed he had from his time working for TNA. After being given the information, Laurinaitis informed WWE's in-house legal team about the matter. WWE noted that Wittenstein was specifically let go due to their concerns that he had "improperly obtained information" from his time employed with TNA and that Laurinaitis did not copy or keep the information.
WWE noted that when Wittenstein was advised he was being let go, WWE took back his company-issued laptop and blackberry. Subsequent searches handled by WWE's IT department showed no evidence that copies of the TNA material were on Wittenstein's computer or blackberry after WWE took possession of the material.
WWE also stated that searches of their email system and in-house servers showed no proof that Wittenstein had emailed the material to anyone else working for WWE. They noted that email boxes of 27 employees working in the and creative writing departments were searched. WWE claims that they only had the materials Wittenstein had physically handed the company, not additional copies held electronically on their network.
In their lawsuit filing, TNA had claimed that WWE waited several weeks before contacting them. WWE's timeline is a little different. In their filing yesterday, WWE stated that Wittenstein was let go on 4/27, "On or around" 5/3, WWE's General Counsel called TNA's Director of Talent Relations, Bruce to inform him of the situation. Prichard referred WWE to TNA's General Counsel, Crede Williams. WWE claimed messages were left several times for Crede between 5/4 and 5/7 before he returned their calls. When he did, Williams asked WWE to send the material to him. WWE did so via Express Mail on 5/8, TNA received the material on 5/9. The lawsuit was filed on 5/23.
WWE noted that after the lawsuit was filed, they again conducted a search of all their servers and files and again, none of the TNA material was found. WWE noted that due to the extensive searches they had conducted, TNA has a "lack of basis for believing WWE has any of their material" and that it would not be appropriate for TNA to be able to search the company's Microsoft Exchange Server due to their own concerns for WWE intellectual property landing in the hands of TNA personell.
WWE noted that searches of John Laurinaitis' email server account as well as his laptop turned up no evidence that he was still in possession of the material. They noted that while they could hand over the laptops and blackberries used by Witteinstein and John Laurinaitis, they are password protected and could not be opened by others outside of WWE.
WWE also stated that due to the sheer size of their servers, (they have six working together) it would be physically impossible to transport them to Nashville to be examined.
So where does this all leave the case? The court noted that due to WWE having tours set up before the lawsuit was filed, the planned 6/11 hearing was being continued indefinetly to allow the two sides to work out their scheduling when it comes to the Discovery process of the lawsuit, including WWE's claims that they don't have any of TNA's material. The two sides will have to report to the court as they make headway.In the case of Wittenstein vs. TNA, there are no changes.
It was noted that Wittenstein still has yet to be officially served with the lawsuit, although TNA has been in contact with a lawyer that is representing Wittenstein. The restraining order against him, demanding that Wittenstein return all confidential TNA materials as is and to not alter or destroy them was held up. There will be a new hearing on 7/12 for Wittenstein regarding the restraining order. He has until 6/11 to file opposition or ask for an extension in time.
GREENVILLE, S.C. All eyes were on John Cena as Michael Cole kicked off Raw SuperShow by interviewing the Cenation leader. Cena pulled no punches while discussing Big Show, his No Way Out opponent, but it was his convincing performance against Tensai and humiliation of Cole that had Cenation members elated by the end of the night. Also on Raw, things got even stranger between WWE Champion CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and Kane, courtesy of the seemingly unbalanced AJ.
John Cena chose Michael Cole as his opponent for tonight's Raw John Cena got a loud ovation from the Greenville crowd following his one-week absence from Raw. Michael Cole started the one-on-one interview with Cena by reminding him of Big Show's path of destruction, claiming the attacks could have been prevented if the Cenation leader "did the right thing" and stuck up for The World's Largest Athlete when he was fired. (PHOTOS)
Cena vehemently defended himself and said he didn't regret fighting fire with fire by trying to embarrass General Manager John Laurinaitis in the ring at WWE Over the Limit. The Cenation leader then ripped Big Show, saying he took the easy way out and "turned his back" on the WWE Universe. Cole wondered if Cena is simply jealous of The World's Largest Athlete and called the 10-time WWE Champion "overrated."
Laurinaitis, riding aboard his "People Power" scooter, came out and told Cena that he's granting him the privilege of choosing his opponent, but that Big Show wasn't present at tonight's SuperShow, due to a contractual stipulation that gives him selective nights off. The GM of Raw and SmackDown also reminded Cena that he is officially retired from one-on-one singles competition, so "Mr. Excitement" is not an option for a match.
Since Big Show and Laurinaitis were crossed off the list of opponents, Cena selected the very man who just ripped him moments ago: Michael Cole. Members of the WWE Universe cheered Cena's pick as Cole pleaded with Big Johnny to intervene to no avail.
World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus def. Dolph Ziggler
Sheamus took the early advantage of this matchup, hitting a nice rolling senton on Dolph Ziggler, but a timely distraction from Vickie Guerrero on the outside swung the momentum in Ziggler's favor. The Showoff tried to wear down his much larger opponent with kicks to the midsection before nearly getting a three-count with a top-rope leg drop to the back of Sheamus' head. Finding his second wind, The Great White nailed Ziggler with White Noise out of nowhere and planted him in the face with a huge Brogue Kick for the win. (PHOTOS | VIDEO)
As Sheamus celebrated his victory on top of the stage, Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez ambushed The Celtic Warrior from behind. With Sheamus hanging off the stage, Del Rio locked on an excruciating Cross Armbreaker while Rodriguez cheered him on. The Mexican Aristocrat is clearly doing whatever it takes to weaken the World Heavyweight Champion weeks before their No Way Out clash.
Sin Cara def. Hunico
Mr. McMahon will return to Raw next week to evaluate GM John Laurinaitis David Otunga had some potential bad news for his boss, as reported right here on WWE.com. Laurinaitis learned that Mr. McMahon will return to Raw next week to evaluate his performance as General Manager of Raw and SmackDown. Will Laurinaitis pass his evaluation with flying colors? Or does the Chairman have some harsh words or major discipline planned for Big Johnny? Tune in to Raw SuperShow next Monday at a special start time of 8/7 CT to find out. (VIDEO)
Sin Cara def. Hunico The sensational Sin Cara is showing he hasn't lost a step after batting back from a serious knee injury. Using a dazzling assortment of high-risk maneuvers, Sin Cara made quick work of Hunico and even took out Camacho when he tried to interfere with a fierce dropkick. (PHOTOS | VIDEO)
Ryback def. Stan Stansky and Arthur Rosenberg in his Raw debut
Ryback's first-ever Raw match could only be described as simply monstrous. Ryback tossed Stan Stansky and Arthur Rosenberg around like sacks of potatoes before unleashing a wicked double clothesline that sent both men flying. The dominant Superstar then picked up the helpless local athletes onto his back and delivered a vicious double Shell Shocked for the win. (PHOTOS | VIDEO)
Kane def. WWE Champion CM Punk in a Non-Title Match
After WWE Champion CM Punk made his entrance, Daniel Bryan came out for a little question and answer time, with Bryan supplying "Yes!" responses to inquiries like "Am I going to be the WWE Champion in the Triple Threat Match at No Way Out?" Bryan then took a seat ringside to watch the battle between his two No Way Out opponents. (PHOTOS | VIDEO)
Punk quickly took his match against Kane to the outside before going high risk with a double axe handle and a flying crossbody. The Big Red Monster replied by delivering kicks to Punk's midsection and dropped multiple splashes on him using the full force of his weight.
Kane tried to climb to the top rope, but Punk rocked The Big Red Machine with a running knee to the chin and followed with a bulldog and a clothesline off the top rope. None of it could keep Kane down for good. The Devil's Favorite Demon even kicked out following a flying elbow drop from Punk.
With both Superstars down on the canvas and weary, AJ ran out and jumped on to the apron. As Bryan berated AJ for trying to interfere, Punk leapt onto the submission specialist, and was promptly caught by a decisive chokeslam by Kane when he got back in the ring. While AJ tended to the defeated WWE Champion, The Big Red Monster turned his gaze to the Diva. Surprisingly, Bryan entered the ring to stop Kane from potentially harming AJ. After Kane tossed Bryan out of the ring, he locked eyes with AJ, which elicited a twisted smile from The Geek Goddess.
Does Bryan still have a soft spot for AJ? And why was AJ smiling when The Big Red Machine stared her down?
Backstage, when questioned about the intriguing look she gave Kane, AJ told Josh Mathews that she likes it "when men look at her" during an odd exchange that made the commentator very uncomfortable. (VIDEO)
WWE Tag Team Champions R-Truth & Kofi Kingston def. Tyler Reks & Curt Hawkins
Getting on Laurinaitis' good side has paid off for Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins. The duo, sporting "People Power" T-shirts, got a big opportunity against a still ailing R-Truth & Kofi Kingston.
Despite their injuries, however, the WWE Champions were able to unleash an aerial assault and hold off Reks and Hawkins. (PHOTOS | VIDEO)
John Cena def. Tensai, embarrassed Michael Cole
Before the match, Laurinaitis announced that Cena vs. Cole would be a No Disqualification Match, only provided that Cena could defeat Tensai first. It was music to Michael Cole's ears, but the announcer still looked mighty anxious as he repeatedly urged the Japanese warrior to inflict more and more punishment on Cena. Tensai complied by slamming the Cenation leader into the announce table and steel ring steps as Cole taunted Cena the entire time (and even slapped him across the face).
Battered and bruised by Tensai's relentless attack, Cena somehow found the energy to rally back, feeding off the energy of the enthusiastic crowd. The 10-time WWE Champion kept Tensai reeling with a Five-Knuckle Shuffle and followed with an awesome Attitude Adjustment for the 1-2-3. (PHOTOS | VIDEO)
Cena took a moment to soak in his very first win over the previously undefeated Tensai, but his night wasn't through yet. Next up was Cole, who tried to make peace with Cena before changing his tune and verbally lambasting the Cenation leader. Talk about a bad move. Cena stripped the pants off the polarizing announcer and stomped him where the sun don't shine. After laying into Cole repeatedly with slaps that echoed throughout the arena, Cena forced Cole to apologize to both Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross for belittling them.
Cena wasn't finished there not by a long shot. He proceeded to coat Cole with bottles of JR's barbecue sauce and sprayed him all over with a fire extinguisher. But Tensai came back into the ring and saved Cole from more abuse by planting Cena with a sitdown powerbomb.
Sensing an opportunity to pull off a massive upset, Cole made the cover but was only able to get a two-count on Cena. After surviving the close call, Cena powered back, pinned Cole and humiliated him some more to the delight of the WWE Universe as the show came to a close. (PHOTOS | VIDEO)
Main Event Announced For This Weeks Impact Wrestling
The main event of this Thursday's Impact will feature TNA champion Bobby Roode & TNA Tag Team champions Daniels & Kazarian vs. Sting & AJ Styles & Kurt Angle.
TNA President Dixie Carter will also address the end of Impact last week where a phone conversation between Carter and Styles was played by Daniels and Kazarian.
Justin Gabriel confirmed on his Twitter that he and Tyson Kidd are still planned to team together. Kidd responded and said he was looking forward to it and that their run together will be fun.
TNA Knockout Refutes Claims That Chris Sabin Is Leaving TNA
TNA Knockout Velvet Sky noted on her twitter account that her boyfriend and one half of the former Motor City Machineguns, Chris Sabin is not leaving TNA as some rumors reported yesterday. Sky answered a fans question with a resounding 'NO'.
update: Velvet sky posted a new tweet about the rumors. People, Chris Sabin is NOT, I repeat, NOT leaving TNA! I'M getting lots of those questions. Please stop believing everything u read.
Chris Sabin has plans to follow former Motor City Machine Guns mate Alex Shelley out the door.
The four-time X Division Champion has told friends that he plans on leaving TNA Wrestling when his contract expires in August. Keep in mind that a lot can change between now and August but he's leaning torwads leaving as of this writing.
On May 21, it was reported that Shelley had opted not to renew his TNA Wrestling contract, thus ending his eight-year tenure with the organization.
- Regarding TMZ's report on John Cena's $100,000 lien on his home, it should be noted that Cena is not broke. This $100,000 lien and the $15,000 lien from earlier this year likely comes from someone close to him, a family member or his wife perhaps, just not staying on top of bills and getting everything paid. The odds that the face of WWE is broke are very slim.
Report on Alex Shelley Negotiating with WWE Posted by Steve Carrier on 06/03/2012 at 10:54 AM
- SuperLuchas.net out of Mexico reports that Alex Shelley was never actually contacted directly by WWE officials. A friend of Shelley's who currently wrestles for WWE was the one who let Shelley know that WWE was interested in bringing him in.
Shelley reportedly wants to take a few weeks off to relax and then officially begin negotiating with WWE. SuperLucha's source reports that Shelley is concerned about being sent to Florida Championship Wrestling and wants to go straight to WWE's main roster.
Two Wrestlers Test Positive For Substances Posted by Steve Carrier on 06/02/2012 at 04:58 PM
SuperLuchas.net reports Cody Rhodes recently tested positive on a drug test for a banned substance but was cleared after providing a valid prescription from a licensed and treating physician.
Prior to being cleared, it would appear that Rhodes believed he was facing suspension. The day after dropping the Intercontinental Championship to Christian at Over the Limit, he cryptically wrote on Twitter: "Time off." He appeared at the following day's SmackDown taping in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and all SmackDown shows since then.
The website also reports that another WWE performer whose name has not been disclosed recently had a positive drug test and will be suspended if a valid prescription is not produced.
WWE announced Wednesday that Randy Orton had been suspended for 60 days for his second violation of the company's Talent Wellness Program. SuperLuchas.net reports the suspension stems from a positive drug test for the anabolic steroid Dianabol, which is banned by the United States Congress under its Controlled Substances Act. He also reportedly tested positive for marijuana, which is subject to a $2,500 fine.
What Caused Orton to Violate WWE Wellness Policy Posted by Steve Carrier on 06/02/2012 at 10:12 AM
Super Luchas Magazine (http://superluchas.net), a usually reputable magazine from Mexico, reports that Randy Orton violated the WWE Wellness Policy after testing positive for Dianabol and marijuana.
Marijuana isn't punishable by suspension in WWE, just a $2,500 fine. The report states that Orton tested positive for marijuana, was fined and then tested again for other substances where he tested positive for use of Dianabol. Dianabol (methandrostenolone) is an orally-effective anabolic steroid. Dianabol was commonly used by bodybuilders until Congress banned it under the Controlled Substances Act.
There is no confirmation to this rumor yet so take it for what it's worth.
* Sheamus came out to talk about Alberto Del Rio, but David Otunga interrupted him. Otunga wanted Sheamus to apologize for barreling over John Laurinaitis two weeks ago on Raw. Sheamus wouldn't apologize. Alberto Del Rio came out, and Otunga said he could pick Sheamus's opponent for tonight. Sheamus gave Otunga a Brogue Kick, and Del Rio ran away.
* Sin Cara def. Heath Slater.
* Damien Sandow def. Ezekiel Jackson. Sandow wasn't going to do the match, but Jackson threw him into the ring.
* Ryback def. two local wrestlers.
* Sheamus def. Dolph Ziggler in a non-title match. Del Rio chose Ziggler as Sheamus's opponent after Ziggler asked to be it.
* Santino Marella and Zack Ryder def. Titus O'Neil and Darren Young. Big Show came out and destroyed both Ryder and Marella after the match.
* Cody Rhodes def. Tyson Kidd.
* CM Punk def. Kane via DQ in a WWE Championship match. Daniel Bryan ran out to cause the DQ. Kane chokeslammed them both. John Laurinaitis came out after and announced a triple threat WWE Title match for No Way Out. Bryan and Punk were in the ring with AJ, and she left without either of them. Bryan slapped Punk, and Punk gave him the GTS.
Press Release: TNA Announces Hall Of Fame - First Inductee Announced At Slammiversary
Quote
TNA IMPACT WRESTLING ANNOUNCES TNA HALL OF FAME WITH FIRST INDUCTEE TO BE ANNOUNCED AT SLAMMIVERSARY ON JUNE 10
TNA IMPACT WRESTLING announced the beginning of a TNA Hall of Fame with the first inductee to be announced at this years 10th Anniversary celebration, Slammiversary in Arlington, Texas.
TNA President Dixie Carter announced the news as part of the first live IMPACT WRESTLING event of the summer from Universal Studios.
This is TNAs chance to recognize the great contributions of the people who gave so much to make this 10-year anniversary possible.
This 10 year milestone is an incredible achievement for TNA, stated TNA President Dixie Carter. In honor of that, we felt it was time to begin recognizing the contributions of those who have made the greatest impact on our success."
TNA Wrestling was founded in Nashville in the summer of 2002 and this June marks the 10th year anniversary. The internationally televised Slammiversary pay-per-view event will be one of the biggest nights in TNAs history.
The annual live, anniversary pay-per-view extravaganza is scheduled for Sunday night, June 10, at The College Park Center in Arlington. Limited tickets for Slammiversary are still available at UTACollegePark.com and The College Park Arena box office.
Joey Ryan Not Happy; Reaches Out To WWE Posted by Andy Steven on 06/01/2012 at 06:41 PM
Joey Ryan posted the following on his Twitter, following his TNA Gutcheck angle on last night's IMPACT. He reaches out to WWE's John Laurinaitis:
"What a joke. @IMPACTWRESTLING is pathetic. I'm not good enough for your company? C'mon @TNADixie really? You make me laugh! HAHAHAHAHAHAHA! Don't bring me in just for your NO agenda. It's not my fault that Flair went into business for himself so why am I being punished?! Pritchard, @TheRealAlSnow & @OfficialTaz know that a NO is ridiculous. They know I'm money. I dare Tazz to say something to my face now. Somebody tell Johnny Ace he can reach me at joeyryan@hotmail.com - I know he's not stupid enough to turn down money."
Jillian Hall Addresses Arrest Mug Shot Posted by Steve Carrier on 05/31/2012 at 04:39 PM
Former WWE performer Jillian Hall has addressed her arrest last month for domestic assault in Orange County, Florida.
After news of her run-in with the law on April 23 hit news outlets Tuesday, she wrote on Twitter, "If you only knew.... Btw, smart marks, my name is Hall, not Fletcher.."
Jailbase.com published her mug shot stemming from the arrest, which featured the former WWE Diva sans make-up. In response to criticism of her unflattering appearance in the photograph, Hall wrote, "Hmmm, so people r suppose to look good when they've been crying for hours? No one knows my story.. No one!!"
Hall is also poking fun at the matter as she set her Twitter profile picture to an image of herself pretending to surrender to The Simpsons police character Chief Clancy Wiggum.
The one-time WWE Divas Champion acknowledged last week on the micro-blogging site that she had separated from her husband of two years, Mike Farole.
Randy Orton Update: Missing PPVs, Removed & More Posted by Andy Steven on 05/31/2012 at 01:53 PM
- Randy Ortons's 60 day suspension for his second violation of the WWE Wellness Policy goes into full effect today. This means the suspension will end as of midnight on Sunday, July 29th. Causing Orton to miss June 17's No Way Out pay-per-view and July 29's Money In The Bank pay-per-view. The first televised event he will be eligible to return to, will be on the July 30 RAW Supershow from Cincinnati, OH.
- TNA president Dixie Carter announced on the Impact Wrestling television show that the company will name the first member of its Hall of Fame at Slammiversary X. Dixie's Hall of Fame announcement wasn't told to the locker room ahead of time.
Ik ben Boon Kenneth, en gebruik soms ook wel de schuilnaam Sting.
Ik ben een man en woon in Dworp (Belgie) en mijn beroep is .
Ik ben geboren op 05/06/1989 en ben nu dus 34 jaar jong.
Mijn hobby's zijn: Worstelen en films.
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Joey Ryan Not Happy; Reaches Out To WWE
