• Wrestling News & Wrestling Rumors – WWE & TNA

- Technically if Gregory Helms did have a soma pill on his person when arrested and he didn’t have a prescription, it would fall under his second Wellness Policy offense, which carries a 60 day suspension.

He is being kept off TV, but it’s unsure if it’s an official suspension.

- Press Release:
A Renfrewshire-based company in Scotland has come under threat from US media giants after a global enterprise decided to use their name and tagline.

Global media giants World Wrestling Entertainment have recently announced their plans to launch WWE:NXT, the NXT Generation of wrestling. This has since been a cause for concern for Scottish promotion NXT Wrestling, a local company who risk getting squashed in favour of the multi-million dollar WWE headed by Vince McMahon.

NXT Wrestling was announced in 2006 and launched in 2007 as a way of giving young men with dreams their chance to break free from their lives and live for a few moments in the spotlight. NXT and it’s associated promotion the Scottish Wrestling Alliance have strived to bring quality family entertainment to towns and halls across the West of Scotland, culminating in the struggle to bring an ailing genre into the spotlight with events in Kelvin Hall, and has helped raise funds for charities including Torkhill Childrens Foundation.

When WWE announced their new brand as NXT, using the same tagline ‘NXT Generation’ and emphasis on developmental talent, staff and employee’s began to worry when they woke up to the new on Wednesday morning.

“We have had no direct contact from WWE regarding this matter but we welcome any conversation or resolution they would like to put forward.” Commented Peter Murphy, owner of the Scottish Wrestling Alliance.

“Everyone at the Scottish Wrestling Alliance is honoured that WWE have decided to name their latest product after SWA’s feeder programme, NXT. We would like to assure our fans that the original NXT is still leading the way for trainees in Scotland and the shows on 6th February, Spittal Community Centre, Rutherglen, 19th February, Bargarran Community Centre, Erskine, March 6th, Viewpark Community Centre, Uddingston and March 19th, Links Community Centre, Cumbernauld are all still due to go ahead as advertised.”

After long and careful planning, SWA:NXT made it’s debut in January 2007 as a promotion designed to showcase up and coming talent within Scotland in conjunction with SWA’s Area 52 wrestling school. In 2009 NXT Wrestling split from the Scottish Wrestling Alliance to stand on it’s own two feet, taking it’s own creative direction in September last year.

The goal within the company is to give younger talent an opportunity to showcase their abilities and get noticed. Several of our NXT talents over the years have gone on to work across the UK, gain international interest and win NWA Heavyweight championships. NXT promoted shows across the West of Scotland with our next event scheduled this weekend, February 6th in Rutherglen which features some fresh young talent who have risen through the ranks of their training facility and earned their place on the event.

- From Allison Bethurem:
I’m writing on behalf of Harpo Productions to let you know that on Friday, February 5, The Oprah Show is LIVE in Chicago.

Actor Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson makes his Oprah Show debut to talk about his life in the WWE and after. Then,everybody’s talking about the jaw-dropper at the Grammy Awards! On Friday, music superstar Pink is here with another show-stopping performance! Plus, one of Oprah’s favorite cooks, Cristina Ferrare, reveals her best game day recipes for Sunday.

Check local listing for the time the episode air. Please let me know if you have any questions or would like additional information.

Thanks so much!

- Press Release:
WWE Studios, the theatrical arm of World Wrestling Entertainment, is holding open casting calls in Los Angeles this Saturday, Feb. 6 and in New York, Feb. 7, to find a young male actor to fill the title role in its upcoming film, tentatively titled, “Big Red.”

Set against the backdrop of the mid-’60s, “Big Red” is a family-friendly, coming-of-age story which follows 12-year-old Andy Nichol, a bright student who avoids anything that might bring him ridicule or attention. When Andy’s English teacher, Mr. Simon, teams him on a project with the school’s biggest outcast and social pariah, Stanley (aka “Big Red”), Mr. Simon unleashes a series of events that changes the lives of both young men forever.

Aspiring actors for the role of Stanley/”Big Red” must be young males between 13 and 16 years old, at least five-feet, eight-inches tall with red or light-colored hair. Applicants who do not meet the criteria will not be admitted to the audition.

Executive Vice President of WWE Studios, Mike Pavone, describes the character as “being very thoughtful and older than his years with a very soulful and peaceful quality about him.”

The film will begin production in New Orleans at the end of February for four weeks.

Casting Call Details

Los Angeles
The open casting call will take place in Los Angeles on Saturday, Feb. 6 from 10 a.m. -5 p.m. at Sunset Gower Studios, 1438 North Gower Street, Bldg. 35, Suite 270 (Street parking only; entrance on Gower St.).

New York
The open casting call in New York will be on Sunday, Feb. 7 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 330 West 38th Street, Suite 170 (between 8 and 9th Avenues).