• Wrestling News & Wrestling Rumors – WWE & TNA

- Press Release:
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. has named Jim Connelly as Senior Vice President, Consumer Products. Connelly will oversee WWE’s Global Licensing, Home Entertainment, Book and Magazine publishing. He will report directly to Donna Goldsmith, Chief Operating Officer.

Connelly spent nearly 25 years with the National Football League, where his last position was Managing Director of NFL Europe/NFL Europe League (EL). His responsibilities included all NFL business, brand, marketing, media, fan and player development initiatives in the UK and Europe including the launch of two new EL franchises.

- Press Release:
Canadian-based Cookie Jar Entertainment has lined up its first project under the new primetime label The Jar — an English-language version of the popular Mexican Lucha Libre AAA wrestling events.

Lucha Libre’s famed luchadores — including La Parka, Cibernetico, Mascarita Sagrada, Konnan, El Masias, U.S.-born Jack Evans, El Mesias and Dr. Wagner — will be featured on the next live tour slated to launch next year.

Cookie Jar will serve as the North American licensing agent and programming distributor for Lucha Libre USA and the Lucha Libre AAA league.

In addition to an English-language series, Cookie Jar, which hopes to tap into the North American wrestling market, will launch Lucha Libre AAA consumer products in 2010.

- Jim Ross is back with more JRSBARBQ.com blog thoughts. Here are the wrestling highlights:

On Ted DiBiase Sr:
“The Million Dollar Man, Ted DiBiase, came off as the shining star of the program in my view. MDM was a new face/voice and add a fresh element to the show that worked for me. Every weekly, episodic TV broadcast, including and especially a wrestling show needs “new” and DiBiase provided “new.” DiBiase’s promos felt natural and on point. Give the man some bullet points and turn him loose. Good, verbal stuff all night from Teddy….hey, I’ve known him since day one and I can call him Teddy if I choose. I saw the man wrestle Dick Murdoch and Ric Flair on Mid South Wrestling so back off, Jack!”

On Lilian:
“Lilian Garcia is reportedly, by her on admission, leaving soon to get married and perhaps start a family. I wish Lilian well, love her voice, and can’t wait for her “book” to come out. That last part was a joke.”

On Matt Hardy:
“Matt Hardy has had surgery according to Matt Hardy so I guess we won’t be seeing Matt on SD for a few weeks. Matt needs some good luck and a few main event ops. My advice to Matt is to rely on your instincts, Twitter your ass off while you are on the mend, come back with the mindset that no one is better, don’t date any more Divas, and do not use one, Dr. Heiney. I’m just saying.”

On Jerry Lawler:
“Jerry Lawler can’t be serious about running for Mayor of Memphis again. Can he? Why King Why? If Lawler becomes Mayor of Memphis and if somebody in Hollywood doesn’t produce a reality show on it or document King’s term for a feature length film someone is not paying attention. Just say no Jerry.”