- WWE has released three superstars today. The first is Gregory Helms, which seems to be stemming from his intoxication arrest and the subsequent finding of a soma pill, the second is Diva Maria (who plans to pursue a music career) and the third is Paul Burchill, who has never seemed to make it past jobber status, having several gimmicks over the years.

All were given the “future endeavors” departure on the WWE website.

Maria posted the following statement:
“Alright guys let’s talk. I did not ask for my release. I was released. I am still going to kick ass in other areas!! I am excited about the future! But I am sad about never getting the Championship. I am sad about not getting the chance to go to Wrestlemania again. Passion is my Motivation! Time to Sing! Time to work for Charity! Time to Dance! Time to be Alive again! Much love to my FANS, my FAMILY, the DIVAS, and my FRIENDS! There is a bright new future when one door closes another opens! Bring on the Doors! Spanks and Kisses.”

There is likely to be more cuts after Wrestlemania.

- Ric Flair turned 61 years old yesterday but it is unsure if he did any major celebrating, considering he only just got out of hospital after being assaulted by his wife.

- From Shad Gaspard’s Myspace:
“It has been brought to my attention that there is an article about me for an interview that I did several months ago, that was supervised by the WWE. The interviewer was very cool but for some reason, has decided to take some of the comments I made out of context, and not use our full conversation. At the time of the interview, we were laughing and joking and having a good time. But now, several months later, because of all the press for Conan, he has made me sound ignorant and uneducated by excluding parts of the conversation. This is a common tool of the media. I myself enjoy WWE programming, but at the same time, sometimes find myself disagreeing with the direction things go. Nonetheless, I always understand that there is a bigger picture than what I see in front of me. As a whole, WWE has taken great strides in preserving our PG rating, and has achieved much success, seeing as our ratings have gone up and our viewership has as well. If this story were worthwhile and creditable, he would have put it out several months ago. ….”

- Thanks to Nick Noel:
In an interview with The Wichita Eagle today, Mickie James commented on the recent angle that WWE did where they had Michelle McCool and Layla mock her weight gain.

In it she said, “Everyone was probably picked on at some point in their lives so it really touches people’s heartstrings. Everyone knows how that feels or can relate to that in some way. People can become involved in that because they can feel it.”