News del 22 Marzo quindi 2 giorni fa:
WRESTLEMANIA 24
If you visited this web site Monday, you know I was the first media person anywhere to confirm that Wrestlemania 24 in 2008 will be in Orlando.
Wednesday, I attended WWE's morning press conference at City Hall in Orlando. Let's get to the facts first:
Wrestlemania 24 will be March 30 at the Citrus Bowl. WWE expects 60,000 fans to pack the facility for the annual event.
The Orlando area will also get the annual Hall of Fame induction ceremony the night before (March 29) and a plethora of autograph signings and wrestler appearances. Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer mentioned the Bacon/Bagels and Biceps Brunch with the wrestlers and some charity events over a five-day period.
Dyer mentioned WWE's popularity when he said WWE.com gets 16 million hits per month, and over the next year, Orlando will be all over WWE programming. Dyer also said there would be $25 million generated in new direct spending. That's a lot of money to go around, folks.
After Dyer spoke, he introduced Vince McMahon.
'It's about time Florida hosted a Wrestlemania," McMahon said in a release. 'We could not be more excited about bringing Wrestlemania, the world's No. 1 sports entertainment event, to Orlando, the No. 1 tourist destination in the world.'
McMahon said at the press conference that 'you always want to go where you are welcomed.' He then said Dyer was the one who initiated this event six months ago, and that Dyer said, 'I have two words for you.' McMahon then, while smiling, said, 'No, not those two words,' before saying Dyer said, 'Orlando, Florida.'
'Wrestlemania is so different from anything anyone has ever produced," McMahon continued. 'You really owe it to yourself, once in your life, to go to a Wrestlemania. An outdoor event is something we haven't done in a very long time.'
Going back into the archives, WWE has only had one completely outdoor Wrestlemania. That was WM 9 in 1993 at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas.
After the press conference, I had a one-on-one with McMahon. Here's how that went:
I asked him if there was any concern about having an event of this magnitude outside. His response: 'We have little concern about the weather. It's worth the risk. Wrestlemania will go on, regardless of the weather.' I really hope it doesn't rain. It would be a logistical nightmare for WWE and its fans!
I asked him if the slight emergence of TNA wrestling played any role in WWE choosing Orlando. McMahon got that famous look on his face, and he said it didn't at all. He said this 'wasn't like WCW and Ted Turner' from a few years back. And, then, he said he honestly didn't even know TNA was based here in Orlando. While he has to know that, ouch! That was a direct slap to TNA wrestling.
Finally, I asked him why Orlando over the other rumored city, Las Vegas. He said that yes, Vegas and Paris were also front-runners, but 'we felt geographically, we haven't done a Wrestlemania in the Southeast, in Florida, and that the time is now.'
After McMahon spoke, he introduced Mean Gene Okerlund, who did the wrestler introductions.
Following are their comments (in order of appearance):
Batista: 'It's just pure electricity. It's magic. It's good for me. I live in Tampa. I might just walk here.' As for WM 23, he said, 'I want to see Vince McMahon going out of that building bald!'
Mean Gene followed with, 'It's a pleasure to be bald.'
Melina: 'Wrestlemania 24 is going to heat up one of the largest cities in the world, and I plan to be there (as champion).'
Bobby Lashley: 'Some would say that my journey is over, but there are many Wrestlemanias coming for this kid.' To McMahon, he said, 'Don't go wasting your money buying hats. Just let it go free, because being bald is a beautiful thing, Vince!
Ashley: She said a lot of great things have happened to her since entering WWE. She mentioned going overseas, meeting the troops and doing Playboy. She also said that 'attending Wrestlemania in Orlando, Florida, next year is going to be a big honor. I plan on coming to Wrestlemania 24 as the WWE women's champion.'
John Cena: 'Orlando, as a city, has a reputation. Wrestlemania is a day where, as WWE performers, our dreams come true. There is no better fit. I will work my (butt) off every single day to make sure I get to Wrestlemania 24. We definitely will come into town to make history."
WWE announced that WM 24 tickets will go on sale over the summer sometime (likely, but not official).
The next WWE event in Orlando will be June 5 at the Amway Arena. That's a Smackdown/ECW taping. Tickets go on sale April 7.
So, what now?
First, maybe I'll see myself on TV on April 1 during WM 23 when they show the WM 24 press conference highlights.
Second, I need to convince my bosses that we need to do a special section on this in 2008 for The News-Journal print edition.
And, finally, March 30 is my birthday. So, if any of JAWBreaker's readers are feeling generous, a few tickets would be a great birthday present.
GOING TO WRESTLEMANIA 24 IN ORLANDO?
Are you from Volusia or Flagler County and will you try to get tickets for WM 24 in Orlando? If so, The News-Journal is interested in speaking to you. Let me know at jeff.wilen@news-jrnl.com
WRESTLEMANIA 23 -- APRIL 1
From now until WM 23, I'll list what matches I think we'll have (and, of course, I'll update when WWE announces matches):
1. Confirmed: The Undertaker vs. Batista. It'll be for Batista's title, and The Undertaker's streak will be on the line. I predict a win for the Undertaker.
2. Confirmed: HBK vs. Cena. The fans will boo Cena, so this will be interesting. This match is what the fans wanted. I have a feeling HBK will win this one.
3. Confirmed: Bobby Lashley vs. Umaga, with Donald Trump in Lashley's corner and Vince McMahon in Umaga's corner. The losing wrestler's boss -- either McMahon or Trump -- will lose their hair. I'm predicting Trump's guy will lose, leading to Trump going bald! How about having Cy Sperling, who gave a hairpiece to Howard Finkel in WM 10, show up? Or, Brutus "The Barber" Beefcake to do the cutting? With Stone Cold Steve Austin as the guest referee, anything could happen. Here's one for you: What if Umaga wins, leading to Trump losing his hair, and then Austin stuns McMahon, leading to McMahon losing his hair! That would leave three bald guys in the ring in a truly Kodak moment. How about Ivanka Trump and Stephanie McMahon -- the daughters -- showing up for a catfight? And, no doubt, expect the hair to be sold on WWE.com, or Ebay, or both.
4. Confirmed: Money in the Bank match: Ken Kennedy vs. Finlay vs. Matt Hardy vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Booker T vs. CM Punk vs. Edge vs. Randy Orton. Kennedy seems like a lock for this one.
5. Confirmed: ECW Originals (RVD, Sandman, Sabu, Dreamer) vs. New Breed (Elijah Burke, Matt Striker, Kevin Thorn and Marcus Cor Von). Originals are a lock to win this one.
6. Confirmed: Melina vs. Ashley: The women's division is in a transition period. I'll pick Melina to retain the belt.
7. Confirmed: The Great Khali vs. Kane. This could be ugly. Go with The Great Khali, who seems to have more of a future.
8. Confirmed: Chris Benoit vs. MVP. I'm happy Benoit is on the card. Pick Benoit
![[SM=x54503]](https://digilander.libero.it/wrestlingattitude/smilies/scratchchin.gif)
9. Prediction: MNM vs. London and Kendrick. Smackdown hinted at this. And, we need a tag-team title match. Go with London and Kendrick, the modern day version of the Rockers.
10. Prediction: Carlito vs. Ric Flair. Flair will do the job.
11. Prediction: Gregory Helms vs. Chavo Guerrero. These two would put on one heck of a match. Pick Helms to reclaim his title.
12. Prediction: Hulk Hogan vs. Jerry "The King" Lawler: That's the latest rumor. I don't buy it one bit, though, as a match involving Hogan would have been announced by now.
WWE Hall of Fame: Dusty Rhodes, Mr. Perfect Curt Hennig, Jerry "The King" Lawler, Nick Bockwinkel and Mr. Fuji are confirmed. The Wild Samoans are being rumored. How about Randy "Macho Man" Savage? Dig it? And, Jim Ross.
Mha.. leggendo la news l'ultimo match da dove sbuca??