July 31, 2008
The line between wrestling and show business isn't thin, it's completely non-existent. Wrestlers like The Rock and John Cena have crossed over into movies, while celebrities like David Arquette and Kevin Federline have promoted themselves shamelessly on wrestling programs. The only real difference between the WWE and Hollywood is that only one requires an abundance of body-slamming and spandex.
Today has brought us yet another example of the invisible barrier between wrestling and Hollywood. Freddie Prinze, Jr., who's perhaps better known as Mr. Sarah Michelle Gellar or the lauded thespian from She's All That, will be taking on a role behind the scenes on shows such as WWE Raw and Friday Night Smackdown.
February 11, 2008
Late Thursday, it was announced that WWE Friday Night Smackdown! will no longer be aired on The CW after the 2007-08 television season. The WWE said late Thursday that the network's “exclusive negotiation period” reached an end on January 31.
“We have been contacted and have been in negotiations with other networks,” the WWE added in a statement, although it didn't specify which networks. "We are grateful to [CBS chief] Les Moonves, [The CW chief] Dawn Ostroff and their entire organization for bringing WWE Smackdown to millions of viewers for so many years.”
June 26, 2007
Professional wrestler Chris Benoit was found dead Monday afternoon in his Georgia home, along with his wife and young son. On Tuesday afternoon, law enforcement officials revealed that it was ruled a murder-suicide, with the 40-year-old Benoit killing his family before hanging himself.
The tragedy unfolded after WWE officials became suspicious that Chris Benoit missed two scheduled appearances over the weekend, including the pay-per-view event “Vengeance” where he was set to compete for the WWE Championship. Officials notified the police and asked them to check up, at which time they discovered the three dead bodies.
According to authorities, Benoit strangled his wife Nancy, who he met when she managed several other wrestlers, and suffocated his 7-year-old son Daniel. They then ruled that he went to his weight room and hung himself.
February 3, 2007
Friday Night SmackDown! is a professional wrestling program for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) created by Vince McMahon. It showcases stimulating cruiserweights, provocative divas and superstars who appear to be larger-than-life.