Various News: WWE Makes Change To Wellness Policy, Ric Flair On ESPNU, Summerslam Tickets On Sale Saturday
Posted by Larry Csonka on 03.17.2010
Some news to kick off the day…
- Tickets for the WWE Summerlsam show, which will be held at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, go on sale Saturday. [Credit: Pwinsider.com]
- Here is a brief report of Ric Flair on ESPNU's The Bracket [Credit: Clay Mercer and Pwinsider.com]:
Ric Flair was a guest on ESPNU's "The Bracket" tonight giving his thoughts on the upcoming NCAA Basketball Tournament. Highlights from the show included the "Nature Boy" choosing Syracuse as the eventual winner of the national championship. Flair briefly mentioned his return to TNA and talked about Hulk Hogan dealing with artificial hip pain. Flair also talked about his time on Hogan's Australia tour sparking the fire to return to the ring. ESPNU is based in Charlotte, NC, which is Flair's hometown.
- WWE has updated the wellness policy, to update the Impact Concussion Management Program. Basically, no chair shots to the head. Here is how it reads…
WWE has eliminated using folding metal chairs to "strike" an opponent in the head. The WWE penalizes through fine and/or suspension the following:
- The intentional use of a folding metal chair to "strike" an opponent in the head.
- Any blow to the head that is deemed an INTENTIONAL act
- The Fine and/or Suspension will be directed by the EVP of Talent Relations (John Laurinaitis).
Expect the IWC to begin their whining and crying about the elimination of chair shots to the head. Expect the IWC crybabies with their old "WWE is dying" bullshit.
Posted By: Guest#6686 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:12 AM
Ok so now its wrong 2 "strike" an opponent in the head wit a steel chair in a scripted fake sport wats next u cant use tables also if a person is hit in the head with a chair in a street fight does he get fined even if its scripted? Does it make any sense?
Posted By: Jamille5150 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:13 AM
No chair shots? It might as well be ballet!
Posted By: Guest#7765 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:18 AM
well in that case i guess if you want to see some sort of entertaining hardcore matches you have to slap in a old wcw/ecw tape. or just turn on a random impact that happens to have some sort of stupid storyline that can turn into a hardcore match.
Posted By: necroeric (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:21 AM
The next TNA PPV - Nothing but Chair Shot to the head matches. Book it NOW!
Only joking.
Posted By: Fenris (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:28 AM
Now I am good with the no head shot rule, but that is a major part of pro wrestling and has been for decades. The PG-13 has to go.
Watching Austin do his rant just to have the audio drop when the word "ass" was used is beyond stupid. It's not like there is someone that doesn't know what he was saying.
Bring back at least a little bit of the Attitude era and for the love of Pete, let them juice! The last time WWE was this worried about the program rating we had to endure Doink.
Juice and adult language = win
Posted By: The Coach (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:36 AM
With all the head injuries that can happen i can understand why this has been looked into, i just hope they dont ban chair shots to the body next.
Posted By: jbardo (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:37 AM
it says nothing about large gold belts, metal stairs, ladders, singapore canes, plaster casts, or 2x4s.
Posted By: jd (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:42 AM
Soon they'll be reduced slapping contests... Honestly what's the point?
Posted By: Guest#2510 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:46 AM
If used properly and very rarely, both for wrestler's health and storyline sakes, that chair shot punishment stipulation could help get a heel over big time by violating the edict...
Posted By: Guest#2893 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:59 AM
the WWE Sheep cry in unison.....
Posted By: JWestmoreland (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:59 AM
The Wellness Policy update regarding chair shots to the head is the best wrestling news I've read in a while. Congratulations to WWE on this positive development!
I wonder if Chris Nowinski's 'Legacy Institute' was at all instrumental in this implementation? I can't think of any one such avoidable in-ring act that can cause as many concussions as the chair-shot to the head. As a fan (and one who has had neurosurgery several times) I have cringed every time I've witnessed unnecessary chair shots to the head. I find they add nothing to the storytelling to advance a supposed devastating beating and it has caused tremendous amounts of real-life damage to the worker's well-being.
The other change I'd like to see would be the mandatory use of mouthguards for wrestlers to use while in the ring. It has been proven that the use of mouthguards greatly reduce the risk of concussions (it was recently mandated that all NASCAR drivers must wear them while strapped into their cars) Kurt Angle has successfully used one for a while and when it comes to speaking on the mic. it is just taken out and held - if all wrestlers were to do this, it wouldn't seem out of place and would appear as normal as removing a ring jacket when stepping into the ring.
Posted By: Junior Fan (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:03 AM
I guess the Big Show's knockout punch, HBK's superkick and Randy Orton's soccer kick are all no longer allowed. Plus, somewhere, La Parka read the new policy, threw down his steel chair and said "¡Maldito seas Johnny Ace! Tanto para mi gran regreso."
Posted By: Chico Whoretiz (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:04 AM
Flair also put the host in the Figure 4! I kid you not.
He also bladed for the appearance. Ok, that was a joke
Posted By: SlickRick (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:06 AM
WHAT THE FUCK!?!
Posted By: Guest#4747 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:06 AM
wtf that's bullshit
Posted By: killer charisma (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:07 AM
TNA is so hardcore, on the next episode of impact! expect hulk hogan to take at least a dozen chair shots to the head, yet still kick out.
TNA: We will win!(I suck Dixie's balls, by the way)
Posted By: vinny(guest) (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Really? No chairs to the head? What's next, the DDT?
Posted By: The sober Scott Hall (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:12 AM
Well, it looks like we've seen our last "Con-Chair-to".
Posted By: Andrew John Mitchell (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:14 AM
Um... no chair shots to the head?
What? Is WWE TRYING to kill their adult fan-base? I understand kid-friendly, but jeez...
Posted By: Banz (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:15 AM
It is ABOUT TIME they eliminated the chair shots to the head. They are not necessary to having a good match or anything of that sort, and it is not worth the damage to the person.
Posted By: Guest#5414 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:20 AM
Good to see they're doing something about concussions, though I'm expecting to hear a lot of whining about it. Hopefully people understand that they have to put the health and safety of the performer above the quality of their content. But we'll probably still have a few TNA trolls deriding WWE for it. That's okay. They're not old enough to know any better.
Posted By: Anonymous (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:23 AM
So There goes the vast majority of finishers according to this: Any blow to the head that is deemed an INTENTIONAL act. They can't be stupid enough to count anything but weapon and environment hits to the head.
Posted By: Guest#3207 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:33 AM
Wellness change.... until Vince McMahon deems it necessary to hit someone over the head with a chair
Posted By: Skizzy (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:35 AM
LOL. I understand why and given the recent revelations on concussions I am ok with this but just seems funny that a 'kayfabe' act is written into the policy.
I mean, why would your wellness policy make chairs illegal? why not put barbed wire, chokeholds, and other ring related actions in there?
I can't fathom a wrestling world where chairs werent allowed occasionally.
Posted By: 16s (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Take away the live crowd while you are at it
Posted By: Guest#2763 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Oh come on!
At least invest in some prop chairs that bend easily.
What's next? Will the ringside area be covered with airbags?
Posted By: Guest#4455 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:08 AM
That's actually a good move, you don't want another Benoit
Posted By: Bill (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:09 AM
In before the idiots that say this staple is gone.
You can still use a chair just no unprotected chairshots to the head
Posted By: TheRev (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:14 AM
WOW. WWE... just... ugh
Posted By: AG Awesome (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:19 AM
Wow...that sucks. No more hitting people over the head with a chair. No more con-chair-toes. Can they still hit people with kendo sticks, sledge hammers and ladders?
Posted By: Absolutus (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:23 AM
Any blow to the head that is deemed an INTENTIONAL act...
Um, as pro wrestling is fake anyway....wouldn't ANY move at any time be considered an INTENTIONAL act???
Sounds like a pretty kayfabe rule. Sort of like 'automatic disqualifications for piledrivers and tossing someone over the top rope.'
Complete bullshit.
Posted By: Guest#8435 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:23 AM
WoW the WWE is getting soft!
Baby wrestling
Posted By: trae136 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:24 AM
Oh no, Heaven forbid a wrestling company eliminates chairs and weapon uses and focuses on ..... (gasp) wrestling. Say it ain't so.
Posted By: Kristian (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:27 AM
This is a good thing, we don't need a Benoit repeat, multiple concussions are deadly business.
Posted By: Guest#6447 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:32 AM
**********
Expect the IWC to begin their whining and crying about the elimination of chair shots to the head. Expect the IWC crybabies with their old "WWE is dying" bullshit.
**********
Well, this member of the IWC applauds this change. The ones that don't are the ones that don't understand just how badly getting hit in the head repeatedly scrambles your brains.
WWE *IS* dying off for a lot of us, but this decision has nothing to do with it.
Posted By: Scott B (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:35 AM
Makes sense to me.
Posted By: Chris B. (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:38 AM
This isnt a new storyline move jamille, its a smart measure if you cant enjoy matches without chairshots your not mtch of a fan
Posted By: Dumbass (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:44 AM
But what are they going to do in the Chair match for the 2010 TLC PPV?
Posted By: Jordan (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:48 AM
First, no blood, now no chairshots to the head? What's next, no chops, punches or kicks?
I couldn't care less if a wrestler gets a concussion or dies as a result. I rather see a pile of dead wrestlers than seeing crappy wrestling. I am a fan, ENTERTAIN ME.
Posted By: No chairshots? (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:54 AM
Great, what's next? This just in - WWE has banned jumping on an opponent from off the top turnbuckle...
This is garbage. The PG 13 era is terrible. I am sure eventually this will change, but it truly is terrible tv watching this sensored version of WWE.
When Cena turns heel in about 4 years, PG 13 will be over, but that's a long ways away.
Posted By: Jimbo Slice (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:57 AM
It has nothing to do with PG, and everything to do with their talent not murdering their families, or going schizo and OD'ing face first into their pizza.
I'm 100% in support of this change, and only wish they would have gotten around to it sooner. Chairshots to the head in 2010 are fucking retarded.
Posted By: The REAL MP (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:02 PM
shouldn't have to be explained that the "chair shot" hasn't been eliminated on the blow to the head....if you kept up with WWE as of late only the big money fueds have been chair shots to head other than that a lot of their chairshots have been to the back or some other body part. This just made it more official. With everything else they do with the ring, in and out of it the elimination of the chair shot isn't a big loss...in essence get over it.
Posted By: Guest#9758 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:18 PM
'Bout fucking time. Chair shots to the head being banned is far more important than the odd minor low level word like "ass, sod, bloody" etc.
Concussions fuck people up. We know that for sure.
You can still get heat swinging on the back,and doing a choke spot if you need to sell a big angle for it's brutality without risking long term shit like loss of neurological functions.
Couldn't care if low-level curse words are bleeped or allowed, but chair shots to head had to go.
Juice? Meh. Test for blood borne virus and if it's clear use it on important angles as long as the audience is clear and the individual talents agree.
Posted By: Guest#1600 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:23 PM
LAME LAME LAME LAME
Man how lame .... WWE is really truly getting corporate...
*pokes TNA and whispers* Psst now there is another niche you can get into...
Posted By: tstrike (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:23 PM
Ok so now its wrong 2 "strike" an opponent in the head wit a steel chair in a scripted fake sport wats next u cant use tables also if a person is hit in the head with a chair in a street fight does he get fined even if its scripted? Does it make any sense?
Posted By: Jamille5150 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:13 AM
Your spelling and grammar is fucking terrible. You type like you take too many shots to the head by your boyfriend.
Posted By: Captain_Snackpipe (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:24 PM
I'm fine with the chair shot rule. Yes, Foley getting his brains bashed in looks awesome, but the last thing anybody wants is another Benoit.
Posted By: neverAcquiesce (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:33 PM
flair has the same national champion as me. WOOOOOOO!
Posted By: jeff (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:36 PM
They've listened!
Posted By: Nowinski (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:38 PM
wow money in the bank is gonna suck
Posted By: ausjimmy (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 12:43 PM
The Ghost of Chris Benoit strikes again...
Posted By: Guest#8839 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 01:08 PM
i just wanna say that people who don't like hornswoggle, don't have a sense of humor... horny is great! this has nothing to do with the news but i just wanted to say that! screw all the hornswoggle haters!!!! lol....
Posted By: Sergio (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 01:58 PM
i just wanna say that people who don't like hornswoggle, don't have a sense of humor... horny is great! this has nothing to do with the news but i just wanted to say that! screw all the hornswoggle haters!!!! lol....
Posted By: Sergio (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:01 PM
"I rather see a pile of dead wrestlers than crappy wrestling"
So you would rather see HUMAN BEINGS WITH FAMILIES die due to unnecessary shit like chair shots to the head?
You fail at life, dipshit.
Posted By: Guest#3840 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:08 PM
"So you would rather see HUMAN BEINGS WITH FAMILIES die due to unnecessary shit like chair shots to the head? "
Hey, it's very simple, if they don't like it, they shouldn't be wrestlers then.
And as if YOU actually care. You only care when it's Kurt Angle or Eddie Guerrero dying, but if it was the Great Khali, would you really care?
Posted By: No chairshots? (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:26 PM
Next WWE PPV..."Tables Ladders & Cunts"
Posted By: D. (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:42 PM
i grow so tired of people who post boorish negative comments for one last time people, its SPORTS ENTERTAINMENT !!! lets take a moment to break that down ... SPORTS - wrestling, an olympic sport, dates back over 3000 years. ENTERTAINMENT - look the word up in the dictionary ask yourself if that definition applies to cheering the babyface, booing the heel, watching the story lines unfold, trash talking, vignettes and romance ... it does. and yes, while the outcomes are pre-determined the matches are unscripted. just because you know you are going to get hit with a chair doesn't make it the contact hurt any less. just because you know how to brace your self for a fall doesn't mean it will hurt less. just because you know you are going to catch a 250lb man in mid air doesn't make the impact hurt any less. just like in any sport the talents are bigger, stronger and faster than ever and these types of rules are put in place to remind the athletes about care for the opponent and intentional injury, not because it could randomly happen but because it constantly happens and the results are deadly. we MUST learn from deadly lessons. another way to look at it is to think about your favourite movie or video game - those are "fake" but you are still ENTERTAINED. i have been a passionate wrestling fan for over 25 years and i will proudly defend it up to my last breath. for those of you who post foul mouthed uninformed posts slamming this sport, well ... in the immortal words of the game, "no one really cares what you have to say and if your not down with that ... i got 2 words for ya!!!"
Posted By: itsmebeth (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:43 PM
Damn you Linda for running for public office.
Posted By: Rick Roode (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:57 PM
You all realize that chair shots to the head are a relatively new thing, I mean mid to late 90s at the earliest. Watch the 80s wrestling and you will see chair shots to the back mostly. Frankly you can have an entertaining match without chair shots and run-ins. I know that this is shocking to some people, but it is all true.
Posted By: Jake (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 02:57 PM
This is a great thing. While chairshots may look cool it really fucks up our brains and scrambles them. Kinda what made Chris Benoit all crazy. Besides, shots to the back always looked more devastating to me.
All the bloodthristy fans on here don't realize the consequences for the performers you enjoy watching they go through when that happens. Look at how Mick is after just those unprotected shots from the Rock.
Posted By: Guest#4704 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 03:11 PM
I have no problem with this. It's a step in wrestler longevity. We hardly see chair shots anyways. Get over it ppl.
Posted By: Guest#3798 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 03:28 PM
The WWE would like to wish the steel chair shot all the best in its future endeavors.
Posted By: Chairy (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 03:36 PM
@No Chairshots?
Actually, yes I would care if it was Khali. No Khali isn't the best wrestler in the business, but I wouldn't wish death on him because of that.
That is like people wishing death on John Cena because he isn't the best wrestler in the world.
Guys like a Cena or a Khali are not great wrestlers, but they are human beings and yes it would be sad if it was reported that either of them had died.
Posted By: Guest#2674 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 04:39 PM
This is a horible idea, chairshots aren't dangerous at all
Posted By: Mick foley Jan 1999 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 05:33 PM
Yeah, chairshots are dangerous. Most wrestlers that took are no longer with us: Foley, Sandman, Dreamer, Terry Funk, Necro Buthcer...uh wait.
And all wrestlers that rarelly took them are still alive: Benoit, Eddie, Hennig, the Von Erichs. Uh...
Posted By: izzzy (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 05:47 PM
No chair shots? It might as well be ballet!
Posted By: Guest#7765 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:18 AM
Well let's see, men in good physical condition wearing tights and performing choreographed moves. Isn't it pretty much ballet already?
Posted By: Blasphemous (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 05:53 PM
Really? No chairs to the head? What's next, the DDT?
Posted By: The sober Scott Hall (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:12 AM
If Jimmy Hart couldn't get the DDT banned in 1987 it probably won't happen now.
Posted By: Guest#9111 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 06:14 PM
The chairs are fucking gimmicked! What difference does it make as long as he doesn't stiff you?!
Posted By: Doc (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 06:17 PM
But it's still okay to run someone over with a car or break into their house in an attempt to harm another wrestler's family?
Posted By: Guest#5985 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 06:17 PM
Understandable but... What's next?
Posted By: Guest#9822 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 06:48 PM
Because of course, chair shots to the head can only be dangerous if they kill people.
Posted By: Guest#8212 (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 07:29 PM
Meh, not a bad thing but considering most guys on the roster blatantly put their hands up to where it's clear it's not making contact in the first place. There are very few people in WWE who actually take a full on chair shot these days and they shouldn't.
Posted By: DC (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 08:30 PM
I wonder how New Jack feels about this
Posted By: Drue Phoenix (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 08:49 PM
I think it pretains to unprotected shots certain guys take...and personally I am ok with it...it takes out the chance of concussions
Posted By: Jive (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 09:51 PM
as for the updated Wellness Policy, it's professional wrestling....every chair shot is intentional.
Posted By: fredtheimpaler (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:08 PM
This is ridiculous. Aren't we going just a lil too far with this?
Posted By: Dwayne (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 10:29 PM
SummerSlam in L.A. again this year? Surprising!
Posted By: RDog (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:47 PM
Sorry guys, I'm getting old, and can't handle the business like I used to... But if I don't wrestle, I can't feel important.
Posted By: Undertaker (Guest) on March 17, 2010 at 11:57 PM
Now they do it...
Posted By: 1998 Mick Foley (Guest) on March 18, 2010 at 01:14 AM
Following up on what another commenter said, don't most wrestlers put their arms up before the chair hits their head? And another question.. Wasn't it the diving headbutt from the top rope that caused most of Benoit's concussions? I mean sure, he tried to break the fall, but at that height, there's bound to be a good bounce back.
Posted By: MarkyMark (Guest) on March 18, 2010 at 02:39 AM
WWE is PG, not PG 13. Plus if u want to see chairshots to the head, go watch backyard wrestling
Posted By: fjuice02 (Guest) on March 18, 2010 at 02:48 AM
Doesn't mean a man can swing a chair at someone and have that someone block it with their hands(as most head shot chair shots are done this way, hitting the forearm instead of the head). Still gets the same blow over. Just can't have Japan style death matches where the chair seat pops out when struck over a person's skull.
Posted By: Ford (Guest) on March 18, 2010 at 09:10 AM
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