WWE News: Orton, DVD Sales, O'Haire, Hogan, More
Posted by Ashish on 04.24.2007
Tuesday WWE news!
- Former WWE and WCW star Sean O'Haire has been charged with aggravated assault and battery for the brawl he was involved in a few weeks back outside of the Hilton Brewing Co. O'Haire is currently being held at the Beaufort County Detention Center awaiting prosecution. The other guy involved in the brawl, Juan Hamilton Brantley, is also being held on the same charges. Both sides claim the other is the one who started the incident. [PWInsider.com]
- Variety has an article today on "fringe DVD" sales. The article mentions strong sales for WWE DVDs. WWE's Joel Satin says in the article that even though some stores don't like the stigma associated with carrying wrestling DVDs, they do anyway due to the sales.
- WWE.com says that the scheduled Edge vs. Randy Orton match was "pulled" from RAW last night due to the Shawn Michaels vs. John Cena match going so long. Of course, the real story is that Orton wasn't even at the show since he was sent home from the European tour for behavior issues.
- Super Crazy likely suffered his torn MCL a few days ago in a match against Daniel Rodimer & Kenny Dykstra. He came down wrong after hitting a springboard dropkick off the turnbuckle. A bit later in the match, he and Val Venis hit a double suplex on Daniel Rodimer and Crazy came up grabbing his right knee. [PWInsider.com]
- WWE Diva Maryse is featured in the current "Blondes, Brunettes and Redheads" issue of Playboy Magazine.
- Bliss Beverage, the company that makes Hulk Hogan's Socko Energy Drink, has reached a deal with Wal-Mart to supply the drink. The press release is below.
Los Angeles (April 24, 2007) – Underscoring its reputation as the fastest-growing independent Energy drink company in America, Bliss Beverage today announced a major agreement with the nation's largest retail chain, Wal-Mart, to stock Hulk Hogan's energy drink, "Hogan Energy Powered By Socko." Developed and produced by Bliss Beverage, the specially-designed "Hogan Energy" four-packs will be available at nearly all Wal-Mart stores nationwide, beginning May 15.
Pop culture icon Hulk Hogan first announced the release of his energy drink last year when he revealed the beverage on The Tonight Show. In addition, season two of reality show, Hogan Knows Best, chronicled the development of the Hulkster's beverage, beginning with a concept pitch from friend Eric Bischoff and his business partner Jason Hervey, of Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment (BHE TV, LLC), responsible for branding Socko on a global level through non-traditional, entertainment-based marketing initiatives.
Since then, Hogan and Bliss Beverage co-founders Jordan Harwood and Mike Jannicelli have partnered with entertainment and marketing company BHE TV, LLC, to create and execute a strategy with Wal-Mart that would result in a nationwide rollout. "We realize the key to our success is having consumers get a taste of our products," said Harwood. Jannicelli added, "For the first time ever, consumers everywhere will be able to experience Hogan Energy, so we could not be more excited."
"As we looked to strategically grow Socko's reach within the U.S., a partnership with Wal-Mart and Hogan Energy made perfect sense," said BHE TV principal Eric Bischoff. "Wal-Mart is America's largest retail chain and Hulk Hogan has been part of our television culture for the past 20 years and still remains visible nationwide."
Hervey adds, "Landing Wal-Mart was the cornerstone of a very specific strategy. The four-pack design is a first for Bliss and we look forward to offering this type of value to the Wal-Mart customer."
"Hogan Energy Powered by Socko" has been specifically designed to deliver an impact of energy fortified with Taurine, vitamins B12, B6 and Horny Goat Weed to help endurance while increasing mental awareness without unwanted carbohydrates.
About Wal-Mart
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) operates Wal-Mart Stores, Supercenters, Neighborhood Markets and SAM'S CLUB locations in the United States. The company also operates in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Germany, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico and the United Kingdom. The company's securities are listed on the New York and NYSE Arca stock exchanges under the symbol WMT. More information about Wal-Mart can be found by visiting www.walmartfacts.com.
About Bischoff- Hervey Entertainment
Bischoff-Hervey Entertainment was formed in 2003 by Eric Bischoff and Jason Hervey, who combined their collective experience in the entertainment industry both in front of the camera and as executive producers, with Bischoff as president of a division of Turner/Time Warner, and Hervey as a partner with Peter Guber in Mandalay Sports Entertainment. The BHE television division specializes in creating content and production for various broadcast outlets and has created and produced series and pilots for NBC, CMT, E!, and is currently in production on a new series for VH-1. The BHE consulting division specializes in innovative brand integration solutions and creating non-traditional brand building and marketing opportunities for their clients by leveraging BHE's extensive relationships in the industry, and experience in entertainment licensing and merchandising. BHE is headquartered in Santa Monica, California and is represented by the William Morris Agency in Beverly Hills, California.
About Socko Energy
Socko Energy is the flagship product of Bliss Beverage, a Scottsdale, AZ-based company that has developed an energy drink which appeals to a mass audience without succumbing to the latest "extreme" trends set forth by other energy drinks on the market today. The end result – Socko – is a vibrant, eye-catching energy drink filled with clean, refreshing, non-heavy, healthy ingredients with a smooth taste and electrifying color. Socko is quickly becoming the fastest-growing independent energy drinks in the country. To learn more about Socko Energy, visit www.sockoenergy.com.
