Former WWE Star Kurt Angle Arrested

It's not often that you'll see mention of WWE's competitor TNA or its superstars here, but this story involves a former WWE Superstar, who is considered one of wrestling's all-time greats. In recent breaking news, TNA World Champion Kurt Angle was arrested in Pittsburgh on Saturday for charges of driving while operating privilege is suspended, prohibited acts-possession, harassment and prohibited acts.

The arrest apparently came due to Angle stalking a girlfriend and TNA Knockout (Trenesha Biggers). She had filed a protection from abuse order against him earlier in the day, then phoned police from a Starbucks later when she spotted Angle nearby, driving her car. The police also found HGH in Angle's car, which the wrestler claims he had legal prescriptions for.

Angle has since posted bail and was released from jail. He's scheduled to defend his title at a TNA Pay-Per-View on Sunday night and is expected to continue with the original plan to be there. As of now, the TNA Wrestling organization has not made official comment.

(Story Source: WPXI News)

Brock Lesnar - WWE-UFC Spotlight

Former WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar faces “The Natural” Randy Couture for the UFC Heavyweight Title this weekend at UFC 91 event in a Mixed Martial Arts battle. Lesnar was a multiple-time champion in the ranks of the WWE. He was also a well-decorated All American amateur wrestler prior to his days with the WWE. Many analysts say that Lesnar is continuing to keep WWE in the spotlight bigtime thanks to his MMA career, as he goes under the spotlight with big title matches. Lesnar disagrees and frankly doesn't care what his fights do for the WWE, as he left pro-wrestling with a bad taste in his mouth.

Recent comments from Lesnar regarding MMA & Wrestling (UK Daily Star):

“I’m here to represent the amateur wrestling. I’m an amateur wrestler at heart and I always will be.

“What the fight does for professional wrestling I really don’t care.

“Would there be other amateur or pro wrestlers that could make this transition?

“Absolutely not, because none of them have the background that I do.

“What only matters is next Saturday night and stepping in toe-to-toe and making things happen.”

He added: “In this day and age, you have to be well rounded in this fight game.

“I just can’t rely on my wrestling skills. Randy is a great, dirty boxer, and he’s great inside. I’m focused on a lot of different things and just trying to become well-rounded.”

UFC president Dana White has made comments that this UFC 91 event will be the most successful sports event of all time. White added that he believes WWE fans (including Vince McMahon) will all be buying the PPV to see if a former WWE star can take the title. Kevin Eck of Baltimore Sun's Ring Post blog states:

McMahon probably won’t buy it, but some of his wrestlers, such as The Undertaker and JBL, are big MMA fans and frequent spectators at the major events. Undertaker, along with guys such as CM Punk, Kurt Angle, Samoa Joe and others, have incorporated aspects of MMA into their style.

Eck also discusses how many wrestling web sites now cover MMA, and how Dave Metlzer of the Wrestling Observer newsletter has become an authority on MMA. There's been discussion of former WWE star Bobby Lashley making his debut in MMA next month, adding yet another former pro wrestler to the mix. Kurt Angle, currently with TNA, formerly with WWE, has hinted at his desire to compete in MMA as well. It's hard for either of these industries to overlook the other as the talent may move from spot to spot. Just as the TNA has capitalized on bringing in former WWE stars, UFC may be able to build its audience doing the same trick. However, it's tough to say if a few former WWE stars will ever be able to draw in the type of audience for a UFC event that a Wrestlemania PPV does.

Also see: The UK Daily Star's discussion of the WWE performance in UK.

Looking at the connection between pro wrestling and MMA

WWE Stars Drive TNA Wrestling

If you happen to check out WWE's competition every Thursday night, you're in for a show full of familiar faces from WWE's past. The organization itself is apparently run by former WWE superstar, Jeff Jarrett. It's flagship wrestlers include Kurt Angle, Booker T, Christian Cage, Rhino, Team 3-D (Dudley Boys) and occasionally Kevin Nash. Daivari also appears on the show and after a very recent debut, is one of its minor champions. Amongst the TNA Knockouts (its version of divas), are former WWE divas, Gail Kim and Christy Hemme. More recently, the show added Mick Foley, who just weeks ago was sitting alongside Jim Ross as a commentator on the Smackdown TV show. It seems as if Foley was unhappy at WWE and jumped ship. On this past Thursday's show Foley even made reference to one important person he wanted to thank, Vince McMahon, stating he told him no way would he stay with WWE.

Now Foley becomes the "special guest enforcer" in an upcoming TNA PPV Match. The competitors? Two previously mentioned former WWE stars, Kurt Angle and Jeff Jarrett. According to TNA, it will be a first-time ever battle between these two colossal stars. The main point here is that TNA is relying upon WWE stars to drive its product. Most of the former WWE stars have gone on to become the major champion on the show as well. Kurt Angle, Christian Cage and Booker have all had the title at one time or another. In WWE, Christian never came close to a WWE or World Heavyweight title. Fans who follow wrestling know these stars from the WWE, so to think that TNA is cleverly using them to beat out its competitor is an understatement. During Wrestlemania 24, TNA made sure to schedule shows in the Orlando-Florida area to capitalize on the wrestling crowd that would be in town.

It seems TNA is either paying homage to its bigger, badder competitor, the WWE, or trying to throw jabs where it can, using former stars. And don't forget the Stone Cold Steve Austin immitations by a masked star named "Shark Boy", as well as Abyss who seems like a Mankind throwback. While entertaining, TNA will still have a long way to go in terms of gaining massive market share from WWE. Then again, if enough top stars at WWE get unhappy, or busted for drug violations, TNA may be able to load its roster.

Do you watch TNA in addition to WWE, or only the WWE? Feel free to sound off below!

Upcoming Raw Anniversary

The upcoming 3 hour special which celebrates 15 Years of WWE Raw will feature some surprise guests, but as of yet none have been revealed. The Rock recently turned down the offer to be on the show which is definitely disappointing. Ric Flair should be on the show even though he was absent from this past Monday's Raw. Names you shouldn't expect are Goldberg and Brock Lesnar, and any other superstar who has had troubles in dealing with WWE. Interestingly enough, Kurt Angle was pictured on the group of superstars for the "Greatest Raw Star of All Time", which Vince McMahon will name on Monday. The choice should definitely be intriguing, and possibly it sets up some new feud. The McMahon family portrait also seems like it may offer us a surprise with the Hornswoggle story, but you never know.

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According to the Yahoo Top 10 Most Searched Terms for 2007, WWE ranked #2 on the list, with Britney Spears at #1.

Popcrunch.com added:

"The No. 2 search, unchanged from last year, was for WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment. Formerly the WWF, the wrestling organization gained a lot of interest in the death of professional wrestler Chris Benoit who killed his wife and son then hanged himself and his steroid use.

“WWE is a cultural institution at this point and a lot of the former participants are big stars .. this is like the male soap opera on the Internet,” Chan said."

Stay tuned here for a post on the Top 10 stories of the WWE for 2007.