sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWInsider.com
— Perhaps the main reason World Wrestling Entertainment laid off a number of employees this month is because Vince McMahon himself believes the economy is going to take a turn for the worst this year, mainly due to his negative reaction to Barack Obama winning the United States presidential election. McMahon has been telling people he expects unemployment to hit 10% by the end of the year. While the economic woes haven’t greatly impacted his company thus far, the cuts were made in preparation for what he expects to happen.
— While WWE has yet to publicly announce the release of ECW Superstar Gavin Spears, this bit of news should confirm his departure from the organization. Spears, listed as Shawn Spears, as well as The Honky Tonk Man, are scheduled to appear at the Great Canadian Wrestling events in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada on February 19th, 2009 and Oshawa, Ontario, Canada on February 20th, 2009. Click here for more information. Also, Spears changed his MySpace page to say that he worked in WWE from January 2006 to January 2009. (Thanks to Devin Cutting for show information)
— Tickets to this year’s WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas have not sold out despite last week’s announcement of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin as the top inductee. In comparison, last year’s event featuring Ric Flair almost immedatiately sold out a curtained off arena. WWE also sold out the 2004 event — the year it was brought back — as well as the 2006 event featuring the induction of Bret Hart.
*SPOILER* On Two More WWE Hall of Fame Inductees