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RANALLO'S WWE DEAL, THE DDT, BOOKER T, DANA WHITE AND MORE

By Mike Johnson on 2016-07-01 10:00:00

I saw that UFC was going to send a legal notice to the reporter who broke the story on the company being sold. This after revoking then giving back Ariel Helwani's credentials for reporting on two big fights for UFC 200. Why does Dana White act like a controlling dictator bully when people report news on his company? And for being such a tough talker why is he such a thin skinned crybaby pansy?

I can't speak for why Dana White acted the way he did but my guess is that it all comes down to wanting to control when the news is released.  We've broken a number of big stories here over the years and I doubt WWE, TNA, etc. were happy about it at the time.  The way White reacted is one of the hazards of the reporting business and if you are going to be serious about what you do, incurring the wrath of those you write about is part of the game.   Personally, if I was Ariel Helwani, I would have announced my credential swere revoked and and just continued doing my job and breaking news.

I noticed that Mauro Ranallo was the blow-by-blow commentator for CBS' boxing coverage on Saturday night. I am a little surprised that WWE is OK with this. But since it was Hunter that probably signed him, he would be more OK with it than had Vince signed him. Your thoughts?

Part of WWE's deal with Mauro is that he can continue his work announcing in other combat sports organizations.  It was likely a big deal to Ranallo, who is smart enough to know not to put all his eggs in one basket.  I know you noted that you were surprised WWE allowed this, but in the past other announcers have worked for FOX Sports and other entities calling soccer and other sports.

What ever happened to Booker T ?

I don't know where you have been looking, but Booker has been a busy man.  He's released two autobiographies in recent years, is on the WWE PPV Kickoff panels, the Raw Pre-Show every Monday and runs a wrestling school and independent promotion in Houston, Texas!

Paul Boesch wrote two autobiographies, one in the early 80s and another published posthumously. Have you read either or heard if they're worth trying to track down?

I have not seen or read either and they have been on my personal "want" list for some time, so yes, I'd say so.

Why do you think, 35 years after he invented it, no one has been able to execute the DDT as well as Jake Roberts? Lots of guys have used it, but no one's has ever looked as good as The Snake's.

Jake was the first to execute it and when he did, the move was unique and protected.  No one else has had the move protected since, so the early incarnation stands out in a major way.  Plus, Roberts was awesome in the ring.

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