Joe Kerr
08-11-2004, 02:04 PM
Reuters is reporting that the planned Hockey Fights PPV, which was to feature former WWE World champion Bill Goldberg as a special referee, has pulled out of its Winnipeg, Manitoba venue, fearful of legal reprisals from Canadian authorities if the event went through.
According to the article, 4,000 tickets are being refunded to fans. It should be noted that a Winnipeg Sun article on Saturday listed only 2,100 tickets sold.
As PWInsider.com noted here Saturday, The Sun reported that local authorities had warned that if the 32 fighter tournament (made up of former hockey players brawling on skates) took place, it would be considered illegal prize fighting.
According to Canadian law, the participants, promoters, fans and even reporters covering the event could face fines and possible jail time for breaking the law. Although the promoters promised over the weekend that the event would go on, the venue began having second thoughts. The Promoters pulled the plug today.
The PPV was moved to Canada from Minnesota after issues with the original venue. The Reuters article notes there were other location issues previously as well, and that they are looking to move the show to California now. There is also talk about moving the two day tournament to Philadelphia
The Minnesota Star Tribune continues to follow the progress of former WWE champion Brock Lesnar in the Minnesota Vikings camp, with Lesnar noting that, "....It's been real difficult, especially with me being out of football for so long. I'm trying not to get frustrated, but it's getting harder and harder to not be frustrated."
The article notes that Brock is still trying to memorize the playbook, admitting, "I'm not even a quarter of the way through that thing." Lesnar is also studying hours of film every day.
According to the paper, as Vikings assistant coach Jim Panagos called out defensive plays on Tuesday, Lesnar was struggling to remember his assignments. Line coach Brian Baker was also getting on Lesnar for improper technique yesterday, telling him, "You just stood up and did exactly what I said not to do."
Vikings coach Mike Tice told the paper that Lesnar was still a likely candidate for the team's practice squad. "If he continues to do what he's doing and make some plays here and there," said Tice. "He's going to make it hard for us not to put him on the practice squad."
According to the article, 4,000 tickets are being refunded to fans. It should be noted that a Winnipeg Sun article on Saturday listed only 2,100 tickets sold.
As PWInsider.com noted here Saturday, The Sun reported that local authorities had warned that if the 32 fighter tournament (made up of former hockey players brawling on skates) took place, it would be considered illegal prize fighting.
According to Canadian law, the participants, promoters, fans and even reporters covering the event could face fines and possible jail time for breaking the law. Although the promoters promised over the weekend that the event would go on, the venue began having second thoughts. The Promoters pulled the plug today.
The PPV was moved to Canada from Minnesota after issues with the original venue. The Reuters article notes there were other location issues previously as well, and that they are looking to move the show to California now. There is also talk about moving the two day tournament to Philadelphia
The Minnesota Star Tribune continues to follow the progress of former WWE champion Brock Lesnar in the Minnesota Vikings camp, with Lesnar noting that, "....It's been real difficult, especially with me being out of football for so long. I'm trying not to get frustrated, but it's getting harder and harder to not be frustrated."
The article notes that Brock is still trying to memorize the playbook, admitting, "I'm not even a quarter of the way through that thing." Lesnar is also studying hours of film every day.
According to the paper, as Vikings assistant coach Jim Panagos called out defensive plays on Tuesday, Lesnar was struggling to remember his assignments. Line coach Brian Baker was also getting on Lesnar for improper technique yesterday, telling him, "You just stood up and did exactly what I said not to do."
Vikings coach Mike Tice told the paper that Lesnar was still a likely candidate for the team's practice squad. "If he continues to do what he's doing and make some plays here and there," said Tice. "He's going to make it hard for us not to put him on the practice squad."