the Mind’s Chew Toy

According to wwe.com, there has been a couple of items of interest this past week:

Lashley Released

Bobby Lashley, former ECW Champion known for being instrumental in Mr. McMahon having his head shaved at Wrestlemania 23: All Grown Up has been released from WWE. According to lordsofpain.net, Lashley has not been happy with WWE since the recent release of his girlfriend Kristall Marshall, and has been negotiating with WWE to break his contract. While Lashley’s official blog made an announcement that he wouldn’t be returning back in late January, wwe.com just made it official on February 4th.

SmackDown & The CW Parting Ways

WWE Friday Night SmackDown! and The CW are parting ways after 10 years. According to a statement issued by WWE on February 7th, The CW’s “official negotiation period” has run out, and WWE is proceeding with negotiations with other networks. At this time, WWE Friday Night SmackDown! will continue on The CW network until the end of the 2007-08 televsion season.

WWE No Longer Associated With Ohio Valley Wrestling

According to a statment issued by WWE on February 7th, WWE will cease it’s affiliation with Ohio Valley Wrestling, long an official development territory for WWE. From this point forward, WWE plans on making Florida Championship Wrestling - started last November - it’s official training facility. At the moment, Florida Championship Wrestling handles 35 superstars, but WWE plans to double that soon. The training facility will also host a television show each week live in front of an audience, to be broadcast on regional stations.

For more information on these items, visit wwe.com.