Backstage Reaction To Tony Atlas As Mark Henry's Manager, Big Daddy V, JBL

— Some people within the company are scratching their heads over WWE’s decision to bring Tony Atlas in as the manager/associate of ECW Champion Mark Henry. reports prowrestling.NET. The move came as a bit of a surprise to some. Two years ago, WWE wanted to bring Atlas in to serve as an on-air coach/mentor for the rising Bobby Lashley, but officials quickly scrapped the idea after receiving negative reports regarding him from other people within the company.

It is believed that Vince McMahon made the decision to bring in the WWE Hall of Famer. One source said, “Vince has always loved Tony.” The source also recalled some bizarre backstage behavior involving Atlas in the past. The source noted that one time, Atlas hid backstage because he was startled by the pyro that went off just before he was supposed to join the other members of his WWE Hall of Fame class onstage at WrestleMania 22. Atlas was so rattled he had to be calmed down and then talked into going onstage with the the rest of the Hall of Fame members.

No word yet on how long Atlas’ partnership with WWE will last, but multiple people within the company aren’t too optimistic. Many are predicting that it won’t last long regardless of what they have planned for him.

— Just yesterday, the official website of the Time Warner Cable Arena, the site of next week’s SmackDown/ECW taping in Charlotte, N.C., listed Big Daddy V as one of the stars scheduled to appear. However, his name has since been pulled. The site also confirmed the report of Ric Flair giving his farewell speech to his hometown fans. {WWE Presents Smackdown and ECW – July 15 show preview}

— JBL’s company Layfield Energy has inked a deal placing the “Mamajuana Energy” drink product on the shelves of 500 MAPCO Express, Inc. stores, reports PrimeNewswire. The stores are generally located in the southeast. {Press Release}

See video of “Macho Man” Randy Savage rapping with Big Daddy V! (>>)