Be sure to check back in tonight at 9 PM EST, 8 Central for our live UFC 115 PPV Recap starting with the SpikeTV prelims. While waiting for the PPV to start you can check out the UFC 115 Countdown and weigh-in results and UFC 115 predictions from AngryMarks and FGB as well as today's latest wrestling and MMA news!

Following last night's release of Daniel Bryan by WWE we've had multiple and conflicting reports that this either is or isn't a work based on the NXT Invasion from Raw on Monday night. Fortunately it appears that Wrestling Observer is able to provide clarity on this situation, and as it turns out, the firing IS legit. The stated reason that Daniel Bryan (still better known as Bryan Danielson) was let go was because he choked ring announcer Justin Roberts with his tie during the Raw angle, an action deemed "too violent" for WWE's PG rating, and a shot that was subsequently removed from all replays of the angle on shows like NXT and WWE Superstars (but not from YouTube). Danielson has already changed his Twitter account to remove references to NXT and made this statement about it 15 hours ago: "Just changed my twitter name to Bryan Danielson. The winds of change are stirring."

Speaking of winds of change, after Dixie Carter claimed big changes at Slammiversary that would shake up TNA Wrestling, the internet has run mild with speculation about what she's really up to. I keed - it actually has generated slightly more than the usual interest in TNA - and now she's actually having to deny some of the speculation she herself generated. According to Carter NONE of the theories on the internet are 100% correct and that the change she's referring to is "much grander" than just making a change to the creative team, although "much grander" could still mean Paul Heyman in an expanded role (possibly the rumored ECW invasion angle along with giving Heyman creative control). She also claims it's not specifically a change for Slammiversary, but that she has another completely separate surprise for Slammiversary too. (PWI) I don't think this is reason enough to spend $34.95 on a lackluster PPV, but it is reason to tune in on Sunday night when we post Slammiversary results and news.

Despite complaints from the Little People of America, "Half-Pint Brawler" star Turtle has said he's going to keep referring to himself and other wrestlers on the show as midgets. "I do not find the word 'midget' to be disrespectful at all. I am not trying to push it on other people to use the term to describe themselves, but midget is just another word for little." (TMZ)

On last night's edition of Inside MMA for HDNet, Ken Shamrock admitted to Mike Straka that he had taken steroids in a one word response: "Absolutely." Shamrock had been given a one year suspension by the CSAC after testing positive for the steroid Stanozolol abnd two Nandrolone-based substances, 19-Norandrosterone and 19-Noretiocholanolone, following a first round victory over super heavyweight Ross Clifton at the "Valentine's Eve Massacre" event in Fresno. Shamrock described getting steroids as being no different than "going to the grocery store" but admitted their danger and how easily people could get hurt "trying to get bigger and better." Perhaps contradictorily he also stated that steroids should be legalized. Our thanks to Sherdog.com for additional information on this story.

We have an update to the Bryan Danielson story thanks to a new episode of Wrestling Observer Radio. On the most recent show, Dave Meltzer revealed that WWE was pressured by an external force with major influence over the company in terms of either money, public opinion or both that felt the choking incident with Danielson and Roberts "went too far" and was not acceptable to their standards. Vince McMahon (reluctantly) made the call to let Danielson go, as he's basically the scapegoat to appease this outside force, as someone's head had to roll for the incident. Danielson was left with the impression that he would do business with WWE again when this blows over, but for now he's looking for dates on the independent circuit again. Neither TNA or ROH can bring him in immediately for TV because he's under a 90-day no compete clause, and for all we know by then WWE might want to bring him back again when it expires. Thanks to Wrestling Observer for this update and clarification.

Last but not least one of the most famous wrestling family patriarchs passed away today at the age of 78 - Aurelian 'Grizzly' Smith Sr., father to Jake 'The Snake' Roberts, Sam Houston and Rockin' Robin. Our condolences to his family and friends. (WO)