On Monday’s RAW, Zack Ryder and Eve had a backstage segment where Ryder invited Eve to dinner. Eve apparently stood Ryder up, as Ryder posted several tweets late on Monday night while he was waiting for her to arrive for their date.
“Waiting on @EveMarieTorres to show up for our date. It’s gonna be #SSSIIICCCKKK”
“So I guess @EveMarieTorres isn’t coming. #worstnightever”
Eve later apologized:
“Soooooo sorry… Something came up.Promise I’ll make it up to u? ;-)”
WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix chimed in:
“@ZackRyder waited for @EveMarieTorres for hours?? He clearly is hung up on the wrong Diva.”
Phoenix expressed interest in Zack Ryder to Eve on RAW, but Eve told Beth to back off, despite the fact that she clearly “playing” Zack.
After Monday’s RAW from Cleveland, Ohio went off the air, The Rock thanked the live crowd for their support and began reading some of the signs in the audience. Rock found a girl in the crowd with a sign asking The Rock to sing to her because it’s her birthday. Rock called the girl down to the ringside area and sang her happy birthday. After The Rock left, the dark match main event begun.
John Cena defeated Kane in five minutes after dodging a chair shot from Kane and hitting him with the Attitude Adjustment.
After the match, The Rock grabbed the microphone and was booed heavily. Cena said he was happy to finally see the “real Rock” and he thought it was funny when Rock sang about having sex with him mom.
Cena then brought Cleveland-born rapper Machine Gun Kelly into the ring and thanked MGK for allowing him to use his music for WrestleMania.
Cena then announced that MGK will be performing his entrance live at WrestleMania in Miami.
– Friday’s SmackDown will feature Christian hosting the Peep Show with special guests Teddy Long and John Laurinaitis.
– On Monday’s RAW, the Undertaker made an error during his in-ring promo with Shawn Michaels, incorrectly stating that WrestleMania is taking place on April 21st.
– Next week when RAW Supershow takes place from Philadelphia, John Cena will wrestle Mark Henry. Triple H, Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker will have an in-ring confrontation and The Rock will also be there.
On Monday’s RAW, Chris Jericho appeared on the titantron while CM Punk was in the ring and got very personal with the WWE champion – saying that he knows a secret about Punk. Jericho told Punk and the world that the reason Punk is straight edge is because his father was an alcoholic. Jericho told Punk that alcohol is in his DNA, Punk has covered himself with tattoos to mask that pain. He said he’s going to take Punk’s title and drive him to a dark place where he finally gives in and drinks.
Jericho’s reference to CM Punk’s father being the reason for his straight edge lifestyle can be traced back to a promo that Punk cut back in 2003. Check out this video of CM Punk (with Colt Cabana) from ROH WrestleRave ’03. It’s one of his best promos ever and an early look at a young wrestler with greatness ahead.
— Former Dragon Gate USA star Brodie Lee has reportedly signed a developmental deal with WWE, according to PWTorch.com. Lee is nearly 7 feet tall.
— There continues to be a lot of speculation regarding The Miz’s role at WrestleMania 28. Miz, who successfully defended the WWE title against John Cena in the main event of last year’s show, is rumored to be involved in this year’s Rock vs. Cena match in some capacity. WWE is said to have a storyline ready for The Miz after WrestleMania and his recent losing streak is part of the buildup to that angle.
— Former ROH star Chris Hero, now known as Kassius Ohno, made his debut on Florida Championship Wrestling television this weekend:
– Shawn Michaels flew out to California over the weekend to tape footage for WWE’s Legends House reality show. According to sources involved in the show’s production, Michaels took the legends fishing and had dinner with them.
– Add Mick Foley to the list of WWE personalities who think there is legit heat between WrestleMania 28 opponents The Rock and John Cena. Foley tweeted over the weekend:
“I believe there has been genuine tension between @JohnCena and @TheRock for a long time. #anythingcouldhappen“
– Randy Orton mentioned on that he has a new movie role coming up in the near future.
– On Friday’s SmackDown, guest General Manager John Laurinaitis booked Drew McIntyre in a match against Hornswoggle to get his job back. McIntyre won the match and Laurinaitis reinstated him as an active member of the SmackDown roster.
– The Insider recently featured a segment revealing “5 things you didn’t know” about actor Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, The Dictator). For those who don’t know, Cohen is a huge pro wrestling fan and is good friends with John Cena.
– The New York Post reports 2005 Divas Search semi-finalist Jaynie Baker is the alleged partner of accused NYC “millionaire madam” Anna Gristina.
Baker is accused of helping run a millionaires-only prostitution ring and could be turning herself in to police as soon as this week.
On Monday morning, WWE’s Board of Directors announced that WrestleMania 28 will feature a “Team Laurinaitis vs. Team Long” 12-man tag match – with the winning GM getting control of both brands.
Participants for both teams will be announced in the coming weeks, but here’s what we’re hearing for the two teams.
Team Laurinatis: Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, David Otunga, Christian, Mark Henry & Alberto Del Rio
Team Long: Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, Ezekiel Jackson, Santino, Great Khali & One more participant.
The final participant of Team Long could be Evan Bourne or Rey Mysterio (if he’s medically cleared to return).
– Evan Bourne will be cleared to return to WWE this Saturday, March 17th. He is finishing up his 60-day suspension for violating the company Wellness policy for a second time. Bourne will be released from WWE if he fails another drug test.
– According to WWE video game publisher THQ, the “WWE Brawl” video game that is being developed has been put on hold and will not be released this year. THQ will be focusing their efforts on completing the WWE ’13 game, which is due out this fall.
– Fan Mosaics has announced they are partnering with WWE to release a special line merchandise for WrestleMania 28. Fans can upload their photos to the Fan Mosaics website for inclusion in the WrestleMania Fan Mosaic. “It allows fans to be part of the big event in a unique way, taking them beyond the role of spectator by participating in and owning a special, personalized piece of WWE memorabilia.” Check out this video for more info:
Tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow will take place from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Rock and John Cena will continue their feud, with a special “Rock Concert” from The Rock and John Cena rapping.
The Undertaker will also be in Cleveland to confront the referee of his Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels.
Triple H is also being advertised to appear tonight.
Actor James Roday of the USA Network’s hit series Psych will be tonight’s special guest star.
On Monday morning, WWE’s Board of Directors issued a statement to WWE.com officially announcing Team Laurinaitis vs. Team Long at WrestleMania. The first participants for the 12-man tag match are expected to be announced for tonight.
SmackDown talent and Brodus Clay are also being advertised for tonight.
The dark match main event will see Chris Jericho and Kane vs. CM Punk and John Cena.
A “memo” from the WWE Board of Directors was posted on the official WWE website officially confirming a rumored Wrestlemania 28 match.
Team Laurinaitis vs. Team Long has been signed – with each respective general manager having 6 of his brand’s top stars battling it out – with the winning General Manager gaining control of both RAW and SmackDown.
The participants will be announced over the next few weeks, starting tonight on RAW.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. In this entry, JR talks about Monday’s RAW, the build to WrestleMania 28, NFL star Peyton Manning’s future, women’s MMA & more. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:
Why do indy wrestlers signed by WWE go to FCW even though they are not officially ‘rookies?’ “To essentially go through orientation on a variety of matters plus, as a rule, everyone’s work needs to be tweaked to some degree. Being successful in the independent scene certainly helps one’s career, w/o fail, but that alone doesn’t make one a ready to go fit for WWE.”
What will it take to get Warrior in the WWE HOF? “I don’t know but I know that attempting to barter additional video projects such as a DVD, etc likely won’t get it done. I’m not in that loop, luckily, but basic, logical communication usually works best. No one I know has ever argued that Warrior isn’t deserving. Personally, I have no issue with his outspoken personality as it is Warrior being Warrior and exercising his First Amendment rights.”
Would I like to see @steveaustinBSR have one last match at a future Wrestlemania? “As a fan, “Oh Hell, Yeah!” But that’s a decision that’s completely Steve’s. Just an assumption but if it is going to happen, one wold think it would be at WM29 OR would he wait until the historic WM30? Personally, I can’t see the Texas Rattlesnake doing multiple matches but who knows?”
As always, you can check out JR’s amazing line of BBQ products at WWEShop.com.
– WWE developmental wrestler Seth Rollins (formerly Tyler Black in ROH) appears to be going on the road this weekend with WWE for the SmackDown’s live events in Michigan. He tweeted on Friday:
“I hear Michigan is nice this time of year…”
In recent weeks, WWE has been taking one or two top FCW wrestlers on the road to give them experience traveling with the WWE crew and being in the locker room with the main roster.
– WWE officials have reportedly been very impressed with Dolph Ziggler’s WWE Download Youtube show.
– During last night’s event in Toronto, WWE held a special promotion during intermission where fans that purchased Dolph Ziggler’s new T-shirt were able to meet him for a quick signing before the second half of the show started. TNA does this regularly at their house shows, offering special merchandise “deals” that include a signing session.
During a recent interview with Extreme Pro Wrestling Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Road Warrior Animal discussed Sting’s status as an icon and his pick for the best singles worker of all time. Here’s what Animal said about:
Teaming with Sting: “The NWA was looking for a spot for Sting and I said make him a brother in paint and then Sting joined us (Road Warriors) in our six-man matches.”
Whether Sting Is An icon: “No! Sting is not in the same league as guys like Triple H, Stone Cold, The Rock. Sting will never be considered a legend or icon until he lets his pride go and joins WWE. He needs to bury his personal issues and just get into the WWE. Sting has to come over to the WWE to be that guy, it’s a bigger stage. Impact is one thing, the WWE is a way bigger thing.”
The Best Singles Wrestler Of All Time: “Easily, [Ric] Flair.”
– Psych star James Roday will be guest starring on Monday’s RAW to promote The Miz’s appearance on Psych this Wednesday. This is how the upcoming episode for Wednesday is being promoted:
“Mike “The Miz” Mizanin guest stars on PSYCH next Wednesday in “Shawn and the Real Girl.” Shawn (Roday) and Gus (Dulé Hill) go undercover to investigate the attempted murder of a contestant on a reality show called, “Missed Connections,” a Bachelorette-type dating show where eligible men compete for the affections of a woman each contestant has crossed paths with in the past but has never actually met. Guest stars also include Greg Grunberg, Wayne Brady and Lindsay Sloane.”
– “Ryback” Skip Sheffield continues to rack up wins at WWE live events, defeating JTG at Friday night’s live event from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He’s expected to get called up to the main roster soon.
– Here’s the latest SmackDown Backstage Fallout video featuring interviews with The Miz, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger and Vickie Guerrero.
Ted DiBiase was injured at Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings in a match with Jinder Mahal that was taped for Superstars. After initial reports that DiBiase had broken his ankle, the WWE website reported that DiBiase suffered a “Grade 2 tear [on a 3-tier scale] to his deltoid ligament, and he also sustained a calcaneal fracture, or a heel bone fracture.” The report stated that he will be out of action for several weeks.
DiBiase underwent an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the fractured ankle and tweeted the following on Thursday evening:
“Update: torn ligament and small break, but NO torn tendon which means no surgery! Again, thank you all for your encouragement!!”
Despite that good news, DiBiase has decided to undergo surgery anyways, but no on his ankle. DiBiase tweeted on Friday:
“Well, looks like I’m going under the knife after all. It’s not my ankle, it’s my shoulder. I’ve been working through a lot of pain for the past year. Since I’m down with the ankle, I’m going going to go ahead and fix the shoulder. And I’m coming back #CountryStrong!!
Here is video of this week’s WWE Superstars show. The DiBiase vs. Mahal match begins around the 17-minute mark. It’s unclear at exactly what point during the match the injury took place:
– The Rock is in talks to return to the “Journey” movie franchise, according to TheWrap.com.
Director Brad Peyton and writers Brian Gunn and Mark Gunn have already signed on. New Line Cinema is said to be targeting a 2014 release date for the film.
As of this week, Journey 2 has grossed approximately $79 million domestically and $272 million internationally.
– Speaking of The Rock, we reported earlier this week that he bought a $3.5 million mansion last month located in Southwest Ranches, Florida.
In a strange celebrity connection, The Rock’s new mansion is actually being fixed up by rapper Vanilla Ice as part of his “Vanilla Ice Project” show on the DIY Network show, where he and his team renovate houses.
— Steve Austin confirmed in his latest blog that he and Shawn Michaels will be filming an episode of Shawn’s MacMillan River Adventures show at Austin’s Broken Skull Ranch in Texas soon. Both men are avid hunters and have been talking about working together in recent weeks.
Austin also spoke about his professional rivalry with Shawn Michaels, dating back to their 1998 feud that culminated in their main event match at WrestleMania 14:
“Shawn and I ran in two different packs while we were in WWE, but have always maintained a friendship and respect for one another,” Austin wrote. “It will be good to just hang out and hunt. The competitive nature and environment of putting everything on the line to be a top guy in WWE no longer exists for either one of us. It will be cool just to sit around and trade some war stories.”
— WWE Divas Alicia Fox and the Bella Twins were interviewed by Maria Menounos yesterday in Los Angeles. The interview will air on today’s Extra television show. Check your local listings for availability.
— Former WWE & WCW star Vader returns to the ring in Japan next Friday night for Real Japan Pro Wrestling. The 56 year old wrestler will be facing Tiger Shark.
— Zack Ryder is back with Episode 56 of his Z! True Long Island Story. Aside from the usual segments (Broski & Sign of the Week, etc.), Ryder talks about his kiss with Eve from RAW, which he called, “the most Zacktastic kiss ever.” Check it out:
– Sin Cara will be out of action until late June / early July, much later than WWE was originally hoping for.
– Regarding Kharma’s situation, there is currently no solid time frame for her to make a full time return.
– Booker T told his fans on Twitter that he’s considering starting a Youtube show.
– Great news for Ted DiBiase, who underwent an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the fractured ankle he suffered at Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings. DiBiase tweeted on Thursday evening:
“Update: torn ligament and small break, but NO torn tendon which means no surgery! Again, thank you all for your encouragement!!”
WWE taped this week’s SmackDown show on Tuesday night from Uncatsville, Connecticut. Credit to #1 Raider Fan & WrestlingInc.com for these results:
– SmackDown opens with a steel cage match for the U.S. Championship, as Santino Marella defends against Jack Swagger. Santino Marella defeated Jack Swagger after Vickie Guererro accidentally slammed the cage door on Swagger’s head, allowing Marella to climb the cage for the win.
– Backstage Teddy Long asks John Laurinaitis to call of the match between Aksana and Kane. Laurinaitis announces that he will face Long tonight to determine if the match happens or not.
– Drew McIntyre came out and said that John Laurinaitis said he could get his job back if he wins tonight. The Great Khali came out, but David Otunga told him to take a seat and replaced him with Hornswoggle, who is defeated by McIntyre. After the match, Khali nails McIntyre with a chop and helps Hornswoggle.
– Mark Henry defeated Ezekiel Jackson in a quick match.
– John Laurinaitis vs. Teddy Long is up next. Laurinaitis’ tights are ridiculous, he looks like a ballerina. Kane came out, but Randy Orton ran out and hit Kane with an RKO outside of the ring. Long then covered Laurinaitis for the win.
– Kofi Kingston and R-Truth defeated WWE Tag Team Champions Primo and Epico in a non-title match.
– Michael Cole interviewed Daniel Bryan and Sheamus.
– Main event: Randy Orton, The Big Show and Sheamus defeated Daniel Bryan, Cody Rhodes and the Miz after Orton nailed Miz with an RKO to get the win. Kane and Orton went at it after the match, ending with Orton planting Kane with an RKO to send the fans home happy.