With WrestleMania 28 just weeks away, WWE is taking extra precautions to make sure the main event match that’s been almost a year in the making is not jeopardized due to an injury.

WWE has seen a slew of recent injuries to top stars, including Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Alberto Del Rio, Christian, Sin Cara and Wade Barrett, with several others including R-Truth and Dolph Ziggler having scary close calls.

According to a report at WrestleZone.com, WWE chairman Vince McMahon has instructed any talent that works with Cena to be very careful in the ring and not to take any “unneeded” risks.

WWE has millions of dollars at stake with the big John Cena vs. The Rock match and an injury would be absolutely devastating.

The Rock won’t be wrestling any matches between now and WrestleMania.

Sports Entertainment Legend THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR leads an extreme mind/body/soul bootcamp work-out to notorious rock & roll/heavy metal superstars ASKING ALEXANDRIA. This is the completely unscripted, self-produced pilot episode created by Warrior, Ash Avildsen of Sumerian Records & Frankie Nasso of Nova Entertainment Group.

This show is made for you to be inspired, laugh, cry and make you want to change your life for the better. Stay tuned to find out about the phone call Ben Bruce made to Warrior the next week after the show when he found out they got confirmed for the Mayhem Festival w/ SLIPKNOT & SLAYER, for the sequel and for more info on the full season of THE WARRIOR SHOW!

– Last week, the WWEShop website began selling t-shirts with “insider” phrases on them, such as face, heel and jobber. According to sources within WWE, there are many veterans that are not happy with insider terminology being used for commercial purposes, which will likely lead to the shirts being discontinued.

– Rey Mysterio recently did a radio interview and said he still hopes to complete physical therapy on his surgically repaired knee in time for WrestleMania. Mysterio told WDFN radio:

“I’m trying to see if I can make it back by WrestleMania. That’s my main goal right now – make it back by WrestleMania.”

When asked who he’d like to face, Mysterio said he does not have a particular opponent in mind, but he’d like to participate in the Money in the Bank match, if WWE decides to feature that match at WrestleMania. When asked whether he’d wrestle the also-injured Sin Cara, Mysterio said:

“I’m all up for it. As soon as my knee is ready and I can move the way I know I can move, I’m down.”

To listen to the interview, check out WDFN.com, the official site of Detroit’s 1130 AM The Fan radio station.

(Partial source: f4wonline.com)

WWE is advertising Randy Orton for tonight’s RAW Supershow from Portland, Oregon.

According to WWE storylines, Orton suffered a concussion at the hands of World Heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan on RAW several weeks ago. Orton was pulled from WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view and has not competed since his injury.

Today, February 27th, is the day that Orton is scheduled to be re-evaluated by doctors to determine his next step.

Should WWE provide an update on Orton’s status, we’ll be sure to post it here.

Check out this unofficial, vintage wrestling poster promoting WrestleMania 28.

Big props to SEScoops.com reader Paul Michael Griffin for designing it:

The UFC’s official pre-show Fight Day Live is back on Saturday, February 25 at 530pm ET/230pm PT.  Hosts Dave Farra and Megan Olivi will prepare you for all the fighting action at UFC 144 including the big UFC light heavyweight title fight featuring champion Frankie Edgar and challenger Ben Henderson.  As always, you’ll get the inside information from our panel of experts, Matt Brown from HeavyMMA, John Morgan from MMAJunkie and Joe Ferraro from UFC Connected.  We’ll also sit down with UFC welterweight champ Georges St. Pierre to get an update on his recovery from knee surgery and Carlos Condit who chats about his battle with Nick Diaz.  And finally, we’ll go inside the training camp of Jake Shields.  Be sure and tune in on Saturday at 530 ET/230pm PT.

More FIGHT DAY Video clips!

Earlier this week, video game publisher THQ released an updated version of the arcade classic WrestleFest for iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod).

We’ve been playing it all week and will get a formal review up some time next week when we’ve got some more extensive testing. If you’ve downloaded WWE’s latest addition to the Apple App Store, we want to know what you think.

Comment below and share your thoughts on the following

• Graphics
• Sound
• Gameplay
• Roster
• Overall

– TNA President Dixie Carter says SuperBowl champion Brandon Jacobs of the New York Giants might be interested in a career in pro wrestling once his days in the NFL are over. During an interview with FoxSports.com, Dixie Carter said this about Brandon Jacobs, who appeared on the past 2 episodes of Impact: 

“We have already been talking about life after his football career and are both very excited about the potential” 

– X Division champion Austin Aries vs. Zema Ion for the X Division Title has been added to TNA’s upcoming Victory Road pay-per-view.

Ion became #1 contender to the X Division Title at the Against All Odds PPV earlier this month.

– This week’s TNA Impact Wrestling Post Show is now online:

“Following the bombshell Sting dropped on the World Champion, Bobby Roode stops by the Post Show to give his response to Sting’s actions. Also, after a successful Tag Team Title defense, Magnus sizes up his opponents from tonight’s match, Matt Morgan and Crimson, and speaks of the cohesive partnership he has formed with Samoa Joe which led to the start of their title reign. News, recaps, tweets and more.”

UFC 144

It was December 16^th, 2000 when the Ultimate Fighting Championship last hosted an event of any kind in Tokyo, Japan. The card, UFC 29: Defense of the Belts, was an eight-fight event which took place at the Differ Ariake Arena. In that, two of UFC’s titles were on the line and defended:

• The UFC Lightweight Championship: Pat Miletich (Champion) defeated Kenchi Yamamoto via second round submission.
• The UFC Middleweight Championship: Tito Ortiz (Champion) defeated Yuki Kondo via first round submission.

Fast forward 12 years! The marquee brand in Mixed Martial Arts makes its long awaited return to Japan’s “Eastern Capital”, doing so in a mighty way. Emanating from the Saitama Super Arena, UFC 144 dawns a seven-fight card that includes one title match, the return of its adopted son and a host of Japanese representatives, aiming for a favorable homecoming.

Here’s how this stacked card will pan out come February 25^th, 2012:

Anthony “Showtime” Pettis vs. Joe J-Lau” Lauzon- Lightweight Division Bout

The last man to beat Benson Henderson (current number one contender) is looking to install himself into the Lightweight title picture. Standing in his way is one of the division’s submission specialists in Lauzon. Lauzon will work to get Pettis in his clutches, but Pettis’ explosiveness will prove to be too much to handle. Showtime gets this one with a knockout.

Hatsu Hioki vs. Bart “Bartimus” Palaszewski- Featherweight Division Bout

According to ESPN.com’s MMA Power Rankings, Hioki is only preceded by Jose Aldo when it comes to MMA’s best Featherweights. A return home is the opportune moment to show the world if he warrants such acclaim. The Jiu-Jitsu expert should force Palaszewski into submission.

Yushin “Thunder” Okami vs. Tim “The Barbarian” Boetsch- Middleweight Division Bout

The last time Okami participated in a homecoming fight (UFC Rio 1), he was a visitor who underwent an inhospitable experience at the hands of Anderson Silva. This time around, Thunder is the hometown hero that will have the luxury of distributing a cold welcome to a foreigner. Okami knocks out Boetsch in the second round.

Yoshihior Akiyama vs. Jake Shields- Welterweight Division Bout

Akiyama will make his welterweight debut on home soil. What’s unfortunate about it is he’ll do so against a former Strikeforce Welterweight champion who is on the road to redemption. Shields’ UFC stint, thus far, has resulted in a 1-2 record. With losses to George St. Pierre and Jake Ellenberger, along with the untimely passing of his father, Shields has reached a place of desperation. Look for Shields to have a dominant outing, finishing Akiyama with a submission.

Mark “Super Samoan” Hunt vs. Cheick Kongo- Heavyweight Division Bout

In this battle of heavyweights that are mid-tier combatants and long in the tooth, conventional wisdom says to take the more diverse combatant of the two. Given the almost perfect balance in his striking and takedown ability, it looks like Congo is the way to go in this one.

Quinton “Rampage” Jackson vs. Ryan “Darth” Bader- Light Heavyweight Division Bout

Jackson and Bader are in some ways parallel to each other. Both were somehow or another involved in the division’s title picture, their hands are heavy, they’re 3-2 in their last five fights and finally, they’re capable of wrestling. On the flipside, no two people are exactly the same. In recent history, Bader has proven to be the better wrestler of this pairing. The problem is Jackson’s takedown defense is tops in the company. Bader’s punches are impactful, but his punching accuracy, not so much. Finally, Jackson is an A-List celebrity in Japan who has not fought in his second home since the days of Pride Fighting Championships. The ovation he gets will be nothing short of deafening. Rampage will prove to be Darth’s emperor in the form of a second round knockout.

Frankie “The Answer” Edgar (Champion) vs. Benson “Smooth” Henderson- Lightweight Title Bout

For the first time since December 2009, Frankie Edgar will not face anyone named BJ Penn or Gray Maynard. The biggest heart in the UFC helped the champion overcome serious adversity. Now he faces the tall task of defending his title against Henderson. Henderson, who’s wrestling and striking are comparable to Edgar’s, brings elements of ground-and-pound and submission to the likes of which Edgar has yet to deal with. This one goes the duration, but when the smoke clears, Henderson will have “The Answer” that helps extend his “Smooth” transition into the UFC, becoming the new Lightweight champion.

As always, enjoy fight night, and make sure you return to FightScoops.com for your UFC 144 recap.

WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at BrokenSkullRanch.com. In this entry, Austin talks about filming scenes for his latest movie this week, future acting projects and more. Austin also talks about hunting and wanting to get out there with fellow WWE legend and avid hunter, Shawn Michaels:

“Shawn Michaels and I have been trying to get together for a hunt for the last year and this could be the opportunity to get it done.  Shawn has really taken to the outdoor world like a duck on a Junebug. Shawn’s show, MacMillan River Adventures has been a hit and when I spoke with Shawn in Las Vegas at the SHOT SHOW he was up for several awards.  Shawn’s success is not a surprise to me.  He’s extremely dedicated and motivated to be the best he can be at any endeavor he takes on in life.”

Austin’s praise for Shawn Michaels didn’t stop there. Austin, who is considered one of the greatest of all time and has certainly wrestled other top superstars who could make a good case for that high honor, continued with this:

“He is the greatest in ring performer I have ever seen.  The fact that his talent and commitment transferred over from the squared circle to the world of hunting does not surprise me.  Shawn has segued from being the “Show Stopper” to the “Game Stopper”.  I’m proud of him and his success.

One of the top stories of the week has been that several WWE superstars are reportedly pissed off about The Rock’s involvement at WrestleMania 28 and how he’s getting top billing on the show, despite the fact that he’s not a full-time superstar.

• Full Story: Major Backstage Heat On The Rock

A fan sent The Rock a message on Twitter, asking:

“@TheRock – haters claim ur keeping them from wrestling @ Mania & they cant get over. Y couldnt they get over when u were gone?”

The Rock responded with the following message, which is sure to rub a few people the wrong way:

“@TheRock: The ones who are complaining are the ones who will never get over anyway, Too busy complaining.”

TNA star Jesse Sorensen has issued his first public comments since suffering a serious neck injury at the recent TNA Against All Odds pay-per-view.

Serensen tweeted on Thursday:

Jesse Sorensen posted the following today, which are his first comments since suffering a serious neck injury at the TNA Against All Odds PPV…

“Thanks for all of your thoughts and prayers. I have a long road to recovery ahead, but your support means the world to me.”

Doctors have reportedly told Sorensen that he has a good chance of making a full recovery, which could take up to 12 months.

New York City DJ Peter Rosenberg scored another exclusive interview with a top WWE superstar this week – none other than WWE Champion CM Punk.

In this candid 20-minute 1-on-1 interview, Rosenberg and Punk talk in-depth about “The Promo” from last summer that changed CM Punk’s career more than he could have ever imagined, their philosophies on the business, working with John Cena, smart fans, Chris Jericho, Mark Herny and much more.

– Monday’s post-Elimination Chamber RAW Supershow drew a a 3.2 rating and averaged 4,629,000 viewers. The show did hours of 3.3 and 3.19.

– WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012 inductee Ron Simmons appeared on the Busted Open radio show this week and said he’d love a role in one of The Rock’s movies. Simmons, who worked closely with The Rock when both men were members of the Nation of Domination stable, had this to say about The Rock’s success in Hollywood:

“As far as getting as big as he did, I don’t even think he knew he would get this big. I can say I am proud of him and the only thing I would like for him to do is offer Farooq a part in one of his movies. Let me be a stand in, I don’t even need a speech, just offer me something (laughing).”

– After an apparent heel turn on Monday’s RAW, WWE diva Eve is still scheduled to wrestle heel Divas champion Beth Phoenix at this weekend’s WWE live event from Ontario, Canada at the Citizens Business Bank Arena.

– With the recent announcement that WrestleMania 29 will take place from New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, it’s worth noting that WWE has still not decided on a location for the historic WrestleMania 30 event, which will take place in 2014.

The bidding deadline for potential WrestleMania 30 host cities is approaching soon.

(Sources: bustedopen.net, pwtorch.com, pwinsider.com)

Earlier this week, we published text messages from a WWE superstar who asked to remain anonymous that was complaining about The Rock coming back to WWE and getting a huge payday without elevating anybody but himself.

• Shocking Text Messages: Anonymous WWE Superstar Trashes The Rock

To follow up on the backstage heat on The Rock, there is said to be “more than a few people” in WWE that are very angry about The Rock being featured so prominently at WrestleMania.

The feeling amongst the disgruntled talent is that The Rock does not work for WWE full time and is taking a valuable spot at the top of the card, when that spot could be used to elevate an up and coming full-time wrestler. The other side of the argument is that The Rock is a special attraction, should not be featured as a full-time performer and brings so much interest and extra pay-per-view buys that he more than covers his price tag and everybody earns more with The Rock on the card.

(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)

WWE Champion CM Punk appeared on Hot 97’s morning show on Wednesday and continued his crusade against R&B singer / woman beater Chris Brown. Props to Peter Rosenberg of RosenbergRadio.com for the footage:

– Wade Barrett made his first public comments on Tuesday night since injuring his left arm during the #1 contender’s battle royal on RAW. Barrett tweeted:

“Don’t shed any crocodile tears for me… I could still give every single one of you a good slapping even with only one arm.”

“The biggest downer is that I was scheduled to face Papa Shango this year at ‘Mania. That’s up in the air now. #Hexed.”

The WWE website reported on Tuesday that Barrett sustained a dislocated elbow and will be out for 6-8 weeks, which would keep him out past WrestleMania on April 1st.

– The Rock indicated on Twitter that he’ll be at the March 19th RAW Supershow from Philadelphia,PA.

– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross will be calling another NBA basketball game tonight. JR will serve as a guest color analyst on the Boston Celtics radio broadcast for the Celtics game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game starts at 7pm (ET) and will be broadcast on WEEI, the Celtics Radio Network, and NBA.com.

– Boxing legend Mike Tyson appeared the Dan Patrick Show this week to discuss his boxing career, MMA and pro wrestling. Tyson, who will be inducted into the celebrity wing of the WWE Hall of Fame on March 31st, named Bruno Sammartino as the greatest pro wrestler of all time. To listen to Tyson’s appearance on the show, visit DanPatrick.com.

– Teddy Long says he’ll be appearing on Mondy’s RAW to continue his ongoing battle for power with John Laurinaitis. Long tweeted:

“Since @WWERawGM did MY dance on MY show, next week, I’m gonna be on #Raw making declarations in a husky monotone. Eye for an eye, playa.”

– As previously reported, former ROH star Chris Hero is now wrestling as Kassius Ohno at WWE developmental. The initials, KO, are inspired by Hero’s nickname in Ring of Honor – “That Young Knockout Kid.”

– Eve Torres wrote a “get well message” to Zack Ryder via Twitter. Ryder responded with the following:

“@EveMarieTorres ’cause in time you will find what goes around goes around goes around comes all the way back around #hoeski”

Torres also shot back at the “haters” calling her all sorts of bad names for her recent actions:

“All of you calling me names and degrading women are no better than I. How dare you judge me!”

• Storyline Plans Revealed For EVE’s Heel Turn

– Chris Jericho has chimed in on the Twitter feud between his WrestleMania 28 opponent CM Punk and singer Chris Brown. Jericho says Punk is wasting his time and should be focused on more important things:

“Glad to see @cmpunk wasting his time threatening rappers. I don’t care about anybody else’s business except mine-which is winning at WM28.”

-FCW star Seth Rollins (formerly Tyler Black) confirmed on Twitter that FCW diva Leah West (Irena Janjic) has indeed been let go. West was trained by former WWE star Lance Storm and was signed to a developmental deal early last year.

– Speaking of Seth Rollins, he’s been campaigning on Twitter to have the song “2nd Sucks” by A Day To Remember become his new theme song. Rollins has been asking followers to tweet @whereisadtr and @jeremymckinnon and tell them that “2nd Sucks” would be a perfect theme for him.

Lilian Garcia & Jennifer Hudson (Click To Enlarge)

– Jennifer Hudson, fiance of David Otunga, was backstage at Tuesday’s live SmackDown special. Lillian Garcia tweeted a photo of the two of them backstage at the event, which you can see to the right. It has been rumored as of late that WWE is trying to get Jennifer Hudson to sing the National Anthem at WrestleMania.

– After SmackDownwent off the air, The Big Show came out to face Daniel Bryan for the World Heavyweight Title. During the match, Cody Rhodes hit the ring and caused Bryan to get disqualified.

Rhodes and Bryan then attacked Show until CM Punk came out to make the save. Punk hit a GTS on Bryan while Big Show hit his Weapon of Mass Destruction finisher on Bryan. That ended the show, sending the crowd home happy.

CM PUNK vs. CHRIS BROWN

R&B singer Chris Brown has responded to the scathing video CM Punk tweeted on Tuesday night, which you can read watch here in case you missed it

“@cmpunk the video u just posted was cute! It’s so funny how defensive u are.

And the fact that I really don’t know who you are and could give a shit is the funny part!

I really hope this 15 minutes of fame is paying you for the long run becuz music last forever! Wrestlers come and go according to ratings!

Ok back to rehearsal! Love u team breezy

Just so teambreezy knows… I’m never “ANGRY” when I speak my mind on twitter! They want me to be mad! Thats the difference! Love

I miss the real wrestlers! ( Hacksaw Jim duggan, Brett the hitman heart, coco beware, rowdy roddy piper) #Notnopunks

This shit funny!

Bret “the hitman” Hart! ***** typo

@KREAYSHAWN u got that one! Goldberg was the shit!

THE ROCK #Notnopunks

Number one trend! IM DONE!

We got them #Notnopunks tshirts on deck! Ask @TwonABMG and @Bighoodboss for yall sizes! Lol

Former WWE & TNA star Matt Hardy released the following this week, hyping his return to the ring this Friday night. Matt Hardy will be wrestling former WWE star Luke Gallows at a live event promoted by the UCW promotion in Norcross, GA.

The WWE website has released a statement denying NBA legend Shaquille O’Neal’s claims that he will be wrestling at WrestleMania 28. The statement reads:

“Despite Shaquille O’Neal’s claim that he will compete at WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami, WWE officials have informed WWE.com that the 15-time NBA All-Star is not scheduled to appear on the card.”

The WWE article incorrectly states that Shaq told HollywoodLife.com that he will wrestle at WrestleMania. Shaq told HollywoodLife.com that he would be present at WrestleMania, but did not clarify whether he’d be getting in the ring.

• VIDEO of SHAQ & Big Show Fighting On RAW (From 2009)

Back on Thursday, December 22nd, Shaq appeared on the Abe Kanan radio show (based out of Chicago) and told Kanan that he was in negotiations to wrestle Big Show at WrestleMania.

WWE’s recent storyline that “Big Show has never had his WrestleMania moment” seemed like a perfect set up to Big Show wrestling Shaq, who won an NBA championship with the Miami Heat back in 2006.

CM PUNK vs. CHRIS BROWN

The ongoing war of words between WWE Champion CM Punk and R&B singer Chris Brown has escalated.

Over the weekend, CM Punk tweeted:

“I would like @chrisbrown fight somebody that can defend themselves. Me curb stomping that turd would be a #wrestlemania moment.”

Chris Brown replied:

“@CMpunk needs more followers. He’s such a leader! Not to mention the roids hes on has made it utterly impossible for him pleasure a women.

“Positivity regardless of how u feel! @CMpunk contact my assistant and I’ll have em send u an autographed pic for my biggest FAN!!!”

After re-tweeting a message saying he and Chris Brown should fight an MMA fight, Punk posted the following video online on Tuesday night with the caption: This Must Be Said.