– Eric Bischoff officially welcomed Dave Lagana to TNA with the following message posted on Facebook & Twitter:
“Welcome David Lagana! Had the opportunity to work with David in WWE and learned to respect his knowledge of story structure and detail.”
As we reported on Tuesday, Vince Russo and TNA have officially parted ways. Early reports indicated that Lagana was replacing Russo, however this is not entirely true. Lagana exact role in TNA is unknown at this time. While he will be contributing to the creative process, he is not assuming Russo’s job. It’s believed that Eric Bischoff will assume more power behind the scenes now that Russo is finally out.
– Spike TV president Kevin Kay was at the Impact Wrestling taping in Orlando on Monday and threw a party for the TNA wrestlers and crew after the show.
– Kurt Angle wrote the following on Twitter about Jesse Sorensen, stating that doctors gave him a 1-year recovery time:
“I Visited Jesse Sorenson.He Is Moving His Arms and Legs.Drs’ say 1 Year recovery. I Say 4 Months.Jesse Is a Hero and Fighter. “I’ll Be Back””
Angle clearly means well here, but he should probably stay away from setting unrealistic goals for Sorensen, who is going to have a very long, difficult road to recovery.
TNA taped the February 23rd episode of Impact Wrestling on Monday and Tuesday night in Orlando at the Impact Zone. Thanks to reader Eric for the following spoilers that will air in two weeks on Spike:
Taped Monday:
* New York Giant Brandon Jacobs comes to the ring and talks about his friend James Storm. Jacobs calls out Bully Ray for spitting in his face last week. Ray does good mic work here but says he’s not going to waste his time on someone who barely got any yardage in the Super Bowl. Jacobs exits the ring and chases Ray off to the back.
* The main event of the show is taped – James Storm and Jeff Hardy beat Bully Ray and Kurt Angle in a No DQ Match. Brandon Jacobs was in the corner of Hardy and Storm for the match. Jacobs chokeslammed Ray through a table towards the end of the show. Jacobs and Storm celebrated to end it.
* Bobby Roode opened the tapings and runs down Sting. Roode says he has forced Sting into retirement and everyone can say theirgoodbyes later tonight. Roode calls ending Sting’s career the best moment of his own career.
* Samoa Joe and Magnus defended the TNA Tag Team Titles successfully against Crimson and Matt Morgan when Crimson accidentally hit his partner. After the match, they argued and Crimson walked out.
* Zema Ion beat Alex Shelley while Austin Aries watched from ringside.
* Gail Kim beat ODB in a non-title match. During the match, Madison Rayne came down to watch. She celebrated with Gail after the win but Gail was hesitant.
* AJ Styles bat Robbie E. with the TV Title on the line but by DQ. The DQ came when Kazarian and Daniels interfered.
* Sting comes out and says the job is too much for him and he’s finished. Roode comes out and plays the heel. Sting starts putting face paint on and says Roode has caused him to feel alive now. Sting says he is going to whoop Roode’s butt at Victory Road. Roode tries to get a cheap shot in but Sting blocks it. Sting drops Roode and tells him to get ready for Victory Road before tossing the microphone at him.
– Somebody call his momma … WWE officials have reportedly decided to put Brodus Clay’s “Funkasaurus” gimmick on hold for the time being, according to the Wrestling Globe Newsletter. Despite the positive reaction that the character received from live audience and Internet fans, WWE officials feel that Clay’s wrestling wasn’t where it needed to be for WWE TV.
Clay’s match against Heath Slater was cut from SmackDown a few weeks back when the decision was made that Clay needed to improve on his in-ring skills.
– Jim Ross wrote the following on Twitter regarding The Undertaker apparently cutting his hair in the video promo that aired on Monday’s RAW:
“Don’t know why Taker cut his hair but assume we’ll learn more on the next installment of RAW. Obviously Deadman altering his look but why?”
Regarding the concussion Randy Orton reportedly suffered on Monday’s RAW, JR wrote:
“Re: Orton’s concussion, he’s out of Sundays PPV.WWE travels a medical doctor & certified athletic trainer to every event..4 those who asked.”
– After Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Fresno, California went off the air, the dark match main event saw Sheamus defeat Wade Barrett in a Street Fight.
– The Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game Awards have nominated WWE Superstars The Undertaker, John Cena, Kofi Kingston and The Miz for the “Here To Rumble” award for best ring entrance.
The Miz is being advertised to appear at the awards show, which takes place this Sunday from Santa Monica, California.
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart told a fan on Twitter this week that Montreal is a dead issue and unfortunately, some of his siblings are still jealous of him and take any chance they can to tear him down. A fan asked Bret, “Your brother Smith Hart said in an interview that Stu Hart stated, “Bret should have just done the job in Montreal.” Any truth to that?”
Bret replied with the following:
“I’ve had numerous conversations w/my dad about Montreal & he never ever indicated anything of this sort to me.”
“There are certain members of my family that never miss an opportunity 2 tear me down or minimize my achievements. My dad’s nickname for my brother Smith was “shed”, short for shithead. So take it from the source.”
“I don’t give a damn what anyone says re:Montreal & it’s a dead issue.”
WWE announced on Tuesday night that SmackDown superstar Randy Orton suffered a concussion on RAW and will not be able to compete in this Sunday’s Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight championship.
A battle royal was held at the Smackdown tapings to determine who would fill Orton’s spot in the Chamber and that battle royal was won by none other than Santino Marella.
Here’s what looks to be the final card for Sunday’s pay-per-view:
Elimination Chamber for the WWE Title
CM Punk vs. The Miz vs. R-Truth vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler
Elimination Chamber for the World Heavyweight Title
Daniel Bryan vs. Santino Marella vs. The Great Khali vs. Big Show vs. Wade Barrett vs. Cody Rhodes
WWE Divas Title Match
Beth Phoenix vs. Tamina Snuka
Credit to Nikki for sending in these results for Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Fresno, California, airing this Friday night on SyFy:
* SmackDown opens with Teddy Long and World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan backstage. Security is guarding Teddy’s office. Long is concerned about Randy Orton’s condition and pulls him from the Elimination Chamber match on Sunday.
* Big Show and The Great Khali defeat Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes. After the match, Show turns on Khali and takes him out.
* Mark Henry returns backstage and wants Teddy Long to put him into the Elimination Chamber match. Big Show came in and demanded a match against Daniel Bryan for later tonight. Show got pissed, laid out Henry and tore up Teddy’s office before leaving. Long put security on notice and told them to take Big Show out of the arena if they see him.
* Hunico defeated Ted DiBiase with the help of Camacho.
* WWE Tag Team Champions Epico and Primo defeat The Usos.
* Daniel Bryan comes out and cuts a promo about his actions on RAW. Bryan says he will win at Elimination Chamber. He wants Lilian Garcia to announce him the winner by forfeit but Teddy Long interrupts and makes Sheamus vs. Bryan now.
* Daniel Bryan beat Sheamus by DQ when Sheamus went crazy on Bryan. Bryan spit in Sheamus’ face which caused him to go crazy. Sheamus pushed the referee which caused the DQ.
* Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett confront Teddy Long and want to know who is replacing Randy Orton at the Elimination Chamber. Teddy announces a battle royal to fill the final spot. He says a Superstar from RAW or SmackDown can compete.
* Jinder Mahal won a quick match over Ezekiel Jackson.
* Tamina and Alicia Fox beat Natalya and Beth Phoenix. The referee gets distracted by Natalya’s farting.
* Santino Marella won a battle royal to replace Randy Orton in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber on Sunday. The match came down to David Otunga, Ezekiel Jackson, Drew McIntyre and Santino. Santino got a big ovation from the crowd for his win.
WWE has issued a statement that Randy Orton is injured and will not be able to wrestle at Sunday’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. According to the storyline, Orton suffered a concussion when World Heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan smashed him in the head with the title belt.
WWE physician Dr. Michael Sampson was quoted by WWE.com saying:
“Randy sustained head trauma following his match with Big Show, in which Daniel Bryan interfered, and he was evaluated in the training room immediately afterward.”
“Due to his symptoms as well as his neurological evaluation, he was diagnosed with a concussion. We will be doing more testing to see how he’s going to do as far as short term vs. long term.”
We reported earlier that Orton was injured at RAW during his match with the Big Show. At this time, there are no indications that Orton will miss WrestleMania 28.
As if fans didn’t already have enough reasons to dislike John Cena, Monday’s RAW gave us what might be the best reason yet. Zack Ryder is still in bad shape from the attack he suffered at the hands of Kane weeks ago, wearing a neck brace and confined to a wheelchair. Despite his physical condition, Zack’s love for Eve brought him to RAW, where he planned to finally tell her how he feels. That’s where things started to head south for the Long Island native.
Check out the videos below and tell us what you feel about this shocking twist in the Ryder-Cena-Eve storyline. Do you think this ultimate betrayal will result in Zack Ryder turning heel?
One thing’s for sure .. Cena just took himself out of the running for the 2012 Slammy Award for “Friend of The Year” …
Zack Ryder tells John Cena he plans to profess his love to Eve:
John Cena Saves Eve from Kane and Gets A Nice Reward:
(The chance to stab his friend in the back)
Eve tells Zack Ryder she “Just Wants To Be Friends”
A Distraught Zack Ryder Gets Wheeled Off The Stage By Kane:
(Eve and Cena act concerned, like they give a shit)
TNA President Dixie Carter just announced the following on Facebook and Twitter, confirming our weekend report that Vince Russo is in fact leaving the company:
“TNA and Vince Russo have mutually parted ways as of this week. The separation is amicable and professional. We are glad for the opportunity to have worked together and wish each other nothing but good luck and success in the future.”
Check out our exclusive report from the weekend regarding the backstage power struggle in TNA and details on what turned out to be Russo’s final days with the company
– Former WWE champion Alberto Del Rio was backstage at Monday’s RAW from San Diego, despite not appearing on television. Del Rio returned to WWE this weekend on the SmackDown brand’s live events from California, but competed in arm wrestling challenges with Sheamus because he’s not medically cleared to return to the ring.
– Video game publisher THQ is already doing motion capture work for the WWE ’13 video game, due out this fall.
Jim Ross noted on Twitter recently that he’ll be doing commentary with Jerry Lawler in the game, a welcomed change to last year’s Cole-Lawler team.
– WWE diva Tamina is now known as Tamina Snuka. She’ll get a shot at Beth Phoenix’s Divas championship this Sunday at Elimination Chamber.
Injured TNA wrestler Jesse Sorensen showed “significant improvement” on Monday after suffering a C1 vertebrae fracture with spinal cord edema at Sunday’s Against All Odds pay-per-view.
Sorensen is said to be slowly regaining the feeling back in his legs and doctors now expect a full recovery, according to a report by Jason Powell at prowrestling.net.
TNA President Dixie Carter flew Sorensen’s mother to Florida to be at this bedside.
The news that Sorensen is expected to fully recover after initially having no feeling in his arms and legs is phenomenal news for the young wrestler.
Jacobs tells USA Today that he’s always been a wrestling fan and appearing on a wrestling show is a childhood dream come true for him:
“I’ve always been a fan of wresting growing up and had the opportunity to be a part of it. Excited and can’t wait to get out there.”
“Don’t worry about me getting injured or anything. The other guys are the ones who are going to have to worry about avoiding injuries. This is going to be fun for me.”
TNA star Sting tweeted the following about Jacobs’ involvement at Monday’s Impact Wrestling tapings. Jacobs’ segments will air on the next two weeks of Impact:
“Impact Wrestling got a huge injection of greatness through Brandon Jacobs!! What a perfect fit- Brandon, you bring truck loads to us!!”
Super Bowl Champion New York Giants player Brandon Jacobs appeared at Monday night’s Impact Wrestling tapings and got physical with TNA Champion James Storm.
For a full recap of what went down at Monday night’s tapings (including segments taped for the next 2 weeks of Impact Wrestling), check out:
On Monday night from Orlando, TNA taped this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling, as well as a few segments for net week’s show.
Super Bowl champion New York Giants player Brandon Jacobs as at Monday night’s tapings, so they also taped the segments for the 2/23 show that involved Jacobs.
– Brandon Jacobs comes to the ring and congratulated James Storm on beating Bully Ray “last week” (earlier in the night). Jacobs says that Bully shouldn’t have spit beer in his face last week and he calls Bully out. Bully runs down Jacobs saying that he is a 23-time champion, compared to Jacobs 2 championship wins. Jacobs ends up chasing Bully to the back.
– James Storm and Jeff Hardy (with Brandon Jacobs) beat Kurt Angle and Bully Ray in a no DQ match. Jacobs gave Bully a chokeslam through a table allowing Storm to get the win.
– WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels appeared on Raw and confronted his best friend Triple H over him rejecting The Undertaker’s Wrestlemania 28 challenge. Michaels read Triple H the riot act, explaining that where he’s from, if a man challenges you and you turn down the challenge, you are a coward. Michaels tweeted the following after RAW:
“Well, that was interesting!! Always a joy, no matter what happens, to get out I’m front of all of you. Tomorrow…back to my tractor:-) Thanks San Diego…and in my best Ron Burgundy voice…”Stay Classy San Diego.”
On Tuesday afternoon, HBK responded to a few more fan tweets regarding RAW. When one fan mentioned HBK’s “air guitar” that he did on RAW during Triple H’s entrance, HBK replied:
“I thought the camera would be on him…DOH!!:-)?
– Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio were backstage at Monday’s RAW from his hometown of San Diego, California. Neither man appeared on camera.
– There are reports going around that WWE has released a few people from the Consumer Products department last Friday. Jim Connely (Senior VP), Florence Digiorgio (VP), and Dean Miller (VP) are among the names that are rumored to be released. We will follow up on this story when new details become available.
– After Monday’s RAW Supershow went off the air, Kane came back out as the crowd sang “nah nah nah nah, hey hey hey, goodbye.” As Kane made his way to the ring, John Cena gave him the Attitude Adjustment. Their advertised dark match then took place.
The other advertised dark match did take place, as CM Punk retained the WWE championship against Dolph Ziggler after nailing Ziggler with the Go To Sleep. After the match, Punk grabbed a mic and dedicated his win to Zack Ryder, who had his heart (and possibly a few bones) broken on RAW at the hands of John Cena and Kane.
– Hardcore wrestling legend Mick Foley expressed concern over Zack Ryder’s bump off the entrance ramp at the end of RAW last night. Foley tweeted the following:
“I’m legit concerned for @zackryder. There’s just way too much risk there. That fall off the ramp might not be something you can get through with fortitude and ice packs. Zack has such a bright future; I hate to see his knees, ankles, and spine at such risk. That’s the type of thing that could cost him weeks or months at the most vital time of his career.”
Credit to Eric for the following TNA Impact Wrestling spoilers from Monday night’s tapings in Orlando. These will air this Thursday on Spike:
* World Champion Bobby Roode opens the show and has Christy Hemme re-introduce himself. Roode brags about Against All Odds until Sting comes out. Sting announces Roode vs. Jeff Hardy with the title on the line tonight. It will be No Time Limit and No DQ.
* Bobby Roode beat Jeff Hardy in the match to retain his title. The match went all over the Impact Zone. They fought back to the ring and Hardy was ready for the when when Kurt Angle came out. Angle laid Hardy out, letting Roode get the win.
* James Storm beat Bully Ray to become the new #1 contender to the World Title. Ray attacked Storm after the match until New York Giant Brandon Jacobs got in Ray’s face. Ray spat beer on him. Jacobs shoved Ray to the mat and agents had to come out and separate them.
* They re-taped the finish to the Hardy vs. Roode World Title match. Instead of Angle knocking Hardy off the top rope, this time he threw him into the steel steps so Roode could get the win.
* Zema Ion and Austin Aries beat Alex Shelley and Shannon Moore. They all fought after the match.
* Madison Rayne came out before the battle royal and put over Gail Kim. Madison then won the 10 Knockouts battle royal by last eliminating Velvet Sky. Madison had been sitting with Gail at ringside watching the match. It didn’t appear she was in the match and Gail got upset after she won it and the title shot.
* Sting calls Bobby Roode to the ring. Sting announces Roode vs. James Storm with the World Title on the line. Roode hits Sting with a low blow and beats him up with the World Title.
* Eric Bischoff, Ric Flair, Gunner and a random woman come to the ring for a victory celebration. They talk about taking out Garett Bischoff at Against All Odds. Eric talks a bunch of trash about his son and acknowledges that he isn’t here tonight. Eric tells Garett to think twice about getting involved in the wrestling business ever again.
New York Giants Superbowl champion Brandon Jacobs will be appearing on the next two episodes of TNA’s Impact Wrestling, according to USAToday.com. Jacobs told USA Today:
“I’ve always been a fan of wresting growing up and had the opportunity to be a part of it. Excited and can’t wait to get out there.”
“Don’t worry about me getting injured or anything. The other guys are the ones who are going to have to worry about avoiding injuries. This is going to be fun for me.”
— A Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan rematch was announced for Friday’s SmackDown. The show tapes Tuesday night from Fresno, California.
— Friday’s SmackDown drew a 2.17 rating with 3,261,000 viewers. (Source: pwinsider)
— WWE Hall of Fame diva Tammy “Sunny” Sytch recently did a school girl photo shoot with longtime wrestling photographer Bob Mulrenin at HeymanHustle.com.
— The Undertaker is currently not scheduled for any WWE live events or any SmackDown TV tapings. The Dead Man is expected to make appearances on RAW in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 28.
TNA President Dixie Carter tweeted the following update on Monday regarding Jesse Sorensen’s condition:
“Jesse Sorensen has sustained a C1 vertebrae fracture with spinal cord edema. He is slowly regaining feeling and movement in his arms and legs. He wants to thank you all for your thoughts and prayers. Once we speak to the neurosurgeon, we will pass on more details.”
Sorensen was injured during his match with Zema Ion at Sunday’s Against All Odds pay-per-view
Despite TNA officials’ claims to the contrary, there is a very real power struggle going on behind the scenes at TNA Impact Wrestling, and the bad blood dates back many years.
When Vince Russo ascended to the top of the WWE creative power structure in the Attitude Era, he did it at the expense of Bruce Prichard and Pat Patterson, who were WWE Chairman Vince McMahon’s closest confidantes at the time.
Even Jim Ross, who was head of talent relations, found himself out in the cold when it came to creative pitches to McMahon, who used Russo to “fill in the blanks” (according to a well placed source who was in WWE at the time) as McMahon took total control of his product and went forward with the Stone Cold Era.
Now, Bruce Prichard seems to be in position to, as a key insider in TNA points out, “deliver one hell of a receipt to Russo,” as no one is alllowed to pitch directly to TNA President Dixie Carter anymore, everyone must go through Prichard.
“Russo is on the chopping block, no matter what anyone else says,” our key insider told us exclusively, “and Prichard is the one swinging the axe!”
– John Cena has paid off the tax lien against his Florida home. According to documents filed in Hillsborough County Florida, a roofing company claimed Cena owed them $15,214.92 for work they performed.
Tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow will take place from the Valley View Casino in San Diego, California.
WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will make his WWE return tonight. Michaels is rumored to be the guest referee of the Triple H vs. Undertaker match at WrestleMania.
Also returning to television tonight is Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio appeared at this weekend’s SmackDown live events, but is not medically cleared to wrestle yet.
Advertised locally are John Cena vs. Kane and WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler.