Credit to SEScoops.com readers Mike Williams and Brian Z. for sending these results from what happened after Monday’s RAW from Anaheim, CA went off the air:
After RAW went off the air, John Cena came out to face Kane in the dark match.
Kane took control of the match early on. The match went to the outside of the ring where Cena threw Kane into the steel steps. Cena got Kane back into the ring and went for an AA, but dropped Kane. Kane then worked Cena’s neck over and clotheslined him from the top rope. Kane went for a chokeslam, but Cena countered. After a series of counters, Kane brought a chair in the ring and got disqualified for hitting Cena in the gut.
Kane started to head to the back, but went back to the ring to deliver a tombstone. Cena countered with an AA and celebrated to end the show.
TNA star Sting, who joined Twitter last week, was asked by his followers if he is really planning on retiring in 2012. Sting channeled Mark Twain for his response:
“Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.”
Just last week, TNA President Dixie Carter told the UK’s Daily Star magazine the following about Sting looking to retire this year:
“In his mind, I think this is his last year as far as the wrestling is concerned. When we booked this, that’s the way he was talking about it – ‘I haven’t played there in a decade, and before I retire I need to come back there and wrestle.’ Based on where he’s at and what he’s saying, barring something extraordinary this is the last time.”
“And for me it’s great to be able to bring him back there. He’s spent such a big part of his career helping to build our company, I’m very proud we can bring him over. It feels very final. It’s going to be an emotional night.”
Posted January 16th, 2012 in News, TNA. Tagged: Sting.
– The official theme song for WrestleMania 28 will be “Invincible” by Machine Gun Kelly.
– Former American Idol competitor James Durbin attended Sunday’s WWE live event from Oakland.
– WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels noted on his Twitter page that he will be in Las Vegas this week for the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Tradeshow) convention this week. When asked whether he’ll attend Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings from Vegas, Michaels said:
Tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow takes place from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Matches advertised for tonight’s RAW include CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Championship and Jack Swagger vs. Zack Ryder for the WWE United States championship. With the “injuries” Zack Ryder suffered at the hands of Kane last week and reports that Ryder will be kept off television to sell the attack, the US title match likely will not take place.
Also on tonight’s show – WWE’s new tag team champions Epico and Primo will have their first defense, a rematch against Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne. Kofi wrote on Twitter last night:
“Well. You can’t be a multiple time champion without losing. Tomorrow, RAW in Anaheim. We will have our rematch.”
This week’s show will also have some celebrity star power, as gossip blogger Perez Hilton will be the guest ring announcer for an un-announced Divas match and actor Dennis Haskins (“Mr. Belding” from Saved By The Bell) will be in attendence.
— WWE superstar Mark Henry and former WWE star Batista attended the Wu Tang hip hop show on Saturday night in Austin, TX. Henry and Batista were hanging out after the show in the Wu Tang tour bus.
There were reports over the weekend that viedeo game publisher THQ, had canceled would be closing up shop – that it was scrapping its planned 2014 release schedule and were making plans to sell the company.
THQ is denying these reports, touting the their business and the strength of WWE’s video game franchise in particular. Here’s THQ’s official statement, issued to gaming blog Kotaku.com:
“THQ has not cancelled its 2014 line-up, and has not made any decisions regarding the planned MMO. As part of the ongoing review of our business, we have made decisions to ensure that the company is strategically addressing the most attractive markets. As we have previously announced, we have dramatically reduced our commitment to the kids’ boxed games sector which leads to a significantly more focused release schedule moving forward. Our slate for calendar 2012 and beyond is focused on high-quality core games and continues to build our digital platform and business. We are excited for our pipeline of original and high-quality content along with our relationships with some of the best talent in the industry.
Additionally, we are thrilled with the great performance of Saints Row: The Third, which on a like for like period in North America has tripled in sell-through from Saints Row 2. In addition, WWE ’12’s worldwide sell-through sales are up almost 40% year-over-year for the same sales period with fewer platforms. According to NPD, for the month of December and the 2011 year, THQ was the #5 publisher overall, #4 third party, with reported sell through growing over 18% in a market that was down almost 6%. And coming up next, we have two great titles for the first half of the year including UFC Undisputed 3 and Darksiders 2.”
Posted January 16th, 2012 in News, WWE. Tagged: THQ.
– WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels answered fan questions on Twitter over the weekend about Ric flair appearing at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. Flair, who will be inducted for a second time as part of the legendary Four Horsemen stable, is currently under contract with TNA, which led some to question whether Flair would appear in person.
Regarding wether TNA would allow Flair to appear, Michaels wrote:
“Allow? He attended last year.”
Another fan asked Shawn about his epic matches against the Undertaker at WrestleMania – and when he decided he wanted to challenge the Dead Man. Michaels responded:
“Never, folks did that for me. I just agree.”
– Former WWE superstar John Bradshaw Layfield was asked over the weekend whether we’ll see him back in WWE at any point:
“For those asking about a comeback-who wants to see a comeback of a guy who can talk circles around the kids and is in best shape of his life”
– WWE announced on last week’s Superstars that wrestlers who compete in singles matches at the Royal Rumble will still be eligible for the 30-man battle royal.
– WWE has signed independent wrestler Jody Kristofferson to a developmental deal, according to f4wonline.com. Jody is the son of actor and musician Kris Kristofferson.
Kristofferson impressed Triple H months ago at a tryout, even more when he found out who his father was. Jody finished up with California’s APW promotion over the weekend and will likely start with FCW next month.
Next Saturday night (1/28), UFC presents its second live event on the FOX network from Chicago, Illinois.
Champion CM Punk was scheduled to appear at the show and accompany Chael Sonnen to the octagon for his fight against Mark Munoz. That is – until WWE Chairman Vince McMahon stepped in.
The news of WWE’s champion appearing at a major UFC event the night before the Royal Rumble got a lot of people talking and was reportedly an arrangement set up between Punk and Sonnen themselves. Punk confirmed to MMAfighting.com on Friday that Vince squashed the appearance.
WWE is holding a Supershow live event from Evansville, IN that night, although Punk is not advertised for that show.
Next weekend’s UFC on FOX show will be headlined by Rashad Evans vs. Phil Davis, with Sonnen vs. Munoz serving as the show’s co-main event.
Posted January 14th, 2012 in News, WWE. Tagged: CM Punk.
Earlier today – we reported that TNA President Dixie Carter told the UK’s Daily Star magazine that she was unsure whether Hulk Hogan would be attending TNA’s first-ever Impact Wrestling tapings from the UK later this month. Carter said:
“The truth is I haven’t heard from Hulk in a while. He knows what’s going on – he’s a businessman, and he knows that it’s an important date for us. He will be eyeing that very carefully. He’s been gone from the scene. My goal would be to have him there. You’ll be the first to know if he is.”
Hogan tweeted the following on Friday afternoon, confirming that he will be in attendance for the historic taping:
“There is gonna be some IMPACT in the UK,HULKAMANIA is coming and you know what happens we it’s running wild Brother!!! HH”
Dixie Carter responded with the following tweet:
“@HulkHogan coming to be a part of Impact in the UK? Good or bad — it’s going to interesting.”
– Following the attack he sustained at the hands of Kane on RAW, there has been talk of keeping WWE United States Champion Zack Ryder off television for a few weeks to sell his injuries. Ryder had been booked to defend the US title against Jack Swagger on RAW – we’ll see if that match actually happens. Ryder hasn’t been tweeting since the attack to keep in with the storyline.
Ryder was reportedly at Lucasfilm studios in California on Thursday, according to pwinsider.com. No word yet on what he was doing there .
– WWE will be bringing back the “Roulette wheel” gimmick for next week’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Las Vegas’ Thomas & Mack Center.
Advertised locally for the tapings is Big Show vs. Mark Henry vs. Daniel Bryan.
– Actor Dennis Haskins, best known as Mr. Belding on the mid-90’s television show Saved By The Bell, says he will be at Monday’s RAW Supershow from Anaheim, California. Haskins tweeted:
“2 be clear, don’t know IF I will be on. Going as a fan. Friends in and out of the ring! :) it’ll be great! @ZackRyder @mikethemiz”
– WWE’s SmackDown tapings on April 3rd at the Amway Center will go head-to-head in Orlando, Florida with the TNA Impact Wrestling tapings at the Impact Zone.
BRAZIL – The UFC returns to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil with a massive card featuring a featherweight title fight between champion Jose Aldo and challenger Chad Mendes. Aldo is riding a 13 fight win streak while Mendes enters the fight a perfect 11-0 in his mixed martial arts career. Also on the card is hometown favorite Vitor Belfort battling Anthony Johnson. Johnson moves up to middleweight after fighting his UFC career at welterweight. The action begins on PPV at 10pm ET/ 7pm PT.
UFC 142 pre-show Fight Day Live is back on Saturday, January 14, at 6pm ET/ 3pm PT. Hosts Dave Farra and Megan Olivi will guide you through the full fight card and all of the biggest news in the UFC. Top MMA journalists Brett Okamoto of ESPN and Larry Pepe of Pro MMA Radio will join HeavyMMA Editor Matt Brown on an expert roundtable that will analyze and break down the entire night’s fighting action. UFC heavyweight Frank Mir will be live on set for a one on one interview as well as an inside look into Anthony Johnson’s training camp.
During an interview with the UK’s Daily Star magazine to promote TNA’s upcoming Impact Taping from the Wembley Arena later this month, TNA President Dixie Carter revealed some interesting details on her relationship with Hulk Hogan and Sting’s plans for retirement this year. Here are some highlights of what Dixie said about:
Sting Retiring This Year & His Final UK Appearance:
“In his mind, I think this is his last year as far as the wrestling is concerned. When we booked this, that’s the way he was talking about it – ‘I haven’t played there in a decade, and before I retire I need to come back there and wrestle.’ Based on where he’s at and what he’s saying, barring something extraordinary this is the last time.”
“And for me it’s great to be able to bring him back there. He’s spent such a big part of his career helping to build our company, I’m very proud we can bring him over. It feels very final. It’s going to be an emotional night.”
Her Relationship With Hulk Hogan:
“The truth is I haven’t heard from Hulk in a while. He knows what’s going on – he’s a businessman, and he knows that it’s an important date for us. He will be eyeing that very carefully. He’s been gone from the scene. My goal would be to have him there. You’ll be the first to know if he is.”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:
Edge In The Hall of Fame: “Is Edge going into the WWE HOF ‘too early?’ Not in my view. I don’t know that a waiting period even exists, I’d suggest there is none, for going into the WWE HOF after retirement. It certainly didn’t apply to the King and I who both went in the HOF in 2007 while both still active. Edge is extremely deserving and when one examines his total body of work, it is incredible.”
Brodus Clay’s Debut: “Thought on Brodus Clay’s Raw debut? It certainly wasn’t what many fans obviously thought it was going to be. I think much too much has been made of it from a negative point of view. It was only week one and we were exposed to the new, updated ring persona for what, 6-8 minutes? I’m not smart enough to stamp something yeah or nay after 6-8 minutes but I do like Clay’s physicality and big man athleticism. How he is ‘gift wrapped’ is subjective but what he does bell to bell is always what counts most in my eyes. I’d suggest fans exhale and see how the persona evolves before continuing all the knee jerking. For the record, I am a fan of Brodus Clay.”
Flair At The Hall of Fame: “Do I think that Ric Flair will attend the WWE HOF Ceremony to join the Horsemen? Absolutely. I’d bet on it. This is merely my personal opinion but knowing Naitch as well and for as long as I have, I don’t see him missing this night no matter if he works elsewhere or not.”
Undertaker At WrestleMania: “I still feel Taker will defend his Streak at Wrestlemania in Miami. I still feel that the Streak will be next to impossible to end. I don’t know when Taker will return to WWE TV but I’d merely suggest 4-6 weeks before WM28 would be a viable window…but I do not know. I also don’t know who will face the Deadman but remain steadfast that The Streak is as big an element as any thing that can or will be booked at WM28 so one could assume that the opponent will be significant.”
TNA taped the January 26th episode of Impact Wrestling on Tuesday night from Orlando. Here are the spoiler results, courtesy of reader Eric:
* Tara beat Mickie James and Velvet Sky in a three-way to become the #1 contender to the Knockouts Title.
* Alex Shelley beat Zema Ion.
* We go backstage where Jeff Hardy and Bully Ray are fighting. Bobby Roode pulls up in his truck and attacks Hardy. James Storm appears and goes at it with Roode. Sting runs everyone off.
* Eric Young and ODB beat Angelina Love and Winter.
* Sting, James Storm and Jeff Hardy come to the ring as does Roode and Ray. A brawl breaks out. Sting announces Ray & Roode vs. Storm & Hardy in a Tables Match for tonight.
* Matt Morgan beat Samoa Joe. Magnus and Joe attacked the champions after the match.
* AJ Styles comes out but is interrupted by Daniels and Kazarian. AJ vs. Kaz is made for Against All Odds.
* Jeff Hardy and James Storm beat Bully Ray and Bobby Roode in a tables tag team match. Ray attacked Storm and Hardy with a steel chair after the match and brought a table in. Impact ended with Ray putting Hardy through the table from the top rope.
– Basketball legend Shaquille O’Neal made headlines several weeks ago when he revealed during a radio appearance that he was in talks with WWE to wrestle the Big Show at WrestleMania. The latest is that Shaq is very close to signing or has already signed a deal for WrestleMania 28. WWE creative has been told to come up with ideas for him.
– WWE’s new developmental diva Britani Knight, wrestling at Florida Championship Wrestling under the new ring name as Saraya, may be held off the WWE main roster for some time because of her age.
WWE has had an unofficial policy of late to not put anyone on the main roster until they turn 21 – and Knight is currently 19 years old. The “Over 21” policy is one of the reasons why Bo Rotundo, who recently turned 21, wasn’t featured on the earlier seasons of NXT.
– As we reported earlier this week, the launch of the WWE Network has been delayed several months. The talk in WWE this week is that nobody knows the launch date yet, but it will be some time in the fall.
Vince McMahon is looking to get more Legends involved with the Network and has reportedly reached out to people who in the past he wouldn’t have. A reality show, presumably Legends House, will begin filming soon and will go for 21 weeks, including post-production. The house will be in the Palm Springs area and 10 episodes will be shot.
– To follow up on our report from last week about there being major heat on Evan Bourne for leaking details about R-Truth’s suspension, we’re now being told the heat on Bourne is unrelated to the R-Truth situation.
Regarding last week’s story, one source is saying it was actually Evan Bourne who went to Triple H and apologized for failing the drug test – not Triple H confronting Bourne.
– Jim Ross was asked on Twitter this week whether The Rock will be done as an in-ring performer after WrestleMania 28. JR said it’s “absolutely” realistic that The Rock will be done after his match with John Cena.
– Matches booked but not yet announced for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view include: John Cena vs. Kane and a triple threat match between Daniel Bryan, Big Show and Mark Henry for the World Heavyweight title.
Cody Rhodes vs. Goldust was also discussed for the Rumble, but it’s still up in the air as to whether WWE will go through with this one.
– A new video on Scott Hall’s YouTube channel features a message about Hall’s status in rehab:
“Quick update on Scott Hall, he’s doing very well in rehab and will be evaluated for his release soon. WWE has been monitoring his stay so you may see him on another channel soon.”
– While this is most likely a long shot, Japan’s Inoki Genome Federation are trying to put together a pro wrestling match between Brock Lesnar and Fedor Emelianenko. Don’t hold your breath on this one.
– We’ve got an update on who is being discussed to win the Royal Rumble. While Randy Orton was considered the front runner to win the event in his home town of St. Louis, more recently, talk has shifted to Chris Jericho winning the Rumble.
Chris Jericho will likely be wrestling CM Punk for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 28. WWE creative recently proposed the idea of Jericho remaining silent until after he wins the Royal Rumble. Jericho would give his big victory speech on RAW the next night and issue his formal challenge to Punk.
– Google and Twitter have been at odds this week over a new Google feature where the search engine displays results from its own Google + social networking service above search results of Twitter.
Twitter reps have used search results for “@WWE” to show their concern for Google’s new feature.
History will be made during WrestleMania weekend, as Ric Flair becomes the first wrestler to ever be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame twice. Flair, who was inducted by himself back in 2008, will join the Hall once again as a member of the Four Horsemen. With Flair currently under contract with TNA, the question is whether he will be able to attend WWE’s ceremony in person to accept his second ring.
Not only will Flair be the first time a wrestler is inducted twice, but it will also be the first time WWE has ever inducted somebody under contract to a rival promotion. Triple H reportedly called Ric Flair on prior to Monday’s RAW to inform him of the Horsemen induction.
Flair was at the TNA Impact tapings in Orlando when he got the call. TNA management was not aware of Flair’s induction prior to the news being announced on RAW. Most people within WWE are expecting Ric Flair to show up at the WWE Hall of Fame this year, regardless if TNA lets him or not.
Flair and Vince McMahon are said to be on good terms and the possibility of the Horsemen being inducted has likely been discussed between the two in previous conversations. The fact that Flair was featured in the video package on RAW as well as the press released that was issued this week has led some to believe WWE that Flair has already agreed to appear.
WWE wants Flair to be there and likely wants him to be involved in the Network when it launches.
With the announcement that Edge will be leading the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012, some see that as a sign WrestleMania 29 will be headed to Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas – not Toronto, as previously rumored.
One scenario that was discussed would be for Edge and Trish Stratus being inducted in Toronto next year, but with Edge’s induction taking place this April, Texas could host WrestleMania 29. We’ll find out in just a few months, as WWE typically makes the announcement at WrestleMania.
If WrestleMania 29 does take place from Dallas, Texas, the stage appears to be set for “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to make his in-ring return in front of his home town crowd.
A special appearance from Brock Lesnar and perhaps The Undertaker’s retirement would also go a long way helping WWE sell out the massive Cowboys Stadium.
Austin, Lesnar and The Undertaker’s final match could help WWE draw their biggest live crowd in company history, with Cowboys Stadium holding upto 100,000 fans for boxing events.
– The Rock announced on Twitter that he is shooting a video package that will be used in the opening of Sunday’s NFL playoff game between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers:
“Shooting the #ElectrifyingIntro for @NFLonFOX Packers/Giants this Sunday. #RoadToTheLombardi”
– ESPN.com has picked up the story of John Cena working with Post Cereals to appear on the box of Fruity Pebbles. Cena is quoted in the article, saying:
“It’s great when you can take a negative like the Rock’s comments and turn it into a chance to be a box of cereal. Only in the WWE can that happen.”
– Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the new Scorpion King 3 DVD co-starring former WWE star Batista: