According to a new report, the plan for Money in the Bank as recent as a few days before the pay-per-view was to have Alberto Del Rio cash in his briefcase and leave the show as the new WWE Champion, regardless of what happened between John Cena and CM Punk.
There had been several ideas tossed around for the Punk-Cena storyline and WWE decided over the weekend to give Punk the WWE Title and go from there.
As previously reported the WWE Locker Room Didn’t Know The Cena-Punk Finish in advance.
– At Tuesday’s WWE Smackdown tapings from Minneapolis, Minnisota, SmackDown’s Money in the Bank briefcase holder Daniel Bryan announced that he will be cashing in his contract at … Wrestlemania 28.
– In a dark match prior to Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings, Michael McGillicutty defeated Trent Barreta.
– Matches taped tonight in Minneapolis, Minnesota for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows:
* Justin Gabriel vs. Tyson Kidd
* Natalya vs. Alicia Fox
– Monday’s episode of RAW, the night after WWE’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view, drew a 3.2 cable rating with 4.83 million viewers. The show did hours of 3.15 and 3.29.
While Monday’s rating is up from last week’s 2.9 number, a 3.2 is still not a great number considering the incredible amount of buzz WWE has received in recent weeks and the overwhelmingly-positive reviews coming out of Sunday’s PPV.
– The July 16th episode of WWE’s AM RAW did a 0.67 rating with 821,000 viewers.
– Monday’s RAW featured a promo video hyping the return of John Morrison, who tweeted the following regarding the video package and his medical status:
“watching RAW, @WWE – thanks for the amazing video – damn I’ve got a lot of goofy nicknames!”
“I’ve been working hard to rehab my neck, and nerve damage. I’m hoping to get cleared soon.”
peaking of Morrison, he and Drew McIntyre have been added to this Friday night’s FCW event at the Melbourne Auditorium in Melbourne, Florida.
– According to one of our WWE sources, the current plan for CM Punk is for the storyline to play out off television for the next few weeks – ie. on CM Punk’s Twitter account, the WWE website, etc. Expect some newsworthy tweets and interviews from Punk.
Several ideas have been thrown around WWE in regards to the CM Punk storyline – including WWE using Punk’s kidnapping of the spinner belt as a way to finally get rid of it in favor of a new WWE championship belt.
– Jeff Hardy’s next scheduled court date in North Carolina is September 8th. The case was believed to be coming to an end in late June but has been pushed back another three months. Hardy was arrested back on September 11th of 2009.
– Former TNA star Max Buck of the Generation Me tag team had this to say about his team’s recent departure from the company:
“Simply put: If we weren’t wrestling, we weren’t making money…And a guys gotta eat. Obviously, if you’re a fan of the show, you probably hadn’t seen us for quite sometime. Aside from the television program, TNA also runs live events around the country. In 2011, we’d only been on a handful of those, as well. Now, don’t get me wrong. When you’re booked a bunch, you’re making pretty good money, which was the case for us in our first year with the company. Not so much, this year.”
– With Sin Cara’s future in WWE unknown, Rey Mysterio is expected to get a huge push this summer. Apparently there is something big planned for Mysterio at Summerslam and the following night’s RAW in San Diego.
– According to Bryan Alvarez, Vince McMahon is expected to be backstage at Summerslam although it’s unknown if he will appear on camera.
– Randy Orton vs. Christian in a no-disqualification match for the World Heavyweight championship is being discussed for SummerSlam next month.
(Source: F4WOnline.com)
In his latest video blog, former WWE star Sean Waltman reviews Sunday’s critically-acclaimed Money in the Bank pay-per-view. Waltman also clarifies his tweets from Monday night, where he stated that the storyline from RAW with the board of directors forcing Vince McMahon into retirement is legitimate.
Check out these recent pictures of former WWE & WCW star Bill Goldberg looking much skinnier than he was back when he was wrestling:
On Monday afternoon, former WWE champion John Cena posted a message on Twitter apologizing to The Rock for all the remarks he’s made regarding The Rock’s absence from WWE television. Cena wrote:
“I would like to take a moment to publicly apologize to Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson. In an effort to make WM28 as big as possible I tried to expose rock for his flaws. Very childish and immature on my behalf. My comments about the rocks absence were both unprofessional and childish. I am sorry.”
The Rock responded with a message on Twitter, asking WWE to keep John Cena on the roster so he could whoop his candy ass at WrestleMania.
It was announced on RAW that Cena would not be fired (despite losing the WWE title to CM Punk at Money in the Bank), which prompted another anti-Cena tweet from The Rock after RAW:
“Cena – get back on your tour bus, call up your favorite yum rocket, take your apology and stick it straight up your phony ass.”
If anybody knows what a “yum rocket” is … Well, if you do – maybe it’s best that you keep it to yourself…
– WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin wrote the following on Twitter on Monday regarding his new WWE DVD set, which is being billed as the “final” Austin DVD:
“WWE film crew to come down to the Broken Skull Ranch in a few days. Filming last SCSA DVD. Please send your questions to my twitter acct. “
“Also send any suggestions on matches you would like to see from WCCW, USWA, WCW, ECW, and of course WWE. Thanks for the help. Gonna be good.”
– WWE Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine, who was profiled on Monday’s RAW, is currently training at Florida Championship and wrestled on last Saturday’s show from Fort Meyers, where he lost to Peter Orlov.
– RAW announcer Michael Cole is the latest WWE personality to appear on Shawn Michaels’ hunting show on the Outdoor Channel. Michaels tweeted the following about tonight’s episode:
“Just reviewed [tonight’s] MRA show. I sure hope everybody has a sense of humor. @MichaelCole is gonna b hated in the outdoor biz as well:-)”
– WWE will tape NXT and SmackDown tonight from the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota. TV matches for SmackDown include Randy Orton vs. Kane in a Street Fight and Cody Rhodes vs. Ezekiel Jackson for the Intercontinental Title. On tonight’s NXT, it’s expected that the field of Rookies will be cut down to 2. The remaining contestants are Titus O’Neil, Darren Young and Derrick Bateman.
– Stan sent word that there was 1 hour 36 minutes and 59 seconds of in-ring action at Sunday’s WWE Money in the Bank pay-per-view – which is more in-ring action than we saw at last month’s Capitol Punishment show.
– WWE will be returning to Chicago’s All State Arena on December 26th for a RAW taping.
– After going on sale earlier this week, WWE has already sold out of VIP travel packages for WrestleMania 28. Silver, Gold and Platinum packages are still available.
– WWE announcer Todd Grisham Tweeted the following on Monday after RAW – which is unfortunately probably just a joke:
“This just in…Triple H’s first act as new WWE Chairman is to reinstate WWE Ice Cream Bars.”
Former WWE superstar Chavo Guerrero Jr. was interviewed this week by Arda Ocal (@Arda_Ocal) and Jimmy Korderas (@JimmyKorderas) on the Right After Wrestling radio show. Here are some highlights of what Chavo said about:
His Twitter Rant About John Cena: “He hasn’t contacted me since I made those comments. People ask me why did you call him directly? And I did. Many of us did. I called him lazy on twitter. Don’t get me wrong. He works hard. In the gym. But he always has the exact same comeback. I just remember watching him and saying this isn’t the way we (myself and Eddie) taught you. And we keep seeing him doing the same shoulder tackle, hip-toss 5-Knuckle-Shuffle.”
His WWE Release: “It was really a longtime coming. I went into the creative offices (after putting over Yoshi Tatsu on Superstars) and asked who’s the better wrestler. They said me. I then asked how many countries speak Spanish. And then I asked who have you invested 10 years of television time into. They said me again. And I said they have no legs to stand on. I’ve always been about business but that’s when I said I’m not doing this anymore.”
His Career After Eddie’s Passing: “I always thought the WWE really dropped the ball after Eddie passed. I always thought the WWE didn’t really want to cash in on Eddie’s death. But I remember wrestling Triple H and the fans really went crazy for it. But they went with Rey for WrestleMania 22. And I went into Vince’s office and told him that could be me. The fans could really get behind me. And instead that went into me turning heel and having a great program with Rey”
Who He Still Wants To Wrestle: “I would love to work with AJ Styles. We always used to call him ‘AJ Steals’ because we thought he was always stealing our moves. But I knew him since he was just a kid breaking into the business. But I would also like to work with Kurt Angle again and to see him again. But in the WWE, I guess a heel Randy Orton would be good to work against.”
He also discussed:
– Is there another run left for Chavo Guerrero?
– Being a part of a new new vitamin company and his upcoming book and DVD release
– Some memories on teaming with Eddie Guerrero
– How are Chavo Classic and Chavo Light
For the full 25+ minutes interview, click here.
At the end of Monday’s episode of RAW, we saw Triple H return to television and announce that he would be taking over Vince McMahon’s duties behind the scenes, effectively relieving Vince of his day-to-day duties.
Former WWE star Sean Waltman went on Twitter following RAW and said that Vince McMahon really is stepping down from his job as Chairman and CEO:
“The text [Triple H] sent me today makes much more sense now. That was the real deal, that last 5 or however many minutes.”
Waltman also noted that WWE should “careful that this doesn’t really affect the stock price.”
WWE’s stock is already down over 30% this year.
Here’s a live recap of what happened after Monday’s episode of WWE RAW from Green Bay went off the air, courtesy of reader Doug Simmons:
Vince McMahon removed his jacket, tie, and belt and acted like he wanted to fight. John Cena’s music hit and out he came Cena got in the ring to talk to Vince, who said, “Screw you” and slammed the mic down. He slapped Cena and knocked his hat off.
Cena backed Vince into the corner, then Dolph Ziggler, R-Truth, and The Miz ran in and beat down Cena. Santino Marella, Evan Bourne, and Zack Ryder hit the ring and made the save. All of the heels powdered, leaving only Ziggler in the ring with the babyfaces.
Cena hit Ziggler with the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Sanctio hit The Cobra. Ryder hits his finisher. Cena gave ziggler the Attitude Adjustment, and Bourne nailed his finisher. The babyfaces celebrated with the ringside fans.
— Regarding Sin Cara’s suspension from WWE for violating the company’s Wellness policy, reports are now coming out that Sin Cara’s violation came back on June 20th – almost a month ago. WWE Spokesperson Robert Zimmerman was contacted at the time by Mike Johnson of PWInsider.com and responded with:
“As per our Talent Wellness Program policy if there is a violation the company will make the necessary announcement.”
That announcement was delayed until today.
There was a lot of heat on Sin Cara for failing the test, as he had been promoted heavily as Triple H’s first major international hire in his new position. It’s unknown whether he was working unpaid, which the company used to do while they wrote suspended workers out, or whether he be paid royalties for his appearance at the Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
As noted earlier, it’s possible they may not bring him back.
— During today’s BS Report hosted by ESPN’s Bill Simmons, he and Rob Stone were discussing the Money in the Bank PPV. Bill announced that CM Punk has been booked for their show later this week. We’ll keep you posted when we get the official date.
— According to Alex Jones and prisonplanet.com, WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura’s controversial “Conspiracy Theory” has been picked up for a third season, despite the former Minnesota Governor’s insistence he won’t fly unless a federal court rules that TSA ceases to grope him at airports. Ventura will still host “Conspiracy Theory” from a war room and offer his opinions and perspectives, but will not fly to investigate cases and interview sources. The third season will also feature his son Tyrel as a reporter, as well as Oliver Stone’s son Shawn.
On Monday’s episode of WWE RAW, just as WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon was set to fire John Cena, Triple H’s music hit and the WWE legend made a surprise return to television.
Triple H dropped a bombshell – that WWE’s Board of Directors had voted that despite everything he’s done to turn WWE into the global phenomenon that it is today, he is being relieved of his day-to-day operations.
Vince McMahon’s duties will now be handled by Triple H himself.
The father and son-in laws had an emotional moment, with both men shedding tears as the show went off the air to “Thank You Vince” chants from the crowd.
COMMENT BELWO: What you think about this storyline?
– The Rock wrote the following on Twitter tonight:
“@WWE please don’t fire John Cena. You owe it to the WORLD and GOD to have my boot go right up his phony ass at Wrestlemania 28.”
– Joey Styles wrote the following on Twitter tonight, suggesting that he is returning to announcing on this Thursday’s WWE Superstars:
“Controversy abounds tonight so I’ll take this opportunity to let the world know that I am finally returning to announcing on Thursday.”
– WWE Championship, Kofi Kingston, Rey Mysterio, The Miz and Silent Rage, for Andy Leavine, were all trending worldwide on Twitter during RAW.
WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon announced at the start of Monday’s RAW that a new WWE champion to be crowned tonight!
An 8-man tournament will be held tonight to decide the champion. Here are the the 8 competitors and the first round matches:
* Mysterio vs. Ziggler
* Jack Swagger vs. R-Truth
* Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio
* Alex Riley vs. The Miz
— Former ECW Original Kimona Wanalaya, who was at the center of an intense controversy 15 years ago when she danced high atop the ECW Arena, is at it again. The gorgeous valet is now making the convention circuit, where she obviously didn’t know it’s considered in good taste to wear things like, for example, a bra! To see the entire photo session with Kimona, head over to Paul Heyman’s Heyman Hustle site.
— WWE champion CM Punk tweeted on Monday afternoon that he won’t be at tonight’s RAW and will instead be headed to Wrigley Field for the Chicago Cubs baseball game. ESPN.com’s Jon Greenberg has posted a photo of CM Punk standing on the field this afternoon with the WWE championship, along with Colt Cabana in the background:
Former WWE champion John Cena just posted the following on Twitter, saying he’s been “future endeavored” and his match with The Rock at WrestleMania 28 is off:
“I have just been ‘future endeavored’. Well..if that’s how it is I would like to take a moment to publicly apologize to Dwayne ‘the Rock’ Johnson. In an effort to make WM28 as big as possible I tried to expose rock for his flaws. Very childish and immature on my behalf. My comments about the rocks absence were both unprofessional and childish. I am sorry. Rock, I truly wish and still hope in my heart of hearts that the crazy old man who is the boss reconsiders his totally rash decision. Because chicago was insane last night… And it made me think.of what Miami could have been. I guess sometimes u do not know what u have until it is lost.”
“CeNation. I very rarely ask u for anything but I am down to my last chance. If u could tweet WWE to let them know not to fire me…
* Storyline SPOILERS For JOHN CENA & CM PUNK (Major Angle Planned)
(Source: Twitter.com/JohnCena)
Tonight’s episode of WWE Monday Night RAW will kick off with an appearance from WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon.
Mr. McMcMahon will address the WWE Universe regarding the events that transpired at last night’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
WWE hinted on the company’s official Twitter page that Mr. McMahon will also address whether John Cena will be “fired” after losing the WWE championship to C.M. Punk, as per the match stipulation.
Newly crowned WWE champion and former WWE superstar CM Punk posted the following on Twitter early this morning:
@WWEUniverse: It’s 12:00 a.m. … Do you know where your WWE Champion is? #MITB @CMPunk” The champ is…here: ‘
Many past and present WWE stars are commenting on Twitter about the John Cena vs. CM Punk WWE Championship match at Sunday’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view:
The Rock: “Congratulations to new WWE Champion @CMPunk. Gonna be a helluva run for you. I hope our paths cross.”
Steve Austin: “@CMPunk and @JohnCena had a big time pro wrestling match. I loved it. And I loved the finish. Congrats to both guys. Great stuff.”
“WOW!!! What a Tremendous reception for @CMPunk! That was a 10 out of 10. Hell Yeah!”
Trish Stratus: “What’s so wrong w/ leaving the company as champion, right @wweuniverse? Hehe! Great match-the ‘to be continued’ is what’s got me #mustseetv”
Sean Waltman: “That was f**king unbelievable. Glad I decided on a later flight in order to see that. Hats off to both guys and to WWE for doing it right. Now I can get on my flight a happy man. Thanks @CMPunk and @JohnCena . Thanks to Chicago for making that so electric. Best bldg in world.”
Jim Ross: “Really solid, compelling, old school wrestling match between @JohnCena & @CMPunk. Making me proud.”
“MITB delivered! Last match was excellent. Hope everyone who watched enjoyed it.”
When a PPV delivers, especially the main event, & then the show goes off the air w/ more questions than answers I’d say that’s a good nite.
From start to finish, MITB arguably was the best wrestling PPV of the year. Highly entertaining, great crowd & gutsy in ring work. Bravo.
Kevin Nash: “MITB better than any mma ppv I’ve watched. Punk continues to gain my respect and Jay is the F**KIN man,WWE at it’s best”
Mick Foley: “I don’t think I’ve ever been jealous of a wrestler’s character before. Money, yes, character, no. @cmpunk has changed that. Damn. Damn!”
Howard Finkel: “I’ve seen just about everything possible in my 36 yrs.in this industry, but nothing like I witnessed 2nite! I love this business so much!”
Zack Ryder: “Congrats to my first ever Broski of the Week @CMPunk!”
Seth Rollins: “We’re still a wrestling company and that was how professional wrestling is done.”
Joey Styles: “I can’t believe this. Our WWE Champion doesn’t work for WWE and John Cena is or will be fired. OMG! Holy Crap!”
SEScoops has confirmed with several sources backstage during the CM Punk vs John Cena main event tonight that the locker room did not know the finish of the match, but according to one wrestler backstage “it was a total sellout at the monitor!”
We were told, “Even the producers (formerly agents) were sitting on the edge of their seats, which is why Vince McMahon only had John Laurinaitis go out to the ring with him. He didn’t want anyone else to know the finish of the match.”
According to another source, Alberto Del Rio was briefed personally by Vince once Punk and Cena were already in the ring.
Former WWE star Chavo Guerrero, who blasted John Cena on Twitter earlier this week for cheating his fans by wrestling the same “lazy” and boring match every night, has posted his thoughts about Cena and CM Punk’s match at Money in the Bank. Chavo does put over the efforts of both men, but has more harsh words for Cena @MexWarrior:
Some of u are asking me to eat my words. I’ll give credit where credit is due. Cena & Punk DELIVERED! But why should we be wondering if Cena will show up? He is the highest paid wrestler in the industry & the backbone of the WWE… He should deliver EVERY night! No question! We Never said this about Taker or Michaels. U knew they would deliver every time they stepped foot in the ring. There was never a lazy Accusation with those 2. So what u should be saying is. It’s about time Cena gave the fans there moneys worth!
I’m very happy for Punk…If he’s resigning or not, he deserves it.Nobody has lot a fire in the WWE like that since Austin and I guarantee Cena makes 3-4 times if notMore than Punk. If u make that much, u should deliver every night, no if, ands, or buts! But that’s just me, weather I was making Mysterio Quit or putting over a little person, I gave it my all every night. Not for the money but cuz I have pride in my work and I respect this biz & the fans cuz they are what matters.
There’s always some1 seeing u for the first time & for the last time every night! That’s how every Wrestler should view this biz. Nit as a stepping stone to Hollywood but as way to deliver to the ppl who pay there hard earned money to Watch them every night!!!
Viva La Raza mother f’rs! :) just playing.. Dint hate!