SEScoops

Author: Staff

  • WWE Getting A Lot Of Media Coverage In Japan

    Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

    Japanese stars Gedo, Jado and KENTA were all at WrestleMania 26 weekend for the Antonio Inoki Hall of Fame induction. Inoki did a lot of photo ops for the Japanese media, including congratulating RAW’s Yoshi Tatsu on winning the pre-show battle royal.

    There was already some Japanese media in town because Major League Baseball star Hideki Matsui is playing pre-season baseball there. This helped out with the coverage from Japan on Inoki’s induction. Part of the reason why Inoki was chosen for this year’s Hall is because of the exposure WWE would be getting in Japan. The media took photos of Inoki with Vince McMahon, where Vince thanked Inoki for the friendship with Vince Sr.

    With WWE aiming for maximum exposure in Japan, that could very well be part of the reason why Yoshi Tatsu won the WrestleMania pre-show battle royal.

  • *Spoilers* WWE SmackDown! Tapings Results For Tonight

    New World Heavyweight Champion Jack Swagger

    The beginning of the show started with Chris Jericho cutting a promo. Edge came out and beat him up which led to Edge spearing him. Edge wad leaving the ring when Jack Swagger knocked Edge down with the the MITB briefcase. Swagger then cashed in the MITB and beat Chris Jericho with his finisher

    1. Jack Swagger defeated Chris Jericho to win the World Hvt. Championship. Swagger cashed in the MITB and beat Jericho with his finisher.

    2. John Morrison and R-Truth beat Cryme Tyme. After the match, Cryme Tyme broke up.

    3. Drew McIntyre beat Matt Hardy.

    4. Dolph Ziggler defeated Great Khali.

    C.M. Punk wants a rematch with Rey Mysterio. He is going to put his hair on the line against Mysterio, who must join the Straight Edge Society if he loses. Mysterio did not come out to accept. This is likely an Extreme Rules match, but it’s unclear at this point.

    5. Beth Phoenix and Tiffany beat Michelle McCool and Layla.

    6. Kane vs. all eight members of NXT in an elimination tag match ended in a DQ. The finish came when all the NXT members jumped Kane at once.

    Teddy Long announced that Edge will face Chris Jericho next week for a shot at Jack Swagger and the World Hvt. Championship.

    7. Undertaker defeated C.M. Punk. Taker won with the Tombstone piledriver.

  • Vince McMahon’s “Mr. McMahon” Character Reportedly Finished

    Vince McMahon’s evil “Mr. McMahon” character is said to be finished, according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    The character was spawned back in 1997 following the infamous Montreal Screwjob. McMahon’s on-air character turned heel for the first time and it became the antagonist to the company’s top star “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in arguably the best run in the history of the company.

    With Bret Hart’s return to WWE after 13 years, McMahon felt WrestleMania would be the perfect chance for Bret Hart to get his ultimate revenge and wipe out Mr. McMahon once and for all. The over-the-top beatdown he sustained at the hands (and feet) of the Hart family signified the end of the character.

    McMahon is a firm believer in pushing younger acts and is not blind to the fact that he’s in his 60’s and the character more than ran its course.

  • Vince McMahon's "Mr. McMahon" Character Reportedly Finished

    Vince McMahon’s evil “Mr. McMahon” character is said to be finished, according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

    The character was spawned back in 1997 following the infamous Montreal Screwjob. McMahon’s on-air character turned heel for the first time and it became the antagonist to the company’s top star “Stone Cold” Steve Austin in arguably the best run in the history of the company.

    With Bret Hart’s return to WWE after 13 years, McMahon felt WrestleMania would be the perfect chance for Bret Hart to get his ultimate revenge and wipe out Mr. McMahon once and for all. The over-the-top beatdown he sustained at the hands (and feet) of the Hart family signified the end of the character.

    McMahon is a firm believer in pushing younger acts and is not blind to the fact that he’s in his 60’s and the character more than ran its course.

  • Batista Looking to Take Several Months Off From WWE

    Former WWE Champion Batista has been telling people within WWE that he’s looking to take an extended break from WWE following WrestleMania.

    Those within the company expect Batista to take his leave of absence following the Extreme Rules PPV later this month.

    Batista is scheduled to begin filming for the upcoming WWE Studio’s film “Killing Karma” this spring and the general consensus within the locker room is that Batista will not wrestler while he is filming.

  • Chris Jericho Says He Be Out Of Action Until May

    WWE’s World Heavyweight champion Chris Jericho posted a message on Twitter today saying that he’ll be out of action for six weeks.

    Jericho wrote: “Just got selected for sequestered jury duty. Six weeks minimum. :-( Won’t be able to work or tweet. See u in May WWE Universe…”

    It’s worth noting that today is April Fool’s Day — so there’s a good chance that this is a gag on Jericho’s part, that jokester.

    * Follow Chris Jericho & 80+ Wrestlers & Divas on Twitter at PWTweets.com >>

  • Jeff Hardy & Shannon Moore Pushing Matt To Join TNA

    It looks like TNA stars Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore are trying to get WWE superstar Matt Hardy to “cross the ilne” and jump ship from WWE to TNA after the two wrote “cryptic” messages on Twitter last night.

    Shannon More wrote: “@MATTHARDBRAND time to jump ship brudda. Ship has set sail. Tell Ace you quit and be a Heavens Demon!!!”

    Jeff Hardy then wrote the following: “Maybe my brother can join tha demons next time if he gets his shit together.”

    Presumably the “Ace” that Shannon was referring to is WWE’s John “Johnny Ace” Laurinaitis.

    In a related note, Jeff Hardy, Shannon Moore and Gregory Helms attended last night’s UFC Fight Night 21 live show from North Carolina.

  • Jeff Hardy & Shannon Moore Pushing Matt To Join TNA

    It looks like TNA stars Jeff Hardy and Shannon Moore are trying to get WWE superstar Matt Hardy to “cross the ilne” and jump ship from WWE to TNA after the two wrote “cryptic” messages on Twitter last night.

    Shannon More wrote: “@MATTHARDBRAND time to jump ship brudda. Ship has set sail. Tell Ace you quit and be a Heavens Demon!!!”

    Jeff Hardy then wrote the following: “Maybe my brother can join tha demons next time if he gets his shit together.”

    Presumably the “Ace” that Shannon was referring to is WWE’s John “Johnny Ace” Laurinaitis.

    In a related note, Jeff Hardy, Shannon Moore and Gregory Helms attended last night’s UFC Fight Night 21 live show from North Carolina.

  • Detailed Update On Jim Ross’ Future With WWE

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross posted a new blog entry at JrsBarBQ.com with a detailed update on his future in WWE. Ross recently signed a short-term contract extension and there’s been a lot of speculation that he’s either leaving the industry entirely or would consider jumping to TNA Wrestling.

    Ross wrote:

    “JR is NOT retiring. It’s tempting and financially doable but I want to work a few more years in a role that is fun and not as laden with stress as some of my previous assignments have been.

    No I am not ‘vanishing.’ LIfe is so good here in Norman and I have a tremendous amount of things to look forward to although I know that I have not broadcast my last event. One doesn’t do something for over 35 years and stop cold turkey or at least I don’t.

    There are no issues or problems with my negotiations with WWE. The ball is in WWE’s court to put together a new role for me within the company. Essentially they have decided to reassign me from weekly broadcasting and that includes the monthly PPV’s to focus on other areas of the company. I am guessing, and I stress guessing, that may be some form of scouting and/or talent development. I might be wrong on that assumption but I’ll know before the end of April as that is when my current extension expires.”

  • Detailed Update On Jim Ross' Future With WWE

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross posted a new blog entry at JrsBarBQ.com with a detailed update on his future in WWE. Ross recently signed a short-term contract extension and there’s been a lot of speculation that he’s either leaving the industry entirely or would consider jumping to TNA Wrestling.

    Ross wrote:

    “JR is NOT retiring. It’s tempting and financially doable but I want to work a few more years in a role that is fun and not as laden with stress as some of my previous assignments have been.

    No I am not ‘vanishing.’ LIfe is so good here in Norman and I have a tremendous amount of things to look forward to although I know that I have not broadcast my last event. One doesn’t do something for over 35 years and stop cold turkey or at least I don’t.

    There are no issues or problems with my negotiations with WWE. The ball is in WWE’s court to put together a new role for me within the company. Essentially they have decided to reassign me from weekly broadcasting and that includes the monthly PPV’s to focus on other areas of the company. I am guessing, and I stress guessing, that may be some form of scouting and/or talent development. I might be wrong on that assumption but I’ll know before the end of April as that is when my current extension expires.”

  • RVD Loving TNA, Monday’s iMPACT! Beaten By AM RAW

    – TNA star Rob Van Dam posted a message on his site (RobVanDam.com) with a glowing review of his time in TNA thus far.  Here’s part of what RVD wrote:

    “To counter any negative energy that may be out there, concerning TNA in any matter, let me just tell you that I am loving it there. The reasonable work schedule, the doable travel, the people in and behind the scenes, the growing situation, the excitement from the crowd, the unstoppable path to the top I’m on, love it all.”

    – For what it’s worth, TNA iMPACT not only lost to RAW this week in the ratings but they also lost to AM RAW, which scored an 0.7 rating. AM RAW airs after midnight on Saturday nights.

  • RVD Loving TNA, Monday's iMPACT! Beaten By AM RAW

    – TNA star Rob Van Dam posted a message on his site (RobVanDam.com) with a glowing review of his time in TNA thus far.  Here’s part of what RVD wrote:

    “To counter any negative energy that may be out there, concerning TNA in any matter, let me just tell you that I am loving it there. The reasonable work schedule, the doable travel, the people in and behind the scenes, the growing situation, the excitement from the crowd, the unstoppable path to the top I’m on, love it all.”

    – For what it’s worth, TNA iMPACT not only lost to RAW this week in the ratings but they also lost to AM RAW, which scored an 0.7 rating. AM RAW airs after midnight on Saturday nights.

  • Jim Ross Evaluates NXT, Randy Orton Turns 30 & More

    – In a Q&A update on his official JRsBarBQ.com website, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross gave his thoughts on the new NXT show, admitting that it still needs some “subtle tweaks.” Ross wrote:

    “I feel that all the rookies need to live together in a dorm and we should be privy to their interactions and training sessions. I want to know more about the non wrestler side of these potential stars. Overall I do like the fact that WWE is finally using some of the young kids and allowing them to sink or swim.

    – Happy birthday to Randy Orton, who turns 30 years old today. The third generation superstar was born on April 1, 1980.

  • Jim Ross Evaluates NXT, Randy Orton Turns 30 & More

    – In a Q&A update on his official JRsBarBQ.com website, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross gave his thoughts on the new NXT show, admitting that it still needs some “subtle tweaks.” Ross wrote:

    “I feel that all the rookies need to live together in a dorm and we should be privy to their interactions and training sessions. I want to know more about the non wrestler side of these potential stars. Overall I do like the fact that WWE is finally using some of the young kids and allowing them to sink or swim.

    – Happy birthday to Randy Orton, who turns 30 years old today. The third generation superstar was born on April 1, 1980.

  • “The Expendables” Movie Trailer With Steve Austin (VIDEO)

    Here’s the new trailer for upcoming action movie The Expendables (in theaters August 13) — starring Sylvester Stallone, Jason Statham, Steve Austin, Jet Li, Randy Couture and many more big names. Movie synopsis from IMDB.com below the video:
    Expendable: capable of being sacrificed in order to accomplish a military objective.

    THE EXPENDABLES is a hard-hitting action/thriller about a group of mercenaries hired to infiltrate a South American country and overthrow its ruthless dictator. Once the mission begins, the men realize things arent quite as they appear, finding themselves caught in a dangerous web of deceit and betrayal. With their mission thwarted and an innocent life in danger, the men struggle with an even tougher challenge one that threatens to destroy this band of brothers.

    Barney Ross (Sylvester Stallone) is a man with nothing to lose. Fearless and void of emotion, he is the leader, the sage and the strategist of this tight-knit band of men who live on the fringe. His only attachment is to his pickup truck, his seaplane and his team of loyal modern-day warriors. His is a true cynic who describes what he does as removing those hard to get at stains. The team behind him is made up of Lee Christmas (Jason Statham), former SAS and a savant with anything that has a blade; Yin Yang (Jet Li), a master at close-quarter combat; Hale Caesar (Terry Crews), who has known Barney for ten years and is a long-barrel weapons specialist; Toll Road (Randy Couture), a skilled demolitions expert and considered the intellect of the group; and Gunnar Jensen (Dolph Lundgren), a combat veteran and an expert in precision sniping who struggles with his own demons.

    When the mysterious Church offers Barney a job no one else would take, Barney and his team embark on what appears to be a routine mission: overthrow General Gaza (David Zayas), the murderous dictator of the small island country of Vilena and end the years of death and destruction inflicted on its people. On a reconnaissance mission to Vilena, Barney and Christmas meet their contact Sandra (Giselle Itie), a local freedom-fighter with a dark secret. They also come to learn who their true enemy is: rogue ex-CIA operative James Monroe (Eric Roberts) and his henchman Paine (Steve Austin). When things go terribly wrong, Barney and Christmas are forced to leave Sandra behind, essentially giving her a death sentence. Haunted by this failure, Barney convinces the team to return to Vilena to rescue the hostage and finish the job he started. And to perhaps save a soul: his own.

  • Top UFC Fighter Undergoes Successful 8-Hour Brain Surgery

    UFC Welterweight fighter Thiago Alvez successfully underwent an 8-hour brain operation at a New York City hostpial today, according to TMZ.com.

    The operation was to separate an artery from a vein in his brain. Alvez was scheduled to fight at last weekend’s UFC 111 pay-per-view, but was forced to pull out of the fight after a CT scan of his brain discovered the issue that led to today’s rugery.

    UFC President Dana White told Dana White that the operation was a “complete success.”

    The Pitbull’s first words after getting out of surgery … “When can I start training again?”

    Alvez will be in ICU for the next two days and is expected to make a full recovery and be training again in a month or so.

  • Steve Austin Comments On The Big SmackDown *Spoiler*

    Warning: This article contains a big *SPOILER* for Friday’s WWE SmackDown

    As previously reported, Jack Swagger cashed in his Money in the Bank briefcase at Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings to capture the World Heavyweight championship. Jericho had just brawled with Edge in the opening segment of the show and it was revealed that Jericho’s ribs were injured and still taped up from WrestleMania. Swagger’s music hit and he powerbombed Jericho for a quick win.

    WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin posted a message on Twitter responding to a fan who asked him about Swagger’s World Heavyweight title win.

    Austin sees potential in Jack Swagger, but questions if he’s got the experience to justify being a World Heavyweight champion.

    Austin wrote: “sounds too soon to me. the kid does have a bright future though.”

    * VIDEO of JACK SWAGGER Winning the Title Last Night (Direct Link)

  • More On Monday’s Ratings, Dixie Carter Comments

    Following up on Monday’s WWE RAW & TNA iMPACT! ratings …

    WWE RAW’s rating was a 3.7, rounded up from a 3.68. The highest quarter hour of the show was a 4.1 for Shawn Michaels’ retirement ceremony at the end of the show.  USA Network executive Ted Linhart noted on Twitter that RAW’s second hour did 3 million adults in the 18-49 demographic.

    As previously reported, TNA iMPACT! did a 0.62. Granted, the show went up against another stacked, newsworthy RAW, but you can bet iMPACT! won’t last long on Monday nights doing 0.6’s.

    TNA president Dixie Carter posted a message on Twitter regarding iMPACT!’s ratings collapse, attributing it to the Shawn Michaels farewell on RAW:

    “Thank goodness he can only retire once…hopefully. Shawn, congrats on an amazing career.”

  • More On Monday's Ratings, Dixie Carter Comments

    Following up on Monday’s WWE RAW & TNA iMPACT! ratings …

    WWE RAW’s rating was a 3.7, rounded up from a 3.68. The highest quarter hour of the show was a 4.1 for Shawn Michaels’ retirement ceremony at the end of the show.  USA Network executive Ted Linhart noted on Twitter that RAW’s second hour did 3 million adults in the 18-49 demographic.

    As previously reported, TNA iMPACT! did a 0.62. Granted, the show went up against another stacked, newsworthy RAW, but you can bet iMPACT! won’t last long on Monday nights doing 0.6’s.

    TNA president Dixie Carter posted a message on Twitter regarding iMPACT!’s ratings collapse, attributing it to the Shawn Michaels farewell on RAW:

    “Thank goodness he can only retire once…hopefully. Shawn, congrats on an amazing career.”

  • Next Week’s RAW Guest Host, NXT Winner Gets Title Shot

    – NXT rookie David Otunga won a battle royal on this week’s show and earned an opportunity to host next week’s WWE RAW.

    – It was announced on this week’s NXT show that there will be another Pro’s poll in six weeks and the Rookie ranked last would be eliminated from the show. After that, one Rookie will be eliminated each week until one Rookie is left. The winner of the show will go to either RAW or SmackDown and earn a Championship match against any Champion in WWE of his choice at an upcoming pay-per-view.

    – Here are the NXT standings after tonight’s first Pro’s poll:

    1. Daniel Bryan
    2. Wade Barrett
    3. Justin Gabriel
    4. Heath Slater
    5. David Otunga
    6. Skip Sheffield
    7. Michael Tarver
    8. Darren Young

  • Next Week's RAW Guest Host, NXT Winner Gets Title Shot

    – NXT rookie David Otunga won a battle royal on this week’s show and earned an opportunity to host next week’s WWE RAW.

    – It was announced on this week’s NXT show that there will be another Pro’s poll in six weeks and the Rookie ranked last would be eliminated from the show. After that, one Rookie will be eliminated each week until one Rookie is left. The winner of the show will go to either RAW or SmackDown and earn a Championship match against any Champion in WWE of his choice at an upcoming pay-per-view.

    – Here are the NXT standings after tonight’s first Pro’s poll:

    1. Daniel Bryan
    2. Wade Barrett
    3. Justin Gabriel
    4. Heath Slater
    5. David Otunga
    6. Skip Sheffield
    7. Michael Tarver
    8. Darren Young

  • WWE RAW & TNA iMPACT! Ratings For 3/29

    The ratings are in for the March 29, 2010 editions of WWE RAW & TNA iMPACT!.

    WWE’s post-WrestleMania 26 episode of WWE RAW drew a 3.7 cable rating. This number is up from last week’s 3.2, but even WWE’s first class farewell tribute to Shawn Michaels on the night after WrestleMania was not enough to push the show into the 4’s.

    TNA iMPACT featuring a 6-man six-man steel cage main event scored a 0.6 cable rating, down sharply from last week’s 0.9 and the worst rating on Monday nights yet.

    We’re still waiting on more details, so stay tuned.

  • WWE RAW & TNA iMPACT! Ratings For 3/29

    The ratings are in for the March 29, 2010 editions of WWE RAW & TNA iMPACT!.

    WWE’s post-WrestleMania 26 episode of WWE RAW drew a 3.7 cable rating. This number is up from last week’s 3.2, but even WWE’s first class farewell tribute to Shawn Michaels on the night after WrestleMania was not enough to push the show into the 4’s.

    TNA iMPACT featuring a 6-man six-man steel cage main event scored a 0.6 cable rating, down sharply from last week’s 0.9 and the worst rating on Monday nights yet.

    We’re still waiting on more details, so stay tuned.

  • Jim Ross Blogs About HBK’s Retirement & WrestleMania 26

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can (and should) read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. In this long entry, Ross talks about WrestleMania 26, Shawn Michaels’ retirement and more. Some highlights:

    Michaels vs. Undertaker II: “The highlight of the evening was Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels which was obviously the match of the night. I’ve answered a few emails regarding this matter and it is obvious that I would have loved to have broadcast this bout but that wasn’t in the cards. At least I was in Phoenix and saw the event live and was then able to spend significant time with both HBK and with Taker after the event in private settings. Those experiences became my Wrestlemania Moments.”

    Update On JR’s Health & Future in WWE: “As for me, life is good and I am healthy and happy. For those that have erroneously written or assumed that the reason that I did not announce at WM26 was because of health concerns, that assumption is incorrect, I’m happy to say. Broadcasting wrestling in WWE is likely history for me but there are many other areas to which I can contribute in WWE and those options, among others, will be weighed over the next month.”

    Shawn Michaels’ Retirement: “I do think that Shawn will call it a day after losing his retirement match Sunday. Shawn has been blessed to have earned a great deal of money over the years and especially since he returned from an approximate 4 year hiatus due to lingering back issues. Unlike many wrestlers who retire, HBK doesn’t have to worry about financial or legal issues and will be able to be essentially a full time dad to his two, young children which is an amazing blessing.”

    “Shawn’s farewell message Monday night on Raw was from his heart and not something that he read on a TelePrompter. What fans saw Monday night was legitimate, organic TV from arguably the greatest all around, in ring performer, certainly of his generation, and perhaps of all time. I sincerely appreciated Shawn’s shout out to me on Raw which was, symbolically, a fitting end to my own Wrestlemania tenure.”

  • Jim Ross Blogs About HBK's Retirement & WrestleMania 26

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can (and should) read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. In this long entry, Ross talks about WrestleMania 26, Shawn Michaels’ retirement and more. Some highlights:

    Michaels vs. Undertaker II: “The highlight of the evening was Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels which was obviously the match of the night. I’ve answered a few emails regarding this matter and it is obvious that I would have loved to have broadcast this bout but that wasn’t in the cards. At least I was in Phoenix and saw the event live and was then able to spend significant time with both HBK and with Taker after the event in private settings. Those experiences became my Wrestlemania Moments.”

    Update On JR’s Health & Future in WWE: “As for me, life is good and I am healthy and happy. For those that have erroneously written or assumed that the reason that I did not announce at WM26 was because of health concerns, that assumption is incorrect, I’m happy to say. Broadcasting wrestling in WWE is likely history for me but there are many other areas to which I can contribute in WWE and those options, among others, will be weighed over the next month.”

    Shawn Michaels’ Retirement: “I do think that Shawn will call it a day after losing his retirement match Sunday. Shawn has been blessed to have earned a great deal of money over the years and especially since he returned from an approximate 4 year hiatus due to lingering back issues. Unlike many wrestlers who retire, HBK doesn’t have to worry about financial or legal issues and will be able to be essentially a full time dad to his two, young children which is an amazing blessing.”

    “Shawn’s farewell message Monday night on Raw was from his heart and not something that he read on a TelePrompter. What fans saw Monday night was legitimate, organic TV from arguably the greatest all around, in ring performer, certainly of his generation, and perhaps of all time. I sincerely appreciated Shawn’s shout out to me on Raw which was, symbolically, a fitting end to my own Wrestlemania tenure.”