Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan was a recent guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show. Hosts Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent, Chaz spoke to the Nature Boy about a number of topics and you can listen to an audio clip (MP3) of the entire interview at MondayNightMayhem.com. Here are the highlights of what Hogan said about:

How He & Bischoff’s Experience in WCW Will Help Them In TNA: “It’s not a cookie-cutter thing…you just lock down like you did when you ran against Vince with Ted Turner. I thought that would work just to work it in and make a crack, but things are different than they two-three months ago because of the economy. When you figure in the networks & the head of Viacom, and they’re watching the minute by minute numbers for 18-34, it’s not like you could just plug in the old NWO and do it like we did when we punked Vince out. It’s ever-changing moving parts, so we did learn from our mistakes; like when you get successful sometimes, you can get too full of yourself. Believe me, we are so grateful to be working with Dixie, we are so grateful to be with TNA, such a young company that’s got ‘more moves than a bowl of Jello.’ It’s not a public company where you gotta’ sit down with people to talk about votes & what we aren’t going to do. We don’t have a bunch of people that don’t know the wrestling business running the company. We have learned from our mistakes, and we are learning, almost like on the job training, because some of the stuff that worked two weeks ago, didn’t work last week, so we’re digging in and have our ears & eyes to the ground.”

When TNA iMAPCT! Will Move To Monday Nights: “All week we have been getting good news, and we are pushing hard in that direction. There’s stuff that’s already been scheduled, there’s budgeting issues, there’s shows for the new season, so it’s not like ‘Ok, let’s go live on Monday nights.’ Nothing is that easy. A lot of the fans, a lot of the ‘smart marks’ are saying we should go live Monday nights. They have no idea what it entails, I’m just now having people set me down after 30 years of wrestling and go ‘Guy, you know what it’s all about.’ Now you’re dealing with the network and the way the audience flips & changes…it’s almost like that metal that comes out of ‘The Terminator.’ Right when you think you have it figured out, it starts to mold, and manipulate, and shape. Pushing hard for Mondays, trying to get there, a lot of variables, but it looks much better than it did yesterday.”

If He’ll Wrestle In TNA: “I learned one thing in Australia, and that was I shouldn’t be in the ring anymore. The way my body is beat up, I was definitely on a wing & a prayer in Australia. I just needed to air my shorts out after the crazy divorce & legal stuff. If you could imagine jumping out of a plane without a parachute and know hopefully that you are going to land safely & being naked…that’s how it was in Australia. I needed to get out of the house, get back in the ring, and feel that love & that crazy vibe even if I was dragging a leg or limping around. I found out in Australia that me wrestling in a ring in not the place to be, so if I was to wrestle in TNA, the hardest part of my night is walking down that ramp and staying straight-faced, because my back, and my hips, and legs hurt so much. If you watch closely, I’m doing a bit of a shuffle out there, so if I was crazy enough to wrestle in that ring, they might be using a broom & a dustpan to sweep out the ring at the end of the match, so not anticipating going in the ring.”

John Cena Saying He’s Wasting His Time in TNA: “John’s doing what he’s gonna’ do take care of his family, true to his paycheck. We see John Cena all the time at the (Tampa Bay) Rays games with me & Brian Knobbs when we’re up in the box. He’s just doing what he has to do to cover his ass brother. You never know, one day John Cena may be working for me. Vince McMahon could be working for me…who knows?”

Big Changes & New Talent In TNA: “I’ve got all kinds of people from the WWE calling me, wanting to hang out, wanting to talk, wanting to fell me out. This thing is really going down. I mean whether you like it or not, I’m not looking for the players like back in the day. When I was running, we had these crazy big contracts, these big money contracts, but times have changed. At the end of the day, I’m looking for these guys who want to help me build a company. I’m looking for these guys that invest their hearts & their souls like Samoa Joe said…’whatever it takes.’ Like AJ Styles said, ‘whatever it takes, with no limitations.’ Those are the type of guys I’m looking for to build this company and step in. Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam, if (John) Cena wants to play that game down the road, he can get real. I’m looking for guys who can get real with me & not a bunch of posers.”

Vince Russo: “My mother told me if you can’t say something good, don’t say nothing at all. Sometimes you have to look at the big picture, and sometimes if things get real nasty, you don’t want to step in shiznit, you want to step over it. Because I’m getting along with TNA right now, I’m not saying I get along with Vince Russo. I’m not saying I get along with everybody, but the big picture is for me to make a left-handed, back handed comment about this situation right now, I haven’t read his book, and I didn’t hear the radio interview. But all I know is if you’re gonna’ tell the truth, you gotta’ tell all the truth, not just part of it, and that’s all I’m gonna say.”

Hulk Hogan

Hulk Hogan was a recent guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show. Hosts Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent, Chaz spoke to the Nature Boy about a number of topics and you can listen to an audio clip (MP3) of the entire interview at MondayNightMayhem.com. Here are the highlights of what Hogan said about:

How He & Bischoff’s Experience in WCW Will Help Them In TNA: “It’s not a cookie-cutter thing…you just lock down like you did when you ran against Vince with Ted Turner. I thought that would work just to work it in and make a crack, but things are different than they two-three months ago because of the economy. When you figure in the networks & the head of Viacom, and they’re watching the minute by minute numbers for 18-34, it’s not like you could just plug in the old NWO and do it like we did when we punked Vince out. It’s ever-changing moving parts, so we did learn from our mistakes; like when you get successful sometimes, you can get too full of yourself. Believe me, we are so grateful to be working with Dixie, we are so grateful to be with TNA, such a young company that’s got ‘more moves than a bowl of Jello.’ It’s not a public company where you gotta’ sit down with people to talk about votes & what we aren’t going to do. We don’t have a bunch of people that don’t know the wrestling business running the company. We have learned from our mistakes, and we are learning, almost like on the job training, because some of the stuff that worked two weeks ago, didn’t work last week, so we’re digging in and have our ears & eyes to the ground.”

When TNA iMAPCT! Will Move To Monday Nights: “All week we have been getting good news, and we are pushing hard in that direction. There’s stuff that’s already been scheduled, there’s budgeting issues, there’s shows for the new season, so it’s not like ‘Ok, let’s go live on Monday nights.’ Nothing is that easy. A lot of the fans, a lot of the ‘smart marks’ are saying we should go live Monday nights. They have no idea what it entails, I’m just now having people set me down after 30 years of wrestling and go ‘Guy, you know what it’s all about.’ Now you’re dealing with the network and the way the audience flips & changes…it’s almost like that metal that comes out of ‘The Terminator.’ Right when you think you have it figured out, it starts to mold, and manipulate, and shape. Pushing hard for Mondays, trying to get there, a lot of variables, but it looks much better than it did yesterday.”

If He’ll Wrestle In TNA: “I learned one thing in Australia, and that was I shouldn’t be in the ring anymore. The way my body is beat up, I was definitely on a wing & a prayer in Australia. I just needed to air my shorts out after the crazy divorce & legal stuff. If you could imagine jumping out of a plane without a parachute and know hopefully that you are going to land safely & being naked…that’s how it was in Australia. I needed to get out of the house, get back in the ring, and feel that love & that crazy vibe even if I was dragging a leg or limping around. I found out in Australia that me wrestling in a ring in not the place to be, so if I was to wrestle in TNA, the hardest part of my night is walking down that ramp and staying straight-faced, because my back, and my hips, and legs hurt so much. If you watch closely, I’m doing a bit of a shuffle out there, so if I was crazy enough to wrestle in that ring, they might be using a broom & a dustpan to sweep out the ring at the end of the match, so not anticipating going in the ring.”

John Cena Saying He’s Wasting His Time in TNA: “John’s doing what he’s gonna’ do take care of his family, true to his paycheck. We see John Cena all the time at the (Tampa Bay) Rays games with me & Brian Knobbs when we’re up in the box. He’s just doing what he has to do to cover his ass brother. You never know, one day John Cena may be working for me. Vince McMahon could be working for me…who knows?”

Big Changes & New Talent In TNA: “I’ve got all kinds of people from the WWE calling me, wanting to hang out, wanting to talk, wanting to fell me out. This thing is really going down. I mean whether you like it or not, I’m not looking for the players like back in the day. When I was running, we had these crazy big contracts, these big money contracts, but times have changed. At the end of the day, I’m looking for these guys who want to help me build a company. I’m looking for these guys that invest their hearts & their souls like Samoa Joe said…’whatever it takes.’ Like AJ Styles said, ‘whatever it takes, with no limitations.’ Those are the type of guys I’m looking for to build this company and step in. Jeff Hardy, Rob Van Dam, if (John) Cena wants to play that game down the road, he can get real. I’m looking for guys who can get real with me & not a bunch of posers.”

Vince Russo: “My mother told me if you can’t say something good, don’t say nothing at all. Sometimes you have to look at the big picture, and sometimes if things get real nasty, you don’t want to step in shiznit, you want to step over it. Because I’m getting along with TNA right now, I’m not saying I get along with Vince Russo. I’m not saying I get along with everybody, but the big picture is for me to make a left-handed, back handed comment about this situation right now, I haven’t read his book, and I didn’t hear the radio interview. But all I know is if you’re gonna’ tell the truth, you gotta’ tell all the truth, not just part of it, and that’s all I’m gonna say.”

TMZ.com  caught up with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson this week and asked  the former WWE superstar who owns the rights to his signature catch phrases, such as “Do you Smell What The Rock is Cookin.”Johnson said he shares ownership of the phrases with World Wrestling Entertainment. They also share ownership of the the name “The Rock,” as well.

The camera guy then got a little fresh with People’s Champ and asked him why he used to wear “panties” in the ring. Johnson clarified that he wore “trunks” and that maybe it was just him dreaming of The Rock wearing panties. He then got into his $180,000+ Bentley coupe.

Related News: New Details on THE ROCK’s WWE Return This Summer

Bret Hart spoke to Alez Marvez of Scrippsnews.com this week in a lengthy interview discussing his return to World Wrestling Entertainment. He says his parents and Owen Hart would say “hell froze over” if they were still around to see him return to WWE after a 14 year absence.

Hart teased that his current storyline with Vince McMahon would culminate with a match at WrestleMania. Despite the stroke he suffered back in 2002 and the fact that McMahon is 64 years old, he can still move around well enough to put on a good match.

“I’ll never put on the performance I want to have, but I’ll be able to do enough to entertain and give a good show. I’m very careful about what I do and allow myself to do and what can be done to me. WWE has gone through great effort to ensure all that and make sure I’m comfortable with everything.”

One thing he was unsure of when considering a return to WWE was how his past issues with Shawn Michaels would come into play.

“When I came back, I didn’t know if the whole thing with Shawn would erupt again. The truth is, Shawn has been real good with the whole thing. You can tell this is a weight lifted off his back, my back and I think even Vince to a certain degree. It feels like a new start.”

The Montreal Screwjob was a long time ago, but the situation set off such shock waves in the industry that even today, many fans can’t tell what aspects of his current WWE run are part of the storyline.

“I’m trying to turn a negative into a positive. I think this is good for wrestling fans. I know for a lot people this whole thing seems quite real. If I can deliver realism in today’s wrestling, I’ll think I’ve done a good job.”

– WWE officials are impressed with Vance Archer as his push is expected to continue.

– Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ron Simmons’s name has been discussed for induction into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class. He worked what was billed as his retirement match this past weekend in Cedartown, Georgia. The standout collegiate athlete will be inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 20.

– Tommy Dreamer posted a blog on WWE Universe in which he offered additional comments on ECW’s final television shows:

“Some people are happy, some people are sad about ECW going off the air,” Dreamer wrote. “The Original die hard ECW fans knew it wasn’t the same. That Original ECW was a magical time in wrestling and can never be duplicated. If you go back in the archives of my blogs,you can read many opinions of those days.

“I think the new ECW had some great expectations, but had some extreme shoes to fill in. Let us not pass negative judgement on the show. As a fan I have enjoyed many moments of ECW TV( except for anything involving Abraham Washington or (Vladimir) Koslov no offense). To read the full blog, visit WWE.com.

– WWE officials are impressed with Vance Archer as his push is expected to continue.

– Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Ron Simmons’s name has been discussed for induction into this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class. He worked what was billed as his retirement match this past weekend in Cedartown, Georgia. The standout collegiate athlete will be inducted into the Georgia Sports Hall of Fame on Feb. 20.

– Tommy Dreamer posted a blog on WWE Universe in which he offered additional comments on ECW’s final television shows:

“Some people are happy, some people are sad about ECW going off the air,” Dreamer wrote. “The Original die hard ECW fans knew it wasn’t the same. That Original ECW was a magical time in wrestling and can never be duplicated. If you go back in the archives of my blogs,you can read many opinions of those days.

“I think the new ECW had some great expectations, but had some extreme shoes to fill in. Let us not pass negative judgement on the show. As a fan I have enjoyed many moments of ECW TV( except for anything involving Abraham Washington or (Vladimir) Koslov no offense). To read the full blog, visit WWE.com.

Ric Flair and TNA Champ AJ Styles

The one and only Ric Flair was a guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show this week. Hosts Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent, Chaz spoke to the Nature Boy about a number of topics and you can listen to an audio clip of the entire interview at MondayNightMayhem.com. Here are the highlights of what Flair said about:

His experience in TNA thus far: “When you said I was having more fun, that is a true statement. When I’m having fun, I’m better at this business than anybody actively in this business today, and I’m having a lot of fun. With me, I’ve had a phenomenal career, I never took the business seriously until about 1989 or 1990, and even then I was having fun, but it got to be business, and I didn’t understand that.”

“I’m having a ball with TNA, and I was a little hesitant, not because of anyone from TNA, I think Dixie Carter is phenomenal…it was leaving home again. After all those years with WCW to go the WWE, it was just hard because I spent 25 years of my life waving the banner of the NWA/WCW, and it was a difficult decision to make. But I’m having a ball, I love the people I work with, I love the role I have, and I really like this thing with AJ and I, and I think it’s gonna’ be a really big factor professional wrestling business.”

AJ Styles’ Potential: “It’s funny, because I think he’s gonna’ be a phenomenal champion, but no one person in this day and age can take a company to the next level. It takes a bunch of people…and not just the people in the ring. It takes people on the Creative Team, it takes the ownership group. It’s just so many equations that fit into that word next level. Certainly AJ will fulfill everything they ask of him and be a huge part of their success, but I don’t wanna’ say that AJ can turn the company around by himself. With me with him, it’s almost a done deal.”

Coming Out of Retirement & TNA Holding Him Back: “When Hulk called me about Australia, I thought ‘why not man?’ I feel good. I’m not hurtin’, I feel like a million bucks, I work out everyday. I’ve got too much energy to be sitting around at home…Ask my wife? Way too much energy…But I felt great so when the opportunity came around, I kinda’ just went ‘Let’s do it.’ And then from there, it evolved to this, but my legacy (after meeting Dixie Carter and being there for two tapings), will be enhanced by being there, and I’ll guarantee you that. And if I haven’t shown you guys that in the last couple of weeks, something’s wrong, because I’m juts getting going. They still got me on a muzzle up there, but when I get going and when they turn me loose in TNA, then we’ll really get going.”

Whether He’d Be a Booker In TNA: “I have no interest in being part of any of the storylines or creative. If they ask me a question, I’m gonna’ give them an straight answer, because I know a straight answer would be perceived as something I really feel. I don’t get involved in anyone else’s business. I’m there primarily the role is with AJ, to make our part of the show the very best it can be, and he and I will compete together against everyone else on that show…That’s how I live my whole life.”

Ric Flair and TNA Champ AJ Styles

The one and only Ric Flair was a guest on the Monday Night Mayhem radio show this week. Hosts Big Mosh, Blade, Todd Vincent, Chaz spoke to the Nature Boy about a number of topics and you can listen to an audio clip of the entire interview at MondayNightMayhem.com. Here are the highlights of what Flair said about:

His experience in TNA thus far: “When you said I was having more fun, that is a true statement. When I’m having fun, I’m better at this business than anybody actively in this business today, and I’m having a lot of fun. With me, I’ve had a phenomenal career, I never took the business seriously until about 1989 or 1990, and even then I was having fun, but it got to be business, and I didn’t understand that.”

“I’m having a ball with TNA, and I was a little hesitant, not because of anyone from TNA, I think Dixie Carter is phenomenal…it was leaving home again. After all those years with WCW to go the WWE, it was just hard because I spent 25 years of my life waving the banner of the NWA/WCW, and it was a difficult decision to make. But I’m having a ball, I love the people I work with, I love the role I have, and I really like this thing with AJ and I, and I think it’s gonna’ be a really big factor professional wrestling business.”

AJ Styles’ Potential: “It’s funny, because I think he’s gonna’ be a phenomenal champion, but no one person in this day and age can take a company to the next level. It takes a bunch of people…and not just the people in the ring. It takes people on the Creative Team, it takes the ownership group. It’s just so many equations that fit into that word next level. Certainly AJ will fulfill everything they ask of him and be a huge part of their success, but I don’t wanna’ say that AJ can turn the company around by himself. With me with him, it’s almost a done deal.”

Coming Out of Retirement & TNA Holding Him Back: “When Hulk called me about Australia, I thought ‘why not man?’ I feel good. I’m not hurtin’, I feel like a million bucks, I work out everyday. I’ve got too much energy to be sitting around at home…Ask my wife? Way too much energy…But I felt great so when the opportunity came around, I kinda’ just went ‘Let’s do it.’ And then from there, it evolved to this, but my legacy (after meeting Dixie Carter and being there for two tapings), will be enhanced by being there, and I’ll guarantee you that. And if I haven’t shown you guys that in the last couple of weeks, something’s wrong, because I’m juts getting going. They still got me on a muzzle up there, but when I get going and when they turn me loose in TNA, then we’ll really get going.”

Whether He’d Be a Booker In TNA: “I have no interest in being part of any of the storylines or creative. If they ask me a question, I’m gonna’ give them an straight answer, because I know a straight answer would be perceived as something I really feel. I don’t get involved in anyone else’s business. I’m there primarily the role is with AJ, to make our part of the show the very best it can be, and he and I will compete together against everyone else on that show…That’s how I live my whole life.”

— Next week’s RAW guest host Jerry Springer says was drinking when he agreed to host the show. During a media conference call to promote the appearance, Springer says that he used to be a wrestling fan as a kid, but doesn’t keep up with the product much anymore.

“I’m looking forward to doing it though you know how opposed I am to fighting on television,” he said. “These are all professionally trained people. You have that. Other than that, entertainment is entertainment whether you’re an athlete or a singer. You have your moment when you’re on stage, or in a ring, or on a ballfield. It’s that moment where you have to be really, really focused. You have to perform.”

To read a full transcript of the conference call, visit RealityWanted.com.

– As we reported last night, Bobby Lashley’s profile has been removed from the Superstar Roster page on TNA’s official website, which suggests he may have parted ways with the company. According to sources within TNA, Lashley is still technically under contract, but is not considered part of the active roster. Lashley has been written out of TNA storylines in recent months but remains on good terms with the company and the door is open for him to return down the line. (Source: PWInsider.com)

– Kurt Angle has launched his own line of healthy foods called Angle Foods, part o the Foodies Food Club network. Kurt’s website describes it like this:

“USDA approved Signature Series Sports Performance Food line that will feature five new great tasting, high quality, high protein, high fiber, low fat ready-to-eat-meals for athletes and health conscious dieters of all ages. Each exquisite R.T.E Meal contains approximately 30-40g of high quality food protein, 10-12 grams of “fiber for life” with moderate to low gylcemic carbs for health and energy. Finally, the perfect convenient meals for everyone!”

– As we reported last night, Bobby Lashley’s profile has been removed from the Superstar Roster page on TNA’s official website, which suggests he may have parted ways with the company. According to sources within TNA, Lashley is still technically under contract, but is not considered part of the active roster. Lashley has been written out of TNA storylines in recent months but remains on good terms with the company and the door is open for him to return down the line. (Source: PWInsider.com)

– Kurt Angle has launched his own line of healthy foods called Angle Foods, part o the Foodies Food Club network. Kurt’s website describes it like this:

“USDA approved Signature Series Sports Performance Food line that will feature five new great tasting, high quality, high protein, high fiber, low fat ready-to-eat-meals for athletes and health conscious dieters of all ages. Each exquisite R.T.E Meal contains approximately 30-40g of high quality food protein, 10-12 grams of “fiber for life” with moderate to low gylcemic carbs for health and energy. Finally, the perfect convenient meals for everyone!”

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog update from JRsBarBQ.com. Some highlights:

Appearing At Raw on 3/1: “It has been reported on line that I am making some sort of unadvertised appearance at the March 1 OKC event as we have been getting emails regarding such. This is all news to me and I know of absolutely nothing that is planned. We are spending considerable time and some in kind donations to help promote the WWE event but that’s the extend of it. I do hope to drop by and say hello to friends prior to the event starting but will likely watch the show from home or possibly “in the back.”

The Rock’s Upcoming WWE Return: “Dwayne Johnson reiterated what we have said here for the longest time and that is that he isn’t interested in stepping back in the ring as a wrestler but doing a speaking role and having fun on a wrestling show would be more to his liking. Bottom line, one takes Dwayne any way one can get him as he is a huge star who will pop a TV rating which is the holy grail for wrestling promoters.”

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog update from JRsBarBQ.com. Some highlights:

Appearing At Raw on 3/1: “It has been reported on line that I am making some sort of unadvertised appearance at the March 1 OKC event as we have been getting emails regarding such. This is all news to me and I know of absolutely nothing that is planned. We are spending considerable time and some in kind donations to help promote the WWE event but that’s the extend of it. I do hope to drop by and say hello to friends prior to the event starting but will likely watch the show from home or possibly “in the back.”

The Rock’s Upcoming WWE Return: “Dwayne Johnson reiterated what we have said here for the longest time and that is that he isn’t interested in stepping back in the ring as a wrestler but doing a speaking role and having fun on a wrestling show would be more to his liking. Bottom line, one takes Dwayne any way one can get him as he is a huge star who will pop a TV rating which is the holy grail for wrestling promoters.”

– The February 8th edition of WWE RAW drew a 3.6 rating, on par with the past 2 weeks. The show averaged 5,342,000 viewers and did hours of 3.48 and 3.69.

– As noted earlier, WWE has been going back and forth on whether or not to have veterans on the new NXT show. Word now is that the show will still feature veterans from other brands to help draw ratings. Apparently there will be regular appearances from WWE Superstars on the show to “mentor and hinder” the new talents on NXT.

– Chris Jericho noted on Twitter yesterday that he had written 78 pages of his new book with 250 left to write. Jericho said he has to turn the book into publishers in three weeks.

(Source: PWInsider.com)

– The February 8th edition of WWE RAW drew a 3.6 rating, on par with the past 2 weeks. The show averaged 5,342,000 viewers and did hours of 3.48 and 3.69.

– As noted earlier, WWE has been going back and forth on whether or not to have veterans on the new NXT show. Word now is that the show will still feature veterans from other brands to help draw ratings. Apparently there will be regular appearances from WWE Superstars on the show to “mentor and hinder” the new talents on NXT.

– Chris Jericho noted on Twitter yesterday that he had written 78 pages of his new book with 250 left to write. Jericho said he has to turn the book into publishers in three weeks.

(Source: PWInsider.com)

After it was announced on RAW that the Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase will be joining the WWE Hall of Fame next month, we can confirm another wrestling legend set to join the Class of 2010.

WWE held a press conference in Tokyo, Japan earlier this week to announce wrestling legend Antonio Inoki has accepted their invitation to be inducted.

Inoki was presented with a Hall of Fame certificate and said he would fly to Phoenix, Arizona to be formally inducted. He also said he would appear at WrestleMania 26 the following night.

For more details, including pictures of Inoki at the media event, click here to view a translated version of WWE’s Japanese website.

The following news items have been compiled from several live reports sent in from fans who were at RAW:

Before Raw went on the air:

WWE taped two matches for Thursday’s Superstars show:

– Chris Masters vs. Chavo Guerrero.
– Jack Swagger vs. Santino Marella.

Live Notes

– Who Dat Nation was at Raw last night and we happy. Coming off of the Saints big win in the Super Bowl, we were treated to great Raw show. The crowd was live all night and it looked like a sell out to me.

– Bret Hart coming out at the end got the biggest pop of the night, but the crowd was into everything at the show.

– John Cena and DX also got huge pops from the crowd. Sheamus, Vince McMahon and CM Punk had the most heel heat.

After Raw went off the air:

– In the dark match main event of the evening, John Cena defeated Sheamus by DQ. Cena had Sheamus tapping to the STF when the ref called for the bell because Sheamus had already hit him. Afterward, Cena hit Sheamus with the Attitude Adjustment, and celebrated with the crowd. He grabbed a Who Dat? sign and held it high on the stage to close the show.

The following news items have been compiled from several live reports sent in from fans who were at RAW:

Before Raw went on the air:

WWE taped two matches for Thursday’s Superstars show:

– Chris Masters vs. Chavo Guerrero.
– Jack Swagger vs. Santino Marella.

Live Notes

– Who Dat Nation was at Raw last night and we happy. Coming off of the Saints big win in the Super Bowl, we were treated to great Raw show. The crowd was live all night and it looked like a sell out to me.

– Bret Hart coming out at the end got the biggest pop of the night, but the crowd was into everything at the show.

– John Cena and DX also got huge pops from the crowd. Sheamus, Vince McMahon and CM Punk had the most heel heat.

After Raw went off the air:

– In the dark match main event of the evening, John Cena defeated Sheamus by DQ. Cena had Sheamus tapping to the STF when the ref called for the bell because Sheamus had already hit him. Afterward, Cena hit Sheamus with the Attitude Adjustment, and celebrated with the crowd. He grabbed a Who Dat? sign and held it high on the stage to close the show.

– There has been talk of turning SmackDown star John Morrison heel in the near future. WWE is firmly behind the developing star and he’s still seen as having a ton of potential.

– Morrison’s former partner Joey Mercury is said to be returning to WWE shortly. While several sources are reporting that a deal has been signed, many people backstage at the Royal Rumble were not aware of his upcoming return.

– The feeling within WWE is that The Undertaker will work a very light schedule headed into WrestleMania. Undertaker is still in rough physical shape and there are plans to get the World Heavyweight title off him before WrestleMania. With Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels still looking likely for WrestleMania, the match has enough going for it that it doesn’t need a title on the line and WWE could probably get more drawing power in having a separate match for the World Heavyweight title.

(Partial Source: F4wonline.com)

– There has been talk of turning SmackDown star John Morrison heel in the near future. WWE is firmly behind the developing star and he’s still seen as having a ton of potential.

– Morrison’s former partner Joey Mercury is said to be returning to WWE shortly. While several sources are reporting that a deal has been signed, many people backstage at the Royal Rumble were not aware of his upcoming return.

– The feeling within WWE is that The Undertaker will work a very light schedule headed into WrestleMania. Undertaker is still in rough physical shape and there are plans to get the World Heavyweight title off him before WrestleMania. With Undertaker vs. Shawn Michaels still looking likely for WrestleMania, the match has enough going for it that it doesn’t need a title on the line and WWE could probably get more drawing power in having a separate match for the World Heavyweight title.

(Partial Source: F4wonline.com)

Next week’s edition of WWE Raw will take place from Des Moines, Iowa and will be hosted by talk show host Jerry Springer.

The show will feature the six participants in the upcoming WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match will square off in three singles matches:

– Kofi Kingston vs. Ted DiBiase

– Sheamus vs. Randy Orton

– Triple H vs. John Cena

It will be the final RAW heading into WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view on Sunday, February 21st.

Next week’s edition of WWE Raw will take place from Des Moines, Iowa and will be hosted by talk show host Jerry Springer.

The show will feature the six participants in the upcoming WWE Championship Elimination Chamber match will square off in three singles matches:

– Kofi Kingston vs. Ted DiBiase

– Sheamus vs. Randy Orton

– Triple H vs. John Cena

It will be the final RAW heading into WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view on Sunday, February 21st.

NASCAR Driver Carl Edwards

Tonight’s edition of WWE RAW takes place from The Cajundome in Lafayette, Louisiana. With the local New Orleans Saints winning their first Super Bowl last night – expect a hot crowd.

The show will be hosted by NASCAR driver Carl Edwards.

The main event for tonight’s Raw will be a Triple Threat tag match for the Unified Tag titles. Champions Triple H and Shawn Michaels will defend against the teams of Big Show & The Miz and the Straight Edge Society’s CM Punk & Luke Gallows. UPDATE: This match will now be an elimination-style match, according to WWE.com.

The advertised dark match main event will have Sheamus defending the WWE Championship against John Cena, which live Raw crowd have seen the past few weeks after the show goes off the air.

There’s also talk that WWE will announce another inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2010.

— WWE sent out a press release on Monday announcing that Triple H will be appearing at New York Toy Fair this Friday morning at the Javitz Center in New York City. Triple H will be there to promote WWE’s new line of Mattel toys and is advertised to appear at 9:30am.

— WWE star the Big Show will be starring in the upcoming WWE Studios comedy “Knucklehead,” which hits theaters in October. Big Show posted a picture on Twitter of himself dressed in a pink tutu with a wig on. The caption reads, “Thanks for all the Birthday wishes, guys! Here is a funny pic from Knucklehead. Pink is not my color.” To see the picture, click here.

— Upcoming WWE Raw guest hosts Cheech Marin and Tommy Chong appeared on Arizona’s KQRS-FM radio station this morning. According to a reader who heard their appearance, the duo was funny and barely had any idea what WWE RAW was. (Source: Prowrestling.net)

WWE Elimination Chamber

As we saw on Monday’s Raw, Friday’s SmackDown featured 5 Elimination Chamber qualifying matches.

Here’s the updated card:

Elimination Chamber for the WWE Championship:
Sheamus (c) vs. John Cena vs. Triple H vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton vs. Ted DiBiase.

Elimination Chamber for the World Heavyweight Title
The Undertaker (c) vs. Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. John Morrison vs. R-Truth

WWE Elimination Chamber takes place on Sunday,  February 21st, 2010.