Jim Ross has published his latest blog on Jrsbarbq.com, where he weighs in on Dutch Mantel’s xenophobic heel character, Zeb Colter.
Ross writes, “Getting lots of Tweets regarding Zeb Colter’s politically based comments and many feel that the comments are untimely. Isn’t that what wrestling villains do, make inflammatory, controversial comments that strike a nerve with the audience? Same type of comments are made daily on a variety of news outlets so I’d suggest to the most vocal of critics to simply, “Lighten Up Francis.” Zeb’s TV persona is that of a political zealot who has controversial opinions. Zeb…if that is his real name.”
Ross also offered his thoughts on Mark Henry following his return from injury: “Mark Henry is on a roll since returning a few weeks ago from an extended absence due to injury. Henry has a ‘bad attitude’ and I find him one of the more compelling, intimidating villains in WWE.”
During Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s WWE Championship celebration on Raw Monday, The Rock revealed a brand-new WWE Championship. On the subject, Ross writes, “The Rock unveiled the newly designed WWE Title of which has been a topical, Twitter subject @JRsBBQ. I’ve stated many times in the past, I’m not a title belt aficionado and have never invested much of my time on the design of any championship. I think classy, simple is better but, again, I won’t lose any sleep over how a championship belt looks. Personalized Championship tittles are simply what they are. I always thought the old WCW Title belt was WAY too big as was the UWF Title back in the day while I still think that the Lou Thesz version of the NWA Title along with the Race, Funk, Brisco NWA title belt was classy and cool. But again, I’m not your best source for an opinion on the Spinner Title or Rock’s Brahma Bull Title. I’d say the same thing re: the Smoking Skull title as well in case you’re wondering.”
Ross also offered his thoughts on Raw, Jack Swagger, The Shield and more. The full post is available here.
– TNA Wrestling has announced that they will hold an Impact Wrestling taping in Jonesboro, Arkansas on March 28 at the ASU Convocation Center. Tickets for the event go on sale next Tuesday at the box office, www.tickets.astate.edu and at 870-972-ASU1.
The Mayor of Jonesboro, Harold Perrin is holding a special event on Tuesday, Feb. 26 at the Comfort Suites, 3404 Access Road at 6 p.m. with Matt Morgan.
– Taryn Terrell, who Robbie E has dubbed the “hottest Knockout ever,” attempts to make “The List.” She must answer three difficult questions to get the chance to hang out with E.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pagtmOCVRUQ
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Rob Van Dam will appear at Hollywood Book & Poster table at the Los Angeles Comic Book & Science Fiction Convention at the Shrine Auditorium Expo Center 700 West 32nd St. Los Angeles, California, this Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
– Promoting Sunday’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event, WWE released a sticker Friday featuring The Undertaker through the social entertainment check-in website, GetGlue. To view the sticker, click here.
– The premiere episode of Booker T’s “Reality Check” series is now online. The synopsis reads, “Come get an inside look at the Superstar from Booker T’s promotion “Reality of Wrestling” as we show you the REAL People behind the characters and gimmick hosted by Brad Gilmore!!!”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hkNem_wFFYM
– Former WWE Superstar Gangrel turns 44-years-old today.
– Former WWE Divas Champion Maryse Ouellet will be signing autographs tomorrow from noon to 2:00 p.m. at JR Sports & Collectibles 90 Wilson Ave / Booth #5 Englishtown, New Jersey.
– Thursday’s Valentine’s Day edition of Impact Wrestling drew a 1.01 cable rating, with 1,295,000 viewers. These figures are down from a 1.03 cable rating and 1,412,000 viewers last week.
– In the following video, SoCal Val provides details on TNA Wrestling’s Lockdown Fan Interaction in San Antonio, Texas during the Lockdown pay-per-view weekend in March.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxBlTzFGQ6E
– TNA Wrestling ring announcer Christy Hemme is advertised to appear at the Steel City Con taking place April 6 and 7 at the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania. Click here for additional information.
– Promoting this Sunday’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event, WWE has released a video counting down the top 10 most destructive moments in the history of the cage match.
– The official WWE website has released highlights from this week’s episode of WWE Superstars, featuring Divas Champion Kaitlyn vs. Natalya, and Justin Gabriel vs. Titus O’Neil.
– SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia is featured in today’s “Diva Spotlight” on WWE.com.
TNA released the following previewing next Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling from Wembley Arena in London, England. On the show, Hulk Hogan will determine the No. 1 contender to Jeff Hardy’s World Heavyweight Championship. Plus, both the Knockouts Championship and X Division Championship will be defended.
Preview Thursday’s IMPACT: Two World Title Matches, Hulk Hogan’s Decision and more
Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV from Wembley Arena in London! If you can’t watch the action on Thursday night, make sure to set your DVR!
– Who is the #1 contender that will face Jeff Hardy at Lockdown for the World Heavyweight Championship? IMPACT General Manager Hulk Hogan was ready to make his decision this past week – but he never got the chance due to The Aces and 8s! Now, Hogan has vowed to finally declare the top contender on this Thursday’s broadcast! The question is, who will Hogan select to get a shot at the gold? Don’t miss Hulk’s decision!
– Who will Sting select to be on Team TNA to face the Aces and 8s in the “Lethal Lockdown” match at the Lockdown event on March 10? The Aces and 8s made the challenge this past week – and Sting accepted! Will Sting begin assembling Team TNA on Thursday night’s broadcast? Tune in and find out!
Thursday’s IMPACT will also feature TWO championship matches:
– The Knockouts Championship will be on the line as Tara defends the gold in a four-way match vs. Gail Kim vs. Velvet Sky vs. Miss Tessmacher
– The X Division Championship will also be defended on IMPACT as Rob Van Dam battles Kenny King
– Plus, the winner of the British Boot Camp competition – Rockstar Spud – will face Robbie E on IMPACT
All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT on SpikeTV at 8/7 as the road to the March 10 “Lockdown” event continues!
The official WWE website has published an article highlighting 14 notable talents you may not have known appeared for the sports-entertainment organization. This list features talent who made limited or “one night only” appearances in WWE; Crowbar, The Public Enemy, Baron Von Raschke, Great Sasuke, Kevin Von Erich, Kevin Sullivan, KroniK, Tony Schiavone, The Fabulous Freebirds, Tiger Mask, The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, Buff Bagwell, Greg Gagne
Also noted is current TNA Wrestling star Samoa Joe, who competed as an enhancement wrestler on an episode of WWE Jakked in March 2001. WWE says of the burly grappler, “Samoa Joe became an icon on the independent wrestling scene throughout much of the 2000s by treating his opponents’ heads like they were soccer balls. A rival of both Daniel Bryan and CM Punk during their early years with the Ring of Honor promotion, the hard-hitting Samoan even battled Kenta Kobashi in the Japanese icon’s most famous North American match.”
“Joe earned his ardent fan base the hard way. But before he compelled supporters to chant “You’re going to get your head kicked in!” at his shaken opponents, the near 300-pounder made a sole WWE appearance in March 2001. Competing on WWE Jakked only a few years into his career, a young Joe struggled against former WWE Light Heavyweight Champion Essa Rios in an inauspicious national debut. The burly Samoan would go on to kick the teeth out of every major independent wrestler around, but he would not be seen in WWE again.”
Here’s a WWE video of Samoa Joe’s appearance on Jakked:
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson touted the ratings success of Raw since becoming WWE Champion at Royal Rumble.
He tweeted Wednesday, “People’s Era – highest #RAW ratings in over a year. @WWE Universe’s powerful voice. #WeBringIt.”
Last week’s post-Royal Rumble show drew a 3.68 cable rating and averaged 5.02 million viewers over the course of three hours. Not including the heavily promoted 1,000th episode of Raw, the numbers are the show’s highest marks since the night after WrestleMania XXVII in 2011. This week’s show also drew high viewership with a 3.56 cable rating and 4.81 million viewers.
– Prior to Raw Monday in Atlanta, Georgia, WWE held a ‘be a STAR’ anti-bullying rally at Hope-Hill Elementary School. Stephanie McMahon, Kofi Kingston, Layla and Hornswoggle appeared. WWE has released footage from the event.
– The longest-running WWE Champion of all-time, Bruno Sammartino, who was announced on Monday as the latest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame, is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com.
– This week on WWE Inbox, Cody Rhodes and others talk about submission moves that can make a grown man cry. Plus, Superstars weigh in on who has the worst fashion sense in WWE.
– The official WWE website recently removed Dawn Marie from its Alumni page.
– Former WWE Diva Eve Torres announced on Twitter that she will appear on 12 News Phoenix Arizona Thursday at 4:00 p.m. She is in Phoenix this week teaching Gracie Survival Tactics to law enforcement.
– According to ImpactWrestling.com, TNA Wrestling will film One Night Only pay-per-view events at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida on March 17, March 23 and March 24.
TNA states, “You’re invited to be our guest as part of the LIVE studio audience for the taping of the “One Night Only” series at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida! TWO shows featuring your favorite wrestling superstars are taped each day!”
Shows will be taped at 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. on all three days.
– Beginning March 14 at the Sears Centre Arena in Chicago, Illinois, TNA Wrestling will film all Impact Wrestling programming outside of Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. SearsCentre.com is currently holding a pre-sale with the code TARA. Tickets officially go on-sale Friday.
Tara will be in the area tomorrow promoting the event. She tweeted, “I will be signing autographs at Jerseys Pizza and Grill 2360 Lakewood Blvd Hoffman Estates, IL 60192 Thursday Feb. 7th from 6p-8p.”
– Jessie Godderz faces Garett Bischoff on this week’s episode of TNA Xplosion. Video of the match is available at ImpactWrestling.com.
(source: PWInsider.com)
Posted February 6th, 2013 in News, TNA. Tagged: Tara.
In response to back-to-back attacks by World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio on No. 1 contender Big Show, SmackDown General Manager Booker T announced Tuesday night that he has suspended the Mexican grappler from this week’s SmackDown.
“Following the incidents last Friday on SmackDown as well as this week on Raw,” Booker told WWE.com, “it is my duty as GM to suspend Alberto Del Rio. He will not be in action this Friday night and will not be in the building.”
WWE teased in the announcement: “While there is no question these latest developments will make a profound impression on this week’s edition of the blue brand, one has wonder how it will affect the upcoming World Title Match between Del Rio and The World’s Largest No. 1 contender at Elimination Chamber.”
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced on Twitter that ReACTION will be returning later this month via YouTube. The documentary-style originally aired on Spike in 2010.
“Happy to announce that “ReACTION” will be returning mid-February as an online series on YouTube – more details coming soon to our website!” she wrote.
– This week’s episode of The List with Robbie E and Robbie E comes from the United Kingdom and features British Boot Camp stars The Blossom Twins.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sNhsVoRXxEo
– Sparingly seen TNA Knockout Madison Rayne turns 27-years-old Tuesday.
TNA Wrestling has announced the launch of new two-part show in the UK, TNA Backstage Pass. The following press release was issued:
“TNA in the UK” month on ChallengeTV with new two-part show: TNA Backstage Pass
UK FANS: February is ‘TNA in the UK’ month on Challenge TV and sees the launch of a brand new two-part show – TNA Backstage Pass.
Taking you behind the scenes on The Road To Lockdown Tour, the program will be broadcast on Challenge at 11pm on Sunday February 10 and Sunday February 24.
Dominic Wilkins, Scheduling Manager for Challenge, said: “Challenge has been working extremely hard with TNA to find more ways to bring exclusive content to the amazing British fan base.
“Hot on the heels of the incredibly successful TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp, we are incredibly excited to broadcast Backstage Pass – the first time fans will get to see what goes on behind the scenes on the TNA UK Tour.
“This cements our growing commitment to TNA and British wrestling fans.”
February 6 11pm TNA Xplosion
February 10 9pm TNA IMPACT WRESTLING from Manchester (show 2)
February 10 11pm TNA Backstage Pass episode 1
February 13 11pm TNA Xplosion
February 17 9pm TNA IMPACT WRESTLING from London (show 1)
February 20 11pm TNA Xplosion
February 24 9pm TNA IMPACT WRESTLING from London (show 2)
February 24 11pm TNA Backstage Pass episode 2
– Conspicuous by his absence Monday on Raw was that of WWE Champion Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. “The Great One” addressed addressed his whereabouts in a Twitter message Tuesday.
After a fan asked, “where was you? #Raw without The Rock isnt the same!!!”, Johnson replied, “I feel you bro. I was on tour. No rest for the warriors. I’ll be back this Monday! #JustBringIt.”
Johnson returns to Raw next Monday in in Nashville, Tennessee and is also advertised for the following evening’s SmackDown taping in Little Rock, Arkansas.
– WWE officials were pleased with the “Shooting Straight” panels at Royal Rumble Fan Fest, which offered fans the opportunity to hear inside stories about the Montreal Screwjob, D-Generation X and WCW. Expect similar panels to be held at upcoming Fan Fests.
– Ringside Collectibles has released a video previewing the Chris Jericho WWE Elite Series 20 Mattel Toy Wrestling Action Figure, which is the first ever Mattel WWE Figure that glows in the dark. It is available for pre-order at RingsideCollectibles.com and will be officially released in March.
As announced on Raw Monday, the longest-reigning WWE Champion of all time, Bruno Sammartino, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before WrestleMania 29 at Madison Square Garden. Jim Ross offered his thoughts via Jrsbarbq.com on the “Living Legend” taking his place in the Hall.
Ross wrote, “The Bruno Sammartino video package, as I tweeted earlier in the day @JRsBBQ, I expected to be heavy duty and it was. Bruno’s career IE body of work will never be replicated in today’s marketplace within the genre. An eight YEAR run ON TOP in the #1 territory in the world is unfathomable if one gives that accomplishment any serious, intelligent thought. Students of the game ‘get it’ while squeaky wheel, attention seeking, Keyboard Warriors simply want to be defiant while refusing to acknowledge the career of a man like Bruno. Instead of celebrating a legit legend getting a WWE HOF nod after years of waiting by his long suffering fans and who, just recently, overcame philosophical differences with WWE, many who follow me on Twitter used Bruno’s induction announcement as another vehicle to drive ad nauseam the Macho Man HOF questions of the day.
“Really?
“I realize that there is a generation gap as it relates to many fans between Bruno and Savage, even though their careers actually overlapped, but these are two separate entities with two, separate agendas. Older fans and fans especially those who had family growing up in the Northeast United States revere Bruno who was considered a “Sports God” to his fans. Bruno was just as big a celebrity as any professional athlete in the NE on any team during the Italian strongman’s heyday….and still is to an entire generation of fans.
“I can simply tell you that when I got in the business in 1974 that the goal of virtually every wrestler that I knew was to get booked in WWWF aka WWE and if said wrestler was a villain the ONLY goal was to get your ‘run’ with Bruno which guaranteed that one would earn big money. A few months run with Sammartino in WWWF would be more money than most wrestlers would make in a year of territory wrestling.
“I recall how happy General Scandar Akbar was to get the WWWF call and leave the Oklahoma territory on occasion to go to the WWWF TV’s and destroy some willing souls as Ak prepared for his title challenge against the Living Legend. Unfortunately, Bruno was severely injured against Stan Hansen and the Bruno vs. Akbar rivalry never happened.
“Cowboy Bill Watts career as a legit main eventer was validated by Watts tag teaming with Bruno in the WWWF and Watts subsequent turn on his partner which resulted in Cowboy Bill Watts headlining Madison Square Garden vs. Bruno in only Bill’s third year in the business. Bruno liked Bill and they sold out MSG three times versus each other in the 60’s which was unheard of at the time as usually a talent only got 1-2 shots vs Bruno in the Garden.
“It cannot be overstated how big it truly is for Bruno Sammartino to be inducted into the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame which makes this class, even if he was going in solo, the best WWE HOF class ever in my humble opinion and that includes my own class in 2007. I pray for good health so that I can join my Pittsburgh wife and attend the most special of nights, April 6, 2013 when the Steel City’s own Bruno Sammartino once again sells out MSG but this time, I’m assuming, he will go on last which is something that the main eventers never did back in the day at MSG.
“The potential projects that Bruno can be involved with in the future with WWE are virtually limitless and his mere presence adds massive credibility to what ever project is being marketed. I hope that I get to work with the Living Legend on something in the future. It would be a great honor, I assure you, for this fan who grew up not seeing Bruno wrestle but instead by reading the monthly, pro wrestling magazines which allowed my imagination to carry me from Westville, Oklahoma to far away arenas thanks to the photos that were utilized and the intriguing copy that accompanied the memorable photos. Bruno Sammartino was to pro wrestling what John Wayne was to western movies…the ultimate hero who always overcame the odds by doing things the old school way.”
Ross also offered his thoughts on Raw, including CM Punk claiming to be the rightful WWE Champion, Jack Swagger and the return of Mark Henry. The full post is available here.
Arda Ocal of The Score Television Network, Baltimore Sun and Layfield Report spoke with former WWE Diva Beth Phoenix. Highlights:
Has she had the itch to return to professional wrestling yet? “I never wanted to be that person who said, I’ll never come back, I’m retired, I’m done and then in a couple of years get the itch. I haven’t said I’ll never ever be back because I don’t know what opportunity will come up that I’ll find to be really awesome.”
The number of divas that have left the WWE in the past year. Is it a coincidence? “I think it just timed out that way because lots of times with the girls there is a window of opportunity and a lot of the girls that left kind of came in at the same time. The women’s division there are so few of us, you can only see me wrestle Kelly so many times.”
In her opinion, what made Trish Stratus an icon?
“Sometimes people like to remember the controversy, that’s what stands out, but I think I would rather look at the content of someone’s career. She always welcomed whatever kind of physicality that needed to take place in the ring. She was tough as nails, she never complained and worked for what she had and you have to respect that.”
Phoenix discusses the state of the Divas division, highlights of her career, favorite matches, returning to her high school in Elmira, New York for a charity basketball event, life post-professional wrestling, boyfriend Adam “Edge” Copeland’s transition to retirement, Trish Stratus being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame and more.
– WWE contacted Rikishi to participate in Sunday’s 30-Man Royal Rumble Match but the veteran wrestler is unable to appear due to a prior commitment, Jerry “The King” Lawler revealed in an interview with New York Post promoting WrestleMania Axxess.
“I do know that they had contacted Rikishi, but he had a prior commitment that he could not get out of. My son Brian told me that it was just a commitment he literally could not get out of even though he really wanted to [be in the Rumble],” Lawler said.
Lawler also hinted that former stars could resurface as surprise entrants.
“The Royal Rumble has become our next biggest and most fan-favorite pay-per-view. It’s so unpredictable. I know for a fact, I don’t know who it will be, but there’s always some surprise entrants. There will be some people that you didn’t have a clue they were going to be involved in the Rumble.”
– This week’s edition of The JBL & Cole Show features appearances by Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels, who have some kind words for JBL. Plus, Hornswoggle faces off with Daniel Bryan and his “magician’s assistant” in the “SUPERStar Search.”
– Darren Young is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
Next week’s episode of Impact Wrestling is Open Fight Night, and is being taped tonight at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. The event will be headlined by Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson in a Steel Cage Match. The official preview is as follows:
Jan. 31 IMPACT Preview – IMPACT WRESTLING From England with OPEN FIGHT NIGHT!
Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING this Thursday at 8/7c, as the broadcast takes place from Manchester, England and features the return of OPEN FIGHT NIGHT!
– The main event of the huge international event will feature Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson of the Aces & Eights in a Steel Cage Match! British fans will get a firsthand preview of this year’s “Lockdown” when Angle goes to war with his longtime nemesis Mr. Anderson inside the confines of the steel structure!
– Hulk Hogan will make his return on the broadcast! Will he listen to Sting and Bully Ray and reinstate Bully Ray from his suspension so he can get revenge on The Aces and Eights for their attack during the big wedding? Or, will Hulk take matters into his own hands while in England? Tune in and find out!
– Joseph Park will make his official IMPACT in-ring debut! Who will Park call out to battle as part of OPEN FIGHT NIGHT? Tune in and find out!
– Plus, we understand that Velvet Sky and Miss Tessmacher will unite to make their own callout during OPEN FIGHT NIGHT! Who do Velvet and Tessmacher want to fight in the ring? Don’t miss the lovely but lethal Knockouts in action!
All this and much more on Thursday’s special IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast from SpikeTV, taking place from Manchester, England
Sheamus joined Chad Dukes of CBS Radio 106.7 the Fan & ChadDukesWrestlingsShow.com for an interview promoting the Royal Rumble. Sheamus discusses delivering a White Noise to the Big Show, The Royal Rumble, The Rock, The Shield, and Magners vs. Guinness. Highlights from the interview are as follows:
The Rock: “I personally think it’s a great thing when the Rock comes back for the simple reason that having someone like him come in, a movie star, what he’s done in WWE, it definitely brings an audience back who may have drifted away, who were there in the Attitude era drifted away to other things. It’s a great way of bringing them back in and giving us the current crop of superstars a lot of attention. People may argue “well there’s one less spot in Mania.” Well guess what, pull your
socks up and do what you can to get into the show.”
The Shield’s impact on WWE: “I think it’s been a huge impact. Obviously I’ve had my issues with them, Randy, Team Hell No and Ryback. I think they’re three future individual stars right there. I think Ambrose himself is quirky and he’s got that kinda crazy persona going on, I think he’s definitely gonna be kinda like a Roddy Roddy Piper type character. I think he’s gonna be a big player in the future. I also think Roman Reigns definitely has something as well. He’s big, impressive, kinda reminds me of the Rock, when he first came in. He’s definitely got that stature & that presence about him. Obviously Seth, he’s been around the block as well, done some cool things and he can definitely go in the ring.”
– Speaking to Montgomery Adviser, Daniel Bryan says he enjoys competing as a tag team wrestler because it gives him the opportunity to face wrestlers who he may not have otherwise squared off against, such as a wrestler he idolized in high school.
“We wrestled the team of Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara once and it was a lot of fun,” Bryan said while promoting WWE’s upcoming Raw live at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, Alabama. “Rey is one of the guys who I looked up to when I was in high school and wrestling him was just a dream come true.”
– The official WWE website has posted a lost episode of Raw originally scheduled for November 22, 1993. WWE explains, “WWE produced two episodes of Raw under the show number “41”. One of those episodes was never considered part of the shows historic 1000+ episode run. Relive this episode in its entirety featuring a huge WWE Championship match between Bret Hart and Yokozuna.”
Also featured is a match pitting Marty Jannetty against Irwin R. Schyster and Bruce Prichard impersonating Dusty Rhodes’ voice as Reo Rodgers in a segment with Shawn Michaels.
– At Thursday’s New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden, a “This Day In Garden History” graphic was shown on the video screens with a photo of Hulk Hogan facing The Iron Sheik displayed. The day marked as the twenty-ninth anniversary of the night Hogan won the WWF Championship at the venue.
– The official website of the Wells Fargo Center is advertising Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for Raw taking place at the venue on March 25.
Other WWE events Johnson is advertised to appear at include: January 27: Royal Rumble in Phoenix, Arizona; January 28: Raw in Las Vegas, Nevada; February 11: Raw in Nashville, Tennessee; February 12: SmackDown in Little Rock, Arkansas; February 17: Elimination Chamber in New Orleans, Louisiana; February 18: Raw in Lafayette, Louisiana; March 4: Raw in Buffalo, New York; April 1: Raw in Washington, D.C.; April 7: WrestleMania 29 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
– WWE composer Jim Johnston revealed his 10 favorite entrance themes during an interview with WWE.com. In no particular order, the list includes themes of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Randy Orton, The Prime Time Players, D-Generation X, Hakushi, Ultimate Warrior, Maria, Val Venis, Triple H and The Undertaker.
Despite creating music for WWE since 1985, Johnston still finds composing entrance themes challenging at times.
“The whole process of composing is a mystery. I don’t really know where it comes from,” Johnston said. “Sometimes I’ll sit down and something just shows up. As an example, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s theme came really fast. I just picked up a guitar and played that groove. Very easy. It’s most difficult to me when an individual doesn’t have a lot of personality.”
– Booker T, who participated in a conference call Thursday promoting Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view event as well as Saturday’s “Shooting Straight Panel” at US Airways Center on WCW and The Monday Night Wars, revealed plans for a second autobiography with Medallion Press covering his time in WCW and WWE. He also said that unlike the past two years, he will not be participating in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match.
– Rey Mysterio and Sheamus clash on this week’s edition of Outside the Ring. The synopsis states, “What happens when Rey Mysterio and Sheamus go head-to-head? Find out whose Power Slammer is victorious in this plastic warrior-filled edition of “Outside the Ring.”
– Rey Mysterio is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– Kurt Angle revealed in an interview with F4WOnline.com Thursday that he plans to hang up the boots for good in three years.
“I’ve got two more years left at Impact Wrestling and then I’m going to have a retirement year and that’s going to be it. I think I’ll be done and once I retire, you’re not going to see me back in a ring again, that’s for sure,” said the 44-year-old grappler. “I’m not going to be a guy that retires and keeps coming back. When I’m gone, I’m gone. Same thing as amateur wrestling; when I won the world championships in Olympics, I left and I never went back. Same for pro.”
Angle also discussed TNA’s UK tour thus far, British Boot Camp, King Mo, memories of his career and more. The audio interview is available here.
– Kid Kash is no longer affiliated with TNA Wrestling, company sources confirmed to PWInsider.com. His profile was removed from the roster page of ImpactWrestling.com on Wednesday, with the veteran wrestler subsequently claiming on Twitter that he’s still affiliated with the company.
– Jeff Hardy continues to prove that he is a drawing card for TNA Wrestling as preliminary estimates for the Genesis pay-per-view event he headlined on January 13 have the show drawing between 12,000 and 13,000 buys.
By comparison, many of last year’s shows drew between 7,000 and 10,000 buys, with the upswing kicking off after Hardy become TNA World Heavyweight Champion in October.
At Genesis, Hardy beat Austin Aries and Bobby Roode in a Triple Threat Elimination match to retain the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
– There are several people behind-the-scenes in WWE who have been greatly entertained by the comedic exploits of the recently united tandem of Bobby Roode and Austin Aries on Impact Wrestling.
– On Tuesday’s episode of TNA Xplosion on the UK’s Challenge TV, Garett Bischoff beat Jessie Godderz with The Numbskull.
– Christy Hemme and Miss Tessmacher were unable to appear Wednesday’s TNA Wrestling live event in Glasgow, Scotland due to sickness. They will also miss Thursday’s show in Nottingham, England.
Hemme wrote on Twitter, “”I’m so sorry to Glasgow & Nottingham, Dr wont clear @BrookeTess and I cuz we got the flu buggy, we are staying behind while bus drives on :(.”
Tessmacher added, “Glasgow Scottland… I am so so bummed to be sitting n the back w/@hemmepowered… very sick with a bad stomach bug. Fingers crossed we r better.”
– Joseph Park appears on this week’s episode of The List with Robbie E and Robbie T. The synopsis reads, “There are some people who are not only “not on the list”, but stand no chance of getting on the list in the first place. Joseph Park fits into this category….. besides… no self respecting bro wears a fannie pack…seriously bro.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VJpkqIJHdg
– Rockstar Spud, who won TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp on the UK’s Challenge TV to earn a contract, has been added to the TNA roster page.