– With next year’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony taking place at Madison Square Garden in New York City, the company plans to pay homage to the famous area.
Besides Mick Foley likely being enshrined, there is discussion of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, the Nasty Boys (Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags) and Harlem Heat (Booker T and Stevie Ray) being inducted, according to F4WOnline.com. Johnson made his debut at the famous arena in 1996, while Harlem Heat was a New York-based gimmick. In the case of The Nasty Boys, who hail from Allentown, Pennsylvania, the two were billed from “The Streets of New York City” during their time in World Championship Wrestling.
Company officials would also like to honor Owen Hart, who defeated Bret Hart in a memorable WrestleMania match at Madison Square Garden in 1994. Despite the push for Owen, the enshrinement is unlikely to materialize because his widow would not allow it. Hart’s brother Smith revealed on Twitter earlier this year, “Because she blames the wrestling business in its entirety for his death. “She is the sole owner of his estate. With Martha, there will never B a way, perhaps his kids may eventually make the choice. But thats at least 20 yrs in future.”
Plus, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent and Live Events, is said to “desperately” want Bruno Sammartino enshrined, but it’s considered a long shot for a multitude of reasons.
– Though WWE has attempted to distance themselves from Chris Benoit since his career and life ended in a murder–suicide on June 24, 2007, the recently released WWE Encyclopedia features a sizable entry on the late wrestler. According to F4WOnline.com, this move has many people in WWE “baffled,” with his entry taking up more than half of a page.
The bio acknowledges Benoit emulating Dynamite Kid after seeing compete when he was 12-years-old, training in Stu Harts’s famous Dungeon, wrestling all over the world, making a name for himself in WCW before jumping to WWE, and fulfilling his destiny when he captured the World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XX in a Triple Threat Match versus Triple H and Shawn Michaels. There is no acknowledgment of the double murder/suicide, though he is addressed in the past tense.
– LeBron James revealed his passion for Ric Flair after the legendary wrestler paid a visit to the Miami Heat locker room following their game against the Charlotte Bobcats Wednesday night at Time Warner Cable Arena in Charlotte, North Carolina.
“I mean, when I was a kid, I loved wrestling,” James told South Florida Sun Sentinel. “He was one of the guys I loved, too.
“I think he’s probably one of the creators of what we call swag these days, with the Rolexes and the stretch limos, and all the girls and all that stuff. He’s like the creator of swag, Ric Flair definitely kept me watching TV.”
– Former WCW United States Champion and Chicago Bears defensive tackler Steve “Mongo” McMichael filed the formal petitions to become a mayoral candidate in the Chicago suburb of Romeoville, according to the Chicago Sun-Times.
The Four Horsemen alumnus says he was prompted to run by his desire to help the district where his 4-year-old daughter will attend school and conversations he’s had with customers at a sports bar he owns.
– WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia revealed on Twitter Thursday that she is currently unable to participate in regular exercise after being struck by a car in Los Angeles, California in late October and is instead taking up yoga: “Since my accident I haven’t been allowed 2 do my reg workouts but was told I could do Yoga. Just did @trishstratuscom Yoga DVD & LOVED IT!!”
– According to tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com, Monday’s Christmas Eve episode of Raw averaged 3.167 million viewers over the course of two hours, down from 4.23 million the week before for a show that drew a 2.9 cable rating.
Here’s the hourly breakdown, which saw viewership drop again during the third and final hour.
Hour one: 2.94 million viewers
Hour two: 3.271 million viewers
Hour three: 3.219 million viewers
– Today’s episode of WWE Vintage Collection on The Score was a Mick Foley-themed show highlighting the Hardcore Legend’s legendary career. The following matches aired on the program: Cactus Jack vs. Kevin Sullivan (WCW Fall Brawl 1994), Mankind vs. Bob Holly (His WWF debut on WWF Monday Night Raw – April 1, 1996), Mankind vs. Hunter Hearst Helmsley (WWF Summerslam 1997), Mick Foley vs. Terry Funk (WWF Raw is War – May 4th, 1998), Mankind vs. Carlito (WWE Taboo Tuesday 2005).
– Tomorrow beginning at 3:00 p.m., Zack Ryder appears at FYE 3601 Hempstead Turnpike, Levittown, New York, as he signs autograph for the first 400 fans. Call 516-579-5300 for more information.
MichelleMcCool.Net has released more highlights from their recent interview with former WWE diva Michelle McCool, wife of the Undertaker.
Coming Up: “I guess Melina and I came in around the same time, because her guys are the ones that put me out with their finisher so that I could train at Deep South [Wrestling] for a little bit longer. We’ve started around the same time in WWE, but obviously she’s been in the business longer.”
Melina’s Reputation: “Throughout her career, she may have had some run-ins or problems with a lot of people backstage. Personally, I was never one of them. All of the things that she supposedly had done or whatever issues were going on, I was not a part of that. So, I didn’t have a problem with her. That’s not my business — I try to stay out of people’s business, if it doesn’t personally affect me, then I don’t really need to get into the drama!”
Working with Melina: “So, I never actually had a problem with Melina and we worked a lot together. When she came to SmackDown, we worked a program together. We had a match at the Pay-Per-View, Night of Champions. There, we put a mark on things — we totally got in trouble!”
Punished For Being Good: “We got in trouble for our match at Night of Champions. We got in trouble for our match being quote-on-quote “too good… for girls.” So, I don’t care how much I get in trouble if that’s what I’m getting in trouble for. It started where I dropped kicked her on her slipt-entrance to the mat — crazy, crazy bump — which she was always game for. The crazier, the better! We always worked well with each other, always wanted to come up with something different; some new way to come out of her moves, get into one of my moves, something you don’t always see the girls do.”
Pushing the Envelope: “It was that day [Night of Champions] I was like: “could you not tell anybody, but do you think we could do a DDT on the barricade?” And she was like: “Ohhhh! Yeah!!!” — Not even thinking twice about it. We kind of hid it all day, even though we did ask our agent for approval, I think it was Fit — which is no secret that he was always fighting for the girls. We just made sure that we can stand up and get our balance, but we never actually did the bump. She was the one who was going to take the huge bump, and there was no doubt, no hesitation, that she would make it look ridiculous — and it did! [During the match] She finally takes the bump, it looks sick, pops off — up to that point, that was the best match I’ve ever had. We had the pay-per-view, we had time, I was really proud of that match.”
Big Time Trouble: “The next day, one of the agents came up to us and was like: “I can’t believe y’all did that! You have no idea! We were all backstage, scared to death!” We were like: “…What? We know how to safely bump. We wouldn’t do anything that would put either one of us at risk. We’re totally fine! If the men can do it, why can’t we do it?” He said: “It looked too good! You can’t go out there throwing punches like that, or taking bumps like that — that looks better than some of the guys! You can’t do that!” Finally, I remember Chris Jericho, who was by the ring, hears all of this going on. He said: “Look, if the guys can’t follow what the girls are doing, then the guys need to step it up! I thought it was awesome. They did great. And it’s not their problem that it looked that great!” I was like… “Oh, thank you, thank you, thank you!” Because out of respect, we can’t say anything, and here comes one of the boys — Jericho, of all people, sticking up for us!”
Trouble before: “Off topic, But Lisa [Tara/Victoria] and I got in trouble before, too. After finishing our match, Lisa comes into the locker room, and I’ve already changed, I’m in my business/casual, ready to leave the arena, and she comes in and says: “Get dressed! We have to go out there and do the match again!” I’m like: “What?! You’re always joking, always ribbing…” She goes: “No!! I swear!! The punches we threw on the turnbuckle, we can’t throw them — they look too good!” So, we went out and we had to re-do our whole entire match. That’s just like me and Melina getting in trouble.”
OK. One Backstage Altercation: “I’ve never personally had a problem with her, but towards the end of my career, there was one little incident. People wanna know: this is the “juicy, juicy details” of the Michelle and Melina problem! We were in the locker room and it was one of those Halloween deals. All of the girls were dressed, and literally ten minutes before we’re all going out, nobody has a clue what is going on. Nobody is giving us finishers, nobody has no idea what is going on. So, we’re bouncing ideas, and I remember it was me, The Bellas, and Melina… I can’t remember who may or may have not been in there. I do remember throwing an idea out there and it was Brie or Nicole who said, “Yeah. That sounds like a cool idea,” then there’s Melina, who just kind of rolls her eyes and huffs. Her back is to me, but I’m like: “Melina, if you don’t like the idea, just tell me what you want to do — I’ll do it. I don’t care.” She says: “Nope. That’s fine.” So I say: “Well, we’re in a room full of mirrors. The next time you want to roll your eyes, you might want to kinda not do it in a room full of mirrors.” That’s the biggest problem I’ve ever had with Melina! Isn’t that just awful?! …I hope you can hear the sarcasm in my voice. It’s the silliest thing ever, obviously. We got over it, but it was kind of humorous. So, that was my only Melina run-in right there. Honest to God, nothing else between us… but a bunch of good matches.”
– WWE Hall of Famers “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Bret “Hit Man” Hart, Harley Race, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Hillbilly Jim and Tito Santana, participants in the inaugural Royal Rumble Match in 1988, look back at the event in interviews with WWE.com.
Duggan, winner of the inaugural match, says of his other favorite Rumble, “It was the 2009 Rumble, and I was one of the later guys coming out. I got a good pop, as a lot of the guys from my generation do. Fans remember us, which we are grateful for. I came through the curtain and stormed to the ring and, of course, one of the first guys I roll into and am nose-to-nose with is The Undertaker. When he first came into WWE, I actually contested a lot of his first matches, against him and Paul Bearer. So here I am, face to face, with the big Deadman. I give him a shot, and a shot, and a real big shot and he went down like a big tank hit him. Then, of course, Big Show came down and tossed my a** out, but I shined there for a good couple of minutes.”
– Crush is the latest addition to the Alumni section on WWE.com. All of his personas are acknowledged; third member of Demolition, fan favorite Hawaiian powerhouse turned villain, jailbird, biker thug and his time in World Championship Wrestling. His passing in August 2007, however, is not acknowledged.
– This week’s issue of The National Enquirer features a story on a wedding that took place at a recent Resistance Pro event in Chicago, Illinois.
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson ranks among “Hollywood’s Best Actors For The Buck.”
Forbes published an article Wednesday ranking stars that offer Hollywood the best return on their investment and it is estimated that the actor/wrestler returned $22.70 for every dollar he was paid for his last three starring roles. By comparison, Natalie Portman, the best investment of 2012, drew 42.70 times what she was paid. Overall, Johnson ranked No. 8., also trailing Kristen Stewart ($40.60), Shia LaBeouf ($35.80), Robert Pattinson ($31.70), Daniel Radcliffe ($30.50), Taylor Lautner ($29.50) and Bradley Cooper ($25.00).
– Tickets for the 2013 WWE Hall Of Fame Induction Ceremony go on sale Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. The pre-sale kicks off Thursday, December 27, 2012 at 10:30 p.m. and ends Friday, January 11, 2013 at 11:59 p.m. The password is FAMOUS.
Price range from $55.00 to $155.00. The annual event takes place Saturday, April 6, 2013 in New York City at Madison Square Garden.
– Dennis Knight, who appeared as Mideon and Phineas Godwinn in WWE, turns 44-years-old Wednesday.
MichelleMcCool.Net has released more highlights from their recent interview with former WWE diva Michelle McCool, wife of the Undertaker.
In General: “I don’t have one bad thing to say about her — she’s great! All the years that we were there together, which was pretty much both our entire careers on the road, not one altercation. Not one difference. We just got along. That all started through the Diva Search. Obviously, neither one of us won, but I remember watching RAW a few weeks after the Diva Search ended, and King was on commentary. He mentioned that one of the cast offs was going to be making their debut on RAW, then they opened up a magazine — and it was Maria! I got so excited for her, because her dream was coming true. She was one of the few [contestants] that actually followed wrestling, and she made no qualms about wanting to be an announcer. I just thought that was awesome.”
Life’s A Ditz: “She ended up with the ditzy gimmick for a while, but people don’t realize that she’s not ditzy — she’s actually extremely smart. Business-wise: she’s very savvy, and I admire that about her.”
Working with Maria: “She was on RAW for most of the time when I was on SmackDown, but there were several cross-over shows where we did get to work together — before she eventually moved to SmackDown when she got drafted. She was a fun babyface to work against; she can sell like crazy and the fans always got behind her. She was that underdog, and she was cool. She was all about business. She got it: she was willing to make sacrifices. She understood what some people can’t always understand; she understood that as a babyface, she was going to get beat up. She’d end up being able to return the favor, but she was never one to be like: “All I’m doing is getting beat up!” So, she was fun to work. I really enjoyed working her.”
Maria The Wrestler: “Everyone always said that she wasn’t a wrestler, and that she shouldn’t do this or that. I think it’s all about working together and working on people’s strengths — instead of trying to expose their weaknesses. I think that’s just what you have to do.” […] “We didn’t have a long stint together, but she was really cool. She was a good worker, a hard worker… she was committed, and I was sad to see her go. I don’t know that we’ve seen the last of her, and I hope to see her again. I miss her — I think she’s going to do big things.”
Making The Transition: “I turned heel on Maria, and when I turned, I gave her a pretty good beating. She took it like a champ, an absolute champ! I remember Arn Anderson always used to say: “You can’t be a heel! I don’t want it, why are they turning you; I don’t want you as a heel!” Then, he ended up coming back to me and saying: “Why were you ever a babyface — you should have always been a heel!” Maria helped in that. You always want that one person that if you’re gonna make a turn, you’re gonna want to make the biggest impact possible — which, at the time, beating down Maria was making the biggest impact possible.”
Diva Search And Beyond: “I knew I liked her in the Diva Search, but then I remember watching her in the DVD, I don’t remember which one it was, but anyway, she ended up giving me a shout out. She was saying something about my body, and how cool she thought I was, and I was like: “Alright, I knew I liked this girl.” The friendship formed and the friendship hasn’t ended. I don’t think that it ever will.”
– The official website of the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan, are now advertising The New Age Outlaws, “Road Dogg” Jesse James and “Bad Ass” Billy Gunn, for next Wednesday’s Raw live event. As reported earlier, the five-time WWE Tag Team Champions will also appear at Thursday’s Raw live event at Madison Square Garden and Friday’s show in Uniondale, New York.
– This week’s The JBL and Cole Show features John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Micheal Cole outside of the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, before Sunday WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event. The synopsis reads, “Outside Brooklyn’s Barclays Center, “The Wrestling God” and one of WWE’s most outspoken announcers visit with Alex Levine from The Gaslight Anthem to join The Prime Time Players, Alicia Fox and WWE fans in a “Millions of Dollars” chant. Watch the latest episode of the hilarious “JBL & Cole Show”!”
THQ, WWE’s video game publisher, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and will seek a buyer to help it recover from years of business and creative missteps.
The Agoura Hills, California company is working with private investment firm Clearlake Capital Group, which has agreed to enter a $60-million “stalking horse” bid for THQ’s U.S. assets. Any potential suitor for THQ would have to offer more than that.
Details of the move were made available in the following press release.
THQ Inc. Secures Asset Purchase Agreement with Affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P.
Clearlake Offers to Acquire THQ’s Assets Via Section 363 under Chapter 11; Company Obtains Commitment for Interim Financing to Fund Operations Without Interruption
AGOURA HILLS, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Dec. 19, 2012– THQ Inc. (NASDAQ: THQI), a leading worldwide developer and publisher of interactive entertainment software, today announced that it entered into an Asset Purchase Agreement with a “stalking horse bidder,” affiliates of Clearlake Capital Group, L.P., to acquire substantially all of the assets of THQ’s operating business, including THQ’s four owned studios and games in development. The sale will allow THQ to shed certain legacy obligations and emerge with the strong financial backing of a new owner with substantial experience in software and technology.
To facilitate the sale, THQ and its domestic business units have filed voluntary petitions under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware. The company’s foreign operations, including Canada, are not included in the filings. The company has obtained commitments from Wells Fargo and Clearlake for debtor-in possession (DIP) financing of approximately $37.5 million, subject to Court approval.
THQ will continue operating its business without interruption during the sale period, subject to Court approval of THQ’s first-day motions. All of the company’s studios remain open, and all development teams continue. The company remains confident in its existing pipeline of games. THQ maintains relationships with some of the top independent development studios around the globe. As part of the sale, the company is seeking approval to assume the contracts of these studios, and Clearlake will assume these contracts.
“The sale and filing are necessary next steps to complete THQ’s transformation and position the company for the future, as we remain confident in our existing pipeline of games, the strength of our studios and THQ’s deep bench of talent,” said Brian Farrell, Chairman and CEO of THQ. “We are grateful to our outstanding team of employees, partners and suppliers who have worked with us through this transition. We are pleased to have attracted a strong financial partner for our business, and we hope to complete the sale swiftly to make the process as seamless as possible.”
According to Jason Rubin, who joined THQ as President last May, “We have incredible, creative talent here at THQ. We look forward to partnering with experienced investors for a new start as we will continue to use our intellectual property assets to develop high-quality core games, create new franchise titles, and drive demand through both traditional and digital channels.”
Clearlake has agreed to serve as the “stalking horse bidder” for a Section 363 sale process, which allows other interested parties to come forward with competing bids. Aggregate consideration offered by Clearlake for the purchase totals approximately $60 million, including a new $10 million note for the benefit of the company’s creditors. The company is asking the Court for a schedule to complete the sale process in about 30 days.
Consumers and retailers should see no changes while the company completes a sale. The new financing will support business operations throughout the period. THQ does not intend to reduce its workforce as a result of the filing, and employees will continue to work their usual schedules and receive normal compensation and benefits, pending customary Court approval.
As is the case after a Chapter 11 filing, THQ expects to receive notice from NASDAQ informing the company that its shares will be delisted from the exchange within nine calendar days of notification.
THQ is being advised by Centerview Partners LLC and FTI Consulting as its financial advisors and Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher as legal counsel. Clearlake is being advised by DLA Piper as legal counsel.
For additional information about THQ, please visit www.thq.com. For information regarding the Chapter 11 case, please visit www.kccllc.net/thq.
– Peter Polaco, better known as Justin Credible, announced Wednesday on Facebook the completion of a 35-day stay in a rehabilitation program.
The former WWE wrestler and one-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion has been battling issues with substance abuse. In April, Credible was asked to leave an “Extreme Reunion” event in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after he was found “slumped over, passed out asleep” in a chair backstage.
– The official WWE website released the following video of John Cena sending a special message to Brady Bane after hearing about his contribution to the Susan G. Komen Cure For The Foundation.
– Former WWE wrestler Shawn Daivari is auctioning off a pair of boots he wore in WWE, TNA, Ring of Honor and wrestling rings all over the globe. (Auction Link)
– Samoa Joe announced Monday on Twitter that he has recovered from a rib injury that had hindered him since September.
“Good news from the doc, after 3 months of annoyance, cartilage tear in my rib looks to have healed nicely,” wrote the former TNA World Heavyweight Champion. “Back to full go.”
– TNA Wrestling alumnus Konnan feels his former employer is ripping off the FX drama program Sons of Anarchy with their Aces & 8s storyline.
“Hey for all you Sons of Anarchy fans, the series really isn’t over; if you want to see the continuation, watch TNA’s Aces & 8’s. #LAME,” he wrote late Monday night. In response to a fan remarking “sons of nwo,” he responded, “was never this lame..that shit was trendsetting.”
– The following video teaser of TNA British Boot Camp was released Tuesday. The Challenge TV program premieres on Tuesday, January 1, 2013 at 10:00 p.m., with Rockstar Spud, Marty Scurll and The Blossom Twins starring.
– Monday’s Raw saw the return of the Ric Flair to WWE, who presented the “Superstar of the Year” Slammy Award and encountered CM Punk, Paul Heyman and The Shield. The legendary grappler’s former TNA Wrestling colleagues, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff, weighed in on his return via Twitter.
“Great to see Flair doing his thing again,” Hogan wrote shortly after his Raw appearance.
Bischoff noted that he is “Very happy for Ric Flair.”
– ODB attempts to make “The List” in this week’s show. The synopsis states, “Robbie E has ODB waiting for her spot on the list and being in the holiday spirit he decides to make a deal with ODB.”
– Dolph Ziggler takes aim at John Cena again on this week’s episode of WWE Download, which features The Showoff make a quip regarding the Cenation leader’s wrestling ability.
After a viral video is shown of a German man attempting a cannonball into a frozen pool, Ziggler remarks, “The only thing that would hurt worse would be Lou Thesz’ feelings after watching a John Cena match.”
– R-Truth, who fell to United States Champion Antonio Cesaro Sunday at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, suffered a deep gash in his knee during the bout. Kevin Nash remarked on the severity of the injury, writing on Twitter, “hope @RonKillings is not in too much pain, get well friend.”
– There was a lot of concern among WWE officials over Ryback receiving a tepid reaction from the Barclays Center audience for his entrance Sunday at WWE TLC. Management is blaming this on vocal fans who rooted for the heels, thereby drowning out his supporters.
Meanwhile, management was pleased with The Shield’s performance in their match against Ryback and Team Hell No.
– R-Truth, who fell to United States Champion Antonio Cesaro Sunday at WWE TLC, suffered a deep gash in his knee during the bout. This garnered a lot of talk backstage as many people remarked on how nasty it appeared.
– The latest edition of WWE en Espanol with Carlos Cabrera and Marcelo Rodríguez is now online.
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. : WWE® Partners with Hire Heroes USA
WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced a partnership with Hire Heroes USA, an organization committed to serving our nation’s veterans through personalized and customized job search training and assistance. To support Hire Heroes USA’s mission, WWE will make a donation and utilize all its assets, including TV broadcasts, live events, digital and social media to generate awareness and raise funds. In addition, Hire Heroes USA will partner with WWE to implement a veterans hiring initiative and enhance WWE’s military hiring practices.
The partnership, which will expand WWE’s commitment to the military through the support of programs that create job opportunities for U.S. military veterans and their spouses, will be featured during the 10th anniversary of WWE Tribute to the Troops. This annual holiday special airs on USA Network this Wednesday, December 19 at 9 p.m. and on NBC this Saturday, December 22 at 9 p.m.
With a narrowly tailored mission and a personal approach to each unemployed or transitioning veteran and spouse, Hire Heroes USA has helped more than 600 veterans find employment in the past two years. In 2012 almost 2,000 new veterans registered for Hire Heroes USA assistance and nearly 400 more were helped at two-day workshops focused on providing assistance to wounded, ill, or injured service members.
“WWE has a clear commitment to supporting the US military and the top organizations that help military veterans and their families,” said Brian Stann, President and CEO of Hire Heroes USA. “Like us, WWE follows verbal support with action, making a tangible difference in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much in defense of this nation. We are proud to partner with WWE so that together we can help reduce veteran unemployment.”
“WWE has a long history of supporting our armed forces because we are extremely grateful for the sacrifices of our nation’s heroes,” said Vince McMahon, Chairman and CEO, WWE. “It is an honor for us to partner with Hire Heroes USA and support programs that will help our veterans.”
WWE’s longstanding commitment to the military in the U.S. and abroad includes its annual Tribute to the Troops events, Tickets for the Troops program and regular visits to military bases, hospitals and fundraisers that support military personnel and their families.
The United States Department of Labor estimates that the military discharges 160,000 active service members and 110,000 Reserve and National Guard members annually. Statistically, about 32,000 of those veterans will join the ranks of nearly 1 million veterans already unemployed.
For more information about Hire Heroes USA, please visit www.hireheroesusa.org.
– Prior to WWE’s TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chair broadcast, JTG beat David Otunga via Da Shout Out in a dark match. JTG, who hails from Brooklyn, New York, the site of the show, received a good reaction from the hometown crowd.
The announced attendance for WWE’s first event at the Barclays Center was sold-out crowd of 15,748.
– WWE has released the trailer for its next pay-per-view event, Royal Rumble, taking place January 27, 2013. Advertising for the event is centered on the return of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who vowed to challenge for the WWE Championship.
– Josh Matthews issued the following Tout promoting tomorrow’s Slammy Awards edition of Raw.
– Jimmy Korderas, who worked as a referee for WWE from 1988 to 2008, will release an autobiography detailing his experiences with the sports-entertainment organization.
The synopsis for the 300-page book, The Three Count: My Life in Stripes as a WWE Referee, reads, “Highlighting the triumphs and tragedies Jimmy Korderas experienced, this entertaining biography focuses on his 20-year career as a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) referee. For the first time, Korderas talks about the harrowing experience of being in the ring during Owen Hart’s accident and about the horrific effects of the Chris Benoit tragedy—the most difficult moments of his life in wrestling. The book also includes untold stories from both inside and outside the ring, highlighting the bonds Korderas formed with WWE superstars such as Eddie Guerrero, Edge, John Cena, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Christian, and Chris Jericho. A fun read from a man who, rather than having an ax to grind, wants to inspire wrestling fans and prove that dreams do come true.”
It is scheduled for release on April 1, 2013. The foreword is being written by WWE Hall of Famer Adam “Edge” Copeland. To view the book’s cover, which click here.
– The official Twitter feed of California-based independent promotion Knokx Pro Entertainment has announced that Alexander “Zander” Jones has signed a developmental contract with WWE. He competed in his last match for the indy league Saturday.
– Rosa Mendes issued the following Tout Message calling out Natalya before they face off in a “Santa’s Helpers” No. 1 Contender’s Divas Battle Royal tonight on the WWE TLC Pre-Show.
During a recent interview with Power Slam, TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy was asked to give his thoughts on his polar opposite, WWE Champion CM Punk.
The two star wrestlers have been at odds in the past. Hardy was reportedly upset with Punk denouncing him on live television for his September 2009 arrest on charges of trafficking in controlled prescription pills and possession of anabolic steroids, after a search of his North Carolina home yielded 262 Vicodin prescription pills, 180 Soma prescription pills, 555 milliliters of anabolic steroids, a residual amount of powder cocaine, and drug paraphernalia. A little over a year later, a bizarre video surfaced on YouTube of a slurring Hardy bashing Punk’s drug-free lifestyle and proclaiming to have “made him.” These days, however, Hardy says he has no problem with the Straight Edge Superstar.
While on the subject of whether he was aware of Punk clocking a fan in the stands on the October 8 episode of Raw, Hardy responded, “I am working on some songs with this guy, and he sent me a text and asked me if I had seen it. I hadn’t seen it, so I don’t know what happened … But CM Punk is great, man: he’s so talented, it’s crazy. We’re just on different pages on our beliefs and our outlook on life.
“But, yeah, I’ve got to check that [footage of Punk striking the fan]: I heard it was pretty violent. This guy said, “He might be coming to TNA, LOL.” I don’t know about that. But CM Punk is crazy talented. We don’t stay in touch or have contact, but I have nothing bad to say about the guy … we’re just different.”
– Thursday’s post-Final Resolution episode of Impact Wrestling drew a 0.96 cable rating, down from 0.98 the week before. The program averaged 1.242 million viewers compared to 1.320 million the prior week.
Excluding the Thanksgiving episode of Impact Wrestling, it is the program’s lowest viewership since October 25. A year ago at this time, Impact Wrestling drew a 1.14 cable rating.
– TNA Wrestling has released its 2012 ShopTNA Knockouts Holiday music video, which features all of the company’s female talent except Sarita, Rosita and Velvet Sky.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFmyDKXcEOw
– ShopTNA.com has released new Jeff Hardy merchandise.
– Tonight at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, John Cena will face Dolph Ziggler in a Ladder Match for the World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank contract. The Cenation leader addressed tonight’s encounter, stating that history will be made.
“Alright @WWE Brooklyn, time to show me what you’re made of,” wrote Cena on Twitter. “History happens tonight at #TLC do NOT miss Pay Per View TONIGHT!”
– In the latest edition of WWE Countdown, WWE counts down the “Top Table Moments.”
– “The Dog-Faced Gremlin” Rick Steiner is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
Matt Hardy joined The Big Mosh and “The Chairman of the Board” Todd Vincent for an interview Monday Night Mayhem, which is now available for free download, exclusively on the WrestleView Radio Network (available here). Highlights from the interview are as follows:
Why he sees himself as not a “cancer” in Ring of Honor, but as the company’s “cure”: “I wanted to come to Ring of Honor to help. A lot of Ring of Honor die-hard fans think I’m the ‘cancer,’ but I don’t think I’m the ‘cancer.’ I think I’m the cure. Not only can I offer my experience and wisdom to these guys, but I can bring in a huge fan base as far as Hardy fans go. I want to change some things. I don’t want to take away what Ring of Honor stands for, but I do want to change it in a way where it evolves and grows.
The type of crowd reaction that he is expecting at The Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City this Sunday at “Final Battle 2012”: “I know the Ring of Honor die-hard fans, and I’m going to be the enemy to them. I’m walking into hostile territory, and that’s good. I dig that. As long as the fans are reacting, whether they love me or they hate me, it’s all good.”
The chance of a WWE or TNA return in 2013 and how he has received some “interesting phone calls” within the last month: “It’s really hard to put a number on that figure. All I can say is in the wrestling business is ‘never say never.’ I can tell you right now, there have been some interesting phone calls during the last month or so. If I could command a schedule in WWE or TNA where I could work a day a week or a couple days a week, that would be helpful. I would definitely take it into consideration.”
– TNA Wrestling producer Eric Bischoff is denying Marcus “Buff” Bagwell’s claim in an interview this week that the two have been in talks regarding a potential return to the promotion.
Bischoff tweeted Friday, “FYI, havent had a conversation with Marc Bagwell in 15 years or more. Not sure what conversations he “thinks” hes had with me.”
When asked of a potential return to TNA Wrestling during an interview with the Shining Wizards podcast, Bagwell stated, “Me and Eric are talking. Sting wants me to come down there and work for TNA. So we are in talks, we are waiting for me to get back to 100%. We are about 2 weeks out. I just spoke to Sting yesterday. So Eric is gonna bring me down and talk to me and just see what happens, so I am in the mix with maybe going back to TNA now.”
– TNA Wrestling has released a video of Joey Ryan starring in “The Sleaziest ShopTNA Commercial Ever.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXLUNA3rJ7M
– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter sat down with Jeremy Borash Friday for a video interview “to talk 2013 and more.” It will be released via ImpactWrestling.com next week.
– Online technology news website Wired.com published an article today criticizing WWE’s storytelling ability, but more specifically, John Cena. To writer Chris Sims, nobody embodies the problem more than “The Champ,” whose character is often promoted at the expense of others.
On the Dec. 3 Raw, WWE chief Vince McMahon had authority figure Vickie Guerrero add the stipulation of Dolph Ziggler putting his World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank contract on the line in his match against Cena at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs. For this disregard of storylines, Sims ripped WWE, writing, “It’s the most blatant example of pulling strings to give him an endless amount of chances, and to make matters worse, it’s a pointless storytelling move. It doesn’t matter what the outcome is; if he loses, it doesn’t mean anything because it’s become evident that he’ll just be given another chance. If he wins, he doesn’t really gain anything because he’s in the exact same spot that he always is, and Ziggler loses some of his legitimacy to fix something that ain’t broken.”
– In a Too Cool reunion, Rikishi, Brian Christopher and Scotty 2 Hotty appear at the Franks & Son Collectible Show 19649 San Jose Ave. City of Industry, California, today from 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. (Event Information)
– Former WWE star Rene Dupree turns 29-years-old today. After competing in Japan and Europe following his 2007 departure from WWE, the French Canadian wrestler returned to North America last month at an independent show.
– WWE has reached out to Eurosport and New Japan Pro Wrestling TV in hopes of acquiring Bret Hart matches for an upcoming video release.
– Zack Ryder appears at the Microsoft Store at the Danbury Fair Mall 7 Backus Ave. Danbury, Connecticut, today beginning at 3:00 p.m. as he signs autographs for the first 200 fans. Call 203-546-1510 for more information.
– WWE Divas are spotlighted on this week’s edition of “Backstage Fallout” for SmackDown. The synopsis reads, “Does Kaitlyn still hold a grudge against Aksana? Watch the SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout” to find out. Plus, see what sparked the Tout battle between Rosa Mendes and Natalya, only on WWE on YouTube!”
