– Two months before committing suicide in Daytona Beach, Florida on Oct. 18 from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the forehead, Mike Graham went to Universal Studios Florida in Orlando, Florida, while TNA Wrestling was holding a live Impact Wrestling show to request a job on their creative writing staff. He was instantly rejected by company officials.

Graham’s reaction was described as being “shocked” to be turned down, since his father, Eddie Graham, an influential Florida wrestling promoter, told him he would be hired for any job in wrestling by virtue of his rich family heritage.

– As announced on Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling, 35-year-old journeyman wrestler Christian York will compete on “Gut Check” on next week’s show. He competed on the promotion’s inaugural pay-per-view event in 2002, teaming with Joey Mathews against Bo Dupp and Stan Dupp, but was unable to secure a full-time position with the organization, nor WWE. Now after 16 years in wrestling, he feels this is his last chance to make it in the big time.

– TNA Wrestling is holding a live event tonight in Poplar Bluff, Missouri at Black River Coliseum. Jeff Hardy, Bully Ray, Austin Aries and Bobby Roode headline.

(source: F4WOnline.com)

– This week’s episode of “Z! True Long Island Story” features footage of Zack Ryder in front of Egyptian pyramids last week while WWE toured the country. The Raw wrestler also announces a “Zack Ryder Halloween Costume Contest.”

– Big Show is now listed as a member of the SmackDown roster on the official WWE website. He has primarily competed on the show since defeating Randy Orton last month to become the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship.

– Ted DiBiase is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.

– WWE Champion CM Punk celebrates his birthday Friday as he turns 34-years-old. He was born Phillip Jack Brooks on October 26, 1978 in Chicago, Illinois.

Also celebrating birthdays Friday are Kevin Sullivan (63), Austin Idol (63), Kurrgan (43), TAKA Michinoku (39) and Rochelle Loewen (33).

– The comedy stylings of William Regal, “An Audience With A Wrestling Villain,” will take place Nov. 7 at the Glee Club in Birmingham, England. Tickets go on-sale Friday at 10:30 a.m. GMT, are priced at £18.60. Included is a post-show meet and greet with a photo-op and one brought item signed. (Event Information)

– During a SportsCenter broadcast on ESPN Thursday, anchor and wrestling enthusiast Robert Flores referenced WWE Hall of Famer Iron Sheik. While discussing ESPN’s “Greatest Athlete Of All Time” tournament, Robert Flores said if the legendary wrestler doesn’t make the final eight, he’s “gonna hit somebody.”

– During a radio interview Thursday, WWE Champion CM Punk refused to address the crowd incident that occurred on the Oct. 8 Raw in Sacramento, California.

Participating in an interview over the phone with Cleveland radio show Rover’s Morning Glory, the program hosts repeatedly asked Punk about the incident. Punk, appearing disgruntled, ultimately hung up on the hosts, with the interview lasting approximately five minutes.

– WWE has released a promotional video previewing Sunday’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event. The advertisement is centered on WWE Champion CM Punk defending his title against Ryback.

– WWE will hold Raw live events at Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola, Florida on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. and the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Both events are headlined by John Cena, CM Punk, Ryback and Dolph Ziggler.

Arda Ocal (@arda_ocal.) of the Score TV in Canada and the Baltimore Sun recently had the chance to speak with WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler about a number of topics. Highlights from the interview are as follows:

How he feels about Zack Ryder’s show ‘Z: True Long Island Story’ potentially ending: “You can’t blame that kid for making something out of nothing. He’s the reason we have a partnership with YouTube. He’s one of the main reasons we have all this new social media interaction and WWE is so big on twitter and we get so many different things trending. All because this kid tries something new outside of the box, to go out there and try and get the fans and WWE to notice him and boy did it pay off for him. And not matter what happens in the end, it was a ground breaking, outside of the box maneuver and he did it and I was more than happy to be a part of it because I thought it was something really unique and really cool.”

His thoughts on 3 hour RAW and how the extra hour benefits himself and others: “There’s a lot of up and coming Superstars who get maybe 30 seconds of a backstage scene, or maybe get to talk for a quick second, or you see him for a minute or two on T.V., every Superstar is fighting every week to be a part of ‘I just want to be on T.V. for a few minutes. I just want to let everyone see how good I am at this’. I’m one of the ones who’s constantly fighting every week for 30 seconds of air time, or maybe 5 seconds of a promo. And with this extra hour, it’s a chance to create new Superstars.”

Where a rivalry with John Cena ranks for him in his career: “He’s been someone that I’ve looked up to, but also hated for the last five years, because he is the face, he is the franchise of the WWE. And there’s been guys that have become World Champion and WWE Champion who are still second fiddle to what John Cena and whatever he has going on in his life. So this guy is the guy to be in the ring with. This is the guy to go toe to toe on the mic with. This is the guy to be in the matches with that you will be in the main event. And instead of everyone going ‘Hey you had a great match. You should have been in the main event’ people will be telling me ‘Hey, it was a great match. There’s a reason why you’re in the main event out there with John Cena, because you do what you do better than everyone else.'”

Other topics discussed include:
His reputation of making others look good in the ring and being pigeon holed as “that guy”
What does he need to do to be more selfish in his matches and career
His ‘preemptive’ comments as the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Is he looking forward to the next chapter: The Main Event?
WWE’s Partnership with HULU
Is he the type of guy to boast about his hits on online programming?
How often he watches his own matches?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=q9lr31fVM_Y

Mike Bucci, who appeared in WWE as Simon Dean and ECW as Hollywood Nova, joined the VOC Wrestling Nation to discuss the career of Ryback, and how he ascended from a failed WWE Developmental project to being at the top of the card at WWE Hell in a Cell. Bucci was one of the head trainers when WWE Developmental was in Ohio Valley.

The VOC Wrestling Nation is the flagship program of the VOC Nation Radio Network, and can be heard every Wednesday at 5PM ET WORLDWIDE at VocNation.com.

Bucci discussed a variety of topics, and the entire interview can be heard at VocNation.com. Here are some highlights:

On being on the trainers in OVW that worked with Ryback: “I love the guy. People are looking at the guy like he’s an overnight success, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Ryback was originally discovered by Ty Bailey (former head of WWE developmental) to be a contestant for the first season of Tough Enough and he didn’t make it through. I guess they just didn’t think he had “it” at that time.

On Ryback being a wrestling fan: “He got signed to OVW and they used to call him the Silverback. This dude trained so hard inside the ring and out of it. He is a true wrestling fan; in this business, if you’re not a wrestling fan, you will not last. You’ll make money and get over, but there is a difference between making money and drawing money. The guys in this business who draw money are usually the guys who are fans of the business. He is a true fan and a great guy.”

On Ryback being compared to Goldberg: “Bill Goldberg came in and made wrestling cool. He was a butt kicker, and everyone knew who he was. There are three types of fans: 1)People who will always watch wrestling; 2) People who will never watch wrestilng; and 3) People who will watch wrestling when they think it’s cool to watch it, and Bill Goldberg brought out those types of fans. People are still talking about Bill Goldberg 10 years after his last match. (Ryback has the potential to be that.)”

On why Ryback will succeed: “(Ryback) busted his ass so hard to make it. This guy will not be a drug addict, he will not be a goof; he will not embarrass the company. If I were a kid right now, I would love this guy; he looks like a real life superhero. He’s a larger than life figure. When he comes out, you know things are going to happen, and people are going to get hurt. When you look at the roster, there is nobody else like that right now.”

On Ryback being able to survive as a character: “Vince always goes to the muscle guy. They had it with Cena for a long time. (Ryback) has a ton of personality. He can talk, he can do all of that; but people are going to pay to see him kick ass. They’re trying to build a star, so for me (on Sunday at WWE Hell in a Cell), he HAS to win. He’s gotta hit the finish 1-2-3 in the middle of the ring, no screwjobs. Wrestling titles are fake, nobody wins the title, it’s given to you. They have the opportunity to do something special here, and I hope they don’t screw it up.”

On the days of a slow build-up of a star being gone: “The slow build is done. There are so many channels on TV, and we live in an ADD society. People don’t have as much commitment anymore to sit there and salivate over a guy that they hope is being created over 6 months. “

On building the company around one particular guy: “Fans see the WWE as a show, and the guys on the show just happen to be part of that show…there is only one group of people that can’t be replaced on that roster and that’s the McMahon family. That’s why Vince made himself into the top heel in the late 90s. He knew that he was the only guy he could count on that would not leave for WCW. When you’re a WWE fan, you’re a fan of the brand. There’s never going to be another Rock, or another Stone Cold.”

On who are the top guys of the future: “Damien Sandow is a STAR, and they dropped the ball on him for 10 years. I told everyone who would listen that he was a star. When he failed the first time, he went to Puerto Rico and reinvented himself. What you see now is what he is in real life. This guy was at my house and had a conversation with my wife’s dog; that’s how nuts he is. (Damien) is in the top 5 of the workers in that company right now. I’m talking about the ability to work a gimmick, control the crowd, talk on the mic, and have a believable character. And he’s 6’4 260lbs.

On Dolph Ziggler and why he stays in the mid card: “He’s a great dude; he busted his ass. (Dolph) is successful because he’s a true wrestling fan. The people want him so bad, and if they don’t (push him) soon, they run the risk of having him always look like that guy who will never get over the hump.”

On CM Punk: “I have never seen anybody defy the odds of what he’s done. It doesn’t make any sense on how he got to where he is. So many people bashed him along the way, and only one guy believed in him: Vince McMahon. He doesn’t even look like a wrestler, but he hung in there and he made it.

– Ryback, who has primarily competed on Raw in recent weeks, is now listed as a member of the Raw roster on the official WWE website. It is his second official stint with the brand, with the first taking place in 2010 when he was a member of The Nexus.

– During the finals of the No. 1 Tag Team Title No. 1 Contenders’ Tournament on Raw Monday, broadcaster Jim Ross acknowledged participant Rey Mysterio’s past tag team partnerships with Konnan and Juventud Guerrera. When it was brought to Konnan’s attention on Twitter, he responded, “wow i must not be blackballed..thats a first.”

Konnan is believed to be considered persona non grata within WWE after bolting from the promotion in 1992 following a disagreement with Vince McMahon. The WWE chief previously had big plans for Konnan, as he had spent over $10,000 on an elaborate outfit for him to wear as the futuristic character Max Moon.

– This week’s WWE Classics On Demand updates are as follows: WWE Over the Limit (May 20, 2012), World Wrestling Federation at Philadelphia Spectrum (October 11, 1980), WWWF Championship Wrestling (September 17, 1977), ECW Hardcore TV (May 19, 1998), WWF Prime Time Wrestling (September 11, 1989).

– Big Show spoke to Sports Illustrated this week to promote THQ’s WWE ’13 video game and answered a number of pop culture and wrestling questions. Among things learned is that Big Show has Katy Perry’s “Firework” on his iPod.

– The tallest wrestler in history, Giant Gonzales, is the latest addition to the official WWE website’s Alumni section. WWE says of the late grappler, “No Superstar in sports-entertainment history was as immense as Giant Gonzales. Not The Great Khali. Not Big Show. Not even the legendary Andre the Giant. All men stood in the shadow of the 8-foot monster from the wilds of Argentina.”

– WWE is filming Mick Foley today. He tweeted this afternoon, “Anxiously awaiting the arrival of @WWE crew, to film a feature on my year-round Christmas room. I feel like a 7 year-old on Christmas Eve..instead of a 47 year-old on October 25th..which is what I am. Wow, a 47 year-old guy in a year-round Christmas room…sounds like a loser. #OnlyTwoMonthsUntilChristmasBrother.”

– On Twitter Thursday, John Cena responded to Vickie Guerrero’s allegations that he had an affair with AJ Lee, which led to the diminutive Diva stepping down from her post as Raw General Manager by the WWE Board of Directors on Monday.

“Ok @ExcuseMeWWE not gonna go back and forth so ill leave it with this.. U got proof of an ‘affair’ with @WWEAJLee and I, show @wwe,” Cena wrote in response to Guerrero stating the day prior that his “actions” with Lee are “interesting” to her. “Just truly think its sad that @WWEAJLee lost her job because of ‘allegations’ that is a bigtime blunder by @wwe #BringBackAJ.”

In response, Guerrero said she will have proof this Monday on Raw. She wrote to Cena, “Ask and you shall receive…tune into RAW this Monday as I have the “evidence” #CougarInCharge.”

– Northeast Wrestling has announced that prices for former WWE performer Barbie “Kelly Kelly” Blank’s autographs and photo-ops at her appearances on Saturday, November 3 at the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown, New York, and Sunday, November 4 at Buffalo Wild Wings in Waterbury, Connecticut have been reduced.

Autographs and photo-ops are now $30 each, or save $10 by purchasing a combo for $50. Additional autographs and photo-ops are available for $25 that day. Those who have already pre-ordered the items will be refunded the difference. (Event Details)

– Kenn Doane, formerly known as Kenny and Kenny Dykstra in WWE, is now playing football at Nichols College after not playing since high school. Though listed as a tight end on the school’s official website, he primarily plays defense on a limited basis. Through eight games into the season, he has eight solo tackles and five assisted tackles.

– WWE issued a casting call last week seeking women to apply to become female talent for the sports-entertainment organization as “Divas.”

WWE is looking for woman between the ages of 18 and 30 “with charismatic personalities, beautiful faces and great bodies.” Resumes as well as headshots and bikini body shots, are being requested.

Wrestling experience was not mentioned in the casting breakdown, with it being noted that WWE Divas “instantly gain a huge fan base”, travel the world and appear on television in “600 million homes worldwide,” and take part in multimedia shoots and charities.

– John Laurinaitis, who is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, is not expected to return to the road as WWE’s head producer until the end of the year.

– Independent wrestler Smith James was among those evaluated by WWE officials at this week’s television tapings.

– Big Show is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.

– Paul Heyman, who is gaining more creative influence within WWE, recently proposed a faction consisting of WWE Champion CM Punk, Brock Lesnar and Antonio Cesaro, according to SuperLuchas.net.

– World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus appeared on WPRI-TV’s morning show Tuesday promoting the evening’s SmackDown event in Providence, Rhode Island at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center. Video of his appearance is available here.

– Triple H is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.

– WWE has no live events scheduled before Sunday’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia.

A fan-shot video of Ryback botching his finishing maneuver, “Shell Shocked,” on Paul Heyman at Sunday’s Raw live event in Hartford, Conn., has been removed from YouTube.com due to a third-party notification by WWE claiming copyright infringement.

Though filming is prohibited at WWE live events, the sports-entertainment organization rarely has footage shot at shows removed from video-sharing websites. However, this video gained viral attention after it drew the ire of similarly-styled wrestler, Bill Goldberg, on Twitter.

As the video showed, Ryback was unable to lift Heyman for “Shell Shocked,” even as the weighty manager tried his best to assist his leverage. The muscle-bound wrestler then improvised by performing a maneuver resembling Goldberg’s world-famous “Jackhammer.”

Goldberg, who said last week that comparisons between the two don’t bother him, tweeted in response to a fan pointing him to the video, “NOW comparisons offend me.”

The two-time World Heavyweight Champion then re-tweeted a message ridiculing the burgeoning star: “Ryback is to @Goldberg as the Renegade was to @UltimateWarrior. It’s silly.”

Sunday’s event was not Ryback’s first bungling of his signature move as he was also unable to hoist Tensai not once, but twice on Raw three weeks ago. However, it was heavily speculated online that Tensai intentionally undermined Ryback by not cooperating with his attempted throws.

Raw’s Managing Supervisor, Vickie Guerrero, who was appointed the position on Monday’s show after AJ Lee decided to step down as brand General Manager by the WWE Board of Directors for allegedly fraternizing with John Cena, is furthering the storyline on Twitter.

After announcing that she will on hand for Raw’s entire tour of the United Kingdom next month, she tweeted Wednesday morning, “How rude of me, I keep thanking @WWEAJLee for my new success, but I am sending a special “thank you” to @JohnCena #CougarInCharge.”

John Cena responded to her remarks shortly thereafter, tweeting, “Bit of advice @ExcuseMeWWE I know u r proud of your ‘actions’ but if u wanna run your mouth about me, it wont work. Ask @therock.”

As the storyline goes, Guerrero claimed to the WWE Board of Directors that Lee and Cena had a “business dinner,” and Lee decided not to fight the accusations to avoid dragging Cena’s name through the mud.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also weighed in on the matter tweeting in response to Cena’s remark, “@JohnCena @ExcuseMeWWE @WWE Where’d U take @AJLee for your “business dinner”? Golden Corral? McDonalds? #CheapJabroni.”

– The preliminary pay-per-view buys estimate for WWE’s Night of Champions pay-per-view event on September 16, 2012 is 189,000 worldwide. This is up from 161,000 buys for last year’s show headlined by WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Triple H.

The break down is 100,000 domestic buys (53 percent) and 89,000 international buys (47 percent).

The event was headlined by WWE Champion CM Punk vs. John Cena.

– Ringside Collectibles hosted former Raw General Manager AJ Lee at Ringside Fest 2012, the ninth annual Ringside Fest. She discussed the event, her first ever Mattel WWE action figure and more.

– Former WWE Superstars John Morrison and Melina have canceled their advertised appearances at “Chiller Theatre” this weekend at the Sheraton Parsippany in Parsippany, New Jersey.

– This week on WWE Inbox, WWE Superstars place their bets on who would win if WWE Champion CM Punk and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin extended their ongoing feud to a match in the squared circle.

– WWE will hold a SmackDown live event at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Friday, December 28, 2012 at 7:30 p.m. as part of its Smackdown Holiday Tour.

– Sheamus is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.

JBL made his entrance, raised #hardbodyref Scott Armstong’s hand, and proceeded to beat down Josh Matthews with his hat when Matthews went for a handshake. Hilarious.

Ok, I have never laughed at a wrestling event (other than Chikara) as I am right now. The refs were changing the ropes for Smackdown and were taking FOREVER. A “Put the rope up” chant was started. Then, JBL grabs a mic and absolutely tears into all 4 refs. JBL promo at its best and had probably 10 arena wide “JBL” chants in support. He may be the most over man in the company to these fans here tonight.

Randy Orton made his entrance to open the show. He cut a promo on Alberto Del Rio, who’s music cut Orton off. They had a verbal exchange that ended with Del Rio backing down and the crowd chanting “No cahones”. Wade Barrett came out of nowhere and hit Orton from behind, then went back up the ramp. Backstage, Teddy Long made the main event for tonight: Orton vs. Barrett.

1. Kane defeated Cody Rhodes. Daniel Bryan on commentary for this match. So is Damien Sandow. Should be quite entertaining TV this Friday. Kane beat Cody Rhodes with a chokeslam in about 5 minutes.

Backstage, Booker T and Big Show had a short exchange

2. The Miz defeated Yoshi Tatsu. Miz won with the Skullcrushing Finale. Another 5 minute match, nothing special.

Backstage, Booker T had Eve, Aksana, Kaitlin, and Layla. Aksana said that Eve texted her and told her to attack Kaitlin. Teddy came in and explained how he knew all along. Eve contended that someone stole her iPad, sent the email, and is framing Eve. Booker set up a triple threat match for the Divas title at HIAC: Eve vs. Layla vs. Kaitlin. He also announced a tag match between the 4 for tonight.

3. Wade Barrett defeated Randy Orton. Alberto Del Rio ran down towards the end of the match, distracted Orton, and Barrett hit his Souvenir Elbow for the win.

The HIAC preshow is advertising that Cena will address the WWE universe about the AJ controversy. Backstage, Booker T and Sheamus had a brief exchange.

Kane told Daniel Bryan that he won tonight, so he’s the real tag team champions. Kane and Cody Rhodes are on commentary for the next match. Sandow made his entrance and cut a promo, insulting “YES!” and Bryan’s beard.

4. Damian Sandow defeated Daniel Bryan. Sandow won with his straightjacket neckbreaker. Finish came when action went to ringside. Bryan shoved Cody, Kane went after Sandow, Cody shoved Bryan into the ring post and threw him into the ring for Sandow to finish off.

Twelve security people stood in opposite corners of the ring. Josh Matthews set up the mid ring face to face between the participants in the world title match Sunday. Sheamus was out first, followed by Big Show. The security guards formed a line between the two. Big Show put his KO punch over as more powerful than the Rock Bottom, Stunner, AA, and the Brogue Kick. Show then said that Sheamus can’t even reach his head with a Brogue Kick.

Sheamus cut a Sheamus promo about how his two favorite things are a pint of ale and a good fight. He said he’s excited for the chance to conquer the giant. He then repeated over and over “The time for fighting is now.” He charged through the line of guards and attacked Show. Security intervened, so both men cleared house before Sheamus went for the Brogue on Show, who ducked out of the ring and hit the ramp. Sheamus then kicked one of the guards instead. Show should go off the air here.

(source: ProWrestling.net)

– Monday’s Raw broadcast drew a 2.48 cable rating, the program’s worst rating for a non-holiday episode since October 27, 1997 (which drew a 2.3). This is below the rating for the Oct. 1, 2012 show, which garnered a 2.54 in comparison.

The three-hour program averaged 3.55 million viewers, beating a year-low of 3.50 million viewers on Oct. 1. Raw drew 3.58 million viewers in the first hour, 3.65 million in the second hour, and 3.43 million in third and final hour.

Viewership for the third hour was a year-low, below 3.47 million viewers on Oct. 1. It was the tenth consecutive week where third hour viewership was below viewership in the second hour.

– Independent wrestling standout Sami Callihan competed in a dark match tonight prior to WWE’s slate of television tapings in Providence, Rhode Island. He was squashed by Johnny Curtis, with his offense being limited to two kicks. Curtis was billed as “Simply” Johnny Curtis, came out to tango entrance music and donned shiny pants. Following his victory, Curtis placed a rose on Callihan’s chest.

The match is Callihan’s first before a WWE audience. He participated in private tryouts before WWE officials prior to television tapings in March.

(sources: F4WOnline.com, TVByTheNumbers.com, ProWrestling.net)

– With Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stating on record that he will be present at WrestleMania 29 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, the official WWE website has published an article on their five theories for his participation at the event. One theory includes Johnson challenging The Undertaker’s undefeated streak.

“If a showdown for the WWE Title is out of the cards for The Brahma Bull, there’s no reason he can’t throw the gauntlet down at the feet of The Deadman and attempt to surmount what has become the greatest challenge in WrestleMania history,” the article states. “The Rock and The Phenom have history together (they were even Tag Team Champions for a hot minute), but a collision on The Greatest Stage of Them All would — to use an old expression — certainly put a lot of butts in the seats. Besides, after interring Triple H inside Hell in a Cell at WrestleMania 28, The Demon of Death Valley will be looking for a top-caliber challenger (if he’s looking for a challenger at all), and a high-profile opponent like The People’s Champion certainly fits the mold.”

Other theories including Johnson challenging for or defending the WWE Championship, challenging for the Tag Team Championship, a rematch against John Cena, and a “Rock Concert” with Bruce Springsteen.

– The Cauliflower Alley Club, a non-profit fraternal organization comprising both retired and active professional wrestlers and boxers in North America, has announced former WWE Women’s Champion Molly Holly as their 2013 Women’s Wrestling Honoree. She will receive the award at their next reunion event taking place April 15-17, 2013 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Past female grappling honorees include Darling Dagmar, Rockin’ Robin and Awesome Kong.

Now 35-years-old, Molly Holly has mostly kept away from the wrestling scene since parting ways with WWE in 2005. Sans a one-night return at WrestleMania XXV, her wrestling-related appearances have been limited to occasional guest referee roles and autograph signings.

Former WCW and WWE wrestler Diamond Dallas Page recently sat down with Joe Omega and Frank Manzo of Wrestle Reaction for a long, in-depth interview. Visit WrestleReaction.net for the archive.

Scripting the new “Best Of Nitro” DVD: “The WWE gives me what they’d like to see and I rewrite it the way I want to say it. Because it’s my words, and I want to say them the way I want to say them. I’ll get their points over, but I’m not gonna be somebody else. I’m not going to take written material like they give the performers every night. This is something very close to my heart.”

Working with Randy Savage in WCW: “96 my career and the diamond cutter was starting to take off. So when my whole thing with the NWO started, Randy [Savage] actually went to Bischoff and said “I want to work with him”. I would never have gotten that choice; would never have been able to say that. Our feud was so legendary on so many reasons, because we made it believable.” … “Randy Savage had total creative control of his character, and what happened to his character, just like Hulk did. And if Randy Savage didn’t think I was a top guy, he never would have done it.”

The difference between the late 90’s and now: “[Back in the late 90’s]..you could get away with a lot more stuff. We weren’t G-rated, even though Turner was a family programming…today, the WWE is totally family-based..which is great for the kids. For the older people who really love it, they’re going to love it no matter what, and then the other people who are like ‘Wow, it’s not reality-based enough for me’, they’re gonna stop watching for a while.”

Other topics:

* David Arquette not wanting to win the World Title, and thinking the angle was a joke

* Cody Rhodes eventually turning face, and wanting to work with Randy Orton

* Page’s friendship with Eric Bischoff, and the “haters” having no idea who he really is

You can listen to the interview in its entirety, as well as all the archived Reaction shows at WrestleReaction.net. Wrestle Reaction airs live every Tuesday night, including tonight, from 7-8 EST. Be sure to catch them live and follow them on Twitter @Wrestle_React.

– On this week’s “Backstage Fallout” for Raw, Rey Mysterio addresses his and Sin Cara’s loss to Team Rhodes Scholars in the No. 1 Tag Team Title No. 1 Contenders’ Tournament to earn a title opportunity against Team Hell No at WWE Hell in a Cell this Sunday. Also, Alberto Del Rio reveals what he has planned for Randy Orton at Hell in a Cell and Dolph Ziggler offers his thoughts on Vickie Guerrero.

– Former WWE Women’s Champion Sable, 45, is now a grandmother. Her daughter, who is in her early 20’s, gave birth to a child in September, reports RenaLesnar.net.

– Heath Slater is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.

– After Monday’s Raw broadcast at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, went off the air, Sheamus recovered from his pinfall loss to CM Punk to challenge Big Show to a Last Man Standing Match. The World’s Largest Athlete refused to participate in the match, saying it wouldn’t fair for Sheamus and that the audience didn’t deserve to see him wrestle. The two brawled after Sheamus called Big Show “yellow,” with the bout culminating with a Brogue Kick.

– Randy Orton was among the lumberjacks advertised in WWE’s promotional graphic on Raw for the CM Punk vs. Sheamus match, but did not appear. Orton noted on Twitter in the morning that production for 12 Rounds: Reloaded in Vancouver, British Columbia, wrapped up the night before. Orton will be on hand for tonight’s SmackDown taping in Providence, Rhode Island.

Meanwhile, Mason Ryan, who has not appeared on WWE television since May, resurfaced during the match as a lumberjack.

– Betty Skaaland, widow of late WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Skaaland, was seated in the front row at Monday’s Raw. Also in attendance was Jionni Lavalle, boyfriend of WrestleMania celebrity Snooki, and players from the New York Giants and the New York Jets.

(source: PWInsider.com)

As Sheamus was making his ring entrance for his match against CM Punk on Raw Monday, WWE broadcaster and mouthpiece Michael Cole acknowledged WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s Twitter remark to the WWE Champion on Saturday by taking it out of context.

“Go get em, kid. Always be a student of the game and keep working hard. Safe travels. #respect from the #BSR,” Austin wrote.

The statement was in response to Sheamus positively acknowledging Austin’s critical remarks regarding his performance level in a recent column for Fighting Spirit Magazine. The SmackDown wrestler tweeted, “Appreciate words from @steveaustinBSR – i strive to get better everyday fella & hard work is something i love.. See me bring Hell in a Cell.”

Cole instead branded the exchange as Austin taking the initiative to give the WWE Champion a ringing endorsement on Twitter, and Sheamus responding to it. The WWE Hall of Famer’s critical column remarks were not acknowledged on-air.

In the column, Austin offered his opinion on WWE’s World Titles and said Sheamus is not ready to be World Heavyweight Champion.

“Sheamus is a big talented dude, no doubt about it. Can he get to where the company wants him to go? That remains to be seen, and there’s a lot of work required from both him and the company in order to jump to that superstar level,” Austin wrote. “He’s doing fine for the amount of time he’s been in the business, and there is no disrespect intended, but there are so many aspects that go towards making a guy draw money with the title.”

– Following a meeting with the WWE Board of Directors at the company’s headquarters, AJ Lee announced on Raw Monday that she had decided it was best to resign as brand General Manager following accusations she’d been “fraternizing” with an undisclosed Superstar (she denied the accusations).

After rejected Paul Heyman’s plea to become the new General Manager of Raw, Vince McMahon introduced Vickie Guerrero as “Managing Supervisor” of the program. Guerrero then alleged that Lee had an affair with a Superstar, and following more taunts, the two came to blows.

Later in the show, Cena was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Lee, which led to her resigning as Raw General Manager.

– Two matches were taped Monday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:

* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil

* Tyson Kidd vs. Jinder Mahal

No pre-taping dark match match was held.

With a victory over Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara on Raw Monday, Team Rhodes Scholars won the No. 1 Tag Team Title No. 1 Contenders’ Tournament to earn a title opportunity against Team Hell No at WWE Hell in a Cell this Sunday.

The official WWE website has released a match preview.

The announced card for Hell in a Cell, which takes place Oct. 28 at Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia, is as follows:

* WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Ryback

* World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Big Show

* Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz

* WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No vs. Team Rhodes Scholars

* Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio

Gene Snitsky, who has not appeared for WWE since being released from his contract in December 2008, continues to campaign online for his job back with the sports-entertainment organization.

The 42-year-old wrestler was backstage at Saturday’s Raw live event in Reading, Pennsylvania, where he tweeted a photo of himself with Tensai and stated, “Possible new tag team in #wwe? What ya think?” He added to a fan who wants to see the behemoths team up, “Would love to make it happen!!!! Let #wwe know how u feel.”

Unlike Tensai, Snitsky is not fond of two of his WWE colleagues. He pondered Friday to his Twitter followers, “How does drew McIntyre still have a job? Just wondering….”

A fan then wrote to Snitsky wondering why McIntyre’s 3MB partner, Heath Slater, is also employed by WWE, and the former Superstar responded, “ya him too…. Fukn horrible.”

Snitsky continued railing the Scottish grappler by ridiculing for him for his various persona changes over the years: “heez been repackaged so many times I lost count! Ask @CharlieHaas about him!!!” He added that Haas’ view on McIntyre rhymes with “bits.”

Snitsky then reminisced about the fellow former WWE Superstar purposely clocking McIntyre during a match. He wrote to a follower, “You should hear @CharlieHaas story about the time he punched him in the face during their match! Lmfao.”

Snitsky did not see McIntyre at the show to ask himself why he still has a job, but noted that the WWE Superstar already knows how he feels about him.