– Delayed one week due to Rey Mysterio having the flu, Mysterio and Sin Cara will face Team Rhodes Scholars tonight on Raw in the Tag Team Tournament Final. WWE’s mobile service issued a text message stating that the masked grappler will compete as scheduled: “Rey Mysterio is in NJ and will compete tonight on RAW presented by Hot Pockets brand sandwiches.”

The winners will face WWE Tag Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan next Sunday at Hell in a Cell.

– WWE Tag Team Champion Kane is now on Twitter at KaneWWE. The account has been verified by the micro-blogging site, thus confirming its legitimacy.

– Raw General Manager and video game aficionado AJ Lee spoke to Inside Gaming about THQ’s WWE ’13 in the following video interview.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=35ABVMOQc0A

– Silvervision has released WWE’s promotional trailer for its upcoming nWo DVD and Blu-ray release, nWo: Revolution. The video features soundbytes from Booker T, Arn Anderson, Dusty Rhodes, Eric Bischoff, Sean Waltman, Big Show, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Nash and “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase weighing in on the rise and fall of the group.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=216wbicjYzs

The title will be released in North America on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

– The official WWE website has announced that John Cena will appear as a guest on “The Chew” and cook with Chef Michael Symon. The program airs Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. ET.

– Tickets for WWE’s SmackDown taping on Wednesday, Dec. 19 in Rochester, New York at Blue Cross Arena go on sale this Friday via Ticketmaster. (Ticket Information)

– Hours before Raw takes place in her home state of New Jersey, Raw General Manager AJ Lee teased an angle concerning her authority position.

“Been called to an emergency meeting with the WWE Board of Directors at #WWE Global HQ. #Confused #RAW,” she tweeted.

– This week’s episode of WWE Download is online. Here is the synopsis: “Dolph Ziggler presents a new edition of WWE Download that’s sure to leave a mark. Watch painfully embarrassing accidents found on the Web, including a fool in a giant spool, the man who could be Shockmaster’s son and more, when you subscribe to WWE on YouTube!”

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

TNA announced Sunday that two double television tapings for Impact Wrestling will be held in England this January.

TNA Tours The United Kingdom In January: Manchester TV Taping Announced

IMPACT WRESTLING returns to the UK and Ireland in January 2013 for ‘The Road To Lockdown’ Tour – promising fans a steel cage match on every show. The action-packed live events will take place in Dublin (January 21), Glasgow (23), Nottingham (24), Manchester (25) and at London’s Wembley Arena (26). The show at Wembley will see two episodes of TNA IMPACT WRESTLING taped for broadcast in more than 120 countries around the globe, including on Challenge TV in the UK and Ireland.

• Lockdown steel cage comes to the UK and Ireland for first time ever
• Wembley show to be broadcast on Challenge TV and around the world
• Live events also set for Dublin, Glasgow, Nottingham and Manchester

Two episodes of hit Challenge TV show to be recorded at Manchester Arena | Booking fees waived for TNA UK event tickets bought via ‘October offer’ link | Competition launched to find the best fan signs on the TNA January Tour

TNA IMPACT WRESTLING ANNOUNCES MANCHESTER TV TAPING

Two episodes of top-rated Challenge TV show TNA IMPACT WRESTLING will be recorded at Manchester Arena on January 25, 2013 – the first time TNA has ever filmed the programme in the UK outside of London.

The event will form part of the TNA ‘Road To Lockdown’ Tour of the UK which also features huge live shows in Glasgow (Jan 23), Nottingham (Jan 24) and a previously announced double TV taping at London’s Wembley Arena (Jan 26).

All four events will feature a steel cage match and worldwide wrestling stars including TNA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, Austin Aries, Bobby Roode and AJ Styles.

The Manchester and Wembley shows will air over a period of four weeks on Challenge TV in February, as part of the channel’s special ‘TNA in the UK’ month. They will also be broadcast on Spike TV in the US and in more than 120 other countries around the world.

To celebrate the news, TNA IMPACT WRESTLING has teamed up with gigsandtours.com to waive the booking fee on tickets bought throughout the rest of October for TNA’s UK January Tour dates.
The offer* is open to those booking via the dedicated web link www.gigsandtours.com/go/TNAOffer or the ticket shop on the TNA Wrestling UK Facebook page at www.facebook.com/tnawrestlinguk

TNA IMPACT WRESTLING will also be running a competition to find the best fan signs brought to the UK events, with one winner at each show receiving an exclusive backstage pass.

Dominic Wilkins, Acting Director of Challenge TV, said: “TNA IMPACT WRESTLING is a huge hit with Challenge TV viewers so it is with testament to this bourgeoning UK fan base that TNA is filming two more shows in Manchester, as well as two at London’s Wembley Arena.

“Viewers will be able to catch these four new programmes as part of our ‘TNA in the UK’ month during February. They will follow on from the premiere of the exclusive new series TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp which airs on Challenge during January 2013.”

TNA President Dixie Carter added: “I’m so excited for the rest of the world to see how loud and crazy the fans in Manchester are. We’re going to have some fun!”

The TNA Road To Lockdown Tour also comes to Dublin, Ireland, on Monday January 21.

* Offer is no booking fee charged on full price TNA January 2013 UK event tickets bought from 9pm on October 21 until 11.59pm on October 31. Only available via exclusive closed web link and TNA UK Facebook Ticket Shop. Offer is subject to availability and non-retrospective.

MORE DETAILS ON THE JANUARY UNITED KINGDOM TOUR

More TNA Superstars have been added to the January tour of the United Kingdom – plus Fanfest InterAction packages have been announced! Fans can meet TNA IMPACT WRESTLING stars before each tour event | Austin Aries, Christopher Daniels, Magnus, Kazarian and Miss Tessmacher have been added to the UK tour lineups!

TNA IMPACT WRESTLING has released a strictly limited number of Fan Interaction tickets for the January 2013 ‘Road To Lockdown’ Tour, giving British fans the chance to meet some of the world’s most famous wrestlers.

The eagerly awaited passes go on sale at 10am on Friday August 31 and will be available for the live events in Glasgow (January 23), Nottingham (24) and Manchester (25) and the double Challenge TV taping at London’s Wembley Arena (26).

Tickets cost £32.50 each, or £35 for London, and have been limited in number in order to improve the fan experience for January 2013. There will be eight top TNA superstars at each meet and greet. Each wrestler will sign a maximum of two items per fan.

Austin Aries, Miss Tessmacher, Christopher Daniels, Kazarian and British superstar Magnus have all joined the roster for the ‘Road To Lockdown’ Tour, which will feature a steel cage match on every show.

Worldwide wrestling stars already announced for the Tour include Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, Bobby Roode, James Storm, AJ Styles, Mr. Anderson, Rob Van Dam and Gail Kim.

Fan Interaction tickets can be bought from www.gigsandtours.com / 0844 811 0051 or www.ticketmaster.co.uk / 0844 826 2826. Those purchasing Fan Interaction tickets must also have a regular event ticket, which are sold separately, in order to gain access. Full details of the shows are:

Tickets can be bought from www.gigsandtours.com / 0844 811 0051 or www.ticketmaster.co.uk / 0844 826 2826. Full details of the UK and Ireland events are:

Monday January 21
Dublin National Stadium
818 719 300

Wednesday January 23
Glasgow Braehead Arena
0844 499 9990

Thursday January 24
Nottingham Capital FM Arena
0844 412 4624

Friday January 25
Manchester Arena
0844 847 8000

Saturday January 26
London Wembley Arena
0844 815 0815

– Sarita, who has not appeared for TNA Wrestling in six months, is setting grappling goals outside the promotion. The internationally-acclaimed wrestler revealed during an interview published Saturday on ESPNDeportes.com promoting breast cancer awareness that she wants to become the Women’s Champion of Puerto Rican based promotion World Wrestling Council, as well as compete for WWE. She believes she has the ability to accomplish both tasks and considers them immediate goals.

“I have many plans in the short term; I want to be champion of the World Council, plus I would like to fight in the WWE. I’m very focused on continue to succeed in the wrestling world,” she said.

Sarita, whose real name is Sarah Stock, publicly considered WWE a goal of hers when she began her professional wrestling career in Canada, but largely remained mum on the subject after gaining fame in Mexico as well as TNA Wrestling. She briefly competed for WWE’s former developmental promotion, Ohio Valley Wrestling, as a non-contracted talent during a wrestling tour of the United States in 2003. She was evaluated by WWE officials during an event tour through Canada the following year, but was not offered a contract.

Sarita also remarked on the differences in wrestling styles between Mexico and the United States, being away from her family in Canada most of the year, and how her family has dealt with the effects of cancer. A translated version of the story is available here.

– As reportedly recently, former WWE talent Shawn Daivari choked an unruly train passenger unconscious while en route to Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport, after police were slow to respond to another passenger hitting an emergency button. It has drawn attention from CNN, which has posted footage of the incident on its website.

– The promotional poster for TNA Wrestling’s upcoming Final Resolution pay-per-view event has been released and it features Jeff Hardy.

Final Resolution takes place December 9, 2012 in Orlando, Florida at the Impact Wrestling Zone.

– TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter will make an announcement concerning the promotion’s upcoming UK Maximum Impact Tour during tonight’s Impact Wrestling airing on Challenge.

– One half of the reigning TNA World Tag Team Champions, Chavo Guerrero, turned 42-years-old on Saturday.

– Josh Mathews and Road Dogg take a look at one of the most eccentric wrestlers of all-time, Max Moon, on this week’s episode of “Are You Serious?” Plus, Puppet H is back, who introduces “WCW’s Bad Gimmick Roulette” with 3 Count. Also featured are clips of Josh Mathews, and Bobby Lashley ordering Simon Dean to scarf down twenty double-cheeseburgers.

– After concluding a three-event tour in Egypt, the SmackDown crew left the country early Sunday morning United States EST time (late Sunday morning in Egypt) for tomorrow night’s Raw at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey. SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia tweeted early Sunday: “On the plane w/ all the @WWE Superstars as we get ready 2 leave Cairo. Thk u Egypt 4 ur hospitality & such a grt tour!”

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

– As reported this week, Gail Kim has earned the number one position in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s fifth annual “PWI Female 50” list, which ranks the top 50 women’s wrestlers in North America from September 1, 2011, through August 30, 2012. She succeeds Madison Eagles, who ranked No. 1 in last year’s list.

The top 10 has been released, which ranks: 1. Gail Kim. 2. Beth Phoenix. 3. Cheerleader Melissa. 4. Sara Del Rey. 5. Jessicka Havok 6. Layla. 7. Miss Tessmacher. 8. Saraya Knight. 9. Mercedes Martinez. 10. Tara. The full list is available at PWI-Online.com.

Kim remarked on the achievement via Twitter, writing to PWI, “Thanks so much for recognizing all female talent. I appreciate the recognition of hard work and feel flattered for the honor!”

– Independent wrestler Reby Sky is today’s “Lovely Lady Of The Day” on the official website of Sports Illustrated, SportsIllustrated.CNN.com. Jimmy Traina says of the Queens, New York native, “Reby Sky has been in Hot Clicks before because of her New York Giants fandom. She’s now a pro wrestler and dating former WWE superstar Matt Hardy.”

Sky competed at Friday’s SHINE Wrestling internet pay-per-view in Ybor City, Florida, where she defeated Kellie Skater after performing the Twist of Fate.

– Japanese wrestler Tiger Mask IV turns 42-years-old Saturday. He currently works for New Japan Pro Wrestling.

– Mason Ryan, who has not appeared on WWE programming since May, resurfaces on this week’s edition of Santino Marella’s Foreign Exchange. Plus, Marella recruits Yoshi Tatsu and Johnny Curtis to devise “the perfect plan” to finally touch Michael McGillicutty’s beard.

– Via Twitter, John “Bradshaw” Layfield denied an online report that he will commentate Monday’s Raw at East Rutherford, New Jersey. He subsequently noted on Facebook that he will call the following night’s SmackDown taping in Providence, Rhode Island.

– The official WWE website has published new photos of Cameron and Naomi, The Funkadactyls.

ImpactWrestling.com has released the official preview for next week’s “Championship Thursday” edition of Impact Wrestling and it is noted that Rob Van Dam will defend the X Division Championship against Zema Ion in a Bound For Glory re-match.

IMPACT Preview: Championship Thursday Returns – Jeff Hardy Defends The World Title

Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast LIVE at 8/7c on SpikeTV as “Championship Thursday” returns and the road to the November “Turning Point” event continues! If you can’t watch on Thursday, make sure to set your DVR to record all the action.

– “Championship Thursday” is back, and the World Heavyweight
Championship will be on the line as new titleholder “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy defends the gold against an opponent to be select by “The Immortal” Hulk Hogan! The contenders that Hogan will pick from are: Mr. Anderson, James Storm, Bully Ray, and Kurt Angle

– What do The Aces & 8s and Devon have planned next after their assault last week? Can Hulk Hogan, Sting, Bully Ray and the TNA roster find a way to turn the tide against the biker gang? The war continues on Thursday’s broadcast on SpikeTV!

– In a “Bound For Glory” rematch, new Knockouts Champion Tara (with her Hollywood boyfriend Jessie Godderz) will defend the gold against Miss Tessmacher on Thursday’s broadcast

– Also as part of “Championship Thursday”, new X Division Champion Rob Van Dam will put his title on the line against former champ Zema Ion!

All this and much more on Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast on SpikeTV LIVE at 8/7c

– This week’s SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout” has 3MB sounding off. Plus, Antonio Cesaro responds to his latest win over an American challenger, Ted DiBiase. Theodore Long also addresses an iPad Eve left behind, which is suggested to feature classified information.

– The official Twitter feed of WWE announced Friday that Sin Cara is on the micro-blogging website at twitter.com/TheSinCaraWWE. WWE also released a Tout video of the masked grappler holding a piece of paper featuring the URL. He has had the account since September, but it was not confirmed until now.

– One of the most controversial wrestlers of all-time, Scott Hall, turns 54-years-old Saturday.

Hoping to regain the Intercontinental Championship from the Superstar who took it away from him on Main Event, The Miz announced during Friday’s SmackDown broadcast that he will invoke his rematch clause against Kofi Kingston at Hell in a Cell.

The official WWE website has released a match preview.

Delayed one week due to Rey Mysterio having the flu, the Tag Team Tournament Final will be finalized on Raw when Sin Cara and Rey Mysterio take on Team Rhodes Scholars. The winners will face WWE Tag Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan at Hell in a Cell.

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

* WWE Tag Team Champions Team Hell No vs. Tag Team Tournament Winners

* Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston vs. The Miz

* Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio

– The post-Bound For Glory episode of Impact Wrestling drew a 0.99 cable rating. This is up from mid-0.8 numbers the previous two weeks but is the same figure as the Sept. 27 show.

The program averaged 1,248,000 viewers, an improvement on year-low viewership the past two weeks, but fewer than the Sept. 27 show, which drew 1,265,000. Thursday’s show was down five percent compared to the summer average and down eleven percent compared to the overall average for 2012.

There was a one-tenth increase from last week in males 18-49, the program’s biggest demographic. The 18-34 demo remained the same as the past two weeks.

– TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Tara will appear on upcoming episode of MTV’s Made, a self-improvement reality television series. The episode was scheduled to air Friday, but has been moved to November 10, she noted on Twitter.

In the episode, Tara coaches an unemployed woman aspiring to become a professional wrestler.

(source: Pro Wrestling Torch)

Eric Bischoff called into Extreme Pro Wrestling Radio on 100.3 FM The Fan in Minneapolis (on Twitter at EPWRadio) to discuss a number of topics with Big D, Tim and Crisco including the creative team for TNA Wrestling, who was going to be the third man in the nWo storyline before Hulk Hogan got on board, his current relationship with Vince McMahon and more. Highlights from the interview are as follows:

Comparing Bruce Prichard with Vince Russo in their roles writing for TNA Wrestling what are Bruce’s strengths: “It’s hard to compare, two entirely different people with entirely different skill sets and backgrounds and experiences and things like that so it’s kind of a waste of energy to try and compare them other than to say they are two completely different people. I enjoyed working with Vince, I don’t wanna ever sound like I didn’t. It was a challenge for me and it was a challenge for Vince because of our personalities and because of the way we approach things, but it was never personal for me…in TNA and I don’t think it was for him either.

“I like working with Bruce a lot because Bruce has more experience than I do. I’ve been in the business for 25 years and I have a lot of experience but Bruce has more than I do. Not only does he have more experience than I do but he experienced the peak of WWE, the formulas that worked there and the processes that work there, he understands production very very well. I’m actually very impressed with his knowledge of production. I love his sensibility and his philosophy regarding wrestling story and finishes in particular. We see, not eye to eye, because that’s not very good when two people agree on everything.

“We do have our moments, we had one about 24 hours ago I thought was going to last for 24 hours. But I respect him, he’s been there, he’s done that a couple times and he has the t-shirts. His philosophy is rooted very much in strong wrestling fundamentals. Wrestling is no different from comedy, it’s no different than drama, it’s no different than a really good action film, in that it all comes down to basic storytelling fundamentals.

“If you focus on the fundamentals, if you focus on the details and don’t shortcut, chances are your stuff will probably be pretty good. It’s when you try to get so off the wall and throw so much stuff up against the wall and try and be wacky for the sake of being wacky and you abandon simple fundamental story telling that’s when you crater and that’s what I like about working with Bruce. Even though we may disagree on certain things I know that when he is disagreeing he’s disagreeing from a point of good strong fundamentals and I respect that.”

Is there an angle or storyline that hasn’t been done yet: “First of all, if I did…or if I could..I wouldn’t do it here. Secondly, I’d be lying to you if I said I saw some secret sauce back in the cupboard in the back that nobody has figured out yet. Nah, I don’t think there is. Again, I don’t know how many different basic stories there are but someone told me a longtime ago that was a film major, basically there is seven basic stories…boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets girl back. There’s only seven different ways to tell a story and the art of storytelling and entertainment is just finding ways that feel new and camouflaging those seven basic stories so that it feels like something you haven’t seen before.

“I think we’re there with professional wrestling particularly over the last 15 years because of the just plethora of programming that’s out there. Going back to when Nitro was three hours and Thunder was two and Raw was three and then it was two and then it was three again and Smackdown is two hours then there’s a bunch of shows in syndication, a bunch of replays on cable. It’s like, I don’t know how we’ve survived as long as we have… Well, I do but it’s hard, it’s really hard to come up with a story that hasn’t been done before that the audience will accept. It’s funny, we just got done doing two days of really intensive research in a couple different cities. Fascinating research by the way. I’m a little bit of a research nerd.

“One of the things I have known for a longtime but it becomes very apparent when you’re sitting in a focus group of people who are identified as serious wrestling fans is that they’re very… they take ownership, they’re very particular, they’re almost obsessive compulsive about it for the most part and they expect you to treat their product, because they look at it as their product, with a tremendous amount of respect. The minute you try to get too cute with it, you really piss them off. So when you ask me, is there some new storyline, some new way of doing it, some new angles, some new talent, whatever…

“Yeah, there’s a couple different things we could try that have never been done before but I’m pretty sure how the audience would react that because it would be too far outside their box and comfort zone. It’s just like Nascar fans, if Nascar decided if instead of turning left for 400 miles they’re gonna turn right? People would just have seizures and die all over the country. Yeah, it’s never been done before, it’s really cool, feels different, feels fresh. It would be horrible, it’s the same with wrestling. You gotta be real careful with that, believe me…I have the scar tissue to prove it.”it.

Bischoff also remarks on scrapped plans to bring Sting into the now, his thoughts on son Garett’s wrestling career, his current relationship with Vince McMahon, and more. Click LIKE and listen to the interview here – www.facebook.com/extremeprowrestlingradio.

– “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who writes a column for Fighting Spirit Magazine, offered his opinion on reigning World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus during a recent issue while discussing WWE’s World Titles and how their importance level has never been lower. Though Austin considers the Irish grappler talented, he doesn’t feel Sheamus is ready to be champion.

Austin wrote, “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. 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.”

Austin also remarked that the WWE Championship and World Heavyweight Championships should be unified as soon as possible. An article on Austin’s comments is available here.

– John Cena, who is currently nursing an arm injury after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow on Sept. 18, tweeted Thursday on whether he will take part in WWE’s tour of Europe kicking off Oct. 31 in Strasbourg, France.

“And to all the @wwe folk wondering if I am traveling with #raw to Europe, I most certainly AM. See u there!” he wrote.

– In the latest issue of WWE Magazine, cover-dated November 2012, WWE Superstars were asked what they are thankful for. In Ryback’s case it is WWE giving him a second opportunity.

“I’m thankful for WWE not giving up on my career, and instead offering me another opportunity to live my dream,” said Ryback. “They could have wished me luck in my future endeavors, but they didn’t. Instead, they gave me a second chance at life.”

Ryback’s current WWE run is actually his second with the organization. He was released from his first developmental contract, which he earned after competing on Tough Enough 4, in January 2007. He regrouped a year and a half later and resurfaced at WWE’s former developmental league, Ohio Valley Wrestling. He was re-signed to a developmental contract shortly thereafter and has been with the sports-entertainment company ever since.

– Two matches are featured on this week’s episode of WWE Superstars as Kaitlyn takes on Beth Phoenix and Michael McGillicutty goes one-on-one with Tensai. Highlights from the episode have been posted on WWE.com. The full episode is available on Hulu Plus.

– Former WWE Women’s Champion Amy “Lita” Dumas appears at Ken’s Cards & Collectibles 27 Mill Street Berlin, Ct. on Sunday, Nov. 11 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m.

– Rey Mysterio is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.

– On Sunday, TNA Impact Wrestling once again teamed up with Screenvision, a leading innovator in cinema advertising and alternative content programming, to bring Bound For Glory to fans nationwide in over 100 theaters across the United States. The turnout, however, was disastrous.

According to the Wrestler Observer Newsletter, it is estimated that between 500 and 1,000 people nationwide attended the 100 theater showings altogether. These figures are way below previous TNA shows, and also below UFC shows. UFC ceased airing shows in movie theaters since it wasn’t considered cost effective.

– Mickie James, who recently underwent surgery on an undisclosed injury, posted an update Friday via Twitter: “Check up w/ Doc Yesterday. Hearing I can drive again *as long as I’m not medicated* & start back in the gym *no heavy lifting/abs.”

James also noted yesterday that due to the injury, she will be unable to face Taeler Hendrix at USA Championship Wrestling’s “Tennessee Homecoming 2012? event tomorrow night at the Old Burns Gym in Burns, Tennessee.

– AJ Styles and Miss Tessmacher appear at Direct Auto Insurance 1390 Gray Hwy. Macon, Georgia on Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m.

Former WWE and NXT Diva Karlee “Maxine” Perez joined The Rack Thursday Night. In a nearly 30 minute interview she talked about what got her interested in professional wrestling, her studies in criminology, how she felt when she got the call to be on NXT, what her time in FCW was like, who were her favorite people to work with, what was the driving force behind her leaving, if WWE Creative was receptive to hearing her ideas, her thoughts about NXT and where it ranked with other WWE programming, the infamous wrestling wedding she was involved with on NXT, her role in the upcoming film “Then the Night Comes”, what she sees her ideal film role as, who her dream opponent would have been and much more.

How she felt when she received word she would be part of NXT: “You know, I was trying not to have my expectations too high. I had been down in FCW for quite a while, the longest out of the group of girls that did, the first season we did of NXT and at that point in time my mind’s eye I felt I was as ready as I could be although realizing I still had a lot more growing to do and learning but I was pumped about it. I really wanted to bring something different that they didn’t have from the females, at least at that moment and that’s kinda what I concentrated on with NXT.”

What it was like coming through FCW: “FCW was a big eye-opener for me; it was an experience. You end up with a family because we are together all the time, non-stop, always. Training together, driving together, eating together, it’s just everyone is in your business and it just becomes really like a family. And, at the same time, it’s a family that we’re pretty much told that we need to claw your way to the top against each other, and sometimes you just don’t want to; sometimes you actually grow to like the people you’re around and you’re pretty much telling me there’s only one spot and I have to backstab this person to get it? You know, there were people that stood by your side and there were people who would watch you fall or at least try to.”

Who were her favorite people to work with: “You I had people. I got along with Naomi really, really well. Me and her were always buddy-buddy. Down there, there was always the same crew that would drive down to the shows together; I’ve got to think of their new names now, their new work names. We had Damien Sandow; he and I were real close. He’s hilarious and awesome; I think he’s doing great too. Also, Sheamus when he was down there; we used to drive to shows together. It’s amazing to see the difference in how much people grow in that business still. I’m very happy for those, the one that did and made it and experience such a good quality like they have. “

On the WWE trying to get away from the “model” style performer and more towards the worker type girl and if she sees herself coming back because of that: “You know, it’s a tough question because I personally, in my opinion, think that WWE needs to just appreciate the women more at the end of the day, whether it’s a model type or not. If someone has talent or can bring something to the table then I think it should be looked at, not looked over. That’s kind of the problem these days with… I’m thankful for the great opportunity with them; I wanted to move on, and pursue other things but I know there a lot of good talent around there; a lot of women would die to be in my position, I just don’t want all them to get overlooked. So, everyone should at least have the chance, you know, model or not; if they think they can pull it off, then let them try it. If not, then move on. You just never know, right? I never knew, I never thought I would get to where I was so you just don’t know.”

What was the driving force behind leaving the WWE: “Over time, it just starts to wear on you. Obviously, it’s a massive company and it becomes overwhelming when you’re up there and you have a million things going on and a million people telling me that you should do this or that, or be like that or this and I felt, for myself, the way I was was good. It might not have been amazing, but it was good, it was different, and I was ok with that. I was comfortable in my own skin and I thought that came across but when I would get to the back I just felt like, probably like most people who have left the company, I didn’t feel appreciated. It’s not to bad mouth them or anything like that, I just felt I could bring more to the table then I was being allowed and I could just see the walls being built overtop of me each day and finally I just couldn’t… it wasn’t even planned. I was like ‘I’m either doing it today or I’m not doing it.’ So I just did it. You know, there’s always this time when it’s like “Oh, what if I would have stayed a little longer, maybe I would have gotten my chance, but you’ve got to stay with your gut and your instincts and my instincts told me that there were other opportunities for me in this world, and there would be other people to see what I have to offer and appreciate it.

“You know, if the time comes and if we ever cross paths again and me and WWE come to terms maybe it’s something we can talk about. I didn’t leave on a bad note, and from what I know, they’re ok with me and I’m ok with them; I just wanted to try something else. I love what I did though. I love my fans, I love entertaining and being out there. I loved ‘Maxine’, I mean it was great. It was a good thing.”

If she has any future projects coming up shortly: “Yeah, it’s a suspense/horror film; I’m extremely lucky for the first film I landed a lead role, Julie is her name. The film is called ‘Then the Night Comes’ and we film in LA at the end of the year. Pretty much, a murder spree breaks out and the sheriff suspects me, Julie, that I’m the one causing all of this. My father was murdered and pretty much what happens throughout the whole town is that everyone one I come in contact with ends up dead or missing and they can’t seem to find out who the killer is and discover what I’m hiding, so it’s really a good suspense movie and it has a good cast too. My ‘brother’ is Massi Furlin, and he was actually just in ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, he was just in the recent Batman movie, he was in ‘Sour Surfer’; he’s done some good films. And Romane Simon, who is the director, has already directed over 26 feature films. My ‘mother’ is Patrika Darbo; she actually was in ‘Mr and Mrs. Smith’, ‘Rango’, ‘Charlie Wilson’s War’. I mean, it’s a good cast; I’m extremely nervous but I’m very excited. I’m not going to lie; it’s a whole gig for me than WWE. I wasn’t expecting something like this to happen; this is what I wanted but you just don’t know when or how it’s going to happen and I’m very lucky that it did; that I’m getting the opportunity to at least do this and see what comes about.”

The audio interview is available here.

– Tamara Sytch, famously known as Sunny, was today granted her request from Tuesday in New Haven Superior Court that she be admitted to a treatment center in Pennsylvania. WWE, which offers rehabilitation assistance to all former contracted talent, will provide transportation from court to the treatment center and cover all associated expenses.

She wrote on Facebook today hours after her request was granted in court, “HEY GUYS! IM OFF TO REHAB FOR 3 MONTHS! NOT BECAUSE IM DRINKING AGAIN OR HIT ROCK BOTTOM, BUT TO GET MYSELF TO THE PLACE I NEED AND WANT TO BE. MY ATTY, ROB SERAFINOWICZ, WILL BE UPDATING YOU PERIODICALLY TO KEEP YOU APRISED. I AM WELL AND HAPPY! LOOKING FORWARD TO A NEW CHAPTER IN MY LIFE! SOMEDAY ILL FIND HAPPINESS IN A RELATIONSHIP AGAIN….THANK YOU ALL FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT! ESPECIALLY THANKS TO THE WWE! LOVE YOU!”

On Oct. 9, Sytch was arrested for the fifth time in one month and her second time in less than 24-hours, for allegedly violating a protective order stemming from an original September arrest.

– Speaking to WWE Magazine, AJ Lee was asked what’s the best piece of advice she was given in regards to becoming General Manager of Raw. She reveals it came from another powerful woman.

“I think it’s to realize that I’m the boss—and Stephanie McMahon actually told me that. She said, “You’re in charge now, and no on can take that from you. You have to believe in that, within yourself, or no one else will,” said Lee. “For her to say drink it up, you’re in charge, and everybody has to deal with that—well, it really means a lot coming from Stephanie because I look up to her in so many ways.”

Video of AJ Lee in TNA ->

– Leading up to SummerSlam, WWE Games had an incredible opportunity to chat with the legendary Texas Rattlesnake, WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin. Aubrey Sitterson went into the interview with a list of questions for the iconic Superstar, including his thoughts on WWE ’13, the “Attitude Era” and current WWE Champion CM Punk. Unfortunately, things took a different spin, as Austin took issue with Sitterson’s line of questions, tone and pretty much everything about the hapless WWE Games Community Manager.

Check out the WWE Games Community Exclusive video at wwe.thq.com, then be sure to follow WWE Games on Twitter and Facebook for all the latest on WWE ’13 – on sale October 30, 2012.

– The official WWE website has added Raven to its Alumni section. WWE says of the accomplished wrestler: “No competitor caused as much of a stir in the original ECW as the grungy sociopath from The Bowery known only as Raven. The loner toyed with both Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman before arriving in WCW and WWE.”

– Amidst reports of New York Yankees player Alex Rodriguez allegedly flirting with a pair of women two rows behind the dugout during Game 1 of the American League Championship Series, the official WWE website has posted photos of his girlfriend, Torrie Wilson.

Goldberg addressed comments made by Ryback in WWE Magazine when he joined Washington Redskins defensive end and weight loss champion Chuck Carroll on 4th & Pain this week.

The comments begin around the 8:30 mark in the video and last for about five minutes.

During the WWE Magazine interview, Ryback said comparisons between the two don’t bother him, but that “people are misinformed.”

“People see a big guy with a shaved head who’s intense, and they draw those comparisons,” said Ryback. “I will say this: Goldberg did this for the money. He was never a fan of wrestling. I do this because I have a passion for it, and that’s the biggest difference between Goldberg and me. I’m not here to make five million dollars and then walk away. I’m here for life. And, I firmly believe that I’m much better than he was in the ring. He was great, and I was a fan of his when I was younger. But, I feel I’m a better athlete and wrestler than Goldberg ever was, and people are going to see that over time.”

Goldberg said in response, “I’m flattered that throughout his rise people have been chanting my name. I don’t think it’s a knock on him whatsoever. ”

“I take no offense to it. To be compared against a guy right now who is (going for a title) … who hopefully will be a major superstar for these guys is kind of flattering.”

“For people to still be chanting my name six years, seven years, eight years removed from the business—that’s a huge honor. Any comparisons in the positive note is a honor for me.”

Goldberg also made his weekly NFL picks with the show. Listeners can pick with Goldberg and the show at 4thAndPain.com.

– ImpactWrestling.com has announced that The Aces and 8s will kick off tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling: “After winning at Bound For Glory, The Aces and 8s have a message to deliver at the start of tonight’s broadcast – and this time, no one can keep them out! Will Devon speak out for the first time since BFG about his role with the group? What do they have planned next? How will Hulk Hogan, Sting and Bully Ray react?”

Tonight’s Impact Wrestling will also feature a celebration for Jeff Hardy after he regained the World Heavyweight Championship at Bound For Glory. Hardy plans to thank all of his fans that have supported him.

Plus, the official Twitter feed of Impact Wrestling announced that Samoa Joe will be defending the Television Championship tonight after retaining it against Magnus at Bound For Glory.

– TNA has released the following video containing highlights from Bound For Glory.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pddecmdUJho

– Sunday at Bound For Glory, Jeff Hardy regained the TNA World Heavyweight Championship by defeating Austin Aries in the main event. According to the official Twitter feed of Impact Wrestling, a celebration will be held in honor of his big win on tomorrow night’s live episode of Impact Wrestling.

– Doug Williams, who currently works as trainer at Ohio Valley Wrestling, TNA Wrestling’s developmental promotion, suffered an arm injury while competing at last Wednesday’s OVW television taping. After stating that he may have suffered a partially torn bicep at worst, he noted Monday, “Arm getting better. Can lock it out again now if I do so slowly…”

– TNA Wrestling has released a video highlighting Saturday’s Bound For Glory Fan Interaction event in Phoenix, Arizona, where fans had the opportunity to meet the promotion’s wrestlers.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uL-OQz4yir4

– Promoting THQ’s WWE ’13 in New York City two weeks ago, AJ Lee couldn’t contain her excitement about being featured as a playable character in the game.

“Oh my gosh, it’s so surreal, I can’t even wrap my brain around this,” she told ESPN.com minutes after playing as herself for the first time. “This is over 10 years in the making for me and just a dream come true. I’m the luckiest person in the world.”

For her first match, Lee opted to face Stephanie McMahon.

“They asked me who I wanted to fight, and I’m so obsessed with Stephanie I knew I wanted to face her,” Lee said. “I love her, but for some reason I also want to fight her, so it was so amazing to see what it would look like if we were in the ring together.”

Lee also offered an assessment of her digital character in the interview.

– Chris Jericho tweeted Tuesday, “Just hosted a 10 hr min-series for @VH1Classic Details and air times coming soon! Now it’s back to LA for…u guessed it…more filming!”

– World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus appears at Colonial Honda in North Dartmouth, Massachusetts on Tuesday, October 23 at noon.

– Promoting ShopTNA.com, zombified TNA Wrestling stars go after ring announcer Christy Hemme in this newly released commercial.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FgQSbU23YH4

– Mickie James noted on Twitter that she underwent surgery last week. However, she did not detail the nature of the procedure. She says she’s “getting better everyday.”

The surgery will not keep her out of the ring as she is scheduled to face Taeler Hendrix at USA Championship Wrestling’s “Tennessee Homecoming 2012” event this Saturday at the Old Burns Gym in Burns, Tennessee.

– This week’s featured match on TNA Xplosion on Challenge is Hernandez vs. Christopher Daniels.