– WWE announced Wednesday that Rey Mysterio has been removed from SmackDown’s upcoming live tour of Egypt due to an illness. SmackDown Superstar Ted DiBiase will be added to the tour in his place.

– In the following video, Brodus Clay promotes Hot Pocket’s “Pocket Like It’s Hot” music video, available at www.facebook.com/hotpockets.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bGeQGfwT4Tg

– WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is featured in the “Superstar Spotlight” today on WWE.com.

The show opened with Miz TV. The Miz spoke about how he lost the Intercontinental Championship. The Miz announced that he will invoke his rematch clause at Hell in a Cell. Then he introduced his guests, Team Hell No. Miz ran down Daniel Bryan for being the weak link. He said he would be the reason they lose at Hell in a Cell. Bryan and Kane argued while Miz played instigator.

Big Show came out and ran down Bryan for the 45-second thing and said nothing like that will never happen again after he beats Sheamus. Cue Dolph Ziggler. He said that he will cash in the Money in the Bank briefcase after the World Heavyweight Championship match at Hell in a Cell. Everyone argued until Miz took command, then Booker T came out. Booker booked Team Hell No vs. Ziggler and Show for later, and Miz vs. Randy Orton as well.

1. Randy Orton defeated The Miz. Orton won with the RKO around the ten-minute mark. Orton received a huge pop. Del Rio was in a luxury box watching the match to play up his own match with Orton at Hell in a Cell.

Backstage, Sheamus talked to Teddy Long and asked for a rematch with Wade Barrett. Teddy booked them in a lumberjack for later in the show.

2. Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow beat Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel. Rhodes Scholars won a three-minute glorified squash.

Booker, Teddy and Eve were shown talking backstage. Eve took credit for the lumberjack match idea and made Teddy look bad.

3. WWE Tag Champions Daniel Bryan and Kane defeated Big Show and Dolph Ziggler in a non-title match. Ziggler and Show worked over Bryan for about ten minutes until he made the hot tag to Kane. Bryan tagged back in and locked Ziggler in the No! Lock for the submission victory. Rhodes Scolars came out and attacked Team Hell No as they were celebrating/arguing on the stage.

4. Antonio Cesaro defeated Ted DiBiase in a non-title match. Ted DiBiase entered his same old music. A video aired of Cesaro in front of Sun Studio. He ran down Memphis and Elvis for cheap heat. Cesaro won in three minutes with the Neutralizer.

3MB made their way to the ring. They called themselves the greatest group in WWE. Drew McIntyre popped a few eardrums with his Axl Rose impression. Out came Brodus Clay for a match against Slater.

5. Heath Slater beat Brodus Clay. Slater won in three minutes after distractions from Mahal and McIntyre.

6. Layla beat Natalya. Eve was on commentary for the match. Layla won in 90 seconds. No one cared.

The lumberjacks came out for the main event.

7. World Hvt. Champion Sheamus defeated Wade Barrett in a lumberjack match. The lumberjacks started brawling per usual, then Team Hell No showed up to brawl. Amidst the confusion, Sheamus hit the brogue kick on Barrett for the win.

Ziggler hit his finisher. He tried to cash in his Money in the Bank contract, but Big Show hit the KO punch and said at the end of the show that he would win the belt and that the same fate would happen to him as it did to Ziggler.

(source: ProWrestling.net)

– One month after suffering a heart during a live episode of Raw, WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler spoke to fans at Tuesday’s night WWE television taping in Memphis, Tennessee, in his first live appearance since the ordeal.

Appearing between tapings for Saturday Morning Slam and SmackDown, the legendary wrestler said he hopes to return to the broadcast booth within the next few weeks. The official WWE website announced they will release footage of Michael Cole’s “emotionality-charged” interview with Lawler on Wednesday.

– Mick Foley will be appearing on an upcoming episode of NBC’s Celebrity Apprentice. He tweeted Wednesday, “Thought I was doing a simple favor for a friend in NYC today, and ended up stumbling into a guest spot on #CelebrityApprentice. Cool, huh?”

– Masked wrestlers were highlighted on this week’s episode of WWE Vintage Collection. The following matches aired on the program: Jake “The Snake” Roberts vs. Who (WWF Superstars – August 25, 1996), Vader vs. Kane (WWF Over the Edge – May 31, 1998), Rey Mysterio, Jr. vs. Blitzkrieg (WCW Monday Nitro – February 9, 1999), Hardy Boyz vs. Los Conquistadors (WWF No Mercy – October 22, 2000), Los Conquistadors vs. Edge (WWF Raw is War – October 23, 2000).

The Great Khali returned to action Tuesday night in Memphis, Tennessee, in a match taped for WWE Saturday Morning Slam. He faced Primo.

The former World Heavyweight Champion had been sidelined since undergoing surgery on July 26 to remove a tumor from his pituitary gland on July 26.

Also taped for the program was a match pitting Jey and Jimmy Uso against The Prime Time Players.

Two matches were taped for tomorrow night’s episode of WWE Main Event on ION Television. Zack Ryder took on Dolph Ziggler, and as previously announced, The Miz defended the Intercontinental Championship against Kofi Kingston.

In a dark match result, Johnny Curtis squashed Drew Haskins, a local wrestler.

At Tuesday night’s WWE television tapings from Memphis, Tennessee, Kofi Kingston defeated The Miz for the Intercontinental championship in a match taped for tonight’s WWE Main Event broadcast.

It was the second consecutive night that Kofi Kingston defeated The Miz. Their match on RAW resulted in a concussion scare for the now-former IC champion. After taking a stiff kick to the face on Monday night, Miz was under medical observation through Tuesday and it was determined that he did not suffer a concussion.

Check out these pictures of Kofi Kingston celebrating with the Intercontinental championship:

[nggallery id=65]

Tamara Sytch, famously known as Sunny, is expected to enter a rehabilitation program after being arrested for the fifth time in one month last Tuesday and her second time in less than 24-hours, for allegedly violating a protective order stemming from an original September arrest.

The WWE Hall of Famer appeared in New Haven Superior Court on Tuesday and her attorney requested on her behalf that she be admitted to a treatment center in Pennsylvania. WWE, which offers rehabilitation assistance to all former contracted talent, would provide transportation from court to the treatment center and foot the bill. She is expected to appear again in court on Thursday to be notified whether the proposal will be granted.

Sytch’s former boyfriend, Damien Selvaggio, known on the independent wrestling circuit as Damien Darling, told WFSB-TV that she struggles with alcohol.

“When Tamara is sober, she is an amazing person, but when she drinks, she is an uncontrollable, violent demon,” said Selvaggio.

WWE has sent Sytch to rehabilitation three times and covered all expenses associated with the treatments.

“Unfortunately, Ms. Sytch continues to make poor personal choices,” said WWE in a statement last week following her latest arrests. “WWE will continue to provide assistance should she want to take advantage of it.”

More details on the matter are available here.

WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz has been medically cleared to compete at tonight’s television taping in Memphis, Tennessee after being struck hard in the head by Kofi Kingston’s “Trouble In Paradise” maneuver during their match on Raw Monday. He will defend his belt against Kingston in a match that will air tomorrow night on WWE Main Event on ION Television.

Michael J. Sampson, WWE’s ringside physician, determined that The Miz did not suffer a concussion after being struck by Kingston’s devastating kick at the conclusion of their match on Raw. He stated in a video published on WWE.com that the Superstar has some pain on his forehead and required sutures, but has no signs of concussion-like symptoms after undergoing neurological testing.

In another video, The Miz offers insight into his state of mind as he heads into a title match against Kingston. He says “he’s coming” for him.

– TNA Wrestling officials reached out to Ric Flair to speak about Sting at Saturday’s Hall of Fame ceremony, but he declined the invitation.

Though Flair remains listed as a member of the TNA roster on the company’s official website, his contract was terminated in May after he failed to appear at events he was scheduled for.

– TNA Wrestling has released a video preview Thursday’s live episode of Impact Wrestling on Spike TV, which will feature the aftermath of the Bound For Glory pay-per-view event.

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

– Knoxville, Tennessee will host the Impact Wrestling World Tour on Friday, November 16 at the Knoxville Civic Coliseum at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, October 19 at the Coliseum Box Office and through Knoxville Tickets (865-656-4444 or 877-995-9961).

(source: PWInsider.com)

– Chris Jericho told a group of fans at a Journey concert this past weekend to “stay tuned” when he was asked about returning to WWE.

– “The Beautiful People,” Angelina Love and Velvet Sky, will face Jessie Kaye and Niya at Maryland Championship Wrestling event taking place Saturday, Oct. 27 at 2401 North Point Blvd. Dundalk, Maryland. The former TNA Wrestling talent will also participate in an autograph signing. (Event Information)

– Wade Barrett tweeted the following in regards to his match with Sheamus on Raw: “My face is a tad sore after the cheap-shot, but i’m not complaining as i’m not a big girl’s blouse like most are. FYI, I can fight dirty with the best of ’em. I just choose not to. #RealMan”

– El Generico, who Ring of Honor teased over the weekend would be returning to the promotion as an opponent for Kevin Steen, has not signed a contract. His status with Dragon Gate USA remains unchanged.

(source: PWInsider.com)

– In this Raw edition of “Backstage Fallout,” Santino Marella and Zack Ryder call out 3MB, while Sheamus looks ahead to his fight against Big Show at Hell in a Cell.

– Three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion and former WWE Superstar Vader noted on Twitter Monday that he was at WWE’s television studio in Stamford, Connecticut filming content.

“Just finished up a very long hard week. Left WWE recording studio did some good work a little rusty on the promos thxs to Kieran from WWE,” he wrote.

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

“The Man They Call Vader” is disputing claims that he engaged in a physical altercation with WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race at Saturday’s “Legends of the Ring” convention in Monroe, New Jersey.

According to multiple accounts, the two wrestling legends had a brief scuffle after Race voiced his disapproval with Vader acting belligerent toward fans. Race is alleged to have punched Vader in the face in response to a smart aleck remark on the part of the three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion. Vader reportedly lashed back at the 69-year-old, but accidentally struck and hurt a worker who came between them.

Vader is saying the reported claims are a “complete fabrication.” He wrote Monday afternoon on Twitter, “Just read {website name} what a bunch of bullshi!!!.Harley has been and has always my friend some one I respect and admire. Not mention he is seventy yrs old has a very bad knee.Total and complete fabrication.Harley arrived @the autograph session enthusiasticly greeted me hello by patting me on the back of my head w/HOF ring thats it end of story We took some pics together w/ fans and parted ways.”

Meanwhile, his official Facebook page issued the following statement Monday night from a person who witnessed the incident: “This is the Truth…

“I find it amusing how things get so blown out of proportion. I was standing next to Race and Vader when this “supposedly happened.” If you want the “real” story, from an unbiased 3rd party, it went down like this: Vader was sitting in a chair at his table doing autographs and such. Race was brought in mid-day for a short signing/pic stint. Vader was seated at the end of the table, which meant he would have to get up and move for Race to get by. For the record, Race was NOT on a scooter, and wasn’t even using a cane, I don’t know why the original person felt the need to make it sound like Race was wheeled out of an old age home. Anyways, Race and his family walk up to the table, and Race gives Vader a smack on the back–a hello, wrestler style. Vader was caught a little off guard and had no clue who did it, so he was like what the F? He turned around and saw it was Race, and Race laughed and said hello. Vader was like why the F did you do that? Race was already moved past him getting in to his seat. Vader says “F this, I am out of here.” In reality, he went to the bathroom. He came back a few minutes later when he was “done.” While on his was back from the bathroom, he felt the need to demonstrate on the “other guy” to show him what Race did. The “other guy” was like … oww … that FN hurt. Vader responds: that’s how Race did it. Vader returns to the table and nothing further is said. Five minutes later, the announcer gets on the PA and says it is time for the Race and Vader professional photo opp, which was set up in the hallway. Race and Vader get up and sit inches away from one another and take DOZENS of photos with fans — not really a “step in to the hallway to ‘have words'” as reported. When the photos are done, both return to the table and all continued going well. So, to sum it all up, Race did not PUNCH Vader in the FACE, Race SLAPPED Vader on the BACK OF THE NECK. Vader was NOT belligerent rather surprised and a tad annoyed. Vader DID NOT swing back. RACE was not in a motorized scooter. And finally they DID NOT step in to the hallways to “have words.”

“If ANYONE has video that shows otherwise, or even claims to have video, I would be totally surprised and would LOVE to be shown otherwise. Granted, the RACE punches VADER in face is a much more “newsworthy” way of spinning this, but in the end, it was a slight

Former WWE Superstars Luke Gallows (a/k/a Drew Hankinson) and Mike Knox (a/k/a Michael Hettinga) competed as Aces & 8s against Bully Ray and Sting at Sunday’s Bound For Glory pay-per-view event.

A TNA source stated that the other masked members of Aces & 8s were portrayed by Wes Brisco and Garett Bischoff. However, it has been noted that wrestlers portraying the masked men may not necessarily be the final characters.

Speaking of Bound For Glory, Eric Bischoff remarked via Twitter following the show: “Proud of the entire roster. Real crowd+good story+strong characters = a great show!”

The WWE Championship Match at Hell in a Cell was made official tonight on Raw as Vince McMahon decided that CM Punk will defend his belt against Ryback. After both competitors signed their Hell in a Cell contract, Ryback delivered the Shell Shock to the WWE Champion.

As a result of the growing animosity between Randy Orton and Alberto Del Rio, it was also announced that the two competitors will face off at the pay-per-view event. The Viper gave a surprise attack to Del Rio on SmackDown last week before RKO’ing Ricardo Rodriguez onto the announce table.

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

* Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio

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

– During a backstage segment on Raw, Daniel Bryan challenged Kane to take on Big Show on next week’s show since he found it humorous that he was chokeslammed by The World’s Largest Athlete.

– One match was taped Monday in Nashville, Tennessee for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars as Kaitlyn faced off against Beth Phoenix.

In a pre-taping dark match, Tensai defeated Michael McGillicutty. According to a correspondent, Tensai drew a lot of heat as well as ‘Albert’ chants during his entrance, but the audience became quiet once the match took place.

– Layla and R-Truth appear at the Verizon Wireless Store 1947 Mount Zion Rd. Morrow, Georgia on Saturday, Oct. 27 beginning at 3:00 p.m. Call 770-210-4019 for more information.

(source: ProWrestling.net)

– Former WWE performer Tamara Sytch, famously known as Sunny, remains jailed in Connecticut after being arrested for the fifth time in one month last Tuesday and her second time in less than 24-hours, for allegedly violating a protective order stemming from an original September arrest.

On her Facebook account Monday, a message was released from an individual claiming to be her lawyer: “I am Tammy’s lawyer Rob Serafinowicz and Tammy asked me to issue the following statement on her behalf. Tammy thanks everyone for all their support. She will be entering a long term treatment program soon and looks forward to putting this situation behind her. It also appears that Damien is selling her personal items on eBay and asks that these items be reported as stolen.”

– Fred Ottman (a/k/a Tugboat and Typhoon) resurfaced Saturday at a Pro Wrestling Syndicate event in Rahway, New Jersey portraying his infamous persona, The Shockmaster. Donning the character’s mask, he announced the intermission. He didn’t fall since he was on crutches.

– In Tuesday’s birthdays, former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Justin Credible turns 39-years-old while lucha wrestler Lizmark, Jr. turns 40.

(source: PWInsider.com)

– As reported Saturday, WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race and his former protégé in World Championship Wrestling, Vader, engaged in a physical altercation at that day’s “Legends of the Ring” convention in Monroe, New Jersey. According to Rob Feinstein, who witnessed the scuffle, tensions escalated after Race voiced his disapproval with Vader behaving belligerent toward fans.

Feinstein wrote on Facebook, “Vader was in a foul mood the entire day which is typical of him. He started to talk nasty to a few fans and Race did not approve. Race told Vader not to disrespect the fans as they are paying to see them. Vader made a smart ass comment which pissed Harley off. Harley who is crippled now struck Vader in the head with a punch. Vader when to strike back but instead hit a promoter who was standing near by. The promoter from what I told had to get a ice pack and Vader walked out of the room. That was basically how it went down and I am shocked that Vader would do that in front of the fans. I was waiting for Orndorff to do a run in.”

– Juventud Guerrera, who competed for World Championship Wrestling from 1996 to 2000, recalled his tenure with the organization in the Bloodstained Memoirs Special Edition DVD (available Oct. 16 Amazon.com). The following preview clip has been released.

– WWE’s creative department wrote two different scripts for tonight’s Raw. According to F4WOnline.com, one script is contingent upon John Cena being medically cleared to compete at Hell in a Cell on Oct. 28 after undergoing surgery on his arm. The other script will be used if he is not able to compete at the pay-per-view event.

– The 1989 cult classic No Holds Barred, featuring Hulk Hogan in his first starring role, has been digitally remastered and is now available on DVD at Walmart. WWE has released a promotional video advertising its release at the department store.

– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Sheamus appears at the Colonial Honda 225 State Road North, Dartmouth, Massachusetts on Oct. 23 beginning at noon. Call 508-985-6350 for more information.

– The official WWE website is officially advertising Jerry “The King” Lawler for Tuesday’s SmackDown taping at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee. He is listed among the roster of talent scheduled to appear at the show.

The WWE Hall of Famer is expected to address the hometown crowd one month after suffering a heart attack during a televised Raw event in Montreal.

– WWE recently signed Alisha Ceraso, a Connecticut-based fitness competitor and model, to a developmental contract.

Ceraso is currently training at the sports-entertainment organization’s developmental facility in Tampa, Florida, Diva-Dirt.com reports.

Ceraso, who is in her early 20s, was involved in an automobile accident when she was 16-years-old that left her paralyzed and killed a fellow passenger, her best friend. She revealed in an interview to Status Fitness Magazine, “I broke my jaw, my ribs, and was in intensive care for a few weeks. I had to basically learn how to walk again, since being bedridden for so long.”

– WWE has launched a Twitter feed for SummerSlam at twitter.com/SummerSlam. The account will provide details on next year’s event.

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 July 1, 2011 through June 30, 2012. She succeeds Madison Eagles, who ranked No. 1 in last year’s list.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated attributes their decision to ranking Kim as the top women’s wrestler in North America to her record-breaking 210-day reign as TNA Women’s Knockout Champion.

The full list will be revealed this Thursday when the annual issue is released via digital download. The magazine will hit newsstands later this month.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pro Wrestling Illustrated has revealed that Gail Kim has been named #1 in the 2012 PWI Female 50. The Female 50 will be available for digital download on Thursday, October 18, at www.pwi-online.com. It will be released on newsstands later this month.

This is the first time Gail Kim has earned this distinction. Prior Female 50 number ones have included Madison Eagles (2011), Michelle McCool (2010), Mickie James (2009), and Awesome Kong (2008).

“Gail Kim held the Knockouts title for 210 days during the evaluation period,” said PWI Senior Writer Dan Murphy. “She also held the Knockouts tag team title, and had a string of successful title defenses against the top women in TNA, including Mickie James, Tara, and Madison Rayne. Our congratulations go out to her.”

For more information, please visit www.pwi-online.com.

Pro Wrestling Illustrated has been recognized as the sport’s number one magazine since its inception in 1979. Founded by legendary publisher Stanley Weston, PWI set out on a course to alter the landscape of pro wrestling journalism. Over the years, utilizing the talents of the world’s finest writers, editors, photographers, and designers, PWI succeeded beyond Weston’s wildest dreams.

– John “Bradshaw” Layfield released a Tout message this morning stating that he will not commentate Raw tonight. He will, however, be on hand for tomorrow’s SmackDown taping in Memphis, Tennessee.

“Playing golf today in East Texas, won’t be at Raw tonight. Looking forward to watching the show and seeing Jerry Lawler tomorrow in Memphis. Hopefully Michael Cole won’t be there in Memphis for the return of ‘The King’ because last time ‘King’ saw Michael Cole, he had a heart attack,” said Layfield.

– As reported over the weekend, Renee Paquette, an on-air personality for The Score Television Network in Canada has been hired by WWE. She addressed the news on Twitter.

“Thanksfor all of the well wishes! I’m sad to leave amazing people @theScore but very very excited to be joining #wwe #pumped #thankyou”

According to F4WOnline.com, it is rumored that Paquette will be utilized as a backstage interviewer on Raw.

– WWE had camera crews filming Dolph Ziggler during his appearance Saturday at the New York Comic Con.

– Following recent productive weekends with Angelina Love at various events, Velvet Sky posted a message on Twitter Sunday thanking Vince Russo for teaming the two together five years ago when he devised characters and storylines for TNA Wrestling.

“Wanna shout out Vince Russo & thank him 4 creating the team of #TBP. After all this time we r still going stronger than ever @ActualALove,” Sky wrote. “I for one never forgot where I came from and who helped create my success along the way. Thank you Russo!!”

Love added, “He was always wonderful to us!!”

Sky was then notified of the “bad things” Russo did for professional wrestling. She responded to the fan, “Fortunately I am a positive person and focus on the good on people.”

She also re-tweeted, “That’s very nice of you & I hope people realize that Vince Russo did great things in wrestling & should not be bashed.”

– Sunday at Bound For Glory, Kazarian had a bad fall while executing a leap from the top rope into a hurricanrana off the apron on Hernandez as he landed hard on his shoulder and side torso. He is said to be fine following the event, minus some soreness in his ribs, according to PWInsider.com.

Kazarian and Christopher Daniels lost the TNA World Tag Team Championship to Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez in a three-way match, which also included AJ Styles and Kurt Angle.

WWE will distribute a Rolling Stones concert this year as a live pay-per-view event entitled “One More Shot.” The event will take place Dec. 15 in Newark, New Jersey at the Prudential Center. WWE released the following today:

IS EVERYBODY READY? LADIES & GENTLEMEN…THE ROLLING STONES RETURN TO LIVE ACTION WITH SPECTACULAR ARENA SHOWS ON BOTH SIDES OF THE ATLANTIC

THE O2 ARENA, LONDON UK – TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY OCTOBER 19
PRUDENTIAL CENTER, NEWARK USA – TICKETS ON SALE FRIDAY OCTOBER 26

Monday October 15 2012 -LONDON/NEW YORK

Ladies and Gentlemen they are back! The most eagerly anticipated concerts of 2012 are announced today as the greatest rock ‘n’ roll band, The Rolling Stones, confirm their long awaited return to the stage with four spectacular arena shows in London and New York. Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood at last revealed their return to live work via a video message today at www.youtube.com/user/therollingstones.

As the crowning glory of their on-going 50th anniversary celebrations, the rock icons will play to thousands of fans at London’s O2 Arena on November 25 and 29, and then across the ocean to perform at the Prudential Center, Newark, near New York, on December 13 and 15.

All ticketing information is available at www.rollingstones.com.

These sensational live shows will be the first opportunity for audiences to see the Rolling Stones perform on stage for more than five years. They will treat their generations of fans in a must-see, heart-pumping celebration of era-defining tracks such as Gimme Shelter, Paint It Black, Jumping Jack Flash, Tumbling Dice, It’s Only Rock and Roll, plus a few surprises and countless other classics from GRRR!, the multi-format compilation RS50 album coming out in November marking the Stones’ astonishing five decades at the top.

Mick Jagger commented, “Everybody loves a celebration, and London and New York are two good places to do it in!”

Keith Richards said, ”Sorry to keep you all hanging around but the waiting is over. I’ve always said the best place for rock and roll is on the stage and the same is true for the Stones. I’m here with Mick, Charlie and Ronnie and everything is rocking. See you very soon!”

The Rolling Stones have always been at the forefront of technical innovation in their live appearances, and these dates will reaffirm their place on the cutting edge of concert technology. These 50th anniversary performances will see the band working once again with their acclaimed, long time collaborators, set designer Mark Fisher and lighting director Patrick Woodroffe.

The new shows will be another groundbreaking visual landmark in Stones history. Fans can look forward to an all-new, custom-built set design, with a stage based on the band’s ubiquitous and celebrated tongue and lips logo, which will reach out into the crowd and become a truly must see and hear experience, with integral video screens and effects enhancing the sort of high-octane adventure for which the band’s concerts have been famous for decades. The 2012 concerts will mark the first time that Mick Jagger, Keith Richards, Charlie Watts and Ronnie Wood have performed together as a band since three acclaimed nights at London’s O2 Arena, in 2007.

The Rolling Stones live shows will also mark the launch of a new venture in global touring – Virgin Live. Virgin Live sees the coming together of two globally respected brands – Dainty Group and Virgin Group – and promises to shake up live touring by putting the fan’s experience right at the heart of every show they promote. Richard Branson and Paul Dainty’s history with the Rolling Stones spans five decades – so it is apt that these shows, which celebrate the band’s 50th anniversary – marks them joining forces for the first time as Virgin Live to promote the greatest band there has ever been.

Paul Dainty said “I’ve worked with the Rolling Stones for many years and I still get a buzz every time I see them live, these four shows are without doubt a must-see event. I am extremely excited about this collaboration with Virgin. There will be a lot more to say about Virgin Live soon but, for now, it’s all about the Stones…”

Richard Branson added: “Today marks the beginning of Virgin Live and what a beginning! In the future Virgin Live plans to make a real difference to how fans experience, interact and enjoy live events – Virgin Live gigs will be truly people driven. It’s great to join forces with Dainty Group to launch Virgin Live with the Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary shows. Who would have believed, that a relationship with the band that started in the Sixties, would still be going strong five decades later with us working together again on these amazing shows.”

In celebration of five decades, The Rolling Stones will release the GRRR! album on 12 / 13 November, a Greatest Hits collection which includes two new songs ‘Doom and Gloom’ and ‘One More Shot’, recorded recently in Paris, marking the first new recordings from the band since their 2005 album A Bigger Bang. A new film, ‘Crossfire Hurricane’, directed by Brett Morgen, chronicling the key periods of the Stones’ career, will receive its worldwide premiere on 18 October at the London Film Festival and will be simultaneously screened in 250 cinemas across UK and Ireland. Crossfire Hurricane will premiere in the U.S. at the HBO Premiere at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York on 13 November. Crossfire Hurricane will air on HBO in the U.S on 15 November, and broadcast on BBC Two in the UK the same month. Additionally, the Museum of Modern Art in New York City will host “The Rolling Stones: 50 Years on Film,” a comprehensive film retrospective that chronicles the band from the mid-1960s until today. This exhibition will be open 15 November through 2 December.

Also partnering with Dainty Group is global production company Endemol who will co-manage the international digital rights to the Rolling Stones “50 and Counting” shows.

Tim Hincks, President of Endemol Group said: “We are extremely proud to be partnering with the world’s greatest Rock ‘n’ Roll band and with the Dainty Group. “50 and Counting” is set to be a phenomenal global celebration of the Rolling Stones and we’ll soon be announcing further plans to make it an interactive experience for fans like no other.”

This partnership between Endemol and Dainty Group will see the final Stones show, staged at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ on December 15, telecast live via pay-per-view at 9pm ET. The pay-per-view entitled “One More Shot” will be distributed by WWE, the world’s pre-eminent provider of pay-per-view programming. Further details of the partnership will be revealed shortly.

WWE Chairman/CEO Vince McMahon said: “WWE is ecstatic to bring The Rolling Stones into your living room, live on Pay-Per-View for “One More Shot,” the last date of their 50th anniversary shows.”

– Sunday at Bound for Glory, Devon returned to TNA Wrestling and attacked Bully Ray and Sting, costing them their tag team match against the villainous Aces & 8s stable. As a result, they have earned full access to TNA venues.

With Devon’s surprise attack, many fans have speculated that he is the leader of the nefarious group. According to PWInsider.com, he is not the leader of Aces & 8s and “that there is more to come with the storyline.”

– TNA Wrestling has released its promotional video for Turning Point, which takes place Sunday, November 11 from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. The advertisement is centered on Aces and 8s.

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

– To celebrate “The Icon” Sting’s induction into the TNA Hall Of Fame and 27 years in professional wrestling, every order on ShopTNA.com will get 27% off throughout the month.

– Randy Orton has once again made it known that he prefers being a heel over his current babyface persona. When asked on Twitter Sunday about his favorite gimmick or storyline of his career, he stated, “Where I’m a HEEL.”

F4WOnline.com reported last month that Orton is desperate to turn heel. WWE plans to grant The Viper his wish once they feel Sheamus is popular enough to carry the SmackDown brand on his own.

– Bobby Eaton of Midnight Express and World Championship Wrestling fame is currently hospitalized in Arkansas, according to F4WOnline.com. He is suffering from pneumonia and has heart issues. His health, however, is improving and he is expected be released in a few days.

– In today’s birthdays, Joey Abs of Mean Street Posse fame turns 41-years-old, Japanese wrestling standout Takeshi Morishima turns 34, and Jeff Gaylord turns 53. Gaylord is currently serving time in prison in connection with a bank robberies in Colorado. In 2009, he was sentenced to six years in prison.

– WWE Champion CM Punk appears to be eyeing retirement. After noting Sunday night via Twitter that he plans to watch the latest episode of AMC drama program The Walking Dead when he gets home “in 2015,” a fan responded, “@CMPunk you just started a rumor that you’re retiring in 2015.” Punk replied:

“@theboydello: @CMPunk you just started a rumor that you're retiring in 2015.”
Ain't a rumor if its true.

— player/coach (@CMPunk) October 15, 2012

– The official WWE website is now listing an event scheduled for Tuesday, December 18 at the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania as a Raw and SmackDown television taping.

According to PWInsider.com, the previous day’s Raw event (location not yet announced), will likely be a duel-brand taping as well.

– The late Brian Pillman is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.