After weeks of battling the Kofi Kingston and R-Truth in singles matches, Darren Young and Titus O’Neil will receive their chance at the WWE Tag Team Championship this Sunday at SummerSlam.

It was also announced during Raw that Santino Marella will defend the United States Championship against Antonio Cesaro in a YouTube exclusive pre-show leading up to the pay-per-view broadcast. The announced card is as follows:

* Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar

* WWE Champion CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. Big Show

* Kane vs. Daniel Bryan

* Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler

* WWE United States Champion Santino Marella vs. Antonio Cesaro

* WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. The Prime Time Players

* WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio

Raw General Manager AJ Lee appeared on The Soscia Network with Brian Soscia on 106.1 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to promote this Sunday’s SummerSlam pay-per-view event and discuss her ascension from teenage wrestling fan to presiding over WWE’s flagship program.

After revealing that she made the decision to become a professional wrestler when she was 12-years-old, Lee is asked about a YouTube video of herself as a teenager meeting Amy “Lita” Dumas at an autograph signing (from 2001). She divulges, “Maybe a year ago, at the Slammys, I actually showed Lita that video. And I was like, “Look at this!” It was very cool to have that moment.”

Providing background on the moment, she continues, “Growing up, I didn’t have a lot and we had a really rough childhood and my only escape from all that was wrestling and was having these women to look up to and just hoping one day that I could get out of it, maybe I could be like them and get myself out of the situation I was in. Meeting her, it was like, “Okay, this is my hero, the only person I have to make me feel better about life right now.” It was such a good moment for me. You can actually see my mom in the background, like, crying! It’s like, yes, I’m a huge fan and I loved her and I loved meeting her, but it represented … I was going through a lot. If I could talk to little AJ back then and tell her what would happen one day.”

In regards to feeling when she “made it” in the professional wrestling industry, she says, “I think just getting signed would have been enough for me. Just being a part of the company, just being anything. I still have the first envelope they sent me, the first mail, I keep everything. Just like seeing WWE, in my mailbox! I’m such a fan and I think just getting signed would have been the most amazing thing in the world to me. But everything we’ve done so far, just having a WrestleMania moment already is mind-boggling. I don’t even understand it. Hopefully one of these days I can sit-down and drink it all in, but it’s been go-go-go for the past year-and-a-half. It’s still very surreal and I kind of don’t believe it still. I’m waiting to wake up.”

Lee was also asked if there is any chance she would follow in the footsteps of past WWE Divas such as Sable and pose for Playboy. She responded, “Oh my God. Never, ever, ever! I can barely wear a low-cut shirt. I’m prude and I think that’s what works for me is kind of being very innocent and prudish. It’s gotten me pretty far and there are certain things that should be left to the imagination.” She adds, “Nothing wrong with it, but it’s not for me.”

“The Geek Goddess” also discusses how she got her foot in WWE’s door, which wrestlers she idolized growing up, her relationship with Daniel Bryan and she also reveals her match picks for SummerSlam. The audio interview is available here.

– Raw General Manager AJ Lee announced Monday evening via Twitterthat The Miz will defend the Intercontinental Championship this Sunday at SummerSlam.

“As Raw GM, I’ve decided at #Summerslam this Sunday, @Mikethemiz will defend his Intercontinental title vs @reymysterio .How awesome is that?” she wrote.

– Tenille Tayla stated on Twitter that her name in WWE developmental promotion Florida Championship Wrestling is Emma.

“You may now call me…. EMMA!! New ring name – check! Let’s get this show on the road ;) Ready or not here I come #WWE #NXT #DIVA,” she wrote Monday.

The 23-year-old Australian wrestler reported to FCW last month after a year a on the sidelines due to shoulder surgery.

– Former professional wrestler Mike Graham is doing a weekly radio show in Tampa, Florida at WHNZ at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evenings. (Thanks to Mark Schreiner)

Grantland.com published a lengthy article last week on the life and controversial wrestling career of Kevin Nash with the six-time world champion notably reiterating his stance on “Vanilla Midgets,” a dismissive term he used behind-the-scenes in the late ’90s in World Championship Wrestling to describe small-statured, gifted technical wrestlers such as Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero. Nash said the professional wrestling industry died at WrestleMania XX when the pay-per-view event concluded with Benoit and Guerrero—both of whom were under six-feet-tall—reigning atop as world champions and emotionally celebrating. Guerrero’s brother, Chavo Guerrero, Sr., took offense to Nash’s remarks and posted a scathing rebuttal on Facebook.

“Chavo Classic” wrote, “K 4 THOSE WHO CARE IM NOT AGAINST NASH HE HAS ALL THE RIGHT TO EXPRESS HIS OPINION OR THOUGHTS BLOOD SEEMS TO TRIGGER A GUERRERO BLAST. SO I WLL PUT IT REAL SIMPLE IF U THE READER ARE PUTTING UP UR $ ON A VENUE PRO WRESTLING PROMOTION, AND U HAVE THE DEMOGRAPHICS NEXT TO U AND THE TV VIEWERS IN FRONT OF U, WHO R U GOING TO GO WITH TO MAKE $, I WLD GO FOR THE BOX OFFICE GUY, IN THIS CASE , HANDS DOWN, GUERRERO AND BENOIT BY FAR UNLESS U WANT TO SEE BIG SEXY IN HIS UNWASHED LEATHERS APPEAR AND SIGN AUTOGRAPHS BECAUSE HE IS A FREAK OF NATURE, IN NORMAL STANDARDS. GUARRANTEE WWE MADE MORE $ OF BENOIT AND GUERRERO THAN NASH, AND IF I WAS A BETTING MAN I GURRANTEE BIG SEXY GOT PAID MORE, ITS A VINCE THING ..

“K I’M ON ROLL, U FUCK WITH THE GUERREROS WTCH OUT, BEING THE ELDEST AND BEING OUTSPOKEN AS I AM, ONCE AGAIN,, KEVIN NASH WAS A BASKETBALL PLAYER, NOT A WRESTLER, PLAYED FOR THE TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS 1979-1980 DID NOT PLAY HIS 4TH YR. HE ATTEMPTED TO TRANSFER TO BOWLING GREEN BUT 4 SOME REASON OR ANOTHER DID NOT. WIKPEDIA STATES THAT HE TORE HIS ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT, IN OTHER WORDS OUT OF COLLEGE BASKETBALL. SO HE GOES INTO PRO WRESTLING. LIKE BRUISER BRODIE TOLD ME,” AND MANY EX OTHER SPORT JOCKS WHEN THEY WLD SAY, I GOT HURT SO I CAME TO PRO WRESTLING.” BRODY WLD TELL THEM AND I LOVE THIS, ” U CAME TO PRO WRESTLING BECAUSE U DID NOT MAKE IT IN UR SPORT, QUIT BS.” HE HAD SEVERAL UNSUCCESSFUL GIMICKS, STELL, OZZ,(WITH THE WIZARD), VINNIE VEGAS, DIESEL, ETC. AND HE IS PASSING JUGEMENT OR COMMENTARY ON 2 TRUE WRESTLERS. CHAMPIONS IN THE ORGANIZATION HE WAS IN AND THE OTHER ONE, GIVE ME A BRAKE DWIVE, HELLO. HE KEEPS HIS SHIT UP IN DESRESPECTING MY BROTHER OF BLOOD, MY BROTHER CHRIS AND WRESTLING AND I WILL EXPOSE MORE MORE SH– ON HIM THAN HE KNOWS HE HAS. NO MENACE OR THREAT TO ANYBODY, WE THE GUERREROS HAVE NOTHING TO HIDE. SO BIG NASTY, AND I DO MEAN NASTY WHEN U WORE THOSE REDICULOUS LEATHERS THAT U NEVER WASHED, CHILL OUT AND MIND UR OWN BUSINESS WHICH IS RAPING THE BUSINESS, THANK U, CHAVO GUERRERO, SR. SO LET IT BE SAID SO LET IT BE WRITTEN, “JULE BRENNER, THE 10 COMMENDMENTS< ' ORALE CABRONES FACTS ARE FACTS."

Likewise, Tracy Smothers went on Facebook to blast "Big Sexy": "Kevin Nash can go to Hell for his comments bout Chris,Eddie,was wrong to say that,u have done well,made lots of money Kevin.Im sure their families are hurt bout yr b.s. comments.U have no respect for the business or the people int it who helped yr ungrateful SORRY ASS.That wasn,t k,don,t go there,they hav kinfolks that are very hurt,why say that.YR APISS ANT PUNK,COWARD.I waana pull yr eyeballs out u JACKOFF,ANYTIME,ANYPLACE,YR A PIECE OF SHIT CANCER in our business."

– On this week’s episode of WWE Download, Dolph Ziggler debuts a new segment called “midlife crisis clip of the week” where he pokes fun at Chris Jericho with a string of one-liners. A clip from WCW Monday Nitro of Goldberg spearing Jericho is shown and Ziggler runs down Jericho for continuing to phone it in and sinking television ratings on “Dancing with the D-Listers.”

– WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart appears at Frank & Son Collectible Show 19649 E. San Jose Ave. City of Industry, California 91748 on Saturday, September 1. An In Ring Photo Opportunity taken by professional photographer (professional set up) will be available for $50.00—less than 100 available. $30 for all additional photo opps and autograph. Contact GEMINI SPORTSCARDS 714-496-4578 for more information.

– Monday marks the five-year anniversary of the passing of Brian Adams (a/k/a Crush), who was found dead of unknown causes at his Tampa, Florida home. He was 43-years-old.

Ivelisse Vélez (a/k/a Sofia Cortez), who was released from her WWE developmental contract late last week, is disputing reports attributed to F4WOnline.com that her termination stemmed from a perceived “attitude problem.”

Dave Meltzer stated on Wrestling Observer Radio late Saturday that according to sources in Florida Championship Wrestling, Vélez believed her talent level did not correspond with her position in the organization and had been vocal about not being promoted to the main roster. The Puerto Rican grappler took to Twitter to dispute the online claims, which she labeled as “lies.”

It amazes me & breaks my <3 to have people says lies about me. Im 1 of the most humble person you'll ever meet. I & my people know #DaTruth

— IVELISSE?????La Sicaria (@RealIvelisse) August 13, 2012

https://twitter.com/RealIvelisse/status/234853138551681026

Regardless though.. I am still endlessly grateful for all opportunities trusted upon me by @WWE during my time there. #CaseClosed

— IVELISSE?????La Sicaria (@RealIvelisse) August 13, 2012

Vélez also said her message in Spanish: “Clarifico: #No No tengo problemas de actitud o ego. #No No divulgare nada negativo sobre @WWE . Pero #Si Fue una injusticia hacia mi. Sea lo que sea.. Aun estoy mil veces agradecida por todas las oportunidades que @WWE confio en mi. #CasoCerrado.”

She also re-tweeted a message stating:

https://twitter.com/iBeaDom/status/234859332724985856

Vélez reiterated her stance on being “screwed” by WWE to fellow firee A.W., who too was released by the organization last week. She wrote to him:

https://twitter.com/RealIvelisse/status/234806397043355648

As A.W. predicted, his original Twitter account was suspended after the terminated WWE Superstar posted a multitude of messages disparaging his former employer and Vince McMahon’s wife Linda McMahon. A.W., however, set up another account under his real name, Brian Jossie, at BJRatedR and has continued to sound off on the sports-entertainment organization as well as Linda.

Jossie believes WWE had his original account shut down, writing, “Yeah the #WWE shut down my old account. It’s all good. It was fun while it lasted.” When asked whether the account was his property, he responded, “Not really sure. Although when it comes to the #WWE they own everything like Satan, including your soul,lol!”

Jossie, who blames Linda and her ongoing U.S. Senate campaign for his termination from WWE, subsequently posted three images ridiculing the political hopeful. In the first pic, he posted a joke poster of McMahon reading “UNSTOPPABLE”-a takeoff of the Barack Obama “Hope” poster. He then posted an unflattering photo of McMahon, noting, “Is it me or does Linda McMahon make Hilary Clinton look like Angelina Fucking Jolie!!” Jossie was also sent a side-by-side image of Linda and the Cryptkeeper and asked if he sees a resemblance. “Yep! CryptKeeper might have her beat,” he wrote.

Jossie had also tweeted, “@Linda_McMahon has cost more negroes jobs than hurricane Katrina!!” However, he stated minutes later that he doesn’t hate Linda and that he’s merely joking around.

“I don’t hate Linda, I’m doing what a comedian would do. Making light of a serious situation inorder to make people think!” Jossie wrote.

He then continued the Linda jokes, writing, “David Duke would hire my black ass before @Linda_McMahon!” He then added, “Sorry I won’t be HANGING out at any #WWE shows. There’s enough pro wrestling lynching as it is….”

In response to a fan comment stating, “It’s pretty damn funny that @WWE actually thinks @Linda_McMahon has a chance at winning,” Jossie responded, “Agreed, Them muthafuckas are as high as Jeff Hardy!!!”

Jossie was also asked whether one needs to “play the game” in order to survive the political minefield of WWE. He responded, “Politics is a must. Everyone plays the GAME!! Some (Divas) more than others….#WinkWink #HHH.”

A Twitter user sent Jossie a mock graphic proposing a Street Fight between himself and Vince McMahon at WrestleMania XXIX, to which he responded, “Ha! Yeah I’d whoop that old man’s ass! I’d only do it if Shane and Steph joined in. #McMahonSmackdown!” He also noted “as soon as I see Vince on TV this Nike is gonna fuck my plasma up!!”

Jossie was also asked how WWE would have acted had he made a Mike Tyson rape joke rather than a Kobe Bryant one. “Nope I would have probably got a raise! #WhatTheFuck?” he responded.

Finally, Jossie was asked whether he’s calling out WWE for exposure, to be controversial or out of bitterness. “I’m just saying my peace. I wish more people would be like JTG and not be afraid to speak up. #Courage,” he says.

– As Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was answering fan questions on Twitter Sunday afternoon, WWE Champion CM Punk tweeted a picture of a CM Punk action figure standing over a Johnson action figure that had been knocked out by the GTS. Johnson responded, “You knocked by delivering a GTS. I’ll answer by delivering the ass kicking of a lifetime. @WWE Championship #Rumble2013 #RockTalk.”

Johnson announced at Raw 1,000 that he would face whoever the WWE Champion is at the Royal Rumble. A match between Johnson and Punk, however, may not take place at the pay-per-view event. It was reported last week that WWE officials are contemplating a scenario where Punk drops the WWE Championship to John Cena at SummerSlam to set up a rematch between Cena and Johnson at Royal Rumble. Johnson would then defeat Cena at the Rumble and defend the title against Punk at WrestleMania XXIX.

Johnson also noted on Twitter that he “Spent time w/ some of our US Olympic Gold medalists last night” and that he was “So proud of them.” He is currently in London, England filming scenes for the sixth installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise.

– Upon learning of developmental talent Ivelisse Vélez’ release from WWE last week, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who coached the Puerto Rican grappler on Tough Enough last year, tweeted, “I was very surprised to hear that.”

Meanwhile, Vélez has changed her Twitter handle to @RealIvelisse. She has re-tweeted multiple fan messages in support of her.

– WWE Superstar Chris Jericho was asked on Twitter which TNA Wrestling talents he’d like to have a match with and responded, “Roode, Angle, Samoa Joe, AJ.”

Though Jericho has publicly said that he keeps tabs on TNA and wants them to flourish, it is unlikely that he will ever join the promotion. He has repeatedly stated in interviews that when he wrestles, it will only be for WWE since they are the top wrestling promotion in the world.

– Madison Rayne noted on Twitter that she is dedicating her TNA Women’s Championship Match against Miss Tessmacher tonight at Hardcore Justice to her best friend from high school: “My wrist tattoo says “watched over” in memory of my bff from h/s who passed away. Tonight, on her 27th bday, I’m dedicating my match to her.”

– Magnus faces Mr. Anderson, Rob Van Dam and “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero tonight at Hardcore Justice in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Though RVD is familiar with the specialty bout, Magnus feels he will have the advantage. He tweeted, “Ppl keep saying “this match is RVD’s wheel house”… I know what RVD will do, but they have no idea how to prepare for me tonight…”

A.W. has continued to lambast WWE via Twitter after his contract was terminated Friday for what a company spokesman says was due to his continued use of offensive and inappropriate comments on live television and on social media after making a rape joke on the July 30 episode of Raw.

The boisterous personality strongly feels his firing is unfair and that he is being subject to double standards by WWE, pointing out other similar offensive events where a talent was suspended at most. He wrote, “If I smoked crack or did steroids I’d get suspended but I made a joke and tweeted support Linda and I get fired. #Doesn’tAddUp #Hmmmmm.”

A.W. posted several fan remarks noting WWE’s double standards towardss offensive and inappropriate comments, including Tensai making stereotypical remarks about Japanese people last week on Tout, John Cena cracking homophobic insults on WWE programming, Randy Orton suggesting during a radio interview that Kelly Kelly had sexual relations with upwards of ten WWE Superstars, and Cena and Jerry “The King” Lawler hurling weight-related barbs toward Vickie Guerrero.

“They didn’t do shit to Randy Orton when he called Kelly Kelly a slut, you see the double standard? Fuck politics. #AWForLife.”

“Im a HUGE Cena fan, but Cena made fat jokes w/ King, genitalia jokes n homo jokes. Orton bashes K2, Vince mocks JR! #FuckUWWE”

“so stealing a car, having a yng girl trying to fuck 3 guys at once and not to mntion the Tensai thing is ok, but no jokes? #BS”

A.W. continued to point out the hypocrisy in Vince McMahon mocking Jim Ross’ affliction with Bell’s palsy while simultaneously promoting the ‘be a STAR’ anti-bullying campaign; on the June 11 episode of Raw, the WWE Chairman donned a J.R.-style hat, mimicked Ross’ facial paralysis and yelled, “Stone Cold! Stone Cold! Stone Cold!” He re-tweeted, “So Vince can continually bash @JRsBBQ by teasing his ball palsy but yet your comments where deemed worse? Be a star my ass.” He then posted a photo of McMahon distorting his face to ridicule Ross, with the caption reading “MOCKING JR: QUALITY PG ENTERTAINMENT.”

A.W. also pointed out McMahon using a racial slur on WWE programming in 2006, and enclosed a link to footage of the segment. He noted via re-tweet, “VINCE MCMAHON CAN SAY THE “N” WORD ON NATIONAL T.V. BUT @AWPromotions CAN’T TELL A JOKE………….whats wrong with this picture???”

A.W. also feels it’s hypocritical that WWE would celebrate boxer Mike Tyson, who was convicted of rape in 1992 and sentenced to six years in prison. He re-tweeted, “You said one Kobe Bryant rape joke and you got fired. Isn’t Mike Tyson a convicted rapist? Yet he is in the HoF. Hypocrisy.” He then posted side-by-side images of himself and Tyson, with the caption over his photo reading “FIRED FROM WWE OVER RAPE JOKE” and a caption over the Tyson photo reading “CONVICTED RAPIST – WWE HALL OF FAMER.”

A.W. plans to continue to “shoot” as he has set up a second Twitter account under his real name, Brian Jossie, at BJRatedR. He noted on the account, “Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to my fucking non PG world!!! Where all bets are off and I tell it like it is. Fuck the Bull Shit, I’m legit!”

– Ivelisse Vélez, who appeared in Florida Championship Wrestling as Sofia Cortez, says she has been released by WWE. She announced Saturday on Twitter:

This is NOT okay. Hottest chick down there with the most talent. "@Sofia_WWE: I, as well, have been released by WWE. Sorry my #Soljas…."

— Scarlett Bordeaux (@Lady_Scarlett13) August 11, 2012

Vélez, who began her professional wrestling career in 2005 in Puerto Rico, rose to prominence as a contestant on Tough Enough last year, a televised competition that awarded the winner a WWE contract.

Pictures of Former Developmental Diva Sofia Cortez

Vélez was eliminated from the competition due to injury, but offered a developmental contract in November. She had been appearing on WWE NXT as of late.

– The August 10 episode of WWE Vintage Collection featured the following matches: Chavo Guerrero vs. Chavo Classic vs. Spike Dudley (WWE SmackDown – May 20, 2004), The Mexicools vs. The Blue World Order (WWE Great American Bash 2005), The Caribbean Kid vs. Steve Austin (WWF Superstars – April 13, 1996), Pedro Morales and Tito Santana vs. Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik (WWF Superstars – January 31, 1987), Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio (WWE SmackDown – September 9, 2005). (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

– Former WWE Diva Maria is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com.

Wrestler reaction to A.W.’s firing by WWE on Friday for what a company spokesman said was due to his continued use of offensive and inappropriate comments on live television and on social media after making a rape joke on the July 30 episode of Raw is said to be as negative to any termination in a long time.

Upon learning of the news, A.W. posted a barrage of Twitter messages roasting the sports-entertainment organization for what he perceives are double standards, such as Big Show making a similar remark referencing NBA player Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault case years ago and Vince McMahon reneging WWE’s anti-bullying campaign on Raw weeks ago by ridiculing Jim Ross’ affliction with Bell’s palsy. Though it would appear that he is squashing any chance of a return to the organization with each scathing tweet, Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer sees things otherwise.

He posted on the F4WOnline.com message board, “The more he says, the better his chances of being brought back in a while.

“Vince has no respect for people he bullies and don’t fight back.

“He hired Bischoff, Bret (spent ten years begging for him to comeback and even brought him back after Bret walked out on him the day of Mania), Sable, Billy Graham, yet never touched Heenan except for one shots. I doubt even he knows it but he’s playing it smart in the long run.”

(source: F4WOnline.com)

TNA Knockout Tara reveals in her latest video entry that she was banned from appearing at today’s Wizard World Chicago Comic Con in Rosemont, Illinois due to WWE’s presence at the event.

According to the former Victoria, WWE permitted their talent to appear at the event on the condition that TNA Wrestling talent are prohibited from appearing.

“I was supposed to be there on Saturday and the only way WWE would show up is if Impact Wrestling was not going to show up. So I got the last minute phone call and I got nixed,” she states.

Garrett Gray, winner of the Knockout’s ‘Geek Fit Challenge’, then asks, “Wait a second. Are you telling me that the WWE says that Impact Wrestling is not competition, but yet they are banning them from Wizard World?”

Tara responds, “Actions speak louder than words.”

John Cena, CM Punk and Booker T appeared at the event over the course of three days. The ban, however, did not extend to former WWE talent as The Bella Twins, Maryse, Kevin Nash, John Morrison, Melina and Lita appeared as advertised.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbokd46MrZI

After WWE unceremoniously terminated A.W.’s contract Friday for what a company spokesman said was due to his continued use of offensive and inappropriate comments on live television and on social media after uttering a rape joke on the July 30 episode of Raw, the All World Promotions chief posted a barrage of vitriolic messages on Twitter blistering his former employer for what he perceives are double standards.

A.W. strongly feels it is unjust that he’s now out of job when Big Show made a similar remark referencing NBA player Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault case, Vince McMahon reneged WWE’s anti-bullying campaign two months ago on Raw by ridiculing Jim Ross’ facial paralysis, CM Punk told a fan on Twitter to kill himself, Triple H simulated mock sex with a mannequin in a casket, McMahon used a racial epithet on national television, and the company showcased a character making light of mentally challenged individuals, among other unsavory events. Fans comments he posted include: “VINCE MCMAHON CAN SAY THE “N” WORD ON NATIONAL T.V. BUT @AWPromotions CAN’T TELL A JOKE………….whats wrong with this picture???”

“McMahon is a hypocrite! It’s cool for him to mock JR’s Bells Palsy, & you aren’t cut any slack for one joke? #BeAStarVince.”

“I hope Vince hasn’t forgot How he mocked @JRsBBQ on #RAW live, and @AWPromotions gets released for one joke?”

“@if only you had strangled someone with your tie, you’d be back within 6 months lol.”

“so Dx can tell everyone to suck it but u can’t make a joke?”

“@CMPunk told one of his twitter followers to kill themselves. biggest double standard in the world.”

“@kane has sex with a dead girl but @AWPromotions makes a kobe joke and gets fired.”

“Vince can kick the leg out from under a one legged kid, wrestle women, mock The mentally retarded and he fired you!!!”

“@Didn’t Big Show make a Kobe Bryant reference in a battle rap with Cena in 2003 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1V6gr8CB-Eg … but AW gets let go?”

A.W. feels he is a casualty of Linda McMahon’s Republican pursuit of a United States Senate seat in Connecticut, which many have speculated has led the sports-entertainment organization to take action on any matter deemed controversial so as not to affect her campaign.

He tweeted to Linda, “Creates jobs my ass!! I’m fired thanks to you and your campaign.”

WWE announced Friday they have come to terms on the release of A.W. (a/k/a Abraham Washington) as of August 10, 2012, weeks after the boisterous personality made a rape joke on the July 30 episode of Raw. According to a company spokesman, A.W., whose real name is Brian Jossie, was terminated due to his continued use of offensive and inappropriate remarks in public settings following the ordeal.

A representative for WWE told TMZ.com Friday evening, “Unfortunately, Brian Jossie, playing the character of A.W. was terminated because he continued to exhibit poor judgment by making offensive and inappropriate comments on live television and on social media.”

Jossie angrily spoke out against WWE via Twitter following the announcement, stating they “turned its back” on him.

“It was the #WWE that made me bold and now it has turned it’s back on me,” he said. “Just be normal shut up and be a yes man so you can collect your check and feel like your special. #SELLOUTS!! I remember a time when the WWE didn’t care about breaking the mold but now everyone is so afraid of their own shadow. #RemeberTheFans. Thank you WWE for creating me and then killing me because I only portrayed what I grew up watching… The #WWE!!”

– WWE announced Friday via Twitter that Shawn Michaels will appear on Monday’s episode of Raw, the final episode before SummerSlam. Brock Lesnar issued a threatening warning to HBK on Monday’s show that he would see him before SummerSlam. Michaels will be in Triple H’s corner when he faces Lesnar at the pay-per-view event. Triple H is also advertised to appear at Raw, which will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

– Former WWE Superstar Billy Gunn evaluated WWE developmental talent this week at Florida Championship Wrestling headquarters. Regarding this, Gunn wrote on Twitter, “Thanks to everyone in fcw for a great week of training had fun and learned alot the future is looking great if your a wrestling fan.” Gunn may further his partnership with WWE. As reported last week, management was impressed with Gunn and his interactions with Shawn Michaels on Raw 1,000 and the belief is he’ll receive at least one match on a future televised show.

– WWE.com has published photos from the SmackDown brand’s second night of action in Tokyo, Japan. John Laurinaitis, who competed on the show despite his removal from storylines, is not shown in any of the photos.

WWE announced they have come to terms on the release of A.W. (a/k/a Abraham Washington) as of August 10, 2012, weeks after the boisterous personality made a crass remark on a live program. Upon learning of the news, A.W. went on a multi-post Twitter diatribe ripping the sports-entertainment organization. He stated, “AWPromotions is no more ladies and gentlemen. Thank you for your support and hate, it’s been a great run. Now I get to do me which isn’t PG!

“@TitusONeilWWE & @DarrenYoungWWE thank you for allowing me to speak on your behalf. You guys are the best and I’m glad to call u my friends!

“I’ve offended the wrong people that taught me how to have ATTITUDE It was the #WWE that made me bold and now it has turned it’s back on me

“Let this be a lesson to up and coming talent in the WWE don’t try and be great like the Rock or Stone Cold. WWE isn’t the same…

“Just be normal shut up and be a yes man so you can collect your check and feel like your special. #SELLOUTS!!

“I remember a time when the WWE didn’t care about breaking the mold but now everyone is so afraid of their own shadow. #RemeberTheFans

“Thanks to the fans who showed me support over the whole Kobe thing and to those I upset I apologize again. Remember It’s entertainment folks.”

A.W. then indicates that his termination is tied to WWE chief Vince McMahon’s wife Linda’s pursuit of a United States Senate seat in Connecticut, which many have speculated has led the sports-entertainment organization to steer clear of any controversial matters as to not attract negative press to the campaign.

“I really do hope Linda wins that election because If not then all of this BS has been for nothing. #GoLinda!!” he wrote.

During a live WWE Raw broadcast on July 30, 2012, A.W. made a crass joke referencing NBA player Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault case in 2003 and 2004. As client Titus O’Neil tangled with Kofi Kingston in a singles match, A.W. yelled from ringside, “Titus O’Neil is like Kobe Bryant at a hotel in Colorado hotel room. He’s unstoppable!!” When Raw returned from commercial break following the bout, WWE apologized on-air via announcer Michael Cole and A.W. subsequently issued an apology via Twitter, noting that “there was no malicious intent behind the joke.” After Raw, WWE issued an official apology via TMZ.com stating that they had “taken appropriate action in the matter.”

Prior to joining the main roster this spring, A.W. was a fixture on the final episodes of ECW on Syfy with an in-ring interview segment called “The Abraham Washington Show.” He had been under contract to WWE since 2009, where he also performed for developmental promotion Florida Championship Wrestling.

Washington noted on Twitter that he would doing stand-up comedy going forward, remarking, “If you think that Kobe joke was bad wait till you hear my Vince jokes.”

– On August 25, WWE returns to a kids’ television time slot with WWE Saturday Morning Slam as part of a five-hour television block on The CW. According to F4WOnline.com, kid-friendly Superstar Hornswoggle is under consideration to host the show. WWE officials have long-term plans for the show as they want it to be a success rather than another program with minimal effort put in that ultimately falls by the wayside.

The official description for WWE Saturday Morning Slam reads: “WWE Saturday Morning Slam packs the riveting in-ring action, the larger-than-life WWE Superstars, and WWE’s kid-friendly entertainment into the fastest, most energy-filled half-hour on television. WWE Superstar profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive WWE match every week will all combine to make WWE Saturday Morning Slam the perfect destination for the youngest viewers in the WWE Universe.”

– Rey Mysterio is featured on the cover of the September 2012 issue of WWE Magazine with the headline reading: “MYSTERIO AIR 619 CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF!” Included are interviews with Triple H, Daniel Bryan and Booker T.

– Eve noted on Twitter Friday, “I’ve scheduled an important meeting on #SmackDown tonight…”

– AJ Lee announced on Twitter that she has been invited to attend SmackDown tonight by fellow General Manager Booker T—despite herself being a member of the SmackDown roster.

“Booker T has asked me to be his special guest on tonight’s Smackdown. I promise I’ll be as well behaved as usual,” Lee wrote.

– The wrestler formerly known as Buggy Nova is now referencing herself as Skyler Moon on Twitter—her new handle is @SkYlerMoon_WWE. After signing a developmental contract with WWE in June, the young upstart appeared as Natalie, her real name, at Florida Championship Wrestling events.

– WWE Divas AJ Lee and Eve, and Vickie Guerrero, are featured on the cover of the newsstand magazine Inside Wrestling. The headline reads: “MAN-EATERS! THESE DIVAS ARE HERE TO DEVOUR.”

– Curt Hawkins was asked about Ryback by a TSA agent. He tweeted Friday, “TSA agent just asked me what’s wrong with @Ryback22 ‘s eye. I wish I knew Sir… I wish I knew.”

– WWE will hold a SmackDown live event on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at Taylor County Coliseum in Abilene, Texas. Talent advertised are Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, Kane, Daniel Bryan, Sin Cara, Cody Rhodes, Ryback and Natalya. Bell time is 7:30 p.m.

– Chris Jericho appears at Good Records 1808 Greenville Ave. Dallas, Texas on Monday, August 13 from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The WWE Superstar will be signing Sin and Bones, the fifth album from his heavy metal band Fozzy. Call 214-752-4663 for more information.

– SmackDown General Manager Booker T is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com.

– Wade Barrett turns 32-years-old on Friday. WWE aired a vignette on Raw promoting his televised return, and he proclaimed that he had to go back to his roots in underground fighting to rediscover himself. He returned to action in a dark match Tuesday prior to the evening’s SmackDown taping and is currently overseas with the SmackDown brand for their weekend tour of Asia. He is expected to return to WWE programming following SummerSlam.

Pictures Of Wade Barrett’s New Look

Also celebrating birthdays Friday are Amish Roadkill, who turns 36-years-old and Fred Ottman (a/k/a Tugboat and Typhoon), who turns 56.

– Ezekiel Jackson was asked on Twitter whether he would consider changing or tweaking his finishing maneuver, the Torture Rack. He responded, “it aint broke y fix it?”

– WWE.com has published a list counting down the top 20 Superstar summers of all-time based on a “single championship triumph, major upset or spontaneous decision.” The list is as follows:

20. The Nexus (2010)
19. Ultimate Warrior (1988)
18. John “Bradshaw” Layfield (2004)
17. John Cena (2006)
16. The Undertaker (1998)
15. Hulk Hogan (1989)
14. Kurt Angle (2003)
13. Mankind (1996)
12. Batista (2005)
11. Shawn Michaels (1996)
10. Triple H (2003)
9. Bret “Hit Man” Hart (1997)
8. Edge & Christian (2000)
7. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin (1998)
6. “Macho Man” Randy Savage (1991)
5. Randy Orton (2009)
4. The Rock (2000)
3. British Bulldog (1992)
2. Brock Lesnar (2002)
1. CM Punk (2011).

Comment below and tell us what you think of the list.

– Saban Brands has announced the line-up for its programming block, dubbed Vortexx, which debuts nationwide on The CW on August 25 and will be anchored by WWE Saturday Morning Slam at 10:00 a.m. WWE will be preceded by Iron Man: Armored Adventures and Justice League Unlimited and followed by Dragonball Z Kai. The official description for WWE Saturday Morning Slam reads:

“WWE Saturday Morning Slam packs the riveting in-ring action, the larger-than-life WWE Superstars, and WWE’s kid-friendly entertainment into the fastest, most energy-filled half-hour on television. WWE Superstar profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive WWE match every week will all combine to make WWE Saturday Morning Slam the perfect destination for the youngest viewers in the WWE Universe.”

– WWE Divas AJ Lee and Eve, and Vickie Guerrero, are featured on the cover of the newsstand magazine Inside Wrestling. The headline reads: “MAN-EATERS! THESE DIVAS ARE HERE TO DEVOUR.”

– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Chris Jericho will appear at Good Records 1808 Greenville Ave. Dallas, Texas on Monday, August 13 from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The WWE Superstar will be signing Sin and Bones, the fifth album from his heavy metal band Fozzy. Call 214-752-4663 for more information.

‘WRESTLEMANIA 28 – ROCK VS. CENA’ TO AIR ON NBC SATURDAY, AUGUST 25 AT 9 PM ET

NEW YORK, NY – August 10, 2012 – For the fourth consecutive year, WWE® and NBC are joining forces to bring “WrestleMania” to network television. “WrestleMania 28 – Rock vs. Cena” will air on Saturday, August 25 at 9 p.m. ET on NBC, allowing WWE fans to relive moments from the most watched “WrestleMania” of all time.

The one-hour broadcast will take viewers inside the event as two of the most celebrated superstars, The Rock® and John Cena®, battled each other in a main event that exceeded all expectations. “WrestleMania 28 – Rock vs. Cena” will chronicle the yearlong, epic journey to this faceoff, including exclusive, never-before-seen footage and will showcase the entire Rock vs. Cena match for the first time ever on broadcast television.

“WrestleMania XXVIII,” held this past April 1 at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, set new records for pay-per-view buys and gross sales. The event brought together 78,363 fans from all 50 states and 36 countries and garnered 1.3 million pay-per-view buys with global gross sales in excess of $67 million. The world’s biggest pop-culture extravaganza was seen around the world on pay-per-view in more than 105 countries and 20 languages.

For more information on “WrestleMania 28 – Rock vs. Cena” please visit NBC.com’s “Movies & Specials” site: http://www.nbc.com/specials

– Former WWE Superstar Justin Credible jubilantly stated on Twitter Thursday that he was contacted by his former employer for work concerning the WWE Network.

Great start to my day. I just got some exciting news on the wrestling homefront. and I'm not talking about indy wrestling

— Justin Credible (@PJPOLACO) August 9, 2012

Great start to my day. I just got some exciting news on the wrestling homefront. and I'm not talking about indy wrestling

— Justin Credible (@PJPOLACO) August 9, 2012

@wweURNiverse mark carrano called for work on wwe network. Im super exicited

— Justin Credible (@PJPOLACO) August 9, 2012

– Raw General Manager AJ Lee appeared on multiple radio programs Thursday to discuss SummerSlam as well as her quirky behavior. She noted on Twitter, “Just finished 2 hours of radio interviews. Thanks everyone. The question of “who was the better kisser” will follow me forever, won’t it?”

Audio of an interview Lee did with ESPN Radio 1100 and 98.9 FM is available here.

– WWE’s return to Tokyo, Japan on Thursday at Ryogoku Kokugikan drew a mediocre crowd as the official attendance was 6,873. In the past, WWE would often sellout the 13,000 seat venue. The SmackDown brand event was headlined by Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio and Sheamus vs. Big Show and John Laurinaitis in a Handicap Match.

(source: PWInsider.com)

– Monday on Raw, Shawn Michaels revealed he will be in Triple H’s corner when “The Game” faces Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Lesnar then issued a warning to HBK, telling him that he’d see him before SummerSlam. Michaels, however, is not advertised to appear on Raw—the final Raw before SummerSlam—by either WWE or host venue American Airlines Center.

Michaels was asked on Twitter what he would say if Lesnar challenged him to a match following his bout with Triple H and responded, “What I tell everybody, No thanks, I’m retired.” HBK is also not worried about getting beat up by the large framed wrestler: “Added to the list of 10,437 guys who have done the same over 25 yrs:-).”

– In honor of Kelly Kelly’s return to Raw on Monday, WWE.com has published photos and videos highlighting the blonde Diva’s greatest moments.

– Kamala will address his accusations towards Wrestlers Rescue and MWF and why he hasn’t accepted checks from both organisations today on Inside The Ropes radio at 5:00 p.m. EST. Visit www.facebook.com/theinsidenetwork for show information.

– Colin Cowherd slammed professional wrestling and CM Punk Thursday on ESPN Radio over Twitter remarks the WWE Champion made concerning Nike’s endorsement deal with mixed martial artist Jon “Bones” Jones.

The outspoken radio personality labeled wrestlers as “roided freaks” and said they have no right to talk about morals due to the industry’s staggering number of premature deaths. Cowherd also alluded to Owen Hart falling to his death at a WWE event in 1999, stating, “A wrestler died in the ring and they just rolled him out and kept going.” Cowherd then ran down Punk and his penchant for tattoos. The diatribe lasted approximately ten minutes.

Punk stated last night immediately following the endorsement announcement, “Let’s reward more drunk drivers with endorsement deals! #responsibility.” He was referring to Jon’s DUI conviction, stemming from a May 19 incident in which Jones drunkenly crashed his Bentley into a utility pole.

– WWE.com has added Sabu to its Alumni section. Though he is best known for his “trailblazing hardcore style” in Extreme Championship Wrestling, the death-defying wrestler appeared for WWE in 2006 and 2007.

(source: ProWrestling.net)