— R-Truth appearing more animated in recent weeks has to do with Triple H. The WWE executive wants him performing “silly comedy” as opposed to dancing and rapping.
— Lilian Garcia stated on Twitter that she will be releasing a music video for her latest single, Ur Girl (Til the End of the World), on March 1.
— Saturday’s SmackDown live event at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California drew 4,000 paying $135,000. Sunday’s show in Bakersfield, California drew 5,000 paying $130,000.
— WrestlingFigs.com reports Kevin Nash will appear at Wrestling Universe 34-29 Francis Lewis Blvd. Flushing, New York on April 21 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie will hold a press conference Thursday at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey to announce that WrestleMania XXIX will take place at the sporting complex in April 2013.
MetLife officials, who spent “more than a year” working with WWE to bring WrestleMania to the stadium, expect the event to draw 70,000 fans.
WrestleMania festivities will also take place in New Jersey as the IZOD Center will host Axxess and the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. WWE had initially planned to hold events in New York City but New Jersey state officials convinced them to hold everything in The Garden State.
The official announcement was originally scheduled for Wednesday but pushed back a day.
Deadline.com is reporting that WWE Studios and 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment have come to terms on a new deal that will yield 3 straight-to-DVD titles – including another Marine film.
The Marine: Homefront will be the third installment of WWE’s Marine franchise. The original Marine movie from 2006 generated over $18 million in revenue and was the most successful WWE Studios project by far. Ted DiBiase starred in the straight-to-DVD sequel. Deadline.com originally reported that John Cena would be starring in the new Marine movie, but has since updated their article and removed the part about Cena starring.
20th Century Fox Home Entertainment will handle worldwide distribution for the 3 movies via Blu-ray, DVD, VOD and digital download and WWE will use their juggernaut promotional machine to maximize exposure.
“WWE Studios will continue to expand its film offerings to appeal to a wide range of movie fans in 2012 and 2013,” said WWE Studios President, Michael Luisi. “We look forward to building upon our relationship with 20th Century Fox Home Entertainment to present movies that bring action, adventure and humor to audiences all over the globe.”
No word yet on the other two movies, but one of them is expected to star CM Punk.
– Eric Bischoff officially welcomed Dave Lagana to TNA with the following message posted on Facebook & Twitter:
“Welcome David Lagana! Had the opportunity to work with David in WWE and learned to respect his knowledge of story structure and detail.”
As we reported on Tuesday, Vince Russo and TNA have officially parted ways. Early reports indicated that Lagana was replacing Russo, however this is not entirely true. Lagana exact role in TNA is unknown at this time. While he will be contributing to the creative process, he is not assuming Russo’s job. It’s believed that Eric Bischoff will assume more power behind the scenes now that Russo is finally out.
– Spike TV president Kevin Kay was at the Impact Wrestling taping in Orlando on Monday and threw a party for the TNA wrestlers and crew after the show.
– Kurt Angle wrote the following on Twitter about Jesse Sorensen, stating that doctors gave him a 1-year recovery time:
“I Visited Jesse Sorenson.He Is Moving His Arms and Legs.Drs’ say 1 Year recovery. I Say 4 Months.Jesse Is a Hero and Fighter. “I’ll Be Back””
Angle clearly means well here, but he should probably stay away from setting unrealistic goals for Sorensen, who is going to have a very long, difficult road to recovery.
– Somebody call his momma … WWE officials have reportedly decided to put Brodus Clay’s “Funkasaurus” gimmick on hold for the time being, according to the Wrestling Globe Newsletter. Despite the positive reaction that the character received from live audience and Internet fans, WWE officials feel that Clay’s wrestling wasn’t where it needed to be for WWE TV.
Clay’s match against Heath Slater was cut from SmackDown a few weeks back when the decision was made that Clay needed to improve on his in-ring skills.
– Jim Ross wrote the following on Twitter regarding The Undertaker apparently cutting his hair in the video promo that aired on Monday’s RAW:
“Don’t know why Taker cut his hair but assume we’ll learn more on the next installment of RAW. Obviously Deadman altering his look but why?”
Regarding the concussion Randy Orton reportedly suffered on Monday’s RAW, JR wrote:
“Re: Orton’s concussion, he’s out of Sundays PPV.WWE travels a medical doctor & certified athletic trainer to every event..4 those who asked.”
– After Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Fresno, California went off the air, the dark match main event saw Sheamus defeat Wade Barrett in a Street Fight.
– The Cartoon Network’s Hall of Game Awards have nominated WWE Superstars The Undertaker, John Cena, Kofi Kingston and The Miz for the “Here To Rumble” award for best ring entrance.
The Miz is being advertised to appear at the awards show, which takes place this Sunday from Santa Monica, California.
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart told a fan on Twitter this week that Montreal is a dead issue and unfortunately, some of his siblings are still jealous of him and take any chance they can to tear him down. A fan asked Bret, “Your brother Smith Hart said in an interview that Stu Hart stated, “Bret should have just done the job in Montreal.” Any truth to that?”
Bret replied with the following:
“I’ve had numerous conversations w/my dad about Montreal & he never ever indicated anything of this sort to me.”
“There are certain members of my family that never miss an opportunity 2 tear me down or minimize my achievements. My dad’s nickname for my brother Smith was “shed”, short for shithead. So take it from the source.”
“I don’t give a damn what anyone says re:Montreal & it’s a dead issue.”
WWE announced on Tuesday night that SmackDown superstar Randy Orton suffered a concussion on RAW and will not be able to compete in this Sunday’s Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight championship.
A battle royal was held at the Smackdown tapings to determine who would fill Orton’s spot in the Chamber and that battle royal was won by none other than Santino Marella.
Here’s what looks to be the final card for Sunday’s pay-per-view:
Elimination Chamber for the WWE Title
CM Punk vs. The Miz vs. R-Truth vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler
Elimination Chamber for the World Heavyweight Title
Daniel Bryan vs. Santino Marella vs. The Great Khali vs. Big Show vs. Wade Barrett vs. Cody Rhodes
WWE Divas Title Match
Beth Phoenix vs. Tamina Snuka
Credit to Nikki for sending in these results for Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Fresno, California, airing this Friday night on SyFy:
* SmackDown opens with Teddy Long and World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan backstage. Security is guarding Teddy’s office. Long is concerned about Randy Orton’s condition and pulls him from the Elimination Chamber match on Sunday.
* Big Show and The Great Khali defeat Wade Barrett and Cody Rhodes. After the match, Show turns on Khali and takes him out.
* Mark Henry returns backstage and wants Teddy Long to put him into the Elimination Chamber match. Big Show came in and demanded a match against Daniel Bryan for later tonight. Show got pissed, laid out Henry and tore up Teddy’s office before leaving. Long put security on notice and told them to take Big Show out of the arena if they see him.
* Hunico defeated Ted DiBiase with the help of Camacho.
* WWE Tag Team Champions Epico and Primo defeat The Usos.
* Daniel Bryan comes out and cuts a promo about his actions on RAW. Bryan says he will win at Elimination Chamber. He wants Lilian Garcia to announce him the winner by forfeit but Teddy Long interrupts and makes Sheamus vs. Bryan now.
* Daniel Bryan beat Sheamus by DQ when Sheamus went crazy on Bryan. Bryan spit in Sheamus’ face which caused him to go crazy. Sheamus pushed the referee which caused the DQ.
* Cody Rhodes and Wade Barrett confront Teddy Long and want to know who is replacing Randy Orton at the Elimination Chamber. Teddy announces a battle royal to fill the final spot. He says a Superstar from RAW or SmackDown can compete.
* Jinder Mahal won a quick match over Ezekiel Jackson.
* Tamina and Alicia Fox beat Natalya and Beth Phoenix. The referee gets distracted by Natalya’s farting.
* Santino Marella won a battle royal to replace Randy Orton in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber on Sunday. The match came down to David Otunga, Ezekiel Jackson, Drew McIntyre and Santino. Santino got a big ovation from the crowd for his win.
— In early viewership numbers for Monday’s Raw SuperShow, the program averaged 4.1185 million viewers over the course of two hours. Last week’s show averaged 4.62 million viewers, resulting in a 3.25 cable rating. The prior week’s show garnered 5.22 million viewers with a 3.55 cable rating.
In a positive note, WWE reversed the long-standing trend of viewership sinking during the second hour. Monday’s show averaged 4.305 million viewers in the second hour compared to 3.932 million in the first.
— WWE.com has added Hunico’s low-rider bicycle rolling partner in crime Camacho to the SmackDown roster page. The son of former WWE star Haku debuted on the December 15, 2011 episode of WWE Superstars.
— Today marks the one-year anniversary of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s return to WWE and arrival on Twitter. Johnson, who has garnered over two million followers, writes of micro-blogging site, “A year ago today – 2/14/11. I joined Twitter. Inspiring & Relentless: #TeamBringItMillionsStrong.”
As if fans didn’t already have enough reasons to dislike John Cena, Monday’s RAW gave us what might be the best reason yet. Zack Ryder is still in bad shape from the attack he suffered at the hands of Kane weeks ago, wearing a neck brace and confined to a wheelchair. Despite his physical condition, Zack’s love for Eve brought him to RAW, where he planned to finally tell her how he feels. That’s where things started to head south for the Long Island native.
Check out the videos below and tell us what you feel about this shocking twist in the Ryder-Cena-Eve storyline. Do you think this ultimate betrayal will result in Zack Ryder turning heel?
One thing’s for sure .. Cena just took himself out of the running for the 2012 Slammy Award for “Friend of The Year” …
Zack Ryder tells John Cena he plans to profess his love to Eve:
John Cena Saves Eve from Kane and Gets A Nice Reward:
(The chance to stab his friend in the back)
Eve tells Zack Ryder she “Just Wants To Be Friends”
A Distraught Zack Ryder Gets Wheeled Off The Stage By Kane:
(Eve and Cena act concerned, like they give a shit)
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has declined an offer to star in the sequel to The Tooth Fairy. The film is now planned for a straight-to-video release with Larry The Cable Guy in a starring role.
Johnson has signed on for The Fast and The Furious 6, which is set for release next year.
— Lilian Garcia has released her latest single, Ur Girl (Til the End of the World) via iTunes. A preview of the song is available here.
The song is her entrance theme at WWE events.
— In a sign that WWE may continue offering their subscription video on demand television service, the official Twitter feed of WWE Classics On Demand says “Mean” Gene Okerlund is at their television studios today to film footage for the monthly Hall of Fame series that he hosts. Several episodes are filmed on taping days.
– Former WWE champion Alberto Del Rio was backstage at Monday’s RAW from San Diego, despite not appearing on television. Del Rio returned to WWE this weekend on the SmackDown brand’s live events from California, but competed in arm wrestling challenges with Sheamus because he’s not medically cleared to return to the ring.
– Video game publisher THQ is already doing motion capture work for the WWE ’13 video game, due out this fall.
Jim Ross noted on Twitter recently that he’ll be doing commentary with Jerry Lawler in the game, a welcomed change to last year’s Cole-Lawler team.
– WWE diva Tamina is now known as Tamina Snuka. She’ll get a shot at Beth Phoenix’s Divas championship this Sunday at Elimination Chamber.
— The Undertaker was shown cutting his hair during a vignette on Monday’s Raw SuperShow. The iconic wrestler shaved his head bald last year and appeared to don wear a wig for his return two weeks ago.
Regarding the Raw vignette, the official WWE website wrote, “Then, Undertaker appeared on the TitanTron, revealing a shocking moment, taking a razor to his hair and proclaiming “vengeance will be mine.”
— Tamina will be known as Tamina Snuka going forward. WWE is pushing her as the daughter of WWE Hall of Famer “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka.
— WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin is in Canada shooting scenes for the action film The Package. Dolph Lundgren co-stars.
— Jim Ross was spotted last night by the bench of the Oklahoma University women’s basketball team for their game against the Connecticut.
– WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels appeared on Raw and confronted his best friend Triple H over him rejecting The Undertaker’s Wrestlemania 28 challenge. Michaels read Triple H the riot act, explaining that where he’s from, if a man challenges you and you turn down the challenge, you are a coward. Michaels tweeted the following after RAW:
“Well, that was interesting!! Always a joy, no matter what happens, to get out I’m front of all of you. Tomorrow…back to my tractor:-) Thanks San Diego…and in my best Ron Burgundy voice…”Stay Classy San Diego.”
On Tuesday afternoon, HBK responded to a few more fan tweets regarding RAW. When one fan mentioned HBK’s “air guitar” that he did on RAW during Triple H’s entrance, HBK replied:
“I thought the camera would be on him…DOH!!:-)?
– Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio were backstage at Monday’s RAW from his hometown of San Diego, California. Neither man appeared on camera.
– There are reports going around that WWE has released a few people from the Consumer Products department last Friday. Jim Connely (Senior VP), Florence Digiorgio (VP), and Dean Miller (VP) are among the names that are rumored to be released. We will follow up on this story when new details become available.
Credit to Eric for the following TNA Impact Wrestling spoilers from Monday night’s tapings in Orlando. These will air this Thursday on Spike:
* World Champion Bobby Roode opens the show and has Christy Hemme re-introduce himself. Roode brags about Against All Odds until Sting comes out. Sting announces Roode vs. Jeff Hardy with the title on the line tonight. It will be No Time Limit and No DQ.
* Bobby Roode beat Jeff Hardy in the match to retain his title. The match went all over the Impact Zone. They fought back to the ring and Hardy was ready for the when when Kurt Angle came out. Angle laid Hardy out, letting Roode get the win.
* James Storm beat Bully Ray to become the new #1 contender to the World Title. Ray attacked Storm after the match until New York Giant Brandon Jacobs got in Ray’s face. Ray spat beer on him. Jacobs shoved Ray to the mat and agents had to come out and separate them.
* They re-taped the finish to the Hardy vs. Roode World Title match. Instead of Angle knocking Hardy off the top rope, this time he threw him into the steel steps so Roode could get the win.
* Zema Ion and Austin Aries beat Alex Shelley and Shannon Moore. They all fought after the match.
* Madison Rayne came out before the battle royal and put over Gail Kim. Madison then won the 10 Knockouts battle royal by last eliminating Velvet Sky. Madison had been sitting with Gail at ringside watching the match. It didn’t appear she was in the match and Gail got upset after she won it and the title shot.
* Sting calls Bobby Roode to the ring. Sting announces Roode vs. James Storm with the World Title on the line. Roode hits Sting with a low blow and beats him up with the World Title.
* Eric Bischoff, Ric Flair, Gunner and a random woman come to the ring for a victory celebration. They talk about taking out Garett Bischoff at Against All Odds. Eric talks a bunch of trash about his son and acknowledges that he isn’t here tonight. Eric tells Garett to think twice about getting involved in the wrestling business ever again.
— The official website of the Hampton Coliseum is advertising the Tuesday, April 10, 2012 SmackDown show as a live broadcast.
Advertised for the live audience is Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show in a No Disqualification and No Count Out Match for the World Heavyweight Championship and Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett in a Street Fight Match.
— Many people within WWE expect Wes Brisco to be offered a contract “sooner or later” since his father (Gerald Brisco) and girlfriend are employed to the company, reports the Wrestling Globe Newsletter. He was released from his developmental contract in June.
— The May 1, 2012 SmackDown taping will be held at the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio.
— Tommy Dreamer turns 41 years old Tuesday while Nelson Frazier (a/k/a Viscera, Big Daddy V) turns 40.
— During tonight’s Raw SuperShow broadcast in the Philadelphia area, WWE advertised The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels for the March 19 Raw emanating from the Wells Fargo Center. The advertised main event is WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler.
The Undertaker is also advertised to appear on the following Raw shows: February 20; March 5; March 12. Michaels is scheduled for the March 5 and March 12 shows.
Nikki and Brie write, “On Valentine’s Day we will pick the best poem and the winner will receive our silver sparkly bikini’s that we are wearing on the front of our website. Please submit to nicoleandbrianna@gmail.com.”
— A Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan rematch was announced for Friday’s SmackDown. The show tapes Tuesday night from Fresno, California.
— Friday’s SmackDown drew a 2.17 rating with 3,261,000 viewers. (Source: pwinsider)
— WWE Hall of Fame diva Tammy “Sunny” Sytch recently did a school girl photo shoot with longtime wrestling photographer Bob Mulrenin at HeymanHustle.com.
— The Undertaker is currently not scheduled for any WWE live events or any SmackDown TV tapings. The Dead Man is expected to make appearances on RAW in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 28.
— Matches taped Monday night at the Valley View Casino in San Diego, California are as follows:
* WWE United States Champion Jack Swagger vs. Mason Ryan
* Alex Riley and Santino Marella vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Epico and Primo (with Rosa Mendes)
Swagger’s match against Ryan is his third consecutive week on Superstars.
— Former WWE developmental talent Wes Brisco and independent wrestler J.D. Maverick were cast by the Alexa Modeling Agency for a financial intuition national television commercial being shot today and tomorrow.
— WWE has published the third episode of WWE Download. The synopsis reads: “Dolph Ziggler shares his hilarious insight on YouTube’s finest videos. Picking apart the digital disasters from an array of tools and fools who provide countless head-spinning moments for the world to share.”
WWE.com removed Kevin Nash’s profile from the Raw roster page and placed it in the Alumni section.
Nash has not appeared for WWE since losing to Triple H in a Ladder Match at the December pay-per-view TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs. He succumbed to The Game after taking a sledgehammer shot to the face. The legendary grappler went on Twitter to comment on his immediate future.
“Punk, Cena got Raw covered. While I have my couch covered. My 15 year old so needs a Dad way more than RAW needs big sexy,” he tweeted late Sunday night.
Nash added that he is doing things on his terms and that he has not retired from professional wrestling. He later became agitated when a Twitter user said he could return to “second rate” wrestling organization TNA since he’s “past it now.”
Nash responded, “Don’t remember working you, past what? Oh shit sorry you think it’s real…yeah my fastball lost a little zip you fuckin MARK.”
He then wrote the following to another Twitter user who said “Triple Sucks” will lose to The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVIII and thus retire forever.
“YOU do know this shit is FAKE right? HHH could beat him if he was the person you think. Paul will do whats right.”
— Shawn Michaels returns to Raw tonight as a guest of Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis, and according to “Mr. Excitement” via WWE.com, the WWE Hall of Famer is coming with a message for Triple H.
WWE.com states in an article: “Although the WWE Universe remains in the dark as far as what Michaels will tell The Game, the timing of his arrival is conspicuous, coming as Triple H wards off The Undertaker’s challenge for a WrestleMania rematch. Given the volumes of history shared by these three Superstars, it would make sense for The Showstopper’s words of advice to pertain to his friend’s involvement with The Phenom, and his legendary WrestleMania Streak.”
— GulfNews.com has published an article on WWE’s debut at the United Arab Emirates last week. The company plans to tour the country once per year going forward.
— The February 21 WWE SuperSmackDown Live special will air live in Canada on The Score at 8:00 p.m.
