– The Rock announced on Twitter that he is shooting a video package that will be used in the opening of Sunday’s NFL playoff game between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers:
“Shooting the #ElectrifyingIntro for @NFLonFOX Packers/Giants this Sunday. #RoadToTheLombardi”
– ESPN.com has picked up the story of John Cena working with Post Cereals to appear on the box of Fruity Pebbles. Cena is quoted in the article, saying:
“It’s great when you can take a negative like the Rock’s comments and turn it into a chance to be a box of cereal. Only in the WWE can that happen.”
– Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the new Scorpion King 3 DVD co-starring former WWE star Batista:
– Former WWF champion Yokozuna will be announced for the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame class, according to a report on Wrestlezone.com. Yokozuna, who passed away back in 2000 at age 34, was related to WrestleMania main eventer The Rock.
– There continues to be a lot of talk about WWE holding WrestleMania 29 at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas, Texas.
– Former WWE/WCW wrestler Diamond Dallas Page says his DDP Yoga program helped Chris Jericho get into the physical shape required for him to make a return to WWE.
DDP told Steven Muehlhausen of The Fight Club Chicago radio show this week:
“Jericho gave a testimony saying, ‘DDP Yoga changed my life,’ after one of our workouts. [Doctors] said Chris Jericho had a herniated L4 and he was done and he came back with my workout… He did not think he was going to be able to come back. Within two weeks, he was already feeling, ‘Wait a minute, I think I’m gonna be able to do this.’”
DDP says Jericho is now “completely pain free” and several other members of the WWE locker room (including Santino) want to try his yoga program. He also mentioned that he recently signed a WWE Legends contract.
Edge® and the Four Horsemen to Enter WWE Hall of Fame
STAMFORD, Conn.– WWE® announced today that Edge and the Four Horsemen will be among the 2012 class of inductees into the WWE Hall of Fame. The ceremony will take place Saturday, March 31 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, the evening before WrestleMania® XXVIII.
Throughout his storied career, Edge, known as the “Rated-R Superstar™,” held every major title in WWE. He is a former WWE Champion, World Heavyweight Champion, Tag Team Champion and King of the Ring®. His final match took place at last year’s WrestleMania in Atlanta, where he defeated Alberto Del Rio™ to retain the World Heavyweight Championship in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 71,000 fans. One week later, in an emotional speech on Monday Night Raw®, Edge was forced to retire due to a neck injury. Outside the ring, Edge is a New York Times bestselling author.
The Four Horsemen, consisting of Ric Flair, Arn Anderson™, Tully Blanchard™, Barry Windham™ and manager J.J. Dillon, were the most dominant group of the National Wrestling Alliance (NWA) in the 1980s, transcending the world of sports entertainment into all avenues of pop culture. This grouping was the first of its kind, paving the way for the likes of the NWO®, Evolution® and DX®. While the Four Horsemen would undergo many transformations over the years, none would ever be as paramount as Flair, Anderson, Blanchard, Windham and Dillon.
Additional inductees will be announced on WWE programming over the coming weeks.
Tickets for the 2012 Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony go on sale this Saturday, January 14 at 10 AM ET and will be available through the AmericanAirlines Arena box office, www.ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets or by calling Ticketmaster Charge By Phone at 1-800-745-3000.
– Brodus Clay was interviewed backstage after RAW after making his debut as the Funkasaurus. Clay says despite his fun-loving demeanor and sweet ass dance moves, rest assured – the WWE locker room should take him seriously and if you have any questions about that, ask [what’s left of] Curt Hawkins. The video can be seen at WWE.com.
– WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is ironically featured in a new political ad attacking Presidential candidate Mitt Romney. McMahon, a staunch Republican, is featured in an ad by the Democratic National Committee mocking Mitt Romney’s gaffe from this week where he said he likes firing people. Not only are the McMahons both Republicans, but Linda publicly endorsed Mitt Romney for President and Vince McMahon donated $2,500 to Romney’s campaign back in November.
Footage of various television shows and movies are shown with people saying “You’re Fired” and Vince McMahon appears at the end, check it out here:
– On this day back in 1993, WWE Monday Night RAW debuted on the USA Network. The one-hour show featured The Undertaker defeating Damien Demento in the main event.
– Mick Foley’s appearance on Celebrity Wife Swap will air on Tuesday, January 24th at 9pm EST on ABC.
– Bret Hart congratulated Edge on his WWE Hall of Fame induction and says he hopes to be there for the ceremony. The Hitman wrote:
“Congrats to the inductees so far to the WWE HOF, esp. Edge. He’ll always be one of my crew & I hope 2 be there 2 shake his hand that night”
– Goldust noted on Twitter yesterday that WWE is seriously considering a match between he and brother Cody Rhodes for WrestleMania 28.
– Former WWE star David Hart Smith appeared on the Major League Wrestling podcast this week and had the following to say about his time with the company:
“We had a good title run with Tyson Kidd. I was kind of disheartened that more didn’t happen with my time in the company. I felt that i certainly had enough talent… It’s not exactly in my short-term plans to go back there. We’ll put the bookmark in this chapter read on and maybe go back to it sometime. It was definitely hot/cold with the company. When it was good it was good, and when it was bad it was like WWE isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.”
– Zack Ryder was “seriously injured” at the hands of Kane on RAW, according to a new storyline article on the WWE website.
Ryder is recovering from injuries and it’s unlikelyhe will be able to defend the United States Title on next week’s RAW.
Ryder will reportedly undergo “further evaluation” at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California before next week’s RAW.
– The backstage reaction to Brodus Clay’s debut was overall very positive. While many are taking a “wait and see” approach to how the character develops over the coming weeks,he got a lot of praise for pulling off the gimmick well and coming off as believable.
– Another moment that went over well at RAW was the announcement of Edge’s induction into the Hall of Fame. Edge is still very well liked in the WWE locker room and even though he will be the youngest person ever inducted, nobody was saying he doesn’t deserve it.
– WWE Tag Team champion Kofi Kingston noted that he was home for the first time on a Tuesday night in a long time so he and Evan Bourne won’t be in action together on this week’s SmackDown.
— Monday’s WWE RAW drew a 2.87 cable rating (4 million viewers), down from last week’s 3.1 cable rating (4.44 million viewers viewers).
Once again, the show lost viewership in the second hour. The hourly ratings were 2.96 in hour one and 2.77 in hour two, a loss of around 176,000 viewers.
The BCS Championship game on ESPN did a 16.22 cable rating (24.21 million viewers) – down 15% from last year’s BCS game. The game was a blowout, so it’s unlikely RAW’s second hour was affected by the competition.
— WWE taped the following matches Tuesday night from Loredo, TX for this week’s Superstars:
Credit to WrestlingINC.com and Tano Rodriguez for the following spoiler results from Tuesday’s WWE Smackdown taping from Laredo, TX:
* Daniel Bryan comes out and cuts a promo. He’s interrupted by Mark Henry, who says he’s banned from ringside but stated that he’ll get a title match next week.
* Justin Gabriel defeated Heath Slater.
Cody Rhodes cut a promo.
* Cody Rhodes defeated Ezekiel Jackson.
* Ted Dibiase defeated Drew McIntyre. Hunico did commentary during the match.
* Sheamus defeated Jinder Mahal.
* David Otunga defeated Santino Marella.
* Brodus Clay squashed Tyson Kidd.
* Tamina defeated Natalya.
* Wade Barrett cuts a promo. He will face Sheamus next week.
* The Big Show vs. Daniel Bryan w/ AJ. AJ took a bump from Show during the match and is stretchered out. The match is ruled a no contest.
Dark Match:
* Mark Henry called out the Big Show. Show laid out Henry with one punch and got the win.
— Randy Orton’s physical rehabilitation on his back appears to be going well, as the Orton family is headed on a vacation this week. Orton tweeted on Tuesday:
“Alanna’s passport just came so we are ready for our family vacation! Tomorrow we’re off to the Bahamas!!”
— Former WWE star Shane Helms underwent another surgery on this morning morning. Helms tweeted:
“Still groggy and can barely see the keyboard, but surgery was successful. On my way home now.”
Helms has undergone several surgeries since he was injured in a motorcycle accident on May 5, 2011 and noted on Twitter that he hopes today’s surgery is the final one. He stated in a recent interview with prowrestling.net that he plans to return to the ring later this year.
— As previously reported, FCW wrestler Calvin Raines made his WWE debut at Sunday’s SmackDown live event in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Raines partnered with Drew McIntyre in a tag team match against Ezekiel Jackson and Trent Barreta. Some background information on Raines, he is a former student at Team 3D’s wrestling academy. He was actually released at one point for showing up late to FCW events and getting new tattoo work without first getting clearance from WWE.
United States Senate candidate Linda McMahon is being accused of plagiarizing an op-ed piece that she ran last week on a Connecticut news site.
In the piece, which can be read at CTNewsJunkie.com, McMahon writes the following about of TransCanada’s pipeline:
“Keystone XL stands ready to put some 13,000 Americans to work to construct the actual pipeline. These would be pipefitters, welders, mechanics, electricians, and heavy equipment operators, among others.”
Compare McMahon’s quote to the following text from the TransCanada website:
“TransCanada is poised to put 13,000 Americans to work to construct the pipeline — pipefitters, welders, mechanics, electricians, heavy equipment operators, among other jobs.”
McMahon also wrote:
“Another 7,000 manufacturing jobs would be created across the U.S. What’s more, thousands of additional spin-off jobs likely would be created by the increased demand for local goods and services along the pipeline route.”
Compare that with what’s on the TransCanada site:
“… in addition to 7,000 manufacturing jobs that would be created across the U.S. Additionally, local businesses along the pipeline route will benefit from the 118,000 spin-off jobs Keystone XL will create through increased business for local goods and service providers.”
McMahon’s office on Tuesday defended the language:
“These are factual statements widely used by advocates for the Pipeline,” said McMahon spokeswoman Erin Isaac via email to HuffingtonPost.com. “In researching the project and arguments both for and against it, the most compelling language revolves around job creation. These stats are repeated by respected industry experts and across multiple sources including TransCanada’s website, which we should have cited in our piece. Ultimately, this project represents thousands of jobs and it remains unacceptable that this administration would continue to put up roadblocks when millions of Americans are still looking for work.”
— WWE.com has published a press release on John Cena’s partnership with Post Fruity Pebbles, which includes a collectable cereal box and an instant-win promotion awarding a VIP meet-and-greet with the talent.
“It is truly an honor to team up with Post Fruity Pebbles. After all, who doesn’t dream of being on a cereal box one day?” said Cena. “I am proud that the partnership also spreads awareness about the life-changing wishes granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and ‘be a STAR’s’ anti-bullying message of showing tolerance and respect.”
— Former WWE performer Shane Helms (a/k/a The Hurricane) stated on Twitter that he is undergoing foot surgery today. On May 5, 2011, Helms and his girlfriend were involved in a motorbike accident in North Carolina. Helms suffered a broken leg, ankle, jaw, and nose during the accident, as well as sustaining other fractures and receiving over 200 stitches, while his girlfriend sustained a broken neck.
— Matches taped Monday night in Corpus Christi, Texas for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows:
* Brie Bella vs. Kelly Kelly
* Evan Bourne vs. Michael McGillicutty
— Former WWE star Michael Tarver stated on Twitter that he has began training for a career in mixed martial arts.
— WWE will hold SmackDown live events at Jack Breslin Student Events Center in East Lansing, Michigan on March 10, 2012 and Wings Stadium in Kalamazoo, Michigan on March 11, 2012.
— Brodus Clay’s Raw SuperShow debut also marked as opponent Curt Hawkins’ first match on the program. The former WWE Tag Team Champion was drafted to Raw last April in the Supplemental Draft.
— Beth Phoenix tweeted the following regarding her status at Monday’s RAW:
“For those wondering I was backstage ready to walk out to face @EveMarieTorres on Raw last night when Kane’s entrance went off…there are few things quite like the aura and fear Kane’s brings. So if he wanted @EveMarieTorres I wasnt gonna get in the way. Sorry @ZackRyder.”
— Jim Ross answered more fan questions from Twitter on Tuesday. When asked how Flair can be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame (agian) as part of the Four Horsement, Ross responded:
“Easily. It would indirectly get TNA more publicity. Already has.”
Regarding the debut of the “Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay, Ross wrote:
“I’m a Brodus Clay fan. Been around long enough to not judge anything on its 1st appearance. He’s going to apparently be a fan fav. Relax.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross was asked on Twitter today whether he will be calling the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania 28 this year. JR responded @JRsBBQ:
“Not up to me. Im ready if called upon.”
– ESPN’s financial expert Michele Steele tweeted on Tuesday that John Cena was worth $106 million in retail value to WWE in 2011.
No further details were given to explain Cena’s direct impact on WWE’s business, but the figure likely includes John Cena merchandise and an estimate of Cena’s impact on PPV buyrates, live event ticket sales and ad revenue from WWE programming featuring Cena.
With that kind of money rolling in due to , its understandable how WWE would be hesitant turning him heel and disrupting a formula that is working very well.
– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown and NXT tapings will take place from the Laredo Energy Arena in Laredo, Texas. Confirmed for Friday’s SmackDown are:
No DQ / No Count Out Match: Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show for the World Heavyweight Title
Sheamus vs. Jinder Mahal
– Brodus Clay, Donny Marlow, Epico, Mason Ryan and AJ Lee have been removed from the FCW website’s roster and are now featured on the main WWE roster. Hunico’s enforcer Marlow, the son of WWE legend Haku, is now known as Comacho.
– WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper noted on Twitter that he’s headed to Hollywood to film “Breaking In” on FOX.
“I am on way to Hollywood to do a show called Breaking in! on Fox! Have not seen show, hear it’s a good one!! Do you know?”
Piper also wrote the following late last night, which fans have speculated was a dig at the WWE Hall of Fame videos from RAW:
“They sure throw out the legends word out and the Icon word. Seems like they call everyone that! But when things get HOT, those legends, gone”
Tim Tebow Cruisin' for an Ass Whoopin' From Stone Cold?
NFL quarterback Tim Tebow of the Denver Broncos has risen to national prominence in the United States over the past several months and is well known for his religious faith. Tebow, who has referenced the bible verse John 3:16 several times during interviews, has coined the phrase “Tebow 3:16” – a phrase wrestling fans might lead some wrestling fans to claim gimmick infringement on a certain Texas rattlesnake.
WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who quoted Austin 3:16 when delivering beatdowns to his opponents during his legendary WWE run, spoke to TMZ.com this week about Tebow using “3:16.” Austin says he wouldn’t mind passing down the “3:16” to Tim Tebow – on one condition. Austin told TMZ.com:
“Austin 3:16 still rules. If Tebow can throw for 316 yards again this weekend then hell, he can have the numbers and I’ll have no problem with it.”
“A guy named John was using it before me … so if Tebow can do it again, more power to him! I wish him all the luck in the world. I’m not a Denver fan but Tim’s a great role model for kids.”
2012 WWE Hall of Famer Edge spoke with Arda Ocal of The Score on Monday night. The full interview can be listened to at TheScore.com. Here are some highlights of what the Rated R Superstar said about:
His Hall of Fame Induction: “It seems a bit early for him to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, but he considers it a major accomplishment. He said WWE officials informed him that he is the youngest person to ever be inducted.
His Neck: His neck is doing well and he’s learning what bothers it and what doesn’t. Eventually he will have to get neck surgery and taking flights over 2 hours leave his neck sore the following day.
Edge says he hikes, bikes and plays records every day. He’s planning on appearing on the next season of the SyFy show Haven as well.
Regarding his upcoming WWE DVD, he picked the matches that would be featured on it and he’s very happy with the advance copy he saw.
— Edge stated during an interview with Aftermath on The Score Monday night that if the choice is his, Christian will induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame.
WWE announced during the first hour of Monday’s Raw SuperShow that Edge would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before WrestleMania XXVIII.
Meanwhile, Christian and Shawn Michaels went on Twitter to congratulate Edge for his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
“A gigantic, enormous congratulations to Edge on his Hall of Fame induction. Unbelievably well deserved & I could not be happier for him!!!” wrote Michaels, a fellow WWE Hall of Famer.
Christian added, “Edge… Hall Of Fame… No one deserves it more #YouThinkYouKnowMe.”
— Following Monday’s Raw SuperShow broadcast, Dolph Ziggler cut a promo in which he claimed to have beaten John Cena. Kane then appeared, prompting Ziggler to run off. CM Punk then appeared, but was attacked by Ziggler, Kane and Jack Swagger. Big Show came out to rescue Punk, and was followed by John Cena. Big Show, Punk and Cena all took turns hitting their respective finishers on Swagger.
— This week’s WWE Classics of Demands updates are as follows: Legends of Wrestling: Renegades and Outlaws, ECW (January 6, 1998), WWF Prime Time Wrestling (July 3, 1989), World Class Championship Wrestling (February 11, 1984).
— In today’s birthdays, Buff Bagwell turns 42 years old, Brian Christopher turns 40 and Colonel DeBeers turns 67.
Monday’s WWE RAW Supershow opens up with a look back at last week’s show where Kane came from under the ring to attack John Cena and Zack Ryder.
– And we’re live from the arena as pyro goes off and the lights go out. Kane’s music hits and out he comes to the ring.
Kane says he hears everyone questioning why he embraces hate. Kane says everyone is predictable and in denial. Kane starts talking about how everyone hates their wife, kids and jobs. Kane goes on and brings up John Cena. Kane says when the fans say Cena sucks, they’re really saying they suck. Kane brings up Zack Ryder now and says the fans made him a star but that proves nothing. Kane says he was seconds away from dragging Ryder to the depths of hell last week but Cena stopped that. All Cena did was delay the inevitable, Kane says. Kane always gets what he wants and he wants consequences. Consequences for refusing to embrace hate. John Cena’s music hits and out he comes.
Cena rushes down the ramp and they start brawling. They fight to the backstage area and Kane takes control until they take the fight outside. Cena goes down and comes back up but Kane is nowhere to be seen. We go to commercial with Cena looking around.
Santino Marella and Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett and Jinder Mahal
Barrett and Jinder keep control of the match early on, working Santino over and keeping him down on the mat. Sheamus finally gets the tag and comes in with forearms on Jinder. Sheamus with a splash in the corner and several shots to the chest. Sheamus slams Jinder and knocks Barrett to the floor.
Sheamus hits the Brogue kick on Jinder and lays him out. Santino gets the tag and puts the Cobra on. Santino hits Jinder with it and gets the pin for the win.
Winners: Sheamus and Santino Marella
– The Miz is backstage talking to John Laurinaitis about how unfair the R-Truth attacks have been. Laurinaitis says Miz brought this on himself. Miz wants a private security force protecting him at all times. Laurinaitis says Miz can find his own permission, he’s fine with that. Laurinaitis says he’s not little Jimmy, he’s big Johnny and laughs with David Otunga.
– Still to come tonight, CM Punk vs. Jack Swagger. Also, the first inductee into the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame. Back to commercial.
– WWE announces Edge for the 2012 Hall of Fame with a nice video package.
– We see The Miz backstage trying to talk Mason Ryan into protecting him but Ryan isn’t interested.
– Zack Ryder is on the phone with his dad, talking about being scared of Kane. Eve Torres walks up and he acts tough. Ryder flirts with Eve and wants a date. He wishes her good luck in her match with Beth Phoenix tonight and they walk off. Kane comes from behind a door and we see that he was listening the whole time. Back to commercial.
Kofi Kingston vs. Daniel Bryan
Back from commercial and out comes one-half of the WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston. The World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan is out next for this non-title match.
The bell rings and they lock up, trading holds. More back and forth and they trade pin attempts. Bryan comes off the top but lands on his feet. Kofi with an elbow and a crossbody from the top. Bryan catches the crossbody and applies the LaBell Lock. Kofi taps out for the quick win.
Winner: Daniel Bryan
– After the match, Bryan goes to ringside to celebrate with fans. Big Show comes out and is all smiles. Show goes to talk and Bryan cuts him off. Bryan says he hated how the World Title match ended on SmackDown when Mark Henry got involved. Bryan says the title is too prestigious for the match to end in a DQ. Bryan says he will give Show a World Title match whenever he wants. Show says Teddy Long agrees as well and the rematch will happen on SmackDown and it’s a No DQ, No Countout match. Show wishes Bryan good luck and they shake hands. Show exits the ring as Bryan looks on.
– Still to come tonight, Chris Jericho as well as CM Punk vs. Jack Swagger. We see a dressing room with Brodus Clay’s logo on it. Up next is his debut. Back to commercial.
Brodus Clay vs. Curt Hawkins
Back from the break and Brodus Clay gets a nice introduction from Justin Roberts. Clay is introduced as the Funkiest something. Disco music hits, two dancers come out and then Brodus Clay returns. Clay is dancing and dressed in an Adidas jumpsuit. Clay hits the ring with his dancers and they dance. Curt Hawkins looks on disapprovingly.
They lock up and Hawkins goes behind. Clay moves his hips around and Hawkins breaks the hold. Hawkins smacks Clay. Clay unloads and overpowers Hawkins. Clay hits a big overhead suplex and dances around. Clay hits a big splash in the corner and then a big splash in the middle of the ring for the win.
Winner: “The Funk-asaurus” Brodus Clay
– Zack Ryder is backstage talking to himself in the mirror, excited about getting a date with Eve. Ryder runs off scared about Kane being behind him.
– The Miz is talking with Primo, Epico and Rosa Mendes about protecting him but they aren’t interested either so they walk off. CM Punk walks by and laughs at Miz before heading to the ring. Back to commercial.
Jack Swagger vs. CM Punk
Back from the break and out comes Jack Swagger with Vickie Guerrero and Dolph Ziggler. WWE Champion CM Punk is out next to a nice pop from the crowd.
John Laurinaitis comes out and announces that if Punk wins tonight, Vickie and Swagger are banned from ringside for the Dolph vs. Punk match at the Rumble. Laurinaitis also announces Ziggler vs. John Cena for tonight. The bell rings and Punk locks up with Swagger. Swagger takes Punk down and works on the arm. They trade holds and go back to the ropes.
Swagger keeps in control of Punk in the corner. Punk breaks out and slams Swagger before going to the top. Punk calls for the big elbow drop but Swagger rolls out of the ring to re-group. Swagger comes back in and beats Punk down with forearms and right hands. Punk ducks a clothesline, and another, then hit a crossbody for 2. Punk with a high elbow and more right hands to the face. Swagger counters and applies the ankle lock. Punk kicks out of it but Swagger goes back to work on his knee. Swagger runs Punk over with a shoulder block and he goes down. Swagger with knees in the corner now. Swagger takes Punk back to the mat.
Punk tries to counter but Swagger rolls him up for 2. Swagger tosses Punk to the floor. Ziggler wanders over but Laurinaitis stops him from attacking. Punk comes back in and clotheslines Swagger out to the floor. Punk runs and dives through the ropes, taking Swagger out. Punk grabs Swagger and picks him up as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Swagger is in control. Swagger with a big slam and a 2 count. Punk finally fights back with kicks and a shot to the jaw. Punk with more offense and a big neckbreaker. Punk hits the high knee in the corner and goes for the bulldog but Swagger pushes him off and hits the Swagger Bomb for a 2 count. Swagger takes back control of the match and gets another 2 count. Punk slides out of the gutwrench powerbomb but Swagger blocks GTS. Swagger ducks a kick and hits a belly to belly on Punk for 2.
Swagger takes Punk to the top but Punk fights him off and headbutts him to the mat. Punk comes back and hits the big elbow from the top. It looks like Swagger kicks out at 2 but the referee calls for the bell. Even Punk and Cole thought Swagger kicked out.
Winner: CM Punk
– After the match, we see a replay and Swagger definitely kicked out.
– We get a replay of the Kane and Cena brawl from earlier. Cena is backstage talking with Zack Ryder now. Ryder is freaking out about everything. Cena brings up Ryder passing The Miz in Twitter followers this week. Cena tells Ryder to keep it together and walks off. Ryder keeps looking over his shoulder for Kane. Back to break we go.
– Back from the break and The Bella Twins are arguing backstage. Ricardo Rodriguez walks up and asks why they wanted him to come from Mexico. They want to tell Alberto Del Rio something but The Miz interrupts. He orders Ricardo to go to the ring and call out R-Truth. Miz wants Ricardo to say something offensive to draw out Truth and he will do the rest. Ricardo says that’s not going to happen. Miz threatens him. Ricardo asks The Bellas to join him in the ring and they say no before walking off. Miz orders Ricardo to the ring and he goes.
– WWE announces Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Barry Windham and Tully Blanchard as The Four Horsemen for the 2012 Hall of Fame with a nice video package.
– We go back to the arena and Ricardo Rodriguez is in the ring. He’s scared but starts firing off weak insults at R-Truth. Truth’s music hits and out he comes smiling.
Truth comes to the ring and doesn’t know why Ricardo would pick a fight with him. He says he’s a good R-Truth. Truth says asks the little Jimmys if he should let Ricardo go and they say no. Ricardo calls for Miz to come help him. Truth gets Ricardo to sing “La Cucaracha” and Ricardo really gets into it. Truth wants Ricardo to sing it again but he knocks the mic down. This angers Truth and he drops Ricardo with his finisher. The Miz rushes the ring and attacks from behind. Miz drops Truth and kicks him in the face. Miz with knees to the head now. Truth fights back and tackles him. Miz runs back through the crowd as Truth looks on from ringside.
– Still to come tonight, Cena vs. Ziggler. Up next, Chris Jericho is ready to talk. Back to commercial we go.
– Back from the break and Justin Roberts introduces Chris Jericho as the only man to ever beat Steve Austin and The Rock to become the first-ever Undisputed Champion. The lights go out and Jericho makes his way down to the ring.
Jericho hits the ring and gets the fans to pop. He goes back out to the floor and slaps hands with the fans around ringside, just like last week. Jericho goes back in the ring to soak up the love from the fans before taking a mic. His music stops and the crowd starts chanting Y2J. Jericho hits the turnbuckles to pose for the fans. Jericho asks himself “why?” as the crowd cheers for him.
Jericho acts like he’s going to start crying as the crowd continues to cheer. Jericho is doing a bad job of crying now as he sets the microphone down and his music plays. Jericho exits the ring, too overcome with emotions to speak. Jericho stops on the stage and shoots the crowd a thumbs up, all while still crying. Back to commercial.
Eve Torres vs. Kane
Eve Torres comes out for tonight’s Divas match. Justin Roberts announces her opponent and it’s…. Kane! Kane’s music hits and pyro goes off as Eve gets ready, going to the floor. Zack Ryder runs out and hurries Eve off to the back as Kane’s music continues to pay. They run out to the parking lot and Ryder puts Eve in a car. The tire is flat so Ryder has to change the tire. Ryder starts changing the tire as Eve is freaking out in the front seat.
– Up next, John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler in the main event.
– Back from the break and Ryder is still trying to change the tire.
Dolph Ziggler vs. John Cena
Dolph Ziggler is waiting in the ring as John Cena makes his entrance for the main event.
The bell rings and they lock up. Ziggler applies a headlock. Ziggler ducks two clotheslines and shows off a bit. They go at it again and Cena overpowers Ziggler. It doesn’t last long as Ziggler takes it to the corner and beats Cena down again. The match goes on until we see Kane attacking Zack Ryder on the big screen. Kane chokeslams Ryder off a ledge and onto a stack of pallets. Cena deals with Ziggler in the ring and rushes outside to the parking lot. Kane attacks Cena as he comes through the door. Kane lays Cena out with the move he’s been using. RAW goes off the air with Kane standing over Cena.
Following weeks of anticipation, Brodus Clay made his Raw SuperShow debut Monday night against Curt Hawkins. Accompanied by two dancers, “The Funkasaurus” danced his way to the ring and squashed Hawkins.
The two dancers with Clay were WWE developmental wrestlers Cameron Lynn and Naomi. Naomi finished second in the third season of NXT while Lynn, whose real name is Ariane Andrew, was the first contestant cut on last year’s Tough Enough series. Both performers appear for Florida Championship Wrestling.
Clay’s entrance theme was the music used by former WWE & WCW star Ernest “The Cat” Miller.
The term “Brodus” immediately trended worldwide on Twitter following Clay’s debut.
— Following Daniel Bryan’s victory over Kofi Kingston on Monday’s Raw SuperShow, the World Heavyweight Champion was encountered by Big Show. Bryan offered Show another opportunity for the World Title at any time. The World’s Largest Athlete revealed that SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long granted him a No Disqualification, No Count-out World Title rematch on Friday’s SmackDown.
— On Twitter, a fan wrote to Jim Ross with a message reading “Help Push Drew McIntyre.” The WWE Hall of Famer instead offered McIntyre advice.
Ross wrote, “Drew needs to push Drew. It’s a PROCESS.”
— Brutus Beefcake, Lanny Poffo and Larry Zbyszko have been announced for Wrestlereunion, which takes place January 27-29 at Westin Los Angeles Airport 5400 West Century Blvd. Los Angeles, California.
On Monday’s RAW, it was announced that former WWE superstar Edge and legendary stable The Four Horsemen will be part of the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2012.
Edge’s induction corresponds with the releases of his WWE Studios film, Breaking The Rules and a DVD set on his career.
The Four Horsemen as a group will be inducted into the 2012 Hall of Fame class from Miami, Florida. Ric Flair, Arn Anderson, Tully Blanchard and Barry Windham will be inducted as the group. No word yet if Flair will be there for the induction.
WWE will reportedly be pushing back the launch of the WWE Network several months to the fall, according to a report on PWInsider.com.
WWE had been planning to launch the WWE Network the day of WrestleMania 28, April 1st. However, the tremendous amount of work involved in creating a new television network from scratch as well as the issue of securing clearances from the big television carriers was too much to get done by 4/1.
WWE recently decided pushing the Network back several months would be their best chance for the Network to be a success.
Despite the delay, projects that were being produced will still go on as planned.