— Former Dragon Gate USA star Brodie Lee has reportedly signed a developmental deal with WWE, according to PWTorch.com. Lee is nearly 7 feet tall.
— There continues to be a lot of speculation regarding The Miz’s role at WrestleMania 28. Miz, who successfully defended the WWE title against John Cena in the main event of last year’s show, is rumored to be involved in this year’s Rock vs. Cena match in some capacity. WWE is said to have a storyline ready for The Miz after WrestleMania and his recent losing streak is part of the buildup to that angle.
— Former ROH star Chris Hero, now known as Kassius Ohno, made his debut on Florida Championship Wrestling television this weekend:
– Could Mark Henry be heading to Raw? The official website of the Thompson-Boling Arena is advertising the SmackDown star vs. John Cena in a Special Challenge Match for a Raw live event taking place at the venue on May 5. All other talent advertised for the show are members of the Raw roster. A Triple Threat Match featuring Alberto Del Rio, CM Punk and Chris Jericho is also scheduled.
– Former WWE star Billy Gunn celebrated one year of sobriety last week. His wife wrote Saturday on his Twitter account:
“*HACKED BY YOUR WIFE* Congrats on your ONE YEAR Sobriety! One day and one step at a time! you got this baby!! love you!”
Gunn, whose real name is Monty Sopp, has admitted to drug use in interviews. His lengthy tenure with WWE ended in 2004 following a visit to a rehabilitation facility.
– Seldom seen Raw Superstar JTG is on the road this week with WWE. He did job duty to Ryback (a/k/a Skip Sheffield) at Raw live events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
— Jim Ross says it’s ‘100 percent rumor’ that he will be handling announcing duties for the Hell in a Cell Match between The Undertaker and Triple H at WrestleMania XXVIII. The WWE Hall of Famer responded to a message on Twitter stating that Undertaker wanted him to call his match.
— Video has surfaced of Balls Mahoney vomiting after being hit in the head with a chair by Marty Jannetty during a match at Friday’s Pro Wrestling Syndicate Super Card 2012 event in Rahway, New Jersey.
— The Insider recently aired a “Five Things You Didn’t Know” segment about actor Sacha Baron Cohen and it was noted that he’s a huge wrestling fan and who is friends with John Cena.
Dolph Ziggler appeared on sportstalkNETWORK to discuss tonight’s Raw SuperShow in Cleveland, hosting WWE Download, Vickie Guerrero, The Rock returning to WWE and more. Highlights are as follows:
Being a WWE Superstar: “I’m never truly satisfied with anything and I never will be and that’s why I’ve been lucky to get this far but it is everything and even more… our roster and even guys not even on the main roster work so hard tirelessly to put on a great show for the fans and it never ends and there’s no off-season.”
If there is competitive rivalry between he and The Miz since they both hail from Ohio: “Absolutely and we love it! We’re buddies but we also bust each others chops and we push each other as much as we can. We both want to be ‘the next guy’.”
Backstage resentment of The Rock being in the main event at WrestleMania XXVIII: “I’m going to take advantage of that one way or the other and get some eyes on us that we normally wouldn’t have – we’re going to stretch out to different genres and different age groups of people who have seen The Rock in the movies or Disney and they don’t know what it’s like to see a WWE show and their going to see the greatest show and the biggest WrestleMania of all time. So I see that as a positive – as an opportunity – The Rock is coming back and give us somewhat of a rub and more eyes are going to see me steal the show at WrestleMania in Miami on April 1st.”
– Shawn Michaels flew out to California over the weekend to tape footage for WWE’s Legends House reality show. According to sources involved in the show’s production, Michaels took the legends fishing and had dinner with them.
– Add Mick Foley to the list of WWE personalities who think there is legit heat between WrestleMania 28 opponents The Rock and John Cena. Foley tweeted over the weekend:
“I believe there has been genuine tension between @JohnCena and @TheRock for a long time. #anythingcouldhappen“
– Randy Orton mentioned on that he has a new movie role coming up in the near future.
– On Friday’s SmackDown, guest General Manager John Laurinaitis booked Drew McIntyre in a match against Hornswoggle to get his job back. McIntyre won the match and Laurinaitis reinstated him as an active member of the SmackDown roster.
– The Insider recently featured a segment revealing “5 things you didn’t know” about actor Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat, The Dictator). For those who don’t know, Cohen is a huge pro wrestling fan and is good friends with John Cena.
– The New York Post reports 2005 Divas Search semi-finalist Jaynie Baker is the alleged partner of accused NYC “millionaire madam” Anna Gristina.
Baker is accused of helping run a millionaires-only prostitution ring and could be turning herself in to police as soon as this week.
On Monday morning, WWE’s Board of Directors announced that WrestleMania 28 will feature a “Team Laurinaitis vs. Team Long” 12-man tag match – with the winning GM getting control of both brands.
Participants for both teams will be announced in the coming weeks, but here’s what we’re hearing for the two teams.
Team Laurinatis: Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, David Otunga, Christian, Mark Henry & Alberto Del Rio
Team Long: Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, Ezekiel Jackson, Santino, Great Khali & One more participant.
The final participant of Team Long could be Evan Bourne or Rey Mysterio (if he’s medically cleared to return).
– WWE.com now lists Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson as a member of the Raw roster.
– Tyler Reks, who largely appears on NXT, was asked to give his thoughts on his current position in WWE:
“I’d always like to be higher on the card, but where I am now gives me an opportunity to hone in my character and skills.”
– WrestlingFigs.com reports Ted DiBiase and Rosa Mendes will appear at Walmart 19501 NW 27th Ave. Miami Gardens, Florida on March 28 beginning at 6:00 p.m. Call 305-622-6664 for more information.
– On this week’s edition of WWE Download, Dolph Ziggler strongly endorses the necessity of wearing a bike helmet:
Tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow will take place from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.
The Rock and John Cena will continue their feud, with a special “Rock Concert” from The Rock and John Cena rapping.
The Undertaker will also be in Cleveland to confront the referee of his Hell in a Cell match at WrestleMania, Shawn Michaels.
Triple H is also being advertised to appear tonight.
Actor James Roday of the USA Network’s hit series Psych will be tonight’s special guest star.
On Monday morning, WWE’s Board of Directors issued a statement to WWE.com officially announcing Team Laurinaitis vs. Team Long at WrestleMania. The first participants for the 12-man tag match are expected to be announced for tonight.
SmackDown talent and Brodus Clay are also being advertised for tonight.
The dark match main event will see Chris Jericho and Kane vs. CM Punk and John Cena.
A “memo” from the WWE Board of Directors was posted on the official WWE website officially confirming a rumored Wrestlemania 28 match.
Team Laurinaitis vs. Team Long has been signed – with each respective general manager having 6 of his brand’s top stars battling it out – with the winning General Manager gaining control of both RAW and SmackDown.
The participants will be announced over the next few weeks, starting tonight on RAW.
— WWE has announced that they will be offering pay-per-view streaming on the iPhone and iPad beginning with WrestleMania XXVIII.
“Attention, iPad and iPhone users! Coming soon, WWE pay-per-view streaming will be available for purchase online – just in time for WrestleMania XXVIII,” WWE states. “You can reserve your spot now by visiting https://www.wwe.com/ppv or https://www.wwe.com/shows/howtowatch using your Mac or PC. Check back soon for updates on streaming to your iOS device for The Biggest Spectacle of Them All, WrestleMania, on April 1.”
— The Bella Twins and Alicia Fox will appear on the syndicated entertainment news program Extra on Monday. The WWE Divas were filmed last Thursday at The Grove in Los Angeles chatting with Maria Menounos.
— Jerry “The King” Lawler will appear at the Salem Red Sox game taking place on July 28 at LewisGale Field 1004 Texas St. Salem, Virginia.
– Seth Rollins, a WWE developmental wrestler, challenged Cody Rhodes for the Intercontinental Championship at Sunday’s SmackDown live event in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It was a back and forth match which concluded with Rhodes hitting Cross Rhodes on Rollins for the pinfall victory.
Rollins is touring with the SmackDown roster this week. He beat Drew McIntyre the previous night in East Lansing, Michigan.
– Chris Jericho stated on Twitter that his light-up jacket malfunctioned at Sunday’s Raw live event in Buffalo, New York. He wrote,
“Great show and crowd in Buffalo tonight! No casualties either…except for my jacket. Time to call in the electronic pit crew at #raw….”
– Former WWE manager Paul Bearer has been announced to appear at Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, which takes place June 1-3 at Pennsylvania Convention Center 1101 Arch St. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is being advertised under his real name, Bill Moody.
– Former WWE Champion Ultimate Warrior asked his Twitter followers on Sunday to name their favorite Ultimate Warrior moment at WrestleMania. WWE Champion CM Punk took part in the session and answered “Warrior vs Savage.”
– Madusa, who formerly competed for WWE as Alundra Blayze, revealed Saturday on Facebook that she was recently contacted by her former employer. Regarding this, both F4WOnline.com and PWInsider.com speculate that she was among the huge number of former talent invited to take part in interviews for upcoming WWE Network features. WWE will be filming several interviews in the week leading up to WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami, Florida.
– Former WWE Champion Ultimate Warrior asked his Twitter followers on Sunday to name their favorite Ultimate Warrior moment at WrestleMania. WWE Champion CM Punk took part in the session and answered “Warrior vs Savage.”
– Reports of Hunico appearing in place of Epico as Primo’s tag team partner at Friday’s Raw live event at Toronto’s Ricoh Coliseum are incorrect as SLAM! Wrestling published photos of Epico at the show.
– Two-time WWE Cruiserweight Champion Nunzio turns 40 years old Monday while former WWE Diva Nidia turns 33.
– The newly launched WWE.com features an updated 2012 pay-per-view event schedule and No Way Out is listed as taking place before SummerSlam. The event will take place on July 15 at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. Money In The Bank was scheduled for that night but it will instead take place on June 18 at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
– The April 2012 issue of WWE Magazine is the “ultimate guide” to WrestleMania XXVIII and features John Cena, CM Punk, The Undertaker, Randy Orton and Sheamus on the cover. The photo used for The Undertaker is two to three years old.
– WWE.com has updated their profile on Brodus Clay’s dancer Naomi with all new pictures. However, she, nor Cameron Lynn, are listed as members of either Raw or SmackDown.
– The term “#NewWWEcom” was a trending topic on Twitter shortly after the relaunch of WWE.com on Sunday.
– WWE Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan will appear at the July 27 Frederick Keys game taking place at Harry Grove Stadium 21 Stadium Dr. Frederick, Maryland. Details are available here.
— WWE relaunched WWE.com on Sunday. Among the numerous features is a revamped Superstars section and a Classics section dedicated to the history of WWE, WCW and ECW.
The latest redesign had been planned for several months, to coincide with WrestleMania season. However, some company employees are not fond of the project due to the high cost and the fact that it was redesigned just a year ago.
— GameBandits.com has published an article on former WWE talent Angela Fong (a/k/a Savannah) and Harry Smith (a/k/a David Hart Smith) providing motion capture character portrayal for THQ’s WWE ’13 video game. Sean Morley (a/k/a Val Venis) and Cassidy Riley have also motion capture action.
— WWEShop.com has released a Wrestlemania XXVIII Cena vs. Rock Augmented Reality Adult T-Shirt.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. In this entry, JR talks about Monday’s RAW, the build to WrestleMania 28, NFL star Peyton Manning’s future, women’s MMA & more. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:
Why do indy wrestlers signed by WWE go to FCW even though they are not officially ‘rookies?’ “To essentially go through orientation on a variety of matters plus, as a rule, everyone’s work needs to be tweaked to some degree. Being successful in the independent scene certainly helps one’s career, w/o fail, but that alone doesn’t make one a ready to go fit for WWE.”
What will it take to get Warrior in the WWE HOF? “I don’t know but I know that attempting to barter additional video projects such as a DVD, etc likely won’t get it done. I’m not in that loop, luckily, but basic, logical communication usually works best. No one I know has ever argued that Warrior isn’t deserving. Personally, I have no issue with his outspoken personality as it is Warrior being Warrior and exercising his First Amendment rights.”
Would I like to see @steveaustinBSR have one last match at a future Wrestlemania? “As a fan, “Oh Hell, Yeah!” But that’s a decision that’s completely Steve’s. Just an assumption but if it is going to happen, one wold think it would be at WM29 OR would he wait until the historic WM30? Personally, I can’t see the Texas Rattlesnake doing multiple matches but who knows?”
As always, you can check out JR’s amazing line of BBQ products at WWEShop.com.
— Madusa, who formerly competed for WWE as Alundra Blayze, revealed Saturday on Facebook that she was recently contacted by her former employer. However, she would not disclose further details.
“Just want to let you all know I am NOT at the wrestle reunion in Miami or Canada. just to set the record straight! However…. did receive a call from WWE…… :) and thats all i am say’n!!”
Madusa is still in possession of the Women’s Championship she infamously dumped in a trash can on a 1995 episode of WCW Monday Nitro after defecting from the promotion. Through social media, she has been angling for a match with WWE where she would defend the title against reigning Divas Champion Beth Phoenix.
— April programming for WWE Classics On Demand will highlight Superstars and matches of the atypical variety. The synopsis reads: “All April, go “Over the Top” with WWE Classics On Demand as unusual Superstars and out of the ordinary matches are featured.”
— Former WWE Superstar Kevin Nash appears at Pro Wrestling World 1901 S. 12th St. Allentown, Pennsylvania on May 5 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
— WWE developmental wrestler Seth Rollins defeated Drew McIntyre at Saturday’s SmackDown live event in East Lansing, Michigan. He previously toured with the main roster in late December as he beat Tyson Kidd in singles matches at three consecutive SmackDown live events.
— Mick Foley commented on the reaction to his public concern for WWE’s on-screen treatment of Eve.
“Not everyone agreed with my comments, but from time to time I feel like a should add my voice to certain subjects,” he tweeted.
Foley wrote this week that WWE is sending a “mixed message” with the name-calling toward Eve since it contradicts their anti-bullying campaign ‘be a STAR’ and John Cena’s motto to “Rise Above Hate.”
– WWE developmental wrestler Seth Rollins (formerly Tyler Black in ROH) appears to be going on the road this weekend with WWE for the SmackDown’s live events in Michigan. He tweeted on Friday:
“I hear Michigan is nice this time of year…”
In recent weeks, WWE has been taking one or two top FCW wrestlers on the road to give them experience traveling with the WWE crew and being in the locker room with the main roster.
– WWE officials have reportedly been very impressed with Dolph Ziggler’s WWE Download Youtube show.
– During last night’s event in Toronto, WWE held a special promotion during intermission where fans that purchased Dolph Ziggler’s new T-shirt were able to meet him for a quick signing before the second half of the show started. TNA does this regularly at their house shows, offering special merchandise “deals” that include a signing session.
– The referee who officiated Eve’s match against Alicia Fox on Monday’s Raw SuperShow is Brian Nguyen. He has officiated in Florida Championship Wrestling for the past two years as Ryan Tran.
– WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart will appear Wilmington Blue Rocks game in Wilmington, Delaware on June 14, 2012. Details are available here.
– In Friday’s birthdays, Melina Perez turned 33 years old, Rick Steiner turned 52 years old and Nikita Koloff turned 53 years old.
– On this week’s webisode of Foreign Exchange, Santino Marella patrols the Texas border, rounding up WWE’s international Superstars including Natalya, Primo and Ricardo Rodriguez.
During a recent interview with Extreme Pro Wrestling Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Road Warrior Animal discussed Sting’s status as an icon and his pick for the best singles worker of all time. Here’s what Animal said about:
Teaming with Sting: “The NWA was looking for a spot for Sting and I said make him a brother in paint and then Sting joined us (Road Warriors) in our six-man matches.”
Whether Sting Is An icon: “No! Sting is not in the same league as guys like Triple H, Stone Cold, The Rock. Sting will never be considered a legend or icon until he lets his pride go and joins WWE. He needs to bury his personal issues and just get into the WWE. Sting has to come over to the WWE to be that guy, it’s a bigger stage. Impact is one thing, the WWE is a way bigger thing.”
The Best Singles Wrestler Of All Time: “Easily, [Ric] Flair.”
– Psych star James Roday will be guest starring on Monday’s RAW to promote The Miz’s appearance on Psych this Wednesday. This is how the upcoming episode for Wednesday is being promoted:
“Mike “The Miz” Mizanin guest stars on PSYCH next Wednesday in “Shawn and the Real Girl.” Shawn (Roday) and Gus (Dulé Hill) go undercover to investigate the attempted murder of a contestant on a reality show called, “Missed Connections,” a Bachelorette-type dating show where eligible men compete for the affections of a woman each contestant has crossed paths with in the past but has never actually met. Guest stars also include Greg Grunberg, Wayne Brady and Lindsay Sloane.”
– “Ryback” Skip Sheffield continues to rack up wins at WWE live events, defeating JTG at Friday night’s live event from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. He’s expected to get called up to the main roster soon.
– Here’s the latest SmackDown Backstage Fallout video featuring interviews with The Miz, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger and Vickie Guerrero.
Ted DiBiase was injured at Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings in a match with Jinder Mahal that was taped for Superstars. After initial reports that DiBiase had broken his ankle, the WWE website reported that DiBiase suffered a “Grade 2 tear [on a 3-tier scale] to his deltoid ligament, and he also sustained a calcaneal fracture, or a heel bone fracture.” The report stated that he will be out of action for several weeks.
DiBiase underwent an MRI on Thursday to determine the severity of the fractured ankle and tweeted the following on Thursday evening:
“Update: torn ligament and small break, but NO torn tendon which means no surgery! Again, thank you all for your encouragement!!”
Despite that good news, DiBiase has decided to undergo surgery anyways, but no on his ankle. DiBiase tweeted on Friday:
“Well, looks like I’m going under the knife after all. It’s not my ankle, it’s my shoulder. I’ve been working through a lot of pain for the past year. Since I’m down with the ankle, I’m going going to go ahead and fix the shoulder. And I’m coming back #CountryStrong!!
Here is video of this week’s WWE Superstars show. The DiBiase vs. Mahal match begins around the 17-minute mark. It’s unclear at exactly what point during the match the injury took place: