SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • Lilian Confirms Her Return, Bourne Returns, Big Show

    – Lilian Garcia confirmed on Monday night that she is indeed returning to WWE. She tweeted:

    “Yes! It’s true!! All happening so fast! I am returning to WWE as the SmackDown Announcer!! So excited!! And video trailer out tomro! Big wk”

    – WWE tag champion Evan Bourne returned to WWE television at Monday’s RAW from Tampa. Bourne wrestled before RAW in a match taped for Superstars and was shown briefly backstage during RAW. He missed 30-days after his first violation of the company Wellness Policy.

    – Big Show was reportedly not at RAW because because he was attending the American Country Awards in Las Vegas, which aired on FOX. Big Show did a comedy skit where he chokeslammed host Trace Adkins and then presented an award.

  • VIDEO: Week 3 of “It Begins” Promos – “Look With In”

    During Monday’s RAW, WWE briefly flashed the URL “Youtube.com/user/lookwithin2012” – which revealed the 3rd video in the “It Begins” Series. To view the first 2 videos in the series, click here.

  • Breaking News – Lilian Garcia Returning To WWE

    WWE.com announced Monday that former Raw ring announcer Lilian Garcia is returning to the organization.

    Returning to WWE full-time after a more than two-year hiatus, she will be SmackDown’s new ring announcer. It’s her first time joining WWE’s Friday night brand.

    “I am here to tell you that I am back baby! This is awesome. I am actually back in the WWE. I’m going to be announcing SmackDown full-time,” she tells WWE.com in an interview at tonight’s Raw SuperShow in Tampa, Florida.

    “I’ve been doing a lot, I got married since I left. I actually relocated from New York City to L.A. I have been recording—I’ve never stopped singing. I’ve been recording, got some new songs coming out, got a video coming out next week, so that’s exciting, I missed it though. No matter how much I did other things, I always missed this.

    “I’ve continuously watched it and there was a time there that it was hard for me to actually watch it—I did have to step away a little bit just because I missed it. I would it watch it, and nostalgia, and I’d tear up and I’m like, ‘No, you did the right thing, you did the right thing’ and then no matter how much I tried to step away from it, it always like draw you in (laughs). It gets in your blood!”

    She continues, “I’m excited about everything. I’m excited about singing again on the show, that’s going to be awesome, singing the national anthem again and every other opportunity that comes up with that. Oh my gosh, I miss the fans, so, so much. I miss you. And then the Superstars. Working with the Superstars was so incredible, I said it when I gave my goodbye speech, they are the best athletes in the world, so being back here, watching them, best seat in the house, is really terrific and it’s just so exciting and all the crew, everybody, behind the scenes, it’s just a great energy.”

    Video of Garcia discussing returning to WWE is available here.

  • Rollins & Ambrose Getting Called Up, Miz-conan, Windham

    – The Miz is scheduled to appear on Thursday night’s edition of Conan O’Brien’s late night TBS talk show to promote the upcoming “Tribute To The Troops” special. The Conan website previews The Mizs’ appearance:

    “The last time WWE Superstar The Miz came by, he gave Conan the nickname ‘The Ginja Ninja.’ We have a feeling our nickname would be “The Delicate Hypochondriac.” Which is not intimidating at ALL. Check out the actually-intimidating Miz in action on the WWE Tribute to the Troops special.”

    – To update the health status of Barry Windham, he’s said to be doing much better – but still has a long way to go before he gets back to 100%. Windham suffered a heart attack last month.

    – Maria Menounos, host of the celebrity news show “Extra,” tweeted the following about her her training for her celebrity bout at the WWE Tribute to the Troops taping next week in North Carolina:

    “Started training for WWE Thursday p.m. and a.m. So bruised and beaten up. Trained in an outdoor ring during our mini L.A. hurricane…Gotta work really hard if I’m going up against Beth Phoenix and the gang. Nervous…ok terrified…can’t turn back now, can I?… I went through the basics the other night – hip toss, arm drag. etc. Will learn more this week!”

     – Two of the top talents at WWE developmental are set to be evaluated by WWE producers, as FCW standouts Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) and Seth Rollins (Tyler Black) will be appearing at live WWE events later this month.

    Check out this match between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins from the September 18th episode of FCW television – an FCW 15 Championship Match with a 30 minutes time limit.

    (Partial source: pwinsider.com)

  • RAW Supershow Preview: TLC Hype, Cena Wants The Title

    Tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow takes place from Tampa, Florida at the St. Petersburg Times Forum.

    Triple H was previously advertised for tonight’s RAW, but his name was pulled from the arena website – so take that for what it is.

    No matches have been announced for the show as of Monday morning, however we reported earlier today that John Cena is vowing to recapture the WWE championship tonight.

    WWE’s upcoming Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view is less than 2 weeks away – and we’ve yet to hear anything about the event on WWE television thus far – maybe, just maybe, they’ll start promoting that show tonight.

    Smackdown talent advertised for RAW includes Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Big Show, Cody Rhodes, Christian, Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, and Hunico.

    The advertised dark matches for tonight’s Raw show are C.M. Punk vs. John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship, and a 41-man battle royal featuring wrestlers from both brands.

  • Major Update On The WWE Network (Launch Date & Much More)

    WWE Network

    The Sports Business Daily Journal published an article on Monday that includes many new details on the upcoming WWE Network, including a firm launch date, the scope of the channel’s distribution at launch lots more. Here are some highlights of what we now know:

    – WWE is looking to launch the Network on April 1st, 2012 – the day of the company’s biggest pay-per-view of the year, WrestleMania XXVIII.

    – WWE executives have told cable and satellite operators that it is expecting to reach 40 million homes at launch – a huge number for an upstart network.

    – Comcast executives are representing WWE in its negotiations to get picked up by the nations other top providers, including Time Warner Cable, Cox and Bright House Networks.

    – WWE also expanded its programming search beyond wrestling, which their sources indicated could include some professional team sports.

    – WWE has leased space in South Norwalk, Connecticut (close to the company’s headquarters in Stanford) dedicated to the Network.  WWE has not yet named a President of the WWE Network, although it’s said they are looking for somebody with reality-show experience. WWE has retained Sucherman Consulting Group to hire 200 employees to staff the network.

    – WWE’s Chief Marketing Officer, Michelle Wilson is overseeing the launch of the Network.

    – The article states that “most, if not all” of WWE’s annual 13 pay-per-view events would migrate to the WWE Network. Early surveys by WWE indicated that the “Big 4” traditional shows (WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Survivor Series & the Royal Rumble) would air exclusively on the Network. Later, another survey indicated WWE had changed their mind on that plan and would have the “Big 4” remain on pay-per-view – with the other “off-brand” shows airing on the Network.

    For much more on the upcoming WWE Network, check out our WWE Network News Page and SportsBusinessDaily.com.

  • Ticket Info For Elimination Chamber, Harry Smith On Twitter

    — Tickets for the WWE’s third annual Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event go on sale Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. via Ticketmaster. Prices are set $20, $40, $70, $90 and $250.

    Elimination Chamber takes place February 19, 2012 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

    — Former WWE talent Harry Smith (a/k/a David Hart Smith) has changed his Twitter handle to @Brakuss. He is also referring to himself as “Brakuss” on the account.

    — Click here for photos of former WWE Diva turned MoreHorror correspondent Shelly Martinez at Dark Delicacies in Burbank, California. She also attended yesterday’s NWA Hollywood event and tweeted “I freakin love wrestling!!”

    — Konnan and Raven have been added to WrestleReunion, which takes place January 27-29, 2012 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport 5400 West Century Blvd. Los Angeles, California.

  • Hot New Pictures Of Rosa Mendes At The Gym

    WWE diva Rosa Mendes tweeted these new pictures of herself at the gym:

  • J.R. Not Interested In Seeing Benoit Film, Masters On Facebook

    — Jim Ross says he has no interest in seeing the final days of Chris Benoit re-told in a new big screen ‘biographical thriller’, entitled Crossface. When asked for comment on the upcoming movie, he tweeted:

    “No thoughts…no interest…too sad.”

    When further pressed about the issue, Ross wrote:

    “I was asked my opinion re: potential Beniot movie. I gave my opinion, did ‘man’ up. Have no interest reliving the tragedy. I lost 3 friends.”

    As we reported over the weekend, SRG Films announced Saturday formal plans to produce a film based on the life of the deceased former wrestler, which will be adapted from Matthew Randazzo’s book Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit and the Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry. Production is tentatively scheduled to begin next fall.

    — Former WWE star Chris Masters is now on Facebook. He tweeted,

    “Be sure to check out my FB page. Lots of updates! Christopher Mordetzky.”

  • John Cena Says It’s Time To Get The WWE Title Back

    John Cena says it’s time for him to get the WWE title back – and he plans to do so tonight on RAW.

    WWE has not yet announced a WWE championship match for RAW – but Cena tweeted the following on Monday morning:

    “Raw tonight. Going to bench now..then to st Pete times forum. Time to get wwe championship back.”

    Based on what we’ve heard from reliable WWE sources, CM Punk’s next opponents are scheduled to be The Miz and Alberto Del Rio – with John Cena shifting gears to his feud with The Rock.

    The dark match main event for tonight’s RAW will see WWE Champion CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio.

  • Former WWE Diva Backstage At Raw, Dusty Rhodes Joins Twitter

    — Former WWE Diva Cherry stated on Twitter that she will be on hand for today’s Raw SuperShow in Tampa, Florida. She wrote:

    “Raw in Tampa this Monday! So excited to see all my friends again! Although I still see them all the time anyway! I smell a party!”

    Cherry also revealed that she met with Beth Phoenix yesterday.

    We haven’t heard anything about Cherry returning to WWE, but we’ll post an update on this if it becomes available.

    — WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes is on Twitter @DustyWWE. The account has been confirmed by his son, Goldust.

    — Former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis appears at Terryville Middle School, 21 North Main Street, Terryville, Connecticut this Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an autograph signing. Mick Foley, Tommy Dreamer, Luke Robinson and Robbie E will also be on hand for the event.

  • Triple H High On FCW Talent, Lilian Garcia Releasing Music Video

    Damien Sandow

    — Damien Sandow, a top prospect at Florida Championship Wrestling, competed on this weekend’s SmackDown live event tour in matches against Tyson Kidd. Triple H is reportedly high on Sandow, who was signed last year after competing in Puerto Rico.

    — Former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia announced on Twitter that she will be releasing the trailer of her new music video, U Drive Me Loca, tomorrow at noon via LilianGarcia.com.

    — On this week’s episode of WWE Vintage Collection, today’s WWE Superstars and Divas weigh in with their inspirations from the past. Matches include Lex Luger vs. Sting (WCW Starrcade 1999), British Bulldog vs. Haku (WWF Prime Time Wrestling – May 7, 1991), Rey Mysterio vs. Tajiri (WWE SmackDown! – January 1, 2004), “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase vs Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake (September 12, 1987).

  • Video: Tyler Reks Debuts New Show “Midcard Mafia”

    Pilot Episode of MidCard Mafia created by the leader of The Rekking Crew.

    Copyright: Gabe Tuft Enterprises, LLC

  • New Vickie Guerrero Bikini Picture Released

    Vickie Guerrero has tweeted another bikini picture from a recent photo shoot.

    Here’s the full batch of Vickie Guerrero bikini pictures from the past few months – in case you’re into that sort of thing.

     

  • Nash Says He’s Packing His Gear For Raw, Kelly Launches Site

    — Kevin Nash stated this evening on Twitter that he’s packing his wrestling gear for tomorrow night’s Raw SuperShow in Tampa, Florida.

    He wrote, “Made up my mind, packing my wresteling gear. Someones getting a beat down in Tampa tomorrow night on Raw.”

    As of Saturday, both Nash and Triple H were scheduled for the event. The official website for the St. Pete Times Forum removed Triple H from advertising today after he had been scheduled for the show.

    — Kelly Kelly has launched her official website, www.barbarablank.com.

    — RF Video announced The Honky Tonk Man as a vendor guest at WrestleReunion in Los Angeles, California. The event takes place January 28.

    source: F4WOnline.com

  • Former WWE Diva Maria Takes Another Shot At The Bella Twins

    During AfterBuzzTV.com’s post-show for Monday’s Raw SuperShow, former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis took a Triple H-like swipe at former colleagues Nikki and Brie Bella.

    Former WWE creative writer Jensen Karp recalled producing a backstage segment involving the word “labiagytis” (on the May 1, 2006 Raw, Candice Michelle asked Vince McMahon in he could cure her labiagytis after he had cured her chest cold). While the program hosts segued to discussion over the Divas tag team match on Raw, Kanellis quipped, “Speaking of labiagytis, The Bellas…”

    Kanellis then joked that she was merely kidding, but that she “couldn’t help it.”

    This is not Kanellis’ first swipe towards the twin duo on the talk program as she implied on October 10, 2011 that they once shared a hot tub with John Laurinaitis, referring them as “two Divas who look alike.” She took another veiled shot at the Bellas’ promiscuity the following week, which featured Nikki and Brie flirting with WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent Relations in a backstage segment.

    While segueing, Kanellis said, “And the Bella Twins were in the back with Johnny, moving on…”

    Footage of Kanellis’ latest remark is available here.

  • Update On Kamala After Amputation, FCW Traveling With WWE

    — Paul Bearer released the following statement on Facebook regarding Kamala after the wrestling legend had his foot amputated last month.

    “Just spoke with my longtime friend Kamala [James Harris]. I managed him in 1978 when he first started. He seems to be hanging in there after his foot amputation, due to high blood pressure, not diabetes as reported. Please keep him in your prayers.”

    — Several top developmental performers in Florida Championship Wrestling will receive tryouts at WWE live events over the next few weeks. Damien Sandow competed at Friday and Saturday’s SmackDown live events, losing to Tyson Kidd.

    — Shelly Martinez will be hosting a live game show next week at Tranzit Nite Club in Hollywood, California. Details are available here.

    source: PWInsider.com

  • Evan Bourne Returns To The Ring, Raw After WrestleMania

    — Evan Bourne returned to action at Saturday’s Raw live event in Sunrise, Florida, losing to Dolph Ziggler.

    Bourne’s thirty-day suspension for his first violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program expired Wednesday.

    — In the latest edition of Fun Time Radio, Shelly Martinez discusses her relationship with a former WWE talent she dated during her time in Ohio Valley Wrestling and ECW. The show is available here. Amber O’Neal appears as a guest on the show.

    — WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts announced at Saturday’s Raw live event in Sunrise, Florida that tickets for the April 2, 2012 Raw SuperShow at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida go sale next Saturday via Ticketmaster. A pre-sale takes place Wednesday.

    — Former WWE star Super Crazy turns 38 years old Saturday. He now competes for various promotions in Mexico.

  • Skip Sheffield Returns To Action, Triple H Advertised For Raw

    — Skip Sheffield competed in his first match in over a year at Saturday’s Raw live event in Sunrise, Florida, defeating Alex Riley.

    The former Nexus member had been sidelined since breaking his leg and ankle on August 18, 2010 at a Raw live event in Honolulu, Hawaii. He underwent a third surgical procedure in June and vowed that it would be his last.

    — The official website of the St. Pete Times Forum is advertising Triple H for Monday’s Raw SuperShow.

    – The Miz is advertised for Conan on Thursday. The program airs at 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. on TBS.

    source: PWInsider.com

  • WWE Launching YouTube Channel, FCW Star Works SD Show

    — WWE has announced that on February 1, 2012, they will be introducing a new WWE YouTube channel featuring “exclusive, one of a kind videos from your favorite WWE Superstars and Divas.”

    — Damien Sandow, who currently reigns as FCW 15 Champion, competed at Friday’s SmackDown live event in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He lost to Tyson Kidd via roll up.

    Sandow previously competed as Idol Stevens in 2006 for SmackDown.

    — Booker T defeated Cody Rhodes via disqualification at Friday’s SmackDown live event in Chattanooga, Tennessee. After the match, Hornswoggle came out to do a Spin-a-roonie with Booker.

    source: PWInsider.com

  • Mick Foley On Whether He Has One More Match Left In Him

    Arda Ocal (@arda_ocal) of The Score Television Network and #AftermathBlog had a chance to sit down and interview the hardcore legend and three-time WWE Champion, Mick Foley. Highlights:

    His new career as a stand up comedian, and is his aspiration that it turns into something more, or were these tours it all along: “I’ll tell you were I didn’t want to lead, its me sitting on my couch 10 years from now saying I could have done that comedy if I just give it a try. I’ve done it a little bit a few years ago, but I got a little disheartened. I realized it would take alot of work, much more work I’d be willing to put in to really become good. I don’t know where it’s suppose to lead anywhere besides me to be able to speak about things that seem fun to me.”

    On his latest book “Countdown To Lockdown” being plugged by WWE, and whether that started the train of thought of him wanting to return to the WWE: “I got a 203 area code phone call. It was WWE asking me if I mind if they mention my book on the air, and the other question was if you would like to do an interview with Joey Styles, and I was like yeah. So Joey called me up, and Ive known Joey for ages, and we have always gotten along very well, and he was like is this for real? Like, they have never done this to anybody, and what it did was it just instantly erased all the little grudges that I thought I had.”

    Foley addresses the possibility of having “one more match” left in him, how his son has been asking him about it, and how he is physically capable of having a “decent” match (perhaps not an epic encounter), but he would need lead time to physically prepare. He also said that he likely doesn’t have one more book left in him, but he (jokingly) has the desire to be the leader in writer forewords for books.

    Part two of Arda’s interview with Mick Foley will be released on Tuesday.

  • Twitter War Erupts Between Vickie Guerrero & Karen Jarrett

    Vickie Guerrero & Karen Jarrett

    A war of words has erupted on Twitter between WWE manager Vickie Guerrero and TNA Knockout Karen Jarrett.

    The whole thing started on Thursday night, when Vickie Guerrero re-tweeted the following message from one of her followers, which implied Karen Jarrett’s TNA character was a ripoff of Vickie:

    “RT @KarenJarrett = @ExcuseMeWWE #TNAAwful.”

    Karen Jarrett responded by re-tweeting a message from one of her own followers:

    “RT @ExcuseMeWWE How is @karenjarrett copying you when she was on tv way befoe you ever was.”

    Karen followed up with:

    “Oh these twitter games……. Funny 2 me…2 people retweet 2 tweets & look at all the attention! LOL.”

    For those wondering who is right here – Vickie Guerrero actually debuted on WWE television back in 2005, nearly two years before Karen Jarrett’s TNA television debut in 2007.

    • COMMENT BELOW: Are you … #TEAMVICKIE or #TEAMKAREN ??

  • New Picture Of Batista Looking Absolutely Jacked

    Former WWE superstar Batista posted this picture of himself on Twitter this week – and is pretty much speaks for itself. Batista, who dropped a ton of weight shortly after leaving WWE last year (pictures), is looking beastly as ever.

  • Austin Responds To Lesnar’s Trash Talking & Explains “Attitude”

    Speaking to WWE Magazine, Steve Austin responds to Brock Lesnar telling ESPN.com during a recent interview promoting WWE ’12 that he was “downright scared” to face him on the June 10, 2002 Raw (Austin balked facing Lesnar, feeling the marquee bout lacked proper buildup. Ultimately, he declined to attend Raw, briefly leaving WWE).

    Austin responds, “It wasn’t a Brock issue at all. It was a stupid business decision, and I flew off the handle. I was wound up pretty tight at the time. I thought they [WWE] were poking me with a stick, and I admittedly handled that in the worst possible way. It never had anything to do with Brock Lesnar—it was just a stupid business decision, and although I handled it wrong, there wasn’t anyone in that company who can tell me it was a smart move to me in that match with no build and blow a total marquee pay-per-view or rivalry that could have lasted God knows how long!

    “I don’t have any problems with anything Brock said. He’s got his take on things. And anytime you can flap your gums and stir things up—well, I’m always about that.”

    CM Punk’s rant on the June 27, 2011 edition of Raw emboldened a vocal audience looking to return to the edgier tone of “The Attitude Era.” That, coupled with The Rock’s return to the ring, has created a division between people longing for the days of yesteryear and supporters of the current product. Austin comments on what “attitude” means to him.

    “It’s funny to me that “The Attitude Era” was named that way. Guys and gals in this business have always had attitude. But for some reason, I started cutting off-the-hook promos, and someone wanted to label it ‘The Attitude Era.’ It’s an interesting way to reference that time, but WWE has always had over-the-top, extreme attitudes. I don’t think the answer is creating something different, or bringing back the The Attitude Era. I think you need to let these cats fly. Kick them out of the nest to see if they can survive. The cream will rise to the top and the weak is going to fall by the wayside because this is a competitive environment. That’s the only way to bring any edge back into the product. It’s about letting guys fly, talking from their hearts, and their guts, and their brains. That’s what makes for exciting TV. It ain’t about ‘attitude.’ End of story.”

  • Booker T vs. Cody This Wekeend, Foley-Wife Swap, Slammys

    – Smackdown announcer Booker T is scheduled to come out of retirement this weekend on the Smackdown brand’s house show tour of Georgia and Tennessee.

    Booker is advertised for matches Intercontinental champion Cody Rhodes, in what’s being looked at as a trial run for a potential feud on television.

    – After recently filming an episode for the NBC comedy “30 Rock,” hardcore wrestling legend Mick Foley is scheduled to appear on an upcoming episode of the ABC show “Celebrity Wife Swap.” Foley told AVClub.com this week,

    “30 Rock is probably my favorite show on network television. Judah Friedlander is a buddy of mine. Judah presented me as one of Jenna’s cool new friends. I’m not only on the show, but I’m on as 1997 Mankind, and I do have a kissing scene, so it was a win-win. I’ll also be showing up on Celebrity Wife Swap in a couple of months.”

    – WWE has released the following video hyping the 2011 Slammy Awards, which will take place on the upcoming 3-hour RAW on 12/12: