This week, we reported on the news that UFC fighter Brock Lesnar will be one of the playable characters in the upcoming WWE ’12 video game, the first time Lesnar has worked with WWE in over 7 years.
As the man who has Brock Lesnar under contract, UFC President Dana White was instrumental in making Lesnar in WWE ’12 possible. Here’s what White said about why he didn’t have a problem with Brock working with WWE again in this capacity:
Following Monday’s Raw in which John Morrison was defeated by Christian in approximately a minute and subsequently assaulted by Dolph Ziggler, Christian and Jack Swagger, a man wrote to Melina on Twitter accusing her of killing his WWE career.
He wrote, “Will you stand trial for killing your bf’s career? #prayforJoMo.”
The former WWE Diva responded via private message, “The WWE did it. I never did anything but stand by him through thick & thin. We should all be so lucky as to have someone like that in our lives.
“John worked his ass off and did EVERYTHING he was told. The blame shouldn’t be put on me. Blame the WWE.”
Many internally believe that Morrison will soon part ways with WWE. Company personnel speculated to Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer that while Morrison has not upset management, he, like Drew McIntyre, is paying the price for his significant other’s actions.
Former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis made similar allegations during last week’s Raw discussion show for AfterBuzzTV.com after co-host Lilian Garcia pondered why McIntyre and Morrison are not receiving greater pushes.
Maria said of McIntyre, “I have a feeling he’s paid for someone else’s sins, problems, because Drew’s really good. I’d love to see him do more stuff, but it’s unfortunate that that happens.”
Maria then said of Morrison, “I think it’s a lot of complications of outside stuff. I think that a lot of times they go with who’s going to be there, who’s always going to be there, who’s going to be the easiest. He’s very easy and I love him to pieces, but I think it’s outside complications. I think that’s why.”
(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
John “Bradshaw” Layfield published a blog on his official website stating that he has no plans to appear for WWE or TNA Wrestling.
“The question is whether I will return to WWE television. NO. The answer is NO. I have no plans, I have no contact with WWE. No one has mentioned this, no one has brought it up,” he wrote.
“Will that NO change to a YES. I don’t know. I love performing. I am actually healthy right now, I have lost a ton of weight getting ready for NYC marathon and am in the best shape of my life. But would I risk that to return, no I would not. However, is there a hybrid that I would be interested in-I never rule out anything.”
Regarding TNA, he wrote, “My best friend Bruce Prichard is head of talent relations for TNA-I love him, I love many of the folks there and the talent. I have no plans of going there.”
He then posted on Twitter, “IF i returned IF, I would want to be RAW gm and have some fun! I could do wonders there-great talent, just needs someone to play off of!”
Contrary to WWE’s short-term booking as of late, WWE currently has plans in place for the next several pay-per-view events all the way up to the Royal Rumble and beyond.
Aside from the big Survivor Series main event that will see The Rock and John Cena teaming up, there will be a Scramble match involving Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Big Show, Sheamus, Christian and Kane.
For December’s Tables, Ladders and Chairs PPV, a TLC match between Mark Henry and the Big Show has been discussed.
As for the Royal Rumble, it’s said that WWE has already picked the winner – and the superstar is from the SmackDown brand. We heard several weeks ago that Randy Orton was favored to win the Rumble, but that has yet to be confirmed. While the Royal Rumble winner typically gets a title shot at WrestleMania, WWE is planning to have the Royal Rumble winner win the World Heavyweight title prior to WretleMania (likely at Elimination Chamber) and then defend against Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania.
(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
– In a piece of news that can’t be seen as good for TNA, Spike TV senior vice president Brian Diamond is no longer with the network. Diamond’s official title was “senior vice president of sports and specials for Spike TV.” Diamond was a strong supporter of TNA Wrestling. Jon Slusser has been named as Diamond’s replacement.
– TNA star Hulk Hogan appeared on the Howard Stern show this morning and addressed rumors of him having homosexual relationships with wrestlers:
(Partial Source: prowrestling.net)
Batista appeared at the premiere for The Thing movie last night in Universal City, California. He will be appearing at another red carpet event tonight: a pre-launch party for the Saints Row: The Third video game.
The former WWE Champion has tweaked his appearance in recent weeks as he now sports a mohawk and covered his entire back with tattoos.
Check out these pictures of Batista’s new look:
After getting relieved of his announcing duties by John Laurinaitis on RAW, Jim Ross wrote the following on witter status with WWE:
“Let’s get something straight. I hired Laurinaitis in WWE when he had NO job. I helped him prep 4 his job & I remained an EVP in another dept
I’m not going to Smackdown or PPVs. I’m done as best that I know. Might do some Roundtable type stuff. My services aren’t required weekly.
1 more time..I’m fired from wk’ly tv. Our products are still being sold at WWEshop.com because it’s good business. Thx 4 support.”
As we reported on the site earlier this week, Jim Ross did not know he was going to be fired prior to it happening on live television in front of his wife who was at ringside and his hometown crowd in Oklahoma.
While Jim Ross is off television, he’ll still be working with the company. He is headed to WWE headquarters next week to tape the next edition of the Legends Roundtable show.
It was confirmed earlier this week that former WWE superstar and UFC heavyweight fighter Brock Lesnar has signed on to appear in the upcoming WWE ’12 video game.
Here are the first screenshots of Brock Lesnar’s character in the game:
[Credit: IGN.com]
It’s widely expected that former WWE superstar Mick Foley will be returning to the company in the next few weeks, with Foley himself even teasing his return in recent interviews and on twitter.
According to a source in WWE, there’s been a lot of talk behind the scenes this week about Foley’s return taking place around Survivor Series.
With Foley’s longtime friend The Rock returning to the ring at Survivor Series and appearing on the final RAW before Survivor Series on November 14th, it’s expected that Foley will make several appearances on WWE television leading up to and after the big event.
Additionally, there’s been talk in recent days that former WWE superstar John Bradshaw Layfield could also be brought back to the company, but the JBL return is just talk at this point.
(Source: PWInsider.com)
During an interview with ESPN.com earlier this week to promote his inclusion in the new WWE ’12 video game, former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar was asked about who he’d like to wrestle if he does return to WWE one day. Like CM Punk, Lesnar’s got his sights set on the biggest star in WWE history – “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Lesnar told ESPN:
“Ironically it’s probably the guy that walked out on me. The guy that took his ball and went home. A guy that I was supposed to face and I think that he was just plain downright scared to get in the ring with me because he was one of those guys that was on top and saw a huge threat in Brock Lesnar at the time. That’s “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. I worked with everybody and anybody that was anybody there and if I came back, I think the guy that I would come back to fight is “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.”
Lesnar’s beef with Austin stems from a legitimate incident that took place back in 2002. Brock Lesnar was a rising star in WWE and company officials wanted Lesnar to squash Steve Austin on RAW en route to winning the 2002 King of the Ring tournament. WWE officials tried making the match on very short notice (we’re talking 2-3 days) – and it’s said that Steve Austin refused to take part in such a big money angle with no buildup. Austin didn’t have a probably putting Lesnar over in a big way, but to do it in such a haphazard, shortsighted way showed Austin that WWE creative was spinning out of control even back then. Austin “took his ball and went home” as a result of this incident.
Steve Austin, not one to sit on the sidelines when somebody’s running their mouth about him, has responded to Lesnar’s comments. Austin tweeted on Tuesday night:
“So @DCBROCKLESNAR was talking trash about me…very interesting. Gonna finish my beverage and mull this one over…catch y’all tomorrow.”
Later in the evening, it was clear that Lesnar’s words were getting to the Texas Rattlesnake. Austin followed up with another Tweet before bed:
“Trying to go to sleep..but this @DCBROCKLESNAR thing is winding me up a bit… relax…. breath… relax…breathe…. no use..to be continued..”
While there’s still a possibility that both Brock Lesnar and Steve Austin have at least one match left in each of them, the chances of their final WWE matches being against each other are unlikely.
What do you think – should Austin wrestle Brock Lesnar if he returns to WWE for one last match, or should he wrestle CM Punk? Or somebody else? Hit up the COMMENTS below.
– After Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown taping from Dallas, Texas went off the air – WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio defended the belt against RAW star John Cena. Cena won via DQ, then sent the crowd home happy with the Attitude Adjustment on Del Rio.
– Prior to the SmackDown tapings, the DX reunion took place as advertised – with Shawn Michaels and Triple H hitting the ring and entertaining the crowd with their typical edgy DX routine. Shawn Michaels teased that a future WrestleMania, rumored to be WrestleMania 29 in 2013, could take place from Cowboys Stadium in Dallas. Cowboys Stadium is the newest, nicest stadium in the United States and has the capacity to hold over 100,000 fans.
D-Generation X—Shawn Michaels and Triple H—reunited prior to the SmackDown portion of tonight’s WWE television tapings in Dallas, Texas by teasing that WrestleMania would take place at Cowboys Stadium, home of the NFL’s Dallas Cowboys.
The largest domed stadium in the world has been speculated as a future home of the pay-per-view extravaganza since the stadium opened in 2009.
DX performed their trademark routine and cut a “non-PG” promo, according to a fan in attendance. Their celebration was interrupted by Vince McMahon.
The segment will not air on television since Michaels’ appearance was locally advertised.
Check out this picture of DX from Tuesday’s tapings:
— Matches taped tonight in Dallas, Texas for this week’s episode of NXT: Redemption are as follows: A.J. vs. Maxine, Derrick Bateman vs. Percy Watson, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks.
A match pitting former Corre teammates Ezekiel Jackson and Heath Slater was taped for WWE Superstars. Matches taped last night in Oklahoma City were Alex Riley vs. Drew McIntyre and JTG vs. Santino Marella.
— Want to have a cyber friend date with Shelly Martinez? Have something you been wanting to ask? Just want to get to know her in a more personal way? Buy some time and have her all to yourself!
Shelly is offering cyber friend dates through ShellyMartinez.org, which allows people to purchase time with the former WWE Diva. Those who book cyber friend dates for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for next week get a two-for-one special: Shelly and Amber O’Neal.
source: ProWrestling.net
WWE issued the following statement tonight regarding The Rock’s return to RAW on November 14th. This 3-hour RAW will take place from Boston’s TD Garden and will be the final show before Survivor Series that weekend:
Finally, The Rock(R) Returns to Boston
STAMFORD, Conn., Oct 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — WWE(R) announced today that “the most electrifying man in entertainment,” The Rock, will return to the city of Boston at the TD Garden on Monday, November 14 for a special three hour Raw(R) SuperShow that will air live on USA Network at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT.
What will happen when “The People’s Champion” The Rock and John Cena(R) meet in Cena’s hometown in their first face-to-face encounter since the spring? Ever since the announcement of the epic main event of Rock vs. Cena at WrestleMania(R) XXVIII on April 1, 2012, the two Superstars have engaged in a war of words. Can these two Superstars get along six days before they team up at Survivor Series(R)?
Tickets for the special Raw SuperShow are available at the TD Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com , or by calling 1-800-745-3000. The live event portion of the show has a special start time of 7:15 PM.
The ratings are in for Monday’s RAW – and the numbers tell a story of fans being dissatisfied with WWE’s “walk out” storyline.
Monday’s RAW drew a 3.26 rating and averaged 5,021,000 viewers for the two hour broadcast. While this is up from recent weeks, the hourly ratings are cause for concern.
The first hour of RAW drew a strong 3.49 rating with 5,375,000 viewers, a sign that WWE fans were very interested to see the fallout from last week’s “walk out.”
The second hour took a nosedive, as the rating dropped to a 3.02 with 4,667,000 viewers – a loss of approximately 13.5% of the audience.
The first hour of RAW featured very little in-ring action, the surprise return of Vince McMahon, the firing of Triple H and John Laurinaitis being named as the new interim RAW General Manager. WWE created a buzz last week and built up a lot of interest in Monday’s RAW – but the overall feedback on what WWE delivered has been overwhelmingly negative and Monday’s rating reflects this.
— The official Twitter feed of the WWE Insider issued the following statement this afternoon: CONFIRMED: The Board has approved @WWERawGM’s request to have @CMPunk and Triple H face @MiketheMiz and @RonKillings at #Vengeance.”
The match has yet to be announced by WWE.com.
— Eve, Gail Kim, John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, The Miz and kids from the Boys & Girls Club of America appear on Nickelodeon’s “Family BrainSurge” Thursday at 6 ET/5 CT. WWE.com has published photos of their appearance.
— Former WWE Diva Ashley Massaro is advertised to appear at the Boston Super Megafest at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel 1657 Worcester Rd. Framingham, Massachusetts. The event takes place November 19-20. Visit www.supermegafest.com for more information.
Wrestler turned mixed martial artist Brock Lesnar says in an interview with ESPN.com that he expects to wrestle one more match for WWE.
“I think I will. I think under the right circumstances I will,” he responds to Jon Robinson’s query regarding one final WWE match. “I think if Vince McMahon and I were able to sit down at the same dinner table and break some bread that we could come up with some kind of game plan. At the end of the day, I’m an ultimate fighter. That’s who I am and that’s who I’ll always be. I was an entertainer but at the end of the day, I’m still as real as it gets. I think a lot of things have to fall in the right places for something like that to happen.”
Lesnar is asked who he would like to wrestle of talent he never had a match with; he responds “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
“Ironically it’s probably the guy that walked out on me. The guy that took his ball and went home. A guy that I was supposed to face and I think that he was just plain downright scared to get in the ring with me because he was one of those guys that was on top and saw a huge threat in Brock Lesnar at the time. That’s “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. I worked with everybody and anybody that was anybody there and if I came back, I think the guy that I would come back to fight is “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.”
Rumors surfaced last year about Lesnar possibly facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania. He comments on how the match would have been like.
“I was a true wrestler. I was a Division I national champion. I came into the business wanting one thing and one thing only, and that was to be the champion, and I wasn’t going to let anybody stand in my way. I think there was one guy that had a problem with that and that was Undertaker. If I were to have gotten in the ring with him I would have ripped his arm off and f—— beat him with it.”
The full interview can be accessed here.
— WWE’s next three-hour Raw event takes place November 14 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts and The Rock is advertised to appear. The venue’s official website is billing the event as “The Rock Reunion Party.”
The website’s advertising reads: “What will happen when the seven-time WWE Champion, “the most electrifying man in all of entertainment” The Rock and ten-time WWE Champion John Cena meet in Cena’s hometown?”
Also advertised for the event is a Six-Man Tag Team Match pitting John Cena, Triple H and CM Punk against The Miz, R-Truth and Alberto Del Rio.
— Former WWE Divas Lilian Garcia and Maria Kanellis hosted the second edition of their post-Raw show for AfterBuzzTV.com Monday night.
The episode can be accessed here.
Promoting his inclusion in THQ’s WWE ’12 video game, Brock Lesnar participated in an interview with IGN.com to discuss WWE related topics.
Lesnar explains why he agreed to be included in the game.
“It’s one of those things where… it’s part of my history. Without the WWE, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said via e-mail. “I wouldn’t have the high visibility, I wouldn’t have had the leverage to come into the UFC. I would have had to do it all on my own. I’m no idiot when I say that when I was with the WWE, the visibility from that company and what they did on a global network for ‘Brock Lesnar’ as a whole, put me on another level.”
Being in WWE ’12 begs the obvious question – would Lesnar ever consider returning to WWE programming?
“It would have to be under the right circumstances,” he says. “I don’t know if Mr. McMahon and I could come to the right circumstances. If it was good for me and good for him I think that we could do something. At the end of the day, my life, my character and my profession – I take them very seriously. At the end of the day, if it doesn’t help me or my family out, and it doesn’t make sense for me to do, then I don’t do it. Everything would have to fall in the right place, but would I consider it? Absolutely.”
The piece can be accessed here.
It’s official – the only man in history to hold both the WWE and UFC Heavyweight titles – Brock Lesnar – has been confirmed as a playable character in the new WWE ’12 video game.
According to our sources, THQ approached Lesnar in January and asked for permission to use his name and likeness in the game and advertising campaign. Lesnar was said to be ecstatic over the idea, but wouldn’t agree to terms unless he received permission from UFC president Dana White. The outspoken mixed martial arts promoter gave Lesnar his blessing – and WWE ’12 is shaping up to be a game like none other.
White told TMZ.com this week, “I love WWE and I have nothing but love for Vince McMahon — I’m totally okay with Brock being in the game.”
Here is the OFFICIAL video trailer for Brock Lesnar in WWE ’12:
The firing of Jim Ross by John Laurinaitis on last night’s RAW Supershow was not in the final script and most people backstage had no idea that it was going to happen.
It’s also believed Ross didn’t know about the angle either. It was noted that JR’s wife could be seen at ringside, looking excited as he entered the ring for the segment.
Ross told a fan on Twitter today that it was embarrassing for his wife and that they both were “blindsided.”
Regarding last night’s show, it’s said that what ended up airing was almost nowhere near what was originally wrote. Everything on last night’s show was re-written more than once.
(Source: f4wonline.com)
— The Bella Twins have published their latest video answering questions from fans, which includes a query regarding their dream match. Brie says her dream match is “to take it to the Divas of Doom,” while Nikki wants to face her sister at WrestleMania.
They also discuss Randy Orton, their favorite rock bands, ring gear and whether they ever get tired of being twins.
— The Midland Rocks has published an interview with Chris Jericho. The Fozzy frontman discusses their 12-date tour of the UK next month, why they frequently tour the UK, living out of a suitcase and more.
— This week’s WWE Classic On Demand updates are as follows: Extreme Championship Wrestling (11/25/97), WWF Prime Time Wrestling (5/22/89), World Class Championship Wrestling (1/21/84) and The Undertaker’s Deadliest Matches (Part 3).
– WWE will tape this week’s NXT and SmackDown shows from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
This week’s SmackDown is shaping up to be a huge show – including the “Largest Battle Royal in WWE History” (41 Superstars from both brands) and two PPV-caliber title matches. WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio will defend against John Cena and World Heavyweight champion Mark Henry will defend against Randy Orton.
In addition to all that, WWE has been advertising a special DX reunion between Triple H and Texas native Shawn Michaels.
Aside from John Cena and Alberto Del Rio, other RAW Superstars advertised for tonight CM Punk, WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom.
– Following the events that transpired on Monday’s RAW, The Miz and R-Truth’s superstar profiles have been added back to the WWE website’s RAW roster page – while Jim Ross’ profile has been removed.
– Matches taped last night before RAW for this week’s WWE Superstars were Alex Riley vs. Drew McIntyre and JTG vs. Santino Marella. As per the “solidarity rally” storyline, there were no announcers at ringside for the Superstars matches that were taped prior to RAW.
– You’ve probably noticed in recent weeks that RAW superstar John Morrison has been losing more matches than usual. There is strong talk going around WWE that John Morrison won’t be re-signed when his contract expires in the coming weeks.
We want to know – would WWE be making a big mistake by letting Morrison go? Has WWE gotten everything they can out of Morrison – or does he have the potential to be one of the companies top stars with the right push? Hit up the COMMENTS below and tell us what you think.
– Zack Ryder was not booked on RAW for the second week in a row now and wrote the following on Twitter regarding the situation:
“Pinned the US Champ @HEELZiggler 2 weeks in a row…& now I’ve been off Raw for 2 weeks in a row. #doesntmakesense”
“At least @LaRosaMendes was booked tonight… #RyderOrRiot”
– Several fans sent in word that Triple H’s line to John Laurinaitis on RAW where he asked, “Have you ever tried to pick up your teeth with broken fingers” came from the 1992 movie The Crying Game.
(Source: f4wonline.com)
– After Monday’s RAW Supershow went off the air, The Miz and R-Truth came back to the ring but got beat down by CM Punk and Triple H. Miz and Truth took Punk and Triple H’s finishers to end the show and send the fans home happy.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross wrote the following on Twitter after last night’s RAW:
“I may have lost my ‘spot’ but I’ll never lose my dignity. Proud of my body of work & WWE Universe.
I’m amazed & grateful @ the support all of you have given me tonite. I’m proud of my on air contributions at WWE. More proud of ur support.”
– Mexican wrestling legend Mil Mascaras is scheduled to appear on the October 21st episode of WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown, which tapes this coming Sunday from Mexico City.