The cast of beloved 1980’s movie The Princess Bride reunited on ABC’s Good Morning America on Friday and told stories about one of the main reasons the movie is such a classic – Andre the Giant.
Category: WWE
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Stephanie’s Reaction To Nude Photos Surfacing On WWE Site
WWE’s live events website (www.wwelivetour.com) remains offline after nude images were published in the photo gallery on Wednesday.
The website featured an unmoderated section where fans are permitted to upload photos taken at live events. A nude photo of former WWE Diva Tiffany from her Playboy modeling days was uploaded to the website, garnering attention online. More tawdry images were uploaded including a graphic still of Chyna’s s genitalia from her 2004 adult film 1 Night in China, a photo depicting TNA Wrestling broadcasters Mike Tenay and Taz looking on with approval, and a photo of The Miz with lettering reading “I’d fap to that.”
Stephanie McMahon, who oversees the website, called an emergency meeting upon learning of the situation. “Everyone was said to be blaming everyone else,” according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
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Video: Punk Talks Life On The Road, Being An Anti-Hero
World News Australia recently conducted a sit-down interview with the breakout star of 2011, CM Punk.
The straight-edge superstar discusses his straightedge lifestyle, playing an antihero, his life on the road, when he thinks he may retire, and more.
One of the more noteworthy quotes – “Vince McMahon has no idea what cool is.”
It’s a great interview – check it out below and then hit up the comments with your thoughts.
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Colt Cabana Says WWE Officials Won’t Return His Phone Calls
Colt Cabana stated during an interview with Pitch.com that he has not heard back from WWE officials since working two tryout matches for the organization in August.
“They won’t return my calls or anything,” he tells Justin Kendall. “It’s pretty weird, man. I don’t get it. Nobody was really receptive. It’s just like they wanted to ignore it. I think it’s because Punk is such a rebel that … they were able re-sign Punk, but I think to kind of stick it to him, they don’t want to talk to his friend.
He is asked whether he had that feeling when he worked the tryout matches.
“Nah,” Cabana responded. “It didn’t seem like. All of the wrestlers and all of the personalities and all of the personnel, they love me. They get it. I think there’s just a group of people who don’t get me or don’t want to get me. Unfortunately, that keeps me away from an opportunity, but at the same time, I think the answer was so obvious to put me on TV and capitalize on it.
“At the same time, I think it’s really nice that my fans are really gathering around me and supporting me and continuing me in wrestling without WWE. A lot of people say that you can only be successful if you’re in WWE, and I’m a great case and point where when it’s all said and done, to be a great wrestler doesn’t mean that you have to be a WWE Champion or WWE superstar.”
The full interview can be accessed here.
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JBL Talks About Whether He’ll Ever Return To WWE
— Former WWE superstar John Bradshaw Layfield has posted a new discussion on his Facebook page answering the question he says he’s asked most on Facebook and Twitter – whether he’ll ever return to WWE. To read his full blog update, click here.
Here’s what he said about a WWE return:
“Will I return to WWE? I doubt it, but you never know. I am not looking for a job and they are not asking me to return so it has not come up. I had to retire due to injuries, and yes, the 23 second match with Rey at Wrestlemania was my idea-at that point in my career due to injuries I could not have had any type of real match.
“I was so hurt at that point that I literally couldn’t walk anywhere of distance and didn’t have the ability to work out. I hated being out of shape and realized I was tired of smoke and mirrors to hide my inadequacies-I didn’t want to be one of those old guys who had held on too long and I was in danger of becoming exactly that.
“It’s taken over two full years but I am currently in the best health, and shape, I have been in over a decade.”
JBL said he is currently training for the New York Marathon in November and then plans to climb the tallest volcano in the world (in Ecuador) in February.
He ended the piece by saying, “Bottom line-I am not looking for a job and WWE is not looking to offer me one. I hope this answers the question I am asked most frequently.”
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Video: Zack Ryder’s Z! True Long Island Story (Ep. 34)
Mr. Long Island Iced Z, Zack Ryder is back with another installment of his Z! True Long Island Story video series. This week’s show includes footage of what happened after Monday’s RAW went off the air – and it doesn’t end well for our favorite broski.
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WWE SmackDown Preview: Big Show’s Return
The following is scheduled for tonight’s WWE SmackDown on SyFy broadcast:
* The Big Show returns after several months away to confront the man who took him out of action, World champion Mark Henry
* A continuation of the “No Confidence” walkout segment from RAW
* WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. Sin Cara (Blue & Gold)
* WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom vs. US Champion Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger
* WWE Divas champion Beth Phoenix vs. Alicia Fox
* Ezekiel Jackson vs. Jinder Mahal
* Randy Orton & Sheamus vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes & Christian
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Triple H Vows Not Step Down, Top Stars Will Be On RAW & More
– Sirius XM Radio announced on Thursday that The Miz will host an exclusive fantasy football show heard nationwide on SiriusXM’s 24/7 fantasy sports channel.
First and Awesome will air Wednesdays (6:00-7:00 pm ET) during the NFL season on SiriusXM Fantasy Sports Radio, channel 87 on XM and channel 210 on Sirius Premier (formerly known as “The Best of XM”).
– The WWE website posted a “worked” statement on Thursday announcing what to expect on Monday’s RAW Supershow:
- WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H vows to “absolutely not step down” from running WWE Raw SuperShow.
- Triple H vows that John Cena, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Sheamus and Big Show will headline Monday night’s telecast, emanating from the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City.
- Despite the walkout that took place on RAW, Triple H will continue day-to-day operations.
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Orton Talks RAW Walkout, Mysterio To Miss RAW From Mexico
– Rey Mysterio tweeted on Thursday that he will not be traveling to Mexico next week’s for WWE’s upcoming tour of Mexico, which will include the first-ever RAW television taping from Mexico. Mysterio, who recently underwent two knee surgeries, wrote (translated):
“Recovery is slow but effective, I am sorry that I will not be with you in Mexico for the recording of Raw.”
– Randy Orton, who was one of the WWE superstars who did not take part in the walkout that took place at the end of Monday’s RAW, tweeted the following on Thursday regarding the angle:
“Many of you have asked me where I stand with HHH’s vote of confidence. Undecided, so I will see all of u live from Oklahoma City for RAW…and someone will be on the receiving end of an RKO.”
* Find Out Why Certain Top WWE Stars Skipped The Walkout On RAW
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JR Blog: Mark Henry, Remembering Monsoon & Pillman
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:
Mark Henry vs. Undertaker at WM28? “Yes..Mark Henry has made a definitive impact in WWE and I would be shocked if Henry loses the World Title any time soon. However, I also don’t feel that he’s unbeatable because no one is. Mark Henry has upped his game as much as any one I can name in recent times in WWE. Could the new and improved Mark Henry possibly face the Undertaker at WM28? Any thing is possible.”
WWE Reviving Its Tag Team Division: “Yes I do believe that tag team wrestling has a chance to make a come back in WWE based on what I have seen recently. Time will tell but there are some positive signs that would indicate that WWE is more committed than in recent years to develop more viable tag teams. However, for any one to think that today’s tag team scene will soon rival previous eras when teams stayed together for years and refined their skills isn’t likely, at least that’s one guy’s opinion.
WWE Hall of Fame Announcer Gorilla Monsoon: “This is the anniversary of his death and there is rarely a day that goes by that I don’t think of him. I can truthfully say that if it had not been for Bob Marella’s friendship and support when I first arrived at WWE in 1993 from the ‘enemy’ WCW that I seriously doubt that I would have had the Hall of Fame career in WWE that I have been blessed to have. Gorilla Monsoon was one of the finest men that I have ever known in any walk of life. His organic, on air chemistry with Bobby Heenan was unmatched. This business that we have chosen for our professional lives is tough in so many ways and, quite honestly, isn’t conducive for cultivating long term, true, friendships. I can look any person in the eye and say that ‘Gino’ as he was called was a great friend and mentor to me who will always hold a fond place in my heart. It’s too bad that the young wrestlers of today never got the chance to get to know Gorilla Monsoon and to sit under his learning tree.”
Brian Pillman: “Another important person in my life died this week many years ago even though it only seems like it was yesterday. Brian Pillman was one of a kind. A classic overachiever with a brilliant mind for the business and the brazen guts of a riverboat gambler. When Brian sustained a mangled foot in the Humvee accident, I truly believed that his life started to head in the wrong direction. Brian knew that after ankle fusion that he would never be the in ring performer that he longed to be. No one that I have ever known had more of an obsession to be a major, wrestling star that Brian Pillman. As hard as I tried, I could never get Brian to regroup and to focus on being a great, color commentator in wrestling. Every time I travel to St. Louis, I think of where I was when I got the news that Brian had been found dead in a hotel room in the Twin Cities. A little piece of me died that day too. Brian Pillman was a special person and another who left us much too soon. RIP, buddy. ”
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Is Steve Austin Zack Ryder’s #1 Broski? (Pictures)
WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Zack Ryder have been going back and forth on Twitter over the past few weeks, with Ryder recently promising to send Austin a special package. Austin received the package on Wednesday and wrote the following on Twitter:
“Was starting my workout but realized I forgot to put on my legwarmers and headband…”
“Got my legwarmers and headband on…hang on Earth…gonna try a personal best of 1700lbs on the bench press…not a workout for the weak…”
“If I’m not mistaken, I think I have some mail from @ZackRyder…will find out after the workout….a broski shirt perhaps??”
“Wow what a day….a tshirt and a BLL coaster from @ZackRyder”
“But wait! There’s more! Takin care and spikin my lack of hair…am I serious, bro?”
Check out these pictures of the headband, t-shirt and Bud Light Lime coaster that Zack Ryder sent “Stone Cold” Steve Austin this week:
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WWE Superstar Suspended For Wellness Violation
WWE has announced that Darren Young has been suspended for 30 days due to a violation of the company’s Wellness Policy.
The following statement was posted on the WWE website on Thursday:
“In accordance with its Talent Wellness Program, WWE has suspended Fred Rosser (Darren Young) for 30 days effective Wednesday, Oct. 5, for his first violation of the company’s policy.”
Young has not been featured on WWE television much in recent months but was shown briefly on Monday’s RAW during the talent walkout.
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Video Of HBK & His Son Hunting, Hugh Jackman Talks RAW
– USA Today has published an interview with Hollywood star Hugh Jackman, whose new movie “Reel Steel” opens Friday.
In preparation for his movie, Jackman has been working with boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard to make his fight scenes look as realistic as possible. Both Jackman and Leonard talked about Jackman’s experience hosting RAW and how his recent boxing training helped him out when he got into a confrontation with Dolph Ziggler. Sugar Ray Leonard said he’s proud of Jackman for landing a punch on Dolph Ziggler, even if Ziggler’s injuries were just “part of the show”.
“He delivered a punch that found its target. That’s all I care about,” Leonard said. “It put a stamp on my job. I’m proud.”
– Carl Dantes sent in this video footage of Shawn Michaels and his son Cameron hunting after a recent taping of Shawn Michaels’ MacMillan River Adventures.
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Mysterio Goes Against WWE’s Wishes, Superstars Returning
– After a 2 week hiatus, WWE has decided to bring back their weekly Superstars online show in the United States. This week’s “return” episode will be posted to Youtube this afternoon at 4pm (EST).
The following matches have been taped for today’s WWE.com Superstars broadcast:
- AJ vs. Tamina.
- Ted DiBiase vs. Tyson Kidd.
- Alex Riley vs. JTG.
- Michael McGuillicuty vs. Percy Watson.
– There is some concern among WWE officials regarding Rey Mysterio using his own doctors in San Diego for his operations and not Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham, Alabama, who is considered the best in the business.
– There was only one house show over the weekend – a RAW and SmackDown supershow that took place from Mobile, Alabama on 10/1. That event only drew 3,200 paying fans and a gate of $92,000, which is a disappointing turnout considering superstars from both brands (including John Cena) were in attendance.
(Partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
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WWE Superstars Agree To Work Weekend Live Events
The following statement was posted on the WWE website on Wednesday announcing that the WWE superstars will be working this weekend’s scheduled live events – on one condition ..
Superstars agree to participate in weekend live events
Attention, WWE Universe: WWE Superstars have agreed to participate in WWE live events this weekend, so long as the Chief Operating Officer, Triple H, is not in the building. Triple H has agreed to these terms, and all shows will continue as scheduled.
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Video: Jerry Lawler Talks About Monday’s RAW Walkout
WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler is the latest performer to discuss the walkout stryline from Monday’s RAW. Lalwer posted the following video and description to YouTube on Wednesday:
“Just wanted to take a minute to explain why I did what I did on Raw, and to tell you that I had no idea my actions would lead to a walkout.”
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Plans For Vengeance, WWE In China, Tribute To The Troops
WWE Vengeance – WWE’s next pay-per-view event Vengeance is just weeks away on Sunday 10/23 – and WWE is planning to use next week’s RAW and SmackDown to do the major set up for the event.
WWE will be in Mexico for the RAW and SmackDown tapings the week before Vengeance and those shows are being looked at as “special” international TV tapings and not the usual “go-home” shows before a PPV.
Both RAW and SmackDown talent are expected to appear on both shows heading into Vengeance.
– WWE will be doing their annual Tribute To The Troops special once again and this year’s taping has been scheduled for Sunday, December 11th, 2011 at the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina.
– As WWE heads to Asia in the coming months for a live tour, the company is looking to run live events in China, but the government approval process is very strict.
UFC has had similar difficulties dealing with Chinese authorities and expecting to finally hold an event from China in 2012.
(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
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RAW Format Change, Fitness Model Getting WWE Tryout
– Monday’s RAW featured a chance in format from the typical weekly broadcasts. Instead of opening with the long interview segment that would set up the main angle for the rest of the show, WWE opened with Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre – and held off on the long interview until the end of the second quarter hour.
The reasoning behind this change is that WWE is looking compete with their stiff competition from NFL’s Monday Night Football and the MLB baseball playoffs. WWE tried to keep viewers tuned in longer at the start of the show because they were coming off Hell in a Cell the night before and they knew fans would be tuning in for the first big in-ring segment. By putting the first storyline segment in the second quarter hour, their hope was that viewers would stay tuned in through the Orton-McIntyre match and beyond.
– Carly Thornton, a well-known fitness model form the UK, will be getting a WWE tryout when WWE is overseas in November.
Thornton does not have any experience in the wrestling industry, but she has been working in the UK as a presenter on the Active Channel and endorses several bodybuilding supplements. She is said to be quite attractive and resembles former WWE ring announcer Jamie Keyes.
(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
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Early HIAC PPV Buyrate Data, WWE Stars’ Online Popularity
— WWE’s Hell in a Cell event took place this past weekend and we’ve already got some early data on how the show did on pay-per-view. Expectations within WWE were that the show would do worse than last year – and early trending numbers indicate a 20% drop from Night of Champions.
Live attendance at the show saw only 7,500 paid fans (9,400 in total) with a live gate of $475,000, which is lower than most WWE pay-per-view events.
— The Top 20 most popular WWE personalities on Facebook in twitter, in Order, are John Cena, The Rock, Mysterio, Undertaker, Triple H, Randy Orton, Edge, Shawn Michaels, Steve Austin, Kelly Kelly, Kane, John Morrison, big Show, The Miz, Kofi Kingston, CM Punk, Great Khali, Chris Jericho, Maryse and Bret Hart.
It’s worth noting that CM Punk doesn’t have a Facebook page, which strongly affects his ranking on the list.
(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
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WWE Signs Canadian Diva Kira Forster (Pictures)
Diva Dirt reports that WWE has signed 27 year old Canadian women’s wrestler Kira Forster to a developmental deal. She has wrestled in Canada under the name Taya Valkyrie and is expected to report to FCW to begin training in the next few months.
Taya, who has also done fitness work and some modeling, has trained under former WWE Superstar Lance Storm and appeared on his World of Hurt reality show in Canada. She is the third women’s wrestler from the Storm Wrestling Academy to be signed this year. It’s believed she was the women’s wrestler that Lance recommended WWE agents take a look at, at the recent WWE tapings in Canada.
WWE also signed Storm students Irena Janjic, who is wrestling in FCW as Leah West and Tenille Taylor, who is expected to report to FCW in a few months after recovering from shoulder surgery.
Check out these pictures of newly signed WWE diva Kira Forster:
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RAW Preview For Next Week, HBK’s TV Return, WWE Stock
– WWE.com has an article up that questions whether Triple H was “set up to fail” as WWE’s Chief Operating Officer, considering his close ties to the anti-authority DX stable. The article hints at how Shawn Michaels could be involved in the walk-out storyline, since Michaels is scheduled to appear at next week’s SmackDown taping as part of an advertised “DX reunion.’
– TheStreet.com has an article up looking at the current state of WWE’s stock, which has taken a beating this year ever since WWE cut its dividend in the Spring. Mark Travis, portfolio manager for the Intrepid Small Cap Fund, sounds optimistic about the stock’s outlook:
“You have a clean balance sheet and $170 million in cash. The perception is that WWE wrestling events are suffering due to a weakened consumer, and while there may be some truth to that, you also have the TV contracts which mitigate the ticket sale volatility.”
– The official website of Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena, the venue hosting Monday’s RAW Supershow, has posted the following preview for next week:
“The Game is not fit to lead the company and must, essentially, either appoint a new COO or resign from his post.
“After one of the most historic RAWs in recent history, will the fallout continue from disgruntled WWE Superstars John Cena, CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio, Randy Orton, Sheamus, Mark Henry, Oklahoma’s own Jim Ross and more on Monday night at Oklahoma City’s Chesapeake Energy Arena?”
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The Miz Get Verbally Buries One Of His Haters (Video)
WWE star The Miz will be appearing on the CW show H8R tonight, where celebrities confront their haters.
The new reality show, which is hosted by Mario Lopez, airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. ET/7 CT.
Check out this preview of The Miz confronting one of his haters ..
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Video: Ric Flair & Mick Foley Hype Tonight’s Helms Benefit Show
Ric Flair and Mick Foley appeared on television this morning in Charlotte, North Carolina to promote tonight’s Shane Helms benefit comedy show. Check out this video of the two legends from this morning and below that is a press release with details regarding the show:
The following press release was issued regarding a fundraiser being held on behalf of former WWE talent Shane Helms this Wednesday at the Comedy Zone in Charlotte, North Carolina
Don’t miss out on Mick Foley’s Hurricane Assist Comedy show. The show is a Fundraiser for a great cause. And with the purchase of a ticket you get to see Mick Foley’s stand-up comedy performance along with comedian J Derrell, and get to participate in a FREE meet and greet with the legendary “Nature Boy” Ric Flair, The Rated R Superstar Edge, TNA star Gunner, LLUSA stars Reby Sky and Jayme Jameson, WCW star Lodi, Female Indy Sensation Amber O’Neal, the list keeps growing!!
Former WWE and TNA star Mick Foley asked for fan help with ticket sales for the Shane Helms fundraising event that will be held at the Charlotte Comedy Zone in Charlotte, N.C. on October 5.
“I originally saw this as a way for the wrestling community to help out one of our own during a time of need,” Foley said. “But a few weeks ago, Shane told me that he would like to take whatever money is raised and use it to produce an effective Public Service Announcement, which will likely help others avoid the pain and suffering, and loss of income that Shane had had to endure.
“He admitted that having his livelihood taken away from him has been, and will continue to be a financial strain, but really felt strongly about using whatever funds were raised to help others.”
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WWE Shuts Down Website After Users Upload Nude Diva Pics
WWE took their live events website (www.wwelivetour.com) offline Wednesday afternoon after numerous nude images were published in the photo gallery.
The website features an unmoderated section where fans are allowed to upload photos taken at live events. A nude photo of former WWE Diva Tiffany from her Playboy modeling days was uploaded to the website this morning, garnering attention online. Users then started to bombard the section with several tawdry images (including a graphic still of Chyna’s s genitalia from her 2004 adult film 1 Night in China), causing WWE to hastily take the website offline.
The website remains down as of this post; it instead redirects to WWE.com.
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WWE Catering To Internet Fans, SmackDown Attendence & More
– There has been talk within WWE of doing more angles that cater to issues internet fans talk about on sites like SEScoops.com.
– Recent WWE SmackDown television tapings have been drawing alarmingly small crowds – and several readers who were at Tuesday’s taping from Biloxi, MS said this show was no different – with about half the arena tarped off.
With SmackDown television tapings and live events failing to draw large audiences, there has been talk of extending the Triple H – COO storyline to SmackDown and having more RAW stars appear on the show each week, putting yet another nail in the coffin of the brand split.
– WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, who recently underwent emergency neck surgery, was forced to pull out of a live appearance in Orlando this weekend. He wrote on Twitter:
“Standing up to the plate. My neck needs 1 more week to heal, it’ll be stronger than before. I feel terrible, Can’t do Orlando this weeked.”
– The WWE NXT timeslot move was made to provide additional time to edit and work on the broadcast.
– Maryse is featured on the cover of the new Sessions Magazine. The issue also includes a 10-page feature on the WWE Diva.
(Source: pwinsider.com)
