Check out this video clip from Episode 1 of Shawn Michaels’ MacMillan River Adventures, which airs on the Outdoor Channe Tuesdays at 11:30pm eastern (8:30 pm pacific), Saturday at 7:00pm eastern (4:00pm pacific) and Tuesday at 3:00am (12:00am pacific).
Michaels wrote on Twitter this week that he was gator hunting with fellow DX member Triple H for an upcoming episode – stay tuned for more on that.
Zack Ryder is back with Episode 20 of the Z! True Long Island Story – and checks in from Sydney, Australia .. This week’s show includes:
– Broski of the Week
– Sign of the week
– A reading from Shakespeare’s “Bromeo & Woo Woo Wooliette”
– An appearance from Long Island Iced Z’s John Morrison-obsessed father
– An example of how Zack Ryder and WWE are just not on the same page
Here we go, Episode 20, BRO:
Cable prodider iNDEMAND has released the official promotional poster and synopsis for WWE’s SummerSlam pay-per-view, which takes place on August 14th from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California:
“With superior abilities and infinite power, the superpowers of the WWE Universe descend on Los Angeles for a collision so monumental, it threatens to lay waste to the City of Angels. Don’t miss John Cena, Randy Orton, The Miz, Rey Mysterio, Alberto Del Rio, and all your favorite WWE Superstars at SummerSlam, live on pay-per-view.”
— WWE.com is advertising the following for tonight’s episode of SmackDown: “The relentless brutality of Mark Henry comes face-to-face with World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton tonight on SmackDown. Has The World’s Strongest Man become something that even The Viper can’t stop?”
Other matches taking place include Daniel Bryan vs. Ted DiBiase, Sin Cara vs. Christian, Ezekiel Jackson vs. Cody Rhodes and Kane vs. Wade Barrett.
— Dolph Ziggler took to Twitter to comment on online reports that he took adult film star BiBi Jones on a date after meeting her at a Britney Spears concert last week.
He wrote, “Wow! To anyone it may concern: no, i am NOT dating anyone! and YES I do frequently listen to Britney Spears!”
— Yoshi Tatsu celebrates his 34th birthday today. In yesterday’s birthdays, Alicia Fox turned 25, Cody Rhodes turned 26 and WWE Hall of Famer Terry Funk turned 67.
— Shawn Michaels noted on his Twitter account that Triple H will appear on an upcoming episode of his new television series Shawn Michaels’ MacMillan River Adventures (airing Tuesdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on the Outdoor Channel). Michaels and “The King of Kings” filmed an alligator hunting episode today in Florida.
— Randy Orton appeared on 98KUPD’s Real Rock on Tuesday promoting this week’s SmackDown tapings in Arizona. During the interview, one of the hosts said Ziggler, who resides in Phoenix, went on a date last week with adult film star BiBi Jones. He said Ziggler met Jones at a recent Britney Spears concert.
— The Bella Twins stated on Twitter that they will be launching their official website, NicoleandBrianna.com, on Friday.
— WWE Hall of Famer Sgt Slaughter appears at the Salem Red Sox game on Friday, July 8 at LewisGale Field 1004 Texas St. Salem, Virginia. Game time is 7:05 p.m. Call 540-389-3333 for more information.
Wrestling icon “Macho Man” Randy Savage’s cause of death has been revealed. According to the Pinellas County Medical Examiner, the former WWE & WCW champion died from a fatal “cardiac event” last month while driving on a Florida highway.
The medical examiner stated that the cardiac event was a result of cardiovascular disease.
According to the toxicology report, Savage tested positive for alcohol and hydrocodone during the time of his death, but neither played a role in his death.
(Props to TMZ.com for the info used in this report)
— Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer reported yesterday that Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman have either made a deal or at least are in very serious negotiations to have a business relationship with WWE. In the case of Lesnar, it is not to wrestle, nor would he be a television character. Meltzer claims Heyman’s deal is similar to Lesnar’s. Award-winning Canadian mixed martial arts journalist Ariel Helwani stated this afternoon on his Twitter account that Meltzer’s report is somewhat inaccurate. He wrote:
“Meltzer report on Heyman/Brock going 2 WWE, according 2 sources, is somewhat inaccurate. What is being discussed is a consumer product deal.”
— WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels posted a lengthy blog on his Facebook account explaining why he hunts animals. He wrote:
“I recognize that no matter how much love, faith, and factual information I provide there are going to be people who simply will not agree with the lifestyle I have chosen. Personally, it’s that diversity that makes us so great. I would ask that as I respect your right to disagree, you show me the same courtesy. I spent 25 years defending myself and you against the stereotype that we’re all a bunch of “dimwitted toothless rednecks,” what’s the harm against doing it again for another group of people I believe in? And at the end of the day there will still be those who just love to be difficult because…well, just because. To you I say this, my lifestyle is 100% protected by and in accordance with, the laws of this land…in every sense. You wanna challenge me in that? I’ll knock you sox off!!
“And if you’re not down with that…I got two words for ya…”
Former WWE star Colt Cabana was interviewed this week by the Miami Herald and had a lot to say about CM Punk’s shoot promo from RAW. Colt says that Punk’s rant was almost entirely reality-based and reflected the frustrations Punk has felt in WWE since his first days with the company.
“That whole thing has been building up forever,” Cabana said. “Personally, for almost forever, his whole time there, he is able to say this to me in the comfort of my house or his house.
“From being laughed at by the trainers in Ohio Valley Wrestling to Paul [Heyman] finally bringing him up and everybody treating him like dirt, telling him he has an attitude problem and calling him the ‘King of the Indies.’ Just looking down on him, he just felt shunned his whole time there. It was a complete struggle.”
Many are still under the impression that this angle is a storyline and that Punk will remain with WWE following his contract expiring the day after his title shot at Money In The Bank on 7/17, but Punk has been burnt out for a long time and is at the point where he just wants out.
“The power of him not really caring because he was ready to leave — I always said the power of not giving a s— is so important,” Cabana said. “He is really at the point where he just wants to get out of there. It’s too frustrating for him. If he said anything that made anybody mad, what are they going to do to him? Not re-sign him? He doesn’t want to be there.”
“So I think that idea is so powerful. He is so strong in his beliefs with the straight edge lifestyle. By being how strong headed that he is, he was able to have the power to go out on television and say what probably every other wrestler has wanted to say. He made unbelievable television. He made unbelievable history in wrestling.”
Punk may be on his way out of WWE, but Colt thinks his promo from RAW has the potential to change entire industry:
“He almost has the ability to change professional wrestling as we know it. It has been so stagnant and vanilla. It kind of shook up the wrestling world because of his real life frustrations.”
Colt Cabana had much more to say about Punk’s promo, including his family and friends thinking he died when they saw him trending on Twitter. To read the full interview, head over to MiamiHerald.com.
Last week, Chavo Guerrero joined the list of longtime WWE superstars who was released from the organization on request prior to their contract expiring.
Aside from Chavo Guerrero, other stars who asked to be released in the past year include Batista, Chris Jericho, MVP and Matt Hardy. As you may have heard, CM Punk is also on his way out of the company due to unhappiness with how he’s been booked and the demanding WWE schedule.
According to a reliable source in WWE, there are said to be a handful of other stars who are also fed up and are considering following Chavo and Punk out of the company.
Guerrero’s departure caught virtually everybody in WWE off guard – with several superstars praising him for having the guts to walk away.
(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
Former WWE star Chris Jericho was interviewed by TheSuplex.com on Wednesday night – and you can listen to audio of the interview below.
The topics discussed include:
– FOZZY
– His return to WWE?
– Hig thoughts on maybe working The Undertaker at WrestleMania 28
– Potential future dealings with American Idol stand out James Durbin
– Future movie roles
– PLUS MUCH, MUCH MORE!
Here’s the interview:
* Pictures of Shawn Michaels HUNTING: See What He Killed
(Source: TheSuplex.com)
After CM Punk’s shoot promo on RAW this week, it seemed highly unlikely that there would be any other stories that could possibly overshadow it – but a radio interview done by Randy Orton on Wednesday is sure coming close.
During a radio with Phoenix, Arizona’s KUPD radio station, Orton sorta-jokingly sorta-not said Kelly Kelly sleeps around and has been ‘romantic’ with upwards of 10 of WWE’s top superstars.
Kelly Kelly responded on Twitter to Orton’s claims, saying, “The best way to fight stupidity, is by ignoring it.” Now, Orton has issued a formal apology to Kelly on his own Twitter account:
“Yesterday I got caught up in a live radio interview and brought Kelly’s personal life into it.”
“I owe Kelly K and apology. The fact that she has dated a few guys I work with doesn’t make her a bad person, and is also none of my or anyone else’s business. Yesterday I got caught up in a live radio interview and brought Kelly’s personal life into it. It was completely uncalled for.
“Kelly, I hope one day you can forgive me. I do however understand if that doesn’t happen. Please everyone, trash me all you want, but please drop this topic out of respect for Barb.”
According to a reliable source in WWE, there was some significance CM Punk mentioning Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman and Colt Cabana during his shoot promo on RAW – as each of them could be working with WWE again in the coming months.
Heyman and Lesnar have reportedly either made a deal or are at least in very serious negotiations to have a business relationship with WWE. Regarding Lesnar, word is that he won’t be wrestling and won’t be a TV character, should he establish a business relationship with WWE again. Heyman would start working with the company again under a deal similar to Lesnar.
As for Punk’s WWE future, the creative team has been told that he’s finishing up at Money in the Bank and most feel that he is still leaving. During his negotiations with WWE Punk recently asked for his friend Colt Cabana to be re-hired and put on the main roster.
WWE still has an offer on the table, so we shall see.
(Credit to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter for some of the info used in this report)
At Wednesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings (set to air next Friday, 7/8), the 8 participants for the SmackDown-brand’s upcoming Money in the Bank match were determined. They are:
– Daniel Bryan
– Sin Cara
– Kane
– Wade Barrett
– Sheamus
– Cody Rhodes
– Heath Slater
– Justin Gabriel
— Kelly Kelly wrote the following on Twitter, apparently in response to Randy Orton’s disparaging comments about her yesterday during a radio interview.
“The best way to fight stupidity, is by ignoring it.”
— Jim Rome aired CM Punk’s Raw promo in its entirety today on The Jim Rome Show and offered the WWE Superstar 45 minutes to come on his sports talk radio to finish his speech.
— The following matches were taped last night in Phoenix, Arizona for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
* Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and Trent Barreta vs. Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd
* Kaitlyn vs. Alicia Fox
source: ProWrestling.Net
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton participated in an interview with Phoenix, Arizona based rock station 98KUPD promoting this week’s SmackDown tapings. Highlights from the interview are as follows.
* Orton discussed his past issues with drug abuse, including an incident in 2006 where he overdosed, stopped breathing and his wife called an ambulance to save his life. Orton said he and his family discuss the bad choices he’s made in WWE’s upcoming DVD release, Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator
“I was ashamed of it for a long time, but now talking about it and getting it off my chest—when my in-laws and mom watches it, they’re going to cry. My wife talks about when I stopped breathing and the ambulance came,” Orton said.
* Orton noted his recent concussion at a live event in Spain, saying the Raw taping the day after was “the biggest blur” and that he “couldn’t focus or concentrate.” He said it was the sixth concussion he had suffered, which had WWE worried. He said it was three years since his previous concussion, and that he had suffered some “bad ones” earlier in his career.
* Orton was broached on the subject of not being able to say he’s a wrestler, but rather, a “WWE Superstar.” Orton added, “Honestly, a lot of things we’ve talked about thus far in this interview, they’d be upset with. I’m not like, ‘eff it,’ but I try to be real.”
* Orton shared a story of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson trying to get him in trouble prior to WrestleMania. Orton said he gave his opinion on The Rock during an interview with ESPN—that he wasn’t buying his return speech about returning to WWE and never leaving again. Orton said Johnson called management and claimed the WWE Superstar slammed him and Triple H in the interview. Orton feels Rock mentioned Triple H to grab their attention even though he didn’t criticize “The Game” in the interview.
Orton said he had “got in trouble” and “made Vince mad” for his statements. He feels the interview was “blown out of proportion” and that Johnson should have confronted him over his remarks, rather than complaining to Vince McMahon and management.
* Orton said Cena is “light years” ahead of everyone in WWE on the microphone, including The Rock. Orton then criticized Cena’s wrestling ability by laughing at his in-ring style.
“When I watch him, I feel he’s a little stiff, hard to move, robotic. It certainly hasn’t hurt him. I’m much better than John Cena, but on the mic, he’s light-years ahead of all of us, including The Rock,” Orton said.
— Orton knocked the actresses who have portrayed his wife on television.
“Both those women were actresses. Not even actresses. They were like models who couldn’t act; it was awful. (hosts laughed) It actually ruined both segments because they couldn’t act,” Orton said.
— Orton brought up Chris Jericho, who said he is missed as a locker room leader. When asked about Downfall on ABC, Orton said he doesn’t think Jericho received permission from WWE to host the game show. He said there was some conflict over the matter, but Jericho is the type to approach Vince McMahon.
“Jericho is type of the guy to go in Vince’s office and tell him this is what he’s doing and tough,” Orton said. “A lot of newer, younger guys are intimidated by Vince. They’re scared to knock on his door. Jericho—I miss him being around—would go tell McMahon what’s going on.”
— Spured on by the hosts, Orton levied some unflattering remarks towards WWE Divas Champion Kelly Kelly after saying he worked a brief romance storyline with her a few years ago.
“I would be a method actor, and actually sleep with her,” joked host John Holmberg.
“I could name a few method actors in WWE,” Orton replied. “Like, ten guys.”
The hosts tried to pry names from Orton, who tried to deflect from the topic by joking that it’s all the big guys on the roster. Orton and the hosts continued to joke about who Kelly has or hasn’t slept with throughout the show.
— Several other minor topics were discussed including his baby oil look, whether he’s defecated in the ring, wishing there were more wrestlers like Sheamus, Mark Henry being difficult to work with, and more. The full interview is available here.
Linda Hogan appeared on the KQRS morning show on Wednesday to promote her new book. Linda spoke about a number of topics, including recent allegations by the Ultimate Warrior that she and Hulk Hogan had an “open marriage.’ She denies that claim and says based on what she’s heard, Warrior is gay.
“It’s shock value,” she said. “There’s no truth to it as far as I’m concerned. As far as my life and what I’ve done and where I’ve been, absolutely no truth to it at all. I don’t even know that guy. I’ve seen him behind the scenes at wrestling events back in the day. He’s never been to our house. My kids don’t know him. I’ve never met him other than hi or bye at an event. The truth is I don’t know what my husband said to him. I don’t know what they did behind the scenes. I wasn’t even aware what my husband was doing in our marriage behind the scenes recently. In fact, the rumor is that Warrior is gay.”
Linda was also asked about comparing herself to O.J. Simpson’s late wife Nicole during a recent interview, when she said Hulk Hogan was physically abusive towards her and didn’t want to wind up [dead] like Nicole Brown Simpson.
“No disrespect, I’m not comparing myself to her, I was comparing the situation. I put that message in my book. That’s what I wrote the book for was to put that message out to women that you have a decision. If you’re living in a marriage with abuse, and it can come in the form of infidelity, lying, and physical abuse, and as it escalates throughout the years, you tolerate some and it gets a little bit worse, and you tolerate that and it becomes the norm.”
You can listen to the full interview at KQRS.com.
The wrestling world is sounding off on CM Punk’s scorching promo from Monday’s RAW.
Here is what some of the top names in the industry are saying on Twitter about the memorable segment:
The Rock: “CM Punk: it’s simple business – The Rock is the main event at Wrestlemania cause it draws more money in one night, then u will in lifetime.”
Steve Austin: “@CMPunk just melted my 52 inch TV with a scorching hot promo…delivery, content, and attitude…one of the best promos I’ve ever seen.”
Shawn Michaels: “2 words 4 @CMPunk- thata boy. Felt like old times. Anywho, back 2 my normal life, tweet u on touchdown:-)”
Jim Ross: “Most compelling, controversial end of Raw in a long time. @cmpunk edgy, attitudinal & full of rage. Don’t know what to think. Wow.”
Colt Cabana: “Colt Cabana’s Trending but @CMPunk should legit trend FOREVER. Coolest thing on wrestling since 1998. Can’t believe theyre gonna let’m walk”
Chris Jericho: “Congrats to @cmpunk and Vince McMahon for doing something tonight that hasn’t been done in awhile…make history.”
Mick Foley: “I have no idea where this @cmpunk thing might go, but I know I’ll be watching. Captivating stuff.”
Joey Styles: “Holy crap! I thought I was bad when I was shooting on Vince and the company. OMG! Holy crap!”
Billy Corgan: “@CMPunk that may have been the GREATEST promo i have ever seen…to paraphrase Paul E, ‘you sir, are f’n hardcore’…”
Taz: “Punk did a great job & I always liked him when we were in wwe together and his work! But I must say… There r many of us who were NEVER pushed to the level Punk was & were NEVER allowed to shoot like that, he’s lucky he was allowed to do that. But it was very strong & real!! I liked a lot! Good stuff Punk!”
JBL: “I haven’t watched a wrestling program since well before I left WWE 2+ years ago. Heard about CM Punk’s promo and watched it this morning-WOW! That was awesome, as good as I have ever seen. I worked with CM when he first became champ-really enjoyed it and really happy to see what a stud he has become. When you can put doubt as to whether shoot or work-you have done your job very well!”
Daniel Bryan: “With revolution dripping off his lips with every word, @CMPunk was a god last night.”
Chavo Guerrero: “Did u see @CmPunk promo last night? WOW! If all those things are being said by a guy being used…think how I feel! Good Job Punk!”
Maryse: “@CMPunk for President of the United-States….”
Todd Grisham: “Punk came unhinged tonight. Never seen anything like it in my 8 years @WWE”
MVP: “My verdict after watching the @CMPunk promo, he just had his Austin 3:16 moment. Don’t fuck this one up WWE”
Former WWE superstar Trevor Murdoch, partner of the late Lance Cade, recently had a series of tryout matches with WWE and told Pitch.com that he will be returning to the company soon after being released back in July 2008.
Read More: Trevor Murdoch Says He Is Returning To WWE
Unfortunately for Murdoch, his chance to return to WWE has fallen through – and he’ now considering quitting the industry entirely as a result.
He wrote on his Facebook page on Wednesday:
“Well I got a call from Johnny Ace saying they weren’t going to go threw with my contract. He told me “budget cut’s”. I say bullsh**. I think I’m done with pro wrestling. Anybody know of any job opening’s?”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety over at JRsBarBQ.com. JR talks about a number of topics, including the premiere of Shawn Michaels’ new hunting show, his online BBQ store, the Shawn Michaels – Bret Hart DVD project he is a part of, a top UFC fighter suspended for steroids and much more. He also spoke at length about CM Punk’s memorable shoot promo from Monday’s RAW. Here’s what JR said:
“CM Punk’s show closing promo on MNR is still seemingly the talk of the wrestling biz. It was the best promo that I’ve heard on TV in years. Can’t say it was the definitive ‘best ever’ but it ranks among the best that I can recall. Steve Austin, who cut some memorable promos in his day, was extremely impressed with Punk’s work as were several other great promo men such as JBL and Mick Foley.”
“Normally when a talent is extremely passionate about a topic or an issue and speaks from their heart and not from a memorized document, the promo has a fighting chance at being stellar.”
“The first thing that must be in place for a promo to be great is that it must be natural ala from the heart and not from memory plus the talent must believe in what they are saying and not simply verbally filling time. Every promo must have a reason for taking place much akin to why most matches occur especially on PPV or in TV main events”
“Talking on a wrestling show should be special, and that means all talk, and with the special meaning that all talk should have a purpose. Too much talk for talk’s sake waters down the product, slows the process and disconnects with many viewers especially when it is obvious that the talents that are talking are not skilled and/or are simply reciting what they’ve memorized.”
“Punk says that he is leaving after the MITB Ladder Match PPV in Punk’s hometown of Chicago in July. He also says he’s leaving WWE with the WWE Title. Those two elements certainly should make for some compelling TV on Monday Night Raw. Whether Punk wins or doesn’t win the WWE Title is a hill I choose not to die upon but Punk staying in WWE is something that I personally hope happens in some shape, form or fashion. punk has as much to say about that eventual decision as anyone and as we have seen if one can predict what Punk’s going to do next then take those instincts to Vegas and make some big money.”
“Punk’s promo was reminiscent of the Attitude Era but it was totally PG. PG can be edgy but it doesn’t need to travel an uncreative, low road to be attitudinal or cool. “
As always, head over to JRsBarBQ.com to read the full blog and check out his excellent line of BBQ products.
Online World of Wrestling Radio:
Heard LIVE Tuesday Nights at 9pm ET
http://www.wildtalkradio.com
This past Tuesday Night, Former TNA Superstar Jay Lethal joined Alan Wojcik for Online World of Wrestling Radio, heard Live on the Wild Talk Radio Network (Wildtalkradio.com) at 9pm ET, to discuss all the topics that people wanted to know in an Hour Long Interview. Some of the topics that were on the table included the following:
The possibility of joining WWE:
“I would say yes, Only because I can honestly say that anyone that is a pro wrestler in my generation you became a pro wrestler because of one reason and one reason only and thats because of WWE. ECW was big WCW was big but I think for my generation it was WWE that made you want to become a professional wrestler and why would you not want to get a chance to work for the company that made you love this business, so I would have to say yes.”
Speaking with Randy Savage for the First Time & what Randy Savage thought of the impression:
“The first conversation we had lasted for five minutes. It was a three way call because I did not believe that it was it was really the macho man, as the guy was trying to get me to believe it was really him. He told me he liked the stuff, he didnt see it on TV, but saw it on youtube, I didnt think I offended him, I think I annoyed him, as this fan was calling him, as I am a fan of Macho Man, its very weird to have a fan call you, just to talk.”
The famous promo with Ric Flair on Impact:
“After the segment, I got to the locker room first and I was so nervous that my hands were numb and I was waiting for Flair to come back through the curtain, cause I didnt know what he thought of it, I dont know if he thought it was good, before flair came back everyone was applauding because they liked it, I thought they just thought it was funny, but when Ric Flair came back through the curtain he had the biggest smile that I have ever seen in my life, I walked up to him and hugged and then I knew it was okay.”
Who he thinks made the decision to release him from his TNA Contract:
“I dont know who makes the decision, but I can only speculate that it came from dixie carter herself, as the owner of the company, it had to go through to her at some point. All I know is that at some point as the owner of the company, in time it has to come through you.”
Receiving the Phone Call about his release:
“I was called by Head of Relations Terry Taylor while at a Baseball game. I should have seen it coming, as I hadnt been on TV in five months. It wasnt like hey Jay Lethal, you messed up, I honestly believe it was we have nothing for you. We kept you long enough with getting paid, its just now time to clean up and make some cuts.”
Being a part of TNA Destination X:
“I was originally was suppose to be apart of the Destination X PPV, even before I was release. After I was release I was also scheduled to be apart of it, but that fell through.”
Other topics include his return to Ring of Honor Wrestling, more on the conversation with Terry Taylor and the conversation they had when Terry Taylor was released from TNA Wrestling, How he got his Job in TNA Wrestling and more stories from his career. All of this was covered in this Hour Long Interview with Alan Wojcik on Online World of Wrestling Radio, which you can hear now by logging on to Wildtalkradio.com and you can listen to some of the biggest names in Wrestling each week by listening to Online World of Wrestling Radio Tuesday Nights at 9pm ET LIVE on the Wild Talk Radio Network on Wildtalkradio.com.
Former WWE star JBL has posted his first video blog on Facebook, where he talks about the late Eddie Guerrero, CM Punk leaving WWE next month and more. You can watch the video blog over at Facebook.com.
JBL also shared some more of his thoughts regarding CM Punk’s upcoming WWE departure on Facebook after finally getting to watch the promo. JBL tweeted on Tuesday:
“I haven’t watched a wrestling program since well before I left WWE 2+ years ago. Heard about CM Punk’s promo and watched it this morning-WOW! That was awesome, as good as I have ever seen. I worked with CM when he first became champ-really enjoyed it and really happy to see what a stud he has become. When you can put doubt as to whether shoot or work-you have done your job very well!”
Keep Reading: MORE Big Names Comment On CM Punk’s Promo
(Steve Austin, Bret Hart, HBK, Jim Ross, Chris Jericho, Mick Foley & More)
WWE star Alberto Del Rio spoke with the Miami Herald this week to promote next year’s WrestleMania 28 pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what Del Rio, who now resides in Tampa, Florida, said about:
The Origin of His Character: “Alberto Del Rio is something Vince McMahon and I created,” he said. “We created this character. He came up with the idea of the scarf, the cars and everything. However, I developed the character from guys from the movies like ‘Scarface’ and ‘The Godfather’ or guys who I hated during my life.”
“I was like this before WWE,” he added. “I wore these kinds of clothes. I like to have nice cars when I was in Mexico, and in the United States, it’s the same. It doesn’t matter that I have a character on TV. Of course I don’t have as many cars as Alberto Del Rio, but the way I handle myself is somewhat similar.
Adjusting To The WWE Style: “A lot of people helped me adjust to the style, including Steve Keirn, Dusty Rhodes, Norman Smiley. Those guys helped me in FCW because in Mexico we wrestle on the right side, and here we wrestle on the left side. That was the main issue because, essentially, wrestling is the same everywhere. That particular area and transition were kind of hard, but in the end everything worked out well.”
WrestleMania 28: “It is going to be great,” Del Rio said. “This WrestleMania [27] was incredible, but I’m pretty sure next year’s WrestleMania [28] will be awesome. All the things we have here in Miami, it’s going to be a great event. They are going to be bringing in guys like The Rock and superstars from the past. So it’s going to be great.”
“I’m going to be defending my WWE title at WrestleMania because I see myself as champion in a few months. John Cena, I’ve worked with him in the past. I’ve never had a program with him. I think that is the way I’m going now.”
To read Del Rio’s full interview with the Miami Herald, head over to MiamiHerald.com.
Embedded below is this week’s episode of WWE NXT, courtesy of the WWE Youtube channel:
According to a reliable source in WWE, CM Punk’s memorable shoot promo that ended Monday’s episode of WWE RAW was entirely unscripted improvised by Punk. Punk was instructed to go out and say in his own words why he was leaving the company, and nobody in the back knew what he was going to say.
Company officials (and the entire locker room) were watching Punk’s promo very closely in case he went too far – and despite all the taboo things mentioned by the #1 contender to the WWE championship, the production team was only told to cut the segment when WWE’s anti-bullying campaign was mentioned, as the company does not want the program’s legitimacy questioned by bringing it into a storyline.
Punk ‘s frustration with not being featured as a top superstar in WWE is legitimate and one of the reasons he’s been strongly considering leaving WWE.
As far as his contract status, Punk’s deal apparently expired the second week of July, but he recently signed an extension to work through the Money in the Bank pay-per-view on July 17th.
Based on what we are hearing, Punk really will be leaving WWE after Money in the Bank for at least a few months.
TNA star Kurt Angle is the latest wrestler to comment on Twitter about CM Punk’s shoot promo on RAW.
Angle tweeted the following on Tuesday afternoon:
“CM Punk had classic promo last night. Good for Him. But if U ever say another word about Me again, Ur toast! If U don’t believe Me, try Me!”
Angle and CM Punk had beef back in April, when Angle went on a rant on Twitter – accusing Randy Orton, Jack Swagger and Jerry Lawler for “stealing” his wrestling moves at WrestleMania. Angle later claimed his Twitter account was hacked, but Punk blasted Angle and said he didn’t buy his story.