SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • WWE Announces Latest Member Of The Hall of Fame

    WWE announced this afternoon on their website that Abdullah the Butcher will inducted into the organization’s Hall of Fame on Saturday, April 2 in Atlanta, Georgia.

    To view his profile, including induction video, click here.

    While not officially confirmed, Abdullah stated during an interview last month that he will be inducted by longtime rival Terry Funk.

    WWE is branding The Butcher ‘as one of the most vicious competitors to ever enter the ring’. They also acknowledge The Butcher has battled every legend in nearly every promotion on the planet, with the exception of WWE.

    The Butcher lives in the Atlanta area, where he operates a restaurant called Abdullah the Butcher’s House of Ribs and Chinese Food.

  • Legend Added To All Stars Roster, WWE Promotes Wrestleshow

    — WWE Legend The Honky Tonk Man has been announced as a downloadable character for THQ’s upcoming WWE All Stars video game.

    For details on the character, click here. It also features a quote from The Honky Tonk Man recalling the night he dropped the Intercontinental Championship to the Ultimate Warrior.

    — It was reported earlier that a publicist for WWE issued a stern e-mail to a television industry news website demanding that they not refer to the organization as a wrestling company.

    The publicist stated, “No, we don’t do wrestling events. They’re entertainments. And we don’t call them wrestlers. They’re superstars and divas.”

    Contrary to the publicist’s statement, the official Twitter account of WWE Magazine sent out a tweet on Saturday promoting WWE’s live event at Madison Square Garden as a ‘wrestleshow’.

    “#MSG It’s a wrestleshow!” they wrote, with a photo of the arena enclosed.

    — WWE Legends Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake and Greg Valentine have been announced for the Boston Comic Con at the Hynes Convention Center 900 Boylston St. Boston, MA. The event takes place May 1.

  • Match Announced For Raw, New WWE All Stars Trailer Released

    — WWE.com has announced that Randy Orton will face Rey Mysterio tonight on Raw. The bout is billed as a WrestleMania 22 rematch, in spite of Kurt Angle’s participation.

    — The latest trailer for THQ’s WWE All Stars has been released, which highlights the game’s “Path of Champions” mode.

    WWE All Stars will be released in North America on March 29 and in Europe on April 1.

    — A WWE Supershow is scheduled to take place the night before Capital Punishment; June 18 at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

    — Former WWE manager Paul Bearer said yesterday on Twitter that he filmed a DVD. Additional details were not disclosed.

  • Khali Appearing On “Outsourced”, Lilian Garcia Talks WWE

    — The Great Khali’s cameo appearance on NBC’s Outsourced airs this Thursday at 10:30 p.m. The Raw Superstar can be seen wearing suspenders and donning a handlebar mustache.

    — Former Monday Night Raw ring announcer Lilian Garcia recently appeared on Telemundo’s Crossover program to discuss her musical endeavors and time with World Wrestling Entertainment. To view the video interview, click here.

    The only “Decade Diva” has spent the past year working on the follow-up to her 2007 Spanish album ¡Quiero Vivir!. Her latest project will be predominantly English, with possible Spanish nuances featured. She plans to release her second album or at least a single by the end of the year.

    — A Monday Night Raw taping is scheduled for June 13 at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, New York.

    source: PWInsider.com

  • Piper Appearing At ‘Mania, TNA Star Featured In WWE Ad, More

    — WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper said last week on his Twitter account that he will be on hand for WrestleMania XXVII, which takes place April 3 at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta.

    — The latest issue of WWE Magazine includes a one page advertisement promoting “The Road To WrestleMania XXVII” on WWE Classics On Demand and a large photo of TNA star Hulk Hogan is solely featured.

    Speaking of the video on demand service, next month’s theme is dubbed “Over the Top” as outrageous Superstars and unusual matches will be featured.

    — WWE developmental wrestler James Bronson, a former mixed martial artist, has launched an account on Twitter.

  • Chris Jericho On DWTS Tonight – How You Can Vote

    Tonight is the season premiere of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars, featuring former WWE superstar Chris Jericho.

    Did you like Chris Jericho’s dance moves? IT DOESN’T MATTER if you liked his dance moves! We’ve gotta support one of our own – and here’s how you can vote for Jericho and his partner Cheryl Burke:

    The show begins at 8 p.m. (eastern) .. As soon as the show goes live on the air, the voting begins.

    To vote for Chris Jericho and his partner Cheryl Burke, call 1-800-VOTE-409.

    Once again, that’s 1-800-868-3409.

    For more on how you can vote for DWTS, visit ABC.com.

  • Tough Enough Finalists Determined, Next HOF Inductee

    — Tough Enough, which premieres April 4 on the USA Network, wrapped up filming last week. Trainers Trish Stratus and Bill DeMott noted on Twitter that the show concluded “principal shooting” and that the top two finalists have been determined.

    — Abdullah the Butcher is expected to be announced as the latest member of the WWE Hall of Fame tonight on Raw.

    — Jim Ross said on Twitter that Saturday’s Raw live event at Madison Square Garden in New York City drew 19,000 fans for an estimated gate of $800,000.

    — Mark Henry missed last week’s Monday Night Raw taping as he was in Australia promoting WrestleMania XXVII as well as WWE’s upcoming tour Down Under. “The World’s Strongest Man” appeared on the breakfast television program Weekend Sunrise discussing the WWE experience. (video)

    — Brodus Clay, who debuted two weeks ago on Raw as the bodyguard of Alberto Del Rio, is now officially a member of the SmackDown roster. TheNXT Season 4 contestant has been added to the Superstars page on WWE.com.

  • Edge Discusses His Many Title Reigns, Why He Doesn’t Tweet

    The latest issue of WWE Magazine features an interview with Edge and the “Rated-R Superstar” is asked why anyone should care that he’s held the World Championship ten times (now eleven).

    “I never expected to be able to say that I’m a 10-time World Champion. I was hoping to one day say I was a one-time World Champion,” he replied. “Growing up, that number was impossible to reach. It was a different time, place and climate then. Things have changed. It’s harder to recreate yourself and stay relevant. I guess I’ve changed enough to stay relevant, which is one of the hardest things to do. For me, anything past one title is pretty much gravy on top of mashed potatoes.”

    He also explains why he has yet to join Twitter.

    “I will never be on Twitter,” he said. “Here’s my thing: I really don’t want people to know what I’m doing. I’m off the grid by choice. It doesn’t mean I have anything against anybody. If I’m out and I see you, let’s have a conversation. Cool. But I’m not going to tell you where I am. I’m not the most technological guy in the world, nor will I ever be. I will be in the mountains growing a massive beard at some point and hiking with my dogs and thinking about climbing Mount Everest. This is all ties back into my attack on the Raw GM’s computer. There was real frustration there. I’m not a computer guy. I can appreciate what computers do, but all I need is e-mail.”

    Finally, Edge discusses how he remains inventive after several years inside the squared circle.

    He says, “One of the most difficult elements is figuring out how to do new things within our parameters. How can I stop Kane in a Last Man Standing Match? How can I defeat three other guys in a TLC bout? How can I win a match when my signature move has been “outlawed”? Those are problems that I really enjoy solving. I love creative solutions, and I don’t like to take the easiest path.”

  • Rowdy Roddy Piper Invites Rock & Cena To Piper’s Pit

    WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper wrote the following on Twitter in response to recent war of words between The Rock and John Cena. Piper Tweeted:

    “Saw interviews with Cena and the Rock talking how They paved the road to Hollywood. They did great, but only ONE man paved the way. Fact!”

    He then proposed a Piper’s Pit segment with Cena and Rock:

    “The Rock and Cena in Pipers Pit….Straight improv!..Book it!! I an’t scared of no ghost…”

  • Lilian Garcia Discusses The Rock’s Influence On Her Career

    While high school classmates and teachers of Lilian Garcia knew she could sing, it wasn’t until Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson found out, that her singing career began to blossom.

    “The Rock likes to sing, too, and he found out I could sing,” the former ring announcer of Monday Night Raw told the Miami Herald in an interview.

    “I was talking to him one day, and ‘The National Anthem’ came up as a subject. I said, ‘Yea, I sang ‘The National Anthem’ at my high school graduation.’ There was 600 people in the auditorium. I was in drama in high school, and I always sang in high school. So people there knew me as a singer.

    “So he goes, ‘Wow. We actually play ‘The National Anthem’ [at house shows]; it’s always an instrumental [recording] that plays, before we go out.’ He goes, ‘I’m going to talk to the agent, and we should get you to sing ‘The National Anthem.’

    “It was Feb. 11, 2000, and I was doing my first live event [house show] because I had only done Raw, and we were in Denver. Rock mentioned it to one of the agents, and they had me sing it there that night. It went over so well that the agent had me do it that whole weekend – Friday, Saturday, Sunday.

    “By Monday morning, Vince McMahon heard about it, and he mentioned it at the meeting. He said, ‘So I hear that someone took the house down and can sing. I’ve got to see it for myself. So I want you to sing it tonight.’ It was in San Jose for Raw on Feb. 14 on Valentine’s Day 2000, and I sang it ever since.”

    Garcia knows all too well that being a ring announcer is a daunting task in WWE.

    Garcia said: “I think they’ve gone through four girls already after me, and some of them talked to me and said, ’Wow. We never knew how hard this job was. You really do have to think on your feet all the time, and you’ve got to know everything.’ For me, it was years before. I mean I started getting more and more comfortable. Some of the rules for the matches were so long. When it’s rules, it’s different than when you’re talking to somebody 1-on-1. You can’t deviate from the rules. You can’t adlib the rules. You really have to memorize it.

    “It can be they gave you the rules 45 minutes before the match or 15 minutes before the match. Then you have to memorize something really, really fast that’s technical. There were times even [near the end of her career] that my stomach was like because I didn’t want to mess up.”

    The songstress also recalls auditioning for WWE and her first day on the job, which was a rocky experience to say the least. To read the article, click here.

    Garcia is hoping to release her second music album or at least a single by the end of the year. Visit LilianGarcia.com for the latest on the progress of the album.

  • The Rock Says He Will Wrestle Again

    Prior to his WWE return last month, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson had stated publicly in several interviews that his in-ring career was likely forever. Fast forward to 2011’s red-hot feud with John Cena and The Great One appears to have changed his tune.

    The Rock is on the cover of the latest issue of WWE Magazine and tells them he’s ready to throw down in the ring once again.

    When asked how many of his old ring outfits he still has, Rock said, “I still own it all. It’s still with me in my house. It was never going away because I knew I would one day use it again.”

    That sounds like he’s talking about wrestling again, so The Rock was asked, “So does that mean you’re coming back to fight as well?”

    He responded,”Making movies is something that I love to do, and I know that it brings a lot of people joy, which in turn brings me and my soul great gratification. Being in the ring and entertaining the audience and kicking ass physically brings me and my soul great gratification as well. I can guarantee that I can always do both.”

    Check Out: John Cena Says He Wants To Wrestle The Rock “Many, Many Times”

  • WWE Says Don’t Call Them A Wrestling Company

    A publicist for World Wrestling Entertainment demanded last week that a television industry news website not refer to them as a wrestling company.

    The website in question, TVWeek.com, ran a story on Drew Carey’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame last week with the headline “Drew Carey Inducted Into Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame. Huh? Drew Carey??!!” The headline drew the ire of WWE publicist Kellie Baldyga, who sent a stern e-mail to the author demanding that the headline be ‘corrected’.

    Baldyga wrote in her email, “We are no longer a wrestling company but rather a global entertainment company with a movie studio, international licensing deals, publisher of three magazines, consumer good distributor and more.”

    During a subsequent phone conversation, the publicist stated, “No, we don’t do wrestling events. They’re entertainments. And we don’t call them wrestlers. They’re superstars and divas.”

    Rather than change the headline, the article was removed from the website altogether. Baldyga sent a follow-up e-mail, reading, “I know the perception is that we are a wrestling company but we are actually much more than that–we are a global media company which is how our Chairman and CEO, Vince McMahon, positions us.”

    The ordeal is chronicled here.

  • Sunny Comments On WWE Return At MSG (PICTURES)

    Former WWE diva Sunny made a surprise appearance at Saturday night’s Raw live event at Madison Square Garden in New York City. She served as the special guest referee for a tag team match pitting Kelly Kelly and Eve vs. The Bella Twins, which was won by Kelly and Eve.  The Bellas attacked Kelly and Eve after the match but Sunny came to their rescue and chased the Bellas off.

    She wrote about her experience on Facebook, saying:

    “Very big thanks to (Vince McMahon), (John Laurinaitis), and the WWE for having me back at MSG tonight….see you all in 2 weeks at the HOF and WM!! Let’s hope it’s the start of more great things to come!!”

    Check out these pictures of Sunny’s return to WWE at Saturday night’s MSG live event:

  • Husky Harris Debuts New Gimmick At FCW (PICTURES)

    Husky Harris, who was demoted last month to Florida Championship Wrestling (though officially still listed as a Raw Superstar), recently debuted a masked character in the developmental promotion.

    Paying homage to his grandfather, WWE Hall of Famer Blackjack Mulligan, Harris appeared at the March 9 and 16 FCW live events as Axl Mulligan. His appearance is similar to the Hannibal Lecter character from The Silence of the Lambs. Harris wears jeans and a black Misfits T-shirt to go along with the mask.

    Harris is also using the Stone Cold Stunner as his finishing maneuver. He beat Ricardo Rodriguez with the move last Wednesday, and then struck Brodus Clay during a post-match brawl.

    It is unclear as to whether the character will continue as Harris appeared as himself at last Thursday’s FCW live event, one day removed from appearing as the masked persona.

  • Change Expected To Top Mania Match, Miz To Guest On Conan

    — According to sources within WWE, a change is expected to be made to a top tier WrestleMania match over the next few days. Many are speculating that Christian will be added to the World Heavyweight Championship Match between Edge and Alberto Del Rio.

    — As of yesterday, creative plans called for Triple H vs. The Undertaker to conclude WrestleMania, with no career ending stipulations.

    — WWE Champion The Miz is scheduled to appear as a guest on this Wednesday’s episode of Conan. The show airs at 11:00 p.m. on TBS.

    source: f4wonline.com

  • JR Blog: Jeff Hardy, Lack Of New Top Stars, Wade Barrett

    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:

    Jeff Hardy’s Legal Situation: “No…I do not care to discuss the pending legal matters regarding Jeff Hardy’s alleged drug issues in North Carolina. Firstly, I haven’t kept up with the situation nearly as much as most nor do I know all the facts surrounding the matter. I hope that this seemingly never ending tale can end sooner than later for everyone’s sake who is involved. It seems as if it has been going on forever which means that defense attorney fees will be costly.”

    Wade Barrett’s Future: “Yes….I do think that Wade Barrett is a bright future in WWE and I also think that after WM27 concludes that Barrett will be among many younger talents that will be expected and counted upon to raise their game and to build equity into future, main event opportunities in WWE. Barrett is and looks athletic and can talk. I like his upside.”

    Lack Of New Top Stars: “Experts can debate all they want about why there is a lack of quality, main event depth in the business nowadays but to me the answer is extremely simple. The death of the wrestling territories has caused significant damage to the major companies abilities to replace aging, main event level stars with younger albeit experienced stars who have a proven track record of main event success in a profitable, regional territory. Case closed.”

  • Update On The Future Of Superstars, Cena, Hart, Luger

    — WGN America confirmed last week that WWE Superstars has been canceled. The final episode will air on April 7. Despite the cancellation, is is expected to continue as a WWE.com-exclusive/overseas show.

    — Parade has a piece on John Cena touting the WWE Superstar’s charity work with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He recently became one of only four celebrities (along with Hulk Hogan and NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr.) to grant 200 wishes through the charitable organization, which helps children with life-threatening medical conditions.

    — WWE Hall of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart appears at Bistro 2561 Hylan Blvd. Staten Island, New York on Saturday, April 16 from 1 to 4 p.m. Visit www.sportsfanpromotions.com for more information.

    — Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Lex Luger will share his Christian testimony during a chapel service this Thursday at Shorter University in Rome, Georgia. Click here for more information.

    Now a born-again Christian, Luger travels across the United States to share his testimony and warn people about the dangers of drugs.

    (Parial source: f4wonline.com)

  • Chris Jericho Talks About Returning To WWE, DWTS

    The WWE website has published a new interview with Jericho, which you can read here in its entirety. During the piece, Jericho said he plans to make a full-time return to WWE when he can be 100% committed to the company.

    “One of the reasons I’m not in WWE now is DWTS,” Jericho said. “You have to be 100 percent physically and mentally devoted to one or the other. You can’t do both. I’m sure I’ll be back. I have to return to WWE to take my persona back.”

    Jericho clarified what he meant by “taking his persona back” – and took a few shots at WWE champion The Miz.

    “I watched Raw on Monday and felt like I was having an out of body experience. I was watching myself on live TV! Then I realized I hadn’t gotten that ugly and become that bad of a wrestler and realized I was actually watching the current WWE Champion, The Miz.”

    After teasing last week that he’d be returning to WWE television on Friday’s SmackDown, former WWE star Chris Jericho was featured in a video package hyping his appearance on the upcoming season of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. The video package that aired on SmackDown featured footage of Jericho and his DWTS partner Cheryl Burke practicing for the upcoming season, which premieres on Monday night.

    Check Out: Pictures of Chris Jericho’s DWTS Partner CHERYL BURKE

  • DiBiase Moving To SD?, Notes On Candice Michelle & Lilian Garcia

    — Ted DiBiase made his first television appearance since February 24 on Friday’s episode of SmackDown, losing to Rey Mysterio in a quick match. He was not the only Raw Superstar to compete on the show as Sheamus beat Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston in a Non-Title Match earlier in the broadcast. It’s interesting to note that a SmackDown name plate was displayed during DiBiase’s ring entrance, whereas a Raw name plate was displayed when Sheamus made his entrance.

    — WWE developmental wrestler Percy Watson is working this weekend’s SmackDown live events. He beat Curt Hawkins last night in Roanoke, Virginia.

    — Former WWE Women’s Champion Candice Michelle appears on Monday Night Mayhem tomorrow at 7:40 p.m. The show is available at www.MondayNightMayhem.com.

    — Lilian Garcia is auctioning several outfits from her time in WWE on eBay.

  • Sunny Returns To WWE, Survivor Series Venued Announced

    — Sunny made a surprise appearance at last night’s Raw live event at Madison Square Garden in New York City as the 2011 WWE Hall of Famer was the special guest referee for a tag team match pitting Kelly Kelly and Eve vs. The Bella Twins. The twin duo attacked Kelly and Eve following their loss, but Sunny fended them off.

    — It was announced at last night’s Raw live event at Madison Square Garden in New York City that the 2011 Survivor Series would take place at the venue on November 20.

    — Evan Bourne celebrated his 28th birthday yesterday.

    source: PWInsider.com

  • “Tough Enough” Concludes Filming, Iowa Gets SmackDown, More

    — Steve Austin said this morning on his Twitter account that Tough Enough has concluded filming.

    “Well…just finished with Tough Enough…it was a helluva lot of fun…thanks to @BillDeMott, @trishstratuscom, and Booker T..great cats.”

    — The May 31 SmackDown taping will take place at the Wells Fargo Arena in Des Moines, Iowa. The advertised main event is Edge and Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio and Cody Rhodes.

    — Tough Enough contestant Matt Cross is scheduled to appear for the Vanguard Wrestling All-Star Alliance in Oak Park, Illinois on April 9.

    — NXT Season 3 contestant AJ Lee celebrates her 24th birthday today. She currently reigns as FCW Divas Champion in WWE developmental.

    source: PWInsider.com

  • Details On WGN Canceling “WWE Superstars”, Cuts Expected

    Regarding WGN America’s cancellation of WWE Superstars, the Chicago-based superstation didn’t feel they were getting what they paid for, which was a program near the level of Monday Night Raw. WGN agreed to carry the show in late 2008 with the hope it would bring ratings to their national feed, which does not have substantial clearance across cable systems in the United States.

    While WWE Superstars initially featured top tier talent such as John Cena, Edge and John Morrison, it was clear from the beginning that it was a show of little consequence. For instance, the program sparingly featured storylines. Within a matter of time, it became the modern day equivalent of Sunday Night Heat, a television showcase for the organization’s preliminary talent; Zack Ryder, Tyler Reks, Primo and the brothers Uso were regularly featured in starring roles. Meanwhile, the show’s lackluster ratings were indicative of how both fans and officials alike saw it as.

    Due to last month’s poor financial quarters, company officials have discussed cutting ties with a number of bottom level wrestlers following Wrestlemania XXVII as a cost-cutting measure.

    source: PWInsider.com

  • John Cena Wants To Wrestle The Rock & Talks Miz, Taker

    RAW superstar John Cena was recently interviewed by Anthony Castellano of Newsday.com and spoke about his current feud with The Rock.

    “The fact that he tried to pick a fight with the toughest guy in the place, that’s kind of his style,” Cena said. “But you know me, I don’t back down from anyone. I think it’s going to make some good television.”

    So far The Rock is only committed to be the host of WrestleMania, but Cena wants to face The Great One in the ring, and not just once either.

    “I think we’re on to a point if this continues, something physical is going to happen. He’s supposed to host. That’s all I know. When he came back on that first night he said he was back for good. I can only hope that’s the truth because I would certainly like to have many, many matches with him.”

    Cena put over his WrestleMania 27 opponent The Miz, saying, “He proved in the last few weeks that he is the champ. He needs to be respected as such.”

    Cena also commented on the possibility of trying to end The Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak in the future if Triple H is unable to do so this year. While a Cena-Undertaker WrestleMania match is something a lot of people want to see, Cena doesn’t sound interested.

    “Nooooo, he just doesn’t lose. That’s not a profitable night for anyone.”

  • Chyna Says She Wants To Wrestle Snooki & The Situation

    On Monday’s RAW, Jersey Shore Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi made her WWE television debut, got physical with LayCool and was booked for a match at WrestleMania 27.

    Former WWE diva Chyna says that “Snooki” is making a mockery out of pro wrestling – and wants to settle their beef in the ring.

    Chyna, who last wrestled back in 2002, spoke to TMZ.com this week and said, “Snooki is trying to make a joke out of wrestling” … and needs to be taught a lesson.

    Chyna said she’s also interested in laying the smack down on Snooki’s co-star Michael Sorrentino, best known as “The Situation.”

    Chyna told TMZ, “I could take on Snooki AND The Situation in a tag match and have some fun doing it.”

  • The Rock To Guest On “Tough Enough”, Tara Excited For ‘Mania

    — Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will make a guest appearance on the upcoming season of Tough Enough, reports EW.com.

    In the episode, the multi-time champion works out with the contestants, judges a challenge and demonstrates his own skills in the squared circle.

    — TNA Knockout Tara said on her Twitter account that she’s excited for the John Morrison, Trish Stratus and Snooki vs. Dolph Ziggler and Lay-Cool match at WrestleMania XXVII.

    When asked to give her reaction to the announcement of the match, she stated that she is “super excited.”

    “I’m a huge Jersey Shore fan and Trish is my girl,” she wrote.

    — WWE Monday Night Raw on August 8, 2011 will be held at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.

    source: PWInsider.com