SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • WrestleMania Card Not Finalized, Insight On New Tough Enough

    — Last week, the Smart Wrestling Fan podcast released the match lineup for WrestleMania XXVII, which was then verified as legitimate by one of our WWE sources: The Undertaker vs. Triple H; The Miz vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship; Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship; Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole with Steve Austin as the Special Guest Referee, Randy Orton vs. CM Punk; Rey Mysterio vs. Cody Rhodes, John Morrison, Kelly Kelly and Trish Stratus vs. Dolph Ziggler, Michelle McCool and Layla; The Corre vs. Big Show, Christian, Kane, Kofi Kingston; Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus, and another match featuring the Divas.

    While the card appears legitimate, company sources have stated that the match lineup has not been finalized as changes may still be made to matches that have not been announced. The latter four matches have yet to be made official.

    — According to sources within WWE, the revival of Tough Enough is being labeled as a reality television show about individuals who want to become WWE Superstars rather than a reality show about professional wrestling. People within WWE who were against the original premise of the show because they felt it exposed the industry are in favor of it being character driven.

    source: Pro Wrestling Torch

  • Raw Wrestler Loses Roster Spot, Original Plans For Brodus Clay

    — Darren Young, who was selected as one of six former NXT contestants to return to the show in its fifth season, NXT Redemption, was listed as a member of the Raw roster upon its premiere. He had been largely relegated to WWE Superstars in recent months but is now competing for a spot in the sixth season of NXT.

    — Former WWE creative member John Piermarini said on his Twitter account that Brodus Clay was originally tapped for the role of Ted DiBiase’s bodyguard last year. The role, however, went to Virgil.

    — WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper said on Twitter that he’s filming a piece for Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week.

    — The March 5 SmackDown live event in Albuquerque, New Mexico drew 6,000 fans and gate of $170,000. The March 6 show in Waco, Texas drew 4,000 fans for a gate of $120,000.

    source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • MVP Tweeting From Japan After Massive Earthquake

    Former WWE Superstar MVP, who is currently wrestling over in Japan, has been posting updates on Twitter regarding the massive earthquake that hit the country last night and has already claimed hundreds of lives.

    Here are just some of the tweets from MVP during the aftermath of the quake:

    The305MVP
    It’s 10pm here in Tokyo. 8 am on the east coast. I’m having a beer on the 43rd floor of the Tokyo Dome hotel.
    The305MVP
    I’m literally on top of the WORLD right now. (Cue Joe Walsh “Life’s Been Good”)
    The305MVP
    I just experienced my 1st Japanese EARTHQUAKE!!! WOW!!! Aftershocks are pretty strong. I LOVE IT HERE! #Kokujin Gojira
    The305MVP
    “@GiantBernard: I’m shaking. LOL.” “This is Awesome! Clap clap clapclapclap” lol. Aw hell we ain’t dead
    The305MVP
    When these Japanese people went running & screamin I thought they were afraid of ME! Kokujin Gojira! http://yfrog.com/h72fkxhj
    The305MVP
    @angiebabynz Angie my heart goes out to all of those in Christchurch NZ who are victims of the quakes there! No more joking. This is serious
    The305MVP
    So I heard Sendai, where I debuted for NJPW was the epicenter. 7.9 is no laughing matter. I hope there were no fatalities! Positive vibez!
    The305MVP
    “@IAmTakachi: @The305MVP Are you OK?” I’m ok 4 now. Thank you 4 checking on me! Apparently Tokyo hasn’t felt anything like this in YEARS!!!
    The305MVP
    @BarackMcBush We all gotta go eventually. If I go today I checked some personally important stuff off of my bucket list! I’m good baby!
    The305MVP
    @Robverbs News reporter said nuclear plant “should” be safe. They think …
    The305MVP
    On the 19th floor Tokyo Dome hotel. It’s swaying noticeably atm but just another way less severe after shock. Stand Still traffic outside!
    The305MVP
    Reporter just put current death toll at 44. I’m sure there will be many more to come. RIP
    The305MVP
    NHK (news) showing local damage. Serious infrastructure damage. Roads SPLIT & DROPPED several feet in some places. Another after shock now.
    The305MVP
    @KyraCNN Phone lines are down & cell lines are congested. BBM & twitter are my only means of communication. Good luck catching a fone convo!
    The305MVP
    AIRPORT?! Call me crazy but I’m not going home until they SEND me home. It’ll take more than a disaster 2 derail my dreams! I LOVE JAPAN!
    The305MVP
    The Japanese are a very strong people. They will mourn & grieve & then bounce back ! I will entertain them as long as they’ll have me! #NJPW
    The305MVP
    “@TheRealXPac: @The305MVP man, I was watching that live and all I could think is if u r ok. Come home safe my friend”. I’ll do my BEST!
    The305MVP
    Another after shock. The hotel is swaying pretty good! Some people pay good money for a thrilling ride like this. SCARY ! Humor > Fear
    The305MVP
    Ok now I’m just getting pissed off. Everytime I’m JUST about to fall a sleep ANOTHER aftershock rocks the hotel just enuff to wake me!
    The305MVP
    1 time for all the New Zealanders & Chilenos who know this drill. And enuff with the fake sensitivity! It’s ok to use humor to get u thru!

  • *SPOILERS* WWE SmackDown Tapings Results For Tonight

    WWE SmackDown on Syfy

    WWE taped this week’s episode of SmackDown on Tuesday night from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas. Credit to Wrestling News World and reader Trey Grant for this report:

    * The show opens with World Heavyweight Champion Edge calling out Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio comes out with Brodus Clay and a fight ensues. Christian makes the save and gets a tremendous pop. Teddy Long comes out and sets up a tag team match to headline the show.

    * Kane b. Wade Barrett via disqualification because of involvement from The Corre. Big Show hits the ring with a chair. Teddy Long comes out and changes the match to Big Show & Kane vs. Wade Barrett & Heath Slater with The Corre banned from ringside.

    * Big Show & Kane b. Wade Barrett & Heath Slater via disqualification because The Corre came out and got involved. After the bell, Show landed a chair shot on Barrett and Ezekiel Jackson.

    * “Dashing” Cody Rhodes b. JTG in a squash match

    * Michael Cole conducted an in-ring interview with John Cena. Jack Swagger comes out and a melee breaks out. Cole narrowly escapes the Attitude Adjustment but Cena hits Swagger with it.

    * A vignette airs for Sin Cara.

    * Layla b. Kaitlyn. Michelle McCool join in a post-match beat down of Kaitlyn after the bout.

    * Rey Mysterio b. Drew McIntyre. After the match, “Dashing” Cody Rhodes wants an answer about his match against Mysterio at Wrestlemania XXVII. The match is set.

    * Triple H comes out for an interview. He talks about how he will end “the streak” at Wrestlemania. The Undertaker comes out and confronts Hunter. Hunter gives him the DX crotch chop and Undertaker responds with the throat slash.

    * World Heavyweight Champion Edge & Christian b. Alberto Del Rio & Brodus Clay

  • Latest On Benjamin To WWE, FCW Diva On “Tough Enough”?

    — Shelton Benjamin worked a dark match prior to this week’s SmackDown taping in Houston, Texas, beating SmackDown Superstar Curt Hawkins. The feeling is that based on how well he performed and the solid reaction he received from the hometown crowd, he will receive an offer to return to the organization after WrestleMania XXVII.

    Follow the match, Benjamin said on Twitter that he ‘may or may not be returning to WWE’.

    — A joke going around WWE regarding Vince McMahon’s doctrine that The Undertaker’s match with Triple H at WrestleMania X-Seven never happened, is that the SmackDown star’s undefeated streak should be 17-0.

    — According to the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE developmental wrestler Su Yung (a/k/a Sonia) is among the cast of Tough Enough. However, her profile remains on the official website Florida Championship Wrestling, which would indicate that she is not. Former WWE developmental talent Christina Crawford (a/k/a Caylee Turner) and Andy Leavine (a/k/a Kevin Hackman) are contestants on the show and their respective profiles were removed from the site last month.

    source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • The Rock Advertised For Post-WM27 RAW, More On Tenille Tayla

    — Joey Styles announced on Twitter on Thursday that The Rock will be live in Atlanta’s Philips Arena for WWE Monday Night Raw the night after WrestleMania, Monday April 4. For more information on the event, visit WWELiveTour.com.

    — Jim Ross was asked by a fan on Twitter whether WWE signing 22-year-old diva Tenille Tayla is a sign that WWE is turning a proverbial corner and now concentrating on “beautiful women who just happen to be wrestlers” rather than “beautiful women, now let’s try to make them wrestle”? Jim Ross wrote:

    “I really don’t know their direction as it relates to the women they hire other than they generally want them to be beautiful and athletic. Time will tell if WWE is changing or tweaking their hiring philosophy regarding their Divas. I just don’t know.”

    * 30 PICTURES of The Absolutely Gorgeous TENILLE TAYLA (Direct Link)

  • JBL Talks About Life After Wrestling, Alberot Del Rio & More

    Former WWE champion John Bradshaw Layfield was interviewed by the WWE website this week and had this to say about the following topics:

    Returning To RAW on Monday: “What bothers me is when other great champions come back, like The Rock, “Stone Cold” or Roddy Piper, when these guys return they’re not treated like that. And I was the greatest champion of all time. You got the best [Superstars] from the ’80s and ’90s coming back for WrestleMania, and I had to reiterate to my fans, because they love me so much, that JBL was the greatest champion. So, when something like this happens it’s just a matter of complete disrespect by a guy like Steve Austin. I hear he’s very successful in movies – God bless him – but that’s where he should stay.”

    What He’s Being Doing Since Retiring: “I invested in a really good beverage company, New Leaf Beverage (newleafbrands.com). We’ve got about 18 brands, including four lemonades and four iced teas. We’re in about 35 states, and sales have been pretty good. It’s been a good investment; I’ve spent a lot of time with that. I spend a lot of time in Bermuda. I can do my investments anywhere, so I spend about 4-6 months a year there. It’s only an hour-and-a-half from New York, so it’s an easy commute.”

    Meeting Alberto Del Rio at RAW: “I’m thrilled they got to see the greatest champion to ever come back. Also, I got to meet Alberto Del Rio, and I cannot tell you how proud I am of the young man. I knew his dad. I knew his uncle. And one thing we agree on, Rey Mysterio is not a good role model for kids. You want to look up to people like Alberto Del Rio and me, both great champions, both very successful financially.”

  • Sunny Says Her Friends Are Jealous Of Her WWE HOF Induction

    Sunny was announced Monday night on Raw as the latest inductee for WWE’s Hall of Fame Class of 2011. Sunny, who’s real name is Tammy Sytch, has since made several remarks on her Facebook account concerning the matter.

    She stated Tuesday night that people whom she considered her friends in the wrestling industry who have yet to congratulate her on her honor are jealous.

    “It’s so funny…people whom I thought were my friends in this business I havent heard a peep from regarding my induction…and those whom I never knew were good friends have messaged me and/or texted me. HMMMMM can you say ‘jealous much?” Isn’t it ironic…..”

    She then asked that people to not compare her to the current crop of WWE Divas because she isn’t a wrestler.

    “To not take away from any current girls: do ya’ll know I’m not a wrestler?????? Ummmm hello??? Please do not compare me to what these gladiators are doing…accept me for what I am…Gratzi.”

    According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the announcement of Sunny’s induction into the WWE Hall of Fame on Monday’s Raw gained 219,000 viewers, outdrawing everything else on the program sans the return of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. Viewership immediately plummeted following the tribute video as the Divas Championship Match between Eve Torres and Nikki Bella that followed it lost 610,000 viewers. Reacting to the news, Sytch exclaimed she still has drawing power fourteen years later.

    “HOLY CRAP! 14 years later and I STILL have drawing power!! Post this everywhere!!”

    She then criticized wrestling websites bashing her for her induction into the WWE Hall of Fame while simultaneously contacting her agent for interviews.

    “I find it HYSTERICAL that internet wrestling websites who are currently bashing me for my induction, are also the ones who are contacting my agent/webmaster for INTERVIEWS!!!! You guys are so pathetic!! You actually think I need your press?? Monday night’s press was good enough! A**holes……”

    She also urged her Facebook followers to send hate mail to a writer who posted a negative article on her on BleacherReport.com. The writer feels her WWE run was too brief to warrant induction into the Hall of Fame.

    “These assholes need hate mail…and NOW!!”

    She then added, “it’s not about length people…it’s about IMPACT!!”

    Later, a person mentioned Sable on her page and she said the “S word” is not allowed on her page. She added that anyone who mentions her name again will be removed as her Facebook friend.

  • 9 Contestants Revealed For The New Season Of Tough Enough

    With the debut of WWE Tough Enough just a few weeks away (the night after WrestleMania), we’ve got some new details on the men and women who will be competing on the show.

    WWE issued a press release a few weeks ago announcing that there would be 12 contestants, but recent commercials on the USA Network say that there will be 14.

    Here are the first 9 confirmed contestants:

    Rima Fakih: Current Miss USA and a longtime WWE fan who hosted RAW last year.

    Matt Cross: Known on the independents as M-Dogg 20 and has worked for years on the independents for Ring of Honor and others. Debuted in 2001 and worked a tag team match against Vance Archer and Curt Hawkins on a 2010 episode of WWE Superstars.

    Christina Crawford: Former FCW Diva and sister of RAW Diva Alicia Fox.

    Bobby Robinson: Known on the Maine independent scene as Golden Boy. Word is that he can be seen in the Tough Enough commercial saying he will do whatever it takes to get the contract.

    Erik Watts: A California independent wrestler with the nickname Big Nasty.

    Juliet The Huntress: 22-year-old independent wrestler based out of Chicago. She’s Puerto Rican and made her pro wrestling debut back in 2005.

    Ryan Howe: Known as “The Rock ‘n Rebel” Diamond Steel – He is the guy with long blonde in the Tough Enough promo commercial who Steve Austin says he doesn’t like his hair.

    Andy Levine: 23-year-old former lineman for Florida International University and priority agent with the Miami Dolphins. Has wrestled on the independent scene.

    Mickael Zaki: 26-year-old from New Jersey (now living in Tampa) with a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and a degree in criminal justice. He has spent the past two years competing on the independent wrestling circuit.

    WWE held a ‘media day’ at the Tough Enough house, with reporters from newspapers, magazines and other media outlets present. IGN’s Matt Fowler noted on Twitter that yoga was being used in the Tough Enough warm up sessions, which is likely inspired by trainer Trish Stratus, who has her own yoga studio in Toronto.

  • Kurt Angle Says He’ll Never Return To WWE & Talks Rock-Cena

    In an interview with the UK Sun, Kurt Angle says he will never be back in WWE and plans to stay with TNA until he retires. Here are some highlights of what Angle said about:

    His Future In Pro Wrestling: “My contract comes up in August/September. I’m going to re-evaluate. But I am NOT going anywhere else. I will stay in TNA, I just need to see how much I’m going to be wresting for them, whether part time or whatever amount of time, but I’m very happy in TNA. A lot of my fans have been asking ‘When are you going back to WWE?’ but I will retire here.”

    He added, “I’m very excited about the product, the company keeps growing and I like to think I’ve been a small part of it. I’m going to stick around and hopefully I’ll do something part time when my contract is up. I think Dixie Carter and myself need to sit down and work it out. I’m not against even working every PPV. I just know that I can’t continuously go on the road and wrestle hundreds of days a year. I’m not able to any more. Not if I’m to be able to perform the way they want me to.”

    The Rock Back In WWE: “I think it’s great. I honestly believe that Rock misses wrestling. He loves the fans. He comes back partially to promote his movies, but the other part is his passion for the fans. He loves being out there and doing things live.”

    “He actually performs better when he is out in front of a crowd live. That’s The Rock. I heard he cut a promo on Cena and I texted him saying I heard about it, and heard it was great. He’s always been the best promo guy I’ve ever known.”

    * Pictures of KURT ANGLE’s 24-Year-Old Fiance, GIOVANNA YANOITTI (Direct Link)

  • JR Blog: Money In The Bank, JBL’s Return, Triple H vs. Taker

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog update, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:

    No Money In The Bank at WM27: “It looks as if a MITB Ladder match at WM27 appears to be a long shot. Before I would think about joining those that have already indicted the unannounced under card I think that I will reserve my opinions until I actually see the card. Appearing on the WM27 under card is a big deal in my eyes and provides talents with valuable minutes to maximize on the biggest stage of their professional lives and this can be accomplished in something other than a flying, crash fest.”

    Regal On NXT Commentary: “William Regal did a nice job for his first outing as the new color commentator on NXT along side Todd Grisham. It’s obvious that WWE is looking at various combinations at the announce table in preparing for the future. Smart move by WWE but everyone has to realize that chemistry takes time and that it may never happen for some broadcast teams. Also, all announce talents need to understand that they have to invest more time on their job away from the actual taping of the programs that they appear on than they do on ‘TV day.’”

    Triple H vs. Undertaker: “Why hasn’t WM17 been mentioned in the build up of the anxiously anticipated HHH vs. Undertaker match at WM27? I don’t know nor does it adversely affect how I am looking forward to this match. Who’s to say that WM17 won’t be mentioned before WM27? I don’t know that info. At the end of the day, is it that big an issue? I’m much more interested to see what the two future WWE HOF’er do in the Georgia Dome that what they did a decade ago in the Astrodome.”

    JBL Not Back Full Time: “Looks like my friend JBL was only in for a cameo on Raw Monday night. It would take a mighty nice offer/role for John Layfield to leave the golf course and resume any travel of merit.”

  • Herschel Walker Says He’d Consider Wrestling In WWE

    NFL legend and current Strikeforce MMA fighter Herschel Walker was backstage at Monday’s WWE RAW and took part in an interview for the WWE website. Regarding the possibility that we could one day see him in a WWE ring competing, Walker says it very well could happen.

    “I’ve watched these guys for a long time and I respect them a great deal,” Walker said. “If Vince McMahon wants me in there, then maybe I could do it.”

    Walker says being a pro wrestler is a lifelong dream of his and he named The Rock as one of his favorite WWE performers of all time.

    “I watched wrestling before I even knew what football was,” he said. “In fact, I always wanted to be a wrestler,” Walker said. “That’s the way I got to be around my father a lot on Saturdays: My younger brother and I sitting at his feet watching Rocky Johnson and all of those guys.”

  • Shelton Benjamin Talks About His WWE Tryout Match

    As previously reported, former WWE superstar Shelton Benjamin made a surprise appearance prior to Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings from Houston, Texas. Benjamin defeated Curt Hawkins in a dark match that got solid reviews from fans in attendence. Benjamin reportedly received a good reaction from his hometown crowd.

    Following the match, Benjamin wrote on Twitter:

    Sheltyb803
    just got home from a completely unexpected day. Got to see some friends i haven’t seen in awhile. The WWE FANS.
    Sheltyb803
    for now all i can say is i may or may not be returning to wwe, but tonight was a good time.

    Benjamin was released from WWE last April after a 10-year run with the company that included 3 Intercontinental title reigns, two WWE tag title reigns and a United States title reign. In recent months he’s been working for Ring Of Honor as a tag team with Charlie Haas.

  • Cena-Snooki, Del Rio’s Contract, Piper On MTV & More

    – As previously reported, Jersey Shore star Snooki will be hosting Monday’s episode of WWE RAW. John Cena tweeted the following about Snooki coming to RAW:

    JohnCena
    CeNation. Very excited bout @sn00ki comin 2 raw. Now I can beat up a washed up reality star ( miz). In front of a real one! :)

    – SmackDown star Alberto Del Rio revealed in a MyFox Houston interview this week that his current WWE contract is for three years.

    – MTV has announced that WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper will be appearing on the new season of Rob Dyrdek’s Fantasy Factory.

    – In a dark match that took place after Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Houston, John Cena, Big Show, Rey Mysterio  and Christian beat Alberto Del Rio and The Corre. John Cena got the win for his team.

    As reported earlier, former WWE superstar Shelton Benjamin wrestled a tryout match prior to the tapings. To read more on that, check out:

    Shelton Benjamin Works Dark Match Prior To SmackDown Taping

  • Randy Orton Talks Rock-Cena, Regal Talks NXT, Christian

    – In response to a fan question on Twitter, RAW superstar Randy Orton had this to say about the John Cena vs. The Rock feud:

    RandyOrton
    I think the Rock is awesome. But get em in the ring together on live tv? John would OWN him.

    – Christian made his return to WWE television this week, defeating newcomer Brodus Clay in a tough match. Despite the satisfaction of finally being back on RAW, the highlight of Christian’s night actually came backstage:

    Christian4Peeps
    Good 2b back on Raw..but highlight 4me was b4 show meeting Jesus a cool kid who was w/ make-a-wish.His 1st WWE show &Im sure he had a blast

    – William Regal, who is now part of the NXT announcing team, had this to say about his first show on Tuesday night:

    RealKingRegal
    Just finished my announcing debut on NXT.It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I have a long way to go.

  • What Will Close Mania?, Identity Of Tough Enough Contestant

    — As of this week, creative has not decided on whether to close WrestleMania XXVII with The Undertaker vs. Triple H or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson confronting John Cena—which would indicate that Cena vs. The Miz is the main event. Internally, Michael Cole vs. Jerry Lawler is considered the third biggest match on the show.

    — Going forward, WWE plans on featuring more PG-13 content on Monday Night Raw. However, it’s still considered a PG-rated program and there are no plans on changing that.

    — The blonde contestant shown during the Tough Enough trailer that aired during Raw is Juliet The Huntress, a 22-year-old independent wrestler of Puerto Rican descent based out of Chicago, Illinois.

    Juliet began her wrestling career in Puerto Rico in 2005, joining World Wrestling Council (WWC) during her rookie year. She later transferred to the International Wrestling Association (IWA), which is owned by former WWE Superstar Savio Vega. After gaining experience in the Caribbean, she headed to the United States in 2008 and has been competing on the Chicago independent circuit ever since. (Thanks to Jeffrey)

    source: f4wonline.com

  • Shelton Benjamin Works Dark Match Prior To SmackDown Taping

    Shelton Benjamin worked a dark match prior to tonight’s SmackDown taping in Houston, Texas, beating SmackDown Superstar Curt Hawkins. He received a solid reaction from the hometown crowd.

    During Benjamin’s near ten year tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment, he won the Intercontinental Championship three times, the United States Championship once, and the WWE Tag Team Championship on two occasions. Benjamin was released from his contract last April, along with Slam Master J, Kung Fu Naki, Jimmy Wang Yang, Mickie James and Katie Lee Burchill.

    Benjamin appeared for Ring of Honor alongside longtime tag partner Charlie Haas following his dismissal from WWE. It is not known at this time if he has re-signed with the organization.

  • *Spoiler* The Cast Of NXT Season Five, Rule Change Made

    The fifth season of NXT Season Five is called NXT Redemption and features six runner-up contestants from previous seasons. The cast is as follows:

    * Byron Saxton with Pro Yoshi Tatsu

    * Conor O’Brian with Pro Vladimir Kozlov

    * Darren Young with Pro Chavo Guerrero

    * Jacob Novak with Pro JTG

    * Lucky Cannon with Pro Tyson Kidd

    * Titus O’Neil with Pro Hornswoggle

    The broadcast team consists of Todd Grisham and William Regal. Matt Striker and Maryse act as the show’s hosts.

    It was announced that there is no immunity in Season Five.

    source: PWInsider.com

  • Raw Delivers Strong Rating, Mason Ryan Referred As “Batista 2”

    — The March 7 episode of Monday Night Raw continued the program’s streak of strong ratings with a 3.92. The number is up from last week’s 3.82 rating as well as the 3.85 on February 21.

    Last night’s show averaged 5.79 million viewers over the course of two hours, up from 5.60 million viewers the week before. However, it is below the February 21 show, which drew 5.86 million viewers.

    — During last night’s Raw telecast on Televisa in Mexico, Mason Ryan was constantly referred as “Batista 2” by the announcers.

    — The introductory video package showcasing Sin Cara did not air during last night’s Raw telecast on Televisa in Mexico.

    sources: Pro Wrestling Torch, f4wonline.com

  • JR Blog: Austin Returns To Raw, Sunny-HOF, Cole, Brodus Clay

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:

    Triple H – Taker: “Thought the cold open to the show featuring Undertaker/HHH was on the money and edited well. WWE TV folks do a marvelous job with their video features. IMO the Taker-HHH match could efficiently be promoted via video packages of the two future WWE HOF’ers greatest moments in WWE.”

    Brodus Clay: “Keep an eye on Brodus Clay. I think that he can be something special and him manifesting that particular ‘it’ is on him and how well he maximizes his minutes on TV. He’s a big, monster of a man who mentally seems to ‘get it.’”

    Sunny In The Hall Of Fame: “Congrats to Sunny on being named to the 2011 WWE HOF class. She really started it all with the risqué, Diva personification and portrayed a very effective ‘bad girl.’ One might say that the forecast for Atlanta the first weekend of April are for ‘Sunny days.’”

    Stone Cold Returns to RAW: ” The Dallas/WWE fans definitely came to see Stone Cold Steve Austin. Although Austin did not have that much to say nor did he overstay his welcome by any stretch, Austin stole the show Monday night and seemed to be having a great time interacting with the fans and even the cameramen. Austin’s fans long ago made a strong emotional bond with the Texas Rattlesnake that will seemingly last forever. @steveaustinBSR, on Twitter, can still command an audience as good as any WWE performer today or any previous generation.”

    Michael Cole: “Michael Cole had the tables turned on him with Austin becoming the special referee for Cole’s WM27 match w/ Jerry Lawler. It will be interesting to see how ‘Cole sore’ reacts this Friday night on Smackdown and again next Monday from St. Louis on Raw. Cole draws as much villain angst as anyone on the Raw roster and his match with the King is one of the most talked about bouts that we will see in Atlanta. I think that Lawler ought to make Cole wear a diaper when, not if, the King gets his hand raised at Jerry’s first ever Wrestlemania match.”

  • WWE Signs 22-Year-Old Diva Tanille Tayla (PICTURES)

    Women’s wrestling news site Diva-Dirt.com is reporting that World Wrestling Entertainment has signed 22-year-old Australian women’s wrestler Tenille Tayla to a developmental deal.

    Tayla began training in Canada back in 2008 with former WWE star Lance Storm. No word yet on when she will begin working at Florida Championship Wrestling, but it should be in the next few weeks.

    Tyla has worked for SHIMMER and will be appearing on the new World of Hurt Canadian reality TV show that will follow students from Lance Storm’s wrestling school. The show debuts on May 1st on Canada’s cable channel The Cave.

    According to WWE sources, the company is actively looking to sign several new young divas to developmental contracts.

  • Dolph Ziggler Says He’s Not Pleased With Brief WWE Title Run

    On the February 18 episode of SmackDown, Vickie Guerrero fired Edge, claiming that he had attacked SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long several weeks prior, and awarded Dolph Ziggler the World Heavyweight Championship during a coronation ceremony later that night. Long returned during the ceremony however, and Guerrero revealed Ziggler as the attacker after being accused of orchestrating the attack by Long. Long rehired Edge and gave him his rematch, in which Edge regained the championship. Ziggler’s first World Championship reign lasted 11 minutes and 23 seconds, the shortest in history behind Jeff Hardy. After the match, Long fired Ziggler from the brand.

    In an exclusive interview with DolphZiggler.com, “Heel” comments on his brief run as World Heavyweight Champion. They ask if it is better to have won and lost the title than to have never won it at all.

    “Well, from an independent booking standpoint, it helps to say: “Former World Heavyweight Champion” (A la’ David Arquette and Vince Russo) otherwise, it’s painful to me,” he responded. “I work so damn hard every day of my life and always have, and as much as I would have loved to sneak in the backdoor (like a real HEEL would), I almost don’t count it. I will get a legitimate title run, just not sure where though.”

    Last night on Monday Night Raw, Ziggler was introduced as the newest member of the Raw roster, as he defeated John Morrison in a singles match. He revealed what he did during his time away from the ring.

    “Since being fired, I have been enjoying the beautiful weather of Bikini Bottom; relaxing my body, stealing the show at the Playboy Mansion party and have recently just flew my parents in to check out my new house in Hollywood, AZ,” he said. “I had a very hectic schedule with SmackDown, and I loved it. But, I’m resting my body and enjoying life while I figure out what the next step is.”

    Ziggler also comments on his appearance on MTV’s Silent Library, which WWE Diva had the best Playboy pictorial, what it takes to get a follow from him on Twitter, and for the first time ever, reveals his workout secrets.

    To read the interview, visit DolphZiggler.com.

  • Sunny Comments On HOF Announcement, Who Will Induct Her

    Sunny was announced last night on Raw as the latest inductee for WWE’s Hall of Fame Class of 2011. Sunny, who’s real name is Tammy Sytch, commented on the announcement on her Facebook account.

    “Thank you to everyone for the congratulatory messages…..It means the world to me,” she wrote. I couldn’t be happier or prouder to be given this amazing opportunity. Thanks to the WWE for thinking that highly of me. And to my facebook family, sorry I had to lie to you all this whole time, lololol. :)”

    Sytch persistently denied online reports that she would be announced for this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class, saying as late as yesterday that she was appearing for Ring of Honor during WrestleMania weekend. Sytch revealed today that she kept the news secret since January 10.

    Her inductor, however, was not announced. She speculated that all of the current WWE Divas will pay tribute to her by inducting her together.

  • Post-RAW Tweets From Austin, The Rock, Trish & Sunny

    Here are some post-RAW tweets from The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Trish Stratus and Sunny:

    TheRock
    Wow can The People’s Champ and THE MILLIONS recover from that devastating Dr.Seuss “final KO blow”? CENA = HOT SHAVED BARNEY ANUS GARBAGE..
    TheRock
    The Miz…you want my attention…well now you got it…champ.
    steveaustinBSR
    Drank a few cold ones…time to hit the hay. Fly back to L.A. tomorrow for TE. Opened one can of Whoop Ass…I have 5 left….WrestleMania.
    trishstratuscom
    Guess what’ll be the 1st thing in my suitcase when i pack 4 #raw? Do u think @excusemewwe would like sum stratusfaction or a chick kick? ~T
    Sunnywwe
    Thanks to everyone for the congratulatory comments….HOF 2011 will be amazing!!
    trishstratuscom
    Happy to hear about @sunnywwe being inducted into #WWE #HOF- congrats! ~T

  • Triple H vs. Undertaker News, JR Talks Snooki, SvR 2012

    – With The Undertaker and Triple H headed for a showdown at WrestleMania in just over 3 weeks, we’ve got an interesting backstage news item to pass along regarding the match. As most are aware of, Triple H has already tried to end “The Streak” – ten years ago at WrestleMania 17 back in 2001.

    According to a WWE Source, company officials have ordered that the WrestleMania 17 match not be acknowledged at all,  because there’s a feeling it will take away from the marketability of the match and fan perception that Triple H actually can end the streak.

    – There is a rumor that the 2012 version of WWE’s SmackDown vs. RAW video game will feature a mode where you can have your newly created Superstar compete in NXT challenges and matches.

    –WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross had this to say about Jersey Shore star Snooki hosting RAW next week:

    “Lots of old school wrestling fans are squealing like a pig stuck under a gate w/ the announcement that Jersey Shore’s Snooki will be the guest host of an upcoming Monday Night Raw. Obviously, WWE is simply trying to get her appearance noticed in outside media outlets which is timely with WM27 getting closer. It’s a PR move folks so I wouldn’t make any more of it than that. Snooki’s time on MNR likely will be of the ‘cup of coffee’ variety but will also get TMZ-like exposure that reaches non wrestling fans. “