Former WWE champion and Hollywood megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be starring in the upcoming “Fast Five” movie, the fifth installment in the “Fast and Furious” series.
The Great One was featured in a commercial for the movie that aired during the Super Bowl on Sunday night .. Check it out below in case you missed it:
– Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW will take place from the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. No matches have been announced but WWE is teasing CM Punk’s “consequences” for Randy Orton after he punt kicked Husky Harris last week.
Additionally, we’ll see more build to WWE’s upcoming Elimination Chamber pay-per-view, which is less than 3 weeks away on Sunday, February 20th.
The dark match main event that’s being advertised locally for tonight is John Cena and Randy Orton vs. The Miz and CM Punk with Michael Cole as the guest referee.
– Over the weekend, Chris Jericho talked some trash on Twitter about UFC fighters, saying:
“Ok guess I’m the only “old school pro wrestler” to say it…screw UFC fighters. U could NEVER do what me and my brothers do.”
After getting a lot of feedback from MMA enthusiasts, Jericho has since followed up with the following, indicating that his comments may have been inspired by a few cocktails:
“Dear UFC fighters, My apologies…(gulp). #Drunkichostrikesagain”
— In addition to World Heavyweight Champion Edge, the SmackDown brand’s Elimination Chamber Match at WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event will include Rey Mysterio, Kane, Wade Barrett and Drew McIntyre – all of whom claimed their opportunity in a series of Elimination Chamber Qualifying Matches on SmackDown. “Acting” SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero used her authority to automatically insert her boyfriend, Dolph Ziggler, into the bout.
— Following wins against Dolph Ziggler last week at the Royal Rumble and SmackDown, Edge will put his World Heavyweight Champion on the line for a third time against him this week on SmackDown. “Acting” SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero will serve as the special guest referee.
— Goldust stated on Twitter that his signing tour for his autobiography, Cross Rhodes: Goldust, Out of the Darkness, was postponed due to injury. However, he seemed optimistic about it taking place in the future. He said he hopes to return to the squared circle by June.
— John Cena missed last night’s Raw live event in Rochester, Minnesota so he could attend Gillette’s Super Bowl weekend promotional activities in Dallas, Texas. He was not expected to appear at this afternoon’s WWE Supershow in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, but did, working the opening match against CM Punk. He then flew back to Dallas. He will be on hand for tomorrow’s Raw in Milwaukee.
— Evan Bourne was in Las Vegas, Nevada yesterday looking for tickets to the evening’s UFC 126 event, which was sold out. It is unknown whether he attended the show.
— WWE.com has posted Super Bowl themed photos of The Bella Twins.
source: f4wonline.com
WWE Divas Kelly Kelly and The Bella Twins attended a Super Bowl party hosted by ESPN this weekend.
ESPN The Magazine’s NEXT VIP Party was held at a private ranch in Fort Worth, Texas and was attended by a number of celebrities, including Snoop Dogg, Kid Rock, Nelly, Reggie Bush, Nick Jonas and more.
Check out these pictures of the WWE divas at ESPN’s Super Bowl party:
– Paul Heyman wrote the following on Twitter on Saturday night during UFC 126 regarding Vince McMahon and Brock Lesnar:
“It’s funny. Vince McMahon hated when I called Brock Lesnar “The Next Big Thing!” HATED IT. WANTED ME TO STOP CALLING BROCK THAT NAME! I’ll tell that whole story … and a lot more … in the book this year. Brock comments on it in his book, too. It was a real war to get Vince to let me keep calling Brock “The Next Big Thing!””
– Chris Jericho wrote the following on Twitter last night during the show – which is sure to get a rise out of MMA enthusiasts:
“Ok guess I’m the only “old school pro wrestler” to say it…screw UFC fighters. U could NEVER do what me and my brothers do.”
– Jim Ross was also tweeting during the UFC 126 pay-per-view, writing the following about Anderson Silva’s knockout win over Vitor Belfort in the first round of the main event:
“Good God Almighty what a front kick by Anderson Silva! He’s money. What a post fight promo. Everyone knows Anderson speaks some English. :)”
Footage has been posted online of Georgia Dome employees testing the pyrotechnics in preparation for April’s WrestleMania 27 event:
— Following a successful World Heavyweight Title defense over Dolph Ziggler Saturday night in Toronto, Ontario, Edge announced to the audience, “I might only have a couple more of these visits left in me, and I want to end my career in Toronto. Maybe if Mania is here.”
— Jim Ross followed up on comments made last week regarding rumors of Sting wrestling The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVII, saying he doesn’t see the former wrestling champion appearing “in WWE any time soon.”
He wrote in the Q&A section of his official website: “Will Sting ever come to WWE? Does a 51-year-old guy want to engage in an ambitious, road schedule or any schedule? Could a deal be done and all the pieces be put in place before WM27? Is Sting even remotely interested in re-entering the squared circle on any level? I don’t know the answers to these questions nor, would I suggest, does anyone but Sting himself.”
— Percy Watson is once again traveling with the SmackDown crew this week. He participated in a battle royal Saturday night at the Richo Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario, which was ultimately won by Kane.
source: PWInsider.com
— Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer stated during yesterday’s episode of Wrestling Observer Radio that there has been absolutely no contact between Steve “Sting” Borden and World Wrestling Entertainment officials.
— John Morrison noted today on Twitter that he plans on releasing his own workout DVD, Out of Your Mind Fitness. The Raw Superstar said he will be filming it soon.
— Kent State alum Dolph Ziggler appears next Friday at 7:00 p.m. at Kent State University at the Mac Center in Kent, Ohio. He will be participating in an autograph signing following the wrestling meet.
source: f4wonline.com
— After Kelly Kelly speared Layla to help Edge preserve his World Championship against Dolph Ziggler last night on SmackDown, “acting” SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero fired the blonde bombshell from WWE. Her bio page has been moved to the Alumni section.
— WWE.com has added Booker T to the SmackDown roster page.
After making a surprise return at the Royal Rumble, the six-time World Champion was introduced as SmackDown’s newest commentator on last night’s show.
— Beth Phoenix teased the following yesterday on Twitter: “Great things are on the horizon for The Glamazon….keep your eyes peeled….soon. Very soon!”
Finlay, Joey Mercury and Paul Bearer have been removed from the SmackDown roster page on WWE.com.
Finlay, a one-time United States Champion, had appeared sparingly in the squared circle since the beginning of last year. Vince McMahon reportedly decreed removing Finlay as an active performer in the spring due to his age — now 51. He does, however, remain with the organization as a producer.
Bearer was written off television on the December 10 episode of SmackDown as the show concluded with Kane pushing a set of ladders over a railing, sending the longtime manager to the concrete floor below, thus injuring him. Bearer noted in a blog post days later that his original WWE contract was a short-term deal, but that it still had a “couple of months remaining.” He has not indicated whether he has parted ways with the organization.
Mercury’s tenure with the Straight Edge Society came to a halt in August as he underwent surgery on a torn pectoral muscle. He later began working as a trainer in Florida Championship Wrestling while recuperating from his surgery.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsbarbq.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:
CM Punk’s Character: “Is there a better wrestling villain on TV these days than CM Punk? Arguable question but for my sauce, Punk is right there at the top of the heap with a handful of his peers.”
Steve Austin Hosting Tough Enough: “Steve Austin is very excited about hosting the new season of Tough Enough. It will be interesting to see how much star power and expertise is put in place when the training staff is announced. My instincts say that Austin will have a strong team to help him with the trainees. This will be a great opportunity for Stone Cold to be Stone Cold and to re-engage his many fans on a weekly TV series of which I have great expectations for and will be watching and DVR’ing every week. I do not know the status of Tough Enough airing outside the USA for those that are asking.”
Sting: “The Sting stories that have been on line regarding him coming to WWE have taken a life of their own. Will Sting ever come to WWE? Does a 51 year old guy want to engage in an ambitious, road schedule or any schedule? Could a deal be done and all the pieces be put in place before WM27? Is Sting even remotely interested in re-entering the squared circle on any level? I don’t know the answers to these questions nor, would I suggest, does anyone but Sting himself. Agreed, any thing is possible but what is feasible, doable, etc are questions that none of us can answer. I have seen Sting once in approximately 15 years and that was for about 5 minutes in Charlotte last year at the annual fan convention. I do know that he is a great human being after being around him for over two decades beginning when he came to work for Bill Watts as one half of the Bladerunner tag team with Warrior. They were known as Sting and Rock as I recall when they began their careers with the large Cowboy. Some of my best memories of calling wrestling bouts involved Sting back in the day in UWF and in WCW.”
– John Cena is no longer being advertised for Saturday’s WWE live event from Rochester, Minnesota. Cena had been scheduled to wrestle CM Punk in the main event, but has since been replaced by John Morrison. No word yet on why Cena was pulled, but it’s not the first live event he’s skipped this year.
– Diesel has been added to the WWE Alumni page, including pictures from the former WWE champion’s storied career. It’s interesting to see how his look has evolved from when he debuted in the mid-1990s to his return to WWE at Sunday’s Royal Rumble, over 15 years later. You can check those pictures out here.
– Former Nexus member Skip Sheffield underwent a second surgery several weeks ago, this time to repair a trapped nerve in his injured leg. The trapped nerve went unnoticed during his first surgery and was causing severe discomfort and complications with his physical rehabilitation process. Sheffield is now off crutches and continues to rehab the leg. No word yet on when he’ll be back in action.
— With Shawn Michaels still the only confirmed name for the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2011, we can report that hardcore wrestling legend Abdullah The Butcher is also being strongly considered for this year. Triple H noted in recent interview that he suggested Abdullah to WWE management as a possible candidate for this year.
— Former WWE manager Armando Estrada was at Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings from the Nassau Coliseum Smackdown about a possible return to the company.
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and his ex-wife Dani recently sold their former home in Davie, Florida for a cool $1.2 million. For more in the sale, visit BizJournals.com.
— During an interview with Canadian radio station Fan 590 earlier this week, World Heavyweight champion Edge talked about being very happy with his current role in WWE and had positive things to say about young WWE stars Dolph Ziggler, John Morrison, and Sheamus.
(Source: pwinsider.com)
TNA star Kurt Angle was interviewed this week by MMA announcer Mauro Ranallo on The Fight Show satellite radio show on Thursday. You can listen to the full interview at Radio.TheScore.com. Here are some highlights of what Angle said about:
His TNA Contract Expiring: “My contract’s up in August. I’m going to keep the option open. I like TNA. I like being there. I like that the company has built the last four-and-a-half years since I’ve been there. I don’t have any plans of leaving, but I don’t think Kevin Nash and Booker T had plans of jumping either.”
(COMMENT BELOW: Would you like to see Kurt Angle back in WWE? Can he handle the travel schedule?)
Nash & Booker T Jumping Ship: “They were actually, until a couple days before the (Royal) Rumble, signed with TNA. In essence, they asked for their release at the last second and TNA gave them their wish. I’m going to do what’s best for Kurt Angle and they’ve treated me well here.”
TNA’s Current Roster: “ “We have a stacked roster. We can’t put everybody on a TV show. So, you’re not seeing a lot of the talent week after week. I think they’re going to have to be more consistent about keeping the top talent in there.”
Angle also called his on-air storyline with Jeff Jarrett and Karen Angle a “touchy subject” and said his fiance Giovanna and their new baby are “doing fine” after her recent health scare landed her in the hospital and resulted in the baby being born sooner than expected.
– Booker T has been confirmed as a trainer for WWE’s new Tough Enough show.
– During an interview with ClubWWI.com, former WWE manager Paul Bearer revealed that he was in talks with TNA about managing Abyss before the character debuted, but Bearer’s health issues during the mid 2000’s prevented it from happening.
– Former WWE star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman was at last night’s Florida Championship Wrestling’s event in Tampa. FL.
– Dolph Ziggler will be appearing at an upcoming wrestling meet for Kent State University when they take on Ohio University on 2/11. Ziggler, who was a very accomplished amateur wrestler at Kent State, will doing a photo and autograph session after the meet.
(Source: pwinsider.com)
– As TMZ.com has been reporting as of late, former WWE star MVP is set to begin wrestling in Japan in the coming weeks for New Japan Pro Wrestling. There had been some speculation as to whether MVP would be able to use his WWE gimmick in Japan – he Tweeted this week that he will in fact be using the same gimmick.
– John Cena wrote the following on Twitter regarding Elimination Chamber and Jerry Lawler:
“CeNation. Very happy for king. I figured Sheamus and I will settle any differences in the chamber. I hate the chamber.even more than sheamus.”
– THQ revealed this week during their quarterly investor meeting that SmackDown vs. RAW 2011 shipped 2.7 million units during the holiday quarter, which is a strong number but down from previous years.
– Former WWE Diva Maria Kenellis has been teasing on Twitter that she’s working on a new project. The new project is an organic perfume line called Signature Creme. It will be available later this month. She did a photo shoot for the line yesterday.
WWE Diva Beth Phoenix was interviewed recently by Slam Wrestling.
Here are some highlights of what she said about:
Attending a WWE tryout years ago with Gail Kim & Traci Brooks:
“Gail Kim was signed that day and became women’s champion just a couple of months later. It was crazy how much talent came out of that area, and still is successful to this day, Gail being a WWE diva as well, a former TNA champion, women’s champion.“
Her relationship with Natalya:
“One really important thing for me while I was injured was Natalya. Natalya and I are very close, and have been for many, many years, and been there for each other through the thick and thin, the ups and downs of our jobs. She was a wonderful, positive influence on my life. She was going through a lot too with LayCool on television. We were kind of each other’s rock during the rough times. Even the Hitman [Bret Hart] has gone out of his way and given me a lot of encouragement. That meant a lot to me, because he was one of my childhood heroes. It was wonderful to have them motivating me along when the going got tough. That’s why me being able to come back at Survivor Series and share in her title victory meant a lot to me because it was a long road for both of us to get there.”
Awesome Kong in WWE:
“There’s been a lot of chatter around about her being signed by WWE. I think a lot of people, their first inclination is to think that it would be quite a clash to see us in the ring together. If we get that opportunity, it will be amazing. I look forward to it. She and I have never wrestled each other, not even on the independent scene or anything. I think it will be quite the spectacle to have Awesome Kong and Beth Phoenix in the same ring at the same time. Hopefully we’ll get to see that in the near future.
WWE’s Divas division:
“With our company, we have a moniker with the divas: Smart, Sexy and Powerful. Our company is really big on us not just being beautiful, not just being about our looks, but also presenting our girls as role models. Most of our divas are greatly educated and would be happy to talk to you about current events and important issues. I think that we all work hard to be something that little girls want to emulate — not just Barbie dolls, we’re more than that.”
WWE star Kevin Nash appeared on Tha O Show with Big Daddy Donnie this week and this to say about the following topics:
The huge reaction he got at the Royal Rumble:
“I wanted to take a steal chair and just sit in the middle of the aisle and take it all in because I said it’s going to be all down hill from here. It couldn’t have been more special. Thank god I was wearing a condom.”
His business relationship with Dixie Carter:
“If I had have walked into an office and went to Dixie and said this is what I want to do and this is what will make me happy, Dixie would have signed off on it in 30 seconds.”
Dixie’s reaction to him in the Royal Rumble:
“She was out of the country. I guarantee you she was happy for my response and happy I was happy.”
Triple H not working the Rumble:
“Paul had no desire at that point [to get in the ring]. He is working in the office and walking around with a clipboard. Vince and Steph feel the company needs his mind more than his body right now. Whenever he comes back though, it’s a game changer. When I found out he [HHH] wasn’t working, I asked if it was the buddysystem [not wanting to steal a pop from Booker T or Nash] and that’s how I took it.”
Whether he has one last run left:
“It’s up to creative. Every guy in the business thinks they have one last run, and the truth is, they do – if creative is in compliance with that. I told them I’d go as hard as I can for as long as I can until I break down.”
His current status:
“I could go back to TNA and wrestle for them tomorrow, they just can’t put me in a video game – oh wait, they don’t have one. They couldn’t do a doll, well they could. They could do a doll [like they did before] with a likeness that Vince owns. They [TNA] put out a doll of me with long brown hair. My contract with them said they would market my TNA likeness. I asked Terry Taylor to show me a picture of when I ever worked in TNA with long brown hair. Jakks said, ‘Sorry it was a dye problem from China.’ You have to look at the doll. Jakks had a 2003 Ruthless Aggression Diesel doll and they slapped a Nash logo on it with the same Diesel head, and it was just bogus man.”
His new WWE Legends deal:
“It has verbiage that says you are subject to wrestle. I looked at it as, I’m making a 5 year commitment that I’m not going anywhere else, and if I do they can’t market any part of me.”
Here is a spoiler-free preview for tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown on SyFy:
* WWE’s new SmackDown announcer is revealed
* Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater vs. WWE Tag Team Champions Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella in a non-title match.
* Drew McIntyre vs. Kofi Kingston in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
* Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
* Kane vs. Chavo Guerrero in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
* Wade Barrett vs. Big Show in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
* Edge and Kelly Kelly vs. Dolph Ziggler, Layla and Michelle McCool with the World Title on the line.
– Thanks to Red for the following WWE SmackDown spoilers from Tuesday’s tapings in Long Island, New York:
* Booker T comes out first in his new WWE role as announcer with Michael Cole and Josh Matthews.
* Dolph Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero open the show, talking about tonight’s match where the World Title will be on the line. Kelly Kelly came out and slapped Ziggler. Michelle McCool and Layla then come out, Edge comes out and cleans house.
* Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater beat WWE Tag Team Champions Vladimir Kozlov and Santino Marella in a non-title match.
* Drew McIntyre beats Kofi Kingston in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match. Alberto Del Rio came on the big screen, distracting Kofi, allowing Drew to get the win.
* Rey Mysterio beats Jack Swagger in an Elimination Chamber qualifying match.
* Backstage segment with Edge talking to Kelly Kelly about their match.
* Hornswoggle, Rosa Mendes and Ricardo Rodriguez all come out. Rodriguez announces Alberto Del Rio and out he comes to celebrate. Hornswoggle ends up hitting Del Rio but gets attacked. Kofi Kingston comes to make the save but Del Rio applies his armbar finisher.
* Hornswoggle, Rosa Mendes and Ricardo Rodriguez all come out. Rodriguez announces Alberto Del Rio and out he comes to celebrate. Hornswoggle ends up hitting Del Rio but gets attacked. Kofi Kingston comes to make the save but Del Rio applies his armbar finisher.
* Kane wins a squash against Chavo Guerrero to qualify for the Elimination Chamber.
* Wade Barrett defeats Big Show to qualify for the Elimination Chamber. The Corre comes out to help Barrett when the referee goes down. After the match, Show tries to fight back but Ezekiel Jackson slams him.
* Edge and Kelly defeat Dolph Ziggler, Layla and Michelle McCool with the World Title on the line. Kelly pinned Layla. Vickie Guerrero comes out after the match and fires Kelly. Dolph vs. Edge with Vickie as referee is announced for next week for the belt.
The USA Network issued the following press release on Thursday:
USA’S EXCITING SPRING LINE-UP BRINGS REALITY, DRAMA AND A PREQUEL
TOUGH ENOUGH and Burn Notice: THE FALL OF SAM AXE Premiere in April, Followed by
The Tenth and Final Season of LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT and the Fourth Season of IN PLAIN SIGHT in May
Are you TOUGH ENOUGH to survive the winter? Spring ahead with the return of USA’s fan-favorite dramas LAW & ORDER: CRIMINAL INTENT and IN PLAIN SIGHT and uncover the secrets of Burn Notice‘s Sam Axe before his mojito-filled Miami life. Don’t miss USA’s smoking hot spring line-up.
WWE TOUGH ENOUGH
Do you have what it takes to become the next WWE Superstar or Diva? A diverse group of men and women will live, train, eat and sleep under one roof in a house in Simi Valley, California. Each week the contestants will battle it out in a series of unique challenges designed to test for such characteristics as showmanship, creativity, athleticism and desire, just to name a few. Viewers will witness the trials and tribulations of what it takes to be one of the best in the world’s greatest sports entertainment organization. The grand prize winner will be awarded a contract with WWE. Hosted by WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin®, each episode will feature a current WWE Superstar, who will introduce the contenders to a quality that they must possess to make it to the top of the sports entertainment world. Along the way, viewers will witness the trials and tribulations of what it takes to be one of the best in the world’s greatest sports entertainment organization.
Premieres Monday, April 4 at 11/10c on USA Network immediately following WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW®, and then will move to its regularly scheduled slot in primetime, Mondays at 8/7c, starting on April 11.