SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • Stephanie McMahon & Triple H Welcome Their Third Child

    Stephanie McMahon gave birth to her third child Wednesday, a baby girl.

    Linda McMahon confirmed earlier this year on her Twitter account that Stephanie was pregnant with her third child after she appeared visibly pregnant at a rally event for her Senate campaign.

    It was speculated at the time that Stephanie would deliver the baby in August.

    McMahon and husband Triple H already have two daughters; Aurora Rose Levesque (born July 24, 2006) and Murphy Claire (born July 28, 2008).

    Congratulations to the entire McMahon family!

  • Lance Cade’s Father Says Linda McMahon Disrespected His Family

    Harley McNaught, father of former WWE performer Lance McNaught (a/k/a Lance Cade), responded to Linda McMahon’s recent statements regarding his deceased son.

    McMahon claimed to the Connecticut Post last week that she “might have met him once” when asked if she knew the former WWE Tag Team Champion.

    Reiterating the details of the WWE’s Wellness Program, she then told reporters that World Wrestling Entertainment can no more be held accountable for deaths of performers “than a film studio could have prevented Heath Ledger’s death”.

    “Who knows what causes people to have addictions and do what they do?” she added.

    Her flippant response has left Harley and his family furious.

    “I’ve been with him on two different WWE functions where she came up to him and knew him by name,” McNaught said in an interview with TheDay.com.

    “She disrespected him,” McNaught said. “She disrespected my family.”

    A McMahon campaign spokesman said it “certainly wasn’t Linda’s intent to diminish any additional interaction she may have had” with McNaught.

    “WWE has nearly 600 employees and about 140 performers, and I think it’s understandable that Linda may not recollect every interaction she’s had, particularly given the fact that she’s personally met with thousands of voters since resigning her position at WWE in September,” said Ed Patru. “Linda’s a very kind and sympathetic person, but she is human.”

    McNaught added that Lance, “would have cut his arm off for Vince McMahon, but it wasn’t there in return. [Vince] don’t care any more than the man in the moon for them, other than as dollar signs.”

    To read the article, click here.

  • Superstars Preview, Carlito Free From WWE, HBK’s New Glasses

    — Only two matches are advertised for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America — Chris Masters vs. Drew McIntyre and Goldust vs. William Regal.

    — At the request of the fans, Shawn Michaels has posted a video showing off his new glasses — in a manner that only he can.

    — Former WWE developmental wrestler Jenny Quinn was backstage at last Thursday’s Florida Championship Wrestling show in Tampa. The former Playboy model was released last February.

    — Carlito’s ninety-day no-compete clause with World Wrestling Entertainment expired over the weekend. He is now free to join any wrestling promotion with national television exposure.

  • Update On Team 3D’s TNA Contracts Expiring – WWE Bound?

    To update the news that Team 3D’s contracts with TNA Wrestling recently expired … We can confirm that Team 3D did not appear at this week’s TNA iMPACT tapings and are not booked for the upcoming No Surrender pay-per-view on September 5th.

    The general feeling within TNA is that Team 3D will sign new deals and the company has them penciled in for a match at Bound For Glory in October.

    Regarding a WWE return, there have been people within WWE trying to get The Dudleys to return. A “Best of” DVD package for the tag team has been discussed as one of the “bargaining chips” that could be used to lure them in, but a return to WWE is just talk at this point and nothing anyone with power has made a call on.

    Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • WWE Seeking A Chinese Star, Alberto Del Rio, Teddy Hart

    – Following WWE’s first live events tour of China this week, we’re hearing that WWE is very interested in recruiting new talent China. WWE has been planning to enter the Chinese market for several years, as the country’s billion plus population represents a tremendous untapped source of revenue. Much like the NBA has done with superstar center Yao Ming, WWE wants a top Chinese star on its roster. Based on the reactions from their recent tour, the feeling is that WWE can be a big success in the country, even without a native star.

    – WWE newcomer Alberto Del Rio made his SmackDown debut last week, defeating former World Heavyweight champion Rey Mysterio by submission. During the match, Todd Grisham said that won a gold medal in the 1999 Pan-American Games in Greco-Roman wrestling. This is actually false. Alberto, representing Mexico, placed 4th at 211 pounds, and was one match short of winning a medal. WWE has done something similar with Jack Swagger – calling him a two-time All-American when he really was a one-time All-American.

    The plan is to push Del Rio all the way as a top heel, with the idea of eventually turning him babyface in the role of WWE’s top Latin superstar.

    – Teddy Hart is trying to get back in with Mexico’s AAA promotion. It’s safe to say that his attempts at getting a deal with WWE have fallen through. With Bret Hart back in WWE and the Hart Dynasty holding WWE’s new tag team championships, its unbelievable that Teddy Hart’s issues are bad enough to keep him out of WWE.

    Partial Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

  • Edge To SmackDown? Animal At FCW, MVP’s New Theme

    – For what it’s worth, RAW Superstar Edge is being advertised as a SmackDown talent by SyFy as they promote SmackDown’s network debut on October 1st. No word yet if WWE is planning on sending Edge back to Friday nights. As noted before, there has been talk of beefing up the SmackDown roster before the SyFy debut.

    – Road Warrior Animal will be signing autographs at the WWE developmental show on Friday in Ft. Myers, Florida. Matches include NXT’s Alex Riley vs. Lucky Cannon and a six-man ladder match.

    – MVP noted on Twitter that his new theme song will debut on SmackDown within a few weeks.

    – The August 13th episode of WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown scored a 1.6 broadcast rating with 2.691 million viewers. This is the third straight week SmackDown has done a 1.6.

  • Bruce Prichard Interview: Booking WWE, Vince, Austin, Russo

    Former WWE Vice President of Talent Relations/member of the WWE Creative Team/WWE producer & manager, and the man behind the success of the Brother Love character, Bruce Prichard, was one the special guests on this week’s live edition (08/23/10) of the award-winning Monday Night Mayhem.

    Bruce Prichard Discusses His WWE Release, Why He Is Not Bitter About Leaving World Wrestling Entertainment, Tension Amongst The WWE Creative Team During His Time With The Company, Having Storyline Ideas Rejected By Vince McMahon/The Importance Of Being Creative On The Fly, The Beginnings Of The “Brother Love” Character (And His Favorite Memories On “The Brother Love Show”), Debuting The Undertaker To A Worldwide Audience At The 1990 Survivor Series (And If He Feels The Forthcoming Collision Between The Brothers Of Destruction Will Spell The Swan Song For “The Dead Man”), Why You Should “Never Say Never” About The Thought Of Him Coming Into TNA’s Creative Team, His Reasons As To Why EV2.0 Is A “Very Poor Business Choice” On The Part Of TNA, Why Seeing Tommy Dreamer Cry Made Him Want To Cry, The Mystery & “Gaga” Behind The Hulk Hogan/Jeff Jarrett vs. Sting/Kevin Nash Storyline, & Why Steve Austin Deserves Credit For “Stone Cold” (And Not Vince Russo)

    CLICK HERE to listen to an MP3 of Bruce Prichard’s appearance on The Mayhem.

    Interview highlights courtesy of The Mayhem’s official correspondent, Paterson from New Jersey:

    His release from the WWE & why he’s not bitter about leaving: “I was fired: plain & simple. I was let go, and we had some differences and I was let go. That was it. We just had differences, and it was time to part ways, and after 22 years, you can’t look back and listen to guys who are so bitter about their experiences after they’re gone. To be bitter about something after doing it for so long, you gotta look at yourself in the mirror and say ‘Who’s the dumbass?’ I was there for 22 years, and I had a fabulous run, and I wouldn’t trade it for the world. When it was time to part ways, it was time to part ways, and we did.”

    The importance of having to create on the fly in the WWE & how it was essential to be in “go-time” mode, despite the frustration behind having storyline ideas being rejected by Vince McMahon: “You haven’t done enough hours of radio in your lifetime. You haven’t lived enough hours of radio in your lifetime to be able to contain the number of ideas that had been laid out in detail to only be squashed because someone wasn’t ‘feeling it’ or someone might say ‘Someone tripped in a match last night, can’t do it, and they’re horrible, get rid of them.’ And you’re sitting there like ‘What just happened?’ There are so many, but at the end of the day, it was what we do. To me, at the same time, as aggravating as it was, it was also the most fun, because that’s when it was ‘go-time.’ You had to create on the go.”

    Tensions amongst the WWE Creative Team while Bruce was with the company & why he feels Steve Austin deserves the credit for the success of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin” (and not Vince Russo): “There were times when you just had to buckle up & go; there was always tension. Once it got past that initial creative discussions, then you had to go sell it to talent, and then you had to get talent to go out & deliver your vision. I listen to guys all the time, and one of the things I always get amazed by is when different people & guys who have written or booked in this business take credit for something the talent does. There’s a guy over in TNA (Vince Russo) who has taken credit over the years for the creation of ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin, The Rock, & people like that. At the end of the day, the guy who deserves credit for ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin is Steve Austin. He went out & delivered. Steve went out, and he was ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin 24/7. When Russo used to write up all these scripts, Steve would look at it, crumple it up, & throw it in the trash. Steve would go out, and he had a rapport with Vince McMahon, and he used to come to me and say ‘I wanna say this.’ I said ‘Hey man, that’s life, so if you wanna take the ass-chewing when you get back, do what you think is right.’ After a while, Steve gambled, and went out, and he did what he thought was right. He had an ear, and he knew what was working, and what they buying & weren’t buying, and at the end of the day, it may not have been the ideal creative situation that was created, but Steve made it his own, and made it bigger than anything that’s ever been done in the business. Without talent, you can have the greatest creative in the world…if they can’t deliver, it doesn’t matter.”

    His favorite moments performing as Brother Love: “I have to say head & shoulders from the initial era of ‘The Brother Love show’ was from Saturday Night’s Main Event, with Hulk Hogan, Slick, & The Big Boss Man, where Hogan handcuffed me & clotheslined me over the top rope, and it was first time anyone had ever gotten to me…and it was Hogan. So it was the first time anyone ever put their hands on me, and that was a great moment. My favorite one for sentimental reasons was finally doing something with The Undertaker in Philadelphia, when Paul Heyman put me in a box, and I came out as a gift for The Undertaker. That was my personal favorite.”

    Why you should “never say never” about the thought of him coming into TNA’s Creative Team: “Never say never in life and especially in this business. The things that would have to take place to come in & help: they need a lot of help, they need to make some drastic changes. I don’t know if they would be willing to make those changes or not, but if they were willing to make those changes, then it may be a good fit. It has to be a good fit for them & for me. I’m willing to listen to anybody & everybody these days…life’s too short. To say I would/yes, I can’t say that. To say I would say no, can’t say that either. I would have to listen to what they had in mind and go from there. But at this point, I think the show’s a mess, and I’m not saying anything here that I wouldn’t say to them. You need help, you need some direction, some kind of stability, or some kind of direction to get the rutter in the water and moving forward. Right now, they are bailing; they are just trying to get water out of the boat.”

    Why he believes EV2.0 is “a very poor business choice” on the part of TNA, why seeing Tommy Dreamer cry made him want to cry, and the mystery & “gaga” behind the Hulk Hogan/Jeff Jarrett vs. Sting/Kevin Nash storyline: “I look at TNA, and I see what they’re doing with the rehash of the ECW guys. Let’s look at facts. ECW went out of business because it didn’t have enough fans to support it and to keep it a viable company in business making money. Fact: Every one of those guys in the ring with the exception of Tommy Dreamer was calling the WWE begging for a job to get out of ECW because they hated the conditions, they hated working there, they hated everything about it, and wanted to get out, and to hear them talking that ‘It was the greatest thing’ and ‘We wanted just one more night.’ Seeing Tommy Dreamer cry makes me want to cry. You have a company that went out of business; an attempt of a resurrection through WWE (they tried to continue it). It was something you couldn’t continue in any other atmosphere other than that Bingo Hall in Philadelphia…that’s where the magic was made, and frankly, the magic was made in how Paul Heyman packaged what they did. And for TNA to take that and say ‘Hey this is going to revive us.’ Wait, didn’t those guys put another company out of business? Didn’t it fail when they tried to do it with the big company that had a lot of money? I just think it’s a very poor business choice on their part. You have Kevin Nash, Hulk Hogan, Jeff Jarrett, & Sting involved in something. There’s too much mystery, there’s too much gaga. You got Ric Flair with eight guys holding up four fingers, I don’t get it. I really don’t the TNA program at all. It’s really hard to follow and makes you go huh?”

    His thoughts & opinions on the current state of the wrestling business, if he feels that the business is “dead,” & why he’s not a big fan of the PG WWE: “It’s kinda hard to say. Someone asked me the other day if I thought the business was dead and if UFC had basically taken its place. I don’t think you could ever ‘kill’ the business. I think the business has to evolve & the business has to change with the times, and I think it’s doing that. Sometimes I’m not in favor of doing some of the changes. I’m not a big fan of PG/PG-13 with the WWE, and I watched the other night when they had the Divas come out in one-piece bathing suits. I mean c’mon, it could be PG/PG-13, and they could still wear bikinis, and be hot, and show they’re bodies off. Sometimes they take a certain thing to the extreme that doesn’t necessarily have to be that extreme. The business is always going to change & grow.”

  • Update On Jericho’s Contract Status, Ziggler’s Brother Training

    — In an update on Chris Jericho’s contract status with World Wrestling Entertainment, his current deal — which was signed in 2007 — expires in a few weeks and he has yet to sign a new one. While both sides are negotiating a new deal, it is not guarantee that he will remain with the company.

    — Ryan Nemeth, younger brother of WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler, took part in an interview with www.DolphZiggler.com to discuss his recently released adult humor novel, I Can Make Out with Any Girl Here. He also dishes out dirt on the WWE Intercontinental Champion and reveals that he is following in his brother’s footsteps by training at OVW to become a professional wrestler. To read the interview, click here.

    — Saturday’s SmackDown live event in Lubbock, Texas drew 3,200 fans paying $76,000. The following night in Odessa, Texas drew 3,000 for $87,000.

  • USA Network Press Release Hyping RAW’s 900th Episode

    USA NETWORK PRESENTS
    MONDAY NIGHT RAW’S 900TH EPISODE CELEBRATION

    WHAT: On Monday, August 30, USA Network will present the historic 900th episode of its hit series, WWE Monday Night Raw with a special celebration.  The episode will celebrate Monday Night RAW’s historic smashing of the 900th episode milestone – making it the longest-running weekly prime time episodic series in television history.

    The show will feature WWE Superstars and Divas from RAW, SmackDown and NXT.  It will originate from Boston’s TD Garden at 9/8c.

    WWE Monday Night RAW has been a staple on cable television since its debut on USA Network in 1993 and has been the No. 1 ranked weekly basic cable entertainment series since it went live in 1999.  With its blend of humor, action and drama, Monday Night RAW continues to appeal to a variety of demographics generation after generation.

    Monday Night RAW Television Highlights:

    • RAW made its cable television premiere on January 11, 1993.
    • The first episode was taped at the Manhattan Center and aired on USA Network.
    • Monday Night RAW has aired more original episodes than some of the most popular television series of all time, including Gunsmoke (633), Lassie (588), Bonanza (430), The Simpsons (420 plus), Dallas (357), ER (309 plus),Cheers (275) and Seinfeld (180).
    • 37% of RAW’s viewers are female and RAW is a Top 5 ad-supported cable program among Females 12-34.
    • Monday Night RAW is a global phenomenon broadcast in more than 30 languages to more than 145 countries and seen by nearly a half a billion homes worldwide weekly, including Japan, Canada, United Kingdom, Italy and Iraq.
    • RAW is the birthplace of such household names as The Rock®, Stone Cold Steve Austinâ„¢, Triple H®, John Cena®, Undertaker® and Shawn Michaels.® 
    • A pop culture phenomenon, RAW has been a destination for actors, athletes and musicians not only to promote projects but to also enjoy ringside excitement as fans. Donald Trump, Shaquille O’Neal, LeBron James, Ashton Kutcher, Jewel, Jeremy Piven and Rob Reiner have all appeared on RAW.

    WHEN: Monday, August 30, 2010
    9:00 PM – 11:05 PM ET/PT

    WHERE: USA Network

  • Serena Speaks, Kaval Wins NXT Challenge, Season 2 Finale

    – Former WWE Diva Serena issued her first public comments since being let go by the company this past weekend. She wrote the following on Twitter: “You are the best fans in ANY universe.”

    – SmackDown’s Christian can now be found on Twitter at @Christian4Peeps.

    – Jim Ross noted on Twitter that he will be at WWE’s Night of Champions pay-per-view.

    – NXT Season 2 rookie Kaval won this week’s NXT Rookie Challenge and has earned the right to “take over” the WWE’s website.

    – Next week’s episode of NXT on SyFy will be the season 2 finale.

  • Edge’s New WWE Studios Film Gets A New Title & Cast

    Entertainment blog Deadline New York is reporting that Adam “Edge” Copeland’s WWE Studios film “Chasing The Hawk” has a new name and several actors have signed on to the project.

    The movie is now titled “Bending the Rules.” In the film, Edge plays a lawyer trying to track down a stolen car.

    Starring opposite Copeland in the film will be “Scream” actor Jamie Kennedy.

    Also featured are Jessica Walter (“Arrested Development”), Jennifer Esposito (“Samantha Who?”), Alicia Witt (“Friday Night Lights”) and Philip Baker Hall (the infamous “Bookman” from “Seinfeld”).

    Director Artie Mandleberg has been attached to the project, which is based on a script by Dylan Schaffer.

  • RAW Rating, Creative Team Member Leaves, FCW Tryouts

    – Monday’s episode of Monday Night RAW drew a 3.23 cable cable rating and averaged 4,800,000 viewers. This show did hours of 3.12 and 3.34.

    – Joe Francosi finished up with the WWE creative team at last week’s tapings in Bakersfield, California. Francosi was hired earlier this year in February and appeared on RAW when Jon Lovitz hosted earlier this year. Francosi was the man who pulled his eye-ball out in a talent skit with Ted DiBiase and Virgil.

    Francosi was also the man who suggested the “spoken word” segment that RAW host William Shatner did months back. Francosi actually suggested the Shatner segment while interviewing with WWE trying to get the job. Francosi previously worked as a producer for UPW and was the man behind Mick Foley & Colt Cabana’s comedy tour.

    – WWE is looking for Divas between the ages of 18 and 25. They ran a tryout cap last week at Florida Championship Wrestling and out of the 60 or so people that showed up, about 50 of them didn’t even belong there. It usually costs people $1,000 to tryout for WWE.

    Credit to f4wonlien.com for some of the info used in this report

  • Update On The Future Of Nexus, Reason For Tag Title Change

    – The current plan for Nexus is for the group to disband by October. There is talk of bringing in some of the standout rookies of Season 2 and many of the Nexus stars will remain part of the main WWE roster, but the group’s days are numbered.

    – Vince McMahon made the decision to rename the Unified WWE Tag Team Championship the WWE Tag Team Championship because he wanted new belts to be marketed. Another reason given for the change is that it’s easier for talent to pass through airports with one set of belts than two.

    It is currently unknown if the belts will be considered a brand new championship or if they will carry the lineage of either one or both Tag Team Championships.

    Related News: WWE Introduces New Tag Team Title Belts (Pictures)

    – Last week’s episode of Monday Night Raw scored its highest rating for Score in Canada since moving to the network in 2006.

    source: f4wonline.com

  • Tyler Black Update, New WWE Diva, LayCool On RAW 900

    – ROH Champion Tyler Black has changed his Twitter name from ROHBlack to WWEBlack. Black recently signed a WWE developmental deal and is expected to start full-time at FCW in September.

    – Michelle McCool and Layla are confirmed for next Monday’s 900th episode of RAW. LayCool will be there to make an offer to Divas Champion Melina.

    – WWE will return to the Spokane Arena in Spokane, Washington on October 15th at 7:30pm. Tickets go on sale September 11th at 10am.

    – WWE has released the first Ted DiBiase t-shirt that says “Everyone Has a Price.”

    – WWE developmental wrestler AJ Lee worked a match with Layla at Sunday’s SmackDown live event in Odessa, Texas. The prospective Diva came up short in her match with the WWE Women’s Champion as Layla hit her with the “Lay-Out” neckbreaker for the victory.

  • Bret Hart Blogs About Wrestling At SummerSlam

    WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has updated his Facebook blog with his thoughts about working the main event at WWE SummerSlam against Nexus. Here’s what Bret wrote about his experience:

    Summerslam has come and gone and, in so many ways, it all seems like a crazy dream. Tagging up with John Cena was a personal pleasure and it was more than a treat to sit down with him before the match and watch him lay down the strategies of our team from start to finish. Despite my so-called bout with Vince McMahon at WrestleMania, this scenario at Summerslam would be much closer to the types of matches I had 12 years ago.

    Luckily, six other wrestlers on my team would be doing the brunt of the work. It was great for me to sit in with my team and listen to Cena methodically lay down our strategy: to hit ‘em hard and to hit em’ first. I was more than impressed with how he dissected different moments like a true ring general, reminding me of how I used to do the same. He gave every one of us a broad overview on exactly how we would overwhelm Nexus once and for all. All I can say is what a rush! The match seemed surreal right from the start and I can’t help but smile at the memory at both Chris Jericho and Edge on the apron battling together with the rest of us, Cena, to me, clearly stood out as our biggest asset and, despite Team WWE, eliminating two Nexus wrestlers, they rallied right back and evened things out.

    Nexus soon found out what a tough scrapper Jericho is when he’s pushed into a corner when he came off the second rope with a punishing dropkick right square in the kisser of a Nexus goon and then it all just slows down for me like a movie in slow motion. Jericho gives me the hot tag, I haven’t made a good wrestling comeback in at least 12 years. As I feel the slap of skin, ducking through the ropes my head feels lightheaded; the fiery redheaded Heath Slater has tagged and coming right at me. Then like a blast of technicolor, I block his punch and begin my pounding of my big rubber hammers off his head. Hard thumps to his ribcage, he falls back into a corner and, like days of old, I pull myself up to the second rope and begin a barrage of fat-fisted carnage. As this punk from Nexus finds out the hard way that you can take the Hitman out of the fight but you can never take the fight out of the Hitman. I got him reeling as I fire him crisply into the ropes. He stumbles off wondering if it’ll be a Goldberg kick or an elbow, but at the last second, I step aside and place a meaty fist right into his gut taking his breath away. I pull myself up but I feel my energy slipping. I snatch him quick and hoist him up and dropping him with a vicious front ass-bump, popping him up in time to club him down with a Hitman clothesline.

    My tank is holding steady as I hold him by the heels and step through for my coup-de-grace, the Sharpshooter. He’s done for. I glanced down in time to see Nexus leader, Wade Barrett, slide a steel chair underneath the bottom rope. At this point I decide to go seal-hunter on him, only to intercept the bald musclehead Skip Sheffield with no time to spare. I had to protect myself. With a bash in the guts, I bent the big meathead over and smash the chair over his backside. The smash feels electrifying and so does the crowd. The Staples Center goes bananas. The ref frantically waves me out, I’m disqualified. I can’t believe it. Barrett brought the damn chair in. My L.A. fans chant and I remember my stroke and my wheelchair, I picture my mom sighing in relief, Stu with Owen and Davey close by as I high-five some beaming and exasperated kids. Luckily, Cena would eventually pull this one of the fire for Team WWE. As for me, my heart would fill up on the moment. Slaps on the back at the Gorilla position, grins bigger than mine. I made it back to Summerslam and held my own. Anything is possible as the Hitman makes everyone believers one more time, even himself. Next dream will be Madison Square Garden on September 25th. Can’t wait!

  • Vince McMahon Turns 65, Nexus Storyline News & More

    – Vince McMahon celebrates his 65th birthday today. 65 is considered the standard retirement age in the United States.

    – The latest twist in the Nexus storyline is that the title match ban for the group’s members has been lifted, as announced by RAW’s General Manager last night. Wade Barrett will compete for the WWE Title in Night of Champions’ Six Pack Challenge. Members of Nexus have actually been getting WWE Tag Team Title shots against The Hart Dynasty at WWE live events over the past few weeks.

    – WWE’s first event at the new KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky will be the Superstars taping and live Monday Night Raw broadcast on December 6, 2010. The event begins at 8:15 p.m. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

    – WWE’s debut event at the new CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA will be on December 27th of this year at 7pm. Tickets go on sale September 18th at noon. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

  • WWE Diva Serena Released: Backstage Details

    Following initial reports on Monday evening, we can confirm that SmackDown diva Serena has been released from World Wrestling Entertainment. She had made her WWE in-ring debut during last week’s SmackDown, defeating Kelly Kelly in a mixed tag match.

    The decision to cut the Straight Edge Society member was made shortly after last week’s SmackDown tapings. An official announcement has not yet been made by WWE and likely will not be made until the weekend. She appeared at last Wednesday’s SmackDown tapings (set to air this Friday night) and accompanied Luke Gallows to the ring for his match with the Big Show.

    While we are awaiting confirmation as to the “final straw” that led to Serena’s release, two WWE sources have informed SEScoops.com that her recent conduct on the road was major factor. Unlike Straight Edge Society leader CM Punk, who lives his substance-free gimmick in real life, Serena liked to be party and it got the attention of WWE management. After being warned several times, there was a recent incident (which we’re still getting that details on) that led to her being released.

    WWE had reportedly been planning a romantic angle between Serena and CM Punk int he coming weeks.

  • Chris Nowinski Responds To WWE’s Statement Against Him

    Last week, World Wrestling Entertainment responded to claims former wrestler Chris Nowinski made regarding the company’s business practices under Senate candidate Linda McMahon’s leadership. Political news outlet The Hill published his response today to WWE’s statement.

    * WWE’s claim that Lance Cade was a stranger to Nowinski: “It is very dubious that he ever had a conversation with Lance Cade much less Lance Cade confiding to a total stranger that he used painkillers and steroids.”

    Nowinski responded: “They don’t think I’ve ever met my 2003 tag team partner in the WWE developmental system who I worked with in Cincinnati and Louisville in 2002-2003 almost daily and saw regularly while working with WWE until 2007?

    “Linda [McMahon] can spend $24 million on a campaign, you’d think they could hire a decent PR person.”

    * WWE’s response to Nowinski’s claim regarding steroids: “He states WWE suggested that its performers take steroids. However, at no time does he ever state that it was suggested that he do so.”

    Nowinski replied: ?”The point I was making was that they reward people who take steroids.”

    * Nowinski not notifying WWE of his concussion history: “Chris Nowinski did not reveal, as required, that he suffered previous concussions before signing his contract with WWE.”

    He responded: “[I] was unaware that I had a concussion history until the last one.”

    Nowinski felt he had to speak out due to McMahon’s public position.

    “When someone would disrespect a deceased former employee, when she’s seeking [a Senate seat], as a patriot you have to say something,” Nowinski said. “You want to make sure good people are in those jobs.”

    To read Nowinski’s complete response, click here.

  • WWE RAW Preview: Cena vs. Miz, Orton vs. Morrison vs. DiBiase

    Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW show was taped last week, as the RAW crew is currently overseas in China. Here’s a spoiler-free preview of tonight’s show:

    – Edge vs. R-Truth.

    – Chris Jericho vs. The Great Khali.

    – John Cena vs. WWE U.S. Champion The Miz.

    – Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov vs. The Usos.

    – Randy Orton vs. John Morrison vs. Ted DiBiase.

    Plus, we’ll find out who Sheamus will defend his WWE Championship against at Night of Champions.

    Read More: *SPOILERS* WWE RAW Results For Tonight

  • Kevin Nash Confirms Scott Hall Is In WWE-Sponsored Rehab

    TNA star Kevin Nash has confirmed that his friend Scott Hall is back in a substance abuse rehabilitation facility.

    Nash wrote on Twitter.com/RealKevinNash:

    “Scott is under care in the WWE’s wellness program. God bless Ann and Vince for taking care of my friend.”

    There had been some confusion lately as to whether Scott Hall had been hospitalized or was in rehab after statements were issued by independent wrestling promoters claiming both scenarios.

    Much to its credit, WWE has an ongoing policy where it pays for drug treatment programs for any current or past superstar that asks for the help.

    Best of luck to Scott Hall in getting himself together.

  • JR Blog: Lashley Hospitalized After Loss, Batista-MMA & More

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog over at JRsbarbq.com with some commentary on the following topics:

    Bobby Lashley’s First MMA Loss: “Bobby Lashley lost for the first time Saturday night by technical knockout in an ugly effort that exposed Bobby’s lack of MMA technique specifically Lashley’s ability to utilize submissions. Bobby did not look good, seemed to fatigue, and was too heavy/thick from this fan’s observation. I still think that Lashley has a shot at a successful MMA career but he’s got lots of work to do in a high level training center and to mentally commit 100% to his new vocation. He also needs to physically downsize.”

    “Lashley was hospitalized over night in Houston Saturday but has apparently since been released.”

    “If Bobby decides to have one more go at it and loses again, I would be surprised to see him remain in MMA. That’s pure, individual speculation.”

    Batista in Strikeforce: “If Strikeforce now signs Bautista and Dave then would fight Bobby Lashley then the fight would be nothing more than merely an “attraction fight” and will obviously not be a highly skilled MMA contest between two, finely tuned and experienced MMA fighters. Notice that I did not say that the fight wouldn’t garner a TV rating or create a buzz within the MMA community and in the TV world if promoted properly. I don’t see it as a PPV fight but perhaps not a bad choice for CBS, if they are still in play.”

    “BTW…Bautista has no deal at this time with Strikeforce and as I understand it Dave is still healing from injuries from his last WWE bout even though he has apparently began some MMA training. The one thing that is obvious when it comes to MMA training is that it makes all the difference in the world what camp one trains in as it relates to how successful most fighters can become. Camps are every where but it seems that only a handful of MMA training camps produce ‘money ball players.’”

    WWE’s First Event In China: “WWE had a successful, 90 minute show (that time was requested by local officials) in China that went well by all accounts. A WWE TV crew was in China to get footage of the trip and the first ever, WWE China event. Obviously this was a long, grueling trip for the travelers but everyone from what I understand really enjoyed the history making experience.”

  • Update On Next Week’s Raw, Cena On Hannah Montana Forever

    — The entire WWE talent roster will be on hand for next Monday’s “Raw 900th Episode Celebration” in Boston, Massachusetts. It should be noted that the episode is scheduled for two hours.

    — John Cena appears in a new episode of Hannah Montana Forever, premiering Sunday, September 12 (8:00-8:30 p.m., ET/PT) on Disney Channel. The WWE Superstar guest stars as himself to provide Miley’s brother Jackson with some real life motivation.

    — Jimmy and Jey Uso celebrated birthdays Sunday as the twin sons of WWE alum Rikishi turned 25 years old.

    — Eve Torres celebrated her 26th birthday Saturday.

    sources: www.f4wonline.com, PWInsider.com

  • Sound Off 122: There’s Way Too Much Wrestling on Television!

    Solomonster Sounds Off

    DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST HERE:
    Solomonster Sounds Off (Episode 122)
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    Est. Runtime: 67 minutes

    Solomonster watched a lot of TV this week and rants about the good and the (mostly) bad on Raw, NXT, Impact and Smackdown, as well as thoughts on Skip Sheffield’s injury, Bobby Lashley’s Strikeforce loss and potential fight with Batista, why Mick Foley is behaving like a whiny little bitch and YOUR mailbag questions answered!

    Want your question on the air? Send feedback to THESOLOMONSTER@gmail.com.

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  • WWE Fires Back At Chris Nowinski Following Recent Claims

    Sports Legacy Institute head and former WWE performer Chris Nowinski criticized Senate candidate Linda McMahon’s flippant comments concerning the death of fellow wrestler Lance McNaught (a/k/a Lance Cade) last week during an interview with the New England Cable News, feeling she was “kicking dirt” on his grave. He also alleged that under her leadership, World Wrestling Entertainment encouraged steroid use and provided an unsafe environment for its performers.

    WWE issued the following statement in response to Nowinski’s claims and criticisms:

    WWE RAISES CREDIBILITY ISSUES FOR CHRIS NOWINSKI

    • Chris Nowinski did not reveal, as required, that he suffered previous concussions before signing his contract with WWE.

    • He states WWE suggested that its performers take steroids. However, at no time does he ever state that it was suggested that he do so.

    • His comments that WWE talent perform in matches 200 days a year is not factual. In 2009, the average active roster talent performed 135 days.

    • A sheer fabrication — that he went through tables four days a week.

    • Mr. Nowinski states, “They have an environment where it’s absolutely unsafe to work in that ring.” “They have no oversight into what actually happens in the ring.” If so, then why would Mr. Nowinski have ever wanted to be a part of such an environment?

    • It is very dubious that he ever had a conversation with Lance Cade much less Lance Cade confiding to a total stranger that he used painkillers and steroids.

    • Although renowned in the field of CTE, we are unaware of any specific qualifications or medical degrees that he possesses which would qualify him as an expert on steroids and pain killers.

  • *SPOILERS* WWE RAW Results For Tonight

    Tonight’s WWE RAW was taped last week because the RAW crew is currently overseas for WWE’s first live events tour of China. Here are Spoiler results for the show:

    The anonymous General Manager announces Sheamus will sit on a throne and watch a series of matches tonight. He’ll get to hand pick his opponent for the WWE Championship at Night of Champions. The opponent that impresses Sheamus the most will get the title shot.

    * Edge b. R-Truth after hitting the spear. He gets on the mic and tells Truth he’s been beaten by the Rated R center.

    * John Cena vs. The Miz is announced for later tonight.

    * Chris Jericho b. The Great Khali by submission when Khali tapped in the Walls of Jericho. After the match, Jericho states his case to Sheamus. He tells him not to listen to Edge and choose him.

    * WWE Divas Champion Melina b. Jillian Hall to retain the title. Melina got the win after hitting her sunset flip powerbomb. LayCool come up on the big screen and say they’ll be there next week for the 900th episode of Raw.

    * Josh Mathews interviews The Miz. He talks about Daniel Bryan and Sheamus getting beat down and how Cena put Team WWE at risk by choosing Bryan over him.

    * The Nexus come out. Sheamus greets them but he’s cut off by the anonymous General Manager. They announce the titles ban on The Nexus is over. Wade Barrett says consider our truce over.

    * John Cena b. The Miz by count out. The Miz backed down the ramp but Daniel Bryan tossed him back in the ring after the bell ring. Cena got out of the ring and Daniel put a submission hold on him. After the break, The Miz gets slowly up to his feet and leaves the ring only to be attacked by Bryan again and the submission hold reapplied.

    Vladimir Kozlov & Santino Marella b. The Usos w/Tamina when Vladimir makes the pin. Santino locks eyes with Tamina and she blows him a kiss.

    * Randy Orton b. John Morrison & Ted DiBiase w/Maryse in a triple threat match. Orton hit a sick RKO on Morrison who was diving off the top rope towards him. After the match, Orton hit an RKO on DiBiase.

    * Josh Mathews is backstage with Sheamus. Sheamus says he didn’t need to see the triple threat match and he’s already made his decision.

    * Sheamus comes out to the ring. He says despite last week he is still the Celtic Warrior and he will defend the WWE Championship right now instead of at Night of Champions. Sheamus announces Zack Ryder as his opponent.

    * WWE Champion Sheamus b. Zack Ryder with a big boot to the face and retains the title. After the match, Sheamus says due to WWE rules and regulations he doesn’t have to defend the title again for 30 days. Wade Barrett comes out and says per his WWE NXT win, he gets a title match. It will be a 6 pack challenge – Sheamus vs. Barrett vs. Y2J vs. Orton vs. Edge vs. Cena. Jericho, Edge, Cena, Orton and Sheamus beat up Barrett then each other with Orton hitting the RKO on Cena last.