SEScoops

Category: WWE

  • Internal Picks To Win NXT Season Two, HHH Celebrates Birthday

    (source: www.f4wonline.com)

    — Many within WWE are predicting Michael McGillicutty or Alex Riley to win NXT Season Two. Meanwhile, it’s said that Husky Harris has unanimously impressed “everyone.”

    — No Raw guest hosts are expected to be scheduled until after SummerSlam. Child star Bobb’e J. Thompson — who stars alongside Big Show in the upcoming WWE Studios film Knucklehead — and country music artist Toby Keith have been booked to host episodes of Raw in October.

    — Two WWE Superstars celebrate birthdays today as Triple H turns 41 years old while Dolph Ziggler hits 30.

  • WWE’s Latest Benoit Related Edits, Officials High On Tag Team

    — Seeing as Chris Benoit took part in the Elimination Chamber Match that took place at the 2005 New Year’s Revolution pay-per-view, he is featured in WWE’s newly released DVD set highlighting the Elimination Chamber, Satan’s Prison: The Anthology of the Elimination Chamber. While he’s shown in the match – the first marketed of him by WWE since his 2007 double murder and suicide – anything remotely complimentary said by the announcers regarding Benoit was edited off the DVD

    — WWE newcomers Jey and Jimmy Uso have received much praise amongst company officials, reports www.f4wonline.com. The twin sons of former WWE star Rikishi have quickly risen up the ranks in the company as they were signed to developmental contracts just last January.

    — The SmackDown house show on October 16th, 2010 will be held at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. Tickets go on sale August 28th, 2010 at noon. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

  • RAW Wasn’t Live, 2011 PPV Schedule, Tonight’s Tapings

    – Monday’s episode of WWE RAW did not air live. With WWE taping two episodes of RAW this week, the show started about 45 minutes early (so the 2nd taping didn’t end too late) and ran on tape delay.

    Related News: *Spoilers* WWE RAW Results For Next Week

    – WWE will tape tonight’s NXT and Friday’s SmackDown tonight from the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.

    Tonight’s NXT will see another rookie eliminated. Announced for SmackDown is a Women’s title match between Tiffany and Layla. Kane vs. Rey Mysterio in a steel cage match is being advertised locally as the

    – WWE has released an updated calendar for the first 8 pay-per-views of 2011:

    • January 30th – Royal Rumble
    • February 27th – Elimination Chamber
    • April 3rd – WrestleMania 27
    • May 1st – Extreme Rules
    • May 22nd – Over the Limit
    • June 19th – Fatal 4 Way
    • July 17th – Money in the Bank
    • August 14th – SummerSlam

    – Former WCW star and current WWE developmental trainer Billy Kidman will be working full-time as a producer/agent for WWE.

    Partial source: f4wonline.com

  • WWE Searching For New Divas, Bret Hart Not At RAW

    – Bret Hart was not at last night’s double RAW taping from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas as he is in Hawaii on his honeymoon with his new wife Stephanie that he married this past Saturday in Calgary. It was announced last night that Hart will team with John Cena to face Edge and Chris Jericho with The Nexus as lumberjacks on the 8/9 edition of WWE RAW from ARCO Arena in Sacramento, California.

    – WWE is searching for new Divas. The company has issued a request for agents and talent managers to submit female actresses to casting director Kristin Prouty. The new Diva hires would replace several of the current Divas on the roster. WWE has shown over the years that no Diva is too important to be replaced, letting go Mickie James and Maria Kanellis earlier this year. No word yet on who is at risk – but you can bet Michelle McCool’s spot is safe.

    The casting will take place in October in various cities across the United States, including New York, Los Angeles and Las Vegas WWE will then offer developmental deals to some of the women with deals that will be negotiated “specific to each woman.” The casting request is seeking women of all ethnicities.

  • WWE RAW Preview For Next Week (No Spoilers)

    The WWE RAW crew will be touring overseas next week, so next week’s show was taped after this week’s show went off the air.

    The following matches were taped for Monday’s 8/2 episode of WWE RAW, the final show before SummerSlam:

    * Edge vs. Wade Barrett

    * Natalya, Gail Kim and Eve vs. Alicia Fox, Tamina and Jillian Hall

    * Goldust vs. Sheamus

    * John Cena vs. Chris Jericho

    * Ted DiBiase vs. The Great Khali

    * The Miz vs. Randy Orton

  • Former WWE Diva Admits To Using Steroids During Her Career

    Dawn Marie Damatta, who performed for World Wrestling Entertainment from 2002 to 2005, admitted to the Connecticut Post that she used steroids during the course of her tenure in the organization.

    “I chose to take that shortcut,” the former WWE Diva said. “Did Vince (McMahon) tell me to take that shortcut? No. Did WWE? No. Why did I do it? Because I thought that’s what I needed to do in order to keep up … There was no testing policy.”

    Damatta feels one only needs to take a look at the physiques of present day WWE talent to know that steroid use is not as prevalent as it was in the past. She also believes the company’s drug testing policy has reduced the abuse of drugs such as painkillers, therefore saving lives. However, she feels Linda and Vince McMahon could do more to assist former talent.

    “Wrestlers are taken as children, thrown into this industry and then we’re dumped back out as adults. There’s no learning in the world. We’re on the road, traveling, hustling, getting beat up,” Damatta said. “Where do I go? What do I put on a resume?”

    The story on steroids in WWE and Damatta can be read here.

  • Update On Undertaker’s WWE Return, WWE Places Another Ban?

    source: PWInsider.com

    — During last Friday’s SmackDown broadcast on The Score in Canada, a SummerSlam commercial was shown featuring The Undertaker. Triple H, who is also out nursing an injury, was not.

    Undertaker was originally scheduled to return at the event, but it now appears as though he will not return in a wrestling capacity until Night of Champions in September.

    — WWE has apparently placed a ban on talent wrestling with gloves on. Dolph Ziggler revealed this tidbit today on Twitter when was asked why he no longer wears gloves when he competes.

    He said, “DZBabe, I don’t wear gloves anymore! They have been banned from ringside! Hopefully we can atleast High-5!”

    It should be noted, however, that both Rey Mysterio and MVP donned gloves on last week’s shows.

    — Last Thursday’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America scored a 0.65 cable rating, down from the previous week’s 0.74. Overall, the show drew 648,000 viewers. The midnight replay drew a 0.26 rating, with 248,000 viewers.

  • Punk Has Surgery, Austin Appearing On Chuck Again & More

    – CM Punk recently underwent minor surgery on his elbow to repair floating particles in his elbow, which was causing it to lock up. He’s expected to be kept out of the ring for 2-4 more weeks.

    – WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin will be appearing on the NBC show “Chuck” again next season, eprising his role as secret agent Hugo Panzer. The announcement was made over the weekend at Comic-Copn in San Diego. Austin made his first (and quite entertaining) guest appearance on the show last season.

    – There is no word yet on who the new WWE SmackDown! Diva is, but the rumors are that it’s AJ Lee, a developmental talent. WWE was planning to air her first promo video on last week’s SmackDown! but it was cut due to time constraints.

    – World Heavyweight champion Kane appeared on Judge Napolitano’sFOX Business Channel show last night. Kane brought the World Heavyweight title with him, which the host referred to as a “belt buckle.” A variety of political topics were discussed, with Kane, an outspoken liberal, hitting the usual liberal talking points.

  • Undertaker & Michelle McCool Wedding Photo Leaks Online

    As previously reported, WWE legend The Undertaker and WWE diva Michelle McCool were married at the end of June at a private ceremony in Houston, Texas. The two have been romantically linked since 2007. The wedding marks the third time down the aisle for the Undertaker and the second for McCool.

    There’s been a number of reports circulating that WWE was very unhappy that pictures from the wedding leaked online. Staugustine.com recently interviewed Michelle McCool, who would not comment on the situation. The article states:

    “Recently the Internet buzzed with leaked information to her marriage to another WWE superstar. The Diva chose not to discuss those details.”

    In case you missed it last month, here’s a picture of the Undertaker and Michelle McCool being getting married:

  • Orton Expects Ex-WWE Star To Return, Comments On Anderson

    Since opening an account on Twitter last week, Randy Orton has made numerous comments of note. For starters, he was asked to give his thoughts on Bryan Danielson as a performer as well as his sudden firing from World Wrestling Entertainment.

    “I understand why it happened. But he def deserves to be there, I’m sure he’ll b back,” Orton responded. “Very talented in my opinion.”

    Orton also continues to bring up former WWE performer Ken Anderson’s name, whom he recently ranted about on a message board post in regards to claims concerning his dismissal from the company last year. He laughed at a fan noting he already had more Twitter followers than Anderson and threatened to send the former WWE star after an Orton poser if he didn’t shut down his account. However, it would appear that Orton has since had a change of heart in regards to the current TNA star as he now feels that last year’s incident was a misunderstanding.

    In response to a question this morning asking if he would ever make peace with Anderson, he wrote, “I think what happened is a misunderstanding and at this point there is peace. Hell……we used to ride together.”

    Finally, Orton revealed that he will have a new shirt out within thirty days.

  • JR Blog: TNA Hard Justice, Paul Heyman, Joey Styles & Mmore

    WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross

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

    TNA’s Hard Justice PPV: “We’re getting lots of questions on the revisited, ECW TV storyline being used by TNA. For the record, I hope that all wrestling organizations do well as the individuals who comprise the various company’s rosters are largely passionate fans living out their dreams. I’m not a ‘dream squasher.’ Do I think that this matter will be successful? I don’t know. It might be o.k. for a one off sort of deal for a company that needs a ‘hit.’ Time will answer the ‘will it be successful question’ which is somewhere subjective in itself as what is the true definition of ‘success’ in wrestling? It varies by company, that’s for sure.”

    Paul Heyman: “Paul Heyman will not be a part of this presentation which does it no favors. Heyman was the strategic mastermind behind the original ECW that grew to have a passionate, cult following and lasted much longer than many ‘experts’ predicted when ECW started up primarily due to Heyman’s leadership and creative vision along with a locker room full of passionate athletes who were in their prime and loved kicking ass.”

    Joey Styles: “No, Joey Styles has no interest in broadcasting again in WWE on a full time basis, or so he has said to many, and has expressed his happiness in working to build WWE.com to an even bigger brand. Joey and I hope to broadcast one match together some day in the future for WWEClassics.com or WWE 24/7 On Demand.”

  • WWE & 7-Eleven Hype Their New SummerSlam Ad Campaign

    The following was released this morning by WWE and 7-Eleven:

    DALLAS & STAMFORD, Conn., Jul 26, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — After success with its World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc.(R) (WWE) promotion last year, 7-Eleven, Inc. roars back into the ring this summer as a sponsor of SummerSlam(R), WWE’s biggest pay-per-view event of the summer. The convenience retailer has beefed up this year’s promotion, running now through Aug. 31, with double the variety of cups and double the WWE Superstars. In addition, the updated program features new products and online elements, including the opportunity to become a masked WWE Superstar.

    WWE Superstars John Cena(R), Triple H(R), Rey Mysterio(R) and Undertaker(R) show off their best moves on four collectible, lenticular Slurpee(R) cups while Big Show(R), Kofi Kingston(R), Edge(R), Randy Orton(R), and WWE Diva Eve(TM) appear on five collectible Super Big Gulp(R) fountain drink cups. For more fan fun, 7-Eleven offers four collectible straws featuring the likenesses of the Superstars and product displays of WWE Magazine and DVDs.

    John Cena also has created a limited-edition cup for 7-Eleven’s cause-marketing campaign, Coffee Cup with a Cause. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Cena cups between July 16 and Aug. 31 will be donated to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 7-Eleven has guaranteed a minimum donation of $250,000 to the charity.

    “7-Eleven fans love WWE, and vice versa. It’s a demographic match made in heaven,” said Rita Bargerhuff, 7-Eleven vice president and chief marketing officer. “Our WWE campaign last year was centered on Big Gulp drinks. This year, we’ve taken the promotion to a new level, both in-store and online, and we think this year’s rematch of the two brands will be bigger and better.”

    “Our continuing partnership with 7-Eleven has been a fantastic experience for WWE, our Superstars and fans,” said Michelle Wilson, WWE’s executive vice president of Marketing. “WWE is thrilled that 7-Eleven is able to help us celebrate SummerSlam by providing our fans with limited edition cups featuring their favorite Superstars and Divas.”

    The collectible Slurpee cups come with codes that can be redeemed for Slurpee Nation(TM) reward points at slurpee.com. Fans can go to slurpee.com/rewards to redeem these points for exclusive in-game prizes in THQ’s popular video game “SmackDown(R) vs. Raw(R) 2010,” or to enter 7-Eleven’s augmented reality that allows WWE fans to try on virtual masks like those worn by WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio. A web-cam is required for fans to try on Rey’s masks. Users can choose any or all of the four featured masks, take multiple screen shots and upload images to Facebook. Rey Mysterio appears in a 7-Eleven commercial that airs on USA and Syfy during WWE programming and at various WWE live events across the country.

    The featured Slurpee flavor during the six-week promotion is Barq’s Root Beer. Other products participating in the promotion are Slim Jim, the official meat snack of WWE, and 7-Select(TM) Crunch Cheese Curls.

  • Bret Hart Married Over The Weekend (Picture)

    WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart was married over the weekend to his fiance Stephanie Washington. This is the third time down the aisle for Bret.

    Stephanie Washington is a 27 year old woman from San Francisco, California who is now going to school up in Calgary. They began dating earlier this year.

    The couple is expected to spend their honeymoon in Hawaii. Since WWE will be taping the next 2 weeks of RAW shows tonight (due to the upcoming international tour), it’s likely that Bret and Stephanie will not leave for Hawaii until later this week at the earliest.

    Here’s a picture of Bret Hart and his lovely new wife Stephanie Washington from earlier this year:

  • Linda’s Campaign Getting Heat For WWE’s Eugene Character

    An organization called the “Mothers Opposing McMahon” (MOM), which opposes Linda McMahon’s campaign to become a United States Senator this November, is now attacking the former WWE CEO over the “Eugene” character that the company featured from 2007-2009.

    The MOM organization has posted a video on Youtube, which you can view here, that quotes Linda McMahon talking about the unique brand of entertainment that WWE delivers – followed by WWE television footage of Vince and Shane McMahon sliming and then beating down the mentally challenged wrestler.

    The video caption slams the McMahons for featuring “a character with developmental disabilities [who is] is violently beaten, humiliated, and verbally abused by Vince and Shane McMahon. The MOM organization claims to be “a grassroots group of Connecticut women working to build opposition to Linda McMahon’s Senate candidacy based on McMahon’s record as CEO of the WWE, where she marketed to kids graphic sex, brutal violence, and the degrading, abusive treatment of women to make herself millions of dollars in profits.”

    While the MOM organization has their hands full trashing Linda McMahon, another organization – the Fans United against Mothers Opposing McMahon (FU-MOM), is firing back at defending McMahon.

    Thomas Gidlow sent in the following:

    I have started a new Facebook page called Fans United against Mothers Opposing McMahon (FU-MOM). We are dedicated to debunk the myths and half truths that the mainstream media uses to portray the wrestling industry, in particular the WWE. We have singled out “M.O.M” but we are also going to go after anyone that uses stereotypes, 15-year old information, independent wrestling as a means to portray the entire industry, and anyone else that has no idea what they are talking about.

    We do not endorse Linda McMahon’s campaign or anyone else’s in Connecticut or anywhere else. We are not representatives or affiliates of either political party or any campaign. We are simply fed up with the lies and deceit used to depict the WWE and we’re doing something about it.

    We’re going to be providing videos, links, discussion, and more for anyone who feels as we do. We will also not hide from debate like many other organizations (such as M.O.M) do and we will be glad to talk to everyone and anyone across the ideological spectrum.

    Our Facebook site:
    http://www.facebook.com/pages/Fans-United-against-Mothers-Opposing-McMahon/140270009330160

    Our Mission Statement:

    Our mission is to dispel the misreporting of Linda McMahon’s tenure with the WWE, as well as the misreporting of the WWE in general, using the facts as they are – not by using slanderous rhetoric based on assumptions and myths. We are dedicated to reporting and posting information that is nothing but the truth. If you want shotty reporting and information based on ten years ago, then watch the mainstream media or join “Mothers Opposing McMahon”. We only deal with the facts here.

  • McCool Discusses Life Outside The Ring, Win Surv. Series Tickets

    — Michelle McCool says it’s hard for her to see the celebrity others see in her. Though she is former middle school teacher turned wrestling star, in her eyes, the important stuff has stuck around: Family, friends, passions and herself.

    “I’m still the same person,” she told the St. Augustine Record in an interview. “I just happen to be on TV now.”

    She wants her fans to know that even though she plays a villain on television, she’s just a regular girl.

    “I’m real,” she said. “I’m genuine.”

    Though the newspaper’s article largely focuses on McCool’s life outside the ring, she would not comment on her private life. Recently, the internet was abuzz over her marriage to a fellow WWE Superstar who shall remain nameless. She declined to discuss those details with the St. Augustine Record.

    She would, however, discuss her foray into the world of professional wrestling, her athletic background, and biggest supporters, among other wholesome topics. The entire article can be read here.

    — WWE is holding a contest with JCPenney where one lucky winner will win a trip for two to Miami, Florida to attend this year’s Survivor Series. Legal residents of the fifty United States and the District of Columbia, and who are eighteen years of age or older, may enter the contest at www.wwesummerheat.com. The promotion concludes at 11:59 p.m. ET on September 18, 2010.

    — Convenience Store News has a story on 7-Eleven being a top sponsor for WWE’s SummerSlam, noting its summer promotion featuring WWE Superstars such as John Cena, Triple H, The Undertaker and Eve on various cups. Additional SummerSlam sponsors include Slim Jim, Army National Guard, Mars’ Twix, Mattel, Topps, THQ and Syfy.

  • Mickie James, Among Others, Now Free To Join TNA Wrestling

    — Seven wrestlers released by World Wrestling Entertainment on April 22, 2010 are now free to join TNA Wrestling (or any wrestling promotion for that matter) as their respective 90-day no-compete clauses have expired. Among those let go that fateful day were Mickie James, Shelton Benjamin, Katie Lea Burchill, Jimmy Wang Yang, Slam Master J, Kung Fu Naki and Mike Knox.

    The contractual clause was put in place to prohibit wrestlers from immediately competing with nationally televised promotions following their release.

    — It was announced during Friday’s episode of SmackDown that Layla would be defending her Women’s Championship against Tiffany on this week’s show.

    — World Heavyweight Champion Kane tops WWE.com’s latest POWER 25 chart. He is trailed by Sheamus and Randy Orton, among others.

  • Sound Off 118: Kane Wins The Big One, Praising Michael Cole

    Solomonster Sounds Off

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    Solomonster is back with thoughts on Money in the Bank and Kane’s title win, Bret Hart’s big return to Raw, a rare thumbs up for Michael Cole, Tommy Dreamer’s big speech on Impact, Randy Savage resurfaces and some personal words to conclude.

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  • Steve Austin Appearing On NBC Show, WWE Star’s Graphic Novel

    — It was announced yesterday during San Diego Comic-Con International that Steve Austin’s Hugo Panzer character would make another guest appearance on the NBC action-comedy television show Chuck this season. He was last seen in the episode “Chuck vs. First Class” where he combats Chuck inside an airplane.

    — RingsideCollectibles.net has released a high quality video of the “Macho Man” Randy Savage WWE Mattel action figure announcement at San Diego Comic-Con International. Also released is complete video of WWE writers Ed Koskey and Brian Gewirtz answering questions concerning the company’s creative process alongside Eve Torres and The Miz. Finally, several photos of Mattel’s WWE action figure line on display at Comic-Con can be viewed here.

    — SmackDown star Shad Gaspard has released the synopsis and cover art of the crime/action adventure graphic novel Assassin & Son: Path of Vengeance, created and written by himself and former WWE performer Marc Caponi (a/k/a Muhammad Hassan). For details on the novel, click here.

  • Steamboat Released From Hospital, Masked SES Member Revealed

    — Jim Ross announced on his official website that Ricky Steamboat has been released from the hospital. The WWE Hall of Famer is convalescing at a relative’s home in Florida and slated to return to Florida Championship Wrestling to continue training developmental talent in a month or so.

    — While squashing the unidentified member of The Straight Edge Society on last night’s episode of SmackDown, Big Show unmasked him, revealing former Tag Team Champion Joey Mercury. Mercury re-signed with WWE earlier this year and had been working as the masked man of CM Punk’s group since April.

    — Radio advertisements in San Antonio, Texas are advertising Monday’s Raw main event as Sheamus and Nexus vs. John Cena and Randy Orton in a Handicap Match.

  • VIDEO: Randy Savage Promotes New WWE Action Figure

    — WWE has signed Ohio Valley Wrestling’s Brent “Beef” Wellington to a developmental contract, reports f4wonline.com. The announcement was made by Wellington during Wednesday night’s OVW television taping. He was then jumped by Austin Aries.

    — Three more WWE stars have joined Twitter in MVP, William Regal and Todd Grisham.

    — As reported earlier, Mattel announced yesterday during San Diego Comic-Con International that Randy Savage had been signed by the company to take part in their “WWE Defining Moments” action figure line. Video has since surfaced of Savage cutting a classic “Macho Man” promo hyping the acting figure, which can be viewed here (starting at the 2:00 mark). He said Mattel is making more figures of himself from different eras of his career and vowed “2011 will be the Macho Man’s year.”

  • Match Preview For SmackDown, WrestleMania Returning To NBC

    — Matches scheduled to take place on tonight’s edition of Friday Night SmackDown are as follows:

    * Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger (No. 1 Contender’s 2-out-of-3 Falls Match with the winner guaranteed a title match at SummerSlam)

    * Matt Hardy and Christian vs. Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes

    * Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler (Non-title match)

    * Big Show vs. masked Straight Edge Society member

    — For the second consecutive year, WWE will bring the self-proclaimed “world’s biggest pop culture event” to network television when WrestleMania XXVI: The World Television Premiere airs Saturday, Aug. 7 at 9:00 p.m. EST on NBC. The special will feature highlights from WrestleMania XXVI “set to music from today’s hottest acts in one lightning-fast hour of family-friendly programming.” (Article link)

  • Has Vince McMahon Placed a Ban on Shawn Michaels?

    (credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

    -WWE’s marketing deparment was told a few weeks ago that Vince McMahon does not want any usage of things related to the image of Shawn Michaels. Those close to Michaels say he is mentally done with wrestling and, in his mind right now, he will never come back in ANY form. Not sure what happened, but Michaels was quite vocal many weeks back about his displeasure with his former student, Daniel Bryan, being released by the company.

    -Bret Hart will be married to girlfriend Stephanie Washington this Saturday in Calgary. He was scheduled to go to Hawaii on his honeymoon, so unless plans have changed, he will likely not be on Raw this Monday.

  • Warrior And Randy Savage Sign With Mattel For WWE Figures

    Today at the Comic Con event in San Diego, Mattel announced that both Ultimate Warrior and “Macho Man” Randy Savage have been signed by the company to be part of their WWE line of action figures.

    When the announcement was made about Savage being part of the series, it stirred up a huge reaction at the event. This would be the first Macho Man action WWE figure since the early 1990’s when the company was then working with the Hasbro toy company. WWE did produce a “Macho Madness” 3-disc DVD set last year that was mostly well-received by fans, though it lacked a documentary portion.

    Savage was last seen on WWE television in 1994 as an announcer alongside Vince McMahon on Monday Night Raw. Later that year, he jumped ship to WCW and has had little or no contact with McMahon since that time, and no one seems to have a definitive reason as to why.

  • WWE Signs Former TNA Wrestler To Developmental Contract

    Platinum Championship Wrestling has announced that Austin Creed, known as Consequences Creed in TNA Wrestling, has signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment.

    “We at PCW want to congratulate our own AUSTIN CREED on the recent signing of his WWE developmental contract! Congratulations Austin,” the PCW website announced.

    The one-time World Tag Team Champion was quietly released from TNA Wrestling in late March. Earlier this month, Creed won ECWA’s annual Super 8 Tournament in Delaware, defeating Tommaso Ciampa.

  • Diva’s WWE Debut Delayed, Howard Finkel Not A Fan Of Eve

    — Monday’s Raw saw Eve Torres become the No. 1 contender to Alicia Fox’s Divas Championship as a result of her victory over Maryse. Immediately following the bout, Howard Finkel expressed his displeasure with the Raw Divas division, but more specifically, Torres.

    “I have had it with the Raw Diva division,” the WWE Hall of Famer remarked during the live Raw chat on WWEUniverse.com. He added, “I DO NOT hate Divas…..I am not a fan of who is the # 1 contender.”

    — At the July 6 Friday Night SmackDown television taping, WWE ran a vignette before the Atlanta crowd introducing a new Diva by the name of AJ Lee. The vignette, however, was cut from the broadcast. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, a decision was made to introduce one new character at a time — currently Alberto Del Rio — thus explaining why vignettes introducing Lee have yet to surface. Once Del Rio makes his official debut in WWE, the promotion of Lee will commence.

    Lee, who’s real name is believed to be April Jeanette, is 23 years old and has been under contract to World Wrestling Entertainment since May 2009. At 5 foot 2 and 99 pounds, she is the smallest female performer affiliated with either major wrestling organization. Prior to joining WWE, Lee worked independent wrestling shows throughout the Northeast. She has been competing professionally since September 2007.