CM Punk and Chris Jericho trade verbal barbs about their WrestleMania showdown
CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan: Champion vs. Champion Match
Primo & Epico vs. Kofi Kingston & R-Truth vs. Dolph Ziggler & Jack Swagger – WWE Tag Team Championship Triple Threat Match
John Cena vs. The Miz
Eve Blows Off Kelly Kelly
The Rock & John Cena’s Promo:
TMZ has published the first video footage of the upcoming WWE Legends House show, confirming several cast members in the process.
In the following video, wrestling legends Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Jimmy Hart, Roddy Piper, Hillbilly Jim, Gene Okerlund, Howard Finkel, Tony Atlas and Pat Patterson are shown taking a Zumba dance class at a studio in Palm Springs, California.
– WWE Hall of Famers Jim Ross, Bret Hart and several others had high praise for both CM Punk and Chris Jericho after their promo on RAW. Jim Ross wrote:
“It’s going to be hard for anyone to follow the pure wrestling match that @CMPunk & @IAmJericho will have at WM28 Trust me on that”
Bret Hart, who was referenced by CM Punk during the promo,tweeted:
“That was probably the best promo I’ve seen in months & I’m not saying that bc of the shoutout. Punk & Jericho were on the top of their game”
Chris Jericho also tweeted the following after he attacked CM Punk, gave him the Walls of Jericho and left him for dead at the top of the ramp:
“And THAT is how you prove a point…. @CMPunk #raw”
– Kofi Kingston had staples removed from his head before yesterday’s RAW in Portland. The injury occurred during the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view several weeks ago.
– Brodus Clay was backstage at RAW, although he didn’t appear on television as advertised. No word yet on why Clay was promoted once again without being used, but we’ll be looking into this today.
WWE’s Board of Directors made the following announcement on the WWE website on Tuesday morning:
“Both Raw and SmackDown are about to get extreme makeovers. In an effort to help determine which General Manager should control both shows, the WWE Board of Directors has decided to switch control of each show next week. SmackDown GM Theodore Long will take control of Monday night’s Raw while Raw GM John Laurinaitis takes the reins of next Friday’s SmackDown.
The decision comes one week after Laurinaitis announced at Elimination Chamber that he will seek control over both shows, bolstered by flattering testimonials by Superstars Mark Henry, Christian and Alberto Del Rio. A perturbed Long made it clear to Laurinaitis that he’s not about to take the threat to his position lying down.”
WWE legend Mick Foley tweeted the following on Monday night regarding The Rock and John Cena’s segment that closed the show:
“That promo felt kind of uncomfortable to watch. Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
Former WWE announcer Jack Korpela wrote:
“@TheRock is simply on a different level. Makes @JohnCena and @CMPunk look amateur. What does @wwe have to do to build a new Rock? @TheRock proved again tonight why he is among the top three @wwe superstars ever. @HulkHogan @steveaustinBSR and @therock made this business”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross seems to think there could be legit heat between The Rock and Cena:
“@JohnCena calling @TheRock a “SOB” tonite shocked me & made me uncomfortable. Sounded more personal than in a professional context…IMO.”
“It’s getting personal…@JohnCena & @TheRock…legit. Guaranteed. No BS.”
When asked directly by a fan whether there is legit heat between Rock and Cena, JR replied :
“If there wasn’t before tonight, there certainly seems to be now.”
The Rock tweeted the following after RAW:
“Team Bring It: Tonight we made history. Dominated Twitter. #TheRock #Boots2Asses #CenasMissingBalls.”
He later added:
“Portland, Oregon: THANK YOU for a historic & unforgettable night. An honor to entertain you on RAW. #TeamBringItStrong.”
— Randy Orton will face World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan on this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown. The synopsis reads: “This Friday at 8/7 CT on Syfy, Randy Orton will return to SmackDown with his eyes locked on Daniel Bryan – just two weeks after the World Heavyweight Champion gave WWE’s Apex Predator a concussion that kept him out of the Elimination Chamber Match.”
— Matches taped Monday night in Portland, Oregon for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows:
* WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix vs. Alicia Fox in a non-title match
* Santino Marella vs. Curt Hawkins (accompanied by Tyler Reks)
No pre-show dark match was held.
— WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat turns 59 years old Tuesday.
With WrestleMania 28 just weeks away, WWE is taking extra precautions to make sure the main event match that’s been almost a year in the making is not jeopardized due to an injury.
WWE has seen a slew of recent injuries to top stars, including Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Alberto Del Rio, Christian, Sin Cara and Wade Barrett, with several others including R-Truth and Dolph Ziggler having scary close calls.
According to a report at WrestleZone.com, WWE chairman Vince McMahon has instructed any talent that works with Cena to be very careful in the ring and not to take any “unneeded” risks.
WWE has millions of dollars at stake with the big John Cena vs. The Rock match and an injury would be absolutely devastating.
The Rock won’t be wrestling any matches between now and WrestleMania.
Sports Entertainment Legend THE ULTIMATE WARRIOR leads an extreme mind/body/soul bootcamp work-out to notorious rock & roll/heavy metal superstars ASKING ALEXANDRIA. This is the completely unscripted, self-produced pilot episode created by Warrior, Ash Avildsen of Sumerian Records & Frankie Nasso of Nova Entertainment Group.
This show is made for you to be inspired, laugh, cry and make you want to change your life for the better. Stay tuned to find out about the phone call Ben Bruce made to Warrior the next week after the show when he found out they got confirmed for the Mayhem Festival w/ SLIPKNOT & SLAYER, for the sequel and for more info on the full season of THE WARRIOR SHOW!
— Kelly Kelly posted a pseudo-shoot statement Monday night on Twitter lambasting fellow WWE Diva Eve Torres’ mucky behavior in recent weeks.
“I’ve seen what u guys have been saying about @EveMarieTorres And you know what I agree she is a sipping on that skankjuice,” she wrote. “I mean who hooks up with her guy’s best friend and uses everyone of the people she works..well Ive seen the real her and she’s no friend of mine.”
Kelly continues, “Just when you think you know someone…YOU DON’T.”
— Former ECW star Francine and her husband Joe welcomed the birth of their first son, Connor Joseph, Monday afternoon. She gave birth to their first child, a daughter named Molly Rose, on July 28, 2009.
Francine retired from the professional wrestling industry in 2006 following her short-lived stint with WWE.
source: PWInsider.com
– Last week, the WWEShop website began selling t-shirts with “insider” phrases on them, such as face, heel and jobber. According to sources within WWE, there are many veterans that are not happy with insider terminology being used for commercial purposes, which will likely lead to the shirts being discontinued.
– Rey Mysterio recently did a radio interview and said he still hopes to complete physical therapy on his surgically repaired knee in time for WrestleMania. Mysterio told WDFN radio:
“I’m trying to see if I can make it back by WrestleMania. That’s my main goal right now – make it back by WrestleMania.”
When asked who he’d like to face, Mysterio said he does not have a particular opponent in mind, but he’d like to participate in the Money in the Bank match, if WWE decides to feature that match at WrestleMania. When asked whether he’d wrestle the also-injured Sin Cara, Mysterio said:
“I’m all up for it. As soon as my knee is ready and I can move the way I know I can move, I’m down.”
To listen to the interview, check out WDFN.com, the official site of Detroit’s 1130 AM The Fan radio station.
(Partial source: f4wonline.com)
— WWELiveTour.com is advertising Brodus Clay for tonight’s Raw SuperShow event at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon.
The Funkasaurus returned to action at this past weekend’s Raw live event tour; he squashed David Otunga in the opening contest of all three shows. The Wrestling Observer reports he was removed from television due to Vince McMahon’s unhappiness with his ring work.
— WWE.com has published an article on actor George Clooney arriving and leaving the 84th Academy Awards show with a “gold, statuesque beauty” in girlfriend and former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler.
WWE.com writes, “The long-legged former Diva dropped jaws and widened eyes on Hollywood’s biggest night. Even as Clooney would briefly leave her side for an interview or to greet fellow stars, the cameras couldn’t keep their lenses off the always-stunning Stacy. During the red carpet events before the 84th Annual Academy Awards show, her gold Marchesa gown drew the praise of fashion critics and established that the former Diva is as stylish as she is gorgeous.”
In stark contrast from a few years ago, WWE has profiled the former grappler numerous times online since her relationship with Clooney became public knowledge last August. During a 2009 interview with Baltimore Sun, Keibler said she offered to guest host the November 30, 2009 Raw emanating from her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, but her request was ignored.
“No one has contacted me,” Keibler said if she heard back from WWE regarding her request. “I actually had my management contact them, and nobody ever got back to us [laughs]. So I guess they’re not interested.”
Verne “Mini-Me” Troyer ended up hosting the show.
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Melina has been announced for The Big Event 2 taking place March 10 at the LaGuardia Courtyard Marriott 9010 Ditmars Blvd East Elmhurst, New York,
WWE is advertising Randy Orton for tonight’s RAW Supershow from Portland, Oregon.
According to WWE storylines, Orton suffered a concussion at the hands of World Heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan on RAW several weeks ago. Orton was pulled from WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view and has not competed since his injury.
Today, February 27th, is the day that Orton is scheduled to be re-evaluated by doctors to determine his next step.
Should WWE provide an update on Orton’s status, we’ll be sure to post it here.
John Cena was scheduled to give the starting command and wave the green flag at the Daytona 500 today at noon but the 500-mile race has been postponed until 7:00 p.m. due to excessive rain saturating Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The annual race was originally postponed Sunday for the first time in its 54-year history due to excessive rain.
Cena stated on Twitter that he will miss the race due to his commitment for tonight’s Raw SuperShow in Portland, Oregon. He will, however, attend the race if it starts on Tuesday.
“Well NASCAR i tried. But if youre gonna run your race on monday night..ive got other plans. Leaving #raintona going to #RAW,” he wrote. “If #raintona starts on tues, ill be there. But they have to understand. Dwaynes at raw. This is big. He doesnt show up….ever.”
— John Cena was scheduled to wave the green flag Sunday at the Daytona 500 but the annual race was postponed for the first time in its 54-year history after heavy rain saturated Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event has been rescheduled for Monday at noon.
The official Twitter feed of Daytona International Speedway stated Sunday night that Cena will give the starting command and wave the green flag at the race Monday.
— There is much anticipation within WWE for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s verbal response tomorrow night on Raw to John Cena’s pseudo-shoot speech on last week’s show in which he strongly criticized “The People’s Champion” for bailing on the company for Hollywood aspirations.
— The official Twitter feed of the WWE Universe took a jab at tonight’s 84th Oscar Academy Awards show, writing, “#SlammyAwards > #Oscars.”
— Former WWE Superstar John Morrison will perform improv comedy on March 17 at 8 p.m. for Cut That Promo at iO West at 6366 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, California.
source: F4WOnline.com
– Former WWE creative writer Seth Mates reacted on Twitter to the apparent jealousy within WWE circles of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson being successful in Hollywood.
“Talking point: let’s say WWE Films had been a success. Don’t you think VINCE would have done same thing The Rock did – leave for Hollywood”
“Vince has conquered wrestling over and over. If he’d smelled blood in Hollywood, he’d have already handed the keys to the kingdom to HHH and Steph.
“The jealousy towards Rock isn’t for him leaving. It’s that others can’t.”
– The latest episode of WWE Vintage Collection highlights the 2001 Invasion angle—WCW wrestlers attempting to take over the World Wrestling Federation. Matches and segments featured include:
— Dolph Ziggler was asked during an interview for the latest issue of WWE Magazine if he is a main eventer. He says he is.
“I know a lot of people don’t see it as I do, but in my head, I am a main eventer simply because of the fact that I did a helluva job reinventing the U.S. Championship from a title people held for a little while to becoming the stepping stone it once was. I made it prestigious again. I made people who liked me or hated me think, “This is the next guy.” Now it’s time to prove myself yet again,” Ziggler says.
“I cannot wait to go out there against the likes of CM Punk, whose T-shirt says he is the “Best in the World.” It’s hard to prove myself as a main eventer, as a star, without the merch and T-shirts, but I’m fine with that. It’s just another obstacle that pushes me to the top.”
— Natalya has published a blog on her official website revealing how she performed Beth Phoenix’s Glam Slam finishing maneuver in Japan before she knew her “Pin-up Strong” mate.
“I’ll never forget my first finishing move. Believe it or not- it wasn’t always the Sharpshooter! It was something I named: Nattie By Nature. It is only fitting that this move is what we all now know as The Glam Slam!” she writes. “And that brings me to the Glamazon! In 2005 (Japan) I had never met Beth Phoenix nor did I know of her. Somehow, in other parts of the world, we were sharing the same passion and looking like twins doing it!”
— Blue World Order (Blue Meanie, Nova and Stevie Richards) has been announced for Legends of the Ring 14 taking place June 2, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Monroe, New Jersey.
— During WWE’s press conference to announce that WrestleMania XXIX would be held in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, April 7, 2013, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson vowed to appear at the event and “electrify MetLife Stadium like never before.”
Sources within WWE have confirmed to the Pro Wrestling Torch that Johnson will be competing at the event.
— John Cena was interviewed by SPEED TV and talked about waving the green flag at today’s Daytona 500, the race field and facing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at WrestleMania XXVIII.
— Former WWE Superstar John Morrison has been announced to appear at the Chicago Comic Con taking place August 9-12, 2012 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. WWE Champion CM Punk and former WWE Diva Maryse will also be appearing at the event.
— The official Twitter feed of Raw Interim General Manager and WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis posted a message suggesting a rematch between WWE Champion CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan on Monday’s Raw SuperShow.
The statement reads, “Mulling rematch for @CMPunk & @WWEDanielBryan on #Raw. Unlike @GMSmackDown, Mr. Excitement will give WWE Universe what they want.”
It would be their third encounter in four weeks. Bryan won the first match by disqualification while last week’s bout on SuperSmackDown LIVE! was ruled a draw.
— SBNation.com reports Brock Lesnar will join John Cena at Sunday’s 2012 Daytona 500 as he is one of four UFC fighters slated to appear at the event promoting UFC programming on the network. The WWE Superstar will wave the green flag at the race.
— Former WWE talent Dave Finlay appears in Sittingbourne, England on Sunday for IPW:U.K.’s No Escape show. He will face Martin Stone.
Check out this unofficial, vintage wrestling poster promoting WrestleMania 28.
Big props to SEScoops.com reader Paul Michael Griffin for designing it:
Jim Ross has published a new blog entry on his official website. Highlights are as follows:
Are some WWE Superstars jealous of The Rock’s return to WWE and headlining WrestleMania XXVIII?: “Probably, but I’ve not spoken directly to any that express that sentiment however jealousy isn’t anything new in the genre or in any locker room. For one to think that it isn’t is being naive. @TheRock returning to WWE is about BUSINESS and the bigger the pie the bigger the slice for everyone.”
If he wants to wrestle Michael Cole at WrestleMania XXVIII: “Absolutely, not. And not any where else either. That hand has been played. Time to shuffle the deck and deal new cards. Cole and JR don’t need to be taking valuable TV time that should be used by young talents who are expected to be the stars of the future.”
Whether Owen Hart will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame: “My assumption would be yes but not any time soon due to circumstances beyond WWE’s control.”
Whether Jeff Hardy will return to WWE: “My absolute guess would be no. At best, highly unlikely. TNA’s schedule likely fits Jeff best. I still remember his bout on TV vs the Undertaker. Great, WWE TV moment.”
The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania: “I never said Undertaker’s Streak at WrestleMania would end in the ring. I’ve actually said the contrary and that I did not think it would happen. That’s simply my opinion but it can only be determined in the ring. Obviously, the Streak will end some day when Taker retires which I do not expect to be this year. That decision is entirely up to Undertaker and how his body is holding up after years of combat.”
Ross also weighs in on The Rock/Cena rivalry, Undertaker vs. Triple H in a Hell in a Cell Match at WrestleMania XXVIII, WWE developmental talent, Ric Flair and more. His post is available here.
Online reports have indicated that there are a number of disgruntled wrestlers within the WWE locker room upset with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stealing the spotlight at WrestleMania XXVIII since he is not a full-time performer. Former WWE talent Shane Helms (a/k/a The Hurricane) added his two cents on the matter via Twitter and said those people should quit complaining.
“FTR, anybody in the WWE locker room that is bitching about The Rock’s involvement in WrestleMania needs to stop being a douche! He’s earned it!” the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion wrote Friday. “WrestleMania has always had celebrity involvement and if the the celebrity this year happens to actually be a GREAT pro wrestler, it’s a win!!”
Fellow former WWE star Lance Storm, who earlier said Johnson’s detractors should “shut up,” added, “If the dude will draw more money, he deserves the spot. Absolutely. And he WILL draw more money, end of story.”
Johnson caught wind of their statements Saturday morning. He wrote to them: “Incredible to me how many of the boys don’t get the “business” part of our business.”
Arda Ocal of The Score Television Network had a chance to sit down and interview former WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus. In the interview, Stratus does not rule out the possibility of attending WrestleMania but says “it’s not on my calendar at the moment.” She also talks about her upcoming movie project with Lita and defends Natalya’s “flatulence” and Eve’s “Hoeski” angles. Highlights:
Her new movie release “Bounty Hunters” on DVD, how did she get involved in the project: “The director/writer Patrick McBrearty, he sat down and wrote a script and said I need a strong female lead for this, so he pictured Trish Stratus in his mind. It landed on my desk, I read the script, and Trish Stratus just jumped out of the pages to me. Small crew, Canadian casting crew, I was excited to support that. Also the fact that I got to do some fighting, got to learn some new fighting art. That was a great oppurtunity to do that.”
Will she be at WrestleMania 28 in Miami, Florida?: “At this point it’s not in my calendar, but things change. There’s alot of very talented women right now that can do an amazing match at WrestleMania. I hope to see Beth Phenoix doing the Pin-up Strong movements, been amazing to watch. But lets just see what happens, you never know. I just hope there is a Divas match, even if I’m not in it.”
Her thoughts of the WWE divas division now: “(The Divas division) is just lacking the development we had. Everyone is asking me about Natalya and Eve and how controversial the angles are and can you believe that in a negative way, but I look at it in a positive thing. Natalya is doing this flatulence gimmick, and theres the hoeski gimmick for Eve. To me, this is just character development. Everytime there out there, the audience has a chance to connect with them, and get more invested in them as characters and performers”
The video interview is available here.
— Online reports have indicated that there are a number of disgruntled wrestlers within the WWE locker room upset with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stealing the spotlight at WrestleMania XXVIII. Former WWE star Lance Storm weighed in on the matter on Twitter and said the complainers need to “shut up.”
When asked about Johnson assuming the WrestleMania main event spot over a full-time worker, he wrote, “I got bumped off Mania 19 for Miller Light Girls anyone bitching about getting bumped down the card 4 THE ROCK needs to Shut up.”
— Brodus Clay, who has not competed inside a WWE ring since the February 7, 2012 SmackDown taping, returns to action at tonight’s Raw live event at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.
Clay’s dancer Cameron Lynn tweeted, “Who is gonna b at the staple center tonight to see some WWE action ? Best part is u get to see yours truly…me and the funkasaurus.”
Online reports suggest Clay was removed from television due to Vince McMahon’s unhappiness with his ring work. Regarding said reports, WWE.com writer Kevin Eck tweeted, “I have not seen the real reason reported anywhere.”
— John Cena expects The Rock to bury him this Monday on Raw.
He wrote on Twitter, “Flying to LA for fri night at staples. Then back to Daytona for green flag @ 500. Then off to Portland just in time for Dwayne to bury me… Sounds like a fun few days. Giddy up.”
— WWE.com is pushing fans to vote for Kelly Kelly as “Favorite Buttkicker” for the 2012 Nick Kids’ Choice Awards. She joins a list of nominees including movie stars Tom Cruise, Taylor Lautner and Jessica Alba.
— Jack Swagger was referenced during SportsNation‘s “101 Most Disrespectful Moments” episode on ESPN2. A clip was shown of a basketball player doing push-ups following a dunk and host Michelle Beadle said he reminded her of Jack Swagger.
Regarding this, Swagger tweeted, “I was mentioned today on ESPN’s Sport Nation today.. No big deal #YearofSwag.”
Earlier this week, video game publisher THQ released an updated version of the arcade classic WrestleFest for iOS (iPad, iPhone, iPod).
We’ve been playing it all week and will get a formal review up some time next week when we’ve got some more extensive testing. If you’ve downloaded WWE’s latest addition to the Apple App Store, we want to know what you think.
Comment below and share your thoughts on the following
