WWE issued the following statement tonight regarding The Rock’s return to RAW on November 14th. This 3-hour RAW will take place from Boston’s TD Garden and will be the final show before Survivor Series that weekend:

Finally, The Rock(R) Returns to Boston

STAMFORD, Conn., Oct 11, 2011 (BUSINESS WIRE) — WWE(R) announced today that “the most electrifying man in entertainment,” The Rock, will return to the city of Boston at the TD Garden on Monday, November 14 for a special three hour Raw(R) SuperShow that will air live on USA Network at 8 PM ET/7 PM CT.

What will happen when “The People’s Champion” The Rock and John Cena(R) meet in Cena’s hometown in their first face-to-face encounter since the spring? Ever since the announcement of the epic main event of Rock vs. Cena at WrestleMania(R) XXVIII on April 1, 2012, the two Superstars have engaged in a war of words. Can these two Superstars get along six days before they team up at Survivor Series(R)?

Tickets for the special Raw SuperShow are available at the TD Garden Box Office, all Ticketmaster outlets, www.ticketmaster.com , or by calling 1-800-745-3000. The live event portion of the show has a special start time of 7:15 PM.

The ratings are in for Monday’s RAW – and the numbers tell a story of fans being dissatisfied with WWE’s “walk out” storyline.

Monday’s RAW drew a 3.26 rating and averaged 5,021,000 viewers for the two hour broadcast. While this is up from recent weeks, the hourly ratings are cause for concern.

The first hour of RAW drew a strong 3.49 rating with 5,375,000 viewers, a sign that WWE fans were very interested to see the fallout from last week’s “walk out.”

The second hour took a nosedive, as the rating dropped to a 3.02 with 4,667,000 viewers – a loss of approximately 13.5% of the audience.

The first hour of RAW featured very little in-ring action, the surprise return of Vince McMahon, the firing of Triple H and John Laurinaitis being named as the new interim RAW General Manager. WWE created a buzz last week and built up a lot of interest in Monday’s RAW – but the overall feedback on what WWE delivered has been overwhelmingly negative and Monday’s rating reflects this.

— The official Twitter feed of the WWE Insider issued the following statement this afternoon: CONFIRMED: The Board has approved @WWERawGM’s request to have @CMPunk and Triple H face @MiketheMiz and @RonKillings at #Vengeance.”

The match has yet to be announced by WWE.com.

— Eve, Gail Kim, John Morrison, Kofi Kingston, The Miz and kids from the Boys & Girls Club of America appear on Nickelodeon’s “Family BrainSurge” Thursday at 6 ET/5 CT. WWE.com has published photos of their appearance.

— Former WWE Diva Ashley Massaro is advertised to appear at the Boston Super Megafest at the Sheraton Framingham Hotel 1657 Worcester Rd. Framingham, Massachusetts. The event takes place November 19-20. Visit www.supermegafest.com for more information.

Wrestler turned mixed martial artist Brock Lesnar says in an interview with ESPN.com that he expects to wrestle one more match for WWE.

“I think I will. I think under the right circumstances I will,” he responds to Jon Robinson’s query regarding one final WWE match. “I think if Vince McMahon and I were able to sit down at the same dinner table and break some bread that we could come up with some kind of game plan. At the end of the day, I’m an ultimate fighter. That’s who I am and that’s who I’ll always be. I was an entertainer but at the end of the day, I’m still as real as it gets. I think a lot of things have to fall in the right places for something like that to happen.”

Lesnar is asked who he would like to wrestle of talent he never had a match with; he responds “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.

“Ironically it’s probably the guy that walked out on me. The guy that took his ball and went home. A guy that I was supposed to face and I think that he was just plain downright scared to get in the ring with me because he was one of those guys that was on top and saw a huge threat in Brock Lesnar at the time. That’s “Stone Cold” Steve Austin. I worked with everybody and anybody that was anybody there and if I came back, I think the guy that I would come back to fight is “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.”

Rumors surfaced last year about Lesnar possibly facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania. He comments on how the match would have been like.

“I was a true wrestler. I was a Division I national champion. I came into the business wanting one thing and one thing only, and that was to be the champion, and I wasn’t going to let anybody stand in my way. I think there was one guy that had a problem with that and that was Undertaker. If I were to have gotten in the ring with him I would have ripped his arm off and f—— beat him with it.”

The full interview can be accessed here.

— WWE’s next three-hour Raw event takes place November 14 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts and The Rock is advertised to appear. The venue’s official website is billing the event as “The Rock Reunion Party.”

The website’s advertising reads: “What will happen when the seven-time WWE Champion, “the most electrifying man in all of entertainment” The Rock and ten-time WWE Champion John Cena meet in Cena’s hometown?”

Also advertised for the event is a Six-Man Tag Team Match pitting John Cena, Triple H and CM Punk against The Miz, R-Truth and Alberto Del Rio.

— Former WWE Divas Lilian Garcia and Maria Kanellis hosted the second edition of their post-Raw show for AfterBuzzTV.com Monday night.

The episode can be accessed here.

Promoting his inclusion in THQ’s WWE ’12 video game, Brock Lesnar participated in an interview with IGN.com to discuss WWE related topics.

Lesnar explains why he agreed to be included in the game.

“It’s one of those things where… it’s part of my history. Without the WWE, I probably wouldn’t be where I am today,” he said via e-mail. “I wouldn’t have the high visibility, I wouldn’t have had the leverage to come into the UFC. I would have had to do it all on my own. I’m no idiot when I say that when I was with the WWE, the visibility from that company and what they did on a global network for ‘Brock Lesnar’ as a whole, put me on another level.”

Being in WWE ’12 begs the obvious question – would Lesnar ever consider returning to WWE programming?

“It would have to be under the right circumstances,” he says. “I don’t know if Mr. McMahon and I could come to the right circumstances. If it was good for me and good for him I think that we could do something. At the end of the day, my life, my character and my profession – I take them very seriously. At the end of the day, if it doesn’t help me or my family out, and it doesn’t make sense for me to do, then I don’t do it. Everything would have to fall in the right place, but would I consider it? Absolutely.”

The piece can be accessed here.

It’s official – the only man in history to hold both the WWE and UFC Heavyweight titles – Brock Lesnar –  has been confirmed as a playable character in the new WWE ’12 video game.

According to our sources, THQ approached Lesnar in January and asked for permission to use his name and likeness in the game and advertising campaign. Lesnar was said to be ecstatic over the idea, but wouldn’t agree to terms unless he received permission from UFC president Dana White. The outspoken mixed martial arts promoter gave Lesnar his blessing – and WWE ’12 is shaping up to be a game like none other.

White told TMZ.com this week, “I love WWE and I have nothing but love for Vince McMahon — I’m totally okay with Brock being in the game.”

Here is the OFFICIAL video trailer for Brock Lesnar in WWE ’12:

The firing of Jim Ross by John Laurinaitis on last night’s RAW Supershow was not in the final script and most people backstage had no idea that it was going to happen.

It’s also believed Ross didn’t know about the angle either. It was noted that JR’s wife could be seen at ringside, looking excited as he entered the ring for the segment.

Ross told a fan on Twitter today that it was embarrassing for his wife and that they both were “blindsided.”

Regarding last night’s show, it’s said that what ended up airing was almost nowhere near what was originally wrote. Everything on last night’s show was re-written more than once.

(Source: f4wonline.com)

— The Bella Twins have published their latest video answering questions from fans, which includes a query regarding their dream match. Brie says her dream match is “to take it to the Divas of Doom,” while Nikki wants to face her sister at WrestleMania.

They also discuss Randy Orton, their favorite rock bands, ring gear and whether they ever get tired of being twins.

— The Midland Rocks has published an interview with Chris Jericho. The Fozzy frontman discusses their 12-date tour of the UK next month, why they frequently tour the UK, living out of a suitcase and more.

— This week’s WWE Classic On Demand updates are as follows: Extreme Championship Wrestling (11/25/97), WWF Prime Time Wrestling (5/22/89), World Class Championship Wrestling (1/21/84) and The Undertaker’s Deadliest Matches (Part 3).

– WWE will tape this week’s NXT and SmackDown shows from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.

This week’s SmackDown is shaping up to be a huge show – including the “Largest Battle Royal in WWE History” (41 Superstars from both brands) and two PPV-caliber title matches. WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio will defend against John Cena and World Heavyweight champion Mark Henry will defend against Randy Orton.

In addition to all that, WWE has been advertising a special DX reunion between Triple H and Texas native Shawn Michaels.

Aside from John Cena and Alberto Del Rio, other RAW Superstars advertised for tonight CM Punk, WWE Tag Team Champions Air Boom.

– Following the events that transpired on Monday’s RAW, The Miz and R-Truth’s superstar profiles have been added back to the WWE website’s RAW roster page – while Jim Ross’ profile has been removed.

• Exclusive Videos From Monday’s RAW Supershow

– Matches taped last night before RAW for this week’s WWE Superstars were Alex Riley vs. Drew McIntyre and JTG vs. Santino Marella. As per the “solidarity rally” storyline, there were no announcers at ringside for the Superstars matches that were taped prior to RAW.

– You’ve probably noticed in recent weeks that RAW superstar John Morrison has been losing more matches than usual. There is strong talk going around WWE that John Morrison won’t be re-signed when his contract expires in the coming weeks.

• Morrison Rants On Twitter About Triple H’s Ego, Health Insurance & A Wrestlers Union
  
• Former Diva Explains Why John Morrison Isn’t Receiving A Push
• John Morrison Mocks John Cena & Triple H

We want to know – would WWE be making a big mistake by letting Morrison go? Has WWE gotten everything they can out of Morrison – or does he have the potential to be one of the companies top stars with the right push? Hit up the COMMENTS below and tell us what you think.

– Zack Ryder was not booked on RAW for the second week in a row now and wrote the following on Twitter regarding the situation:

“Pinned the US Champ @HEELZiggler 2 weeks in a row…& now I’ve been off Raw for 2 weeks in a row. #doesntmakesense”

“At least @LaRosaMendes was booked tonight… #RyderOrRiot”

– Several fans sent in word that Triple H’s line to John Laurinaitis on RAW where he asked, “Have you ever tried to pick up your teeth with broken fingers” came from the 1992 movie The Crying Game.

(Source: f4wonline.com)

– After Monday’s RAW Supershow went off the air, The  Miz and R-Truth came back to the ring but got beat down by CM Punk and Triple H. Miz and Truth took Punk and Triple H’s finishers to end the show and send the fans home happy.

– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross wrote the following on Twitter after last night’s RAW:

“I may have lost my ‘spot’ but I’ll never lose my dignity. Proud of my body of work & WWE Universe.

I’m amazed & grateful @ the support all of you have given me tonite. I’m proud of my on air contributions at WWE. More proud of ur support.”

– Mexican wrestling legend Mil Mascaras is scheduled to appear on the October 21st episode of WWE’s Friday Night SmackDown, which tapes this coming Sunday from Mexico City.

In case you missed it from RAW – video of Mr. McMahon informing Triple H that the Board of Directors has decided to relieve him of his duties as WWE COO:

WWE Vengeance

WWE announced three big matches for Vengeance on Monday’s RAW Supershow:

* WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. John Cena

*World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry vs. The Big Show

* Triple H & CM Punk vs. Miz & R-Truth.

Based on Cody Rhodes’ beatdown of Randy Orton on RAW following Orton’s match with Mark Henry, it looks like there’s a good chance we’ll see Randy Orton vs. the Intercontinental champion at Vengeance as well.

WWE Vengeance takes place on Sunday, October 23rd.

– WWE Chairman Vince McMahon made a surprise return on Monday’s RAW. In an ironic twist of fate, Vince McMahon informed Triple H that the Board of Directors had relieved Triple H of his duties as COO. This is the same explanation Vince McMahon was given back in July when Triple H informed him he was forced out of his job.

– Vince McMahon named John Laurinaitis is the new interim RAW General Manager.

– It was announced during RAW that Laurinaitis can now be followed on Twitter  @WWERAWGM.

– Jim Ross was fired by John Laurinaitis on RAW, which took place from JR’s home state of Oklahoma.

– The Miz and R-Truth have been reinstated. CM Punk was wrestling WWE champion Alberto Del Rio during the main event of RAW, when Laurinaitis came out and told them the match was being changed to a tag team match. Punk and Del Rio would be teaming up against the reinstated Miz and R-Truth.

Last Monday, the Superstars of Raw voted “no confidence” in WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H’s leadership of WWE’s flagship brand. Former WWE Women’s Champion Melina has weighed in on the matter as a fan asked her on Twitter tonight during Raw if she herself would have walked out.

Melina responds (which she later challenged the “dirt sheets” to publish): “I don’t watch the show but this is my take, I would have walked out on the people who tell lies to the WWE Universe who say they fight for them and that they are trying to make a change but they aren’t trying at all.

“That “1%” who are only out for themselves and don’t care who they step on to get there do not have my respect. I’d walk out on those hypocrites but that has nothing to do with the fans. I would walk out on the people strangling the art of wrestling because The Fans DESERVE to see the talent they love get opportunities! The WWE Universe DESERVES to see The BEST in sports entertainment which is not being provided. I would walk out on those who are keeping the Fans from getting that.

“As I said before, I do not watch so I don’t know what the story lines are or what’s going on. I’m just pretending what I would do in an imaginary scenario that has lots of truth behind it.”

Melina continued airing her grievances as she further explained why she no longer watches WWE programming.

“I don’t watch because I know that everyone is kept from what they are capable of. There’s so much talent being held back,” she wrote to a fan. “I used to watch as a fan. Knowing what I know, it hurts to watch my friends not be able to do what they are capable of doing.”

She added further, “I do believe the fans deserve 2C what THEY want & not be told what they “should” C. Stop playing & give the fans what they want!”

Former WWE Divas Maria Kanellis and Lilian Garcia hosted the first edition of their post-Raw show for AfterBuzzTV.com last Monday night (streaming live every Monday night immediately following Raw at http://www.ustream.tv/afterbuzztv). Highlights from the broadcast are as follows:

* Last week’s Raw kicked off with Drew McIntyre competing in his first singles match on WWE’s flagship program in several months, against Randy Orton. The hosts pondered why the Scottish wrestler is not receiving a greater push considering that he possesses extraordinary talent.

Maria cryptically says, “I have a feeling he’s paid for someone else’s sins, problems, because Drew’s really good. I’d love to see him do more stuff, but it’s unfortunate that that happens.”

Another WWE Superstar in the same precarious situation is John Morrison, whose promotion has significantly leveled off since the spring. Lilian pondered later in the show, “I really wonder why he’s not getting a push?”

Maria explains, “I think it’s a lot of complications of outside stuff. I think that a lot of times they go with who’s going to be there, who’s always going to be there, who’s going to be the easiest. He’s very easy and I love him to pieces, but I think it’s outside complications. I think that’s why.”

* Lilian, who handled ring announcing duties for Raw for ten years, explained why it’s been difficult for her to watch the show since leaving WWE in 2009.

She says, “I actually really attempted to watch a show and my stomach was in knots. I did watch WrestleMania, and I tweeted along and it was great, the fans were tweeting right back, it ended up trending worldwide, it was crazy, it was awesome. However, just watching a regular Monday Night Raw, my stomach was in knots, and it was in knots tonight. It’s just that thing of, “Wow, I really did leave.”

“It was my part for ten years. It’s funny because it’s ten years and it seems like it was more because you live and breath it every single day and every single week. You don’t have any down time, and so it’s been hard to watch an episode.”

She continued, “So it’s not like I didn’t like it or didn’t want to, it’s really one of those things where it was sad that I left but at the same time I know I made the right decision.”

The complete show can be accessed here.

TMZ.com reports that UFC fighter Brock Lesnar will be a “featured star” in THQ’s WWE ’12 video game after an agreement was reached.

THQ approached Lesnar in January and asked for permission to use his name and likeness in the game and advertising campaign. The former WWE Superstar was ecstatic over the idea, but wouldn’t agree to terms unless he received permission from UFC president Dana White. The outspoken mixed martial arts promoter gave Lesnar his blessing.

White told TMZ, “I love WWE and I have nothing but love for Vince McMahon — I’m totally okay with Brock being in the game.”

The first commercial for the game featuring Lesnar will be released tomorrow.

Former WWE and TNA Superstar “Road Dogg” BG James announced on Facebook this afternoon that he’s signed with WWE as an agent/producer. He wrote:

“Ok guys,if you dont know already,here goes;I have recently been hired,on a trial,6 week period,as an agent/producer with the WWE.Its the job Ive wanted and prayed about for a while now.He answered my prayers and now its my turn to repay Him w/my service.God bless you guys and have a great evening!”

It was recently reported that James was scouting talent in India for TNA, for a new television show that they are looking at producing.

– WWE United States Champion Dolph Ziggler was asked by a fan on Twitter if he is supporting The Rock or John Cena at WrestleMania 28. Ziggler replied:

“Neither! I support the guys/gals that work the other 364 days”

– Speaking of WresteMania 28, NFL star Jason Taylor spoke with The Miami Herald this weekend about The Rock and noted he would be in attendance for WrestleMania 28 next year for The Rock vs. John Cena.

– Chris Jericho tweeted this afternoon that he will be appearing on Nancy Grace’s show tonight. Nancy Grace, who is currently a contestant on the ABC show Dancing with the Stars, will have Jericho on as a special guest for tonight’s DWTS-themed show tonight. Jericho wrote:

“Headed to the studio to do tonights Nancy Grace show on HLN. I was gonna go to Raw but apparently nobody is gonna be there…”

– WWE apparently played a part in the “Rock in Rio 4” benefit music festival that was held at the end of September and the first few days of October. During the concert’s live stream on YouTube last Sunday night after WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, while System of a Down was playing, the feed cut out and a satellite error came up that read “WWE HD STAMFORD.” It’s believed that WWE may have been offering some of their satellites to the festival so they could transmit the show to viewers around the world.

(Partial source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– Friday’s WWE Smackdown on SyFy drew a 2.02 rating, which is up from the previous week’s 1.95. Friday’s show averaged approximately three million viewers.

– The WWE website published an article on Monday afternoon that talks about tonight’s “Solidarity Rally.” The article includes a picture of the vacant RAW locker room, which you can view at WWE.com.

– Former WWE star Shane Helms, who is still recovering from his life threatening motorcycle accident back on May 5th, tweeted the following on Monday regarding his severely injured foot:

“After almost losing my foot (and life) in May, I’m officially off the crutches. Still limping like a fool but it’s progress.”

Helms and his girlfriend were badly injured after Helms crashed his motorcycle back on May 5th. He’s had multiple surgeries since then and still has a very long road to recovery.

• Pictures of Shane Helms At The Hospital After His Motorcycle Accident

– Former WWE diva Tammy “Sunny” Sytch no-showed yet another event this past weekend, a ‘Legends of the Ring’ this past Saturday in Monroe, New Jersey. She was spotted at the hotel bar the night before, but never made it to the actual convention as advertised. This is the second week in a row that she’s no-showed events.

– More legends have been confirmed for the upcoming WWE ’12 video game, including former WWE tag team champions Demolition, Kevin Nash, Booker T and Arn Anderson.

— John Morrison wrote the following on Twitter on Monday regarding tonight’s RAW. Clearly playing off the “Occupy Wall Street” protests that are underway in New York City, Morrison wrote:

“#OccupyRAW today! We are the 55 who are tired of doing work that the top 1% of the WWE payroll unjustly profit from #HealthInsurance?”

“I urge all WWE superstars & divas to join our #Rally today- don’t be a scab! have some integrity!”

Morrison also posted a cartoon of John Cena licking Triple H’s feet:

– Multiple title changes took place on Monday in Japan at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s “Destruction ’11” event from Tokyo.

ROH World champion Davey Richards and his partner Rocky Romero captured the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Titles from Prince Devitt and Ryusuke Taguchi.

Former WWE wrestler MVP dropped the IWGP Intercontinental Title to Masato Tanaka.

– Former WWE superstar Chris Jericho got some media attention recently when he stated that WWE superstars have been ripping off his ideas and moves. With several WWE superstars planning to protest tonight’s “Solidarity Rally” on RAW with picket signs, Jericho is calling people out once again for being unoriginal. Jericho posted the following comment on video on Twitter on Monday:

“Why is everyone onboard with the petitioning now, but nobody was when @IAmJericho did it?

Mickie James has revealed in an interview how Vince McMahon yelled at her in the aftermath of her first WrestleMania match.

James debuted in WWE in 2005 and participated in a memorable angle with Trish Stratus. The storyline climaxed at WrestleMania 22 where James capture the WWE Women’s Championship from the blonde bombshell, but contained a controversial moment. Her character had developed crazed lust-like feelings for her opponent, touched Stratus’ crotch and made a provocative gesture towards the camera insinuating lesbian intimacy.

McMahon was furious with James and ordered the gesture be edited out of future video releases.

Speaking to Wrestlecast, James recalls: “The only people that remember that are the people watching or who were there live and in person. It didn’t make the DVD.

“I came back through the curtain and Vince was really mad. In the moment it had seemed amazing to me. I thought ‘Vince will love this’.

“‘Crass’ was the word I got. He didn’t like it at all. He told me ‘We’re going to have to go back and edit that out. Do you know how much time (this will take)?’

“This was my first Wrestlemania, my mom was in the audience, I’m freaking out already. I’m back through the curtain and I’m already in tears and an emotional mess. And I got yelled at.”

James, along with TNA star Magnus, participated in a near 50-minute chat which featured many interesting anecdotes about their respective careers. The podcast can be accessed here.

Here’s a little bonus video of one of the more memorable moments from the Trish Stratus – Mickie James feud:

WWE is asking fans to help them name the first show on the upcoming WWE Network, which they’ve now dubbed “the most interactive channel in television history.”

The first show on the WWE Network is described as “a retrospective on the greatest entertainment spectacular of all time, WrestleMania. Each episode will transport you back to a single WrestleMania, starting with the Show of Show’s thrilling debut at Madison Square Garden in 1985, all the way to WrestleMania XXVIII in Miami. Join us as we revisit each epic event through complete matches, never-before-seen footage, and in-depth commentary from the Superstars and Legends who’ve shared WWE’s grandest stage.”

The choices for the poll include:

• WrestleMania Revisited
• WrestleMania Rewind
• WrestleMania Flashback
• WrestleMania Review

You can vote online now by clicking here.