Jim Ross has posted a new blog entry on his official website, www.jrsbarbq.com. Highlights are as follows:
Drew McIntyre: “What do I think of Drew McIntyre? Lots of potential, nice look, seems to be athletic but it needs to be established as to who the Scot is and what his immediate objectives are.”
Sin Cara vs. Daniel Bryan: “I did enjoy Sin Cara vs. Daniel Bryan’s match on Smackdown a great deal and the involvement of Chavo Guerrero into the Cara mix as well. Cara is developing nicely, was a predictable, HUGE hit in Mexico last weekend for WWE, but Cara needs to accelerate his learning to speak English so he can communicate with a large portion of the WWE audience.”
WWE utilizing Hall of Famers at live events: “Yes…I like the way WWE is using WWE HOF’ers to add to the live event experience ala The American Dream this weekend in Lake Charles, La and Dream’s hometown of Austin, Texas. These specific bookings provide many potential resources including meet and greet opportunities, advance PR/media work, a reconnection to previous generations of fans, and adds much needed star power to the live events. I’d pay good money just to hear Dusty cut an impassioned promo about any subject that he chose. Perhaps WWE should draw suggestions for a Dusty promo from a hat and watch him go to town…..if you will.”
TNA placing billboards near WWE HQ: “I heard about TNA putting up billboards in Stamford, Ct, which is the world HQ of WWE. Thoughts? A complete waste of money unless obscure mentions such as this one is what TNA is looking for. Silly expenditure of money IMO. One would think that organization would have bigger and more important fish to fry. However, what TNA does isn’t any of my business or concern but the question was asked and has now been addressed. I would guess that many WWE, Stamford based employees learned of TNA for the first time via the local billboards.”
As part of TNA Wrestling’s new “Wrestling Matters Again” re-branding effort, the company has purchased a number of billboard ads in Stanford, Connecticut – home of WWE headquarters.
The ads, which are to promote TNA renaming its Spike TV show to “Impact Wrestling” – can be seen all over Stanford, including right down the road from WWE HQ. There are said to be 4 or 5 billboards spotted so far.
WWE employee Craig Tello had posted a picture of one of the billboards on Twitter, but it has since been takent down. He tweeted:
“Just saw a #TNA billboard in Stamford on the train to work @WWE. They re-booking the Invasion angle? #IWantWrestling…to stop recycling.”
We’ll post a picture of one of the ads here as soon as it is posted online again.
If you’re located in Stanford and can take a picture of one of the billboards, feel free to send in a picture to SEScoops@gmail.com.
– As previously reported, WWE is currently working on how to use The Rock on television in the coming months. While nothing is confirmed just yet, we can confirm that the creative team has a few ideas of what to do with The Rock at SummerSlam and Survivor Series in the fall.
– After Randy Orton captured the World Heavyweight tile last week and ended Christian’s 5-day title reign, WWE is already looking forward to Orton’s next heel challenger. While an extended feud between Orton and Christian was discussed, right now it’s looking like Mark Henry will be the next title challenger. It should be said that Mark Henry as a top heel world title challenger is a scenario that’s been discussed many times in the past, but is not an indication that a title reign is in his future.
– There are currently plans for The Great Khali and his manager Jinder Mahal to form a heel tag team together and feud with WWE tag champions Kane and the Big Show.
– WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin wrote on Twitter that he will be finishing filming “Recoil” in Canada this week. Austin said that it’s probably been the most fun he’s had shooting a movie so far.
– Fellow Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan is reportedly having a very tough time lately with his health issues. Keep “The Brain” in your thoughts.
– As we saw last week on Superstars, Tyson Kidd is now being managed by Michael Hayes. WWE has been considering the idea of reviving managers in recent months and there are said to be more WWE performers who will be getting managers soon. One other person who has been discussed as a possible manager is WWE producer/agent Arn Anderson. Anderson was considered for the role of Tyson Kidd’s manager, but still might be brought in to manage.
COMMENT BELOW: What do you guys think about WWE bringing back managers? Is managing a lost art that adds a lot to a wrestler’s character, or are they an unnecessary distraction that takes heat away from the wrestler?
– Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW takes place from the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas and is the final show before Sunday’s Over The Limit pay-per-view.
No matches have been advertised for tonight’s show. The dark match main event after RAW goes off the air will see WWE Champion John Cena defend against The Miz.
– Prior to RAW is a new episode of WWE Tough Enough featuring several WWE Divas and people from THQ, WWE’s video game publishing partner. Tonight’s episode has been titled, “Running with Wolves.”
– The Food Network‘s show Food Network Challenge will feature a WWE-themed episode tonight – Extreme WWE Cakes. Four chefs will bake cakes based on WWE superstars and divas – with the winner receiving $10,000.
— Sting successfully defended the TNA World Heavyweight Championship against Rob Van Dam at tonight’s TNA Sacrifice pay-per-view.
The thirteen minute match concluded with Sting dropping Rob Van Dam with the Scorpion Death Drop for the win.
Mr. Anderson, who won a 25-Man Battle Royal last Thursday on iMPACT! to become the No. 1 contender to the TNA World Heavyweight Championship, confronted Sting following the match. Sting will face Anderson next month at Slammiversary, which takes place June 12.
— WWE.com editor Craig Tello posted a photo on Twitter of an iMPACT! Wrestling billboard located near WWE’s headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut. The image, however, has since been removed. He posted the following the tweet:
“Just saw a #TNA billboard in Stamford on the train to work @WWE. They re-booking the Invasion angle? #IWantWrestling…to stop recycling.”
— Bret Hart criticized WWE’s utilization of Drew McIntyre, who headlined last week’s episode of WWE Superstars against Chris Masters.
He wrote on Twitter, “I honestly can’t believe that the best way 2 utilize a talent like Drew McIntyre is 2 waste him on Superstars. Who’s genius is that? Idiot!”
— NXT Season 3 contestant AJ is on the road with the SmackDown brand this week. She worked last night’s SmackDown live event in Lake Charles, Louisiana, teaming with Natalya in a match against Rosa Mendes and Alicia Fox. Natalya made Mendes submit to the sharpshooter.
The bout marked as Fox’s first in-ring appearance since suffering a shoulder injury at the May 3 SmackDown taping.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:
WWE’s Mexican Tour: “How did WWE do in Mexico City? HUGE…almost 20,000 people and a live gate hovering just under $1M. WWE will produce TVs in Mexico City this fall which has been on the drawing board from quite some time. W/ Rey Mysterio, Alberto Del Rio, and now Sin Cara in the fold, WWE has significantly strengthened its position in the Mexico marketplace as their TV ratings indicate. Strong TV clearances in Mexico has been vital to WWE’s growth there too.”
Managers Returning: “Will WWE begin to utilize managers again? Not sure what the story on that is but apparently Michael Hayes filled that role with Tyson Kidd on WWE Superstars this week which can be seen on http//www.wwe.com now. I assume ‘PS’ wore attire from his ‘Don Cornelius/Soul Train’ collection. If WWE does utilize ‘managers’ it will be new again and some key, manager additions can help younger talents in a variety of ways. I am a fan of managers. Arn Anderson would make a great mentor/manager IMO.”
Chyna In TNA: ” What are my thoughts on Chyna returning to TV? Happy for her. Why wouldn’t I be? She needs to earn a living too. Not sure where she is as it relates to her passion for the genre any longer but she is earning a pay day. For the record, I still don’t endorse women wrestling men plus I never said Chyna was undeserving of Hall of Fame consideration as some misinterpreted.”
After making a surprise return to WWE television last week as Brock Lesnar’s legal adviser, we can confirm that Paul Heyman is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for tonight’s RAW and is scripted to appear in a segment.
As previously reported, Paul Heyman will be appearing on WWE television through August as Brock Lesnar’s spokesperson as a way of keeping Lesnar in WWE storylines without using up the limited dates on his contract.
— Melina posted a blog on her official website, RealMelina.com, updating fans on John Morrison after he underwent surgery to correct a pinched nerve in his neck.
“The first week after surgery is the most painful,” she wrote. “He hates not helping out and carrying his own weight. He stubbornly tries to do little things and I understand that I can’t baby him but I worry. I want to do everything for him so he can just rest.
“I have taken him on mini walks so he can get out of the house… he can’t stay out for very long because he starts to ache. I wish I could do more. During the day he has to sit, but he can’t sit for long because his neck starts to hurt… then he can’t stand for too long either because the same thing happens. His body gets tired because its hard for him to rest. At night he wakes up every few hours and gets out of bed because his neck is sore. For some reason he thinks I sleep through him bumping into stuff in the dark, on his way to the kitchen. He says coconut gelato is the only thing that makes his neck feel better at 5am. Bless his heart.”
She continued, “I hate to see him in pain. He won’t tell me a lot of the times but you can just see it. It breaks my heart because he’s my Honey, but he always tries to smile. I admire him for being so positive, being strong and making me laugh. I wouldn’t blame him if he just vegged and sulked a bit… but instead he keeps his chin up and Smiles… even if it hurts.”
— WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper is the first guest to be announced for WrestleReunion 8 at the Doubletree Hotel by Hilton-Toronto Airport April 13th-15th, 2012.
— WWE Superstar Zack Ryder celebrates his 26th birthday today. Also celebrating birthdays are Big Van Vader (54) and Robert Fuller (60).
It was announced last night on SmackDown that Randy Orton will be defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Christian at WWE Over the Limit on May 22.
Later during the show, Wade Barrett challenged Ezekiel Jackson to an Intercontinental Championship Match at the event.
The announced card is as follows:
“I Quit” Match for the WWE Championship
John Cena (c) vs. The Miz
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Randy Orton (c) vs. Christian
Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole (Jerry Lawler will give up his WWE Hall of Fame ring to Michael Cole in the event of a loss.)
Intercontinental Championship Match
Wade Barrett (c) vs. Ezekiel Jackson
— A number of WWE Superstars were on hand for a press conference in Mexico City today, where WWE announced that for the first time ever, Raw and SmackDown will be broadcast from Mexico this October. Alberto Del Rio stated during the conference that his goal is to end The Undertaker’s undefeated streak at WrestleMania, reports SuperLuchas.net.
— Tough Enough will begin airing in Canada on the Fight Network on Monday, May 23.
— John Morrison is scheduled for an appearance at the FYE located at 40 Massachusetts Avenue NE in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, June 19 at 11:00 a.m. The signing is open to the first 200 attendees who purchase WrestleMania XXVII on DVD and Blu-Ray or the John Morrison: Rock Star DVD.
— Booker T is advertised to appear at the Reliant Center in Houston, Texas on Saturday, June 4 as part of the annual FanFest.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog update, which you can read in its entirety over at JRsBarBQ.com. In this update, JR talks at length about the news of former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar being forced to pull out of his next fight due to another bout with the stomach illness diverticulitis.
Lesnar’s Illness: “Brock battled diverticulitis once before and the gastrointestinal ailment is a devastating foe. I’ve had diverticulitis and ended up having approximately 13 inches of my large intestine surgically removed while residing in intensive care for several days after the surgery. Diverticulitis is weak places in the wall of the colon that give away under pressure to form marble sized pouches that protrude through the colon wall. Mild cases of the ailment can be cured, as a rule, via rest, diet (little, red meat, no nuts or seeds, etc), and via the use of antibiotics. If the above listed treatments are unsuccessful, surgery becomes a more likely option. At some point the body must be freed of the toxins, essentially poisons, that take over one’s internal organs.
Whether Brock Lesnar Will Ever Return To WWE: The ‘Brock back to WWE rumors’ have already started which is an eye roller in my opinion. Brock is a UFC fighter. Brock was born to be a UFC fighter. Brock will be a UFC fighter until he decides otherwise. If Lesnar, for some highly unlikely reason can’t compete again in UFC, ‘perhaps’ he would entertain the thought of a one off, special appearance in WWE, like WrestleMania but that well may be nothing more than wishful thinking on some folk’s part and is, without question, nothing more than pure speculation.”
Shane Carwin Taking Lesnar’s Place Against Junior dos Santos: “MMA folks can now turn their attention to Shane Carwin taking this higher level fight on somewhat short notice even though Carwin had already been in training. Carwin’s a beast who can be problematic for any heavyweight but Dos Santos has such great hands that Carwin, or anyone else, must have keen, striking defense to withstand what Dos Santos will bring. However, the powerful and bigger Carwin has the distinct edge in this one IF he can take Junior down and utilize debilitating devastation while controlling a talented, strike first fighter who also wants to be the next UFC Heavyweight Champion.
The latest issue of WWE Magazine features Edge’s “Final Interview” with the publication, after he announced his retirement last month. He discusses his most difficult days in the squared circle, the new generation of WWE, online impersonators, the legacy of the Spear and more.
Despite retiring, the “Rated-R Superstar” isn’t completely removing himself from the wrestling industry as he states in the interview that he plans to assist WWE’s next generation of stars.
An excerpt from the interview is as follows:
You are the only Superstar to win the King of the Ring tournament, the Royal Rumble, and a Money in the Bank Ladder Match. You’ve also main-evented ‘Mania. Now that you’ve retired from the ring, is there anything you feel you didn’t accomplish?
I wish the European Championship were still around. That way, I could have thrown the title on the résumé, too. I am a collector. But now, more than anything for me, it’s about trying to help the next generation, kind of in the same way the last generation helped. I’ll give advice to anyone: Sheamus, John Morrison, Drew McIntyre or Dolph Ziggler.
You’re taking an interest in WWE’s younger talent, but you’ve failed to mention your one-time protégé, Zack Ryder. Have you seen his Web series, “Z! True Long Island Story”?
No, I have not. As I’ve fully admitted in the past, I’m not an Internet guy. I would like to take this time now to say that I don’t have a Facebook page. My mom is very bothered by the world of Facebook and people claiming to be me online. I don’t get too worked up about it, but it really gets Christian hot on Twitter. He calls out people who say they’re Edge. But back to Zack–I think he’s a very underutilized Superstar on the roster, and I feel the same about Curt Hawkins, too. I’d like to showcase what they can do and remind everyone who may have forgotten about them.
— Rey Mysterio and Cody Rhodes are advertised to wrestle at this weekend’s SmackDown live events since Sin Cara is touring with Raw in Mexico and Mysterio isn’t.
— THQ held their first meetings yesterday regarding plans for the WWE SmackDown vs. Raw 2012 video game.
— Alberto Del Rio is scheduled for a rare autograph signing at the Best Buy in Davie, Florida on Friday, June 24 at 6:00 p.m.
— WWEShop.com has released a new WWE Divas Bling T-Shirt, a retro Raw is Waw T-Shirt and a retro WCW hat and T-Shirt.
— Matches pitting Sin Cara against Chavo Guerrero at this past weekend’s SmackDown live events have garnered rave reviews internally. Many feel Cara works well with Guerrero and that the third generation performer “is still an asset” when not being used in a comedic capacity.
— A number of Raw Superstars were left off WWE’s ongoing Mexican tour including Drew McIntyre, Santino Marella, Vladimir Kozlov, Gail Kim, Melina, Maryse, JTG, Tyler Reks, David Hart Smith, Ricardo Rodriguez and Nexus members written off television. McIntyre attended last night’s Florida Championship Wrestling event in Tampa, Florida.
Meanwhile, WWE developmental wrestler Percy Watson is working the tour.
— Ryan “Skidmarks” Howe, who was eliminated from Tough Enough last week, appeared at Wednesday’s Ohio Valley Wrestling television taping, beating Elvis Pridemore in a dark match.
— For tonight’s episode of SmackDown, WWE.com is advertising Christian addressing the WWE Universe after losing the World Heavyweight Championship to Randy Orton last week. Matches scheduled to take place are as follows:
* Daniel Byran vs. Sin Cara
* Kane vs. Wade Barrett
* Cody Rhodes vs. Ted DiBiase
* Christian and Randy Orton vs. Mark Henry and Sheamus
— Former WWE Tag Team Champions Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder reunited on this week’s episode of WWE Superstars. Hawkins assisted Ryder in garnering a victory over Vladimir Kozlov. This was followed by an in-ring celebration.
“The Broskis Are Back @TheCurtHawkins & @ZackRyder WWWYKI,” Ryder wrote on Twitter.
Hawkins added, “Thanks for the support, it’s just the beginning & we’ll need all your help. I like #MajorBroskis but Broskis of Destruction made me laugh.”
— Former WWE star Jimmy Wang Yang celebrates his 30th birthday today.
Shane Helms, who is recovering from his recent motorcycle accident, wrote on Twitter that he had to make an emergency trip to the hospital yesterday. Helms wrote:
“Emergency trip to the hospital today. I really thought this was the end. Thank everyone for their prayers! It’s meant the world to me. I love all my family and friends and fans SO much. I’m sorry if I’ve let you down. I’ll do my best to restore your faith in me. I love you.”
During a recent interview with the Wrestling Voice radio show, former WWE star Chris Jericho spoke about his time on Dancing with the Stars, his metal band Fozzy, WWE banning the word “wrestling” and whether he’ll return to WWE. Here are some highlighs of what Chris Jericho said about:
The support he received from the WWE during Dancing with the stars.
“I don’t see why they wouldn’t want to support it 100%, you have an audience of 23 million every week and hearing the words WWE every single week and seeing one of their guys performing on a whole different level and wowing people and breaking the stereotypes of what a wrestler is and what a wrestler does, but some of it was a no brainer for them.”
Dancing As ‘Chris Irvine’ One Week On DWTS:
“I was dancing for my Mom and that week was a very open and raw performance, and it was the producers idea to have me dance as Chris Irvine, which was a cool experience, it was a very moving performing and fitting.”
On WWE blacklisting the word ‘wrestling’ from it’s product.
“As long as there is a ring nag guys in spandex throwing each other around it’s gonna be wrestling, you can call it what you want but if it looks like a duck, sounds like a duck and moves like a it’s a duck, it’s always gonna be wrestling.”
On whether he’ll return to the WWE.
“Everybody asks, ‘when are you coming back?’ and I don’t know if I’ll ever come back, I have no plans of it… I still love the WWE, I love watching it, but I don’t know if I’ll ever come back.”
Other topics discussed include, hosting the Golden God awards, the next Fozzy record, Edge’s retirement, Zack Ryder and his latest book. You can listen to the podcast on iTunes by clicking here.
WWE taped tonight’s episode of Smackdownfrom the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. Credit to WrestlingNewsWord.com for this report:
* Christian comes out and cuts a promo on Randy Orton beating him for the World Heavyweight Championship last week. Christian announces his plan to invoke his rematch clause at WWE Over The Limit. Mark Henry and Sheamus come out and they want a title shot. They beat down Christian and Orton makes the save. A tag match is setup for later.
* Sin Cara b. Daniel Bryan with Chavo Guerrero on commentary. Chavo distracted Daniel which upset Cara after the match.
* Layla comes out and cuts a promo on ending the career of Michelle McCool. Michael Cole interrupts with his anti-Diva bit but Kharma comes out and lays out Layla. Kharma goes after Cole but he gets away in the Cole Mine.
* Kane b. WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett via disqualification after interference from The Corre. Ezekiel Jackson, now a babyface, took out his former faction members.
* The Great Khali and Ranjin Singh out for the Kiss Cam. Jinder Mahal came out and smacked Khali’s cowboy hat off as both Khali and Singh were wearing them.
* Backstage, World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton and Christian are showing getting ready for their main event match
* Backstage, Wade Barrett offers Ezekiel Jackson a shot at the WWE Intercontinental Championship at Over The Limit.
* Cody Rhodes cut a heel promo then beat Ted DiBiase.
* World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton & Christian b. Mark Henry & Sheamus. Orton and Christian hit their finishers simultaneously, with Christian taking care of Sheamus and Orton taking care of Henry.
Dark Match:
* World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton, Christian & Ezekiel Jackson b. WWE Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett, Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel
— FCW Diva Brandi Reed made her WWE debut on this week’s episode of WWE Superstars as a ring announcer.
Reed is a 26-year-old Tampa based print model WWE signed to a developmental contract in March. She debuted in FCW last month as a valet for Lucky Cannon.
Matches featured on WWE Superstars include Trent Barreta vs. Tyson Kidd (accompanied by Michael Hayes) Chris Masters vs. Drew McIntyre and Vladimir Kozlov vs. Zack Ryder. The episode is available here.
— Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg has been announced for next month’s Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con, which takes place June 18-20 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He is only scheduled to appear on the 19th. Wrestling talent appearing throughout the weekend include Torrie Wilson, Candice Michelle, “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and Virgil.
— Ticketmaster.com is holding a pre-sale tomorrow beginning at 10:00 a.m. for the August 1 Monday Night Raw taping at the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. The pre-sale code is WWECENA.
UFC president Dana White announced on Thursday that Brock Lesnar’s ongoing health problems related to the stomach illnesss diverticulitis have returned and he is being forced to pull out of his upcoming fight at UFC 131 on June 11th.
Lesnar had been scheduled to fight Junior Dos Santos in fight that would have determined the next challenger to Cain Velasquez’ Heavyweight Championship. Shane Carwin, who got choked out by then-champion Brock Lesnar last July, will now face Dos Santos next month.
Lesnar, who might need to undergo “life changing surgery” in the near future, says his career is not over and vows to return to the cage once again:
“I’m not retiring. This isn’t the end of my fight career. I believe there’s a solution to every problem. This isn’t the end of Brock Lesnar. This is a speed bump in the road.”
Lesnar is being treated once again at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota – the same facility that treated him back in 2009 when he first battled diverticulitis. He insists this most recent bout with the stomach illness is not as serious as last time (when he was fighting for his life) – but the condition was preventing him from training for the Dos Santos fight.
— With the WWE roster growing increasingly thin due to retirements, injuries and people taking time off, you can be sure that WWE is aware of the situation and looking at ways to strengthen the RAW and SmackDown rosters. Aside from elevating younger talent and building new stars (which the company has done a much better job of doing recently) – WWE is also interested in bringing back several superstars who are currently working on other projects outside of wrestling.
We reported earlier this week that WWE’s creative team regularly discusses how to incorporate former superstar Dave Batista into storylines .. Another superstar who is expected back with WWE in the coming months is Chris Jericho. Now that Jericho’s run on Dancing With The Stars has concluded, most within WWE believe his return is imminent. The recent neck surgery of John Morrison is seen as a factor that could result in Jericho returning to WWE television sooner than later.
— The following pay-per-view events are confirmed for release on Blu-ray:
* Over the Limit, 1 disc – June 21
* Capitol Punishment, 2 discs – July 19
* Money in the Bank, 2 discs – August 16
— Recent WWE attendance figures are as follows:
* Raw live May 6 in Dothan, Alabama – 2,500 attendees
* Raw live May 7 in Macon, Georgia – 4,400 attendees
* SmackDown live May 7 in Pensacola, Florida – 3,500 attendees
* Raw live May 8 in Greenville, South Carolina – 5,500 attendees
* SmackDown live May 8 in Tupelo, Mississippi – 3,600 attendees
* Raw live May 10 in Highland Heights, Kentucky – 2,000 attendees