WWE has added video footage of The Rock’s return to RAW on the “WWE Fan Nation” Youtube channel .. In case you missed it or if you just want to relive the experience again – here’s The Rock’s return to Monday Night RAW after 7 years:
Monday’s episode of WWE RAW drew a 3.14 cable rating, down from last week’s 3.3.
The show averaged 4.8 million viewers, which is down from the 4.9 million the show averaged last week.
As reported earlier, the 20-minute over-run segment featuring The Rock’s return to WWE television averaged 5.7 million viewers – so it’s clear people tuned in to see the big reveal of the WrestleMania guest host at the end of the show.
— Ted Linhart, the USA Network’s VP of Program Research, has posted some preliminary viewership data from Monday’s RAW on Twitter (@TedOnTV) and it looks like The Rock is still a big ratings draw.
The 20-minute over-run segment featuring The Rock’s return to WWE television averaged 5.7 million viewers.
Breaking down the demographics, that 20-minute segment drew 3.1 million adults 18-49, 2.9 million adults 25-54, and 1.4 million adults 18-34.
More ratings data is expected later today, so check back for that later.
— In yet another sign that WWE’s “2/21/11” videos are leading to the return of the Undertaker, WWE has posted the latest video on the company website and tagged the video with “Undertaker.”
— There is talk within WWE that the anonymous RAW General Manager will be revealed to be Vince McMahon, leading to a showdown with The Rock at WrestleMania.
— As you can imagine, The Rock’s surprise appearance on RAW and the news that he’ll be hosting WrestleMania 27 in April has gotten a ton of mainstream media attention. People Magazine, Fox News, The Washington Post are among the publications to cover the story.
— WWE Diva Alicia Fox was interviewed by the Miami Herald last week as part of WWE’s media push to promote next year’s WrestleMania, which takes place from Miami. You can read that interview by clicking here.
— Joanie “Chyna” Laurer will be profiled in next week’s issue of the National Enquirer tabloid magazine. The former WWE Diva was interviewed for the piece and talked about a number of candid topics, including her struggle with drug addiction and what it took for her to finally get off drugs. According to her, it was a matter of life and death. “I didn’t want to die and when I was in the hospital the last time I knew the reality was if something didn’t change I would [die]”, she said.
WWE issued a press release to promote The Rock’s upcoming gig at WrestleMania 27 guest host with some quotes from The Rock himself. To read the full press release, visit Corporate.WWE.com.
“I’m absolutely thrilled and fired up to be the host of WrestleMania,” Johnson says. “My goal was to partner up with Vince McMahon and WWE to create and deliver something globally entertaining and electrifying.
“As an actor, entertainer and someone who both loves and has grown up in the sports entertainment business, the opportunity to host 75,000 passionate fans in a live venue, not to mention the millions that will be watching worldwide, is not only thrilling but quite honestly the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s going to be one helluva an epic night.”
On Monday’s RAW, WWE aired the third installment in the 2/21/11 teaser videos.
Many readers have pointed out that it appears there are two men in the video .. Since one of them is clearly the Undertaker – who do you think the other figure could be? COMMENT BELOW and tell us what you think!
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:
The Rock Calling Out John Cena: “Some fans are hammering us on Twitter @JRsBBQ proclaiming that it will be Rock vs. Cena at WM27. That’s not what I heard. I heard that Rock was Hosting the event which works very well for me. Will there be some sort of Rock/Cena interaction? Sounds that way to me which is why I’m ‘staying tuned.'”
The Rock Returning Full Time: “Is the Rock coming back to wrestle full time? That’s not what I got out of Raw’s most electrifying moment in years Monday night. Rock is making an appearance at WM27 to contribute in a major, likely shocking, way to the biggest WWE PPV of the year. Bottom line regarding this question on Twitter is that I DON’T KNOW but I would doubt it. I’m very excited about Wrestlemania. My black hat’s off to WWE.”
The RAW GM’s Identity: “I don’t know and furthermore I don’t care. When we’re supposed to know we will. I’m much more interested in the build to WM27 than I ever will be about who the mysterious (not my descriptor) Raw General manager may or may not be.”
Many past and present WWE superstars wrote messages on Twitter following The Rock’s return to WWE on RAW. Here’s what the following people said about The Rock:
John Cena: “CeNation. Rock was in rare form tonight. It was great to see him enjoying himself out there. Even if it was at my expense. I’ve been Called alot worse. Just glad to see him back in action.”
CM Punk: “Rock owes me fifty bucks for going 20 minutes past the hour, making me miss my valentines day reservations at Nobu.”
Big Show: “Did anyone notice the chill bumps on Rocks arms as he gave his catch phrase? The rock is back!”
Jim Ross: “Got 2 hand it 2 WWE…HBK in HOF, Austin on Tough Enough, Rock to host/star @ WM27…MUCH more on the way. Look out Atlanta!”
Val Venis: “I am just as happy as anyone else the Rock is back. As long as he sticks to the mic, we are good. Cuz his wrestling ability is questionable. Not hating on Rock. He is AWESOME on the mic. His charisma is unmatched. But lets be honest, Rock>Hardy & Venis>Rock! HONESTLY!”
Taz: “GREAT JOB by Rock! Miss having steaks with him & Dud’s after shows!!! Great times! 1 of the greatest of all times!!!”
Chris Jericho: “Congratulations to one of my favorite opponents and greatest rivals on returning to the WWE. The Rock is the BEST promo man of all time…”
Steve Austin: “it was great to see The Rock back on RAW tonight…helluva promo from an electrifying cat. great stuff heading into Mania.”
— After Monday’s episode of WWE RAW went off the air, John Cena and Randy Orton defeated The Miz and CM Punk in the show’s dark match main event. Michael Cole was the special guest referee for the bout.
— Tickets for this year’s WWE SummerSlam PPV go on sale this morning at 10am EST.
– The Rock, Dwayne Johnson, Michael Cole and Stephanie McMahon were all trending worldwide on Twitter during RAW last night.
– Jim Ross wrote the following on Twitter @JRsBarBQ about The Rock’s return:
“The Great One is back 4 WM27! The Rock will host Wrestlemania. He looks awesome.
Dwayne Johnson’s classic ‘Rock’ promo 2nite on RAW was the best thing on RAW in recent memory. Young wrestlers hopefully paid attention.
Stone Cold also did some classic, long promos back in the day. It’s a lost art w/o question. Rock hit a grand slam.”
Following Monday’s RAW, The Rock took part in an online chat at the WWE website. Here are some highlights of what the Great One said about:
Why He’s Returning Now: “Because I felt the time was right to so something special. Not only can I feed my own need and desire to perform. More importantly than that, do something special for you WWE fans. ”
His Goal For WrestleMania: “My goal is to create an incredible show. The guys have prepared for this night all year and they are going to put on incredible wrestling matches and I am there to not only support their matches but work with the great WWE production team and put on an electrifying show. That means I will be backstage and in the ring creating unforgettable and iconic WrestleMania moments. ”
John Cena: “John Cena said a variety of things that came across my desk which at first I thought was interesting and then I felt was laughable because the comments really didn’t make any sense to me. To be clear, not that they ever make me mad. I just thought the comments were an interesting choice of things to say
On Monday’s WWE RAW, it was announced that WWE legend and Hollywood megastar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be returning to World Wrestling Entertainment on April 3rd as the special Guest Host for WrestleMania 27.
On RAW, The Rock called out John Cena, saying he wanted to see Cena face-to-face at WrestleMania and make him pay for the comments he made about The Rock after he left WWE. The Rock mocked Cena’s look and his gimmick, which got a huge reaction from the crowd.
The Rock said he might get into it with John Cena, The Miz and whoever else he gets into when he’s at WrestleMania.
– It was announced at Monday’s WWE Monday Night RAW from Anaheim, California that former WWE Champion and future Hall of Famer Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be the special guest host at WrestleMania 27 in Atlanta, Georgia in April.
The Rock appeared live on tonight’s show and received a major ovation from the crowd. The Rock said that he has finally returned home and wasn’t back for the money or to promote a movie, but he was back for the fans. He thanked the fans and said he would never, ever be going away.
— Apparently teasing a return to wrestling, former WWE talent Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson wrote on his Facebook page this afternoon: “…FINALLY…” Get ready… DJ.”
He enclosed a photo from his time in WWE.
Furthermore, the title of his fan page has been changed from ‘Dwayne Johnson’ to ‘Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’.
— Chris Jericho is scheduled to appear on tonight’s episode of Red Eye, which airs at 3:00 am Eastern/12:00 Midnight Pacific on the Fox News Channel.
— A SmackDown taping is scheduled for April 12 at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York.
— According to a report on Glamorousones.com, World Wrestling Entertainment has reached an agreement for Justin Bieber to perform at WrestlMania XXVII. The report also notes that former WWE talent Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is rumored to be hosting the event.
— The February 11 episode of WWE SmackDown scored a 1.75 cable rating, the lowest rating of 2011 and lowest since December 17.
The program averaged 2.5 million viewers over the course of two hours, down from 3.2 million viewers the previous week on Feb. 4—a 28 percent drop.
— Shane McMahon and wife Marissa were at the wedding of New York Yankees announcer Michael Kay to broadcaster Jodi Applegate on Saturday night. (Thanks to Barry Werner)
— TNA Knockout Mickie James has been announced for the WrestleReunion event taking place WrestleMania XXVII morning (April 3) at the Downtown Marriott in Atlanta, Georgia. Other talent scheduled to appear include Winter, Christy Hemme, Tommy Dreamer, Scott Steiner, Bruno Sammartino, Carlito and “Cowboy” Bob Orton.
— Tommy Dreamer celebrated his 40th birthday yesterday. Regarding this, he wrote on Twitter: “Thanks to all 4 the happy birthday wishes. 40 yrs old & I realized I have been wrestling 4 more than half my life. God bless everyone.”
— Taz mistakenly referred to Tara by her WWE ring name Victoria last night during Against All Odds.
— The promotional video for WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view event has surfaced online. It is being advertised as “the one night of the year rules are meant to be… EXTREME!”
Extreme Rules takes place May 1 at the St. Pete Times Forum in Tampa, Florida.
— The official website of Florida Championship Wrestling, developmental promotion of WWE, has added three wrestlers to its talent page: Buddy Stetcher, DeSean Bishop and DT Porter.
— Former WWE star Viscera turns 39 years old today.
WWE Champion The Miz was recently interviewed by SGVTribune.com. Here are some highlights of what the reigning WWE Champion said about:
Winning The WWE Championship: “(There were) so many emotions that went through my head (when winning the belt). When I first won it, when the 1-2-3 happened, I couldn’t control my excitement, it was just exuding,” he said. “Once I got the title, it kind of went to an ‘oh my god’ moment, it takes your breath away,” he continued. “And when I was up on the second rope, I remember raising the belt going, ‘Oh my god, I’m raising the WWE Championship as the WWE Champion.’ And I felt myself choke up, I felt myself getting teary eyed. And I was like, ‘Wait a second. You can’t do that. You’re the WWE Champion.’
“Then I went out of the ring, (Alex Riley) was there and we both celebrated together. Feeling his excitement made me feel even more excited,” he said. “So that’s kind of the first three minutes of my WWE Championship (reign).
“Miz Girl”: “(She) made my championship reign, it was great. That’s how pissed off people were of me (winning),” he said. “Everyone thought I’d be the first person to get the Money in the Bank contract and lose. Everyone thought so, but that didn’t happen.”
Getting a Deal following Tough Enough: “I tried out. Made it. Didn’t win. But impressed the execs enough that they gave me a (development) contract to go to the Deep South (and train),” he said. “I stopped doing reality shows, took a payout, went there and hoped for the best.”
Posted February 14th, 2011 in News, WWE. Tagged: The Miz.
– Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW takes place from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
The only match announced for tonight’s show so far is WWE Divas champion Eve defending agaisnt Natalya.
The dark match main event will see John Cena & Randy Orton teaming up against WWE Champion The Miz and Nexus leader CM Punk, with Michael Cole as referee.
.. and of course, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon will be on hand once again to reveal who will be the special Guest Host for WrestleMania 27. WWE’s teaser for tonight’s big reveal reads:
“We will introduce a man who is personification of that special moment, that extraordinary attraction, that never been done before. We will introduce this man who will indeed set a banner, set a record like no one else because no one has ever hosted an event in front of 75,000 people.”
– On Friday’s SmackDown, World Heavyweight champion Edge defeated Dolph Ziggler in a match that saw Green Bay Packer Clay Matthews count the pinfall for Edge after guest referee Vickie Guerrero was knocked out. As per the match stipulation, Edge would be stripped of the championship if he used his Spear finisher. Edge speared Dolph twice in the closing moments of the match – leading WWE’s website and others to speculate whether Edge has rightful ownership of his title.
Dolph Ziggler is speaking out about the situation, claiming Edge did in fact violate the match stipulation and must forfeit his title. Ziggler wrote on Twitter:
“I may not “possess” the title tonight, but make no mistake about it, I AM THE REAL WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPION! Rules are Rules…. ;)”
We are sad to report that Jerry “The King” Lawler’s mother Hazel passed away over the weekend.
Lawler’s mother was 90 years old and suffered from Alzheimer’s disease for the past six years. Her condition had deteriorated dramatically in the past year.
Arrangements are being made today at Family Funeral Care in Memphis.
Jerry Lawler is en route back to Memphis and will not be at tonight’s RAW from Anaheim, California.
We express our deepest condolences to the friends and family of Jerry Lawler.
This week, Solomonster takes time to remember “Mr. Perfect” Curt Hennig on the 8 year anniversary of his death, plus thoughts on a bad Raw, who the guest host might be for WrestleMania, 2.21.11 revealed, a MAJOR change to plans for The Undertaker, Miami gets Mania in 2012 and the role UFC might have played, debunking the 93,000 attendance figure for Hogan/Andre, and a contest for choosing a new name for Dolph Ziggler!
Shaul Marie Guerrero, daughter of Eddie and Vickie Guerrero, made her in-ring debut at Florida Championship Wrestling on Friday night at FCW’s show in Gainsville, Florida.
Guerrero, who is now on Twitter at @LaShauly, teamed with Naomi Knight and lost to the team of Aksana and AJ Lee. After the match, Vickie Guerrero, who was in attendance signing autographs before the show, came out and had a showdown with FCW General Manager Maxine.
Vickie Guerrero wrote the following on Twitter regarding her daughter’s WWE developmental debut:
“Last night while watching my daughter wrestle..I saw Eddie”s walk and his eyes shine thru my daughter…I’m blessed.”
Alberto Del Rio’s ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez was also at the show and wrote the following about Guerrero’s debut:
“Eddie Guerrero’s daughter, Shaul, had her first match last night in Gainsville, Florida… She did a helluva job! Bright future.”
Guerrero and Naomi Night teamed up again the night night at FCW’s show in Punta Gorda and lost again to Aksana & AJ Lee. Vickie came out once again and got into it with Maxine, costing her daughter’s team the win.
Shaul Guerrero has been under WWE developmental contract for several months and has done modeling, singing and acting on her path to WWE.
The UFC announced Saturday that all tickets for its April 30 event at Rogers Centre (formerly the Skydome) in Toronto have been sold.
Rogers Centre was originally configured to accommodate 42,000 spectators, but the unprecedented demand for tickets led the company to reconfigure the seating chart to accomidate over 55,000 fans.
“UFC continues to set new milestones,” UFC president Dana White said. “We’ve sold 55,000 tickets in our first stadium event in Toronto and we continue to take the UFC to the next level.”
UFC 129 will be the first mixed martial arts event held in Ontario and is expected to more than double the promotion’s record for largest crowd to witness a live event.
UFC 129 will be headlined by two blockbuster title fights, both featuring Canadians. George St. Pierre looks to defend his welterweight belt against Jake Shields, and fellow Canadian Mark Hominick faces current featherweight champion Jose Aldo.
Until UFC 129, the largest crowd the company ever drew event was back in December 2010, when UFC 124 (GSP vs. Koscheck) drw 23,000 at Bell Centre in Montreal.
UFC 129 is also expected to shatter the promotion’s mark for live gate revenue. The current record for a live gate is $5.4 million, set on Dec. 30, 2006, for UFC 66 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
— Dolph Ziggler attended his alma mater Kent State University’s wrestling meet against Ohio this past Friday and was in charge of the pre-meet coin toss. Ziggler also sat on the Kent State bench to watch the meet.
Kent State crushed rivals Ohio 30-6 at the Friday meet, capturing the spot of first place in the Mid-American Conference.
— Evan Bourne wrote on Twitter (@findevan) this week that he will still 4-6 weeks away from returning to the ring. Bourne also said he’s headed to Brazil soon to do promotional work for WWE and that WWE will be part of WWE’s upcoming tour of South America.
— The WWE website has a poll up asking fans who they think will be the special guest host at WrestleMania 27. The choices are Aaron Rodgers, Michael Jordan, Shaq, Clay Matthews and Dan Marino.
