– After WWE introduced the new Money In The Bank gimmick pay-per-view last year, many have been wondering whether that spelled the end of MITB at WrestleMania. A WWE source has informed us that the match will take place at WrestleMania as in previous years.
– Following Randy Orton’s punt kick to Husky Harris on RAW, the WWE website is reporting that Harris is out of action indefinitely. CM Punk will addresss the situation on next week’s RAW.
As for what this means for Husky Harris, we’ve heard that despite his talent, WWE officials are not wild about his size and look. WWE is planning a Corre vs. Nexus 3-on-3 match for WrestleMania – and his involvement in that match is questionable at best.
A fan who was at Sunday’s WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view has posted this video clip of Kevin Nash’s return to WWE as Diesel. Nash wrote on Twitter that the crowd reaction he received was the loudest he’s received since 1997 and was one of the major factors that convinced him to sign with WWE and end his career as Diesel.
– MMA fighter Kimbo Slice has pulled out of his pro wrestling debut, which had been scheduled to take place in Japan on February 5th for Antonio Inoki’s IGF promotion. Kimbo is saying that he was injured while training.
– Preliminary estimates for WWE’s Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view are around 200,000 buys, which is lower than what WWE was hoping for and down from the previous year.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura will release his fourth book, “63 Documents the Government Doesn’t Want You to Read,” in April.
– The dark main event after Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings in Long Island, New York saw Kane and Alberto Del Rio defeat Edge and Rey Mysterio when Del Rio pinned Edge. After the match, Edge hit Ricardo Rodriguez with a spear.
– WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin wrote on Twitter that he will be meeting with WWE officials in Stanford, Connecticut regarding the upcoming season of Tough Enough, which he’ll be hosting.
Austin asked fans for any ideas or suggestions they may have for the show.
As noted before, Kevin Nash is also scheduled to meet with WWE officials today regarding the future. Nash signed a Legends contract this week.
– Two former members of WWE’s creative team have joined Twitter.
Chris DeJoseph, probably best (or worst) known as Big Dick Johnson, can be followed on Twitter at @chrisdejoseph. He departed from WWE in November noted Twitter this week that he will be available for interviews after March 10th.
Another former WWE writer, Alex Greenfield, can be followed at @alexdgreenfield. He was hired by WWE back in 2005 and worked for the company for about two years.
— The January 31 episode of Monday Night Raw scored a 3.5 cable rating, the program’s highest rating since August 30. Last week’s show drew a 3.29.
The program averaged 5.3 million viewers over the course of two hours, up from 4.9 million viewers last week.
The rating improved on the average number for Raw in January, a 3.2.
— John Morrison’s performance at the Royal Rumble impressed a number of people in WWE, including those who have criticized him in the past. WWE superstars are expected to “step up” and show what they can do on big shows like the Rumble – and the feeling is that Morrison knocked it out of the park on Sunday.
— A pre-sale for the March 28 Monday Night Raw taping at the Allstate Center in Rosemont, Illinois kicks off tomorrow morning via Ticketmaster.com. The password is CHIRTV.
— The announced (dark match) main event for the March 28 Monday Night Raw taping at the Allstate Center in Rosemont, Illinois features Triple H, John Cena, Randy Orton and World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. WWE Champion The Miz, CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio and Wade Barrett in an Eight Man Tag Team Match.
— Following Booker T’s well received performance at the Royal Rumble, creative broached a three-week program between the returning Superstar and King Sheamus. The idea, however, was quickly dropped.
— JTG and Trent Barreta vs. Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks was taped tonight in Long Island, New York for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars.
Booker T was introduced as the newest member of the SmackDown announce team at tonight’s SmackDown taping in Long Island, New York, replacing Matt Striker. The team now consists of the returning Superstar, Michael Cole and Josh Mathews.
He performed the “Spin-a-Roonie” in the ring before joining his new colleagues at the announce desk.
As reported earlier, Booker T returned to World Wrestling Entertainment to announce as well as wrestle. His new role with the company is being compared to that of Jerry Lawler’s since he announces and wrestles.
Booker T, along with Kevin Nash, returned to WWE Sunday to participate in the 40-Man Royal Rumble Match. He entered the battle royal at number twenty-one and was ultimately eliminated by Mason Ryan.
The six-time world champion reportedly signed a long-term contract with the organization.
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 said about:
Kevin Nash & Booker T Returning To WWE: “Good to see that Kevin Nash might be working out something to remain associated with WWE to some undetermined degree. Nash is a good talker, a smart guy, and has name identity that can be utilized in a variety of marketing ventures within the company. As I previously wrote, Kevin Nash can help WWE in many ways even if he never wrestles again.”
“Booker T, who has talked of becoming a TV broadcaster in WWE for quite some time, would be potentially good in that role if he can master the skills that it takes at the ringside announce desk. The job is daunting but doable and Booker is a witty, glib guy who understands the business. At this stage of the game I see Booker T’s long term tenure with WWE as a ‘talker’ of which can take many forms and not as a full time wrestler.”
“Nonetheless I’m happy that apparently both Nash and Booker might wrap up their respective careers in WWE which seems to be fitting. Obviously any thing can happen that might alter that speculation but hopefully both men can return to the WWE fold and help the company in the aforementioned variety of ways.”
Sting To WWE? “Amazing that some fans actually swear that there is going to be an Undertaker vs. Sting match this year at Wrestlemania 27 in Atlanta. I would be shocked if that occurred but at the same time everyone has the right to fantasize about dream matches that they personally want to see. I still say that there would likely be a large part of the WWE TV audience that only watches WWE that would have to become familiar with the Stinger’s body of work. Not that it couldn’t be done, it could, but that matter would have to be addressed.”
“Cutting to the chase, I don’t see Sting in WWE any time soon and especially not in the ring vs. the Undertaker in the Georgia Dome. I do think that Sting would be well served to explore potential marketing opportunities with WWE especially considering that all his ‘greatest hits’ which were in WCW are now owned by WWE.”
— According to sources within World Wrestling Entertainment, organization officials’ top priority heading into 2011 was signing multi-time champion Steve Borden (a/k/a Sting) to a contract.
As reported earlier, TNA Wrestling sources indicate that Borden did not sign a new deal for 2011. The majority feeling within the Nashville based organization is that he is bound for World Wrestling Entertainment, although nobody knows that as a fact.
The New York Daily News notes in today’s edition that Borden has ‘reportedly’ signed a one-year contract with WWE. The reported signing, however, has yet to be confirmed elsewhere.
— WWE began running vignettes last night on Raw teasing the return or debut of a mysterious figure wearing a black trench coat on “2 21 11.” Original plans called for the video to air once, but Vince McMahon called an audible during the broadcast to play it again.
The New York Daily News newspaper is reporting today that wrestling icon Sting has signed a one-year contract with WWE.
Sting, arguably the biggest wrestling star of the past 20 years to never work for WWE, is reportedly a free agent and had not signed another 1-year contract extension with TNA, as he’s done in recent years.
WWE has been interested in working with Sting several times in the past, but the two were never able to come to terms on the specifics (money, schedule, etc.). Additionally, Sting was outspoken about the adult-themed content on WWE television in previous years, but the current PG-era has cleared that hurdle.
After checking with our sources, we are still unable to confirm this story, so for now take this as a rumor – but it’s a major story if this one pans out.
If true, he would almost certainly be working a match at WrestleMania, which takes place from Atlanta, Georgia, the former home of the company Sting had his biggest run in, WCW. Sting vs. The Undertaker has been talked about for years as one of the last big WrestleMania dream matches out there.
We’ll be sure to follow up on this story when new details become available.
Here’s the report from the NY Daily News:
Posted February 1st, 2011 in News, WWE. Tagged: Sting.
On Monday’s RAW, we saw WWE air two vignettes hyping something big for 2/21/11 – the day after WWE Elimination Chamber. It now appears that WWE may have inadvertently given away the surprise of what 2/21/11 means.
The 2/21/11 edition of WWE RAW takes place from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The Save Mart Center website has posted their preview for the event – hyping “The Return of The Undertaker.” A video hyping the Undertaker’s return has been posted on the arena website. The video has since been removed, likely at the request of WWE.
While it’s still possible that the 2/21/11 videos that aired on RAW are for another return/debut scheduled for the same night, the arena website may have just spoiled a big WWE angle.
Kevin Nash appeared on ESPN Radio’s Pro Wrestling Report last night and revealed some newsworthy details regarding his return to World Wrestling Entertainment.
Nash noted that WWE flew him out of Daytona Beach, Florida so he could appear at the Royal Rumble. He said if TNA would have flown him out of the state, he would have to have driven from his home to Orlando, 90 miles, opposed to the few miles when traveling with WWE. Nash talked about how nice his accommodations were while staying in Boston.
Nash said that upon arriving hat he signed paperwork and had a physical upon arriving to the arena. Nash said he spent about a half-hour with Triple H before shooting photos and video with WWE staff. He then met with Vince McMahon before hanging out with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, where he went over plans for the Rumble with Triple H.
Nash also noted that he talked with people from THQ, makers of SmackDown vs. RAW and All Stars, while he was at the Rumble.
Nash said that he is signed to a Legends contract and will meet with WWE officials on Wednesday of this week to talk about what’s next. Under the Legends deal, Nash will likely be involved with things like action figures and DVD’s.
On Sunday night, Nash wrote on Twitter about his WWE return, sounding very content with his return to the organization that made him a top star. He wrote @RealKevinNash:
“I want to thank everyone at WWE. All the fans in Boston. For giving me a night I will never forget. (GroundHog Day) I’ll relive that 1 over
As long as WWE will have me in wrestling capacity and my body can handle it, I will wrestle. It’s what I do! Best decision of my life.
When Vince McMahon is the boss and your best friend and his wife run creative and you see each other and hug and there is true emotion….
Contracts aren’t needed. I will do whatever I’m asked. I was welcomed back into the Family. I wont make mistake of leaving again!”
During an interview with Brian Fritz of Fanhouse.com, former WWE superstar Chris Jericho hinted that he’s not as far from returning to WWE as some may think. Here are some highlights of what Jericho said about:
Returning To WWE: “I consider it always because it’s not like it was in 2005 where I was sick of wrestling. Sick of it is maybe a harsh word. Disenchanted, I guess, is a better word.”
“I wasn’t disenchanted when I left in September. It was just my contract was up. That was it. And there were other things just waiting to come through. Even if I was coming back, I always would have taken those four months, three months off to do the Fozzy tours. Then other things have kind of popped up to delay my return.”
His WWE Contract Status: “I mean, there’s a deal on the table,” he said. “A deal on the table that’s 90-percent done. There’s a couple of minor things that we had to hammer out. It would just be a matter of what other stuff is going on and how that stuff is going.”
Reader Ryan Hanley sent in this live recap of what happened after Monday’s RAW went off the air:
After Raw went off the air, Jerry Lawler thanked the crowd in Providence, saying he wanted to invite everyone down to the ring to celebrate. He couldn’t do that, so he invited The Miz down to celebrate.
Miz and Riley entered the ring and mocked the crowd for supporting King. Miz said, “All I have to say is this” to King, and went for a cheap shot. King blocked and threw Miz and Riley out of the ring.
A bit more celebration from King as the arena continued to empty out to conclude the TV taping.
WWE two vignettes on Monday’s RAW which appeared to tease the arrival of a new Superstar.
The video (WATCH HERE) showed a mysterious figure in a long black trench coat walking in a dark, rainy setting. The end of the video flashed the date “2 21 11” in fiery text.
February 21st, 2011 is the date for WWE Monday Night RAW in Fresno, California from the Save Mart Center. It will be the night after WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view and the real start of the “road to WrestleMania.”
What or WHO do you think this could be a tease for? VOTE BELOW:
— Edge and Kelly Kelly vs. Dolph Ziggler and LayCool in a 3-on-2 mixed tag match. Edge’s World Heavyweight title will be on the line, so hypothetical – if Michelle McCool pins Kelly Kelly, Dolph Ziggler is the new champion. That makes a ton of sense.
– Last Friday’s SmackDown did a 2.01 rating with 3,024,000 viewers.
– In an interview with ESPN.com, Kofi Kingston was asked who his dream WrestleMania opponent would be. “My dream match would be against Ricky Steamboat,” Kingston said. “You saw him comeback a few years ago and he still had it. He’s phenomenal, and I’d love if he could come back one more time to challenge for the Intercontinental belt. It could be like a student versus teacher type match. For me, being in the same ring as the guys I watched growing up just means so much and that would be amazing to me if I got that chance.”
The high flying SmackDown star was also asked about playing video games while he’s not on the road and which superstars he plays against. “Big Show, myself, Cody Rhodes, Tyler Reks, and that savage Hornswoggle,” he said. “There are a handful of us who form this underground wrestling gamer community.”
– On Monday’s RAW, Royal Rumble winner Alberto Del Rio announced that he will challenge Edge for the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 27 on 4/3. This is the first match officially confirmed for WWE’s biggest show of the year.
– The dark match before tonight’s RAW in Rhode Island saw William Regal beat Johnny Curtis.
– Matches taped for this Thursday’s WWE Superstars before RAW tonight were Melina vs. Tamina and Zack Ryder & Primo vs. David Hart Smith & Yoshi Tatsu.
There was much talk internally relating to the overwhelming crowd reaction both Kevin Nash and Booker T received last night at the Royal Rumble. Booker was originally slated to return as a manager who wrestled and coached, but based on his performance last night, many feel he can “still go.” A few ideas have been discussed for him involving top tier WWE talent. He has signed a long-term contract with the organization.
Nash is scheduled for no more than short-term run with WWE, but officials are open to using him as a trainer or coach. Wrestling, however, seems unlikely at this point.
— There was some confusion surrounding Alex Riley and his elimination during the Royal Rumble last night because he was not supposed to go out when he did. He was supposed to hang on to the ring ropes when he was thrown over. This explains why the announcers were asking about him after he had been eliminated. They didn’t call his elimination.
— As Kevin Nash was getting up from the ground following his elimination from the Royal Rumble, a referee told him something. He then stared down Big Show as he was exiting the arena. It’s thought that this may have been a backstage audible due to the crowd’s receptive reaction to him and WWE planning something for him going forward.
— The song used during the video promoting Randy Orton’s match against The Miz at the Royal Rumble is “Machine Gun Blues” by Social Distortion.
Former WWE talent Dwayne Johnson (a/k/a The Rock) has started a weekly feature on his official Facebook page where he’ll choose fans’ questions once per week to answer in depth.
When asked why he decided to leave WWE and if he’s ever coming back, he bluntly states that he will never wrestle again. He does, however, note that he will appear for WWE when the timing is right.
His complete response reads:
“…to “the Rock’s millions and millions”…who will forever be my family.. ..my honest and direct answer to you is this: I left the WWE because I had succeeded in accomplishing every goal I set to achieve. …I’ve never done this before, but I will now because I feel it’s important you know..let me share with you the goals I set for myself in the WWE so you can have a better understanding and perspective.. – become the youngest WWE World Champion – help set box office and attendance records in every arena in the country – help set PPV buy rate records ..the final two and my most important goals to achieve in wrestling: – become the most entertaining and electrifying performer the WWE had ever seen or will ever see again – take the brass ring of the WWE that Vince McMahon had faithfully allowed me to earn and take it places it had never gone before…to trailblaze…to break new ground…to achieve unprecedented greatness for not only for myself and the fans to enjoy…but for the business of professional wrestling itself and the WWE… A business and company that is in my blood and that I will love forever. …I achieved these goals in the WWE at 30 years old and decided then to HUMBLY and QUIETLY step away and retire. ..and set my sights on another goal…a childhood dream…Hollywood. ..will I ever come back to the WWE? of course I will..not a match though, but in a capacity that would allow me to do so much more.. I LOVE that company and the fans…without the two I would not be standing where I am today… Vince and myself stay very closely connected and when the opportunity is right – which will be alot sooner than you think – we will do something electrifying and historic for the fans…he and I were toying with the idea of a special show called “ROCK RAW”… sounds like a perfect title for me to come back and SLAP THE LIPS OFF THOSE JABRONIS and LAYETH THE SMACKETH DOWN ON AAAAALLLLL THEIR CANDY ASSES!!! sorry…got carried away..I’ll save that one of a kind electricity for Rock Raw.. …it is important to me to say this from my heart – to the incredibly loyal “..The Rock’s Millions and Millions…” and the entire WWE UNIVERSE…I am forever humbled and grateful to you for allowing me the HONOR to entertain you over the years…you have my word I will continue to entertain you in ways like no one else…it’s only just the beginning… I dream big…and we’ve achieved those dreams together because you never left my side..I love you for that and thank you… I am Dwayne Johnson…and I will also always be The Rock.”
— Former TNA Wrestling production manager Randy Ricci noted on his blog that a ‘reliable source’ informed him that top brass such as Dixie Carter, Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff are very hopeful that the “They” storyline “saves the company.”
Ricci adds that the storyline is being built off Karen and Jeff Jarrett’s ‘real live heat’ with Kurt Angle and that any employee against the angle is considered to be working against the company and thus may be terminated.
— Sting, who is rumored to be returning to TNA Wrestling, is not scheduled for this week’s iMPACT tapings.
— Booker T and Kevin Nash were in negotiations to return to TNA Wrestling as late as last week, but both grapplers instead opted to return to World Wrestling Entertainment. Booker T personally informed company president Dixie Carter that he had declined TNA’s offer. Nash, however, did not. He verbally agreed to return to TNA and was slated to sign a contract this week. Carter discovered Nash bolting for WWE when the news broke online.
– Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW will take place from the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, Rhode Island. Expect plenty of fallout from last night’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view. We are officially on the road to WrestleMania, so expect the build to begin tonight.
We can report that WWE is on the verge of kicking off a major storyline that will propel several top superstars into their WrestleMania matches. We cannot confirm the specifics of the “major” angle, but as of last week, it was being strongly considered that the angle would take place tonight on RAW.
The dark match main event that’s being advertised locally is John Cena and Randy Orton vs. CM Punk and The Miz, with Michael Cole as referee.
– As we reported over the weekend, WWE has reportedly signed lucha libre star Mistico – after months of negotiations. According to a source in WWE, Mistico flew to the United States early last week to finalize the deal.
As for whether Mistico will use that same gimmick when he debuts with WWE, it appears unlikely. Mexico’s EMLL promotion owns the gimmick and the company is said to be unhappy that Mistico did not include EMLL on the negotiations, which violates an agreement he reportedly had with them. Additionally, WWE typically likes to repackage new talent it brings in, so we shall see. Mistico will be heading to WWE developmental in Florida in the coming weeks to begin his training.
Posted January 31st, 2011 in News, WWE. Tagged: Mistico.
— Awesome Kong was backstage at last night’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view event in Boston, but was not used. She is set to debut imminently. She is backstage at the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence for tonight’s Raw.
— WWE Superstars Superstars Darren Young, David Hart Smith and Primo were advertised on WWE.com for last night’s 40-Man Royal Rumble Match but ultimately excluded. All three were not backstage at the Rumble as they were informed last week that they had been taken off the show. Smith, however, is in Providence for tonight’s Raw.
— Gail Kim took to Twitter to comment on speculation she performed as a heel at Saturday’s live event due to her partnership with Maryse in a tag team match. She wrote, “People I was forced to be Maryse’s tag partner by the GM! She left me high and dry so don’t think I wanted to be her partner.I had no choice.”
— There was much criticism amongst WWE officials regarding the quality of the commentary by Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and Matt Striker during last night’s Royal Rumble broadcast.
— “Rowdy” Roddy Piper suffered a black eye at the hands of Terry Funk during a battle royal at WrestleReunion 5 in Los Angeles.
