— According to sources within WWE, Triple H is expected to return to television “at any time.”

“The Game” has been sidelined since April, after he underwent surgery to repair a torn tendon. He was expected to return over the summer, but he suffered a torn biceps while shooting a film for WWE Studios.

— WWE has reportedly axed the mascot character accompanying Jack Swagger ringside in recent weeks, the Swagger Soaring Eagle. The mascot did not accompany Swagger for his match with Daniel Bryan last Monday on Raw.

— Twin WWE Divas Brie and Nikki Bella celebrate their birthday today. They turn 27 years old.

source: F4WOnline.com

— Over the past several weeks, WWE’s creative team has continued its discussion on who will win the 2011 Royal Rumble and go to WrestleMania with a main event title shot. As recent as last week – the plan was for Randy Orton to win the Royal Rumble and go on to wrestle The Miz in April.

— Currently airing on WWE Classics On Demand is the Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view, which took place in June. Maryse notably suffered a wardrobe malfunction during the live pay-per-view broadcast, which occurred when Alicia Fox scored the winning pinfall over the French Canadian glamor model in the Divas Championship Match. The malfunction, however, is not visible on the video on demand airing, as an alternate camera angle was used in place of the original shot.

Taryn Terrell (a/k/a Tiffany), who was released from her WWE contract on Friday, posted a lengthy blog on her MySpace page thanking numerous people within the company as well as her supportive fans. She also said she would like to continue wrestling:

Thank you!

I am saddened not to be a part of WWE but I wanted to address all my supportive fans. You have been such an integral part of my WWE journey. You have supported me since the Diva Search and for that, I thank you.

I do not know what lies ahead of me but I promise to always keep you informed. WWE is an amazing company and I am so proud to have once been a WWE Diva. I met so many wonderful people and had the opportunity to train and work with some of the best in the business.

I have a few people I would like to thank, first and foremost, Billy Kidman. You worked countless hours with me at FCW, way beyond what you were paid to do and I learned so much from you. Thank you for always being honest and helping me to grow as a wrestler. Thank you for putting in so much extra time. Dr Tom…you are an amazing trainer and source of motivation. No matter what, you are always there to make us laugh and boost spirits. Thank you for the many opportunities you provided me with. Steve Keirn, you have done amazing things with FCW and dedicated your life to developing new talent. I have so much respect for the three of you. Norman Smiley, we didn’t get to work too much together but you are a wonderful person and always kept me “smiling”. Dusty Rhodes, I couldn’t have been ECW GM without you. You pushed me to be the best I could be in the Promo world. Your stories will stick with me for a lifetime.

Thank you to John Laurinaitis, Mark Carrano, Ty Bailey, and everyone in talent relations for the opportunities you gave me.

Vince McMahon has done amazing things and shaped the professional world of wrestling. I have so much respect for him and his family. Thank you for the opportunity of a lifetime.

Kevin Dunn, you were the one that gave me my start with the Diva Search. Thank you for believing in me.

Tommy Dreamer, I love you. I truly do. The day you retired from WWE I couldn’t stop crying. You are an amazing friend. You have always been there for me. If there was no one else in the world I could count on, you would still be there. You are one of my favorite people in the world. No one can make me laugh the way you do. I respect you and am so proud to call you a friend. I mean…who else would sneak me into a Britney Spears concert?!? :)
Joey Styles, you are an amazing friend and great source of advice. Thank you for always being there for me.

Howard Finkel, you are an absolute pleasure to work with and I hope those Jets are doing great this season!

Michelle, thank you for working with me. You are amazingly talented and I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to learn from you. Thank you for your patience and hours you spent working with me. You are so driven and I truly admire you.

Nattie! You worked so many hours with me. Always helped me, always trained with me. You are the worlds best and such a unique person. You have the kindest heart. I respect you and thank you for how much you cared about helping grow.

Layla, we worked together a good bit and you were my very last WWE match. Thank you for giving me some of the best matches I’ve ever had. You have grown so much and I know you will only continue to grow, rise, and stay on top. You are such an entertaining woman and I loved working with you.

Bellas!!!!!! Thank you for all the amazing fun times we shared. Tampa and on the road. you guys helped set me up with Drew and I love yall for that! I love you guys so much and will miss seeing you.

Kelly, you are such a fun-loving, beautiful girl. Thanks for being my Blondetourage Partner in Crime for a few months:)

Beth, thank you for the short time we were able to work together. You are an amazing woman and I wish we could have had the opportunity to work more.

Serena, I respect you more than you will ever know. Thank you for all that you have taught me and bringing me ice ceam and McDonalds when I was in the hospital. You are such a kind, humble soul and I am so glad we became friends.

Foxy Fox! Such a fun roommate! Girl keep rocking it!

Big Show, thank you for all the advice and being such a good friend to Drew and myself.

Fit Finlay, thank you for sharing your talent with us. As one of the most creative and the best wrestlers in the world in my opinion…I am truly honored to have learned from you.

Arn and Ricky, thank you for always giving me great advice and critiques!

Shamo, thank you for being such a good friend to my husband. I wish you the best in life.

Finally, to my husband, I love you dearly and am so happy we had an opportunity to be on the road together. I will miss not seeing you everyday. Thank you for constantly coaching me and loving me. I believe in you and I know you will be on top.

To everyone else, it was a pleasure to get to know each and every one of you. I am so happy that all of you have been a part of life.

Thank you WWE and the WWE Universe. It was an amazing ride. WWE will continue to big a part of my family as I will support my husband and be his biggest cheerleader. Everything must come to an end at some point and my journey with WWE has ended for today. Amazing company, amazing people, and as tears fall down my face I hate that I am no longer a part of the company. I have fallen in love with wrestling and have such a passion for it. I don’t want to stop wrestling and God-Willing, I won’t!

My new twitter is @taryn_terrell
Facebook.com/officialtarynterrell
TarynTerrell.com will be going live shortly

Stay tuned!

With Love,
Taryn

WWE announced this afternoon on the company website that United States Champion Daniel Bryan will defend his title against Ted DiBiase tomorrow night at the Survivor Series.

The match was advertised on Ticketmaster.com earlier this week before WWE made the match official today.

The officially announced card is as follows:

WWE Championship Match
Randy Orton (c) vs. Wade Barrett (with John Cena as the special guest referee)
Should Barrett win, Cena is freed from The Nexus. Should Barrett lose, Cena is fired from WWE.

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Edge vs. Kane (c)

WWE Intercontinental Championship Match
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Kaval

WWE United States Championship Match
Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Ted DiBiase

WWE Divas Championship Match
Natalya vs. Michelle McCool and Layla (c)

WWE Tag Team Championship Match
Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov vs. Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater (c)

Survivor Series Elimination Match
Rey Mysterio, Big Show, MVP, Kofi Kingston and Chris Masters vs. Alberto Del Rio, Jack Swagger, Drew McIntyre, Cody Rhodes and Tyler Reks

Sheamus vs. John Morrison

— On SmackDown, WWE made official an Intercontinental Championship Match for tomorrow night’s Survivor Series pay-per-view.

Dolph Ziggler will defend his belt against Kaval, who is cashing in his pay-per-view title shot from winning NXT season two.

— Former WWE Diva Tiffany has launched an account on Facebook and changed her Twitter handle to Taryn_Terrell. She is also accepting bookings and media appearances through Hollywood agent Mike Esterman (Mike@Esterman.com). Finally, she noted on Twitter that she is featured in Playboy’s Special Edition “Big Boobs, Hot Buns” issue, which is currently out on newsstands.

— Luke Gallows, who was released yesterday by WWE, is accepting bookings via bookbiglg@gmail.com. He wrote on Twitter: “Hey everyone, time to turn it UP! Im taking bookings and ready to rock out!!!!!”

WWE has released an all-new promotional poster for its TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view. The poster features Rey Mysterio diving onto a sketch drawing of a wrestler laid out on a table.

To view the poster, click here.

The event will take place on December 19, 2010 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.

In an apparent error, there is a banner ad on the front page of WWE.com advertising a Two Out Of Three Falls Match between Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio for Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view. However, no such match has been announced. A bout pitting Team Mysterio against Team Del Rio in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match is still advertised for the event on the website’s Survivor Series section.

— Greg Sansone from The Score appeared on the November 19 edition of Right After Wrestling and revealed that he was told that there will be a fourth season of NXT, featuring male wrestlers, beginning in early December. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

— Tiffany issued an additional statement on being released today by World Wrestling Entertainment.

“I am sad that I won’t be able to work with Drew (McIntyre). He is the best thing in my life and I know he is going to do amazing things with WWE,” she wrote on Twitter. “WWE is still a major part of my family and will always be. I am so proud of my husband and will be his biggest cheerleader. If it wasn’t for WWE, we would have never met. I love you Drew. Thanks for being my rock.”

— Jillian Hall, who was released today by WWE, commented on her termination on Twitter.

“I am doing very well and I’m in a great place in life! I have a lot to say, but there’s no room here, lol,” she wrote. “Thank you so much for your support.”

— Shawn Michaels said on his Twitter account that he and his family were hit by a drunk driver tonight. They are, however, okay.

“The fam & I got hit by a drunk driver 2nite @50mph. All r OK,” he wrote. “I did however jerk him out of his seat quite abruptly&say”bad” words;-)”

— A custom 2007 Chevy Avalanche honoring Eddie Guerrero and designed by Vickie Guerrero is listed for sale on eBay for $55,000.

Vickie is the only person who has possessed the vehicle, which she designed to pay tribute to her late husband.

To view the auction, click here. It concludes next Friday.

— Last night’s episode of WWE Superstars drew a 0.53 cable rating, with 611,000 viewers.

In an interview with Ariel Helwani of Fanhouse.com, UFC fighter Quinton “Rampage” Jackson said that he would absolutely wrestle for WWE after his MMA fight career is over. Rampage, who is main eventing Saturday night’s UFC 123 PPV against fellow former Light Heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, is a lifelong wrestling fan.

Rampage guest hosted RAW on June 7th with his A-Team movie co-stars and said it was a dream come true.  He told Helwani that Big Show taught him the chokeslam and Ted DiBiase was really cool. Everybody he met while hosting RAW was down to earth and the WWE superstars are “really cool people.”

Rampage said he’s a huge WWE fan and if he never became an MMA fighter, he would have been a pro wrestler. When asked if he’ll ever do it, he said “Yeah, if they’ll have me.”

He added that he would not want to undergo WWE’s hectic travel schedule due to his family at home, but would love to get involved and would work occasional angles.

Rampage also talks at length about his fight this weekend, his movie career and more. The wrestling talk is towards the end. Here’s the video ..

— Referee Aaron “Goose” Mahoney was among those cut by WWE Friday. His release, however, was not officially announced.

— Vance Archer and Tiffany took to Twitter to comment on their respective releases from World Wrestling Entertainment.

“It is what it is. I ain’t done by a long shot. Bet that,” he wrote. “ThankU to all for all the support.”

Meanwhile, Tiffany added, “Thank you WWE for an amazing journey. I am saddened by the news but forever grateful for the experience. Blog to come later today. Thank you to all my supportive fans. You are wonderful.”

— The recently revamped WWEShop.com features an Alumni section and Raw Superstar Zack Ryder is listed among the likes of Jake Roberts, Kamala and Rick Rude. The company recently released its first clothing merchandise on Ryder, a “Basics” T-shirt.

World Wrestling Entertainment confirmed this afternoon that the organization has come to terms on the release of the following superstars and divas:

• Shad Gaspard
• Luke Gallows
• Vance Archer
• Caylen Croft
• Tiffany
• Jillian

In typical fashion, WWE wished each them the best in all future endeavors.

After checking with a WWE source – we can confirm that even more releases are expected either today or in the very near future.

WWE recently released 7 wrestlers from developmental contracts and a long-time WWE is also gone .. You can read more on those stories below:

• WWE Releases 7 Developmental Talents
• Creative Writer Parts Ways With WWE

— Longtime WWE creative team member Christopher DeJoseph has parted ways with the company, according to prowresting.net. DeJoseph had worked closely with Michael Hayes on the SmackDown creative team and has appeared on WWE television before as the overweight, oiled-up, bowtie and thong-wearing dancer (I can’t believe I just typed that) “Big Dick Johnson.”

It was speculated over the weekend that he would be leaving and Wednesday was his final show.

No word on why he left or who will take his place. One wrestler who called DeJoseph this week  received his voice mail and was then told by others within creative to deal with them instead.

– Michael Solomon has resigned from his position on the WWE Board of Directors. Solomon had been a board member for nine years and  the board for nine years and was previously the head of Gladwyne Partners.

During his time with WWE, he did not earn a salary but was given scompany tock valued at just under $100,000 for the past few years.

— A reliable source within WWE has informed us that many releases are coming soon and will be starting today. Stay tuned.

(Partial Source: pwinsider.com)

Nexus leader Wade Barrett was interviewed this week by IGN to promote Sunday’s WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view. You can read the full interview at IGN.com. Here are some highlights of what Barrett said about:

His Experience As A Bare Knuckle Boxer In The UK:

“Yeah, that’s something I started doing in my early 20’s. I used to live in Liverpool and I knew some people who were involved in that world. They made me an offer to do some fighting for them. It was something that wasn’t strictly legal. It was something that was under the cover of darkness, as it were. But it was something that I enjoyed at the time and I made some decent money out of it and it was something that I was quite successful at. So I enjoyed doing it.”

The Nexus Storyline Still Going & Being So Successful

“Yes. I think with how fast and how often Pay Per Views come around nowadays and how quick storylines turn around and evolve – and you’re right, things do move a lot faster now – but that being said I think it’s a testament to the writing and the performances that we’ve managed to keep it fresh and keep ourselves relevant in the fans’ minds so that people are still enjoying it and it’s not something that’s gotten old quickly. I think that’s a testament to how hard people have work and how well we’ve been able to pull off the ideas that the creative geniuses have come up with. I think if it’s good TV then it’s going to keep on going and there’s no reason to stop it. And hopefully it’s going to keep on being on TV for a while longer yet.”

His WWE Title Match Against Randy Orton at Survivor Series:

“This time I’m going to be on my own against Randy Orton with John Cena as the referee, and it’s a huge moment for me and it really shows how much I’ve come in the last year, considering one year ago I was wrestling in developmental for FCW and I wasn’t on TV or anything like that,” said Barrett. “And now, less than a year later, I’m Main Eventing one of the top pay-per-views of the year. It’s a big honor and I’m very proud of it.”

* Wade Barrett ARRESTED In 2008 – View His MUGSHOT Picture Here

WWE Hall of Famer & former WWE Champion “Stone Cold” Steve Austin was one of the featured guests on this week’s live edition (11/15/10) of the award-winning Monday Night Mayhem radio show.

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin Discusses The Latest On The Rumors Of His WWE Return, His Commitment To The Movie Industry Since Leaving World Wrestling Entertainment, The Release Of “Hunt To Kill,” How Certain Aspects Of The Film Mirror What He Has Gone Through In His Personal Life, A Sneak Preview Of His Newest Picture (“Hangar 14”), Who He Feels Inspired The “Stone Cold” Promos The Most, Being “Handpicked” By “The Hitman” For Bret Hart’s Comeback Match At The 1996 Survivor Series, & The Legacy Of Eddie Guerrer.

Click Here to listen to an MP3 of Ausitn’s appearance on The Mayhem.

Interview highlights courtesy of The Mayhem’s official correspondent, Paterson from New Jersey:

How he was approached to appear in Hunt to Kill & how certain aspects of the film mirror what he has gone through in his personal life: “We were doing an outdoor scene for another movie, and we were looking around. It was a rainforest similar to one we shot ‘Hunt to Kill’ in, and my manager says ‘Hey man, this could be your next movie. We’ll call it ‘Hunt to Kill,’ and we just came up with the title right there. We hired a writer to write it. Obviously, it was tailored to me. I grew up hunting, fishing, riding ATV’s, shooting bows and all the weapons, and it’s just what I do. So we wrote the story around me. I am in my element. As far as my relationship with my daughter in the movie, I’m trying raise her as a single father, and she really doesn’t know me, and I really don’t know her. From my 15 years on the road, I’ve kind of been in a similar situation with my two daughters. Sometimes I’ve been gone for too long, so I kind of drew from that, and that was one of things enjoyed about the movie.”

His commitment to movies since making the transition from World Wrestling Entertainment: “I’m having fun, and I’m getting a chance to be more selective with the material. Sometimes when you’re just looking for a start, you’re just looking for any kind of vehicle to jump in. Now I can be picky and choosy about what I jump in and have more control over what I do. Back in the day when I jumped in that business I was greener than the grass, and it was a lot of work and dedication. I turned into a hell of an in-ring performer and sold a lot of tickets. My goal in anything I’ve ever done, from my athletic background in high school trying to be the best athlete that I can be, you’ve got to apply yourself. I don’t care what you’re doing, if you’re going to do something, you want to be the absolute best that you can be. With that being said, I’m not trying to be Daniel Day Lewis or Marlon Brando, but I’m damn sure trying to be the best actor that I can be and find the combination of what works for me as far as success in the movie industry.”

What is was like being “handpicked” by Bret “The Hitman” Hart for his comeback match at the 1996 Survivor Series at Madison Square Garden & why the build-up and the match itself ranks so highly on his personal list of his favorite matches of all-time: “That’s probably my #3 favorite match of all-time, behind WrestleMania 13 with Bret Hart and X-Seven with The Rock, which was absolutely tremendous. That Survivor Series match and the promos leading up to it, I was basically handpicked by Bret for him to make his comeback after some kind of treatment on his knee. He was making his comeback. I was starting to gather a lot of momentum as ‘Stone Cold,’ but still in the heel vain. It was an old-school wrestling match. I watched that match probably three months ago doing cardio in my garage. The ring was mic’d different. Madison Square Garden has that aurora, that feeling about it, and that atmosphere. That was a bad-ass match, and I think very highly of that match, and it was just that, a wrestling match.”

What he remembers the most about working with/being around Eddie Guerrero & what he feels Guerrero’s legacy will be in the business: “I was always in awe of everything that Eddie did. I could watch a match with a normal wrestling fan, and because I’ve been in the business so long and because what I lived, and breathed, and understand about the business, I could look at the little things that Eddie did, and just some of his body language, and the charisma he had in the ring. I’m a huge Stevie Ray Vaughn fan, and when you watch and listen to Vaughn play the guitar, he is that instrument, and it plays through his heart. He’s just endless and flowless. He never stops creating, and to me, that’s what Eddie Guerrero was in the ring. He just never stopped, and everything came so natural to him. When he was in a ring, it seemed like that was when he was at his happiest. He was a true bad-ass hand in the ring and a superstar. I’ve got a ton of respect for Eddie Guerrero, and he is on my list of all-time most gifted and talented workers that ever got in the ring.”

After the rumors have been swirling for the past several weeks of Steve returning to the WWE for a comeback/final match, along with him potentially guest starring on a forthcoming edition of Monday Night RAW, what does this message & demand by the fans tell Steve: “First of all, I heard the rumors that I was going to be in New York, but I know nothing of it, because I plan on being deer hunting at my ranch in South Texas. I will say this: I’m proud of my wrestling career. Wrestling is what I wanted to do with my life. I love the industry back then, and I still do today. Above and beyond that, I love my wrestling fans, and I broke and busted my ass to put on a good product that they could enjoy, and that’s what I enjoyed doing. My style was what I lived, and thrived, and loved doing. If it wasn’t for my wrestling background, I wouldn’t be where I am today and had the opportunities that I’ve had. Those are rumors. I can’t say that it’s true, because like I said, I’m going to go make a movie, go deer hunting, and then go make another movie. I wish I had some kind of answers to that. I think people want to see real hardcore entertainment and stop the sugar coating. I’m not saying I’m the only one that can do it, because there are a lot of guys that can do it, but it doesn’t need to be so candy coated.”

WWE Chariman and CEO Vince McMahon has signed a new employment contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. Effective January 1, 2011, Mr. McMahon will remain with the company for three more years, with the contract renewing each year beyond that unless either party chooses not to extend.

Aside from his current duties as Chairman and CEO, he will serve as Creative Director as well as be a writer and performer.

Mr. McMahon’s annual base salary will be $1,100,000 and he’ll be entitled to an annual bonus target of 100% of base salary, depending on “degree of achievement of corporate and individual performance.” He’s entitled to 4 weeks of paid vacation per year.

The entire McMahon family (and their invited guests) will have unlimited access to WWE’s corporate jet for personal use when the aircraft is not needed for business purposes.

In the event that his relationship with WWE is terminated, Vince McMahon cannot compete against WWE or its affiliates for up to one year after termination.

If he is terminated or resigns with good reason, he will receive twice the amount each of his base salary and annual target bonus along with other accrued benefits.

You can read WWE’s official filing with the at Securities And Exchange Commission at Corporate.WWE.com.

– John Cena wrote the following on Twitter after Monday’s RAW:

“CeNation. Officially don’t care anymore what wade thinks or says. Had time to reflect and if i get fired, im ok with it. Sorry to keep quiet for so long. That will never happen again. I have been able to read all of your messages. Thank u to all.”

– Vince McMahon did not fly to Europe for last week’s set of television tapings and was thus Triple H’s first time of being in charge of events in his recently promoted role as the WWE Chairman’s senior advisor. It is said that while the atmosphere appeared different, it was in a positive manner.

– In the intro titling for WWE’s profile on Bruno Sammartino in their Top 50 Superstars of All Time DVD set, his last name is misspelled as “Summartino.”

In what many are calling a prime example of why the list is a joke – Sammartino is ranked No. 24.

(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

WWE SmackDown on Syfy

WWE taped Friday’s episode of Smackdown on Tuesday from the Richmond Coliseum in Richmond, Virginia.

Credit to reader Rusty Kendall and Wrestling News World for these results:

Dark Match:

* Caylen Croft b. Luke Gallows

Smackdown (Airing Friday on SyFy):

* Alberto Del Rio came out to open the show. He ran down the legends that appeared on Monday’s “Old School” Raw and boasted about beating Sgt. Slaughter. MVP came out and assured Del Rio he’ll never be a legend and he’s a nobody. MVP asked Del Rio for a match but Del Rio told him he couldn’t handle him. Del Rio called for Drew McIntyre, one of his teammates at Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view, to come out and face him.

* MVP b. Drew McIntyre

* Backstage, Edge taunts Paul Bearer who is still tied to a wheelchair.

* World Heavyweight Champion Kane bursts into Teddy Long’s office and questions where Paul Bearer is very similar to how he went on a rampage looking for The Undertaker’s “attacker” a couple of month ago.

* Jack Swagger b. Chris Masters via submission in the anklelock.

* Edge is shown still somewhat torturing Paul Bearer.

* Kaval b. WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler in a non-title match. After the bout, he reminded Dolph he has a title match at an upcoming pay-per-view because of his WWE NXT Season 2 win. He says he wants Ziggler on Sunday at Survivor Series for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.

* “Dashing” Cody Rhodes b. Kofi Kingston

* Backstage, World Heavyweight Champion Kane is still on a rampage searching for Paul Bearer.

* WWE Divas Champion(s) LayCool b. Natalya & Kelly Kelly. Layla pinned Natalya.

* Backstage, Edge lures World Heavyweight Champion Kane in by revealing Paul Bearer. He attacks Kane then drives off with his “father”.

* Big Show b. Tyler Reks

* Rey Mysterio b. Alberto Del Rio via disqualification when Team Del Rio came out and beat up Rey. Team Mysterio made the save. Teddy Long came out and announced since both teams were already in the ring we’d have a Survivor Series Battle Royal preview tonight.

* Big Show won a 10-man Battle Royal featuring Alberto Del Rio, Tyler Reks, Cody Rhodes, Drew McIntyre, Jack Swagger, Rey Mysterio, Kofi Kingston, MVP and Chris Masters. Show eliminated Swagger with help from Mysterio tow in the match. Following the bout, Show and Mysterio celebrated.

Dark Match Main Event:

* Big Show b. World Heavyweight Champion Kane via disqualification when Kane used the title belt.

— Sean Morley (a/k/a Val Venis) will not be returning to WWE as a performer. He was on hand for the company’s “Old School” episode of Raw and was trained to be a producer. It was said to be more of tryout to see if he’s adequate enough to be a producer now.

The former WWE Intercontinental Champion was telling promoters he was going on WWE’s recent tour of Europe. It is unclear whether Venis attended the television tapings, but he worked a show for NWS over the weekend and is once again accepting independent bookings.

— Attendance figures for initial shows of WWE’s European tour were: Nov. 5 in Cardiff, Wales, was 4,900 (sold out) for $311,003; Nov. 6 in Birmingham, was 10,533 paying $578,608; Nov. 7 in Nottingham was 6,885 paying $331,744; Nov. 7 in Glasgow was 5,050 (sold out) paying $361,344.

— Thirty percent of viewers of recent episodes of Monday Night Raw have been over the age of fifty.

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Below are updated details for WWE’s 2011 pay-per-view schedule:

Royal Rumble
1/30/2011
Boston, MA
TD Garden

Elimination Chamber
2/20/2011
Oakland, CA
Oracle Arena

WrestleMania XXVII
4/3/2011
Atlanta, GA
Georgia Dome

WWE Extreme Rules
5/1/2011
Tampa, FL
St. Pete Times Forum

WWE Over the Limit
5/22/2011
Seattle, WA
Key Arena

WWE Fatal 4-Way
6/19/2011
Washington, DC
Verizon Center

WWE Money in the Bank
7/17/2011
Chicago, IL
Allstate Arena

SummerSlam
8/14/2011
Los Angeles, CA
Staples Center

Night of Champions
9/18/2011
Buffalo, NY
HSBC Arena

Hell in a Cell
10/2/2011
New Orleans, LA
New Orleans Arena

WWE Bragging Rights
10/23/2011
San Antonio, TX
AT&T Center

WWE Survivor Series
11/20/2011
New York, NY
Madison Square Garden

WWE TLC
12/18/2011
Philadelphia, PA
Wells Fargo Center

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:

Monday’s Old School RAW: “Even though I felt that I was a little rusty on commentary, I had a super time working with King and being back at ringside. It’s hard to simply walk away from something that’s in one’s DNA and that has been such a prominent part of one’s life for four decades. It had been 13 months since I last called a wrestling bout but after listening to the show after I arrived home on Tuesday it seemed to go o.k. I’ve never called a perfect bout and likely never will be the goal is always be work diligently to be better the next time than one was the last time. Finding or residing in one’s comfort zone is the kiss of death”

Michael Cole’s Character: “Lots of fans have sent me emails and Tweets, @JRsBBQ, regarding Michael Cole’s performance during the Swagger-Bryan bout and be assured that Michael was simply doing his job and embellishing upon his new, antagonist persona. There are no issues here I can assure you. If I helped folks dislike Cole’s new persona then I accomplished one objective it would seem.”

Rowdy Roddy Piper’s Segment On RAW: “Roddy Piper arguably did more in his brief albeit impactful time on Raw to promote the Survivor Series main event of Orton vs. Barrett w/ Cena as the special referee than anyone has done on Raw or elsewhere since the storyline began. Awesome job by Piper who can still be ‘money.’ Roddy looked better than I have seen him in years and has made some important, life style changes that were evident when speaking with him and subsequently watching him perform. In my opinion, Roddy Piper stole the show Monday at Raw. FYI, Roddy’s son Colt is still actively pursuing a career as a MMA fighter of which has my interest. Keep an eye out for Colt Toombs.”

Former WWE and TNA star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman went on Twitter this week and ranted about a number of topics, including why he wasn’t contacted to appear at “Old School” RAW, WWE’s Wellness policy, his release from TNA and more.

Here are some highlights of what Waltman wrote on Twitter.com/therealxpac:

Not Being Contacted To Appear On “Old School” RAW:

“I dont know why I wasnt at Old School Raw. Maybe everyone should call them and ask them. (203) 352 8600. they are going to kill me for that. Dont tell them I told you to call though:) Not that they wont find out anyway, with all the wwe undercover operatives scanning twitterverse. Maybe I just slipped their mind. If u listen to their version of history, i barely existed.”

Waltman has been outspoken about WWE’s PG product and suspects that his comments may have put him on bad terms with the company. He tweeted:

“F— em if they cant take a joke. 4 f— sakes, the election is over. Enough with the PG bulls— Vince. I love you Boss, but come on.”

“Trust me, Im not trying to get a job. Im doing fine & having fun. I just like to play harmless ribs. Someone’s gonna be pissed though. lol!”

WWE’s Wellness Policy & Whether He’d Quit Weed To Get A Job With WWE:

“No. I wouldnt. Thats my own choice & even Vince doesnt want to stop the boys from smoking weed. Its a bs policy.”

“As long as there testing for marijuana, which is totally retarded, I will not pass their drug test. They will drop the pot thing. watch”

“Drop the marijuana policy. The IOC doesnt even ban it, except during competition. F— it, While your at it, lay off the steroid policy too. People want to see guys with great bodies & the boys want to take it.”

“Now the ban on somas & the whole wellness policy in general is great. That would give WWE an idea if anyone’s health is affected.”

His Release From TNA:

“Everyone ask Dixie Carter why TNA chose to announce I no showed Lockdown when they knew my situation over 1 wk prior.”

“Also ask Dixie Carter why she told me we would get through this together & then I received a an e mail saying weve got nothing for you.”And even though they could really use me. Im not looking for a job there either. TNA that is. Dixie Carter is a good woman however.”

“TNA did not f— me at all. Just shoot strait with me. Too many people there who feel threatened by me, behind the scenes.”

“But I was part of the reason Konnan won his lawsuit vs TNA for racial descrimination. Im surprised they brought me back anyway. Some people in TNA were wrong & they were guilty. I witnessed it & had the balls not to remain silent. I get the reason they dont want me..”

UFC Heavyweight Roy Nelson

As we reported last week, there’s a current UFC fighter who is interested in wrestling for WWE in the near future. That fighter is former International Fight League Heavyweight Champion and winner of “The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights,” Roy Nelson.

There’s some interesting backstory to the situation. Nelson has been fighting for UFC in his last few fights, but there’s a legal mess that’s preventing him from fighting anywhere now. Either before or during the time that he was signed with UFC, Nelson signed a contract with former boxer Roy Jones’ Square Ring, Inc. promotion.

Square Ring, Inc. has sued Roy Nelson and Zuffa LLC (UFC’s parent company), claiming they have exclusive rights over Nelson’s MMA career. Because UFC’s contracts typically include a clause that would indemnify Zuffa from any lawsuits arising from a fighter breaching contracts with other companies (such as Square Ring), all the legal heat is now coming down on Nelson. The legal bills are piling up, Nelson can’t fight for UFC, Square Ring isn’t booking any big MMA shows and “Big Country” needs a big payday.

Nelson’s management team thinks working with WWE could be the solution and has reached out to the company about working together. No word yet if WWE is interested in working with Nelson, but this will be an interesting story to follow.

Roy Nelson is a 34-year-old brawler known for his unorthodox body type – sporting a big gut and tipping the scales at around 265 pounds. Prior to this legal mess, Nelson had been a rumored opponent for former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

According to an article on WWE.com documenting the history of The Nexus, Skip Sheffield is no longer considered a member of the group.

The article states: “Immediately following that heinous first attack, the stalwart Bryan expressed remorse for his actions and parted ways with The Nexus, while Tarver, Sheffield and Young were later deemed unworthy of the rebels’ signature armband either due to exile or injury. However, as witnessed by the WWE Universe, the group only grew stronger and more streamlined as a result of the changes within its ranks.”

During the Aug. 18 live event in Honolulu, Hawaii, Sheffield injured his ankle in a tag team match with David Otunga against The Hart Dynasty. It was later determined that he suffered a compound fracture of his ankle and was initially expected to be out for four to six months.

Sheffield was never officially booted from the group on television. Wade Barrett acknowledged in passing during an interview on the Aug. 30 episode of Raw that Sheffield suffered an ankle injury.

– Daniel Bryan posted a message on Twitter about WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross calling his match on Monday’s “Old School” RAW:

“Just watched Monday’s RAW. Jim Ross is still the absolute BEST. It was an honor and a thrill to hear him to do commentary on my match.”

– Nexus member Skip Sheffield is still on crutches after suffering a broken ankle back in August. His injury is expected to keep him out of action for at least 3 more months.

– After choosing physical rehabilitation instead of surgery to heal his torn glute muscle, CM Punk is now considered a “sure thing” for WrestleMania. He could return as soon as January. Punk will be joining the ringside announcing team on this week’s Superstars and will likely continue that function until he’s healthy.

(Partial Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)