– WWE announced on this week’s NXT show that the current season will run another four weeks on the official company website. The season finale will air on November 30th and will be taped from Norfolk, Virginia.

– Rookie Diva Maxine was eliminated from NXT this week .. Following the announcement, Maxine vowed she’ll be back and says will reach the top of WWE’s Divas division.

– In case you missed it on NXT, Aksana slapped Goldust after marrying him. Ted DiBiase Jr. tried crashing the wedding but was stopped by his father, The Million Dollar Man. Now that she’s married Goldust, Aksana won’t be deported. The wedding also saw cameos from Dusty Rhodes and Cody Rhodes.

Here’s some more information regarding Linda McMahon’s Senate campaign loss ..

– There were major voting irregularities in the city of Bridgepot , where WWE held a live SmackDown even while the polls were still open. Seeing that WWE had scheduled a live event in a Democratic district on Election night, the Republican party got a  court order to keep the polling places open later to help correct those irregularities.

– An NBC reporter who was at the polling places  reported that women voters were turned off by Linda’s ties to WWE and the way WWE treats women on TV.

– Based on exit-poll data, Connecticut voters felt 40% to 11% that Linda McMahon’s relationship with WWE made them less likely to vote for her. Almost 70% of voters said they believe she “unfairly attacked” her opponent Richard Blumenthal.

– Male voters supported Blumenthal 52% to 45% while female voters also supported Blumenthal, 60% to 39%. Linda won with white male voters, 50% to 48%. Blumenthal won with white female voters, 56% to 43%.

– The only age demographic that Linda won with was voters over the age of 65 years old, with 52% to 46%. Linda failed to reach the younger and middle-aged voters.

Vince McMahon, Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Shane McMahon, WWE lawyer Jerry McDevitt and other members of the McMahons’ inner circle joined Linda as she gave her concession speech in Connecticut on Tuesday night.

Linda called this past year campaigning “unbelievable” and thanked everyone for their hard work. Linda said, “no matter what, I consider this a victory.”

CBS News in New York has posted an audio clip of Linda McMahon’s concession speech, which you can listen to here.

FOX News is projecting Democratic Candidate Richard Blumenthal defeated Republican candidate Linda McMahon in the United States Senate race out of the state of Connecticut.

NBC News has also projected Blumenthal defeated McMahon, although no margin of error was given.

CNN projected based on raw exit poll data a potential 15 point margin of victory for Blumenthal.

Here’s video of Linda’s concession speech:

– Last night’s episode of Monday Night Raw drew a 3.26 cable rating, which is up from previous week’s 3.07 figure. The show averaged 4.8 million viewers over the course of two hours and finished second in the cable ratings race to Monday Night Football.

— The following SmackDown stars are being advertised to appear on WWE’s “Old School” edition of Monday Night Raw on Nov. 15 in Hershey, Pennsylvania: WWE World Heavyweight Champion Kane, Edge, Rey Mysterio, Big Show, Jack Swagger and Kofi Kingston.

Early plans for the show call for the program to be a throwback to 1993 with no pyro and the first season intro to be played. “Legends” confirmed to appear on the show include Sgt. Slaughter, Dusty Rhodes, Jimmy Snuka, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, The Iron Sheik, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Arn Anderson and Irwin R. Schyster.

— Syfy has announced that Edge will play the role of “an abnormal” named Thelo in the season finale of Sanctuary (scheduled to air in spring 2011).

Sanctuary airs Friday night at 10:00 p.m., immediately following SmackDown.

– Today is Darren Young’s birthday. He turns 31 years old.

(Partial source: f4wonline.com)

The Miami Herald has posted a copy of the letter that the United States Department of Justice sent to World Wrestling Entertainment regarding its announcement that free WWE merchandise would be given away near the polls in Connecticut on Election Day. Here’s the letter

U.S. Department of Justice
Criminal Division
Public Integrity Section
Washington D.C. 20530

November 1, 2010

BY ELECTRONIC MAIL

Jerry S. McDevitt, Esq
K&L Gates Center
210 Sixth Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15222-2613

Dear Mr. McDevitt:

Re: World Wrestling Entertainment

The Department of Justice has recently received information that your client, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), might be providing or planning to provide free merchandise to voters at polling places. However, the available information also indicates that if this practice is actually planned or occurring, it is open and notorious. Accordingly, this letter is to advise you that WWE might be operating in ignorance of applicable federal criminal law, and to notify you of that law.

Specifically, Section 1973i(c) of Title 42 of the United States Code makes it a federal offense to pay or offer to pay an individual a thing of value for voting. Violation of Section 1973i(c) is punishable by imprisonment for up to five years and a fine not to exceed $250,000. Please note the Department’s understanding that this statute prohibits a person from providing a thing of value — such as clothing — in return for an individual’s participation in the voting process.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Richard C. Pilger
Director
Election Crimes Branch

UFC Heavyweight Roy Nelson

Former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar (5-2) took a beating at the hands of new champion Cain Velasquez at UFC 121 last month, but he’s already looking ahead to his next fight in the octagon.

According to f4wonline.com, Lesnar his sights set on the winner of The Ultimate Fighter: Heavyweights, Roy “Big Country Nelson (15-5)

Nelson was set to fight Shane Carwin at UFC 125, but Carwin had to pull out of the fight, leaving Nelson off that show.

Despite the fact that Lesnar has asked Dana White for a fight with Nelson, there are still may in the UFC who see big money in a third and final fight between Brock Lesnar and Frank Mir (14-5).

Mir tapped Lesnar out in Lesnar’s UFC debut back in February 2008. Lesnar returned the favor at UFC 100 back in June 2009, smothering Mir with his wrestling / ground-and-pound offense, unifying the UFC heavyweight title.

Who do you want to see Brock Lesnar fight next? Comment below and share your thoughts.

Preliminary creative plans for 2011 include John Cena facing Wade Barrett at the Royal Rumble as well as Barrett facing The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXVII.

Based on WWE’s reported plans, it would suggest Barrett wins the WWE Championship at Survivor Series and subsequently loses the belt to Cena at the Royal Rumble, likely setting up Cena vs. Orton for the strap at WrestleMania XXVII.

Undertaker, however, is in desperate need of shoulder surgery, and there is much concern internally that if he gets it, he won’t be healthy in time for WrestleMania XXVII.

(source: f4wonline.com)

– As we reported earlier, there is a great deal of concern in WWE over the current talent situation, with so many superstars injured (Read More). Two of the top stars in WWE who are injured and will likely require surgery in the coming weeks are CM Punk and The Undertaker.

Punk will be having surgery this week to repair a torn tendon in either his hop or lower back. There is still a good chance that Punk will be healthy in time for WrestleMania, but we’ll have a better idea of his recovery time following surgery. There had been plans for a feud between CM Punk and WWE United States champion Daniel Bryan – which has the potential to be a great program.

As for the Undertaker, he likely needs shoulder surgery .. Of course, the big concern is that he’s healthy in time for WrestleMania.

– WWE will tape this week’s episodes of NXT and Friday Night SmackDown tonight from The Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Confirmed for tonight’s NXT is the wedding of Aksana and Goldust … Will Ted DiBiase and Maryse get involved? Also, a Rookie Diva will also be eliminated on tonight’s show. Naomi Knight has immunity from elimination.

On SmackDown, Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio has been announced as the main event. Advertised locally are Kane, Jack Swagger, Big Show and Rey Mysterio although Rey Mysterio wrestling is highly unlikely due to his ear injuiry.

– For those who have emailed us asking about the segment on RAW where Vince McMahon was said to be in a coma, the official WWE website says the situation stems from the beatdown Vince took from Nexus on RAW months ago.

– Speaking of that strange McMahon/coma/dream segment from RAW, many within WWE think that Vince McMahon talking about his wife’s Senate campaign was their way of making light of the situation in case Linda McMahon gets blown out today on Election Day. Of course Linda’s campaign is hopeful for a surprise win, but she was trailing by almost double digits as of Monday.

– There is a lot of concern within WWE right now due to the lack of talent depth on both the RAW and SmackDown rosters. Between all the superstars getting injured (Undertaker, Triple H, CM Punk), leaving the company (Shawn Michaels, Batista) and the company not elevating new stars until recently, the feeling is that the roster is the weakest it has been in years and the company needs to get its young talent over fast.

(Partial source: f4wonline.com)

— Kevin Nash, who recently became a free agent after he and TNA were unable to reach terms on a new contract, went on Twitter on Monday night and pitched an idea to Vince McMahon for him to return to WWE .. Nash, who was a booker for WCW back in the early 2000’s, seems to have the perfect scenario lined up for his return:

“Vince let me in the Rumble if I win i get taker at mania.If I lose I’ll join the kiss your ass club the next raw…………….DEAL?”

– WWE has announced that Miss USA Rima Fakih will be the guest star of the November 29th episode of WWE’s Monday Night RAW. That 3-hour edition of RAW from Philadelphia, PA will feature the return of the King of the Ring tournament. Fakih will be there to promote the Pink Fund,” which helps breast cancer patients pay for their medical bills.

– The Great Khali is being advertised for several upcoming RAW live events, so it looks like  Khali has been in India for a few months filming a reality TV show.

— Triple H made a brief cameo on Monday’s WWE RAW, but he was only heard – not seen. Triple H spoke to Stephanie while in bed during the Raw segment with Stephanie McMahon’s dream of her father in the hospital, being tended to by his doctor, Freddie Prinze Jr.

— In a dark mach that took place after Monday’s RAW went off the air, WWE Champion Randy Orton defended the title in a triple threat match against Wade Barrett and Sheamus.

Orton started off going after Wade Barrett, but was taken out by Sheamus. The heels beat down Orton for a few minutes, until Orton reversed a double clothesline and took them out. Orton gave Wade Barrett the middle finger and threw him outside of the ring. Orton worked over Sheamus before hitting the RKO on Wade Barrett for the win. A reader who sent in the match report said the crowd popped big for the finish.

• PICTURES of Triple H’s WWE Return Over The Weekend: MUCH Smaller & No Beard

Former WWE Women’s Champion Amy “Lita”Dumas made an appearance on Monday’s episode of WWE RAW in a segment with Pee-Wee Herman, Melina, Mark Henry, Eve Torres and The Bella Twins.

According to a WWE source, Lita’s appearance on RAW was a one-time deal and she has not re-signed with World Wrestling Entertainment.

Lita is known to be a big Pee-Wee Herman fan and was called over the weekend to see if she was interested.

• Pictures of LITA Dressed As A ZOMBIE Eating BRAINS!

— It was advertised tonight during a commercial on Raw that Edge would be squaring off against Alberto Del Rio this Friday on SmackDown.

— Tonight, John Cena became the first WWE Superstar to accumulate 200,000 followers on Twitter.

— The Smackdown house show on January 9, 2011 will be held at the Knoxville Coliseum in Knoxville, Tennessee. Tickets go on sale November 20, 2010. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

— The following matches were taped for this Thursday’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America:

* Jimmy and Jey Uso vs. Mark Henry (Handicap Match)
* Gail Kim vs. Alicia Fox

— Yoshi Tatsu beat Primo in a dark match prior to tonight’s Raw broadcast in Long Island, New York.

— World Wrestling Entertainment has registered a trademark on “AWA”, for use in toys and action figures, clothing and other non-wrestling purposes.

source: PWInsider.com

— The WWE website is advertising a match pitting The Miz against Rey Mysterio for tonight’s Raw.

— The WWE website has removed Katie Lea Burchill from its Alumni section. The former WWE Diva recently debuted in TNA Wrestling under the name Winter.

— WWE Hall of Famer Bobby “The Brain” Heenan celebrates his 66th birthday today.

— The October 29 episode of SmackDown scored a 1.65 cable rating, setting a record low mark for the series on Syfy. The Oct. 22 episode was the series’ previous low, with a 1.70 rating.

Smackdown averaged 2,444,000 viewers over the course of two hours, setting a low mark on Syfy. Viewership was down ten percent compared to the previous week’s 2,662,000 number.

— The advertised dark match main event for the November 22 Monday Night Raw taping is a Fatal Four Way Match with Randy Orton defending the WWE Championship against John Cena, Wade Barrett and Sheamus.

— A match pitting Rey Mysterio against The Miz was originally scheduled for tonight’s Raw broadcast, but is considered doubtful after Mysterio missed weekend live events due to an inner ear imbalance—which is causing him dizziness and nausea.

(sources: Pro Wrestling Torch, pwinsider.com, f4wonline.com)

WWE issued the following press release on Monday:

STAMFORD, Conn., November 1, 2010 – Not so coincidently after President Obama’s visit to Connecticut this past weekend and on the eve of the midterm elections, WWE is being threatened by the U.S. Department of Justice of the Obama Administration with potential criminal activity for distributing WWE t-shirts near select polling stations tomorrow on Election Day.

“This is clearly heavy-handed bullying from big government and would appear to be desperate political activity in closely contested elections in Connecticut,” said Vince McMahon, Chairman and CEO World Wrestling Entertainment. “This is consistent with some Attorney Generals’ tactics that threaten litigation for political gain.”

Under this ambiguous threat of legal action by the U.S. Department of Justice, WWE has reluctantly decided not to give away WWE merchandise near select polling stations tomorrow.

The controversy began with Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz’s directive stating “if poll workers feel like the wearing of WWE paraphernalia is in any way interfering with the voting process, they can ask the individual to cover it up or come back with something else on.” The directive was ultimately overturned by a Federal Judge last week. Subsequently, to celebrate the victory of restoring voters’ rights, WWE had planned to give away WWE merchandise at select polls to anyone regardless of political affiliation or whether they intended to vote.

WWE and video game publisher THQ sent out the following press release on Monday:

THQ and WWE(R) Announce Integrated Marketing Agreement

THQ Expects to Reach More WWE Fans by Aligning Marketing with WWE’s Full Range of Products and Events Throughout the Year

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., Nov 01, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) — THQ Inc. and World Wrestling Entertainment today announced a new, comprehensive marketing agreement. THQ-developed, WWE-branded video games will be integrated into domestic and international events, pay-per-view and television sponsorships, magazines, WWE.com, WWE DVDs, and more. In addition, for the first time, THQ will host interactive gaming kiosks at 40 WWE live events. This significantly expands THQ’s previous marketing efforts concentrated around the launch of individual WWE video games.

“This strategic marketing agreement reflects the benefits of working more closely with WWE to maximize the interactive entertainment experience for fans of this leading sports entertainment brand,” said THQ President and CEO Brian Farrell. “We expect to increase awareness of our games through this new integrated program. Beyond that, we are expanding our WWE video game offerings with social applications and brand extensions to help WWE fans enjoy different interactive experiences throughout the year.”

THQ Marketing Agreement Key Features:

THQ video game kiosks featuring WWE(R) SmackDown(R) vs. Raw(R) 2011 and WWE(R) All Stars(TM) hosted at 40 WWE live events from Tuesday, October 26, 2010 through Saturday, April 16, 2011. High profile sponsorship of WWE pay-per-views and television programming, with greater in-program integration of THQ video games. Significantly increased online presence, including year-round participation on WWE.com. Integration of video game launches with WWE international events. Cross-promotion in 15-20 WWE DVDs.

“We are pleased to move our partnership forward in a broader, more comprehensive way,” said WWE Chie Operating Officer Donna Goldsmith. “Working together, we plan to give our fans more access to all of the great interactive entertainment being created by THQ, as well as develop robust promotions to increase awareness of all WWE platforms.”

In addition to working more closely with WWE from a marketing perspective, THQ is developing an array of products built around the WWE brand. This suite of products includes social media, iPhone and iPad applications, console brand extensions, and a powerful community site. The goal is to enable WWE video game fans to stay connected all year long.

– Tonight’s episode of WWE’s Monday Night RAW will take place from the Nassau Coliseum in Long Island, New York. Comedian Pee-Wee Herman will be the show’s guest star. As of last week, there were plans to incorporate characters from “Pee-Wee’s Playhouse” into the show .. Pee-Wee is the last celebrity on WWE’s schedule of RAW guest stars.

No matches have been announced as of Monday morning, but last week WWE teased Rey Mysterio vs. The Miz  for tonight.

Local advertisements are promoting that WWE Champion Randy Orton will defend against John Cena, Sheamus and Wade Barrett in a fatal fourway match as the dark match main event.

– Former New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani has endorsed Linda McMahon’s Unites States Senate campaign. At a campaign rally in Windsor, Connecticut last Friday, Giuliani said that McMahon is the right person for the job.

– WWE developmental talent Brodius Clay worked the house shows over the weekend for the Smackdown brand and is expected to be on the road with WWE this week. (Source: pwinsider.com)

– WWE has released new line of “old school” merchandise on the WWE Shop website. There are a bunch of new t-shirts and hats now available that feature classic WWE logos from the 1980’s & 1990’s, including the old WWF block logo, WrestleMania, Survivor Series, RAW is WAR, SummerSlam, WCW and more. You can check those out at WWEShop.com.

– It was announced at Sunday’s WWE live event from the TD Garden in Boston, MA that tickets for the 2011 Royal Rumble will go on sale this coming Saturday.

– As you’ve probably read by now, WWE star Triple H returned to action over the weekend at WWE’s Fan Appreciation event in Connecitcut. Despite the 1-night return, Triple H is not fully healed following his recent biceps surgery and the match with Alberto Del Rio was described as “safe.” The Game wrestled in a t-shirt and jeans and looks like he’s dropped some muscle mass.

• View Here: Triple H Returns At Fan Appreciation Night

– There is talk that WWE will be releasing a “Best of WCW Monday Nitro” DVD set this May, which would be patterned after the “Best of Raw” seasons format. A DVD set on Bill Goldberg is also in the works.

– Michelle McCool, Layla, MVP, Kofi Kingston and Hornswoggle will be appearing at a Toys for Tots event tomorrow at Tommy K Vitamins in Stamford, Connecticut from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Fans are required to donate money or a toy to receive autographs.

— Rey Mysterio was originally scheduled to face Alberto Del Rio at Saturday’s WWE Fan Appreciation Supershow in Hartford, Connecticut, but Triple H worked the bout instead. The SmackDown Superstar missed the event because he is dealing with an inner ear injury that is preventing him from taking bumps.

— It was announced at WWE’s Fan Appreciation Supershow that tickets for the Royal Rumble go on sale this Saturday. The event takes place on January 30, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.

— Today is Tyler Reks’ birthday. He turns 32 years old.

Former WWE star Matt Hardy is back with another YouTube video. In Episode 109, Hardy responds to a recent reference by Randy Orton about his fondness of … grapes.

• Related Video: Matt Hardy Posts Wacky Video & Sure Loves Grapes
  

Hardy talks about Randy Orton’s comment and his relationship with Randy Orton, gives an explanation of his “Matt” & “Matthew” personas, rants about the Internet wrestling community and more.

Here’s the video:

E#109 My Thoughts On Randy Orton
“Several people have asked me what I think about Randy Orton after Randy answered a question from one of his Twitter followers.. Well, here’s my thoughts. Enjoy.”

Triple H made his in-ring return at Saturday’s Fan Appreciation Supershow in Hartford, Connecticut.

Alberto Del Rio informed the crowd that his scheduled opponent, Rey Mysterio, was not on hand for the event, and that he won by forefit. Just as the referee was going to raise the SmackDown star’s hand, Triple H’s music cued. The Game, dressed in a t-shirt and jeans, entered the ring, and Del Rio told him he’d fight him at another time. Del Rio tried to run away, but The Game gave chase, dragging him back to ringside.

The match concluded in short order as the multi-time champion hit Del Rio with the facebreaker knee smash, spinebuster and Pedigree for the three count. Then, when Del Rio’s personal ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez, tried to save his boss, “The King of Kings” delivered a second Pedigree.

Check out these pictures and videos of Triple H’s return:

— It has been confirmed that Sean Morley (a/k/a Val Venis) is returning to World Wrestling Entertainment, and it may occur as early as tonight’s Raw. The former Intercontinental Champion was spotted at a hotel in New York yesterday with other WWE talent.

— A pay-per-view special entitled WWE Presents: Kofi Kingston – Boom! is advertised to begin airing on Saturday, Dec. 4. It has a two hour runtime.

— WWE’s Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event is being presented by THQ’s SmackDown vs. Raw 2011. The event takes place on December 19, 2010 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.