– After two weeks of RAW drawing under a 3.0 – we’re back on solid ground.
The night after WWE’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view, Monday’s episode of WWE RAW scored a 3.3 cable rating with hours of 3.26 and 3.39. This week’s show averaged 4,777,000 viewers.
There was obviously some interest in the John Cena – Nexus storyline, which WWE seems to be strongly behind headed into WWE Bragging Rights in under 3 weeks.
– The strong interest in Monday’s RAW was not limited to the United States, as Monday’s Raw scored a 9.5 rating in Mexico – way up from the previous week. (Source: PWInsider.com)
– The October 2nd episode of AM RAW scored an 0.42 rating with 485,000 viewers.
Road Warrior Animal on Medallion Mondays —Oh, What a Rush!
St. Charles, Illinois—September 27, 2010—Fans of internationally recognized professional wrestling superstar “Road Warrior Animal” Joe Laurinaitis will be happy to hear Laurinaitis is featured this week in the Web series Medallion Mondays.
In the tenth episode of Medallion Mondays, “Let’s Get F’d Up,” Road Warrior Animal teams with Josh “Ponceman” Perry for an over-the-top episode pumped full of the 5 Fs: fame, fortune, friendship, family, and faith. COISPORC “Ponceman” invites Animal to the office as part of his own seven-point plan. The team is revved up, but one unlucky member lives life a little too close to the edge. The comedic episode draws awareness to Joe “Road Warrior Animal” Laurinaitis’ upcoming book release.
The Road Warriors: Danger, Death, and the Rush of Wrestling, the memoir by Joe “Road Warrior Animal” Laurinaitis, with Andrew William Wright, is the captivating true story of The Legion of Doom: The Road Warriors. Alongside Mike “Hawk” Hegstrand, Laurinaitis stormed onto the wrestling scene. With a monstrous style and image like no other, the Road Warriors went on to become two of the most influential and celebrated wrestlers the world has ever known. In his first book ever, Laurinaitis shares his perspective of the dangers of being in the ring, the death of his lifelong friend and partner, “Hawk,” and the rush of leaving a legacy in tag team wrestling that is unmatched to this day.
Within the book, readers will also find a foreword by “Precious” Paul Ellering as well as reflections on The Road Warriors contributed by several all-time greats in professional wrestling history, including “Nature Boy™” Ric Flair®, Bret “The Hitman” Hart, Rob Van Dam, Jim “J.R.” Ross, “The Russian Nightmare” Nikita Koloff, “The Living Legend” Larry Zbyszko, Sean “X-Pac” Waltman, and Terry “Warlord” Szopinski.
You can watch Animal’s appearance on Medallion Mondays here:
About Joe “Animal” Laurinaitis. Best known as Road Warrior Animal, Joe is an internationally recognized professional wrestling superstar, devoted husband, and proud father. Joe, along with late partner Mike “Road Warrior Hawk” Hegstrand, also developed the 1990s sporting clothes company Zubaz, popularized by top professional bodybuilders and NFL players. A faithful Christian, he is an avid motivational speaker to youth groups across the United States. Joe currently lives with his wife, Julie, in Minnesota and can be visited at www.roadwarriorsinc.com.
About Andrew William Wright. A New Jersey-based writer, video producer, and longtime professional wrestling enthusiast, Andrew has written for several New Jersey newspapers, including the Asbury Park Press, and also produced the video series The Hardy Show (featuring Matt and Jeff Hardy) and RVD TV (with Rob Van Dam). Contact Andrew at andrew.author@gmail.com.
Medallion Mondays, a series of comedic shorts offering a glimpse of the culture of Medallion Press while spinning off on the average workday, has garnered increasing views since its release in June of 2010 and has been rated in the top hundred most-viewed comedy videos on YouTube. Medallion Mondays can be seen every Monday at http://www.youtube.com/MedallionMovies, www.MedallionPress.com, and http://www.medallionMovies.com.
Posted October 5th, 2010 in News, WWE. Tagged: Animal.
– Reader Bradley Webber sent in word that a new trailer for the upcoming film entitled “Lemmy” has been posted on the Download Festival Facebook page. Triple H is listed as one of the stars slated to be featured in the film. Lemmy is the lead signer of the heavy metal band called Motorhead who sings Triple H’s theme song. You can view the video here.
– Paul Bearer announced on his Twitter account that is going to be a grandfather — again.
“Just found out before I took off from DFW that I’m going to be a grandpa again,” he wrote. “My oldest son and his wife are pregnant.”
He then noted that his first grandchild passed away, and that he has two granddaughters, 2 1/2 and 6.
– Rey Mysterio is featured on the cover of the latest issue of WWE Kids Magazine.
— WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view taking place on February 20, 2011 will be held in Oakland, California at the Oracle Arena. Reports of the event taking place in New York City are incorrect. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
— Beginning with SmackDown’s move to Syfy, WWE has been using static images and patterns on the Titantron rather than entrance videos. (source: PWInsider.com)
— Today marks the thirteen year anniversary of the Kane character, who made his WWE debut at Bad Blood: In Your House. Paul Bearer introduced the character, who proceeded to cost The Undertaker a victory against Shawn Michaels in the first ever Hell in a Cell match.
Posted October 5th, 2010 in News, WWE. Tagged: Kane.
— It was announced during Raw that Edge had been traded to the SmackDown brand. Though it was not disclosed who would be heading to Raw in exchange for the “Rated-R Superstar,” new information released indicates it being CM Punk.
A new match line-up has been issued for Friday’s Raw live event at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Edge has been replaced on the card by Punk, who will be facing R-Truth.
Also added to the show is a bout between Goldust and Ted DiBiase, whose program kicked off last night on Raw. Ezekiel Jackson, who last night wrestled his second match since returning from injury three weeks ago, is advertised to face Zack Ryder. Other matches promoted include Randy Orton vs. Sheamus in a Steel Cage Match, Mark Henry vs. Wade Barrett, Daniel Bryan vs. John Morrison, Melina and Eve vs. Alicia Fox and Maryse, as well as The Nexus vs. Santino Marella and Vladimir Kozlov.
As noted earlier, reigning Florida Heavyweight Champion Mason Ryan will be going on the road with the Raw brand. He is being advertised to face William Regal on the card.
— Democratic state Attorney General Richard Blumenthal and Republican Linda McMahon met last night in the first debate of the general election to replace retiring Democratic Senator Christopher Dodd. Cable news channel CSPAN has posted video of the debate online, which you can view here.
Former WWE star Charlie Haas went on a rant last night on Twitter/charliehaas following Sheamus’ destruction of Daniel Bryan on RAW.
Haas, who has been on the wrong side of WWE’s hit-or-miss booking, said:
“WWE creative is a joke. Way to kill off Daniel Bryan. Your brightest youngest star. Michael Hayes must have written this sh**. Please retire.”
Responding to a fan who challenged Haas’ comments above, he wrote:
“Don’t be a mark. They all have a say in the writing. Hayes is the most powerful of them all. He can change anything on any show.”
Haas followed up with the following, saying WWE has a deep roster, but creative only focuses on building up a handful of stars.
“There is great talent in WWE, they just don’t know how or refuse to write for them all. When the Monday night wars were going on, everyone on the roster had a story line. From Crash Holly to Stone Cold. Its an easy formula. Look at ROH everyone on the roster has a story line and is used. Not to be biased, but facts are facts. Every wrestler is unique and brings something to the table, that is what is great about the pro wrestling business.”
“As much as my passion was suppressed at WWE, my desire to prove all wrong burns .. I’m not done. But am done talking about WWE creative. New chapter. A lot to be thankful for. I am thankful for WWE time and the WWE fans.”
– WWE Bragging Rights takes place in under three weeks and the card is already starting to take shape.
WWE Champion Randy Orton will defend against Wade Barrett, who earned the title shot after winning a 20-Man Battle Royal on Raw.
A commercial for Bragging Rights aired during RAW Minnesota, advertising Kane vs. The Undertaker in a Buried Alive Match for the World Heavyweight Title. After checking with a WWE source, that match looks to be set and we should see it announced this week or next.
— A Raw live event is scheduled to take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Sunday, December 26, 2010.
– Matt Hardy announced yesterday on Twitter that he is taking a break from the social networking site for the next few days. He wrote:
“You guys & gals, take care of yourselves. I’m about to head out for a few well earned days of vacation. Talk to you all in a couple days!”
— The cover art for WWE’s Goldust autobiography, Cross Rhodes: Goldust, Out of the Darkness, has been released. Click here to view it.
The 256 page book will be released in paperback form on December 14, 2010.
— Eve Torres was backstage at last night’s Raw taping in Wichita, Kansas, but wasn’t used. She posted the following photo on Twitter of herself with Raw guest star Johnny Knoxville.
– During a press event for the new film “Red”, actor Bruce Willis was asked about the rumored sequel to the summer blockbuster film “The Expendables.”
Willis told ComingSoon.net that the sequel is happening and said everybody’s favorite beer-drinking rattlesnake will be involved:
“I talked to Sly and he’s going for all the marbles this time, and he’s going to get everybody in this time. Even Stone Cold Steve Austin who took two bullets in the last film, he’s coming back, too. Hopefully, they’ll start shooting it while we’re young enough to survive.”
– FCW champion Mason Ryan will be going on the road with the Raw crew next week. He will be evaluated by WWE’s agents to see how close he is to being called up to the main roster.
– Thumbplay Media has created a new subscription-based WWE Magazine mobile app featuring breaking news, features, galleries and interactive activities. The app, out now for the iPhone and launching later this month for Android and BlackBerry, will refresh its content daily for the price of $2.99 a month.
— Randy Orton beat Sheamus in a dark match following Monday’s Raw broadcast.
— It was announced during a commercial on Raw that the first NXT elimination will take place during Tuesday’s show, airing exclusively on nxt.wwe.com. Voting is currently taking place at the designated website.
Also on tap for the broadcast is a match between Vickie Guerrero and Kaitlyn.
— The Countdown To SmackDown broadcast that preceded the premiere of SmackDown on Syfy drew a 0.49 cable rating, with 652,000 viewers. (source: PWInsider.com)
— Darren Young made his return to World Wrestling Entertainment airwaves during Monday’s Raw, participating in the 20-Man Battle Royal to determine the No. 1 contender for Randy Orton’s WWE Championship. He was eliminated by former Nexus cohorts Wade Barrett and Justin Gabriel.
— Prior to the live broadcast, Young took part in a match taped for Thursday’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America. He squared off against William Regal. Also taped for the program was a bout between The Hart Dynasty and The Usos.
— WWE Bottom Line host Scott Stanford made his WWE announcing debut during the Superstars taping as he called Young’s match against Regal, alongside Jerry Lawler. He was replaced by Michael Cole following the bout.
Stanford formerly worked as a sports anchor at WNBC-4 in New York City before signing with WWE last year.
— It was announced during Raw that Edge has been traded to the SmackDown brand. It was not disclosed who would be heading to Raw in exchange for the “Rated-R Superstar.”
— Ezekiel Jackson defeated Primo in a dark match prior to tonight’s live Raw broadcast in Wichita, Kansas. It was Jackson’s second match since returning last month from a tear in his right quadriceps muscle.
— The USA Network had listed the Nov. 15 episode of Monday Night Raw as a three-hour broadcast, but it is now scheduled for its regularly allotted time.
The day he was scheduled to undergo surgery to have a a stent inserted into an artery near his heart, the WWE Hall of Famer got great news that his surgery was unnecessary.
Ross, who is still in the hospital wrote on Twitter:
“No surgery required. Sore where (the doctor) explored my heart via femoral artery. Hope to get home tonight. Caught a break”
Great news from Jim Ross – we wish him a full and speedy recovery.
— The premiere of WWE SmackDown on Syfy scored a 1.7 cable rating, with 2.5 million viewers, making it the most watched Friday night on the network in two years.
The program’s debut was considerably less than what it drew on MyNetworkTV, where it often garnered more than 3 million viewers on a weekly basis. The 2.5 million figure is down from the last released SmackDown viewership number, as the September 17 episode averaged 2.77 million viewers. (source: Pro Wrestling Torch)
— The WWE website announced today that Rey Mysterio will square off against Alberto Del Rio this Friday on SmackDown.
— The WWE website has added Mick Foley to its Alumni section.
— As John Cena held Wade Barrett in the STF during their bout at last night’s Hell in a Cell, two mystery assailants stormed the ring — one distracting the referee while the other blasted The Champ in the head with a foreign object, knocking him out cold and giving The Nexus ringleader the duke. The attackers in question were NXT season two contestants Husky Harris and Michael McGillicutty, reports f4wonline.com.
— World Wrestling Entertainment will be releasing a two-disc DVD set highlighting the legendary career of WWE Hall of Famer Bobby “The Brain” Heenan on Tuesday, December 28. Below is the title’s official synopsis:
“Fans loved to boo Bobby Heenan but despite their vocal displeasure with The Weasel, everyone acknowledges he’s the greatest manager in the history of sports entertainment. He guided members of the infamous Heenan Family to great heights in both the AWA and WWE, even occasionally stepping into the ring himself. He also further cemented his place in pro wrestling lore by becoming one of the great color commentators of all time, completely earning his 2004 induction into the WWE Hall of Fame. Now, for the first time ever, fans can relive the Brain’s magnificent career in Bobby The Brain Heenan, a 2-disc DVD that tells the life story of Heenan as well as collects his most famous matches, interviews, and moments.”
— WWE returns to the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland on Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets go on sale Saturday, October 16, 2010 at 10:00 a.m.
— World Wrestling Entertainment has informed ticket holders for the Monday Night Raw television taping taking place on Nov. 29 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania that it will be a three-hour event.
A Triple Threat Match between Randy Orton, John Cena and Sheamus for the WWE Championship will be “nationally televised,” according to advertising issued to ticket holders. (source: www.prowrestling.net)
— According to www.diva-dirt.com, World Wrestling Entertainment has signed 23-year-old U.K. women’s wrestler Vicky Skeeles to a developmental contract. She has already reported to Florida Championship Wrestling.
— A video a WWE fan posted on YouTube of his son’s reaction to John Cena losing to Wade Barrett last night at Hell in a Cell has garnered much attention online. To view the video, click here.
— Former ROH World Champion Tyler Black confirmed on his Twitter account this afternoon that his official WWE ring name is Seth Rollins.
“There it is. Let the hate begin,” he wrote, referencing his listed name on his Twitter account.
His Twitter handle has been changed to WWERollins.
— Linda McMahon will debate Richard Blumenthal tonight at 7:00 p.m. The debate will be streamed lived at politics.blogs.foxnews.com.
— Thursday’s episode of WWE Superstars garnered an 0.68 cable rating for WGN America, with 688,000 viewers. The 1:00 a.m. replay drew a 0.18 cable rating, with 148,000 viewers.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog on his website, which you can check out in its entirety at JRsbarbq.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:
Steve Austin Teasing 1 More Match: “Saw where the UK Sun interviewed Steve Austin about another of Steve’s movies being released eminently. Again, when Austin said ‘never say never’ regarding him returning to the ring one can surmise that is true as long as Steve is healthy enough to want to train to get back into the ring but I would be shocked to see Steve ever want to wrestle anyone at anytime at any place in the future.”
“Could it happen? Sure. Will it happen? Highly unlikely. Let the rumors begin and the speculation run wild, BROTHER! Steve is immersed in is movie career and to get back into the ring would take time away from that endeavor as Austin would never step back in the ring without several weeks or perhaps even months of preparation. Stone Cold has too much pride to ever step in the ring merely for a pay day and not to give his fans a helluva bout.”
Hell in a Cell in the “PG Era”: “HIAC presentations in a PG world is a tough one to execute. Competing in an environment erected of steel ‘feels’ conducive to be more aggressive that a PG franchise can provide.”
Tonight’s RAW: “Tonight’s Raw presentation from lovely Wichita is hugely important based on what occurred on the PPV Sunday night in Dallas. Building realistic, personal issues over a deliberate amount of time and not getting in a rush while doing so will usually interest and encourage TV viewers to make an emotional investment in the process. It’s refreshing that WWE is seemingly trying ‘new’ things and one can assume that this direction will continue during this week’s TV programs especially Monday Night Raw which is WWE’s top TV priority and needs stimulating, weekly content particularly against Monday Night Football.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross will undergo surgery at 3PM CT today, where he will have a stent inserted into an artery near his heart. Ross was able to attend Saturday’s Oklahoma vs. Texas game and downplayed the seriousness of the surgery, saying,
“I ain’t scared for the heart procedure… My faith is strong and my doctors are awesome. Best shape I’ve been in in years.”
Ross also noted that he was supposed to attend last night’s Hell in a Cell PPV but couldn’t as his doctor wanted him to rest in preparation for today.
– Jack Swagger wrote on Twitter today his feud with Edge will continue:
“Threw a little surprise at everyone coming to He’ll in a Cell last night huh, well it’s definitely not finished between Edge & I!”
Edge has been rumored to be heading to Smackdown and it appears a program with Jack Swagger will be used to get him over to the Friday show.
– WWE is reportedly encouraging talent to create YouTube channels and post in-character video blogs for their fans to follow. Last week, we saw Melina post her first video blog, which you can see here.
The Sportsman Channel sent out the following press release:
Michaels’ First Appearance on TV Since Retiring in March; Wife Rebecca Joins Him Hunting
New Berlin, WI – August 3, 2010 – Hunting gear, shooting birds and…wrestling? That’s what you’ll see on this week’s episode of The Experience with Weston and Jodi Clark as the couple hosts recently retired WWE star, Shawn Michaels, and his wife, Rebecca. The Experience with Weston and Jodi Clark airs Tuesday nights at 8 p.m. EST, with re-airs on Thursdays at 12 a.m. and Sundays at 4 p.m. on Sportsman Channel.
The Clarks said they filmed a total of three episodes with Shawn and Rebecca at the Venado Creek Ranch in Texas this past February. And what makes this show so special is that it is Shawn’s first time back on the screen since retiring in March. “The episodes will feature Shawn and Rebecca talking about their hunting experiences and viewers will get to see how Shawn enjoys himself in the outdoors,” said co-host of The Experience, Weston Clark. “Shawn is an enthusiastic and passionate person; I think viewers will see that enthusiasm come across when he and Rebecca talk about some of their dream hunts as well.”
The Experience with Weston and Jodi Clark sets out to surprise our nation’s heroes on every episode with a dream hunting trip, which they find by asking viewers to nominate their hero. This one-of-a-kind show goes “behind the hunt” to the human side of the story to reveal how we all share a common bond through the outdoors.
In the episode with Michael’s, viewers will be introduced to Assistant Chief of Police Tim Schnieder from Plainview, Minn. who recently lost his eight-year-old son to cancer. On Tim’s first time out in the woods with The Experience, he came up empty handed. So the Clarks bring him out again, but this time with his favorite wrestler, Shawn Michaels. “When Tim saw Shawn, he was just shocked – he couldn’t believe he was hunting with this wrestling icon,” said Clark.
Viewers will have to stay tune to the episode to see if Shawn and the Police Chief get their bucks!
Check out these pictures of Shawn Michaels and his wife Rebecca hunting:
WWE Hal of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin spoke to the UK Sun newspaper recently to promote his new “Hunt to Kill” DVD and had a lot to say about wrestling. Here are some highlights of what Austin said about:
Watching Wrestling: “I watch all wrestling whenever I can, I watch WWE and I watch TNA. I’ve just always had that passion for the sport. That’s what inspired me to enter the ring in the first place, I watched wrestling avidly as a kid and back then it was guys battering each other in smoke filled arenas and blood flowed freely. And that’s why I still watch WWE and TNA all the time today, it’s entertaining and takes me back.”
His Neck: “My neck was fixed in 2000, I had to leave the ring because of the damage, but in my normal life and movies it’s fine, although wrestling wise I’d be a total mess right now … I’m lucky, you know my neck is 100 per cent these days, I can do my own stunts and fight scenes where I can. I don’t claim to be a tough guy, but I give it a go.”
One More Match: “I never thought I’d say it, but when I’m asked about one more match these days I do tend to say ‘never say never’. So don’t rule it out.”
Visit The UK Sun to read more from Steve Austin’s interview.
– Some of you may remember that WWE co-promoted a pay-per-view with the “Girls Gone Wild” company back in 2003. Well that has now been brought up as further ammo against Linda McMahon’s Senate campaign. You can read about Linda’s opponent using the Girls Gone Wild affiliation against her at Courant.com.
– Happy birthday to Linda McMahon, who turns 62 years old today.
– Here’s a video of Triple H campaigning for Linda McMahon, talking about why he is supporting his mother-in-law:
– After last night’s WWE Hell in a Cell pay-per-view ended, The Undertaker sat in the ring a few minutes before his music started playing. Taker rolled out of the ring and sat there looking confused before leaving.
– Several kids at the show were seen in tears after John Cena lost to Wade Barrett. Some parents and their kids were seen leaving the arena after Cena lost the match.
– Natalya wrote the following on her twitter after competing against Unified WWE Divas Champion Michelle McCool at last night’s WWE Hell in a Cell pay-per-view:
“I couldn’t be happier about tonight at HIAC…@McCoolMichelleL is one tough cookie and I’m well aware of that- but tonight, I felt I more than made a statement…”
“I felt proud of our match tonight- and as crazy/insane as it sounds, proud of Laycool, too.”
– Paul Bearer wrote the following on Twitter last night about Hell in a Cell:
“About 2am time to try to get some rest. I do appreciate you all no matter what your opinion is of my actions tonight. Business is business. Storyline wise, you must remember UT buried me in concrete. Kane is my blood. Were my actions justified… matter of opinion. Good night.”
Solomonster with reaction to last week’s special Sound Off, why Chris Jericho will be missed, Flair and Foley on Impact, shitty Smackdown premiere, Raw sinks to new lows, WWE kissing Foley’s ass, Summerslam buyrate, Tyler Black’s new name and more!
to view it.