— WWE has launched a website encouraging fans to notify their television service provider of the WWE Network, www.iwantwwenetwork.com. The website features a countdown clock that will expire on April 1, 2012, the same day as WrestleMania XXVIII.
— Trish Stratus announced on Twitter that she will be an in-studio guest tomorrow night for AfterBuzzTV.com’s post-show for Raw. The show airs immediately following Raw at www.ustream.tv/afterbuzztv. Lilian Garcia and Maria Kanellis will also be on hand.
— Former WWE personality Mike Adamle attended Friday’s Resistance Pro show in Chicago, Illinois.
— John Cena, Randy Orton, The Miz and Alberto Del Rio are featured on the cover of the latest issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
— The official website of the Norfolk Scope Arena, which will hold the Raw SuperShow on December 12, 2011, is advertising the 2011 Slammy Awards for the three-hour television event.
The event will also feature a post-broadcast Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship between CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio and John Cena.
— Following WWE’s announcement this morning that R-Truth had been suspended for thirty days as a result of his first violation of the Talent Wellness Program, he began trending worldwide on Twitter.
— Shawn Michaels has reached an agreement with Total Gym for a workout DVD featuring the WWE Hall of Famer to be released. (Thanks to Carl Dantes)
– According to WWE doctor Michael Sampson, Sin Cara suffered a patella tendon rupture when he jumped out of the ring during the Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match at Survivor Series.
“He’s going to need surgery and be out [of action] for six to nine months for rehab,” Sampson said.
— WWE.com has posted video of Alberto Del Rio reacting to his WWE Championship loss backstage at Survivor Series. The Mexican grappler claims he was robbed by CM Punk, dismissed interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis, and took shots at the Hispanic population. It loosely points to how Del Rio will attempt to get his heat back on Raw following the title match loss.
— The Rock’s mother Ata was sitting ringside at Survivor Series.
A promotional commercial for WWE’s upcoming TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event aired in the Baltimore, Maryland region during Friday’s episode of SmackDown and two matches were disclosed.
Regardless the outcome at Survivor Series, CM Punk will battle Alberto Del Rio in a return match for the WWE Championship. Plus, Triple H will square off against former friend Kevin Nash.
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs takes place December 18, 2011 at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.
WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio (photo credit: Hombre)
As we saw on Monday’s RAW, WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio is featured on the cover of the new issue of Hombre Magazine. Here are some highlights from Del Rio’s interview:
Pressure Living Up To His Family’s Legacy In Wrestling:
“Well yes, because my dad and my uncle aren’t so popular in the United States because they wrestled here 35, 40 years ago. But in Mexico, they’re a big dynasty. They’re the most popular wrestlers in Mexican history. So in Mexico there was a lot of pressure for me. But I’m sure I’m doing a great job now; I’m the first Mexican in history to become the WWE champion, and actually this year I won it all: the Money in the Bank, the Royal Rumble, the WWE title. I can just say that this year’s been perfect for me.”
Having His Own Action Figure:
“I was just waiting for it to happen, it was great. I was excited when they told me…and when I saw the action figure for the first time it was amazing, because it looks like me: the face, the hair, the smile… they captured me all the way in that action figure.”
What He’d Be Doing If He Wasn’t A Wrestler:
“I’m also an architect. I finished my career in Mexico, but that was really for my father. I’m really glad that I finished my school, but when I was younger I dropped school in my second year because I was so crazy to become a wrestler and my dad forced me to go back. He talked to all the promoters in Mexico after I did that and told them, “Don’t give this guy a job because I want him to finish school.” Of course when I was younger I was mad that my father did that, but I’m just grateful that he did because now I have something else. Probably if I wasn’t a wrestler right now I’d be designing buildings or building houses in Mexico.”
His Expectations For The Future:
“Like I said, this year’s been great for me, I won it all, starting with the Royal Rumble then the Money in the Bank. Then I conquered the WWE title. At the beginning of the year we had WrestleMania, which is like the Superbowl of wrestling. In WrestleMania I competed for the World Heavyweight title; unfortunately, I lost against Edge, and actually that was Edge’s last match, So that’s something that’s stuck in my mind, I can’t sleep because I’m thinking about it all the time. It was my biggest night and my biggest failure because we were in front of 80 something thousand people and we sold 2 million pay-per views. My plans are to keep the WWE title as long as I can and if someday I lose this title I will try to go back to the other brand, which is Smackdown, and compete for the World Heavyweight title because that’s something I need to do. I must be the first Mexican wrestler in history to win everything in one year.”
Crossing Over To Movies Like The Rock:
“Definitely. Now I’m totally focused on the WWE and my wrestling career, but that’s something I want do. I’m planning to do the WWE for another five or six years, no more than that, and of course if they invite me to do movies, soap operas, whatever, I’m down for it!”
CM Punk was captured on camera engaging in an argument with a fan who jeered him at Friday’s Raw World Tour event in Amneville, France.
Following his victory over WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio in the main event, Punk slapped hands of ringside area fans. One fan, however, greeted The Straight Edge Superstar with boos. An agitated Punk belittled the fan by making “crybaby” motions and calling him a “Cena fan.” When the fan said he hated John Cena, Punk wagged his finger and sniped, “I bet you watch TNA, don’t you?!”
The fan said he doesn’t, to which Punk retorted, “Your friend does!” Punk then sarcastically says of TNA “It’s good!” while displaying Cena’s trademark “O” hand gesture.
Punk’s latest swipe towards TNA Wrestling comes days after he said on Twitter that he misses working for the Orlando based wrestling promotion like he misses high school. He competed for TNA in 2003 and 2004 before quitting the league following a dispute with management over his ability to simultaneously appear for Ring of Honor.
— As per Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis, if CM Punk can defeat World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry on Monday’s Raw SuperShow, he’ll face Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series.
Laurinaitis stated to WWE.com: “After giving this CM Punk situation serious consideration, I’ve reached a decision. In my deliberations as Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim General Manager of Raw, I concluded that although Punk is extremely talented, he has lost several matches recently. As a result, I’ve decided that he must prove he’s worthy of a WWE Title opportunity. This Monday night, Punk must compete against World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry. If Punk wins, he will face Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series. I wish both men a good match.”
— Former WWE talent Marty Wright (a/k/a The Boogeyman) is reportedly persuading WWE colleagues for a cameo appearance on Monday’s Halloween themed Raw SuperShow. He remains in good shape at 47 years old and has continued to appear in character since parting ways with the organization in 2009.
— Tuesday’s SmackDown taping at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas is being touted as a SuperShow as Superstars from both brands are slated to appear. The following matches are advertised for the event:
* Alberto Del Rio vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship
* Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship
* Raw vs. SmackDown Battle Royal featuring 41 Superstars
— The term “WE HATE CENA” trended Monday night on Twitter. Prior to his Last Standing Match at Vengeance, Cena walked up to a fan at ringside wearing a “We Hate Cena” T-shirt.
— Rhyno is advertised for an autograph signing on December 3 at the LaSalle Knights of Columbus 209 Gooding St. LaSalle, Illinois. Visit www.dreamwavewrestling.com for more information.
CM Punk is in “top consideration” for the WWE Championship Match at WrestleMania XXVIII since company officials are leaning against the title being on the line in the match pitting John Cena against The Rock.
The heavily hyped bout is not expected to be for the title because WWE brass feel the finish would be too obvious since fans don’t expect The Rock to leave WrestleMania as champion.
Cena will reportedly be removed from the title picture following Sunday’s Vengeance pay-per-view, which would indicate that Alberto Del Rio will retain the title in their Last Standing Match. Cena will begin building towards his partnership with The Rock at Survivor Series while Del Rio is expected to enter a program with Punk.
— Alberto Del Rio’s victory over Sheamus on last night’s episode of SmackDown snapped the Celtic Warrior’s 14-match televised winning streak. He had not lost since SummerSlam, to Mark Henry.
— Vickie Guerrero remarked the following on Twitter regarding her appearance at tonight’s Raw SuperShow taping in Mexico City, Mexico: “20 yrs ago, I cheered Eddie on at Palacio de Los Deportes in the crowd. Tonight I’m on the stage and I feel honored and missing him so much.”
— Triple H is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
— WWE’s next three-hour Raw event takes place November 14 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts and The Rock is advertised to appear. The venue’s official website is billing the event as “The Rock Reunion Party.”
The website’s advertising reads: “What will happen when the seven-time WWE Champion, “the most electrifying man in all of entertainment” The Rock and ten-time WWE Champion John Cena meet in Cena’s hometown?”
Also advertised for the event is a Six-Man Tag Team Match pitting John Cena, Triple H and CM Punk against The Miz, R-Truth and Alberto Del Rio.
— Former WWE Divas Lilian Garcia and Maria Kanellis hosted the second edition of their post-Raw show for AfterBuzzTV.com Monday night.
— Brock Lesnar will be announced as a “Legend” for THQ’s WWE ’12 video game later this week.
UFC approved of Lesnar’s inclusion in the game on the condition that he was presented as a wrestler and not a mixed martial artist.
There are no plans for Lesnar to be further involved with WWE.
— The Miz celebrated his 31st birthday Saturday by invading WWE’s Raw brand house show in Loveland, Colorado. He and R-Truth ran through the crowd in street clothes to interfere in the WWE Championship Match between Alberto Del Rio and John Cena, causing a disqualification. They knelt down with their hands behind their heads in surrender, but Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston dove onto them from the top rope.
— Alberto Del Rio is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Inside Wrestling.
— Different countries have different artwork for THQ’s upcoming WWE ’12 video game and the original Sin Cara has been chosen for the cover in Mexico.
— Matches have been announced for WWE’s upcoming tour of Japan. November 30, 2011 at Yokohama Arena will feature John Cena vs. Alberto del Rio for the WWE Championship, Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston for the United States Championship, and Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix for the Divas Championship. December 1, 2011 at Yokohama Arena will feature John Cena and CM Punk vs. TBA, Big Show vs. Mason Ryan, and Dolph Ziggler vs. Evan Bourne for the United States Championship.
— The official Twitter feed of WWE has announced a 12-Man Tag Team Match for tonight’s Raw SuperShow.
John Cena, CM Punk, Sheamus, Air Boom and Mason Ryan will face Alberto Del Rio, Christian, Cody Rhodes, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger and David Otunga.
— Shelly Martinez has posted a blog and photos of her appearance this past Saturday at Sign of the Times at the Marriott Los Angeles Airport. She caught up with former WWE Divas Ashley Massaro, Maria Kanellis and Angela Fong, as well as TNA stars Velvet Sky and Christopher Daniels.
— WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka has been added to The Big Event, which takes place November 11 and 12 at the Courtyard Marriott 9010 Ditmars Blvd. East Elmhurst, New York. Visit tmartpromotions.com for more information.
During an interview with Patrick Lennon of the UK’s Daily Star, WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin took a few shots at Alberto Del Rio – saying he’s not ready to be WWE champion just yet.
“Well I don’t think Del Rio is ready to carry that belt. It’s ok for a short period of time, give him his first mini title run and try to groom him. He’s still got another year or two to go before he learns the US system.
“He’s a good looking kid and I know he’s been around Mexico and MMA.”
Despite the fact that many WWE fans are sick of John Cena as the face of WWE, Steve Austin says Cena is the most polished performer in WWE and right man for the job.
“When I look at that company right now, John Cena is the guy who anchors it all. Some people get mad because they feel like WWE shove it down your throat, but he’s the main guy! Whether you love to hate him or you love to love him – you gotta respect him.
“I have a lot of respect for John – he’s been carrying the company for several years and he comes into work every day with a smile on his face and does all the promotional work and never complains.”
Austin put over John Cena’s track record of great matches and says he’s probably got several more years in him on top:
“I tell you John Cena has had some great matches with some great guys – sometimes his body of work gets overlooked, the guy has proven himself over and over again. I call a spade a spade and John has done a tremendous job and he’s got a few years left yet. He’ll keep riding that lightening bolt.”
For more from Steve Austin’s interview, check out DailyStar.co.uk.
— Two additional matches have been announced for Sunday’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view:
* Christian vs. Sheamus
* Kelly Kelly vs. Beth Phoenix for the WWE Divas Championship
Also announced for the show are Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship and John Cena vs. CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Championship.
— WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H announced on Raw that Christian would face Randy Orton on this week’s episode of SmackDown.
— The September 23 episode of WWE SmackDown scored a 2.3 cable rating, a sharp increase from 1.78 the week before.
SmackDown fell just shy of the 2.31 Syfy record set on February 25, which took place days after Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s return to WWE.
Friday’s program outdrew last month’s live special, which garnered a 2.2 cable rating. Viewership was identical as both episodes averaged 3.2 million viewers.
— WWE has announced that Alberto Del Rio will face CM Punk tonight on the Raw SuperShow.
— Carlito appears at George’s Cards & Collectibles in the Oxford Valley Mall 2300 E. Lincoln Hwy Ste 220A Langhorne, Pennsylvania on Saturday, October 15 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
— WWE has had discussions of Booker T coming back to wrestle in a short program on SmackDown against an undisclosed opponent.
Booker T has competed in one match since assuming the SmackDown color commentator position in February. On the June 6 episode of Raw, Booker wrestled his first singles match for the organization in four years, gaining a victory over Jack Swagger via count out.
— Randy Orton’s gruesome post-match attack on Cody Rhodes on this week’s episode of SmackDown was eliminated from airings in the U.K. After The Viper strikes Rhodes with a rope-hung DDT, the international broadcast cuts to a backstage segment with Christian and Sheamus.
— WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes is scheduled to appear at Sunday’s WWE SuperShow in Lubbock, Texas. CM Punk vs. Alberto Del Rio and Mark Henry vs. Randy Orton are the top advertised matches.
Steve Austin spoke to Power Slam to promote his latest movie, Tactical Force. The discussion turns to present-day WWE and he is asked to name which wrestlers he believes can evolve into “money-drawing players” for the sports-entertainment organization. CM Punk heads the top of the list.
“Well, I love CM Punk. That guy is already a star, and he’s just breathed a much-needed breath of fresh air into the wrestling business,” Austin said. “He’s been working for over ten years. I’m a big fan of his—love his skills, love his promos.”
The WWE Hall of Famer then mentions Wade Barrett, Daniel Bryan and the current Superstar most often compared to him, Randy Orton. Austin, however, feels “The Viper” still needs to work on his character and promo ability.
“Of the other guys, I’m still waiting for Wade Barrett to grab me by the throat and let me know who Wade Barrett is. Daniel Bryan could continue to move up the card,” Austin said. “I’m interested to see where Randy Orton goes next. His promos need work, and right now, he’s a little one-dimensional. The crowds are digging him, but there’s still another step on the ladder for him to climb to.
Austin also feels that Alberto Del Rio needs to work on his promos.
“Alberto Del Rio reminds me of Gino Hernandez from the old [Dallas] Sportatorium. [He is] another one who needs to work on his promos-I don’t like them worth a shit right now-but he has great ability,” said Stone Cold.
“He just needs to add a few pieces to the puzzle.”
Austin is also high on two SmackDown talents, including the newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion.
“Christian is a hell of a performer in the ring, and he’s just had a hell of a run. He’s recently added a few exclamation points to his work and his promo style-but, again, there’s at least one more level for him to step up,” he feels.
“Mark Henry has finally put the pieces together. His Money in the Bank match with Big Show was not a great match in the ring. But I love the intensity Mark is putting into his work recently. This persona is really an extension of himself: he’s a big, mean, strong man, and they are presenting that well.”
Vince McMahon was irate backstage at Monday’s Raw SuperShow after his name was mentioned by Alberto Del Rio during the live broadcast.
Many people within WWE believe McMahon got upset because he is returning to television soon and did not want his name mentioned. Del Rio and the creative writer involved in the segment were both yelled at backstage by Vince.
Stephanie McMahon, who was on hand for the event, attempted to calm her father down but was unable to do so. He remained temperamental for the rest of the night as he was yelling at colleagues throughout the show and making life miserable for those around him.
– We reported earlier that Jerry Lawler Was Injured By Mark Henry On RAW following a Worlds Strongest Slam through the announcers table at ringside. World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry was reportedly very upset after the incident.
– Hugh Jackman was said to be a big hit in the WWE locker room on Monday night. Jackman was a big WWE fan back in the 1980’s and marked out big time for WWE producer Steve Lombardi, formerly the Brooklyn Brawler.
– WWE announced on Monday that Disney’s The Muppets Are Appearing On WWE RAW on Halloween night – and there’s said to be a lot of excitement among the WWE crew over it.
– Former WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio had the second shortest title reign of a Money in the Bank winner, at just 35 days. Rob Van Dam had the shortest reign – with just 22 days back in the summer of 2006.
— John Cena has now held the WWE Championship a record ten times following his victory over Alberto Del Rio last night at Night of Champions. He is followed by Triple H, who held the WWE Championship on eight occasions.
— WWE’s upcoming Steve Austin video release has been titled Stone Cold Steve Austin: Bottom Line on the Most Popular Superstar of WWE. The title will be be released on DVD and Blu-ray in November.
— WWE will be holding a Raw and Smackdown Supershow at the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island, New York on Saturday, December 17, 2011. Bell time is 7:30 p.m.
— WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco turns 65 years old today.
The WWE website has posted three backstage videos that were filmed at Sunday’s Night of Champions pay-per-view:
– Former WWE champion Alberto Del Rio was seen backstage arguing with his personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez after his title loss to John Cena. WWE cameras “snuck up” on Del Rio, who slapped Ricardo before “realizing” the camera was there. The video can be viewed here.
– WWE diva Beth Phoenix was also interviewed following her second Divas Title match loss to Kelly Kelly. , Beth Phoenix cut a promo hinting she will remain in the title picture, with Natalya also adding her two cents. That video can be seen here. here.
– Awesome Truth (The Miz and R-Truth) came up short at Night of Champions in their tag title match against Air Boom and said they’ve got a conspiracy list and whoever is on it, is going to get got. Check out that video here.
— WWE has changed the structure of their creative staff with a “home team” and “road team” initiative. Road teams will travel to each week’s television tapings while home teams will work at company headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut to develop future shows. WWE creative head Stephanie McMahon, a mother of three children, and Brian Gewirtz will reportedly stay at home to avoid going on the road on a weekly basis.
— The official website of the New Orleans Arena is advertising Edge for next month’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event taking place October 2: “Witness the Superstars of both Raw and Smackdown live under the same roof for a PPV extravaganza live event featuring: John Cena, Randy Orton, Alberto Del Rio, The Miz, Edge, Rey Mysterio, John Morrison, The Big Show and many more Superstars live!”
WWE paid tribute to the “Rated-R Superstar” following last night’s SmackDown taping in Toronto, Ontario with “Edge Appreciation Night.” He also hosted “The Cutting Edge” with World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton and Mark Henry during the taped show. He is also advertised for next Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Dayton, Ohio.
— WWE announced Friday that former World Heavyweight Champion Edge will appear on next week’s episode of SmackDown, which emanates from Toronto.
WWE.com’s synopsis reads: “For the first time since retiring from WWE, Edge comes home to SmackDown as the special guest Superstar. What does The Rated-R Superstar have in store for the WWE Universe this Friday night?”
— WWE has a Raw live event scheduled for Thursday, December 29 at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. The on-sale date for tickets has not been announced.
— WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Power Slam.