– Deadline.com projects that The Rock’s new movie “Pain & Gain” will do approximately $19 million this weekend. Reviews for the movie have been mixed (47% on Rotten Tomatoes), but The Rock and Mark Wahlberg have both been praised for doing their best with an otherwise lackluster script.
– Here’s the latest installment of WWE Backstage Fallout:
“What does Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett think of William Regal? Hear from the brawling Brit in the SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout.” Plus, find out how Jack Swagger plans to become the next World Heavyweight Champion.”
– Friday’s WWE Smackdown had a Trendrr.tv social media score of 70,253, down 12% from the previous week’s post-WrestleMania edition. Smackdown ranked #2 on cable for the night.
– Here is the latest WWE Backstage Fallout:
Who does Big Show blame in WWE for his recent losses? Plus, The Great Khali, Natalya and Hornswoggle make a statement on the SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout.
– Friday’s WWE SmackDown featuring matches taped on Monday night before RAW and footage from the WrestleMania 29 AXXESS fan fest had a Trendrr.tv social media score of 85,141, an increase of 20% over the previous week. Nevertheless, Smackdown ranked #3 on cable TV, trailing the Miami Heat on ESPN and SpongeBob on Nickelodeon.
– Here is the latest installment of WWE Backstage Fallout:
How does Tons of Funk deal with bullies? Find out in the SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout.” Plus, Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter put out the “welcome mat” for World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio.
– On this week’s “Backstage Fallout” for SmackDown, John Laurinaitis reacts to his appearance on the show. Plus, Kaitlyn explains why she was happy to be Daniel Bryan’s tag team partner despite their differences.
– In 1992, Marvel Comics released the first issue of WCW: World Championship Wrestling a comic book featuring the biggest WCW biggest stars of the time including Sting, Lex Luger, The Steiners, Paul E. Dangerously’s Dangerous Alliance and PN News. The official WWE website has published an article examining ten of the best moments from the first four issues.
– Former WWE Superstar Vader has been announced to appear at the “Wrestling Spectacular 1” taking place May 18 at the Middletown Market 128 Dolson Ave. Middletown, New York. (Event Details)
– After Monday’s WWE RAW went off the air, John Cena laid in the ring selling the Rock Bottom that he took. The Q&A panel setup was cleared away and then The Shield’s music hit. They made their entrance through the crowd and surrounded the ring, leaving John Cena cornered. They started attacking Cena – which is when Sheamus’ music hit. Sheamus and Ryback ran out to even the odds, which set up the dark match main event.
John Cena, Ryback, and Sheamus defeated The Shield by disqualification after Rollins used a chair on Sheamus. Ryback and John Cena hit their finishers on Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose to send the crowd home happy.
– Monday’s WWE RAW scored a Trendrr.tv social media score of 288,262, up 5% from last week. Raw ranked #1 on cable TV for the night.
– Here’s the latest episode of WWE Backstage Fallout:
How does World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio plan to get back at Jack Swagger for his actions on Raw? Find out in this edition of “Backstage Fallout.” Plus, see how Mark Henry is preparing for his weightlifting competition against Ryback.
– Friday’s WWE SmackDown on Syfy had a Trendrr.tv social media score of 64,958, way down from the previous week’s 89,277 (the “Social Media SmackDown” special). Smackdown ranked #3 on cable for the night behind the two NBA games on ESPN.
– Here’s the latest edition of WWE Backstage Fallout, featuring behind-the-scenes interviews from Friday’s SmackDown.
Based on what we saw on SmackDown and the following video, it appears Ryback and Mark Henry are indeed headed towards a showdown at WrestleMania 29:
In the SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout,” Ryback reacts to the second staredown he’s had with Mark Henry. Plus, what does Divas Champion Kaitlyn have to say about Layla’s apology?
– The Hollywood Reporter reports that WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin has another reality show on the way. Austin will star in “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Ranch,” a reality competition show that will pits six contestants against one another in a series of challenges on Austin’s Texas ranch.
In other good news for Austin, his “Redneck Island” show has been picked up for a third season.
– Here’s the latest Backstage Fallout video from Monday’s Old School RAW:
“Will The New Age Outlaws take on Team Rhodes Scholars next week on Raw? Watch the “Old School” Raw edition of “Backstage Fallout” to find out. Plus, see Brodus Clay and Tensai shake, rattle and roll with The Honky Tonk Man.”
– Friday’s “Social Media Smackdown” scored a Trendrr.tv social media score of 89,277, up 51% from the previous week and the highest social media score for the show since September 28, 2012.
Despite the very strong showing, SmackDown ranked #4 for the night in social media activity, behind the two NBA games on ESPN and SpongeBob SquarePants on Nickelodeon.
– Here’s the latest WWE Backstage Fallout video for Friday’s SmackDown:
Watch the Social Media SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout” and see what The Prime Time Players do when they think the cameras are off. Plus, United States Champion Antonio Cesaro tells the WWE Universe why The Miz has no chance at his title.
– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown and Main Event tapings will take place from Biloxi, MS. With the WWE RAW crew currently overseas touring Qatar and Istanbul, Turkey this weekend, don’t expect to see any top names from RAW on Friday’s show.
– Monday’s WWE RAW had a Trendrr.tv social media score of 286,986, up slightly from last week, but below the 2013 average of 311,964. RAW ranked #1 on all of television for the night and topped the cable charts for the fourth consecutive week.
– Here is this week’s Raw Backstage Fallout.
Why did Mark Henry refuse to get into the ring with The Great Khali? Does The Miz feel he got redemption on Antonio Cesaro? Plus, check out an exclusive interview with R-Truth and Kofi Kingston reacting to Damien Sandow’s assault. All this and more on Raw “Backstage Fallout”
World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. : WWE® Surpasses 1 Million Subscribers on YouTube, Topping ESPN and HBO
WWE on YouTube hit 1 million subscribers today, surpassing popular YouTube channels such as ESPN, HBO, Comedy Central, Discovery Networks and Apple, furthering WWE’s position as one of the world’s most social brands. WWE has seen a 340 percent increase in subscribers over the past year.
WWE premiered almost 30 hours of original programming in 2012 with shows such as Backstage Fallout, Outside the Ring, WWE Inbox, WWE Download and Z! True Long Island Story. Since launching its official YouTube channel in 2010, WWE has not only created dozens of hours of original programming, but also hosted exclusive matches as well as live pre-shows for its pay-per-view broadcasts. With almost a half billion views, WWE has more views than Showtime, ABC News, ESPN and UFC. In addition, WWE fans watch more than 1.5 billion WWE clips a year across YouTube.
WWE continues to be a leader in digital media. As one of the top 15 most influential brands on social media, WWE has more than 139 million combined social media followers across 10 social media networks.
– Craig Hlavaty of the Houston Press has written an article about his experience as a “seat filler” at last week’s 20th Anniversary RAW. When WWE holds a RAW or SmackDown taping and there are empty seats on the “hard camera” side, arena officials will move fans around so the empty seats to not appear on television. Here’s an excerpt of what Hlavaty said about the experience:
“After waiting about an hour, we were briefed by a staffer named Steve, whose role it is with the show to make sure seats don’t look empty for the folks at home.”
“I did get some sweet seat fillin’ action during the Divas match, where Kaitlyn and Eve duked it out. Apparently some fans didn’t wanna watch two chicks fight it out and I got to become a red, bald pixel behind two chicks in spandex. Story of my life.”
“Other than a few movements earlier in the evening, I didn’t move much, if at all. Seat fillers get great seats, however transient, and get to see all the action.”
– Here is the latest episode of WWE’s Backstage Fallout, featuring behind-the-scenes interviews from Monday’s RAW:
What does Dr. Shelby think of his anger management graduates, WWE Tag Team Champions, Team Hell No? Watch the Raw edition of “Backstage Fallout” to hear from the good doctor. Plus, get your dose of Divas Champion Kaitlyn.
– WWE United States Champion Antonio Cesaro announced on SmackDown that he will be participating in the Royal Rumble match later this month. The updated list of entrants now includes:
* John Cena
* Randy Orton
* Sheamus
* Dolph Ziggler
* Antonio Cesaro
* Heath Slater
* Drew McIntyre
* Jinder Mahal
– Speaking of Cesaro, he and WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes continue to talk trash back and forth on Twitter. It’s possible this will lead to a confrontation between the two at an upcoming SmackDown or NXT show.
– Here’s the latest episode of WWE Backstage Fallout:
In the SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout,” get an exclusive interview with the new World Heavyweight Champion, Alberto Del Rio. Plus, find what Divas Champion Eve has to say all the haters in the WWE Universe.
– Monday’s WWE RAW featuring The Rock’s return scored a Trendrr.tv social media score of 321,033, the most social media activity RAW has seen since September 10, 2012.
RAW finished #2 on cable for the night behind only the college football BCS National Championship game on ESPN. RAW beat both “Catfish” on MTV and “Love & Hip Hop” on VH1, two shows that have regularly ranked higher than WWE in recent months.
– Here’s the latest WWE Backstage Fallout video featuring interviews from Monday’s RAW:
In this Raw edition of “Backstage Fallout,” Team Rhodes Scholars tells the WWE Universe why they’re better than Team Hell No. Plus, Sheamus talks about what he’s looking forward to after delivering his first Brogue Kick of 2013
– With WWE looking to bring back legends for the upcoming 20th Anniversary of WWE RAW on January 14th, Kevin Nash has stated he won’t be there. Nash tweeted on Saturday morning:
– Here’s the latest episode of WWE Backstage Fallout from Friday’s SmackDown:
What does Jinder Mahal say that shocks and confuses his fellow bandmates? Watch the SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout” to find out. Plus, Natalya shares a special moment with the WWE Universe.
– WWE has officially announced that the January 14th episode of RAW from Houston, Texas will be a special 20th Anniversary show. It’s expected that the show will feature appearances from various legends and highlight clips from the show’s 20 year history, but it won’t be anywhere as big as RAW’s 1,000th episode celebration from the past summer.
Local commercials in the Houston market that aired during Monday’s RAW advertised John Cena & Sheamus vs. Big Show & Dolph Ziggler as the dark match main event.
– Here is the latest Backstage Fallout from Monday’s Christmas-themed episode of Raw:
– The announce team for Sunday’s TLC pay-per-view will be Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and JBL.
– Ronnie from “Jersey Shore” and the band “Gaslight Anthem” were among the celebrities in attendance at Monday’s RAW from Newark, New Jersey. Zack Ryder’s dad and friend The Big O were sitting ringside. Former WWE superstar Colt Cabana (“Scotty Goldman” in WWE) was backstage at the show and tweeted the following image and caption:
“Look Who’s TOUTING!”
– Here is the latest episode of WWE’s Backstage Fallout from RAW:
– WWE will be taping this year’s “Tribute To The Troops” show tomorrow night from the Norfolk Scope Arena in Virginia. Tickets are still available to active members of the military.
– HamptonRoads.com has an article up looking at John Cena, Eve Torres and other WWE stars visiting with wounded sailors and Marines at the Portsmouth Naval Medical Center in Virginia this week.
– Over the past few weeks, there has been a push from several WWE main event stars for the company to re-hire former mid-card talents that were released in the past but were considered quality workers. With the WWE roster stretched very thin and WWE looking to groom a fresh crop of young stars, management is expected to begin reaching out to the former superstars in the coming weeks.
COMMENT BELOW and tell us which former WWE mid-carters you want to see brought back. John Morrison? Carlito? Chris Masters?
– Here is the latest episode of WWE Backstage Fallout:
– Damien Sandow and 3MB appear on this week’s “Backstage Fallout” for SmackDown. Here is the synopsis: “Check out this SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout” and learn what Damien Sandow is looking for in an apprentice. Plus, 3MB responds to The Usos and all their haters, exclusively on WWE on YouTube!”
– According to WWE.com, a Raw live event is scheduled for Sunday, March 3, 2013 at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, New York. John Cena, CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler and Ryback headline.
– Lilian Garcia is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com. She is still recovering at home after being struck by a car in Los Angeles, California, five weeks ago.
– In this edition of “Backstage Fallout” for SmackDown World Heavyweight Champion Big Show has some words of warning for Sheamus for their Chairs Match at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs. Plus, Rosa Mendes “scouts” Alberto Del Rio.
– SmackDown color commentator John “Bradshaw” Layfield announced via Twitter that he will debut a new show on WWE.com next week: “Looking forward to The JBL Show debut next week! @wwe .com will carry it. @MichaelCole may also appear some. #dollarwithadime.”
– In the United Kingdom, The Miz is currently featured in a television commercial for Smyths Toys.
– “Backstage Fallout” for Monday’s Raw is now online. Here is the synopsis: “Aksana tells the WWE Universe why she went after Kaitlyn at Night of Champions and later at Survivor Series. Plus, see how The Prime Time Players are recovering after being double-teamed. Check out these interviews only in the Raw edition of “Backstage Fallout.”
— WWE NXT wrestler Corey Graves (formerly known as Sterling James Keenan on the independent wrestling circuit) issued the following warning on Twitter following Survivor Series: “My turn.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel lent his vocal talents to the Strike 3 Foundation’s First Pitch Gala, serving as emcee at the fundraiser for pediatric cancer research. The official WWE website has posted photos from the event.
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson addressed the record breaking ticket sales for WrestleMania 29 ticket sales via Twitter: “NY/NJ – @WWE #TeamBringIt breaks all time tix sale record! @Giants @nyjets #MetLifeStadium #WrestleMania2013 #HomeOfTheRock.”
Tickets for WrestleMania 29 went on sale to the general public last Saturday and sold out almost immediately. All told, WWE sold 52,029 tickets, which broke the record set in 2002 for first day sales, which was at 51,620, according to the Wrestling Observer. The company also broke the record for the biggest gate in pro wrestling history, as the show has topped $10 million already.
– This week’s “Backstage Fallout” for SmackDown is online. Here is the synopsis: “Does Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston trust his Team Foley teammate The Miz? In this edition of “Backstage Fallout,” find out if “The Wildcat” can leave the “past in the past” and work with The Awesome One at Survivor Series. Plus, Wade Barrett tells the WWE Universe what they can expect from him at this weekend’s pay-per-view.”
– Following his fourth straight loss to Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston on Tuesday’s SuperSmackDown LIVE, The Miz explains on “Backstage Fallout” why he is upset with vocal WWE fans. Plus, William Regal makes a vow after making his in-ring return.
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson revealed that he was a fan of Ultimate Warrior growing up.
Joey Styles tweeted Johnson on WWE.com’s article on the fifteen greatest Superstar entrances and “The Great One” responded, “Honored to be on it. Wrestlemania 6: My fav Warrior entrance of all time. #OnFire.”
– The late “Ravishing” Rick Rude is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– Chris Jericho’s band Fozzy will be playing tonight in Albany, New York at Bogies, despite Hurricane Sandy. Tickets are still available and the show starts at 7pm.
– During a commercial break at Monday’s RAW, a video aired featuring US Champion Antonio Cesaro telling the crowd that they should stop chanting “USA” during his matches.
– Here’s the latest Backstage Fallout video from Monday’s RAW:
– In this SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout,” Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston explains why he won’t lose his title to The Miz this Sunday, while Kaitlyn shares her “extraordinary” gameplan to winning the Triple Threat Match at Hell in a Cell.
– Beth Phoenix, whose WWE run is reporting drawing near, tweeted Tuesday that she will be on hand for Monday’s Raw in Charlotte, North Carolina.
– John “Bradshaw” Layfield is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– Zack Ryder will be signing copies of WWE DVDs at the FYE store in Levittown, New York on December 28 at 3:00 p.m.
– On this week’s “Backstage Fallout” for Raw, Rey Mysterio addresses his and Sin Cara’s loss to Team Rhodes Scholars in the No. 1 Tag Team Title No. 1 Contenders’ Tournament to earn a title opportunity against Team Hell No at WWE Hell in a Cell this Sunday. Also, Alberto Del Rio reveals what he has planned for Randy Orton at Hell in a Cell and Dolph Ziggler offers his thoughts on Vickie Guerrero.
– Former WWE Women’s Champion Sable, 45, is now a grandmother. Her daughter, who is in her early 20’s, gave birth to a child in September, reports RenaLesnar.net.
– Heath Slater is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.