– Independent pro wrestling star Colt Cabana recently spoke to The Cleveland Plain Dealer about reports of him doing commentary work for WWE. Colt said:
“I’m just riding the wave of fun right now. The WWE has been weirdly talking with me for over a year now. I can’t rely on them though. I do my own thing until stuff gets concrete. Right now, I can’t worry if I’ll be doing announcing or anything else. I know I want to concentrate on continuing to wrestle around the world and growing my comedy stuff. All I can say about the future is that I’m going to be having fun with wrestling. That’s a guarantee.”
Check out the complete interview online at Cleveland.com.
– As noted on Monday night, former WWE Superstar Batista posted a tweet about his announced return at the January 20th edition of RAW. In the tweet, Batista noted, “I can’t wait to get to the Cheesefest in Hoakietown and punch somebody right In the f’n face! Playtime’s over children.” When WWE displayed the tweet on RAW on Monday night, they edited the “f’n” out of the quote.
– Due to his victory in the “Christmas Present on a Pole Match” at the special Holiday themed-edition of WWE RAW on Monday night, Fandango will get a shot at the WWE Intercontinental Championship. It was announced that Fandango will challenge Big E. Langston on RAW next Monday night.
– WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross tweeted the following regarding the WWE return of Batista:
– As part of the promotion for “The Animal” Batista’s return to WWE, which is now confirmed for the January 20th edition of RAW, WWE has added a playlist of Batista’s most epic matches. You can check it out online at WWE.com.
– Speaking of Batista, he tweeted the following about his upcoming WWE return:
I can't wait to get to the Cheesefest in Hoakietown and punch somebody right In the f'n face! Playtime's over children.
The following are some tweets related to the announcement that former WWE Superstar “The Animal” Batista will be officially returning to the company on the January 20th edition of RAW:
It was officially announced during the special Christmas-themed edition of WWE RAW on Mondy night that former WWE Superstar “The Animal” Batista is indeed making his return to the company in 2014.
WWE announced Batista’s return for the January 20th edition of WWE RAW.
– We spoke to a couple WWE sources over the weekend that informed us The Undertaker has agreed to wrestle at WrestleMania XXX. WWE had been optimistic that he’d be wrestling on the anniversary show, but the official word came within the past week. With WrestleMania just over 3 months away, there is still so opponent locked in to challenge his streak.
– With his return to WWE imminent, Batista has been packing on a lot of muscle lately. As we’ve been reporting, the original plan for Batista was for him to make a surprise return at the Royal Rumble, with Dave Melzter reporting that Batista could very well win the Rumble and challenge Randy Orton for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania.
The deal was brokered by Triple H and even though he isn’t getting as sweet of a deal as Brock Lesnar, he is getting a very lucrative that include appearances at PPV’s, RAW & SmackDown tapings as well as WWE live events. This is said to be a ‘close to full time’ short-term that will keep him part of WWE storylines beyond WrestleMania XXX.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross recently commented on the possibility of Daniel Bryan vs. CM Punk at WrestleMania 30. He wrote at JRsBarBQ.com:
“On the surface, yes, but it’s all about the presentation and the reason for them wrestling. It’s unlikely to occur but I have no idea of the WM30 card.”
– With the news of Batista returning to WWE leaking online this past weekend, Dave Meltzer is speculating that WWE could have Batista is returning before the Royal Rumble, win the Rumble match and go on to face Randy Orton for the WWE World Heavyweight championship at WrestleMania XXX.
We’ve heard that Batista will be involved in a program with Triple H and Randy Orton upon his return, playing off their past as part of the Evolution faction.
– Here’s the latest installment of WWE Backstage Fallout featuring behind-the-scenes interviews from Friday’s SmackDown:
– Though UNLVTickets.com’s advertisement promoting an appearance by Batista for WWE’s upcoming live event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 16, 2014 was removed, there are still some radio ads in the area saying he’ll be at the show.
– A Six-Man Tag Team Match pitting Daniel Bryan, Cody Rhodes and Goldust against The Wyatt Family that was taped Wednesday night in San Antonio, Texas was edited off Friday’s SmackDown broadcast on Syfy.
– Eddie Edwards, who is currently working for WWE on a trial basis in Orlando, Florida, said at last night’s Pro Wrestling Guerrilla show in Reseda, California said that it would be his farewell show. Edwards, however, did not reveal his future plans.
– Independent wrestler Slyk Wagner Brown now runs a wrestling school in Waterbury, Connecticut. Those interested in visiting the school can contact him at SWB4Real@yahoo.com. He says he trained Eddie Edwards and former TNA Knockout Roxxi.
The following are highlights from yet another Q&A update by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On if Shawn Michaels decided to wrestle again, should he face The Rock: “I simply don’t feel HBK is returning to the ring. I believe him when he says he’s done.”
On the chemistry he had with Paul Heyman in the announcing booth: “It was awesome. Two complete opposites who were quickly able to refine our act. Paul’s very talented.”
On rumors of Batista returning to WWE: “If Batista returns he’s obviously main event bound. Wouldn’t surprise me.”
On the way WWE is using Damien Sandow: “I can’t answer your question as I’m not involved with WWE Creative. However, I like Sandow’s persona. I think he’s getting ample TV time and it’s up to him to maximize his minutes, no matter if one thinks they are for better or for worse. That’s what pros do. If he steers the course, more often than not, he will come out the other side whole. Legit talents who persevere generally prevail.”
Check out the complete Q&A online at JRsBarBQ.com.
– According to PWInsider.com, WWE officials are steamed over news of Batista returning to the organization since it was meant to be kept as a surprise. Advertisements featuring the former WWE Champion were removed Saturday from UNLVTickets.com for WWE’s scheduled non-televised event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 16, 2014.
– With WWE in San Antonio, Texas last week for SmackDown, Zeb Colter paid a visit to the The Alamo in order to look out for illegal immigrants. To watch the vignette, click here.
– Former WWE Superstar Rob Van Dam has been announced to appear at a Reality of Wrestling event on Saturday, January 11, 2014 in Houston, Texas. (Event Information)
– This week’s WWE Classics on Demand updates are as follows: WWE SummerSlam (2013), World Wrestling Federation action at the Copps Coliseum (December 4, 1988, featuring Tim Horner vs. Johnny K-9, Hulk Hogan vs. Big Boss Man, Virgil vs. Hercules, Tito Santana vs. Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Mr. Perfect vs. Jose Luis Rivera, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase vs. Koko B. Ware, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan vs. Dino Bravo), WWWF Championship Wrestling (February 4, 1978), ECW Hardcore TV (December 4, 1998), WWF Prime Time Wrestling (December 25, 1989).
– As announced Friday evening, WWE will hold a live event at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 16, 2014, and according to www.unlvtickets.com, “The Animal” is scheduled to appear at the event. Sources within the sports-entertainment organization confirmed to PWInsider.com that this is not an advertising error as he is indeed coming back. Advertising was released prematurely, spoiling WWE’s planned surprise (which one source speculated as taking place at the Royal Rumble next month).
This is not the only event he is scheduled for as an executive for the NBA’s Phoenix Suns revealed on Twitter last night that Batista will appear at a live event scheduled for Saturday, February 15, 2014 at the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. The message was quickly deleted.
– WWEShop.com has released a new T-Shirt on Cameron featuring her catchphrase on Total Divas, “Girl Bye.”
– WWE developmental talent Alexa Bliss (Lexi Kaufman) scored her first victory in singles competition at Friday’s NXT live event in Orlando, Florida. The former bodybuilder and fitness model defeated Sasha Banks.
An advertisement for an upcoming WWE Live Event in February has spoiled some major news – former WWE Champion Batista is returning to WWE.
As announced Friday evening, the official website of the Thomas & Mack Center is advertising the Batista will be appearing at the WWE Live Event from Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 16, 2014
Sources in WWE are saying this is not an advertising error as he is indeed coming back.
Advertising was reportedly released prematurely, spoiling WWE’s planned surprise (which would take place in time for WrestleMania season).
Batista, who is now 44-years-old, had been contemplating a return to WWE since last spring in discussions with Triple H. However, his acting schedule prevented him from making a commitment until recently.
One source speculated that Batista will appear for WWE until he is called to promote Guardians, which is scheduled to be released in theaters on August 1, 2014.
Batista last appeared for WWE in 2010, with his final match resulting in a loss to John Cena. He later stated in media interviews that he left WWE due to unhappiness with the company’s family-friendly product. He did not, however, rule out a return to the organization as he has said that he would be interested in having another run.
Comment Below and tell us who you want to see Batista wrestle at WrestleMania.
UNLVTickets.com, a Las Vegas-based ticket selling website is advertising the WWE return of former Superstar Batista at the company’s live event at the Thomas & Mack Center on Sunday, February 16, 2014.
The website is advertising the following:
WWE’s Road to Wrestlemania will make a stop at Las Vegas’ Thomas and Mack Center on Sunday, February 16. Don’t miss your favorite WWE Superstars including: CM Punk, The Shield, Big Show, Kane, the WWE Divas and much more! Plus, see the special return of “The Animal” Batista, LIVE!
WWE offers the best value in entertainment, with tickets starting at $20. Also, don’t miss your chance to take part in the Ultimate WWE FAN EXPERIENCE!
As previously reported, WWE is continuing to negotiate with Hulk Hogan for a return to the company for some involvement at WrestleMania XXX. In addition to Hogan, WWE is also thinking about bringing some other high-profile names from the past back into the fold for the biggest annual event.
WWE is apparently interested in bringing Batista back into the company for a role at WrestleMania, as there is talk right now of working him into the show should he want to make a comeback.
As far as Rob Van Dam is concerned, there are currently no plans involving him at WrestleMania, however that could change if Van Dam himself is interested in returning from hiatus to come back into the fold.
WWE Intercontinental champion Big E. Langston was a recent guest on the Chad Dukes Wrestling radio show on CBS radio in Washington D.C. You can listen to audio of the appearance at ChadDukesWrestlingShow.com. Here are some highlights about what he said about:
His Dream Opponents: “There are a few guys. For me it’s kinda cool to think about guys you grew up and you idolized. Undertaker has a spot where he has that allure, and that mystique, and everyone always kinda goes to Undertaker as being their guy, and rightfully so. I was also a huge Vader fan, so if they were ever able to bring him back for one, I think that would be cool as well. I know there’s been talk possibly, and I have no idea if it’s gonna happen, about Batista possibly coming back. You know guys like that, you grew up watching idolized, you know they’re all kind a dreams who knows if they’ll ever come to fruition.”
His Relationship with John Cena: “He’s been very helpful over the past few years, even before I got called up. Just giving me advice, he opened up the weight room to me. I live about 15 minutes away from his gym. He’s been very helpful, just kinda giving me pointers throughout the way, just giving me advice, and really just trying to be a mentor in many ways. I’m really grateful for him taking time to help and guide me. Honestly, he’s done that for a lot of younger talent, people just don’t see that.”
– The official WWE website has added a new article looking at WWE Superstars Brock Lesnar, John Cena, Randy Orton and Batista all passing through Ohio Valley Wrestling (OVW) on their way to WWE. You can check that out online at WWE.com.
– Speaking of Cena and Orton, both WWE Superstars are interestingly enough not advertised for the WWE SmackDown television tapings on January 14th in Worcester or on January 21st in Grand Rapids. Triple H is advertised for both shows.
– WWE Superstar Damien Sandow met with a teenage boy fighting a rare disorder in Louisville, Kentucky earlier this week. The teenager suffers from lesions and tumors across his body and says he’s inspired by Sandow. Here’s video of them together:
– Former WWE and World Heavyweight Champion Batista accompanied Filipino boxer Nonito Donaire Saturday night in Corpus Christi, Texas for his match against Mikey Garcia. The bout aired on HBO, which Rey Mysterio acknowledged via Instagram.
“My big #homey #Batista just popped up on HBO boxing with NONITO DONAIRE! It’s been a minute since I’ve seen him! Miss u my homey! #Philippinopride,” wrote the inactive WWE Superstar.
– Members of The Heenan Family reunited Saturday at the Big Event convention in Flushing, New York. Bobby “The Brain” Heenan, King Kong Bundy, Haku, The Barbarian and Paul Orndorff (sporting a curly moustache) took photo-ops together with fans.
– WWE Hall of Famer “Cowboy” Bob Orton turns 63-years-old on Sunday. Also celebrating a birthday is WWE developmental trainer Bill DeMott, who turns 47.
– Former WWE Superstar Batista was in attendance at the Vic Darchinyan vs. Nonito Donaire boxing fight on HBO on Saturday evening. Batista stood in the corner of Donaire, holding the Philippine flag during the official introductions prior to the bout. Donaire would go on to win the rematch against Darchinyan via TKO in the ninth round. Batista appeared again during Donaire’s post-fight interview with HBO boxing analyst Max Kellerman.
– WWE Superstar and current World Heavyweight Champion John Cena promoted the return of the WWE Total Divas reality show, which airs on E! on Sunday night, in a new tweet posted on his official Twitter account. Cena wrote the following:
The following are highlights from a recent VOC Nation interview with former WWE Diva Shelly Martinez:
On Batista getting her fired from WWE: “Batista and I had an aggressive conversation backstage and he said something that were unnecessary and uncalled for. If it was outside of wrestling, I’m pretty sure it could have been a legal problem for both Batista and WWE, but this is wrestling, and it’s a man’s business, so I fired back and they fired me. I was just a vampire girl in the fake ECW; he was Batista, and they wanted to accommodate him.”
On her passion for radio: “I’ve always wanted to do radio. Podcasts are the new way of radio. Four years ago, I started the show Funtime Radio with my sister Danielle, and we always had a vision for it, but we didn’t know how to quite make it happen. One thing we wanted to do was team up with a network like VOC Nation and make it more (of a success). People are afraid sometimes to speak their true minds, and we’re not afraid to say what’s on our mind and share our true stories. It’s really cool to be able to give all sides of me (not just wrestling) to VOC Nation listeners.”
On what makes her show different from others: “Podcasts are no stranger in the wrestling world these days. There’s a lot of prior talent that has podcasts. What’s different (about my shows) for me is that I’m a female wrestler that was fired by WWE and that also worked at TNA. What’s cool about Martinez Girls Radio is that you not only get to hear my stories about being (in the trenches), but you get to hear her outside perspective of watching me go through it. Whether it’s promoters sending me pictures of their (genitals) or trying to (get over on me), I’m not afraid to talk about it.”
Check out the complete interview online at VOCNation.com.
-Ted DiBiase Jr. worked his first match since leaving WWE on Saturday night for the Family Wrestling Entertainment (FWE) iPPV from Brooklyn, New York. DiBiase, who defeated Colt Cabana, cut a heel promo prior to the match. DiBiase noted that he “didn’t need WWE” and that he was a self-made millionaire. He said showing up for the FWE iPPV was the worst mistake of his life.
-Former WWE Superstar Batista recently noted on his official Twitter account that filming has wrapped for Marvel’s “Guardians of the Galaxy.” Batista tweeted the following:
Anywayzz…Peace everyone!! Work calls..Been quite a journey over here in the Uk. Wrapping it up soon. Another dream ream realized! #onelife
– The official YouTube account of WWE 2K14 has released clips previewing the entrances and finishers of Batista and Antonio Cesaro.
The video game will be released on Oct. 29 in North America and Nov. 1 in Europe.
– WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes was born on this day in 1945 as he turns 68-years-old. “The American Dream” issued the following message on Twitter on Friday thanking his “dream fans”: “just a note to my fans, u guys have never left me, and I love u for that. Keep on keeping on.”
– The official WWE website has issued a poll asking fans what was the bigger Rhodes family victory this week, defeating The Shield at WWE Battleground or beating the undefeated Wyatts on SmackDown. With over 2,000 votes cast, their pay-per-view victory is seen as more important (73%).
-Former WWE Superstar Mark Jindrak recently posted a tweet on his official Twitter account in response to the news that Triple H revealed in the Extras section of his new “Triple H: Thy Kingdom Come” documentary, where he talked about Jindrak being the originally intended fourth member of the old Evolution faction in WWE, instead of Batista, who ended up filling the role. Jindrak wrote:
“I wasn’t ready for Evolution at that time in my career. I was immature and Batista fit better. It was mine to lose and I dropped the ball…But since then I’ve matured and understood why I missed that chance and it’s helped me in my career which ended up in CMLL in Mexico.”
-WWE Superstar Ryback recently shared a story with the media in India while he was there doing promotional work for the new WWE 2K14 video game, about his favorite pro wrestlers growing up, and how one of them now texts him to tell him what a good job he’s doing. Ryback said:
“Growing up, I loved Razor Ramon, ‘The Bad Guy,’ I thought he was the coolest thing walking on the planet. But him, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart and The British Bulldog were all interchangeable there for awhile. I liked Diesel, the big seven footer… It’s also cool because Razor Ramon – Scott Hall’s his real name – he texts me now or will call me and just says, ‘great job, keep doing what you’re doing.’ So for me, growing up he was my favorite, that’s pretty cool to me now that this guy that I grew up idolizing texts me now tells me, ‘good job.'”
-In a rare turn of events when it comes to the recent Fan’s Choice voting segment of WWE live events where the options for Brie Bella vs. Natalya are a “Dance Contest” and a regular singles match, the fans actually voted for a regular match. As it turns out, it didn’t really matter, as they went ahead and did the same angle that they’ve been doing at all recent live events, with the two starting off in a Dance Contest, only for Bella to attack Natalya and turn it into an actual match.
-Wrestler birthdays for today include WWE Hall Of Famer Bruno Sammartino’s son, David Sammartino, who himself is a former WWE wrestler. Sammartino turns 53 today. Also, former WWE Superstar and ECW original Yoshihiro Tajiri turns 43 today.
-WrestleReunion will be running the Dorman High School in Spartanburg, South Carolina on Saturday, October 19th for a Special Olympics fundraiser. Scheduled to appear are former WWE Superstars The Nasty Boys, Demolition, Jimmy Hart, Dr. Tom Prichard, Luke Gallows and other pro wrestling personalities. For more information, visit WrestleReunion.com.
-The film “Riddick,” which features former WWE Superstar Batista in a key role, fell to number 14 at the box office this weekend at $1.62 million. In Australia, it was number eight.
-Sami Zayn and Bo Dallas, both of whom have been working random WWE main roster live events recently, will compete for the WWE NXT Championship at the next WWE NXT live event in Tampa, Florida on Thursday, October 3rd.
