– The general viewpoint among people in WWE is that there are two types of women who join the sports-entertainment organization. There are models who use the company as a stepping stone toward fame due to its substantial television presence. And then there are those who truly love wrestling, with Beth Phoenix and Natalya being the prime examples. However, it is said that the girls who perform for the love of the sport get easily frustrated because there is no reward for being talented in the ring, not to mention that they receive minimal television time to showcase their abilities. The model types are willing to wrestle for a few years, with the hope it leads to a break in the entertainment world, and bolt once they start attracting offers.

– The former Husky Harris, WWE developmental wrestler Bray Wyatt, has lost weight in recent months and is said to be down to 280 pounds. He has received rave reviews for his Cape Fear-esque character, which has been compared to that of former WWE Superstar Waylon Mercy. Many feel he would be on the main roster today if WWE chief Vince McMahon wasn’t negative on his physique.

– Friday’s Raw live event in St. Joseph, Missouri, drew 3,000 attendees paying $80,000. Saturday in Topeka, Kansas, drew 3,500 paying $110,000. Sunday in Wichita, Kansas, drew 4,000 for $125,000. Saturday’s SmackDown live event in Abilene, Texas, drew 3,000 for $95,000. Sunday’s show in Wichita Falls, Texas, drew 2,200 paying $55,000, which would be one of the lowest grossing events of the year.

– WWE announced Friday afternoon via WWE.com that the organization has come to terms on the release of former Divas Champion Kelly Kelly. According to F4WOnline.com, the departure was mutual. The organization granted the former Divas Champion a leave of absence in May in hopes that she would remain and sign a new contract. She briefly returned in August, but indicated then that she would not be returning on a full-time schedule anytime soon since she was pursuing endeavors outside the organization. With Kelly still cold this week on returning, both parties decided to part ways.

– While the Divas locker room digs for Kaitlyn’s blond attacker, the official WWE website has published a photo gallery highlighting fair-haired Divas of past and present. Those featured include Natalya, Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes, Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, Trish Stratus, Terri Runnels and Michelle McCool.

– SmackDown ring announcer and songstress Lilian Garcia participated in a media blitz Friday in New York City promoting her performance during halftime at Metlife Stadium this Sunday when the New York Jets battle the San Francisco 49ers.

– Former WWE star Steve Blackman turns 49-years-old Friday. He currently operates a self-defense school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania called “BlackmanMMA.”

– Beth Phoenix will be finishing up with WWE over the next few weeks. The former Divas champion is said to be leaving on good terms, but she’s been unhappy with how she and the rest of the Divas are booked on television.

There is a feeling that more Divas might be leaving WWE soon, as Beth Phoenix is not the only person who is unhappy.

– The Ultimate Warrior is featured as today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.

– Matches taped for today’s WWE Superstars are:

* Ted DiBiase vs. Michael McGillicutty
* Heath Slater vs. Yoshi Tatsu
* Layla vs. Eve Torres
* Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler

– The official theme song for WWE’s new Main Event TV show is “Diamond Eyes” by the band Shinedown. The show premieres next Wednesday night on the Ion Network.

(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)

– Beth Phoenix says her match against Natalya on this Friday’s episode of SmackDown will be the first time they ever met in a singles match.

“This Friday on SmackDown @NatbyNature and I square off for the first time one on one in our respective 10+ year careers in Buffalo. #magic,” she wrote Wednesday on Twitter after noting earlier that the event may have been the highlight of her career.

– Grow Socially has published an article on the online success story of Zack Ryder. “Long Island Iced Z” says his struggle to find a place in WWE led to him venturing online.

“I didn’t feel like a Superstar, you know?”, Ryder said, “I didn’t have an action figure, I wasn’t on TV, I didn’t have a promotional [photo]. I was just sick of pitching ideas and nothing getting done. But I did realize I had to do something about it.”

In February 2011, Ryder began using various social networking websites in order to establish a niche fan following which helped attain an elevated status within WWE.

With Ryder’s successful online endeavors, he has been credited with WWE embracing social media after long dismissing it. As late as early 2010, Vince McMahon had WWE voice Michael Cole publicly label social media outlets such as Twitter as something “nerds” use. Ryder attributes WWE’s enthusiastic audience to the company’s rousing success across social media, especially on Twitter.

“You’re able to communicate with someone you regularly watch on TV, and it’s just this crazy environment that WWE has really been able to capitalize on,” he says.

– Amid rumors that Beth Phoenix will be leaving WWE next month after handing in her notice, Rob Feinstein, who is coordinating an autograph signing next month with her boyfriend Adam “Edge” Copeland, says he has known for months that she would be leaving the sports-entertainment organization. He also says they will be working together after she leaves WWE.

He wrote on his Facebook page, “A ton of people are asking us about Beth Phoenix leaving the company next month. We knew about this a few months ago from our sources and we already plan on doing some signings and other stuff with her when the time permits.”

– David Bixenspan of BleacherReport.com has written a review of WWE’s upcoming CM Punk DVD and Blu-ray, CM Punk – Best in the World, scheduled for release on October 9 in the United States.

Dubbed a “must-buy,” Bixenspan says of the title, “Everything from his family life, to how he defines family, to his loyalty to his friends, to what drives him to succeed, to what IWA Mid-South and Ring of Honor meant to him, all of his difficulties in WWE; it’s all here. In addition, the chronological narrative is broken up by fun human interest interludes about his tour bus, tattoos, his love of comic books, and more) at the end of each chapter.”

In addition to the 109-minute long documentary, the DVD features 37 minutes of deleted scenes/interviews and two discs of matches.

– WWE Diva Beth Phoenix, who is expected to be finishing up with WWE in the coming weeks, tweeted that working Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings in front of her home crowd (Buffalo, NY) was one of her career highlights.

– It’s worth noting that Brodus Clay’s disco ball hanging above the ring at Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Buffalo, NY. Clay never appeared in front of the live crowd, despite fans chanting his name throughout the night.

– WWE Champion CM Punk’s Saturday just got a lot busier. We recently reported that Punk was pulled from the WWE RAW brand’s live event (9/29) in Topeka, Kansas so he can apear at the Ohio Comic-Con event in Columbus, Ohio instead. With John Cena injured and recovering from recent elbow surgery, CM Punk has been added back to the Topeka live event.

CM Punk will appear at Ohio Comic-Con from 10:30am until 2:30pm this Saturday and then will to Topeka, Kansas and wrestle the Big Show in the main event of that WWE live event.

– Kelly Kelly is expected to be back full-time with WWE later this year.

– With Beth Phoenix expected to leave WWE next month, she’s reportedly interested in getting into acting. She is leaving WWE on good terms and could be back in the future.

– Ted DiBiase worked in the heel role at Sunday’s SmackDown live event in London, Ontario, Canada, losing to Kofi Kingston. DiBiase was busted open early in the match after taking a dropkick to the face.

– Washington.CBSLocal.com has an article up featuring an interesting quote from NFL player Adam Carriker of the Washington Redskins. After tearing his right quadriceps tendon and collapsing to the ground during a game this weekend, the first thing he thought about was pro wrestling.

“I’m laying there on the turf at the Edward Jones Dome and there’s one thing going through my mind and it’s the image of Triple H tearing his quad tendon off his knee in the ring. Why I’m thinking about that, I don’t know,” he said. “I think that’s because it’s exactly where I felt it in my leg.”

(Partial source: F4Wonline.com)

Raj Giri of WrestlingINC.com reports that WWE Diva Elizabeth Carolan, a.k.a Beth Phoenix, will be finishing up with the company shortly. According to a source, Phoenix will be retiring in October.

Phoenix made her WWE debut in 2006 as an ally to Trish Stratus during her feud with Mickie James. She would go on to hold the WWE Women’s Championship three times, as well as the WWE Diva’s Championship.

Phoenix was en route to displacing Maryse Ouellet as the longest reigning WWE Divas Champion in history earlier this year, however lost the belt a week before she could break the record to Nikki Bella on the April 23rd episode of Raw.

– Beth Phoenix, who is currently taking a leave of absence from WWE following the loss of a loved one, has been pulled from advertisements for several upcoming events. The official WWE website had her listed as appearing at events beginning on October 1 after she was pulled from last week’s Australian tour and all events in September, but her next advertised appearance is now slated for the October 22 Raw in East Rutherford, New Jersey. She is then not listed for any events until December 28.

– Defunct wrestling titles are highlighted on this week’s episode of WWE Vintage Collection. The following matches aired on the show: The York Foundation vs. Dustin Rhodes, Big Josh and The Z-Man for the WCW World Six-Man Tag Team Championship (WCW Main Event – November 3, 1991), Barry Windham vs. Larry Zbyszko for the NWA Western States Heritage Championship (NWA Bunkhouse Stampede – January 24, 1988), Dino Bravo vs. Tiger Chung Lee for the WWF Canadian Heavyweight Championship (WWF All American Wrestling – January 12, 1986), Chris Jericho vs. The Rock for the WWF Undisputed Championship (WWF Royal Rumble – January 20, 2002). (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

– This week’s WWE Classics on Demand updates are as follows: Macho Madness – The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection (Part 2), WWF at Philadelphia Spectrum (August 27, 1988), AWA All Star Wrestling (August 15, 1981), ECW Hardcore TV (April 28, 1998), Stampede Wrestling (July 1978).

– Brodus Clay is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.

– Actor Terry Crews revealed during a fan chat with Reddit.com that he has talked with WWE officials regarding a potential role.

“I’m talking to the WWE about doing some things,” Crews said. “I love the energy and excitement and the live component. It’s theater on a grand scale!”

Crews, who appears on the NBC reality program Stars Earn Stripes with WWE Diva Eve Torres, attended the WWE SummerSlam VIP Kick-Off Party at Beverly Hills Hotel two weeks ago. He also appeared in the 2008 movie Get Smart with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, which he acknowledged in the chat.

– On Raw, Jerry Lawler took exception to CM Punk’s remark that he had defeated “a bunch of nobodies in Memphis” and gotten “into a slap fight with a Hollywood comedian.” The WWE Hall of Famer named the Legends he’d beaten in “The River City’s” Mid-South Coliseum, which WWE.com have profiled in an article.

– Beth Phoenix is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com. The multi-time champion is currently taking a hiatus from the squared circle. She explained last Tuesday via Twitter, “Thank u for all of the support and respect while myself and my family grieves the loss of a loved one.”

– As reported Tuesday, WWE.com is no longer advertising Beth Phoenix for next week’s four-event Raw brand tour of Australia after she was listed as appearing as recently as late last week. Additionally, she been pulled from all television tapings and live events through the month of September. According to WWE.com, her next scheduled appearance takes place on October 1 for a Raw taping at the Chesapeake Energy Arena in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

After news surfaced Tuesday night concerning her whereabouts, Phoenix tweeted, “Thank u for all of the support and respect while myself and my family grieves the loss of a loved one.”

– Syfy announced Wednesday that “WWE Superstar” Edge (a/k/a Adam Copeland) will return to their hit series Haven for a recurring guest star role. He will reprise his role of Dwight Hendrickson, “a shrewd, longtime Haven resident and “Troubled” handyman who can truly handle anything, and often does, as the town’s “Cleaner,” in the show’s third season, including the premiere, September 21 at 10PM ET/PT. (Press Release)

– WWE Hall of Famer “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com.

– WWE Diva Beth Phoenix revealed on Twitter why she was absent from Monday’s RAW:

Thank u for all of the support and respect while myself and my family grieves the loss of a loved one.

— THE GLAMAZON (@TheBethPhoenix) August 22, 2012

Both Beth Phoenix and Kelly Kelly were advertised for the Divas Battle Royal to determine a new #1 contender, but neither woman appeared in the match (or was at the arena).

– Speaking of #1 contender’s matches, the main event of Friday’s WWE SmackDown will be Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio, with the winner earning a shot at Sheamus’ World Heavyweight championship.

*SPOILERS* WWE SmackDown Tapings Results For Friday

– Conspicuous by her absence Monday on Raw was Beth Phoenix, who WWE advertised as a participant in the Divas Championship No. 1 Contender Battle Royal. According to PWInsider.com, she, nor Kelly Kelly, who was also advertised for the match, were not at the show emanating from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. “The Glamazon” will be missing more events as WWE.com is no longer advertising her for next week’s four-event Raw brand tour of Australia. She had been listed as appearing as recently as late last week.

– There have been numerous WWE Superstars, Divas, Legends and Hall of Famers who made oft-forgotten and brief appearances in Extreme Championship Wrestling or it’s predecessor Eastern Championship Wrestling that fans may not have known. WWE.com has published a list naming seventeen of those individuals, which includes Jimmy Snuka, Konnan, Doink the Clown, Marty Jannetty, Scott Hall, Arn Anderson, Bobby Eaton, Don Muraco, Nikolai Volkoff, Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Scott Steiner, Rick Steiner, King Kong Bundy, Stan “The Lariat” Hansen, Road Warrior Hawk and Lita.

– Walking Tall, starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, airs on Spike TV on Friday at 7:00 p.m. and Saturday at 9:00 p.m.

– Following his appearance on Monday’s WWE RAW [via satellite], WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels says he’s leaving the spotlight once again and is looking forward to returning to his private family life:

Well, the upside is this…the noisy trucks are gone & tomorrow I go back to my life of ranching,family & #MRA…one handed for a while!!:-)

— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) August 21, 2012

– After coming up short in the #1 contender’s Divas Battle Royal on Monday’s RAW, Tamina tweeted the following message:

https://twitter.com/taminasnuka/status/237786264378675200

– Speaking of the Divas Battle Royal, it’s worth noting that Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix were featured on the preview graphic for the match, despite the fact that neither of them was at RAW.

– As fans lined up outside the American Airlines Center for Raw, a WWE crew member said Daniel Bryan would debut a new T-Shirt this Sunday at SummerSlam. He surveyed fans on four shirt designs and asked them to pick the one they like.

– Two matches were taped Monday night in Dallas, Texas for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:

* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Johnny Curtis and Michael McGillicutty

* Alex Riley vs. Drew McIntyre

According to a fan account, Curtis debuted a new look in his match.

No dark match was held before the taping.

– Following her victory over Beth Phoenix and Eve on Raw, Kaitlyn posted a Tout of Layla gearing up the Texas native for her match against Eve on SmackDown. A position in SmackDown General Manager Booker T’s administration will be on the line when they fight.

– Bobby Lashley is hitting the wrestling circuit once again, accepting all offers for upcoming events, autograph signings and other appearances. Although he will still be accepting plenty of dates in the United States, Lashley encourages all international promotions to consider bringing him into work for them as well. If you’d like to book the former WWE and TNA superstar for your next event, email LashleyBookings@yahoo.com. Lashley is also accepting a limited number of media requests as well. To keep up with all the latest on Bobby Lashley, follow him on Twitter FightBobby. or visit his official website, www.bobbylashley.com.

– Frank Eudy, son of Sid Vicious, has been announced to appear on the CBS reality television series Big Brother premiering July 12.

Frank has never attempted to professionally wrestle, although his younger brother Gunner has competed on the independent circuit as his father’s Lord Humongous persona.

– “The Glamazon” Beth Phoenix is today’s featured star on WWE.com.

– WWE has changed the official names of the Money in the Bank Ladder Matches taking place at Money in the Bank on July 15.

In the past, the two annual matches were referred as Smackdown and Raw matches. WWE.com has Big Show listed as the first participant in the WWE Championship Money in the Bank Ladder Match.

While WWE has yet to announce whether a World Heavyweight Championship Money in the Bank Ladder Match will take place, F4WOnline.com reports that there are plans to hold it.

– WWE.com has published photos of Beth Phoenix from a photo shoot for WWE Magazine.

– Former WWE Superstars Demolition Ax and Bull Buchanan are advertised to appear at tonight’s NWA Action show in Stockbridge, Georgia. Ax will be inducted into their Hall of Fame while Buchanan will face Tyson Dean for the NWA Action Heavyweight Championship.

– WWE is getting great feedback on the new set that’s being used at live events. Wrestlers’ entrances come across better, as do the promo videos that air throughout the show. Even though the new set blocks off a lot of seats, WWE rarely sells out the arenas at live events, so it’s not much of an issue.

Pictures of WWE’s New Live Events Set

– As previously reported, WWE Hall of Famer Edge and Beth Phoenix attended a recent NHL hockey game on 5/30. The two are indeed dating.

Beth Phoenix had previously dated CM Punk, who is currently romantically linked with Lita, who infamously cheated on Matt Hardy with Edge.

Check out these pictures of Edge & Beth Phoenix together last week:

[nggallery id=20]

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— In this week’s episode of Z! True Long Island Story, Zack Ryder laments his return to WWE Superstars. Also featured are cameos by Dolph Ziggler and Scott Stanford, the latest dig on Trent Barreta’s disappearance and a segment on Ryder’s new growth chart product line.

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— Beth Phoenix competed at Friday’s Raw live event in Glens Falls, New York, losing to WWE Divas Champion Layla. It was her first match since losing the WWE Divas Championship to Nikki Bella on the April 23 Raw SuperShow.

— WWE Hall of Famer George “The Animal” Steele stated Friday on Twitter that he was released from the hospital following an extensive stay. He added, “Praise the LORD, GOD is so good.”

— Alicia Fox, Dolph Ziggler, Hornswoggle, Kaitlyn and Johnny Curtis responding to questions on the worst movie of all-time and “most shocking” WWE moment of all-time in the latest edition of WWE Inbox

[vsw id=”KzgrRv_NaFw” source=”youtube” width=”590″ height=”330″ autoplay=”no”]

— Via Twitter, Paul Heyman was asked to give his opinion on the best female wrestler. He responded, “Easy answer. @TheBethPhoenix. And she could rock in MMA, too.”

— WWE will hold a live event at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota on Sunday, August 26.

— A photo of Brock Lesnar standing over John Cena is featured on the cover of the latest issue Power Slam.

The WWE website has a new storyline interview up with Beth Phoenix. Here are some highlights of what the Glamazon said about:

Being pulled from the Extreme Rules Divas Title match:

“I was in a state of shock. I’d been told I would be allowed to compete regardless of the injury, but I guess when the doctor’s report came back it was a different story. It doesn’t matter. This is a road I’ve been down before. But I would have competed hurt – I’ve done that before too.”

Layla winning the title:

“Layla hasn’t earned anything. I mean, who’d she ever beat? No one should be No. 1 contender until I’m cleared. There shouldn’t have even been a Divas Championship Match at Extreme Rules. I know Layla was out for a year. Big deal! I had ACL surgery too, and I made it back in half the time. When I return, I’m not only going to beat up Layla, I’m going to bust her other knee, and make sure that she goes away and never comes back. She has no idea what she has gotten herself into.”

Eve Torres as Executive Administrator:

“Eve’s making a statement in her role. She’s flexing her muscles a little bit, and I respect that. Eve and I actually have a lot in common in that we’re both strong, powerful women wanting to get more in a man’s world. That said, I don’t like being talked down to, and I don’t like being taken for granted. If Eve ever challenges me, then she’s going to have her hands full.”

— Beth Phoenix and Sheamus spoke to SportsTownChicago.com last week promoting Extreme Rules. In the ranks of WWE Divas over the years, The Glamazon is asked where she would rank herself.

“I would have to rank myself absolutely number one because I am. I’ve achieved more than any other WWE Diva in the past,” she says. “I’m a four-time champion. The second female to ever compete in the Royal Rumble, amongst many, many other accolades… Diva of the Year. You name it, I’ve done it, so I would put myself number one.”

Sheamus also reveals how he plans to stay on top with his latest title reign.

— Matches taped Monday night in Dayton, Ohio for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were:

* Dolph Ziggler vs. Mason Ryan

* Michael McGillicutty vs. Zack Ryder

WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose beat Alex Riley in a pre-show dark match.

WWE holds their fourth annual Extreme Rules pay-per-view event tonight at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The following seven matches have been announced for the show:

* John Cena vs. Brock Lesnar (Extreme Rules Match)

* World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Daniel Bryan (2-out-of-3 Falls Match)

* WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho (Chicago Street Fight)

* Randy Orton vs. Kane (Falls Count Anywhere Match)

* Intercontinental Champion Big Show vs. Cody Rhodes

* United States Champion Santino Marella vs. The Miz

* Divas Champion Nikki Bella vs. Beth Phoenix

– WWE Diva Beth Phoenix posted a photo of her at a doctor’s office for an MRI this weekend witht he caption, “More tests, fingers crossed.” Sources still insist that the injury is all part of the storylines. She tweeted about her Extreme Rules match:

“I have been given my rematch this Sunday. Even if I have to wrestle on one leg, I can STILL beat @thebellatwins and win my title back.”

– Zack Ryder tweeted that WWE has once again censored his Z! True Long Island Story show:

“@WWE censored me again! WTF!!!”

Shortly after Ryder’s tweet, Eve Torres responded that she is the person responsible for Ryder’s show being censored for the past two weeks.

– The Rock posted a shout out to WWE staffers on Twitter this weekend:

“To all @WWE corporate & production employees: THANK YOU. #ThatsAll”

– The divas of WWE have something to worry about – as Kharma is indeed getting ready to make her return to television in the coming weeks. We reported earlier this week, WWE is looking ahead to a Kharma vs. Beth Phoenix feud and feels that it has the potential to be one of the top women’s feuds in many years.

The Beth Phoenix injury angle on RAW was done to get the Divas title off her without her having to face Kharma yet. WWE plans to bring Kharma back as a monster and she will likely squash Nikki Bella to win her first title in WWE.

With reports that the Bella Twins are leaving WWE at the end of the month – whether or not Nikki Bella is Divas champion after next week will say a lot about whether the Bellas signed a contract extension or not.

As for former WWE Divas champion Beth Phoenix posted the following update on Twitter on Wednesday, assuring fans that her [storyline] injury from RAW will not keep her from her scheduled live appearances:

“Thank u for the outpour of support…for all those wondering if I will be at the @navypier signing in #chicago on Saturday, I will be fulfilling all of my #WWE appearance obligations. Nothing will keep me from thanking the @WWEUniverse for being Glamfans. See u there!”

“I dont know where I would be without the love of my life. He has kept my spirits high during this tough week of pain and disappointment.”