– WWE has contemplated building towards a Ryback vs. Big Show match at WrestleMania 29 on April 7, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is based on the idea of Ryback having a “WrestleMania moment” by hoisting Show onto his shoulders and marching around.
– Ring of Honor wrestler Mike Bennett met with WWE officials last week. Additional details have not been disclosed.
In August, “The Prodigy” remarked on whether he would be interested in joining the promotion if an offer came along: “Well, I’ll give you the political answer right now and say never-say-never. I’d be absolutely lying to you if I said I didn’t become a wrestler to be at WrestleMania and headline WrestleMania, which is what 99% of all guys want to do if they’re in wrestling. They want to make the big bucks and be on the main stage. But for me, right now, I’m 100% happy in Ring of Honor. I mean, I feel like I’m building a company. Its been around since 2002, its been building since then, but I feel now with the Sinclair network behind it we really are truly building a company. Is WWE ever an option? Like I said, I’d be lying if I said wouldn’t want to go there, but right now Ring of Honor is where I like to be.”
– On Monday’s RAW, Big Show destroyed a steel chair on the RAW stage to intimidate his challenger at next month’s TLC PPV, Sheamus. In response to Big Show’s spectacle, Sheamus tweeted:
– 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.
– Tonight’s WWE Main Event & SmackDown tapings will take place from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Wednesday’s Main Event broadcast will feature The Miz vs. Dolph Ziggler in singles action.
SmackDown will have Survivor Series fallout, latest chapter in Big Show and Sheamus’ ongoing feud and an update on John Cena’s injury from RAW. John Cena has been advertised for tonight’s taping and tweeted late monday night that he plans to be in the ring tonight “no matter what.”
The dark match main event will see Big Show vs. Sheamus.
– Big Show tweeted the following messages to Sheamus and his fans after RAW in response to their Survivor Series match ending in disqualification:
@WWESheamus fans. I understand you're upset. I make no apologies or excuses. Life isn't fair. I did what was necessary to retain whc.
– As recently as last week, WWE creative was forwarding storylines with the idea that CM Punk will be featured in the closing match of WrestleMania 29.
– Promoting his World Heavyweight Championship Match against Sheamus this Sunday at Survivor Series, the official WWE website has published an article chronicling Big Show’s seven greatest moments. WWE states
“Sheamus is hungry to reclaim the World Heavyweight Championship from Big Show’s colossal clutches at Survivor Series, but given Show’s formidable history, he’d be wise not to underestimate the giant a second time. Here are seven reminders of why Big Show won the “Big Gold Title” to begin with … and why he may still have it when all is said and done on Sunday.”
Feats listed are becoming the youngest WCW World Heavyweight Champion in history at 23-years-old, his 1999 WWE debut, becoming WWE Champion for the first time, capturing the ECW World Heavyweight Championship, successfully defending the Unified Tag Team Championship against R-Truth and John Morrison at WrestleMania XXVI, winning the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania XXVIII, and defeating Sheamus for the World Heavyweight Championship at Hell in a Cell.
– Former WWE Superstar Lance Storm appeared on Over the Top Radio to discuss a number of wrestling topics. Listen below:
– The SyFy channel’s original series Haven, which features occasional appearances by WWE Hall of Famer Adam “Edge” Copeland, has been renewed for a fourth season.
– WWE World Heavyweight champion Big Show will be appearing at the next WWE NXT television taping from Full Sail University on Thursday, November 15th at 6:30pm (EST). WWE sent out an announcement this weekend for the appearance:
“WWE World Heavyweight Champion Big Show will be at the next WWE/NXT event at Full Sail Live, along with the WWE Divas and WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross calling all of the action. Doors open at 5:45 p.m., and the event starts at 6:30. WWE and Full Sail University will be videotaping this event. During the event, a selection of local area specialty food trucks will be on site, so come hungry. Food truck service begins at 5 p.m.”
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has secured the lead role for Hercules, reports Deadline.com.
Production on the film is scheduled to begin in “early 2013,” which could coincide with Johnson’s involvement with WWE in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania 29.
The Brett Ratner-directed action film will be co-produced by Paramount and MGM. The screenplay is based on Radical Studios’ graphic novel Hercules: The Thracian Wars.
– WWE Executive Vice President of Creative Stephanie McMahon was a special guest speaker at the The SportsBusiness Journal’s 2012 Covington & Burling Sports Media & Technology Conference in Times Square in New York City. Click here to see WWE.com’s photos of the event.
– AXS.com is currently holding a pre-sale for the Dec. 28 SmackDown live event in Minneapolis at the Target Center with the passcode Sheamus. Sheamus vs. Big Show and Randy Orton vs. Alberto Del Rio are advertised as the main events.
– The main event of tonight’s WWE Super Smackdown special is Randy Orton vs. Wade Barrett in a Falls Count Anywhere match. The show airs at 8pm (EST).
– WWE ran an angle after Monday’s RAW where Big Show attacked Sheamus at a pub, with William Regal trying to break it up. You can see video of the fight at WWE.com.
– On Monday’s WWE RAW, it was announced that the new main event of Survivor Series will be CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. Ryback in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship and had Dolph Ziggler replace CM Punk as the captain of the heel team in the traditional 5 on 5 team elimination match.
According to f4wonline.com, the changes were made because WWE wasn’t satisfied with the fan response to the original Team Punk vs. Team Foley match.
WWE’s new World Heavyweight Champion Big Show recently spoke with ESPN.com to hype the new WWE ’13 video game, which is now in stores. Here are some highlights of what Big Show said about:
“WWE 13” revolves around the Attitude Era, which you helped shape back in the day. What is it about that time period that makes for a perfect video game?
The Attitude Era was so great because you had the best collection of superstars of any one time period. You had The Rock, Stone Cold, Undertaker, Mick Foley … all of these guys are legends, but it wasn’t just about the top of the card. We had house shows where you had Rock versus Stone Cold, you had Triple H versus Mick Foley, The Undertaker against Kane, The New Age Outlaws versus LOD, Edge and Christian against Jeff and Matt Hardy, and Big Show against Mark Henry in a bodyslam match. That might sound like a dream card, but that’s a card we ran almost every weekend. We would have sold out show after sold out show, no tickets available, because we had such incredible superstars who were really established as characters, and everyone couldn’t wait to see what was going to happen next.
Do you have a favorite memory from the Attitude Era?
My favorite memory happened after the show would end. The Rock would bring his guitar to the ring and Stone Cold would sing and everyone would spend the night BSing, then they would break out The Rock Bottom or the Stone Cold Stunner to end the night. These guys were just so entertaining, but the main difference is that in the Attitude Era, there weren’t as many rules. We weren’t so corporate, we weren’t in the PG era, so back then, it was more of that crazy, rock and roll atmosphere. That’s the big difference about the Attitude Era — it was just really out there, rock and roll.
We might have a great clash between an Attitude Era guy going up against a current star at The Royal Rumble, with The Rock against CM Punk. What do you think will happen if these two get the chance to work a program together?
Punk is a guy who you can’t shake his confidence, and The Rock is the same way, you can’t shake his confidence, so I think anything Punk says to Rock, any of his wittiness, you know Rock is going to be right there competitively. I think the biggest difference is Punk is right here every week doing this, he’s been the champ for over 300 days, and he’s a great athlete, so I can see Punk pulling this out. Rock’s an explosive athlete, while Punk is a showman who is also gritty and tough, so I think if these two end up coming to blows, you can pretty much flip a coin. When The Rock beat John Cena, I was actually pretty surprised, so I have no idea what will happen.
You’ve been around the ring a long time. Is there anyone left who qualifies as a dream match for you?
I’d like to have one more match with The Undertaker. He was very influential in my career and always one of my favorites, so I’d like to have one more run with him. I’d like to have another match with Stone Cold. I’m a big fan of Stone Cold, both as a person and as a talent, so I’d like another run with Steve. I wouldn’t mind getting another shot at The Rock, either. Any of those three guys in a high-profile, main-event match would be pretty exciting, and a pretty good payday, too.
– This week’s episode of “Z! True Long Island Story” features footage of Zack Ryder in front of Egyptian pyramids last week while WWE toured the country. The Raw wrestler also announces a “Zack Ryder Halloween Costume Contest.”
– Big Show is now listed as a member of the SmackDown roster on the official WWE website. He has primarily competed on the show since defeating Randy Orton last month to become the number one contender to the World Heavyweight Championship.
– Ted DiBiase is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– Big Show spoke to Sports Illustrated this week to promote THQ’s WWE ’13 video game and answered a number of pop culture and wrestling questions. Among things learned is that Big Show has Katy Perry’s “Firework” on his iPod.
– The tallest wrestler in history, Giant Gonzales, is the latest addition to the official WWE website’s Alumni section. WWE says of the late grappler, “No Superstar in sports-entertainment history was as immense as Giant Gonzales. Not The Great Khali. Not Big Show. Not even the legendary Andre the Giant. All men stood in the shadow of the 8-foot monster from the wilds of Argentina.”
– WWE is filming Mick Foley today. He tweeted this afternoon, “Anxiously awaiting the arrival of @WWE crew, to film a feature on my year-round Christmas room. I feel like a 7 year-old on Christmas Eve..instead of a 47 year-old on October 25th..which is what I am. Wow, a 47 year-old guy in a year-round Christmas room…sounds like a loser. #OnlyTwoMonthsUntilChristmasBrother.”
– WWE issued a casting call last week seeking women to apply to become female talent for the sports-entertainment organization as “Divas.”
WWE is looking for woman between the ages of 18 and 30 “with charismatic personalities, beautiful faces and great bodies.” Resumes as well as headshots and bikini body shots, are being requested.
Wrestling experience was not mentioned in the casting breakdown, with it being noted that WWE Divas “instantly gain a huge fan base”, travel the world and appear on television in “600 million homes worldwide,” and take part in multimedia shoots and charities.
– John Laurinaitis, who is currently recovering from shoulder surgery, is not expected to return to the road as WWE’s head producer until the end of the year.
– Independent wrestler Smith James was among those evaluated by WWE officials at this week’s television tapings.
– Big Show is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– After Monday’s Raw broadcast at the Izod Center in East Rutherford, New Jersey, went off the air, Sheamus recovered from his pinfall loss to CM Punk to challenge Big Show to a Last Man Standing Match. The World’s Largest Athlete refused to participate in the match, saying it wouldn’t fair for Sheamus and that the audience didn’t deserve to see him wrestle. The two brawled after Sheamus called Big Show “yellow,” with the bout culminating with a Brogue Kick.
– Randy Orton was among the lumberjacks advertised in WWE’s promotional graphic on Raw for the CM Punk vs. Sheamus match, but did not appear. Orton noted on Twitter in the morning that production for 12 Rounds: Reloaded in Vancouver, British Columbia, wrapped up the night before. Orton will be on hand for tonight’s SmackDown taping in Providence, Rhode Island.
Meanwhile, Mason Ryan, who has not appeared on WWE television since May, resurfaced during the match as a lumberjack.
– Betty Skaaland, widow of late WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Skaaland, was seated in the front row at Monday’s Raw. Also in attendance was Jionni Lavalle, boyfriend of WrestleMania celebrity Snooki, and players from the New York Giants and the New York Jets.
– Silvervision has released WWE’s promotional trailer for its upcoming nWo DVD and Blu-ray release, nWo: Revolution. The video features soundbytes from Booker T, Arn Anderson, Dusty Rhodes, Eric Bischoff, Sean Waltman, Big Show, Cody Rhodes, Kevin Nash and “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase weighing in on the rise and fall of the group.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=216wbicjYzs
The title will be released in North America on Tuesday, Nov. 6.
– The official WWE website has announced that John Cena will appear as a guest on “The Chew” and cook with Chef Michael Symon. The program airs Wednesday, Oct. 24 at 1 p.m. ET.
– Tickets for WWE’s SmackDown taping on Wednesday, Dec. 19 in Rochester, New York at Blue Cross Arena go on sale this Friday via Ticketmaster. (Ticket Information)
– In this Raw edition of “Backstage Fallout,” Santino Marella and Zack Ryder call out 3MB, while Sheamus looks ahead to his fight against Big Show at Hell in a Cell.
– Three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion and former WWE Superstar Vader noted on Twitter Monday that he was at WWE’s television studio in Stamford, Connecticut filming content.
“Just finished up a very long hard week. Left WWE recording studio did some good work a little rusty on the promos thxs to Kieran from WWE,” he wrote.
– Ryback is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– Delayed one week due to Rey Mysterio having the flu, Mysterio and Sin Cara will face Team Rhodes Scholars next Monday on Raw in the Tag Team Tournament Final. The winners will then face WWE Tag Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan at Hell in a Cell.
– During a backstage segment on Raw, Daniel Bryan challenged Kane to take on Big Show on next week’s show since he found it humorous that he was chokeslammed by The World’s Largest Athlete.
– One match was taped Monday in Nashville, Tennessee for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars as Kaitlyn faced off against Beth Phoenix.
In a pre-taping dark match, Tensai defeated Michael McGillicutty. According to a correspondent, Tensai drew a lot of heat as well as ‘Albert’ chants during his entrance, but the audience became quiet once the match took place.
– Layla and R-Truth appear at the Verizon Wireless Store 1947 Mount Zion Rd. Morrow, Georgia on Saturday, Oct. 27 beginning at 3:00 p.m. Call 770-210-4019 for more information.
– WWE Champion CM Punk responded to “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s one-minute videoon Tuesday referring to him as “a damn joke” and plan to address his dismissive remarks on Raw Monday in greater detail.
“I listened for broken glass,” Punk wrote on Twitter in response to Joey Styles plugging the video and writing, “LISTEN FOR THE BROKEN GLASS!”
Punk continued, “All I heard was a broken record. Speaking of broken records… #325.”
– Big Show will be appearing on the upcoming season of USA Network’s Psych premiering Wednesday, February 27, 2013.
– Mick Foley will be signing copies of his new children’s book, “A Most Mizerable Christmas,” at Barnes & Noble in the Cherryvale Mall 7200 Harrison Ste 5 Rockford, Illinois, on Thursday, Nov. 15 beginning at 6:00 p.m.
– WWE returns to Sacramento for a Smackdown taping on January 22nd, 2013. The Ticketmaster presale code is …. SMACKFAN. After the incident that took place on Monday night between CM Punk and an unlucky fan, that’s ironic to say the least.
– WWE superstar Big Show will be guest starring on an upcoming episode of the USA Network original series, Psych. Big Show’s episode will be part of season 7, which premiers Wednesday, February 27.
– WWE Hall of Fame Diva Tammy “Sunny” Sytch made her fifth appearance in Superior Court Monday (New Haven, Connecticut) and admitted through her attorney that she was “not thinking clearly” when she returned to her Branford home, violating a protective order for the four time. The judge set her bail at $100,000 cash.
– As Big Show sets his sights on capturing the World Heavyweight Championship from Sheamus at WWE Hell in a Cell, the official WWE website offered their suggestions for ten other things that The World’s Largest Athlete should look to conquer. This includes ending Ryback’s undefeated streak.
“Would [Ryback] still be demanding, “Feed me more!” if he was standing across the ring from the towering feast that is Big Show?” wrote Michael Burdick. “If the giant did take him on, rather than screaming “finish it,” Ryback’s undefeated streak might simply be finished.”
Other challenges suggested for Big Show include introducing the WMD to the boxing world, win the annual Royal Rumble Match, wrestle a bear, perform the 450 Splash, capture the WWE Tag Team Championship by himself, win the King of the Ring Tournament, enter a strongman competition, become a manager, and win Nathan’s annual Hot Dog Eating Competition in Brooklyn, New York. The full article is available here.
– The official WWE website has published a photo gallery chronicling the organization’s history of logos.
– The former Bella Twins, Nicole and Brianna, have been announced to appear at “Nuke the Fridge Con 2012,” which takes place Saturday, Nov. 10 at Frank & Son Collectible Show 19649 San Jose Ave. City of Industry, California 91748.
– Tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings will take place from the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
WWE will tape the premiere episode of the new WWE Main Event show prior to SmackDown, including a Champion vs. Champion match featuring CM Punk vs. Sheamus and a Tag Team Tournament match, with Zack Ryder and Santino Marella facing Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd.
For SmackDown, the tournament will continue, with Kofi Kingston and R-Truth facing the Prime Time Players, Darren Young and Titus O’Neil.
– Per a huge announcement by SmackDown General Manager Booker T, Kane and Daniel Bryan will defend the WWE Tag Team Championship on Oct. 28 at Hell in a Cell against the winners of an eight-team tournament.
The bracket revealed on SmackDown showed the following first-round match-ups: Team Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow) vs. Jimmy and Jey Uso; Santino Marella and Zack Ryder vs. Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd; Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil); and Epico and Primo vs. Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara.
– This week on “Backstage Fallout” for SmackDown, The Miz addressed the chaos on “Miz TV,” which resulted in the show’s host being punched in the face by World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus. Wade Barrett also boasted about his dominance after defeating Zack Ryder. Plus, Big Show talks about becoming the No. 1 contender to World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus at Hell in a Cell. (Watch)
– Two attendees at tonight’s Raw at the Times Union Center in Albany, New York attempted to enter the ring near the conclusion of the match between Ryback and The Miz. Though not shown on camera, ring announcer Justin Roberts took the guy who made it further into the ring down and dragged him out. Both individuals were pinned down hard in front of the announcers’ table until after the finish. Two police officers met security at the barricade and escorted them out of the venue.
– It was announced on Raw tonight that Randy Orton will face Big Show on this Friday’s episode of SmackDown on Syfy. The World’s Largest Athlete resurfaced on Raw on by knocking out both Brodus Clay and Tensai during their match.
– At Sunday’s Raw live event in Worcester, Massachusetts, WWE Champion CM Punk made an obscure reference to a TNA Wrestling talent.
The show opened with Punk and Raw General Manager AJ Lee discussing the night’s main event since Punk’s originally scheduled opponent, John Cena, was unable to appear due to injury. During the verbal exchange, Punk referred to Lee as “Allen Jones,” the real name of AJ Styles.
Lee announced Big Show as Punk’s replacement opponent and that it would be a Lumberjack Match. Big Show performed as a babyface and won the match via disqualification after Punk struck him with a chair. Following the match, Punk assaulted Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara. As he was celebrating, Big Show struck him with the WMD to end the show on a high note.
– WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose faced Michael McGillicutty at all three Raw live events this weekend. McGillicutty beat Ambrose cleanly in all three bouts.
– The late Big Bossman is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– Jim Ross announced on Twitter Sunday evening that he and Michael Cole will call Monday’s Raw at Times Union Center in Albany, New York.
– The official WWE website has an article looking at seven classic factions and reimagining them with current Superstars and Divas. One dream sequence includes John Cena betraying fans to reform the nWo.
Article writer Kevin Powers states, “Who could possibly comprise the modern incarnation of the most notorious faction of all time? It would take a major betrayal of the WWE Universe akin to Hulk Hogan’s original collusion with Scott Hall and Kevin Nash. The only Superstar capable of such an impactful move would be none other than John Cena.
“When Hogan deceived WCW, he was as polarized as Cena. Some still loved the classic red and yellow, others were tired of it. Judging by Cena’s reactions in various arenas all over the country, the same can be said for his creed of “hustle, loyalty and respect.” The Cenation leader could eventually just have his fill of “Cena sucks” chants, grab a can of black spray-paint and really give the WWE Universe something to “boo” about.”
Powers recreates the New World Order with Randy Orton and Christian in the role of a veteran tandem similar to The Outsiders, Big Show as a returning member, Michael McGillicutty following in the footsteps of alumnus and father Curt Hennig, David Otunga as a legal adviser, and Michael Cole fulfilling Eric Bischoff’s role as a loud and obnoxious mouthpiece.
– John Cena could be kept out of the ring for as long as two months after undergoing surgery to remove bone chips in his elbow Tuesday. The official WWE website announced Wednesday at 5:40 p.m. that the prognosis for his recovery is now six to eight weeks.
Their statement reads, “The information published about John Cena’s recovery was given to WWE.com prior to surgery. In speaking to Dr. Andrews after the procedure, in light of the amount of work that needed to be done and the number of bone chips removed, the prognosis for recovery is closer to six to eight weeks. Knowing John Cena, the former WWE Champion will do everything he needs to get back in the ring as soon as possible.”
In a Twitter message Wednesday, Cena disputed WWE’s report Tuesday that he would be sidelined for two to three weeks. He wrote, “I spoke in depth with my surgeon Dr James Andrews and he specifically told me due to the amount of fragmentation, SIX WEEKS is a safer time table for recovery. I apologize on behalf of a website whos credibility is now equal to #theonion please @wwe web guys, get your monkey frankin facts straight!”
– Big Show will return to Nickelodeon’s “Supah Ninjas” to reprise his role of “Two-Ton Harley,” a biker and prison escapee. The official WWE website announced Wednesday that “The World’s Largest Athlete” is taping an episode this week for the teen action comedy’s upcoming second season.
Due to John Cena undergoing arm surgery Tuesday, Big Show will return to action at this week’s Raw live events as CM Punk’s opponent. He had requested and received time off following SummerSlam.