– Terry Taylor is rumored to be joining WWE’s developmental system as one of the top trainers at the new “finishing school” near WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT. The finishing school, which is expected to launch in the next few months, will be the final stop for FCW talent before joining the main roster.
– Bobby Lashley will not be MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko’s next opponent. Fedor has signed on to fight former UFC heavyweight Pedro Rizzo in Russia on June 21st. Lashley is reportedly in talks to join the Bellator MMA promotion.
– Former WWE Diva Torrie Wilson is living in New York City with her New York Yankee boyfriend Alex Rodriguez. Wilson has been seen at several recent games at Yankee Stadium sitting near the dugout.
– WWE is currently planning to launch the WWE Network in the fourth quarter of this year, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
– Former WWE star Bobby Lashley could be headed to the Bellator MMA promotion. Lashley tweeted this week that he recently met with Bellator VP of Talent Relations Sam Caplan.
– Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon will participate in the first 90-minute Republican Senate debate for the state of Connecticut tonight in Norwich. The debate will stream live at 7pm EST on norwichbulletin.com.
– SmackDown newcomer Damien Sandow, who debuted in a backstage vignette on Friday’s show, is on Twitter @TheDamienSandow. The account is being managed by Sandow’s “personal scribe” – Ignatius. The account wrote on Friday after Sandow’s debut:
“THAT WAS AMAZING!!!! We will remember this day for a long time. Please, share your thoughts on Mr. Sandow’s words. Sincerely, Ignatius #wwe”
– Former WWE Superstar Bobby Lashley is reportedly in talks to fight Fedor Emelianenko on June 21st in St. Petersburg, Russia.
– With Brock Lesnar signed on to wrestle at next year’s WrestleMania 29, there is buzz in WWE that Lesnar’s wife, former WWE diva Sable, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame next year.
– WWE creative is discussing the possibility of holding a Money in the Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania that would feature only former world champions as the particiapts.
The idea could include the likes of Jack Swagger, Randy Orton, Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, Christian and Kane battling it out to see who gets the coveted Money int he Bank briefcase.
Comment below and tell us what you think about a “Former Champions” Money in the Bank match.
– Despite the fact that former WWE & TNA star Bobby Lashley is interested in resuming his professional wrestling career, WWE reportedly “wants no part of him right now.”
WWE officials were reportedly very unhappy with the way he left the company several years ago after receiving a large push, not to mention that there are lingering issues with creative head Michael Hayes.
– Wrestling legend Jake Roberts was asked on Facebook if any wrestler ever refused to work with him due to fear of snakes. He replied:
“Some refused to have the snake put on them, but otherwise, not really. Roddy Piper wouldn’t come out around them at all…”
Lashley With His First MMA Championship (Click To Enlarge)
During an interview with SLAM! Wrestling, MMA fighter and former WWE & TNA superstar Bobby Lashley says that he wants to return to WWE sometime in the future.
Lashley, who recently captured his first MMA championship, said he’s eagle to settle up on “unfinished business” and “there’s still something’s to accomplish in WWE.”
“I’m completely open to going back, I would love to come back and do something big if there was an opportunity presented, I would definitely consider it,” he said.
“While I would do it, if the chance never came my way then I would be completely content in continuing with what I’m doing at the moment and that’s continuing wrestling and trying to become the best possible fighter I can be.”
To read the full interview, head over to Slam.Canoe.Ca.
– Former WWE star JBL recently had a scooter stolen from in front of a police station in Bermuda, where he now lives. For more on the story, visit TMZ.com.
– After capturing his first Mixed Martial Arts championship earlier this month, former WWE & TNA star Bobby Lashley is seeking independent wrestling booings.
A representative for Lashley sent us the following:
“If promoters are interested in bringing in Bobby Lashley, email LashleyBookings@yahoo.com. Lashley is also working on a new official website that should be ready by 2012 and will feature news and information for both Bobby’s wrestling and MMA career. You can follow Lashley on Twitter @FightBobby.”
– Former WWE tag team the New Age Outlaws have posted their latest online video, which you can check out at Blip.tv.
– United States Senate candidate Linda McMahon will be appearing at the “Ladies Who Launch” event on Monday, 12/12 in New Canaan, Connecticut. The event is described as non-political and not a fundraiser, but a “chance for good conversation among women who want to be informed.” [TheDailyWeston.com]
Former WWE and TNA star Bobby Lashley captured his first title in MMA on Friday night from Lubbock, Texas.
Bobby Lashley defeated Karl Knothe via submission in the first round of the Shark Fights 21 main event to become the Shark Fights Heavyweight champion.
Check out this picture of The Dominator with his new gold:
We also encourage you to check out our revamped MMA News section here on SEScoops.com. We’ve hired 2 new writers and are getting back to covering MMA news – if you’re an MMA fan, don’t miss it.
— The November 2011 issue of Maxim features an article on CM Punk (who dubs him wrestling’s “next megastar”) and it is publicly acknowledged for the first time that Beth Phoenix is his girlfriend. “The Glamazon” is quoted in the piece as she recalls the reaction backstage to his scathing on-air speech on the June 27 Raw concerning the way in which WWE is run and its owner, Vince McMahon.
“I was in the dressing room,” recalls Phoenix, “and everyone sprinted over to see what would happen when he came backstage. Would he get fired on the spot? Would there be some sort of fight?”
Punk entered a side door backstage, coming up behind the mob of wrestlers and personnel. They formed a circle around him. “Then, legit, everyone began to hug me,” Punk recalls. “I’m talking cameramen, guys who work the boom backstage, everyone.”
— Bobby Lashley is advertised for a special appearance at Family Wrestling Entertainment’s November 5 event at The Hall at St. Paul on 59th and 9th in Manhattan. He will also be participating in a meet and greet prior to the show. Visit www.fwewrestling.com for more information.
— Alex Riley stated on Twitter that he underwent an MRI on his hip today following WWE’s tour of Mexico.
He wrote, “Just got back from Mexico, had MRI on hip today nothin serious will be back at it in a couple of days. In the meantime, Rest, Weight Room, Ice, Stretching, Tape Review, GamePlanning… and Creative Thinking.”
— Former WWE star Bobby Lashley has signed a multi-picture deal with Shawn Cain Films, which includes a role in Josh Turner’s epic reality sequel The Indy Wrestler 2. Shooting begins December 10 in Rosman, North Carolina.
— Former WCW talent Melissa Bellin (a/k/a Nitro Girl Spice) has been added to WrestleReunion, which takes place January 27-29 at the Los Angeles Airport Westin Hotel in Los Angeles, California. She will also be participating in a bikini photo shoot at the event.
– The December 12 Raw SuperShow taking place at the Norfolk Scope in Norfolk, Virginia will be a three-hour episode.
– Jack Swagger stated on Twitter that he will debut new ring gear tonight on Raw.
– Bobby Lashley is advertised to wrestle in North America for the first time since 2009 on October 28 in Calgary, Alberta, Canada for Stampede Wrestling. Harry Smith, Teddy Hart, Jay Briscoe and Mark Briscoe are also slated to appear.
Former WWE and TNA star Bobby Lashley’s next MMA fight has been announced. Lashley (5-1) will face Darrill Schoonover (11-5) on November 11th for a Shark Fights card in Lubbock, Texas.
During an interview with Ariel Helwani on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour, Lashley spoke about working his way back up the MMA ranks after an unimpressive run in Strikeforce.
“I believe [Strikeforce CEO Scott] Coker said this, he said he doesn’t believe that I want it … I have all the respect in the world for Coker, and he may have been right. Maybe I wasn’t ready for Strikeforce at the time. …I didn’t have everything together and I wasn’t training the way I should have.”
Lashley also resumed talk about a possible ‘dream fight’ between himself and former WWE star Dave Batista. Lashley acknowledged that a fight between two former pro wrestlers might turn of some MMA fight fans, but still wants to make the fight happen.
“If we do the fight, let’s do winner-take-all. Let’s put one purse up there, winner takes all.”
“I’d love to fight Dave. I guess that’s a super fight and that’s a fight for maybe the wrestling fans. I don’t know how well the MMA community would take it. I guess they would just sort of shrug their shoulders and say, ‘whatever,’ but I know it’s a fight that a lot of wrestling fans would love to see.”
For more on Bobby Lashley’s interview with Ariel Helwani, check out MMAFighting.com.
— Bobby Lashley is now accepting inquiries for appearances at wrestling shows. He sporadically appeared for the Inoki Genome Federation in between mixed martial arts bouts, but is now accepting offers from other wrestling organizations. His management team issued the following statement:
“Bobby Lashley is now accepting bookings for future wrestling events and appearances. If you’re interested, you can e-mail lashleybookings@yahoo.com with any information you have on the event and/or your promotion. Be sure to follow Bobby Lashley on Twitter @FightBobby and look out for his new website coming soon!”
— Former WWE Diva Ashley Massaro appeared at her first independent wrestling show Saturday night in Middletown, New York for ECPW. She attacked Luxurious Lynne from behind, which led to a brief brawl.
— A Twitter account that recently surfaced claiming to be former WWE Women’s Champion Chyna has been confirmed as not being legitimate.
— Former WWE & TNA wrestler Bobby Lashley will make his return ot the ring this weeeeknd in Japan for Antonio Inoki’s IGF promotion against Eric Hammer. Hammer is the protege of fellow wrestler/MMA fighter Josh Barnett.
Former WWE superstar Harry “D.H.” Smith will be wrestling on the same card, which takes place from Tokyo.
— WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race will be “guest-hosting” this weekend’s Smackdown house show tour in his home state of Missouri
— WWE announced on Thursday that it will be opening a new international office in Turkey. To read the company’s full press release on the new office, head over to MarketWatch.com.
Former WWE star Bobby Lashley’s upcoming MMA fight for Titan Fighting Championships has been cancelled – and there are conflicting reports as to how the fight fell through.
Titan FC claimed last week Lashley pulled out of the July 29 fight due to “personal reasons” and would be fighting on the next Titan card in August – but Lashley wrote the following on Facebook over the weekend – claiming that he never agreed to fight for Titan this month:
“For the record I was in Japan when the news broke about this July fight. I did not pull out of a fight because I did not schedule a fight. To this point in my career I have been just taking fights without a training camp which I have regretted. Lately I had been looking diligently to create a proper camp and find a good coach here in Denver. When I do, I will be training completely and fighting often.”
Lashley has since followed up with the following clarification:
“I really didn’t want my last comment to be taken wrong. I just really want to be ready for my next fight. I will announce my next fight here.”
“The Dominator’s” professional MMA record currently stands at 6-1.
We’ve got updates on the MMA careers of former WWE superstars Brock Lesnar and Bobby Lashley.
– Following a second bout with the intestinal disease diverticulitis, Brock Lesnar is still going to be out of action for several months and unable to train as he recovers from his recent colon surgery. With all of Lesnar’s medical troubles over the past two years, many have speculated whether his MMA career might be over and a return to pro wrestling would be in the cards. According to a report on AroundTheOctagon.com, Lesnar still plans on fighting for 2 or 3 more years before retiring. He is expected to return to the octagon sometime in 2012 and at this time, his top priorities are getting healthy and reclaiming his UFC Heavyweight championship.
– Former WWE star Bobby Lashley’s next professional MMA fight has been announced. Lashley will clash with heavyweight fighter Eddie Sanchez on July 28th at Titan Championship Fighting’s next live event from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. The fight will air live on HDNet.
As for Lashley’s pro wrestling career, he competed in Japan on Saturday for Antonio Inoki’s IGF promotion. Lashley wrestled fellow wrestling/MMA crossover star Josh Barnett. Barnett defeated Lashley via submission in the main event of the IGF show.
Former WWE and TNA wrestler turned MMA fighter Bobby Lashley will step back in the cage next tonight – but he didn’t know who is his opponent would be until just a week ago.
Kansas City-based heavyweight James Jack (6-2) had been scheduled to fight Lashley in the main event of Titan Fighting Championship 17 but has been pulled from the show and replaced by John Ott (9-7).
According to a press release from Titan Fights, James Jack’s departure from the card comes under “questionable circumstances” after the organization was unable to reach him for several weeks leading up to the fight.
Ott, who normally competes in the 185 and 205 lbs. divisions, is currently walking at 225 lbs.
“John might be a little heavy for the fight but the extra weight he is carrying is all muscle,” said Kelly. “From a pure strength standpoint, he will be able to go in and compete with Bobby. His strong amateur wrestling credentials will also potentially allow him to neutralize Bobby’s takedowns and force the fight to stay on the feet.”
Titan Fighting Championship will air live on HDNet on tonight at 10pm ET.
Former WWE & TNA wrestler Bobby Lashley discussed former wrestlers Brock Lesnar and Batista, as well as a potential return to pro wrestling, in an interview with ProMMANow.com this week. The following are excerpts from the wrestling portion of the discussion. The full interview can be read at ProMMANow.com.
PRO MMA NOW: You along with guys like Brock Lesnar and Batista have made the jump to MMA from professional wresting. Do you ever talk to those guys any?
BOBBY LASHLEY: I haven’t talked to Brock. You know I’ve never really talked to Brock. When I went to WWE he was already out so our paths have never crossed so I’ve never even met him or even talked to him. Then as far as Dave Batista, we were pretty good friends when we were in the WWE but when we came out of the WWE, when he went into his fight deal, I think that his target was kind of set on that big fight and that big fight was supposed to be against me. So I think our relationship kind of went two different directions and I think the reason why he was wanting to do that was because he was wanting to use me as his big match and I think that’s what Strikeforce is really hoping for if they have that match with me against Dave. I haven’t really talked to him since I’ve been out of the WWE or since he’s been out of the WWE.
PRO MMA NOW: You’ve said in the past that while a fight between you and Batista might be a good fight for the fans, it wasn’t really a good fight for your career. Do you still feel that way, and are you open to a fight with him at some point in the future?
BOBBY LASHLEY: I’m open to a fight with almost anyone and Dave has been training. I’ve heard that he’s been training pretty hard and if that fight were presented I would definitely take it. Of course it is a fight for a lot of wrestling fans because a lot of wrestling fans out there want to see that fight. There are millions upon millions of wrestling fans, but I’m not going to decline that fight. If that fight were ever brought to me I would definitely sign in a second and fight him. That’s the way the fight business is. You have to fight so whoever is brought to you that is who you are going to be fighting.
PRO MMA NOW: Do you ever see yourself at any point going back to professional wrestling?
BOBBY LASHLEY: Man, I love professional wrestling. Some people get out of professional wrestling and they’re real bitter for several different reasons. I don’t know, maybe it’s the travel, maybe it’s the people that you encounter when you are in the wrestling business, but for me I loved wrestling when I was in there. It was very time consuming and it was hard at the time when you were just thrust into an organization and there are a lot of really shady people in wrestling. I mean I dealt with them on a daily basis. But that’s not going to stop the fact that I love the sport. If I had an opportunity to go back to wrestling I would definitely consider it. I still do some wrestling. I go to Japan every couple months and I work with an organization out there with Inoki’s organization IGF (Inoki Genome Federation). So I still get that taste of wrestling going out there and working out with those guys. At the same time, there are usually a handful of fighters there. Like last time Josh Barnett was there so I was able to work out a little bit there and do some MMA training and then have the show. I’m completely open to professional wrestling anytime.
Former WWE and TNA wrestler Bobby Lashley will return to the MMA cage on March 25th, but it won’t be for the Strikeforce promotion. Lashley (5-1) has signed with Titan Fighting Championship for a fight against James Jack (5-4-1) on Mar. 25 that will be televised on HDNet.
This is Lashley’s first fight since suffering his first career loss against relatively unknown fighter Chad Griggs at Strikeforce: Houston last August.
“Anyone who is writing Bobby off is making a huge mistake,” Titan CEO Joe Kelly said in a statement on Friday as part of Lashley’s announced return fight. “I believe that Titan Fighting will be the perfect platform for Bobby to prove his critics wrong.”
There had been talk of Bobby Lashley fighting fellow former WWE star Dave Bautista, but is appears Lashley is looking to get a win under his belt before entering a high-profile fight like that. No word in recent weeks regarding Bautista’s MMA training.
Last Thursday on TNA iMPACT!, Amazing Red’s “little” brother (officially known as “Crimson”) put Abyss in a chokehold backstage and delivered a cryptic message to him: “They are coming.”
“They” will mark the return of the Main Event Mafia and will consist of Kurt Angle and Scott Steiner, and possibly Sting, Kevin Nash and Booker T.
Steiner returned to TNA at last Wednesday’s iMPACT! taping and participated in a cliff hanger ending. He donned a suit reminiscent of his time in the Main Event Mafia. Angle is penciled in for the group, and many within the organization expect Sting to be too.
Many in TNA presume that Nash is on board for the group. However, he adamantly said last week on Twitter that he is not because he is retired. Internally, many believe Nash is kayfabing his absence from TNA, but those close to him indicate he’s legitimately retired.
Booker T’s status remains unknown at this point, other than he wasn’t believed to have signed as of last week. Some were pleased with his departure from the organization in October 2009 as there were complaints about his performance, attitude, refusal to put over Matt Morgan in a match, and his own admission that he was using the company as a way to audition for acting roles.
Bobby Lashley has been mentioned by those in TNA as a possible member of the group. However, those affiliated with the mixed martial artist don’t believe he’s returning to the wrestling organization. Lashley is currently a free agent as his contract with Strikeforce expired following his loss to Chad Griggs in August. The only thing of note he has done since then is work a wrestling match for the Japanese promotion Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) in September. He is not tentatively not scheduled for any upcoming shows.
“They” would initially feud with Immortal and Fortune. The angle begins on the Feb. 3 iMPACT!.
Former pro wrestler turned Mixed Martial Arts fighter Bobby Lashley spoke to Sherdog.com this week about his future in MMA.
Lashley, who suffered his first MMA defeat this summer at the hands of relative unknown Chad Grigg, says he’s planning to fight again in December whether its for Strikeforce or another company:
“This year has been tough with the injuries I’ve had; plus I got mono. I’ve started back with my training and there have been a couple of fights come up that I’ve given a thumbs up to, and I’ve tentatively got a fight scheduled. It’s December 10th or 11th, but I have to wait on saying who it’s with. There’s two different organizations that I’m talking to. I have to get out there and fight.”
Lashley says he asked Stikeforce for a rematch with Griggs, but isn’t sure if that’s in the cards:
“I asked Strikeforce for a rematch (with Griggs), but I’m not sure if it’s in the works. I don’t really know what’s in my contract. The last thing I want to do is do something to violate my contract. After my last fight, I owe it to Scott Coker and to the world to come back stronger.”
We’ve got some details on former WWE superstar Dave Bautista’s Mixed Martial Arts debut.
Bautista was backstage at Saturday’s Strikeforce MMA show in San Jose, California and met with several company officials, including CEO Scott Coker. According to various sources, Buatista is said to be very close to signing a deal with Strikeforce and plans to make his professional MMA debut in early 2011.
He has been training MMA full-time since leaving WWE earlier this year and is said to be very eager to show everybody what he’s capable of inside the cage.
There have been reports that Batista was looking to get $500,000 for his MMA debut. A name that’s been thrown a lot as a future opponent of Batista is fellow former WWE star Bobby Lashley, who is currently negotiating a new contract with Strikeforce.
Stay tuned for more on Batista’s venture into the world of MMA and check out these related videos:
Former WWE star Dave Bautista recently spoke to Fight Magazine about a potential Bobby Lashley fight, the chances of him signing with the Strikeforce MMA promotion and why he’s not working with WWE at the moment.
