-In addition to previously reported reasons, the WWE Tag-Team Championship change on RAW on Monday night was done in part because Vince McMahon was reportedly upset that all of the WWE Championships were held by heels.
-Apparently plans are now in place for the Big E. Langston babyface turn. According to reports, Langston is scheduled for a potential run with Curtis Axel for the WWE Intercontinental Championship. The match may be added to the undercard of the upcoming WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view.
-Other matches rumored to be added to the previously announced matches for the WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view include AJ Lee vs. Brie Bella for the WWE Divas Championship and The Real Americans vs. Los Matadores.
The following are highlights of a recent Miami Herald interview with WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan:
On if he was more nervous proposing to Brie Bella or working at WrestleMania: “Oh, I was way more nervous to pop the question, way more nervous to pop the question. You would think it would be the opposite, in front of 70,000 people, going out there in your spandex, but absolutely not. Popping the question was way more nerve-wracking.”
On if he thinks the Total Divas reality show will help women’s wrestling: “I hope it does. As of now, I don’t know where it’s at because the audiences are so different, but I would like to think it’s going to bring more female fans to WWE to watch the divas because the divas are really good at what they do. So I’m hoping that cross-section starts coming over. That would be great.”
On working in his first Hell In A Cell match: “Hell in a Cell is one of the most brutal matches that you can do in WWE. I’ve never been in one. So I’m going to go out there and do it once and probably only once [Bryan chuckles]. I don’t think most of the guys who’ve been in Hell in a Cell matches ever really want to go do it again. A lot of times the top guys end up doing multiple Hell in a Cell matches, but they’re [rough]. Every WWE superstar does want to do it once just to experience it.”
Tonight at WWE Battleground, the Divas Championship will be on the line as AJ Lee defends the butterfly-emblazoned belt against Brie Bella. Promoting the bout on the WWE App, Natalya and Eva Marie spoke to Tom Phillips, where they announced that they are rooting for their Total Divas co-star in her match against Lee. During the interview, Eva Marie rattles the third-generation wrestler with her proclamation that she could be the No. 1 contender—Eva Marie has competed in one match thus far, a non-televised tag team bout at SummerSlam Axxess in August.
Natalya said, “I’m actually really excited to see what’s going to happen at Battleground. As much as I wanted to be the No. 1 contender for the Divas Championship, I’m happy that Brie is going to get a chance to make a stand against AJ and really put her in her place for all the things she’s done to us Total Divas. I am looking forward to AJ getting beaten.”
Eva Marie then remarks, “Now Nattie, I know you want to be No. 1 contender. I know you’re a little hurt that you’re not in Brie’s spot right now, aren’t you? I mean let’s be honest, I think I can be No. 1 contender, but I’ll be rooting for Brie.”
Natalya snaps back, “Yeah, you really could be No. 1 contender. I’d like to see you do a headlock takeover first.” Eva Marie responds, “Absolutely, no problem. I’m just being honest.”
Natalya then resumes talking about the match: “What we’re trying to say is that all us Total Divas are excited about seeing AJ Lee without the Divas Championship on Sunday at Battleground. If it’s Brie Bella that does it, then so be it.”
After returning to WWE in March, The Bella Twins resumed their manipulative and malicious characters until just recently, as Brie has been portraying a smiling babyface character (with Nikki following her lead) in her battle against Divas Champion AJ Lee—which was then solidified due to her relationship with top babyface wrestler Daniel Bryan being acknowledged. However, on WWE programming, no clear indication was given as to what led to the twin duo’s sudden change of heart after portraying “mean girls” for months.
According to PWInsider.com, the twin duo technically turned babyface as a result of Lee’s scathing “#PipeBombshell” toward them and their Total Divas co-stars on the Aug. 27 episode of Raw. The WWE creative department’s idea was that since Lee portrays a Total Divas loathing villain, The Bella Twins and the other stars of the E! reality show are therefore de facto babyfaces.
It would appear that Brie and Nikki, as well as sidekick Eva Marie, didn’t receive a memo on the switch as their characters continued to appear in the same arrogant manner through the Sept. 16 episode of Raw-near the conclusion of the show, Brie was shown embracing Bryan backstage as he went out to the arena to face Roman Reigns. Brie began smiling after scoring the pinfall victory in the 10-Diva Tag Team Match on the Sept. 23 Raw, as she and her Total Divas peers celebrated the win together. Following the match, however, Nikki and Eva Marie labeled themselves as well as Brie as “Mean Girls” on Instagram, but haven’t against since.
To turn The Bella Twins babyface, Lee said the following: “Do you want to know what I see when I look in that ring? Honestly? Cheap, interchangeable, expendable, useless women. Women who have turned to reality television because they just weren’t gifted enough to be actresses. And they just weren’t talented enough to be champion.
“I have done more in one year than all of you have done in your entire collected careers…I have shattered glass ceilings and broken down doors. Why? So a bunch of stiff, ungrateful plastic mannequins can waltz on through without even as much as a thank you?…I gave my life to this and you were just handed fifteen minutes of fame…you’re all worthless excuses for women and you will never be able to touch me.”
-Former WWE Superstar and Governor of Minnesota, Jesse “The Body” Ventura, has officially released his new book, “They Killed Our President: 63 Reasons to believe There Was a Conspiracy to Assassinate JFK.” For more information, visit Long-Island.Newsday.com.
-WWE Diva Brie Bella recently spoke to the Democrat and Chronicle website as part of her promotional duties for the second-half of the debut season of the E! reality show, “Total Divas.” Bella spoke about her engagement to WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan, as well as her thoughts on settling down, becoming a mother and starting a family. You can check that out online at DemocratAndChronicle.com.
– It would appear that WWE’s kid-friendly program, Saturday Morning Slam, is through as it is no longer listed as an active show on the company website and the new television season has begun without it airing.
According to this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there are rumors of creative differences between CW executives and WWE officials as executives at the network apparently wanted WWE to alter the program’s format from taped matches to a news magazine—similar to NBA Inside Stuff—negotiations fell apart from there. For the time being, it’s a subject that nobody is officially discussing.
The show is rated TV-G (one level lower than WWE’s general TV-PG rating), and due to being aimed specifically at children, it does not feature any moves or holds aimed at the head or neck due to what is seen as their violent nature.
– The official WWE website has issued a poll asking fans whether Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella should have kept quiet about their relationship. With over 11,000 votes cast, 66% say “No. They have nothing to hide and being open and honest about their relationship is the best policy.” The other option is “Yes. Revealing their engagement and being part of “Total Divas” is just one big distraction to their in-ring careers.”
– Celebrating birthdays Thursday are WWE Hall of Famer “Bullet” Bob Armstrong (74), John Morrison (34), Danny Basham (36) and Mikey Batts (30).
Promoting Saturday’s WWE live event in Rochester, New York, at Blue Cross Arena, Brie Bella spoke to area newspaper Democrat and Chronicle. The former Divas Champion says she plans to enjoy her last few years with the sports-entertainment organization before shifting her focus to raising children.
“I’m Mexican and Italian. I want to raise my babies, I want to be home with them every day. And I’m excited for when that chapter in my life happens,” she said.
Bella, who became engaged to fellow WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan during a hike in Big Sur, California, last week, says always she looks forward to traveling to matches with her fiancé since they often create “little adventures” on the road.
“I’m a typical girl,” says Bella. “I’m such a Cathy Chatters. We’ll have a five-hour drive and I’m like ‘Yes! Him alone in a car — I can just express everything and talk to him.’ And I’m sure he’s like ‘Oh gosh, music!'”
Bella, who has appeared for WWE since 2008, says she enjoys the creativity she can bring to the ring.
“Every time you go out into the ring, you’re doing something different or figuring something out with your character or seeing how you can change a crowd. I think it’s just keeping your creative mind going that keeps me from getting burned out,” says Bella.
When Bella decides to hang up the boots, she will look back at her time with WWE fondly.
“Succeeding in this sport has been so empowering,” says Bella. “It just gives a lot of fuel to your inner fire and makes you feel kind of unstoppable. At first it can be intimidating, but the drive that I got from my intimidation just created this really powerful woman inside of me.”
Bella also reveals what drew her to WWE. To read the article, click here.
It will be announced on this week’s WWE SmackDown that WWE Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel will defend his title against R-Truth. Bray Wyatt also teased an appearance at Battleground, which will likely be the rumored match we reported on Tuesday with Wyatt taking on Kofi Kingston. That match, however, is still strictly a rumor at this point.
With that now known, here is an updated look at the official lineup for Sunday’s WWE Battleground pay-per-view from Buffalo, New York:
Vacant WWE Championship
-Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan
World Heavyweight Championship
-Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Rob Van Dam*
WWE Intercontinental Championship
-Curtis Axel (c) vs. R-Truth
WWE Divas Championship
-AJ Lee (c) vs. Brie Bella
-CM Punk vs. Ryback
-Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns**
WWE Battleground Kickoff Show
-Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow
RUMORED Match:
-Bray Wyatt vs. Kofi Kingston
* – The Del Rio vs. Van Dam rematch will be contested under “Battleground Hardcore Rules.”
** – Dusty Rhodes will be in the corner of Cody & Goldust. If the Rhodes Family loses, all three men will never be allowed to work for WWE again. If they win, Cody and Goldust get their jobs back
Make sure to visit SESCOOPS.COM this Sunday night for the absolute best live results coverage of the WWE Battleground pay-per-view. The coverage will begin at 7:30pm E.T. with the WWE Battleground Kickoff Show, and will continue throughout the entire duration of the pay-per-view. Until then, stop by the SESCOOPS.COM Facebook Page and/or the SESCOOPS.COM Twitter Page to share your predictions for this Sunday’s pay-per-view!
Several new matches and stipulations were added to the WWE Battleground event on Monday’s “go-home” edition of RAW. WWE Battleground emanates from the First Niagra Center in Buffalo, New York this Sunday, October 6, 2013. Below is an updated look at the official lineup for the first ever Battleground pay-per-view.
Vacant WWE Championship
-Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan
World Heavyweight Championship
-Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. Rob Van Dam*
WWE Divas Championship
-AJ Lee (c) vs. Brie Bella
-CM Punk vs. Ryback
-Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns**
WWE Battleground Kickoff Show
-Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow
* – The Del Rio vs. Van Dam rematch will be contested under “Battleground Hardcore Rules.”
** – Dusty Rhodes will be in the corner of Cody & Goldust. If the Rhodes Family loses, all three men will never be allowed to work for WWE again. If they win, Cody and Goldust get their jobs back
Make sure to visit SESCOOPS.COM this Sunday night for the absolute best live results coverage of the WWE Battleground pay-per-view. The coverage will begin at 7:30pm E.T. with the WWE Battleground Kickoff Show, and will continue throughout the entire duration of the pay-per-view. Until then, stop by the SESCOOPS.COM Facebook Page and/or the SESCOOPS.COM Twitter Page to share your predictions for this Sunday’s pay-per-view!
It was announced on Monday’s live edition of WWE RAW, the “go-home” show for Sunday’s WWE Battleground event, that there will be another “Kickoff Show” prior to the pay-per-view. The match announced for the “Kickoff Show” is a singles match between Dolph Ziggler and Damien Sandow.
Also revealed on RAW was the story we reported this weekend, that WWE Superstars and Total Divas co-stars Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella got engaged. The real-life engagement was revealed during a backstage segment with The Bella Twins, where WWE Superstar Randy Orton came in and warned Bella to schedule the wedding carefully because he is going to hurt Bryan.
Make sure to visit SESCOOPS.COM this Sunday night for the best WWE Battleground pay-per-view live results coverage, which will begin at 7:30pm E.T. with the aforementioned Battleground Kickoff Show.
– The official website of WWE announced Monday afternoon that Divas Champion AJ Lee will defend her title against Brie Bella at this Sunday’s Battleground pay-per-view event.
Previewing the match, WWE writes, “With the full attention of Brie Bella — who is no doubt eager to prove that she’s more than a “cheap, interchangeable, expendable, useless woman,” to quote the champion — focused solely on her, will the mercurial AJ Lee be able to back up her brazen words? Or will WWE’s black widow find herself trapped in a web of defeat as Brie begins her second reign as queen of the mountain?”
– What are the most extreme moments in Rob Van Dam’s career? Find out in the latest edition of WWE Top 10.
– Natalya, Darren Young and Titus O’Neil participated in a WWE Community Health event today in Biloxi, Mississippi, as they met an inspirational family. Click here to view a group photo the WWE Diva posted on Twitter.
-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.
WWE Superstars Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella are engaged to be married, according to E! Online.
The couple have been together for almost three years and Bryan popped the question on Wednesday while they were hiking in Big Sur, California.
“I have never in my life seen him so nervous. I’ve been by him when he’s gone out for WrestleMania and some really big things,” Bella revealed. “He got really, really nervous and he started talking about how long we’ve been together. He got down on one knee and compared our love. He said he’ll love me forever like the ocean goes on.”
Bryan says he was biding his time to pop the question in order to have that perfect moment. “I’ve had the ring for a long time. Just trying to find the moment that fits,” Bryan said. “A moment that’s worthy of Brie.”
Bella says she is targeting a wedding date for between April and June of next year.
Shortly after the report surfaced on EOnline.com, Bryan issued the following message on Twitter.
The entire proposal will be broadcast when Total Divas returns with six new episodes beginning November 17 at 9 p.m. on E!. Additional details on the event are available here.
– WWEShop.com is now selling WWE-themed skateboards and sticker decals.
– Cody Rhodes tweeted the following ahead of tonight’s WWE RAW, where his father Dusty Rhodes will have a meeting with Stephanie McMahon to discuss “business matters”:
“It’s a fighting family, and that there…is the family gold-mine…” soundbyte from #TheOne and inspiration for my next career venture.”
– Brie Bella posted the following photo collage of her and her boyfriend, WWE Champion Daniel Bryan, on Instagram:
“If there ever comes a day when we can’t be together, keep me in your heart, I’ll stay there forever. -Winnie the Pooh #braniel #B+B”
As reported earlier, the Bella Twins were the first to chime in on Twitter with their reaction to AJ Lee”s “pipe bomb” style promo on the Divas division on Monday’s edition of WWE RAW.
The Funkadactyls, Cameron and Naomi, have also tweeting their reactions, and they are as follows:
Cameron: “Aj you have “it” all because how many of the top guys have you been with? Oh and btw remember this boo, only way from top is bottom! #raw Did I forget mention @WWEAJLee I may not be a top girl but at least I can go to bed at night knowing I have a clean conscious. #girlbye”
Naomi: “@WWEAJLee congrats u r officially crazy as hell I can’t wait to show you how a #realathlete represents the diva’s championship #TotalDivas”
Additionally, the originator of the “pipe bomb,” CM Punk shared his approval on what he’s calling the “pipe bombshell.” Punk wrote:
“Okay, who’s got this promo that @WWEAJLee cut on raw? I need to get eyes on it.”
-Miami Herald writer Scott Fishman recently posted a blog about the HBO Real Sports piece on Diamond Dallas Page. He also makes his case for DDP in the WWE Hall Of Fame. Check that out online at LayfieldReport.com.
-WWE Diva Brie Bella tweeted the following about what she has learned from her sister Nikki’s injury:
“Nikki’s Injury has taught me how strong I am on my own! it’s just the start of the strength you’ll see! Just wait Xxoo B #briebella #bellaarmy”
-According to reports, there is talk of an angle being shot during the SummerSlam Axxess match between Maria Menounos & Natalya vs. Brie Bella & Eva Marie that will lead to something in some form or fashion on the main SummerSlam pay-per-view.
-Sources are reporting that while Randy Orton may not cash in (although he very well could) he is expected to be involved in the finish of the John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan WWE Championship main event at SummerSlam on Sunday.
-While this comes as no surprise to anyone, there is expected to be some sort of storyline shot in the finish of the Cena-Bryan match, involving Triple H and/or the McMahon’s, that will lead to a major storyline going forward.
As is the case with all major WWE shows, due to last minute changes by the creative team, all of this is obviously subject to change.
-While nothing is etched in stone at this point, and plans can and probably will change a lot from now until Sunday, there is a good chance that the main pay-per-view card for SummerSlam may be altered a bit right before the show airs this Sunday.
-Monday’s edition of WWE RAW is at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Originally, WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar was involved in the advertising of the show. As we noted earlier this week, Lesnar has since been pulled from the advertising. Apparently, there is still a slight chance Lesnar will be involved at RAW on Monday, but as we reported, he is not expected to be at the show.
-WWE SummerSlam Axxess will be at 11:00am and 4:00pm on Saturday, and 11:00am on Sunday. The Sunday Axxess event is where the Maria Menounos and Natalya vs. Brie Bella and Eva Marie match will take place.
-WWE Superstar CM Punk has officially been added to the WWE live event in Philadelphia on October 13th.
-The FOX News Latino website recently interviewed current World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio mainly talks about performing as a heel in WWE. You can read that interview online at FOXNews.com.
-The official WWE website has added a video of The Funkadactyls (Naomi and Cameron) and Natalya on E! News. You can watch that clip online at WWE.com.
-The Bella Twins were recently guests on NFL AM on the NFL Network. Nikki and Brie talked about Total Divas, as well as this Sunday’s WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view. You can check out their appearance on the show online at WWE.com.
-Maria Menounos mentioned WWE today during her appearance on the Kelly & Michael Show on ABC. Menounos mentioned her match at SummerSlam Axxess alongside Natalya, as they battle the duo of Brie Bella, and her mystery partner, Eva Marie.
-WWE, as part of their Susan G. Komen breast cancer partnership, will be hosting mammogram units at select locations that will allow women with insurance to get mammograms free of charge.
-The following content will be available on WWE 24/7 Classics On Demand this week:
ECW Unreleased Vol. 1 parts three and four
WCW Saturday Night 7/23/88
Raw 3/29/99
Ric Flair vs. Shelton Benjamin 2004
Barry Horowitz vs. Skip 1995
S.D. Jones vs. Mike Sharpe 1987
Undertaker vs. Maven 2002
Tito Santana vs. Randy Savage from Boston 2/8/86
WCW Spring Stampede 1999
Nitro 11/24/97
Raw 11/24/97
TNT 1/24/86
Matt Striker vs. C.M. Punk 1/16/07
Tommy Dreamer vs .Simon Diamond 5/28/00 ECW
Tazz vs. Kurt Angle 3/9/00 Smackdown
-The grand opening of the Jerry Lawler Museum at the new location in the Resorts Casino Tunica in Tunica, MS will take place on Saturday, August 24th at 2pm. Lawler will be appearing to sign autographs for two hours in honor of the opening.
-WWE has added TNA Impact Wrestling ring announcer Christy Hemme to their WWE Alumni page on WWE.com.
-Yahoo! has an article up covering the return of Maria Menounos to the ring at the SummerSlam Axxess event on Sunday. As noted, Menounos will team with Natalya to take on the duo of Brie Bella and Eva Marie. You can check out the story online at Yahoo.com.
-Another Dolph Ziggler interview, this time with the folks from 4th and Pain, can be heard below.
-The aforementioned Maria Menounos & Natalya vs. Brie Bella & Eva Marie match at SummerSlam Axxess will take place on Sunday afternoon. No official time for the bout has been given, although it is a lock to be part of Sunday’s Axxess festivities.
-“The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry was recently interviewed by The Miami Herald as part of his promotional duties for this Sunday’s SummerSlam pay-per-view. You can read that interview online at MiamiHerald.com.
-Tickets for the WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view, which is scheduled to take place on October 27th in Miami, Florida, will officially go on sale on August 24th.
-WWE officially announced “Total Divas” star Eva Marie as the “mystery partner” for Brie Bella in her match against Maria Menounos and Natalya at the WWE SummerSlam Axxess event. The announcement was first made on the official Twitter page of the Bella Twins.
-Speaking of WWE Divas, Kaitlyn received some Twitter-love as the terms “#K8LYN” and “#8thMilitia” trended worldwide at number one and two on Twitter on Wednesday evening.
-The official Twitter acount for WWE NXT re-tweeted a Full Sail University tweet which hypes Mark Henry and “surprise guests” for the August 22nd edition of the NXT television tapings from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. The tweet reads:
BREAKING:@WWENXT will be returning to Full Sail on Thursday August 22 with @WWE Superstar @TheMarkHenry along with surprise guests!
-WWE’s official doctor, Dr. Michael Sampson, tweeted the following on his official Twitter page following the successful surgery performed on WWE Superstar Sheamus on Tuesday:
“@WWESheamus @WWE UPDATE: the surgery went well and he is recovering in his room. PT to begin tomorrow.”
-The official WWE website, WWE.com, has confirmed the Maria Menounos & Natalya vs. Brie Bella and mystery partner match for the upcoming WWE Summerslam AXXESS. The news was first reported on the official Twitter account of current RAW General Manager Brad Maddox.
Current WWE RAW General Manager Brad Maddox exercised his powers once again, revealing the addition of a new match on his official Twitter account late Tuesday evening.
In a new tweet, Maddox revealed that at SummerSlam Axxess, female celebrity and the queen of WWE guest-appearances, Maria Menounos, will team up with WWE Diva and Total Divas reality show star Natalya, to challenge the team of Brie Bella and a mystery partner.
Maddox’s official tweet reads as follows:
“As GM of Raw, the #SummerSlam Axxess match is officially made. @NatbyNature & @mariamenounos vs. @NicoleandBri & ???. Find a partner, Brie!”
