Tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow takes place from the Verizon Center in Washington, DC.
After his surprise appearance at the end of last week’s RAW, returning superstar Brock Lesnar will be on RAW tonight to discuss why he’s back. John Cena will also address Brock Lesnar’s return – and the devastating F5 that Lesnar delivered to him last week. Cena will also show off his new “Dream Machine” custom car, which is being done to promote the new Dream Machines show on SyFy that premiers after tomorrow night’s live SmackDown special.
WWE diva Eve Torres tweeted over the weekend that she’s ready to make some “serious career moves” – which in her case, probably means making out with any top superstar she can find.
SmackDown stars advertised for RAW include World Heavyweight champion Sheamus, Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Daniel Bryan (YES!), Cody Rhodes, Intercontinental champion the Big Show, Alberto Del Rio and Christian.
Hardcore legend Mick Foley has been advertised for RAW as well.
Tonight’s RAW will also feature an appearance by the stars of the new Three Stooges movie.
The advertised dark match main event will see WWE Champion CM Punk and John Cena teaming up against Kane and Chris Jericho.
Many superstars have commented on Brock Lesnar’s WWE return on Twitter. Here are what several past and present WWE superstars tweeted:
Goldberg: “Great for Brock and the business. Happy for him…….”
Dolph Ziggler: “brock lesnar is back/cena cant catch a break! can he go like ME? ps: his gear isnt even bedazzled, uggg! #newkicks?”
Kevin Nash: “@DCBROCKLESNAR It’s Nash want to talk to you,remember all of us, me included bought every fight you had.You’re the baddest man on this planet”
Roddy Piper: “I think Lesner coming back is great. When a man like him takes Pro Wrestling serious it makes a statement of what it takes!”
Joey Styles: “I think we need @OfficialTaz saying ‘Here comes the pain!’”
Smith Hart: “Amazing re-launch of the Brock Lesnar brand. The audience made it quite clear this is what they want… Brock Lesnar is clearly the best debut since WM. Aside from him who do you think has the best chance to make an impact of all the new debuts”
Mason Ryan: “@RobNash81: @WWE_MasonRyan Wrestle Brock Lesnar get some tats to look badass” I don’t need tats to be badass…”
Chuck Palumbo: “I think WWE is on to something hiring guys back as part timers….long over due…Heard Brock signed a 5 million dollar deal for 40 dates.”
– WWE officials are expecting Brock Lesnar will help pop a big rating for tonight’s RAW. Lesnar is not expected to travel overseas to the UK this week for WWE’s annual post-WrestleMania live events tour, which will include a rare taped UK RAW next week.
– Several readers emailed us saying that the song WWE is using to promote WrestleMania 29 is called “Surrender” by the band Angels & Airwaves.
– WWE Superstar Yoshi Tatsu continues to taunt Lord Tensai and Sakamoto on Twitter. Speaking of Tatsu, fans started a #SaveYoshiTatsu campaign this weekend as WWE releases are expected soon. Tatsu actually told his fans not to join the “#SaveYoshiTatsu” movement because he thinks it makes him look weak.
– Larry Zbyszko’s son Tim Zbyszko made his professional wrestling debut on Saturday night for the I Believe In Wrestling promotion out of Orlando, Florida. Tim Zbyszko defeated Gorilla Hanley in his first match.
— Given Brock Lesnar’s admitted distaste for WWE’s strenuous road schedule, there is skepticism on the accomplished grappler remaining content for the entire one year duration of his contract with the sports entertainment organization. One veteran wrestler who worked with Lesnar during his prior run with WWE doesn’t think that he will able to handle working for the promotion for an entire year.
The wrestler said to Pro Wrestling Torch editor Wade Keller on Monday night following Raw, “I give him four months before he cracks.”
Lesnar loathed the travel schedule so much that in 2003 he bought a private plane and hired a pilot to alleviate the stress of going through airports. Even with that and a seven-year contract for a $1 million downside guarantee, he ultimately gave notice that he would finish up at WrestleMania XX.
— Kelly Kelly suggested Friday night on Twitter that she broke up with her boyfriend, NHL player Sheldon Souray.
“Kharma is a ***** ..have a nice life,” she wrote following SmackDown. Kelly wrote “eww” minutes later after a Twitter user remarked that Souray should bring her to one of his hockey games.
Both messages have since been deleted. The WWE Diva then tweeted a quote from The Notebook suggesting the couple remains together.
— The Wrestling Observer reported this week that morale is low among members of WWE’s creative team after many of the were not invited to the annual post-WrestleMania party Sunday night in Miami, Florida. Former creative writer Christopher DeJoseph (a/k/a Big Dick Johnson) appeared on the Pro Wrestling Torch Livecast on Thursday (audio available here) and said he has heard from current staff members upset with the snub. He said they felt disrespected since they were a big part of putting WrestleMania XXVIII together.
— WWEShop.com has released the T-Shirt Brock Lesnar wore in his Raw return.
— FitPerez.com has posted photos of the WWE Divas during WrestleMania weekend.
— Jim Ross praised Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole’s broadcasting efforts at WrestleMania XXVIII. He wrote on Twitter, “I thought King and Cole did a heck of a job at WM28….4 hour, live show w/ immense pressure to do one’s best.”
— Hulk Hogan responded to Scott Steiner’s outburst toward him this week on Twitter, writing Friday: “Wow do I feel like a fool! I knew Steiner came to TNA the last tapings then was asked to leave, I heard the news and I was lobbying hard to bring him back the right way because I see money and talent in him, I had no idea he felt that way about me because he is always really nice to me and my family, guess I was really wrong, at least I know who he really is now.”
Though Steiner was asked by TNA Wrestling staff to leave a recent Impact Wrestling, it did not occur this week.
— Eric Bischoff weighed on Brock Lesnar’s decision to return to WWE, writing on Twitter: “Somewhat surprised by Brocks decision to come back to WWE. Some guys do it for $, some for the love of performing. Either way, good for biz!”
— James Storm, Crimson and So Cal Val will appear at the Direct Auto Insurance Tailgate Party 1281 Murfreesboro Rd. Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday from 1:00 to 3:00 p.m. Call 615-361-4507 for more information.
As we reported earlier this week, Brock Lesnar’s contract with WWE is said to be a 1-year deal that pays $5 million and is for approximately 30-40 appearances, including matches.
Even before Brock Lesnar’s final UFC fight against Alistair Overeem in December, there was talk in the MMA world that Lesnar had a $5 million deal waiting for him in WWE. Vince McMahon was said to be “agreeable” on the idea of shelling out $5 million to bring Lesnar in, however there was a lot of negotiating before the two parties agreed on the number of appearances Lesnar would be obligated to make.
The Rock has also signed a 1-year contract with WWE that will see him wrestle a few times this year and at WrestleMania 29. With 12 months to go until next year’s big event, WWE already has its sights set on a Rock vs. Lesnar main event. WWE is looking to sell out WrestleMania the day that tickets go on sale, something the company hasn’t done since 2007.
Something WWE has to consider with a Rock vs. Brock main event is the possibility of fans turning on both wrestlers, which happened during the infamous Brock Lesnar and Goldberg at WrestleMania 20. Back then, word got out that both Lesnar and Goldberg were leaving the company immediately after their WrestleMania match – and the New York crowd was merciless. Fast forward 9 years – and we could see another big Lesnar match at WrestleMania in front of a New York crowd that is aware both participants are making their final appearances for WWE.
— WWE.com’s newly posted bio on Brock Lesnar acknowledges his career as a mixed martial artist. However, no mention is made of UFC. The bio reads:
“Possessing the type of staggering strength and scary intensity usually only seen in Superman villains, the 6-foot-3, 266-pound freak of nature from Minneapolis, Minn., has forced his way to the top of every major combat sport. He won the NCAA Division I collegiate wrestling championship as a senior at the University of Minnesota, the WWE Championship within six months of his debut and the heavyweight title in his fourth professional MMA fight. Plain and simple, the man was built to destroy.”
— WWE.com profiles former ECW personality Beulah McGillicutty in the latest edition of “Where Are They Now?” She discusses her time in the “Land of Extreme,” her family and becoming a children’s book author. She also explains why she left the professional wrestling industry in 1998.
“I just felt it was time for me to move on with my life. I was turning 30 and wanted to go back to college and start a family,” Beulah said.
— WWE.com is advertising Mick Foley for the SmackDown brand’s tour of Mexico next month. He is also advertised for the May 23 Smackdown live event at the Mid Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York.
– WWE is advertising Brock Lesnar for Monday’s Raw SuperShow (from the Verizon Center in Washington D.C), the April 23rd RAW Supershow from the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan as well as Extreme Rules on April 29th from the AllState Arena in Chicago, Illinois.
– The WWE website has posted an article looking at “Five Superstars Bracing For Brock.” The article names Randy Orton, Sheamus, Mark Henry, Big Show and Kane as potential challengers for Lesnar in the coming months.
– Paul Heyman has posted a new video featuring Brock Lesnar, but it’s probably not what you’re expecting. Heyman, who was Brock Lesnar’s on-air manager/agent during Brock’s famous rise up the ladder in 2002, and co-authored Brock’s autobiography last year as well, has posted an exclusive video of Lesnar on The Heyman Hustle website. But it’s not a wrestling video. It’s a farming video. Seriously. One of Lesnar’s biggest sponsors when he fought in UFC was CASE IH farming equipment, coupled with Rocky Mountain Dealerships. Lesnar’s new video, released this week to coincide with his WWE return and destruction of John Cena on Monday Night Raw, really is a farming video. Check it out:
– Brock Lesnar signed a 1-year contract with WWE over the weekend – and the backstage buzz is that Lesnar received one of the most lucrative contracts in company history. After seeing what a juggernaut Lesnar was in terms of PPV sales for the UFC, WWE is rumored to have guaranteed Lesnar $5 million to work a limited schedule. Based on what we’re hearing, Lesnar is contracted to appear twice a month for the next 12 months.
– The Miz returned to MTV this week, hosting the “Challenge: Battle of the Exes” reunion show. During the episode, the official MTV Twitter account wrote that they would pay anything to get The Miz to come back for another Challenge show. Miz replied: “ANYTHING???”
– In preparation of the upcoming WWE Network launch, WWE is considering reaching out to former announcers so they don’t put too much strain on current employees.
– WWE is looking to run more storylines on Twitter. The Twitter rants from Epico and Rosa Mendes about being left off WrestleMania 28 were an example of this recent company initiative.
— Brock Lesnar is officially a member of the Raw roster following his shocking return to WWE on Monday’s Raw SuperShow. He is listed as a Raw Superstar on WWE.com, which has also posted an extensive collection of photos and videos from his prior stint with the company.
— Evan Bourne, who sustained a midfoot fracture dislocation in an undisclosed accident last week, tweeted the following update Wednesday: “Followed-up with the surgeon today. X-rays show every bone is back in it’s proper place. Recovery won’t be fast but I’ll heal & fly again!”
— Trish Stratus has been announced to appear on Martin Short’s upcoming special on CBC-TV, I, Martin Short, Goes Home.
— PWInsider.com reports Diana Hart Smith was backstage at WrestleMania XXVIII.
Brock Lesnar will be returning to a WWE ring much sooner than some fans may be expecting. Lesnar signed with WWE over the weekend and could wrestle his first match as soon as Extreme Rules later this month or Over The Limit in May. As we’ve been reporting, Lesnar has signed a 1-year deal with limited appearances – which will culminate in a match at next year’s WrestleMania 29.
During Lesnar’s first run with the company a decade ago, Paul Heyman served as Lesnar’s mouthpiece, accurately touting him as the “Next big Thing.” According to WWE sources, there are currently no plans to bring Heyman in with Lesnar. Heyman has is a very busy man with a number of ongoing projects through his Looking For Larry agency based out of New York City.
That’s not to say that there aren’t people that want Heyman back on WWE television. WWE (and TNA) has reached out to him in recent years, but the two sides could never reach an agreement. Anything is possible, but for now, WWE is moving forward with Brock Lesnar under the assumption that Paul Heyman will not be on board.
– News broke over the weekend that Brock Lesnar was negotiating with WWE and arrived in Miami on Saturday with a large entourage. According to a report at pwinsider.com, Lesnar was not at WrestleMania, the Intercontinental Hotel where the WWE talent was staying or any other WWE related events over the weekend.
For those people speculating that WWE leaked the news of Lesnar’s negotiations to spike the WrestleMania buyrate at the 11th hour, WWE tried hard to keep the deal confiential.
– It was also reported over the weekend that Tough Enough contestant and former Miss USA Rima Fakih was in Miami and was in talks to return to WWE. Fakih was seen with the WWE crew during WrestleMania weekend and is expected to return to the company soon.
After the news broke this weekend that Brock Lesnar was in negotiations to return to WWE, the former UFC Heavyweight champion returned home on Monday’s RAW from Miami, FL. Check out this video of Brock Lesnar returning to WWE after 8 long years:
Monday’s Raw SuperShow saw the shocking return of Brock Lesnar to WWE as he dropped John Cena with a devastating F5. According to multiple sources within the organization, the recently retired mixed martial artist signed a one-year contract with WWE. He will be competing at WrestleMania XXIX at MetLife Stadium.
Lesner has agreed to make a minimum of two appearances per month for WWE over the course of the next year, plus an additional number of appearances in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania XXIX. Sources within the company believe the final amount will be approximately 30 to 35.
John Cena called The Rock out to the ring at the conclusion of Monday’s Raw SuperShow, but was instead greeted with a brutal F5 courtesy of Brock Lesnar. WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross went on Twitter to address the recently-retired mixed martial artist’s shocking return to sports entertainment.
“Why’s Brock Lesnar back? I’d suggest 2 earn BIG money. He’s done w/ UFC & still young. He’s a complex, supreme athlete. Interesting times,” he wrote.
Ross continued, “I don’t know of Lesnar’s contractual matters w/ WWE. None of our business. I did his 1st few deals. Let’s not over think this. Brock’s back!”
Ross also responded to a remark stating that he once said that Lesnar would never return to WWE, writing, “Never full time IMO. But enough to matter.”
Lesnar’s theme music hit to a thunderous applause. Cena stared toward the entrance ramp as Lesnar slowly emerged through the backstage area and appeared on stage. He bounced around and flexed his chest muscles before pacing the stage while Cena smirked. Lesnar continued to walk around the stage before slowly making his way toward the ring. Lesnar paced around the ring, then slowly made his way into the ring as Cena applauded.
Lesnar came face-to-face with Cena and extended his hand, but suddenly hoisted Cena up on his shoulders. Lesnar turned around and hit Cena with the F5. Michael Cole declared that Brock is back and that the landscape of Monday Night Raw has changed.
— F4WOnline.com reports Brock Lesnar and his “large entourage” left their hotel a few hours ago for Sun Life Stadium. The website speculates that he may be in a private meeting as his entourage is there but he has not been seen.
— Mike McGuirk, who worked as a ring announcer for the World Wrestling Federation from 1987 through 1993, is backstage at Sun Life Stadium. She works as a real estate agent in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Her son Max was under developmental contract to WWE in 2009 and 2010.
Carlos Colon, father of Primo and uncle of Epico, is also backstage. He attended last night’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction ceremony.
— Last night’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will premiere tonight in the United Kingdom at 10:00 p.m. on Sky 3. It airs tomorrow night in the United States at 8:00 p.m. on the USA Network.
— With Brock Lesnar heavily rumored to appear at tonight’s WrestleMania XXVIII pay-per-view event, it’s worth noting that friend and business partner Paul Heyman has been telling friends that he is not in Miami, Florida.
— The official Facebook page of WWE has posted photos in and around Sun Life Stadium as tonight’s WrestleMania XXVIII approaches. Among those pictured as Brie Bella, Vickie Guerrero, Santino Marella, Daniel Bryan, Dolph Ziggler, Mike Tyson and the white suit John Laurinaitis will don for the Team Teddy vs. Team Johnny match.
– The news of Brock Lesnar returning to WWE was a hot topic of disucssion in the crowd at the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in Miami last night. While there is still no confirmation that Lesnar has signed a 1-year deal with WWE, expectations are high that he will be appearing at RAW tomorrow night.
Full Story:
– Former WWE Superstar MVP noted on Twitter that his upcoming hip-hop mixtape is about 50% done. MVP, who is from Miami, also commented on The Rock’s ties to the city:
“I’ve always been a huge fan of the Rock. 1 of the greatest ever! But Rocky went “to school” in Miami. He’s not FROM Miami! Big difference!”
– Below as a new promotional poster for WWE’s upcoming Over the Limit pay-per-view featuring Randy Orton:
Brock Lesnar is in Miami and has reportedly signed a 1-year contract with WWE. According to the Wrestling Observer, Lesnar arrived in Miami with a ton of security and an entourage of people surrounding him.
Lesnar’s deal is said to be a reduced schedule, which would allow Lesnar to avoid the hectic travel schedule that was one of the main factors in his decision to leave WWE after WrestleMania 20.
If Brock is signed with WWE, an appearance at WrestleMania 28 a very real possibility.
Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer stated on the F4WOnline.com message board that both sides have been in talks for a month and that WWE at least initially wanted his return match to take place at SummerSlam on August 19.
Meltzer said The Rock is aware of Lesnar’s negotiations and explaining his response to an Associated Press writer’s question last week regarding a possible confrontation.
“I’m not saying a thing,” said a grinning Johnson with his eyebrow raised after being asked about a possible encounter with Lesnar. “I didn’t say anything.”
It was reported Friday that Brock Lesnar was in negotiations with WWE officials to make a surprise appearance at Sunday’s WrestleMania XXVIII pay-per-view event at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida.
Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer stated on the F4WOnline.com message board that both sides have been in talks for a month and that WWE at least initially wanted his return match to take place at SummerSlam on August 19. Furthermore, Meltzer said Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is aware of Lesnar’s negotiations with the organization, thus explaining his response to an Associated Press writer’s question last week regarding a possible confrontation.
“I’m not saying a thing,” said a grinning Johnson with his eyebrow raised after being asked about a possible encounter with Lesnar. “I didn’t say anything.”
– Sunday’s WrestleMania 28 pay-per-view is still not sold out but a lot of tickets are expected to be sold today and tomorrow at bargain prices.
– No word yet if Steve Austin is planning on flying into Miami today for WrestleMania 28 and the Hall of Fame but he indicated on Twitter late last night that he was still on the West coast.
– WWE Diva AJ Lee won the annual THQ Superstars Challenge on Friday. AJ defeated Mark Henry in the finals to win the trophy. The Superstars and Divas played WWE ’12 this year.
– Last word on Brock Lesnar appearing at WrestleMania 28 was that the two sides were still working on terms of a deal including financial issues and a number of dates that he would be working for WWE. WWE wants Lesnar to have a somewhat regular role.
SEScoops.com has learned that former WWE Champion and former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar is in negotiations with WWE to make a surprise appearance at Sunday’s WrestleMania XXVIII pay-per-view event at Sun Life Stadium in Miami, Florida. The story is also being reported at fwonline.com and pwinsider.com. Negotiations are ongoing, but a source within the company says that there is a 50-50 chance that Lesnar will appear on the show.
The source went on to state that WWE wants Lesnar to appear and is hoping that a deal can be finalized within the next 24 hours.
Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White confirmed to F4WOnline.com that Lesnar is legally able to appear at WrestleMania on Sunday since he is no longer under contract to the organization. White was not aware if Lesnar was appearing on the show.
Lesnar left WWE in March 2004 to pursue a career in the National Football League, which was short-lived. Following a brief fling in New Japan Wrestling, he stepped away from the professional wrestling industry entirely in 2006 to pursue a career in mixed martial arts. He captured the UFC Heavyweight Championship from Randy Couture on November 15, 2008, then avenged his loss to Mir at UFC 100 to become the Undisputed Champion. He lost the strap two years later to Cain Velasquez at UFC 121. Lesnar announced his intentions to retire from mixed martial arts following a subsequent loss to Alistair Overeem in December, which prompted speculation of a return to WWE.
A writer for the Associated Press stated in his article on Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson that if WWE wants to squeeze another potential blockbuster buy rate out of The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment, the last man standing to get the headline match would be Lesnar.
“I’m not saying a thing,” said a laughing, grinning Johnson with his eyebrow raised after being asked about the possible encounter. “I didn’t say anything.”