The following are highlights from a recent interview with former WWE Superstar Trevor Murdoch:

On what WWE thought about CM Punk when he first came in to the company: “I’m not going to name any names but when Punk was in developmental there were a lot of people bagging on him. They were like who is this guy? Tattooed up with a Pepsi symbol on his arm, what they thought was a Pepsi symbol on his arm and him being an internet sensation and indy sensation. They really couldn’t see the big picture the connection that he has with the fans when he goes out there. How much hard work he puts in his craft and when he steps out that curtain how much hard work he puts out there.”

On the differences in wrestling now as compared to when he was growing up: “The wrestling end of it is changing daily it’s not the sport that it was when I was younger following it. It’s more towards the entertainment end of it and that’s a machine you really can’t stop unless the fans change that…and what I mean by fans is that they all have to get together and speak loud and clear and let them know that’s what they want. Everything they (WWE) do on TV is based on what they do for viewership and it’s up to us as fans to change that. I respect the WWE and all it has done for me.”

Check out the complete interview online at BlogTalkRadio,com/peoplewhoknowgoodwrestling.

The reason CM Punk was booked to win against The Shield at the recent WWE TLC pay-per-view was for a couple of different reasons. First and foremost, WWE had already booked John Cena and Daniel Bryan to lose their matches at the TLC show, and the feeling was all three couldn’t lose on the same pay-per-view.

Another reason WWE gave Punk the win was because it added to the drama surrounding The Shield currently, since they decided to have Roman Reigns spear Dean Ambrose, setting up the eventual pin for Punk.

This past Monday night on RAW, WWE had Roman Reigns get the win on Punk with the idea that Reigns is eventually going to be the real “golden boy” of the company, since he has the look and the sports background that WWE officials prefer, as opposed to Punk and Bryan, both of which will never fully get past the size and look issues that WWE has.

Additionally, Punk was considered to be “protected” from the loss with the feeling that having him do a promo segment with Shawn Michaels before the match would leave a larger impression on fans than Punk actually getting pinned.

• CM Punk Makes Fun Of Roman Reigns In Front Of WWE Fans (VIDEO)[Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter]

The following are highlights from yet another Q&A update from the official website of WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:

On the possibility of John Cena vs. CM Punk at WrestleMania: “I’d like to think that some day that match will occur at WrestleMania. Time will tell. Don’t see it this year though for some reason.”

On if he’d be willing to call one final match for WWE at WrestleMania XXX: “That isn’t a decision that is up to me. That’s 100% a WWE call.”

On opponents he’d like to of seen “Stone Cold” Steve Austin wrestle had his career not been cut short due to injury: “Punk, Bryan, HHH, Orton, etc. Lots of likely candidates.”

On why we don’t see Booker T in the ring anymore: “I don’t know but it’s likely a mutual decision or Book may have injury issues to address.”

On if CM Punk should be a babyface, heel or a ‘tweener’: “I’m not a big ‘tweener’ guy.”

On whether or not Paul Heyman’s recent tweet about Randy Orton is a tease for an Orton vs. Brock Lesnar match at WrestleMania XXX: “Heyman knows how to play the fanbase. Obviously, Lesnar will be back soon as WM30 approaches but in what role, I don’t know.”

Check out more JR Q&A online at JRsBarBQ.com.

– WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently shared his thoughts regarding the rumors of Shawn Michaels coming out of retirement to wrestle another match, and whether or not that would offend The Undertaker, who “sent him into retirement” by beating him at WrestleMania. JR noted, “I don’t think HBK is returning to the ring as a wrestler. If he did it would be at WrestleMania and I’d like to see him wrestle Daniel Bryan or CM Punk. Taker wouldn’t be offended whatsoever.”

– Stephanie McMahon recently tweeted the following photo from the WWE Holiday party that was held in Stamford, Connecticut on Wednesday night.

Thanks to the @WWE families who came to the holiday party to celebrate! And thank u to those who made it happen! pic.twitter.com/ZYXNhXdVBX

— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) December 18, 2013

As covered in-depth the past week, there was an incident during the WWE’s “Tribute To The Troops” television taping in Washington involving AJ Lee and Access Hollywood co-host Michelle Beadle regarding Beadle’s comments to CM Punk.

In addition to all of the heat on AJ for her role in the ordeal, apparently CM Punk garnered some heat on himself by his way of handling the issue.

Punk decided to tweet about hockey on his official Twitter account, and WWE officials were apparently unhappy with that decision, as they felt he should be tweeting about something TLC-related instead of hockey.

WWE.com has published the latest weekly sit-down interview between Michael Cole and Triple H.

The interview this week focuses on a few different topics, including Randy Orton’s low-blow of Daniel Bryan during the RAW main event. The Game joked that Bryan “came up on the short end” in the match.

He also addressed CM Punk’s comments about him on the show. Based on what we’re hearing, this is the start of a feud that will culminate in a match at WrestleMania.

You can check out the complete interview online at WWE.com.

• Rare Photo Of Vince & HHH Backstage Working At Live WWE TV Taping

Improv Comedy Club “The Second City,” which is famous for churning out several Saturday Night Live cast members, is preparing to oppose WWE’s registration of the “Second City Saint” trademark.

WWE Superstar CM Punk has been using the “Second City Saint” moniker for several years, including points of his career prior to signing with WWE. The name was also used for Punk’s group with Colt Cabana and Ace Steele.

In addition to the current “Fandango” trademark war, WWE will now prepare to battle over the trademark for “Second City Saint” with the famous Improv Comedy Club.

Michelle Beadle / AJ Lee Update

NBC sports and entertainment personality Michelle Beadle has issued a statement in response to reports of a backstage incident between herself and AJ Lee at last Wednesday’s Tribute to the Troops event at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Pierce County, Washington.

Dave Meltzer reported this morning in a podcast on F4WOnline.com that Lee went on tirade towards the Access Hollywood co-host upon seeing her chat with CM Punk, her boyfriend, backstage at the event. PWInsider.com subsequently claimed that Lee calmly appeared in his defense for speaking to him in a “disrespectful tone.”

Beadle tweeted the following statement on Sunday in hopes of putting the whole thing behind her:

“Once and once only: I’ve known CM Punk for years. Considered him a friend. When I saw him at the arena, I said ‘hey f&$?face’. The exact same way I talk to everyone. His girlfriend was no where near this. And I kept walking along with my assistant and two members of WWE PR. Next thing I know, I’m being yelled at. I honestly thought it was a joke. Period. The event went on and it was amazing.”

“So I hope we can move on from this ridiculously lame ‘story.’

As for the crazies, BLOCKED! And Happy freaking Holidays!!!”

While Beadle claimed that she took the whole incident as a joke, she tweeted otherwise the day after the incident, stating,

Lost another friend to CGFN….crazy girlfriend neutering. It's real people. Check your buddies. Affects everyone.

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) December 12, 2013

The disease affects men. They are castrated and become shells of their former selves. Hug your brother. ;-)

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) December 12, 2013

Many people within WWE are embarrassed and angry at Lee over the incident. She is expected to be disciplined for her behavior.

Beadle was at the event as the official host, which will air as a one-hour television special on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 8/7C on NBC.

Allegations of a backstage incident between WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee and NBC personality Michelle Beadle at last Wednesday’s Tribute to the Troops event in Pierce County, Washington is currently a huge topic of discussion among company employees at tonight’s WWE TLC pay-per-view event in Houston, Texas. People who generally don’t acknowledge these types of online stories at shows are even offering their thoughts.

Multiple accounts of the story, which was originally reported this morning by Dave Meltzer on F4WOnline.com, are floating online, with some people affiliated with WWE attempting damage control in order to protect Lee’s brand and reputation—PWInsider.com is claiming that Lee did not approach Beadle out of jealousy toward her chatting up with boyfriend CM Punk, but rather, calmly appeared in his defense for speaking to him in a “disrespectful tone.” Meltzer, however, is saying that his version of the story, with Lee going on a bizarre, obscenity-laced tirade toward the popular television personality and behaving similar to her eccentric on-screen character, is completely legitimate.

“I’ve talked to several there. Everything is damage control now,” Meltzer remarked this afternoon on the F4WOnline.com message board in response to conflicting accounts of the incident online. “According to more than one there, she cussed out Beadle and they were very upset, partially because Beadle was brought in as a host and it was a show when they were trying to put their best foot forward, saying it was a bigger deal because it was Tribute to the Troops. Four different people today and one last night including one person who got it from top management explained it the same way.”

“Even one person trying to defend her admitted she was way out of line and nuts, but said she overreacted because she knew Punk and Beadle had a short-lived deal.

“It’s way bigger than I reported last night as of 1 p.m. Central time in Houston. It is the story in the locker room, even backstage people who aren’t usually talking about such things are are all talking about it.”

It should be noted that WWE officials invited Meltzer to last week’s press conference in Santa Clara, California to announce Levi’s Stadium as the location of WrestleMania 31 in 2015, with Stephanie McMahon addressing her new role as WWE Chief Brand Officer to him. In this photo gallery on WWE.com, there is a shot of Meltzer shaking hands with Mark Henry.

Lee’s reign as Divas Champion could end tonight as she is scheduled to defend her title at WWE TLC against Natalya.

Additional and conflicting details have surfaced concerning a backstage incident between WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee and NBC personality Michelle Beadle at last Wednesday’s Tribute to the Troops event at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Pierce County, Washington.

Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer reported this morning in a podcast on F4WOnline.com that Lee went on tirade towards the Access Hollywood co-host upon seeing her chat with CM Punk, her boyfriend, backstage at the event. WWE officials were very embarrassed and angry at Lee over her “unprofessional conduct,” which PWInsider.com is corroborating. They are especially upset because Beadle appeared as an invited guest of WWE, who is affiliated with partner NBC Universal. Furthermore, the incident took place at Tribute to Troops, which internally is considered one of the most important events of the year by WWE chief Vince McMahon.

Beadle was at the event as the official host, which will air as a one-hour television special on Saturday, Dec. 28 at 8/7C on NBC.

The word among wrestlers backstage at today’s WWE TLC pay-per-view event in Houston, Texas, was that Lee did not approach Beadle due to jealousy, but because she had spoken to Punk in a disrespectful tone. Lee approached Beadle after Beadle had a conversation with Punk, not during a conversation between the two as had been previously reported.

Beadle had remarked something to Punk in a disrespectful manner that allegedly upset him, which led to Lee searching for her—what Beadle said cannot be confirmed. It is said that Lee approached the popular television personality and told her that she was not to speak to her boyfriend in that manner again and if she did, there would be a problem.

One wrestler who witnessed the incident is denying the claim of Lee raising her voice and cursing at Beadle.

“Anyone who said that is a liar,” said the wrestler, who spoke under the condition of anonymity.

Since Beadle is a celebrity, there is heat on Lee over the ordeal. The same wrestler remarked, “Celebs are untouchable in the backstage scene. WWE wants them more than they need any wrestler, so automatically, the wrestler is going to be wrong here, even when [Lee] isn’t really.”

Beadle acknowledged rumors of an incident with Lee this morning on Twitter. In response to a fan remarking to her this morning on the social media outlet, “You should have slapped AJ Lee when she got in your face,” Beadle stated, “Meh. I thought it was a joke.” She then added in response to an upset AJ Lee fan, “Hon…it was done in front of company people. I didn’t say a word. I thought it was a joke.”

Lee is scheduled to defend her WWE Divas Championship tonight at WWE TLC against Natalya.

NBC entertainment and sports personality Michelle Beadle is lending credence to today’s report concerning an incident between herself and WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee at last Wednesday’s Tribute to the Troops event in Pierce County, Washington.

Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer revealed this morning in a podcast on F4WOnline.com that Lee went on an obscenity-laced tirade towards the Access Hollywood co-host upon seeing her chat with CM Punk, the WWE Diva’s boyfriend, backstage at the event. Beadle didn’t believe Lee was serious with her unhinged WWE character-like behavior.

In response to a fan remarking to her this morning on Twitter:

@sjo2009 meh. I thought it was a joke.

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) December 15, 2013

Responding to an upset AJ Lee fan on Twitter, Beadle remarked:

@Derpina_007 hon…it was done in front of company people. I didn't say a word. I thought it was a joke.

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) December 15, 2013

Beadle’s tweet gels with Meltzer’s claim, as he noted on the podcast that Lee’s Tribute to the Troops incident took place in front of many important people. He added that a number of WWE officials were very embarrassed and angry at Lee over the incident, mainly for “coming off like her character in real life, and not in a good way.” She is expected to be disciplined for her behavior.

Lee is scheduled to defend her WWE Divas Championship tonight at WWE TLC against Natalya.

Reigning WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee is reportedly in hot water with WWE management after “causing a scene” at last Wednesday’s Tribute to the Troops event in Pierce County, Washington.

Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer disclosed in a podcast (posted Sunday morning on F4WOnline.com) that Lee saw NBC personality Michelle Beadle (who was on hand hosting the event) chatting with CM Punk backstage at the event and “freaked out.” More specifically, Lee threw an obscenity-laced tirade at the popular television personality.

UPDATE: Michelle Beadle Comments On The Altercation With AJ Lee

Meltzer says that a lot of people in the company were very embarrassed and angry at Lee over the incident, mainly for “coming off like her character in real life, and not in a good way.” She is expected to be disciplined for her behavior.

A message Beadle posted the following day on Twitter appears to allude to the situation.

Lost another friend to CGFN….crazy girlfriend neutering. It’s real people. Check your buddies. Affects everyone.

— Michelle Beadle (@MichelleDBeadle) December 12, 2013

Meltzer noted that Punk is very upset with company officials over the matter. A message Punk posted Thursday evening on Twitter appears to allude to the situation.

It’s difficult to always try to do business the proper way with a company that refuses to practice the same standards.

— Coach (@CMPunk) December 12, 2013

– Former WWE Superstar Ken Shamrock made a return to pro wrestling during the “Amo del Hexagono” event on December 7th in Costa Rica. Former WWE Superstars MVP, Sean Waltman, Carlito and Tommy Dreamer also worked the event.

Shamrock’s return came when he interrupted Carlito’s post-match celebration after winning the 1WS World Championship. Shamrock attacked Carlito and put him in the ankle lock before challenging him to a future title match.

– WWE Superstar CM Punk and other celebrities appeared in a recent music video for Less Than Jake’s “My Money Is On The Long Shot” single. Fans interested can check that out online at Fuse.tv.

Noah Mark is back with his the latest installment of “The YES! & The NO! of WWE RAW.” Comment below and tell us if you agree with this week’s picks.

Complete WWE RAW Results (12/9)

WWE RAW (12/9): The “YES!”

Daniel Bryan

The Star of Raw Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan, winning three Slammy Awards competing in a match, appearing in the Championship Ascension Ceremony, was without question the star of the show. His hometown crowd chanting YES! YES! YES! and DANIEL BRYAN! throughout the beginning of the Championship Ascension Ceremony. Going back earlier in the night to his first Slammy win for Superstar Of The Year. On stage The Heartbreak Kid Shawn Michaels. He announces the Superstar of the year is Daniel Bryan. We were all expecting fireworks to occur during that interaction. HBK even exited stage right a perfect set-up for a “surprise” superkick from out of nowhere! But there was no Sweet Chin Music. Just a humble acceptance speech by Bryan for his Slammy Award which he refereed to as The “HB Swizzle”  award, Michaels naming it that just before presenting the award. Bryan did mention if it wasn’t for Shawn he wouldn’t be in the WWE. Likewise if it wasn’t for his interference at Hell-In-A-Cell he would be the WWE Champion. Although there was no physical interaction here, that wouldn’t be the last time these two interacted on the show.

See this is why I can’t shake off fighting the Daniel Bryan cause, he belongs in the main event. Heck this article uses his YES! and NO! and lord help us all if Daniel Bryan ever appears in a “NO!” portion of this article.  Some people might say, he was in his hometown and had an extra kick of support. There may be a bit of truth to that, but I feel that there are just some hot wrestling towns. Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and apparently Seattle. After what transpired later in the show who knows what will happen the next few months. I’m excited! YES!

Championship Ascension Ceremony

John Cena showing why he is in fact the face of WWE.

Former World Heavyweight and WWE Champions appeared all in the ring for the Championship Ascension Ceremony. As I said earlier the crowd was going crazy for Daniel Bryan. While Triple H was talking up the match, and the championship, the Seattle crowd chanted YES and Daniel Bryan to the point where Triple H gave them what seemed like at least a minute of chanting and Yessing and clapping. This crowd was on fire for Daniel Bryan. Triple H introduced both Orton and Cena. The crowd did not want to hear what Orton had to say. There were boos and boring chants. Then Cena took the mic. More boos and cheering mix. Then Cena begins to speak and prove why he is the face of the WWE. These days with everything being very planned and scripted, Cena played to the crowd and included Daniel Bryan in the conversation, he compared Randy Orton’s rise to success to Daniel Bryan’s. The idea was Bryan didn’t have a father and grandfather to get him in to the WWE, he did it by working. Cena turned practically the entire crowd around and behind him., shouting out his past opponents, HBK, CM Punk, and putting over that the only fair shot Daniel Bryan had was the one with him.  Brilliant, this is why he is where he is. The end was something I haven’t seen in the WWE in a long time. It was an awesome chain of events excuited perfectly. Cena and Orton shake hands as the World Heavyweight Championship and WWE Championship are hoisted up. Orton gets in a cheap shot, the two are down on the mat fighting. Orton and Cena get pulled apart to their corners. CM Punk gets shoved by Orton causing CM Punk to start attacking Orton. Triple H throws down CM Punk, who retaliates with a knockdown of his on on The Game. HBK Superkicks CM Punk, setting up Daniel Bryan to

The Authority and John Cena look over A fallen Randy Orton. A great segment to end raw.

WWE Reminding us what they are capable of, a Powerful and compelling end to Raw.

deliver his running Knee on HBK. Orton tries to RKO Bryan but instead gets shoved into Stephanie McMahon knocking her down. Triple H runs to Stephanie’s aid, and then gets up and pedigrees Randy.  The show closes with The Authority and John Cena looking disappointed over Randy Orton on the mat. What a great segment. This is what WWE used to do on a regular basis. Twists and turns, these chain-reaction action segments. YES!

Quick Mentions

Dean Ambrose vs CM Punk – Ambrose vs CM punk was a Pay-Per-View quality match with a great dissension in the ranks tease when Dean Ambrose wanted Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins to head to the back so he could finish the job by himself. Punk gets the win shortly after that exchange, although Punk loses out to the numbers game and gets a great spear from Reigns. YES!

The Wyatts – With a chip on my shoulder because of Daniel Bryan’s demotion, I don’t think I appreciated Bray Wyatt’s amazing performances over the last few weeks.  They are great, and compelling. YES!

Hit up Page 2 below for the “NO!” of this week’s WWE RAW:

After the televised portion of WWE RAW ended on Monday night in Seattle, Washington, World Heavyweight Champion John Cena gave props to the 12th man and asked if the fans wanted one final match.

John Cena def. Randy Orton via Disqualification. The DQ came when Orton hit Cena with a steel chair during the match. Orton tried for an RKO, but ended up getting hit with an Attitude Adjustment instead.

After the match, Cena brought out Daniel Bryan to another enormous ovation. Booker T came out and led the crowd in cheering on Daniel Bryan to do a Spinarooni. Bryan obliged and did one of the most awkward Spinarooni’s ever. Booker then brought out John Laurinaitis for a “People Power Spinarooni.” Titus O’Neil was also brought out to do a Spinarooni. Next, he challenged Stephanie McMahon to come out and do one. She tried backing out of it claiming her head hurts, but eventually did one herself. Finally, Booker had CM Punk come out and do one in his underwear.

• John Cena Does Some Twerking — No Joke!! (VIDEO)

Many were surprised that the CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar match at this year’s SummerSlam wasn’t nominated for the “Match of the Year” in the 2013 WWE Slammy Awards. According to reports, several people within WWE feel that it is easily the best match in the entire company for 2013.

According to one source, the reason Punk vs. Lesnar was not nominated is because Punk “can’t have a better match” with Lesnar than Triple H did, so WWE nominated the Lesnar vs. Triple H match instead, and gave Punk the nomination for his match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 29 instead.

– The DVD and Blu-ray release for WWE Superstar The Miz’s “Christmas Bounty” movie will feature the first trailer for the WWE/Scooby Doo upcoming animated film, which will be released on March 2014.

– WWE Superstar CM Punk recently posted a picture on Twitter with a logo that reads: “Is your business trapped behind a bad app?” You can draw your own conclusions. Check out the tweet below:

pic.twitter.com/tFYE0txMfA

— The Shape (@CMPunk) December 7, 2013

– In addition to their match at the upcoming WWE TLC pay-per-view this Sunday, CM Punk vs. The Shield in a three-on-one handicap match is also being promoted for the WWE live event on December 27th in Indianapolis, Indiana.

– After working under the mask as Sin Cara on WWE RAW last week, WWE Superstar Hunico was back to working under his normal gimmick at the non-televised WWE live events this past weekend.

– The Spaceship News website in Australia recently interviewed former WWE Superstar Chris Jericho. The interview, which mostly focuses on his rock and roll band “Fozzy”, can be read online at SpaceshipNews.com.au.

– One of the most frustrating things about WWE over the past few months has been the handling of Daniel Bryan’s character. According to a backstage source in WWE, source, when it comes to Daniel Bryan’s push, it’s not that the WWE creative team didn’t want him to get revenge, win the WWE title or even gain some sort of symbolic win – it’s that no one on the creative team has the type of influence that Vince McMahon or Triple H have, who ultimately make the final call.

Sgt. Slaughter Talks About WWE Mistreating Daniel Bryan

– Apparently the reason WWE promoted a match featuring “CM Punk vs. a member of The Shield on SmackDown” on RAW this past Monday night was because at around 10pm on Monday, Vince McMahon had yet to make up his mind on which of the three members of The Shield would be the best opponent for Punk.

• CM Punk Makes Fun Of Roman Reigns In Front Of WWE Fans (VIDEO)

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

As we’ve been reporting, CM Punk has been working through several injuries in recent weeks, with Punk himself tweeting this week about his busted ribs.

For those wondering (nobody), yes, it's extremely painful and difficult (humbling as well) to dead lift with busted ribs. #whocares?

— player/coach (@CMPunk) December 5, 2013

A source backstage at Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Tulsa, Oklahoma says that Punk appeared to be sick and very banged up. He wrestled United States champion Dean Ambrose at the show (in a non-title match).

There was concern that Punk suffered a concussion and there was talk going around that he hurt his back on the November 25th episode of WWE RAW.

There continues to be talk behind the scenes that both CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio are still planning to retire “sooner than later.”

• Super Sexy SELFIE Photos of ROSA MENDES

(Source: PWInsider)

WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley recently spoke to Previews World regarding his new WWE comic book, “WWE #1” and how several WWE Superstars are excited to check it out:

“I know a few of them are really excited. Guys like CM Punk who grew up as huge fans are dying to see what they look like in a comic book. I’ve had that chance, when WWE did their book in 1999, and WCW did theirs in the early nineties.”

“WWE #1” is set for a December 11th release.

– CM Punk tweeted the following today, confirming our report from earlier this week that he is fact working with injured ribs:

For those wondering (nobody), yes, it's extremely painful and difficult (humbling as well) to dead lift with busted ribs. #whocares?

— player/coach (@CMPunk) December 5, 2013

CM PUNK’s Rumored WRESTLEMANIA Opponent Revealed

– One of the interesting stories we’ve been following is how well WWE’s WCW-themed DVD’s have been selling, including the recent release highlighting the career of Goldberg. WWE’s upcoming “Best of WCW PPV Matches” DVD/Blu-Ray will be released on March 11th. WrestlingDVDNews.com has provided the following synopsis for it:

“Starrcade! Halloween Havoc! The Great American Bash! Road Wild! For the first time ever, collect all the greatest pay-per-view matches and moments from the rich history of World Championship Wrestling. During the 1990?s, WCW showcased numerous legends of sports entertainment, producing an annual slate of wildly successful pay-per-view events.

From Ric Flair’s championship clashes with the enigmatic Sting, to the n.W.o running roughshod over the promotion, early thrillers between legends Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio, and brawls amidst a sea of Harleys at Strugis, “The Place Where the Big Boys Play” brought the primetime audience to their feet. In this 3-disc DVD/2-disc blu-ray set, relive these historic years and celebrate WWE’s greatest rival in sports entertainment.”

– The official WWE website announced Thursday the 2013 Slammy Award nominees for “Superstar of the Year.” They are:

* John Cena

* Randy Orton

* CM Punk

* Daniel Bryan

* Big Show

* Brock Lesnar

The award will be presented by WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels.

– Glenn Jacobs, known as “Kane” in WWE, will speak at Roane State Community College’s Oak Ridge campus in Tennessee on tonight discussing his political views. His lecture is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. Additional details are available here.

– Three wrestling legends are celebrating birthdays on Thursday as “Adorable” Adrian Street turns 73; Larry Zybysko turns 62; and the “Dynamite Kid” Tom Billington turns 55.

– CM Punk continues to work injured, with his back and ribs bothering him lately. Punk was scripted to not do anything physical on Monday’s RAW so he can heal up. He did wrestle at last night’s SmackDown tapings.

– Rey Mysterio is now back on the road full-time with WWE. He’s being advertised for WWE’s holiday tour of the North East (New York City, Hartford, CT and Newark, NJ) during Christmas week.

– After Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings concluded, Bray Wyatt came out to confront Daniel Bryan. Wyatt once again encouraged Bryan to join them. When he declined, the Wyatt Family attacked Bryan until Big Show made the save.

• Photos of CHRIS JERICHO’s Badass New Tattoo

– WWE Superstar The Miz and celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey filmed a segment with The Muppets on Tuesday for a YouTube series that Ramsey is involved with. The story of the segment is that the two went to visit a food truck run by the Swedish chef. For those interested, the segment will be online in the next week.

– Apparently WWE Superstar CM Punk pooped himself during his match at the WWE SmackDown television taping. Punk wrote about the incident on his official Twitter account on Tuesday evening. He tweeted the following:

This poop just ain’t fun anymore.

— The Shape (@CMPunk) December 4, 2013

• CM Punk Makes Fun Of Roman Reigns In Front Of WWE Fans (VIDEO)[Credit: PWInsider.com]