-As previously reported, CM Punk vs. Curtis Axel (with Paul Heyman) is being advertised for next Monday’s edition of WWE RAW. According to reports, the WWE Intercontinental Championship may be on the line in that match.
-WWE taped the next four weeks worth of NXT television in Winter Park, Florida on Thursday. Spoiler results for all four of those episodes are on the newsboard now. The next set of WWE NXT television tapings are scheduled for September 12th, with WWE Superstars Rob Van Dam and Fandango scheduled to appear.
The following are highlights from a recent Q&A with WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On rumors that he was drunk at the WWE 2K14 symposium: “I wasn’t but thanks for asking.”
On Daniel Bryan not holding the WWE Championship for any real length of time: “I think Bryan is more popular today than he ever has been. I’ll enjoy the chase.”
On whether or not Bill Watts ever owned a part of Georgia Championship Wrestling, and talent-sharing in those days: “WATTS at one time owned a piece of Georgia. Talent trades were not unusual in those days either way. JYD & others wrestled in Atlanta.”
On what The Undertaker’s reaction was following the infamous Hell In A Cell match at King Of The Ring 1998: “That was 15 years ago. I really don’t recall. He was likely spent.”
On chances of a Steve Austin vs. CM Punk match in WWE: “Seems like that ship has sailed but I’m merely guessing. I’d love to see it.”
On politics in WWE: “I think politics are overrated and discussed usually on hearsay & by disgruntled individuals. Cream always rises to the top w/ few exceptions.”
On the subject of wrestling newsletters back in the day: “Newsletters weren’t a big topic of open discussion back in the day. Most guys tried to distance themselves from wrestling while traveling.”
On who will replace John Cena as the face of WWE and if a “streak” storyline would work: “I’d say Daniel Bryan is next man up. Don’t see Streak launching a new face of WWE.”
On if Owen Hart will ever be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame: “Likely so. Don’t know when.”
On the career of “Rugged” Ronnie Garvin: “Ronnie was a tough, highly skilled, intelligent in ring talent. Also a pilot. I thought the sharpshooter was a Japanese submission.”
On past WWE Divas in the new WWE 2K14 video game: “I’m not aware of the Diva involvement. Sorry.”
Check out more of JR’s Q&A online at JRsBarBQ.com.
As we reported earlier this week, the rant CM Punk made towards the fan in the front row on Monday’s edition of WWE RAW was completely unscripted, and was a legitimate emotional reaction on the part of Punk himself.
According to fans at the event, while the individual who received Punk’s verbal venom on Monday was being obnoxious in his heckling of the WWE Superstar, he didn’t seem to say or do anything over the top to warrant such a visceral response.
The word going around backstage at RAW on Monday was that Punk was said to be in a particularly bad mood, which isn’t completely out of the ordinary, as Punk has a reputation of being grumpy at times.
It should be noted that while WWE doesn’t necessarily condone such behavior from babyfaces specifically, there was said to be no heat on Punk for the outburst. In fact, the general consensus was that due to the response elicited from the crowd, and the fact that Paul Heyman was quick enough on his feet to use the situation during his speaking points, it actually added to the segment and the eventual showdown with Curtis Axel later on.
-WWE is advertising a main event of Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Championship at the upcoming live event in Montreal on September 6th. The semi-main event of the card features CM Punk vs. Curtis Axel in a no disqualification match. Also advertised to appear are Rob Van Dam, Big Show, Mark Henry and The Shield.
SESCOOPS.COM reader Phil Johnson sent along the following:
-Former ECW Champion Justin Credible has posted a new blog. This week Credible talks on Darren Young “coming out,” Sunday’s WWE SummerSlam, Monday’s Raw, being 9 months sober, among other topics. Jason Knight is this week’s special guest on Justin Credible’s Pro Wrestling 101 video series. Here is an extract from “The Justin Credible Report:”
“What a week for the WWE. Summer Slam is in the books, and there is so much to talk about. First leading into the PPV in LA, Darren Young comes out to TMZ that he is gay.
As you know WWE got a ton of free mainstream press heading into their second biggest PPV of the year. I’m happy for Darren, and I applaud his courage. On the other hand, there is no way that this was just a spur of the moment statement. I have been told that this was carefully thought out, and Darren and the WWE had this planned the whole time. There is just no way that Darren was conveniently asked that specific question and he just happened to decide now is as good a time as any to come out.”
You can read “The Justin Credible Report” in its entirety at PWMania.com.
-The website ContactMusic.com has an article up with an update on the Hulk Hogan movie idea. They note that Hogan thinks the actor that played Thor would actually be a better fit as the person to play him, instead of his son Nick. You can read the full article online at ContactMusic.com.
-Pro Wrestling Illustrated has released their latest PWI 500 list, which you can check out at PWI-Online.com. The top ten, in order, for 2013 are: John Cena, CM Punk, Hiroshi Tanahashi, Bully Ray, Kazuchika Okada, Sheamus, Jeff Hardy, Alberto Del Rio, Dolph Ziggler and Kevin Steen.
-According to reports, the CM Punk rant towards the fan on WWE RAW on Monday night was unscripted, and was a completely spur of the moment reaction by Punk.
-Devon Hughes (aka Devon) is currently accepting independent bookings through Bill Behrens. Those wishing to book Devon can e-mail: showbis@aol.com.
-The guy in the shower and in the dressing room that Ryback was bullying on RAW on Monday night was indy wrestler Xtain Cole from Championship Wrestling for Hollywood.
-Yahoo! Sports has an article up on their website today featuring the “straight-edge” WWE performer himself, CM Punk, ripping baseball star Ryan Braun for his announced performance-enhancing drug use during baseball season. You can check out that story online at Yahoo.com.
-To add one note to the story we reported earlier today regarding John Cena being pulled from the WWE live event in Portland on Friday, despite being advertised by the company up until the day of the show, apparently WWE again offered refunds to fans who attended the show that felt ripped off with Cena not appearing as advertised.
Cena missed last week’s WWE weekend live event due to his elbow injury as well, and WWE offered refunds to those fans as well.
-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.
WWE Superstar CM Punk spoke to Jimmy Traina of Sports Illustrated this week to hype Sunday’s SummerSlam pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
The Buildup To His Match Against Brock Lesnar: I think we’re doing what we’re supposed to be doing. We’re selling tickets and we’re selling pay-per views. I think behind the scenes a lot of people want to see this match and I’m excited for it. It’s not every day you get to wrestle somebody that can push you and make you better. I think there’s a lot of eyes on us that normally wouldn’t be because people want to see what I can do. It’s an interesting dynamic.
The Challenges Fighting Brock Lesnar: There are always going to be detractors who will say I don’t look like I’ll be able to hang with Brock Lesnar. But Brock’s a freak of nature and I don’t know anybody who looks like they can “hang” with Brock Lesnar. But anyone can be choked out in seven seconds.
His Match Against The Undertaker At WrestleMania: I think everybody is always selling me short and then I always prove them wrong. It keeps me pissed off and that’s where I need to be, I guess. I’m sick and tired of pulling main event matches and not being in the main event at WrestleMania. Eventually it’s just gonna get to the point of, “OK, I deserve to play with this toy, you’re not gonna let me play with it, then I’m gonna find some other toys to play with.” It gets me down when I really think about it and analyze it, but in the end it keeps me sharp and like I said, pissed off. But I don’t think I’m the guy you want pissed off forever.
If He Voices These Concerns To Vince McMahon: : Absolutely. All the time. We have conversations about it. Hell, if you’re in this business and don’t want to be in the main event at WrestleMania you shouldn’t be in this business. This past WrestleMania, I proved it to the one person that I needed to prove it to, that I should’ve been in the main event. I’ve shattered every negative stereotype people had about me. I proved to the one person that mattered that last year’s main event should’ve been mine and that person is me and I don’t give a sh-t about anyone else.
Who He Wants To Wrestle: I’m in a very unique position. I can have a viable WrestleMania main event with anyone. I can do it with John Cena. I can do it with Daniel Bryan. I can do it with The Undertaker. I can do it with Stone Cold Steve Austin.
If Steve Austin Will Wrestle Again: Yeah, my gut tells me that he will. Whether he makes the right decision or not to wrestle me is up to him.
Punk vs. Austin Seeming Like A Big Money Dream Match: You would hope. They tend to miss the mark on a lot of common sense stuff sometimes.
If He Would Ever Do His Own Reality Show: Reality show? What the hell is reality TV any way? It’s as scripted as anything. I wouldn’t want my life acted out on television in some weird drama. If somebody wants to follow me around with a camera, I do think my life is pretty entertaining on its own without trying to spice it up. But it doesn’t sound like anything I’d sign up for. I do like the small sliver of privacy I’m afforded.
WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar recently did a rare interview with the Los Angeles Times as part of his promotional duties for this Sunday’s WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view.
Lesnar talked about the main reason he came back to WWE, which he claimed was because they were willing to be flexible with his schedule. “I left originally because I was a caged animal 300 days a year on the road and they knew that. That was the bottom line – I don’t want to be that person,” Lesnar said. He continued, “I’m at a different stage in my life where I think I’ve earned all that. That was the only way I could make this happen. They [WWE] played ball and hopefully it’s a win-win for both of us. I really do enjoy putting on a show.”
Lesnar, who faces CM Punk at SummerSlam this Sunday on pay-per-view, noted that he will be appearing in “at least a couple more WrestleMania’s” after signing an extension with WWE earlier in 2013.
When the subject switched to UFC, Lesnar said he’s done with that part of his professional life. Lesnar said, “That chapter in my life has come to closure, and I’m comfortable with it.” He continued, “You’ve always got that part in your mind. I do miss it, but I’ve got to keep myself in check. What I went through the last few years was quite traumatic, not being able to fight like I wanted. I got back on the horse way too soon. Coulda, shoulda, woulda.”
Check out the complete L.A. Times interview with Brock Lesnar online at LATimes.com.
The following are highlights from the latest online Jim Ross Q&A:
On if he would’ve taken a job with WWE if offered one in 1985 or 1986: “WWE was always my goal and if I handled it professionally, and I would, Bill would have been fine with it.”
On the infamous “Brawl For All” in WWE: “I did think that Doc [Dr. Death Steve Williams] would win it. He might have if he hadn’t torn his hamstring off the bone. The winner of the Brawl for it All was always going to fight Butterbean as best that I recall. It simply wasn’t something that was thought of by the creative team at the last minute. I haven’t read Bob’s book yet but he has the right to tell his story as he remembers it and based on what he knew at the time. Bob was/is a tough guy. Much respect to him.”
On whether or not we’ll ever see a Jim Ross DVD set: “I’d be up for doing one but that’s a WWE call all the way. Not sure it would sell.”
On who has benefitted the most from working with Paul Heyman in WWE: “Better question is who hasn’t benefited from working with Paul Heyman? I’d suggest Brock Lesnar has benefited the most considering Brock’s schedule.”
On if WWE stars are responsible for carrying around their title belts: “Champions are resonsible for the upkeep of their titles but spares are available if one is misplaced. Smart wrestlers never check the titles on planes.”
On if we’ll ever see Kevin Nash and/or JBL wrestle in the WWE in the future: “Not too likely.”
On if we’ll ever see another 60-minute Iron Man Match in WWE, specifically between CM Punk and Daniel Bryan: “If anyone could pull of a 60 minute Iron Man match it wuld be Punk vs. Bryan for sure. Cesaro, too. If it happens it would be great but those are few and far between.”
Check out the complete Q&A online at JRsBarBQ.com.
-WWE Superstar Sheamus updated fans on his condition following successful surgery on Tuesday. Sheamus tweeted, “Six anchors inserted in my left labrum. Thanks to Dr Dougas & staff… Shoulder’s stiff, rehab starts tomorrow.”
-WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar is the favorite in the online betting odds for his match against CM Punk at this Sunday’s WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view. Until this point, since the betting lines opened, Punk had been the favorite the entire time. It is interesting to note for those who keep track of betting odds, especially since the infamous “Dolphins predictions” story that surfaced on Reddit recently. You can follow the odds online at 5Dimes.eu, among other online gambling websites.
-“#SummerSlam” trended number one overall worldwide on Twitter throughout the SummerSlam press conference on Tuesday, which was held in Los Angeles, California. As of very early Wednesday morning, “#SummerSlam” remains the number one trending topic on Twitter.
WWE Superstar CM Punk did a Q&A session with fans at the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con event over the weekend. Here’s a recap:
– CM Punk brought out over a dozen pizza pies for the audience.
– Punk hyped his match with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam and said he’s not scared of “The Beast.” After he’s done with Lesnar and Heyman – he plans on going after the WWE Championship again.
– When asked who he wants to feud with, he named United States Champion Dean Ambrose. He also put over the other members of The Shield as well as Antonio Cesaro.
– When asked if he has any interest in wrestling an Ultimate X match in TNA, he said no.
– When asked about his favorite favorite horror movies, he named Halloween and The Marine 3.
-As noted previously, WWE Superstar CM Punk participated in the Woody’s Wiffle Ball Classic at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois this weekend. As we mentioned before, Punk used a steel chair, as opposed to a bat, for his swings at the plate. The Chicago Tribune covered the event, and you can read the article online at ChicagoTribune.com.
-WWE CEO Vince McMahon posted a new tweet on Sunday night regarding episode three of the new WWE reality show, Total Divas. McMahon wrote:
“Lots of social chatter catching on to #TotalDivas @nicoleandbri @NaomiWWE @WWECameron @NatbyNature @natalieevamarie @ItsJoseann”
-Speaking of episode three of Total Divas, you can check out bonus footage from the show courtesy of the official WWE YouTube channel below:
The SummerSlam “go-home” edition of WWE RAW emanates from the Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento, California on Monday, August 12th.
The top match confirmed for this week’s show is CM Punk vs. Paul Heyman in a “man-on-man fight,” as the “Evil Genius” himself revealed on last week’s RAW.
WWE will also wrap-up the final hype for the John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan WWE Championship match at SummerSlam. Hyping up the McMahon’s involvement in the match will be Vince McMahon, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, all of whom are advertised to appear on the show.
Also confirmed to appear on the show this week is “The Beast” himself, Brock Lesnar.
The full roster officially being advertised for the show are John Cena, Daniel Bryan, Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Triple H, Brock Lesnar, Paul Heyman, Curtis Axel, CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio, Christian, The Shield, Randy Orton, Dolph Ziggler, Big E. Langston, AJ Lee, Kaitlyn, Mark Henry, Rob Van Dam, Kane, The Wyatt Family and The Miz.
The dark match main event advertised for the live crowd in Sacramento, according to SleepTrainArena.com will be a two-on-one handicap match featuring John Cena and Mark Henry teaming up for the first-time-ever to take on the trio of The Shield.
-WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley will be performing his stand-up comedy show at 9:30pm local-time at the Hollywood Improv next Sunday night after the WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view. Because of the location of the show, expect a lot of WWE talent at the show in support of Foley.
-The Hall Of Very Good website has an article up today talking about WWE Superstar CM Punk using a steel chair to bat in Kerry Wood’s “Wiffle Ball Classic” at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday. You can read more about that story online at HallOfVeryGood.com.
-For those interested, the Rant Sports website has added a new photo gallery of April Jeanette Mendez, better known to WWE fans as WWE Diva AJ Lee. You can check those out online at RantSports.com.
-WWE Superstars The Undertaker and Mark Henry appeared at the Press Forward charity event over the weekend in Round Rock, Texas for Agape Christian Ministries. During the event, “The World’s Strongest Man” demonstrated his ridiculous strength by pulling a semi. Video footage of that spectacular feat is available online at YouTube.com.
-WWE has added a number of new items to their WWE Shop website. Among the new items are a new CM Punk hoodie, “The Beast vs. The Best” commemorative SummerSlam t-shirt and a Wyatt Family sheep mask.
-WWE Hall Of Famer Hulk Hogan celebrates his 60th birthday today, brother! Hogan was born on August 11, 1953. Hogan tweeted about the milestone birthday, writing: “Thanks to everyone for all the birthday wishes,it just overwhelming the love you guys have for me I’m truly humbled. Thank you,much love. HH”
-The only scheduled WWE live event this weekend features talent from both the RAW and SmackDown roster. The WWE live event will emanate from the Oracle Arena in Oakland, California on Sunday night. Talent advertised to appear include: John Cena, Rob Van Dam, The Shield, Alberto Del Rio, Randy Orton and Ryback.
-The following is the latest “Backstage Fallout” for this week’s WWE SmackDown, courtesy of the official WWE YouTube channel:
-Also on the WWE YouTube channel today is a video interview with Brock Lesnar, where “The Beast” talks about his “Beast vs. Best” match against CM Punk coming up next Sunday at WWE SummerSlam.
– Peter Rosenberg of New York City’s Hot 97 radio station recently conducted another exclusive interview with WWE superstar CM Punk.
Among the topics discussed, Punk talks about working with Brock Lesnar, the Orton-Fan run in situation in South Africa, Mark Henry, Daniel Bryan as a reality star, Riley Cooper, and Sensational Sherri.
– WWE has uploaded the following “bonus scene” from this past weekend’s episode of Total Divas:
In this bonus scene from “Total Divas” Episode two, The Bellas talk about city life during a double date with John Cena and Daniel Bryan.
-E! has released bonus footage from WWE Total Divas on their official website, which features current WWE Champion John Cena, Daniel Bryan, Nikki and Brie Bella at dinner together. During the dinner, Cena talks about the chances he takes when he is getting waxed. Check out the footage online at EOnline.com.
-An unauthorized biography of WWE Superstar CM Punk, which was published by Sports Entertainment Publishing, was released in eBook form this past Monday. The book, which is titled, “Best in the World: The Unauthorized Biography of Phil Brooks,” will remain a digital exclusive. For more information, visit Amazon.com.
-WWE Superstar CM Punk wrote the forward to his friend Natalie Slater’s new cookbook. The book is called, “Bake and Destroy: Good Food for Bad Vegans” and is available right now on Amazon.com.
-WWE Diva Layla recently revealed in a new tweet on her official Twitter page that her ring gear from Monday’s RAW is being donated to “Cure Cystic Fibrosis.” Layla’s tweet read:
My gear I wore lastnight on #raw is dedicated to Dylan Gonna donate this gear to #curecysticfibrosis… http://instagram.com/p/cr287mnlZG/
-Kayfabe Commentaries has released the trailer for the new “You Shoot” DVD with former TNA Knockout and WWE Diva Awesome Kong. Check it out below:
-WWE Superstar CM Punk required several stitches in his chin after being busted open during Monday’s edition of RAW. Punk was busted open after jumping off the RAW announce table onto Brock Lesnar, as his chin slammed into the top of Lesnar’s head.
-The new WWE referee who worked the Divas match on Monday’s RAW was Jason Ayers. Ayers had previously worked for Dragon Gate USA before signing a developmental deal with WWE.
-WWE will return to Chicago, Illinois for RAW on September 23rd. Tickets will officially go on sale this coming Saturday.
-Announced for next week’s edition of WWE RAW, which is the SummerSlam “go-home” (final) edition of the show, is a singles match between CM Punk and Paul Heyman.
The match was revealed during a backstage segment where Paul Heyman was told by Brock Lesnar to “tell them (the viewers) something stupid.” Heyman then responded by issuing a challenge to Punk for next week’s RAW. Heyman noted it would be a man-on-man fight, not a match, for whatever that is worth.
-Also on Monday’s RAW, the highly expected match between former partners Damien Sandow and Cody Rhodes was confirmed for the upcoming SummerSlam pay-per-view.
-Stars from the new USA Network original reality series, “Summer Camp,” will be appearing on WWE RAW tonight in Green Bay, Wisconsin. Both Brooke Magnum and Michelle Schexnayder will appear on the show tonight in some form or fashion.
-WWE has officially registered to trademark “Second City Saint,” likely for current WWE Superstar CM Punk.
-Former WWE Superstar Chris Jericho will be appearing on a new YouTube series called “Jon Davis Gets A Sex Robot.”