WWE has posted week-seven of their sit-down interview series with Triple H. The interview, which was once again conducted by WWE announcer Michael Cole, featured a few newsworthy items.
Triple H discussed the WWE Tag-Team Championships changing hands on Monday’s RAW, noting that he will “deal with the Rhodes Brothers,” after they won the belts from The Shield with help from Big Show.
Speaking of Big Show, according to Triple H in the interview, he has stripped Big Show of his name, and he is now simply Paul Wight after being “fired” on RAW recently.
You can check out the complete video interview online at WWE.com.
– There are reports that WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair recently finished up a stint in rehab, which is why he’s back to taking bookings now. Flair has been telling people he was resting up in Florida with his daughter, but Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com reports that WWE encouraged Flair to go to rehab.
– On Monday’s WWE RAW, Cody Rhodes and Goldust made history by capturing the WWE Tag Team championships from The Shield’s Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins. While original plans called for the title change to take place at Hell in a Cell, Vince McMahon made the call on Monday afternoon for the title change to take place later in the evening.
As of this writing, Cody Rhodes & Goldust will be defending the tag titles against The Shield and The Uso’s at Hell in a Cell.
(Information from F4Wonline.com was used in this report)
-WWE announced Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler for Ambrose’s WWE United States Championship as the main event for WWE Main Event on Monday’s edition of WWE RAW.
WWE Main Event will be taped on Tuesday night in Kansas City, Kansas.
-Also on RAW this week, it was announced that in a “rare appearance,” CM Punk will be on this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown, which is also taped on Tuesday night in Kansas City.
-And finally, the WWE Tag-Team Championships changed hands on Monday’s RAW, as Cody Rhodes and Goldust defeated Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns to capture the titles. The Rhodes Brothers picked up the victory via help from Big Show, who interfered on their behalf in the main event of the show.
WWE recently announced a WWE Tag-Team Championship match for tonight’s live edition of WWE RAW. Current champions, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns of The Shield, will defend their titles in a rematch from the WWE Battleground pay-per-view, as they take on Cody Rhodes and Goldust.
Also announced for tonight’s RAW, as previously reported, is the return of WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels, who will serve as the special guest referee for the upcoming WWE Hell In A Cell rematch for the vacant WWE Championship between Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan.
Make sure to check back here at the website at 8:00pm E.T. for detailed, live play-by-play results coverage of WWE RAW.
– The official YouTube account of WWE 2K14 has released clips previewing the entrances and finishers of Batista and Antonio Cesaro.
The video game will be released on Oct. 29 in North America and Nov. 1 in Europe.
– WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes was born on this day in 1945 as he turns 68-years-old. “The American Dream” issued the following message on Twitter on Friday thanking his “dream fans”: “just a note to my fans, u guys have never left me, and I love u for that. Keep on keeping on.”
– The official WWE website has issued a poll asking fans what was the bigger Rhodes family victory this week, defeating The Shield at WWE Battleground or beating the undefeated Wyatts on SmackDown. With over 2,000 votes cast, their pay-per-view victory is seen as more important (73%).
– Cody Rhodes and Goldust continued their winning ways on SmackDown as the brother duo defeated Erick Rowan and Luke Harper, which marks as the first-ever loss for The Wyatt Family in WWE. On this week’s “Backstage Fallout” for SmackDown, Rhodes and Goldust react to their victory. Plus, The Prime Time Players and The Great Khali celebrate their victory over 3MB.
– WWE ring announcer Tony Chimel celebrates his birthday on Friday as he turns 52-years-old. Also celebrating a birthday today is former WWE wrestler Rikishi, who turns 48-years-old. Jey and Jimmy Uso wished their father a happy birthday via Twitter, writing, “Happy birthday to our pops @TheREALRIKISHI!! Out here in the middle east!! Don’t kno what time it is anymore!! Have a bless day dad!!”
WWE.com has published a new interview Brandi Rhodes, the former WWE Diva who recently married Cody Rhodes. When asked about Cody teaming with Goldust at Battleground, she said:
“I would have been just as happy to see either Dustin or Cody get the pin, but we are moving into a new generation of Rhodes and Cody put the stamp on it. Cody hit the Cross Rhodes in the middle of the ring and got the win for our family. No outside interference, no excuses. I am so proud of my husband.”
Following the televised portion of Monday’s WWE RAW, which ended with Big Show knocking out WWE COO Triple H, WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan continued his celebration. Bryan went as far as to steal the suit coat off of HHH’s back and wear it as he continued his celebration standing on top of the announce table to a loud “Yes!” chant from the crowd. Bryan also took JBL’s hat and put it on.
After that, the post-RAW dark match took place, which featured Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton. The following are results from that bout:
-Daniel Bryan def. Randy Orton. Bryan picked up the victory over Orton, and after the match, The Shield ran in to beat up Bryan. This led to Kofi Kingston, Cody Rhodes and Goldust coming out to make the save.
The following is a new blog written by Mick Foley on Goldust’s recent WWE comeback:
“Just yesterday, I posted on Facebook about my 10 year old son’s prediction that the Goldust/Cody vs Shield match was going to steal the show at Battleground. He even prefaced it by saying “I know Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton are going to have a great match, but…”.
Last night, Goldust proved to me that his match with Randy Orton was much more than just a flirtation with greatness. As a guy who knows a little something about making comebacks, I thought, following that amazing effort against Randy Orton that Goldust may have had just enough passion and commitment to have that last great match of his career. But last night’s match at Battleground proved to me that Goldust has something even more important than the passion and commitment needed to have that one last great match. What he has is gas in the tank!
As much as i loved the match with Orton, Dustin seemed to be running on fumes those last few minutes. He clearly had worked himself into the best physical condition I’d seen him in for many years, but being in “gym shape” and “ring shape” are two entirely different animals. But what a joyride the Rhodes family took us on last night! From that pre-match promo that had proud Poppa Dusty unable to contain his composure, to the crisp execution of every move, to the finish that had the Foley family literally jumping for joy in the living room, (I didn’t get much air, but I DID momentarily leave my feet) the victory over The Shield reminded me of everything I love about wrestling. It was an emotional roller-coaster ride of epic proportions!
With the Orton match and last night’s triumph to his credit, Goldust has proven to me that he has what it takes for one more run in WWE.”
For more blogs and updates from Mick Foley, visit the WWE Hall Of Famer’s official Facebook page.
The official WWE website posted a series of video interviews following Sunday’s WWE Battleground event in Buffalo, New York. The interviews feature several WWE Superstars reacting to everything that transpired during the event. Here is a breakdown of what is covered:
-WWE RAW General Manager Brad Maddox reacts to the controversy over the outcome of the WWE Championship main event between Randy Orton and Daniel Bryan. Maddox also sells the fact that he was warned by Triple H and Stephanie McMahon over the phone that if anything went wrong, he would be to blame.
-CM Punk reacted to his victory over Ryback, continuing his claim that he will not rest until he gets his hands on Paul Heyman. Punk went as far as to say because he did not finally get his hands on Heyman, he was not satisfied with his performance at Battleground.
-The Rhodes Family reacted to their emotional victory over The Shield, which guaranteed Dusty Rhodes his job as a WWE trainer in Florida, and also resulted in both Cody Rhodes and Goldust being re-hired by the company.
-R-Truth vented his frustration for continually coming up short in matches recently after he failed to capture the WWE Intercontinental Championship in his pay-per-view match against Curtis Axel.
-Alberto Del Rio gloated about his victory over Rob Van Dam in the pay-per-view opener, and the fact that he is still the World Heavyweight Champion.
You can check out all of the aforementioned video interviews online at WWE.com.
-WWE manager Ricardo Rodriguez posted the following tweet on his official Twitter account Sunday night after the WWE Battleground pay-per-view in Buffalo, New York:
You try to do the right thing. Loyalty to Del Rio after three years didn't work and loyalty to RVD backfired…Well I guess that's it…
-The official WWE Tout website put up a post-match backstage interview with the Rhodes Family following their victory over The Shield at Sunday’s WWE Battleground pay-per-view. Fans interested in checking that out can do so online at Tout.com.
-WWE “newbie” Diva and Total Divas reality show star Eva Marie recently posted a tweet on her official Twitter account revealing the fact that WWE is filming some footage for the next half of season one of the E! reality show prior to tonight’s WWE Battleground show in Buffalo, New York. Eva wrote:
All ready for some #TotalDivas @eonline filming before #WWEBattleground
-Cody Rhodes posted the following tweet on his official Twitter account on Sunday:
I legit don’t work here, so they can’t be mad. EXCLUSIVE @WWE shirt, diff version for @FirstNiagaraCtr also
The tweet was accompanied by a link to a photo of a special Rhodes Family t-shirt, which you can see pictured below:
-WWE Hall Of Famer Bob Backlund was in attendance at the WWE live event in Syracuse, New York on Friday night. Fans interested in reading a full report from the WWE live event in Syracuse on Friday can do so on the main page.
-Several WWE Superstars, including Daniel Bryan, CM Punk, Booker T, The Miz, Damien Sandow, Wade Barrett, Cody Rhodes, Titus O’Neil and Brodus Clay, fielded questions about life in WWE during a recent interview with The National publication in the Middle East to promote next week’s WWE tour in Abu Dhabi. You can check that article out online at TheNational.ae.
-WWE Superstar and member of The Shield, Roman Reigns, recently took a shot at Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes” in a WWE Battleground promotional tweet posted on his official Twitter account on Saturday afternoon. Reigns wrote:
@DUSTIN_RHODES1: the poor fool isn’t familiar with how we do things. #WWEBattleground = #TheRhodesRetirementParty Believe That!
-According to a new tweet from the official Twitter account of WWE Superstar Fandango, it appears there may be a “Dance Off” added to the WWE Battleground pay-per-view event this Sunday in Buffalo, New York. Fandango tweeted the following on Thursday:
-As noted previously, Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes has signed a short-term deal with WWE to play out the current Rhodes Family storyline. According to the latest reports, Goldust will likely work for the company through WrestleMania XXX, possibly having his long-desired match against his brother, Cody Rhodes.
The following are highlights from the latest online blog by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On the Rhodes Family storyline: “Loved the Rhodes Family in ring interaction Monday night and am amazed at how it is to still easy to create a meaningful, personal issue if it is largely based on logical and common sense.”
“This vehicle will hopefully elevate Cody Rhodes to the next level when all is said and done and I expect Sunday’s tag bout vs. The Shield to be really good. If it isn’t, then all involved have missed a great opportunity. The table is set.”
On wanting Daniel Bryan to win at WWE Battleground: “I saw an online poll where 70+% of those voting hope that Daniel Bryan wins the WWE Title Sunday. I’d agree. The underdog can only remain an unsuccessful underdog for so long until the fan base begins to slowly migrate away and to someone who they feel can achieve the success the fans crave.”
“No one in the biz is better at this time, bell to bell, than Daniel Bryan plus his promo work has greatly improved over his tenure in WWE. Bryan’s time is now, to steal a phrase from John Cena.”
On Sunday’s WWE Battleground PPV: “Perhaps Sunday will be a PPV that WWE performers will enhance their own professional sense of urgency and raise their games no matter their role or the time in which they have to appear on the main stage. I’d like to see more talents take a firmer grasp on the ownership of their own personas and, please, don’t tell me that has every thing to do with their ‘push.’ It doesn’t.”
“WWE Battleground Sunday on PPV is a crucial event for WWE to build momentum and to forward some very crucial storylines. Next up then is the Survivor Series and then it will be Royal Rumble and WrestleMania 30 before you know it. It’s crunch time for game planning.”
On the current WWE RAW announce team: “I have great admiration for the RAW announce team, they are all men that I respect and consider to be friends. Michael Cole does what few men, if any, in the lead role could do in today’s world of sports entertainment. Cole’s responsibility to decimate info and the amount of info is startling. Could JBL be more of an antagonist? John could for my taste but John is a great addition to the broadcast team with his intelligent and topical references. The King is The King….a WWE HOFer. However, when these men are encouraged to talk about matters that are unrelated to any significant to what I’m seeing on the screen it becomes a disconnect for me. If I am watching the TV and my eyes are processing what I am seeing but audibly I am hearing another story then which source of info do I process and retain?”
“I know times have changed since my ‘heyday’ but I feel, rightly or wrongly, that some fundamental matters don’t change. When the video and the audio combine to create that memorable ‘tag team,’ then a sports entertainment/pro wrestling broadcast creates ‘moments’ and lasting memories. Actually that goes for any entity including NFL and UFC.”
On Joey Styles’ appearance on the Steve Austin podcast: “The Steve Austin podcast with Joey Styles is very good. I’d strongly suggest that you check it out. Steve’s podcasts are one of the highlights of my week. If you haven’t checked them out you’re missing out on some great stuff. Joe was really entertaining on part one of his time with Austin. Steve’s interview skills are evolving excellently.”
On writing an autobiography: “Beginning to go through years and years of notes, especially from my time with Bill Watts and in WWE as I casually prepare to think ‘autobiography.’ This book getting done is largely dependent on the ‘Deal’ and me having the final say on the edit. I never realized that I had SO many notes from meetings, telephone calls, emails, etc so I assume that me being a ‘data hoarder’ isn’t such a bad thing now. Many yellow, legal pads to sift through.”
Check out the complete blog online at JRsBarBQ.com.
– After defeating Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel in a non-title match on Raw, R-Truth will challenge the “Paul Heyman Guy” again this Sunday at WWE Battleground. WWE.com announced the match this afternoon.
– All month long on WWE Classics On Demand, Chris Jericho takes a look back at his legendary career. Featured matches include WWF Vengeance in 2001, WCW Uncensored in 1998, and classic bouts with Eddie Guerrero. Courtesy of WWE’s YouTube account, here is a video promoting the features for the month.
– Despite his on-screen termination, WWEShop.com has released a Cody Rhodes “Rise Above Cancer” Pink Authentic T-Shirt. Through December 31, 2013, WWE will donate to Susan G. Komen 20% of the retail sales price of Specialty Rise Above Cancer merchandise sold on the website and at live events.
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 edition of WWE RAW that at WWE Battleground this Sunday on pay-per-view, both Cody Rhodes and Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes will have an opportunity to earn their jobs back with WWE in a match against the current WWE Tag-Team Champions, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns. However, if the Rhodes brothers lose the match, which will also feature their father, WWE Hall Of Famer Dusty Rhodes, in their corner, they will never be able to work for WWE again.
Speaking of WWE Hall Of Famers, Trish Stratus officially gave birth to her baby boy, Maximus, on Monday. Maximum was born at a reported 8 pounds and 3 ounces.
The following are highlights from a recent online blog by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On the build to WWE Battleground: “Interesting to see if WWE can ignite a fire tonight on Monday Night Raw as it relates to motivating PPV buyers to invest in WWE Battleground. It’s tonight or never.”
On Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan: “Daniel Bryan vs. Randy Orton needs some rocket fuel added to their fire especially on the WWE champion side of the flame. Just one guy’s opinion. Their PPV bout has high expectations. Should be stout…bell to bell.”
On the Rhodes Family on RAW: “Seeing the Rhodes Family on Raw interests me. I’m enjoying their personal issue storyline that feels fresh. Let Dream talk….for old time sake.”
Check out the complete blog online at JRsBarBQ.com.
– It appears that “recently released” WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes has agreed to wrestle for Pro Wrestling Syndicate, a popular independent promotion based out of New York. PWS tweeted over the weekend:
– The Accountability Crib crew (DDP, Scott Hall and Jake Roberts) recently joined Mick Foley on stage during one of his standup comedy shows. Hall tweeted the following picture of them together:
WWE returns live to Biloxi, Mississippi on Monday night for the WWE Battleground “go-home” edition of RAW.
The main item heading into this week’s show is the Rhodes Family being “invited back to RAW” for a “business proposal” from the WWE COO Triple H. As noted, the Rhodes Family will be on RAW this week to build towards the six-man tag-team match against The Shield.
Also advertised in advance for this week’s RAW is the debut of the Los Matadores tag-team, which is the repackaged duo formerly known as Primo and Epico. After weeks of vignettes hyping their debut, Los Matadores will finally arrive on RAW in Biloxi on Monday night.
Outside of the aforementioned items, the main focus on this week’s show will be the final build towards the three previously announced WWE Battleground main events which consist of Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan for the vacant WWE Championship, the “Battleground Hardcore Rules” match between Alberto Del Rio and Rob Van Dam for the World Heavyweight Championship and the CM Punk vs. Ryback match.
The officially advertised talent roster for this week’s show includes Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton, CM Punk, Paul Heyman, Ryback, Curtis Axel, Alberto Del Rio, Rob Van Dam, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns, Jack Swagger, Antonio Cesaro, Zeb Colter, Damien Sandow, Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, A.J. Lee and Kaitlyn.
There are two advertised dark match main-events for this week, as Orton will take on Bryan and Punk will take on both Heyman and Axel in a Handicap Match.
Stay tuned to SESCOOPS.COM throughout the day for continued updates on this week’s live edition of WWE RAW.
SESCOOPS.COM reader Aaron Carnevale of WrestlingDVDNews.com sent along the following highlights of a recent Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes interview with the Monday Night Mayhem radio show:
The health benefits he has seen since starting DDP Yoga: “With DPP Yoga, there are a couple benefits. I stand up straighter now, and I can bend in ways I couldn’t bend. I feel so much better: my joints, muscles, and bones. It is awesome.”
His memories of working with Scott Hall as Goldust and what valuable lessons Hall taught him in his career: “Me and Scott have had some fun times with the Goldust stuff, even though we didn’t see eye to eye all the time. We always went out there and gave 110%. I had to learn and Scott was a good teacher. He taught me what I needed to know and how to do things the right ways, and I just grew from that. I love Scott.”
His expectations on the night of his WWE return earlier this month on Monday Night RAW against WWE Champion Randy Orton and why he took out his frustrations on Triple H via Twitter: “My nerves were shot. Cody loses his job, and my little brother had the world taken out from under him all because he spoke up. That pissed off my family so I started getting on Twitter saying things to Triple H. Going into that match with Randy, I was focused. I went into that match very focused and very nervous. I was fighting for Cody’s job, and I lost fair in square.”
With the current state of events in the WWE between the McMahons and the Rhodes families, whether or not he envisions his one-on-one Dream Match with his brother Cody in the foreseeable future: “It could take place in the foreseeable future or whenever, you never know what is going to happen in the WWE. But, I’ll say that I don’t want that anymore.”
– CM Punk, who sparingly participates in meet and greets, recently met an Indiana-based couple celebrating 63 years of marriage.
The Altmans, Leeroy, 87, and Bonnie, 77, have 14 biological children, eight adopted children, 147 grandchildren and 78 great-grandchildren. Though the couple are presently dealing with life-threatening health issues and other hardships, the couple maintains a love WWE and consider meeting Punk a dream come true.
The official Community website of WWE has released photos of their meeting.
– WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H has said he has a new business proposal for the entire Rhodes family and invited them to tomorrow night’s Raw—Goldust and Cody Rhodes accepted the proposal via Tout on Friday. Tout has released footage of Big Show reacting to Goldust and Rhodes’ decision to appear on the show.
– 2K Games will showcase the Universe Mode 4.0 in the upcoming WWE 2K14 video game via live stream tomorrow at 3:00 p.m. Eastern at www.twitch.tv/2k. The title is scheduled for release on October 29 in North America and November 1 in Europe.
-A number of WWE Superstars, including Big Show and The Prime Time Players have posted Tout videos sharing their feelings on the Rhodes Family appearing on Monday’s edition of WWE RAW. You can check those out online at Tout.com.
-Speaking of the Rhodes Family on RAW, both Goldust and Randy Orton have commented on the angle coming up this Monday in new tweets. You can check those out below:
Randy Orton:
So the Rhodes boys will be at #Raw Monday. Should be interesting.
Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes:
Upset the established order and there will be chaos! #RhodesDynasty #raw monday night! @WWE
-In the Extras portion of the new “Triple H: Thy Kingdom Come” WWE DVD, which was released in stores this past week, “The Game” revealed that former WWE Superstar Mark Jindrak, not Batista, was originally supposed to be the fourth member of the former Evolution faction, which also included Ric Flair and Randy Orton. In fact, the company went as far as to shoot vignettes of Jindrak with the group, which you can see pictured below:
