– Booker T announced via Twitter Monday evening that Randy Orton will face Dolph Ziggler this Friday on SmackDown. The announcement, which was acknowledged by WWE announcer Michael Cole on Raw, reads: “Attention: Breaking News! This Friday on #Smackdown, @HeelZiggler will face @RandyOrton in the main event! Now can you dig THAT!?”
– The individual who portrayed Harold in the anger management skits with Daniel Bryan and Kane on Raw was California-based independent wrestler Scorpio Sky, who recently competed in TNA Wrestling as Mason Andrews.
The vignettes were filmed last week in Los Angeles, California and will continue to air for one or two more weeks on Raw.
– Dusty Rhodes has been announced to appear at Sept. 14 NXT live event taking place at Fenn Center in Fort Pierce, Florida.
– WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco appears for !BANG! on Saturday, Sept. 15 in Ocala, Florida. (Event Information)
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:
Best In The World: “Who is the best in the world? My answer is essentially always the same. The WWE Champion. @CMPunk has a JR’s BBQ sauce bottle sized chip on his shoulder. It drives him…same back in day for @steveaustinBSR. Not a show biz presentation. Real life motivation.”
MVP of 2012: “Who’s the MVP of WWE thus far in 2012 in WWE? For me, @WWEDanielBryan.”
WWE’s 3-Day Tryout Camp: “Enjoyed working at tryout camp in LA this week. Appreciated the effort put forth. Too many not in great, physical condition which was disappointing. More potential, female prospects, in my opinion, tham males. Gruelling three days w/ cuts being made Monday and Tuesday. Anxious to see who makes it as I turned my info in and am not attending day three. Next big camp in Tampa in September.”
As always, you can check out Jim Ross’ delicious line of BBQ products at WWEShop.com.
– Raw General Manager AJ Lee announced on Twitter Monday night that Daniel Bryan will attend anger management classes beginning next week. “Starting next week, I’ve decided to help Daniel Bryan out with his anger issues, by sending him to anger management therapy classes,” she tweeted.
Bryan vehemently opposes her decision. He sent out a Tout where he angrily states, “I don’t belong in anger management! I do not belong in anger management! That Big Red Monster, he does! Do I? Look at my new T-Shirt! No! No! No! The new General Manager is nuts.”
– WWE Diva Eve Torres turns 28-years-old on Tuesday.
– EOnline.com has published an article on Khloé Kardashian Odom serving as Social Media Ambassador to Raw Monday.
“Divas Battle Royal!! This is what it was like growing up with my sisters! JK!,” she joked on Twitter at one point. She also noted, “I bet Sin Cara is gorgeous under his mask, probably better looking than @CodyRhodesWWE.”
Speaking to Steven Muehlhausen of The Fight Club Chicago at last week’s Chicago Comic Con, Kevin Nash addressed his controversial Grantland.com remarks stating that the professional wrestling industry died at WrestleMania XX when the pay-per-view event concluded with “Vanilla Midgets” Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero—small-statured, gifted technical wrestlers that lacked big in-ring personalities but were beloved by fans—reigning atop as world champions.
“(People getting mad) at something I said ten years ago, yeah okay. It’s great that it’s still relevant ten years later. I guess I’m not allowed to have an opinion,” Nash said, who had also claimed in the Grantland.com interview that his comments regarding wrestlers such as Benoit and Guerrero were “a double work.”
He stated in the Grantland.com interview that he has the same problem with today’s “Internet heroes,” CM Punk and Daniel Bryan.
“They are not bigger than life,” Nash told Grantland.com. “I bet they could both walk through airports and not be noticed unless they have a gimmick shirt on and the belt.”
Nash is now suggesting that his remarks concerning Punk and Bryan are “a work.” He tells Muehlhausen, “Because they are on TV and if I would want to have an angle with somebody, I think I would want to work with the top guys.”
Nash says Punk would fit in well with his proposed nWo relaunch.
“He has that nWo grit to him, he kinda runs by his own accord,” Nash said. “He’s very anti-establishment, and I personally like him. I like hanging out with him. So if I’m going to work with somebody, I’m going to work with someone that I enjoy hanging out with.”
Nash also discusses SummerSlam with Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar and notes a never before known fact about the night D-Generation X “invaded” WCW. The interview is available at www.sportstownchicago.com/kevinnash.
– As fans lined up outside the American Airlines Center for Raw, a WWE crew member said Daniel Bryan would debut a new T-Shirt this Sunday at SummerSlam. He surveyed fans on four shirt designs and asked them to pick the one they like.
– Two matches were taped Monday night in Dallas, Texas for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Johnny Curtis and Michael McGillicutty
* Alex Riley vs. Drew McIntyre
According to a fan account, Curtis debuted a new look in his match.
No dark match was held before the taping.
– Following her victory over Beth Phoenix and Eve on Raw, Kaitlyn posted a Tout of Layla gearing up the Texas native for her match against Eve on SmackDown. A position in SmackDown General Manager Booker T’s administration will be on the line when they fight.
– It was rumored for weeks that Brock Lesnar would attack WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels on this past week’s “HBK Appreciation Night” edition of WWE RAW from San Antonio, Texas. The angle was reportedly scrapped due to the big celebration WWE had planned for after RAW went off the air, which featured appearances from the Undertaker, Vince McMahon and more.
Lesnar told Michaels on RAW that he’ll be seeing him before SummerSlam on August 19th. With the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter stating that a big angle is planned for Monday’s “go home” episode of RAW, it’s possible we will see Lesnar destroy Michaels on Monday night.
– UFC fighter Diego Sanchez, the man credited with creating the extremely popular “YES!” chant now used by Daniel Bryan in WWE, recently told OpposingViews.com that he’s close with Daniel Bryan and his team has reached out to Bryan’s people working together:
“My team has reached out to them and we’ll see what happens. We both are the ‘Yes’ men and if we could help each other that’s what it’s about. It’s about that positivity and motivating yourself to do things you could never do when unmotivated.”
– Kelly Kelly returned to WWE programming Monday on Raw as she scored a singles match victory over Eve following a surprise hurricanrana. The WWE Diva explained how it felt to be back on Backstage Fallout.
“It feels so great, oh my gosh, I can’t even describe it,” Kelly said. “Just walking through the curtain and hearing the crowd react, ’cause I doubt they had any idea that I was coming back tonight; I didn’t make any mention of it. I just wanted everyone to be surprised and excited when I walked out and they were so into the match and they were cheering my name. I missed that so much. I’m so glad to be back, it’s been great.”
Curt Hawkins, Tyler Reks, Alex Riley and Daniel Bryan also react to Raw events.
– Less than two weeks ago, WWE.com published a photo gallery of Divas who have appeared at SummerSlam over the years, many of which featuring former Women’s Champion Sable. WWE then promoted the photo gallery on the site’s main page late last week, but with all photos of the former Diva removed.
WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels was interviewed this week by Arda Ocal and Jimmy Korderas of The Score and spoke about WWE Champion CM Punk and Daniel Bryan’s feud being compared to his feud with Bret Hart and other classic feuds, like Steamboat vs. Flair:
“I’m remiss at saying, ‘boy, it’s a big compliment to them!’ I hope they take it as a compliment… it’s just weird. If Bret and Shawn are something to be compared to, it’s only because we have a [Ric] Flair and [Ricky] Steamboat to be compared to. If that’s what we’re talking about, then I’m deeply complimented and honored to have that, and I hope that they are too.”
“I do know that they are both very talented. It does not surprise me one bit that they have phenomenal matches, that they can continue to have something very special and consistent through the years because they’re both very talented. They both bring so much to the table… they don’t rest on their laurels, they’re two guys that want to continue to improve, continue to get better. Those are the same things that Bret and I strived for in each other, in ourselves and in our matches.”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross, has posted his latest blog online. Herea are some Highlights
On the three-hour format at Raw: “The three hour Raws are going to be daunting animals with which to deal. An impossible mountain to climb? Absolutely not even thought some ‘experts’ already have those thoughts. I’m not in that group and feel that the three hour Monday Night Raw broadcasts provide the potential to get more talents exposure, to rebuild the tag team scene, to provide Divas with more match time and to slow down the storytelling process so that we fans have the time to process the information that we hear and see. So, unlike some, I’d prefer to give the new format a chance to succeed rather than behead it after two weeks which seems knee jerk and senseless. Any thing ‘new’ generally needs tweaking and this particular situation isn’t any different. That’s not an indictment but merely a statement of fact. ”
On CM Punk’s RAW promo: “Some fans demanding @CMPunk to have another pipebomb promo will likely get one down the road but Cincy wasn’t the time nor the place. I thought Punk had a great night on air and his verbal jousting with @Jerry Lawler entertained me. Regarding the WWE Title, Punk told many truths which might not sit well with some. I am an old school believer that nothing in WWE is more important than the WWE Title. Some personal issues are on the same level often times but nothing should be MORE important than the WWE’s premier championship. That’s my two cents on that matter. I do think that the potential to build a major issue between @CMPunk and @TheRock is obvious plus a match between the two would be interesting to say the least for many, many reasons. ”
On Daniel Bryan: “Does Daniel Bryan ever have a bad night? Bad match? Bad promo? He certainly hasn’t that I can recall. WWE is lucky to have Bryan on their roster and the two entities have formed an amazing fit when, in the early part of Bryan’s WWE tenure, I’m sure that some thought the relationship wouldn’t last. Now Daniel Bryan is one of WWE’s most valuable assets. He’s a dream for management to have on their roster. No one that I can recall in recent years has improved their verbal skills and overall on air persona as Daniel Bryan. Plus, never disregard just how legit, physically tough Daniel Bryan is. Bryan’s match with Sheamus on Raw was outstanding and rugged. Loved it. ”
On Monday night’s RAW: “It would be easy to say that the Cincy Raw Monday night was on fire but that cliche has already ‘burned out’ over the past 24 hours or so. The ‘Tron supports catching fire caused an inconvenience but no one was injured and the broadcast started on time. When people ask me if I miss broadcasting Raw I always answer yes and being live, live is one of the reasons why. It certainly isn’t the travel and TSA Security that I miss interacting with on a regular basis but I do miss the excitement and unpredictability of broadcasting LIVE TV. I’m not saying that I enjoy a good fire occasionally but the overall unpredictability of Monday Night Raw has always been a rush to me.”
On SummerSlam: “While there are no plans for me to broadcast at Summerslam, I am excited to be attending the PPV in LA plus doing some THQ work at WWE AXXESS. Actually, I have several THQ, talent development, etc projects on which to focus over the several days that I’m in Los Angeles.”
On the NXT Tapings: “The past two taping sessions of NXT in Orlando have been stellar from a production and organization standpoint. I’m also of the opinion that the in ring action continues to improve. Even though NXT doesn’t air currently in the USA, I do expect that to change some day, fans outside America have tweeted me a great deal of positive feedback on the show @JRsBBQ. Byron Saxton and William Regal do the bulk of the broadcasting while I drop by and help with the main events. I look forward to every trip to Orlando, except leaving their security line, deficient airport, and can easily see the improvement in many talents who are starting to ‘get it’ and are receiving outstanding hands on coaching from some of the best in the business including the staff at FCW in Tampa. ”
Smackdown opened with Vince McMahon announcing Booker T was the new General Manager of Smackdown. Alberto Del Rio came out and said he wouldn’t be wrestling until Summerslam. Sheamus came out, leading to Booker announcingt Alberto Del Rio vs. Randy Orton and Sheamus vs. Lord Tensai for tonight.
*World champion Sheamus defeated Tensai.
*Eve Torres attempted to get in with Booker. Instead, it turned out Teddy Long had been given a job and told Eve to take a hike.
*Antonio Cesaro defeated WWE United States champ Santino Marella in a non-title match.
*Matt Striker interviewed Daniel Bryan. Basically a backdrop for Bryan to say “No” a lot.
*Daniel Bryan & WWE Intercontinental champ The Miz & Dolph Ziggler defeated Chris Jericho & Kane & Christian.
*Matt Striker interviewed Randy Orton, who said he would defeat Alberto.
*Ryback defeated Jinder Mahal via DQ when Mahal nailed him with a foreign object and ran to the back.
*Darren Young pinned R-Truth.
*WWE Divas champ Layla congratulated Booker T. Cody Rhodes popped up and said he that although he ended Booker’s career, they can work together. Booker told him he would wrestle Sin Cara next week.
*Randy Orton defeated Alberto Del Rio by DQ when Ricardo interfered as Orton was going for the RKO.
Dark Match: John Cena defeated Big Show and Cody Rhodes
– It was announced on Raw that WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon will appear on this Friday’s episode of SmackDown to announce the new SmackDown General Manager.
– Cody Rhodes defeated Zack Ryder in dark match prior to Raw at the U.S. Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio,
Just prior to showtime, there was a minor incident involving the show’s pyrotechnics and as a precaution, the limited number of people in the venue during the incident were evacuated. The fire marshal issued safety clearance for the show to proceed as scheduled at 8/7 p.m. CT. However, due to time constraints, no WWE Superstars matches were held.
– Via Twitter, Jim Ross weighed in on Daniel Bryan’s Street Fight against World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus on Raw: “Does Daniel Bryan ever have a bad match? $2 steak tough. He’s a product of hard work & desire. Same can be said for Sheamus. Physicality!”
In his first match since flooring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson with a clothesline and subsequent Go to Sleep on Raw 1,000, CM Punk appeared as a babyface at Saturday’s SmackDown live event at Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tennessee. He retained the WWE Championship in a Triple Threat Match against Daniel Bryan and Kane. Attendees largely ignored his apparent heel turn on Monday as he was loudly cheered throughout the match.
Chris Jericho rekindled his partnership with Christian as the duo took on Cody Rhodes and Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler donned a Jericho “WANNA-BEE” T-Shirt, which Jericho ripped off during the contest. The match concluded with Jericho striking Rhodes with the Codebreaker.
Drew McIntyre appeared as a babyface on the show as he rushed the ring to aid Ted DiBiase from an attack courtesy of Camacho and Hunico—after DiBiase defeated Hunico due to interference from Camacho. The third generation wrestler then proposed they have a tag team match, which all agreed to. The match concluded with DiBiase escaping Hunico’s sleeper attempt and hitting him with Dream Street.
Other match results were Kaitlyn over Natalya, Jinder Mahal over Percy Watson, Justin Gabriel over developmental wrestler Leo Kruger and World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus over Alberto Del Rio in a Last Man Standing Match.
Randy Orton’s 60-day suspension for his second violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program has ended—suspended effective May 30. He returns imminently as he is scheduled for Monday’s Raw in Cincinnati, Ohio and Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Indianapolis, Indiana.
According to F4WOnline.com, his suspension stemmed from a positive drug test for elevated levels of testosterone. He reportedly told people that he took a tainted supplement containing the testosterone, causing him to fail, and acknowledged that he should have been more careful. WWE chief Vince McMahon was said to have been livid with Orton over the matter, particularly since he was so “outspokenly indifferent.”
Orton’s suspension caused a ripple effect on SmackDown as John Cena, Triple H, CM Punk and Daniel Bryan were shifted to several shows this summer to alleviate the brand’s lack of star power. Punk and Bryan will resume their feud at Raw live events beginning this weekend while Cena will cease making special appearances following SmackDown broadcasts in three weeks. Triple H will continue to make special appearances on SmackDown until further notice.
– After AJ decided not to marry Daniel Bryan on Raw, it was revealed she accepted a proposal from Vince McMahon to become the new permanent Raw General Manager. She stated on Twitter Tuesday evening that she has big things planned.
“Big meetings this week at WWE HQ. Things are about to get VERY interesting. #Raw1001 #businesschucks.”
– Two matches were taped Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars: Sin Cara vs. Drew McIntyre and WWE Divas Champion Layla vs. Natalya.
In dark match results, Zack Ryder defeated Heath Slater via Rough Ryder while Jey and Jimmy Uso beat Camacho and Hunico. Both Usos hit Hunico with the Superfly Splash for the pinfall victory.
– Former WWE Superstar Headbanger Mosh weighed in on Monday’s landmark Raw episode via Twitter: “Thought #RAW1000 was pretty good (from what I saw) only thing missing was @steveaustinBSR.”
– On Backstage Fallout, John Cena was asked about unsuccessfully cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase on Raw against CM Punk. He responded, “My mistake.”
Cena continues, “We all know I’ve had issues with CM Punk in the past, but it’s been (pause), the word respect comes up. If you’re the champ, nobody has any loyalty to anything. The word respect comes to mind, even when we’re at each other’s throats. It just respect. I go back to Money in the Bank when Vince went to throw it out and I told him no, and I lost. My watch, my terms, and I respect that.”
The Miz, Heath Slater and Daniel Bryan also react to Raw events.
– After AJ decided not to marry Daniel Bryan on Raw, it was revealed she accepted a proposal from Vince McMahon to become the new permanent Raw General Manager. Vickie Guerrero, a former General Manager of the program, weighed in on the matter via Twitter.
“Feelings about @Aj? Her reign in office will be short lived…no experience, maturity, and support….she will learn she needs to grow up,” Guerrero wrote.
– TNA star and former WWE star Kurt Angle tweeted on Raw, “Did not watch Raw 1000 Episode. Was on Honeymoon. Heard It Was Great.”
– After WWE’s milestone 1000th episode of Raw went off the air, The Rock and John Cena double-teamed Big Show. Cena hits Show with the Attitude Adjustment, which placed him into position for a People’s Elbow. The Rock, however, didn’t have an elbow pad, so Cena gave him his “Cenation” armband. The Rock spoke on the microphone and said Cena must use headbands as arm bands since no one’s arms are that huge. The Great One then hit The People’s Elbow on Show as Cena left up the ramp. The Rock thanked everyone and posed with a few fans. Show remained in the ring as the house lights come on.
– Former WWE Diva Torrie Wilson turns 37-years-old on Tuesday.
– Sean Mooney, the first person to appear on the premiere episode of Raw in 1993, resurfaced on Monday’s show as he conducted a backstage interview with Daniel Bryan. Zack Ryder reacted to his return on Twitter: “I met Sean Mooney tonight…#SSSIIICCCKKK.”
– James Yun, who appeared as Akio and Jimmy Wang Yang for WWE, weighed in on Monday’s milestone addition of Raw. He tweeted, “I really enjoy the 1000 episode of #raw tonight I find it really cool that i can say I was on that show a few times.”
– The Undertaker, who reunited the Brothers of Destruction on Raw, is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com.
– Although the WWE heavily promoted a 1,000th RAW pre-show on Youtube.com all week long and on s RAW, WWE didn’t have one. The company opted to tape Superstars instead.
– The Miz defeated Christian to win the WWE Intercontinental championship on RAW1000
– During the Daniel Bryan A.J. wedding segment, A.J. said she had accepted another man’s proposal and wasn’t marrying Bryan. Vince McMahon’s music hit, and out came the WWE Chairman. He said “Said it’s not the type of proposal people were thinking of. Instead, it was a business proposal” With that he asked for the WWE Universe to welcome the new General Manager of Raw…….. AJ!
AJ laughed, skipped around Daniel Bryan and left Bryan at the altar.
– Madusa, who captured the WWE Women’s Championship as Alundra Blayze, says she will not be on hand for tonight’s historic 1000th episode of Raw due to “prior engagements.”
“Good luck, congrats and many blessings to all that have a wonderful and historical time at WWE 1000 epic night! Don’t forget to watch….. Your one and only …..STILL WWE’s/WWF’s champion! Just to set it straight… I will not be there. Prior engagements,” she wrote on Facebook.
Shane Helms, formerly known as The Hurricane, also confirmed that he will not be on the show due to his contractual status with another wrestling organization.
– Rey Mysterio is scheduled to face Daniel Bryan at the August 9 SmackDown live event in Tokyo, Japan.
– Sid Vicious spoke to Memphisport.com about his son Frank not telling other Big Brother houseguests who his dad and possibly appearing on tonight’s historic Raw episode celebrating 1,000 episodes.
– Major rock band Green Day is in St. Louis, staying reportedly at the WWE Hotel There is no confirmation on weather they will be on RAW1000 tonight or not. The Smackdown theme song is “Do You Know Your Enemy?” By Green Day.
— WWE has stopped airing reruns of WCW Monday Nitro on its Classics On Demand service. The last Nitro aired was from September 1998 featuring Warrior vs. Hollywood Hogan. The Monday Night Wars program was hosted with Matt Striker, showing that weeks episode of Raw as well. RAW will continue to air as The History of Monday Night RAW.
— Rey Mysterio vs. Daniel Bryan has been added to the August 9th SmackDown show in Tokyo, Japan.
Here are tonight’s confirmed WWE SmackDown matches.
* Hunico, Camacho and The Prime Time Players (O’Neil and Young) vs. Epico, Primo, R Truth and Kofi Kingston
* Zack Ryder vs. Damien Sandow
* Daniel Bryan vs. Kane
* Heath Slater vs. A WWE Legend
* Sheamus and Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler
– WWE Ref John Cone talked to Pitch.com Below are some interesting tidbits:
Most memorable match
“It was just a couple of months ago at Extreme Rules, Daniel Bryan against CM Punk. I was honored to referee that match, and those guys tore the house down. It was just fantastic, probably one of the purest wrestling matches that I’ve ever refereed. It was great.”
The biggest bump he’s taken
“It was Extreme Rules again, just a couple of months ago. Brock Lesnar was wrestling John Cena, and the official for the match was Charles Robinson. He got knocked down, and I come running down the aisle. I think Brock had Cena in a pin attempt, and I slid into the ring, got a two count, and as I stood up, here comes Lesnar with a clothesline. I didn’t remember much afterward. And then he kicks me in the stomach as I try to get out of the ring.”
– WWE has issued another installment of their YouTube show Inbox, the question this week: Who has the coolest ring gear? Take a look:
– Kelly Kelly who has been missing from the WWE for weeks, appears in a new WWE Youtube video about her obsession with Beanie Babies.
WWE released a video of WWE stars lip-synching the Summerslam theme song to “prepare for this year’s Summerslam.” The music video includes John Cena, WWE champion C.M. Punk, Daniel Bryan, World Heavyweight. champion Sheamus, U.S. champion Santino Marella, Tag champion Kofi Kingston, Zack Ryder, Dolph Ziggler, Divas champion Layla, Rosa Mendes, Alicia Fox, Natalya, Cameron & Naomi, Curt Hawkins & Tyler Reks, and Justin Gabriel & Tyson Kidd.
– As reported earlier, a wedding ceremony is scheduled for next week’s unprecedented 1000th episode of Raw. Following their victory over The Miz and Eve, Daniel Bryan admitted to his tag team partner, “AJ, I love you.” He then got down on one knee and proposed to the “crazy chick.” An emotional AJ said “yes.” The two embraced and led fans to chant “Yes!” to news of their momentous occasion. Both wrestlers then announced on Twitter:
In celebration of our recent engagement, @WWEDanielBryan and I cordially invite you to our wedding ceremony next week LIVE during #Raw1000.