Former WWE creative team member Seth Mates says if history is any indication – we shouldn’t expect a long title reign from new World Heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan. Mates tweeted on Monday afternoon @SethMates:
“To borrow a holiday metaphor, this is the time of year (between Survivor Series and the Royal Rumble) when Vince (McMahon) ‘tries on’ his new clothes or new main eventers.”
“Foley (99), Jericho (01), Evolution (03), Edge (06), Sheamus (09), Miz (10), Bryan (11) among those elevated during this stretch of (the year). And to continue with the bad holiday metaphor, Vince has (until) Royal Rumble undercard to return them if they don’t fit just right. Also, Jeff Hardy in ’08 – almost forgot him.”
“So don’t be surprised if Bryan loses the title at (Royal Rumble). Not a dealbreaker…just Vince’s history with change.”
As previously reported, WWE had planned to keep the title on Mark Henry much longer. However, Henry suffered a groin injury during his match with John Cena on RAW last week and the call was made for Henry to drop the title to Big Show and for Bryan to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase. Since Daniel Bryan’s title win was a decision that was made only days ago, it remains to be seen what WWE has planned for the World Heavyweight title in the early months of 2012.
Former WWE superstar Batista tweeted the following about Daniel Bryan’s World Heavyweight title win on Sunday night:
“excuse me! did i hear that right? Daniel Bryan World Heavyweight Champ. ummmmmmm…..ok.”
After Batista’s tweet set off a firestorm of responses from people calling him a hater for apparently not sounding pleased with WWE’s decision to put the World title on Bryan, he replied:
“man did that comment bring the tough guy haters out. well i’m at Gracie Fighter Tampa daily. 6333 s. dale mabry hwy Tampa FL. stop on by”
Shortly thereafter, Batista followed up with the following statement, explaining his relationship with Daniel Bryan and why tweets from haters mean nothing to him:
“so to clear up any misunderstanding about me hating on Daniel Bryan…actually i’ve been a supporter of his for years,unlike most of you Johnny come lately smart mark supporters. we actually had a hell of a match together that was originally supposed to be a squash match until this old broken down ex bodybuilder who never deserved to be champion and only had it handed to me because HHH was my boy…refused to job the kid out because i knew how good he was and wanted to have a f*cking match with him before i left the company. and a hell of a match we had considering where our respective places in the company were at the time. so yes im aware of all of his accomplishments and hard work through out the years and i’m thrilled to death for him….but still…World Heavyweight champ???ummmmmmm…ok. opinions are like *ssholes. my Twitter account,my opinion. and to all the bitch ass haters who just dogged me out and bitched about how horrible i was…..i’ve worked with HHH, the Undertaker,Rey Mysterio,Randy Orton Stone Cold,Edge,John Cena,Chris Benoit,Ric Fucking Flair!!etc.etc.. and they all respected me and my work. Eddie Guerrero respected my work. so don’t expect your little bullsh*t remarks to actually carry any weight. in your b*tch ass faces!! “
Shawn Michaels and William Regal, who both trained Daniel Bryan early in his wrestling career, commented on Bryan’s World Heavyweight title win at TLC last night.
HBK: “Obviously a big congratulations is due to Daniel Bryan. I couldn’t be happier for him. Awesome young man whose bright future has started!!”
Regal: “I’m very happy for Daniel Bryan.Well deserved.A truly world class Pro Wrestler and now World Champion.”
Bryan’s former home, Ring of Honor, also congratulated their former champion:
“We at Ring of Honor Wrestling congratulate Bryan Danielson on winning the World Heavyweight title. #watchroh RT”
Just minutes after Big Show defeated Mark Henry to capture the World Heavyweight championship, Daniel Bryan cashes in Money in the Bank and pins the Big Show to win the title.
Developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose (formerly Jon Moxley) wrestled his first series of WWE matches this weekend. Ambrose wrestled Daniel Bryan on Friday and Saturday night – and we’re hearing that the matches received rave reviews.
Video has surfaced of Ambrose’s match with Daniel Bryan from Friday night – check it out here:
– WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose competed in his first match before a WWE crowd at Friday’s SuperShow in Fort Myers, Florida. He lost to Daniel Bryan in a comedy match.
The former Jon Moxley signed a developmental contract with WWE in April and is considered one of the top wrestlers in Florida Championship Wrestling. His series of matches with Seth Rollins this year have garnered rave reviews.
– John Cena indicated Friday on Twitter that he will not appearing at Sunday’s pay-per-view event, WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.
“I will watch and enjoy TLC. Above all I am a fan,” he wrote during a Q&A session.
– Former WWE star John Morrison is advertised to appear at Frank & Son’s Collectible Show 19649 E. San Jose Ave. City of Industry, California on Saturday, February 18, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
– WWE has purchased the domain name “IWantWWENetwork.com” – which will be used as a where fans can contact their cable companies and urge them to support the Network. The domain currently points to the WWE website but is expected to go live in the coming weeks.
As previously reported, WWE is currently aiming to launch the WWE Network on April 1st, WrestleMania Sunday.
– Due to last week’s Thanksgiving holiday in the United States, television ratings from last week’s Impact and Smackdown, as well as Monday’s RAW, will likely be delayed a day or so.
– WWE veteran Big Show recently took part in a live chat at TheState.com to promote RAW from Columbia, S.C. Show was asked about how much longer he plans to continue wrestling and said:
“I may be 40 in February but I don’t feel 40! I’ll be doing this as long as I feel I can compete and I feel great now.”
He was also asked about whether Daniel Bryan has what it takes to be champion, Big Show responded:
“Absolutely, he’s talented and committed and that’s what it takes..plus intensity.”
Daniel Bryan triumphed in a Fatal 4-Way World Heavyweight Title No. 1 Contender’s Match on SmackDown to earn a shot against Mark Henry in a Steel Cage on next Tuesday’s live holiday episode.
During the opening segment of the show, Bryan emerged to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and pin Henry, who had been knocked out cold by Big Show. However, SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long informed him that because The World Strongest Man was injured and not “medically cleared” to compete, the pin was invalid.
The winner of this Tuesday’s World Heavyweight Championship Steel Cage Match will defend the strap against Big Show at TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs, which takes place December 18, 2011 at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.
— Kevin Nash will battle Big Show during WWE’s two-event tour of Yokohama, Japan. He will face his longtime rival in a singles match on November 30. The following night, he teams up with The Miz to take on “The World’s Largest Athlete” and John Cena.
— Jim Ross stated Friday on Twitter that he talked to Gerald Brisco and he is feeling much better after suffering a minor stroke last month. The WWE Hall of Famer previously suffered three strokes in June 2009.
— Kelly Kelly and Daniel Bryan will appear at KMART 5100 Sinclair Lane, Baltimore, Maryland on Sunday, December 18 at noon. Call 410-483-3500 for more information.
— Raw SuperShow will be held at the Sprint Center in Kansas City, Missouri on Monday, January 30, 2012.
— WWE.com has announced that Daniel Bryan will face World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry on this week’s episode of SmackDown.
The synopsis reads: “After nearly cashing in last week, Daniel Bryan will face Mark Henry this Friday on SmackDown. Can he survive another encounter with the World Heavyweight Champion?”
— Former WWE Divas Champion Jillian Hall filmed a “shoot” interview last Saturday for RF Video where she discussed her career and what she witnessed backstage while working for WWE.
— Jimmy and Jey Uso discuss their new entrance theme, “So Close Now,” in an article published on WWE.com. David Dallas, the artist who performs The Usos’ new entrance theme, hails from New Zealand but is also of Samoan descent.
The Usos say, “It’s an honor. The Usos are young and rising WWE Superstars, like David Dallas who is a young rising rap artist. We both represent our heritage in two totally different ways.”
– As we reported last week, The Undertaker and Michelle McCool visiting backstage at Monday’s RAW Supershow from Texas.
Word is that WWE officials approached McCool about returning to the ring in the near future.
As for the Undertaker, there are no plans for him to return to television in the immediate future. At this point, WWE officials are hoping he’ll be healthy enough in time to wrestle at WrestleMania 28 next April.
– Money in the Bank briefcase holder Daniel Bryan wrote the following on Twitter regarding the beard that he’s growing out until WrestleMania 28:
“People keep tweeting telling me to shave my beard. Hell no! Join me and grow your beards out, too! #ThisBeardFightsFascists”
– Regarding the Booker T vs. Cody Rhodes feud that we’ve been reporting on, word is that it may take place at the Survivor Series pay-per-view. If not, expect Rhodes to be involved in a traditional Survivor Series elimination match.
– Former WWE Diva Maryse has been removed from appearing at a fundraiser for the Strike 3 Foundation at the Hilton Hotel in Stamford, CT on November 19th. Her boyfriend The Miz will now be appearing by himself.
(Credit to f4wonline.com for some of the information used in this report)
— WWE.com has announced that Daniel Bryan will face the World Heavyweight Champion at WrestleMania XXVIII. There is also a poll asking visitors who Bryan should cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase against—Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Sheamus or Sin Cara.
— WWE recently asked fans to help name a program looking back at the “Monday Night War” for their soon to be launched WWE Network. WWE has since registered a trademark for “The Monday Night War,” which was one of the poll options.
— WWE will hold a live event at the Pan American Center in Las Cruces, New Mexico on Sunday, January 22, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
At Sunday’s WWE Vengeance pay-per-view, the ring collapse that took place during the Mark Henry vs. Big Show match could have been the perfect opportunity for Bryan to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and challenge a badly injured Mark Herny right then and there.
The WWE caught up with Daniel Bryan this week and asked him why he didn’t capitalize on that golden opportunity.
Bryan also talks about growing his beard out until WrestleMania 28.
“There’s only two types of people in this world who don’t have beards. That’s children and women. I’m a man. I’ve got a beard!”
— The official website of Florida Championship Wrestling has added Jake Carter to their roster page. He is Jesse White, son of former WWE star Vader. He signed a developmental contract with WWE in April following a tryout at the organization’s developmental facility in Tampa, Florida.
White, 25, originally committed to the University of Oklahoma and was touted for the National Football League, but retired following a hip injury. He then followed his dad’s footsteps to the world of professional wrestling.
— Theodore Long kicked off Friday’s SmackDown by announcing that the first match of the night would feature 41 Superstars in the largest Battle Royal in WWE history. Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis then revealed the winner would earn a title match against the champion of his choosing.
Randy Orton won the 41-Man No. 1 Contender’s Battle Royal, last eliminating The Miz. Battle Royal elimination order is as follows: 1. Cody Rhodes, 2. Johnny Curtis, 3. JTG, 4. Michael McGillicutty, 5. Derrick Bateman, 6. Yoshi Tatsu, 7. Titus O’Neil, 8. Matt Striker, 9. William Regal, 10. Percy Watson, 11. John Morrison, 12. Dolph Ziggler, 13. Trent Barreta, 14. Jey Uso, 15. Ted DiBiase, 16. Tyson Kidd, 17. Daniel Bryan, 18. Tyler Reks, 19. Curt Hawkins, 20. Drew McIntrye, 21. Justin Gabriel, 22. Mason Ryan, 23. Primo, 24. Santino Marella, 25. Alex Riley, 26. Kofi Kingston, 27. Zack Ryder, 28. David Otunga, 29. Jimmy Uso, 30. Ezekiel Jackson, 31. Heath Slater, 32. Sin Cara (Negro), 33. Christian, 34. R-Truth , 35. CM Punk, 36. Sheamus, 37. Wade Barrett, 38. Jack Swagger, 39. Jinder Mahal, 40. The Miz.
WWE has announced that effective immediately, NXT Redemption is moving to Wednesday afternoons at 4 p.m. ET/1 PT on WWE.com.
WWE.com made the announcement prior to the start of tonight’s regularly scheduled episode, which reads: “WWE Universe, tune in to WWE.com Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET/1 PT for an all-new episode of WWE NXT Redemption! For complete coverage of WWE NXT, including results, photos, video clips and full episodes on demand, visit NXT.WWE.COM any time.”
After WWE made the announcement on Twitter, Derrick Bateman wrote, “Ok. Nevermind. It airs at 4 tomorrow? Glad I know now…… #WALKOUT”
Matches taped tonight in Biloxi, Mississippi for tomorrow’s episode are: Daniel Bryan vs. Heath Slater, JTG vs. Yoshi Tatsu, Derrick Bateman vs. Titus O’Neil, Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks vs. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso.
— Daniel Bryan appears on A&E’s Disaster Guy today at noon ET/11 a.m. The SmackDown Superstar meets the Lombardi family from Connecticut, whose home was burned to the ground by a fire.
“I think it’s amazing what Disaster Guy does. Hearing their story, especially about how these kids were scared because their house was buirned down, to be able to go in and fix that up is a really great service to the family,” the former ROH World Champion told WWE.com.
— Shelly Martinez is advertised to wrestle for Ground Xero Wrestling on October 29 and November 5 in Virginia. Visit www.gxwwrestling.com for more information.
— Joey Styles has been added to The Big Event, which takes place November 11 and 12 at the Courtyard Marriott 9010 Ditmars Blvd. East Elmhurst, New York. Visit www.tmartpromotions.com for more information.
— Following his victory over Alberto Del Rio at Saturday night’s Raw live event in El Paso, Texas, CM Punk paid tribute to the late Eddie Guerrero
Punk spoke on the microphone and said that when he thinks of El Paso, he thinks of Eddie Guerrero. He feels that even though Eddie is gone, if the people who were touched by him spread his legacy, then he will continue to live. He then blew a kiss to the arena ceiling in memory of Guerrero. Fans chanted “Eddie” with Punk to conclude the show.
Vickie Guerrero appeared at the event seeing as though it took place in her hometown. She accompanied Dolph Ziggler for his United States Championship Match against John Morrison and was jeered. A small “Eddie” chant broke out during the match.
— After losing on SmackDown, Daniel Bryan was left frustrated over Sin Cara shenanigans and not having won many matches since Money in the Bank. He vents his frustrations in the following video.
— Matches scheduled to air on tonight’s episode of SmackDown are as follows:
* Sheamus vs. Heath Slater
* Justin Gabriel vs. Wade Barrett
* A.J. and Kaitlyn vs. Beth Phoenix and Natalya
* Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes
* The Great Khali vs. Jinder Mahal
* Daniel Bryan vs. Sin Cara
* Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston vs. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso
* Mark Henry defends the World Heavyweight Championship against Christian in a Lumberjack Match
— The Miz announced this afternoon on Twitter that he has launched a YouTube Channel. He posted a video of his first words about being fired by WWE, which was filmed Wednesday during his new Sirius XM Radio show, First and Awesome.
— After R-Truth and The Miz were fired on this week’s episode of WWE Raw SuperShow, WWE.com transferred their respective profiles to the Alumni section.
Steve Austin spoke to Power Slam to promote his latest movie, Tactical Force. The discussion turns to present-day WWE and he is asked to name which wrestlers he believes can evolve into “money-drawing players” for the sports-entertainment organization. CM Punk heads the top of the list.
“Well, I love CM Punk. That guy is already a star, and he’s just breathed a much-needed breath of fresh air into the wrestling business,” Austin said. “He’s been working for over ten years. I’m a big fan of his—love his skills, love his promos.”
The WWE Hall of Famer then mentions Wade Barrett, Daniel Bryan and the current Superstar most often compared to him, Randy Orton. Austin, however, feels “The Viper” still needs to work on his character and promo ability.
“Of the other guys, I’m still waiting for Wade Barrett to grab me by the throat and let me know who Wade Barrett is. Daniel Bryan could continue to move up the card,” Austin said. “I’m interested to see where Randy Orton goes next. His promos need work, and right now, he’s a little one-dimensional. The crowds are digging him, but there’s still another step on the ladder for him to climb to.
Austin also feels that Alberto Del Rio needs to work on his promos.
“Alberto Del Rio reminds me of Gino Hernandez from the old [Dallas] Sportatorium. [He is] another one who needs to work on his promos-I don’t like them worth a shit right now-but he has great ability,” said Stone Cold.
“He just needs to add a few pieces to the puzzle.”
Austin is also high on two SmackDown talents, including the newly crowned World Heavyweight Champion.
“Christian is a hell of a performer in the ring, and he’s just had a hell of a run. He’s recently added a few exclamation points to his work and his promo style-but, again, there’s at least one more level for him to step up,” he feels.
“Mark Henry has finally put the pieces together. His Money in the Bank match with Big Show was not a great match in the ring. But I love the intensity Mark is putting into his work recently. This persona is really an extension of himself: he’s a big, mean, strong man, and they are presenting that well.”
— After losing the United States Championship to Sheamus on the March 14 episode of Raw, Daniel Bryan was scheduled to receive his re-match at WrestleMania XXVII. The match was re-scheduled as a pre-show dark match on the day of the event; a lumberjack match that ended in a no contest when the lumberjacks fought among themselves to trigger the start of a battle royal. Speaking to WWE Magazine, Bryan offered his reaction on being bumped off the card.
“I go with the flow with a lot of things. Obviously, it was upsetting. Nobody told use beforehand or pulled us aside and said, “Listen guys, we’re sorry.” That was the most disappointing thing,” Bryan said.
“And of course, I wanted that ‘Mania moment. You’re not going to get it in a pre-show match. But I once slept in the trunk of my car, so it wasn’t the end of the world.
— Matches taped tonight in Ottawa, Ontario for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows:
— The latest issue of WWE Magazine claims security personnel at television events have been ordered to keep an eye out for an individual who appeared on the last season of Tough Enough as he/she is threatening to intrude WWE programming.
“The Informer” says: “Insiders report that a certain Tough Enough loser feels he/she was wronged by being eliminated from the program. So much so that he/she is threatening a run-in on WWE programming!
“Arena security is on alert all over the U.S.”
— Daniel Bryan beats Heath Slater on this week’s episode of WWE Superstars, which resulted in WWE.com posting a headline reading “Bryan Finally Wins!” The sub-headline reads “Daniel Bryan snapped his losing streak on “WWE Superstars” with a victory over Heath Slater.”
Bryan had only been on a two-match losing streak: he lost to Sin Cara on August 30 and Christian on August 26. Excluding his victory over Drew McIntyre on the August 25 episode of WWE Superstars, Bryan last garnered a victory on WWE programming on the August 5 SmackDown in a win over Tyson Kidd.
— The official WWE website added Aksana to the SmackDown roster today. The former NXT Rookie Diva returned to WWE programming on the August 5 episode of SmackDown.
— Vickie Guerrero announced on Twitter that her official website, www.MyVickieGuerrero.com, will be launched tomorrow.
— Following the Brie Bella vs. Kelly Kelly match on Raw, The Score in Canada accidentally cut to a feed of Eastbound and Down. During the brief cutaway, four seconds of bare-breasted women aired. The Score then briefly cut to a Steve Austin music video featuring “Somewhere Down in Texas” by George Strait before returning to the broadcast with the Alex Riley highlight video.
— Tonight’s episode of WWE NXT will highlight past contestants who have gone on to superstardom including A.J., Alex Riley, Brodus Clay, Daniel Bryan, Justin Gabriel, Kaitlyn and Wade Barrett. The synopsis of tonight’s episode reads: “WWE NXT is WWE’s launching pad to Superstardom. Six NXT Graduates have gone on to win WWE Championships, including Wade Barrett and Daniel Bryan. After Tuesday’s LIVE SuperSmackDown, tune in to NXT.WWE.COM at 10 ET/7 PT for the NXT Graduates special!”
— Chris Masters is advertised to appear at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet 13963 Alondra Blvd. Santa Fe Springs, California (Space H-5) on Saturday, September 10 from 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
— WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart stated in an interview with The Cardboard Connection that he is looking to write a follow-up to his memoir, Hitman: My Real Life in the Cartoon World of Wrestling. However, he says it could “take years” for the book to come out. “I’m just waiting as my life continues to unfold,” Hart said.
Hart was also asked to name his favorite wrestling performers in the industry today and the first names out of his mouth were The Bella Twins, Brie and Nikki. “They’re getting better and better,” Hart said. “I like Daniel Bryan. I love his style. I love his incorporation of actual wrestling holds and submissions and his style. I’m a big fan of Cena. I’m a big fan of [Randy] Orton.”
— The Miami Heraldreports that WWE will be hosting its WrestleMania XXVIII ticket kickoff party in early November in Miami, home to the 2012 version of the mega event. Further details were not disclosed.
— Former WWE stars Vladimir Kozlov and Jillian Hall have been announced for Legends of the Ring XIII, which takes place Saturday, October 8 at the Crowne Plaza in Monroe, New Jersey.
— Former WWE Diva Terri Runnels was accompanied by two large bodyguards for her appearance at Saturday’s sparsely attended K&S Wrestlefest event in Essington, Pennsylvania. It marks as her first public appearance since she filed a lawsuit against her former partner Jerome “New Jack” Young, accusing him of libel for what she calls a series of slurs he’s stated online about their sex life and her appetite for drugs and alcohol.
— WWE returns to the CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on December 28, 2011 at 7:30 p.m.