– As we’ve been reporting, Florida Championship Wrestling is holding a tryout camp this week in Tampa, with Jim Ross, Shawn Michaels, Dusty Rhodes and Perry Saturn among the legends evaluating talent.
23 athletes are at the invite-only camp, including a number of amateur wrestlers recruited by Gerald Brisco. With William Regal wrestling Dean Ambrose at the final FCW taping later this week, Jim Ross and Dusty Rhodes will be handling commentary for the show.
– Speaking of Dean Ambrose, his online feud with Mick Foley has died down once again. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there are influential people in WWE that are against continuing the angle and using Mick Foley to introduce Ambrose to the main roster.
Lots of news from WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling:
– Jim Ross is in Tampa this week working with WWE’s developmental talent and confirmed on Twitter over the weekend that Thursday will be FCW’s final tapings at the FCW Arena.
– JR says FCW has several new prospects to evaluate this week and was asked about the potential of FCW’s two top stars, Seth Rollins Dean Ambrose. Ross said Seth Rollins has “big upside potential” and Dean Ambrose has “unlimited potential.”
Both Rollins and Ambrose have been wrestling dark matches at recent WWE live events and are expected to be brought up to the main roster soon.
– Thursday’s final TV taping will feature the long awaited rematch between Dean Ambrose and William Regal. Ambrose tweeted the following about the match:
“June 7, Tampa. It will be difficult to watch,bad people doing terrible things, violent, ugly, uncomfortable. Me vs @realkingregal. He’s gonna try to finish the job he did on my shoulder,the gimmick shoulder that cost me the fcw title. My goal is to punch him in the mouth repeatedly, until I’m sure that he will have to go get dentures soon after his broken nose is fixed.”
— Remember when Goldberg took his frustrations out on a limo? Relive the “Clash of the Week” on the latest edition of “Are You Serious?” as Road Dogg and Josh Mathews give the WWE Universe what they want.
— Jim Ross will be at the FCW Arena in Tampa, Florida this week for the last set of FCW Wrestling tapings. A match pitting Dean Ambrose against William Regal is scheduled for the event.
“Gonna be a great week in Tampa this week. Gonna do a little commentary Thurs nite at FCW. Love working w/ WWE Development talents,” Ross wrote.
— Chris Jericho is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Revolver.
– WWE Champion CM Punk thinks he might be cursed, because the last three men he wrestled at WrestleMania are currently suspended. Punk tweeted:
“My last three Wrestlemania opponents are currently suspended. I’m a curse!”
– WWE Studios and Lionsgate are moving forward with the reboot of 1993 horror movie The Leprechaun. Veteran writer Harris Wilkinson has been tapped to write the script, according to movie site Deadline.com.
– The final FCW television tapings on June 7th from the FCW Arena in Tampa will feature a highly anticipated rematch between Dean Ambrose and William Regal. Since their first encounter on November 6th, both men have been teasing a rematch, with Ambrose using Regal’s moves (the Knee Trembler and Regal Stretch) in his matches.
– WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose beat Alex Riley in a dark match before Monday’s Raw SuperShow in Richmond, Virginia. Prior to the match, Ambrose cut a promo vowing that a dark storm cloud would soon cover the WWE Universe.
– The following matches were taped for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
* WWE Tag Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. JTG and Michael McGillicutty
* Zack Ryder vs. Heath Slater
– The May 18 episode of WWE SmackDown garnered a 1.81 cable rating with 2,803,000 viewers. The previous week’s show drew a 1.7 cable rating, with 2,530,000 viewers. (source: PWInsider.com)
– Zack Ryder, who celebrates his twenty-seventh birthday today, lost to WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose in a pre-Raw SuperShow dark match in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Matches taped for WWE Superstars were Lord Tensai vs. Tyson Kidd and Alex Riley vs. Heath Slater.
– To correct an earlier report, Jim Ross is not in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania for tonight’s Raw SuperShow. Rather, his wife is on hand for the event.
– Maria Kanellis has been announced to appear at Legends of the Ring 14 on Saturday, June 2 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Monroe, New Jersey.
— WWE Superstar and host, Santino Marella shares with Michael McGillicutty and the WWE Universe just how dirty he will get to prove he’s a diligent worker.
— WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose faced Zack Ryder at Friday’s Raw live event in Glens Falls, New York. Ambrose was disqualified after he removed the turnbuckle pad and whipped Ryder into it.
— Former WWE Superstar Billy Kidman turned 38 years old on Friday. He is currently a producer on WWE’s Raw brand.
— WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth are advertised to appear at Aaron’s Rental & Sales in Mobile, Alabama on Saturday, June 2 beginning at 4:00 p.m.
– Earlier this week, the WWE website kicked off a new viral video campaign that states a “Revolution” is coming. There is already buzz behind the scenes that the Revolution is leading up to the inroduction of Dean Ambrose o the main roster.
– Speaking of Dean Ambrose, he took another shot at Mick Foley on Wednesday. Foley announced on Twitter that doctors told him that due to all the concussions he experienced during his in-ring career, he has to drastically limit his time in front of a computer screen. Ambrose wasted no time throwing this in Foley’s face, writing:
“You reap what you sow :) @realMickFoley #thanksmick”
Ambrose and Foley have been feuding since WrestleMania 28 weekend, with Ambrose repeatedly criticizing Foley for ruining professional wrestling and “destroying a generation” of performers by glorifying the hardcore, physically damaging style of wrestling.
– The next 3-Hour WWE RAW Supershow will take place on June 11th from the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. WWE has yet to announce a theme for the show. The advertised dark match main event is an eight-man tag match: John Cena, C.M. Punk, Sheamus & Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan, Alberto Del Rio, Kane & Lord Tensai.
FCW star Dean Ambrose has reignited his feud with Mick Foley. When asked by a fan when he will finally “rid us” of the hardcore legend, Ambrose replied:
“There is a long cleanup job ahead to get rid of everything foley poisoned #wwe #raw”
Another fan asked if Ambrose has a dream opponent from any era in wrestling. The former Jon Moxley replied:
“Mick 20 years ago id have made sure he was eating his meals through a straw long b4 he did any so much damage #wwe #raw”
Ambrose ended his anti-Foley comments with:
“Thing is, im the worst thing foley ever created. Im the most highly evolved creature on the planet #thanksmick #wwe #raw”
The following are live notes from Tuesday’s WWE television tapings from Toledo, Ohio:
– Dean Ambrose won another dark match, defeating Ezekiel Jackson. Ambrose has been touring with WWE a lot lately and winning virtually all of his dark matches, a sign that he’s close to making his television debut.
– The following matches were taped for this week’s WWE NXT:
* Tyson Kidd and Alex Riley vs. JTG and Johnny Curtis
* Michael McGillicutty vs. Percy Watson
It had been rumored that new talent from FCW would debut on this week’s show, but that did not happen.
– The Great Khali vs. Jinder Mahal was taped for this week’s Superstars.
— Beth Phoenix and Sheamus spoke to SportsTownChicago.com last week promoting Extreme Rules. In the ranks of WWE Divas over the years, The Glamazon is asked where she would rank herself.
“I would have to rank myself absolutely number one because I am. I’ve achieved more than any other WWE Diva in the past,” she says. “I’m a four-time champion. The second female to ever compete in the Royal Rumble, amongst many, many other accolades… Diva of the Year. You name it, I’ve done it, so I would put myself number one.”
Sheamus also reveals how he plans to stay on top with his latest title reign.
— Matches taped Monday night in Dayton, Ohio for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were:
* Dolph Ziggler vs. Mason Ryan
* Michael McGillicutty vs. Zack Ryder
WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose beat Alex Riley in a pre-show dark match.
– WWE is still in the early stages of deciding who Brock Lesnar will fight at WrestleMania 29, with The Rock, The Undertaker and Steve Austin all under consideration. WrestleMania 29 will be the final match on Lesnar’s 1-year contract.
– WWE Superstar Percy Watson has changed his Twitter handle to @WWEPercyWatson. His account was hacked earlier this week.
– On Friday’s SmackDown, Hornswoggle was paired with Brodus Clay as his new comedic sidekick. There had been talk of pairing Hornswoggle with Santino Marella, but those plans were apparently scrapped.
– Mick Foley will be going on the road with WWE in a few weeks and will serve as the special guest referee for the main events of several upcoming live events.With Dean Ambrose also on the road with WWE recently, expect to see more between Foley and Ambrose.
– At this week’s Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion in Las Vegas, Jim Ross held a seminar for independent wrestlers instructing them on what to work on and what WWE looks for when they sign new talents.
Steve Austin was asked about wrestling at WrestleMania 29 and said he is open to the idea. He added that he feels great right now at age 47, but doesn’t want to be living in pain by the time he’s 57. Both Austin and Terry Funk expressed interest in working with WWE developmental talent at FCW.
– We’ve gotten a few emails asking whether Mick Foley’s latest blog about Dean Ambrose is really the end of their ongoing feud. Everything that’s gone down so far, including their confrontation during WrestleMania weekend and Foley’s latest blog, is all part of the storyline. Ambrose was asked by a fan on Twitter this week when he’s going to “take Foley out.” He replied:
“I wont. He took himself out. In terms he would understand he’s the cowardly lion of WWE, I’m far from heartbroken”
The feud between Mick Foley and Dean Ambrose continues. In his latest blog, Mick Foley provides new insight into their dispute – and maintains that he won’t work with Dean Ambrose because he doesn’t trust him. He also says that Ambrose has “friends in high places” that could work with him to make him a star, because he’s not interested. Here’s what Foley wrote:
“Sports-entertainment has to involve a certain amount of respect and trust. It’s pretty obvious Dean Ambrose doesn’t have any respect for me, my requests, or what I have done in the wrestling business. Therefore I can’t place the slightest amount of trust in him. Has anyone wondered if I’m feeling better following the concussion I spoke of in that December 2010 TNA Impact promo with Flair? I’m not feeling too much better. I tend to have two types of days when it comes to that muted, under-water feeling I spoke of in that promo – bad and worse. I’m just not the same guy who took 11 chair shots from the Rock in 1999. I haven’t been that guy in a long time. Given my history of concussions, I would have to be a fool to place my future in the hands of someone I don’t trust. Perhaps I do have another decent match left in me. If so, it will be with a guy like Dolph Ziggler, who might well be the best worker in the business, and just needs that ONE little something to allow the WWE Universe to see how talented he really is. Or a guy like the Miz – one of the best heels of this generation. Say what you want to about Miz, but the guy is damn good at what he does.
But Dean Ambrose? No. I may not have the power I once did in the business, but I still have the power to say no to things that just flat-out seem wrong. Like trying to put Dean Ambrose on the WWE map. A few weeks ago, it seemed like an interesting challenge. Now, it seems like an insult. A few weeks ago, it seemed like cutting-edge stuff. Now it just seems like bullshit. He is a very good talent. He has those supporters in high places. Let them wrestle him. Maybe they can put him on the WWE map. Good luck.”
In his latest blog at MickFoley.Typepad.com titled, “An Answer For Ambrose,” Mick Foley says he could never work with Dean Ambrose because he does not trust him. Foley wrote:
“Look, sports-entertainment has to involve a certain ammount of respect and trust. It’s pretty obvious Dean Ambrose doesn’t have the slightest ammount of respect for me, and therefore I can’t place the slightest ammount of trust in him. Anyone wondering if I’m feeling better following the concussion I spoke of in that promo with Flair? I’m not. I tend to have two types of days when it comes to that muted, under-water feeling I spoke of in that promo – bad and worse. Given my history of concussions, I would have to be an absolute idiot to place my future in the hands of someone I don’t trust. Since I like to think I am not an idiot, I won’t be placing any trust in him. He had the golden ticket, and he blew it, because he would not honor the simple request I made – to his face – to not include my children in any way in his tweets. If I can’t trust him to honor that simple request, I certainly can’t trust him not to take liberties in the ring. It’s tough to get over in WWE. I certainly wouldn’t want to be one of the young guys facing someone like Skip Sheffield (yeah, I know he has a new name, but I don’t know it yet) knowing that the priority placed on getting over will be somewhat higher than looking out for the well being of an opponent. I went through that with The Dynamite Kid in 1986, when I was 21 years old. I could do it then. I can’t do it at 46..especialy not for someone like Dean Ambrose. To quote the original Willy Wonka movie, “You get nothing! You lose! Good day sir!”
-WWE writer Ed Koskey is the creative force behind the Mick Foley vs. Dean Ambrose feud – and was there in person when Ambrose confronted Foley at a hotel in Miami during WrestleMania weekend [Video]. WWE is using the feud to introduce Ambrose to the WWE Universe in preparation for his imminent television debut.
– During an interview with MMAHeat.com producer Karyn Bryant to promote UFC’s live event this weekend from Sweden, MMA legend Tito Ortiz teased that he is considering a career with WWE once his UFC contract is up.
– SmackDown newcomer Damien Sandow worked another dark match prior to Tuesday’s live SmackDown special from from Hampton, Virginia. He defeated Yoshi Tatsu.
Matches for today’s WWE NXT include Tyson Kidd vs. Michael McGillicutty and Percy Watson vs. Johnny Curtis.
– Bobby Lashley will face James Thompson on May 6th for the Super Fight League in New Delhi, India. Lashley is rumored to be fighting Fedor Emelianenko later this year.
– Following Tuesday’s SuperSmackDown LIVE, Mick Foley continued his Twitter feud with WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose, writing:
“I had a slight problem at Smackdown, so I took care of it. I didn’t ask WWE to send him home, but I’m glad they did. Sayanora scumbag.”
Ambrose stated earlier on the website that he was sent home from SmackDown, enclosing an image of his flight notice. He wrote,
“Looks like they must have been in a hurry to get me outta Virginia tonight.”
Ambrose later followed up with the following messages:
“Fuming in atl airport over a jack n coke. Hey #wwe was it something i said?”
“ok,so I get sent home from tvs? cuz MICK feels uncomfortable? like I did something wrong? like I’M a criminal? #hardcorelegend=softcorebitch”
“I realized Im really good at getting chewed out on the phone. The key is to put it on speaker and walk away, occasionally saying “uh huh””
The feud is based on a viral video [View Here] shot WrestleMania XXVII weekend where Ambrose confronted Foley at the InterContinental Miami hotel. Ambrose has since taken several shots at the Hardcore Legend on Twitter [Read Here], saying Foley needs to held accountable for “ruining a generation.”
— The term “Scott Hall arrest” was at one point the No. 1 trending term on Yahoo.com Tuesday evening. It was reported Tuesday that the former WWE star was arrested last Friday in Florida on a charge of domestic violence against his girlfriend.
— WWE Hall of Famer Don Muraco has been announced to appear at Pro Wrestling World in the Merchants Square Mall 1901 S. 12th St. Allentown, Pennsylvania on June 1 from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
– Monday’s RAW Supershow drew a 3.1 cable rating and averaged 4.29 million viewers. This is down from last week (3.43 rating with 5.01 million viewers) and has to be a disappointing number, with the show heavily focused around the Brock Lesnar vs John Cena feud.
– FCW star Dean Ambrose tweeted a photo of scars on his back and said he met with WWE doctors on Tuesday morning –
“Fun morning trying to explain gross barbwire scars and excessive nerve damage to #wwe doctors,#thanksmick”
Ambrose has been feuding with Mick Foley since WrestleMania weekend when he confronted Foley at a Miami hotel [VIDEO] and got in his face, blaming him for badly damaging the wrestling industry and its competitors with his hardcore style. Ambrose has been ranting about Foley on Twitter – click here see what he wrote.
Comment below and tell us what you think about the Ambrose – Foley feud.
The recent confrontation between WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose and WWE legend Mick Foley from WrestleMania 28 weekend in Miami has been a hot topic in the wrestling world over the past week.
To recap, Dean Ambrose confronted Mick Foley at the Intercontinental hotel (where the WWE crew was staying) and called him out for the destructive effect that Foley’s hardcore style of wrestling has had on the industry. The idea behind the program is to build the angle as if it was a legitimate confrontation and use the buzz from the confrontation to kickstart Ambrose’s character.
Ambrose and Foley have been exchanging words on Twitter over the past few days, with Foley acting like he doesn’t know who Ambrose is:
“Having a blast with my kids at Disney. Not really concerned about some guy I’ve never heard of.”
“Three months ago,people asked me about facing TAKER at Mania – now, it’s a guy from FCW. TITANIC 3D isn’t the only ship sinking this week.”
Dean Ambrose responded with the following rant about Mick Foley and the damage that his hardore style of wrestling inflicted on the wrestling industry:
“Must be nice to be so arrogant and oblivious. Guilt free family funtime. Just great. Good for you. @realMickFoley”
“Nah, In a perfect world id rather see his house repoed and his family starved than see Mick make another dime off wrestling”
“#wwe I Just watched Edge’s full Hof speech. Big fan of Edge, too bad he had to retire so young #ThanksMick”
“He raised the bar of stupidity so high everyone ruined themselves tryin 2 get 2 it”
“#wwe Atleast Edge got to have a hof career. Alot of people didnt even get the chance to have one at all #thanksmick”
“#wwe likes to pretend Mick Foley never existed. Wwe is still apologizing for him by sterilizing the product. #raw”
“Btw..I have zero fear of reprisals from the office for wat ive said about mick foley cuz nobody high up in #wwe has any respect for him”
Check out this video footage of FCW star Dean Ambrose confronting WWE legend Mick Foley at the WWE hotel in Miami over WrestleMania weekend.
WWE Champion CM Punk and NXT’s William Regal are both talking about the confrontation on Twitter – giving Ambrose his first real exposure among the WWE universe. Punk encouraged his followers to “cast judgement” on the video and called it the only thing he finds interesting lately.
— Ezekiel Jackson beat Hunico via Torture Rack in the first match held Thursday night at WrestleMania Axxess in Miami, Florida. In a battle of WWE developmental wrestlers, Seth Rollins defeated Dean Ambrose in the second bout. Rollins obtained the victory in the seven-minute match following a foot stomp to Ambrose’s head.
— Alicia Fox, David Otunga, Lilian Garcia, Rey Mysterio and The Miz joined “American Idol’s” James Durbin, Miami-Dade County Commissioner Jose “Pepe” Diaz, and the Miami Dolphins’ Twan Russell and “T.D.” at Miami’s Hialeah Gardens and JFK Middle Schools Thursday to spread the word of anti-bullying and tolerance.
The Miz discussed the barrage of insults he gets over social media every day, and how he uses positivity to counter it. “Every time you have a negative thought or are going to post a negative tweet ,” the former WWE Champion said. “I challenge you to do something positive, say something positive. I guarantee you and that person will feel great about themselves.”
WWE.com has published articles from both events here and here.