Matches taped Monday night in Hartford, Connecticut for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows:
* Zack Ryder vs. Michael McGillicutty
* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
In a pre-taping dark match, Alex Riley beat Drew McIntyre via roll-up.
– WWE announced Wednesday through their Mobile service that Triple H will be appearing at No Way Out. The announcement states:
“Breaking News: WWE COO Triple H is confirmed to appear at No Way Out on Sunday, June 17, to address his future, pending lawsuits against WWE and Brock Lesnar.”
– Scott Hall and Kevin Nash have been announced to appear at an autograph signing taking place Saturday, June 23 at Frank & Son Collectible Show 19649 San Jose Ave, City of Industry, California. Other wrestling figures appearing at the event include Buff Bagwell, George “The Animal” Steele, Harley Race, Lex Luger, Nikolai Volkoff, Rick Steiner, Scott Steiner, Tito Santana and Wendi Richter.
– Drew McIntyre turns turns 27 years old Wednesday while Konnan turns 48.
– Drew McIntyre wrestled in front of his hometown crowd Saturday’s SmackDown live event from Glasgow, Scotland. He worked as a babyface and teamed with Booker T to defeat the team of Mark Henry and Christian.
Before the match, McIntyre talked about his love of Scotland and gave a shout-out to his family sitting in the crowd. McIntyre and Booker T did spin-a-roonis together after the match.
– THQ has announced WWE ’12 WrestleMania Edition will be available May 25th. WWE ’12 WrestleMania Edition will have both the WWE ’12 video game and all its downloadable content on one disc.
– WWE Greatest Rivalries: Michaels vs. Hart has been added to Netflix’s streaming service.
– Here’s the latest “Are Your Serious” video from the WWE YouTube channel. “Suffer alongside Road Dogg and Josh Mathews as they go through a new pile of horrendous clips from the Titan Tower video vault. Video gems include moments from Rick “The Model”
– Some of the WWE crew experienced travel difficulties during this week’s European tour. Drew McIntyre was among the superstars complaining about the travel situation on Twitter:
“You ain’t stopping me from getting home you bloody useless airports. Looks like I’ll be taking 4 flights but im going home if I gotta swim!!”
The Big Show also dealt with some issues while traveling overseas –
“Boarding now! Off to Ireland! Seven hour flight and can’t fit in the restroom. Oh joy to be a giant! Lol.”
– WWE World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus received a hero’s welcome at Thursday night’s SmackDown live event from Dublin, Ireland. Sheamus received a thunderous ovation from his hometown crowd and defeated Daniel Bryan to retain his title. After the match, Sheamus told the live crowd that he won the World Heavyweight title for the people of Ireland and plans to make them proud as champion.
– WWE Divas Champion Beth Phoenix also got a big crowd reaction at the RAW brand’s live event from Poland. Phoenix, whose family is from Poland, tweeted the following about the experience:
“Poland was a dream. Reunited with my dad, enjoyed an incredible “welcome home” ovation,& some quality facetime with the one I love! #blessed”
— WWE developmental wrestler Seth Rollins defeated Drew McIntyre at Saturday’s SmackDown live event in East Lansing, Michigan. He previously toured with the main roster in late December as he beat Tyson Kidd in singles matches at three consecutive SmackDown live events.
— SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia appeared at Planet Hollywood in Times Square on Wednesday to promote her latest music video. Photos from her appearance are available here.
— Mick Foley commented on the reaction to his public concern for WWE’s on-screen treatment of Eve.
“Not everyone agreed with my comments, but from time to time I feel like a should add my voice to certain subjects,” he tweeted.
Foley wrote this week that WWE is sending a “mixed message” with the name-calling toward Eve since it contradicts their anti-bullying campaign ‘be a STAR’ and John Cena’s motto to “Rise Above Hate.”
— WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose competed at Sunday’s SmackDown live event in Macon, Georgia. He defeated Drew McIntyre.
McIntyre, who was fired by SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long last Friday on SmackDown, cut a promo prior to the match proclaiming that his lawyers had found a loop hole and a victory over his opponent would give him his job back.
— World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan stated the following on Twitter Sunday regarding Ring of Honor’s 10th Anniversary show in New York City: “Congratulations to Ring of Honor for celebrating their 10th Anniversary tonight… I wouldn’t be where I am today without the people there.”
— Smashing Pumpkins frontman and independent wrestling promoter Billy Corgan will appear on Chris Jericho’s Rock of Jericho show this Saturday at 5:00 p.m. on XM 164.
— Zack Ryder plans to release Z! True Long Island Story based action figures in the near future.
– Sources have confirmed that the current plan is for Drew McIntyre to make his return to SmackDown this week after being fired last week. RAW GM John Lauranaitis is set to be in charge of SmackDown as part of this week’s GM switch, and he is expected to rehire McIntyre.
There has been talk that McIntyre will be getting a new “playboy” gimmick soon.
– WWE announcer Scott Stanford took a few shots at TNA announcer Jeremy Borash on Twitter over the weekend. When a fan told Stanford, “You’re no Jeremy Borash!”- Stanford replied:
“Thats insulting, hurtful and…wait, who is that?”
After getting some backlash from Borash fans, Stanford later followed up with:
“Im sure Jeremy is better than me in whatever he does.. I dont know who he is or what he does! I know he cant out rap me!!”
“Apparently my not knowing who someone on a tv show has caused a little stir. I dont know who this season’s Bachelor is either!! Whoops”
– WWE has updated the latest “Are You Serious” video, featuring “Road Dogg” BG James and Josh Matthews making fun of wacky WWE clips. In this week’s show, they look at Shawn Michaels’ various wardrobe malfunctions, Marc Mero’s flamboyant Johnny B. Badd gimmick and the infamous Ultimate Warrior – Jake Roberts “Trust Me” storyline.
–- Drew McIntyre’s current losing streak on SmackDown is expected to culminate with a character makeover. PWInsider.com reports that the Scottish wrestler will become an “arrogant playboy.”
— Layla, who has been sidelined since May 2011 due to tears of both her Anterior cruciate and Medial collateral ligaments, stated on Twitter that her knee is stronger than ever. She stated during a recent radio interview that she could return in time for WrestleMania XXVIII.
— Zack Ryder continues to complain on Twitter about John Cena and Eve kissing last Monday on Raw. He wrote, “I’m trying to convince @WWEShop to take “LOYALTY” and “RESPECT” off of @JohnCena’s t-shirts. #broskisbeforehoeskis.”
— Shelly Martinez appears in The Social Rules, a new web series about the do’s and dont’s of dating and relating. In her latest video, she offers advice on breaking up.
— WWE will hold a SmackDown live event at the Civic Center in Charleston, West Virginia on May 6, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
— Triple H reportedly wants more Spanish-speaking wrestlers signed since he believes the Hispanic market is a major key to the prosperity of WWE. More specifically, he wants wrestlers who can conduct interviews in both English and Spanish. Rosa Mendes in particular has been directed to yell at ringside in Spanish as much as possible since she’s bilingual.
— In episode three of WWE Inbox, WWE Superstars and Divas answer questions on their favorite superhero, favorite television show and funniest wrestler. Alex Riley, Beth Phoenix, Derrick Bateman, Dolph Ziggler, Drew McIntyre, Kaitlyn, Maxine and Rosa Mendes appear.
The episode is available here.
— The official Twitter feed of RESISTANCE Pro has announced that Teddy Hart will not appear on Friday’s show in Chicago, Illinois due to visa problems. He will be replaced by Ricochet. Also advertised for the show is Rhino challenging Harry Smith for the R-Pro Heavyweight Championship.
(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
Cena Mad
– On Monday’s RAW, John Cena made an “angry face” at the camera after Zack Ryder was taken away in an ambulance. WWE is teasing that Cena is finally giving in to the dark side “embracing the hate.”
It’s highly unlikely that John Cena will never undergo a complete heel turn, but his recent storyline with Kane has allowed an emotionally battered Cena to show a darker side.
A possible scenario that’s been discussed for Sunday’s match between Cena and Kane is that Cena will snap on Kane and his anger will explode to the point where he gets himself disqualified.
– Ted DiBiase is backstage for tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings in Tucson, Arizona and sporting a brace on his wrist.
DiBiase has reportedly been trying to downplay his wrist injury to those within WWE.
– Mick Foley’s appearance on the ABC show Wife Swap will be postponed due to President Obama’s State of the Union Address tonight. The episode will air next Tuesday at 9pm EST.
– There is some confusion as to Drew McIntyre’s future on the SmackDown brand. McIntyre was fired by Teddy Long during last wek’s show, but appeared as one of the lumberjacks during the main event.
(Partial credit: pwinsider.com, f4wonline.com)
— Following Daniel Bryan’s victory over Kofi Kingston on Monday’s Raw SuperShow, the World Heavyweight Champion was encountered by Big Show. Bryan offered Show another opportunity for the World Title at any time. The World’s Largest Athlete revealed that SmackDown General Manager Teddy Long granted him a No Disqualification, No Count-out World Title rematch on Friday’s SmackDown.
— On Twitter, a fan wrote to Jim Ross with a message reading “Help Push Drew McIntyre.” The WWE Hall of Famer instead offered McIntyre advice.
Ross wrote, “Drew needs to push Drew. It’s a PROCESS.”
— Brutus Beefcake, Lanny Poffo and Larry Zbyszko have been announced for Wrestlereunion, which takes place January 27-29 at Westin Los Angeles Airport 5400 West Century Blvd. Los Angeles, California.
FCW Star Calvin Raines
— Accounts of Husky Harris competing at Sunday’s SmackDown live event in Baton Rouge, Louisiana are incorrect as it was WWE developmental wrestler Calvin Raines who partnered with Drew McIntyre in a tag team match against Ezekiel Jackson and Trent Barreta.
Jackson was asked on Twitter who his opponent at the event was and he replied Calvin Raines.
— Dennis Haskins, who was known as Mr. Belding on Good Morning, Miss Bliss, Saved by the Bell and Saved by the Bell: The New Class, will appear on AfterBuzzTV.com’s post-show for Raw tonight alongside former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis. The program airs at www.ustream.tv/afterbuzztv immediately following Raw.
Haskins, who is now 61 years old, is pushing a petition on Twitter for the Mr. Belding character to be instated as the General Manager and/or principal of Raw.
— WWE will hold a Raw live event at the EA Diddle Arena in Bowling Green, Kentucky on Saturday, March 24, 2012.
Lilian Garcia At Vince McMahon's Walk of Fame Star (Click To Enlarge)
– While strolling Hollywood Thursday night, SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia came across Vince McMahon’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. She tweeted:
“Walking around Hollywood & guess who’s Star I came across?! LOL What a coincidence!”
– The official Twitter feed of WWE Games is teasing big news.
“January is SUCH a big month for @WWEGames. And that’s not just because of #WWE12… #cryptictweet”
– SmackDown announcer Booker T revealed his “Fave Five” Thursday on Twitter, which ranks his five favorite WWE Superstars.
1. Daniel Bryan
2. Sheamus
3. Wade Barrett
4. Zack Ryder
5. Drew McIntyre
Regarding his #5 pick, Booker T wrote, “Drew hasn’t done much yet but 2012 is his year.”
— Next Friday on the first SmackDown of 2012, World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan will put his title on the line against Big Show and Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes will defend his coveted gold against Booker T.
— Following an unsuccessful stint on Raw, Drew McIntyre returned to Smackdown on Friday’s show. His resolve and worth was called into question by Teddy Long in a backstage segment as the General Manager matched him up against Ezekiel Jackson. If McIntyre couldn’t win, Long said he’d have to start thinking about letting him go. While McIntyre argued with the referee about having his feet on the second rope during an attempted pinfall, Jackson swooped in and grabbed him by the tights to roll him up for the win.
After the match, McIntyre demanded that Long not count the match as a loss, claiming the referee was biased. Long would retort that he disliked losers, but especially ones who make excuses.
— Shelly Martinez posted a video fulfilling Dolph Ziggler’s request to the “Blue Meanie Dance.”
— WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel handled ring announcing duties at this week’s Raw live events.
During a recent interview with the UK’s Daily Record newspaper, WWE Superstar Drew McIntyre spoke about Vince McMahon endorsing him on television shortly after his WWE debut.
“It was obviously a positive thing to hear for me because he had never done that before. But it was a negative in that it caused a lot of resentment and jealousy. Imagine if somebody walked into your workplace and the boss stood up rubbing your head and said, ‘Hey everybody, this is the man here’.
But for me, it has motivated me to live up to that and be the best – to get up to that level. Everybody is like a big family here and we are on the road so much that we see each other more than our families. For me, the big target is to get into the Hall of Fame but I’d like to win the heavyweight title first. I’m putting in all the work and the effort to get there. Wrestling is my life and, if I’m not training or in the gym, then I’m watching videos to learn more about it.”
McIntyre says it still blows his mind that he’s made it to the “big leagues” of WWE and hopes to continue proving himself to the world.
— Hindustan Times has an article on The Great Khali stating that he is preparing for a WWE event slated to take place in India early next year.
“Since it is in my country, this will be my first wrestling before my countrymen, I don’t want to be unprepared for the historical event,” Khali said.
WWE.com announced Khali suffered a fractured fibula following a brutal attack by World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry on the September 30 SmackDown. The angle was conducted to remove the former World Heavyweight Champion from television since his contract is set to expire and will likely not be renewed. He is, however, expected to maintain a relationship with WWE.
— Matches taped Monday night in Atlanta, Georgia for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were Drew McIntyre vs. John Morrison and Tyson Kidd vs. Yoshi Tatsu.
Jey and Jimmy Uso beat Primo and Tito Colon in a dark match prior to the event.
source: ProWrestling.net
Following Monday’s Raw in which John Morrison was defeated by Christian in approximately a minute and subsequently assaulted by Dolph Ziggler, Christian and Jack Swagger, a man wrote to Melina on Twitter accusing her of killing his WWE career.
He wrote, “Will you stand trial for killing your bf’s career? #prayforJoMo.”
The former WWE Diva responded via private message, “The WWE did it. I never did anything but stand by him through thick & thin. We should all be so lucky as to have someone like that in our lives.
“John worked his ass off and did EVERYTHING he was told. The blame shouldn’t be put on me. Blame the WWE.”
Many internally believe that Morrison will soon part ways with WWE. Company personnel speculated to Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer that while Morrison has not upset management, he, like Drew McIntyre, is paying the price for his significant other’s actions.
Former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis made similar allegations during last week’s Raw discussion show for AfterBuzzTV.com after co-host Lilian Garcia pondered why McIntyre and Morrison are not receiving greater pushes.
Maria said of McIntyre, “I have a feeling he’s paid for someone else’s sins, problems, because Drew’s really good. I’d love to see him do more stuff, but it’s unfortunate that that happens.”
Maria then said of Morrison, “I think it’s a lot of complications of outside stuff. I think that a lot of times they go with who’s going to be there, who’s always going to be there, who’s going to be the easiest. He’s very easy and I love him to pieces, but I think it’s outside complications. I think that’s why.”
(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
— Matches taped tonight in Dallas, Texas for this week’s episode of NXT: Redemption are as follows: A.J. vs. Maxine, Derrick Bateman vs. Percy Watson, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks.
A match pitting former Corre teammates Ezekiel Jackson and Heath Slater was taped for WWE Superstars. Matches taped last night in Oklahoma City were Alex Riley vs. Drew McIntyre and JTG vs. Santino Marella.
— Want to have a cyber friend date with Shelly Martinez? Have something you been wanting to ask? Just want to get to know her in a more personal way? Buy some time and have her all to yourself!
Shelly is offering cyber friend dates through ShellyMartinez.org, which allows people to purchase time with the former WWE Diva. Those who book cyber friend dates for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for next week get a two-for-one special: Shelly and Amber O’Neal.
source: ProWrestling.net
Former WWE Divas Maria Kanellis and Lilian Garcia hosted the first edition of their post-Raw show for AfterBuzzTV.com last Monday night (streaming live every Monday night immediately following Raw at http://www.ustream.tv/afterbuzztv). Highlights from the broadcast are as follows:
* Last week’s Raw kicked off with Drew McIntyre competing in his first singles match on WWE’s flagship program in several months, against Randy Orton. The hosts pondered why the Scottish wrestler is not receiving a greater push considering that he possesses extraordinary talent.
Maria cryptically says, “I have a feeling he’s paid for someone else’s sins, problems, because Drew’s really good. I’d love to see him do more stuff, but it’s unfortunate that that happens.”
Another WWE Superstar in the same precarious situation is John Morrison, whose promotion has significantly leveled off since the spring. Lilian pondered later in the show, “I really wonder why he’s not getting a push?”
Maria explains, “I think it’s a lot of complications of outside stuff. I think that a lot of times they go with who’s going to be there, who’s always going to be there, who’s going to be the easiest. He’s very easy and I love him to pieces, but I think it’s outside complications. I think that’s why.”
* Lilian, who handled ring announcing duties for Raw for ten years, explained why it’s been difficult for her to watch the show since leaving WWE in 2009.
She says, “I actually really attempted to watch a show and my stomach was in knots. I did watch WrestleMania, and I tweeted along and it was great, the fans were tweeting right back, it ended up trending worldwide, it was crazy, it was awesome. However, just watching a regular Monday Night Raw, my stomach was in knots, and it was in knots tonight. It’s just that thing of, “Wow, I really did leave.”
“It was my part for ten years. It’s funny because it’s ten years and it seems like it was more because you live and breath it every single day and every single week. You don’t have any down time, and so it’s been hard to watch an episode.”
She continued, “So it’s not like I didn’t like it or didn’t want to, it’s really one of those things where it was sad that I left but at the same time I know I made the right decision.”
The complete show can be accessed here.
— Eve Torres stated on Twitter that she will debut a new look tonight on Raw.
She wrote, “Debuting a bit of a new look tonight… Let me know what you think!”
Meanwhile, The Bellas Twins debuted new ring gear in a match taped for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars—against A.J. and Kaitlyn.
Joey Styles said of their garments: “Their outfits were the greatest ring gear in history!”
Also taped tonight for Superstars was John Morrison vs. Drew McIntyre.
— 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:
* Drew McIntyre vs. Zack Ryder
* Mason Ryan vs. Primo
— Mason Ryan returned to television at tonight’s WWE Superstars taping in Columbus, Ohio as he competed in a match against JTG. The Welsh grappler resumed competing at live events two weeks ago after being sidelined since late June due to an undisclosed injury.
The taping also saw the return of Tyler Reks and Percy Watson to television. Reks, teaming with Curt Hawkins, squared off against Percy Watson and NXT contestant Titus O’Neil. Reks and Hawkins would later appear on Raw Supershow during a backstage segment with Alberto Del Rio.
— Drew McIntyre beat Primo via Future Shock in a dark match.
— ESPN.com published an article on Mick Foley’s recent stand-up comedy appearance at The Brokerage Comedy Club in Bellmore, New York. ESPN mentioned some of his comedy bits and noted “He started the comedy journey 2 1/2 years ago, but took a long layoff while working for TNA Wrestling. Now a free agent, he’s focused on finding the same confidence in comedy that made him a squared-circle icon.”
The article is available here.
— A match pitting John Morrison against R-Truth was taped Monday night in Tulsa, Oklahoma for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars.
— Thanks to suggestions from fans, WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne have officially been named “Air Boom.”
— Alex Riley beat Drew McIntyre in the dark match prior to tonight’s Raw broadcast.
— WWE Studios’ Inside Out starring Triple will premiere on DirecTV Cinema on Saturday, September 10.
source: PWInsider.com
— The following matches were taped tonight in Edmonton, Alberta for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
* Sheamus vs. Heath Slater
* Daniel Bryan vs. Drew McIntyre
— Millennium Wrestling Federation announced Monday that former WWE star The Boogeyman will be returning to the ring for their Saturday, Sept. 17 show in Melrose, Massachusetts. He is replacing Al Snow at the event, which is their tenth anniversary show.
— The Miz stated the following on Twitter regarding tonight’s Raw: “#Raw 9pm est. tonight on @usa_network no more subway I’m done playing with The Game..”
– Many fans have been sending in emails asking Drew McIntyre, who took a nasty bump on RAW along with the Big Show when Mark Henry attacked show, which sent all 3 men off the stage. According to a backstage source, McIntyre was not scripted to fall off the stage and was visibly shaken up backstage following the fall.
– WWE has announced that travel packages for WrestleMania 28 will go on sale next Monday, July 18. For more information, head over to the WWE website.
– The dramatic build to Sunday’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view has been so good that former WWE & TNA star Mick Foley is considering attending the event. The former WWE & TNA star tweeted on Tuesday:
“Thinking about getting a ticket for MITB, just to feel the atmosphere in Chicago as a wrestling fan. Should be amazing.”