– Justin Roberts was conspicuously absent from Monday’s Raw SuperShow as Lilian Garcia instead handled ring announcing duties. It was a one-off appearance.
Garcia stated on Twitter, “Justin was on vacation. He will be back next week. :)”
It was Garcia’s first appearance on the program since 2010.
– Matches taped Tuesday night in Evansville, Indiana for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were:
* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Camacho and Hunico
* Sin Cara vs. Antonio Cesaro (with Aksana)
* Kane vs. Heath Slater
* Epico and Primo (with Rosa Mendes) vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil (with A.W.)
Brodus Clay beat Drew McIntyre in approximately two minutes in a pre-show dark match. McIntyre worked Clay’s injured knee, but Clay prevailed and won with the running splash.
– Honoring the 1,000th episode of Raw on July 23, Sycho Sid competed in his first match on the program in over fifteen years on Monday’s show. He easily defeated Heath Slater. Speaking to WWE.com, Sid explained how good of a feeling it was to return to Raw.
“Maybe two or three people could really know what this means to me. This is, and I’m not exaggerating, this is the greatest moment in my whole life right now,” he says. “I’ll let you know what I’ve been through, how long it’s taken to get back to where I’m at now. This is like going from playing a sandlot game to being in Major League Baseball. I have never been more happy in my whole life.”
– As a practical joke, Japanese wrestler Kota Ibushi tweeted a nude photo of Taka Michinoku from a locker room over the weekend. Michinoku competed for WWE from 1997 to 2001 and now wrestles for various Japanese promotions.
Heath Slater joined Washington Redskins defensive end Adam Carriker and Chuck Carroll on this week’s “4th & Pain” — the only pro wrestling show hosted by an NFL player.
It was Carriker’s first time being on the other side of an interview and actually ASKING the questions.
Slater talked a lot about facing Vader on last Monday’s RAW. Like Carroll, he was scared of Vader growing up. That big smoke-shooting helmet he’d wear to the ring was frightening.
He also talked about his goals for the second half of 2012 and how he’s able to keep his name out in the WWE Universe when he’s not necessarily getting as much TV time as he’d hope for.
What it was like to face Vader: “I guess it was bittersweet, you could say. Growing up watching him I was scared to death and I had to get in the ring with him. I’ve been trained and everything and it’s like the only thing I’ve ever remember him by is destroying people, as you can see he pretty much destroyed me, but we don’t really have to talk to in on that . . . it was one of those things, he’s like 6-5, close to 400 pounds and here I am 6-3, 230 looking good, but the fact of the matter is he’s a mastodon of mayhem and I’m just the southern rock band trying to play a tune on his head and I just couldn’t get my tune right.”
Whether Vader has lost a step: “Honestly, he can still hit as hard as he could. And judging by the people’s response, they started chanting ‘You still go it.’ So, I guess the WWE Universe . . . they think he’s still has it. You never really know. He did beat me, so what can I say?”
Coming up short in the match: “Honestly, deep down inside I was giving my best, but it was just too much man for me to handle, I guess.”
Watching Vader as a child: “I was just like you as a little kid, you know, scared to death to see it. So, no, I’m glad he didn’t wear it. I probably would left the ring and ran out!
“It’s like one of those things, you were scared to death of his as a kid, and here I am in the ring looking at him coming down the ramp and the people going crazy and everything… It’s just like the goose bump feelings when you get that little knot in your throat. You’re just like, ‘Oh my God this is really happening.’ Like, I might as well just swallow my pride and give it my all.”
Predictions for his career in the second half of 2012: “I’m hoping to just stay around and get my (Intercontinental Championship) title shot against my old pro, Christian, and become a champion by the end of the year. But then again, you never know where the ball drops or falls with this company in WWE. I’m just keeping my head up and swinging the bat as many times as a I can. If the ball ever comes in my court I’m going to grab it and take off running as far and as fast as I can with it.”
Keeping his name visible “That’s what social media is for, I’m guessing. You don’t really know when and where they’re going to put you or where you’re going to be. So, you’ve got to just keep up with Twitter and Facebook to keep your name fresh out there and try to just get in when you can.”
– WWE developmental wrestler Big E Langston competed at Saturday’s SmackDown live event in Salisbury, Maryland, defeating Heath Slater.
– Sorta-crazy / definitely hot WWE diva AJ Lee didn’t have a great week. She tweeted on Saturday:
“This week I got my 1st ticket, got bit by a spider, had to bring my dog to the ER, & got in my 1st car accident. I desperately need a hug. I am seriously hoping I attain super powers from the spider bite. Kinda putting a lot of eggs in that basket.”
– Harry Smith will appear at The Fox and Fiddle in Toronto at 535 Danforth Avenue signing autographs.
– Mick Foley has been announced to appear at the Southern Maryland Comic Con. The event takes place Saturday, July 7 at Capital Clubhouse 3033 Waldorf Market Place Waldorf, Maryland.
Things are heating up between Heath Slater and WrestleMania 28 Flo Rida – and its looking like we might actually see a match between these two.
To recap, Flo Rida was at WrestleMania 28 and attacked Heath Slater backstage. Slater had some strong words for Flo Rida, which prompted Flo Rida to post a YouTube video showing him training and telling Heath Slater that he’s coming for him. [View Here].
WWE has now released a video from a recent live event – with Heath Slater attacking Flo Rida. Heath Slater is shown kicking open the door of a room while Flo Rida was talking to someone on the phone. Slater shoved Flo Rida to the ground and stood over him, stating that he’s not a joke as the rapper holds his hands up for protection.
Here’s the video of Heath Slater getting payback on Flo Rida:
– There has been a lot of talk in recent weeks as to whether Chris Jericho will remain with WWE after this summer, when his band Fozzy goes on tour. Jericho has stated on several occasions that he will be leaving WWE once again to tour with Fozzy, but Jericho is a seasoned pro at floating false information and misleading the wrestling media. Upon speaking with people close to Jericho, the feeling is that if he does leave this summer to tour with Fozzy, he’ll be back in WWE full time after the summer.
– WWE has fired back at Linda McMahon political opponent Christopher Shays after Shays recently told the Weekly Standard that WWE is all about “violence, bullying, degradation of minorities and women.” Here is an excerpt from WWE spokesman Robert Zimmerman’s letter to Shays:
“With regard to our content being “violent,” WWE programming, like Hollywood movies and Broadway shows, is an exciting blend of action, characters and fictional storylines of good versus evil that entertains millions every week, including approximately 300,000 fans here in Connecticut. Our performers are professionals who have spent many years training to perfect the athletic and choreographed maneuvers in our shows. Your assertion that our content is “violent” is in direct conflict with the standards and practices departments of our current TV network distributors who have rated our programming TV-PG.
With regard to “degradation of minorities and women,” you should know that our shows are some of TV’s highest-rated programming and are watched by the very audiences, minorities and women, you claim that we disregard and “degrade.” In fact, Monday Night Raw is the most-watched entertainment program on primetime cable among Hispanic viewers and number four among African-Americans. Also nearly 40% of our audience is female. We would not have 13 million weekly TV viewers in the U.S. if they felt our programming was insulting or degrading.
Our company started with 13 employees and has grown to nearly 700 employees, which speaks to the quality and staying power of our product and our organization. WWE’s programming may not be your personal choice of entertainment, but that does not give you the right to recklessly damage our corporate reputation. We would appreciate a public apology and an assurance that you will not continue to unfairly denigrate our company.”
— After his run-in with Heath Slater at WrestleMania XXVIII, rapper Flo Rida has posted a video on his official YouTube page that shows him training to fight The One-Man Southern Rock Band.
Flo Rida is seen punching pads with photos of the WWE Superstar taped on them. He states, “Heath Slater, I’m coming for you … I don’t like talk, I like action.”
— The official website of the Scottrade Center is advertisingRaw SuperShow on July 23, 2012 as the historic 1000th episode of the program. The start time is set for 6:15 p.m., which suggests it will be a three-hour episode.
— WWE returns to the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. on Saturday, December 29, 2012. It will be a Raw SuperShow taping airing on New Year’s Eve. Tickets officially go on sale this Saturday via Ticketmaster.
Rikishi fired off a series of messages on his Twitter account Tuesday evening criticizing WWE for not utilizing him on the “Blast from the Past” edition of SuperSmackDown Live. His sons, Jey and Jimmy Uso, competed against Heath Slater and Tyson Kidd on the live broadcast and he strongly feels he should have accompanied them for their match. The former WWE Superstar wrote:
* I wanted to be there with my sons @WWEUSOS but you know the deal. #NoDeal I want what I want @WWE!!! Sry fans maybe next time on @TERRITORYLEAGUE
* U can’t play this . I put in my time to call my own shots in this business.. find another SUCKER !!! You loss I WIN …
* Dnt be scared to put me on TV . I won’t steal the show. But you know I’m damn sho gonna give the ppl what they wanna see.POP GOES THE CROWD
* You say #blastfromthepast . I say #blastmyazz .. I’m too legit to quit !!! Dancin off u can’t touch this !! Ppls request ,, #kidgames
* The ppl are NOT stupid !! I see all ur tweets… I’m not a greedy man . I’m a fair man !! But I’m NOT dumb either. POP GOES THE CROWD!!
Rikishi also retweeted a message from wrestler cousin Black Pearl ripping his sons’ segment on the show: “Boring ass segment with no pop.. should of paid @TheREALRIKISHI what he deserves.. #epicfail cover up.”
— WWE posted this photo Wednesday of Rey Mysterio meeting media in Miami, Florida. The account tweeted, “Rey Mysterio talks to Telemundo @holtzchildren @jhsmiami about meeting the kids at the hospital.”
Mysterio stated in recent months that he hoped to return from injury in time for WrestleMania XXVIII, but a match did not come to fruition.
— WWE.com has published an article officially announcing Randy Orton’s starring role in The Marine: Homefront, the third installment of WWE Studios’ Marine franchise. Fans will be able to get a first look at production of the film during this weekend’s WrestleMania Axxess in Miami, where fans can audition for a small role in the screenplay.
Production for the straight-to-video release begins June 11 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Orton plays a Marine who must rescue his kidnapped daughter.
— Numerous WWE stars were on hand for Lilian Garcia’s concert Wednesday evening at the Gibson Miami Showroom including Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Vickie Guerrero, Ezekiel Jackson, Heath Slater, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Jinder Mahal, Justin Gabriel, Maxine, Titus O’Neil, Aksana and John Laurinaitis.
— WWE e-mailed a general schedule to people attending WrestleMania Axxess and former WWE Diva Lita will be among the stars on hand for the festivities. The former WWE Women’s Champion is advertised to appear at the event on WrestleMania XXVIII morning at 8:00 a.m.
— Matches taped Tuesday night at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows:
* Heath Slater vs. Justin Gabriel
* Jinder Mahal vs. Ted DiBiase
— On behalf of ‘be a STAR,’ the anti-bullying alliance co-founded by WWE and The Creative Coalition, David Otunga spoke at an anti-bullying rally in Springfield, Massachusetts on Monday.
“Most people know me as being a WWE superstar in this larger than life character with muscles, larger than life, even arrogant character, but they don’t know that when I was a kid I was just like them,” Otunga told www.wwlp.com. “I was insecure, I was short I was picked on, I had thick glasses and I was smart, that didn’t help, because everyone called me a nerd.”
— A press conference Thursday to kick off WWE’s first-ever live event tour in Abu Dhabi “turned chaotic” when Kane attacked John Cena, according to WWE.com. Cena, however, put The Big Red Monster through a table in front of members of the media.
Video and photos of the incident are available here.
— Through Twitter, Marco Corleone has been lobbying Alex Koslov (a/k/a Peter Orlov) to return to EMLL following his release from WWE last week.
— Matches airing on today’s episode of WWE Superstars on WWE.com are Johnny Curtis vs. Yoshi Tatsu, Heath Slater vs. Justin Gabriel, Jack Swagger vs. Santino Marella and tag team action pitting Epico and Primo against JTG and Michael McGillicutty.
— In today’s birthdays, Shelly Martinez turns 32 years old while Madusa turns 49.
— Matches taped tonight at the BOK Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma for this week’s episode of WWE NXT Redemption are as follows:
* Derrick Bateman vs. Heath Slater
* Darren Young vs. Percy Watson
* Trent Barreta vs. Tyson Kidd
* Kaitlyn vs. Maxine
* Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks vs. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso
— Brodus Clay squashed WWE developmental wrestler Damien Sandow in a dark match at tonight’s SmackDown SuperShow taping in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Sandow was accompanied by Abraham Washington.
— The February 4 episode of A.M. Raw garnered a 0.59 cable rating, with 723,000 viewers.
— During CM Punk’s appearance on the latest edition of Colt Cabana’s Art Of Wrestling Radio podcast (available on WeLoveColt.com and iTunes), the reigning champion took a swipe at WWE’s Twitter initiative.
“I am on Twitter at CMPunk; that is my satirical way of making fun of how the WWE has beat the living shit out of Twitter in the last couple of weeks,” he said.
— With new allies Epico and Rosa Mendes in his corner, Primo earned an upset victory over WWE Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston on this week’s episode of WWE Superstars. The episode can be accessed at WWE.com. Other matches broadcast include JTG vs. Santino Marella and Heath Slater vs. Ted DiBiase.
— Former WWE Diva Serena Deeb has been announced for K & S Wrestlefest, which takes place this Saturday at the Ramada Philadelphia Airport 76 Industrial Hwy. Essington, Pennsylvania.
— Heath Slater’s thirty-day suspension for his first violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program expired on Tuesday. Therefore, he is now eligible to resume performing for the organization.
WWE announced on October 17, 2011 that the SmackDown Superstar had been suspended for thirty days due to his non-compliance with their drug testing policy.
One other wrestler is currently serving suspension: Evan Bourne. He is eligible to return to action on December 1, 2011.
— WWE held tryouts last week during their tour of the United Kingdom. Among those participating were European female wrestlers Rachel Walker and Jazzy.
— Mike Graham’s restaurant in Hernando, Florida is facing foreclosure.
Heath Miller, who WWE suspended Monday for 30 days due to his first violation of their Talent Wellness Program, issued a statement Friday concerning the event. “Mr. Excitement” wrote:
“As most of you already know, I am going to be out of the WWE spotlight for the next few weeks. Of course everyone is going to form thier own opinions on why that is but I don’t feel the need to explain myself to all the SLATER HATERS out there running thier mouths. There R plenty going to focus all my efforts on being the best Superstar I can be – MENTALLY AND PHYSICALLY… TO MYSELF, MY FRIENDS, FAMILY AND TRUE FANS.
“I am truly sorry to have disappointed you. I made a simple mistake… everyone does once in a while. But trust me when I say I will NOT be making this one again. I PROMISE upon my return you will see a more determined, fearless, confident and improved person. Im going to be THE MAN I WANT TO BE. So let the countdown start…”
WWE has suspended Heath Slater for 30 days for violating the Wellness Policy. It was his first violation.
The official statement from the WWE website reads:
“In accordance with its Talent Wellness Program, WWE has suspended Heath Miller (Heath Slater) for 30 days effective immediately for his first violation of the company’s policy.”
— 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.
— 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.
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.
— Nola.com reports that production for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s next movie, Snitch, is scheduled from December 3 to January 20 in Shreveport, Louisiana. The movie co-stars Academy Award award-winning actress Susan Sarandon.
— Mike Mondo, who formerly competed as Mikey in WWE, has signed a contract with Ring of Honor.
— Immediately after Sin Cara’s victory over Heath Slater on SmackDown, the second Sin Cara appeared on the TitanTron. Ripping off his blue mask to reveal a black and silver one underneath, he claimed that the Sin Cara in the ring had once stolen his identity. He then declared a match this Sunday at Hell in a Cell to decide who has the right to be called Sin Cara.
— 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.
— 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..”
WWE star Heath Slater has been accused of a violent assault on a female security guard during WrestleMania 27 weekend in Atlanta, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper.
Corinne Oliver, a security guard who works for Allied Barton security, says Heath Slater approached her in the early morning of April 4th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and allegedly put her in a chokehold and tried taking her into his hotel room.
Police are still investigating the matter and no charges have been filed against Slater yet.
“She basically said he [Slater] approached her and asked her to go to his room,” Oliver’s laywyer said. “She said no. He started telling her she was pretty and those type things. The next thing you know she was in a chokehold, and he was dragging her and bending her backward, trying to get her on the elevator to his room. She violently had to struggle to get his arm from around her neck.”
Oliver says she told her supervisor about the alleged assault immediately after it happened. After months of inaction by her bosses, the woman filed a police report on June 22nd. Her lawyer says she contacted police after supervisors told her for months they were going to handle it.
WWE is keeping distance from the situation. WWE spokesman Jerry McDevitt has commented:
“The alleged victim is making claims against Slater individually, and it’s being investigated. This has nothing to do with the WWE.”
Looking back at Heath Slater’s Twitter account, it appears that he did not make any tweetd during WrestleMania weekend. Slater returned to Twitter on April 6th with the following tweet:
“Just got home from a long, yet exciting,fun, and life changing week.. You have to love the WWE..”
— Both John Morrison and R-Truth are backstage at tonight’s SmackDown taping in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
— A match pitting Heath Slater against Trent Barreta was taped for this Thursday’s episode of WWE Superstars.
— Justin Gabriel beat WWE developmental wrestler Hunico in a dark match prior to tonight’s SmackDown taping in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Gabriel hit the 450° splash on the masked grappler for the win.
— The July 23 episode of A.M. Raw did a 0.37 rating, with 452,000 viewers.