– Based on statistics compiled by Hashtagbattle.com, Daniel Bryan actually won the RAW Active poll to determine who would wrestle CM Punk in the main event of the show. With less than 1,000 votes cast, #WWEBryan had 585 tweets, while #WWEKane had 408 tweets. Bryan tweeted on Tuesday:
Is this fair to Daniel Bryan? We think … NO! NO! NO!
– The first downloadable characters for the WWE ’13 videogame will be released on 12/4. The DLC pack includes Tensai, Ryback, AJ Lee, Antonio Cesaro, The Usos, Natalya and Damien Sandow.
– The WWE Studios DVD/Blu-Ray film, “Leprechaun: Origins” starring Hornswoggle is currently scheduled for a March 2013 release.
E!’S “THE SOUP” CELEBRATES WWE IN A SPECIAL EPISODE PREMIERING ON WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 21ST
Following A Regularly Scheduled Episode at 10pm, “The Soup” Host Joel McHale Welcomes WWE’s Biggest Superstars For A No-Holds-Barred Special Salute to WWE at 10:30pm
Los Angeles, CA, November 19, 2012 – Just in time for Thanksgiving, E!’s “The Soup” is serving up a special night filled with not one, but two brand new episodes on Wednesday, November 21st!
Starting at 10pm ET/PT, Joel McHale presents a fresh new episode of “The Soup” with his tongue-in-cheek humor audiences have grown to love. As if that weren’t enough, immediately following at 10:30pm ET/PT, Joel welcomes to the set some of WWE’s most popular Superstars and Divas including The Miz, Eve Torres, Rey Mysterio, Daniel Bryan and Hornswoggle, along with the legendary announcers Michael Cole and Jerry “The King” Lawler for the special episode, ” The Soup Salutes WWE- Pile Driving Clips in your Face.”
CHECK OUT A SNEAK PEEK FEATURING JOEL MCHALE, THE MIZ, EVE TORRES AND HORNSWOGGLE:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AecKn9Qj_TM
Complete with plenty of pec bouncing, “The Soup Salutes WWE- Pile Driving Clips in your Face” delivers the most hilarious WWE moments and themed clips. From David Hasselhoff engaging in creepy conversation with the WWE Divas and Hulk Hogan doggy-paddling Donald Trump to safety, to more ‘sober’ fist pumping on “Jersey Shore” and classy romance on “Love Games,” this special episode continues the tradition of presenting the “best” of the funniest moments in television. Plus, “The Soup” cameras follow as some of the WWE Superstars stop by the “Fashion Police” set to give Joan and Melissa Rivers a run for their money!
So, grab a chair and tune in to a night of “The Soup,” November 21st beginning at 10pm ET/PT, only on E!
– WWE’s mobile app has a video interview up of William Regal, prior to his match against Big Show on RAW. After 30 years in the business, Regal has dubbed himself “Mr. Entertainment” and says that he’s still able to keep up with WWE’s top superstars, even at 44 years old.
– WWE personality Hornswoggle is headed to Los Angeles to film an episode of E’s The Soup, most likely the upcoming WWE-themed episode that will air on 11/26 on the USA Network right after RAW. Hornswoggle tweeted on Wednesday:
“Early flight to LA to film some stuff for @eonline ‘s The Soup! Quite excited as I’m a huge fan of the show! #swogglewithmuppets”
Speaking of Hornswoggle, he’s featured in the latest episode of WWE Superstar Toyz:
– John Cena will indeed be live at Monday’s RAW from Sacramento, California. Cena has announced a Monday morning appearance on syndicated talk show “Live with Kelly & Michael.” Cena posted a Tout video that indicated his interview for Kelly & Michael was pre-taped this weekend. No word yet if that’s the case but if not, he will have to fly from New York to California on Monday.
F4Wonline.com reports that Cena originally was going to miss RAW this week but that changed when the low RAW rating came out last week. As noted, Vince McMahon’s return is another direct response to the low rating.
– Hornswoggle revealed on Twitter that he has been off the road for a few weeks after having his gallbladder removed.
Who needs a gall bladder anyway? As much as I miss home at times when on the road, these 4 weeks home have gotten me anxious! #brutal
– Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara vs. Titus O’Neil and Darren Young in a tag team tournament match will take place on this Monday’s RAW from Sacramento. The other semi-finals match will likely take place on next Friday’s SmackDown – Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow vs. Zack Ryder and Santino Marella.
– Hornswoggle revealed on Twitter that he has been off the road due to gallbladder surgery.
“Who needs a gall bladder anyway? As much as I miss home at times when on the road, these 4 weeks home have gotten me anxious! #brutal”
– On this week’s episode of Z! True Long Island Story, Zack Ryder “apologizes” to WWE for grabbing the brass ring when he was only supposed to reach for it. He also campaigns for a match against Dolph Ziggler at WrestleMania and a “USA Guy” vignette airs. (Watch)
– In today’s birthdays, former WWWF Champion Bruno Sammartino turns 77 years while Barry Darsow (a/k/a Demolition Smash, Repo Man) turns 53 and Afa Jr. (a/k/a Manu) turns 28.
– Shane McMahon is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– On August 25, WWE returns to a kids’ television time slot with WWE Saturday Morning Slam as part of a five-hour television block on The CW. According to F4WOnline.com, kid-friendly Superstar Hornswoggle is under consideration to host the show. WWE officials have long-term plans for the show as they want it to be a success rather than another program with minimal effort put in that ultimately falls by the wayside.
The official description for WWE Saturday Morning Slam reads: “WWE Saturday Morning Slam packs the riveting in-ring action, the larger-than-life WWE Superstars, and WWE’s kid-friendly entertainment into the fastest, most energy-filled half-hour on television. WWE Superstar profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive WWE match every week will all combine to make WWE Saturday Morning Slam the perfect destination for the youngest viewers in the WWE Universe.”
– Rey Mysterio is featured on the cover of the September 2012 issue of WWE Magazine with the headline reading: “MYSTERIO AIR 619 CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF!” Included are interviews with Triple H, Daniel Bryan and Booker T.
– Eve noted on Twitter Friday, “I’ve scheduled an important meeting on #SmackDown tonight…”
The identity of WWE’s abandoned Anonymous RAW General Manager was finally revealed on Monday night.
The Anonymous RAW GM was the Interim General Manager for Monday’s show, with Michael Cole once again reading the GM’s emails from a ringside podium.
WWE’s resident sleuth Santino spent the show investigating the true identity of the mystery authority figure – which turned out to be none other than … Hornswoggle.
Hornswoggle was almost certainly not WWE’s original plan for the character’s identity, but apparently WWE felt the need to give the angle closure and tie up that loose end before a new permanent RAW GM is named on RAW 1,000.
– The Miz will be in New York City on July 19th for the Sirius XM Radio Fantasy Football Kickoff Event at the Hard Rock Cafe. The event begins at 10am.
– John Laurinaitis (“People Power” ring gear from Over The Limit) is rumored to be a playable character in the new WWE 13 video game, in stores October 30th.
– Former WWE Diva Lita will be a celebrity judge for “SugarSlam III: Batter Royal – The Most Delicious Championship in Sports Entertainment.” For more information on the wrestling-themed bake off, visit bakeanddestroy.net.
– Hornswoggle celebrated a birthday this week and it sounds like they had a celebration for him after Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings. He tweeted on Tuesday night:
“Thanks to @johncena for what you did after the cameras stopped rolling tonight! Never thought in a million years that I wouldve gotten that!”
— Alicia Fox, Dolph Ziggler, Hornswoggle, Kaitlyn and Johnny Curtis responding to questions on the worst movie of all-time and “most shocking” WWE moment of all-time in the latest edition of WWE Inbox
— Via Twitter, Paul Heyman was asked to give his opinion on the best female wrestler. He responded, “Easy answer. @TheBethPhoenix. And she could rock in MMA, too.”
— WWE will hold a live event at the Mayo Civic Center in Rochester, Minnesota on Sunday, August 26.
— A photo of Brock Lesnar standing over John Cena is featured on the cover of the latest issue Power Slam.
— WWE Champion CM Punk spoke out on the topic of same sex marriage and Amendment 1 Monday morning on Twitter. Amendment 1 is a controversial topic in North Carolina, as it will define marriage in the state constitution as between one man and one woman, and would ban any other type of “domestic legal union” such as civil unions and domestic partnerships.
Punk wrote, “Amendment 1 is ridiculous. It’s an invasion of people’s rights. North Carolina, why do you care if somebody wants to marry who they love?” Same sex marriage should be legal. The fact that it’s illegal is embarrassing.”
He continued, “Divorce rate is at least 50% between men and women, so don’t give me the values angle. Making same sex marriage illegal is the same as having segregated drinking fountains. Embarrassing. The human race is embarrassing. #evolve”
One of Punk’s Twitter followers disagreed with his beliefs, writing to the WWE Superstar, “Man was meant for woman, and even the thought of homo’s make me sick.” Punk posted his message and wrote “Kill yourself” in response.
— Natalya and Hornswoggle paid a visit to Pleasant Valley Elementary School in Greensboro, North Carolina on Monday to promote WWE’s anti-bullying initiative ‘be a STAR.’ (Photo)
The SmackDown Diva admitted last month on Twitter that most of the bullying she has dealt with has occurred as an adult. Offering advice to a fan who is being bullied, she wrote, “Yes I have been bullied- mostly as an adult, ironically! Stand up for yourself and kill em with kindness.”
— WWE Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston missed this past weekend’s WWE live events due to filming an appearance for Syfy program Fact or Faked: Paranormal Files. United States Champion Santino Marella fill in as R-Truth’s partner in tag team matches.
— Paul Heyaman’s Heyman Hustle site has an exclusive photo gallery up of Brooke Adams and Lisa Marie Varon, which you can check out here.
— From Miss Elizabeth to Sensational Sherri, WWE.com pays tribute to the trailblazing ladies of the 1980s who proved that WWE wasn’t always a man’s world. (Full Story)
— WWE will hold a Supershow on July 8, 2012 at the Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Bell time is 3:00 p.m.
— Hornswoggle accompanied Brodus Clay and his dancers at Sunday’s Raw live event at McKenzie Arena in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
— Hornswoggle is promoting WWE’s anti-bullying campaign today in Greensboro, North Carolina. He tweeted, “Headed to a Greensboro Be A Star Rally. I always look forward to these as they hit close to home with me when I was younger being bullied.”
— A Kevin Nash autograph signing in Allentown, Pennsylvania on Saturday drew over 200 people.
— WWEShop.com has released numerous WrestleMania XXVIII DVD and Blu-ray packages which include programs, T-Shirts and lanyards.
– 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.
– Ratings for SmackDown have taken a downturn in recent months, with the yearly average dropping down to a 1.97 after last week’s show. This is the same average rating SmackDown drew for 2011, so WWE has lost the progress SmackDown made after many shows this year drawing above 2.0.
– Brodus Clay teamed up with his “little brother” Hornswoggle on SmackDown in a tag team match against Hunico and Camacho:
Hornswoggle tweeted the following about his new partner:
“Had an amazing time joining @BrodusClay on #SmackDown tonight!!! WWE Universe, tell “them” that you want to see more of the “Tiny-Dactyl”!”
– The official WWE website has a new article up looking at the dominant first month of Ryback’s career “as he paves a destructive path where mere mortals fear to tread.” The article says Ryback “channels” five powerful WWE legends with his destructive in-ring style: The Ultimate Warrior, Goldberg, Psycho Sid, JBL and Bam Bam Bigelow.
Here is video of Ryback’s match from SmackDown against a “local athlete” –
— WWE.com is advertising a Six-Man Tag Team match for tonight’s episode of SmackDown on Syfy as World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus, Randy Orton and The Great Khali will join forces against Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan and Mark Henry. Other matches airing include AJ vs. Natalya, Brodus Clay and Hornswoggle vs. Camacho and Hunico, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil, Ryback vs. James Lerman and Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio.
— Brodie Lee, who recently signed a developmental contract with WWE, will report to Florida Championship Wrestling shortly. He concluded his independent wrestling commitments over the weekend.
— WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase has changed his Twitter handle to twitter.com/MDMTedDiBiase.
— Former WWE star Johnny Stamboli turns 35 years old today.
Following Zack Ryder’s rally prior to Monday’s Raw SuperShow in which he lobbied to become part of Team Teddy at WrestleMania XXVIII, Long Island Iced Z informed SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long that if he was accepted onto the team, The Great Khali would join as well. Long agreed, with Hornswoggle named the team’s mascot.
The updated card for the pay-per-view event taking place April 1 in Miami, Florida is as follows:
* The Rock vs. John Cena
* The Undertaker vs. Triple H (Hell in a Cell Match with Shawn Michaels as the special referee)
* Team Teddy vs. Team Johnny (Kofi Kingston, R-Truth, Santino Marella, The Great Khali, Zack Ryder and TBA vs. Christian, David Otunga, Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger, Mark Henry and TBA)
* WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho
* World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Sheamus
* Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes vs. Big Show
* Randy Orton vs. Kane
* Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos vs. Divas Champion Beth Phoenix and Eve
– Tonight’s SmackDown tapings will take place from the Ntionwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. As announced on RAW, Christian will host the Peep Show with special guests Teddy Long and John Laurinaitis. We’ll have live spoilers on the site later tonight.
– Among the WWE-related topics that trended on Twitter on Monday night:
CM Drunk, John Cena, Vanilla Ice, Teletubby, The Rock Concert, Dolph Ziggler, Brodus Clay, Beth Phoenix, James Roday, Mark Henry, and Vickie Guerrero.
– Hornswoggle tweeted the following message on Monday night regarding The Rock and John Cena. Clearly,
“Glad @TheRock needs to sing karaoke to get his $hit in. @JohnCena will always be a true professional, doesn’t need scripted lines, bullet points, or #stupidsrxualinuendos like @TheRock”
– As seen on RAW, WWE aired a vignette for The Law Offices of David Otunga. Otunga posted on Twitter:
“The Law offices of @DavidOtunga are now open. Have you have been wronged? Tweet me. You can trust me, I went to Harvard. @WWE #RAW”
– WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin has wrapped filming on his new movie Recoil and will begin doing promotional work for the movie today. The straight-to-DVD action film, which was released on Tuesday, can be purchased online at Amazon.com.
– Hornswoggle, who was featured in an angle at Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings, tweeted the following after the show:
— WWE interviewed more than 75 Superstars, Divas, and Hall of Famers in anticipation of WrestleMania XXVIII, asking them all one question: “What is your WrestleMania moment?” Kelly Kelly, however, says she’s still waiting for her’s.
“I’ve never contested a singles match at ‘Mania—I’ve always been in either Lumberjill bouts or a Battle Royal. I’m praying that, in years to come, I will have that tag bout or singles match or whatnot,” she says in their WrestleMania XXVIII issue.
“At The 25th Anniversary of WrestleMania, we had Torrie Wilson, Jackie Gayda and Molly Holly come in. They’re Divas I used to watch when I was younger, so it was really cool just to be in the same ring with them. I’ve rewatched the match, but I’m still waiting for that moment.”
She continues, “I make sure to keep all of my outfits, though; they’re in a big suitcase. But they’re little outfits, so they don’t take up much room.”
— WWE.com has published a photo gallery of every wrestler to fall victim to The Undertaker at WrestleMania.
— Aksana and Hornswoggle will appear at the March 11 Columbus Blue Jackets game taking place at Nationwide Arena 200 W. Nationwide Blvd. Columbus, Ohio. Game time is 6:00 p.m.
— The December 9, 2011 episode of WWE SmackDown drew a 2.24 cable rating, with 3.238 million viewers. This is up from the previous week’s live special, which drew a 2.0.
— WWE.com has announced that the first Slammy Award to be presented on tonight’s Raw SuperShow will be “Tell Me I Did NOT Just See That” Moment of the Year, by Booker T and Hornswoggle.
The nominees in this jawdropping category are as follows:
* Santino Marella almost winning the 2011 Royal Rumble
* The Miz hitting John Cena with a Rock Bottom while dressed like The Rock
* R-Truth losing a WWE Title Match due to “Little Jimmy”
Returning to WWE after a more than two-year hiatus, Lilian Garcia appeared on Friday’s episode of SmackDown as the program’s new ring announcer.
Tony Chimel introduced Garcia to the live audience at the start of the broadcast, who was already standing in the ring. As Garcia talked about how great it was to be back, she was interrupted by Cody Rhodes, who was standing on the announce table. Rhodes said no one cares she is back since no one noticed she had left. Garcia danced with Hornswoggle later during the show, which gave commentator Michael Cole the opportunity to air a crass backstage joke.
He cracked, “I wish these two would stop horsing around!”
The reference stems from those in WWE’s “inner circle”—Vince McMahon, Triple H, television producer Kevin Dunn and the since departed John “Bradshaw” Layfield—often joking that Garcia has a horse-shaped face. The crass joke was passed around backstage years ago and ultimately acknowledged on television by Layfield and Hunter to amuse company employees. Though Garcia has publicly taken the joke in stride, Mick Foley took offense to Hunter demeaning the “Decade Diva” during an episode of Raw last year in which she had filled in for regular ring announcer Justin Roberts.
He wrote online after watching on television Triple H tell Garcia she can always return to WWE to “horse around,” “Why does someone like Triple H, one of the most talented, well paid guys in the business, do something so shallow and mean? Why would a multi-millionaire, with millions of fans around the world, feel the need (several times over the years) to say something that is only meant to hurt? I don’t get it. I don’t get why it’s done, I don’t get why it’s condoned, I don’t get what possible satisfaction anyone involved gets from demeaning someone like Lillian Garcia. I just don’t get it.”
The latest reference was likely directed by Triple H, who filled in for McMahon at Tuesday’s SmackDown taping since the WWE CEO was off visiting U.S. Armed Forces serving in Afghanistan and Kyrgyzstan. Cole is the mouthpiece of the program director, as he is fed lines via headset. It was not the only mean-spirited remark on Friday’s show as Cole made light of Jim Ross suffering from Bell’s palsy after Josh Mathews said Cole speaks out of both sides of his mouth.
Cole quipped, “Actually, there is nothing wrong with my mouth, unlike J.R.’s.”
— WWE officials have discussed bringing in a mini-wrestler to feud with Hornswoggle in 2012. Mascarita Dorado, one of the top mini-wrestlers in Mexico, is under consideration for the role following a strong performance at an evaluation session last month in Mexico City.
— WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper tweeted the following Friday:
“In LA. Things starting to heat up. I have a surprize. It will come out Monday. But that’s just the beginning!! Dieing to get Rowdy. I’m also going to Toronto to do the longest running show in Canada. Dec 1st. Doc told me 6 months to fix neck. Got it done in 2 months.”
— WWE will hold a SmackDown taping on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 at the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California.
– Today would have been the 59th birthday of wrestling legend Randy Savage. Savage passed away on May 20th of this year after suffering a fatal heart attack while driving.
– On Monday’s RAW, we saw the debut of a new Mark Henry t-shirt. That t-shirt, along with a new “retro” items, are now on sale at the WWE Shop website.
– WWE’s SmackDown brand will be at the Maverik Center in West Valley City, Utah on Super Bowl Sunday, February 5th for a 1pm show. Tickets for that show go on sale this Friday, November 18th.
– After making his WWE television return on RAW several weeks ago when the Muppets were guest hosts, WWE is advertising Hornswoggle for several upcoming SmackDown live events.
Prior to her release from WWE last month, WWE was planning to start a “love interest” storyline with former Diva Maryse and Hornswoggle.
— Chris Jericho has once again responded to query regarding a return to WWE.
He was asked Saturday on Twitter if he will be returning to WWE and responded, “Still no plans right now.”
He also said it was a “Dumb move on their part” to not include him in WWE ’12.
— Hornswoggle followed through on his Muppet tattoo promise to TMZ by getting Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, Statler and Waldorf inked to his body—joining his Kermit, Miss Piggy, Animal, Bunsen and Beaker tats.
He got inked in honor of the Muppets’ visit to Raw SuperShow. The smallest member of the WWE roster is a big Muppets fan so he’s adding to his Muppets tattoo collection before Monday night. Images are available here.
— “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan has been added to The Big Event, which takes place Saturday, November 12 at the Courtyard Marriott LaGuardia Airport 9010 Ditmars Blvd East Elmhurst, New York.
– After Monday’s RAW Supershow from Cleveland went off the air, the advertised dark match main event between John Cena, CM Punk and Alberto Del Rio took place. Cena defeated both men in a triple threat match to retain the WWE championship after nailing Del Rio with an Attitude Adjustment and getting the pin.
After the match, and Punk stared each other down. When it looked like they were about to go at it, Punk raised Cena’s hand and they posed for fans and signed autographs to close the show.
– As we reported on Monday, Disney’s Muppets will be guest starring on the October 31st Halloween edition of WWE RAW. WWE’s resident muppet, Hornswoggle, is petitioning fans to help him get on the show. Horny tweeted:
“If I were to be at the Halloween Raw with @MuppetsStudio it would be a total dream come true. Make it happen WWE Universe!!! #swoggleatmuppetsraw”