– Jake “The Snake” Roberts, who announced in April that he wanted to compete in the 2014 Royal Rumble after resurrecting his life through Diamond Dallas Page and the DDPYoga program, has continued to campaign for a spot in the annual affair. Yesterday on Twitter, he publicized a petition directed to WWE Talent Relations to put him in the match.
The petition states, “Jake has given the fans so much of himself in the ring over the course of his decades spent in the business, let’s give back to him and show our appreciation by voicing our support for the next stage in his journey!” the petition states. “Let’s show WWE that we fans want to see this. Send your mail to WWE, post about this on every kind of social network imaginable, tell your friends and their friends, AND SIGN THIS PETITION! Let’s show WWE that we won’t shut up until Jake Roberts is in the Royal Rumble!”
WWE officials are reportedly aware of Roberts’ desire, but not interested in using him at this time. In August, it was reported in the Wrestling Observer Newsletter that they were not considering him for the match, and if they did, it wouldn’t be until January when the event draws near.
– While serving a 114-day jail sentence earlier this year for repeatedly violating her ex-boyfriend’s restraining order, WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch’s prior contraction of human papillomavirus (HPV) developed into cervical cancer. After declaring in May that she was cancer-free following a hysterectomy, the 40-year-old revealed on Monday that she is not completely clear from the life-threatening illness. Despite this, she remains in positive spirits and plans to conquer the disease.
The former WWE Diva wrote on Facebook on Thursday, “I’ve been sad, depressed, angry, confused, bitter, in denial, upset since Monday when I got the bad news from my oncologist … But this morning, I thought to myself, I’m the toughest, strongest, most resilient bitch I know (I blame that on being a Russian and a sagittarius) so I’m gonna do what I do best when something stands I’m my way…. I’m gonna beat the shit out of then choke out Cancer once and for all! And if ANYONE OR ANYTHING tries to stand in my way, I’ll take you out right along with it! Just try me, biatch! You have NO IDEA who you’re dealing with!! I WILL SURVIVE!!!”
– This Sunday at WWE Hell in a Cell, the WWE Tag Team Championship will be on the line as Cody Rhodes and Goldust defend their titles against Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, as well as Jey and Jimmy Uso, in a Triple Threat Match. In this Tout video, The Shield vow to regain the gold.
Meanwhile, the official WWE website has issued a poll asking fans which duo will walk out of Hell in a Cell with the WWE Tag Team Championship.
– Former WWE Superstar Jake “The Snake” Roberts wrote a message to Bray Wyatt on Twitter praising his efforts (which WWE re-tweeted).
“Love what you are doing,” Roberts stated on Monday. “Reminds of someone else I know. Keep it up.”
– Former WWE Superstar D’Lo Brown turns 43-years-old on Tuesday. Today would have also marked as the 70th birthday of Bad News Brown—he passed away on March 6, 2007 as a result of a heart attack.
-WWE has a new featured article up on their official website celebrating the 15-year anniversary of the infamous Mick Foley bump off the top of the cage during his legendary Hell In A Cell match with The Undertaker. Fans interested in reading that piece can do so online at WWE.com.
-The debut edition of Jake “The Snake” Roberts’ “Snake Radio” show is now online. Fans interested in checking that out can do so below:
The following are highlights from a recent VOC Wrestling Nation interview with DDP Yoga intern Dylan Frymer:
On the progress of Jake “The Snake” Roberts: “I want to make it clear that Jake is a year clean off of cocaine. However, he recently had a problem with alcohol that we documented on YouTube. Since then, I’ve been going on the road with Jake as an accountability partner. I keep him accountable to himself. We’re a tag team on addiction. Food is my addiction, and (Jake and I) help each other.”
On getting involved with DDP Yoga: “In 2008 I was going to meet DDP at a convention in NJ. I was 290 lbs at the time, and I was one of the first people to sign up for the YRG program (the former name of DDP Yoga, “Yoga for Regular Guys”) My mom sent an email to Dallas and he actually responded back to me personally. I was one of the first 10 people to do YRG and I lost 110lbs.”
On moving into DDP’s “Accountability Crib”: “I fell off the wagon after a bout with depression and gained most of the weight back. Depression is real. I was originally approached to come and live here with Jake, but I was in a funk (and said no). Then I saw that Scott Hall moved in and it really impacted my life; I reached out to DDP on facebook and let him know that Scott Hall inspired me to (overcome depression) and that I lost 20lbs. DDP called me and asked me to move into the Accountability Crib and work with him as an intern, and the rest is history.”
Check out the complete interview online at VOCNation.com.
The following are highlights of a new Q&A update from the official website of WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On if TNA offered him a job with full control, would he take it?: “No…not at this time. Zero interest. I’m moving onto other things of interest.”
On Bray Wyatt’s promo skills reminding him of Jake “The Snake” Roberts: “Wyatt grew up in the business so I’d assume he studied many. He’s a student of the game.”
On who would win an amateur wrestling match in their prime: Kurt Angle or Brock Lesnar?: “Hard to say, depends on everyone’s health. Both at their best, it’s hard to pick against a Gold Medalist.”
On the possibilities of becoming a mixed-martial-arts announcer: “Time will tell. I’m interested but not sure if any MMA companies are. I’m sure it would be fun if it were to occur. I’m a big, MMA fan especially UFC.”
Check out more JR Q&A at his official website, JRsBarBQ.com.
– It appears that “recently released” WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes has agreed to wrestle for Pro Wrestling Syndicate, a popular independent promotion based out of New York. PWS tweeted over the weekend:
– The Accountability Crib crew (DDP, Scott Hall and Jake Roberts) recently joined Mick Foley on stage during one of his standup comedy shows. Hall tweeted the following picture of them together:
-Following the successful “#hashtagmania” online video segment by late night host Jimmy Fallon and pop star Justin Timberlake this week, WWE Superstar John Cena is attempting to recruit the guys to do a “#hashtagmania” segment at WrestleMania XXX next year. As of this writing, Fallon has agreed to Cena, but Timberlake is yet to jump on board.
-Former WWE Diva Maryse will be doing commentary once again for the Family Wrestling Entertainment (FWE) promotion during their event coming up on Saturday, October 12th.
-WWE Hall Of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper will be doing a Piper’s Pit segment at the Northeast Wrestling (NEW) Autumn Ambush event on October 5th in Torrington, CT. Piper’s guests will be former WWE Superstars Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes and Jake “The Snake” Roberts.
-Former TNA Knockout So Cal Val officially pleaded not guilty in writing on September 16th to her DUI-related charges stemming from her recent arrest in Florida. Because of that, her arraignment scheduled for the following day was waived. A pre-trial conference is set for October 7th.
-Diamond Dallas Page has added the full HBO Real Sports segment featuring himself and Jake “The Snake” Roberts to his official YouTube channel. Fans interested in checking that segment out can do so below:
-The official website for the E! cable channel has posted a new video preview for this Sunday’s season finale edition of WWE Total Divas, featuring the wedding of Natalya and Tyson Kidd. You can watch that online at EOnline.com.
-Speaking of videos, former WWE Superstar Diamond Dallas Page has posted a new video on his official YouTube channel of himself and WWE legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts as The Odd Couple. For those interested, you can watch that below:
– Jake Roberts noted on Twitter that he, Scott Hall and Diamond Dallas Page are doing an interview with ESPN today.
– Former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler will be appearing on tonight’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live. She filed the episode this morning and tweeted:
“Had a blast on @JimmyKimmelLive w the hilarious @jimmykimmel! Tune in tonight :)”
– WWE Executive Stephanie McMahon Levesque continues to sell off her WWE stock, with another large trade made this week. She sold 8,892 shares on 9/9 (at $10.26 per share) and 25,426 shares on 9/10 (at $10.31 a share). For a full list of WWE stock she has sold this year, visit SEC.gov.
The following are highlights from a recent website Q&A from WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On whether or not the Internet Wrestling Community is killing the business: “Far from it. So, no.”
On whether or not WWE still views Survivor Series as one of the “Big 4” PPVs: “I can only speak for myself but I’d say yes. Having 12 PPV’s makes it challenging for all of them to be special.”
On if he’d like to see Jake “The Snake” Roberts back in WWE, possibly in the Royal Rumble: “I’d love to see Jake clean, sober & healthy living a happy, productive life.”
On if there is a reason WWE holds PPVs on Sunday nights: “I’d assume that there is research to indicate that Sunday is the best night for WWE PPV’s plus it is and has become a tradition that I don’t see changing. Plus, it works well with the cable and satellite operators which is critical.”
On his opinion of Abdullah The Butcher, and if he deserves to be in the WWE Hall Of Fame: “Abby had an amazing, LONG career and was an independent business man who was a main event star around the world. He was unique.”
Check out more Jim Ross Q&A online at JRsBarBQ.com.
-WWE Superstar and long time marijuana advocate Rob Van Dam revealed in a recent podcast that he is thinking about quitting smoking marijuana. RVD used to go by the moniker, “RVD 4:20” and even once appeared on the cover of the infamous High Times magazine. You can check out the new Van Dam podcast online at HipCast.com.
-WWE legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts is currently featured on the official CBS Sports website, as Roberts will be making weekly NFL football picks for the website. You can check that out online at CBSSports.com.
According to reports, the plan as of this week is for both currently injured top WWE Superstars John Cena and Sheamus to be the surprise returns at the 2014 WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view event in January.
One source claimed that if both Cena and Sheamus returned on the same night, in the same match, it’s doubtful that there would be any other surprises, such as Jake “The Snake” Roberts.
-For those who keep track of this kind of stuff, today marks the 11th year anniversary of the day Eric Bischoff, as WWE General Manager, debuted a replica NWA title belt as the new “World Heavyweight Championship.”
-The Ministry Of Slam show is doing a 24-hour Cystic Fibrosis benefit podcast today, featuring tons of pro wrestling merchandise being auctioned off, as well as taped interviews from such wrestling greats as Chris Jericho, Bully Ray, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, Dixie Carter, Gail Kim, Diamond Dallas Page and Nigel McGuinness.
-The latest edition of Entertainment Weekly features an article on the new exhibit that opened in Los Angeles at Project Gallery that features a lot of pro wrestling and boxing photos.
-The following content will be available this week to those with WWE 24/7 Classics On Demand:
–Capital Carnage 1998
–Raw 12/1/97
–Nitro 12/1/97
–SummerSlam 1992 from Wembley Stadium
–TNT 2/7/86
–World Tour 1991
–Bob Backlund vs. Bobby Duncum 12/12/79 Madison Square Garden
–Cactus Jack vs. Jimmy Jack Funk 3/8/89 Wild West Wrestling
–Bruno Sammartino vs. Spyros Arion 8/17/75 Madison Square Garden
–Trish Stratus & Lita vs. Mighty Molly & Ivory 10/22/01 Raw
–Smoking Gunns vs. Owen Hart & Davey Boy Smith 9/22/96 Mind Games PPV
–Chris Adams vs. Steve Austin USWA 5/25/90
–Dynamite Kid vs. Bret Hart boxing match 2/13/81 Calgary
–Roddy Piper vs. The Mountie 2/2/92 IC title match from
–Al Snow vs. William Regal European title 10/16/00 Raw
–Raw 4/5/99
–Worldwide Wrestling 7/31/93
-WWE Superstar Ricardo Rodriguez recently tweeted about his new association with Rob Van Dam. In a recent tweet, Rodriguez wrote:
“Ironic to be in Bakersfield, where it all began for me and Del Rio 3 years ago. But now replacing those three initials of ADR with R.V.D.!”
-Speaking of Twitter, WWE legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts recently revealed on his official Twitter account that he is undergoing an operation to get new hair. Roberts wrote, “Getting new hair today. Feeling good. Procedure started. Gonna look like Heidi Klum when done. #Neograft.”
Roberts posted photos of the operation, which you can check out on Twitter @JakeSnakeDDT.
The following is a preview video of the upcoming HBO “Real Sports” profile on Diamond Dallas Page, which premieres on the premium-cable channel on Tuesday, August 20th at 9:00pm.
The replay schedule after the initial airing on Tuesday is as follows:
–August 20th at 3:10am
–August 22nd at 8:00am and 5:15pm
–August 25th at 9:00am
–August 28th at 1:00pm and 10:00pm
–September 3rd at 7:00pm and 2:25am
–September 7th at 10:30am and 12:30am
Additionally, the show will be available on HBO On Demand from August 26th through September 16th.
-TNA Knockout Velvet Sky was in fact at the TNA Impact Wrestling television taping in Norfolk, Virginia on Thursday. For whatever reason, despite being advertised, Sky was not used during the event.
-As noted, HBO Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel will run a feature that covers Diamond Dallas Page and his work with Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Scott Hall at 9pm on Tuesday night. The replay schedule for the show is as follows:
–August 20th at 3:10am
–August 22nd at 8:00am and 5:15pm
–August 25th at 9:00am
–August 28th at 1:00pm and 10:00pm
–September 3rd at 7:00pm and 2:25am
–September 7th at 10:30am and 12:30am
Additionally, the show will be available on HBO On Demand from August 26th through September 16th.
-WWE Hall Of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase will be appearing at the Central Canadian Comic Con in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada from November 1st through November 3rd.
HBO Sports issued the following press release on Thursday:
REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL PROFILES LEGENDARY WRESTLER DIAMOND DALLAS PAGE; WHEN THE EMMY®-WINNING SHOW RETURNS AUG. 20, EXCLUSIVELY ON HBO
Now in its 19th season, REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL, TV’s most honored sports journalism series and the only sports program recognized with a prestigious 2012 George Foster Peabody Award, presents more enterprising features and reporting when its 197th edition, available in HDTV, debuts at a special time TUESDAY, AUG. 20 (9:00-10:00 p.m. ET/PT), exclusively on HBO.
Other HBO playdates: Aug. 20 (3:10 a.m.), 22 (8:00 a.m., 5:15 p.m.), 25 (9:00 a.m.) and 28 (1:00 p.m., 10:00 p.m.), and Sept. 3 (7:00 p.m., 2:55 a.m.) and 7 (10:30 a.m., 12:30 a.m.)
HBO2 playdates: Aug. 21 (2:20 p.m., 10:00 p.m.), 26 (9:00 a.m.) and 31 (2:30 p.m.), and Sept. 1 (9:05 a.m.), 6 (4:45 p.m.) and 11 (10:00 a.m., 11:55 p.m.)
HBO On Demand® availability: Aug. 26-Sept. 16. The show will also be available on HBO GO®.
Segments include:
*DDP. Few athletes have a tougher life after sports than professional wrestlers. The fast lifestyle that accompanies year-round entertaining across the country can take its toll on bodies and minds, resulting in a disproportionate amount of former wrestlers becoming drug dependent and struggling with mental-health issues. In stark contrast to the sport’s high-flying, musclebound theatrics, yoga is now helping rehabilitate some stars of yesteryear. Diamond Dallas Page, famous for his success in the WCW and WWF, created DDP Yoga after finding that yoga helped ease not only his physical ailments but also his depression, and has striven to help others from his era, most notably Scott “Razor Ramon” Hall and Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Correspondent Frank Deford sits down with the wrestlers to discuss how yoga has helped their lives in a way they never thought possible.
Producer: Maggie Burbank.
REAL SPORTS was the sole sports program recognized by the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism and Mass Communication with a 2012 George F. Peabody Award for broadcast excellence. In addition, it is the only sports program ever honored with the duPont Award, first in 2005 and again in 2012.
At the 34th annual Sports Emmy® Awards on May 7, REAL SPORTS captured two trophies, for Outstanding Edited Sports Series and for Outstanding Long Feature for the Aug. 2012 profile of former New Orleans Saints player Steve Gleason. REAL SPORTS has won the Sports Emmy® for Outstanding Sports Journalism 15 times and has received 25 Sports Emmy® Awards overall.
Follow REAL SPORTS updates on HBO.com/realsports and facebook.com/realsports, or join the conversation on Twitter using #RealSports.
The executive producer of REAL SPORTS WITH BRYANT GUMBEL is Rick Bernstein; Joe Perskie is senior producer.
The following are a few extra excerpts from the latest online blog by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross, where he elaborates on his recent meeting with the currently injured Sheamus, and shares his thoughts on the upcoming HBO Sports feature on Diamond Dallas Page and Jake “The Snake” Roberts.
On the subject of his meeting with Sheamus, JR said, “Had a great conversation with the injured Sheamus this week. He’s really got things in perspective and will return better than ever, likely around the new year but that’s TBD. @WWESheamus is a mature professional who will continue to forge out a distinguished career once he returns from shoulder surgery. The Irishman won’t be one of those guys we read about who’s destitute, down and out, etc once his career in the ring concludes.”
And on the upcoming HBO Sports feature on Diamond Dallas Page and Jake “The Snake” Roberts, JR offered the following comment: “Very cool that the great , Frank Deford is handling the business for the HBO’s Real Sports piece on Scot Hall and Jake Roberts. No, I don’t know when it will air but I am a regular viewer of that show.”
Check out the latest JR blog on his official website, JRsBarBQ.com.
As we reported a few weeks ago, Jake “The Snake” Roberts, with help from his friend Diamond Dallas Page, have been campaigning for Roberts to return to WWE as an entrant in the next Royal Rumble match in 2014. Roberts noted that it would complete his “comeback.”
According to reports, word in WWE is that the company is not even considering Roberts in the Royal Rumble right now, and that if they were to consider him, it wouldn’t be until at least early January.
WWE officials claim if Roberts were to return to WWE for one final appearance in a Royal Rumble, it would likely be a last-minute deal, meaning he would most likely be one of the “surprise entrants” in the match.
-WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley performed another stand-up comedy show on Sunday in Atlanta. The part-time WWE Superstar was joined by fellow pro wrestling legends Diamond Dallas Page, Scott Hall and Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Foley commented on the guys showing up for his performance on Twitter, writing, “An awesome time tonight in Atlanta. Loved reliving old times onstage with @DDPYoga @SCOTTHALLNWO & @JakeSnakeDDT.”
-WWE Hall Of Famer Trish Stratus is taking questions from fans for another edition of “Fan Forum Five.” Fans interested in sending in questions for the former WWE Diva can do so at TrishStratus.com.
-Speaking of former WWE Divas, Candice Michelle recently noted on Twitter that she will serve as the special guest referee at the Wrestling Spectacular 2 event. Michelle will work the Women’s match featuring Angelina Love vs. Mickie James vs. Jillian Hall vs. Katie Lee Burchill vs. Rosita.
-“The Nature Boy” Ric Flair will be making an appearance on Saturday, August 3rd in Ringgold, Georgia at the AWF Arena from 6-8pm. For more information, visit AWFWow.com.
Speaking of Flair, the WWE Hall Of Famer recently posted the following tweet in remembrance of his son, Reid Flair, who tragically passed away earlier thiis year.
-With WWE taking more frequent trips to the European market in recent years, the official website of WWE questions whether or not the WWE European Championship would carry with it more significance these days. You can check out an interesting read titled, “The Forgotten Legacy Of The WWE European Championship” online at WWE.com.
-The story of Jake “The Snake” Roberts attempting to get in one final WWE Royal Rumble match has started to gain some traction with the mainstream media. The story first appeared on TMZ.com, and has since been picked up by The Examiner and the International Business Times.
– The official synopsis for next Sunday night’s episode of Total Divas on E! is as follows: “Eva Marie plans to achieve a winning rank by creating a scheming plan. The Bella Twins take some time off and enjoy a vacation with Bryan Danielson and John Cena. Trinity and Cameron are horrified when they experience a wardrobe malfunction.”
– Jake “The Snake” Roberts will star in Heavy Water, an independent film drama made possible via Kickstarter. The WWE legend portrays Jed, the head of a “family” of street urchins and homeless people, who offers a fresh out of prison character protection and money in exchange for him joining their family. The official YouTube account of Diamond Dallas Page has released the following video of Roberts on the set of the film.
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has been announced to appear at the Montreal Comic Con taking place on Saturday, September 14 at Palais Des Congres 1001, Place Jean-Paul-Riopelle Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Kevin Nash, Maryse Ouellet and Mick Foley will also be on hand for the event that day, as well as the prior Friday and following Sunday.
Celebrity-gossip website TMZ has picked up the story of Jake “The Snake” Roberts turning his life around through the help of fellow pro wrestler Diamond Dallas Page, and his “DDPYoga” workout regimen. The story notes that Roberts has lost 70 pounds in nine months, and is looking to get back into the ring at the ripe-old-age of 58.
They published this before and after picture of his incredible weight loss:
DDP mentions that Roberts started the program doing one or two sessions a day and eating a more clean, healthy diet. He talks about how Roberts not only lost the impressive amount of weight, but the program has also helped him with his infamous drug and alcohol issues.
Another interesting note stemming from the TMZ article is that Roberts apparently has one unfulfilled goal, which is to compete in one more Royal Rumble match in WWE. Roberts made a surprise return at the Royal Rumble match in 1997, his final official “run” with the company outside of a few one-time-only returns here and there.
Roberts spoke about his Royal Rumble goal to TMZ. “I will never give up … I want a life again and I am pursuing that. The Rumble will define it.”
–As noted yesterday, Yahoo! Sports has a lengthy feature on WWE legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts. Throughout the day, the story was trending worldwide on Yahoo. At one point, the story on Roberts was trending number one worldwide.
Roberts commented on the story trending worldwide, tweeting the following:
Im trending on @Yahoo! Would be more excited about it if i knew what the hell it meant . Is it Addictive? Can I do it while doing @DDPYoga
Diamond Dallas Page also posted a tweet about the story trending on Yahoo. DDP wrote:
-Speaking of Roberts, E! Online has a new feature story on “The Snake” up on their website today. You can check that out online at EOnline.com.
-And finally, DDP has released the latest “DDPtv” video from his “Accountability Crib.” The video features Jake Roberts talking about how gardening helps with his recovery. Check out the video below: