– A Six-Man Tag Team Match highlights this week’s episode of WWE Superstars as The Usos and The Great Khali square off against The Prime Time Players and The Miz. Plus, The Funkadactyls go up against Alicia Fox and Aksana. Highlights from both matches are available here.
– The official WWE website has issued a poll asking fans which personality showcased the most infamous gimmick in [wrestling] history. The options are The Gobbledy Gooker, Doink the Clown, The Boogeyman, The Dynamic Dudes, The Red Rooster, The Mountie, Akeem, Disco Inferno, Glacier and Giant Gonzales.
Wade Barrett, who has not appeared on WWE’s television shows since August, defeated Damien Sandow in a dark match prior to tonight’s Raw taping in Manchester, England at Phones 4u Arena. Fellow countryman William Regal handled ring announcing duties.
In a match taped for WWE Superstars, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso and The Great Khali squared off against The Prime Time Players and The Miz.
In Divas action, The Funkadactyls, Cameron and Naomi, squared off against Alicia Fox and Aksana.
Tonight at WWE Hell in a Cell, Cody Rhodes and Goldust will defend the WWE Tag Team Championship against the team of Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins, as well as Jey and Jimmy Uso. Should the Usos capture the gold tonight, it will be in honor of their late uncle, Umaga, who they pay tribute to inside the ring through face paint.
“We owe our whole wrestling careers to my late uncle Umaga,” said Jimmy. “He was the one who grabbed us from a bad situation in a bar at 2:30 in the morning, and drove use from Houston, Texas, to Florida, where he lived. He told us we needed to change our lives because it wasn’t working out. That’s why our paint tribute is so cool. Every time we put it on, I still feel like he’s there with us. It makes us feel like part of The Samoan Bulldozer. We’re a bulldozer, we’re reckless. We can’t get hurt. Bulldozers are made to knock stuff down. And that’s how we feel when that paint is on us. It’s the coolest thing ever man. I love getting painted up because my uncle is here with us. It’s all because of him.”
Jey adds, “No one ever knows our struggle. We say, “Day 1,” every day. They don’t see behind what got us here, how we had to work to get here. And when we got here, we had to keep working, keep pushing. The day we do win the Tag Team Titles, that’s for my family. That’s for all the Usos around the world, especially Umaga. That’s No. 1 for him. My first title win is strictly for Umaga—he knows that, and my brother knows that.”
Jimmy also explained what the term “Uce” means—friends of Umaga would often refer to him by that name and it is often used around the Usos: “Uce means your friend. I even said that to Cameron’s boyfriend, whom I just met not long ago. He was like, “What do you keep calling me?” It means “brother” in Samoan. It means you’re my friend. It’s another slang word for “bro,” or something of that nature. My brother says it so much. When we hear some of the boys calling each other, they say that. It’s pretty cool. We heard Wade Barrett talking to Heath Slater once, and he said, “Yeah Uce!” That’s funny. I was like, what the…? It catches on like that. I introduced myself to my fiancée as “Uce” when we first started talking. That’s weird. And Umaga’s dog’s name was Uce. I want to name mine that when I get one.”
– The originally scheduled main event for Monday’s Raw in Memphis, Tennessee was to have featured WWE Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes and Goldust vs. The Shield in a Handicap Match. Vince McMahon, however, changed creative plans over the course of the day, as a Triple Threat Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship was instead announced for this Sunday at Hell in a Cell (Cody Rhodes and Goldust will defend their belts against The Shield and the Uso brothers) and United States Champion Dean Ambrose vs. Daniel Bryan was added to the show at the last minute.
Speaking of Ambrose, he appeared to have tweaked his knee after being tossed out of the ring during his show-opening match against Bryan. He was limping slightly backstage following the match, but it is not considered serious.
– In a tag team match pitting Hell in a Cell opponents, CM Punk and Big E Langston defeated Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel and Ryback on Raw. Following the bout, there was a lot of talk backstage of Punk appearing hurt.
– While Xavier Woods was backstage at Raw, there were no plans for him to appear on the broadcast.
– 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 “Backstage Fallout” video for Raw, The Shield and the brother duo vow to regain the gold. Plus, AJ Lee appears almost speechless after losing her match against Brie Bella.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sd4g9dZi2u8
– This week’s WWE Classics On Demand updates are as follows: WWE Payback (June 16 2013), WWF at Madison Square Garden (December 29, 1991, featuring “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith vs. Berzerker, Sgt. Slaughter vs. Col. Mustafa and General Adnan, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine vs. Hercules, The Nasty Boys vs. The Bushwhackers, Skinner vs. Jim Powers, Chris Walker vs. the Brooklyn Brawler, Virgil vs. Repo Man, WWF Intercontinental Champion Bret Hart vs. “The Million Dollar Man” Ted Dibiase, Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair), WWWF Championship Wrestling (January 28, 1978), ECW Hardcore TV (November 6, 1998), WWF Prime Time Wrestling (December 11, 1989).
– In addition to Xavier Woods, fellow WWE NXT wrestler Tyler Breeze was backstage at Monday’s Raw in Memphis, Tennessee. He competed on WWE live events over the weekend in matches against Justin Gabriel.
– The official WWE website has published an article highlighting AJ Lee’s unorthodox character and are polling fans in regards to whether she should be cheered or booed.
Explaining why Lee deserves fan applause, WWE cites the New Jersey rising from obscurity to fulfill her lifelong dream of being champion for the sports-entertainment organization. The counterpoint on why Lee should be booed is because “she is a devil woman.” Events of Lee wreaking havoc on Dolph Ziggler, Kane, Kaitlyn and other WWE cited are cited.
With over 5,000 votes cast, 66% say Lee should be cheered since “she’s an example of perseverance, hard work, individuality and empowerment for the underdog.”
– Speaking to Bill Apter, former WWE competitor Vampiro opens up on a side of him not many people know exist.
– Hyping tonight’s Raw Jey and Jimmy Uso wrote on Twitter, “We will get what belongs to the Tru tag team!! #RAW.”
– In this week’s edition of Backstage Fallout for SmackDown, CM Punk consoles Paul Heyman after getting clocked by World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio and the Usos continue their hot streak, remaining focused on The Shield and the WWE Tag Team Championship.
– On August 27, WWE will release Best of WWE at Madison Square Garden on DVD and Blu-ray as the organization’s greatest moments at the famous New York City-based venue are highlights. WrestlingDVDNews.com has revealed that the following matches and segments will be featured in the video release.
Andre the Giant & “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper & “Cowboy” Bob Orton
10th August, 1985
Stone Cold Stuns The Boss
Raw – 22nd September, 1997
1st Ever Tag Team Tables Match
The Dudley Boyz vs. The Hardy Boyz
Royal Rumble – 23rd January, 2000
Booker T Attacks Mr. McMahon
Raw – 25th June, 2001
Match for the Undisputed Heavyweight Wrestling Championship
WWE Champion, Bob Backlund vs. NWA Champion, Harley Race
22nd September, 1980
Intercontinental Championship Match
Bret “Hitman” Hart vs. “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase
29th December, 1991
Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship
Shawn Michaels vs. Razor Ramon
WrestleMania X – 20th March, 1994
#1 Contender Triple Threat Match
Triple H vs. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Jericho
Raw – 7th August, 2000
John Cena Returns in the Royal Rumble Match
Royal Rumble – 27th January, 2008
– This week on WWE Superstars, Jey and Jimmy Uso join The Bella Twins for an Eight-Person Mixed Tag Team Match against Brodus Clay, Tensai and The Funkadactyls.
Alex Riley and Damien Sandow also square off on the show.
– The official WWE website has published an article remembering the WCW Hall of Fame, It was established in 1993 to honor alumni of the National Wrestling Alliance and Jim Crockett Promotions, the predecessors of World Championship Wrestling. Seventeen wrestlers were honored over the course of three years, including Dusty Rhodes, Harley Race and The Crusher
– Former WWE Women’s Champion Jacqueline is currently featured in the “Diva Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– Jey and Jimmy Uso have their sights set on making history in WWE. Saturday on Twitter, the twin duo vowed, “We will be the first brothers to hold separate titles and Tag titles at the same time!! Mark our words!!! #HISTORY #USOOO.”
– WWE will tape its annual Tribute to the Troops event tonight in Norfolk, Virginia at the Norfolk Scope Arena. Free tickets are available for active members of the military.
– On the latest episode of the “JBL and Michael Cole Show,” John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Michael Cole disown professional sports. The synopsis reads, “Watch the latest episode of the hilarious, new “JBL & Cole Show,” as “The Wrestling God” and one of the most outspoken announcers in WWE history lay down their views on the worst owners in professional sports and the Tout of the week – featuring a certain cowboy-hat-wearing former WWE Champion!”
– Damien Sandow and 3MB appear on this week’s “Backstage Fallout” for SmackDown. Here is the synopsis: “Check out this SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout” and learn what Damien Sandow is looking for in an apprentice. Plus, 3MB responds to The Usos and all their haters, exclusively on WWE on YouTube!”
– According to WWE.com, a Raw live event is scheduled for Sunday, March 3, 2013 at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, New York. John Cena, CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler and Ryback headline.
– Lilian Garcia is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com. She is still recovering at home after being struck by a car in Los Angeles, California, five weeks ago.
– Two matches were taped Tuesday in Birmingham, England for WWE Saturday Morning Slam
* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd
* Ted DiBiase vs. Jinder Mahal
The commentators were Josh Mathews and R-Truth.
– In the following video, Cody Rhodes shows Wade Barrett a thing or two about how to play WWE ’13.
– The official WWE website has a poll asking who poses a bigger threat to WWE Champion CM Punk at Survivor Series; John Cena or Ryback? Ryback currently leads the poll 51% to 49%.
– Following a meeting with the WWE Board of Directors at the company’s headquarters, AJ Lee announced on Raw Monday that she had decided it was best to resign as brand General Manager following accusations she’d been “fraternizing” with an undisclosed Superstar (she denied the accusations).
After rejected Paul Heyman’s plea to become the new General Manager of Raw, Vince McMahon introduced Vickie Guerrero as “Managing Supervisor” of the program. Guerrero then alleged that Lee had an affair with a Superstar, and following more taunts, the two came to blows.
Later in the show, Cena was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Lee, which led to her resigning as Raw General Manager.
– Two matches were taped Monday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
The Great Khali returned to action Tuesday night in Memphis, Tennessee, in a match taped for WWE Saturday Morning Slam. He faced Primo.
The former World Heavyweight Champion had been sidelined since undergoing surgery on July 26 to remove a tumor from his pituitary gland on July 26.
Also taped for the program was a match pitting Jey and Jimmy Uso against The Prime Time Players.
Two matches were taped for tomorrow night’s episode of WWE Main Event on ION Television. Zack Ryder took on Dolph Ziggler, and as previously announced, The Miz defended the Intercontinental Championship against Kofi Kingston.
In a dark match result, Johnny Curtis squashed Drew Haskins, a local wrestler.
– Per a huge announcement by SmackDown General Manager Booker T, Kane and Daniel Bryan will defend the WWE Tag Team Championship on Oct. 28 at Hell in a Cell against the winners of an eight-team tournament.
The bracket revealed on SmackDown showed the following first-round match-ups: Team Rhodes Scholars (Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow) vs. Jimmy and Jey Uso; Santino Marella and Zack Ryder vs. Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd; Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. The Prime Time Players (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil); and Epico and Primo vs. Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara.
– This week on “Backstage Fallout” for SmackDown, The Miz addressed the chaos on “Miz TV,” which resulted in the show’s host being punched in the face by World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus. Wade Barrett also boasted about his dominance after defeating Zack Ryder. Plus, Big Show talks about becoming the No. 1 contender to World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus at Hell in a Cell. (Watch)
Matches taped Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were Tyson Kidd vs. David Otunga, and The Prime Time Players vs. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso.
A taping was also held for WWE Saturday Morning Slam on The CW. Bouts taped were Sin Cara vs. Jinder Mahal, and Justin Gabriel vs. Zack Ryder.
A dark match was held before both tapings as Kofi Kingston beat WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose following Trouble In Paradise.
– DreadCentral.com has published photos of WWE Studios’ upcoming flick, No One Lives, starring WWE Superstar Brodus Clay.
The synopsis of the film, which premieres next month at the Toronto International Film Festival, reads: “A ruthless criminal gang takes a young couple hostage and goes to ground in an abandoned house in the middle of nowhere. When the captive girl is killed, the tables are unexpectedly turned. The gang finds itself outsmarted by an urbane and seasoned killer determined to ensure that no one lives.
“No One Lives, written by David Cohen and directed by Ryuhei Kitamura, is a smart and original horror movie with at its heart a killer in the grip of a dark and twisted love affair.”
– Matches taped Monday night in Milwaukee, Wisconsin for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows:
* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Epico and Primo
* Alex Riley vs. Jinder Mahal
No pre-taping dark match was held.
– Former WWE Superstar Chris Masters is advertised to appear at Traditional Championship Wrestling’s Saturday, Sept. 15 television taping in Memphis, Tennessee at Cook Convention Center under the name Chris Adonis.
– As fans lined up outside the American Airlines Center for Raw, a WWE crew member said Daniel Bryan would debut a new T-Shirt this Sunday at SummerSlam. He surveyed fans on four shirt designs and asked them to pick the one they like.
– Two matches were taped Monday night in Dallas, Texas for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Johnny Curtis and Michael McGillicutty
* Alex Riley vs. Drew McIntyre
According to a fan account, Curtis debuted a new look in his match.
No dark match was held before the taping.
– Following her victory over Beth Phoenix and Eve on Raw, Kaitlyn posted a Tout of Layla gearing up the Texas native for her match against Eve on SmackDown. A position in SmackDown General Manager Booker T’s administration will be on the line when they fight.
– After AJ decided not to marry Daniel Bryan on Raw, it was revealed she accepted a proposal from Vince McMahon to become the new permanent Raw General Manager. She stated on Twitter Tuesday evening that she has big things planned.
“Big meetings this week at WWE HQ. Things are about to get VERY interesting. #Raw1001 #businesschucks.”
– Two matches were taped Tuesday night in Kansas City, Missouri for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars: Sin Cara vs. Drew McIntyre and WWE Divas Champion Layla vs. Natalya.
In dark match results, Zack Ryder defeated Heath Slater via Rough Ryder while Jey and Jimmy Uso beat Camacho and Hunico. Both Usos hit Hunico with the Superfly Splash for the pinfall victory.
– Former WWE Superstar Headbanger Mosh weighed in on Monday’s landmark Raw episode via Twitter: “Thought #RAW1000 was pretty good (from what I saw) only thing missing was @steveaustinBSR.”
– 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.
– Rory McAllister, who appeared for WWE from 2006 to 2008 as a member of The Highlanders, was asked via Twitter about WWE ‘criminally’ disregarding Drew McIntyre. He responded, “Drew has all the tools to be a player but has to grow a set and not be “happy to have a job.” He’s better than that!”
The WWE Superstar who Vince McMahon predicted would be a ‘future World Champion’ has languished since being drafted to the Raw brand in April 2011. He was largely confined to dark matches, WWE Superstars and putting over talent before transferring back to SmackDown late in the year, where the trend continued.
– WWE’s second- and third-generation talent celebrate Father’s Day this weekend by taking a trip down Memory Lane and explaining what it was like growing up with a grappling father. Those sharing stories include Ted DiBiase, Alberto Del Rio, Tamina, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso and Cody Rhodes. Natalya, daughter of Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart, did not take part in the feature. (Article)
– Netflix has added three WWE titles to their streaming service: The Best of WCW Clash of the Champions, The Best of Raw and SmackDown 2011, You Think You Know Me? The Story of Edge.
Matches taped Tuesday evening in Manchester, New Hampshire for this week’s episode of WWE NXT are as follows:
* Derrick Bateman and Percy Watson vs. Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks
* Kaitlyn vs. Natalya.
* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Johnny Curtis and Michael McGillicutty
Justin Gabriel faced Hunico in a match taped for WWE Superstars.
In a battle of WWE developmental wrestlers, Big E Langston faced Dean Ambrose in a pre-taping dark match. Langston, who was billed from Manchester, beat Ambrose. Prior to the match, Ambrose cut a heel promo denouncing the city of Manchester.
— A broken arm wasn’t enough to keep WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H down, who accompanied boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to the ring for his highly anticipated bout against Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas on Saturday night, alongside singer Justin Bieber and rapper 50 Cent. Former WWE Diva Melina, who was posting messages on Twitter while watching the fight, remarked the following upon seeing “The King of Kings” on television:
“Maybe it’s the margaritas but I puked when i saw Bieber & Triple H. #TotalPukage #WhatTheWhat HHH=Pukepukepuke. Boxing at an an all time low.”
— Former WWE Superstar Perry Saturn won his first championship in over a decade on April 27 in Des Moines, Iowa as he beat Arik Cannon and Sir Bradley Charles in a Triple Threat Match to gain the 3XW Pure Wrestling Championship.
— WWE had audio issues at Saturday’s Smackdown live event at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, North Carolina. Jey and Jimmy Uso’s theme song as well as a Kane promo that aired on the video screen was not audible.
— 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.
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.”