– In an update on WWE’s plans for its Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on April 6, 2013 at Madison Square Garden, Mick Foley is internally considered a lock to be enshrined and there has been a push for Owen Hart to be honored since his star rose with his classic match against Bret Hart at the venue at WrestleMania X.
Despite the push for Owen, the enshrinement is unlikely to materialize because his widow will not allow it, according to brother Smith Hart.
“Because she blames the wrestling business in its entirety for his death,” he stated on Twitter in February. “She is the sole owner of his estate. With Martha, there will never B a way, perhaps his kids may eventually make the choice. But thats at least 20 yrs in future.”
Meanwhile, talk of Ultimate Warrior being inducted into the Hall “has cooled down substantially of late,” according to F4WOnline.com.
– WWE has released 3MB’s entrance video.
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Jimmy Hart appears at Pro Wrestling World in the Merchants Square Mall 1901 S. 12th St. Allentown, Pennsylvania on December 2, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. For more information, call 610-798-9900 or e-mail prowrestling1@aol.com.
– John “Bradshaw” Layfield posted a new video on YouTube discussing his decision to make a full-time return to the WWE announce booth for SmackDown. The former WWE Champion takes some light-hearted jabs at fellow announcers, says he sees Wade Barrett as a future World Heavyweight Champion and after witnessing Fandango in dark matches, believes the character has potential to be “pure money.”
– The official WWE website has posted highlights of this week’s episode of WWE Superstars from the United Kingdom, which features Justin Gabriel vs. Tensai and Jimmy Uso vs. Jinder Mahal. The full episode is available on WWEOnHulu.com.
– Former WWE Diva Kelly Kelly is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– 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%.
– The official WWE website has published an article ranking the 15 greatest ring entrances in sports-entertainment history.
“What’s more impressive, pulling up in an expensive sports car or walking through hellfire?” WWE states. “A calm walk through darkness or a mad dash to the ring?”
The list ranks 15. Ultimate Warrior, 14. Goldust, 13. Alberto Del Rio, 12. Glacier, 11. The Sandman, 10. The Rock, 9. Rey Mysterio, 8. Gangrel, 7. Goldberg, 6. Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, 5. Hulk Hogan, 4. Kane, 3. Chris Jericho, 2. Triple H, 1. The Undertaker.
– Matches taped Monday in Birmingham, England for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were Jimmy Uso vs. Jinder Mahal and Justin Gabriel vs. Tensai.
In a pre-taping dark match result, Tyson Kidd defeated Michael McGillicutty.
– WWE developmental Briley Pierce turned 28-years-old Sunday. He is the younger brother of WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler.
– 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
– This week’s SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout” has 3MB sounding off. Plus, Antonio Cesaro responds to his latest win over an American challenger, Ted DiBiase. Theodore Long also addresses an iPad Eve left behind, which is suggested to feature classified information.
– The official Twitter feed of WWE announced Friday that Sin Cara is on the micro-blogging website at twitter.com/TheSinCaraWWE. WWE also released a Tout video of the masked grappler holding a piece of paper featuring the URL. He has had the account since September, but it was not confirmed until now.
– One of the most controversial wrestlers of all-time, Scott Hall, turns 54-years-old Saturday.
– In this Raw edition of “Backstage Fallout,” Santino Marella and Zack Ryder call out 3MB, while Sheamus looks ahead to his fight against Big Show at Hell in a Cell.
– Three-time WCW World Heavyweight Champion and former WWE Superstar Vader noted on Twitter Monday that he was at WWE’s television studio in Stamford, Connecticut filming content.
“Just finished up a very long hard week. Left WWE recording studio did some good work a little rusty on the promos thxs to Kieran from WWE,” he wrote.
– Ryback is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– The new stable that formed on Friday’s SmackDown featuring Jinder Mahal, Heath Slater and Drew McIntyre are calling themselves “Encore” and have been tweeting that they are getting ready to take over WWE.
– WWE is advertising John Cena, Sheamus, Kane & Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk, Big Show, Daniel Bryan and Alberto Del Rio as the main event for the October 22nd RAW from East Rutherford, New Jersey. Cena will still be recovering from elbow surgery and won’t be wrestling.
This is believed to be the final show for Beth Phoenix, who is finishing up with WWE soon.
– WWE.com has a new storyline article up looking at who may have attacked Kaitlyn at Night of Champions. Eve Torres, Layla, Vickie Guerrero and Natalya are listed as possible suspects.
– Several fans who attended last night’s WWE live event from White Plains, New York sent in word that the Divas title match between Eve Torres and Layla (with Aksana as guest referee) was excellent and one of the highlights of the show.
– Ryback’s match against Jinder Mahal at Saturday’s SmackDown live event in Sarnia, Ontario resulted in a no contest after Ryback suffered a serious cut approximately two minutes into the bout. The match was stopped by a doctor’s orders.
– WWE has posted this week’s episode of WWE Superstars on YouTube.com, which features an intense tag team match between The Usos and The Prime Time Players! Also see Ted DiBiase back in action against JTG, Tyson Kidd vs. David Otunga and Drew McIntyre vs. Jinder Mahal.
http://youtu.be/V-7MMZNq4CNJc
– This week’s WWE Classics on Demand updates are as follows: Extreme Rules (2012), World Wrestling Federation at Boston Garden *February 7, 1987), Macho Madness – The Randy Savage Ultimate Collection (Parts 5 and 6), ECW Hardcore TV (May 5, 1998), Mid-Atlantic Championship Wrestling (October 6, 1982), WWF Prime Time Wrestling (September 4, 1989).
Speaking to SLAM! Wrestling, Jinder Mahal addressed his current standing in WWE, which has him both on the main roster and developmental promotion NXT.
“I actually don’t mind the travel, I am single with no family or kids so I am used to being busy. When I have a few days off I am anxious to get back to work, so doing house shows, TV and NXT hasn’t really been an issue with me. I am enjoying it, I have been on the road for a little bit over a year and it hasn’t been draining so far. I am sure it will become challenging as I progress but for now I am just having a blast traveling across the world, especially performing in front of the Canadian fans,” he said.
Mahal says his WWE highlight thus far was appearing on Raw 1,000 with a group of wrestlers to attack Kane when the Undertaker made an appearance. Though on the receiving end of a beating, he considered it a huge deal.
“Being part of Raw 1000 in the same ring with Undertaker and Kane leading an army of young hungry wrestlers was amazing,” he recalled. “In Birmingham, England I had a match with Tyson Kidd and Mick Foley was at ringside and delivered a socko to me at the end of the match. That was another one of those moments that if you told me I would be in the ring with Mick Foley giving me a socko I wouldn’t believe you. It is those moments that make me realize what I have accomplished in my life, from humble beginnings in Stampede Wrestling to coming to FCW and making my way to the roster and sharing the ring with Undertaker, Kane and Mick Foley is just the best.”
Mahal says he has high hopes for his future in WWE.
“I am going to keep working hard to climb up the ranks of the WWE. You can catch me on Superstars on almost a weekly basis and I am making waves in NXT and want to capture that title from Seth Rollins. When I am on Raw and Smackdown I try to make the best of it. I am young, just 26 and have a great deal to offer to the WWE. I am excited to see what the future brings, the possibilities are endless.”
Mahal also discusses his following among East Asian fans, facing Ryback, returning to his native Canada, and appearing on NXT. The full interview is available here.
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.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler was released from the hospital in Montreal and is home in Memphis. Michael Cole announced that there will be an exclusive interview with Lawler on next Monday’s Raw.
– Before Raw went on the air Monday, a match featuring Drew McIntyre versus Jinder Mahal was taped for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars.
A match featuring Ted DiBiase vs. JTG also took place but it is unclear whether it will air on Superstars.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura appeared on tonight’s edition of Piers Morgan Tonight on CNN for an interview. The program replays at midnight and 3:00 a.m.
– 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.
– Michael Cole’s heel character has been seriously toned down in recent weeks, which was the call of Vince McMahon. Vince reportedly goes back and forth about whether Cole should be a strong heel or a neutral “voice of WWE,” but it’s clear that he was pushed so strongly as a heel that it wouldn’t be credible for him to work as a babyface anytime soon.
– Marty Jannetty is said to be in bad physical shape these days, with the former WWE superstar needing surgery on both of his ankles.
– WWE officials feel that Jinder Mahal has the potential to be a top heel, which is part of the reason why he’s currently working a feud with Ryback. WWE is looking to strengthen it’s position in India and with the Great Khali’s career winding down, Mahal is seen as a big asset to the company.
In his first match since flooring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson with a clothesline and subsequent Go to Sleep on Raw 1,000, CM Punk appeared as a babyface at Saturday’s SmackDown live event at Freedom Hall Civic Center in Johnson City, Tennessee. He retained the WWE Championship in a Triple Threat Match against Daniel Bryan and Kane. Attendees largely ignored his apparent heel turn on Monday as he was loudly cheered throughout the match.
Chris Jericho rekindled his partnership with Christian as the duo took on Cody Rhodes and Dolph Ziggler. Ziggler donned a Jericho “WANNA-BEE” T-Shirt, which Jericho ripped off during the contest. The match concluded with Jericho striking Rhodes with the Codebreaker.
Drew McIntyre appeared as a babyface on the show as he rushed the ring to aid Ted DiBiase from an attack courtesy of Camacho and Hunico—after DiBiase defeated Hunico due to interference from Camacho. The third generation wrestler then proposed they have a tag team match, which all agreed to. The match concluded with DiBiase escaping Hunico’s sleeper attempt and hitting him with Dream Street.
Other match results were Kaitlyn over Natalya, Jinder Mahal over Percy Watson, Justin Gabriel over developmental wrestler Leo Kruger and World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus over Alberto Del Rio in a Last Man Standing Match.
Last night in at a SmackDown live event in Sioux City, Iowa 3rd generation superstar Ted DiBiase Jr made his return from injury to defeat Jinder Mahal.
DiBiase cut a face promo giving a shout-out to Iowa National Guardsmen at ringside. DiBiase hit his Dream Street to pick up the win.
– FCW star Xavier Woods, the former Consequences Creed in TNA, worked last night’s SmackDown live event. He lost to Damien Sandow. Sandow cut a heel promo before the match and mentioned that Woods has wrestled all over the world and won seven titles
— 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.”
— During a phone interview with WWE.com Thursday, Shawn Michaels lost his composure when faced with pointed questions pertaining to Triple H and The Undertaker’s Hell in a Cell Match at WrestleMania XXVIII.
After being asked “If Triple H wins at WrestleMania, will he be better than you?” Michaels grew increasingly incensed in his response, saying he is the best in-ring performer ever and that he cannot help that the spotlight falls on him whenever he shows up. Before hanging up, he tells the WWE.com interviewer to leave him alone in his retired life.
— Thanks to interference from Curt Hawkins, Tyler Reks drew a victory over Mason Ryan on this week’s episode of WWE Superstars. It is his first televised singles victory since the March 17, 2011 WWE Superstars, where he beat JTG.
Other matches featured include Alex Riley vs. Michael McGillicutty and Jinder Mahal vs. Justin Gabriel. The episode is available here.
— WWE developmental wrestler Corey Graves (a/k/a Sterling James Keenan) turns 28 years old Friday.
— Tuesday’s SuperSmackDown LIVE! show featuring a Champion vs. Champion match between WWE Champion CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan garnered a 1.7 rating with 2,326,000 viewers.
It is SmackDown‘s lowest rating since the September 16, 2011 show, which drew a 1.78.
— Following her actions involving John Cena and Zack Ryder on Monday’s Raw SuperShow, Eve has turned over a new leaf. She wrote to Zack Ryder today on Twitter, “I miss you.”
— WWE.com is advertising a match between Justin Gabriel and Jinder Mahal for today’s episode of WWE Superstars. Other bouts taking place include Alex Riley vs. Michael McGillicutty and Mason Ryan vs. Tyler Reks.
— Mike Sydal, brother of WWE Superstar Evan Bourne, turns 28 years old today.
— According to Amazon.com, the second edition of the WWE Encyclopedia will be released on September 3, 2012. The updated volume will include entries on WWE Superstars that debuted in 2009, 2010 and 2011. It is 400 pages and will be released by Brady Games.
— Jinder Mahal, Johnny Curtis and Ricardo Rodriguez, who now exclusively appear at WWE shows, have been removed from the www.fcwwrestling.info roster page.
— Kofi Kingston appears at Best Buy 7017 S. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri on January 28, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call 314-487-4999 for more information.
— Florida Championship Wrestling will hold their next television taping on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at the FCW Arena in Tampa, Florida.
— The following matches were taped Tuesday night in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania for this week’s episode of NXT Redemption:
* Johnny Curtis vs. Yoshi Tatsu
* Jimmy Uso vs. JTG
* Percy Watson and Titus O’Neil vs. Darren Young and Tyler Reks
— The following matches were taped Tuesday night in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
* Jinder Mahal vs. Trent Barreta
* Ezekiel Jackson vs. Tyson Kidd
— A Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza employee told an attendee at tonight’s WWE television tapings that the event drew 4,000 fans. This is approximately half the venue’s capacity.
— The official website of the USA Network is listing a three-hour episode of Raw for Monday, December 12 from 8:00 to 11:00 p.m. EST. A two-hour broadcast of WWE’s annual Tribute to the Troops program will air the following evening at 9:00 p.m. EST.
The three-hour Raw takes place six days before TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs.
— A match pitting Justin Gabriel against Jinder Mahal was taped Tuesday night in Greenville, South Carolina for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars.
— Ultimate Warrior tweeted the following regarding TMZ’s article Tuesday titled “ULTIMATE WARRIOR – Wall Street Occupiers Are iPad-Toting Hypocrites!”: “Contrary to the post, Mr Warrior did not call anyone a hypocrite but the video message itself is awesome.”
Regarding the Wall Street Occupiers, he told TMZ, “I find it a little ironic that most of these kids own iPads and iPhones and all these material things. They’re a big part of the consumerism that goes on in this country. The biggest statement you can make is not to participate in the consumerism of it all. Don’t buy the stuff. Start living your own life. Practice what you preach.”