With WrestleMania 28 just weeks away, WWE is taking extra precautions to make sure the main event match that’s been almost a year in the making is not jeopardized due to an injury.
WWE has seen a slew of recent injuries to top stars, including Rey Mysterio, Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Alberto Del Rio, Christian, Sin Cara and Wade Barrett, with several others including R-Truth and Dolph Ziggler having scary close calls.
According to a report at WrestleZone.com, WWE chairman Vince McMahon has instructed any talent that works with Cena to be very careful in the ring and not to take any “unneeded” risks.
WWE has millions of dollars at stake with the big John Cena vs. The Rock match and an injury would be absolutely devastating.
The Rock won’t be wrestling any matches between now and WrestleMania.
John Cena was scheduled to give the starting command and wave the green flag at the Daytona 500 today at noon but the 500-mile race has been postponed until 7:00 p.m. due to excessive rain saturating Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The annual race was originally postponed Sunday for the first time in its 54-year history due to excessive rain.
Cena stated on Twitter that he will miss the race due to his commitment for tonight’s Raw SuperShow in Portland, Oregon. He will, however, attend the race if it starts on Tuesday.
“Well NASCAR i tried. But if youre gonna run your race on monday night..ive got other plans. Leaving #raintona going to #RAW,” he wrote. “If #raintona starts on tues, ill be there. But they have to understand. Dwaynes at raw. This is big. He doesnt show up….ever.”
— John Cena was scheduled to wave the green flag Sunday at the Daytona 500 but the annual race was postponed for the first time in its 54-year history after heavy rain saturated Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. The event has been rescheduled for Monday at noon.
The official Twitter feed of Daytona International Speedway stated Sunday night that Cena will give the starting command and wave the green flag at the race Monday.
— There is much anticipation within WWE for Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s verbal response tomorrow night on Raw to John Cena’s pseudo-shoot speech on last week’s show in which he strongly criticized “The People’s Champion” for bailing on the company for Hollywood aspirations.
— The official Twitter feed of the WWE Universe took a jab at tonight’s 84th Oscar Academy Awards show, writing, “#SlammyAwards > #Oscars.”
— Former WWE Superstar John Morrison will perform improv comedy on March 17 at 8 p.m. for Cut That Promo at iO West at 6366 Hollywood Blvd. in Los Angeles, California.
— During WWE’s press conference to announce that WrestleMania XXIX would be held in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Sunday, April 7, 2013, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson vowed to appear at the event and “electrify MetLife Stadium like never before.”
Sources within WWE have confirmed to the Pro Wrestling Torch that Johnson will be competing at the event.
— John Cena was interviewed by SPEED TV and talked about waving the green flag at today’s Daytona 500, the race field and facing Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at WrestleMania XXVIII.
— Former WWE Superstar John Morrison has been announced to appear at the Chicago Comic Con taking place August 9-12, 2012 at the Donald E. Stephens Convention Center in Chicago, Illinois. WWE Champion CM Punk and former WWE Diva Maryse will also be appearing at the event.
— The official Twitter feed of Raw Interim General Manager and WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis posted a message suggesting a rematch between WWE Champion CM Punk and World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan on Monday’s Raw SuperShow.
The statement reads, “Mulling rematch for @CMPunk & @WWEDanielBryan on #Raw. Unlike @GMSmackDown, Mr. Excitement will give WWE Universe what they want.”
It would be their third encounter in four weeks. Bryan won the first match by disqualification while last week’s bout on SuperSmackDown LIVE! was ruled a draw.
— SBNation.com reports Brock Lesnar will join John Cena at Sunday’s 2012 Daytona 500 as he is one of four UFC fighters slated to appear at the event promoting UFC programming on the network. The WWE Superstar will wave the green flag at the race.
— Former WWE talent Dave Finlay appears in Sittingbourne, England on Sunday for IPW:U.K.’s No Escape show. He will face Martin Stone.
— John Cena expects The Rock to bury him this Monday on Raw.
He wrote on Twitter, “Flying to LA for fri night at staples. Then back to Daytona for green flag @ 500. Then off to Portland just in time for Dwayne to bury me… Sounds like a fun few days. Giddy up.”
— WWE.com is pushing fans to vote for Kelly Kelly as “Favorite Buttkicker” for the 2012 Nick Kids’ Choice Awards. She joins a list of nominees including movie stars Tom Cruise, Taylor Lautner and Jessica Alba.
— Jack Swagger was referenced during SportsNation‘s “101 Most Disrespectful Moments” episode on ESPN2. A clip was shown of a basketball player doing push-ups following a dunk and host Michelle Beadle said he reminded her of Jack Swagger.
Regarding this, Swagger tweeted, “I was mentioned today on ESPN’s Sport Nation today.. No big deal #YearofSwag.”
— Although WWE.com stated Tuesday that Shaquille O’Neal would not be competing at WrestleMania XXVIII, the 15-time NBA All-Star appeared on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike in the Morning Wednesday stating that he would.
— The USA Network will air a program profiling the rivalry between The Rock and John Cena on March 26 at 8:00 p.m. It will air again on March 31.
— Amazing Red and T.J. Perkins vs. Michael Elgin and Roderick Strong has been announced for the March 4 Ring of Honor event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
— Alex Koslov, who was released by WWE earlier this month, is available for bookings and appearances through Bill Behrens at showbis@aol.com. He is currently based in Tampa, Florida but expects to move to Los Angeles, California soon.
— A match involving the WWE Divas is expected to take place WrestleMania XXVIII although some company officials are against utilizing the women for the sake of it since the affair would take away time from the bouts people are most interested in seeing.
It’s also been suggested as the pre-show dark match.
— In light of her actions involving John Cena and Zack Ryder on Monday’s Raw SuperShow, Eve addressed fans during an unaired segment at last night’s SuperSmackDown LIVE! show. The two-time WWE Divas Champion described herself as a “woman of class” and that she does not deserve the angry reaction she has been receiving. Eve admitted to using Ryder but that she is no different than everybody else.
To see her speech as well as Zack Ryder’s video response, click here.
— The February 18, 2012 episode of A.M. Raw scored a 0.64 cable rating with 755,000 viewers.
sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWInsider.com
The Rock has responded to John Cena’s promo from RAW, tweeting on Tuesday:
“@JohnCena @WWE The truth comes out this Monday. John you have no idea.”
The Rock is scheduled for RAW next week and will be appearing on RAW regularly through the night after WrestleMania 28.
During his most recent blog, Jim Ross called John Cena’s RAW promo the best of his entire career:
“John Cena delivered the best promo of his career in my opinion when addressing the Rock and their long awaited WM28 main event. Cena spoke from the heart and I’m certain meant every word that he said. Cena’s words stepped away from the world of entertainment and squarely into reality or so it seemed to me.”
“Rock’s ‘rebuttal’ next week on Raw in Portland will be must see TV. The Rock/Cena issue has gotten personal as Cena touched some legit nerves with his remarks in Minneapolis.”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety over at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:
Hell In A Cell At WrestleMania: “The Undertaker confronting HHH and subsequently pushing the appropriate buttons to get a vengeance oriented rematch at WM28 was captivating TV for me. Both men have more tenure than any others on the WWE roster that are still competing. They are truly is the last of a breed and now that it’s in Helll in a Cell, the game has changed. Stakes have risen and it going to be a tough act to follow in Miami.
“[WWE] will build a massive structure to not only hold the ring lighting grid but the HIAC as well. It will be impressive I assure you.”
John Cena’s Best Promo Ever: John Cena delivered the best promo of his career in my opinion when addressing the Rock and their long awaited WM28 main event. Cena spoke from the heart and I’m certain meant every word that he said. Cena’s words stepped away from the world of entertainment and squarely into reality or so it seemed to me.”
“Rock’s ‘rebuttal’ next week on Raw in Portland will be must see TV. The Rock/Cena issue has gotten personal as Cena touched some legit nerves with his remarks in Minneapolis.”
Chris Jericho vs. CM Punk at WrestleMania: “The injury riddled, #1 contender Battle Royal sees Chris Jericho getting his ticket punched to meet CM Punk for the WWE Title at WM28 in a bout that could be the best, pure wrestling match on the entire card on April 1.”
With The Rock making his much anticipated return to Raw next Monday, John Cena had harsh words for “The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment” on this week’s show, saying he’s no longer The People’s Champion, but he’s a champion with people (referring to the entourage around him). After strongly criticizing The Rock for returning, but not sticking around WWE, Cena vowed to beat the iconic grappler in his hometown of Miami, Florida at WrestleMania XXVIII.
A number of WWE performers appeared giddy backstage over Cena’s remarks as they legitimately feel that way over the actor/wrestler. One talent commented via text to PWInsider.com (with permission to be quoted under the condition of anonymity):
“[The Rock] comes in to use WWE to get back the audience he lost doing Disney movies, which is fine but he’s been back over a year and name one person he helped make a bigger star since then? No one.
“He’s here for himself, he keeps to himself, and he keeps someone who’s actually touring here all year from making a bigger payday at the bigger shows. It’s all about making this the “biggest” Mania of all time. OK, then what do we do the rest of the year? Who’s been made? You think he took ANY blame for Survivor [Series] not drawing? Of course not, but how do you feud with a guy on the Titantron? Cena nailed the guy dead on tonight.
“Say anything about HHH, Taker, etc. still being in the top spot but if they were needed to work the road, they would and they would still work their asses off as much as they needed to. Rock is out for Rock and the idea he’s here to better anything but his own wallet is the biggest work of 2012.”
– Triple H has received a lot of praise backstage for his promo work, according to f4wonline.com. Triple H has been strong on the mic in recent weeks building interest in his match with the Undertaker at WrestleMania, but you can insert your own joke about the “boss” getting praised by his colleagues.
– John Cena re-tweeted a fan’s comment predicting what The Rock’s promo on next Monday’s RAW would sound like:
“prediction 4 rock promo – 1999 catchphrase, insult Cena, catchphrase, sniff the air, eyebrow, say electrify – leave till mid march”
Cena followed up with the following:
“Im pretty sure that’s close to accurate. Prove me wrong movie star. Ill be waiting in nike town.”
– WWE’s new WrestleFest arcade game is now on sale for iOS (iPad/iPhone/iPod) at Apple’s App Store. Here’s the official trailer:
— Ron Simmons appeared on Busted Open Monday and stated WWE will announce his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame on tonight’s Raw.
It has been reported that John “Bradshaw” Layfield will induct his longtime tag team partner into the Hall.
— Ticketmaster.com is currently holding a pre-sale for the August 27, 2012 Raw Supershow at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The code is: WWERAW. Once the pre-sale concludes this week, tickets won’t go on sale until June 30.
— Lilian Garcia stated on Twitter that she’s in Chicago, Illinois today recording a new song with producer Oh, Hush!.
— The latest issue of WWE Magazine hits newsstands tomorrow. The issue will feature four different covers—The Undertaker, Triple H, John Cena and The Rock.
— After putting an end to Kane Sunday at Elimination Chamber, John Cena has set his sights on The Rock. Cena tweeted on Monday:
“Kane compromised. Just u and me now movie star. See u whenever u decide to show up.”
— Irvin Muchnick and Anthony Roberts have released a book for Amazon Kindle investigating Signature Pharmacy, which years ago served as an online dealer of steroids, human growth hormone and prescription drugs to famous entertainers and athletes, including professional wrestlers of the WWE variety.
In lists obtained by the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and ESPN in August 2007, Randy Orton, Dave Bautista (Batista), Adam Copeland (Edge), Robert Huffman (Booker T), Shane Helms, Mike Bucci (Simon Dean), Anthony Carelli (Santino Marella), Charles Haas, John Hennigan (John Morrison), Darren Matthews (William Regal), Ken Anderson (Mr. Kennedy), Eddie Fatu (Umaga), Shoichi Funaki (Funaki), Chris Mordetsky (Chris Masters), Chavo Guerrero, Sylvain Grenier, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and Brian Adams (Crush) were all identified as clients of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, the site raided by Albany County and Florida law enforcement agencies in February 2007 for distributing drugs to clients who had not been examined by doctors.
WWE handed suspensions to ten wrestlers upon the news breaking on August 30, 2007: Copeland, Huffman, Helms, Haas, Matthews, Anderson, Fatu, Funaki, Mordetsky and Chavo Guerrero. WWE also pledged to make future Talent Wellness Program violators public after November 1, 2007.
John Cena spoke to The Miami Herald to discuss his role as the honorary race starter at this Saturday’s Daytona 500 NASCAR race. Here are some highlights of what Cena said about:
Being the race starter this Saturday: “I am so honored to be able to start this great race. To me, not only being a car enthusiast but to now really being into NASCAR as well, it’s something I really can’t believe is happening, and I won’t get the full effect until I’m up there for the second lap and they come by at about 190 miles an hour.”
If he owns better cars than The Rock: “Yes. I’m sure Rocky can buy whatever he wants, but as an enthusiast I have a few 200 mile per hour cars locked up in safe keeping.”
WWE stars being into NASCAR: “I know a few [WWE] guys are into it. I can’t necessarily say some money has exchanged hands [among WWE personnel] because that would be wrong, but some points go back and forth every weekend when the [NASCAR] guys race because we have a few eyes that watch very closely on the weekend.
“I’d say about 60 percent of our crew — from superstars to techs to everybody — are into NASCAR. When I tell you as a group we all watch on weekends, we all watch on weekends.”
–- Drew McIntyre’s current losing streak on SmackDown is expected to culminate with a character makeover. PWInsider.com reports that the Scottish wrestler will become an “arrogant playboy.”
— Layla, who has been sidelined since May 2011 due to tears of both her Anterior cruciate and Medial collateral ligaments, stated on Twitter that her knee is stronger than ever. She stated during a recent radio interview that she could return in time for WrestleMania XXVIII.
— Zack Ryder continues to complain on Twitter about John Cena and Eve kissing last Monday on Raw. He wrote, “I’m trying to convince @WWEShop to take “LOYALTY” and “RESPECT” off of @JohnCena’s t-shirts. #broskisbeforehoeskis.”
— Shelly Martinez appears in The Social Rules, a new web series about the do’s and dont’s of dating and relating. In her latest video, she offers advice on breaking up.
— WWE will hold a SmackDown live event at the Civic Center in Charleston, West Virginia on May 6, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
— Coaster Boy Josh sent the following: “I interviewed John Cena, Triple H and Sheamus at the Mania 29 press conference for Elvis Duran and the Morning Show which broadcasts on Z100 in New York and is syndicated to 40+ other radio stations around the country. Instead of asking typical wrestling questions, we thought it would be funny to see how much WWE talent knows about pop culture.”
— Fox6Now.com has published a story on CM Punk surprising WWE fan Rhiannon Patz at the 102.1 FM studios. Patz has Stage 4 brain cancer and it was her story of strength that made the WWE Superstar offer a helping hand.
“If I can bring a smile to their face or take them to an event and take their mind off whatever problems they had, show them a good time, I jump on the chance to do that,” said Punk.
— Former WWE star Matt Hardy has been announced for WrestleReunion 7 taking place March 30 and April 1 at the Miami Beach Deauville Resort 6701 Collins Ave. Miami, Florida.
– The Rock tweeted a few messages to Zack Ryder this week – and took another jab at John Cena in the process:
“@ZackRyder If you don’t stop using my tweets and phrases – I’ll be forced to drop #ThePeoplesWooWoo on you.”
“@ZackRyder Btw, sorry to hear about your girl and John. Been told his breath smells like a dog’s anus. #DontSweatItBro.”
– Zack Ryder’s latest Z! True Long Island Story is now online, marking the 1 year anniversary of the show. Episode 53 includes a cameo from a recently released WWE superstar:
Peter Rosenberg from New York City’s Hot 97 hip hop radio station is back with another round of exclusive interviews with WWE superstars from this week’s WrestleMania 29 press conference.
John Cena talks about WrestleMania 29, New York’s rich history as city that loves pro wrestling, NBA sensation Jeremy Lin, and a potential new rap album:
The Rock talks hip hop music with Peter Rosenberg:
Peter Rosenberg interviews the Celtic Warrior Sheamus:
WWE.com has published a pseudo-shoot interview with Eve regarding her abrupt kissing session with John Cena in front of Zack Ryder on Monday’s Raw SuperShow as well as the backlash on Twitter.
“I never intended for anything bad to happen to Zack,” Torres said. “How this turned out is not how I intended. I acted in the moment – we all make mistakes. I can’t really say I’m sorry, but isn’t it better to be honest than to lead Zack on?”
Torres received an avalanche of angry messages on Twitter, many of which are “not suitable for publishing on WWE.com.”
“It’s been a hard adjustment for me, reading my Twitter timeline,” she said. “But, people need to realize that there’s more than one side to people. I always try to put my best foot forward both inside and outside the ring. But I have emotions, and that goes for anyone – sometimes emotions just take over.”
John Cena and The Rock are at it again. In a blog posted on JRsBarBQ.com on Wednesday, Jim Ross stated once again that there are legitimate bad feelings between the WrestleMania 28 main eventers. In response to fans who question him whether Rock and Cena’s heat is real, Ross wrote:
“For those who seriously think that Rock and Cena are pals, think again. Go back to 2008 and listen to Rock’s comments at the WWE HOF regarding John Cena. That was almost four years ago. These two stars are NOT on the same page and both have strong personalities and are game day players. Their one on one match at WM28 will be physical and competitive I can assure you.”
The Rock posted the following Valentines Day message for John Cena on Tuesday:
TheRock
@WWE @JohnCena Happy Valentines Day John. You may not be my girl, but I do consider you my bitch. #BootsToCenasPinkParts
John Cena responded to The Rock with a god awful attempt at comedy that involves Cena branded tampons and .. feminine wash:
JohnCena
Looks like my buddy Dwayne is headed to Metlife Stadium tomorrow for WrestleMania 29…I got nothing to do..see u there amigo. Saw Dwayne wished me happy valentines ……..For those that didn’t get the “pink part” thing he once again is re referencing my mangina. So I propose this… Cena tampons. “That time of the month got u feeling bad, just put a lil Cena inside ya :) he’ll make ya feel fine” #champaxOr Cena feminine wash. “Tough day south of the equator? Lather some Cena on there and they can’t smell you!” #massCENAgil :)that’s the late nite act kiddos. Be back for the morning show at Metlife Stadium tomorrow. See u then movie star.
After a Twitter user brought it to The Rock’s attention that Cena called himself a tampon, Rock responded:
WWE has announced that MetLife Stadium will play host to WrestleMania next year.
“For the first time, The Show of Shows is headed to New Jersey, as MetLife Stadium, home to the Super Bowl XLVI Champion New York Giants, as well as the New York Jets, will host WrestleMania XXIX on Sunday, April 7, 2013,” WWE.com states.
WrestleMania Week activities, including WrestleMania Axxess, the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Raw will take place across the New York/New Jersey area in the days leading up to the pay-per-view extravaganza.
An official press conference is scheduled for Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at MetLife Stadium, where Vince McMahon will be joined by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, New York Giants President & CEO John Mara, New York Jets Owner & CEO Woody Johnson, and a slew of WWE Superstars, including John Cena, Triple H and Sheamus. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is scheduled for a “special appearance.”
— Dusty Rhodes, Iron Sheik, Jimmy Snuka, Sgt. Slaughter and The Honky Tonk Man will not be appearing on WWE Legends’ House. “Hacksaw” Jim Jim Duggan, “Mean” Gene Okerlund and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper have been confirmed to appear on the program. The show began filming last week at the former house of Harpo Marx in Rancho Mirage, California.
WWE officials contemplated having Sheik appear on the reality program due to the perception that he is funny but a doctrine is in place for the show to not appear “sad.”
— CM Punk and John Cena “are neck-and-neck” as the top merchandise sellers in WWE. Punk, however, is ahead in the adult male demographic. Zack Ryder is also among the company’s top merchandise sellers.
— Ring of Honor World Champion Davey Richards will challenge Prince Devitt for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight Championship on March 10 in Japan.
As if fans didn’t already have enough reasons to dislike John Cena, Monday’s RAW gave us what might be the best reason yet. Zack Ryder is still in bad shape from the attack he suffered at the hands of Kane weeks ago, wearing a neck brace and confined to a wheelchair. Despite his physical condition, Zack’s love for Eve brought him to RAW, where he planned to finally tell her how he feels. That’s where things started to head south for the Long Island native.
Check out the videos below and tell us what you feel about this shocking twist in the Ryder-Cena-Eve storyline. Do you think this ultimate betrayal will result in Zack Ryder turning heel?
One thing’s for sure .. Cena just took himself out of the running for the 2012 Slammy Award for “Friend of The Year” …
Zack Ryder tells John Cena he plans to profess his love to Eve:
John Cena Saves Eve from Kane and Gets A Nice Reward:
(The chance to stab his friend in the back)
Eve tells Zack Ryder she “Just Wants To Be Friends”
A Distraught Zack Ryder Gets Wheeled Off The Stage By Kane:
(Eve and Cena act concerned, like they give a shit)
– John Cena has paid off the tax lien against his Florida home. According to documents filed in Hillsborough County Florida, a roofing company claimed Cena owed them $15,214.92 for work they performed.
