Recent Picture Of Kane Unmasked Without His Wig
Check out this candid behind-the-scenes look of John Cena and an unmasked Kane together at Thursday’s WWE press conference from Dubai.
Check out this candid behind-the-scenes look of John Cena and an unmasked Kane together at Thursday’s WWE press conference from Dubai.
Dead Man On Fire
The March 2012 issue of WWE Magazine is now on sale, featuring four different “WrestleMania” covers – featuring The Undertaker, Triple H, John Cena and The Rock.
As if Triple H and Undertaker on the covers was not a strong enough sign that this match is all but official, the headline for the Triple H cover reads “Can The Game End The Deadman’s Reign?” while the headline for the issue bearing The Undertaker reads “Will “The Streak” Survive?”
The Undertaker cover was apparently designed to conceal his lack of hair, as his head is surrounded by photoshopped fire, with no hair visible.
Many people have speculated that the iconic wrestler donned a wig in his return to television last week after a photograph surfaced online last summer in which he appeared bald.
We have independently confirmed that that The Undertaker had indeed shaved his head.
— A press conference Thursday to kick off WWE’s first-ever live event tour in Abu Dhabi “turned chaotic” when Kane attacked John Cena, according to WWE.com. Cena, however, put The Big Red Monster through a table in front of members of the media.
Video and photos of the incident are available here.
— Through Twitter, Marco Corleone has been lobbying Alex Koslov (a/k/a Peter Orlov) to return to EMLL following his release from WWE last week.
— Matches airing on today’s episode of WWE Superstars on WWE.com are Johnny Curtis vs. Yoshi Tatsu, Heath Slater vs. Justin Gabriel, Jack Swagger vs. Santino Marella and tag team action pitting Epico and Primo against JTG and Michael McGillicutty.
— In today’s birthdays, Shelly Martinez turns 32 years old while Madusa turns 49.
source: PWInsider.com
— The official website of the Quicken Loans Arena is now advertising The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels for the Raw SuperShow taking place at the venue on March 12, 2012.
The Rock and Triple H were previously announced for the event. A double main event is also scheduled: John Cena vs. Kane and CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Championship.
— WWE Hall of Famer Superstar Billy Graham has been released from the hospital after being admitted on Sunday for pneumonia and leg infection. He is on heavy antibiotics right now. Graham believes he caught a virus at a wrestling convention last week in Los Angeles, California.
— Wednesday would have marked as the 54th birthday of WWE Hall of Famer “Sensational” Sherri Martel. She died on the morning of June 15, 2007 at her mother’s residence in McCalla, Alabama. The toxicology report stated that Martel died of an accidental overdose with multiple drugs in her system, including a lethal concentration of oxycodone.
source: F4WOnline.com
— The Rock is advertised for the Raw SuperShow following WrestleMania taking place April 2, 2012 at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida. The advertised main event is an Eight-Man Tag Team Match pitting John Cena, CM Punk, Randy Orton and Big Show against Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan, Kane and Mark Henry.
— Raw Superstars are advertised to appear at the April 3, 2012 SmackDown taping at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. The advertised main event is a Ten-Man Tag Team Match pitting John Cena, CM Punk, Randy Orton, Big Show and Sheamus against Chris Jericho, Daniel Bryan, Kane, Mark Henry and The Miz.
— Steve Austin says Jake “The Snake” Roberts is worthy of the WWE Hall of Fame. He wrote the following after reading Roberts’ thoughts on entering the Hall:
“JAKE THE SNAKE ROBERTS DEFINITELY DESERVES TO BE IN THE H.O.F. AND THAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE. One of my fave all time workers.”
— This week’s WWE Classics On Demand updates are as follows: Extreme Championship Wrestling (January 20, 1998), WWF Mania (January 9, 1993), World Class Championship Wrestling (February 18, 1984).
WWE issued the following press release about John Cena serving as the honorary starter for the Daytona 500. The event takes place on February 26th, with Cena set to drop the green flag:
WWE Superstar John Cena Serves As Honorary Starter For The 54th Annual Daytona 500
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – WWE Superstar John Cena will wave the green flag as Honorary Starter of the 54th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on Sunday, Feb. 26 at historic Daytona International Speedway (FOX, 1 p.m. ET).
Cena was invited to participate in this year’s big race by 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series runner-up Carl Edwards last night on WWE’s Monday Night Raw®. Edwards got out of his official No. 99 Fastenal Ford and told Cena, “NASCAR asked me to come to Monday Night Raw and personally invite you to drop the green flag and officially start the Daytona 500 on February 26.” An appreciative John Cena enthusiastically accepted with an emphatic “Yes!”
“John Cena is the greatest Superstar in WWE today,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “We look forward to seeing him on the flag stand waving the green flag to start ‘The Great American Race’ and kick off the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.”
Cena, who made his WWE debut in 2002, is a ten-time World Champion. He can be seen each week on the hit cable series Monday Night Raw on USA Network. The avid NASCAR fan will headline WrestleMania against The Rock® at Sun Life Stadium in Miami on Sunday, April 1, 2012.
Cena’s success has led to starring roles in various Hollywood films. He recently starred in The Reunion from WWE Studios and alongside Patricia Clarkson and Danny Glover in the family drama Legendary. His first theatrical film was the 2006 action-thriller The Marine from Twentieth Century Fox. Always a fan favorite with kids, Cena played himself in Nickelodeon’s popular teen comedies Fred: The Movie and Fred 2: Night of the Living Fred. A popular talk show guest, Cena has appeared on The Today Show, The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, The Talk and many more.
Cena, like many NASCAR drivers, has a long standing relationship with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He is on pace to grant his 300th wish, making him the first celebrity wish granter ever to reach that lofty goal. The Make-A-Wish Foundation recently dedicated a room to WWE at the foundation’s headquarters in Phoenix, AZ, in honor of Cena’s unwavering dedication to children with life-threatening medical conditions.
Past Honorary Starters for the Daytona 500 include NASCAR Hall of Famers Bobby Allison and Richard Petty, actor Ashton Kutcher, comedian Whoopi Goldberg and singer Mariah Carey.
Tickets for Speedweeks 2012 events, including the 54th annual Daytona 500, are available online at www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-PITSHOP.
If you are unable to attend in person, be sure to tune in to the Daytona 500 on FOX on Sunday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m. ET.
Fans can stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter (www.twitter.com/disupdates) and Facebook (www.facebook.com/DaytonaInternationalSpeedway). In addition, fans can follow NASCAR on Twitter (@NASCAR) and stay up to speed on the latest news by using hashtags #NASCAR and #DAYTONA500.
– John Cena vs. Kane in an Ambulance Match for the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view was announced on RAW by John Laurinaitis.
– As a result of winning the 6-man main event of RAW, Chris Jericho will be the last man to enter the RAW brand’s Elimination Chamber match.
– John Cena wrote the following regarding The Rock’s WrestleMania 28 hype video:
“Saw rock’s video. Especially liked the quote “when I left WWE…” Something u will never hear me say. WM28 I WILL NOT LOSE! #teamfilmit”
– Brodus clay was absent from RAW, but did wrestle a dark match against FCW star Damien Sandow.
Clay’s squash match over Heath Slater and post-match beatdown on Drew McIntyre was edited off Friday’s SmackDown broadcast.
John Cena has responded to The Rock’s latest attack on him – suggesting The Rock has a problem with gay people and needs better material.
The Rock tweeted on Friday:
“@JohnCena I was electrifying Topeka when you were sucking on yum rockets in college. My boot. Your ass. #Wrestlemania”
Cena, who got some heat from the GLAAD organization last year for comments he made on RAW that were deemed homophobic, responded to The Rock with the following:
“So its apparent that my actor buddy Dwayne doesn’t like homosexuals or secondary education. Very classy. Tell Brian to write u better stuff.”
The the “Brian” that Cena refers to is WWE creative team member Brian Gewirtz, who writes a lot of the promos for WWE’s top superstars.
Sheamus was the last man standing at Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, earning himself a title shot against a champion of his choosing at WrestleMania 28. While Sheamus winning the Rumble sets up a series of interesting scenarios for the next several months of WWE television, it was actually Chris Jericho who was originally scheduled to win the event.
Triple H, who has gained even more influence behind the scenes in recent months, made the call for Sheamus to win the Rumble just days before the event took place. The two have been close friends (and workout partners) since the Irish grappler’s promotion to the main roster in the summer of 2009.
In an interview with Power Slam magazine, Triple H singled out the Celtic Warrior as a wrestler with big potential:
“The closest to me is probably Sheamus, because we always train together on the road. But I try to watch all the young guys’ matches and give them advice, if they want to hear it. If they take advice to heart and really want to improve, then I’m wanting to help. As for seeing some of myself in someone? That’s tough. Sheamus just the other day showed up at a show he didn’t have to be at. He does whatever he’s asked to do without complaining, he goes to every show and is always wanting to work: he does it all, goes above and beyond. That’s what I was like.”
Randy Orton was also discussed as a potential winner of the Rumble, since he cleanly put over Mark Henry during The World’s Strongest Man’s rise as World Heavyweight Champion and the event was taking place in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Before the final call was made for Sheamus to win the Rumble, Chris Jericho was the favorite, which would have set up a WWE Championship showdown against CM Punk at WrestleMania XXVIII (a match that will likely happen anyways).
WWE officials contemplated last week having John Cena win the match due to the stipulation that “everyone was eligible” for the Rumble. Cena would win the match and subsequently make a tough decision: take the title shot and not face The Rock at WrestleMania.
(source: F4WOnline.com)
WWE officials contemplated months ago of putting The Miz back in the WWE Championship picture come January. That did not happen and he has not won a televised singles match since the December 5, 2011 edition of Raw. There are people within WWE who believe top officials are blaming him for the Survivor Series drawing a disappointing buy number. Teaming with R-Truth, he appeared in the main event against John Cena and The Rock.
The pay-per-view event, which featured The Rock’s first wrestling match in over seven years, is estimated to have garnered 260,000 buys worldwide. It was reported that of that figure, 160,000 pay-per-view purchases came from the United States.
The estimate compares to 244,000 buys in 2010 and 235,000 in 2009, which nearly got the show scrapped from the annual pay-per-view line-up.
source: F4WOnline.com
– An angle took place on Friday’s SmackDown in which it was suggested that Natalya had accidentally farted during a backstage confrontation with Aksana and SmackDown General Manager Theodore Long.
For those who were turned off by the talented diva being featured in a bathroom-humor segment, get ready for more – as WWE will be continuing the “Natalya farting” gimmick in the coming weeks.
– John Cena hit a milestone on Monday by netting 10 million fans on Facebook, becoming the first WWE Superstar to do so. He has since accumulated over 108,000 additional fans.
– In a trivia note, The Miz’s television record since losing the WWE Championship to John Cena in a Triple Threat Steel Cage Match at Extreme Rules on May 1, 2011 is 15-32.
– Nigel McGuinness is working on a documentary about the end of his wrestling career. He also appears in a commissioner role for a West Virginia independent wrestling organization.
(source: F4WOnline.com)
– Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer reports that Mason Ryan’s sizable push was halted weeks ago due to his inability to connect with the audience. Nonetheless, WWE creative plans on renewing his push in the near future as they feel he has great potential. The Welsh wrestler was ultimately kept off Sunday’s 30-Man Royal Rumble Match because they felt it would have done “nothing positive” for him.
Meltzer adds that Vince McMahon at least initially had an “infatuation” with Ryan, hence his fast track to the main roster last year and subsequent protection on television.
— Lance Storm stated Tuesday on Twitter that he will be attending the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Miami, Florida to see longtime friend Edge’s enshrinement. He added that he does not know yet if he’ll stay for WrestleMania.
— A photo of The Rock face-to-face with John Cena is featured on the cover of the latest issue of The Wrestler.
— Last Friday’s 1/27 edition of WWE Smackdown on SyFy drew a 2.14 rating with 3,141,000 viewers, a solid number for the show.
— TMZ.com is reporting that WWE diva Kharma, who made a surprise return at Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, gave birth to a baby boy named Jamie on December 31, 2011. Congratulations to Kharma and her family.
— Local advertising in the Milwaukee area promoting the upcoming Elimination Chamber pay-per-view are billing the John Cena vs. Kane match as their final encounter – “It comes to an end in Milwaukee.”
Cena will be moving on to his feud with The Rock after Elimination Chamber.
(Source: PWInsider.com)
Cena Mad
– On Monday’s RAW, John Cena made an “angry face” at the camera after Zack Ryder was taken away in an ambulance. WWE is teasing that Cena is finally giving in to the dark side “embracing the hate.”
It’s highly unlikely that John Cena will never undergo a complete heel turn, but his recent storyline with Kane has allowed an emotionally battered Cena to show a darker side.
A possible scenario that’s been discussed for Sunday’s match between Cena and Kane is that Cena will snap on Kane and his anger will explode to the point where he gets himself disqualified.
– Ted DiBiase is backstage for tonight’s WWE SmackDown tapings in Tucson, Arizona and sporting a brace on his wrist.
DiBiase has reportedly been trying to downplay his wrist injury to those within WWE.
– Mick Foley’s appearance on the ABC show Wife Swap will be postponed due to President Obama’s State of the Union Address tonight. The episode will air next Tuesday at 9pm EST.
– There is some confusion as to Drew McIntyre’s future on the SmackDown brand. McIntyre was fired by Teddy Long during last wek’s show, but appeared as one of the lumberjacks during the main event.
(Partial credit: pwinsider.com, f4wonline.com)
The following press release was sent out today:
Make-A-Wish Foundation® Honors WWE® and WWE Superstar John Cena® for Their Commitment to Wish-Granting
PHOENIX–Today, the Make-A-Wish Foundation honored WWE Superstar John Cena and WWE for their contributions to wish kids by dedicating a WWE-themed conference room in the charity’s global headquarters.
“WWE wishes have been popular since early in the Foundation’s history and we are proud to count the WWE and its Superstars as longtime supporters”
John Cena is on pace to grant 300 wishes to kids with life-threatening medical conditions, making him the first celebrity wish granter ever to reach that lofty goal. In 2009, John Cena received the Foundation’s “Chris Greicius Award” for his outstanding efforts on behalf of wish kids.
Recently, John Cena teamed up with Post Foods to prominently display the Make-A-Wish Foundation alongside his image on newly designed boxes of Post Fruity Pebbles Cereal, which are available nationwide through March.
WWE and WWE Superstars have been granting wishes with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for more than 30 years and have donated a significant amount of funds to help cover costs associated with many of those wishes. In addition to John Cena, WWE and its talent have received the “Chris Greicius Award” award four additional times.
“WWE wishes have been popular since early in the Foundation’s history and we are proud to count the WWE and its Superstars as longtime supporters,” said David Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. “John Cena’s commitment to our mission and his connection with our wish kids make him one of our best wish ambassadors. We are grateful for everything John and WWE have done, and we look forward to them granting many more wishes in the future.”
John Cena continues to be one of the most frequently requested celebrity wishes. Tonight, John Cena is scheduled to grant two wishes at WWE Monday Night Raw® at US Airways Center in Phoenix, AZ.
— WWE aired a commercial during Friday’s SmackDown advertising the return of Randy Orton for next week’s show.
Orton has been sidelined since December 28, 2011 due to an injury angle involving Wade Barrett.
— Former WWE performer Maryse Ouellet celebrates her 29th birthday Saturday. Following her release from WWE last October, she announced plans for a clothing and jewelry line called House of Maryse.
— The January 20, 2012 episode of WWE Vintage Collection featured the following matches: Chris Jericho vs. John Cena (WWE SmackDown – July 4, 2002), John Cena vs. Eddie Guerrero (WWE Smackdown – January 30, 2003), Hardcore Battle Royal (ECW – June 13th, 2006), Bobby Eaton and Stan Lane vs. Dennis Condrey and Randy Rose (Starrcade 1988).
— WWE superstar Mark Henry and former WWE star Batista attended the Wu Tang hip hop show on Saturday night in Austin, TX. Henry and Batista were hanging out after the show in the Wu Tang tour bus.
Batista will be featured in the new Russell Crowe movie “The Man With The Iron Fist” movie, directed by Wu Tang member Rza (shown in the picture).
– Former WWE diva Stacy Keibler attended Sunday night’s Golden Globe awards show with her boyfriend, George Clooney.
– John Cena congratulated the new WWE Tag Team Champions Epico and Primo on Twitter last night:
“Apparently we have new tag team champs..and I died in a car wreck. 1 of those is true. Congrats primo and epico”
– The Rock announced on Twitter that he is shooting a video package that will be used in the opening of Sunday’s NFL playoff game between the New York Giants and the Green Bay Packers:
“Shooting the #ElectrifyingIntro for @NFLonFOX Packers/Giants this Sunday. #RoadToTheLombardi”
– ESPN.com has picked up the story of John Cena working with Post Cereals to appear on the box of Fruity Pebbles. Cena is quoted in the article, saying:
“It’s great when you can take a negative like the Rock’s comments and turn it into a chance to be a box of cereal. Only in the WWE can that happen.”
– Here’s a behind-the-scenes look at the new Scorpion King 3 DVD co-starring former WWE star Batista:
— WWE.com has published a press release on John Cena’s partnership with Post Fruity Pebbles, which includes a collectable cereal box and an instant-win promotion awarding a VIP meet-and-greet with the talent.
“It is truly an honor to team up with Post Fruity Pebbles. After all, who doesn’t dream of being on a cereal box one day?” said Cena. “I am proud that the partnership also spreads awareness about the life-changing wishes granted by the Make-A-Wish Foundation, and ‘be a STAR’s’ anti-bullying message of showing tolerance and respect.”
— Former WWE performer Shane Helms (a/k/a The Hurricane) stated on Twitter that he is undergoing foot surgery today. On May 5, 2011, Helms and his girlfriend were involved in a motorbike accident in North Carolina. Helms suffered a broken leg, ankle, jaw, and nose during the accident, as well as sustaining other fractures and receiving over 200 stitches, while his girlfriend sustained a broken neck.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross was asked on Twitter today whether he will be calling the Royal Rumble or WrestleMania 28 this year. JR responded @JRsBBQ:
“Not up to me. Im ready if called upon.”
– ESPN’s financial expert Michele Steele tweeted on Tuesday that John Cena was worth $106 million in retail value to WWE in 2011.
No further details were given to explain Cena’s direct impact on WWE’s business, but the figure likely includes John Cena merchandise and an estimate of Cena’s impact on PPV buyrates, live event ticket sales and ad revenue from WWE programming featuring Cena.
With that kind of money rolling in due to , its understandable how WWE would be hesitant turning him heel and disrupting a formula that is working very well.
— Edge stated during an interview with Aftermath on The Score Monday night that if the choice is his, Christian will induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame.
WWE announced during the first hour of Monday’s Raw SuperShow that Edge would be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame the night before WrestleMania XXVIII.
Meanwhile, Christian and Shawn Michaels went on Twitter to congratulate Edge for his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
“A gigantic, enormous congratulations to Edge on his Hall of Fame induction. Unbelievably well deserved & I could not be happier for him!!!” wrote Michaels, a fellow WWE Hall of Famer.
Christian added, “Edge… Hall Of Fame… No one deserves it more #YouThinkYouKnowMe.”
— Following Monday’s Raw SuperShow broadcast, Dolph Ziggler cut a promo in which he claimed to have beaten John Cena. Kane then appeared, prompting Ziggler to run off. CM Punk then appeared, but was attacked by Ziggler, Kane and Jack Swagger. Big Show came out to rescue Punk, and was followed by John Cena. Big Show, Punk and Cena all took turns hitting their respective finishers on Swagger.
— This week’s WWE Classics of Demands updates are as follows: Legends of Wrestling: Renegades and Outlaws, ECW (January 6, 1998), WWF Prime Time Wrestling (July 3, 1989), World Class Championship Wrestling (February 11, 1984).
— In today’s birthdays, Buff Bagwell turns 42 years old, Brian Christopher turns 40 and Colonel DeBeers turns 67.
John Cena appeared to allude to the day Chris Benoit was found dead in a Twitter message prior to tonight’s Raw SuperShow at the American Bank Center in Corpus Christi, Texas.
“Home of Whataburger. An arena of celebration…and reflection. All cities are wonderful to WWE..but Corpus..I will never forget,” Cena wrote Monday.
On June 25, 2007, WWE canceled a three-hour-long live Raw show that was to have taken place in Corpus Christi, Texas after news broke that Benoit and his family were found dead in their home. Vince McMahon made the announcement before company employees that day at the arena; many of whom were coincidentally dressed for a scripted memorial for the Mr. McMahon character. WWE instead paid tribute to the life and career of Benoit with matches and segments from the Hard Knocks: The Chris Benoit Story video title and comments from wrestlers and announcers from Raw, SmackDown and ECW. It was not until the program was nearly over that reports surfaced that police were working under the belief that Benoit murdered his wife and son before killing himself.
— CNBC sports business reporter Darren Rovell stated on Twitter that John Cena will be featured on three million boxes of Post’s Fruity Pebbles cereal over the next three months.
As part of the promotion, Post is holding a contest for one fan to meet John Cena, win “fantastic seats” to a WWE event and Cena gear.
— Matt Striker has replaced Jim Ross as host of the Monday Night Wars series on WWE Classics On Demand. The August 10, 1998 episodes of Raw and WCW Monday Nitro are currently airing.
— Tampa Bay Times has published an article on former Florida Gator, Tampa Bay Storm player Thaddeus Bullard turned WWE NXT star Titus O’Neil. O’Neil discusses his upbringing, adjusting from the gridiron to professional wrestling, performing for tens of thousands of fans and more.
— John Morrison answered numerous fan questions for the fansite Starship-Pained.com including a query regarding life after WWE.
“I feel like I got off an express train walked to my car, and sped away. I’m still busy as all hell, but now, I’m the one driving,” he said.
He was also asked, “What do you think will help you get to the next level when you return to WWE?”
Morrison said, “JoMo needs to cut promos.”
— Popthecrowd.com has compiled a list of the top 25 most followed professional wrestling personalities on Twitter. The Rock heads the list with over 1.8 million followers. He is trailed by John Cena, Randy Orton, CM Punk, Steve Austin, Chris Jericho, The Miz, Shawn Michaels, Zack Ryder and Kelly Kelly.
— Greg “The Hammer” Valentine is scheduled to appear at WrestleReunion in Los Angeles, California later this month and he will be dying his hair jet black for the occasion. The WWE Hall of Famer will appear alongside The Honky Tonk Man and Jimmy Hart for a special “Rhythm and Blues” photo op.
– WWE officials are in the process of deciding the finish of the John Cena vs. The Rock match at WrestleMania. As of this weekend, the finish has been narrowed down to two potential scenarios.
For much more on what’s being planned for WrestleMania 28, check out our official WrestleMania news page.
– The Ultimate Warrior took a shot at Kevin Nash this week on his Twitter. When asked by a fan why Warrior doesn’t dye his hair and have another run in WWE like Kevin Nash, Warrior replied:
“I’m not a dickhead who thrives on stealing the limelight from young guys.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper tweeted the following on Tuesday, implying he will be a part of the upcoming Legends House reality show on the WWE Network:
“How can you put 8 seasoned guys living together…lets hear the name of the guy that’s going to control them week 2.5. Not Vince! No Man! Telling you…things are going to get Very Real. Straight fact,I don’t like it..don’t tease me… don’t play with me…I bite, then bury!!!”
Update: Rowdy Roddy Piper Confirmed For “Legends House”
(Partial source: pwinsider.com)