– WWE will be holding a live event this Wednesday from the Colonial Life Arena in Columbia, SC. CM Punk, Ryback, Dolph Ziggler and The Wyatt Family are among the superstars advertised to appear.
– Here’s the latest “Behind The Scenes” video from Chris Jericho’s new web series “But I’m Chris Jericho!”
-Former TNA Knockout So Cal Val recently attended a WWE SmackDown television taping and was shown on camera:
-During Saturday’s rolling rally for the Boston Red Sox, MLB World Series MVP David Ortiz wore a WWE Championship belt. As noted earlier this week, WWE Superstar John Cena had been tweeting Ortiz and telling him to “be on the look-out for WWE bling just in time for the World Series parade.”
-The Forbes website recently ran a featured story on WWE’s hope to secure a giant rights-fee increase for both RAW and SmackDown when the deals come up. You can check out that article online at Forbes.com.
WWE Superstar and current World Heavyweight Champion John Cena recently took to Twitter to post some photos of his Halloween costume. Cena, who dressed up as Jabba the Hutt from Star Wars, posted the following pictures, including one with his real-life girlfriend and WWE Diva, Nikki Bella.
-There will be a pro wrestling legends show on Saturday in Youngstown, Ohio at the Covelli Center featuring “Rowdy” Roddy Piper holding a “Piper’s Pit” segment with fellow WWE Hall Of Famer “The Mouth Of The South” Jimmy Hart. Also scheduled to appear at the event are Sean “X-Pac” Waltman, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Marty Jannetty, Bushwhacker Luke and Tatanka.
-The following is another excerpt from the recent John Cena interview with the New Orleans Times-Picayune. This time, Cena discusses his recent matches with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson at WrestleMania:
“I really got to live a dream the past few years having some big marquee matchups with Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. And when you rub elbows with a guy like The Rock, you truly are in the company of the greatest of all-time. It was like watching a prize fight where everyone is just throwing haymakers. For us to be interactive over a 2 1/2 year span, it was pretty impressive, especially in this day and age. It was a dream scenario for me.”
You can read the complete interview online at NOLA.com.
In a recent “Mac Attack” radio show interview, WWE Superstar John Cena was asked the question, “Is Vince McMahon as crazy as he seems?” The following is Cena’s response to that question:
Crazy smart. That guy is truly a genius. Being able to take small-town promotions that started out in Charlotte, or in Boston, or in Florida, centralize the whole thing, get the whole world to watch it – we’re talking about the World Series here, but WWE is a global company. We’ll be in Charlotte on Tuesday, but we’re taking off to the U.K. and Europe right after that. We tour India, we tour China, we tour South America, Africa – it’s a global company. Yes, he’s crazy, but crazy like a fox.”
You can check out the complete “Mac Attack” interview with John Cena online at CBSLocal.com.
-According to a SEC filing on Friday, Stephanie McMahon has signed a three-year WWE talent contract with an annual salary of $325,000. For more information, visit IR.Corporate.WWE.com.
-WWE Superstar and current World Heavyweight Champion John Cena recently tweeted David Ortiz of the Boston Red Sox. Cena told Ortiz, who just won the World Series this week, to “be on the look-out for WWE bling.” You can read the tweet below:
The following are highlights from a recent Times-Picayune interview with WWE Superstar and current World Heavyweight Champion John Cena:
On bringing prestige back to the World Heavyweight Championship: “This is not taken as a shot of disrespect to anyone who has held the title before me, but it’s now viewed as a second-tier championship. [Defending the title at WrestleMania XXX] will truly put a stamp on making it the real deal. I want the WWE universe to realize that it’s not a second-tier championship. It should be treated with as much respect as the WWE Title.”
On coming up on passing Ric Flair’s legendary 16-time title reign: “If I have two more, that means I’m going to lose it two more times. So I’d rather stay at 14. That record is held in pretty high esteem. Just to be in that conversation, that means I’ve done something right over the years. If it gets to the point of where it does happen, I’ll enjoy hearing what our fans have to say.”
Check out the complete interview online at NOLA.com.
-The current issue of Sports Illustrated (November 4th issue) has a photo of Clinton Portis of the Denver Broncos wearing a replica WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt. Portis, who ran for 218 yards and five touchdowns against the Kansas City Chiefs, was referred to in the article as the “Heavyweight running back of the world.”
-Speaking of sports and the World Heavyweight Championship, the current owner of the title, John Cena, appeared on The Rise Guys radio show on 95.7 in San Francisco on Thursday. Cena mainly spoke about the Boston Red Sox winning the MLB World Series this week.
Cena also tweeted about the Red Sox winning the World Series, writing:
-The official E! website has added a new preview clip of the WWE Total Divas reality show. In the clip, WWE Superstar John Cena discusses a time when he pooped his pants in the ring. You can check that clip out online at EOnline.com.
-The pre-sale password for the return of WWE to Chicago, Illinois on December 26th is PUNK. Currently advertised WWE Superstars for the event include CM Punk, Paul Heyman, Ryback, Daniel Bryan, Randy Orton and The Wyatt Family.
– World Heavyweight champion John Cena was interviewed by Renee Young last night after defeating Damien Sandow on RAW. Cena said Sandow gave a great effort, but he doesn’t plan on losing the World Heavyweight title any time soon. Cena says he plans to carry himself like a champion, unlike other people in WWE.
– CM Punk suffered a cut over his eye after being attacked by Bray Wyatt and The Wyatt Family on RAW. WWE.com has video footage from a commercial break of Punk refusing help from referees.
– The following matches are rumored for WWE Survivor Series:
* World Heavyweight Champion John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio
* WWE Champion Randy Orton vs. Big Show
* A traditional Survivor Series Elimination Match with CM Punk, Daniel Bryan and 2 partners vs. The Wyatt Family and a partner.
* 4-Team Tag Title Match featuring Cody Rhodes & Goldust vs. The Real Americans vs. The Shield vs. another team, probably The Usos.
(Information from f4wonline.com was used in this report)
WWE Superstar Damien Sandow cashed in his “Money In The Bank” briefcase on Monday’s edition of WWE RAW. After interupting and attacking John Cena’s surgically repaired arm in the opening segment of Monday’s RAW, Sandow officially cashed in his briefcase. Unfortunately for Sandow, Cena ended up getting the win in the match, making Sandow only the second WWE Superstar to cash in his briefcase and not win a WWE Championship.
Speaking of the Cena-Sandow match, the World Heavyweight Champion spoke with Renee Young backstage immediately after his victory. You can check out a Tout video of the interview online at Tout.com.
The following is an excerpt from the “RAW Five-Point Preview” at WWE.com:
He’s still got it: John Cena made his return in the grandest style possible, not only claiming Alberto Del Rio’s World Heavyweight Championship, but doing so by battling through Del Rio’s repeated attacks on his surgically repaired triceps. With the Cenation leader back on top and the WWE at his feet, how will he kick off his 14th World Title reign … and will Mr. Money in the Bank Damien Sandow decide to make his move on The Champ? The new champion will address the WWE Universe at the start of tonight’s Raw.
-Despite the finish at WWE Hell In A Cell pointing in the direction, there are no plans for Shawn Michaels to come out of retirement and wrestle an actual match. Apparently HBK was swearing to everyone backstage at the show on Sunday niight that he’s not coming back for another match, nor was there any real talk from WWE management on at Hell In A Cell about that happening.
-One source within WWE claims that the expectation for tonight’s RAW rating is a 3.0, due to the Shawn Michaels appearance stemming from the Hell In A Cell main event angle, as well as John Cena’s first live appearance on RAW in the past few months. RAW tonight goes up against the MLB World Series.
-WWE is advertising Shawn Michaels for tonight’s post-PPV edition of WWE RAW. As noted previously, Michaels played a big role in the Hell In A Cell main event, ultimately costing his former student, Daniel Bryan, the WWE Championship after hitting him with a super-kick on Sunday night.
-As previously reported, John Cena is advertised to work a match against Alberto Del Rio (likely a dark match) on this Tuesday night’s WWE SmackDown television taping. The new World Heavyweight Champion is also being advertised for next Tuesday night’s SmackDown taping, as WWE attempts to create more interest in that brand now that Cena holds the major title most associated with it.
– After returning at last night’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view to defeat Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight championship, John Cena has vowed to return prestige to the title:
My word,@WWEUniverse I will do everything in my power to bring back the focus and honor the #WHC deserves. This is #cenation#WRS
– When John Cena faces Alberto Del Rio tonight at WWE Hell in a Cell for the WWE Championship, Cena will sport a protective compression sleeve (with pad insert) on his surgically repaired arm, according to the Miami Herald. This is similar to what former NBA player Allen Iverson wore and what Miami Heat guard Dwyane Wade wears. That will minimize any swelling and help decrease impact on the arm.
– Booker T will not be hand on for tonight’s WWE Hell in the Cell pay-per-view event in Mimai, Florida. Rather, that WWE Hall of Famer and talent from his Reality of Wrestling promotion will be watching tonight’s pay-per-view broadcast with fans in Houston, Texas, at Diablo Loco on Richmond Avenue.
– As seen on SmackDown, CM Punk and Ryback got a tune-up match against a CM Punk imposter in preparation for their encounter with Paul Heyman tonight at WWE Hell in a Cell. Highlights from the bout are feature on the “WWE SmackDown Slam of the Week.”
– CM Punk was originally scheduled to compete at last Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Birmingham, Alabama, but ultimately did not because company officials didn’t want him to any more beat up going tonight’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event encounter against Ryback. Nonetheless, Punk’s injuries are expected to affect the booking of the match. The bout is not scheduled to be the end of his feud with Paul Heyman.
– Chris Jericho revealed late last night on Twitter that he plans to release his third autobiography, which will on his second tenure with WWE, next September, and a Fozzy album in June. In response to when he will return to WWE, Jericho responded, “Most asked question & the answer is “I don’t know” That’s the best I can say so STOP ASKING ;).”
– World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio battles the returning John Cena in a title clash tonight at Hell in a Cell. Courtesy of the official YouTube account of WWE,
-Independent pro wrestler out of Cincinnati, Danny Todd, portrayed the “CM Skunk” character on Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown. Skunk was the opponent of Ryback and Paul Heyman in the two-on-one handicap match on this week’s show. Todd has worked regularly in the past for the Northern Wrestling Federation (NWF).
-The following is the latest tweet from the official Twitter page of WWE Superstar John Cena, who makes his in-ring return for the company on Sunday night in Miami, Florida for the “Hell In A Cell” pay-per-view:
The following are highlights from a recent Miami Herald interview with WWE Superstar John Cena:
On returning from his injury and surgery: “”This one has just been about me getting back healthy, because I haven’t had a match in eight weeks, I really just want to be as strong and as ready to go as possible. When you’re in the element everyday and you can really be around your competition, that’s when you can come up with breaking it down a little more with your opponent. This will essentially be like the first game of the season for me. It just so happens to be with all the importance of the last game of a season. I’m really excited to be back, and I really think this Sunday is going to be special, and hopefully, I can shake that Miami jinx.”
On working with Alberto Del Rio in his return match: “Anyone who can be a champion at our level deserves respect. I tend not to be the guy who runs everybody down because I’ve had my share of wins and my share of loses…You can’t ignore the fact he’s the World heavyweight champion.”
On his personal real-life relationship airing on Total Divas: “That was difficult, but I’m glad I made the decision to do that, and a lot of that had to do with Nicole’s influence, obviously. I really wanted the show to be a success. I truly love Nicole, and I believe in her. It was a conscience decision for me to do it. I think our viewers will enjoy the second half of the first season that’s coming back in mid-November on the E! network. As the show grows, it gets better and more interesting to watch, and I think fans will enjoy it this time around.”
On doing movies: “Movies are a different animal. I love the live entertainment business. I love the live sports entertainment television business. I love live television period, just because it’s so honest, especially live television with an audience, because if that audience wants to say or do something, you can’t hide it from the viewers. Movies are a little bit different. It takes a lot more patience to be in a movie, to make a movie, to be active in a movie scene. I have patience, but I don’t know if I have enough.”
Check out the complete interview online at MiamiHerald.com.
The following are highlights from a recent BetweenTheRopes.com interview with Big Show:
On if he’s always had the ability to cry on command: “No! (laughs) It’s funny because I didn’t come about being able to do that until I did the movie ‘Knucklehead’. It was funny I did my movie ‘Knucklehead’ there was a scene where I had to get upset in the bathroom. I just screwed a bunch of things up and look in the mirror and for my character it was a real stressful moment and I was trying to cry and I didn’t know how to. How the hell do you just cry? Hit my thumb with a hammer or what? One of the other actors gave me some advice, think about something emotional. Think about something that would take you take that feeling and then bleed off that feeling. Everybody was real supportive and I did the scene and the director said it was good and what he wanted. Then I went to my trailer and then for about 45 minutes in my trailer I could stop balling. And I called my buddy was like dude was is wrong with me? Did I break something? I’m blowing snot bubbles, crying, hyperventilating. What is wrong with me? He said that’s what actors do. When they create a channel to that emotion, then they can tap into it and use it at any time. The weird thing is I’m a seven foot, 430 pound killer monster giant but to show an emotional side is actually a different dynamic for my character.”
“Was I happy about doing it every week? No. I was like oh geez I have to cry again? I was getting sick of it but it worked out. Now we’ve flipped full circle and we’re rocking and rolling the other way so its good.”
On John Cena’s early return from surgery: “Surprised but not surprised. I knew John was going to come back early. I didn’t know he would come back this early. I’ve known him for a long time. Since day one when he walked in the door his work ethic and the bar that he sets is a lot higher than everyone else. We’ll fly 16, 18 hours to Australia to the Middle East, Abu Dhabi or something like that. After an 18 hour plane right, the only thing I was to do really is get something to eat, have a nice shower and go to bed. John hits, right away he goes to the gym. No matter how little sleep he’s had, he goes to the gym everyday. He has that work ethic. His drive and his commitment, the things he does for the community and outside things we do for this company like Susan G. Komen and Make-a-Wish and Special Olympics and all the things John does. The guy constantly goes. I think one time someone told him he was like 77 or 78 days in a row without a day off. Like he did something every single day. Most of us go bat nuts crazy after 15, 16 days in a row. We all need to be cooled off and sent home so we can keep our mental faculties. He’s just got that drive and work ethic so I knew he would be back.”
On Daniel Bryan’s rise in WWE: “I think it’s fantastic. I got to work with Daniel when he first came in. I did some stuff with him and he was just very talented in the ring, really good at being a guy you can depend on. That’s the thing about having a long-term career in this business is the dependability factor and relatively injury-free. A lot of guys are great talents but are prone to injuries. Daniel is not prone to injuries knock on wood. He’s one of those kind of guys that no matter what the situation you put him in, he’s going to deliver in it well. When you get that kind of reputation, the only place you can go is up the ladder. That’s why it’s funny now they’re telling him he’s not the face of the company and that whole storyline where a guy like Daniel Bryan is exactly what you want in a locker room leader and a so to speak face of the company because it’s a tremendous work load being that face of the company. There’s a lot of outside things that you have to do and you have to have the ability to step up to the plate and really execute on all levels. That’s something Daniel does very well. I’m happy for him because he’s very humble, great guy, great sense of humor.”
-In addition to being planned as the top two matches at Sunday’s WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view, both Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan and John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio are being advertised locally for next Tuesday night’s WWE SmackDown television taping, likely as post-show dark matches.
-On Wednesday’s edition of the Howard Stern Radio Show, frequent caller and member of the “Wack Pack,” Eric The Midget, informed Stern that TNA Impact Wrestling star Magnus was interested in dating Stern’s co-host, Robin Quivers. They showed Quivers a photo of Magnus and she apparently seemed interested.
– Zack Ryder and Renee Young will be doing a Google Hangout on Halloween, next Thursday (10/31).
– With WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley holding his latest comedy show on 11/17 from Smithtown, NY, WWE will be taping the event in hopes of getting the special picked up by Netflix or release it as a DVD. (Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
– John Cena continues hype his return to WWE at Hell In a Cell this Sunday. He tweeted:
– On this week’s edition of MLW Radio, Konnan revealed that some people in WWE feel CM Punk has a “big head.” He is not the only talent perceived in that regard by co-workers as the former WCW competitor said a Total Divas star carries that reputation as well.
Having trouble remembering her name, Konnan states, “The other one that has a big head was…who I always used to bury and now I’m glad I did is uh…the one that was…I forgot her f****** name. The one that was dating…Ariane. Remember Ariane, from the Divas?”
He did not add further details, but indicated that unlike Daniel Bryan, Cameron, who appears under her real name, Ariane, on the E! scripted reality show, has let fame get the best of her.
– Kofi Kingston answers fan questions on this week’s edition of WWE Inbox as the Raw Superstar reveals his first job, the origins of Trouble in Paradise, and his dream opponent.
– The official WWE website has issued a poll asking fans whether it is too soon for John Cena to return to action. With over 40,000 votes cast, 45% say “No. Cena has overcome injuries before. He knows his body and when he’s ready to return.” 36% say “yes” and 20% say “not sure.”