— As reported recently, WWE creative have brainstormed a program between Booker T and Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes. Plans are now in place for an angle between the two that would lead to the former World Heavyweight Champion’s return match. That angle may kick off as early as tonight’s SmackDown taping in Houston, Texas, Booker T’s hometown.

Part of the reason WWE is doing the feud is to promote their upcoming The Best of King of the Ring DVD set, which Booker T is hosting.

— Matches taped Monday in Austin, Texas for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were Evan Bourne and Kofi Kingston vs. JTG and Primo; Eve and Kelly Kelly vs. Brie Bella and Nikki Bella.

— Sin Cara beat Michael McGillicutty in a dark match prior to Monday’s television tapings.

sources: PWInsider.com, ProWrestling.net

— The official website of Florida Championship Wrestling has added Jake Carter to their roster page. He is Jesse White, son of former WWE star Vader. He signed a developmental contract with WWE in April following a tryout at the organization’s developmental facility in Tampa, Florida.

White, 25, originally committed to the University of Oklahoma and was touted for the National Football League, but retired following a hip injury. He then followed his dad’s footsteps to the world of professional wrestling.

— Theodore Long kicked off Friday’s SmackDown by announcing that the first match of the night would feature 41 Superstars in the largest Battle Royal in WWE history. Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis then revealed the winner would earn a title match against the champion of his choosing.

Randy Orton won the 41-Man No. 1 Contender’s Battle Royal, last eliminating The Miz. Battle Royal elimination order is as follows: 1. Cody Rhodes, 2. Johnny Curtis, 3. JTG, 4. Michael McGillicutty, 5. Derrick Bateman, 6. Yoshi Tatsu, 7. Titus O’Neil, 8. Matt Striker, 9. William Regal, 10. Percy Watson, 11. John Morrison, 12. Dolph Ziggler, 13. Trent Barreta, 14. Jey Uso, 15. Ted DiBiase, 16. Tyson Kidd, 17. Daniel Bryan, 18. Tyler Reks, 19. Curt Hawkins, 20. Drew McIntrye, 21. Justin Gabriel, 22. Mason Ryan, 23. Primo, 24. Santino Marella, 25. Alex Riley, 26. Kofi Kingston, 27. Zack Ryder, 28. David Otunga, 29. Jimmy Uso, 30. Ezekiel Jackson, 31. Heath Slater, 32. Sin Cara (Negro), 33. Christian, 34. R-Truth , 35. CM Punk, 36. Sheamus, 37. Wade Barrett, 38. Jack Swagger, 39. Jinder Mahal, 40. The Miz.

— Matches taped tonight in Dallas, Texas for this week’s episode of NXT: Redemption are as follows: A.J. vs. Maxine, Derrick Bateman vs. Percy Watson, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks.

A match pitting former Corre teammates Ezekiel Jackson and Heath Slater was taped for WWE Superstars. Matches taped last night in Oklahoma City were Alex Riley vs. Drew McIntyre and JTG vs. Santino Marella.

— Want to have a cyber friend date with Shelly Martinez? Have something you been wanting to ask? Just want to get to know her in a more personal way? Buy some time and have her all to yourself!

Shelly is offering cyber friend dates through ShellyMartinez.org, which allows people to purchase time with the former WWE Diva. Those who book cyber friend dates for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday for next week get a two-for-one special: Shelly and Amber O’Neal.

source: ProWrestling.net

WWE has announced that effective immediately, NXT Redemption is moving to Wednesday afternoons at 4 p.m. ET/1 PT on WWE.com.

WWE.com made the announcement prior to the start of tonight’s regularly scheduled episode, which reads: “WWE Universe, tune in to WWE.com Wednesday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET/1 PT for an all-new episode of WWE NXT Redemption! For complete coverage of WWE NXT, including results, photos, video clips and full episodes on demand, visit NXT.WWE.COM any time.”

After WWE made the announcement on Twitter, Derrick Bateman wrote, “Ok. Nevermind. It airs at 4 tomorrow? Glad I know now…… #WALKOUT”

Matches taped tonight in Biloxi, Mississippi for tomorrow’s episode are: Daniel Bryan vs. Heath Slater, JTG vs. Yoshi Tatsu, Derrick Bateman vs. Titus O’Neil, Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks vs. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso.

— According to the latest issue of WWE Magazine, John Cena’s next WWE Studios film, The Reunion, will be released in theaters on October 21.

A website for the film, which also stars Ethan Embry and Amy Smart, has been launched at www.thereunion-movie.com.

— The main event of tonight’s episode of WWE NXT on NXT.WWE.com features Jey and Jimmy Uso squaring off against Darren Young and JTG. Also scheduled is Yoshi Tatsu vs. Jinder Mahal and Percy Watson vs. Tyson Kidd.

— WWE is asking fans to vote on the WWE Greatest Matches Facebook page to help program the WWEGreatestMatches.com schedule for the month of January.

source: ProWrestling.net

— Commenting on his recent release from WWE during an interview with Wrestling101.com, Chris Masters says he didn’t receive the opportunity he feels he deserved.

“We didn’t part on bad terms, for me personally this time was very different from the first time I was released. I do feel like I worked my ass off and they should’ve at least given me another shot,” Masters said.

“The Masterpiece” also wonders why WWE opted to keep certain talents employed over him.

“I look at other guys on the roster and I don’t mean to mention names but people like JTG and a handful of other guys and you think, “your going to keep this guy but your going to get rid of me?”

— Justin Roberts filled in for Tony Chimel at tonight’s SmackDown taping in Toronto, Ontario, who missed the event. Chimel also missed this past weekend’s SmackDown live tour; Eden Stiles handled ring announcing duties.

— Matches taped tonight in Toronto, Ontario, Canada for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows:

* Ezekiel Jackson vs. Tyson Kidd

* Brodus Clay vs. Mike Palmer

— WWE developmental wrestler Percy Watson appears on tonight’s episode of NXT: Redemption as he partners with Titus O’Neil in a tag team match against Derrick Bateman and Tyson Kidd. The NXT Season 2 contestant returned to WWE programming on last week’s episode of WWE Superstars as he and O’Neil lost a tag team match to Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks.

Other matches slated for NXT include:

* A.J. vs. Maxine

* Darren Young and JTG vs. Matt Striker and William Regal

— Mason Ryan returned to television at tonight’s WWE Superstars taping in Columbus, Ohio as he competed in a match against JTG. The Welsh grappler resumed competing at live events two weeks ago after being sidelined since late June due to an undisclosed injury.

The taping also saw the return of Tyler Reks and Percy Watson to television. Reks, teaming with Curt Hawkins, squared off against Percy Watson and NXT contestant Titus O’Neil. Reks and Hawkins would later appear on Raw Supershow during a backstage segment with Alberto Del Rio.

— Drew McIntyre beat Primo via Future Shock in a dark match.

— ESPN.com published an article on Mick Foley’s recent stand-up comedy appearance at The Brokerage Comedy Club in Bellmore, New York. ESPN mentioned some of his comedy bits and noted “He started the comedy journey 2 1/2 years ago, but took a long layoff while working for TNA Wrestling. Now a free agent, he’s focused on finding the same confidence in comedy that made him a squared-circle icon.”

The article is available here.

The Miz and Bill Goldberg appeared together on Tuesday atthea “It’s Symantec, Sucka” event at the Dell Computers facility in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Former WWE & WCW star Bill Goldberg posted a photo of himself and The Miz on Twitter – and told WWE officials not to give Miz any problems for appearing with him at a publicity event.

Goldberg tweeted on Tuesday:

“To be fair, neither one of us had ANY idea the other was going to be there.”

“WWE, if you’re listening, it was not his fault so leave him alone.”

Here are two pictures of Goldberg and Miz together:

— Vickie Guerrero introduced the “new and improved” Dolph Ziggler on Monday’s episode of Raw as he unveiled a freshly trimmed head of brown hair just before facing Evan Bourne.

The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion is not thrilled with his new ‘do as he wrote the following on his personal Facebook account the morning after the show: “I feel like ‘bender’ from Futurama, when they chopped off his antenna….”

— Tyler Reks is in action on this week’s episode of WWE Superstars as he faces JTG. Also featured is Maryse vs. Natalya and Mark Henry vs. Ted DiBiase.

The episode is available here.

— Alicia Fox has replaced Melina on the last leg of Raw’s ongoing tour of Europe. The brand’s tour concludes Saturday in Doha, Qatar.

— WWE Superstars Chris Masters, Curt Hawkins, Dolph Ziggler and JTG appear on tonight’s episode of Silent Library, which airs at at 7:00 p.m. on MTV. A replay airs at 2:30 a.m.

— NXT Season 3 contestant AJ Lee worked this past weekend’s SmackDown live events, teaming with Beth Phoenix in a tag team bouts against Layla and Kaitlyn. Lee and Phoenix split the series, losing on Saturday and winning on Sunday.

— A Twitter account has been launched for WWE Classics On Demand.

— Last week’s episode of SmackDown featured 32 minutes and 17 seconds of in-ring action, down from 34 minutes and 13 seconds the week before.

source: PWInsider.com

The fifth season of NXT Season Five is called NXT Redemption and features six runner-up contestants from previous seasons. The cast is as follows:

* Byron Saxton with Pro Yoshi Tatsu

* Conor O’Brian with Pro Vladimir Kozlov

* Darren Young with Pro Chavo Guerrero

* Jacob Novak with Pro JTG

* Lucky Cannon with Pro Tyson Kidd

* Titus O’Neil with Pro Hornswoggle

The broadcast team consists of Todd Grisham and William Regal. Matt Striker and Maryse act as the show’s hosts.

It was announced that there is no immunity in Season Five.

source: PWInsider.com

— NXT Season 1 contestant and original Nexus member Michael Tarver returned to the ring at last night’s Florida Championship Wrestling television taping in Tampa, Florida. He had been sidelined since early October due to a groin injury.

Tarver entered the ring through the audience and soundly defeated Donny Marlow. He did not offer any insight on his future plans.

— The TicketMaster.com pre-sale code for the WWE SmackDown live event on Feb. 26 in Fort Wayne, Indiana at the Memorial Coliseum Expo Center is EDGEFTW. The online pre-sale is currently ongoing and will end tonight at 10 p.m.

— Today is JTG’s birthday. He turns 26 years old.

— After losing to Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania, CM Punk challenged The Master of the 619 to a rematch last night on SmackDown, pledging to put his hair on the line for another opportunity to “save” him. With that being said, it has not yet been announced when the match will take place.

— Cryme Tyme’s four-year run came to an end last night on SmackDown as Shad turned on JTG following their loss to John Morrison and R-Truth. Shad subsequently cut a promo saying it’s “his time.”

He later issued the following statement on Twitter: “MY TYME!!!! MY TIME!!!! MY TYME!!!! MY TIME!!!! MY TYME!!!! MY TIME!!!! MY TYME!!!! MY TIME!!!! MY TYME!!!! MY TIME!!!! MY TYME!!!!”

— WWE returns to the Covelli Centre in Youngstown, Ohio on June 26th, 2010 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale April 10th, 2010 at 10 a.m. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

At Tuesday night’s SmackDown tapings, Cryme Tyme member Shad Gaspard told WWE management that he was unable to participate on the show as scheduled because he was feeling very sick.

Gaspard’s partner, JTG took his spot at the last minute and you can read what went down here:

• *SPOILERS* SmackDown Tapings Results for Friday 10/23

After some online reports that some people backstage were questioning the legitimacy of Gaspard’s illness, he posted the following message on his MySpace page earlier today:

“Ok before this thing gets out of hands let me set the record straight. This past Monday I got sick while traveling from Mexico to the US. On Tuesday my symptoms increased drastically to body pains, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, and nausea. I tried several over the counter medicines that temporarily worked, but didn’t help in the long run.

Finally I went to or WWE doctor who prescribed to give me a shot of Phenergan, which should have worked. Unforchantly it made me drowsy and brought on cold chills. The office thought it best I leave than try to perform. I spent Tuesday night in my hotel room vomiting and dealing with bad diarrheaa all night (Trust me no one ells was near or around me). When I got back home I dealt with the same symptom all day as my girl helped me get better bye taking what our family physician prescribed, and getting rest…..

I’ve never let being sick ever keep me from performing, I’ve worked sick, hurt, and injured before on live events, TV tapings, and Pay Per Views, I just never let no one excluding my partner know how I felt or what I was going through. I apologies to my tag team partner, the participants in my match and the WWE universe, I should have found out all the information about what was given to me before I took it, and prevented my self from getting sick in the first place.

I take full responsibility for what happened and I’m sorry. In our industry there is a tradition that the show must go on no mater what, and I feel I have betrayed that tradition bye not performing last Tuesday. The greatest joy in my life is performing in the WWE (Win, Lose or Draw), I love what I do, and I will never let something like this happen agene.

Sincerely
Shad Gaspard