– WWE announced Friday afternoon via WWE.com that the organization has come to terms on the release of former Divas Champion Kelly Kelly. According to F4WOnline.com, the departure was mutual. The organization granted the former Divas Champion a leave of absence in May in hopes that she would remain and sign a new contract. She briefly returned in August, but indicated then that she would not be returning on a full-time schedule anytime soon since she was pursuing endeavors outside the organization. With Kelly still cold this week on returning, both parties decided to part ways.

– While the Divas locker room digs for Kaitlyn’s blond attacker, the official WWE website has published a photo gallery highlighting fair-haired Divas of past and present. Those featured include Natalya, Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes, Stacy Keibler, Torrie Wilson, Trish Stratus, Terri Runnels and Michelle McCool.

– SmackDown ring announcer and songstress Lilian Garcia participated in a media blitz Friday in New York City promoting her performance during halftime at Metlife Stadium this Sunday when the New York Jets battle the San Francisco 49ers.

– Former WWE star Steve Blackman turns 49-years-old Friday. He currently operates a self-defense school in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania called “BlackmanMMA.”

WWE announced Friday afternoon via WWE.com that the organization has come to terms on the release of former Divas Champion Kelly Kelly.

“WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Diva Kelly Kelly as of today, September 28, 2012. WWE wishes Kelly Kelly the best in all her future endeavors,” their statement reads.

Minutes after the announcement, Kelly wrote on Twitter:

“Had an amazing 6 years with wwe made great friends and have the most loyal and amazing fans in the world thanks for the never ending support. Have exciting things in the works can’t wait to share them with you stay tune.”

After taking a hiatus in May, it was rumored that Kelly was looking to part ways with the organization to pursue modeling and acting endeavors. WWE officials attempted to sign her to a new, longer contract, but no agreement was reached.

Initially a catalog model, Kelly debuted on WWE’s ECW brand in June 2006, with the character of an exhibitionist. She became a popular wrestler in the ensuing years, culminating with a Divas Championship victory in June 2011. After taking time off in May, she made a few WWE appearances in August before disappearing again.

WWE Diva Kelly Kelly did a photo shoot on Wednesday for Let It Fly Energy shots. Others celebrities involved in the shoot were rapper/producer Timbaland, MMA fighters Gray Maynard and Ryan Bader and American Idol alum Erica Van Pelt.

Check out these pictures of Kelly Kelly from the shoot:

[nggallery id=62]

– On Raw Monday, Mick Foley confronted CM Punk over what he believes to be an unsettling transformation in the WWE Champion under the guidance of Paul Heyman. The Hardcore Legend weighed in on their confrontation the day after on Twitter.

“The feedback from last night’s encounter on #RAW with @CMPunk has been just incredible. Thanks to all of you for your tweets. I honestly didn’t know if I could deliver at that level anymore,” he wrote.

William Regal praised the segment, tweeting, “As an #Oldpro it was a real treat tonight to watch the @realMickFoley and @CMPunk verbal confrontation. That’s why I’m proud of Pro wrestling.”

– The Sept. 21 episode of WWE SmackDown on Syfy garnered a 1.95 cable rating, down slightly from 1.96 the week before. Viewership was actually higher, with the program averaging 2.861 million viewers compared to 2.691 million viewers the prior week.

– Kelly Kelly, who has not appeared for WWE since SummerSlam. noted on Twitter that she is participating in a photo shoot today. She is scheduled to return to the road for WWE’s annual November tour of Europe.

(source: ProWrestling.net)

– Kelly Kelly is expected to be back full-time with WWE later this year.

– With Beth Phoenix expected to leave WWE next month, she’s reportedly interested in getting into acting. She is leaving WWE on good terms and could be back in the future.

– Ted DiBiase worked in the heel role at Sunday’s SmackDown live event in London, Ontario, Canada, losing to Kofi Kingston. DiBiase was busted open early in the match after taking a dropkick to the face.

– Washington.CBSLocal.com has an article up featuring an interesting quote from NFL player Adam Carriker of the Washington Redskins. After tearing his right quadriceps tendon and collapsing to the ground during a game this weekend, the first thing he thought about was pro wrestling.

“I’m laying there on the turf at the Edward Jones Dome and there’s one thing going through my mind and it’s the image of Triple H tearing his quad tendon off his knee in the ring. Why I’m thinking about that, I don’t know,” he said. “I think that’s because it’s exactly where I felt it in my leg.”

(Partial source: F4Wonline.com)

– WWE’s mobile service announced this evening that Jim Ross will fill in for Jerry Lawler at the announce booth tonight on Raw.

Their statement reads, “BREAKING NEWS: Tonight LIVE 8/7 CT on USA Network. Jim Ross returns to Raw announce booth while Jerry Lawler continues his recuperation.”

Raw will feature a three-man announce team since John “Bradshaw” Layfield will also call the action. Joey Styles tweeted, “THIS JUST IN: @JRsBBQ to join @JCLayfield and @MichaelCole on commentary tonight on @WWE #RAW. @JerryLawler headed back to Memphis!”

– Kelly Kelly is ranked No. 13 on Sports Illustrated’s “Top 15 Sports WAGs on Twitter” list. SI Says of the sexy, smart and powerful Diva, “WWE diva Kelly turned heads at SummerSlam last year when she smooched a mystery man at ringside. The mystery man turned out to be Stars defenseman Sheldon Souray, and the two have been an item ever since.”

– In an effort to raise cancer awareness, WWE has changed the link colors on their Twitter page to pink.

– The following matches will take place on today’s WWE Superstars:

* Alicia Fox vs. Natalya
* Zack Ryder vs. Cody Rhodes
* Tensai vs. Justin Gabriel
* Jinder Mahal vs. Santino Marella

– Kelly Kelly noted on Twitter that her 2013 calendar will be released next month and will be available exclusively on her personal website.

– Daniel Bryan wrote the following on Twitter about his match with Kane against Kofi Kingston and R-Truth at Sunday’s Night of Champions pay-per-view:

https://twitter.com/wwedanielbryan/status/246045105931300864

https://twitter.com/wwedanielbryan/status/246046560968912897

This week on WWE Download, Randy Orton takes over Chris Jericho’s reign in the “Midlife Crisis Clip of the Week” as a clip of the third-generation grappler botching an RKO attempt on Jericho during a January 2004 episode of Raw is shown multiple times.

“Nice work buddy, I’ve never actually seen a Statue of Liberty play in WWE before,” Ziggler says of Orton in the clip. “Too bad your face wasn’t covered in tats too, at least hide the embarrassment.”

Ziggler continues, “Instead of the “Legend Killer,” we can call you the “Segment Killer.” You know like segments are parts of the show, and there are good ones and bad ones, and then there’s one in the middle, there’s one that I steal all the time, and then there’s you know, Randy’s. No wonder your TV wives won’t stick around for longer than a week. Why don’t you turn back into a human snake and quit while you’re only slightly behind.”

The Viper is not the only WWE Superstar Ziggler ridicules as Kelly Kelly is mocked over her dancing.

– Cameron, who was arrested and charged with driving under the influence on Aug. 24 in N. Hillsborough County, Florida, did not appear at Friday’s Raw live event in Sydney, Australia nor Saturday’s show in Melbourne after appearing at the first show in Brisbane. Brodus Clay was only accompanied by Naomi at the final two shows.

After cops took her into custody, the police report says Cameron offered one of the officers $10,000 to “let her go because she would lose her job.” According to F4WOnline.com, many people within WWE feel her bribery attempt will cost her her job.

– After recently being offered a five-year contract extension with WWE, sources within the organization have indicated that she has not signed a new deal at this time.

– An upcoming issue of WWE Magazine will feature an interview with AJ Lee.

– Mercedes KV (Mercedes Kaestner-Varnado), a 20-year-old New England-based women’s wrestler who recently signed a WWE developmental contract, is the first cousin of rapper Snoop Lion (formerly known as Snoop Dogg).

– Kelly Kelly stated on Twitter that she shot photos for her upcoming calendar all day Thursday. Click here to view a preview image.

– WWE will hold a SmackDown taping on Tuesday, October 30, 2012 at the Crown Center in Fayetteville, North Carolina. WWE Superstars advertised to appear include Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, Alberto Del Rio, Kane, Ryback, Damien Sandow, Sin Cara and Kaitlyn.

– Kaitlyn is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.

(source: PWInsider.com)

– Following his appearance on Monday’s WWE RAW [via satellite], WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels says he’s leaving the spotlight once again and is looking forward to returning to his private family life:

Well, the upside is this…the noisy trucks are gone & tomorrow I go back to my life of ranching,family & #MRA…one handed for a while!!:-)

— Shawn Michaels (@ShawnMichaels) August 21, 2012

– After coming up short in the #1 contender’s Divas Battle Royal on Monday’s RAW, Tamina tweeted the following message:

https://twitter.com/taminasnuka/status/237786264378675200

– Speaking of the Divas Battle Royal, it’s worth noting that Kelly Kelly and Beth Phoenix were featured on the preview graphic for the match, despite the fact that neither of them was at RAW.

Arda Ocal (@arda_ocal) of theScore is at SummerSlam Axxess this weekend and got exclusive video interviews with a number of WWE Superstars and Divas.

Dolph Ziggler says Summerslam vs Chris Jericho is the most important match of his life and he idolized Chris Jericho growing up:

Alicia Fox notes there will be a wardrobe change in her future:

Kelly Kelly hopes WWE uses her more:

Leaked WWE SUMMERSLAM RESULTS: Find Out WHO Will Win Tonight’s Top Matches

– Mick Foley hits the stage of a Long Island comedy club in the latest edition of “Outside The Ring.” The Hardcore Legend talks about nearly quitting the endeavor after hitting some initial snags but he eventually found his niche.

– WWE.com has added “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” Ken Shamrock to its Alumni page. His ties to mixed martial arts and the UFC are acknowledged in his bio.

– Kelly Kelly, who has sporadically appeared for WWE in recent weeks, noted on Twitter that she will be on hand for tonight’s SummerSlam Kickoff Party in Los Angeles, California.

– Though it would appear that Kelly Kelly is back full-time with WWE following her appearance on Raw, as of a few days ago, she had not committed to a road schedule. She is only committed to working for the next two or three weeks and as an ambassador afterward.

– Promoting Dolph Ziggler’s appearance this Friday night on “The Highlight Reel” on SmackDown WWE.com has posted a playlist of the best moments in the history of Chris Jericho’s talk show, including guest appearances by Shawn Michaels, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Goldberg among others.

– The July 27 Raw live event in Jacksonville, Florida drew 6,500 paying $220,000. The July 28 Raw live event in Albany, Georgia drew 3,800 paying $110,000. The July 29 Raw live event in Dothan, Alabama drew a sellout crowd in a 2,500-seat set-up.

– In DVR viewership for Raw, the July 9 show drew 291,000 and while the July 16 show had 307,000.

(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– Former WWE star Ken Doane speculates that the online beef between Maria Kanellis and Kelly Kelly has something to do with WWE Champion CM Punk, who has a history with both Divas.

Maria Kannellis Airs Out Kelly Kelly’s Personal Issues

Doane wrote:

https://twitter.com/kenndoane/status/233036665696956416

https://twitter.com/kenndoane/status/233037070589902848

https://twitter.com/kenndoane/status/233037452342870016

https://twitter.com/kenndoane/status/233041545807425536

Doane also commented on the Chris Jericho’s beef with Kevin Nash, who said the wrestling industry died at WrestleMania 20 when WWE ended the show with new World Heavyweight champion Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero celebrating in the ring:

https://twitter.com/kenndoane/status/233166909103824897

Recap: Nash Says Benoit & Guerrero As Champs Ruined The Business

– The dark main event that took place after Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Houston, Texas saw John Cena defeat Big Show and Dolph Ziggler in a handicap match.

*Spoilers* WWE SmackDown Tapings Results For Friday

Cena won after Show accidentally knocked out Big Ziggler with his WMD punch. After the match, John Laurinaitis came down with a steel chair, but Cena hit him with an Attitude Adjustment before he can use it.

While recapping Monday’s episode of Raw for Maria Menounos’ media network AfterBuzzTV.com, former WWE performer Maria Kanellis used the open forum to cryptically remark about Kelly Kelly’s personal life.

The WWE Diva appeared on Raw for the first time in over two months and scored a singles match victory over Eve following a surprise hurricanrana. “There was a lot of speculation that [Kelly Kelly] was leaving for good. So they must have come to terms on her contract and she’s still here,” Kanellis states.

Co-host Josh Padgett and special guest Nigel McGuinness then ask Kanellis whether she had “backstage heat” with Kelly, who she worked alongside with in WWE from 2006 to 2010. She responds in a cryptic manner.

“I just think that sometimes you gotta be careful what photos end up on the Internet when people are involved with other people because it makes us girls that work our tails off to be very good individuals and be good at our job look trashy,” stated Kanellis, who prides herself in being a ‘Lady’.

McGuinness says he never saw “those photos” and feels that Kelly should set up her own website. “Trending now, naked pictures of Kelly Kelly,” he jokes. “The First Lady of Ring of Honor” responds, “I don’t mind those, naked it up if you’re by yourself, but if you’re with someone else’s someone else…I don’t like that. Scandalous and I don’t like it. It’s exact opposite of what I’m about. I think that you have to be careful with that stuff. Especially if you’re trying to change…”

At this point, Kanellis is directed by the producer to change the subject to Kelly’s match. She responds, “I don’t want to go the next match.” She then continues, “Especially if you’re trying to change the opinions people are having about a certain group of individuals. You know what I mean? I have a problem with that because I fought my entire life to try and be just as strong as men and just as smart, and of course, the first thing that happens, is I get a stupid gimmick. So what did I do? I got on Celebrity Apprentice. And as soon as I was out of WWE, I started to make a change with my life, but it was not random photos of me with someone else’s someone else—because they don’t go away.”

Regarding the photos in question, Kanellis appears to be referencing some images that surfaced online in early 2009 of Kelly canoodling with a married man in fellow WWE Superstar Chris Jericho—the batch included a shot of the two kissing. It has been heavily speculated that the two were involved in a secret romantic relationship then; a Google.com search for the term “chris jericho kelly kelly” leads to numerous suggest results including “chris jericho kelly kelly kissing,” “chris jericho kelly kelly dating,” “chris jericho and kelly kelly a couple” and “chris jericho kelly kelly together.”

Kelly appeared to respond to Kanellis’ cryptic remarks Tuesday evening via Twitter, herself cryptically stating, “I will never mention your name, you will never be relevant. If I have something to say about you, I will say it to you ? #thebiggerperson.”

Kanellis responded, “Relevant enough to call me. #IMALADY.” She then deleted the remark, but stands by her show comments.

She tweeted, “@afterbuzztv is a show about a show. Every show discusses the show, news and gossip. If you don’t like you’re dirty laundry aired maybe you should be more careful about what shows up on the Internet.”

To view Kanellis’ two-minute long spiel, click here.

– Kelly Kelly returned to WWE programming Monday on Raw as she scored a singles match victory over Eve following a surprise hurricanrana. The WWE Diva explained how it felt to be back on Backstage Fallout.

“It feels so great, oh my gosh, I can’t even describe it,” Kelly said. “Just walking through the curtain and hearing the crowd react, ’cause I doubt they had any idea that I was coming back tonight; I didn’t make any mention of it. I just wanted everyone to be surprised and excited when I walked out and they were so into the match and they were cheering my name. I missed that so much. I’m so glad to be back, it’s been great.”

Curt Hawkins, Tyler Reks, Alex Riley and Daniel Bryan also react to Raw events.

– Less than two weeks ago, WWE.com published a photo gallery of Divas who have appeared at SummerSlam over the years, many of which featuring former Women’s Champion Sable. WWE then promoted the photo gallery on the site’s main page late last week, but with all photos of the former Diva removed.

– Ryback will be appearing at the National Guard Storefront in Mesquite, Texas on August 13th from 11am-1pm.

– Ted DiBiase will also be appearing at the National Guard Storefront in Round Rock, Texas the following day on August 14th from 11am-1pm.

– Kelly Kelly tweeted the following message after returning on Monday’s WWE RAW:

So happy to be back on raw 2night an trending worldwide made it even better we have the best fans in the world thank u #k2krew love you guys

— Barbie Blank (@TheBarbieBlank) August 7, 2012

WWE Divas Champion Layla touted a video after RAW congratulating Kelly Kelly on her return and teased that they might be teaming up in the near future.

Kelly was off television for an extended period of time and it has been widely reported that her future with the company was uncertain. WWE was reportedly interested in signing her to a new long-term contract and Kelly began taking bookings outside of the auspices of WWE. No word yet on her contract status, but her return to television is a strong indication that she’s staying on board.

– Kelly Kelly returns to the WWE ring next week after being granted time off the road in late May. She is scheduled to appear on the SmackDown brand’s tour of Japan beginning August 9 and will be returning full-time.

Kelly, who had been on the road on a weekly basis since joining WWE in 2006, was reportedly granted a break to spend time with her family and boyfriend. She last competed on television on the May 21 Raw SuperShow, losing to Beth Phoenix.

– MVP was among the WWE alumnus contacted to appear on Raw 1,000. WWE officials, however, ultimately changed their minds on bringing him and other former Superstars such as Steve Blackman, Tatanka and Viscera.

– The July 27 Raw live event in Charleston, West Virginia drew 5,500 attendees paying $170,000. The July 28 Raw live event in Lexington, Kentucky drew 6,000 paying $200,000. The July 29 Raw live event at the Broadbent Arena in Louisville, Kentucky drew a legitimate sell-out of 6,000 paying $235,000. The July 28 SmackDown live event in Johnson City, Tennessee drew 3,500 paying $110,000. The July 29 SmackDown live event in Pikeville, Kentucky drew 4,000 paying $120,000.

(sources: PWInsider.com, F4WOnline.com)

– Hollymood Entertainment issued a press release that they have taken the documentary 101 Reasons Not To Be A Pro Wrestler off YouTube and are hosting it exclusively at Sikk.tv, a new online video portal website.

The documentary includes DDP, Chyna, Rikishi, Babi Slymm, Sean O’Haire, Psicosis, The Predator, Nozawa, Tylene Buck, New Jack, Vampiro, and Konnan among others talking about issues like drug abuse, the need for a union, Vince McMahon’s monopoly on the business and more.

View all 3 parts here

– Shad Gaspard appears on TV Land’s show The Exes Wednesday night at 10:30 PM ET.

– Kelly Kelly is the cover girl for the Maxim 2013 calendar.

– With Kelly Kelly still off WWE television, WWE sources indicate that she has not signed a new contract with the company. WWE reportedly offered her a new 5-year deal in recent weeks. She was backstage at RAW 1,000, but was not used. During her time away from WWE, she has been doing her own personal appearances and looking for acting work.

– The latest in TNA’s ongoing lawsuit against WWE and former employee Brian Wittenstein is that a hearing is set for this Wednesday, August 2nd in Nashville, Tennessee.

The nature of the hearing is that TNA is looking for the temporary restraining order against Wittenstein to be changed to a court injunction that would require him to submit all materials relating to confidential TNA manners and prohibiting him from him transferring that material to a third party.

– Beginning tomorrow night, WWE’s weekly Monday night program will be officially referred to as Raw rather than Raw SuperShow. It was apparently a sudden change as all future Mondays events were labeled Raw SuperShow as recently as last week. WWE.com changed their live events listings to reflect the change.

WWE instituted the Raw SuperShow tag on August 29, 2011 due to the addition of the SmackDown brand roster to the weekly program. SmackDown talent will continue to appear on Raw.

– Kelly Kelly is featured in a new WWE.com Divas photo shoot (view here) that was shot backstage at Raw 1,000, thus confirming she was at the show. Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer was unsure last week as to whether she was actually at the event since he received no accounts of her being there.

Kelly’s status with the organization remains in limbo. As of last weekend, she had not informed management of her future plans.

– Jim Ross confirmed a report published here last week that Randy Orton, who was serving a 60-day suspension for his second violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Policy, was backstage at Raw 1,000 in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Ross said he “looked good” when he saw him at the show.

– With the ratings success of the weekly “Legends” segments on Raw, WWE’s booking committee are considering making the feature a regularity by having one former Superstar brought back on every show.

– A third segment involving WWE Divas was scripted for Raw 1,000 but nixed due to many of the show’s early segments running long. The Wrestling Observer believes Kelly Kelly, who has been absent since May, was slated to appear.

– WWE will hold Raw on Monday, October 8 at the Power Balance Pavilion in Sacramento, California. Ticketmaster.com will hold a pre-sale for the event Monday, August 6 at 10:00 A.M. PDT. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, August 10 at 10:00 A.M. PDT.

– Southeastern independent wrestler Scottie Wrenn was hospitalized last week due to a possible heart attack and may require stents.

(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– Derek Foore, the 2010 NAIA national wrestling champion from Notre Dame, is currently training at WWE developmental as Chad Baxter. Many people have compared him to a young Kurt Angle.

Marcus Anthony, a former OVW star with a muscular physique, is now training at FCW as Lincoln Broderick.

– Kelly Kelly’s relationship with WWE remains strained. Some people in WWE expected her to return at RAW 1,000 and be back full time, but she did as of the weekend, she had not informed WWE of a time when she was going to come back or any future plans asking for more time off.

– Former WWE Diva Kia Stevens (Kharma) revealed on Twitter this week that she was recently released by the company. Sources in WWE indicate that she had a reputation for being difficult to work with and was stubborn about different suggestions to modify her character. Another big issue was her weight. She had been training in Florida and did lose weight, but was still not where WWE wanted her to be.

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– Smith Hart wrote the following on Twitter about WWE wasting Bret Hart at RAW 1000:

“Another waste of a legend. I would have much preferred Bret referee than ring announce. Especially given his history with both men.”

– Kelly Kelly was apparently backstage at RAW last night but not used.

– WWE’s new DVD and Blu-ray on The Undertaker’s streak hits stores today.

– There was a lot of buzz backstage at RAW 1,000 about WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin not being there. Austin, arguably the biggest star in the history of Monday Night RAW, was rumored to be at the show, but was not in St. Louis.

F4Wonline.com reports that Austin is in California working on the new Adam Sandler movie Grown Ups 2 and was not able to get away from filming to appear on RAW.