– Kelly Kelly returns to WWE this week after being granted time off the road in late May.
She tweeted Sunday, “On the road again. Can’t wait to see everyone at the #raw1000.”
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.
– WWE and Party City hosted a pizza party for Make-A-Wish kids on July 15 before Money in the Bank in Phoenix, Arizona. At the Party City celebration, Alex Riley, William Regal and Tyson Kidd met Dylan, Max and Joshua, who are all WWE Circle of Champions honorees from Make-A-Wish. Party City will host a donation drive in stores where WWE fans can donate $1 to Make-A-Wish through Aug. 18. (Article)’
– Former WWE Superstars John Morrison and Melina appear at the Steel City Con this Saturday and Sunday. The event is being held at the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.
– Kelly, has been Active with WWE Since 2006, was given time of to spend time with her family and boyfriend. She last appeared on television on the May 21 Raw SuperShow, losing to Beth Phoenix.
– Sources indicate the WWE May have a 30 minute to one hour Raw pre-show to air on the new WWE Network. There’s also talk that some of the WWE YouTube shows will be produced on the WWE Network as 1/2 hour episodes. The WWE originally expected to launch the Network April 1st 2012, however that date was moved to the ambiguous “Fall 2012”. Insiders are speculating that may be pushed back now to early 2013.
– WWE recently sent Gerald Brisco and Canyon Cemen were to recruit new WWE Talent in Colorado Springs, CO. Bobby Lashley & others train MMA in Colorado Springs.
– Kelly Kelly who has been missing from the WWE for weeks, appears in a new WWE Youtube video about her obsession with Beanie Babies.
WWE released a video of WWE stars lip-synching the Summerslam theme song to “prepare for this year’s Summerslam.” The music video includes John Cena, WWE champion C.M. Punk, Daniel Bryan, World Heavyweight. champion Sheamus, U.S. champion Santino Marella, Tag champion Kofi Kingston, Zack Ryder, Dolph Ziggler, Divas champion Layla, Rosa Mendes, Alicia Fox, Natalya, Cameron & Naomi, Curt Hawkins & Tyler Reks, and Justin Gabriel & Tyson Kidd.
– What’s Trending caught up with former WWE champion Dave “Batista” Bautista last Thursday at the San Diego Comic-Con to chat about his upcoming film, The Man with the Iron Fists, and was asked about possibly returning to WWE.
“I’m not against going back,” Batista said. “It’s just definitely not going to be this year.” (Article link)
– A kid of the ’90s, Kelly Kelly showcases her vast Beanie Baby collection on this week’s webisode of Superstar Toyz.
– The official Twitter feed of WWE has confirmed that WWE Superstars color commentator Matt Striker is now on the website at Matt_Striker_. He was asked whether the nicknames he uses for Superstars on commentary are ad-libbed and responded “All of my insanity is on the fly.I know some dont care for my brand of commentary but opinions r like a**holes, ever1 has ’em.”
– WWE was at one point Tuesday the top trending topic on Yahoo.com.
– WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels posted a homophobic remark on Twitter in response to a fan query concerning his hairline:
“Another Dude obsessed w/my hair #homo”
Michaels subsequently deleted the message after getting a lot of negative feedback.
– Kelly Kelly is advertised to appear at the SkyBar Lounge in Bakersfield, California this Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. The $40 ticket includes an amazing line up of food catered by Cafe Med restaurant, a photo with Kelly Kelly and two autographs.
The appearance was booked without outside of WWE as they are not promoting it on their website.
– Kelly Kelly’s K2 blog has announced that the WWE diva has been contacted by the Scott Fellows, creator of the Nickelodeon series Big Time Rush, about appearing on the show. A statement from Fellows on the Kelly Kelly blog reads:
“It would certainly be exciting to have Barbara in one of the new episodes of the series, the boys are excited, Barbie has a very good relationship with them. She is a big fan of them.She was in some concerts, Chris Masters was in a episode and it would be exciting to have another WWE Superstar ”
– WWE Champion CM Punk posted a preview video [view here] of his first WWE DVD, in stores this October:
– Maxine, whose real name is Karlee Leilani Perez, quit WWE last week due to frustration with her lack of upward mobility after being affiliated with the sports entertainment organization for over three years. F4Wonline.com reports she wasn’t the only female talent frustrated with her standing in the company and that some employees believe she will not be the last to leave on her own accord. This comes on the heels of Kelly Kelly taking a hiatus in order to return to modeling and see if she can land opportunities in Hollywood.
Maxine continues a trend that began last year of female talent opting to walk away from WWE, which includes Michelle McCool, Gail Kim, Maryse, Brie Bella and Nikki Bella.
– WWE.com looks back at the history of the Great American Bash—both WCW and WWE versions—with numerous photos and videos.
– When asked of the possibility of Paul Heyman returning to the announce booth, Jim Ross tweeted, “Unlikely but it’s totally a WWE call.”
– A report credited to the Wrestling Observer Monday stated that WWE officials are interested in having Bruno Sammartino headline next year’s Hall of Fame class. In regards to the report, wrestling convention promoter Sal Corrente issued the following statement on behalf of the legendary grappler to PWInsider.com:
“We understand that word has broken on the Internet regarding “The Living Legend” Bruno Sammartino being inducted in to the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013. Since word has broken publicly, I can confirm that we have been contacted. I have been asked by Bruno Sammartino to announce that he will NOT be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2013.”
– Following her departure from WWE last week, Maxine has changed her Twitter handle to KarleeLeilani. She is also representing herself under her real name, Karlee Leilani Perez. She wrote “Hell yeah” in response to a remark that she no longer has to call herself Maxine and can now be her “true self.”
The former WWE Diva has indicated on the account that she plans to pursue an acting career.
– WWE announced Monday via Twitter: “Check in TONIGHT for @WWE #Raw on @GetGlue to get your FREE @RealKellyKelly #DivaSummer Series Sticker! wwe.me/bY9il.”
— Despite being advertised for Monday’s RAW, Kelly Kelly was not there. She Tweeted a message from Cabo, where she is vacationing with her boyfriend, NHL hockey player Sheldon Souray. Kelly is taking time off from WWE.
— The upcoming The Rock vs. John Cena: Once In a Lifetime DVD set will be released on September 11th, 2012.
— The main event of Friday’s Smackdown show will be Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler in a Triple Threat match for the World Heavyweight championship. The show will be taped on Tuesday from Evansville, Indiana.
– This week’s “RAW Backstage Fallout” video is now online. “CM Punk, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler and more WWE Superstars share their thoughts about recent Raw events, including Mr. Laurinaitis’ last day as the Raw and SmackDown General Manager. #WWERAWFALLOUT”
– WWE Diva Kelly Kelly is advertised for Monday’s WWE Raw television show from Fort Wayne, IN. She is advertised for several upcoming television shows, including the 1,000th RAW and the next month’s Money In The Bank pay-per-view. She is not advertised for any non-televised live events.
– The WWE website has removed all references to NXT, so it does not appear that the re-branded NXT (taped at Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL) will be airing online.
WWE has already held two sets of tapings for the new NXT and those are expected to begin airing on the Brighthouse Network in Florida once the current season wraps up.
– Kelly Kelly noted on Twitter that she spent Father’s Day with her dad at a Los Angeles Dodgers baseball game. The former Divas champion is currently taking time off from WWE and her management company is actively searching for television projects for her.
– WWE will be releasing a new t-shirt for Intercontinental Champion Christian next week.
– Writer Paul Guay is currently working on a screenplay for a movie about wrestling legend Bruno Sammartino. Guay told F4Wonline.com that the movie will be completely different from previous movies about the wrestling business. He previously wrote the Jim Carrey movie “Liar, Liar.”
– Paul Heyman’s “Heyman Hustle” site has released another promo video featuring Mike Tyson, who talks about “returning to the ring.” It’s believed that the videos are hyping Tyson being a playable character in the upcoming WWE ’13 video game:
Rory McAllister, who appeared for WWE from 2006 to 2008 as a member of The Highlanders, feels today’s crop of Divas don’t compare to the extraordinary bombshells of days gone by. Though attractive in their own right, he categorizes today’s female talent as ‘girls,’ rather than ‘Divas,’ and lacking special, indefinable attributes.
“WWE has some pretty girls working there but what happened to having Divas!? Trish, Candace, Torrie. WOMEN of hotness!” McAllister voiced on Twitter Thursday.
He then makes a daring comparison.
“I can see pretty much most of today’s chicks at any bar on a Friday night. #nothingspecial.”
A follower of McAllister’s stated, “WWE doesn’t believe in having divas who can wrestle, they’d rather just give them 3 minutes and and tell them to bounce around.” The wrestler responded, “Agreed, but they’re not even hot enough to hold my interest.”
He continues, “Like I said I see them in any bar. But! If Trish walked into a bar, EVERYONE would be like “who the fuck is that!” Same goes for Torrie Wilson, Candace, Lita etc. The new chicks have zero “IT” factor.”
McAllister also feels that WWE’s premiere starlet, Kelly Kelly, lacks je ne sais quoi.
“She’s a good lookin chick but no “holy shit” factor!” he wrote.
WWE brass may share similar sentiments; no Diva has solely graced the cover of their magazine since 2006.
– WWE will hold the second NXT tapings tonight from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. WWE superstars scheduled to appear include Sheamus, Sin Cara, Hunico, Camacho, Natalya, and Justin Gabriel. Jim Ross will also be in attendance to call some of the action. Check back later tonight spoiler results from the tapings.
– David Otunga and his fiance Jennifer Hudson are rumored to be finally getting married this fall.
– WWE has shut down its European Shopzone website. All European orders will now be handled through the main WWEShop.com site.
– As previously reported, John Laurinaitis is no longer WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent Relations. That role is now filled by Triple H. Laurinaitis is now working under Triple H, who recently brought in Canyon Cemen (Talent Development) and Jane Geddes (Vice President of Talent Relations). Geddes is now handling a lot of the tasks previously done by Lauirinaitis.
Laurinaitis has had many of his duties scaled back in recent months, but is now on the road much more since he’s an on air character and has been wrestling in handicap matches against John Cena. Laurinaitis is still in charge of booking WWE’s live events and handles talent payroll.
– WWE has been very aggressive this week in shutting down parody and fake Twitter accounts mocking the organization and its employees as well as Facebook pages portraying WWE Superstars. Notably, a popular Twitter account parodying head chief Vince McMahon was suspended Wednesday. Known as CrankyVince, the account would spoof McMahon’s demeanor and mindset with random musings depicting the WWE Chairman as eccentric, maniacal and drug-addled. It had drawn alarming concern from organization officials since last year, who believed it was being controlled by an employee within proximity of McMahon due to the eerie nature of the tweets. The account would often post messages based on things he had legitimately done or said at work—sometimes moments after occurring.
Twitter generally permits parody accounts as long as it is stated that the account is a parody in the description.
– Six years ago Wednesday, Kelly Kelly made her debut in WWE. Her character, an exhibitionist, was introduced performing a striptease for the crowd on the premiere episode of ECW on Syfy. Commemorating her six-year anniversary with WWE, fans of the blonde starlet managed to get #Happy6YearsInWWEK2 trending worldwide on Twitter. She said of this, “Omg amazing thank u all so much!”
– Vader spoke to WWE.com about his return to Raw. Hear what he had to say about defeating Heath Slater, as well as his thoughts on WWE greats such as Shawn Michaels and Undertaker.
Following reports that Kelly Kelly was accepting endorsements and appearance requests during her hiatus from the WWE ring, organization officials lobbied the Raw Diva to sign a new contract. They are willing to offer her a pay raise since she is considered their most marketable female performer.
Meanwhile, a number of talents are reportedly feeling exhausted from the company’s current travel schedule, which requires most to attend every television taping. Some feel Nikki and Brie Bella may have started a trend with the female performers to take away from WWE rather than continuing working on a never-ending basis. The twin duo, as well as Lilian Garcia, have cited exhaustion from WWE’s grueling travel schedule as their reason for leaving the sports entertainment organization.
“It was crazy, Brie and I-when our contracts were coming to an end, we kind of both looked at each other one day and were like, “I’m exhausted.” And she was like, “I’m exhausted.” We were like, “Let’s take a break,” Nikki Bella stated last month to Diva-Dirt.com. “I don’t know if that’s the twin connection, or the twin bond, that we both kind of felt it but we just looked at each other one day and we were just tired. We were really tired and sore. We were like, okay, let’s do this. It was scary.”
Garcia explained on her official website in 2010, “Leaving the WWE was one of the hardest decisions I had to make because I was very close to everyone there and loved my job, but after 10-plus years of being on the road it was time to take a break.”
Numerous sources within WWE say Kelly Kelly has been granted “time off” by organization officials. She has been on the road full time since her 2006 debut and requested the break to recharge her batteries.
“She’s been here since she was a kid,” said a company source. “She had been pushing for time away to spend with her family and her boyfriend. Six years for someone of her age is a lifetime. She needed a break.”
Many of her colleagues don’t believe Kelly’s returning anytime soon, if at all, since she has begun promoting her alternative stage name (Barbie Blank) and is currently accepting requests for appearances and endorsements outside of WWE. She added the following information to her Twitter account over the weekend: “Barbie Blank/Kelly Kelly, WWE Diva, MAXIM Cover Girl and 100 Hottest Women. For full appearances/endorsements please contact Heidi at heidi@atamanagement.com.”
Kelly last competed on television on the May 21 Raw SuperShow, losing to Beth Phoenix. She last wrestled on May 26 in Quito, Ecuador.
– After Big Show’s surprise turn against John Cena at Sunday’s Over The Limit pay-per-view, expect to see a singles match between Cena and Big Show at No Way Out next month. Expect to see John Cena vs. Big Show in a steel cage match.
– WWE Diva Kelly Kelly has WWE Diva has made Maxim Magazine’s Hot 100 list. She ranked #38 this year, way up from #82 last year. She tweeted on Monday:
“I couldnt be happier to be #38 on maxims hot 100 list!!!! Such an honor!!!!! I want to thank all the fans for the support love you guys xoxo”
– WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler “downloads” and dissects dance fail videos in Episode 17 of WWE Download:
– Several weeks ago, Batista teased on Twitter that he has a “major announcement” to make soon. Batista provided an update this week – stating that he’ll make the announcement in May – and that 2012 is about to get “real.”
Batista’s manager Johnny Ryan Jr. also tweeted the following this week:
“Closing these deals for @DaveBautista with the suits. Will be able to announce soon and it will be worth the wait!”
– Jim Ross wrote the following on Twitter this week about why Brock Lesnar has returned to WWE:
“Brock Lesnar is back in WWE to: 1 intimidate 2 brutalize 3 earn BIG money NOT to 1 work on public speaking skills 2 make friends 3 lose”
“Fans that naively think that money & being able to physically dominate people didn’t affect Lesnar’s return to WWE aren’t being honest. Word”
– After being asked on Twitter this week who his favorite WWE Diva is, Steve Austin said it’s Kelly Kelly:
“She’s my fave Diva. Super nice young lady. Keeps improving in the ring. Very easy on the eyes.”
— In a rematch from Monday’s Raw SuperShow, World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus will face Mark Henry this Friday on SmackDown. Also, Michael Cole will conduct an interview with Randy Orton to get his thoughts for his match against Kane at Extreme Rules.
— Matches taped Monday night in Detroit, Michigan for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were Kelly Kelly vs. Maxine and Alex Riley vs. The Miz.
Antonio Cesaro beat JTG in a dark match at the show.
— The announced attendance for Monday’s Raw Supershow the Joe Louis Arena in Detroit, Michigan was a sellout crowd of 16,122.
– Christian will be returning to SmackDown at Tuesday’ tapings from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Christian returned to the ring at the European tour that just finished.
– Rey Mysterio and Kelly Kelly were at the Sarasota Film Festival in Florida this weekend, for the premiere of the WWE Studios film, “The Day.” The movie was screened twice this weekend but received no awards.
Rey Mystrio Reveals When He Can Wrestle Again
– Linda McMahon will release her 2011 income tax return soon after her campaign initially turned down a request from opponent Chris Shays. McMahon filed for an extension on her tax return this past week but “intends to make it public once the paperwork is complete.”
— Speaking to WWE Magazine, Kelly Kelly discussed her WWE rookie year in 2006 and recalled an angle where The Sandman struck her on the head with a Singapore Cane.
“I remember I took a hit one time from Sandman, and I don’t think a girl has ever taken that kind of shot before in WWE,” she says. “And, holy moly, I saw stars and I wanted to cry. He hit me right on top of the head. Mike Knox even hit his finisher on me. Come to think of it, when I signed up, I had some pretty brutal things done to me. I definitely was fearless back then.”
The complete interview is featured in the May 2012 issue.
— Stephanie Finochio, who appeared for WWE’s ECW brand in 2006 and 2007, has joined the Suffolk County, New York-based roller derby team Strong Island Derby Revolution. (‘Trinity’ Joins the ‘Derby Revolution’)
— Former WWE star MVP tweeted the following in response to whether he knows Lord Tensai: “I worked with Giant Bernard. I don’t know this Lord Tensai.”
— Given Brock Lesnar’s admitted distaste for WWE’s strenuous road schedule, there is skepticism on the accomplished grappler remaining content for the entire one year duration of his contract with the sports entertainment organization. One veteran wrestler who worked with Lesnar during his prior run with WWE doesn’t think that he will able to handle working for the promotion for an entire year.
The wrestler said to Pro Wrestling Torch editor Wade Keller on Monday night following Raw, “I give him four months before he cracks.”
Lesnar loathed the travel schedule so much that in 2003 he bought a private plane and hired a pilot to alleviate the stress of going through airports. Even with that and a seven-year contract for a $1 million downside guarantee, he ultimately gave notice that he would finish up at WrestleMania XX.
— Kelly Kelly suggested Friday night on Twitter that she broke up with her boyfriend, NHL player Sheldon Souray.
“Kharma is a ***** ..have a nice life,” she wrote following SmackDown. Kelly wrote “eww” minutes later after a Twitter user remarked that Souray should bring her to one of his hockey games.
Both messages have since been deleted. The WWE Diva then tweeted a quote from The Notebook suggesting the couple remains together.
— Dolph Ziggler took a passive aggressive shot at Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson over The Great One’s limited schedule with WWE via Twitter.
A Twitter user wrote to the WWE Superstar this week, “Couldn’t decide which flexforce WWE figure to buy between your action figure and @therock ‘s.. chose the rock in the end!” Ziggler responded, “Typical, just make sure you only play with it 4-5 times a year….”
— After backing Team Teddy at WrestleMania XXVIII, Nikki Bella was put in a match against Beth Phoenix on Friday’s SmackDown while her sister Brie was given the night off. Kelly Kelly distracted The Glamazon at ringside, causing her to lose concentration. Nikki capitalized on the situation by hitting Phoenix with the Bella Buster for the pinfall victory. The victory ends her six match losing streak in televised singles bouts: she last won a singles match on the November 23, 2010 episode of NXT. It was also her first singles victory on either Raw, SmackDown or a pay-per-view event.
Following SmackDown, Nikki wrote on Twitter, “Johnny @GMSmackDown thought he could get a quick one on me but NOPE! Thanks to my girl @RealKellyKelly!” She added Saturday, “So I’m thinking…. #Nikki4DivasChampion.”
After it was reported Monday that Maria Menounos suffered two broken ribs during a recent dancing rehearsal for Dancing with the Stars, doubt was raised that she would be fit to compete this Sunday at WrestleMania XXVIII in the Divas Tag Team Match pitting herself and Kelly Kelly against Divas Champion Beth Phoenix and Eve. The entertainment personality, however, assures fans that she will be competing at the event in spite of her injury.
When asked on Twitter whether she will team with Kelly at WrestleMania despite being hurt, she responded, “Wouldn’t miss it!”
The Extra host is taking several precautions to ensure the injury doesn’t become more serious. “I’m icing when I get home. My friend Joe drives me from rehearsals and I have a pedicure station with ice in it in my car, so I ice my whole body down,” Menounos told US Weekly.
“Once I get home, I get in a hot tub and in an Epsom salt bath. I can’t believe how dangerous dancing is! I told Derek, ‘I don’t understand! I played ice hockey, football, basketball — when did I get so fragile?’ Unfortunately the Hough’s too rough!”
In an injury that could affect this Sunday’s WrestleMania XXVIII Divas Tag Team Match featuring Kelly Kelly and Maria Menounos against Beth Phoenix and Eve, New York Post gossip column Page Sixreported Monday that the Menounos broke a rib during a recent dancing rehearsal for Dancing with the Stars.
She broke the rib during a hardcore rehearsal with dance partner Derek Hough, who was teaching her the Cha-cha-cha. A source says, “She has been in excruciating pain for the past few weeks during rehearsals, but she is staying strong and working through it. She refuses to give up.”
Page Six adds Menounos is hiding a rib brace underneath her dancing gear.
Menounos confirmed the injury to Extra Monday, the entertainment news program she hosts. She says she suffered two broken ribs during a recent dance rehearsal. She will nonetheless perform on tonight’s Dancing with the Stars.