– The preliminary pay-per-view buys estimate for WWE’s Night of Champions pay-per-view event on September 16, 2012 is 189,000 worldwide. This is up from 161,000 buys for last year’s show headlined by WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Triple H.
The break down is 100,000 domestic buys (53 percent) and 89,000 international buys (47 percent).
The event was headlined by WWE Champion CM Punk vs. John Cena.
– Ringside Collectibles hosted former Raw General Manager AJ Lee at Ringside Fest 2012, the ninth annual Ringside Fest. She discussed the event, her first ever Mattel WWE action figure and more.
– Former WWE Superstars John Morrison and Melina have canceled their advertised appearances at “Chiller Theatre” this weekend at the Sheraton Parsippany in Parsippany, New Jersey.
– Hours before Raw takes place in her home state of New Jersey, Raw General Manager AJ Lee teased an angle concerning her authority position.
“Been called to an emergency meeting with the WWE Board of Directors at #WWE Global HQ. #Confused #RAW,” she tweeted.
– This week’s episode of WWE Download is online. Here is the synopsis: “Dolph Ziggler presents a new edition of WWE Download that’s sure to leave a mark. Watch painfully embarrassing accidents found on the Web, including a fool in a giant spool, the man who could be Shockmaster’s son and more, when you subscribe to WWE on YouTube!”
– Melina is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– After bursting onto the WWE scene with a monster push in April, the sports-entertainment organization is now publicly tagging Tensai as an “overhyped disappointment.” The veteran wrestler is being labeled as such on his updated WWE.com bio in regards to his multiple losses to Tyson Kidd after going toe-to-toe with John Cena and CM Punk.
WWE states, “Over the following months, Tensai quickly went from intimidating behemoth to overhyped disappointment. Despite impressive outings against John Cena and CM Punk, several frustrating losses to underdog Tyson Kidd led to Tensai assaulting his own associate Sakamoto on the July 30, 2012 edition of Raw. Is this beginning of a new, more focused Tensai? One can only assume that disaster will follow for his opponents until this star from multiple continents fulfills his destiny.”
– Former WWE Diva Melina noted on Twitter Monday that she recently suffered an injury that is preventing her from competing. She did not add further details on the injury.
– WWE Divas Champion Eve is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– Mick Foley will be signing copies of his new children’s book, “A Most Mizerable Christmas,” at Barnes & Noble 425 Marketplace Blvd. Hamilton, New Jersey, today beginning at 6:30 p.m.
– After parting ways with WWE late last year, John Morrison is expected to ultimately return to the organization. This is the belief among many people in the organization.
Though it’s been speculated that he could wind up in TNA Wrestling, there is said to be no interest on Melina Perez, his girlfriend, from either the organization or her former employers. Therefore, he is expected to work for the company that pays him more.
Morrison has regularly competed at independent wrestling events under his real name, John Hennigan, since leaving the spotlight.
– In March, Evan Bourne was involved in an automobile accident which broke his foot in four places and dislocated it in five. In an update on his rehabilitating progress, a timetable for his return to the squared circle still remains uncertain.
– Raw General Manager AJ Lee, as well as Paul Heyman and Mick Foley, were in New York City Wednesday promoting THQ’s WWE ’13 video game. Click here to view photos of the three at a press event.
– Former WWE superstar John Morrison noted on Twitter that he and former WWE diva Melina are working on a new web project, The Darkness Descending: Redemption. For more on the series, visit.
– The WWE website has a new “Where Are They Now” feature on former WCW star Crowbar. Crowbar, real name Christopher Ford, is now a physical therapist working with several hospitals in northern New Jersey.
– WWE remains very supportive of Ryback’s character, with hopes that he could eventually be a main event star. We noted earlier that audiences are really getting into his “Feed Me More” chant, without WWE having to pipe in sound effects.
After seeing the damage done to other new wrestlers who are pushed very hard at first and then reigned in, WWE is looking to build up Ryback very slowly and is just now having him wrestle mid-card talent.
– 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.
– Rey Mysterio returns to action at tomorrow night’s SmackDown taping in San Diego, California. The official website of the Valley View Casino is advertising a tag team match featuring Mysterio and John Cena against Big Show and John Laurinaitis.
The masked grappler has been out of action for nearly a year due to injury, a Talent Wellness Program violation and WWE’s refusal to utilize him post-suspension. WWE is not advertising Mysterio for other upcoming events.
– Former WWE Women’s Champion Melina appears for Maryland Championship Wrestling on Saturday, August 25, 2012 at The Green Room in Dundalk, Maryland (2401-G North Point Blvd.) She will be on hand for a meet-and-greet/autograph signing.
– AJ is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com. The website has also put up a poll asking whether she has lost CM Punk or Daniel Bryan following the WWE Championship Match at Money in the Bank.
– Rey Mysterio was backstage at Monday’s Raw SuperShow in Laredo, Texas but not used. His television return, as well as Mark Henry’s, is scheduled to take place on the historic 1000th episode of Raw on July 23.
Henry, who has been sidelined since May due to shoulder surgery, tweeted an update on his health Tuesday morning: “Twitter family I’m good! Healing at a fast rate. Not out of the woods yet!”
– WWE.com is conducting a poll asking fans what is the most shocking thing AJ has done recently. The options are A) Shoving CM Punk through a table B) Kissing Kane C) Wearing Kane’s mask D) Kissing CM Punk.
– Former WWE Women’s and Divas Champion Melina is today’s spotlighted Superstar on WWE.com. She continues to compete independently following her release from the sports entertainment promotion last year.
– Former WWE Women’s Champion Melina has been announced to appear for World Wrestling Fan Xperience’s Champions Showcase Tour event on October 13, 2012 at the MegaSport Arena in Moscow, Russia (see Melina photo). Talent confirmed for the event thus far are Chris Masters, Daivari, Jillian Hall, Vladimir Kozlov, MVP, John Morrison, Shelton Benjamin Carlito and The Hurricane. Event information is available at www.wwfxperience.com.
– Former WWE talent Jackie Gayda-Haas (a/k/a Miss Jackie) is expecting her fourth child with husband Charlie Haas. She posted a photo on Facebook of her baby bump.
Haas previously gave birth in 2006, 2008 and 2010. The married couple have two daughters and one son.
– Rock of Ages, which features Kevin Nash playing a bodyguard character for Tom Cruise’s character, debuted at No. 3 this weekend in Australia with a $1.35 million gross.
— TNA Wrestling officials are interested in acquiring former WWE Superstars John Morrison and Melina as their names have come up in recent creative meetings. Bruce Prichard, Senior Vice President of Programming and Talent Relations, is said to be a big proponent of the couple joining the organization. Both talents have continued to compete at independent wrestling events since parting ways with WWE last year.
— Gail Kim wed celebrity chef Robert Irvine on May 10 at the Charles Krug Winery in the Napa Valley in Northern California. The wedding was held on a Thursday so many of Kim’s friends from professional wrestling could attend. Among those in attendance were Alicia Fox, Beth Phoenix, Bully Ray, Christopher Daniels, Jeremy Borash, Kazarian, Molly Holly, Natalya, Tara, Traci Brooks and Tyson Kidd. Stacy Keibler was invited to attend the wedding but instead opted for George Clooney’s fund-raiser for United States President Obama.
— Angelina Love commented on Brooke Hogan being named Executive in Charge of the Knockouts, tweeting, “@IMPACTWRESTLING goes LIVE May 31st at 8pm all summer long! And Brooke Hogan (@MizzHogan) is in charge of the Knockouts….maybe she’ll be my new BFF?! #blondeshavemorefun.”
— A broken arm wasn’t enough to keep WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H down, who accompanied boxer Floyd Mayweather, Jr. to the ring for his highly anticipated bout against Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas on Saturday night, alongside singer Justin Bieber and rapper 50 Cent. Former WWE Diva Melina, who was posting messages on Twitter while watching the fight, remarked the following upon seeing “The King of Kings” on television:
“Maybe it’s the margaritas but I puked when i saw Bieber & Triple H. #TotalPukage #WhatTheWhat HHH=Pukepukepuke. Boxing at an an all time low.”
— Former WWE Superstar Perry Saturn won his first championship in over a decade on April 27 in Des Moines, Iowa as he beat Arik Cannon and Sir Bradley Charles in a Triple Threat Match to gain the 3XW Pure Wrestling Championship.
— WWE had audio issues at Saturday’s Smackdown live event at the U.S. Cellular Center in Asheville, North Carolina. Jey and Jimmy Uso’s theme song as well as a Kane promo that aired on the video screen was not audible.
— As Daniel Bryan went to kiss his girlfriend AJ at WrestleMania XXVIII, he ignored the fact that the bell had already rung to start his World Heavyweight Championship Match against Sheamus. The Celtic Warrior immediately Brogue Kicked him for the victory. A.J. addressed the blunder via Twitter, writing, “I have a feeling I’m sleeping on the couch tonight…”
She continued, “Despite Danny’s loss, this was the best night of my life. Wanted to walk down that ramp my whole life. Also happy I didn’t trip.”
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Melina will appear for Lucha Libre USA: Masked Warriors Live on Friday, April 13 at Pico Rivera Sports Arena in Los Angeles, California. Event information is available here.
— WWE Classics On Demand takes a trip back to the ’80s in April with the best moments and matches from the decade. Those highlighted include Hulk Hogan, Ultimate Warrior, “Macho Man” Randy Savage, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Dusty Rhodes, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, Junkyard Dog, Road Warriors and more.
— WWE.com has published a photo gallery highlighting The Brooklyn Brawler’s career. He currently works for WWE in a behind the scenes capacity.
— Former WWE Women’s and Divas Champion Melina competes for Family Wrestling Entertainment on April 28 at The Hall at St Paul, 59th Street + 9th Ave, New York, New York. Though her opponent has not been announced, former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis currently holds the promotion’s women’s title.
– The referee who officiated Eve’s match against Alicia Fox on Monday’s Raw SuperShow is Brian Nguyen. He has officiated in Florida Championship Wrestling for the past two years as Ryan Tran.
– WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart will appear Wilmington Blue Rocks game in Wilmington, Delaware on June 14, 2012. Details are available here.
– In Friday’s birthdays, Melina Perez turned 33 years old, Rick Steiner turned 52 years old and Nikita Koloff turned 53 years old.
– On this week’s webisode of Foreign Exchange, Santino Marella patrols the Texas border, rounding up WWE’s international Superstars including Natalya, Primo and Ricardo Rodriguez.
Trish Stratus appeared on George Stroumboulopoulos Tonight to discuss her WWE career and how yoga has changed her life. Two minutes into the interview, George Stroumboulopoulos asks the seven-time WWE Women’s Champion if John Morrison resented her appearance at WrestleMania last year. Her participation in the tag team match with Morrison and Jersey Shore star Snooki against LayCool and Dolph Ziggler reportedly upset Morrison and girlfriend Melina.
“I don’t know if he did… he might have said that,” she responds.
Stratus continues, “He’s entitled to his opinion. It was one of these things where we had an epic moment, it was WrestleMania, our biggest stage of them all, and I had been retired. So I’m out of the scene and suddenly I get to come back and be in the grandest stage of all, I get to be at WrestleMania. Well he thought “that’s not cool” because I guess his girlfriend is a women wrestler and so he thought maybe another girl deserved that spot. But, I had gone back to WWE television to do Tough Enough, which was a reality show they did to find the next WWE Superstar. They asked me to be back, we promoted that show, etc. He was a little resistant, like there were some moments where I was like, “Oh, he’s not meshing with me.”
Stratus then details the ‘famous cold shoulder incident’ where she was snubbed by Morrison during their post-match celebration at WrestleMania when she attempted to embrace him.
“We have a famous cold shoulder incident. Well, we’re on live television. We had a match, we won the match, we were victorious as a team and then I went to go like, we do that typical thing, you raise the hand, you point [and he went in another direction, leaving Trish hanging],” she explains.
“I just said to him, “Hey, what you’ve done now, is because your career is made up of moments, so now you’ve taken a moment from the fans, really.” Because they don’t care about backstage politics, they don’t care if you think your girlfriend should be in that spot or whatever it was. So he just denied the fans and himself and that’s that.”
Stroumboulopoulos then asks Stratus if Morrison would have snubbed her had she not been a woman.
“Probably wouldn’t have done that to me if I wasn’t a woman, yeah,” she responds.
— WWE has yet to follow up on Kharma’s appearance last month at the Royal Rumble because she has not fully recovered from giving birth on December 31, 2011 and isn’t ready to work a full-time schedule. Nonetheless, her return to the squared circle is on the horizon.
When asked on Twitter this week what she was doing, she replied, “Working hard to come back at my best.” She was then asked when she would be returning to WWE and said “Soon.”
— Former WWE Champion John “Bradshaw” Layfield wrote the following on Twitter regarding a potential return to WWE: “Sorry, WWE has never asked about coming back more than a one off- happy coaching kids in Bermuda! Gotta make a difference-or try at least!”
— Former WWE stars John Morrison, Maria and Melina have been announced to appear at the Motor City Comic Con taking place May 18-20 at the Suburban Collection Showplace in Novi, Michigan.
— WWELiveTour.com is advertising Brodus Clay for tonight’s Raw SuperShow event at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon.
The Funkasaurus returned to action at this past weekend’s Raw live event tour; he squashed David Otunga in the opening contest of all three shows. The Wrestling Observer reports he was removed from television due to Vince McMahon’s unhappiness with his ring work.
— WWE.com has published an article on actor George Clooney arriving and leaving the 84th Academy Awards show with a “gold, statuesque beauty” in girlfriend and former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler.
WWE.com writes, “The long-legged former Diva dropped jaws and widened eyes on Hollywood’s biggest night. Even as Clooney would briefly leave her side for an interview or to greet fellow stars, the cameras couldn’t keep their lenses off the always-stunning Stacy. During the red carpet events before the 84th Annual Academy Awards show, her gold Marchesa gown drew the praise of fashion critics and established that the former Diva is as stylish as she is gorgeous.”
In stark contrast from a few years ago, WWE has profiled the former grappler numerous times online since her relationship with Clooney became public knowledge last August. During a 2009 interview with Baltimore Sun, Keibler said she offered to guest host the November 30, 2009 Raw emanating from her hometown of Baltimore, Maryland, but her request was ignored.
“No one has contacted me,” Keibler said if she heard back from WWE regarding her request. “I actually had my management contact them, and nobody ever got back to us [laughs]. So I guess they’re not interested.”
Verne “Mini-Me” Troyer ended up hosting the show.
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Melina has been announced for The Big Event 2 taking place March 10 at the LaGuardia Courtyard Marriott 9010 Ditmars Blvd East Elmhurst, New York,
— WWE officials have talked lately of cutting and/or repackaging bottom level WWE Superstars and developmental talent. However, moves are not expected until after WrestleMania as it is their prime focus.
— Former WWE Divas Melina and Jillian Hall have been announced to appear on Lucha Libre USA’s “Masked Warriors Live” tour in late March. Events are scheduled for March 23 at Reno Events Center in Reno, Nevada, March 25 at Stockton Arena in Stockton, California and March 30 at the HP Pavilion in San Jose, California.
— Former WWE talent Shawn Daivari was the booker of the February 4 WWFX Champion Showcase Tour 2012 event in Manila, Philippines. No return date has been announced but he stated during an interview that the show was considered a success and a return would take place.
— The Miz has as much heat as anyone in WWE, but it has little to do with him not catching R-Truth during the Six-Pack Challenge on last week’s Raw SuperShow. Rather, the animosity is being attributed to his obnoxious behavior as many of his co-workers are turned off by it.
“The feeling is he’s like a little frat boy who is loud and has to be the center of attention,” the Wrestling Observer says.
As reported last week, it is widely believed within WWE that his work has regressed, both in the squared circle and verbally. When he was low on the totem pole, he appeared motivated and forced management to make him a headliner. He is now back to mid-card status and isn’t giving WWE much reason to elevate him again.
— Ultimate Warrior has been announced to appear for Northeast Wrestling on March 23, 2012 at the Mid-Hudson Civic Center in Poughkeepsie, New York. He will sign autographs, cut a promo and it’s being teased that he will do something physical.
The show will also feature John Hennigan vs. Dave Finlay and the first-ever match between Melina and Velvet Sky. Matt Hardy, Tommy Dreamer and Jerry Lawler are scheduled to appear as well.
— Northeast Wrestling has announced that Velvet Sky will face former WWE Diva Melina on March 23 in Poughkeepsie, New York and March 24 in Waterbury, Connecticut. Event details are available here.
— TNA Wrestling has posted a video of first 93 seconds of tonight’s episode of Impact Wrestling on Spike. The event is billed as a special “Star Wars” themed episode from London’s Wembley Arena.
— WrestlingFigs.com says Velvet Sky and AJ Styles will appear at Direct Auto Insurance 3629 Broadway St. Kansas City, Missouri on March 1 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
— Sarita announced on Facebook that she will be competing at next week’s Impact Wrestling live events in West Virginia—February 17 in Huntington, 18 in Beckley, and 19 in Glenville.
— Promoting today’s World Wrestling Fan Xperience Champions Showcase Tour event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines, former WWE Women’s Champion Melina was asked at a press conference Friday if she planned to follow the footsteps of other WWE Divas who have posed for Playboy.
“Never say never, but as of now, no,” she said, much to the disappointment of the predominantly male media contingent.
Melina faces fellow former Diva Jillian Hall at the event. Click here for a recap of the press conference.
— It was reported Friday that the official website of WWE developmental league Florida Championship Wrestling removed Calvin Raines, Leroy Parks, Marcus Owens and Peter Orlov from their roster page, which indicates they have been released. The wrestler known was Peter Orlov has changed his Twitter handle to @AlexKoslovCom as well as name, Alex Koslov.
He also commented, “Please everyone vait in great suspense for first vords from mouth of horse, sanks!”
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will appear on mtvU on Monday to promote Journey 2. He will be appearing in a segment called “5 Questions With Dwayne Johnson.”
— Triple H attended New York Giants’ practice Wednesday as they prepared for their NFL Playoff game against the Green Bay Packers on Sunday. According to PopTheCrowd.com, Triple H was in town with WWE officials to finalize a deal to bring WrestleMania 29 or WrestleMania 30 to MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
— CM Punk has been announced to appear at Wizard World’s Philadelphia Comic Con on June 2, 2012 at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Former WWE Diva Melina, WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Gail Kim are also scheduled to appear at the event.
— The 16th annual ECWA Super 8 tournament takes place on April 7, 2012 at the Greater Newark Boys and Girls Club in Newark, Delaware. Tommaso Ciampa won last year’s event.
— The first Raw SuperShow of 2012 garnered a 3.1 cable rating, with 4,438,000 viewers. Viewership, however, declined during the second hour for the eighth time in nine weeks as the first hour scored a 3.2 before dropping 6% to 3.02 in the second.
Last week’s show garnered a 2.93 cable rating, with 4,460,000 million viewers overall.
— The New Year’s Eve episode of A.M. Raw scored a 0.75 cable rating, with 829,000 viewers.
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Melina is featured in the following video promoting her upcoming appearance for the WWFX Champion Showcase Tour taking place on February 4, 2012 in Manila, Philippines. She will face Jillian Hall.
— Former WWE performer Melina Perez denied rumors she has joined TNA Wrestling.
She tweeted Wednesday, “Everyone is so funny. I am not in TNA. If I go anywhere I would tell you all first!”
Her message is in response to a masked female combatant appearing at Tuesday’s Impact Wrestling taping in Orlando, Florida.
— Mr. Anderson is advertised face former WWE star MVP at Champions Showcase 2012, which takes place February 4, 2012 in Manila, Philippines at Smart Araneta Coliseum. More details are available here.
Other advertised talent include Carlito, Chris Masters, Shelton Benjamin, Snitsky, Luke Gallows, Shane Helms, Rhino, Daivari, Jimmy Yang, Billy Gunn, April Hunter and Jillian Hall.
— Jesse Neal’s first post-TNA appearance takes place this Saturday in Orlando, Florida for I Believe in Wrestling. He is scheduled to face J.D. Amazing.