— WWE.com issued a poll Monday asking fans to name WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth. Voting options include Air Truth, Ka-Boom, R-Boom, Truth in Paradise and Air Jimmy
— Today would have been Owen Hart’s forty-seventh birthday. He died on May 23, 1999 when an equipment malfunction occurred during his entrance from the rafters of Kemper Arena in Kansas City, Missouri at the World Wrestling Federation’s Over the Edge pay-per-view event. Two WWE Superstars with ties to the late wrestler are remembering him on his birthday.
Natalya wrote on Twitter, “Remembering Owen Hart today on his 47th birthday. We are all just waiting today for some crazy prank from Heaven:) (Photo)
Tyson Kidd added, “I watched@BretHart vs @ShawnMichaels at WrestleMania 12 (my favorite match) thanks to Owen Hart flying me in as a guest of his #owenmemories.”
— Former WWE stars The Gymini and Bam Neely now work as bouncers at the Space Odyssey night club in Tampa, Florida. All three individuals no longer wrestle.
— Actor Dennis Haskins of Saved by the Bell fame attended Sunday’s Raw live event in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He took a bow after being introduced to the audience.
— Matt Hardy appears for Xcite Wrestling on July 21 at the American Legion in Binghamton, New York. (Event details)
– The following matches have been announced for WWE’s next pay-per-view event, Over The Limit on May 20th:
* WWE Champion CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan
* John Cena vs. John Laurinaitis.
– Kofi Kingston & R-Truth defeated Primo & Epico on RAW to capture the WWE Tag Team championships. Kingston wrote the following on Twitter last night after he and R-Truth won the tag titles:
“Well hot damn! What do we have here?! @RonKillings and @TrueKofi New Tag Team Champions!!! Yezzir!!”
As for Kofi Kingston’s former tag team partner Evan Bourne he tweeted the following message late Monday night:
“6 weeks of antibiotic infusions to kill my bone infection will be done in 90 minutes! One step closer to recovery.”
— Two matches are advertised for tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown on Syfy as Alberto Del Rio will face World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus while Randy Orton battles Kane in a WrestleMania XXVIII rematch. If Del Rio can defeat The Celtic Warrior, he will earn a chance at the World Heavyweight Championship.
Other matches airing include R-Truth vs. David Otunga and Mark Henry in a Handicap Match and Divas Champion Beth Phoenix vs. Nikki Bella. Also slated is the SmackDown debut of Ryback, who formerly competed as Skip Sheffield.
— WWEShop.com has released a Daniel Bryan Yes Authentic T-Shirt.
— Christian appears for Florida Championship Wrestling on May 18 at Orlando Armory 2809 S. Ferncreek Ave. Orlando, Florida. Belltime is 7:00 p.m.
— In the latest episode of WWE Inbox, John Cena, R-Truth, Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks, among others answer your Twitter questions, including who they think is the worst persona in WWE history.
— According to multiple accounts on Twitter, WWE talent and employees are staying at the luxurious InterContinental Miami hotel for WrestleMania week in Miami, Florida. The Rock, John Cena, The Undertaker and The Miz have been spotted there within the past two days.
— WWE Hall of Famers Dory and Terry Funk will appear at WrestleMania Axxess on Saturday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 pm and again on Sunday from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
— Before tonight’s Raw SuperShow at Philadelphia’s Wells Fargo Center, Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis announced two new members of Team Johnny for WrestleMania XXVIII—Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger. They join captain David Otunga, Christian and Mark Henry. Announced for Team Teddy is captain Santino Marella, Kofi Kingston and R-Truth. Both teams will feature six WWE Superstars.
To view Laurinaitis’ video announcement, click here.
— Renowned rapper Flo Rida, whose hits “Wild Ones” and “Good Feeling are the official themes for WrestleMania XXVIII, will perform at the event in Miami, Florida. He will not be the only musical artist appearing at WrestleMania as John Cena invited Machine Gun Kelly (MGK) to perform his entrance theme at the event. (Article link)
— The announced attendance for tonight’s Raw SuperShow at the Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was a sellout crowd of 18,088.
— WWE.com reports John Cena has been cleared to compete on tonight’s Raw SuperShow after having been involved in a three-car accident in Philadelphia this morning. The SUV the WWE Superstar was traveling in was reportedly rear ended by a Honda Civic, which had been rear ended by a tractor trailer.
Cena is “a little shaken up,” WWE physician Dr. Michael Sampson told WWE.com.
“They were whiplash-type injuries that he sustained,” said Sampson. “He feels good today, but then a couple days later, that’s when you get the neck stiffness and the pain. He is cleared to compete tonight. We’re going to let him go, but we’re definitely going to keep an eye on him. We’re going to check him right before his match one more time, just to make sure he’s okay.”
— In conjunction with The Ryan Seacrest Foundation, R-Truth and Santino Marella made a special appearance today on a radio show hosted by children at The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. The story, photos and video are available here.
— WWE developmental wrestler Seth Rollins defeated Michael McGillicutty via Curb Stomp in a dark match at Monday’s Raw SuperShow in Cleveland, Ohio. Rollins, who reigns as Florida Heavyweight Champion, also competed at SmackDown live events over the weekend and is slated to be on hand for Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Columbus, Ohio.
— The following matches were taped Monday night in Cleveland, Ohio for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
* Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks
* Beth Phoenix vs. Kelly Kelly
— The WWE SmackDown taping scheduled for May 29, 2012 has been moved to the River Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It was originally scheduled to take place at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, Louisiana.
— WWE creative had at one point planned last week to replace Kofi Kingston as R-Truth’s tag team partner with Santino Marella for comedic purposes. Though R-Truth and Marella partnered at weekend house shows, the idea has already been nixed.
— Wrestlers who participated in a recent talent evaluation with WWE were asked to write down the ten most embarrassing and humiliating things they think could possibly happen to them in the company. Steve Lombardi, who oversaw the evaluation with William Regal, then told them that odds are everything they came up with will occur at one point or another if they make it to the big show. They must therefore decide whether working for WWE at the risk of being humiliated is something they want out of life.
— Carlito has canceled his appearance on May 18 in Amersterdam, New York for In Your Face Wrestling. Another former WWE star in Lanny Poffo (a/k/a The Genius) will appear on the show.
— Mando Guerrero, brother of the late Eddie Guerrero, has a role in the Will Ferrell comedy film Casa De Mi Padre.
— It was announced at Monday’s Raw SuperShow at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts that Night of Champions will take place at the same venue on September 16, 2012. There will be a pre-sale this week on Ticketmaster.com with the code WWENOC.
— Triple H will compete at WWE’s Road to WrestleMania event at Madison Square Garden on March 18, 2012 as he teams up with CM Punk and Randy Orton in a Six-Man Tag Team Match against Chris Jericho, Cody Rhodes and Dolph Ziggler.
Also announced for the show: World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry; John Cena vs. Kane in a Last Man Standing Match; R-Truth vs. The Miz; Jack Swagger vs. Zack Ryder.
— WWE Champion CM Punk shot footage for his upcoming DVD Monday in Boston, Massachusetts.
“Oh hey. Day 1 of filming for this little DVD thing I’m doing. No time like 5:30 AM to capture my true crabby essence,” he wrote on Twitter. “Man. This DVD is going to be so great. #LWF #MAW #SDW #IWA #IWC #ROH #OVW #WWE.”
— WWE.com reports Wade Barrett suffered a partial dislocation of his left elbow during the 10-Man Battle Royal on Raw. He will undergo an MRI for further evaluation this week and will be sidelined for at least 6 to 8 weeks.
The injury occurred following Barrett and R-Truth’s elimination from the match. As Truth and Barrett recovered from their eliminations on the outside, Big Show tossed Dolph Ziggler on top of them from the ring. They were knocked backwards and Barrett landed awkwardly on his arm.
— Two former WWE stars gave Aksana a negative review for her match against Nikki and Brie Bella on Raw. Gregory Helms wrote on Twitter, “Geez, Askana is …. not good.”
Lance Storm said in response to Helms, “Understatement of the Century.”
Wade Barrett suffered an injury to his left arm during the 10-Man Battle Royal on Monday’s Raw SuperShow. After being taken to a nearby medical facility for further evaluation, he has been diagnosed with a dislocated elbow.
The injury occurred following Barrett and R-Truth’s elimination from the match. As Truth and Barrett recovered from their eliminations on the outside, Big Show tossed Dolph Ziggler on top of them from the ring. The three WWE Superstars were knocked backwards and Barrett landed awkwardly on his arm. Barrett could be heard screaming in pain, to the point where WWE had to cut the audio because of his use of profanity.
Ziggler was also hurt when his shoulder and arm hit the broadcast table during the match. He was examined backstage and is said to be fine.
Cody Rhodes, Kofi Kingston and R-Truth were also hurt during the bout and received medical attention backstage. Rhodes hurt his elbow and right leg. Kingston appeared shaken up but was not seriously injured. R-Truth was assisted to the backstage area following the match.
The official Twitter feed of the WWE Insider says Wade Barrett suffered an arm injury during the 10-Man No. 1 Contender’s Battle Royal on tonight’s Raw SuperShow.
Their statement reads: “BREAKING NEWS: Wade Barrett suffered an injury to his left arm during tonight’s Battle Royal and was rushed to a nearby medical facility.”
There was panic ringside after Big Show tossed Dolph Ziggler over the top rope onto Barrett and R-Truth, leading to the injury. Barrett was escorted to the backstage area with a splint on his left arm.
— 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.
— R-Truth appearing more animated in recent weeks has to do with Triple H. The WWE executive wants him performing “silly comedy” as opposed to dancing and rapping.
— Lilian Garcia stated on Twitter that she will be releasing a music video for her latest single, Ur Girl (Til the End of the World), on March 1.
— Saturday’s SmackDown live event at the Cow Palace in San Francisco, California drew 4,000 paying $135,000. Sunday’s show in Bakersfield, California drew 5,000 paying $130,000.
— WrestlingFigs.com reports Kevin Nash will appear at Wrestling Universe 34-29 Francis Lewis Blvd. Flushing, New York on April 21 from 1:00 to 3:30 p.m.
— Friday would have marked as Louie Spicolli’s 41st birthday. The veteran of ECW, WWE and WCW died on February 15, 1998 at the age of 27 after overdosing on somas and wine.
— California based independent wrestler Joey Ryan is competing in a contest put on by Major League Baseball in which the winner moves to New York City for the upcoming season. The contest, which is determined by votes, has been narrowed down to 50 finalists and concludes on February 22. To view his video entry, which was filmed at the Ring Ka King tapings in India, click here.
During the Six-Pack Challenge on Monday’s Raw SuperShow, R-Truth attempted an over-the-top-rope somersault plancha onto The Miz but his fall was not broken. R-Truth landed on his back onto the arena floor, causing his head to bounce off the mat. The announce team stated that medical staff determined he was unable to continue to compete; he was assisted to the backstage area during the commercial break.
Following Raw, Joey Styles stated on Twitter that the Raw Superstar is fine following the ordeal and that he did not suffer any injuries. He wrote,
“Breaking News! Somehow, @RonKillings is OK and has no injuries after flipping over the top rope, missing @MikeTheMiz and hitting the floor.”
R-Truth is scheduled to compete in the Raw Elimination Chamber Match at Elimination Chamber on Feb. 19. He will face WWE Champion CM Punk, Dolph Ziggler, Chris Jericho, The Miz and Kofi Kingston.
Check out this footage of the nasty spot (at the 3:10 mark):
WWE officials contemplated months ago of putting The Miz back in the WWE Championship picture come January. That did not happen and he has not won a televised singles match since the December 5, 2011 edition of Raw. There are people within WWE who believe top officials are blaming him for the Survivor Series drawing a disappointing buy number. Teaming with R-Truth, he appeared in the main event against John Cena and The Rock.
The pay-per-view event, which featured The Rock’s first wrestling match in over seven years, is estimated to have garnered 260,000 buys worldwide. It was reported that of that figure, 160,000 pay-per-view purchases came from the United States.
The estimate compares to 244,000 buys in 2010 and 235,000 in 2009, which nearly got the show scrapped from the annual pay-per-view line-up.
– The WWE’s website posted the following storyline update on Zack Ryder’s condition, noting that he suffered a herniated disc during Kane’s attack on him from RAW:
“Zack Ryder remains hospitalized after being chokeslammed by Kane through the stage on Monday’s Raw SuperShow. Upon further examination by WWE medical personnel, the former United States Champion has suffered a herniated disc as a result of the fall.”
– After Randy Orton returned to action on Sunday’s WWE live event, the talk at RAW was that Orton is returning to action from injury sooner than he should.
– WWE has released the new “Little Jimmy” t-shirt R-Truth was wearing on RAW. Truth also hinted on Twitter that he’ll be getting new theme music soon featuring .. Little Jimmy.
— Participants for WWE’s annual Raw Elimination Chamber Match are tentatively scheduled to include Alberto Del Rio, CM Punk, John Cena, Kane, R-Truth and The Miz. The outcome of the bout is expected to based on whether Cena’s match with The Rock at WrestleMania XXVIII will have the WWE Championship on the line.
— When Vince McMahon told Alberto Del Rio to work stiffer and appear more aggressive in the ring, it was indicated that he was due for another WWE Championship reign in 2012.
Del Rio is expected to be sidelined for four to six weeks after suffering a torn groin during the Six-Man Tag Team Match on the December 19, 2011 Raw SuperShow.
— Darryl McDaniels, founding member of the hip hop group Run–D.M.C., was seated among the audience at Tuesday’s Raw live in New York City. McDaniels has past history with WWE as he performed the “Wrestlemania Rap” at WrestleMania V.
— WWE has filed a new trademark for the phrase “Fear My Name.”
— Despite Mark Henry’s injury (and the fact that WWE took the World Heavyweight title off him because he can’t wrestle), he’s still being advertised for Friday’s SmackDown and next Friday’s SmackDown live event at the Izod Center in New Jersey.
The main event for that show is scheduled to be Daniel Bryan vs. Big Show vs. Mark Henry in a Triple Threat Steel Cage Match for the World Heavyweight Championship. For the full card, visit Meadowlands.com.
— R-Truth, who is currently serving a 30-day suspension due to his first violation of WWE’s Wellnness policy, is back on the active roster as of tomorrow, 12/22.
– Speaking of the 12/27 MSG show, that is the next scheduled appearance from R-Truth, who is currently on suspension due to a Wellness Policy violation. Truth’s suspension ends next weekend and he’ll be cleared to appear on the 12/26 episode of RAW from Chicago.
– A fan asked Chris Jericho on Twitter his thoughts on the masked Kane returning to WWE. Jericho, who has been very outspoken about the WWE product in recent months, said:
“Dont have any cos i dont care. @sameoldshit”
– WWE is hoping that Andrew Judelson, the company’s new Executive Vice President of Sales & Partnership Marketing, will help the company land some major endorsement deals for WWE superstars.
— The December 9, 2011 episode of WWE SmackDown drew a 2.24 cable rating, with 3.238 million viewers. This is up from the previous week’s live special, which drew a 2.0.
— WWE.com has announced that the first Slammy Award to be presented on tonight’s Raw SuperShow will be “Tell Me I Did NOT Just See That” Moment of the Year, by Booker T and Hornswoggle.
The nominees in this jawdropping category are as follows:
* Santino Marella almost winning the 2011 Royal Rumble
* The Miz hitting John Cena with a Rock Bottom while dressed like The Rock
* R-Truth losing a WWE Title Match due to “Little Jimmy”
— R-Truth, who was written off television last week via Skull Crushing Finale onto the Raw SuperShow stage, posted a message on Twitter regarding his whereabouts.
“Hopefully today I will find out when the Doc will release me to return back to the ring,” he wrote.
He then wrote the following in response to his followers remarks: “I see we got sum smart azz Lil Jimmy’s about..”
— Vince McMahon, Kofi Kingston, Brie Bella and Nikki Bella, among others, will be visiting troops in Afghanistan next week. Footage from the trip will air on WWE’s annual Tribute to the Troops special.
— Giant Bernard (a/k/a A-Train), Kensuke Sasaki and Yuji Nagata were among those visiting WWE during their trip to Japan this week.
WWE’s Vengeance pay-per-view event on October 23, 2011 garnered 130,000 buys overall—70,000 in North America and 60,000 overseas.
With the exception of the disastrous December to Dismember pay-per-view event in 2006, Vengeance is the lowest-selling domestic pay-per-view event in WWE history—dating back to the infancy of pay-per-view in the 1980s.
December to Dismember, which was technically branded as an ECW event, drew 55,000 buys in North America.
Vengeance was headlined by Alberto Del Rio vs. John Cena in a Last Man Standing Match, Mark Henry vs. Big Show in a World Heavyweight Championship Match, and Awesome Truth vs. CM Punk and Triple H.
