The following are highlights of a recent Jim Ross website Q&A update:
On the crowd reaction to Hulk Hogan vs. The Rock at WrestleMania X8: “WM18 was uniquely booked but Rock and Hogan should have closed the show in hindsight but no one predicted how the crowd was going to go crazy for the match much less embrace Hulk as they did.”
On how WWE should plan for Daniel Bryan’s return: “This email is a little long but I don’t know how one can plan for any thing with Daniel Bryan until he’s healed from his surgery and re-introduced into the mix in an intelligent manner.”
On issues between Rey Mysterio and WWE: “I am not a party to their grievances nor do I care to engage in them. I know little about their issues but always enjoyed working with both men. I signed Rey to WWE years ago and have always had a good relationship with him. I plan to have ADR on my podcast soon.”
On Curtis Axel: “Don’t know where WWE is with Curtis but he needs to show more personality and more physicality.”
On Cruiserweights returning to WWE: “I think that the ship has sailed for cruiserweights to return to WWE. Then again, I might be wrong but I don’t think so.”
Check out more Jim Ross Q&A at his website, JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
– NXT star Solomon Crowe cut a promo at the NXT live event on Thursday night in Lakeland, Florida and mentioned that he’s “finally coming soon.” Crowe’s television debut is one of the most anticipated among NXT fans, as he’s already developed somewhat of a cult-like following.
– Joey Styles mentioned on social media that Rey Mysterio, Shane Douglas, Chris Jericho, Psicosis and 2 Cold Scorpio are among those who will be featured on the “ECW Exposed” special that is scheduled to air on the WWE Network after this coming Monday night’s edition of RAW.
WWE was apparently not pleased that Rey Mysterio was backstage at the AAA Lucha Underground taping in Los Angeles recently, particularly because photos of him at the show and later at a dinner with people involved with the promotion appeared on social media.
It’s worth noting that the photos were quickly deleted.
There is no word yet as to whether or not this latest incident will result in any specific repercussions, as at this point, Mysterio is still legally under contract with WWE.
Once an occasional treat for the WWE Universe, the Hell in a Cell match has become a yearly event since the introduction of the eponymous pay-per-view in 2009. Since its inception, the company has yet to truly knock it out of the park with Hell in a Cell, although fans have witnessed some memorable moments.
This year, it will be either John Cena or Dean Ambrose headlining the event against Seth Rollins inside the most ominous structure in sports entertainment. As the company builds up its next pay-per-view, here is a look back at the first five Hell in a Cell events.
5. 2012
This event really didn’t have a pay-per-view feel to it. The undercard was primarily filled with forgettable matches that had little impact on future storylines. The main event was also lacking due to injury.
It was clear that the company had no idea what to do after John Cena went down to injury, leading to Ryback receiving a premature main event push. From top to bottom, this event was lacking and easily locks up the honor of being the worst Hell in a Cell pay-per-view to date.
Main Event: CM Punk vs. Ryback (Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Championship)
Best Match: Big Show vs. Sheamus
Worst Match: Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara vs. The Prime Time Players
– WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio was backstage at the AAA “Lucha Underground” television taping in Los Angeles, California on September 27th. Apparently someone tweeted a photo of Mysterio backstage at the event, however the tweet was quickly removed. Also backstage at the event was recently released WWE Superstar JTG.
– WWE is reportedly in the process of getting the lawsuits that were brought against them, based on the idea that they violated SEC regulations with their new television deal, dismissed.
– Rey Mysterio recently underwent stem cell procedures on his knees. As of right now, considering he hasn’t wrestled for months, Mysterio’s knees, which have caused him problems for years, are said to be in good shape for a change.
– As noted earlier today, WWE has removed most of CM Punk’s merchandise off of their WWE Shop website and with the four items they are still pushing, they have drastically decreased the prices. The belief is that this is indeed a reaction from WWE in regards to the 22-page legal letter that Punk’s lawyers sent them. Apparently WWE is trying to get rid of as much Punk merchandise inventory as quickly as possible right now, regardless of profit.
While things could always change, as things stand now, WWE isn’t planning on bringing back Rey Mysterio to television once his current hand injury heals.
According to one source, WWE is more focused on preventing Mysterio from doing anything further with the Mexican-based AAA promotion, or any other promotion for that matter, than utilizing his talent and ability for their own company.
As noted in the past, WWE automatically renewed Rey Mysterio’s contract for one more year due to a clause in the deal that allows WWE to renew deals if a talent has missed a certain amount of days due to injury. Mysterio, on the other hand, was under the impression that the two sides would be parting ways.
No one knows yet how things will end up between Mysterio and WWE, or if the two sides will end up fighting things out in court. Due to the fact that Mysterio is currently injured and hasn’t returned in time to fulfill that year as an active competitor, there is the possibility that WWE could automatically renew him for another year when his current deal is up in November.
At the AAA “TripleMania” event in Mexico on Sunday, Rey Mysterio appeared during the show in the form of a pre-taped video interview.
Mysterio is still under contract to WWE, reportedly until April of 2015, so this could potentially lead to some legal issues between both sides.
Apparently, the video interview with Mysterio was only supposed to air live in the arena during the show, but ended up airing during the pay-per-view broadcast as well.
– The following is the official synopsis for the new “WWE Presents: True Giants” DVD and Blu-ray, which is expected to have a December release.
“Focused on the top giants in wrestling history. This program will look and feel like 20 mini-biographies with each feature presented by just one person, giving it a more personal and in-depth look than a Countdown.
A 2 hour feature will have 20 mini-bios and full matches included as extras. Featured giants include Andre The Giant, Big Show, John Studd, Vader, King Kong Bundy, Diesel, Kamala, Gorilla Monsoon, Earthquake, and more!”
Despite previous reports to the contrary, Rey Mysterio will not be appearing at AAA’s “TripleMania” show in Mexico this Sunday.
Mysterio is still reportedly under a contract to WWE and the company would not allow him to appear at the show, especially considering the fact that it will be going head-to-head with their own SummerSlam pay-per-view on Sunday.
– Below is the latest edition of WWE’s “Five Things” YouTube series, which this time around looks at the five SummerSlam moments WWE would like you to forget.
– The following is a “WrestleMania Rewind Extra,” which features Rey Mysterio talking about his World Heavyweight Championship victory over Randy Orton and Kurt Angle at WrestleMania 22:
– The official WWE website has recently added a new article looking at the 15 greatest Superstar entrances of all-time. The top ten of the list reads as follows:
#10. Rey Mysterio
#9. Gangrel
#8. The Rock
#7. Hulk Hogan
#6. Chris Jericho
#5. Bill Goldberg
#4. Triple H
#3. Kane
#2. Ultimate Warrior
#1. Undertaker
You can check out the complete article at WWE.com.
– The latest edition of WWE’s “Canvas 2 Canvas” YouTube show, which features Triple H, is available below.
As reported last week, Vince McMahon opted to renew Rey Mysterio’s contract based on a clause that states WWE can extend his deal if he’s injured since it would be considered ‘time owed’ to the company.
Mysterio was looking to leave WWE when his contract expired a month ago. Right now nothing is being talked about regarding whether or not he will be returning. He is still listed on the company’s injured list.
Recent Photos Of Rey Mysterio UNMASKED With UFC Legends
As far as Rey Mysterio’s contractual status with WWE is concerned, his deal reportedly expired last week. From there, Vince McMahon renewed it for one year, despite not having such an option to do so in the contract. WWE contracts are allowed to be frozen in the event of an injury to a Superstar.
WWE went with the mindset that since Mysterio missed so much time during his contract period due to various injuries, that he owed them the time and he was renewed through May of 2015 on that basis.
– New episodes of WWE Slam City, which features Brock Lesnar, Sheamus, Rey Mysterio and Damien Sandow, are now available at WWESlamCity.com. They will also be added to the WWE Network in the near future.
– The following is a new video blog from former WWE Superstar Ezekiel Jackson:
Rey Mysterio was at WWE headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut on April 30th to discuss a new contract with the company.
He was reportedly offered a deal to be somewhat of an ambassador for the company, particularly in Spanish language markets, as well as the opportunity to still wrestle part time.
While Mysterio’s future with the company is still uncertain, Vince McMahon does want to keep him on board.
As previously reported, Rey Mysterio has been out of action with an injury. Despite reports that claimed it was a knee injury, it’s actually a hand injury that he is currently suffering from. Mysterio’s hand was swelling up pretty badly, which is why he’s been out. It’s expected that he will be back to action soon.
Originally, Mysterio wasn’t booked for WrestleMania XXX, but a late decision was made to add him to the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal. Additionally, he was not booked for WWE RAW the next night, but a late decision was made to add him onto the show in a match against Bad News Barrett.
Mysterio has yet to sign a new contract with WWE, however the company is looking to sign him in the near future.
– Part two of Chris Jericho’s interview with Rey Mysterio is featured on the latest edition of “Talk Is Jericho,” which was released today. The podcast also features Jericho’s thoughts on WrestleMania XXX.
The official description for the show reads as follows:
TIJ – EP28 – Wrestlemania 30 & Rey Mysterio Pt2
Chris is talking Wrestlemania 30… and he’s also talking about it with YOU! Hear his breakdown & analysis, and find out who made better predictions – Chris or Egypt! Plus, Rey Mysterio is back with stories about his early days in the WWE, the pop-up stage, the higher ropes, and losing Eddie Guerrero.
– Also new at PodcastOne.com today is the latest edition of Jim Ross’ “Ross Report” podcast. JR’s latest show features an exclusive interview with new WWE Hall Of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts.
The official description for the show reads as follows:
TRR – Ep08 – Jake “The Snake” Roberts
2014 WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts gets candid about addiction and recovery, and how DDP saved his life. Plus, hear Jake’s thoughts on never being in a Wrestlemania main event, who’d be on his Mt. Rushmore of Wrestling, and what he thinks about CM Punk’s departure from WWE.
This past week’s RAW could end up being a turning point in WWE history. Gone could be the days where the company relies upon the same tried-and-true superstars to draw money, instead turning to a new generation of up-and-comers. Indeed, this week’s episode felt more like a changing of the guard ceremony than a typical edition of the longest-running weekly episodic television program, as Michael Cole likes to affectionately refer to it as.
It was evident from the moment the program started, which was basically a coronation ceremony for Daniel Bryan. The place was simply electric, with nearly every fan in attendance participating in his signature “Yes!” chant.
What was interesting as the night progressed was that the WWE Universe turned on nearly every “old guard” superstar in favor of younger talent, whether heel or face. This was first seen during the Wyatt Family vs. John Cena, Sheamus, and Big E contest.
The WWE Universe has decided to follow the buzzards in recent weeks.
Cena was ripped a new one during his entrance and performance, as it seemed like not a single person in the crowd was cheering him. There is usually at least a vocal minority of supporters in even the most anti-Cena crowd, but the New Orleans crowd was completely against him, even singing, “John Cena sucks” to the tune of Cena’s theme song.
The Wyatt Family, on the other hand, were overwhelming crowd favorites even though they have been booked as nothing but heels since debuting. The crowd was singing Wyatt’s now-signature, “He’s got the whole world in his hands” while swaying back and forth. These guys are truly over and it was completely obvious which side the crowd was supporting during the Wyatt’s decimation of Team Cena.
A similar incident occurred later in the night during the Rey Mysterio/Bad News Barrett contest. Barrett has been booked as a heel in recent months, and unlike the Wyatt Family, he has not received any support from the fans. During his contest with Mysterio, however, Barrett had complete fan support and was even celebrating with the fans while Mysterio seemed a bit perplexed at times while he was mercilessly booed. It seemed obvious that the fans are in favor of change instead of the superstars of old.
The King of Swing is the newest Paul Heyman guy, much to the delight of the crowd.
You know things are a bit off when even Paul Heyman is cheered at one point in the broadcast. Cesaro announced his departure from the Real Americans and shocked everyone by claiming he is now a Paul Heyman guy, a move that set the place on fire. It set up an ironic situation where Heyman was practically booed out of building during his earlier promo with Lesnar but was later cheered after it was announced that he would now manage Cesaro.
The move highlights the popularity of Cesaro, as the crowd does not care who he is paired with as long as he is receiving a push, and the WWE does not usually pair Heyman with guys they are not planning to push. If you can get the crowd to cheer Paul Heyman, you must but doing something right, but after all, Cesaro is the guy who made a stable of immigrant-hating Tea Partiers popular with the crowd. In recent weeks, the crowd has even been chanting, “We the people.”
– At WrestleMania Axxess in New Orleans, there are a number of grave sites for the 21 victims of The Undertaker at WrestleMania. The following is a photo of the WrestleMania XXX grave site, where Brock Lesnar will lay if he loses to “The Phenom” this Sunday.
– Speaking of Mr.T, he has been tweeting a lot throughout the week about his upcoming WWE Hall Of Fame induction. He sent out the following tweets on Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively:
My speech is ready! Hand written from my heart to capture the essence of my Mother. NO speech writer here FOOL!
– WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio appeared as a guest on the latest edition of Chris Jericho’s “Talk Is Jericho” podcast. The official description for the show reads as follows:
TIJ – EP27 – WWE’s Rey Mysterio
The high-flying master of the WWE, Rey Mysterio, joins Chris! Hear how he got his pro start at age 14, what his first wrestling name was & who gave it to him, how he created all those unique moves off the ropes, and why he once got a standing ovation in the ECW locker room. Plus, Chris interviews Egypt, the highschool janitor who thwarted Pummelmania!
– Reader Jorge Romero sent along a tweet with a photo of the WrestleMania-themed room key for the Roosevelt Hotel in New Orleans, which you can check out below:
Here we are the Raw before WrestleMania XXX. The go home show of all go home shows. Did Raw deliver? Check out our YES! and NO!
Brock Lesnar Finally F5’s after circling the ring 10 times. NO!
The Undertaker & Brock Lesnar The Undertaker comes out and cuts seeming the same promo he has each week he’s had a mic. Out pops Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman, eventually Brock circles the ring seemingly a dozen times, before the obligatory Paul Heyman distraction where he slips in with a chair, to distract The Undertaker enough so that Brock can “sneak” in and get his hands on The Dead Man.
I had such high hopes for this program, but I must tell you, I’ve been less than impressed. Paul Heyman cut an amazing promo a few weeks back simultaneously putting over The Streak, and why Brock Lesnar would break it (Undertakers age, wear and tear). Since then this has been a lackluster build for me. Am I really to believe that a huge man like Brock Lesnar is THAT afraid to get into the ring? I can buy into some trepidation, but this was ridiculous. NO!
Alberto Del Rio takes it to Big E. Good Match YES!
Big E. vs. Alberto Del Rio I thought Big E and Alberto Del Rio put on a great match, with several near falls and a clean Del Rio win. Of course why they constantly beat a champion, I’ll never understand. Does anyone remember when they actually had in-ring introductions for a Big E intercontinental championship match? That being said, YES!
Summer Rae vs. Natalya I liked how a clip was shown from this past weeks Total Diva’s and there was a match to tie things in. I suppose that’s the one thing we lack when it is seemingly all the Total Divas ganging up on AJ who didn’t want to be on the show. However, the conflict was clearly 100% manufactured, and if there was any ounce of reality to Total Divas before this, there isn’t now. YES!
The Authority implying that Daniel Bryan is a “Flavor Of The Day” like Fandango was last year.
The Authority’s Farewell To The “Yes!” Movement, Batista, Randy Orton Triple H and Stephanie come out and cut a brutally honest promo that blurts the lines between story line and reality. They made some interesting arguments about people wanting to be on a bandwagon, and support a cause. This brought out chants of CM Punk, Yes, and others including boring. After a Stephanie McMahon narrated promo about Triple H always beating the “Flavor of the Day” including Booker T, Chris Jericho, RVD, Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy, Out comes BOOtista, and Orton. Pretty much the same song and dance. Objectively I think this was a good Heel Triple H Promo. But I’m exhausted from these Authority promos, and Batista and Orton coming out in succession. I’m tired from Daniel Bryan not getting anywhere in the stratosphere of equal mic time. By itself this was good, but after weeks of this, I’m over it. So I say NO!
The Usos & Los Matadores vs. The Real Americans & Ryback and Curtis Axel
This is basically the Pre-Show match with two teams combined. Less reason to get excited about the match itself. After an incredible year of tag-teams in the WWE in 2013, everything that I have enjoyed up to this point has vanished. Cody Rhodes and GoldDust were the hottest Tag Team attraction in WWE last year, they should have been in the tag-team titles mix, or facing each other, in a brother vs brother match that has been rumored for two years. The USO’s have been in line to win the Tag Titles since July of 13. What better way to elevate those titles then have them win it at WrestleMania XXX against the Outlaws? So another match, similar to what we will see on the small big stage, and I fear that The Uso’s who should retain this, may not possibly, so that a title change gets a reaction, or creates some sort of moment. NO!
Backstage Segment: The Shield & Roman Reigns vs. Kane I enjoyed this backstage segment from The Shield, they seemed like a cohesive unit here, and I hope to see more of this at WrestleMania. Could The Shield stay together for a while longer? Many thought the match would be all three members of The Shield in a triple thread at this years WrestleMania. I would dislike it to see someone like Dean Ambrose accidentally or deliberately cause a loss for the team. I’d like to see The Shield show their dominance over the last two years. YES!
View Page 2 to find out more YES and NO from WWE RAW