-WWE Superstar Ryback, who has been portraying the bully character on television recently, is reportedly in line for a big push from the WWE creative team.
According to reports, the employees who work in the merchandising branch of WWE have been informed to come up with as many ideas as they can for Ryback. Generally, when WWE amps up the merchandise for a character, it means that not only is that individual in line for a major push, but it usually means they’re going to be a babyface.
-WWE Superstar Alberto Del Rio will be appearing at the Walmart on Unser Blvd. in Rio Rancho, New Mexico on Sunday, August 25th at 3pm. The signing is open to the first 300 fans who show up. WWE will also be holding a live event in the city this weekend.
-For the first time in a year-and-a-half a WWE Diva was requested for a “Make-A-Wish.” WWE Diva Kaitlyn granted her first individual wish with the WWE Circle Of Champions honoree Jeffrey prior to this past Monday’s edition of WWE RAW. The last WWE Diva to receive a “Make-A-Wish” individual request was Kelly Kelly.
-Also granting their first individual wish through the “Make-A-Wish” foundation was WWE Superstar Ryback. Ryback also fulfilled his first individual wish submitted by WWE fan Eric prior to Monday’s edition of RAW.
-While there aren’t a lot of details to report yet, we can confirm that WWE legend The Ultimate Warrior met with WWE CEO Vince McMahon while in Los Angeles for WWE 2K14 business last weekend. As soon as we receive more information, we will post an update.
-As noted yesterday, the man who got the Ryback “bully treatment” on Monday’s RAW was independent wrestler Christian Cole. The man who suffered the wrath of WWE’s lead bully on SmackDown this past Friday night was former CZW Champion Drake Younger.
-TechnologyTell.com recently published an article regarding the already infamous WWE 2K14 symposium, which featured an intoxicated “Nature Boy” Ric Flair hijacking the proceedings. As noted, Flair is in extremely hot water with WWE management, specifically for burying Daniel Bryan, mentioning TNA at a WWE event and talking far too much about wrestlers drinking alcohol.
Check out the article online at TechnologyTell.com.
-According to reports, the CM Punk rant towards the fan on WWE RAW on Monday night was unscripted, and was a completely spur of the moment reaction by Punk.
-Devon Hughes (aka Devon) is currently accepting independent bookings through Bill Behrens. Those wishing to book Devon can e-mail: showbis@aol.com.
-The guy in the shower and in the dressing room that Ryback was bullying on RAW on Monday night was indy wrestler Xtain Cole from Championship Wrestling for Hollywood.
– Former WWE superstar Bill Goldberg appeared on Miami’s WQAM radio station over the weekend and commented on his future in the wrestling business. The 46 year old said he’s open to wrestling again and keeps himself in shape. He said that his son has been watching his matches on YouTube, which would be one of his reasons for wrestling again. He mentioned wanting to come back as a heel and thinks Ryback is a total rip-off of him, but has no ill feelings towards him.
– WWE Champion John Cena granted several Make-A-Wish wishes while on tour in Australia this past week. The Circle of Champions Honorees also got to meet Aksana and Antonio Cesaro:
– Ryback continues to get taunted with “Goldberg” chants at WWE’s ongoing International tour. At yesterday’s show, Ryback cut a promo before his match against John Cena – telling the crowd he’s sick of the chants. Of course – this led to the audience screaming Goldberg’s name at him.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. In this installment, JR wrote about Monday’s RAW and the premiere of Total Divas. Here are some highlights:
McMahon Family & Daniel Bryan: The end game for the McMahon Family conflict interests me especially considering that #1 contender for the WWE Title @WWEDanielBryan is in the middle of it. Where is this matter heading? I’m happy that I have no idea. If Daniel Bryan were to win the WWE Title at Summer Slam, how would that affect the ‘family’ dynamic? Hmmm”
Ryback: “Ryback had a good night even in a losing effort in the Tables Match vs. @JohnCena. Ryback seems to really enjoy his antagonist role and it fits him better and better each week. Being a great, wrestling villain is a skill that isn’t easily or quickly acquired. If Ryback had came along in the 70’s or 80’s, some promoter likely would have made him a ‘Russian’ or another non American to capitalize on a Nationalism story.”
The Wyatt Family: “I’d be remiss without noting that The Wyatt Family had a solid night on RAW and that their vignettes introducing them to the WWE Universe were more golden than many perceive. They had an identity before they ever showed up in person on RAW. Reminds me of how Bill Watts established the Rock ‘n Roll Express in the Mid South Territory using music videos before Morton and Gibson physically arrived in the 80’s.”
As always, you can buy JR’s amazing line of BBQ products from WWEShop.com.
– Prior to a Tables Match against John Cena at today’s WWE live event in Brisbane, Australia, Ryback angrily confronted a fan holding a sign reading “Feed Me More ‘Roids.” The WWE Superstar went on verbal outburst toward the fan and reportedly said he would “f*****g see him outside.” Additionally, he ordered security to confiscate the sign. The ordeal occurred as Cena was making his entrance to the ring.
Ryback acknowledged another taboo subject the day before at a WWE live event in Sydney as he goaded ringside fans chanting “Goldberg!”
– The official WWE website currently has a poll asking fans which former Diva they would most like to see return to the company. Not listed among the choices is Maria Kanellis, who has claimed in recent weeks through Twitter that the Bella Twins blocked her from returning to the organization earlier this year. Despite not being listed in the poll, she acknowledged it on Twitter with the following message, “Awesome!! Haha… @WWE I’m with @ringofhonor now!! #ROH.” She then stated that she voted for Victoria in the poll.
Meanwhile, Kanellis will be live-tweeting during the series premiere of Total Divas tonight at 10:00 p.m. on E!. In reference to a video that surfaced online of Nikki Bella asking John Cena about marriage on the reality show, Kanellis stated on Friday, “I love watching women beg for a ring. Haha…”
– Brooklyn Brawler surveyed fans on Twitter this morning about their favorite SummerSlam moment of all-time.
– Since Ryback’s debut in WWE last year, the powerhouse wrestler has been frequently subject to “Goldberg!” chants due his perceived similarities to the former grappling standout. At Saturday’s WWE live event in Sydney, Australia, Ryback responded to fans’ chants of the memorable wrestler prior to his encounter with John Cena. Video of the incident is available here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPLlMHe9ukY
According to the individual who posted the video, Cena taunted Ryback following this by saying, “You should be happy they’re calling you Goldberg and not wanker.”
– Former WWE official Wes Adams is now on Twitter at WesAdams1980. Adams verified his account on his Facebook page: “Well I finally did it…..I got a Twitter so I can start tweetering tweets and twits and what not. I still don’t understand what to do with the hash tags but if you want to start following me @WesAdams1980 that would be cool!”
– On Friday, The Bella Twins met fans at the NBC Experience Store in New York City. The official WWE website has posted photos from the event.
WWE legend The Ultimate Warrior recently spoke to the New York Daily News to promote his involvement in the new WWE 2K14 video game. Here are some highlights of what Warrior said about:
If He Watches WWE, CM Punk & Ryback:
“I know some of the characters, but I don’t watch it. I like all the guys. I guess because I don’t know anybody, I like them all.”
“You would think maybe I would go for a Ryback guy. He’s impressive. He’s a monster of a guy. I don’t go against him, but I’m indifferent. I know a little about CM Punk, in that he does his own thing. I’m inspired by people who do that in their own life. That they just do their own thing no matter what the consequences are.”
His Career Highlight:
“My match with Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania VI. The buildup to that, where the business was at the time. Prior to Wrestlemania, usually they would do an angle where Hogan’s best friend would backstab him out of jealousy or envy. Cut some promos and say, “if only I had the chance for a match I could take (Hogan).” That’s how they’d set up the match.”
“But the Ultimate Warrior was becoming so popular and selling so much merchandise at the time that if they’d done that they would have slit their own wrists. So they did a match where it was the Warriors vs. the Gladiators. And then a bunch of urban legend stuff has grown out of that.”
A Memorable Road Story:
“I always loved working with Randy. He was so intense. In public, he spoke like he did in his promos. I remember one time, he came out to stay with me in Arizona. And he was there for a couple days. We went out to eat one night.”
“I said, “Randy, just do me a favor, don’t say anything. Just enjoy the food and we’ll go.” Because we were going to go to the gym after.”
“About a half-hour of being there, he said something about the food being good. It was all kinds of chatter going on, people talking. As soon as he said that to me, the whole place went absolutely totally dead silent. Everybody was leaning in their ear, trying to figure out where that voice came from. Then that was it, we were there signing autographs for the next two hours.”
– Kevin Nash noted on Twitter that he’s been suffering from tendinitis in his elbow. He joked that the pain was so bad he thought he might have torn his quad again.
– Ryback deleted all of his tweets once again. Shortly after deleting them, he wrote these messages:
In response to a fan who was giving Ryback crap for never winning a championship in WWE and being the ruler of nothing, he replied, “My bank acct says different big guy!”
It’s unknown at this point whether Ryback’s tweets were deleted as a result of him responding to negative tweets in a manner that WWE would not approve of. Previously, he deleted all of his tweets after tweeting a message about John Cena’s ex-wife.
– During a recent interview with FOX Sports Australia to promote WWE’s upcoming “down under” tour, Ryback revealed that he eats 8-10 meals per day:
“Chicken, brown rice – I’m big on complex carbohydrates. I’m pretty bland in what I eat, I’ll eat the same things over and over again – chicken, turkey, tuna salmon and protein shakes. I try to eat well every meal. Every meal I try to better myself that’s the goal and I try and stay away from foods that are not going to benefit me. I have to constantly feed myself because of the schedule I’m on and now how much physical activity I’m doing whether I’m in the weight room, doing cardio vascular conditioning or flexibility program, I’m constantly doing something so I have to keep my calories in me so I have my size and strength and power in me when I get into the ring. You have to feed the machine … I actually feel like I have gotten in better shape since I have been on the road.”
– After wrestling TV host Michael Strahan in a sumo wrestling challenge earlier this week (VIDEO), WWE Champion John Cena says he wants a rematch:
“WWE Champ John Cena lost his “sumo” wrestling match to Michael Strahan on the Monday, July 15, 2013, “LIVE with Kelly and Michael”! But Cena’s not taking it lying down! He’s officially challenged Michael to a rematch — and says Michael better not hide behind Kelly Ripa this time!”
-WWE Superstar Chris Jericho took to Twitter following his loss to Ryback at Sunday’s WWE Money In The Bank pay-per-view in Philadelphia. Jericho noted the fan reaction to Ryback winning with a roll-up, claiming it was done to further Ryback’s heel turn. Jericho wrote, “Hmmm so many of you are angry that @Ryback22 won w a roll-up tonight? #thatstheidea #heeltactics.”
-Former WWE Superstars Tommy Dreamer and Evan Bourne were among those backstage at Money In The Bank on Sunday night.
-Also in attendance at the PPV on Sunday night were Carolina Panthers football players DeAngelo Williams, Gary Barnidge and Ahmed Awadallah.
– The official WWE website announced Saturday that Natalya and Tyson Kidd have tied the knot.
Their statement reads, “The former Divas Champion and former Tag Team Champion, who have dated for more than a decade, were married this week. Natalya revealed that her Las Vegas bachelorette party as well as her upcoming nuptials to fellow Hart Dungeon graduate, Kidd, will be televised on the E! reality series, “Total Divas,” which premieres July 28 at 10/9 CT!”
– In the latest edition of “Outside the Ring,” see how one lucky got to have lunch with Triple H.
– In this video, Ryback addresses his ongoing issues with his opponent at Money in the Bank, Chris Jericho.
– The new limited-edition CM Punk t-shirt that was on sale at Sunday’s WWE Payback pay-per-view is now on sale at WWEShop.com.
– WWE Payback was a legitimate sellout at the Allstate Arena, with 14,623 fans in attendance.
– WWE.com has an article up stating that Ryback refused medical attention after losing the Three Stages of Hell match to John Cena at Payback. Cena won the match by giving Ryback an AA through the roof of the ambulance at ringside. The WWE Universe Twitter account added:
Just learned that @Ryback22 has refused to go to the hospital and is currently being evaluated by @WWE doctors. #Payback
– Gambling lines for tomorrow night’s WWE Payback pay-per-view event have skyrocketed in recent days, with Alberto Del Rio being favored 17 to 1 to defeat Dolph Ziggler in the World Heavyweight Championship Match. Betting odds are also in favor of Curtis Axel claiming the WWE Intercontinental Championship from Wade Barrett in a three-way affair also including The Miz, as well as AJ Lee defeating Kaitlyn for the WWE Divas Championship. In the Three Stages of Hell Match, Ryback is favored to win the Lumberjack Match, with John Cena taking the Tables Match and subsequent Ambulance Match to retain the WWE Championship.
– WWE counts down The Shield’s most brutal attacks since the group’s inception in this “Top 10” video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bT9hKBiIbWg
– Six years ago today, WWE Hall of Famer “Sensational” Sherri Martel died at her mother’s residence in McCalla, Alabama. A toxicology released later that year stated that she died of an overdose with multiple drugs in her system, including high amounts of oxycodone.
Former NWA World Women’s Champion Tiffany Roxx posted this message in remembrance of Martel, “RIP Sensational Sherri. You were one of my biggest inspirations and I’m still learning from your work.”
– Following Monday’s RAW, John Cena’s WWE Championship defense against Ryback at next month’s WWE Payback pay-per-view will now be a Three Stages of Hell match.
Originally booked as an Ambulance Match, the first stage of “hell” will be a Lumberjack Match. The second stage will be a Tables Match. The third stage, if necessary, will be an Ambulance Match.
– The following video aired exclusively on the WWE App during RAW:
John Cena shares his respect and admiration for the United States Armed Forces.
[rybackrules]- Ryback will be appearing on tonight’s WWE NXT Taping from Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL. Check back late tonight for full spoiler results from the tapings.
– The pre-sale code for the July 22nd WWE RAW taping from Austin, Texas is RAWAUSTIN.
Former WWE & WCW star Bill Goldberg was recently asked by a fan on Twitter, if he could spear anyone in WWE, who would it be? He replied, “Hunter…..hands down…..RT”
The same fan asked Goldberg, “any particular reason or just the overall doucheness and politicking he exhibits?” Goldberg told the fan he was “spot on.”
Somebody else asked Goldberg when he will return to WWE. He replied, “When they learn how to run a business.”
Finally, Goldberg was asked if he did return to WWE, would he want to wrestle Ryback? Goldberg said, “… if they knew how to do business I’d consider it…”
– Last week’s episode of WWE SmackDown scored a 1.86 cable rating, up slightly from a near-year-low 1.82 rating the week before.
The episode, which was headlined by a match pitting Chris Jericho against Ryback, averaged 2.53 million viewers over the course of two hours. This up from a near-year-low average of 2.47 million viewers the week before.
SmackDown finished in fifth place in overall viewership on cable television Friday evening and ranked second in key male demographics behind ESPN’s coverage of the NBA Playoffs on ESPN.
– Balls Mahoney partnered with former ECW colleague “Pitbull” Gary Wolfe last Saturday for Warriors of Wrestling’s “FULL THROTTLE” event as they squared off against the team of Abdul Nasir and Harley. Video footage of the match in its entirety is available below.
With just a few days left until Sunday’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view, WWE has published the following video of the most impressive finishing Attitude Adjustments and Shell Shocked’s from John Cena & Ryback:
“Witness the most painful, impressive, and downright awesome Shell Shockeds and Attitude Adjustments from Ryback and John Cena.”
[cenachampshirt]- Following Sunday’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view, upcoming RAW-brand WWE live events will still feature John Cena vs. Ryback for the WWE Championship.
– The Rock’s movie “Pain & Gain” was #3 at the U.S. box office over the weekend, behind Iron Man 3 and The Great Gatsby. Pain & Gain, which had a production budget of approximately $26 million, has already taken in over $41,608,000 domestically.
– The Bella Twins have announced on Twitter they will soon be staring in a featured:
So the BIG NEWS #BellaArmy Got the script yesterday for our first Feature Film! Details to come!! @JohnnyRyanJr
– MMA fighter & TNA star King Mo made his pro wrestling debut on Wednesday night at Ohio Valley Wrestling. defeating Austin Bradley via an arm submission in the main event. Mo reportedly used a variety of MMA holds throughout the match.
– The Ryback vs. Daniel Bryan match that will air on tonight’s SmackDown is getting rave reviews from people who have seen it, with many saying that it’s Ryback’s best match to date.
– Here are some attendance figures from WWE’s recent European tour, courtesy of the Wrestling Observer: