– After undergoing immediate knee surgery Tuesday and being released from the hospital late in the evening, WWE Champion CM Punk was telling people close to him that he felt excellent. Punk contacted WWE officials and informed them he would be able to compete against Ryback at TLC: Tables, Ladders and Chairs. Management, however, felt otherwise, stating it would be best if he did not compete at the pay-per-view event. They wanted him to bow out of the show and rest as to not jeopardize bigger, upcoming matches.

Punk will continue to appear on WWE programming while he heals.

– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will be chatting with fans Sunday afternoon via Twitter.

“Inspiration, information & a good dirty joke. Been too long.. you & me LIVE! SUNDAY 1pm EST,” he announced Saturday.

(source: PWInsider.com)

WWE superstar Ryback recently spoke to ESPN.com to hype the new WWE ’13 video game. Here are some highlights of what Ryback said about:

Getting Advice From Legends “Everyone has advice, it’s up to me to cipher out the good from the bad and to take what can work for me. I keep a pretty close-knit crew of guys I take advice from, guys like Triple H, Arn Anderson, Michael Hayes, and William Regal are the top four guys who I deal with on a regular basis and who I have open ears for at all times. Traveling and whatnot, Daniel Bryan is a guy who I like to travel with when I travel with others, but I also like to travel alone. I like to have my own time in order to gather my thoughts, but when I travel with somebody, it’s Daniel Bryan.”

His Rumored Backstage Altercation with Brock Lesnar: “Somebody told me about that, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. I don’t know where that came from. Paul Heyman is all about making money, he’s a business man, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he started the entire thing just to get people talking and see if there was any interest in it. It’s definitely a match that I would love to happen. I don’t know how long Brock is going to be around for with the WWE, but if the opportunity for us to square-off in the ring presents itself, I welcome it with open arms.”

His Character Getting Over: I knew all along that this was going to happen. I’m very confident in myself and I’m very thankful for everything that has happened. It takes time, sometimes, to get things going, but I knew fairly early on that I was on the right track. I remember I was wrestling a fine local talent named Benny Camer, and when I clotheslined him, I flipped him back, and the reaction I heard from the crowd that night just from clotheslining him, I knew right then that we were on to something good here. It took a little bit of time for the people to digest and get with it, but hey, it’s all worked to a T. I’m very thankful for how far I’ve come, and I look forward to being a big part of WWE for years to come.”

His Dream WrestleMania opponent: “That’s easy. One of my goals, and I don’t know how many more he has in him, so we need this to happen soon, and that’s Undertaker. He’s the one man who is undefeated at Wrestlemania, and he’s somebody who I’ve had in my mind for a long, long time. I would love to be able to step into the ring The Dead Man and to be able to scream “Feed me more!” in his face would be quite the honor.”

WWE superstar Ryback recently spoke to Arda Ocal of The Score Television Network and the Baltimore Sun. Topics discussed include:

– The release of his new downloadable character (DLC) for the WWE ’13 video game.

– His frustrations during his previous stint in WWE as Skip Sheffield, a member of Nexus:

“I was going by a name I did not choose and did not like. It was not me.”

– Addresses suspicions that his “Feed Me More” chant came out of his season on Tough Enough where his cast-mates constantly remarked on his gigantic appetite:

“It’s actually not, but it pops me that this has become my catchphrase.”

– Provides his opinion on the incessant Goldberg comparisons that plagued him during his undefeated streak:

“It never bothered me. I knew that I would set myself apart from him as time moves on.”

– Finally Ryback gives his thoughts on who he’d like to face at Wrestlemania 29.

Here’s the interview:

– This week’s “Are You Serious? webisode is highlighted by Kane being featured in the “Fail of the Week” moment. The synopsis reads: “What happened in a 2003 steel cage match the leaves Kane in shock and disbelief? You have to see the “Fail of the Week” moment on “Are You Serious?” with Road Dogg and Josh Mathews now!”

– WWE Champion CM Punk did not appear at Saturday’s Raw live event in Roanoke, Virginia due to appearance at the New Orleans Comic Con. Ryback instead faced and defeated Jack Swagger, with John Cena defeating Dolph Ziggler in the main event.

– The Nickeledeon comedy film Fred 3: Camp Fred, featuring John Cena in the role of the title character’s father, will be released on DVD this Tuesday.

– As reported last night, Thomas Latimer, who appears as Kenneth Cameron for WWE’s developmental league, NXT, was arrested late Thanksgiving Eve in St. Petersburg, Florida, on charges of battery on a law enforcement officer and disorderly intoxication. He was taken into custody to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office and released on $5,100 bail, with the battery charge costing $5,000 and the disorderly intoxication charge costing $100. According to PWInsider.com, he was released from his contract with WWE following the arrest.

– Highlights of this week’s episode of WWE Superstars, featuring Santino Marella vs. David Otunga, and Brodus Clay vs. JTG, are now online.

– WWEShop.com has released new Ryback merchandise; Feed Me More Pendant and a Feed Me More Hat.

– Brodus Clay’s dancer Naomi turns 25-years-old Friday. Also celebrating birthdays are former WWE Superstars Tom Zenk (54) and Jimmy Del Ray (50).

– It hasn’t been announced yet, but the current plan for the tag team titles at next month’s TLC pay-per-view is for either a 3-way match featuring Team Hell No vs. Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara vs. The Prime Time Players.

– As for the Tables, Ladders and Chairs match with CM Punk vs. Ryback WWE Championship match, it’s very unlikely that Ryback walks out with the belt.

As for how WWE can get away with Ryback losing to Punk for the third time in a row, one scenario would be for The Shield to interfere in the match, have Ryback get his revenge by powerbombing each of them through a table while Punk climbs a ladder and grabs the belt to win the match.

* WM29 Plans For RYBACK, BIG Angle Planned For THE SHIELD & Top Babyface Turning Heel

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– WWE has contemplated building towards a Ryback vs. Big Show match at WrestleMania 29 on April 7, 2013 at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. It is based on the idea of Ryback having a “WrestleMania moment” by hoisting Show onto his shoulders and marching around.

– Ring of Honor wrestler Mike Bennett met with WWE officials last week. Additional details have not been disclosed.

In August, “The Prodigy” remarked on whether he would be interested in joining the promotion if an offer came along: “Well, I’ll give you the political answer right now and say never-say-never. I’d be absolutely lying to you if I said I didn’t become a wrestler to be at WrestleMania and headline WrestleMania, which is what 99% of all guys want to do if they’re in wrestling. They want to make the big bucks and be on the main stage. But for me, right now, I’m 100% happy in Ring of Honor. I mean, I feel like I’m building a company. Its been around since 2002, its been building since then, but I feel now with the Sinclair network behind it we really are truly building a company. Is WWE ever an option? Like I said, I’d be lying if I said wouldn’t want to go there, but right now Ring of Honor is where I like to be.”

(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– As noted earlier, CM Punk tweeted that he was undergoing x-rays today. Punk has reportedly been working with an injured knee and has been seen limping around in recent weeks.

– With Vince McMahon still overseas visiting United States troops serving in the Middle East, Triple H was in charge at Mondays RAW. There was a much more laid-back environment at RAW, with fewer rewrites. The general feeling backstage was that things will be less tense behind the scenes when Vince McMahon eventually steps down and hands the reigns over to Triple H and Stephanie.

– WWE was very satisfied with The Shield’s first promo on Monday’s RAW, with Dean Ambrose standing out as the group’s best talker, Roman Reigns came off well but Seth Rollins still needing to improve his mic work.

– WWE was also happy with Ryback’s interview in the opening segment of RAW.

(Source: PWInsider.com)

– Jim Ross was asked what he thought of AJ Lee’s (photoshopped) picture of himself and Vickie Brought to the Survivor Series pay-per-view. He replied on Twitter:

Comedic. Good plug for JR's products @ WWEShop. @Mano_LFC: @JRsBBQ what do you think of AJ pictures of you and Vickie hahahaha #Classic”

— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) November 19, 2012

– Edge was asked by a fan on Twitter what he thinks of Ryback:

"@wwerko9: @EdgeRatedR Do You Like Ryback"-nice guy, lotsa heart to come back from his leg issues

— Adam Copeland (@RatedRCope) November 20, 2012

– Jim Ross and JBL tweeted the following about Titus & O’Neal doing commentary on Monday’s RAW:

Jim Ross: “Prime Time Players uniquely entertaining on commentary. It’s good for their team like em or not. Made me chuckle. #WWE”

JBL: “Prime Time Players have a lot of potential-but not on commentary. #washrag #vintageCole @wwe. The Twitter world seems to disagree with me! The whole key is to get noticed and PTP just did. #washrag”

In case you missed it, here’s video of the duo doing commentary during the Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara vs. Team Hell No match:

– Following his non-title victory over Kofi Kingston on RAW, Wade Barrett says that the Intercontinental championship will be his very soon. He tweeted after RAW:

How bloody good was I against @TrueKofi on #Raw??? The #OneEyedWildCat can kiss that IC title goodbye. #BarrettBarrage

— Stu Bennett (@StuBennett) November 20, 2012

– WWE Diva Tamina tweeted the following warning after RAW:

https://twitter.com/taminasnuka/status/270840078664863744

– After Monday’s RAW went off the air, several WWE referees tended to Ryback after he was put through the announcers’ table by Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns. Ryback made it to the back by himself.

As a result of John Cena’s injury, his advertised match against CM Punk didn’t happen.

– Promoting his WWE Championship Match against CM Punk and Ryback this Sunday at Survivor Series, John Cena said on Twitter Thursday that he is unsure how he will handle “Big Hungry.”

“Trying to figure out how in the hell to even approach Ryback this Sunday,” he wrote. “#survivorseries will be quite interesting.”

– Marty Wright, formerly known as The Boogeyman in WWE, is now on Twitter.

– NXT Wrestling has announced a Fan Appreciation Night for its Dec. 14 live event at Brooksville Armory 16386 Spring Hill Dr., Brooksville, Florida, 34604. The event will feature eight matches and free Pictures with Santa Claus and the NXT Divas.

– Nigel McGuinness’ documentary on the end of his wrestling career is almost completed, according to PWInsider.com.

– Chad Baxter indicated on Twitter Wednesday and Thursday that he has been released from his developmental contract with WWE.

“Good luck with your future endeavours,” he wrote in a message yesterday before stating he’s a free agent.

He then posted multiple fan messages offering encouragement, including one saying he can “always make an impact.”

Baxter, whose real name is Derek Foore, was a Notre Dame collegiate wrestling champion WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco recruited last year. He sparingly competed for NXT until the summer, and then was primarily relegated to non-televised events.

– Brad Maddox is featured in this week’s “Outside the Ring” as he prepares for his $1 million WWE contract match with Ryback. “Get inside Maddox’s head as his dream to compete in a WWE ring came true against an unstoppable juggernaut,” WWE states.

– Today would have marked as the 60th birthday of wrestling legend Randy Savage. He passed away on May 20, 2011 after suffering a fatal heart attack while driving.

– As late as last week, WWE’s creative staff had contemplated a Survivor Series match pitting Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara against Darren Young and Titus O’Neil, with possible additional wrestler involvement. It should be known tonight on Raw whether the match occurs.

– Kevin Sullivan, author of the newly released WWE Encyclopedia, noted on Twitter last week during a visit to WWE’s television studio in Stamford, Connecticut that legendary announcer “Mean” Gene Okerlund has shaved off his trademark mustache. The WWE Hall of Famer hosts the company’s internationally broadcast Vintage Collection show as well as programs on WWE Classics On Demand.

– The official WWE website has a poll asking fans whether Brad Maddox can find a way to defeat Ryback tonight on Raw. The poll shows 58% towards Maddox having no chance to win.

– Nicole and Brianna, the former Bella Twins, have been announced to appear at the New Orleans Wizard World taking place November 30 through December 2 at New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center 900 Convention Center Blvd. New Orleans, Louisiana.

(source: F4WOnline.com)

As seen Monday on Raw, WWE overhauled its plans for Survivor Series on November 18, 2012.

On the show, Vince McMahon mandated that CM Punk will defend his WWE Championship in a Triple Threat Match against Ryback and John Cena at the pay-per-view event. With this turn of events, Team Punk is now known as Team Ziggler, while Team Foley has an empty fifth slot. Prior to the change, The Miz quit the group in protest of Punk’s leadership, and was replaced by Wade Barrett after Paul Heyman aggressively sought him.

According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE changed their plans for multiple reasons. Among them was the belief that the originally scheduled main event, Team Punk vs. Team Foley in Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match, would draw dismal pay-per-view buy numbers. With rare exceptions, tag team matches as main events are generally mediocre earners on pay-per-view. The entire Bragging Rights concept was dropped for that very reason.

What also swayed plans for Survivor Series were the pay-per-view buy figures for Hell in a Cell on DirecTV being “surprisingly strong.” Privately, McMahon credited Ryback for the result and felt placing him in a ten-man tag team match, even though he would likely be left standing, would not be beneficial to him. McMahon feels they need to capitalize on Ryback’s momentum, which would require the muscle-bound grappler to challenge for the WWE Championship in the main event.

(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– Two matches were taped Tuesday in Birmingham, England for WWE Saturday Morning Slam

* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd

* Ted DiBiase vs. Jinder Mahal

The commentators were Josh Mathews and R-Truth.

– In the following video, Cody Rhodes shows Wade Barrett a thing or two about how to play WWE ’13.

– The official WWE website has a poll asking who poses a bigger threat to WWE Champion CM Punk at Survivor Series; John Cena or Ryback? Ryback currently leads the poll 51% to 49%.

(source: ProWrestling.net)

– WWE will hold a Raw live event in Laredo, Texas at Laredo Energy Arena on Saturday, January 12, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. John Cena, CM Punk and Ryback headline.

– Dave Kapoor, who portrayed The Great Khali’s mouthpiece Ranjin Singh, has been unable to fulfill his duties as head creative writer of Raw in recent weeks due to a medical issue. According to ProWrestling.net, Kapoor suffered a burn of some sort which has prohibited him from traveling. Ed Koskey, head creative writer of SmackDown, has filled in for Kapoor at Raw events in the meantime.

– During Monday’s Raw broadcast, WWE aired a vignette teasing the debut of a new Superstar called “Fandangoo.” It displayed the words Fabulous, Angelic, Noble, Dapper, Astonishing, Naughty, Graceful, Opulent and Outstanding. A voice then asked, “Do you mind if I cut in?” (Yah, we do).

Fandangoo is the new gimmick for Johnny Curtis, who has been testing out an ‘exotic dancer’ gimmick at recent WWE live events.

Fandangoo Videos: Debut Vignette, His Ring Entrance & Dance Moves

Despite Ryback’s loss at WWE Hell In a Cell, WWE is still committed to pushing him as the company’s new main event babyface monster.

Following his controversial loss to WWE Champion CM Punk at Hell in a Cell, new details have come out regarding what WWE had originally planned for the match finish.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the original plan was for Ryback to pin CM Punk in the middle of the ring clean and win the WWE Championship. Ryback would then hold the belt through Survivor Series and would eventually drop the belt in a multi-man gimmick match at TLC, where he wouldn’t have to be pinned or submitted. This was the scenario Vince McMahon had settled on until Thursday 10/25, just 3 days before Hell in a Cell.

The following day (Friday), Vince made the call to keep the belt on CM Punk because Punk’s long title reign was more important than Ryback’s undefeated streak, which isn’t really necessary to portray him as a monster. WWE has spent so much time focusing on CM Punk’s long title reign that it would be better to keep the belt on him past the 1-year mark so his eventual match with The Rock at the Royal Rumble would have higher stakes.

Once the decision was made to keep the belt on Punk, WWE spent the entire weekend figuring out how to cost Ryback the match while keeping him strong. WWE considered a wide range options before settling on crooked referee Brad Maddox, including run-ins from Brock Lesnar, Big Show, Mark Henry and even Vince McMahon himself.

* Picture of THE ROCK Dressed Up As The Incredible HULK For Halloween

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– There is talk of Paul Heyman flying to Europe to take part in WWE’s current overseas tour from 11/5-10.

– Speaking of WWE’s European tour, there have been some changes to the top matches that were previously advertised. CM Punk will no longer be wrestling John Cena in the main events. WWE has been pleased with CM Punk’s work with Ryback in recent weeks, so the new main events are now CM Punk vs. Ryback and John Cena vs. Dolph Ziggler.

– A 2-hour version of WWE’s Falls Count Anywhere DVD will begin airing on pay-per-view on 12/3.

– The Rock dressed up as the Incredible Hulk for Halloween.

* Picture of THE ROCK Dressed Up As The Incredible HULK For Halloween

(Partial Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– The official WWE website announced Wednesday evening that suspended official Brad Maddox will have to answer to a Board of Inquiry at WWE Headquarters Thursday morning in response to his actions at Sunday’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event.

As the storyline goes, Maddox assisted CM Punk in retaining the WWE Championship by delivering a low blow to Ryback, allowing Punk to pin him. Maddox’s actions prompted Ryback to assault him. The following night on Raw, Punk denied any affiliation with Maddox.

– SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia will miss WWE’s European tour kicking off today and concluding on Nov. 10 after being struck by a car Friday in Los Angeles, California. When asked on Twitter Wednesday whether she will be on the tour, she responded, “No, and I’m really sad about it. Def there in spirit!”

Garcia did not offer a timetable regarding her return to WWE. She did, however, state, “Thk u all 4 the loving, supportive tweets that keep pouring in. I am doing my best 2 get better quickly so I can return. Love u so much!”

– A television show for independent promotion Canadian Wrestling’s Elite premieres Friday night at 9:30 p.m. and 10:30 a.m. Saturday on UWF Manitoba Ch. 30, Westman Communications Cable 12, CBS-TV Ch. 30 and on Bell Express Vu in Manitoba beginning Nov. 29.

– WWE was confiscating all “Goldberg” signs at Sunday’s night’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view. With the show taking place from Atlanta (where Goldberg played for the NFL’s Falcons,), WWE did not want “Goldberg” chants breaking out during Ryback’s main event match.

– WWE.com cameras caught Layla and Kaitlyn arguing about their loss to Eve in the Divas triple threat match at Hell in a Cell.

– WWE cameras also caught up with Darren Young and Titus O’Neil following their loss to Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara. Young was very upset about the loss, with Titus cheering him up and reminding him that they have a big 6-man tag match on this week’s Main Event show, as they team up with Alberto Del Rio against Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara.

* Rumored SURVIVOR SERIES Matches, Original Finish For PUNK vs. RYBACK & More

(Partial source: F4Wonline.com)

– WWE is already teasing a rematch between WWE Champion CM Punk and Ryback for November’s Survivor Series pay-per-view:

“Survivor Series offers a prime opportunity for Ryback to exact his revenge; can CM Punk elude the creature’s grasp until then?”

– WWE.com cameras caught up with Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara after their win over the Prime Time Players at Hell in a Cell. Rey said their win is great for their team and puts them back into contention for the tag team titles.

Mysterio said that Sin Cara was almost injured during the match after landing on his head. Sin Cara was checked out backstage by doctors and appeared to be OK. Mysterio translated for Sin Cara, who said he was briefly knocked out after the spot, but feels fine now.

F4Wonline.com is reporting that there was real concern after the spot first occurred on television.

* When Ziggler WILL Cash In, Two Young Superstars In Line For Main Event Pushes & More

– During a radio interview Thursday, WWE Champion CM Punk refused to address the crowd incident that occurred on the Oct. 8 Raw in Sacramento, California.

Participating in an interview over the phone with Cleveland radio show Rover’s Morning Glory, the program hosts repeatedly asked Punk about the incident. Punk, appearing disgruntled, ultimately hung up on the hosts, with the interview lasting approximately five minutes.

– WWE has released a promotional video previewing Sunday’s Hell in a Cell pay-per-view event. The advertisement is centered on WWE Champion CM Punk defending his title against Ryback.

– WWE will hold Raw live events at Pensacola Civic Center in Pensacola, Florida on Friday, January 4, 2013 at 7:30 p.m. and the Tallahassee-Leon County Civic Center in Tallahassee, Florida on Sunday, January 6, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. Both events are headlined by John Cena, CM Punk, Ryback and Dolph Ziggler.

Mike Bucci, who appeared in WWE as Simon Dean and ECW as Hollywood Nova, joined the VOC Wrestling Nation to discuss the career of Ryback, and how he ascended from a failed WWE Developmental project to being at the top of the card at WWE Hell in a Cell. Bucci was one of the head trainers when WWE Developmental was in Ohio Valley.

The VOC Wrestling Nation is the flagship program of the VOC Nation Radio Network, and can be heard every Wednesday at 5PM ET WORLDWIDE at VocNation.com.

Bucci discussed a variety of topics, and the entire interview can be heard at VocNation.com. Here are some highlights:

On being on the trainers in OVW that worked with Ryback: “I love the guy. People are looking at the guy like he’s an overnight success, but nothing could be farther from the truth. Ryback was originally discovered by Ty Bailey (former head of WWE developmental) to be a contestant for the first season of Tough Enough and he didn’t make it through. I guess they just didn’t think he had “it” at that time.

On Ryback being a wrestling fan: “He got signed to OVW and they used to call him the Silverback. This dude trained so hard inside the ring and out of it. He is a true wrestling fan; in this business, if you’re not a wrestling fan, you will not last. You’ll make money and get over, but there is a difference between making money and drawing money. The guys in this business who draw money are usually the guys who are fans of the business. He is a true fan and a great guy.”

On Ryback being compared to Goldberg: “Bill Goldberg came in and made wrestling cool. He was a butt kicker, and everyone knew who he was. There are three types of fans: 1)People who will always watch wrestling; 2) People who will never watch wrestilng; and 3) People who will watch wrestling when they think it’s cool to watch it, and Bill Goldberg brought out those types of fans. People are still talking about Bill Goldberg 10 years after his last match. (Ryback has the potential to be that.)”

On why Ryback will succeed: “(Ryback) busted his ass so hard to make it. This guy will not be a drug addict, he will not be a goof; he will not embarrass the company. If I were a kid right now, I would love this guy; he looks like a real life superhero. He’s a larger than life figure. When he comes out, you know things are going to happen, and people are going to get hurt. When you look at the roster, there is nobody else like that right now.”

On Ryback being able to survive as a character: “Vince always goes to the muscle guy. They had it with Cena for a long time. (Ryback) has a ton of personality. He can talk, he can do all of that; but people are going to pay to see him kick ass. They’re trying to build a star, so for me (on Sunday at WWE Hell in a Cell), he HAS to win. He’s gotta hit the finish 1-2-3 in the middle of the ring, no screwjobs. Wrestling titles are fake, nobody wins the title, it’s given to you. They have the opportunity to do something special here, and I hope they don’t screw it up.”

On the days of a slow build-up of a star being gone: “The slow build is done. There are so many channels on TV, and we live in an ADD society. People don’t have as much commitment anymore to sit there and salivate over a guy that they hope is being created over 6 months. “

On building the company around one particular guy: “Fans see the WWE as a show, and the guys on the show just happen to be part of that show…there is only one group of people that can’t be replaced on that roster and that’s the McMahon family. That’s why Vince made himself into the top heel in the late 90s. He knew that he was the only guy he could count on that would not leave for WCW. When you’re a WWE fan, you’re a fan of the brand. There’s never going to be another Rock, or another Stone Cold.”

On who are the top guys of the future: “Damien Sandow is a STAR, and they dropped the ball on him for 10 years. I told everyone who would listen that he was a star. When he failed the first time, he went to Puerto Rico and reinvented himself. What you see now is what he is in real life. This guy was at my house and had a conversation with my wife’s dog; that’s how nuts he is. (Damien) is in the top 5 of the workers in that company right now. I’m talking about the ability to work a gimmick, control the crowd, talk on the mic, and have a believable character. And he’s 6’4 260lbs.

On Dolph Ziggler and why he stays in the mid card: “He’s a great dude; he busted his ass. (Dolph) is successful because he’s a true wrestling fan. The people want him so bad, and if they don’t (push him) soon, they run the risk of having him always look like that guy who will never get over the hump.”

On CM Punk: “I have never seen anybody defy the odds of what he’s done. It doesn’t make any sense on how he got to where he is. So many people bashed him along the way, and only one guy believed in him: Vince McMahon. He doesn’t even look like a wrestler, but he hung in there and he made it.

– Ryback, who has primarily competed on Raw in recent weeks, is now listed as a member of the Raw roster on the official WWE website. It is his second official stint with the brand, with the first taking place in 2010 when he was a member of The Nexus.

– During the finals of the No. 1 Tag Team Title No. 1 Contenders’ Tournament on Raw Monday, broadcaster Jim Ross acknowledged participant Rey Mysterio’s past tag team partnerships with Konnan and Juventud Guerrera. When it was brought to Konnan’s attention on Twitter, he responded, “wow i must not be blackballed..thats a first.”

Konnan is believed to be considered persona non grata within WWE after bolting from the promotion in 1992 following a disagreement with Vince McMahon. The WWE chief previously had big plans for Konnan, as he had spent over $10,000 on an elaborate outfit for him to wear as the futuristic character Max Moon.

– This week’s WWE Classics On Demand updates are as follows: WWE Over the Limit (May 20, 2012), World Wrestling Federation at Philadelphia Spectrum (October 11, 1980), WWWF Championship Wrestling (September 17, 1977), ECW Hardcore TV (May 19, 1998), WWF Prime Time Wrestling (September 11, 1989).

A fan-shot video of Ryback botching his finishing maneuver, “Shell Shocked,” on Paul Heyman at Sunday’s Raw live event in Hartford, Conn., has been removed from YouTube.com due to a third-party notification by WWE claiming copyright infringement.

Though filming is prohibited at WWE live events, the sports-entertainment organization rarely has footage shot at shows removed from video-sharing websites. However, this video gained viral attention after it drew the ire of similarly-styled wrestler, Bill Goldberg, on Twitter.

As the video showed, Ryback was unable to lift Heyman for “Shell Shocked,” even as the weighty manager tried his best to assist his leverage. The muscle-bound wrestler then improvised by performing a maneuver resembling Goldberg’s world-famous “Jackhammer.”

Goldberg, who said last week that comparisons between the two don’t bother him, tweeted in response to a fan pointing him to the video, “NOW comparisons offend me.”

The two-time World Heavyweight Champion then re-tweeted a message ridiculing the burgeoning star: “Ryback is to @Goldberg as the Renegade was to @UltimateWarrior. It’s silly.”

Sunday’s event was not Ryback’s first bungling of his signature move as he was also unable to hoist Tensai not once, but twice on Raw three weeks ago. However, it was heavily speculated online that Tensai intentionally undermined Ryback by not cooperating with his attempted throws.