-WWE Superstar Santino Marella returned to television on Monday’s live RAW show from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. Santino won his return match against one-half of The Real Americans tag-team, Antonio Cesaro.
Additionally, on commentary, Michael Cole, JBL and Jerry “The King” Lawler promoted Santino’s new Battle Arts Academy training facility, which is located in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.
-The matches taped for this week’s WWE Superstars, which was taped prior to RAW in Toronto on Monday night, are The Usos vs. 3MB and Big E. Langston vs. Zack Ryder.
For those interested, spoiler results for this week’s WWE Superstars are available on the main page.
– WWE is seriously considering turning Big E Langston babyface soon.
– With Goldust and Edge advertised for tonight’s WWE RAW, it’s rumored that Santino Marella will also be returning.
– NXT star Sami Zayn wrestled at another WWE live event on Sunday night from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Zayn teamed with Bo Dallas to defeat the Real Americans, Jack Swagger and Antonio Cesaro. Like the previous night, Zayn received loud “Ole!” chants from the crowd, a sign that the WWE Universe is well aware of his previous work as El Generico.
-WWE is currently scheduled to hold another developmental training camp in Orlando, Florida from August 28th through August 30th.
-Current WWE Superstar Tyson Kidd, who has been on the sidelines as of late, is scheduled to make his return to WWE television sometime in September.
-Below are some recent WWE attendance figures:
–July 30th in Capetown, South Africa drew 5,000 fans for $150,000
–July 31st in Capetown drew 4,500 fans for $160,000
–August 1st in Shanghai, Chine drew 4,000 fans for $375,000
–August 1st in Durban, South Africa drew 6,700 fans for $225,000
–August 2nd in Johannesburg, South Africa drew 10,500 fans for $470,000
–August 3rd in Johannesburg drew 11,000 fans for $485,000
-The following is a video of WWE Superstar Santino Marella, out-of-character, showing off his new Battle Arts Academy:
– 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 “Stone Cold” Steve Austin says he met with executives from the CMT cable network (home of his Redneck Island show) about another new reality TV show:
Just met w folks at @CMT and 51 Minds Entertainment about new reality show. This show will define Bad Ass. #bottomline
– Santino Marella will be appearing today (1-5pm) at the future site of his Battle Arts Academy in Ontario, Canada, greeting fans and introducing the new pro wrestling & MMA training school. The school is located at the corner of Tomken & Eglinton in Mississauga, Ontario.
Santino Marella revealed on his twitter that he is opening a new pro wrestling & mixed martial arts school in Toronto on July 1st, called “Battle Arts Academy”. Here are photos of the new facility:
– During a recent interview with Collider.com, The Rock commented on whether he’s interested in joining the cast of the next “Expendables” movie, which features an all-star cast of action heroes:
“It all depends. Yeah, sure. I like Sly. He’s been a buddy for some time. I love the first one and I’m excited about the second one. Sure, if he needs somebody to hunt somebody down, he knows where I’m at.”
– The official theme song of Saturday Morning Slam, “This Time It’s Mine,” is now available for purchase on iTunes.
– After dealing with neck issues in recent weeks, Santino Marella tweeted that he is “good to go for this Monday.”
– R-Truth defeated Titus O’Neil at Saturday night’s WWE live event from Providence, RI, so the apparent injury he suffered the night before was nothing serious.
– Santino Marella, who is currently sidelined with a neck injury, noted on Twitter Tuesday that he underwent a procedure.
“Neck procedure went well today in Pittsburg, shouldn’t be too long now before I’m back in action, I’m hoping!,” he wrote.
– Shelly Martinez hosts #SaveWrestling, which can be heard every Monday afternoon at 3:30 p.m. on www.vocnation.com. The debut edition of the podcast is now online at the website.
– The latest edition of WWE en Espanol is now online.
– WWE.com has a new article looking at Ted DiBiase Sr.’s Million Dollar Championship belt. After much speculation about how much the belt cost to create, DiBiase reveals that it cost $40,000 (back in 1988) and is covered in 700 cubic zirconia stones.
– Monday’s WWE RAW scored a Trendrr.tv social media socre of 268,154, down 9% from last week.
– Santino Marella tweeted the following on Tuesday about his ongoing neck injury:
I've never really missed work from an injury before, damn it sucks! Can't wait to get back in the ring!
– David Otunga noted on Twitter that he will be appearing on TruTV’s Headline News TV from 12-2pm EST and will be serving as a guest legal expert weighing in on the Jodi Arias trial. Arias is accused of stabbing her boyfriend.
– Santino Marella’s daughter Bianca Carelli won the Miss Teen Canada World pageant in Toronto, Canada over the weekend. Here’s a picture of Bianca after her win:
– Here’s WWE’s latest promo video hyping CM Punk’s match against The Rock this Sunday at the Royal Rumble:
– Newly signed WWE developmental wrestler Clayton Jack was interviewed by Oregon’s FOX12 this week and spoke about what he is hoping to achieve with the company:
“I am just really excited for the opportunity to work with the WWE. As far as goals go, I just want to learn as much as possible. Hopefully if I do well in the three years, maybe I can get an NXT title or move up to the WWE.”
– Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown scored a Trendrr.tv social media score of 70,048, down a sharp 17% from the previous week, which featured The Rock’s and Alberto Del Rio winning the World Heavyweight championship.
– WWE superstar Santino Marella will be taking time off after recently suffering a neck injury and finding out that the results of his MRI exam were “Not good.” Santino said the injury is affecting his spinal cord and he will update everybody when he gets more details.
On this week’s episode of Santinon’s Foreign Exchange Youtube show, the Italian superstar (sporting a neck brace) handed off the reigns to his international correspondent Yoshi Tatusu:
– This week’s episode of “Santino’s Foreign Exchange” features Santino Marella playing a detective as he tries to figure out who “killed” Yoshi Tatsu. The synopsis reads, “Things get a little … dark … this week on “Santino’s Foreign Exchange.” A ridiculous misunderstanding on the part of The Milan Miracle leads to a bonafide “whodunnit” caper. So, who “killed” Yoshi Tatsu?”
– Dolph Ziggler weighed in on Trent Barreta’s release from WWE yesterday. He wrote on Twitter this afternoon, “#WheresTRENT??? Oh right, being an awesome wrestler somewhere else….”
– Former WWE developmental wrestler Byron Wilcott defeated Carson Friday in Houston, Texas to become the new NWA North American Champion.
– The Eddie Guerrero vs. Rob Van Dam match from WWF Backlash 2002 is featured on this week’s episode of WWE Vintage Collection and broadcaster Jim Ross’ mention of Chris Benoit was not censored as it typically is on WWE programming reruns. Other bouts airing on the show include Lex Luger vs. PJ Walker (WWF Monday Night Raw – March 1, 1993), Lex Luger vs. Shawn Michaels (WWF All American Wrestling – September 19, 1993), King Haku’s Coronation (WWF Superstars – July 9, 1988), King Haku vs. Sam Houston (WWF Prime Time Wrestling – August 22, 1988.
– This week on Santino’s Foreign Exchange, foreign correspondent Yoshi Tatsu attempts to interview Ryback. The synopsis reads, “On this episode of “Santino’s Foreign Exchange,” The Milan Miracle puts the pressure on foreign correspondent Toshi Yatsu – uh, we mean Yoshi Tatsu – in an attempt to hone his interviewing skills. Yoshi’s mettle is tested, though, when he runs into the monstrous Ryback!”
– Daniel Bryan is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– Santino Marella wrote the following on Twitter regarding his ongoing recovery from his 2011 car accident:
“Today I did my first sets of dips since my car accident 15 months ago, healing is slow sometimes but constant progress is the goal!”
– The USA Network, home of WWE’s flagship show RAW, will once again finish the year as the #1 rated cable network. USA Network executive Ted Linhart tweeted on Tuesday:
“With 2012 almost over USA will be the most-watched cable net for the year, 7th year in a row among ad-supported cable nets”
– Former WWE superstar MVP has responded to online reports that he’s one of the former WWE superstars that the company has contacted about a possible return. He tweeted on tuesday:
“I have NOT been contacted by WWE. I still work for New Japan Pro Wrestling. I don’t know anything about these rumours. Sorry.”
– This week on Foreign Exchange, Santino Marella reacts to not being listed among WWE.com’s “The 50 most beautiful people in sports-entertainment history” list. The synopsis reads: “What do Santino Marella and Stacy Keibler have in common? Not too much, as it turns out. On this week’s episode of “Santino’s Foreign Exchange,” The Milan Miracle learns a hard truth about where he ranks on WWE.com’s list of Most Beautiful Superstars and Divas. Find out how Santino takes the (bad) news, only on YouTube!”
– Former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Jerry Lynn has set March 23, 2013 as his official retirement date from professional wrestling, which marks as his 25th anniversary in the profession. His final match will take place in his home city of Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he broke in under Brad Rheighans. His final match in the Northeast will take place February 9, 2013 in Metuchen, New Jersey, as he faces ECW rival Lance Storm at a Pro Wrestling Syndicate event.
– Resistance Pro, an independent pro wrestling company created by The Smashing Pumpkins frontman Billy Corgan and brothers Jacques and Gabe Barons, has pitched a reality series pilot to multiple cable networks.
– Santino Marella seeks holiday shopping advice from his fellow WWE Superstars on this week’s episode of Foreign Exchange. The synopsis reads: “Even though he’s a week late, Santino seeks out the best Black Friday deals. Meanwhile, Yoshi frantically tries to find his boss the perfect present.”
– Romeo Roselli, who appeared as Romeo for The Heart Throbs in WWE, appears on the Food Network’s Restaurant Stakeout today at 3:00 p.m. He has been a regular on the program as of late.
– Eve is today’s “Lovely Lady Of The Day” on the official website of Sports Illustrated. The website says of the WWE Divas Champion, “The WWE released its list of the 50 Most Beautiful People in WWE History, which is a good excuse to make Eve Torres today’s Lovely Lady of the Day.”
– 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.
– This week’s edition of “Santino’s Foreign Exchange” is now online. Here is the synopsis: “It’s Thanksgiving, Santino style! To cap off a “very American year” for the former U.S. Champion, Santino and crew head out to find the perfect holiday meal … and you won’t believe what’s – or is that, WHO’S – for dinner.”
– Friday’s SmackDown broadcast on Syfy concluded with John Cena emerging from the backstage area to lock Dolph Ziggler into the STF on the ramp. Following the episode, AJ Lee remarked on Twitter, “Yay for Cena beating up Dolph. I love when Cena ends up on top. *…waits for the Internet to explode…*
– Former WWE Women’s and Divas Champion Beth Phoenix turns 32-years-old on Saturday.
– This week’s episode of Z! True Long Island Story is a “Best Of” episode.
– The official WWE website has released highlights of this week’s episode of WWE Superstars, featuring Santino Marella and Zack Ryder vs. 3MB, as well as Justin Gabriel vs. Darren Young. The full episode is available on WWEOnHulu.com.
– WWE announced the following Facebook regarding its return to Australia next year: “The RAW World Tour comes to Australia this July with 5 stops in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth. Tickets will be available starting Wednesday, November 28 at 9:00am local time on Ticketek.com.”
– Alberto Del Rio is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– This week’s episode of “Foreign Exchange” is now online. Here is the synopsis: “Santino gets some (static) feedback about this week’s very European edition of “Santino’s Foreign Exchange.” Find out why, and be warned: you may need some hankies when you watch the end of this week’s webisode on WWE on YouTube!”
– Mick Foley praised Randy Orton via Twitter Friday upon watching his Falls Count Anywhere showdown with Alberto Del Rio on SmackDown: “Love the intensity @RandyOrton brings to every match. I seem to remember Randy having an amazing match of this type with a legendary brawler.”
– WWE will hold a live event at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska on January 17, 2013 at 7PM. They will also run at the Carlson Center in Fairbanks, Alaska on January 18th at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale December 1.
– According to the latest issue of Power Slam, Carlito has an open offer to return to WWE, whenever he desires. The magazine, however, notes that the former WWE Superstar is enjoying the freedom of working independent groups.
The second generation grappler was released from his contract with WWE in May 2010 due to a violation of the company’s drug testing program and subsequent refusal to attend a rehabilitation facility for a reported addiction to painkillers.
– Promoting his tour this month of the U.K., Chris Jericho spoke to Glasgow radio station Radio Caley (@RadioCaley) and presenter Colin Stone (@Colin__Stone) where he discussed Fozzy’s new album “Sin & Bones,” whether he’ll return to WWE (13.08) and his matches this year with Dolph Ziggler (14.57). Plus, Jericho has some words for Drew McIntyre (10:34).
– Santino Marella and Layla appear at Smyth’s Toys, Unit 6&7, Shane Retail Park, Boucher Road, Belfast, Ireland, tomorrow beginning at 3:30 p.m. as they sign for the first 400 fans.
– On this episode of “Foreign Exchange,” Santino Marella sends his correspondents on a quest to discover the Halloween secrets of Superstars and Divas. It is also revealed what The Milan Miracle’s costume will be.
– The October 26 episode of WWE Vintage Collection on The Score in Canada featured the following matches: Abe “Knuckleball” Schwartz vs. Ron Cumberledge (WWF Superstars – October 1, 1994), The Dynamic Dudes vs. The Midnight Express (WCW Clash of the Champions – November 15, 1989), Thurman “Sparky” Plugg vs. Jeff Jarrett (WWF Superstars – April 2, 1994), Kurt Angle vs. Shawn Stasiak (WWF Survivor Series – November 14, 1999), Mr. Perfect vs. Rick “The Model” Martel (WWF Monday Night Raw – March 8, 1993).
– Former WWE talent Lance Hoyt debuts for Traditional Championship Wrestling on December 8 in Clarksville, Arkansas.
– Mason Ryan, who has not appeared on WWE programming since May, resurfaces on this week’s edition of Santino Marella’s Foreign Exchange. Plus, Marella recruits Yoshi Tatsu and Johnny Curtis to devise “the perfect plan” to finally touch Michael McGillicutty’s beard.
– Via Twitter, John “Bradshaw” Layfield denied an online report that he will commentate Monday’s Raw at East Rutherford, New Jersey. He subsequently noted on Facebook that he will call the following night’s SmackDown taping in Providence, Rhode Island.
– The official WWE website has published new photos of Cameron and Naomi, The Funkadactyls.
