– WWE.com has announced that Kevin Rudolf will perform “Don’t Give Up,” SummerSlam 2012’s official theme song, live on pay-per-view this Sunday.
– SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia talked exclusively to RedCarpetTips.com about her top red carpet and beauty tips. The WWE Diva says it takes a lot of work to look good.
“The first thing is the dress… then the day of, you know, just the curlers and the hair and the make-up,” Garcia says, also noting tanning. She says “It’s a process!”
– WWE.com has released a poll asking fans whether Shawn Michaels’ injury on Raw will affect Triple H’s chances of defeating Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam.
This Sunday, WWE will host a 30-minute online pre-show prior to Summerslam going live on pay-per-view, featuring WWE United States Champion Santino Marella vs. Antonio Cesaro.
It’s worth noting that prior to Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Austin, Texas, WWE taped a match for the premiere episode of the new Saturday Morning Slam television show, which will air on August 25th (after SummerSlam).
During the match (Kofi Kingston vs. Heath Slater), Santino Marella came out to do commentary – and he had the US title belt with him.
While it’s possible that WWE could edit out Santino’s title belt in the event that he loses the gold to Cesaro, the fact that Santino brought his belt with him is a good indication that he’ll retain this Sunday night.
At Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Austin, Texas, it was announced that Alberto Del Rio will indeed wrestle Sheamus this Sunday at SummerSlam for the World Heavyweight championship. The match had been previously announced and then cancelled. Now, it’s back on. With that match set, here’s the updated card for this Sunday:
Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H
WWE Championship Match
CM Punk (c) Big Show vs. John Cena
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Sheamus (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio
Intercontinental Championship Match
The Miz (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
Tag Team Championships Match
Kofi Kingston & R-Truth (c) vs. Titus O’Neil & Darren Young
Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler
Kane vs. Daniel Bryan
Online Pre-Show Match For The United States Title:
Santino Marella (c) vs. Antonio Cesaro
Also rumored for the card is Damien Sandow vs. Brodus Clay.
– WWE will holding a SummerSlam ticket giveaway contest this weekend in Los Angeles, California. Starting at noon on Friday (local time), WWE will be posting clues on the official WWE Twitter and Tout accounts about where the tickets will be located. For more information on WWE’s “Hide and Tweet” SummerSlam ticket giveaway, visit WWE.com.
– There is still some buzz in WWE that Charlie Sheen will have some involvement at Sunday’s WWE SummerSlam from Los Angeles. There were several references to “Anger Management” (the name of Charlie Sheen’s new show on FX).
– Check out the latest WWE Backstage Fallout video, with Eve Torres, JTG and other WWE superstars talking about Monday’s RAW. When asked how it was to be back in action, JTG said:
“It was great, it was everything I ever imagined. It was stupendous. Just so you know, I’m being sarcasti.”
He was also asked if he’s learned what word to not use aroud RAW’s new GM, AJ Lee.
“In the future, I’ll check myself, but she took it the wrong way. I didn’t mean she was crazy, I just meant the whole … whatever. But anyways, I was out there on Raw, doing my thing,”
After weeks of battling the Kofi Kingston and R-Truth in singles matches, Darren Young and Titus O’Neil will receive their chance at the WWE Tag Team Championship this Sunday at SummerSlam.
It was also announced during Raw that Santino Marella will defend the United States Championship against Antonio Cesaro in a YouTube exclusive pre-show leading up to the pay-per-view broadcast. The announced card is as follows:
* Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar
* WWE Champion CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. Big Show
* Kane vs. Daniel Bryan
* Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler
* WWE United States Champion Santino Marella vs. Antonio Cesaro
* WWE Tag Team Champions Kofi Kingston and R-Truth vs. The Prime Time Players
* WWE Intercontinental Champion The Miz vs. Rey Mysterio
– Raw General Manager AJ Lee announced Monday evening via Twitterthat The Miz will defend the Intercontinental Championship this Sunday at SummerSlam.
“As Raw GM, I’ve decided at #Summerslam this Sunday, @Mikethemiz will defend his Intercontinental title vs @reymysterio .How awesome is that?” she wrote.
– Tenille Tayla stated on Twitter that her name in WWE developmental promotion Florida Championship Wrestling is Emma.
“You may now call me…. EMMA!! New ring name – check! Let’s get this show on the road ;) Ready or not here I come #WWE #NXT #DIVA,” she wrote Monday.
The 23-year-old Australian wrestler reported to FCW last month after a year a on the sidelines due to shoulder surgery.
– Former professional wrestler Mike Graham is doing a weekly radio show in Tampa, Florida at WHNZ at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday evenings. (Thanks to Mark Schreiner)
– WWEShop.com is running an 80% off clearance sale for summer merchandise, including cut-off t-shirts, action figures and the infamous WWE garden gnomes.
– Today’s wrestling birthday sinclude Spike dudley (42), Bill Alfonso (55), Terry Taylor (57) and Jim Brunzell (63).
– WrestleMania 29 travel packages go on sale today. For more information and to buy the travel packages, visit WWE.com.
– WWE will indeed be hosting a 30-minute SummerSlam pre-show this Sunday. The pre-show video is now online at YouTube.com and will go live at 7:30pm ET this Sunday.
– When asked on Twitter which TNA stars he’d like to wrestle, Chris Jericho named:
Roode, Angle, Samoa Joe, AJ “@ses_4life: @IAmJericho if you could pick one guy from tna to have a match with,who would it be?”
– “WWE Fan Nation” was the #4 most viewed YouTube channel of the week (8/1-8/8) with 4,428,406 views. This is down over 25% from the week before, when they ranked at #3.
– This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown is now online and can be viewed in its entirety at YouTube.com.
– SmackDown General Manager Booker T announced at WWE.com that the Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio match scheduled for SummerSlam is now off. It’s likely the match will be added back to the show next week, which opens up the possibility of Randy Orton being added to the mix.
– Here is WWE’s latest Backstage Fallout show, with Rey Mysterio, the Prime Time Players and other superstars talking about Friday’s SmackDown:
– WWE announced Friday via Twitter that Shawn Michaels will appear on Monday’s episode of Raw, the final episode before SummerSlam. Brock Lesnar issued a threatening warning to HBK on Monday’s show that he would see him before SummerSlam. Michaels will be in Triple H’s corner when he faces Lesnar at the pay-per-view event. Triple H is also advertised to appear at Raw, which will take place at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
– Former WWE Superstar Billy Gunn evaluated WWE developmental talent this week at Florida Championship Wrestling headquarters. Regarding this, Gunn wrote on Twitter, “Thanks to everyone in fcw for a great week of training had fun and learned alot the future is looking great if your a wrestling fan.” Gunn may further his partnership with WWE. As reported last week, management was impressed with Gunn and his interactions with Shawn Michaels on Raw 1,000 and the belief is he’ll receive at least one match on a future televised show.
– WWE.com has published photos from the SmackDown brand’s second night of action in Tokyo, Japan. John Laurinaitis, who competed on the show despite his removal from storylines, is not shown in any of the photos.
– Former WWE star and TNA employee Savio Vega turns 48 years old today.
– Former WWE star Rikishi announced on Twitter that several of the students at his Knox Pro wrestling school will be evaluated by WWE at the big post-SummerSlam tryout camp in Los Angeles after SummerSlam. One of Rikishi’s former students, Alexander Rusev, is currently under a developmental deal.
– After sharing a flight with TNA star Sting earlier this week on his way to Orlando, Florida for Thursday’s NXT tapings, Jim Ross noted on Twitter that he also bumped into Jeff Hardy on his way out of Orlando:
Nice seeing & visiting w/ Jeff Hardy in Orlando Airport. I'm happy he's happy. 1 of my favs.
– Monday on Raw, Shawn Michaels revealed he will be in Triple H’s corner when “The Game” faces Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam. Lesnar then issued a warning to HBK, telling him that he’d see him before SummerSlam. Michaels, however, is not advertised to appear on Raw—the final Raw before SummerSlam—by either WWE or host venue American Airlines Center.
Michaels was asked on Twitter what he would say if Lesnar challenged him to a match following his bout with Triple H and responded, “What I tell everybody, No thanks, I’m retired.” HBK is also not worried about getting beat up by the large framed wrestler: “Added to the list of 10,437 guys who have done the same over 25 yrs:-).”
– In honor of Kelly Kelly’s return to Raw on Monday, WWE.com has published photos and videos highlighting the blonde Diva’s greatest moments.
– Kamala will address his accusations towards Wrestlers Rescue and MWF and why he hasn’t accepted checks from both organisations today on Inside The Ropes radio at 5:00 p.m. EST. Visit www.facebook.com/theinsidenetwork for show information.
WWE reportedly has a big angle planned for next week’s “go home” edition of RAW to peak interest headed into the PPV, likely involving Brock Lesnar.
– The WWE tryout camp taking place in Los Anageles after SummerSlam will feature local independent wrestlers as well as several athletes WWE has been scouting in recent months.
After weeks of build-up, Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler has been confirmed for WWE SummerSlam 2012. With that match set, here’s the updated card for the show:
Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H Shawn Michaels will be in Triple H’s corner
WWE Championship Match:
CM Punk (c) vs. John Cena vs. Big Show
World Heavyweight Title Match:
Sheamus (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio
Chris Jericho vs. Dolph Ziggler
Daniel Bryan vs. Kane
WWE SummerSlam 2012 takes place on Sunday, August 19th from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
In his hometown of San Antonio, Texas, Shawn Michaels appeared on Raw to show his support for Triple H and announce that he would be in his corner at SummerSlam. Afterward, Michaels and Triple H stared off with Brock Lesnar, who vowed to see HBK before the pay-per-view event.
Earlier, Daniel Bryan told Raw General Manager AJ Lee that after he defeats John Cena tonight, she’ll have to turn the WWE Championship Triple Threat Match at SummerSlam into a Fatal 4-Way Match. Lee, however, informed Bryan that he already has a match at SummerSlam against Kane.
Here is the updated SummerSlam card, which takes place August 19 at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California:
* Triple H (with Shawn Michaels) vs. Brock Lesnar
* World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio
– WWE is reportedly interested a new tag team from developmental up to the main roster. There is still a feeling behind the scenes that WWE is committed to rebuilding the tag team division.
– Chris Jericho responded to a fan on Twitter and stated that he will not be on RAW’s live tour of Australia later this month.
– MTV star Pauly D of Jersey Shore will be the DJ for WWE’s SummerSlam VIP kick-off party on 8/16 at The Pool at The Beverly Hills Hotel.
– Chris Jericho’s band Fozzy is no longer being advertised to perform at the Rockstar Uproar Festival on August 19th in St. Louis, MO, so Jericho should have no problem appearing at WWE SummerSlam that day from Los Angeles, California.
– WWE Intercontinental champion The Miz announced on Twitter that his girlfriend, former WWE Diva Maryse, is opening her new “House of Maryse” jewelry business next week.
– The success continues for WWE’s YouTube channel, which moved up one spot this week in the rankings to become the #3 most-watched channel on the service. The WWE Fan Nation channel had 5,979,000 views in the past weeks, more than double the views it had just a few weeks ago.
– WWE Hardcore Superstar Mick Foley has announced that tickets for his “Post-SummerSlam Jam” comedy show at the Hollywood Improv will go on sale Tuesday at 2 PM PT. Start time is 9:30 PM PT following SummersSam. (12:30am EST) Tickets for the show are $20 for general admission or $40 for VIP tickets, which include a meet and greet with Foley, a photo opportunity and a signed 8×10.
Foley posted about the possibility of other WWE talent being present on Twitter:
Rumors abound about the possibility of other WWE stars appearing on the show. While I can’t confirm the rumors, I can tell you that I have spoken with WWE several times about letting WWE talent Superstars and Divas appear on the show. In addition, I expect at least a few of Superstars, Divas and show business luminaries to be in attendance at the show.
Following RAW, Foley stated during a Twitter Q&A session that Bruiser Brody and Hulk Hogan head the list of wrestlers he would have liked to have faced in his career.
– Despite many expectations, Ric Flair was absent backstage at the 1,000th RAW on Monday. Many in the WWE believe that Flair will be back with the mega company eventually, but they are being cautious because of the recent TNA/WWE lawsuit. The company officially said they were not actively pursuing Ric Flair in a filing related to the suit and have no desire to give evidence to the contrary.
– Chris Jericho is now officially being advertised for the post-SummerSlam RAW, which will take place in Fresno, California on August 20th.
– Former NWA World Heavyweight Champion “Wildfire” Tommy Rich turns 56 years old today.
– Ring of Honor star Roderick Strong turns 29 years old today.
The following recap comes to us from Prowrestling.net
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross appeared on Sports Talk AM-1400 in Oklahoma on Wednesday. The following are the pro wrestling related highlights of the interview.
-Jim Ross revealed that he will be in St. Louis for Raw 1000 on Monday. He said he didn’t know what his role will be, but he will be in attendance. “I wouldn’t miss this event for the word,” Ross said. He compared it to being a baseball player who waits to look at the lineup to find out what his role will be.
-Ross noted that the Raw 1000 event is nearly sold out.
-A caller noted that WrestleMania didn’t do enough to spotlight younger talent, and questioned whether Raw 1000 will do more in that regard. Ross disagreed with the caller’s assessment of WrestleMania. He said WWE is building toward the future and it is a slow process.
-Ross was asked whether Daniel Bryan will be a long term player in WWE. Ross said Bryan is amazing performer. He said there’s no doubt in his mind that WWE officials see him as one of the best they have on the roster.
-Ross was asked whether he will face Michael Cole on Raw 1000. “God, I hope not,” Ross cracked. He said he thinks they’ve put the fans through enough cruel and unusual punishment. Ross said there are so many young talents who need exposure that there’s no reason to give the time to a 60 year-old guy like him.
-Ross was asked whether he will be at SummerSlam. He said he will be there as a fan. He said he and his wife plan to attend the show. He stressed that he will appear as a fan and not as a broadcaster.
-A caller expressed concern about Raw expanding to three hours. Ross said it’s challenging to produce a three-hour television show in any genre. He said he thinks it could accelerate the development of younger talent and open the door for Divas and tag teams to get more air time. “It’s a good challenge to have,” Ross said regarding the expansion. He said time and the ratings will tell.
-A caller asked about John Cena being a polarizing figure. Ross noted that he signed Cena to his first deal. He said Cena is popular, yet polarizing. He said he is dedicated to his craft. He said Cena is a total team player and he loves that about him. “I really do have a great respect for him,” Ross said. He added that Ross is the top guy in the company without question.
– The following matches are currently being discussed for WWE SummerSlam:
* Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H
* WWE Champion CM Punk vs. John Cena
* World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler
There is also talk of Daniel Bryan wrestling Chris Jericho.
– Monday’s 1,000th RAW celebration marks the beginning of the new weekly 3-hour RAW era. The feeling in WWE is that next week will go smoothly due to it being such a stacked show, but moving forward, WWE creative is going to have a difficult time filling 3-hours of television each Monday night.
One minor disadvantage of RAW being 3-hours each week is that WWE can no longer hold SmackDown tapings on Monday nights in the rare event that WWE’s Tuesday tapings get cancelled. Earlier this month, WWE had to film a double RAW & SmackDown taping on a Monday night due to the wildfires in Colorado. With a 3-hour RAW being taped on Monday nights, the double tapings are no longer a feasible option.
– Mick Foley mentioned on twitter WWE cameras will be filming at his comedy show on July 18th from The Brokerage in Bellmore, New York. The show starts at 8pm.
– Rumors are swirling that the World Heavyweight Championship match at SummerSlam will see Sheamus defend against Alberto Del Rio and Dolph Ziggler, in a triple threat match.
– WWE Diva Kaitlyn was highly praised for her participation in the six-Divas match at The Money in the Bank Pay-Per-View. She tweeted:
I was just in my first PPV match. *SQUEAL* I feel like the belle of the ball…Except with less dresses and a lot more punching.