Online reports have indicated that there are a number of disgruntled wrestlers within the WWE locker room upset with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stealing the spotlight at WrestleMania XXVIII since he is not a full-time performer. Former WWE talent Shane Helms (a/k/a The Hurricane) added his two cents on the matter via Twitter and said those people should quit complaining.
“FTR, anybody in the WWE locker room that is bitching about The Rock’s involvement in WrestleMania needs to stop being a douche! He’s earned it!” the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion wrote Friday. “WrestleMania has always had celebrity involvement and if the the celebrity this year happens to actually be a GREAT pro wrestler, it’s a win!!”
Fellow former WWE star Lance Storm, who earlier said Johnson’s detractors should “shut up,” added, “If the dude will draw more money, he deserves the spot. Absolutely. And he WILL draw more money, end of story.”
Johnson caught wind of their statements Saturday morning. He wrote to them: “Incredible to me how many of the boys don’t get the “business” part of our business.”
— Online reports have indicated that there are a number of disgruntled wrestlers within the WWE locker room upset with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stealing the spotlight at WrestleMania XXVIII. Former WWE star Lance Storm weighed in on the matter on Twitter and said the complainers need to “shut up.”
When asked about Johnson assuming the WrestleMania main event spot over a full-time worker, he wrote, “I got bumped off Mania 19 for Miller Light Girls anyone bitching about getting bumped down the card 4 THE ROCK needs to Shut up.”
— Brodus Clay, who has not competed inside a WWE ring since the February 7, 2012 SmackDown taping, returns to action at tonight’s Raw live event at the STAPLES Center in Los Angeles, California.
Clay’s dancer Cameron Lynn tweeted, “Who is gonna b at the staple center tonight to see some WWE action ? Best part is u get to see yours truly…me and the funkasaurus.”
Online reports suggest Clay was removed from television due to Vince McMahon’s unhappiness with his ring work. Regarding said reports, WWE.com writer Kevin Eck tweeted, “I have not seen the real reason reported anywhere.”
— John Cena expects The Rock to bury him this Monday on Raw.
He wrote on Twitter, “Flying to LA for fri night at staples. Then back to Daytona for green flag @ 500. Then off to Portland just in time for Dwayne to bury me… Sounds like a fun few days. Giddy up.”
— WWE.com is pushing fans to vote for Kelly Kelly as “Favorite Buttkicker” for the 2012 Nick Kids’ Choice Awards. She joins a list of nominees including movie stars Tom Cruise, Taylor Lautner and Jessica Alba.
— Jack Swagger was referenced during SportsNation‘s “101 Most Disrespectful Moments” episode on ESPN2. A clip was shown of a basketball player doing push-ups following a dunk and host Michelle Beadle said he reminded her of Jack Swagger.
Regarding this, Swagger tweeted, “I was mentioned today on ESPN’s Sport Nation today.. No big deal #YearofSwag.”
One of the top stories of the week has been that several WWE superstars are reportedly pissed off about The Rock’s involvement at WrestleMania 28 and how he’s getting top billing on the show, despite the fact that he’s not a full-time superstar.
— Although WWE.com stated Tuesday that Shaquille O’Neal would not be competing at WrestleMania XXVIII, the 15-time NBA All-Star appeared on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike in the Morning Wednesday stating that he would.
— The USA Network will air a program profiling the rivalry between The Rock and John Cena on March 26 at 8:00 p.m. It will air again on March 31.
— Amazing Red and T.J. Perkins vs. Michael Elgin and Roderick Strong has been announced for the March 4 Ring of Honor event at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
— Alex Koslov, who was released by WWE earlier this month, is available for bookings and appearances through Bill Behrens at showbis@aol.com. He is currently based in Tampa, Florida but expects to move to Los Angeles, California soon.
– Monday’s post-Elimination Chamber RAW Supershow drew a a 3.2 rating and averaged 4,629,000 viewers. The show did hours of 3.3 and 3.19.
– WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2012 inductee Ron Simmons appeared on the Busted Open radio show this week and said he’d love a role in one of The Rock’s movies. Simmons, who worked closely with The Rock when both men were members of the Nation of Domination stable, had this to say about The Rock’s success in Hollywood:
“As far as getting as big as he did, I don’t even think he knew he would get this big. I can say I am proud of him and the only thing I would like for him to do is offer Farooq a part in one of his movies. Let me be a stand in, I don’t even need a speech, just offer me something (laughing).”
– After an apparent heel turn on Monday’s RAW, WWE diva Eve is still scheduled to wrestle heel Divas champion Beth Phoenix at this weekend’s WWE live event from Ontario, Canada at the Citizens Business Bank Arena.
– With the recent announcement that WrestleMania 29 will take place from New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium, it’s worth noting that WWE has still not decided on a location for the historic WrestleMania 30 event, which will take place in 2014.
The bidding deadline for potential WrestleMania 30 host cities is approaching soon.
Earlier this week, we published text messages from a WWE superstar who asked to remain anonymous that was complaining about The Rock coming back to WWE and getting a huge payday without elevating anybody but himself.
To follow up on the backstage heat on The Rock, there is said to be “more than a few people” in WWE that are very angry about The Rock being featured so prominently at WrestleMania.
The feeling amongst the disgruntled talent is that The Rock does not work for WWE full time and is taking a valuable spot at the top of the card, when that spot could be used to elevate an up and coming full-time wrestler. The other side of the argument is that The Rock is a special attraction, should not be featured as a full-time performer and brings so much interest and extra pay-per-view buys that he more than covers his price tag and everybody earns more with The Rock on the card.
– Wade Barrett made his first public comments on Tuesday night since injuring his left arm during the #1 contender’s battle royal on RAW. Barrett tweeted:
“Don’t shed any crocodile tears for me… I could still give every single one of you a good slapping even with only one arm.”
“The biggest downer is that I was scheduled to face Papa Shango this year at ‘Mania. That’s up in the air now. #Hexed.”
The WWE website reported on Tuesday that Barrett sustained a dislocated elbow and will be out for 6-8 weeks, which would keep him out past WrestleMania on April 1st.
– The Rock indicated on Twitter that he’ll be at the March 19th RAW Supershow from Philadelphia,PA.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross will be calling another NBA basketball game tonight. JR will serve as a guest color analyst on the Boston Celtics radio broadcast for the Celtics game against the Oklahoma City Thunder. The game starts at 7pm (ET) and will be broadcast on WEEI, the Celtics Radio Network, and NBA.com.
– Boxing legend Mike Tyson appeared the Dan Patrick Show this week to discuss his boxing career, MMA and pro wrestling. Tyson, who will be inducted into the celebrity wing of the WWE Hall of Fame on March 31st, named Bruno Sammartino as the greatest pro wrestler of all time. To listen to Tyson’s appearance on the show, visit DanPatrick.com.
The Rock has responded to John Cena’s promo from RAW, tweeting on Tuesday:
“@JohnCena @WWE The truth comes out this Monday. John you have no idea.”
The Rock is scheduled for RAW next week and will be appearing on RAW regularly through the night after WrestleMania 28.
During his most recent blog, Jim Ross called John Cena’s RAW promo the best of his entire career:
“John Cena delivered the best promo of his career in my opinion when addressing the Rock and their long awaited WM28 main event. Cena spoke from the heart and I’m certain meant every word that he said. Cena’s words stepped away from the world of entertainment and squarely into reality or so it seemed to me.”
“Rock’s ‘rebuttal’ next week on Raw in Portland will be must see TV. The Rock/Cena issue has gotten personal as Cena touched some legit nerves with his remarks in Minneapolis.”
With The Rock making his much anticipated return to Raw next Monday, John Cena had harsh words for “The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment” on this week’s show, saying he’s no longer The People’s Champion, but he’s a champion with people (referring to the entourage around him). After strongly criticizing The Rock for returning, but not sticking around WWE, Cena vowed to beat the iconic grappler in his hometown of Miami, Florida at WrestleMania XXVIII.
A number of WWE performers appeared giddy backstage over Cena’s remarks as they legitimately feel that way over the actor/wrestler. One talent commented via text to PWInsider.com (with permission to be quoted under the condition of anonymity):
“[The Rock] comes in to use WWE to get back the audience he lost doing Disney movies, which is fine but he’s been back over a year and name one person he helped make a bigger star since then? No one.
“He’s here for himself, he keeps to himself, and he keeps someone who’s actually touring here all year from making a bigger payday at the bigger shows. It’s all about making this the “biggest” Mania of all time. OK, then what do we do the rest of the year? Who’s been made? You think he took ANY blame for Survivor [Series] not drawing? Of course not, but how do you feud with a guy on the Titantron? Cena nailed the guy dead on tonight.
“Say anything about HHH, Taker, etc. still being in the top spot but if they were needed to work the road, they would and they would still work their asses off as much as they needed to. Rock is out for Rock and the idea he’s here to better anything but his own wallet is the biggest work of 2012.”
— Ron Simmons appeared on Busted Open Monday and stated WWE will announce his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame on tonight’s Raw.
It has been reported that John “Bradshaw” Layfield will induct his longtime tag team partner into the Hall.
— Ticketmaster.com is currently holding a pre-sale for the August 27, 2012 Raw Supershow at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The code is: WWERAW. Once the pre-sale concludes this week, tickets won’t go on sale until June 30.
— Lilian Garcia stated on Twitter that she’s in Chicago, Illinois today recording a new song with producer Oh, Hush!.
— The latest issue of WWE Magazine hits newsstands tomorrow. The issue will feature four different covers—The Undertaker, Triple H, John Cena and The Rock.
— After putting an end to Kane Sunday at Elimination Chamber, John Cena has set his sights on The Rock. Cena tweeted on Monday:
“Kane compromised. Just u and me now movie star. See u whenever u decide to show up.”
— Irvin Muchnick and Anthony Roberts have released a book for Amazon Kindle investigating Signature Pharmacy, which years ago served as an online dealer of steroids, human growth hormone and prescription drugs to famous entertainers and athletes, including professional wrestlers of the WWE variety.
In lists obtained by the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and ESPN in August 2007, Randy Orton, Dave Bautista (Batista), Adam Copeland (Edge), Robert Huffman (Booker T), Shane Helms, Mike Bucci (Simon Dean), Anthony Carelli (Santino Marella), Charles Haas, John Hennigan (John Morrison), Darren Matthews (William Regal), Ken Anderson (Mr. Kennedy), Eddie Fatu (Umaga), Shoichi Funaki (Funaki), Chris Mordetsky (Chris Masters), Chavo Guerrero, Sylvain Grenier, Chris Benoit, Eddie Guerrero and Brian Adams (Crush) were all identified as clients of Signature Pharmacy in Orlando, the site raided by Albany County and Florida law enforcement agencies in February 2007 for distributing drugs to clients who had not been examined by doctors.
WWE handed suspensions to ten wrestlers upon the news breaking on August 30, 2007: Copeland, Huffman, Helms, Haas, Matthews, Anderson, Fatu, Funaki, Mordetsky and Chavo Guerrero. WWE also pledged to make future Talent Wellness Program violators public after November 1, 2007.
– The Rock tweeted a few messages to Zack Ryder this week – and took another jab at John Cena in the process:
“@ZackRyder If you don’t stop using my tweets and phrases – I’ll be forced to drop #ThePeoplesWooWoo on you.”
“@ZackRyder Btw, sorry to hear about your girl and John. Been told his breath smells like a dog’s anus. #DontSweatItBro.”
– Zack Ryder’s latest Z! True Long Island Story is now online, marking the 1 year anniversary of the show. Episode 53 includes a cameo from a recently released WWE superstar:
– SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia has announced plans to hold a series concerts in the near future. She tweeted Thursday:
“Excited 4 tonight!! Have my first band rehearsal w my NEW Band!!! Gearing up 4 concerts! Yay!” Garcia just released her second single, Ur Girl (Til the End of the World), following the first release, U Drive Me Loca, both produced by Grammy nominated producer, Oh, Hush!, off her upcoming sophomore album.
– During an interview with MTV to promote his new Journey 2 movie, WWE star Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson revealed that he will be filming the 6th and 7th installments of the “Fast And Furious” movie franchise this summer:
“We were going to try shooting them together. It would make sense while we have the same crew and everybody in one place. But I think we’re dealing with some weather issues, so from what I know we’re going to shoot ‘Fast 6’ first, and then worry about ‘Fast 7’ a little later.”
Here is video of The Rock talking to MTV:
– John Cena is not the only WWE star with ties to NASCAR. The Rock is listed as the Executive Producer of the upcoming documentary “Racing Dreams,” which debuts on PBS on February 23rd at 9PM ET. The documentary will follow one year in the lives of three young adults who aspire to become NASCAR drivers and has been described as “Talladega Nights meets Catcher in the Rye.”
Peter Rosenberg from New York City’s Hot 97 hip hop radio station is back with another round of exclusive interviews with WWE superstars from this week’s WrestleMania 29 press conference.
John Cena talks about WrestleMania 29, New York’s rich history as city that loves pro wrestling, NBA sensation Jeremy Lin, and a potential new rap album:
The Rock talks hip hop music with Peter Rosenberg:
Peter Rosenberg interviews the Celtic Warrior Sheamus:
– The Rock announced at Thursday’s WrestleMania press conference from the MetLife Stadium that he will be appearing at next year’s WrestleMania 29 – making it his third consecutive WrestleMania appearance.
The Rock is scheduled for the April 2nd RAW Supershow, the night after WrestleMania 28. There has been talk of The Rock participating in a match at SummerSlam as well, schedule permitting. Even if SummerSlam does not work out, The Rock is expected to work at least one more pay-per-view in 2012.
– “The Sports Guy” Bill Simmons takes aim at Triple H in his latest mailbag column for ESPN affiliated website Grantland.com. When asked if the recent surge of New York Knicks player Jeremy Lin is the NBA’s equivalent of CM Punk this past summer, he instead sounded off self-proclaimed “King of Kings.”
“Does this mean Carmelo is going to be Triple H — the egotistical, overrated star who couldn’t handle that something good was happening without him, so he interjected himself into the storyline and ended up throwing a wet blanket on all the momentum? I sure hope not.”
– Despite rumors to the contrary, there are currently no solid plans for WWE’s Legends House to air on SyFy.
– WWE Hall of Famer was Harley Race was in Tampa at WWE developmental on Wednesday, according to pwinsider.com.
— Nickelodeon has announced The Kids’ Choice Awards 2012 nominees and Kelly Kelly is up for “Favorite Butt Kicker.”
Nickelodeon says of the “sexy, smart and powerful” WWE Diva, “Beauty and buffness, that’s a tough combo, to say the least. This WWF star Kelly Kelly is so hardcore that she has double the power of other ladies, and double her first name! But can she go up against Hollywood’s elite?”
Her competition is Jessica Alba, Tom Cruise and Taylor Lautner. Voting begins February 24.
— Vickie Guerrero announced on Twitter that she is on Facebook at Vickie Guerrero Fan Mail. The page is located at www.facebook.com/MyVickieGuerrero. She noted getting ready for a photo shoot with WWE Magazine next month.
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stated on Twitter that Journey 2: The Mysterious Island is Warner Bros.’ second biggest opening of all-time in China.
John Cena and The Rock are at it again. In a blog posted on JRsBarBQ.com on Wednesday, Jim Ross stated once again that there are legitimate bad feelings between the WrestleMania 28 main eventers. In response to fans who question him whether Rock and Cena’s heat is real, Ross wrote:
“For those who seriously think that Rock and Cena are pals, think again. Go back to 2008 and listen to Rock’s comments at the WWE HOF regarding John Cena. That was almost four years ago. These two stars are NOT on the same page and both have strong personalities and are game day players. Their one on one match at WM28 will be physical and competitive I can assure you.”
The Rock posted the following Valentines Day message for John Cena on Tuesday:
TheRock
@WWE @JohnCena Happy Valentines Day John. You may not be my girl, but I do consider you my bitch. #BootsToCenasPinkParts
John Cena responded to The Rock with a god awful attempt at comedy that involves Cena branded tampons and .. feminine wash:
JohnCena
Looks like my buddy Dwayne is headed to Metlife Stadium tomorrow for WrestleMania 29…I got nothing to do..see u there amigo. Saw Dwayne wished me happy valentines ……..For those that didn’t get the “pink part” thing he once again is re referencing my mangina. So I propose this… Cena tampons. “That time of the month got u feeling bad, just put a lil Cena inside ya :) he’ll make ya feel fine” #champaxOr Cena feminine wash. “Tough day south of the equator? Lather some Cena on there and they can’t smell you!” #massCENAgil :)that’s the late nite act kiddos. Be back for the morning show at Metlife Stadium tomorrow. See u then movie star.
After a Twitter user brought it to The Rock’s attention that Cena called himself a tampon, Rock responded:
WWE has announced that MetLife Stadium will play host to WrestleMania next year.
“For the first time, The Show of Shows is headed to New Jersey, as MetLife Stadium, home to the Super Bowl XLVI Champion New York Giants, as well as the New York Jets, will host WrestleMania XXIX on Sunday, April 7, 2013,” WWE.com states.
WrestleMania Week activities, including WrestleMania Axxess, the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony and Raw will take place across the New York/New Jersey area in the days leading up to the pay-per-view extravaganza.
An official press conference is scheduled for Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at MetLife Stadium, where Vince McMahon will be joined by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, New York Giants President & CEO John Mara, New York Jets Owner & CEO Woody Johnson, and a slew of WWE Superstars, including John Cena, Triple H and Sheamus. Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is scheduled for a “special appearance.”
— In early viewership numbers for Monday’s Raw SuperShow, the program averaged 4.1185 million viewers over the course of two hours. Last week’s show averaged 4.62 million viewers, resulting in a 3.25 cable rating. The prior week’s show garnered 5.22 million viewers with a 3.55 cable rating.
In a positive note, WWE reversed the long-standing trend of viewership sinking during the second hour. Monday’s show averaged 4.305 million viewers in the second hour compared to 3.932 million in the first.
— WWE.com has added Hunico’s low-rider bicycle rolling partner in crime Camacho to the SmackDown roster page. The son of former WWE star Haku debuted on the December 15, 2011 episode of WWE Superstars.
— Today marks the one-year anniversary of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s return to WWE and arrival on Twitter. Johnson, who has garnered over two million followers, writes of micro-blogging site, “A year ago today – 2/14/11. I joined Twitter. Inspiring & Relentless: #TeamBringItMillionsStrong.”
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has declined an offer to star in the sequel to The Tooth Fairy. The film is now planned for a straight-to-video release with Larry The Cable Guy in a starring role.
Johnson has signed on for The Fast and The Furious 6, which is set for release next year.
— Lilian Garcia has released her latest single, Ur Girl (Til the End of the World) via iTunes. A preview of the song is available here.
The song is her entrance theme at WWE events.
— In a sign that WWE may continue offering their subscription video on demand television service, the official Twitter feed of WWE Classics On Demand says “Mean” Gene Okerlund is at their television studios today to film footage for the monthly Hall of Fame series that he hosts. Several episodes are filmed on taping days.
— While promoting Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and his upcoming match against John Cena at WrestleMania, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson swore during a live SportsCenter telecast on Thursday. While telling a joke, he said, “That’s bullshit.” He then said, “And this is live, by the way.” John Buccigross, who was conducting the interview, added, “Yeah, it’s real live.”
— Friday’s Dick Tracy comic strip features Jerry Lawler appearing as himself under the alias “Jerry King.” The comic strip is available here.
— Former WWE star Chuck Palumbo, who now performs for the band 3 Spoke Wheel, tweeted the following regarding an upcoming appearance: “Rhode Island wrestling fans Chuck Palumbo and 3 Spoke Wheel will be at The Rock Junction March 3rd 9pm.”
The March 2012 issue of WWE Magazine is now on sale, featuring four different “WrestleMania” covers – featuring The Undertaker, Triple H, John Cena and The Rock.
As if Triple H and Undertaker on the covers was not a strong enough sign that this match is all but official, the headline for the Triple H cover reads “Can The Game End The Deadman’s Reign?” while the headline for the issue bearing The Undertaker reads “Will “The Streak” Survive?”
The Undertaker cover was apparently designed to conceal his lack of hair, as his head is surrounded by photoshopped fire, with no hair visible.
Many people have speculated that the iconic wrestler donned a wig in his return to television last week after a photograph surfaced online last summer in which he appeared bald.
We have independently confirmed that that The Undertaker had indeed shaved his head.
— The official website of the Quicken Loans Arena is now advertising The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels for the Raw SuperShow taking place at the venue on March 12, 2012.
The Rock and Triple H were previously announced for the event. A double main event is also scheduled: John Cena vs. Kane and CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Championship.
— WWE Hall of Famer Superstar Billy Graham has been released from the hospital after being admitted on Sunday for pneumonia and leg infection. He is on heavy antibiotics right now. Graham believes he caught a virus at a wrestling convention last week in Los Angeles, California.
— Wednesday would have marked as the 54th birthday of WWE Hall of Famer “Sensational” Sherri Martel. She died on the morning of June 15, 2007 at her mother’s residence in McCalla, Alabama. The toxicology report stated that Martel died of an accidental overdose with multiple drugs in her system, including a lethal concentration of oxycodone.
