– Following a meeting with the WWE Board of Directors at the company’s headquarters, AJ Lee announced on Raw Monday that she had decided it was best to resign as brand General Manager following accusations she’d been “fraternizing” with an undisclosed Superstar (she denied the accusations).
After rejected Paul Heyman’s plea to become the new General Manager of Raw, Vince McMahon introduced Vickie Guerrero as “Managing Supervisor” of the program. Guerrero then alleged that Lee had an affair with a Superstar, and following more taunts, the two came to blows.
Later in the show, Cena was accused of having an inappropriate relationship with Lee, which led to her resigning as Raw General Manager.
– Two matches were taped Monday night in East Rutherford, New Jersey for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil
The Great Khali returned to action Tuesday night in Memphis, Tennessee, in a match taped for WWE Saturday Morning Slam. He faced Primo.
The former World Heavyweight Champion had been sidelined since undergoing surgery on July 26 to remove a tumor from his pituitary gland on July 26.
Also taped for the program was a match pitting Jey and Jimmy Uso against The Prime Time Players.
Two matches were taped for tomorrow night’s episode of WWE Main Event on ION Television. Zack Ryder took on Dolph Ziggler, and as previously announced, The Miz defended the Intercontinental Championship against Kofi Kingston.
In a dark match result, Johnny Curtis squashed Drew Haskins, a local wrestler.
– At the conclusion of Raw Monday, Vince McMahon presented WWE Champion CM Punk with an ultimatum: at Hell in a Cell, he would either face John Cena or Ryback. And if Punk hadn’t made up his mind in seven days, The Chairman said he would make it for him.
– The finals of the WWE Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contenders’ Tournament will be determined next week on Raw as Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara take on Cody Rhodes and Damien Sandow. On Monday’s show, Mysterio and Cara defeated The Prime Time Players while Team Rhodes Scholars beat Santino Marella and Zack Ryder.
– WWE has released a promotional video hyping a match between Randy Orton and Big Show this Wednesday on WWE Main Event on ION Television. (Watch)
– After sustaining a season-ending injury during last Sunday’s game against the St. Louis Rams, Washington Redskins defensive end Adam Carriker immediately thought about Triple H.
“I’m laying there on the turf at the Edward Jones Dome and there’s one thing going through my mind and it’s the image of Triple H tearing his quad tendon off his knee in the ring,” Carriker said on 4th & Pain. “Why I’m thinking about that, I don’t know… I think that’s because it’s exactly where I felt it in my leg.”
Like Carriker, the WWE Superstar tore his left quadriceps muscle in May 2001 and suffered a similar injury at a pay-per-view event in January 2007. The full story is available here.
– The top two matches advertised for Saturday’s SmackDown live event in Sarnia, Ontario did not take place. Originally scheduled for the event were Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett vs. Dolph Ziggler in a Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship and Daniel Bryan and Kane defending the WWE Tag Team Championship against Kofi Kingston and R-Truth. Instead, Sheamus defended the belt against Alberto Del Rio in a singles match, Dolph Ziggler faced Tyson Kidd, Wade Barrett took on Yoshi Tatsu, Kofi Kingston wrestled Ted DiBiase, and Kane and Bryan faced The Prime Time Players.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler’s miraculous recovery from a heart attack on the Sept. 10 Raw is featured in a full page story in the latest issue of The Globe tabloid.
Matches taped Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were Tyson Kidd vs. David Otunga, and The Prime Time Players vs. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso.
A taping was also held for WWE Saturday Morning Slam on The CW. Bouts taped were Sin Cara vs. Jinder Mahal, and Justin Gabriel vs. Zack Ryder.
A dark match was held before both tapings as Kofi Kingston beat WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose following Trouble In Paradise.
– Charlie Sheen, who had been speculated to appear at SummerSlam Sunday, attended a family party that. While at the get-together, Sheen was asked about working the pay-per-view event and joked that it would cost WWE a ton of money to get him. Multiple WWE sources report that company officials are interested in collaborating with Sheen at a future pay-per-view event, possibly WrestleMania XXIX.
– Santino Marella is expected to receive a WWE United States Championship rematch against Antonio Cesaro at Night of Champions. Other matches expected for the event include CM Punk vs. John Cena for the WWE Championship, Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio for the World Heavyweight Championship, Kaitlyn vs. Layla for the WWE Divas Championship and a Fatal 4-Way Match for the WWE Tag Team Championship with Kofi Kingston and R-Truth, Jey and Jimmy Uso, Epico and Primo, and The Prime Time Players.
– After Linda McMahon’s U.S. Senate opponent Chris Murphy purchased advertising time on the USA Network scrutinizing the former WWE CEO during Monday’s Raw airing in Connecticut, the sports-entertainment organization released the following statement to CourantBlogs.com: “It is apparent that the same people who have consistently denigrated and mischaracterized WWE and our family-friendly entertainment for political gain have officially changed their point of view about our content. For the second week in a row, Mr. Murphy’s campaign continues to run advertising in our programming with his new ad airing yesterday at 10:30 p.m. on USA during Monday Night Raw. While the past political rhetoric has been unjust, it pleases us to know that Mr. Murphy recognizes that WWE’s TV programming is a highly effective way to reach families and voters in Connecticut.”
– Brodus Clay and Damien Sandow, who have been feuding on WWE programming in recent weeks, were scheduled to face off at SummerSlam but their match was nixed due to time constraints.
Both the WWE Championship and WWE Tag Team Championship bouts were shortened due to time constraints because the production team wanted to make sure there would be enough time for the aftermath of the Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar bout since The Game’s farewell scene will play a vital role in storylines going forward.
– According to a fan account of WWE’s SummerSlam Axxess festivities in Los Angeles, California on Saturday, EMTs tended to numerous attendees who had fainted or collapsed at the event due to the extreme heat. There were few shaded areas and WWE did not provide water.
– Mike Tyson, who was on hand for the SummerSlam festivities to promote THQ’s upcoming WWE ’13 video game, was noted by a WWE talent as the happiest person at the events. The boxing great considers himself a huge wrestling fan, as he reveals in this article.
– CM Punk’s WWE Championship victory over John Cena and Big Show Sunday at SummerSlam extended two pay-per-view streaks. His win marked as his ninth consecutive successful title defense on pay-per-view. However, despite his reign atop WWE, it was the eighth consecutive pay-per-view in which he did not defend the title in the main event.
– WWE Universe members didn’t waste any time in chanting “Kobe Bryant” during the WWE Tag Team Championship Match between Kofi Kingston, R-Truth and The Prime Time Players at SummerSlam in response to The Players’ manager A.W. being released following a Kobe Bryant rape joke on Raw weeks ago. A.W. was informed of the chants on Twitter and responded, “To all the fans that showed their support with the chants and tweets I really want to say “THANK YOU”!!! You guys are truly.. #UNSTOPPABLE!”
A.W. also reacted to WWE confiscating a sign at SummerSlam Axxess today that featured a printed screenshot of WWE chief Vince McMahon distorting his face in a backstage segment on Raw two months ago to ridicule Jim Ross’ facial paralysis: “That really sucks! People pay their hard earned money to show their support for @WWE and that’s how they get treated. #Bully.”
– Jim Ross took a swipe at WWE’s past pay-per-view efforts Sunday via Twitter, writing, “SummerSlam has been a ‘clean’ show devoid of bad attempts at humor or endless non wrestling content. Big money matches merit big $$ effort.”
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
– In his first Tout as SmackDown General Manager, Booker T announced Tuesday night that a match to determine number one contendership to the WWE Tag Team Championship held by Kofi Kingston and R-Truth will be held this Friday on SmackDown as Primo and Epico take on Darren Young and Titus O’Neil.
– French wrestler Tom La Ruffa announced on Facebook that he has signed a developmental contract with WWE.
Nicknamed “The French Stallion,” La Ruffa is a top wrestler in Europe. He is a product of former WWE wrestler Lance Storm’s Storm Wrestling Academy and was featured on the premiere season of the World of Hurt reality television series in Canada. La Ruffa has competed in a WWE ring before as he was an opponent of Big Show’s in a 3-on-1 Handicap Match last November.
– Former WWE Champion Batista is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com.
During Monday’s live WWE Raw broadcast, A.W. made a crass joke referencing NBA player Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault case years ago. As client Titus O’Neil tangled with Kofi Kingston in a singles match, A.W. yelled from ringside, “Titus O’Neil is like Kobe Bryant at a hotel in Colorado hotel room. He’s unstoppable!!” The WWE personality issued an apology late Monday evening via Twitter and noted that “there was no malicious intent behind the joke.”
A.W. wrote, “It was either a Kobe or Lebron joke. Lebron jus won the Finals so there you have it..Myself!”
The remark was in reference to the basketball star being accused of sexual assault in summer 2003 after having sex with a 19-year-old hotel employee in Colorado. In September 2004, prosecutors dropped the case after his accuser refused to testify. A civil suit was later filed and settled out of court.
Following the commercial break, WWE broadcaster Michael Cole issued an apology on behalf of the organization for “remarks made by A.W.,” though without specifically referencing the joke. F4WOnline.com reports that many people were furious backstage over the remark, as well as in disbelief.
After Raw, WWE issued an official apology via TMZ.com reading, “A.W. made an inappropriate comment and WWE immediately apologized. WWE has taken appropriate action in the matter.” The representative, however, did not specify what “action” was taken against A.W.
WWE issued an official statement Tuesday concerning a personality’s off-color remark during Monday’s Raw broadcast in which NBA player Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault case was referenced.
As Titus O’Neil grappled with Kofi Kingston in a singles match, A.W., who was wearing a live mic, yelled from ringside, “Titus O’Neil is like Kobe Bryant at a hotel in Colorado hotel room. He’s unstoppable!!”
The remark was in reference to the basketball star being accused of sexual assault in summer 2003 after having sex with a 19-year-old hotel employee in Colorado. In September 2004, prosecutors dropped the case after his accuser refused to testify. A civil suit was later filed and settled out of court.
A WWE spokesman issued an statement to TMZ.com reading, “A.W. made an inappropriate comment and WWE immediately apologized. WWE has taken appropriate action in the matter.”
WWE sources tell TMZ that A.W. “felt horrible” after making the remark and claimed he simply “got caught up in the moment.” He also realizes the remark could be hurtful to rape victims and their families.
A.W. immediately apologized to company brass, including the McMahon family, as well as several wrestlers, and has also vowed to refrain from making similar remarks in the future.
During Monday’s live WWE Raw broadcast, A.W. made an off-color remark referencing NBA player Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault case in 2003 and 2004.
As client Titus O’Neil tangled with Kofi Kingston in a singles match, A.W. yelled from ringside, “Titus O’Neil is like Kobe Bryant at a hotel in Colorado hotel room. He’s unstoppable!!”
Following the commercial break, WWE broadcaster Michael Cole issued an apology on behalf of the organization for A.W.’s remark. He then quickly transitioned to a replay of a backstage segment featuring John Cena and CM Punk that took moments prior.
In 2003, Bryant was accused of sexual assault after having sex with a hotel employee in Colorado. In September 2004, prosecutors dropped the case after his accuser refused to testify. A civil suit was later filed and settled out of court.
– This week on WWE Inbox, Alicia Fox, Darren Young, Dolph Ziggler, Ezekiel Jackson and Titus O’Neil reveal what they would be doing if they weren’t affiliated with WWE. The WWE Superstars also discuss their favorite WrestleMania.
– WWE.com announced Wednesday details for SummerSlam Axxess taking place Saturday, Aug. 18 to Sunday, Aug. 19 at the Nokia Plaza at L.A. LIVE. Among those scheduled for VIP appearances include CM Punk, Sheamus, Triple H, Randy Orton, John Cena and Rey Mysterio, who has not returned to television following the expiration of his 60-day suspension for his second violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program.
– Former WWE talent Bobby Lashley and Harry Smith are advertised to appear at the Fighting Back – Wrestling With Cancer show taking place Friday, Aug. 17 at Tudor Hall 3750 North Bowesville Rd. Ottawa, Ontario.
– WWE has apparently removed an offensive lyric from an entrance theme which trivializes the degenerative disorder Parkinson’s disease.
The entrance theme for The Prime Time Players—Darren Young and Titus O’Neil—”Move (Get It In)” by Woo Child features the lyric: “Okay, I get it shaking like Parkinson’s… I’m the one.. Break it down down til the party’s done.” It would appear that WWE has cut out the mention of Parkinson’s from the song’s lyrics as it was inaudible during Young and O’Neil’s appearances on Monday’s Raw SuperShow and last week’s WWE Superstars.
– Numerous mentions of Chris Benoit were removed from a 14-year-old Fit Finlay versus Psychosis match that aired on the most recent episode of WWE Vintage Collection. Finlay was involved in a program with the late Chris Benoit when the match occurred on the June 4, 1998 episode of WCW Thunder and as standard WWE protocol, all mentions of Benoit from the commentators were removed. During the bout, Finlay had Psychosis placed in a chinlock and began screaming, “Benoit, I’m coming for ya.” Not only did WWE make his remark inaudible, but Finlay’s mouth was digitized so viewers couldn’t lip read what he said.
– Justin Roberts was conspicuously absent from Monday’s Raw SuperShow as Lilian Garcia instead handled ring announcing duties. It was a one-off appearance.
Garcia stated on Twitter, “Justin was on vacation. He will be back next week. :)”
It was Garcia’s first appearance on the program since 2010.
– Matches taped Tuesday night in Evansville, Indiana for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were:
* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Camacho and Hunico
* Sin Cara vs. Antonio Cesaro (with Aksana)
* Kane vs. Heath Slater
* Epico and Primo (with Rosa Mendes) vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil (with A.W.)
Brodus Clay beat Drew McIntyre in approximately two minutes in a pre-show dark match. McIntyre worked Clay’s injured knee, but Clay prevailed and won with the running splash.
— Ranjin Singh, the former mouthpiece of The Great Khali, has been removed from the SmackDown Superstars page on WWE.com. His profile now resides in the Alumni section. He has not appeared on WWE programming since being attacked by The Punjabi Giant on the May 27, 2011 SmackDown. He remains with the organization as the head creative writer for Raw SuperShow.
— Titus O’Neil and Darren Young’s entrance theme is “Move (Get It In)” by Woo Child.
— The official Twitter feed of Marvel’s The Avengers named Shawn Michaels and his children Avengers Fans of the Day on Friday after the WWE Hall of Famer posted several Avengers related messages.
— WWE Hall of Famer Sunny appears for Women Xtreme Championship Wrestling on May 19, 2012 at Patriot Auction Gallery in Martinsburg, West Virginia. (Event Details)
— WWE is expected to hold a Tag Team Championship Match at Over the Limit where Kofi Kingston and R-Truth defend the straps against either Dolph Ziggler and Jack Swagger or a multiple tag team match including Epico and Primo and possibly Darren Young and Titus O’Neil.
— In attendance news the May 4 Raw live event in Huntsville, Alabama drew 4,000 paying $150,000; May 5 Raw in Knoxville, Tennessee drew 6,000 paying $200,000; SmackDown on May 5 in Asheville, North Carolina drew 2,000 paying $65,000; Raw on May 6 in Chattanooga, Tennessee drew 4,800 paying $115,000; May 6 SmackDown in North Charleston, South Carolina drew 3,500 paying $120,000.
— Alberto Del Rio will arrive in Tokyo, Japan late Wednesday night to embark on a promotional tour. He appears on Television Kanagawa on Friday at noon. He is scheduled for an autograph session on Saturday. He will then attend that day’s Hanshin Tigers vs. Yokohama Bay Stars baseball game at Yokohama Stadium as he is scheduled to shoot T-shirts into the crowd. He’ll also be at Tower Records in Shibuya at 6:00 p.m. (thanks to Jose Gonzalez)
– Georgia Smith, the daughter of the late British Bulldog, recently wrote an article about her father for Fighting Spirit Magazine that will be published soon.
— WWE.com is advertising a Six-Man Tag Team match for tonight’s episode of SmackDown on Syfy as World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus, Randy Orton and The Great Khali will join forces against Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan and Mark Henry. Other matches airing include AJ vs. Natalya, Brodus Clay and Hornswoggle vs. Camacho and Hunico, Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Darren Young and Titus O’Neil, Ryback vs. James Lerman and Big Show vs. Alberto Del Rio.
— Brodie Lee, who recently signed a developmental contract with WWE, will report to Florida Championship Wrestling shortly. He concluded his independent wrestling commitments over the weekend.
— WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase has changed his Twitter handle to twitter.com/MDMTedDiBiase.
— Former WWE star Johnny Stamboli turns 35 years old today.
– The WWE website held a poll asking fans who will win at Extreme Rules between John Cena and Brock Lesnar. John Cena won the poll with 60% of the votes.
– With just a few weeks before their WWE contracts expire, the Bella Twins continue to pick up wins against Eve Torres and Divas champion Beth Phoenix on WWE’s overseas tour.
– WWE stars Titus O’Neil and Darren Young say they are headed to SmackDown and are looking to become the new WWE Tag Team Champions. Titus O’Neil wrote:
“Me& @DarrenYoungWWE put the issues of @TaminaSnuka behind us&We are headed 2 @WWE Friday Night Smackdown!!We will be Tag Team Champions Soon”
His partner Darren Young added the following:
“The #realdeal @TitusNXT & #nodaysoff @darrenyoungwwe WILL change the face of @WWE & the question is who gon stop us HUH? #ImpactPlayers”
— WWE has a three-hour Raw SuperShow scheduled for June 11 at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut. It is the final show before No Way Out on June 17 in East Rutherford, New Jersey. A three-hour Raw is also scheduled for April 23. (thanks to Devin Cutting)
— Shawn Michaels and Kevin Nash will participate in an autograph together on May 19 at the Frank & Son Collectible Show in 19649 San Jose, City of Industry, California. Additional details will be released soon.
— Jerry Lawler appears for USA Championship Wrestling on April 7 at the Old Burns Gym in Burns, Tennessee. The event begins at 8:00 p.m.
— Zack Ryder is the latest WWE Superstar to try out Diamond Dallas Page’s yoga program DDP Yoga (available at www.ddpyoga.com). Other WWE talent utilizing the fitness workout include Chris Jericho, Curt Hawkins, Daniel Bryan, Kane, Mick Foley, Santino Marella, The Miz, Titus O’Neil and William Regal.
— WWE posted this photo Wednesday of Rey Mysterio meeting media in Miami, Florida. The account tweeted, “Rey Mysterio talks to Telemundo @holtzchildren @jhsmiami about meeting the kids at the hospital.”
Mysterio stated in recent months that he hoped to return from injury in time for WrestleMania XXVIII, but a match did not come to fruition.
— WWE.com has published an article officially announcing Randy Orton’s starring role in The Marine: Homefront, the third installment of WWE Studios’ Marine franchise. Fans will be able to get a first look at production of the film during this weekend’s WrestleMania Axxess in Miami, where fans can audition for a small role in the screenplay.
Production for the straight-to-video release begins June 11 in Vancouver, British Columbia. Orton plays a Marine who must rescue his kidnapped daughter.
— Numerous WWE stars were on hand for Lilian Garcia’s concert Wednesday evening at the Gibson Miami Showroom including Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Vickie Guerrero, Ezekiel Jackson, Heath Slater, Jey Uso, Jimmy Uso, Jinder Mahal, Justin Gabriel, Maxine, Titus O’Neil, Aksana and John Laurinaitis.
— WWE.com has added Darren Young, Derrick Bateman and Percy Watson to the SmackDown roster. All three wrestlers have largely appeared on WWE NXT. Meanwhile, Maxine and Titus O’Neil are still listed as NXT talent.
— SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia will be performing at the Viper Room in Hollywood, California (located on 8852 Sunset Boulevard) on Thursday, March 15 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, which are $10, are available for purchase here.
— Former WWE star Diamond Dallas Page says he auditioned for a movie short starring Kevin Spacey. He wrote on Twitter, “I just NAILED an audition for a movie short as a Pirate starring Kevin Spacey… Cross your fingers.”
— Jim Ross stated on the following on Twitter, “Going 2 OU-Texas A&M hoops Saturday. Recorded a short sound byte to air prior to Sooners intro. Spring football starts Mon!”