– Ezekiel Jackson, who has been out of action for several months with an injury, mentioned on Twitter that he’s begun working out with weights again.
– WWE broke two company records with the first day of WrestleMania 29 ticket sales. Saturday’s launch saw WWE sell 52,029 tickets, which broke the previous company record, which was for WrestleMania 18 (2002) in Toronto, which sold 51,620 tickets on day one.
The 52,029 tickets sold also helped WWE break the company record for the highest single-day gross ticket revenue, taking in more than $10 million. This beats last year’s record, when WrestleMania 28 for Miami generated $6.3 million in revenue on the first day tickets were on sale.
– WWE Superstar Yoshi Tatsu has been working at WWE developmental over the past week and has been teaming with NXT star Percey Watson. The new duo picked up three wins over the weekend.
– WWE returns to the Rapides Parish Coliseum in Alexandria, Louisiana on Saturday, January 12th, 2013. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
– As previously reported, WWE superstar Derrick Bateman underwent another knee surgery on Tuesday. It is believed that the surgery was a success. Bateman has been interacting with fans on Twitter and revealed that the surgery was a result of “some Swissman” dislocating his knee cap.
The Swissman he’s talking about is believed to be WWE United States Champion Antonio Cesaro. The two wrestled on Saturday Morning Slam this past weekend, so that was likely when he was injured. Here’s a clip of Cesaro vs. Bateman from Saturday Morning Slam – and the spot where it’s believed Bateman was injured:
– The John Cena – AJ Lee affair storyline will continue next week, with Vickie Guerrero saying that she will produce incriminating video footage of the two on RAW:
– John Cena and Vickie Guerrero have been going back and forth on Twitter today regarding the storyline “affair” between John Cena and former RAW GM AJ Lee.
After getting called out by Cena for not showing her “proof” of the affair, Vickie has now promised to expose the truth and reveal her proof on Monday’s RAW from Charlotte, NC.
– Here are some numbers from WWE’s recent live event tours:
RAW Brand’s Northeast US Tour:
* 10/19 in Trenton, NJ: 6,500 fans and $200,000 gate
* 10/20 in Reading, PA: 5,000 fans and $160,000 gate
* 10/21 in Hartford, CT: 6,000 fans and $150,000 gate
SmackDown’s Tour of Egypt:
* 10/18 in Cairo: 5,000 fans and $300,000 gate
* 10/19 in Cairo: 9,000 fans and $650,000 gate
* 10/20 in Cairo: 6,500 fans and $300,000 gate
– On Twitter Thursday, John Cena responded to Vickie Guerrero’s allegations that he had an affair with AJ Lee, which led to the diminutive Diva stepping down from her post as Raw General Manager by the WWE Board of Directors on Monday.
“Ok @ExcuseMeWWE not gonna go back and forth so ill leave it with this.. U got proof of an ‘affair’ with @WWEAJLee and I, show @wwe,” Cena wrote in response to Guerrero stating the day prior that his “actions” with Lee are “interesting” to her. “Just truly think its sad that @WWEAJLee lost her job because of ‘allegations’ that is a bigtime blunder by @wwe #BringBackAJ.”
In response, Guerrero said she will have proof this Monday on Raw. She wrote to Cena, “Ask and you shall receive…tune into RAW this Monday as I have the “evidence” #CougarInCharge.”
– Northeast Wrestling has announced that prices for former WWE performer Barbie “Kelly Kelly” Blank’s autographs and photo-ops at her appearances on Saturday, November 3 at the Galleria at Crystal Run in Middletown, New York, and Sunday, November 4 at Buffalo Wild Wings in Waterbury, Connecticut have been reduced.
Autographs and photo-ops are now $30 each, or save $10 by purchasing a combo for $50. Additional autographs and photo-ops are available for $25 that day. Those who have already pre-ordered the items will be refunded the difference. (Event Details)
– Kenn Doane, formerly known as Kenny and Kenny Dykstra in WWE, is now playing football at Nichols College after not playing since high school. Though listed as a tight end on the school’s official website, he primarily plays defense on a limited basis. Through eight games into the season, he has eight solo tackles and five assisted tackles.
Raw’s Managing Supervisor, Vickie Guerrero, who was appointed the position on Monday’s show after AJ Lee decided to step down as brand General Manager by the WWE Board of Directors for allegedly fraternizing with John Cena, is furthering the storyline on Twitter.
After announcing that she will on hand for Raw’s entire tour of the United Kingdom next month, she tweeted Wednesday morning, “How rude of me, I keep thanking @WWEAJLee for my new success, but I am sending a special “thank you” to @JohnCena #CougarInCharge.”
John Cena responded to her remarks shortly thereafter, tweeting, “Bit of advice @ExcuseMeWWE I know u r proud of your ‘actions’ but if u wanna run your mouth about me, it wont work. Ask @therock.”
As the storyline goes, Guerrero claimed to the WWE Board of Directors that Lee and Cena had a “business dinner,” and Lee decided not to fight the accusations to avoid dragging Cena’s name through the mud.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson also weighed in on the matter tweeting in response to Cena’s remark, “@JohnCena @ExcuseMeWWE @WWE Where’d U take @AJLee for your “business dinner”? Golden Corral? McDonalds? #CheapJabroni.”
– On this week’s “Backstage Fallout” for Raw, Rey Mysterio addresses his and Sin Cara’s loss to Team Rhodes Scholars in the No. 1 Tag Team Title No. 1 Contenders’ Tournament to earn a title opportunity against Team Hell No at WWE Hell in a Cell this Sunday. Also, Alberto Del Rio reveals what he has planned for Randy Orton at Hell in a Cell and Dolph Ziggler offers his thoughts on Vickie Guerrero.
– Former WWE Women’s Champion Sable, 45, is now a grandmother. Her daughter, who is in her early 20’s, gave birth to a child in September, reports RenaLesnar.net.
– Heath Slater is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– 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
On the day of the late Eddie Guerrero’s birthday, Chavo Guerrero, Sr. (a/k/a Chavo Classic) took to Twitter to slam the late grappler’s widow, Vickie.
After Vickie tweeted messages Tuesday remembering Eddie on what would have been his 45th birthday, the former WWE Cruiserweight Champion wrote to her, “tell ur followers how u cut off the grandmother of ur children with a letter after eddie passed her son…”
Guerrero, Sr. has repeatedly stated in interviews that Vickie separated herself from his family after Eddie passed away in 2005.
Vickie acknowledged his remarks, stating to her followers, “Anything to do with @chavoclassic has no importance to me or ever has. @mexwarrior (Chavo Guerrero Jr.) is respected and loved by my daughters and I.”
Guerrero, Sr. wrote back, “Then I will write what I want if u don’t like don’t read as far as the injection guerrero the JUdge is in heaven.”
Vickie later deleted her remark, and stated in response to a fan telling them to not fight, “i cant believe my valuable time got caught up with nonsense,,,I’m FREE….enough said. #llessonslearned.”
– After losing to The Prime Time Players in the WWE Tag Team Championship No. 1 Contenders’ Tournament last Friday on SmackDown, Kofi Kingston and R-Truth have amicably parted ways. The duo announced in a video posted on WWE.com that they have accomplished everything they wanted to do as a tag team and want continue their careers as singles competitors.
– The official WWE website has published video and photos of last Thursday’s premiere of CM Punk: Best in the World at Chicago’s Portage Theater. The DVD and Blu-ray, which documents Punk’s rise to the top of WWE, is officially out Tuesday.
– Tuesday would have marked as Eddie Guerrero’s 45th birthday. He was found dead on November 13, 2005 as a result of acute heart failure due to arteriosclerotic cardiovascular disease.
Vickie Guerrero, the widow of Eddie, is remembering him on his birthday. She tweeted, “October 9, Tuesday is Eddie’s birthday! I will always love you with all of my heart!!”
Also celebrating a birthday Friday is former WWE Superstar Steven Richards, who turns 41-years-old.
– As previously reported, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has signed on to produce and host a new reality competition show on TNT titled, “The Hero.” Casting for the show began yesterday and will run through November 3rd. The casting call indicates that part of show will be filmed overseas. People trying out for the show need to have a valid passport for a “two-and-a-half-week adventure” outside of the US. For more information, visit RealityWanted.com.
– On Monday’s RAW, we saw Sheamus and Damien Sandow get a lot of time for their match, which got strong reviews from virtually everyone. Both men delivered a strong performance and will continue to be pushed in the coming months.
– Vickie Guerrero is trying to sign The Usos as clients. The Usos posted this video on Tout at Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings.
– With Vickie Guerrero pushing hard for RAW General Manager AJ Lee to be removed from power, WWE is asking fans what the Board of Directors should do about the situation. FAns can post their messages on Twitter and Tout with the hashtag #DearWWEBoard.
The segment on RAW with Vickie Guerrero talking to an empty chair (pretending AJ Lee was sitting there) was a parody of Clint Eastwood’s speech at last week’s Republican National Convention.
WWE.com cameras caught up with Vickie Guerrero after she slapped AJ Lee on RAW. Vickie said there will be no repercussions for her actions and that AJ won’t be able to forget that slap for a long time.
– Former WWE star Tyler Reks has published an unreleased video of his [discontinued] animated web series, Midcard Mafia.
“After the show was cancelled, I created this in case we ever decided to bring back the show. We never did, and we never will. So consider this one of the DVD extras.”
The show was initially cancelled after WWE officials discovered the show and told Reks to shut it down.
– Jim Ross, who many perceive has been subject to on-air ridicule by WWE brass, addressed fan concern regarding bullying on company programming in a Twitter post Thursday. He wrote, “Find it amazing that some fans cannot separate a fictitious, pro wrestling villain w/ real, every day life bullying. @WWE=entertainment, FYI.”
Vickie Guerrero, whose physical appearance has been subject to ridicule on WWE programming on numerous occasions, re-tweeted the message in agreement. Though Guerrero publicly takes the on-air derision in stride, broadcaster Jerry Lawler was issued a directive by management to cease all negative remarks concerning her appearance last year after the sports-entertainment organization’s anti-bullying campaign came under fire from an affiliate.
– This week on Santino’s Foreign Exchange, Santino Marella and The Cobra have a falling out after the Superstar catches his lil buddy touching Michael McGillicutty’s beard. Find out whether the two ever make up or if this the end for the dynamic duo.
– It was announced at Monday’s RAW that WWE will return to Milwaukee, Wisconsin on Sunday, March 10th, 2013 for a RAW live event at 5pm. The pre-sale begins today with the password CHAMP.
– The WWE RAW crew is headed down under for a short tour of Australia this weekend. WWE will be in Brisbane, Australia on Thursday, Sydney on Friday and Melbourne on Saturday.
– Cody Rhodes noted on Twitter that he and Hornswoggle are doing local media in Green Bay this morning to promote tonight’s SmackDown tapings.
– Raw General Manager AJ Lee announced prior to Monday’s Raw main event that CM Punk will defend the WWE Championship against John Cena at Night of Champions. Also announced for the pay-per-view event taking place Sept. 16 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts is Sheamus defending the World Heavyweight Championship against Alberto Del Rio.
– After Dolph Ziggler ended Chris Jericho’s WWE career last week on Raw, “The Showoff” appeared on-stage Monday to the former WWE Superstar’s entrance music and proclaimed that he will never be seen again. Jericho reacted to Ziggler’s move via Twitter, writing, “Heard Dilph used my music tonight. Well it’s about time he got a good ring song, as that “I Am Perfection” tune is crap #JustAnotherWannabe.”
– After being viciously attacked by Raw General Manager AJ Lee on Raw, Vickie Guerrero noted on Twitter, “Im making alot of calls to the board of directors….too busy to go support @HEELZiggler He will do great tonight. #nodoubts.”
– Ricky Reyes turns 34-years old Tuesday while Christina Von Eerie turns 23-years-old.
Vickie Guerrero was interviewed by the Los Angeles Times this week to promote tonight’s WWE SummerSlam PPV. Here are some highlights from the interview:
Q: How did you come up with the whole “Excuse me” line?
Guerrero: I came up with “Excuse me” when I was doing a promo on stage and I forgot my lines, so all I could think of to say was “Excuse me.” And the more I said it, the more upset the crowd got with me. The next night I tried “Excuse me” again, and that’s how it started happening.
Q: People love to boo you. Are you surprised by how much they boo you?
Guerrero: No, I love when they boo me. I love it. I love when I get them mad because if I don’t, then I’m not doing my job.
Q: Do you ever think people will one day cheer you?
Guerrero: I don’t want to be cheered. I’m a bad guy, so the boos and the mean faces and the yelling is something I look forward to every night.
Q: You have two daughters. If they wanted to join WWE, would you be happy with that?
Guerrero: My oldest daughter, Shaul, she’s 21 and she’s in WWE right now. She’s training to be with us on the road. And my youngest, Sherilyn, is 17 and she wants to study marine biology, so she won’t be with the company for a while.
Q: What do you think your late husband, the great Eddie Guerrero, would say to you if he could talk about your great success in WWE?
Guerrero: I’m hoping he would be proud of me, and I’m sure we’d laugh a lot. Watching him through the years, I learned a lot of the little smirks and the mean faces that he had so I learned a lot from him and hopefully I am making him proud.
– AJ Lee announced on Twitter that she has been invited to attend SmackDown tonight by fellow General Manager Booker T—despite herself being a member of the SmackDown roster.
“Booker T has asked me to be his special guest on tonight’s Smackdown. I promise I’ll be as well behaved as usual,” Lee wrote.
– The wrestler formerly known as Buggy Nova is now referencing herself as Skyler Moon on Twitter—her new handle is @SkYlerMoon_WWE. After signing a developmental contract with WWE in June, the young upstart appeared as Natalie, her real name, at Florida Championship Wrestling events.
– WWE Divas AJ Lee and Eve, and Vickie Guerrero, are featured on the cover of the newsstand magazine Inside Wrestling. The headline reads: “MAN-EATERS! THESE DIVAS ARE HERE TO DEVOUR.”
– Curt Hawkins was asked about Ryback by a TSA agent. He tweeted Friday, “TSA agent just asked me what’s wrong with @Ryback22 ‘s eye. I wish I knew Sir… I wish I knew.”
– WWE will hold a SmackDown live event on Saturday, September 29, 2012 at Taylor County Coliseum in Abilene, Texas. Talent advertised are Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, Kane, Daniel Bryan, Sin Cara, Cody Rhodes, Ryback and Natalya. Bell time is 7:30 p.m.
– Chris Jericho appears at Good Records 1808 Greenville Ave. Dallas, Texas on Monday, August 13 from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The WWE Superstar will be signing Sin and Bones, the fifth album from his heavy metal band Fozzy. Call 214-752-4663 for more information.
– SmackDown General Manager Booker T is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com.
– Saban Brands has announced the line-up for its programming block, dubbed Vortexx, which debuts nationwide on The CW on August 25 and will be anchored by WWE Saturday Morning Slam at 10:00 a.m. WWE will be preceded by Iron Man: Armored Adventures and Justice League Unlimited and followed by Dragonball Z Kai. The official description for WWE Saturday Morning Slam reads:
“WWE Saturday Morning Slam packs the riveting in-ring action, the larger-than-life WWE Superstars, and WWE’s kid-friendly entertainment into the fastest, most energy-filled half-hour on television. WWE Superstar profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive WWE match every week will all combine to make WWE Saturday Morning Slam the perfect destination for the youngest viewers in the WWE Universe.”
– WWE Divas AJ Lee and Eve, and Vickie Guerrero, are featured on the cover of the newsstand magazine Inside Wrestling. The headline reads: “MAN-EATERS! THESE DIVAS ARE HERE TO DEVOUR.”
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Chris Jericho will appear at Good Records 1808 Greenville Ave. Dallas, Texas on Monday, August 13 from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The WWE Superstar will be signing Sin and Bones, the fifth album from his heavy metal band Fozzy. Call 214-752-4663 for more information.
– This Friday on SmackDown on Syfy, Chris Jericho presents “The Highlight Reel” with guests Dolph Ziggler and Vickie Guerrero.
– Kelly Kelly returned to WWE programming Monday on Raw as she scored a singles match victory over Eve following a surprise hurricanrana. She is scheduled to appear on the SmackDown brand’s two-show tour of Tokyo, Japan beginning Thursday.
Kelly, who had been on the road on a weekly basis since joining WWE in 2006, was reportedly granted a leave of absence in May to spend time with her family and boyfriend. Prior to tonight, her last televised appearance occurred on the May 21 Raw.
– During commercial breaks at Monday’s Raw at the AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas, Shawn Michaels career highlights were shown as part of his Appreciation Night. WWE also sold a commemorative Shawn Michaels Appreciation Night T-Shirt at the venue.
– Hailing from one of the more storied and successful families in the pro wrestling history, Chavo Guerrero, Jr. made his TNA Impact Wrestling debut on Thursday. After lauding the Guerrero family legacy and proclaiming that it was his time to shine in TNA, he was attacked by Gunner and Kid Kash, who took exception to his remarks. Guerrero’s aunt Vickie, who appears for WWE as the mouthpiece of Dolph Ziggler, congratulated her nephew’s debut for the Nashville-based wrestling promotion.
“I am proud of @mexwarrior with his debut on TNA!! A true professional Miss him and his family xxoo,” she wrote on Twitter.
Don’t expect Vickie to ever join Chavo in TNA. She stated last year in a Twitter message that she would never turn her back on her WWE family: “I would never go to TNA…no disrespect to anybody…WWE is my family…period.”
– WWE.com has released a poll asking fans to choose their favorite all-time team of D-Generation X—Shawn Michaels and Triple H or Triple H, X-Pac, Road Dogg and Billy Gunn. Chyna, who partnered with both D-X gangs, was omitted from the poll.
– SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia has posted a new photo shoot on her official website, LilianGarcia.com. The website also features her WWE theme song, which is solely played off-camera at events.
– On Backstage Fallout, John Cena was asked about unsuccessfully cashing in the Money in the Bank briefcase on Raw against CM Punk. He responded, “My mistake.”
Cena continues, “We all know I’ve had issues with CM Punk in the past, but it’s been (pause), the word respect comes up. If you’re the champ, nobody has any loyalty to anything. The word respect comes to mind, even when we’re at each other’s throats. It just respect. I go back to Money in the Bank when Vince went to throw it out and I told him no, and I lost. My watch, my terms, and I respect that.”
The Miz, Heath Slater and Daniel Bryan also react to Raw events.
– After AJ decided not to marry Daniel Bryan on Raw, it was revealed she accepted a proposal from Vince McMahon to become the new permanent Raw General Manager. Vickie Guerrero, a former General Manager of the program, weighed in on the matter via Twitter.
“Feelings about @Aj? Her reign in office will be short lived…no experience, maturity, and support….she will learn she needs to grow up,” Guerrero wrote.
– TNA star and former WWE star Kurt Angle tweeted on Raw, “Did not watch Raw 1000 Episode. Was on Honeymoon. Heard It Was Great.”
– Following a lengthy absence due to injury and a 60-day suspension from his second violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program, Rey Mysterio is advertised for next Tuesday’s SmackDown taping at the Valley View Casino in San Diego, California.
– Continuing WWE’s parade of Legends to promote the 1000th episode of Raw on July 23, two-time WWE Champion Bob Backlund appeared on Monday’s show as he trapped Heath Slater in his trademark Crossface Chickenwing. It was his first appearance on WWE programming since the 15th anniversary episode of Raw on December 10, 2007.
– The Ticketmaster.com pre-sale code for SummerSlam Axxess on Saturday, Aug. 18 and Sunday, Aug. 19 at the Nokia Plaza at L.A. LIVE in Los Angeles is WWESTAPLES. The pre-sale is already ongoing and will conclude on Friday. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday.
– Vickie Guerrero offered her thoughts on Monday’s Raw via Twitter: “Great night tonight! @HEELZiggler shined with perfection! I cant wait to bring home the briefcase from Money in the Bank on Sunday.”