According to one source, the reason for the sudden storyline change in attitude and confidence in Big Show this week on RAW is likely because of Vince McMahon’s rumored return to television, which is expected in the near future.

The storyline surrounding Big Show lately has seen him say “how high” when Triple H and/or Stephanie McMahon say “jump,” until he was fed up with their abuse and defied their orders with his actions in the main event at WWE Battleground on Sunday. This led to his overly confident attitude when being dressed down by Stephanie McMahon in the opening segment of RAW on Monday.

• Update: “Arrest Warrant” To Be Issued For The Big Show?

Apparently the reason for that is Vince McMahon, who is scheduled to return to television earlier than originally planned due to recent extreme dips in television ratings and other business projections, will come back as a babyface that will defend Big Show. This would allow Big Show to be confident, as we saw on Monday, despite the fact that his superiors, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, are threatening his job.

• BACKSTAGE Reason For John Cena’s EARLY WWE In-Ring Return

(Information from f4wonline.com was used in this report)

– With Monday’s Raw drawing one of its worst ratings figures since 1997 (a 2.68 cable rating, with an average of 3.58 million viewers over the course of the show), there are people within WWE speculating that Vince McMahon will resurface on television sooner rather than later. As of one week ago, creative plans called for the Chairman to return sometime in November.

However, in recent days, there has been talk that his return may be pushed forward, perhaps as early as this Monday’s episode of Raw.

– Since breaking up with AJ Lee following SummerSlam, Big E Langston has largely floundered in WWE. In large part, this is being attributed to the absence of John Cena, who is considered his number-one supporter in the organization.

– WWE Hall of Famers Dory Funk, Jr. and Terry Funk are returning to Japan. Dory revealed this bit of news on Twitter, but did not elaborate further.

(source: F4WOnline.com)

– With Monday’s Raw drawing one of its worst ratings figures in the last fifteen years (a 2.68 cable rating, with an average of 3.58 million viewers over the course of the show), there are people within WWE speculating that Vince McMahon will resurface on television sooner rather than later. Original creative plans call for the Chairman to return sometime in November.

– WWE is currently holding a contest for John Cena’s Fast Lane, a street racing game that’s free and available now on iOS and Android devices. Courtesy of the comapany’s official Facebook page, details are as follows: “Show us you can beat John Cena at his own game! Post your screenshot of your Cena-beating race in “John Cena’s Fast Lane” to be entered to win an autographed John Cena t-shirt, plus an acknowledgement from The Champ himself on his Twitter account. Contest ends Oct. 30.”

To enter the contest, click here.

– This Sunday at WWE Battleground, Dolph Ziggler will face Damien Sandow in the streaming “Kickoff Match.” Promoting the bout, Mr. Money in the Bank issued the following message on Twitter.

https://twitter.com/TheDamienSandow/statuses/385504915243954176

(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– On Monday’s Raw, it was teased that Paul Heyman wanted to marry Ryback after being “saved” by the former Skip Sheffield at Night of Champions. Instead, Heyman proposed that he become the latest “Paul Heyman Guy.” Vince McMahon was behind a shock tactic taking place on the program, as he made it clear to members of the writing staff that they feature “a spectacle” to lure viewers of ESPN’s Monday Night Football away during halftime. An unnamed creative writer then pitched the idea of teasing Heyman asking Ryback his hand in marriage.

– On the heels of Monday’s debut of Los Matadores, the official website of WWE has published a photo gallery highlighting the numerous masked individuals in the history of professional wrestling. A wide range of masked wrestlers are showcased, including Rey Mysterio, Mr. America, Sin Cara, Aldo Montoya, Blitzkrieg, Golga, The Midnight Rider, and Konnan as Max Moon.

– In recent WWE attendance figures: Sept. 27 in Denver, Colorado, drew 5,500; Sept. 28 in Dallas, Texas, drew 9,000; Sept. 28 in Huntsville, Alabama drew 4,000; Sept. 29 in New Orleans, Louisiana, drew 5,000.

– On Monday’s edition of TMZ on TV, wrestling fanatic Ryan Satin donned an “Employ Joey Ryan 2013” T-Shirt. This led to a debate over who is a bigger celebrity, Paris Hilton or Hulk Hogan.

(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

– In recent weeks, WWE has billed Stephanie McMahon as an “owner” of WWE. This is being done to set up an eventual showdown with her father, WWE CEO Vince McMahon.

It’s been rumored for months that the “Best for Business” storyline will culminate at WrestleMania XXX with a Triple H (or a wrestler representing him) will square off against a wrestler hand picked by Vince McMahon.

– As seen on Monday’s RAW, WWE has released special pink versions of their most popular t-shirts to recognize Breast Cancer Awareness month. To buy a “Rise Above Cancer” pink WWE t-shirt, visit WWEShop.com.

– WWE re-tweeted this message from Zeb Colter, talking about the United States Government shutdown and how it affects the new Los Matadores tag team:

@WWELosMatadores love the govt. shut down. Nobody can check their papers or watch them. But we will. @AntonioCesaro @RealJackSwagger @WWE

— ??. ????? (@DirtyDMantell) October 1, 2013

* Storyline Plans For The WWE Championship After Sunday, Early HELL IN A CELL Plans

-According to the advertised talent roster on the official website for the Scottrade Center for the October 14th edition of WWE RAW in St. Louis, WWE Superstar Kane, who has been out of action lately filming the sequel to the WWE Studios project, “See No Evil,” is listed as one of the Superstars appearing on the show. It should be noted, however, that WWE.com is not advertising Kane for the 10/14 RAW. Additionally, the Scottrade Center website still lists Randy Orton as the WWE Champion, which would indicate that the advertising, which is listed, as always, as “subject to change,” is out-of-date. For what it’s worth, the website also lists “Mr. McMahon” as appearing on the show as well.

-As previously reported, WWE is taking steps to attempt to cut some unnecessary costs at their non-televised live events by taking some of the non-essential talents, such as performers like Vickie Guerrero and Zeb Colter, off of the road. It’s worth pointing out that despite the reports, while Colter was not at the live events this past weekend, Vickie Guerrero was in fact at the shows.

MULTIPLE Segments For Monday’s RAW REVEALED In GREAT DETAIL — Click Here!

SESCOOPS.COM reader Aaron Carnevale of WrestlingDVDNews.com sent along the following highlights of a recent Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes interview with the Monday Night Mayhem radio show:

The health benefits he has seen since starting DDP Yoga: “With DPP Yoga, there are a couple benefits. I stand up straighter now, and I can bend in ways I couldn’t bend. I feel so much better: my joints, muscles, and bones. It is awesome.”

His memories of working with Scott Hall as Goldust and what valuable lessons Hall taught him in his career: “Me and Scott have had some fun times with the Goldust stuff, even though we didn’t see eye to eye all the time. We always went out there and gave 110%. I had to learn and Scott was a good teacher. He taught me what I needed to know and how to do things the right ways, and I just grew from that. I love Scott.”

His expectations on the night of his WWE return earlier this month on Monday Night RAW against WWE Champion Randy Orton and why he took out his frustrations on Triple H via Twitter: “My nerves were shot. Cody loses his job, and my little brother had the world taken out from under him all because he spoke up. That pissed off my family so I started getting on Twitter saying things to Triple H. Going into that match with Randy, I was focused. I went into that match very focused and very nervous. I was fighting for Cody’s job, and I lost fair in square.”

With the current state of events in the WWE between the McMahons and the Rhodes families, whether or not he envisions his one-on-one Dream Match with his brother Cody in the foreseeable future: “It could take place in the foreseeable future or whenever, you never know what is going to happen in the WWE. But, I’ll say that I don’t want that anymore.”

Check out the complete interview online at MondayNightMayhem.com.

HUGE Spoiler On What’s Going To Happen w/ Rhodes Family On RAW [FULL DETAILS >>]

The following are highlights from a recent interview with WWE Hall Of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase:

On being the first wrestler to work with Hulk Hogan at Madison Square Garden: “At that time Hulk was just coming into the business and I had been in the business longer than him. At that particular time Hulk Hogan wasn’t the babyface he was the heel managed by Fred Blassie and I was the babyface. I was having my last match in the WWF at the time and they wanted me as his first opponent. I was very grateful to Vince for his faith in me, when I went to him and asked him what he wanted to do he told me to do anything because he knew I would do it right. I put Hogan over as a heel in his first match at the Garden and he never forgot that.”

On Vince McMahon as a boss: “I got along fine with Vince (laughs). It was kind of like a love hate relationship at times, and Vince said this to me a long time ago and I think he says it to everybody, ‘we can agree to disagree’, he doesn’t expect people to be yes men, if you don’t agree with him it’s not going to piss him off and he’s not going to fire you, but he added, ‘because we’re spending my money whether you like it or not we’re going to do what I want to do.’ I haven’t always agreed with what Vince did, I was not a big fan of the Attitude Era, but for the most part we wouldn’t be having this conversation if it wasn’t for what Vince McMahon did for me and did for wrestling.”

Check out the complete interview online at Wrestling101.com.

HUGE Update On Hulk Hogan’s Future In Wrestling — WrestleMania XXX?! [READ HERE >>]

WWE issued a press release Friday announcing that attorney Laura A. Brevetti, who has handled some of the organization’s legal matters and helped successfully defend Vince McMahon in 1994 on United States federal charges of conspiring for years with a convicted drug dealer to distribute anabolic steroids to wrestlers, has been named Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary.

WWE(R) Names Laura A. Brevetti General Counsel

STAMFORD, Conn., Sep 27, 2013 (BUSINESS WIRE) — WWE WWE +0.49% today announced the appointment of Laura A. Brevetti as Senior Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, reporting directly to WWE Chairman & Chief Executive Officer, Vince McMahon. Brevetti brings extensive legal and management experience to WWE and will be a key member of the senior executive team.

As General Counsel, Brevetti will be responsible for overseeing the legal and business affairs of the company and serving as the principal legal advisor to the Chairman, CFO, and management team. She will also serve as Corporate Secretary to WWE’s Board of Directors.

Brevetti is a highly accomplished attorney with 30 years of experience in federal and local government, as well as private practice. A noted trial attorney, she has tried cases and arbitrations in both state and federal systems, holding positions that include the Attorney-in-Charge and Special Attorney, U.S. Department of Justice, and the Assistant District Attorney for Kings County, New York. Most recently, Brevetti was in private practice with K&L Gates.

Brevetti is often quoted in the media, commenting on current legal issues and events, and is frequently sought to participate in bar and industry seminars. She has also authored numerous legal articles and has served as an adjunct professor of trial advocacy at Fordham Law School and New York Law School.

Brevetti graduated with a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center and an A.B. from Barnard College.

Several people within WWE believe Jim Ross will be back working for the company in time for next year’s WrestleMania XXX event. Additionally, many in the company feel JR will still be used for interviews on DVDs and other various projects.

One source noted that JR’s situation with WWE hadn’t been good since WrestleMania earlier this year, and that it was just a matter of time before something happened that would be the catalyst for WWE to officially pull the trigger on releasing him. Apparently the WWE 2K14 symposium was just that.

Triple H, who was JR’s boss while working with him in the developmental system, apparently knew that as far as Vince McMahon was concerned, it was only a matter of time before JR would receive his walking papers from the company. As a result, “The Game” tried to help JR as much as possible before the call was made.

Apparently there have always been issues between JR and Vince McMahon, as Ross has a history of speaking his mind to Vince when he feels a direction is wrong, while most people in WWE aren’t so quick to speak up when talking with McMahon.

Jim Ross To TNA?, HUGE WWE Battleground *SPOILERS* + MORE!

[Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter]

-As previously reported, WWE COO Triple H will soon be making a proposal to the Rhodes Family. Apparently, the proposal will be the next step in the McMahon/HHH-Rhodes storyline, which will lead to their appearance on RAW next Monday night.

Speaking of which, HHH posted the following tweet on his official Twitter account inviting the Rhodes family to RAW:

EXCLUSIVE: @TripleH invites @CodyRhodesWWE, @DUSTIN_Rhodes1 & @WWEDustyRhodes to #RAW, for “lucrative proposition.” https://www.wwe.com/videos/wwe-coo-triple-h-invites-the-rhodes-family-to-raw-wwecom-exclusive-sept-25-2013-26151505

-WWE NXT will be running the FCW Arena in Tampa, Florida on Thursday, September 26, 2013.

-WWE NXT wrestler Xavier Woods was scheduled to go on the road with WWE this week, but has apparently been removed from those bookings due to an injury.

MASSIVE *SPOILERS* For The Upcoming WWE Battleground PPV — CLICK HERE!

-According to advertisements, Triple H, Vince McMahon and Stephanie McMahon are not booked for any WWE television tapings following the post-WWE Hell In A Cell edition of RAW on October 20th.

-The “See No Evil 2” WWE Studios film project, which stars WWE Superstar Kane, officially begins shooting today.

-Red Eye Chicago recently interviewed WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler. Fans interested in checking that out can do so online at RedEyeChicago.com.

-WWE Hall Of Famer Booker T has been added to the WWE UAE tour as a special guest referee for the main events on all three live events. Additionally, WWE NXT stars Sami Zayn and Bo Dallas are advertised to appear on the tour.

LIVE SmackDown *SPOILER* Coverage Tonight + Two MAJOR TNA Stars DONE! [>>]

-Former WWE Superstar Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes continues to have words for the McMahon Family on his official Twitter account. The following is Goldust’s latest:

“Nobody is gonna help you up when this is over @TripleH @StephMcMahon ! #WatchThemAllFall @WWE #RhodesDynasty4Life”

-WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley posted a tweet on his official Twitter account thanking WWE for setting up a meeting for him with the U.S. Marine Corps at Camp Pendleton in California this weekend. Foley wrote:

“Really enjoyed meeting members of the @USMC today at Camp Pendleton. Very cool of @WWE to set that up for me on such short notice.”

-WWE Diva and ring announcer Lilian Garcia sang the National Anthem before the Buffalo Bills vs. New York Jets NFL game at MetLife Stadium today.

-Currently sidelined WWE Superstar Sheamus made one of his first public appearances since going down with an injury on Saturday. Sheamus appeared at the Wizard World Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

Multiple RAW Spoilers For Monday + Bryan/Orton IRON MAN Match At Battleground [>>]

-WWE CEO Vince McMahon recently took to Twitter to promote the latest WWE technology, “WWE In Slo-Mo,” which it being utilized at the WWE Performance Center lately. McMahon wrote on Twitter on Friday evening:

@WWE, it isn’t ballet. It can hurt http://wwe.me/p4oC5

-Speaking of Twitter, sidelined WWE Superstar John Cena has checked in with another injury update in a new tweet he posted on Friday evening. Cena wrote:

Been going nonstop as of late. Elbow very swollen but #evenstronger someone wonderful @nicoleandbri talked me into a much needed adventure.

Latest On John Cena’s WWE TV Return + New Battleground PPV Matches Announced!

According to sources, there were actually rumors of Jim Ross being let go by WWE a few days before it actually took place. On September 10th, the day prior to JR’s release, someone in the WWE book department called an author to inform him that WWE had selected him to write JR’s autobiography.

One source claimed it was odd for WWE to even publicize JR’s retirement due to the fact that most casual viewers never see him on television anyways, and would already assume he had retired.

It was also noted by executives in the company that JR’s release would have never happened as recently as a few years ago, and it’s further proof that Vince McMahon is not worried in the slightest about TNA, in terms of competition.

Regarding JR’s role as the man who worked directly with talents in the WWE NXT developmental system, early speculation is that William Regal will likely take over those duties.

Will Jim Ross End Up In TNA? — Find Out HERE! [>>]

[Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter]

As announced earlier, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is retiring after 20 years with the company.

Aside from Jim Ross wanting to focus on “other business ventures” (most notably his JR’s Barbecue company), the Wrestling Observer reports that WWE Chairman Vince McMahon had a role in his departure.

According to Observer report, Ross and McMahon met earlier todayto discuss Ross’s future with the company, which led to the decision for Ross to retire.

It’s being said that Ric Flair’s unruly behavior at the WWE 2K14 panel during SummerSlam weekend was a contributing factor in his departure. WWE management felt that Ross, who hosted the event, should have cut off Ric Flair when he went off-script and made several controversial remarks in front of WWE & 2K Sports executives.

(Source: f4wonline.com)

Following WWE.com’s announcement that Jim Ross is retiring after 20 years with the company, WWE Chairman Vince McMahon tweeted ‘thank you’ messages to him:

“Thank you @JRsBBQ for 20 years of service with @WWE.”

Triple H tweeted:

“Can’t thank you enough @JRsBBQ for all you’ve done for me personally and for @WWE … Enjoy your time, you’ve earned it!!! #thankyouJR”

WWE.com has re-published video footage from last October’s Jim Ross appreciation night, which you can view here.

“Jim Ross” is also trending worldwide on Twitter and many fans are using the hashtag #ThankYouJR to share their favorite Jim Ross memories.

– Wrestling legend Kevin Nash recently commented on Daniel Bryan’s current WWE storyline with Triple H and the McMahon Family, throwing a jab at Bryan while commending him for being “fantastic” and part of the company’s hottest ongoing storyline. Nash tweeted this week:

“What’s really amazing is the hottest angle The vanilla midget angle.Bryan is fantastic and the WWE corp. Against him is must watch”

Nash has a long history of controversial comments about smaller wrestlers being featured as main event acts, including CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Chris Benoit and Eddie Guerrero.

Related:

• Kevin Nash Says CM Punk & Daniel Bryan Are Too Small To Be Taken Seriously
• Kevin Nash Says Chris Benoit & Eddie Guerrero As Champions Killed Pro Wrestling

-Speaking of Daniel Bryan, the WWE Superstar has finally surpassed the one-million follower mark on Twitter. Fans interested in following Bryan on Twitter can do so @WWEDanielBryan.

WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler recently defended the current Triple H and McMahon Family storyline in an interview with Auburn Pub.

“Honestly, if you don’t find it interesting as a fan, then it’s on you,” said Ziggler. “Some of us hardcore fans have wanted something different, and now you’re getting this blurred reality. Are these real behind-the-scenes things taking place or part of the story? And it makes it much more fun. That’s what it’s all about: suspending reality. We give you a three-hour movie. And with the Internet and people being hardcore fans and knowing what’s going on behind the scenes, you’re not sure where the story stops and real life begins.”

Ziggler also talked about the McMahon Family eventually getting one-upped in the end. “Yeah. I’m not killing it right now, but it is setting that tone. There’s a gray area; you get to a point where they’re begging for something and someone steps up, but you also have to get there. As much as it seems to be hurting my career, personally, I hope we have sold-out arenas where people go, ‘Tonight’s the night.’ You can’t go flat-out where the bad guys win for six months — you need a nibble every now and then.”

Ziggler concluded, “In my head, I’m begging — ‘Gosh, is this my chance? Is tonight the night where I say, ‘Enough of this crap?’ I think it’s going great, it’s totally different, getting a point across, telling a story. And it is setting the tone, I’m assuming, for something big, whether I’m involved or not. I think it’s an important turn, like Batista when he was in Evolution, getting pushed around by Triple H. You’d go, ‘Is he going to get him? Not tonight.’ Then it blows the roof off. Hopefully, that’s the story we’re telling.”

Check out the complete interview online at AuburnPub.com.

Backstage News On Dolph Ziggler’s Heat With WWE Management + MORE!

According to reports, Monday’s edition of WWE RAW was likely heavily rewritten at the last minute, as Vince McMahon was originally intended to be a major part of the show.

Speaking of Monday’s RAW, the Goldust vs. Randy Orton match impressed many company officials, as well as fellow WWE Superstars. In fact, both Goldust and Orton reportedly received a standing ovation from the talent and crew as soon as they went backstage after their match.

While it’s not confirmed, and is merely a rumor at this point, there is a chance WWE Hall Of Famer Dusty Rhodes will be featured on upcoming WWE television programming in the current storyline regarding his son, Cody Rhodes. What role Dusty will play, if any, is unknown at this point.

WWE SMACKDOWN SPOILERS

[Credit: F4WOnline.com]

The following are scattered highlights from a recent St. Louis Post-Dispatch Q&A with pro wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. You can check out the complete Q&A online at StlToday.com.

Why did you decide to officially sign with TNA in 2009?

I talked to Dixie Carter (president of TNA Wrestling) a couple of times. A lot of it was timing. I lot of it was I could live without the wrestling business but pursuing other projects, trying to reshift gears and move in a different direction business-wise, I realized no matter what I did, I was always thinking about wrestling.

It’s kinda like when you get addicted to chocolate or cigarettes or something, you gotta have your fix. It’s almost like wrestling is in your blood. … I got to the point where I got hooked on watching the TNA show.

I finally called Dixie back and told her I understand where I fit in. It was being addicted to being around the business. I thought I could shake it, but I’m still addicted to it. I just love being here. And the choice was made because I finally figured out that I could add to the mix, I could contribute and I could wrestle on a limited basis because I’m in the twilight of my so-called wresting career.

I knew I could bring my brand and bring awareness to the company and then behind the scenes, creatively, I could contribute and basically keep the art form alive with the timing, instinct and help the young guys.

What obstacles did you encounter when you started working for TNA?

Communication was tough. The creative people were kind of a wild card. It was a situation where we all sat in a meetings and agree on creative directions. … We would agree on stuff, then I would sit back and watch the show and it was completely different than what we talked about earlier in the production meetings. … Those were the biggest hurdles I had in the beginning was why this perfect little unit wasn’t functioning as planned. The biggest obstacle was keeping people from going into business for themselves.

What is unique about TNA’s product today?

The majority of our time we stay consistent with storylines. I think we are really, really consistent with delivering the action and keeping the business in the ring as much as possible. There are certain times where you can watch a quarter hour and minute-by-minute and see where the girls are on there and doing certain things in the background, having a certain conversation. That works. We try not to go against the grain. But the majority of the time the people want the action in the ring and we try to be really consistent with that, and that’s what we are trying to do.

Which TNA young talent has the most star potential?

I’m pretty much torn between Jeff Hardy and AJ Styles. They both get it. They both have the “it” factor. It’s a toss-up because they both shine and they outshine each other certain times. I think either one of those guys has the potential to go on to greatness.

Have much creative control do you have over the company?

I do not control creative at all. I’m kind of like the last pass before we go out in front of the cameras. I will be here during the day listening to ideas and contributing, but at the end of the day, the decision lays in the hands of the writers and Spike TV because they have equal say in direction.

Creatively I’m not involved. I cannot even begin to tell you the direction of a story six months from now backwards. But I do, on a weekly basis, get very involved with development and make sure ‘OK you guys, you have to mention that Chris Sabin is having personal problems and he is not here this week’ and mention that Rampage Jackson wasn’t supposed to touch Tito Ortiz this week. I make sure that we stay within the parameters of that we’ve drawn for ourselves.

Compare your babyface Hulk Hogan character to WWE’s John Cena babyface character.

I don’t think you can compare the two. Everyone has their time and their moment, and the business changes on a daily basis. What we’re talking about today might not be relevant a week from now.

The John Cena I watch on TV, and know, started out being a Hulkamaniac when he was a kid. He said he fell in love with the wrestling business and had certain favorites and at the end of the day, simply because he is such a great performer in the ring and that he has been around so long. The last time I was in the WWE, he was just starting, which was about 10 years ago. It’s taken that long to develop his character — for him to be the man — for him to be one of the biggest leaders of all time of this business. And whether the fans boo him or whether the fans cheers for him, at the end of the day, they are loyal to him because he is a constant. They know he will deliver. He is going to always be there, and he is going to outperform anybody else around.

I think there is a lot of respect involved and whether (the fans) like him or hate him, they believe in him and respect him.

How is your relationship with Vince McMahon, owner of the World Wrestling Entertainment?

On a personal level we are fine. Business is business with Vince. At the end of the day, I’m not working there. Basically, Vince does what’s best for business for him. … On a personal level, Vince will give you the shirt off his back and I know that.

WWE character Darren Young told TMZ that he is gay. What do you think about having an openly gay wrestler in the locker room?

We’ll, its not the first time. It’s just become socially acceptable or it’s just social awareness now. One of the guys that started me in this business 35 years ago is gay and is still a very good friend of mine. It’s his personal choice if he wants the world to know what his sexual preference is. I respect that. …

The fact that Darren Young came out and had a reason for expressing his views and opinions, that’s great if it helps people which I think it will help understand that we are all the same but completely different and we should have mutual respect for everybody. I applaud him.

It wasn’t a big shocker to me because a lot of my friends are gay and they are all good people. I didn’t see the big deal, but I understand the media jumping all over the next next top story. I’m proud of Darren.

Hulk Hogan Set To LEAVE TNA For WWE RETURN At WRESTLEMANIA XXX! [Full Story >>]

Former WWE announcer Matt Striker was recently interviewed by Temple-News.com. Here are some highlights of what he said about:

Banned Words: No words are banned. “There are some phrases [that are] not part of the dialogue, but there are good reasons why. For example, a championship is not a belt. A belt holds up your pants. Someone that doesn’t watch wrestling might ask, ‘Why are they fighting over wardrobe accessories?’ When you say how you’re coming after me for the championship, then it adds importance.”

Translating Vince McMahon: “If [McMahon] wanted me to get a point across, he would say it to me in his own words,” Striker said. “For instance, ‘Talk about how Sheamus is so strong that Mark Henry is afraid of him.’ So then I would turn around and put it in my own words: ‘You know, Mark Henry is the world’s strongest man, but just the other day I saw Sheamus bench pressing 550 pounds, and Henry was watching him through the mirror in the gym. There’s something interesting brewing here, let’s keep our eyes on it.’ Then [McMahon] would say, ‘Ah, that was good.”

Getting Beaten Up On The Job: “I think [McMahon] enjoyed watching me get beaten up,” Striker said with a laugh. “I think the joke amongst the producers was that Striker takes a pretty good ass kicking. You hit [Matthews] a few times, he might break. You can’t really slam Renee [Young]. But if you want to convey that the Big Show is pissed off, Striker can take a good punch.”

The following are highlights from a recent WWE.com interview with WWE Hall Of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin:

On if he sees himself in Daniel Bryan: “No, I didn’t see too much ‘Stone Cold’ in [Daniel Bryan], but I saw a young man who could work his ass off in the ring, who had a lot of fire and passion for the business. With that being said, he’s dealing with a very worthwhile adversary in Triple H, a guy with physicality and intelligence on top of that, and of course, he’s got some advice coming from Vince.

“Vince is the ultimate third-generation promoter. He’s been there and done that in every situation that’s ever been done in the history of sports-entertainment. Triple H is gonna lean on him for some resources. Young Daniel Bryan must stay the course and maintain his intensity.”

On Daniel Bryan’s battle with authority and Triple H/The McMahon’s: “It’s a complete parallel, and obviously a decade removed with two cats in these different roles … but it’s a complete parallel with what went on between myself and Vince. Still, he isn’t expecting Bryan to break out a beer hose so much as use his unique opportunity to cement his place as a top-tier performer against the most powerful of enemies.

“I know what [Triple H’s] mentality is, and he’s been hanging around Vince for so long. Right now, he’s playing the ultimate game with young Daniel Bryan … I look for similarities in situations and setups, but also for [Daniel Bryan] to push the envelope and come out of the box strong.”

On his thoughts on Triple H’s rise through the ranks in WWE: “Man, I’ll tell you what: Back in the day when we were having heated battles in the ring, all over the world, and hell no, I didn’t see it coming. But just goes to show they didn’t call him The Game for nothing. He’s a smart S.O.B.

“I think the guy loves the business enough that he didn’t want just any hand in it, he wanted to be at the top and planned his ascent accordingly. I think he was looking way farther down the road than a lot of guys do.”

On advice for Daniel Bryan: “If I could offer any advice to Daniel Bryan, I would tell him to be aggressive. Trust your gut instincts. The best defense is a good offense, and always be on the attack. But, sometimes, lay in wait. I think Triple H’s ego may mirror Vince’s ego. Sometimes, as cerebral as he is, his ego may get the best of him and you’ll be able to spring an attack on him.

“With all these corporate shenanigans going on, he has to stay true to himself. Whether he gets the title back or overthrows the regime, that’ll come out in the wash. He must remember to stay focused about who Daniel Bryan is: A fiery competitor who loves the business and continues to make a name for himself; the guy who [supposedly] didn’t have the ‘It’ factor, wasn’t big enough, wasn’t good-looking enough. … He’s gotta stay the course and prove that — yes — he’s all that and more.”

Check out the complete interview online at WWE.com.

REPORT: Steve Austin vs. CM Punk Is “99% Likely” For WrestleMania XXX [READ >>]

WWE RAW emanates live from Des Moines, Iowa tonight for the Labor Day edition of the show.

The main focus of tonight’s show will be on the Daniel Bryan and Randy Orton feud, with all of the outside involvement from Triple H, as well as Vince and Stephanie McMahon. Also, heavy focus will remain on the storyline involving CM Punk and Curtis Axel/Paul Heyman.

There will be more follow-up on the World Heavyweight Championship program, which features champion Alberto Del Rio and his former manager Ricardo Rodriguez, who is now with Del Rio’s opposition, Rob Van Dam. They will continue the build to their title bout at the upcoming Night Of Champions pay-per-view.

The full talent roster advertised for tonight’s show in Des Moines is as follows: Orton, Bryan, Punk, Heyman, Axel, HHH, Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Del Rio, Van Dam, Rodriguez, Mark Henry, Dolph Ziggler, Big Show, Wade Barrett, AJ Lee, Kaitlyn, The Shield and The Wyatt Family.

The scheduled dark match main event for tonight’s show is The Shield vs. Rob Van Dam, Mark Henry and The Big Show. With Henry being injured, plans for that match may be off the table.

WWE.com Update: 2 Big Matches Confirmed For Tonight’s RAW

WWE RAW emanates from the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona tonight for the first full-show without the John Cena.

Expect heavy focus tonight on the build to the Randy Orton vs. Daniel Bryan WWE Championship match at the upcoming WWE Night Of Champions pay-per-view in September.

Confirmed for the show tonight is a non-title match between WWE Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel, with his manager Paul Heyman, against CM Punk. Regarding the title, there are rumors that the Axel-Punk match will indeed be for the I-C Championship.

Also on tonight’s show is the latest drama from the McMahon Family Takeover, as Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H are all advertised to appear this week.

Additional talent advertised to appear in Phoenix tonight includes Alberto Del Rio, Rob Van Dam, The Shield, Mark Henry, Big Show, Ryback, The Wyatt Family, Dolph Ziggler, Big E. Langston, AJ Lee and Kaitlyn.

Advertised for the live crowd in Phoenix as the dark match main event tonight is both Punk vs. Axel and Heyman in a Handicap Match, as well as The Shield vs. Henry, Show and Van Dam in a Six-Man Tag Match.

More Confirmed RAW Matches & Segment *SPOILERS* For Tonight […]