— Shawn Michaels, who was featured in a promotional commercial Monday promoting next week’s “Old School” episode of Raw, responded to those who asked if he would be appearing on the show.

“For those asking, I will not be at the old school RAW as best I know,” he wrote on Twitter. “Do I already qualify as “Old School?” If so…SWEET!!!”

— There was a late push to amplify Bragging Rights because members of creative felt it was a flat show going in. Vince McMahon, however, made the decision to keep the script intact and not enhance it.

— Today is injured WWE star Skip Sheffield’s birthday. He turns 29 years old.

source: Pro Wrestling Torch

— The unique manner in which Daniel Bryan is being promoted on television — as a “nerd” character — is the brainchild of Vince McMahon. When Michael Cole chastises the United States Champion over commentary, it’s largely the WWE Chairman feeding Cole lines than Cole developing his own insults.

— Evan Bourne is hopeful to return to the ring in time for WrestleMania after undergoing surgery on his shoulder. He is expected to be sidelined until at least February.

— Jerry Lawler’s flight to Minneapolis for Bragging Rights caught on fire and had to make an emergency landing in Syracuse, New York. The WWE Hall of Famer made mention of it during the pay-per-view broadcast.

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

— WWE’s creative department has not been getting much face time with Vince McMahon in recent weeks due to Linda McMahon’s U.S. Senate campaign. A number of people within the organization feel Vince has become obsessed with his wife’s political race, resulting in the television product suffering.

— FCW Florida Heavyweight Champion Mason Ryan worked the opening night of SmackDown’s eleven-day live event tour of Europe, beating Chavo Guerrero Thursday night in Belfast, Ireland. The developmental wrestler also worked a dark match at Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Bridgeport, Connecticut, defeating Trent Barreta.

Finlay is also touring with the brand. He beat Tyler Reks in the opening match of the Belfast event.

sources: Pro Wrestling Torch, PWInsider.com

– According to a reliable source, there is some frustration in WWE that Vince McMahon’s top priority these days is the “Stand Up For WWE” campaign – and the television product is suffering as a result. WWE employees and superstars have been voluntarily “standing up for WWE” and recording video testimonials about how great the company is, but the overall feeling is that Vince’s time would be much better spent developing better storylines and feuds. People are optimistic that things will get better after Linda McMahon’s Senate campaign ends next week (Election Day is 11/2).

– Earlier in the week, a fan asked Orton if he was going to open a YouTube page. Orton took a shot at Hardy and replied, “And do what? Eat grapes?” .. This is a reference to Matt Hardy, who was eating (and raving about) grapes in one of his recent YouTube videos. Hardy, who is still operating two seperate Twitter accounts (one as “Matt” and one as “Matthew”), wrote the following (As Matthrew) in response to Orton’s remark:

“Make sure to check out the Matt Hardy brand youtube channel because their is going to be an entry on there, a can’t miss entry which is going to be about a current WWE champion, and actually one who might think about eating grapes for breakfast.”

(Partial Source: PWInsider.com)

World Wrestling Entertainment issued a statement this evening in response to Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz ruling authority to Connecticut poll workers to determine that if anyone shows up to the polls on Nov. 2 wearing any WWE merchandise, whether it be a Dolph Ziggler T-Shirt or Nexus Santa Hat, they may be forced to go home and change, cover it up, or take it off in order to vote.

“Denying our fans the right to vote, denying them their First Amendment rights, regardless if they are Democrat, Republican or Independent, is un-American, unconstitutional and blatantly discriminatory,” said Vince McMahon.

To watch a video response recorded by the WWE Chairman, click here.

– We reported on Monday that WWE chairman Vince McMahon was scheduled to appear on this week’s live RAW. While there were plans for Vince to appear live and promote the company’s new “Stand Up For WWE” campaign, time constraints, prevented this from happening and they just aired a video package.

– It appeared that WWE was originally planning to turn David Hart Smith heel against Tyson Kidd, it now appears that Tyson Kidd is the one going heel.

– As we saw on RAW, Ezekiel Jackson returned to television and was added to Team RAW at Bragging Rights. Mark Henry had been rumored to be the final member of Team RAW, but Henry’s brother has been fighting for his life after suffering a stroke on October 3rd and Henry wasn’t able to guarantee he could be at the PPV on Sunday.

– In a dark match that took place after Monday’s WWE RAW went off the air, WWE Champion Randy Orton defeated Wade Barrett and Sheamus in a Triple Threat match. WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart came out and sat at ringside for the match. According to a live report sent in from a fan who was there, the crowd went nuts for Bret Hart. Randy Orton pinned Sheamus for the win.

– The WWE website confirmed that Evan Bourne suffered a torn rotator cuff, with the injury being attributed to CM Punk’s attack last week on Raw. It’s noted that the injury will require surgery and he is scheduled to be out of competition for four months.

– WWE Monday Night Raw on January 17, 2011 will be held at the Verizon Arena in Little Rock, Arkansas. Tickets go on sale November 19, 2010. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

— According to a report on www.f4wonline.com, newly called-up WWE wrestlers as well as lower-card wrestlers are required to attend a weekly “promo class” directed by Vince McMahon where he instructs them on how to conduct promos. One person noted that the instruction varies from week-to-week as McMahon cannot make up his mind on what he wants.

— The official WWE website is promoting former WWE Superstar Batista’s appearance on NBC’s action-comedy series Chuck this Monday at 8/7 CT.

— The Great Khali was introduced Saturday as a contestant on the reality television show Bigg Boss, which is the Indian version of Big Brother. During an interview with rediff.com, the WWE Superstar explained why he took up the offer to appear on the program.

“I took it up because my wife wanted me to participate in the show,” he said. “Plus, people have always known me as a wrestler or an actor, not as a person. Through this show, I will reach out to my fans and they will know me as I am.”

He also stated he will miss his family while he’s away.

“I will miss my wife; I am so used to her being around. She manages my work and everything. So I will miss her every moment. Plus, my parents and friends, as they have been always there with me,” he said.

John Cena has been the babyface hero of WWE for the better part of a decade, but the possibility of turning Cena heel has been discussed much more seriously than in the past, according to the Pro Wrestling Torch.

Vince McMahon made it clear when the idea was previously broached that it would not even be considered due to the tremendous amount of revenue Cena draws via merchandise. While there doesn’t appear to be any firm plan in place, McMahon has since changed his tune on the subject as he is now open to listening to suggestions.

Meanwhile, this week’s issue of Figure Four Weekly adds that there is ‘strong talk’ of a turning Cena heel come WrestleMania season.

— Vince McMahon has gone back and forth on the time frame for unifying the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Championship, reports the Pro Wrestling Torch. At times he has wanted the unification to take place within 30 days, but company officials have urged him to wait until WrestleMania XXVII.

Many within the company feel they need to place the titles on the proper people and position them strongly in order to make the unification match a major event.

Though McMahon has come off adamant about unifying the titles, no one has ruled out the possibility of the WWE Chairman having a change of heart.

— The WWE website has posted footage of Chris Jericho being “stretchered out of the arena” after last night’s Raw went off the air. To view the video, click here.

— WWE’s creative department has not been spending as much time with Vince McMahon as they have in the past. It is said that a lot of work is being done via e-mail as opposed to actual meetings.

In related news, the majority of the creative writers are said to be pleased that Stephanie McMahon is out on maternity leave.

“It’s one less hurdle,” said a company source. “Plus, Vince isn’t as tense when she’s not around.”

— During last night’s backstage segment with Ted DiBiase and Maryse on Raw, the WWE Diva read a note and stated in French, “La semaine dernière, t’étais à moi,” which in English translates to “Last week, you were mine.” When DiBiase told her to speak n English, she replied, “Next week, you’ll be mine.”

— The pre-sale for the Raw taping taking place December 6 at the KFC YUM! Center in Louisville, Kentucky is MONDAY. The pre-sale begins tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. via Ticketmaster.com.

sources: PWInsider.com, Pro Wrestling Torch

— Cody Rhodes’ lack of major push is said to be attributed to Vince McMahon’s lack of faith in the second generation wrestler.

“Cody Rhodes is capable of a breakout, but Vince McMahon just can’t commit to him,” said a WWE source. “He thinks he overacts.”

— The writing for weekly episodes of NXT is said to be a collaborative effort. While lead Raw writer Ed Koskey heads the show’s creative effort, former Kevin Dunn assistant Jen Bloodsworth has great input in the show’s content.

— SmackDown Superstar Kofi Kingston was given a recent weekend off to get married.

sources: Pro Wrestling Torch, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

— World Wrestling Entertainment’s symbolic Nexus T-shirt has been a huge flop in terms of sales.

According to a company source, Vince McMahon was ‘mortified’ when he was shown the latest merchandising report on Nexus shirts.

— Rookie Diva Kaitlyn was accidentally bloodied at some point during Tuesday’s episode of NXT. Seeing as it was a taped show, WWE managed to edit around it. Post-match, Michelle McCool delivered a very stiff kick to Kaitlyn’s head, although it is believed that she didn’t cause her to bleed.

— A World Heavyweight Championship bout between Kane and The Undertaker was officially announced for Hell in a Cell last night on SmackDown. The match will take place inside the Hell in a Cell.

sources: Pro Wrestling Torch, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

– Vince McMahon celebrates his 65th birthday today. 65 is considered the standard retirement age in the United States.

– The latest twist in the Nexus storyline is that the title match ban for the group’s members has been lifted, as announced by RAW’s General Manager last night. Wade Barrett will compete for the WWE Title in Night of Champions’ Six Pack Challenge. Members of Nexus have actually been getting WWE Tag Team Title shots against The Hart Dynasty at WWE live events over the past few weeks.

– WWE’s first event at the new KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Kentucky will be the Superstars taping and live Monday Night Raw broadcast on December 6, 2010. The event begins at 8:15 p.m. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

– WWE’s debut event at the new CONSOL Energy Center in Pittsburgh, PA will be on December 27th of this year at 7pm. Tickets go on sale September 18th at noon. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

Credit to TheStreet.com for this transcript of Vince McMahon’s address to WWE investors at this week’s conference call..

Click Here for more on WWE’s 2nd Quarter financial results.

Basically, we had a lousy quarter, and I think that it was sort of like a perfect storm, if you would, we had quite a number of negatives as it relates to the Icelandic volcano situation, which our troops were stranded over there for quite some time.

Notwithstanding that, another perfect storm as it relates to talent and intellectual property and the use of them at the end of WrestleMania, the remaining of those really our top talents, some of them retired, which one of them we knew was going to another we did not.

In addition to that there were considerable injuries that booked a number of our performers on the sideline as well, Undertaker, CM Punk, Shawn Michaels retired, Batista, unexpectedly, took a hiatus, Triple H injured. These are some of the stalwarts that we rely on.

These are some of the star, which that we are relying on to for pay-per-view numbers, rely on for live events, and that’s really my major barometer in terms of where the business is going. All live events is for those pay-per-view numbers, because the pay-per-view is no different than really a live event that’s simply televised.

So, those two are numbers that were indicative of the lousy quarter in terms of pay-per-view and the lack of attendance, but all of that of course relates to WWE not giving the public the performance in terms of attraction that they want to see.

And again, that’s because of the perfect storm-type situation that we’ve never had in the business in terms of all of these talents leaving and injured all at the same time.

We did have a couple of strengths in terms of home video somewhat up. Our tour launch with Mattel, and Mattel as a partner is tremendous and we will continue to have very positive impacts.

(credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

-WWE’s marketing deparment was told a few weeks ago that Vince McMahon does not want any usage of things related to the image of Shawn Michaels. Those close to Michaels say he is mentally done with wrestling and, in his mind right now, he will never come back in ANY form. Not sure what happened, but Michaels was quite vocal many weeks back about his displeasure with his former student, Daniel Bryan, being released by the company.

-Bret Hart will be married to girlfriend Stephanie Washington this Saturday in Calgary. He was scheduled to go to Hawaii on his honeymoon, so unless plans have changed, he will likely not be on Raw this Monday.

Here’s a Solomonster Special, exclusively for the visitors of SEScoops.com!

As you may know, Vince McMahon recently decreed that he wanted most of WWE’s main event talent to join the world of Twitter. Of course, he failed to include himself in that declaration. But imagine for a moment what it might be like if Mr. McMahon himself did, in fact, join the world’s most popular microblogging service. I imagine it would look a little something like this (in reverse chronological order):

Got feedback? thesolomonster@gmail.com

— While Vince McMahon informed Bryan Danielson he was being let go from World Wrestling Entertainment due to choking ring announcer Justin Roberts with a tie, some within the company believe spitting on John Cena was the real reason for his release. McMahon hates spitting and has banned it in WWE’s rings for the past several years. In addition to spitting, McMahon greatly dislikes people smoking cigarettes and sneezing as it’s been noted that if someone near him sneezes, he will lash out at the guilty part for it. On another note, it’s said to be guaranteed that Danielson didn’t spit on Cena without clearing it with him ahead of time. (source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

— Promoting WWE’s Saturday’s live event in Youngstown, Ohio, the Youngstown Vindicator conducted an interview with Evan Bourne. The high-flying wrestler was asked what the hardest part of transitioning from the independents to WWE was, commenting: “There was a huge learning curve understanding the scale of the company. It’s so massive and such a well-oiled machine. From a managerial standpoint, it’s run with an efficiency. I’’ve been around a lot of wrestling, and it used to be not as corporate as it is now, but the WWE is just jaw-dropping. I went to business school, and for me finding out how they operate from the business standpoint has almost been as intriguing as all of the wrestling skills I’ve acquired.”

The interview can be read here.

(partial source: www.f4wonline.com)