-WWE Hall Of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler will be the next guest on the “Steve Austin Show” podcast. The latest edition of the show, which features Shane “Hurricane” Helms and was released today, can be accessed online at PodcastOne.com.
-WWE Superstar William Regal will be holding “An Audience With A Wrestling Villain 2” on Monday, November 11th at The Frog & Bucket Comedy Club on Oldham Street in Manchester at 11:00PM. For more information, visit Facebook.com/ErosComedy.
-30 Rock star Judah Friedlander has signed on to pen the introduction to the Headlocked comic book, which features contributions from pro wrestling stars such as Jerry “The King” Lawler, Rob Van Dam, Shane “Hurricane” Helms, Ken Anderson, Christopher Daniels, Beth Phoenix and others. For more information, visit Kickstarter.com.
-According to one source, WWE is said to have interest in signing New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Prince Devitt. The company has apparently had interest in Devitt for a while, as William Regal brought a tape of a Devitt vs. Pac match to Triple H, which resulted in Pac getting a job (he’s now known as Adrian Neville). WWE has apparently wanted to sign Devitt ever since, and his name keeps coming up in meetings when the company discusses bringing in new talent.
-WWE Hall Of Fame Sgt. Slaughter celebrates his 65th birthday today. Slaughter was born on August 27, 1948. Also celebrating birthdays today is current WWE Superstar The Great Khali (41) and former WWE Diva Jazz (40).
-Celebrity-gossip website TMZ has picked up the story of John Cena undergoing elbow surgery, which as noted, will likely keep Cena on the shelf for at least the remainder of 2013. Nothing really new to report from the article, but you can check it out if you’d like at TMZ.com.
-WWE Superstar William Regal recently took the time to post a congratulatory message to Daniel Bryan on his official Twitter account. Regal wrote:
“I’m going to get soppy for a moment. People keep asking me if I was proud of D Bryan on Sunday. As incredibly proud as I was of him I was equally as proud after the first week I trained with him in 2000. I know he looks up to me but I equally look up to him. Top man.”
– With CM Punk returning to WWE this weekend at Sunday’s Payback pay-per-view, there has been a lot of buzz that he’ll be turning babyface soon. Punk has a little over one year left on his current WWE contract and in the event that Punk wants to take extended time off at that point, WWE wants to get another big babyface run out of him.
– Triple H did some Q&A with fans on Twitter on Saturday morning and said that he would “love” to wrestle his Attitude Era rival The Rock one more time.
– William Regal tweeted the following message on Friday night, referencing his past issues with substance abuse and noting that he remains humble, possibly referencing that other wrestlers don’t:
I've had rather a fondness for a few of the wrong things in life but I'm glad buying into my own B.S is not one of them.#letsretweetimgreat.
– The official website of the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, is no longer advertising Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for the February 25 Raw show.
– Former WCW wrestler Dave Taylor underwent hip replacement surgery last week, his former tag team partner, William Regal, has revealed.
“Just spoke to my old moaning tag partner Dave Taylor. He had a hip replacement 3 days ago and he’s up and walking about with no aid. He’s a machine,” Regal wrote Saturday.
– Friday’s episode of WWE Vintage Collection featured just one match: the 2000 Royal Rumble match.
– Jerry “The King” Lawler appears at USA Championship Wrestling’s “A Tribute Fit For A King” event on March 9, 2013 at the Crestview Middle School in Covington, Tennessee. Bell time is 7:30 p.m.
– William Regal stated on Twitter that he has been receiving death threats, with two teenagers also accusing him of child abuse.
“Faceless keyboard warriors are divs but how do you describe someone who puts a profile pic on his account and then gives you abuse. Bless, Regal wrote.
He continued, “I’m used to abuse and death threats but that has to be stopped.”
– WWE has released the following video promoting “Cena Saturday” this Saturday on Vortexx on the CW, starting at 8:30 a.m.
– Christian is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
WWE Superstars Wade Barrett and William Regal spoke to DigitalSpy.com to promote WWE’s ongoing UK tour. Here are some highlights of what they said about:
Is it harder to get the big chances and big title bouts as an Englishman?
Regal: “I don’t think it’s any harder than for anyone else once you get yourself over there. Getting over there is the hard thing. If you’ve got the talent it’ll shine through. I went over there when there was no-one there. It was difficult. But I think it helps if anything, just to be English, just to be a bit different. It definitely helped me. I was the only English character at the time. Obviously there was the Bulldog, but he was his own entity – he was a completely different thing away from what I was doing. It gave me a bit of a boost really.”
Barrett: “I think increasingly WWE is a global company – as much as they can they want to push out into new markets like Europe. I think it’s definitely been a help in a sense that I’m English. But again it’s ultimately down to talent. Being English helped me get a foot in the door, but ultimately it’s down to my talent and hard work in trying to get to that top level.”
What would you love to do or see at WrestleMania XXX in 2014?
Barrett: “Personally I’d love to be in one of the title matches. Obviously we’ve got two main titles in WWE – the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Title. We’ve never had an English winner of those. In my opinion we should have had the British Bulldog as World Champion. Mr Regal next to me should have been a World Champion. It has never quite never happened for Mr Regal yet, although it still could.”
Regal: “Don’t hold your breath.”
Barrett: “I’d love to be the first English World Champion. When you look at the history of English professional wrestling and all the things that have gone on in the past, going back decades, it’s incredible we’ve never had a recognized World Champion here. I think that needs to change and obviously I’d love to be the first one.”
Regal: “I’m just happy being there at WrestleMania. I’ve never had a big role at any WrestleMania, but I’ve been at 11-odd. Just to be there is special. The week beforehand and all the promotions and stuff. I don’t really think about the big events, being in them any more. I’m 44, so it’s my autumn years of my career, so I’m just happy to be there to be honest. What I’d like to see? It’d be nice to see Wade and Sheamus in a main event. It’d be nice to see Daniel Bryan in a main event, just because of the time I’ve spent with him in the last 12 years.”
What is it that people have always loved about the WWE?
Regal: “People from the beginning of time have always loved to watch two people in competition with each other. You go back to the gladiatorial shows, there’s just something about it. You can go into a village in the world where they’ve never seen wrestlers, two young boys will be rolling around in headlocks. It’s just a natural thing to do and to watch and that basically captures people’s imaginations. A lot of the time they can’t do it themselves but they like to see other people doing it. If it’s packaged in the right way they’ll come to watch… there’s just something about the whole spectacle.”
Barrett: “For me personally, when I was 10 years old, I remember watching it and just being attracted to the fact that these were real-life cartoon characters. It sounds a bit of a cliché to say it. I think it was only when I was about 19 years old when I read a book by Mick Foley, his first book Have a Nice Day, and it kind of deconstructed the whole story of pro-wrestling to me – what happens behind the scenes.
“It was only at that age that it kind of clicked for me that these were real-life human beings who grew up with regular families, who came up and decided they wanted to do that. That was really the trigger for me to decide that I wanted to do that too. When I was a kid it was just like watching a real-life cartoon with these crazy characters and that’s what drew me in at first. The longer I stuck with it the more aspects of it I discovered and the more I liked, and I ended up here.”
– Following his fourth straight loss to Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston on Tuesday’s SuperSmackDown LIVE, The Miz explains on “Backstage Fallout” why he is upset with vocal WWE fans. Plus, William Regal makes a vow after making his in-ring return.
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson revealed that he was a fan of Ultimate Warrior growing up.
Joey Styles tweeted Johnson on WWE.com’s article on the fifteen greatest Superstar entrances and “The Great One” responded, “Honored to be on it. Wrestlemania 6: My fav Warrior entrance of all time. #OnFire.”
– The late “Ravishing” Rick Rude is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– WWE Champion CM Punk celebrates his birthday Friday as he turns 34-years-old. He was born Phillip Jack Brooks on October 26, 1978 in Chicago, Illinois.
Also celebrating birthdays Friday are Kevin Sullivan (63), Austin Idol (63), Kurrgan (43), TAKA Michinoku (39) and Rochelle Loewen (33).
– The comedy stylings of William Regal, “An Audience With A Wrestling Villain,” will take place Nov. 7 at the Glee Club in Birmingham, England. Tickets go on-sale Friday at 10:30 a.m. GMT, are priced at £18.60. Included is a post-show meet and greet with a photo-op and one brought item signed. (Event Information)
– During a SportsCenter broadcast on ESPN Thursday, anchor and wrestling enthusiast Robert Flores referenced WWE Hall of Famer Iron Sheik. While discussing ESPN’s “Greatest Athlete Of All Time” tournament, Robert Flores said if the legendary wrestler doesn’t make the final eight, he’s “gonna hit somebody.”
– The official WWE website has published an article highlighting eight past and present WWE Superstars “who weren’t supposed to make it.”
“Then there is another breed of WWE Superstar, altogether. These are the Superstars for whom WWE glory was anything but a given. For a variety of reasons — ranging from health setbacks to unfair stigmas — these Superstars were, at one point or another, cast aside and written off “unlikely,” writer John Clapp states. “Determined to prove themselves, these underdogs and overachievers refused to quit, no matter what the naysayers said. They all have unique stories, and the trajectories of their careers are far from ordinary. These are the Superstars who shouldn’t have made it.”
Those listed include Daniel Bryan, Tommy Dreamer, The Miz, Mikey Whipwreck, William Regal, Zach Gowen, Steve Blackman and Mick Foley.
– As seen on Raw tonight, Dolph Ziggler debuted a T-Shirt that reads “Stealing The Show.” The shirt is available on WWEShop.com, and also comes in Youth and Women’s styles.
– SmackDown ring announcer Lilian Garcia performed the national anthem prior to Sunday’s New York Jets game at MetLife Stadium. The Diva also gave a halftime show in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Day. WireImage.com has published photos of her appearance.
– Several readers have sent in word that with WWE’s new deal with the Hulu Plus subscription service, WWE has pulled its programming that was previously viewable for free on the standard (free) Hulu service.
– WWE NXT Superstar Bray Wyatt has changed his Twitter handle to @WWEBrayWyatt.
– WWE recently released NXT commentator Chris Russo (no relation to Vince Russo).
– William Regal’s former tag team partner, UK wrestling legend Robbie Brookeside, will be joining him in Tampa, Florida this week to evaluate talent at WWE developmental. Regal tweeted:
Very much looking forward to the weekend in Tampa.Get to check out some talented prospects for NXT and get to hang out with my best friend
– On Raw Monday, Mick Foley confronted CM Punk over what he believes to be an unsettling transformation in the WWE Champion under the guidance of Paul Heyman. The Hardcore Legend weighed in on their confrontation the day after on Twitter.
“The feedback from last night’s encounter on #RAW with @CMPunk has been just incredible. Thanks to all of you for your tweets. I honestly didn’t know if I could deliver at that level anymore,” he wrote.
William Regal praised the segment, tweeting, “As an #Oldpro it was a real treat tonight to watch the @realMickFoley and @CMPunk verbal confrontation. That’s why I’m proud of Pro wrestling.”
– The Sept. 21 episode of WWE SmackDown on Syfy garnered a 1.95 cable rating, down slightly from 1.96 the week before. Viewership was actually higher, with the program averaging 2.861 million viewers compared to 2.691 million viewers the prior week.
– Kelly Kelly, who has not appeared for WWE since SummerSlam. noted on Twitter that she is participating in a photo shoot today. She is scheduled to return to the road for WWE’s annual November tour of Europe.
– William Regal has dismissed online reports attributed to F4WOnline.com claiming that he said WWE was searching for “ROH style” wrestlers while evaluating five prospects at this week’s television events in Canada.
He wrote on Twitter, “Someone has just tweeted me about something that I’m supposed to have said over the last two days while spending time and giving invaluable advise to wrestlers who come to be looked at by the WWE. I know I’m old and my standards are different to most but it really sickens me that someone out of the five people I saw this week would do that. Whats more appalling to me is that I never actually said what was quoted and so it shows that they weren’t even listening. Such a shame.”
Regal was also asked whether he is retired from the squared circle since he now works behind-the-scenes. He responded, “I do bits of it all.”
– The October 2012 issue of MuscleMag features a profile on Ezekiel Jackson’s workout routine. Enclosing a photo of the article, the SmackDown Superstar tweeted, “Article in the Oct issue of Musclemag. the first fitness mag I bought in 1992 that has helped me.”
– The official WWE website has publishedWWE Magazine exclusive photos of Natalya.
– The official WWE website released a statement Wednesday afternoon confirming reports on Jerry “The King” Lawler’s condition following his heart attack during Monday’s live Raw broadcast.
The statement reads, “As of Wednesday afternoon, Sept. 12, 2012, Jerry “The King” Lawler remains in a cardiac care unit in Montreal. His vital signs continue to be stable. He is awake, recognizes family members and is communicating with them. We continue to wish Jerry all the best for a full recovery.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Edge attended Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Ottawa, Canada, because his protégé, Leah Von Dutch, participated in a private tryout before company officials.
Last September, Edge held the first ever “Edgucational” Essay Scholarship Contest. The most decorated Superstar in WWE history created this contest because as a teenager, he entered a professional wrestling essay writing contest for a major Toronto newspaper and was the winner. Edge’s prize was for the winner to receive free professional wrestling lessons, and the contest was won by Von Dutch.
Four other wrestlers received tryouts. William Regal, who helped coordinate the evaluation session, stressed that WWE is now scouring for “ROH style” wrestlers.
– WWE will honor Hall of Famer Pat Patterson at the Sept. 10 Raw taking place at the Bell Centre in Montreal, QC. The event is being locally advertised as “Pat Patterson Appreciation Night.” The legendary grappler is a Montreal native.
– SmackDown Superstar William Regal noted on Twitter that he was interviewed by Colt Cabana for his Art of Wrestling podcast (available at WeLoveColt.com and on iTunes): “I finally got to do @ColtCababa pod thingy the other day.Had a great time talking British Wrestling.Looks like we will be doing part 2 soon.”
– WWE announcer Scott Stanford celebrates his birthday Thursday. The year of his birth is publicly unknown.
– Shinsuke Nakamura of New Japan Pro Wrestling threw out the ceremonial first pitch at Monday’s Texas Rangers game at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. Former WWE Superstars MVP and Shelton Benjamin, who also compete for the Japanese promotion, attended the game too.
– William Regal, who does commentary at NXT, tweeted the following about Thursday night’s the dark match main event featuring CM Punk & Dean Ambrose vs. Antonio Cesaro and Kassius Ohno:
Very proud to be apart of @WWENXT tonight.I'm hoping the dark match is at least put on YouTube (hint,hint)as it was as important ……
JR also noted that NXT will “likely someday” revive the now-defunct FCW Divas title. The most recent champion, Caylee Turner, was released from her developmental contract this summer.
WWE announced late Wednesday night via Twitter that Tyler Reks has been released from his contract with the organization.
“WWE has come to terms on the release of Gabe Tufts (Tyler Reks) as of Tuesday, Aug. 21. We wish Gabe all the best in his future endeavors,” the message reads, which was made through an iPad.
Reks, whose real name is actually Gabe Tuft, cited his desire to spend time with his family in a message posted on Facebook and Twitter. He wrote, “I realized recently that being a Superstar means sacrificing certain things, including time with my family. As a new father, my heart broke every time I had to leave to go on the road. I didn’t ever want to miss another moment with my daughter, so I made the decision to be a full time dad and hang up my boots.”
SmackDown Superstar William Regal, who feuded with Reks earlier this year on NXT, commented on his release via Twitter: “I was told that Tyler Reks has finished with WWE.Talented lad who was a gentleman.I admire his unselfish gesture for his family.Good man.”
Raw Superstar JTG also posted his first tweet since his controversial diatribe two weeks ago, writing, “The locker room will miss you bro.”
– WWE wrestler and William Regal will be appearing at Mick Foley’s live comedy show in Los Angeles on Sunday night after SummerSlam. Regal tweeted Thursday night that he’ll participate in a Q&A session at the event, which takes place from the Hollywood Improv. Other WWE personalities, including Jim Ross, will be in attendance.
– Earlier this week, the developmental diva Caylee Turner’s profile page was removed from the FCW/NXT website, leading to speculation that she had been released. PWInsider.com is now confirming that Turner, real name Christina Crawford, was indeed let go from WWE this week.
Turner is the younger sister of WWE Diva Alicia Fox and was the reigning FCW Divas champion. She was signed to a developmental deal back in June 2010 and appeared on the latest season of Tough Enough on the USA Network.
– Once a promising talent in WWE’s midcard scene, Alex Riley’s role in the company has been greatly curtailed since last year. According to PWInsider.com, the Raw Superstar is in the doghouse stemming from a hostile backstage encounter with John Cena.
Cena was reportedly poking fun at Riley in front of their wrestler peers, and in response, the Raw talent angrily reacted to Cena’s “rib”—a violation of the unspoken rules of the WWE locker room. Though Riley’s exact actions are not known at this time, his unfavorable reaction to WWE’s premiere star was not considered a good move.
“A-RY” was asked to weigh in on the matter via Twitter and responded “I’d rather not comment about this… At this time.”
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson congratulated WWE via Twitter on their milestone 1,000th episode of Raw: “Congratulations @WWE for an historic & monumental night of television: 1000th episode of RAW. Honored to perform on it.”
– William Regal stated on Twitter that he will be on hand for tonight’s WWE NXT taping at Full Sail University.
– Kelly Kelly returns to WWE this week after being granted time off the road in late May.
She tweeted Sunday, “On the road again. Can’t wait to see everyone at the #raw1000.”
Kelly, who had been on the road on a weekly basis since joining WWE in 2006, was reportedly granted a break to spend time with her family and boyfriend. She last competed on television on the May 21 Raw SuperShow, losing to Beth Phoenix.
– WWE and Party City hosted a pizza party for Make-A-Wish kids on July 15 before Money in the Bank in Phoenix, Arizona. At the Party City celebration, Alex Riley, William Regal and Tyson Kidd met Dylan, Max and Joshua, who are all WWE Circle of Champions honorees from Make-A-Wish. Party City will host a donation drive in stores where WWE fans can donate $1 to Make-A-Wish through Aug. 18. (Article)’
– Former WWE Superstars John Morrison and Melina appear at the Steel City Con this Saturday and Sunday. The event is being held at the Monroeville Convention Center in Monroeville, Pennsylvania.
– WWE has released this week’s episode of “Santino’s Foreign Exchange.” Here is the synopsis: “Santino Marella is up to his old tricks. What’s on his scheming mind now? Plus, William Regal returns to “Santino’s Foreign Exchange.” Subscribe to see the clips that didn’t make it in the original interview, only on WWE on YouTube!”
– WWE developmental wrestler Roman Leakee competed at Friday’s Raw live event in Jackson, Mississippi. He interrupted Curt Hawkins’ heelish spiel and promptly defeated him.
Leakee is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Sika of “The Wild Samoans” and brother of former WWE Superstar Rosey. A former defensive standout for the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets and a Team captain, Leakee was also a first team All ACC selection at defensive tackle.
– There was a rope break at Friday’s Raw live event in Jackson, Mississippi during the United States Championship Match between Santino Marella and The Miz. Eight minutes into the ten minute match, Marella hit the ropes, causing the the top rope to collapse.
– John Cena is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com.
– At Thursday night’s final FCW TV tapings, the highly anticipated rematch between Dean Ambrose and William ended in a no contest due to referee stoppage. During the match, Ambrose caused Regal to bleed from the head and the officials stopped the match.
Ambrose flipped out and attacked the referees and wrestlers who came into help Regal. He then applied Regal’s Regal Stretch hold on him. When Regal finally got free, he applauded Ambrose, who proceeded to knock him out with his Knee Trembler move.
Also at the tapings, Vickie Guerrero’s daughter Raquel Diaz cut a promo. She has a totally new look, sporting bleach blonde hair and crazy makeup.
– The official match listing for the upcoming WWE: Best of Falls Count Anywhere Matches DVD and Blu-Ray set has been released. You can view the complete match listing, as well as pre-order the product, at Amazon.com.
Hosted by Mick Foley, the collection will feature matches spanning 30 years from WWE, NWA, WCW, & ECW and will be released on 6/26.
– WWE Champion CM Punk thinks he might be cursed, because the last three men he wrestled at WrestleMania are currently suspended. Punk tweeted:
“My last three Wrestlemania opponents are currently suspended. I’m a curse!”
– WWE Studios and Lionsgate are moving forward with the reboot of 1993 horror movie The Leprechaun. Veteran writer Harris Wilkinson has been tapped to write the script, according to movie site Deadline.com.
– The final FCW television tapings on June 7th from the FCW Arena in Tampa will feature a highly anticipated rematch between Dean Ambrose and William Regal. Since their first encounter on November 6th, both men have been teasing a rematch, with Ambrose using Regal’s moves (the Knee Trembler and Regal Stretch) in his matches.
– On Monday’s RAW, WWE Champion CM Punk had an awkward backstage exchange with WWE diva AJ. Punk told AJ that he “sort of digs” crazy chicks. AJ has since replied, tweeting:
“I sort of dig guys that sort of dig crazy chicks.”
– Chris Jericho and William Regal have resumed their ongoing exchange of insults on Twitter. When asked by a fan who would win in a technical match between him and Chris Jericho, Regal replied:
“Someone would have to teach him a proper hold before he could enter.”
Jericho followed up with:
“Is this the guy who used to be on Raw 5 years ago? Not sure I remember who you are…”
Regal got in the last word and ended with:
“You know,I’m the one who copied you and wore a 3 piece suit and talked intelligently and menacing.”
Regal also commented on WWE’s new “Top 50 WCW Superstars” list, where he ranked at #35 (behind Jericho, at #27):
“Whoever put together the top 50 WCW superstars on WWE.com needs a kick up the selection box.”