– Hulk Hogan will be doing a meet-and-greet with fans at the Tristar Sports Memorabilia in the Miracle Mile Shops at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas, Nevada on Friday, December 20th and Saturday, December 21st. For more information, visit Facebook.com/tristarvegas.
– WWE trainer Bill DeMott recently posted the following tweet on his official Twitter account regarding a three-day tryout at the WWE Performance Center beginning on Thursday:
– WWE Hall Of Famer Terry Funk recently worked at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida as a special guest instructor.
– According to one source, the reason WWE Diva Eva Marie was smiling and laughing on her way to the back after being eliminated during her match at the WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view was because she was told to.
Apparently WWE teaches their talents that if they are on the babyface side, when they leave the ring after losing a match, they should still smile and engage the fans and play their character as opposed to selling the fact that they just lost a match.
Total Divas Star Eva Marie’s New Magazine Photo Shoot (PHOTOS)
According to various reports, former NWA Champion Adam Pearce is scheduled to appear at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida this coming week to serve as a special guest trainer.
Pearce spoke about the gig in a recent message posted on his official Twitter account. Pearce tweeted:
– Independent pro wrestling star Colt Cabana was at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida again this week for another tryout with WWE.
– Talks between New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW) star Prince Devitt and WWE at this point are said to be informal. As of right now, Devitt has yet to receive a legitimate financial offer from the company and has apparently been telling people that he’s expecting to continue working in Japan in 2014. While Devitt’s official NJPW contract expires on January 31st, most expect him to stay with the promotion.
– It was announced on this week’s edition of WWE RAW that on next week’s post-Survivor Series edition of RAW, the special guest host will be former NFL star and talk-show host Michael Strahan.
– Former top Ring Of Honor stars Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards reported to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida today for a week-long tryout. Their tryout could be stage one of the two receiving a short-term deal that would send them to WWE developmental for a few months.
– The Divas currently working in the WWE developmental system are apparently being treated to a wealth of knowledge from Mickie James, who as previously reported has been working at the WWE Performance Center as a guest trainer this week.
WWE NXT Diva Paige posted a new tweet on her official Twitter account putting over the work James has been doing with the students throughout the week. Paige tweeted the following:
– WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley, along with current WWE Superstar Sheamus and current WWE Diva and Total Divas star Eva Marie recently appeared together as WWE representatives at a USO event in Washington, D.C. this past Wednesday evening. Below is a photo of the three together at the event:
– The following are the WWE tour dates and locations for the company’s U.K. tour in May of 2014:
May 14th – Glasgow – SSE Hydro
May 15th – Newcastle – Metro Radio Arena
May 16th – Leeds – First Direct Arena
May 17th – Nottingham – Capital FM Arena
May 18th – Cardiff – Motorpoint Arena
May 19th – London – The O2 (RAW taping)
May 20th – Sheffield – Motorpoint Arena
May 20th – London – The O2 (SmackDown taping)
– Former WWE Diva Mickie James was at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida on Monday working as a guest trainer for the WWE Divas currently under developmental deals with the company. Mickie tweeted the following:
Lovely to meet you too sweetie! @DevinTaylorWWE & all I can say is the @WWEPerformCtr blew me away! You guys & gals got it made! Amazing!
-As noted, Brandi Runnels, the real-life wife of WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes, is returning to the company and officially reported to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida this past Monday. Runnels, who will go under the name Brandi Rhodes during this run with the company, is said to be on the “fast-track” to debuting on the main roster.
-WWE executive Gerald Brisco was recently recruiting and scouting talent at the National All-Star collegiate wrestling meet. There is no specific word on who, if anyone, Brisco signed, however he is a trusted eye when it comes to finding amateur wrestlers that would likely make a smooth transition into pro wrestling.
– Chas Betts, who was a member of the United States Olympic team in Greco-Roman wrestling in 2012, has signed a contract with WWE. Betts officially begins his formal WWE training on Monday at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
-Brandi Runnels, the real-life wife of one-half of the current WWE Tag-Team Champions, Cody Rhodes, officially starts with WWE on Monday.
Photos From Cody & Brandi’s Wedding Last Month
Runnels, who was previously with WWE as “Eden Stiles” before ultimately quitting, will also report to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida on Monday. Runnels will be working under the name “Brandi Rhodes” on her new run with the company.
-Both Vince McMahon and WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels visited the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida on Monday. According to reports, McMahon and HBK did not interact or speak with any of the developmental talent.
-Friday’s WWE Hell In A Cell “go-home” edition of SmackDown averaged 2.681 million viewers, which was an increase from the 2.640 million viewers that the show averaged the previous week.
– Three-time Pro Bowl and All-Pro selection Shawne Merriman is looking to enter the world of professional wrestling after retiring from the National Football League in March at the age of 28. He participated in a multi-day tryout this week at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, and according to sources within the sports-entertainment organization, has not been offered any deal, much less signed to a contract.
Merriman was a first-round pick in 2005 by the San Diego Chargers and named the Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 10 sacks. In 2006, he served a four-game suspension for violating the league’s steroid policy, and still finished the season with 17 sacks.
The once promising pass rusher was never able to match the production of the early years of his career. After totaling 39.5 sacks in his first three seasons while making the Pro Bowl each year, he managed just six sacks from 2008 through 2012. He was looking to revitalize his career as recently as July, as he went on Twitter to make a plea for the Atlanta Falcons to sign him.
– This week’s edition of The JBL & Cole Show features a Halloween theme as The Bella Twins terrorize Hornswoggle, Renee Young gets possessed, Paul Heyman cackles and more.
In addition to Leah Van Dale, the former New England Patriots and Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader and daughter of former WWE wrestler Paul Van Dale, signing a developmental deal with WWE as we reported earlier today, WWE has also signed Dylan Mile.
Mile is a 25-year-old wrestler from Colorado who recently participated in a tryout at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Mile is 6’3” and 285 pounds. Apparently Mile impressed WWE trainers with his agility, including an impressive 37-inch vertical leap.
The signing of Dale and Mile brings up the question as to what is going to happen with Joey Ryan, Eddie Edwards and Davey Richards, all of whom recently participated in a WWE tryout at the Performance Center as well. The latter two are former Ring Of Honor World Champions, neither of which are contractually obligated to the promotion. This would allow both guys to be signed by WWE if the company had interest in them. With WWE signing the aforementioned two talents, one wonders if they have any interest in the former ROH stars.
-WWE has signed the daughter of former pro wrestler Paul Van Dale, Leah Van Damme (Leah Van Dale). Van Dale is a former New England Patriots and Los Angeles Lakers cheerleader. Dale tweeted about being at the WWE Performance Center, writing:
“So pumped to be at the @WWEPerformCtr today! Ready to learn! #wwe #nxt #diva”
-According to reports, there are plans to break up the tag-team of The Real Americans. Apparently WWE feels the “giant swing move” that Antonio Cesaro has been doing lately is a big babyface spot in matches, so they are likely going to be turning Cesaro babyface in the near future.
-The latest Mark Trail comic strip, which was released today, featured a character named Dusty Rhodes.
-WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio posted the following on his official Twitter account today, revealing that he is currently training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida:
SESCOOPS.COM reader Kevinadman sent along the following:
TV Wrestling Star Kevin Nash At Brick Elks Lodge This Sat. 10/5
He’s a former WWE & WCW World Heavyweight Champion… a member of some of the biggest groups in pro wrestling such as The New World Order and The Clique… set a record for the fastest World Heavyweight Title victory (seven seconds)… he’s the seven-foot “Big Sexy” Kevin Nash, and he will make his first ever Jersey Shore appearance for popular pro wrestling promotion Funkdafied Wrestling Federation this Saturday night October 5th at 7:35pm when FWF returns to their favorite Jersey Shore venue, the Brick, NJ Elks Lodge (2491 Hooper Avenue, just south of Route 70 and the Brick Plaza, minutes from the Parkway).
Plus this show will feature an FWF Heavyweight Championship match made at the last Ocean County show, as “Bounty Hunter” Johnny Ringo will finally get the opportunity he demanded, as he will face popular champion The Atomic Dog. And in another championship match coming out of the last Ocean County show, the veteran duo of Right To Party (Mike Dennis & “The Love Machine” Nicky Oceans) will once again challenge FWF Tag-Team Champions The 2 Rude Dudes (“Corrupted” Corey Havoc & “Rampage” Rogers).
There will also be appearances by FWF Cruiserweight Champion Fast Eddie, Team R.I.O.T. (Big Jeff Noyze & Vinny Cenzo), T.N.T, Lightning Bolt Johnson, “Mr. Entertainment” J.D. Smoothie, Slayer, “The White Urkel” B. Fehrm, Jersey Shore lunatic Slayer, “Ice-Fire” Steve Zapf, “Big 80’s” Donnie Victory, managers Captain Johnny Kool and Savannah, and more.
Tickets are priced at only $21 for adults and $19 for kids & seniors, and are available on-line at www.funkdafiedwrestling.com or by calling the FWF Box Office at (732) 725-1704
All major charge cards are accepted, and group rates are available. Remaining seats, if any, will go on sale at the door one hour before bell time.
The following are highlights from a recent interview with WWE Hall Of Famer Booker T:
On WrestleMania compared to other events: “WrestleMania is the biggest deal of them all [major sporting events.] I mean its the spectacle of a lifetime. If you ever have the chance to be a part of it. I mean you guys got to experience the SuperBowl and now you’re going to be able to experience WrestleMania. It’s going to be awesome. Compared [to the SuperBowl] as far as what’s the biggest. Let me tell you WrestleMania is the biggest spectacle that I’ve ever seen and been a part of.”
On the new WWE Performance Center: “I haven’t had a chance to get there as often as I need to. I have my own facility in Houston. I’m trying to filter the wrestling business. You know, more and more students are trying to get it from all different perspectives. But I’ll tell you the training center is something that we’ve needed for quite some time just so the avid fan always wonders ‘How do I get into this business?’ And for us to promote it! Now, we have our own form of something that you can come down and be a part of, try to get into this business. You know there are a lot of kids out there that I feel like we might be losing. We need to advertise a little more and show these guys that you can have a great career in professional wrestling, and the longevity is great as well.”
On The Ultimate Warrior in the WWE Hall Of Fame: “Everybody’s wondering if the Ultimate Warrior is going to go in [the Hall of Fame,] that’s one thing… Ultimate Warrior is probably the one guy that people have been wondering for many, many years, just like Bruno Sammartino. It would be great to take his place in immortality. He deserves it. Hew was great for what he did for the time in wrestling… Back in the day, those guys really were trailblazers, they were one of the reasons that I wanted to be one of those guys.”
On his prediction for the WrestleMania 40 main event: “Dean Ambrose versus Dolph Ziggler.”
As previously reported, former WWE Diva Michelle McCool, along with The Undertaker, were recently working out at the new WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. According to one source, McCool looked to be in great shape, so much so that many felt she looked better than when she was actually wrestling actively in WWE.
Reports claim McCool was in serious discussions about a year ago with WWE regarding a comeback. The feeling from her side is that now would be a good time to return because she could make it back on television in time to set up a program that would lead to a big payoff at WrestleMania XXX in 2014.
-WWE NXT Divas Paige and Summer Rae recently commented on Twitter about The Undertaker and Michelle McCool being at the WWE Performance Center this week. Below are their comments:
Paige:
“Feel so lucky to be at the @WWEPerformCtr we get awesome guests like @McCoolMichelleL who took the time to help us so much!!! Thanks again!!”
Summer Rae:
“The #NXT divas were SO busy last night at the tv tapings! Things are heating up down there. If you’re not watching then you’re MISSING out! And wow, wow! What a privilege to have @McCoolMichelleL & #TheUndertaker stop by the #NXT tv tapings! Thank you for taking time! #rolemodel”
-Speaking of Twitter, the new Los Matadores duo continue to hype their forthcoming WWE television debut. Their latest tweet reads:
“The day is getting closer…… Los matadores are making their way to the new world!!! #SmackDown #WWEOlé @WWE”
-As previously noted, former WWE Diva Michelle McCool was training at the WWE Performance Center this week. According to a source who works tat the Performance Center, WWE legend The Undertaker was also there this week, working out at the state-of-the-art facility.
-There is currently a pre-sale for tickets to the WWE RAW show on October 28th in Orlando, Florida at Ticketmaster.com. The pre-sale password for tickets is: WJRR.
-Apparently WWE Hall Of Famer Bruno Sammartino will be doing some stuff with WWE this weekend, as he will be in town, as previously reported, for the Feast Of San Gennaro.
-As noted, the E! cable channel picked up additional episodes of the WWE Total Divas reality show. Those episodes will begin airing as part of the extended season one on November 17th. It should be noted that the new episodes beginning on 11/17 will air one hour earlier, at 9:00pm ET, instead of the current 10:00pm ET timeslot.
-The following are some recent WWE attendance figures:
–September 6th in Montreal drew 6,000 fans for $300,000
–September 7th in East Rutherford, NJ drew 7,700 fans for $360,000
–September 7th in Windsor drew 3,300 fans for $130,000
–September 8th in Brooklyn drew 7,000 fans for $380,000
–September 8th in Hamilton drew 3,600 fans for $130,000
-Former WWE Diva Michelle McCool recently tweeted about her work at the WWE Performance Center. McCool wrote:
“Still in awe of @WWEPerformCtr …thinking about how bright the future is for the divas! #talentknockingatthedoor Thank y’all for having me!”
-WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley recently posted a blog on his official Facebook page where he shared his thoughts on the Goldust vs. Randy Orton match from Monday’s Night Of Champions “go-home” edition of WWE RAW in Toronto.
Foley wrote:
“Like many of you, I have found myself completely caught up in the trials and tribulations of the Rhodes family. From Cody’s heartfelt exit from WWE, to older brother Dustin’s ability to turn back the hands of time to participate in an outstanding, emotional match with Randy Orton, to the bitter disappointment displayed with his agonizingly painful post-match walk down the hallway: this Rhodes family saga has quickly catapulted from mid-card curiosity to must-see real life drama. Congratulations to everyone involved in making this scenario so captivating.”
-As noted previously, the daughter of Eddie and Vickie Guerrero, Shaul Guerrero, is training at the WWE Performance Center for a return to the ring. Shaul recently brought back her old Raquel Diaz character to NXT and Twitter.
Diaz wrote:
“Hello Raquetts! Thanks so much for all the love and support. Lets just say I’m coming back ULTRA fab, ULTRA sheek, the ULTRA DIVA #LoveIt”
-WWE Diva, Total Divas reality star and Funkadactyl member Cameron was at the WWE Performance Center this weekend. According to reports, Cameron was training and working on her in-ring work at the facility.
-NJ.com has a featured article up on their website today regarding several WWE Divas visiting the New Jersey City National Guard Armory. You can check that piece out online at NJ.com.
-The Windsor Star has a featured article up on their website about the WWE live event this weekend in their city. You can check that out online at WindsorStar.com. For those interested, results from the WWE live event in Windsor is on the main page.
The following are highlights from a new Jim Ross blog:
On his UK speaking tour: “Our UK Tour was a huge success. My thanks to all who attended and supported our inaugural journey especially PSI Events & @americansoda. We sold out Cardiff, London, and Glasgow while Manchester had the largest crowd vs Man U vs Chelsea in football just down the street. The Q&A’S with the fans were a blast. I had so much fun meeting the fans one on one even though our unique accents were both humorous & challenging to understand at times. :) Travel was challenging and aggressive. As a great man once told me, “Sleep is our enemy” so I think we defeated our enemy on this trip. No sleep but a lifetime of memories. Lots of plans to do more Evening With…shows on the drawing board but time will tell. Stay tuned.”
On Monday’s edition of WWE RAW: “Stayed up LATE to watch RAW but it was worth it. Bravo to @CMPunk, @heymanhustle, & AJ Lee among many for a fun show. Raw has momentum and with so many new talents and issues evolving, the future is exciting.”
On upcoming tryout at WWE Performance Center: “Working a tryout camp Thursday & Friday at WWE Performance Center. Always looking for the next star. Good luck to all. Effort is your key. Be passionate. It’s your Wrestlemania.”
Check out the complete blog online at JRsBarBQ.com.
-According to recent reports, the reason WWE Superstar The Big Show has not made his return to WWE yet is because he has been finishing up the final stages of rehab, following the recent hip procedure he underwent.
As noted in the AP report that surfaced yesterday, Big Show has been rehabbing at the new WWE Performance Center.
-The ECW documentary, “Barbed Wire City” will be on sale this week on Video Downloads, lowering the price to just $9.99. For more information on the documentary, visit BarbedWireCity,.com.
-The following is the official preview for this Sunday’s edition of WWE Total Divas:
“Naomi and Jon Uso come face-to-face in the ring. JoJo ends up giving her boyfriend an ultimatum. Nikki disagrees with Brie’s decision to move to Phoenix.”
Speaking of this Sunday’s edition of Total Divas, which is the third episode of the new weekly reality series from WWE and the E! network, the website TVLine.com has a clip of the upcoming show on their website.
-The Associated Press is currently running a feature-piece on the new WWE Performance Center. You can check that out online at USNews.com.
-The pre-sale password for the upcoming WWE live event in Denver, Colorado on September 27th is WWEFAN. The pre-sale password for the company’s WWE RAW taping in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on October 7th is RAWTV.
