– At the conclusion of this morning’s edition of WWE Saturday Morning Slam on The CW, John Cena appeared in the backstage area and announced that he would making his in-ring debut on next week’s show. After issuing an open challenge to anyone in WWE, 3MB showed up. Heath Slater said the kids are going to be so happy to see John, and that he has accepted his challenge.
– Nicole and Brianna, formerly known as The Bella Twins, appear for Connecticut Wrestling Entertainment on Saturday, December 15 at the Bethany Town Hall in Bethany, Connecticut as they demonstrate their managerial duties for the fans in attendance. Prior to the show, the former WWE Divas Champions will appear at Ken’s Cards in Berlin, Connecticut. The following video message was released promoting their CTWE appearance.
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart will appear at Sound of Heaven 30 Eastern Ave. Dee Park, New York, tomorrow from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m.
– The roster page of WWE’s official NXT website, FCWWrestling.info, no longer lists Chase Donovan or Nick Rogers. This is generally an indication that WWE has released talent.
Donovan is 27-year-old New England based wrestler the company signed earlier this year after moving to Florida to become a bodybuilder. He previously competed on the independent circuit from 2004 to 2009 as Bryce Andrews. He largely put over talent during his few appearances for NXT.
Rogers is a Canadian wrestler the company signed last year. Albeit undersized by WWE standards, he billed himself as a physical specimen. He had not been used in a high-profile manner as of late.
Chad Baxter and Louis Fontaine were also released from their developmental contracts with WWE this week.
– This morning’s episode of WWE Saturday Morning Slam will feature WWE Intercontinental Champion Kofi Kingston vs. Zack Ryder. Kofi remarked of the encounter on Twitter: “Tomorrow on #SaturdayMorningSlam: a friendly sparring session between me and Long Island Iced-Z @ZackRyder. Tune in! 10am on the CW #Vortexx.”
– WWE developmental wrestlers Anya, Audrey Rae, Charlotte, Paige, Sasha Banks and Summer Rae paid a visit to Dunbar Elementary School in Florida on Friday. The future Divas shared their success stories and answered questions.
– Two matches were taped Tuesday in Birmingham, England for WWE Saturday Morning Slam
* Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso vs. Justin Gabriel and Tyson Kidd
* Ted DiBiase vs. Jinder Mahal
The commentators were Josh Mathews and R-Truth.
– In the following video, Cody Rhodes shows Wade Barrett a thing or two about how to play WWE ’13.
– The official WWE website has a poll asking who poses a bigger threat to WWE Champion CM Punk at Survivor Series; John Cena or Ryback? Ryback currently leads the poll 51% to 49%.
The Great Khali returned to action Tuesday night in Memphis, Tennessee, in a match taped for WWE Saturday Morning Slam. He faced Primo.
The former World Heavyweight Champion had been sidelined since undergoing surgery on July 26 to remove a tumor from his pituitary gland on July 26.
Also taped for the program was a match pitting Jey and Jimmy Uso against The Prime Time Players.
Two matches were taped for tomorrow night’s episode of WWE Main Event on ION Television. Zack Ryder took on Dolph Ziggler, and as previously announced, The Miz defended the Intercontinental Championship against Kofi Kingston.
In a dark match result, Johnny Curtis squashed Drew Haskins, a local wrestler.
Matches taped Monday night at the Wells Fargo Center for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars were Tyson Kidd vs. David Otunga, and The Prime Time Players vs. Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso.
A taping was also held for WWE Saturday Morning Slam on The CW. Bouts taped were Sin Cara vs. Jinder Mahal, and Justin Gabriel vs. Zack Ryder.
A dark match was held before both tapings as Kofi Kingston beat WWE developmental wrestler Dean Ambrose following Trouble In Paradise.
– A Steel Cage Match between WWE Champion CM Punk and John Cena was held after Raw went off the air Monday. The bout resulted in a disqualification loss for Punk since Dolph Ziggler and Alberto Del Rio interfered, leading World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus and Randy Orton to surface and even the odds. Ziggler was left in the ring as he took the babyface wrestlers’ respective finishers.
– During a commercial Monday night on Raw promoting this week’s episode of WWE Saturday Morning Slam on The CW, it was announced that Zack Ryder will be in action. The program will also feature segments on WWE Champion CM Punk and The Miz.
– As reported Sunday, Randy Orton was caught on camera using the middle finger gesture during his match against Dolph Ziggler at Night of Champions. According to F4WOnline.com, Orton’s flippant action stemmed from a group of fans ringside chanting “Orton sucks.” Following the match, Orton reportedly threatened a fan that he would “kick his ass” after the show.
– Cameron, who was arrested and charged with driving under the influence on Aug. 24 in N. Hillsborough County, Florida, did not appear at Friday’s Raw live event in Sydney, Australia after appearing at the previous day’s show in Brisbane. Brodus Clay was only accompanied by Naomi.
After cops took her into custody, the police report says Cameron offered one of the officers $10,000 to “let her go because she would lose her job.” According to F4WOnline.com, many people within WWE feel her bribery attempt will cost her her job.
– HollywoodLife.com has published an article touting the ratings success of WWE’s Saturday Morning Slam on The CW. The premiere episode was the most watched entertainment program on broadcast television Saturday morning among total viewers.
– Chris Jericho is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.
– Tank Toland, who briefly appeared in WWE as James Dick, turns 32-years-old Friday.
– On August 25, WWE returns to a kids’ television time slot with WWE Saturday Morning Slam as part of a five-hour television block on The CW. According to F4WOnline.com, kid-friendly Superstar Hornswoggle is under consideration to host the show. WWE officials have long-term plans for the show as they want it to be a success rather than another program with minimal effort put in that ultimately falls by the wayside.
The official description for WWE Saturday Morning Slam reads: “WWE Saturday Morning Slam packs the riveting in-ring action, the larger-than-life WWE Superstars, and WWE’s kid-friendly entertainment into the fastest, most energy-filled half-hour on television. WWE Superstar profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive WWE match every week will all combine to make WWE Saturday Morning Slam the perfect destination for the youngest viewers in the WWE Universe.”
– Rey Mysterio is featured on the cover of the September 2012 issue of WWE Magazine with the headline reading: “MYSTERIO AIR 619 CLEARED FOR TAKEOFF!” Included are interviews with Triple H, Daniel Bryan and Booker T.
– Eve noted on Twitter Friday, “I’ve scheduled an important meeting on #SmackDown tonight…”
– Saban Brands has announced the line-up for its programming block, dubbed Vortexx, which debuts nationwide on The CW on August 25 and will be anchored by WWE Saturday Morning Slam at 10:00 a.m. WWE will be preceded by Iron Man: Armored Adventures and Justice League Unlimited and followed by Dragonball Z Kai. The official description for WWE Saturday Morning Slam reads:
“WWE Saturday Morning Slam packs the riveting in-ring action, the larger-than-life WWE Superstars, and WWE’s kid-friendly entertainment into the fastest, most energy-filled half-hour on television. WWE Superstar profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive WWE match every week will all combine to make WWE Saturday Morning Slam the perfect destination for the youngest viewers in the WWE Universe.”
– WWE Divas AJ Lee and Eve, and Vickie Guerrero, are featured on the cover of the newsstand magazine Inside Wrestling. The headline reads: “MAN-EATERS! THESE DIVAS ARE HERE TO DEVOUR.”
– According to WrestlingFigs.com, Chris Jericho will appear at Good Records 1808 Greenville Ave. Dallas, Texas on Monday, August 13 from 11:00 p.m. to 1:00 a.m. The WWE Superstar will be signing Sin and Bones, the fifth album from his heavy metal band Fozzy. Call 214-752-4663 for more information.
WWE sent out the following press release on Thursday announcing the new 30-minute Saturday morning show, debuting on 8/25 on The CW.
WWE Electrifies Saturday Mornings
STAMFORD, Conn., August 9, 2012 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) and Saban Brands today announced a new, weekly half-hour show, WWE Saturday Morning Slam, that will debut on Saturday, August 25 at 10 a.m. WWE Saturday Morning Slam will be part of the television premiere of Vortexx on The CW, a Saturday morning kids’ television block, reaching 114 million U.S. television households. This marks the first time, since 2001, WWE will have a program in a kids’ time slot and reinforces WWE’s commitment to kid-friendly entertainment.
WWE Saturday Morning Slam packs the riveting in-ring action, the larger-than-life WWE Superstars, and the WWE’s entertaining brand extensions into the fastest, most energy-filled half-hour on television. WWE Superstar profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and an exclusive WWE match every week will all combine to make WWE Saturday Morning Slam the perfect destination for the youngest viewers in the WWE Universe. The show will also include highlights from WWE’s Be a STAR anti-bullying campaign and other community initiatives.
“We are extremely excited to partner with the WWE to bring their world-class brand of entertainment to Vortexx,” said Joel Andryc, Co-President, Vortexx. “With a focus on action, adventure and comedy, Vortexx is the perfect home for WWE Saturday Morning Slam and will definitely excite our fans.”
“WWE has a long history on Saturday mornings, and we’re thrilled to make our action-packed return on Vortexx with WWE Saturday Morning Slam,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO. “The new program enables us to further engage kids and families, a vital component of WWE’s passionate and multi-generational fan base.”
WWE will launch a Saturday morning program geared towards children on August 25, Los Angeles Time reports.
In two weeks, Saban Brands will launch Vortexx, a five-hour block of original children’s programming aimed at young boys. The slate of shows will air on the CW television network, with WWE Saturday Morning Slam anchoring the block.
The half-hour program will feature one wrestling match a week, as well as Superstar profiles, behind-the-scenes footage and anti-bullying messages via ‘be a STAR.’
Saban Brands approached WWE about doing the show after executives noticed toys featuring WWE Superstars were among the best-selling items. According to Los Angeles Times, WWE’s research shows that children, including a “healthy contingent” of boys younger than 12, consist of 22% of their viewing audience. Saban and WWE are hoping to capitalize on the data with Saturday Morning Slam.
Eric Pankowski, senior vice president for WWE creative and development, said the organization is aware of potential media concerns of violence airing on a program geared toward children.
“We are very sensitive to the fact that we are speaking to an audience of children,” said Pankowski. “We want to make sure that the content that we put on at 10 o’clock on Saturday morning is appropriate for younger audiences.”