– WWE’s creative department are targeting Survivor Series on November 18 for the return of The Undertaker.
After undergoing two major surgeries in the past year and performing suitably at WrestleMania XXVIII, many company employees believe he has several more matches left in the tank and will almost certainly compete at WrestleMania XXIX.
– In The Amazing Spider-Man, which hit theaters Tuesday, Peter Parker is inspired to create a mask after winding up inside a wrestling ring surrounded by posters of masked luchadors. It is not the first wrestling connection in the movie franchise as in the premiere film released in 2002, Peter enters a wrestling tournament and squares off against a character portrayed by the late Randy Savage.
– Silas Young, who was dropped from the Dragon Gate USA roster over the weekend after no-showing events, has been announced to appear at upcoming Ring of Honor shows.
— Live Audio Wrestling says Survivor Series is expected to take place on Sunday, November 18 at the Consol Energy Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
— Mick Foley has been announced to appear on WWE’s “Old School” themed live SmackDown episode on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m. on Syfy. Other legends appearing include Dusty Rhodes, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan, Hillbilly Jim, Howard Finkel, Jimmy Hart, Mean Gene Okerlund, Pat Patterson, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Sgt. Slaughter, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase and Tony Atlas.
Foley said of the appearance Friday on Twitter, “I WILL be on Super Smackdown, where Hacksaw Jim Duggan and I will prove, once and for all, that we are not the same person.”
Piper added, “I’m also going to do Smackdown on Tuesday!! I think it’s time to step up to the plate!”
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s WWE.com profile is now listed among both Raw Superstars and WWE Alumni.
WWE officials contemplated months ago of putting The Miz back in the WWE Championship picture come January. That did not happen and he has not won a televised singles match since the December 5, 2011 edition of Raw. There are people within WWE who believe top officials are blaming him for the Survivor Series drawing a disappointing buy number. Teaming with R-Truth, he appeared in the main event against John Cena and The Rock.
The pay-per-view event, which featured The Rock’s first wrestling match in over seven years, is estimated to have garnered 260,000 buys worldwide. It was reported that of that figure, 160,000 pay-per-view purchases came from the United States.
The estimate compares to 244,000 buys in 2010 and 235,000 in 2009, which nearly got the show scrapped from the annual pay-per-view line-up.
– Dave Meltzer stated on the December 24 edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that the Survivor Series pay-per-view buy figure is lower than the initial estimate of 280,000. It was reported that of that figure, 180,000 pay-per-view purchases came from the United States. The updated estimate drops the buy figure to 260,000 as only 160,000 pay-per-view purchases came from the United States for The Rock’s first wrestling match in over seven years.
The estimate compares to 244,000 buys for Survivor Series in 2010 and 235,000 in 2009, which nearly got the show scrapped from the annual pay-per-view line-up.
– Jim Ross commented on Chris Benoit’s candidacy for entrance into the WWE Hall of Fame.
“Chris Benoit will never be inducted into WWE HOF. Great wrestler but horrific ending to his life overrides career.”
– Based on preliminary data released by WWE, November’s Survivor Series pay-per-view featuring The Rock’s first match since WrestleMania 20 drew approximately 280,000 buys. The final figure is expected to be higher than 280,000, as this figure is only through the end of November, but its a reliable early indicator of the event’s performance.
Last year’s Survivor Series did 244,00 buys and 2009’s show did 235,000 buys. Company officials were so disappointed with 2009’s buyrate that the show was temporarily scrapped from WWE’s pay-per-view lineup.
– Earlier this week, we covered the story of Chris Hero’s WWE contract reportedly being pulled due to elevated levels of testosterone found during his physical exams. In what could be a reference to this possible career setback, Hero tweeted this week:
“I don’t think I will ever be ‘done’ with wrestling. Thank you for your continued support!”
— Regarding John Morrison’s contract status with WWE, his original deal has expired. He agreed to an extension through the end of November. His last announced appearance takes place at next Monday’s Raw SuperShow in Columbia, South Carolina.
Dave Meltzer indicated during Sunday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that Morrison’s feelings towards WWE are somber. “His heart is broken,” said Meltzer.
— Among those in attendance at the Survivor Series were Michelle Beadle of SportsNation, Judah Friedlander of 30 Rock, mixed martial arts writer Ariel Helwani, This Is Hell lead singer Travis Reilly and This Is Hell guitarist Rick Jimenez. Mick Foley was backstage at the event.
— Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart appears at The Whole Scoop 1149 North Railroad Staten Island, New York on Saturday, December 17 from noon to 2:00 p.m. Call 347-992-0038 for more information.
Several WWE Superstars commented on the Survivor Series pay-per-view last night:
The Rock:“Last night at Survivor Series, TEAM BRING IT rocked the Garden and electrified the world. Proud of U. #BootsToAsses”
Beth Phoenix: “@EveMarieTorres Ill give her credit…i had to obliterate her cuz she just wont quit..but tmrws a new day..and Eve.u will cry. #pinupstrong”
Eve Torres: “It was an honor to compete at The Garden tonight. Thank you NYC. & thank u @TheBethPhoenix for reminding me how badly I want what you have.”
Jim Ross: “No shock @TheRock was on his game after 7+ years away. He’s gifted. If Rock/Cena left u ‘wanting more’ then what occurred worked. #SauceIt”
Zack Ryder: “Thank you NYC…Thank you Broskis…… #RyderRevolution”
Wade Barrett: “Once again, I illustrated supreme leadership and in-ring skills tonight. The #BarrettBarrage is legit. No prisoners. No arguments.”
Kofi Kingston: “As always, MSG was epic. The feeling never gets old. Thanks for all the compliments on the gear too by the way! Tomorrow we do it again!”
– According to WWE doctor Michael Sampson, Sin Cara suffered a patella tendon rupture when he jumped out of the ring during the Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match at Survivor Series.
“He’s going to need surgery and be out [of action] for six to nine months for rehab,” Sampson said.
— WWE.com has posted video of Alberto Del Rio reacting to his WWE Championship loss backstage at Survivor Series. The Mexican grappler claims he was robbed by CM Punk, dismissed interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis, and took shots at the Hispanic population. It loosely points to how Del Rio will attempt to get his heat back on Raw following the title match loss.
— The Rock’s mother Ata was sitting ringside at Survivor Series.
Not only did The Rock score the pin over R-Truth in his tag bout against The “Awesome Truth” at Survivor Series but he nailed his WrestleMania opponent, John Cena, with a Rock Bottom after the match. He then spoke to the Madison Square Garden audience following the pay-per-view broadcast.
He started off his speech by saying “Can The Rock get some water? Jesus Christ!” The Rock told a ringside attendant “You better give The Rock some water, or I’ll kick your monkey ass.”
A loud chant then broke out with half the crowd chanting “You still got it!” while the other half chanted “Welcome back!” The Rock told the audience “to make up their damn minds.” He then addressed one-half of the crowd by saying “As far as you still got it, shit, I always had it!”
A “We want Ryder” chant then broke out. The Rock said “Yeah, I love him. I can’t believe how tall that son of a bitch is!”
A fan in the crowd yelled “Are you gonna cry?!” and The Rock responded, “Hell no! I’ll put boots to asses before I cry! There must be some good weed in NYC for people to ask if The Rock is gonna cry!”
The Rock continued speaking by saying that he came to entertain the fans tonight. He thanks them all and says tonight was the greatest night in the history of his WWE career. He says tonight is only the beginning and “the money isn’t that bad either.”
The Rock thanks the fans once more and says goodnight. He spent a lot of time shaking hands around ringside, including the announcers and attendants.
— Former WWE Champion John “Bradshaw” Layfield stated on Twitter that he declined WWE’s invitation to appear at Survivor Series
Layfield wrote, “Not at Survivor Series and not watching-too late for me. 15 years ago my SS debut Tim White counted me out by mistake! Big screw up! It was my big push and Tim White counted 3 by mistake, first time ear pieces were used and someone was in his ear. Killed my push:)
He continued, “I’m not watching cause it’s too late for me-got early morning tee time in Bermuda! Was asked if I was available by WWE, but I’m not. #golf”
— Former WWE Diva Maryse Ouellet traveled with The Miz to New York City this weekend. The couple also attended Google and T-Mobile’s launch party for Google Music last Wednesday in Los Angeles, California.
— Betty Skaaland, widow of WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Skaaland, sat ringside at the Survivor Series.
The official Twitter feed of the WWE Insider stated this evening that Sin Cara suffered a ruptured patellar tendon and will be sidelined for six to nine months, following surgery.
The masked grappler suffered the injury while performing a dive outside the ring during the Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match. He was left unable to compete and therefore eliminated.
Evan Bourne’s suspension for his first violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program has generated a great deal of controversy amongst talent as some feel a double standard is in place.
Bourne, who’s real name is Matthew Korklan, was suspended for thirty days on November 1, 2011 after testing positive for Spice, a synthetic marijuana brand. Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer reports Bourne and another wrestler higher up the card smoked the marijuana substitute drug at a party, yet he was the only one of the two to be suspended. The other wrestler was told he had failed for marijuana, which results in a $2,500 fine, as opposed to a thirty-day suspension for synthetic marijuana.
According to the Wrestling Globe Newsletter, the wrestler in question is a participant in tonight’s Survivor Series match featuring John Cena and The Rock against R-Truth and The Miz.
This has led to questions about whether WWE’s drug testing procedure is flawed or whether talent are treated differently depending on their status in the organization.
This would not be the first time in which WWE reprieved a top-level talent who had violated their Talent Wellness Program. On August 30, 2007, Sports Illustrated named Randy Orton as one of fourteen contracted and former WWE performers to have purchased pharmaceuticals from an online pharmacy (Signature Pharamacy), a violation of the Talent Wellness Program. Specifically, Orton received somatropin, nandrolone, stanozolol between September 2004 and February 2007, which occurred after the “no drugs from online sources” rule was instituted. However, Orton was the lone contracted performer not to be suspended by WWE. Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer reported that WWE did not suspend Orton because he had already been suspended for a drug policy violation in August 2006, resulting in double jeopardy. The ruling, however, appeared nonsensical since Orton continued to receive pharmaceuticals following the suspension. WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt claimed last year in a letter to Irv Muchnick that “no action was taken against Randy Orton because he was not on any customer list for Signature Pharmacy ever provided to us by District Attorney Soares.”
SEScoops.com is at Madison Square Garden for tonight’s WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view. Aside from our detailed live coverage, we’ll also be posting live images from inside the Garden during the pay-per-view.
Keep this page open during tonight’s SURVIVOR SERIES pay-per-view and keep refreshing during the show for our exclusive images.
– As previously reported, Mick Foley filmed an episode of NBC’s 30 Rock the other day where he had to do a kissing scene. Foley said on Twitter that he was on the set of 30 Rock dressed as his mask-wearing late 90’s alter-ego, Mankind.
– Kelly Kelly lashed out at Beth Phoenix on Twitter as she feels “The Glamazon” is a hypocrite for participating in numerous WWE.com photoshoots. She wrote,
“Wanna talk about arrogant? You have more diva focus photoshoots than any other diva combined! You say you’re not a model #hypocrite.”
– A source within WWE stated the following regarding tomorrow night’s Survivor Series pay-per-view broadcast: “Get ready for a three hour Twitter commercial. Don’t say I never warned you.”
A promotional commercial for WWE’s upcoming TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event aired in the Baltimore, Maryland region during Friday’s episode of SmackDown and two matches were disclosed.
Regardless the outcome at Survivor Series, CM Punk will battle Alberto Del Rio in a return match for the WWE Championship. Plus, Triple H will square off against former friend Kevin Nash.
WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs takes place December 18, 2011 at the 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore, Maryland.
— WWE announced Thursday that the Divas Championship Match between Beth Phoenix and Eve at Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view will be a Lumberjill Match.
WWE explains: “The Divas Championship Match at Survivor Series should be a one-on-one affair. However, nothing in this rivalry has been evenly contested, thanks to the underhanded tactics of The Glamazon and Natalya. Now, the decks will be stacked a little more equally, as Kelly Kelly, Alicia Fox, Natalya and the rest of the WWE Divas will be ringside to make sure the action stays in the ring.”
— John Cena says family business caused him to be scratched from his scheduled appearance this Saturday on ESPN’s College GameDay.
“I want to apologize to espn’s gameday crew. I thank them for their hospitality, but I have some immediate family bizz that needs handling,” Cena wrote on Twitter.
It was announced at Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Bridgeport, Connecticut that Dolph Ziggler would be defending the United States Championship this Sunday at the Survivor Series. It was originally reported that John Morrison would challenge Ziggler for the strap on Sunday. However, other reports stated Ryder would be the challenger.
WWE.com announced Wednesday that Ziggler will defend the United States Championship against Morrison at the pay-per-view event.
Upon the news breaking, a distraught Ryder tweeted, “This Sunday Night…NEW YORK CITY…MSG…SURVIVOR SERIES…@HEELZiggler defends the US title against……..@TheRealMorrison? #makesnosense.”
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ThNEVER BEFORE - NEVER AGAIN!
The staff of SESCOOPS – Mike, Noah Mark & The Solomonster – will be at SURVIVOR SERIES tonight! Keep it locked to the SEScoops & the SEScoops Facebook Page for our first-hand LIVE coverage!
Here’s the final card for Sunday’s pay-per-view:
The Rock’s First Match In 7 1/2 Years
John Cena and The Rock vs. The Miz and R-Truth
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Mark Henry (c) vs. Big Show
WWE Championship Match
Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk
5-on-5 Traditional Survivor Series Tag Team Match
Team Orton (Randy Orton, Sheamus, Mason Ryan, Kofi Kingston and Sin Cara) vs. Team Barrett (Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger, Hunico and Dolph Ziggler)
Divas Championship Lumberjill Match
Beth Phoenix (c) vs. Eve
United States Championship Match
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. John Morrison
This afternoon, we reported that WWE has added a traditional 5-on-5 elimination match to the upcoming Survivor Series pay-per-view.
Now – we’ve got another match that’s been made official: United States champion Dolph Ziggler will defend against New York’s own Zack Ryder.
With those two matches set, here’s the updated card for WWE Survivor Series, which takes place on November 20th from New York City’s Madison Square Garden:
The Rock Returns To The Ring:
John Cena and The Rock vs. The Miz and R-Truth
United States Title Match:
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Zack Ryder
WWE Championship Match:
Alberto Del Rio (c) vs. CM Punk
World Heavyweight Title Match:
Mark Henry (c) vs. The Big Show
TEAM ORTON vs. TEAM BARRETT 5-on-5 Match:
Randy Orton, Sheamus, Mason Ryan, Kofi Kingston and Sin Cara vs. Wade Barrett, Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes, Christian, Jack Swagger and Hunico.
Announced exclusively on WWE.com, Survivor Series will feature one of its signature bouts when Team Orton takes on Team Barrett inside the World’s Most Famous Arena, Madison Square Garden, on Sunday, Nov. 20.
Orton will lead Sheamus, Mason Ryan, WWE Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston and Sin Cara into battle, while Barrett brings Intercontinental Champion Cody Rhodes, Christian, Jack Swagger and Hunico.
Other matches scheduled for the event include:
* John Cena and The Rock vs. The Miz and R-Truth
* World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry vs. Big Show
At Tuesday night’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Greenville, South Carolina, it was announced that World Heavyweight champion Mark Henry will defend against the Big Show at Survivor Series.
With that match set, here’s the updated card for WWE Survivor Series on Sunday, November 20th from New York City’s Madison Square Garden:
— As per Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis, if CM Punk can defeat World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry on Monday’s Raw SuperShow, he’ll face Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series.
Laurinaitis stated to WWE.com: “After giving this CM Punk situation serious consideration, I’ve reached a decision. In my deliberations as Executive Vice President of Talent Relations and Interim General Manager of Raw, I concluded that although Punk is extremely talented, he has lost several matches recently. As a result, I’ve decided that he must prove he’s worthy of a WWE Title opportunity. This Monday night, Punk must compete against World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry. If Punk wins, he will face Alberto Del Rio for the WWE Championship at Survivor Series. I wish both men a good match.”
— Former WWE talent Marty Wright (a/k/a The Boogeyman) is reportedly persuading WWE colleagues for a cameo appearance on Monday’s Halloween themed Raw SuperShow. He remains in good shape at 47 years old and has continued to appear in character since parting ways with the organization in 2009.
On Monday’s RAW, it was announced that John Cena and The Rock will be teaming up at Survivor Series against the team of The Miz and R-Truth. With The Rock currently in New Orleans while filming the new GI Joe movie, Miz and R-Truth will be traveling to the city today to train with The Rock in preparation for their upcoming match.
Aside from the big Rock-Cena tag team main event – we have news on several other matches discussed for the big event.
WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk and World Heavyweight champion Mark Henry vs. the Big Show are among the matches we’re likely to see.
Despite the fact that WWE is reporting that Triple H suffered a back neck injury at the hands of Kevin Nash and RAW and will miss up to 6 weeks, expect The Game back in time for some sort of gimmick singles match with Nash at Survivor Series.
Also discussed is a traditional 5-on-5 elimination matches with the following competitors:
– Randy Orton, Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, Kane and Blue Sin Cara vs. Christian, Cody Rhodes, Wade Barrett, Brodus Clay and Black Sin Cara.
At one point, WWE had been discussing David Otunga, Christian, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, Mason Ryan, Zack Ryder and one more partner, but last we heard, this match is not going to happen.
