– Vince McMahon tweeted the following on Father’s Day:

I hope my father's as proud of me as I am of my children, Shane and Stephanie. Happy Father's Day.

— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) June 16, 2013

His Daughter Stephanie wrote,

“What makes you proud of the man you call "Dad"? http://t.co/u0SuA8Ceim” #unconditionallove #pride #courage #respect #honor @VinceMcMahon

— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) June 16, 2013

She also tweeted this picture of the social media command center backstage at WWE Payback:

Panoramic view of Social Media Command Center for #payback pic.twitter.com/YcdU7UokSJ

— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) June 17, 2013

– WWE has already moved Rob Van Dam’s WWE.com Superstar profile from the “Alumni” section to the main roster section. Van Dam returns to WWE at next month’s Money in the Bank pay-per-view.

– Zeb Colter tweeted the following in response to Alberto Del Rio recapturing the World Heavyweight championship from Dolph Zigler at Payback:

Congrats to @VivaDelRio for using @HEELZiggler s concussion against him. del Rio should thank @RealJackSwagger for the help. Interesting.

— ??. ????? (@DirtyDMantell) June 17, 2013

* News On MARK HENRY RETIRING, CM Punk’s Next Feud, RVD’s Return & More

– WWE officials are said to be very satisfied with Dutch Mantell’s Zeb Colter character. Regardless of whether WWE continues to push Jack Swagger in the coming months, there are plans for Zeb Colter to remain an on-air character, according to f4wonline.com.

Colter tweeted the following about Ricardo Rodriguez “breaking his ankle” at the hands of Jack Swagger on RAW:

“Latest news on RR, broken ankle and busted ego. Next up, Del Rio at WM…alone without his little amigo. Swagger NEW CHAMP. #wethepeople”

– Jim Ross and William Regal have been tweeting about Thursday’s WWE NXT tapings from Winter Park, Florida, which will feature a guest appearance from Chris Jericho. Jim Ross tweeted on Tuesday:

“Headed 2 Orlando soon for Thursday night #WWENXT TV taping. @IAmJericho in the house. Expecting #Wrestlemania29 intensity from all. #WWE”

Meanwhile, William Regal has some words for NXT star Kassius Ohno:

“Leaving Cincinnati on my way to Orlando for tomorrow’s @NXT taping.Someone was foolish enough to upset me last time I was there and unfortunately I won’t allow people to take liberties with me.For what that person is about to receive,may my children forgive me.”

– WWE Studios’ “The Call” with Halle Berry and David Otunga finished at #2 at the box office over the weekend, taking in over $17 million. Based on the strong early showing, the movie is projected to take in around $45 million, which would make it a successful venture for WWE Studios and Sony Pictures. According to movie data site BoxOfficeMojo.com, the average audience for the film was 61% female and 53% were above the age of 30.

By comparison, WWE Studios’ Dead Man Down opened last weekend with just $5.45 million. It drew just over $2 million this past weekend.

– WWE manager Dutch Mantel (Zeb Colter) has posted a new blog on his Facebook page talking about his new role in WWE:

“Hey guys…sorry I haven’t been around much but since I’ve gotten a ‘new job’ I’ve been running like crazy,” he said. “There’s not enough time in the week to handle all the things now. I’m not leaving, I’m just having to back out for a while. I’m the same guy…just with a different perspective now.”

 

“I have a lot of great stories to tell…funny how life changes. What a story. I’ll keep it until the next book. You won’t believe it. Take care…keep watching. This could get very interesting.”

– Zeb Colter is taking aim at Chris Jericho, who will challenge Jack Swagger on Friday’s episode of WWE SmackDown. Colter is questioning whether Jericho really was born in the United States, accusing him of being “no different than Del Rio” and being unable to produce a birth certificate. Colter tweeted:

WE HAVE A PROBLEM WITH ANOTHER OUTSIDER…A CANADIAN, CHRIS JERICHO. HE'S NO DIFFERENT THAN DEL RIO. WATCH SMACKDOWN THIS FRIDAY.

— ??. ????? (@DirtyDMantell) March 13, 2013

JERICHO "CLAIMS" HE WAS BORN IN THE US. I HAVE REQUESTED A BIRTH CERTIFICATE. HE FAILED TO PRODUCE ONE. HE'S JUST LIKE DEL RIO. #wethepeople

— ??. ????? (@DirtyDMantell) March 13, 2013

• Spoilers For Friday’s WWE SmackDown (Swagger vs. Jericho)

– Here are recent WWE attendance figures, courtesy of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter:

• 3/8 – RAW in Colorado Springs drew 5,500 ($200,000 gate)
• 3/9 – RAW in Broomfield, Colorado drew 5,000 ($185,000 gate)
  3/9 – SmackDown in Lacrosse, Wisconsin drew 4,500 ($120,000 gate)
• 3/10 – RAW in Loveland, Colorado drew 4,000 ($140,000 gate)
  3/10 – SmackDown in Milwaukee drew 9,000 (280,000 gate)

– WWE’s ongoing xenophobic storyline with “Dirty” Dutch Mantel as Jack Swagger’s manager Zeb Colter was reportedly brainstormed by Kevin Eck, a former writer for Baltimore Sun who joined the sports-entertainment organization in 2011.

– The official WWE website has published rare photos of The Undertaker, while also noting, “The WWE Universe is abuzz with anticipation on when the legendary Phenom will return to television screens.”

– In this interview with PWInsider.com, former ROH World Champion Roderick Strong discusses his favorite memories in Ring of Honor, the tag partner he’d like to work with there, letting more of his personality show in the ring and more.

(source: F4WOnline.com)

– Today’s wrestling birthdays include former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis (31) and 2-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair (64).

– Paul Heyman says he’s ready to kick Vince McMahon’s ass tonight on RAW. He tweeted Monday morning:

On my way to Dallas. @WWE Monday Night #RAW. Got no choice. Gonna kick Vince McMahon's ass! http://t.co/lP343UIsFi

— Paul Heyman (@HeymanHustle) February 25, 2013

– Here’s another new video from Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger, posted over the weekend:

Zeb Colter and Jack Swagger posted the following video on Youtube, calling out conservative radio host and TV personality Glenn Beck on Friday, inviting him to appear on Monday’s WWE RAW to address them and get 5 minutes of uninterrupted time to get his point across –

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=u9_RcD6WMmM

Back responded to Colter & Jack Swagger’s challenge, rejecting the offer. He tweeted on Friday night:

“Unfortunately I am currently booked doing anything else.”

– In related (maybe?) Swagger news, CM Punk tweeted the following on Friday:

“I am Jack’s complete lack of surprise.”

– WWE’s original plans for the Jack Swagger vs. Alberto Del Rio World Heavyweight title match at WrestleMania 29 was for it to be built up as an Ankle Lock vs. Arm Breaker submission storyline. After Swagger’s Tuesday night DUI & drug arrest, it remains to be seen whether WWE changes course with this match.

Also planned for Swagger, WWE recently contacted conservative talk show host Alex Jones about making an appearance at WrestleMania 29 for angle with Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter. Jones mentioned the proposal on his radio show this week, but did not say whether he’d be doing it or not.

– Here are some reactions to Jack Swagger’s Tuesday night DUI & drug arrest:

Jim Ross: Lots of legal experts on Twitter. Almost gleeful that a #WWE star made an apparent bonehead mistake. Due process/facts appear ill relevant … Now being lectured by people I don’t even know 4 Swagger’s mistakes. He made an error. Don’t know the consequences but I won’t bail on him.

The Iron Sheik: The Jack Swagger ready for push he look good and he have good manager the dirty dutch. Still if I want I can beat the f*ck out oh him. The Jack Swagger cant handle the moderation Iron Sheik class. Still i respect him and he be ready one day or I f*ck his ass make him humble.

MVP: “I wish he had been pulled over in Washington or Colorado.”

Lance Storm: To everyone asking about Swagger. A very unfortunate mistake, I have no idea what the fall out will be, but DUIs R irresponsible & Stupid … Could be very costly mistake.

Tommy Dreamer: Don’t kick a man when he is down We have all made mistakes nobody feeling worse than @RealJackSwagger I’m sure. Offer support not hate

– Monday’s WWE RAW drew a 3.30 cable rating and averaged 4.66 million viewers. Here are the hourly numbers:

Hour 1: 4.82 million
Hour 2: 4.67 million
Hour 3: 4.49 million

– TheAtlanticWire.com has an article up about Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter’s new ultra-conservative gimmick in an article titled, “The WWE’s Tea Party Wrestler Is Making Conservatives Hit the Mat.”

– Speaking of Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter, World Heavyweight champion Alberto Del Rio will respond to their “State of the Union” on Friday’s SmackDown:

WWE has received some criticism this week from the right-win media, claiming that the new anti-immigrant Zeb Colter character is being done to mock the ultra conservative Tea Party movement.

Brian Flinn, WWE Senior VP of Marketing and Communications, issued the following statement to the Hollywood Reporter on Tuesday addressing the situation:

“WWE has a long history of creating fictional characters that serve as either protagonists or antagonists, no different than other television shows or feature films. To create compelling and relevant content for our audience, it is important to incorporate current events into our storylines.”

“WWE is creating drama centered on a topical subject that has varying points of view to develop a rivalry between two characters,” he adds. “This storyline in no way represents WWE’s political point of view. One should not confuse WWE’s storytelling with what WWE stands for, similar to other entertainment companies such as Warner Bros., Universal Studios or Viacom.”

Here is a report on FOX News, with their pundits debating the Zeb Colter character:

RJ Brewer, an Independent wrestler with Lucha Libre USA that has an anti-immigrant gimmick, has responded to fans claiming that WWE’s new Zeb Colter character is a rip off of him. Brewer’s posted the following message on his Facebook page today responding to that:

“This will be the only time I respond to the questions I have received regarding WWE “stealing my stuff.” I have been wrestling for Lucha Libre USA for almost 3 years and have been using that platform to speak against illegal immigration from the start. I have been featured on CNN, Fox News, The Geraldo Rivera Morning Show, front page of the LA Times, front page of the BBC, and most recently, ABC… Nightline.”

“I knew it was only a matter of time before someone else took advantage of my press and success. For me to complain would say I am against capitalism, and that is not true in the least. The reason I have done what I have done is because this is not some silly wrestling storyline, this is real. My feelings are magnified for the camera and the live audience, but what I say comes from the bottom of my heart. This is why I was invited to the Sheriff Joe Arpaio walk, and asked to be a guest speaker at Rusell Pearce’s (author of SB 1070) fundraiser.”

“They say the most sincere form of flattery is imitation. I say imitation is suicide, because to try to be what someone else really is, is only killing who you are. Our audience is Latino, our wrestlers are Latino and that is why RJ Brewer is so effective. I don’t need a mouthpiece. I don’t need a machine behind me. I don’t need human growth hormone and/or to be protected by a phony drug test only to be thrown out like yesterday’s garbage when I am finished. RJ Brewer will always be 100% real, no matter how hard someone tries to diminish that.”

“All I need are my views and a platform to spread them, and so far, that has worked just fine. Lucha Libre USA goes on tour this spring, stay tuned for dates and stay tuned for a documentary to be filmed about “Latin America’s Favorite Enemy.” Last year, an average of 3000 fans came out each night to watch us, and this year should be even better. Thank you.”

– As noted on Monday’s WWE RAW, Zeb Colter’s rants can now be found on YouTube at Youtube.com/WeThePeopleZeb.

– WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia says she is offended by Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter’ recent comments about minorities. She tweeted after RAW:

“As a Latina, I am insulted by the comments made by Zeb Colter & Jack Swagger. America is a melting pot of amazing ppl!! @WWE #Raw”

– World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio also responded to their RAW promo with the following tweet:

“After hearing Swagger and that guy from JUMANJI I have NO respect for them or what they’re claiming. Swagger at #Wrestlemania29 I’m going to kick your words down your throat #SiThePeople”

– Here’s a video of Swagger & Colter’s “State of the Union” address from RAW:

– Friday’s WWE Smackdown had a Trendrr.tv social media score dipped of 62,021, down 13% from last week’s 71,116. Smackdown ranked #5 on cable for the night, behind the NBA All-Star Weekend coverage on TNT, SpongeBob Squarepants on Nickelodeon and USA Network’s Psych marathon.

– Here is the latest episode of WWE Backstage Fallout:

Get to know Jack Swagger’s associate, Zeb Colter, in the SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout.” Plus, watch as Kaitlyn gets all fired up about her Chamber match with Tamina.

WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:

Undertaker’s WM29 Status: Getting tons of questions daily on Twitter about the Undertaker. I get the curiosity but I don’t have any answers. One a more strategic note why would any announcement be made until after the Elimination Chamber when the Road to WrestleMania really starts rolling? I was also asked in the Q&A section if WWE would put Taker in a multiple person match at a WM? I can’t and won’t speak for WWE but I certainly wouldn’t do such a booking. Finally, once again, I NEVER see the STREAK ending at the hands of ANYONE at ANY WrestleMania.

Jack Swagger & Zeb Colter I like the potential of ‘ Zeb’ being added to the presentation of @RealJackSwagger. Key term is ‘potential’ but if it works it will help put Swagger back where I feel he will eventually land and that’s in main events on a regular basis. Winning the Elimination Chamber match this Sunday in #NOLA would give the former #Sooner two sport star significant momentum. I may even pick Swagger to win when I do my predictions for the PPV this Sunday.

WWE Sending Talent To Rehab: WWE has literally spends thousands upon thousands of dollars on helping former talents deal with their personal issues. TONS of big, money for the record. WWE never has received the credit due them for their help especially when they are not contractually obligated to do so but they instead address these matters because it’s the right thing to do. However, people have to want to truly help themselves in order for rehab to work and unfortunately many more don’t and would rather catch their buzz and continue to live the same pre-rehab life that they lead before therapy. I’ve been knee deep in these issues throughout my career and can assure you that relapses by talents and former talents is heartbreaking.

Dutch Mantel returned to WWE television on Monday’s RAW as the new manager of Jack Swagger. Now known as Zeb Colter, he cut a far right-wing conservative promo about “We The People” and how the United States is full of people that don’t look like him who he can’t understand.

Mantel wrestled in Memphis for many years, managed in WWE during the mid 1990’s and was on TNA’s creative team during the mid 2000’s.

Here’s video of the Colter’s debut: