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When Brock Lesnar Is Expected To Return To WWE TV, Celebs Pay Tribute To The U.S. Military

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– As of today, people within WWE are expecting Brock Lesnar to return to television either the day or week after the Royal Rumble taking place on January 26, 2014. F4WOnline.com reported on Thursday that a match against The Undertaker is currently planned for WrestleMania XXX on April 6, 2014 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.

– Bruce Willis and many other actors, musicians and celebrities join WWE in honoring the men and women of the U.S. Military.

– Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Kid Kash is scheduled to appear at autograph signing on Saturday, January 4, 2014 for Stateline Pro Wrestling at UAW Local 1268 Union Hall 1100 W Chrystler De. Belvedere, Illinois.

(source: F4WOnline.com)

Watch Michael Hayes Fall At WWE Live Event, WWE Polls Fans On Daniel Bryan’s Best Match, Victoria

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– At Thursday’s WWE live event at Madison Square Garden in New York City, WWE backstage worker Michael Hayes stumbled over the top rope while entering the ring for a segment with a Big Show and Booker T. It was believed to be on a purpose, since Roman Reigns similarly stumbled during a live event last month in Dublin, Ireland, which CM Punk mocked at the following Monday’s Raw event in Manchester, England.

Video: Roman Reigns Falls While Entering The Ring At Live Event

A fan in attendance managed to capture footage of Hayes’ fall.

– The official WWE website has issued a poll on Daniel Bryan’s best match of 2013. His match against John Cena at SummerSlam, which saw him capture the WWE Championship, currently leads at 47%. It is trailed by his partnership with Kane and The Undertaker against The Shield on the Apr. 22 Raw (14%) and a Street Fight against Randy Orton on June 24 (11%).

– As reported earlier, Lisa Maria Varon, famously known as Victoria, attended Thursday’s WWE live event at the AllState Arena in Chicago, Illinois as a fan. One WWE employee would like to see the former Women’s Champion return to their ring.

“You should be experiencing them from the ring,” Joey Styles, WWE’s VP of Digital Media Content, wrote to Varon on Twitter in response to her message noting that it was her first WWE experience in the audience.

Michelle Beadle Appears On Latest “The JBL & Cole Show”, WWE Recognizes The Prime Time Players

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– In this edition of The JBL & Cole Show, Michelle Beadle stops by, fans find out how Michael Cole got a black eye, and Cody Rhodes leads the WWE roster in the first ever JBL & Cole Show World Championship Bowling Tournament.

– The latest issue of WWE Magazine (cover-dated January 2014) features the 2013 WWE Magazine Awards and the entertainment abilities of The Prime Time Players were recognized with the “Best Use Of The WWE App” Award.

“We take pride in being one of the most entertaining tag teams and personalities collectively and individually that this company has to offer. Our job is to bring it,” remarked Darren Young. “The PTP didn’t land on the WWE App, the WWE App landed on The PTP.”

Video: Cody Rhodes Steel Cage Moonsault From MSG

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Cody Rhodes did a death defying moonsault off the top of a steel cage at Thursday night’s WWE live event from Madison Square Garden.

Dana White Comments On Rumors Of Brock Lesnar Fighting In UFC Again

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There are some rumors in the MMA world floating around right now that former UFC Heavyweight Champion and current WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar is considering a return to MMA.

Lesnar is rumored to be in attendance at Saturday’s UFC 168 show, which will serve as the final pay-per-view event of 2013 for the promotion. White later denied the rumor during a fight-day interview with Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com When asked about the Lesnar rumors at the UFC 168 pre-fight press conference, and whether or not he is returning to the UFC, company president Dana White smiled and said,

“I honestly don’t know. Honestly, I don’t know.”

Sources close to the situation are claiming that they don’t expect Lesnar is very serious about a return to the UFC.

We should have more on this story following the big event in Las Vegas this Saturday night.

Jericho Says He’s Not Returning To WWE Any Time Soon, NXT Star On The Road

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– WWE NXT star Aiden English is on the road with the main WWE roster this weekend. English was backstage for the WWE live event in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday but ended up not being used on the show.

– Former WWE Superstar Chris Jericho recently posted the following regarding his plans, or lack thereof, for a WWE return in 2014:

* Details On WWE’s Planned SURPRISE ENTRANTS For The 2014 Royal Rumble Match

When AJ Styles Could Return To TNA, Jeff Hardy Written Out Of Storylines

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– With AJ Styles back in negotiations with TNA, company officials are confident they’ll be able to strike a deal with the TNA original. Despite the fact that AJ did really leave the company due to a contractual dispute, both sides have remained on good terms since he became a free agent and TNA loves the idea of AJ Styles making a big return and shocking everybody, since news of his departure got so much news coverage.

TNA is booking the next several weeks of television under the impression that Styles will be back by the January 16th Impact tapings from Huntsville, Alabama or the January 30th show from Glasgow.

– Jeff Hardy was written out of the TNA storylines on Thursday’s Impact. As reported a few weeks ago, the angle was done because Hardy will not be traveling overseas with TNA for the January UK tour. Hardy will be brought when TNA starts taping Impact from Orlando again.

TNA posted this video of Hardy after Thursday night’s show:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=IIbSgj1EWGo

Former WWE Diva Backstage In Chicago (Photo), Possible Opponents For Batista

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– The official WWE website currently has a poll up asking fans who they would most like to see Batista wrestle when he returns. The options are Randy Orton, John Cena, CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, Dean Ambrose and Big E. Langston. At last check, with nearly 10,000 votes cast, Orton leads the pack with 36 percent. Lesnar is in a close second with 33 percent and Cena comes in third with just 12 percent.

– Former WWE Diva Lisa Marie Varon (Victoria) attended the WWE live event in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday. The following is a photo of she and Natalya backstage at the event:

  • Details On WWE’s Planned SURPRISE ENTRANTS For The 2014 Royal Rumble Match
  • Dixie Carter Comments On Jeff Hardy Storyline, Magnus’ Coronation, More

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    TNA President Dixie Carter recently spoke about the Jeff Hardy storyline and the planned coronation for TNA Heavyweight Champion Magnus on next week’s Impact Wrestling:

  • Backstage News On Jeff Hardy’s TNA Future & AJ Styles’ TNA Return
  • Update On Bobby Eaton’s Condition, Several Wrestling Birthdays Today

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    – As previously reported, legendary pro wrestler “Beautiful” Bobby Eaton was hospitalized due to complications with diabetes. Eaton has been working as an agent for Traditional Championship Wrestling (TCW) and has apparently been in rough shape for a while, but took a turn for the worse in recent weeks. Eaton was doing a seminar a few weeks back with David Taylor and apparently had no appetite and was said to be in bad physical condition.

    – There are several notable wrestling birthdays today. Those include Bill “Demolition Axe” Eadie (66), Bill Goldberg (47), Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine (26), Bart Gunn (50), Chyna (43), Rosita (23) and Antonio Cesaro (33).

  • Details On WWE’s Planned SURPRISE ENTRANTS For The 2014 Royal Rumble Match

    [Partial Credit: PWInsider.com]

  • Video: Mark Henry Moonwalks At WWE Live Event

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    – Former WWE developmental star Brett DiBiase welcomed his first baby boy into the world over the weekend. Brett is the youngest son of WWE Hall Of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase Sr.

    – Fans at the WWE live event in Chicago, Illinois on Thursday were given the opportunity to vote on the stipulation for the match between Mark Henry and Fandango. 53 percent of the fans in attendance ended up voting for a Dance Off. This led to Henry dancing to Michael Jackson’s “Billie Jean,” complete with a moonwaulk, before being attacked by Fandango. Henry ended up fighting Fandango back and doing another moonwalk.

    (Partial Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

    WWE NXT Star Doing Ring Announcing, Pre-Sale For WWE’s MSG Return

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    – WWE NXT talent Bryan Saxton handled the ring announcing for the company’s live event on Thursday in Chicago, Illinois.

    – As previously reported, WWE will be returning to Madison Square Garden for a live event on March 9th with Batista advertised to appear. The pre-sale for tickets to that show is ongoing with the password of WWEMSG.

  • Updated Plans For WrestleMania XXX Revealed
  • Details On Increases & Declines In WWE’s Domestic & International Business

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    For the month of November in 2013, WWE’s domestic live events averaged 4,957 fans per show on a limited schedule. By comparison, this is up 3.6 percent from the 4,786 fans per show in November of 2012.

    WWE’s annual European tour in November declined from 6,300 paid tickets per show on the 31-event tour in 2011 to 5,600 paid tickets per show on a 23-event tour in 2012 to 5,300 paid tickets per show on the 26-event tour in 2013.

  • Details On WWE’s Planned SURPRISE ENTRANTS For The 2014 Royal Rumble Match

    [Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter]

  • TNA Impact Ratings Down Compared To 2012, News On Next Week’s Impact

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    – For the month of November in 2013, TNA’s weekly Impact Wrestling television show has averaged a 0.87 cable rating and 1.04 million viewers. By comparison, in 2012, Impact Wrestling averaged a 0.96 cable rating and 1.27 million viewers for the month of November. That would mark a 10.5 percent decline in ratings and a 18.1 percent decline in viewers.

    – Speaking of Impact Wrestling, next week’s edition of the show will feature a coronation ceremony for TNA World Heavyweight Champion Magnus, plus a X-Division Title match between Austin Aries and Chris Sabin.

  • Update On The TNA Sale Rumors & Jeff Jarrett’s Shocking Resignation

    [Partial Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter]

  • Top Country Music Star Was In The Mix To Buy TNA Wrestling

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    According to one source, country music star Toby Keith was the lead man in a group that was looking to purchase TNA Wrestling recently.

    Had the sale with Keith’s group gone through, TNA founder Jeff Jarrett was expected to be a key management figure in the company moving forward due to his relationship with Keith.

  • Huge Backstage Update On The Reason Behind Jeff Jarrett’s TNA Resignation

    [Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter]

  • Live Notes From MSG Live Event: Cage Match, Cena-Orton, Batista’s Return

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    Here are some live notes from Thursday night’s WWE show from Madison Square Garden:

    – WWE Tag Team Champions Cody Rhodes and Goldust defeated Antonio Cesaro and Jack Swagger in a steel catch match. Goldust tweeted after the show:

    https://twitter.com/DUSTIN_RHODES1/status/416406982023974912

    – John Cena defeated Randy Orton by disqualification after Orton low-blowed Cena. This was described as a very exciting match with a lot of near falls towards the end. After the match, Randy Orton was going to skull punt Cena, but he got out of the way and gave Orton an Attitude Adjustment.

    – Alberto Del Rio returned to action (from a concussion), losing to Rey Mysterio.

    – Ricardo Rodriguez teamed up with Drew McIntyre and Jinder Mahal of 3MB at the show, losing to Los Matadores (with El Torito). 3MB and Rodriguez came out dressed as ‘Reindeer Men.’

    – Thursday marked 30 years since Bob Backlund lost the WWE Title to The Iron Sheik at Madison Square Garden. Backlund at last night’s show and Backlund greeted fans in the lobby, taking photos on a green screen for $30 each.

    – They announced that WWE will return to Madison Square Garden for a live event on March 8th – and advertised that Batista will be at the show.

    – Rap legend DMC, who regularly attends WWE events, attended the show with his family. Here he is backstage with Alicia Fox and Naomi:

    WWE SmackDown Preview For Tonight

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    The following is a spoiler-free preview for tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown on Syfy:

    *WWE World Heavyweight Champion Randy Orton vs. Dolph Ziggler.

    * Intercontinental Big E. Langston vs. US Champion Dean Ambrose.

    * Roman Reigns vs. Mark Henry.

    * John Cena vs. Seth Rollins.

    * Daniel Bryan vs. Damien Sandow.

    * The Wyatt Family vs. The Usos.

    *Antonio Cesaro vs. Cody Rhodes.

    * The Primetime Players vs. Rybackaxel.

    WWE SMACKDOWN SPOILERS For Tonight

    Surprising Plans For The WrestleMania 30 Main Event

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    – Should the legendary Hulk Hogan be unable to compete alongside John Cena at WrestleMania XXX on April 6, 2014 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, one scenario being discussed for the WrestleMania 30 main event would be John Cena facing Bray Wyatt.

    WWE chief Vince McMahon recently stated to the writers and producers that “Cena is the main event until his time is clearly up. That man feeds us!”

    – It was announced at tonight’s WWE live event at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois that Raw will be held at the venue on Monday, March 3, 2014. A Ticketmaster.com pre-sale is underway now through January 2, 2014 with WWERAW as the password.

    – The latest issue of WWE Magazine (cover-dated January 2014) features the 2013 WWE Magazine Awards and Goldust was honored with the “You Still Got It” Award for his extraordinary comeback at the age of 44.

    “I’ve been busting my butt in the gym and staying focused, because that’s what it’s about,” he remarked. “I know that I can still go with the youngest and best Superstars on the roster right now. The Royal Rumble was very special. And nothing touched it until my brother and I became Tag Team Champions. I’ve been wrestling for 25 years and that might be the biggest moment of my career.”

    Update On Triple H Match At WrestleMania 30, WWE Website Traffic Increases, Antonio Thomas Speaks

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    – WWE’s long-running Authority storyline is currently scheduled to climax at WrestleMania XXX on April 6, 2014 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, with Triple H facing CM Punk in a singles match. However, there is also the possibility of Roman Reigns facing “The Game” at the pay-per-view event spectacular, as the 28-year-old is currently slated as a “back-up plan.” In recent weeks, WWE has teased a Reigns babyface turn.

    – Though most of WWE’s business metrics have either gone down or remained almost identical in recent years, traffic to the official WWE website has greatly increased. Through November, WWE.com has averaged 15.1 million viewers per month. This is up 31.3% from the year before, which averaged 11.5 million visitors on a monthly basis.

    Despite the great increase in web traffic, this has not accordingly translated to sales increases on WWEShop.com. Merchandise sales are only up 3.5%, from 903 in 2013 to 935 this year.

    – Antonio Thomas, who appeared for WWE in 2005 and 2006, discusses his tenure with the company and career on the independent wrestling circuit in the latest edition of Colt Cabana’s Art Of Wrestling podcast. The podcast also features a happy holidays message from CM Punk. The synopsis for the show is as follows: “One half of WWEs Heartbreakers. With just a short run on TV, its interesting to see how a wrestler recovers and continues in the wrestling industry. Antonio is still a force on the independent scene. Plus Colt, Cliff and Punk wish everyone happy holidays.”

    It can be accessed here.

    WCW Nostalgia Driving WWE DVD Sales In 2013 – Three Releases Trail Top-seller WrestleMania 29

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    Besides WrestleMania 29, which is annually WWE’s top video release, WCW nostalgia has been driving WWE’s DVD sales.

    According to WWE business numbers released last week, WCW titles rank as the second, third and fourth top WWE video releases of 2013. Through the end of November, the most shipped DVDs have been WrestleMania 29 (174,000), The Best of WCW Monday Nitro, Vol. 2 (121,000), WWE: Goldberg – The Ultimate Collection (86,000), WCW War Games: WCW’s Most Notorious Matches (80,000), WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History (64,000) and WWE: For All Mankind- The Life and Career of Mick Foley (59,000).

    It should be noted that the Goldberg DVD had only been out for less than two months, with 74,000 sold in the first month. It greatly outsold the Triple H video released two weeks prior, Triple H – Thy Kingdom Come, which was not ranked as a top-seller.

    As of late, actual sales have hovered around the 60% mark of total shipments.

    The DVD market appears to be declining, with shipments of WrestleMania and other top WWE-themed titles being significantly down compared to the year before. The top WWE DVD releases at the same point in 2012 were WrestleMania XXVIII (236,000), The Rock: The Epic Journey of Dwayne Johnson (150,000), CM Punk – Best in the World (114,000, released in October), WWE: Undertaker – The Streak (102,000), WWE: The Greatest Superstars of WrestleMania (96,000), nWo: The Revolution (94,000, released in November) and Royal Rumble (89,000).

    WWE has plans to release more titles featuring the best of World Championship Wrestling. WrestlingDVDNews.com reported last week that WWE’s upcoming WCW’s Greatest Pay-Per-View Matches Vol. 1 DVD and Blu-ray, which is scheduled for release on March 11, 2014, will be the first title released in a series highlighting the greatest WCW matches on pay-per-view.

    Videos: Michael Cole Does Commentary For Indy Promotion

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    The following is a video of WWE announcer Michael Cole doing the commentary for a recent “Reality of Wrestling” event.

    Part One

    Part Two

    Video: Maria Shoots On Her Time In WWE, ROH & More

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    Former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis is featured in an interview on the latest edition of the U.K.-based “WrestleTalk TV” show. The video, which you can view below, is accompanied by the following description:

    In this special festive edition of Wrestle Talk TV we present to you more action than a Vince Russo stipulation match! We sit down with Maria Kanellis who discusses why ROH is different from the competition, her time with WWE and who is and isn’t invited to her Bachelorette Party! The panel talk us through what presents they would give to the wrestling roster and why and The SuperFan is back! Taking on his most difficult challenge to date: The one and only Joel Ross!!! Fists may fly!

    Hosted by Joel Ross, along with the Daily Star’s Patrick Lennon and Francesca Wood, past guests have included Hulk Hogan, Mick Foley, Jim Ross, Chris Jericho, Edge, Dave “Fit” Finlay, Colt Cabana and many more.”

    http://youtu.be/dvJvr3L41ng

    Madison Rayne Live Q&A Tonight, Latest IMPACT Podcast With Magnus

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    – TNA Knockout Madison Rayne will be doing the ImpactWrestling.com “second screen experience” for Thursday’s edition of Impact Wrestling on Spike TV. Rayne will be holding a live Q&A with fans during the television broadcast.

    – TNA has posted the latest IMPACT Podcast, which was recorded live in London and featured World Heavyweight Champion Magnus, as well as Rockstar Spud. You can check it out below:

    http://youtu.be/pTexiZYulAk

  • Backstage Update On WWE Attempting To Lure Sting Away From TNA
  • Update On Richards & Edwards’ WWE Status, TNA Trying To Sign Them?

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    Apparently the WWE tryout of Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards was not at first intended to lead to a deal for them with the company. The idea was that they worked the first week in NXT and if the company liked them, they would be brought to Orlando to work at the Performance Center and some NXT shows for the first few months of 2014. If everything at that point went accordingly, then that would have led to a deal for the two.

    As of right now, there is still no real word on whether or not Richards and Edwards will be coming back to WWE after the first of the year, but it is apparently expected.

    Additionally, there is some talk that TNA is either getting ready, or may already have, made a play themselves to get Richards and Edwards to join their company.

  • Details On WWE’s Planned SURPRISE ENTRANTS For The 2014 Royal Rumble Match

    [Credit: PWInsider.com]

  • Backstage News On WWE Diva JoJo Being On Thin Ice In The Company

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    There are some rumors that WWE Diva JoJo Offerman is on thin ice with the company right now.

    The fact that WWE has kept her off of multiple recent television tapings mixed with the fact that she was barely acknowledged during the second-half of season one of Total Divas is seen as a bad sign for her future with the company.

    JoJo has, however, been in attendance at some of the recent NXT events.

  • Details On WWE’s Planned SURPRISE ENTRANTS For The 2014 Royal Rumble Match

    [Credit: F4WOnline.com]