– As many people know, WWE’s Talent Wellness Program includes a provision that provides drug and alcohol rehabilitation treatment to current and former contracted talent who are in need. WWE sent out their annual letter regarding the ‘paid rehab’ program, signed by Triple H. The letter notes that WWE has set up a 24-hour hotline that talent can call for assistance.
– The Miz was interviewed by Sam Roberts this week to promote his new movie, Christmas Bounty:
“Sam Roberts talks to The Miz on SiriusXM’s After O&A Live, about his ego, Maryse, getting concussed at Wrestlemania, his heel turn, locker room bullying, and more.”
– Last week’s Thanksgiving edition of TNA Impact Wrestling drew only 921,000 viewers, way down from the previous week (1,190,000) and even last year’s Thanksgiving episode.
– TNA star Kurt Angle will be co-starring in a new comedy web series, “Horse Cops.” Here is a preview:
“Wrestling icon Kurt Angle and comedy bad boy Na’im Lynn star in this outrageous sketch about two mounted police officers on a quest for tacos! Watch as all hell breaks loose when they’re denied service a Taco King drive-through. #HORSECOPS”
– WWE Diva Layla has been off television dealing with an unknown medical issue. No word yet on when she’ll be returning.
– Some fans may have noticed that WWE took a shot at Jim Ross last night when RAW took place from Oklahoma City. They talked about famous announcers that hailed from Oklahoma, mentioning Reesor Bowden and Boyd Pierce – but not Jim Ross.
We tweeted about the situation – and got a response from the man himself – stating that it was a rib –
“@sescoops: #RAW, #WWE mentioned great announcers from Oklahoma Reesor Bowden and Boyd Pierce – but not @JRsBBQ.
– WWE’s storyline with the Big Show and Triple H has been dropped. At one point, there was talk of them wrestling at the Royal Rumble, but Big Show was brought back to television early and wrestled Randy Orton at Survivor Series. Big Show has already been moved out of the Authority storyline – and competed in an unrelated 6-man tag match last night on RAW.
– WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley appeared on the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom radio show this morning. It will be be replayed at BobandTom.com later this afternoon.
– During a Total Divas Q&A on Twitter Sunday night, Natalya was asked if Divas Champion AJ Lee could make it as a Total Diva. She replied, “It’s not for everyone.”
– WWE NXT Diva Charlotte shared an encouraging text message from her father Ric Flair on Instagram:
– Despite some speculation, there are currently no plans for CM Punk to feud with Daniel Bryan. They will not be wrestling each other at WrestleMania, as some sites reported in recent weeks.
– Former WWE star MVP has been tweeting about training but says it’s for a North American Grappling Association event. He wrote:
No, I'm not training for a WWE return. I have a NAGA tournament next weekend. I am returning soon tho. The "where" is still in discussion.
– Former TNA star Jesse Neal announced that he and his wife, former women’s wrestler Brittney Savage, are expecting their first child this coming April.
– TNA will be taping Impact Wrestling on this from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. Check back later tonight for spoiler results.
– TNA posted slow motion footage of Rockstar Spud slipping on potato salad during the food fight on Thursday’s Impact Wrestling:
TNA star Zema Ion recently spoke with Do Androids Dance. Here are some highlights:
Portraying a DJ as a professional wrestling character would be all about you cashing in on a trend. However, when was your initial introduction to electronic dance music? “My initial introduction to dance music came at the age of 11 from a Gap commercial. There was a song in the commercial and I thought it was amazing. Turns out it was “Busy Child” by the Crystal Method. I heard this electronic beat, and when I found out what it was, I went out and bought [1997 album] Vegas by the Crystal Method. [Intriguingly enough] it was one of the first albums I ever owned. I played the shit out of that cassette tape. I really loved it. From there I got into The Prodigy‘s [1997 album] The Fat Of The Land.”
What about your DJing do you feel best motivated your development as a professional wrestler now that you’re back in TNA? “When I started DJing, I thought at first that “this is going to be really good for wrestling.” Everyone in wrestling comes from a different background. Whether it is from wrestling on the independent circuit, the NFL, reality television, bodybuilding, or being a supermodel. I thought that if I really do good and develop at DJing that maybe this could be something to set me apart, a background for me that isn’t just being an independent professional wrestler.”
How did your return to TNA as a DJ come to pass? “I told TNA a year ago that I was trying to be a DJ. They thought it was cool, but it was left there. They didn’t understand it, but they kept hearing more and more about [my development]. Recently, they did a segment on TV where Robbie E and Jesse Godderz were celebrating their tag team title win and had a DJ with them in the ring. After the segment was over, they loved the idea of them with a DJ, but not the DJ they had that night. He didn’t look the part. They liked the idea of [the Bromans] with their own DJ. Robbie E mentioned to the TNA office staff “hey, maybe we should use Zema Ion. He is an actual DJ.” TNA replied “oh that’s right, we knew that!” Robbie, Jesse, and I have similar personalities, so me teaming with them is a no brainer. This past weekend they gave it a test run. They gave me little direction, and it was creatively in my hands. Eventually I’ll have my own custom DJ booth, and I got them to install lighting based off of the lighting at Echostage in DC. They’re totally behind this. They feel like whatever makes this look authentic is what they want.”
How would you best describe the character of DJ Zema Ion, the character you’re now playing for TNA? “They want me to be this over the top and obnoxious DJ. So I basically try to channel every stereotype that I can think of that would make a DJ annoying. We did a backstage segment where I named every annoying cliche in the dance music world that’s “required to be a superstar DJ,” including “only playing songs off the Beatport Top 100? and “having rave girls with green hair and severe daddy issues.” That type of stuff. My character is to play a DJ that thinks he gets it, but really doesn’t have a clue of what he’s talking about. That’s basically what the whole character is.”
With WrestleMania XXX just 4 months away, top WWE officials are still undecided about the top matches for the show.
WWE creative has been constantly changing plans for the card and there is much more uncertainty regarding the show than in previous years.
The company remains optimistic that a deal will be made with Hulk Hogan to appear. Because of Hogan’s physical condition, the only way he’d be able to compete in the ring would be in a tag match – with John Cena discussed as a potential tag team partner.
Another match previously discussed for WrestleMania is the WWE title unification match between John Cena and Randy Orton, which is now happening at TLC.
On Monday’s RAW, “Sin Cara” returned and scored an upset win over former World Heavyweight champion Alberto Del Rio.
Some fans may have noticed that Sin Cara was sporting a new sleeve tattoo. The man formerly known as Mistico (Luis Ignascio Urive Alvirde) did not get a new tattoo – it was actually WWE superstar Hunico who wrestled as Sin Cara on RAW.
According to WWE sources, the original Sin Cara (formerly Mistico) is not expected to be brought back. His character is considered by most to be a huge flop, due to his sloppy ring work and multiple injuries.
Here’s a photo of Hunico as Sin Cara from RAW:
In a pretty funny social media ‘botch’ – the official Twitter account of Sin Cara “checked in” at a restaurant located in Mexico – while “Sin Cara” was wrestling on RAW –
Over the weekend, it was reported that a Rey Mysterio vs. Sin Cara match is being considered for WrestleMania XXX. If the match does take place, it very well could be Hunico getting the WrestleMania payday.
The latest batch of Downloadable Content for WWE 2K14 is now available in the United States (and tomorrow, internationally). The for $7.99, the WWE SUPERSTARS AND MOVES PACK includes the the following characters:
Fandango
Big E Langston
Brie Bella
Nikki Bella
As part of today’s DLC release, Summer Rae is available to download for free.
For a full listing of all the new moves and taunts that are part of this DLC pack (for use in the Create a Wrestler mode), visit <b><a href=”https://wwe.2k.com/index.php/news/single/us-downloadable-content-in-wwe-2k14″ target=new>WWE.2K.com</a></b>.
The next DLC pack (available in January) will feature Bruno Sammartino, “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes, “Ravishing” Rick Rude and Jake “The Snake” Roberts.
<b><a href=”https://www.sescoops.com/news/chris-jerichos-new-tattoo-featured-rebel-ink-magazine-cover-photo/”>* View Here: CHRIS JERICHO’s New Tattoo Work – Posing With 2 Hot Girls Covered In Ink</a></b>
Chris Jericho revealed on Twitter that he’s gotten some new tattoo work done and will be featured on the cover of Rebel Ink magazine. He tweeted this preview from the magazine shoot:
He also posted this picture on Instagram of his new forearm tattoo – which he describes as “the Loch Ness Monster wearing Paul Stanley makeup about to attack the Rolling Stones logo.”
So I’m trying to shake off my displeasure for the Daniel Bryan demotion, and this weeks contract signing may have helped that happen. Triple H &
A contact signing with Tables Ladders & Chairs.
Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley begin the segment with the ring and ringside area filled with tables, ladders and chairs. They introduce The WWE Champion Randy Orton, followed by The World Heavyweight Champion John Cena. Triple H begins to run down the lineage of the WWE Championship, naming former champions Buddy Rodgers, Hulk Hogan, Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock. Stephanie adds “and Triple H”. Hunter goes on to talk about the lineage of The World Heavyweight Championship, naming Lou Thez, Ric Flair, Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, and yes Stephanie with “and Triple H”.
In reality the World Heavyweight Championship that John Cena holds, originates from 2002 right out of Eric Bischoff’s briefcase.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3xzDFQQQVPc
All of Metropolis will be safe… for now!
After signing the contracts Cena and Orton are both given an opportunity to make comments. I really enjoyed what they had to say. Randy Orton tried to play up the fact that some of the fans don’t like Cena, although the crowd didn’t react as positively as I would have expected. Cena then got his turn, telling Orton he could either run, or get hit by a chair, ladder and put though a table. I thought for sure Orton would weasel out of this one, however I must say, they went at it, somewhat evenly for a few minutes with Cena ultimately delivering on his promise, and standing over a fallen Randy Orton holding both championships as Raw went off air.
So I’m intrigued by this story now, Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley also went out of her way to say that we are “Guaranteed” to see a new Unified Champion at TLC. Her mentioning of Triple H twice also has caught my ear. Would it surprise you if at the end of the night at TLC it ended up being Triple H walking out The Unified Champion? Just throwing it out there.
The Shield vs The Rhodes & Big Show
Workhorses of Raw
Solid match from the teams, although I could have done without The Big Show. Earlier The Shield cut a small but good promo on CM Punk. All three members of The Shield will face CM Punk at the TLC Pay-Per-View. I want to see more promos from both The Shield Cody Rhodes and Golddust. Add a bit more dynamic to them. Also, for goodness sake The Rholdes needs to get some better music! I’m a fan of Golddust and his theme music, however that’s unique to him, it shouldn’t have been remixed with his theme.
Daniel Bryan vs. Erick Rowan
Don’t do it Daniel! Don’t join them!
I’m cautiously saying YES! for now but I’m really worried that Daniel Bryan is going to join the Wyatts, turn Heel and fade into the background. I know every week I bitch and moan about Daniel Bryan’s top spot being taken away from him. You have to see it from my perspective. I’ve been to MANY events this year, Royal Rumble, WrestleMania, Money In The Bank, Summerslam, Hell In A Cell, Survivor Series, 4 Raws and a Smackdown! Daniel Bryan has that intangible that you can’t teach someone. It’s more than just a YES chant, the yes chant is a vessel for the energy. Okay I sound like the Ultimate Warrior I know. All I’m trying to say is WWE runs the risk of fizzling out that “it” factor that I believe Daniel Bryan has. I do like so far what I’m seeing. I enjoyed the match Daniel Bryand had with Erick Rowan, and I liked Bray Wyatt’s promo on the screen afterwords. All I’m saying is that if I was flying to TLC (Which i am NOT) my sign would read “If Bryan Becomes a Wyatt, We Riot!”
Hit up Page 2 below for the “NO!” of this week’s WWE RAW:
– Michael Hayes returned to work at Monday’s WWE RAW from Oklahoma City, OK. Hayes had been off the road since October and was taking a leave of absence due to personal reasons.
As we reported around that time – Hayes was in hot water with management after he reportedly supplied Rosa Mendes with alcohol shortly after she completed a treatment program for alcohol dependency.
– WWE announced a singles match between Goldust and Ryback for this week’s edition of WWE Main Event. The match was made official on this week’s edition of WWE RAW from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
– Also announced on RAW is the official new title for the top championship in WWE. As the result of a fan poll that took place on RAW, the man who wins the John Cena vs. Randy Orton match at TLC will be crowned the Unified Champion of WWE.
Comment below and tell us what you think about this new name.
Damien Sandow defeated Dolph Ziggler in a match on RAW to determine the number one contender to the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Because of the victory, Sandow will now battle Big E. Langston for the title in two weeks at the WWE TLC pay-per-view.
Also announced for the upcoming WWE TLC pay-per-view is a handicap match featuring CM Punk against all three members of The Shield. The match was made by the Director Of Operations Kane on this week’s RAW.
RAW opens with CM Punk’s theme music immediately hitting. “The Best In The World” makes his way to the ring as Justin Roberts introduces him and Michael Cole, Jerry Lawler and JBL recap what happened with he and The Shield last week. Punk says he was trying for the last week to figure out why The Shield attacked him. Punk thinks it’s because he critisized Triple H for lacking creativity. Punk says he hopes that’s a coincidence. Punk says he doesn’t want anything to do with The Authority. He says Triple H can’t be that dense to kick a living bee’s nest like CM Punk. Punk calls them douchebags, but he is bleeped when saying that.
Stephanie McMahon’s music hits to cut off Punk. Stephanie comes to the top of the stage. Stephanie says first off she hopes Punk and everyone in the audience had a wonderful Thanksgiving. She says he of all people should know she’s a champion of free speech. She says HHH was a co-founder of D-Generation X. She says they’ve grown up, but maybe Punk hasn’t. She says Punk is just blaming The Authority, because they are actually just as upset as he was that The Shield attacked him last week. She says The Authority has bigger things to deal with like the unprecedented contract signing of the John Cena vs. Randy Orton unification match. Stephanie says if Punk has any further questions he can ask the Director Of Operations.
Kane makes his way out to the top of the stage. Kane talks in an incredibly professional way, babbling about his duties and spilling out a bunch of legal jargon and then asks if Punk has any questions. Punk says he does. His question is “when did you become the big-red-ass-kisser.” Kane advises Punk not to take this lightly. Punk advises Kane not to patronize him. Kane advises Punk not to go down this road. Punk says how about since Kane sold out already, he should come down to the ring and get knocked out. Stephanie stops Kane from going to the ring.
The Shield’s music hits and out comes Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins from the crowd. Punk runs to the outside of the ring and grabs a chair immediately before they come to the ring. Stephanie yells on the mic for The Shield to stop. Stephanie says she will not have a repeat of last week. She says Punk is to be respected and admired. She leaves. Kane says Punk will be in a handicap match against all three members of The Shield at the upcoming WWE TLC PPV. Kane smiles as his theme music plays.
Undisputed Champion Situation Cleared Up
Michael Cole reveals a quote from WWE management that confirms at TLC there will be only one champion walking out of the building. Tonight’s WWE App poll gives fans the opportunity to decide what that champion will be called. The options are: Unified Champion, Undisputed WWE Champion and Undisputed World Champion.
#1 Contender’s Match For Intercontinental Title – Dolph Ziggler vs. Damien Sandow
We return from commercial and Damien Sandow is cutting a promo about how he’s going to become the number one contender to the I-C title and defeat Big E. Langston, who is on commentary for this match, for the belt. Ziggler comes out. The bell rings and Ziggler lands a few dropkicks right off the bat on Sandow. The battle goes out to the floor early on and Sandow smashes Ziggler’s head off the ringside steps. Back in the ring, Sandow continues to go to work on Ziggler. Sandow misses a moonsault off the middle rope, allowing Ziggler to hit him with a tornado DDT to reverse the role in the match. Moments later, Ziggler hits the FameAsser on Sandow for a close near fall. Ziggler goes up to the top rope, Sandow knocks him off and hits him with his finisher. 1-2-3. Sandow is the new number one contender to the WWE Intercontinental Championship. Sandow vs. Langston will battle for the title in two weeks at the WWE TLC PPV.
The following is an excerpt from the RAW Five Point Preview from WWE.com:
“As the year comes to a close, the biggest match in WWE history quickly approaches at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs between World Heavyweight Champion John Cena and WWE Champion Randy Orton. With looming expectations from COO Triple H of there being just one World Champion in WWE, what will unfold tonight during the official contract signing between Cena and Orton? Here are five reasons to catch Raw at 8/7 CT on USA Network.”
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 he said about:
If He’ll Be At Tonight’s RAW From Oklahoma: “Been asked a great many times if I was going to be on or at RAW in OKC tonight and the answer is no but I will be watching from our home in Norman, Oklahoma. I hope WWE has great success in my home state and RAW, especially, gets a much needed ‘win.'”
Hulk Hogan At WrestleMania: “Another frequently asked topic concerns the potential of Hulk Hogan at WM30. I brought this up several weeks ago when his TNA contract expired as feel that Hulk could add to WM30 if strategically utilized and that doesn’t mean in a wrestling match. That would not be an option for me but there are endless, creative ways in which to use one of WWE’s all time biggest stars at their biggest event of the year and most earmarked WrestleMania since WM20.”
WWE Title Unification: “If the WWE and World Title are unified prior to WM30, apparently that is what is going to happen at the TLC PPV, then the biggest match currently, on paper at least for me at WM30 would be the Undisputed Champion vs. The Undertaker in a Title vs. The Streak match. Perhaps something else will get hot between now and April but as of today, unless more alums are brought back meaningfully, that seems to be the best main event available on the current roster.”
“There are many ways for one to book WM30 that doesn’t include that idea especially if one knows all the available parts for New Orleans and the creative trigger is pulled to begin the process to build ample anticipation for an event that cannot be just a luke warm success.”
“I’d strongly suggest that the absolute unification of the two, major titles in WWE happen at WM30 especially if the unified title is to mean all it can mean.”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross will be doing a series of one-man shows in 2014, dubbed “Jim Ross: RINGSIDE!” – with the first 2 shows officially announced.
Jim Ross’ first two shows will take place on Saturday, March 1, 2014 from the Gramercy Theater in New York City, which holds approximately 500 people.
There will be a 4pm show and an 8pm show. General admission tickets will cost $27.50 and there will be a VIP meet and greet event taking place before each show.
Ticket information will be released by Live Nation later today – and tickets will go on sale later this week.
We’ll post additional information regarding the next round of shows when it becomes available.
