WWE.com has published an image gallery looking at alternate designs for the new WWE Championship Belt.
“WWE went through countless proposed designs before settling on the new WWE Championship. Take a close look at some of the unique titles that almost made it around John Cena’s waist.”
Hit up the comments below and tell us if you think any of those designs are better than what WWE settled on.
Brodus Clay sat down with Brian Soscia, thanks to Mix Philadelphia for the information, and discussed many topics. Here are some of the highlights of the interview.
“I got a call after practice, which is rude [laughter]. Call me before practice. I was told that I wasn’t developing like they wanted and that they were going to look into future us working together, but for now we needed to part ways. I was like alright. I packed my bags and went back to California and actually put wrestling behind me. I actually thought, well you know what, I thought it was crazy I made it once and to think I’m going to come back or whatever was unrealistic goal. So I went back to bodyguarding and substitute teaching. I was actually doing very well, traveling the world with Snoop. So I was kind of doing that. I would have dreams at night about wrestling and stuff but I kept it very quiet.”
“As soon as I showed up they had open arms. They met me at the door. I remember Cena shook my hand. John Laurinaitis was like you know the door’s still open. I was like you guys closed it pretty hard actually. I still have splinters in my face, but that’s cool. About two weeks later I was sitting around and I was like I can either do this bodyguarding the rest of my life or I could take a chance and go back and do what I always wanted to do. I called them up and asked if the offer was still on the table and he was like yeah. I came back and I’m glad obviously I did. It’s been great ever since.”
“I was discovered by Tommy Dreamer. When Wrestlemania was in Los Angeles, he had brought a few wrestlers with him to dinner. When I was not a body guard, I was a substitute teacher during the day, I was bounced clubs at night and yeah, I was working. I worked like every other week for Snoop. At a place called Saddle Ranch. I ran security there. So I would check in and make sure everyone was working and doing their thing. They [Dreamer and guests] came in and I was a huge fan my whole life. So as soon as I saw Tommy Dreamer and those guys I wouldn’t let them wait in line. I brought them in and put them up on the stage, VIP service, I bought their first round of drinks and their food and I took care of them.”
PETA has released this video featuring animals #Fandangoing. Let’s hope none of them were injured during filming.
[mizshop]The Miz was recently interviewed by 4th & Pain, hosted by Redskins defensive end Adam Carriker (@AdamCarriker94) and Chuck Carroll (@TheChuckCarroll), in Washington D.C.
During the interview he took a shot at Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo who just signed a six-year, $108 million contract.
“Tony Romo will definitely get you some (fantasy) points. Granted, he’s not going to win you games for the Dallas Cowboys,” Miz said.
He also talked a lot about the fantasy football league WWE wrestlers are in and all of his botched waiver-wire moves that doomed him this year.
Above is the latest episode of the JBL & Cole Show, featuring footage from AXXESS, cameos from John Cena and Shawn Michaels as well as a rap song from Team Hell No.
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:
Obnoxious Fans At The WWE HOF Ceremony: “The loud and obnoxious yelling and taunts from some attention starved morons put a damper on the evening especially when Maria Menounos was inducting Bob Backlund. The same stereotypes that many fans detest that are unfairly, at times, hung on them from the main stream media was well deserved by a handful of tools who just had to be heard and noticed. I wish security was stationed in the cheap seats and would quickly escort those obnoxious fans away from the event. One wold think that a ‘real fan’ would have more respect for the overall event than to cause so many negative disturbances. I’m all for fans cheering and having fun but off color remarks from the peanut gallery isn’t warranted at an event such as the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.”
Hunting With Shawn Michaels: “My hog hunting adventure with @ShawnMichaels for his TV show will be taped in May at HBK’s ranch. We’ll be using crossbows will be a new experience for me. We harvest these over populated, destructive animals and then we have an official JR’s BBQ to enjoy our, hopeful, success.”
The Bright Future Of NXT: “It was an awesome experience for many of the NXT talents to be able to come to WM29 and compete at AXXESS. I loved their infectious enthusiasm and the fact that they looked, as they should, at that opportunity with great anticipation and excitement. The feedback was excellent and it’s once again proof that the WWE Developmental Program has never been in better shape but, trust me, the best is yet to come. I’m really proud of the coaches and athletes in NXT and feel honored to be able to work with them in any capacity … In my view, WWE has no more important department in the entire company than the Talent Development Program because that’s where the WrestleMania main eventers of tomorrow will be developed.”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated the Q&A Section of JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some of the highlights:
Steve Austin’s Lack of Presence On WWE A Sign He’s Not Into Wrestling Anymore?
“You couldn’t be more wrong. Steve loves the wrestling business and the fans. Just showing up to make an obligatory appearance on RAW makes no sense. There needs to be a reason to be there and when all the creative forces converge I’m sure that he will be making the occasional appearance. He is busy…he has a new job…some fans simply don’t get it. Hopefully you ‘re not one of them.”
Will The Undertaker Be At WrestleMania XXX & Will It Be His Final Match?
“Don’t know about last ride, retirement, etc but I do think that Taker wrestles at WM30 in New Orleans. Opponent to be determined. ”
The Miz’s 24-Hour IC Title Reign:
“No issues here…it made for some unpredictable TV. I hope the IC Title is made to be more important.”
NXT Divas Paige & Summer Rae Getting Called Up:
“When the two ladies you spoke of are ready they will be called up. I think both need more time in NXT. Life on the road is hard and takes preparation. Let’s allow them to improve and better prepare for the grueling road schedule that awaits them. There is no hurry.”
When 51 Finalists competing to be Texans Cheerleaders paused from action last night… The most EPIC fit of #Fandangoing broke out at Practice! “No… no no no it’s…”
– As noted earlier, CM Punk was injured at WrestleMAnia 29 during the spot where he jumped off the top rope onto the Undertaker, who was laid out on the ringside announcers table. Punk underwent X-rays and MRIs on his knees earlier this week – and it was determined that he will not need surgery. That said, Punk is banged up pretty bad and is not expected to wrestle on RAW next week when he appears.
– A press release was sent out this week announcing that WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will be driving the official pace car at Saturday’s NRA 500 NASCAR event:
“After a career of driving opponents to the mat in professional wrestling rings with his signature ‘Sweet Chin Music’ finishing move, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will now grab the wheel of the ‘No Limits’ Wild Asphalt Circus Chevrolet Camaro Official Pace Car and lead the 43-car field to the green flag for Saturday evening’s NRA 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Texas Motor Speedway.”
(Partial Source: PWInsider.com)
As reported on Monday, original plans for this week’s RAW included appearances from The Rock and Brock Lesnar. The Rock was scheduled to open the show talking about his loss at WrestleMania, which would have led to Brock Lesnar coming out and beating up The Rock, setting up an eventual showdown at WrestleMania XXX.
The Rock’s getting injured at WrestleMania 29 and flying home to Miami led to the angle being called off, for the time being. According to those close to the situation, Rock was the one who came up with the angle with Lesnar.
The absence of The Rock and Brock Lesnar on RAW led to a chaotic environment backstage at RAW, since the script had to be re-written.
While The Rock was out of town on Monday night, Brock Lesnar still could have been used. However, due to the nature of Brock Lesnar’s WWE contract (limited appearances), the decision was made to not use one of those limited dates if they didn’t have something big for him.
(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
– Matches advertised for WWE’s upcoming tour of Europe include John Cena vs. CM Punk vs. Ryback and Kane vs. Big E Langston.
– Mark Henry is scheduled to begin a feud with Sheamus soon. The two were rumored to face each other at WrestleMania before the undercard matches were changed around in the weeks leading up to the show.
– Stephanie McMahon’s recent announcement that The Rock will grace the cover of the new WWE 2K14 video game reportedly angered a lot of people at 2K Sports. 2K executives were “freaking out” over Stephanie’s tweet, because they wanted to make a much bigger deal out of the WWE 2K14 cover art reveal. The Rock’s camp has been in talks with Take Two Interactive and have assured them he will be available this fall to help promote the game.
* News On BATISTA Returning To WWE This Year
(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
Recent pictures of Batista from his Twitter page @DaveBautista:
Former WWE superstar Batista has been working out vigorously in recent months and is now back to his WWE weight of 280 pounds, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Batista dropped considerable weight when he began training in Mixed Martial Arts, where he won his [unspectacular] first professional fight last year. A second fight never came to fruition and Batista’s MMA gym in Tampa closed last year.
Since leaving WWE, Batista has landed a few solid acting roles, including roles in The Man with the Iron Fists (Brass Body), Riddick (Diaz) and Guardians of the Galaxy (Drax the Destroyer).
Batista has stated publicly that he “definitely” wants to return to WWE, and even named Brock Lesnar, The Undertaker and Triple H as the superstars he wants to work with. With him getting back in shape, a return to WWE might not be far off for The Animal.
– We’ve got an update on the injuries suffered by The Rock at WrestleMania 29. The Rock suffered a hernia, torn adductor and torn abdominal muscle during the match with Cena, with the initials signs injury occurring when he took the first Attitude Adjustment from Cena.
As Rock continued to wrestle, the muscle continued to tear from his pelvis. By the time the match was over, both his abdominal and adductor muscle had torn completely off the pelvis. As we’ve been reporting, The Rock is trying to rehab the injuries without surgery in order to prevent delaying production for his new “Hercules” movie.
– WWE filmed a lot of footage over WrestleMania weekend for the WWE Network and future DVD releases.
– WWE planned to utilize the WWE App a lot more than they did during WrestleMania, but the app crashed early into the show and announcers were told not to mention it.
– The new WWE Performance Center in Orlando that is opening in June has been molded after a football training facility. There will be several rings set as well as a full gym, coaching staff and medical personnel on staff.
(Partial Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
– Rey Mysterio is currently rehabbing his knee and is scheduled to return to action in June, but the general feeling is that he’s entering the final stage of his in-ring career.
– Jack Swagger could have a tough road ahead when he appears in court on June 25th in Gulfport, MS. A Gulfport prosecutor is seeking the maximum punishment for his DUI charge, which would include 2 days in jail, a $437 fine for marijuana possession, a $1,300 fine for the DUI and a $188 fine for speeding.
– WWE developmental trainer Bill DeMott tweeted praise for NXT wrestler Aiden English:
Congratulations to @WWEDramaKing for putting @WWENXT on #notice!#DEMOTTCRACY #NXTMEANSBUSINESS
— Bill DeMott (@BillDeMott) April 12, 2013
– As you can imagine, Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow, Brodus Clay, Tensai, The Bella Twins and The Funkadactyls were upset about their WrestleMania 29 match being pulled from the show. Cody Rhodes in particular was very unhappy about it.
(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)
– Mick Foley tweeted the following about The Rock’s injury:
https://twitter.com/realmickfoley/status/322486893797322752
– WWE will return to the XL Center in Hartford, CT on June 3rd for RAW. Tickets go on sale April 19th.
– Titus O’Neil will be appearing at tonight’s Tampa Bay Storm arena football game, with a meet & greet event taking place before the game. For tickets, visit TampaBayStorm.com.
– Tyson Kidd tweeted the following injury update on Thursday:
3 months since my knee surgery-for those asking I'm still a few months away from getting back in the ring#workhorse
— TJ Wilson (@TJWilson) April 11, 2013
– On Thursday, we reported that Ryback is teaming with Dolph Ziggler on Monday night against the team of Cena & Del Rio, a sign that WWE is booking Ryback as a heel. WWE is now advertising Ryback and Mark Henry vs. John Cena and Sheamus for RAW live events in May. Again, this is not necessarily an indication that he’s fully turned heel, but it is a result of him feuding with John Cena.
– Matt Hardy tweeted the following about being added to the Alumni section of WWE.com and being featured as the “Superstar Spotlight”:
It's great to be welcomed back home-in the "Superstar Spotlight" & as permanent WWE Alumni.. http://t.co/9r5SwNUka8 pic.twitter.com/dOJnFfVTq4
— MATT HARDY (@MATTHARDYBRAND) April 12, 2013
– Randy Orton tweeted the following about the crowd at this past Monday’s RAW:
Just watched back some of Raw from last Monday night. That crowd was insane! Never experienced anything like it before. Glad I was there.
— Randy Orton (@RandyOrton) April 11, 2013
– Chavo Guerrero and Hernandez defeated Austin Aries and Bobby Roode on last night’s episode of Impact Wrestling to become the new TNA Tag Team Champions.
– After Thursday night’s Impact Wrestling went off the air, Jeff Hardy was taken away in an ambulance to sell the effects of Bully Ray putting him through a table.
– TNA has announced the following matches for next Thursday’s show:
TNA taped the April 18th episode of Impact Wrestling last night in Corpus Christi. Here are spoilers:
* Mickie James beat Brooke Tessmacher
* Kurt Angle accepts a handicap match against Wes Brisco and Garett Bischoff, and loses when Aces & 8’s attack.
* Sting cuts a promo on Bully Ray
* Kenny King beat Petey Williams and Zema Ion
* Aces & 8s attack Magnus during his match with Devon. Samoa Joe makes the save.
* Kazarian and Daniels are out to talk about AJ Styles. Austin Aries and Bobby Roode come out which leads to a fight with Hernandez and Chavo Guerrero.
* Devon beat Samoa Joe with help from Mr. Anderson
* AJ Styles beat James Storm. After the match, Styles turns on Kazarian and Daniels, walking out. Aces & 8s attack Kazarian, Daniels and Storm.
* Bully Ray says they have taken out all of TNA and the only one left is Hulk Hogan, who will get his next week. Sting, Storm and Joseph Park beat Bully Ray, Devon and Doc in the main event.
* News On RYBACK’s Monster Push & Which NXT Stars Are Getting Called Up Soon
Ringbelles’ Women Of Wrestling Podcast interviews Maria Kanellis about a range of topics incorporating her current status with Ring Of Honor, which she clarifies following reports that she and fiancé Mike Bennett were looking to finish up with the promotion:
“I never said that I was done with Ring Of Honor. I just said that WWE had contacted me… Ring Of Honor is still me home.”
As part of the interview, Maria discusses how far down the road she got with negotiations for a return to WWE, and her thoughts on rumours that her proposed return was nixed:
“I don’t think that the Bella Twins could be so immature – I always found them to be very mature and business minded so I can’t imagine them doing that. Unfortunately we may never know the truth unless we get it from the horse’s mouth. I try not to play too much into rumours because that can get you into a lot of trouble.”
Maria explains why she publicly apologised to Barbie “Kelly Kelly” Blank on Twitter earlier this week:
“As you get older you start looking at things… you kinda leave all the stupidity of past angers behind. It’s about making peace with everything that I’ve ever had a problem with in the past and I think that Barbie’s extremely talented; I think that she’s a fan favourite and I just don’t want any negativity in my life anymore. I want to apologise for any time there was an argument.”
They also cover her time after the Diva Search in Ohio Valley Wrestling, where she was under the wing of Paul Heyman:
“Paul’s a great friend of mine. I always say that I’m a Paul Heyman lady. That’s really where my career began – when he started working with me, and really started believing in me is when I started believing in myself.”
They talk about Sara Del Rey training the next generation of WWE Divas and hear all about her relationship with Mike Bennett (including wedding details and their engagement story). They discuss how she got her start in wrestling via the Diva Search, and developing the ditzy character that eventually became her trademark in WWE. They talk Fit Finlay‘s influence on the Divas Division, some of her favorite WWE memories, including where her Slammy Award is now.
The following is a spoiler-free preview for Friday’s WWE SmackDown:
* World Heavyweight champion Dolph Ziggler vs. Chris Jericho.
* Triple H addresses his Wrestlemania win.
* Randy Orton & Sheamus vs. Big Show.
* United States champ Antonio Cesaro vs. Kofi Kingston.
* Tag Team champs Team Hell No vs. Primetime Players.
* Intercontinental champ Wade Barrett vs. Santino Marella.
* The Bellas & Tamina vs. WWE Divas champion Kaitlyn & Naomi & Cameron.
Plus, there will be appearances from Fandango, The Shield, 3MB, Jack Swagger and Alberto Del Rio.
Former WWE employee Andrew Green is suing Big Show and WWE over an alleged backstage incident at the 2013 Royal Rumble pay-per-view, according to Courthouse News Service. Green claims another WWE producer told him to get an interview with Show after his Rumble match to be posted on the company’s website. Green says Show refused to do it until he said it was at the request of Eric Pankowski. Big Show then began using “profanely indecent language,” saying if he wanted an interview he would give him one. The complaint continued:
“Big Show toward Green enraged, shouting obscenities, and waving his fist in Green’s face. Big Show then grabbed Green by the collar and throat, striking Green in the face and backing him up against a trunk while declaring ‘You son of a bitch … Are you having fun right now … Don’t even come up to me again … I don’t give a shit who you are’.”
Show requested a re-tape of the interview saying he would just walk away. Triple H requested a third take but Show said he didn’t think he would be able to do it because his emotions in the first shoot had been real. A third interview was shot but Pankowski decided to air the first interview.
Green claims he was unable to continue working for WWE after following the incident because he was uncomfortable working around Big Show and other wrestlers. He alleges in the complaint that WWE had previously “suspended or terminated Big Show’s employment because of his behavior, including his engagement in violent and/or unlawful and/or improper activities outside of the wrestling venue.”
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart answered questions from fans on his Facebook page Thursday afternoon, covering WrestleMania 29, his brother Owen and more. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
WrestleMania 29: “I thought Undertaker and Punk stole the show… I thought the two main events (Rock vs. Cena, Triple H vs. Lesnar) were more than predictable. Step by step. Overall I thought the show was good. The highlight of WrestleMania weekend for me was the induction of Bruno. All of the Hall of Famer recipients were great selections.”
John Cena vs. The Rock: “I thought they both worked really hard, and I’m glad that Cena won. But from an imagination stand point I saw the match that they gave about a year ago in my head… and absolutely nothing surprised me.”
Undertaker’s Streak Ending: “Let’s just say at WM 50 – Undertaker loses streak to Joe Henning… and he is pinned with the PerfectPlex at the 59 minute mark.”
Owen: “I honestly think my brother Owen would still be alive today” had the Montreal Screwjob not occurred.
– With WWE calling up several wrestlers from developmental soon, three talents at the top of the list are Bray Wyatt, Kassius Ohno and Adrian Neville.
– WWE is running a digital pay-per-view special where fans can view the entire 2013 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony on WWE.com, the WWE Mobile App, Xbox Live and Samsung SMART TVs. The show costs $7.99 and will be available starting Friday April 12th at 10 a.m. ET through April 19th. For more information, visit WWE.com.
– Dolph Ziggler tweeted the following about his World Heavyweight title win on Monday’s RAW:
https://twitter.com/HEELZiggler/status/322369980773568513
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:
WrestleMania 29: My match of the night at WM29 was Taker vs. @CMPunk. Loved @TripleH vs. @BrockLesnar too. Tough act to follow, as I have discussed here for weeks, and going on last is always a daunting experience and it was Sunday for @JohnCena and @TheRock but they came through it well especially considering that Rock had a torn abductor muscle that he suffered early in the bout.
The Crowd At RAW: “Co-sign on the great live audience for RAW Monday night made up of many Northeast American fans and, of course, many from out of the country especially from the UK among other countries.”
Fandango Getting Over: “Not shocked, I wrote about it here multiple times, that Fandango had a solid outing with the great @IAmJericho Chris Jericho at WM29 notwithstanding the point that Jericho’s retaliation on Fandango Monday night on RAW was pure textbook. Young wrestlers need to take note of Jericho’s unbridled passion And realism in getting a piece of Fandango on RAW. The Fandango buzz is intriguing and it will last as long as his in ring performances hold up positively to his controversial TV persona.”
Ryback Attacking John Cena on RAW: “Loved how RAW went off the air Monday night, @Ryback22 standing tall over John Cena. Is Ryback a newly minted villain? Not so fast there knee jerkers. I think that the fans will make that call and perhaps even more people will boo John Cena that have previously as Ryback obviously, as he should, has his sights set on the WWE Title and a top spot within WWE.”
– On Monday’s RAW, WWE had Daniel Bryan and Kane save The Undertaker from a possible beatdown at the hands of The Shield. According to f4wonline.com, the angle was done to plant the seeds for an upcoming tag team title feud.
With WWE Extreme Rules still over a month away, there are reportedly plans for Team Hell No to defend their WWE Tag Team titles against The Shield at the pay-per-view. With The Shield’s impressive work and strong push, it’s expected they will be the ones to end Kane & Bryan’s lengthy title reign.
– Here’s the latest edition of WWE Inbox:
“One Superstar after another attempt to pronounce the most difficult names in WWE. See how well they do, only on WWE on YouTube!”
(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)
