On Monday’s RAW, a ladder match stipulation was added to Dolph Ziggler’s 3-way World Heavyweight title defense at Extreme Rules.
Here is the updated card for the PPV (5/19):
WWE Championship Match
John Cena (c) vs. Ryback
World Heavyweight Championship – Ladder Match
Dolph Ziggler (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. Jack Swagger
Steel Cage Match
Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar
– The following matches were taped for this week’s WWE Superstars on Monday night from Columbus, Ohio
* Tamina Snuka vs. Kaitlyn
* R-Truth vs. Damien Sandow
– Antonio Cesaro is invoking his US title rematch clause this Wednesday night on Main Event when he challenges Kofi Kingston for the gold.
– Speaking of Kofi, it was announced on RAW tonight that he just became a father for the first time.
WWE RAW opens up from Columbus, Ohio with Michael Cole welcoming us. We go right to the ring and out comes Ricardo Rodriguez and Alberto Del Rio. It’s announced the winner of this match will pick the stipulation for the World Heavyweight Title match at Extreme Rules. Ricardo heads to the ring as Zeb Colter and Big E Langston wait.
This match was made by Teddy Long, it’s announced.
Langston eyes Zeb and Ricardo, smiling. Zeb goes to the apron, leaving Big E to face off with Ricardo. Big E catches Ricardo and runs over him with a big shoulder. Big E with a big forearm to the chest. Ricardo fights back with a kick and some punches. He tries to run away but Big E grabs him for big slams over his knee. Big E with body shots in the corner now. Big E has words with Zeb. Big E runs and spears Ricardo in the corner. Big E tosses Ricardo across the ring. Ricardo jumps and Big E runs into the ring post. Ricardo with kicks and punches to Big E now. Zeb comes in and gets some shots in on Big E. Ricardo and Zeb double team him. Ricardo reminds him that they’re enemies. Big E runs over Ricardo again as Zeb watches.
Zeb pushes Big E away and beats up Ricardo. Big E backs Zeb up and he falls down, faking a knee injury. Jack Swagger runs in and tends to Zeb. Ricardo with a kick to Big E. Ricardo tosses a trash can onto Big E and it does nothing. Big E lays Ricard out with a big belly to belly suplex. Alberto Del Rio comes in and hits Big E. Dolph Ziggler takes out Del Rio. Swagger sends Ziggler to the floor. Big E sends Swagger to the floor but tumbles out with him. Zeb steals the pin and covers Ricardo but AJ Lee breaks the pin. These are triple threat rules. Ricardo rolls up Zeb for the win.
– Still to come, Ryback and John Cena are being forced to face The Shield. Cole, Jerry Lawler and JBL talk about Cena’s Achilles injury. They wonder if Cena will be ready to go tonight. Cena will be up next to celebrate World Wish Day.
– We go back to replays of how the triple threat ended. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and we get a video of John Cena granting a wish on Today earlier this morning. We come back to the arena and out comes Cena with several kids and their parents from Make-A-Wish. Cena talks about World Wish Day and introduces Jacob, Nicholas and Logan. He says their wish was to come watch RAW. Cena encourages fans to visit Wish.org/WWE and help out. Cena says tonight, they’re making these three kids honorary WWE Superstars. Cena introduces the three newest WWE stars. Jacob’s name he chose is The Eliminator, Nick’s name he chose was Nick The Stitch and Logan’s name he chose was Lightning Logan. The crowd cheers and Cena gets them to cheer louder for the three kids. Cena thanks the fans and that’s it.
– We see Randy Orton walking backstage. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and Randy Orton is finishing up his entrance as Cody Rhodes looks on from ringside.
Orton strikes first and takes Cody down. They lock up again and Cody takes control for a second. Orton fights out but Cody drops him with a shoulder. Back and forth but Orton drops Cody with an elbow. They lock p again and trade holds. Cody works on the arm and takes Orton to the corner. Orton tosses Cody to the floor but he hangs on and comes back in. Cody turns around to a dropkick. Orton taunts Cody and dropkicks him again. Orton with a 1 count. Orton keeps control and works Cody over.
Orton stomps away on Cody. Cody pulls Orton into the turnbuckles and turns it around. Cody works Orton over in the corner now. Orton turns it around and hits a suplex for a 2 count. Orton keeps the attack on Cody and covers for another pin attempt. Cody turns it around and drops Orton with a dropkick for a 2 count. Cody with kicks. Orton comes back with a clothesline. Cody goes to the floor but Orton chases him and hits another. Orton brings it back in the ring but Cody blocks the second rope DDT. Cody comes in but blocks an RKO. Orton stares Cody down as we go to commercial.
Back from the break and Orton has control of Cody on the floor. Orton brings it back in but Cody nails a Disaster Kick. Cody brings Orton back in the ring and covers for a 2 count. Cody with another pin attempt. Cody with stomps now. Cody mounts Orton with right hands and kicks him again. Cody with a knee to the throat. Another 2 count on Orton. Cody with a headlock now. Orton fights to his feet and goes for a backdrop. Cody counters and drops Orton with a big right hand. Cody with another stomp and knee drop for 2. Cody with a boot in the corner now. Orton fights back with rights and a headbutt. Orton runs into a big boot. Cody goes to the top and comes down with an elbow to the head. Cody with a 2 count. Cody goes back to the top but Orton cuts him off. Orton climbs up and nails a superplex. Cody kicks out at 2. More of Orton in control. Orton hits the second rope draping DDT and readies for an RKO. The crowd goes nuts. Cody blocks it and nails Cross Rhodes for a close 2 count. Cody complains about the three count. Cody yells at Orton. Cody goes for a Disaster Kick but jumps into an RKO for the win.
– After the match, Matt Striker talks to Orton in the ring. Striker asks if Orton is still haunted by Big Show turning on him at WrestleMania 29. Orton says it fuels him. He’s never been so focused and never felt so extreme. Cody gets up and Orton nails another RKO.
– Brie Bella is stretching when her sister Nikki walks up. They’re not happy about missing the battle royal last week. They were at a red carpet event for the E! network. They walk off together and we go to commercial.
Back from the break and The Bella Twins are in the ring. We get a sneak peek at the upcoming Divas show that will air on E! in June.
Out next comes Cameron and Naomi without Tensai or Brodus Clay.
Brie and Naomi lock up. Brie sends her to the mat and taunts her. Naomi fights back and hits a Thesz Press. Naomi with right hands and offense off the ropes. Naomi with a dropkick that sends Brie out of the ring. Brie fights her way back in and goes to the top but Naomi cuts her off. The Bellas do the twin switch. Nikki comes in and steals the win by rolling up Naomi.
– Cameron complains to the referee after the match. The referee calls The Bellas back to the ring and announces Naomi wins by DQ. The Bellas hit the ring and a brawl breaks out. They end up dumping Naomi out of the ring and beating up Cameron some more.
– Still to come, The Shield will speak. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and out comes Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns through the crowd, to the ring.
– Back from the break and out comes Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns through the crowd, to the ring. The Shield talks about breaking down the injustices in WWE since they arrived at Survivor Series. Seth Rollins says not one person has been able to stop them. Rollins says they changed WWE history when they stopped Ryback from becoming WWE Champion. We see a still from Survivor Series. We see stills of The Shield taking out The Rock, Big Show, Sheamus and John Cena. Dean Ambrose says they looked immortality in the face and force fed justice to The Undertaker. Reigns tells Taker to rest in peace. We see a video from SmackDown where The Shield beat up Taker.
Ambrose says justice doesn’t care if you’re undefeated at WrestleMania, the WWE Champion or what your name is. Rollins says justice has not forgot about Ryback and John Cena. Rollins goes on but 3MB’s music hits and out comes Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre on the stage. Slater tells them to shut up. Slater says The Shield has unfinished business with 3MB tonight. Drew says they were seconds from teaching Triple H a lesson but The Shield crashed their party. Mahal says now they’re crashing The Shield’s party. 3MB surround the ring and enter. A brawl breaks out. The Shield look to be getting the upperhand. Kane’s pyro goes off and out he comes with Daniel Bryan. They hit the ring but The Shield retreats through the crowd. Kane and Bryan beat up 3MB and clear the ring of them instead. Kane chokeslams Slater while staring at The Shield. Bryan makes the crowd chant yes and The Shield runs off to the back.
– John Cena is backstage getting his foot taped up. Ryback comes in and says Cena can tape it up all he wants but he’s still hurt. Cena says hurt, not injured and he can still go. Cena says he is more effective on one leg than Ryback is two. Ryback says he will take that chance and walks off. Back to commercial.
Cole and Lawler plug Domino’s pizza. Out comes World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler with AJ Lee and Big E Langston by his side. Out next comes his opponent WWE United States Champion Kofi Kingston.
Lots of back and forth to start the match. Kofi goes for SOS but it’s blocked. More counters and attempts. We go to commercial mid-match.
Back from the break and Ziggler is in control. Kofi fights out of a hold. Ziggler cuts him off. Ziggler taunts Kofi now. Ziggler with a neckbreaker. Ziggler misses a splash in the corner as Kofi moves out of the way. Ziggler goes back to the attack and beats Kofi down in the corner. Kofi fights him off with kicks and punches. Kofi makes a comeback and nails a big dropkick. Kofi hits the Boom Drop. Ziggler blocks Trouble in Paradise but Kofi catches him. Ziggler counters that with a big DDT. Ziggler with a 2 count. More back and forth. Kofi with SOS for a 2 count. Ziggler misses the leg drop and Kofi nails Trouble in Paradise but AJ puts Ziggler’s leg on the bottom rope. Big E helps Ziggler up on the floor but Kofi dives out onto both of them. Kofi brings Ziggler back in and goes to the top. Kofi with a big crossbody for a close 2 count. AJ distracts the referee. Big E gets on the apron but Kofi sends him to the floor. Ziggler rolls Kofi up for 2. Kofi counters with a 2 count. Kofi catches Ziggler again and catapults him into the corner. Kofi misses a big shot from the top rope. Ziggler hits Zig Zag for the win.
– After the match, Big E hits two of his finishers on Kofi as Ziggler cheers him on. Back to commercial.
– Back from the break and Team Ziggler is walking backstage. They run into Natalya and Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn and AJ have words about the Divas Title. A crew member brings up a gift and AJ thinks its for her. It’s for Kaitlyn and a matching hat for her bracelet is in the ring. Kaitlyn reads the love letter and now has a secret admirer.
– We get a video for Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar.
– Vickie Guerrero and Brad Maddox are backstage talking. Ryback comes in and says he won’t face The Shield alone again. Vickie says there will be a six-man match now – The Shield vs. Ryback, Kane and Daniel Bryan. Ryback says he’s been there, done that, and doesn’t trust either of them. He shouts no and walks off. Back to commercial.
Back from the break and out comes Jack Swagger with Zeb Colter. Zack Ryder is out next and on his way to the ring, he shows us footage of Zeb in action earlier tonight. Swagger locks up and takes Ryder to the corner to start the match. Swagger with more big knees in the corner.
Swagger nails a big clothesline and keeps control. Ryder makes a comeback but Swagger dumps him on his back for a 2 count. Swagger starts working on Ryder’s leg now. Swagger tosses Ryder across the ring and nails two Swagger Bombs. Swagger taunts Ryder. Swagger goes for another Swagger Bomb but Ryder puts his boots up. Ryder dumps Swagger to the floor and nails a dropkick through the ropes. Ryder brings it back in the ring but Swagger catches him and nails a gutwrench powerbomb. Swagger applies the Patriot Lock for the win.
– After the match, Swagger finally breaks the hold. Swagger lets Zeb taunt Ryder for disrespecting him earlier. Swagger knocks Ryder back with a right hand.
– Mark Henry is carrying a rope to the ring as we go back to commercial.
– During the break, Matt Striker tried getting an interview with Ryback for the WWE App but Ryback was shown walking out of the building.
– We go to the ring and Mark Henry is out with a big rope and a microphone. Henry says he’s here to prove he’s the strongest man in the world. He’s asked Vickie Guerrero for two opponents. Henry says to bring them out. Here comes Tensai first. The referee officiates a tug-of-war and here we go. Henry pulls Tensai over the line and wins the first round. Henry celebrates and out next comes Brodus Clay.
Clay battles Henry in a tug-of-war now. Henry pulls Clay over the middle line and wins the second round. Henry celebrates until the music of Sheamus hits and here comes. Sheamus comes to the stage and taunts Henry. Sheamus says let’s get it on and heads to the ring to battle Henry in a tug-of-war contest. Henry almost gets it but Sheamus lets go of the rope and Henry falls back. Henry gets up pissed off but Sheamus nails a Brogue Kick.
– We see footage from John Cena’s special segment for World Wish Day earlier tonight.
– Brad Maddox and Vickie Guerrero are backstage with Team Hell No. Ryback has left the building. Kane’s upset and ready to battle The Shield no matter what. Vickie says they can have the match and they walk off. Vickie whispers something to Brad and we go back to commercial.
– Back from the break and we get tweets from The Rock about his surgery and the success of Pain & Gain.
– John Cena is getting ready to head out to the ring when Brad Maddox walks in. Cena says he’s not letting Team Hell No face The Shield without a partner. Maddox says Cena is hurt bad. Cena says he’s not but Maddox will be. Cena says he’s fighting tonight and Maddox leaves.
We go to the ring and out comes Ricardo Rodriguez to begin the introduction for Alberto Del Rio. Antonio Cesaro waits in the ring.
The bell rings and they lock up and break. Another lock up and they go to the mat trading holds. Del Rio with a pin attempt. Cesaro shoves him. Del Rio comes back firing away into the corner. Cesaro suplexes Del Rio. Del Rio comes back with a big kick to the arm. Del Rio focuses on Cesaro’s arm now. Cesaro turns it around and focuses on Del Rio’s arm now. Cesaro with uppercuts now. Del Rio comes back with a hurricanrana. Del Rio with shots to the kidneys now. Del Rio with a backstabber. Del Rio goes for the cross armbreaker but Cesaro blocks it and goes to the floor. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and Cesaro is in control of Del Rio. Cesaro with a stomp and a 2 count. Cesaro with a gutwrench slam for another pin attempt. Cesaro hits a big running uppercut in the corner but Del Rio kicks out at 2. Cesaro with left and right hands before another pin attempt. Cesaro keeps control of Del Rio and keeps him on the mat. Del Rio tries to block a back drop but gets slammed anyway. Cesaro with more big uppercuts. Del Rio with a big kick to the face and a clothesline. Del Rio makes a comeback and nails a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker. Cesaro rolls Del Rio up for a close 2 count. Del Rio with a suplex for another close 2 count. More back and forth action. Del Rio comes off the top but Cesaro knocks him out of the air with an uppercut. Del Rio still kicks out at 2. Cesaro runs into the ring post. Del Rio with a superkick to the face for a 2 count. More back and forth Cesaro goes for the win but Del Rio counters with the cross armbreaker for the win.
– After the match, Del Rio picks a Ladder Match stipulation for the Triple Threat at Extreme Rules.
– Fandango and The Great Khali are headed to the ring for a dance off as we go to commercial.
– Back from the break and out comes Fandango with his dancer Summer Rae. The Great Khali waits in the ring with Natalya and Jerry Lawler is hosting things. Lawler asks Khali about Dancing with the Stars and how Chris Jericho did. Khali says he’s better. Music hits and Khali dances with Natalya. Lawler asks Fandango how Jericho did on DWTS. Fandango says he was clumsy. Fandango and Summer Rae dance next. Lawler refers to her as Summer Rae. The crowd cheers more for Khali and Natalya but it’s very close. Khali and Natalya win the dance contest. Fandango attacks from behind and takes Khali’s knee out. Fandango with a sweep to take Khali to the mat. Fandango goes to the top and nails the big leg drop on Khali.
– Up next is the main event. We see footage from SmackDown where The Undertaker got beat down by The Shield.
We go to the ring and out comes WWE Champion John Cena for the main event. The WWE Tag Team Champions Kane and Daniel Bryan are out next. We go to commercial.
Back from the break and here comes The Shield. A brawl starts the match before Kane and Dean Ambrose go at it in the ring. Back and forth until Seth Rollins comes in. Kane works him over in the corner. Kane is upset and grabs the referee by the throat. Cena tags in and calms Kane down. Cena goes at it with Ambrose, who just tagged in. Cena’s bad leg buckles and he tags in Daniel Bryan. Bryan unloads on Ambrose with kicks in the corner. Bryan with more offense on Ambrose.
Kane comes back in and keeps control of Ambrose, getting a 2 count. Bryan comes back in with more kicks on Ambrose. Bryan with a surfboard submission now. Kane tags back in for some double teaming and a 2 count. Kane goes to the top but Ambrose moves. Rollins tags in for some double teaming on Kane. Rollins with a 2 count. Rollins works over Kane as we go back to commercial.
Back from the break and Ambrose is in control of Bryan. Bryan fights out but Ambrose knocks him down for a 2 count. Rollins tags in and hits a big kick to the face for a 2 count. Rollins taunts Cena and works Bryan over. Rollins with a submission on Bryan now. Bryan tries to hit all of The Shield but Rollins drops him with another kick for a 2 count. Roman Reigns comes in and keeps control of Bryan now. Bryan fights out but Reigns nails a big Samoan drop for a 2 count. Bryan sends Reigns out to the floor. Bryan tags in Kane as Ambrose comes in. Cena looks upset he wasn’t tagged in. Kane unloads on Ambrose with clotheslines in the corner and a big sideslam. Rollins gets shoved out of the ring by Kane. Kane goes to the top and comes down on Ambrose with a big right hand. Kane tosses Ambrose out of the ring and follows. Kane takes apart the announce table and grabs Ambrose. Kane lets go to fight off Rollins. Ambrose comes back and DDT’s Kane on the floor.
They make it back in the ring. Kane finally nails a chokeslam. Cena finally gets a tag and unloads on Reigns. Cena hits his usual moves and then the Five Knuckle Shuffle. Rollins nails a crossbody on Cena but he rolls through. Cena’s leg goes out as he attempts an Attitude Adjustment and Reigns spears him for the win.
– After the match, Ryback appears on the stage as Cena sells the injury in the ring. The Shield has already left through the crowd. A trainer checks on Cena’s injury as RAW goes off the air.
– Yahoo! and WWE have announced a new partnership that will include a 30-minute online RAW pre-show, two new weekly series, hundreds of hours of archived WWE footage and more. Yahoo! will also begin airing WWE’s monthly 30-minute PPV pre-shows. The Yahoo! WWE hub will be available starting this summer.
– Batista tweeted the following over the weekend, which sounds like he’s teasing return to pro wrestling:
Very rewarding long week. #IMissTheDaysWhen I could entertain you live and in person, but #TrustMe, you're going to love what's coming…
— Dave Bautista (@DaveBautista) April 27, 2013
– Friday’s episode of Smackdown scored a 1.96 cable TV rating and averaged 2.75 million viewers. Smackdown ranked #4 in overal viewers for the night.
– Members of the Columbus Crew MLS pro soccer team are backstage at tonight’s WWE RAW and are getting pictures taken with “their favorite” WWE Superstars and Divas:
– WWE.com has posted a “Breaking News” alert heading into tonight’s RAW:
CENA TO FIGHT TONIGHT!
WWE.com has learned that despite his injury, WWE Champion John Cena will team with Ryback to take on The Shield in a Handicap Match on tonight’s Raw. Can the two rivals work together against the black-clad renegades? Tune in tonight at 8/7 on USA Network.
– WWE superstar The Miz, who is currently out of action filming the WWE Studios movie Christmas Bounty, tweeted the following on Monday afternoon:
https://twitter.com/mikethemiz/status/328993040578523136
The ongoing saga of the Hulk Hogan sex tape took another turn on Monday, as the Gawker digital publishing company appeal the temporary injunction Hulk Hogan received ordering all video clips and written descriptions of the Hulk Hogan-Heather Clem sex tape to be taken offline.
Gawker argued that the description of the video clip could not be pulled due to freedom of speech and a judge sided with them over Hogan.
Hogan also filed a motion with the court, requesting that Gawker be be held in contempt for refusing the adhere to the court order and placing the footage on another website and linking to it at the same time it was removed from their own site. Hogan is arguing that linking to the footage falls under the behavior that Gawker was prohibited from doing.
– Tonight’s edition of WWE RAW takes place from the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio. The advertised main event for tonight’s broadcast is John Cena and Ryback teaming together against The Shield. However, due to the Achilles heel injury suffered by John Cena overseas this past weekend, there’s a chance the match will not take place. Cena has vowed to be at RAW tonight to address his condition, so we should get an update on his status for Extreme Rules and whether he’ll be healthy to wrestle Ryback next month.
Also on RAW, the road to Extreme Rules continues. Expect to see more from Dolph Ziggler, Jack Swagger and Alberto Del Rio as WWE builds towards their triple threat World Heavyweight championship match on 5/19. Neither Brock Lesnar or Triple H are advertised for RAW.
The scheduled dark match main event is supposed to be John Cena and Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler and Ryback, however that match is subject to change based on Cena’s injury.
WWE legend The Undertaker appeared in a commercial for the SUPR Ride & Rally motorcycle event that took place over the weekend at the Lake Hills Church in Austin, Texas.
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:
Women’s Promotions Going National: Some one asked if I thought an all womens promotion could be successful on a national basis. It all depends on the business model, I suppose, including the TV deal and the talent pool from which to select but my gut instinct would be a polite, “no.”
NFL Star Tim Tebow Joining WWE: Perhaps Time Tebow will show up and do a “run in” as he’s looking for work. Perhaps trying WWE would be a nice fit for Tebow who would undoubtedly be an antagonist in today’s defiant world. Of course, I jest regarding Tebow in WWE but stranger things have happened.
John Cena’s Injury: Anxious to hear more info on the condition of John Cena’s Achilles injury and what it means, if any thing, to his WWE Title defense at Extreme Rules vs. Ryback. Got a feeling that Ryback won’t be too sympathetic regarding @JohnCena medical ills. Cena worked through his injury while in Europe which many would not have done but I’m under the impression that he’s pushed it about as far as he can at this point in the process.
– Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore promotion announced on Monday that Ric Flair and Terry Funk, who had a legendary feud over the NWA World Heavyweight title back in 1989, will be making a special appeareance together at the upcoming House of Hardcore 2 event in Philadelphia, PA on June 22nd at the National Guard Armory. For more details, visit HouseofHardcore.net.
– WWE superstar Zack Ryder continues to grow out his hair, tweeting the following on Monday:
“Take care…grow your hair”
As part of World Wish Day, WWE Champion John Cena appeared on NBC’s Today Show this morning to personally invite a young WWE fan to Monday Night RAW.
Once again – say what you want about John Cena the wrestler, but John Cena the man is a bonafide hero. He tweeted the following about the experience:
Thanks 2 @thetodayshow @MakeAWish for allowing me to meet @WWE #nickthestitch he is truly an inspiration! http://t.co/JJxvxJPUnj
— John Cena (@JohnCena) April 29, 2013
– CM Punk has been removed from all upcoming live event listings through SummerSlam. As we’ve been reporting, Punk was burnt out and physically worn down heading into WrestleMania, when he suffered additional injuries to his knees. At this time, the creative team is not even discussing how to bring Punk back, since it’s still several months away. Since his last WWE television appearance, Punk has been spotted at baseball games, a movie premiere (Iron Man 3) and three UFC events.
– As for Chris Jericho, he’s only scheduled for two live events in May before the Extreme Rules pay-per-view: Beaumont, TX (5/11) and Ft. Worth, TX (5/12). Jericho is currently listed for post-Extreme Rules RAW live events in Utah and Canada from 5/24-26. He’s not currently listed for any RAW or SmackDown tapings.
(Partial Source: PWInsider.com)
– AJ Lee, the #1 contender to Kaitlyn’s WWE Divas Championship, tweeted the following about tonight’s RAW:’
Raw tonight starring Ziggy, E, and myself. One of us will bring the sexy, one of us will bring the cleavage, and one of us will be me.
— AJ Mendez (@TheAJMendez) April 29, 2013
– After a fan joked on Twitter about John Cena’s “heel turn” turning out well, Cena replied:
Told ya they werent ready for it! #wrasslinirony RT @omikse1: @JohnCena @WWE That heel turn turned out well :P
— John Cena (@JohnCena) April 29, 2013
– Speaking of John Cena, despite his injury, he’s still scheduled to appear at Thursday’s WWE NXT tapings from Winter Park FL.
– Triple H tweeted the following message to The Rock regarding the box office success of his new movie, Pain & Gain:
@TheRock congrats on "Pain and Gain" #1 #can'tstoptherock DAMN!!!!!
— Triple H (@TripleH) April 29, 2013
– WWE Hall of Famers Edge and Bret Hart attended Saturday night’s Calgary Hitmen vs. Edmonton Oil Kings minor league hockey game. Edge tweeted:
What a night! Calgary Hitmen game with @BretHart , won in OT, followed by a great dinner. Never get's old sharin Owen stories
— Adam Copeland (@RatedRCope) April 29, 2013
– Titus O’Neil posted a new Tout video announcing that the Prime Time Players will be training with the Ohio State University football team prior to tonight’s RAW:
WWE Hall of Famer “Superstar” Billy Graham announced via Facebook today that he has been released from the hospital and is heading home:
“I want to thank all of mine Facebook fans for their thoughts and prayers for my recovery. I am working my way back to Phoenix where I will immediately report to the Mayo Clinic Hospital for follow up with my liver transplant team. By God’s grace I shall continue to overcome. As always thank you my Facebook fans…no looking back! Superstar”
– WWE COO Triple H tweeted the following on Monday morning, teasing that tonight’s WWE RAW from Columbus, Ohio could feature some involvement from DX:
Columbus…..R U READY?#Raw
— Triple H (@TripleH) April 29, 2013
– WWE.com has a new article up looking at Triple H’s upcoming steel cage match against Brock Lesnar at Extreme Rules. The piece emphasizes that Lesnar’s past as a UFC cage fighter will work to his advantage:
“Will Brock Lesnar’s experience fighting in the UFC’s Octagon prove advantageous or detrimental when he steps inside WWE’s steel cage against Triple H at Extreme Rules?””
– WWE Hall of Famer Edge responded to a fan who Tweeted him about John Cena’s Achilles tendon injury. The fan noted that Edge had the same injury during his career, and it kept him out of action for 12 months. Edge replied:
Actually 6 months, not a year. Still sucks though. He's stubborn, he'll get through it @CCTChairShots @WWE @JohnCena
— Adam Copeland (@RatedRCope) April 29, 2013
– With CM Punk out of action and now John Cena’s health up in the air, there is now talk that WWE might call upon The Undertaker to work next month’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view to add some star power to the card.
– WWE Superstar Antonio Cesaro granted several wishes for the Make-A-Wish organization when WWE was in Switzerland earlier this month. These were the first wishes granted by Cesaro, who has been named WWE’s Swiss Make-A-Wish Ambassador.
Click below for more images of Antonio Cesaro granting wishes:
![14 Geneva 04212013jg 0062](https://community.wwe.com/sites/default/files/styles/hero_format/public/14_Geneva_04212013jg_0062.jpg?itok=fQRW22uS"")
Word coming out of WWE developmental is that WWE is planning to bring back NXT to national television this fall.
While the news may bring back bad memories of what the NXT show became in its final seasons (green slime anybody?), the idea is to use a more traditional format. One source compared the planned NXT show to WWE’s version of ECW, with an emphasis on in-ring action and spotlighting up and coming talent.
The plan is for NXT, which currently airs overseas, to remain a one-hour show on American television. WWE already airs a ton of original programming each week, but could generate an extra $100,000 in weekly TV rights fees, which is hard for a public company to turn down.
The big news of this past weekend is that Joh Cena injured his heel during WWE’s European tour.
According to a report at f4wonline.com, it’s now believed that the injury occured last weekend (4/21) when WWE was in Geneva, Switzerland. Cena defeated Ryback in a Tables match on that show. In an effort to protect John Cena while his injury was diagnosed, he was moved into six-man tag matches, teaming with Kane and Daniel Bryan against Ryback, Dolph Ziggler and Big E Langston.
The fact that the injury took place over a week ago is a sign that WWE likely knows more about the injury than they are letting on with their online reports. They are playing up that Cena’s status for Extreme Rules is in jeopardy, but there are still people in WWE that think Cena will be fine and WWE is simply using the injury scare as a way to portray Cena as a vulnerable champion.
(Source: f4wonline.com)
– John Cena tweeted the following on Monday morning, hyping tonight’s WWE RAW:
Up and at em' @WWE its #worldwishday and I'm in NYC for something special, then 2 #raw I WILL be there tonight! Hobbling or not #nevergiveup
— John Cena (@JohnCena) April 29, 2013
– The Rock thanked fans on Twitter for making “Pain & Gain” the #1 movie at the box office:
Twisted, dark & original – PAIN & GAIN is the #1 movie in America. THANK U guys!
Loved playing this character. #VoilentKindness— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) April 28, 2013
– WWE has published the following video counting down the 10 best “top rope” signature moves:
Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 39 minutes
This week, Solomonster has breaking injury news on John Cena, a backup plan if Cena is unable to compete, whether he believes Rock has wrestled his final match, three potential opponents for him not named Brock Lesnar, a great week for The Shield (and Dean Ambrose in particular), Hulk Hogan and Sting beat up Aces and Eights on Impact, pitching Suicide vs. Curry Man, and what one thing could have been changed to give WCW the best chance of being alive today? All of that, plus we’re celebrating the 50th anniversary of the WWE championship with a look at the five biggest names to hold the title, the men who should have been champion but never were, and ranking the top 10 greatest WWE Title matches in history!
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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has commented on the injury suffered by WWE Champion John Cena while overseas this weekend. Via JRsBarBQ.com:
“WWE.com reporting that WWE Champion John Cena has sustained an injury while on the European Tour. The report states that Cena has issues with his right, Achilles tendon which can be a dicey matter. Achilles injuries can be puzzling especially if they aren’t torn and don’t require surgery. In other words these types of injuries can linger if one doesn’t get the proper rest and allow the tendon to heal. The injury is legit as Cena has been suffering through this matter for several days even though he hasn’t missed any bookings. Always said the man has the work ethic and toughness of an offensive lineman which is a good thing.”
Video from SmackDown of The Shield destroying The Undertaker after his singles match against Dean Ambrose.
According to BoxOfficemojo.com, The Rock’s new movie “Pain & Gain” is estimated to have drawn $20 million in its opening weekend, on par with industry predictions.
The $20 million haul would put Pain & Gain at the top of the box office, ahead of “Oblivion,” which drew approximately $17.4 million in its second week “The Big Wedding” came in at #3 with $7.5 million, below expectations.
Overall weekend box office revenue and attendance was down 12% compared to the same weekend last year. Pain & Gain faces stiff competition next weekend, when “Iron Man 3” premieres.
