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Jim Ross Blog: Steve Austin Wrestling Again, Rock’s In-Ring Future, New Divas Show

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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:

The Rock’s In-Ring Future: “Has the Rock, @TheRock, wrestled his last match due to injury? Seems as if Rock has left that matter open for speculation depending on the results of the surgery and his non stop schedule, etc. However, knowing Dwayne as I do, I would think that he would want to go out differently and be remembered for one, last major bout. If I had to make a wager, I’d say we haven’t seen the last of @TheRock. The one wild card may be his movie partners who may not want to risk their franchise player stepping back in the ring. That’s all TBD. I would speculate that if Dwayne can’t do WM30 for any reason that he may be closer to done than many want to see.”

Steve Austin Wrestling Again: “Interesting note….recently I read about @steveaustinBSR being in great shape physically and looking excellent ala being in ‘show shape’ but not wrestling shape for a return to a WWE ring. News flash or as the one person in the world that I would really NOT want to take a long, care trip with, Nancy Grace, might say….BOMBSHELL….Steve is ALWAYS in great shape. Old habits die hard and the Texas Rattlesnake (Thanks, JR) is a gym guy in that he hits the gym regularly and with P&V. With all that said, the only way that I see Steve returning to the ring for one, final bout is obviously on the biggest stage (WM30), with the exact, right opponent (Who is that?) , and with a strategic game plan that Steve can emotionally invest . That’s a bunch of if’s so the door isn’t closed but it’s not exactly standing wide open either. Austin fans will continue to hold out hope until it’s either a done deal or not but a Stone Cold return at WM30 would help insure that the biggest event of 2014 would be a can’t miss event. AS I have said in the past, I’d gage an Austin return to WWE for a farewell promotion as 50/50 or less.”

New WWE Divas & New Divas E! Reality Show WWE is bringing some new Diva prospects to NXT to begin training soon plus with the new, WWE Diva reality show that will be airing this Fall, I assume, on the E Network, I’d say that WWE is essentially setting the reset button on the Divas division sooner than later. E cameras were all over the place at WM29 as some new talents are also featured in this new show. Being the reality show junkie that I am, I’m looking forward to seeing this production and from what I could tell all the ladies were just being themselves, for better or for worse, and not doing ‘canned’ reality.

Meet WWE’s New Divas: Eva Marie & Jo-Jo Offerman

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As announced in the WWE press release for the “Total Divas” series debuting this summer on the E! Network, there will be two new Divas featured on the series:

Natalia Eva Marie will be known as “Eva Marie” and was a 2012 Powertec Fashion Model Winner.

Joseann Alexie Offerman will be known as “Jo-Jo Offerman” and is a Dominican singer/dancer.

The new Divas were found via the recent Diva casting search WWE conducted several months ago across the United States. Each were in attendance over Wrestlemania week and filmed scenes for the new series.

WWE Diva Layla posted the following photo on Instagram of herself with Eva Marie & Jo-Jo Offerman from WrestleMania 29 weekend:

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Because Wrestling – Episode 96

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This week on Because Wrestling, it’s business as usual as we head into the latest news from the world of wrestling

RAW Preview: Undertaker In Action, Triple H Answers Lesnar’s Challenge

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Tonight’s edition WWE RAW will be taped this afternoon from the O2 Arena in London, England.

SEScoops.com will have live spoilers of the tapings this afternoon – so make sure to check back later for that.

The Undertaker will be making a rare in-ring appearance tonight, teaming up with WWE Tag Team Champions Kane & Daniel Bryan in a 6-man tag match against The Shield.

Also confirmed for RAW are Triple H answering Brock Lesnar’s challenge for a steel cage match at Extreme Rules and an appearance from Chris Jericho, who is currently overseas in the UK with his band Fozzy.

WWE.com’s 5 Point Preview features the following items:

  • Will The Game accept Lesnar’s challenge?
  • Can The Undertaker help stop The Shield?
  • What’s next for CM Punk?
  • Who will make the next move in the World Title hunt?
  • How will WWE Champion John Cena respond to Ryback?

Rosa Reportedly Sent Home From European Tour For Her Conduct, Lesnar’s New Outdoors Business Venture & More

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– A report at WrestleZone.com claims that WWE Diva Rosa Mendes has been sent home from WWE’s current European tour after appearing to be drunk for most of the trip. We will ask around about this story and will post an update when it becomes available.

– Brock Lesnar said to be opening an “outdoors” business near Milk River in Alberta, Canada which would guide people into the wilderness to hunt, fish and camp.

– Here is video from Diamond Dallas Page’s 57th birthday:

The Latest On Steve Austin Wrestling Again, WWE Diva Possibly Injured Overseas

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– WWE Diva Naomi may have injured her left knee in a six-Divas tag match in Paris, France last night. She reportedly landed awkwardly after executing a move on one of The Bella Twins.

– MMA fighter Paul Lazenby, a stuntman and friend of WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, recently told Live Audio Wrestling that “The Rattlesnake” is in great shape and would consider wrestling one more match. The LAW tweeted:

Bret Hart Talks About His Relationship with Vince McMahon, Greatest Compliment He’s Received & More

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WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart recently took part in an online Q&A session with fans. Here are some highlights of what he said about:

Will he be making a career out of improv comedy he’s been doing?

“I don’t think so, but you never know what can happen. I have a lot of fun doing them. I appreciate people giving me a stage. They present scenarios that are quite easy for anybody to step into and be quite funny. Sometimes I can be spontaneously funny. When you just make it up as you go along it’s hit or miss, but I’ve found I’ve done pretty good.”

His Current Relationship with Vince McMahon:

“The last conversations we’ve had have been good. He seems to always be very warm and friendly with me. I would say he’s on the very best of terms with me. I think the last time I really talked to him, my knee was pretty swollen. He wanted me to go out to the ring in Philadelphia — and I did go out — but we were talking about our various injuries, since he had just had hip surgery. We’ve both sort of realized that we’re not getting any younger.”

What’s the Greatest Compliment He Ever Received?

“(Long pause) I think it’s that I was often told by the wrestlers I worked with that I was their best match. That was every single one of them, from Mr. Perfect to my brother Owen to the Bulldog to the Undertaker to Steve Austin — almost every single one of them pulled me aside and said the best match they ever had was the one against me. The list goes on — 1-2-3 Kid, Kevin Nash, Roddy Piper, Yokozuna — and I think it’s true. Every match was a different story, and we made magic. The other thing is that I never hurt anybody in all the years I wrestled. I had wrestlers come up to me and thank me for the match every night, thanking me because there was never any extra aches and pains or injuries. No animals were harmed in the making of my movies!”

WWE Announces Dates & Locations For November 2013 European Tour

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WWE has announced the following dates and locations for the company’s next European tour:

RAW Brand

11/6: Belfast, Ireland
11/7: Dublin, Ireland
11/8: Brussels, Belgium
11/9: Birmingham, England
11/10: Cardiff, Wales
11/11: Manchester, England TV
11/12: Newcastle, England
11/13: Zurich, Switzerland
11/14: Roeun, France
11/15: Marseille, France

SmackDown Brand:

11/7 Barcelona, Spain
11/8: Gdansk / Madrid
11/9: Munich, Germany
11/10: Glasgow, Scotland
11/11: N/A (All talent at Raw TV)
11/12: Manchester, England TV
11/13: Nottingham, England
11/14: Leeds, England
11/15: London, England
11/16: Minehead, England

TNA Announces 2014 Maximum Impact UK Tour Details

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TNA has announced specific details of their annual 2014 Maximum Impact UK Tour over the weekend.

Next year’s tour will feature the following shows:

  • 1/30 in Glasgow, Scotland
  • 1/31 in Manchester, England
  • 2/1 in London, England
  • 2/2 in Birmingham, England

Tickets go on sale May 3 at Ticketmaster.co.uk.

Who Mick Foley Would Want To Wrestle, Hogan Meets with Billy Graham

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– WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley answered fan questions on Twitter over the weekend while waiting to board a flight to the UK. Among the questions answered was on a potential last match, and who he would face:

https://twitter.com/realmickfoley/statuses/325726200540590081

Foley also answered questions @RealMickFoley about his favorite Undertaker match, having a “hug off” with Daniel Bryan’s beard on the line, and WWE’s new approach to signing talent to developmental.

– Check out the following video of Hulk Hogan and Superstar Billy Graham reuniting:

* Pictures of WWE’s New Performance Center In Orlando, FL

Jim Ross Blog: Brock Lesnar’s Performance On RAW, Scouting Talent, UK Tour

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Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights:

WWE Scouting for Talent: “WWE will continue to look to colleges, the NFL, etc for world class athletes who have TV friendly personalities and the aptitude for sports entertainment. College athletes will come from wrestling, football, basketball, etc…no sport will be not considered if all the previously listed criteria is in place. For example, I’m planning on attending an upcoming major, Strongman competition just to see if there may be one individual who might have the youth, strength, look and personality for WWE to consider as a potential developmental talent. For novice athletes who aspire to join WWE, I suggest that you attend a credible wrestling school and obtain proper training. After one gets proper training, do all you can to work as many indy dates as possible, get your body of work in place and then make inroads to WWE Development with a DVD of some of your bouts and of you doing succinct promos. Would a beginner walk into a NFL training camp and expect a tryout? Obviously, no.”

WWE’s Ongoing European Tour: “The current WWE International tour is doing sellout or near capacity business nightly which is another statement of the global growth and the massive, media footprint that WWE has established over the years and that continues to grow. I’m of the belief that one of the reasons for success is that WWE tours these areas no more than twice annually. Some international markets are better served once a year while others are still developing their TV following and will be added to the schedule in the future.”

Brock Lesnar’s Performance on Raw: “Watched Brock Lesnar’s performance on Raw Monday again on DVR and it always amazes me how naturally animalistic Lesnar is and what an amazing athlete that he is. Lesnar got to the ‘first team’ quicker and the most effectively of any one that I can recall that we signed back in my era in talent relations. No one we ever signed was more athletically gifted than the former NCAA and UFC heavyweight champion. No one. Brock was making amazing money in WWE quicker than any of his predecessors or any one since.”

SmackDown Backstage Fallout & Social Media Score

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– Friday’s WWE Smackdown had a Trendrr.tv social media score of 70,253, down 12% from the previous week’s post-WrestleMania edition. Smackdown ranked #2 on cable for the night.

– Here is the latest WWE Backstage Fallout:

Who does Big Show blame in WWE for his recent losses? Plus, The Great Khali, Natalya and Hornswoggle make a statement on the SmackDown edition of “Backstage Fallout.

RVD Says He’s Signed A Contract, Maria Kanellis Mocks Ryback On Twitter

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– Former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis mocked Ryback’s promo from RAW on Twitter. She wrote the following in response to the short phrases used by Ryback:

“Stop talking Ryback! Stop talking Ryback! Stop talking Ryback!” “So sweaty…. Bring me towel. Bring me towel. Bring me towel.” “I breath heavy! I breath heavy! I breath heavy!” “I read teleprompter! I read teleprompter! I read teleprompter!”

– Rob Van Dam has announced that he signed a contract for his comic book Twisted Perception. RVD, a free agent, first teased that he might have signed with a wrestling promotion before making the announcement. Here’s audio:

CM Punk Attending More UFC Shows, WM29 Helps 450 Workers

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NJ.com has an article up about the approximately 450 workers who built the elaborate stadium setup at WrestleMania 29 earned approximately $1.4 million in gross salaries and benefits.

– UFC Hall of Famer Mark Coleman was reportedly very upset that CM Punk was shown on camera at the TUF finale show instead of him.

Punk also attended this weekend’s UFC on FOX show with his girlfriend Amy “Lita” Dumas and is planning to attend the UFC 159 PPV on April 27 to see his friend Chael Sonnen fight Jon Jones.

Brodus Clay Talks About His Brief Stint As Del Rio’s Enforcer

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Prior to the debut of his Funkasaurus gimmick, WWE superstar Brodus Clay briefly had a stint as Alberto Del Rio’s enforcer. During a recent interview, Clay openly discussed his early days in WWE and how being paired with Del Rio held him back:

“Coming out of NXT I felt that I was robbed and I finished second and I cut a pretty good speech on the crowd. I told them I was going to get some back because I was angry, and being with Alberto Del Rio was basically similar to when I was with Snoop. My role was to get his back and make him look as tough as possible and me smiling and cracking jokes wasn’t going to do that. So I had to put my personality in the back seat to take care of the job, but I knew it was a doorway for me to get my own personality an opportunity.

So the time with Alberto was good in terms of learning and Alberto’s a great competitor and his experience helped me a lot, but as soon as I got a chance to be me, I never was a guy who was angry, that mean tough guy is usually the scariest guy in the room, I always noticed the guy that looked the meanest and act the meanest was terrified, that’s why he looked mean. And the guy who was smiling at you before he fought you was the guy you really worried about because he’s not sweating you.

So that’s kind of like how I was, even body guarding with guys I was more of a talker and ran my mouth and smiled and stuff and it kept people off, especially if a guy’s is fired up and you’re laughing at him or smiling or winking at him it just messes with their mind. That was more who I am. Shaquille O’Neal was the same way. If you looked at him before a basketball game, he was silly, joking around, dancing, but come tip-off he was the business and I’m trying to be more like that.”

Major Update On The Rock’s Injury & Future With WWE

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The Rock tweeted the following over the weekend, revealing graphic details about the injury he sustained at WrestleMAnia 29:

He also indicated to media that he will filming for the movie Hercules for over 4 months between May and October. This brings into question his involvement for SummerSlam, as he would have very little time to promote any potential match of his for the PPV.

Our friend Peter Rosenberg (@Rosenbergradio) of New York City’s Hot 97 radio station recently interviewed The Rock and as The Rock put it, “this is some exclusive shit you’re getting right here.” The Rock discusses the controversy surrounding his injury and whether WrestleMania 29 was his final match:

Sound Off 270: The End Of Cesaro’s Title Reign and Why It May Be The Best Thing That Ever Happened To Him

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Download Solomonster Sounds Off Episode 270 Here

Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 24 minutes

Solomonster is back to talk wrestling after a terrible week in the news, Rock having surgery, WWE’s new Performance Center and other locations where they should expand developmental, the end of Antonio Cesaro’s title run, why it may be the best thing for him and what WWE should do with him now, the Fandango embarrassment from last Monday, ranting on Impact and dumb wrestling referees, rumored storylines we never got to see and a FULL review of the Bret Hart “Dungeon Collection” DVD set!

Follow The Solomonster on Twitter and on Facebook and subscribe to the Sound Off on iTunes!

Want your question on the air? Send feedback to [email protected].

Creative Commons License
Solomonster Sounds Off by The Solomonster is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Ryback’s Latest Message For John Cena, Rock Honored In Miami, Extreme Rules

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– The theme song for WWE’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view is “Live It Up” by the band Airborne.

– The Rock was recognized by the University of Miami’s Alumni Association with the Edward T. Foote II Alumnis of Distinction Award on Thursday night.

– Ryback tweeted the following message to John Cena, channeling the “Terminator” aspect of his character:

https://twitter.com/Ryback22/statuses/325450163894226945

He also tweeted this about his workouts while overseas in the UK with WWE:

https://twitter.com/Ryback22/statuses/325458238374027264

First Look At WWE’s New Performance Center

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Concept art photos and layout blueprint of WWE’s planned developmental training facility in Orlando, including a large training area with seven rings.

WWE Payback PPV Poster & Event Synopsis

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Below is the official synopsis for the upcoming WWE Payback pay-per-view, which takes place on Sunday, June 16th from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois.

“WWE reinvigorates its pay-per-view line up with a fresh new concept that will serve as the perfect stage for all the top Superstars to settle their long simmering grudges and set the stage for the sizzling road to SummerSlam. All major championships will be on the line including the revamped WWE Championship, plus the World Heavyweight Championship and much more. From the clashes for the ultimate prize, to fierce heavy-hitters with scores to settle, WWE fans will want to relive the historic debut of this riveting new event.”

Beyond The Mat Director Talks About Jake Being Unhappy With The Movie, A Sequel & More

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Barry Blaustein, the director of Beyond The Mat joined Inside The Ropes this past Thursday to discuss the movie, here are the highlights:

On Vince almost not letting him film the Royal Rumble 1999 event with Foley and The Rock:

Towards the end, wrestling took off during the making of the movie and I think Vince regretted letting me do this, because he didn’t have ownership of it. Originally Vince offered to fund the movie but I told him it’s a documentary and you can’t have the subject matter be the funder of the documentary. During the course of the filming the WWE took off and became very mainstream and at a certain point, one of the CEO’s…I was about to film the Royal Rumble match and I knew I needed that match. I told them like two months in advance that I’d be filming on this day and they said fine. The CEO called up and said “you’re not gonna be allowed to film, filmings over” I said it was unfair, unfair and I finally got to Vince. I said “I know you too well. You’re becoming your character, you tell me in your heart you know this is the right thing to do and you’re not screwing me over. Wrestlings riding high and all this stuff and everyone’s kissing your ass right now, but you know it goes up and it goes down and I was here when it was down and when it goes down again, I’ll still be here” So he agreed and said “Alright, but that’s it, this is the last day” I remember telling my crew, We gotta get everything cos we’ll never be allowed back here.

On Jake Roberts being unhappy with the movie:

I told him the same thing I told everyone “This is a documentary about professional wrestling, showing these guys as real human beings” I said it would probably go direct to video because originally we thought it would go straight to video. But there was none of this that he claimed we were doing it for charity or an anti drug thing.  I’ve never spoken with Jake since. I know he’s threatened me.

On a potential Beyond The Mat 2:

They kept asking me to do Beyond The Mat 2 and I have extra footage. i just didn’t think it would be as good. As a wrestling fan, wrestling fans are always being ripped off by promoters and I didn’t wanna contribute to that. I felt an allegiance to other fans. I thought if I do anything else, I’d want it to be something worth people putting down their hard earned money for.

To hear the full interview where Barry talks about being in the meeting with Droz and Vince, initial research of the film, Dennis Stamp, Terry Funk and much more, head over to http://www.facebook.com/theinsidenetwork

Update On Tara’s Status With TNA, Video Of AJ Styles From After Impact

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– After revealing this week to a Twitter user that she would not be on hand for any iMPACT! Wrestling events for a ‘few months,’ Tara announced Thursday night that she will be competing on next week’s show:

Tara has been encouraging people to visit her new Squared Circle pizzeria in Chicago. She was there in person last night and watched SmackDown with the fans in attendance.

– TNA cameras catch up with AJ Styles backstage after his victory over James Storm on IMPACT – is AJ Styles with TNA or The Aces and Eights?

Edge Joins Haven As Series Regular, Latest “Outside The Ring” With Mick Foley

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– WWE Hall of Famer Edge will now be a series regular on the upcoming season of the hit SyFy show Haven. Edge has had a recurring role on the show as Dwight Hendrickson. Wikipedia describes the role as, “a shrewd longtime Haven resident and a former Army Ranger felled by a supernatural affliction in Afghanistan who puts his tactical skills to use in Haven as the mysterious ‘Cleaner’.”

– Here is the latest episode of Outside the Ring with Mick Foley in the WWE Warehouse:

“Join recently enshrined WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, as The Hardcore Legend tours WWE’s warehouse and relives some of the most famous — and painful — moments from his legendary career”

* Major Update On CM PUNK Taking Extended Time Off From WWE

WWE SmackDown Preview, Tables Match Discussed for Cena-Ryback

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– After a series of high profile losses, there is an effort being made in WWE to protect Ryback in his feud with John Cena. A gimmick match is being discussed for their expected match at Extreme Rules, with a tables match the likely stipulation. WWE already has them working a tables match on the European tour.

– Here are tonight’s confirmed WWE SmackDown matches:

  • Fandango vs. Santino Marella
  • Kofi Kingston vs. Wade Barrett
  • Jack Swagger vs. Alberto Del Rio
  • The Great Khali, Hornswoggle, and Natalya vs. Primo, Epico, and Rosa Mendes
  • Randy Orton and Sheamus vs. Big Show and Mark Henry

Update On Chris Jericho’s WWE Schedule, Beth Phoenix Rumor

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– Chris Jericho is currently on hiatus from WWE, but is scheduled to appear on Monday’s WWE RAW from the UK, since he’s overseas with his band Fozzy. The former WWE Heavyweight Champion is currently working on setting up a tour of the United States this summer. Jericho’s schedule over the next few months will focus mostly on Fozzy with intermittent WWE dates.

– There is reportedly an adult video website that is advertising a movie featuring former WWE Diva Beth Phoenix. There are also edited photos of the former WWE Divas floating around as well that have contributed to the buzz. As far as we can tell, there is no validity to the rumors.