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Ric Flair Returns To The Ring Tonight In Japan For AJPW

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2-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair returns to the ring tonight in Japan for the All Japan Pro Wrestling Promotion.

Flair will team up with his former rival with Keiji Mutoh (Great Muta) against Tatsumi Fujinami and Seiya Sanada in a tag match that’s billed as the show’s semi-main event.

Flair’s son Reid will also be wrestling on the show, making his Japan wrestling debut. He’ll also be in tag team action, partnering with Jimmy Yang against Kaz Hayashi and KENSO.

Both Flairs appeared at Friday afternoon’s press conference to promote tonight’s show. We’ll have full results of Ric Flair’s latest match as soon as it concludes.

* WWE Royal Rumble 2013 Predictions & Spoilers

DDP ESPN Radio Interview, Jake Roberts Raising Money For Shoulder Surgery

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– Mitch Silver of ESPN’s 97.9 FM interviewed former WWE & WCW star Diamond Dallas Page this week. Topics covered include his DDP Yoga program, Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, which current WWE superstars he likes watching, the recovery of Jake Roberts and Scott Hall and much more. Here’s the interview:

– Wrestling legend Jake Roberts is currently raising money for a shoulder surgery that’s preventing him from continuing his wellness program with Diamond Dallas Page at DDP’s Accountability Crib. He’s accepting donations and also selling, t-shirts, DVD’s, personal phone calls, wrestling training and much more.

An old shoulder injury from Jake’s many bumps in the ring has become increasingly more painful and now prevents him from continuing his exercise routine. Without the ability to exercise, Jake’s progress has been severely handicapped… Jake needs surgery on his left shoulder as he is in constant pain and can’t even lift his left arm. He’s discouraged that he has come so far only to run into this stumbling block.

It’s critical that Jake doesn’t lose his positive attitude and momentum, but he can’t afford the surgery on his own, and he lacks health insurance. He’s hoping his fans might reach out to him and help fund the $9,200 (surgery and rehab) he requires.

As of Friday afternoon, Jake has already raised over $11,500, surpassing the initial targeted amount requested. However, he’s still raising money and you can donate at Indiegogo.com.

Planned Royal Rumble Surprise Nixed, Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels Appear On “The JBL & Cole Show”, More

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– WWE contacted Rikishi to participate in Sunday’s 30-Man Royal Rumble Match but the veteran wrestler is unable to appear due to a prior commitment, Jerry “The King” Lawler revealed in an interview with New York Post promoting WrestleMania Axxess.

“I do know that they had contacted Rikishi, but he had a prior commitment that he could not get out of. My son Brian told me that it was just a commitment he literally could not get out of even though he really wanted to [be in the Rumble],” Lawler said.

Lawler also hinted that former stars could resurface as surprise entrants.

“The Royal Rumble has become our next biggest and most fan-favorite pay-per-view. It’s so unpredictable. I know for a fact, I don’t know who it will be, but there’s always some surprise entrants. There will be some people that you didn’t have a clue they were going to be involved in the Rumble.”

To read the full interview, click here.

– This week’s edition of The JBL & Cole Show features appearances by Mick Foley and Shawn Michaels, who have some kind words for JBL. Plus, Hornswoggle faces off with Daniel Bryan and his “magician’s assistant” in the “SUPERStar Search.”

– Darren Young is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.

TNA Taping In The UK Tonight & Tomorrow, New TNA TV Deal In Japan, Tara

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– TNA will be taping two weeks of Impact Wrestling tonight from the Manchester Arena. They will tape two more weeks of television tomorrow from London’s Wembley Arena.

– TNA has announced a new TV deal with the Nippon Television Network Corporation (NTV) in Japan. Impact Wrestling will air Saturday nights at 7:30 pm on NTV channel G+, and PPV’s will air monthly on the same channel.

– TNA Knockout Tara is opening a new restaurant in Chicago called the “Squared Circle.” She recently spoke to Chicago’s WCIU TV about the restaurant and more:

 

Marine 3 Cover Art, More On WWE Merging Live Events, Full Sail Students At WWE

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– As noted earlier, WWE is considering eliminating separately-branded RAW and SmackDown live events. Poor attendance for shows branded “SmackDown” is the reason behind the change.

– To correct a report from yesterday, it appears Wade Barrett was joking when he tweeted that Papa Shango will be in Sunday’s Royal Rumble event.

– As part of WWE and Full Sail’s ongoing collaboration, 28 students and staff members were invited to travel to Tampa earlier this month for a behind-the-scenes look at the WWE’s popular Monday Night Raw live event. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

– WWEDVDNews.com has released the following Blu-Ray cover art for “The Marine 3: Homefront” starring The Miz:

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* WWE Royal Rumble 2013 Predictions & Spoilers

The Rock’s Royal Rumble Training Partner, Todd Pettengill Working With WWE & More

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– In preparation for his match against WWE Champion CM Punk this Sunday at the Royal Rumble, The Rock is training with 3rd generation WWE superstar Michael McGillicutty. The Rock tweeted on Thursday:

The question is – who will be more prepared for this Sunday’s match – The Rock training with Michael McGuillicutty, or CM Punk training with Al Bundy?

– According to WWEDVDNews.com, former WWE announcer and TV host Todd Pettengill was recently spotted at WWE Headquarters in Stamford and is rumored to be hosting the upcoming “Best of In Your House” DVD set that will be released on April 30th.

– Today’s wrestling birthdays include former WWE Diva Michelle McCool (33) and WWE legend The Honky Tonk Man (60).

* Pictures of THE ROCK Filming GI JOE: Retaliation

Preview Next Week’s “Open Fight Night” Impact – Steel Cage Match, Joseph Park Debuts, Knockouts

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Next week’s episode of Impact Wrestling is Open Fight Night, and is being taped tonight at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England. The event will be headlined by Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson in a Steel Cage Match. The official preview is as follows:

Jan. 31 IMPACT Preview – IMPACT WRESTLING From England with OPEN FIGHT NIGHT!

Preview Thursday’s IMPACT WRESTLING this Thursday at 8/7c, as the broadcast takes place from Manchester, England and features the return of OPEN FIGHT NIGHT!

– The main event of the huge international event will feature Kurt Angle vs. Mr. Anderson of the Aces & Eights in a Steel Cage Match! British fans will get a firsthand preview of this year’s “Lockdown” when Angle goes to war with his longtime nemesis Mr. Anderson inside the confines of the steel structure!

– Hulk Hogan will make his return on the broadcast! Will he listen to Sting and Bully Ray and reinstate Bully Ray from his suspension so he can get revenge on The Aces and Eights for their attack during the big wedding? Or, will Hulk take matters into his own hands while in England? Tune in and find out!

– Joseph Park will make his official IMPACT in-ring debut! Who will Park call out to battle as part of OPEN FIGHT NIGHT? Tune in and find out!

– Plus, we understand that Velvet Sky and Miss Tessmacher will unite to make their own callout during OPEN FIGHT NIGHT! Who do Velvet and Tessmacher want to fight in the ring? Don’t miss the lovely but lethal Knockouts in action!

All this and much more on Thursday’s special IMPACT WRESTLING broadcast from SpikeTV, taking place from Manchester, England

Wade Barrett Comments On The Intercontinental Cup

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Starting next week, six WWE superstars will begin competing in a 3-week, “Intercontinental Cup” on WWE Main Event to determine the #1 contender to Wade Barrett’s Intercontinental championship. Barrett tweeted the following about the Cup:

Barrett also had some choice words for his for former Nexus partners Heath Slater and Michael McGillicutty. McGillicutty tweeted Barrett saying that he wants to compete in the Intercontinental Cup. Barrett responded, “I’ll end your career again…” As for Heath Slater, he wrote:

A fan told Barrett that it’s no wonder Slater’s dog bit him. He replied:

* WWE Royal Rumble 2013 Predictions & Spoilers

CM Punk Talks About The Royal Rumble, Working With Paul Heyman, Ending The Streak & More

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Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com scored another exclusive interview with WWE Champion CM Punk this week and spoke to him about a number of topics, including Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, The Rock, the status of his surgically repaired knee, whether he plans on taking time off soon, working with Paul Heyman and much more. Here are some highlights:

– Punk says he probably came back to soon from his knee surgery. He revealed the injury took place at Night of Champions in September during his WWE Title defense against John Cena. He said the knee is “alright” but called it “stupid” that he came back so soon after surgery.

– He wishes he could take time off, but it’s not realistic at this point, with WWE is entering the most lucrative season of the year.

– He might attend the UFC on Fox event this Saturday in Chicago before traveling to Phoenix for the Royal Rumble.

– He loves working with Paul Heyman and they text each other saying “Thank you” after working shows together.

– Punk also played up the rumor that he’ll be wrestling The Undertaker at WrestleMania 29. Helwani asked a “favor” of Punk, for him to retain the WWE Championship this Sunday at the Royal Rumble and then end the streak on April 7th. Punk replied, “Absolutely. 100 percent. Consider it done.”

Check out the full video interview below:

The Rock’s “G.I. JOE: Retaliation” To Be Presented In IMAX 3D

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The Rock’s next movie to be released, “G.I. JOE: Retaliation” will be presented in IMAX 3D starting on March 28th. Here’s the official press release from Paramount Pictures:

PARAMOUNT PICTURES’ G.I. JOE: RETALIATION INVADES IMAX® 3D THEATRES BEGINNING MARCH 28

LOS ANGELES — IMAX Corporation (NYSE:IMAX; TSX:IMX) and Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom, Inc. (NASDAQ: VIAB), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios (MGM) and Skydance Productions, in association with Hasbro, today announced that G.I. Joe: Retaliation, the action-packed follow-up to the 2009 box office hit G.I Joe: The Rise of Cobra, will be digitally re-mastered into the immersive IMAX® 3D format and released to select IMAX® theatres internationally starting March 28 and for a one week run in North America beginning March 29.

* Pictures of THE ROCK Filming GI JOE: Retaliation

“Dwayne Johnson has resonated well with IMAX fans, and we believe his strong global appeal, coupled with the action spectacle of G.I. Joe: Retaliation in IMAX 3D is sure to excite moviegoers,” said Greg Foster, Chairman and President of IMAX Filmed Entertainment.

The IMAX release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation will be digitally re-mastered into the image and sound quality of The IMAX 3D Experience® with proprietary IMAX DMR® (Digital Re-mastering) technology. The crystal-clear images, coupled with IMAX’s customized theatre geometry and powerful digital audio, create a unique environment that will make audiences feel as if they are in the movie.

WWE SmackDown Preview: 6-Man Elimination Match, CM Punk & The Rock

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WWE taped the following matches last night in Sacramento, California to air on this week’s Friday Night SmackDown:

* Alberto Del Rio & Team Hell No vs. Big Show & Team Rhodes Scholars (Elimination Match).

* Sheamus vs. Wade Barrett (Non-title match).

* Rosa Mendes vs. Natalya.

* Randy Orton vs. Drew McIntyre.

* The Miz vs. Darren Young.

There will also be special appearances by WWE Champion CM Punk and The Rock.

*SPOILERS* For Tonight’s WWE SmackDown

Sheamus Weighs In On The Rock’s Semi-regular Returns, The Shield’s Impact On WWE

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Sheamus joined Chad Dukes of CBS Radio 106.7 the Fan & ChadDukesWrestlingsShow.com for an interview promoting the Royal Rumble. Sheamus discusses delivering a White Noise to the Big Show, The Royal Rumble, The Rock, The Shield, and Magners vs. Guinness. Highlights from the interview are as follows:

The Rock: “I personally think it’s a great thing when the Rock comes back for the simple reason that having someone like him come in, a movie star, what he’s done in WWE, it definitely brings an audience back who may have drifted away, who were there in the Attitude era drifted away to other things. It’s a great way of bringing them back in and giving us the current crop of superstars a lot of attention. People may argue “well there’s one less spot in Mania.” Well guess what, pull your
socks up and do what you can to get into the show.”

The Shield’s impact on WWE: “I think it’s been a huge impact. Obviously I’ve had my issues with them, Randy, Team Hell No and Ryback. I think they’re three future individual stars right there. I think Ambrose himself is quirky and he’s got that kinda crazy persona going on, I think he’s definitely gonna be kinda like a Roddy Roddy Piper type character. I think he’s gonna be a big player in the future. I also think Roman Reigns definitely has something as well. He’s big, impressive, kinda reminds me of the Rock, when he first came in. He’s definitely got that stature & that presence about him. Obviously Seth, he’s been around the block as well, done some cool things and he can definitely go in the ring.”

The audio interview is available here.

Daniel Bryan Says Wrestling Rey Mysterio Was A Dream Come True, Watch Lost Episode Of Raw, Hulk Hogan

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– Speaking to Montgomery Adviser, Daniel Bryan says he enjoys competing as a tag team wrestler because it gives him the opportunity to face wrestlers who he may not have otherwise squared off against, such as a wrestler he idolized in high school.

“We wrestled the team of Rey Mysterio and Sin Cara once and it was a lot of fun,” Bryan said while promoting WWE’s upcoming Raw live at the Garrett Coliseum in Montgomery, Alabama. “Rey is one of the guys who I looked up to when I was in high school and wrestling him was just a dream come true.”

The full article is available here.

– The official WWE website has posted a lost episode of Raw originally scheduled for November 22, 1993. WWE explains, “WWE produced two episodes of Raw under the show number “41”. One of those episodes was never considered part of the shows historic 1000+ episode run. Relive this episode in its entirety featuring a huge WWE Championship match between Bret Hart and Yokozuna.”

Also featured is a match pitting Marty Jannetty against Irwin R. Schyster and Bruce Prichard impersonating Dusty Rhodes’ voice as Reo Rodgers in a segment with Shawn Michaels.

– At Thursday’s New York Rangers game at Madison Square Garden, a “This Day In Garden History” graphic was shown on the video screens with a photo of Hulk Hogan facing The Iron Sheik displayed. The day marked as the twenty-ninth anniversary of the night Hogan won the WWF Championship at the venue.

WWE Royal Rumble 2013 Predictions From Jim Ross

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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:

WWE Champion Punk is considered by some to have a chip on his shoulder. He’s paid his dues many times over in the indie circuit in small venues for low pay time and again. But now he’s made it and he won’t leave it without a fight. Even in the world of sports entertainment for any one to think that there is a lack of legit physicality in a match with so much emotion riding on it it for a variety of reasons, some spoken and some simply left alone, is naive.

I expect to see Punk’s stiff, Muay Tai kicks strike Rock in a multitude of positions and certainly multiple times over the course of the contest. There is no may that a part time wrestler, full time actor can prepare for such a circumstance other than to suck it up and endure it. Rock has never been known as one to back away from physicality.

Punk will push Rock much farther than did @JohnCena did last year at WM28 in Miami because Punk and Cena are different breeds of cat. Punk is the champion who’s backed into the proverbial corner where champions are at their most dangerous. Rock is the amazing star that has come home to once again attempt to live his family business dream and to respect is DNA and amazing genetics while becoming a multiple time WWE Champion.

That could well happen but it won’t be pretty. This isn’t going to be a smooth, wrestling classic. I see a fight occurring. I see both men testing each other’s resolve. I see the established mega star (Rock) being pushed to his outer limits by the over achieving former indy wrestler who has perfected is craft to become the #1 man in the #1 company of its kind in the world.

Punk is in ring shape that only being in the ring can allow one to achieve. Rock looks like $10M but there is no way humanly possible that he can be in tip top in ring condition. Where has he had the time to achieve such?

At the end of the day, I expect one major error to cost Punk the WWE Title. Rock will walk out of Phoenix a battled and bruised man but the new WWE Champion, however,  I expect CM Punk to leave Phoenix as the star of the show.

This match has the potential to be one of the more controversial bouts that we’ve seen in WWE in years.

I will say that stylistically and from a match structure standpoint that the Punk vs. Rock bout Sunday is the most legitimately intriguing bout that I can recall anticipating in years. That’s a fact.

Kind of think that John Cena should win the Rumble match but I could also see someone like Dolph Ziggler stealing that specific ‘show’ too.

The Rock Advertised For Another Raw Event In March, Jim Johnston Names His 10 Favorite Entrance Themes

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– The official website of the Wells Fargo Center is advertising Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson for Raw taking place at the venue on March 25.

Other WWE events Johnson is advertised to appear at include: January 27: Royal Rumble in Phoenix, Arizona; January 28: Raw in Las Vegas, Nevada; February 11: Raw in Nashville, Tennessee; February 12: SmackDown in Little Rock, Arkansas; February 17: Elimination Chamber in New Orleans, Louisiana; February 18: Raw in Lafayette, Louisiana; March 4: Raw in Buffalo, New York; April 1: Raw in Washington, D.C.; April 7: WrestleMania 29 in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

– WWE composer Jim Johnston revealed his 10 favorite entrance themes during an interview with WWE.com. In no particular order, the list includes themes of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Randy Orton, The Prime Time Players, D-Generation X, Hakushi, Ultimate Warrior, Maria, Val Venis, Triple H and The Undertaker.

Despite creating music for WWE since 1985, Johnston still finds composing entrance themes challenging at times.

“The whole process of composing is a mystery. I don’t really know where it comes from,” Johnston said. “Sometimes I’ll sit down and something just shows up. As an example, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s theme came really fast. I just picked up a guitar and played that groove. Very easy. It’s most difficult to me when an individual doesn’t have a lot of personality.”

Cody Rhodes Talks Tag Teams In WWE, Sandow, His Mustache, 2nd Generation Wrestlers

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Cody Rhodes was interviewed by the Phoenix New Times this week to promote Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what he said about:

Tag Teams In WWE: “When you talk about the overall, the renewal, I don’t know, I still want to see something from a lot of guys,” Rhodes said. “I think Damien (Sandow) and I stick out like sore thumbs because we’re very good at what we do. But we also have guys like The Usos, that’s a true tag team, they’re brothers, and I keep wondering when are they going to give themselves the kick in the ass to show us all what they can do because I know for a fact they’re extremely talented.”

Damien Sandow’s Secret Travel Schedule: “I tried to ride with him two weeks ago and he has this secret road agenda he’s up to that I’m like now curious about spying on to see what he’s doing. I have no clue,” Rhodes said. “But he basically ignored me for the first time in our long friendship because I’ve known him since OVW. So now I will never ask him again because now he offers every week, but I will never ride with him again because he’s up to something so I’ll let him get it out of the way.”

Messing With Damien Sandow: “I always try to use my little bit of seniority I have here to get under his skin. But that’s it, I really don’t rib anybody. I dress alone, I keep to myself. I’ve been there long enough I pretty much don’t like anybody,” Rhodes said. I say, ‘Such and such really hates that,’ like if he’s coming up with some sort of thought he’s going to go run by one of our producers or one of our bosses, I just try to get under his skin with a little inside politics stuff, but it’s never true.”

His Mustache: “I cannot shave it, because now it’s to the point of – I came back after 25 days from two very serious injuries. I had the foolish thought in my mind that I thought the crowd was going to maybe even react to me in a positive manner from this Rocky-like montage I had put together to get back, but instead they chanted ‘Cody’s mustache.’ So at this point I just am angry enough at everybody enough to continue to keep it,” Rhodes said.

Paying Homage To Rick Rude: “Bret Hart texted me and said, ‘Are you paying homage to Rick Rude?’ and I felt bad that it was such a long, stupid explanation for the mustache that I just said, ‘Yes.’ And now he’s really into it. I love Rick Rude. I’ve paid homage to Rick Rude in other ways.”

2nd Generation Wrestlers: “Honestly, when I hear, ‘Hey we signed such and such’s kid.’ I get a little trepidatious, because it’s so hard. It’s so difficult. It’s easy as can be when you have that legacy to get in the door, but my gosh, you have to do everything great.”

Michael McGuillicutty: “He’s like a hot button issue because he’s obviously really talented and he has his legacy and Mr. Perfect was who he was. I always looked at it and I think I’m wrong cause I don’t know anything other than what anyone else would know in this situation… It is such a bad name. But there is, certain guys have certain magic and I don’t mean to bring myself up on here but this crowd today is chanting Cody’s mustache. I feel like if my mustache is getting a certain reaction then I’m doing something right. And this type of thing when I think about Joe, if I had put together a stable of young second generations it would be Joe. I don’t, at this point, I don’t know if it will ever be Joe Hennig.”

Rey Mysterio and Sheamus Duel On “Outside the Ring”, Will Booker T Enter The Royal Rumble?

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– Booker T, who participated in a conference call Thursday promoting Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view event as well as Saturday’s “Shooting Straight Panel” at US Airways Center on WCW and The Monday Night Wars, revealed plans for a second autobiography with Medallion Press covering his time in WCW and WWE. He also said that unlike the past two years, he will not be participating in the 30-Man Royal Rumble Match.

– Rey Mysterio and Sheamus clash on this week’s edition of Outside the Ring. The synopsis states, “What happens when Rey Mysterio and Sheamus go head-to-head? Find out whose Power Slammer is victorious in this plastic warrior-filled edition of “Outside the Ring.”

– Rey Mysterio is featured in today’s “Superstar Spotlight” on WWE.com.

Surprise Rumble Entrant, CM Punk vs. Rock Promo Video, Rollins’ Toughness

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– Former WCW star La Parka has been added to the Alumni section of WWE.com.

– WWE will be holding events on February 21st & 22nd, 2013 in Doha, Qatar at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex. Bell time for both events is 8 PM. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

– Paul Heyman’s Heyman Hustle blog has published an awesome video promo hyping Sunday’s WWE Championship match between CM Punk and The Rock.

– Gabe Sapolsky has published a new blog looking at “The Untold Toughness of Seth Rollins.”

– Wade Barrett tweeted the following late Wednesday night, revealing a possible surprise Royal Rumble entrant:

* WWE Royal Rumble 2013 Predictions & Spoilers

 

Bully Ray Talks About Him & Devon Getting Initiated In WWE By JBL & Ron Simmons

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TNA star Bully Ray appeared on Sam Roberts’ Sirius XM satellite radio show on Thursday morning and spoke about being initiated in WWE by JBL, Ron Simmons and Vince McMahon.”When me and Devon first got to WWE, they thought that they were going to have a real problem with us because there was another tag team that had come in from ECW that left a real bad taste in people’s mouth and they were The Public Enemy… They went there and they had really, really bad attitudes…

“When me and Devon were going to come in, they were probably thinking to themselves in WWE that these guys are even more successful than The Public Enemy, these guys are the It tag team in ECW, they’re going to be ten times worse. That wasn’t the case at all. The minute we got there we got put in the ring with Ron Simmons and Bradshaw. We just beat the shit out of each other. We took it as good as we could give it and everything was fine. It was a smooth transition. We got along well with everybody and we had a great six year run there…

“Bradshaw told me a story years later. I actually had a singles match with him on either Raw or Smackdown. I had gone to the ring. Just as Bradshaw was about to go to the ring, Vince McMahon pulled him on the side and said, ‘Beat the shit out of this kid, let’s see what he’s got.’ Bradshaw came to the ring and he started laying into me and I started laying into him just as hard. There were are two beasts punching each other just about as hard as you can. All of a sudden we just sort of realized what was going on, and then we went right back to entertaining the people… Afterwards, he told me that he went up to Vince McMahon and said, ‘These boys are going to be just fine.'”

“He had his guys for that. He had Ron and John. If he wanted somebody else for that he would use Bob Holly. Then again, me Bradshaw, and Bob Holly got lumped into the big bully clique. We would bully all the young guys, which couldn’t be farther from the truth. I’ve never bullied one person in wrestling. I will impose my will as a businessman on them, but I will not bully them.”

Here’s video of the interview:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7-Y4OCLsUcg

Randy Orton At Next NXT Tapings, Changes To Upcoming NXT Live Events

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– Randy Orton is be appearing at the next WWE NXT taping from Winter Park, Florida at Full Sail University on February 21st.

* Randy Orton To Feud With BROCK LESNAR Later This Year?

– The February 1st NXT live event from Port St. Lucie, Florida has been canceled.

– The February 15th NXT live event has been moved from the Brooksville Armory to the Fenn Center in Fort Pierce, Florida.

– NXT returns to the Brooksville Armory on February 17th, 2013.

Intercontinental Cup Starting Next Week, MVP Talks WWE Return, Waltman-NXT

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– Starting next week, six WWE superstars will begin competing in a 3-week, “Intercontinental Cup” on WWE Main Event to determine the #1 contender to Wade Barrett’s Intercontinental championship.

– Shawn Michaels will be signing autographs at the Hot Rod Show in Pittsburgh, PA this Sunday from 12-3pm at the Lawrence Convention Center.

– Jim Ross tweeted this week that former WWE superstar Sean “X-Pac” Waltman would be a great addition to the training staff at WWE developmental. JR noted, “His youthful energy would also connect well.”

– MVP was asked once again on Twitter if he’ll ever return to WWE. He replied:

“Time will tell bruh. We’ll see…”

* WWE Royal Rumble 2013 Predictions & Spoilers

Shelton Benjamin Hoping For WWE Return, JR-WM29, Graham Back In Hospital

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– Former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Vince Russo turns 52 years old today.

– WWE Hall of Famer Superstar Billy Graham was back in the hospital yesterday, according to F4Wonline.com. Graham has been battling health problems lately, including double pneumonia and congestive heart failure.

– Jim Ross tweeted this week that he’d “love to” call some of the action at WrestleMania 29 in April and said, “Fingers crossed.”

– Shelton Benjamin was asked again on Twitter if he’ll ever return to WWE. He responded:

* WWE Royal Rumble 2013 Predictions & Spoilers

Kurt Angle Reveals When He Plans To Retire From Wrestling, Kid Kash’s TNA Departure Confirmed

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– Kurt Angle revealed in an interview with F4WOnline.com Thursday that he plans to hang up the boots for good in three years.

“I’ve got two more years left at Impact Wrestling and then I’m going to have a retirement year and that’s going to be it. I think I’ll be done and once I retire, you’re not going to see me back in a ring again, that’s for sure,” said the 44-year-old grappler. “I’m not going to be a guy that retires and keeps coming back. When I’m gone, I’m gone. Same thing as amateur wrestling; when I won the world championships in Olympics, I left and I never went back. Same for pro.”

Angle also discussed TNA’s UK tour thus far, British Boot Camp, King Mo, memories of his career and more. The audio interview is available here.

– Kid Kash is no longer affiliated with TNA Wrestling, company sources confirmed to PWInsider.com. His profile was removed from the roster page of ImpactWrestling.com on Wednesday, with the veteran wrestler subsequently claiming on Twitter that he’s still affiliated with the company.

Plans For Brock Lesnar’s Next WWE Feuds

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With Brock Lesnar’s current WWE contract expiring after WrestleMania 29, WWE is eager to sign the former UFC Heavyweight champion to another 1-year deal with similar terms (several million dollars for limited appearances).

WWE recently offered Lesnar the extension and the feeling is that there’s a good chance he’ll be back for another year.

As for who Lesnar’s feuds would be against, the top two opponents for him are rumored to be CM Punk and Randy Orton.

(Source: Figure Four Weekly)

John Cena Talks About CM Punk vs. The Rock, His Off-Camera Relationship With The Rock & More

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John Cena was interviewed by AZCentral.com this week to hype Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what he said about:

The Royal Rumble: “It doesn’t matter what you’ve done. Winning the Royal Rumble is as big an accomplishment as anything … Believe it or not, I like the Rumble. It’s extremely unpredictable and over-the-top. Everyone in the WWE universe looks forward to it. It becomes that one event each year where people center around.”

His Prediction for CM Punk vs. The Rock: “I’m torn,” he said. “CM Punk has been champion for quite a long time now, but I know from my past instances with Dwayne Johnson that he’s very difficult to beat.”

If His Feud With The Rock Affected Their Relationship Off Camera: “A lot more than people would think,” said Cena. “People think it’s one big happy family, but attitude and egos do get in the way.”