– Taryn Terrell, who appeared as Tiffany for WWE from 2008 to 2010, has a brief spot in the new Will Ferrell movie The Campaign as a model. She is depicted nude in a scene, as her breasts are digitized.
Terrell has tried her hand at acting since parting ways with WWE as she also appears in the HBO series Treme and has a role in the upcoming Aztec Warrior film. She largely works as a stunt performer as she has shot scenes for multiple films that will be released next year including The End of the World (starring Jonah Hill), Empire State (starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson) and Now You See Me.
The Miz also appears in The Campaign, albeit as a background extra. He shot another scene where he appeared as his WWE character and introduced Ferrell’s character, Cam Brady, at a campaign rally. Though the scene was cut during post-production, he is listed during the credits.
– Former TNA Wrestling star Johnny Devine and Danyah Rivietz, who wrestled as Danyah, recently got married, according to SLAM! Wrestling.
– TNA sent out the following information on Sunday regarding next month’s No Surrender PPV:
On Sunday, September 9, TNA IMPACT WRESTLING and Direct Auto Insurance present “No Surrender” live on Pay-Per-View and online around the world at http://www.TNAOnDemand.com
“No Surrender” will feature the culmination of the annual “Bound For Glory Series” as one superstar will earn a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship!
TNA PPV events air on InDemand, DirecTV, Dish Network, TVN, Viewer’s Choice and more – check your programming guide for availability!
“No Surrender” website – NoSurrenderPPV.com.
– Here is TNA’s Before The Bell for tonight’s Hardcore Justice PPV:
– Reuters published an article covering WWE’s second-ever show in China on Saturday. The report noted that the “Shanghai crowd howled with delight as half-naked giants in glittering briefs strutted into the ring and began slamming each other to the mat.” After the first show in 2010 was free, tickets were priced at 300 yuan ($47.17) and went up to 1,500 yuan for a ringside seats.
Ed Wells, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, International Operations at WWE, was asked whether the sports-entertainment organization needs a Chinese wrestler to aid their popularity in the country.
“We’d love to have a Chinese star and we’re certainly open to working with Chinese talent,” said Wells. “(However), John Cena, one of our top Superstars, may be more popular than the local talent anywhere he goes.”
– WWE developmental talent Ashley Flair is now referencing herself as Charlotte on Twitter—her new handle is @MsCharlotteWWE. She noted, “Received my ring name….. CHARLOTTE, baby, CHARLOTTE!!!”
She is the daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, who is billed from Charlotte, North Carolina. She reported to WWE’s Tampa, Florida based developmental training facility last month to begin wrestling training.
– As Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was answering fan questions on Twitter Sunday afternoon, WWE Champion CM Punk tweeted a picture of a CM Punk action figure standing over a Johnson action figure that had been knocked out by the GTS. Johnson responded, “You knocked by delivering a GTS. I’ll answer by delivering the ass kicking of a lifetime. @WWE Championship #Rumble2013 #RockTalk.”
Johnson announced at Raw 1,000 that he would face whoever the WWE Champion is at the Royal Rumble. A match between Johnson and Punk, however, may not take place at the pay-per-view event. It was reported last week that WWE officials are contemplating a scenario where Punk drops the WWE Championship to John Cena at SummerSlam to set up a rematch between Cena and Johnson at Royal Rumble. Johnson would then defeat Cena at the Rumble and defend the title against Punk at WrestleMania XXIX.
Johnson also noted on Twitter that he “Spent time w/ some of our US Olympic Gold medalists last night” and that he was “So proud of them.” He is currently in London, England filming scenes for the sixth installment of The Fast and the Furious franchise.
– Upon learning of developmental talent Ivelisse Vélez’ release from WWE last week, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who coached the Puerto Rican grappler on Tough Enough last year, tweeted, “I was very surprised to hear that.”
Meanwhile, Vélez has changed her Twitter handle to @RealIvelisse. She has re-tweeted multiple fan messages in support of her.
– WWE Superstar Chris Jericho was asked on Twitter which TNA Wrestling talents he’d like to have a match with and responded, “Roode, Angle, Samoa Joe, AJ.”
Though Jericho has publicly said that he keeps tabs on TNA and wants them to flourish, it is unlikely that he will ever join the promotion. He has repeatedly stated in interviews that when he wrestles, it will only be for WWE since they are the top wrestling promotion in the world.
– Madison Rayne noted on Twitter that she is dedicating her TNA Women’s Championship Match against Miss Tessmacher tonight at Hardcore Justice to her best friend from high school: “My wrist tattoo says “watched over” in memory of my bff from h/s who passed away. Tonight, on her 27th bday, I’m dedicating my match to her.”
– Magnus faces Mr. Anderson, Rob Van Dam and “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero tonight at Hardcore Justice in a Falls Count Anywhere Match. Though RVD is familiar with the specialty bout, Magnus feels he will have the advantage. He tweeted, “Ppl keep saying “this match is RVD’s wheel house”… I know what RVD will do, but they have no idea how to prepare for me tonight…”
Former WWE superstar John Layfield posted the following story on Facebook about boxing legend Evander Holyfield hearing JBL trash talk him at a WWE live event:
“One of best stories ever from commentary was at Madison Square Garden with Evander Holyfield.
I had met Evander before and he was a total jerk, complete jerk to both me and Ron.
He used the religious image while he was an absolute reprehensible creature. He’s had a ton of kids by a ton of women and professes to be a model Christian. I don’t mind people being what they are, but I abhor fakes. I
can’t stand Evander Holyfield.
Soooooo……. On to MSG.
Evander is to box Matt Hardy in a ‘boxing match’ as MVP’s replacement in a Madison Square Garden event.
I am doing commentary and the whole show I am putting over Evander as this great guy, blah blah blah.
By the end of the show I am sick of myself. So during commercial I tell Michael Cole a true story of Evander and my wife at Fox News.
My wife had called me and told me she was in the ‘Green Room’ with a famous boxer but not being a sports fan she didn’t know who he was., she told me it was Evander Holyfield.
I explained to her he was one of greatest boxers of all time and told her the whole story of his career which I knew by heart as a huge boxing fan. She told me that he was ‘very nice’. I said “of course, he has had 9 kids by 9 women of course he is nice, leave now!” and of course I was joking, but half serious.
During the break I tell Michael this story, but of course I go further-I totally tear down Evander as a hypocrite and piece of garbage that I think he is. I have no idea this is being broadcast into his dressing room, I still had my headphones and mic on. Every word I say Evander hears.
Matt Hardy and MVP were in the room, ask them how tense it got. A spokesperson for Evander went to Vince and threatened to have him leave the show.
More importantly, how would you like to be Matt Hardy? He is facing the former heavyweight champion in what he hopes is a work and he now knows this guy is furious. While I was saying this Evander had one of his kids on his lap listening, and from Matt’s story he just got very quite.
Evander ended up doing business which I am sure Matt was thankful.
My headset was ringing to tell me to shut up.
After the show I went to Evander’s dressing room, not to apologize for what I said-I meant it and still do, but it was totally inappropriate for me to treat a guest of our show like that, I shouldn’t have let my personal feelings potentially screw up a show.
At his dressing room I encountered a security guard. I was expecting anything from a fight to him excepting my apology-I had no idea, but I had made my bed and I would lie in it.
I never apologized for what I said but for the venue I said it in as he was our guest. I meant what I said, but shouldn’t have said it to a guest of the WWE. The security guard looked at Evander who was less than five feet away and Evander shook his head, so I never spoke to him direct though that was my intention and he heard every word I said. And, I never apologized for calling him what I did, I apologized for doing it on a WWE show.
As I walked by the boys to Evander’s dressing room, no one knew what would happen. Ron Simmons told me, “leg dive him!’ which was my plan, it was a tense moment.
I have seen him since, I have no respect for him, but I do hate he is getting ‘punch drunk’ as no one deserves that. He is a great boxer but a rotten human being.
The next day I apologized to Vince, I was wrong to attack a guest like that. Vince said, “we almost lost him” and I responded, “we almost lost Matt” and we both laughed.
The day I almost got into a shoot fight with the former world heavyweight champ.”
– Yoshi Tatsu appeared to have injured his arm during the SmackDown brand’s tour of Asia. Tatsu wrestled Jinder Mahal in Shanghai, China this weekend and was visibly in pain during the match. He was checked out by trainers afterwards. No word yet on the extent of the injury, but we’ll follow up when more details become available.
– Wade Barrett has looked good during the SmackDown tour of Asia this weekend, picking up wins against the likes of Justin Gabriel and Ted DiBiase. Barrett used his Winds of Change move to finish off DiBiase (instead of Wasteland), another sign that Barrett is continuing to evolve his in-ring style. Some fans who attended WWE live events this week noted that Barrett looked rusty, while a few others reported that it appears Barrett is working a more deliberate, physical style.
– With WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels scheduled to appear on Monday’s “Go Home” episode of WWE RAW, WWE is advertising that Michaels will be there to support Triple H and is teasing an altercation involving Michaels, Triple H and Brock Lesnar.
– Two former NFL players are currently training at WWE developmental: Dean Muhtadi (former Green Bay Packer and Arizona Cardinal) and Brandon Carter (former New Orleans Saint).
– WWE legend Paul Bearer made a special appearance at Saturday night’s WWE RAW live event in Biloxi, Mississippi. Bearer came out and spoke about the upcoming Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar SummerSlam main event, explaining why both men are dangerous, when he was interrupted by Heath Slater.
Slater accused Bearer of stealing his spotlight and challenged him to a match. Bearer said he isn’t a wrestler, but knows somebody who would be glad to fight him – Ryback. Ryback came out and destroyed Slater.
– Chris Jericho did a Q&A session with fans on Twitter on Saturday night. When asked what he thinks about The Miz and if Miz should get pushed more, Jericho responded:
Love him! Future of the company “@CAPTINREX119: what is your personal opinion of @mikethemiz Would you liked to see him pushed more?”
JBL notes that the fallaway slam he used in his matches was originally borrowed from a wrestler in Japan. JBL said he wanted to use the move in his matches for a while, but waited until after Scott Hall left WWE before using it, because it was one of Hall’s signatures moves.
Now, he gets a lot of feedback from fans talking about Del Rio stealing his gimmick – and reveals what he thinks about that. He also teases (once again) about returning to the SmackDown announcing team:
“I see it used now by others, cool. I didn’t own it and I didn’t create it, very little was created in this business so theft is common-but it isn’t really theft if the guy is gone, which I am and Scott was when I started using it.
I remember the pump handle slam I did, I got it from Scott Steiner, and Road Dogg asked if he could use it for a finish, which of course I agreed. That’s how things work.
So when Alberto Del Rio steals my gimmick, got no problem with it-I stole it from Ted Dibiase and JR Ewing. Even George Wagner stole things and maybe his whole gimmick-look that one up on ‘Gorgeous George’ and Danny McShane (sp?).
Great business, glad to be a part.
Smackdown commentator job? I got mountains to climb first for my kids I work with, but ‘never say never’.”
Released WWE talent AW says he still respects WWE and he doesn’t have any beef with individual people, but the politics and the system that’s in place:
“People are asking me to bash the WWE. I’m not going to do that but I will point out my discrepancies. There are too many men and women that put their lives on the line for this job. I respect all my fellow former employees. They deserve so much better. Maybe one day.”
“I don’t have a bad thing to say about anyone on a personal level. It’s the higher up politics that are BS. My lockeroom was great. #ThankU”
AW also announced that he’s looking forward to doing stand-up comedy with a WWE legend:
“I’m looking forward to the stand up comedy scene. This won’t be the Abraham Washington show with horrible jokes written by bad writers. Although I’m considering talking to Tony Atlas to see if he’d like to join me on stage..I’m about to tear some shit up!!”
This week, Solomonster has Kevin Nash and Linda McMahon in his crosshairs, both of whom have taken credit for things they have no business taking credit for. He’s got something to say about that, plus AW’s ridiculous firing, JTG’s Twitter tirade, who should headline the 2013 Hall of Fame, predictions for Hardcore Justice, Bully Ray possibly leaving TNA and Chikara’s King of Trios! A packed show with brutally honest opinion, as always.
A.W. has continued to lambast WWE via Twitter after his contract was terminated Friday for what a company spokesman says was due to his continued use of offensive and inappropriate comments on live television and on social media after making a rape joke on the July 30 episode of Raw.
The boisterous personality strongly feels his firing is unfair and that he is being subject to double standards by WWE, pointing out other similar offensive events where a talent was suspended at most. He wrote, “If I smoked crack or did steroids I’d get suspended but I made a joke and tweeted support Linda and I get fired. #Doesn’tAddUp #Hmmmmm.”
A.W. posted several fan remarks noting WWE’s double standards towardss offensive and inappropriate comments, including Tensai making stereotypical remarks about Japanese people last week on Tout, John Cena cracking homophobic insults on WWE programming, Randy Orton suggesting during a radio interview that Kelly Kelly had sexual relations with upwards of ten WWE Superstars, and Cena and Jerry “The King” Lawler hurling weight-related barbs toward Vickie Guerrero.
“They didn’t do shit to Randy Orton when he called Kelly Kelly a slut, you see the double standard? Fuck politics. #AWForLife.”
“Im a HUGE Cena fan, but Cena made fat jokes w/ King, genitalia jokes n homo jokes. Orton bashes K2, Vince mocks JR! #FuckUWWE”
“so stealing a car, having a yng girl trying to fuck 3 guys at once and not to mntion the Tensai thing is ok, but no jokes? #BS”
A.W. continued to point out the hypocrisy in Vince McMahon mocking Jim Ross’ affliction with Bell’s palsy while simultaneously promoting the ‘be a STAR’ anti-bullying campaign; on the June 11 episode of Raw, the WWE Chairman donned a J.R.-style hat, mimicked Ross’ facial paralysis and yelled, “Stone Cold! Stone Cold! Stone Cold!” He re-tweeted, “So Vince can continually bash @JRsBBQ by teasing his ball palsy but yet your comments where deemed worse? Be a star my ass.” He then posted a photo of McMahon distorting his face to ridicule Ross, with the caption reading “MOCKING JR: QUALITY PG ENTERTAINMENT.”
A.W. also pointed out McMahon using a racial slur on WWE programming in 2006, and enclosed a link to footage of the segment. He noted via re-tweet, “VINCE MCMAHON CAN SAY THE “N” WORD ON NATIONAL T.V. BUT @AWPromotions CAN’T TELL A JOKE………….whats wrong with this picture???”
A.W. also feels it’s hypocritical that WWE would celebrate boxer Mike Tyson, who was convicted of rape in 1992 and sentenced to six years in prison. He re-tweeted, “You said one Kobe Bryant rape joke and you got fired. Isn’t Mike Tyson a convicted rapist? Yet he is in the HoF. Hypocrisy.” He then posted side-by-side images of himself and Tyson, with the caption over his photo reading “FIRED FROM WWE OVER RAPE JOKE” and a caption over the Tyson photo reading “CONVICTED RAPIST – WWE HALL OF FAMER.”
A.W. plans to continue to “shoot” as he has set up a second Twitter account under his real name, Brian Jossie, at BJRatedR. He noted on the account, “Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to my fucking non PG world!!! Where all bets are off and I tell it like it is. Fuck the Bull Shit, I’m legit!”
– Ivelisse Vélez, who appeared in Florida Championship Wrestling as Sofia Cortez, says she has been released by WWE. She announced Saturday on Twitter:
This is NOT okay. Hottest chick down there with the most talent. "@Sofia_WWE: I, as well, have been released by WWE. Sorry my #Soljas…."
Vélez, who began her professional wrestling career in 2005 in Puerto Rico, rose to prominence as a contestant on Tough Enough last year, a televised competition that awarded the winner a WWE contract.
Vélez was eliminated from the competition due to injury, but offered a developmental contract in November. She had been appearing on WWE NXT as of late.
– The August 10 episode of WWE Vintage Collection featured the following matches: Chavo Guerrero vs. Chavo Classic vs. Spike Dudley (WWE SmackDown – May 20, 2004), The Mexicools vs. The Blue World Order (WWE Great American Bash 2005), The Caribbean Kid vs. Steve Austin (WWF Superstars – April 13, 1996), Pedro Morales and Tito Santana vs. Nikolai Volkoff and The Iron Sheik (WWF Superstars – January 31, 1987), Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio (WWE SmackDown – September 9, 2005). (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
– Former WWE Diva Maria is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com.
Wrestler reaction to A.W.’s firing by WWE on Friday for what a company spokesman said was due to his continued use of offensive and inappropriate comments on live television and on social media after making a rape joke on the July 30 episode of Raw is said to be as negative to any termination in a long time.
Upon learning of the news, A.W. posted a barrage of Twitter messages roasting the sports-entertainment organization for what he perceives are double standards, such as Big Show making a similar remark referencing NBA player Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault case years ago and Vince McMahon reneging WWE’s anti-bullying campaign on Raw weeks ago by ridiculing Jim Ross’ affliction with Bell’s palsy. Though it would appear that he is squashing any chance of a return to the organization with each scathing tweet, Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer sees things otherwise.
He posted on the F4WOnline.com message board, “The more he says, the better his chances of being brought back in a while.
“Vince has no respect for people he bullies and don’t fight back.
“He hired Bischoff, Bret (spent ten years begging for him to comeback and even brought him back after Bret walked out on him the day of Mania), Sable, Billy Graham, yet never touched Heenan except for one shots. I doubt even he knows it but he’s playing it smart in the long run.”
TNA Knockout Tara reveals in her latest video entry that she was banned from appearing at today’s Wizard World Chicago Comic Con in Rosemont, Illinois due to WWE’s presence at the event.
According to the former Victoria, WWE permitted their talent to appear at the event on the condition that TNA Wrestling talent are prohibited from appearing.
“I was supposed to be there on Saturday and the only way WWE would show up is if Impact Wrestling was not going to show up. So I got the last minute phone call and I got nixed,” she states.
Garrett Gray, winner of the Knockout’s ‘Geek Fit Challenge’, then asks, “Wait a second. Are you telling me that the WWE says that Impact Wrestling is not competition, but yet they are banning them from Wizard World?”
Tara responds, “Actions speak louder than words.”
John Cena, CM Punk and Booker T appeared at the event over the course of three days. The ban, however, did not extend to former WWE talent as The Bella Twins, Maryse, Kevin Nash, John Morrison, Melina and Lita appeared as advertised.
– WWE will be screening the WWE Studio movie The Day next week at the SummerSlam Axxess event in Los Angeles. The screening will take place on August 18th at 8:30pm from Regal Cinemas at LA Live. SummerSlam Axxess ticket-holders will receive priority entry to the signing with the first 50 receiving VIP seating.
Randy Orton and David Otunga will introduce the movie. Following the screening, The Miz will moderate a Q&A session with The Day stars Ashley Bell and Dominic Monaghan.
– Some of the WWE-related terms that trended on Twitter during Friday’s SmackDown were Booker T, Sin Cara and Ryback.
– On Friday’s SmackDown, the Prime Time Players, Titus O’Neil and Darren Young, defeated Primo and Epico to become the new #1 contenders to the WWE Tag Team Titles. No word yet on when the match will take place.
It’s worth noting that earlier this week, there was talk of a 3-team match at SummerSlam, with Kofi Kignston & R-Truth defending against the Prime Time Players and Primo & Epico.
WWE has announced the locations of several WrestleMania weekend festivities.
– The 2013 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony is confirmed for Saturday, April 6th, at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
– WWE’s Wrestlemania AXXESS event will take place at the IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ. The arena is across the street from the Metlife Stadium, site of WrestleMania 29.
AXXESS is typically held at a convention center, so this will be the first time it’s held at an arena.
– WWE RAW the day after WrestleMania will also be held from the IZOD Center.
– Today’s wrestling birthdays include Hulk Hogan (59) and ECW referee/manager Bill Alfonso (55).
– Booker T announced on Friday’s SmackDown that Eve Torres will face Kaitlyn on next week’s show, with the winner becoming his new assistant.
– WWE officials have high hopes for the Damien Sandow vs. Brodus Clay feud, with both men looked at as having a ton of potential. Their matches at WWE live events have been getting great feedback and there are high hopes for their scheduled match at SummerSlam.
– Speaking of the Funkasaurus, Clay and his dancers, Naomi and Cameron, will be appearing at the Gulf Coast Mitsubishi dealership in North Gulfport, Mississippi this afternoon at 4pm.
– “WWE Fan Nation” was the #4 most viewed YouTube channel of the week (8/1-8/8) with 4,428,406 views. This is down over 25% from the week before, when they ranked at #3.
– This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown is now online and can be viewed in its entirety at YouTube.com.
– SmackDown General Manager Booker T announced at WWE.com that the Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio match scheduled for SummerSlam is now off. It’s likely the match will be added back to the show next week, which opens up the possibility of Randy Orton being added to the mix.
– Here is WWE’s latest Backstage Fallout show, with Rey Mysterio, the Prime Time Players and other superstars talking about Friday’s SmackDown:
After WWE unceremoniously terminated A.W.’s contract Friday for what a company spokesman said was due to his continued use of offensive and inappropriate comments on live television and on social media after uttering a rape joke on the July 30 episode of Raw, the All World Promotions chief posted a barrage of vitriolic messages on Twitter blistering his former employer for what he perceives are double standards.
A.W. strongly feels it is unjust that he’s now out of job when Big Show made a similar remark referencing NBA player Kobe Bryant’s sexual assault case, Vince McMahon reneged WWE’s anti-bullying campaign two months ago on Raw by ridiculing Jim Ross’ facial paralysis, CM Punk told a fan on Twitter to kill himself, Triple H simulated mock sex with a mannequin in a casket, McMahon used a racial epithet on national television, and the company showcased a character making light of mentally challenged individuals, among other unsavory events. Fans comments he posted include: “VINCE MCMAHON CAN SAY THE “N” WORD ON NATIONAL T.V. BUT @AWPromotions CAN’T TELL A JOKE………….whats wrong with this picture???”
“McMahon is a hypocrite! It’s cool for him to mock JR’s Bells Palsy, & you aren’t cut any slack for one joke? #BeAStarVince.”
“I hope Vince hasn’t forgot How he mocked @JRsBBQ on #RAW live, and @AWPromotions gets released for one joke?”
“@if only you had strangled someone with your tie, you’d be back within 6 months lol.”
“so Dx can tell everyone to suck it but u can’t make a joke?”
“@CMPunk told one of his twitter followers to kill themselves. biggest double standard in the world.”
“@kane has sex with a dead girl but @AWPromotions makes a kobe joke and gets fired.”
“Vince can kick the leg out from under a one legged kid, wrestle women, mock The mentally retarded and he fired you!!!”
A.W. feels he is a casualty of Linda McMahon’s Republican pursuit of a United States Senate seat in Connecticut, which many have speculated has led the sports-entertainment organization to take action on any matter deemed controversial so as not to affect her campaign.
He tweeted to Linda, “Creates jobs my ass!! I’m fired thanks to you and your campaign.”
WWE announced Friday they have come to terms on the release of A.W. (a/k/a Abraham Washington) as of August 10, 2012, weeks after the boisterous personality made a rape joke on the July 30 episode of Raw. According to a company spokesman, A.W., whose real name is Brian Jossie, was terminated due to his continued use of offensive and inappropriate remarks in public settings following the ordeal.
A representative for WWE told TMZ.com Friday evening, “Unfortunately, Brian Jossie, playing the character of A.W. was terminated because he continued to exhibit poor judgment by making offensive and inappropriate comments on live television and on social media.”
Jossie angrily spoke out against WWE via Twitter following the announcement, stating they “turned its back” on him.
“It was the #WWE that made me bold and now it has turned it’s back on me,” he said. “Just be normal shut up and be a yes man so you can collect your check and feel like your special. #SELLOUTS!! I remember a time when the WWE didn’t care about breaking the mold but now everyone is so afraid of their own shadow. #RemeberTheFans. Thank you WWE for creating me and then killing me because I only portrayed what I grew up watching… The #WWE!!”
