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Brooke Hogan Signs With TNA Wrestling

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TNA Wrestling announced Thursday that Brooke Hogan, daughter of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, has joined the organization. She will serve as the Executive in Charge of the Knockouts Division and will debut on the May 31st episode of IMPACT WRESTLING – the first night that Impact goes live every wee.

TNA sent out the following announcement:

BROOKE HOGAN TO JOIN TNA’S “IMPACT WRESTLING” ON SPIKE TV STARTING THURSDAY, MAY 31

New York, NY, May 17, 2012 – Television personality and recording artist Brooke Hogan is joining the cast of the highly-rated weekly wrestling program, TNA’s “IMPACT WRESTLING” starting Thursday, May 31 on Spike TV. Brooke’s role will be as the Executive in Charge of the female wrestling division, The Knockouts.

Brooke will join a star-studded cast of the biggest names in professional wrestling, including her father, wrestling legend Hulk Hogan. TNA’s flagship series, “IMPACT WRESLTING,” telecasts on Spike TV and is one of the network’s top-rated series on Thursday nights with young men and currently ranks among the top shows on cable in its timeslot with Men 18-34.

In addition to overseeing the traditional duties of the Knockouts Division, Brooke will bring a new energy and direction to the role working with the girls in a variety of capacities.

“I have really gotten to know Brooke by working with her on her music career this past year and a half,” said Dixie Carter, President of TNA Wrestling. “When we did talk wrestling, I not only loved her passion and knowledge of it, but the fresh, creative ideas she would come up with. She is very savvy. I asked if she would consider teaming up with me in this capacity while she also worked on her music, and I was thrilled when she said ‘yes.’ A big personality runs in her genes, obviously, and I know she is going to take an already exciting division of Impact Wrestling to another level.”

Brooke is heading to New York next week for a media tour to promote her addition to the IMPACT WRESTLING team. Brooke will also promote “IMPACT WRESTLING’s” move to 8 PM and that the series will telecast LIVE for the summer starting Thursday, May 31. TNA’s 10th anniversary SLAMMIVERSARY pay-per-view-event is set for June 10th in Dallas, Texas.

The TNA roster features many of the top names in wrestling including the aforementioned Hulk Hogan, Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, Bobby Roode, Sting, James Storm, Rob Van Dam, and the lovely and lethal Knockouts.

Brooke Hogan, a native of Tampa, Fl, is a successful television personality, singer and songwriter. Brooke starred in two acclaimed non-scripted shows on Spike’s sister network, VH1, including “Hogan Knows Best” and the spinoff, “Brooke Knows Best.” Both were #1 rated shows for the network. Brooke has also released two albums, “Undiscovered” in 2006 which peaked at #28 on the Billboard Hot 100, and “The Redemption” in 2009. Her song, “Everything To Me,” peaked at #1 twice on Billboard’s Top Single Chart. Hogan’s film credits include “Little Hercules in 3D,” “Sand Sharks,” and “Devour.”

TNA Impact Wrestling Going Live Every Week Starting May 31st

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After teasing that a major announcement was about to be made on Twitter, TNA President Dixie Carter has announced that Impact Wrsetling will be going live starting on 5/31 and continue “through the summer.” Here’s the official announcement from TNA:

TNA’S IMPACT WRESTLING CELEBRATES SUMMER 2012 BY GOING LIVE!

SPIKE TV TAKES HIGHLY RATED SHOW LIVE AND TO 8:00PM/ET BEGINNING THURSDAY, MAY 31st

NASHVILLE, TN – (May 17, 2012) — TNA IMPACT WRESTLING President Dixie Carter and SPIKE TV President Kevin Kay announce today that the highly-rated “IMPACT WRESTLING” will be going Live! from Universal Studios beginning May 31st and continue through the summer. This announcement coincides with the recently announced new, one-hour earlier time slot change of 8:00-10:00pm/ET every Thursday night beginning May 31st.

“We are excited to take IMPACT WRESTLING Live! all summer long, and have our first Live! summer show launch our new 8:00pm/ET time slot,” says TNA President Dixie Carter. “Summer of 2012 is going to be remembered as the most momentous time in our company’s history-to-date. Stay tuned.”

WWE RAW Moving To 3-Hours Permanently Starting July 23rd

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John Cena just tweeted the following message regarding a major change to WWE’s flagship Monday night show:

“STARTING Monday Night July 23 @USA_NETWORK WILL BE ADDING A 3RD HOUR TO @WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW – PERMANENTLY. #3hourRaw”

The July 23rd show will be RAW’s 1,000th episode.

The announcement of RAW moving to 3-hours every week is now on WWE.com and has also been re-tweeted by John Laurinaitis, Dolph Ziggler, David Otunga and “Road Dogg” BG James.

It was recently reported that WWE’s weekly RAW tapings would be starting close to an hour earlier – and this news explains why. No word yet on whether the extra hour will be the rumored RAW pre-show.

Comment Below and tell us if you think 3-hours of RAW every week is overkill or not.

Sunny Skips Radio Show Appearance, Called “Unprofessional”

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WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch no-showed a scheduled in-studio radio appearance for VOC Nation Wednesday afternoon in Philadephia, Pennsylvania. The program hosts issued an apology during the broadcast (listen here) and noted that Sytch had promised to appear hours earlier. A car was sent to her New Jersey residence to pick her up for the appearance, but no one answered the door.

VOC Nation criticized Sytch for the no-show on Twitter, writing, “She was an unprofessional no show. Now I see why people are reluctant to work with her.”

Sytch has no-showed multiple advertised appearances in the past year including at least seven scheduled bookings since March. She was scheduled to appear for American Icon Autographs at WrestleReunion in Toronto, Ontario last month but “personal issues” prevented her from appearing at the event. American Icon Autographs stated they have no intention on working with her again after having bailed on the organization a third time. Three weeks ago, she missed three consecutive dates in Maine due to “personal demons,” according to the event promoter.

Despite her recent string of no-shows, the former WWE star has multiple independent wrestling event appearances lined up. Her next scheduled appearance is set for this Saturday at Patriot Auction Gallery in Martinsburg, West Virginia. (Event Details)

source: PWInsider.com

Kurt Angle Talks 2012 Olympics, Working Babyface & Retirement

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TNA star Kurt Angle recently spoke to Mississippi’s Clarion Ledger to promote this weekend’s TNA’s live events tour. Kurt’s interviews are good for a few laugh out loud quotes – and this one’s no exception. Here are some highlights of what our Olympic Gold Medalist said about:

Pulling Out Of The 2012 Summer Olympic Trials:

“I was actually 12 days out from the trials. I tore my MCL ligament in my knee. I can still pro wrestle but it does limit me.In 1996, I broke my neck before the Olympics. I still competed, but I had nothing to lose. I didn’t have a family. I didn’t have a lot of money. And it might be my only opportunity to make the team. And thank God I did it. I was getting Novocaine shots in my neck. I couldn’t have Cortisone because it was illegal. So I went through the Olympic trials and the Olympics with my neck broken, so a lot of people said, “Why don’t you try out this year with your knee injury?”

And I said, “Because I don’t want to make it worse, because I do have a family. I have a job. And if I’m not working, I don’t get paid.” So I have a lot to lose now and I had to back out for personal reasons.”

Why He Can No Longer Play A Heel:

“I’ve done everything, from comedy to being the badass. … I think my character now is more true to life than I’ve ever been. It’s just the real Kurt Angle. I think it’s because, thank God, I got to the point where fans now look at me as one of the best of all time. So it’s kind of hard to be the bad guy now, when the fans have the respect for you.

The Reason He Hasn’t Retired Yet:

I probably would have retired a a couple of years ago if I wasn’t so good,” Angle laughed. “It sounds very arrogant. I know it sounds very pompous, but yeah, when I started, I didn’t realize I was going to pick it up so quickly.”

TNA Knockout & X-Division Wrestler Released From TNA

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TNA Knockout Traci Brooks has been released from TNA. She reportedly left on good terms and wants to move on to other projects.

Sparingly used X Division wrestler Anthony Nese was also granted his release from TNA Wrestling on Thursday. Nese asked organization officials for permission to compete at Pro Wrestling Syndicate’s June 1 online pay-per-view event after being approached with an opportunity to step in the ring with The Great Muta. He was informed that he would not be able to. He then requested his release from the organization, which was granted. He wrote the following on Twitter about his release:

“I wanted to be the first to inform everyone that I have requested my release from TNA Wrestling. As a professional wrestler I have many goals and dreams that I work hard to achieve, one of them was to have the opportunity to perform in front of a live audience on national television and I thank TNA Wrestling for providing me with that opportunity. Another goal of mine is to wrestle against some of the top international superstars with the chances to travel the world and work for some of the best international companies that have the best talent in wrestling today.

“I have recently been approached with an opportunity to step in the ring with The Great Muta, a wrestling legend, and one of All Japan Pro Wrestling’s top wrestlers Kai. This is an opportunity that I feel with help me further my goals and career. This event will be provided via IPPV and unfortunately my TNA contract did not allow me to perform on such events. I requested that an exception would be granted given my lack of appearances but was denied. My next action was to request a release as I think it will be in my best interest.

“I would like to thank TNA Wrestling for helping me achieve one of my goals as it is very few in this business that are able to say they have. I would also like to thank all the people that support me as this is just a small chapter coming to an end in my career and I have many more exciting opportunities in my future to come.”

His profile was subsequently removed from ImpactWrestling.com.

Linda McMahon Bashed Over Vince McMahon’s “Kiss My Ass Club”

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Linda McMahon political opponent Christopher Shays bluntly argued this week that the former professional wrestling executive should not be running for the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate position for Connecticut because she is an unsuitable candidate. McMahon, whose background with WWE became an unflattering focus of her last campaign, was once again railed for her past ties to the professional wrestling organization.

In an interview with The New York Times, Shays listed “some of the more distasteful episodes” in the history of WWE, including husband Vince McMahon’s penchant for dropping his trousers and underwear in the middle of the ring and having wrestlers kiss his bare buttocks. It is known as the “Mr. McMahon Kiss My Ass Club.”

“You’re clearly not a social conservative when you do those things, and you’re clearly not a fiscal conservative when you spend $50 million so wastefully,” Shays says.

McMahon created the “Mr. McMahon Kiss My Ass Club” following the collapse of The Alliance in November 2001, which consisted of various WWE personalities being ordered to kiss his posterior under the threat of suspension or termination. Members of this exclusive club include William Regal, Jim Ross, Shawn Michaels, Shane McMahon, Mick Foley and Hornswoggle. Hornswoggle, however, did not actually kiss McMahon’s derriere, instead biting him. The WWE Chairman ruled Hornswoggle as an official club member since his lips came in contact with his backside.

The club even spawned its own online cartoon, “Mr. McMahon’s Kiss My Ass Club – The WWE’s Most Valuable Asset. The cartoon series, produced by Animax Entertainment, debuted on WWE.com in November 2006. The cartoon was later canceled as part of a settlement between WWE and Cartoon Network due to the show’s similarities with Cartoon Network program Assy McGee. If you haven’t seen the short-lived cartoon – here it is:

Preview For Tonight’s NXT & FCW Tapigns From Full Sail University

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WWE will have their debut taping for NXT and Florida Championship Wrestling tonight at Full Sail Live in Winter Park, Florida on the campus of Full Sail University.

Here is what has been announced for the show…

– WWE COO Triple H will be in the house
– World Heavyweight champion Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio
– WWE Tag Team champions Kofi Kingston & R Truth vs. Epico & Primo
– Jim Ross and William Regal will also appear

We can confirm that the event is sold out and tickets were hard to come by on campus. Fans who wear WWE clothing and bring signs to the show will have a chance to get their seats upgraded.

Check out these pictures of the facility WWE will be using for NXT & FCW:

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Daniel Bryan Talks Yes! Changing His Life, Punk, Lesnar

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Daniel Bryan was interviewed by Brian Fritz of the Between The Ropes podcast and spoke about a number of topics, including  the “Yes!” chants changing his life, his match against CM Punk this Sunday at Over The Limit, Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE and much more. Here are some highlights of what he said about:

Whether or not he ever thought a word as simple as ‘yes’ could change his life the way it has:

“(laughs) Yeah, you’d never think it. All the years I spent toiling on the independent scene, really learning my craft, being as good of a wrestler as I could possible be and the thing that makes me the most popular is probably the first word I learned as a kid.”

If he was disappointed for his match at WrestleMania which only lasted 18 seconds or if that is just part of the job:

“You have to look at it as part of your job but you can also be disappointed. I’ve always wanted to go out there and steal the show, every show that I’m on. That’s how I got to where I’m at. I didn’t get here by being a nice guy or going out there and being a character or anything like that. The WWE noticed me because I put on great matches. That was my thing.

“Now, I’ve developed into somebody who has some personality on TV and that sort of thing but that isn’t what brought me to the dance. What I love and what I enjoy doing is going out there and wrestling and going out there and entertaining people with what I do in the ring. So to not be able to do that to the best of abilities what disappointing but everything that has come from it has actually been very good so I guess I can’t complain.”

On if it will be special to face CM Punk on a big stage at the Over the Limit considering where they came from and knowing each other for such a long time:

“It is, especially because nobody expected either of us to get to this point. When we were both on the independent scene and stuff like that, there were knocks against Punk’s looks against my looks and how we don’t look like prototypical WWE superstars. And ever when we both signed here, Punk, he has that character, he has that quality that you think if they would just give him an opportunity he could really connect with the WWE Universe.

“For me, even the people who really liked me, kind of doubted whether I would be able to succeed here in the WWE. And it’s cool that two guys who really paid their dues and worked hard on the independents just to get opportunities like this or having this chance. This isn’t a small opportunity. This is a WWE Championship match at an Over the Limit pay-per-view. It’s unreal. This is more that I even dreamed of.”

Brock Lesnar’s return to WWE:

“I think it’s great. I think he brings a lot of added interest to the company and I’m hoping some of those UFC fans will come and watch some of out pay-per-views, especially that last pay-per-view Extreme Rules was awesome. It was an awesome show. I hope they stick around and watch Over the Limit and they’re going to see another awesome show. This is going to be a great night of wrestling for everybody involved. I think it’s great and I would love to have a match with Brock Lesnar. I know that’s probably not in the cards but I’m petitioning for it right now because I feel like me and him could have a match unlike any other pro wrestling match in North America probably ever.”

On whether he will shy away from the physicality of that match:

“No, not at all. And actually I like that sort of thing. My skills, especially as a grappler, lend itself to that kind of thing. When he’s ground and pounding, like doing the kind of stuff he was doing with (John) Cena, there’s not a lot of guys who have any counters for that. Well, I have a million. There would be a lot of things that would be really fun about a match like that. I think people would be excited to see it too.

Other Interview Topics

-Whether he regrets not going to WWE sooner so he could have a match against one of his mentors Shawn Michaels

-If this is the most fun he has even had in his career

-If there were a lot of people around him that thought going to the WWE would be bad for his career

-What he will do – if he remembers – if he wins the WWE Championship on Sunday

Waltman Predicts TNA Will Be Part Of WWE’s Video Catalog

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Sean “X-Pac” Waltman took to Twitter on Wednesday to vent on former employer TNA Wrestling. He directed his frustration toward organization president Dixie Carter’s account with a series of messages.

“Highly disappointed with you as a person who claims to care. More disappointed in your handling of the only alternative to WWE,” he wrote. “Been meaning to tell you that since your Co. tried to make it look like I no showed your PPV.”

Waltman was scheduled for a tag team match at the 2010 Lockdown pay-per-view event, but was absent. On the night of the show, announcers were instructed to say that Waltman had no shown. He reportedly let organization officials know days in advance that he was not cleared to wrestle by the Missouri State Commission due to his hepatitis C diagnosis and was not going to be able to attend the event. He is now denying the story.

Waltman explains, “They knew I wouldn’t be there for over a week. They alluded that I no showed was bcuz I was on a drug binge. They lied to the PPL. The thing is that it’s easy to believe a story like that about me, which makes it even more of a low life move.”

When a Twitter user wrote to Waltman that if he wasn’t a “boozer and a fool,” he might still be employed by TNA, he responded, “@TNADixie Had nothing to do with it. Plus are u serious w/ the crew they have there. Plus, I am sober & never cared 4 booze.”

Waltman then continued railing the organization’s upper hierarchy and made a stark prediction.

“Im just sick of @TNADixie running around playing this benevolent role, when it’s a facade. BTW Congrats on hiring Bruce Pritchard. Perfect fit . Oine of the biggest lowlifes in the business. Treats ppl like shit if he can,” Waltman wrote. “Mark my words TNA will be a part of WWE’s video catalog before the decade is up. I dont hope. I just think it’s a matter of time. Unfortunately. I love the crew over there. Great guys, almost all of them.”

JR Blog: Heyman’s Return, Punk vs. Bryan, Visiting Developmental

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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross is back with another blog update, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:

Paul Heyman’s Return To WWE Television:

“Paul Heyman’s return is one of the more positive things to occur in WWE in a good while. As I have said over the years, Heyman’s TV persona is an easy one to dislike.”

“What makes Heyman so effective is that he doesn’t play the ‘role’ of a villain who has litigious tendencies. Plus, Heyman is a life long fan who now has the chance to essentially reinvent himself with this unexpected return to the genre. It will likely be his last return to the business if I had to make a wager.”

Visiting WWE Developmental This Week:

“I’m very excited about today’s trip and tomorrow’s work in Orlando. I’m like a kid on his first day at a new school. I don’t know what to expect but am excited to be ‘enrolled.’ The future of the WWE lies within the Talent Development program and I am blessed to be able to help in that area in any way that the company sees fit. My role has yet to be outlined but I think I can assist in many areas and I’m excited to devote my time and energies to helping develop the young stars of tomorrow.”

CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan This Sunday At Over The Limit:

“Can’t wait to see CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE Title this Sunday night in Raleigh on PPV. Hope the Raleigh live audience is more emotionally invested that was the Greensboro audience a week or so ago. Punk vs Bryan should be off the page. I love their individual, in ring styles and, Lord knows, both men have paid ample dues.”

“Some day, Punk vs. Bryan has a potential ‘Ironman Match’ written all over it or perhaps even a ‘best of three’ series of bouts.”

As always – make sure to check out JR’s amazing line of BBQ products at the WWEShop website!

WWE Continues To Tease Chris Jericho Is Leaving Again

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The WWE website has a new storyline article up looking at how Chris Jericho has failed to win gold since returning in January and how this effects World Heavyweight Title match at Over the Limit as he goes against champion Sheamus, Randy Orton and Alberto Del Rio.

Final Card For Sunday’s Over The Limit Pay-Per-View

It’s been widely reported that Chris Jericho will be taking time off from WWE this summer to tour with his metal band Fozzy – and the WWE article is already planting the seeds for Jericho’s departure.

Update On Chris Jericho Taking Time Off From WWE

The following is an excerpt from the article, which you can read here in its entirety:

“Further, if Jericho fails to come away with the gold, will Over the Limit be the last time the WWE Universe ever sees the “Ayatollah of Rock n’ Rollla” in the ring? Or can Jericho save his career with a huge win against three formidable opponents?

If this is to be his final stand, the smart money would be to bet on Jericho walking out of PNC Arena in Raleigh, N.C., with the title in hand. Jericho is a survivor, and like a cornered lion, he’ll be at his most dangerous with his back to the wall. Jericho will do anything — anything — to emerge from Over the Limit with the World Heavyweight Championship secured around his waist.

But even if he does overcome the other three competitors in the Fatal 4-Way, there’s already plenty of speculation that the WWE Universe won’t see much of Jericho in the coming months. His heavy metal band Fozzy is set to release a new studio album this summer, and tour dates have been planned.

That said, will his match at WWE Over the Limit be his lingering legacy? And if Y2J does decide to walk off into the sunset, will he do so with the World Heavyweight Championship around his waist?”

Comment Below and tell us whether you think Chris Jericho is really leaving again soon – or if this is just Jericho messing with Internet fans, as he’s been known to do. What do you think of Chris Jericho’s latest run with WWE?

Shawn Michaels Talks Retirement & His Future With WWE

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WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels recently spoke with the Miami Herald about his new endorsement deal with Eye Black.

Shawn Michaels Signs Endorsement Deal With Eye Black

Here are some highlights of what Michaels said about his decision to end his legendary in-ring career, whether he’d wrestle again and why he’ll always be a part of the WWE family:

Why It Was The Right Time To Retire From WWE:

“I walked away from an extremely well paying job, which is probably not the smartest thing to do, but I did it solely to come home and to help my wife raise our children, to be a part of their lives. WWE would have allowed me to work any kind of way that I wanted. I could have very easily have said, ‘Hey, I’d like to slow down over the next couple of years, do a few things here and there,’ and I think everybody would have been fine with that, but for me, I think that would have probably been harder on me. Personally, I think the job would be harder for me to do, personally, on a semi, here and there, in and out type basis.”

“It’s easier, and I think I’m better at it when I’m doing it or I’m not. So for me I felt it was better to walk away completely.”

Has He Wrestled His Last Match?

“You have to be careful because if you leave it as an open option, you’re going to be getting calls on a regular basis. Every time somebody gets injured or every time somebody comes up with an idea, the phone is going to be ringing, and you’re going to have to deal with ‘should I or shouldn’t I?’ I didn’t want to run into that. I didn’t want to put myself through that, and I didn’t want to put the company through that.”

“I’m certainly not going to wrestle, but if you need me for something, if you’re in a bind, you can give me a buzz, and I’ll be more than happy to be there and help out any way I can.”

WWE Reportedly Signs Ric Flair’s Daughter To Contract

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The Wrestling Observer reports WWE has signed Ashley Fliehr Johnson to a developmental contract. She is the daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair.

Reports surfaced earlier this month that Ashley intended to follow in the footsteps of her legendary father as she was training to become a professional wrestler. She is expected to join WWE’s Tampa, Florida based developmental training facility in the summer.

Ashley is the third Flair child to enter the professional wrestling industry. David notably competed for World Championship Wrestling from 1999 to 2001 while Reid currently wrestles on the independent circuit.

Ashley was a star volleyball player in high school, leading her team to two state titles in North Carolina. She graduated from North Carolina State University with a Bachelor of Arts and is an ACE® Certified Personal Trainer. She also attended Appalachian State University where she was a Division-1 Full Scholarship Athlete in volleyball.

Update On Kharma’s Whereabouts, New DVD Titles, Booker T

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– Kharma has been ready to return to action for a while but creative has been unable to develop a storyline for her. An angle was nixed for the April 30 Raw SuperShow where Kharma would have brutalized Nikki Bella.

– WWEDVDNews.com reports WWE has plans to release single disc DVD titles on Kofi Kingston, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio and Shawn Michaels later this year as part of their WWE Superstar Collection line. Titles on Daniel Bryan, John Cena, Sheamus and Zack Ryder are also scheduled.

– Booker T has been announced to appear at the Wizard World Chicago Comic Con taking place August 9-12 at the Donald E Stephens Convention Center 5555 North River Rd. Rosemont, Illinois. CM Punk, John Morrison and Maryse Ouellet are also scheduled to appear at the event. Punk, however, will only appear on August 11.

– Buddy Roberts of Fabulous Freebirds fame turns 67 years old Wednesday.

(source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

Rey Mysterio Merchandise On Deep Discount, WM29, Bellas

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– Rey Mysterio’s merchanise is discounted upto 75% at the WWEShop website. His action figures, tshirts and DVDs are on clearance sale as the former World champion sits out the remainder of his 60-day suspension for his 2nd violation of the wellness policy.

WWE Looking To Sign New Mexican Wrestlers

– An official Facebook page has been launched for WrestleMania 29, which takes place on Sunday, April 7, 2013 from the Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

Rumored Top Matches WrestleMania 29

– The Bella Twins will be appearing at the Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con on Sunday, June 3. The event takes place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia.

Bella Twins Talk About Why They Chose To Leave WWE

– The RAW brand will be at the Mississippi Coat Coliseum on August 11. John Cena, CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Kane and Lord Tensai are advertised to appear.

Update On Knockout Feature In Penthouse, Beautiful People Battle

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— Tara stated Tuesday via Twitter that she is featured in the latest issue of Penthouse. To add further details, she and Brooke Tessmacher were interviewed for a piece on the Knockouts Division. The adult magazine contains no photographs of the duo disrobed. Rather, the featured images are from TNA Wrestling events.

— In a battle of former “Beautiful People” mates, Angelina Love faced Velvet Sky on Tuesday in Orlando, Florida for an upcoming episode of TNA Xplosion.

— Alex Silva, who earned a contract with TNA Wrestling as a result of the Gut Check Challenge, has been added to the company website’s roster page.

— This week’s featured match on TNA Xplosion pits Samoa Joe against Kazarian.

Video: This Week’s WWE NXT Show (5/16)

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The Rock Makes The Forbes “Celebrity 100” List

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Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has made Forbes Magazine’s list of the 100 most powerful celebrities in the world. Forbes.com has an article up looking at The Rock being one of Hollywood’s most bankable action movie stars (having grossed over $2.3 billion) and his reputation for saving movie franchises (Fast and Furious, Journey to the Center of the Earth, and now GI Joe).

Forbes estimates that The Rock made over $36 million over the last 12 months – and it doesn’t specify if that includes the millions (and millions) he’s made from working with WWE and main eventing their pay-per-view of all time, WrestleMania 28.

The article states that movie producers love The Rock’s willingness to travel in order to promote his movie, which Rock credits to his wrestling background.

“That’s the wonderful part about being in this business. I love knowing the audience and listening to the audience. Oh, and kicking a little ass, too,” Rock said.

Rock also noted he and his manager, ex-wife Dany Garcia, changed their approach to Rock’s wrestling background. “It reached a point where I felt that ­instead of me trying to conform to Hollywood, I needed to have ­Hollywood conform to me and ­embrace my past,” says Johnson.

The article states that The Rock’s former management team forced him to stop talking about wrestling – and his decision to return to WWE included firing those same agents.

RAW’s 1,000th Episode, Christian At FCW, WWE ’12 Sales

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– The WWE website has begun hyping the 1,000th episode of Monday Night RAW – which will take place on July 23rd. Leading up to the milestone show, the WWE website will be looking back at RAW’s most memorable moments and interviewing past and present WWE superstars about the big show.

It’s worth noting that based on WWE promoting August 23rd, 2010 episode of RAW as the 900th episode – the July 23rd show will actually be episode #999, not 1,000. It’s unknown how WWE arrived at July 23rd as the 1,000th episode – but keep in mind, this is the same company that hyped WrestleMania 25 as the “25th Anniversary of WrestleMania” (WrestleMania 25 was actually the 24th anniversary).

– Florida Championship Wrestling sent out a press release day announcing that Christian will be appearing at Friday night’s FCW show from Orlando. Christian, who is currently off WWE television, is being advertised for a “once-in-a-lifetime meet and greet autograph/photo session.”

Recent FCW graduates and SmackDown roster members Antonio Cesaro and Damien Sandow will be in action. For more information, visit FCWWrestling.com.

– WWE video game publisher THQ has released its quarterly earnings report for for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 – including sales data for the WWE ’12 video game. From THQ’s press release:

WWE ’12 has shipped more than 2.2 million units since its launch in November 2011. The successful rebranding of this annual franchise has led to higher sell-through to date, which is up approximately 20 percent on like-for-like platforms in North America versus the year-ago title.

The stock market is not reacting well to THQ’s year-end report – down almost 12% today.

Update On Lesnar’s WWE Appearances & Feud With Triple H

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As we reported earlier this week, there is currently a lot of scrambling behind the scenes regarding Brock Lesnar’s storyline with Triple H and how the angle will play out.

After original plans called for a Brock Lesnar vs. Triple H grudge match at SummerSlam in August, WWE officials are now talking about holding the match at July’s Money In The Bank pay-per-view or even as early as No Way Out next month.

The main issue that’s causing all the problems is the fact that Brock Lesnar’s WWE contract only requires him to make a limited number of appearances. WWE has already burned through 5 of them (4 RAWs and his match at Extreme Rules) and has a certain number set aside for the build to WrestleMania 29 next year.

It’s believed that WWE only has around 24 dates to use Lesnar this year, so they have been changing their plans a lot trying to figure out how to best use him.

(Partial Source: Figure 4 Weekly)

Post-PPV Feuds, HBK’s Hunting Show Returning & More

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The following matches booked for upcoming live events give an idea of the feuds WWE will be going with after Sunday’s Over The Limit pay-per-view:

* CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan is advertised for the June 4th RAW Supershow from Greenville, South Carolina.

* John Cena is scheduled to face Lord Tensai and John Laurinaitis in handicap matches at RAW live events.

* Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio in Last Man Standing matches are advertised for SmackDown live events.

– The new season of Shawn Michael’s MacMillan River Adventures will premiere on Tuesday, January 26th at 11:30pm EST on The Outdoor Channel.

– Ted DiBiase announced on Twitter that he and his wife welcomed a healthy new baby boy yesterday – Tate McKinley DiBiase. Congratulations to the DiBiase family!

– On the way back from promoting WWE in Japan this past weekend, Alberto Del Rio stopped in China to take part in a press conference announcing that SmackDown will be holding a live event at the Oriental Sports Center in Shanghai on August 11th. WWE will be running Tokyo, Japan on August 9th and 10th. WWE is considering doing regular tours of China.

(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)

Updates On Cena’s Divorce, Henry’s Surgery & Big Show’s Firing

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– With the news of John Cena’s divorce becoming public last week, there are those who believe it’s going to get ugly – and ugly fast. John Cena’s wife signed a very restrictive prenuptial agreement back in 2009 and recently turned down a financial settlement offer. Don’t be shocked to see Cena’s ex to “make some noise” (talking to TMZ, writing a tell-all book) in hopes of getting paid off to go away.

Related: John Cena “Miserable” In Recent Months

– Despite his “firing” on Monday’s RAW, Big Show is currently advertised for WWE’s upcoming tour of Mexico and all SmackDown tapings and live events in June.

Possible *SPOILER* For Over The Limit Involving Big Show

– Mark Henry announced on Twitter this week that he was undergoing Surgery on Tuesday and would retire if he could no longer compete at his best. No word yet on how the procedure went, but it’s worth noting that Henry is not advertised for any WWE live events until RAW on June 25th.

Mark Henry Talks About Retiring After His Surgery

Matt Hardy Issues Statement Saying He Is At Peace

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Former WWE & TNA star Matt Hardy telling fans that he is currently in a much better place after a very chaotic time in his life. In a message posted to Facebook on Tuesday night, Hardy claims to have focus and perspective and says he has a better understanding of his life than ever:

“There’s been times in the past that I’ve had focus & perspective, and it’s served me well.. But currently in life, I have focus, perspective, & experience-and I have a better understanding of my life than I ever have. I no longer have any unanswered questions about who I am or what I need to do to be comfortable in my own skin. I am fulfilled, I am whole, and I am at peace with myself and everyone else. As ironic as it seems, traveling through the dark showed me how much I love the light. I still have a few lingering wildfires that I started in the past that I have to address and put out.. And I will. When I say I no longer have boundaries, it’s because the only boundary that was holding me back in life was me. Now I can be what I’ve always been destined to be. God bless us all.”

Hardy also posted his latest YouTube video:

Hogan Says TNA Is Taking Legal Action Against Scott Steiner

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The ongoing beef between Scott Steiner, Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff continues to escalate. Steiner tweeted this week that he was contacted by Hogan and Bischoff’s lawyers – and now Hulk Hogan has clarified that they were actually TNA’s lawyers that Steiner heard from.

Read All Of Scott Steiner’s CRAZY Twitter Rants Here

Hogan wrote on Twitter that Steiner is a lair and it’s “time to call his guys in” to shut him up:

“Tried to be cool,not only a clown but also a liar.those weren’t my lawyers they were TNA lawyers.well I guess it’s time to call my guys in,”

“I really hope he saved his money or is making tons from the independents he’s working because it’s gonna get expensive,maby he’s smart enough to at least figure it out when it starts getting real,what a shame,what a waste of a great talent,but u can’t tell an idiot their an Idiot. It’s really sad when you really thought someone was really cool. HH”

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