– WWE Champion CM Punk will be appearing at the Chicago Cubs baseball game on May 8th. Punk will be singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch.
– WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper tweeted the about his experience on WWE Legends House:
“Legend House was hard! Don’t know when it will air. Don’t know how it will be excepted! New ground. I love doing Original Stuff.”
Piper and his wife will be featured on the Biography Channel’s “Celebrity House Hunters” this coming Thursday night at 10pm EST.
– Here is the latest episode of Santino Marella’s Foreign Exchange featuring his special guests, R-Truth and .. Little Jimmy:
The Rock recently told Entertainment Weekly that the upcoming GI JOE: RETALIATION movie will feature a drastic “creative shift” than the last film in the series:
“I can tell you this one is creatively much different [from the first]. It’s rooted, it’s grounded, it’s real. The studio came to me and I loved the idea of starring in the movie because I grew up on G.I. Joe and it’s a massive property.”
“I spoke to the studio and they told me about the creative shift that they wanted to make with the movie, which made it easy for me to sign on.”
GI Joe: Retaliation opens on Friday, June 29, 2012.
Check out this new movie poster for GI Joe: Retaliation featuring Th Rock:
– Paul Heyman has been helping Brock Lesnar’s recent WWE promos, according to Mark Madden on Chairshots Radio. Heyman is working with Lesnar independently and there are no plans for him to work directly with WWE.
– Derrick Bateman’s profile pages have been removed from WWE.com and the Florida Championship Wrestling website, which is usually a sign that the talent has been released. Bateman stated on twitter that his profiles being taken down is “meaningless.” When asked again if he has been released, he replied, “people read into things way to much.”
– The “local talent” that Ryback squashed on Friday’s SmackDown was 18 year old James Hill, who wrestles in the UK as Jimmy Meadows. He told Thisisleicestershire.co.uk that he got booked on RAW through UK veteran wrestler Robbie “The Wildcat” Brookside.
— Christy Hemme was awakened by burglars searching her home early Saturday morning. She tweeted:
“Just woke up to fucking druggy burglars in my house, chased them out and my hubby is not here… I’m so freaked! I’m ok, just scared and hoping to go back to sleep!”
The TNA Knockout later noted that she filed a police report.
— Hulk Hogan is scheduled for an autograph signing this Wednesday from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at The Forked River House in Forked River, New Jersey. Details are available here.
— Velvet Sky is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Speaking to SportsTownChicago.com, Diamond Dallas Page addressed his yoga program, assisting Chris Jericho’s comeback from injury, WrestleMania and more. Highlights are as follows:
Not being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame: “I think eventually it’s got to happen. Nobody did what I did. Nobody was as over in the 90’s. I was in the top five guys according to Pro Wrestling Illustrated. Nobody came from being a manager to being a color commentator. I think I earned that spot and eventually, I think I’ll get it. I hope it’s not 30 years from now, but until Randy Savage is in there, until Jake Roberts, until Rick Rude, I’m not in yet. I would think Randy’s going to be in next year. I’d be surprised if he wasn’t. But it would be the greatest bill ever to be inducted because it’s in Jersey. It is what it is and when it happens it happens.”
Scott Hall’s life problems: “I love Scott. He’s one of my very good friends…Today, we talk once in a blue moon, but the last time he called me, he was just looking for some positive energy. I gave him a lot, I gave him everything I could and I asked him to come and stay with me. I just couldn’t get him to call me back after that. He’s a good guy. He’s just a lost soul right now.”
WWE Extreme Rules 2012 takes place on Sunday, April 29 from the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. SEScoops.com will have Live Coverage of the show next Sunday night.
Following Friday’s SmackDown, here is the updated card:
– Ratings for SmackDown have taken a downturn in recent months, with the yearly average dropping down to a 1.97 after last week’s show. This is the same average rating SmackDown drew for 2011, so WWE has lost the progress SmackDown made after many shows this year drawing above 2.0.
– Brodus Clay teamed up with his “little brother” Hornswoggle on SmackDown in a tag team match against Hunico and Camacho:
Hornswoggle tweeted the following about his new partner:
“Had an amazing time joining @BrodusClay on #SmackDown tonight!!! WWE Universe, tell “them” that you want to see more of the “Tiny-Dactyl”!”
– The official WWE website has a new article up looking at the dominant first month of Ryback’s career “as he paves a destructive path where mere mortals fear to tread.” The article says Ryback “channels” five powerful WWE legends with his destructive in-ring style: The Ultimate Warrior, Goldberg, Psycho Sid, JBL and Bam Bam Bigelow.
Here is video of Ryback’s match from SmackDown against a “local athlete” –
AJ Lee snapped on Friday’s SmackDown, taking out her relationship frustrations Natalya and leaving the Canadian Diva bloodied. Natalya tweeted the following about the situation:
“I get it. @WWEAJLEE treated me the way she “wanted” to treat Daniel Bryan. I just never expected it from her.”
“What I do know @WWEAJLEE, is that no matter how many punches to the face I receive, you can be sure I’m going to rise from the ashes.”
“It’s people like @WWEAJLEE who make me realize what I am truly made of. I’ve faced so much adversity In my life, but it has made me stronger”
Check out this video of AJ & Natalya’s match from SmackDown:
Woo Woo Woo – Mr. Long Island Iced Z is back with Episode 63 of the Z! True Long Island Story. Ryder has tweeted a few message about his latest show being edited by WWE . He says even though “the best two minutes” were removed by WWE, fans should watch it anyways.
He has also been telling fans to stop chanting “hoeski” at Eve Torres. Not because he’s forgiven her, but he doesn’t want to be associated with her anymore.
– Tyler Reks and Curt Hawkins are trying to get re-hired by John Laurinaitis and were informed that they will get their jobs back if they can get the hastag #SaveReksAndHawkins trending during Monday’s three-hour RAW.
– The tag team of Titus O’Neil and Darren Young have officially joined the SmackDown roster and wrestled The Usos on this week’s show. O’Neil and Young wrote on Twitter earlier in the week that they have their sights set on the WWE Tag Team Championships. Here is video of their match against the Usos:
– FCW star Antonio Cesaro made his WWE television debut on Friday’s night’s SmackDown. Formerly known as Claudio Castagnoli, Cesaro was introduced as Aksana’s new friend and had a meeting with John Laurinaitis on the show. Cesaro’s gimmick is that he’s a professional European Rugby player.
– WWE Studios is partnering with IM Global on a new ‘romantic thriller’ movie titled, Dead Man Down. The movie will star Colin Farrell, Naomi Rapace, Terrence Howard and Dominic Cooper.
Filming for the movie will begin this coming Monday in Philadelphia. Dead Man Down is not expected to feature any WWE superstars. WWE will co-finance the $30 million project and promote it.
– WWE will be wrapping up its post-WrestleMania European tour tonight, with the RAW brand holding a show in Antwerp, Belgium and SmackDown running a show in Glasgow, Scotland tonight. Both rosters will fly back this weekend for Monday’s RAW Supershow from Detroit.
– The decision to move Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez over to SmackDown was made a few weeks back. WWE felt that SmackDown needed another top heel. Del Rio and Rodriguez have been added to the SmackDown roster page of the WWE website.
Canadian Wrestling Elite has announced that “Psycho” Sid Vicious will not be appearing at tonight’s show at Maples Community Centre in Winnipeg, Manitoba because he missed his scheduled flight this morning. According to CWE official Danny Warren, Vicious explained that he was sore from setting up bleachers last night and decided to sleep in.
“Unfortunately at this time I have to regretfully inform everyone that “Psycho” Sid Vicious decided not to get on his plane this morning, first because he “slept in” followed by not wanting to get on another flight as his knees were sore from setting up bleachers last night.. Yes, fucking bleachers. Refunds will be available tonight for anyone who would like one,” Warren wrote on Facebook.
Vicious has a history of being unreliable to wrestling promoters as he has no-showed several scheduled appearances throughout his career. More recently, Vicious skipped an advertised appearance for Pro Wrestling Syndicate on March 9, explaining that his wallet was stolen and couldn’t make his scheduled flight. In response, event promoter Pat Buck called Vicious during the show in the middle of the ring and had the audience boo him while leaving a voice message. Buck then disclosed Vicious’ phone number to fans.
As reported earlier, ‘Three Stooges’ actor Sean Hayes appeared on Conan’s late night TBS show this week and said he was embarrassed to host WWE RAW earlier this month. He sarcastically referred to RAW as ‘high brow’ and ‘quality television’ and said would never attend a WWE event.
WWE Champion CM Punk has responded to Hayes on Twitter:
“Holy crap, so the douche who’s playing Larry in the stooges movie says he was embarrassed to be on raw? But he’s in the stooges movie?!!??”
– Terry Taylor is rumored to be joining WWE’s developmental system as one of the top trainers at the new “finishing school” near WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT. The finishing school, which is expected to launch in the next few months, will be the final stop for FCW talent before joining the main roster.
– Bobby Lashley will not be MMA legend Fedor Emelianenko’s next opponent. Fedor has signed on to fight former UFC heavyweight Pedro Rizzo in Russia on June 21st. Lashley is reportedly in talks to join the Bellator MMA promotion.
– Former WWE Diva Torrie Wilson is living in New York City with her New York Yankee boyfriend Alex Rodriguez. Wilson has been seen at several recent games at Yankee Stadium sitting near the dugout.
— TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter has promised “big surprises” for the organization’s tenth anniversary celebration on June 10 at Slammiversary in Arlington, Texas.
“I promise you an historic night for TNA & big surprises at Slammiversary. I will be announcing soon! You won’t want to miss this night,” she wrote Thursday on Twitter.
She also addressed the organization’s “Open Fight Night” concept: “So excited for #OpenFightNight next Thurs on @SpikeTV! Just one of several changes coming to #ImpactWrestling. Who do you want to see fight?”
— Kazarian addressed his haircut in an interview with The Roman Show.
“It is what it is; it is a haircut nothing more nothing less,” he said. “Pro wrestling and entertainment itself is all about reinventing itself. You look fresh and everything. But, I am still heavy metal. It is easier to manage as a fighter its one less thing that gets in the way in the heat of battle.”
The former X Division Champion said he donated his hair to the non-profit organization Locks of Love.
– At this week’s Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion in Las Vegas, Jim Ross held a seminar for independent wrestlers instructing them on what to work on and what WWE looks for when they sign new talents.
Steve Austin was asked about wrestling at WrestleMania 29 and said he is open to the idea. He added that he feels great right now at age 47, but doesn’t want to be living in pain by the time he’s 57. Both Austin and Terry Funk expressed interest in working with WWE developmental talent at FCW.
– We’ve gotten a few emails asking whether Mick Foley’s latest blog about Dean Ambrose is really the end of their ongoing feud. Everything that’s gone down so far, including their confrontation during WrestleMania weekend and Foley’s latest blog, is all part of the storyline. Ambrose was asked by a fan on Twitter this week when he’s going to “take Foley out.” He replied:
“I wont. He took himself out. In terms he would understand he’s the cowardly lion of WWE, I’m far from heartbroken”
– Thursday night’s Florida Championship Wrestling live event featured a tag team match involving several of the promotion’s top talent. Seth Rollins (Tyler Black) and Kassius Ohno (Chris Hero) defeated the team of Antonio Cesaro (Claudio Castagnoli) and Big E. Langston. Prior to signing with WWE, Cesaro and Ohno previously teamed together as the Kings of Wrestling. Ohno tweeted the following about the match:
“Finally got my hands (& elbow) on @AntonioCesaro. Teamed w/ @WWERollins v. him & @BigELangston. I think poor Swisso is still KO’d. #future
– Zack Ryder says he will debut his new catchphrase on the next Z! True Long Island Story, which will premiere later today.
– WWE star Curt Hawkins, who was fired on NXT by William Regal earlier this week, continues to play up the storyline and says he’s headed to the independent scene to work with Kevin Steen and Sami Callihan:
“I’m so fired… I’m gonna kill @KILLSTEENKILL & @samicallihan on the indys. #NXT sucks”
– Christian, who returned to the ring this week, is interviewed in the latest WWE Magazine and said this about his future with the company:
“My work here isn’t done by any stretch of the imagination. Even though I’m a veteran, I still have a lot to strive for and a lot to work for. I haven’t gotten a lot of things, or done some of the things that I feel I need to do yet.”
– Three Stooges actor Sean Hayes appeared on Conan’s late night TBS show this week and said he was embarrassed to host WWE RAW earlier this month and said he would never attend a WWE event.
– Here are some recent WWE attendance figures from this week’s European tour, courtesy of f4wonline.com:
– RAW on April 11th in Moscow, Russia drew 6,500 fans
– RAW on April 12th in Gdansk, Poland drew 7,000 fans
– RAW on April 13th in Stuttgart, Germany drew 6,000 fans – a sellout
– SmackDown on April 14th in Manchester, England drew 10,000 fans
– RAW on April 15th in Nottingham, England drew 8,000 fans
– RAW on April 16th in London drew 10,000 fans
– SmackDown on April 17th in London drew 7,500 fans
The WWE’s website has a new article up with several Superstars reacting to Brock Lesnar’s video promo from Monday’s RAW where he claimed John Cena would be carrying his bags if he would have never left WWE years ago. Here are some quotes from past and present WWE superstars:
Booker T: “There’s only one chief around here, and we all know who that is. I don’t think one Superstar in WWE determines what goes on. I remember a promoter telling me a long time ago … Years later, I now understand exactly what he was saying. He said: ‘One monkey don’t stop no show.’ And that pretty much sums it up right there.”
Goldust: “Whether you like him or hate him, you respect John Cena. He works his ass off day in and day out more than anybody else in this locker room, on the roster, period. What Brock said about Cena, I find that a bit distasteful. I don’t believe for a second that if Brock didn’t leave eight years ago that Cena wouldn’t be where he’s at today. I think that’s bull. John Cena was destined to be a star.”
William Regal: “There’s no way that things would be the way they are if Brock had never left. I’m not saying that Cena wouldn’t be the huge star that he is, but there’s not room for two of them in the same universe. You can’t have two people with that incredible ability, strength, desire, passion, and that Elvis quality – which is that magic quality that you only come across once in a million. And they’ve both got it. Usually, one fella has got to go, because when they collide, that’s the way it plays out.”
Matt Striker: “I think it’s safe to say Brock is the most legitimate, most dangerous ass-kicker WWE has ever seen, and the one person that now really needs to reinvent himself and relearn his craft is Cena. Brock is not here to use armdrags and dropkicks. Brock is here to punch you in the face and snap your bones. We need to see what Cena is made of, and I believe at Extreme Rules, the whole world will find out.”
WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin spoke to the UK Sun this week to promote the DVD release of his latest action movie, Recoil. Here are some highlights of what Austin said about:
Hell in a Cell “Saving” WrestleMania 28:
“The Undertaker and Triple H match made it special. Going into it, I thought how will they better last year? How do you follow something like that? But they did. It was at about the 8-10 minute mark when I saw them dig beyond the solid work they had done and pull out all of the stops. Shawn Michaels was a real benefit there too. He was perfect in his referee role. I believe the match they had was off the charts. If it hadn’t been for it, the event would have failed. It was very average until then.”
Daniel Bryan, Brock Lesnar & WWE’s Main Event Scene:
“I felt bad for Daniel Bryan, as his match with Sheamus was so short and I really wanted him to get the chance to shine. He is a great kid and he can work, you just want to see him work and he didn’t get that chance there. I hope they use him better down the line as there aren’t a lot of guys that truly work like he does. Daniel does need some polishing on his promos, but then so do a lot of the guys there.”
“There are a few prime spots for main eventers now and the WWE need to push some guys into them. They have Brock Lesnar back and he is a real monster, he also has his UFC success behind him too. He is right in at main event level. You have Cena there too and then they have very limited opponents. The job now is to move people to that position.”
Is CM Punk The Right Opponent If He Returns To The Ring?
“Maybe Punk’s not the guy to go against. He needs to pick up his intensity. We’ll have to see what I do, I’m happy now doing what I am. In a perfect world, where I could step back into the ring for one last match I would be willing to have that discussion with management. I do miss the business and working a live crowd, going out there and wrestling your hearts out.”
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:
Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena:
“Thought the Brock Lesnar piece on RAW was excellent. I’m very anxious to see how he competes vs John Cena at the Extreme Rules PPV. Fighting in the Octagon for UFC is a much different animal than performing in a WWE ring. Lesnar is a gifted athlete and will likely shock us all with how well he does against Cena. This one is too close for me to call.”
Heading To FCW Next Week To Evaluate Talent:
“Can’t wait to get back to Tampa next week to work with the young men and women in FCW. It never fails to be a rewarding experience.”
SmackDown Newcomer Damien Sandow:
“Anxious for WWE fans to see Damien Sandow in the ring. He’s fundamentally sound w/ a distinctive upside. Time will tell. Keep getting questions on the apparent Mick Foley/Dean Ambrose war of words. I have no idea where it’s going if any where. Good to see so many young talents getting set to apparently get more, viable TV time. Remember guys, maximize those minutes.”
Steve Austin Honored By The Cauliflower Alley Club
“Steve Austin received the group’s highest award named after the founder of the organization, Iron Mike Mazurki, a former wrestler and successful actor. I was fortunate enough to be asked by Steve to induct him. He had a great speech and offered sage advice to many of the young wrestlers who were in attendance. For more info on CAC visit their website at Caulifloweralleyclub.org.”
— Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon participated in the first debate for Republican Senate candidate hopefuls on Thrusday night from Norwich, Connecticut. Other participants included attorney Brian Hill, attorney Peter Lumaj, former congressman Christopher Shays and attorney Kie Westby.
As you can imagine, McMahon’s history with WWE came under fire, with Westby attacking her by saying, “I have been in private practice for over 32 years, and during the course of that time, I have worked with dozens upon dozens of entrepreneurs. These are real jobs, not men bulked up on steroids or women prancing around in bikinis.”
McMahon responded that she earned her fortune as WWE CEO “the old-fashioned way” – “I’m very proud of earning my money the old-fashioned way, and putting people to work throughout the state.”
For more on Thursday night’s debate, visit NorwichBulletin.com.
— Former WWE champion Alberto Del Rio and his personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez have officially switched to the Smackdown brand. Del Rio toured with the SmackDown brand during this week’s European tour and has an upcoming title shot against Sheamus.
WWE Extreme Rules 2012 and Brock Lesnar’s first WWE match in 8 years are just days away. John Cena came up short against The Rock and WrestleMania and less than a month later, awaits an entirely different challenge. Many questions will be answered at Extreme Rules:
– How will Brock Lesnar look? Will he bring his “A-Game” ?
– Can WWE build around Brock Lesnar for the next year?
– Can John Cena afford to lose another high profile match so soon?
Vote below and tell us who you think will have their hand raised at Extreme Rules:
Hulk Hogan made a “major announcement” on this week’s Impact Wrestling regarding some unique format changes to TNA’s flagship show.
Impact Wrestling will hold “Open Fight Night” once per month,where anyone on the roster can challenge anyone to fight.
The monthly Open Fight Night shows will also feature one of TNA’s champions defending their titles – as well as a new Gut Check segment – where a wrestler not affiliated with TNA gets a chance to earn a contract with Impact Wrestling. Based on the non-affiliated wrestler’s performance, three judges (including Hogan) will decide whether he or she receives a contract.
— Prior to WrestleMania 28, 2010 Miss USA and former Tough Enough contestant Rima Fakih told German celebrity gossip website Promiflash.de that she was returning to WWE:
“You are the first to respond to me, but I can now tell you that I will definitely be part of WWE.”
According to sources in WWE, she has yet to sign with the organization.
Fakih was arrested of DUI back in December and struck a deal with Michigan prosecutors earlier this month just hours before she was scheduled to stand trial for the incident. Sentencing is scheduled for May 9 and she faces up to 93 days in jail.
— WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Jim Cornette are now columnists for the United Kingdom based Fighting Spirit Magazine, which covers professional wrestling and mixed martial arts. Subscription information is available at www.fightingspiritmagazine.co.uk.
— WWE will hold live events in France this fall. Dates and locations are as follows: October 31 at Zenith Arena in Strasbourg (Raw); November 1 at Zenith Arena in Nantes (Raw), November 1 at Tony Garnier Hall in Lyon (SmackDown).
— Kharma attended the Cauliflower Alley Club’s annual banquet in Las Vegas, Nevada on Wednesday.
— Following the passing of legendary broadcaster Dick Clark on Wednesday, Jim Ross remarked on Twitter, “Since Dick Clark passed away, Jerry Lawler is now the oldest teenager in the United States.”
