Sting appeared on 97.9/105.5 KISS-FM on Thursday to promote Impact Wrestling at Wembley Stadium. Highlights from the interview are as follows:
Which wrestler he’d like to face that he hasn’t yet: “I’d have to say the top one… Undertaker. I think wrestling fans have wanted to see Sting vs. Undertaker for years. I think between his gimmick and mine, it could be pretty cool. We could do some pretty cool stuff.”
If he has any regrets over not joining WWE: “Yes and no. Who wouldn’t want to say that they’ve done at least one WrestleMania? I’m not going to lie to you, I wish I had done one of those. I’ve had great conversations with him [Vince McMahon] over the years and been real close on three or four different occasions. There was always a need met or desire of mine met with WCW or with TNA, so I stayed.”
When was the last time he almost joined WWE: “Last year… we were very, very close.”
— “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero has vowed to bring “change” to TNA Wrestling.
He wrote on Facebook, “Pope’s tried for 3yrs to be the “Obama” of TNA, to be new and unique, cause CHANGE is needed, and CHANGE will come, one way or another!”
Dinero’s status with the organization is currently in limbo as he has not appeared on television since the culmination of his several month feud with Devon at last month’s Genesis pay-per-view. Devon’s sons turned on Dinero to assist their father to victory.
— With the Super Bowl taking place tonight between the New England Patriots and the New York Giants, many of the TNA Superstars are divided on who will reign victorious. ImpactWrestling.com asked them who will come out on top in the big game, including Sting.
He said, “I think the Patriots are going to win it because Tom Brady is going to be on top of his game… he’s built a rep for pulling out all the stops in big games. Although Eli is a roll and the Giants have a great defense, Brady and the Patriots are going to be so confident going into it, it’ll be tough for the Giants to come out winners.”
Madusa revealed last week that she remains in possession of the WWF Women’s Championship she unceremoniously trashed during a 1995 episode of WCW Monday Nitro and that she’d like to defend it against Beth Phoenix. The legendary women’s wrestler tweeted an image of herself wearing the belt with a challenge to Phoenix reading “Are u woman enough?”
Madusa has continued taunting the WWE Divas Champion via Twitter. She wrote again to “The Glamazon,” “You will be the only one with mud on your face… And everyone laughing!”
Phoenix responded, “Bring the hate. It fuels me. #divaschampionforever.”
Madusa than vowed to take her Divas Championship.
She wrote, “No hate…only love when I stomp that ass and take the diva title too! Let the schooling begin!”
For the second consecutive week on SmackDown, WWE suggested that Natalya Neidhart had farted during a backstage segment. As Natalya and Beth Phoenix were warming up for their match against Aksana and Tamina, sound effects simulating farting were heard. Santino Marella then walked into the area and displayed an alarmed reaction to the foul scent.
The angle has drawn the ire of many of the third generation wrestler’s fans on Twitter, who feel it’s doing her no favors. Natalya, however, thinks they should lighten up.
“I love to respond to all of you and answer your q’s but some of your comments are Debbie Downer-esque! Settle the tea kettles would ya?!” she wrote.
“What I’m trying to say to some of you is that life is too short to be so negative! So chin up, go for a jog or save a puppy! :)
“To everyone who is positive- I’ve got nothing but love for you… Like Tupac said! And thank you from the bottom of my heart. Goodnight!”
She then specifically responded to a message saying a lot of people are worried about the passing gas segments. She responded, “No one needs to worry about me:) except for the people at Louis Vuitton!”
Meanwhile, Neidhart responded to a question asking whether she watches TNA Wrestling. She said, “I watch all wrestling! What do you expect from a Hart?!”
— WWELiveTour.com is advertising Shawn Michaels for the February 13, 2012 Raw SuperShow at Valley View Casino in San Diego, California.
It will mark as his first appearance on the program since the June 27, 2011 show.
— Many of WWE Hall of Famer Edge’s greatest matches are currently available for $1.99 via Comcast On Demand. The offering includes: Edge vs. John Cena vs. Rob Van Dam (July 3, 2006 Raw), Edge and Hulk Hogan vs. Billy and Chuck(July 4, 2002 SmackDown), Edge vs. Kurt Angle (Judgment Day 2002) Edge vs. Batista (Vengeance 2007), Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio (Wrestlemania XXVII), Edge vs Eddie Guerrero (Unforgiven 2002), Edge vs. Rob Van Dam (February 19, 2007 Raw), Edge vs Rey Mysterio (Royal Rumble 2008), Edge vs. Lance Storm (SummerSlam 2001), Edge vs. Test (Survivor Series 2001).
— The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express, Ricky Morton and Robert Gibson, have been announced for the annual NWA Wrestling Legends Fanfest weekend. The event takes place August 2-5, 2012 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
— Zack Ryder has drawn complaints from fans over his YouTube show Z! True Long Island Story being transferred to WWE’s auspices under their revamped YouTube channel. The WWE Superstar took to Twitter to respond to fans saying he “sold out.”
“I’m confused…Doesn’t one need to receive money to “sell out”?” he wrote.
— WWE developmental wrestler Kenneth Cameron lost to Santino Marella in a singles matches at Friday’s Raw live event in Topeka, Kansas. Cameron is 6’3″, 216 pounds and billed from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, England.
— Spike TV will air The Marine 2 starring Ted DiBiase immediately following Impact Wrestling at 11:00 p.m.
— New Dolph Ziggler T-Shirts are set for release soon.
— Mick Foley went on Twitter to compliment TNA Wrestling stars James Storm, Bobby Roode and Bully Ray for their performance on Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling.
“Well done – @Cowboy_J_Storm , @REALBobbyRoode, and Bully Ray all worked their butts off!” he wrote.
Storm faced Roode and Ray in separate matches.
— Sarita, who is known outside of TNA Wrestling as Dark Angel, is heading to Japan in March for women’s wrestling promotion Stardom. She will partner with Io Shirai in the main event of the March 4 event against Nanae Takahashi and Miho Wakizawa. (Article link)
The TNA Knockout said of the upcoming bout on Facebook, “I’ll be spending my birthday and celebrating my 10th anniversary as a wrestler in Japan this year. No better way to celebrate!”
— It was reported Friday that the official website of WWE developmental promotion Florida Championship Wrestling had removed Calvin Raines, Leroy Parks, Marcus Owens and Peter Orlov from their roster page. Owens, whose real name is Jay Nobles, confirmed on his Facebook account that he was released by WWE on Friday. He was pleased over the developmental.
Nobles wrote Friday of his release from WWE’s grip, “Thank god! The Handcuffs are off!! Free at Last, Free at Last, Thank God All Mighty, I’m Free at Last!!!”
— ESPN.com published an article on SmackDown talent Ted DiBiase concerning the “DiBiase Posse Party,” a Twitter-fueled get-together with tailgating fans outside WWE events.
“Instead of sitting in line for an autograph and getting a handshake and that’s it, I sit around, I tell stories, and they ask questions,” said WWE Superstar. “It’s just like my sitting around with my buddies on the back porch cooking steaks.”
— The latest issues of National Enquirer and Globe feature articles on former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler’s relationship with actor George Clooney.
— Chris Jericho posted a message on Twitter in response to online critics.
“Funny how some of u never stop complaining and think u know it all,” he wrote. “Just sit back and enjoy the ride…you’ll have a lot more fun!”
— WWE highlighted World Championship Wrestling’s annual February pay-per-view event SuperBrawl on this week’s episode of Vintage Collection. Matches featured include The Fabulous Freebirds vs. The Young Pistols (WCW SuperBrawl), Billy Kidman vs. Vampiro (WCW SuperBrawl 2000), Scott Steiner vs. Diamond Dallas Page (WCW SuperBrawl Revenge), Steve Austin, Paul Orndorff and Rick Rude vs. Sting, Dustin Rhodes and Brian Pillman in a Thundercage Match (WCW Superbrawl IV).
The 1998 edition is currently airing its entirety on WWE Classics On Demand.
— Tommy Dreamer will be holding a wrestling seminar on March 8 in Winnipeg. Cost is $35 and spots are limited. E-mail [email protected] for more information.
— Promoting today’s World Wrestling Fan Xperience Champions Showcase Tour event at the Smart Araneta Coliseum in Quezon City, Philippines, former WWE Women’s Champion Melina was asked at a press conference Friday if she planned to follow the footsteps of other WWE Divas who have posed for Playboy.
“Never say never, but as of now, no,” she said, much to the disappointment of the predominantly male media contingent.
Melina faces fellow former Diva Jillian Hall at the event. Click here for a recap of the press conference.
— It was reported Friday that the official website of WWE developmental league Florida Championship Wrestling removed Calvin Raines, Leroy Parks, Marcus Owens and Peter Orlov from their roster page, which indicates they have been released. The wrestler known was Peter Orlov has changed his Twitter handle to @AlexKoslovCom as well as name, Alex Koslov.
He also commented, “Please everyone vait in great suspense for first vords from mouth of horse, sanks!”
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will appear on mtvU on Monday to promote Journey 2. He will be appearing in a segment called “5 Questions With Dwayne Johnson.”
John Morrison will make his first post-WWE wrestling appearance tonight in The Philippines. He is set to face Shelton Benjamin in the main event of a stacked World Wrestling Fan Xperience (WWFX) card.
WWFX is promoting a handul of former WWE superstars including MVP, Chris Masters, Carlito Gene Snitsky and more. Colt Cabana is also at the show and will be the special guest announcer for the evening.
Here is the advertised card for WWFX:
WWFX Championship: John Morrison vs. Shelton Benjamin
– Thursday’s special Impact Wrestling show from the UK drew a 1.15 cable rating, with 1,613,000 viewers. This is down just a bit from last week’s 1.17 rating and 1,680,000 viewers.
The show was about even with the 2012 average of 1.62 million viewers and ranked #28 among cable TV shows last night. In the various demos the show ranked #23 among males 18-34, #13 among males 18-49, and #40 among adults 18-49. The demos were down all the way across the board except with young male viewers, where the 12 – 17 demo was the highest since December.
– Matt Hardy’s court cases from his various arrests last summer have been continued to March 1, according to court records.
Hardy was scheduled for court in Moore County, North Carolina yesterday on charges including driving while impaired & exceeding safe speed, felony possession with intent to distribute, felony possession, felony maintaining a vehicle/dwelling for drugs, misdemeanor possession of drug paraphernalia and misdemeanor violation of court order.
The official relaunch of WWE’s YouTube channel continues – with the debut of “WWE Backstage Fallout.”
Backstage fallout is similar to TNA Reaction, featuring in-character interviews with WWE superstars and divas following their segments from Friday’s Smackdown episode.
In the debut episode – Natalya, Sheamus and Cody Rhodes:
FCWWrestling.info, the official website of WWE developmental league Florida Championship Wrestling, has removed four talents from their roster page:
Calvin Raines
Leroy Parks
Marcus Owens
Peter Orlov
Removal from the FCW roster page is generally a sign that said talent has been released from his or her developmental contract with WWE.
Calvin Raines, who formerly competed as Pat Brink for Maryland Championship Wrestling, signed on with WWE again in 2010 after being released the previous year in a disciplinary measure. He competed in his one and only WWE match last month in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, tag teaming with Drew McIntyre against Ezekiel Jackson and Trent Barreta.
Little is publicly known of Leroy Parks, a 6’3″, 310 pound wrestler who donned blue overalls and was billed from Lester, Alabama. He sparingly competed for Florida Championship Wrestling after signing a developmental contract last year.
Marcus Owens got a second shot with WWE in 2010 after being released the previous year but was infrequently used.
Peter Orlov earned international acclaim while competing as Alex Koslov in Mexico, ultimately leading to a developmental contract with WWE in 2010 in spite of his relatively small stature—billed at 5’9″ and 190 pounds. Though Orlov regularly competed for Florida Championship Wrestling, he usually lost.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety over at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:
Monday’s RAW & Daniel Bryan As Champion: “Loved the TV bouts Monday on Raw featuring Orton vs Ziggler and Punk vs Bryan. Both were right in the wheel house of any broadcaster and one that any commentator could easily emotionally invest. Four, very talented men bringing it on free TV. Impressive. ”
“For the record, informed fans who feel that Daniel Bryan is inadequate as World Champion in WWE have more than likely never had their ass whipped by a smaller guy. I can say this, on college campuses around the country and where amateur wrestling exists, the football players usually want nothing to do with the wrestlers especially the smaller wrestlers who carry enhanced chips on their shoulders.”
Whether He Will Call WrestleMania: “Been asked dozens of times if I’m broadcasting at WrestleMania 28. The honest answer is that I don’t know. I don’t find it newsworthy that I ‘want’ to broadcast WrestleMania because anyone in WWE who does any job in connection with the event and who doesn’t want to be a part of WrestleMania should be future endeavored. That would be the equivalent of a NFL player NOT wanting to play in the Super Bowl. WrestleMania remains very special to me and I will be in Miami for WrestleMania week and will enjoy every minute of the experience no matter what I do. ”
Kharma’s WWE Status: “I am anxiously awaiting Kharma’s full time return which I assume will be in time to prep for a hopeful WM28. However, let’s let the lady enjoy her baby and get 100% ready before everyone soils the sheets on why Kharma isn’t back on TV full time just yet.”
JR’s Superbowl Prediction: “Going with the New York Giants and the points thanks to their defense, the team’s overall momentum, and the hot hand of Eli Manning vs the New England Patriots in Sunday’s Super Bowl. If Tom Brady can stay vertical, then the Pats have a much better chance but with TE Rob Gronkowski not at 100%, the Giants and the points seem to be the better option. I have no dog in the fight so watching Sunday will be stress free unless the damned phone starts ringing.”
– Thursday night’s Florida Championship Wrestling live event from the FCW Arena in Tampa, Florida featured two big title changes, according to the official FCW Twitter account.
Mike Dalton is the new Florida Heavyweight Champion, defeating Leo Kruger, who has been rumored for the main WWE roster. Dalton has previously competed as Mattias Wild and Mike McGrath. He was trained by Lance Storm and signed by WWE in 2010.
Bo Rotundo and Husky Harris , the sons of Mike “IRS” Rotunda, defeated Brad Maddox & Briley Pierce for the belts. Bo recently returned to action after being out for months with a lacerated kidney.
– Episode 51 of Zack Ryder’s Z! True Long Island Story is now online – check it out here:
John Cena has responded to The Rock’s latest attack on him – suggesting The Rock has a problem with gay people and needs better material.
The Rock tweeted on Friday:
“@JohnCena I was electrifying Topeka when you were sucking on yum rockets in college. My boot. Your ass. #Wrestlemania”
Cena, who got some heat from the GLAAD organization last year for comments he made on RAW that were deemed homophobic, responded to The Rock with the following:
“So its apparent that my actor buddy Dwayne doesn’t like homosexuals or secondary education. Very classy. Tell Brian to write u better stuff.”
The the “Brian” that Cena refers to is WWE creative team member Brian Gewirtz, who writes a lot of the promos for WWE’s top superstars.
Sheamus was the last man standing at Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, earning himself a title shot against a champion of his choosing at WrestleMania 28. While Sheamus winning the Rumble sets up a series of interesting scenarios for the next several months of WWE television, it was actually Chris Jericho who was originally scheduled to win the event.
Triple H, who has gained even more influence behind the scenes in recent months, made the call for Sheamus to win the Rumble just days before the event took place. The two have been close friends (and workout partners) since the Irish grappler’s promotion to the main roster in the summer of 2009.
In an interview with Power Slam magazine, Triple H singled out the Celtic Warrior as a wrestler with big potential:
“The closest to me is probably Sheamus, because we always train together on the road. But I try to watch all the young guys’ matches and give them advice, if they want to hear it. If they take advice to heart and really want to improve, then I’m wanting to help. As for seeing some of myself in someone? That’s tough. Sheamus just the other day showed up at a show he didn’t have to be at. He does whatever he’s asked to do without complaining, he goes to every show and is always wanting to work: he does it all, goes above and beyond. That’s what I was like.”
Randy Orton was also discussed as a potential winner of the Rumble, since he cleanly put over Mark Henry during The World’s Strongest Man’s rise as World Heavyweight Champion and the event was taking place in his hometown of St. Louis, Missouri. Before the final call was made for Sheamus to win the Rumble, Chris Jericho was the favorite, which would have set up a WWE Championship showdown against CM Punk at WrestleMania XXVIII (a match that will likely happen anyways).
WWE officials contemplated last week having John Cena win the match due to the stipulation that “everyone was eligible” for the Rumble. Cena would win the match and subsequently make a tough decision: take the title shot and not face The Rock at WrestleMania.
— There is “strong talk” within WWE that Chris Jericho will only appear for the promotion through April or May before taking another hiatus to tour with Fozzy in the summer.
— In a stark contrast to recent weeks, Twitter was severely downplayed on Monday’s Raw SuperShow. F4WOnline.com reports Triple H advised the move.
— Jacques Rougeau has been very pleased with the reception for his French-language autobiography. “The book is doing marvellous, it really is,” he told SLAM! Wrestling, noting that 2,500 of the 3,000 printed have been sold.
The former WWE Superstar is scheduled to appear at book fairs through April, in New Brunswick and throughout Quebec. He hopes to have it released in English within the next two months.
WWE officials contemplated months ago of putting The Miz back in the WWE Championship picture come January. That did not happen and he has not won a televised singles match since the December 5, 2011 edition of Raw. There are people within WWE who believe top officials are blaming him for the Survivor Series drawing a disappointing buy number. Teaming with R-Truth, he appeared in the main event against John Cena and The Rock.
The pay-per-view event, which featured The Rock’s first wrestling match in over seven years, is estimated to have garnered 260,000 buys worldwide. It was reported that of that figure, 160,000 pay-per-view purchases came from the United States.
The estimate compares to 244,000 buys in 2010 and 235,000 in 2009, which nearly got the show scrapped from the annual pay-per-view line-up.
– The Rock will be featured in a commercial that airs during this weekend’s SuperBowl. The new trailer for The Rock’s upcoming summer blockbuster G.I. Joe: Retaliation will debut during the big game.
– Speaking of GI Joe, toy company Hasbro unveiled its new line of action figures for the upcoming G.I. Joe movie, including one for The Rock’s character, Roadblock. You can check that out to the right.
– The Rock’s current film project, Journey 2, is performing very well internationally. It has taken in over $24 million already.
Journey 2 hits theaters in the United States on February 10th and will be shown in 3D IMAX in select theaters across the country.
– With WrestleMania 28 approaching, The Rock continues to talk trash about his opponent, John Cena. Rock tweeted on Friday morning:
“@JohnCena I was electrifying Topeka when you were sucking on yum rockets in college. My boot. Your ass. #Wrestlemania”
We Google’d “Yum Rockets” hoping to find that it’s the name of an ice pop desert treat .. Nope, they’re .. exactly what you think they are. Thanks, Urban Dictionary!
— Cody Rhodes’ inclusion in the SmackDown Elimination Chamber Match at Elimination Chamber squashes the proposed bout against Goldust at the pay-per-view event. Though the brother vs. brother bout could still take place at WrestleMania XXVIII, Vince McMahon was against the idea as recently as a few weeks ago.
— GQ has named the WWE Championship one of the best sports trophies of all-time.
They wrote of the title: “When it comes to gaudy title belts, boxing has nothing on professional wrestling. Boxing’s look like something stolen from the uniform closet of a Third World dictator. WWE’s is modeled after the old-school solid-fake-gold title belt that Ric Flair used to rock. Wooo!!!”
— Jerry Lawler appears for Remix Pro Wrestling on April 7 at Marietta Middle School Gym 242 Seventh St. Marietta, Ohio. Visit www.remixprowrestling.com for more information.
Dustin Alan from Omaha here, I attended Tuesday’s Smackdown tapings and here is my recap.
Quite an interesting show it was. Much fun was had. You know, when you start to lose interest in the WWE product, going to see it live really invigorates the love of pro wrestling. To start it off…..
Pre-NXT dark match
– The USO’s defeated Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks in a very good match.
NXT
– Titus O’Neil came out with a horrible, horrible promo (which included stuttering, putting words in the wrong order) to be followed by Darren Young who sided together when Percy Watson and Alex Riley came out to challenge them to a match.
– Tyson Kidd defeated Trent Baretta in a really, really good match.
– Heath Slater was punked out by Derrick Bateman in an all around boring promo
– Maxine was distracted by Johnny Curtis which led to quite possibly the greatest roll-up ever done by someone who considered themselves a professional wrestler.
-Young and O’Neil sloppily defeated Riley and Watson it what looked like an idie match. It was shocking that a guy with O’Neil’s skills was paid by WWE.
Superstars
– Jinder Mahal submitted Yoshi Tatsu in their match.
Smackdown
-The show opens with Theodore Long in the ring as he announces the participants in the 2012 Smack Elimination Chamber match:
Daniel Bryan, Big Show, Mark Henry, Cody Rhodes, Wade Barrett, Randy Orton
A few minutes later, out comes Mark Henry demanding that he be taken out of the Elimination Chamber match and granted a World Title match against Bryan tonight. Teddy says, “you lost, your lucky I even put you in the Chamber match.” Henry complains more and Teddy removes him from the Chamber match (only to be sadly, sadly replaced by The Great Khali) and doesn’t grant him a title match. Henry fiddles with Teddy’s tie, Teddy gets angry that he put his hands on the GM so he indefinitely suspends Henry. Henry grabs Teddy but out comes Sheamus to a huge pop and argues a bit with Mark and Teddy before Brode Kicking Henry out of the ring. Cody Rhodes came out to tell Sheamus that he needs to be worried about Wrestlemania because he will be facing the Intercontinental Champion as well as the World Heavyweight Champion Cody Rhodes after the Chamber match. Teddy then made a match between the two.
– Sheamus defeated Cody
– Justin Gabriel came out for the next match with Hunico but before that could begin, Rhodes, who was still upset with the loss and hanging out ringside, proceeded to jump Gabriel from behind and Hunico and Camacho joined in until The Great Khali came down to save Gabriel.
– In a backstage segment, Teddy told Drew McIntyre he needs to think of something to do to impress Teddy, then Santino told Teddy he found a new partner in Hacksaw Jim Duggan, then Aksana came in to talk with Teddy, only to inform him of the giant wood below the camera. (She picked up Hacksaw’s 2X4, get your mind out of the gutter).
– Santino and Duggan were defeated by Primo and Epico.
– Cole Interviewed Daniel Bryan saying he was wrong and he is now behind Daniel Bryan and offered him a handshake. Bryan declined and went on a vegan rant, Big Show finally came out and confronted Bryan. Bryan poked and prodded at Show until AJ with a neck brace came out to stop Bryan getting whooped.
– Next, somebody call Brodus Clay’s mama because she won’t believe the hurting he put on Heath Slater! Not to mention, Drew McIntyre came out after the match to make an impact on Brodus only to be eradicated by the Funkasaurus. Someone, please, please call his mama!
– Beth and Natalya were backstage before their match only to set up more fart jokes on Natalya.
– Beth and Natalya faced Aksana and Tamina in a tag match, Beth came in out of nowhere to get the pin on Aksana after delivering her finisher. (I could only assume they are building up a Phoenix / Karma match at Mania.)
– Orton and Barrett faced off in a pretty good No DQ match. Orton defeated not one, but two tables, breaking the legs on 1 and going through the other after being pushed off the top rope. Barrett hit his finisher shortly after but Orton kicked out. Then Orton fought back and delivered and RKO to Barrett, followed up by another RKO, this time on a chair, then got the pin.
– Bryan came out during Orton’s celebration only to steal the spotlight without saying anything then left. Teddy announced Orton would face Bryan on next weeks Smackdown.
In the dark match after the tapings, Bryan defeated Big Show via DQ after McIntyre and Mahal came out to beat up on Show but to little effort as Show easily fought back and sent the crowd home.
