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Melina Announced For Upcoming Event, Former Diva Pregnant

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– Former WWE Women’s Champion Melina has been announced to appear for World Wrestling Fan Xperience’s Champions Showcase Tour event on October 13, 2012 at the MegaSport Arena in Moscow, Russia (see Melina photo). Talent confirmed for the event thus far are Chris Masters, Daivari, Jillian Hall, Vladimir Kozlov, MVP, John Morrison, Shelton Benjamin Carlito and The Hurricane. Event information is available at www.wwfxperience.com.

– Former WWE talent Jackie Gayda-Haas (a/k/a Miss Jackie) is expecting her fourth child with husband Charlie Haas. She posted a photo on Facebook of her baby bump.

Haas previously gave birth in 2006, 2008 and 2010. The married couple have two daughters and one son.

– Rock of Ages, which features Kevin Nash playing a bodyguard character for Tom Cruise’s character, debuted at No. 3 this weekend in Australia with a $1.35 million gross.

(source: F4WOnline.com)

Scott Hall No-Shows “Outsiders” Reunion, Update On Buff Bagwell

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– Scott Hall did not appear as advertised Saturday for an “Outsiders” reunion at the Frank & Son Collectible Show in City of Industry, California, according to multiple accounts on Twitter. He was to have reunited with Kevin Nash as well as former New World Order cohorts Buff Bagwell, Konnan and Scott Steiner for an autograph signing.

– Scott Riggs tweeted that Marcus “Buff” Bagwell is ‘doing phenomenal’ after his former tag team partner was involved in a serious car accident two months ago while traveling near his hometown of Marietta, Georgia. The former WCW Superstar has plans to return to the squared circle soon.

– WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch has been announced to appear for Fight The World Wrestling’s Summer of Synn event taking place Saturday, July 7 at Center Island Sports – 101 Union Ave # B Ronkonkoma, New York 11779. (Event Information)

– Jacques Rougeau was asked if his recently released autobiography would be translated from French to English as initially planned: “Not sure anymore, it costs a lot for me to do so.”

Jim Ross Addresses Bell’s Palsy Mockery, Michael Cole, John Cena

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Jim Ross has published a new blog entry on his official website. Highlights are as follows:

Michael Cole: “For those that keep asking, I am not a hater of @michaelcole but I, better than most, know how challenging his job is in today’s multi platform, serve many master’s, Monday Night Raw. ‘Hate’ is such a strong emotion especially for anything involving a TV show. Why not save our ‘Hate’ for things like cancer, children’s issues, starvation, etc? To dislike…fine. To HATE..not so good.”

His involvement with the “new” NXT: “I got tons of tweets this week from fans who enjoyed the new, NXT. I worked on all of the first four broadcasts and appear in the main event segments in the next round of four shows. Partnering with William Regal was an enjoyable experience as we tried to make the show about the talents by using objectivity and honesty and not being the “Battling Bickerson’s.” The job of every broadcaster in this genre is to enhance and better represent the talents in ways in which the viewer will emotionally invest and not roll their eyes in absurd disbelief.”

Mockery of his affliction with Bell’s palsy: “Amazing how some jerk-offs on Twitter are either making fun of me for having Bells palsy or blaming me for what appears regarding it on TV. If it doesn’t bother me at this point in time in my life then why should it bother others? I have long since stepped away from my issues with Bells and refuse to allow it to dictate any phase of my life to me. It will not define me. When I’m told to “grow a set” I’d suggest to those tools that I grew “a set” long ago specifically when I walked to the ring to broadcast a Wrestlemania main event with half my face hanging and I had to hold it up to speak to where I could be understood. I can only surmise that those making these cowardly remarks are younger, defiant males and if that assumption is true I am truly worried about the future with those individuals as potential leaders in our world. However, perhaps I shouldn’t be worried as people like this are rarely successful or viable contributors in any society. My life is too blessed to worry about what turds say on Twitter about me or what occurs on a satirical skit in an entertainment based, TV show. Lighten up, Francis!”

John Cena: “Congrats to @JohnCena for granting his 300th Make-A-Wish which is an amazing accomplishment. Not sure many realize how challenging it is to interact with terminally ill children but take it from me it’s sobering, memorable and life changing. I can remember every Make-A-Wish that I’ve done over the years and I’m no where close to 300. These are the bravest kids in the world. No matter if one likes Cena’s TV persona or not this isn’t about a TV show or a TV character but about life and death reality. John Cena should be saluted for his efforts.”

Ross also discusses the historic 1000th episode of Raw, Paul Heyman, John “Bradshaw” Layfield and more. His full entry is available here.

Cena Has Scheduled Rearranged, WWE Highlights Cruiserweights

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– John Cena reached a milestone this week, granting his 300th wish with Make-A-Wish. The wrestling megastar met 7-year-old Jonathan Littman before Raw SuperShow, then surprised him by joining him live Wednesday on ABC’s Good Morning America. Yahoo Sports has published an article concerning his achievement and it is noted that he had his schedule rearranged to grant the wish.

Eric Adelson, author, writes, “Cena never says no. Even though his schedule is tougher than most stars – there are no home games and there’s no off-season – he unfailingly builds in time for Wish kids. WWE rep Kevin Hennessey even says Cena’s 300th wish was so important that his bosses rearranged his entire schedule for it.”

– The June 22 episode of WWE Vintage Collection featured matches involving cruiserweight wrestlers: Rey Mysterio, Spike Dudley and Scotty 2 Hotty vs. Chavo Guerrero, Jamie Noble and Akio (WWE SmackDown – July 8, 2004), Billy Kidman and Paul London vs. Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley (WWE SmackDown – July 8, 2004, 2 Cold Scorpio vs. Eddie Guerrero (ECW Three Way Dance – April 8, 1995), Juventud Guerrera vs. Chris Jericho (WCW SuperBrawl VIII). (Thanks to Devin Cutting)

– WWE Champion CM Punk is today’s featured star on WWE.com.

Matt Hardy Discusses WWE Holding Back Zack Ryder, 2005 Events

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Matt Hardy appeared on Inside The Ropes on Thursday to promote Extreme Rising. Highlights are as follows:

Why he decided to go to Extreme Rising: “I heard about the first show they had. sometimes you hear about the ECW reunion shows and think it’s just been done to death. But these guys are trying to create something different by using some ECW original guys and using guys who can wrestle that sort of style, like myself, to create an alternative product, which can only be a good thing.”

Differences between today’s TLC matches and series featuring the Hardys, Dudley Boyz and Edge and Christian: “Shawn Michaels and Bret Hart had the first ladder match but it wasn’t very publicized, but when we had the series with the Dudleyz and Edge & Christian, we thought one day there would be kids who would go on to do things bigger and better than we did but with the state of the WWE today it hasn’t happened and i don’t think it ever will happen.”

Thoughts on the Edge/Lita situation leading to his release from WWE in 2005: “I made mistakes during that time. I did try and handle everything and be as honest as possible. As hard as it was, it was a pretty exciting time with a guy coming back after being fired and with the power of the internet, they fought hard to get me back. Regardless if it was hard personally and emotionally working with Edge and Lita, it was great TV.”

Feelings on his push upon his return to WWE in 2005: “I definitely think the WWE could have done more with me. I was in such a mindset to take my career as far as I could and just go, go, go. But with the WWE, if it’s something they’ve not created then sometimes it doesn’t get as much love and attention as something that they came up with themselves. I think i was a victim of that in someways.”

Comparison with Zack Ryder: “It’s like Zack Ryder. I remember him coming and telling me about his ideas for the YouTube videos and you know he got himself over and I’m sure saved his job at one point. But because it wasn’t a WWE push, it seems like they’re holding back on him and i don’t think he is being pushed for as over as he is.”

Hardy also talks about his first WrestleMania, Mattitude, his final days in WWE, working for TNA Wrestling and more. Visit www.insidetheropes.podbean.com for the thirty-five minute interview.

Laurinaitis Still Wrestling, The Miz & Wade Barrett Movie Updates

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– Despite being fired by Vince McMahon at No Way Out (and getting disposed of by John Cena on RAW), John Laurinaitis continues to work WWE live events.

The main event of this weekend’s RAW shows (Bethlehem, PA on Friday, Wheeling, WV on Saturday and Huntington, WV on Sunday) will be John Cena vs. Big Show and John Laurinaitis.

The storyline behind Laurinaitis still appearing at live events is that WWE’s Board of Directors are “making him fulfill his contract obligations.”

Fans attending these RAW-brand shows expecting to see WWE Champion CM Punk will be out of luck, because this weekend’s SmackDown shows (Springfield, IL & Bloomington, IL) will feature CM Punk vs. Daniel Bryan vs. Kane and Sheamus vs. Alberto Del Rio as the top matches.

– After finishing up shooting scenes in Philadelphia, Wade Barrett is headed to New York this weekend to continue filming for WWE Studios’ Dead Man Down, due out in 2013.

Pictures Of Wade Barrett Filming Dead Man Down

– The Miz just completed his second week of shooting The Marine: Homefront and is expected to return to action next month.

Picture of The Miz Holding A Huge Gun For Marine: Homefront

Jericho Returning As A Babyface? Tyson-WWE ’13 News, NXT

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– Fans who pre-order the upcoming WWE ’13 video game from GameStop will get Mike Tyson as a playable for free (via download).

GameStop ran a similar promotion last year where fans who bought the game at their store got The Rock as a free downloadable character.

First Screenshots of MIKE TYSON In WWE ’13

– Chris Jericho’s WWE suspension ends tomorrow and WWE is advertising that he’ll be at Monday’s RAW Supershow. With just one day to go until he’s cleared to wrestle again, Jericho continued his countdown on Twitter:

It’s expected that Chris Jericho will be working as a babyface when he returns to action. WWE showing footage of Jericho performing with Fozzy on RAW was the first step in portraying him in a more positive light.

– The theme song for the new season of WWE NXT is “Welcome Home” by Coheed and Cambria.

(Partial Source: PWInsider.com)

*Spoiler* First Participant Revealed MITB WWE Title Match

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Warning: The following contains a *Spoiler* for Tonight’s SmackDown:

WWE’s third annual Money in the Bank pay-per-view will feature MITB matches for both the WWE Championship and the World Heavyweight title.

At the start of tonight’s WWE SmackDown show, the Big Show will announce that he is first participant for the RAW brand’s Money in the Bank match for the WWE Championship.

*SPOILERS* For Tonight’s WWE SmackDown (Direct Link)

While the line between the RAW and SmackDown rosters has been blurred more than ever this year, it’s expected that each show’s respective match will only feature participants that are officially on that brand’s show.

Money In The Bank PPV Poster Featuring Alberto Del Rio

WWE Money In The Bank 2012 takes place on Sunday, July 15, 2012 from the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona.

What Happened After Impact, Former WWE Star Works Dark Match

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– A TNA Wrestling live event is scheduled for September 7 at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale June 29 at 10:00 a.m.

– Former TNA Knockout Chelsea was in attendance for last night’s Impact.

– Former WWE superstar Luke Gallows wrestled in a dark match prior to Impact. He wrestled as Isiah Cash and lost to Kazarian.

– After Impact went off the air, AJ Styles came back to the ring and continued to beat down Daniels and Kazarian. When Styles left, Daniels and Kazarian talked trash to the fans before heading to the back.

TNA NEWS: Flair Fired, Matt Morgan’s Future & Creative Plans Headed Into Bound For Glory

Jeff Hardy Talks Victory Road ’11 & What’s Left For Him In Wrestling

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TNA Impact Wrestling star Jeff Hardy joined “Monday Night Mayhem” on Thursday (6/21). Hardy addressed a number of TNA related topics including his return to Buffalo on Friday, Impact Wrestling going live in the summer on Spike TV and more.

To listen to the entire show, click here (.MP3).

Here are some highlights of what Jeff Hardy said about:

On returning to Buffalo this Friday night for a TNA Wrestling live event: “We are doing so many fresh new things. We will rock the house this Friday night. The fan interaction is amazing. You would never experience this over there (WWE). It’s how I’ve been my whole career. The fans come first and I always take time to communicate with the fans. At our shows the fan interaction is so cool and so beyond anything else in pro wrestling. You get so close to your favorite stars.”

On returning to TNA following the “Victory Road 2011” PPV incident: “I honesty think and feel I’m at the top of my game. I’ve been through the hard times and dark times. Now being a father I’m so inspired with music, painting and wrestling. Once you see me that is a moment that you will never forget. I’m having the best matches in my life and wrestling the smartest ever. I’m in love with life again.”

Why he enjoys the TNA working schedule: “It’s huge for the quality of life. Every now and then, the human body needs that week off. At least at TNA when you have six or seven straight days off. Your body needs that. I’m extremely proud of TNA and we are doing a lot of shows that aren’t televised. We are working our asses off to get things done. For the quality of life, it is a huge difference to be in TNA.”

If he has anything left to accomplish in TNA or pro wrestling: “Nothing – there is nothing more I want to do. I’ve done everything I’ve dreamed up. It would be nice to become TNA Champion and end the selfish generation. Man, I can’t complain. I have a great life and have a beautiful family. I love TNA and what we are doing. If I never won the title again, I’m fine. I just want to keep my health and avoid any kind of surgeries.”

On Impact Wrestling going live in the summer on Spike TV: “It’s a huge step for TNA and Impact Wrestling. I couldn’t be more happier. I love the fact that if you make a mistake it will be witnessed by everyone who watches that night. I used to be on a show on Monday night that was live and was always excited about it as well. There is no editing involved. It’s a huge step and (we will) take it week by week.”

Other topics discussed:

* If he has any interest becoming part of the TNA or WWE Hall of Fame
* His honest thoughts on the Bound for Glory Series
* An update on “The Hardy Show” series
* Why he isn’t a fan of Facebook

Justin Roberts Talks 10 Years With WWE & Advice From Stephanie

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The WWE’s website has an interview up with ring announcer Justin Roberts, who celebrated 10 years with WWE this past Monday.  Here are some highlights of what he said about:

Celebrating 10 Years With WWE:

“It’s really cool have accomplished 10 years of ring announcing with WWE. I was a wrestling fan who lived for WWE. I didn’t watch any other sports; WWE was all I wanted to watch.”

Advice He Received from Stephanie McMahon:

“When I started here, I had been listening to Howard Finkel. So when I previously announced at independent wrestling events, tough man contests, University of Arizona women’s softball games, basically anything I could announce … I was utilizing a bit of The Fink’s ‘cool announcer voice,’. I didn’t even realize that I was doing it.”

“One day, Stephanie McMahon came up to me and said not to go out there and be Howard, but to be me. I didn’t understand it at first, and then it hit me. I went back, watched some of my work, and thought, ‘That that isn’t my voice, that’s not how I sound.’ Once she said that to me, the light went on and I just became me. So every introduction that I do has its own flavor. I don’t go out and give the same introduction to everybody.”

Updated Rankings For TNA’s Bound For Glory Series

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Following Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, here are the updated standings for this year’s Bound For Glory Series (after two weeks):

(1) James Storm: 27 points [2-0-0]

(2) Kurt Angle: 10 points [1-1-0]

(3t) Mr. Anderson: 7 points [1-0-0]
(3t) Jeff Hardy: 7 points [1-1-0]
(3t) Magnus: 7 points [1-1-0]
(3t) The Pope: 7 points [1-1-0]

(7t) A.J. Styles: 0 points [0-2-0]
(7t) Rob Van Dam: 0 points [0-2-0]
(7t) Robbie E.: 0 points [0-2-0]
(7t) Daniels: 0 points [0-2-0]
(7t) Samoa Joe: 0 points [0-2-0]
(7t) Bully Ray: 0 points [0-2-0]

SmackDown Preview: Sheamus vs. Ziggler, Christian vs. Del Rio

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WWE taped this week’s SmackDown on Tuesday night from Baltimore, Maryland.

*SPOILERS* For Tonight’s WWE SmackDown

The following matches are scheduled for tonight:

– Intercontinental Champion Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio.

– Daniel Bryan vs. Kane.

– Zack Ryder vs. Heath Slater.

– The Primetime Players vs. The Usos.

– World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus vs. Dolph Ziggler.

Dixie & AJ’s Big Secret Revealed, Destination X Main Event, Impact

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– During Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, it was finally revealed why A.J. Styles and TNA President Dixie Carter have been sneaking around for months. They weren’t having an affair – they have been secretly working together to help a pregnant woman recovering from addition who has been waking up in hotel rooms with strangers.

http://youtu.be/QfDc1azzf2I

We heard some pretty wild theories of what the secret was – but did not hear the one about the promiscuous pregnant addict.

– The main event of next wek’s Impact Wrestling will feature TNA Tag Team champions AJ Styles and Kurt Angle defending against the former champions, Daniels & Kazarian.

– The main event of TNA Destination X will be TNA World Champion Bobby Roode vs. Austin Aries.

Aries forfeited the X Division title on Thursday’s Impact to earn the title shot.

TNA NEWS: Flair Fired, Matt Morgan’s Future & Creative Plans Headed Into BFG

Christian Talks About Retirement, Being IC Champion, Edge & More

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Christian recently spoke with Pantagraph about his career, being Intercontinental Champion and more. Here are some highlights of what

On having the Intercontinental Title eighteen years into his career: “It’s kind of cool to be Intercontinental Champion. It means a great deal…I used to make my own title belts out of cardboard and attach them to the back of my weightlifting belt, then hold it up in the mirror and practice my posing. My thought was that if you believe you’re a champion and work hard at it, you’ll finally get to that point.”

On wanting to be a wrestler as a kid: “I loved playing hockey growing up as a kid, but the first time I stepped into a ring, it seemed natural to me, like home. The first day of training, I was a kid thrown into the ring, and the minute I hit the ropes and the mat, it felt comfortable.”

On Edge’s retirement: “Yeah, I was the first person he called after he got the news (about the injury). It was one of those things where I had to listen and be there for him. I could tell he was upset about it once it sunk in. I told him that if was writing the end to his story, this was the perfect way to finish it off, just winning the WrestleMania (XXVII) world championship, the biggest show of the year. You can’t write a better ending than that.”

On how long he wants to keep going: “Having a long career with real lasting power has always been a goal,” he says. “So as long as I’m physically able to do what I do, I’ll keep doing it.”

Former WWE Star Backstage At Impact, Gutcheck Spoiler, More

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– Former WWE star Luke Gallows is backstage at tonight’s Impact Wrestling event in Orlando, Florida and scheduled to work a dark match.

– Tonight’s “Gutcheck” challenge will feature the competition’s first-ever female competitor; Taeler Hendrix of Ohio Valley Wrestling.

– A TNA Wrestling live event is scheduled for September 7 at The Tabernacle in Atlanta, Georgia. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets go on sale June 29 at 10:00 a.m.

– TNA Wrestling will premiere a music video from Montgomery Gentry during tonight’s Impact Wrestling. Velvet Sky appears in the video.

(source: PWInsider.com)

MAILBAG: Aliens Have Landed, What Match Do You Show Them?

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SEScoops Mailbag for June 21st

(please submit YOUR questions to [email protected])

Q: The return of Triple H at MSG in 2002, from his first quadriceps injury, is still considered by many is one of the biggest returns. The reaction he got was tremendous, and for a man who was a heel when he was injured, many say that kind of pop was amazing. Do you agree with this? Is that one of the best returns and crowd reactions in WWE/F? Where would you rank it? – Jeff T.

A: It definitely ranks way up there. You know you’ve gotten one hell of a reaction when your music has to loop twice. I still think Hulk Hogan’s return to Smackdown in early 2003 got a better reaction, but these things are subjective. The one thing that always bugs me is when HHH, in interviews, tries to convince us that he was really worried nobody would remember him when he walked through the curtain. That’s quite a stretch.

Q: If WWE ditched the whole Ryback robot cyborg deal and made him a powerhouse and used his real name, do you think he would end up rising to be a main eventer one day? – Kyle Gray

A: Why would WWE ditch the gimmick? Isn’t he already a powerhouse? He throws jobbers through the air and out of view on my TV screen. Using his real name won’t make a difference. If anything, I think we need more one-word gimmick names for pro wrestlers. It worked pretty well for guys like Undertaker, Kane, Vader, Sting and others. I also think someone on the roster needs to step up and challenge this man and refer to him as Ry-bread instead, kind of like how Chris Jericho used to refer to Howard Finkel as “Harold” and Michael Cole as “Mitchell”. Then have Ry-bread destroy that person. This came to me in a vision and must happen.

Q: Do you think by any chance Paul Heyman will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame next year? – Ravonn from New York

A: No, I don’t see that happening next year. I know it’s in New York, but it’s too early to see them putting him in. He does deserve to be inducted for his work both as a performer and a promoter, but if he’s still an on-air representative of Brock Lesnar heading into WrestleMania, it would make absolutely no sense for Heyman to receive such an honor right now. Hell, he’s got two lawsuits pending against the company!

Randy Orton’s Return, AJ Meets With Marvel, New JBL Video

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– Despite having two Wellness Policy strikes against him, Randy Orton will be pushed back into a main event spot when he returns from his current suspension.

Orton has been very vocal about wanting to be a heel, but WWE continues to push him as a babyface because the feeling is that World Heavyweight champion Sheamus is not strong enough yet to carry SmackDown live events as the top good guy.

Orton is also frustrated over WWE banning his punt kick, which was done to prevent concussions.

– WWE Diva AJ Lee was at Marvel headquarters yesterday filming an interview with Lorraine Cink for Marvel’s The Watcher series.

– If elected this November, Linda McMahon would be one of the wealthiest United States Senators. According to financial disclosure reports, Linda and Vince McMahon were together worth between $90 million and $350 million. The McMahons are believed to be much closer to 350 than 90.

Vince & Linda recently took out a loan of between $5 million and $25 million from Morgan Stanley to build their investment profiles.

– Former WWE Champion JBL published the following video on Wednesday highlighting his Seven Summits adventure. JBL’s first challenge will be climbing Russia’s Mount Elbrus, the highest mountain in Europe.

(Partial Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

Scott Steiner Featured On WWE Site, Sunny Seeking WWE Job

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– “Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner is the latest addition to WWE.com’s Alumni section (view his profile). WWE.com writes of Steiner: “Scott Steiner is not only an accomplished tag team competitor, but he is also one of the most physically impressive and imposing Superstars of all-time.”

Promoting the page via Twitter, website director Joey Styles acknowledged Steiner’s obscenity-laced Twitter page but would not link to it:

https://twitter.com/joeystyles/status/215828557614694400

– WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch plans to relocate from New Jersey to her boyfriend’s residence in Connecticut and indicated via Facebook that would be interested in working at the sport entertainment organization’s Stamford-based television production studio. She wrote Thursday:

“Hmmm just had a thought…. I’ll be living in Connecticut soon… I think I’ll make a call and work in the studio….hmmmm.”

A fan then pleaded for one final WWE run, reasoning that she’s ‘hotter’ than Vickie Guerrero. The remark offended Sytch, who wrote back:

“Than Vickie?? Of all people you have to compare me to her???”

– Daniel Bryan is today’s featured Superstar on WWE.com.

Opening Segment For Tonight’s Impact, Sarita Possibly Losing Hair

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– Tonight’s live Impact Wrestling broadcast will kick off with Austin Aries’ decision on whether to relinquish the X Division Championship for a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship against Bobby Roode at Destination X. He will give his answer to Impact Wrestling General Manager Hulk Hogan.

– Sarita, who competes as Dark Angel for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre in Mexico, appeared at a press conference Wednesday promoting an upcoming ten-women steel cage match she is competing in where the loser must shave her head or unmask.

She wrote on Facebook, “HUGE CMLL press conference…June 29 in Arena Mexico, 10 women in a cage with somebody losing her hair or mask! Granny Apache should be happy when I leave her bald…she’ll save a ton on hair dye trying to cover up her grey. Things will keep heating up this Friday night as we face each other in opposite corners in Arena Mexico.”

– Devon defends the TNA Television Championship against Robbie E on this week’s episode of TNA Xplosion on Challenge.

Tensai Being Re-Packaged & Sakamoto To Wrestle, PPV Pre-Shows

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– WWE is currently in the process of re-packaging Tensai. After his recent attack on Sakamoto two weeks ago, their association is likely over.

Sakamoto is expected to start wrestling within the next few months. He’s been wrestling since 2003 and was trained by former WWE star Taka Michinoku at his Kaientai Dojo school in Japan.

– Today’s WWE Superstars Youtube show will feature the following matches:

* Ezekiel Jackson vs. Hunico
* Zack Ryder vs. Drew McIntyre
* Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks vs. Tyson Kidd and Justin Gabriel.

– The WWE No Way Out YouTube.com pre-show match featuring David Otunga vs. Brodus Clay peaked with 43,855 viewers. The previous month’s Over the Limit pre-show match with Kane vs. Zack Ryder peaked at 44,049 viewers.

– John Laurinaitis has been removed from the talent roster page on the WWE website.

* Backstage News On ORTON, MYSTERIO & JERICHO’s WWE Returns

Alberto Del Rio Concussion Update & Plans For Money In The Bank

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Following a recent concussion, Alberto Del Rio was pulled from his World Heavyweight title match against Sheamus at No Way Out just days before the show. A #1 contender’s match was held on the June 11th “go home” RAW and Dolph Ziggler went on to challenge Sheamus instead.

As it turns out, Del Rio was actually medically cleared to wrestle by No Way Out, but WWE had no way of knowing he’d be healthy in time. The talent roster is already stretched very thin with so many top names out of action (Orton, Mysterio, Jericho), but the company is taking concussions very seriously erred on the side of caution by replacing Del Rio with Ziggler.

The night after the pay-per-view, Del Rio wrestled Santino in a comedy match on RAW. The idea was to get Del Rio back in action without him having to face a stiff worker (like Sheamus) in his first match back after a concussion.

Del Rio will now likely get his World Heavyweight title shot against Sheamus at Money in the Bankon July 15th. Like last year, there will be two Money in the Bank ladder matches on the card.

(Partial Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

Lesnar’s Return, New Storyline Dropped Already, 1,000th RAW

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– We reported earlier this week that WWE is advertising Brock Lesnar for the August 13th episode of Monday Night RAW, the week before SummerSlam.

WWE SummerSlam PPV Poster Featuring Brock Lesnar

According to WWE sources, Lesnar will be back on television before then to hype his match with Triple H at the pay-per-view – with some people expecting him to appear at the 1,000th RAW celebration on July 23rd.

– Speaking of the 1,000th RAW show, former WWE superstar Goldust (Dustin Rhodes) says he won’t be there.

– WWE announced on RAW last week that a legend would be competing on RAW each week. Vader was the first surprise legend and by all accounts, had a solid match with Heath Slater. On this week’s show, there was no returning legend in action, despite appearances from Mick Foley and Roddy Piper.

WWE has reportedly abandoned the storyline of a legend wrestling on RAW each week. Instead, a former General Manager will be brought in each week to host RAW and SmackDown. Mick Foley is this week’s host and Vickie Guerrero has been confirmed for next week.

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

WWE Network Update, Former Diva Trying To Get Rehired

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– Ryback demanded, “Feed Me Three” after destroying two more wrestlers WWE No Way Out, but he “only” wrestled two men at Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings from Baltimore, MD.

His latest victims are Maryland-based independent wrestlers Jared Walker and Frankie Valencia, better known locally as Blk Jeez and Brian Hardy.

– Former WWE ring announcer Lauren Mayhew was recently told by a fan on Twitter that she should return to WWE. Mayhew encouraged the fan to start a Twitter campaign to get her brought back. Since leaving the company back in 2009, she has been pursuing a career in music and acting. She’ll have a role on the upcoming season of the Showtime original series Dexter, which begins filming this week.

– WWE continues to hire more employees for the WWE Network. One of the top ongoing projects is converting old tapes to the digital format.

As reported earlier this week, WWE is currently considering a subscription-based “premium channel” model (similar to HBO, Showtime) for the WWE Network.

* Backstage News On ORTON, MYSTERIO & JERICHO’s WWE Returns

(Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

More Live Notes From Wednesday’s FCW Summer Slamarama

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– FCW held a live event last night (Wednesday) from Orlando, Florida. The main event saw new FCW Champion Bo Dallas retain his title against Seth Rollins, Antonio Cesaro and Kassius Ohno in a Fatal 4-Way match.

Dallas recently captured the FCW Heavyweight title at FCW’s 6/16 show from Crytal River, Florida. The title changed hands twice that night, with Seth Rollins dropping the belt to Rick Victor and Bo Dallas defeating Victor the same night to become champion.

Wrestling Diva Buggy Nova Appears At Wednesday’s FCW Show (Signed To WWE?)

– WWE superstar Mason Ryan (working as a heel) was also in action at last night’s FCW show, defeating CJ Parker.

– Injured superstar  Ted DiBiase appeared before the show and confirmed to fans that he will be returning to the ring soon.

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