John Cena vs. Kane was officially announced for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view on Monday’s RAW Supershow.
With that match set, here’s the updated card for Sunday’s Royal Rumble PPV:
30-man Royal Rumble Match
WWE Championship Match:
CM Punk (c) vs. Dolph Ziggler
* John Laurinaitis will be the special referee and
John Cena vs. Kane
Credit to SEScoops.com readers Mike Williams and Brian Z. for sending these results from what happened after Monday’s RAW from Anaheim, CA went off the air:
After RAW went off the air, John Cena came out to face Kane in the dark match.
Kane took control of the match early on. The match went to the outside of the ring where Cena threw Kane into the steel steps. Cena got Kane back into the ring and went for an AA, but dropped Kane. Kane then worked Cena’s neck over and clotheslined him from the top rope. Kane went for a chokeslam, but Cena countered. After a series of counters, Kane brought a chair in the ring and got disqualified for hitting Cena in the gut.
Kane started to head to the back, but went back to the ring to deliver a tombstone. Cena countered with an AA and celebrated to end the show.
— TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter announced Monday on Twitter that the annual Lockdown pay-per-view event will be held April 15, 2012 in Nashville, Tennessee at the Municipal Auditorium.
“Happy to announce the Lockdown PPV will be held in NASHVILLE at Municipal on Sunday, 4/15! I’ll announce a pre-sale code for you guys 1st!” she wrote.
Lockdown is the first televised event announced for the United States in 2012.
— Kurt Angle has changed his Twitter handle to twitter.com/realkurtangle.
— TNA Wrestling has announced live events for Kansas City, Kansas at Memorial Hall on Thursday, March 2, 2012, Salina, Kansas at the Bicentennial Center on Friday, March 3, 2012 and Dodge City, Kansas at the United Wireless Arena on Saturday March 4, 2012. Tickets go on sale this Friday.
— Marty Jannetty, who noted on his personal Facebook account late last week that he had been drinking Jack Daniel’s for 48 consecutive hours, posted a status update rambling on longtime friend and former tag team partner, Shawn Michaels. The former WWE Superstar wrote:
“o hell yes, Imma ax this now.. Shawn, my good friend, what up bee otch??… I gotta book coming out..well not yet..there”s a few moral issues.., you may wanta contact me first, cause Im telling bout my life, you being a part of it, well hell..call me…but in truth, I’d rather you not, the book will be soooo much better if I dont fall for your shit.. but If you say “DONT SAY THAT” …I’ll remember what yo religious fake ass said about me in your bullshit book..Anyone wanting to see real, will..I aint protecting yo ass…”
Jannetty still remains active with the professional wrestling industry as it was announced in October that he had signed with CHIKARA as a trainer and wrestler.
— John Morrison is scheduled to appear for British Championship Wrestling via I.P.A. Network on December 7-9, 2012. Additional details have not been disclosed.
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Solomonster Sounds Off (Episode 201)
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Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 13 minutes
Solomonster starts out with a rant on people who think a return to the Attitude Era will solve WWE’s ratings problems, then we discuss RAW GETS FUNKY with the return of Brodus Clay, potential WrestleMania locations for the next two years, the latest on Shaq’s WWE deal and ideas on how he could be used, WWE delays the launch of its new network, John Cena’s true worth to the company and THE MIGHTY MAILBAG. Make love to your woman while listening to this week’s show. Or better yet, don’t do that.
Want your question on the air? Send feedback to [email protected].
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Solomonster Sounds Off by The Solomonster is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.
TNA star Sting, who joined Twitter last week, was asked by his followers if he is really planning on retiring in 2012. Sting channeled Mark Twain for his response:
“Rumors of my demise have been greatly exaggerated.”
Just last week, TNA President Dixie Carter told the UK’s Daily Star magazine the following about Sting looking to retire this year:
“In his mind, I think this is his last year as far as the wrestling is concerned. When we booked this, that’s the way he was talking about it – ‘I haven’t played there in a decade, and before I retire I need to come back there and wrestle.’ Based on where he’s at and what he’s saying, barring something extraordinary this is the last time.”
“And for me it’s great to be able to bring him back there. He’s spent such a big part of his career helping to build our company, I’m very proud we can bring him over. It feels very final. It’s going to be an emotional night.”
– The official theme song for WrestleMania 28 will be “Invincible” by Machine Gun Kelly.
– Former American Idol competitor James Durbin attended Sunday’s WWE live event from Oakland.
– WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels noted on his Twitter page that he will be in Las Vegas this week for the SHOT (Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Tradeshow) convention this week. When asked whether he’ll attend Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings from Vegas, Michaels said:
“Will most likely stop by and visit backstage.”
Tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow takes place from the Honda Center in Anaheim, California.
Matches advertised for tonight’s RAW include CM Punk vs. Dolph Ziggler for the WWE Championship and Jack Swagger vs. Zack Ryder for the WWE United States championship. With the “injuries” Zack Ryder suffered at the hands of Kane last week and reports that Ryder will be kept off television to sell the attack, the US title match likely will not take place.
Also on tonight’s show – WWE’s new tag team champions Epico and Primo will have their first defense, a rematch against Kofi Kingston and Evan Bourne. Kofi wrote on Twitter last night:
“Well. You can’t be a multiple time champion without losing. Tomorrow, RAW in Anaheim. We will have our rematch.”
This week’s show will also have some celebrity star power, as gossip blogger Perez Hilton will be the guest ring announcer for an un-announced Divas match and actor Dennis Haskins (“Mr. Belding” from Saved By The Bell) will be in attendence.
— WWE superstar Mark Henry and former WWE star Batista attended the Wu Tang hip hop show on Saturday night in Austin, TX. Henry and Batista were hanging out after the show in the Wu Tang tour bus.
Batista will be featured in the new Russell Crowe movie “The Man With The Iron Fist” movie, directed by Wu Tang member Rza (shown in the picture).
– Former WWE diva Stacy Keibler attended Sunday night’s Golden Globe awards show with her boyfriend, George Clooney.
– John Cena congratulated the new WWE Tag Team Champions Epico and Primo on Twitter last night:
“Apparently we have new tag team champs..and I died in a car wreck. 1 of those is true. Congrats primo and epico”
There were reports over the weekend that viedeo game publisher THQ, had canceled would be closing up shop – that it was scrapping its planned 2014 release schedule and were making plans to sell the company.
THQ is denying these reports, touting the their business and the strength of WWE’s video game franchise in particular. Here’s THQ’s official statement, issued to gaming blog Kotaku.com:
“THQ has not cancelled its 2014 line-up, and has not made any decisions regarding the planned MMO. As part of the ongoing review of our business, we have made decisions to ensure that the company is strategically addressing the most attractive markets. As we have previously announced, we have dramatically reduced our commitment to the kids’ boxed games sector which leads to a significantly more focused release schedule moving forward. Our slate for calendar 2012 and beyond is focused on high-quality core games and continues to build our digital platform and business. We are excited for our pipeline of original and high-quality content along with our relationships with some of the best talent in the industry.
Additionally, we are thrilled with the great performance of Saints Row: The Third, which on a like for like period in North America has tripled in sell-through from Saints Row 2. In addition, WWE ’12’s worldwide sell-through sales are up almost 40% year-over-year for the same sales period with fewer platforms. According to NPD, for the month of December and the 2011 year, THQ was the #5 publisher overall, #4 third party, with reported sell through growing over 18% in a market that was down almost 6%. And coming up next, we have two great titles for the first half of the year including UFC Undisputed 3 and Darksiders 2.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels answered fan questions on Twitter over the weekend about Ric flair appearing at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. Flair, who will be inducted for a second time as part of the legendary Four Horsemen stable, is currently under contract with TNA, which led some to question whether Flair would appear in person.
Regarding wether TNA would allow Flair to appear, Michaels wrote:
“Allow? He attended last year.”
Another fan asked Shawn about his epic matches against the Undertaker at WrestleMania – and when he decided he wanted to challenge the Dead Man. Michaels responded:
“Never, folks did that for me. I just agree.”
– Former WWE superstar John Bradshaw Layfield was asked over the weekend whether we’ll see him back in WWE at any point:
“For those asking about a comeback-who wants to see a comeback of a guy who can talk circles around the kids and is in best shape of his life”
– WWE announced on last week’s Superstars that wrestlers who compete in singles matches at the Royal Rumble will still be eligible for the 30-man battle royal.
– WWE has signed independent wrestler Jody Kristofferson to a developmental deal, according to f4wonline.com. Jody is the son of actor and musician Kris Kristofferson.
Kristofferson impressed Triple H months ago at a tryout, even more when he found out who his father was. Jody finished up with California’s APW promotion over the weekend and will likely start with FCW next month.
Kurt Angle claims WWE was trying to sign him for the Royal Rumble but that he was remaining loyal to TNA.
Angle tweeted in response to a fan question about whether he’d be a surprise entrant:
“Nope! I’m Happy Where I Am. No Rumble for Me!!!!”
“My Loyalty Is With Tna. Wwe Is Knocking On My Door, But I Won’t Answer.”
Do you believe Angle’s tweets? Would you want to see him back in WWE? Hit up the comments below.
Primo and Epico win the WWE tag team championships at the 1/15 WWE live event from Oakland, CA:
Primo, Epico and Rosa Mendes celebrate their championship win:
New WWE tag team champions were crowned at Sunday night’s live event from Oakland, California.
Primo and Epico defeated Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston at the show to win the titles.
Primo and Epico’s manager Rosa Mendes tweeted the following after the match:
“Guess who the new tag team Champions are!!??WE ARE!!! WE BEAT AIRBOOM in Oakland!! I will remember this day forever!”
Check out these pictures of Rosa Mendes, Primo and Epico with the WWE tag team titles:
— Celebrity gossip blogger Perez Hilton, who recently went through Divas Boot Camp with Alicia Fox, Kelly Kelly and Eve, will be a special guest ring announcer on Monday’s Raw SuperShow, WWE announced.
He’ll be the guest ring announcer for the Divas match. The participants of the bout have not been announced.
— WWE has applied to trademark the term “Funkasaurus.” Brodus Clay was referred as Funkasaurus on last week’s Raw and SmackDown.
— Kelly Kelly celebrates her twenty-fifth birthday today.
— Four-time ECW World Heavyweight Champion Shane Douglas announced Saturday via video message that “extreme wrestling” is coming back to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. “The Franchise” is rounding up the band of hardcore misfits for Extreme Reunion, which takes place Saturday, April 28, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. at the Pennsylvania National Guard Armory (2700 Southampton Blvd & Roosevelt Blvd) Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19154.
An official website has been launched for the event at www.extremereunion.net. PWInsider.com reports that the show is not planned as a one-off event but as part of a larger project.
— Paul Heyman went on Twitter to praise Jim Ross. He wrote, “Greatest announcer ever. And 1 TOUGH mentor. I learned about wrestling and LIFE from JR.”
In a trivia note, Ross indicated Saturday that he almost joined ECW following his dismissal from WWE in 1994. He tweeted Heyman, “but Happy…you never hired Ol JR..could’ve been a contend-a. Do you remember when we discussed me being a ‘surprise?”
Heyman also said he’s high on Chris Jericho. He wrote, “HUGE fan of Chris Jericho, professionally and personally!”
— Speaking to Street and Smith’s SportsBusiness Journal, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent Paul “Triple H” Levesque reveals what he wants to accomplish personally and professionally in 2012.
He says, “My resolution is to continue sharpening my business and corporate skills in my new role as EVP, talent. Although whenever the day-to-day grind of being a company executive gets to me, I still have the opportunity to jump into the ring and take my aggression out on a few unsuspecting opponents.”
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson stated on Twitter that he is beginning a twenty-five day press tour today that will include stops in Taiwan, Hawaii, Los Angeles, Mexico and New York.
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Molly Holly is scheduled to appear at Pro Wrestling World in the Merchants Square Mall 1901 S.12th St. Allentown, Pennsylvania on March 3, 2012 from noon to 2:00 p.m. Contact [email protected] for more information.
— As a result of her accidental collision with Big Show during Friday’s World Heavyweight Championship Match on SmackDown, an injured A.J. had to be carried out on a stretcher. According to WWE physician Dr. Michael Sampson, “AJ is pretty beat up, as you can imagine. She has head trauma, a cervical sprain/strain and also multiple contusions all over her body.”
— Former WWE talent Maryse is scheduled to appear at WrestleReunion in Miami, Florida during WrestleMania weekend, Legends of the Ring (June 2, 2012 at Crown Plaza Monroe, 390 Forsgate Drive, Monroe, New Jersey) and Wizard World’s Chicago Comic Con (August 10-12, 2012).
— Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson completed filming of Snitch last week. The movie is scheduled to be released in 2013.
— SmackDown Superstar Ted DiBiase appears at Outlaw Burger Company in Evansville, Indiana on January 28, 2012 from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m.
— Randy Orton, who is currently recuperating from a herniated disc, has been pulled from advertising for next week’s Raw SuperShow in Anaheim, California and SmackDown in Las Vegas, Nevada. Nonetheless, he is still booked full-time beginning with the January 23 Raw SuperShow in Phoenix, Arizona.
— Former WWE Superstar Virgil is appearing at the Kmart located at Schulykill Mall Rt 61 & I 81 Frackville, Pennsylvania every day at noon through Thursday. Call 570-874-3660 for more information. The week long fest began Friday.
— Tickets went on sale this morning for WWE’s 2012 Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida on March 31. The event could be sold out by the end of today. As of this morning, all lower level seats were gone with the only seats left in the balcony upper level.
source: F4WOnline.com
— Stephanie McMahon, who WWE is attempting to push to the media as a major corporate executive, is briefly profiled in SportsBusiness Journal. Quite like husband Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque, McMahon wants to eliminate bullying: she lists that and launching the WWE Network as her goals for 2012.
She says, “In 2012, my personal goal is to help stop the bullying epidemic that is affecting our children. As a mother of three girls, I am proud to represent the WWE as part of our Be a STAR initiative to help encourage students, teachers and parents to “be a star” by showing tolerance and respect. My professional goal is to help support the launch of the WWE network by providing a 24/7, interactive, creative experience that is worthy of the passion of our fans.”
Regarding the WWE Network, she says “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Iron Sheik and Dusty Rhodes will be a part of WWE Legends’ House. Rhodes, however, stated this week on Twitter that he will not be appearing on the program.
— Former WWE talent Harry Smith became the first Resistance Pro Heavyweight Champion Friday night in Chicago, Illinois. He defeated The Almighty Sheik and Kevin Steen in a three-way match. Resistance Pro was formed last year by Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan.
— Evan Bourne appears at Best Buy 7017 S. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri on Jan. 28 beginning at 11:00 a.m. Call 314-487-4999 for more information.
source: F4WOnline.com
— Chavo Guerrero is featured in a promotional advertisement for Ring Ka King, TNA Wrestling’s professional wrestling promotion based in India. The third generation grappler is billed as an international wrestling superstar.
The Wrestling Observer reported last month that Guerrero is expected to join TNA Wrestling in the near future.
— The January 12, 2012 episode of Impact Wrestling drew a 1.12 cable rating. Last week’s show drew a 1.11.
The program averaged 1,600,000 viewers, the same as last week. This nearly matches the 2011 yearly average of 1,610,000 viewers.
— Matt Morgan and Gail Kim appear at Direct Auto Insurance 700 North Military Highway Norfolk, Virginia on February 12, 2012 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Call 757-455-9072 for more information.
— Angelina Love, who holds the record for most TNA Women’s Knockout Championship reigns with five, hopes to add another reign to her supreme record.
“Deff hoping soon!” she tweeted in response to when she will get another championship run.
Love has not held the title since dropping it to Tara on October 10, 2010. Once arguably the company’s premiere female star, Love ended 2011 in a slump. She has not won a televised singles match in over seven months—her last victory taking place at the May 30, 2011 Impact Wrestling taping. Her television role was also deemphasized in favor of Gail Kim, Madison Rayne, Mickie James, Velvet Sky and Winter. However, a return to prominence could be on the horizon as she competed in three matches at this week’s television tapings in Orlando, Florida—following almost two months of inactivity.
— Sarita competed in a tag team match at Friday’s Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre event in Mexico City, Mexico, her first bout since taking a scary fall during a two out of three falls tag team match on November 22, 2011. According to TheCubsFan.com, she looked fine during the match.
Meanwhile, Sarita was left off this week’s TNA television tapings.
— Dallas Observer asked Dallas Cowboys spokesman Brett Daniels if WWE’s signature event, WrestleMania, will be held at Cowboys Stadium within the next two years.
He said, “We can’t host WrestleMania the next two years because of NCAA Regional in ’13 and Final Four in ’14. We’ve talked with them and gave it a shot but couldn’t make the schedule work.”
— Maxine has dyed her hair back to its natural black color. She wrote on Twitter, “Back to the real me.”
— The March 13, 2012 SmackDown taping will be held at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
— WWE will hold a Raw live event at Lakeland Center in Lakeland, Florida on March 23, 2012
— Sting is now on Twitter at twitter.com/sting. The account has been confirmed by TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter. “The Icon” says she encouraged him to get on the website.
Sting writes, “Hello Fans – I’m finally on Twitter! Plenty of news coming soon about IMPACT, my website and more. I’ll try to post as my schedule permits! I appreciate the quick and positive feed back from all! Finally coming out of the dark ages! I think it is only fitting to give a public “Thank You” to Dixie Carter. She has been a huge help getting me up and running / tweeting.
— The official Facebook page of TNA Wrestling UK has confirmed that Hulk Hogan will appear at their shows in Manchester and London on January 27 and 28.
“The Immortal” Hulk Hogan will make his return to the UK after 18 years to appear on the TNA IMPACT WRESTLING television taping at London’s Wembley Arena on Saturday January 28,” the statement reads.
“Hulk will also be a part of the huge MAXIMUM IMPACT Tour live event in Manchester, which takes place on Friday January 27.”
— Angelina Love is scheduled to appear with Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Missy Hyatt at Frank & Son Collectible Show 19649 San Jose Ave. City of Industry, California on February 11.
— Jamie Noble, who now works in a backstage capacity for WWE, faced World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan at Friday’s Raw live event in Yakima, Washington. Noble has not competed before a WWE crowd since November 2009.
The two combatants have past history as Noble lost the ROH World Heavyweight Championship to Bryan in September 2005.
— WWE has canceled a Smackdown live event scheduled for Sunday, January 22, 2012 at Reed Arena in College Station, Texas. It was originally scheduled as the only Smackdown house show on next weekend’s tour, joining two “World Tour” events and a Raw house show on Jan. 22. WWE’s listing for the canceled event currently reads, “Access denied – You are not authorized to access this page.”
— WWE Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan turns 58 years old Saturday.
