— WWELiveTour.com has removed Kevin Nash from all events he was advertised for, including next week’s tour of Yokohama, Japan.
— Epico and Primo beat Percy Watson and Titus O’Neil in a dark match at tonight’s Raw SuperShow in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Epico and Primo were accompanied by Rosa Mendes.
— Jonny Greco, who was considered a valuable member of the Cleveland Cavaliers video production crew, has joined WWE. Cleveland.com has an article on his hiring.
source: PWInsider.com
During a recent interview with the New York Daily News to hype the new WWE ’12 video game, CM Punk made some controversial comments about The Rock – and his “Hollywood megastar” ego.
“You know, the thing about that is, he’s not around. It doesn’t help morale when the guy goes right from his limo to the dressing room to the dressing room to the ring. He’s very bourgeois Hollywood.”
Punk thinks The Rock is back to help his own career and make sure WrestleMania is a success – without allowing any of WWE’s younger stars to benefit from his return.
“He came back, he did WWE Raw after that. He said he was never gonna leave. And the next time we saw him is a month later. Yeah, it does bother me. A little hello would have been nice. He could have run by with his own entourage.”
According to Punk, The Rock has made little effort to interact with the rest of WWE – and it’s caused a lot of resentment in the WWE locker room.
When asked if Rock was a diva, Punk said that would be an insult to WWE’s Divas.
“I can’t say that. At least the WWE Divas say hi to me in the halls.”
– Chicago Tribune writer Luis Gomez is not happy with how WWE has handled the CM Punk angle, including his win at Survivor Series last night. In his weekly column, Gomez noted that Punk’s title win didn’t have a big buzz like it did when he won earlier in the summer. He also noted that the angle was hurt by WWE bringing him back so soon. Gomez said:
“WWE’s best storyline in years has already been botched, and many of the casual fans who came back because of Punk have gone back to watching football on Mondays.”
– Financial website SeekingAlpha.com is reccomending that investors avoid WWE stock because the product is “dated.” SeekingAlpha wrote:
“WWE’s product is dated when compared to the various mixed martial arts formats available to the public. Overall weakness in the economy has not been helping matters, either.” Jim Cramer recently described WWE as a ‘wasting asset.’ I agree with that, and with Cramer’s opinion that there is no reason to own WWE. Avoid it.”
Triple H was interviewed by The Morning Buzz over the weekend and spoke about WWE’s recent obsession with Twitter, working closely with Vince McMahon at WWE headquarters and his appearance this summer on Shawn Michaels’ hunting show.
Regarding WWE’s working relationship with Twitter, Triple H said, “You have to be at the cutting edge of that technology at all time. Kids today, they don’t watch TV like they did before. TV is almost a background device now. They’re on their phone, on their laptop, on their ipod… so that social media stuff becomes so important… Twitter and YouTube and Facebook are all just avenues to keep people involved in your product.”
HHH went on to say that while the company is embracing Twitter as a positive, equally it can also be a negative. He revealed that just the other day during a talent meeting he told everyone to be careful with their Tweets. “I said, ‘Guys, it’s not like your texting somebody. You’re putting it out to the entire world. If you wouldn’t say it on TV, don’t say it on Twitter.'”
He cited NFL football players making stupid comments every other week, and said the catch twenty-two is controlling it.
When asked about his new office role and working closely with Vince, he said he’s learned over time that when Vince is going nuts and yelling at people then it’s OK, but when you come up to him and he’s silent, then that’s very bad. Hunter also talked about his relationship with The Rock describing it as “unique” with “professional tension and weirdness.” He says they get along great today but aren’t buddies and never hung out back in the day. “We had such a professional rivalry, no matter what we did, it’s like screw him, I can do better than that.”
He closed the interview by talking about Shawn Michaels and appearing on his hunting show earlier this year. He joked:
“Shawn has gone from The Heartbreak Kid to being like Ted Nugent. He’s out there with high powered weapons, with the one googley eye, just shooting every furry thing that wanders by. He’s been dying for me to go on [his show]… I just don’t get sitting in a tree saying nothing waiting for a deer to wander by so I can cap it in the head… We used crossbows [to catch Alligator’s] and much to Shawn’s chagrin I caught the biggest Alligator, but yeah it was an awesome experience and I had a lot of fun.”
— Regarding John Morrison’s contract status with WWE, his original deal has expired. He agreed to an extension through the end of November. His last announced appearance takes place at next Monday’s Raw SuperShow in Columbia, South Carolina.
Dave Meltzer indicated during Sunday’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that Morrison’s feelings towards WWE are somber. “His heart is broken,” said Meltzer.
— Among those in attendance at the Survivor Series were Michelle Beadle of SportsNation, Judah Friedlander of 30 Rock, mixed martial arts writer Ariel Helwani, This Is Hell lead singer Travis Reilly and This Is Hell guitarist Rick Jimenez. Mick Foley was backstage at the event.
— Jim “The Anvil” Neidhart appears at The Whole Scoop 1149 North Railroad Staten Island, New York on Saturday, December 17 from noon to 2:00 p.m. Call 347-992-0038 for more information.
sources: F4WOnline.com, PWInsider.com
Speaking to WWE Magazine, The Rock addresses his critics within WWE, or rather, two particular “insecure and jealous” Superstars. They ask the multi-time champion, “Some guys in the locker room aren’t too happy with your return. Do you feel you need to earn their respect, or do you feel they need to earn your respect?”
The Great One responds, “Of course, a few guys have been very vocal about their unhappiness with me coming back. It doesn’t bother me at all. It just proves that they lack perspective.
“Returning to WWE is an incredible opportunity for me. But much bigger than me, it’s an incredible opportunity for the business and, at the end of the day, all we want to do is elevate WWE to new heights never seen before and make the fans happy. For example, when Hulk Hogan returned to WWE, I loved it, because I knew it was going to be incredible for the business. We made history together and made millions and millions of fans happy.
“Always remember that the ones who were vocal and disapproving about me coming back—and we all know who the two are—are the ones who are most insecure and jealous. Maybe one day they’ll smarten up and understand the greater perspective.”
To buy the December issue of WWE Magazine featuring The Rock on the cover, head on over to the WWEShop website.
Check out this exclusive video we shot at Sunday’s Survivor Series pay-per-view from New York City ..The Big Show channels Macho Man Randy Savage at Survivor Series 2011 – delivering a devastating top rope elbow smash to World Heavyweight champion Mark Henry. Who says big men can’t fly?
Tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow will take place from Hershey, Pennsylvania at the GIANT Center with the fallout from Survivor Series. Actor Jonah Hill will be the special guest host tonight.
WWE is teasing a confrontation between Triple H and Kevin Nash. Triple H has been off television for several weeks following a brutal beatdown at the hands of Kevin Nash on RAW last month. The two are scheduled to settle their issues in the ring at WWE’s upcoming TLC pay-per-view.
Last week on RAW, interim General Manager John Laurinaitis was shown telling Brodus Clay that he’d be making his return to action on tonight’s show. Clay’s return has been bumped several times already, so we’ll see if he actually wrestles tonight.
Smackdown stars advertised for Raw include World Hvt. champion Mark Henry, Randy Orton, Sheamus, IC champion Cody Rhodes, Daniel Bryan and Hunico. Sin Cara had also been advertised as well before sustaining a bad leg injury at Survivor Series.
Advertised locally is six-man action with Big Show, Randy Orton and John Cena vs. The Miz, R-Truth and Mark Henry.
WWE Hall of Famer “Rowdy” Roddy Piper conducts a special edition of Piper’s Pit for comedy website Funny or Die:
WWE’s website posted the following backstage video of Zack Ryder after he attacked Dolph Ziggler at last night’s Survivor Series pay-per-view:
John “Bradshaw” Layfield, who was notorious for being abusive towards co-workers during his WWE tenure, inexplicably ranted on former colleague Marc Mero Sunday night on Twitter.
“If Johnny B Bad had sucked it would have been an improvement!” Layfield wrote regarding Mero, who he worked with from 1996 to 1998. “Mero absolutely sucks as a wrestler and human being. Sorry to u fans of his.”
He continued, “Sorry, can’t describe in 140 characters why Mero is a POS. No one who knew him sticks up for him-that should tell u something.”
Both posts have since been deleted.
In June and July 2007, Mero commented on the Chris Benoit murder-suicide, appearing on numerous cable news programs and criticizing both the wrestling industry and WWE (the erstwhile employer of Benoit). His comments drew the ire of WWE employees such as Ken Anderson, who labeled him a “goof” and a “silly bastard”, and Dave “Fit” Finlay, who claimed Mero had “nothing to do with this business.” Mero now works as an inspirational speaker in Orlando, Florida and heads the non-profit organization Champion of Choices, Inc. According to his Facebook page, he is the “happiest person on the planet.”
The G.T.S. Pizza Makes a Comeback for Survivor Series!
CM Pnk made history at WWE Survivor Series by capturing the WWE Championship and pizza and wrestling fans alike are pumped because it means the return of Ian’s Pizza Wrigleyville’s CM Punk-inspired Go to Sleep (G.T.S.) pizza!
“The G.T.S. pizza is the best in the world. Would you expect anything less from a pizza inspired by me?” stated CM Punk.
This meaty slice, which originally debuted for a limited time in July, is named for WWE superstar and Chicago native CM Punk’s finishing move Go To Sleep. Featuring smoked turkey leg, sliced potatoes, Swiss cheese and French fried onions on a creme fraiche base, it’s perfect for a pre-Thanksgiving feast.
Ian’s Pizza Wrigleyville is bringing it back for the week of Thanksgiving (11/21 – 11/27,) or, as we like to think of it, the week CM Punk reclaims the heavyweight championship belt from Alberto Del Rio.
“Its incredible, people would not stop asking for the G.T.S. Punk’s fans just started pouring out of the woodwork to show their support by eating his namesake,” says Ian’s managing partner Dimitri Syrkin-Nikolau.
CM Punk Prize Pack Giveaway
We’re not just cheering for Punk at Survivor Series, we want our fans to win, too! We’re inviting fans to come into our Wrigleyville location (3463 N. Clark St., Chicago, IL 60657) during the week of 11/21 – 11/27 for a slice of the G.T.S. and to be entered* to win an Ian’s t-shirt, autographed by CM Punk and a prize package of official CM Punk merchandise.
Check out these pictures of CM Punk making the G.T.S. pizza:
– The storyline between CM Punk and Michael Cole is expected to continue. As seen at Survivor Series last night, Cole was wearing the sling on his arm from the recent Punk attack.
– WWE terms trending last night during Survivor Series included The People’s Elbow, The Miz, The Rock, CM Punk, Anaconda Vice, MSG Chants, The Fink, Alberto Del Rio, Daniel Bryan, HBK, Macho Man, Sexual Chocolate, Big Show vs. Mark Henry, Hunico, RKO, Team Barrett, Kofi Kingston, Sin Cara, Randy Orton, Mason Ryan, Cody Rhodes, Glam Slam, Beth Phoenix, Dolph Ziggler, JoMo and WeWantRyder.
— Colt Cabana was trending worldwide on Twitter during Survivor Series because WWE posted this video before the WWE Championship Match where Punk said he was going to go win the strap. Punk concludes his message by saying “Colt Cabana, how ya doing?”
— Former WWE Diva Maryse Ouellet traveled with The Miz to New York City this weekend. The couple also attended Google and T-Mobile’s launch party for Google Music last Wednesday in Los Angeles, California.
— WWE returns to the Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, California on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 5:00 p.m.
(source: PWInsider.com)
Several WWE Superstars commented on the Survivor Series pay-per-view last night:
The Rock: “Last night at Survivor Series, TEAM BRING IT rocked the Garden and electrified the world. Proud of U. #BootsToAsses”
Beth Phoenix: “@EveMarieTorres Ill give her credit…i had to obliterate her cuz she just wont quit..but tmrws a new day..and Eve.u will cry. #pinupstrong”
Eve Torres: “It was an honor to compete at The Garden tonight. Thank you NYC. & thank u @TheBethPhoenix for reminding me how badly I want what you have.”
Jim Ross: “No shock @TheRock was on his game after 7+ years away. He’s gifted. If Rock/Cena left u ‘wanting more’ then what occurred worked. #SauceIt”
Zack Ryder: “Thank you NYC…Thank you Broskis…… #RyderRevolution”
Wade Barrett: “Once again, I illustrated supreme leadership and in-ring skills tonight. The #BarrettBarrage is legit. No prisoners. No arguments.”
Kofi Kingston: “As always, MSG was epic. The feeling never gets old. Thanks for all the compliments on the gear too by the way! Tomorrow we do it again!”
– According to WWE doctor Michael Sampson, Sin Cara suffered a patella tendon rupture when he jumped out of the ring during the Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match at Survivor Series.
“He’s going to need surgery and be out [of action] for six to nine months for rehab,” Sampson said.
— WWE.com has posted video of Alberto Del Rio reacting to his WWE Championship loss backstage at Survivor Series. The Mexican grappler claims he was robbed by CM Punk, dismissed interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis, and took shots at the Hispanic population. It loosely points to how Del Rio will attempt to get his heat back on Raw following the title match loss.
— The Rock’s mother Ata was sitting ringside at Survivor Series.
source: PWInsider.com
Check out this exclusive video we shot from CM Punk’s WWE title win at Survivor Series. CM Punk gets his title win announced by WWE Hall of Famer Howard Finkel and celebrates in the crowd.
Not only did The Rock score the pin over R-Truth in his tag bout against The “Awesome Truth” at Survivor Series but he nailed his WrestleMania opponent, John Cena, with a Rock Bottom after the match. He then spoke to the Madison Square Garden audience following the pay-per-view broadcast.
He started off his speech by saying “Can The Rock get some water? Jesus Christ!” The Rock told a ringside attendant “You better give The Rock some water, or I’ll kick your monkey ass.”
A loud chant then broke out with half the crowd chanting “You still got it!” while the other half chanted “Welcome back!” The Rock told the audience “to make up their damn minds.” He then addressed one-half of the crowd by saying “As far as you still got it, shit, I always had it!”
A “We want Ryder” chant then broke out. The Rock said “Yeah, I love him. I can’t believe how tall that son of a bitch is!”
A fan in the crowd yelled “Are you gonna cry?!” and The Rock responded, “Hell no! I’ll put boots to asses before I cry! There must be some good weed in NYC for people to ask if The Rock is gonna cry!”
The Rock continued speaking by saying that he came to entertain the fans tonight. He thanks them all and says tonight was the greatest night in the history of his WWE career. He says tonight is only the beginning and “the money isn’t that bad either.”
The Rock thanks the fans once more and says goodnight. He spent a lot of time shaking hands around ringside, including the announcers and attendants.
— Former WWE Champion John “Bradshaw” Layfield stated on Twitter that he declined WWE’s invitation to appear at Survivor Series
Layfield wrote, “Not at Survivor Series and not watching-too late for me. 15 years ago my SS debut Tim White counted me out by mistake! Big screw up! It was my big push and Tim White counted 3 by mistake, first time ear pieces were used and someone was in his ear. Killed my push:)
He continued, “I’m not watching cause it’s too late for me-got early morning tee time in Bermuda! Was asked if I was available by WWE, but I’m not. #golf”
— Former WWE Diva Maryse Ouellet traveled with The Miz to New York City this weekend. The couple also attended Google and T-Mobile’s launch party for Google Music last Wednesday in Los Angeles, California.
— Betty Skaaland, widow of WWE Hall of Famer Arnold Skaaland, sat ringside at the Survivor Series.
source: PWInsider.com
The official Twitter feed of the WWE Insider stated this evening that Sin Cara suffered a ruptured patellar tendon and will be sidelined for six to nine months, following surgery.
The masked grappler suffered the injury while performing a dive outside the ring during the Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match. He was left unable to compete and therefore eliminated.
Evan Bourne’s suspension for his first violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program has generated a great deal of controversy amongst talent as some feel a double standard is in place.
Bourne, who’s real name is Matthew Korklan, was suspended for thirty days on November 1, 2011 after testing positive for Spice, a synthetic marijuana brand. Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer reports Bourne and another wrestler higher up the card smoked the marijuana substitute drug at a party, yet he was the only one of the two to be suspended. The other wrestler was told he had failed for marijuana, which results in a $2,500 fine, as opposed to a thirty-day suspension for synthetic marijuana.
According to the Wrestling Globe Newsletter, the wrestler in question is a participant in tonight’s Survivor Series match featuring John Cena and The Rock against R-Truth and The Miz.
This has led to questions about whether WWE’s drug testing procedure is flawed or whether talent are treated differently depending on their status in the organization.
This would not be the first time in which WWE reprieved a top-level talent who had violated their Talent Wellness Program. On August 30, 2007, Sports Illustrated named Randy Orton as one of fourteen contracted and former WWE performers to have purchased pharmaceuticals from an online pharmacy (Signature Pharamacy), a violation of the Talent Wellness Program. Specifically, Orton received somatropin, nandrolone, stanozolol between September 2004 and February 2007, which occurred after the “no drugs from online sources” rule was instituted. However, Orton was the lone contracted performer not to be suspended by WWE. Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer reported that WWE did not suspend Orton because he had already been suspended for a drug policy violation in August 2006, resulting in double jeopardy. The ruling, however, appeared nonsensical since Orton continued to receive pharmaceuticals following the suspension. WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt claimed last year in a letter to Irv Muchnick that “no action was taken against Randy Orton because he was not on any customer list for Signature Pharmacy ever provided to us by District Attorney Soares.”
SEScoops.com is at Madison Square Garden for tonight’s WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view. Aside from our detailed live coverage, we’ll also be posting live images from inside the Garden during the pay-per-view.
Keep this page open during tonight’s SURVIVOR SERIES pay-per-view and keep refreshing during the show for our exclusive images.
— Sean Waltman stated during a recent interview with the Pro Wrestling Torch that Faby Apache, who performs for Asistencia Asesoría y Administración, is the single best female wrestler he saw when he was in Mexico a few years ago. He recently recommended the veteran wrestler to WWE officials, but they declined.
“She is the best female worker I’ve seen in maybe the last ten years. It’s just that she’s a little bottom heavy like a lot of the girls down in Mexico that doesn’t fit in with the look WWE is looking for with the Divas division, unfortunately. In terms of in-ring talent, she can go with anyone. I put in a word for her, but they weren’t interested in her,” Waltman said.
— Mason Ryan spoke to LocalBozo.com to promote Survivor Series at Madison Square Garden in New York City. He discusses his start in professional wrestling, being discovered by WWE, his anticipation in performing at MSG for the first time, what he’d be doing if he was not wrestling, the energy Mick Foley and The Rock bring to the dressing room, transitioning to a fan favorite, who’s been most instrumental in helping him hone his character and ring work.
— The Bella Twins appear at Alexandria KIA Dealership 7416 Richmond Hwy. Alexandria, Virginia on December 29 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Call 888-430-7570 for more information.
source: Pro Wrestling Torch
— Women Superstars Uncensored announced during Saturday’s Breaking Barriers 2 internet pay-per-view that TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter would be inducted into the WSU Hall of Fame next spring. She will be enshrined alongside Cindy Rogers, Jana and late journalist Georgiann Makropoulos.
— TNA Wrestling producer/personality Eric Bischoff published the following statement on Twitter regarding online critics and his son Garett: “If online critics were as smart as they like to think. They wouldn’t STILL be spelling Garett’s name wrong after all this time.”
A user on the site responded, “Nobody cares about the Garett angle, which is probably why no-one spells it properly. Nepotism rides again. #DavidFlair”
The TNA head wrote back, “Hmm…that would explain the consistently high ratings for it. MARK.”
— Angelina Love and Madison Rayne appear at Wrestling Universe 34-29 Francis Lewis Blvd. Flushing, New York on Sunday, December 4 from 2:00 p.m to 4:00 p.m. Visit WrestlingUniverseOnline.com for more information.
Below is what looks to be the full roster for THQ’s WWE ’12, which officially hits stores on Tuesday.
Superstars:
Divas:
Legends:
Animal, Arn Anderson, Ax, Brock Lesnar, Eddie Guerrero, Edge, Hawk, Ricky Steamboat, Smash, Steve Austin, Vader
Downloadable Content:
During WWE’s third quarter conference call with investors on November 3, 2011, CEO Vince McMahon stated the organization would “soon be making a very big announcement” regarding WWE Network plans. He said the company feels confident they “finally turned the corner” on the cable television network’s status to make the announcement. Included will be future expenses of $4-6 million for staffing and $10-15 million for additional equipment and construction of their media center to house network operations.
According to a source within WWE’s corporate headquarters in Stamford, Connecticut, the “very big announcement” is that Wrestlemania 28 will be broadcast live. The cable television network is expected to be launched on April 1, 2012, the day of WrestleMania.
WWE has bought extensive amount of office space in Norwalk and Stamford, Connecticut to employ over 200 employees for the cable television network. They’ve also spent money on trailers so employees could work on digitizing their vast tape library. WWE has approximately 100,000 hours of footage in their tape library, with 30,000 hours currently digitized.
