This week, we remember the tragedy of ten years ago and the lives that were lost. But we also make good use of the freedoms given to us and absolutely tear WWE and TNA to shreds, each for very different reasons. Raw was an embarrassing show to watch last Monday and their main storyline, which I defended on the last show, has gone to hell and a handbasket. We’ll also discuss Rock wrestling at Survivor Series, WWE’s new network and Linda McMahon running for Senate in 2012. On the TNA front, Kurt Angle was arrested for his third DUI while under contract and the company has done nothing to punish him. Jeff Hardy made his return to Impact on the same day he was sentenced to jail time on drug charges. I will make the case on why Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair, Eric Bischoff, Kurt Angle and Jeff Hardy should all be FIRED from TNA and name the one legend who deserves to stay. Nothing is held back this week, so if you’re easily offended, don’t listen to this show.
Rosa Mendes, who has not appeared on WWE programming since SummerSlam, posted several messages on Twitter Saturday and Sunday disparaging the ‘Rookie Divas’ of WWE, specifically A.J.
She wrote Saturday: “But what one thing I don’t miss is looking at rookies that call themselves divas when they can’t get a hold of some proactive to clear their awful skin up, and start dressing like actual Divas instead of shopping at consignment stores in the kid section. You want to be a Diva? Look like one AJ. You look like a cashier that works at my local grocery store. Why you are on the roster boggles my mind!!!!!!!! Can’t wait to get back in the ring and actually have a worthy opponent!”
She added Sunday: “Awwwww u guys are mad @ me. You love AJ because she looks ordinary just like you. Divas are not suppose to look ordinary.”
“This is what you call a Diva! Rookieeees???? Pleeeeeeeease. Hahaha.”
“If i’m making people upset, I don’t really care. I’m sick of seeing the Divas division ruined by these rookies. Sexy, smart, powerful!”
“Stay in FCW and stop shopping at Target chicas!”
“One rookie looks 12 with a crater face, one looks like she is 40 and the other one looks like she needs to go on Jenny Craig. You know who you are! Lol”
“All I have to say is. Have respect, look the part and pleeeeeeeeaaaase stay in FCW as long as you can.”
“One more thing, I have someone that can make you guys gear, because your gear looks like SH**t.”
Responding to a post from Diva-Dirt.com, Mendes reasoned her outburst with the following: “something happened, if you knew you would understand. Don’t stop loving me:) Rosa Mendes doesn’t go on a rant for no reason.”
Last week WWE star William Regal made headlines when it was reported that he wants to become the first British World Heavyweight champion in WWE history prior to retiring.
Regarding his retirement, William Regal wrote the following on Twitter:
“Let me make this very clear.I have not once said that I’m going to retire.I’ve said I don’t know how long I have left.Big difference.
“Having had a decent brake from in ring I am feeling ready to go for a while.But the fact is that’s down to two things.One is how long my body holds out and two is if people want me to wrestle.”
– Despite rumors that Bill Goldberg would be facing former WWE Champion Dave Batista upon returning to the ring in October, Goldberg has shot down those rumors on Twitter.
It is unknown at this time who Goldberg will be facing when he returns to the ring in Africa, but we do know that the shows are set to kick off in early October and end by October 12th.
For more on Bill Goldberg’s return to the ring, check out the SEScoops Bill Goldberg News Page.
WWE posted the following statement on Twitter regarding the sell-out, noting that fans should keep trying the Ticketmaster website because new tickets will be made available in the coming weeks:
“In less than 90 minutes, the WWE Universe sold out this year’s Survivor Series. The 25th anniversary of the event, being held at New York City’s famous Madison Square Garden, will feature an appearance from John Cena’s WrestleMania XXVIII opponent, The Rock. Fifteen years after making his electrifying WWE debut at Survivor Series, The People’s Champion returns to MSG for the first time in eight years!”
The Rock also commented on his Twitter:
“Get ready: @WWE – Survivor Series sold out in 30 min! I promise to ELECTRIFY MSG like never before. #TeamBringIt”
WWE Survivor Series takes place on Sunday, November 20th. The staff of SEScoops.com (webmaster Mike, the Solomonster & Noah Mark) will be there to witness The Rock’s return to MSG in person. Will you be there? We’ve got a thread going right now on the SEScoops Facebook Page for fans who are going to Survivor Series – click here to join the conversation.
TNA No Surrender PPV Results September 11, 2011, Report by Marc Middleton
TNA’s 2011 No Surrender pay-per-view kicks off with the entire roster on the stage inside the Impact Zone. Jesse Neal is dressed in his sailor uniform. American flags are everywhere and everyone participates in a moment of silence to remember the victims of 9/11. Rosita, who’s father was killed on 9/11, is shown. America The Beautiful is played as everyone looks on to the flags. The crowd chants USA after it’s over. We go to the promo video for tonight’s pay-per-view, focusing on the Bound For Glory Series finals and the main events.
– And we’re live again from the Impact Zone in Orlando as the pyro goes off and Mike Tenay and Taz welcome us to No Surrender. They go over tonight’s World Heavyweight Title match and the final four of the Bound For Glory Series.
#1 Contender’s Match: Jesse Sorensen vs. Kid Kash
We go to the ring and out first comes Kid Kash for tonight’s opener. Out next comes his opponent Jesse Sorensen. The winner of this match will be the #1 contender to the TNA X Division Title.
Kash stalls to start the match but they lock up and Kash goes behind Sorensen. Sorensen switches it around but Kash takes him to the mat. They trade holds. Kash fights out of a hold but gets tossed across the ring. Kash goes for a pin attempt but it’s broken. Lots of quick back and forth action to start the match. They break and the crowd applauds. Kash taunts Sorensen and wants to do a test of strength. Kash kicks Sorensen in the gut and unloads. Sorensen fires back with right hands and a big arm drag. Sorensen with an armbar now.
They go to the corner and Kash breaks free, talking trash to Sorensen. Sorensen puts him back in the corner but misses when charging. Kash drop toe holds him into the turnbuckle and turns things around. Kash with a big kick and a 2 count. Kash suplexes Sorensen and drops him hard on his face for another pin attempt. Kash works Sorensen over on the ropes now with big forearms to the head. Kash with a big chop in the corner. Kash taunts Sorensen some more and smacks him around. Kash with another big kick in the corner. Sorensen fights back with chops and drops Kash with a high knee. Sorensen with a dropkick and a 2 count.
Sorensen goes for a move but Kash reverses it. Sorensen blocks a Russian leg sweep and hits a huge neckbreaker for another 2 count. Sorensen goes to the top and connects with a crossbody for 2. Sorensen with more right hands. Kash fights him off and scoop slams him. Kash drops a knee and works the crowd. Kash with another kick to the gut and knees. Sorensen goes down after a hard knee. Kash argues with the referee and pushes him. Brian Hebner pushes him back. Kash goes back to Sorensen and drops him on his head. Kash goes to the top and botches a springboard moonsault for a 2 count. Kash with another knee and a big chop on the ropes. Sorensen counters and hits a big inverted DDT for the pin and the win.
Winner and New X Division #1 Contender: Jesse Sorensen
– We go backstage with Hulk Hogan and World Champion Kurt Angle. JB asks Angle his reaction to finding out about tonight’s title match just a few days ago. Angle says Hogan is supposed to protect him, that’s why he joined Immortal. Angle says he wasn’t ready for Sting and Mr. Anderson at the same time. Hogan says he brought Angle in to be the heartbeat of Immortal. Hogan says he looks at this match as food for Angle. Angle walks off and Hogan suggests he gets ready.
Bound For Glory Series Final: Bully Ray vs. James Storm
We go to the ring and out first comes Bully Ray for the next match. James Storm is out next. The only way Storm can win this match is by getting a submission victory over Ray, according to JB.
They get ready to go at it but Ray goes to the ropes and the referee stops Storm. Ray stalls some more and goes out to the apron. Ray drops down to the floor and walks around the ring. He grabs a fan sign and tears it up. Ray gets back in the ring and is ready to fight now. Or so it appeared. Ray goes back to the ropes as the crowd boo’s and tells him he sucks. Ray yells to the referee to keep Storm back. Storm charges again but Ray goes out to the floor again and the crowd is all over him.
Ray goes to get back in the ring but stops, walking back around the ring. Storm chases him around the ring and back into it. Ray retreats back to the floor. A “pussy Ray” chant breaks out. Ray gets back in the ring and they finally lock up… nope, Ray goes back to the ropes. This time he comes right back and knocks Storm down. Ray takes Storm to the corner and beats him down now. Ray whips Storm to the other corner and kicks him in the chest. Ray takes his time with right hands and shots to Storm’s lower back. Storm gets whipped to the other corner but ducks a big forearm shot. Storm turns it around and applies a submission hold. Ray makes it to the ropes and breaks it. Ray rolls out to the floor for safety. Ray comes back in and stalls some more, frustrating Storm.
They lock up and Storm goes to work on Ray’s hurt arm. Storm takes Ray down and applies an armbreaker, trying to make Ray submit. Ray turns it into a 2 count but Storm goes back to the submission. Ray breaks it and goes back out to the floor. Storm brings the fight outside and slams Ray’s arm into the steps. Ray takes Storm’s leg out and he falls off the apron. Ray rolls Storm back in the ring and stops to take a sip of Storm’s beer. Ray grabs a steel chair and brings it in the ring. The referee takes it and sets it outside of the ring. Ray spits beer in Storm’s face as the referee isn’t looking. Ray with a series of headbutts to the sternum in the corner and a big chop to send Storm down.
Ray continues the assault and taunts Storm. Ray goes for the Bubba Bomb but Storm blocks it and applies another armbreaker in the middle of the ring. Ray gets his foot to the ropes and breaks the hold. Storm applies the Scorpion and pulls Ray back as he tries to reach the ropes. Ray finally makes it and breaks the submission. Storm starts kicking Ray’s arm and slams him down by it. Storm with an armbar now. Ray rolls Storm up for 2. Storm comes back with right hands. Ray dumps Storm to the apron. Storm kicks Ray in the head and takes a sip of his own beer now. Storm goes to spit it at Ray but hits the referee. The referee can’t see as Storm applies another armbreaker. Ray taps out and the bell rings. The referee’s decision is Bully Ray by DQ since Storm spit the beer on him.
Winner by DQ: Bully Ray
– SoCal Val meets Ray on the ramp and congratulates him on advancing. Ray tells her to shut up and get out of his face, calling her a stupid bitch. Ray asks the fans if they believe him now. He tells us his name over and over and says he’s from Hells Kitchen and the next World Heavyweight mother friggin’ Champion. Ray drops the mic and heads to the back. Ray is now leading the Series with 52 points. Storm is at #5, right under Rob Van Dam.
– We get a promo video for tonight’s Knockouts Title Match and a Tale of the Tape from Mike Tenay.
TNA Knockouts Title Match: Winter vs. Mickie James
We go to the ring and out first comes Winter with Angelina Love at her side. TNA Knockouts Champion Mickie James is out next to a nice reaction from the crowd. Mickie is dressed in Wonder Woman gear tonight.
Mickie goes to the corner to pose before the bell but Winter attacks her from behind. Mickie kicks her off and ends up on the floor, where she brawls with Angelina Love. Winter comes from behind again. Mickie counters a whip on the floor and whips Winter into the steel steps and then the fan barrier. Mickie brings it back in the ring but Winter rakes her eyes. Winter with a forearm shot, a kick and a face slam to the mat. Winter takes Mickie to the corner and works her over some more. Mickie fights right back and takes Winter down with a head scissors from the corner. Angelina grabs Mickie’s foot but gets kicked back to the floor. Winter attacks from behind again and Mickie goes down.
Winter with a nice suplex and a 2 count. Micke starts to make a comeback but Winter knocks her down with a clothesline. Winter drops Mickie again and has words with Earl Hebner. Winter takes Mickie to the ropes and chokes her with a knee to the back. Hebner is distracted again, allowing Angelina to get cheap shots in. Another 2 count for Winter. Winter taunts Mickie now. Winter with a backbreaker. She bends Mickie’s back over her knee. Mickie fights free but Winter scoops her up. Winter with another backbreaker over her knee. Winter with a submission now, until Mickie reaches the ropes and breaks it. Mickie with a jackknife cover out of nowhere for 2. Mickie connects with a neckbreaker. Winter gets up first and they trade shots in the middle of the ring.
Mickie comes off the ropes with clotheslines, getting pumped up. Mickie drops Winter on her face and jumps to her feet. Angelina distracts her but she superkicks Winter back down for a 2 count. Winter misses a big roundhouse kick and Mickie applies a single leg crab. Winter reaches the ropes and breaks the hold. Winter slides Angelina the Knockouts Title belt. Mickie ducks the shot from Winter. Winter struggles with Hebner over the belt. Mickie rolls her up for a close 2 count. Winter rams Mickie back in the corner and hits her with thrusts to the gut and then kicks. Mickie with a kick to the face. Mickie goes for the tornado DDT but Angelina pulls Winter out to safety. Mickie leaps from the apron onto Winter with a Thesz press. Mickie chases Angelina off up the ramp now.
Mickie makes it back int he ring but Angelina runs back down and holds her. Winter goes to spit something in Mickie’s face but she ducks and it hits Angelina in the face. Hebner has his attention focused on Angelina as Winter spits more red stuff, this time hitting Mickie in the face. Winter covers for the win and the Knockouts Title, again.
Winner and New TNA Knockouts Champion: Winter
– After the match, Winter rushes to ringside and checks on Angelina Love as trainers help her to the back. Trainers tend to Mickie in the ring.
– We cut backstage to Jeremy Borash and Gunner. JB points out that Robert Roode and Gunner have to win by submission tonight to tie Bully Ray in the series. Gunner says whatever he has to do tonight to Roode, he will be going to Bound For Glory and main eventing. Ray walks up and tells Gunner not to submit or give up tonight. He doesn’t care if Roode breaks his leg or neck – don’t give up. Ray says the last thing Gunner wants is to face him in the finals. Ray tells Gunner to get lost and he walks off. Ray tells JB that bullying is his business and business is good.
TNA Tag Team Title Match: Brother Devon and The Pope vs. Mexican America
We go tot he ring and out comes the team of The Pope and Brother Devon. The TNA Tag Team Champions Mexican America, Hernandez and Anarquia. They’re accompanied by Rosita and Sarita.
Anarquia starts things off with Devon, who gets a USA chant going. They lock up and go at it. Devon works on the arm and then goes to a headlock. Devon with a big shoulder block and more work on the arm. The Pope is tagged in to continue the assault on Anarquia. Pope with offense and another quick tag to Devon. Anarquia tags in Hernandez. Devon blocks Hernandez and takes him off his feet with a big shoulder. Pope comes back in for some double teaming. Pope works on Hernandez’s arm now and tags Devon right back in. They double team Hernandez and Devon gets a 2 count. Hernandez fights Devon off and makes a tag. Devon unloads on Anarquia when he comes in and tags Pope again for another double team move.
Rosita argues with the referee as Pope gets a 2 count on Anarquia. Pope goes to the apron ad kisses Rosita. She slaps him and he holds her above the floor by her hair. Anarquia runs into Devon, sending Rosita to the floor. Pope goes back to work on Anarquia and tags in Devon for yet another double team move. Pope stops it to knock Hernandez off the apron. Sarita gets involved and slaps Devon while he’s on the turnbuckle. Hernandez with a big splash on Devon before knocking Pope off the apron. Hernandez tags out again. Anarquia with a big shoulder off the ropes for a 2 count on Devon. Hernandez and Anarquia hit two splashes on Devon in the corner and another double team move. Hernandez with a 2 count.
Hernandez with a bearhug on Devon now. Devon fights out but Hernandez shoulders him to the floor as he’s running. Hernandez charges but Devon spears him. Anarquia comes in again but right as Pope does. Pope with a series of clothesline and more offense. Hernandez is dropkicked off the apron. Pope continues the offense and connects with a big crossbody from the top as Hernandez breaks the pin. Anarquia suplexes Pope and then Hernandez leaps off the top with the big hit. Devon runs in and stops another pin. The champs collide. Pope and Deovn hit a double clothesline on Hernandez. Sarita and Rosita get involved in the ring. Pope catches Rosita off the top rope and spanks her rear. Pope tries to suplex Anarquia in off the apron but Anarquia falls on top of him. Rosita holds Devon’s foot down and they get the win.
Winners: Mexican America
– Mr. Anderson is backstage with Jeremy Borash. JB asks about he and Anderson being friends. Anderson says they don’t like each other but they have a common bond – they hate Immortal.
Samoa Joe vs. Matt Morgan
Samoa Joe comes out for the next match followed by his opponent Matt Morgan. They lock up and go at it back and forth. Joe unloads with big chops in the corner. Joe turns it around in the corner and responds with his own big chops and right hands. Morgan with a series of back elbows now. Morgan with a running knee to the face while Joe is down in the corner. Morgan continues the offense as the crowd chants his name. Morgan hits a huge leg drop while Joe is laid on the apron. Morgan rams Joe back into the apron and more right hands. Joe comes back with chops and slams Morgan’s head into the apron. Joe rolls back in the ring and suicide dives out onto Morgan and the floor.
They make their way back in the ring and Joe keeps control in the corner. Morgan ends up on the top and hits a big crossbody for 2. Morgan charges again but Joe rolls out to the floor. Joe drops Morgan’s arm over the top rope after raking his eyes. Joe with a running knee to the face and more stomps. A “Sloppy Joe” chant breaks out. Joe stomps some more and chokes Morgan on the ropes. Morgan finally makes a comeback with right hands but Joe drops him again and leg drops for a 2 count. Joe goes for a submission on Morgan’s hurt arm now. Lots more back and forth. Joe with a big kick to the head but Morgan comes right back with a spinning clothesline.
Morgan drops Joe with more right hands. 2 count for Morgan. Morgan grabs Joe for a choke but Joe puts his thumb in his eyes. Joe connects with a belly-to-belly suplex for a 2 count. Joe goes for the rear naked choke but Morgan tries to block it. Morgan rams Joe back into the corner. Joe goes back to the submission and locks it in, bringing Morgan to the mat. Morgan gets his foot to the ropes but Joe takes a second to break the hold. Joe backs Earl Hebner in the corner. Joe charges Morgan but gets hit with a Carbon Footprint. Morgan covers Joe for the win.
Winner: Matt Morgan
– Jeremy Borash is backstage with Robert Roode and James Storm. Roode talks about fighting back from injury and addresses Gunner, saying it’s his time and his dream. Roode says he will make Gunner tap out tonight and then whip Bully Ray’s fat ass. Tonight, they will find out that it pays to be Roode. Storm says he hoped it was him vs. Roode in the final. Storm tells Roode to get Gunner tonight and then beat Ray’s fat ass. Storm gets the fans to chant “Bobby” for Roode. Storm says everyone believes in Roode and he deserves this.
Bound For Glory Series Final Match: Robert Roode vs. Gunner
We go to the ring and out first comes Gunner. Robert Roode is out next to a chant from the crowd. They lock up and Roode takes Gunner to the mat. Back and forth action to start until they end up on the floor brawling. Roode uses the ring post on Gunner’s arm. Roode finally brings it back int he ring and kicks Gunner in the head. More stomps from Roode as he focuses on Gunner’s hurt shoulder. Gunner counters and drops Roode with a DDT.
Gunner turns things around and knocks Roode into the corner. Roode with an elbow shot but Gunner drops him with a forearm shot. Gunner chokes Roode and then uses the ropes to choke him again. Gunner slingshots Roode’s neck under the bottom rope. Gunner with a spinning neckbreaker and more offense on Roode’s neck. Gunner locks a head scissors on Roode now, still focusing on the neck. Roode turns it around and goes for an armbar but can’t get it locked. Roode goes to work on the arm some more but Gunner drops him with a clothesline. Gunner with another neckbreaker. Gunner goes for a Full Nelson now and locks it, taking Roode to the mat.
Roode fights to his feet and rams Gunner back into the corner but can’t break the hold. The hold is finally broken and they trade right hands in the middle of the ring. Roode kicks Gunner and takes him back down with an armbar. Gunner charges with a knee but Roode ducks it and connects with a spinebuster. More back and forth. Roode drops down with another armbar but Gunner makes it to the ropes. Gunner kicks Roode back in the corner and charges but Roode kicks him back. Gunner comes right back with a running knee and Roode goes down. Gunner goes for another Full Nelson but his arm is hurting. Roode counters again and applies yet another armbar. Roode pulls Gunner back and stops him from getting the ropes. Gunner finally taps out to give Roode the win.
Winner: Bobby Roode
– After the match, Roode celebrates when Eric Bischoff comes out to congratulate him. Bischoff tells the crowd to give it up for Roode. Bischoff has some bad news for Roode and calls him a dumbass for the interview he did earlier. Bischoff says they will have a winner in the Bound For Glory Series tonight and says it’s Ray vs. Roode, un-advertised.
– JB is backstage with Austin Aries. Aries tells Borash to shhh because time for talk is over. Aries says all Brien Kendrick’s philosophical rants are meaningless. All of his own sarcastic comments are also meaningless. It’s time for Total Nonstop Aries, he says. Aries says Kendrick is a world class athlete and will bring his A game tonight. Aries says that won’t be good enough because tonight, he’s bringing his A-double game. Aries says everyone will see tonight why he’s the greatest man alive and he will become the first & the last X Division Champion.
TNA X Division Title Match: Austin Aries vs. Brian Kendrick
After a video package, we go to the ring and out comes the challenger Austin Aries. Out next comes the TNA X Division Champion Brian Kendrick and he’s as odd as ever. The bell rings and we get dueling chants from the crowd. They lock up and Aries takes Kendrick down. Kendrick breaks and goes to the apron for a second before coming back in. Kendrick goes behind now and takes Aries to one knee by his arm. Aries counters but Kendrick blocks it and goes for an armbar. Aries makes it to the ropes and breaks the hold. Aries goes to the floor to regroup now.
They go to lock up again but Aries with a knee to the gut. Aries takes Kendrick down again with a running shoulder and then two big arm drags. Kendrick counters and applies a head scissors. Aries fights his way out of it and dropkicks Kendrick in the face. Kendrick comes back now with arm drags and a drop toe hold. Aries goes back to the apron to regroup. Kendrick comes over but Aries shoulder blocks him and rolls him up. Kendrick blocks the pin and kicks Aries in the face. Aries blocks Sliced Bread and goes back to the floor. Kendrick goes for a baseball slide but Aries moves. Kendrick works Aries over on the floor and whips him into the fan barrier. Kendrick with a boot to the throat now before bringing it back in the ring. Aries rolls right back out and Kendrick throws him back into the barrier.
Aries blocks Sliced Bread on the floor and shoves Kendrick into the ring post. Aries hits a Russian leg sweep, sending the back of Kendrick’s head into the post. Aries brings it back in the ring for a 2 count. Aries with more offense and a big slingshot over the top, chopping Kendrick in the back. Another 2 count for Aries. Aries puts Kendrick on the ropes and hits him with big chops. Aries with a big back elbow and an elbow drop for another 2 count. Aries puts a knee in Kendrick’s back now and continues to keep in control. Aries with another submission hold. They get to their feet and trade shots. Aries stops Kendrick again and drops him. Aries goes for his swinging elbow drop but Kendrick rolls out of the way. Kendrick comes back with a jawbreaker. Aries avoids an enziguri and tosses Kendrick into the corner and the ring post. Aries waits for Kendrick to get up. Aries charges with a dropkick but Kendrick throws a kick and they collide. Kendrick with a forearm and a dropkick. Kendrick with another kick. Aries ends upside down on the ropes. Kendrick dropkicks him to the floor and then suicide dives out, knocking Aries down.
Kendrick brings it back in the ring and connects with a missile dropkick for a 2 count. Aries backs Kendrick off but Kendrick connects with a tornado DDT for 2. Kendrick goes for Sliced Bread but Aries stops it in the counter. Kendrick ends up tossed out to the floor and he lands hard. Aries dives through the ropes but Kendrick moves and Aries smacks his face on the fan barrier. The crowd chants “holy shit” as the referee counts. They make it back in the ring at the 9 count. Kendrick with right hands. Aries fires back and they trade staggering shots. Kendrick charges but Aries side steps and throws him to the floor. Aries corkscrews over the top rope but barely lands on Kendrick and hits the floor hard. Aries brings it back in the ring but stays on the apron. Aries hops over the top and hits a quick back elbow to the face. Aries with another close 2 count. Aries goes for a move but Kendrick rolls him up for 2. Kendrick with a back slide for another 2 count. Another roll up from Kendrick for 2. Aries connects with a spinning forearm shot and Kendrick goes down. Aries hits a draping DDT, bouncing Kendrick off the top but only gets 2. Aries goes to the top for a 450 but rolls through as Kendrick moves. Kendrick with a double underhook suplex for a 2 count. Kendrick goes for Sliced Bread in the corner but can’t hit it because the referee is in the way. Aries drops Kendrick on his head with a brainbuster for the win and the title.
Winner and New TNA X Division Champion: Austin Aries
– We go backstage with JB and Bully Ray. Ray says he didn’t think he would have to wrestle twice tonight but when you want something done right, you do it yourself. Ray says tonight isn’t about his tag team success, it’s about one more match that he has to win to get the opportunity to wrestle for the World Title. Ray says he can’t be beat and can’t be stopped. Ray points out Bound For Glory is in Philadelphia and his chances are pretty good against Roode. Ray says he’s coming for Roode’s hurt neck, then he’s going to piss off the wrestling world. Learn to love it because Bully Ray is the next World Heavyweight Champion, he says.
Bound For Glory Series Final Match: Bully Ray vs. Robert Roode
We go to the ring and out comes Bully Ray for the final match in the Bound For Glory Series. The winner of this one will get a World Heavyweight Title shot at Bound For Glory in October. Out next comes Bobby Roode to a nice reaction from the crowd. Roode is favoring his neck as he makes his way to the ring.
Ray meets Roode on the ramp and they come nose to nose. Ray runs his mouth in Roode’s face as Earl Hebner comes between them. Jeremy Borash is in the ring to do formal ring introductions. The bell rings and they come face to face in the middle of the ring. A “pussy Ray” chant breaks out. They have words as the crowd chants. They go to lock up and Ray goes for the ropes to stall, just like earlier. Ray calls for a test of strength but flees to the apron again. Roode tries to attack from behind but Ray drops to the floor as the crowd gives him hell.
Ray grabs a steel chair and sets it in the ring. He takes the hat off a large fan sitting at ringside. The man stands up, Ray sees how big he is and walks off. Ray gets back in the ring and they finally lock up. Roode takes Ray down first with an arm drag. Ray goes right out to the floor to stall some more. Ray comes in and they lock up again. Roode gets the upperhand and Ray shows frustration, going back to the corner. They lock up again as the crowd chants for Roode. Ray backs Roode in the corner and hits a big chop. It doesn’t phase Roode. Roode flips Ray off. Ray takes Roode back to the corner and hits another big chop. Roode comes right back out and slaps him, then shoves him back. Roode comes in with right hands but Ray stops him. Roode drops Ray with a clothesline and Ray goes back out to the floor.
Ray comes back in the ring again as the crowd chants Beer Money. They lock up again and Ray applies a headlock. Ray comes back with a big shoulder block, sending Roode to the mat. More back and forth. Roode applies a crossface. Ray turns it around and goes for a roll up but Roode escapes. Roode hits Ray with a big chop to the chest and right hands in the corner. Ray takes control of the match and beats Roode around for a minute. Ray taunts Roode in the corner and asks him if he’s going to fight. Ray continues hitting Roode with big chops to the chest. Roode gets fired up and tells Ray to bring it. Ray with more chops. Roode fires back with chops of his own now, and then forearm shots. Ray slaps Roode and tells him to fight. They go at it. Roode comes off the top with a blockbuster. Ray turns it around and hits a big sideslam for a 2 count. Ray goes for a Bubba Bomb and connects with it for 2.
They go back and forth and Roode is busted from his nose. Roode hits a big spinebuster and pins Ray for the win.
Winner and New #1 Contender to the World Heavyweight Title: Robert Roode
– After the match, Roode goes to celebrate with the fans as Ray looks on from the ring. Roode is going to Bound For Glory in the main event.
– Taz and Tenay talk about tonight’s main event before sending us backstage to Jeremy Borash. Borash talks about 9/11 and introduces Rosita. Her father was on the 103rd floor of the North Tower on 9/11 and passed away in the attacks. Rosita says it never gets easier because everyday she’s waking up without her dad and an empty space at the dinner table. She talks about how her dad, an amateur wrestler, was an inspiration from the beginning. Rosita talks about becoming a wrestler for her dad. She says every time she goes to the ring, she prays to him and asks him to be with her. Rosita says she is thankful to have her TNA family because it’s been a hard day watching the ceremonies and remembering. She thanks the fans for their e-mails, tweets and everything else.
– We go to a promo video for tonight’s World Heavyweight Title Match.
World Heavyweight Title Match: Sting vs. Mr. Anderson vs. Kurt Angle
Out first for tonight’s main event is Mr. Anderson. Anderson stops on the ramp and asks where all his assholes are at. Sting is out next followed by the TNA World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle. JB is in the ring again for formal introductions.
The bell rings and Angle goes to the floor to stall. He comes back up and here we go. Sting attacks Angle in the corner and Anderson joins in on the beatdown. Anderson whips Angle hard into the corner and clotheslines him. Sting comes right in with a Stinger splash and Angle goes down. Anderson and Sting continue the double team, stomping away. Sting holds Angle while Anderson works him over. Anderson holds Angle now while Sting kicks him in the gut. Sting clotheslines Angle over the top and to the floor. Anderson and Sting look on from the ring as Angle lays on the floor. They turn their attention to each other now and lock up. Anderson with a side headlock and a shoulder block. Sting catches Anderson with a big hip toss and applies a headlock.
Sting works Anderson over in the corner with right hands and whips him across the ring. Anderson turns it around in the corner and drops Sting with right hands. Anderson scoop slams Sting and covers him for a 2 count. Sting whips Anderson but Angle pulls him out of the ring and clotheslines him to the floor. Sting and Angle end up in the ring and Angle attacks. Sting counters and drops Angle with a right. Sting whips Angle hard into the corner and kicks his leg out from under him. Sting with an atomic drop and a 2 count. Sting whips Angle again into the corner and kicks his leg out. Slow paced match so far. Sting hits a suplex and covers for another 2 count. Angle gets up and rakes Sting’s face, then throws him to the floor. Anderson comes from behind and clotheslines Angle. Anderson drops an elbow drop and hits Angle with a forearm. Anderson kicks Angle down in the corner and chokes him with a boot.
Anderson whips Angle so hard into the corner he goes down and Anderson covers for a 2 count. Sting comes back in. Angle rakes Anderson’s eyes but Anderson drops him with a spinning neckbreaker for a 2 count as Sting breaks the pin. Sting takes Anderson to the corner and beats him down now. Anderson turns things around on Sting and kicks him in the face. Sting goes for a German suplex but Angle comes from behind and suplexes them both. Angle goes back to work on Sting now and snap suplexes him for 2. Angle with a chinlock and body scissors. Sting fights out with elbows and drops Angle with clotheslines. Sting hits a big splash in the corner and a DDT. 2 count for Sting on Angle as Anderson breaks the pin. Anderson misses a kick on Sting but comes right back with another kick to the head. 2 count for Anderson as Angle breaks the pin this time. Angle blocks the Mic Check and hits the trio of German suplexes.
Angle goes right to Sting and hits the 3 Germans on him also. 2 count for Angle on Sting. Angle goes right to Anderson for another 2 count. Angle sets Anderson on the top turnbuckle but Anderson fights him off. Angle runs right back up to the top and tosses Anderson down with a suplex. 2 count for Angle. Angle kicks Sting and goes for an Angle Slam. Sting slides out and tosses Angle over the top rope and to the floor. Sting goes for the Scorpion on Anderson and locks it after he struggles. Anderson makes it to the ropes but Sting pulls him back to the center of the ring. Angle comes in and clubs Sting in the back of the head. Angle hits the Angle Slam on Sting and covers for a close 2 count. Angle goes for a suplex on Anderson bt it’s blocked. Angle hits the Angle Slam on Anderson but can only get a 2 count, showing frustration. Angle puts the ankle lock on Sting but he won’t tap. Sting rolls through. Anderson catches Angle in a Mic Check and covers him for a very close 2 count. Anderson goes for the plunge on Sting but Sting counters with the Death Drop. 2 count for Sting. Angle pulls Sting out to the floor and shoves him back into the fan barrier. Hulk Hogan is waiting and sprays something in Sting’s eyes.
Sting comes in the ring but can’t see. Sting grabs the referee for the Death Drop but Angle hits a low blow, causing Sting to drop the referee. Angle gets the win and retains his World Heavyweight Title.
Winner: Kurt Angle
– After the match, Hulk Hogan comes in the ring to celebrate with Angle. Robert Roode vs. Kurt Angle is on for the Bound For Glory main event in October. No Surrender goes off the air with Hogan and Angle leaving the ring together.
The official website of the Air Canada Centre is advertising WWE Hall of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart and multi-time WWE Women’s Champion Trish Stratus for this Tuesday’s SmackDown taping at the venue.
Both Canadian stars are advertised for “special guest appearances.”
WWE announced Friday on SmackDown that former world champion Edge would appear on this week’s show, which emanates from Toronto, Ontario, Canada. According to the Air Canada Centre website, WWE will be paying tribute to the “Rated-R Superstar” with “Edge Appreciation Night.”
Also advertised for the event is a World Heavyweight Match between Randy Orton and Mark Henry. Overseeing the night’s action will be WWE Chief Operating Officer Triple H.
— Last Tuesday’s SmackDown taping in Toledo, Ohio was one of the worst attended WWE events in years as it drew 3,200 fans, with only 1,600 paid.
Following the event’s poor advance, WWE only sold tickets facing the camera so the Huntington Center would appear full on television. SLAM! Wrestling columnist Matt Bishop, who attended the event, described the venue’s appearance: “Tuesday’s tapings of WWE Smackdown, Superstars and NXT wasn’t notable because of what happened in the ring, but rather because of what was happening outside the ringside area. Or more appropriately, what wasn’t happening.
“Toledo’s second WWE show of 2011, this time at Huntington Center, was notable because of the lack of fans inside the facility, with almost all of the camera side tarped off, along with a large part of the upper bowl, including all of the seats in the end zone.”
— Tamina responded to her critics in her first message on Twitter.
“Thanks to my fans but to the haters and losers alike today is a special day in your miserable lives,” she wrote Saturday. “Today The Goddess Tamina has tweeteth.”
WWE Hall of Famer Greg “The Hammer” Valentine no-showing Great North Wrestling’s Randy Savage tribute show on Sept. 3 in Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada has been turned into an angle.
Lanny Poffo, the brother of the late superstar wrestler, posted a video on YouTube challenged the 60-year-old to a mixed martial arts match on December 30 in Gatineau. The wrestler formerly known as The Genius says he will throw cash he received from his recent inheritance to bait Valentine into the fight. He also taunts Valentine by calling him a “mangina” and that he may be left in a body bag.
Valentine posted an explanation Friday on his Facebook account apologizing for no-showing the event and leaving a nasty voice message to Great North Wrestling promoter Devon Nicholson. Valentine says he no-showed the event because he received a phone call on the morning of the show that his mother-in-law had two days left to live, so he flew to Nashville to be by her side—she recovered. Nicholson said between Valentine’s flight from Tampa, hotel, pay and photos he printed up to sell, he was out $2,000. Valentine said he would return Nicholson the money when he arrived in Tampa.
“This was never the issue, so why he had to go off and try to hurt me at a time where we are having a tragedy in our family, I don’t know,” Valentine wrote of Nicholson releasing his angry voice message and saying he no-showed the event after he was paid.
He continues, “What tends to hurt me the most, is that I asked him to please tell the fans that I was sorry and that I was not going to be able to make it to the event. I purposely made sure that he would express that to the fans who came out to see me, and to celebrate the life of Randy Savage. Instead, he tells everyone that I pulled a “No show”. He didn’t give any reason for my absence, just told people I didn’t show up. This is not how I operate. However, when push comes to shove with family, family will always win out.”
— Maryse stated on her official website Saturday night that she has recovered from her abdominal hernia surgery on August 24.
“I met with my surgeon today and she said everything is perfect,” she wrote. “There’s a little bit of fluid inside by the incision and where the repairs were done, but its totally normal apparently. The scar healed really good and there is no infection. So the surgery was a total success. I’m sooooooo happy!!!”
The former WWE Divas Champion last competed on the July 25 episode of Raw. She was advertised to compete in the following week’s No. 1 Contender’s Diva Battle Royal, but bowed out after determining days earlier that she would undergoing surgery.
— Former WWE Diva Torrie Wilson and actor turned SummerSlam headliner Tiny Lister (a/k/a Zeus) have agreed to appear on the first-ever reality series offering from the Reelz cable network, The Z Team.
The series will feature the pair teamed with Lorenzo Lamas and Rudy Reyes as a, “group, led by Lamas, contracted by law enforcement agencies and concerned citizens all across the country to confront real life and death situations on the streets of America. The Z Team, relying on years of experience fighting bad guys on the big screen, in the ring and in real life take on drug dealers, the mob and dirty politicians—no case is too much for them.”
— Rosa Mendes, who has not appeared on WWE programming since SummerSlam, posted her first message on Twitter since August 20 by ranting about fellow SmackDown Diva A.J. The three-year veteran doesn’t feel the Union City native “looks like a WWE Diva.”
She wrote, “But what one thing I don’t miss is looking at rookies that call themselves divas when they can’t get a hold of some proactive to clear their Awful skin up, and start dressing like actual Divas instead of shopping at consignment stores in the kid section. You want to be a Diva? Look like one AJ. You look like a cashier that works at my local grocery store.
“Why you are on the roster boggles my mind!!!!!!!!”
— The official WWE website has ranked Hulk Hogan turning his back on millions of Hulkamaniacs to join Scott Hall and Kevin Nash in forming one of the most infamous groups in history, the New World Order, as No. 1 in their “List This: Legends of the Fall.”
Click here for WWE.com’s recollection of the event.
— Former WWE talent Paul Heyman turns 46 years old today.
WWE Hall of Famer Greg “The Hammer” Valentine offered an explanation on his Facebook page for no-showing Great North Wrestling’s Randy Savage tribute show on Sept. 3 in Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada after the organization paid $2,000 for his services.
Here is my Official Statement on my Canada Booking. I hope this clears things up.
I was booked for the Macho Man Memorial Show in Canada. That’s true. I told the promoter I was coming. That’s true. I received my deposit from the promoter. That’s true. Now let me clear some things up…
A few days before the scheduled booking, my mother-n-law had to go into the hospital for an emergency surgery. I sent my wife, Julie, to Nashville to be by her side. I stayed back in Tampa to continue with my weekend booking schedule. I called the promoter when I saw my flight itinerary. He had me on a 715 flight to Miami from Tampa, then Miami to Chicago, then Chicago to Ottawa, then a couple hour drive to the show, plus going thru customs when I land…which can take an hour for me to get thru.
When I saw this, I called the promoter and left the message that many of you heard. I asked for the remainder of the money if I was going to be jumping on THREE different airplanes to get to this event. And yes, I promised him I would be there. Now what you need to understand is this… My message to him was stern. I was angry. My wife was a bundle of nerves because she is seeing her mother suffer. I was not with her, and I now have a flight schedule that is beyond crazy. Last time I went there I didn’t need to go on THREE planes to get there. So, with all that being said, I was stressed out, and I do apologize to the fans who heard the voice mail that I left. The pressure got the best of me and I used language I shouldn’t have. We all make mistakes.
This is what then unfolded as the reason I did not show up… The promoter sent me the remainder of the money as I asked. I was going to his booking as I promised him…even though I was under a lot of pressure with what has been going on with my mother-n-law (something that the promoter knew about). The morning of the booking came, I was still going. I then got a call from my wife in Nashville that her mom was given 2 days to live. That did it for me. How can I, as a husband, NOT be with my wife and mother-n-law, and the rest of the family? What would you do? If you were a son or daughter of adult age, and had a vacation scheduled, but your Mom or Dad was given two days to live…would you still go away on your vacation, or put things in priority order, and be with your family?
As I write this to you, I am with the family in Nashville, filling my days with my wife and the rest of the family at my mother-n-law’s bedside. It’s been 2 days already and she is still with us, but I attribute that to the many fans and friends who have been praying for her. I have received numerous emails expressing your concern and support in my situation.
If the promoter is angry, and out to try and hurt my reputation, shame on him. I called him and apologized for not being able to come, and TOLD HIM I was not going to make it because of the news we got from the hospital the morning of the show… that her death was expected. I even went as far to tell him that I would return the money he sent…all of it, and I STILL stand by it. When I return to Tampa, I will be heading to my bank and mailing him the money. This was never the issue, so why he had to go off and try to hurt me at a time where we are having a tragedy in our family, I don’t know.
What tends to hurt me the most, is that I asked him to please tell the fans that I was sorry and that i was not going to be able to make it to the event. I purposely made sure that he would express that to the fans who came out to see me, and to celebrate the life of Randy Savage. Instead, he tells everyone that I pulled a “No show”. He didn’t give any reason for my absence, just told people I didn’t show up. This is not how I operate. However, when push comes to shove with family, family will always win out.
That is the truth. This is what happened. Yes, I did not like the flight itinerary, and I did ask him for the balance of my payoff, but that had nothing to do with me not being there. It was getting the news that my mother-n-law was about to die that caused me to decide not to go the day of. As stated earlier, my mother-n-law seems to be doing better, and I thank you all for praying. I believe that is the only reason why. For those that got offended, I do apologize, and I do hope to see you again one day soon. Thank you for your support throughout this time, and for being such dedicated fans and friends.
Sarita has resumed competing without a protective mask after announcing two months ago that she was stricken with facial paralysis.
The TNA Knockout competed sans mask at last Sunday’s Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre event in Guadalajara, Mexico; she appeared the same physically as she did before the health scare.
TNA’s storyline explanation for the Mexican America star suddenly donning a protective mask on the July 14 episode of IMPACT Wrestling was that she had broken her orbital bone and jaw during a parking lot brawl with Miss Tessmacher and Tara.
Meanwhile, “Dr. Lucha” Steve Sims, who has extensively covered lucha libre for several years, and Figure Four Weekly editor Bryan Alvarez, both stated on recent episodes of the Figure Four Daily podcast that they were very skeptical over her claim of facial paralysis since she continued to wrestle in spite of her debilitating condition.
Great North Wrestling President Devon Nicholson issued the following statement regarding WWE Hall of Famer Greg “The Hammer” Valentine no-showing last Saturday’s Randy Savage tribute show in Hawkesbury, Ontario, Canada after the organization paid $2,000 for his services.
“It is one thing to no-show a pro wrestling event. It is another to demand all your money up front, promise you’re going to come and then no show a huge event like the Macho Man Memorial Show,” Nicholson said.
“Greg Valentine cost in the ball park of $2,000 for his payoff, plane ticket, and hotel room. That money all went to waste with him no-showing. Greg Valentine truly showed what scum he is this week. I would highly recommend that no promoter trust or book this man. He better hope he never crosses paths with me again. What he did was a horrible insult to me, Lanny, The Macho Man and most importantly the fans who paid to see him.”
After negotiations for Valentine to appear at the Randy Savage tribute show were finalized, he drunkenly called organization officials three days before the event demanding that he be paid more money (which he received).
Audio of the profanity-laced voice message Valentine left can be accessed here.
— Tickets went on this sale morning for the Survivor Series at Madison Square Garden and instantly sold out.
The pay-per-view event, which will feature an appearance by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, takes place November 20, 2011. It will be the first WWE pay-per-view to take place at the reconfigured venue.
— Beth Phoenix announced on Twitter that former WWE Diva Cherry has launched an account on the micro-blogging website. She can be reached at twitter.com/FmrDivaCherry.
Cherry made first wrestling related appearance in two years at last month’s “A Hot Summer’s Night” event in Essington, Pennsylvania.
— A Raw live event is scheduled for April 20, 2012 in Paris, France as part of WWE’s WrestleMania Revenge tour.
— WWE has released a trailer on the making of Randy Orton: The Evolution of a Predator DVD, which features comments from “The Viper” and John Cena. Cena admits he was not too fond of the “old Randy.”
“I always joke around there’s old Randy and then there’s new Randy,” Cena said. “Old Randy was an asshole.”
Orton explains why he let fans into his world.
“Showing the WWE Universe, you know as much as I did, at first I was a little hesitant,” he says. “But, you know I thought, the WWE Universe, our fans, they have a right to know who I am. And I think the better that they get to know know me, the better they might accept me eventually, for those that don’t.”
— WWE developmental wrestler Naomi is on the road this weekend with the Raw crew. She appeared at last night’s event in Barrie, Ontario as the guest host.
— CM Punk is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Pro Wrestling Illustrated.
Tough Enough contestant Rima Fakih appeared on Monday Night Mayhem, which airs every Monday at 7:00 p.m. via MondayNightMayhem.com. Highlights from the interview are as follows:
How she was approached by the WWE during her reign as Miss USA: “It happened that the Miss Universe pageant was going on, and there was people from the WWE backstage. I’m not sure if they were there for recruitment or something like that. It happened that out of the 95 girls that was competing, I was one of the girls interested in wrestling. I told them how big of a wrestling fan I was, and that made them very happy. They wanted to do something with me. The organization (Miss USA) said ‘We don’t know. Why would you want a beauty queen on your show?’ WWE said that I didn’t seem any other beauty queen. It went from me hosting, to me being on Tough Enough, which I was so excited to be a part of.”
The most important thing she learned from her time on WWE Tough Enough & what she feels was the best part of the experience on the program: “Fearlessness, never to be fearless. Being on ‘Tough Enough’ was one the highlights of my year. The best part of the experience was working with someone as great as Booker T, and Stone Cold’ (Steve Austin), and Trish Stratus. They’re more than just wrestlers. They so amazingly strong, smart, and so supportive. They know you can give more. They will keep after you until you do. Bill DeMott as well, even though he scares the heck out of me.”
Why she has not given up on her dream of being a WWE Diva, what she believes she can give to the company, & her reaction to being referred to as “the next Trish Stratus” by the former seven-time WWE Women’s Champion herself: “I would love to show them what a real Diva could be. Trish Stratus told me I was ‘the next her.’ That would be an honor for to think that I could be ‘the next Trish Stratus,’ and change the game, and make it look like hot girls can be wrestling fans, and wrestle & kick butt. I feel like I want to bring that confidence to women in the ring and outside the ring.”
— WWE announced Friday that former World Heavyweight Champion Edge will appear on next week’s episode of SmackDown, which emanates from Toronto.
WWE.com’s synopsis reads: “For the first time since retiring from WWE, Edge comes home to SmackDown as the special guest Superstar. What does The Rated-R Superstar have in store for the WWE Universe this Friday night?”
— WWE has a Raw live event scheduled for Thursday, December 29 at the Verizon Center in Washington D.C. The on-sale date for tickets has not been announced.
— WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Power Slam.
— TNA Wrestling announced Friday that Kid Kash will face Jesse Sorensen in a #1 Contender’s Match for the X Division Championship this Sunday at No Surrender.
Kash vs. Sorensen is the second X Division Match announced for the pay-per-view event as Brian Kendrick will defend the X Division Championship against Austin Aries.
— The September 8 episode of Impact Wrestling garnered a 1.02 cable rating, down from 1.06 on Sept. 1 and 1.21 on Aug. 25. The program averaged 1,358,000 viewers compared to 1,420,000 the week before.
Recent ratings: August 18 (1.05), August 11 (1.07), August 4 (1.14), July 27 (1.20), July 20 (1.20).
— Madison Rayne has been announced for The Big Event at the Courtyard Marriott 9010 Ditmars Blvd. East Elmhurst, New York on November 11 – 12. Visit www.tmartpromotions.com for more information.
SHIMMER Champion Madison Eagles has earned the number one position in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s fourth annual “PWI Female 50” list, which ranks the top 50 women’s wrestlers in North America from July 1, 2010 through June 30, 2011. She succeeds Michelle McCool, who ranked No. 1 in last year’s list.
Pro Wrestling Illustrated attributes their decision to ranking Eagles as the top women’s wrestler in North America with the following: “This year’s list was unlike any other in the four-year history of the “Female 50.” For one thing, there was no obvious frontrunner in either WWE or TNA. Last year’s number one, Michelle McCool, retired after a few lackluster months. The WWE Divas title dropped in prominence and was held for a significant amount of time by Brie Bella who, while improved, doesn’t exactly conjure thoughts of Sensational Sherri or Trish Stratus.”
Mickie James and Madison Rayne were also considered for the top spot, but for a variety of reasons, were ultimately deemed not worthy.
“So we made a bold decision. We looked to the indies. Two possible candidates were SHIMMER champion Madison Eagles and WSU champion Mercedes Martinez. It was a difficult choice to make,” the magazine explains. “Fortunately for us, Martinez and Eagles faced off in March for Eagles’ SHIMMER title. Eagles managed to win a terrific match, which proved to be the deciding factor in our decision.”
PWI also explains how the “Female 50” was determined: “To determine this list, we evaluated each woman’s innate wrestling ability, accomplishments during the past year, physical strength and conditioning, quality of opposition, charisma, and title success.”
Some women’s wrestlers contracted to WWE and TNA, such as Nikki Bella, Rosa Mendes, Tamina and Brooke Tessmacher, were left off the “Female 50” because PWI felt they did not earn a spot over some of the independent talent listed. The magazine explains, “While being on WWE’s or TNA’s global platform helps your chances, it doesn’t mean you get a free passage onto the “Female 50.”
1. Madison Eagles
2. Mercedes Martinez
3. Mickie James
4. Natalya
5. Madison Rayne
6. Cheerleader Melissa
7. Beth Phoenix
8. Tara
9. MsChif
10. Sara Del Rey
11. Eve Torres
12. Angelina Love
13. Layla
14. Sarita
15. Kelly Kelly
16. Serena Deeb
17. Velvet Sky
18. Ayako Hamada
19. LuFisto
20. Winter
21. Brie Bella
22. Angel Orsini
23. Melina
24. Daizee Haze
25. Nikki Roxx
26. Gail Kim
27. Jazz
28. Maryse
29. Christina Von Eerie
30. Portia Perez
31. Rosita
32. ODB
33. Nicole Matthews
34. Rachel Summerlyn
35. Jessicka Havok
36. Brittany Force
37. Kellie Skater
38. Tina San Antonio
39. Melanie Cruise
40. Cherry Bomb
41. Sassy Stephie
42. Tasha Simone
43. Alicia Fox
44. Amber O’Neal
45. Allison Danger
46. Kacee Carlisle
47. Brittany Savage
48. A.J.
49. Melissa Coates
50. Jessica James
Check out this promo video for WWE’s upcoming Survivor Series pay-per-view on 11/20 from Madison Square Garden.
As we’ve been reporting, local ads in New York are promoting that The Rock will be “returning to action” at Survivor Series. For the latest on whether this means he’ll actually be wrestling, check out:
Direct Auto Insurance presents No Surrender live tonight on pay-per-view and online at TNAOnDemand.com from Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida.
Eight matches are scheduled for the event including two Bound for Glory Series matches. The winner of the series will face the World Heavyweight Champion next month at Bound for Glory.
TNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Mr. Anderson vs. Kurt Angle (c) vs. Sting
BOUND FOR GLORY SERIES MATCH
Bully Ray vs. James Storm of Beer Money
BOUND FOR GLORY SERIES MATCH
Bobby Roode vs. Gunner
TNA TAG TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Mexican America vs. (c) “The Pope” D’Angelo Dinero & Devon
TNA X DIVISION CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Brian Kendrick (c) vs. Austin Aries
TNA KNOCKOUTS CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH
Winter vs. (c) Mickie James
TNA X DIVISION #1 CONTENDER’S MATCH
Kid Kash vs. Jesse Sorensen
— TNA Women’s Knockout Champion Mickie James was asked on her official website if she would ever return to WWE.
“This is a tough question that I often get asked and usually avoid answering. I can’t say that I never will or would go back to the WWE.” James said.
“I honestly never intended on leaving until I retired. However we don’t choose our destiny. We just live it. I am very happy at TNA and am enjoying my time here for as long as it lasts. I’ve had a lot of opportunities to grow inside and out as a performer, artist, and a woman. One really never knows what tomorrow holds. That’s why you make the most of every moment. Good, bad, or indifferent, and own it like only you can.”
She also gave her thoughts on the WWE Hall of Fame, writing: “To be inducted in to the Hall of Fame is a huge honor for any one person in this industry. It not only gives you credibility as the mark you made in the pages of history to the fans, but notoriety for the path you paved for everyone who followed in your footsteps.”
— Madison Rayne indicated on her Twitter account that her husband, who serves for the United States military, was recently sent overseas. The multi-time TNA Women’s Champion tied the knot last February and changed her name to Ashley Cabot.
Q: I was wondering if a new version of the Nation of Domination would work today with [Mark] Henry, Zeke and R-Truth? I see a lot of potential in this stable. It could push Truth to main event caliber as leader of that stable. Also, what is Christian’s future after his defeats in his feud against Orton? I can’t help but think he’ll be used to push other wrestlers and stop being in the spotlight after a while. – Shaneel from Mauritius
A: R-Truth already headlined one pay-per-view earlier this year and was promptly ushered back down to the mid-card. It’s not a bad place for him to be considering he’s getting TV time each week and has a gimmick the fans react to, but I don’t see how leading a faction of “angry black dudes” is going to make him into a career main eventer. Besides, we don’t need to see a revival of the Nation of Domination, just like we don’t need to see another version of DX or the nWo. As for Christian, his future is precisely what you mentioned, helping to put other wrestlers over after fighting for the championship for five straight months. Nothing wrong with that. In fact, he proved he can be quite an asset in that role back when he was a babyface in ECW.
Q: I was watching the OMG! The Top 50 Incidents in WWE History DVD and there was the huge ring collapsing incident with Big Show and Brock Lesnar. I was wondering if it was scripted or the ring just gave out because the reaction from the crowd and Taz & Michael Cole made it look so real? – Hesham from Egypt
A: That means they did their job very well. It was all planned in advance and is one of the most impressive stunts they’ve ever pulled off. There was someone at the controls behind the scenes ready to activate the ring collapse as soon as both men crashed to the mat. Taz screaming “Holy S**t!” in response only made it feel that much more realistic.
Q: The recent story I read concerning WWE having to buy the (expensive) rights to “Cult of Personality” by Living Colour reminded me of a question I’ve pondered for a long time now. How was Paul Heyman allowed to use all the licensed music he used for his ECW wrestlers’ ring entrances? I assume he did not pay the record companies. Why wasn’t he sued? – Sean
A: The simple answer is, he wasn’t allowed but he did it anyway. ECW was such a small entity, Heyman either figured nobody would know or care enough to do anything about it. He got away with a lot of stuff like that. I believe they did eventually have video distribution for their PPV events (I could be wrong about this), but even if they did, it was on such a small scale compared to a company like WWF at the time that they simply slipped under the radar, whereas Vince McMahon wouldn’t be able to use “Enter Sandman” on his shows and then turn around and sell DVD’s of those same events for $30 without having to pay astronomical royalty fees.
Q: Do you feel like CM Punk has the biggest hand in young stars like Evan Bourne, Tyler Reks and Zack Ryder being pushed, even if it is just a mini push? Or do you feel like HHH had the idea for new talents to be pushed better. – Anonymous
A: Let’s not get carried away here. Tyler Reks was on camera backstage for all of 20 seconds on Monday night, and I don’t even remember him being referred to by name. I’d hardly call that a push. But yes, Punk did go to Vince McMahon behind the scenes and voiced his support for Zack Ryder. Does he deserve the credit for Ryder’s increased TV time? Who’s to really say, but I’d argue that Ryder should get most of that credit because without starting his YouTube show (which garners more views than many videos on WWE.com) and putting in the extra effort to get himself noticed, he wouldn’t be getting any sort of push at all.
Q: With this whole brand splitting going on, does that mean Smackdown will be live for now on or back to Friday Nights and taped? I really like the whole idea of it being live and on Tuesdays, you seem to get a lot more people to tune in. – Coty
A: Smackdown is still a taped show on Friday nights for the time being. If they schedule another live special on a Tuesday and it performs well, that may convince SyFy to make a move, but as of right now, they only did it that one time to avoid running on the Labor Day holiday. It’s true that airing on Tuesdays would be significantly better for getting more eyeballs as Friday is one of the worst nights of the week for TV, but the show being live has VERY little to do with the overall rating. I’ve had this argument with people before and talked about this on the Sound Off, but people put way too much emphasis on live vs. taped. Yes, some people will read spoilers and avoid watching certain shows, but there’s no real evidence to suggest that taped shows perform consistently worse than live ones.
Q: What are the salaries of some of the main eventers such as John Cena and CM Punk? What are salaries of some mid-carders? – CJ S.
A: There are salary figures posted online if you search for them, but as far as I know, they are not accurate. WWE does not provide information about salaries for specific performers. However, it’s a safe bet that John Cena and Randy Orton, for example, each have a base salary in the high six-figure range and make significantly more than that based on their percentage of PPV revenue and merchandise. Depending on your definition of who is or isn’t a mid-card talent, they can make anywhere from the low to mid-six figures, but something like being in WWE’s annual video game will bring them a lot more money in royalties. In short, it’s not as easy or as glamorous a life as some may think it is, but it’s not bad work to get if you can find it.
Q: Why has the WWE gone away from “themed” PPV’s? I dare you to find one fan that wouldn’t want to see a Survivor Series booked exclusively with “teams vs teams”. In fact, I say bring back the In Your House’s too. I could use a free place to live. – Seth from Parts Unknown
A: Count me as that one fan you claim does not exist. In fact, I could probably find you 10 more people who would not want to see Survivor Series booked exclusively with team matches. It was a concept that worked many years ago, but it’s no longer unique. We see multiple man matches on TV every single week these days. In fact, we just had a 4-on-4 elimination match last Monday night! In my opinion, WWE has gone to the extreme with these “themed” PPV’s and needs to shave a few off because they’re killing those gimmicks. Take “Hell in a Cell” for example. The whole point of the match is to serve as the climax to a feud between two men, and it should be used sparingly so that when you do use it, it feels special. Instead, we now have an annual show that features at least TWO cell matches on the same night! What’s worse is that WWE doesn’t even have any feuds right now going long enough that would warrant having a cell match. You could have done it with Orton and Christian, but they seem to have moved away from that (and rightfully so). The first year they had HIAC as a PPV, it did 283,000 buys. Last year the show did 210,000 buys. This year, I expect that number to drop even lower. Now you’ve killed the concept.
Q: Have there been any Casket or Buried Alive matches that did not involve Undertaker or Kane in any way? Do you think we will ever see these types of matches after Undertaker and Kane retire? – John from Chicago
A: There have not been, and once both men are gone for good, I doubt there will ever be a reason to resurrect them. Besides, WWE does its fair share of “buried alive” matches each year anyway, usually involving John Cena.
Keep those questions coming to [email protected] and remember to include your name!
— A Florida judge refused Nick Bollea’s request today for an early release from his five-year probation sentence for reckless driving, according to the St. Petersburg Times. He did, however, say he probably would grant the request less than a year from now.
Bollea, son of Hulk Hogan, is serving probation after pleading no contest to reckless driving with serious bodily injury stemming from his automobile crash on August 26, 2007 that severely injured Nick Graziano. Bollea will not be registered as convicted felon if he successfully completes all the terms of his sentence.
— Former TNA Wrestling talent Shannon Spruill (a/k/a Daffney) is scheduled for a disposition hearing next Wednesday as a result of her July 19, 2011 arrest in Hillsborough County, Florida for driving under the influence with property damage.
Spruill’s breath test was more than twice the legal limit of alcohol in her system. The test showed a blood-alcohol concentration of 0.187 percent, above the state legal limit of 0.08 percent. Michael Manna (a/k/a Stevie Richards) posted $500 bond. Court records listed property damage estimated at $4,500.
In a new interview with Chris Yandek of CYInterview.com, Triple H responds to his wrestling critics who believe he has received preferential treatment and greater opportunities on WWE TV, because he is married to Vince McMahon’s daughter, Stephanie. There have been claims that he held wrestlers down, keeping them from achieving more success in the WWE and receiving more opportunities to shine on the company’s television programs. Now working in creative and behind the scenes, he responds to the question if believes working in talent development is his chance to show he wants to see other guys get over.
“I know what I accomplished in this business. I know why I accomplished it. I don’t. Critics and what people say about this or that or my marriage [to Stephanie McMahon] or any of that stuff is crap. It’s mostly started by people that are either jealous or angry that they failed where other people succeeded. I mean, that’s a common, I was told it when I started in the business.
It’s a common saying in this business, you can make friends or you can make money. You can have buddies or you can get over. Which one do you want? You know, and they don’t come together. And I think, I don’t, I never look at it that way. I don’t have anything to prove to anybody. I’ll put my body of work up against anybody in the business. I’ll put my drawing power up against anybody in the business. That’s irrelevant. It’s people’s opinions”
Triple H follows up by stating what he believes the WWE Product lacks today with the newer wrestlers in the company. He explains what these guys need to be successful.
“We’re a victim of our own success. There’s no place for guys to go and figure out how to do this. We have to teach them kind of and get them up to speed to speak. Even when you get guys off the independent scene, they are very much independent wrestlers and then the independent scene will, so these guys are the greatest guys in the world and you bring them up and they flounder on the big stage. They can’t. They can’t. It’s a completely different animal and a completely different world and you have to, it’s relearning and re-teaching. That’s the biggest, I think, struggle we have is getting these guys there.
But listen, at the end of the day, you just have to find guys with the right charisma and they have to be the ones to put that charisma out there. Nobody told The Rock how to be The Rock…Work rate is important, guy’s skill in the ring is important, but at the end of the day it’s about charisma. It’s the ability to draw fans to arenas and the guy that draws the most fans to the arena for whatever reason, positive or negative, he’s the top guy.”
He does believe the WWE product could be bigger than the 7.0 ratings that were put up during the WWE Attitude Era:
“Do I think it can ever get that big again? History can repeat. I say without a doubt. I think it can be even bigger…What tomorrow brings, no one knows.”
Finally, Hunter talks about winning the majority of vintage wrestling auctions from his mentor “Killer” Kowalski. He says they are working on a real WWE Hall of Fame for people to see all the historic wrestling items.
“I think I was gone on the road for SummerSlam, but I had somebody at the office bid online and I got I think like 99 percent of everything wrestling-wise, which I’m glad I did. I just didn’t want that to go to somebody that just hid it away somewhere. I wanted the world to be able to see how great he really was. And do I think they’ll ever be a hall of fame? Yes. I think they’ll be a physical hall of fame. That’s something we’re working on. It’s definitely in the works. It’s just a matter of when, where. Is it a traveling hall of fame? Is it a permanent place? There’s a lot of questions and thoughts on it and we’re in the process of collecting things to put in there. But the Kowalski stuff for me was as much a legend in this business was also a very personal thing for me.”
You can read a write up and listen to the entire interview at CYInterview.com.
