Home Blog Page 3054

Rollins & Ambrose Getting Called Up, Miz-conan, Windham

68

– The Miz is scheduled to appear on Thursday night’s edition of Conan O’Brien’s late night TBS talk show to promote the upcoming “Tribute To The Troops” special. The Conan website previews The Mizs’ appearance:

“The last time WWE Superstar The Miz came by, he gave Conan the nickname ‘The Ginja Ninja.’ We have a feeling our nickname would be “The Delicate Hypochondriac.” Which is not intimidating at ALL. Check out the actually-intimidating Miz in action on the WWE Tribute to the Troops special.”

– To update the health status of Barry Windham, he’s said to be doing much better – but still has a long way to go before he gets back to 100%. Windham suffered a heart attack last month.

– Maria Menounos, host of the celebrity news show “Extra,” tweeted the following about her her training for her celebrity bout at the WWE Tribute to the Troops taping next week in North Carolina:

“Started training for WWE Thursday p.m. and a.m. So bruised and beaten up. Trained in an outdoor ring during our mini L.A. hurricane…Gotta work really hard if I’m going up against Beth Phoenix and the gang. Nervous…ok terrified…can’t turn back now, can I?… I went through the basics the other night – hip toss, arm drag. etc. Will learn more this week!”

 – Two of the top talents at WWE developmental are set to be evaluated by WWE producers, as FCW standouts Dean Ambrose (Jon Moxley) and Seth Rollins (Tyler Black) will be appearing at live WWE events later this month.

Check out this match between Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins from the September 18th episode of FCW television – an FCW 15 Championship Match with a 30 minutes time limit.

(Partial source: pwinsider.com)

Dixie Carter Interview: Next Trend In Wrestling, TNA vs. WWE

37

TNA President Dixie Carter was recently interviewed by Tennessean.com and had this to say about the following topics:

How TNA has changed with the times: “We’re not just a wrestling company anymore. We do our own booking. We do our own promotion and public relations. We’re a licensing company. We have toys, Halloween costumes, trading cards. We make our own music. All of those things are sold and promoted around the world. But we still do more than 500 hours of television a year.”

How TNA Keeps Up With WWE: “I don’t care who you are, competition makes you better. There’s a reason there’s a Lowe’s across the street from every Home Depot and a CVS across the street from every Walgreens. I think we’ve made WWE better, just as they’ve improved us.”

TNA’s Ongoing Challenges: “When a company first starts out, you have to do whatever you can to get into the business. Then, once you’re established, you spend a lot of time getting out of all the bad contracts that got you into the business. Deals with companies, bad partnerships or licensing deals. We’re still working through some of those now that we’ve found our footing.”

The Next Trend in Wrestling: “Maybe pulling back the curtain a little more. People now are so reality driven. The way we view wrestling in the coming years might respond to some of that. Fans will be able to see a little bit more than they’re used to. They’ll be able to see more of the wrestlers’ unscripted emotions and drama.”

To read the full article, head over to Tennessean.com.

RAW Supershow Preview: TLC Hype, Cena Wants The Title

26

Tonight’s WWE RAW Supershow takes place from Tampa, Florida at the St. Petersburg Times Forum.

Triple H was previously advertised for tonight’s RAW, but his name was pulled from the arena website – so take that for what it is.

No matches have been announced for the show as of Monday morning, however we reported earlier today that John Cena is vowing to recapture the WWE championship tonight.

WWE’s upcoming Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view is less than 2 weeks away – and we’ve yet to hear anything about the event on WWE television thus far – maybe, just maybe, they’ll start promoting that show tonight.

Smackdown talent advertised for RAW includes Randy Orton, Mark Henry, Big Show, Cody Rhodes, Christian, Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, and Hunico.

The advertised dark matches for tonight’s Raw show are C.M. Punk vs. John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio in a Triple Threat match for the WWE Championship, and a 41-man battle royal featuring wrestlers from both brands.

Major Update On The WWE Network (Launch Date & Much More)

61
WWE Network

The Sports Business Daily Journal published an article on Monday that includes many new details on the upcoming WWE Network, including a firm launch date, the scope of the channel’s distribution at launch lots more. Here are some highlights of what we now know:

– WWE is looking to launch the Network on April 1st, 2012 – the day of the company’s biggest pay-per-view of the year, WrestleMania XXVIII.

– WWE executives have told cable and satellite operators that it is expecting to reach 40 million homes at launch – a huge number for an upstart network.

– Comcast executives are representing WWE in its negotiations to get picked up by the nations other top providers, including Time Warner Cable, Cox and Bright House Networks.

– WWE also expanded its programming search beyond wrestling, which their sources indicated could include some professional team sports.

– WWE has leased space in South Norwalk, Connecticut (close to the company’s headquarters in Stanford) dedicated to the Network.  WWE has not yet named a President of the WWE Network, although it’s said they are looking for somebody with reality-show experience. WWE has retained Sucherman Consulting Group to hire 200 employees to staff the network.

– WWE’s Chief Marketing Officer, Michelle Wilson is overseeing the launch of the Network.

– The article states that “most, if not all” of WWE’s annual 13 pay-per-view events would migrate to the WWE Network. Early surveys by WWE indicated that the “Big 4” traditional shows (WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Survivor Series & the Royal Rumble) would air exclusively on the Network. Later, another survey indicated WWE had changed their mind on that plan and would have the “Big 4” remain on pay-per-view – with the other “off-brand” shows airing on the Network.

For much more on the upcoming WWE Network, check out our WWE Network News Page and SportsBusinessDaily.com.

Ticket Info For Elimination Chamber, Harry Smith On Twitter

10

— Tickets for the WWE’s third annual Elimination Chamber pay-per-view event go on sale Saturday, December 17, 2011 at 10:00 a.m. via Ticketmaster. Prices are set $20, $40, $70, $90 and $250.

Elimination Chamber takes place February 19, 2012 at the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

— Former WWE talent Harry Smith (a/k/a David Hart Smith) has changed his Twitter handle to @Brakuss. He is also referring to himself as “Brakuss” on the account.

— Click here for photos of former WWE Diva turned MoreHorror correspondent Shelly Martinez at Dark Delicacies in Burbank, California. She also attended yesterday’s NWA Hollywood event and tweeted “I freakin love wrestling!!”

— Konnan and Raven have been added to WrestleReunion, which takes place January 27-29, 2012 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport 5400 West Century Blvd. Los Angeles, California.

Hot New Pictures Of Rosa Mendes At The Gym

26

WWE diva Rosa Mendes tweeted these new pictures of herself at the gym:

J.R. Not Interested In Seeing Benoit Film, Masters On Facebook

22

— Jim Ross says he has no interest in seeing the final days of Chris Benoit re-told in a new big screen ‘biographical thriller’, entitled Crossface. When asked for comment on the upcoming movie, he tweeted:

“No thoughts…no interest…too sad.”

When further pressed about the issue, Ross wrote:

“I was asked my opinion re: potential Beniot movie. I gave my opinion, did ‘man’ up. Have no interest reliving the tragedy. I lost 3 friends.”

As we reported over the weekend, SRG Films announced Saturday formal plans to produce a film based on the life of the deceased former wrestler, which will be adapted from Matthew Randazzo’s book Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit and the Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry. Production is tentatively scheduled to begin next fall.

— Former WWE star Chris Masters is now on Facebook. He tweeted,

“Be sure to check out my FB page. Lots of updates! Christopher Mordetzky.”

John Cena Says It’s Time To Get The WWE Title Back

55

John Cena says it’s time for him to get the WWE title back – and he plans to do so tonight on RAW.

WWE has not yet announced a WWE championship match for RAW – but Cena tweeted the following on Monday morning:

“Raw tonight. Going to bench now..then to st Pete times forum. Time to get wwe championship back.”

Based on what we’ve heard from reliable WWE sources, CM Punk’s next opponents are scheduled to be The Miz and Alberto Del Rio – with John Cena shifting gears to his feud with The Rock.

The dark match main event for tonight’s RAW will see WWE Champion CM Punk vs. John Cena vs. Alberto Del Rio.

Former WWE Diva Backstage At Raw, Dusty Rhodes Joins Twitter

14

— Former WWE Diva Cherry stated on Twitter that she will be on hand for today’s Raw SuperShow in Tampa, Florida. She wrote:

“Raw in Tampa this Monday! So excited to see all my friends again! Although I still see them all the time anyway! I smell a party!”

Cherry also revealed that she met with Beth Phoenix yesterday.

We haven’t heard anything about Cherry returning to WWE, but we’ll post an update on this if it becomes available.

— WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes is on Twitter @DustyWWE. The account has been confirmed by his son, Goldust.

— Former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis appears at Terryville Middle School, 21 North Main Street, Terryville, Connecticut this Friday from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. for an autograph signing. Mick Foley, Tommy Dreamer, Luke Robinson and Robbie E will also be on hand for the event.

Triple H High On FCW Talent, Lilian Garcia Releasing Music Video

30
Damien Sandow

— Damien Sandow, a top prospect at Florida Championship Wrestling, competed on this weekend’s SmackDown live event tour in matches against Tyson Kidd. Triple H is reportedly high on Sandow, who was signed last year after competing in Puerto Rico.

— Former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia announced on Twitter that she will be releasing the trailer of her new music video, U Drive Me Loca, tomorrow at noon via LilianGarcia.com.

— On this week’s episode of WWE Vintage Collection, today’s WWE Superstars and Divas weigh in with their inspirations from the past. Matches include Lex Luger vs. Sting (WCW Starrcade 1999), British Bulldog vs. Haku (WWF Prime Time Wrestling – May 7, 1991), Rey Mysterio vs. Tajiri (WWE SmackDown! – January 1, 2004), “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase vs Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake (September 12, 1987).

Video: Tyler Reks Debuts New Show “Midcard Mafia”

19

Pilot Episode of MidCard Mafia created by the leader of The Rekking Crew.

Copyright: Gabe Tuft Enterprises, LLC

New Vickie Guerrero Bikini Picture Released

57

Vickie Guerrero has tweeted another bikini picture from a recent photo shoot.

Here’s the full batch of Vickie Guerrero bikini pictures from the past few months – in case you’re into that sort of thing.

 

Nash Says He’s Packing His Gear For Raw, Kelly Launches Site

53

— Kevin Nash stated this evening on Twitter that he’s packing his wrestling gear for tomorrow night’s Raw SuperShow in Tampa, Florida.

He wrote, “Made up my mind, packing my wresteling gear. Someones getting a beat down in Tampa tomorrow night on Raw.”

As of Saturday, both Nash and Triple H were scheduled for the event. The official website for the St. Pete Times Forum removed Triple H from advertising today after he had been scheduled for the show.

— Kelly Kelly has launched her official website, www.barbarablank.com.

— RF Video announced The Honky Tonk Man as a vendor guest at WrestleReunion in Los Angeles, California. The event takes place January 28.

source: F4WOnline.com

Masters Working With TNA’s India Project, Preview For Impact

9

— Former WWE star Chris Masters stated Friday during an interview with the Pro Wrestling Torch that he will be among the troupe of wrestlers traveling to India to tape the first footage for TNA Wrestling’s planned debut on the television network Colors. The wrestlers have been booked for seven days, including travel days, the week of December 15.

A mixture of recognizable faces and independent wrestlers are scheduled for the project. The project will not utilize the TNA logo or name.

— TNA Wrestling has released the following video previewing Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling.

Impact Wrestling drew it’s best ratings on Challenge for the week of November 14-20 with a combined 454,000 viewers watching three airings of the show.

Former WWE Diva Maria Takes Another Shot At The Bella Twins

22

During AfterBuzzTV.com’s post-show for Monday’s Raw SuperShow, former WWE Diva Maria Kanellis took a Triple H-like swipe at former colleagues Nikki and Brie Bella.

Former WWE creative writer Jensen Karp recalled producing a backstage segment involving the word “labiagytis” (on the May 1, 2006 Raw, Candice Michelle asked Vince McMahon in he could cure her labiagytis after he had cured her chest cold). While the program hosts segued to discussion over the Divas tag team match on Raw, Kanellis quipped, “Speaking of labiagytis, The Bellas…”

Kanellis then joked that she was merely kidding, but that she “couldn’t help it.”

This is not Kanellis’ first swipe towards the twin duo on the talk program as she implied on October 10, 2011 that they once shared a hot tub with John Laurinaitis, referring them as “two Divas who look alike.” She took another veiled shot at the Bellas’ promiscuity the following week, which featured Nikki and Brie flirting with WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent Relations in a backstage segment.

While segueing, Kanellis said, “And the Bella Twins were in the back with Johnny, moving on…”

Footage of Kanellis’ latest remark is available here.

Sound Off 193: Looking At Steve Austin’s New “Bottom Line” DVD

30
solomonster
Solomonster Sounds Off

DOWNLOAD THE PODCAST HERE:
Solomonster Sounds Off (Episode 193)

*right-click, “Save As”, or stream it!

Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 30 minutes

This week, Solomonster reviews Steve Austin’s new DVD, THE BOTTOM LINE, including where the documentary ranks among WWE’s best and what was annoying about it. Plus, a full rundown of Monday’s good Raw show, an enjoyable live Smackdown with a great main event, Hulk Hogan’s dumb Twitter remark, a Beyond The Mat star fights cancer and THE MAILBAG with a defense of Sin Cara. Download it!

Want your question on the air? Send feedback to [email protected].

Wanna subscribe to the Sound Off via iTunes? CLICK HERE!

Visit The Solomonster on Twitter @ twitter.com/solomonster

Friend The Solomonster on Facebook @ facebook.com/thesolomonster

Creative Commons License
Solomonster Sounds Off by The Solomonster is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License.

Update On Kamala After Amputation, FCW Traveling With WWE

12

— Paul Bearer released the following statement on Facebook regarding Kamala after the wrestling legend had his foot amputated last month.

“Just spoke with my longtime friend Kamala [James Harris]. I managed him in 1978 when he first started. He seems to be hanging in there after his foot amputation, due to high blood pressure, not diabetes as reported. Please keep him in your prayers.”

— Several top developmental performers in Florida Championship Wrestling will receive tryouts at WWE live events over the next few weeks. Damien Sandow competed at Friday and Saturday’s SmackDown live events, losing to Tyson Kidd.

— Shelly Martinez will be hosting a live game show next week at Tranzit Nite Club in Hollywood, California. Details are available here.

source: PWInsider.com

Sarita Sidelined Following Scary Fall, Buck Takes Shot At TNA

10

— Sarita suffered bruised ribs after taking a scary fall during a two out of three falls tag team match at Arena Mexico on November 22, 2011. She will be unable to compete for a few weeks as a result of the injury.

Sarita, who appears as Dark Angel for Consejo Mundial de Lucha Libre, slipped on the top rope while attempting to dive and fell flat on her face onto the wooden floor. She was placed on a stretcher while the match continued and immediately hospitalized. The TNA Knockout has not competed since the incident.

— Former TNA Wrestling talent Nick Massie (a/k/a Jeremy Buck) knocked his former employer online while watching last week’s episode of Impact Wrestling.

He wrote on Facebook, “I watched TNA last night…. I guess God only knows why and wow. The tag division consist of only 3 teams now or what? We got out at the right time for sure.”

Nick and brother Matt (a/k/a Max Buck) parted ways with TNA Wrestling in July after requesting their release. The brother duo revealed in subsequent interviews that the request stemmed from monetary issues, while also venting their frustrations with TNA’s booking.

Jay Lethal Takes Shot At TNA Via Twitter, Jeff Jarrett Responds

40

Former TNA Wrestling star Jay Lethal slighted his former employer’s visibility Saturday via Twitter, saying that more people recognize him from his appearances on Family Feud than his lengthy run with the wrestling organization.

The six-time X Division Champion wrote, “Today just Proved that more people recognize me from Family Feud, than my 6+ year run in TNA.”

Bob Ryder, TNA Wrestling’s Director of Talent Bookings and Travel, shot back, “Maybe so….but it was a TNA themed week on Feud, so…….. :)”

Jeff Jarrett then added his thoughts on the matter.

“Exactly!” he wrote regarding Ryder’s tweet. “Moronic would be an understatement..”

Former Miss USA Rima Fakih Arrested For DUI

23
Miss USA Rima Fakih

Tough Enough contestant and former Miss USA Rima Fakih was arrested Saturday morning in Highland Park, Michigan on suspicion of drunk driving.

WXYZ.com reports Fakih took a breathalyzer and blew a 0.20, more than twice the state’s legal limit. She spent most of Saturday in jail.

Fakih has reportedly been in touch with Triple H in recent months discussing a potential return to WWE in 2012. This probably won’t help her chances of getting re-signed.

Fakih originally tried to deny that she was arrested by stating on Facebook and Twitter that it was actually someone else with the same last name. The posts were removed late Saturday and her attorney, Donald Elder, confirmed the arrest.

Elder told the Detroit Free Press Fakih was “very saddened and very apologetic for the situation that she is in right now.”

Evan Bourne Returns To The Ring, Raw After WrestleMania

22

— Evan Bourne returned to action at Saturday’s Raw live event in Sunrise, Florida, losing to Dolph Ziggler.

Bourne’s thirty-day suspension for his first violation of WWE’s Talent Wellness Program expired Wednesday.

— In the latest edition of Fun Time Radio, Shelly Martinez discusses her relationship with a former WWE talent she dated during her time in Ohio Valley Wrestling and ECW. The show is available here. Amber O’Neal appears as a guest on the show.

— WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts announced at Saturday’s Raw live event in Sunrise, Florida that tickets for the April 2, 2012 Raw SuperShow at the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida go sale next Saturday via Ticketmaster. A pre-sale takes place Wednesday.

— Former WWE star Super Crazy turns 38 years old Saturday. He now competes for various promotions in Mexico.

Skip Sheffield Returns To Action, Triple H Advertised For Raw

41

— Skip Sheffield competed in his first match in over a year at Saturday’s Raw live event in Sunrise, Florida, defeating Alex Riley.

The former Nexus member had been sidelined since breaking his leg and ankle on August 18, 2010 at a Raw live event in Honolulu, Hawaii. He underwent a third surgical procedure in June and vowed that it would be his last.

— The official website of the St. Pete Times Forum is advertising Triple H for Monday’s Raw SuperShow.

– The Miz is advertised for Conan on Thursday. The program airs at 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m. on TBS.

source: PWInsider.com

WWE Launching YouTube Channel, FCW Star Works SD Show

11

— WWE has announced that on February 1, 2012, they will be introducing a new WWE YouTube channel featuring “exclusive, one of a kind videos from your favorite WWE Superstars and Divas.”

— Damien Sandow, who currently reigns as FCW 15 Champion, competed at Friday’s SmackDown live event in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He lost to Tyson Kidd via roll up.

Sandow previously competed as Idol Stevens in 2006 for SmackDown.

— Booker T defeated Cody Rhodes via disqualification at Friday’s SmackDown live event in Chattanooga, Tennessee. After the match, Hornswoggle came out to do a Spin-a-roonie with Booker.

source: PWInsider.com

Mick Foley On Whether He Has One More Match Left In Him

15

Arda Ocal (@arda_ocal) of The Score Television Network and #AftermathBlog had a chance to sit down and interview the hardcore legend and three-time WWE Champion, Mick Foley. Highlights:

His new career as a stand up comedian, and is his aspiration that it turns into something more, or were these tours it all along: “I’ll tell you were I didn’t want to lead, its me sitting on my couch 10 years from now saying I could have done that comedy if I just give it a try. I’ve done it a little bit a few years ago, but I got a little disheartened. I realized it would take alot of work, much more work I’d be willing to put in to really become good. I don’t know where it’s suppose to lead anywhere besides me to be able to speak about things that seem fun to me.”

On his latest book “Countdown To Lockdown” being plugged by WWE, and whether that started the train of thought of him wanting to return to the WWE: “I got a 203 area code phone call. It was WWE asking me if I mind if they mention my book on the air, and the other question was if you would like to do an interview with Joey Styles, and I was like yeah. So Joey called me up, and Ive known Joey for ages, and we have always gotten along very well, and he was like is this for real? Like, they have never done this to anybody, and what it did was it just instantly erased all the little grudges that I thought I had.”

Foley addresses the possibility of having “one more match” left in him, how his son has been asking him about it, and how he is physically capable of having a “decent” match (perhaps not an epic encounter), but he would need lead time to physically prepare. He also said that he likely doesn’t have one more book left in him, but he (jokingly) has the desire to be the leader in writer forewords for books.

Part two of Arda’s interview with Mick Foley will be released on Tuesday.

Movie On Chris Benoit Double Murder and Suicide Announced

147

The final days of Chris Benoit will be re-told in a new big screen ‘biographical thriller’, entitled Crossface.

SRG Films have bought the rights to Matthew Randazzo’s book Ring of Hell: The Story of Chris Benoit and the Fall of the Pro Wrestling Industry, to retell the wrestler’s story, whose career and life ended in a double murder–suicide.

Sarah Coulter has already written the first draft of the script, which is expected to begin filming late next year. Talks are underway with potential actors and directors and the film already has an IMDB page.

Coulter says, “People immediately point to steroids, never thinking about the brain trauma these wrestlers can, and do, incur in their profession, nor do they consider the rigorous schedule that keeps them working even when they shouldn t be. The Benoit story is one that needs to be brought into the light.”

More details are available here.