– Chris Jericho wrote the following on Twitter regarding the cryptic promos that have been airing on WWE TV:
“Haven’t watched Raw in a month and I haven’t seen the mystery promos. Sorry…don’t know and don’t care so u can stop asking.”
– The Wrestling Globe reports that Chyna is charging $5,000 per wrestling-related appearance these days.
– WWE Superstars Big Show, Mark Henry, Evan Bourne, CM Punk, John Cena, Dolph Ziggler, Christian, Eve Torres, Beth Phoenix, Rosa Mendes, Alberto Del Rio, Drew McIntyre, Daniel Bryan, Cody Rhodes, Ted DiBiase, Wade Barrett and Jack Swagger appeared at a meet-and-greet event at Fort Bragg in North Carolina yesterday. While the event was advertised to be for Department of Defense cardholders only, nobody was checking ID’s and several civilians were in attendance.
John Cena and CM Punk were presented with an Airborne Trooper Iron Mike statue by the military and the military was given a replica WWE Title belt.
– Ric Flair is booked for several upcoming TNA live events in Massachusetts in January, including Worcester on the 20th, Plymouth on the 21st and Lowell on the 22nd.
The Nature Boy is not currently booked for TNA’s upcoming live events in the Carolinas and Virginia (“Flair Country”), but there’s a good chance he’ll be added to those shows.
– TNA Knockout Brooke Tessmacher was involved in a car accident last week. She tweeted the following about the incident, explaining why she hasn’t been online much lately:
“Sry 4 being so mia the past few days.. I got in a wreck on my bday and then very sick the day after… Ill be back to normal amusing u soon! I’m am fine from the wreck. Def wasn’t from drinking. It was at 2pm. No drinking and driving!”
– Thursday’s go-home episode of TNA Impact Wrestling scored a 1.07 cable rating with 1,440,000 viewers.
Former WWE superstar John Morrison has posted his first video on YouTube since departing the company last month. Morrison says he’s at a point in his career where he needs to take time off to heal.
Morrison says there will be more videos coming – and he’s going to dish some dirt on his least favorite people in WWE:
“sup JoMoSapiens, check here for updates on what’s going on with me- check back next week for a list of people in WWE that I don’t like, and reasons why… haha!”
Maria Kanellis has responded to a report posted earlier this week regarding her perceived shots at Nikki and Brie Bella’s during AfterBuzzTV.com’s weekly post-show for Raw. The former WWE Diva says she is not taking personal digs at the twin duo, but rather, their villainous television characters.
Kanellis explained on Twitter, “Afterbuzz for Raw is a show about a show. Just like I did Afterbuzz for Dancing with the Stars, Borgias, Project Runway, ect….. We make jokes, poke fun, show respect, educate, and talk about news and gossip. No one forces you to watch. The Bellas play bad girls on tv as such we talk about them as bad girls. It’s a show. But thank you for talking about it so much. All press is good press. And I repeat, wrestlers are the most talented entertainers on the planet.”
Kanellis posted a similar explanation on Facebook, but added that she would never sacrifice her strong moral values in order to “get ahead.”
She wrote, “Afterbuzz for Raw on afterbuzztv.com is a show about a show. We talk about story lines, wrestling, gossip, news, superstars, divas, fashion, and we have guests. Are we funny? Yes. Do we make jokes? Of course. Is there inside info? Sure. Do we get nasty? Sometimes. All of my co-hosts have their own beliefs, style and personality. We have view points that differ. I was given a voice and I have strong beliefs. I don’t believe in authority or following a norm. I have sacrificed a lot because of my strong morals. But one thing I will never sacrifice is my values. I will not get ahead just because I play the game. Even though I know how. I will succeed on merit and talent. Or I will fail and failure is just another step towards success. Passion is my motivation….. Rock it.”
— SmackDown Diva Lilian Garcia has released her first music video, U Drive Me Loca. The video, which was shot in August in Los Angeles, California, features appearances by former WWE Divas Candice Michelle and Torrie Wilson.
— Rey Mysterio, who has been sidelined since August due to knee surgery, is reportedly scheduled for this weekend’s Tribute to the Troops festivities.
— WWE Classics On Demand has not aired advertised shows due to legal reasons, notably two episodes of Prime Time Wrestling from June 1989, a September 10, 1988 house show, as well as events emanating from Madison Square Garden.
— Jack Korpela, who had been announcing for WWE Superstars and NXT, has parted ways with WWE. Reportedly, his contract expired and he opted not to sign a new one.
Korpela’s bio was removed from WWE.com this week. He joined the company in 2006.
— Sheamus is scheduled for Late Night with Jimmy Fallon tonight, which airs at 12:35 a.m. on NBC. He will be promoting WWE’s annual Tribute to the Troops special airing on NBC and the USA Network.
— WWE and MNC Sports have announced a six-month television distribution deal that will bring WWE programming to Indonesia.
“WWE is the biggest brand in sports entertainment and we are very pleased to be the broadcast partner responsible for bringing Raw and WWE Specials to Indonesia,” said Handhi S. Kentjono, Vice President of Directors for MNC SkyVision.
– Chris Jericho tweeted on Friday morning that he’s been named one of the Top 100 Living Rock Stars by Revolver Magazine. He wrote @IAmJericho:
“Just found out that the new issue of @Revolvermag named me as one of their top 100 living rock stars…What an honor! #hardworkpaysoff”
In related Jericho news, Jim Ross was asked on Twitter who would win in a match between Chris Jericho and CM Punk JR responded, “Let em fight! Love 2see it.”
– WWE is now teasing that Beth Phoenix and Maria Menounos will wrestle at this weekend’s Tribute to the Troops tapings. The two have been going back and forth over Twitter for a few weeks now.
– WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka is scheduled to undergo ankle surgery soon, according to PWInsider.com.
– WWE Hall of Famer Roddy Piper filmed a Piper’s Pit with director Eli Roth for Funny or Die yesterday. Piper also revealed that he’s been asked to appear on Celebrity Ghost Stories:
“Been asked to do Celebrity Ghost Stories. I think I will do that show.They have asked for next week.They won’t believe what I’ve seen.”
– Former WWE diva Stacy Keibler’s booking fee for apperances has reportedly gone through the roof since she began dating Hollywood star George Clooney.
Zack Ryder has uploaded Episode #43 of his Z! True Long Island Story series. This week’s show features a special appearance from Dennis Haskins, best known as “Mr. Belding” from the 90’s sitcom “Saved By The Bell.” Are you serious, bro?!
After the tag team match between Kaitlin and AJ Lee vs. Beth Phoenix & Natalya, Kaitlyn turned heel and attacked AJ.
Reader Cohen Morrison sent word that on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown, which has already aired in Australia, the entire divas tag match (including the post-match heel turn) was edited off the broadcast.
Check out this video of the heel turn that might never see the light of day – shot by a fan who was in Jacksonville on Tuesday night:
Hulk Hogan has filed a defamation lawsuit against his ex-wife Linda Bollea based on allegations she made about him in her recent autobiography “Wrestling the Hulk: My Life Against the Ropes.”
In the book, Hulk Hogan is portrayed as a violent, manipulative, cheating maniac who was physically and mentally abusive to her.
Linda also alleges that Hulk has had a homosexual relationship with Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, a claim he has vehemently denied.
While being interviewed on television and radio earlier this year, Bollea dragged Hogan’s name through the mud once again.
“It scared me that he might just snap, not realize what he’s doing. He is just so strong. I thought he could kill me. He had his hands around my neck one time on the bed, and he started squeezing my throat. He just went into this trance, and I was looking at him and saying, ‘Terry, stop, stop. I can’t breathe.'”
Wil Florin, the ex-wrestler’s attorney, said, “He’s being accused of all sorts of vile conduct that he did not commit. Miss Bollea’s made enough of these outrageous allegations that it’s time they stop … The only realistic way of making them stop is through the court system.”
The Miz returned to Conan O’Brien’s late night TBS show on Thursday – and it was another hilarious interaction between the most must-see superstar in WWE history and the “Ginga Ninja.”
Miz was there to promote next week’s Tribute to the Troops and gave Conan some crap about not using the “Ginga Ninja” nickname and the “Don’t step into my dojo, mofo” catchphrase Miz gave him gave him during his last visit. Miz presented Conan with a pair of “Ginga Ninja” tights and they even showed footage of The Miz vs. a created Conan in the new WWE ’12 video game.
WWE taped Friday’s Smackdown tonight from the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida.
Dark Match:
* Yoshi Tatsu defeated FCW star Damien Sandow
Smackdown Results (Airing Friday)
* Tables, ladders, and chairs are set up around ringside to promote the upcoming TLC pay-per-view. Lilian Garcia makes her return to ring announcing tonight. The announcers make their way to the ring, and when Booker T walks down the ramp, Cody Rhodes ambushes him from behind.
* Lilian begins to address the crowd on her new position as Smackdown ring announcer, but Rhodes interrupts and informs the crowd that he will be acting as the ring announcer for the evening.
* Tonight’s show will have a series of Beat The Clock Matches.
* Wade Barrett beat Ezekiel Jackson in the first match.
* Beth Phoenix and Natalya beat Kaitlyn and AJ. After the match, Kaitlyn turned on AJ and joined Natalya & Beth’s team.
* Daniel Bryan is interviewed by Josh Mathews about losing to Mark Henry and failing to capture the World Heavyweight Championship last week. Bryan called out Michael Cole and went over to confront him, but Cody Rhodes stopped Bryan and assaulted him.
* Ted DiBiase beat Jinder Mahal.
* Big Show and Mark Henry segment in the ring. Show ends up attacking Henry and they go at it. Show grabs a chair and wails away on Henry with it.
* Sheamus beat David Otunga.
* This week’s cryptic lookwithin2012 vignette aired.
* Zack Ryder beat Heath Slater.
* Cody Rhodes beat Daniel Bryan by disqualification. Booker T caused the disqualification by getting into the ring and attacking Rhodes.
* Teddy Long and Aksana have another backstage segment. Cody Rhodes interrupts and demands a match against Booker T. Teddy makes Cody Rhodes vs. Booker T official at TLC, and adds that it will be for Cody’s Intercontinental Championship.
* Randy Orton beat Dolph Ziggler with 2 seconds remaining on the clock.
* It was announced that Randy Orton will face Wade Barrett at WWE TLC. Orton decided to make their match a Table match.
– Ultimate Warrior says he is in talks with MTV regarding The Warrior Show, which features the legendary sports entertainer directing an extreme motivational mind/body/soul work-out that combines intensity, passion, comedy and inspiration.
He tweeted Thursday, “So Exec Producer at MTV sends email: “I saw the sizzle reel for The Warrior Show and LOVED it. I think it’s really really great.” We talk…
– Kelly Kelly has responded to online reports saying she is looking to position herself for a career outside of WWE.
She tweeted, “Don’t believe everything you read! Wwe is my home.”
The report originated from this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, which states she plans on pursuing acting and modeling work late next year under her real name, Barbara Blank.”
— A pre-sale for SmackDown in Orlando, Florida following WrestleMania XXVIII kicks off Friday at 10:00 a.m. via Ticketmaster.com. The password is WWEEBSHOW.
— Legendary ring announcer Howard Finkel appears unhappy with Lilian Garcia’s return to WWE. When asked for comment on the her return to the organization as SmackDown ring announcer during WWE.com’s live chat Monday, he initially ignored the subject.
“The Fink” wrote “Genku already stirring the pot” in response to a fan’s query. He then said he has “even bigger news” than Garcia’s return to WWE, which was Dusty Rhodes joining Twitter.
Finkel then appeared annoyed when a chat moderator posted a YouTube video of Garcia’s 2007 song ¡Quiero Vivir!. When asked for comment later, he simply wrote, “Good for her.” The following fan comment was then posted: “Fink, you should return to announce. Belong on tv not computer.” He responded, “AMEN.”
— WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts says he will be making a big announcement this week.
He wrote, “For my 1000th tweet, I’d like to announce… A big announcement this week right here on my Twitter… Stay tuned!”
— Hot on the heels of former WWE performer Maryse Ouellet’s decision to move on from the professional wrestling industry and attempt to make it in the fashion industry, Kelly Kelly may also be positioning herself for a career outside of WWE.
The WWE Diva is looking to position herself for acting and modeling gigs late next year and is pushing her real name, Barbara Blank, instead of Kelly Kelly. Whether it’s her just trying to have a backup plan, testing the waters to see if there’s interest in her, or her outwardly looking at something different, nobody knows.
— WWE referee Marc Harris is sidelines with a broken nose.
— Shelly Martinez is offering a free 8×10 with every pre-order of a Martinez Girlz T-Shirt. To see the T-Shirts, which read #kayfabe, #FunTimeGang and #TheMartinezGirls, click here.
– MTV has tried several times to get The Miz to return for another “Real World Challenge” – but he’s not interested in returning to the network that gave him his first national television exposure. Miz told FayObserver.com this week:
“MTV gave me my start, and I’m always grateful to them. But, I’m done with doing a challenge. I’m tired of the drama that comes with that, and I don’t know the kids any more. I’d be the first one voted out. I know the game; I was a mastermind at that. I enjoy watching, though.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes says WWE developmental star Seth Rollins (former ROH World champion Tyler Black) has huge potential to be a star when he’s called up to the main WWE roster. Dusty tweeted on Thursday:
“Tyler black the real thing , I be put-stamp on future champ.”
– THQ has released a preview video of Vickie Guerrero’s character in the new WWE ’12 video game, which will be available in an upcoming DLC pack release. The video shows off Vickie’s two finishing moves – a spear and a top-rope frog splash, a tribute to her late husband. Check it out:
— Former WWE performer Dave Bautista is scheduled for international sexologist Dr. Susan Block’s radio show, The Dr. Susan Block Show, this Saturday night. He will be joined by adult film star/motorcycle stunt rider Destiny Dixon, Playboy Cyber Girl Angela Sommers, Penthouse Danni Girl Samantha Saint, adult star Victoria White and webcam girl Daisy Delight. The show airs live from 10:30 p.m. to midnight PST via http://tinyurl.com/RadioSUZY1.
— Spike TV will air WWE Films’ The Marine 2 on Saturday, January 7, 2012 at 4:30 p.m. The direct-to-DVD movie features Ted DiBiase playing Sgt. Joe Linwood, a Marine Force Recon sniper.
— Eve Torres and Rosa Mendes stated on Twitter that they will be on hand for WWE’s annual Tribute to the Troops events, which takes place Friday through Sunday in North Carolina. The Tribute to the Troops taping will be held on Sunday at Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville.
— Alberto Del Rio is scheduled to appear at Kmart 250 Floresta Blvd. San Leandro, California on Sunday, January 15, 2012 beginning at 10:00 a.m.
— During this week’s episode of NXT, the newly released commercial promoting the WWE Network was slightly different than the one that aired during Monday’s Raw SuperShow. When WWE Legends’ House is highlighted, WWE Hall of Famer Iron Sheik is shown.
— Former WWE talent Jacques Rougeau released his autobiography online Thursday, Les secrets les mieux gardés, enfin révélés. The book, which is written in French, hits stores in Canada next week.
— Ultimate Warrior announced the following on Twitter: “Coming soon.. Your chance to get a personalized video from Mr Warrior OR a personalized promo from the Ultimate Warrior! Team Warrior.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross was at WWE’s developmental territory FCW this week evaluating talent – and was asked by a fan on Twitter when we’ll see Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine on WWE television. Ross replied:
“Don’t see it being eminent. Lots of work to do.”
– To update the status of Ring of Honor star Chris Hero headed to WWE, company officials reportedly wanted to sign him a few months back when they signed his partner Claudio Castagnoli to FCW. Hero began taking physical exams for WWE – which is around the time the whole process stalled.
Either WWE found a medical issue that made him unfit to sign or the contractual negotiations broke down, but he’s still not under contract. Hero hasn’t gone back to work for ROH or NOAH since his WWE physicals, so it’s still possible he’ll show up in FCW soon.
– WWE is gearing up for Saturday’s Tribute to the Troops tapings (airing Tuesday night on USA) – and has a few days of events for the troops lined up. Several superstars and divas will be visiting the Advanced Airborne School and the Tolson Youth Center in Fort Bragg, North Carolina this Friday morning. On Friday evening, there will be a meet and greet event at Sports USA for any Department of Defense cardholders. WWE will then tape Tribute to the Troops on Saturday from Fayetteville’s Crown Coliseum. Tickets are available free of charge to DOD cardholders.
— TNA has signed a two-year deal with the UK’s Challenge TV network that will see Impact Wrestling continue to air on Sunday nights through the end of 2013. TNA PPVs will air the Wednesday after they air live in the United States. The following is from TNA’s official announcement:
“Our first year on Challenge TV has seen us double our viewership in the UK and Ireland – and we are really looking forward to another two years of even greater success,” TNA president Dixie Carter stated in a press release.
“Our wonderful fans have made us the most-watched wrestling programme in the UK and we’re pleased this new agreement also gives them the security of knowing they can always watch us on the same channel every week – Challenge TV.”
— TNA star Robbie E. got married on Saturday, according to a recent tweet by Dixie Carter.
— This year’s TNA Bound For Glory pay-per-view from Philadelphia drew 3,585 fans for a gate of $145,898.
— TNA’s Turning Point pay-per-view drew approximately 9,000 pay-per-view buys, on the low end of what TNA has been doing for their monthly shows.
– There is talk that WWE United States Champion Dolph Ziggler may be added to the Triple Threat TLC Match for the WWE Championship at TLC later this month. Currently in the match are CM Punk, The Miz and Alberto Del Rio. This would continue Ziggler’s recent streak of working double duty at WWE pay-per-view events.
According to our WWE sources, company officials are said to be very pleased with Dolph Ziggler’s work this year. There’s something “old school” about Ziggler’s current push – how he’s climbed the ranks from obscurity to a mid-card US title run and then an eventual spot in the main events.
– CM Punk took a shot at athletes who use performance enhancing drugs today on his Twitter:
“If you’re a professional athlete and you use performance enhancing drugs, you’re a pussy.”
– Former WWE Superstar Rikishi noted on Twitter that he needs surgery on one of his eyes.
