— Various Indian media outlets report that a land encroachment complaint has been filed against The Great Khali, who plans to set up a wrestling academy in Paonta Sahib. A local resident has alleged that his acre of land is within the area purchased by the WWE Superstar. Though police have started an investigation, they are waiting for him to return settle the dispute.
— Awesome Wrestling Entertainment announced Thursday they have signed Perry Saturn to a contract. The former WWE star competed for the first time in over five years on October 15 at their Night of the Legends pay-per-view event. He defeated C.W. Anderson.
— Shelly Martinez stated on Twitter she will be hosting a dating show.
She wrote, “I am so stoked Got film dates for a new project!! I will b a segment host on a new dating web series Details soon!!”
— Batista will be a playable character in THQ’s WWE ’12 video game, set for release on November 22, 2011 in North America and on November 25 in the United Kingdom.
THQ posted a screenshot on their official website denoting Batista as a character in the game.
— The Scripps Howard News Service has an article on former WWE star Bull Buchanan, who now works as supervisor at a SONY distribution and packaging center in Carrollton, Georgia. He believes his transformation from a serious enforcer to the more light-hearted B2 character who briefly seconded John Cena turned off Vince McMahon, leading to his departure from WWE in 2003.
“The fun part of it probably boomeranged on me,” Buchanan said. “Everything I had done to that point in my career had been so serious. I took this as something where I could be a little more tongue-in-cheek. Vince, though, had always seen me as a killer brutalizing people in the ring and throwing them around. This was different.”
Sunday at Vengeance, John Cena debuted new ring gear, replacing his trademark “jorts” with shorts featuring a variety of camouflage designs. He says this will be a permanent move.
“The jean shorts, for the moment, have been retired,” Cena tells WWE.com. “These are military-issued camo, and I think they will stand out. I have every U.S. Military service branch represented: Army, Marine Corps., Air Force, Navy and Coast Guard. I’ll be changing it up from time to time.”
Cena, however, clarified that he hasn’t ditched the denim completely.
“They’re always in the closet,” Cena said. “Maybe when they come back in style 30 years from now I’ll bust them out for the WWE Hall of Fame or something.”
Cena also discussed his new “Rise Above Hate” shirt, which features the logo of the anti-bullying “be a STAR” campaign printed on the sleeve.
“I wanted to make a positive statement,” Cena said. “I have a varied group of loyal fans out there that will literally back me through thick and thin. I’m known for crazy graphics and colors on my shirts, and I’ve pretty much run through the entire rainbow. I didn’t want the message to be drowned out with a graphic or anything like that, so we went real simple and put the words ‘Rise Above Hate’ with ‘Hustle, Loyalty, Respect’ on the back.
Rumors circulated Thursday that WWE Hall of Famer Gerald Brisco had passed away after suffering a mild stroke recently. Jim Ross has confirmed the rumor as a hoax.
“Just talked to Jerry Brisco and he is ALIVE and doing well,” he wrote on Twitter.
Diamond Dallas Page believed the rumor to be true as he offered condolences on Twitter.
DDP wrote, “Gerald Brisco was a Great Wtestler! A Great TV character but most of a Great Man! And he will be Extremely missed! RIP Brother!”
He later clarified his remarks, writing, “Just found out Gerry is Alive and well! Thank God! Damn some times I hate the twitter thing.”
Page’s statement upset Brisco and members of his family.
Brisco wrote on Facebook, “I’m well enough to kick DDP butt for putting this out there and upsetting my family.”
Warning: The following contains MAJOR *SPOILERS* for the next 2 weeks of Impact Wrestling
Following Wednesday night’s double TNA Impact Wrestling tapings from Macon, Georgia – we have a good idea of what the card is looking like for TNA Turning Point on November 13th. As you may have heard by now – Bobby Roode is our new TNA World champion, defeating James Storm last night (on the episode airing 11/3).
TNA World Heavyweight Title Match
Bobby Roode (c) vs. AJ Styles
TNA X Division Title Match
Austin Aries (c) vs. Jesse Sorensen vs. Kid Kash
Matt Morgan vs. Crimson
Based on what occurred at Wednesday’s tapings, Rob Van Dam vs. Christopher Daniels and Jeff Hardy vs. Jeff Jarrett also look like they’ll be happening. TNA is building up a feud between Eric Bischoff and his son Garrett, so there’s a chance this match will get booked as well.
Gail Kim vs. Velvet Sky for the Knockouts Title had been announced for Turning Point, but since Gail Kim and Madison Rayne won the Knockouts Tag Team Titles at the tapings, its unknown whether the Knockouts title match will still take place.
– WWE is currently searching for a producer for the WWE Network – with the starting salary ranging from $300,000-400,000 and benefits. While this sounds like a great job opportunity for most, there is a lot of uncertainty in the television industry as to whether the network will be successful – and whoever gets that job could look bad if the network flops.
Industry insiders believe that the WWE Network’s best chance for success would be for WWE to buy an existing network (with its own clearances already in place) – but WWE’s efforts to buy an existing network have not panned out so far. In the event that WWE has to start their network from scratch – the situation is much more of an uphill battle. WWE will be investing so much money in the network that many believe it could “make or break” the company.
– Sunday’s WWE Vengeance pay-per-view from San Antonio, Texas drew approximately 8,000 fans, which is considered disappointing.
– We reported several weeks ago that there is a new initiative in WWE to announce wrestlers at their legitimate weights. After a few weeks of that – WWE has modified the policy – and the minimum weight wrestlers will be announced at is 210 pounds. Wrestlers under 210 will be announced as 210 or higher – while wrestlers actually weighing more than 210 will be announced at their real weights. This policy is a throwback to the old school territory days, where no wrestlers were announced as being less than 220 pounds – as a way to portray them as ‘larger than life.’
– Former WWE executive Donna Goldsmith, who left WWE earlier this year after working closely with Vince McMahon for many years (in the marketing department and later as the company’s COO) – has just started her new job as the General Manager of Operations for the 2014 New York/New Jersey Super Bowl Host Committee.
– Preliminary estimates are in for TNA Bound For Glory – and they’re not good. Bound For Glory drew approximately 20,000-25,000 buys – which is way down from last year’s 35,000-40,000 figure.
In somewhat of an ‘apples-to-oranges’ comparison – Hulk Hogan’s previous match on pay-per-view (SummerSlam 2006 against Randy Orton, headlined by John Cena vs. Edge) drew 535,000 worldwide buys. Ouch.
– Eric Bischoff’s son Garrett is expected to get a big push as a babyface star in the coming months. He has a good look, but many are skeptical because it’s highly unlikely he would have a job if it wasn’t for his father. The track record of people in power pushing their sons is spotty at best.
As we reported earlier this week – there’s preliminary talk about Hulk Hogan returning to the ring once again in a few months in a tag team match against Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff, with Hogan’s partner being either Sting or Garrett Bischoff.
– With Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk and Mark Henry vs. The Big Show in the works for Survivor Series – WWE is already looking to have rematches for both at the upcoming Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view.
While things can change, CM Punk is currently scheduled to win the WWE Championship some time this fall – prior to the December 26th RAW supershow from his hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
– Mick Foley is said to be looking great these days, with several readers who attended his comedy shows noting that he appears to have dropped a lot of weight.
Foley is currently scheduled to appear at the November 14th edition of WWE RAW from Boston (the show before Survivor Series) and will likely be at the following week’s show from Hershey, PA.
He likely won’t be at Survivor Series due to a previous charity commitment.
The belief is that Foley will become a regular on WWE television (in a non-wrestling capacity), beginning early next year.
– Expect to see even more references to Twitter on WWE television in the coming months. Vince McMahon is said to be a huge fan of the social media service and has several ideas about how to integrate Twitter into WWE programming even further.
WWE announcers are encouraged to constantly reference Twitter, with the idea being that if they mention Twitter a lot at the beginning of shows, they will get topics trending worldwide and can talk about the topics even more.
At the 2012 Royal Rumble – WWE is planning to have superstars tweet right before they go through the curtain and enter the Rumble.
– Vince McMahon freaked out several weeks ago when he saw the company’s latest t-shirt for Zack Ryder. The phrase printed on the t-shirt that got so much heat from Vince was – “Take care, spike your hair.”
Because Vince McMahon hates Spike TV right now (due to their affiliation with TNA), Vince was so mad that he almost pulled shirts from being sold. Eventually, he agreed to sell the existing shirts that were still in stock – but forbid any more from being printed. A new Zack Ryder shirt without the “Spike your hair” phrase is now on sale.
On Monday’s RAW, it was announced that John Cena and The Rock will be teaming up at Survivor Series against the team of The Miz and R-Truth. With The Rock currently in New Orleans while filming the new GI Joe movie, Miz and R-Truth will be traveling to the city today to train with The Rock in preparation for their upcoming match.
Aside from the big Rock-Cena tag team main event – we have news on several other matches discussed for the big event.
WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk and World Heavyweight champion Mark Henry vs. the Big Show are among the matches we’re likely to see.
Despite the fact that WWE is reporting that Triple H suffered a back neck injury at the hands of Kevin Nash and RAW and will miss up to 6 weeks, expect The Game back in time for some sort of gimmick singles match with Nash at Survivor Series.
Also discussed is a traditional 5-on-5 elimination matches with the following competitors:
– Randy Orton, Sheamus, Daniel Bryan, Kane and Blue Sin Cara vs. Christian, Cody Rhodes, Wade Barrett, Brodus Clay and Black Sin Cara.
At one point, WWE had been discussing David Otunga, Christian, Cody Rhodes, Jack Swagger and Dolph Ziggler vs. Kofi Kingston, Evan Bourne, Mason Ryan, Zack Ryder and one more partner, but last we heard, this match is not going to happen.
Credit to Matt Baxendell for the following notes from the Impact Wrestling taping which will air on November 10th…
– Garrett Bischoff has a match with Gunner. Eric Bischoff and Ric Flair get involved.
– Sorensen defeats Zema Ion. Kid Kash comes out and a three way with Sorensen vs. Kash vs. Aries is set for Turning Point.
– Bobby Roode cuts a promo as the new champion.
– Eric Young and a guy from Jersey Shore defeat Robbie E. and a partner.
– AJ Styles defeated Daniels. Daniels was going to use a screwdriver but RVD made the save.
– Hardy/Anderson/Abyss defeat Immortal when Abyss pins Steiner.
– James Storm was attacked backstage, but the Storm vs. Roode rematch still takes place. Roode wins after Storm passes out from blood loss. AJ Styles comes out and challenges Roode for Turning Point.
The Sound Off gets a “lethal injection” this week as Solomonster chats with the reigning Ring of Honor World Television champion, JAY LETHAL! In this 30-minute interview, the champ discusses his return to ROH and TV Title win over El Generico, his release from TNA and whether or not it came as a surprise, the number one thing he feels the company is missing, a great analogy comparing TNA’s treatment of the X Division to an episode of Seinfeld, this year’s Destination X show and what TNA did (or didn’t do) leading up to it that shocked him, the Black Machismo character and speaking with the real Randy Savage on the phone, who came up with the Legends Open Invitational on Impact and what the original idea was supposed to be, what it was like when Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff came to TNA, working with Ric Flair and their amazing promo battles, if he would ever work for them again, possibly working with WWE in the future and more! Lethal holds nothing back, especially when it comes to TNA.
Solomonster also speaks with “The Prodigy” NATHAN BANNER for an interview that any current or aspiring independent wrestler should listen to. He discusses growing up with (and being trained by) Jay Lethal, working for Zero 1 and HUSTLE in Japan, being part of the first beginner’s class in FCW and tips on what WWE is looking for, working the Macho Man memorial show in Canada and getting high praise from Lanny Poffo, and a whole lot more.
It’s a special double interview on this bonus Sound Off, so enjoy and rate the show in iTunes!
Former WWE star Barry Windham is currently hospitalized in an intensive care unit in Florida.
Windham, 51, reportedly suffered either a stroke or heart attack within the last 24 hours. There is a claim that he was discovered fallen and awake but suffering.
WWE Hall of Famer Blackjack Mulligan, his father, posted a notice on Facebook asking fans to keep Windham in their prayers.
As noted earlier, Bobby Roode defeated James Storm at tonight’s TNA Impact Wrestling tapings in Macon, Georgia to become the new World Heavyweight Champion.
Another title change happened as Madison Rayne and Gail Kim defeated Miss Tessmacher and Tara to become the new TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champions.
Stay tuned for full spoilers as our correspondent Brent is at the tapings.
WWE Intercontinental champion Cody Rhodes spoke to SkySports.com this week to promote WWE’s upcoming return to the UK. Here are some highlights of what Cody said about:
His feelings for the Intercontinental Championship: “I’ve had the opportunity to have a very open platform on how I feel about the Intercontinental title. I feel about it in the same way that a lot of fans have felt about it and I was glad that I could be honest about it. At one point it was probably the most revered title in the WWE and it was in the hands of some of the most revered Superstars and talents.
“Without getting too specific, somewhere in the last five or seven years it kind of got lost. That was why I decided to bring back the classic look of the title because there is also a classic feel that comes with it. That’s the type of Intercontinental Champion I wanted to be…It should say a lot to be Intercontinental Champion. Today it seems like the Money in the Bank Briefcase means something, but I kinda wanted to trump that with something that used to be that way. That’s how I feel and it’s on a definite upswing.”
His Protective Face Mask: “It’s funny because things in sports entertainment get misconstrued. What we do is entertainment, but what happened with me was a little bit more than that. My nose was legitimately broken, my septum was horribly deviated, but it was the most lucky break I guess I ever had. I’m definitely not afraid to take it off and I’ve enjoyed the few times I’ve gotten away with taking it off and I can see it being around for a while, but not so much a major fixture of myself. I’m trying to make it like Triple H; he’s got his sledgehammer and I’ve got my mask.”
The Best Looking & Ugliest WWE Crowds: “The best-looking crowds is a tough one, but consistently the worst looking crowd that I ever see – and if I tell them that I’m not lying and trying to get under their skin, I’m just telling the truth – is Vienna, Austria. I got up close and personal at a signing with them and my God…”
The December 2011 issue of WWE Magazine has an article highlighting ten features in THQ’s upcoming WWE ’12 video game and it is disclosed that “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Mick Foley will be playable characters via downloadable content pack.
The magazine states: “WWE ’12 boasts a WrestleMania-sized roster of icons that, for the first time ever, can be used by gamers right off the bat. Superstars such as Demolition, Ricky Steamboat, Kevin Nash and others are available initially: future downloadable greats will include the likes of Shawn Michaels, Randy Savage and Mick Foley. Oh yeah, and they’ll also offer alternate attire for Edge and Christian, a throwback to their late-’90s tag team heyday, just for the benefit of those with flash photography.”
THQ announced the first group of downloadable characters earlier this week: Shawn Michaels, Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross and Michael Cole.
— Eve Torres posted a message on Twitter apparently in response to Madusa saying she should stay out of the ring and stick to modeling after watching her compete against Beth Phoenix at Sunday’s Vengeance pay-per-view.
Torres wrote, “To answer some questions I have received, having a couple of photoshoots doesn’t make you a “model”. I was never a model. My degree is in engineering, & I pursued dance professionally for a while. Now I’m a WWE Diva & not going anywhere anytime soon. Deal with it!”
Though Torres says she is not a model, she lists herself as one in her Twitter bio: “Double-U Double-U EEEE Diiiiiva. Def: An athlete, actress, model, performer, traveler, public speaker, philanthropist, and a hard workin’ woman!”
— WWE Classics On Demand is currently running a video package highlighting Paul Bearer’s career prior to select shows. Bearer, in character though without his hair dyed, appears following the package and plugs the video on demand service.
— Caryn Mower, who in 2000 briefly appeared as Stephanie McMahon’s personal trainer Muffy, now works a stuntwoman. She is filming stunts this week for the upcoming ABC comedy-drama series GCB, starring Kristen Chenoweth.
As WrestleMania has become the global phenomenon we know it as today, state government officials around the United States have been going all-out trying to entice WWE to bring the annual event to their city.
The Miami Herald has published a new article looking at what the city of Miami did to land WrestleMania 28.
City officials promised WWE a $250,000 subsidy, along with other perks, and access to Miami-Dade county’s three largest venues – Sun Life Stadium, the Miami Beach Convention Center and the American Airlines Arena – for WrestleMania weekend activities.
To gear up the locals for next April’s blockbuster event, city officials will be hanging WrestleMania banners from light posts along the highways. A “street team” of approximately 200 volunteers has been assembled to help increase awareness about WWE events taking place next April.
Mike Sophia of Miami-Dade’s Sports Commission told the Miami Herlad, “This event is as big as it gets. WrestleMania is up there in the league with Super Bowls and Final Fours. To be honest with you, when I got the [WrestleMania] bid book, I looked at it and I put it on the corner of my desk and I said, ‘Nah, this isn’t us.’”
Comparing WrestleMania to the biggest annual sporting event in the world, Sophia said, “[WrestleMania] looks exactly like a Super Bowl. It’s exactly something we could and should do. If you want to sit down and split hairs as to whether it strictly fits the definition of a sporting event, I’m not going to have a great argument.”
– TNA executive Eric Bischoff had some great things to say about Bully Ray on Facebook this week after watching Bully Ray’s work on this week’s Impact (airing tonight).
“Watched this weeks version of IMPACT for edit notes at 3 am this morning. IMO Bully Ray is emerging as one or the top talents in the business today. Flawless.”
Bully Ray faces Jeff Hardy on this week’s episode of Impact Wrestling, airing tonight on Spike.
– TNA will tape Impact Wrestling tonight in Macon, Georgia – including the November 3rd episode that will see the debut of MTV Jersey Shore star Ronnie Ortiz-Magro.
Following tonight’s tapings in Georgia, the rest of the 2011 Impact Wrestling shows will be taped at the Impact Zone in Orlando.
In late December, TNA will tape five weeks of Impact over four days and then will take the holiday vacation. Over the holidays, officials are planning to re-evaluate the future of taping Impact outside of Orlando.
Most within TNA aren’t expecting a lot of Impact tapings on the road in 2012.
Former WWE tag team The Headbangers have resurfaced on the independent scene and are calling out the top tag teams in the industry today.
Mosh and Thrasher are now working with the Wrestle Axxess independent promotion and have posted a series of videos calling out the tag team champions of WWE, TNA and Ring of Honor. Check ’em out:
Headbangers call out WWE tag champions Air Boom (Kofi Kingston & Evan Bourne)
Headbangers call out TNA tag champions Mexican America
Headbangers call out ROH tag champions Charlie Haas & Shelton Benjamin
Fans who attend WWE television tapings usually get to see a bonus dark match main event. Fans who attended Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings from Houston, TX were treated to three.
After the conclusion of the SmackDown taping, Sheamus won a 41-man Battle Royal featuring superstars from RAW and SmackDown. The Celtic Warrior eliminated more superstars than anybody else en route to his victory. It came down to Sheamus and The Miz, who was eliminated. Christian re-entered the match but caught a Brogue Kick to be eliminated again.
Next up was a WWE Championship match between Alberto Del Rio and John Cena. This one ended in a disqualification after World Heavyweight champion Mark Henry got involved and help Del Rio beat down Cena. Out came Big Show to make the save – and Teddy Long booked a tag match right then and there.
In the final match of the evening, John Cena and BIg Show defeated the championship team of Alberto Del Rio and Mark Henry. Cena hit the Attitude Adjustment on Del Rio while Show chokeslammed Henry for the double pin and the win.
– Monday’s RAW Supershow concluded with Interim Raw General Manager John Laurinaitis ordering The Miz and R-Truth to exit the ring after the two continued to batter Cena following their match. The executive then made a huge announcement — John Cena will take on The Miz and R-Truth at Survivor Series with a partner of his choosing.
Cena extended an invitation to his opponent at WrestleMania XXVIII, The Rock.
WWE aired an advertisement for Monday’s Raw during tonight’s NXT taping in Houston, Texas asking whether The Rock will accept Cena’s offer to join forces at the Survivor Series.
– The following matches were taped on Tuesday night from Houston, Texas for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
– The ratings are in for Monday’s WWE RAW Supershow – and the post-Vengeance show did a strong 3.31 rating – up a bit from last week.
This week’s show averaged 4.71 million viewers with 4.93 million viewers for Hour 1 and 4.64 million viewers for Hour 2.
RAW was #2 on cable for the night in the coveted male demograhpic (behind ESPN’s Monday Night Football). RAW was #1 this week in the Males 12-17 demographic.
– The @WWEInsider Twitter account is reporting the following regarding Triple H’s condition following Kevin Nash’s attacks on RAW:
“Triple H has spinal damage following Kevin Nash’s attack on Monday Night Raw.”
The WWE website has an article up saying Triple H has a fractured vertebrae and doctors say he will miss up to 6 weeks.
That said, it is expected that a Triple H vs. Kevin Nash match will take place at Survivor Series with some sort of stipulation to compensate for Nash’s in-ring limitations.
– If you thought WWE was going overboard with the amount of Twitter references on WWE television – you ain’t seen nothing yet. WWE has reportedly inked some sort of business relationship with Twitter and will be going into overdrive with the Twitter integration as we head into the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania season.
