— Monday’s WWE RAW Supershow drew a 3.0 rating with 4,279,000 viewers, up from last week. Hour 1 drew a 3.0 and Hour 2 drew a 3.03 – so RAW actually broke the trend of losing viewership in the second hour.
— WWE has made another change to their 2012 pay-per-view schedule, according to the event listing. The Fatal 4 Way pay-per-view has replaced Bragging Rights for the month of June.
It also appears the annual Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view from has been scrapped from December, as Bragging Rights is now listed in the December slot.
WWE Champion CM Punk was interviewed by AZCentral.com this week to promote next week’s RAW Supershow from Phoenix. Punk took part in a Q&A session and spoke about a number of topics, including how Japanese fans differ from American fans, being a role model, his straight-edge lifestyle becoming a gimmick in WWE and more. Here are some highlights of what Punk said about:
Being A Role Model: “I’m the straight-edge guy. I’m a damn good guy to look up to. But I approach it the way Charles Barkley approached it. I’m not a role model. Everybody should choose their own path in life. I don’t get preachy with the straight-edge stuff.”
“I find myself being a target as opposed to being put on a pedestal. I get criticized a lot. There are people who are skeptical about it or scared by it or intimidated by it.”
Whether American Fans Are Respectful: “It’s just a lack of “excuse me” and “please” and “thank you.” I’m a pretty approachable guy, but I’ve had my headphones taken off my head in the gym, people poking me in the back like I’m a farm animal. It’s a part of the game.”
If He Minds His Straight Edge Lifestyle Has Become A Gimmick: “No, because it’s who I am. People say, “When did you decide to be straight edge?” I was born this way. It’s nothing I really decided (pause) and, right now, while I’m talking, on the treadmill and doing an interview, there’s a guy standing over here, taking pictures … (He politely asks the guy to stop, which doesn’t seem to go well). All right, and now he just flipped me off, and I’m the (expletive). See what I mean? (sighing) … Anyway, I don’t think I have a persona per se. I’m not trying to be something I’m not.”
A Future Acting Career: “That’s not up to me, but it’s nothing I’m actively pursuing. I never say never to anything, but it’s nothing I’m looking to actively do.”
– The latest on Randy Orton’s status is that he will be a participant in next week’s Royal Rumble match. Confirmation of Orton’s involvement in the Rumble is expected on Monday’s RAW.
– Just days after Connecticut’s Greenwich Times reported that WWE chairman Vince McMahon was spotted around town driving a new charcoal-colored Bentley, word has come out that Vince McMahon reportedly purchased three new Ferraris in the past week.
– The March 26th episode of RAW, the final show before WrestleMania, is currently scheduled to be a 3-hour show. The hype for WrestleMania will be at a fever pitch, heightened by an in-person appearance that night from The Rock.
– Suspended WE superstar Evan Bourne will be able to return to WWE television on the March 19th RAW Supershow.
Since Air Boom will likely not be a major part of WrestleMania now due to Bourne’s suspension, there’s a good chance he won’t be brought back until after WrestleMania.
Behind the scenes, there’s a lot of disbelief that bourne’s second suspension will likely cost him the two biggest paydays of the year – the Royal Rumble and WrestleMania.
– Big Show reportedly suffered a back injury at Tuesday night’s SmackDown tapings in Las Vegas. No word yet on how bad the injry is, but Big Show apparently landed wrong and hurt his back in the dark main event against Daniel Bryan.
– WWE Hall of Famers Shawn Michaels and Steve Austin ran into each other at the SHOT hunting convention in Las Vegas earlier this week.
– Former WWE star Luke Gallows underwent surgery this past week for a broken nose.
RAW superstar Dolph Ziggler took part in an interview with EcollegeTimes.comthis week. Here are some highlights of what the #1 contender to the WWE championship said about:
What Holding The IC Title Meant To Him: “That was a huge goal that I had set for myself. I had come up short the year before. I though for sure that it was mine and when it didn’t happen I was actually very frustrated. Now, coming back into the picture of the title and then actually getting it … I honestly thought it was long overdue and it was well-deserved and I was very happy to take that and make it [a step] towards becoming the WWE Championship that it once was. I thought I brought some prestige to it.”
Who Will Win Rock vs. Cena: “Both those guys are in awesome shape. Cena is like our franchise guy. He carries the company on his back and he’s out there every single night doing everything he can to give back to the fans. The Rock, he’s awesome at what he does, but he’s kind of moved on and he’s a movie star now, so I’ve gotta go with the hometown guy who is out there in the trenches with us every single weekend as opposed to the guy that comes back a couple times a year.”
His Goals Moving Forward: “Of course, I want to be champion, I want to wrestle a main event at WrestleMania and another very realistic goal of mine far down in my career is that I want to be know as the greatest ever. Not everybody wants that. Some people want to be champion, but in ten years when people say my name, I want them to be saying ‘he was the guy who was the best ever.'”
As we reported earlier, Torrie Wilson was spotted with her boyfriend Alex Rodriguez again night. The former WWE diva and the New York Yankee all-star attended the Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs basketball game. Check out this picture of Torrie and A-Rod courtside at the Heat-Spurs game and a few more recent shots of them together:
— Zack Ryder, who lost the United States Championship to Jack Swagger on Monday’s Raw SuperShow, posted a cryptic message on Twitter Wednesday regarding his YouTube series Z! True Long Island Story.
“Workin’ on Episode 51 of Z! TLIS…yes, 49 is the next Episode…#hmmm,” he wrote.
— Lilian Garcia handled ring announcing duties at Tuesday’s WWE NXT and WWE Superstars tapings in Las Vegas, Nevada, replacing Tony Chimel. Chimel replaced Eden Stiles late last month on both programs following her departure from the organization.
— Rey Mysterio is advertised to appear at Indianapolis World of Wheels at the Indiana State Fairgrounds 1202 E 38th St. Indianapolis, Indiana on February 11, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
He is also scheduled to appear at Dallas Cavalcade of Customs at Dallas Market Hall 2200 Stemmons Fwy. Dallas, Texas on February 18, 2012 from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Shannon Spruill (a/k/a Daffney) says she is proceeding with her workers’ compensation claim against TNA Wrestling stemming from injuries she sustained while working for the organization in 2009 and 2010.
“Great day today. Just wanted to let everybody know that the Workers’ Comp Claim is going well. Although it’s been a long road, I continue to keep my head up. Hoping for some good results,” she tweeted Tuesday.
Spruill stated last March immediately following her departure from TNA Wrestling that she had filed a workers’ compensation claim against the organization. There were issues between Spruill and management regarding her medical expenses being covered after she suffered a concussion taking a bump through a board covered with barbed wire at the October 18, 2009 pay-per-view event Bound for Glory.
Creative writer Vince Russo and former Director of Talent Relations Terry Taylor pressured Spruill into performing the spot, reasoning that it was important for the ongoing feud between Abyss and Mick Foley. Spruill, who was hesitant on the idea, was assured that she would be fine. She suffered a concussion taking the maneuver and was taken to an Orlando, Florida area hospital via ambulance. Spike TV wouldn’t allow TNA to air the spot during the following episode of iMPACT! due to their policy on men-on-women violence.
Spruill’s emergency room visit resulted in a substantial medical bill, which Taylor stalled TNA from paying and ultimately was not. She also claimed she was pressured to continue performing after suffering two additional concussions. She suffered a concussion after being hit on the head with a toolbox by Tara following their match on the February 18, 2010 episode of iMPACT!. On April 20, 2010, she was injured in a dark match against an obese inexperienced worker named Miss Betsy and was taken to an Orlando area hospital, where she was diagnosed with a concussion, as well as a deeply bruised sternum and a severe stinger.
— According to Amazon.com, the second edition of the WWE Encyclopedia will be released on September 3, 2012. The updated volume will include entries on WWE Superstars that debuted in 2009, 2010 and 2011. It is 400 pages and will be released by Brady Games.
— Jinder Mahal, Johnny Curtis and Ricardo Rodriguez, who now exclusively appear at WWE shows, have been removed from the www.fcwwrestling.info roster page.
— Kofi Kingston appears at Best Buy 7017 S. Lindbergh Blvd. St. Louis, Missouri on January 28, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call 314-487-4999 for more information.
— Florida Championship Wrestling will hold their next television taping on Thursday, February 2, 2012 at the FCW Arena in Tampa, Florida.
Chris Jericho made his return to the G4 television show “Attack of the Show” on Tuesday. Hosts Kevin Pereira and Candace Bailey play a special round of the game “Twitter Twister” with help from their fans and Chris Jericho, as Craig ‘The Twistecutioner” DeSilva:
Speaking of everybody’s favorite Silent Superstar, the “huge announcement” Jericho has been teasing on Twitter in recent weeks has been revealed. Jericho’s rock band Fozzy has signed a new deal with Century Media Records. Here’s the official press release, sent out this afternoon:
FOZZY SIGNS WORLDWIDE DEAL WITH CENTURY MEDIA RECORDS
Century Media Records are proud to announce the signing of internationally-renowned metal band Fozzy. The brainchild of Chris Jericho and Rich Ward, Fozzy was formed a decade ago out of a passion for hard rock and heavy metal and has transformed into one of North America’s most electrifying bands.
“We are so excited and honored to be part of the Century Media family,” says Chris Jericho, an entertainment icon who has achieved legendary status as one of the WWE’s most acclaimed superstars, penned two New York Times best-selling autobiographies, and was a finalist on ABC’s hit television show Dancing with the Stars in 2011. “Fozzy finally has a record company with the firepower and worldwide influence we need and deserve to rise to the next level – Century Media is the perfect home for Fozzy, and we are stoked to release the masterpiece album of our career and conquer the world… and elsewhere!”
Chris Jericho will discuss Fozzy’s signing to Century Media Records tomorrow morning at 9am PST (Thursday, January 19, 2011) on the legendary Los Angeles radio station 95.5 KLOS, where he’ll appear live on the Mark and Brian morning show. To listen live on the internet from around the world, click here.
Fozzy – lead singer Chris Jericho, guitarist Rich Ward, drummer Frank Fontsere, bassist Paul DiLeo and guitarist Billy Grey – will release their Century Media debut worldwide in summer 2012. The album will be the follow-up to their acclaimed 2010 release Chasing The Grail, which saw them tour 15 countries around the world and perform in cities from Los Angeles to Lichtenvoorde, including an appearance alongside metal’s Big 4 – Metallica, Slayer, Megadeth and Anthrax – on the Knebworth Sonisphere, and a string of dates on the 2011 Rockstar Energy Drink Uproar Festival headlined by Avenged Sevenfold.
“There are very few musicians I respect more than Rich Ward, and I couldn’t be prouder of bringing him home to Century Media Records, the label that introduced me to Stuck Mojo in 1995,” says Century Media Records product manager Paul Gargano. “Chris is one of the most captivating entertainers and electrifying frontmen I know, and Fozzy have emerged as one of the best-kept secrets in hard rock and metal over the years – now it’s time to let the secret out…”
“Shortly after my 12th Birthday, while air-guitaring to Iron Maiden, I decided that when I grew up, I wanted to ‘pay my bills’ by playing guitar,” says Ward. “In 1995, Century Media Records allowed this seemingly unreachable goal to become a reality with my band Stuck Mojo. When that relationship came to an end in 2001, I continued making and releasing music with several different bands, through several different record companies. There was only one common thread in all my experiences with these other organizations – I wished they were more like Century Media. The truth is, like any ‘first’ relationship, it’s tough to get a real perspective of how good it really is until you’ve had other relationships to compare it to. After having lots of opportunities to gain some perspective, I am honored to return to Century Media Records as they become the home for Fozzy’s music. I’m so grateful to be able to play music for a living, and it is a privilege to continue my career with the label that gave me my start.”
– The dark main event that took place after Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings from Las Vegas saw Daniel Bryan defeat Big Show in a Steel Cage Match for the World Heavyweight Title.
Wade Barrett and Heath Slater came out to help Daniel Bryan, which brought out Sheamus to even the odds and help Big Show.
– Torrie Wilson and her boyfriend, New York Yankees superstar Alex Rodriguez were spotted at last night’s Miami Heat vs. San Antonio Spurs basketball game.
– WWE Tough Enough contestants Luke Robinson and Martin Casaus will face each other at the NWA UCW-ZERO 10th Anniversary Show on March 31st.
– WWE Hall of Fame ring announcer Howard Finkel announced that yesterday marked 35 yaers since becoming a ring announcer. Congratulations to the Fink, who, for our money, is the best ring announcer of all time.
– The Memorial Day edition of WWE RAW Supershow (5/28) will take place at the New Orleans Arena in New Orleans, LA. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
– WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase turns 58 years old today (Wednesday).
– WWE has released a new promo video hyping the upcoming WWE Network, including “Countdown” and more:
Mr. Anderson, who has not appeared for TNA Wrestling since the November 15, 2011 Impact Wrestling taping, is scheduled to return to the ring at this week’s Impact Wrestling World Tour in Worcester, Plymouth and Lowell, Massachusetts. He will be teaming with Rob Van Dam (who was stretchered backstage two weeks ago at Genesis after taking a DDT onto the concrete floor) at all three shows in matches against Mexican America members Anarquia and Hernandez.
Mexican America members Rosita and Sarita are also advertised to team, which they rarely do at house shows. They will be facing Brooke Tessmacher and ODB at all three events.
Other matches scheduled include:
* “The Charismatic Enigma” Jeff Hardy vs Christopher Daniels
* Jesse Sorensen vs Kid Kash vs Shannon Moore
* Garett Bischoff vs Television Champion Robbie E (with Rob Terry)
The first review is in for The Rock’s new 3D action adventure movie, Journey 2: The Mysterious Island. The Hollywood Reporter gives the movie an overall positive review and gives it a thumbs up as a colorful, family-friendly experience.
While the script is simplified from the original book, “the targeted demographic, however, will gladly hop aboard for a cornball ride through colorful, often glaringly phony sets popping with miniature elephants, gold-spewing volcanoes, and a monster-truck-sized lizard. For the adults, there’s the edifying sight of Michael Caine astride a giant bee,” says the reviewer.
As for The Rock’s performance, “Johnson sets the tone with an affable goofiness, although never ignites the spark that his labored banter with Caine requires.”
Meanwhile, The Rock is currently overseas making various public appearances to promote the film. The Associated Press has published a video report looking at this week’s Journey press conference in Taiwan. The Great One demonstrates two of his best talents – his singing and his ability to pop his pecs. Check it out:
Smackdown wrestler Ted DiBiase tweeted last night that he got food poisoning yesterday in Las Vegas. DiBiase was able to pull himself together enough to work a match at the SmackDown tapings, but he was forced to cancel the pre-SmackDown “DiBiase Posse” party he had organized.
DiBiase tweeted the following:
“Don’t know how I managed to get through the day today. Woke up at 5am with food poison (I’ll spare you details)!! Very sorry to Vegas DPP!!!”
“Some things are out of my control… This morning and throughout the day it was my bowels!! I’ll make it up to you guys next time!! Promise”
He later noted that he thought it was “the Lobster sandwich I had in the mall” when asked.
— Rikishi was in attendance at Tuesday’s WWE television taping at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas, Nevada, in support of sons Jey and Jimmy Uso. He watched the event from a luxury box.
— Former WWE performer Shad Chad Javier Romane Chittick Gaspard (a/k/a Shad) was displeased that a scene he took part in for Tuesday’s episode of The Game on BET was cut.
He tweeted, “Feel like shit right now and almost punched my dog. My Scene from @thegamebet was cut out and i’m pissed off.”
Gaspard, however, cooled off an hour later. He wrote, “Well my scene got cut, but i got the credit on my resume, experience that I needed, & a good friend in @billewoodruff. Still winning!!!”
— WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase turns 58 years old Wednesday.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety over at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR wrote about:
Can Mick Foley Still Wrestle?: ” I don’t think that Mick will return as a full-time or likely not even a part time wrestler. If we saw Mrs. Foley’s baby boy once or twice a year in his wrestling gear, I’d suggest that would be enough. There are so many positive things that Mick can do for WWE other than just wrestle.”
Legends House: “I see ‘trainwreck’ written all over this show especially when one considers the fact that the people chosen will be in the same house, isolated apparently from their loved ones, for likely 4-6 weeks. Being a reality show fan, I see amazing potential in this concept.”
Working With Joey Styles: “Will @JoeyStyles and JR ever call a match together?’ Likely not on weekly TV, but perhaps we might get to do something together on the WWE Network. We’ve discussed working together at some point when the platform and the time is right.”
Evan Bourne’s Wellness Policy Violation: “Obviously unfortunate for the talent. Two strikes are never good but I want to make it clear that I know zero details.. Nonetheless, this matter is being taken seriously as it should be and is terribly perplexing why a talent would travel the same road again.”
WWE announced Tuesday morning that Matthew Korklan, who performs as Evan Bourne, has been suspended for 60 days for his second violation of the company’s Talent Wellness Program. The Raw Superstar went on Twitter to apologize to fans for his latest infraction.
“Sorry y’all. Sometimes we become our own worst enemy,” he tweeted Tuesday afternoon.
During Sunday’s Raw Live Event at Oakland’s Oracle Center, Bourne and Kofi Kingston lost the WWE Tag Team Championship to Primo and Epico. The high-flying duo lost to the Tag Team Champions in short order in their rematch on Monday’s Raw SuperShow.
ImpactWrestling.com has removed Jackie Moore, Jesse Neal and Toxxin from their wrestler roster page. This would confirm their respective departures from TNA Wrestling late last year.
Moore stated on November 28, 2011 via Twitter that she parted ways with TNA Wrestling due to her contract expiring. She returned to the company last June alongside ODB under the guise of outsiders, with the duo promising to clean up the Knockouts division. In August, Moore and ODB abandoned their villainous antics in order to gain contracts with the promotion. After several weeks of working as babyfaces, they were signed to contracts by the new head of the Knockouts division, Karen Jarrett. Moore, however, did not appear for TNA again.
Neal made his final TNA appearance on the December 15, 2011 episode of Impact Wrestling, where he was DDT’d onto concrete floor by Gunner and consequently stretchered out of the Impact Wrestling Zone. Neal parted ways with TNA after organization officials asked him to relocate from Florida to Louisville, Kentucky to further his wrestling training in Ohio Valley Wrestling. He was unable to comply with their request because the money they were offering “wasn’t even anything close to live on.”
Toxxin is Neal’s real-life girlfriend, who was brought in September to combat Rosita and Sarita in Ink Inc.’s feud with Mexican America. Neal stated during a podcast interview that Toxxin, who appears as Christina Von Eerie on the independent wrestling circuit, was never under contract to the organization. Her departure was expected after Neal parted ways with TNA.
— The official website of the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia is advertising The Rock for the March 26, 2012 Raw SuperShow.
This will be the final Raw before WrestleMania XXVIII.
— It was rumored at last night’s Raw SuperShow in Anaheim, California that Shawn Michaels and Triple H would together induct The Four Horsemen—Arn Anderson, Barry Windham, JJ Dillon, Ric Flair and Tully Blanchard—into the WWE Hall of Fame. WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent lobbied for the Horsemen to be inducted into the Hall.
Meanwhile, Alberto Del Rio is internally expected to induct his uncle, Mil Mascaras.
— Ken Shamrock and Sid Vicious have been announced for Wrestlereunion, which takes place January 27-29, 2012 at the Westin Los Angeles Airport 5400 West Century Blvd. Los Angeles, California.
— WWE officials are hopeful that Christian will be cleared to return from injury in time for the Royal Rumble. He has been sidelined since November 9, 2011 due to an ankle injury.
— With the cancellation of the SmackDown live event originally scheduled for this Sunday in College Station, Texas, some SmackDown talent will instead appear at the Raw live event in Las Cruces, New Mexico. Randy Orton, who was reportedly slated to return at next Monday’s Raw SuperShow in Phoenix, Arizona, has been added to the New Mexico talent line-up.
Other SmackDown talent scheduled for the show include Big Show, Sheamus, Wade Barrett, Mark Henry, Epico, Primo and Rosa Mendes.
— The cable rating for last night’s Raw SuperShow will be delayed until Wednesday due to the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday.
Actor Liam Neeson was asked during the press junket for The Grey about a rumor that he’s in talks to portray Vince McMahon in the upcoming Chris Benoit biopic Crossface.
The Grey director Joe Carnahan answered first, telling Neeson, “I can’t see you doing that dude.” Neeson added, “No, I never heard of [the movie].”
Neeson added that he has no interest in the role, largely because he knows very little about the WWE CEO, almost nothing about Benoit, and is not a fan of professional wrestling.
Crossface was announced last month. Casting is underway and production is set to begin this fall.
We want to know – who do YOU think should play Vince McMahon in the Chris Benoit movie? Hit up the comments below with your casting choice.
