Former WWE talent Joanie “Chyna” Laurer is backstage at tonight’s TNA iMPACT! taping in Orlando, Florida and will debut as Kurt Angle’s mistress.
Lindsay Hayward (a/k/a Isis the Amazon), who was tapped to participate in WWE NXT last fall, was originally scheduled for the part. However, it was determined that she was too green for the role. Nonetheless, she too is scheduled for tonight’s taping.
source: prowrestling.net
WWE star Triple H was interviewed by Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun at the recent “BA STAR” anti-bullying campaign red carpet event in Washington, D.C.
“See, here’s the thing. I think a lot of people misunderstand what we’re saying. When we say we’re just going to be ‘WWE’ now and not ‘World Wrestling Entertainment,’ I think people think we’re walking away from our core product. That’s not it all,” Triple H said.
“We just do so many things very well. We’re a live event production company that does live events probably better than anyone else on the globe…We do live event touring probably better than anyone else in the world. We do merchandising and marketing as well, if not better, than anyone else in the world. There are abilities for us to take those core competencies and offer them to the outside world in addition to what we do.”
Eck also spoke with Stephanie McMahon and former WCW champion David Arquette at the event. Arquette was asked about his infamous WCW title win, to which he said, wrestling fans were upset but anybody who was a lifelong fan like him would have a hard time turning down that opportunity to be part of wrestling history.
You check out video of the interviews below:
— Kharma is a member of the Raw roster. WWE.com added a profile on the wrestler formerly known as Awesome Kong to the Raw Superstars page today. She is not, however, listed as a WWE Diva.
Kharma made her debut at Extreme Rules, attacking Michelle McCool following the Loser Leaves WWE Match. The following night on Raw, Kharma interrupted a match between Kelly Kelly and Maryse. She gave Maryse a lifting double underhook facebuster, but left the ring without attacking Kelly.
Meanwhile, McCool’s profile has been moved to the WWE Alumni section.
— ESPN.com posted an article concerning last night’s episode of Monday Night Raw. The article notes Miami Heat players Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and other athletes helping Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson celebrate his birthday. The result of the WWE Championship Match between John Cena and The Miz is also mentioned.
— Sunday’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view event featured 1 hour, 38 minutes and 47 seconds of in-ring action. By comparison, WrestleMania XXVII had 1 hour, 41 minutes and 6 seconds of in-ring action.
— WWE is participating in a promotional campaign with Best Buy for the new Blackberry Playbook Tablet as they’re having Superstars post comments on Twitter regarding the device, as well as a link to BestBuy.com.
— Both Kelly Kelly and former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler are ranked in Maxim’s “Hot 100” list. Kelly ranked #82 while Keibler ranked #72.
Kelly is ecstatic over the news as she posted several congratulatory messages from fans and colleagues on her Twitter account.
She added, “Thanks so much to everyone for all the love and Congrats on maxim hot 100 this was such a dream come true for me!!!!”
At Sunday’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view, John Cena defeated The Miz and John Morrison to capture the WWE Championship and end The Miz’s 5-month reign.
Miz’s reign included impressive title defenses against Randy Orton at the Royal Rumble and John Cena in the main event of WrestleMania XXVII.
We want to know what YOU think about The Miz’s WWE title reign.
COMMENT BELOW and tell us what you think about The Miz:
– WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart wrote the following on Twitter regarding the death of Osama Bin Laden:
“I hope before his trip 2 hell, dad, Owen, Bulldog, & Pillman gave Bin Laden torturous stretching. As a dual-citizen, couldn’t be more proud.”
– Chris Jericho’s metal band FOZZY has announced concert dates for June 4 in Brantford, Ontario, June 5 in Long Island, NY and July 14 in Frankfurt, Germany.
– The April 29 edition of WWE SmackDown! brought in 3,057,000 viewers and finished with a 1.96 cable rating.
– Ryan Nemeth, the younger brother of Dolph Ziggler, has been wrestling as “Briley Pierce” at Florida Championship Wrestling.
– WWEShop.com has a new Undertaker t-shirt for both WrestleMania XXVII and his now 19-0 Mania record.
SEScoops.com was at Monday’s WWE RAW from Miami and shot this exclusive video of what happened after the show went off the air .. Check out what happens when The Rock is greeted by two young fans wearing John Cena merchandise:
— WWE developmental wrestler Brett DiBiase has been removed from Florida Championship Wrestling’s roster page, which would indicate that he has been released.
The third generation wrestler had been under contract to WWE since 2008.
Meanwhile, Briley Pierce and Rodney Thomas were added to the section. Pierce is Dolph Ziggler’s younger brother, Ryan Nemeth. Thomas is a student from Lance Storm’s Wrestling Academy who has competed as “Shotgun” Brock Barker.
— Matches taped last night in Miami, Florida this week’s episode of WWE Superstars are as follows:
* Beth Phoenix vs. Melina
* Evan Bourne vs. Zack Ryder
— WWE returns to the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi on August 26, 2011 and the Fed-Ex Forum in Memphis, Tennessee on August 27, 2011.
source: PWInsider.com
Zach Ryder is back with another installment of his Z! True Long Island Story video series. In this episode, Ryder declares himself the WWE Internet champion .. Check it out here .. WWWYKI!
Check out these video highlights from Monday’s RAW featuring The Rock’s birthday celebration from his home town of Miami, courtesy of WWE’s YouTube channel:
WWE looks back at the tragedies of 9/11
Lilian Garcia sings the National Anthem:
Mysterio & Kofi Kingston vs. Swagger & Drew McIntyre
R-Truth brutally attacks John Morrison
Kane vs. Mason Ryan
The Rock goes face-to-face with Michael Cole
Superstars pay tribute to The Rock’s movie career
Pitbull and the Miami Heat dancers join The Rock
John Cena vs. The Miz – WWE Championship Match
John Cena announces Osama bin Laden is dead after Extreme Rules went off the air:
Kharma makes her RAW debut
Mya sings “Happy Birthday” to The Rock
– New World Heavyweight champion Christian’s first title challenger is expected to be Mark Henry.
– WWE will tape this week’s episodes of NXT and SmackDown tonight from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. The dark match main event that’s being advertised locally is Randy Orton and Christian vs. Sheamus and Wade Barrett.
– The Big Show will be making a guest appearance on the USA Network’s hit show, Burn Notice. Show will be playing villain Griffin Black on the fourth episode of the upcoming season.
– The Rock tweeted the following last night after his RAW birthday celebration:
“U have all help make my birthday one of the greatest days of my life.. strong love and thank u.. standing tall tonight and proudly lead America with the Pledge of Allegiance was a dream come true.. ELECTRIFYING.”
– Layla wrote the following on Twitter regarding her win over Michelle McCool at Extreme Rules:
“That was the hardest thing I ever had 2 do @McCoolMichelleL I will always have respect, gratitude & love for U! Our memories will stay with me. forever Flawless love ya.”
– Next week’s episode of Tough Enough will feature a special appearance from John Morrison and a “shocking” double elimination. Here’s the official preview:
“Next Monday, Tough Enough is all new and the contestants are on the ropes — literally! But who’s really hanging by a thread? There’s only one thing more heartbreaking than a dreamer losing the fight, and this is it: Get ready for a shocking double elimination you won’t believe! WWE Superstar John Morrison guest stars.”
The box office numbers are in for Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson’s latest movie FAST FIVE and the fifth installment of the Fast & Furious franchise had a blockbuster opening weekend. By far the best opening weekend of 2011 thus far, FAST FIVE took in $86.2 million dollars (in North America) in its opening weekend. It was also the best opening weekend for the Fast & Furious franchise.
Check Out: Pictures Of The Rock On The Set Of FAST FIVE (Bald Head & Goatee)
Director Justin Lin, who directed the last three Fast & Furious movies, is already planning a sixth installment, which will see Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprise his role as US special agent Hobbs.
“After this big weekend, we’re going forward,” Lin told USA Today on Monday. “It’s pretty much 100%. It’s going to happen. At five, we’re just hitting our stride .. We’re growing. People want to continue this journey.”
After the closing credits of Fast Five, a brief scene aired that revealed details on the plot of Fast Six. The scene featured The Rock with actress Eva Mendes talking about a new case – a robbery involving actress Michelle Rodriguez’s character Letty, who was murdered in 2009’s Fast & Furious – a sign that she’ll be returning “from the dead“ in the next movie.
COMMENT BELOW: Did you see FAST FIVE? If so – what did you think ?
Tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw kicked off with former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia center-ring to sing the “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Raw ring announcer Justin Roberts introduced Garcia to a large reaction and she proceeded to sing the National Anthem while fan reactions inside the America Airlines Arena were shown. A thunderous “U-S-A” chant followed her stirring rendition of the Anthem.
Prior started to her performance, a video package aired flashing back to September 11, 2001 and former United States President George W. Bush’s message to the American people. This was proceeded by clips of the September 13, 2001 episode of SmackDown including Vince McMahon’s center-ring speech addressing fans and wrestlers. A clip of Garcia performing “The Star-Spangled Banner” aired while the WWE Superstars at the time looked on.
Immediately following her performance, the term “Lillian Garcia” topped Twitter as a worldwide trending topic.
— Brodus Clay suffered a severe gash on his head last night at Extreme Rules after being driven into a ladder by Christian. A great deal of blood gushed from his wound and it is said that he may have suffered a concussion.
Joey Styles noted on his Twitter account that the wound required 12 stitches.
Christian was also banged up from the match.
— The April 29 episode of WWE SmackDown garnered a 1.96 cable rating, up from 1.87 the previous week.
The two-hour program averaged 3.05 million viewers, up from 2.8 the week before.
— Raw draftee Chris Masters beat Primo in a dark match prior to tonight’s Raw in Miami, Florida.
source: PWInsider.com
— WWE’s official Twitter page has announced that The Miz will invoke his rematch clause against WWE Champion John Cena tonight on Raw.
— Rap musician Pitbull and the Miami Heat dancers are scheduled to perform on Raw.
There is also a giant birthday cake backstage at Raw reading “Happy Birthday Rock.”
— Former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia appeared on today’s episode of the daytime syndicated medical/talk show The Doctors. A segment aired where Garcia’s husband Chris, who was sitting in the audience, volunteered to get manscaped and waxed. She was shown laughing while the procedure took place.
— WWE pulled the YouTube video of John Cena announcing to the Extreme Rules audience last night that U.S. troops “captured and compromised” Osama bin Laden. His speech will air tonight on Raw, WWE announced via press release.
source: F4WOnline.com
“Raw” Patriotism Tonight On USA Network
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–WWE© (NYSE:WWE) today announced that it will host the biggest party to celebrate our country’s patriotism on “Monday Night Raw®” airing live on USA at 9 p.m. ET from American Airlines Arena in Miami.
It is fitting that WWE celebrate this historic day in our country’s ongoing fight against terrorism, as WWE SmackDown® was the first public assembly after the tragedy of September 11th, taking place live from Houston on September 13, 2001.
As part of tonight’s show, WWE will replay Superstar John Cena® announcing the news about Osama Bin Laden to the crowd at last night’s Extreme Rules® pay-per-view in which the crowd spontaneously chanted U-S-A.
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly, PG content across all of its platforms including television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing. WWE programming is broadcast in more than 145 countries and 30 languages and reaches more than 500 million homes worldwide. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Shanghai, Singapore and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to https://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Busted Open with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin
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WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin appeared live in-studio promoting “Tough Enough” ahead of this week’s NBC Universal “upfronts” in New York City. The full interview is airing on Monday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. EST.
On being part of the first big event after 9/11 (Smackdown in Houston on Sept. 13, 2001…tied in with the news that Osama Bin Laden was killed):
“Well, the first show back was an interesting day at the office just because that’s when Vince (McMahon) just said, ‘Hey, Steve, we need to go back to work. A lot of people are going to come down on us but we gotta get this thing moving again and go forward because that’s what you do.’ There was just a lot going on there. A big gray cloud over all of us. Why this happened and how it happened and everything that went on. It was a little strange obviously. It was a weird period, that’s all I can say about it. It was a long time ago and it was a weird period, but you have to do what you have to do.”
Edge’s sudden retirement and similarities to Austin’s neck problems:
Well, I don’t know all the particulars about Edge’s health, but I guess it’s a neck problem. Spinal Stenosis, it means you ain’t gotta lot of room for your spinal cord to move. So that puts him in harms way by taking too many bumps or taking the wrong bump, so it’s a good decision he made. Sad day at the office for millions and millions of Edge fans and WWE fans.
I remember a long time ago, when my good buddy Mr. Wonderful Paul Orndorff had to get out of the business and he looked at me…Me and Paul were always straight shooters with each other and really good friends…and he goes ‘Steve, let me tell you something. There is life after wrestling.’ And there is, you just gotta go out there and find it and Edge will. He’s a bright kid, always has been, he’s still young, has got youth on his side, good looking kid and smart, so he’ll be fine. That’s just the way it is. When its time to close a door and open up another one, you gotta do that.
His Reaction to hearing the WrestleMania 28 main event announced a year in advance and making it work:
“They’re gonna have to make it work. It’s a hard build to make work. Rock’s hot and heavy right now in the movie business, he’s doing great…..and Cena is the number 1 guy, I’m sure he would love to work with a guy like Rock. When you got that big a window of time, it’s gotta work, and if anybody can make it work, it’s Vince. He always wants to do something big at every single Wrestlemania there is and that’s the big thing that he made was…..this next Wrestlemania. He’s a lot smarter than I am, so more power to him and good luck. I wish both guys well.”
On wrestlers having personality or lack thereof and if the guys in the back were upset that he showed his with the Stone Cold character:
“To this day, they (creative) might give you something because they don’t think you can come up with anything better or they feel their idea might be better than yours. Vince is a businessman. He don’t want to sit there and make every single decision that’s gotta be made. At the corporate level that’s his job because he’s the leader of that ship…he’s the captain…it’s his baby, but hell, he wants everyone to go out there.”
“If John Cena, the number 1 guy in the business, goes up to Vince and goes ‘Vince, I got a damn good idea, this is how to make me better and more hotter than I already am’….Vince is gonna listen to him. If Joe Blow who’s jerking the curtain in the first match says ‘Vince, I got a hell of an idea that’s gonna make me a main eventer, Vince is gonna say ‘Let me hear it’. It ain’t about them labeling you anything and making you stick to it. You gotta come up with something…it’s show business.”
Former WWE Diva Lilian Garcia and WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young are both scheduled to appear during Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s birthday celebration tonight on Raw.
During a backstage segment at WrestleMania XXVII, Young told Johnson that she wants “The People’s Strudel.” Rock responded by saying she should be craving other peoples’ studels, such as Moses. The segment concluded with the WWE Hall of Famer slapping The Great One on the rear.
Young’s urges towards Johnson infuriated Garcia, who was watching the pay-per-view broadcast at home.
She wrote on Twitter, “Whoa whoa wait!!!! Mae Young is trying to move in on MY people’s Strudel??? NO WAY @TheRock!!!!!”
Garcia was playing off an infamous backstage interview segment years ago in which she admitted to lusting over “The People’s Strudel.”
source: PWInsider.com
— Former WWE star Ron Simmons is backstage at tonight’s Raw taping in Tampa, Florida and expected to appear during the program.
— Sin Cara beat Tyson Kidd in a dark match prior to last night’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view telecast.
— Steve Austin is scheduled to appear at the USA Network’s Upfront presentation in New York City today
— WWE returns to the Mississippi Coliseum in Jackson, Mississippi on August 26, 2011 and the Fed-Ex Forum in Memphis, Tennessee on August 27, 2011.
source: PWInsider.com
— Former TNA X Division Champion Jay Lethal is returning to Ring of Honor for the first time since 2008. The organization issued a press release today to announce that he will appear on the Best in the World online pay-per-view on June 26.
— The Huffington Post posted an article regarding John Cena announcing to the Extreme Rules audience that U.S. troops “captured and compromised” Osama bin Laden.
— An image of The Undertaker giving the Tombstone piledriver to Triple H is featured on the cover of the latest issue of Power Slam.
— WWE.com has posted new studio photos of Beth Phoenix.
— WWE.com is now listing Alberto Del Rio’s personal ring announcer Ricardo Rodriguez as a member of the Raw roster. While Del Rio was moved to Raw in last week’s Draft, Rodriguez, however, was not officially.
Meanwhile, Ranjin Singh is still listed a member of the Raw roster despite being drafted to SmackDown along with The Great Khali last Tuesday.
— Bret Hart posted the following on Twitter regarding the death of Osama bin Laden.
“I hope before his trip 2 hell, dad, Owen, Bulldog, & Pillman gave Bin Laden torturous stretching. As a dual-citizen, couldn’t be more proud.”
— WWE.com has posted a photo retrospective of Christian’s career. “Captain Charisma” captured the World Heavyweight Championship for the first time last night at Extreme Rules.
Jim Ross posted a blog entry today on his official website, www.jrsbarbq.com. Highlights are as follows:
His health following Extreme Rules: “Very sore today. Broken right hand is hurting. Iced it before going to bed to reduce swelling. Certainly not using the hand as an excuse for losing because I pretty much forgot about it once the ‘match’ started. Bowling shoe ugly bout w/o question. Did the best we could w/ 2 non wrestlers in a tag match.”
Michelle McCool’s departure from WWE: “Sorry to see Michelle McCool leave WWE. She’s an example of what intelligently approaching ones craft will do for you. Michelle evolved into a skilled performer via hard work. Perhaps I’ll see her when her alma mater, Florida State University, hosts Oklahoma in college football this September. Michelle is a gifted athlete and will be missed.”
Christian winning the World Heavyweight Championship: “Really happy for Christian’s success in winning World Heavyweight Title. Christian was ‘due’ and is one of the more underrated performers in WWE and has been for a good while.”
R-Truth’s performance at Extreme Rules: “R-Truth has begun to distinguish himself and had an impactful cameo at Extreme Rules. Again, the key issue here is for Truth to contiune to take advantage of the moment. The door is open, so to speak, and hopefully Truth will walk through it to the next level. An interesting story to follow.”
Kharma’s debut at Extreme Rules: “Enjoyed Kharma’s debut at Extreme Rules. She can potentially be a huge attraction for WWE. She’s different and special. Curious to see where she goes from here. I personally expect great things from her.”
— The ongoing Michael Cole vs. Jerry Lawler program is slated to continue through at least WWE Over the Limit, which takes place May 22, 2011 at the KeyArena in Seattle, Washington. A singles match between both personalities is expected to occur.
— CM Punk suffered numerous scrapes on his back during his Last Standing Man Match against Randy Orton last night at Extreme Rules.
— Jim Ross said on Twitter following last night’s Extreme Rules pay-per-view that a leather strap had to be attached to his wrist due to his broken hand; he couldn’t make a fist or grip the strap.
The injury occurred last Monday on Raw when Cole’s tooth made contact with the bone of J.R.’s fist.
— Les Thatcher has written the foreword for Tough Enough trainer Bill DeMott’s autobiography, which is scheduled for release in a few months.
source: PWInsider.com
— April Hunter, who has competed on the independent wrestling scene for numerous years, was offered a contract by TNA Wrestling in 2009. She explained why she declined their contract offer in an interview with www.f4wonline.com.
“First off, I do like the people there and enjoy the locker room and backstage. It’s a fun company. But there were a few issues,” she said.
“The money wasn’t more than I’m offered on the indies. However, the main issue was they asked me to sign a waiver clearing them of any future medical issues, and that I had to get cleared by my own doctor first. I knew of two other girls fighting with them to get their medical bills paid at that point and I wasn’t comfortable with the idea after all the injuries I’ve already been through. I know how easy it is to get hurt and I also know they like to suggest certain high risk moves at times. That is what royally screwed up a match I had with Desire years ago. TNA management put the match together using moves that neither one of us were comfortable or familiar with. So, I said no.
“I’d never rule them out if they change their policies, but for now, I don’t think it’s for me.”
— TNA Wrestling is back on the road on tour starting this Thursday in Joplin, Missouri, followed by events in Fort Smith and Hot Springs, Arkansas.
— Shawn Daivari, who competed in a pre-iMPACT! dark match last month, filmed scenes for a documentary at the television taping.
source: ProWrestling.net
Michelle McCool is gone from WWE after losing a Loser Leaves WWE Match to Layla last night at Extreme Rules.
The wrestler formerly known as Awesome Kong made her WWE television debut immediately following McCool’s defeat and laid out the multi-time champion with an Implant Buster.
In an indication as to why she’s leaving WWE, McCool revealed to WWE.com that she’s endured a slew of injuries the past two months.
“My foot has been injured for two months now, broken toe, torn joint capsules, torn MCL. I took a good beating by Layla and Kharma, too. I know I’ll be feeling it tonight, tomorrow and probably the next day,” McCool said. “But I’ll wear it with pride.”
McCool was introduced to the WWE audience in 2004 as a competitor in the inaugural Diva Search. Although the former school teacher lost the competition, WWE signed her to a contract in November of that year. She had been wrestling ever since.
“I’ve been doing this for six years now. Love me or hate me, I hope the WWE Universe can respect that night in and night out, I’ve given it my all,” McCool tearfully said. “This is definitely emotional, and I’m sure it’ll be like that for awhile.”
While McCool hopes to see her fans again, it won’t be in the ring.
“Thank you for the love and the hate. Thank you for being you and for watching. Hopefully I’ll see you around – not in the ring – but maybe someday.”
She echoed similar comments on Twitter, writing, “Thx for the love guys….I know there will always be rumors, but that was it – real talk! @mslayel ….nothing but luv 4 u! Luv u all…nite!”
