SESCOOPS will be doing LIVE COVERAGE of EXTREME RULES
Following Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings (set to air this Friday), here’s the updated card for Extreme Rules:
Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship
The Miz (c) vs. John Cena vs. R-Truth
Ladder Match for the Vacant World Heavyweight Title
Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio
Tag Team Match
Jerry Lawler and Jim Ross vs. Michael Cole and Jack Swagger
The ratings are in for Monday’s episodes of WWE RAW and WWE Tough Enough – and both shows are down from the prior week’s post-WrestleMania shows.
– Monday’s WWE RAW drew a 3.45 rating, down 10% from last week’s 3.82.
This week’s 2-hour broadcast averaged 5.45 million viewers, down only 3% from last week’s 5.60 million viewers.
This week’s first hour drew a 3.37 rating (5.34 million viewers) and the second hour drew a 3.52 (5.56 million viewers).
– Monday’s episode of Tough Enough in the new 8pm timeslot (before RAW) drew a 1.81 rating, down 27% from last week’s premier, which drew a 2.51.
This week’s viewership was 2.79 million viewers, down 16% from last week’s 3.33 million viewers.
Overall, not a bad showing this week for for WWE. A slight drop from the post-WrestleMania shows was expected, but the numbers held on pretty strong.
(Source: Pro Wrestling Torch)
Since undergoing a number of back surgeries in the past year, TNA star Hulk Hogan is getting back in very good physical shape. . He has been working out a lot and it appears the procedures have been a huge success in terms of reducing the level of pain he has been dealing with on a daily basis.
While there is no confirmation just yet, it is possible that Hogan will be returning to the ring later this year. TNA has been hinting at an Anderson vs. Hogan feud.
Hogan has also been involved in the Bischoff-Hervey Productions project, Hulk Hogan’s Micro Championship Wrestling. The show will air on TruTv, and while it was thought that Hogan would simply lend his name to the show, that has since changed. The show was initially supposed to be a reality TV project about the wrestlers, but Hogan was not happy with the quality of the product. The series has been changed and it now features Hogan’s attempts to improve and fix the product, including legitimately letting talents go. The new version is said to be very different, and much better than the original plan.
Hogan’s involvement in the Micro Championship Wrestling company has garnered them some mainstream media attention.
(Partial source: PWInsider.com)
As we confirmed here on Monday night, Edge is in fact retiring from the squared circle and has almost certainly wrestled his last WWE match ever. Edge has stated publicly in recent interviews that he planned to retire in two years, but had told others in WWE that he felt like he could go for another five years. Now that we know how bad his neck really is after last week’s MRI (with doctors saying they could never medically clear him to wrestle again), it’s frightening to think that Edge had a ladder match coming up in a few weeks and almost certainly would have done even more damage to his neck in the coming months and years.
With reality setting in that Edge’s in-ring career is over, it’s time to start looking ahead. It’s said that Edge has some writing projects that he will be working on and his next set of life goals do not have much to do with wrestling. The feeling in WWE that Edge will always remain on good terms with the company, but he probably won’t be working full time behind-the-scenes as an agent. This is despite many of his peers saying on Twitter that Edge has a great mind for the business and could still contribute without stepping foot in a ring.
Regarding Edge and the World Heavyweight Title, there was some confusion at RAW last night as to why WWE didn’t put Alberto Del Rio over at WrestleMania 27 if they knew there was even a small chance that Edge would be leaving soon.
While WWE’s announcement notes that Edge got his MRI results the Monday after WrestleMania, sources indicate that he’s been feeling more intense pain for a few weeks now but didn’t think he would be forced to retire. Had WWE known Edge would have to retire soon, more emphasis would have been put on “his final WrestleMania match.”
Like Edge said on RAW.. It’s very unfortunate that his still-promising career has been cut short, but we cannot overlook the fact that he could have been left paralyzed if he kept wrestling. He’s not walking away on his terms entirely – but he had one hell of a career and dodged a bullet by leaving before it was too late.
– Vince McMahon was said to be furious about Sin Cara’s botched entrance on RAW last week, when he barely cleared the top rope after jumping off a trampoline at ringside. (VIDEO)
Last night on RAW, there was another big botched spot with Sin Cara that took place when he had Primo in the corner and both men were standing on the top turnbuckle. Sin Cara was setting up for a C4 suplex, but Primo fell before the move could be executed and Sin Cara was thrown to the floor outside. Sin Cara got back in the ring, kicked Primo in the head and hit the impressive top rope move – but many WWE stars were watching the match backstage and were joking around that “that was it” for Sin Cara and Primo would probably get released for blowing that big spot.
– The feeling at RAW last night was that John Morrison would have got R-Truth’s spot in the WWE Title Triple Threat at Extreme Rules if it weren’t for the heat on him right now for his actions towards Trish Stratus.
– With Edge set to surrender his World Heavyweight title on SmackDown, the future of the championship belt is currently up in the air. One idea discussed for tonight’s SmackDown tapings is for Edge have Christian to take his place against Alberto Del Rio in the Ladder Match, with the winner being crowned the new champion.
— CM Punk missed last night’s Monday Night Raw taping in Bridgeport, Connecticut. While the reason has yet to be disclosed, the matter was resolved with company officials ahead of time.
— Former WWE talent Tony Anthony (a/k/a T.L. Hopper) celebrates his 51st birthday today.
– There has been talk of putting The Corre in a multi-man match at Extreme Rules with Wade Barrett’s Intercontinental Title on the line and Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater’s Tag Team Titles on the line.
(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)
After Raw went off the air, Randy Orton gave the RKO to Alex Riley. John Cena then gave the Attitude Adjustment to The Miz.
Both Cena and Orton paid their respects to Edge, who announced earlier in the show that he would never compete again due to a serious spinal condition. Cena referred to him by his real name, Adam Copeland. Cena recalled Edge winning the WWE Championship from him in the Elimination Chamber and that people thought he would never amount to more than a tag team champion.
Cena mentioned that when Edge said he was leaving due to medical reasons, he wasn’t joking. Cena asked for one more send-off from the audience so Edge could hear them backstage.
Cena placed the microphone in the center of the ring and the crowd gave Edge a standing ovation. Both Cena and Orton left the ringside area to conclude the event.
Check out these videos of what happened after RAW:
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart recently spoke with SunSport and shared his thoughts on WrestleMania 27. The Hitman said overall, he was disappointed with the show and despite all the buildup, found it “anti-climactic.” Here are some highlights of what he said about:
The Rock’s Involvement:
“I was hoping The Rock would be a little more interesting than he was. I would have had him involved in the John Cena v Miz match right off the bat. My initial thinking about two months ago was that Rock was going to be working with Cena and somehow Miz would be involved, and it would be a triple threat type of match. I thought Rock needed to be in the match, not just talking about it. Don’t get me wrong — Rock is a great talent. Just looking at him, I think he is ready to get back in the ring. I’m sure he could have wrestled at WrestleMania and he should have done so. The excitement going in to WrestleMania this year was all tied in with Rock and when he didn’t actually do anything but stand around and be a mouthpiece all night, that didn’t really work. To me as a fan, if I want to see him be a mouthpiece then I’ll watch one of his movies. I wanted to see him do some wrestling. I guess I just expected a little bit more.”
Sheamus-Bryan Getteing Bumped & Cole vs. Lawler:
“I also had to scratch my head and wonder how the WWE could pull the Sheamus v Daniel Bryan match and let Jerry Lawler and Michael Cole go for 30 minutes. It just seemed really crazy to me. My biggest disappointment was that two of the best wrestlers in the company, Bryan and Sheamus, didn’t get a chance to show what they can do on a WrestleMania. I thought Lawler v Cole was built up really well, with most fans wanting to get their hands round Cole’s neck by the time WrestleMania came. But I don’t know why they went so long. It’s not a match that needs to go very long. Michael Cole clearly can’t actually do anything. That’s the part I don’t get. It should have been about four or five minutes long max. Sadly going so long, meant they really took all the light away from the other wrestlers that earned it through the year.”
CM Punk vs. Randy Orton:
“He (CM Punk) has got a really good ring presence. Better than anyone else, CM Punk understands his wrestling persona. He’s very serious about that character, and I like that passion that he has. It comes across in how he is day-to-day, just being around him. He’s a very committed, serious professional. His match with Orton, I thought, was really credible. To put together the match the way they did I thought it complemented both wrestlers, and they really told a good story. I liked the story, I liked the finish. It had a lot of twists and turns, you weren’t quite sure what was going to occur. I found myself going along with it all the way through and not knowing what was going to happen next — and to me that is a good wrestling match.”
To read more on what Bret Hart thought about WrestleMania 27, check out his interview over at SunSport.
Ring Of Honor sent out the following today:
On the heels of a week of phone calls, e-mails, and meetings with Shane Hagadorn, ROH officials have finalized the paperwork for Eddie Edwards’ next World Title defense on May 7th when Ring of Honor returns to The Ted Reeve Arena in Toronto. His opponent: “That Young Knockout Kid” Chris Hero!
As one of only two men who have pinned Eddie Edwards since his “Survival of the Fittest 2010” win, Chris Hero has not challenged for the World Title since “Bitter Friends, Stiffer Enemies 2” in April 2010 when he fought Tyler Black. Now, with the fire of recently losing the World Tag Titles in his heart, Hero comes after Edwards with a vengeance.
“Hagadorn did his job well.” stated Hero, “And soon it will be time for me to do mine. Eddie Edwards, you felt the force of my elbows in Plymouth and you know what it feels like to be rendered unconscious by me! Hold that title tight for the little time you have left with it, because in Toronto…the city where I beat Lance Storm, the city where Claudio and I slaughtered The Briscoes… in Toronto I will bring your championship dreams to a brutal conclusion!”
“Chris Hero thinks he knows me.” stated Eddie Edwards, “He thinks he has my number after pinning me in Plymouth. Watch the tape Chris, and look at what it took to put me down that night. Look at my fight with Roderick and look at what he put me through, but look at who took the belt home that night. Chris, this championship is everything to me, and there is nothing you can possibly do that will put me down for the count.”
May 7, 2011 in Toronto, ON, Canada; Eddie Edwards vs. Chris Hero, ROH World Title on the line! Ring of Honor is coming off a huge weekend in Atlanta and we’re going to carry that momentum into a weekend of “Revolution”! Join us in Dearborn & Toronto and revolt against the norm as ROH creates an uprising in true pro wrestling. Get your tickets now at this link!
The wrestling world is still reeling from the announcement that WWE superstar Edge is being forced into retirement due to ongoing issues with his neck. Here is what some of Edge’s peers are saying about the end of his storied career:
Christian: “I’ve shed my tears..And from here on out I choose 2celebrate 1 of the greatest careers in WWE history..Cant wait2 induct u in the HOF #Edge.”
Bret Hart: “I remember training w/both Edge & Christian in a ring @ my house back in ’97 & he’ll always be one of my guys. Such an abrupt end to a great career saddens the entire wrestling world. Cheers to the rated-R Superstar.”
Shawn Michaels: “Have had contact w/Edge & he is looking 4ward 2what the future holds. It will b great, good things happen 2 good people & he is just that.”
Kurt Angle: “It’s sad to see my friend Edge Retire from WWE. Edge was one of the Best. Your Fans will miss You dearly. I know I will. Luv u Edge!!!!”
Jim Ross: “Edge will always be one of my favorites. I’m so grateful I was in a role to help him launch his wwe dream. Dreams do come true. Edge=HOF!”
“Gonna miss Edge. Have 2 think WWE will utilize Edge’s mind & teaching abilities. Great integrity.”
Matt Hardy: “Heard Adam is retiring because of physical issues that won’t allow him to safely continue wrestling. He’ll be missed, we’ve certainly had our fair share of issues.. Both good and bad. But I tip my hat to Edge who is one of the greatest I’ve ever been in the ring with. Adam resides in NC now-sure I’ll run into him down the road. Glad that him & I are in a good place. We came in as friends, & went out that way.”
Chris Jericho: “Edge is a great performer and 1 of my favorite opponents. He’s also got an incredible MIND for the business. Congrats on an amazing career”
Samoa Joe: “A Little late but I just heard about Edge’s Retirement. Good People, GREAT wrestler, and will sorely be missed in the ring.”
Tommy Dreamer: “My motto has always been I wrestle every single match like it is my last, cause 1 day I know it will b. Thanks Edge 4 everything u hav done”
Charlie Haas: “EDGE will be missed. It was an honor to share the ring with him, and compete against him. Truly one of the best. Stay in touch Edger”
Hulk Hogan: “if any of the guys like me,Flair,Hardy,Andre,AA,Blanchard,orndoff,Henning would have listened to doctors we would have quit15yrsago, but I don’t know Edges working environment because they are a media company not a wrestling company. HH wrestlers work hurt!”
“What about Foley! I bet EDGE still wants to keep wrestling,he’s one of the boys big time!!! HH”
“my take is with a unfixable neck injury it’s over ,but he’s one of the boys and it will be hard to keep him down,he’s 4life HH”
“I’m not saying anything bad about Edge but he’s a real wrestler,Stone Cold and Cena had neck surgery and u couldn’t stop em,Or Edge it’s in Edges blood,he lives for this business he’s a real wrestler,he a lifer,he’s one of the real boys,he’s hard to hold down,that’s all. HH”
Kevin Nash: “the loss of Edge is a sad day 4 the WWE great in ring,but such a special guy out,he still has years left to give.”
Taz: “Edge, 1 of the GREAT guys in the biz. Awesone talent & awesome guy! I live the numbness in arms due to neck issues also, scary.Be well bro.”
Kelly Kelly: “Thank you Adam for everything.. you’ve been such a great friend your an amazing person, n inspiration and I had the honor of working with u!”
Joey Styles: “In wrestling you make many acquaintances and few friends. Edge is a friend. My friend, seeing you was always a pleasure and never a chore.”
Eric Bischoff: “Best of luck to Edge. Class guy and a great talent. He will find success in anything he pursues.”
Wade Barrett: “I have a tremendous amount of respect for Edge. A great career and a great human being.”
Gail Kim: “Thank u Edge for everything u have given to the business and ur friendship. We r sad 2 c u go but grateful 4 ur health.also can’t wait 2 c christian induct u to the HOF”
Howard Finkel: “Thank you Edge for everything that you gave and meant to this industry, and personally speaking, thank you for your friendship!”
Yoshi Tatsu: “I can’t believe it. I’m very sad. But thank you very much Edge.”
Eve Torres: “An emotional night for sure. #ThankYouEdge. One of the most creative, hard working, passionate, & helpful men in the WWE. We’ll miss you!”
Vickie Guerrero: “I’m so sad to see Edge leave…I’m honored I got to learn so much from him. He will be missed.”
Natalya Neidhart: “My thoughts are with Edge, and thank you so much for the wonderful memories. You’re a real, true friend and ill never forget it.”
Michelle McCool: “Didn’t catch raw but heard about most important part. I love you Edger! Thank you all you’ve given to a biz I have always loved! Mad respect. Goes out to all you’ve done not only for your fans, but for us as well. I am so blessed to call u a friend! Thx for always helping me!”
The Rated R superstar Edge announces that injuries are forcing him into retirement:
WWE Champion The Miz spoke with The Miami Herald this week and had this to say about the following topics:
Fans’ reaction to him: “The fans always cheer me at events like Axxess or the press conferences. Then at live events they boo me, but show me the respect I deserve. They didn’t do that three years ago, when they literally hated me and couldn’t stand me. They changed the channel, when I was on TV. Now I think I’m starting to earn their respect, which is good.”
The Rock: “The Rock was my favorite growing up. He has always been my favorite. I was able to get in there and upstage him and literally show him that I’m better. It’s like when you see an icon or someone you idolize when you are younger. Then you are in the ring with him and are able to show him up. To show everyone you are better than your idol, there is nothing better than that.”
WrestleMania 28 in Miami: “I will still be the main event. I plan on still being the WWE champion. I plan on being the longest reigning WWE champion of all time. It’s just the type of person I am. I am always aiming to be number one and the best. So I will be the champion, the main event and everything everyone else isn’t.”
St. Louis Rams linebacker James Laurinaitis indicated to TheLantern.com that he would consider joining WWE if the ongoing NFL lockout continues, which has lasted more than a month.
“I should take up pro wrestling,” Laurinaitis said. “It’d be a natural transition. I might have to try to get in the ring a little bit, take on John Cena or Randy Orton.”
“I’d consider it,” Laurinaitis added. “You don’t want to mess around and get hurt. But if it’s just a few run-downs here and there or something, I’d maybe at least get some of the training done.”
Laurinaitis is the son of WWE Hall of Famer Road Warrior Animal and nephew of WWE executive John Laurinaitis.
The article is available here.
— Matt Capiccioni (a/k/a Matt Cross) was eliminated from last night’s episode of WWE Tough Enough because Steve Austin didn’t like the fact that Capiccioni had been on the independent wrestling scene for nine years and hadn’t “broke free from the pack.” This, as well as his general reluctance to take risks, led to him being cut.
— WWE.com is advertising the following for tonight’s episode of WWE NXT: “On WWE NXT, host Maryse was told by her boyfriend, Ted DiBiase, that she must pick him or the show. Is the beautiful and witty Diva’s Tuesday night fun over?”
— Edge is advertised to surrender the World Heavyweight Championship at tonight’s WWE SmackDown taping in Albany, New York. In a trivia note, Edge will be vacating the title in the same building he won his first WWE Championship, which took place in 2006 at WWE New Year’s Revolution. After John Cena won the Elimination Chamber Match, he cashed in the Money in the Bank briefcase and subsequently won the strap.
— It was announced during a commercial on Raw that Edge would surrender the World Heavyweight Championship this Friday on SmackDown.
— Christian and Natalya commented on Edge announcing his retirement tonight on Raw. Both wrote on Twitter:
Christian: “I’ve shed my tears..And from here on out I choose 2celebrate 1 of the greatest careers in WWE history..Cant wait2 induct u in the HOF #Edge”
Natalya: “My thoughts are with Edge, and thank you so much for the wonderful memories. You’re a real, true friend and ill never forget it.”
— Adam Copeland, Awesome Kong, Brie Bella, Edge, Jack Swagger and Mason Ryan, among other WWE terms, were trending tonight on Twitter.
Here is WWE’s official announcement on Adam “Edge” Copeland being forced into retirement due to injuries:
Less than a week after his successful title defense against Alberto Del Rio at WrestleMania XXVII, World Heavyweight Champion Edge has been forced to retire from in-ring competition due to injury. The unexpected news brings to an end a storied WWE career spanning 13 years and consisting of 11 World Title reigns.
The Rated-R Superstar had been suffering numbness and uncontrollable trembling in his arms and hands. This is not the first time Edge has experienced these symptoms of nueropraxia. An MRI in Atlanta last Monday was sent to Dr. Joseph Maroon, a renowned neurosurgeon and professor of neurosurgery at The Pittsburgh School of Medicine. After careful examination of the MRI, it was determined that Edge would never be cleared to compete again, and thus, he is forced to retire.
In 2003, Edge underwent a two level spinal fusion of the discs between his C5, C6 and C7 vertebrae. After being cleared to compete, The Rated-R Superstar returned to the ring, resulting in stenosis of the spine, or a narrowing of the spinal column, above and below the fused discs. This narrowing resulted in less and less of the vital fluid needed to protect the spinal cord. Medical professionals cannot clear Edge to compete ever again in WWE since doing so could result in paralysis or even death.
This is what’s being said about Edge on Twitter:
On Monday’s episode of WWE RAW, World Heavyweight champion Edge announced that he is retiring from the squared circle.
According to sources in WWE, Edge’s retirement announcement is 100% legitimate and not a television storyline.
Edge said that he recently had his neck checked out and the results were not good. This is also a legitimate issue and not a storyline.
From what we’re hearing – Edge was told he could go out in the ring and say whatever he wanted.
It was announced on RAW that Edge will forfeit the World Heavyweight title on Friday’ SmackDown. At this time – there’s no word on what will happen with the belt.
We’ll have a lot more on this story during the week, new details are coming in already. Stay tuned.
(Credit to pwinsider for some of the information used in this report)
— Gail Kim shot down rumors that she is departing from WWE.
“Can people stop talking about me supposed leaving or my personal life here? It’s really annoying guys,” she wrote on Twitter. “I’m not going anywhere last time I’m saying it. It makes me want to avoid twitter. Let’s talk about more positive and interesting things. Happy raw day… Hopefully us divas will be in action 2nite!”
— The April 8 episode of WWE SmackDown scored a 2.1 cable rating and averaged 3.2 million viewers.
Viewership was up from the previous week’s telecast, which drew a 1.94 cable rating and an average of 3.0 million viewers.
— The April 8 episode of WWE SmackDown featured 35 minutes and 58 seconds of wrestling action. The previous week’s show featured 6 minutes and 4 seconds.
source: Pro Wrestling Torch
The following press release was issued today:
“KNOCKOUT” family action film stars Steve Austin
Release Date: April 26, 2011
Phase 4 Films is pleased to announce the Blu-ray, DVD and VOD release of “Knockout” on April 26, 2011. “Knockout” stars wrestler-turned-movie-star Steve Austin (“The Expendables,” “Damage,” “The Longest Yard”), a pop culture icon with a huge fan following from his vital role in the World Wrestling Entertainment arena.
The direct-to-DVD and VOD film brings Steve Austin back to the ring to train a rising boxing star, played by Daniel Magder (“Life with Derek”). “Knockout” is an inspiring story in the vein of under-dog classics such as “The Karate Kid” and “Rocky.”
Outsider and new kid Matthew (Daniel Magder) desperately wants to join his high school´s boxing team, but resident bully and boxing champion Hector stands in his way. Facing constant torment, Matthew finds an unlikely ally in Dan (Steve Austin), the school´s janitor and one-time amateur boxer. Despite Matthew´s overprotective parents and unimposing size, Dan sees potential in him. Together, they train for the biggest boxing match of Matthew´s life and discover what it truly means to be a winner.
Phase 4 Films will release “Knockout” on April 26, 2011. The Blu-ray and DVD are available for $29.99 SRP at all major retailers.
Credit to SEScoops.com reader Kevin McGuffy for this recap of The Rock on Ellen:
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was a guest on the Ellen DeGeneres show today. She began by asking him, “Is it Dwayne or are you still The Rock.” He said both, “I will always be The Rock but I am Dwayne too.”
They talked about Wrestlemania 27 Rock says it was incredible because he had 70,000 people chanting “If you smell what The Rock is cooking.” Rock says there is no other platform to get that kind of response.
Ellen asked since it had been 7 years were you rusty. He said no it is just like riding a bike you slip right back into it. There is nothing like performing in front of a live audience.
She mentioned you are getting in the ring again, he said in his hometown of Miami next year at Wrestlemania 28 he will be kicking ass and taking names. The funny thing is he never mentioned John Cena.
They showed a clip of Snooki and he said celebrities always want to be a part of Wrestlemania but she took it seriously and trained her butt off.
She asked about Team Bring It, he explained the concept behind it saying Regardless of whatever challenge you face, you always take it head on and never be afraid. Ellen read three responses from Rock’s Twitter says how the Team Bring It had helped them
After a commercial they talked briefly about Fast 5 and then played a True or False game.
Question 1: I am afraid of spiders, roller coasters and miniature horses- Ellen said False and the answer was True
Question 2– I appeared in an episode of Star Trek- Ellen said False but again that answer was True
Question 3– I appeared in the first video of Lady GaGa- Ellen said False and it is False
Question 4– I wanted to join the FBI- Ellen said True and it is True
Question 5– I am fluent in both French and Hebrew- Ellen said False and it is False. Although Rock said he does kiss that way.
Question 6– I can tap dance- Ellen said True, however the card said False but Rock said of course he can tap dance.
Question 7- I am a New York Times Best Selling Author- Ellen said False and of course that answer is True.
Question 8: I can make my pecs dance- Ellen said Yes and Prove It. So Rock does just that. (Video below)
Overall great interview where they actually talked more about wrestling than his new movie.
Check out this video clip of The Rock’s appearance on Ellen:
WrestleMania 27 is in the books and the overall feeling we’ve been hearing is that the show had the “big time” WrestleMania feeling, but the booking of several of the top matches was executed poorly.
We reported shortly before and in the days following WrestleMania that Vince McMahonwas said to be “frantic” backtage and several aspects of the show were re-written just hours before it went on the air.
WWE has been examining the broad from top to bottom in hopes of and taking a look at what could have been done better – and two matches in particular are standing out – John Cena vs. The Miz main event and the Michael Cole vs. Jerry Lawler special attraction match.
Many think that the double countout finish of the WWE title match was a disaster and not a satisfying finish for the main event of WrestleMania, despite the fact that the entire thing was approved by Vince McMahon the day of the show.
There is also some heat on WWE agent Dean Malenko for the way he laid out the Michael Cole vs. Jerry Lawler match. While this one seemed like a no-brainer to book, anybody who saw the match would agree that Michael Cole’s was given way too much offense, which killed the energy of the live crowd.
(Source: f4wonline.com)
Notre Dame collegiate wrestling champion Derek Foore recently told The Medina Gazette that he’s been offered a chance to train at WWE developmental. WWE talent scout Jerry Brisco recently saw Foore wrestle at a national competition back in March and invited him to be evaluated at Florida Championship Wrestling.
Foore told Ohio’s Medina Gazette that he’s very excited at the prospect of becoming a future WWE superstar:
“Of course I’m going to jump on the opportunity. When I get down to Tampa, though, it’s business, straight business. I’m going there to get a contract. I’ll do whatever it takes to sign on the dotted line. I’m willing to learn. In order to walk, you have to crawl. I think the chances are really good, but I won’t count my eggs before they hatch. I’ll take nothing for granted. I’ll expect the worse, but I’ll be confident I can work toward what I want. They’re not allowing me to ride my bike with training wheels. I’ll take my bumps and bruises along the way. I never thought it would happen. Words can’t describe what I’m thinking.”
Check out this video of Derek Foore competing:
Pro wrestling manager Alex Whybrow, who performed as Larry Sweeney for Ring of Honor and numerous American independent promotions, has died at the age of 29.
F4WOnline.com reports that he committed suicide either late last night or this morning. It is believed that he hung himself.
Whybrow suffered from bipolar disorder and had a breakdown in 2009, which he described as “the absolute worst event” of his life. He went through a long recovery process the following year.
He made sporadic appearances on the independent scene after parting ways with ROH in 2009.
Independent wrestler Chris Hero, a friend of Whybrow, commented on his passing on Twitter.
“We lost a dedicated friend and an overwhelmingly talented performer this morning,” he wrote. “Alex Whybrow aka ‘Sweet & Sour’ Larry Sweeney has passed.
“We spent a few yrs together on the road & Alex was gifted beyond measure. He could enthrall you with colorful stories from his personal life or he could captivate thousands with his undeniable charisma. I loved him & my heart is with his family, friends & his countless fans. First he was my student & he transcended that almost immediately. I will forever cherish our in depth conversations & time spent together. Love you man. Miss you. Rest in Peace.”
— John Morrison is not shying away from online reports that he has heat within the WWE locker room. On Monday afternoon, he made light of Trish Stratus alleging during an interview last Friday that he cold-shouldered her following their contest at WrestleMania. Trish suggested Morrison was “not smart” for the way he handled himself at the big event.
Read More: Trish Stratus Talks About “Incident” With John Morrison At WM27
Morrison tweeted on Monday:
“American Airlines is not smart RT @RealMelina: Our bags took over an hour to get to baggage claim.”
“Raw in Bridgeport today- Lookout @HEELZiggler… I got a mean punch, a furious kick, and a cold shoulder!”
Morrison tweeted the following remark on Friday shortly after Stratus’ allegations surfaced online:
“If you don’t have enemies, you don’t have character.”
— David Otunga has launched a Facebook page. He confirmed the page last week on Twitter.
— WWE Hall of Famer Tony Atlas no-showed the K&S Wrestlefest “Super Saturday” event in Essington, Pennsylvania, in addition to former WWE Diva Ashley Massaro.
— A really badass desktop wallpaper of Triple H from the new WWE All Stars video game has been posted online in various resolutions – check ’em out below:
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– WWE Tough Enough will move to it’s permanent timeslot tonight at 8PM (Eastern) on the USA Network, one hour before RAW. John Cena will be featured on tonight’s show, which is titled “Five for Flinching.”
Steve Austin wrote on Twitter over the weekend that Bill DeMott “totally destroys everthing in his path” on tonight’s show.
– Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW takes place from the Webster Bank Arena at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, Connecticut. As of early Monday afternoon, no matches have been announced yet for the show. With WWE’s next pay-per-view, Extreme Rules, just 3 weeks away, there’s a good chance we’ll find out that show’s RAW brand main event tonight.
The advertised dark match main event will see John Cena and Randy Orton teaming up against WWE champion The Miz and Nexus leader C.M. Punk.
WWE United States Champion Sheamus likely will not be on RAW tonight, as he was overseas in Qatar on Sunday promoting WWE’s upcoming show there. Considering the WWE crews are flying out for Europe later this week, it would be unlikely for them to make him fly back from Qatar to the United States for RAW tonight and then back out to England this week.
Unfortunately for fans of The Rock, he won’t be at RAW tonight, as he’s currently in Brazil promoting his new movie, Fast Five.
– Chris Jericho will continue on ABC’s Dancing with the Stars tonight. He wrote the following on Sunday:
“Had the best week of rehearsals w @cherylburke yet! Really stoked for tomorrows performance. In otherwords, it’s time for maximum DANSOSITY!”
– WWE announced on Monday that WrestleMania XXVIII travel packages will go on sale “during the summer months.”
– A number of gossip websites are reporting that former WWE Star Chris Jericho is responsible for the latest reality television romance between former American Idol contestant Pia Toscano and Dancing With The Stars contestant Mark Ballas. Jericho and Toscano are said to be friends and it was Chris Jericho who passed along a note from Ballas to Toscano, which led to their first date last week.
– As we reported yesterday, Shane McMahon appeared at Sunday’s Masters golf tournament and was briefly shown on camera during the broadcast. For those wondering what Shane was doing there, he is currently sits on the Board of Directions for International Sports Management – which represents several top golfers, including Ernie Els and Rory McIlroy.
Check out this picture of Shane McMahon from The Masters:
(Partial source: pwinsider.com)
