— It has been confirmed that Sean Morley (a/k/a Val Venis) is returning to World Wrestling Entertainment, and it may occur as early as tonight’s Raw. The former Intercontinental Champion was spotted at a hotel in New York yesterday with other WWE talent.
— A pay-per-view special entitled WWE Presents: Kofi Kingston – Boom! is advertised to begin airing on Saturday, Dec. 4. It has a two hour runtime.
— WWE’s Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view event is being presented by THQ’s SmackDown vs. Raw 2011. The event takes place on December 19, 2010 at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
: After suffering a hip injury at the WWE Bragging Rights pay-per-view, RAW superstar CM Punk underwent an MRI last week and it was determined that he will likely require surgery and will be out of action for up to 3 months.
The belief is that Punk could have probably delayed surgery and worked through the injury, but the injury would eventually get worse and surgery is inevitable. Similar to The Undertaker’s injury situation, undergoing surgery now will allow him to return in time for the start of WrestleMania season in January.
Read More: The Latest On Undertaker’s Shoulder Injury & WM27 Opponent
WWE does not want to lose yet another top character, so creative has been told to write storylines for Punk that will keep him on television without him having to wrestle.
Pay-per-view provider iNDEMAND has released the officail official promotional poster and synopsis for TNA’s Final Resolution pay-per-view, which takes place on Sunday, December 5th from the iMPACT Zone in Orlando.
Synopsis: “It has been a year of triumphs and tribulations. On December 5th, see all of your favorite stars, including; Ric Flair, Kurt Angle, Jeff Hardy, AJ Styles, Rob Van Dam, Abyss, Samoa Joe, Mr. Anderson, Mick Foley, Sting and Hulk Hogan. Don’t miss “TNA: Final Resolution” only on Pay-Per-View!”
— Sean Morley (a/k/a Val Venis) is telling people he has re-signed with World Wrestling Entertainment.
— Triple H and Stephanie McMahon appeared at the Danbury Get Out The Vote Rally yesterday in Danbury, Connecticut to support Linda McMahon’s Senate campaign. The former WWE CEO was also on hand for the event.
— The Bella Twins hosted Nickelback’s pool party concert yesterday at the Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
It’s the 2010 Halloween Edition of the Sound Off!! Solomonster has a funny Halloween costume tale to share, then gives his thoughts on who the best opponent for Undertaker would be at WrestleMania, giving TNA props for doing the right thing, some harsh words for Michael Benoit, Guerrero’s daughter headed to FCW, Regal re-signs, WWE releasing “Old School” merchandise and is it time for Undertaker to revert back to his biker gimmick?
— Chris Jericho took part in an interview with Norwich Evening News 24 to discuss the latest news concerning Fozzy. Regarding a possible return to World Wrestling Entertainment, it could take place as early as the holiday season.
— Former WWE star Perry Saturn has been announced to appear at K&S Promotions’ “Season’s Greetings” event on Saturday, December 11. The event is being held at the Ramada Hotel in Essington, PA. Visit kandswrestlefest.com for more information.
— WWE returns to the Four States Entertainment Center in Texarkana, Arkansas on January 17th, 2011 at 7 PM. Tickets go on sale December 4th, 2010 at 10 AM.
One-time Bellator Fighting Championships veteran and former pro boxer Jessica Rakoczy failed a post-fight drug test by the Nevada State Athletic Commission. This is the first time a female MMA fighter has failed a test in Nevada – and her fighting license could be suspended as a result.
Rakoczy tested positive for Oxymorphone and Oxycodone following her October 9th victory over Jennifer Scott on the Xplosion show.
— Edge defeated Rey Mysterio and Alberto Del Rio last night on SmackDown to earn a shot at Kane’s World Heavyweight Championship at the Survivor Series.
One other match has been announced in Wade Barrett vs. Randy Orton for the WWE Championship, with John Cena as the special guest referee.
— Speaking of Edge, he celebrates his 37th birthday today – October 30th.
— There is frustration among some in WWE with the “Stand Up” initiative being Vince McMahon’s top priority. They feel his mindset won’t change following next Tuesday’s election, whether Linda McMahon wins her Senate campaign or not. (source: www.f4wonline.com)
— Melina posted a video entry on YouTube entitled “I’m OK!!!” in response to fan concerns of her lack of tweeting as of late as well as recent online rumors. It was reported earlier this week by www.f4wonline.com that she has heat with company officials and was soundly defeated on Monday’s Raw as a result.
“It’s easier to make up stuff or to say things and to kind of believe in the the worst than to just accept things the way they are,” she said in response to ‘rumors going around’. “Things just happen the way they do and you just got to take it with stride. You know, you can’t win them all and things can’t be perfect and awesome all the time. But, you can make the situation the best that you can.”
The multi-time champion also shows off a very large bag of Skittles sent to her by the confectionery company and discusses her Halloween costume.
— Adam Atherton, who performed as Rudy Parker in WWE’s developmental promotion Florida Championship, wrote on his Facebook page that he asked to be released from his contract earlier this month because he was denied a raise by organization officials and was therefore unable to afford to pay back his student loans.
— This week’s episode of WWE Superstars scored a 0.53 cable rating, with 528,000 viewers. The midnight replay drew a 0.2 cable rating, with 163,000 viewers. (source: www.pwinsider.com)
UFC ALSO ANNOUNCES DEAL WITH VERSUS TO AIR FOUR FIGHTS IN 2011
Las Vegas, NV (USA) – In a media conference call today, Ultimate Fighting Championship® President Dana White announced the UFC is adding two new championship divisions at bantamweight (135lbs.) and featherweight (145lbs.), while also announcing a new television deal with the VERSUS Network to air four UFC fights in 2011.
“As the UFC continues to evolve and grow globally, we want to be able to give fans title fights in every weight division,” said White. “This is a big day for the sport and the athletes who will have the opportunity to fight on the biggest stage in the world.”
The two new divisions feature WEC featherweight champion Jose Aldo who will now be recognized as the reigning UFC featherweight champion, and WEC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz. White confirmed that the winner of the Dec. 16 lightweight title fight between WEC champion Ben Henderson and top contender Anthony Pettis live on VERSUS will take on the winner of the UFC 125 main event title bout between champion Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. This upcoming fight will serve as a UFC lightweight title unification bout to be held next year.
White also stated the UFC is expanding its presence on the VERSUS Network in 2011, and will increase its number of UFC events from two to four per year. Versus is scheduled to air the two remaining live WEC events in 2010 on Nov. 11 and Dec. 16. The Nov. 11 event in Las Vegas will feature “The California Kid” Urijah Faber’s debut at bantamweight as he takes on Takeya Mizugaki, while the Dec. 16 event in Glendale, Ariz. will feature Henderson-Pettis and a bantamweight title clash between Dominick Cruz and challenger Scott Jorgensen with the winner becoming the new UFC bantamweight champion.
“We have a great relationship with the VERSUS network, and we look forward to working with them to give UFC fans even more free fights in 2011,” said White.
UFC Hall of Famer Randy Couture (19-10) recently spoke to ESPN’s MMA Live about the rumors that he’s strongly considering retiring once and for all. “The Natural” said:
“I don’t think I’m going to make any public announcements because I don’t think anybody’s going to buy it. I did that once and came back. I don’t want to be like Brett [Favre]. I do feel like I’ve had my wars, I’ve had my battles. I’ve been there, I’ve done that. I am competing and training and feel better than I ever felt physically but I don’t see myself making another run at the title, at heavyweight or light-heavyweight, being honest.
“I think at some point, I’ve got to call enough, enough. I’ve had an amazing year. My last few fights in honesty were more novelty fights. Not to take anything away from my opponents, but that’s the truth of the matter. They didn’t really matter in the division, they didn’t really put me any closer to a title, and I have to make a decision at some point. So I think I would entertain another novelty-type fight. I could still compete but I don’t see myself making a run at the title any time soon.”
Couture retired once before following a loss to Chuck Liddell at UFC 57 back 2006. He returned to the UFC a year later and captured the UFC Heavyweight title from Tim Sylvia at UFC 68. Since returning to the UFC in 2006, his record is 4-2, with impressive wins over Silva, Brandon Vera, Mark Coleman and boxing great James Toney.
— In an update on Daffney’s status with TNA Wrestling, she is being kept out of the ring due to post-concussion issues incurred during a dark match with Miss Betsy (a/k/a Rosie Lottalove) in April. She was hospitalized following the bout and diagnosed with a deeply bruised sternum, a severe stinger, and a concussion. She last competed on June 14 for an Xplosion taping.
— TNA Wrestling backstage announcer Christy Hemme celebrated her thirtieth birthday yesterday. She largely appears on the international program Xplosion these days.
— WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race was on hand for yesterday’s TNA Wrestling live event in Sedalia, Missouri. The organization posted a photo of Race with fellow former NWA World Heavyweight Champion Jeff Jarrett on its Facebook page.
WWE Studios’ Knucklehead drew virtually no business during its ‘limited engagement’ this past weekend.
A chart listing the top grossing films, with the bottom movie making $75, did not rank the WWE produced film. Even further, numerous websites that feature histories of all theatrically released movies and how much business they did – including last weekend – don’t have it listed.
The film was only scheduled for last weekend in select theaters – a total of six. It will be released on DVD and Blu-ray on Nov. 9.
— CYInterview.com can confirm that Jade Adams – daughter of deceased British pro-wrestler Chris Adams – now adopted daughter of former WWE champion Steve Austin, gave birth to a baby boy.
You can find all the details and a family photo of Jade and her pro wrestling husband Adam Windsor along with their newborn here.
Jade is the biological daughter of late pro wrestler Chris Adams and Austin’s ex-wife Jeanie Clarke, who performed as Lady Blossom in World Championship Wrestling.
— Former WWE Diva, Serena speaks in one of her first post-WWE interviews in an hour-long audio with the Women of Wrestling Podcast. Topics include her return at SHIMMER in September, training with Rip Rogers in OVW, the early days of her career when she was trying to get noticed, meeting CM Punk, SHIMMER memories, getting signed, comparing FCW to OVW, the Mia Mancini character, thoughts on who should win NXT, meeting Vince McMahon, the hair shaving, walking down the ramp at WrestleMania, scratching the wrestling itch, and her plans for 2011 (and whether those plans include TNA).
— William Regal has signed a 42 month contract renewal with World Wrestling Entertainment. Now 42, he would be under contract until 2014, when he’s 46 – providing he isn’t released.
— The WWE website has announced that Kofi Kingston will join the Ghost Hunters Halloween Live special on Syfy Sunday night. The program begins at 7/6 CT.
— Todd Grisham said over commentary during the Chris Masters vs Tyler Reks match on last night’s episode of WWE Superstars that “The Masterpiece” was offered the week off to heal from his gruesome eye injury on the previous week’s show, but declined.
WWE developmental wrestler Cable Jones, who has largely worked in a preliminary role since debuting in Florida Championship Wrestling in March, was recently repackaged as a villainous chiropractor.
During an interview segment with Ashley Valance on a recent episode of FCW Wrestling, he requested that she refer him as “Dr. Cable Jones, Chiropractor… with a speciality in pain.” He then vowed to redefine the meaning of pain on all of the FCW Superstars.
The persona is based off Jones’ real-life background as he graduated with a Doctorate of Chiropractic from New York Chiropractic College in 2008.
– TNA Champion Jeff Hardy announced on Twitter this week that he and his girlfriend Beth are the proud parents of a healthy baby girl. This is most likely the reason why he missed the most recent iMPACT! tapings. Congratulations to the new parents!
– The Family Feud television game show sent out the following announcement this week announcing a special TNA edition of the show next week:
“TNA Wrestling Superstars go head to head in a very special edition of “Family Feud” next week. For “TNA Wrestling Week” it’s a battle of beauty vs. brawn as the TNA Knockouts go head to head with the TNA Superstars over some serious bragging rights. Host Steve Harvey will have his hands full with these two teams for the week-long grudge match, airing all next week beginning Monday, November 11. Check your local listings for times and channels where “The Feud” airs near you.”
-Velvet Sky and Chris Sabin’s romantic relationship was mentioned on this week’s TNA iMPACT! Following a brawl that took place among the TNA Knockouts, Sky said she was going to “call Chris” before she got too upset.
Check out this picture of Chris Sabin and Velvet Sky:
– According to a reliable source, there is some frustration in WWE that Vince McMahon’s top priority these days is the “Stand Up For WWE” campaign – and the television product is suffering as a result. WWE employees and superstars have been voluntarily “standing up for WWE” and recording video testimonials about how great the company is, but the overall feeling is that Vince’s time would be much better spent developing better storylines and feuds. People are optimistic that things will get better after Linda McMahon’s Senate campaign ends next week (Election Day is 11/2).
– Earlier in the week, a fan asked Orton if he was going to open a YouTube page. Orton took a shot at Hardy and replied, “And do what? Eat grapes?” .. This is a reference to Matt Hardy, who was eating (and raving about) grapes in one of his recent YouTube videos. Hardy, who is still operating two seperate Twitter accounts (one as “Matt” and one as “Matthew”), wrote the following (As Matthrew) in response to Orton’s remark:
“Make sure to check out the Matt Hardy brand youtube channel because their is going to be an entry on there, a can’t miss entry which is going to be about a current WWE champion, and actually one who might think about eating grapes for breakfast.”
The hosts of the Monday Night Mayhem Internet radio show sent in the following recap with THQ’s Bryan Williams, a developer of the new Smackdown vs. RAW 2010 video game:
THQ’s Bryan Williams Discusses The Release Of WWE’s SmackDown vs. RAW 2011, The Changes & Improvements From Last Year’s Game (Highlighted By The All-New “WWE Universe” & “Road to WrestleMania” Modes), The Feedback Received From WWE Superstars Thus Far, Which Match Was Focused On The Most (From A Game Designer’s Perspective), Taking The Royal Rumble Online For the First Time Ever, & Which Potential Additions Could Be Made As Part Of The Forthcoming DLC Release Later This Fall
THQ’s Bryan Williams was a featured guest on this week’s live edition (10/25/10) of the award-winning Monday Night Mayhem. You can feel the “MNM Fall Tour ’10” every Monday night (at 7PM ET/6PM CT).
Listen Here: THQ’s Bryan Williams/Monday Night Mayhem Interview
Interview highlights courtesy of The Mayhem’s official correspondent, Paterson from New Jersey:
The changes & improvements that THQ made from last year’s game (SmackDown vs. RAW 2010) to this year’s game (SmackDown vs. RAW 2011) & why the Hell in a Cell Match, from a game designer’s perspective, was focused on the most:
“Where do you start? We’ve added so much new content to 2011, which is a major feat, because SmackDown vs. RAW 2010 had a wealth of content as well. We added dynamic physics into the game for the first time and added it to all the objects in the game: tables, chairs, & all the objects that reside under the wrestling ring. It makes all the matches, like TLC or Chairs Match, or any match involving weapons that much more lifelike & representative of what you see on Pay-Per-View or weekly television. We also revamped the Hell in the Cell Match. Fans have been asking us for years to update that experience and for good reason. It was the match that needed the most attention. We enlarged the cell and made it more of the scope of the structure.”
Taking the Royal Rumble Match online for the first time ever:
“We redid the Royal Rumble match in 2010, and this year we brought it online. You could have up to 12 human players in the match, and I gotta tell you, it’s fun as hell. Even if you get eliminated, you’ll still be able to control a Superstar coming in from the 30, so you never have that feeling like you’re just watching the match and waiting to play.”
The feedback THQ has received from SmackDown vs. RAW 2011 thus far from the WWE superstars & which ones in particular will go as far to play the game as themselves:
“Yes, they play as themselves. That’s why they get so upset when their attributes are on the lower side of things. There’s a couple of guys that I know for a fact play the game, Kofi Kingston plays the game a bit, Dolph Ziggler plays the game, Evan Bourne plays it. Those are the guys I know for a fact plays the game, and Kofi is pretty good at it.”
Which potential additions could be made as part of the DLC (downloadable content) for SmackDown vs. RAW 2011, in addition to what’s being released later this fall & which one superstar he would love to see sooner vs. later into the game itself:
“I can’t really say. There has been some talks about maybe doing another one, but a decision hasn’t been made one way or another. I think what we’re gonna do is take a wait & see approach and see how the first couple of packs do, and if there’s success, and we get a lot of people downloading the DLC’s, I think that will definitely help & urge us to do a fourth pack. I would like to do another so we could get Daniel Bryan in the game, but all these decisions are not mine to make. I could only voice my decisions and hope & pray.”
Much more is included in Bryan’s highly-anticipated Mayhem return, including his thoughts on the game’s all-new “WWE Universe” mode, what fans can expect in this year’s “Road to WrestleMania” mode, the creation upgrades from SmackDown vs. RAW 2010, plus much more! Follow The Mayhem right now on Twitter (at www.Twitter.com/FeelTheMayhem), as one lucky Mayhem follower/listener will score a copy of the game for the Nintendo Wii this coming weekend! Eight more giveaway copies are coming your way throughout the rest of the “MNM Fall Tour ’10” leading through our “2010: Year In Review” special on December 27th. Log on to the official website of SmackDown vs. RAW 2011 (located at community.smackdownvsraw.com), and be sure to follow the “SD vs. RAW” franchise on Facebook & on Twitter right now (located respectively at www.Facebook.com/WWEGames & www.Twitter.com/WWEGames).
The following is a spoiler-free preview for tonight’s episode of WWE SmackDown on SyFy, taped Tuesday night from the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin:
* Kane will host a funeral for The Undertaker.
* Edge vs. Rey Mysterio vs Alberto Del Rio: The winner faces Kane for the World Heavyweight championship at Survivor Series
* WWE United States Champion Daniel Bryan vs. WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler w/Vickie Guerrero
* Jack Swagger vs. Kaval.
* Divas Halloween Costume Contest
* Kelly Kelly, The Bella Twins & Melina vs.. Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes, Layla & Michelle McCool
* Cody Rhodes talks to Drew McIntyre about The Nexus, saying they are pathetic.
* Big Show & Kofi Kingston vs.. “Dashing” Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre
WWE SmackDown Tapings Results
from the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin Report courtesy of reader Jasosn Fox & WrestlingNewsWorld
Smackdown (Airing Friday On SyFy):
* The ring is decorated for The Undertaker’s funeral after he was “buried alive” at Sunday’s Bragging Rights pay-per-view.
* World Heavyweight Champion Kane comes out with Paul Bearer to open the show. Kane says The Undertaker is never coming back and he wants the fans to thank him for removing the false hope from their lives. He gets a ton of heat from the Milwaukee crowd.
* Alberto Del Rio interrupts the segment and says the only funeral tonight is going to be for the World Heavyweight Championship. He attacked Kane but Rey Mysterio came out, chasing Del Rio off. Mysterio hit 619 on Paul Bearer but Kane threw him out of the ring. Edge comes out and spears Kane.
* Backstage, Alberto Del Rio tells Teddy Long he wants to be the number one contender. Instead, Long books Del Rio vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Edge in a triple threat match for later tonight with the winner getting Kane for the World Heavyweight Championship at Survivor Series next month.
* WWE United States Champion Daniel Bryan b. WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler w/Vickie Guerrero (who was dressed like a cougar). Bryan pinned Ziggler.
* Josh Mathews interviewed Paul Bearer backstage, but Kane ended up by starring at Mathews until he left.
* Backstage, Kelly Kelly is starring in a mirror. “Dashing” Cody Rhodes comes in and says he needs the mirror more than she does. Big Show comes in and wants a match with Cody. Cody says he’s a tag team wrestler and will only face Show if he can find a partner. Kelly Kelly whispers in Show’s ear.
* Jack Swagger w/eagle mascot b. Kaval.
* Teddy Long and Hornswoggle come out for a Divas Halloween costume contest. Alicia Fox is Cleopatra, Kelly Kelly is Little Bo Peep, The Bella Twins are Batman and Robin, Melina is Spider-Woman, Rosa Mendes is a leprechaun, Layla is Beyonce and Michelle McCool is Lady Gaga. Long setup a match between the Divas.
Kelly Kelly, The Bella Twins & Melina b. Alicia Fox, Rosa Mendes, Layla & Michelle McCool
* Backstage, Edge and Rey Mysterio talked abotu tonight triple threat match.
* Cody Rhodes talks to Drew McIntyre about The Nexus, saying they are pathetic.
* Big Show & Kofi Kingston b. “Dashing” Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre. After the match Rhodes and McIntyre got into it and seemingly broke up their tag team with Rhodes telling McIntyre he got in his way.
* Edge b. Rey Mysterio & Alberto Del Rio in a triple threat match to become the number one contender for the World Heavyweight Championship.
