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Kimbo’s Debut Cancelled, TLC Buyrate, New Ventura Book

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– MMA fighter Kimbo Slice has pulled out of his pro wrestling debut, which had been scheduled to take place in Japan on February 5th for Antonio Inoki’s IGF promotion. Kimbo is saying that he was injured while training.

– Preliminary estimates for WWE’s Tables, Ladders & Chairs pay-per-view are around 200,000 buys, which is lower than what WWE was hoping for and down from the previous year.

– WWE Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura will release his fourth book, “63 Documents the Government Doesn’t Want You to Read,” in April.

– The dark main event after Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings in Long Island, New York saw Kane and Alberto Del Rio defeat Edge and Rey Mysterio when Del Rio pinned Edge. After the match, Edge hit Ricardo Rodriguez with a spear.

Austin Meeting With WWE Today, Former Writers On Twitter

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– WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin wrote on Twitter that he will be meeting with WWE officials in Stanford, Connecticut regarding the upcoming season of Tough Enough, which he’ll be hosting.

Austin asked fans for any ideas or suggestions they may have for the show.

As noted before, Kevin Nash is also scheduled to meet with WWE officials today regarding the future. Nash signed a Legends contract this week.

– Two former members of WWE’s creative team have joined Twitter.

Chris DeJoseph, probably best (or worst) known as Big Dick Johnson, can be followed on Twitter at @chrisdejoseph. He departed from WWE in November noted Twitter this week that he will be available for interviews after March 10th.

Another former WWE writer, Alex Greenfield, can be followed at @alexdgreenfield. He was hired by WWE back in 2005 and worked for the company for about two years.

*Spoilers* Updated Card for Elimination Chamber On 2/20

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WWE Elimination Chamber (2/20)

Warning: The following contains spoilers for Friday’s episode of SmackDown:

At Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings, five superstars qualified for SmackDown brand’s Elimination Chamber match.  With that match set, here’s the updated card for the upcoming Elimination Chamber pay-per-view:

WWE Title Match
Jerry Lawler vs. The Miz

World Heavyweight Title Match
Opponent TBD vs. Edge

RAW Elimination Chamber
John Cena vs. R-Truth vs. Sheamus vs. John Morrison vs. Randy Orton vs. CM Punk
* Winner will face the WWE Champion at WrestleMania

SmackDown Elimination Chamber
World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Rey Mysterio vs. Kane vs. Wade Barrett
* Winner will defend the World Heavyweight title against Alberto Del Rio at WrestleMania

WWE Elimination Chamber takes place on Sunday, February 20th, 2011.

Post-Rumble Interview With Alberto Del Rio (Video)

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NYC DJ Peter Rosenberg conducted this interview with Royal Rumble winner Alberto Del Rio on Tuesday:

RAW Draws Big Rating, Morrison’s Rumble Performance

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— The January 31 episode of Monday Night Raw scored a 3.5 cable rating, the program’s highest rating since August 30. Last week’s show drew a 3.29.

The program averaged 5.3 million viewers over the course of two hours, up from 4.9 million viewers last week.

The rating improved on the average number for Raw in January, a 3.2.

— John Morrison’s performance at the Royal Rumble impressed a number of people in WWE, including those who have criticized him in the past. WWE superstars are expected to “step up” and show what they can do on big shows like the Rumble – and the feeling is that Morrison knocked it out of the park on Sunday.

— A pre-sale for the March 28 Monday Night Raw taping at the Allstate Center in Rosemont, Illinois kicks off tomorrow morning via Ticketmaster.com. The password is CHIRTV.

*SPOILERS* TNA iMPACT! Tapings Results For 2/10

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Thanks to SEScoops.com reader Eric for sending in the following TNA iMPACT spoilers from Orlando, set to air next Thursday, February 10th:

* Immortal opens the show with Eric Bischoff talking about each member of Fortune. Jeff Jarrett calls them out to the ring. Promos from each side here on what they’ve done for TNA. Immortal attacks but Crimson, Kurt Angle and Scott Steiner run down for the save.

* Winter and Velvet Sky are backstage fihting. Anelina Love breaks it up and wants them to be friends.

* Backstage with Eric Bischoff and the returning Hernandez. Bischoff wants him to join Immortal. Hernandez agrees.

* Brother Devon, Samoa Joe and Rob Van Dam beat Matt Hardy, Brother Ray and The Pope in a tables match. The new Asian guy chased off Pope again and Joe followed. Devon’s sons got involved again and helped them win.

* Jeff and Karen Jarrett come out with security and a contract. She talks about Kurt Angle and out he comes. If Angle can beat Jarrett at Against All Odds, he gets full custody of his children. If Jeff wins, then on March 3rd when he and Karen renew their wedding vows, Kurt has to walk Karen down the aisle and give her away. Angle and Jarrett sign the contract.

* Sarita and Rosita are backstage getting ready. Rosita is Divina Fly. Madison Rayne and Tara come in. Sarita says Rosita is her cousin.

* Sarita, Rosita, Tara and Madison Rayne defeat Velvet Sky, Angelina Love, Winter and Mickie James. Rosita pinned Velvet when she was distracted by Winter.

* After the match, Mickie talks about being tired of Madison. Mickie calls her back into the ring and they talk trash. Mickie vs. Madison is set for Against All Odds.

* Backstage segment with Kurt Angle and Beer Money, talking about their match with Jeff Hardy and Jeff Jarrett. Angle wants Jarrett’s ass. Roode agrees to let Angle have his spot in the match.

* Mr. Anderson beats Matt Morgan for the TNA World Title. Jeff Hardy brings out a ladder before the match and sits on it to watch. Hernandez ran down during the match and attacked Morgan, allowing Anderson to get the pin. Anderson got attacked by Hernandez after the match. Hardy came in and hit a Swanton on Anderson and posed with his belt.

* Robbie E. wins a X Division triple threat contender’s match against Suicide and Brian Kendrick.

* Kurt Angle and AJ Styles defeated Jeff Hardy and Jeff Jarrett. After the match, the Jeff’s attacked Angle and Styles. Fortune, Crimson and Steiner ran down to make the save. Immortal came down to make it a bigger brawl. RVD came out next to take out Immortal. Immortal took over again until Mr. Anderson came down to clear the ring and end the show.

Triple H Advertised For Upcoming Raw, Booker T Feud Nixed

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— The announced (dark match) main event for the March 28 Monday Night Raw taping at the Allstate Center in Rosemont, Illinois features Triple H, John Cena, Randy Orton and World Heavyweight Champion Edge vs. WWE Champion The Miz, CM Punk, Alberto Del Rio and Wade Barrett in an Eight Man Tag Team Match.

— Following Booker T’s well received performance at the Royal Rumble, creative broached a three-week program between the returning Superstar and King Sheamus. The idea, however, was quickly dropped.

— JTG and Trent Barreta vs. Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks was taped tonight in Long Island, New York for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars.

sources: PWInsider.com, F4WOnline.com

Booker T’s New Role With WWE (Contains Spoilers)

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Booker T was introduced as the newest member of the SmackDown announce team at tonight’s SmackDown taping in Long Island, New York, replacing Matt Striker. The team now consists of the returning Superstar, Michael Cole and Josh Mathews.

He performed the “Spin-a-Roonie” in the ring before joining his new colleagues at the announce desk.

As reported earlier, Booker T returned to World Wrestling Entertainment to announce as well as wrestle. His new role with the company is being compared to that of Jerry Lawler’s since he announces and wrestles.

Booker T, along with Kevin Nash, returned to WWE Sunday to participate in the 40-Man Royal Rumble Match. He entered the battle royal at number twenty-one and was ultimately eliminated by Mason Ryan.

The six-time world champion reportedly signed a long-term contract with the organization.

JR Blog: Sting WWE Rumors, Nash & Booker T’s Returns

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WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:

Kevin Nash & Booker T Returning To WWE: “Good to see that Kevin Nash might be working out something to remain associated with WWE to some undetermined degree. Nash is a good talker, a smart guy, and has name identity that can be utilized in a variety of marketing ventures within the company. As I previously wrote, Kevin Nash can help WWE in many ways even if he never wrestles again.”

“Booker T, who has talked of becoming a TV broadcaster in WWE for quite some time, would be potentially good in that role if he can master the skills that it takes at the ringside announce desk. The job is daunting but doable and Booker is a witty, glib guy who understands the business. At this stage of the game I see Booker T’s long term tenure with WWE as a ‘talker’ of which can take many forms and not as a full time wrestler.”

“Nonetheless I’m happy that apparently both Nash and Booker might wrap up their respective careers in WWE which seems to be fitting. Obviously any thing can happen that might alter that speculation but hopefully both men can return to the WWE fold and help the company in the aforementioned variety of ways.”

Sting To WWE? “Amazing that some fans actually swear that there is going to be an Undertaker vs. Sting match this year at Wrestlemania 27 in Atlanta. I would be shocked if that occurred but at the same time everyone has the right to fantasize about dream matches that they personally want to see. I still say that there would likely be a large part of the WWE TV audience that only watches WWE that would have to become familiar with the Stinger’s body of work. Not that it couldn’t be done, it could, but that matter would have to be addressed.”

“Cutting to the chase, I don’t see Sting in WWE any time soon and especially not in the ring vs. the Undertaker in the Georgia Dome. I do think that Sting would be well served to explore potential marketing opportunities with WWE especially considering that all his ‘greatest hits’ which were in WCW are now owned by WWE.”

Sting Reportedly WWE’s Top Priority & What TNA Thinks

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— According to sources within World Wrestling Entertainment, organization officials’ top priority heading into 2011 was signing multi-time champion Steve Borden (a/k/a Sting) to a contract.

As reported earlier, TNA Wrestling sources indicate that Borden did not sign a new deal for 2011. The majority feeling within the Nashville based organization is that he is bound for World Wrestling Entertainment, although nobody knows that as a fact.

The New York Daily News notes in today’s edition that Borden has ‘reportedly’ signed a one-year contract with WWE. The reported signing, however, has yet to be confirmed elsewhere.

— WWE began running vignettes last night on Raw teasing the return or debut of a mysterious figure wearing a black trench coat on “2 21 11.” Original plans called for the video to air once, but Vince McMahon called an audible during the broadcast to play it again.

(sources: PWInsider.com, F4WOnline.com)

Major Newspaper Reporting That Sting Has Signed With WWE

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UPDATES:

ORIGINAL STORY:

The New York Daily News newspaper is reporting today that wrestling icon Sting has signed a one-year contract with WWE.

Sting, arguably the biggest wrestling star of the past 20 years to never work for WWE, is reportedly a free agent and had not signed another 1-year contract extension with TNA, as he’s done in recent years.

WWE has been interested in working with Sting several times in the past, but the two were never able to come to terms on the specifics (money, schedule, etc.). Additionally, Sting was outspoken about the adult-themed content on WWE television in previous years, but the current PG-era has cleared that hurdle.

After checking with our sources, we are still unable to confirm this story, so for now take this as a rumor – but it’s a major story if this one pans out.

If true, he would almost certainly be working a match at WrestleMania, which takes place from Atlanta, Georgia, the former home of the company Sting had his biggest run in, WCW. Sting vs. The Undertaker has been talked about for years as one of the last big WrestleMania dream matches out there.

We’ll be sure to follow up on this story when new details become available.

Here’s the report from the NY Daily News:

2/21/11 Meaning Spoiled By Arena Hosting RAW That Night

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On Monday’s RAW, we saw WWE air two vignettes hyping something big for 2/21/11 – the day after WWE Elimination Chamber. It now appears that WWE may have inadvertently given away the surprise of what 2/21/11 means.

The 2/21/11 edition of WWE RAW takes place from the Save Mart Center in Fresno, California. The Save Mart Center website has posted their preview for the event – hyping “The Return of The Undertaker.” A video hyping the Undertaker’s return has been posted on the arena website. The video has since been removed, likely at the request of WWE.

While it’s still possible that the 2/21/11 videos that aired on RAW are for another return/debut scheduled for the same night, the arena website may have just spoiled a big WWE angle.

Kevin Nash Signs New WWE Deal, Talks WWE vs. TNA

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Kevin Nash appeared on ESPN Radio’s Pro Wrestling Report last night and revealed some newsworthy details regarding his return to World Wrestling Entertainment.

Nash noted that WWE flew him out of Daytona Beach, Florida so he could appear at the Royal Rumble. He said if TNA would have flown him out of the state, he would have to have driven from his home to Orlando, 90 miles, opposed to the few miles when traveling with WWE. Nash talked about how nice his accommodations were while staying in Boston.

Nash said that upon arriving hat he signed paperwork and had a physical upon arriving to the arena. Nash said he spent about a half-hour with Triple H before shooting photos and video with WWE staff. He then met with Vince McMahon before hanging out with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, where he went over plans for the Rumble with Triple H.

Nash also noted that he talked with people from THQ, makers of SmackDown vs. RAW and All Stars, while he was at the Rumble.

Nash said that he is signed to a Legends contract and will meet with WWE officials on Wednesday of this week to talk about what’s next. Under the Legends deal, Nash will likely be involved with things like action figures and DVD’s.

On Sunday night, Nash wrote on Twitter about his WWE return, sounding very content with his return to the organization that made him a top star. He wrote @RealKevinNash:

“I want to thank everyone at WWE. All the fans in Boston. For giving me a night I will never forget. (GroundHog Day) I’ll relive that 1 over

As long as WWE will have me in wrestling capacity and my body can handle it, I will wrestle. It’s what I do! Best decision of my life.

When Vince McMahon is the boss and your best friend and his wife run creative and you see each other and hug and there is true emotion….

Contracts aren’t needed. I will do whatever I’m asked. I was welcomed back into the Family. I wont make mistake of leaving again!”

Stacy Keibler Says She Has No Plans To Return To Wrestling

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Former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler was recently interviewed by entertainment blog Hollywood Today and spoke about her transition from the squared circle to Hollywood.

“When I first moved to Hollywood it wasn’t as easy as I thought it was going to be,” she said. “I moved her all by myself and didn’t have any friends and family out here. I was pretty lucky when I came here. I was in wrestling. I was on the cover of some magazines. I got an agent right off the bat. I was lucky to get someone who really cared about me and wanted to help me grow.”

Unfortunately for WWE fans, Keibler says she prefers life in Hollywood and has to plans to return to wrestling. She said:

“The WWE…I did it for eight years. It’s very much theater. Everyone is playing a character. It’s great to be out there doing that, but it’s almost the opposite of what I found when I moved to L.A. Acting is very small and intimate and emotional.”

Jericho Says A Deal Is In Place For Him To Return To WWE

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During an interview with Brian Fritz of Fanhouse.com, former WWE superstar Chris Jericho hinted that he’s not as far from returning to WWE as some may think. Here are some highlights of what Jericho said about:

Returning To WWE: “I consider it always because it’s not like it was in 2005 where I was sick of wrestling. Sick of it is maybe a harsh word. Disenchanted, I guess, is a better word.”

“I wasn’t disenchanted when I left in September. It was just my contract was up. That was it. And there were other things just waiting to come through. Even if I was coming back, I always would have taken those four months, three months off to do the Fozzy tours. Then other things have kind of popped up to delay my return.”

His WWE Contract Status: “I mean, there’s a deal on the table,” he said. “A deal on the table that’s 90-percent done. There’s a couple of minor things that we had to hammer out. It would just be a matter of what other stuff is going on and how that stuff is going.”

*Spoiler* THEY Revealed, Hogan & Flair Updates

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After weeks of hype that “They” are coming to TNA, the new group was revealed at Monday’s TNA iMPACT! tapings, set to air this Thursday on Spike TV.

Details are still coming in, but it appears that “They” consists of Fortune and several other top TNA stars – including Kurt Angle, Mr. Anderson Scott Steiner, Crimson, AJ Styles, Kazarian and Beer Money after Fortune turned on Immortal.

TNA had originally planned for “they” to be The Main Event Mafia with Angle, Steiner, Crimson, Kevin Nash, Booker T and Sting. After Sunday’s Royal Rumble and news coming out that Nash and Booker T are signing deals with WWE, those plans had to be changed.

No word yet on where Sting stands but he was not scheduled for this week’s tapings.

Spike TV officials reportedly are pressuring TNA to produce big ratings this month, which is “sweeps” – when advertisers gauge the ratings of each show in order to determine future advertising rates.

In related news, after advertising his return for two weeks, Hulk Hogan did not make his return at last night’s TNA tapings.

Ric Flair also wasn’t in the building but it’s since been revealed that he is suffering from an injury and is scheduled for tonight’s tapings. There was a backstage segment with Beer Money where they said the last time they saw Flair he was drunk in a bar in Ireland.

Matt Hardy’s TNA Deal, New TNA Belt Being Made & More

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– Matt Hardy is reportedly signed to a three-year deal with TNA. It’s said that Matt is getting less money than his brother Jeff Hardy but the other details of their contracts are very similar. During Matt’s negotiations with TNA, he was pushing hard to get a spot on the creative team. While TNA refused to put that stipulation in Matt’s contract, they are open to hearing his booking ideas.

– TNA will tape more iMPACT tapings tonight from Orlando. Tonight’s spoilers will be the Against All Odds go-home show.

– TNA officials are currently having a new World Heavyweight Title belt made for Mr. Anderson.

– After working a few TNA shows on a per-night basis, Scott Steiner is believed to have signed to a new deal with the company.

(Partial Source: f4wonline.com)

TNA Star Returns Under Mask, Victory Road PPV Poster

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TNA Victory Road 2011

— Pay-Per-View provider iNDEMAND has released the official promotional poster for TNA’s upcoming Victory Road event, which takes place on Sunday, March 13th.

“The road to victory is long. It is a road paved with opportunities and with heartaches, with joy and pain. TNA Wrestling presents Victory Road LIVE! March 13th only on Pay -Per-View!”

– Masked TNA star suicide wrestled a match at Monday’s iMPACT! tapings in a match that was tape for the company’s syndicated Xplosion show. Suicide, believed to be Christopher Daniels, defeated Brian Kendrick.

– It’s said that TNA creative currently doesn’t have any solid plans for “Shore” stars Robbie E. and Cookie.

– TNA is looking to sign a deal with a publishing company to release a series of books that would include wrestler biographies and books about the company.

(Partial source: f4wonline.com)

*SPOILERS* TNA iMPACT! Tapings Results For Thursday (2/3)

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Thanks to Eric for the following TNA iMPACT spoilers from tonight’s tapings in Orlando, airing this Thursday on iMPACT:

* Immortal comes out to open the show. Eric Bischoff calls out Scott Steiner to talk business. Bischoff says Hulk Hogan won’t be here tonight thanks to Dixie Carter. Bischoff talks about Kevin Nash and Booker T and tells Steiner that Sting isn’t here either. Bischoff wants Steiner to join them. Steiner cuts a promo on Bischoff before Crimson and Kurt Angle come out. Angle says they are real, damn real and leaves with Steiner and Crimson.

* Ink Inc. beat Gunner and Murphy.

* Backstage segment with Angle, Steiner and Crimson. They go over their plan for tonight.

* Jeremy Buck won an X Division qualifying match over Doulas Williams and Jay Lethal when Max Buck interfered.

* Backstage segment with Eric Bischoff trying to find Ric Flair. James Storm says the last time they saw him he was drunk in Ireland.

* Mr. Anderson comes out and calls Jeff Hardy out. Hardy and Anderson go back and forth and shake hands to hype their match.

* A Knockouts boxing match with Sarita vs. Mickie James is next. Mickie wins with a punch to the jaw. Not good here, it will be interesting to see hwo it comes off on TV. Madison Rayne ran in after it and knocked Mickie out with her glove.

* Backstage segment with Bischoff and Jeff Hardy. Hardy doesn’t want anyone interfering in his match tonight.

Brother Ray and The Pope vs. Samoa Joe and Brother Devon is up next. Ray cuts a promo on Devon before the match and Joe vs. Pope for the PPV is made. The match never starts as they all brawl. Ray spits something in Devon’s son’s face and runs away.

* Mr. Anderson beat Jeff Hardy to retain the World Title. Good match with lots of brawling. Immortal comes out to help Hardy when the ref goes down. Fortune turns on them and clears the ring. AJ Styles hits the Styles Clash on Hardy, allowing Anderson to get the pin.

Fortune and Anderson celebrate after the match as Immortal leaves. Styles takes the mic and says everything is Bischoff’s fault. Bischoff lashes out at Fortune. Bischoff says Hogan will have control of TNA on March 3rd. Styles says they are going to take Immortal out.

Flair Suffers Torn Rotator Cuff, Von Tash Receiving Tryout, More

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— Ric Flair learned Monday that he suffered a torn rotator cuff during his match Saturday with Douglas Williams in Manchester, England. It is the same injury that has sidelined WWE stars The Undertaker and Evan Bourne in recent months.

Barring a last minute change, the WWE Hall of Famer is scheduled to appear at tomorrow night’s iMPACT! taping in Orlando, Florida.

— New York based independent women’s wrestler Rayna Von Tash is scheduled for a tryout match with TNA Wrestling within the next few weeks.

— Robbie E, accompanied by Cookie, beat Josh Daniels (his longtime rival on the independent wrestling circuit) in a dark match prior to Monday’s iMPACT! taping in Orlando, Florida.

source: f4wonline.com

What Happened After Monday’s RAW Went Off The Air

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Reader Ryan Hanley sent in this live recap of what happened after Monday’s RAW went off the air:

After Raw went off the air, Jerry Lawler thanked the crowd in Providence, saying he wanted to invite everyone down to the ring to celebrate. He couldn’t do that, so he invited The Miz down to celebrate.

Miz and Riley entered the ring and mocked the crowd for supporting King. Miz said, “All I have to say is this” to King, and went for a cheap shot. King blocked and threw Miz and Riley out of the ring.

A bit more celebration from King as the arena continued to empty out to conclude the TV taping.

WWE Airs Teaser Videos On RAW Hyping “2/21/11″ (POLL)

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2 21 11
WWE Teasing Something Big For 2/21/11?

WWE two vignettes on Monday’s RAW which appeared to tease the arrival of a new Superstar.

The video (WATCH HERE) showed a mysterious figure in a long black trench coat walking in a  dark, rainy setting. The end of the video flashed the date “2 21 11” in fiery text.

February 21st, 2011 is the date for WWE Monday Night RAW in Fresno, California from the Save Mart Center. It will be the night after WWE’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view and the real start of the “road to WrestleMania.”

What or WHO do you think this could be a tease for? VOTE BELOW:

[poll id=”27″]

SmackDown Main Event, Kofi’s Dream Opponent & More

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— Edge and Kelly Kelly vs. Dolph Ziggler and LayCool in a 3-on-2 mixed tag match. Edge’s World Heavyweight title will be on the line, so hypothetical – if Michelle McCool pins Kelly Kelly, Dolph Ziggler is the new champion. That makes a ton of sense.

– Last Friday’s SmackDown did a 2.01 rating with 3,024,000 viewers.

– In an interview with ESPN.com, Kofi Kingston was asked who his dream WrestleMania opponent would be. “My dream match would be against Ricky Steamboat,” Kingston said. “You saw him comeback a few years ago and he still had it. He’s phenomenal, and I’d love if he could come back one more time to challenge for the Intercontinental belt. It could be like a student versus teacher type match. For me, being in the same ring as the guys I watched growing up just means so much and that would be amazing to me if I got that chance.”

The high flying SmackDown star was also asked about playing video games while he’s not on the road and which superstars he plays against. “Big Show, myself, Cody Rhodes, Tyler Reks, and that savage Hornswoggle,” he said. “There are a handful of us who form this underground wrestling gamer community.”

First WM27 Match Announced, RAW Dark Matches & More

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– On Monday’s RAW, Royal Rumble winner Alberto Del Rio announced that he will challenge Edge for the World Heavyweight Title at WrestleMania 27 on 4/3. This is the first match officially confirmed for WWE’s biggest show of the year.

– The dark match before tonight’s RAW in Rhode Island saw William Regal beat Johnny Curtis.

– Matches taped for this Thursday’s WWE Superstars before RAW tonight were Melina vs. Tamina and Zack Ryder & Primo vs. David Hart Smith & Yoshi Tatsu.