News broke last night that sources close to Strikeforce Women’s Middleweight Champion Cris “Cyborg” Santos indicate the Brazilian mixed martial artist is in negotiations with World Wrestling Entertainment to permanently join the promotion. In an update on the situation, BloodyElbow.com reports that according to a source, talks are in the “advanced” stage as a deal could soon be reached. However, the MMA news site also speculates that those affiliated with Cyborg could be using the claims for leverage with Strikeforce to have a fight scheduled.
Santos has not been offered a fight since her June 26, 2010 match against Jan Finney. It is largely assumed the promotion has been unable to find any willing participants over the course of the past nine months.
Meanwhile, former WWE Women’s Champion Beth Phoenix took to Twitter to comment on the rumors of Cyborg possibly joining WWE.
She wrote, “Rumours of Chris Cyborg coming to WWE are…..Interesting…its easy to dominate in any fighting division without the Glamazon. In WWE? Prepare to humbled by yours truly.”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross commented on the Twitter beef between Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan in the Q&A section of his JRsBarBQ.com website. Here’s what Jim Ross wrote:
“Two strong, outspoken personalities who obviously, or seemingly, don’t care for one another. Not my hill to die upon. I like Bret very much and know him much better than Hulk who I have no personal issues with whatsoever. My health and my life are both in a much better place after I detached myself from matters such as this. I read them and simply move on and consider it one day closer to college football season”
To follow all the back and forth shenanigans between Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan from this week check out:
The war of words between WWE Hall of Famers Bret Hart and Hulk Hogan is heating up. To recap, Bret Hart was asked by one of his Twitter followers on Wednesday night what he thought about Hulk Hogan. Hart tweeted:
HitmanBretSHart
Hogan’s nothing but a two-faced, backstabbing, steroid freak who deserved everything he got.
It didn’t take long for Hulk Hogan to respond to those harsh words. Hogan tweeted on Thursday morning:
HulkHogan4Real
Listen to where Bretts speaking from,it’s funny he’s done everything he’s saying I did. HH
Bret Hart has responded to Hulk Hogan once again with the following:
HitmanBretSHart
@HulkHogan4Real That’s not what John Graziano thinks, dickhead.
John Graziano is the young man who was a passenger in Nick Hogan’s car during Nick’s August 2007 car wreck that left Graziano permanently brain damaged. Hulk Hogan was sued by the Graziano family and settled the lawsuit for an undisclosed amount of money last February.
Hulk Hogan later decided to be the bigger man in the situation and forgave Bret Hart for the comments he made.
HulkHogan4Real
Want to thank all the maniacs that really get it ,it feels right on track. Good night. HH
HulkHogan4Real
What a crazy day yesterday,I want to say I’m sorry for getting sucked into responding to all the people that have no love,no lives,and only Hate because their negative losers that are bitter because their own lives are going nowhere,I feel so bad for them and I pray they find Joy and real happiness some day
On Thursday’s episode of TNA iMPACT!, the meaning behind “3/3/11” was revealed to be STING, who recently re-signed with the company after much speculation that he was WWE bound to wrestle the Undertaker at WrestleMania.
Sting returned as the challenger to Jeff Hardy’s TNA World title and made quite the iMPACT! in his first match back:
WWE taped this week’s SmackDown television show on Tuesday night from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Credit to Wrestling News World to these results:
* World Heavyweight Champion Edge is out first to open the show. He talks about his match at Wrestlemania XXVII against Alberto Del Rio and his problems with Vickie Guerrero but is interrupted by Drew McIntyre. Smackdown General Manager Teddy Long comes out and makes a match between the two after a small altercation.
* World Heavyweight Champion Edge b. Drew McIntyre after locking in the Sharpshooter.
* Rey Mysterio is attacked by “Dashing” Cody Rhodes and Cody officially challenges him to a match at Wrestlemania XXVII. They also showed the attack last week on Rey and Cody said he will expose Rey’s face at Wrestlemania.
* Backstage, The Corre offer help to Kane in his match later tonight against Big Show.
* WWE Tag Team Champions Heath Slater & Justin Gabriel w/Ezekiel Jackson & Wade Barrett vs. Santino Marella & Vladimir Kozlov. Jackson and Barrett get on the apron and Wade ends up getting hit with Santino’s Cobra. However, the distraction allows Slater to hit his finisher and get the three count.
* It’s announced in a video that airs on the titantron that Christian will return to Smackdown next week.
* The Undertaker comes out and says “The Streak” cannot be broken and hypes his upcoming Wrestlemania XXVII match against Triple H. He entered and exited to “Ain’t No Grave” by Johnny Cash.
* LayCool b. Beth Phoenix & Rosa Mendes. While the referee was distracted, Michelle McCool kicked Beth in the face which allowed Layla to get the pinfall victory.
* Big Show b. Kane when The Corre came to ringside and handed Kane a chair and he hit Big Show with it. Show pushes Justin Gabriel into Kane and Kane swings the chair at The Corre. The Corre retreats.
* Jack Swagger comes out and Michael Cole talks about his match against Jerry Lawler at Wrestlemania XXVII. Cole says he’s going to announce his special guest referee on Raw and teases he is “flamboyant” and “awesome.”
* Jack Swagger b. JTG via submission in the ankle lock. Very quick squash match. After the match, Michael Cole gets in the ring and celebrates with him.
* World Heavyweight Champion Edge defaces a portrait of Alberto Del Rio that was being worked on throughout the show as the contract signing for the World Heavyweight Championship match at Wrestlemania XXVII is up next.
* The contract signing is moderated by Teddy Long. Alberto Del Rio sang the Mexican National Anthem but was interrupted by World Heavyweight Champion Edge. Long asks for there to be no violence but Edge warns him it was about to get chaotic. Things break down and Teddy bails. Edge gets his nosed bloodied as Christian comes out and gets involved and the show goes off the air.
Sources close to Strikeforce Women’s Middleweight Champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos indicate the Brazilian mixed martial artist is in negotiations with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Two weeks ago, Cristiane attended a WWE live event in California with her husband, Strikeforce fighter Evangelista Santos. She was offered a contract on the spot.
Christiane has not been offered a fight since her June 26, 2010 bout against Jan Finney. Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker declined to comment on the matter, but it is largely assumed the promotion has been unable to find any willing participants over the course of the past nine months.
Hulk Hogan says he has forgiven Bret Hart for his disparaging remarks concerning him on Twitter.
“Last and only comment for Bret,” Hogan wrote tonight. “I hope he finds happiness in life, I feel bad for him and I have totally forgiven him much respect.”
Hart was asked to give his thoughts on Hogan last night on the social networking website, writing: “Hogan’s nothing but a two-faced, backstabbing, steroid freak who deserved everything he got.”
Hogan responded to his harsh criticism this morning as he implied that Hart was guilty of everything he accused him.
“Listen to where Bretts speaking from, it’s funny he’s done everything he’s saying I did,” Hogan wrote.
Hart fired back later, “That’s not what John Graziano thinks, dickhead.”
Graziano was a passenger in Nick Bollea’s car during a car wreck that occurred in August 2007. He suffered injuries that left him in a vegetative state.
— Shark Boy announced on his official website that he requested his release from TNA Wrestling, which was granted.
“I have officially requested and been granted my release from TNA Wrestling,” he wrote. “I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone at TNA for giving me the opportunity to perform in front of their audience since the very early days of the company. Thanks especially to the great TNA fans who have given me their support throughout the past eight years… Now on to the next chapter!”
— Mickie James headlines !BANG! TV on March 26 in Ocala, Florida at the Funking Conservatory Wrestling Sound Stage. Visit www.Dory-Funk.com for more information.
— Dixie Carter will be appearing at the TNA Wrestling booth at this weekend’s Arnold Fitness Expo in Columbus, Ohio.
— Former WWE star Bill DeMott is conducting the majority of the wrestling training to the Tough Enough contestants. As expected, he’s been very hard on them. Some people within WWE are surprised that he was hired for the role because he has a reputation for being tough on wrestling trainees.
Steve Austin has been a regular on the Tough Enough set thus far. Booker T and Trish Stratus, however, have not. One source believes they’ve been on the set roughly once per week.
— WWE Tag Team Champion Justin Gabriel celebrates his 30th birthday today.
— Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Chris Jericho has been announced to appear on an upcoming episode of VH1 Classic’s That Metal Show. His appearance takes place Saturday, April 9.
— The WWE website currently features an interview with RAW superstar Evan Bourne, who made his return to television on Monday night after several months out of action. To read that interview, visit WWE.com.
— On Wednesday evening, WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart did a Q&A session with his fans on Twitter. Hart was asked about his thoughts on Hulk Hogan, to which he replied:
HitmanBretSHart
Hogan’s nothing but a two-faced, backstabbing, steroid freak who deserved everything he got.
It didn’t take long for Hulk Hogan to respond to those harsh words. Hogan tweeted on Thursday morning:
HulkHogan4Real
Listen to where Bretts speaking from,it’s funny he’s done everything he’s saying I did. HH
– TMZ.com has posted footage of Jersey Shore’s Angelina appearing on tonight’s iMPACT. They wrote:
“Former MTV annoyance Angelina Pivarnick got her head BASHED in by one of the hottest professional wrestlers on EARTH .. and TMZ has the ruthless girl-on-girl footage. It all went down in North Carolina last week — when Angelina decided to talk a whole lotta smack to a she-wrestler named Velvet Sky during a taping of TNA iMPACT … scheduled to air tonight. As we previously reported, Angelina signed a deal with TNA to wrestle an entire match next week on Spike TV … and if this footage is any indicator, she’s gonna get WHOOPED ON.”
– Speaking of Angelina Pivarnick, we’ve got an update on how much she’s getting paid (or, not getting paid) to appear in TNA. Some wrestlers were told by management she did the appearance for publicity and was not paid. However, both the Pro Wrestling Torch and Wrestling Observer Newsletter report she was paid $7,000 for the one-night appearance.
With the former Jersey Shore cast member currently off television, it’s said that she was hoping to land a contract with the organization. Pivarnick was given her own locker room at the event.
Earlier this week, it was reported that WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Hart is leaving TNA Wrestling to appear for WWE at WrestleMania weekend. Hogan tweeted the following about what Hart willb e doing at WrestleMania:
“I think it’s great for Jim Hart to go back to the WWE as Jerry Lawler’s manager at WrestleMania.”
“I just hope it’s not a one-off like The Rock. Jimmy still lives for being right in the middle of all the action. He did what was best for himself.”
It had originally been reported that Jimmy Hart would only be participating in WWE’s Fan Axxess event, but now it looks like Hart will have a more prominent role on the show.
Hulk Hogan, a longtime friend of Jimmy Hart, was reportedly upset when he first found out Hart was leaving TNA to work WrestleMania.
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart played the “name association” game on Twitter this week and had a lot to say about Hulk Hogan, The Rock, Shawn Michaels, the Undertaker, Michael Cole, CM Punk, TNA and more.
Here are some of the highlights of what Bret wrote about the following @HitmanBretSHart:
The Rock: “When I was WWE Champion back in 1997, I often gave Dwayne (Johnson) all the advice I could. I remember watching him wrestle for the very first time and telling the wrestlers next to me that Dwayne was going to be the biggest superstars in the wrestling world and to mark my words.”
Hulk Hogan: “Hogan’s nothing but a two-faced, backstabbing, steroid freak who deserved everything he got.”
How He Would Improve TNA: “I’d have Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff tar and feathered.”
Michael Cole: “Michael Cole does a piss poor job of putting over a lot of the talent. He couldn’t lace Jim Ross’ shoes.”
Inducting Shawn Michaels into the WWE Hall of Fame. “I would like to induct Shawn, but Triple H makes more sense.”
Undertaker: “Undertaker is one of the most consummate professionals inside and outside the ring.”
C.M. Punk: “I think he’s uniquely gifted. By the time his career is over, he’ll be recognized for his greatness.”
Bill Goldberg: “I have great respect for Goldberg. What happened to me was an accident.”
Daniel Bryan: “Has the best submission in wrestling today.”
His Favorite Match Not Involving Himself: “Lesnar vs. Angle at WrestleMania”
WWE superstar Triple H spoke to the New York Post this week to discuss the release of his new movie, The Chaperone. Here are some highlights of what The Game said about:
Being Part of the McMahon Family: “Vince McMahon runs the WWE. I’m married to his daughter seven years. We live in Connecticut with three girls — 4½, 2½ and 6 months … Both McMahons love the grandchildren. Come around all the time. Take them to school. Their house even has sleepovers. ”
Linda McMahon In Politics: “I did appearances and campaign rallies for my mother-in-law. She’s [Linda] great and staying politically involved. Lieberman’s not running again so she can try once more in 2012.”
The Toll Wrestling Takes On The Body: I’m 41. Still wrestling. It’s very physical. I’ve had injuries, like torn quads off my biceps and thighs. People believe the sport’s fake and nothing hurts. Listen, it [hurts] when a 350-pound guy jumps on you. Ten years from now I want to be able to pick up my kids.
His Role In WWE & Wrestling In General: “I’m also a WWE executive. I’m a wrestling fan. As a boy I watched it on TV with my father. At 20, I met a guy and the rest is history. Right away you get a flashy trick name so you’re a superhero come to life. Nobody pays $20 to see his next-door neighbor. Wrestling’s made me rich. Very. But everyone’s surprised that a wrestler can be not only talented but also articulate. Listen, we’re theater actors. Bad guy versus good guy. It’s a show. We’re onstage telling a story through our actions.”
— Hulk Hogan returned to TNA Wrestling at last Thursday’s TNA iMPACT! taping in Fayetteville, North Carolina wearing a back brace due to his numerous surgeries. Hogan was telling people he’s not dealing with as much pain as he has in the past. Monday on Twitter, a fan asked him about the possibility of wrestling one final match and he said that he would like return to the ring by the end of the year. A company source reports that Hogan discussed returning to the ring at last Thursday’s taping.
— Angelina Pivarnick was not the only reality television star on hand for last Thursday’s TNA iMPACT! taping in Fayetteville, North Carolina as former Survivor contestant Jonny Fairplay also attended the event. He was looking for work. Talk regarding his behavior was favorable and company officials appeared receptive to using him again. However, that’s been in the case in the past and he still has yet to return. Hulk Hogan said they’ll get back to him.
Fairplay was under contract to the organization in 2004 and 2005, but did little of note because the Jeff Jarrett led creative team didn’t think he was talented. Company president Dixie Carter was said to be his major backer.
(sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Pro Wrestling Torch)
— Angelina Pivarnick, a low end cast member of Jersey Shore during the MTV show’s first two seasons, appeared at last Thursday’s TNA iMPACT! taping in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Some wrestlers were told by management she did the appearance for exposure and was not paid. However, both the Pro Wrestling Torch and Wrestling Observer Newsletter say she was paid $7,000 for the one night appearance. It’s said that she was hoping to land a contract with the organization.
Pivarnick was given her own locker room at the event. A source states this was done to keep her out of everyone’s hair and not because she was receiving star treatment.
— The Motor City Machine Guns, Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley, were backstage at last Thursday’s TNA iMPACT! taping in Fayetteville, North Carolina. They filmed a pre-taped segment that is expected to air on next week’s episode of TNA iMPACT!.
Shelley has been sidelined since January due to a broken collarbone.
(sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Pro Wrestling Torch)
Here are some new details on what to expect on the show:
– “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is the most likely candidate to referee the Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole match. Cole teased that he will be revealing his “awesome” pick for guest referee on Monday’s RAW, but with Steve Austin also scheduled to appear next week, things might take a turn in a direction Cole is not too pleased with.
– Tough Enough coach Trish Stratus will be working the show in a 6-person mixed tag match. Trish would team with Kelly Kelly and John Morrison against LayCool and Dolph Ziggler.
– NEXUS members Wade Barrett, Ezekiel Jackson, Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel will be taking on 4 of SmackDown’s toughest competitors, with those men expected to be Big Show, Kane, Kofi Kingston and Christian.
– Rey Mysterio will wrestle Cody Rhodes in singles action.
– WWE United States Champion Daniel Bryan will defend against Sheamus.
– There will be no Money in the Bank match this year. That match will live on at the Money In The Bank pay-per-views.
The current WrestleMania card is as follows:
WWE Championship Match
– The Miz (c) vs. John Cena
World Heavyweight Championship Match
– Edge (c) vs. Alberto Del Rio
“The Streak” on the Line
– The Undertaker vs. Triple H
Randy Orton vs. CM Punk
(Credit to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter for some of the info used in this report)
— Creative plans on having The Bella Twins join forces with Sheamus in their feud with Daniel Bryan and Gail Kim. Bryan is reportedly scheduled to defend the United States Championship against Bryan at WrestleMania XXVII.
— Sin Cara was scheduled to begin wrestling training in Los Angeles, California with WWE developmental wrestler Peter Orlov (a/k/a Alex Koslov) since he has experience working Lucha Libre style wrestling as well as WWE’s style of wrestling. Orlov will also be used as a stand-in and “opponent” when they film Cara in the ring performing high-flying maneuvers for his entrance video and introductory vignettes since WWE has no footage of him.
— The WWE SmackDown taping on June 21, 2011 will be held at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
— NXT contestant Derrick Bateman underwent successful surgery on his knee today. It is a minor issue and he is expected to be cleared to return to the ring in two to four weeks.
— WWE promoting Elimination Chamber as the first pay-per-view event to take place in Oakland, California was incorrect as WCW’s SuperBrawl event on February 21, 1999 took place at the same venue (the Oracle Arena was then known as the Oakland Arena). The show was headlined by Hulk Hogan vs. Ric Flair.
— Former WWE Women’s Champion Lita is advertised for an autograph signing Saturday, April 9 from 1 p.m. to 3 PM at George’s Cards & Collectibles 7755 New Falls Road Levittown, PA. Visit www.georgescollectibles.com for more information.
— WWE.com has posted new photos of The Bella Twins.
Former WWE superstar Dave Batista has been training for his professional mixed martial arts debut since leaving the company last year. According to MMAWeekly.com, Batista’s MMA debut is currently scheduled to take place in May – and the fight will not take place in the United States.
Several promotions have been trying to sign Batista for his first MMA fight, most notably Scott Coker’s Strikeforce promotion, but sources close to Batista have revealed the UK-based BAMMA promotion is the front runner and could sign Batista soon. BAMMA has an upcoming show (“BAMMA 6”) scheduled for May 21st Wembley Arena.
Batista reportedly has a movie scheduled to begin shooting in September and wants to have his first fight before then.
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:
Rey Mysterio & Sin Cara in WWE: Is there room for both Rey and Sin Cara in WWE? Absolutely. Why not? Do some feel that because both are Hispanic, masked stars that they cannot both be major assets in WWE at the same time. I think not. WWE is lucky to have both men. Rey is an established main event star and a future Hall of Famer while Sin Cara has a huge upside but has to prove himself to the WWE fans.
Michael Cole: “I agree with many emailers that Michael Cole is the type of antagonist that one legitimately wants to see get beat up and humiliated. He has Cornette-like heat hearkening back to the Mid South days where fans lined up in droves to see somebody, anybody humiliate the manager of the Midnight Express. Same emotion elicited by the late Andy Kaufman in Memphis. BTW most fans don’t realize that the Lawler-Kaufman issue lasted well over a year.”
The Rock Back On WWE TV: “I am personally ecstatic that The Rock is back in WWE for WM27 and no matter Rock’s role he’s going to positively add to the event in multiple areas. Rock is a huge star on several fronts and his promo ability is as good as it gets. People ‘over think’ Rock’s return as in what’s going to happen when he’s not on TV? How does he make Cena/Miz look? What happens if Rock steals the show in Atlanta, etc?”
“All talents throughout the Raw and Smackdown rosters need to step it up to attempt to get on Rock’s level. Competition is great for everyone. If Rock, Austin, etc make the incumbents dig a little deeper to perform at a higher level then everyone wins especially the fans.”
“I have no idea what Rock is going to do at WM27 but I can assure you that it will be impactful. His interactions via Twitter, @The Rock, directed to Cena, etc have been entertaining.”
— A Mixed Tag Team Match pitting Lay-Cool and Dolph Ziggler against Trish Stratus, Kelly Kelly and John Morrison is being discussed for WrestleMania XXVII.
— “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase is profiled this month on WWE Classics On Demand with the following matches: WWF World Tag Team Champions Money Inc vs. Nasty Boys (Wrestlefest 1992), Ted DiBiase vs. One Man Gang (Sam Houston Coliseum 6/7/87) Ted DiBiase vs. “Rowdy” Roddy Piper (World Tour 1991), WWF Champion Randy Savage vs. Ted DiBiase (Boston Garden 7/9/88), Ted DiBiase vs. Hosssein Arab (a/k/a Iron Sheik) (WWF Championship Wrestling 11/13/79).
Also airing this month on WWE Classics On Demand: WCW Great American Bash 1995, Legends of Wrestling Roundtable: “Rowdy” Roddy Piper & Terry Funk, Tuesday Night Titans debut (5/29/84), Wrestlemania’s Greatest Hits video release, Wrestlemania IV, Hulk Hogan’s Unreleased Collector’s Series Part 5, Extreme Championship Wrestling (8/12/97), Monday Night Wars: Raw (6/1/98), Monday Night Wars: Nitro (6/1/98) and Prime Time Wrestling: (2/6/89).
— WWE returns to the Crown Coliseum in Fayetteville, North Carolina on June 4, 2011 at 7:30 p.m. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
– MTV.com has an article looking at Triple H’s friendship with Lemmy of Motorhead, Triple H recently took part in VH-1’s documentary on the rock star.
– The Rock will be on the cover of the May issue of WWE Magazine, available at newsstands in April.
— With the huge amount of news coverage WWE has received in Mexico due to the recent signing of Mistico, last week’s WWE’s television ratings in Mexico are through the roof.
Last week’s SmackDown! drew a 9.6 and Monday’s RAW drew a 9.3.
By comparison, last week’s CMLL drew a 2.6 and AAA’ sshow drew a 2.8.
According to a correspondent who knows the Mexican market well, it appears CMLL and AAA see WWE as a major threat to their business and the companies plan to work together more in the coming months to “rescue Lucha” from WWE.
