After last week’s bowling-shoe-ugly 2.8 rating ..
The 9/27 episode of WWE’s Monday Night RAW drew a 2.7 rating (with a household rating of 2.37).
RAW averaged 3.80 million viewers over the course of the show. The first hour drew 3.72 million viewers and the second hour had 3.88 million.
WWE’s PPV buyrates and TV ratings have been sliding for months, hopefully this week’s number is a wake-up call that serious changes are needed to get fans interested in the product again.
– Kurt Angle announced on Twitter this evening that he has signed a new 1-year contract with TNA Wrestling Angle wrote:
“I am there for a while! Unless I lose at BFG. Then I will retire.”
– After going nuts on Twitter earlier this month and sounding like he was ready to leave TNA, Kevin Nash seems to have smoothed things over with the company. Nash was asked on Twitter when he was going to call Triple H and beg for a job with WWE. Nash responded:
just had a great conversation with Terry Taylor .I would not or ever will beg for food to feed my family to many guns to beg”
Read More: Kevin Nash Goes Crazy On Twitter & Says He’s Leaving TNA
– Former WWE & TNA star Sean “X-Pac” Waltman’s drug charges stemming from his airport arrest for marijuana earlier this month have been reduced. Waltman wrote on Twitter today:
“My charges were reduced to ‘wandering around looking for drugs’. $200 fine. Thanks to the prosecutor & judge in Newark, NJ.”
– A woman named Maggie who serves as Scott Hall’s webmaster and online spokesperson wrote the following on Twitter yesterday updating Hall’s status:
“Talked to Scott.. he says he’s doing much better.. Thanks for all the prayers and well wishes..(Maggie)”
Sean Waltman noted on Twitter that Hall is back in Texas.
Former WWE Diva Amy “Lita” Dumas recently did a photo shoot for internationally published photographer Dangerously Dolly.
23-year old Dangerously Dolly i best known for taking “conceptual and vivid portraits, usually leaning on alternative and pin-up fashion.”
Here are Lita’s pictures from DangerouslyDolly.com:
John Cena has been the babyface hero of WWE for the better part of a decade, but the possibility of turning Cena heel has been discussed much more seriously than in the past, according to the Pro Wrestling Torch.
Vince McMahon made it clear when the idea was previously broached that it would not even be considered due to the tremendous amount of revenue Cena draws via merchandise. While there doesn’t appear to be any firm plan in place, McMahon has since changed his tune on the subject as he is now open to listening to suggestions.
Meanwhile, this week’s issue of Figure Four Weekly adds that there is ‘strong talk’ of a turning Cena heel come WrestleMania season.
— Vince McMahon has gone back and forth on the time frame for unifying the World Heavyweight Championship and the WWE Championship, reports the Pro Wrestling Torch. At times he has wanted the unification to take place within 30 days, but company officials have urged him to wait until WrestleMania XXVII.
Many within the company feel they need to place the titles on the proper people and position them strongly in order to make the unification match a major event.
Though McMahon has come off adamant about unifying the titles, no one has ruled out the possibility of the WWE Chairman having a change of heart.
— The WWE website has posted footage of Chris Jericho being “stretchered out of the arena” after last night’s Raw went off the air. To view the video, click here.
— WWE’s creative department has not been spending as much time with Vince McMahon as they have in the past. It is said that a lot of work is being done via e-mail as opposed to actual meetings.
In related news, the majority of the creative writers are said to be pleased that Stephanie McMahon is out on maternity leave.
“It’s one less hurdle,” said a company source. “Plus, Vince isn’t as tense when she’s not around.”
— During last night’s backstage segment with Ted DiBiase and Maryse on Raw, the WWE Diva read a note and stated in French, “La semaine dernière, t’étais à moi,” which in English translates to “Last week, you were mine.” When DiBiase told her to speak n English, she replied, “Next week, you’ll be mine.”
— The pre-sale for the Raw taping taking place December 6 at the KFC YUM! Center in Louisville, Kentucky is MONDAY. The pre-sale begins tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. via Ticketmaster.com.
sources: PWInsider.com, Pro Wrestling Torch
Ring of Honor has posted this video of Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas’ debut match for Ring of Honor .. The former WWE tag champions challenged ROH tag champions the Kings of Wrestling at Glory By Honor IX on September 11th from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
— Regarding Michael Cole plugging Mick Foley’s new book over commentary during last night’s Raw, it was said to be a decision made by Vince McMahon out of respect for all Foley did for World Wrestling Entertainment during his time with the organization.
— A video Matt Hardy posted over the weekend on YouTube where he offered to give away $500 cash to a random fan commenting on his entries was deleted by the video sharing website for “Terms of Service” violations.
— The Bella Twins and Kelly Kelly will be appearing at the Lucky Star Casino (located at 7777 North Highway 81 Concho, Oklahoma) this Thursday from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. For more information, call 405-262-761.
source: PWInsider.com
— Smackdown star CM Punk, who has dated numerous Divas over the years including Maria Kanellis, Amy “Lita” Dumas, Traci Brooks, and Becky Bayless, has reportedly hooked up with another. According to multiple sources, Punk is presently involved in a relationship with WWE Diva Beth Phoenix.
Punk and Phoenix will be appearing together at the November 19th Florida Championship Wrestling event in Brandon, Florida.
— Former WWE performer Lauren Jones noted on her Twitter account this week that she’s meeting with WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, John Laurinaitis (“Johnny Ace”). Though she has been gone from WWE for a few years, Jones has kept in touch with Laurinaitis and it appears she could be on her way back to the organization.
Since leaving WWE in June 2005, Jones has kept very busy – launching of a successful wedding shoe line, her own network television show, the release of a workout DVD and hosting a radio show. She was also featured in a scene in the summer blockbuster The Expendables as Mickey Rourke’s character’s girlfriend.
— Here are the weekend TV ratings from Mexico:
SmackDown! 8.2
CMLL 3.1
AAA 4.4.
— Mick Foley announced on his Twitter page Monday that a movie will be made on his life story.
“I am thrilled to announce that I will be teaming up with Union Square Media to do a major movie based on my life story,” he wrote.
According to IGN.com, Foley will co-write the film, which will tell the story of his rise to fame during ‘The Attitude Era’ of World Wrestling Entertainment.
— TNA Knockouts Angelina Love and Taylor Wilde are scheduled to appear on TSN’s Off The Record Wednesday night. The program airs at 6:00 p.m. and is also available via TSN.ca.
TNA Knockout Tara suffered a nasty elbow injury over the weekend that resulted in a trip to the emergency room.
Tara was scheduled to wrestle Angelina Love at Saturday night’s TNA live event from Rahway, New Jersey, but the match had to be pulled from the show after Tara was injured during a pre-match warm-up.
After news spread that Tara had been hospitalized, TNA President Dixie Carter confirmed on Twitter that Tara suffered a “burst bursa sack” in her elbow.
Tara posted some pictures on Twitter of the incident and they are pretty disgusting.
If you’re not grossed out already by the thumbnails below, click them to see the full images:
WWE taped tonight’s edition of WWE NXT last Tuesday from the U.S Cellular Coliseum in Bloomington, Illinois. Thanks to reader Brent Garrison for providing us with text-message updates last week. Below are full results:
WWE NXT (Airing tonight on SyFy):
* The Rookies and Pros are on the stage to open the show. Fan voting begins next Wednesday at Noon eastern.
* A wheel barrel Rookie Challenge is up. The Rookies have to push Hornswoggle around in a wheel barrel. Kaitlyn wins with a time of 12 seconds.
* They have a “Trash a Diva” Rookie Challenge. All the Rookies mock each other with AJ and Maxine are the favorites. AJ wins the challenge.
* Kaitlyn and Vickie Guerrero have a great cat fight that Matt Striker had to break it up and it’s announced they’ll wrestle in two weeks on WWE NXT when they in Topeka, Kansas.
— WWE’s first DVD chronicling the unparalleled championship career of Chris Jericho’s is officially released today.
Breaking the Code: Behind the Walls of Chris Jericho features nineteen matches, a multitude of interviews, and a documentary chronicling his wrestling career from humble beginnings in Canada to superstardom in World Wrestling Entertainment.
For more information on this three-disc set, click here.
— This Friday from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Jack Swagger will be appearing at the Express Credit Auto located at 1 SW 74 Oklahoma City, OK, 73139.
— MVP and Matt Striker will be appearing on MSNBC News Live today at 12 p.m. ET on MSNBC, according to WWE.com. They will be discussing the WrestleMania Reading Challenge.
— The WWE World Tag Team Championship, with lineage dating back to 1971, is now considered retired by WWE’s official website. The Hart Dynasty are listed as the championship’s final holders.
The active tag team championship, currently held by Drew McIntyre and Cody Rhodes, dates back to 2002.
— Last week’s Night of Champions pay-per-view saw Michelle McCool make history by unifying the Women’s and Divas Championships. The official WWE website conducted an interview with the self-professed “Co-Unified Divas Champion,” and posted a photo gallery honoring past Women’s Champions such as Fabulous Moolah, Trish Stratus and Sable.
— WWE Studios’ smash hit Legendary is now available on DVD and Blu-Ray, exclusively via Wal-Mart. The DVD version is currently out of stock online.
With one fight remaining on his Strikeforce contract, Fedor Emelianenko is in the hunt for a top level opponent to face in that bout. A rematch with Fabricio Werdum is one that has been put out there but with Werdum injured it likely wouldn’t happen until next year and while a bout with Alistair Overeem has also been fired around Emelianenko feels Overeem is reluctant to step in the cage with him:
“Right now, Strikeforce are struggling to find me a serious opponent. Alistair Overeem keeps finding all sorts of excuses not to fight me. The remaining stars have lost in their recent fights, so the promotion has no desire to put them up against me. And Fabricio Werdum is still recovering from his surgery. In addition, I have only one fight remaining with Strikeforce.
My next fight will be last on the Strikeforce contract. I’m yet to decide whether I’m going to continue my fighting career after this contract expires. Also, my candidacy nominated for the Post of Deputy in Belgorod Regional Duma, and if I’m elected, I think, will defend the interests of the people and try to do my best efforts for the development of sport. But again, I think it’s too early to talk about it. I have to finalize the contract and prepare for my last bout.”
– WWE Champion Randy Orton punted Chris Jericho in the head after a hard fought match on RAW. The injury angle that took place was done to write Chris Jericho off television for the next several weeks. Jericho will be off for at least two weeks, as his metal band Fozzy will be touring the UK in October.
– WWE has confirmed that Paul Bearer will be with The Undertaker for his World Heavyweight Title match against Kane at Hell in a Cell this Sunday.
– “Jackass” star Johnny Knoxville will be the guest host of next week’s live Monday Night RAW.
– WWE has released former All Japan Pro Wrestling star Joe Doering from his developmental deal.
– Former Nexus member Darren Young has been at all of the recent WWE TV tapings, but hasn’t been used on RAW except for a brief appearance a few weeks ago.
– WWE has released a new Nexus t-shirt that features all of the current members except the injured Skip Sheffield.
It was announced on RAW that Daniel Bryan will defend his newly won United States championship against The Miz and John Morrison at Sunday’s Hell in a Cell PPV in a submissions count anywhere match. With that match set, here’s the updated card for WWE Hell in a Cell:
Hell in a Cell Match for the WWE Title
Randy Orton (c) vs. Sheamus
Hell in a Cell Match for the World Title
Kane vs. The Undertaker (with Paul Bearer)
Submissions Count Anywhere Match for the WWE US Title
Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz vs. John Morrison
John Cena vs. Wade Barrett
If Cena loses, he must join Nexus. If Barrett loses, Nexus must break up.
— Michael Cole plugged Mick Foley’s “Countdown to Lockdown: A Hardcore Journal” book during tonight’s taped edition of WWE Raw when The Great Khali entered. Cole called Foley a “good friend” and said the book includes several good stories from Foley’s time as a commentator in WWE. Jerry Lawler acknowledged him as well.
— Matt Hardy posted the following videos on YouTube. In the first video he discusses taking part in the WWE storyline at Royal Rumble where he “burned” Jeff Hardy’s house down. He then questions how WWE treated him for the rest of the year. You can watch it embedded below:
In the second video, Hardy is giving away $500 after it reaches 100,000 views and 5,000 comments. You can watch it embedded below:
WWE is taping next week’s edition of Raw tonight from the Conseco Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.
WWE RAW Resultes (Airing Next Week – 9/27)
* The Miz & Alex Riley b. WWE United States Champion Daniel Bryan & John Morrison. A match for WWE Hell in a Cell is setup Daniel Bryan vs. The Miz in a Falls Count Anywhere Match for the United States Championship.
* Natalya won a Divas Battle Royal to become the number one contender for the Unified WWE Women’s Championship.
* Sheamus comes out and issues an open challenge. The Great Khali comes out to accept. The Great Khali b. Sheamus when Sheamus got himself disqualified for throwing a chair.
* The Cutting Edge segment is taped with Edge and his guest the anonymous General Manager.
* John Cena b. Edge
* Justin Gabriel & Heath Slater b. Evan Bourne & Mark Henry
* “Dashing” Cody Rhodes & Drew McIntyre b. The Hart Dynasty to retain the WWE Tag Team Championship
* WWE Champion Randy Orton b. Chris Jericho. Orton punted Jericho in the head and he was removed from ringside on a stretcher in an obvious injury angle.
Former WWE performer Lauren Jones noted on her Twitter account this afternoon that she is meeting with WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent Relations, John Laurinaitis (a/k/a Johnny Ace); likely regarding a possible return to the organization. She wrote:
“Oh yeah, I forgot 2mention 2 all the amazing WWE fans out there! I am meeting with talent development & Johny Ace 2 see what MIGHT b next..!”
Though she is long removed from World Wrestling Entertainment, Jones has kept in touch with Laurinaitis over the years and thus a possible return to the organization was never out of the question.
Since parting ways with WWE in June 2005, Jones has immersed herself in numerous endeavors including the launch of a successful wedding shoe line, her own network television show, the release of a workout DVD, radio hosting, and various other media platforms. She was also featured in a scene in the summer blockbuster The Expendables as Mickey Rourke’s character’s girlfriend.
It was reported earlier today that Melyssa Buhl, a 26-year-old fitness model from Vancouver, British Columbia, had signed a developmental contract with World Wrestling Entertainment. The report was based on a note she wrote on her profile on ModelMayhem.com where she said she’ll be “entering a contract” on October 14 and thus unable to book photo shoots following that date. It was presumed that she signed a contract with WWE based on messages left on her profile from colleagues congratulating her.
Regarding the report of Buhl signing with WWE, she said in the following e-mail to Daniel Pena that she has not signed with WWE:
I was just forwarded a link to ur page and read about me signing with the WWE PLEASE REMOVE this at once!!! I have not yet signed ANYTHING and simply mentioned that i will be entering a contract and will not be shooting!! Please Please remove it now!!!!
thanks so much!!!
~Melyssa Buhl~
www.melyssabuhl.com
Rasmussen Reports has released the results of a new telephone survey of Likely Voters in the state of Connecticut that finds Democrat Richard Blumenthal holds a slim five-point lead over former WWE CEO and Republican nominee Linda McMahon. The break down of the survey was as follows:
* 50% of Likely Voters support Blumenthal
* 45% of Likely Voters support McMahon
* 1% of Likely Voters support some other candidate
* 3% of Likely Voters are undecided
This is the closest the race has been since May when the New York Times detailed in an article how Blumenthal has been embellishing his military record in public statements over the years.
Meanwhile, political blog Politico.com has an article up that looks at the WWE SmackDown taping that takes place on Election Day (11/2) from McMahon’s home state of Connecticut. With the SmackDown taping beginning at 6:30pm and voting for the Senate race not ending until 8pm that evening, it’s possible that Linda could actually lose votes from the fans attending SmackDown that night. Politico asks, “Will advertising for the event help or hurt McMahon – a positive or negative reminder of her time as WWE’s CEO? Could traffic around the 10,000-seat Arena at Harbor Yard impede voting?”
TruTV sent out the following press release today announcing the season 2 debut of “Jesse Ventura’s Conspiracy Theory” on 10/15.
Jesse Ventura is Back on the Case in truTV’s Hit Series Conspiracy Theory with Jesse Ventura
NEW YORK, Sept. 27 /– Last year, Jesse Ventura hit the road to uncover plots and schemes of the powerful. Now he’s back for a new set of in-depth, edgy investigations in the second season of truTV’s hit series CONSPIRACY THEORY WITH JESSE VENTURA, premiering Friday, Oct. 15, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT).
Ventura has taken on some of the most dangerous missions in the world as a Navy Seal. He’s body-slammed human giants in the ring as a WWE superstar. He even conquered the political machine as governor of Minnesota. Ventura, who has a reputation as a rebel and free-thinker, is passionate about discovering the truth. Following up on CONSPIRACY THEORY’s dynamic first season, Ventura will once again plunge viewers into a world of secret meetings, midnight surveillance, shifty characters and dark forces.
This season, CONSPIRACY THEORY WITH JESSE VENTURA will set out to examine such topics as the Kennedy assassination, the Plum Island Research Center off Long Island, a secret billionaire’s club with the power to manipulate markets, government internment camps and the granddaddy secret of them all, Area 51. Throughout his investigations, Ventura makes it his mission to ask questions and discover the truth, no matter where it leads. He is not about to take answers at face value without solid evidence, especially if those responses come from the very people he’s investigating.
CONSPIRACY THEORY WITH JESSE VENTURA premiered in December 2009 with more than 1.6 million viewers, breaking the record for truTV’s largest audience for a new series launch at the time. The series is executive-produced by Ventura; A. Smith & Co.’s Arthur Smith, Kent Weed and Frank Sinton; B2 Entertainment’s Michael Braverman and Barry Bloom; and Burt Kearns. For truTV, Robyn Hutt is the executive in charge of production, and Jon Crowley serves as executive producer.
About truTV
truTV is television’s destination for real-life stories told from an exciting and dramatic first-person perspective. Currently seen in 93 million U.S. households, the network is enjoying its best deliveries ever in key demographics. truTV features high-stakes, action-packed originals that give viewers access to places and situations they can’t normally experience. truTV’s primetime fan favorites include the original series Black Gold, Operation Repo, The Smoking Gun Presents: World’s Dumbest… and Forensic Files. During the daytime, the channel features expert trial coverage under the name In Session.
Turner Broadcasting System, Inc., a Time Warner company, creates and programs branded news, entertainment, animation and young adult media environments on television and other platforms for consumers around the world.
Paul Bearer posted this blog over the weekend talking about his surprise return to WWE on last week’s SmackDown:
“Where do I begin my friends? I guess we should go with the “Reader’s Digest” version, since those of you that visit here often know I can ramble on and on. Let’s just cut to the chase. About four months ago I recieved a call from the WWE creative folks asking if I had any interest in returning to the company. Of course this totally caught me off guard.
Just to step back for a moment, many are aware that my wife passed away from three battles with cancer, on January 31, 2009; and my life took some major turns following that tragic life changing event. We were married 30-years.
Since my departure from WWE at the GREAT AMERICAN BASH on June 24, 2004, I had virtually divorced myself from professional wrestling completely and returned fulltime to Funeral Service, which some may not realize that I have a degree in Mortuary Science and I am a legit licensed Funeral Director and Embalmer. I managed a small Funeral Home and Crematory here on the Gulf Coast.
In the early Spring of 2010, I decided to test the pro wrestling waters again, and began doing some independent events, autograph signings, etc., around the country to see if the passion was still there for me. Of course it was, and it will always will be. I discovered that doing these events took me away from the loneliness I was experiencing without my wife, Dianna. I was actually having fun again; and these days if it’s not fun, you can leave me out of it.
During the six-years I had been away from WWE it would be a major understatement to say that many things had changed since I signed my first contract there on December 22, 1990. We started negotiations for my return. I still had many doubts if this was what I really wanted to do. Through much prayer, and conversations with my immediate family and close friends, I decided that if all the pieces of the puzzle fell into place, that this was meant to be.
I had to fly to Pittsburgh, PA and go through major physical and mental examinations; which to my dismay, all the results came back positive. My final question to myself was… “What would my late wife Dianna want me to do?”. That answer was the easiest of all… she would say, “Get your ass back on the road!”. So….
…here I am. My contract actually became effective on August 1st, and sworn to secrecy, it was extremely hard to keep so many of my contacts from knowing what the future was going to hold in store for me.
Many have asked for the details of my contract, such as it’s length, even monetary details, and the like. Sorry you won’t get that confidential information from me. I will say that a clause in my contract allows for me to continue working independent events, if I desire, and as long as they don’t interfere with my WWE commitments. The bottomline is that I consider myself very lucky, at the tender age of 56, to get another chance at the top of our game. I am truly blessed.
My SMACKDOWN re-debut to the company was set to be taped this past Tuesday evening, in Bloomington, IL. Getting there, staying at a discreet hotel, sneeking into the venue, and hiding out in the dressing area until my time in the event came, is a story onto itself. Most of the wrestlers on the card that night didn’t even know I was there.
A new era has begun in my life. And I have you the fans who made the Percy Pringle / Paul Bearer characters to thank. Notwithstanding, those within WORLD WRESTLING ENTERTAINMENT who continue to have confidence in my old school abilities. It doesn’t matter if it lasts a week, a month, or five more years. It’s all good.
As always, I do my best to remain accessable to you folks; and I do read and answer all of my email on a timely basis. Unfortunately, you may not get the answers from me that that you may desire. I just tell it like it is with no apologies.”
– TNA Knockout Tara posted a blog on her Myspace a few days ago announcing that she recently had a mole removed that turned out to be cancerous. Tara, a lifelong “sun worshiper” who grew up in the desert in Southern California, is now urging her fans to be cautious of skin cancer and check themselves out:
“I went to the dermatologist because I had a bump on my hip. It turned out to be nothing. But the doctor noticed a mole near my collar bone that didn’t look quite right. He cut it off and tested it, and it turned out to be Basal Cell Carcinoma. That is the most common form of skin cancer. He cut most of it off, and next week, they are going to cut out the surrounding tissue and I should be 100% It’s it super minor, because they caught it early. So that some of my MySpace friends can possibly catch it early also, here is a link on what to look for… http://www.wikihow.com/Check-for-Skin-Cancer. Also, always wear sun block for extended periods outdoors.”
– WWE star Kofi Kingston was married earlier this month, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Kingston was married on Saturday, September 11th and was given the weekend off by WWE. He married his longtime girlfriend, who was with him in the audience at this year’s WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. Here they are together:
