It was reported online that prior to last night’s Raw in Oklahoma, Jim Ross announced that he would be ringside at WrestleMania.
He has since tweeted that what he said was he hoped to be at ringside, not that he said he would be at ringside, and that nothing has yet been confirmed.
– WWE announced tonight on RAW that Vince McMahon will take on John Cena next week as RAW goes head-to-head with a live TNA iMPACT.
Also announced for next week’s RAW from Portland, Oregon is a Handicap match with Randy Orton vs. Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase.
– It was announced on RAW that Mad Dog Vachon is the next member of the 2010 WWE Hall of Fame. Vachon will be inducted by fellow Hall of Famer Pat Patterson.
– It appears that Zack Ryder is now a member of the RAW roster after competing on tonight’s RAW. Rosa Mendes was with him so she may also be on the roster now.
– NXT rookies Skip Sheffield and FCW Heavyweight Champion Justin Gabriel will be featured on tomorrow night’s NXT show.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will in fact be returning to WWE this summer – and his return will be more than just a one-night gig hosting RAW.
In a radio interview with Boston’s Mix 104 last month, Johnson shed some new light on his return, which is expected to take place this summer.
When asked if he plans on wrestling a match in WWE this summer, The Rock said:
“How I would come back is a different capacity than what Hulk Hogan did or I believe Ric Flair is doing. Those guys are coming back to actually wrestle. I don’t want to wrestle; I have no intention of wrestling a match.”
.. at least that’s what he’s saying. So if he’s not wrestling, what’s the plan?
The Rock plans on having a major impact on WWE programming and could serve as a semi-permanent RAW Guest host for the entire summer:
“I do have intention of going back and hosting the show. Hosting a show like that would give me the opportunity to get on the microphone, rip open the writing, and invite guests on to come host with me. We wanted to create something cool and big and fun for the audience.”
The Rock’s WWE return appears to be this summer’s big angle. Two years ago, WWE went with “Million Dollar Mania” to spice things up. Last year, Donald Trump “bought” Raw and kicked off the weekly Guest Host storyline. While The Rock claims that he currently has no plan to get back in the ring when he returns to WWE in a few months, his presence alone on WWE television should be enough to heat things up this summer headed into SummerSlam.
To listen to an audio clip of the interview, visit UltimateDwayneJohnson.com.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will in fact be returning to WWE this summer – and his return will be more than just a one-night gig hosting RAW.
In a radio interview with Boston’s Mix 104 last month, Johnson shed some new light on his return, which is expected to take place this summer.
When asked if he plans on wrestling a match in WWE this summer, The Rock said:
“How I would come back is a different capacity than what Hulk Hogan did or I believe Ric Flair is doing. Those guys are coming back to actually wrestle. I don’t want to wrestle; I have no intention of wrestling a match.”
.. at least that’s what he’s saying. So if he’s not wrestling, what’s the plan?
The Rock plans on having a major impact on WWE programming and could serve as a semi-permanent RAW Guest host for the entire summer:
“I do have intention of going back and hosting the show. Hosting a show like that would give me the opportunity to get on the microphone, rip open the writing, and invite guests on to come host with me. We wanted to create something cool and big and fun for the audience.”
The Rock’s WWE return appears to be this summer’s big angle. Two years ago, WWE went with “Million Dollar Mania” to spice things up. Last year, Donald Trump “bought” Raw and kicked off the weekly Guest Host storyline. While The Rock claims that he currently has no plan to get back in the ring when he returns to WWE in a few months, his presence alone on WWE television should be enough to heat things up this summer headed into SummerSlam.
To listen to an audio clip of the interview, visit UltimateDwayneJohnson.com.
TNA Knockout Awesome Kong has apparently parted ways with the company, according to a message she posted on Twitter.com/awesomekong.
Kong thanked TNA president Dixie Carter and all of the TNA employees for wishing her the best in her future endeavors.
The former Knockouts champion announced last week that she is suing radio host Bubba The Love Sponge for allegedly making racist threats against her. Bubba issued a statement refuting the allegations.
St. Louis’ RiverfrontTimes.com has an interview with Hulk Hogan, who talks about wrestling against Ric Flair in a tag match on March 8th, his financial motivation for getting back in the ring. He also takes a shot at The Rock’s movie career. Hogan admits that his body is broken down, but he’s getting back in the ring because the fans demanded it, brother! Here’s what Hogan said about:
Is He Able To Still Wrestle? “Oh, I can’t, brother. I was in Australia recently and did four dates wrestling Ric Flair. The first day I ran into Ric with a shoulder tackle and knocked him down. He popped up and came right back at me. I didn’t have my footing right. I was turned in when he hit me and my right hip popped out of its socket. The pain shot like a piece of electricity to my head and right behind my ear. I felt like my head exploded. I fell and dumbed it up against the rope until I could pop my hip back in. That was my first day back. I really didn’t want to wrestle, but I got into a situation with TNA when the fans are chanting ‘Hogan! Hogan!’ It’s hard to say no. I painted myself in a corner. Now I’m fighting a tag-team match March 8 with Abyss against Ric Flair and A.J. Styles. I did that to myself, but I really shouldn’t be wrestling anymore.”
His Financial Situation Pushing Him To Wrestle Again: “I was in a situation where I was kind of lost and I happened to walk by a ring in a gym. I reached out and touched it, and I got goosebumps. I knew I had a problem, kind of like being an addict. I said, ‘Oh boy.’ It’s like driving a fast car or being on a date with a beautiful woman. So, that was part of it. The other was necessity. After the last couple years, financially, I needed to do something. I was devastated financially.”
Hogan Takes a Shot at The Rock: “I thought about moving out to L.A. and doing the movie thing cause I have seventeen movies under my belt — mostly low-budget kid movies, kind of like what The Rock is doing now. My agent said they could put me in supporting roles. I’d never be a Gene Hackman or anything, but there is work for me. But I just wasn’t into it. I needed to to work and thought why not get back to what I love, wrestling?”
St. Louis’ RiverfrontTimes.com has an interview with Hulk Hogan, who talks about wrestling against Ric Flair in a tag match on March 8th, his financial motivation for getting back in the ring. He also takes a shot at The Rock’s movie career. Hogan admits that his body is broken down, but he’s getting back in the ring because the fans demanded it, brother! Here’s what Hogan said about:
Is He Able To Still Wrestle? “Oh, I can’t, brother. I was in Australia recently and did four dates wrestling Ric Flair. The first day I ran into Ric with a shoulder tackle and knocked him down. He popped up and came right back at me. I didn’t have my footing right. I was turned in when he hit me and my right hip popped out of its socket. The pain shot like a piece of electricity to my head and right behind my ear. I felt like my head exploded. I fell and dumbed it up against the rope until I could pop my hip back in. That was my first day back. I really didn’t want to wrestle, but I got into a situation with TNA when the fans are chanting ‘Hogan! Hogan!’ It’s hard to say no. I painted myself in a corner. Now I’m fighting a tag-team match March 8 with Abyss against Ric Flair and A.J. Styles. I did that to myself, but I really shouldn’t be wrestling anymore.”
His Financial Situation Pushing Him To Wrestle Again: “I was in a situation where I was kind of lost and I happened to walk by a ring in a gym. I reached out and touched it, and I got goosebumps. I knew I had a problem, kind of like being an addict. I said, ‘Oh boy.’ It’s like driving a fast car or being on a date with a beautiful woman. So, that was part of it. The other was necessity. After the last couple years, financially, I needed to do something. I was devastated financially.”
Hogan Takes a Shot at The Rock: “I thought about moving out to L.A. and doing the movie thing cause I have seventeen movies under my belt — mostly low-budget kid movies, kind of like what The Rock is doing now. My agent said they could put me in supporting roles. I’d never be a Gene Hackman or anything, but there is work for me. But I just wasn’t into it. I needed to to work and thought why not get back to what I love, wrestling?”
Source: Wrestling author Irvin Muschick’s blog
The toxicology results are in for former WWE superstar Eddie “Umaga†Fatu, who died of a heart attack at the age of 36 December 4, 2009.
Nearly three months after Umaga’s death, Dan Morgan, supervisory forensic investigator for Houston, Texas’ Harris County, has determined that Fatu’s cause of death was “acute toxicity due to combined effects of hydrocodone, carisoprodol, and diazepam.”
More specifically, it was a lethal combination of painkillers (hydrocodone), muscle relaxers (carisoprodol), and anti-anxiety medication (diazepam).
While Umaga is believed to had a history of drug abuse, the “acute toxicity” finding indicates that his death was the direct result of a deadly mix of drugs in a short period of time (opposed to his body finally giving out due to chronic abuse).
As WWE was very clear to point out on December 4th, Umaga was not an active member of the WWE roster at the time of his death. He had been released six months prior after failing a Wellness policy drug tests and refusing to go to rehab. He wrestled for Hulk Hogan’s “Hulkamania: Let the Battle Begin” tour just weeks before his death and appeared to be happy and in good spirits.
Source: Wrestling author Irvin Muschick’s blog
The toxicology results are in for former WWE superstar Eddie “Umaga†Fatu, who died of a heart attack at the age of 36 December 4, 2009.
Nearly three months after Umaga’s death, Dan Morgan, supervisory forensic investigator for Houston, Texas’ Harris County, has determined that Fatu’s cause of death was “acute toxicity due to combined effects of hydrocodone, carisoprodol, and diazepam.”
More specifically, it was a lethal combination of painkillers (hydrocodone), muscle relaxers (carisoprodol), and anti-anxiety medication (diazepam).
While Umaga is believed to had a history of drug abuse, the “acute toxicity” finding indicates that his death was the direct result of a deadly mix of drugs in a short period of time (opposed to his body finally giving out due to chronic abuse).
As WWE was very clear to point out on December 4th, Umaga was not an active member of the WWE roster at the time of his death. He had been released six months prior after failing a Wellness policy drug tests and refusing to go to rehab. He wrestled for Hulk Hogan’s “Hulkamania: Let the Battle Begin” tour just weeks before his death and appeared to be happy and in good spirits.
– Sources say that of the five WWE releases confirmed over the weekend, only referee Scott Armstrong’s “future endeavors” message caught the locker room by true surprise. Details have not emerged, but the feeling is that there is likely a greater story involved.
– Shelton Benjamin has been added to the SmackDown roster so it appears he is now a member of the brand with Ezekiel Jackson from ECW. Former ECW stars coming to RAW so far include William Regal, Christian and Yoshi Tatsu. WWE still hasn’t removed Maria from the roster.
– Recently released WWE talent Paul Burchill will be appearing on May 8th in White Plains, NY at the New York Wrestling Fan Fest.
– WWE released their full pay-per-view calendar for the rest of 2010 to media partners this past week and the most notable change from what we’ve seen is the May pay-per-view titled Wild Card has been changed to WWE Over The Limit. Survivor Series is still being advertised for November but it’s expected that name will be changed but not confirmed.
– Sources say that of the five WWE releases confirmed over the weekend, only referee Scott Armstrong’s “future endeavors” message caught the locker room by true surprise. Details have not emerged, but the feeling is that there is likely a greater story involved.
– Shelton Benjamin has been added to the SmackDown roster so it appears he is now a member of the brand with Ezekiel Jackson from ECW. Former ECW stars coming to RAW so far include William Regal, Christian and Yoshi Tatsu. WWE still hasn’t removed Maria from the roster.
– Recently released WWE talent Paul Burchill will be appearing on May 8th in White Plains, NY at the New York Wrestling Fan Fest.
– WWE released their full pay-per-view calendar for the rest of 2010 to media partners this past week and the most notable change from what we’ve seen is the May pay-per-view titled Wild Card has been changed to WWE Over The Limit. Survivor Series is still being advertised for November but it’s expected that name will be changed but not confirmed.
Former WWE Diva Trish Stratus is featured on the cover of Top Choice magazine with her award naming her Yoga studio top choice:
– Spike TV has announced the next installment of the TNA Epics show on will air on Monday, March 15 right before iMPACT! The show will focus on TNA’s X-Division and airs 6 days before Destination X on PPV. The show will be a lead-in for iMPACT!, which will be going up against WWE RAW hosted by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
– Thursday’s TNA iMPACT drew a 1.14 cable rating and averaged 1,563,000 viewers – down about 6% from last week.
– TNA is sending Ken Anderson and Lacey Von Erich to Mexico for the AAA show on March 12th in Mexico. Anderson will compete in a 4-way for the AAA World Title and Lacey will team with Rain (the former Payton Banks) in a six-woman tag match.
(Partial source: f4wonline.com)
– Spike TV has announced the next installment of the TNA Epics show on will air on Monday, March 15 right before iMPACT! The show will focus on TNA’s X-Division and airs 6 days before Destination X on PPV. The show will be a lead-in for iMPACT!, which will be going up against WWE RAW hosted by “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
– Thursday’s TNA iMPACT drew a 1.14 cable rating and averaged 1,563,000 viewers – down about 6% from last week.
– TNA is sending Ken Anderson and Lacey Von Erich to Mexico for the AAA show on March 12th in Mexico. Anderson will compete in a 4-way for the AAA World Title and Lacey will team with Rain (the former Payton Banks) in a six-woman tag match.
(Partial source: f4wonline.com)
WWE.com has announced that Charlie Haas has been released. He was wished all the best in his future endeavors.
Since Fridya, WWE has released:
– Charlie Haas
– Shane Helms
– Paul Burchill
– WWE Diva Maria
– Referee Scott Armstrong
— Dolph Ziggler, Kane and Shelton Benjamin won qualifying matches on tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown and will join Christian in the Money In The Bank Ladder Match at WrestleMania. Four spots remain.
Ziggler qualified with a victory over John Morrison and R-Truth while Kane qualified by handing Drew McIntyre his first loss in WWE. Benjamin qualified later in the show with a victory over CM Punk. Christian qualified on Monday’s Raw with a victory over Carlito.
— TMZ noted Gregory Helms’ untimely release from WWE in a post on its website, adding it could be due to his arrest one month ago today for public intoxication.
— As a result of his title win at Elimination Chamber, Chris Jericho takes control of the No. 1 spot on this week’s edition of the POWER 25 on WWE.com. Meanwhile, Sheamus drops from the top spot to No. 5 after losing the WWE Championship.
— In an interview with The Wichita Eagle, Mickie James apparently defends the “Piggie James” storyline poking fun at her weight.
“Everyone was probably picked on at some point in their lives,” James told Kansas.com. “So it really touches people’s heartstrings. Everyone knows how that feels or can relate to that in some way. People can become involved in that because they can feel it.”
The former WWE Women’s Champion also commented on her passion for pro wrestling despite her foray into the country music world.
“I love wrestling,” she said. “That’s what I do, that’s who I am. I’m an athlete. I think (music) is just a different part of me. It’s not just Mickie James the wrestler who you see every Friday night, it’s a little piece of the other side, the part you wouldn’t know about me.”
You can read the interview in its entirety at the following link.
— WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has launched his first official online store at www.brethart.com/store. The online store features new T-shirts as well as autographed limited edition framed photos.
— The WWE Raw house show on May 1st, 2010 will be held at the Civic Center in Mobile, Alabama. Tickets go on sale March 13th, 2010. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
— In an interview with The Wichita Eagle, Mickie James apparently defends the “Piggie James” storyline poking fun at her weight.
“Everyone was probably picked on at some point in their lives,” James told Kansas.com. “So it really touches people’s heartstrings. Everyone knows how that feels or can relate to that in some way. People can become involved in that because they can feel it.”
The former WWE Women’s Champion also commented on her passion for pro wrestling despite her foray into the country music world.
“I love wrestling,” she said. “That’s what I do, that’s who I am. I’m an athlete. I think (music) is just a different part of me. It’s not just Mickie James the wrestler who you see every Friday night, it’s a little piece of the other side, the part you wouldn’t know about me.”
You can read the interview in its entirety at the following link.
— WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart has launched his first official online store at www.brethart.com/store. The online store features new T-shirts as well as autographed limited edition framed photos.
— The WWE Raw house show on May 1st, 2010 will be held at the Civic Center in Mobile, Alabama. Tickets go on sale March 13th, 2010. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
— A fourth release has been confirmed today in referee Scott Armstrong, 50. A number of wrestlers are said to be upset over his departure as he is well liked.
Armstrong was hired in the summer of 2006, shortly after the company launched ECW. The oldest son of “Bullet” Bob Armstrong competed for a number of years in World Championship Wrestling before hanging up his boots in 2000 to referee.
Others released today include Maria Kanellis, Gregory Helms (a/k/a The Hurricane) and Paul Burchill.
— With help from Special Guest Referee Vickie Guerrero, Michelle McCool recaptured the WWE Women’s Championship from Mickie James on tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown. This marks her third title win.
— Last night’s episode of WWE Superstars scored a 0.83 cable rating, with 969,000 viewers. The replay did a 0.16 rating with 161,000 viewers.
source: PWInsider.com
— A fourth release has been confirmed today in referee Scott Armstrong, 50. A number of wrestlers are said to be upset over his departure as he is well liked.
Armstrong was hired in the summer of 2006, shortly after the company launched ECW. The oldest son of “Bullet” Bob Armstrong competed for a number of years in World Championship Wrestling before hanging up his boots in 2000 to referee.
Others released today include Maria Kanellis, Gregory Helms (a/k/a The Hurricane) and Paul Burchill.
— With help from Special Guest Referee Vickie Guerrero, Michelle McCool recaptured the WWE Women’s Championship from Mickie James on tonight’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown. This marks her third title win.
— Last night’s episode of WWE Superstars scored a 0.83 cable rating, with 969,000 viewers. The replay did a 0.16 rating with 161,000 viewers.
source: PWInsider.com
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Solomonster Sounds Off (Episode 101)
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Est. Runtime: 1 hour, 34 minutes
| Thoughts on THE CHAMBER and a great episode of Raw with one outstanding promo package
| Some delayed reflections on the final ECW and the horror that it (was?) Abraham Washington
| The first NXT is in the books and there is reason to be positive … but also some disappointment
| Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair to wrestle on the March 8th live “Impact” show
| New PPV titles for WWE, including one of the dumbest names for a PPV maybe ever
| A clip from a movie featuring RVD getting his ass kicked and Ja Rule getting killed by Batista (oh yes!)
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Maria Kanellis, who was released on Friday by World Wrestling Entertainment, commented on her departure at Twitter.com/MariaLKannelis. She wrote:
“Alright guys let’s talk. I did not ask for my release. I was released. I am still going to kick ass in other areas!! I am excited about the future! But I am sad about never getting the Championship. I am sad about not getting the chance to go to Wrestlemania again. Passion is my Motivation! Time to Sing! Time to work for Charity! Time to Dance! Time to be Alive again! Much love to my FANS, my FAMILY, the DIVAS, and my FRIENDS! There is a bright new future when one door closes another opens! Bring on the Doors! Spanks and Kisses”
Here are some recent pictures of the former WWE Diva promoting her music career:
— WWE diva Maria Kanellis has been released. Maria had been with WWE since competing in the 2004 Diva Search competition (she placed 5th) and was voted the 2009 Diva of the Year.
– Daniel Bryan wrote the following on Twitter regarding the NXT premiere:
“Finally saw the NXT debut. I was proud of my performance but definitely saw areas I could improve. I need a better mentor!”
Follow Daniel Bryan & 80+ Wrestlers & Divas at PWTweets.com.
WWE.com has announced that Shane “Hurricane” Helms and Paul Burchill have been released.
Shane Helms’ most recent WWE run began back in 2008. Since then, he has served as both a backstage interviewer and wrestler and performed as both Shane Helms as well as The Hurricane. He was arrested along with Chris Jericho in late January for public intoxication and was part of the ECW brand when it folded earlier this month.
Paul Burchill had been with WWE since 2005 and was also part of the ECW brand before it folded. There was talk he’d be moving to RAW.
Both men were wished the best in all future endeavors.
Additionally, we can confirm that WWE is planning to release several more superstars in the coming weeks as part of the annual “spring cleaning” (yeah, we know it’s still February) .. Several members of the ECW roster as well as one WWE diva in particular is believed to be at risk.
— WWE’s stock price is flirting with its 52-week high today, peaking at 17.08 on Friday morning (just shy of the 17.10 high). The stock price is up a whopping 89% from where it was a year ago.
— WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross posted a blog update on JRsBarBQ.com Friday morning with an update on his health and future plans in the wrestling industry. Ross wrote that nothing is finalized yet, but potential plans are in the works and he hopes to attend WrestleMania 26. Ross wants to return, but WWE’s hectic schedule might be too much for him at this point. He questions whether he can still handle traveling 51 weeks a year while performing at the level he’s expected to. “Thank God I’m feeling better but many, major decisions have to be addressed,” Ross wrote. “I can only say that time will tell over the next few weeks and the best decision will be made. This by no means that my love for the business has diminished whatsoever.”
