Matt and Jeff Hardy have posted their latest video blog to YouTube:

Episode #13 Outside Of Cracker Barrel

“After each one of us had just gotten back into North Carolina after long road trips, it was time for myself, Jeff, & Kimo to grab some lunch at one of our favorite spots-Cracker Barrel. After lunch, we turned the Flip on, and captured whatever came out. Enjoy guys!”

sources: PWInsider.com, Wrestling Observer Newsletter

— WWE has reportedly purchased the Ultimate Pro Wrestling video library.

The California-based UPW — which is now defunct — was often used as a training ground for prospective wrestling talent as it was stepping stone in the development of many past and present mainstream performers including John Cena, Samoa Joe, Chris Masters, Tara (a/k/a Victoria), Christopher Daniels, Jon Heidenreich, The Miz, Melina, Sim Snuka, Mike Knox, SoCal Val and Lena Yada.

— Vince McMahon was reportedly pleased with Daniel Bryan’s performance on last night’s premiere episode of WWE NXT as he felt they made him “a star” in one night as a result of his interaction with The Miz and match with Chris Jericho.

— The final episode of ECW drew a 1.14 cable rating with 1.45 million viewers, up from its final weeks.

— In light of news of Domino appearing at last week’s Florida Championship Wrestling television taping, it has been confirmed that WWE has re-signed the former tag team champion.

Though he came out to his former Deuce ‘n Domino entrance music, he performed under his real name of Cliff Compton not to mention it was openly acknowledged that he was Domino as opposed to a newcomer.

Compton lost to Justin Gabriel by disqualification after Wade Barrett attacked the FCW Champion. Michael Tarver then hit the ring to attack Barrett. FCW Lieutenant General Manager Norman Smiley then made a tag match involving all four men. Gabriel and Tarver defeated Compton and Barrett after Tarver knocked out Compton and Gabriel pinned him.

He was previously released from his WWE contract in August 2008.

— WWE’s latest music release, WWE The Music: A New Day, fell out of Billboard’s top 200 chart in its third week out. However, it should be noted that it was primarily pushed for downloading on Amazon.com rather than CD purchase.

— Daniel Bryan’s debut last night on WWE NXT was a big hit among New York area wrestling fans as it was one of the top ten trending topics among New York City Twitter users after the show went off the air.

sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter, PWInsider.com

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

— After undergoing surgery to repair a torn ACL suffered at a live event in late December, Melina is targeting late spring for her return to the ring.

— Raw newcomer Yoshi Tatsu’s wife recently gave birth to a baby girl, Rukia Yamamoto.

— WWE ran two tri-branded shows over the weekend in Illinois with both selling out. Friday’s show in Chicago drew 14,500 and $500,000 to the Allstate Arena while the event in Springfield drew 8,465 fans and $200,000.

During the main event of WWE NXT last night, announcer Michael Cole went off on a rant against Internet fans and the independent wrestling “universe.”

The main event featured NXT rookie Daniel Bryan against World Heavyweight champion Chris Jericho. Announcer Josh Matthews played up Bryan’s wrestling credentials, putting over the fact that he’s been wrestling on the independent scene for nearly a decade and has established his name across the world. Michael Cole seemed to get pissed off over Matthews comments, repeatedly dismissing Bryan’s accomplishments, saying performing at “high schools” does not impress him in the least.

Cole sided with The Miz’s character, downplaying Bryan’s accomplishments and insisting he show more respect for the WWE Pros. Cole added that he had never really heard anything about Daniel Bryan prior to the debut of NXT and put down smart fans who read the “dirt sheets.”

Some fans reacted with outrage, feeling as if Cole’s comments represented a deliberate disrespect for diehard wrestling fans and what talent like Daniel Bryan have accomplished outside of the WWE ring. But it was apparent to most, however, that Cole was simply trying to stir up some controversy.

The “WWE Universe” Twitter account posted the following Tuesday night:

“Michael Cole has requested his @WWEUniverse profile be removed from our site, not wanting to associate with “online fans” any longer.”

In typical WWE fashion, there’s a real life situation that’s out of their control (smart fans going online and reading wrestling news & learning about other wrestling products) – so they’re turning it into a storyline.

UPDATE: Joey Styles posted the following messaages on Twitter in regards to the on-air exchange between Michael Cole and Josh Matthews:

“So who is the bigger online fan favorite now, Bryan Danielson or Josh Mathews for acknowledging the wrestling world outside WWE?”

“I can assure you that the exchange between Josh Mathews and Michael Cole was very real. Cole lives in the WWE bubble.”

There are now several I hate Michael Cole threads in the NXT forums on wweuniverse.com. Vintage hatred for Michael. Oh My. Josh is a hero.

As always, visit PWTwe

On his newly launched Facebook fan page, Eric Bischoff commented on the chances of certain former WCW talent joining TNA Wrestling.

When asked if TNA could hire Vampiro, Bischoff wrote, “No talent gimmick come lately.”

Another reader noted that Bischoff previously said there was no chance of Diamond Dallas Page showing up in TNA. However, the reader wanted to know whether there was a possibility of Kimberly Page surfacing in Orlando.

“Double no,” Bischoff wrote.

When asked about former WCW Cruiserweight Champion Juventud Guerrera, Bischoff called him “a world class screw up.” A reader then said that the same could be said about Scott Hall. Bischoff responded, “Good point, but Scott Hall has the potential to be one of the greatest minds in the business and still has a gift in the ring. Juventud….I’d rather take an ice pick to my thigh.”

Responding to a query of Goldberg joining TNA, Bischoff said, “I spoke briefly to Bill a week ago, and while the subject of TNA did not come up, I sincerely doubt that Bill has any interest in getting back into the wrestling business.”

Finally, Bischoff called WWE’s guest host initiative a “weak stunt.”

— There was strong discussion a month ago that if TNA’s iMPACT! moved to Monday nights from 8 to 10 p.m, Raw would move to three hours each and every week in response. In an update on the situation, talk of a permanently moving Raw to three hours has since died down and appears highly unlikely at this point.

— For what it’s worth, the WWE website has removed its list of upcoming pay-per-views following WrestleMania XXVI. Last week, WWE added three new theme events to its 2010 schedule in WWE Wild Card, Fatal Four Way and Money In The Bank with Backlash and The Bash dropped.

— Going head-to-head with the Olympics, Raw last week did a 3.4 rating, scoring a 3.3 in the first hour (4.807 million viewers) and a 3.5 in the second (5.111 million). Persons 18-to-49 did a 2.16 for number two and three of the night, and males 18-to-49 did a 3.02 for numbers two and three.

source: www.f4wonline.com