— AJ Styles could be in line for a makeover as creative has discussed having the TNA World Heavyweight Champion bleach his hair blonde in order to synergize his partnership with Ric Flair. Though it should be noted that Styles has a say in this so it may not happen.
— TNA newcomer Mr. Anderson will be making his live event debut for the company during the weekend of February 4th in Kansas and Missouri.
— Velvet Sky and Madison Rayne of “The Beautiful People” were brought in for the remainder of the company’s ongoing tour of the UK starting with tonight’s show in Bournemouth. The duo will be working tag matches against Taylor Wilde and Sarita. The tour concludes this Saturday.
— As announced tonight on Raw, Bret Hart was invited back to the show by Vince McMahon. “The Hitman” is being advertised to appear at next week’s event in Nashville.
— Tomorrow night’s episode of ECW will see Christian and Kane take on Ezekiel Jackson and William Regal.
— It was officially announced tonight on Raw that the one and only William Shatner will guest host next week’s show. “The Shat” last appeared on Raw fifteen years ago in a memorable segment with Jerry “The King” Lawler.
— As announced tonight on Raw, Bret Hart was invited back to the show by Vince McMahon. “The Hitman” is being advertised to appear at next week’s event in Nashville.
— Tomorrow night’s episode of ECW will see Christian and Kane take on Ezekiel Jackson and William Regal.
— It was officially announced tonight on Raw that the one and only William Shatner will guest host next week’s show. “The Shat” last appeared on Raw fifteen years ago in a memorable segment with Jerry “The King” Lawler.
Actor James Roday, who was scheduled to host tonight’s WWE RAW with “Psych” co-star Dule Hill, will not appear on tonight’s show because he underwent appendectomy surgery over the weekend.
Roday’s partner on “Psych” Dule Hill will now fly solo as the Raw guest host.
News of Roday’s situation mude public on Monday afternoon during a live online chat session with John Cena and the Psych co-stars.
During an interview with Live Audio Wrestling last night, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson said he would return to WWE for a guest-hosting role or to wrestle a match on the sole condition that he can “rip up” the writing for the current television product and tap into the “Attitude Era” with an edgier product.
“I want to use the platform as a host to literally rip things open. There’s so much stuff we can do,” Johnson told John Pollock. “We’re going to create an incredible show, an incredible Raw. I’m doing another movie, but after that, we’re going to create something special, unique, something badass for the fans. Talking to Vince (McMahon), whenever that’s going to be, we’re going to have a great time.”
Johnson echoed what he said last week during an interview with ESPN in that he wouldn’t rule out actually wrestling, but only if he can turn the product upside down and create a compelling storyline leading to a match.
“I accomplished everything I wanted to accomplish in wrestling, so I wouldn’t rule out going back,” Johnson said. “If the match was right and we could create something really unique and cool for the fans and for my opponent and for the company, I would do it in a second.”
Johnson once again said he has no interest in wrestling John Cena, but talked about what it would take for him to work a program with one of WWE’s premiere stars.
“I’ve never been interested in wrestling John Cena. The guys I wrestled in the past – from Goldberg to Hogan to Austin – were guys who I’ve really wanted to wrestle. If it can be done creatively but not only that, it’s very important if I do back is that the writing has to be ripped open and really be pushed,” Johnson said. “I came from a time in the Attitude era where we trail-blazed a lot and were fearless in the things we said and did.”
To listen to the interview in its entirety, click here.
In an interview with The Sun, TNA World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles blasts the backstabbing nature of rival promotion World Wrestling Entertainment.
The TNA star said he has no interest in going to WWE based on second-hand stories he’s heard from wrestlers’ experiences in the politically-motivated backstage environment.
“From all the horror stories I’ve heard in WWE, there’s no reason why I would want to go anywhere else. Desmond (Wolfe) and I are going to work together to make this company the best for everybody. Where, in the other company, they will stab each other in the back to get to the next level,” Styles said. “It’s not about me. It’s about us in TNA.”
Styles said one year from now, TNA needs to be live and touring “week-to-week” outside the Impact Zone in Orlando. His main reason for wanting to venture outside of Orlando is so he can better gauge the effectiveness of his persona.
“Definitely live. Live every Monday night or Thursday night. I don’t care. Just as long as the fans know when it’s coming on. And that they don’t know what to expect,” Styles told The Sun. “That’s the biggest thing because with the spoilers, they go on (the Internet) and figure out whatever, but I want to be live going from state-to-state and not just in the Impact Zone.”
Styles added: “It’s hard to gauge who you are as a character in the Impact Zone because you have the same fans coming in who don’t necessarily want to enjoy the show, but be part of the show, and it’s hard to gauge how you’re doing as an entertainer.”
Styles also reassured fans upset about TNA parting ways with its trademark six-sided ring.
“Ring change is kind of upsetting at first, but then once you get in that ring, it brings the memories back – ‘Oh, there’s so much more you can do.’ But, for us, it absolutely does not make a difference to me. That’s why it was so bizarre to me at first why they would change it,” Styles said. “I heard that maybe the reason was to be taken more seriously as a company. I can understand that. I don’t care what it is that gets us to the next level as long as we get there.”
Styles and Desmond Wolfe also discuss Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff joining TNA, as well as what fans can expect on the company’s current tour of the UK. To download the 21-minute interview, click here.
In an interview with The Sun, TNA World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles blasts the backstabbing nature of rival promotion World Wrestling Entertainment.
The TNA star said he has no interest in going to WWE based on second-hand stories he’s heard from wrestlers’ experiences in the politically-motivated backstage environment.
“From all the horror stories I’ve heard in WWE, there’s no reason why I would want to go anywhere else. Desmond (Wolfe) and I are going to work together to make this company the best for everybody. Where, in the other company, they will stab each other in the back to get to the next level,” Styles said. “It’s not about me. It’s about us in TNA.”
Styles said one year from now, TNA needs to be live and touring “week-to-week” outside the Impact Zone in Orlando. His main reason for wanting to venture outside of Orlando is so he can better gauge the effectiveness of his persona.
“Definitely live. Live every Monday night or Thursday night. I don’t care. Just as long as the fans know when it’s coming on. And that they don’t know what to expect,” Styles told The Sun. “That’s the biggest thing because with the spoilers, they go on (the Internet) and figure out whatever, but I want to be live going from state-to-state and not just in the Impact Zone.”
Styles added: “It’s hard to gauge who you are as a character in the Impact Zone because you have the same fans coming in who don’t necessarily want to enjoy the show, but be part of the show, and it’s hard to gauge how you’re doing as an entertainer.”
Styles also reassured fans upset about TNA parting ways with its trademark six-sided ring.
“Ring change is kind of upsetting at first, but then once you get in that ring, it brings the memories back – ‘Oh, there’s so much more you can do.’ But, for us, it absolutely does not make a difference to me. That’s why it was so bizarre to me at first why they would change it,” Styles said. “I heard that maybe the reason was to be taken more seriously as a company. I can understand that. I don’t care what it is that gets us to the next level as long as we get there.”
Styles and Desmond Wolfe also discuss Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff joining TNA, as well as what fans can expect on the company’s current tour of the UK. To download the 21-minute interview, click here.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s new “Tooth Fairy”had a rough start at the box office over the weekend, opening in fourth place with $14.5 million.
By comparison, here are the opening weekend ticket sales for his previous three movies, from BoxOfficeMojo.com:
Planet 51 (09): $12,286,129
Race to Witch Mountain (3/09): $24,402,214
Get Smart (6/08): $38,683,480
Movie critics haven’t been to kind to the Tooth Fairy either. RottenTomatoes.com, which compiles movie reviews from critics and moviegoers, gave the site a 15/100 review and had the following consensus:
Dwayne Johnson brings the full force of his charm (and his appropriately pale chompers) to the title role, but flat direction and a committee-written script render The Tooth Fairy unacceptably dull.
You can’t win ’em all. The Rock still has enough star power where he can put out a crappy kids movie, make another $5 million and be alright, but he’s not bulletproof and should pick his roles more carefully in the future.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s new “Tooth Fairy”had a rough start at the box office over the weekend, opening in fourth place with $14.5 million.
By comparison, here are the opening weekend ticket sales for his previous three movies, from BoxOfficeMojo.com:
Planet 51 (09): $12,286,129
Race to Witch Mountain (3/09): $24,402,214
Get Smart (6/08): $38,683,480
Movie critics haven’t been to kind to the Tooth Fairy either. RottenTomatoes.com, which compiles movie reviews from critics and moviegoers, gave the site a 15/100 review and had the following consensus:
Dwayne Johnson brings the full force of his charm (and his appropriately pale chompers) to the title role, but flat direction and a committee-written script render The Tooth Fairy unacceptably dull.
You can’t win ’em all. The Rock still has enough star power where he can put out a crappy kids movie, make another $5 million and be alright, but he’s not bulletproof and should pick his roles more carefully in the future.
— Mickie James has launched an official website promoting her musical endeavors at MickieJames.com.
— Today is WWE Women’s Champion Michelle McCool’s birthday, who turns 30 years old.
— WWE has released the Cryme Tyme Runnin’ the Block T-Shirt at the following link.
— WWE returns to the South Shore Music Circus in Cohasset, Massachusetts on August 28th, 2010 and the Cape Cod Melody Tent in Hyannis, Massachusetts on August 29th, 2010. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated hisJRsBarBQ.com blog, here are some highlights:
Vince Russo Complaining about Wrestling Journalists: “I do think that creative types in today’s wrestling world are under tremendous pressure and scrutiny. I have great compassion for what they do particularly in today’s society. Fans of all broadcast genres are harder to please these days because of all the info flow available but people can only do their best and follow their instincts. I still think the keys to the process is listening to the objective critiques of the consumers and to follow rating trends. But it all will come back to one’s natural instincts on how they see the genre presented. I know what I personally like in a wrestling TV show but that certainly doesn’t mean that others might like the direction that I might take. Hell, I might not like it after I saw it air.
Ludwig Borga’s Death: “Been reading a little about the death of Tony Halme aka Ludvig Borga and, including his concealed SS tattoo on his calf I won’t speak at length about those that have passed away but Tony obviously had issues and was not a great guy to be around. Perhaps others have a different view of this man but I personally found him to be somewhat obnoxious and he could be a bully if allowed to be such. Guys like Halme don’t mix well in any locker room and need to be removed from the “team” sooner than later. Nonetheless I still feel badly about the last years of Tony’s life as things really unraveled for him seemingly due to alcohol and drug issues. When one competes with “demons” unfortunately the “demons” usually win unless one is personally and throughly committed to changing one’s behavior. Wrestlers with problems of this nature either need to have the problem solved, which takes everyone’s best efforts specifically the individual himself, or have the problem person needs to be eliminated from the equation. That might sound harsh but some folks would rather “catch a buzz” than do the right thing for themselves, their family and the company for which they work. “
Big Show’s Knucklehead was tentatively scheduled for the theatrical release date of Friday, April 23, 2010, but is now been pushed back to the fall in favor of the John Cena drama film Brother’s Keeper.
Filming for Brother’s Keeper wrapped us just last week in New Orleans while Knucklehead finished in November. Current plans call for Brother’s Keeper to be released theatrically this summer, thus pushing Big Show’s comedy movie to the fall.
WWE Studios recently reached an agreement with Samuel Goldwyn Films to oversee it’s theatrical releases, and Vivendi Entertainment to handle the home video releases. As part of the agreement, World Wrestling Entertainment has agreed to produce nine movies through 2012.
Future releases include Big Red starring Randy Orton, a thriller written for Batista, and the comedy Midnight Run with John Cena.
Big Show’s Knucklehead was tentatively scheduled for the theatrical release date of Friday, April 23, 2010, but is now been pushed back to the fall in favor of the John Cena drama film Brother’s Keeper.
Filming for Brother’s Keeper wrapped us just last week in New Orleans while Knucklehead finished in November. Current plans call for Brother’s Keeper to be released theatrically this summer, thus pushing Big Show’s comedy movie to the fall.
WWE Studios recently reached an agreement with Samuel Goldwyn Films to oversee it’s theatrical releases, and Vivendi Entertainment to handle the home video releases. As part of the agreement, World Wrestling Entertainment has agreed to produce nine movies through 2012.
Future releases include Big Red starring Randy Orton, a thriller written for Batista, and the comedy Midnight Run with John Cena.
— Drew McIntyre appeared fine at last night’s SmackDown/ECW live event in Hammond, Indiana after reportedly suffering a dislocated patella during his match at last Tuesday’s SmackDown taping.
It was announced this past Friday on SmackDown that McIntyre will be defending his Intercontinental Championship against John Morrison in a No Disqualification Match on this week’s show.
— It would appear that Tyler Reks’ embarrassing plane incident two weeks ago in Green Bay is now water under the bridge considering that he garnered a victory over Goldust at last night’s SmackDown/ECW live event. The sparingly seen ECW star has been trying out his new found heel persona at non-televised events in recent weeks and is simply waiting to be reintroduced to the masses.
— Developmental wrestler Johnny Curtis is once again on the road this week with WWE. He came up short last night in a match against Chris Masters.
— A post-mortem has confirmed that former WWE performer Tony Halme (a/k/a Ludvig Borga) took his own life via pistol.
Police discovered his body on Jan. 10 in his Helsinki, Finland, apartment.
— One week from today, TrishStratus.com will be holding a video drawing where one lucky winner will have the chance to own a vintage worn Trish Stratus outfit from her “closet of costume”. The item will also be personally signed by the multi-time WWE Women’s Champion.
To enter, simply donate a minimum of $10 to Carmelina’s Home, a holistic program in the treatment and recovery of addictions, substance abuse and/or emotional issues for women. Your name will then be automatically added into the drawing. You can increase your chances of winning by raising your donation amount.
The winner of the raffle will have the option of choosing one of four worn Trish Stratus outfits, including the purple costume she wore when she won the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania XIX in Seattle.
— Similarly, former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia is auctioning off the dress she wore at WrestleMania 21, which saw her open the show with her rendition of “America the Beautiful.” You can view the auction at the following link.
— A post-mortem has confirmed that former WWE performer Tony Halme (a/k/a Ludvig Borga) took his own life via pistol.
Police discovered his body on Jan. 10 in his Helsinki, Finland, apartment.
— One week from today, TrishStratus.com will be holding a video drawing where one lucky winner will have the chance to own a vintage worn Trish Stratus outfit from her “closet of costume”. The item will also be personally signed by the multi-time WWE Women’s Champion.
To enter, simply donate a minimum of $10 to Carmelina’s Home, a holistic program in the treatment and recovery of addictions, substance abuse and/or emotional issues for women. Your name will then be automatically added into the drawing. You can increase your chances of winning by raising your donation amount.
The winner of the raffle will have the option of choosing one of four worn Trish Stratus outfits, including the purple costume she wore when she won the WWE Women’s Championship at WrestleMania XIX in Seattle.
— Similarly, former WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia is auctioning off the dress she wore at WrestleMania 21, which saw her open the show with her rendition of “America the Beautiful.” You can view the auction at the following link.
It would appear that the latest D-Generation X run is coming to an end as Shawn Michaels said during an interview with the KISS-FM radio station out of San Antonio this past week that DX will “probably disband” following the Royal Rumble so they can focus on their respective matches at WrestleMania.
When asked if he had any plans on retiring, Michaels said: “Well, that’s always the million dollar question. I’d like to go on record as saying I have been trying to retire for the last three years… [WWE] makes it very difficult, you know, Vince McMahon is nuts. I try to walk away then WrestleMania comes up, they put me in a match, I do well, and [Vince] doesn’t make it very easy.”
Also it would appear that he had zero input in selecting matches for WWE’s upcoming DVD release on him, Shawn Michaels: My Journey. He responded with the following: “They found my 25 greatest matches?”
It had been rumored that Michaels would handpick his favorite twenty-five matches of his career for the DVD release.
It would appear that the latest D-Generation X run is coming to an end as Shawn Michaels said during an interview with the KISS-FM radio station out of San Antonio this past week that DX will “probably disband” following the Royal Rumble so they can focus on their respective matches at WrestleMania.
When asked if he had any plans on retiring, Michaels said: “Well, that’s always the million dollar question. I’d like to go on record as saying I have been trying to retire for the last three years… [WWE] makes it very difficult, you know, Vince McMahon is nuts. I try to walk away then WrestleMania comes up, they put me in a match, I do well, and [Vince] doesn’t make it very easy.”
Also it would appear that he had zero input in selecting matches for WWE’s upcoming DVD release on him, Shawn Michaels: My Journey. He responded with the following: “They found my 25 greatest matches?”
It had been rumored that Michaels would handpick his favorite twenty-five matches of his career for the DVD release.
— Two TNA stars in Homicide and Madison Rayne were on hand for Jersey All Pro Wrestling’s 12th Year Anniversary Show last night in Rahway, New Jersey. Homicide beat former ECW World Heavyweight Champion Masato Tanaka while JAPW Women’s Champion Sara Del Ray pinned Madison Rayne.
— Today is TNA creative director and former WCW World Heavyweight Champion Vince Russo’s birthday, who turns 49 years old.
The following press release was issued last week, announcing that Mickie James had signed on with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, an organization that tracks and protects recording artists’ royalties and compensation:
WWE’s® MICKIE JAMES JOINS ASCAP FAMILY AS DEBUT ALBUM NEARS COMPLETION
(Nashville, TN) – Mickie James, one of the WWE’s® (World Wrestling Entertainment) top female competitors, announced today the signing of her ASCAP membership.
ASCAP Senior Vice President Connie Bradley and Nashville Director of Membership Relations Mike Sistad were on hand as James signed off on her affiliation with the organization.
James co-wrote with Nashville songwriters on several of the cuts scheduled for inclusion on her debut album.
James and producer Kent Wells expect the project to reach completion this week, with the album’s first single impacting radio in February. The full album is currently projected for a March, 2010 release.
— This past Thursday’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America scored a record high 1.1 cable rating.
The following press release was issued last week, announcing that Mickie James had signed on with the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, an organization that tracks and protects recording artists’ royalties and compensation:
WWE’s® MICKIE JAMES JOINS ASCAP FAMILY AS DEBUT ALBUM NEARS COMPLETION
(Nashville, TN) – Mickie James, one of the WWE’s® (World Wrestling Entertainment) top female competitors, announced today the signing of her ASCAP membership.
ASCAP Senior Vice President Connie Bradley and Nashville Director of Membership Relations Mike Sistad were on hand as James signed off on her affiliation with the organization.
James co-wrote with Nashville songwriters on several of the cuts scheduled for inclusion on her debut album.
James and producer Kent Wells expect the project to reach completion this week, with the album’s first single impacting radio in February. The full album is currently projected for a March, 2010 release.
— This past Thursday’s episode of WWE Superstars on WGN America scored a record high 1.1 cable rating.
Kelly Kelly and her ex-boyfriend, the late Andrew "Test" Martin
WWE Diva Kelly Kelly spoke to the UK’s Daily Star this week about the untimely death of her ex-boyfriend, former WWE & TNA star Andrew “Test” Martin.
“Not a day goes by when I don’t think about Andrew. … He was a big part of my life, we were together for two-and-a-half years. When I first started, Andrew looked after me. We were there together, we had some good times and some hard times – he wanted more than anything to be healthy,”
Andrew Martin, who Kelly Kelly calls the “love of her life,” died back in March 2009 prescription pill overdose after a long battle with addiction.
Kelly Kelly is dedicating the remainder of her wrestling career to Andrew MArtin and vows to become a respected in-ring worker. She explains that even though women wrestlers aren’t having “25 minute matches” like the men, the Divas are still on the road upto 300 days a year and live the same hectic lifestyle.
“We’re on the road for the same amount of time as the guys, I know we don’t have to wrestle 25-minute matches like the guys but we travel 200 to 300 miles a night exactly the same as them. But this is my life – I’ve been doing it since I was 18 so by now I’m used to it! I’m young and I have no plans to settle down!”
To read the full interview, including which WWE Diva is helping Kelly improve in the ring, visit the Daily Star website.
Kelly Kelly and her ex-boyfriend, the late Andrew "Test" Martin
WWE Diva Kelly Kelly spoke to the UK’s Daily Star this week about the untimely death of her ex-boyfriend, former WWE & TNA star Andrew “Test” Martin.
“Not a day goes by when I don’t think about Andrew. … He was a big part of my life, we were together for two-and-a-half years. When I first started, Andrew looked after me. We were there together, we had some good times and some hard times – he wanted more than anything to be healthy,”
Andrew Martin, who Kelly Kelly calls the “love of her life,” died back in March 2009 prescription pill overdose after a long battle with addiction.
Kelly Kelly is dedicating the remainder of her wrestling career to Andrew MArtin and vows to become a respected in-ring worker. She explains that even though women wrestlers aren’t having “25 minute matches” like the men, the Divas are still on the road upto 300 days a year and live the same hectic lifestyle.
“We’re on the road for the same amount of time as the guys, I know we don’t have to wrestle 25-minute matches like the guys but we travel 200 to 300 miles a night exactly the same as them. But this is my life – I’ve been doing it since I was 18 so by now I’m used to it! I’m young and I have no plans to settle down!”
To read the full interview, including which WWE Diva is helping Kelly improve in the ring, visit the Daily Star website.
WWE superstars Chris Jericho, Big Show, MVP, Kane, Mark Henry and Great Khali will be appearing in the upcoming comedy movie “MacGruber”, in theaters April 23rd.
IMDB.com Synopsis: Only one American hero has earned the rank of Green Beret, Navy SEAL and Army Ranger. Just one operative has been awarded 16 purple hearts, 3 Congressional Medals of Honor and 7 presidential medals of bravery. And only one guy is man enough to still sport a mullet .. Will Forte brings Saturday Night Live’s clueless soldier of fortune to the big screen in the action comedy MacGruber.
For those not cool enough to be around back in the 1980s, the MacGruber SNL character is a parody of the “MacGyver” television show, which was about a secret agent who refused to use a gun and could take down a group of terrorists with a frisbee, a banana, some duct tape and a bottle of hair spray.
Here is the official list of participants for WWE’s annual over-the-top-rope contest, the Royal Rumble.
Raw: Big Show, Carlito, Cody Rhodes, Evan Bourne, Jack Swagger, John Cena, Kofi Kingston, Mark Henry, MVP, Santino Marella, Shawn Michaels, Ted DiBiase, The Miz and Triple H.
ECW: William Regal, Shelton Benjamin, Yoshi Tatsu, Zack Ryder and The Hurricane.
SmackDown: Batista, Chris Jericho, C.M. Punk, Kane and Great Khali.
Six spots remain open.
Other confirmed matches taking place include:
World Heavyweight Championship Match
Undertaker (c) vs. Rey Mysterio
WWE Championship Match
Sheamus (c) vs. Randy Orton
ECW Championship Match
Christian (c) vs. Ezekiel Jackson
WWE Women’s Championship Match Michelle McCool vs. Mickie James
