To update an earlier report, Lauren Mayhew, who appeared on ECW as the brand’s ring announcer, has parted ways with World Wrestling Entertainment.
Both parties were working together on a short term deal, but could not come to terms on a full term contract.
The word going around at today’s television taping in Bridgeport, Connecticut was that the aspiring actress and WWE parted on amicable terms and the door was open for her to return to the company in the future.
Mayhew’s profile has already been removed from the company website. Tony Chimel handled the ring announcing duties during tonight’s episode of ECW.
— Former TNA X Division Champion Low Ki worked a dark match prior to Tuesday’s  SmackDown & ECW taping in Bridgeport, Connecticut, defeating Paul Burchill. Low-Ki, who has been working in WWE’s developmental promotion, worked under the name Kaval.
— In today’s wrestling birthday, Beth Phoenix turns 29 years old. She was born on November 24, 1980 in Elmira, New York.
— WWE returns to the E Center in West Valley City, Utah on March 6th, 2010. Tickets go on sale December 19th, 2009 at 10 AM. (Thanks to Devin Cutting)
Hulk Hogan's "Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin" Australian Tour
Hulk Hogan’s Hulkamania Tour
Perth, Australia – November 24th, 2009
Report by Jaredin Mayfair, F4Wonline.com
I attended the second leg of the Hulkamania tour tonight in Perth, Australia.
The setup was decent, with a big screen periodically playing backstage vignettes throughout the night and a ring adorned with red and yellow Hulkamania ropes. Music and titantrons were all generic. Crowd was shy to start off with, but got into the show as it went along and were really hot for the main event.
Here are the results:
Match 1 – Rikishi & Brian Christopher def. Rock Of Love
Basic match built around Rikishi setting up and eventually performing the stinkface. It got a decent pop from the crowd. Rikishi sat on a guy for the win. Rikishi, Christopher and the referee danced after the match,
Match 2 Shannon Moore def. Spartan 3000 Matt Cross
It was announced this was the 2nd match in a best of 3 series to win $25,000. Matt Cross has a Spartan warrior gimmick. Moore won with a corkscrew moonsault, tieing the series at 1-1. Moore looked good, I could see him fitting in OK in TNA.
Match 3 Rosey def. Godfather (w/Ho s) and Val Venis in a Three Way Dance
Rosey came out in his old superhero gear. According to his titantron, his ring name was Big Daddy Row Row. Val Venis heeled on the crowd before the match. Godfather s Ho s got the second biggest pop of the night. Basically Rosey and Godfather teaming up on Val. Funny moment where Rosey was hitting jabs on Val and the crowd chanted S.H.I.T. with each punch. Rosey pinned Val with a samoan drop. Rosey and Godfather left together with the Ho s after the match.
Match 4 Heidenreich & Gangrel & Black Pearl def. Nasty Boys & Eugene (w/Jimmy Hart)
Heidenreich was doing the Heidenwalk. Gangrel did the blood spit. Lots of stalling in this match, the heels got the heat on Eugene as the Nasty Boys pumped up the crowd. Sags looks in really good shape, Knobs not so much. At one point as the heels worked on Eugene, Gangrel screamed Kill that retard! . Probably the worst match of the night. Jimmy Hart doesn t seem to age. Heidenreich ended up pinning Eugene with a sidewalk slam. Nastys teased using some plunder, but didn t deliver.
Intermission
Bikini Contest
3 unknowns came out and Godfather hosted. It ended up breaking down into a pillow fight.
Match 5 Orlando Jordan def. Ken Kennedy
Kennedy did his pre-match mic routine but said Mr Anderson instead. Orlando s theme music has a line saying All the girls love me, and all the guys want to get with me . Probably the best match of the night, they worked well together. Orlando got the pin using the ropes.
Match 6 Umaga def. Brutus Beefcake (w/Jimmy Hart)
Strange matchup. Very short, with Umaga getting the pin after the Samoan Spike. Brutus sold it big time and was helped to the back afterwards.
Match 6 Hulk Hogan def. Ric Flair (w/Lacey Von Erich)
Before the match, the ring announcer said this is now No DQ. Deafening reactions for both Hogan and Flair. Hogan came out to the WCW American Made theme music. Both bled heavily very early in the match. Lots of chops to Hogan, he took his only back bump in the match from one of them. Hogan threw Flair off the top rope. Flair did the full moon spot. Orlando Jordan and Heidenreich came out and started beating down Hogan, but the Nasty Boys made the save and also gave Flair Pitty City. Hogan and Flair crowd brawled for a while. At one point Jimmy Hart came out and pulled Lacey Von Erich off the apron, accidentally exposing her ass for a moment. Hogan also gave her an atomic drop. Umaga then came out and beat up on Hogan and gave him the corner splash. Hogan then Hulked up, gave Flair a terrible big boot then clocked him with Jimmy Hart s megaphone for the pin.
Hogan did his posing routine for a few minutes after the match to end the show.
In retrospect, the show was nothing special. The action was basic, and the spectacle of the main event got really cheapened by all the run-ins. However, it was worth it for the chance to see both Hogan and Flair live, especially here in isolated Western Australia.
Monday’s special 3-hour Thanksgiving edition of WWE Raw hosted by Jesse Ventura did a 3.23 overall rating. The final 2 hours of the show, Raw’s typical timeslot, did a strong 3.55 rating – up from last week’s 3.47.
The hourly ratings were 2.60, 3.60 and 3.50 rating. When WWE runs 3-hour Raws, the first hour typically draws considerably fewer viewers than the second and third hours.
Comparing the final two hours of this week to last week’s show from Madision Square Garden, viewership was up 2.5 percent
(Credit to the Pro Wrestling Torch for the ratings data used in this report)
As previously reported, Rey Mysterio’s knee is in bad shape and the former World Heavyweight champion will need surgery to repair the situation. The beatdown he suffered at the hands of Batista following their match at Survivor Series was done to set up his time away from the ring.
While there was talk that he’d undergo an extensive surgery to fully repair the ACL, Mysterio is now is said to be considering a less invasive procedure on his ACL that would allow him to return sooner than later.
The more invasive procedure would have kept him out of action for upto 9 months and he would have missed WrestleMania 26. While this other surgery he’s considering will allow him to return at the Royal Rumble, he will still need major surgery down the road, likely after he retires.
(Credit to PWInsider.com for some of the information used in this report)
We’ve been covering the story that Shane McMahon recently met with UFC officials. At the UFC 106 posts-fight press conference, UFC president Dana White confirmed that he met with McMahon, but would not give further details regarding the nature of the meeting.
We’ve now learned that Shane McMahon is interested in purchasing a financial interest in UFC.
McMahon, who currently servces as WWE’s Vice President of Global Media, will officially leave that post on January 1, 2010 and be free to work elsewhere.
With his extensive knowledge of marketing and expanding a sports brand into new markets, McMahon could be a big asset to the UFC as they continue their international expansion.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here’s what Ross said about:
Jesse Ventura Hosting Raw: “Jesse Ventura did an excellent job as guest general manager … Jesse looked good, had his usual distinctive, great delivery and, for me, created an interest in checking out his new “Conspiracy Theory” program that debuts soon on truTV. Ventura and McMahon was a fun trip down memory lane and they were, perhaps, the 2nd best broadcast team to appear on Monday Night Raw in a good while as in the summer of ’08. Just one man’s totally biased opinion. I would have been happy to have flown in and produced the two wrestling legends.”
Sheamus’ Push: “Sheamus has found himself in a great spot to help begin building his long term foundation in WWE. I read where some pundits felt the incident between the young Irishman and John Cena was “flat.” I disagree. Obviously, the crowd sitting in their seats over three hours is challenging, has an influence but isn’t the real reason. However, let’s all remember that Sheamus hasn’t been on Raw in any significant role for, what, a month, 5 weeks? Sheamus has not even been in a long term personal issue with a main event, Raw wrestler yet…until now. Bottom line is that Sheamus’ persona is still evolving and the next two weeks and then TLC is highly important to Sheamus’ development. At worst, the WWE has made a new, fresh main event for a PPV and from where I sit that is a good thing.”
The Rock Saying He’d Work With WWE Again: “I would bet a 6 Pak Challenge and throw in a case of BBQ Sauce that those remarks don’t mean that Dwayne is thinking about wrestling again. I do not see that occurring but his appearances could mean an unlimited number of other things that don’t include putting on the tights. Time will tell.”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here’s what Ross said about:
Jesse Ventura Hosting Raw: “Jesse Ventura did an excellent job as guest general manager … Jesse looked good, had his usual distinctive, great delivery and, for me, created an interest in checking out his new “Conspiracy Theory” program that debuts soon on truTV. Ventura and McMahon was a fun trip down memory lane and they were, perhaps, the 2nd best broadcast team to appear on Monday Night Raw in a good while as in the summer of ’08. Just one man’s totally biased opinion. I would have been happy to have flown in and produced the two wrestling legends.”
Sheamus’ Push: “Sheamus has found himself in a great spot to help begin building his long term foundation in WWE. I read where some pundits felt the incident between the young Irishman and John Cena was “flat.” I disagree. Obviously, the crowd sitting in their seats over three hours is challenging, has an influence but isn’t the real reason. However, let’s all remember that Sheamus hasn’t been on Raw in any significant role for, what, a month, 5 weeks? Sheamus has not even been in a long term personal issue with a main event, Raw wrestler yet…until now. Bottom line is that Sheamus’ persona is still evolving and the next two weeks and then TLC is highly important to Sheamus’ development. At worst, the WWE has made a new, fresh main event for a PPV and from where I sit that is a good thing.”
The Rock Saying He’d Work With WWE Again: “I would bet a 6 Pak Challenge and throw in a case of BBQ Sauce that those remarks don’t mean that Dwayne is thinking about wrestling again. I do not see that occurring but his appearances could mean an unlimited number of other things that don’t include putting on the tights. Time will tell.”
As seen last week on SmackDown, Mickie James was introduced to Michelle McCool’s personalized version of “Old McDonald,” a video designed to degrade the curvaceous SmackDown Diva with its starring character “Piggy James.” For those wondering, the segment was indeed designed to send a message to the multi-time women’s champion.
WWE brass aren’t happy with James venturing outside of the company for her country music aspirations as they believe she’s heading down the same path as the likes of Dwayne “The Rock” and Stacy Keibler, who let their outside endeavours overtake their commitments to the company.
Additionally, company officials have not been pleased with James’ weight in recent months, which was another reason for the degrading segment.
(Credit to PWInsider.com for some of the information used in this report)
— In an update on Big Show, he will indeed be undergoing arthroscopic knee surgery. However, he will not be forced to relinquish his Unified Tag Team Championship as he is not expected to be kept out action for too long.
According to fan reports from last night’s Survivor Series pay-per-view, Show was in tremendous pain while working and could “barely move.”
— It was announced during tonight’s episode of Raw that Batista will be squaring off against Kane on this week’s episode of Friday Night SmackDown.
— WWE Bragging Rights is officially released on DVD today. To see the cover, click here.
— Former ECW performer Axl Rotten reportedly canceled an appearance at a Baltimore wrestling event in order to enter a drug rehabilitation facility for substance abuse addiction. WWE is footing the bill as part of their program to do so for any wrestler who was ever under contract. The hardcore wrestler was briefly under contract to the organization upon the relaunch of Extreme Championship Wrestling in 2006, but released before ever appearing on television.
— Hornswoggle did not appear on last night’s episode of Monday Night Raw so he could sell taking the Pedigree last week from Triple H. He is tentatively scheduled to return on next week’s show.
— The Hart Dynasty were originally scheduled to appear at a Toys for Tots benefit last night in Stamford, Connecticut, but pulled so they could appear on Raw. Superstars on hand for the event were Matt Hardy, Beth Phoenix, Tommy Dreamer, Maria, Tiffany, Hornswoggle and Howard Finkel.
(Credit to f4wonline.com & PWInsider.com for some of the information used in this report)
WWE Unified tag champion Chris Jericho was recently interviewed by Express Night Out.Here’s what he said about:
Leaving Wrestling In 2005: I think last time I was burned out after 15 years of being in the business, and kind of really spinning my wheels when I left. I wasn’t really mentally there, and if you’re not mentally there in this job you might as well just quit because you get hurt or you hurt somebody else…
Keeping Busy On The Road: You spend a lot of time sleeping. When you get on the plane, you watch movies or read a magazine or book , or just sleep, chill out, relax. Because a lot of the travels we make are verylong, so you really just have to settle into it and not be too hyper; you just have to relax, otherwise you’ll lose your mind being on planes for, sometimes, 15 hours. You have to learn to relax when you’re traveling.
Hulk Hogan Joining TNA: Anything that makes that company bigger is better for us. Competition is what we thrive on, so good luck to them. I hope they get a real big boost from it.
Mr. Lobo Incident: It’s frustrating, [but] I guess it’s just the world we live in nowadays, so you have to be careful with what you say because nobody has a sense of humor or really understands when you’re just shooting the breeze with your friends. So, I got my slap on the wrist, and I’m very, very, very, very sorry to anybody who was offended.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. In this update, Ross gives his thoughts on Sunday’s Survivor Series PPV and more. Some highlights:
Undertaker’s Next Feud: “I assume that ‘Taker is Batista’s next target as I can’t see a return match from Sunday night. Taker-Batista seems the most logical but I don’t have any inside info to base this on FYI.
Rey Mysterio: “I assume that ‘Taker is Batista’s next target as I can’t see a return match from Sunday night. Taker-Batista seems the most logical but I don’t have any inside info to base this on FYI.
WWE’s Young Talent: “The key, young guys got the chance to shine in the first tag bout including (Dolph) Ziggler, Miz, (Jack) Swagger, (Drew) McIntyre, and Sheamus. All these guys are ‘keepers’ and are counted on to be future, PPV headliners. The creative debate aside, the level of success these young men find will largely be up to them, how innovative they can become, and how willing they are to dedicate themselves to getting better and being reliable and problem free individuals. Good, solid opening contest.”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. In this update, Ross gives his thoughts on Sunday’s Survivor Series PPV and more. Some highlights:
Undertaker’s Next Feud: “I assume that ‘Taker is Batista’s next target as I can’t see a return match from Sunday night. Taker-Batista seems the most logical but I don’t have any inside info to base this on FYI.
Rey Mysterio: “I assume that ‘Taker is Batista’s next target as I can’t see a return match from Sunday night. Taker-Batista seems the most logical but I don’t have any inside info to base this on FYI.
WWE’s Young Talent: “The key, young guys got the chance to shine in the first tag bout including (Dolph) Ziggler, Miz, (Jack) Swagger, (Drew) McIntyre, and Sheamus. All these guys are ‘keepers’ and are counted on to be future, PPV headliners. The creative debate aside, the level of success these young men find will largely be up to them, how innovative they can become, and how willing they are to dedicate themselves to getting better and being reliable and problem free individuals. Good, solid opening contest.”
– The following matches have been announced for WWE’s Tables, Ladders and Chairs pay-per-view on December 13th:
Unified Tag Team champions Big Show & Chris Jericho vs. DX in a TLC match.
WWE champion John Cena vs. Sheamus in a Tables Match
— As reported earlier, former Ring of Honor Tag Team Champions The Briscoe Brothers received tryouts with WWE prior to last Tuesday’s SmackDown/ECW taping in Philadelphia. The brothers Briscoe are currently under contract to ROH and were granted permission to tryout. In an update on the situation, WWE officials were impressed with their tryout and they have been called back to tryout again for further evaluation.
— Hulk Hogan continues to make media appearances in Australia promoting the ongoing Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin tour and was very outspoken about writers in pro wrestling during an interview with SportFM in Perth, Australia. “In TNA, I’m going to listen to those fans and give them what they want,” Hogan said. “I’m not going to keep shoving a bunch of terrible, horrible, stale programming down their throats. (In TNA), I’m going to take the writers and tell them, ‘Go get another job. Sit in the back. If I need you to write a jingle for a commercial, maybe we’ll use you for that.'”
Hogan repeated the claim that he’s coming in to “run” TNA and answered a question about whether he’ll wrestle for them. “I’m going back to the United States to run that company – TNA,” Hogan said. “I’m going to be on-camera, I’m going to be behind-the-scenes taking care of business in the back, and if the fans scream and shout loud enough, I might even lace up the boots up, brothers, but I’m not planning on doing that. I’m planning on taking that company and turning it into the #1 promotion in the business. When I leave here, that’s the mission I’m on.”
Hogan claims to have a financial stake in TNA, which will motivate him to do what’s best for the company. “I signed a deal with Dixie Carter to come in as her partner,” Hogan said. “I know there are several people on the show – storyline-wise – who say they are part of TNA (management) such as Mick Foley and Jeff Jarrett, but this thing is for real.”
– Last week we posted messages from Psycho Sid’s website saying that he was headed to TNA. After checking with a source in TNA, many within the company don’t know anything about Sid coming in. Unless it’s something being kept a secret or very few people know, it may not be true.
– After being released recently by TNA, former Knockout Sojourner Bolt is back working at former WWE developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling as a trainer.
– Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler” starring Mickey Rourke will debut on HBO this Saturday night. Visit HBO.com for details.
— Hulk Hogan continues to make media appearances in Australia promoting the ongoing Hulkamania: Let The Battle Begin tour and was very outspoken about writers in pro wrestling during an interview with SportFM in Perth, Australia. “In TNA, I’m going to listen to those fans and give them what they want,” Hogan said. “I’m not going to keep shoving a bunch of terrible, horrible, stale programming down their throats. (In TNA), I’m going to take the writers and tell them, ‘Go get another job. Sit in the back. If I need you to write a jingle for a commercial, maybe we’ll use you for that.'”
Hogan repeated the claim that he’s coming in to “run” TNA and answered a question about whether he’ll wrestle for them. “I’m going back to the United States to run that company – TNA,” Hogan said. “I’m going to be on-camera, I’m going to be behind-the-scenes taking care of business in the back, and if the fans scream and shout loud enough, I might even lace up the boots up, brothers, but I’m not planning on doing that. I’m planning on taking that company and turning it into the #1 promotion in the business. When I leave here, that’s the mission I’m on.”
Hogan claims to have a financial stake in TNA, which will motivate him to do what’s best for the company. “I signed a deal with Dixie Carter to come in as her partner,” Hogan said. “I know there are several people on the show – storyline-wise – who say they are part of TNA (management) such as Mick Foley and Jeff Jarrett, but this thing is for real.”
– Last week we posted messages from Psycho Sid’s website saying that he was headed to TNA. After checking with a source in TNA, many within the company don’t know anything about Sid coming in. Unless it’s something being kept a secret or very few people know, it may not be true.
– After being released recently by TNA, former Knockout Sojourner Bolt is back working at former WWE developmental territory Ohio Valley Wrestling as a trainer.
– Darren Aronofsky’s “The Wrestler” starring Mickey Rourke will debut on HBO this Saturday night. Visit HBO.com for details.
Two of WWE’s top superstars are set to undergo knee surgery and will be out of action for several months.
As we’ve reported over the past few weeks, Rey Mysterio’s knee is in bad shape and he needs his ACL repaired. Batista’s brutal attack on Mysterio after their match at Survivor Series and the stretcher job that followed was the setup for him taking time off. Many within WWE are concerned that this may be it for Mysterio’s career, but it’still s too soon for that to be confirmed. He could be out up to 6-9 months from the surgery, which would make Wrestlemania 26 the third out of the last four Wrestlemanias Mysterio has missed due to injuries.
Additionally, Unified tag champion the Big Show also needs knee surgery, according to PWInsider.com. He got choked out by the Undertaker at Survivor Series and will be off WWE television shortly. This will likely be the end of the surprisingly solid JeriShow tag team. Had Edge been ready to return to action, this would have been the perfect set up to reintroduce him into storylines and feud with Chris Jericho. Jericho and Edge were teaming together before Edge got injured and Jericho ran down Edge for being injury prone and the weak link in the team. Jericho selected Big Show as his new partner, but now that he’s on his way out as well, it should be interesting to see where Jericho winds up.
Two of WWE’s top superstars are set to undergo knee surgery and will be out of action for several months.
As we’ve reported over the past few weeks, Rey Mysterio’s knee is in bad shape and he needs his ACL repaired. Batista’s brutal attack on Mysterio after their match at Survivor Series and the stretcher job that followed was the setup for him taking time off. Many within WWE are concerned that this may be it for Mysterio’s career, but it’still s too soon for that to be confirmed. He could be out up to 6-9 months from the surgery, which would make Wrestlemania 26 the third out of the last four Wrestlemanias Mysterio has missed due to injuries.
Additionally, Unified tag champion the Big Show also needs knee surgery, according to PWInsider.com. He got choked out by the Undertaker at Survivor Series and will be off WWE television shortly. This will likely be the end of the surprisingly solid JeriShow tag team. Had Edge been ready to return to action, this would have been the perfect set up to reintroduce him into storylines and feud with Chris Jericho. Jericho and Edge were teaming together before Edge got injured and Jericho ran down Edge for being injury prone and the weak link in the team. Jericho selected Big Show as his new partner, but now that he’s on his way out as well, it should be interesting to see where Jericho winds up.
– Tonight’s three-hour RAW from Hershey, PA will be a Thanksgiving themed show, feature Superstars from all three brands and will be hosted by Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura.
– There were a lot of people within WWE upset about the “Piggy James” segment on this past Friday’s SmackDown where fun was poked at Mickie James. Management has been down on James due to what they perceive to be her “letting herself go” and the locker room didn’t find it as funny as Vince probably did.
– Referee Scott Armstrong suffered a concussion during the Team Morrison vs. Team Miz at last night’s Survivor Series pay-per-view after the kick from Sheamus. This is the only real injury coming out of the show.
– One of the other complaints WWE officials have with Michael Cole is that they feel he says things to entertain himself more than getting over what he is told to get over. His “stock” has been higher than its been recently.
– WWE will debut the official trailer for The Marine 2 starring Ted DiBiase on tomorrow’s tonight’s three-hour RAW show from Hershey, PA. The trailer was actually leaked online about a month ago and you can view it below:
(Credit to F4WOnline.com and PWInsider.com for some of the information used in this report)
– Tonight’s three-hour RAW from Hershey, PA will be a Thanksgiving themed show, feature Superstars from all three brands and will be hosted by Hall of Famer Jesse Ventura.
– There were a lot of people within WWE upset about the “Piggy James” segment on this past Friday’s SmackDown where fun was poked at Mickie James. Management has been down on James due to what they perceive to be her “letting herself go” and the locker room didn’t find it as funny as Vince probably did.
– Referee Scott Armstrong suffered a concussion during the Team Morrison vs. Team Miz at last night’s Survivor Series pay-per-view after the kick from Sheamus. This is the only real injury coming out of the show.
– One of the other complaints WWE officials have with Michael Cole is that they feel he says things to entertain himself more than getting over what he is told to get over. His “stock” has been higher than its been recently.
– WWE will debut the official trailer for The Marine 2 starring Ted DiBiase on tomorrow’s tonight’s three-hour RAW show from Hershey, PA. The trailer was actually leaked online about a month ago and you can view it below:
(Credit to F4WOnline.com and PWInsider.com for some of the information used in this report)
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s new animated movie “Planet 51” opened at No. 3 at the box office this weekend with $12.6 million. While this is a disappointing number, the movie went up against the opening of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” which opened at over $140 million.
— It was reported this past September that the lawsuit Warrior (a.k.a. Ultimate Warrior) had filed against World Wrestling Entertainment in January 2006 regarding its DVD release on him, Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior, was thrown out. Judge Douglas L. Rayes ruled that Warrior could not sue for damages over the company’s comments towards him on the title because he had made “publicly disparaging claims” against WWE (on his website). It was also ruled that Warrior would have to pay WWE’s attorney costs and expenses in defending themselves against his breach of contract lawsuit — a total of $18,967.46. In an update on the situation, both sides later came to the judge and said the case had been resolved, with World Wrestling Entertainment waiving Warrior’s near $19,000 legal bill. (source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
– Kaval (the former Low Ki) has returned to WWE developmental action and defeated Donny Marlow in one match and Eric Escobar in another match at this past Thursday’s FCW TV tapings.
– Former “Edgehead” Curt Hawkins is still working in WWE developmental in a team called The Dudebusters with Caylen Croft and Trent Beretta. They are currently the FCW Tag Team Champions after defeating Bo & Duke Rotundo at this past Thursday’s FCW tapings. It looks as if the team will be holding the titles under “Freebird Rules” where any combination of the team can defend the belts.
– Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s new animated movie “Planet 51” opened at No. 3 at the box office this weekend with $12.6 million. While this is a disappointing number, the movie went up against the opening of “The Twilight Saga: New Moon,” which opened at over $140 million.
— It was reported this past September that the lawsuit Warrior (a.k.a. Ultimate Warrior) had filed against World Wrestling Entertainment in January 2006 regarding its DVD release on him, Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior, was thrown out. Judge Douglas L. Rayes ruled that Warrior could not sue for damages over the company’s comments towards him on the title because he had made “publicly disparaging claims” against WWE (on his website). It was also ruled that Warrior would have to pay WWE’s attorney costs and expenses in defending themselves against his breach of contract lawsuit — a total of $18,967.46. In an update on the situation, both sides later came to the judge and said the case had been resolved, with World Wrestling Entertainment waiving Warrior’s near $19,000 legal bill. (source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
– Kaval (the former Low Ki) has returned to WWE developmental action and defeated Donny Marlow in one match and Eric Escobar in another match at this past Thursday’s FCW TV tapings.
– Former “Edgehead” Curt Hawkins is still working in WWE developmental in a team called The Dudebusters with Caylen Croft and Trent Beretta. They are currently the FCW Tag Team Champions after defeating Bo & Duke Rotundo at this past Thursday’s FCW tapings. It looks as if the team will be holding the titles under “Freebird Rules” where any combination of the team can defend the belts.
– The dark match before tonight’s Survivor Series pay-per-view in Washington, DC saw Santino Marella defeat Chavo Guerrero with an eye-poke and a rollup.
— As seen in recent weeks, CM Punk has taken a lesser role on Friday Night SmackDown since dropping the World Heavyweight Championship to Undertaker at last month’s Hell in the Cell pay-per-view, instead being placed in a program with perennial mid-card performer R-Truth after months of top-level feuds. While it would appear that he’s been demoted, the company is looking to have him assist R-Truth for the time being by putting him over in hope that he reaches main event level status. (source: PWInsider.com)
– If The Undertaker vs. John Cena transpires at WrestleMania 26 in Arizona, both are expected to remain faces heading into the match.
