-- As announced on RAW this week, CM Punk is the new #1 contender for the WWE Title. Punk defeated Alberto Del Rio and Rey Mysterio in a Falls Count Anywhere Match on RAW to become the #1 contender. Punk will now face John Cena at WWE's Money in the Bank PPV event on July 17th. This takes place from Punk's hometown of Chicago, Illinois.
-- During his match with Evan Bourne on RAW this week, Jerry Lawler referred to Sin Cara as "RAW's sensational new Superstar Sin Cara." Obviously, this would indicate that Sin Cara is back on RAW full-time. We'll have more shortly as this is NOT confirmed by any means. You can click here to see photos of Sin Cara unmasked.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
New WWE Divas Champion + HBK's RAW Return Set
-- It was announced on RAW this week that WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will be a special guest on next week's RAW. The show will air live from Las Vegas and will feature the RAW Roulette theme.
-- CM Punk, Mason Ryan, Sin Cara, Evan Bourne, Kelly Kelly, Mark Henry, RAW Roulette, "Batista chants" and "snow angels" were all trending on Twitter during the first hour of RAW this week.
-- As seen on RAW this week, Kelly Kelly defeated Brie Bella to win the WWE Divas Championship. This is Kelly's first title reign in WWE.
-- CM Punk, Mason Ryan, Sin Cara, Evan Bourne, Kelly Kelly, Mark Henry, RAW Roulette, "Batista chants" and "snow angels" were all trending on Twitter during the first hour of RAW this week.
-- As seen on RAW this week, Kelly Kelly defeated Brie Bella to win the WWE Divas Championship. This is Kelly's first title reign in WWE.
Major Update on CM Punk’s Storyline, WWE MITB PPV Main Event and More
WWE champion John Cena vs. CM Punk is set as the main event of the 7/17 Money in the Bank PPV.
Punk announced on Raw once the match was set that his contract with WWE expires the next day, 7/18 and he would be leaving WWE, teasing that he was going to win the belt and walk out with it.
We reported several months back that Punk had turned down attempts by WWE to sign him to a new deal and was considering an exit from the company. We'll have an update on his status, what is legitimate and what is an angle, during the next few days.
Punk announced on Raw once the match was set that his contract with WWE expires the next day, 7/18 and he would be leaving WWE, teasing that he was going to win the belt and walk out with it.
We reported several months back that Punk had turned down attempts by WWE to sign him to a new deal and was considering an exit from the company. We'll have an update on his status, what is legitimate and what is an angle, during the next few days.
Zack Ryder Tweets On Crowd Chants + SD! Rating
-- Zack Ryder tweeted the following last night regarding fan chants at WWE's Capitol Punishment pay-per-view: "WE WANT RYDER chants at the PPV? I can't confirm this. I am not there."
-- The June 17 episode of WWE SmackDown! scored a 1.71 (1.7) cable rating, down from 1.77 (1.8) the prior two weeks.
SmackDown! averaged 2.71 million viewers, approximately the same as the previous week. This extends the program's streak of less than 3.0 million viewers to seven consecutive weeks.
It is the lowest rated episode of 2011. The previous low was set on May 6 with a 1.73 cable rating.
-- The June 17 episode of WWE SmackDown! scored a 1.71 (1.7) cable rating, down from 1.77 (1.8) the prior two weeks.
SmackDown! averaged 2.71 million viewers, approximately the same as the previous week. This extends the program's streak of less than 3.0 million viewers to seven consecutive weeks.
It is the lowest rated episode of 2011. The previous low was set on May 6 with a 1.73 cable rating.
John Cena Addresses Mixed Crowd Reaction
-- John Cena tweeted the following today: "The divide between those who stand with us and those who stand against us is becoming more aggressive," Cena wrote. "I love it. I think it makes for an unreal WWE experience. I have never told anyone how they need to feel about me, nor badgered them for there admiration. But I am truly fortunate and thankful for all those who remain loyal, through good times and bad, dark and light. I will never give up on you."
Johnny Curtis' WWE Debut, The Miz Media Blitz, & More
-- Johnny Curtis, who has appeared in backstage segments in recent weeks, stated last Friday on SmackDown! that he would be debuting soon.
-- WWE Hall of Famer Koko B. Ware celebrates his 54th birthday today.
-- The Miz posted the following today, discussing the grueling WWE schedule… "What do I want to do after the PPV yesterday? U guessed it a 6am media day in Baltimore. Just hit CBS, now onto radio stations."
-- WWE Hall of Famer Koko B. Ware celebrates his 54th birthday today.
-- The Miz posted the following today, discussing the grueling WWE schedule… "What do I want to do after the PPV yesterday? U guessed it a 6am media day in Baltimore. Just hit CBS, now onto radio stations."
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Averno Unmasked, JR Blogs, Orton Concussion Update
-- Jim Ross's latest blog is available at http://www.JRSBARBQ.com/.
-- As noted earlier, Randy Orton stated on Twitter that he passed the 'Impact test' he underwent on Friday. Therefore, he is cleared to wrestle Christian at tomorrow night's Capitol Punishment pay-per-view event. The WWE World Heavyweight suffered a concussion during Sunday's SmackDown live event in Spain and had to pass the test in order to be medically cleared to return to the ring. WWE had a backup plan in place should Orton not have been able to wrestle.
-- X-Fly is replacing Perro Aguayo Jr. at TripleMania tonight. Word is that Aguayo Jr. looked really bad at a house show at Arena Naucalpan on Thursday, and it was then decided to pull him from the event. AAA is claiming that he is having complications stemming from his cancer medication, but many people in Mexico are skeptical of that.
-- Averno was unmasked last night. For those wondering, he's 34 years old and his real name is Renato Ruiz. You can click here to see photos of Averno unmasked.
-- As noted earlier, Randy Orton stated on Twitter that he passed the 'Impact test' he underwent on Friday. Therefore, he is cleared to wrestle Christian at tomorrow night's Capitol Punishment pay-per-view event. The WWE World Heavyweight suffered a concussion during Sunday's SmackDown live event in Spain and had to pass the test in order to be medically cleared to return to the ring. WWE had a backup plan in place should Orton not have been able to wrestle.
-- X-Fly is replacing Perro Aguayo Jr. at TripleMania tonight. Word is that Aguayo Jr. looked really bad at a house show at Arena Naucalpan on Thursday, and it was then decided to pull him from the event. AAA is claiming that he is having complications stemming from his cancer medication, but many people in Mexico are skeptical of that.
-- Averno was unmasked last night. For those wondering, he's 34 years old and his real name is Renato Ruiz. You can click here to see photos of Averno unmasked.
Vickie Guerrero's Weight Loss Secret + Fat Jokes
Vickie Guerrero spoke to Kevin Eck of the Baltimore Sun to promote tomorrow night's WWE Capitol Punishment pay-per-view event in Washington D.C. as well as Monday's RAW in Baltimore, Maryland. She discussed numerous topics including how her recognizable catchphrase came out, Eddie Guerrero's influence on her career, her significant weight loss, her weight being lampooned on WWE programming, and more.
Guerrero reveals that her trademark saying, "Excuse Me!", came by accident one night at a television event.
"That was just a fluke," Guerrero says. "I think I probably forgot my lines one night and just kept saying 'excuse me' to remember what I had to say next, and the fans just got louder. I tried it a couple more times and we thought, let's stay with it and see where it goes. Now I sign all my autographs with 'excuse me.'"
Guerrero says Eddie Guerrero is the inspiration behind her heel character as she learned how to cut an effective promo from watching him perform.
She says, "I think it goes back to watching Eddie do promos [wrestling monologues] in the living room and in the bathroom for 15 years. The louder I can get the fans and the angrier they are at me, the more it fuels the fire in me to just push them to the edge even more. It's a high."
Numerous insults have been levied at Guerrero over the years regarding her weight. Despite losing more than 50 pounds since last year, the jokes about her being overweight have continued to linger on WWE programming. She, however, feels it comes with territory.
"The jokes have helped grow my character to what it is," she said. "I just kind of roll with it and leave it behind me when I leave the arena. Again, there's the character and then there's the real person. You can't take what's going on at work personally."
She continues, "They really didn't bother me. Well, I guess they did to an extent, but not to where I was feeling bad about myself. It was who I was. We have beautiful women that work with us, and when I was in the locker room with them and we're dressing and stuff, I would look at them and be like, 'Oh, this is ridiculous. I'm going to change.’ I wanted to feel good being a part of their group and to live a lifestyle that was going to be promoted with the WWE. Now when they say the jokes, it's like, "Whatever.'"
Guerrero attributes her significant weight loss to exercise and a stringent diet.
She says, "I've lost 52 pounds. My secret was to stop eating all the junk food after leaving the arenas. I never really trained the first four years I was with WWE, so I wasn't happy with how I looked and I wanted to have some improvement, so I found a personal trainer and also started doing the nutrition side of it. I'm really happy with the results, and I probably have like 20 more pounds to go. You cut out breads; you cut out all the junk food. I don't drink any more sodas. I just eat healthy chicken and steak and rice. I don't have any fried foods. I do have my cheat days and I look forward to them because you have to enjoy life. It's so bad at our catering at work because our dessert table is bigger than our entrée table, so I save my Mondays and Tuesdays for a piece of cake or something that’s sweet. That's my reward if I work hard during the week."
Guerrero reveals that her trademark saying, "Excuse Me!", came by accident one night at a television event.
"That was just a fluke," Guerrero says. "I think I probably forgot my lines one night and just kept saying 'excuse me' to remember what I had to say next, and the fans just got louder. I tried it a couple more times and we thought, let's stay with it and see where it goes. Now I sign all my autographs with 'excuse me.'"
Guerrero says Eddie Guerrero is the inspiration behind her heel character as she learned how to cut an effective promo from watching him perform.
She says, "I think it goes back to watching Eddie do promos [wrestling monologues] in the living room and in the bathroom for 15 years. The louder I can get the fans and the angrier they are at me, the more it fuels the fire in me to just push them to the edge even more. It's a high."
Numerous insults have been levied at Guerrero over the years regarding her weight. Despite losing more than 50 pounds since last year, the jokes about her being overweight have continued to linger on WWE programming. She, however, feels it comes with territory.
"The jokes have helped grow my character to what it is," she said. "I just kind of roll with it and leave it behind me when I leave the arena. Again, there's the character and then there's the real person. You can't take what's going on at work personally."
She continues, "They really didn't bother me. Well, I guess they did to an extent, but not to where I was feeling bad about myself. It was who I was. We have beautiful women that work with us, and when I was in the locker room with them and we're dressing and stuff, I would look at them and be like, 'Oh, this is ridiculous. I'm going to change.’ I wanted to feel good being a part of their group and to live a lifestyle that was going to be promoted with the WWE. Now when they say the jokes, it's like, "Whatever.'"
Guerrero attributes her significant weight loss to exercise and a stringent diet.
She says, "I've lost 52 pounds. My secret was to stop eating all the junk food after leaving the arenas. I never really trained the first four years I was with WWE, so I wasn't happy with how I looked and I wanted to have some improvement, so I found a personal trainer and also started doing the nutrition side of it. I'm really happy with the results, and I probably have like 20 more pounds to go. You cut out breads; you cut out all the junk food. I don't drink any more sodas. I just eat healthy chicken and steak and rice. I don't have any fried foods. I do have my cheat days and I look forward to them because you have to enjoy life. It's so bad at our catering at work because our dessert table is bigger than our entrée table, so I save my Mondays and Tuesdays for a piece of cake or something that’s sweet. That's my reward if I work hard during the week."
Gunner Receives Stitches + Candice Michelle Is Sick
-- Gunner stated on Twitter that he received ten stitches in his head after Mr. Anderson hit him in the head with a pitcher of beer on this week's episode of iMPACT! Wrestling.
-- Former WWE Women's Champion Candice Michelle announced on Twitter that she came down with the stomach flu and therefore will miss her scheduled appearances at this weekend's Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con.
Michelle wrote, "I've just been diagnosed with gastroenteritis! AKA "The Stomach Flu! :( Unfortunately I will not be able to make the Philly Comic Con! :( Sad, tear!"
-- Larry "The Axe" Hennig turns 79 years old today while Vito turns 42 and Bam Neely turns 36.
-- Former WWE Women's Champion Candice Michelle announced on Twitter that she came down with the stomach flu and therefore will miss her scheduled appearances at this weekend's Wizard World Philadelphia Comic Con.
Michelle wrote, "I've just been diagnosed with gastroenteritis! AKA "The Stomach Flu! :( Unfortunately I will not be able to make the Philly Comic Con! :( Sad, tear!"
-- Larry "The Axe" Hennig turns 79 years old today while Vito turns 42 and Bam Neely turns 36.
Trish Stratus Backstage At TNA Live Event Last Night
Former WWE Women's Champion Trish Stratus was backstage at last night's TNA Wrestling live event at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, Ontario. Stratus lives nearby and was visiting former WWE peers who now work for the organization.
Stratus indicated on her Twitter account that Mickie James, Tara and Winter slept over at her house.
Stratus indicated on her Twitter account that Mickie James, Tara and Winter slept over at her house.
Alex Riley Speaks Out - Breaking Out, The Miz, More
Marvel.com recently interviewed Alex Riley. Here are some highlights…
On His Recent Break Out: Oh my god, it's a dream come true. You can never expect it—well you can expect it, but you're not ever sure it's going to happen. You're dealing with twenty thousand people out there that may or may not react and your job is based on the fact that they do react. You need them to react. So you do the best you can and to try to be as close to yourself as possible and to put on a great performance and hope at the end of the day that they buy into what you're doing. So the fact that they are behind me this quickly is amazing. And I can't wait to give ‘em more, to be honest, because I think once you crack through, it gets easier and easier. So I'm excited, I think it's amazing and it's been a dream come true and the last three weeks have been awesome for me.
On Facing Miz Sunday: I get to prove that I'm not a guy that just needs to carry a bag to have a WWE career; and he can prove, if it happens this way, if he does end up winning, that maybe he didn't need me—who knows? That night and the last three weeks have been very real, and what you see out there is two guys that truly feel the way they do and I think that's why the crowd reacted the way they did. It's because they knew this was not just a performance, that there was a lot of truth to what was going on.
On Advice Miz Gave Him: He used to always talk about being smart all the time. When you see it on TV, you see a bunch of guys that are beating the crap out of each other and talking trash to each other, doing it night in and night out, week after week. You don't really see how smart you have to be to be a part of this company for a long time. He's such a professional and I learned so much just by watching him prepare for Monday Night Raw or prepare for a show in Miami that's untelevised. To take the same amount of enthusiasm with him everyday to work, no matter where he is, it's inspiring. He's always reminded me to just be smart and to evaluate every situation, because every situation you're put in [with] the WWE is different. You can be on the East Coast one week and the West Coast the next week. The crowd's different, the environment's different, and who you're working with is different. So you have to be smart and you have to be very attentive to what a crowd wants to see. Maybe tonight they don't want to see me and The Miz headlock each other and work around for 10 minutes. Maybe they want to see us just kick the crap out of each other and you need to know that and you need to be always evaluating the different situations and I think he does that very well, if not better than anybody in the company.
On His Recent Break Out: Oh my god, it's a dream come true. You can never expect it—well you can expect it, but you're not ever sure it's going to happen. You're dealing with twenty thousand people out there that may or may not react and your job is based on the fact that they do react. You need them to react. So you do the best you can and to try to be as close to yourself as possible and to put on a great performance and hope at the end of the day that they buy into what you're doing. So the fact that they are behind me this quickly is amazing. And I can't wait to give ‘em more, to be honest, because I think once you crack through, it gets easier and easier. So I'm excited, I think it's amazing and it's been a dream come true and the last three weeks have been awesome for me.
On Facing Miz Sunday: I get to prove that I'm not a guy that just needs to carry a bag to have a WWE career; and he can prove, if it happens this way, if he does end up winning, that maybe he didn't need me—who knows? That night and the last three weeks have been very real, and what you see out there is two guys that truly feel the way they do and I think that's why the crowd reacted the way they did. It's because they knew this was not just a performance, that there was a lot of truth to what was going on.
On Advice Miz Gave Him: He used to always talk about being smart all the time. When you see it on TV, you see a bunch of guys that are beating the crap out of each other and talking trash to each other, doing it night in and night out, week after week. You don't really see how smart you have to be to be a part of this company for a long time. He's such a professional and I learned so much just by watching him prepare for Monday Night Raw or prepare for a show in Miami that's untelevised. To take the same amount of enthusiasm with him everyday to work, no matter where he is, it's inspiring. He's always reminded me to just be smart and to evaluate every situation, because every situation you're put in [with] the WWE is different. You can be on the East Coast one week and the West Coast the next week. The crowd's different, the environment's different, and who you're working with is different. So you have to be smart and you have to be very attentive to what a crowd wants to see. Maybe tonight they don't want to see me and The Miz headlock each other and work around for 10 minutes. Maybe they want to see us just kick the crap out of each other and you need to know that and you need to be always evaluating the different situations and I think he does that very well, if not better than anybody in the company.
Jim Ross Blogs: TNA Invading WWE, The Kliq-WWE
Jim Ross has posted his latest blog at JRSBARBQ.com. Check out the highlights:
On Capitol Punishment: "WWE's Capitol Punishment from Washington, D.C. is this Sunday on PPV. I'll be watching from the proverbial "comfort of our own home" and am really curious to see how this one turns out. Randy Orton , who is having concussion issues, vs. Christian might well steal the show that is if Orton is medically cleared to compete. R Truth upsetting WWE Champion John Cena would be interesting going forward. This is without question Truth's biggest, professional opportunity to date. Even though Alex Riley is arguably the underdog going into his match with the Miz, Riley has done some nice things lately and seems to be breaking new ground as far as his career is concerned. I like Riley's athleticism and intensity and, win or lose, the former college linebacker seems to be on the right track."
On the idea of a TNA/WWE invasion story: "No...I do not ever foresee a WWE/TNA TV storyline. What benefit would that have to WWE and can anyone with a modicum of common sense not fathom what a nightmare it would be to structure such a matter? The business in general faces enough challenges within their own confines without creating a nightmarish situation as I perceive this would be. Ain't happening folks. No reason for it to happen. Next."
On the Kliq's Curtail Call: "When the infamous Kliq 'Curtain Call' at MSG occurred I have to admit that, being an old school guy, I wasn't overwhelmed with it. Over the years I have grown to understand the matter better and really am indifferent to it at this point in my life. At the time that it occurred, it caused some locker room issues but they were addressed, eventually dismissed and everyone moved on. Kevin Nash discusses this more on the Legends Roundtable which will air next month on WWE On Demand."
Be sure to read the full blog at http://www.JRSBARBQ.com/
On Capitol Punishment: "WWE's Capitol Punishment from Washington, D.C. is this Sunday on PPV. I'll be watching from the proverbial "comfort of our own home" and am really curious to see how this one turns out. Randy Orton , who is having concussion issues, vs. Christian might well steal the show that is if Orton is medically cleared to compete. R Truth upsetting WWE Champion John Cena would be interesting going forward. This is without question Truth's biggest, professional opportunity to date. Even though Alex Riley is arguably the underdog going into his match with the Miz, Riley has done some nice things lately and seems to be breaking new ground as far as his career is concerned. I like Riley's athleticism and intensity and, win or lose, the former college linebacker seems to be on the right track."
On the idea of a TNA/WWE invasion story: "No...I do not ever foresee a WWE/TNA TV storyline. What benefit would that have to WWE and can anyone with a modicum of common sense not fathom what a nightmare it would be to structure such a matter? The business in general faces enough challenges within their own confines without creating a nightmarish situation as I perceive this would be. Ain't happening folks. No reason for it to happen. Next."
On the Kliq's Curtail Call: "When the infamous Kliq 'Curtain Call' at MSG occurred I have to admit that, being an old school guy, I wasn't overwhelmed with it. Over the years I have grown to understand the matter better and really am indifferent to it at this point in my life. At the time that it occurred, it caused some locker room issues but they were addressed, eventually dismissed and everyone moved on. Kevin Nash discusses this more on the Legends Roundtable which will air next month on WWE On Demand."
Be sure to read the full blog at http://www.JRSBARBQ.com/
This Week's TNA iMPACT! Rating Is In .....
This week's edition of TNA iMPACT! Wrestling drew a 1.25 (1.3) cable rating. This is up from previous week's where they've been competing with the NBA and NHL playoffs.
TNA scored their highest rating in six weeks, dating all the way back to the May 12th episode. It was also the second-highest-rated episode in the past 13 weeks, dating back to March 17th.
In the 18-34 demographic, iMPACT! scored its highest rating of the year and was up 40% compared to last week.
In the 18-49 demographic, iMPACT! was up 16% compared to last week.
Shane McMahon Calls Leaving WWE 'Brutal'
The Los Angeles Times has an article up that looks at Shane McMahon's new business venture, "You on Demand", forming a partnership with Warner Bros. McMahon also talks about his decision to leave WWE and why it was very hard for him.
The article notes that "rising high up the executive ranks, McMahon was seen as a potential successor to his father. There was only one problem. "He wasn't going anywhere," he said and laughed.
"It was the hardest decision I've ever had to make. I didn't want to wake up when I was 70 and say, 'I should have done that.' It's still hard."
McMahon added that there is still some "residual tension" over his decision to leave the company.
When asked if he'd be striking any deals with his father for WWE content on You on Demand, McMahon cracked, "I don't know, I'm a tough negotiator."
Randy Orton Concussion Update Inside Here
Randy Orton posted the following on his Twitter…
"About to take an Impact test. It will determine if I can be cleared to fight Christian, after receiving a concussion. Wish me luck."
"About to take an Impact test. It will determine if I can be cleared to fight Christian, after receiving a concussion. Wish me luck."
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