Author Topic: Industry News & Notes: (Read 758691 times)

Montague · « **Reply #1125 on:** March 03, 2011, 05:06:46 PM »

The Wrestling Observer is reporting that, with The Undertaker facing Triple H at this year's WrestleMania PPV, the current speculation is that The Dead Man will be retiring after next year's big PPV, which will be his 20th WrestleMania appearance.

Montague · « **Reply #1126 on:** March 03, 2011, 05:09:58 PM »

Last night, in a Q&A session with fans on Twitter, Bret Hart posted the following in response to a question about Hulk Hogan:
"Hogan's nothing but a two-faced, backstabbing, steroid freak who deserved everything he got."

In response, Hogan posted the following on Twitter this morning:
"Listen to where Bretts speaking from,it's funny he's done everything he's saying I did."

As the Twitter wars continued, Hart posted the following in response to Hogan's latest Tweet:
"That's not what John Graziano thinks, dickhead."

You can read more at Twitter.com/HitmanBretSHart

Montague · « **Reply #1127 on:** March 03, 2011, 05:10:44 PM »

Chris Jericho has noted on Twitter that his new book "Undisputed" is now number 9 on the New York Times Bestseller list.

Playboy · « **Reply #1128 on:** March 04, 2011, 04:52:20 AM »

Another wrestlemania match leaked....

Creative plans on having The Bella Twins join forces with Sheamus in their feud with Daniel Bryan and Gail Kim. Bryan is reportedly scheduled to defend the United States Championship against Sheamus at WrestleMania XXVII. That is not confirmed as of this writing though.

Way to attract fans WWE!

Playboy · « **Reply #1129 on:** March 04, 2011, 12:35:51 PM »

The leaked Wrestlmania card....

As of this past Tuesday night, the following matches are planned for WrestleMania XXVII:

Already Announced Matches:

The Undertaker vs. Triple H

WWE Championship Match
WWE Champion The Miz vs. John Cena

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Edge vs. Alberto Del Rio

Randy Orton vs. CM Punk

Jerry Lawler vs. Michael Cole (with Jack Swagger)

To Be Announced Matches:

John Morrison, Kelly Kelly and Trish Stratus vs. Dolph Ziggler, Layla and Michelle McCool

Ezekiel Jackson, Heath Slater, Justin Gabriel and Wade Barrett vs. Big Show, Christian, Kane and Kofi Kingston

Cody Rhodes vs. Rey Mysterio

WWE United States Championship Match
WWE United States Champion Daniel Bryan (with Gail Kim) vs. Sheamus (with Brie and Nikki Bella)

A yet to be determined Divas match. Possibly a battle royal.

Finally, a Money in the Bank Ladder Match is not scheduled for the event. That could easily change though.

Of course, creative plans change on a daily basis within WWE so please keep that in mind when reading the above rumored matches. Look for Jimmy Hart to be in Jerry Lawler's corner also as Hogan leaked this on Twitter.

Wow...stellar card

Playboy · « **Reply #1130 on:** March 09, 2011, 06:43:12 AM »

As of this week, creative has not decided on whether to close WrestleMania XXVII with The Undertaker vs. Triple H or Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson confronting John Cena—which would indicate that Cena vs. The Miz is the main event. Internally, Michael Cole vs. Jerry Lawler is considered the third biggest match on the show.

– Going forward, WWE plans on featuring more PG-13 content on Monday Night RAW. However, it’s still considered a PG-rated program and there are no plans on changing that.

Wow....

Playboy · « **Reply #1131 on:** March 09, 2011, 06:46:26 AM »

Shelton Benjamin worked a dark match prior to this week’s WWE SmackDown! taping in Houston, Texas, beating SmackDown! Superstar Curt Hawkins. He received a solid reaction from the hometown crowd.

During Benjamin’s near ten year tenure with World Wrestling Entertainment, he won the Intercontinental Championship three times, the United States Championship once, and the WWE Tag Team Championship on two occasions. Benjamin was released from his contract last April, along with Slam Master J, Kung Fu Naki, Jimmy Wang Yang, Mickie James and Katie Lee Burchill.

Benjamin appeared for Ring of Honor alongside longtime tag partner Charlie Haas following his dismissal from WWE. It is not known at this time if he has re-signed with the organization. He’s shedualed to work numerous upcoming ROH events with Haas. Haas is not returning to WWE as he landed a sweet deal in Japan and ROH.

IMO, I think TNA president Dixie Carter should have pickedup both Benjemen & Haas. Both are very good wrestlers.

Playboy · « **Reply #1132 on:** March 10, 2011, 06:44:37 AM »

Is the Rock even wrestling? I heard he is just hosting. Who knows, maybe they will make a last minute change and pull Cena away from the Miz and have him Wrestle the Rock?

flexingtonsteele · « **Reply #1133 on:** March 10, 2011, 10:50:16 PM »

Quote from: Playboy on March 10, 2011, 06:44:37 AM

Is the Rock even wrestling? I heard he is just hosting. Who knows, maybe they will make a last minute change and pull Cena away from the Miz and have him Wrestle the Rock?

Theres no way they could get Rock to commit to even a full time summer schedule.

But it'd be EPIC if theyd have Rock interfere before Cena comes to the ring, take Cena's place and have Rock win the title.

Then have em wrestle at summerslam. Thatd be huge money.

But theres no way that'd ever happen lol.

Playboy · « **Reply #1134 on:** March 11, 2011, 04:45:02 AM »

Quote from: flexingtonsteele on March 10, 2011, 10:50:16 PM

Theres no way they could get Rock to commit to even a full time summer schedule.

But it'd be EPIC if theyd have Rock interfere before Cena comes to the ring, take Cena's place and have Rock win the title.

Then have em wrestle at summerslam. Thatd be huge money.

But theres no way that'd ever happen lol.

Lol..you should be a booker

flexingtonsteele · « **Reply #1135 on:** March 11, 2011, 12:46:36 PM »

Quote from: Playboy on March 11, 2011, 04:45:02 AM

Lol..you should be a booker

Bro they needs writers who arent sitcom writers and actually know wrestling and the product would be so much better.

Playboy · « **Reply #1136 on:** March 11, 2011, 02:45:57 PM »

Quote from: flexingtonsteele on March 11, 2011, 12:46:36 PM

Bro they needs writers who arent sitcom writers and actually know wrestling and the product would be so much better.

I've been saying that for years now. They fumbled up hard when they demoted Jim Cornette to OVW (later firing him), Paul Heymen, Bruce Pritchard and Jim Ross. Those guys where the major talent finders and contributed to all the storylines in the WWE. But miss little princess Stephanie couldn't handle taken orders from other who knew the business and cried to daddy.

flexingtonsteele · « **Reply #1137 on:** March 11, 2011, 03:42:39 PM »

have you noticed had far the product has fallen since jim ross got "relieved" of his vp of talent job that he held during the "glory years"............

The Showstoppa · « **Reply #1138 on:** March 12, 2011, 06:08:32 AM »

And it's only going to get worse as more of the old-school guys get pushed out the door.

mass 04 · « **Reply #1139 on:** March 12, 2011, 01:40:52 PM »

The Undertaker got some very sobering news on his health recently. Reports were back in the beginning of the year that Undertaker's shoulder was not healing as fast as expected despite him working very hard during physical therapy. To follow up on that, Undertaker recently got some bad news from the doctor who performed the surgery to repair his rotator cuff. When he had the surgery back in November, the doctors said the damage was about triple of what they expected. Undertaker was told by the doctor that because he waited so long to have the surgery done, his shoulder is now permanently damaged. He will never regain full strength in it for the rest of his life. The irony of this is that the Buried Alive match where Kane would ultimately win the feud was supposed to be at Survivor Series, but was moved up to Bragging Rights since Undertaker was in such intense, constant pain. This news is why his match with Triple H at WrestleMania 27 was made a No Holds Barred match. A No Holds Barred match requires less bumps and holds. Also, it fits in the storyline, since their match at WrestleMania 17 ten years ago was also a No Holds Barred match. There's been no word on if this diagnosis will affect the outcome of the match. The match was originally planned to be a Streak vs. Career match with Triple H putting Undertaker over so that he can begin his career as Vince McMahon's eventual replacement (McMahon turns 66 on August 24) when he decides to retire or dies, which ever comes first (those in the company truly believe McMahon will actively run the company until he dies). But now, since Undertaker (who will turn 46 on March 24) has a permanently damaged shoulder that will no doubt accelerate his eventual retirement, Triple H may feel like he needs to stay around since Undertaker will be gone sooner rather than later. Many in the company feel this may be Undertaker's last WrestleMania. Not everyone is sure that he'll even be around after WM27. There are some who wonder if it's a deal like Steve Austin at WrestleMania 19, where he knows its his last match but doesn't want anyone to know that going in.

Montague · « **Reply #1140 on:** March 12, 2011, 02:56:22 PM »

The man's 46 and has had his fair share of health problems over the years - more in recent.
It should come as NO surprise to anyone in the company that Taker's in-ring days are numbered.

I think that even most casual observers are/were expecting him to retire at his 20th Mania, which is only about a year away.

Playboy · « **Reply #1141 on:** March 14, 2011, 04:45:12 AM »

People need to understand that Undertaker is in his late forties and his injuries and years of vigurous travelling and the schedual involved with the business ahve finally caught up to him. Age is a thing we cannot battle.

Montague · « **Reply #1142 on:** March 16, 2011, 04:29:16 AM »

Wrestlezone.com reports the alleged plans for this year's WrestleMania announcing:

Michael Cole will not announce Wrestlemania; neither will Jerry "The King" Lawler.

The play-by-play announcer for Wrestlemania will be Josh Matthews, and his color commentator, at least as of now, will be Booker T.

There was word going around last night that Jim Ross will end up calling the main events, including Undertaker vs HHH. However, that has not been confirmed, and we also have a report from a major player within WWE that Ross will only call the two title matches at the show.

For whatever this is worth, Ross downplayed all speculation yesterday, telling people he won't get his hopes up, but is "ready to serve if drafted into action."

There is no word what Michael Cole's role will be going forward. There are some who feel he should become a full time manager, and become WWE's top heel personality. Others feel this heel run needs to run its course, with Cole finally returning to his old role.

While WWE likes to have an idea about Summer Slam by the time we get this close to Wrestlemania, we have been told all ideas are up in the air, although "Vince has apparently decided what he wants to do with Rock, Cena, and Miz, but he's not telling us yet!"

Playboy · « **Reply #1143 on:** March 16, 2011, 05:02:01 AM »

Quote from: Montague on March 16, 2011, 04:29:16 AM

Wrestlezone.com reports the alleged plans for this year's WrestleMania announcing:

Michael Cole will not announce Wrestlemania; neither will Jerry "The King" Lawler.

The play-by-play announcer for Wrestlemania will be Josh Matthews, and his color commentator, at least as of now, will be Booker T.

There was word going around last night that Jim Ross will end up calling the main events, including Undertaker vs HHH. However, that has not been confirmed, and we also have a report from a major player within WWE that Ross will only call the two title matches at the show.

For whatever this is worth, Ross downplayed all speculation yesterday, telling people he won't get his hopes up, but is "ready to serve if drafted into action."

There is no word what Michael Cole's role will be going forward. There are some who feel he should become a full time manager, and become WWE's top heel personality. Others feel this heel run needs to run its course, with Cole finally returning to his old role.

While WWE likes to have an idea about Summer Slam by the time we get this close to Wrestlemania, we have been told all ideas are up in the air, although "Vince has apparently decided what he wants to do with Rock, Cena, and Miz, but he's not telling us yet!"

In other words Vince McMahon, pay me 300,000 dollars a year and i'll gladly come back because your current commentators stink.

All kidding aside...Josh Matthews and Booker to announce WM??? WTF??? Gordon Solie just rolled in his grave...

Montague · « **Reply #1144 on:** March 16, 2011, 05:04:28 AM »

Quote from: Playboy on March 16, 2011, 05:02:01 AM

In other words Vince McMahon, pay me 300,000 dollars a year and i'll gladly come back because your current commentators stink.

All kidding aside...Josh Matthews and Booker to announce WM??? WTF??? Gordon Solie just rolled in his grave...

I thought the exact same thing.
$:-\$

mass 04 · « **Reply #1145 on:** March 16, 2011, 09:15:50 AM »

Booker could be a great color guy but he hasn't hit his stride yet...I think it's a mistake to have him work the biggest show of the year.

Playboy · « **Reply #1146 on:** March 16, 2011, 09:59:08 AM »

Quote from: mass 04 on March 16, 2011, 09:15:50 AM

Booker could be a great color guy but he hasn't hit his stride yet...I think it's a mistake to have him work the biggest show of the year.

I think they should have done a three man tandem for the annoucing at WM. Bring in JR (since WWE is bringing in other people), Booker (so he can learn somewhat and get his stride as Mass suggested) and a third party.

mass 04 · « **Reply #1147 on:** March 16, 2011, 10:25:55 AM »

Cole is the worst guy to pair Booker with, especially when he's in heel mode. He mocks everything Booker says, putting him with Jr would be great, he would actually put over Booker's insight and in-ring experience.

Playboy · « **Reply #1148 on:** March 16, 2011, 10:33:41 AM »

Quote from: mass 04 on March 16, 2011, 10:25:55 AM

Cole is the worst guy to pair Booker with, especially when he's in heel mode. He mocks everything Booker says, putting him with Jr would be great, he would actually put over Booker's insight and in-ring experience.

I agree totally there.

mass 04 · « **Reply #1149 on:** March 17, 2011, 02:58:15 PM »

Chris Jericho's twitter-

Former WWE Superstar Jinsei Shinzaki (Hakushi) is livin in his car after his home and restaraunt were destroyed by the earthquake & tsunami