Thursday, March 10, 2011

NO IMMUNITY POINTS ON NXT: REDEMPTION

 As noted before, there will be no immunity points on this season of WWE NXT: Redemption. However, the Rookies will compete for “redemption points” that can be used in a similar fashion. Darren Young left last night’s premiere with three points.


The winner of this season will earn a spot on NXT season 6 and not a title shot like previous winners.

CHRISTIAN MAKES A WISH

 Christian did a Make A Wish meet and greet on Monday before RAW in Dallas. He wrote about it on Twitter: “Good 2b back on Raw..but highlight 4me was b4 show meeting Jesus a cool kid who was w/ make-a-wish.His 1st WWE show &Im sure he had a blast”

BRET HART TALKS ABOUT MICHAEL COLE INTERRUPTING DIVAS MATCH

 Bret Hart wrote the following on Twitter about Michael Cole interrupting the Divas match on Monday’s RAW: “Also want to mention that I hated the interruption during the women’s match. They’re working their asses off and Cole totally ruined it.”

CHRIS JERICHO INTERVIEWED BY WWE

WWE’s website will publish an interview with Chris Jericho about Dancing With the Stars later this week. Joey Styles noted on Twitter that in the interview, Jericho has some “very pointed words” for WWE Champion The Miz.

ROSTER REVEALED FOR NXT : REDEMPTION

 The official name for season 5 of WWE NXT on their website is NXT: Redemption. The show will have Todd Grisham and William Regal doing announcing while Matt Striker and Maryse will be the hosts.


There will be no immunity this season.


The Rookies are previous WWE NXT participants from past seasons. This season’s roster looks like this:


* Darren Young and Chavo Guerrero
* Conor O’Brian and Vladimir Kozlov
* Lucky Cannon and Tyson Kidd
* Byron Saxton and Yoshi Tatsu
* Jacob Novak and JTG
* Titus O’Neill and Hornswoggle

NEW FEATURES REVEALED FOR WWE ALL-STAR GAME

 Richard George of IGN.com recently reviewed WWE’s new All Stars video game and revealed some new details. Here are some highlights:


* Regarding game play, George wrote: “The wrestlers themselves look more like action figures you can buy in stores versus more realistic portrayals. John Cena’s relatively simple “Five Knuckle Shuffle” – which is simply a drop to the mat with a fist punch – has become an elaborate, acrobatic feat. A stronger, heavier wrestler can kick a smaller, lighter opponent across the ring – or toss him completely outside of it. Some combatants can jump clear across the ring to attack their opponents. The emphasis isn’t on reality but on fast, fun and flashy entertainment. Despite the fact that most might liken the game a bit to No Mercy, in truth it might even be more similar to that game’s lesser-known predecessor, WCW/NWO Revenge. It has a more manic, frantic tone, similar to that of a Capcom fighting game. The game is willing to discard a great deal to make sure it never gets lost in details that will slow down the pacing of a match.”


* Game modes include the standard versus modes, other offline and online play, Path of Champions and Fantasy Warfare.


* Path of Champions is similar to the Road to WrestleMania in other games where you can challenge an old school Undertaker with Paul Bearer, Randy Orton or DX for titles. Players go through 10 rounds to get a shot at WrestleMania.


* Fantasy Warfare features 15 dream matches created by THQ that have or may not have happened in WWE’s past such as CM Punk vs. Steve Austin and Big Show vs. Andre the Giant. The matches in Fantasy Warfare feature “video packages” of WWE footage used to “promote” the matches. For example, there is a video package hyping a Punk vs. Austin feud.

RUMOR ON SMACKDOWN VS RAW 2012 GAME

 For what it’s worth, there is a rumor that the 2012 version of WWE’s SmackDown vs. RAW video game will feature a mode where you can have your newly created Superstar compete in NXT challenges and matches.

LOSING STREAK 8-0 FOR SHEAMUS

 Going into next week’s title shot against WWE United States Champion Daniel Bryan with his job on the line, Sheamus has lost his last 8 pay-per-view/TV matches. On a related note, Dolph Ziggler ended an 8 match losing streak on SmackDown by defeating John Morrison on his return to RAW this week.

JOHN CENA COMMENTS ON SNOOKI

 John Cena wrote the following about Snooki on Twitter last night: “CeNation. Very excited bout @sn00ki comin 2 raw. Now I can beat up a washed up reality star ( miz). In front of a real one!”

NEWS ON NXT REDEMPTION

 Despite the new “Redemption” theme of this WWE NXT season, that is not what WWE had planned as recent as last week. WWE film crews shot footage with several FCW talents recently for video packages to introduce them on NXT.
The decision was made in the last week to hold off on those plans and go with what we saw last night. WWE officials feel that this season of NXT will be overlooked since Tough Enough is returning. The talents originally planned for Season 5 will instead be used on Season 6, unless things change again.

SHELTON BENJAMIN TALKS ABOUT HIS RETURN

 As previously reported, former WWE superstar Shelton Benjamin made a surprise appearance prior to Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings from Houston, Texas. Benjamin defeated Curt Hawkins in a dark match that got solid reviews from fans in attendance. Benjamin reportedly received a good reaction from his hometown crowd.


Following the match, Benjamin wrote on Twitter:


“just got home from a completely unexpected day. Got to see some friends i haven’t seen in awhile. The WWE FANS.”


“for now all i can say is i may or may not be returning to wwe, but tonight was a good time.”


Benjamin was released from WWE last April after a 10-year run with the company that included 3 Intercontinental title reigns, two WWE tag title reigns and a United States title reign.

BACKSTAGE NEWS ON THE UNDERTAKER VS TRIPLE H

As most everyone knows, The Undertaker defeated Triple H ten years ago at WrestleMania 17 back in 2001.


For their current WrestleMania 27 feud, officials have ordered that the WrestleMania 17 match not be brought up and acknowledged because there’s a feeling it will take away from the fans believing that Triple H can end the streak.

STONE COLD COMMENTS ON RETURNING TO RAW

Steve Austin wrote the following yesterday on his Twitter about his return to RAW and having more time next time:


“thanks for the feedback for last nights RAW…next time im on RAW, i will damn sure have more time and raise all kinds of hell. bottom line.”

WILLIAM REGAL MAKES NXT: REDEMPTION ANNOUNCER DEBUT

As noted before, William Regal is the new announcer for WWE NXT: Redemption. Regal wrote the following on Twitter last night about his new gig:


“Just finished my announcing debut on NXT.It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I have a long way to go.”

KEVIN NASH HOSTING A FAN PARTY

Kevin Nash is hosting a party at The Sutra Lounge in Atlanta, Georgia on Friday, April 1st during WrestleMania 27 weekend. Nash will be partying with fans, taking photos and signing autographs. The party is limited to fans ages 21 and up. More details and ticket information can be found at itsmyseat.com//events/167966.html.

RANDY ORTON TALKS ABOUT ROCK AND CENA

Randy Orton noted on Twitter that he was icing his right foot after Monday’s RAW and the punt kick to David Otunga. Orton also offered his thoughts on The Rock and John Cena:


“I think the Rock is awesome. But get em in the ring together on live tv? John would OWN him.”

SHELTON BENJAMIN RETURNS, DOLPH ZIGGLER ADDED TO RAW ROSTER

 Former WWE star Shelton Benjamin defeated Curt Hawkins before tonight’s SmackDown tapings in Houston, Texas in the dark match.


Dolph Ziggler has been added to WWE’s RAW roster and is now advertised for all upcoming RAW live events.

WWE IGNORED BY JBL

Apparently WWE had trouble getting in touch with JBL when they came up with the idea to have him return at last night’s RAW. Calls to JBL’s phone went unanswered and WWE officials weren’t sure if he was even in the country.

SMACKDOWN SPOILERS 3/10

* Booker T got a big pop from his hometown crowd when he, Michael Cole and Josh Matthews came out to announce.


* Edge opens the show and challenges Alberto Del Rio to a fight. Del Rio and Brodus Clay come out. Edge attacks but is dropped by Clay. Christian come out to make the save but Del Rio and Clay get the upperhand. Teddy Long comes out and announces a tag team match for tonight’s main event.


* Kane beat Wade Barrett by DQ when The Corre attacked. Big Show came out and saved Kane. Teddy Long comes out and makes it a tag team match with Show and Kane vs. Barrett and Heath Slater, the rest of Corre is banned from ringside. The tag match ends in a DQ also as The Corre interferes. Big Show nails Ezekiel Jackson and Barrett with a chair.


* Cody Rhodes is backstage heading to the ring.


* Cody Rhodes wins a squash over JTG while still wearing his suit.


* Michael Cole interviews John Cena and clips air from The Miz’s attack on RAW. Jack Swagger comes out to attack Cena. Cena clears the ring of Swagger and goes after Cole. Swagger saves Cole from the Attitude Adjustment but gets laid out with one for himself.


* The Sin Cara video is shown again.


* Layla defeated Kaitlyn and beat her up after the match.


* Rey Mysterio beat Drew McIntyre.


* Triple H comes out and talks about how he will win at WrestleMania. Undertaker comes out and they face off. Triple H does the crotch chop and Taker “cuts his throat” before leaving.


* Christian and Edge defeated Alberto Del Rio and Brodus Clay in the main event.