Sunday, March 20, 2011

TOUGH ENOUGH FILMING FINISHED

Steve Austin said this morning on his Twitter account that Tough Enough has concluded filming. 


"Well...just finished with Tough Enough...it was a helluva lot of fun...thanks to @BillDeMott, @trishstratuscom, and Booker T..great cats." 

THE ROCK TAKES ON JOHN CENA AGAIN

The following is a new tweet from the official Twitter page of WWE legend Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson: 


"Ha! Thank u! I understand though.If I were a 5 yr old, I would love John Cena and not The Rock..too brash, loud and scary.."

NEWS ON RANDY ORTON'S MOVIE THAT'S WHAT I AM

WWE Studios have launched a website for That’s What I Am, the upcoming movie that has an appearance by Randy Orton in it, at thatswhatiammovie.com. Orton can be seen in the new trailer with a three-second appearance, playing the role of a concerned parent who confronts Ed Harris’ character.
Here is a still from That's What I Am:

SEAN WALTMAN ATTENDING FCW SHOWS TALKS ABOUT BO ROTUNDA

Sean “X-Pac” Waltman was in attendance for the FCW tapings this past Thursday. He wrote the following on Twitter: “It was great to see William Regal and Fit Finlay last night at FCW. Bo Rotundo is going to be money in the near future. He’s 20 yrs old.”
Bo Rotunda is brother of Former Nexus member Husky Harris and son of Mike Rotunda

NEWS ON HUSKY HARRIS AND MICHAEL TARVER

Husky Harris returned to action at WWE’s FCW show this past Thursday night, defeating Monty Lynch. Husky received a babyface reaction from the crowd. During the match, Michael Tarver came and sat at ringside to watch. Tarver is now doing angle in FCW where he has been watching talents perform.

CODY RHODES TALKS ABOUT HIS MATCH, DASHING NICKNAME

Cody Rhodes recently spoke with The Toronto Sun to promote his match with Rey Mysterio at WrestleMania 27. Here are the highlights:


The match with Mysterio:
“I’m not one for false promises, exaggeration or hyperbole. In sports entertainment, you hear a lot of those. But I really believe this match has potential to steal the show. We’re stacked up against some beautiful matches and this is my hometown so that would be an added bonus. It’s our best superstars. I wouldn’t feel comfortable without having a quality story. I used to think I should be on Mania, but looking back, no, shouldn’t have been. I wasn’t ready."


His “Dashing” nickname:
“It’s always been a running gag. My dad always tells people how good looking I am, with the movie-star looks … that kind of garbage. So (my character) does a lot of things men do every day, (grooming things). I’m fully on board with all of them, and he’d hate to hear this, but a lot of them really come from Randy Orton.”

JIM ROSS CONFIRMS HIS INJURY IS LEGIT

Jim Ross was at WWE headquarters in Stamford yesterday doing some TV work with announcer Josh Matthews. Ross also insists that his injury from Monday’s RAW is legit and that he’s not just “selling” the angle.

CHRIS JERICHO COMMENTS ON DANCING WITH THE STARS, MIZ AND WWE

 After teasing last week that he’d be returning to WWE television on Friday’s SmackDown, former WWE star Chris Jericho was featured in a video package hyping his appearance on the upcoming season of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars.


The WWE website has published a new interview with Jericho, which you can read here in its entirety. During the piece, Jericho said he plans to make a full-time return to WWE when he can be 100% committed to the company.


“One of the reasons I’m not in WWE now is DWTS,” Jericho said. “You have to be 100 percent physically and mentally devoted to one or the other. You can’t do both. I’m sure I’ll be back. I have to return to WWE to take my persona back.”


Jericho clarified what he meant by “taking his persona back” – and took a few shots at WWE champion The Miz.


“I watched Raw on Monday and felt like I was having an out of body experience. I was watching myself on live TV! Then I realized I hadn’t gotten that ugly and become that bad of a wrestler and realized I was actually watching the current WWE Champion, The Miz.”


The video package that aired on SmackDown featured footage of Jericho and his DWTS partner Cheryl Burke practicing for the upcoming season, which premieres on Monday night.

WWE FATAL 4 WAY GETS RENAMED

WWE’s Fatal 4-Way pay-per-view event has been renamed Capitol Punishment, according to the official website of Cineplex Odeon Theatres. The event takes place on June 19, 2011 at the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.

WWE PROMOTES SHAWN MICHAELS RAFFLE

WWE is promoting Shawn Michaels’ raffle designed to support the Ronald McDonald House Charities, Operation Homefront, and Cross Trail Outfitters. The raffle’s lucky Grand Prize winner will be his special guest at WrestleMania 27.

JIM ROSS HYPES ABOUT TRIPLE H AND THE UNDERTAKER

Ross said there will be a major video package on Monday’s RAW to hype Triple H vs. The Undertaker: “Look for what I’m told is an awesome pkg on Raw Mon w/ many folks talking the wm27 bout between Taker-HHH. That’s 1 bout I’d love 2 call.”

JIM ROSS COMMENTS ABOUT VADER'S SON

 Jim Ross revealed on Twitter that WWE is interested in Vader’s son Jesse White. He wrote: “Don’t know the details but wwe is interested in signing ou grad & son of Vader, Jesse White 6’1″-235. His fcw try out seemingly went well.”

ROCK'S ROLE ON TOUGH ENOUGH

 The following was sent out, announcing The Rock’s appearance on Tough Enough:


‘THE ROCK’ TO GUEST ON “WWE TOUGH ENOUGH,” A NEW REALITY SERIES ON USA


Hollywood star and former multi-time WWE Champion Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson will guest on a future episode of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH, the new reality competition series premiering on USA on MONDAY, APRIL 4 at 11/10c.


In the episode, Johnson puts the contestants in full workout mode, pushing their limits and testing their boundaries. The Rock excites and electrifies as he demonstrates what it takes for a superstar to successfully “layeth the smacketh down” in the ring. One of the most entertaining WWE Superstars of all time and known to fans worldwide as “The People’s Champion,” the Rock recently announced that he’s returning to WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW and briefly trained with the TOUGH ENOUGH contestants for his pending return.


WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin is the host of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH, which will feature a diverse group of men and women who live, train, eat and sleep under one roof in a spectacular ranch in Simi Valley, California. Each week the contestants will battle it out in a series of unique challenges designed to test for such characteristics as showmanship, creativity, athleticism and desire, just to name a few. Viewers will witness the trials and tribulations of what it takes to be one of the best in the world’s greatest sports entertainment organization. The grand prizewinner will be awarded a contract with WWE.


Shed Media US, noted for its strong characters and memorable casting in the non-scripted arena, produces WWE TOUGH ENOUGH. The company’s previous reality credits include “The Real Housewives of New York City,” “Who Do You Think You Are,” “World’s Strictest Parents.”


After the premiere of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH on April 4, the show will move to its regular timeslot on Mondays at 8/7c on April 11.

SMACKDOWN REPORT 3/18

We are live on tape from Kansas City, Missouri and your announcers are Michael ‘I prefer Kansas City, Kansas’ Cole, Josh ‘What will I do on Thursday nights’ Mathews, and Booker ‘Watch Community . . . Sucka’ T.


In case you were hoping for the main event that was announced on Raw for the Tag Team Titles, we have some bad news. Instead of Edge and Christian teaming up to try for the tag titles, Big Show and Kane will be facing Justin Gabriel and Heath Slater for the titles. You may return to your flash photography to your overhead compartments.


But the Cole Chamber is being assembled while Michael Cole makes his way to the non-hermetically sealed box at ringside with his announcement by the ring announcer and the Raw theme music. Booker and Josh look incredulous at Cole.


Match Number One: Edge versus Brodus Clay with Alberto Del Rio and Ricardo Rodriguez


Edge avoids Clay and he punches the bigger man. Edge tries for an Irish whip but Clay does not move. Clay with an Irish whip but Edge with a kick to a charging Clay. Edge comes off the turnbuckles but Clay catches him and he hits a t-bone suplex. Clay with punches to the shoulder and then he uses his knee for extra pressure with Edge against the ropes.


Clay continues to work on the arm to weaken the shoulder. Clay with a wrist lock followed by a punch to the ribs. Clay with an arm bar on Edge but Edge with punches. Clay stops Edge with a knee. Clay runs into an elbow. Edge tries for a tornado DDT but Clay pushes him off and hits a clothesline and then he tries for a splash but Edge moves out of the way. Edge with a running forearm followed by a clothesline but Clay stays on his feet. Clay sends Edge into the turnbuckles and then Clay charges but Edge with a drop toe hold that sends Clay into the turnbuckles.


Edge goes up top and hits a cross body but Clay kicks out emphatically and Edge is sent to the apron. Clay charges but Edge with a shoulder and then Edge slides back into the ring and tries for a sunset flip but Clay does not go over and Clay drops down and gets a near fall.


Clay puts Edge against the turnbuckles and Clay tries for the running butt splash but Edge moves. Edge goes to the turnbuckles and hits a bulldog. Edge gets that look in his eyes and he pulls his hair and sets for the spear. Rodriguez gets on the apron to distract the referee. Meanwhile, on the other side of the ring, Alberto Del Rio’s evil plan is put into action as he grabs Edge’s leg to prevent the spear. Clay with a running body block but he can only get a two count.


From out of nowhere, Christian attacks Del Rio and they fight against the ring. Clay picks up Christian and then drops him on the apron. Edge with a spear for the three count.


Winner: Edge


After the match, Del Rio with a drop kick and then he punches Edge. Christian comes into the ring and he punches Del Rio. They fight to the floor with Christian getting in the majority of the punches. Del Rio with a knee and then they brawl over the announce table. The referees come out and separate Christian and Del Rio.


Teddy Long’s music plays and he comes out to make an announcement. He says that he is not going to stand by and watch the four of them constantly get in each other’s faces. The main event tonight is going to be Alberto Del Rio versus Christian. In order to ensure that this match is one-on-one, it will take place inside a steel cage.


We go to commercial.


Match Number Two: Sheamus versus Kofi Kingston in a Champion versus Champion Non Title Match


They lock up and Sheamus takes Kofi to the mat and he works on the shoulder. Sheamus with a wrist lock into a key lock but Kofi rolls through. Kofi with forearms and punches to Sheamus but Sheamus with an Irish whip. Sheamus charges into the corner but Kofi moves out of the way and Sheamus hits the turnbuckles shoulder first. Kofi leaps into the corner and he punches Sheamus, but before he can roll off Sheamus, Sheamus drops Kofi onto the turnbuckle. The referee checks on Kofi but Sheamus picks up Kofi and hits a short arm clothesline and gets a near fall.


Sheamus with a neck breaker and he gets another near fall. Sheamus starts to work on the back with a knee and then he puts Kofi in a rear chin lock with his knee in Kofi’s back. Kofi gets to his feet and he uses elbows and forearms to escape the hold. Sheamus with a back elbow to Kofi. Sheamus with an elbow to the back of the head and he wants to give Kofi a neck breaker but Kofi is able to counter with a rollup and he gets a near fall. Sheamus with a kick and Irish whip but Kofi goes to the apron and he hits the pendulum kick.


Kofi goes up top and Kofi with a cross body but Sheamus rolls through and then he tries for a power slam but Kofi gets away from Sheamus. Sheamus charges into boots from Kofi. Kofi follows that with a kick and forearms. Kofi with a side Russian leg sweep and then he hits the Superman punch. Kofi does a lap and then he hits the Boom drop. Kofi sets up for Trouble in Paradise but Sheamus goes to the apron. Sheamus drops Kofi on the top rope.


Sheamus tries for the back breaker but Kofi holds on to the ropes. Kofi hits the SOS but Sheamus is able to get to the rope to stop the count. Sheamus goes to the floor and Kofi uses the steps and he hits another Superman punch. Sheamus tries to get away and when Kofi goes over the steps, Sheamus kicks the steps and Kofi appears to have hurt his knee. Sheamus rolls Kofi back into the ring and then he hits the pump kick for the three count.


Winner: Sheamus


We go to footage from two weeks ago when the Corre got involved in the match between Kane and Big Show only to see Kane attack Justin Gabriel. Then we go to footage fro last week when the Corre attacked Kane during his match against Wade Barrett. Big Show made his way to the ring to go after Corre . . . and Kane.


Kane is in the back with Big Show and Show says that they need to put their differences aside to put a dent into the Corre. United, they can take the tag titles from Corre. Show asks Kane if he can remember when they were the tag champs before. He reminds Kane about how people would quake and shake in their boots when they walked into the room. He says that they can dominate again.


Kane grabs Show by the throat and Show does the same. Kane starts to laugh and then he tells Show that he completes him. Show calls Kane crazy.


We go to commercial.


Match Number Three: Trent Barreta versus Cody Rhodes


Cody walks to the ring in street clothes with a black towel over his head as he walks to the ring. Cody takes off his jacket and tie before entering the ring.


Cody throws the towel down and he kicks and Barreta and then he punches him. Cody with a shoulder to Trent and then he head butts Trent with the mask. Rhodes puts Barreta into the ropes and then he connects with another head butt and gets the three count.


Winner: Cody Rhodes


After the match, Cody puts the towel back over his head as he walks to the back.


We go to footage from last September when Del Rio attacked Christian and put him on the shelf for months.


We go to commercial.


We are back and it is time to talk about the Undertaker/Triple H match. We go to Part Three of Shawn Michaels’ analysis of the match from Monday night where he talks about the Undertaker.


Michelle takes a seat in the DMZ between Cole, Josh, and Booker.


Match Number Four: Layla with Michelle McCool versus Kelly Kelly


Layla and Kelly have some words and then Layla pushes Kelly but Kelly pushes back. Kelly sends Layla into the turnbuckles and then she kicks Layla. Layla with a kick followed by an Irish whip but she runs into a kick from Kelly. Kelly with a head scissors in the ropes but Layla sends Kelly to the floor. Kelly trips Layla and then she walks across Layla’s back and then hits a Thesz Press for a near fall. Kelly sends Layla to the mat by the hair. Kelly with a kick and an X Factor for a near fall.


Kelly with an Irish whip and then Kelly goes for the handspring into a back elbow but Layla knows what is coming and she gets her feet up in plenty of time to kick Kelly. Kelly with an elbow and then she slams Layla’s head into the mat. Kelly tries for the K2 but Layla gets her on her shoulders. Kelly gets out of the hold and she kicks Layla in the back. Kelly gets on the turnbuckles but Michelle rises from her seat in the announcing neutral zone and that distracts Kelly long enough to allow Layla to pull her from the turnbuckles to get the three count.


Winner: Layla


After the match, Layla and Michelle celebrate.


Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel walk in the back as they go to the ring for their tag title match.


Match Number Five: Heath Slater and Justin Gabriel versus Big Show and Kane for the World Tag Titles


Gabriel and Kane start things off and Kane puts Gabriel in the corner and connects with a knee and punch followed by a snap mare and drop kick for a near fall. Gabriel flips over Kane’s back and he tags Slater into the match. Slater walks into an uppercut from Kane followed by an Irish whip and clothesline in the corner. Kane with a side slam for a near fall. Kane with another Irish whip but he misses a boot in the corner and he gets his leg caught in the ropes. Slater kicks Kane in the leg and then he tags Gabriel back in.


Gabriel with an elbow drop to the leg and then he stomps on the knee. Slater is tagged back in and he hits a double sledge followed by a kick to the hamstring. Kane kicks Slater away but he is sent into his corner and that allows him to tag Gabriel back in and Gabriel clips Kane in the back of the leg. Gabriel goes to the turnbuckles and he comes off but he is met with the uppercut.


Show tags in and so does Slater. Show with a few clotheslines followed by a shoulder tackle and back body drop. Show with a running butt splash into the corner and a running shoulder tackle. Show signals for the choke slam and he grabs Slater and he hits the choke slam. Gabriel pulls the referee out of the ring to stop the count and then he calls for the bell.


Winners: Big Show and Kane by disqualification


After the match, Kane punches Gabriel and he sends Justin into the ring for Show to give him a choke slam but Ezekiel Jackson hits the ring and he takes Show down with a clothesline. Barrett sends Kane into the ringside barrier. All four members of the Corre attack Big Show. With some help, Barrett gets Show on his shoulders for Wasteland. Corre turns their attention to Kane on the floor. Kane tries to fight off Corre but the numbers are too great against him. They send Kane into the ring steps and then they put the steps on top of Kane.


Big Show tries to help Kane but he is unable to fight off all four members of The Corre. Barrett uses the other part of the ring steps on the steps that are already on top of Kane. Barrett hits Kane one more time with the steps.


Slater and Gabriel rearrange the announce table for Barrett and Jackson to hit a double flapjack that sends Show through the announce table.


The Corre celebrate their destruction in the ring.


We go to Todd Grisham in the interview area with Alberto Del Rio. Todd asks Alberto about his first WWE Steel Cage match. Todd starts to ask Alberto about the ramifications, but Alberto cuts Todd off. Alberto says that the ramifications are that Teddy Long is trying to interfere with his destiny. Christian is trying to interfere with his destiny. They are locking him in a cage like an animal. He asks Todd if he thinks that is funny. Alberto says that he is not an animal.


We are back and Michael Cole is beaming as if the Miz was making his way to the ring, but it is Cole’s trainer for his match at Wrestlemania. Cole continues to gush/mark out over what he is learning from Swagger. We see the footage from Monday night when Michael Cole put Jim Ross in the ankle lock.


Match Number Six: Jack Swagger versus Chris Masters


Swagger with a go behind but Masters gets to the ropes. Swagger with forearms followed by a punch and clothesline for a near fall. Swagger with a top wrist lock on Masters but Masters with a Samoan drop. Swagger with a kick but Masters tries for the Master Lock but Swagger backs Masters into the turnbuckles and Swagger tries for the ankle lock but Masters kicks Swagger off.


Swagger goes to the floor and he trips Masters and then he sends Masters’ ankle into the ring post. Swagger puts Masters in the ankle lock and Masters has to tap.


Winner: Jack Swagger


After the match, Cole opens Pandora’s Box and he makes his way into the ring to join his trainer.


Swagger gives Cole Masters’ leg so he can put Chris in the ankle lock. Cole screams Lawler’s name as he has Masters in the hold.


Swagger and Cole run laps inside the ring as we go to commercial.


Rey Mysterio is walking in the back as we go to commercial.


Match Number Seven: Rey Mysterio versus Ted DiBiase with Maryse


Ted with a kick and he tries for a slam but Rey escapes and he slides through Ted’s legs. Ted punches Rey and the referee warns him. Ted with a punch to Rey in the corner followed by an Irish whip but Rey floats over and sends Ted into the turnbuckles with a head scissors. Rey goes to the apron and then he goes up top but Ted with a drop kick for a near fall.


Ted with a knee drop and then he kicks Rey in the head. Rey with a kick and then he tries for a rana but Ted pushes Rey off and Rey lands on his feet. Ted hits the short rebound clothesline on Rey and he gets a near fall. Ted with a rear chin lock but Rey with an elbow and forearms. Ted with a neck breaker and then he sends Rey to the apron.


Rey punches Ted and then he slingshots himself back into the ring for a head scissors but Ted grabs Rey and tries for a power slam but Rey is able to counter with a DDT. Rey with a head scissors and then he goes for a second one but Ted turns it into a sit out inverted power bomb for a near fall.


Ted tries for Dream Street but Rey rolls through and then he drop kicks Ted in the knee and that sends him into the ropes. Rey hits the 619 and then he goes up top for the frog splash for the three count.


Winner: Rey Mysterio


After the match, Maryse walks away in disgust because of Ted’s loss.


We go to footage from last month’s Elimination Chamber when Del Rio went after Edge and put him in the cross arm breaker. Then we saw the return of Christian and the Killswitch on Del Rio followed by a spear from Edge.


We go to commercial.


We are back with the Raw Rebound of Snooki’s appearance on Raw with some of the media coverage after her appearance.


It is time to run through the card for Wrestlemania.


The steel cage is lowers from the heavens and the most electrifying music in sports entertainment plays. We go to commercial.


Match Number Eight: Christian versus Alberto Del Rio with Ricardo Rodriguez in a Steel Cage Match


The door closes to the cage and Del Rio goes after Christian but he moves out of the way. Christian with punches but Del Rio with a knee followed by a snap mare and kick to the back. Del Rio tries to send Christian into the cage but Christian is able to block it. Christian with a kick followed by punches and a back body drop. Christian tries to send Del Rio into the cage but Del Rio stops him. Christian tries for the Killswitch but Del Rio blocks it an then Del Rio with a clothesline. Christian with an Irish whip and Del Rio tries to escape the cage. Christian follows after him. They fight on the top rope and Del Rio tries for a German suplex from the top rope but Christian holds on to the cage. Christian gets to the top of the cage but Del Rio stops him and he hits a super Samoan drop and both men are down.


The referee checks on both men as we go to commercial.


We are back and Del Rio kicks Christian and then he punches him in the midsection. Christian with a kick but Del Rio sends Christian shoulder first into the cage and then Del Rio presses Christian into the cage. Del Rio kicks Christian in the shoulder and then he hits a belly-to-back suplex and gets a near fall. Del Rio with a reverse chin lock but Christian gets to his feet. Del Rio sends Christian back to the mat. Del Rio tries to climb the cage even though he is only feet away from the door.


Christian pulls Del Rio back to the mat. Del Rio with a kick to the knee. Del Rio tries to ram Christian into the cage but Christian blocks it. Christian with an inverted DDT on Del Rio for a near fall. Christian gets a second wind but he still shows the damage that he has suffered in the match. Christian with punches to Del Rio and then he sends Del Rio into the cage and he gets a near fall.


Del Rio grabs Christian’s ankle when Christian starts to go for the door. Christian kicks Del Rio and then he climbs the cage. Del Rio punches Christian to stop him and then he hits the running enzuigiri that knocks Christian off the middle rope and he gets a two count.


Del Rio starts to walk towards the open cage door but Christian stops him. Del Rio kicks Christian off. Del Rio is partially out of the cage but Christian pulls him back in. Del Rio kicks Christian off and then he kicks him again. Del Rio sets for the float over into the cross arm breaker but Christian counters it into the Killswitch and he hits it but Del Rio kicks out at two.


Christian struggles to get to his feet first and he starts to climb the cage but Del Rio pulls him off and then Del Rio pushes Christian’s back into the cage a few times and Christian slumps in the ropes. Del Rio uses Christian’s back to climb the ropes and get to the top of the cage. Christian grabs Del Rio’s leg and Christian climbs up top. Del Rio and Christian exchange punches on top of the cage.


Del Rio sees the Wrestlemania sign and he gets the encouragement to go over the cage. Christian hangs onto Del Rio and he propels himself over Del Rio and Christian gets to the floor first.


Winner: Christian


After the match, Del Rio shows his anger at losing the match. Del Rio with a drop kick to Christian while the referee raises Christian’s arm over the victory. Del Rio sends Christian into the ring bell pit.


Del Rio tells Christian that now he is going to destroy him like he is going to destroy Edge at Wrestlemania.


Before Del Rio can attack Christian, Alberto’s car horn honks. Edge is in the car and he says that it is a nice car. He asks how much it costs and then he comments on how nice the car is. Alberto wants to know what Edge is doing with his car. Edge says that it would be a shame if something happened to this car. What if he accidentally kicks out the headlight or scratches the paint job. Maybe he could stomp in the roof. Edge tells Alberto to shut up and then he says that he could get the steel chair in the passenger seat.


Before Edge can do anything to the car, Brodus Clay attacks Edge from behind. Del Rio and Rodriguez go to the car while Clay hits Edge with the chair and he hits Edge in the arm. Del Rio stands over Edge and then he puts Edge’s arm in a chair and then Alberto sets for a one man conchairto to the arm and he hits Edge in the arm.


Del Rio squats over Edge before the referees pull him away.


We go to credits.