WWE News

[Head Booker]

Credit: F4WOnline.com

- WWE has re-signed William Regal to multi-year contract renewal. Considering that Regal is 42 years old, this may indicate that WWE has plans for him past his in-ring career.

--- It sounds like Batista will be returning to wrestling before doing MMA as Antonio Inoki announced that a former WWE star and World Champion will be working the IGF’s December 3rd show in Japan. As noted weeks ago, Inoki’s company has been in serious talks with Batista. It’s being reported in Japan that Inoki’s mystery former WWE guy is Batista.


---- One of the reasons the Kaitlyn vs. Maxine match on the October 19th NXT was so bad is because the ring was late in being set up and the Rookies had no time to go through the match. The ring set up was delayed because they had to rig the ring for The Undertaker's angle where he pulled Kane down through it at the end of SmackDown.



--The Sun in the UK has a new interview up with WWE star William Regal. Regal tells them that addiction to pills turned him “insane” and at that time in his life, “life meant nothing.”

Regal tells a story from his time in WCW on a flight from Tokyo, Japan to Detroit in the late 1990′s. He said:

“I was rather ‘out West’ on booze. I went into the plane toilet and I had my foot in the door, which hadn’t shut. I was relieving myself when the hostess tapped me on the shoulder and I spun round. Next thing I know I wake up in a jail cell, in Anchorage, Alaska, when I should have been in Detroit. I had no memory of why I was there. I was in an orange jump suit and was handcuffed to another guy and taken to court. They were going along the line of prisoners reading out charges. I was laughing, thinking, ‘This is all a terrible mistake’. Then they read my charge out: ‘Urinating on a flight attendant.’”

Regal admitted he used steroids in the past but says it’s “not my game anymore.”

Regal was told in 2003 that he needed a heart transplant but never went through with the operation. He told The Sun:

“I was stunned. They told me I’d never wrestle again, they found only about 15 per cent of my heart was functioning. The heart’s fine. I don’t trust what doctors say now.”

The article also notes that Regal has agreed on a new three and a half year deal with WWE.





--WWE Best of Smackdown 2009-2010 DVD set was released in stores today (spoilered for length)

SPOILER: Click to show

Celebrating 10 years

October Highlights

The Rock returns to SmackDown
2nd October, 2009

The Biggest 8-Man Tag Team Match in SmackDown History
John Cena, Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Undertaker vs. Randy Orton, Ted DiBiase, Cody Rhodes and CM Punk
2nd October, 2009

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Undertaker vs. CM Punk
23rd October, 2009

November Highlights

2 Out of 3 Falls Match for the Intercontinental Championship
John Morrison vs. Dolph Ziggler
20th November, 2009

The Best Athletes on Television

December Highlights

#1 Contender Triple Threat Match for the Women's Championship
Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix vs. Natalya
4th December, 2009

World Heavyweight Championship Match
Undertaker vs. Rey Mysterio
25th December, 2009

January Highlights

The Animal Unleashed

#1 Contender Steel Cage Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Rey Mysterio vs. Batista
15th January, 2010

CM Punk’s Intervention
22nd January, 2010

The Most Compelling Action One Could Ask For

February Highlights

The Cutting Edge - Edge Returns to SmackDown
5th February, 2010

Triple Threat Money-in-the-Bank Qualifier Match
John Morrison vs. R-Truth vs. Dolph Ziggler
26th February, 2010

Edge vs. The Miz
26th February, 2010

The Grandest Stage of Them All

March Highlights

Happy Birthday, Princess Aalyah
12th March, 2010

Undertaker vs. Drew McIntyre
19th March, 2010

Raw vs. SmackDown Money-in-the-Bank 10-Man Tag Team Match
Kane, Dolph Ziggler, Matt Hardy, Shelton Benjamin & Drew McIntyre vs. Christian, MVP, Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne & Kofi Kingston
26th March, 2010

April Highlights

Jack Swagger Cashes In
2nd April, 2010

Triple Threat Match for the World Heavyweight Championship
Jack Swagger vs. Edge vs. Chris Jericho
16th April, 2010

Edge & Christian… Together Again?
30th April, 2010

The Final Stanza

May Highlights

Handicap Match for the Women's Championship
Beth Phoenix vs. LayCool
14th May, 2010

Rey Mysterio vs. CM Punk
14th May, 2010

June Highlights

Smackdown Battle Royal Winner Earns The Final Spot In The World Heavyweight Championship Fatal 4-Way Match
4th June, 2010

Matt Hardy vs. Drew McIntyre
25th June, 2010

July Highlights

Rey Mysterio & Big Show vs. “Dashing” Cody Rhodes & Jack Swagger
2nd July, 2010

Big Red Champion
23rd July, 2010

Christian vs. Drew McIntyre
30th July, 2010

No Disqualification Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Jack Swagger
30th July, 2010

August Highlights

Intercontinental Championship Match
Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler
6th August, 2010

Smoke and Mirrors

Rey Mysterio vs. Alberto Del Rio
20th August, 2010

September Highlights

Kaval vs. Drew McIntyre
10th September, 2010

The History of the Brothers of Destruction

The Undertaker vs. CM Punk
10th September, 2010

Reliving the Past Year

2009-2010 Smackdown Recap

The Blu-Ray version of the set features:

Celebrating 10 Years of Smackdown

The Brothers of Destruction

Non-Title Match
Undertaker & Kane vs. Chris Jericho & Big Show
20th November, 2009

Shawn Michaels vs. Rey Mysterio
29th January, 2010

Kane & Punishment
4th June, 2010

The Flawless Championship
6th August, 2010

Matt Hardy vs. Alberto Del Rio
10th September, 2010

~~

In a move that will definitely lead to controversy, and a unique way of attempting to change the fate of the election, WWE announced today it would be giving away company merchandise near poll locations on Tuesday.

"I can't think of a better way for WWE fans to celebrate their constitutional rights and freedom of expression while voting than to proudly wear the WWE merchandise that Connecticut Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz attempted to prohibit from the polls," said Vince McMahon today.

The move comes after a poll by ESPN showed that pro wrestling fans are significantly less likely to vote in elections than the public at large.

[Sean Locke]

This really isn't news, but did anyone watch TNA last night and catch the undertaker reference taz made. Pope was pushing a casket down the halls and tenay said "I wonder whats in that casket". Taz replied "I don't know, but I hope it's not some bad ass trying to fight an MMA fighter."

[Head Booker]

yeah I caught that...Tazz has never been one for bein' subtle...good jab though...lol

Tate

[Head Booker]

It is being reported by numerous sources that WWE has resigned Van Venis (Sean Morley) as recent attempts by independent promoters to book him have not been successful due to his upcoming WWE schedule comments. Venis is expected to head over to Europe on 11/7 to join up with the RAW crew. It is not known at this point if he has signed as talent or an agent.

~~

According to WWE's Twitter feed, Triple H returned to the ring at Fan Appreciation Day to take on Alberto Del Rio.



"Match went about 7 or 8 minutes. Del Rio was supposed to face Mysterio, but said he wasn't there, so Trips came out. Del Rio got in some offense, but Trips hit all his big moves and Pedigree'd him for a win. Then he Pedigree'd his ring announcer, put on Del Rio's boa thing and did his pose. Place went nuts for Trips."

~~

From LOP

- Here are some WWE action figure news and notes from Mattel and Ringside Fest this past weekend:

* Figures for Nexus, Michael Cole, Paul Bearer, Alberto Del Rio and Magnum TA are in the works. There are no plans to release figures of any of the McMahons.

* Mattel will never release figures of Owen Hart or Chris Benoit. However, an Eddie Guerrero figure will be released in 2011.

* There are plans to do a WCW line of figures. There are no plans to do an ECW line.

* There are plans to release Rey Mysterio figures with him in most of his superhero outfits.

* Mattel's current deal with WWE expires in 2015.

[Head Booker]

WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt recieved a letter from the U.S. Department of Justice today which reads:

The Department of Justice has recently received information indicating that your client, World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), might be providing or planning to provide free merchandise to voters at polling places. However, the available information also indicates that, if this practice is actually planned or occurring, it is open and notorious. Accordingly, this letter is to advise you that WWE might be operating in ignorance of applicable federeal criminal law, and to notify you of that law.

Specifically, Section 1973i © of Titale 42 of the United States Code makes it a federal offnse to pay or offer to pay an individual a thing of value for voting. Violations of Section 1973i © is punishable by imprisonment up to five years and a fine not to exceed $250,000. Please note the Department's understanding that this statute prohibits a person from providing a thing of value--such as clothing--in return for an individual's participation in the voting process.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Richard C. Pilger

Director

Election Crimes Branch



--Credit: PWInsider.com

CM Punk isn't expected to be in 'wrestling action' for at least three months due to his hip issue, however WWE creative has been told to come up with non-wrestling storylines to integrate punk into RAW.

Surgery is scheduled for this week and as of writing, Punk is not expected to appear on this week's TV tapings.

In terms of the injury, the feeling is that Punk could work through it, but WWE management do not want to risk it getting any worse.

---- WWE will begin airing a Kofi Kingston pay-per-view special titled "WWE Presents: Kofi Kingston - Boom!" on Saturday, December 4th with a 2 hour runtime. This may be content from the Kofi Kingston DVD set that was originally planned for 2010 but nixed for unknown reasons.


---Though Triple H competed at WWE's Fan Appreciation Supershow in Hartford, Connecticut on Saturday, he has not fully recovered from biceps surgery. HHH's match with Alberto Del Rio was described as "safe" as it basically consisted of him hitting his trademark maneuvers on Del Rio. He wrestled in jeans and a t-shirt and was noticeably lighter. He was wearing the shirt because he can't train to a serious degree at this point.

[Head Booker]

WWE.com has released the following names for the "Old School" three-hour WWE Monday Night Raw on November 15: Sgt. Slaughter, Dusty Rhodes, Jimmy Snuka, Roddy Piper, The Iron Sheik and Hacksaw Jim Duggan.

WWE.com

~~

From F4Online-

Linda McMahon, flanked by family members, gave her concession speech tonight. She introduced, among others, daughter Stephanie, Vince, son-in-law Paul (HHH) as well as Shane and Marissa McMahon, Jerry McDevitt and other family members.

In her concession speech, she said she considered it a moral victory.

[Head Booker]

From the "WWE had to love this" department, someone at WWE released an edition of NXT to the masses that has no Michael Cole/Josh Matthews commentary but rather the production channel, where we can hear the producer (who I am 99% sure is Kevin Dunn) giving cues to people. You can hear said producer and Matt Striker doing their their thing. Striker you are supposed to hear. Producer (and his cursing) not so much.

There are versions of the show out on various sharing sites, one of which has already been shut down. It is truly a view behind the curtain as to how things are done in WWE.

I heard from a source in WWE that said WWE is aware that the wrong version of the show is out there and they are not happy about it.

-PWInsider.com

Show in question

[Rob]

Sounds like someone is sick of Michael Cole and decided to give us something new to listen to

[Icon Lord Sean "Magic" Fiery]

I don't know why they would be so unhappy. That's actually pretty cool. I've always wondered how things are run with the production crew. WWE should have taken advantage and said they were testing out a new concept to give people a "peek" into the reality of the business. Oh well, fail on their part haha.

Oh, and I really am liking Cole for once. Took them YEARS to get a good voice for him down. Before all the Raw GM and his sudden heel turn, all I could think of was him getting raped by Heidenreich (?? whatever his name is). Now, he's pretty hilarious. Especially with Miz and Daniel Bryan... It makes him look like such a jackass, but it's really great. Only thing I don't like is that he's been taking a lot of what Matt Striker has been saying for MONTHS and acting like it's his material.

[Head Booker]

The Wrestling Observer is reporting that WWE's creative team has discussed keeping Nexus together as a faction through WrestleMania, and then breaking the group up via the 2011 WWE roster draft.

~~

from lordsofpain, concerning the WWE's Top 50 Superstars of All Time DVD set.

Quote
The following 9 matches have been revealed for WWE's Top 50 Superstars of All Time DVD set which comes out on December 14th:

* Lou Thesz vs. Argentina Rocca
* Jack Brisco vs. Dory Funk Jr.
* Gorilla Monsoon vs. Andre The Giant
* Hulk Hogan vs. The Iron Sheik
* Rick Rude vs. Ricky Steamboat
* The Rock vs. Mankind
* Ric Flair vs. Bret Hart
* Eddie Guerrero vs. Big Show
* Edge vs. The Undertaker

[Head Booker]

As noted before, there is a chance WWE will have William Regal feud with United States Champion Daniel Bryan now that CM Punk is injured and the Punk-Bryan feud is off.

Regal and Bryan have been wrestling each other on the current European tour with Bryan winning via submission. At last night's show, the two shook hands after the match and Regal said on the mic, "I've been in this business for 27 years and never thought I'd see a better wrestler than me. Well, this man is, ladies and gentleman, Daniel Bryan."

Regal helped train Bryan back in the early days of his career.

~~

[Head Booker]

On the William Regal front, he Tweeted this;

"I'm having a great tour and wrestling Daniel Bryan has made me realize that unless I can keep up to that standard it's possibly time for me to start winding down.I said it might be my last tour the other day not that it was.I would like to continue with quality and not quantity.Take care."

~~

Former WWE Intercontinental Champion The Honky Tonk Man issued the following statement via his webmaster yesterday evening concerning next week's "Old School" episode
of Monday Night Raw, which he had been tentatively scheduled to attend:

"HTM and WWE could not come to terms for the Old School
RAW show upcoming. HTM informed WWE yesterday that he no longer had a desire to participate on the event."

A follow-up message was issued on The Honky Tonk Man's Facebook account announcing that details concerning his dealings with WWE officials will be posted on his official website, www.honkytonkman.net.

"HTM will tell all on www.honkytonkman.net why he and WWE could not come to terms. A story no one wants to miss. We will expose the behind scenes of the things that really happened with e-mails to prove it. You will get an inside look into the way WWE deals with some people. $350 grand to someone for 2 mins. who never worked in pro wrestling but yet a 4 hr. plane ride in a shitty middle seat to a legend. We will have it all."

[Rico]

LOL didn't know Honky Tonk Man was a Legend.....