WWE News

[Head Booker]

- The 2012 WWE Money In The Bank PPV on 7/15 has been moved to the US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. It was originally set for Las Vegas.

- The Miz is in Poland today doing promotional work for WWE.

- WWE announcer Booker T turns 47 years old today.

- WWE Diva Maxine was interviewed by the Ring My Belle radio show. Maxine talked about how she has a large female fan base and revealed that she studied criminology and worked for a state attorney before she got into WWE.

[Head Booker]

Since a few readers have asked, Evan Bourne's WWE suspension is slated to officially end on Saturday 3/17.

The Undertaker is no longer listed in the local advertising for Monday's Raw taping in Boston, MA. Shawn Michaels and The Rock are both slated to appear.

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The official Extreme Rules poster:



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WWE published their 10-K report, which includes a renewed wrestler contract with Triple H.

HHH's new deal went into effect Jan. 1 and ends March 30, 2016.

Highlights:

*HHH will be paid a "Minimum Annual Compensation" of $1 million for each year under contract.

*He will be limited to 180 dates per year, unless both parties mutually agree to extend beyond that number.

*In addition to other wrestling companies, he cannot appear for any "martial arts" company while under contract.

To read more, click here.

[Head Booker]

"NXT Rookies" Darren Young and Derrick Bateman have been shifted to the Smackdown brand on WWE's website roster page. Man-without-a-brand Percy Watson has also been shifted to Smackdown. Titus O'Neil, who is the third remaining "Rookie" on the ongoing NXT: Redemption season, has not been relocated and his profile is not included on the Superstars roster.

[ Thanks to PWTorch reader John Siino ]

[Head Booker]

Wade Barrett will be out of action for 3-4 months and will miss WrestleMania 28. Barrett underwent surgery on his dislocated elbow earlier this week and the injury is said to be far worse than originally expected.

Barrett's injury has caused major changes to WrestleMania 28 as the plan was to have Barrett win the Money in the Bank ladder match and carry the briefcase. WWE decided this week to pull the Money in the Bank match from WrestleMania 28 due to Barrett's injury.

Barrett wrote earlier this week that he would be off Twitter for a few months and the injury is why.

In response to rumors of backstage jealousy and resentment over Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson stealing the spotlight at WrestleMania XXVIII, former WWE Superstar Carlito went on Twitter to defend The Most Electrifying Man In Sports Entertainment against "the boys."

"My opinion on The Rock is that everybody should be thankful that he's back. Did he come back to save his movie career? Of course, so what? The Rock saved 'Mania last year and this year too. Do any of u see any other wrestler right now that can sell out 'Mania?" he wrote.

"The "boys" should be happy that 'Mania will be a big success and fans shouldn't even really care as to why Rock is back."

- Many in WWE believe that Brian Kendrick will be returning to WWE for the new Cruiserweight show on WWE Network later this year. Kendrick said last week during a radio appearance that he has stopped using marijuana and would be interested in returning to WWE. He was recently released by TNA after he asked to be let go because they wouldn't give him more work. [Credit: PWInsider]

- WWE wants to have the new WWE Network launched in time for the sweeps period in TV, meaning it would have to be up and running by November 23rd.

[Head Booker]

Retired WWE star Edge noted he wants Christian to induct him at the 2012 Hall of Fame, but he's not sure who WWE will select. "They asked me who I wanted to induct me and I said, 'Christian.' To me, that's the no-brainer," Edge said in a radio interview promoting the "Bending the Rules" movie. "That was the last thing that I said about it. I don't know what they've decided, but that's who I want it to be." ... Edge also defended The Rock returning to WWE to help uplift WrestleMania and said he believes if a wrestler is worried about losing a Mania spot due to Rock's return, then he's not good enough to be on Mania. "You shouldn't be able to be taken off a show," Edge said.

[ AUDIO: Edge's interview with The Big J Show (KRSQ Hot 101.9) is below ]

Video URL:

[Head Booker]

WWE star Kia Stevens did not deliver a healthy baby boy on December 31st, despite what she told friends. Kia tells TMZ the child tragically died before she was able to give birth.

Kia tells us she is still devastated over the loss ... and initially lied to friends about the child being "healthy" because she was incredibly emotional and was afraid to tell the public the truth after announcing her pregnancy on live TV.

Kia says she's finally coming to grips with everything ... and wants to help other women in her situation.

"I am planning to start a foundation for women that have experienced the same thing" ... Kia says ... adding, "It's a bigger club than people think."

Kia tells us she's already organizing several events to raise awareness ... and will have information about her foundation available on her Twitter page in the near future.

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WWE NXT matchmaker William Regal wasn't happy with The Rock's comments about England on last night's RAW from Boston. Regal wrote:

"A lot of British bashing by The Rock on #Raw.He wants to not worry so much about John Cena and worry about getting a dry slap from me."

[Head Booker]

Daniel Tosh of the "Tosh.0" Comedy Central show "called out Arn Anderson" as part of a bit on eBay memorabilia during Tuesday's episode. Tosh said he's putting a signed Double A action figure on eBay, then threw up an upside-down Four Horsemen hand signal. The action figure can be found at ComedyCentral.com . Video is below.

Tosh.0
Get More: Tosh.0 Videos,Daniel Tosh,Web Redemption

Video URL: bit.ly/y9Hak7

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WWE wrestler Ted DiBiase says he broke his ankle at Tuesday night's Smackdown TV taping. "DiBiase Posse last night I unfortunately broke my ankle. Can't catch a break lately. Ha, Well I guess I did n a way! It's ok tho, James 1:2-3," DiBiase tweeted Wednesday morning. (DiBiase broke his wrist earlier this year.) The Rock responded to DiBiase on Twitter, telling him, "Sorry to hear this bro. 'Every set back, is a set up for a comeback.' Stay strong & hope to see ya in Miami."

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Former WWF Intercontinental champion Ahmed Johnson (Anthony Norris) is re-surfacing at the WrestleReunion fan convention in Miami during WrestleMania Weekend. Event organizers announced Wednesday that Johnson will be a guest of Highspots.

[Head Booker]

WWE announcer/wrestler Booker T says he's considering launching a webshow, with more details to be revealed this Monday before Raw. Booker said on Twitter he may also launch a show for his PWA wrestling school/promotion in Houston. "Q. If I do a really cool wrestling show on YouTube would you watch it? Really need your feedback on this one, it all up to you let me no," Booker tweeted. "So far all is on board for my new show more info on that MONDAY NIGHT before RAW."

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WWE wrestler Ted DiBiase tweeted Thursday after an MRI, "Update: torn ligament and small break, but NO torn tendon which means no surgery! Again, thank you all for your encouragement!"

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Retired WWE wrestler Edge says he was just as surprised as many people when he was asked to be inducted in the 2012 WWE Hall of Fame.

"I was kind of expecting to be like 'Okay, in a few years or (in Canada). I was fully expecting that, too," Edge said on the Busted Open satellite radio show this week. "I got the phone call and I was like, 'This year? Really? Okay, I’m not going to turn it down.' It’s an honor. It’s humbling, it really is. I didn’t expect it."

Edge said he felt the process was sped up one year. He also detailed his mindset when he started seeing the clock ticking on his career this time last year.

"It was more of a shock to everyone else than to me," Edge said. "I knew how I felt after matches and something was off neck-wise. I was like I better start wrapping my mind around this pretty quick because I have a feeling it’s going to be within this next year and it was within two months."


Edge detailed the timeline of when his career came to an end within the two-month window before and immediately after WrestleMania. Edge noted the plan was for him to retain the World Title over Alberto Del Rio at WrestleMania, then drop the title to Del Rio at the following PPV and take time off before returning for the final stretch of his career.

"I had no idea WrestleMania last year was going to be my last match," Edge said. "Going forward, I was like, 'We will figure this out, we will get it to Del Rio and do it in the ladder match and then maybe I will take a couple of months break, let everything rest up, come back and finish up. It didn’t end up that way. We got additional MRIs the Monday after (Mania) and they went, 'Whoa! You got no choice in the matter here. We’re shutting you down.'"

[Head Booker]

After Eve declared on Raw SuperShow two weeks ago that she'd taken advantage of Zack Ryder's feelings to further her own career and planned on doing the same with John Cena, she quickly became the recipient of great scorn. Cena proclaimed on the same show that he lost a "broski" for a "hoeski;" this has led to the WWE Diva being inundated with the derogatory name at live events and through social media outlets. Legendary wrestler Mick Foley, a friend of Eve's, is not fond of this uncomplimentary storyline and is voicing his concern through Twitter.

Foley initially played up the storyline on the micro-blogging site by saying Ryder should give Eve another chance. A follower of Foley's disagreed, writing, "Once a #Hoeski, always a #Hoeski." He responded by saying both Ryder and Cena should apologize to Eve for calling her that name.

"Sorry, @lizbdecker, but @zackryder should take @evemarietorres back AND apologize for calling her that name. @johncena should apologize too," Foley wrote. "It's important to be able to disagree without being disagreeable. @zackryder should just say #noski when it comes to using the word #hoeski."

Foley adds that WWE is sending a "mixed message" with the name-calling since it contradicts their anti-bullying campaign 'be a STAR' and Cena's motto to "Rise Above Hate."

"I wouldn't be so uneasy with the name-calling if not for Be a Star and @johncena rising above hate. Mixed message," he wrote in response to the following comment: "How does John Cena accusing Eve of being a skank and of being diseased fit with the Be a Star campaign?"

Foley continues, "I think @zackryder can come out of this looking good, but not if he gives into something as cheap and easy as name-calling."

He was also asked whether the storyline is a product of lazy writing or indicative of a blatant sexism problem within WWE.

"I really love what WWE is doing with it's anti-bullying campaign - but the "hoeski" thing did strike me as the lazy way out," Foley responded.

This is not the first time where Foley has publicly taken a stand for female mistreatment on WWE programming as he took offense online to Triple H belittling ring announcer Lilian Garcia with a hurtful behind-the-scenes joke during a 2010 episode of Raw. He acknowledged then that speaking out against the WWE head may have cost himself professionally down the road, but vehemently felt he had to take a stand.

[Head Booker]

WWE has launched the new version of WWE.com this weekend. It was something they had been planning for a number of months to time with Wrestlemania season. The new version features a timeline history of WWE as an organization, kicking off with Vince McMahon purchasing Capitol Wrestling.

WWE.com has also added "No Way Out" to its list of PPVs on their new website. The PPV is listed before Summerslam under "Shows" and "Events" on the menu. This PPV has been "To Be Determined" for months. It would be the first No Way Out PPV since 2009.

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- WWE has announced that beginning with WrestleMania 28, fans will be able to order WWE Pay-Per-Views via Apple devices including iPads and iPhones.

Credit: PWInsider

[Head Booker]

There continues to be a lot of speculation regarding The Miz's role at WrestleMania 28. Miz, who successfully defended the WWE title against John Cena in the main event of last year's show, is rumored to be involved in this year's Rock vs. Cena match in some capacity. WWE is said to have a storyline ready for The Miz after WrestleMania and his recent losing streak is part of the buildup to that angle.

[Head Booker]

In a backstage interview with the Cleveland Plain-Dealer prior to Monday's Raw, "The Rock" Dwayne Johnson cracked open the window for a peek inside the hype for his WrestleMania 28 main event with John Cena. Rock also referenced TNA and ROH during the interview.

-- Rock talked up Cena as the opponent for his big comeback singles match and touched on the work vs. shoot aspect of their "personal" feud that has now come to television.

"The great thing about it is, for me, coming back into this world, I needed something real to sink my teeth into, as a performer. Whatever Cena had said publicly three or four years ago, I always remembered it, so that gave us a nice launching point," Rock told reporter Glenn Moore.


"It's not personal like, 'I hate you,' because I don't hate anyone. But, the tension is nice and real, and I like it. I think it plays well with what we're doing at WrestleMania and people feel that. 'I don't have to be your friend and I don't want to be your friend,' but when we go out there, let's entertain the people. But, that tension is very palpable and it's nice and real."

Rock noted he came to Vince McMahon about a year ago (during WM27 hype for when Rock was guest host) with the idea of creating the "biggest match of all-time." Rock said, "There's only one guy you can do that with, today, and that's John. He's been a great, great opponent."

-- Asked if there's a wrestler he has not worked with that he would like to headline WrestleMania with, Rock said, historically, it would be "Macho Man" Randy Savage or Sting in his prime. Prior to referencing Savage and Sting, Rock referenced TNA and Ring of Honor.


"Currently, there are a lot of great guys and there's a lot of got wrestlers who are here (in WWE)," Rock said about who else he would like to work with besides Cena. "There are a lot of great wrestlers who are down in TNA; Ring of Honor; Japanese wrestlers; Mexican wrestlers; there are a lot of great wrestlers out there who I would have great matches with."

-- Rock also talked about trying to "create something special" when he wrestles at WrestleMania 29 next year in the New York market and his match against Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania 18 ten years ago.

Video URL: bit.ly/xTIEku

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WWE Hall of Famer "Stone Cold" Steve Austin says he's open to returning to the ring, but it would have to be the right circumstances and situation. Austin also suggested he's physically capable of returning to wrestling on a regular basis.

"If there's something that presents itself as a business opportunity, then I have an open ear to listen to it. It would have to be right for myself, my opponent, and obviously the company," Stone Cold said on the Live Audio Wrestling show Sunday night.

"I'm not lobbying for another match. There's always talk. People ask, 'Am I capable of having another match?' Yeah. If I was in a bad situation, I would get back in the ring full-time if I had to, but I don't have to. I'm happy doing what I'm doing (movies and other projects)."


C.M. Punk's name has been tossed around as a potential return opponent for Austin, who evaluated Punk's business savviness picking his spot for a memorable promo last year a la Austin's "Austin 3:16" promo in 1996. Austin did not shed any more light on whether he would return to face Punk.

"He was pissed off, he vented, he cuts great promos," Austin said about Punk. "He worked himself out of a bad situation into a great situation. He knew when it was time to pick his spot, when he contract was gonna be up. That guy's been around the horn a few times, and he's been kicked around a little bit."

Austin extended his comments on Punk further to an evaluation of the current WWE landscape: "It is a very interesting machine these days. They (WWE) need voices to question them. They need voices to inspire them, or fuel them, to rethink some of the things that they're doing and make it a better product."


Austin also defended Attitude Era colleague "The Rock" Dwayne Johnson returning to WWE for the WrestleMania 28 main event and drawing flak from some people in WWE for his schedule.

"Rock has earned the ability to come and go as he wants, because the business still needs him, it can still use him, and it can elevate the profile with having such a mainstream guy there," Austin said. "I think it's a good thing for Rock to be involved with this. He's earned his right to come and go and do whatever he wants."

Austin also evaluated the promo exchanges between Rock and Cena: "I don't know about the promos between John and Rock. I think some of them have gotten kind of personal, you wonder how much of it's a work and how much of it's a shoot. At the end of the day, it's a worked business."


Full audio of Austin's interview can be heard at FightNetwork.com . URL: bit.ly/yfyXlh

[Head Booker]

There is a lot of talk within WWE that Evan Bourne may return to feud with Jack Swagger for the United States Title once WrestleMania 28 is over. Bourne is also under consideration for one of the spots on Team Long for the big multi-man match at WrestleMania.

However, officials are considering leaving Bourne off WrestleMania altogether as a form of punishment for his repeated Wellness failures over the past few months.

When pushing Bourne is brought up, the argument is there that he could be fired from the company if he fails another test. WWE official are always hesitant to push talents who have failed more than one test.

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WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin was interviewed by The LAW this past week about his new movie Recoil. The LAW can be heard every Sunday night at 11pm EST with Dan Lovranski, Jason Agnew and John Pollock on TSN 1050 Toronto and online at liveaudiowrestling.com. Here are some highlights, courtesy of Chris Maffei:

Talent Having Problems with The Rock returning: "My thoughts on that are, you earn what you get in this business. Rock has earned the ability to come and go as he wants, because the business still needs him, it can still use him, and it can elevate the profile with having such a mainstream guy there. I don't know about the promos between John (Cena) and Rock. I think some of them have gotten kind of personal, you wonder how much of it's a work and how much of it's a shoot. At the end of the day, it's a worked business. Again, I think it's a good thing for Rock to be involved with this. He's earned his right to come and go and do whatever he wants."

Current talent being vocal to creative: "(CM) Punk was a guy, and is a guy who, man, that guy flew by the seat of his pants. He was pissed off, he vented, he cuts great promos. He worked himself out of a bad situation into a great situation. He knew when it was time to pick his spot, when he contract was gonna be up. That guy's been around the horn a few times, and he's been kicked around a little bit. He saw how the other guys were being treated, and he needed, and deserved, and earned the right to be treated in that same fashion. Guys, you gotta pick your spot, but you gotta be vocal. It is a very interesting machine these days. They need voices to question them. They need voices to inspire them, or fuel them, to rethink some of the things that they're doing and make it a better product."

Returning under the right circumstances: "There's nothing up in the air for me. If there's something that presents itself as a business opportunity, then I have an open ear to listen to it. It would have to be right for myself, my opponent, and obviously the company. I'm not lobbying for another match. There's always talk. People ask, 'am I capable of having another match?' Yeah. If I was in a bad situation, I would get back in the ring full time if I had to, but I don't have to. I'm happy doing what I'm doing."

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WrestleMania 28 may just end up being a 7 match card as officials want to leave enough time for the main events as well as backstage vignettes and promos for The Rock. Word is that The Rock will be given as much time as he wants for his promos and segments building to the main event.

Officials have announced few matches for the card with just two weeks to go because they wanted to make sure they have enough time cleared for the top matches. Triple H vs. Undertaker, CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho and The Rock vs. John Cena all have 25-30 minutes set aside.

There is talk that Hell in a Cell will be in the middle of the event with The Rock vs. John Cena going on last and possibly Punk vs. Jericho opening the show.

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The Oklahoma State Athletic Commission has sent out letters to promoters that they will not accept applications for pro wrestling, MMA and boxing events to be held in the state past March 31, which more or less bans the events from legally taking place in the state.

The letter said the Commission is being "threatened" by an "Out of State threat that could greatly affect the Commission's ability to provide for public safety and for the health and safety of the athletes" competing in the State.

Oklahoma currently taxes PPV buys made by residents 4%, no matter where the events are held. UFC says they plan to sue the Commission to stop the tax. The Commission claims that without the tax, they can't maintain the overhead needed as an authority. The tax accounts for 2/3rds of their budget.

Until the threat of the lawsuit is resolved, all licenses have been revoked, including for events already scheduled. WWE has a live RAW broadcast set for October 1 in Oklahoma City. Tickets are scheduled to go on sale this summer.

Credit: PWInsider

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There's been early talk of doing the WWE Draft in late April or early May, but no strong timeline of when. There is a 4/23 three hour Raw set. It's interesting to note that Mark Henry vs. John Cena has come up in advertisements for events in May.

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Torrie Wilson has "exclusively confirmed" to WWE.com that she and boyfriend Alex Rodriguez of the New York Yankees will be in attendance at WrestleMania.

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WWE's Joey Styles appeared on The VOC Nation show yesterday. The full interview can be heard at VOCNation.com. Here are some highlights:

On whether WWE should give mention to TNA during Ric Flair’s Hall of Fame appearance: “…we won’t, that would make us morons. Fans who know, (Flair is in TNA) know; fans who don’t know, don’t know. There is no downside to Flair going, and if (TNA) doesn’t let him, they come off as classless. It’s a pretty good chess move by the WWE. I can’t imagine why anyone at TNA would not want that to happen (for Ric Flair).”

On whether ECW should be represented in the WWE Hall of Fame: “My opinion…next year with Wrestlemania in New York…Paul Heyman should go into the WWE Hall of Fame. Verne Gagne is in, Mike Graham is in, and there is no reason not to incorporate Paul Heyman, and next year in NY is the time to do it.”

On who is the guy who will carry the WWE torch in the future: “Without getting into a long list, I think given the opportunity and handed the ball, Dolph Ziggler could score again and again and again. I see a lot of great performers in Dolph Ziggler.”

On whether Jim Ross should call Wrestlemania: “Jim Ross should call the Undertaker/Triple H match, because it was the end of an era, and he was a big part of that era.”

On Michael Cole: “Michael Cole is a great announcer when he is allowed to just be a lead announcer. I don’t like Michael Cole doing what he is doing now.”

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- Wrestling legend Jim "The Anvil" Neidhart remains in the Hillsborough County Jail today after being arrested for contempt of court yesterday. It appears Neidhart was arrested for contempt while he was in court to answer previous charges.

Neidhart doesn't have any bond set yet or a release date. While this is not confirmed yet, the Hillsborough County Sheriff website indicates that Judge Espinosa sentenced Neidhart to 5 months and 29 days for the First Degree Theft and Possession of Controlled Substance charges. No word yet if the jail sentence was suspended or if Neidhart must do the full 5 months and 29 days. We hope to have an official update soon.

[Head Booker]

WWE released a 50-second clip of Lilian Garcia breaking her shoe on the way to the ring at Tuesday's Smackdown TV taping in Columbus, Ohio. The clip, with multiple replays using every conceivable production trick, includes a soundtrack of Michael Cole laughing uncontrollably and mocking Lilian. The latest example of WWE's treatment of Lilian following her return to WWE after leaving to pursue her own career is below.

Video URL:

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WWE Studios and Lionsgate have agreed to a two-movie deal, according to a Variety report, as part of WWE's new films strategy to co-produce movies. The first movie made official is a re-make of 1993 horror movie "Leprechaun." WWE and Lionsgate will share production & marketing costs and Lionsgate will handle distribution. The movie is scheduled for release in 2013. No cast members, writers, or producers have been named yet.

[ LINK: Report at Variety.com ]

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Video - WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart interviewed on-camera by Arda Ocal of The Score in Canada. Topics - WrestleMania 2 battle royal with NFL players that Andre the Giant did not like, Hart's Hall of Fame speech, and the only time he seriously injured somebody in a WWE match.

Video URL:

[Head Booker]

- WWE officials are hoping that Wade Barrett will be back in action by July so they can feature him prominently at SummerSlam.

Before Barrett went down with an injury, he was scheduled to win Money in the Bank at WrestleMania 28 and challenge CM Punk for the WWE Title.

The Money in the Bank match may be moved to SummerSlam this year just so Barrett can win it and begin the push, feuding with CM Punk for the WWE Title going into the fall.

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R-Truth has officially been added to Teddy Long's team at Wrestlemania.

WWE has announced via their mobile text messaging alerts service that they will be discontinuing the service on 3/30.

Bret Hart stated on his Twitter that he hasn't been contacted about inducted Yokozuna into the WWE Hall of Fame. As we mentioned a few days back, there was talk within the company that an invitation was going to be sent out.

Jim Ross has written an article on WWE.com about his experiences with The Four Horsemen. You can read it by clicking here.