– WWE ran an injury angle for John Cena on the February 24the edition of RAW, with Cena being stretchered out of the arena after an attack from the Wyatt Family.
While it was sold as a knee injury in WWE storylines, we reported shortly after that it was actually John Cena’s groin that was injured. On Saturday, John Cena confirmed the groin injury report and also revealed he has fluid built up in his ankle.
Cena Tweeted “Not asking to be saved hombre. I life my life by my code. Rookie mistake giving me 2 weeks to rest. Time to see if this dog is all bark.” “And yes rumor mill folks. Both left groin was strained and fluid in right ankle. Hobbled thru it. Ice and device called MarcPro got me back” “Wasn’t gonna hobble down road to @WrestleMania #evenstronger #nevergiveup”
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– It was confirmed on Friday’s edition of WWE SmackDown that The Undertaker will be appearing at Monday’s RAW in Memphis to address Brock Lesnar. Also confirmed for RAW, as we reported a few days ago, is Hulk Hogan, who will be making a big WrestleMania XXX announcement.
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When Triple H addressed the NXT roster before the last set of NXT TV tapings, he informed the talent that they would be getting a lot more exposure with NXT airing on the WWE Network now. He also informed the developmental talent that the NXT product will be pushed hard as its own wrestling entity in the WWE, and call-ups to the main roster will likely be less frequent as a result. He told them not to worry about this because they will all be bigger stars due to NXT having a new home on the WWE Network.
Basically, the mindset WWE is trying to establish is that with the Network, the stars of NXT will be getting plenty of added exposure without having to be called up and featured on the main roster.
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– Former WWE Diva and current “First Lady of ROH” Maria Kanellis was recently interviewed by BetweenTheRopes.com. Here are some highlights of what she said about:
On rumors last year that she was returning to WWE: “Here’s the thing. I was asked to go back last year (to WWE). It fell through and that is all I know. I mean I had heard lots of other things. I had heard other things from different people. But at the end of the day, the fact is I didn’t go back. So no matter what happened and who knows, I mean I don’t know nobody knows what really happened. But I didn’t go back and I’m very happy to be at Ring of Honor. So, I apologized to the Bellas for everything that happened and that was it. I talked to them (the Bellas) and decided you know what, water under the bridge and that’s it. I guess I could be angry forever, but I’m not going to be (laughing). Because there’s no reason for it. I don’t want to be angry or upset because I don’t know.”
Not returning to WWE being a “blessing in disguise”: “It totally was (blessing in disguise). I realized that within a month of it happening, I realized how much of a blessing it was. I don’t know if I want to be on the road 300 days a year. I don’t know if I want that anymore. I really enjoy my time at home and I enjoy going to school and I enjoy seeing my fiancé at work. I don’t know if I want that life anymore. So maybe some part of the universe decided you know what, you don’t really want that life anymore. I loved WrestleMania, loved traveling the globe and it was great, fun and exciting, but I’ve done it. So for me, this is exactly where I should be now. I have no hard feelings whatsoever with anybody. I just want all women in wrestling to succeed now. I’m getting married later this year and Big Daddy V passed away and that was so tragically sad. I just have no desire to angry, no desire whatsoever.”
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– Colt Cabana recently spoke to The Chicago Tribune and spoke among other topics, about receiving a lot of e-mails regarding CM Punk. “It’s a lot. It’s wrestling websites and promoters who want to book him. I ignore a lot of them or just say he’s nowhere to be found,” said Cabana.
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– According to one source, the three names that were initially listed internally for opponents for Batista at this year’s WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view were Daniel Bryan, John Cena or CM Punk. With Punk no longer actively working with the company, the latest word is that it will still be either Bryan or Cena facing “The Animal” in the main event for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
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– The latest word going around WWE is that there will not be a “brother vs. brother” match between Goldust and Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania XXX
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– TMZ caught up with Hulk Hogan at a New York airport on Saturday and asked the WrestleMania XXX host about CM Punk’s recent departure from the company. Hogan said he hopes that Punk is only ‘on vacation’ and returns to WWE soon. You can view the video at TMZ.com.
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– The following are highlights of a new interview with Davey Richards:
On his experience in WWE at the Performance Center and NXT: “It was great. We were brought down and put in Billy Gunn’s class. He runs the advanced classes. It was fun and I can’t say enough good things about everyone there. The place is obviously unreal. I t was a good time but it was just different strokes for different folks. It was kind of creepy to me that everyone was walking on eggshells, everyone is really scared for their job. I don’t know. It wasn’t like everyone was having a whole lot of fun down there or maybe they’re just nervous because there’s a lot of eyes on you. Obviously what they are doing has been successful. They’re doing a great job with it. We were treated respectfully and we were taken care of.. I knew then and I know now that their schedule is not for me. I’m glad I got to experience it but I’m glad I found a home with TNA.”
On if he was surprised that WWE didn’t give him a big offer: “I don’t know. You never really know what they’re thinking. The original plan was to do three weeks of NXT and then go to Smackdown but then we got the email that basically what it said was you guys are great but we have a lot of Davey’s and Eddie’s right now. So we’d probably just put you in developmental to start out and we wouldn’t do that when you’ve already been around the world making a living so you’re free to pursue other interests. I thought at least they’re being honest because they could have been yeah, you’re in developmental and it’s going to be great. Then you’re down there for three years. I thought it was really respectful of them. Obviously it worked out for them and it worked out for us. We’re both happy. It didn’t really surprise me. I’m thankful for it.”
On if he’s surprised that size is still an issue in WWE: “Yeah, it’s an old world idea, it’s an old school mentality that’s just obsolete in my opinion. Case in point Daniel Bryan. Even (CM) Punk isn’t a big guy. I’m not saying there aren’t big guys who are over and making a lot of money but the case in point is I don’t think size is relevant. Obviously if you go out there looking like a 15 year-old kid it’s going to be kind of hard promoting that you’re beating someone up who’s 6’5”, 250 (pounds). But people know what an athlete looks like. There’s a lot of different guys who are great wrestlers and tough dudes and 100% athletes and size notwithstanding they’re entertaining and people are going to watch them. It’s just an outdated idea in my opinion.”
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– TNA will be taping Impact from March 13 to March 15 at Universal Studios in Orlando this week. There is reportedly talk of filming iMPACT! Wrestling in the Northeast this summer because they are having issues getting dates at Universal.
There is also talk that TNA is going to try and partner with a casino for the tapings, which doesn’t necessarily mean they will go to the Northeast.
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– According to one source, Vince McMahon is scheduled to return to WWE television as an active on-air character following WrestleMania XXX in April.
While the plan all along was for McMahon to return leading into WrestleMania XXX, this news should be taken for what it is, considering the fact that despite actually being advertised to return multiple times, WWE kept deciding against bringing McMahon back as a regular television performer.
It should be noted, however, that Stephanie McMahon is once again being referred to on-air as a “Principal Owner of WWE” again, which was the original terminology that was going to lead to Vince McMahon’s return.
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– As previously reported, the current plan in WWE is to promote John Cena and Daniel Bryan as the number one and number two babyfaces in the company coming out of WrestleMania XXX. Apparently another guy that is in store for a big push is Cesaro, who is a guy that the company has been planning on getting behind lately.
Other names that are set to receive a push after WrestleMania this year are Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, Brock Lesnar, Batista and Randy Orton.
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– Apparently prior to appearing on his show this past week, WWE Diva and Total Divas star Cameron had no idea who late-night talk show host Arsenio Hall was.
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– It is being said that prior to reports surfacing online, many within WWE had no idea that Main Event would be airing live on the WWE Network each week. Apparently a lack of communication within the company led to many finding out about the news by reading it online.
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– WWE CFO George Barrios recently spoke to Business Week about the current negotiations the company is working on to establish a new cable television partner.
“We think we’ll be able to announce a new domestic rights partner at the end of April or beginning of May,” said Barrios.
He also noted that WWE is in negotiations with a number of different parties, but would not specify who they are.
Barrios spoke about the WWE stock rising this week, noting that the company is not in merger discussions, and that the stock is rising based on speculation about a boost in their cable rights fees, as well as the launch of the WWE Network.
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– The situation with the original Sin Cara at the Juan de la Barrera Gym show last week is that there are issues with him appearing on television for another promotion due to his 90 day non-compete with WWE. While WWE doesn’t have an issue with him working independent shows, he can’t appear on television until the non-compete expires.
Additionally, he is still insistent that after May, he will be able to use the Sin Cara name on television. His claim is that his lawyers are working out that as part of his deal, which many find interesting due to the fact that WWE is still using the character name, which they own the intellectual property rights to.
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– WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus has announced that she’ll be doing a VIP signing at this year’s WrestleMania Axxess event. This will be her first meet and greet in the United States in nearly 3 years.
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– Mark Henry will be appearing at next week’s SXSW festival in Austin, Texas. He’ll be co-hosting a “Rap ‘n’ Wrestling” event on March 14th with NYC DJ Peter Rosenberg. Rappers appearing include Slaughterhouse, Tyler The Creator, Ab-Soul and many more.
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