The surprise appearance of The Rock on Raw yesterday night brought along some mainstream media attention today, giving WWE some additional free advertising thanks to the star power of Dwayne Johnson.
CBS Sports, E! Online, Hollywood Life, USA Today, MTV, Zap2It, Sky Sports, and other news websites all covered the return of The Great One with other sports websites mentioning the Derek Jeter chant that Rocky managed to start during his fantastic promo.
Current and former WWE personalities also used their Twitter to congratulate The Rock on his appearance with Rock mostly responding and thanking them individually.
The Rock has stated in the past that it will be difficult for him to be a part of WrestleMania 31 but is looking forward to be a part of WrestleMania 32, which is rumored to take place at the enormous Dallas Cowboys stadium in Dallas, Texas.
The main event match for Hell In A Cell was finally announced on Raw last night, well, sort of.
During the final segment of the show, Triple H announced that John Cena and Dean Ambrose will wrestle in the opening match of the pay-per-view with the winner then proceeding to go against Seth Rollins in a Hell In A Cell match.
These were the first two matches announced for the show. Hell In A Cell is on Sunday, October 26, from the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas.
When The Rock posted a message on Twitter saying he was in New York, alarm bells started to ring as WWE was also in town for Raw and when WWE and The Rock are in the same town, well, usually magic happens.
And this time it was no different as the former WWE champion showed up as a surprise during Raw in Brooklyn, his first appearance on WWE television since WrestleMania XXX and that epic opening with Hulk Hogan and Stone Cold Steve Austin.
Dwayne Johnson is a busy man and was meeting with Time Warner executives yesterday during the day, even posting a photo of him inside the Time Warner headquarters.
But then, five hours later, “Let’s have some fun. LIVE in 3…2… #IfYaSmell #Surprise #RockonRAW #BROOKLYN,” Rock tweeted.
The People’s Champion interrupted Rusev and the sexy Lana and did what he does best, run his mouth, make the fans scream and laid the smackdown. You can see parts of the segment below.
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Update: Full segment can be seen below although video might be taken down.
Raw emanates tonight from the Barclay Center in Brooklyn, New York. We know that Roman Reigns will be appearing; whether it is live or via video is the unknown. He is to provide us an update on his health, and hopefully a timetable for return!
After last week, what will the rapport between Dean Ambrose and John Cena be like? How will Seth Rollins and The Authority continue to stir the pot between them?
Big Show and Rusev are scheduled to go at it; which behemoth will come out on top? Also, will Mark Henry get involved considering his recent change of attitude?
The WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Brock Lesnar, and his advocate, Paul Heyman, have been missing in action the last couple of weeks; will either one (or both) show up in Paul E’s home state?
All this and much more, so read on!
Monday Night Raw TV Report for October 6th, 2014 – “Left Alone?”
Introduction Segment: Video Recap
Footage of Dean Ambrose’s prank on Seth Rollins, where he rigged the briefcase with green slime, starts off Raw.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
The man who got gooed last week, Seth Rollins, marches out to the ring. He demands for his theme music to be shut off and is irate at Dean Ambrose’s prank. Rollins then shows video of him, Randy Orton, and Kane laying out Ambrose and Cena at the end of last week’s Raw.
“That’s what happens when you disrespect me,” declares Rollins. “One thing you do not do is embarrass Seth Rollins.” He calls himself “the living, breathing, future of the WW…” before he gets stopped by agents Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble. They warn him to get out of the ring, but Seth relishes in the fact there is a “target” on him.
However, it is not Ambrose that charges out, but John Cena. He trades a few punches with Rollins before “Mr. Money In The Bank” escapes to the crowd. Rollins is proud of himself, and even taps the guy next to him. But, that guy next to him is Dean Ambrose, who takes shots at Seth. They brawl until Cena pulls Rollins back to ringside and continues to punch away. Ambrose dives onto both of them, but Mercury and Noble get in the way, providing another run away for “Mr. Money In The Bank.”
The Authority, Stephanie and Triple H, now come out and aren’t pleased with the way Raw started. They realize both Cena and Ambrose want a piece of Rollins, so they book Ambrose to tag with Cena, facing Orton, Kane, and Rollins.
Replay of The Big Show’s apology from Smackdown to Rusev and Lana is shown, and later tonight they will give their thoughts on the 7-footer’s sorry.
Up next, Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler and The Usos will take on Cesaro and Tag-Team Champions The Dust Brothers!
Commercials.
Match #1: Six-Man Tag-Team – Cesaro and Tag-Team Champions The Dust Brothers (Gold and Stardust) VS. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) and Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler (Non-Titles)
A scuffle quickly ensues, with Goldust throwing Jey shoulder-first into the steel steps. The bout officially begins, with Stardust and Jey starting out. Stardust controls, amid loud “we want Ziggler” calls from the fans. The heels dominate for a bit, until Jimmy gets the tag and is all over Cesaro! Jimmy whips Cesaro hard into t turnbuckle, then follows up with a running rear-bump. It breaks down quickly between all, as Cesaro chucks Dolph into the steel steps.
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Cesaro still dominating Jey, nails a jumping dropkick as Jey was laid against the bottom rope. Goldust now in, stepping/pressing on the head of Jey, but Jey fights back and gets the hot-hot-tag to Ziggler! He runs in with leaping clotheslines on Cesaro, as well as knocking Stardust off the apron. He brings Cesaro down with a neckbreaker, then tilt-a-whirls around Cesaro and clamps on the sleeper! Cesaro runs Ziggler into the corner to break it, but Dolph comes back with the Fameasser. 1 – 2 – Goldust stops the count! The Usos come in and soar over the ropes onto Gold and Stardust! Cesaro takes advantage, nailing Ziggler with the uppercut, but The Usos break up the subsequent count! Stardust drops Dolph with a reverse DDT, but the I.C. Champ gets the shoulder up at two!
Stardust runs at Ziggler, but Dolph shoves him off. The Usos are back in, and they both plus Ziggler hit Stardust with a triple-superkick! Jimmy follows up with the Superfly Splash for the hard-earned victory!
Winners via Pinfall: The Usos and Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler
Segment #3: Video Promo
John Cena’s appearance on The Today Show, promoting WWE’s partnership with the Susan G. Komen Foundation for a cure.
Up next, the hosts of The Today Show, Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda will be on Raw.
Commercials.
Segment #4: Arena Promo
Adam Rose and his Posse come out to the ring, and part of his Posse include Today Show hosts Hoda and Kathie Lee Gifford. They put over themselves and Brooklyn, then leave again with Adam and his Posse. (Note: the crowd booed this segment and rightfully so. It was completely pointless!)
Segment #5: Video Promo
The same video of Bray Wyatt “recreating” Luke Harper airs. As always, creepy, but was expecting a new version.
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Match #2: Single – “The Inspirational” Bo Dallas VS. “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry
Henry completely dominates this bout, until he tries to give Dallas a World’s Strongest Slam through the announce table. Bo escapes it and makes it back into the ring prior to 10!
Winner via Count-Out: “The Inspirational” Bo Dallas
Post-match, Henry is frustrated as Bo makes it up the ramp extremely happy.
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
Dean Ambrose is out and is not pleased with one John Cena. He’s not a fan of Cena getting in the way of his “space.” Dean shows the ending of Smackdown, where Cena chased after Seth Rollins and left Ambrose to fall to Kane and Orton.
Ambrose says he is giving it his best to like Cena and not engage in war with him. He asks Cena to come out and “has it out.” He meets Ambrose in the ring, and keeps it short and sweet, telling the fans that if they get what Dean does, then they get what he does, and Dean gets what he does. Ambrose agrees, saying they don’t care about each other; they both just want to get their hands on Rollins. He also wants to get his hands on The Authority, all by himself.
Cena gives him kudos for having “guts,” and “saying and doing whatever the hell you want.” He warns him that model comes with repercussions, as if he says or does whatever to the person in the ring, then he may regret it. Ambrose decides to leave instead, citing that is just gong to take off and leave Cena to face Orton, Kane, and Rollins all by himself.
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Segment #7: Backstage Promo
John Cena runs into Triple H. “The Game” sarcastically mocks Cena and puts down Dean Ambrose for leaving. (Footage was shown of him exiting from the arena on a subway.) All Cena wants is to get his hands on Seth Rollins.
Match #3: Single – Summer Rae (with Layla) VS. Brie Bella
Brie must have one of her arms tied behind her back, as per orders of Nikki and The Authority. Summer predictably controls most of this, until Brie pushes her against the ropes and delivers a running knee for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Brie Bella
Segment #8: Office Promo
Director Of Operations Kane is not pleased with The Miz and Mizdow trying to bribe The Authority with a fruit basket. He books Miz to take on United States Champion Sheamus, later tonight!
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – Tyson Kidd (with Natalya) VS. “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)
Jack rushes Tyson in the corner at first, but Tyson uses his quickness to run around Swagger. He ends up getting a shoulder block by Swagger, but slides out of the ring and gets Natalya to distract Jack so he can kick him. Kidd slingshots Swagger into the bottom turnbuckle, then brings him down with a neckbreaker. Tyson locks on a grounding rear chinlock, but Swagger rises out of it and clotheslines Kidd!
Jack tosses Kidd across the ring and follows up with the Swaggerbomb splash! Both trade submission holds, then Kidd nails Swagger with a kick! He climbs the top rope, but Swagger meets him up there and chucks him off, then locks on the Patriot Lock Ankle Lock, forcing Kidd to tap out!
Winner via Submission: “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)
Segment #8: Video Promo
One of the greatest tag-teams, and individual superstars, Edge and Christian appear on screen! They plug “Edge and Christian’s Smackdown 15th Anniversary Show That Totally Reeks Of Awesomeness!” This will air on the WWE Network (for $9.99!).
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Segment #9: Video Promo
Michael Cole interviews Roman Reigns, who is “live via satellite.” Cole asks Reigns about his health progression, and Roman reveals that the doctors are happy and he will be back soon. (This was totally pre-taped, as Cole only asked the one question.)
Commercials.
Match #5: Single – El Torito (with Los Matadores teammates Fernando and Diego) VS. The Gator (with teammates Titus O’Neil and Heath Slater)
El Torito finishes off The Gator with a moonsault, which he basically missed! (Much like the fans chanted, this was STUPID!)
Winner via Pinfall: El Torito (with Los Matadores teammates Fernando and Diego)
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It is announced that Dolph Ziggler will defend his Intercontinental Championship against Bo Dallas on Main Event this week!
Segment #10: Arena Promo
“The Ravishing Russian,” Lana, and the “Super Athlete” Rusev make their way to the ring. Lana has the microphone and proclaims today a great day for being the birthday of Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin. He also wants us to praise “The Bulgarian Brute,” Rusev, and is also happy that The Big Show is not wrestling tonight due to his actions last week with the Russian Flag. She rips the fans, who fire back with “U.S.A.” calls.
Lana hands the mike to Rusev, who proclaims something in Russian, then translates that to “America is no super-power. America is nothing. Big Show is afraid of me. Come Big Show, come on down and let’s see what happens. Come on down so I can crush you! Come Big Show!” He calls Show and the American people “cowards,” but are interrupted by a true surprise appearance …
“If ya smell…!” The Rock suddenly walks out to a thunderous ovation, and soaks in the adoration of the fans! He marches towards the squared circle, slapping hands with fans, and posing on the turnbuckle. Amid “Holy s**t” chants, he glares at Lana and Rusev. He tells them to “know your role,” and the story of his day as only he can! “Finally, The Rock has come back to Brooklyn!”
Lana questions The Rock on who he is, and inquires why he cut off “The Great” Rusev. She tells him to “SHUT UP,” but Rock replies, informing her to “stop dressing like a Soviet streetwalker.” Rusev gives Rock his last warning, “leave now or I will crush you!”
Once again, Rock responds with words only he can but Lana threatens that Rusev will take him apart. Rock promptly disposes of Rusev with punches that send Rusev to the floor! “If ya smell what The Rock is cookin’!” Rock’s music plays as Rusev and Lana hightail it to the back.
Commercials.
Match #6: Tag-Team – Alicia Fox and Paige VS. Divas Champion A.J. Lee and Emma (Non-Title)
A.J. and Fox begin, with Lee kicking and shoving Alicia into Paige on the apron. A.J. goes after Paige, slamming her head on the commentator’s table. She switches with Emma, but Alicia takes control. Emma catches Fox with a roll-up for two! Emma runs at Alicia in the corner, but Fox counters. Fox does the same, but Emma moves and grapples on the Tarantula, using the ropes. She splashes Alicia in the corner. A.J. wants a tag bad, but Emma isn’t going for it, so Lee walks off. Emma turns around into a stiff kick from Paige, then the RamPaige to give this one to Paige and Alicia!
Winners via Pinfall: Alicia Fox and Paige
Segment #11: Video Promo
A new Wyatt Family montage airs, this time depicting Erik Rowan. Bray preaches that he has “fixed him.” At the end, a woman who is pregnant is shown, with the orders “it’s coming” written on her stomach. (Freaky!)
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Cole, Lawler, and Layfield wish Hall-Of-Famer, the legendary, Bruno Sammartino a Happy Birthday. He turned 79 years old.
Match #7: Single – The Miz (with Damien Mizdow) VS. United States Champion “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus (Non-Title)
Miz tries to avoid Sheamus for a bit, then slaps him across the face. He rolls out of the ring but is grabbed by Sheamus. Miz counters, is whipped off the ropes into an axe handle. He is caught again off the ropes into a scoop-slam, but uses the ropes to jawbreak Sheamus. Miz climbs the turnbuckle, but is punched in the gut as he rocketed off! Miz gives Sheamus a boot out of the corner, but is flipped over as he tried the Skull Krushing Finale. Miz moves out of the way of a Brogue Kick attempt for a break.
Commercials.
Miz has Sheamus in standing side headlock, then runs at him with a clothesline in the corner. He harshly kicks and punches away in the corner on Sheamus, then uses his boot to choke the Irishman. With the ref distracted, Damien slaps Sheamus to a big pop from the fans. Miz locks Sheamus in a grounding chinlock, but Sheamus gets out of it by backing him into the corner.
Sheamus delivers a couple of double axe-handle smashes, then a running knee smash! He slams Miz against the canvas with a tilt-a-whirl powerslam, then signals for the Brogue Kick; however Mizdow pulls Miz out of the ring. Sheamus takes umbrage and puts Damien into the barricade. He goes for another Brogue Kick, but Miz ducks and Sheamus nails Damien! This allows Miz to roll-up the U.S. Champ for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: The Miz (with Damien Mizdow)
Post-match, Sheamus chases off Miz and Mizdow with a steel chair.
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Segment #12: Arena Promo
Jerry “The King” Lawler puts over the Susan G. Komen Foundation, as well as the women in attendance tonight that are survivors of Breast Cancer. He brings out Joan Lunden, who is also suffering from the disease, but is survivor. (To be honest, I’m not sure if she is a celebrity, or just a fan that was brought out to talk about Breast Cancer and the foundation.) She’s a very good talker (better then some wrestlers!) and really puts over what people with this disease go through and how they survive. She introduces by name all the women who are surviving/have survived Breast Cancer. John Cena comes out and hugs her, then they walk to the back. (This was very cool, well done, and sincere. Way to go!)
Commercials.
Segment #13: Video Promo
Edge and Christian are back, continuing to promote their show which “Reeks Of Awesomeness” and is airing on the WWE Network for only $9.99 after Raw!
Match #8: 3-On-1 – John Cena VS. “The Viper” Randy Orton, Kane, and “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins
It looks like Seth will begin with Cena, but Rollins quickly switches with Kane. Cena rushes him in the corner with punches, then knocks Rollins off the apron. Kane takes advantage and this quickly turns into the heels controlling. They toy with Cena, until John makes his usual comeback against Seth. He clothesline him down, then knocks both Orton and Kane to the floor. Cena hits the shoulder blocks on Rollins, then spins him around with the backdrop. He hits the Five Knuckle Shuffle and goes for the Attitude Adjustment, but Kane comes in and boots Cena, causing the weird dq.
Winner via Disqualification: John Cena
Post-match, the beatdown continues, with Kane chokeslamming Cena. Orton sets up for the R.K.O., but Dean Ambrose’s music plays, distracting them! He walks out with a hot-dog vender machine. Of course, he uses the food and cart to assault Kane and Orton, spraying mustard and ketchup onto them, then ramming the vehicle into them. He runs into the ring and begins punching Rollins until Kane and Orton try to break it up. Ambrose disposes of them, then goes after Seth again. He pours more food all over him, the clutches him by the crotch with the tongs! Kane receives an Attitude Adjustment, but Seth crawls to the back.
Triple H’s music blares, and he and Stephanie walk out. Triple H books the first two matches for Hell In A Cell; first with Dean Ambrose VS. John Cena, and then the winner of that contest facing Seth Rollins in the Hell In The Cell!
Ambrose then drives Cena down with a DDT, declaring it’s on! He stands over a downed Cena to close the show!
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
This was a pretty good Raw, and finally setup the next Pay-Per-View. There were some good matches and great promos, but some bad ones too. Par for the course, so let’s pick it apart!
Excellence: Opening segment – loved the twist of Cena coming out first and then Ambrose meeting Rollins in the crowd. This shows that Dean always thinks one step ahead and will do whatever to get his hands on him.
Six-man with Ziggler/Usos/Dust Bros/Cesaro; great chemistry and physical, plus entertaining character-wise, especially with Cody and Dolph.
Awesome appearances/promos by Edge & Christian and The Rock. Even though it was a minor role for E & C, they made it seem big, which is the magic of what they’ve done for the last fifteen years! With The Rock, I truly did not see him coming out and was a superb surprise! The entire segment worked really well, and even though he dressed down Rusev/Lana as he usually does/verbally, they still look strong and held their own/can go toe-to-toe with him, I believe. I’d love to see more interactions between all three!
The creepy videos from The Wyatt Family have me intrigued, and wonder if they will come back looking a bit different too. Also, are they adding a fourth member, perhaps a female who is “Sister Abigail?”
Miz and Damien have awesome chemistry; San/Mizdow has a helluva personality and I hope they let him continue to show it off.
As always, I am happy when WWE really puts over charities and foundations, and tonight was even more fantastic. I quite enjoyed and intently listened to Joan Lunden’s speech. She really spoke eloquently and, like I said above, much better than some wrestlers! Here’s praying/hoping for continued awareness and to one day find a cure!
Bogus: The entire Adam Rose/Today Show hosts segment was just dumb and a waste of TV Time. They just put themselves over, and badly. Absolutely agreed with the calls the fans were giving El Torito and Gator; just horrible/”scraping the bottom of the barrel.” (As my Dad would say!)
Brie/Nikki needs to end soon; getting boring. A much as I like Jack Swagger and Tyson Kidd, was not interested in the storyline of Kidd/Natalya, and the match really could’ve been one for Main Event; was pure filler.
Getting tired of the two/three-on-one matches and the sudden dq’s for two/three-on-one beatdowns. The object of a tag-team bout is to save your partner; why would Kane get disqualified for booting John Cena when he was going to give the A.A. to Rollins? Makes no sense! As well, the booking of H.I.A.C. was predictable; a better main event tonight would’ve been Cena & Ambrose going at it, then the winner faces Rollins in Hell In The Cell. It gives just one more week of build up between Rollins and either Ambrose or Cena.
All-in-all, I liked Raw and am looking forward to the next one. Note, I will be away on vacation, so I won’t be writing until October 20th. Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
Former WWE champion John Cena appeared on the TODAY show on NBC this morning to talk about WWE’s partnership with Susan G. Komen and to prepare the ladies, Katie Lee and Hoda, for tonight’s Raw.
Cena told the two – who will be appearing tonight – that the WWE fans are very vocal and to be ready for anything. Cena said getting booed is a sign of appreciation and he knows a thing or two about it. Cena talked about always getting booed and thinks that the audience wants to see new stars equally as successful and that he’s been there for quite a while now.
The hosts also touched on Cena’s and WWE’s work with Make-A-Wish Foundation and what they do for kids during their time away from the ring, the possibility of being a dad, being totally in love with Nikki Bella and more.
As always, Cena came across as the perfect WWE spokesman during the four minute segment which you can see below.
The WWE Network will be celebrating 15 years of Smackdown this week as WWE gears up to tape the 15th anniversary episode tomorrow, an episode which will air on SyFy this Friday.
Tonight immediately after Raw, WWE will air the Edge & Christian Smackdown special on the Network, a one hour show on two of the biggest Superstars on Smackdown.
WWE Network will air several different important episodes of Smackdown throughout the week and two of them are already up – the network debut of Smackdown from August 26, 1999, featuring The Rock vs Triple H with Shawn Michaels as the referee, and the April 10, 2003 episode where Roddy Piper brings back Piper’s Pit with Vince McMahon.
Other Smackdown episodes are on the WWE Network schedule and will be available on demand after first airing on the Network.
Dolph Ziggler might be on Raw tonight without his Intercontinental Title, and not because he lost it in the ring, but because United Airlines has lost his bag, which also includes the belt!
Ziggler has been using his Twitter to address funny messages to the United Twitter account, first asking Shawn Michaels if he can borrow his gear, then asking if anyone in Brooklyn has a replica Intercontinental title, and then telling Vince McMahon to get a hologram for the belt for tonight’s show.
He also suggested to Triple H to push Raw back an hour and show an episode of something else instead “just in case any random airlines are running late!”
Ziggler’s bag has been lost for four days now and was found in Canada!
All five WrestleMania Travel packages are now on sale at WrestleManiaTravel.com with a price range from $900 for the cheapest one all the way to $6,250 for the most expensive.
The five packages are split into California Dreamin’, VIP, Platinum, Gold, and Silver, and are available for three nights or four nights which would include staying over for Raw the next day.
If you do not want to spend that kind of money, Wrestling-Online.com is offering hotel accommodation for the WrestleMania 31 weekend at the Santa Clara Marriott for just $189 per night and you can get more information and booking details at http://w-o.it/wm31hotel
Hulk Hogan’s son Nick became the first male “celebrity” to have his naked photos leaked by hackers following a wave of other female celebrities last month.
TMZ.COM says that the photos “are voluminous and graphic,” with photos going back to his high school days with different girlfriends in various states of undress, sexual positions and of course the penis photos.
Nick claims that not all the photos – which were hacked from an iCloud account – are his and tells TMZ the penis photo is not is not his either.
TMZ also adds that at the time the old photos of girls undressed were taken they were all underage and they constitute child porn. Apart from these photos there are also two photos of his mother Linda in a thong bent over. Oops!
Nick has been staying out of trouble for the past few years after spending months in jail following a horrible traffic accident which left his friend paralyzed and pretty much brain dead.
E! will air episode 5 of season 3 of Total Divas tonight starting at 9PM EST.
Titled ‘Scared Straight,’ the synopsis for tonight’s show reads, “Brie is left feeling overwhelmed when Daniel Bryan’s injury takes a turn for the worst; Ariane’s mother calls with a desperate plea for help; and Eva is shocked when Jonathan makes a dangerous decision without her consent.”
Roman Reigns is expected to be on Raw tomorrow night to give his first interview on television since he had to undergo emergency hernia surgery last month.
It is still not clear if Reigns will be there live or having a taped interview and shown as “live via satellite” but if he is there live there will be zero physical activity for Reigns.
The former member of The Shield is still several weeks away from being cleared to the ring and he could be out for up to three months depending on how he is healing.
Hulkamania has arrived to the popular mobile game Crazy Taxi: City Rush, with the game given a Hulk Hogan makeover for the month of October.
The Hulkster pretty much took over the video game, including the app icon, custom Hulkamania-themed cars, and even the driver.
City Rush is available for download on iOS and Android devices and is free although there are several in-app purchases available. Hogan has been promoting his arrival on the video game through his Twitter over the past couple of days as well.
For Immediate Release – The match has begun. With production of the new action-packed series, “Lucha Underground,” underway in Los Angeles, El Rey Network and Emmy Award-winning producer Mark Burnett’s One Three Media today announced new members of the character-driven, riveting, freestyle wrestling series. “Lucha Underground” will kick off on Wednesday, October 29th at 8:00 pm ET/PT.
The new high-flying Luchadores joining “Lucha Underground” include: Prince Puma (aka Trevor Mann); Mil Muertes (aka Ricky Banderes); Johnny Mundo (aka John Hennigan); Chavo Guerrero Jr.; “B-Boy” Benny Cuntapay; Cortez Castro (aka Ricky Reyes); Catrina (aka Karlee Perez); Angela Fong; Son of Havoc (aka Matt Cross); Big Ryck (aka Ryckon Stephens); Ivelisse; Mr. Cisco (aka Lil Cholo); Martin Casaus and Holly Meowy. They join previously announced Luchadores from the popular Lucha Libre AAA franchise including Blue Demon, Jr, Sexy Star, Fenix, Drago and Pentagon Jr. Also announced were Dario Cueto (Luis Fernandez) as the Owner and Promoter; Vampiro and Matt Striker as Commentators; Melissa Santos as the Ring Announcer; and lucha libre legend Konnan.
“‘Lucha Underground’ will bring to television some of the most talented and dynamic athletes from the worlds of lucha libre and wrestling,” said Executive Producer Brian Edwards of One Three Media. “It’s compelling on so many levels and viewers of all ages will have something to cheer about every Wednesday night on El Rey Network.”
Diego Gutierrez, Executive Producer, said: “Lucha is legendary – it’s an extraordinary combination of artistry and athleticism with an explosive combat style that has evolved over centuries, its origins shrouded in mystery. But one thing that is certain is that this intense, high-flying wrestling tradition will bring viewers to their feet and will be like nothing else on television.”
Lucha Libre’s colorful world of freestyle wrestling is a huge draw in its home country of Mexico with over 85% of television audiences tuning into the high-flying antics of this popular franchise-the second most popular sport after football. Each week “Lucha Underground” will bring drama, excitement and action to U.S. audiences as the masked heroes and villains battle it out in the ring for wrestling supremacy.
“Lucha Underground” is produced by One Three Media in association with FactoryMade Ventures for El Rey Network. Executive producers are Mark Burnett, Eric Van Wagenen (also showrunner) and Brian Edwards of One Three Media; Dorian Roldán from Lucha Libre AAA; Alejandro Garcia and Antonio Cué Sánchez-Navarro; El Rey Network co-founder Robert Rodriguez; and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. The series will be distributed internationally by One Three Media.
Tonight, the WWE Network will air a sneak peek of The Best of Sting DVD which was just released in stores.
This will only be a thirty minute presentation, giving you a glimpse inside the seven hour collection of the best matches and moments of the former WCW champion.
The show starts at 10PM EST immediately following the WWE Countdown series and it will be followed by an episode of Video Vault, featuring the Shawn Michaels vs Razor Ramon ladder match at SummerSlam 1995 at 10:30PM EST.
TNA today announced that it has signed new television deals in Malaysia and Singapore.
Impact Wrestling and Xplosion will be airing on Channel 111, SingTel mil Sports 1, in Singapore with Impact airing on Wednesdays at 10PM and Xplosion on Fridays at 11PM.
Xplosion will also air on TV9 in Malaysia every Monday night at 11PM.
TNA President Dixie Carter said, “We are delighted that wrestling fans in Malaysia and Singapore can now join those in Japan, Thailand and 120 other countries around the world in enjoying the very best in professional wrestling each and every week. Asia is set to be a key growth market for our company over the next 12 months and, working with our partners across the continent, we hope to announce even more good news soon.”
The co-stars of NBC’s TODAY’s fourth hour are joining WWE Raw this coming Monday to show their support for the WWE and Susan G. Komen partnership for National Breast Cancer Awareness month.
Kathie Lee Gifford and Hoda Kotb – a seven year breast cancer survivor – will be part of the show and John Cena will return the favor by appearing on the TODAY show earlier that day.
Additionally, journalist Joan Lunden, who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer, will sit ringside as a special guest along with other breast cancer survivors.
“We’ve been wrestling every day at 10AM in our own ring for the past seven years, and it gets down and dirty. So bring it on!” said Kotb and Gifford.
“WWE is thrilled to have Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb and Joan Lunden join Monday Night Raw to help shine a light on the battle against breast cancer,” said Stephanie McMahon, Chief Brand Officer, WWE. “These women continue to be a voice for the millions that are affected by this devastating disease. We are honored to have their support in raising awareness and funds to continue the fight.”
The Hollywood Reporter is carrying an exclusive story about former WWE champion Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson being attached to the upcoming Paramount Pictures big-screen adaptation of the super popular Baywatch series.
In a post on his Instagram, Johnson posted a photo of himself sitting on a jetski with, “This is my beach bitch! Rumors are true… we’re making #BAYWATCH the movie. Edgy, raunchy and hopefully, funny as all hell. Cue slo mo running on the beach… #WhoNeedsMouthToMouth #RedShortsBeHugginABrotha”
Justin Malen has been hired by Paramount to write the story with Sean Anders and John Morris set to direct.
Baywatch, a series about LA County lifeguards who patrol the beaches of Los Angeles, aired for 11 seasons and became one of the most watched television shows in the world with David Hasselhoff as the leading actor of the show.
PWInsider.com is reporting that NXT trainer Nick Dinsmore has been released from his duties and is no longer part of the company effective today.
Dinsmore lasted just over a year in the position, and was hired back in September of last year, four years after he got his last release from the company.
He portrayed the character of Eugene in the WWE from 2004 to 2007 and failed two Wellness Program drug tests. He was rehired in mid 2009 but only last a few months before returning as NXT trainer.
As things stand right now, WWE World Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar will not be participating at the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view, and the title will obviously not be defended.
This would be the second time this year that the title will not be on the line during a pay-per-view, with Daniel Bryan also not defending the gold back in June due to his injury.
Lesnar not being on the show is apparently a move decided by WWE weeks ago and it was their decision to leave the champion out of the equation.
It is believed Seth Rollins will main event the show and with the pay-per-view just 24 days away, there are still no matches announced.
