January 2021 – Page 14

John Cena To Be Honored By The Make-A-Wish Foundation (Press Release)

Posted on January 11, 2021 by bamdj

The following press release was sent out today:

Make-A-Wish Foundation® Honors WWE® and WWE Superstar John Cena® for Their Commitment to Wish-Granting

PHOENIX–Today, the Make-A-Wish Foundation honored WWE Superstar John Cena and WWE for their contributions to wish kids by dedicating a WWE-themed conference room in the charity’s global headquarters.

“WWE wishes have been popular since early in the Foundation’s history and we are proud to count the WWE and its Superstars as longtime supporters”

John Cena is on pace to grant 300 wishes to kids with life-threatening medical conditions, making him the first celebrity wish granter ever to reach that lofty goal. In 2009, John Cena received the Foundation’s “Chris Greicius Award” for his outstanding efforts on behalf of wish kids.

Recently, John Cena teamed up with Post Foods to prominently display the Make-A-Wish Foundation alongside his image on newly designed boxes of Post Fruity Pebbles Cereal, which are available nationwide through March.

WWE and WWE Superstars have been granting wishes with the Make-A-Wish Foundation for more than 30 years and have donated a significant amount of funds to help cover costs associated with many of those wishes. In addition to John Cena, WWE and its talent have received the “Chris Greicius Award” award four additional times.

“WWE wishes have been popular since early in the Foundation’s history and we are proud to count the WWE and its Superstars as longtime supporters,” said David Williams, President and Chief Executive Officer for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. “John Cena’s commitment to our mission and his connection with our wish kids make him one of our best wish ambassadors. We are grateful for everything John and WWE have done, and we look forward to them granting many more wishes in the future.”

John Cena continues to be one of the most frequently requested celebrity wishes. Tonight, John Cena is scheduled to grant two wishes at WWE Monday Night Raw® at US Airways Center in Phoenix, AZ.

* Rumored Winner & Surprise Entrants For Sunday’s ROYAL RUMBLE PPV

Updated Card For WWE Elimination Chamber (2/19)

Posted on January 11, 2021 by bamdj

Following Monday’s RAW Supershow, here is the updated card for WWE’s upcoming Elimination Chamber pay-per-view:

WWE RAW Elimination Chamber for the WWE Title:
CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho vs. The Miz vs. R-Truth vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Dolph Ziggler

WWE SmackDown Elimination Chamber for the World Title:
Daniel Bryan vs. five TBA opponents.

John Cena vs. Kane

The official theme song for Elimination Chamber is “This Means War” by Nickelback.

WWE Elimination Chamber takes place on Sudnay, February 19th from the Bradley Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

* Big Plans For WrestleMania, Brodus Clay’s First Feud & More

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Jey Uso set for next week's WWE SmackDown

Posted on January 11, 2021 by bamdj

After being cost a chance to become the number one contender to Roman Reigns’ Universal Championship, Shinsuke Nakamura is set to face off with Reigns’ cousin Jey Uso.

It was announced on this week’s episode of Talking Smack that Nakamura vs. Uso will take place on SmackDown next Friday. Nakamura made it to the final two of the number one contender’s gauntlet match on this week’s SmackDown before being attacked by Reigns and Uso.

Authority figure Adam Pearce won the gauntlet after being forced into the match by Reigns. In storyline, Reigns was upset at Pearce for making last week’s Kevin Owens vs. Uso main event and this week’s gauntlet. It was said that Paul Heyman pulled some strings to get Pearce added to the gauntlet match.

Pearce reluctantly came out to the ring with Reigns, Uso, and Paul Heyman as the final entrant in the gauntlet match. After Reigns and Uso laid out Nakamura, Reigns threw Pearce into the ring and Uso hit a superkick on Pearce. Uso then put Pearce on top of Nakamura and the referee counted the pin.

Nakamura defeated Daniel Bryan, Baron Corbin, and Rey Mysterio during the gauntlet match. Sami Zayn was also a participant in the match.

As the winner of the gauntlet match, Pearce is currently in line to challenge for Reigns’ Universal Championship at the Royal Rumble on Sunday, January 31.

Batista Shows Off New Look In Video, Reason For Jim Ross At Raw, Nasty Boys

Posted on January 11, 2021 by bamdj

— Jim Ross stated on Twitter that he was backstage at Monday’s Raw SuperShow in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma working on an undisclosed project with Jerry Lawler. The Wrestling Globe Newsletter reports Ross spent the afternoon working with THQ on their next WWE video game, WWE ’13. Ross and Lawler will be providing commentary for the game.

— PWF Northeast Pro Wrestling will present their tenth anniversary show on February 18 at the West End Rec Center in Providence, Rhode Island. The Nasty Boys—Brian Knobbs and Jerry Sags—and Steve Corino are scheduled to appear.

— Dave “Batista” Bautista revealed an altered appearance in a brief video published Wednesday evening on Viddy.com. The former WWE Superstar is currently in Montreal filming the movie Chronicles of Riddick 2, which also stars Vin Diesel.

*PHOTO* of Batista’s new look ->

Chris Hero Debuts In WWE Developmental, Lilian Garcia To Hold Concerts, More

Posted on January 11, 2021 by bamdj

— Lilian Garcia has announced plans to hold concerts in the near future.

She tweeted Thursday, “Excited 4 tonight!! Have my first band rehearsal w my NEW Band!!! Gearing up 4 concerts! Yay!”

Garcia just released her second single, Ur Girl (Til the End of the World), following the first release, U Drive Me Loca, both produced by Grammy nominated producer, Oh, Hush!, off her upcoming sophomore album.

— There is talk within that WWE that WWE.com is being re-designed for a relaunch following WrestleMania XXVIII.

— Kassius Ohno, formerly known as Chris Hero, debuted at Thursday’s Florida Championship Wrestling television taping in Tampa, Florida. Ohno laid Xavier Woods out after losing to the former TNA World Tag Team Champion in a singles match. Ohno was said to have looked “really good” in the bout.

*PHOTOS* of Kassius Ohno ->

source: PWInsider.com

Former X Division Champion Removed From TNA Roster, Sarita Wrestles While Sick

Posted on January 11, 2021 by bamdj

— Brian Kendrick has been removed from TNA Wrestling’s roster page on ImpactWrestling.com. This would indicate that he has parted ways with the company.

Kendrick’s second TNA run culminated with him capturing the X Division Championship from Abyss last July at Destination X. After dropping the title to Austin Aries at No Surrender, he failed in his attempt to regain the belt at Bound for Glory. He had only competed in one televised match since then.

— Brooke Tessmacher has been announced to appear at Legends of the Ring 14, which takes place Saturday, June 2, 2012 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Monroe, New Jersey.

— Sarita was sick during last week’s TNA live event tour of West Virginia; she did not miss any matches.

*VIDEO* Sarita’s scary face plant onto the floor

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Bischoff Gloats Over UFC's Ratings Struggles, Touts Impact's Upcoming 'Season'

Posted on January 11, 2021 by bamdj

Last Friday’s episode of UFC’s Ultimate Fighter series on FX averaged approximately 950,000 viewers, the lowest number in the seven-year history of the show and more than 400,000 less than last month’s network debut. TNA Wrestling executive producer Eric Bischoff gloated over the program’s ratings struggles via Facebook, stating Impact Wrestling draws 500,000 more viewers with a much smaller budget.

“Think we came close to hitting these numbers with a couple episodes of ReAction at 11pm on Spike,” Bischoff said of the record-low Ultimate Fighter rating. “Tons of promotion on Fox and FX, a budget 3x bigger than Impact and 500,000 less viewers? Impact has a larger audience than ever, and is going to have a great season with new elements following Lockdown. Can’t wait!”

Bischoff responded to a critical remark on Twitter saying he shouldn’t knock Ultimate Fighter when he has only come up with “one good idea” in his entire career—the nWo.

“Not knocking friend. Love the show. It is what it is and says more about Impact than anything. Get a grip mark,” Bischoff wrote. “And by the way, our prod. company has produced 9 different series on 8 diff. networks since we have been at TNA. One good idea?”

Hulk Hogan discusses Randy Savage and Stephanie McMahon rumors

Mini DX Reunion At Monday's RAW, SmackDown Main Event For Friday

Posted on January 10, 2021 by bamdj

— Randy Orton vs. Kane will be the main event for this week’s SmackDown.

— The Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia, PA has announced that the Rock will be at the 3/19 RAW. WWE has also added the Rock to the advertised listing for the show

— Former DX members Shawn Michaels and “Road Dogg” BG James had a mini DX reunion backstage at Monday’s WWE RAW Supershow from Boston. Michaels tweeted:

“Mini DX Reunion!! Look who I ran into @WWERoadDogg in the hizzz..”

It’s worth noting that Road Dogg joined DX after Michaels had already left the faction shortly after WrestleMania 14 back – and the two were never active members at the same time.

A Twitter user than asked Michaels “about all that crap” Road Dogg said about him and Triple H during his time in TNA. Michaels replied,

“Yep, got another question?”

* PICTURE of HBK & Road Dogg Together Before RAW

Dolph Ziggler Discusses Brief World Title Reign, Plans To Become Champion Again

Posted on January 10, 2021 by bamdj

TheWrestlingPress.com scribe Maurice Kneisel recently essayed Dolph Ziggler’s unique ride to the top ranks of WWE, with Dolph himself discussing key moments such as his 11 minutes 23 seconds as World Champion:

“As much as it was fun to be in that match and become the champion, losing it a few minutes later is nothing against my legacy. I’m looking forward to proving myself and showing that I can be a long-term champion.”

Ziggler also revealed his confusion at receiving boos from the WWE Universe just a short time ago:

“I understand that I’m not well-liked, but I love going out there and proving that I’m better than everyone else every single night.”

The interview is part of the final edition of The Wrestling Press magazine, also included in this issue are articles on John Cena, Nigel McGuinness (Desmond Wolfe), Gorilla Monsoon, WWE in 2011, and more.

To read these stories and the full feature on Dolph Ziggler please visit: http://thewrestlingpress.com/category/magazine/twp21

*NEW* photos of Kelly Kelly in a pink bikini

WWE Opening Up New Developmental System In Connecticut

Posted on January 10, 2021 by bamdj

Following all the confusion this week regarding the future of WWE’s developmental territory, Florida Championship Wrestling, we have an update on FCW and a new developmental program in the works.

WWE plans to open up a new branch of its developmental system in Stamford, Connecticut in the next few months. The project has been described to us as something in between Florida Championship Wrestling and the main roster, where talent that is “almost ready” will work closely with WWE officials to get them ready for their debuts.

Triple H issued a statement to WWE.com on Tuesday saying that WWE is not shutting down its developmental program. In fact, they are getting ready to “ramp up” their process of cultivating new talent – with a major announcement coming shortly after WrestleMania. Triple H told WWE.com:

“WWE’s developmental system is being revamped, not shut down. If anything, it’s going to get bigger and better than ever. By no means is it going to get smaller or shut down.”

WWE already has someone in mind to run the new Stamford-based developmental program, but it has not been made public yet.

As for Florida Championship Wrestling, there are no plans to shut down the school/promotion. WWE is looking for new locations in Florida to film the FCW TV show (including Orlando) and will also look for a new television partner to air the shows.

WWE officials are said to be extremely upset about the reports of FCW shutting down this week.

* PICTURES of WWE’s Newest Coupe – DANIEL BRYAN & BRIE BELLA – Making Out!

(Partial Source: PWInsider.com)