TheRingFan: May 2012

Thursday, May 31, 2012

COLUMN: Randy Orton Suspended - WWE's Worst Nightmare Or Prime Solution To Ratings?

Randy Orton was today suspended for the 2nd time. Orton trending, Our website went down for a short while. Websites, Experts, Wrestlers commented and gave they opinions on the matter and it comes down to 2 options. This is either WWE's worst nightmare or it's WWE's best chance at making new stars and improving ratings. Aswell as Orton, The Miz, Jericho, Rey, Henry, HHH, Taker, Hell The Rock are ALL names that won't be seen on WWE TV for a while. Add to that Vince has no plans of returning to TV, Tensai is flopping with WWE officials, Gimmicks not getting over, Rating's slowing down, No stars being majorly pushed and no real direction in WWE programming, WWE in it's Post Wrestlemania Lull is going through it's toughest test in years. Nothing seems to be clicking, Randy Orton was one of the guys on the roster that had changed, adapted and clicked with the audience. He was one of WWE's top drawers when not even in the main event. He often gained a huge pop, his character, while stale, dr...

Major WWE Developmental Release Today

WWE has released “Dr.” Tom Prichard from his duties as head trainer for Florida Championship Wrestling according to PWInsider. Pitchard joined FCW when it was launched back in 2007 replacing Bill DeMott, who ironically is said to be Pitchard's replacement this time around. WWE developmental is going through one of the biggest transformations ever and while this might come as a surprise to many it is part of a much grander overall.
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Tensai Not Impressing WWE Agents, Possible Repackaging Coming

WWE agents and management are reportedly not at all impressed with Matt Bloom, aka Tensai's work as of late. His pinfall victory over John Cena at the London episode of Raw was considered a flop and apparently led to Big Show being substituted into the feud with Cena alongside John Laurianitis. This feud was to continue throughout Over the Limit and No Way Out, as well as all scheduled live events throughout the summer. Tensai took his first loss, albeit untelevised, at the dark match after the Smackdown taping in Baton Rouge to Cena. His character is in the process of being retooled; he has worked on WWE Superstars for the past couple weeks without his robe, showing aggression toward his manager Sakamoto and had the Lord dropped from his name. Further changes could be in the works as well.
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Update on Mark Henry, Tajiri's New Puroresu Promotion

Former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Mark Henry recently had a shoulder operation and not groin surgery as was originally thought. He could be back in action this summer, but he recently Tweeted that he is contemplating retirement. Former WWE and ECW Superstar Yoshihiro Tajiri recently launched his new Japanese Puroresu promotion called WNC: Wrestling New Classic. It reportedly drew about 1,500 people and was headlines by a main event between Dave Fit Finlay and AKIRA, which saw Finlay win with his old WCW finishing move, the Tombstone Piledriver. It's being reported that this new company will hold shows on a regular basis, unlike Tajiri's previous SMASH promotion which had shows about once a moth.
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Big Update on WWE '13 Video Game Roster, MIKE TYSON INCLUDED

Modern Era: John Cena, Randy Orton, CM Punk, Undertaker, The Rock, Brock Lesnar, Triple H, Chris Jericho, Dainel Bryan, Cody Rhodes, Sheamus, Wade Barrett, Rey Mysterio, Zack Ryder, Dolph Ziggler, RTruth, Kofi Kingston, The Miz, Jack Swagger, Santino Marella, David Otunga, Kane, Kevin Nash, Christian, Mark Henry, Sin Cara, Epico, Primo, Hunico, Ted DiBiase, Great Khali, Heath Slater, Jinder Mahal, Justin Gabriel, Eve Torres, Kelly Kelly, Bella Twins, Kharma, Beth Phoenix, Alicia Fox. Attitude Era: Steve Austin, The Rock, Triple H, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Bret Hart, Eddie Guerrero, Edge & Christian, New Age Outlaws, Road Warriors, , XPac, Vince McMahon, Shane McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Mankind, Dude Love, Cactus Jack, Trish Stratus, Lita, Big Show, Kane, Davey Boy Smith, Vader, Mark Henry, Ken Shamrock, Godfather and Big Bossman. It was also revealed that 2012 WWE Hall of Famer Iron Mike Tyson will be a playable character on this video game as well. It's believed that his inc...

WWE Stars Tweet About Tom Prichard's Release

Curt Hawkins: Heard some awful news today. Let's just say that it's a sad day for young aspiring professional wrestlers everywhere. Sakamoto: Today is very sad. But, I'll do my best! Seth Rollins: Bittersweet day in Tampa. Painful goodbyes and exciting new beginnings #deadhorse
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Big Update on Former TNA Star Alex Shelley

Former TNA Impact Wrestling World Tag Team Champion and X Division Champion Alex Shelley will not be out of work for long after his contract with TNA expires. He has been contacted by WWE, and has also been in negotiations with New Japan Pro Wrestling and the Dragon Gate USA promotion. It's being said that Shelley was somewhat caught off guard by WWE's interest in him, which has resulted in him rethinking his career plans, as he was said to be very close to signing with NJPW. What do you think would be the best decision for Alex Shelley? WWE, NJPW, Dragon Gate USA, maybe Ring of Honor Wrestling? Give us your thoughts!
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Column: The Darkness Before The Light

There are points in history where the crucible of events and circumstance force men to take a stand. At the Battle of Waterloo, while the British Army and their allies stood on the threshold of defeat, Arthur Wellesley was lying down with some of his soldiers, watching the French Imperial Guard advance to the center of their lines. Up until this point, the Imperial Guard had never been bested in battle. They were the best in the world at what they did. During the Napoleonic Era, whenever opposing armies saw the Imperial Guard march, it usually signaled the battle was over and not in their favor. Wellesley had bested Michele Ney, one of the best of Napoleon's Field Marshals, all day. He paid a price though. His army was battered, casualties mounted and there were no more reserves. With the Prussians advancing on his flank, Napolean decided the time was right to end the battle so he could settle matters with Blucher, the Prussian Field Marshal and long time nemesis of Napoleon. It was at...

Final Possible Contender To Devon Dudley's TV Championship

TNA Impact Wrestling has announced that The Charismatic Enigma Jeff Hardy is the final possible candidate to challenge Devon Dudley for the TNA Television Championship on tonight's live episode of TNA Impact on Spike TV at 8:00 PM. Hardy joins Robbie E, Mr. Ken Anderson, and Rob Vam Dam as contenders to Devon's TV Title. Fans can vote for Devon's opponent by clicking here at ImpactWrestling.com.
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Randy Orton Staying Quiet, Bella Twin’s First Post-WWE Match, Update on Andy Lavine

- Starting on June 2nd, former WWE Tough Enough winner Andy Leavine will be able to wrestle starting anywhere he wishes.

- On Friday, The Bella Twins make their first post WWE appearance at the Northeast Wrestling in Newburgh, NY. Scheduled for that show is Jerry Lawler vs. Luke Robinson, Kevin Nash vs. Robbie E, and Bobby Lashley vs. Tommaso Ciampa.

- Randy Orton has been very quiet on Twitter following his suspension. Someone made a comment on him being suspended on their birthday and Orton did wish them a “happy birthday,” but other than that he is keeping quiet.

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“Hacksaw” Jim Duggan Slams Scott Hall, A Look Back At Paul Bearer, Tammy Sytch

– WWE Hall of Famer “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan appeared on The Fight Club Chicago (listen here) to promote his autobiography, “Hacksaw, The Jim Duggan Story.” In the book, Hall weighed in on former colleague Scott Hall.

“A lot of people feel sorry for Scott Hall. I don’t feel sorry for Scott Hall at all,” Duggan wrote. “I mean, Scott made his own bed, now he has to lie in it. The guy has had more opportunities. I wish I had an opportunity to make the money Scott Hall has had in this profession. For him to flush it down the toilet, hey ...

Today’s WWE Superstars Matches, Styles Taking Bookings, Austin Interview, Vampiro

- WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin recently spoke with Arda Ocal of The Score about ribbing referees and other topics:

- Former WCW star Vampiro turns 45 years old today.

- Matches for today’s WWE Superstars include Jinder Mahal vs. Yoshi Tatsu, Christian vs. Drew McIntyre, Beth Phoenix vs. Alicia Fox and Tensai vs. Alex Riley.

- Joey Styles, who still works for WWE, is now taking bookings though WrestlingMarx.com. He wrote on Twitter:

“I’m happy to announce that I can now be booked for personal appea...

Mike Chiesa Interview

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TUF Live Finale Weigh-In Video

Jake Ellenberger and the other TUF 15 fighters will step on the scale at the TUF 15 weigh-ins Thursday night (Getty Images).

At the TUF Live Finale weigh-ins, all 20 fighters taking part in Fright night's The Ultimate Fighter: Live fights will step on the scale Thursday afternoon, and we'll have the live video here at MMAFighting.com.

In the main event, Jake Ellenberger and Martin Kampmann will have to make the limit of 170 pounds.

The TUF 15 weigh-in takes place at 7 p.m. ET on Friday and the video is below.

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Heavyweight Rankings: Junior dos Santos Laps Pack

Nine straight wins in the UFC. Seven via stoppage. Five over competitors ranked in the Top 10.

At this stage, there's no doubt about it: Junior dos Santos is on the greatest heavyweight run in UFC history.

The most impressive overall heavyweight streak in the sport's history, of course, belongs to Fedor Emelianenko.

But given the level of dominance the Salvador, Brazil resident has displayed in the Octagon, and the absence of damage he's taken in the process, it's conceivable that sometime down the road, dos Santos could potentially wrest that crown as well, given that he's not likely to face the freak-show fighters and middleweights that appear a bit too often on the Russian great's record.

But ...

Patrick Cote vs. Cung Le Signed for UFC 148

Patrick Cote is back for a third run in the UFC, and he'll be immediately thrust into a high-profile UFC 148 matchup against Cung Le.

MMA Fighting's Ariel Helwani confirmed the signing and booking on Thursday morning with a source with knowledge of the situation.

The news was originally reported by MMA Junkie.

Cote is replacing Rich Franklin, who was switched int...

The Rock Tied Up Before WrestleMania 29, Recent WWE Sales Figures

– WWE shipped 199,000 DVDs in April, down 11.6% from April 2011. The company’s top 5 selling DVDs, in order, are DVD sets from Steve Austin, The Rock and Randy Orton, Top 50 Oh My God Moments and the Bret Hart-Shawn Michaels Greatest Rivalries sit-down interview.

– The WWE website had 16.5 million unique viewers in April, up significantly from most months (due to WrestleMania 28), but down 1.2% from April 2011. WWE shop averaged 800 orders/day, up 9.1% from April 201.

– With The Rock’s movie G.I. Joe: Retaliation now being released in March 2013 just 9 days before WrestleMania 29, it’s g...

WWE NXT Report for May 30th, 2012

We are wild, young, and on the internet from Baton Rouge, Louisiana and your announcers are William ‘Les Miles’ Regal and Josh ‘Shaquille O’Neal’ Mathews.

Match Number One: Curt Hawkins and Tyler Reks versus The Usos

Reks and Jey start things off and they lock up. They go around the ring and Reks misses a punch and Jey with a punch. Reks talks to Hawkins before locking up again. Reks with a waist lock take down. Jey gets to his feet and snap mares Reks followed by a slide into a side head lock. Reks with a forearm to the head.

Hawkins tags in and Jey with a drop toe hold into a fr...

Here is his casting call from Axxess:

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