SS legitimately sold out?, Jim Ross not calling SummerSlam

– The WWE announcing change was a last-minute decision. It was originally set to be Ross/Cole/Lawler.

– The WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view event from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California was legitimately sold out. Talent weren’t able to get comps for their friends and family for the event.

It was noted on Sunday that Jim Ross tweeted he would be calling WWE SummerSlam alongside Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler. Ross obviously didn’t call the pay-per-view but was backstage at the event. Ross tweeted the following regarding the SummerSlam snub:

“I’m at Summer Slam on Twitter duty & not broadcasting. Booker’s working w/ Cole & king.

I am at SUMMER SLAM but backstage and not at ringside. Booker adds Smackdown representation not that Cole wouldn’t have. I’m twitter man.

I’m tweeting tonite..not broadcasting. Just happy to be here. :)

Game time decision to use Booker to rep Smackdown on tonite’s Summer Slam & to work with King & Cole. I’m happy for Booker.”
Ross had earlier tweeted: “Excited to work w/ Cole & King. Expect some surprise bouts to be added to tonite’s PPV.”

JR is obviously taking the high road here as he was originally set to call the event.

Surprises at WWE Axxess, JR to call WrestleMania, Ric Flair

– The early evening session of WrestleMania AXXESS on Friday saw an angle and match where Roddy Piper and MTV star Rob Dyrdek beat Tyson Kidd and Zack Ryder. The footage will be used for Drydek’s show.

– WWE Hall of Famer Wendi Richter made a surprise appearance at Friday’s WrestleMania Axxess event. She may appear at Sunny’s HOF induction as well. We’ll see later tonight.

– Jim Ross told fans at Friday’s WrestleMania Axxess event that he would be calling some matches at WrestleMania XXVII. This is what we’ve been reporting despite Ross’ constant denial in recent weeks. The denial is likely because he was unaware of the WWE creative plans.

– TNA Wrestling Superstar Ric Flair is staying at WWE’s hotel in Atlanta, Georgia.
It is said that he will be attending tonight’s WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony, to witness Shawn Michaels’ enshrinement.

Jim Ross speaks on RAW return

Jim Ross appeared on RAW last night to come to the defense of Jerry Lawler, who was being discredited by his WrestleMania opponent, Michael Cole. A war of words commenced which resulted in Ross challenging Cole to a duel. However, Jack Swagger attacked Ross and slapped an ankle lock on the WWE Hall of Famer before imploring Cole to do it him himself. Ross commented on his return to RAW, writing on Twitter: — “I’m sure u enjoyed Raw more than King & I. Appreciated SO much the reception I received in St. L. My leg is a mess. Swagger’s a beast. Thnx 4 overwhelming support 2nite. Over 108,000 followers. Very Humbling. Felt great being back @ ‘home’ on Raw. Ankle looks nasty 4 real.”

*Spoilers!* WWE SmackDown! results for Friday

Partial Source: PWInsider

WWE Smackdown:

*Booker T, Michael Cole and Josh Mathews are the announcers. Booker got a huge pop coming out.

*Smackdown opens with World champion Edge coming out and challenging Alberto Del Rio to a fight. Del Rio and Brodus Clay come to the ring. Edge nails them but is cut off by Clay. They work him over but Christian makes the save. The heels overcome the best friends until referees break them up. Teddy Long declares there is going to be a Tag main event tonight.

*Kane defeats Wade Barrett by DQ when the Corre attacks. Big Show comes out with a chair to make the save. Teddy Long comes out and decrees it is now Show and Kane vs. Barrett and Heath Slater with the rest of The Corre banned from ringside. That match ends in a DQ win for Show and Kane when The Corre come out anyway. Show gets the chair and nails Ezekiel Jackson and Wade Barrett as the others powder out of the ring.

*Cody Rhodes is seen walking backstage.

*Cody Rhodes defeats JTG in a quick match, wearing his suit and shoes.

*They push that Triple H will respond to the Undertaker tonight.

*Michael Cole interviewed John Cena. They showed clips of what Miz did to Cena on Raw. Cole is all over
Cena. Jack Swagger tries to attack Cena and works him over. Cena makes the comeback and throws him out of the ring. Cena goes after Cole, who was taunting him during the beatdown. He grabs Cole but the Attitude Adjustment but Swagger pulls Cole out. In the end, Swagger eats an AA.

*They ran the Sin Cara video.

*Layla El pinned Kaitlyn and they worked her over after the match.

*Michael Cole returned to ringside.

*They are pushing a new Divas calendar hard.

*Rey Mysterio pinned Drew McIntyre with the 619.

*Triple H cuts a promo saying he will beat The Undertaker at Wrestlemania. Undertaker comes out. They have a staredown. Triple H gives Taker the crotch chop. Taker gives Triple H the throat slash and leaves.

*Christian & World champion Edge defeated Alberto Del Roio & Brodius Clay when Christian nailed a Tornado DDT followed by an Edge elbow for the pin.

WWE SD! announce team is changed!

Booker T was introduced as the newest member of the SmackDown announce team at tonight’s SmackDown taping in Long Island, New York, replacing Matt Striker. The team now consists of the returning Superstar, Michael Cole and Josh Mathews.

He performed the “Spin-a-Roonie” in the ring before joining his new colleagues at the announce desk.

As reported earlier, Booker T returned to World Wrestling Entertainment to announce as well as wrestle. His new role with the company is being compared to that of Jerry Lawler’s since he announces and wrestles.

Booker T, along with Kevin Nash, returned to WWE Sunday to participate in the 40-Man Royal Rumble Match. He entered the battle royal at number twenty-one and was ultimately eliminated by Mason Ryan.

The six-time world champion reportedly signed a long-term contract with the organization.

Alex Riley's Mistake!

There was some confusion surrounding Alex Riley and his elimination during the Royal Rumble Sunday night because he was not supposed to go out when he did. He was supposed to hang on to the ring ropes when he was thrown over. This explains why the announcers were asking about him after he had been eliminated. They didn’t call his elimination.