New WWE Diva debuts on SD!, Triple H on Jimmy Fallon

– WWE developmental talent Aksana debuted on tonight’s episode of SmackDown! in a backstage segment with Theodore Long.

Now with dark hair and wearing a catsuit, the NXT Season 3 contestant tried to seduce the SmackDown! General Manager into giving her his phone number. Long gave Aksana his card and wrote his personal number on the back. She said, “I can’t wait to do business with you.”

- Triple H was a guest on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon last night, coming into the studio from the crowd. As The Roots played “Bow Down to the King,” Triple H came up from under the seats. When he sat down, he told Jimmy, “It never gets old coming out of a smoky hole.”

- The interview started by Triple H talking about how much fun it was to fire Vince McMahon on television, now that he is the new COO in the storylines. They talk about how he got to know Stephanie and how the two became a couple, saying that they were ahead of the game because they had a dry run on TV in getting married and then getting divorced.

- A clip was shown of Triple H firing Vince from RAW. Triple H said it brought “a tear to the glass eye.”

- Talk then switched to the upcoming special on NBC, and how it feels to have The Rock back with WWE.

More WWE Releases In The Near Future?

WWE released Michael Tarver, Jacob Novak, Buck Dixon, Buddy Stetcher and Ethan Levin over the weekend.

Tarver was on the inaugural season of NXT not to mention an original member of The Nexus. After being dropped from the group in October, he was brought back for several television appearances that saw him standing in the background. He never returned to WWE in-ring action. Tarver announced this weekend on Twitter that he has changed his user handle to his real name. “Hello everyone my name is Tyrone Evans (michael tarver) and I have changed me screen name to my real name,” he wrote. “michael tarver belongs to wwe TYRONE EVANS xB2.0x belongs to GOD and im about to ATTACK ,,,GOD HELP US ,,,,stay tuned……….”

Jacob Novak participated in the current season of NXT, but was eliminated first for the second consecutive season.

Dixon, Stetcher and Levin were seldom featured developmental wrestlers.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see more WWE releases in the near future. They’ll likely happen after the TV tapings tonight and tomorrow when everyone heads back to Stamford. CT. WWE releases usually begin in developmental and then move their way up to the main roster. We shall see soon enough.

Skip Sheffield injury update

Skip Sheffield, who has been sidelined since breaking his leg and ankle on August 18, 2010 at a WWE live event in Honolulu, Hawaii, announced via Twitter that he will be undergoing another surgical procedure this Tuesday. He wrote, “Will be having a third surgery this Tuesday and it will be the last,” Sheffield wrote. “There are a lot of people who are far worse off and this is all happening for a good reason. I wish I was back right now and doing what I love, but things are not right and they have to be fixed. I will be 100 percent very soon and back on WWE TV and I thank all of you for your support. I have kept my head held high and I cannot thank WWE enough for their support in this time. I have worked too hard too long to just give up and while it has been difficult it has only made me a stronger better person so please be patient and I will be back I promise.”

WrestleMania 28 Main Event – John Cena vs. The Rock

What a crazy last few days, huh? As expected, there has been a ton of news and rumors coming out of WrestleMania. We’re not even close to being finished as we’ve got post RAW and WrestleMania news as well as the NXT/SD! tapings + WZR Radio tonight (Tuesday). It’s only going to get busier these next few days! Check back in often guys and thanks again for your continued support!!

In a fantasy bout for the ages, John Cena will face Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson next year at WrestleMania XXVIII, emanating from The Great One’s hometown of Miami, Florida. Yes, we’ve got a one-year buildup!

The match-up WWE is advertising as “the match the world wants to see” was announced at the conclusion of RAW during a confrontation between The Rock and John Cena. The Rock accepted Cena’s challenge for a match, but said it would be at WrestleMania XXVIII.

The Rock extended his hand to Cena, which he shook. Following their handshake agreement, the two were jumped by The Corre. Cena and Rock fought the group off and two shook hands again to conclude RAW.

RAW dark match & WWE NXT *Spoilers!*

Dark Match:
*Mark Henry pinned Ted DiBiase.

NXT Results:
NXT opens with a series of armwrestling tournament.

*Darren Young defeated Bryon Saxton.

*Connor O’Brien defeated Lucky Cannon.

*Titus O’Neil defeated Jacob Novak.

*Connor O’Brien defeated Darren Young.

*Titus O’Neil defeated Connor O’Brien.

Titus wins the tournament. The crowd had HUGE “Boring” chants all through this process.

*Titus O’Neil & Bryon Saxton & Connor O’Brien defeated Darren Young & Lucky Cannon & Jacob Novak. Chicago didn’t care at all.

No Maryse on NXT tonight as she’s at Dancing With The Stars.

Report: WWE Talents jealous of Sin Cara?

Source: The Pro Wrestling Torch

Rumors recently surfaced online indicating that Rey Mysterio asked World Wrestling Entertainment officials to release him from his contract following WrestleMania XXVII. Mysterio, however, shot down the rumors on his Twitter account, saying he did not ask to be released and that he will be around for a while. According to a source, Mysterio did in fact have a ‘blow-up’ with WWE management back in February.

Former WCW star Konnan, a longtime friend of Mysterio, told a source that the assumption that the SmackDown! star is bothered by the recent signing of Mexican sensation Sin Cara is way off. He said Mysterio isn’t the type to be jealous. Rather, he welcomes new talent as potential rivals or teammates.

It would appear that Mysterio and Sin Cara will be kept on opposite WWE brands for the time being as the newcomer is slated to initially work RAW live events. As noted earlier here on the website, he made his first appearance inside a WWE ring at last night’s RAW house show in Assembly Hall in Champaign, Illinois, defeating WWE Superstars fixture Primo.

Meanwhile, Alberto Del Rio was asked to comment on WWE signing Sin Cara during an interview published earlier this week on latino.foxnews.com. While the article says he is “pleased” to hear WWE sign a fellow countryman, he doesn’t acknowledge Sin Cara in particular. He instead says that he’s happy WWE is using a number of Latino wrestlers, before turning the subject back to himself.

“I’m just happy this company uses so many Latino talent,” Del Rio said. “There is so much talent out there, from Puerto Rico to Mexico, just to name a few. I hope it continues like that. Because of that, I am here and getting all these opportunities.”

According to another backstage source, the claim of Del Rio being “pleased” about Sin Cara joining WWE is contrary to a behind the scenes story they’ve heard. We’ll have more on that shortly.

Backstage Injury Updates – Mysterio & Sheffield

– Actress Jennifer Hudson recently did an interview with USA Today and noted the following regarding her real-life relationship with WWE star David Otunga yet: “Not yet! I’m engaged. Everything is all ready to go. Originally I wanted the biggest, grandest wedding in the world. Now I don’t know.”

– Rey Mysterio has been receiving cartilage injections in his knee to help him work through an injury that will eventually require surgery. So far, Mysterio has received between 8 and 12 of these shots and says he’ll likely get several more following WrestleMania 27.

– Former WWE NXT and Nexus star Skip Sheffield underwent a second surgery to repair a trapped nerve in his injured leg about two months ago. Sheffield is now off crutches and continues to rehab the leg. No word on his return date.

WWE star debuts new name, character & finisher!

Husky Harris, who was demoted last month to Florida Championship Wrestling (though officially still listed as a RAW Superstar), recently debuted a masked character in the developmental promotion.

Paying homage to his grandfather, WWE Hall of Famer Blackjack Mulligan, Harris appeared at the March 9 and 16 FCW live events as Axl Mulligan. His appearance appears based on the Lord Humongous character from the 1981 film Mad Max 2: The Road Warrior, which spurned various knock-offs in wrestling. Harris wears jeans and a black Misfits T-shirt to go along with the hockey like mask.

Harris has also changed his in-ring mannerisms and is using the Stone Cold Stunner as his finishing maneuver. He beat Ricardo Rodriguez with the move last Wednesday, and then struck Brodus Clay during a post-match brawl. Photos of that event has surfaced online. You can click here to view photos of the new gimmick.

It is unclear as to whether the character will continue as Harris appeared as himself at last Thursday’s FCW live event, one day removed from appearing as the masked persona.

Christian & Edge reunion update, Ryder-WWE, Divas news

– Select WWE Divas filmed a cameo appearance for Tough Enough last week.

– Zack Ryder announced on Twitter that WWEShop.com will begin selling headbands bearing his insignia soon. “The Long-Island Iced-Z” has pushed WWE to manufacture more Ryder merchandise.

– Reunited for the first time in nearly a decade, Edge and Christian used their veteran skills to achieve victory over Alberto Del Rio and Brodus Clay on SmackDown!. “Captain Charisma” took to Twitter to comment on the reunion.

“Thanks 4 all the gr8 feedback on Edge&Christian reuniting on Smackdown after 10yrs,” he wrote. “Hopefully u wont have 2 wait another 10 to see it again.”

JR-Austin-RAW, William Regal-NXT, Y2J/Miz, More

Jim Ross wrote the following on his Twitter: “Raw’s highest rated tv seg was @steveaustinBSR/Cole/JBL w/ 4.4M households tuned in which was a 4.4 rtg. SCSA still kicks ass. Stole show.”

Joey Styles wrote the following on his Twitter: “I just interviewed @IAmJericho about Dancing With The Stars for WWE.com next week. Jericho had some very pointed words for @MikeTheMiz. OMG!”

William Regal wrote the following on his Twitter: “Just finished my announcing debut on NXT.It was the hardest thing I’ve ever done and I have a long way to go.”

Backstage NXT Season 5 news – the host?, Father/Son

– According to Maryse’s twitter account, she will be hosting NXT Season 5, starting tonight.

It’s unknown what will happen but two themes include a father and son NXT, with pairings like Ted and Brett Dibiase, or a Battle of the Sexes with men and women competing against each other.

Jim Ross Blogs: ‘Snooki’ to RAW, NXT, Mike Knox, more

Jim Ross’s latest blog is online at http://www.JRSBARBQ.com/ Here are some of the highlights:

On the Watts library: “The WWE does not own the UWF/Watts library but have tried to buy it on multiple occasions. I hope WWE does obtain it some day but I’m WAY out of that loop. If you want to own a piece of wrestling history you can visit the UWF website, which is ran by Bill Watts’ ex-wife and his kids @ http://www.universalwrestling.com. They do a nice job in packaging the library which has some of the best episodic, weekly, one hour TV shows ever produced in the pro wrestling genre. Yes…I’m biased but I’m not alone in that opinion.”

On Mike Knox: “A Twitter follower asked me about former WWE grappler Mike Knox. I always liked Knox and felt like he had ‘something.’ I’m not sure why he was released. I haven’t heard any thing about Mike in a long while but hope that he’s healthy and happy. Nice guy with solid athleticism which is a commodity for such a big guy.”

On Snooki: “Lots of old school wrestling fans are squealing like a pig stuck under a gate w/ the announcement that Jersey Shore’s Snooki will be the guest host of an upcoming Monday Night Raw. Obviously, WWE is simply trying to get her appearance noticed in outside media outlets which is timely with WM27 getting closer. It’s a PR move folks so I wouldn’t make any more of it than that. Snooki’s time on MNR likely will be of the ‘cup of coffee’ variety but will also get TMZ-like exposure that reaches non wrestling fans.”

On WWE NXT Season Five: “The new season of NXT starts this week. I hear that some changes will be made for the presentation that is on http://www.wwe.com on Tuesday nights. I liked the last ‘class’ of NXT rookies especially Johnny Curtis and Brodus Clay. Clay has the size and look of a ‘killer villain’ and he’s impressed me, as have others, in FCW.”
Be sure to check out the full blog at http://www.JRSBARBQ.com/

John Cena-The Rock-RAW + Punk’s WrestleMania corner man?

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer

– John Cena has promised to deliver a “final knockout” to The Rock on Monday’s RAW.

– Nicholas Graves sent this one in: On the NXT show that airs in New Zealand, at the start of the show they had John Cena give a message dedicating the show to victims of the recent earthquake and praising the firefighters, Red Cross and rescue workers.

– CM Punk is expected to have one Nexus member in his corner for his match against Randy Orton at WrestleMania XXVII. His second would be Mason Ryan.

The next HOF Inductee revealed following RAW!

“Bullet” Bob Armstrong, the patriarch of the Armstrong family, is the latest inductee to be announced for WWE’s Hall of Fame Class of 2011 (presented by THQ’s WWE All Stars, in stores March 29).

The announcement was made on WWE.com instead of RAW, likely due to time constraints.

The current Hall of Fame class includes Shawn Michaels, “Hacksaw” Jim Duggan and Armstrong. Duggan will be inducted by “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase. Michaels and Armstrong’s inductors have yet to be announced.

It’s likely the promo will air on NXT and SmackDown! this week.