WWE
– The Rock returned to WWE RAW on Monday night and delivered a memorable promo, demonstrating once again his unbreakable connection with the fans and his ability to work up a live crowd like nobody else. John Cena interrupted The Rock’s promo and called attention to the fact that The Rock had written notes on his wrist, perhaps a sign that the Great One isn’t at the top of his game and isn’t as authentic as he wants the people to believe. Upon close analysis of The Rock’s promo, it appears the notes on his wrist said the following:
KRS to KPB (Kung Pow Bitch)
Innovator – Camo (Reference to Rock innovating while all Cena’s done is wear camo)
2 reasons
Call out
Check out the awesome segment:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z5GPg6jb2U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lYpIZnHb6gI
WWE legend Mick Foley tweeted the following on Monday night regarding The Rock and John Cena’s segment that closed the show:
“That promo felt kind of uncomfortable to watch. Not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.”
Former WWE announcer Jack Korpela wrote:
“@TheRock is simply on a different level. Makes @JohnCena and @CMPunk look amateur. What does @wwe have to do to build a new Rock? @TheRock proved again tonight why he is among the top three @wwe superstars ever. @HulkHogan @steveaustinBSR and @therock made this business”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross seems to think there could be legit heat between The Rock and Cena:
“@JohnCena calling @TheRock a “SOB” tonite shocked me & made me uncomfortable. Sounded more personal than in a professional context…IMO.”
“It’s getting personal…@JohnCena & @TheRock…legit. Guaranteed. No BS.”
When asked directly by a fan whether there is legit heat between Rock and Cena, JR replied :
“If there wasn’t before tonight, there certainly seems to be now.”
The Rock tweeted the following after RAW:
“Team Bring It: Tonight we made history. Dominated Twitter. #TheRock #Boots2Asses #CenasMissingBalls.”
He later added:
“Portland, Oregon: THANK YOU for a historic & unforgettable night. An honor to entertain you on RAW. #TeamBringItStrong.”
– WWE’s Board of Directors made the following announcement on the WWE website on Tuesday morning:
“Both Raw and SmackDown are about to get extreme makeovers. In an effort to help determine which General Manager should control both shows, the WWE Board of Directors has decided to switch control of each show next week. SmackDown GM Theodore Long will take control of Monday night’s Raw while Raw GM John Laurinaitis takes the reins of next Friday’s SmackDown.
The decision comes one week after Laurinaitis announced at Elimination Chamber that he will seek control over both shows, bolstered by flattering testimonials by Superstars Mark Henry, Christian and Alberto Del Rio. A perturbed Long made it clear to Laurinaitis that he’s not about to take the threat to his position lying down.”
– WWE Hall of Famers Jim Ross, Bret Hart and several others had high praise for both CM Punk and Chris Jericho after their promo on RAW. Jim Ross wrote:
“It’s going to be hard for anyone to follow the pure wrestling match that @CMPunk & @IAmJericho will have at WM28 Trust me on that”
Bret Hart, who was referenced by CM Punk during the promo,tweeted:
“That was probably the best promo I’ve seen in months & I’m not saying that bc of the shoutout. Punk & Jericho were on the top of their game”
Chris Jericho also tweeted the following after he attacked CM Punk, gave him the Walls of Jericho and left him for dead at the top of the ramp:
“And THAT is how you prove a point…. @CMPunk #raw”
– Kofi Kingston had staples removed from his head before yesterday’s RAW in Portland. The injury occurred during the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view several weeks ago.
– Brodus Clay was backstage at RAW, although he didn’t appear on television as advertised. No word yet on why Clay was promoted once again without being used, but we’ll be looking into this today.
– TMZ has published the first video footage of the upcoming WWE Legends House show, confirming several cast members in the process. In the following video, wrestling legends Hacksaw Jim Duggan, Jimmy Hart, Roddy Piper, Hillbilly Jim, Gene Okerlund, Howard Finkel, Tony Atlas and Pat Patterson are shown taking a Zumba dance class at a studio in Palm Springs, California.
– “Stone cold” Steve Austin posted his latest blog online, which can be read in its entirety at BrokenSkullRanch.com. Austin’s acting career appears to be in full swing, as he is currently filming scenes for another new movie, The Package. Austin said that he has six more days left to film and talked about how he uses a stunt double on set, compared with “doing his own stunts” in pro wrestling.
Regarding his character in The Package, Austin wrote:
“I am a debt collector by trade and to get out of a bind, I agree to deliver a package to a certain individual played by Dolph Lundgren. There is a big twist that I will not ruin for you. I am having a blast working on this movie.”
– After being insulted by Eve Torres on RAW, Kelly Kelly tweeted the following:
“Hmmm really? what is there to be jealous of? Stick to being a #hoeski that looks best on you @EveMarieTorres”
– WWE Hall of Famer Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat turns 59 years old today.
– UFC fighter Chael Sonnen was at Monday’s RAW Supershow from Portland, OR. Sonnen was backstage and also sat ringside during teh show and could be seen in the front row during The Rock’s promo. Sonnen tweeted the following about his experience at RAW:
“At #RAW. @WWEDanielBryan cheated against @CMPunk. Threw him into the guard rails. I’m disgusted. #WWE”
NHL
– The Canadiens announced today that Jean Beliveau, 80, suffered a stroke on Monday evening and was admitted to the hospital. Beliveau is currently undergoing active investigation and treatments.
– The agent for Leafs’ F Mikhail Grabovski is expected to return to Toronto early next week with an update on contract negotiations.
– Hurricanes’ D Joni Pitkanen (concussion/knee) began skating on Monday, and is expected to be sidelined for another 2-3 weeks. Pitkanen hasn’t played since December 6.
NBA
– Grizzlies’ F Zach Randolph (knee) was held out of contact work at Grizzlies practice Monday. Z-Bo ran sprints and got shots up, but wasn’t allowed to work out with the team. He’s still having trouble with cutting and lateral movement on that torn MCL. “I don’t know. When I think I’m right. When I can do everything I’m used to doing.” He’s unlikely to return until next week at the earliest.
MLB
– Rangers’ manager Ron Washington said C Mike Napoli (ankle) is running at about “60-70%.” Napoli suffered a high ankle sprain during the World Series and is still feeling discomfort. “He’s certainly being careful cutting on the basepaths. Running straight is fine and his catching is fine. He’s just being careful.” The 30-year-old is expected to get back to full health by Opening Day.
– Astros’ manager Brad Mills announced Tuesday that RHP Brett Myers will be the team’s closer in 2012, while RHP Brandon Lyon will be the setup man. Myers, 31, had a 4.46 ERA and 160/57 K/BB ratio in 216 innings last year.
TNA
– Austin Aries’ message on Twitter last week dismissing Sting has been turned into an angle. The X Division Champion wrote following Thursday’s Impact Wrestling, “I guess ‘I’m done’ is code for ‘I’m booking myself in another PPV main event.’ Yet the X Division champ can’t sniff a main event… #Shocker.” He then pulled the message and wrote, “Apparently this straw over-stirred the drink.” TNA staff said Monday they “reached out to Aries” for comment, but he responded “No comment.” Sting wrote Monday, “Tension building. Goal accomplished. #whining ? #winning.”
– Early trending patterns for Against All Odds indicate the PPV event drew 7,000 buys. The main event featured Bobby Roode defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Bully Ray, James Storm and Jeff Hardy in a Four Way match with Sting as Special Guest Ringside Enforcer.
– The Impact Wrestling live event on February 17 in Huntington, West Virginia drew 1,100 fans while the February 18 show in Beckley, West Virginia drew 2,100.
– The March 8, 2012 episode of Impact Wrestling is being taped tonight in Orlando, Florida.
– Gail Kim clarified her exit from WWE last year in an interview with Schema Magazine. When asked if controversially eliminated herself from the Divas Battle Royal on the August 1, 2011 episode of Monday Night Raw was out frustration of not being showcased enough on television, she responded, “I’ve talked about this many times up to this point, which I don’t mind but I think the fans and myself have moved on from this topic. To clarify, that was not the reason why, there were many reasons why including some disrespectful situations and the way women were treated; so I decided to move on. I did, and I’m happier than ever and I will never know reasons why so I choose not to worry about that anymore.
“I can only look forward and try to do positive things from now on. Impact Wrestling has been home for me and it’s just been a confidence building, pro female wrestling environment. I feel like I don’t have to limit myself anymore.”
The TNA Women’s Knockout Champion was also asked if was ever given a role in which she felt stereotyped, fetishized or uncomfortable.
“I don’t think I can remember a time feeling uncomfortable because I was never forced to play the stereotypical role but that may be because I didn’t know how. I can’t speak fluent Korean (I regret quitting Korean school as a child now!) So it was difficult to put me in that role. The only time I felt uncomfortable was when I was asked to do things that were overtly sexual or anything dance related lol! I think I’m sexiest when I’m myself. As for the dancing part, I have 2 left feet!”