The OTTB Wrestling News thread

[king mocha]

WWE has announced that The Miz will face Antonio Cesaro for the United States Title on the Royal Rumble pre-show. The pre-show will stream live on WWE.com, YouTube and Facebook at 7:30 ET/4:30 PT. WWE.com posted, "With so much bad blood between them already and championship gold on the line, it is safe to say The Miz will be in attack mode this Sunday. Can The Swiss Superman, who’s looked otherworldly at times during his five-month title reign, muster victory against a peeved Miz, a former U.S. Title holder himself?"

 

[king mocha]

According to WWE.com, Brad Maddox was "attacked" at last night's WWE SmackDown tapings. Here is the WWE.com blur on Maddox's attack…

SACRAMENTO, Calif. – WWE.com sources have learned that Brad Maddox and his personal cameraman, Carson, apparently have been victims of an attack during the SmackDown television tapings and have been transported to a nearby medical facility. Further details are very limited at this time.

Attempts to find eyewitnesses to the attack or to make direct contact with Maddox or Carson have proven unsuccessful. Check back with WWE.com for updates on this story as they become available.

This will likely play into the Paul Heyman/Brad Maddox storyline that began on RAW this week.

 

[king mocha]

There have been talks about bringing back the Money In The Bank match to WrestleMania 29 this year. With the rumors of the match already starting, there are also rumors of who will win the match if it happens. At this time, Ryback's name has been discussed as a leading candidate to win the briefcase if the match was to take place.

There had been rumors that Ryback would face off with The Big Show at the event as well. We shall see.

 

[VIBE]

There have been talks about bringing back the Money In The Bank match to WrestleMania 29 this year. With the rumors of the match already starting, there are also rumors of who will win the match if it happens. At this time, Ryback's name has been discussed as a leading candidate to win the briefcase if the match was to take place.

There had been rumors that Ryback would face off with The Big Show at the event as well. We shall see.

Fuck, he ain't winning the Rumble then.

 

[king mocha]

WWE officials have broached the possibility of an Alberto Del Rio vs. Dolph Ziggler match at WrestleMania 29. However, the match may not necessarily be for the World Heavyweight Championship currently held by Del Rio.

 

[king mocha]

Bill Goldberg teased on Twitter that he may be returning to the ring. Jim Ross was asked as to whether Goldberg would be a surprise entrant in the Rumble and Ross said "Highly unlikely." Goldberg had a more definitive answer, posting:

How about NO

Not a chance in hell.

After a fan said that the Spear "needs to be seen once again," Goldberg replied: "It's coming."

A fan replied to him saying that it isn't cool for him to tease a return if he didn't mean it and he replied with the following:

I mean it....

 

[VIBE]

Goldberg will not return.

 

[MillzOG]

SMH these motherfuckas better not have Ziggler vs Del Rio. Every fued they put Del Rio in is fuckin terrible, they'd have good matches but fuck I hate Del Rio

 

[VIBE]

As noted before, WWE has offered Brock Lesnar another 1 year contract - believed to be similar to the current deal that expires at WrestleMania 29 in the sense that it's for few dates and several million dollars.

The Wrestling Observer reports that Lesnar has not signed the contract yet, but word going around is that there's a good chance he will sign.

The big opponents being discussed for Lesnar in 2013 are CM Punk and Randy Orton. Lesnar vs. Orton had been discussed for 2012 but plans changed.

Read more:http://www.WrestlingInc.com/wi/news...feuds-for-brock-lesnar-in-2013/#ixzz2IuOrQ99r

 

[king mocha]

WWE NXT talents Corey Graves, Oliver Grave, Luke Harper (Brodie Lee from Dragon Gate), Xavier Woods (former TNA star Consequences Creed), Conor O'Brian, Adrian Neville (formerly Pac on Dragon Gate), Bo Dallas, and Leo Kruger are all scheduled to participate in a tournament at the Royal Rumble fanfest this weekend. The winner of the tournament will automatically get a spot and will make their WWE debut in the 30-man Royal Rumble match on Sunday night.

It should also be noted that the majority of WWE talents are already in Phoenix, AZ and are doing promotional work for Sunday's WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

 

[king mocha]

Here is an updated list of entrants for the WWE Royal Rumble this weekend:

* John Cena

* Randy Orton

* Ryback

* Sheamus

* Kane

* Daniel Bryan

* Dolph Ziggler (Entering at #1 or #2)

* Antonio Cesaro

* Wade Barrett

* The Miz

* Heath Slater

* Jinder Mahal

* Drew McIntyre

* Darren Young

* Titus O’Neil

* Kofi Kingston

* Cody Rhodes

* Damien Sandow

* Jimmy Uso

* Jey Uso

* Brodus Clay

* Michael McGillicutty

* The Great Khali

 

[king mocha]

As noted yesterday here on the website, former Intercontinental and tag team champions Carlito and Shelton Benjamin are both in Phoenix, Arizona and are scheduled to take part in the 30 man Royal Rumble match. Both men are in Scottsdale, Arizona for an independent wrestling event this weekend. The indy show is less than 30 minutes from the US Airways Center in Phoenix.

It is not yet known if both men are back full-time with the WWE but both are reported to be booked for the Rumble match. Benjamin was released from the WWE on April 22, 2010 and he has been working in ROH and other smaller companies since then. Carlito was last seen on WWE TV in May 2010 before he was released due to a wellness violation and his refusal to seek medical help.

 

[king mocha]

During a media conference call this week to promote the Royal Rumble pay-per-view, WWE SmackDown general manager Booker T talked about a possible Harlem Heat reunion with his brother Stevie Ray. He said: "I think people would want to see it. I know it was talked about reuniting Harlem Heat. You know as far as it being possible for Hall of Fame it would have been a great honor. But I'm looking forward to my brother and I coming back together and giving the fans that one last look at a team that was so great. And I think it's something that we need to do more than something that we have to do."

 

[king mocha]

WWE.com is reporting that Bo Dallas won the NXT tournament held on Saturday afternoon in Phoenix, Arizona to earn a spot in the 30 Man Royal Rumble match tomorrow night. Dallas is quoted in the article adding, "To be in the history books for anything is amazing. But being the first NXT Superstar to be in the Royal Rumble Match? I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this, but that’s bad ass!"

 

[king mocha]

The Godfather quietly drove in to the show from Phoenix in an attempt to hide his appearance from those who might have been looking for talent at the airports. He arrived Sunday afternoon, checked in to his hotel and then headed to the arena.

-- Following their wins at the Royal Rumble, the stage is now set for The Rock vs. John Cena 2 for the WWE Title at WrestleMania 29. As has been reported, this has been one of the main matches for the show and promotional material has already made mention of it. With The Rock leaving WWE again after WrestleMania 29, you can expect Cena to get his "revenge" at the event.

 

[king mocha]

Chris Jericho has signed a new short-term deal with WWE and will be working for the company full-time through WrestleMania 29.

WWE has already released a new Chris Jericho shirt and have also put a video online with he and Dolph Ziggler going back and forth.

 

[king mocha]

WWE and Brock Lesnar have come to terms for a new two year deal.

Lesnar will now be with the company through WrestleMania 31.

 

[king mocha]

During The Shield's run-in to attack The Rock in the WWE Title match, Shield entered from under the ring after the lights went out, attacked The Rock and then left under the ring.

-- Darren Young appeared to suffer an injury when he was eliminated during the Royal Rumble. Officials put up the "X sign" and the camera quickly panned away from him after his elimination.

 

[king mocha]

Goldust posted the following on Twitter, following the Rumble PPV…

"He got a little taste of what his big brother can do. I promise you it's not over between us."

-- A Kaitlyn vs. Tamina Snuka match scheduled for the Royal Rumble was cancelled due to lack of time.

Once everything was timed out, the call was made to drop the match.

 

[king mocha]

WWE has posted a video of Alberto Del Rio celebrating with his father, Dos Caras, backstage at the Royal Rumble after his successful title defense against The Big Show.

-- Ricardo Rodriguez posted the following on Twitter after the PPV last night…

"Getting Those awesome glasses from Mr. Hart, Alberto Del Rio retaining the WHC, and good ol' Duct Tape. Tonight was a great night! #SiSiSi"