Ratings Summary
- RAW: 3.8 (3.7 / 3.8 / 5.5 Share) Up from 3.4 (3.2 / 3.5 / 5 Share)
- Heat: 0.6 (0.9 Share) Down from 0.8 (1.2 Share)
- Velocity: 0.6 (1.0 Share) Up from 0.4 (0.8 Share)
- WWE Experience: 0.5 (1.3 Share) Up from 0.5 (1.1 Share)
The RAW crew is in Minneapolis, MN tomorrow night. Last week's two hours of RAW finished #3 and #11 behind Law & Order, SpongeBob SquarePants, and Fairly OddParents. Cleveland, OH Smackdown taping ads are promoting a dark match of Undertaker/Big Show/John Cena vs. JBL/Kurt Angle/Heidenreich. Motley Fool has an article looking at WWE's plans headed into Wrestlemania.
Pat Patterson was backstage at Smackdown leading many to think he may help with his creation The Royal Rumble. Dory Funk Jr., Bryan Adams, Mideon, and Fidel Sierra, as well as NWA Florida's Ron Niemi, Antonio Blanks, Adam Windsor, Bruce Stern and Amy Love were all also backstage. WWE was reportedly impressed by Roderick Strong's work with Kurt Angle on Smackdown. The reports of a screaming match between Ric Flair and Victor Quinones at New Year's Revolution are apparently exaggerated, as there may have simply been a heated discussion between the two.
Rob Van Dam will need knee surgery for a torn MCL and partially torn ACL. The Shane twins are expected to debut on Smackdown within a couple weeks. Jim Ross and JBL were on Byte This yesterday with JR discussing New Year's Revolution, the Hall of Fame, and Wrestlemania, and JBL talking about his favorite matches, Iraq, the internet, and Ron Simmons. WWE's January spotlight is on Chris Jericho and his band Fozzy.
Between the Ropes interviewed Chris Jericho about ECW, fan reactions, the world championship, Fozzy, and more. Christian told the Canadian press it was "an honour and privilege" to be part of the CBC's tsunami benefit show tonight. Matt Hardy and Stacy Keibler will make appearances at this weekend's 36th annual AutoRama in Grand Rapids, MI.
The Palatka Daily News has another article on their hometown diva Michelle McCool Alexander following up on her recent nearby house show appearance in Jacksonville, FL. Carmella DeCesare was acquitted of a misdemeanor assault charge stemming from a bar fight, however she was convicted of violating a protection order and given one year of probation. Headline Media Group saw a reduction in program rights expenses at The Score during the first quarter due to lower program rights fees for WWE properties.
Hector Garza was released from jail on time already served, but plead guilty and still has six more days to serve. Jake "The Snake" Roberts was arrested by the Banks County, GA Sheriff's Office and charged with cocaine possession after a search of his hotel room allegedly turned up a crack pipe with residue. Between the Ropes interviewed Shane Douglas about announcing, TNA, Chris Candido, ECW and more. SLAM spoke to Shane Douglas about his career, ECW, Final Resolution, psychology and more.
Ring of Honor announced several new matches for their February and March shows. MLW promoter Court Bauer has opened a blog in Japan. Tampa Bay Online's Ron Jordan interviewed Wendi Richter about her time in WWE, Fabulous Moolah, her post-wrestling life and WrestleReunion. Roddy Piper will host Celebrity Wrestling in the UK, a show which will feature celebrities being trained to wrestle then having matches. The Augusta Free Press has an article on wrestler Christopher Bennett aka "The Living Prophecy" Christopher Saint and some of the struggles of starting a wrestling career.
That's it for today. Thanks for reading.
