Dolph Ziggler suffers concussion on 'WWE Superstars' taping

WWE reports that Dolph Ziggler suffered a concussion at Monday night's Superstars tapings from Baltimore in a match against Ryback.

"Unfortunately Dolph sustained a concussion during his match on the clothesline given to him by Ryback," said WWE physician Dr. Chris Amann. "We were able to evaluate him in the ring; he was having some confusion and disorientation. We took him back to the training room and confirmed a concussion. He's currently feeling better but we'll proceed with ImPACT testing and further evaluation to determine when we can get him back in the ring."

Rumor Mill - Backstage News on Why Dolph Ziggler Has Heat

Regarding why Dolph Ziggler seems to be stuck in the midcard right now, he has the reputation backstage for being someone with a bad attitude. It’s said that WWE officials don’t like the way he represents himself backstage, the way he speaks to people and the way he speaks to the media. While Ziggler tries to make it sound like he’s keeping with the storylines, there are people within WWE that don’t like how he speaks out about the company.

Video: COO Triple H offers WWE Superstars an open forum

Video: "Miz TV" with Dolph Ziggler and the Big Show

Dolph Ziggler Says He's 'Sick' Of WWE Always Backing Randy Orton

Mike Jones from DC101 in Washington DC spoke to Dolph Ziggler today, who was promoting Sunday's WWE live event at the Verizon Center. During the interview, Ziggler discussed WWE backing Randy Orton and seemed to mix storyline with reality.

"If you've been familiar with WWE for the last 10 years or so, you would understand without Triple H coming up front and coming out and saying this is our hand picked guy, he's the face, no matter what we're behind him," Ziggler said. "If you've been watching the last 10 years or so, you'd already know that they made up their mind about him long time ago. No matter what he does, good or bad, they're behind him and they'll go out of their way to cut peoples legs from underneath them to make sure Randy comes out looking great.

"So, the fact that it's now out in the open, and I'm allowed to comment on it, it actually makes me sick. I'm really happy from Randy, he's awesome, he's so good at this. It makes me mad how good he is. But the opportunities that he gets over and over again makes that chip on my shoulder feel that much bigger to me. I wanna go out there and prove that they're wrong, prove [to] Triple H that he backed the wrong guy for the last 10 years, and no matter what, I'm going to come out on top, one way or the other."

Ziggler also discussed what he feels is coming down the road for him, being a fan of Christian, who he would like to take on in the future and more. You can listen to the full interview by clicking here.

Rumor Mill - Triple H, Dolph Ziggler, Paul Heyman & Rob Van Dam

Dolph Ziggler is in the WWE doghouse. He was put under to Antonio Cesaro in a match taped for WWE Superstars and it’s rumored that he recently got into it with Randy Orton.

Paul Heyman got “major props” backstage for what was described as one of the best in ring action promo angles ever on this week’s Monday Night Raw. When he got to the back, Triple H put him over and called his work “magic.”

The plan as of this week is for a new Paul Heyman guy to “save him” at Night of Champions next month. This is the current course of storyline progression.

Do not be surprised if WWE straps Rob Van Dam at the pay-per-view next month. He’s expected to get a huge pop in Detroit and if WWE wants a title change for a few weeks or even a transition to Damien Sandow, this could be the opportunity.

source: wnw premium

Controversial 2K WWE Legends Panel Featuring Ric Flair, Jim Ross, Steve Austin, Ziggler, Foley & More

Twitch.TV has posted a 75 minute video of the WWE 2K14 30 Years of WrestleMania Symposium that needs to be seen to be believed. Jim Ross hosted the event and, let's just say that he was in a condition where he was very acerbic and quite honest. Perhaps it was due to the "Snapple" he was drinking.

The panel consisted of Dolph Ziggler, Daniel Bryan, Rey Mysterio, Mick Foley, Paul Heyman, Steve Austin and Ric Flair.

Flair was also in, uh, rare form, going down some roads that WWE probably wish would have stayed unpaved, so to speak. Things really get wild around the 38 minute mark.

You can watch the video, which is really unreal, at this link.

WrestleZone has learned that Ric Flair was pulled from last night's 2K Sports Legends panel, and it appears as though WWE sent Jerry Lawler to the event to replace Flair in talking to the media. According to a backstage source in WWE, WWE Executives Jane Geddes and Mark Carrano were summoned by TV exec Lisa Lee to the event to remove Ric Flair from the stage while the event was still ongoing. Lisa Lee apparently was shooting the event on her cell phone and notifying WWE management of the fact Flair appeared to be intoxicated. WWE is said to be furious about the public display by Flair, who has been negotiating to be the good will ambassador for the company.

Flair was said to be “out of control, profane and a total wreck.”

We can also exclusively confirm Stephanie McMahon LeVesque personally came to the event, and was whisked in by her own personal security staff to apologize to 2K Sports on behalf of WWE.

WrestleZone has been told WWE is furious with Flair, and also at host Jim Ross for losing control of the situation.

source: wrestlezone.com & pwinsider.com

Dolph Ziggler Health Update

For those wondering Dolph Ziggler is medically cleared to wrestle and the angle on Raw last night was done to further the Del Rio story line coming out of Payback. While WWE did take Ziggler's concussion very seriously and would not clear him to return to the ring until all concussion symptoms disappeared, he is now healthy and able to compete.

Brock Lesnar Returns On Monday Night Raw, Attacks CM Punk

Mick Foley Comments On Triple H & Curtis Axel, TNA, Nixed Dean Ambrose Feud, Ziggler's Future, More

WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley joined Busted Open with Dave Lagreca and Doug Mortman and discussed Curtis Axel, his Hall of Fame speech, Dolph Ziggler cashing in, his nixed angle with Dean Ambrose (which you can watch in the video above) and much more. You can hear Busted Open on Sirius 92, XM 208 and on the app on Sports Zone. Here are some highlights:

On if Triple H squashed Curti Axel's debut: "This is not a knock on Triple H, but Triple H talked about retiring me after I already came back three times. At that point it was a big deal in 2000 for Triple H to talk about retiring me. If Triple H has had his last match, which is a good possibility, then I see Paul Heyman bragging for the next three years that Curtis Axel retired Triple H. Which is much bigger than beating him and much more meaningful or whether or not he was slapped or made to look weak momentarily.

"For people who ask me if I think this guy has a chance. Not only is he talented and waited his turn and lived through the Michael McGillicutty indignity. I asked him about that and obviously he didn't want to say anything bad about the company, but he said ,'It hurt a little, it stung when you get your name and it's Michael McGillicutty. Short term you can say, 'well why didn't he beat Triple H?' But like I said, me being on the outside looking in, depending how this thing plays out, never underestimate the verbal skills of Paul Heyman or the skills of Michael McGillicutty. As a fan it has me hooked. Even if you're not saying Curtis Axel right now, I believe that Paul is the master. I call him the master gardener. He knows how much water and sunshine to give his project and then they have to grow on their own."

On his Hall of Fame speech: "I think they intentionally had a smaller class this year and the only guideline Vince McMahon gave us was to have fun and enjoy it. That was the only critique of me when I came back to the WWE because I had left with the words 'You'll never speak to me this way again.' Then I came back with the words 'can I come back now?' So I was a little tentative. Vince even said to me, 'Mick, you look like you're not enjoying yourself' and I wasn't.

"I did throw a minor little fit over the rumor that Donald Trump's speech was going to air and not mine on television. I specifically remembered that I had told Stephanie McMahon a week or two earlier. I said, 'Stephanie, the moment you guys mentioned my book on the air Countdown to Lockdown, I said at that moment I promised myself that if I was ever asked to be in the Hall of Fame that I would say yes unconditionally. I wouldn't ask to be on at a certain point, it would be unconditionally. Then all of a sudden I hear about Donald Trump and I'm placing conditions on it. I said that's not the way I feel. This is going to be a great night. I really apologized in front of the entire McMahon family. Because I did feel it wasn't my place to say that and most importantly, now I was lying to what I had said to Stephanie. This came from the heart. It was supposed to be unconditional. Now I'm actually thinking about going out there and throwing my ring in the audience. These were the thoughts going through my head. By the time I got to the Garden, I'm just going to enjoy this. I went out on stage and realized I would probably never have the opportunity to address 17,000 people in THAT arena. The most important one in the country to me. I consider it maybe the best highlight of my career because I was able to recognize it."

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Is “Classic Swags” Dangerous?

Update On Saturday Morning Slam GM

Following a press release on WWE.com yesterday, WWE has announced that SmackDown General Manager Booker T will help out in finding the new Saturday Morning Slam GM:

Starting this Saturday, March 2, the most exciting and fast-paced show in Saturday morning television — “WWE Saturday Morning Slam” — begins the search for a General Manager!

WWE’s Board of Directors has decided to find a GM to rein in the Superstars and Divas of “WWE Saturday Morning Slam.” The search occurs over the next three Saturdays — March 2, 9 and 16 — at 10:30 a.m. during the Vortexx block on The CW.

To aid in the managerial hunt, WWE’s Board of Directors has found just the man: SmackDown GM Booker T! Superstars and Divas will compete, jockey for position and try to impress the six-time World Champion enough to become the new boss of WWE’s hit kids show.

The three-week GM search promises to make the fastest, most energy-filled half-hour on television even more must-see. Tune in to exciting new episodes of “WWE Saturday Morning Slam” on The CW this and every Saturday at 10:30 a.m.!

Earlier this week, it was reported that Booker T named Mick Foley as an interim GM, and they have also said six Superstars will compete for a chance to earn the permanent GM position. WWE posted a picture of Booker standing with R-Truth, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler, Zack Ryder, Daniel Bryan and Damien Sandow.

Stats on RAW’s Switch to 3 Hours

With RAW going from two hours to three, matches now get 33% more time and there are 33% more matches per show. The amount of wrestling per show has doubled to 78%. Those benefiting with more TV time include Heath Slater, Alberto Del Rio, Primo, Epico, Sheamus, Cody Rhodes, Damien Sandow, John Cena, The Miz, Big Show and Dolph Ziggler. Those who have received less TV time with the switch are Tensai, Zack Ryder, David Otunga, The Great Khali and Santino Marella.

Participants for WWE Intercontinental Cup

During last night's WWE Raw it was announced that an Intercontinental Cup tournament will take place on Wednesday's episode of Main Event. The following participants have been announced:

The Miz

Kofi Kingston

Darren Young

Antonio Cesaro

Dolph Ziggler

Cody Rhodes

Damien Sandow

Randy Orton

The winner will get a shot at Wade Barrett.

Rumor Mill - Chris Jericho Signs New WWE Deal

Chris Jericho has signed a new short-term deal with WWE and is expected to be working with the company through Wrestlemania 29 according to a report by Mike Johnson. Jericho and WWE reportedly came to terms quietly a few weeks ago. In regards to his involvement in the Royal Rumble match, Jericho was was kept hidden until his entrance in a bus parked outside the arena. The company had reached out to Jericho to appear at the RAW 1,000th episode and that started talks going forward.

WWE.com spoke to Chris Jericho following last night’s surprise return at the Royal Rumble. Jericho talked about keeping his return a surprise but was interrupted by Dolph Ziggler. Jericho said Ziggler got him fired last year but now he’s been re-hired. Jericho threatened to stay on Ziggler’s case day in and day out for the next year.

Jericho also tweeted about his return:

“Fooled ya!!!! One of the best nights of my career…Thank you guys!! #47min53seconds”

source: pwinsider.com

Debuting Playbook's WWE Power Rankings

Oh, you didn’t know?! ESPN’s power rankings are expanding to capture the madmen of the mat, ranking the best in the business in terms of match strength, promo skills, showmanship, and suplexes. Every week, we’re reacting to "Raw" and "Smackdown" to give you our thoughts about some of the best athletes in the world.

And before you head to the comments with the whole “it’s fake!” talk, we realize the outcomes are predetermined in the same way you should realize there’s no way to fake getting press-slammed on top of a ladder. The ribs hurt whether or not the outcome is legit, and we’re showing respect to the athletes/performers who put their bodies on the line every week to entertain millions of “yes!” screaming fans.

This week’s episode of "Raw" saw some brutal bumps in the hard-hitting Tables, Ladders and Chairs match between CM Punk and Ryback, an awesome show of strength and athleticism by Antonio Cesaro, and an introduction to the term “cookie puss” to the wrestling vernacular.

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Top NXT Name Makes His Debut on WWE Raw

WWE RawTop NXT star Big E. Langston, who has been rumored to be making his main roster debut for quite sometime now, debuted on tonight's edition of Raw and interfered in the main event match between John Cena and Dolph Ziggler.

Langston came out to ringside with AJ Lee, and attacked John Cena, laying him out with a few power moves as Raw came to a close.

Rumor Mill - Top WWE Stars In 2013

There’s a feeling backstage that the five big names they will try and build around in 2013, besides the obvious stars like CM Punk and John Cena, are Dolph Ziggler, Sheamus, Cesaro, Barrett and Randy Orton as a heel.

Dolph Ziggler Discusses Breaking Away From Vickie Guerrero, Wanting More Mic Time, Why He Sells The Way He Does, More

Chris Van Vliet of WOIO in Cleveland recently conducted an interview with Dolph Ziggler. In the interview, he discusses his character moving away from Vickie Guerrero, his philosophy behind his infamous selling ability, how he feels about his pushes, or lack thereof, and more. In addition, he mentions that if he were taller, he’d be a “multiple-time world champion by now.”

Survivor Series Teams Shake-Up

Oh, how quickly things change. Just last week it looked like WWE Champion CM Punk would be captaining a squad of Superstars against Mick Foley’s hand-selected team in a Traditional Survivor Series Elimination Tag Team Match, and now The Second City Saint is gearing up for a title defense at WWE’s fall classic against both John Cena and former Team Foley member Ryback.

Thanks to the head-spinning turn of events facilitated by Raw Managing Supervisor Vickie Guerrero (with a gentle nudge from WWE Chairman Mr. McMahon) on the Nov. 5 edition of Raw, both teams have undergone radical transformations. Team Punk has replaced two members, starting at the top, and is now known as Team Ziggler, while Team Foley finds itself in need of a fifth member.

The alterations for the former Team Punk began when original team member The Miz criticized The Second City Saint’s leadership, or lack thereof, and informed Paul Heyman that he wanted no part of the WWE Champion’s unit.

Still thinking Punk would be a team captain come Nov. 18, Heyman aggressively sought out the services of Wade Barrett, who agreed to join in exchange for a yet-to-be-named favor from Heyman.

With his team seemingly at full capacity once more, Punk then had the ultimate rug pulled out from beneath him when Vickie announced that the WWE Championship will be defended at Survivor Series against both Ryback and Cena in a Triple Threat Match.

Sensing an urgent need to rebuild the Survivor Series teams, The Queen Diva subsequently moved Dolph Ziggler into position as the team’s new captain — a development that delighted The Showoff. Meanwhile, the rest of the former Team Punk — Alberto Del Rio and The Rhodes Scholars — remains intact, for now.

source: wwe.com