WWE Magazine Feature of the Week: Tomorrow's Champions

"WWE Magazine’s" all-new Holiday Issue heralds the arrival of today’s most talented young guns in WWE. But who, aside from themselves, do they think will be the first among them to reach mega-Superstardom? Click here.

Dusty Rhodes Comments on Making New Stars

Dusty Rhodes spoke with Phil Strum of pojoslam.blogspot.com about the need for new stars in the WWE:

"Yeah. I think OVW, before they closed down, I think the last big star, that's going to be an even bigger star that's come out of there, was Cody Rhodes. He came out of OVW. Then shortly after that was when they moved it all down here (FCW)."

"Since then, with Yoshi (Tatsu) and Sheamus and Tyler Reks and the list goes on and on and on. Drew McIntyre and all these kids. Savannah, the girls. It's great to see them and work with them in our studio where we do the promo studio, kind of like the actors studio, and work on conversations."

"So it's really cool, working with them. And then the TV shows and seeing them get there. That's their dream. We really need new blood. WWE needs new blood. I think we've started with Legacy and now you've seen Evan Bourne and you've seen Miz and you've seen (John) Morrison and CM Punk. It's a great thing to see this new rush of talent."

Triple H Comments on the Next Wave of WWE Superstars

Who do you regard as the next wave of headline-level talent in WWE?

Well CM Punk is obviously already on his way to becoming a big star. Jack Swagger, I like Sheamus. Evan Bourne is very good. Kofi Kingston. They are all moving up, but slowly, which is the right way.

Finally,are you mentoring any WWE wrestler in particular? And in who, do you see the most of young Triple H?

The closest to me is probably Sheamus, because we always train together on the road. But I try to watch all the young guys' matches and give them advice, if they want to hear it. If they take advice to heart and really want to improve, then I'm willing to help. As for seeing some of myself in someone? That's tough. Sheamus just the other day showed up at a show he didn't have to be at. He does whatever he's asked to do without complaining, he goes to every show and is always wanting to work. He does is all, goes above and beyond. That's what I was like.

source: powerslam magazine

Chris Jericho Urges Vince McMahon to Ditch the Company's Old Guard in Favour of Promoting New Talent

Despite himself being a 19 year-veteran, the 38-year-old Canadian claims the world's leading wrestling promotion is in danger of going stale if the likes of Triple H, Undertaker and Shawn Michaels continue to dominate the spotlight.

Jericho insists rising stars like Legacy, Morrison and Jack Swagger can safeguard the long-term future of the company if McMahon gives them the opportunity to do so.

"I think that Morrison is learning more each week, I think Dolph Ziggler is learning more each week, Cryme Tyme have learned a lot over the last few months.

"Legacy is getting there, Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston and The Miz — those are the guys that are going to have to start becoming more of a presence.

"A couple of guys in ECW, like Evan Bourne... Sheamus is another guy that I think has some potential.

Former world heavyweight champion Jericho said: "Creating new talent, creating new stars, that's the most important thing for any of the brands to do.

"They have to keep the wheels turning — they can't just base it on the same guys year in and year out. That's how business fails — that's how WCW failed."...More?

source: the sun

Cody Rhodes Weighs in on the Lack of Stars on Raw

"I personally think that when people say stuff like that, when people say there hasn't been a breakout, I ask them if they saw the last breakout coming," Rhodes said in an interview with AOL Fanhouse. "Monday Night Raw is like a varsity team. And it's filled with freshmen. Very talented, very young, but it's something the fans are now getting to grow with. It's a cool experience. I can remember watching Michaels go from tag to Intercontinental Champion to taking the longest run possible to the WWE championship. I think it might be a while till somebody becomes that breakout star, but I know that you have a lot of hopefuls."

Rhodes specifically put over Kofi Kingston, Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne and, of course, Legacy as the potential stars of the future.

Evan Bourne SyFy Commercial and Injury Update

Evan Bourne posted a message on his WWE Universe blog stating that he was kept off last night's Raw to continue healing his sore neck. The injury was originally sustained last week in his match against the Big Show.

Bourne injured his neck after the Big Show speared him hard into the mat during their singles match. Bourne purposely landed on his neck to sell the move, which turned out to be a bad idea. "I've recovered quite a bit and I should be back to 100 percent soon," Bourne said. "My neck is fine, but I was certainly hurting for a few days."

Former MU student finds success with WWE

Bright white and blue lights flash throughout the arena. The voice of an air traffic controller blasts from loudspeakers, queuing the 20,000 in attendance to start cheering. A video flashes the name Evan Bourne on the large video screen above the entrance ramp.

Fast-paced metal music starts playing while the fans continue to cheer, waiting for the arrival of Bourne, a World Wrestling Entertainment hero. WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia makes the introduction as Bourne races to the top of the entrance ramp.

"And from St. Louis, Missouri, weighing in at 183 pounds ... Evan Bourne," Garcia shouts.

"It's one of the biggest adrenaline rushes you can have," Bourne said by phone. "It's a really special feeling to go out and perform in front of the fans."...More?

source: columbiamissourian.com

Rumor Mill - Triple H on Bourne and Swagger

Various sites are reporting that while Triple H was in Japan doing promotional work for WWE, he pushed Evan Bourne and Jack Swagger as the company's best new talents and may have had something to do with them coming to RAW in the trade.

Results of the Mini-Draft

Donald Trump approved a 15 Superstar trade among the three brands before he was fired last week. The trades are as follows.

Raw: Gail Kim, Alicia Fox, Jack Swagger, Evan Bourne and Mark Henry.

Smackdown: Matt Hardy, Finlay, David Hart Smith, Tyson Kidd and Natalya.

ECW: Shelton Benjamin, Goldust, William Regal and The Bella Twins.

Raw Results: The Animal's Kingdom

One week after purchasing Monday Night Raw back from Donald Trump, Mr. McMahon had two shocking announcements for the WWE Universe. First, the WWE Chairman announced that he would be shaking things up by way of a 15-Superstar trade originally set into motion by former Raw owner Donald Trump, that would see five new ring warriors brought to the Raw roster. Even more shocking, McMahon revealed that the show would henceforth have a series of “special guest hosts,” starting that very night with The Animal, Batista. Full results.

source: wwe.com

Bourne to Read in WWE

With parents as schoolteachers, World Wrestling Entertainment star Evan Bourne took education very seriously.

A college graduate, the high-flying Bourne is no airhead as he is helping spearhead the WWE SummerSlam Reading Jam promotion, encouraging reading among today's youth...More?

source: miamiherald.com

Interview with Evan Bourne

Despite billing himself as "a huge fan of the original" - Evan disagrees with other hardcore ECW followers who have turned their back on the toned-down and superstar-starved WWE version.

In an exclusive interview, he told SunSport: "You can't make a direct comparison between the rosters, as we're so different.

"But if you compare ECW now to the old ECW on TNN - we blow that show out of the water...More?

source: the sun

(Super)Star Trek

Space, the Final Frontier ... unless you're a WWE Superstar who has made a career out of shooting for the stars (or a Shooting Star Press, for that matter). As the highly-anticipated Star Trek beams into movie theaters this weekend, WWE.com looks to the sky and fires off a 21-phaser, saluting the voyages of ring competitors whose aerial tactics have made them captains of the squared-circle enterprise...More?

source: wwe.com

ECW Results: Bourne is Back

Tonight on ECW on Sci Fi, the risk-taking, gravity-defier Evan Bourne returns to the Land of the Extreme. Tune in to see "Air Bourne" once again take flight. Full results.

Evan Bourne Returns Next Week

It was announced during Tuesday's ECW show that Evan Bourne will return to television next week. He has been out with an ankle injury since October 27th.

Evan Bourne Speaks on his Return Fued and the SSP

Evan Bourne was interviewd for the April WWE Magazine. Here is an excerpt:

WWE Magazine: Other than polishing your Slammy Award for Best Finisher, how did you occupy your time while recovering from last October's injury?

Evan Bourne: That's a huge issue, because I don't even have my Slammy Award. Mike Knox walked off with it. You don't touch another man's girl, and you don't take his Slammy Award. All my friends have asked me, “Where's the Slammy? How come it's not on your mantel?” So not only do I hate Mike Knox, but so do all my friends and family. He crossed the line. Beating him up will be a top priority when I return.

WWE Magazine: How the heck did you convince the WWE brass to allow you to perform the once-banned move [referring to the Shooting Star Press]?

Evan Bourne: Honestly, when I signed my contract with WWE, there was no mention that the move was banned. I did the maneuver all over Japan, so when I got to WWE, I wanted to use it. It's my specialty. Once I showed them how I perform it, I was encouraged to use it.

Triple H, Awesome Kong top awards

It’s that most wonderful time of the year. Sure, it’s the holiday season. But the end of December also brings the year-end column awards. Drum roll, please ...

• “Wrestler of the Year”: Triple H. When reflecting on 2008, is there one wrestler who was hands down the best of the past 12 months? Not really. Injuries, movie deals and other interests outside of the wrestling ring prevented any one person from dominating the sport. Triple H had another solid year, holding the WWE world championship for about seven months.

• “Female Wrestler of the Year”: Awesome Kong

• “Tag Team of the Year”: Beer Money Inc

• “Rookie of the Year”: Evan Bourne

More?...Click here.

source: northwestgeorgia.com

Evan Bourne injured; out four months

Bill Behrens is reporting that Evan Bourne tore ligaments in his ankle during the six-man tag match that aired during last night's ECW on Sci-Fi. He has been advised to rest up and keep weight off the ankle. Although doctors told him he could miss up to four months. he is hoping to make a faster recovery and may work through the injury.

Bad break for Evan as he was on a major push.

Wrestling’s next big thing is on ECW

There’s no denying that Evan Bourne is on the verge of becoming a breakout star on ECW. However, the guy who I believe is eventually going to end up becoming a world champion on Raw or Smackdown is Jack Swagger...More?

source: baltimoresun.com

Bourne Statement

Evan Bourne, Mark Henry and Finlay all made their case for why they should get the WWE Universe's vote to face ECW Champion Matt Hardy at Cyber Sunday ... but Bourne's was loudest...More?