WWE NXT Celebrating 100th Episode This Month

The 100th episode of WWE NXT will be taped on 1/17 to air the following day. The show debuted on February 23, 2010 on Syfy and ended on the network on September 28, 2010. The show was officially moved to WWE.com during the third season on Octber 5, 2010.

Rick Santorum and WWE

Republican Rick Santorum, who won the Iowa Caucuses this week, once worked as a lawyer for WWE and has been described as a former lobbyist for WWE in media reports this week.

This Day in Wrestling History

Shane Douglas returns to ECW at the ECW Arena in Philly and makes several harsh comments about his time in the WWF(E).
January 5, 1996

WWE NXT Results 01/04/12

Stephanie McMahon Comments on the Future of the WWE

During an interview with Heavy Muscle Radio, Stephanie McMahon was asked if she, Paul and Shane were the future of the WWE and would they take over for Vince. Stephanie said ultimately that is the goal but they have to prove themselves and they have a lot to learn. She also stated that Vince would never retire.

She seemed to only refer to Paul and herself with her answer since Shane no longer works for the WWE.

ROH Announces Chris Hero's Official Return

Ring of Honor announced Wednesday night that Chris Hero has signed and "is officially confirmed" for ROH's return to Philadelphia on January 20. Hero, who made a surprise return at ROH's "Final Battle 2011" Internet PPV on December 23, reportedly had a WWE offer taken off the table late last year.

source: pwtorch.com

CM Punk to Escort Chael Sonnen at UFC on FOX 2

MMAfighting.com is reporting that current WWE Champion CM Punk will be escorting UFC fighter Chael Sonnen to the octagon during UFC on FOX 2 in Chicago, IL at the United Center. Punk and Sonnen would not confirm the story when contact as this was according to sources close to Sonnen's camp.

"According to the same sources, Punk will not corner Sonnen during the fight. He will simply walk Sonnen to the cage, much like former WWE champion Batista did with Manny Pacquaio prior to "Pac Man's" May 2009 bout against Ricky Hatton."

Word is that it's something Punk and Sonnen put together themselves - not a deal between WWE and UFC.

partial source: allwrestling.com

TNA Signs Multi-Year Television Deal in Africa

This Day in Wrestling History

Frank Gotch defeats George Lurich and again announces his retirement. Immediately several people claim the world championship. An alleged title match takes place between Henry Ordemann and Jess Westegaard for the title. Dr. Benjamin F. Roller claims to be the champion. Frank Gotch opens up a car dealership in Humboldt, IA with Albert Wittman and P. F. Saul.
January 4, 1913

Shotgun Saturday Night debuts from the Mirage Nightclub in New York
January 4, 1997

Mankind (Mick Foley) defeateds The Rock to win the WWF(E) World Title at a RAW is WAR taping in Worcester, Massachusetts. The show would air on the following Monday. That night Tony Schiavone would reveal the result during WCW Monday Nitro, airing live that night, noting that Mankind as champion "ought to put a lot of butts in the seats." Schiavone would later claim Eric Bischoff fed him that line to say.
January 4, 1999

Hulk Hogan defeats Kevin Nash for the WCW Championship via poking him with his finger. This incident lead to the rebirth of the nWo.
January 4, 1999

TNA iMPACT! moved to Monday nights to compete against WWE Raw. That night, Hulk Hogan made his debut with TNA, while Bret Hart made his WWE return. Four months later, iMPACT! moved back to Thursday nights. They were not able to compete against Raw in the ratings.
January 4, 2010

Rumor Mill - Backstage Heat on Evan Bourne for "Throwing One of the Boys Under the Bus"

Wrestlingnewsworld.com is reporting that there is nuclear backstage heat on Evan Bourne in WWE over “ratting out” R-Truth for smoking Spice with him at a party they were both attending. Bourne was caught and suspended but R-Truth’s suspended was delayed. Many assumed this was due to the fact that Truth was booked with The Miz to face The Rock & John Cena at Survivor Series on November 20, 2011. Bourne was suspended on November 1, 2011 and Truth’s suspension wasn’t announced until November 22, 2011.

WNW claims that Triple H confronted Bourne backstage at a recent Raw Supershow (believed to be 12/19). Apparently Hunter, along with others, “chewed him out” for ratting out R-Truth.

Bourne is considered a locker room outcast right now because he threw one of the boys under the bus for no reason. There is zero heat on R-Truth, with all of it on Bourne. Last week, Vince McMahon met with Evan Bourne about it. It is not believed that Bourne is in jeopardy of being fired but he’s been chewed out by several people.

Rumor Mill - Current TNA Star Eyeing a Comeback to WWE?

Regarding the online rumor of Rob Van Dam returning to WWE, Power Slam confirms in their latest issue that RVD is seriously considering returning to the organization once his contract with TNA Wrestling expires. The magazine adds that the feeling is mutual as people in WWE want the master of the Five-Star Frog Splash back.

“RVD from what we’re told would receive a warm welcome in WWE,” the magazine says.

Providing that no contract extension has been reached since his arrival to TNA Wrestling in March 2010, it would appear that Van Dam will be a free agent in the near future. It was reported in 2010 that RVD had signed a two-year contract with TNA.

During his hiatus from full-time wrestling, Van Dam said he would consider returning to WWE if and when he felt ready.

“One thing that’s for sure is that WWE and I do have a good-faith understanding that if and when I’m ready to return that I’ll be talking to them. They look forward and hope that we’ll be doing business again,” he told the Baltimore Sun during an interview.

Yuck...

Interview with Stephanie McMahon on Heavy Muscle Radio

The WWE's very own Stephanie McMahon joins her trainer Dave Palumbo on Heavy Muscle Radio! How is it like living in the spotlight of the WWE, as well as being a Mother of 3, and a hard training fitness enthusiast? It's not as easy as it seems, and Stephanie knows it's a fine balancing act. Listen to this revealing interview, exclusively on Heavy Muscle Radio.