Wrestling

Former Divas Champion Alicia Fox was joined by WWE Superstar Hornswoggle and The Office star Leslie David Baker at a Be a STAR anti-bullying rally in Chicago, IL. Alicia told the WWE cameras that she took part in the rally because she had experienced bullying as a child and wants to spread a message of celebrating each other’s differences. Watch the full video below: What would you like to see the WWE do with its “Be a STAR” initiative?

By Bryan Alvarez | bryan@wrestlingobserver.com | @bryanalvarez We're looking for your thoughts on Sunday night's WWE Payback and Saturday night's UFC 161, so you can leave a thumbs up, thumbs down or thumbs in the middle along with a best and worst match to dave@wrestlingobserver.com Smackdown and Main Event will be taped Tuesday night in Dayton. We've got a new issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter up on the site today, as well as our back issue this week, which is the 1996 WrestleMania issue. Our lead story this week looks at the latest news stories as well as what came out in them which is new covering the 1983 case involving the death of girlfriend of Jimmy Snuka as well as a look back at the career of Snuka. It's a story that has been covered before, but was front page news in two newspapers this past week and got tremendous response. We look back at the career of Snuka, his run in the WWF, who Nancy Argentino was, family reaction, Snuka's story, new information revealed, where mistakes were made in the handling of the case, how different things were 30 years ago and the reaction this got at the time, and Snuka's post-WWF run career. We also have a story covering this year's Best of the Super Juniors tournament, including trivia notes, what was unique about this year's show, how the final changed from original plans, more on New Japan's next PPV show, plus full coverage of the final night of the round-robin tournament and the final four night. We also have a history of all the previous finals. We also have more on the reaction to the lower Raw ratings, update on Payback, changes in the TV show and why, and an update on WWE injuries to some of the biggest names in the company. We also look at new executives coming into WWE, notes on Dwayne Johnson's movies, John Cena reality show notes, a look at WWE's last training camp and what has been noted about the new class. We also look at Daniel Bryan and Dean Ambrose talking about their current situation, Lanny Poffo talks Randy Savage and the WWE Hall of Fame, more notes on new WWE signees, notes on recent Intercontinental champions, if the IC title and U.S. titles are effective in elevating talent, plus business notes from WWE over the past week and house show highlights. We look more at Bellator's move to Friday nights, the history of MMA shows on Fridays, Bellator's average on Friday vs. Saturday in the past, why the move was made, Bellator's Summer plans and notes on the new Bellator reality show. We also have full coverage of UFC's weekend show from Brazil, with the record night of submissions, the future of Fabricio Werdum, notes on the ratings, funny challenges and match-by-match coverage. We also look at the April and May ratings for WWE and TNA and compare them from how they were doing, including what have been the changes year-over-year in wrestling and what, in particular, has changed, consistent with every major wrestling television show. Is WWE or TNA doing better than they were a year ago. The Wrestling Observer ranges weekly from 35,000 to 50,000 words covering pro wrestling and MMA internationally. Each issue has coverage and analysis of all the major news, plus every issue breaks major news stories before the Internet sties and has the most complete look at the pro wrestling and MMA business anywhere, plus history pieces available nowhere else. The Observer is now in its 29th year of being the leading insider pro wrestling publication in the world. The biggest and most influential names in the pro wrestling and MMA industry, from bookers to promoters to Hall of Fame wrestlers and fighters to the biggest names on camera and behind the scenes, along with thousands of readers in all 50 states and more than 30 countries subscribe. Many have subscribed for 20 years or longer consecutively. They get the most detailed and i

King Mo Returns to MMA TNA and Bellator MMA star returns to the ring this week, when he takes on 33-year-old light heavyweight fighter Seth Petruzelli. The fight goes down this Wednesday night at Bellator 96, only on Spike TV. TNA Executive Leaves Company TNA Executive and former head of marketing, Mike Weber has reportedly been released from his contract at TNA Wrestling.

Mark Henry - One Step Up Was it predictable? Yes, by some, not by others. That's not the point. Those of you bragging about predicting Henry's attack on Cena need to get a life. What made Mark Henry's "retirement" speech last night on Raw so great was the irony of it all. His character was spewing B.S. about retiring to get one over on Cena and the rest of the world, but those tears -- those tears were very real. I can't imagine Henry expected the type of response he received from the live crowd. It was surreal, and I even found myself chanting right along with the Grand Rapids fans. The story of Henry challenging for the one major title that has escaped his nearly-two-decade career is an easy one to tell. It's believable. Even the idea of Henry actually beating John Cena for said title isn't too unbelievable in and of itself. One last run before his "real" retirement. Mark Henry is already a considerable step up and better replacement to challenge Cena than Ryback. Ryback never had a fair shot and fans couldn't invest in his abrupt change of character. Henry, for at least two years now, has been at the highest level of his career. He's a great entertainer, a believable act, and simply, he's a beast. Last night was a great first step toward a program I expect to be very good. Even Cena's promo last night was fired up and better than normal. Will Mark Henry's final run include a first (and last) WWE Championship title reign? I wouldn't be surprised either way, but personally, I think it should. Let him win it, not out of some sense of debt toward his career or even respect, but because he deserves it. His character deserves it. Then, let him give back to the business on his way out by putting over another in need. Take your pick of who that should be, but my first choice would be Daniel Bryan. Rob Van Dam - One Step Blah I might be in the minority here, but I have very little interest -- say about 10% or less -- in a Rob Van Dam return. I haven't ever minded being in the minority though. Much like Jeff Hardy, I understand the appeal of a guy like Rob. Whether it's the ECW loyalists who got to witness RVD when he actually "cared" and it showed, or the ones who became fans somehow during his WWE and/or TNA runs. I can't say RVD ever grabbed me as a wrestler in any situation. Don't get me wrong, I like him as a person. He's cool, funny, and would be one helluva party friend, but as a sports entertainer, I'm out. The idea of RVD is what I do like, however. An occasional high-flyer, a mixed martial arts type, an unorthodox bad-ass. I always loved me some Jean-Claude Van Damme movies, so you would think I'd be jumping all over the RVD bandwagon. But producers and camera tricks got to hide Van Damme's weaknesses. Pro wrestling production isn't quite that good. What's worse is that RVD has the skill set and all the tools to be exactly what I always envisioned. But he doesn't seem to want it enough to try anymore. RVD has simply gone through the motions for the majority of his career and I don't see this particular return changing that fact. I hope I'm wrong. CM Punk vs Brock Lesnar - One Step Up A perfect ending to a very good edition of Raw last night. Punk vs Lesnar was inevitable, but I didn't expect itto happen quite this soon. Quick aside: How about all the face/heel turns last night? Del Rio, Ziggler, Punk...it's hard to assume the crazy low ratings don't have something to do with Vince shaking things up a bit. I always expected Punk's heel turn to be temporary. Fans want to cheer him too much. And understandably so -- he's incredible. Brock is a one-of-a-kind guy in WWE right now. Wins and losses truly don't matter for him. I can't say that for most. Paul Heyman is the real key here. His invo

ImpactWrestling.com has issued the following preview for this week: Preview Thursday's special "OPEN FIGHT NIGHT" edition of IMPACT WRESTLING on SpikeTV at 9/8c LIVE from Peoria, Illinois at the Peoria Civic Center! The annual Bound For Glory Series officially kicks off on SpikeTV! Remember - if you can't watch it Thursday, make sure to set your DVR - Thursday's IMPACT will feature the official start of the annual Bound For Glory Series - and ALL 12 participants will be in action on the huge broadcast! Based on fan votes at our website, either Jeff Hardy or Bobby Roode will get the first call-out to kick off the BFG Series! On Thursday, the annual competition begins, with one lucky superstar eventually winning a shot at the World Heavyweight Championship! - "The Icon" Sting shocked the wrestling world by announcing he was forming a new MAIN EVENT MAFIA in TNA! Will Sting reveal more about his plans this Thursday to reform one of the most dominant groups in TNA history? Who will be the members of Sting's Main Event Mafia? Don't miss more from Sting on IMPACT! - TNA Knockouts executive Brooke Hogan will give a "State Of The Knockouts Division" address on Thursday night! What does Brooke have planned for the ladies of TNA? - Plus, Thursday's OPEN FIGHT NIGHT edition of IMPACT will feature more of your favorite superstars, including Hulk Hogan, World Heavyweight Champion Bully Ray and the Aces and Eights, Kurt Angle, World Tag Team Champions "Cowboy" James Storm and Gunner, X Division Champion Chris Sabin, AJ Styles and many more!

JR Reveals Cover Art for Mid-South DVD Jim Ross has posted the following on Twitter: Here's the cover got the "Legends of Mid South Wrestling" DVD. MORE @ http://t.co/m2kl4mzhGy pic.twitter.com/faGhBM0Kab — Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) June 18, 2013 WWE & Fruity Pebbles Partnership to Continue The following press release has been issued: Post® Fruity Pebbles™ Connects Fans With WWE® Champion John Cena® Cereal Features WWE Superstar in TV Commercials, Mobile App, and Toy Giveaway By Post Foods, LLC and WWE PARSIPPANY, N.J. AND STAMFORD, CONN., JUNE 18, 2013 — /PRNewswire/ -- WWE Superstar John Cena can add another notch to his WWE Championship title, this time knocking Fred Flintstone® out of the ring, off of the box, and out of TV commercials. Post Fruity Pebbles is expanding its existing partnership with WWE and Cena, through the launch of two new TV commercials, a photo app, and an on-pack giveaway. Previously, John Cena appeared as a "Pebble-ized" character on special boxes of Fruity and Cocoa Pebbles, and now he's back for more. To view the multimedia assets associated with this release, please click:http://www.multivu.com/mnr/62161-post-fruity-pebbles-connects-fans-with-wwe-champion-john-cena "We're thrilled to be expanding our partnership with John Cena beyond the cereal box and connecting him with fans both on TV and at play," said Sharon Pupel, Marketing Director at Post Foods. "We hope kids enjoy virtually interacting with the 'champ' through the launch of the PebblesPics app and on-pack giveaway, and we want to make sure we continue to provide fans with fun and positive experiences, not only at the breakfast table, but throughout the day whenever and wherever they choose to play." "I am excited to continue to develop WWE's relationship with Post Fruity Pebbles," said Cena. "The ability to reach young WWE fans through the brand's commercials and new mobile app is a great opportunity." The TV campaign consists of two new spots, both of which are currently on air. The first TV spot features Cena enjoying a bowl of Fruity Pebbles to amp up his morning. In the second spot, Cena drives fans to a new interactive mobile app, PebblesPics, giving them the chance to virtually get in the ring with the record-breaking WWE Champion. PebblesPics, available today through iTunes and in the Google Play store, allows users to create a photo of themselves "posing" with Cena by superimposing an image of him alongside their own image, making it appear as though the user has actually been photographed standing with the WWE Superstar. Two photos of Cena are available upon download, and additional bonus images can be unlocked when the user scans their Pebbles cereal box via a QR code. Users also have the option to share the images with their friends across multiple platforms, including Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Additionally, fans can take Cena home - this time in action figure format. With the purchase of two boxes of Pebbles cereal, fans can receive two free Mattel® WWE® Rumblers® figures. For more information about Post Pebbles™ or to download the photo app, please visit Facebook.com/PebblesCereal or PebblesMania.com/app.

- ESPN Classics: Canada will be replaying Bret Hart’s post-Montreal Screwjob interview from 1997 tonight. - WWE has announced an expanded partnership between John Cena and Fruity Pebbles. They posted this commercial: - WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross revealed the cover art for WWE’s forthcoming “Legends of Mid-South Wrestling” DVD: Big Backstage News on Plans for WWE Tag Teams, Big Exclusive on RVD Feuds…

Here's the latest Bray Wyatt promo teasing his main roster re-debut that aired during last night's (June 17, 2013) episode of "Monday Night Raw" from Grand Rapids, Michigan. He's coming.

- The Chicago Tribune published a Q&A with CM Punk about his love for hockey. Punk mention having the Chicago Blackhawks logo on his trunks and boots for his match with Chris Jericho at Payback this past Sunday: “I knew I wanted to make the gear to support my team; that was the basis of it. The logo is actually a little bit of a cross between the Blackhawks logo and my logo. If you look really closely at the top of the two tomahawks, it’s a little fist with an ‘X’ on it.” - Monday’s RAW scored 323,847 in social activity, which was the highest score and first RAW Raw has hit 300k since the night after WrestleMania. RAW took the #1 spot on cable TV Monday night, edging out hit shows “Teen Wolf” on MTV and “Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta” on VH1, plus Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals according to Trendrr.TV. Big Rumor on a Daniel Bryan Feud, More Kaitlyn SLIP Pics, Revealing New AJ Lee Pics…