wrestling The Big Wrestling Thread!

[timster]

Vince, Steph, Paul, Baby ... i also think that's Tim White (ex-referee) standing next to Vince

[Rappy Veteran]

is that referee Tim White in the background?

[TheElite]

LOL. I think it is (and the poster noted it as well).

[Rappy Veteran]

First Inductee into the HOF 2011 is....

[Rappy Veteran]

Arn Anderson, Lex Luger, Ron Simmons, Dean Malenko, Madusa and The Honky Tonk Man have all been talked about for this year's WWE Hall of Fame in Atlanta, GA. It should be noted that HTM turned down a HOF offer last year because he had a prior commitment that paid better according to him.

According to another source, Vince McMahon wants to induct former WCW rival Ted Turner but many feel Turner won't accept the offer.

WWE officials are also planning to make a push for Sting to join the WWE Hall of Fame but many expect him to sign with TNA for another year.

Goldberg's name has also come up for a HOF induction and possible WrestleMania match but talks have failed thus far.

[Valerus]

Ron Simmons! Damn!

[Rappy Veteran]

Joey Styles posted the following on his Twitter today?

This year, there will be 40 participants in the Royal Rumble Match instead of 30. It will be the biggest Royal Rumble Match in history!

UPDATE: WWE.com has confirmed that, "an unprecedented 40 Superstars will have the ultimate opportunity to realize their dream of performing in the World Championship main event match on this now aggrandized stage for the most brilliant competitors."

[Rappy Veteran]

Regarding WWE and The Undertaker, Lesnar said: "The other fellas that wanted to come, like Stone Cold and The Rock, and Goldberg, those guys had all said, 'I'm coming to watch you, good luck.'", Lesnar said. "This guy (Undertaker) shows up every time I seem to lose (laughs) so he's like my black cloud. And we've got some history. I've worked with him, but I don't really care for him."

[timster]

The Wrestling Observer is reporting that barring any major set backs, The Undertaker is very likely to work this year's WrestleMania 27 PPV and Vince McMahon currently has Undertaker vs Wade Barrett penciled in for the show's main event.

[timster]

We received the following email from a WrestleZone reader who wished to remain anonymous:

"I have a friend who works in the airline industry and he confirmed to me today that Kevin Nash is booked on a Saturday flight from Atlanta to Boston. Could he be a surprise entrant or just visiting friends?"

While we normally wouldn't post a submission like this due to the lack of evidence involved, we did a little digging and now have further information that supports the possibility of Kevin Nash being a surprise entrant into the Royal Rumble.

First, recent reports have all but confirmed that Nash would be heading back to TNA. The plan was for him to get involved in Kurt Angle's fight against Immortal (along with Scott Steiner, Sting, and Bobby Lashley - the latter two of which have been rumored to return as well). However, we have heard through multiple TNA employees that Nash is now backing out of his deal with TNA. It hasn't been said that the reason is due to a potential return to WWE, but we can definitely confirm that Kevin Nash will NOT be returning to TNA anytime soon.

None of this confirms that Kevin Nash will be returning to the WWE at the Royal Rumble or any time in the future necessarily, but it's been no secret to anyone that knows Nash that he would like to end his wrestling career in the WWE.

With no ties to someone else (TNA), his friend Shawn Michaels being inducted into the Hall of Fame this year, and the aforementioned coincidences adding up, the timing couldn't be better for Big Sexy to make his return up North.

Kevin Nash was last seen on WWE television on August 24th, 2003. He competed in an Elimination Chamber match for the World Heavyweight Championship against Triple H (defending Champion), Chris Jericho, Goldberg, Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels. Nash was the first to be eliminated and Triple H ended up retaining his title.

We'll keep you up-to-date with any more on this situation as it develops. Don't forget to read our recent story that leads many to speculate Booker T could possibly be returning at the Royal Rumble as well this year

--------

With other websites now confirming my exclusive story from earlier regarding Kevin Nash being a surprise entry into the Royal Rumble, WrestleZone.com can now follow up with more information on the situation.

Kevin Nash IS confirmed to return to the WWE tomorrow night as a surprise entrant into the Royal Rumble. Additionally, according to one source close to Nash, he has died his hair jet black again which is leading to speculation that he may be using his "Diesel" gimmick again. However, that is not confirmed at this point.

Furthermore, sources within TNA told us today that Kevin Nash did in fact sign a new contract to return to their company earlier this month, but he backed out of the deal as recently as this past week. Some sites are reporting that Nash reneged on the deal due to his belief that TNA office members leaked the story to the media and Nash was unhappy about it. Others are saying it was simply because WWE finally made him any offer.

We have not confirmed at this point whether Kevin Nash's appearance at the Rumble is a one-shot deal or whether this is the start of a long-term agreement between both parties.

Either way, expect Kevin Nash (ala Diesel potentially) to return to the WWE tomorrow night on pay per view. That is, unless Vince McMahon nixes these plans simply because the "dirt sheets" spoiled the surprise.

We recently reported that along with Kevin Nash, Booker T was rumored for this year's Royal Rumble as well. WrestleZone.com can now confirm plans for former WWE and TNA superstar, Booker T, to be another surprise entry into the Rumble. Booker recently cleared bookings he had scheduled this weekend which just added to the speculation that he was WWE bound. We now know that the scheduled plan is for Booker to be another one of the surprise entrants into the Rumble.

If Booker T and Kevin Nash are both in the Royal Rumble tomorrow night, that takes the final count to 36 filled slots out of the 40 available. Triple H is the superstar with the most speculation surrounding his inevitable return to WWE television, but that has yet to be confirmed at this point.

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PWInsider.com is reporting that former WWE and TNA star Booker T has canceled his booked appearances for this weekend. This invites speculation that he might be a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble Match this Sunday night, and according to reports Booker has indeed been in talks with WWE about a potential return to the company.

Former WWE and WCW star Diamond Dallas Page has noted the following on Twitter: "IT's Official! I will Host "The BEST OF NITRO"! This a Great thing for the WCW/NWO/WWE fans! Plus a Great way for DDP to return to the WWE!"

[Rappy Veteran]

Former WWE champion 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin is to return to the company in order to host the new series of wrestling reality show Tough Enough.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Austin has signed on to host the series, which will air later this year following Monday Night Raw.

The original series of Tough Enough aired between 2001 and 2004, and followed a group of hopefuls all competing for the chance to win a wrestling contract with the company.

Austin will fill the role of host and head trainer originally held by Al Snow during the show's first three seasons.

Tough Enough is set to return on April 4.

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a300973/steve-austin-to-host-new-tough-enough.html

[timster]

http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/ustv/news/a300973/steve-austin-to-host-new-tough-enough.html

wwe.com has it up too

http://www.wwe.com/inside/news/austinhoststoughenough

[Rappy Veteran]

Contrary to Brock Lesnar's public dismissal last week of the long-standing rumor that he was interested in participating in this year's WrestleMania event, the latest issue of Power Slam reports that according to multiple sources, he did attempt to persuade UFC officials to allow him to work a storyline with World Wrestling Entertainment that would culminate at the annual wrestling supershow.

The proposed deal stems from his mini-confrontation with The Undertaker following UFC 121 on October 23.

According to the magazine, Lesnar had agreed in principle to a three-appearance deal with WWE: he would have appeared on two episodes of Monday Night Raw in the weeks leading up to WrestleMania XXVI, culminating with a final appearance at the April 3 pay-per-view extravaganza in Atlanta, Georgia.

WWE officials are willing to pay Lesnar a seven-figure sum for the three appearances. However, the deal would require approval from UFC because Lesnar is under contract to the mixed martial arts organization.

[timster]

Booker T entered at number 21 and did his trademark stuff (Spinerooni, etc) before being eliminated by Mason Ryan

Kevin Nash (Diesel) is in at number 32 and eliminated by Wade Barrett. not much of a fun time with Nash as he wasn't able to hit any moves

[timster]

and Alberto Del Rio wins the 2011 Royal Rumble. damn, someone's really gotta love this guy to put him over like that

[Valerus]

who?

[Rappy Veteran]

Booker T entered at number 21 and did his trademark stuff (Spinerooni, etc) before being eliminated by Mason Ryan

Kevin Nash (Diesel) is in at number 32 and eliminated by Wade Barrett. not much of a fun time with Nash as he wasn't able to hit any moves

That was the highlight of the Rumble to be honest, the rest was rather ######

and Alberto Del Rio wins the 2011 Royal Rumble. damn, someone's really gotta love this guy to put him over like that

yeah awful awful push, for once I was hoping Santino would win

[Fluxii Media]

John Morrisons leap onto the safety barricade and eventually getting back into the ring was pretty awesome too Rappy! And don't forget... The Miz is still your wwe champ (and awesome!)

[Rappy Veteran]

please be sting!

[Rappy Veteran]

According to sources within World Wrestling Entertainment, organization officials' top priority heading into 2011 was signing multi-time champion Steve Borden (a/k/a Sting) to a contract.

Borden has not agreed to a new deal contract with TNA Wrestling. Internally, the majority feeling within the Nashville based organization is that he is bound for World Wrestling Entertainment.

As noted earlier, the New York Daily news reported today that Sting had signed a one-year deal with WWE. That is NOT confirmed though.

[TDT]

While the video has been removed, the Savemart Center in Fresno, California looks to have spoiled the 2.21.11 in their local advertising. The video included the following line?

"Plus, on this night in Fresno...The Deadman, The Undertaker returns."

Local advertising on the venue's website also lists "The Return of The Undertaker."

Ooops!

[Rappy Veteran]

I think if they secure Sting they will change the video to being about Sting because it could suit both easily

[TDT]

I think if they secure Sting they will change the video to being about Sting because it could suit both easily

True. But I doubt they would do a video for Taker, he's still in recovery and everyone is praying he'll be fit for Wrestlemania. So it has to be Sting, or maybe someone else. If it is Sting, then well done WWE. I watched Royal Rumble and Booker T and Diesel's entrances really made the show. It was a fantastic feeling, I didn't see these guys since their early WCW days. Yeah, Diesel was Kevin Nash in NWO back then, and Booker was in Harlem Heat. Goosebumps. :D

[Rappy Veteran]

Booker to his place at the SD commentating team tonight! :(

[Rappy Veteran]

Here is the updated WWE Elimination Chamber card:

* SmackDown! Elimination Chamber World Title Match: Edge ? vs. Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane vs. Drew McIntyre vs. Wade Barrett vs. Rey Mysterio

* RAW Elimination Chamber #1 Contender's Match: Randy Orton vs. CM Punk vs. John Morrison vs. R-Truth vs. Sheamus vs. John Cena

* WWE Title Match: The Miz ? vs. Jerry Lawler