Randy Orton's WWE Championship Side Plates

Posted below is a photo of Randy Orton's new WWE Championship side plates. They contain the RKO snake logo that is currently on his t-shirts. 

Rey Mysterio Set to Make WWE Return Friday Night

The Facebook page for the Save Mart Center in Fresno, CA mentioned that Rey Mysterio has been added to this Friday's live event at the arena. Here is an excerpt from their page: 

"The WWE Returns to Fresno with one huge night of Live Event action. See over 20 of your favorite WWE Superstars including: 

The World’s Strongest Man Mark Henry, The Shield, The High Flying Sin Cara, The Primetime Players, Jack Swagger, Kofi Kingston, Fandango, the Wyatt Family in Fresno for the first time ever, live! 

Also see E's Total Divas Stars Natalya and Brie Bella 

JUST ADDED Rey Mysterio" 

As you can tell, there is currently no indication on whether he will be in action or just simply making a special appearance. 

JOHN CENA’S DOCTOR COMMENTS ON HIS UPCOMING SURGERY

WWE’s Dr. Michael Sampson spoke to WWE.com after RAW about the extent of John Cena’s injuries.

Sampson revealed that Cena has been dealing with a large left elbow bursitis, and an MRI revealed a partial triceps tear.

“John has been dealing with a large left elbow bursitis,” Sampson told WWE.com. “We did an MRI which showed a partial triceps tear. Being the warrior that he is, he did not want to have surgery [forcing him to cancel his SummerSlam match].”

“After SummerSlam, John agreed with us to have surgery this week with WWE’s Dr. James Andrews. He will begin physical therapy after that.”

As noted earlier, Cena is expected to be out of action for four to six months.



Following Monday’s RAW, John Cena tweeted:

“I leave. Los Matadores arrive…..I say….even trade. Enjoy @WWEUniverse @TMZ @ESPN @SportsCenter”

Rob Van Dam Explains Why SummerSlam Is So Important

Rob Vam Dam discussed what his WWE return has been like so far, during an interview with Marvel.com. 

"It's awesome," RVD admitted. "I predicted that this return to WWE might be the most impactful part of my entire career. It has a lot to do with timing, and a lot to do with being RVD because I have so many years of experience. But it's all positive. All the time I've spent. There's no downside. I don't have that a.g.e. factor that seems to affect a lot of other people. Honestly, my body feels as good as it ever did. Sometimes my back bothers a little bit, but it bothered me even more when I was 23. Sometimes my knee bothers me a little bit. It bothered me even more when I was 30. I feel great. And obviously it shows when I'm in the ring. And the fan response has been off the hook. And, by the way, my position in the company, considering the other wrestlers that are there, versus the wrestlers that were there before, again, works in my favor because all the other guys that were ahead of me that were getting all the attention, all the TV time, well they've dropped off, they're outta the scene; a good time to be the whole damn show." 

RVD also talked about SummerSlam's energy and what gets fans excited. 

"Well a lot of it has to do with the amount of promotion put into it. I mean everybody knows that WrestleMania is compared to the Super Bowl of wrestling. They do a pay-per-view every month, and a lot of them don’t get so much attention. But they’re all getting bigger and bigger. They’re all growing every year as the fan base grows. SummerSlam is like the big party of the summer, and everybody looks forward to that now, just like they look forward to WrestleMania."

Plans for HHH and Stephanie McMahon turning heel at SummerSlam

It was earlier reported that the WWE  are looking to incorporate a McMahon family feud to headline Wrestlemania and that the proceedings leading up to the issue will begin at SummerSlam.

The apparent plan for SummerSlam was to turn Triple H and Stephanie McMahon heel. However, word is out that the plans may have taken a diversion.

Triple H and Mr McMahon have been at loggerheads over various issues leading up to SummerSlam. Triple H put himself as the special guest referee in John Cena‘s match against Daniel Bryan only because he did not want Brad Maddox, a Mr McMahon henchman to officiate the match.

As of what is understood, Mr McMahon favours John Cena on retaining the title and has made Daniel Bryan’s life miserable on RAW. Triple H on the other hand has been very vocal about his support for Bryan. The entire feud is going to boil down in the main event at SummerSlam and it is certainly something one simply cannot miss.

JR's Summer Slam predictions

WWE SummerSlam PPV Kickoff ShowWWE United States Championship-Dean Ambrose vs. Rob Van Dam 

Helluva deal for all fans being able to see the US Title bout for FREE during the pre game show featuring Dean Ambrose vs. RVD. This bout will get first crack at a fresh,  packed house and should set the stage nicely for the rest of the show. 

World Heavyweight Title Match-Christian vs. Alberto Del Rio 

Enjoyed the timely, video career retrospective of Christian. He's a very unassuming asset within WWE and arguably one of the more talented in ring performers on the entire roster. No company can have too many skilled, professionals like Christian in their locker rooms. When we signed him out of the Toronto area I had no idea that his career would last as long as it has. He's an overachiever, a life long fan, and has never caused one minute of consternation within the company. A pro's pro who I see as a future WWE HOFer likely inducted by Adam Copeland aka Edge. I think that ADR retains at Summer Slam vs. Christian in what is actually positioned to be able to impact Summer Slam very positively as many aren't  talking too much about the World Title Bout. Watch these two pros turn heads in the Staples Center.    

Ring of Fire Match-Kane vs. Bray Wyatt 

Big opportunity for Bray Wyatt to really turn it on Sunday vs. Kane. It's truly 'game day' for the third generation athlete.  

WWE Title Match with Special Guest Referee Triple H, Daniel Bryan vs. John Cena

Adding HHH as the special referee to the John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan WWE Title bout is an intriguing 'wrinkle.'  This development adds a provocative element to the already anticipated bout that is now even more unpredictable. There are several moving parts at play in this bout that I can't begin to intelligently analyze. (Make your own joke on that one.) I've thought for a while that Daniel Bryan will win the WWE title at Summer Slam but now I'm not as convinced. However, I'll dance with who 'brung' me. In non Okie talk, that means that I'm sticking with my original thought...Bryan wins. Where MITB winner Randy Orton, Referee HHH, the McMahon Family, injuries, etc fit on this ride is anyone's guess. I'm curious as to all these potential scenarios that I'll get to watch live inside the Staples Center from the 2K Sports suite.            

The Best vs. The Beast-CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar

Thought the ending to RAW with CM Punk getting the upper hand on BROCK LESNAR (in Happy Heyman's voice) and the Meyer Lansky of the WWE himself was compelling. I Tweeted a few days ago @JRsBBQ that I felt like this bout would be the most physical, one on one match in the WWE thus far this year. I am anxious to see how this match is competed stylistically. I'm still of the belief that it could end in a submission or a stoppage. I'm a Lesnar lean on this main event bout.    

DOLPH ZIGGLER INTERVIEW

WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler spoke to IGN.com this week to hype Sunday’s SummerSlam pay-per-view. Here are some highlights of what he said about:

If He Is Still A Heel: 

”Hilariously, the hottest question going in all my interviews as of late is whether or not I’m going to change it. It’s too funny. I think – and because it’s Twitter, which I also love to talk about – that in this day and age is that the reason I put ‘heel’ in there is to let everyone know that I’m a jerk. So they get it. And so if they’re going to start getting behind it like they have been, slowly, for about two years now, let ‘em. I’m still going to be a heel. I’m still going to be me. I’m not going to be one of those guys who changes and all of a sudden I’m shaking hands and kissing babies. I’m going to go out there and be the jerk that I am, but be entertaining while I do it. So I’m staying heel. As far as I know.”

What It Would Be Like To Wrestle AJ Lee: 

”It would be incredible. If this was a different day and age where the Divas were allowed to step into the ring with the Superstars. Man, I would find a way to make that so entertaining one way or another. I bet it would even wind up being people’s favorite match of the show. You know, in that category. But it is the time we live in now, so it’s not happening like that. But we do have a lot of animosity for each other so at least I can try and take it out on Big E. Even though he’s so strong and anything I do to anybody usually has little to no effect. Oh man, but me vs. AJ. That’s…and then Kaitlyn goes to spear her but she moves out of the way and I get speared. That would be so great. Anyway, I think me being able to take out some measure of revenge on Big E. and Kaitlyn to be able to get back at AJ – somehow, the four of us all want a piece of the other one. And at least it puts us on this awesome card on this awesome show. As a part of the “Biggest Part of the Summer,” in LA, in front of a sold out Staples Center. And people coming from all over the world to check it out. I’m excited just to be on this loaded card and be able to have a match.”

If the World Heavyweight Title Is Like What The Intercontinental Title Was Decades Ago: 

”You know what, I can see that. I can see that argument. The thing is, in the WWE, we have the WWE title, the World title, the United States title, the Intercontinental title, the Divas title, the Tag Team titles. And I feel like, in this business, when Mr. Perfect had that Intercontinental title, that was the belt we saw as the stepping stone to becoming “the man.” The franchise of the WWE. I think in this day and age, I see the United States title as the steeping stone to the World title. And you see the World title is just – just – a notch below saying “This guy, he’s going to have a chance to be WWE Champion. And be the face of the company.” That’s how I see it. That might not be exactly the way it goes, but it is a little bit of a “workhorse” championship title. But I pride myself on being a workhorse. And I pride myself on being able to go out there with anybody, and if we’re given 30 minutes, it’ll be the best 30 minutes you saw. Having that title around my waist, two times now, with zero positive defenses, literally keeps me awake at night. I literally do not sleep because of that. Two times now. Zero defenses.”