Below is the announced card for Sunday's WWE TLC pay-per-view:

Triple Threat TLC Match for the WWE Title
The Miz vs. Alberto Del Rio vs. CM Punk

Chairs Match for the World Heavyweight Title
Big Show vs. Mark Henry

Sledgehammer Ladder Match
Kevin Nash vs. Triple H

United States Title Match
Zack Ryder vs. Dolph Ziggler

Intercontinental Title Match
Booker T vs. Cody Rhodes

Tables Match

Labels: 2011 TLC, Alberto Del Rio, cm punk, mark henry, the big show

Posted by Matt Loede at 12:05 AM | Permalink | Comments

Here are some highlights of what Big Show recently spoke about during an interview CTPost.com:

Mark Henry: “He has really come into his own and stepped up his level of intensity. When you’re in the ring with him, you feel how powerful he is. I’m not embarrassed to say Mark is stronger than I am. “When I’m in the ring with someone who has a real potential to crush my spine, it increases my intensity level. Mark makes me push myself athletically.”

Dark Match Main Events at TV Tapings: “We do a great job putting out our TV product, but for fans in specific market areas, we like to give them something extra. It’s a reward for people for showing their support and coming out.”

His Career: “I’ve never been that kind of guy to talk about great matches or bad matches. What happened yesterday is what happened yesterday. I’ve worked with some of the biggest names in this business. And yeah, I’ve been around a long time and done a lot of cool things. But I just try to stay humble and keep working hard.”

“I enjoy what I do so much, but I don’t want to celebrate. If I keep my head down keep pushing, maybe nobody will notice I’ve been around so long.”

Labels: mark henry, the big show

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:19 PM | Permalink | Comments

According to WWE sources, Jerry Lawler was legitimately on RAW this week following Mark Henry's World’s Strongest Slam through the announcers table. The table reportedly did not break as planned and Lawler's back was said to be in "extreme pain" and he was taken to a local hospital via ambulance to be examined by Doctors. Jim Ross tweeted the following today: “Many asking about King. I’ll respect his privacy but don’t expect to see him in KC for Raw. Hope I’m wrong. He’s gonna be sore 4 days.”

Labels: jerry lawler, mark henry

Posted by Matt Loede at 12:22 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE is going with the idea that long-term booking works better and will be booking more angles ahead of time and going backwards.

WrestleMania 28 has been a hot topic for months now and the way they have been building up Mark Henry as of late has to do with a possible match with The Undertaker at WrestleMania next year. Some are against the idea with the feeling that Taker shouldn’t waste one of his remaining WrestleMania matches on a guy like Henry, but the match has been discussed.

Daniel Bryan cashing in Money in the Bank and John Cena vs. The Rock is also on tap for Miami next year. Another top match that has been discussed is Triple H vs. CM Punk.

Regarding Bryan cashing in at WrestleMania 28, one source doesn’t expect that storyline to last through the end of this year.

Labels: Daniel Bryan, john cena, mark henry, the rock, undertaker, wrestlemania 28

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:11 PM | Permalink | Comments

Beth Phoenix vs. Brie Bella for the WWE Divas Title, Mark Henry vs. Daniel Bryan and Sin Cara vs. Cody Rhodes are some of the new matches booked on upcoming WWE live events.

Labels: Daniel Bryan, mark henry

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:10 PM | Permalink | Comments

An odd situation happened after Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings in Des Moines, Iowa. After SmackDown ended, Mark Henry came out for a dark main event that was advertised to be Christian vs. Randy Orton. Henry entered the ring and just waited as no opponent ever came out. Henry waited for around five minutes before finally beginning to cut a promo to the crowd. Each time Henry would begin to speak, the microphones were cut.

Instead of getting a promo accomplished, Henry began to taunt some fans at ringside. After 15 minutes of this going on, ring announcer Tony Chimel announced that while fans waited for Mark Henry’s opponent, WWE thanks the fans for attending.

Henry’s music started playing for a few minutes before stopping. Hornswoggle’s music then hit but he never came out. After a few minutes of that, The Great Khali’s old theme music played but again, nobody came out. Khali’s music stopped and Vince McMahon’s music played but as expected, he didn’t come out either. After about 20 minutes since SmackDown ended, Henry got tired of waiting for an opponent and walked to the back. No word yet on what happened but it sounds like WWE was playing a big rib on Henry.

Labels: mark henry, the great khali

Posted by Matt Loede at 3:59 PM | Permalink | Comments

Following Monday’s RAW, one spot remains for Team Raw for the WWE Bragging Rights Tag Team Match at WWE Bragging Rights. The remaining spot was tabbed for Mark Henry, and may still be, but he missed the show because his brother is in a coma after suffering a stroke last week.

Labels: 2010 Bragging Rights, mark henry

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:41 PM | Permalink | Comments

Michael Cole noted on commentary during last night’s RAW that Mark Henry could not be on hand for the event because he was tending to personal matters. According to kbtx.com, the RAW Superstar’s older brother, Patrick “Shorty” Henry, is fighting for his life after suffering a stroke on Oct. 3. He has been in a medically induced coma in the intensive care unit at the College Station Medical Center in College Station, Texas since. Henry also had two brain surgeries to stop bleeding.

Friends and family are taking turns talking to “Shorty,” waiting for him to wake up.

“Keep your prayers coming. God works miracles,” says Jennifer McGrath, Patrick’s wife. “We have faith and we need him back. His babies need him.”

Labels: mark henry

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:23 PM | Permalink | Comments

Below is the content listing for WWE’s upcoming three-disc DVD set titled “Satan’s Playground: The Elimination Chamber Anthology.” The set comes out on July 13th.

It’s worth noting that the Elimination Chamber match at New Year’s Revolution 2005, won by Triple H, also featured Chris Benoit. The content listing doesn’t mention Benoit by name and the DVD will likely only feature parts of the match.

Disc 1:

The Chamber is born.

Survivor Series 2002
Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Rob Van Dam, Chris Jericho, Kane and Booker T

What makes the Chamber unique.

Summerslam 2003
Triple H, Goldberg, Chris Jericho, Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels and Randy Orton

The King of Kings is King of the Chamber.

New Year’s Revolution 2005
Triple H wins his third chamber in a row

Edge takes advantage.

New Years Revolution 2006
John Cena, Kurt Angle, Carlito, Kane, Chris Masters and Shawn Michaels

ECW takes center stage.

December to Dismember 2006
Bobby Lashley, CM Punk, Big Show, Test, Hardcore Holly and Rob Van Dam

The Monsters invade the Chamber.

No Way Out 2008
Undertaker, Big Daddy V, MVP, Batista, Finlay and Great Khali

No Way Out 2008
Jeff Hardy, Chris Jericho, JBL, Triple H, Shawn Michaels and Umaga

Disc 2:

Two is better than one.

No Way Out 2009
John Cena, Edge, Mike Knox, Rey Mysterio, Kane and Chris Jericho

No Way Out 2009
Edge, Big Show, Jeff Hardy, Undertaker, Vladimir Kozlov and Triple H

Shaping Wrestlemania

Elimination Chamber 2010
Sheamus, Ted Dibiase, Triple H, John Cena, Randy Orton and Kofi Kingston

Elimination Chamber 2010
Undertaker, Chris Jericho, John Morrison, CM Punk, Rey Mysterio and R-Truth

What’s next ?

Bonus Content:

The Game speaks out on his signature match.

Elimination Chamber Qualifying match: Chris Jericho vs Carlito

Elimination Chamber Qualifying match: Shawn Michaels vs Kane

Elimination Chamber Qualifying match: Triple H vs Rob Van Dam

Elimination Chamber Qualifying match: Undertaker vs Mark Henry

Labels: carlito, kane, mark henry, shawn michaels, undertaker

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:21 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross is back with another blog, via jrsbarbq.com. JR discusses why he chose not to respond to the recent releases from WWE, in addition to his thoughts on Mark Henry’s reported arrest during WWE’s tour in Belfast. Below are highlights:

- I did not answer any emails on recent WWE releases because I do not know the reasons why other than perhaps the decision makers felt it was time to make changes and that creative opportunities for the released talents had come and gone. Perhaps there were other issues that we are not privy to. Nonetheless it isn’t the end of the world for any of the released talents and they simply need to regroup, reinvent, refocus, and get back in the game if that is their desire. Taking a few months off as in the 90 non compete clauses they likely have isn’t a bad thing. Bottom line, if these talents want to stay relevant in the pro wrestling biz I’m sure that they will be able to do so.

- Another emailed subject that I did not address in detail is the alleged ‘incident’ that involved Mark Henry in Belfast with a fan. I wasn’t there. I heard one side of the story of which there are always two. I like Mark Henry, even if he is a Texas Longhorn fan (that’s a joke), and feel that this matter may have simply perhaps been a ‘rib’ gone awry involving some very tired, frustrated travelers. Think of it this way, if Mark Henry had really wanted to assault a fan who could have truly restrained Mark? Mark Henry isn’t a dumb guy nor is he going to put himself and WWE in a position to where Mark is arrested and detained in a foreign country. Not withstanding the fact that Henry would likely be sued for all he has by the offended party. Again, I wasn’t there but I know that under normal circumstances that Mark Henry is a good natured man of character who I have known for years since we signed him in around 1995 or 96.

Labels: jim ross, mark henry

Posted by Matt Loede at 4:42 PM | Permalink | Comments

WWE’s website has the full details on the 15 Superstar trade that was approved by Donald Trump. Here are the full roster changes:

New Members of RAW: Evan Bourne, Mark Henry, Jack Swagger, Gail Kim, Alicia Fox

New Members of Smackdown: Matt Hardy, Finlay, Tyson Kidd, Natalya, David Hart Smith

New Members of ECW: Shelton Benjamin, Goldust, William Regal, Brie Bella, Nikki Bella

The decision to implement the fifteen-Superstar WWE roster trade was reportedly made sometime in the past week. One of the trade’s biggest implications concerned the ECW Championship. The original plan called for Jack Swagger to win the title at The Bash in the Championship Scramble. Instead, WWE opted to move Swagger to RAW, where he will feud with fresh babyfaces.

Labels: ecw, gail kim, jack swagger, mark henry, matt hardy

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:48 PM | Permalink | Comments

According to twnpnews.com:

Tony Atlas' future with WWE is very much in doubt following the transfer of his associate, Mark Henry, to the Raw brand this past Monday.

Company officials plan on pushing the "World's Strongest Man" as a top babyface, which as a result, has left Atlas to fend for himself as he is not being brought alongside him.

The WWE Hall of Famer's contract is coming due in a few weeks and it remains uncertain whether it will be renewed.

Labels: mark henry, tony atlas

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:48 PM | Permalink | Comments

WrestleMania 25 in Houston is underway, and match #1 is in the books, as C.M. Punk has once again won the Money in the Bank. Here is a quick review of the match with Let's Talk Wrestling co-editors Matt Loede and John Sefcik.

Matt Loede: Wow. This was another great way to start off WM, just like they did the past two years with the MITB match. Shelton Benjamin did what he always does, which is take way too many risks, and even Kane and Mark Henry did a good job keeping up with the younger, faster guys. Punk and Finlay seemed to be the two most involved, and MVP had a good showing as well. Punk winning though to me was a little stale, but I guess they still have big plans for the Chicago based wrestler, and I guess we'll see him in a feud of some sort over the summer with a champion. As far as the best MITB match ever? Tough to say right after it was over, but the high spots were very good, and it was for sure a great way to start the card.

John Sefick:Shelton Benjamin, that's all that needs to be said. Again he brings his game to the top and gives us some memorable moments from Mania. After watching this match it has left no question in my mind this is the highlight of Mania and is establishing itself as the great appetizer for the night, One has to imagine one of these years we will see a major injury as the guys just keep raising the bar with more and more insane moves. Just look at Benjamin's leap from the ladder onto is fellow competitors.

Despite the lack luster roster this year, they still pulled off a great match. Have to wonder about Punk winning the briefcase again. His profile as been a bit down lately, but the fans still love him. Don't know if this was done on purpose for another title run, but he does get a chance to move his status up a notch. I thought Christian would walk away in order to raise his profile and return to the WWE. Also it would have been a great way to move him off ECW and take on competition worthy of his talent. Overall though you got to love this match as it is the best way to kick of Mania with its thrills and spills.

Labels: c.m. punk, kane, mark henry, shelton benjamin, wrestlemania 25

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:34 PM | Permalink | Comments

ECW's offering on Tuesday night was, per usual, nothing special, but we did get a few interesting things out of it. First off, sounds like Tommy Dreamer is in someone's dog house backstage for talking about TNA on his recent blog entry. Dreamer talked about watching and liking the TNA product, a big "no-no" in the WWE. Seems like he paid for it with a quick opening beating from Vladimir Kozlov and then Jack Swagger.

The funny part is we never really heard why the beating took place, or what may come of it.

As for the announcement of Kozlov vs Matt Hardy for the ECW Title at the PPV Sunday, seems like a total rushed deal to me, but that's what we have come to expect at ECW. They have tired as hard as they can with Kozlov, but at the end of the day they will come to find out he's nothing special, and he's a waste of time. We'll see if Hardy can get something good of him Sunday night.

The tag match with Miz and Morrison vs Kung Fu Naki and Jimmy Wang Yang was not a bad match, but I again have to question the long-term focus of Miz and Morrison. Too often they break up tag teams too fast, but this team needs to be broken up just so we can see what is going on with them as single wrestlers. At least this was an entertaining match to watch.

You gotta love WWE.com, which states the following about the Boogeyman match: "Boogeyman def. local competitor - After making quick work of a local athlete, Boogeyman added insult to injury by “worming” the poor competitor. Who is next to suffer the same, slimy fate?"

Just who is this mysterious "local competitor," and will we see him again? I guess only the WWE knows.

As for the main event, I could have done without it. You of course don't need to have a PHD to figure out that Mark Henry is eventually going to turn on the much older (yet in better shape than Henry) Tony Atlas. I for one don't care if I ever see Finlay Hornswoggle again in a ring together, but the company seems to think it's something we want to see.

Hopefully they will get the hint. Oh, and as for Henry and Atlas winning. Does anyone really care? And so goes another week of ECW.

Labels: boogeyman, ecw, hornswoggle, mark henry

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:22 AM | Permalink | Comments

source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

ECW referee Wes Adams was apparently released over a screw-up in a finish during the main event of the 8/12 ECW between John Morrison & The Miz vs. Mark Henry & Matt Hardy. The Miz was supposed to save Morrison after a super side effect, but he missed his cue to break up a pinfall attempt from Matt Hardy. Morrison ended up trying to kick out at the last split-second when he realized Miz wasn't coming in to break it up. That wasn't supposed to be the finish as it seemingly came out of nowhere.

Adams counted the pinfall nonetheless as WWE referees have been instructed to call every match as a shoot. When the match was over, you could tell that everyone was confused. Adams is being used as scapegoat for the incident, but a number of people in WWE believe he was a victim of a circumstance that wasn't his fault.

They feel Adams was only doing his job as he was instructed because if a wrestler doesn't raise his/her shoulder up by the three count, you count them down and end the match. Adams had a reputation in WWE for getting to the shows early, and staying late as well. A number of people figured he'd be in WWE for as long as he wanted. Adams is now taking on bookings as a wrestler on the independent circuit.

Labels: mark henry, matt hardy, wes adams

Posted by Matt Loede at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments

Matt Hardy recently blogged on his Myspace page concerning his match at Summerslam against Mark Henry and the current ECW ratings.
He said:

As you all know, I have the biggest match of my career coming up at Summerslam. I have a chance to become the ECW Heavyweight Champion as I take on the current champ, Mark Henry. It's definitely gonna be an uphill battle, but I like the odds and pressure against me-it makes me perform better. And on top of that, I've got billions of MFers (Mattitude Followers) that have got my back and believe in me. That's MUCH stronger than anything Mark Henry and Tony Atlas have to offer. I've seen a few "MATT FOR CHAMP" signs already, please keep the support coming. I've thoroughly enjoyed my ECW experience thus far-it's been an honor to be one of the high-lights of the show each and every week. Coincidentally, the ratings have improved by almost 50% since the Matt Hardy ECW era has begun, HAHA! Thanks for tuning in and supporting me every Tuesday night on Sci-Fi at 10 p.m.

Labels: mark henry, matt hardy

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:07 PM | Permalink | Comments

From: WrestleScoop.com

Three more wrestlers were released by WWE today. All of which were developmental talents from FCW. They were Charles "The Hammer" Adams, Brad Attitude, and Matt O'Neal.

Evans worked WrestleMania 24 as one of Floyd Mayweather's crew and was also a former OVW Tag champ with Justin Larouche, also known as Bam Neely now on SmackDown. O'Neal was a football player hired by Ty Bailey, all of which have now been released also. Brad Attitude only made a handful of appearances on WWE TV, including Velocity where he jobbed to Bobby Lashley and Mark Henry.

Labels: Bobby Lashley, mark henry

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:51 PM | Permalink | Comments

Preview:Temperature rising
August 5, 2008

Following last week's debacle on the live "Dirt Sheet," ECW Champion Mark Henry and his SummerSlam challenger for the title, Matt Hardy, will team against The Miz & John Morrison. Can Henry & Hardy co-exist peacefully before Sunday? Will Miz & Morrison seek revenge for the embarrassment they received from the World’s Strongest Champion and No. 1 contender Hardy?

Colin Delaney ensured his former mentor, Tommy Dreamer, remembered his protégé still carries a grudge against him for holding him back. On ECW on Sci Fi, Delaney made sure Armando Estrada earned his ECW contract when he helped the former ECW General Manager defeat Dreamer. Moments later, ECW GM Theodore Long informed Delaney that next week, he would face the ECW Original in an Extreme Rules Match on ECW. Will Delaney find a way to survive his former mentor’s specialty? And where will Estrada aim his sights now that he is officially an ECW Superstar?

Finally, Mike Knox had some choice words for Finlay on ECW on Sci Fi, none which pleased the Irishman. As these two watch their rivalry heat up, will either find himself with the upper hand?

Labels: mark henry, matt hardy, mike knox, tommy dreamer

Posted by Matt Loede at 5:49 PM | Permalink | Comments

The Land of the Extreme has seen its share of firsts, but when John Morrison & The Miz present their first-ever live edition of WWE.com's "The Dirt Sheet" with guests ECW Champion Mark Henry and Matt Hardy, it's possible that the Land of the Extreme could be lifted at its hardcore roots.

With SummerSlam mere weeks away, Henry is on a mission to prove his Extreme strength and dominance will not falter. But No. 1 contender Hardy is not fazed by Henry’s prowess, and the former United States Champion is ready to fight for the ECW gold at the Biggest Blockbuster of the Summer. How will this collision course intersect with the sophomoric yet scathingly comedic antics of Miz & Morrison? What will the Shaman of Sexy and self-proclaimed "chick magnet" have to say on live television? (Watch episodes of WWE.com's "Dirt Sheet" now)

Moreover, who will be ECW’s true dominant force – the World’s Strongest Champion, Henry, or his determined challenger, Hardy? Will the Land of the Extreme crown a new king at SummerSlam or will Henry retain his Extreme gold? And, will anyone stand in the way of Henry and Hardy on the road to SummerSlam?

Former ECW General Manager Armando Estrada hasn't exactly had an ideal post-GM career in the ring. He's looking for one more chance at an ECW contract and current GM Theodore Long has agreed to give it to him in a match against ECW Original Tommy Dreamer, as seen in an AT&T Mobile exclusive video. Will Estrada defeat Dreamer and officially become an ECW Superstar? Or does he need to start looking for a new career?

Ricky Ortiz is quickly making a name for himself on ECW. As part of General Manager Theodore Long’s New Superstar Initiative, Ortiz is undefeated with a 2-0 record, recently defeating Chavo Guerrero by disqualification. Although after his win, Guerrero hit Ortiz with frog splash. The self-proclaimed “Mexican Warrior’s” gloating ran short, though, when Evan Bourne ran into the ring to attack Guerrero.

Will Ortiz’s winning streak continue? Will high-flying Bourne continue to torment Guerrero? How will Bam Neely continue to perform as Guerrero’s bodyguard?

Find out the answers to these questions and more by tuning into ECW on Sci Fi, Tuesday at 10/9 CT, and SummerSlam, live, and only on pay-per-view, Aug. 17 at 8/7 CT.

Labels: mark henry, matt hardy, Ricky Ortiz, The Miz and John Morrison

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments

Below is the updated card for WWE's SummerSlam pay-per-view coming out of tonight's RAW:

WWE Title Match
Triple H vs. The Great Khali

World Title Match
CM Punk vs. JBL

Hell in a Cell
The Undertaker vs. Edge

ECW Title Match
Mark Henry vs. Matt Hardy

Intercontinental and Women's Title Tag Match
Kofi Kingston and Mickie James vs. Beth Phoenix and Santino Marella

John Cena vs. Batista

Shawn Michaels will also be at SummerSlam with an announcement regarding his future

Labels: 2008 summerslam, jbl, mark henry, matt hardy, the great khali, triple h

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:32 AM | Permalink | Comments