Shelton Benjamin commented on his WWE release via his Twitter page. “Do i think i should have been a world Champion, HELL YES! Was I underutilized? Without a doubt. Do I have issue with WWE, NO!… “I NEED TO BE AWAY FROM WWE so I can grow are a performer. There are many things about that company that SUCK, but I got no time to be crying about it.”

Not sure why this was posted up today, but it’s something that Shelton felt the need to say.

Labels: shelton benjamin

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:11 PM | Permalink | Comments

The WWE today dumped a couple big name stars, including diva Mickie James and "The Gold Standard" Shelton Benjamin:

WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Divas Mickie James and Katie Lea Burchill as well as Superstars Shelton Benjamin, Kung Fu Naki, Slam Master J and Jimmy Wang Yang as of today, April 22, 2010. We wish them the best in all future endeavors.

Labels: katie lea, mickie james, shelton benjamin

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:20 PM | Permalink | Comments

A couple of high fliers took to the sky for match three of the 2009 Judgement Day, as John Morrison took on Shelton Benjamin. Here's our review of that match.

Matt: Well, you can sense that Morrison is going to get a major push as a face, no doubt, and this feud with Benjamin has been a good start to that run. Can you say a young Shawn Michaels? That's kinda what Morrison seems like to me, but at the same time, he's got a long way to go, and needs to keep getting better in the ring and by all means, staying healthy. You could almost see him hurting himself on one of those crazy leaps. As for the match with Shelton, another good performance, and let's hope that his star keeps rising.

John: Great display of the great young talent the WWE has on its roster. Morrison defiantly showed he is ready for singles action and should be making some serious noise in this company very soon. This could be a good feud for Benjamin also, if they let it go on for awhile. Benjamin has been trying to establish himself and always comes ups short. The display he showed with Morrison tonight allowed him to prove he still is a great talent. Hopefully we see more of these two in the future.

Labels: 2009 judgement day, john morrison, shelton benjamin

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:51 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

From: WrestleScoop.com

WWE has leaked a match that has not been announced for Cyber Sunday on their official website.

The leak can be found on their site as it reveals that Shelton Benjamin will defend the US Championship against the fan vote of R-Truth, Festus, or MVP. It looks like that the voting will be online for this match as well.

Labels: Festus and Jesse, MVP, r-truth, shelton benjamin

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:01 AM | Permalink | Comments

From: Prowrestling.net

WWE is advertising the following matches for Friday's Smackdown show on MyNetwork TV.

-WWE Champion Triple H vs. World Hvt. Champion Chris Jericho vs. ECW Champion Matt Hardy in a Triple Threat Match.

-Intercontinental Champion Santino Marella vs. U.S. Champion Shelton Benjamin.

-WWE Divas Champion Michelle McCool vs. WWE Women's Champion Beth Phoenix.

-WWE Tag Champions Carlito and Primo vs. World Tag Champions Cody Rhodes and Ted DiBiase.

-Kane and MVP and JBL and The Brian Kendrick vs. Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio and Batista and Finlay in an "all-star eight-man tag match."

Labels: chris jericho, mynetworktv, shelton benjamin, smackdown

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:05 PM | Permalink | Comments

Partial source: WO Radio

The feeling within WWE is that Ron "R-Truth" Killings is pretty much protected right now because it is a big deal within the company to have a big African American star right now and it seems Killings is "the chosen one" as one source described it. WWE officials love the gimmick, especially the rapping that he is now doing and are pushing him to really interact with the crowd and get over as much as possible. The feeling is that they're not getting the minority viewers like they want to and are doing whatever it takes to change that.

Shelton Benjamin was thought of to be the top star at one point but they realized he wouldn't be the one and decided to run with Killings. For those who have asked, there is no heat on Killings for leaving the company before and joining TNA and he is said to be getting along with everyone.

Labels: ron killings, shelton benjamin

Posted by Matt Loede at 8:54 PM | Permalink | Comments

From: WrestleScoop.com

Since returning to the SmackDown brand, there is some major heat on the WWE Champion Triple H, mainly for him going out of his way to make the younger talents look bad on camera, especially guys like MVP and Shelton Benjamin. A lot of the guys backstage were upset about Triple H’s recent promo and have went to The Undertaker for a resolution, of sorts. The Undertaker agrees with the younger talents and says he understands how they feel.

The belief is that a backstage showdown is coming between The Undertaker and Triple H, due to the way the WWE Champion treats people in the locker room. Many people think that Triple H would get his way in the end but the one person that Vince McMahon respects and trusts the most above others is The Undertaker. Triple H wouldn’t lose his job obviously but some kind of changes would have to be made.

The Undertaker sees SmackDown as his brand and the Superstars as his boys, in a way. If he isn’t backed by McMahon when the time comes, there’s a feeling that he could take more time off for injuries as a way to show his displeasure. There’s already a thought among some close to the situation that Triple H wants payback for his loss at WrestleMania 17 and is pushing for himself to face The Undertaker at WrestleMania 25 with the streak being broken.

Labels: shelton benjamin, smackdown, triple h, undertaker

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:28 AM | Permalink | Comments

Another week of SmackDown is in the books, this weeks show coming from the Igloo in Pittsburgh, where this year the Penguins played the Stanley Cup vs the champion Detroit Red Wings. The show was full of two women's matches, a pair of long, very well fought matches with Jeff Hardy vs MVP and Shelton Benjamin vs Triple H, and the on-going saga with Undertake vs Vickie Guerrero. Here are some thoughts from the show:

The Good:

* Both the MVP-Hardy and Benjamin-HHH matches were very good. They were long, but both deserved the time they got. Didn't exactly like Khali coming out at the end, thought that was a waste, but I know it's all an attempt to build the scramble challenge at Unforgiven.

* Good to see Taker actually talk again. He's always been good on mic in my opinion, and for him to waste his character by simply grunting "Rest in Peace" every now and then is not enough. He's not Ric Flair when it comes to promos, but then again, he's good enough with his look he doesn't have to be.

* I like the build they are giving Mayrse, who really has been able to come on as of late. They need to continue to develop different divas for title shots, and you can see Mayrse getting one very soon.

* Big Show is headed for a title shot at some point, and while it was a waste for him to come out and lay out the tag teams like he did, I have no issue with him doing it to prove once again that he can be a force.

The Bad

* Not quite following the Taker-Guerrero storyline. I mean, let me understand this. Vickie says she's sorry, and that she wants to make it up to Taker. Taker says no, and that he's going to send her to Hell. In the meantime, Chavo, Bam and Hawkins and Ryder leave her in that room all night, and to top it off - she's locked in till the end (I guess with a cameraman?). Then we have her in the dark, screaming at the end. Not the best of endings to an otherwise pretty good show.

* I realize that Victoria is the diva that never is allowed to win a match, but her match vs the newcomer - Brie Bella, was so one-sided, that once Bella was allowed to win with a weak roll-up, I actually felt bad for Victoria. She's reminding me more and more of Ivory before she left the company a few years ago.

* I was more interested in the promo that Kenny Dykstra cut than the match and eventual loss to Ron Killings, now known as "R Truth." Here's a vote that Killings will win for awhile, then fall into mid-card hell and become a nobody.

Final Grade for the Show: B-

Labels: jeff hardy, MVP, shelton benjamin, smackdown, triple h, undertaker, vicki guerrero

Posted by Matt Loede at 2:32 AM | Permalink | Comments

In less than two weeks, WWE Champion Triple H defends his title in an unprecedented five-man WWE Championship Scramble Match at Unforgiven. But first, The King of Kings will take on one of his scramble opponents – United States Champion Shelton Benjamin – on SmackDown in a non-title Champion vs. Champion bout. Can the Gold Standard send a message to Triple H, or will The Cerebral Assassin demonstrate why he is a 12-time World Champion?

Undertaker has made it clear. He’s not interested in forgiving SmackDown General Manager Vickie Guerrero or members of “The Family.” Last week, Chavo Guerrero, Bam Neely, Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder felt The Deadman’s wrath. Who is next?

At SummerSlam, a fired-up Montel Vontavious Porter overcame the high-flying Jeff Hardy in a hard fought bout, thanks in part to the involvement of United States Champion Shelton Benjamin. But on SmackDown, Hardy gets a second chance at MVP in a SummerSlam rematch. Will The Legend Thriller get some payback against SmackDown’s Franchise Playa?

Last week on SmackDown, an angry Big Show expressed his displeasure at not being considered for a WWE Championship Scramble qualifying match by clearing house in the 10-Man Battle Royal. What will The World’s Largest Athlete do this week?

Stay tuned to SmackDown on The CW Network at 8/7 CT as all of SmackDown’s Superstars get ready for battle at Unforgiven.

Labels: 2008 unforgiven, MVP, shelton benjamin, triple h

Posted by Matt Loede at 1:45 PM | Permalink | Comments

Jim Ross is back with another blog and Q&A update over at jrsbarbq.com. Here are some of the highlights:

- Ross on WWE’s Legends of WrestleMania: Yours truly worked several hours Friday night on the upcoming THQ produced video game featuring amny of the greatest the legends ever of the WWE. I presented the THQ rep a J.R.’s BBQ truckers cap, our $9.99 red neck special which is available here in our store, and he was most appreciative. Hey, some folks collect caps, what can I say? The creative on this game is being kept under wraps as it relates to all the amazing stars that will be featured. Nontheless creative fans will be able to book some of the greatest, dream matches ever. We are slated to do two more days of voice overs next week. To tell you that I am simply having a blast doing audio bytes for these guys would be a major understatement. This is the game that will likely encourage me to get video game friendly.

- Ross on WWE and Politics: Interesting note that several WWE wrestlers are attending the upcoming Democratic and Republican National Conventions. It’s good that some wrestlers want to see the political process of selecting our Presidential candidates and not just do a drive by for a photo op even though there will be plenty of those. I’m not sure whos going where but I do know that Batista and President Bill Clinton would have a helluva time together considering they are both socially inclined. We dont’ do many politics on this site but I will tell you that Ihaven’t decided who I am going to vote for come November. Professional politicians who can’t even balance our country’s check book and who govern only to be re-elected and not to better our country have used up all their “passes” with me.

- Ross on Shelton Benjamin and Jeff Hardy: Really nice, old school match on Friday Night Smackdown between Finlay and Shelton Benjamin. Both men wrestled aggressively and in a bad mood. I loved the physicality. It seems as if Benjamin is starting to come into his own. Amazing athletic gifts like Shelton’s should be taken advantage of by the bearer. I like what I have been seeing lately from the amateur standout from the University of Minnesota. Whin in college, Shelton was a regular workout partner with Brock Lesnar after Bejamin used up his eligibility for the Gophers. I’ve heard that some of their wrestling room workouts were special to watch. Shelton would seem to have the skills to have been a superior MMA competitor if he had chosen that route. Shelton has told me many times that people can’t fully comprehend just how fast Lesnar is not to mention that his strength is freakish.

- Jim Ross on Takeshi Morishima in WWE: I haven’t heard a word about how well his matches went. I watched his match in Moline and it was o.k. Not bad, not great. It looks like Morishima might want to focus on his athletic conditioning and hit the gym more frequently. I am not being negative here only realistic. Morishima has “something” that seems like it might be worth exploring. I like his timing and there is no doubt potential with this young man.

Labels: jeff hardy, jim ross, shelton benjamin, Takeshi Morishima, WWE Legends of WrestleMania

Posted by Matt Loede at 4:48 PM | Permalink | Comments

Source: PWTorch.com Newsletter

There is currently a lot of pressure on Shelton Benjamin to step up and take advantage of his current WWE push. Benjamin has some heat with management for being a little too complacent. Benjamin is said to be very comfortable with his mid-card role after already having made more money than he ever though he would. Management feels he could be a strong upper-card player if he aspires to do so, and have been impressed by his matches in recent weeks.

Labels: shelton benjamin

Posted by Matt Loede at 6:36 PM | Permalink | Comments

From: PWPIX.net

According to Jim Ross in a blog he posted earlier today on his official website, Mr. Kennedy dislocated his shoulder Monday night (at a SmackDown brand house show) in Macon, Georgia in a match with WWE U.S. Champion Shelton Benjamin. Kennedy will be out of action for at least a few weeks depending on the results of his MRI.

Labels: mr.kennedy, shelton benjamin

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:50 AM | Permalink | Comments

From: WrestleAttitude.com

Shelton Benjamin's move to SmackDown in last week's Supplemental Draft was said to be a bit of a surprise because head writer Michael Hayes has never been high on the former Minnesota Golden Gopher. In creative meetings, Hayes would talk about Benjamin being lazy and that he's never been able to "seize the moment" in his promos or during his countless start-and-stop pushes. Anyway, there is talk of engaging Benjamin in a feud with Jeff Hardy.

Labels: jeff hardy, shelton benjamin, smackdown

Posted by Matt Loede at 10:27 AM | Permalink | Comments

From PWInsider

WWE announced Kofi Kingston putting his undefeated streak on the line against Shelton Benjamin, who laid him out a few weeks ago, on tomorrow's edition of ECW on Sci Fi.

Labels: kofi kingston, shelton benjamin

Posted by Matt Loede at 9:29 PM | Permalink | Comments

It's officially the longest stretch of the year between PPV's, as we will end up going over a month by the time the 2008 Royal Rumble comes to us live from Madison Square Garden on January 27th. It's a time to reflect, get storylines for 2008 in motion, and start pushes for guys that hopefully will start to take it to the next level this year. There are plenty of guys on the list that look like they are in line for pushes this year, but in the end, they will be the ones to determine if they become stars or not. Here are a few guys that appear on the verge of getting pushed hard in 2008:

Jeff Hardy - This is the most obvious one since it's actually already happening with his main event title program right now with Randy Orton. We've thrown around Jeff's past enough to know that they are going to let him run with the ball, and if he can keep it rolling, I would not doubt a main event push all the way to a Mania main event in 2009.

Shannon Moore and Jimmy Wang Yang - This pair have put together some of the better matches recently on ECW, and it seems they are the next in line for tag belts. I can see them in the mold of the London and Kendrick team that dominated the SmackDown! scene for sometime before losing the belts and then being lost in the shuffle on RAW.

Curt Hawkins and Zack Ryder - The company made a good move when they took away their "brother' status as the Major Brothers and made them sidekicks of Edge. Remember when Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin were paired up with Kurt Angle and eventually they won tag gold? Look for the same thing to eventually happen here.

The Miz - Long term I think the Miz is going to make a great manager, and they should start to think about him more in the role of what they have made Matt Striker, a manager/wrestler. His mic skills are solid, and once he and John Morrison drop the tag belts, they should find a guy or two that he can pair up with that he can do the talking for.

Shelton Benjamin - To a man, many on the WWE's rosters think that Benjamin has the most talent of anyone in the company. He's been thrown around in various dead end storylines that tend to go nowhere, then gets the shaft with losing to someone they want to push. Look for an ECW title program with C.M. Punk that if done right can be one of the better feuds of the year in the company.

Maira - This is a slam dunk in the women's department, as any diva in the company who takes their clothes off for Playboy automatically gets a push. That is happening here, as she will be this years flavor as she'll bare all for the magazine in an issue that will come out right before WrestleMania. With that, look for a Mania match of some sort, or at least a big presence at the show.

Labels: jeff hardy, maria, shelton benjamin, the miz

Posted by Matt Loede at 7:03 AM | Permalink | Comments