Niz-ews for Tiz-ay

[IsoHockey92]

-by Nick Paglino
I spoke to a source within WWE this morning who relayed to me a very interesting story concerning a recent backstage encounter between Shawn Michaels and former WWE Champion Sheamus. According to the source, Michaels approached Sheamus and said, "in case you haven't heard, I'm not going to be around much after WrestleMania, and it's time for the guys like you to step up and main event with all the current top guys, and then bring up the next tier and make them top guys. Your time is NOW!"

Words to that effect.

We have been reporting for several weeks now that Shawn Michaels plans to take time off after WrestleMania, but this time around it might be different since there is no time table for his return. This doesn't mean that he will lose to The Undertaker at the PPV, but that his time off could be significantly longer this time around that it was last year after WrestleMania 25. I was even told that HBK could be held off until next year's 'Mania when he can do the big sendoff much like WWE did for Ric Flair.

I was also told that Sheamus is being told by guys like HBK to step up in every conceivable way, and that he needs to to be a leader to the young guys, but at the same time he needs to be very careful not to step on Randy Orton's toes. That's as big of a part of this story as anything, because a lot of the locker room really likes Randy because he has stood up when the time's right, and also because they all feel he's truly the best in the ring right now, even though his temper tantrums in and out of the ring have some people pointing fingers.


-WWE star Chris Jericho posted the following on his Twitter account concerning the TNA debut of Rob Van Dam: "The beat down of RVD 20 seconds into his debut in TNA was mind boggling. I don't understand how so many talented people can be so clueless."



-Jeff Hardy and Rob Van Dam have posted the following Tweets on their Twitter accounts commenting on their Impact debuts last night:

Jeff Hardy Wrote: "ILoveSomeTNA..trust me my fans...I'm in an amazing place..believe in me&I refuse 2 let you down! This is a movement my fans...please join me where I am & let's make history together because I...we can't do this on our own..we need your commitment...I've always been cool with you...so I ax4 you to be cool with me now. Dixie is a badassBoss..LoveHer!"

Rob Van Dam Wrote: "Harmoniously, the world came together, as one, and chanted RVD Motherf$cker!"

[ELISABETH]

Great Job ISO!! I hope you keep it up!

[IsoHockey92]

-Credit: F4WOnline.com

Smackdown

The Mysterio family came out and the fans sang Happy Birthday to his daughter. Punk came out and issued a challenge for a match tonight, as well as one for WrestleMania. Good segment

Miz vs. R-Truth with Bryan and Otunga at ringside. Miz tried to get the pin with his feet on the ropes but Bryan pushed his feet off the ropes. Truth got the pin with the spinning forearm.

Drew McIntyre got another shot to get into Money in the Bank, beating Aaron Bolo in 20 seconds. They billed Bolo as an MMA fighter

Big Show b John Morrison in a slow match. Morrison did a springboard into a punch for the finish

Vickie Guerrero and Tiffany argued. Vickie said Tiffany was the reason ECW died. Well, at least they didn't blame Heyman's business sense. Vickei signed Tiffany vs. Michelle McCool for later

Hart Dynasty NC Cryme Tyme - Undertaker came out and laid out all four of them

Tiffany b McCool via DQ when Vickie Guerrero did a run-in. Beth Phoenix made the save, including laying out Guerrero with a clothesline

Kane b Luke Gallows via DQ when Punk interfered. Said to be slightly better than you'd think. Punk gave Kane the GTS after. Not the smartest idea as it took two tries, but it'll be fine after editing. Mysterio made the save and beat up Punk all over the arena. Crowd loved that.

Main event segment is Highlight Reed with Jericho and Edge. Jericho said that Edge's career has been about one injury after another he's coming back too early from his injury to be at Mania. He said that he knows Edge is still hurt and vows to reinjure him and put him out for another six months. Jericho hit him with the mic and pounded on him. Edge came back and went for a spear but Jericho hit the belt and nailed Edge with it



Dark match

Edge b Jericho via DQ in a title match. Short, easy match, maybe 4:00. Jericho DQ'd to save the title. Edge spears him to end the show and celebrate.

Edge claimed Seattle was his favorite city in the country, maybe his favorite in the world, and he'd like to retire and move here. At least he didn't say we're looking at doing a PPV here.

[IsoHockey92]

-

The final numbers are in for the Monday Night War, week one (not counting January 4th, of course).

WWE RAW scored a 3.4 cable rating, down from last week's number.

The disappointing news was the number for TNA Impact, which came in at an 0.98, rounded up to a 1.0. That was for a live show with Rob Van Dam's debut, Jeff Hardy's return, Hulk Hogan and Ric Flair's in-ring debuts, etc. It will be interesting to see how next week's taped Impact will draw without all the surprises, returns, etc.

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The following is from WWE.com:

Mickie James out with staph infection
Written: March 9, 2010

WWE Diva Mickie James recently underwent two surgeries for a staph infection on her right leg.

"I hate missing work," said the former Women's Champion.

Mickie is recuperating at home now with daily antibiotics.

"I've been on an emotional roller coaster," she said. "I have no control of anything. At least with an injury you know for sure how long it is going to take."

Stay with WWE.com for updates on James' condition.

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According to ProWrestling.net, Jeff Hardy signed a new TNA contract a week ago for approximately 100 dates over the next 12 months.

Shannon Moore signed a deal with TNA soon after Hardy finalized his deal. There is some talk of using the two as a tag-team early on.

[The One]