Jim Ross has added a new blog entry over on his official website (jrsbarbq.com) where he answers fan questions regarding Rob Van Dam’s contract status with WWE, his opinion of TNA’s six-sided ring and more. Here are some highlights:

On Rob Van Dam’s WWE contract status:
“I don’t know the status of the RVD/WWE contract negotiations, as that is not my area of responsibility any longer. Personally, I think Rob should stay in the WWE and continue to build his legacy and to earn a nice living. Hopefully all involved can work out something that is a win/win for everybody. I think RVD leaving the WWE would be a mistake, but that is simply one man’s opinion.”

On TNA’s six-sided ring:
“I agree with Steve Austin that TNA’s 6 sided ring isn’t my personal cup of tea, either. I actually find this unique looking structure distracting at times.”

On Sunday night former WWE champion Brock Lesnar was a guest on Carnage Bloodsport Banter, heard every Sunday night at 11PM on AudioWrestling.com and CarnageTalk.com!

Here are some highlights from Lesnar’s interview:

- Brock is down to his fighting weight of 270.

- Brock said when he left WWE he had already beaten everyone, including Triple H, so he didn’t have a problem jobbing on his way out.

- Brock thinks leaving WWE was the best decision he could have made because he went out on top despite losing his last match.

- Brock enjoys being home with his family and not on the road all of the time with WWE.

- Brock has been doing extensive training however the rumors he trained with Royce Gracie are not true as the two have not yet had a chance to hookup.

- Brock said he wanted to do an MMA match while working for WWE and at one point there was a plan for Brock Lesnar and Kurt Angle to get involved with Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield.

- Brock talked about his time trying out for the NFL, but said he wasn’t willing to put the time into that type of commitment (by living in Europe) to play in lower level leagues.

- Brock said he does not yet have an MMA ring name. He hopes to get his nickname after winning his first match.

- Brock talks about a shoot with Kurt Angle “mopping the floor with him.” Brock says if him and Kurt had a real shoot they probably would each win 5 out of 10. However Brock does go on to say there would be no shame in losing to Kurt and he always considered Kurt an excellent training partner.

- Brock went on to talk about his training in wrestling, football and MMA and thanks them all individually.

- Brock says he has a lot of high expectations for himself. Brock wants to be involved in MMA for a long time.

A reader sent the following in to PWInsider, regarding last night’s Backlash pay-per-view:

• Ric Flair got a monster pop coming out before the dark match.
• Dark match was Carlito vs. Nitro. Really fun match and Carlito picked up the win.Place was legit sold out.
• Crowd was really live all night.
• Big pop for the Hardys coming out; Crowd was pretty into the match and huge pop for the finish.
• Mickie James/Melina was kinda dull live. Seemed rather sloppy and crowd was pretty dead for that one.
• Huge pop for Kennedy interrupting Edge promo. Seems like he could be a big time face someday.
• MVP/Benoit was really good. Crowd was way into Benoit and popped big for the finish.
• ECW match was OK for what it was. Lashley was WAY over. Crowd was into all of his offense. Oddly there was very little heat for the title change. Some good laughs with Vince acting like a goof. Seems like the celebration went on forever while they were waiting for some response and it never really came.
• Undertaker entrance was awesome, as always. Crowd really loves him. Batista got decent heel heat. Match started slowly and then really took off. On a side note, they built the gimmicked platform during the show. It really took away from the coolness of the finishing spot. Crowd didn’t like the non-finish and there was a few bullsh*t chants. Batista got a nice pop once he emerged from the wreckage.

Pops
1. Undertaker
2. Benoit
3. Ric Flair
4. Cena
5. Lashley

Heel Heat
1. Cena
2. JBL
3. Batista (before the finish)
4. Edge

The following report is courtesy of lordsofpain.net…

Match 1: World Tag Team Championship: (Champions) The Hardys vs. Lance Cade and Trevor Murdoch
Matt Hardy and Cade start it out. Lock up but Cade rushes Matt into the corner. Another lock up ensues but Matt with a side headlock takedown and holds in a headlock. Cade with a running elbow and a right hand punch knocking Matt down. Matt with punches and hip toss to Cade and Murdoch and another side headlock takeover for a two count on Cade. Cade tags to Murdoch but Matt slams Trevor and nails a fist drop and tags out to Jeff who nails a dropkick over the top rope and tags out back to Matt. The Hardys nail a leg drop/elbow drop combination and a flip elbow leg drop for a two count. Jeff nails the whisper in the wind and covers but Cade breaks up the count. Matt clotheslines Cade over the top rope and Jeff jumps on top of Matt’s back and catipults himself launching a crossbody unto Cade and Murdoch on the outside. Matt nails an elbow to Murdoch in the ring for two. Matt with a clothesline but Murdoch comes back with a blow to Matt’s back. Cade and Murdoch throw Matt back first into the corner multiple times. Cade tags in but Matt counters with a russian leg sweep and tags to Jeff. Jeff dropkicks Cade to the outside and goes to nail a dropkick through the ropes but Cade pulls Jeff back first out ringside. In the ring Cade powerbombs Jeff for two.

Cade with a slam and tags to Murdoch. Cade throws Murdoch into a leg drop to Jeff for a two count. Murdoch with a sleeperhold to Jeff who fights out but Murdoch counters with a swinging neckbreaker for two. Tag to Cade and Cade nails fists to Jeff’s back. Cade with a big clothesline for a two. Tag to Murdoch. Jeff surprises Cade with an inside cradle for two. Murdoch with a boot for two. Tag to Cade and Jeff fights back and Cade tags back out to Murdoch who comes in with a flying fist drop. He tags back out to Cade who nails a snapmare and applies a sleeperhold but Jeff fights out and nails a jaw breaker. Cade tags Murdoch who nails a back suplex to Jeff. Tag back to Cade who runs into a reverse mule kick from Jeff. Matt makes the hot tag who nails a running clothesline and bulldog for two. Matt nails the side effect and covers but Cade breaks up the count. Murdoch nails a flipping powerbomb for two. Matt counters and nails the twist of fate and tosses Cade to the outside. While the referee is checking on Cade, Jeff goes up top and nails the swanton bomb and Matt covers for the win. Winners: The Hardys

Backstage Shane is pumping up Umaga for their match against Lashley. Vince appears and says a McMahon will win the ECW title tonight, but he wants it to be his son Shane. But Shane insists it be his dad. Vince says that sounds good and walks off while Shane starts to roll his eyes.

Match 2: Women’s Championship: (Champion) Melina vs. Mickie James
Lock up but Melina with a hammerlock. Mickie with a fireman’s carry and arm lock. Melina back with a hammerlock but Mickie with a monkey flip for one. Mickie with a side headlock takeover but Melina counters with a headscissors. Mickie nips up and we have a staredown as a Mickie chant starts out. Melina with a side headlock but Mickie with a headscissors. Melina fakes an injury saying something is in her eye and nails a forearm shot to Mickie. Mickie drives Melina into the corner and nails a monkey flip and punches away at the beautiful vixen. Melina with a throat thrust but Mickie counters and goes up top but Melina pushes her hard out to the ringside area. Melina pulls Mickie back into the ring and tosses Mickie by her hair. Melina with an interesting leg submission with Mickie’s head between Melina’s legs and Melina turns it into a pinning combination for a two count. Mickie counters with an inside cradle for two. Melina goes up top and chokes Mickie on the top turnbuckle. Mickie counters with punches but Melina counters with a modified version of a louise thez press.

Melina with a sleeperhold but Mickie James counters with a kick but Melina catches her and spreads her legs apart! On the ground Mickie catches Melina’s kick and does the exact same making Melina spread eagle! Mickie with a front drop kick and a second one nailing Melina directly in the face! Mickie with a clothesline and tosses Melina by the hair for two. Mickie with a neckbreaker for another two count. Melina with a kick but Mickie nails an elbow in the corner and goes for the rana but Melina counters but Mickie goes up top and nails a crossbody for only two. Melina goes up top and kicks Mickie in the face and nails a reverse DDT for the win. Winner: Melina

Maria is backstage with Edge. Maria said someone wanted her to ask this question and read off a cue card. She asks, “how did you win your first championship?” Edge said I used my money in the bank and beat John Cena over a year ago. Edge asked Maria who told her to ask him that. Maria said he did and Mr. Kennedy shows up from behind. Kennedy said he just wanted to wish Edge good luck in his grueling match tonight. Kennedy gives Edge a smirk.

Match 3: United States Championship: (Champion) Chris Benoit vs. MVP
They lock up and MVP backs Benoit in the corner. MVP with kicks to Benoit’s knee. Benoit with a facelock but MVP counters with a facelock of his own. Benoit with an arm drag and drop toe hold and goes for the crippler crossface but MVP quickly escapes and runs out of the ring. Back in the ring another lock up ensues but MVP with a sidelock takedown. Benoit counters with a headscissors and manages to keep MVP locked in it and MVP can’t escape. MVP finally flips frontward into a pinning combination but Benoit bridges out and performs a backslide for two. Benoit with a back suplex and applies the sharpshooter on MVP! MVP barely makes it to the ropes. Benoit with chops but MVP fights back with a kick to the back of Benoit’s head. MVP applies a neck vice working on Benoit’s neck and Benoit fights back with knees and elbows but MVP catches Benoit and nails a belly to belly for two. MVP goes back to applying the neck vice but Benoit fights back and nails three german suplexes.

Chris Benoit follows it up with a nothern lights suplex. MVP catches Benoit and slingshots him throat first into the ropes. MVP with a neckbreaker for a two count. Benoit counters MVP and locks in the cripple crossface! MVP once again makes it to the ropes. MVP snapmares Benoit and applies an armlock and places Benoit’s arms between his legs for leverage. MVP with a big boot for a two count. MVP misses another boot and Benoit lands on five perfectly executed german suplexes. Benoit goes up top and tries for the diving headbutt but MVP gets his knees up! MVP now with a half boston crab but Benoit makes it to the ropes. Benoit counters MVP’s suplex with a small package for the win. MVP is shocked! Winner: Chris Benoit

Backstage Todd Grisham is with the WWE Champion John Cena. But before Cena can talk Randy Orton shows up. Orton says they both have a lot in common. He says there both young, incredibly good looking, and extremely talented. Orton says he and Cena should take out Edge and Michaels in their match and then see who the better man is between Orton and Cena. Cena asks if Orton really thinks he’s handsome and makes a gay joke toward Orton. Cena then does the Orton pose and Orton says the only pose is in that ring with you lying in the ring and me on top. Ron Simmons shows up and gives us a “Damn.”

Match 4: 3 On 1 Handicap Match for the ECW Championship: (Champion) Bobby Lashley vs. Shane McMahon, Umaga without Armando Alejandro Estrada, and Vince McMahon
Shane and Lashley start out. Lashley spears Shane big time and clotheslines him in the corner. Lashley with a huge spinebuster to Shane. Vince mocked Lashley saying don’t make me come in there. Shane tags to Umaga. Umaga with a kick to Lashley’s face. Umaga charges at Lashley who jumps over him and nails a clothesline. Umaga with a headbutt but Lashley then clotheslines Umaga over the top rope. Lashley throws Shane to the outside. Lashley dares Vince to come into the ring. Shane does though and gets a delayed vertical suplex for his troubles. Lashley drop toe holds Umaga and Shane low bridges the ropes and Lashley goes to the outside. Lashley gets thrown shoulder first into the steel steps by Umaga. Umaga with a leg drop in the ring. Shane tags in who applies an armlock. Lashley counters with a one armed powerbomb for a two count! Shane tags to Umaga who kicks Lashley in the ribs. Umaga with a bear hug but Lashley fights back until Umaga nails a samoan drop.

Continue reading this article …

Boxofficemojo.com is reporting that the weekend estimates for WWE Films’ The Condemned is that it will end its first weekend at an estimated $4,000,000. This will end up being the worst opening for any of the three WWE Films productions to date.

Here are the figures comparing all three WWE Films releases in regards to opening week box office numbers:

See No Evil (with Kane)
Theatre Count for Opening Weekend: 1,257
Opening Weekend Box Office: $4,581,233

The Marine (with John Cena)
Theatre Count for Opening Weekend: 2,545
Opening Weekend Box Office: $7,138,744

The Condemned
Theatre Count for Opening Weekend: 2,310
Opening Weekend Box Office: $4,000,000 (estimated)

The Pro Wrestling Torch is reporting that Rob Van Dam has decided NOT to accept WWE’s renewal offer, so the assumption is that he will be leaving WWE when his contract expires at the end of August.

According to reports, the breaking point came when WWE began to re-think how much time off they would be giving him. Based on what is known, RVD wanted a chunk of time off this year - an estimated six months or more - and a more limited schedule.

The following report is courtesy of wrestleview.com …

Smackdown starts with Batista attacking Kennedy backstage, getting quite a number of boos. Finlay comes to help Batista, and as Kennedy took over, the crowd cheered. They fought from backstage to down the aisle. And when the bell tolls, the lights go off, and turn back on again - Undertaker was standing in the middle of the ring. Lights off, Lights on, Taker is gone. Finlay and Kennedy run backstage, Batista slowly follows.

Backstage, Kennedy and Finlay say to Teddy that Batista vs Taker should be tonight, and not at Backlash. Long makes the match Undertaker and Batista vs Kennedy and Finlay in a no DQ match for later.

Kane and Boogeyman vs Regal and Taylor: Lots of cheers for Regal, and “let’s go Regal” chants. Taylor and Regal work Kane for most of the match, before Kane finally tags the boogeyman, which got huge cheers. Boogeyman does a few moves to Regal before pinning him after a double handed, sit down chokeslam. After the match, Boogeyman offers Kane some worms (tells him to eat them off the ground, but Kane laughed and declined) Nice opener.

Brian Kendrick vs Deuce: Both come down with their respective partners. Not an exciting match.. Quite a lot of headlocks at the start. Finish saw Domino beat on London, distracting Kendrick, and he walked into a flying kick from Deuce. Deuce pins for the win.

Jillian vs Michelle McCool: Jillian says that now that Prince William is single, he should give her a call sometime, before starting her singing… it’s 10 times as bad and as piercing as on TV. Michelle McCool comes down to stop it. Not a bad woman’s match to be honest, McCool is a decent wrestler and did minimal Diva moves like hair pulling and tossing. Jillian gets the victory and starts singing again, but McCool knocks her out.

MVP vs Jobber: MVP came down to a fair few cheers, but the start of his promo was hard to hear due to the amount of boos. He introduced a Scottish champion. Jobber comes out in William Wallace gear and facepaint before being squashed. MVP is about to announce his second opponent when Chris Benoit comes down to huge cheers and challenges him to a match.

MVP vs Benoit: Nice back and forth match, MVP leaves after escaping his secnd crossface, resulting in a count out.

Backstage, Teddy and Krystal proclaim their love for one another and say how they want to spend more time together. Teddy says he’s going to give someone a lot more responsability so that he can take time off to be with her.

Finlay and Kennedy vs Batista and Taker: Taker’s entrance gets huge cheers. Nice tag match, Old School to Kennedy then immidiately to Finlay. The the end sees Taker chokeslam both Finaly and Kennedy, but Batista comes in with a spinebuster to Finlay to secure the pin. Batista gets on the mic and says he is taking the title back at Backlash.

As the WWE Divas return home from their recent European tour, Diva Dish on WWE.com talked all things stylish with the Sexiest Women on Television. While in Italy, a few of the Divas shopped ‘til they dropped.

Candice Michelle kicked off the Divas’ fashion show on Raw last week, and she looked like a glamorous angel in a white dress and matching wings.

Click here to read the full story.

Sources say that Vince McMahon is terrified of letting anyone go to TNA, which is why there has been tremendous heat on guys like Carlito for interviews that they’ve done, yet few are ever fired for their comments/actions.

Carlito, of course, is doing jobs left and right, while Randy Orton is almost certainly losing at Backlash this Sunday.

The Kurt Angle situation was different because WWE didn’t think there was any chance of him going to TNA - and were actually terrified that he was going to die under their watch in the very, very near future. There isn’t that fear with him Orton.

Batista upset several WWE fans from the UK earlier in the week at an autograph signing.

He didn’t bother to speak or look up to the fans at the signing. He also refused to have pictures taken. One youngster named Kyle went home in tears after meeting his ex-wrestling idol. Kyle’s dad said:

“Kyle got a ticket and couldn’t sleep the night before, he was so excited at meeting Batista and he had the afternoon off school. All his mates were telling him how jealous they were. But when he got there we were told Batista would only be signing WWE merchandise. We queued for nearly two hours and he signed a WWE book, didn’t even look at him or say a word and that was it. His mum was trying to take a picture of the two on the mobile phone but his bouncers kept standing in the way to stop it.”