January 2008 News Archive (Page 2)

Maria Kanellis was born on February 25, 1982 in Ottawa, Illinois.

The WWE Diva was actually a contestant on the 2004 reality show, Outback Jack before competing on the WWE RAW Diva Search later that year 2004. Even though she did not win the contest, Maria was hired, along with several other contestants.

Initially, Kanellis was brought on to RAW as a backstage interviewer and was given a "dumb blonde" gimmick, playing on mistakes she made in previous weeks.

In 2005, competed in her first official match. It took place on the January 10, 2005 edition of RAW. In it, Maria faced off against Christy Hemme in a Lingerie Pillow Fight, but lost after being hit with a pillow by Lilian Garcia and then tripped by Hemme.

Maria continued to improve in the ring until her big match in February 2006 as a partner of John Cena. The Champ even kissed her before the match.

Continue Reading...

As she tries to come back from a painful injury, Torrie Wilson - our favorite WWE Diva - recently gave the following interview:

KOTR: How did you get into the wrestling business?
TORRIE: I moved from Idaho to Los Angeles to pursue acting and fitness. I used to compete in fitness competitions. Anyway, my boyfriend at the time was a huge wrestling fan. He took me to my first wrestling show, which was a WCW show. We happened to know someone that knew all the wrestlers, so they got us backstage. Kevin Nash was back there, and he’d seen me in a fitness magazine.

He approached me and said, ‘Hey, you look like you belong in wrestling. Would you be interested in doing a three-month storyline with us?’ I was like, ‘Sure, I’ll try it out.’ I fell in love with it.

KOTR: You mentioned fitness competitions and the attention you pay to your body. When did that become important to you?
TORRIE: In high school I had an eating disorder. I was anorexic for about two-and-a-half years. I just decided that I didn’t want to do that for the rest of my life. All I did was think about food and how I was going to starve myself and stay skinny.

KOTR: What made you become anorexic in the first place?
TORRIE: I went to a modeling agency in Idaho and they told me I needed to lose a few pounds. Then they were going to take me to New York to meet with some other agencies, and they said I needed to lose some more weight before I went up there. To me, if you tell me to lose 10 pounds, I think, ‘Twenty would be better.’

That’s what happened. In that industry you get positive feedback for being so thin. It all just snow-balled. “I’m extremely sensitive. I’d read way too far into everything. It was ridiculous. Someone would tell me I was looking healthy and I’d take that to mean that I looked fat.

Read the full interview with Wilson now.

After last night's WWE RAW, the following matches have been set for No Way Out, scheduled for February 17 in Las Vegas:

Elimination Chamber Match
For WWE Title Shot At WrestleMania XXIV
Jeff Hardy vs. JBL vs. Chris Jericho vs. Triple H vs. Umaga vs. Shawn Michaels

Elimination Chamber Match
For WWE Title Shot At WrestleMania XXIV
The Undertaker vs. Batista vs. Finlay vs. The Great Khali vs. Big Daddy V vs. MVP

WWE Championship Match
John Cena vs. Randy Orton (c)

WWE Championship Match
Rey Mysterio vs. Edge (c)

Career Threatening Match
Ric Flair vs. Mr. Kennedy

John Cena's music hits, and the former Champ makes his way down to the ring to a massive pop. Cena grabs the mic and, amidst boos and cheers, says "this is why I love this city, no matter what you think, you're going to get loud and rowdy." He says that he's here tonight to answer a question that's been on everyone's mind: how could this be possible? In October 2007, he suffered an injury that required surgery. The Doctor's said he'd be back in 1 year, which means that for the first time in his career he'd have to meet watch Wrestlemania from the bench. Now, in his absence, a new champ is crowned, and new contenders were put in place, and life in the WWE went on.

But in a hospital bed, his life was crumbling as his dreams faded away. So, in the last second, in the final hour, he risked it all for the chance to get an opportunity to once again go to Wrestlemania. Maybe it was luck, skill, or both, but the impossible has happened. He is back, he is the winner of the 21st Royal Rumble, and he's going to Wrestlemania! That is, unless, the fans would like to have Wrestlemania here tonight: there's a man that has something that he wants. He officially challenges him for that Championship. Tonight, John Cena versus Randy Orton for the WWE Championship.

Orton's music hits, and the Champ comes to the ramp with belt and mic in hand. Randy says he's got an answer, but it's not what he wants to hear. He's answered many challenges, HHH, HBK, Y2J, and Jeff Hardy, and the same thing has happened: He has beaten them.

Cena says yes, he's beaten them all, and done something that nobody else has been able to do. He's taken out John Cena, because he's smart. He saw opportunity and he took it... which is why he's going to take this match tonight. He's going to take it because he thinks he has an advantage, and although he's never beaten Cena, he knows in his heart he needs every advantage he can get, and he has one right now. Is he going to wait 8 weeks for Wrestlemania and let Cena get even more healthy?

Orton answers by saying that ever since he's put Cena on the shelf, he's become a very big deal...a bigger deal than Cena has ever been, which is why he'll never defend the belt unless the people open their wallets and pay to see it. This means that he will not be facing him tonight. Since Cena can't wait til Wrestlemania, and he can't wait, he's on for the next PPV unless he wants to wait for Wrestlemania.

Cena says he won't wait. He'll accept the challenge at No Way Out. But tonight, he doesn't forget what Randy took from him. It's been four months since he's been in the ring, and he wants some. Tonight, he will get some.

This is lame. WWE hypes the Royal Rumble because the winner gets a shot at Wrestlemania - and Cena gives a wonderful, heartfelt promo about risking his career for that shot at Wrestlemania - only to give it up instantly for a bout at No Way Out instead?

Ashley and Mickie v. Jillian and Beth
Beth gets tagged in eventually and Mickie hits a crucifix takedown with a near fall, followed by a flying shoulderblock and a 2 count. Jillian gets in and they doubleteam Mickie, but Mickie counters it and throws Jillian out of the ring. She turns around from that only to get caught by Beth with a shot in the head and a fisherman's suplex for the win. Jillian holds back Ashley so that she could not interfere in the 3 count.
Winners: Jillian and Beth

William Regal's music hits he says that whoever is the WWE Champion after No Way Out will face one of 6 contestants at Wrestlemania. The 6 contestants will square off in an Elimination Chamber to decide who faces the winner of Cena/Orton.

The participants:
Umaga
Shawn Michaels
Chris Jericho
John Bradshaw Layfield
Jeff Hardy
Triple H

Carlito v. Cody Rhodes
Cody hits the ropes and lands a flying fist sending Carlito to the outside. Both men get in the ring, and Marella hops on the apron, distracting Cody. Carlito uses this opportunity to hit the backstabber for the win.
Winner: Carlito

In the back, Triple H is talking to HBK. He says last night didn't work out, and they've got another chance at No Way Out. They have to beat the hell out of each other in the Elimination Chamber, which isn't good for HBK, Shawn admits. Tonight, however, HHH needs a tag team partner. HHH takes off his hoodie to reveal a DX shirt. Shawn says "be right back" and leaves camera. He comes back about 3 seconds later with a DX shirt and plus WWEShop.com. HHH says "lets do this" as we head to a break. Funny stuff.

Continue Reading...

Here's a new promotional poster for Wrestlemania 24:

Following last night's surprising Royal Rumble results, here's the latest plans for WrestleMania 24:

The main event is rumored to be John Cena vs. Randy Orton for the WWE title. On Smackdown, The Undertaker will battle Edge for the World Heavyweight title.

Finally, Batista versus Triple H is also a strong possibility - but WWE is also considering a three-way for the WWE championship: John Cena vs. Randy Orton vs. Triple H.

Which matches would you be most excited about? 

John Cena earning a shot at the Wrestlemania 24 main event was certainly the biggest surprise of last night's Royal Rumble.

Here are a couple images from other moments in the evening, though:

Santino doesn't want Maria Kanellis posing in Playboy. We have a feeling he's gonna be disappointed in two months.

Chris Jericho was left bloodied at the hands of JBL.

Last Wednesday, Torrie Wilson made her first public promotional appearance for WWE since being injured. Here she is at the 2008 Washington Auto Show.

Thanks to reader Matt R. for sending in the following report.

I attended the Royal Rumble last night and the crowd was hot. Madison Square Garden fans always bring it! Here are some quick notes:

Biggest pops:
1. Triple H (by far)
2. Mick Foley
3. Jeff Hardy
4. John Cena
5. Edge (the crowd was almost completely behind him during match with Rey Mysterio)

Most heat:
1. Randy Orton
2. John Cena, during face-off with Triple H (lots of "Cena sucks!" chants)
3. JBL
4. MVP
5. Big Daddy V

There were signs everywhere for next weekend's UFC 81 event. It marks the debut of former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar.

According to the latest edition of Diva Dish on WWE.com, a alew WWE Divas will be appearing on Bravo's hit reality show, Project Runway, on Wednesday, February. 6.

The WWE Divas scheduled to appaer on the show are: Layla, Maria Kanellis, Candice Michelle, Torrie Wilson and Michelle McCool. Here's how the network describes the episode:

"Every designer has a muse and in this challenge, the designers must use their unexpected clients – the WWE Divas – to create a fantasy and use their designs to tell a story."