twn-news-2011

Richie Steamboat Interview 27.3.2011

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:57:03 +0100

Richie Steamboat recently spoke about being a second generation wrestler, using Steamboat as opposed to his real name and more. Check out the highlights:

On being a second generation talent vs. having an amateur background: "I don't think one is better than the other. I think having the amateur background does give you a heads-up, an advantage as opposed to somebody who is not an athlete who comes into this business. It also gives you a little bit more mat skills. Being second generation is a double-edged sword. It has its positives and negatives. There are a lot of people who are going to say, ‘He doesn't deserve to be here. He's only here because of his last name,' and there are other people who say, ‘You've got such big boots to fill. How are you ever going to do that? How are you going to live up to your father's legacy?' My answer is always the same. I'm not going to try and fill my father's boots. I'm just going to fill my own."

On using Steamboat as opposed to his real last name: "That idea was thrown around a little bit. My last name is Blood, which is a pretty cool last name for wrestling, but we decided that the older fans would know the [Steamboat] name, and the newer fans would get to know the name. It's a good thing."

On whether more is expected of him: "I believe so. Being second generation and being the son of a WWE Hall of Famer like Ricky The Dragon Steamboat, there are high expectations from everyone. I'm going to be myself, and I'm going to add my own flavor, my style the way I do things, and I think the fans will embrace it. I hope in 20 years my father can say, ‘I'm very proud the way you were able to carry on the Steamboat name."

Michael Cole Calls Josh Matthews A "Faggot" 26.3.2011

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:55:59 +0100

TMZ.com has picked up the story on Michael Cole calling fellow WWE announcer Josh Matthews a "faggot" earlier today via Twitter.

The story will appear in numerous media outlets now that TMZ has picked it up. It's obviously not good news for WWE, especially with Michael Cole set for a main event match at WrestleMania 27 next

Sunday. Here is the TMZ.com article:

Less than two weeks after the WWE and GLAAD teamed up to say they were going to work together to curb homophobic slurs in wrestling, one of the WWE's top announcers tweeted one at a fellow announcer.

Earlier today, Michael Cole simply tweeted one disgusting word towards fellow announcer Josh Mathews. Cole quickly took down the tweet and apologized.

The WWE and GLAAD announced a partnership on March 17 to try and put an end to bullying based on sexual orientation after a series of homophobic taunts was made by wrestler John Cena.

WWE said at the time: "WWE takes this issue very seriously, and has already spoken with our talent about these incidents. We are taking steps and working with GLAAD to ensure that our fans know that WWE is against bullying or discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation."

A rep for the WWE tells TMZ, "WWE has alerted GLAAD to the situation and spoken to Michael Cole about his post. He has removed it and apologized for using hateful language. Michael will be included in the training session being done by GLAAD. WWE takes this very seriously and is against discrimination of any kind based on sexual orientation, gender, race, religion or other."

A rep for GLAAD could not be reached for comment.

TMZ.com has also posted screen caps from Cole's tweet. It should
be noted that Cole earlier tweeted that he was not told to issue an
apology. WWE's statement to TMZ.com contradicts that statement.

TNA / Jeff Hardy Update 26.3.2011

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:54:22 +0100

According to multiple sources within TNA Wrestling, there was no indication that Jeff Hardy was in no condition to perform throughout the day of last week's Victory Road pay-per-view event.

"He was fine all day and then no one could find him," according to a company source.

Shortly before Hardy's match with Sting, production managers James Tilquist (a/k/a Big Tilly) and Bruno Sassi found him in or around his trailer. One source told us he was found on his back in a bathroom.

"They had to carry him from his trailer to the gorilla position," stated an observer, whose story was deemed true by other employees.

Concern increased over the way Hardy stumbled during his ring entrance. TNA sources believe Eric Bischoff, who was at the "gorilla position," called the audible with only a matter of seconds to come up with another way of getting around the match. He headed to the ring to deliver the altered match plans to Hardy and Sting while also announcing to the audience that it would be a No Disqualification Match. Many people praised Bischoff as he did the right thing by not allowing Hardy to work a full match. He also had to make a quick decision on what to do.

Following the brief main event match, Sting responded to "bullshit" chants by reportedly saying "I agree." He headed backstage and there were no visible issues with management. Meanwhile, Hardy remained in the ring and played up the "bullshit" chants. He was led back to his trailer after arriving backstage. There was also no visible confrontation between Hardy and management after the show.

The decision to not use Hardy for the week's iMPACT! tapings was made the following day during the morning. It was speculated backstage that Hardy would not be used again until his legal situation is finalized. Additionally, management has yet to address the situation with the wrestlers.

TNA Wrestling President Dixie Carter was backstage at the Monday iMPACT! taping, but was not backstage at Tuesday or Wednesday's shows. She reportedly went on a vacation to Mexico. The feeling amongst some employees was that talk of Hardy was taboo with her on Monday. Some employees were frustrated that she did not address the situation to the locker room.

A number of people within the company strongly feel that Hardy should be fired or at the very least give him the ultimatum that World Wrestling Entertainment officials gave him in 2003 (Hardy declined the request and was fired as a result). Many assume that WWE would cover the cost of Hardy's rehabilitation if he opts for it. WWE has an ongoing offer to cover the expenses of drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs for current and former talent. However, it has not been indicated that TNA made the request as talks between both parties have been kept quiet.

Randy Orton Interview 25.3.2011

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:53:08 +0100

Randy Orton recently spoke with ESPN.com about his babyface turn, the WWE All-Stars game and more. Check out the highlights:

On his face turn: When you go from being a good guy to a bad guy or vice versa like I did, everyone always tells you, "Don't change, don't change." And in my case, the less change the better because what really happened is the fans turned me. This wasn't some master plan where all of a sudden I was going to be a good guy, I just started getting a lot of fan support. It's a fine line because I wasn't going out there like John Cena high-fiving kids and hugging grandmas and pumping my fist and smiling ... if I would've done that, I would've failed tremendously, kind of like it did back in 2004, when I became the youngest champion in WWE history. That didn't work at all because I changed so much. So it's really about looking at your character, seeing what people like about me, like about my character, and seeing how much I can change without changing too much and walking that fine line. I think I've done a pretty good job. I'm definitely still learning on the job, though. It took me about five years to get really comfortable as a bad guy, as a heel, and I expect to take another couple of years as a good guy to really come into my own, but I'm definitely on the right path."

On The Rock vs. John Cena: "I know them both, and I know Cena a lot better than I know The Rock, obviously, but I've been in the ring with both cutting promos and wrestling. I have to say, though, talking about the whole ring rust thing, John Cena has had about 2,000 matches in the last seven years. The Rock? A big, fat zero. So when it comes to ring rust, I don't care what type of athlete you are, and The Rock is obviously an athletic dude, but Cena has been in the ring. He's been at every show and in every show and making appearances and he has been on the road with the WWE over 300 days a year for the last seven years. The Rock? Virtually non-existent. You see the interviews that The Rock does and he says that he doesn't want to be known as a wrestler. He doesn't want to be known as a sports entertainer or a performer with WWE or a WWE superstar. He wants to be known as an actor. Now all of a sudden he's back in our world telling the fans what they want to hear. He's telling them: "I promise that I will never go away again. I promise that I'm back for good and that I'm here to stay." He said that, what, six or seven weeks ago? Have we even seen him live since then? No. Via satellite. I think Cena will own The Rock. I think Cena is wittier and can go off the cuff. Cena writes his own stuff while The Rock has stuff written for him. It just all comes down to who you are in the ring and what kind of performer you are in the ring, and I think Cena is ten times the performer in the ring that The Rock is. This Monday in Chicago, he'll prove it."

Abdullah The Butcher Interview 25.3.2011

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:52:23 +0100

Abdullah the Butcher recently spoke to Main Event Radio (CJLO 1690AM in Montreal) about his WWE Hall of Fame induction and more. Check out the highlights:

On his induction: "They called me about a month ago. When they called me I was sleeping and they told me they want to put me in the Hall of Fame; I jumped up and said just a minute. I ran to the bathroom really fast, started putting water on my face, started smacking my face. I ran back and he says 'This is Johnny Ace, we want to put you in the Hall of Fame.' I thought I was dreaming. I'm the one who started hardcore. I started hardcore on Johnny Rougeau, the Rougeau brothers, Maurice [Mad Dog] Vachon, and my manager Eddie "The Brain" Creatchman. I was in the business for many years. I scared a lot of people but they all liked me. I was not expecting it when they told me they were going to induct me into the Hall of Fame. They left me for last because I am #1. They left me for the last because I was the only one left."

On why he never wrestled for WWE: "The guys in the wrestling business, when you're a top man and you're drawing a lot of money, they don't want the promoter to bring you in so they started to make up a lot of stories about Abdullah the Butcher. They told Vince don't bring him in because he's going to stab people with a fork, he's going to do this, he's going to do that."

On the people who have emulated him: "It's not the point that somebody tries to take your style. If you look at Mercedes Benz style, now you've got other cars who started looking the same way. They're trying to sell cars. The guys who are trying to do what I used to do, they're trying to draw people. It's the same reason I did it. I'll never retire though...I'll keep going. I started in 1961, 50 years. I loved working with all my opponents, it was always a pleasure to wrestle. I would also like to thank the fans, a lot of people helped me get into the Hall of Fame, they wrote into WWE asking for me. Thank you very much and may God bless you all."

"Bullet" Bob Armstrong Interview 24.3.2011

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:51:28 +0100

"Bullet" Bob Armstrong was recently on Ringside Talk with Scott Fishman, here are the highlights…

On Going Into The WWE Hall of Fame: "When they called me and told me I was being inducted, I thought they had the wrong number because I really didn't expect this in a million years. It means an awful lot to me. You know what means a lot to me is my sons. All four of my sons are going to present me with that ring and induction plaque. That will mean a lot to me to have my sons there to give it to me."

On His Sons Going Into Wrestling: "I'm just like the other fathers in that I didn't want them to go through the pain and suffering that I did, but I wouldn't change a thing. I'm put together with pins, screws and clamps, but at Andrews Institute every time they have operated on me it's been a success, and I'm still standing. My boys came to me one at a time and I said to them, "Are you sure son? There are a lot easier occupations out there that you could do." They would have nothing else. They would watch it on TV from the time they were small kids. They would try every move. They would drop elbows on each other from the kitchen table. They would suplex on the living room furniture. My wife had to referee that and straighten them out. I understood she had the best wristlock in the business because when she hooked them up to spank that fanny, there was no escape."

On Working With His Sons: "They are all different and have different styles. I took Brad under my wing at 18 when he started and was 210 pounds. He was a pretty tough character, so I figured he do alright with my guidance. Sure enough when he was 19 we won the national [tag team] championships. They had 22 teams from New Zealand, Australia, Japan, South America. They brought them all into the old Omni in Atlanta, and sure enough, we came out on top."

Shawn Michaels Interview 20.3.2011

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:50:21 +0100

Shawn Michaels spoke in the new issue of WWE Magazine about his post-wrestling life, the Hall of Fame and more. Here are some of the highlights:

On his retirement: "No matter how many times you say, 'I'm not coming back,' someone will always question you. There's always someone out there, especially with the Internet, saying you'll be coming back, or that you have ulterior motives, or whatever. That's just part of the gig."

On whether the Undertaker is a factor in his staying retired: "Again, I'm in a position where I have the luxury of being able to say, 'No, I don't want to do that' if I don't want to do something. And, if I say that, it's not going to happen. I wouldn't have put my career on the line against Undertaker's streak if I wasn't 100 percent ready to accept the consequences. Staying retired is as much about respecting him, and the match, as it is about respecting the promise I made to myself and my family. Sometimes there are moments that you just can't beat."

On Ric Flair's return: "So many people ask me about Ric, and whether his return bothers me. I always say, 'Absolutely not.' One match at Wrestlemania XXIV - that moment - was truly 100 percent real to me. And it was real to him. And that's never going to change. I want Ric to be happy. And to be perfectly honest, I know he's happiest when he's in the ring. That moment will always be very special to me."

On guys who return after retiring: "It's very tough to make a well thought-out decision when you don't have the time to think it out. I had that luxury, I was able to craft the circumstances surrounding my exit to the point that the career-ending stipulation meant something. I understand why people can't stay away. The atmosphere of the business - being around the guys in the locker room or out in the ring - can be very intoxicating."

Cody Rhodes Interview 20.3.2011

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:49:31 +0100

Cody Rhodes recently spoke with SLAM! Wrestling, here are the highlights…

On Facing Rey At WrestleMania: "I'm not one for false promises, exaggeration or hyperbole. In sports entertainment, you hear a lot of those. But I really believe this match has potential to steal the show. We're stacked up against some beautiful matches and this is my hometown so that would be an added bonus. It's our best superstars. I wouldn't feel comfortable without having a quality story. I used to think I should be on Mania, but looking back, no, I shouldn't have been. I wasn't ready."

On His Father's Vide Of WrestleMania: "I was talking to my dad (Wednesday night) and he had some advice about the Super Bowl, Wrestlemania and other major sporting events ... he said they were just another game. I don't agree with that. It's not just another game. If someone is whispering in your ear that this is the biggest event in sports entertainment history, you move faster, you jump higher. You're trying to give fans something they'll remember forever."

On His Ability: "I was an awesome amateur wrestler, no pun intended for The Miz. I would do stand-up drills in the shower every morning. I did the stadiums, waking up at 5 in the morning. I was on a low-cal diet before I was 18. One of my least favorite things that's accepted on the internet is the level of technical wrestling ability of some. I would tie Daniel Bryan up in knots in 15 minutes."

Did His Father Inspire Him?: "With no disrespect to him, I speak to him on a regular basis, but I've always tried to get my inspiration from other sources. I'm not helping anybody by being Dusty Rhodes Jr. That would just be reminding people what they saw years ago. One of my biggest influences was Shawn Michaels. How does (my dad) take it? He's doesn't take it good-naturedly. He has an ego the size of the state he came from. He feels he should be listened to. A funny story: The night my dad went into the Hall of Fame, he was the last one to speak, and one of the production people said the show was short, then told my dad: 'Dusty, you can talk as long as you want.' My brother said, 'Why are you up last? Who did you ever beat?' My dad turned and said: 'Everybody out on that stage, boy!' When he has that WWE marquee, he turns it on."

You can read the full interview at http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Wrestling/

TNA Victory Road PPV Thoughts By David Damage 17.3.2011

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:48:18 +0100

WWE Victory Road 2011

13th / March / 2011

Highlights of Victory Road……

Taz & Mike Tenay welcome us to the show…

Bully Ray Vs Tommy Dreamer is the opening match… Bubba tells Dreamer the match with be No DQ & Falls Count Anywhere….
Dreamer & Bully Ray battle to the outside, Bull Ray gets sent into the stage and battle through the crowd, with Tommy Dreamer in control and fans chant “TNA”, Bully Ray takes control by the ring and sends Dreamer into the steps, Dreamer avoids a steel chair and sends Bubba into the ring post.
Back in the ring, Dreamer nails Bubba with a Singapore Cane and a trashcan lid, bubba falls on top of a blow up doll… Dreamer goes to the top rope, but is cut off by Bully Ray with a trashcan lid and hit’s a superplex on Dreamer.
Dreamer reverses a Bubba Bomb and hit’s a DDT for a 2 count.
Dreamer brings a table into the ring but a power bomb attempt is turned into a backdrop by Bully Ray and Dreamer gets nailed with a stiff trashcan to the head and a big boot for a 2 count.
“Now you pay” says Bully Ray before he hits Dreamer with some stiff Singapore cane shots. Bully Ray gets the mic and tells Devon “This is for you” as he plans to put Dreamer through a table… Devon’s music hits and his sons come down the ramp… which distracts Bully Ray… Devon slides into the ring and Bully Ray gets a 3D through the table and Dreamer covers him for a 3 count…

Backstage… Christy Hemme asks Winter what the problems are between her and Velvet. Winter says that Angelina has seen for herself that the problems are caused by Velvet and not her. Angelina & Winter walk off together and leave Velvet wondering what’s going on…

Knockout Tag Titles: Angelina & Winter Vs Serita & Rosa

Winter comes to the ring wearing a blindfold…
Angelina & Serita start the match, suplex by Angelina…. Beautiful spinning backbreaker and Northern Lights suplex by Winter on Rosita for a 2 count. Angelina comes in and gets a 2 count after a front slam.
Back heel trip by Rosita and she gets the tag, but Serita accidentally dropkicks her partner… Quick tags by both teams… Stunner on Rosita for a 2 count…
Serita brings a tag Title into the ring and Rosita is about to nail Winter, but Velvet takes the Title from her. Winter rolls up Rosita in a Victory Roll pinfall, but Serita is able to turn them around and the ref counts the 3 count on Winter.
New Knockout Tag Champs: Serita & Rosita.
Angelina & Winter blame Velvet for the loss after the match.

Footage is shown of Jeff Jarrett & Karen on their honeymoon at a theme park. The Angle kids are very happy to be going on the rides and the offer of pizza, but Karen isn’t having a good time…

Matt Morgan backstage with Christy, he tells her that after he beats Hernandez, he will be going straight for the TNA World Title, no matter who has it.

Matt Morgan Vs Hernandez - First Blood Match

Matt Morgan & Hernandez start off quick, big shoulder block by Hernandez before he breaks a wooden stick and tries to drive it into the head of Morgan.
Matt fights back with a discus clothesline and a big fall away slam. Morgan goes outside the ring and picks up the wood stick, but is cut off by Hernandez - who is caught climbing the ropes. A “Fan”” jumps into the ring, which distracts Morgan. Hernandez has a steel chain to hit Morgan with, but Morgan takes hold of it and hits Hernandez… Hernandez does a blade job, but quirts blood on Morgan - the referee sees the blood on Morgan and Hernandez is the winner.

This was a pretty bad match, reminded me of a typical WWE main event style match, except with some blood. Bad booking, the whole thing was pretty much a waste of time.

X Division Title Ultimate X Match
Kazarian Vs Max Buck Vs Jeremy Buck Vs Robbie E…

This was a great match that I couldn’t do justice to by recapping (I couldn‘t even name some of the innovative things Generation Me do in this match) so I’ll just give some random highlights… Kazarian hits Robbie off the cables and lands a double leg drop from the cables…. Robbie E gets back-dropped over the top rope into the steel steps and then gets hit with a springboard cross-body by Kaz.
Max uses Jeremy throughout the match to try to help him climb the cables to win the X Division Title…. Tower suplex by Robbie on Jeremy & Kaz….
Kaz hits the “Fade To Black” reverse piledriver on Max Buck and also an impressive Flex Capacitor from the top rope.
Jeremy & Max both battle on top of the cables before Kaz is able to walk across the top of the cables and grab the X before Robbie E can grab the belt.

This was a pretty good match - far from the best Ultimate X match I’ve ever seen, but all guys worked hard and some impressive moves by Generation Me and Kazarian. Best thing on the PPV so far.

Beer Money are backstage with Christy and cut a good promo…

Beer Money Vs Ink Inc for the Tag Team Titles

Ink Inc work well as a team, making frequent tags and cutting off the ring, working on James Storm. Roode makes the tag and takes control of the match - After some back and forth action, Roode sends Jesse Neal into Shannon Moore in the ropes. Shannon Moore hit’s a moonsault on James Storm. Double suplex on Shannon Moore. Spear by Jesse takes out Storm and a neck breaker on Roode for a 2 count. Shannon Moore gets his chain to hit Robert Roode with, but Jesse Neal tells him not to use it, while Shannon hesitates, James Storm super kicks Jesse and Beer Money get the pinfall on Shannon Moore to retain the Tag Titles.

… After the match, Shannon Moore blames Jesse Neal for costing them the match.

I didn’t like the booking for the finish of the match, but all guys worked hard.
Wish we could have seen a longer match between these two teams without the gimmick finish.

Matt Hardy (with Ric Flair) Vs AJ Styles

Styles sends Hardy to the outside with a dropkick, distracted by Flair and Hardy comes in with a clothesline on Styles. Matt slams Styles and hits an elbow drop. Styles pulls the ropes down and Hardy goes to the outside. Nice moonsault on Hardy outside the ring. Hardy takes control and rams Styles shoulder first into the ringside post. AJ Styles Springboards from the guard rail and takes out Hardy with a clothesline. Back in the ring, Hardy is sent into the turnbuckles, but fights back with a snap german suplex into the turnbuckles. Styles sent to the outside and Ric Flair works him over with chops. Matt Hardy nails Styles with a slingshot into the bottom rope and then slaps on his new underhooks / body scissors hold, but AJ makes his way to the ropes to force the referee to break it.
Hardy continues to work on Styles… A double clothesline and both men stay on their feet before Styles hit’s an enzuguri kick to send Hardy down. Both men fire good looking punches at each other before Styles gets Hardy with a fireman carry / neck breaker combo. Elbow off the second rope from Hardy and goes for the Twist of Fate, but Styles reverses for a 2 count. Discus Clothesline by Styles and AJ goes for the Styles Clash, but it’s countered into an overhead slam for a 2 count. Styles hit’s the Pele’ kick on Flair on the apron and Hardy hits an implant DDT and a moonsault on AJ Styles for a 2 count. Hardy climbs the ropes, but AJ stops him with another great Pele’.
AJ Styles goes to the top and hit’s the Spinal Tap from the top rope for the 3 count.
I wasn’t able to recap every move in that one, but it was a pretty good match. My favourite of the PPV so far….

Mr Anderson Vs RVD to be the No.1 Contender for the TNA World Title

Rob & Anderson go for a series of different moves and reversals, RVD gets the double leg scissors pin for a 2 count and both guys get to their feet.
Both guys trade hammerlocks and headlocks, ankle picks, some nice wrestling until RVD gets nailed after going for a leapfrog.
Anderson clotheslines RVD in the corner - RVD reverses another irish whip on Anderson and follows up with a spinning kick into the corner. Anderson goes to the outside and RVD hit’s a baseball slide and a cross body from inside the ring to the outside. RVD perches Anderson on the steel railing and goes for the spinning leg drop off the ring apron, but Anderson moves out of the way and RVD goes straight into the railing with a lot of velocity. Mr Anderson begins to work on RVD’s legs, throwing them into the turnbuckle post a few times and continues working on his leg inside the ring before slapping on a Boston Crab.
After more working the leg of RVD, Mr Anderson goes for the mic check, but RVD blocks the move and goes for Rolling Thunder, Mr Anderson avoids it and hits a nice back suplex on RVD, a clothesline and neck breaker for a 2 count. Both guys down after a double clothesline…RVD hit’s the shoulder blocks in the corner before Anderson avoids the last one and RVD drives himself into the ring post. Anderson & RVD bump heads, which looks like it really hurts both guys. Anderson & RVD battle to the outside and Mr Anderson hits the Mic Check on RVD on the ramp. Both guys get counted out.
This was a great match, with great action by both men, but yet another screwy finish. Damn.
This was still my best match on the card, but wish they could have had more time and a less screwy finish.
I’m sure whoever is booking this PPV (Eric Bischoff, Hogan or Russo) must be getting paid-off by Vince McMahon because no one could think that having a screwy finish in every single match on the PPV seemed like a good idea… Especially considering the main event is still to come..

TNA World Title Match

Sting Vs Jeff Hardy

I’ve read from a few different places that Hardy trips on the ramp and stumbles up the ring steps on his entrance, but I didn’t see either of these things, although he does look a little “out of focus” the whole time.
Eric Bischoff comes to the ring before the match starts and says that the match with be a No DQ match. He tries to shake Sting’s hand, but Sting decides to punch him in the face instead.

Hardy takes his shirt off and teases that he will throw the shirt into the crowd, but he just drops it in the ring instead, like a heel should.
Sting intimidates Jeff Hardy, pushing his chest up against him in the ropes and Hardy cowers under the top rope until Sting backs up.
Sting hit’s a punch or two on Hardy and then hits a pretty brutal Scorpion Death Drop on Hardy and pins him for a 3 count.
Jeff pops right up after the count and argues with the ref that it was a fast count.
Sting leaves the ring and says “I agree” loudly to a fan, who is probably shouting “Bullshit” at the quick finish.
Taz & Tenay recap the Victory Road card before they go off-air.

Overall this wasn’t a great TNA PPV, mainly due to the bad booking in pretty much every match, even though the talent, for the most part, worked hard with what they were given.

While better than anything I’ve seen from WWE in a long, long time, by TNA standards, this was not one of their better shows.

Wade Barrett Interview 16.3.2011

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 02:46:24 +0100

Wrestlemania XXVII is set to be your debut on the grandest stage of them all. Can you confirm you will be on the card on April 3?

WADE BARRETT: It's not officially set-up but in some capacity, I'm definitely going to be performing on the show. I'm obviously in a group called the Corre at the moment and we've sort of made a name for ourselves by attacking people at random and ganging up on people.

Even if I don't have a full match scheduled, I'm still hopeful of getting something ironed out. I'm sure we'll be involved somewhere, even if we're attacking people in the main event or something like that. In fact, I guarantee you I'll get myself involved.

So you can't confirm any rumours of the Corre against The Big Show and Kane, and possibly Diesel?

WB: I can't confirm anything, nothing is set in stone yet. I've been feuding with the Big Show for some time now so I'd love to do something with him. I think I've got a score to settle with him and hopefully that will be at WrestleMania. But if not, I'll be involved in some capacity.

So what are your goals for 2011 and beyond?

WB: My main focus is to become England's first WWE Champion. There's never been one before, which is something that needs to be corrected very soon. There's been so many great British and English wrestlers in the past and the fact there has never been a World Champion from this country is wrong. It's my main focus to make sure that I am the first. On top of that, I just want to find my place in the WWE. I was on a lot of pay-per-views and I main-evented a lot of pay-per-views. I want to get myself back into that title picture with top guys and hopefully bring that title back to the UK.

Triple H told the WWE Universe a few weeks ago that he had nothing else to achieve in the WWE than ending The Undertaker's streak at WrestleMania. There are obviously a lot of new Superstars he has yet to beat. Did that annoy many of the ones listening?

WB: Yes I think so. I think a lot of people heard that and maybe were a bit disgruntled by it. Triple H certainly has beaten everybody there is to beat. He really is one of the best in history. But there really are a lot of young lions coming through at the moment. Triple H has certainly never beaten me. We've never been in the ring together. I would like to do battle with him one day. But obviously he has a lot on his plate with the Undertaker. So maybe we'll wait until that is completed. But definitely somewhere down the line, I would love to take Triple H on.