Matches for War Games DVD, Backstage News on a Planned Booker Turn

- WWEDVDNews.com reports that the following matches are confirmed for WWE’s War Games DVD that comes out in June:

* Ultimate Jeopardy Steel Cage Match from ECW CyberSlam 1999: The Dudleys and Mustafa vs. New Jack, Axl Rotten and Balls Mahoney

* War Games from WCW Fall Brawl 1997: Kevin Nash, Sean Waltman, Konnan and Buff Bagwell vs. Ric Flair, Chris Benoit, Curt Hennig and Steve “Mongo” McMichael

- WWE has changed plans for a proposed Booker T heel turn and now the plan is for Teddy Long to turn. Teddy is expected to become the new heel General Manager of SmackDown.

Spoilers: WWE SmackDown Tapings – 4/12/2013

Thanks to Fred O. for the following WWE SmackDown spoilers from tonight’s tapings in Boston, MA:

* SmackDown kicks off with Big E Langston mocking Ricardo Rodriguez. He introduces Dolph Ziggler, who gets a big reaction. Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter come out and Swagger wants a title shot. Out next comes Alberto Del Rio, selling the leg injury from Swagger on RAW. Del Rio wants his rematch but is interrupted by Chris Jericho, who also wants a title shot. Jericho vs. Ziggler will happen tonight.

* Kane and Daniel Bryan defeated Darren Young and Titus O’Neil. The Shield appeared on the big screen and threatened Kane and Bryan.

* Backstage segment with Booker T, Teddy Long, Randy Orton and Sheamus. Booker announces Orton and Sheamus vs. Big Show in a handicap match for tonight.

* Wade Barrett beat Santino Marella.

* The Bella Twins and Tamina Snuka defeated Kaitlyn, Cameron and Naomi.

* Triple H is out next to talk about WrestleMania 29 and his match with Brock Lesnar. He’s interrupted by 3MB. The Shield comes out and attacks 3MB, then surround Triple H. Before they can attack, Kane and Daniel Bryan come out and chase them into the crowd. Triple H and Team Hell No clear the ring of 3MB. They try to hug Triple H but he doesn’t want to hug Bryan. Vince McMahon comes out and teases a group hug but leaves before they do. More comedy and hugging with HHH and Team Hell No. Lilian Garcia announces The Shield vs. John Cena and Team Hell No for the live crowd later tonight.

* Backstage segment with Booker T and Big Show. Show isn’t happy about being put in the handicap match.

* Big Show vs. Sheamus and Randy Orton is up next. Good back and forth match. Orton hits a RKO and Sheamus hits a Brogue Kick, sending Show out of the ring. Show walks away from the match and they win by count out.

* Antonio Cesaro vs. Kofi Kingston is up next. Kofi gets the non-title win out of nowhere.

* Fandango comes out next. Many fans are singing his theme song again but not nearly as many as RAW. Fandango stays at ringside to watch tonight’s main event.

* Dolph Ziggler vs. Chris Jericho is up next. They go several minutes in a good back and forth match. Fandango distracts the referee while Big E Langston lays out Jericho. Ziggler takes advantage and rolls up Jericho for the win. Jericho tried to get revenge on Ziggler and lays out Big E after the match. Fandango taunts Jericho, allowing Ziggler to hit a Zig Zag from behind. Fandango hit a big top rope leg drop as the crowd sang his theme song.

Booker T Talks HHH Relationship, Cena Hypes SmackDown, Foley Appearance

- WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley will be the special guest at the Atlantic League Somerset Patriots baseball game at TD Bank Ballpark on Friday, April 19 beginning at 7:05PM.

- Booker T discussed his relationship with Triple H during an interview on The Troy show.

“Hunter and I, for the longest time, we’ve never been friends or anything like that but I’ve always respected him for his body of work,” Booker said. “Being a guy that was in WCW watching what was going on the other side as one of the guys, I could actually see what was happening. He worked harder than anyone in the company, the guy was a cornerstone of the Attitude Era. All the guys that Triple H faced — The Undertaker, The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin — all of them had to go through Triple H to get made from a certain perspective. He was the guy of the Attitude Era, the glue that was keeping everything together.”

- John Cena hyped tonight’s Smackdown taping, writing on Twitter, “Extra! Extra! Read all about it… The Champ returns to Boston’s @tdgarden tonight for SmackDown!” – @BostonGlobe”

Big News on Next Week's WWE Hall of Fame Special

The 2013 WWE Hall of Fame one-hour special will air next Tuesday, April 9th at 10PM ET on the USA Network.

Bruno Sammartino, Trish Stratus and Donald Trump will be the only inductions televised according to Dave Meltzer. Below is the updated 2013 Hall of Fame class and their inductors.

* Bruno Sammartino, inducted by Arnold Schwarzenegger

* Trish Stratus, inducted by Stephanie McMahon

* Donald Trump (TBA)

* Mick Foley, inducted by Terry Funk

* Bob Backlund, inducted by Maria Menounos

* Booker T, expected to be inducted by Stevie Ray

More News on Ric Flair's Health Scare at Monday's Raw

- As noted before, Ric Flair was sent home from RAW in Philadelphia yesterday after doctors took a look at the same leg that he had a blood clot in back in January. That incident prevented Flair from wrestling for All Japan. 

Flair was sent home to Charlotte for further treatment but spent last night watching the NBA on TV. Flair was downplaying the situation to people but is going to a hospital in Charlotte this morning for medical tests. 

One person who saw Flair over the weekend noted that he was not looking good and was limping badly. WWE officials have been concerned with Flair's health recently, even before yesterday's RAW. 

Flair was scheduled to be involved in the Legends segment with John Cena and The Rock at the end of last night's RAW, in the role Booker T had.

Complete List of WWE Superstars, Divas & Legends Scheduled for 4-Day Axxess Event

Several WWE Superstars, Divas and Legends are schedule to appear at the four-day Axxess event during WrestleMania week for autographs and photo opportunities with fans. Here is the full list of those are are appearing. 

4/04 evening session: 
Mark Henry, Booker T, Jack Swagger, The Prime Time Players, 3MB, Rosa Mendes, Jimmy Snuka. 

4/05 evening session: 
The Miz, World Heavyweight champion Alberto Del Rio, The Shield, Kofi Kingston, Ted DiBiase, Fandango, Zack Ryder, Alicia Fox. 

4/06 morning session: 
Bella Twins, Daniel Bryan, The Miz, Brodus Clay, Funkadactyls, Jerry “The King” Lawler, JBL, Paul Heyman, Lita, Billy Gunn. 

4/06 afternoon session: 
CM Punk, Chris Jericho, Intercontinental champion Wade Barrett, World Heavyweight champion Alberto Del Rio, Damien Sandow,The Great Khali, Layla. 

4/06 evening session: 
Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler, AJ Lee, Ryback, Santino Marella, The Shield, Christian, R-Truth, Ezekiel Jackson, Tensai, Big E. Langston, Justin Gabriel, Tyson Kidd, Yoshi Tatsu, Rikishi, Howard Finkel. 

4/07 morning session: 
Sheamus, Divas champion Kaitlyn, Cody Rhodes, David Otunga, Jimmy Hart, Diamond Dallas Page, X-Pac. 

4/07 afternoon session: 
U.S. champion Antonio Cesaro, Sin Cara, Alex Riley, JTG, Aksana, Tamina, Dusty Rhodes, Ron Simmons, Ricky Steamboat. 

Axxess will be held at the IZOD Center and tickets are available now.

Booker T Turning Heel After WM29, Big WM29 Entrance for Del Rio's Planned

- While we haven't seen Alberto Del Rio make his entrance in a fancy car in a few months now, word is that they have a grand entrance planned for him at WrestleMania 29. We've noted how Jack Swagger may be driving an 18-wheeler for his WrestleMania entrance. 

- WWE officials have been discussing turning Booker T heel once WrestleMania 29 and the Hall of Fame are over. 

Booker T announced as WWE Hall of Fame 2013 inductee

On Saturday, April 6, 2013, one of the most decorated competitors in the history of sports-entertainment, most notably as a five-time (five-time, five-time ...) WCW Champion, Booker T, will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden. The current SmackDown General Manager rounds out perhaps the most star-studded inductee class ever alongside Bruno Sammartino, Mick Foley, Bob Backlund, Trish Stratus and celebrity honoree Donald Trump.

A 20-year-plus veteran of the ring, Booker T Spinaroonied his way to nearly every championship there is to win. In addition to accumulating his famous five WCW Titles, Booker is also a former World Heavyweight Champion, Intercontinental Champion, four-time United States Champion, six-time WCW Television Champion, two-time Hardcore Champion and won a total of 14 different tag team titles.

A longtime wrestling fan and Houston native, Booker and his brother Stevie Ray were trained by WWE Hall of Famer Ivan Putski. When the siblings joined WCW in 1993, the team known as Harlem Heat took the Atlanta-based organization by storm. Over the following six years, the charismatic brothers won the WCW Tag Team Championships on a record 10 occasions.

After splitting from Stevie Ray, Booker achieved tremendous success as a singles performer. At Bash at the Beach 2000, Booker won the WCW Championship to become the second African-American to win that title, following in the footsteps of WWE Hall of Famer Ron Simmons. On the final edition of Nitro, Booker won the WCW Title for the fourth time while also holding the United States ChampionshipIn total, Booker won 21 titles in World Championship Wrestling, more than any other single person in the history of that company.

Upon arriving in WWE in 2001, Booker made an immediate impact by attacking “Stone Cold” Steve Austin at King of the Ring as one of the leaders of the invading Alliance faction. The lynchpin of WCW’s dying days, Booker engaged in memorable rivalries with the biggest stars in WWE, including The Rock, Edge and Triple H, but it was his unique partnership with Goldust that made for some of the most entertaining moments of Booker’s career.

After winning the King of the Ring Tournament in 2006, Booker made an unforgettably significant transformation. Adopting a crown, a robe and a bizarre British accent, King Booker held his pinky high en route to winning the World Heavyweight Championship

Booker left active full-time competition in WWE in 2007, but made a memorable return in the 2011 Royal Rumble Match. Having spent time as both color commentator and General Manager of SmackDown, Booker T has proven he can talk the talk as much as he can walk (or scissor kick) the walk. And now Booker is a WWE Hall of Famer. Now can you dig that?

Want to be in attendance when Booker T joins the WWE Hall of Fame? Limited tickets for the Induction Ceremony are available at the MSG box office, online at Ticketmaster.com, various Ticketmaster outlets, or charge by phone at 800-745-3000. Ticket prices range from $50 to $150.

WWE Announces Another Hall of Famer for 2013

WWE announced on tonight's RAW that SmackDown General Manager Booker T will be joining the 2013 Hall of Fame class in just a few weeks from New York City. 

Booker will be inducted with Bruno Sammartino, Trish Stratus, Mick Foley, Bob Backlund and Donald Trump this year.

Goldust Not at Wrestlemania 29

As noted earlier, Goldust has been lobbying for a match against his brother Cody Rhodes at WrestleMania for some time now. Goldust provided an update, writing on Twitter, "Looks like i will be watching #WM29 this year from the comfort of my home. #newkidsontheblock ! Hope they know the opportunity they have!!! I might have to hit up @BookerT5x for a reunion against #rhodesscholars !!!"

WWE Saturday Morning Slam Results - March 9, 2013

The quest for a General Manager on Saturday Morning Slam continues. Who will move one step closer to that position? It should be DAZZLING. 

Teddy Long is with Natalya in the back and he tells Natalya that him and Booker think that she is doing a great job doing interviews on the show. Natalya says that she is looking forward to running the show. 

AJ Lee interrupts and reminds Teddy that she was the Raw General Manager before and her and Dolph should be running the show. 

Teddy suggests that they meet in the ring to help Teddy and Booker make their decision. 

Your announcers are Josh Mathews and Dolph Ziggler. 

Match Number One: AJ Lee versus Natalya 

They lock up and Natalya with a side head lock and shoulder tackle. Natalya lies down next to AJ when AJ goes down to the mat and AJ tries for a side head lock but Natalya moves out of the way. Natalya picks up AJ and spins her around but AJ tries for a sunset flip. Natalya drops down and gets a near fall. 

Natalya works on the wrist but AJ with a kick to the leg and she gets a near fall with a head scissors take down. AJ skips around Natalya but Natalya with a clothesline and a front face lock but AJ with a single arm DDT and she gets a near fall. AJ wraps Natalya’s arm in the ropes and the referee warns her. AJ with an arm bar and she turns it into a hammer lock. 

AJ takes a page out of Dolph’s playbook with a headstand and bridge to add extra pressure. Natalya runs AJ into the turnbuckles but AJ tries for a sleeper. Natalya with a snap mare to get out of the hold. AJ gets to the ropes to prevent Natalya from putting her in the Sharpshooter. AJ holds on to the ropes and Natalya shakes them to get AJ loose. 

Natalya with a rollup for a near fall. Natalya with a drop kick but she holds her arm as she tries to get feeling back into the limb. AJ gets her boots up when Natalya charges into the corner. AJ with a cross body from the turnbuckles, but the momentum of the move puts Natalya on top and she gets the three count. 

Winner: Natalya 

After the match, AJ looks distraught in the ring while Natalya celebrates as she goes to the back. Dolph goes into the ring to check on AJ and they hug. 

We go to commercial. 

We are back with highlights of the opening match. 

Who will become the show’s general manager? We take a look at some previous general managers including Roddy Piper, Steve Austin, Mick Foley, Shawn Michaels, Stephanie McMahon, John Laurinaitis, and Vince McMahon. 

Daniel Bryan is in the Saturday Morning Spotlight before his match with Wade Barrett. 

Tony Dawson is in the back with Daniel Bryan. Tony asks Daniel about his interest in being the Saturday Morning Slam General Manager. Daniel says that it is obvious. The authority figure needs to be intelligent, even tempered, and well groomed. He needs to be decisive on the tough questions. With him, you will either get a YES or a NO. There will be no maybes. 

Wade Barrett enters the interview area and he says that he has a few tough questions for Daniel. Does Daniel stand a chance of winning. . . no. Will he knock Daniel silly with his bull hammer . . . yes. Will Daniel ever be the same . . . maybe. 

Daniel asks Tony if Wade Barrett needs a hug. 

We have a new color commentator for this match and it is Kane. 

Match Number Two: Daniel Bryan versus Wade Barrett 

The crowd chants yes and Daniel responds with a no. Barrett with a slam and kick followed by a side head lock. Barrett with a shoulder tackle. Bryan with an arm drag into an arm bar. Bryan with a hammer lock but Barrett with an elbow. Bryan with a drop kick but he misses a round kick and Barrett goes to the floor. 

Barrett sees Kane at the announce table and he returns to the ring. Bryan with a drop toe hold and he sets for the surfboard but instead he just drives Barrett’s knees into the mat. Bryan with a series of kicks but Barrett with the Blackpool Slam and he gets a near fall. 

We go to commercial. 

We are back and Barrett with a clothesline and he gets a near fall. Barrett works on the back and he stretches Bryan. Bryan with a kick but Barrett with a tilt-a-whirl back breaker for a near fall. Barrett with a knee to the midsection and then he hits a slingshot back breaker. 

Barrett with a near fall. Barrett returns to the back to wear down Bryan. Bryan with a flying clothesline and then he hits the running drop kick into the corner. Bryan gets a near fall. Barrett with an Irish whip but Bryan floats over. Barrett with a back heel kick and then he goes for a pump handle slam but Bryan lands on his feet. Bryan with a crucifix for the three count. 

Winner: Daniel Bryan 

After the match, Bryan goes to the announce table and he hugs his tag team partner. 

We are told that next week we will find out who the new General Manager will be. 

We go to credits.