WWE releases Candice & Snuka

Today WWE released yet another member of its talent, but this time around it was one of its loveliest, veteran WWE Divas. On Friday June 19, 2009, WWE officially came to terms with the release of Candice Michelle, former WWE Womens Champion.

WWE's standard announcement via WWE.com:

World Wrestling Entertainment has come to terms on the release of SmackDown Superstar Candice Michelle as of today, June 19, 2009. WWE wishes Candice the best in all future endeavors.

Candice hadn't seen much wrestling since sustaining an injury on WWE Raw. She was moved to the Smackdown roster during WWE's 2009 Supplemental draft, but never saw much, if any action on the show. Candice had notable feuds with the likes of Torrie Wilson and Melina, and also was one of several divas to appear nude in Playboy magazine.

Candice uses Twiter and back on June 3rd mentioned she was planning to return to the ring. Her latest update says "I'm free to grow!" which may be in reference to her release from WWE. You can follow Candice at Twitter here.

Best wishes to Candice with all of her future endeavors. Will TNA recruit yet another WWE Diva to its ranks, just like Lisa Marie Varon (Victoria)?

In other news, Sim Snuka formerly a member of Deuce and Domino was also released Friday. Snuka had also been part of the Raw storyline when Randy Orton was forming the Legacy stable, yet Snuka and Manu were ousted from the group and received a beatdown from Rhodes, Dibiase and Orton. That was about the last that was seen of Snuka. WWE.com release statement for Sim Snuka

Raw Preview 01.19.09

Tonight marks a major return for the WWE Raw program as the Chairman, Vincent Kennedy McMahon will make his presence felt. For weeks leading up to tonight, the show's been in a state of disarray with Mike Adamle in the GM spot, followed by a battle for power between Shane and Stephanie McMahon. Stephanie promptly rid the show of her brother, who told her she could see how Raw flops with her in the lead. Stephanie's been all business as the GM, but also made an enemy in Chris Jericho. Last week, tensions between the two boiled over. Jericho told Stephanie he refused to wrestle until it was for the World Heavyweight Title. He also let Steph know that nothing she said mattered since her father would be back to clean up her mess. Stephanie was pushed to the limit and told Jericho two words her father made famous, "Your'e Fired!" Jericho left the arena stunned. Now with Vince McMahon set to return on Raw, will the Chairman have a different opinion about the Jericho firing? Or will Jericho find he has "No Chance in Hell" of returning to Raw? What will Vince have to say about his daughter's job as GM?

Tonight will also be a special Raw for superstar CM Punk. Not only will Punk be wrestling in his home city of Chicago, Illinois, but he'll also be in his third and final match for the Intercontinental title. In his two previous attempts, Punk was on opposite ends of a DQ finish. Match one saw William Regal get disqualified to preserve his title. Match 2 had Punk disqualified for a low blow, which may have been more of an acting job by Regal. Stephanie McMahon informed Regal he would have to defend his title yet again, but tonight's match will be a No Disqualification contest. Will CM Punk be able to capture the title in his hometown? Or will William Regal continue to hold onto the belt in 2009?

Last week's Raw also saw the formation of Randy Orton's Legacy stable. At first it appeared that Ted Dibiase had returned and aligned himself with already-angry Manu and Snuka, who were looking for revenge on Orton. The 3 men stormed down to the ring ready to give Orton a beatdown, but Manu and Snuka found themselves ambushed as Rhodes, Orton and Dibiase all attacked them. The two were left layed out in the ring, as Orton, Dibiase and Rhodes proceeded up the ramp in all their glory. Will Snuka and Manu look for further retaliation on tonight's episode of Raw? What will be next for these superstars as the Royal Rumble approaches?

Catch all the action of Monday Night Raw tonight at 9PM EST on USA!

Raw Preview 01.12.09

Last week on Raw, CM Punk was ready to capture the Intercontinental Title from William Regal in their anticipated match. Due to the fact Regal put his hands on the referee to prevent CM Punk from completing the Go To Sleep, Regal was disqualified. Although Punk was technically the winner, he did not claim the title. Regal and girlfriend Layla celebrated the victory, but it was brief, as General Manager Stephanie McMahon appeared on the Titantron. Stephanie informed Regal he would be defending the title yet again versus CM Punk, however this time if he was disqualified, he would lose the Intercontinental Championship. How will Regal fare in tonight's title defense under Stephanie's stipulation? Will Raw see the crowning of its first new champion of the New Year?

Raw's main event last week saw Shawn Michaels ordered to team up with John Cena to face Randy Orton and Chris Jericho. The match was created by Stephanie McMahon in order to test Shawn Michaels' level of integrity. Michaels displayed integrity in the win, by delivering a Superkick to both Orton and Jericho to win the match. John Cena wisely stayed on the outside of the ring to avoid Michaels attacking him after the victory. Meanwhile backstage, JBL informed Todd Grisham that he had made a deal with Stephanie McMahon. For tonight's Raw, Shawn Michaels will face John Cena in a one-on-one bout. In Shawn's corner will be his current boss, JBL, sho happens to be the #1 Contender for Cena's World Heavyweight title. What part will JBL play in the match as Shawn Michaels faces John Cena in the main event? Will Michaels do everything his employer orders him to, or will he display integrity yet again?

Last week also saw the division of Randy Orton's "Legacy" stable. Orton had informed Sim Snuka, Cody Rhodes and Manu that they would each have to win a match in week 1 to remain qualified for Legacy. Everyone won their match except for Manu, who Orton was quick to dismiss from the group. On last week's Raw, Orton had Rhodes & Snuka in a tag team match. The tag team won their match, with Rhodes taking the pinfall. Backstage, Orton informed Rhodes he was in, and Snuka was out, due to the fact Rhodes technically won the tag team match. Orton and Rhodes left the scene, now leaving Snuka and Manu out of the stable. Will Snuka and Manu seek revenge on Orton and Rhodes? What will be next for Orton's Legacy group?

Catch all the action of WWE's Monday Night Raw on USA, Monday night at 9PM EST!

Raw Preview 01.05.09

Last week saw an interesting ending to WWE Raw with JBL ordering his employee Shawn Michaels to simply lay down for the pinfall. Michaels just couldn't bring himself to lose like that, and instead allowed JBL to level him with a vicious clothesline. JBL took the pin in the Fatal Fourway matchup, and now becomes the #1 Contender for John Cena's World Heavyweight title at the Royal Rumble. Michaels was close to a title shot, if not for the orders of his employer. Now the businessman JBL prepares to face John Cena, a foe he's quite familiar with. What will JBL have to say regarding Cena and Shawn Michaels? How will Cena and Michaels react?

Last week's Fatal Fourway saw Chris Jericho and Randy Orton both eliminated from #1 Contender status. Orton has aligned himself with Team Priceless and formed a stable known as "Legacy". On last week's show he informed Manu, Cody Rhodes and Sim Snuka they would need to win their singles matches to be included in the group. Snuka and Rhodes managed to get wins over their opponents, but Manu lost his match to Matt Hardy. What will Orton have to say to Manu regarding his consideration for the team? Also, it was revealed that Kelly Kelly's mystery lover was Randy Orton. Orton told Kelly it was a one time thing and he didn't have time to deal with her. Kane is of course hellbent on finding that individual to take out his frustrations. Will Kane target Orton on Raw? Will Kelly align herself with either superstar? What will Raw's WWE divas have to say regarding Kelly's hookup?

Tonight's Raw will also feature the Intercontinental title on the line as CM Punk has earned a shot at King Regal's title. Regal will be accompanied by his girlfriend WWE Diva Layla and will attempt to successfully defend the title he's held for weeks now. Punk looks to get his New Year off to a great start by winning a title he's never held before, adding to his already impressive resume. Will Punk be able to overcome Regal as well as the distractions from his ringside valet, Layla? Or will Regal start of 2009 with a successful win to continue his reign?

The 2009 Royal Rumble is just a few weeks away! Which superstars from Raw be named to the match? Catch all the action of Raw at 9PM EST on USA!

Related blog entries:

Raw Recap 12.29.09

Raw Races to the Rumble