WWE sent out the following today:

ION TELEVISION’S NEW ORIGINAL SERIES, WWE® MAIN EVENT®, DEBUTS WITH STRONG FIRST MATCH

NEW YORK, October 4, 2012 – Obama vs. Romney was not the only match viewers tuned into on Wednesday night. According to Nielsen overnight data released today, ION Television’s brand new series, WWE Main Event, garnered the highest male audience in the last year with the most Men 18-49 (422,000), Men 25-54 (444,000), and Men 2+ (876,000). At 8:00pm ET/PT, the premiere of the new weekly series, which featured WWE Champion CM Punk™ against World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus™, was the #4 program in the time period among Men 18-34, #4 among Men 18-49, and #5 among Men 25-54. In addition, WWE Main Event out-delivered the last game of the MLB regular season on ESPN and ESPN2 among all key men and adult demos. Finally, the premiere delivered 518,000 Women 2+, finishing ahead of most female cable networks.

“The viewers have spoken,” noted Brandon Burgess, CEO, ION Media Networks. “Fans of the WWE are passionate and seem to have a knack for finding their favorite Superstars wherever they live. Needless to say, we are particularly pleased that WWE has found a new home on ION Television, and we congratulate our new partner in the success of the premiere.”

“Our partnership with ION Television is off to a strong start,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman and CEO. “We expect our fans will make WWE Main Event the number one show on the network as they have done for WWE programs with all of our other TV Partners.”

WWE Main Event, airing Wednesdays at 8:00pm ET/PT, features the WWE Superstars and Divas of Monday Night Raw and Friday Night Smackdown, including John Cena®, WWE Champion CM Punk™, World Heavyweight Champion Sheamus™, Alberto Del Rio®, The Miz®, Kofi Kingston®, Eve® and Alicia Fox®. It’s a must-see for longtime devotees and those looking for character-driven, high-octane entertainment. The original series will showcase live events filmed across the country, as well as a stop in Europe.

* Celebrity Says JOHN CENA Gave Him “Moonshine” Alcohol At WrestleMania

With WWE Champion CM Punk and WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin ramping up the trash talk in recent weeks, speculation has resumed that Stone Cold will finally get back in the ring.

Despite all the hype, there’s virtually no chance that Austin will be wrestling at WrestleMania 29. That leads to hopes of Austin and Punk headlining WrestleMania 30 in 2014, but according to people close to Austin, even that is considered a long shot.

Austin is currently recovering from major reconstructive knee surgery and some feel that his body (mostly his neck) is still a lot worse than he’s letting on.

In reality, the recent references that CM Punk and Steve Austin have been making about each other have been to hype the WWE ’13 video game, with the idea being that the video game is the one place where fans can pit the two against each other.

* News On The MAJOR Changes Happening Behind The Scenes In WWE

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

The National Wrestling Museum sent out the following on Wednesday announcing the inductees for the 2013 George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame:

Ric Flair, “Cowboy” Bill Watts, and Chris Taylor to enter Tragos/Thesz Hall of Fame

WATERLOO, Iowa—The National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum selected the Class of 2013 for the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame. Ric Flair, “Cowboy” Bill Watts, and Chris Taylor have been chosen by the selection committee.

The George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend will take place July 12-13 in Waterloo, Iowa.

Criteria for induction into the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame include substantial impact on professional wrestling, general respect within the profession, and a strong amateur wrestling background. The selection committee includes all living hall of fame members as well as a select group of wrestling historians.

Flair has one of the longest and most distinguished careers in professional wrestling. He was a 16-time world champion with titles in the NWA, WCW, and WWE. Watts was a successful wrestler and promoter. He was ranked in the top ten worldwide for over 25 years.

Taylor was an NCAA champion for Iowa State in 1972 and 1973, and a bronze medalist at the 1972 Olympics. He had a three-year career with the AWA beginning in 1974. Taylor died at the age of 29 in 1979.

Winners of the Frank Gotch Award, Lou Thesz Award, George Tragos Award, and Jim Melby Award will be released on November 12. A full schedule of events will be released at a later date.

For more information contact the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum at (319) 233-0745 or [email protected].

* Is RYBACK Getting The WWE Title? Plus – RVD & JEFF Hardy Returning to WWE?

WWE developmental wrestler Memo Montegro will be teaming with his older brother, Alberto Del Rio, in a match against Kassius Ohno & Leo Kruger at Friday night’s WWE NXT live event from West Palm Beach, Florida. Montenegro spoke with The Miami Herald to promote the show and said this about:

Being in WWE developmental:

“It’s an incredible experience. In the three, four months I’ve been here, I’ve already learned so much. I can’t believe how much I’ve learned so far. I want to thank Bill DeMott, Norman Smiley, Joe Mercury, Ricky Steamboat, because they really help me and tell me my mistakes to learn from and improve and get better.”

How His Father Dos Cara Feels About Him Changing His In-Ring Style::

“My dad loved it. In Mexico, it’s a good business, but here it’s bigger, and it’s a bigger opportunity for me. My dad said in the future if something happens, ‘you’ll have the background working in the states, and it’ll be easier for you to work in Japan, Europe and even in Mexico.’ My dad likes that I’m following in the steps of my brother. My brother followed in the steps of my dad, and I’m following in the steps of my brother.”

Joining WWE & The Differences Between USA & Mexico’s In-Ring Styles

“I almost started wrestling in Mexico for CMLL, but then I spoke with John Laurinaitis [who was the WWE’s senior vice president of talent relations], and he told me they were going to sign me. There’s a really big difference between the Mexican style and the American style. There’s more psychology in the American style. So to prepare, I also started working with American wrestlers in Mexico. My brother is 6-4, and he weighs more than me, but for me I have good size here in America. I try to mix a little of the Mexican style with the American style. I do high-risk moves and combine it with the American style, so that helps me a lot.”

* News On A New PAUL HEYMAN GUY Stable Forming Very Soon

– The UK’s Daily Mail website has an article up looking at former WWE Diva Stacy Keibler, who recently showed off a new “rocker” look on her way to Las Vegas this week.

– Movie site ComingSoon.net reports that Batista’s next movie “Riddick” will be be rated R. No release date has been given yet.

– Zap2It.com has a press release up announcing details for Season 2 of Steve Austin’s reality competition show Redneck Island, which premieres on November 10th. The contestants include:

* Justin Campbell (Ragland, Ala.) – A 26-year-old laborer from Alabama, he loves jug fishing and has dreams of becoming a chicken farmer.

* Joe Durdaller (Burke, Tex.) – This 23-year-old Texan, who finally realized “anything is more fun with whiskey and women,” played semi-pro football before his current gig as a casino bartender.

* Nick Honea (Albertville, Ala.) – A student who, at 26 years old, enjoys the finer things in life: chasing women, drinking beer, hunting and junkin’.

* Wade Jones (Our Town, Ala.) – Everyone’s favorite country store manager, this 40-year-old redneck loves singing his heart out at karaoke and is proud of his redneck car collection.

* Kyle Medina (White House, Tenn.) – This height-loving high school wrestling coach spends his spare time mudding, hunting and getting crazy after a few beers.

* Darren Sweet (Hiddenite, N.C.) – A tree trimmer from the Carolinas, he’s taught himself to fix just about anything and owns more than 20 guns.

* William Worley (Gloucester, Va.) – This 47-year-old software engineer has big plans for fun if he wins the money, including buying a tractor, a crab boat and pots for a huge redneck party.

* Angela Croke (Josephine, Tex.) – As a stay-at-home-mom, this 34-year-old Texan loves spending time with her two kids, and her third child: her lifted diesel truck.

* Heather Maier (Louisville, Ky.) – Proud owner of one of the loudest burps in Kentucky, this 24-year-old supportive living assistant could show everyone a thing or two about jello wrestling.

* Lisa McCreless (Pinson, Ala.) – A manager at a loan company, this 32-year-old redneck worked in a meat packing factory at age 14 and loves shooting pistols.

* Kelly Moss (Oakfield, Tenn.) – Sports a tattoo of her favorite gun on her back and has worked on a pig farm. This 29 year old is a member of the Army National Guard and works at a steakhouse restaurant.

* Donna Stickley (Lake Wales, Fla.) – This 25-year-old, hog-hunting hair stylist is not afraid to get down and dirty, she once won a “dirty girl” competition at a mud fest.

* Eliza Bentley Weber (Memphis, Tenn.) – A sports bar and outdoor gear shop employee, this 33-year-old deer-hunting enthusiast traces her redneck roots to growing up living a “country club” redneck lifestyle.

* Shawna Willson (Lakeland, Fla.) – Hailing from the Sunshine State, this 26-year-old stay-at-home-mom can proudly kill and clean a chicken in less than 10 minutes.

* Picture Of BATISTA Wearing A Yellow Spandex Jumpsuit At His IRON FISTS Movie Premiere

Following the big changes made to the Survivor Series card on this week’s WWE shows, here is the updated card:

Triple Threat Match for the WWE Championship:
CM Punk (c) vs. John Cena vs. Ryback

World Heavyweight Championship Match:
Big Show (c) vs. Sheamus

Traditional Team Elimination Match:
Team Foley (Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, Kane, Kofi Kingston, and a partner TBA) vs. Team Ziggler (Dolph Ziggler, Alberto Del Rio, Wade Barrett, Damien Sandow, and Cody Rhodes).

WWE Survivor Series 2012 takes place in less than two weeks on Sunday, November 18th from Indianapolis, Indiana.

* VIDEO From After Monday’s UK RAW: WADE BARRETT & John Cena