Ben Roethlisberger-RAW Guest Host Update, Smackdown vs. Raw & More

WWE is already receiving publicity from the announcement that Pittsburgh Steelers Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger will be hosting Raw next week. WTAE out of Pittsburgh has coverage at ThePittsburghChannel.com and USA Today has coverage at USAToday.com.

Having Roethlisberger as a host appears to be a way for WWE to try to lure football fans into watching the show. Next week's Monday night football game, which features the Minnesota Vikings vs. the Green Bay Packers, is expected to do very good in the ratings, due to Bret Favre playing for Minnesota this year.

WWE held a chat with THQ's Jon Durr to promote the forthcoming Smackdown vs. Raw video game. Durr noted fans will be able to create their own storylines with the new game (as opposed to just playing ones scripted into the game) then share them with other fans online. He said there would some new match types, including something specifically for the Divas. Fans purchasing the game from Gamestop will be able to receive a code to download Steve Austin for the game. There will be 16 Arenas and more backstage areas than ever before. WWE Superstars (the show) will not be included in the game. Announce teams for the game will be Michael Cole & Jerry Lawler, Jim Ross & Tazz, and Todd Grisham & Striker as the commentary audio had to be recorded well in advance in order to be ready for the game.