Alberto Del Rio Backstage Update, New WWE Talent, More

Partial Source: The Wrestling Observer Newsletter

– One of the local guys beaten by Big Show at last week's SmackDown! television taping in San Jose, California was the son of music legend Kris Kristofferson, Jodi Kristofferson. The other two were Derek Sanders and a wrestler by the name of Fernando. All three were trained by All-Pro Wrestling in Hayward, California.

– The Friday Night SmackDown! taping on Dec. 7, 2010 will be held at the Ervin J. Nutter Center in Dayton, Ohio. Tickets go on sale Oct. 8, 2010.

– Regarding Alberto Del Rio, who debuts this week on Friday Night SmackDown, company officials are reportedly high on him due to the feeling that Rey Mysterio is one knee injury away from possible retirement and they need a new Hispanic star. Meanwhile, some wrestlers feel he's aloof, which has some rubbed some of his peers the wrong way.

– As reported earlier, Welsh born wrestler Mason Ryan beat Alex Riley last Thursday to become the new Florida Heavyweight Champion. After winning the title, Ryan was telling people that he couldn't believe he was given the strap as he felt he was far too green and didn't deserve it. Many within WWE like Ryan as most guys of his stature come in with the attitude that they should be pushed to the top, whether they have talent or not. He, on the other hand, doesn't understand why the company is pushing him.

– The Aug. 1 RAW live event in Fort Myers, Florida drew 4,248, with a $147,850 gate.