Pittsburgh Steelers' two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Ben Roethlisberger took control of WWE Monday Night Raw, viewed live on the USA Network, on Oct. 5 from Wachovia Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes-Barre, Pa.

Big Ben, the guest host, brought his own protection to combat some of the larger than life WWE superstars including the WWE undisputed tag team champs Jeri-Show (Y2J Chris Jericho and the 7-0, 485-pound Big Show).

When confronted in the ring by Jeri-Show, Roethlisberger (6-5, 240) introduced his offensive line -- left tackle Max Starks (6-8, 345), left guard Chris Kemoeatu (6-3, 344), center Justin Hartwig (6-4, 312), right tackle Willie Colon (6-3, 315), right guard Trai Essex (6-4, 324) and injured right guard Darnell Stapleton (6-3, 305).

Big Show retreated as 2,185 pounds lined up for a quarterback sneak.

The youngest Super Bowl-winning quarterback in NFL history also raised awareness for The Ben Roethlisberger Foundation, a charitable organization which seeks to provide support for police and fire departments throughout the United States and to enhance the quality of life for residents of Findlay, Ohio (his hometown) and Pittsburgh.

A longtime WWE enthusiast, Big Ben joins a prestigious list of past Raw celebrity guest hosts, including NBA All-Star Shaquille O'Neal, Emmy-winning actor Jeremy Piven, boxing standout Floyd Money Mayweather, comedienne Cedric the Entertainer and television legend Bob Barker.

• WWE will be gearing for the December holidays in Florida.

The SmackDown crew will stop for a house show (no TV) on Friday, Dec. 18 at the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami.

They will go to the Expo and Fairgrounds for another house show on Saturday, Dec. 19 in West Palm Beach.

Because of the holidays, the SmackDown and WWE ECW TV tapings will be Sunday, Dec. 20 in Orlando.

The Raw group will have a house show on Sunday, Dec. 20 in Tallahassee.

Monday Night Raw TV will be live on Dec. 21 from Tampa. Matches will be taped for WWE Superstars.

SmackDown will host a house show on Dec. 21 in Fort Myers.

• Tickets for the WWE SmackDown/WWE's ECW TV tapings on Sunday, Dec. 20 at the Amway Arena in Orlando are on sale. Bell time is 6:45 p.m., and tickets start at $20. Call or visit TicketMaster online.

• Florida Championship Wrestling, the feeder group to WWE, conducts a clinic Dec. 4-7 at its facility, 4535 S. Dale Mabry in Tampa.

Participants will be trained and evaluated by FCW trainers, WWE producers and talent scouts during the four-day clinic, with the ultimate goal, being signed as a developmental talent for FCW under the WWE banner.

The clinic includes in-ring training, matches, promo practice, critiques and guest speakers. It runs 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 4 and 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Dec. 5-7.

FCW President Steve Keirn, FCW trainers Tom Prichard, Norman Smiley and Billy Kidman and WWE producers, referees and talent scouts will oversee the event.

Cost $1,000 with 50 percent due upon acceptance. The fee covers the cost of training and lunch at the camp. Participants are responsible for other expenses including travel, lodging, all other meals and any miscellaneous expenses.

FCW will accept 50 applicants. The deadline for registration is Wednesday, Nov. 9.

Register at

spreadsheets.google.com/viewform?formkey=cEVVcmYwNkFLVTlKNEVBT2JYT2pLSWc6MA.

Join the discussion

The Miami Herald is pleased to provide this opportunity to share information, experiences and observations about what's in the news. Some of the comments may be reprinted elsewhere in the site or in the newspaper. We encourage lively, open debate on the issues of the day, and ask that you refrain from profanity, hate speech, personal comments and remarks that are off point. In order to post comments, you must be a registered user of MiamiHerald.com. Your username will show along with the comments you post. Thank you for taking the time to offer your thoughts.

     Showing: Oldest first Newest first Most-recommended first Least-recommended first

@Nyx.AuthorDisplayName@ wrote on @Nyx.PostedAtTime@:

@Nyx.repliedToText@

@Nyx.replyAnswerText@

Reply to this Comment @Nyx.Recommender@ @Nyx.AbuseReporter@