Are we ready to rummmmmble?!!? Starting next week (Jan. 21), the pro wrestling universe provides its bone-crunching, head-banging action in living HD when World Wrestling Entertainment body-slams itself into HD on various cable channels, including USA, Sci-Fi Channel, and The CW.

In addition to such fan favorites as “Monday Night Raw” and “Friday Night SmackDown,” WWE will also broadcast its PPV content in HD, starting on Sunday, Jan. 27 with a “Royal Rumble” event at Madison Square Garden in New York.

WWE said its transition to HD necessitated a series of upgrades to its studios in Stamford, Conn.—including $20 million worth of renovations and new equipment. NEP Supershooters built two state-of-the-art production trucks, and WWE will lease a custom transmission truck designed specifically for HD production.

WWE originally had not planned to go HD until this spring (HD Notebook, May 16, 2007) but was able to make the jump now.