WWE today announced that it has signed Manuel Alfonso Andrade Oropeza, of Mexico City, the man formerly known as La Sombra to a developmental deal and will be reporting to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida.
Oropeza signed with CMLL in 2007 and held the CMLL Trio and Tag Team titles and the NWA Welterweight and Middleweight titles. He has also wrestled for New Japan Pro Wrestling, winning the NJPW Intercontinental title in 2013.
The 26 year old luchador usually sports a mask but he has been photographed without one for the WWE.COM story.
With TNA’s move to Pop, the company has now been on four different networks since it started operating a weekly television series.
TNA started on Fox Sports Net in 2004 before it moved to Spike TV in 2005. The 9 year relationship with Spike ended this year and TNA moved its flagship television program to Destination America, a largely unknown network owned by Discovery Communications.
Earlier this year, just months after TNA moved to Destination America, rumors were running wild that Discovery is dropping TNA from its schedule. Just like they did with their Spike TV news, TNA flat out refused all the allegations until Dixie Carter revealed during a Sports Illustrated interview that TNA will be without a home after January 2016 as Destination America has not renewed its contract.
Airing on Tuesdays is also a new night for TNA, having previously aired on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday night.
After moving to Destination America from Spike, TNA’s ratings decreased by nearly 60% due to the the network airing in far more less homes. Pop is nearly as many homes as Spike, although around 15 million less.
The good news means that TNA will survive for at least another year. Several talent were concerned about their future as with no television clearance there would be no jobs.
TNA Wrestling will be leaving Destination America and will be debuting on Pop TV on January 5, 2016. The deal kicks off with a live two-hour broadcast and Impact will then start airing every Tuesdays at 9PM EST.
“Wrestling has been a fan-fueled staple since the ’50s and continues to be some of the most watched, appointment-tune content in all of television today,” said Pop president Brad Schwartz. “The die-hard fandom and extraordinary passion surrounding Impact Wrestling captures the spirit of Pop as a network that celebrates fan driven entertainment and excitement.”
TNA President Dixie Carter said, “Pop’s enthusiasm for our partnership and the network’s fan focus is a perfect fit for our company. Wresting has always been at the forefront of pop culture with the most passionate, loyal fan base. We’re thrilled to be in business with Pop and to bring IMPACT WRESTLING to more than 80 million homes.”
Pop is the rebranded TV Guide channel and it is a joint venture between CBS Corp and Lionsgate. The channel has been operating under that name since January 2015 and it’s available in around 80 million homes. In comparison, Destination America is only available in around 60 million homes, giving TNA an additional clearance of 20 million homes.
Deadline.com is reporting that John Cena will be hosting a new television reality show titled American Grit which will be airing on Fox next year.
Cena has been off WWE television for the past few weeks and is not scheduled to be back until next month as he is taping the show.
American Grit – which got a 10-episode order – will feature 16 of the toughest men and women who will be split into four teams as they work together to face a variety of military-grade and survival-themed challenges.
The mentors, dubbed “The Cadre,” include Act of Valor actor and Navy SEAL trainer Rorke Denver, 101st Airborne Division Purple Heart recipient Noah Galloway, U.S. Marines Gunnery Sergeant Tawanda “Tee” Hanible and the U.S. Army’s first African American sniper, Nick “The Reaper” Irving.
Contestants will play up to a million dollars with each episode finale featuring a “punishing” obstacle course.
“The U.S Military is the epitome of resolve and dedication, which is why I am so excited to be a part of American Grit,” said Cena. “This show will not only be a challenging and fierce competition, but it will give viewers a glimpse into the perseverance and training of the men and women of the Armed Forces.”
Former WCW and World Heavyweight champion Bill Goldberg told Channel Guide Magazine that TNA recently contacted him about appearing on TNA television to promote his upcoming movie.
The movie in question is called Check Point, an action/thriller flick which also has TNA’s Bram in it. William Forsythe, Kenny Johnson, Michelle Lee, Ricky Harris, Fred Williamson, Mindy Robinson, Tyler Mane, Niko, Kane Hodder, Krista Grotte, and Mike Gutowski make up the rest of the cast.
“I just got contacted by TNA a couple of days ago. I don’t know. They want to promote the movie since one of my adversaries in the film is Bram, who works for them,” Goldberg said. “I’m greatly appreciative they want to help the movie out. Now at the end of the day, promoting the movie is one thing, but getting a guy like Goldberg in your wrestling organization is a completely different story. We’ll see.”
Obviously TNA would gain more from this than Goldberg and the movie which is why Goldberg said what he said at the end.
During his latest podcast, 16 time World Heavyweight champion Ric Flair said that he cried when he saw the angle between his daughter Charlotte and Paige on Raw and his dead son Reid was pulled into it.
Ric did not like the fact that Reid’s name was used to enhance the angle but would not say anything negative because of his daughter’s position in the company. He also added that Charlotte, regardless if she agreed or not with the decision, is in no position to refuse what they say.
Despite being hurt for using Reid’s name on Raw, Flair said that he hopes that WWE has Charlotte’s best interests in mind and that he would be attending the Survivor Series this Sunday and there’s no problem with him and WWE.
His ex wife Beth blasted WWE for choosing the “lazy” way to get cheap heat and called the segment disgusting, disrespectful, cruel, and sad.
The Smackdown tapings last night looked more of a TNA non-televised live event rather than a WWE television taping with a lot of empty seats judging from photos posted online.
The show was held at the Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville, Tennessee, with the sections behind the cameras and sides completely covered apart from the ringside seats.
Thankfully the show is recorded and WWE can pipe in crowd noise – as they usually do – and carefully choose which shots make it to the final show.
You can see 7 photos from the empty arena below courtesy of Twitter users johncenaAm and TrueFansOfWWE.
Monday Night Raw rebounded in the ratings a little bit this week after sinking to new lows with the last episode. This week the show pulled 3,292,000 viewers, up from last week’s 3,173,000, adding roughly 119,000 viewers.
Hour one pulled in 3,541,000 viewers, followed by 3,290,000 in the second hour, and then down to 3,047,000 in the third and final hour with the Divas contract signing as the main event. (Ratings credit: TV By The Numbers)
The FOX affiliate in Tampa, Florida, is reporting that Matt “Spiceboy” Loyd, a former employee of Bubba “The Love Sponge” is being investigated as the possible person who leaked the Hulk Hogan sex tape to the media.
The police report states that Loyd stole several sex tape DVDs from Bubba’s office and distributed clips to sell the tapes, including selling one to TMZ. Apart from that, he also contacted a “sex tape broker” by the name of Keith Davidson “to engage in the extortion of Terry Bollea.”
A middleman was allegedly hired by Loyd to do the dirty work for him so his name does not show up anywhere. He reportedly paid $10,000 to his wife’s best friend for her involvement. The same person, Lori Burbidge, told detectives she was told to meet with the broker and complete a deal with Hogan and his attorney.
Burbridge, who is apparently throwing Loyd under the bus, told police that he also leaked pictures of the Hogan sex tape to TheDirty.com apart from TMZ and was paid $8,500 in return. The money was deposited in her bank account so Loyd remains anonymous and later she handed “Spiceboy” a cashier’s check for $8,000.
Her line on David Flair during the Raw final segment was not the only thing that led Paige trending on Twitter today as the former two time Divas champion got into an argument with fellow Diva Lana, possibly planting seeds for a feud when Lana gets back.
Lana wrote a tweet which she later deleted and Paige called her out on it for talking crap and then deleting it. “I actually wanted to write a longer paragraph about you. We both know you bullied me in @WWENXT,” Lana replied. “Ok sweetheart. You were there barely 2 months. If it was true you wouldn’t have deleted it,” Paige fired back, then adding that it’s “too bad you lie all the time,” and used the hashtags #TMZ and #AllYouWantIsFame, referring to TMZ announcing that Lana and Rusev were engaged, something that caught WWE off guard to the their current storyline.
“I actually am a open book of honesty, I apologize when I’m wrong & take responsibility for my actions. Nice try,” Lana wrote. “You are a great wrestler @RealPaigeWWE & I hope @MsCharlotteWWE crushes you at #SurvivorSeries because you are mean & disrespectful. Bye.“ Paige then ended the argument by telling Lana to “stop trying to get a storyline.”
Elizabeth Fliehr, the mother of WWE Divas champion Charlotte, expressed her anger at WWE for using her dead son Reid as part of the angle yesterday between Charlotte and Paige, an angle which main evented Monday Night Raw.
Fleihr called the WWE writers “that lazy” and used the hashtags #cheapheat, #disgusting #disrespectful #cruel, and #sad. The tweet was addressed to Stephanie McMahon, Vince McMahon, and Triple H. She then later said that she did not know that was going to be part of the show.
During the contract signing segment, Charlotte mentioned her late brother and how when he passed away, Paige was there for her. “I’m here today because of him and that’s the only reason, to fulfill his dream.” Paige said that she was using Charlotte all along from day one and called her naive. Charlotte then added that she will continue to fight each and every day just like her father did and just like her brother did.
“You know what Charlotte, you’re wrong sweetheart. Cause your little baby brother, he didn’t have much fight in him, did he?” replied Paige. The comment sparked a brawl between the two Divas and WWE referees had to break them up.
Reid died at the age of 25 on March 29, 2013, after he was found in bed at a Residence Inn in the SouthPark hotel room in Charlotte, North Carolina by his father. He died of an accidental overdose of heroin and the prescription drugs clonazepam and alprazolam.
Former WWE and TNA color commentator Taz is all over the headlines after he stated on his daily morning radio show that the UFC Bantamweight title fight between Ronda Rousey and Holly Holm was a work.
Taz, discussing the outcome on The Taz Show on CBS’ Play.It, said that he’s been around enough to know when something is a work. He explained how Rousey was going to disappear for several months and keeping the title on her wouldn’t have been best for business. He also said that the kick to the neck that Holm landed wasn’t enough to knock Rousey out while the following three ground and pound punches either missed or hit Rousey’s shoulder. The former ECW champion added that the referee wasn’t probably on it and not even Holm and the ref only stopped it as Rousey was not defending herself, in line with MMA rules.
His allegations made it to several news websites and Taz was both praised and abused on Twitter for his theory. He made it clear that he did not mean to disrespect Rousey, Holm, or the UFC but the way the whole thing transpired, including the Dana White interview on FOX Sports following the knockout, only keeps confirming his idea that the whole thing was a work.
The WWE World Heavyweight title tournament semi finals were set last night on Raw after all four quarter final matches were held during the broadcast.
The two semi finals will feature Roman Reigns taking on Alberto Del Rio and Kevin Owens wrestling Dean Ambrose. The winners of those two matches will then meet in the final of the tournament which will take place later during the Survivor Series broadcast.
Out of the four Superstars, only Alberto Del Rio is a former WWE Heavyweight champion. He is also the current United States champion while Kevin Owens is the reigning Intercontinental champion.
After a whirlwind week that started seven days ago, tonight WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament continues tonight with quarter-final bouts. Roman Reigns meets Cesaro; Dolph Ziggler takes on Dean Ambrose; Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens faces Neville; and Mex-American Champion Alberto Del Rio wrestles Kalisto. Who will be on and win, then advance to the Semis?
We saw the return of “The Brothers Of Destruction” last week, as Kane and The Undertaker laid out The Wyatt Family; this Sunday, they will wrestle two members of the Family.
All this and more, so read on.
Monday Night Raw TV Report for November 16th, 2015
Introduction Segment: Commemoration
The roster is out on stage as Lillian Garcia asks everyone to stand and be silent, paying respect to the victims of the terrorist attacks in France this past Friday.
Segment #2: Welcoming
The regular opening video plays and the announcers gives us the run down of the Tournament Matches that will happen on Raw – Roman Reigns/Cesaro, Ziggler/Ambrose, Neville/Owens, and Kalisto/Del Rio.
Segment #3: Arena Promo
The lights dim and The Druid’s voices sound over the speakers. Undertaker’s music follows, as do himself and Kane. In the ring, they eerily berate The Wyatt Family for trying to take them out. “The Brothers of Destruction” vow to gain settle the score at Survivor Series, this Sunday.
Bray Wyatt, Luke Harper, Erik Rowan, and Braun Strowman wander to the stage, where Bray professes that he will be the one to conclude ‘Taker and Kane’s lead for the last eighteen years, and become the “new face of fear” himself.
The arena goes black, then a bunch of druids in sheep masks are suddenly at the bottom of the ramp. They charge the ring but are dismantled rapidly by “The Phenom” and “The Big Red Machine.” Bray yells at them to “follow the buzzards.”
Commercials.
Match #1: Single (WWE World Heavyweight Championship Second-Round) – Neville VS. Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens
Fast-pace start with a roll-up and wristlocks by Neville, then Owens comes back with a standing headlock. Neville counters and runs off the ropes with a hurricanrana, then flips out of the turnbuckle and kicks Owens down. he leaps to the top turnbuckle, but the I.C. Champ moves, however Neville hits him with a moonsault to the floor!
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Owens is now in control for a bit; he runs at Neville with the Cannonball in the corner, but Neville moves! “The Man That Gravity Forgot” hits the Red Arrow Splash from the second-turnbuckle; he covers, but Owens kicks out at two! Neville regains himself and climbs the opposite turnbuckle, but has to leap over a standing Owens. He runs back at Kevin with a running-enziguri, then attempts a third Red Arrow; Owens trips him and slings him off the ropes for the Pop-Up Powerbomb, but Neville hops over and hits him with a high-kick! He flips him back with a reverse-hurricanrana, and almost gets this!
Again, Neville goes to the top, but has to flip and ends up on his feet. He runs back at Owens, but Kevin slams him down with the Pop-Up Powerbomb and covers for the well-earned victory!
Winner via Pinfall and Advancing: Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens
Segment #4: Video Promo
A clip of Paige’s debut, where she won the Divas Championship form A.J. Lee on Raw in 2014 is shown, to build towards current Divas Champion Charlotte VS. Paige at Survivor Series.
Commercials.
Owens is seen talking to HHH but nothing is heard.
Segment #5: Video Promo
Recap of last week’s Raw featuring COO Triple H’s announcement about Seth Rollins and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament, as well as his offer to Roman Reigns and Reign’s subsequent match with The Big Show, airs.
Still-footage of Rollins’ surgery is shown, and a tweet from him that says “#Redesign, #Rebuild, #Reclaim.”
Tyler Breeze and Summer Rae make their entrance for his bout, next.
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Match #2: Single – Tyler Breeze (with Summer Rae) VS. R-Truth
This is actually a great back-and-forth contest, with both being pretty even. Truth almost takes it after a front-slam-suplex and the Lie Detector spinning elbow, but he is shoved into the ropes and hit with a spinning-heel-kick for the 1 – 2 – 3 by Breeze!
Winner via Pinfall: Tyler Breeze (with Summer Rae)
Following the break, it will be Ziggler and Ambrose in another Tournament Qualifier!
Commercials.
Match #3: Single (WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Second-Round) – Dolph Ziggler VS. Dean Ambrose
They begin with a test-of-strength, which bends Ziggler over, but he turns it into a roll-up for a quick two! I.C. Champ Kevin Owens is shown watching backstage. Ambrose waist locks Dolph, then takes him down with a side headlock on the mat. He turns it into an armbar/wristlock, but “The Show-off” switches that into another pin combo for a two!
They stand and run off the ropes. It is now a match of “one-ups-manship” until Dean clotheslines Dolph over the ropes, but he can’t follow with the dive as Ziggler moves. Dolph takes Dean down and ties him up in a hold, then hits a dropkick soon later. He whips Ambrose into the corner, but “The Lunatic Fringe” leaps over him and puts him to the canvas.
Dean dives off the turnbuckle with an elbow-clothesline, but only gets two. They trade pin attempts, then both hit each other at the same time with a crossbody! Dean climbs the turnbuckle again, but Dolph leaps up and meets him! They slug away, and punch each other to the point of both falling to the outside!
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Ambrose is now able to hit his dive through the ropes on Dolph, then clotheslines him but is caught. “The Show-Off” plants him to the canvas with the Fameasser, but only gets a near-fall after a cover! He splashes Dean in the corner then drives him head-first with his leaping-DDT! 1 – 2 – Ambrose kicks out! Dolph emulates Shawn Michaels by trying his Sweet Chin Music Superkick, but Ambrose fends him off! He hits his unique clothesline, but also only gets two!
Dean is on the top, but Dolph jumps up again and face-busts him off the top turnbuckle! Ziggler looks like he hurt his knee, and Ambrose rolls to the outside to prevent the cover. Ambrose catches Dolph with an inside cradle, but Dolph kicks out and hits the superkick! He rolls up Ambrose again, but “The Lunatic Fringe” turns him around into the Dirty Deeds DDT and finishes this one!
Winner via Pinfall and Advancing: Dean Ambrose
Post-match, Dean goes on a rant that he will turn this place into the “Ambrose Asylum” if he becomes WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
Segment #6: Video Promo
The birth of the “Divas Revolution” is shown from July, with Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Sasha Banks making their Raw return (Charlotte) and debus (Banks/Lynch).
Commercials.
Segment #7: Arena Promo
Tag-Team Champions The New Day are out and talk about the 25th Anniversary of The Undertaker; they take umbrage to this and says everyone should really be celebrating the one-year anniversary of them forming. Big E. talks about their opponents, The Usos, mocking Jey on his shoulder injury. They will be in action, next!
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Match #4: Six-Man Tag-Team – Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E.) VS. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) and Ryback
The Usos start quickly, particularly with Jey soaring over the ropes onto Kofi with a plancha! Xavier uses the ropes to kick Jey, then The New Day dominate for a long while. This breaks down, with Ryback slamming all members of The New Day, but also hitting the referee in the process and getting DQ’d.
Winners via Disqualification: Tag-Team Champions The New Day
Segment #8: Video Promo
Charlotte winning the Divas Championship from Nikki at Night Of Champions is broadcast.
Commercials.
Segment #9: Locker Room Promo
Cesaro is shown lacing his boots when the COO walks in. Cesaro doesn’t want to hear it if it is the same thing HHH told Owens. “The Game” denies that, and talks about how it is now that he can “grab that ‘brass ring,’” and “be the man.”
Segment #10: Arena Promo
Roman Reigns makes his way through the fans and takes the microphone in the ring. He recalls his championship match at Survivor Series getting cancelled because of Seth’s injury, then Triple H offering the easy route for him by joining up with him. Roman admits he pondered for a while, but realized he is “not a sell-out!” He is prepared to go through the competitors in the tournament and become WWE World Heavyweight Champion at the Pay-Per-View/Network show. “You can believe that!”
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Match #5: Single (WWE World Heavyweight Championship Second-Round) – Roman Reigns VS. Cesaro
An elbow/collar tie-up between the two begins, and referee Andrew has to break them up. This contest is much like Ambrose/Ziggler with more “one-ups-manships” for the first while. Cesaro catches Roman rolling through and gives him a gutwrench-suplex! Reigns then gives Cesaro a tilt-a-whirl slam off the ropes and gets two!
Cesaro hits a springboard-tornado-uppercut then attempts the Big Swing, but Roman fights him off. Cesaro throws Reigns into the ring post, which seems to have hurt Roman’s shoulder. Cesaro follows with a running uppercut on Reigns into the corner of the barrier!
Commercials.
“The Swiss Superman” is governing with an armlock, then chucks Reigns to the outside. He runs at him, but Roman counters with a boot-to-the-face! Both slug it out until Reigns hits a clothesline in the ring, but Cesaro gives him a few more uppercuts. Roman turns it around into three consecutive clotheslines in the corner, then German-suplexes Cesaro!
He runs for the Drive-By running-front-dropkick, but Cesaro catches him and swings him around, then locks him in The Sharpshooter! As Reigns struggles for the ropes, Cesaro turns around and clamps on the Crossface1 Roman reverses, standing up and giving Cesaro a Samoan Drop for two! He tosses Cesaro over the ropes, and Cesaro’s elbow hits the apron on the way down.
Cesaro breaks the count with his arm, but Roman got him with the front-dropkick, and now gives nine clotheslines in the corner. Cesaro stops a tenth one, then tries to prop Roman on the top rope, but Reigns flips over and drops him with a sit-down powerbomb! 1- 2 – kick out by Cesaro!
Roman signals for the Superman Punch, but Cesaro reverses into a launching-uppercut for a near-fall! Cesaro dropkicks Reigns from the top turnbuckle to the apron, then tries for a suplex back in the ring but Roman wiggles and hits the Superman Punch!
Reigns watches and goes for The Spear, but Cesaro hits another uppercut! He sets up for The Neutralizer, but Roman backdrops him. Cesaro lands on his feet and backslides him for a very close-call, but is Superman Punched again and Speared. Reigns covers and receives the very hard-wrestled success!
Winner via Pinfall and Advancing: Roman Reigns
Post-match, the Cesaro and Reigns hug as Roman looks at the WWE World Heavyweight Title.
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Segment #11: In Memoriam
Nick Bockwinkel, Hall Of Famer and former American Wrestling Association (AWA) World Heavyweight Champion passed away on Saturday, November 14th. The announcer’s talk about the man and wrestler he was.
Match #6: Tag-Team – The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) VS. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von)
The “brothers” from “Dudleyville” complete this one quickly after giving Viktor a 3-D for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Segment #12: Backstage Promo
Zeb Colter and United States Champion Alberto Del Rio are in the halls when Rene Young walks up and interviews them. Zeb starts to talk, but is cut off by Triple H who wants to convince Alberto how he can “be the guy” by winning the WWE World Heavyweight Champion at Survivor Series.
Commercials.
Match #7: Single (WWE World Heavyweight Championship Tournament Second-Round) – United States Champion Alberto Del Rio (with Zeb Colter) VS. Kalisto
Del Rio locks on a standing side headlock and kicks Kalisto in the back hard to start, but the Lucha Dragon gives him a hurricanrana from the apron to the outside!
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Alberto is back in control, stretching him with a chinlock. Kalisto tries to leap back, but is driven after with The Backstabber (double-knees-to-the-back). He tries to tear off the mask while atop the turnbuckle backward, but Kalisto fights him away. He dives off the top, then springboards from the middle rope with a spinning elbow! The self-declared Mex-American champ quickly capitalizes with kicks, but Kalisto regains after another hurricanrana! He tries his finisher, but Alberto hangs him on the top rope.
Del Rio sets Kalisto upside down on the corner and goes to the top, but Kalisto kicks away. He tries another hurricanrana but is caught and driven to the canvas with the Double-Stomp! Del Rio covers and takes the victory!
Winner via Pinfall and Advancing: United States Champion Alberto Del Rio (with Zeb Colter)
Segment #13: Video Promo
Paige’s win to become #1 Contender to the Divas Championship is the last in the review of their rivalry.
Commercials.
It is announced that Roman Reigns, United States Champion Alberto Del Rio, Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens, and Dean Ambrose will be on MizTV this week on Smackdown!
Segment #14: Arena Promo
Michael Cole is in the ring, which is decked out in a red carpet with the table and chairs in the ring. He announces both Paige and Divas Champion Charlotte to join him. Cole wonders why they have become bitter with each other, after having a strong bond as they began together at NXT.
Paige puts down the notion of companionship, telling Charlotte there is no room for that to when someone wants to be a champion. She says she will imprint that into Charlotte at Survivor Series, and quickly signs the contract. Charlotte reminds Paige of their heritage, talking about both have parents who wrestled. She says she “wanted to be like you; I was the ‘sweet, naïve, Carolina girl.’ You were the ‘British bad-ass.’” She cites her late-brother, Reid (1988-2013; R.I.P.) as the reason she is where she’s at. “I am here today because of him; and that’s the only reason – to fulfill his dream. We were family.”
The former “Diva of Tomorrow” reveals that she had been “using you since day one.” Charlotte says that this didn’t have to go this way, as the true goal of Team P.C.B. was to “change the Divas Division,” much like former factions Team Extreme, D-Generation X, and The Four Horseman. Paige informs Charlotte that it was about being champion for her, but Charlotte tells her, “you’re not a champion; you never were! A champion is a role-model; a champion is someone those little girls sitting at home and sitting in the audience want to be like. I won’t be champion forever, it won’t be this Sunday, and it DAMN sure won’t be to someone like you.”
Paige starts up the fake tears, and goes to leave. Michael reminds Charlotte about the contract when Paige comes back and puts down Charlotte’s Dad, legendary wrestler/Hall-Of-Famer/Sixteen-Time World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair.
Charlotte retorts, “I will continue to fight, each and every day. Just like everyone in my entire family has; just like my Dad did, just like my little brother did, and just like I do!” Paige makes a cheap-remark about Reid, which infuriates Charlotte and the brawl begins! The two women fight in and around the ring until several referees finally break it up. Paige is in the aisle and Charlotte is in the ring to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings
In lieu of my usual title and review again, I will instead give my thoughts on another wrestler gone, Nick Bockwinkel.
Unfortunately, this writing on him will be a bit shorter than my previous ones on passed away wrestlers, as I did not grow up watching him for the most part, as I was not even around for a lot of his career. What I do know is some stories of how he carried himself out of the ring, always dressed in a suit and looking very elegant, especially when he was champion.
He was one of the few who represented what a World Champion should look and act like, in terms of attire and manners. He spoke like he was, well-educated, but was not condescending to anyone outside of his character. He seemed like a nice, friendly man, and a rare gentleman in this business. He will be missed, but his contributions and memories will remain. God rest your soul, Nick Bockwinkel.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was the subject of Oprah’s Master Class yesterday which aired on OWN, a show which is a sit down documentary-style interview detailing the ups and downs and careers of celebrities.
During the broadcast, a very humble Johnson discussed a variety of subjects, including fighting depression, his parents, the high school coach who changed his life, his partner, daughter Simone, quitting wrestling to become a movie star, breaking in the WWE and getting booed, and other items.
You can check out the best parts of the interview totaling to around 15 minutes below.
The WWE World Heavyweight title tournament continues tonight on Monday Night Raw with the quarter final matches.
Eight WWE Superstars survived the qualifying round leaving Roman Reigns vs Cesaro, Alberto Del Rio vs Kalisto, Kevin Owens vs Neville, and Dolph Ziggler vs Dean Ambrose. All four matches are expected to take place on the show tonight, leaving Smackdown to build the semi final matches which will take place at the Survivor Series pay-per-view along with the final.
Former TNA Knockouts champion Brooke Adams posted a tweet yesterday with a photo of herself along with Gail Kim, Velvet Sky, Madison Rayne, Angelina Love, and Christy Hemme, pretty much announcing that she’s leaving TNA Wrestling.
“I’m really going to miss these girls. Lots of laughs, cries, jokes, miles, fights, and love. #NextChapter #TheEnd,” she wrote.
The 30 year old model got her start in professional wrestling when she tried out for the 2006 WWE Diva Search contest. Although she was not selected as a finalist, she signed a developmental deal and made her television debut in January 2007 on the ECW brand along with Kelly Kelly and Layla as Extreme Expose`. Although she wrestled a few times on WWE television, she was mainly restricted to the ECW brand and her WWE career was cut short just 9 months later.
Adams then moved to TNA in late March 2010 under the name of Ms. Tessmacher, Eric Bischoff’s assistant. She made her in-ring TNA debut in December, teaming up with Mickie James. She was out for four months after suffering a jaw injury and then started her road to the title.
During her time in TNA, Brooke won the Knockouts tag team title once with Tara and went on to win the Knockouts title on three different occasions, defeating Gail Kim, Madison Rayne, and Taryn Terrell for the title.
As part of the Royal Rumble weekend, WWE will have NXT tapings at the CFE Arena on the campus of the University of Central Florida on Friday, January 22. This will not be a Takeover event but rather tapings for NXT’s weekly series.
The CFE Arena holds up to 10,000 peopled is home of the UCF Knights NCAA basketball team. The $107 million arena opened in late 2007.
Tickets for this special WWE Network taping start at just $20, and will be available starting Saturday, November 21 at 10AM EST on Ticketmaster.com. A pre-sale will be held on November 20 at 10AM EST.
Taz is the latest guy to be featured on Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard in an interview which covers a lot of topics including Paul Heyman, his daily show on CBS Radio, broadcasting for WWE and then moving to TNA, and much more.
Speaking of his time in TNA, he said that the product was refreshing at the time and things were run pretty good and it felt right to jump ship. However things took an ugly turn and while he said he’s not going to bash anyone, there was clearly a leadership issue within the company and felt it was time to leave and concentrate only on his radio career.
Asked if he would return to WWE, he said under the right circumstances he would but his daily morning show will remain a priority regardless.
“I would go back to WWE, but I could not and would not leave my career with CBS Radio and my show,” said Taz. “I have a very good relationship with WWE, I’ve never burnt a bridge with them, and we’ve always had a mutual respect. Time will tell, but my show is my number one priority.”
E! has released its first exclusive look at season five of the popular reality television show Total Divas which will kick off in January 2016.
The preview shows John Cena and Nikki Bella once again going through a rough patch, Natalya kissing Summer Rae on the lips, Paige telling her boyfriend she doesn’t want to be engaged, and the introduction of the newest Diva on the roster, Mandy.
