Today, with the announcement of the Q3 2015 financial results, WWE has revealed that the number of subscribers getting the WWE Network stands at 1,233,000 paid subscribers, an addition of 5,000 subscribers from the last quarterly report. The WWE Network averaged approximately 1,173,000 paid subscribers during the quarter, representing a 62% increase from the prior year quarter.
At the end of Q2 2015 on June 30, WWE announced that it had a total of 1,227,000 active subscribers on the WWE Network, a decrease of 100,000 subscribers from what the company reported right after WrestleMania 31.
During the quarter, WWE lost around 376,000 subscribers but added 453,000 new ones.
Since the last numbers in the Q2 2015 report, the WWE Network has launched in two key markets – Malaysia and Italy. Just last week the Network also launched in India although numbers reflecting those subscribers will be part of Q4 2015. The Network will launch in Germany and Japan in January 2016, and the company continues to develop plans for geographic expansion to China, Thailand and the Philippines.
From inception through September 30, 2015, WWE Network attracted nearly 2.3 million unique subscribers with approximately 54% of these subscribers active as of that date.
In their 2015 business outlook, WWE has projected to end the year with 1.2 million paid subscribers which is basically the same as it is now. For 2016, the press release states that “management will not provide guidance for 2016 subscriber levels” due to the “inherent uncertainty of this nascent and growing business.”
WWE Superstar Adam Rose went back to his home country of South Africa for the first time in five years however his return was not a happy one as he went back to attend the funeral of his sister.
“Good bye my sweet sister,” Rose posted on Twitter, adding that it’s sad to go back home under these circumstances. “My sister was a role model who spent her life trying to help other deal with their own demons.”
Our condolences goes out to his family during these difficult times.
The Undertaker will be traveling to the United Kingdom for the Smackdown television tapings in Manchester on November 10. The Manchester Smackdown is part of an 11-day European tour which will also see Raw being taped in Manchester the day before.
The Undertaker last appeared on a Smackdown episode in 2013 where coincidentally enough it was also held in the United Kingdom, although tapings where held in London and not Manchester at the time. He wrestled Dean Ambrose during the show.
The Phenom will be there to continue his angle with the Wyatt Family which will lead to a Survivor Series match. WWE will be celebrating 25 years of the Undertaker next month with the Survivor Series being exactly the 25 year anniversary since his debut back on November 22, 1990.
It was not announced that the Undertaker will be participating in other non-televised live events during the European tour.
Former WWE United States champion Rusev suffered an injury last night during the Main Event tapings held prior to the Smackdown tapings in Phoenix, Arizona.
Rusev was wrestling Neville when the injury occurred and the match was stopped with Neville declared the winner. It’s not clear what the actual injury is although there are rumors that it’s related to his arm.
The Bulgarian was not happy that the match was called off and even chased the timekeeper afterward with the timekeeper running for his life through the stands.
If the injury is serious he will join his fiancé Lana on the sidelines. Rusev already spent some months out with a leg injury although he stayed on the road and traveled to television shows to continue his angle with Dolph Ziggler, Lana, and Summer Rae.
Today WWE officially announced the new class of 19 recruits who have begun training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, including five Tough Enough competitors – Mada, Daria, Patrick Clark, ZZ, and Amanda.
The announcement of the Tough Enough contestants came over the past few weeks however WWE never acknowledged it publicly. Amanda was listed as the newest WWE Diva in a press release issued by E! to promote the new season of Total Divas.
Joining these five are Christopher Atkins from Melbourne, Australia; Cezar Bononi from Sao Paulo, Brazil; Gabriel Ealy from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Uriel Ealy, from Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Christopher Girard from Boston, Massachusetts; Dallas Harper from Canton, Ohio; Adrian Jaoude from Beirut, Lebanon; Daniel Matha from Erie, Pennsylvania; Eddie Orengo from Newark, New Jersey; Adrienne Reese from Dallas, Texas; Gzim Selmani from Huizen, Netherlands, and Richard Swann from Baltimore, Maryland.
The two Tough Enough winners, Josh and Sara were also part of this group of 19 individuals.
There are currently 57 men and women training at the WWE Performance Center, a number which is now gone up to 76 with the new class which started last month.
Speaking at a media day in Los Angeles to promote her fight at UFC 193, current UFC Women’s champion Ronda Rousey said that she wants to conquer WWE after her time in MMA is done.
In a story carried out by Fox Sports, Rousey said she wants to be remembered as one of the greatest fighters of all time at any sport, especially boxing, jiu-jitsu, and professional wrestling.
“What I would love to do: I got an Olympic medal, I would want to retire from MMA as one of the greatest of all time, I would love to have the chance to be the boxing world champion, and I would love to have the chance to be a jiu-jitsu world champion. I’d love to have the chance to be the Divas world champion and just be the best of everything at one point,” Rousey revealed.
Rousey, the most popular fighter in the UFC at the moment, has always said that she wants to get in the ring and her ambitions increased after getting a taste at the past WrestleMania where she was involved in a segment with The Rock, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon.
The current Divas champion, Charlotte, was quick to accept her request. “Come get it… Anytime. Anywhere. @RondaRousey @ufc @UFCONFOX #DivasChampion,” she wrote.
Triple H also welcomed Rousey’s comments. “You are always welcomed…I’ll leave the light @WWEPerformCtr on for you!!!”
Rousey’s words will surely bring in more rumors and added enthusiasm from wrestling fans around the world who one day hope to see her in the ring.
Somewhere in Connecticut, Vince McMahon is already seeing the big dollar signs.
The Monday Night Raw with Hell In A Cell fallout drew 3,354,000 viewers on average, down 3,000 viewers from last week’s episode.
Hour one started with 3,635,000 viewers but then dropped to 3,213,000 viewers in the second hour and just barely up to 3,214,000 in the third and final hour. The show lost 422,000 viewers from hour one to hour two and only gained 1,000 viewers from the second to the third hour.
The opening hour had the best viewing numbers since the August 31 Raw but hour two had the worst since Raw moved to three hours back in July 2012. (Ratings credit: TV By The Numbers)
Chris Harrington of IndeedWrestling.com who covers a lot of financial statistics for WWE managed to get his hands on the Hulk Hogan WCW contract from 1998 and it’s a contract which probably not many – if anyone at all – will ever get closer to it.
The contract, which started on May 29, 1998 and valid for four years, had a whopping $2 million signing bonus which was paid just 14 days after Hogan put pen to paper.
Hulk was contracted to wrestle at 6 WCW pay-per-views each year and had to be the headliner. As a compensation of appearing in these pay-per-views, Hogan received either 15% of all domestic PPV sales or $675,000 guarantee…per event! Hogan got $1,350,000 as an advance of the PPV guarantee payment every July, November, and February of each year under contract. In addition to this guarantee, the Hulkster also received compensation based on the buy rate, with $250,000 minimum per event up to $1,750,000.
For his Nitro and Thunder appearances, Hogan got 25% of the gross arena ticket revenues in which he appears and wrestles and each check had to be no less than $25,000 per event. As part of the deal he had to appear at 16 other television tapings per year at no additional cost to WCW. For non-televised house shows, Hogan also got 25% of the gross arena ticket revenues which had to be paid 30 days after the events.
If Hogan had to travel on WCW business, he had to receive first-class travel, first-class suite at a hotel, limo transportation, and $175 per diem per day. Hogan also had some crazy licensing deals for merchandise and anything that had his name attached to it.
To promote tonight’s Smackdown in Phoenix, Arizona at the Talking Stick Resort Arena – formerly known as the US Airways Center – Intercontinental champion Kevin Owens talked with our friend Jeramie McPeek about a variety of subjects including WrestleMania.
In the interview, Owens discussed missing WrestleMania 26 when it was in Phoenix because he had the mentality that the next WrestleMania he’d gone was because WWE took him there. He sort of broke that promise since he went to WrestleMania XXX to see his friend Daniel Bryan in the main event but this year it was WWE who brought him over as the NXT champion.
Owens also talked about his son who is a huge John Cena fan, winning the Intercontinental title, cutting promos, favorite heels, and his dream WrestleMania opponent.
“I’ve answered this question a couple times and my answer is always Brock Lesnar, because I’d just love to be in ring with him and see what it’s like. There’s nobody quite like Brock Lesnar, as far as pure strength and viciousness and everything. I’d love to see if I could hang with him and see how much could I hurt him,” Owens said.
2K today released the much-anticipated WWE 2K16 video game in the United States featuring the largest roster ever including over 120 playable characters.
The new game sports several features, some new, and some returning such as the 2K Showcase, MyCareer, and Creation Suite. This year’s star playable character is Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator, which is a pre-order exclusive.
Improvements in the game includes better controls, new reversal system, new pin system, chain wrestling, working holds, more match types, new entrances and commentary, improved AI, visual upgrades and nicer broadcast presentation.
The game is available for Playstation 3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. It’s developed by Visual Concepts and Yuke’s. Stone Cold Steve Austin is the cover Superstar for WWE 2K16.
Shane McMahon resurfaced at the James Bond Spectre world premiere and had his photo taken with one of the stars in the movie and former WWE champion Dave Bautista.
“Here comes the monaaaaayy!!!… All the way to the #Spectre World Premier!! #oldschool #ShaneOMac,” Bautista wrote on Twitter, adding the photo of the two of them together looking slick in black tie.
Bautista was accompanied by his wife Sarah Jade at the Royal Film Performance of Spectre at the Royal Albert Hall in London, England, yesterday. The whole cast of the movie, including main star Daniel Craig, were present as well as Prince William. Batista plays Mr Hinx in the latest 007 flick.
“Hell” ended just over 24-hours ago, but honestly, there wasn’t much “hell” going on. Straight-up, it was a lacklustre Pay-Per-View/Network Show that you would see on a weekly basis of Raw. The only two good happenings were one SHOCKING return and the main-event match itself; neither of which I will spoil for those who have not saw and/or read about, and are waiting until Raw. So with that, read on to find out all that went down at Hell In A Cell!
Monday Night Raw TV Report for October 26th, 2015 – “‘Good Friends, Better Enemies’ Part 3”
Introduction Segment: Arena Promo
Michael Cole greets us to Raw from San Diego, California. The theme of The Authority blasts the speakers as COO Triple H and Principal Owner Stephanie McMahon strut out. They tout their happiness with Hell In A Cell, and in particular Seth Rollins, who retained his WWE World Heavyweight Championship over “Demon” Kane.
The Champ walks out and has a big smile on his face. Steph and Trips remind Rollins of the tough road he has had for almost seven months since WrestleMania XXXI when he won the title. Steph says he has surpassed their expectations and lived up to what they want in a WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He gives both a big hug and puts them over.
However, both McMahon and Helmsley state that there is no one left at the moment who has a right to face Seth for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. “The Game” has a solution though; he says that all who won their matches last night (minus the Divas, I presume) will compete throughout the evening to earn a spot in a Fatal-4-Way main-event; the winner of that match then will take on Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
One of the winners at Hell In A Cell now interrupts. Roman Reigns walks through the crowd and meets the trio in the ring. He says that he is tired of what is going on and declares that he will be the one to wrestle Seth Rollins for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Stephanie announces “well then, ‘let the games begin’!” Reigns will have his match next!
Commercials.
Match #1: Single to Qualify for the Fatal-4-Way – Roman Reigns VS. Tag-Team Champion Kofi Kingston (with Tag-Team Champion and New Day partner Big E.)
Kofi twirls around with a hammerlock and headlock, then hits a dropkick after sliding under Reigns. He clamps on another standing side-headlock, but Roman shoves him off into the ropes and gives him a shoulder-block. Kingston leapfrogs a couple times, but is kicked hard and brought to the mat with a swinging neckbreaker! Kingston goes to the outside for a break.
Ads.
Roman is still in control, suplexing Kofi from the apron to the ring! Kingston counters with an elbow and kick, but gets a couple clotheslines in return! Kofi is back on the floor, and Roman follows but is blocked by Big E. This allows Kofi to get back in the ring and give Roman a baseball slide and take over.
The Tag Champ mount-punches Roman, then delivers fists in the corner and a running forearm! He tries to wear down Reigns with a grounding rear chinlock, but Roman battles out with fists and a headbutt! Kofi slides around again and trips up Reigns, then entices the crowd with clapping. He climbs the turnbuckle and dives with an axe handle smash, then covers for a near-fall!
Kofi grips on an armlock, but Reigns reverses into a backdrop/one-arm slam combo! Reigns slugs away with a couple more clotheslines, then a running/jumping forearm! He sets Kofi up for a powerbomb, but Kofi hammers away as he is on Reigns’ shoulders. He tries a sunset-flip-pin too, but Roman picks him up and puts him in a Samoan Drop position. Kingston elbows out of this, but is punched hard! Reigns clotheslines Kofi ten times in the corner, then tossed to the opposite! Roman follows with a run but is met with a boot. Kofi tries a springboard attack, but Reigns ducks and rolls Kingston for two, then picks him up in a sit-down powerbomb! 1 – 2 – Kofi still kicks out!
Reigns gears up for the Superman Punch, but Big E. hops on the apron. Roman hits him instead, then Spears Kofi and covers to get the victory!
Winner via Pinfall and Advancing: Roman Reigns
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
The Miz is with a few people to show off his skills at playing WWE 2K16, particularly using “Stone Cold” Steve Austin.
Later tonight, the other Qualifying Matches are Neville/Del Rio, Big E./Ziggler, and Cesaro/Owens!
Commercials.
Match #2: Single to Qualify for the Fatal-4-Way – Cesaro VS. Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens (Non-Title)
Before the contest, a video of Owens is shown, where he says he will be both the Intercontinental Champion and WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
They lockup and Kevin rolls Cesaro for a one-count. Kevin gets distracted by the outside, allowing Cesaro to roll him up twice for quick counts, but no fall. They then engage in a back-and-forth of pin combinations, getting numerous twos. They fight on the outside, then Owens begins to dominate back in the ring.
He works over Cesaro with kicks and punches, then yells “and that’s why I’m the champ,” and screams at Cole too. He goes for a suplex, but Cesaro reverses it into one of his own and stalls for a bit. He covers, but only gets two!
Kevin rolls to the outside, then drags Cesaro with him. They fight at ringside and double-clothesline each other as the referee is up to three on the count; both just get back in to save themselves!
Ads.
Cesaro is now giving Owens a few uppercuts, then runs at him with more uppercuts in the corner; he also hits a running dropkick from the ropes, which sends Kevin rolling to the outside again. Cesaro follows up with another against the corner of the barricade, then puts Owens back in the ring. He goes to the top turnbuckle, but Kevin escapes again.
Cesaro runs from one apron to another, then dives on Owens with a somersault! He climbs the turnbuckle and soars with a crossbody for a near-fall! He tries the Cesaro Swing, but Owens reverses into a backslide, but Cesaro flips out of that. Owens catches him and drives Cesaro to the canvas with a DDT, but still only gets two!
Owens whips Ceasro off the ropes, but stalls and allows Cesaro to springboard off the middle rope with a twisting back-elbow! He trips up Kevin into a Swing position, but Owens holds on to the ropes. Owens uses them to his advantage, and as Cesaro argued with the referee, Kevin kicks him in the head and drops him with the Pop-Up Powerbomb, then receives the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall and Advancing: Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Paige is talking on her phone while Becky Lynch and Divas Champion Charlotte are standing in front of her. Paige continues to promote herself and her appearance on Conan O’Brien. She switches her tune to sucking up to Charlotte, but Charlotte is still sceptical. She is thankful for Paige celebrating at Hell In A Cell with her, but warns Paige that “there will be consequences” if Paige attacked Natalya. Charlotte asks Becky if Paige
Commercials.
Match #3: Six-Women Tag-Team – Team Bella (Brie and Nikki Bella, and Alicia Fox) VS. Team P.C.B. (Paige, Divas Champion Charlotte, and Becky Lynch)
Nikki and Paige start out with a couple elbow-collar tie-ups. Paige gives Nikki a Japanese Armdrag then sweeps her up. She runs at Nikki in the corner with double-knees, then hits her in the face with a running single-knee. Bella counters with a spinebuster, then knocks Charlotte off the apron. Alicia tags in, but is soon kicked and headbutted.
Charlotte is now in and gives Fox a neckbreaker and knee drop. Alicia counters a run with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker, then switches with Brie after she couldn’t get the complete cover. They both slam Charlotte hard to the mat, then Brie stomps on Charlotte against the bottom rope. Brie wears her down with an arm submission, then kicks away like Daniel Bryan onto Charlotte’s stomach and chest.
The Divas Champ ducks a spinning kick and yanks her down with a botched-neckbreaker. She crawls to the tag and stretches to Becky, who cleans house on Nikki. She brings the former longest-reigning Divas Champ out of the corner with a 3-Handle Credenza suplex, and then this breaks down with all members getting involved.
It is down to Lynch and Nikki, with Bella dropping Becky with the Rack Attack (Torture Rack Drop Buster) to finish this one!
Winners via Pinfall: Team Bella
Post-match, as Charlotte is checking on Lynch, Paige suddenly attacks Charlotte, planting her with the Ram-Paige DDT. She does the same to Becky, then locks Charlotte in the PTO
Up next, recap of The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar’s Hell In A Cell match will be shown.
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Segment #4: Video Promo
Still images of Lesnar/’Taker are played.
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Rene Young is with Zeb Colter and United States Champion Alberto Del Rio. Colter states that he aligned with Del Rio because he wanted to mend relationships and show that people with different views can work together for a common good. Del Rio says he will become WWE World Heavyweight Champion once again.
Commercials.
Match #4: Single to Qualify for the Fatal-4-Way – Neville VS. United States Champion Alberto Del Rio (with Zeb Colter) (Non-Title)
They lockup and Neville shoots Alberto off the ropes, but Del Rio hits back with a shoulder-block. They measure each other, then Alberto kicks and slaps Neville around. He chucks him to the floor, then waits as they face off again. Another elbow-collar tie-up ensues, but Del Rio gets aggressive with kicks and punches. He puts Neville to the mat with an armlock, but Neville gets out of it and kicks Alberto, then dives over him and brings him down with a bulldog! Neville rockets from the top turnbuckle with a crossbody. He goes for another high-risk move, but Alberto rolls to the outside to regain himself.
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Del Rio is working over Neville now with a face-stretch lock, gripping inside of Neville’s mouth. Neville counters with a couple of punches and a kick, but is spun around with a tilt-a-whirl backbreaker for a near-fall! Alberto continues to control this bout until he whips Neville. “The Man That Gravity Forgot” slides under Alberto and then kicks him hard a few times.
Del Rio goes to the outside, but Neville follows with a twisting plancha! In the ring, he turns out of another Tilt-A-Whirl backbreaker into a hurricanrana-pin for two! Neville goes to the apron, where Alberto runs at him with an Enziguri. Neville falls into the ring, but manages to get his shoulder up before three! Del Rio tries the Cross Armbreaker, but Neville reverses into a pin combo for a near-fall! Alberto responds with a vicious clothesline, He then jumps on Neville’s back with a kick, but misses a running slide-through.
Neville takes advantage and climbs the turnbuckle, but Del Rio trips him up. Neville is hanging upside down on the turnbuckle when Alberto climbs it and jumps off with a double-foot stomp, completing this contest!
Winner via Pinfall and Advancing: United States Champion Alberto Del Rio
Up next, The Dudleyz and Ryback will meet Barrett, Rusev, and Sheamus.
Commercials.
Match #5: Six-Man Tag-Team – Ryback and The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) VS. Rusev, King Barrett, and Sheamus
The teams brawl to begin, then it squares down to D-Von and Sheamus to get going. D-Von flapjacks Sheamus, but Barrett distracts him as he was climbing the turnbuckle, which allowed Sheamus to give him a rolling fireman’s carry. Rusev in and punishes D-Von, as does Barrett for a while.
Rusev clotheslines Bubba off the apron, but D-Von replies with one of his own then makes the hot-tag to Ryback. “The Big Guy” cleans up on Barrett, and gives a hard shot to Sheamus that knocks him off the apron. Barrett is tossed into Bubba, who one-arm slams him, then “The Brothers” backdrop/neckbreaker combo Sheamus.
Ryback, D-Von, and Ray all wind up with Meathook Clotheslines, then triple-team Barrett with the “What’s Up” Diving Headbutt. Bubba conducts Ryback and D-Von to get the tables, but Sheamus distracts him in the ring and Barrett takes advantage with a roll-up for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: Rusev, King Barrett, and Sheamus
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Segment #6: Arena Promo
Bray Wyatt is sitting in his rocking chair in the ring; the lights are dimmed. “25 years, The Undertaker has walked among ‘the darkness’ and ‘the light.’ He had no equal; they all feared him. Grown men would tremble at just the sound of his name. But last night, the apocalypse showed its face. Destruction, desolation, vengeance, and fear rode in and with him they carried out the soul of ‘the mighty’ Undertaker. And can you feel it? Can feel that? That wicked, wicked, horrible feeling is in the air tonight. Can you feel it? Last night was war; red-horse of the apocalypse, Hell In A Cell type of war. And I just want to make something very, very apparently clear tonight. Roman Reigns, understand, that one day, you and I will dance again. But not until I am properly revitalized. And that’s why, last night, the demise of The Undertaker has become my ‘resurrection.’ And believe me, you can’t understand,; once you’ve had a taste of that kind of power, man, it consumes you, it becomes you. there is no turning back; you are now addicted. And that is why, right now, as I am speaking, I am feasting on the soul o The Undertaker, and I want more. I have to have more, I need more! And I will not stop until there is nothing left of The Undertaker; until he is just a distant memory, forgotten and lost; bones on the ground as I ascend to my throne. Right now, somewhere, The Undertaker’s soul is being ripped to shreds; desecrated piece by piece, and bit by bloody bit. So tonight, I would like to ask something of you. I would like to ask everyone in this entire arena and bow their heads. I would like to ask everyone that is watching at home to place their hand on their television set. And tonight, I would like you to share a ‘moment of silence’ with me for the man who has lost his soul…to me. ‘Rest…in…peace.’”
As Bray bows his head, corner pyro blows and out marches “The Demon” Kane. Bray looks on, but his video plays and the lights go out. The video plays again and the lights are back on, with the entire Wyatt Family surrounding Kane.
“The Big Red Monster” fends everyone but Bray off for a bit, but The Family come back and lay a beating on Kane then carry him out like Undertaker last night.
Commercials.
Match #6: Single to Qualify for the Fatal-4-Way – Tag-Team Champion Big E. (with Tag-Team Champion and New Day partner Kofi Kingston) VS. Dolph Ziggler
Before this gets underway, Tyler Breeze and Summer Rae make their way to ringside and watch from their own V.I.P. section!
Dolph starts out hot, but Big takes over quickly. He gives Ziggler a shoulder-block and punches him hard, then wears him down with an abdominal stretch. Dolph battles back with kicks and a dropkick, then clotheslines Big over the ropes, and he tumbles too! E. misses a running shoulder, but Kofi gets Dolph’s attention, which gives Big a chance for a clothesline. He takes control back.
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Langston is still governing this bout until Dolph hops out of a fall-away slam attempt and locks on a sleeper. Big runs Ziggler into the turnbuckle to break it, then runs at him with a shoulder-ram. He puts another abdominal stretch on, but “The Show Off” counters with a dropkick. He hits a splash in the corner and a neckbreaker, then an elbow for two!
Big stops a superkick and slingshots Dolph over the ropes. He goes and drinks out of Breeze/Summer’s cup, but is planted with a Fameasser in the ring. 1 – 2 – Big gets his shoulder up. Ziggler misses another corner splash and E. responds with one of his own, but also only gets two! Big E. gives props to Kofi, but turns around into a superkick on the apron! 1 – 2 – Big raises his shoulder again! He then tosses Ziggler off, but misses a shoulder-ram! Dolph capitalizes with the Zig-Zag!
Winner via Pinfall and Advancing: Dolph Ziggler
Segment #7: Locker Room Promo
Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns are discussing the opportunity that Reigns has. Ambrose reminds Roman how near he was to getting the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. He order s him to “go out there and take it.” Reigns tells Dean “I’ve got this.”
Commercials.
Segment #8: Arena Promo
Titus O’Neil is on the lead mike with other superstars and, and women who are affected by cancer. He puts over the Susan G. Komen foundation and whomever donated to the charity for helping.
Segment #9: Backstage Promo
The Miz is still playing as “Stone Cold” and celebrating a win like Steve, when the man himself walks in. The first bit is inaudible, but the gist is Miz selling the game and it’s release date.
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins walks out and is going to watch the Fatal-4-Way up close.
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Match #7: Fatal-4-Way for the #1 Contender’s Spot to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship – Dolph Ziggler VS. United States Champion Alberto Del Rio VS. Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens VS. Roman Reigns
Reigns and Alberto fight while Kevin and Dolph go at it. All four take it to the outside and brawl around the ring. Roman and Kevin eventually end up in the ring alone with Owens dominating. On the outside, Del Rio leaps onto Ziggler from the barrier, then he and Kevin double-team Reigns. They whip him to the ropes, but Roman hits back with a kick and punch, then backdrops Del Rio and suplexes Owens. He also goes for Dolph until Alberto kicks him from behind. Roman counters and clotheslines Del Rio over the ropes, then hits the Drive-By running front-dropkick on Kevin on the apron, and Alberto on the announce table, but then runs into a superkick by Dolph!
Commercials.
Kevin and Alberto are working on Dolph now while Roman is laid out on the floor. Owens goes over and stomps on Roman, then joins Del Rio back in the ring. They now fight back-and-forth, and Del Rio kicks Owens hard, but Kevin rolls to the outside. Alberto turns around into a Samoan Drop by Reigns, who then clotheslines Del Rio and punches him; Dolph tries to catch Roman with the Zig-Zag, and now the two face off! They hit at each other, then Dolph drives Roman to the mat with the leaping-DDT! 1 – 2 – Reigns gets his shoulder up! Dolph attempts a Fameasser, but Roman holds him up and drops him with a sit-down powerbomb! 1 – 2 – Dolph kicks out!
Reigns gears up and hits the Superman Punch, but Alberto slides in, chucks Roman out, and covers Dolph. 1 – 2 – Dolph still gets his shoulder up! Owens now in, but Del Rio knocks him off with a running enziguri. He tries on Dolph, but Ziggler ducks and brings him down with the Fameasser! 1 – 2 – Del Rio raises his shoulder!
“The Show Off” crawls over, but is tossed in the air and clotheslined! Del Rio still doesn’t get the count, and climbs the turnbuckle. Dolph crotches him with the ropes, then Owens slides in and drags Dolph back. Reigns flies in with the Superman Punch on Del Rio, then Dolph hits another superkick on Reigns! Owens German-Suplexes Dolph from behind and then runs at both him and Alberto with a cannonball!
Roman and Owens are left to square off; Kevin kicks Roman in the head and whips him off the ropes, but Roman jumps out of the Pop-Up Powerbomb and hits a Superman Punch! He follows with a roar and The Spear, then covers and receives the victory!
Winner and #1 Contender to the WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Roman Reigns
Post-match, Roman celebrates then faces off with Seth. He pats the WWE World Heavyweight Title then walks away as Rollins glares to close the show.
End Of Raw.
This was a fantastic Raw! The wrestling was awesome, most of the promos were good, and the setup for Survivor Series has seemingly started already, which is beautiful! Onto the analysis:
Excellence: all the matches, even the Six-Man, were wrestled really well tonight and kept me entertained. Even though I was honestly hoping for Kane to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship for one last run, I’m quite glad Roman Reigns is back in the main-event title picture, and that the fans have taken to him again.
Alberto Del Rio returning was a huge surprise, and right now, he looks and is being received better-than-ever!
I’m glad Paige is back to full-on-heel, but she needs to be much meaner than her last “bad girl” run; and stay a heel for a long while.
Bogus: The Miz – he is much better than the role he was placed in tonight, especially since part of his interaction with Steve was botched due to sound problems. He should be featured much better as we go on to Survivor Series.
I’m not quite sure about Bray feuding again with The Undertaker; I also originally thought that ‘Taker/Lesnar would go into a non-finish and have the absolute final match at Survivor Series, but as the Hell In A Cell went on, I was rooting for Undertaker to win and be in a very high-profile match at his anniversary show. (Perhaps one last “Brother” VS. “Brother” bout for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship?) The only positive I can see is a “Classic” Survivor Series match, pitting the Wyatt Family against ‘Taker, Kane, Sting?, and ….this would also be appropriate as Undertaker debuted in this match back in 1990.
All-in-all, a pretty superb Raw, so let’s hope they keep it going! Until Smackdown!, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Fans!
Jim Ross today announced ticket information for his three WrestleMania weekend shows which are titled RINGSIDE with Jim Ross and Friends.
The shows will all be held at the House of Blues in Dallas, Texas, with two shows on Saturday, April 2, one at 4PM and one at 11PM, and one on Monday, April 4, at 8PM. The late night Saturday show will start after the Hall of Fame while the Monday late night show will start after Raw ends however the meet and greet will happen before so it will conflict with Raw.
Tickets for all three shows will go on sale to the general public on Friday, October 30, starting at 10AM CT. Citi Card members and Live Nation app pre-sales kick off on Wednesday and Thursday respectively. Regular tickets will go from $20 to $35. A limited number of VIP tickets including meet and greet will also be on sale.
Alberto Del Rio expressed his gratitude on Twitter for his second WWE stint following his return at last night’s pay-per-view.
“I’m grateful for a 2nd chance to come back to @WWE #hellinacell and I’m happy to be performing again,” the new United States champion wrote.
Del Rio’s return was kept a secret and not even the company he wrestles for in Mexico, the AAA, knew about it until late last night before he walked out from backstage. Del Rio, under the name of Alberto El Patron, is still the AAA Mega Champion, a title he won in December of last year. He defended the title just 20 days ago against Johnny Mundo at the Héroes Inmortales IX event which was held in San Luis Potosi, Mexico.
Del Rio was also part of the Lucha Underground cast however problems relating to money and maybe even creative led to his departure after the end of the first season.
It will be interesting to see if Del Rio will be allowed to drop the AAA Mega Championship to someone else in the organization or if the belt will just be vacated.
Former United States champion John Cena is expected to be out of WWE for the next two months and while details of his departure are still officially unknown, rumors are that he will be filming a new fitness show for broadcast television.
Cena is not advertised to appear on tonight’s Raw and is not listed for any other show – televised or house show – until the day after Christmas for a non-televised live event at Madison Square Garden in New York. Cena will be missing the Survivor Series, TLC, and the Tribute to the Troops tapings as well.
The last time John Cena took an extended time off was in August 2013 when he had to undergo surgery for a triceps tear. He was out from August 20 until October 27, coincidentally enough returning at that year’s Hell In A Cell to defeat Alberto Del Rio to win the World Heavyweight title.
Brock Lesnar needed 9 staples to close the wound in his head yesterday after the brutal Hell In A Cell match versus the Undertaker was over.
The former WWE World Heavyweight champion got busted open the hard way when he was rammed into the ring post and bled pretty bad throughout the match. The amount of sweat made the blood look even worse and the WWE doctor went in twice to try and clean off the blood however only succeeded once after he was thrown out by Lesnar himself the second time around.
WWE has strict rules on bleeding during matches and it’s pretty much not allowed. The Undertaker seems like he bladed intentionally during the match and usually blade jobs results in WWE issuing fines to the offenders.
Chris Jericho noted in his latest book that Batista was fined $100,000 by Vince McMahon once for blading in a match against him and Jericho and the referee were also fined for being accomplices, although Batista picked up the fines for both of them since it was his idea.
Triple H and the Undertaker were also fined after their Hell In A Cell match at WrestleMania a few years ago for the unprotected chair shots.
Former UFC fighter Seth Petruzelli has signed on as a trainer at the WWE Performance Center and was handed the duty of striking coach. MMANews.com is reporting that Petruzelli will be at the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, three times a week.
The 35 year old has fought in EliteXC, UFC and Bellator as well and has a record of 14-8, with his last fight being a loss to Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 96 in June 2013.
Perhaps his is best known for defeating Kimbo Slice in 2008 in just 14 seconds back when Slice was getting a massive following online with his YouTube videos.
Petruzelli owns The Jungle MMA and Fitness gyms in Florida.
Next month’s Survivor Series will be a celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Undertaker with WWE debuting the teaser trailer for the show during last night’s Hell In A Cell pay-per-view.
“25 years ago, a legend rose. Now we rise for him. WWE Survivor Series: 25 Years of Undertaker,” read the words during the 30 second trailer which had photos of the Undertaker throughout his WWE career playing along with a piano version of his theme song.
The Undertaker came on our screens the first time on November 22, 1990, being accompanied by Brother Love to join the team of Ted DiBiase, Honky Tonk Man, and Greg Valentine. The four of them took on Dusty Rhodes, Bret Hart, Jim Neidhart, and Koko B. Ware. Taker eliminated both Koko and Dusty that night and then was counted out after he went after Rhodes.
It only took a year for the Undertaker to win the WWE title as at the following Survivor Series in 1991 he defeated Hulk Hogan for the gold although that reign went only till the This Tuesday in Texas show two days later.
The 2015 Survivor Series falls exactly on the day the Undertaker made his debut 25 years later, and will take place from the Philips Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. You can see the trailer below.
As its always the case when WWE is in Los Angeles for any show, especially a television taping, the celebrities came out to watch the show.
ZZ Tops Billy Gibbons, Hollywood actors Mark Wahlberg, Sofia Vergara, Seth Green, and Joe Manganiello were all sitting at ringside. Bill Simmons, who worked for ESPN and is a huge wrestling fan, was also shown at ringside.
UFC champ Daniel Cormier was backstage before the show started and three of the MMA Four Horsewomen – Marina Shafir, Shayna Baszler and Jessamyn Duke – were sitting in the first couple of rows as well. There were rumors in the past that Ronda Rousey would also be there but Rousey is busy with her training camp for her next UFC fight and was not there.
Former WWE Diva Candice Michelle posted a photo on her Instagram on the way to the Staples Center and was backstage as was WWE Hall of Famer Stone Cold Steve Austin who lives in Los Angeles.
Here are the results from the Hell In A Cell pay-per-view which is taking place live from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California.
Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro, and Neville defeated King Barrett, Rusev, and Sheamus in the Kickoff match. Cesaro was the Superstar of this match and it finished when Ziggler superkicked Barrett, followed by 20 Cesaro swings, and a picture perfect Red Arrow from Neville for the pin.
The returning Alberto Del Rio defeated John Cena clean with a kick to the face to become the new United States champion. Zeb Colter came out first, his first appearance in months, and introduced Del Rio as Cena’s opponent. Del Rio hit the kick to the face that won him the World title years ago and Cena was down for the 1-2-3.
The first Hell In A Cell match was up next with Bray Wyatt vs Roman Reigns. The two traded a ton of kendo stick shots and three broken tables including a cool looking spear from the apron through a table by Roman Reigns. The finish came when Reigns threw Wyatt at a kendo stick which was sticking out from the corner and then speared Wyatt for the pinfall.
The New Day came out without Xavier Woods but still carrying the trombone for their Tag Team titles match against the Dudley Boyz. Kofi and Big E both wore a black armband with “XW” on them in honor of their tag team partner. Towards the end of the match, Kofi pulled an Eddie Guerrero after he faked getting hit with the trombone after the referee caught Bubba Ray with the trombone. He did not DQ the Dudleyz and Bubba Ray broke the trombone in half, only for Big E to hit D-Von with half of that trombone behind the referee’s back and Kofi hitting the Trouble in Paradise on Bubba Ray to win the match and retain the titles.
The Divas title match had a stipulation added to it where no one was allowed at ringside which meant Becky Lynch, Brie Bella, and Alicia Fox had the night off. Nikki worked on Charlotte’s back for most of the match and the big spot of the match came when Nikki went for a suplex from the top rope but Charlotte countered it and then went for the Figure 8 but couldn’t complete it due to her bad back. Nikki Bella hit an Alabama Slam on the apron and went for the rack attack but Charlotte once again reversed it and put Nikki in the Figure 8 and she tapped out. After the match Paige and Becky Lynch came out to celebrate the victory.
The WWE World Heavyweight title did not main event this pay-per-view as expected and took place towards the final hour of the show. Before the match, Rollins reminded Kane that Corporate Kane and Demon Kane are one person! Okay! A big table spot didn’t go according to plan with Rollins powerbombing Kane on the Spanish announce table but Kane landing on the edge of the table. The table toppled over however did not break. Rollins hit a frogsplash and then the Pedigree for the pinfall, retaining the WWE World Heavyweight title. Kane’s loss also means that Corporate Kane has lost his job as Director of Operations after two years.
The Intercontinental title match took the “death spot” in this pay-per-view, going on before the main event. Ryback was met with some boos however Owens had a decent pop when introduced. The match didn’t go longer than 10 minutes with Kevin Owens retaining the Intercontinental title after the pop up powerbomb. Crowd did not care much, if at all, for this one.
After a recap of the history between Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker from WrestleMania XXX till now aired, it was time for the main event. This is the 13th time that Taker has been in a Hell In A Cell match, winning 6 of them. Lots of Suplex City/Undertaker chants from fans to start the match. Lesnar started bleeding in the early minutes with Vince McMahon probably going bananas backstage because of the blood. A doctor came in to check on Lesnar and remove some of the blood but Lesnar shrugged him off and the match continued. Taker eventually started bleeding as well from his head a few minutes afterward. Brock hits an F5 after three suplexes but Taker kicked out. The doctor once again came in but Lesnar threw him out and hit another F5 but Taker once again kicked out. Taker locks the Hell’s Gate on Lesnar but Lesnar powered out and went ground and pound on the WWE legend. Lesnar then ripped up the ring – literally – exposing the wood but Taker chokeslammed him on it as fans chanted “this is awesome!” The Undertaker hit the tombstone but Lesnar kicked out in the final millisecond. Lesnar then hit a low blow on the Undertaker and delivered the F5 on the exposed wood for the pinfall.
After the match, the Undertaker sat up and the fans gave him a standing ovation as well as “Thank you Taker” chants. After a long standing ovation, The Wyatt Family – Bray, Rowan, Harper, and Strowman – came out and surrounded the ring and then beat up the Undertaker. All four of them then carried the Undertaker out, possibly setting up a Survivor Series 4 on 4 match.
