2K today announced the first simulation-based WWE video game for mobile platforms, WWE 2K. The game is available now for download on iOS and Android devices for $7.99. WWE 2K offers authentic WWE gameplay in a mobile format through inspiration from several popular gameplay elements and modes from the WWE 2K flagship WWE video game franchise available on consoles.
WWE 2K for mobile devices includes a playable roster of WWE Superstars and Legends, including Hulk Hogan, John Cena, Sting, Triple H, Undertaker, Daniel Bryan, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt. Players will experience authentic WWE action, including multiple match types, full WWE Superstar ring entrances and comprehensive move sets. In addition, they will access modes inspired by the flagship WWE 2K franchise on consoles, including Create-a-Superstar and Career Mode, as well as live multiplayer matches and unlockable rewards.
“As the first simulation-based WWE video game for mobile devices, WWE 2K provides an opportunity to experience virtual WWE action anywhere and at any time,” said Greg Thomas, President at Visual Concepts. “Inspired by the gameplay and authenticity of WWE 2K for consoles, WWE 2K offers WWE and mobile gaming enthusiasts a variety of popular WWE Superstars, game modes and more in a premium mobile format.”
WWE has been named the winner of two awards at the fourth annual Cynopsis Sports Media Awards – WWE Network for Over-The-Top Content Service and the top social media award for Overall Social Media Excellence.
WWE received the award for best Over-The-Top Content Service for WWE Network, beating the NFL, NHL, CBS Sports and PGA. Additionally, WWE won the award for Overall Social Media Excellence beating Turner Sports, Showtime Sports, Golf Channel, Pac-12 Network and El Rey Network.
The Cynopsis Sports Media Awards recognizes the most outstanding work in the sports industry from the past year with categories that span television, digital and marketing.
Ronda Rousey cannot see her future without WWE and is determined to go back no matter what. Appearing on Roddy Piper’s podcast, Rousey said that she has never experienced anything like what she felt at WrestleMania 31 a few weeks ago as she stood in the ring with The Rock, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon.
“I had a problem when I left,” Rousey told Hot Rod. “There’s no way I can’t not go back in there again. There’s no way.”
Her situation is a bit tricky however as she is under contract with the UFC and any appearances have to be blessed by UFC President Dana White. White had no problem with Rousey leaving her mark at WrestleMania, and said he even bought the WWE Network to see the pay-per-view live. The Rock/Rousey segment was planned for months and he signed off on it.
But letting her actually wrestle is a whole different ball game, something that White might not be game for. Rousey is the most dominant female in the UFC – if not in the whole world of sports – and letting her wrestle might have a knock on her badass persona.
“The second I left I was already thinking, ‘How can I possibly go back?’ I didn’t even change yet. I hadn’t even gotten out of my outfit yet,” Rousey continued. That’s good news for WWE as a Stephanie McMahon vs Ronda Rousey match at WrestleMania 32 sounds like big money.
The UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion admitted that when she hip tossed Triple H, that wasn’t even the plan and something else was supposed to happen.
“That wasn’t even a throw I was planning. I made it up on the spot. I pulled it out of my ass. I don’t even know what that is. It was kind of awesome to see everything planned, and everything that doesn’t go according to plan.”
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross announced today that he will be holding a RINGSIDE show on Saturday, August 22, at the Gramercy Theatre in New York.
That weekend WWE will be having SummerSlam in the area and with lots of people in town for the show it was a great opportunity for JR to bring his one man show to the city. Tickets for the show go on sale on Friday at Ticketmaster.com.
On a related note, JR also revealed that he is in talks with WWE to tape one version of his show to air on the WWE Network in the future. While details are still being drawn up, the show is most likely to be taped at Full Sail University, the home of NXT.
“Fingers crossed for this project which I hope will lead to more opportunities to contribute to @WWENetwork,” Ross wrote in his latest blog.
JR was sitting at ringside with his wife during the NXT live event in San Jose at WrestleMania weekend and was acknowledged by Triple H during his in-ring segment.
Taz is officially gone from TNA Wrestling as he announced his departure on his Twitter, ending a few days of speculation over his future after he refused to go to work since he wasn’t getting paid.
“Like to thank TNA Wrestling for the opportunity to apply my craft for past several years. Best wishes to them in the future,” Taz wrote. “A special thanks to the great TNA roster of wrestlers. And thank u TNA fans worldwide.”
In a separate post on Twitter, John Gaburick, the TNA Executive Vice President of Creative & Talent Relations also announced the departure of Taz from the company.
“After 5+ years TNA & Taz have mutually decided to part ways. A champ in the ring & on the mic, we wish him nothing but success,” the statement read.
The former ECW champion also thanked Mike Tenay who was his broadcast partner for the bulk of the time he was with TNA. Taz called Tenay a true professional, a great friend, and a quality person.
Taz started with TNA in 2009, revealing himself as Samoa Joe’s adviser and making his debut at the Victory Road pay-per-view that year. he quickly began his announcing duties with the company after replacing Don West. In 2013 he revealed himself as a member of the Aces & Eights.
The fans behind the Smackdown ring invasion in London, England, on Tuesday, are a group that work for TrollStation, an online hidden camera prank show on YouTube.
“Our content is intentionally provocative and controversial with the aim to get reactions from the general public in the name of comedic Satire. Trollstation is a collective of social misfits playing mad mind games on the public,” reads their YouTube channel description.
WWE has gone to great lengths to take down all videos of their stunt from the Internet and even removed it from their official YouTube page which as 311,811 subscribers.
“We’re about the lay the smackdown on Smackdown,” the group said in a video posted and later taken down. Someone grabbed the video before it was taken down and uploaded it on Facebook which is still there and you can see it below.
WWE Intercontinental champion Daniel Bryan has left the European tour which is in progress right because of his injuries, validating WWE’s point of not pushing Bryan to main event status since his return due to their uncertainty over the methods used to rehab his injuries.
Bryan was at Smackdown this week in London but has now departed for the United States after he was unable to wrestle because of certain limitations stemming from his injuries.
The former WWE Heavyweight champion was urged to undergo second surgery to repair his elbow but Bryan, against perhaps other doctor suggestions, chose an alternative method from a doctor in Denver. In a recent interview, Bryan said that he’s had two treatments of two hours each consisting of “relatively painful stuff” but the strength in his arm has held up since the last visit in November.
He said that if he encounters problems again he will go back to Denver to see the same doctor, ruling out surgery that was initially suggested to him.
Fans were angry that when Bryan returned he wasn’t given the Royal Rumble win and WrestleMania main event spot which ultimately went to Roman Reigns. The crowd turned on Reigns as they believed it was Bryan’s spot but WWE questioned his recovery methods from day one and didn’t want to take another risk so early, a risk which if taken would have been disastrous.
Adding to TNA’s problems, multiple sources are now reporting that Taz refused to go to work after he was not paid for his services, leaving Josh Mathews to do commentary on his own for Friday’s Impact.
The former ECW champion was supposed to fly to Nashville to record the commentary but decided not to go since he was not getting paid. Taz put more fuel to the fire after he removed all TNA references from his Twitter account. It’s not known if he has severed all ties with the company or if it is just until he gets paid. He has not addressed the issue publicly yet.
His profile on Twitter now reads, “Sports Entertainment Commentator/Personality & Host of weekly Human Podcast Machine show on Itunes or Play.It.”
A bunch of fans invaded the ring during the Smackdown tapings today in London, England, at the O2 Arena but instead of attacking anyone, they started wrestling each other as Daniel Bryan, John Cena, Cesaro, and Tyson Kidd stood watching.
Footage shot at ringside shows six fans in the middle of the ring, with one dropping a Rock Bottom on another, two fighting with the referee trying to break it up, and another two in the middle of the ring as security then stepped in to clear them out.
Cena seemed to have enjoyed it as he counted to three when the Rock Bottom was done and was seen laughing and clapping and fans chanted “Yes! Yes!” after everyone was cleared from the ring.
You can see one video from ringside posted on Twitter at here. A different video can be seen below. WWE has already removed a bunch of copies of different videos from YouTube.
Monday Night Raw did an average of 3,666,000 viewers this week with the taped episode from London, down 298,000 from last week’s show.
Hour one did 3,686,000 viewers, hour two went up to 3,786,000 viewers, and hour three had 3,786,000 viewers.
Despite the low rating, Raw easily won the night on cable television last night with Family Guy coming a distant second with 2.6 million viewers. (Ratings credit: TVByTheNumbers)
Not to piss off the British crowd, WWE had Paige win the Divas battle royal last night on Raw and become the number one contender for the Divas title but apparently the company has now decided to pull a bait and switch.
Paige is listed as unable to wrestle until further notice after suffering from “internal injuries” during the attack by Naomi, effectively pulling her out of the Extreme Rules match against Nikki Bella.
Naomi is most likely to get the spot now with Paige written out. Paige was the only Brit to get over last night as both Barrett and Neville lost their respective matches.
It’s bad news for the Usos, and even more bad news for Jey Uso, as WWE.COM has revealed that the former tag team title holder has undergone shoulder surgery to tighten his rotator cuff and shoulder capsule.
Jey will be out for approximately six months and he has been off television since WrestleMania. He was injured before that but WWE decided to include him on the Kickoff show anyway as part of the fatal 4 way tag team title match. Since he was unable to wrestle, Jey was taken out immediately after he was rammed into the security wall barrier.
It will be interesting now to see what happens to his twin brother Jimmy Uso, the husband of WWE Diva Naomi, who will now be riding solo.
PWInsider.com is reporting that TNA has issues once again with payments for their talent and many of those under contract have not received a check in a while.
This is not the first time that TNA had financial problems but they eventually managed to sort things out. The departures of people such as AJ Styles and Bully Ray all had to do with money as the company couldn’t afford to pay them the amount requested.
The website reports that over the past few days the TNA talents have started receiving their February income with March payments still yet to be issued.
Matt Hardy has jumped to TNA’s defense on Twitter, both saying they are being paid. Hardy posted a photo of five payments he received saying, “TNA pays me so well & often that I almost feel bad.. Almost. I got 5 checks today alone! BIG $ MATT is jubilant!”
Most of those under contract are allowed to wrestle for other independent wrestling organizations to at least allow them to make an income from somewhere else.
TNA has no shows until May where they will go to Universal Studios in Orlando for four straight days of television tapings staring May 8.
Paige won the Divas battle royal on Monday Night Raw in London, England, to become the new number one contender for the Divas title.
The young WWE Diva now faces Nikki Bella for the title at the upcoming Extreme Rules pay-per-view. Paige, Naomi, Cameron, and Alicia Fox were the final four Divas in the ring and then the faces eliminated the heels, leaving Paige and Naomi the final two in the ring. Eventually Paige eliminated the former Funkadactyl for the win.
After the match, Byron Saxton interviewed Paige in the ring and as Paige was cutting a promo, Naomi attacked Paige and slammed her a couple of times through the security wall.
WWE announced that it will report its first quarter 2015 results on Thursday, April 30, 2015, before the opening of the market. Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon and Chief Strategy & Financial Officer George Barrios will host a conference call beginning at 11:00AM ET to discuss the results.
Unlike previous conference calls, the WWE Network number will not be the most awaited number of the whole call as WWE already announced it the day after WrestleMania.
The stipulations for the WWE World Heavyweight title match for Extreme Rules were announced during the final segment on Raw last night.
Both Orton and Rollins got to choose a stipulation after Orton won his match against Cesaro and Kidd and Rollins won his easy match against Kane.
Rollins chose the option to have the RKO banned from the match while Orton went more the traditional way and chose to have the match inside a steel cage.
Monday Night Raw TV Report for April 13th, 2015 – “Extreme Rules Laid Down”
Introduction Segment: Welcoming
The regular Raw video plays and the pyro blasts in the O2 Arena. Michael Cole is the first voice we hear from London, England. The next the theme song of John Cena. The United States Champion walks out to loud “John Cena sucks” chants.
Cena starts off by talking about (and putting over) the London fans. He then goes to make the Open Challenge again. The man that answers has some “Bad News!” Wade Barrett steps up, to a massive pop (and boisterous “Thank you, Barrett!”), and he will now go one-on-one with Cena for the title!
Commercials.
Match #1: Single for the United States Championship – John Cena (Champion) VS. Bad News Barrett (Challenger)
Cena headlocks Barrett to begin, then puts him to the mat with a running shoulder-block. He wears him down some more with another headlock, but Wade comes back with a big kick. (Thanks, Cole!) Cena gets back in the ring and spins Barrett around with another headlock, but Bad News nails him again with a big boot!
Cena misses a flying shoulder-tackle and ends up on the floor. Barrett follows up with a tribute to Cactus Jack, giving the “Bang, Bang”! signal and dropping an elbow from the apron! He continues to dominate, chucking John into the steel steps. Barrett misses another elbow, this time from the second rope, and is planted with a spin-out backdrop.
Cena goes for the 5-Knuckle, but Wade moves and catches Cena off the ropes with the Winds Of Change Slam! 1 – 2 – Cena kicks out! Both now slug it back-and-forth, then Barrett hits a kick-to-the-face for a near-fall! He hits an additional kick-to-the-gut, followed by Wasteland, but still can’t get it!
Barrett winds up for the Bullhammer Elbow, but Cena catches him in an Attitude Adjustment. He covers, but Barrett gets his shoulder up! Barrett does nail the Bullhammer goes for it, but Cena also gets his shoulder up at the two-count! Cena springs off the second rope and hits a Stunner, then the A.A. for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall and STILL United States Champion: John Cena
Post-match, Lana walks out and distracts Cena so Rusev can sneak up from behind and hit him with a chain. She announces The Authority has granted a Chain Match between the two at Extreme Rules.
The announcers recap last week’s main event, that determined the #1 Contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at Extreme Rules.
Later tonight, Randy Orton face Cesaro and The Bella Twins make their way to the ring to observe the Divas Battle Royale up next!
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Match #2: Battle Royal for the #1 Contender’s Spot to the Divas Championship: Rosa Mendes VS. Emma VS. Cameron VS. Naomi VS. Alicia Fox VS. Summer Rae VS. and Natalya
(Note: The Bellas are on commentary, unfortunately.) In quick order of elimination – Summer Rae and Natalya (same time by Rosa), Rosa, Emma, Cameron, and Alicia.
Paige and Naomi are the last two, and duke it out for a bit. Both just about eliminate each other on the ring apron, then Paige finally pushes out Naomi to take this one!
Winner via Elimination and #1 Contender to the Divas Championship at Extreme Rules: Paige
Up next, we will listen to Paige’s winning speech!
Commercials.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
Byron Saxton asks Paige what it was like to be victorious in her home-country. Paige gives a passionate speech about her family, starting her career in England in carnivals and high-school gyms, and winning the Divas Championship. She is questioned on her now upcoming bout with Nikki Bella, the Divas Champion, but before she can get another word out, Naomi charges back in and brawls with Paige all around the ring. She hurls her in to the barricade, then walks away.
Segment #3: Video Promo
“Something, someone, or somewhere. It becomes obsession. It becomes a sin. Now love, love can be blinding. It can cloud your judgment. Love can consume your well-being, and could very well cost you everything that you’ve worked so hard for. But you, you’re in luck friend. Because I have decided to reach deep inside of you and rip out that ‘love’ like a cancer. And I will fill this now-empty void with good, old-fashioned fear. For fear is much stronger than any love could ever be. Think about it, man. Sooner or later, you’re just going to have to watch anything that you love fade away. And what will you do, when that thing that you love so much, that one thing that you cannot live without with is taken from you. I ask you. I’m doing you a favor. So pay close attention, friend. I’m talking to you. Behold, the ‘new face of fear.’”
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Match #3: Tag-Team – The Ascension (Connor and Viktor) VS. The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara)
The Dragons quickly polish off The Ascension with their high-flying style and finishers!
Winners via Pinfall: The Lucha Dragons (Kalisto and Sin Cara)
Up next, Roman Reigns will be out to talk about his Wrestlemania match with Brock Lesnar.
Commercials.
Segment #4: Arena Promo
Roman Reigns walks through the fans and joins Booker T. in the ring. He talks about “Suplex City,” which the people were calling out to him. Roman says that he and Lesnar gave the fans what they wanted – a “fight.” He claims he had more in the tank, and if it wasn’t for Seth Rollins, he may have become WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He says that he has defeated Rollins before, and will do it again to be the Champion.
Booker reminds Reigns that The Big| Show cost him the opportunity last week. Reigns acknowledges this, and calls Show the WWE World Heavyweight Champion’s “giant bitch.” Show appears on the Titantron and threatens that he will destroy Reigns even more. Roman feels safe though, because Show is only saying this backstage instead of to his face.
As the announcer’s go over what Show said, the camera pans back to the stage where Show has suddenly appeared and is beating up Roman. He shoves him into the set, then twice into the car on the stage. Show then chokeslams Reigns onto the top of the taxi before walking away.
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Match #4: Single – “The Viper” Randy Orton VS. Tag-Team Champion Cesaro (with Tag-Team Champion partner Tyson Kidd and Natalya)
Both lockup to start out, then measure each other out. Cesaro gains control after stomping on the gut of Orton and using a rear chinlock to wear him down. Cesaro knees him twice, but is caught in the slingshot-DDT setup. Cesaro gets out of it but is clotheslined on the apron. Kidd hastily yanks Randy off the ring, causing a dq.
Winner via Disqualification: “The Viper” Randy Orton
Post-match, Director Of Operations Kane walks out and makes a new decision, based on the fact that the stipulation for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship match at Extreme Rules could be made by Orton. He Randy now face both Cesaro and Kidd!
Commercials.
Match #5: Two-On-One – “The Viper” Randy Orton VS. Tag-Team Champions Cesaro and Tyson Kidd (with Natalya) (Non-Title)
Cesaro and Kidd are continuing to dominate, particularly with a flapjack/uppercut combo! Cesaro tags in Kidd, who rolls up Orton backward for two. Randy catches Tyson with the sling-shot DDT and plants him! Cesaro pulls Kidd onto the outside and manages to backdrop Cesaro on the barricade, but Tyson quickly hits a running knee from that same fencing area. Kidd rockets back into the ring with an elbow-drop, but misses a jumping legdrop on the apron. Kidd springs from the top rope but Orton pops up with an R.K.O. and covers for 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: “The Viper” Randy Orton
Segment #5: Office Promo
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins, Director Of Operations Kane, and J & J Security are watching this. Rollins is not too pleased with Kane’s booking, but Kane retorts that he should just defeat Dolph Ziggler and all will be fine. Rollins does not want to face Ziggler, and instead wants to meet Jamie in the ring and have him lie down to ensure Rollins’ stipulation.
Noble disputes this, insinuating that Kane should be the one to lay down, as he made the match. Seth agrees, which makes Kane mad to the point where he like to introduce Noble’s testicles to a car battery! Both he and Rollins continue to banter and nothing ends up being solid, even though Kane says he will look out for the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
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Match #6: Single – Adam Rose (with The Rosebuds) VS. “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose
Ambrose finishes Rose with a clothesline and the “Dirty Deeds” DDT!
Winner via Pinfall: “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose
Segment #6: Backstage Promo
The Big Show talks to Kane in the hallway, and tries to convince him to remain on Team Authority’s side.
Commercials.
Match #7: Single – Fandango (with Rosa Mendes) VS. Stardust
Fandango misses a top-rope legdrop, which allows Stardust to hit him with the Disaster Kick to take this one!
Winner via Pinfall: Stardust
Post-match, Fandango realizes why he hasn’t won lately. It is because he hasn’t been dancing with all of us. He begins his dance, much to the happiness of the fans in the arena.
Segment #7: Office Promo
Daniel Bryan is now trying to persuade Kane onto being “the monster” again. Kane yells at him to get out.
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Match #8: Single – WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins (with J & J Security [Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury] ) VS. Director Of Operations Kane (Non-Title)
Kane walks into the ring in full-on suit, then begins to take it off. (Don’t worry, he only removes his shirt!) Rollins says he doesn’t need to do this, as he’s just laying down. Kane struggles back and forth with his decision, then lays down. Rollins covers, but Kane shoves him off at two! J & J run in, but Kane shoves them away. Rollins yells at Kane more, which starts to infuriate him, so he slaps Seth hard.
Kane signals for the chokeslam, but Rollins convinces him to not by telling him to “think about your job.” Kane gets on bended knee, but clutches the WWE World Heavyweight Champion by the throat and drops him with a chokeslam! He signals for the Tombstone, but stops half-way through the sign and lays down. Kane drapes Rollins’ arm over and the referee counts to three!
Winner via Pinfall: WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins
Damien Mizdow is walking through the hallways and will be out next!
Commercials.
Match #9: Single – The Miz VS. Damien Mizdow (with Summer Rae)
The two start by mimicking each other, with Mizdow getting the best. He manages to trick Miz pretty quick and roll him up for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Damien Mizdow (with Summer Rae)
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Match #10: Single – “The Big Guy” Ryback VS. Luke Harper
Harper delivers a harsh boot that almost put Ryback out, but “The Big Guy” comes back with a military press. He winds up for the Meathook Clothesline, but Luke slides out and takes off the announce table cover. He bashes Ryback with it, causing a DQ.
Winner via Disqualification: “The Big Guy” Ryback
Post-match, before he can go further, Dean Ambrose runs out and punches on Luke, making the save. Harper retreats through the fans, leaving Ambrose in the ring.
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
Byron Saxton interviews Naomi about her actions against Paige from earlier tonight.
Dolph Ziggler makes his entrance and will face someone next!
Commercials.
Match #11: “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler VS. ???
Dolph is upset that he isn’t facing Rollins as previously scheduled, so he
Elbow/collar tie-up starts out, then Neville flips out of a wristlock and turns Dolph over. He clamps on a wristlock, which Ziggler gets out of and hits a smacking dropkick. He whips Neville into the corner, but Neville leaps over him and kicks him hard. He lands a standing-shooting star press for two, but then is planted hard with a DDT!
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Dolph is wearing Neville down, but Neville battles out of it and flapjacks Ziggler to the canvas. On the outside, he uses the ropes to hit a springboard standing-moonsault! Neville hops on the barricade and walks all the way to Dolph, then 450-Splashes him! In the ring, he covers but Dolph gets the shoulder up!
Neville waistlocks Ziggler from behind, but Dolph works out of it. He strikes with a superkick but Neville gets his shoulder up at the last moment! Neville kicks him down and goes for the Red Arrow, but Ziggler moves, so Neville lands on his feet and rolls through. He runs at Ziggler, but meets the post instead. Dolph capitalizes with the Zig-Zag for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler
Post-match, Sheamus jumps in the ring and ambushes both. Ziggler fights back, but Sheamus gets the better by running him into the post. Sheamus poses on the announce table.
Up next, it is the “Extreme Decision.”
Commercials.
Segment #9: Arena Promo
Seth Rollins is out first, and with J & J, sits in a comfy chair. Rollins talks it up then asks Randy to come on out. Rollins makes it known that the R.K.O. will be banned at Extreme Rules, while Orton challenges the WWE World Heavyweight Champion to face him in a Steel Cage! Orton gives the fans a previous and engages in a punch-up with all three. He R.K.O..’s Mercury, but Seth slithers away to end the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Despite being an over-the-seas show, Raw still felt somewhat average. There were definitely a lot of good points, moreso than last week, but some were kind of boring and or too quick for me. Onto the in-depth review.
Excellence: Love Naomi’s turn and assault on Paige; she comes across awesomely as a cocky, “in-it-for-myself now” heel; looking forward to more of her as a “bad woman.”
At first, I didn’t like the fact that Miz & Mizdow had a bout last week, as I felt it was too soon. However, loved their segment on Smackdown! that kept them going, and liked Mizdow winning tonight. not sure what type of match they’ll have at Extreme Rules, but that is inevitable and I’m looking forward to finding out!
Once again, Prime Time Players were very entertaining and I’m enjoying their new gimmick. Cool for the Chain Match too; this type makes sense for both to show their toughness.
Also liking the feud between Harper and Ambrose, as well as Sheamus and Ziggler. Both are going to be very physical, as will Show and Reigns, which I’m also liking. Loving the matches that both The Lucha Dragons and Neville are putting on, particularly with their fantastic aerial moves! Glad they are very over with the crowd too!
Cena/Barrett was a well-wrestled match and the fans were really into it, which helped a lot.
Kane’s emotions on how to deal with Rollins were well played-out. He turned up the personality a little bit more and really had me on if he was going to lay down or not. This was great in-ring psychology and story-telling!
Bray Wyatt’s promo was very cryptic and great again; and I like how he hasn’t named who he’s talking about yet. I think he should reveal it by showing up and attacking his target out of no where, not just naming them in a promo.
Bogus: I definitely agree with Naomi – why was there a Divas Battle Royale for the #1 Contender’s Spot when she has already beaten Nikki twice?
While I stated above that I loved the matches Neville is having, I don’t like that he’s lost to two top guys already, while he’s beaten a lower-carder twice. He should’ve been built up week-after-week, winning over the lower/mid-carders, then challenging top tier talent a month or two down the road. I think he’ll be the next Dolph Ziggler – a wrestler who puts on phenomenal matches and will end up being so close, but won’t ever reach the pinnacle. And this is too bad, as I could see him being a top guy a few years later.
Didn’t like that some of the matches were too short, especially Neville/Ziggler and Cesaro/Orton. Not sure on Fandango’s face-turn; it might only last one week but it could be longer and bring him back to a little prominence.
The beginning was a bit backwards; I honestly though that they should’ve started off with The Authority and/or WWE World Heavyweight Champ Seth, because of the ending from last week – straight into continuity. Also, even though Barrett/Cena was a great contest, it still felt mid-card to me.
I was not a fan of the ending of Raw; it just felt kinda boring and usual. Rollins and Orton were good on the mike, and I like the stipulations, but I was really expecting Kane/Rollins to be the main event and then have them tease us for Smackdown or next week’s Raw to determine the stipulations. That would’ve been much better.
All-in-all, a better Raw from last week, but still somewhat mediocre in general. Let’s hope they pick it up as next week is the “go-home” show before Extreme Rules. Until 7 nights from now, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
This week’s WWE television shows will be emanating from London, England, as the company is currently half way through their very hectic European tour.
Due to time difference, Monday Night Raw tonight will not be airing live but on tape delay. The show finished taping in London earlier today. Smackdown will also be taped in London at the O2 Arena tomorrow along with the other “B” shows.
Usually International crowds provide a much louder voice as seen during post-WrestleMania Raw shows so it will be interesting to see what happens tonight. Last year the crowd in Liverpool was the exception to the rule and during the Smackdown tapings Vince McMahon even came out to rile up the crowd because they were staying silent throughout the whole evening!
“Liverpool! What kind of name is Liverpool? Liverpool sounds like an old man’s skin disease, doesn’t it? Liverpool, kind of like Ebola, it just crawls up on you. Come on and have some fun here tonight, dammit,” the Chairman said that night.
WWE’s partnership with Susan G. Komen continues this year as it was announced that Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan will be serving as Grand Marshal at the 2015 Susan G. Komen Washington, D.C. Race for The Cure. The race will take place on Saturday, May 9, in Washington, D.C. on the National Mall.
In addition to serving as Grand Marshal, Hogan and WWE Diva Layla have created “Team WWE” at the D.C. Race. Fans can join the team by registering for the Race at komendcrace.info-komen.org and search “Team WWE” under the “Join a Team” page.
Komen President and CEO Judy Salerno, M.D., M.S., praised Hogan for supporting the mission to raise awareness about the breast cancer problem in Washington, D.C., a city that has the highest incidence and mortality rate from breast cancer in the country.
“We are so excited to have Hulk Hogan join us at the Race and form a team to bring much needed attention to the breast cancer crisis we are facing in the National Capital Region,” said Dr. Salerno. “We are sure Hulk Hogan will inspire the legions of ‘Hulkamaniacs’ to be fearless in the fight against breast cancer.”
Hulk said he’s proud to represent the WWE as they continue to use their global platforms to raise awareness for the fight against breast cancer.
The partnership between WWE and Susan G. Komen launched in 2012 with the successful “Rise Above Cancer” campaign and to date has raised more than $1.5 million for breast cancer research, education and screening.
WWE has added 11 new recruits as part of a new International class at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. These 11 Superstars and Divas in the making hail from seven different countries and have already started training.
The new class includes Cassie McIntosh and Jessica McKay from Sydney, Australia; Nhooph Al-Areebi from Toronto, Canada; Axel Tischer from Dresden, Germany; Oscar Vasquez from Ciudad Juarez, Mexico; Radomir Petkovic from Belgrade, Serbia; Peter Howard from Exter, England; and representing the United States are Kenneth Crawford from Illinois, Thomas Kingdon from Michigan, Sesugh Uhaa from Georgia, and Levis Valenzuela Jr., from North Carolina.
This brings the total amount of students at the Performance Center to 66 who are all training under WWE coaches, trainers, and doctors.
“The global reach of WWE is reflected in the diversity of this class of NXT recruits,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. “Talent is the most important natural resource we have, and these individuals will have every opportunity to hone their skills and fulfill their dream of becoming a WWE Superstar or Diva at the WWE Performance Center.”
