PWInsider.com is reporting that the plan is for The Undertaker not to make any live appearances on television until WrestleMania 31, making the build-up of his match against Bray Wyatt a tad more difficult.
Mike Johnson, who reported the story for PWI, said that Taker will eventually be responding to Wyatt’s challenge but it will most likely come in the form of just a video playing on the Titan Tron. The plan could obviously always change but having five weeks of one-way promotion will be challenging.
The Undertaker made zero appearances since his loss to Brock Lesnar at last year’s WrestleMania in New Orleans. It would be the second time that the Undertaker would not appear live for a build-up for his WrestleMania match. WWE did the same thing for his match against Kane at WrestleMania XX.
Speaking of lack of television appearances, Brock Lesnar is currently scheduled for only two Raws leading up to WrestleMania. He did not appear on last night’s Raw even though he was advertising as appearing.
The #GiveDivasAChance hashtag was trending on Twitter last night during Raw and still now almost 24 hours later as WWE fans showed their disappointment after the 30 second tag team “match” between the Bellas and Paige and Emma.
The Divas on the main roster are usually relegated to stupid segments or very short matches in comparison the Divas-in-training at NXT, whose matches usually rank up there as one of the best on the card at every show. Three of the five Diva matches on the NXT specials on the WWE Network did 13 minutes each, while one did 10 minutes and the match of the year contender between Charlotte and Natalya did a whopping 17 minutes, something which will probably never happen on a WWE television show or a pay-per-view. But the rally by WWE fans and the hashtag will hopefully lead to some much-needed changes within the company and if you’re looking into getting your hashtag trending, get task ant today.
A couple of Divas on the roster did mention the hashtag on their Twitter and so did Joey Styles and WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley. The story even made it to Buzzfeed.com who reached out to WWE for comment but so far has not responded.
Prior to Monday Night Raw before doors opened to the public, all the Superstars and Divas present came out on stage with Stephanie McMahon and Triple H to film a short Happy Birthday WWE Network segment.
The video was introduced by McMahon and Triple H and then everyone on stage – including Rollins, Cena, Bryan, Orton, Big Show, and others – sang happy birthday as The Usos held a big cake. After the singing was over, The Miz, who was standing behind the cake, said “WWE Network, it’s awesoooomeeee!” and as soon as he was done, The Usos smashed the cake in his face as everyone laughed.
As everyone enjoyed The Miz getting slapped by the cake, Titus O’Neil teased him some more and a cake fight started between the two as the video faded to black.
WWE announced the second annual Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal which was introduced last year at WrestleMania XXX and won by Cesaro.
In last year’s edition, 31 WWE Superstars took part in the battle royal and Cesaro ended up body slamming Big Show over the top rope for the win. He was then presented with the gigantic trophy, only for it to be destroyed later on television by his former tag team partner Jack Swagger.
So far three Superstars have entered this battle royal and they are The Miz, Ryback, and Curtis Axel.
Episode 17 of season 3 of Total Divas, titled Mo’ Money, Mo Purses, did 1,068,000 viewers in the ratings, up 154,000 from last week’s show.
The show went head to head with the Fastlane pay-per-view as well as the 87th Academy Awards. Episode 17 is still the second lowest rated show of the second half of season 3. (Ratings credit: PWInsider.com)
Much like the Daytona 500 has truly kicked off the NASCAR season yesterday, last night at Fastlane or tonight on Raw (depending on how you look at it), truly kicks off the “Road To WrestleMania.”
Who was able to walk out with Championships last night? What happened during the Triple H and Sting confrontation? And of course, is it Roman Reigns or Daniel Bryan main-eventing WrestleMania against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar?
To find out the answers to those burning questions, read on!
Monday Night Raw TV Report for February 23rd, 2015 – “The Drive Begins”
Introduction Segment: Welcoming
The regular Raw video plays and the pyro explodes in the arena. Michael Cole greets us from country music’s home, Nashville. He says we are just thirty-four days away from Wrestlemania!
Segment #2: Arena Promo
A superstar who has not been seen since November makes his return to Raw right off the bat! “The Viper” Randy Orton saunters out to a HUGE pop and loud “Randy” chants. Orton blames Seth Rollins for putting him “on the shelf” for the last few moths; he then displays the video footage where “Mr. Money In The Bank” Curb-Stomped him onto the steps.
Orton wants payback and demands that Rollins joins him in the ring. instead, he gets the rest of the clan as The Big Show, Kane, Stephanie, and Triple H walk to the ring. Stephanie starts first, sucking up to Randy by welcoming him back. He doesn’t buy it, and wants to “kick some ass instead of kiss some ass.”
Big Show tries to convince Orton to rejoin The Authority, saying it was “the best personal decision.” Orton still does not want to, and Steph tries again to persuade him by inviting him to a “business meeting” but Randy still appears resistant, standing tall and smirking. Unable to swerve him back into the fold, The Authority walks away, but Orton does take their offer and will meet them later tonight.
Cole, Booker T., and John “Bradshaw” Layfield, continue to recap Fastlane, which revealed that John Cena passed out to The Accolade and Rusev officially retains/won the U.S. Title match against him; also the main-event of Wrestlemania is set after Roman Reigns did defeat Daniel Bryan and will go against Lesnar for the Championship; we will here from Reigns later.
Wade Barrett paces to the ring, sans his Intercontinental Championship as it is shown that Dean Ambrose stole it after their Fastlane match!
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett VS. “The Show-Off” Dolph Ziggler (Non-Title)
(Note: R Truth is on commentary.) Lockup and suplex by Bad News begins this bout; he then starts to wear down Ziggler with a grounding chinlock. Dolph gets out of it and hits a jumping elbow, but is taken down again. Barrett hammers away on the back of Dolph in the corner and covers for two. Dolph struggles out of another submission, but Wade slams him to the canvas and punches away again.
Wade misses a big-boot and crotches himself on the ropes, allowing Ziggler to follow up with a dropkick that sends the I.C. Champ tumbling to the floor.
Ads.
Barrett is back in control with a rear chinlock, but Ziggler breaks out of it with a jawbreaker. He elbows Bad News out of the corner and splashes him in another. Barrett tries Wasteland, but Dolph reverses into a DDT. He covers, 1 – 2 – Bad News kicks out! He goes for the Zig-Zag, but Barrett fends him off and smacks him with a kick-to-the-gut, then plants Dolph with an awkward-looking powerbomb but only receives a two! Wade winds up for the Bullhammer but Ziggler ducks and rolls him up for a near-fall! He tries the Fameasser but Wade gets out of it; Ziggler ducks a follow-up a big-boot, but runs into the Winds Of Change. 1 – 2 – Dolph kicks out! Barrett stomps harshly on Dolph in the corner, and attempts another Wasteland, which Ziggler sunset-flips out of! Wade runs into the corner, but Dolph moves and Barrett nails the ring post. Dolph then brings him backwards with the Zig-Zag to get the hard-fought victory!
Winner via Pinfall: “The Show-Off” Dolph Ziggler
Post-match, Dean Ambrose walks out with Ambrose’s I.C. Championship. He faces off with Ziggler and shoves him on the way out of the ring, insinuating a potential match between the two as well.
Up next, we will see what happened between Sting and Triple H’s face-to-face at Fastlane!
Commercials.
Segment #3: Video Promo
Still-pictures of Triple H and Sting’s war of words that turned into a physical altercation is shown. It is then made official that the two will matchup at Wrestlemania!
Segment #4: Office Promo
In The Authority’s area, Seth Rollins and Kane are all giving their opinions while Randy Orton stands beside them all. Stephanie doesn’t want to hear them, and focuses on Randy, wanting him to forgive Rollins and “move forward.” She says The Authority will back him if he does this. He slowly shakes Rollins’ hand, then Steph books a tag-team match featuring Orton and Seth teaming up to take on Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan.
Ads.
Segment #5: Video Promo
Sometime soon, “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus will be returning.
Match #2: Tag-Team – The Primetime Players (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil) VS. The Ascension (Conor and Viktor)
Prior to the bout, Conor and Viktor rip on the new Hall Of Famers, The Bushwackers (Agreed with the ripping; I don’t think they’re worthy), and The Primetime Players.
Viktor begins with Darren and totally dominates. He tags in Conor, but Young starts to make a comeback, which doesn’t last long. Titus tries to help, but gets dumped to the outside. This allows Young to small-package Viktor and get the sudden 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: The Primetime Players (Darren Young and Titus O’Neil)
Post-match, The Ascension are not pleased with their first loss, so they take out Primetime Players to make another point.
Up next, the lone #1 Contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship will be out!
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
Roman Reigns walks through the fans, to a much-better pop tan he has been receiving lately. (Good!) still-pictures of his match with Daniel Bryan from Fastlane are shown, where he finished Daniel with a Spear to move on to ‘Mania.
In the ring, Roman recaps the last little while and is about to say something to his “doubters” when Daniel Bryan interrupts him. He faces Reigns in the squared circle and tells him straight-up that he is “the biggest ‘Roman Reigns doubter.’” Bryan berates Reigns and others who have all the size and strength, but not the heart that he does. Bryan bluntly states “that’s why I didn’t like you.” Daniel says he gave it his all and then some last night, but in the end, Reigns came out on top because he “had more heart than I thought you ever did.” Bryan graciously admits defeat, congratulates Roman, and shakes his hand. He is happy to partner with Roman for tonight’s main-event and tell shim to “go beat the crap out of Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania.”
As he walks away, the advocate for Brock Lesnar walks to the ring. He also shakes Reigns’ hand and puts him over for the match at Fastlane. Paul E. sucks up to Roman, saying “my money would be on Roman Reigns.” Heyman lists a bunch of famous matches and wrestlers that Roman could’ve faced and beat, such as Bruno Sammartino, The Rock, Triple H, “Stone Cold,” Hulk Hogan and even the late-great Andre The Giant.
He moves on to WrestleMania, and says that Roman will not be able to beat Lesnar, because Lesnar not just a man, but a “beast.” He quotes what the announcer will say at the end of WrestleMania: “the winner and STILL reigning, defending, undisputed, WWE Heavyweight Champion of the world, BROCK LESNAR!”
Reigns reminds Heyman of his and Lesnar’s first quarrel, in which he will beat Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania. “Respect goes out the window. It’s not about beating him, it’s the way I beat him; because when I’m done with him, he ain’t going to like me anyways. Believe that!” Heyman backs off as Reigns continues to yell at him.
Ads.
Match #3: Tag-Team for the Tag-Team Championship – The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) (Challengers) (with Naomi) VS. Tyson Kidd and Cesaro (Champions) (with Natalya)
Cesaro and Jimmy elbow/collar tie-up to begin, then both Usos double-team Cesaro on the outside. Kidd is now in and is chased to the outside, where he hides behind Natalya. Tyson hits Jimmy, then tags in Cesaro who stomps away on Jimmy. Both Jimmy and Cesaro tag-out, and Jey is all over Tyson. He runs into an upside-down-in-the-corner Tyson with a headbutt for a two, but is dumped to the floor. Both Usos chuck Tyson into the barricade, then Jey goes for a top-turnbuckle move. He soars off with a crossbody for a near-fall!
Commercials.
Cesaro is back in control but tags in Kidd, who gets hit with double-knees into his elbow. Cesaro back in again and works over Jey, swinging him around. Kidd and Cesaro double-team Jey, then Cesaro and Jey fight on the top turnbuckle. Jey counters and drops Cesaro back. He tags his brother, who flies off the top with a Superfly Splash. As he covers, Tyson breaks it up with a leaping elbow!
Kidd and Jimmy are now battling, with Tyson missing a slingshot-legdrop, allowing Jimmy to take control. He misses a corner rear-bump, and as Kidd uses the ropes to roll him up, Naomi moves Kidd’s feet. Natalya takes exception, pushing Naomi down, then Jimmy off the turnbuckle, causing the dq. Naomi yanks Natalya off the apron, and Natalya appears to be hurt in the left-leg/ankle area.
Winners via Disqualification: The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) (with Naomi)
Post-match, the Tag Champs help a hobbling Natalya while celebrating keeping the championships.
Ads.
Segment #7: Backstage Promo
The Miz is lint-brushing his attire, promoting himself and making it known he will be in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal, when Damien Mizdow announces that he has been hired to appear in a company commercial, and gives props to The Miz for helping him get started after firing him as his stunt-double. Miz orders Mizdow to start brushing him.
Segment #8: Video Promo
Recap of Fastlane, where it appeared The Undertaker made a return, but it was really Bray Wyatt in the coffin! “There’s a wicked feeling in the air tonight. I will never forget the first time that I saw him. He made me tremble. His eyes were so cold. Behind them was nothing but darkness, and I feared him. Now he has become just like everyone else, weak, broken; just a shell of what he once was. His obsession with sympathy, has turned a monster into a mere mortal. Now his soul is lost, stuck in limbo. I think it’s time for him to go home. My mission is clear. I believe I found the answer. I don’t fear you anymore. Because I am pain, I am suffering; I am Bray Wyatt, the new ‘face of fear.’ At WrestleMania, I will claim the soul of The Undertaker.”
Segment #9: Video Promo
“Do you see what I see? Do you feel what I feel? Perhaps it’s just a constant reminder of a paradise lost that runs through your mind. Or maybe it’s a number, twenty-one-and-one. Now if our entire existence is truly defined by moments, then that moment signaled the end of yours. So sad. The mighty Undertaker reduced to a pile of broken bones and broken dreams on the grandest stage of them all. I’m sure in that moment when you could feel it’s breath on the back of your neck and it’s claws digging in your back, pulling you down where you belong, that you resist, and now you have to burn. Well guess what? That evil exists inside of me now; and at WrestleMania, I’m gonna finish the job. I know you’re afraid, ‘Deadman’ but there’s no reason to hide. It’s so much better down here. Find me.”
Stardust makes his way to the ring and will be in action, next!
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – Stardust VS. “The Real American” Stardust
Stardust is all over Swagger almost all the contest. Swagger does counter a Disaster Kick into a slam and the Patriot Ankle Lock. Stardust gets out of it but Goldust’s music plays and he walks out to the stage. This distracts Stardust enough to allow Jack to clamp on the Ankle Lock again and force Stardust to tap-out.
Winner via Submission: “The Real American” Jack Swagger
Ads.
Segment #10: Arena Promo
John Cena is welcomed by Lillian Garcia. He runs out and talks about his loss to United States Champion Rusev at Fastlane. He says while he “had Rusev staring at the eyes of defeat,” he gives “respect where respect is due.” He called it a “true championship contest; both superstars going back-and-forth, giving it their all for one shot at championship gold.” Cena says that while he was trapped in The Accolade, he though “don’t you ever give up John, don’t you ever give up.” He wanted to be the only one to take down Rusev. Instead, the U.S. Champ gave John cheap kick-to-the-groin, and then made Cena pass-out to The Accolade. Cena does not believe Rusev is a “hero,” but instead a “coward.”
The United States Champions himself and Lana appear on the stage. “Billions of people believe in you, and you let them down. You let your country down. And just like all of Americans, you gave up. The ‘great’ John Cena, humiliated and humbled, by the superior athlete, the superior champion, and the superior human being, Rusev!”
Rusev also has his say, telling John he “broke” him. “It’s my time now, it’s Rusev’s time. I am United States Champion and nobody can beat me.” He wants John to cop that Rusev and Russia are finer than Cena and the U.S. Lana then shows stills of Cena out-cold on the canvas at Fastlane.
Cena retorts, defending himself, and informing Rusev that he will “beat your ass at WrestleMania.” Rusev has other plans, and does not agree that Cena should get it. “What makes you think you deserve, because you’re ‘the great’ John Cena? Well, you were ‘the great’ John Cena; now you’re just a ‘quitter’ John Cena. As far as a rematch goes, you don’t deserve it. My answer is ‘no.’”
Segment #11; Locker Room Promo
Seth Rollins and Randy Orton have chat in their locker room. Orton makes fun of J & J, and Rollins tells them to exit. Right away, Randy puts Seth at ease by wanting to go along with him. Rollins agrees, saying “let’s show them, let’s show Roman and Daniel, exactly what ‘the face’ and ‘the future’ are all about.”
Paige makes her way to the ring and will be in a tag-team match next!
Commercials.
Video Promo
A montage of Sting’s career, mixed with comments from wrestlers, is shown.
Match #5: Tag-Team – Paige and Emma VS. The Bella Twins (Divas Champion Nikki and Brie)
Brie and Emma begin, with Brie knocking Paige from the apron right away. She quickly plants Emma with the sit-down facebuster for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: The Bella Twins (Divas Champion Nikki and Brie)
Post-match, Paige knocks down Brie, but Nikki returns the favor. The Bellas then walk to the back.
Ads.
Segment #12: Video Promo
New Hall Of Famers Butch and Luke, The Bushwhackers, are depicted with a video recollection of their career.
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – Curtis Axel VS. Ryback
Prior to this contest, both Curtis and Ryback announce they will be in the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania. Ryback then quickly finishes Axel with the Shellshock!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Up next, Reigns and Bryan team up against Orton and Rollins!
Ads.
Rollins, Orton, Reigns, and Bryan all make their entrances.
Commercials.
Match #7: Tag-Team – “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins and “The Viper” Randy Orton (with J & J Security [Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury], Kane, and The Big Show) VS. Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan
Rollins and Bryan begin, with Daniel taking control with a surfboard-stretch. Reigns now in, but quickly has to face Orton as Seth tagged out. Both are even until Reigns hits a big clothesline and Bryan comes in via a diving axe-handle off the top rope. He ties Orton in a wristlock, but Randy counters a second one into a neck/backbreaker combo. Orton drops Bryan on the top rope with a suplex, then tags in Rollins. Bryan fights back with punches, and tosses Rollins over the ropes. He goes to run, but Orton pulls Rollins out of the way and The Authority regroup in the corner barricade.
Ads.
Orton is in control over Roman, stomping away. He clotheslines Roman to the canvas and then tags in Rollins, who mount-punches Reigns. He runs into a tilt-a-whirl slam from Reigns, then Roman gets the hot-tag to Bryan. He knocks Randy off the apron, then flips over Rollins and elbow-clotheslines him. Bryan delivers multiple kicks. He runs at Rollins, but Seth ducks and rolls him up until it is reversed into the Yes Lock Crossface. Orton breaks up the submission, but Reigns comes in and clotheslines “The Viper” to the floor. Rollins follows up and takes out Roman, then Bryan puts Seth to the floor and gives him a suicide dive! He goes to the top turnbuckle, but is distracted by Joey, allowing Rollins to crotch him.
Orton is back in and punches away at Bryan in the corner, then whips him hard into the opposite one. He sets Bryan atop the turnbuckle and attempts a suplex. Atop the turnbuckle, Bryan and Orton battle. Daniel headbutts Orton, then rockets for another one but Randy moves. Bryan manages the hot-tag to Reigns. He begins to demolish Rollins, and as he goes for the Superman Punch, he turns it into one on Joey. Rollins takes advantage and Enziguri’s Reigns, then switches with Orton.
They trade fists back-and-forth, and Orton powerslams Roman. He kicks him and sets up for the slingshot DDT, but Rollins tags himself in. Orton looks furious, and DDT’s Roman anyway, then walks away. Seth measures Roman for the Curb-Stomp, but misses and is nailed with both the Superman Punch and running-knee from Bryan after Daniel tagged himself in too! Bryan covers and takes the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan
Post-match, Reigns and Bryan show more respect to each other, shaking hands and walking away together. Unfortunately, the feed goes out for a few seconds, but comes back to see Orton glaring at a crawling Rollins. He is contemplating, but then R.K.O.’s Noble. He picks Rollins up and slaps him on the shoulder, then exits the arena. Rollins and the rest of The Authority wonder what just happened to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
This was a pretty great Raw, both coming off a Pay-Per-View and setting up the “Grand-Daddy Of Them All!” while there was not as much wrestling, it was still jam-packed and provided clearance for the WrestleMania card. Onto the analysis:
Excellence: Promos by Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Paul Heyman, Bray Wyatt, John Cena, and Rusev. All were filled with passion and intrigue.
Roman Reigns being the #1 Contender. Honestly, I’m really glad WWE “stuck to their guns” with him as the next “it man” for WrestleMania, and didn’t cave to the fans wanting of Bryan for the second year-in-a-row. Last year, it was totally fine to do this, but since they are actually trying to build another new star (Reigns) and not rehash an older one (Batista), I’m very happy they went with him despite all the stupid backlash again. It was also very nice to hear Roman gets much more cheers this time around; hopefully those stay with him through and beyond WrestleMania.
Loving the potential 3 or 4-way for the I.C. Title. Even though Truth has very little chance of winning, he does have some charisma and great wrestling ability, so definitely think he fits with Ziggler, Ambrose, and Bad News. Was really cool to see Primetime Players get the W! I really liked them in their first go-round, so I hope they stick together and get a re-push.
Bray Wyatt VS. Undertaker will be awesome for their creepy promos, and now I would say, Wyatt’s ability to carry a match!
I’m happy the Andre The Giant Memorial is returning, but I really hope they invest in someone to win it this time who will be a long-term person and get that proverbial “rocket” strapped to their back for 2015 and beyond!
Looking greatly forward to more of Sting!
Bogus: not entirely sure if the turn Randy did make sense this quickly. I believe he should’ve stuck to wanting to beat up Rollins and they just have a match at ‘Mania right away.
Disappointed Paige is not the Divas Champion; I think she should’ve won it and then had A.J. return for another bout at ‘Mania.
Not entirely sure about the team of Cesaro and Kidd, and really hoping Natalya is not seriously injured. Do like her heel turn though!
All-in-all, a great Raw and start on the “Road To WrestleMania!” Let’s hope the next four paths (weeks) will be the same! Until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
It’s been one year since the WWE Network went live. Registrations opened at 9AM EST on February 24, 2014, and at 9:04AM EST I had my account done and all paid. $9.99 is a steal considering what you’re getting, all the pay-per-views, all the stuff in the vault, original programming, etc. If you’re a wrestling fan it’s a no brainer.
I don’t understand how people can complain about the service. Or that it’s not worth the money. If you rather go and illegally stream pay-per-views and shows, then that’s your choice. Me? I’d rather pay 10 bucks and know that as soon as I hit my Apple TV everything is going to work in full HD.
Now mind you, the first month or so I was a very heavy WWE Network user. I watched something different every day. I was a big fan of the early 90s WCW so it was great to revisit all the old pay-per-views. After the second month, my enthusiasm went down a bit and while I still watch the Network every week, I don’t tune in every day. Lack of time is one of the reasons, but then again I watch like 12 different other television shows every week and there’s only so much hours in a day!
My favorite show on the Network has been the Monday Night War series. It brought back so many memories from arguably the best years professional wrestling has ever seen. It was a great production and even though sometimes it was super biased towards WWE, (well, of course, right?) I think the producers did a wonderful job in recapping 5 years of war into the series.
The Legends Roundtable is another favorite of mine. I’m not a fan of watching Mean Gene Okerlund’s giant right arm in full view every time, but I think Mean Gene is probably the best one to anchor such a show. The lively discussions about several subjects were interesting especially when Michael Hayes and Jim Ross were on hand as well.
WWE Countdown is another good show but eventually they will run out of topics to count down to. And WWE 24 has the potential to be one of the best shows on the Network if they keep up with what they did for the series debut. NXT is probably the best thing on the Network today as their shows continue to outshine Raw, Smackdown, and pay-per-views.
The pay-per-views are most likely the reason most subscribe to the Network. $9.99 for a pay-per-view and all the other stuff that comes along versus $44.95 is common sense, correct? When the rumors about the Network started popping up, many thought that the company would include some PPVs on it – mostly the “B” shows – but then they surprised us all by putting all the shows, including WrestleMania, on the Network. That alone was worth the price.
Was it a smart choice to kill the pay-per-view business in hopes of having a steady stream of subscribers every month? With one year gone, it’s too early to tell, and for now, WWE is still in the red with the Network. From a business standpoint, the launch of the Network was going to cost a massive, massive amount of money while killing a couple of revenue streams as well.
From WrestleMania XXX to TLC 2014, WWE did approximately 1,561,000 traditional pay-per-view buys in total. Out of those ten pay-per-views, nine of them cost $44.95, while one was $59.95. Excluding WrestleMania, WWE generated around $39.4 million in PPV revenue, and other $41 million of WrestleMania alone. WWE doesn’t get all that money as it’s split, most of times 50/50 with PPV providers, but still that’s a large sum of money.
In 2013, excluding Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber (for fair comparison with 2014 when Network launched) WWE did around 3,033,000 traditional pay-per-view buys when the Network did not exist. Nine of those ten pay-per-views generated $86.7 million, and WrestleMania 29 on its own did $66.1 million.
With the introduction of the Network, WWE sacrificed 47% of its traditional pay-per-view business in 2014 compared to 2013, and 2013 wasn’t even a knockout year for WWE pay-per-view.
In their latest 10-K filings with the Securities Exchange Commission, WWE revealed that they spent $14 million in programming and production costs, $16 million in advertising and $13 million in customer service for the Network. That’s $43 million that WWE still has to get back in addition to their lost PPV business.
In January, WWE announced that they have passed the 1 million subscribers mark, missing their target number by a month. Vince McMahon often stated that they projected to reach 1 million by the end of 2014, 10 months after the launch of the Network. It took 11 months, still not bad, but when you consider how many people decided not to renew the service, well, it’s not pretty either.
WWE had around 1,490,000 gross subscribers ever since launching on February 24. By the end of 2014, 674,000 of those apparently did not like the service and removed their subscription. The company generated $69.5 million in subscriptions for the Network throughout the year, way down from their 2013 PPV business revenue.
WWE will start to break even with around 1.4 million steady subscribers per month. That would gross around $167 million in revenue every year. Is it impossible? Not really, but it’s going to be hard!
The WWE Network is here to stay. Many are going to the over-the-top service route. Major networks already offer similar service and like it or not, this is the future of television. WWE might have jumped the gun a bit early but I think at the end of the day, when all is said and done, Vince McMahon will be the one having the last laugh.
The road to WrestleMania continues tonight on Monday Night Raw with now no more pay-per-views scheduled until the show on March 29, leaving WWE five weeks of promotion to build the card.
WWE World Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar will be at the Bridgestone Arena tonight, the site of Monday Night Raw, to have his first face to face with the number one contender, Roman Reigns.
The storylines with John Cena, Rusev, Seth Rollins, the returning Randy Orton, and Bray Wyatt continue as well as we start to get a better picture of where these feuds are going for WrestleMania.
The Bridgestone Arena website is listing an 8 man tag team dark match between Cena, Bryan, Reigns, and Ambrose vs Rollins, Kane, Big Show, and Wyatt.
Talking to New Zealand-based Stuff.co.nz website, The Bushwhackers revealed that they will be going in the WWE Hall of Fame with the announcement being made tonight during Monday Night Raw. Luke Williams and Butch Miller will be joining Randy Savage, Rikishi, and Schwarzenegger so far in the class of 2015.
Williams and Miller started as The Kiwi Sheepherders at NWA New Zealand and also worked for Stampede Wrestling in Canada and the World Wrestling Council in Puerto Rico. The two eventually moved their separate ways in 1981 and Butch was replaced by Jonathan Boyd to form the New Sheepherders but Miller returned in 1983.
The wrestled for several promotions throughout the 80s including Bill Watts’ UWF, WWC, Championship Wrestling from Florida, New Japan Pro Wrestling and the NWA. In 1989 they made their WWE debut as The Bushwhackers, transforming their style to somewhat of a comedy, licking fans and each other. The two remained with the WWE till 1996.
Throughout their WWE careers, the two had feuds with Rhythm and Blues, Bolsheviks, Rougeau Brothers, Natural Disasters, Nasty Boys, Beverly Brothers, and others.
The tag team never won a WWE title however they enjoyed big success as the Sheepherders winning multiple titles at different wrestling promotions.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was at the 87th Academy Awards ceremony last night and presented an Oscar with actress Zoe Saldana for Best Animated Feature Film which was won by Big Hero 6.
Johnson arrived for the red carpet at the Dolby Theatre with his girlfriend, Lauren Hashian, something which the two rarely do. This was the third time that two walked down the red carpet together after Hashian attended the G.I. Joe 2 and Hercules premieres with her man.
Before the Oscars, Rock shot his last scene for his newest movie San Andreas, which comes out May 29. He caught a private jet back to Miami after the ceremony where he had to be on the set of his new HBO show Ballers first thing in the morning to continue filming. Yep, he’s quite a busy man.
You can see photos of Johnson and his girlfriend at the red carpet arrivals and with Zoe Saldana at the Academy Awards below.
To celebrate the one year anniversary of the WWE Network, WWE will be streaming a 24 hour “Best of” marathon free on WWE.COM and the WWE App with no WWE account or credit card required, and the marathon kicks off immediately right after Monday Night Raw.
The 24 hour free programs will include the Edge and Christian Smackdown special, WWE 24, the two Steve Austin podcasts with Vince McMahon and Triple H, The Ultimate Warrior special, NXT R-Evolution and Rival, Daniel Bryan’s WrestleMania 30 special, the Monday Night War series launch, and others.
Now available on 13 platforms in more than 170 countries, WWE Network surpassed 1 million subscribers in just 11 months, making it the fastest-growing digital subscription service. In its first year, there were more than 285 million streams of WWE Network on more than 2 million unique devices.
The month of February is still free for new subscribers and you can subscribe at WWE.COM/network.
Two top WrestleMania 31 matches were made official last night at the Fastlane pay-per-view while another one was set up with the much-anticipated return of The Undertaker.
Sting and Triple H had their face off in the ring with both man trading blows. When Triple H went for the sledgehammer, Sting reached out for his baseball bat and without uttering a word and just pointing to the WrestleMania sign, the two agreed to a match. Afterward, Triple H tried to attack Sting again but Sting was smarter and laid out Triple H with the Scorpion Death Drop.
With Roman Reigns winning his match against Daniel Bryan, it’s now official that Reigns will take on Lesnar in a one on one match in the main event of WrestleMania 31 for the WWE World Heavyweight title. The possibility of having a three way is now non existent, avoiding a repeat of what happened last year when Bryan was inserted in the match with Orton and Batista.
Bray Wyatt also made a statement at the Fastlane pay-per-view, and called out The Undertaker. Taker’s druids came out to the Undertaker theme carrying a casket but when the casket was opened, Bray Wyatt popped out. Wyatt said that he will take the Undertaker’s soul at WrestleMania. Taker has not appeared on WWE television since WrestleMania XXX when he lost to Brock Lesnar, ending the streak. He was later transported to the hospital after suffering a concussion during the match.
Here are the results from last night’s WWE Fastlane pay-per-view which took place at the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee.
Seth Rollins, Kane, and Big Show defeated Dolph Ziggler, Erick Rowan, and Ryback in a six-man tag match; Goldust defeated Stardust; Cesaro and Tyson Kidd defeated The Usos to become the new Tag Team champions; Nikki Bella defeated Paige to retain the Divas title; Wade Barrett defeated Dean Ambrose via DQ to retain the Intercontinental title; Rusev defeated John Cena to retain the U.S. title; and Roman Reigns defeated Daniel Bryan to advance to the WrestleMania main event.
The inaugural Fastlane event takes place tonight live from the FedExForum in Memphis, Tennessee, on pay-per-view and free on the WWE Network as part of the February #FreeFreeFree promotion. The full card is as follows:
Roman Reigns vs Daniel Bryan with the winner facing Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania; Rusev vs John Cena for the United States title; Nikki Bella vs Paige for the Divas title; Bad News Barrett vs Dean Ambrose for the Intercontinental title; The Usos vs Tyson Kidd and Cesaro for the Tag Team titles; Goldust vs Stardust; and Dolph Ziggler, Eric Rowan, and Ryback vs Seth Rollins, Kane, and Big Show in a six man tag team match.
Sting and Triple H will also have a face off in the ring as their storyline continues with a WrestleMania match in the pipeline. The Fastlane kick off on the WWE Network will have MizTV with Paul Heyman as the special guest.
Early Sunday morning betting lines for tonight’s Fastlane pay-per-view tip Roman Reigns to win his match against Daniel Bryan and advance to the WrestleMania main event against Brock Lesnar. Reigns is at 1/4 while Bryan is at 11/4 on most betting websites.
Rusev is also the favorite to win and retain the United States title at 2/5 while his opponent John Cena is at 7/4. Other favorite odds for the remaining matches have Nikki Bella at 1/3, Dean Ambrose at 2/5, The Usos with a slight advantage at 8/11, Stardust at 3/10, and the team of Ziggler, Rowan, and Ryback at 4/7.
As always, smart money comes in around an hour before the show and a more clear picture will be revealed by then.
Total Divas faces stiff competition tonight going head-to-head against the Fastlane pay-per-view and the Academy Awards as well. Tonight’s episode, number 17 of season 3, is titled “Mo’ Money, Mo’ Purses.”
The synopsis reads, “Nattie takes on the job of renovating her mom’s house. Brie tries to curb Nicole’s out of control spending, and Eva Marie creates a Vegas bucket list for her Dad when she fears the worst for his health.”
The next inductees for the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2015 will be revealed on Monday Night Raw according to WWE.COM and they will be a tag team.
So far there are six tag teams in the WWE Hall of Fame – The Valiant Brothers, The Blackjacks, The Wild Samoans, The Brisco Brothers, The Funks, and The Road Warriors. Other multiple HOF inductees are The Von Erich family and the Four Horsemen.
The last tag team to be inducted were The Road Warriors in 2011, where Animal, Hawk, and their longtime manager Paul Ellering were honored.
Whoever is next will be joining Macho Man Randy Savage, Rikishi, and Arnold Schwarzenegger.
WWE has fired back at CM Punk and his allegations regarding the WWE medical staff in a post on the WWE.COM website.
WWE said that while Punk claimed to have a baseball-sized lump on his back near the waistband of his tights, WWE investigated the issue and came out with four answers:
“CM Punk did not discuss this alleged condition with WWE’s team of physicians and trainers, nor did he discuss it with anyone in our Talent Relations department; Subsequently, WWE has no medical records documenting this alleged condition; The first time WWE was made aware of this alleged condition was when we received a letter from CM Punk’s attorney on August 22, 2014, after WWE terminated his contract; There is clear video evidence from the 2014 Royal Rumble, which allows all to decide whether there is any appearance of a baseball-sized growth on CM Punk’s back.
For video evidence, WWE put up several videos in slow motion of Punk at the Royal Rumble showing him – and zooming in – on his back, clearing showing no lumps.
WWE said that it “continues to have the utmost confidence in the ability and expertise of our world-class team of physicians, including Dr. Amann.”
TNA is finally returning to German, Austrian, and Swiss television later this month after the company reached a deal with DMAX to air Impact every Saturday night on free television starting at 11:15PM local time.
DMAX is owned by Discovery Communications, which is also the parent company of Destination America, TNA’s broadcast partner in the United States. TNA says that this is a part of a new global multi-year partnership between TNA and Discovery.
Oliver Nowotny, VP Programming & Content Discovery Networks Deutschland, said, ”Wrestling has a huge fan base in Germany. The deal between Discovery and TNA means we can now offer fans the very latest, most explosive feuds, produced to the highest standards. We are confident of winning new viewers for the sport, and are also looking forward to comparing notes on Facebook, Twitter and other social media.”
Play-by-play on the show will be dubbed in German and will be handled by the commentary team of Nic Heldt and Mike Ritter.
It’s better late than never for Jim Ross as the WWE Hall of Famer finally announced his ‘RINGSIDE: An Afternoon with Jim Ross’ show for WrestleMania weekend.
The show will be held at the Rockbar Theater on Saturday, March 28, on Saratoga Avenue in San Jose, California, starting at 1PM. Tickets will be $20 for general admission and $65 for meet and greet VIP tickets. There will be only 100 VIP tickets and the meet and greet will start at 11AM.
The event is locally promoted by PinUp Productions. Tickets go on sale tomorrow at Ticketweb.com.
