With no television deal in Canada for TNA Wrestling, the company went the only other possible way to deliver Impact Wrestling every week to fans north of the border: online.
TNA is now uploading the full episodes of Impact Wrestling every Saturday at 10AM EST on YouTube for Canadian viewers. The shows are not accessible to those who are outside Canada as they are geoblocked and accessing the videos will generate an error reading, “The uploader has not made this video available in your country.“
Canadian fans were left out after TNA moved from Spike TV to Destination America, a channel which is only available in the United States.
WWE is giving new and even current Network subscribers living in the United Kingdom and Ireland the whole month of February free as a gesture of goodwill.
After two botched attempts to launch the Network in the region in October and November, WWE finally managed to go live in the UK and Ireland on January 19. Now to make up for the errors, WWE is rewarding the patience of those living there with a free month.
“As a thank you for your patience and being one of the first to sign up for the WWE Network, we are extending this special offer to you. You will now get February for free and will not be charged for WWE Network until March 1,” a separate e-mail which was sent to UK/Ireland subscribers read.
If you are one of those subscribers, no action is required on your part.
With the tremendous success of the November #FreeFreeFree WWE Network promotion, WWE is once again giving out a whole month of Network for free for new subscribers.
Those who never subscribed to the Network before can get the whole month of February, including the Fast Lane pay-per-view, for free if they sign up from February 1. You have to cancel by the end of February not to get billed in March otherwise you will be billed $9.99 for the month of March.
“Last November we offered a free month of WWE Network to new subscribers with great success, helping us reach the 1 million subscriber milestone,” said Michelle Wilson, WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer. “We are excited to extend the same opportunity in February to those who have not yet subscribed so they can experience all that WWE Network offers right before WrestleMania.”
The free month of November was more successful than many thought it would be and while WWE didn’t release the final figures yet, it seems that a large percentage of those who took the promotion stayed as a subscriber after the free month expired.
The free promotion is available to those who receive the service via the over-the-top model, which means wherever the Network is available minus Canada.
Tomorrow’s Smackdown episode from Hartford will not only be live in the United States on SyFy but will also air live in Canada and the United Kingdom.
SportsNet 360 in Canada will start the broadcast at 8PM EST while Sky Sports 4 in the UK will air Smackdown live at 1AM local time on Thursday night/Friday morning.
The show will be headlined by Daniel Bryan and Kane who wrestle for the third week in a row but this time in a casket match.
Curiosity from the Royal Rumble and to see how a Raw from WWE Headquarters would look like gave WWE its best rating since July 21, 2014. The show did an average of 4,420,000 viewers, up from last week’s 4,100,000.
Hour one did 4,468,000, followed by 4,657,000 viewers in the second hour, and then 4,135,000 in the third and final hour. (Ratings credit: PWInsider.com)
TNA announced yesterday that the company is returning to Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida, for five days worth of tapings in February, and then back in March and April for seven more days for Impact.
TNA will tape a total of nine events over five days at Backlot Stage 20 inside the popular theme park between Thursday February 12 and Monday February 16. Eight One Night Only PPV specials will be taped as well as matches for Xplosion. For February 12, the cameras start rolling at 7PM while for all the other days it will be six hours of straight tapings between 1PM and 7PM each day.
Doors to Universal Studios Stage 20 will open one hour before the listed show time. Entry to the venue, which is free of charge, is first come first seated.
In March TNA will tape episodes of Impact at Universal on the 13th, 14th, 15th, and 16th and then again on April 23rd, 24th, and 25th. Usually the company tapes two back-to-back episodes of Impact on each day.
Episode 14 of season 3 of Total Divas, titled Insecurity Breach did 1,207,000 viewers going head to head with the Royal Rumble. That is down slightly from last week’s 1,253,000 viewers and its third week in decline.
Last week’s episode concentrated on a lesbian kiss between Paige and Rosa Mendes, the insecurities of Eva Marie, and Brie’s obsession with turning her house looking like a prison after the couple got robbed. (Ratings credit: PWInsider.com)
We are officially on the “Road To Wrestlemania!” The Royal Rumble is complete; there is a man going to Wrestlemania to face the WWE World Heavyweight Champion, and the next nine weeks are going to be the building of this road. Let’s start “driving!”
Monday Night Raw TV Report for January 26th, 2015 – “Royal Rumble”
Introduction Segment: Video Promo & Welcoming
A quick recap of the Royal Rumble winner, Roman Reigns, is shown, then an announcement that Raw is cancelled. Due to the extreme weather conditions, Raw taking place in Hartford Connecticut will not happen, so they are going to broadcast live from WWE Headquarters in Stamford.
Michael Cole and Booker T. are in the studios, explaining the major change for Raw. They announce in lieu, that both the entire Royal Rumble match and WWE World Heavyweight Championship match will be shown completely. (To quote my Dad, “I’d be a little ticked if I paid $55.95!”!) On the plus-side, I found-out that the triple threat was a match-of-the-year, so I’m looking forward to watching.
John “Bradshaw” Layfield is corresponding on top of Headquarters, with a whiteboard and drawing a picture of the fake (sunny) weather. He gives a description of what it is really like, which is basically cold and snowy. Cole and Booker then take us to the Triple-Threat Match.
Match #1: Triple-Threat for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship – John Cena (Challenger) VS. “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins (Challenger) (with Jamie Noble and Joey Mercury) VS. Brock Lesnar (Champion) (with Paul Heyman)
After proper introductions by Lillian Garcia, the bell rings and Rollins high-tails it to the floor. Lesnar immediately German suplexes Cena, twice, then goes for an F-5 on Seth but Joey and Jamie stop. He double German suplexes Noble and Mercury, but gets caught in an A.A. by Cena. Rollins stops him, but Lesnar gains control and starts to dominate. He begins to pick apart Cena and Rollins with various suplexes.
Lesnar clamps on the Kimura armlock, but Cena uses his strength to stand up. Rollins flies in with a semi-neckbreaker. Both he and Cena double suplex Lesnar, then Cena plants him with an Attitude Adjustment. Seth pushes Cena out, then covers, but only gets a one-count! All three are now battling on the outside.
Commercials.
Rollins is tossed to the outside again, then Cena tries a couple clotheslines on Brock, but “The Beast” barely moves. Cena is back on the outside, then Rollins soars back into Lesnar. He catches him and drops with an F-5! 1 – 2- Cena breaks it up. Lesnar German suplexes Cena and goes to the outside. He tears apart the Spanish Announce Table, but when he goes to the ring, Cena drops him with three consecutive Attitude Adjustments! Cena goes for the pin but Rollins pulls him out before the potential three!
Back to the floor, Cena tackles Lesnar through the timekeeper’s area, then hurls him into the steel steps! Cena knocks him onto the table with the steel steps, but Rollins moves John out of the way. He then ascends the top turnbuckle and rockets off with a headbutt/elbow drop combo, crashing onto Lesnar through the table and bouncing off him!
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Rollins and Cena are now going at it, covering and kicking out! Cena attempts another Attitude, but Rollins lands on his feet. He tries a Hurricanrana, but Cena reverses into a powerbomb for a near-fall! Rollins now powerbombs John one corner to another, for two! Lesnar has not made an appearance for a little while, and officials are checking on him.
Rollins leaps at Cena, but the former “Dr. Of Thug-A-Nomics” traps him in the STF. Mercury and Noble come back in and hammer away on Cena, then, along with Rollins, triple powerbomb him. Medical Attendants walk out a stretcher for Lesnar.
Commercials.
Rollins goes to hit Cena with the Money In The Bank briefcase, but Cena ducks and chucks him to the floor. Mercury and Noble enter again, but get double-A.A.’ed! Cena hits another A.A. on Rollins, then covers. 1 – 2 – Rollins still gets the shoulder up! He nails Cena, then climbs up the turnbuckle. Rollins flips off the turnbuckle with a Phoenix/450 Splash, landing head-first on Cena’s arm/chest and gut area!
Suddenly, Lesnar springs into the ring and German suplexes Rollins and Cena! He manages to catch Rollins and drive him to the canvas with an F-5! He covers and takes the hard-fought victory!
Winner via Pinfall and STILL WWE World Heavyweight Champion: Brock Lesnar (with Paul Heyman)
Post-match, Lesnar and Heyman walk off while Joey and Jamie help Rollins to his feet.
Later, there will be exclusive interviews with both Roman Reigns and Seth Rollins.
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Segment #2: Studio Promo
Cole is with “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins. He goes over the Triple-Threat match with Rollins, highlighting some of his moves and what he tried to do to capture the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. Rollins defends everyone of them, then his prepared to meet Lesnar again, with “Plan B” with the Money In The Bank contract. Cole thanks him, then announces that Lesnar will be joining next. Rollins threatens that Lesnar will have to remove him from the interview area.
Commercials.
Segment #3: Studio Promo
Rollins is still sitting in the interview chair when Lesnar walks in. Set stands up and flings the chair away, then walks off. Lesnar and Heyman position themselves, then Brock quips that “someone’s a little upset after getting his ass kicked.” Brock says he is fine.
Cole wants to know how Brock continues to get through big obstacles, like defeating The Undertaker at WrestleMania XXX. Lesnar says he has done this all his life.
Up next, the whole Royal Rumble Match will air!
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Match #2: Royal Rumble
#1 and #2 to begin the bout are The Miz and R-Truth. They lock-up and Truth comes off the ropes with a shoulder-block. Both try and dump the other out, then Miz big-boots Truth down. They continue to wrestle as the countdown starts. 3, 2, 1, and a big return! Bubba Ray Dudley is back! He goes to town on Miz, then uses R-Truth to deliver the “What’s Up” diving-headbutt-to-groin. He orders Truth to “get the tables!” the fans go nuts, but Miz ruins the pop. However, Truth and Bubba combine for a 3-D, then eliminate Miz. Bubba follows up and also tosses Truth.
Luke Harper is #4, and he and Bubba slug it out. The 5th person to walk out is Luke’s former leader, Bray Wyatt. He and Bubba glare at each other, then Harper helps Bray to double-team and chuck Bubba to massive boos. Harper and Bray contemplate going at it, then just wait for #6, who is Curtis Axel. Before he can even get halfway down the aisle, Axel is ambushed by Erik Rowan.
Commercials.
The next participant to face-off is another returning superstar, The Boogeyman. The two have a “weird-off,” trying to intimidate the other with taunts. Bray eventually eliminates him, then follows up by hurling Sin Cara (8) and another comeback, Zack Ryder. (9)! #10 is arguably the most popular current superstar, Daniel Bryan. He walks out to massive pop and completely dominates Wyatt.
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Fandango (with Rosa) is #11 and goes to work on Bryan. After a bit, Tyson Kidd is #12. He hits away on both Wyatt and Fandango, then he and Bryan trade punches until they nail each other with a cross-body. My favorite number, 13, is Stardust. He and Fandango go at it, tossing each other over the ropes, but saving themselves with the “skin-the-cat” move. Bryan dumps out Kidd with a backdrop, then shoots through the ropes onto Bray with a suicide dive. Neither have been eliminated, as they have to go OVER the ropes. A former W.C.W. World Champion makes his comeback at #14 – D.D.P.! Diamond Dallas Page gives the Diamond Cutter to Stardust, Fandango, and Bray! He then faces off with #15, who is United States Champion Rusev!
It’s crush time, as Rusev lobs D.D.P. to the floor. He and Bray face-off, then Bryan rockets in with a front-dropkick on both! He kicks away on the both too, but Bray suddenly throws him out! Halfway through,
Commercials.
Coming back, Stardust gets some “brotherly-love” with Goldust at #16. Kofi Kingston is #17, who is almost eliminated a few times then is saved once again by the Rosebuds, who had accompanied #18 Adam Rose. He is also quickly eliminated!
Kingston is tossed by Rusev, while the next man makes his entrance through the crowd. Roman Reigns is #19, and eliminates The Dust Brothers. (Note: The Philadelphia fans did not like him!) Kofi’s New Day partner, Big E. is #20. #21 is a crowd favorite, with Mizdow. Before he can enter, The Miz runs out and tells him that it is his spot, since Damien’s only the “stunt-double.” Miz hops onto the apron, but is quickly knocked off by Reigns. Mizdow takes his spot and does enter, but unfortunately is also quickly taken out. Jack Swagger, Ryback, Kane, and Dean Ambrose are #’s 22, 23, 24, and 25.
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Intercontinental Champion Bad News Barrett is already in the ring at 26 or 27. Cesaro walks out #28. The last two to enter are Big Show at 29, and “The Show-Off” at 30! When Show entered, everyone tried to gang up on him, but to no avail. Show and Kane tag-team to start pushing and dropping people out. It comes down to Dean, Reigns, Show, and Kane.
All four start to battle, but Show and Kane unceremoniously dump Dean. They then go at it themselves, and both grab each other by the throat. Roman takes advantage and uses power to push both to the outside. It appears he has won, but Kane and Show come back in and pound away.
A certain family member of Roman charges out to make the save. The Rock runs to a big pop, giving a spinebuster to Kane. He nails the People’s Elbow, then Rock Bottom’s The Big Show after Reigns Superman Punches him.
Not technically eliminated, Rusev sneaks back in the ring, but is quickly Speared and chucked out, allowing Roman Reigns to officially win!
Winner via Elimination and #1 Contender To The WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXXI: Roman Reigns
Commercials.
Segment #4: Studio Promo
Smackdown Commentator Byron Saxton interviews Roman Reigns about his Royal Rumble win and WrestleMania place. Saxon tells Roman that some think he is not ready for this spot, but Roman recounts a story form his childhood of having to fight. Byron wants Reigns’ opinion on the Philadelphia crowd’s booing of him during the Royal Rumble. It doesn’t bother Reigns, as he says that everyone who pays to watch WWE has the right to like or dislike who they want.
Byron inquires about the rescue The Rock, who is Roman’s cousin, made. Roman is pleased and proud of his family, and goes over the lineage that has come from his family in this business. These men include The Rock, Afa and Sika of the Wild Samoans, Yokozuna, Rikishi, The Usos, and Peter Maivia. He is also quite happy to see Brock Lesnar, both at WrestleMania and later on Raw.
Up next, John Cena has a revelation for Fast Lane, WWE February Pay-Per-View.
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Segment #5: Studio and Video Promo
Cole, Bradshaw, and Booker talk about a backstage incident at Royal Rumble. Cena was talking when United States Champion Rusev snagged the microphone and spoke in Russian. Cena got in his face and the two squared off. They will have a match at Fast Lane, made by Triple H.
Up next, the next Hall Of Famer for 2015 will be revealed!
Commercials.
Segment #6: Studio and Video Promo
Recap of last week’s Raw finish, with Sting making his Raw debut is shown. The commentators announce that Triple H has called out Sting, and they will have a confrontation at Fast Lane.
The newest member of the WWE Hall-Of-Fame is legendary actor Arnold Schwarzenegger, who has made a few appearances for the company on TV. A video is shown recapping his career.
Dean Ambrose is shown walking outside Headquarters and proceeds to enter the building!
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Segment #7: Studio Promo
Byron Saxon catches up with Ambrose. He recalls his journey from Hartford, where Raw was originally going to take place, to Stamford. Dean says “he loves dangerous conditions,” and declares he will make it to WrestleMania, no matter how he has to get there.
Segment #8: Studio Promo
Rene Young interviews Daniel Bryan, who was eliminated quite early in the Royal Rumble. She asks him about the last 365 days for him, which Bryan recaps. Young then inquires how he felt about the Royal Rumble 2015 and not winning it. Daniel was definitely disappointed with himself and sympathized with the fans, but puts over Reigns. She asks him about his upcoming Casket Match with Kane, this Thursday on Smackdown! Bryan vows to Rene that he will finish it with Kane, then move on to regaining the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Up next, the participants in the Heavyweight Championship match at WrestleMania XXXI will have a conversation!
Commercials.
Segment #9: Studio Promo
Roman Reigns and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar are sitting beside each other, ready to be interviewed. Paul Heyman walks in and takes over the interview. Reigns is fine with this, saying he has “nothing to hide.” Heyman quips that “is your first mistake.” Paul E. tells Roman that he knows his family better than Reigns does. Heyman informs Reigns of how far back he goes with the famous family, then also talks about Brock unseating his cousin The Rock as the big star, way back in 2002, when Brock was still a rookie.
Heyman threatens that The Rock has not had a match with Lesnar since, as The Rock did not want to face Lesnar again because that’s how much of a “Beast” he is. Heyman says that Roman thinks is the “the one to beat the one in twenty-one and one.” Heyman wonders how Roman will take “disappointing your family, when you lose to Brock Lesnar, because you can’t beat Brock Lesnar. Not today, and certainly not at WrestleMania.” Reigns turns and faces the WWE World Heavyweight Champion instead; he warns him “I’m going to beat you at WrestleMania. I’m going to take that title; you know it, I know it. If I can’t I’m going to take a piece of you with me. I believe that, and so should you.”
Lesnar and Reigns go to their feet and shake hands. “Unlike him, (nodding to Heyman), I don’t respect you,” Lesnar responds. “But you will,” Reigns replies. They shake hands and glare to end the interview.
Cole, “Bradshaw,” and Booker recap tonight’s Raw, Royal Rumble, and upcoming Smackdown; then wish everyone in the Northeast to stay safe through the blizzard, closing the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Once again, as my Dad said, this was a pretty good Raw given the circumstances. Tonight, I will analyze both Raw and what I saw of The Royal Rumble; both of which has set up an intriguing couple of months!
Raw:
Excellence: The interviews with Seth Rollins, Roman, Reigns, Brock Lesnar/Seth Rollins, and Lesnar/Reigns. Out of all these, and even Daniel Bryan’s (even though I didn’t like it – more below), I could almost see a 4-Way for the Title at ‘Mania instead. Seth could use his M.I.T.B. and Bryan may work his way in there much like last year. While I could see it, I honestly don’t wish it to happen. ‘Mania main-event should be one-on-one this year, and I believe Roman Reigns will be strong in the San Francisco/California area, since that is where some of his family (if not all) has made prominence and are best-known/loved. If it stays one-on-one, then I could see Reigns winning and being crowned the new “golden boy” for WWE.
Bogus: Daniel Bryan’s interview – if he was a “pissed off” as he said he was, then he shouldn’t have started off with saying “I’m great.” If I were him, I would’ve been really mad, saying that both times in the Royal Rumble I was basically messed with. I wanted a lot more aggression and anger out of him, but he seemed too calm.
Royal Rumble:
Excellence: the Triple-Threat match – enough said!
Bogus: a good chunk of The Royal Rumble Match. While I did like the true surprise of D.D.P., Boogeyman, and Bubba Dudley, the finish was too weak. There were too many “definitely-not-going-win” guys, and yes, that includes Rusev. I think the final six should’ve been Reigns, Show, Kane, Ziggler, Bryan, and Ambrose. Ziggler, Ambrose, Bryan, and Reigns all team up on Show/Kane, eliminate them, then square off. This would’ve really had the fans guessing who was going to win, as any one of them could’ve legitimately won and been in the main-event at WrestleMania. This is two years in a row that Royal Rumble finishes have been way too predictable; please fix this for 2016 and keep us guessing!
All-in-all, this was a well put-together Raw, basically at the last minute due to the unfortunate happenings. It was a treat to watch the two main-matches from the PPV for free, and the whole show was of course different, but cool in that way!
Until next Monday, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans. May God keep those affected by the storm safe, and let this storm pass by quickly.
WWE stocks spiked almost 20% after WWE issued the press release announcing the 1 million subscribers for the WWE Network with Wall Street reacting immediatley to the news.
Stocks closed the day at 12.50, a 19.27% increase over yesterday’s closing. In after hours trading however it went down 1.12% at time of this writing for $12.36 a piece.
Variety has covered the news that WWE Network has surpassed the 1 million subscribers mark, instantly making it their most popular news story of the day on their website.
Wall Street immediately reacted to the news with stock shooting up over 15% at time of this writing. WWE had set a deadline of 1 million subscribers by the end of 2014 and investors – and probably even those within WWE – were not optimistic they would do it. It’s still not known if the mark was reached by the end of the year or by Royal Rumble, one of the most populars pay-per-views on the WWE calendar.
At the last count, WWE had a total of 731,000 subscribers worldwide and that was at the end of October 2014. Since the service started, WWE lost over 250,000 subscribers. The Network also launched in the United Kingdom since then, a move which probably helped the number spike.
On February 12 WWE will report its fourth quarter and year end results. The number of subscribers they will quote might or might not be the one million plus, depending on when they reached the number. The 1 million plus subscribers is quoted for today, January 27.
WWE today announced that the WWE Network has surpassed 1 million subscribers just 11 months after launch, making it the fastest-growing digital subscription service. These results represent a 37 percent increase (24 percent domestically) in subscribers since last reported at the end of third quarter 2014, driven primarily by a successful free November promotion, the launch of the service in the UK and significant additions for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view event.
“We’re thrilled that we’ve surpassed the 1 million subscriber milestone less than a year after launching WWE Network and in advance of WrestleMania, our biggest event of the year on March 29,” said WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. “We remain focused on delivering an outstanding value proposition for ours fans by adding new content and new features in the coming year.”
Viewer data continues to indicate that, on average, close to 90 percent of subscribers access WWE Network at least once per week, 99 percent access WWE Network at least once per month and 86 percent of subscribers are satisfied with WWE Network.
Average fourth quarter and year-end WWE Network numbers will be reported in the normal course as a part of our earnings release on February 12.
Former WWE champion Daniel Bryan thanked his fans on Twitter yesterday, a day after a crazy Royal Rumble where fans booed everything and everyone after Bryan was eliminated from the match.
“Thanks to all of you for your support, not just last night but for years. You guys are the best, and I am truly the luckiest man alive,” Bryan wrote.
Last year Bryan was not supposed to be in the main event of WrestleMania and acknowledged during a recent interview that he was supposed to face Sheamus at WrestleMania XXX. But the fans changed everything with their support and WWE eventually listened. The odds of that happening again however are very slim.
Dolph Ziggler, who knows a thing or two about being “held back” directed a tweet to Bryan to do something for Mania. “Yo DB, was pulling for you, brother. but if you really want to steal the show #Wrestlemania Im right here & way angrier,” he wrote, to which Bryan replied, “I’m in!”
The first match for this week’s live edition of WWE Smackdown was announced with Daniel Bryan taking on Kane once again for the third time in a row, only this time it will be a casket match.
Smackdown will emanate from Hartford, Connecticut, the site of what was supposed to be Raw last night. With pretty much most of the Northeast closed due to the blizzard, the XL Center canceled Raw and WWE decided to host Smackdown there since all the talent were in the city already. Smackdown was supposed to take place in Boston today.
The show will be live on SyFy starting at 8PM EST on Thursday night.
Using the new Twitter @WWEsAuthority, WWE announced two items for the inaugural Fast Lane pay-per-view which is set to take place on February 22.
The first one is that Triple H has challenged former WCW and TNA champion Sting to meet face to face at the pay-per-view while the second was a match announcement, John Cena vs Rusev.
Cena and Rusev butted heads during the Royal Rumble post-show on the WWE Network. Cena was being interviewed and then Rusev barged in and took over, prompting both to go head to head – literally – before being separated by other WWE Superstars and officials.
The Sting and Triple H segment will most likely continue their angle which is expected to culminate at WrestleMania 31 with a match between the two, Sting’s first ever in the WWE.
Lucha Underground just sent a press release announcing that El Rey will be airing two back-to-back episodes of the series tonight.
“A Unique Opportunity” – Tonight at 8:30 pm ET
Dario Cueto sets two 10-way matches, the Boyle Heights Battle Royal. In this can’t-miss event, he promises the victor a prize that is more valuable than the $100,000 he offered when the temple was first opened.
“Aztec Warfare” – Tonight at 9:30 pm ET
Witness the most brutal match ever as 20 luchadores face-off to become the first ever “Lucha Underground” champion and receive the coveted championship belt. Starting with just two men, the ring will be invaded every 90 seconds with a new luchadore, eliminating one-by-one until just one man stands. The only rule? Anything goes.
The new 39-episode series from Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett combines ancient lucha libre tradition, extraordinary athleticism and a flare for theatrics in each hour-long episode. Every Wednesday, viewers will have a backstage and ringside seat as masked villains and heroes tell their stories while facing off to battle for wrestling supremacy resulting in programming that is unlike anything else on the screen.
Despite canceling the live Raw taping in Hartford tonight, WWE will still be producing a three hour broadcast for USA Network and its worldwide television partners.
“WWE will emanate live tonight at 8PM ET from its studios in the Stamford world headquarters,” the press release said.
WWE trucks were already in place at the XL Center today when Raw was canned but those who might be involved in tonight’s broadcast from the WWE Headquarters might have made the trip down to Stamford from Hartford earlier during the day. WWE talent have been holed up in hotels in Hartford with several of them posting photos from their rooms.
It will be interesting to see what kind of show is presented tonight considering there will be no live in-ring action whatsoever.
After several hours, WWE issued a press release with a statement regarding tonight’s Raw which was canceled.
“Due to the impending blizzard in the Northeast and statewide travel bans, WWE has postponed tonight’s live event in Hartford and cancelled tomorrow night’s live event in Boston,” the press release reads.
Fans who are in possession of a Raw ticket for tonight will instead have the chance to attend a live edition of Smackdown this Thursday. Smackdown was originally set for Boston, but will now be held in Hartford.
Those who have a Smackdown ticket in Boston can either get a refund at point of purchase or else exchange their tickets for an upcoming WWE event on Saturday, June 27.
The Communications Director for the Hartford Mayor has announced on Twitter that the Monday Night Raw at the XL Center scheduled for tonight in Hartford, Connecticut, has been officially canceled.
“Tonight’s WWE event at XL center in #Hartford is CANCELLED. New date TBD,” the tweet by Maribel La Luz read.
Deputy Chief Brian J. Foley Chief of Detectives Hartford Police Department tweeted that common sense has prevailed and urged people to stay home.
As of this writing WWE has not issued an official statement on the state of Raw and what will air instead.
The XL Center website, the home of tonight’s Monday Night Raw has a notice posted saying that Monday Night Raw will take place as scheduled in big bold letters.
Hartford Courant’s David Moran however posted on Twitter saying that the staff at the XL Center is saying that Raw has been canceled.
There’s still no confirmation from WWE on what the hell is going to happen with just a few hours to go for the live broadcast.
Hollywood movie star and former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger will be the celebrity inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2015. He is the second name announced for this year’s Hall of Fame after Randy Savage was announced two weeks ago.
Schwarzenegger is a huge WWE fan and has appeared on WWE television a few times. He was on an episode of Smackdown in November 1999 and even decked out Triple H at ringside. Last year he was on Raw as a guest host and this time it was The Miz who ended up on the wrong side of Schwarzenegger. He also inducted Bruno Sammartino into the WWE Hall of Fame in Madison Square Garden the night before WrestleMania 29.
With WrestleMania 31 in the State of California, it was only fitting to have the “Governator” inducted there.
