Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards, the tag team better known as The American Wolves in Ring Of Honor, made their debut last night on Impact.
The duo appeared in a backstage segment with TNA President Dixie Carter where she offered them a tryout match for next week and if she likes it, she’ll sign them to a deal.
But The Wolves, as they are now known, told Dixie that they already signed a TNA contract and handed her an envelope where it was revealed that a “new TNA investor” gave them the deal that morning.
WWE Superstar Jimmy Uso and WWE Diva Naomi tied the knot yesterday in Hawaii with cameras from E! present to record the whole thing for season two of Total Divas.
The duo, who go by their real name of Jon and Trinity on the show, posted a photo of themselves after the wedding looking all happy on a beach still dressed in their wedding outfits which was published on Trinity’s Instagram account.
“Mr and Mrs Fatu,” said the description of the photo along with an emoticon with heart shapes on it.
Season two of Total Divas is expected to return on the air in March of this year.
Speaking with the media following the UFC Fight Night 35 show in Atlanta, UFC President Dana White discussed his thoughts about the recently announced WWE Network.
“Vince is a guy who is a trailblazer,” White said to the media gathered around him. “He’s an animal, man!”
White said that it’s hard to doubt Vince McMahon when you see what he’s done with the WWE and said that while putting all the pay-per-views as part of the WWE Network for $9.99 doesn’t make sense for him or the UFC, it might make sense for WWE.
“I hope it works for him, and we wish nothing but the best for WWE,” White said, adding that sometimes it seems that Vince hates the UFC but no one in the UFC hates WWE.
The UFC President defended Vince McMahon’s track record and dismissed critics who bring up the XFL which was a big time failed experiment by Vince and NBC.
UFC President Dana White has his door open for Brock Lesnar to return to the UFC and when asked about if WWE and the UFC would “share” Brock Lesnar, White said, “You never know!”
White revealed that he and Brock do talk and the former UFC champion feels like he has some regrets since he wasn’t that healthy during his career in the company.
Lesnar told White that a 100% Brock Lesnar could have done much better than what the Lesnar we saw did and White told him that he’s out of his mind.
White said that Lesnar fighting again down the road is a possibility and wonders what could have happen if he wasn’t ill. White added that from the first day Lesnar stepped into the UFC till his last day he was was suffering from diverticulitis.
The post-WrestleMania Smackdown will be held at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, Louisiana, on Tuesday, April 8.
The pre-sale for the show kicked off today and will run till later tonight, ending at 10PM CST. Tickets go on sale to the general public tomorrow, January 18, at 10AM CST.
Ticket prices are $25.70, $35.90, $46.15, $61.55, and $107.65 including all fees.
Those who wish to purchase tickets during the pre-sale can go to Ticketmaster.com and use the password WWECAJUN. (Thanks to W-O reader Steve Alleyne for the password)
Sting’s time with TNA Wrestling looks like it’s up as well, as the former champion and Hall of Famer is in a title vs career match for next week’s Impact television show against current TNA champion Magnus.
Sting’s one year contract with the company is expiring and if you recall a few years ago he was very close to sign with WWE to take on the Undertaker at WrestleMania.
Vignettes were airing to promote the match that looked like they were pointing to Sting but eventually he signed a new deal with the company and all WrestleMania plans fell apart. In later interviews he admitted that he was close to going to WWE for the first time in his career.
Sting has been with TNA since 2003 and won the NWA title, the TNA World title on four different occasions, TNA Tag Team title once with Kurt Angle and was the first person inducted in the TNA Hall of Fame.
He is not being advertised for the upcoming UK tour which will see TNA tape a month worth of Impact tapings overseas.
At 54 years of age, this would be probably Sting’s final chance to ever make it to WrestleMania. He is the last big name wrestler in recent history who has never stepped foot inside a WWE ring.
WWE stocks hit the $19 mark today, closing the day at $19.02 but then sliding down just two cents to $19 in after hours trading.
The closing of $19.02 was a new 52-week high and the highest since 2010. The renewal of WWE television rights and the WWE Network has certainly drove the stocks up high and if the Network delivers as expected, investors will surely change their tune when it comes to WWE on Wall Street.
For the first time since this past Monday when the WWE announced that the Ultimate Warrior was going in the Hall of Fame, the man himself commented about it on Twitter.
“Predictions, speculation, guesses…even after 18 years one UW power has not diminished at all…His power to fascinate imaginations,” Warrior wrote with the hashtag WWEHOF at the end.
“First time in my #WWE career everyone is in total, absolute agreement: ‘You don’t want to miss the #UltimateWarrior #WWEHOF speech.’ I agree,” he added, before ending his short comment with a funny statement.
“Statement? Sure. First one to try to limit #WWEHOF speech to 140 anything – characters/words/pages/minutes/hours – gets clothesline.”
WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley wrote in a message on Facebook that while his WWE contract runs out soon, the two sides have agreed to continue to work together on a case-by-case handshake deal.
“The only minor difference (other than not getting a weekly check…ouch) is that I will work prospective WWE dates and projects around my schedule, instead of working my schedule around prospective dates,” he wrote.
Foley noted that his one-man live tour has gotten WWE’s attention and the company has shown interest in partnering with him to deliver the shows, something which has always been his long-term goal.
“My kids LOVE WWE, and the prospect of their being part of Mania, without Dad being part of WWE was a downer,“ he added, saying that this time he splashed the money for good seats and won’t be watching the show on a TV monitor in the “friends and family” suite.
SNS Unplugged returned to the airwaves on the SNS Radio Network for the second episode of the 2014 season with “The Bronx-Father” Tony J. Mirabella and “Mr. Money on the Mic” Jeff Jackson.
In this blockbuster edition “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles joined the show in a must hear 2 hour interview ranging from pro wrestling, conspiracy theories, and even video gaming.
After the first break JJ and Bronx welcome the former TNA World Heavyweight champion, the first Grand Slam champion of TNA, and the current free agent “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles. (Interview begins at the 29 minute mark.)
Topics discussed in this 2 hour interview include working with Ring of Honor once again, life after TNA Wrestling, working in Japan, playing the goof to both Angle and Christian, ideas he had for Fortune that never happened, his initial thoughts of Hogan and Bischoff coming in to TNA, and the demise of the 6 sided ring.
JJ discusses why he stopped watching TNA in 2010 and after a listener question is asked for AJ that got misunderstood. Other topics discussed include AJ’s feud with Kurt Angle, the chemistry with both Daniels and Samoa Joe, the Claire Lynch angle and why AJ thought it failed, his departure from TNA Wrestling that is 100% legit, fans being disrespectful to him for leaving TNA, and how he felt that he and TNA could not come to terms leading to his departure
AJ Styles also talked about WWE, a brief discussion about 911 and conspiracies, Xbox vs Playstation, TNA Impact the video game and AJ’s role in its development and his disappointment with the finished product, discussion about the old school AKI produced wrestling games and Virtual Pro Wrestling 2 on the N64.
This and much more can be downloaded from here. The show is 4 hours and 8 minutes long.
Former WWE champion John Cena is doing media rounds to promote his 10 Week BodyChange fitness program and yesterday appeared on Katie Couric’s nationally syndicated daytime talk show “Katie.”
The first part was a simple get-to-know John Cena segment while the second part was Cena giving tips for staying fit, revealing his nutrition and exercise program.
This venture is purely a John Cena program and has nothing to do with WWE and Cena appeared in normal attire, staying away from the usual WWE gear.
The pre-sale for the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony kicked off today on Ticketmaster.com.
Fans who wish to purchase tickets for the ceremony – which so far features the induction of the Ultimate Warrior – can use the pre-sale codes of WM30FB or WM30TW to purchase tickets now. The pre-sale ends tomorrow at 11:45PM CST and tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday at 10AM CST.
Tickets are priced $35.85, $61.40, $86.90, $119.65, and $170.75 including all fees.
TMZ caught up with the Hulkster in New York and asked him about the Ultimate Warrior being inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame.
Hogan acted like he didn’t know that WWE announced Warrior’s name and then said, “Good choice for the Hall of Fame. He’s a good man.”
Hogan and Warrior have quite a long and bad history together and Hogan was on the receiving end of a harsh commentary by the Ultimate Warrior a couple of years ago which he delivered via an online video.
Warrior often claimed that he was brought into WCW so Hulk Hogan could get his win over him in return for Hogan jobbing for him at WrestleMania VI in Toronto. Hogan got that pinball on Warrior at Halloween Havoc 98 in probably one of the worst matches in professional wrestling history.
According to several reports, Daniel Bryan suffered a concussion during his steel cage match with Bray Wyatt against the Usos on RAW.
While WWE.COM has not put up any notice of the concussion like they have been doing for anyone who suffers one, rumors are that Bryan had trouble remembering most of what happened in his match, indicating that his concussion is probably more serious that initially thought.
Bryan will have to under go the company’s ImPACT concussion test before he is given a timeline on when he can return to compete. He now joins Dolph Ziggler on the sidelines with a concussion.
Monday Night RAW this week did 4,404,000 viewers, down half a million from last week’s Old School edition of RAW. The show had a 3.12 rating overall.
Hour one pulled 4,399,000 viewers followed by 4,598,000 in the second, and 4,214,000 in the third and final hour. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
Tributes for the great Mae Young started pouring in on Twitter as soon as WWE.COM made the official announcement that the Hall of Famer had passed away.
“There will never be another Mae Young,” said WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon in a message on WWE.COM. “Her longevity in sports entertainment may never be matched, and I will forever be grateful for all of her contributions to the industry. On behalf of WWE, I extend our sincerest condolences to her family and friends.”
Vince also posted a photo of him hugging Young during her last birthday with a message on Twitter saying, “Thanks for the memories Mae. We loved you.”
McMahon’s daughter Stephanie, who Young always said she want to wrestle when she hits 100 also wrote a message of condolences. “A true pioneer and legend has passed tonight. Long live the memory of my friend and @WWE Hall of Famer.”
Triple H, who along with Vince McMahon presented Young a replica Divas title for her birthday last year wrote, “Thank you for your example to my girls on how to get all you want out of life!”
The Rock, who shared a kiss on the lips with Young during an episode of RAW also called her a pioneer. “She’s a wrestling pioneer. I truly had deep affection & respect for “Aunty Mae” Young. RIP.” Rock attached a photo of him hugging Mae with his message.
Mark Henry is probably best known for his angle with Young, where the two had a “baby hand” in one of the most outrageous and funny angles during the Attitude Era. “Johnnie Mae as I knew her was part of my wrestling family. She will be missed as much a anyone I’ve ever known! Lots of people are calling Mae a diva. She was a WRESTLER an a damn good one. Wow I’m still in shock, what a kick in the stones,” he wrote.
Fellow Hall of Famer Jim Ross called her an inspiration to all in his tweet. “The legendary Johnnie Mae Young has passed. The Oklahoman lead an amazing life. Her mental/physical toughness is an inspiration to all. RIP”
Several other current and former WWE Superstars and Divas also praised Young in their tweets, showing the love and respect they had to their friend.
WWE Hall of Famer Mae Young has passed away yesterday at the age of 90, days after she was taken off life support and placed under hospice care at her residence in Columbia, South Carolina.
Young’s career started in 1939 and two years later introduced female wrestling in Canada. In 1968 she became the first United States Women’s champion for the NWA.
Her WWE career didn’t start until 1999 when she appeared with her friend Fabulous Moolah on an episode of Smackdown, where she ended up in a figure four leg lock thanks to Jeff Jarrett. She wrestled at the Survivor Series that year and at the Rumble in 200 she shocked the world when she removed her top during the Miss Royal Rumble segment. Later it was revealed that Young was indeed wearing prosthesis and didn’t actually expose her chest to millions of people.
Perhaps her most famous storyline came with Mark Henry when she gave birth to a rubber hand, an angle which is sometimes still mentioned. Showing the tough woman she is, Young agreed to participate in an angle with the Dudley Boyz where she was power bombed through a table twice.
She had made several appearances for WWE over the past decade and her last appearance was at the Old School RAW in March 2013 where she was celebrating her birthday. When the show was over, Vince McMahon and Triple H presented Mae Young a replica of the Divas title as a birthday present.
You can see the very touching tribute that WWE did on Young below.
The TNA Lockdown pay-per-view this year will be held at the BankUnited Center on the campus of the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Florida.
The announcement was made by TNA President Dixie Carter on Twitter. The show will be live on pay-per-view on March 9 with tickets going on sale to the general public on January 24.
The $48 million arena has a capacity of 7,972 seats although it’s highly unlikely that TNA will open the full arena for the show. In the past all arenas had a quarter of it curtained off due to lack of ticket sales.
This is the second time that TNA will be using the facility after holding a non-televised live event there in September 2008.
12 of the 30 participants in this year’s Royal Rumble match have been announced so far with 10 of them made public yesterday during Monday Night RAW.
Big E Langston, The Miz, R-Truth, Xavier Woods, Kofi Kingston, Cody Rhodes, Goldust, Rey Mysterio, CM Punk, and Fandango join the other two previously announced Superstars, Alberto Del Rio and Batista for the over-the-top rope match.
Most of the remaining competitors will be announced next week on the final two TV shows prior to the Rumble however some spots will remain open as surprise entrants.
Last year Goldust and The Godfather were the two surprise entrants in the Rumble.
WWE held a conference call today with investors to talk about the WWE Network with CEO and Chairman Vince McMahon and Chief Strategy & Financial Officer George Barrios taking calls.
No new information was given out during the call other than what was released already to the media. Regarding the $9.99 price, there will be a yearly price listed as well although no mention of a discount if you pre-pay for a whole year.
Barrios said that based on that price and an estimate of two to three million subscribers, their content delivery price will be around $1 per subscriber and obviously much higher for less than 2 million.
Describing the response from fans and media as enormous, they said that they expect a million subscribers by the end of 2014 and an additional 750K to another million by the end of 2015 once it rolls out internationally.
Discussing the idea that the Network might hurt their TV partners, Vince McMahon said that USA Network thinks that the Network will deliver more traffic to USA. He made it clear that there’s no new deal in place yet with NBC Universal to renew RAW and Smackdown and hopes to have an announcement after WrestleMania.
