WWE.COM today confirmed that WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has announced that he will be retiring from the company to focus more on his personal business.
The news comes out of nowhere as Ross often claimed that he’s happy to be doing part-time stuff for WWE and doesn’t have to travel as often except to do commentary and work for NXT as well as doing sporadic appearances for the company.
Ross joined WWE in 1993 with WrestleMania IX in Las Vegas being his first event. He was eventually fired just a year later by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon only to be re-hired a few months later after McMahon had legal trouble with the U.S. government. JR was fired for the second time but by the end of 1994 he found his way back in the company and became a regular announcer in 1996.
Battles with Bells Palsy and colon surgery kept JR off WWE television for months at a time and he was slowly phased out and replaced by Michael Cole as the lead play-by-play man for WWE. In 2007, JR was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame by one his best friends, Stone Cold Steve Austin.
In his 20 years of service for WWE, Ross held several positions in the company including heading up the talent relations department, signing Superstars such as The Rock, Brock Lesnar, Mick Foley, Edge, Trish Stratus, and many, many others, and was recently an advisor and a talent scout.
Vince McMahon thanked Jim Ross with a message on Twitter just after the announcement was made saying, “Thank you @JRsBBQ for 20 years of service with @WWE.”
Tomorrow’s edition of TNA Impact will be a No Surrender-themed show, headlined by TNA champion Bully Ray taking on fellow Aces & Eights member Mr. Anderson for the TNA World Heavyweight title.
The semi finals in the Bound For Glory Series will also be held with AJ Styles vs Austin Aries and Magnus vs Bobby Roode with the winners advancing to the Series final which will also be held during the same show. The winner of the final will go to Bound For Glory.
The show is being held from St. Louis, Missouri, and is the third PPV-themed show following the change of TNA’s pay-per-view business model which went from 12 shows a year to just 4 on pay-per-view.
Tonight, Raw is back in “bizarro-land,” otherwise known as my home-country of Canada. Specifically, it lands in Toronto, also the home of WWE Hall-Of-Famer Edge, who will be returning to please his fans! What will the “Rated-R” Superstar and former World Heavyweight/WWE Champion have to say and/or do?
Also, the other big comeback is Dustin “Goldust” Rhodes! Cody Rhodes’ bigger brother has challenged and will face WWE Champion Randy Orton to avenge Cody’s firing. Who will come out on top, and could this lead to a bigger storyline with the Rhodes Family? (I hope so!)
The Big Show has begrudgingly “bowed” to Triple H and Stephanie’s commands – what will they have the former Giant do tonight?
And, of course, it is the “go-home” show for Night Of Champions this Sunday, so that will provide my usual Pay-Per-View picks for said card.
All this and much more, so read on to find out!
Monday Night Raw TV Report For September 09th, 2013 – “Homecomings For Redemption?”
Introduction Segment: Welcoming and Arena Promo
A loud pop from the fans kicks off the show, as does the hometown hero, Edge! The native Ontarian runs out, pumped up to be back. The camera pans back to exhibit the people excited to see their man!
In the ring, Edge takes the microphone and says the crowd gives him a reminder of “why this is home.” He gets straight to the point, saying that WWE C.O.O. Triple H wanted him to come back in front of his home-province, because it is “best for business.” HHH also wanted Edge to have a reunion of sorts with a former tag-team partner of his, the WWE Champion Randy Orton.
However, the “Rated R Superstar” is going against the “power that be” (I guess he can, since he’s a free agent!), and instead swerves to give the people who they really want – Daniel Bryan! Edge and the Toronto crowd welcome him to the “Cutting Edge” appropriately – loud! Bryan recounts how Triple H said that he “would get hurt’ if he didn’t relinquish his championship match, and Daniel does admit he did.
But, he is still satisfied, because he fought hard and kept coming back. “No matter how many times Randy Orton attacks me from behind, no matter times ‘The Shield’ triple-powerbombs me, no matter how many knockout punches I eat from giants, and no matter how many times Triple H tries to hold me down, I will beat Randy Orton! I will regain the title! And I will be the WWE Champion! Yes!”
Edge is inspired and admires Bryan’s “go-get-’em” attitude. In fairness, Edge is truly not sure if Bryan can really beat Orton, but concedes he deserves a go. “Do you think you can beat Randy Orton?” “Yes!” “Do you think that you can shove it in the man’s face and become the WWE Champion?” “Yes!” “Can you show that you’re the face of the WWE?”
Before Bryan can respond, WWE Champion Randy Orton does interrupt and walk to the stage. He rips Edge for only being popular in Canada now, and insulting him regarding his career-ending injury. Not to miss a beat, Edge quickly retorts. “It’s a shame that you’re supposed to be ‘the face’ of the WWE but you act like an entirely different body part. It’s a shame that The Ortons always have these physical problems. Your daddy, ‘Cowboy’ Bob Orton, he ran around with that cast for years; and I may have problems with my spine, but at least I have one! Randy, you’ve become Triple H’s ‘puppet.’ I mean, here’s a guy, he has a great mind for the business, don’t get me wrong. But when it comes to picking talent and seeing talent, he just flat-out sucks!”
Speaking of Triple H, “The King” now joins Orton on stage. He wants to give an opportunity for Edge to say it face-to-face. Edge takes him on the offer, especially since he is not technically an employee, so he can have free speech, unlike the roster. “So I’ll tell ya what I think about you. I think you don’t know a damn about picking talent. You didn’t think that I could make it. You didn’t think that Chris Jericho could make it. You were running around backstage, talking about this ‘Vanilla Ice’ wannabe named John Cena, said he couldn’t make it. And now, you say that Daniel Bryan can’t make it. I know that your nose is huge, but sometimes you have to look past it!”
HHH deflects politically, saying the real reason he brought Edge in was for business. He plugs Edge’s guest appearance on “Haven,” then gets back to the matter at hand. “It seems that you question my ability to judge talent, and while I may have gotten a few wrong over the years I’ll admit, I’m right quite a bit too. I’ll give you the fact that I didn’t think that Jericho would amount to much, and he proved me wrong. And I certainly was wrong about John Cena. And Daniel Bryan … well, time will tell whether I’m right or not. But there was one guy I was right about. There’s one guy I was definitely right when I said ‘he would be a failure.’ That’s you Edge.”
He calls Edge an “abject failure,” because he didn’t make the company money. He is going to give Daniel Bryan the opportunity to prove him wrong though, much like Jericho and Cena did years ago. He books Bryan to face United States Champion, and Shield member, Dean Ambrose.
And since he will have his Shield teammates in his corner, Triple H allows Daniel to have backup of his own – Big Show! “It would be so much easier if everybody would just learn to just get along with me. I’m not really a bad guy – contrary to popular belief, I am not a dictator, ok?”
The fans chant the appropriate name for him at this point, and Edge helps them with the lines “you see, Hunter, I didn’t have to marry into my success, I earned this Hall-Of-Fame. And see, here’s the thing. You’re not a ‘dictator,’ Hunter, you’re just a ‘dick!'” (That was truly unedited – production crew/Triple H didn’t catch it in time – beauty of live TV!)
Triple H reminds himself that he can’t touch Edge because of the severity of his permanent injury, but he can “hurt the ones you love.” The Shield then drag out Christian, who has appeared to be beaten up. Edge hops out of the ring and shows concern for his best friend as The Shield, Triple H, and WWE Champion Randy Orton walk away.
Commercials.
Segment #2: Office Promo
Stephanie and Triple H are discussing when Edge barges in. He wants to tear apart Triple H for assaulting Christian. The Shield cuts in front and HHH then gets on his high horse, saying this is his show and his town, so Edge must leave.
Match #1: Single – Kofi Kingston VS. Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel (with Paul Heyman) (Non-Title)
Lockup by both, with Axel taking control via hammer blows. He hits a beautiful dropkick for a one-count. Curtis chokes Kofi on the middle rope with his knee, but Kofi flips out of a backdrop-like attempt. He nails a few high-flying moves, as well as the S.O.S. pin combo, but Axel grabs the ropes for a break. They chase each other around the ring, then Curtis regains control with a stomp. He knees Kofi repeatedly against the turnbuckle, but gets DQed for not stopping!
Winner via Disqualification: Kofi Kingston
Post-match, Paul Heyman gets in Axel’s face, telling him that he can’t do this on Sunday, for then C.M. Punk will be able to get his hands on him. Axel goes to take another shot, but Kofi counters quickly with a right hand and the Trouble In Paradise Tornado Kick! Axel is down as Paul looks shocked and freaked out.
Segment #3: Video Promo
A montage of Goldust’s WWF/WWE career is recounted, to hype his match with WWE Champion Randy Orton.
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Segment #4: Backstage Promo
Paul Heyman is being picked up off the floor by Curtis Axel and a referee. He has apparently slipped on the floor. They haul him to the trainer’s room, where they ice his knee. He believes he is hurt and wants his own doctor to check him out. (Nice cop-out!)
Segment #5: Locker Room Promo
Big Show is sitting down when Booker T. walks in. He gives Show some advice on his situation, saying that he would’ve also “done the exact same thing.” Booker tells Show that he only needs to consider his family, and to “be a ‘professional’ out there.”
Segment #6: Video Promo
The Wyatt Family’s recent prophecies are spliced together, and they will be up next!
Commercials.
Match #2: Single – “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler VS. Bray Wyatt (with The Wyatt Family Luke Harper and Erik Rowan)
Bray runs and Dolph ducks twice, but quickly is downed with a kick and big forearm-to-the-back. Wyatt throws him into the ropes and turns him around with a big scoop slam. He sets up in the corner, but is cut off with a dropkick by Ziggler. Bray comes back with a fast, smacking crossbody off the ropes. “Is this not what you asked for?” he yells before break.
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Wyatt now has Dolph locked in a chin-clutch-lock. He elbows Ziggler off the rope and nails him with a headbutt. Ziggler gets out of a grounding chin-stretch-lock with a jawbreaker, then begins to fire up with many punches against the corner! Dolph brings him out with a neckbreaker and jumps on him with an elbow drop!
He flips out of a backdrop then plants Bray with the Fameasser. 1 – 2 – Wyatt gets the shoulder up! Luke Harper gets on the apron, as does Erik. Dolph fights them off, but is squished in the corner from Bray, and finishes him with the “Sister Abigail” spinning flatliner!
Winner via Pin Fall: Bray Wyatt (with “The Wyatt Family” Luke Harper and Erik Rowan)
Commercials.
Segment #7: Video Promo
More footage of Goldust’s career is shown, this time from his comedic skis involving himself and various wrestlers.
Segment #8: Arena Promo
Paul Heyman is hobbling on crutches to the ring, along with Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel and his personal physician. The doctor has speculated that Paul E. tore his meniscus or ACL, and therefore, has to cut himself from the two-on-one match at Night Of Champions. Heyman regrets this, as he was looking forward to the bout.
Heyman begins to walk out, but General Manager Brad Maddox cuts him off. He is walking with Dr. Gerry Sampson, the legitimate WWE doctor. Maddox orders Heyman to go through a proper examination. The good doctor does so, and of course, gives him a good report. Maddox obliges and keeps Paul in the match.
Just now, C.M. Punk charges out with a Kendo Stick. He whacks Curtis Axel as Heyman is shown running scott-free. Heyman’s doctor is the only one left, and he is the recipient of “The Second-City Saint” unleashing the kendo stick.
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Match #3: Six-Diva Tag-Team – Natalya, Naomi, and Brie Bella (with JoJo and “Funkadactyls” partner Cameron) VS. Layla, Alicia Fox, and Aksana
Aksana and Naomi lock up, with Naomi giving Aksana an Atomic Drop. She hits her “Rear View” butt-bump for two, but gets pushed off the top turnbuckle backwards. Layla is in and hooks Naomi with a choke on the ropes. They both switch out, and Natalya hits a snap-suplex on Alicia, and a spinning scoop slam. She hits her with a spinning discus clothesline, then locks in the Sharpshooter for the tap-out victory!
Winners via Submission: Natalya, Naomi, and Brie Bella (with JoJo and “Funkadactyls” partner Cameron)
Segment #9: Video Promo
Goldust’s athletic ability and accomplishments are highlighted.
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – R-Truth VS. World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio (Non-Title)
The champ starts off hot with a standing side headlock and shoulder block. He kicks and punches away in the corner, but misses a clothesline and gets one to the outside. R-Truth follows with a slingshot-plancha! A.D.R. catches Truth with an Enziguri as he climbed back to the apron. Del Rio rams his head repeatedly on the apron, and receives a one-count. He clamps on a grounding rear chinlock, which Truth battles out of and almost gets it with a sunset flip!
Del Rio comes back with a hard clothesline, then double-stomps his back. He works over Truth’s head with a couple mini-headbutts, but R counters with a jumping calf-kick off an Alberto run. Truth gains momentum with a couple clotheslines and a front-suplex faceplant. 1 – 2 – A.D.R. kicks out!
Truth goes for the scissors kick, but Del Rio moves and scoop slams R. He measures and smacks Truth with the kick-to-the-face, following up with the Cross Armbreaker to force R-Truth to give in! Winner via Submission: World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio
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Michael Cole announces that there will a Tag-Team Turmoil match on the pre-show of Night Of Champions to determine the #1 Contender’s to “The Shield’s” Tag-Team Championship. The title match will take place on the Pay-Per-View itself. Participants are: “3.M.B.”, “The Real Americans (Jack Swagger and Antonio Cesaro), “Tons Of Funk” (“The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay and “Sweet T.” Tensai), “The Prime Time Players” (“Mr. No Days Off” Darren Young and “The Big Deal” Titus O’Neil), and The Usos (Jimmy and Jey). Got all that?!
Match #5: Single – Antonio Cesaro (with “Real Americans” partners Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter) VS. ???
Prior to the contest, Colter cuts his usual oratory promo. He calls Canada “our good neighbour to the North, but neighbour ‘in name’ only.” He doesn’t recall the last time Canada gave aide to the U.S., and calls us (I’m Canadian) “lazy, directionless, maple syrup-chugging, French-loving, moose-hunting, boring cousins.”
However, Zeb says that “it’s not too late, if you can find the passion for something a little more than a ‘stupid’ hockey game.” Before he can get the fans to say “We The People,” another hometown wrestler makes his return from a long absence …. Santino Marella! He is thrilled to be back, as were the fans to have him interrupt Colter.
Cesaro doesn’t waste time, hitting Marella with a dropkick-to-the-head. The fans are firmly behind Marella, with loud “Santino” chants. Meanwhile, Antonio flips him over with a gutwrench suplex, but Santino comes back with rights and lefts, both punches and kicks.
Cesaro counters, picking up and slamming down Marella, then swinging him around for 36 consecutive seconds! (I timed it – wow!) Marella is too dizzy to get up, so Cesaro takes more advantage with right forearms. Santino ducks a clothesline and scoop slams Cesaro. He is gearing up and goes for The Cobra Chop, but Cesaro counters with a boot-to-the-face and an uppercut. 1 – 2 – Marella gets the shoulder up!
Cesaro rips the Cobra covering off Marella’s arm, then slams him down again for another two-count. Antonio hauls at Marella in the corner with another uppercut for another near-fall! He goes for another forearm, but Santino reverses it into a pinning combination for the surprise victory!
Winner via Pin Fall: Santino Marella
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Intellectual Saviour Of The Unwashed Masses” Damien Sandow VS. “The Awesome One” The Miz
Before the match starts, Damien talks about still being our “uncrowned World Heavyweight Champion.” Elbow/collar tie-up and waistlock trades to begin. Sandow clamps on a standing side headlock, but is taken down with an elbow block. He hits a suplex, but is turned into the corner and rammed by Sandow’s shoulders.
Miz reverses a whip and runs opposite to hit Sandow with his clothesline, then gets a close-call after a top-rope double axe handle smash. Miz gives knees-to-the back of Sandow, but is tripped up into the middle rope. Sandow slugs away with rights, then smashes him with his right thigh. 1 – 2 – Miz gets his shoulder up! Sandow knees him, then brings him backward with a side Russian legsweep. He drops the “Elbow Of Distain” for a two-count, then grips on the grounding rear chinlock.
Miz battles out and flips Sandow over, hitting an elbow to Sandow’s face. He knees him then boots Damien in the face. He kicks, then dropkicks, Sandow’s thigh. Before he can go further, Fandango and Summer Rae dance out to distract Miz. This gives Damien the chance to roll-up Miz for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pin Fall: “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Intellectual Saviour Of The Unwashed Masses” Damien Sandow
Post-match, Fandango pronounces his name.
Segment # 10: Backstage Promo
Rene Young welcomes back Goldust. She asks him if he is ready for his match against WWE Champion Randy Orton. After a patented hiss, Goldust says that Cody has done the right thing all his career, while he has been “the screw-up of the family.” He says that he has had many shots and messed them all up, then calls Cody’s firing “ridiculous, all because of Triple H throwing his weight around, embarrassing MY family’s name, The Rhodes’ name. That’s not cool! So tonight, Cody has a second chance. He gets it. Because I mean business, and Randy Orton, after tonight, you will never forget the name of ….”
Triple H interjects at this point and asks Goldust how he is. He plays mind games with Goldust, inciting how much pressure he has to live up to in beating Orton, to help out his brother. Triple H wants it to work out, then walks away.
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Match #7: Single – WWE Champion Randy Orton VS. Goldust (Non-Title) Stipulation: If Goldust wins, Cody gets a second chance
Goldust charges at Orton right away with right hands. He slams Orton’s head off the turnbuckle then uppercuts him. Goldust continues to punch away, but is stopped with a quick kick. Goldust counters and shoulder blocks Randy to the outside. Loud “you still got it” calls from the fans.
Orton gets back in the ring and wants to engage in a test-of-strength. Goldust grabs his hand, but Orton baits him into a kick, and now begins to stomp away. He chokes Goldust on the middle rope, but misses a front-dropkick. Goldust jackknife covers Orton for two! He delivers right hand chops in the corner. Orton counters with a cheap poke-to-the-eye, then slows down the bout with punches and stomps.
Goldust holds onto the ropes, which threw Orton’s powerslam attempt off, and rolls him up for a two-count! He sets Randy up for “Shattered Dreams,” but the WWE Champion slides to the outside for a break.
Commercials.
Goldust counters a run with a double front-dropkick, then scratches Orton’s back on the outside. He climbs to the apron, but Orton jawbreaks him with the top rope, and runs him into the steel post. Referee Mike Chioda begins the 10-count, but Orton breaks it by backdropping Goldust on the barricade. He rams him into the steel steps and covers, but Goldust gets the shoulder up!
“The Viper” stomps away on Goldust’s body again, taunting him and the fans by holding his foot on Goldust’s throat. Orton wears Goldust down with a grounding rear chinlock. Goldust battles out with back-and-forth punches-to-the-stomach, then counters a whip with a running bulldog!
Goldust is fired up with clotheslines and a drop-down uppercut. He gives Orton a 10-punch in the corner, and just about whips him into the referee. He rolls up Randy from behind for a close near-fall, but is quickly planted with the slingshot DDT. Orton mimics Daniel Bryan’s “yes” taunt, as he gears up for the R.K.O., but Goldust reverses into the CrossRhodes! 1 – 2 – Orton still gets out. He now rolls up Goldust, but “The Bizarre One” also escapes! Unfortunately, Goldust misses a clothesline, which turns into an R.K.O. Randy covers and takes the contest!
Winner via Pin Fall: WWE Champion Randy Orton
Post-match, Orton stands over Goldust and proclaims “Goldust, looks like your ‘dream’ of saving your baby-brother Cody’s career has been shattered. Just like Daniel Bryan’s ‘dream’ of taking this (holds WWE Championship high) away from me will be shattered at Night Of Champions.”
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The “Los Matadors” promo airs again, and they are still “coming soon.”
Segment # 11: Backstage Promo
Goldust is walking around visibly upset when Stephanie McMahon-Helmsley comes up to him and lays on the guilt for not getting Cody’s job back, and disappointing everybody. She tells him to “go join him in the unemployment line. Oh and Dustin, tell your Dad I said ‘hi.'”
Ricardo Rodriguez announces his “#1 Amigo” R.V.D. for his match next!
Commercials.
Match #8: Single – Rob Van Dam (with Ricardo Rodriguez) VS. Ryback
(Note: World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio walks to the stage and calls Van Dam a “washed-up loser.” He tells them both that the new chant after Night Of Champions will be “A.D.R., A.D.R.”)
Van Dam takes Ryback down early with a few of his usual kicks, but is slammed off a rolling monkey-flip. Ryback dominates with blows-to-theback after an overhead belly-to-belly suplex. Ryback locks R.V.D. in an abdominal-stretch and brings him to the corner.
Van Dam gets out with more kicks, then rolls over him with the Rolling Thunder somersault. He hops to the top-rope and flips over for a two-count on Ryback! He dives again with a kick-to-the-face, setting him up for the 5-Star Frog Splash! Ryback rolls out of the way, and moves on the outside when Van Dam attempts a plancha, therefore eating the wall!
Ryback rams Rob into the ring post, crotch-first, thereby causing a dq.
Winner via Disqualification: Rob Van Dam (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Post-match, Ryback drops R.V.D. with the “Shellshock” Marching Samoan Drop, then yells “Ryback rules!”
Segment #12: Backstage Promo
The Big Show is walking backstage when Stephanie cuts him off. She tells him that he is not to “lay a finger on ‘The Shield.'” McMahon-Helmsley threatens that if he gets involved, then he’ll be fired. “It’s what’s best for business.” He does not take the news well, and smashes up an old monitor/TV
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Match #9: Single – United States Champion Dean Ambrose (with The Shield partners Tag-Team Champion Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns) VS. Daniel Bryan (with The Big Show) (Non-Title)
Daniel is on fire, punching and kicking Ambrose into the corner until Referee Mike Chioda has to break it up. Ambrose turns it around and does the same. Bryan comes back with more kicks, and Dean goes to the floor for a break. He converses with his Shield friends, then walks back up the steps to the squared circle.
Bryan turns him around with a knee-to-the-gut, then a few kicks-to-the back. Ambrose comes off the ropes with a shoulder block, but Bryan counters with a drop-toehold and stomps on his left shoulder. Bryan focuses on that left arm/shoulder, tying him up in his modified surfboard stretch.
Ambrose gets to the ropes to break it off, then manages to corner Bryan and deliver shoulders. Daniel flips over again and ducks a clothesline, then back with one of his own. He puts Dean down with a double-underhook/butterfly suplex, then ascends the turnbuckle. Seth Rollins stands on the apron to distract both the referee and Bryan, allowing Dean to push him to the floor.
Commercials.
Ambrose is now firmly in control, harshly whipping Bryan into a turnbuckle. (Note: the camera frequently shows Show cheering on Daniel.) Bryan moves again and Ambrose runs into the post, ramming his own left shoulder. Daniel follows up with two charging front-dropkicks, then his patented kicks-in-the-corner. He sets up Ambrose on the top and brings him down with a Hurricanrana! 1 – 2 – Dean rises his shoulder!
Bryan misses his kick-to-the-head, but turns a double leg-grab into a victory roll combo! 1 – 2 – Ambrose kicks out! Bryan ducks again and manages to trap the U.S. Champion in the “Yes Lock” Crossface. Ambrose struggles, but does grab the bottom rope. Bryan misses a third front-dropkick, and Ambrose almost got this with a roll-up of Bryan, using his tights.
Dean mount-punches Bryan. He perches Daniel atop the turnbuckle, but Bryan hops out and pushes Dean down. He puts him upside down, kicks away, then runs again with a low-front-dropkick! Bryan brings Ambrose down with a top-rope backdrop for and covers for a close call! (Loud “this is awesome” chants, and I agree!)
Daniel kicks away again, but Ambrose catches and hurls Bryan outside. Reigns tries a Spear, but Bryan moves and he eats the steel steps. Daniel also thwarts an attempt from Seth, but gets DDT’ed by Ambrose. The U.S. Champ puts him back in the ring and lays atop for a two-count!
He picks up Bryan again, but Daniel reverses into an inside cradle and gets the hard-earned victory!
Winner via Pin Fall: Daniel Bryan
Post-match, Ambrose tries to attack, but Bryan chucks him into “The Shield.” Daniel is celebrating when WWE Champion Randy Orton runs down. Bryan wastes no time, charging outside with a suicide dive. He stomps away until The Shield come back and gang up on Bryan. Big Show gets a chair and marches over. He stares down the four assailants, then drops the weapon and walks away. The Shield roll Daniel back in the ring and Orton is in the ring with his foe.
He shows him off to Big Show, then drops him with the R.K.O. Show walks off angry as Randy Orton holds his WWE Title high above Daniel Bryan.
Stephanie and Triple H now walk out, and tell Big Show to put everything aside. He orders him to “walk back to that ring. I want you to pick Daniel Bryan up, and knock him out. Go.” Show appears to oblige, approaching the ring and steps into it. He delays the process and Orton has to remind him of what he has to do. Orton gets Bryan in position, and Big winds up. He still refuses though, and gets into an argument with the WWE Champion. Orton yells at Show to “ball up that fist, pick him up, and knock him back down.”
Orton turns around and suddenly is dropped with a knee-to-the-face, courtesy of Daniel Bryan! He holds up the WWE Championship and gets the fans to chant “yes, yes, yes.” “This title is coming to me,” he declares to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
This was a great Raw overall and a nice “go-home” show before the Pay-Per-View. Tons of wrestling, and absolutely built up storylines last-minute well. Onto the analysis:
Excellence: The opening segment – that was awesome! I really loved them bringing out Edge right away, get the crowd “hot” to start. (Not that you really need to, it is Toronto, after all!) But for real, the chemistry between everyone involved was so smooth, and even though it was a long segment, it didn’t feel “dragging.” Great job on building up the return of Goldust with the video footage. I felt this was a superb way to remind fans who may have forgotten how great he was, and introduce him to new fans who may not have known about him at all. Also, a great way to build this match/storyline and make it bigger than just a “one-off” appearance.
Loved the “breakdown” between Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman. Paul E. is a genius with his character, and really plays the “scared” part extremely (pun-intended!) well! I really didn’t see them having Heyman come up with a “way” to get out of the match on Sunday, but they did and I liked it. The man can run too when he’s scared – wow!
Hey, General Manager Brad Maddox actually made a “General Manager” decision on his own – way to go!
Nice to see Kofi getting back-to-back wins and back on the upside. He is very, very talented all-around and deserves a big push from now on.
As always, “The Wyatt Family” can do no wrong and are rolling along nicely in my book!
Kudos to Toronto for making Santino Marella’s return almost (if not just) as special as Edge’s. I realize now he really is underrated and actually does have a great amount of charisma and wrestling ability. I’d be happy to see him get another good-size push. Very good match with Cesaro too!
Even though it did feel like a “stalemate/filler,” the match between Sandow and Miz was pretty well done too.
FANTASTIC bouts between Orton/Goldust and Bryan/Ambrose. I honestly would’ve been really surprised to see “The Bizarre One” win, but they told a great old-school psychological story in their match. Same with Ambrose/Bryan, even though Daniel seemed to dominate a bit more.
Bogus: The Divas Tag-Team bout – could’ve been given more time, those involved have great talent in the ring and should’ve been allowed to display for longer. Also, if they’re all vying for the Divas Championship, why was there no brawl between Natalya, Naomi, and Brie to get a one-upsmanship before the Pay-Per-View?
While a nice match between World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio and R-Truth, I thought it really did nothing (as did Rob Van Dam’s on-screen corner promo) to enhance/entice the storyline/match between Del Rio and R.V.D. With Van Dam and Ryback – it was a crap ending and put his momentum going into the World Title match down. How can we believe now that he will be able to win the World Championship on Sunday after getting the win via disqualification because he got crotched? Really stupid booking. Rob Van Dam should’ve out-right won that match clean.
Now my predictions/hopes …
Randy Orton will retain the WWE Championship over Daniel Bryan – too soon to play “hot potato” again.
Rob Van Dam BETTER win the World Heavyweight Championship. He can use a good run and make that title interesting again.
A.J. Lee squeaks away with her Divas Championship.
Screw-job and/or decisive finish in favor of Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman, over C.M. Punk.
Usos move on from pre-show and actually upset The Shield for the Tag-Team Titles. (Long shot, but that’s a “hope!”)
Again, a very enjoyable Raw before Sunday’s big show. (No pun-intended!) Until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
Episode 7 of Total Divas received a big drop in its viewers on Sunday, getting only 1,091,000 viewers, making it the lowest rated episode of the show.
That number represents a decrease of over 400,000 viewers from episode 6, which was the second most watched show of the series. Episode 8, which is the finale of part one of the series, takes place head-to-head against Night of Champions and will feature the wedding of Natalya and Tyson Kidd. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
The WWE live event which was scheduled for November in Spain has been called off by the company with no official reason given.
The two live events were supposed to happen on November 7 and November 8 in Barcelona and Madrid respectively but a simple announcement on the official WWE Spanish website confirmed that the tour is now off.
WWE will kick off a 19 live event tour in Europe in the beginning of November which will also include RAW and Smackdown television tapings.
W-O reader Mark Stanley attended last night’s RAW in Toronto, Canada, and sent in the following off air notes.
After the show was over, CM Punk defeated Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman in a non-title, no disqualification match. Punk shook hands with everyone at ringside before heading back to the locker room.
The WWE merchandise department were selling Edge ‘one night only’ t-shirts inside the arena, obviously trying to bring in some extra money by taking advantage of the opportunity. Damien Sandow cut his promo twice, one off the air and one on air after he messed up his words. Fans chanted “you f**ked up” while he got his promo wrong while RAW was in commercials. Also a couple of guys got thrown out of the arena by security for throwing stuff at Randy Orton at the end of the show.
The Night of Champions kickoff match this coming Sunday will feature a five-way tag team match with the winners of the match going on the face The Shield for the tag team titles on the pay-per-view.
The match will consist of Brodus Clay and Sweet T vs 3MB vs Usos, vs Jack Swagger and Antonio Cesaro vs Prime Time Players. It will air on the WWE.com, the WWE App, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google+, Samsung Smart TVs, Xbox, Sony PS3, Pinterest and Pheed, for free starting at 7:30PM EST.
The website for the Canadian Tire Centre – the site of tomorrow’s Smackdown tapings in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada – is listing WWE Hall of Famer Edge on the card.
Edge will be returning on RAW tonight for one night only mainly to promote the new season of Haven which airs on SyFy and where he has a recurring role.
It is not known if his appearance on Smackdown will be televised or if it will be only for fans live at the arena. Considering his show airs on SyFy and Smackdown is on SyFy it would make sense to have him appear on television.
BestofOrlando.com is reporting that WWE is eying up the NBA City location on the Universal CityWalk in Orlando, Florida, as a possible place wrestling-themed restaurant and a physical Hall of Fame.
The 17,500 square feet location currently is a restaurant of the NBA with two levels seating up to 352 guests. It’s right next door to Hard Rock Cafe and between the entrances of both Universal Studios and Islands of Adventure theme parks.
The location would be the perfect place since Universal Studios is a major tourist destination but WWE officials have often played down the idea of having a physical Hall of Fame at the moment, saying that it’s not high on the priority list.
Tonight’s Total Divas episode 7 titled ‘A Leg Up’ centers around the injury that Nikki Bella received while wrestling in a six Diva tag team match on RAW a couple of months ago.
The injury has kept her on the sidelines to this day as her sister Brie is doing most of the action at the moment along with fellow Total Divas cast member Eva Marie. In the episode you will see how the injury came about and why Nikki didn’t want to get it checked by the WWE doctors.
Also on the show, a stretch therapist visits John Cena at his house to stretch him to his limits and his girlfriend Nikki also wanted to try it which leads to some hm, how can you say, interesting television.
The episode will also cover Eva Marie’s recent Maxim shoot and Ariane’s dilemma after her boyfriend Vincent brings up marriage.
It started all on Twitter and now it’s going to happen on Monday Night RAW. Get ready, Goldust is coming back! At least for one night.
“Hey @TripleH , when you’re done with this injustice, pick up the phone and tell me what i can do to give @CodyRhodesWWE a #SecondChance,” tweeted the former Intercontinental champion.
He tweeted a couple of more messages until Brad Maddox, the general manager of RAW replied.
“If @DUSTIN_RHODES1 wins and @CodyRhodesWWE apologizes, he gets his job back. So bring your paint cause it’s Goldust vs Orton monday.”
Goldust said that his paint is packed and ready bring justice to his little brother. Dolph Ziggler, the former World Heavyweight champion, also tweeted his support telling Rhodes that “with enough swings, u eventually hit a homer,” and said that they’re all counting on him.
Goldust last appeared on WWE television when he entered as a surprise in this year’s Royal Rumble, getting a massive pop from the crowd. He was eventually eliminated by his brother Cody.
The man formerly known as El Generico made his WWE debut yesterday during the non-televised live event in Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
It was a nice hometown welcome for the wrestler now known as Sami Zayn as fans greeted him with “Ole ole ole” chants when he was introduced.
The 29 year old has been signed to a WWE developmental deal since January of this year after several years working the independents. He’s down in NXT working under the name of Sami Zayn after debuting a few months before under his real name and under a mask.
Zayn defeated Antonio Cesaro yesterday during the show. You can see his entrance and the crowd reaction below courtesy of YouTube user Jessica Aldos.
Former WWE champion and former Divas champion The Miz and Maryse are set to get married in February of next year.
The Miz popped the question to his 30 year old fiancé Maryse Ouellet a few weeks ago but recently announced the date. The two have been dating for quite a while now and in a recent interview Miz said he tried to get her to date him when Maryse was part of the Divas Search competition back in 2006.
The Smack is being laid Down for us tonight in Minneapolis Minnesota. HHH is the first man to the ring and he wants to address his recent firing of Cody Rhodes. Hunter tells us that Cody was disrespectful to him, and as the COO, HHH represents the entire WWE, so really, Cody was disrespecting all of us. HHH also reminds us that HHH gave Cody a chance to save his job if he won his match later that night. Cody lost to Randy Orton, so really, HHH didn’t fire Cody, Cody fired Cody. (That sounded familiar)
HHH doesn’t want to the rest of the locker room to be scared though, so he has invited them all out for an open forum. HHH invites everyone to air their grievances so we can all move forwarded, and promises there will be no repercussions so everyone can feel free to be completely honest.
Damien Sandow speaks up first, expresses his gratitude to HHH for firing his arch nemesis Cody Rhodes, and congratulates HHH on doing a great job. HHH was unimpressed with the ass kissing display and tells everyone again to be honest.
Kofi Kingston grabs the mic and says that when Cody got fired, the entire locker room got scared, and Kofi thinks that is NOT “good for business.” Kofi is interrupted by 3MB, who complain about the Big Show and kiss Hunter’s ass a little more. HHH is even less impressed with 3MB than he was with Sandow.
RVD complains about the way he’s been used since HHH brought him back, he thought he had HHH’s support, now he doesn’t know, dude. HHH says he has been waiting a long time for RVD to call him ‘dude’, and he assures the dude that he still believes in him.
Ryback speaks up next, and he complains about being called a bully. HHH seems to agree that this is unfair, proving HHH does not watch the show. So HHH gives Ryback a match with Dolph Ziggler tonight. HHH then notes that Daniel Bryan did not show up for the meeting, claiming his ego is too large and that he thinks he’s better than the other superstars.
Hunter still thinks the meeting was a success though, and he “rewards” Kofi and RVD for their participation with matches. Kofi will get a non-title match with the Intercontinental Champ Curtis Axel later tonight (not much of a reward, the IC championship has lost a lot of prestige over the years, and it’s not even on the line.) RVD at least gets a match with Randy Orton, the WWE champ, but that is also a non-title match.
Commercial
Match #1: RVD versus Randy Orton.
RVD lands a kick to start things off and then follows up with several shoulder blocks in the corner. RVD takes Orton down with a snapmare, climbs to the top rope and lands a leg drop. RVD lands a kick and follows up with a springboard leg drop.
RVD goes to the top rope and hits Orton with a thrust kick. Orton powerslams Van Dam and then stomps him on the mat. RVD retaliates with a dropkick, a punch, and a shoulder block. Orton lands a punch and a kick and then pounds RVD into the mat. Orton lands a couple punches; RVD responds with a kick and a split legged moonsault for a two count. Orton rolls out to the floor and RVD pursues.
RVD drops Orton onto the security barrier, but then misses when tries to follow up with a spinning leg drop from the apron. Orton rolls RVD back into the ring and stomps on him some more. RVD lands several punches, but Orton responds with a dropkick.
Commercial
When we return, Orton has RVD in a chin lock, but Van Dam fights out. RVD lands an elbow, a pair of clotheslines, and a standing moonsault. Orton responds with a modified backbreaker. Orton goes for a DDT, but RVD blocks it and lands a kick. RVD ties Orton up in a bodyscissors for a two count. RVD hots Orton with a spin kick and rolling thunder.
RVD climbs to the top rope and goes for the frog splash, but Orton gets out of the way. RVD lands a spin kick, but is distracted when his personal ring announcer, Ricardo Rodriguez, is attacked by his former boss Alberto Del Rio.
Alberto defends his title against RVD at Night of Champions, and was at ringside doing commentary. RVD attacks Alberto but then gets slammed into the announce table by Orton. Orton suspends RVD over the edge of the ring apron and then DDTs him onto the floor. Orton rolls RVD back into the ring and hits him with the RKO for the win. After the match, Alberto attacks RVD and stretches his arm in the cross armbreaker.
Commercial
When we return, Renee Young is interviewing Daniel Bryan. Bryan insists he was not at the meeting earlier because he was not invited and even told to stay away by HHH. He says HHH was right about Bryan having an ego problem, if by “ego problem” HHH means Bryan wants to be champion. Judging by the number of YES chants, I think a LOT of people want Daniel Bryan to be champ.
HHH also said that Daniel Bryan will have to face a member of the Shield tonight, and he let Bryan pick which one. Daniel doesn’t care who he faces, because he knows they will all run in before it’s over, so he says they can choose which one of them gets beaten up by Daniel Bryan first.
In the back, AJ Lee is trying to stir the other Divas up against the stars of the reality show Total Divas. AJ claims they (Aksana, Alicia, and Layla) are all wonderfully talented, much better than those wannabe reality TV stars trying to steal their spotlight. AJ appears to have them convinced, they look ready for a fight.
Commercial
Match #2: Dolph Ziggler versus Ryback.
Dolph backdrops Ryback to the floor and then hits him with a dropkick. Ryback stomps Dolph to the mat and then bodyslams him. Ryback hits Dolph with a splash and gets a two count. Ryback slams Ziggler into the corner and then puts him in a bear hug.
Dolph fights his way out and hits Ryback with a DDT. Dolph follows up with a neckbreaker and then a bulldog leg drop. Ryback knocks Dolph to the floor and then goes after him. Ryback runs, but Dolph dodges and Ryback runs into the steel steps. Dolph gets distracted by US champ and Shield member Dean Ambrose at ringside. Ryback takes advantage of the distraction and hits Dolph with a big clothesline. Ryback rolls Dolph in and then plants him with “Shell Shocked” for the win.
Commercial
Match #3: Kofi Kingston versus Curtis Axel.
The match starts of slowly with too many headlocks. After a pair of leapfrogs, Kofi clotheslines Axel to the floor. Axel lands a kick, Kofi responds with a head scissors takedown. Axel retreats to the floor. Kofi tries to hit Axel with a baseball slide dropkick but misses.
Axel lands a kick and whips Kofi into the steel steps, but Kofi leaps over them and is unharmed. Kofi is pretty athletic; I would like to see him as part of a tag team with a returning John Morrison or Shelton Benjamin. Kofi hits Axel with a clothesline. Heyman distracts Kofi long enough for Axel to regain the advantage. Axel gets Kofi in a chin lock but Kofi escapes.
Kofi lands a kick, but Axel knocks Kofi down with a clothesline. Axel bodyslams Kofi and then climbs to the top rope. Axel flies off the top but Kofi gets his feet up and Axel goes down. Kofi lands a clothesline and a chop; Axel responds with a dropkick and a punch. Kofi lands a kick and climbs to the top. Axel trips Kofi up and lands several punches to the gut. Kofi hits Curtis with the ranhei (SOS in WWE-speak) for the win!
After the match, we see a video from the Wyatt family. Bray Wyatt tells us the story of Icarus, whose wings of wax melted when he flew too close to the sun. Bray warned Kane that the fire would consume him, but Kane’s pride, like Icarus, caused him to ignore the warnings. Now Kane has made his bed, and he is burning in it.
Commercial
When we return, Renee Young tries to get an interview with Paul Heyman, who is on the phone. Renee wants to know if Heyman is worried about what Punk may do to him at Night of Champions. Heyman does seem a little worried, especially in light of the fact that Curtis Axel just lost his match.
If Axel loses to Punk at the PPV, Punk will get to face Heyman in the ring, one on one. Heyman says Axel only lost tonight because they were too focused on Punk and were looking past Kofi, Paul promises that will not happen again. Heyman also notes that CM Punk promised to do his worst, but Heyman insists his worst is better. Renee then reminds Heyman that Punk promised to give him the beating of his life. Paul leaves, looking concerned.
Match #4: Brie Bella versus Naomi.
The rest of the stars of Total Divas are outside the ring. Reality TV sucks, I have no idea what the hell is going on with that ridiculous show and I don’t want to know. As far as I am concerned, that show only exists so AJ can attack it. Which she does. Just minutes after the match gets underway, AJ, Aksana, Alicia, and Layla all attack the Total Divas and beat them up.
Commercial
Match #5: The Usos versus Jack Swagger and Antonia Caesaro with Zeb Coulter.
Antonio and Jimmy are the first two in and Antonio lands a quick dropkick. Antonio tags in Swagger, and Jack knocks Jimmy down and slams him into the corner. Antonio hits Jimmy with a cheap kick to the head and Swagger follows up with a Swagger bomb. Antonio leapfrogs over Swagger and hits Jimmy with a double stomp.
Swagger and Caesaro double team Jimmy and then Swagger wraps his arms up behind his back. Jimmy lands an elbow and fights his way out. Jimmy backdrops Swagger to the floor and tags in Jey. Jey hip tosses Antonio to the floor. Jey hits Antonio with a suicide dive and then rolls back in. The Usos land a pair of superkicks and Jey goes to the top rope. Swagger pushes Jey off the top rope and Antonio hits him with a mid-air European uppercut for the win.
After the match, HHH is in the back talking to the Big Show. HHH asks him what’s been bothering him lately, and Big Show tells Hunter he knows. HHH nods in agreement and says, “3MB, right? They were very disrespectful to you earlier tonight.” HHH offers to let Big Show blow off some steam and face all three members of 3MB tonight.
Commercial
Match #6: Big Show versus 3MB.
Heath Slater starts the match, but they could have all started at the same time. Big Show takes Jinder and Drew down at the same time with a double choke slam, and then knocks out Heath Slater with a big right hand.
Commercial
Match #7: Daniel Bryan versus someone from the Shield. Roman Reigns steps forward, but then Bryan is suddenly attacked by Seth Rollins. Bryan will be wrestling Seth Rollins; Roman Reigns was there to distract Daniel Bryan.
Bryan starts to turn things around and lands a series of kicks to Seth’s chest. (I used to see Seth Rollins wrestle under the name Tyler Black in a church hall in southern Ontario. The promotion was called UWA and they were AMAZING.)
Bryan hits Rollins with a headbutt and then clotheslines him to the floor. Rollins reenters the ring and hits Bryan with a knee strike. Rollins body slams Bryan out to the floor and then rolls him back in. Seth Rollins puts Bryan in a modified cobra clutch but Bryan fights out. Bryan hits Rollins with a German Suplex and a running dropkick.
Bryan climbs to the top and hits Rollins with a missile dropkick. Bryan hits Seth with several stiff kicks to the chest but misses the last kick to the head. Bryan lands a punch and climbs to the top rope. Rollins cuts Daniel off and knocks him to the floor. Rollins and Ambrose distract the ref, allowing Reigns a chance to take Bryan down with a clothesline.
Rollins slams Bryan into the steel steps and then rolls him back into the ring. Seth climbs to the top rope and jumps, but Bryan cuts him off in mid air and puts on the YES lock! Reigns and Ambrose create another distraction and Bryan lets go of the hold.
Bryan hits Reigns with a suicide dive and then hip tosses Ambrose on the floor. Bryan reenters the ring and hits Rollins with a forearm shot. Bryan hits Rollins with a running high knee to the head and covers him for the win!
After the match, Daniel Bryan makes his way back up the entrance ramp, pausing to celebrate with the fans screaming YES! Bryan is suddenly hit from behind by Randy Orton with the title belt. The crowd chants “Randy sucks!” Orton stands over the unconscious Daniel Bryan as SmackDown goes off the air.
Mark Henry is back touring after he was cleared to return following a hamstring injury he suffered during a non-televised live event last week.
Henry pulled his hamstring when he was trying to get in the ring to save Daniel Bryan from a beat down from The Shield however he had to stay in the corner as he couldn’t move.
He is scheduled to wrestle tonight at the Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, in a six-man tag team match.
The Hollywood Reporter broke the news yesterday that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and director McG are both in talks to head up the Fall Guy movie which will be financed by WWE Studios and Hyde Park Entertainment.
Fall Guy was an ABC series that ran from 1981 to 1986 and starred Lee Majors as a Hollywood stunt man who supplemented his income by doing bounty hunter work.
The script was written by Zack Stentz and Ashley Edward Miller who worked on Thor and X-Men: First Class.
If everything goes according to plan, this will be Johnson’s first involvement with WWE Studios in a leading role. WWE got credit in his early movies such as Scorpion King and The Rundown since they owned his name and trademark back then.
The Miz is currently in Abu Dhabi to do promotional work for WWE’s upcoming tour in October.
The former champ was part of a press conference to talk about the three-day tour in the area earlier today and tomorrow, September 6 starting at 4:30PM, will be participating in a meet and greet with fans at the Zayed Sports City International Tennis Complex, the home of WWE in Abu Dhabi.
The first 300 people who show up with tickets for the show will also get a free autograph from The Miz according to GulfNews.com.
WWE will hit the United Arab Emirates on October 11, 12, and 13, for three back-to-back shows before flying back home. Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster.ae.
This week’s Labor Day edition of Monday Night RAW drew a 2.9 rating with 3,937,000 viewers, down over a quarter of a million viewers from last week.
Hour one had an average of 3,690,000 viewers, followed by 4,146,000 in the second hour, and then 3,974,000 in the third and final hour. This was the last week of RAW without NFL as direct competition and usually NFL hurts RAW numbers every week. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
One half of the Prime Time Players, Titus O’Neil, is currently dating reality TV’s biggest villain, Omarosa Manigault from The Apprentice and Celebrity Apprentice fame.
WWE.COM says that the duo started dating after a mutual friend introduced them during SummerSlam week in Los Angeles, where Omarosa was attending a WWE party as a guest. The long-distance relationship didn’t fly with Omarosa so to make things work, she decided to join him on the road.
Omarosa is best known for being one of the nastiest contestants on Donald Trump’s Apprentice shows and was recently dating Hollywood actor – and big WWE fan – Michael Clarke Duncan until he passed away in September of last year.
Several gossip websites picked up the story of Omarosa dating O’Neil. O’Neil has two sons from a previous relationship.
WWE announced today that it has appointed David Bailey as General Manager of the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Bailey, who previously served as General Manager of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Blue Unit at Feld Entertainment, will report directly to WWE’s Senior Vice President of Talent Relations and Development, Jane Geddes.
As General Manager of the Performance Center, Bailey will oversee the day-to-day operations of the 26,000 square-foot, state-of-the-art facility, and will work with WWE senior executives to manage the development of the NXT Superstars training at the Center. In addition, Bailey will work with WWE executives to enhance WWE’s relationship with Full Sail University as well as other key partners in the Central Florida region.
