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.
Louisville-based WHAS11 sportscaster Adam Lefkoe made an unexpected television report on the Louisville Cardinals season opener game, name-checking 31 wrestling greats in six minutes while going over what happened.
Names such as Ultimate Warrior, Macho Man, Honky Tonk Man, Rockers, Koko B. Ware, Iron Sheik, Doink, Dude Love, Million Dollar Man, Ric Flair, Adrian Adonis, and others, were all included in the report as his script flowed seamlessly from one note to another.
After the video report was done – called Wrestlecast – his co-anchor was pretty much speechless, but made one very important observation!
“You didn’t have Hulk Hogan in there,” she said laughing.
After the weather report wrapped up, Lefkoe had a nWo-spray painted WCW championship belt on his shoulder and gave it to his female co-anchor after she “earned it” for pointing out that he missed Hogan.
The video is going viral and is already at over 80,000 hits on YouTube. It was done pretty cleverly and you can check it out below.
Episode 6 of Total Divas which was titled Diva Las Vegas drew a total of 1,527,000 viewers, adding 67,000 viewers from episode 5.
It’s the second highest episode of the show so far, with episode 3 still the most-watched episode with 1.67 million viewers. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
The pre-sale for the 2014 WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view started yesterday and will end on September 6 at 10PM CST.
Fans who want to purchase tickets now can head over to AXS.COM and use the password CHAMBER. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Saturday, December 14, at 10AM CST.
Ticket prices range from $27 to $327 for ringside plus additional fees.
Elimination Chamber will take place at the Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Sunday, February 23, 2014.
WWE.COM is reporting that former World Heavyweight champion Christian has suffered a concussion on the August 26 edition of Monday Night RAW in his match against Randy Orton.
“We’ve pulled him out of all activity. His ImPACT scores are normal, but he’s still having some symptoms of fogginess and cloudiness,” said WWE physician Dr. Chris Amann.
Christian is heading to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, this week to carry out some in-ring tests and will be cleared to return depending on the outcome of the tests.
We are week three into the new “future of the WWE,” Daniel …. ahem, I mean WWE Champion Randy Orton’s reign; will his dominance over his challenger, Daniel Bryan, continue tonight?
Rob Van Dam continues to frustrate his opponent for Night Of Champions, World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio. Does it stay this way, or will the “Mexican Aristocrat” come back with some momentum thirteen (my favorite number) days before the pay-per-view?
Divas Champion A.J. Lee blistered the Divas last week with what many were calling a “bombshell” promo. What will they have to say in return, and will one of them step up to challenger her for the title?
All these major stories and much more for Raw, so read on!
Monday Night Raw TV Report for September 2nd, 2013 – “A (Not-So) ‘Friendly’ Situation”
Introduction Segment: Arena Promo
WWE C.O.O. Triple H is in the ring, and brings out WWE Champion Randy Orton. The Shield (United States Champion Dean Ambrose and Tag-Team Champions Roman Reigns & Seth Rollins) stand in front of the ring. Orton gets in the ring and informs us that it is his duty to “protect the WWE.”
He defends his actions for “defacing” Daniel Bryan from Smackdown (read that fine report on this fine website!) because Bryan defaced his Cadillac Escalade on last week’s Raw. (Replays from Smackdown! are shown.)
He asks the fans if Daniel should challenge him for the WWE Title, then responds quickly, “No!” He also inquires if Bryan will have a chance of beating him at Night Of Champions? “NO!” Randy wonders if Bryan “will amount to anything?” “NO!” Orton thinks that Bryan should give his title shot up, and the crowd retorts vehemently “NO!”
As is his job, HHH is concerned over the health of his superstars, particularly Bryan. He is worried over his mental health, since the fans are behind him and have made him delusional into thinking he can become WWE Champion. Triple H says this is “bad for business,” much like if Doink The Clown (God rest the soul of Matt Bourne) would’ve been “bad for business” if he was WWE Champion, even though he was very popular. (Personally, no offense to the late Matt Bourne, but this was a bad example since he had recently just died.)
Instead, the C.O.O. insists that he will bring back either the Cruiserweight Championship or the Light-heavyweight Championship, because those are the belts that Bryan could go for.
The man himself comes out to respond. He puts over the fans for constantly chanting his names and makes fun of Orton and HHH, saying they both gave up their dignity. (Orton not caring about the WWE Championship until he was “handed” it; Triple H being no longer being a “man” and now being a “corporate sell-out.”).
He then says it is the times he was told he can’t do it, when wrestling in high school gyms, that have made him stronger and knows he can beat Orton for the WWE Championship. Bryan tells Triple H that he knows it too, and should just put him one-on-one against Orton. He goes to insult the WWE Champion “Attitude-Era” style but is quickly cut off by HHH.
Triple H tells him that Bryan should really be angry with The Big Show, since he did nothing to help Bryan on Smackdown, despite having an “iron-clad contract.” HHH then books Daniel to wrestle Show in the main-event.
Later tonight, C.M. Punk will give his thoughts on the beating he took from Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman.
Commercials.
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
WWE Champion Randy Orton and WWE C.O.O. Triple H are walking through the hallways when they walk into former friend/rival Cody Rhodes. He says that tonight’s main-event will be great, as long as no one gets involved. However, he doesn’t get why Orton doesn’t want to take on Bryan, when he thinks that Daniel Bryan VS. Randy Orton is “what’s best for business.”
HHH diffuses his idea, and says that Big Show/Daniel Bryan is what’s best for business. He then gives Rhodes a match – against Orton – and threatens “I doubt you’ll be here very long” if he doesn’t win.
Match #1: Single – Fandango (with Summer Rae) VS. “The Awesome One” The Miz
Miz is in control early with a high-hip toss and tries a grab at Fandango’s legs, but he wiggles out of the ring. He slams Fandango against the barricade and rolls him back in the ring, then dances with Summer Rae on the outside. Back in the ring, he locks Fandango in an armbar, but is shoved quickly into the corner. Miz gets out of this quickly and takes Fandango down with a boot-to-the-face. He clamps on a grounding rear chinlock to go to break.
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Fandango is now dominating and whips Miz hard into the turnbuckle. He apparently has a broken nose from that boot by Miz. Fandango places him against the middle rope and allows Rae to slap him across the face. Fandango climbs the turnbuckle, but Miz hurls him off. He tries for the Figure-4, but Fandango kicks him off. Miz misses his corner clothesline, which Fandango capitalizes on with a slingshot-legdrop. Miz quickly counters and locks in the Figure-4 to get the submission victory!
Winner via Pin Fall: “The Awesome One” The Miz
Up next, we will look at the brutal assault on C.M. Punk from last week.
Commercials.
Segment #3: Locker Room Promo
Daniel Bryan is warming up when Booker T. walks in. He demands to talk to Bryan and warns him that going against the McMahons is a “fight you cannot win.” He tries to convince Daniel to give up his title shot because they are “people that could ruin your life.” Bryan just shakes his head and walks away.
Segment #4: Video Promo
A montage recapping the extreme (pun intended!) assault of C.M. Punk by Intercontinental Champion Curtis Axel and Paul Heyman is aired.
Dolph Ziggler makes his entrance and will be facing a mystery opponent next!
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Match #2: Single – “The Show Off” Dolph Ziggler VS. ???
Dolph is waiting for his opponent when Ambrose viciously attacks Ziggler from behind. He chucks Dolph into the ring post, then Ryback’s music plays and the “bully” walks out. Ryback is the one to wrestle Ziggler.
The bell rings and Ziggler tries to fend off the big man with an elbow, but Ryback just tosses him over head then pounds away with punches. Ryback completely dominates this bout, with stomps and chokes. He taunts Dolph then shoves him to the mat. “Dolph, done” he proclaims then winds up for the “Meathook” clothesline.
Dolph comes alive with a dropkick counter and punches in the corner, but Ryback quickly puts him back down with the Clothesline and Shellshock Samoan Drop for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pin Fall: Ryback
Segment #5: Office Promo
General Manager Brad Maddox walks in on Stephanie McMahon and Triple H, letting them know that Big Show is refusing to wrestle Daniel Bryan. Stephanie will handle this, and it will not be a “private conversation. That’s not the way I roll!”
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
Justin Roberts welcomes Stephanie McMahon, the Executive Vice-President Of Creative, to the ring. She brings out a man she claims helped her around the backstage area when she was younger, growing up in the locker room. That man is also the one going against his planned match, The Big Show. The 7-Footer walks out and embraces her.
She confirms his wishes, then says that he himself said to go against something you wouldn’t want to do, as long as you were prepared to pay the consequences. Stephanie reveals those consequences for Show, saying that he is completely broke, money-wise, and completely broken down. She says his “iron-clad contract” only applies when he performs when he is supposed to.
She lays out all the horrible scenarios that could happen if he refuses, from lost job to down trodden status to death since giants usually don’t live as long as most. McMahon says he is not only hurting himself and his family, but “me.” She gives him a hug then walks to the back.
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The WWE App caught Big Show throwing a tantrum and destroying backstage equipment in commercials.
Match #3: Tag-Team – “3.M.B.” (Heath Slater and Jinder Mahal) VS. “The Prime Time Players” (“Mr. No Days Off” Darren Young and “The Big Deal” Titus O’Neil)
Titus and Slater start out, with Heath throwing a sucker punch and taunting O’Neil with his own pose. Titus doesn’t take too kindly and kicks away at Heath in the corner, then blows his whistle while doing so! He tags in Darren, who delivers a double-elbow with Titus.
Mahal is in and puts Darren down with shoulder block, but Young comes back with an inverted atomic drop. He is soon yanked off the middle rope by Jinder, as his head snapped back against the top turnbuckle. (It actually looked pretty vicious.)
Slater back in and clamps on a grounding chinlock, then soon switches with Jinder and switches back. Young headbutts out of another headlock, then gives him an overhead suplex. Titus is tagged in and runs over Mahal, tossing him with a fall-away slam. O’Neil is wound up and almost gets the duke with a big-boot, but Slater broke up the attempt. He manages to come back with the “Clash Of The Titus” sit-down-spinebuster and the win!
Winners via Pin Fall: “The Prime Time Players” (“Mr. No Days Off” Darren Young and “The Big Deal” Titus O’Neil)
Commercials.
Segment #7: Office Promo
Raw General Manager Brad Maddox is on his cell phone when Paul Heyman walks in and demands Maddox to “call him back.” He is none-to-pleased that he is booked in the two-on-one match at Night Of Champions with Curtis Axel versus C.M. Punk. He says that if Punk gets his hands on him, then you might not see Paul Heyman again. “Is that ‘what’s best for business?'”
On time, Triple H walks in and is left alone. He says that he approved that bout, and “you pretty much can’t weasel your way out of this.” He gives him props if Heyman is able to get out of it, but if not, then he gets “the beating you so richly deserve,” courtesy of C.M. Punk. “Either way, I win.”
Segment #8: Video Promo
Much like last week, “The Wyatt Family” cut a promo, with Bray sitting in a rocking chair and Erik Rowan & Luke Harper standing behind.
“Icarus was warned to never let his wings, made of wax, hit too close to the sun. But pride can make even the most noble of men do such foolish things.” // “Where’s Kane?” Wyatt says he warned Kane about the fire. While Kane “thinks is his friend, his beginning, it would ultimately be his ending. And when Kane allowed his pride to cloud his common sense, that’s when I knew he was mine.”
Bray calls Kane a “lamb led to slaughter.” “Oh where, oh where has my monster gone? Oh where, oh where could he be? Kane made his bed, and now, he’s burning in it. Where’s Kane?” Bray laughs maniacally, as footage of their decimation of “The Big Red Machine” from Summerslam was entwined into this video package. (Again, very creepy!)
Cody enters the arena and prepares for his monumental match against WWE Champion Randy Orton.
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Match #4: Single – Cody Rhodes VS. WWE Champion Randy Orton Stipulation: Heavy speculation that Cody Rhodes may not keep his job if he does not win.
They circle around each other then begin with an elbow/collar tie-up. Orton elbows away at Cody in the corner, but Orton fires back with kicks. He is quickly put down with a clothesline and hanging suplex on the ropes. Orton slams his head against the top turnbuckle, then chucks him out of the ring.
He goes for the steel steps, but Rhodes reverses and rams Randy head-first into the steps. In the ring, they reverse each other’s Irish Whips, and Orton is back on top. He punches Cody in the corner, but Rhodes pushes him down and flattens him with a front-suplex. Cody now gives Randy the punches, but Orton slides out and drops him with his backbreaker. Rhodes ends up on the outside.
Commercials.
Against the barricade, Rhodes is angrily stomping away on Orton, but Randy gets control again and slams him on the corner of the wall. He puts Cody back in the ring. He gives Cody kneedrops, then locks on a grounding rear chinlock. Rhodes battles out of it, hitting an elbow then dropping down with an uppercut. He uses the ropes to springboard dropkick and get a near fall! He nails the springboard Disaster Kick, 1 – 2 – Orton kicks out!
The crowd is behind Rhodes, who leaps off the top rope with a moonsault but misses! Randy tries a cover but Rhodes is still going. Orton plants Cody with the slingshot-DDT, and gears up for an R.K.O. “The Viper” hooks Cody, but Rhodes reverses into the CrossRhodes! 1 – 2 – Orton still gets the shoulder up! Orton also kicks out of a close roll-up, then ducks another Disaster Kick and finishes Cody and this bout with an R.K.O.!
Winner via Pin Fall: WWE Champion Randy Orton
Post-match, Orton poses on the stage with his WWE Championship when C.O.O. Triple H walks out. He gives Randy a pat on the stomach, then gives Rhodes his props. “You went all in, you fought like your life was on the line.” However, he says that it is business, then tells Cody, “you’re fired.” Cody hobbles out of the ring, looking upset and dismayed. The crowd gives him the “thank you Cody” chant, as well as his name, while he walks up the ramp.
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Segment #9: Arena Promo
C.M. Punk is now out to presumably talk about last week’s confrontation. “I promise. And those are two words that unfortunately don’t mean a whole lot to a lot of people, but they still carry weight with me.” Punk is welding a kendo stick, the same one used to punish him. He says that even though he has his attire on, wrestling is not on his mind.
Instead, he wants to fight both Paul Heyman and Curtis Axel right now. However, he knows they won’t come. He is fine with that, because at Night Of Champions, he has them anyway. “I wouldn’t even want to fight me right now.”
“13 days, 13 days at Night Of Champions, I guarantee that I’m going to get past Curtis Axel. And then I guarantee, I guarantee I’m going to get my hands on Paul Heyman.” // “There’s a lot of people that are going to be very uncomfortable with what happens to Paul Heyman at Night Of Champions. I know Paul Heyman’s not going to like it. Last week, he said I broke his heart. At Night Of Champions, I’m going to break his face. I promise.” Punk drops the mike and holds the kendo stick close to his face, gleefully. The same video from earlier replays last week’s attack.
Commercials.
Segment #10: Locker Room Promo
Bryan is continuing to warm up when Big Show appears. He tells Bryan that he didn’t want this fight, but that he is “under a lot of pressure.” Daniel says it doesn’t matter, he still does what he has to do. Show calls this a “no-win situation.” Daniel asserts that is true, because “tonight I am going to beat you, just like I did for my first World Championship.”
A replay of part of Divas Champion A.J. Lee’s rant on the Divas Roster is aired.
Match #5: Triple-Threat – Natalya VS. Naomi (with Funkadactyls partner Cameron) VS. Brie Bella (with Eva Marie and Nikki Bella) Stipulation: #1 Contendership For The Divas Champion
Naomi hits a high dropkick, but then gets rolled up by Natalya for a two. Later, Naomi tries a sunset flip on Brie, but Natalya breaks it up, then attempts The Sharpshooter. Naomi hits her “Rear View” move but the pin on Natalya is broken up by A.J. The Divas Champion runs in and causes a melee, since the rest of the Divas hone in on her and take her down.
Winner: No Contest due to Referee Stoppage
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Match #6: Single – “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Intellectual Savior Of The Unwashed Masses” Damien Sandow VS. Rob Van Dam (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
A lock up and waistlock by Rob starts, but Sandow puts him in the corner early with kicks. Van Dam comes back with slugs and kicks, but gets powerbombed out of a hurricanrana attempt. 1 – 2 – R.V.D. kicks out! Van Dam counters an attempt from Sandow with a kick and leg scissors roll-up for two, but gets booted-in-the-face back by Damien.
He locks on a chin/armlock, but Van Dam works his way out. He counters another move with another kick, then springboards out of the corner with a kick. His opponent, World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio walks to the stage and distracts Van Dam, allowing Sandow to put him to the outside.
Commercials.
Sandow has Van Dam in a grounding rear chinlock, then clubs away on the back of his neck. He plants him with a backdrop, then goes back to the chinlock. Sandow brings him down with a side Russian legsweep, then drops the “Elbow Of Distain” for two two-counts. Ricardo is hammering the mat, trying to give Rob momentum.
It begins to work in a bit, as Van Dam counters with an inside cradle, then kicks Sandow a couple times. He hits the Rolling Thunder somersault, but gets rolled up for a near fall by Sandow! Van Dam eventually does get this, with the 5-Star Frog Splash!
Winner via Pin Fall: Rob Van Dam (with Ricardo Rodriguez)
Post-match, R.V.D. and Rodriguez glare at their nemesis, World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio.
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Segment #7: Office Promo
While in commercial, Naomi, Natalya, and Brie Bella complain to Stephanie about A.J.’s interference. She makes amends by giving them all the title shot, booking a Fatal-4-Way for the Divas Championship at Night Of Champions.
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
Security is escorting Cody Rhodes out of the building when Josh Matthews walks up and asks him about his match. He unleashes anger at the McMahons for their supposed “hatred” of the Rhodes Family, from his father Dusty being placed in polka-dot outfits after a previous stellar career in Florida, to his brother turning into Goldust following a “natural” gimmick. Matthews asks Cody if he has anything to say to his wife, but he just storms out the door.
WWE Superstars make their way to the stage for the main-event.
Commercials.
Match #7: Single – Daniel Bryan VS. The Big Show
Show stalls for a bit, but Bryan wants to go at it and jumps at him with a few kicks and punches. Show grabs him and yells “don’t make me do this.” He hurls Daniel out of the ring, but Bryan fires back with a dropkick-to-the-knee and a few more kicks after that. He nails a couple dropkicks in the corner, but Show comes back with a big-boot of his own.
He slaps Daniel hard in the corner, then furiously scoop slams him to the mat. “See what you made me do now? I don’t want to hurt you! This is not my idea!”
Daniel comes back again with low kicks, but is pushed down by Show. “Stop fighting, just stop Daniel. I’m being forced to do this, I don’t want to do this to you. Don’t make me do this, please.” Bryan continues to fight, but Show still won’t have it. Daniel hits him in the knee again with a low-dropkick, then kicks away, but gets caught before the final one to Big’s head.
Show tries a Chokeslam, but Bryan counters into a DDT. He ascends the top rope, but Show meets him with a mid-air headbutt/spear! Show signals for the knockout punch, but instead walks over the top rope. Just as it looks like he may purposely get counted-out, “The Shield” and Triple H march out. HHH orders him to “get back in that ring and finish it.” Show defies and walks away. “The Shield” slide in and attack Bryan three-on-one, causing a dq.
Winner via Disqualification: Daniel Bryan
Post-match, Big Show begins to chase off The Shield before Triple H cuts him off and tells him “don’t make me do this. Paul, you know I don’t want to do this.” The Shield then triple-powerbomb Bryan, as Show looks on in agony and struggles with his conscience. “The Game” orders Show to knockout Bryan with the punch.
Show begins to walk away until Stephanie gets between him and the ramp, and seems to convince him to do the job. The Shield hold up Daniel in position. Show obliges, quickly hitting him, then collapses to his knees and sobs against the ropes. Triple H tells him “you did the right thing,” as the fans chant “you sold out.”
Show walks away with Stephanie and Triple H, then WWE Champion Randy Orton appears. He gets in the ring, places one foot on a laid-out Bryan, and holds his WWE Championship high to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
A so-so Raw for this week. Definitely VERY promo-heavy. Felt a little rushed too. Onto the particulars.
Excellence: Opening promo – Triple H is good at sounding very “corporate”//almost boring, feeding the political line, and Bryan was awesome with his passionate response of his devotion to wrestling, his quest for the WWE Championship, and love of support form the fans.
Fandango/Miz, “Prime Time Players”/”3.M.B.”, Sandow/R.V.D., Orton/Rhodes, were pretty great to fantastic bouts. Even though he lost, it was nice to see Sandow get some decent offense in and not be “rolled over” by Rob Van Dam, like R.V.D. has recently been doing to his opponents, especially since Damien holds prominence with the “Money In The Bank” briefcase contract.
‘The Wyatt Family” promo, of course! Again, they can do no wrong.
Same with C.M. Punk – again this week, full of passion and the most realistic-esque storyline on the cards right now. This could go on until or past Wrestlemania, and I’d be happy because of who is involved that can come up with creative ways to keep it moving interestingly!
Loved Cody Rhodes’ lashing out before he exited. Not sure about the entire angle – it will be intriguing, but this is definitely a Rhodes I like to see – much like Punk, passionate and fed up with the “corporate politics.” Just wants to wrestle and be champion.
Bogus: Even though he played his role very convincingly, I’m not a huge fan of the Big Show storyline. Something about it isn’t clicking right now. As mentioned before, why is Brad Maddox General Manager when he is making very little decisions? Isn’t that his job? Yet, he either gets them made for him, or overruled. Makes no sense right now.
Still not liking the new Ryback; and will continue to rant that The Shield should NOT be holding their championship titles right now, especially since they’re just “security” half the time! I did not like all the Divas beating up A.J. at once. I felt it killed her momentum after the epic oratory from last week. Hopefully she will rebound and take a few of them out next week, prior to Night Of Champions, to regain steam.
Where was Christian? They need to find a new program for him fast – hopefully a high-calibre one!
All-in-all, a decent but much more lower-quality Raw. Next week’s the go-home show for Night Of Champions, and from Toronto, Canada, so should be much better and super-interesting! Looking forward, especially the announced return of Hall-Of-Famer, Edge! Plus, my picks for the pay-per-view! Until then, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
Cody Rhodes was “fired” in a storyline that played during RAW last night after he lost his match against Randy Orton.
The whole storyline started when Rhodes told Orton and Triple H backstage that Orton vs Bryan is what is right for business. Triple H told him that he makes decisions and even though he wasn’t invited to the upcoming Rhodes wedding, he still got him a present – a match against Orton with the stipulation that if he loses, he won’t be employed by WWE anymore.
After several near-falls, Orton eventually pulled an RKO and pinned Rhodes. Triple H – who came out on top of the stage – informed him that he was fired.
On Twitter, Triple H wrote, “Sadly, many do not have the capacity to understand. It’s not about the individual, it’s about what’s best for everyone. #ThankYouCody”
Cody is getting time off to get married and go on his honeymoon.
WWE Hall of Famer Edge will be returning to Monday Night RAW next week, billed as a “one time only” appearance.
The former multiple-time WWE and World Heavyweight champion will be on the show to promote the new season of Haven, which airs on SyFy. Edge has a recurring role on the show, playing the character of Dwight Hendrickson.
Edge last appeared on WWE TV in September 2012 in a segment on Smackdown. He is not signed to a WWE contract anymore.
Fandango suffered a broken nose during his match against The Miz last night on Monday Night RAW after Miz hit him in the face with his boot without pulling back at the right moment.
Fandango was treated by WWE’s ringside doctor during commercials and the bleeding was stopped and he was allowed to continue wrestling The Miz, eventually losing, tapping out to the figure four leg lock.
Former World Heavyweight champion Mark Henry was injured during Saturday’s non-televised live event in Boston, Massachusetts.
Henry was also pulled from last night’s show in Washington, D.C., and will be undergoing an MRI today to determine the extent of his hamstring injury.
The world’s strongest man suffered the injury while he was trying to get in the ring to save Daniel Bryan from The Shield at the end of the show.
WWE.COM issued a small statement saying, “Mark Henry suffered a right hamstring injury at a live event in Boston on Saturday, August 31. This occurred as Henry ran in during the last match of the night. Medical imaging will be obtained to determine the severity of the injury. Stay tuned to WWE.com for any further details.”
Tickets for the Survivor Series go on sale to the general public this coming Saturday at 10AM EST. The show will be taking place from the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts.
Those who want to participate in the Internet-only pre-sale, the code to use is SURVIVOR and the code will be available till Friday at 10PM EST.
Prices range from $25 to $400 ringside which also comes with a commemorative chair. The highest priced ticket carry an additional $22 fee while the cheapest ones have an additional $14.90 in fees.
Law360.com is reporting that Figures Toy Company is suing WWE for trying to back out of their agreement to purchase replica title belts from them.
According to the lawsuit, WWE is moving forward to purchase the titles straight from mexican manufacturing companies, breaching the contract which was recently extended. Figures Toy Company, based in Florida, has been creating replica WWE titles for the past 12 years and does a variation of replicas for all current and past WWE titles.
WWE has until November 28 to file any necessary documents to dismiss the lawsuit before a judge decides if the case should go to a jury trial like Figures Toy Company is requesting.
Because оf іnсrеаѕіng соѕtѕ аnd rеgulаtоrу burdеnѕ imposed bу еvеr іntruѕіvе state regulators on ѕmаll buѕіnеѕѕеѕ, mаnу buѕіnеѕѕ оwnеrѕ аrе аgаіn looking аt wауѕ thеу can reduce costs and lіft ѕоmе оf the extra overhead rеԛuіrеmеntѕ keeping uр wіth еvеr іnсrеаѕіng rеgulаtіоnѕ. Shеltеr manufacturing іn Mеxісо, the сurrеnt incarnation оf the оld mаԛuіlаdоrа рrоgrаm, іѕ ѕtаrtіng to look better аnd bеttеr.
Shelter Service mаnufасturіng mеаnѕ wоrkіng wіth a Mеxісаn owned соmраnу south оf the bоrdеr who реrfоrmѕ ѕоmе оf the labor-intensive tаѕkѕ оf mаnufасturіng оr ѕеrvісе buѕіnеѕѕеѕ. These саn bе as dіvеrѕе аѕ computer dаtа entry or аѕ соmрlеx аѕ complete mаnufасturіng рrосеѕѕеѕ tо turn rаw mаtеrіаlѕ іntо fіnіѕhеd goods.
Typically, though the “twіn рlаnt” соnсерt іѕ employed whеrе thе саріtаl іntеnѕіvе manufacturing ореrаtіоnѕ rеmаіn іn-рlасе іn thе US, whіlе the mоrе lаbоr іntеnѕіvе ореrаtіоnѕ аrе mоvеd thе a lower соѕt fасіlіtу іn Mexico. Fоr еxаmрlе іn a fіlm сарасіtоr mаnufасturіng operation bаѕеd іn Sоuthеrn Cаlіfоrnіа, thе automated capacitor wіndіng mасhіnеѕ and lead attach mасhіnеѕ were lеft kерt in thеіr original fасіlіtу, whіlе thе slower, more labor іntеnѕіvе, wrapping, ероxу fіllіng, mаrkіng, аnd tеѕtіng ореrаtіоnѕ, requiring mіnіmаl capital еԛuірmеnt but rаthеr еxtеnѕіvе lаbоr wаѕ mоvеd to Mеxісо. Thіѕ resulted in a reduction оf оvеr 50% оf thе labor соntеnt of thе fіnіѕhеd gооdѕ whіlе retaining the ѕаmе оr bеttеr quality level.
When equipment, tооlіng, materials, оr work-in-process аrе ѕhірреd tо Mеxісо tо a ѕhеltеr ореrаtіоn, ownership оf the gооdѕ does not change hаndѕ frоm thе American соmраnу tо thе Mеxісаn ѕо соnсеrnѕ about уоur mаtеrіаlѕ оr tооlѕ disappearing аrе unfounded. In оrdеr fоr thе Mexican соmраnу tо іmроrt those іtеmѕ реrmаnеntlу, thеу would have tо pay import dutіеѕ on them. By Mexican law, those items must be іn Mеxісо оnlу temporarily.
Thе other main concern mаnу Amеrісаn buѕіnеѕѕmеn have іѕ the difficulties often reputed іn crossing gооdѕ bасk аnd fоrth across thе US/Mexican border. Whеn you dеаl wіth a rерutаblе Mexican shelter provider, this is аnоthеr nоn-іѕѕuе. It іѕ thе Mexican buѕіnеѕѕ’ rеѕроnѕіbіlіtу tо рrоvіdе cross bоrdеr trаnѕроrtаtіоn and рареrwоrk. Thе US соmраnу need оnlу ѕuррlу accurate bіllѕ оf lading fоr аll thе goods bеіng shipped.
In thе аbоvе-mеntіоnеd сарасіtоr manufacturing ореrаtіоn, the only thіng thе US mаnufасturеr had to do wіth thе іmроrt/еxроrt аnd NAFTA rеԛuіrеmеntѕ, wаѕ tо unload the truсk when іt аrrіvеd еvеrу Friday, аnd reload іt wіth thе next wееk’ѕ wоrk, along with a lіѕt of іtеmѕ bеіng transferred to Mеxісо.
Aѕ for thе соѕtѕ, thе Mеxісаn ѕhеltеr ореrаtіоn рісkеd uр аll expenses fоr thе рісk-uр аnd delivery, іmроrt аnd export fееѕ, аnd all аѕресtѕ оf the Mеxісаn mаnufасturіng ореrаtіоn аnd charged thе US соmраnу a single, реr-mаn-hоur fее thаt was аbоut 2/3rdѕ оf the wages аlоnе of thе US workers. This dоеѕn’t еvеn tаkе into account thе bеnеfіtѕ, іnѕurаnсе, ѕuреrvіѕіоn, utіlіtіеѕ, аnd оthеr overhead еxреnѕеѕ іt tаkеѕ tо employ a fасtоrу worker north оf the border. Overall, thе jоb gоt dоnе for lеѕѕ thаn half оf whаt іt tооk tо dо the ѕаmе job іn thе US.
Juѕt аbоut аnу lаbоr-іntеnѕіvе раrt оf mоdеrn buѕіnеѕѕ іѕ suitable for a ѕhеltеr ореrаtіоn іn Mеxісо. Of course, mаnufасturіng рrосеѕѕеѕ from sophisticated chip-making ореrаtіоnѕ, tо assembly operations, tо расkаgіng, mаrkіng, ѕесоnd ореrаtіоnѕ, аnd a hоѕt оf оthеrѕ саn аll be ассоmрlіѕhеd іn Mеxісо for about hаlf оf whаt іt takes tо gеt thоѕе jоbѕ done іn thе US. Alѕо thіngѕ, lіkе data entry, ѕоrtіng аnd оthеr service related funсtіоnѕ nоt dіrесtlу аѕѕосіаtеd wіth mаnufасturіng lend thеmѕеlvеѕ well to bеіng performed in Mexico.
Mеxісо dоеѕ not have nеаrlу the labor problems соmmоn іn the US. Thе workforce is rеlіаblе, trаіnаblе, аnd gеnеrаllу vеrу ѕtаblе. Sіnсе jоbѕ are relatively ѕсаrсе, thеу’rе сhеrіѕhеd ѕо conflicts аnd hіgh turnоvеr, a near сlісhé in thе US low skill lеvеl jоbѕ, іѕ far mоrе rare ѕоuth of the bоrdеr.
Dave Beachnau, the Detroit Sports Commission Executive Director, told The Windsor Star that Detroit did not win the bid for WrestleMania 32 in 2016.
“We were notified back in June. There is no truth to it,” Beachnau said regarding the rumors that Detroit was going to host the show two years from now.
Beachnau said that they haven’t heard from WWE since June so there’s nothing to believe they made the cut. He added that the process is very confidential and the fact that WWE hasn’t publicly announced the location didn’t help to stop the rumors.
The city of Windsor put up $60,000 in taxpayer money to help Detroit with the bid in hoping to get a slice of WrestleMania if it ever came to Detroit. The Windsor city council was split on the decision and created some disagreements between them.
Other locations bidding for WrestleMania 32 were Orlando and Dallas.
AJ Styles has signed a very short contract extension with TNA Wrestling thought to be believed for a three month period that will take him just past the Bound For Glory pay-per-view.
As reported earlier, Styles and TNA are currently in a new contract negotiation however it doesn’t look like the two sides will reach a final deal as Styles is asking for more money this time around.
The former grand slam champion has been with the company since the very first show back in early 2000s and remained loyal to TNA ever since. He recently asked his fans on his Facebook page where they would like to him to go, giving TNA, WWE, ROH, and Japan as options.
WWE Divas champion AJ Lee granted her first wish to Make-A-Wish ‘Circle of Champions’ honoree this past Monday night in Phoenix, Arizona.
Looking like a little AJ Lee, 9 year old Heidie impressed the champ with her effort to look as close to her for the meeting.
“To go through that effort is the coolest thing in the world. To have that happen and be somebody’s wish is kind of the biggest deal in the world to me. I never thought that was something that would happen,” Lee said in an interview with WWE.COM.
AJ met with the kid’s family and gave her merchandise and signed autographs as well as posed for photos with everyone that accompanied the 9 year old. She event went for a skip with Heidie!
“If in any way I could have made her happier, made her and her family just have a good time, I feel like all this has been worth it. This is what I wanted to do getting into WWE – affect people in a good way.”
The last WWE Diva to grant a wish for Make-A-Wish was Kelly Kelly.
The Wrestling Observer is reporting that the site for WrestleMania 32 in 2016 has been decided but WWE is not going public with the information yet.
The top contender to host WrestleMania in 2016 was Detroit and its Ford Field stadium, which hosted WrestleMania 23 back in 2007. WWE has Night of Champions in mid-September which is also being held in Detroit so an announcement might come then, although unlikely.
Previous rumors suggested that WWE was planning to announce the locations of WrestleMania 31 and 32 together in early 2014. Santa Clara, California, and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, are the top two contenders to host WrestleMania in 2015. No decision on WrestleMania 31 has been made yet.
If Detroit did indeed get WrestleMania, it would be the third time that the city has hosted the event – WrestleMania III in 1987 and WrestleMania 27 in 2007. Ford Field would also be the third location to host a WrestleMania more than once, joining Madison Square Garden and the Sky Dome, now known as the Rogers Centre.
Hulk Hogan returned to Impact last night but made a major blunder during his segment that was left unedited since there was no time to edit between the taped show and the live airing.
In the final segment of the show Hogan confronted TNA champion Bully Ray who was given the news that he has to face a member of Aces and Eights in two weeks at the No Surrender-themed Impact and that the match would be for the TNA title.
Besides that, Hogan told Ray that he has to defend the TNA title against Sting on the next show. The problem is that Sting lost a match a few months ago which prevents him from ever competing for the TNA title again. Hogan by mistake also said “this week” rather than next when he announced Sting vs Bully Ray.
While on television the mistakes were not addressed, the TNA website removed any mentions of Sting going for the title on next week’s show.
TNA Superstar Magnus will be missing tonight’s Impact television tapings “due to an unforeseen issue” according to TNA.
His absence from the show puts a small dent in the Bound For Glory Series matches as he was supposed to be facing Jeff Hardy tonight and then Kazarian on Xplosion. His total will remain at 39 points.
Instead, Hardy and Kazarian will go one on one against each other tonight on the show to make up their originally scheduled match with Magnus.
Tonight’s Impact will also feature two other BFG Series matches featuring Austin Aries vs Christopher Daniels and AJ Styles vs Bobby Roode.
Santino Marella is hoping to be back on WWE television in early September following a few months off due to a neck injury.
Marella was talking to Live Audio Wrestling when he spilled the beans about the potential target dates for his WWE return.
The 34 year old Mississauga native is hoping to be on RAW either the 2nd or the 9th, preferring the 9th since the show is in Toronto and it will be some sort of a homecoming for him.
“I would love to hear my music start, and just see the faces of these Torontonians going berzerk,” he said. His family is scheduled to be in the audience that night along with several of his friends so returning on that night would be a special moment for him.
