WWE fans will get a double dose of Shawn Michaels next week on television as not only the two-time WWE Hall of Famer will be part of the Raw Reunion show, he will also do commentary for Smackdown Live the next day.
Michaels announced the news himself in a post on Twitter writing, “I’ve had a lot of …ahem.. fun times on Monday Night #Raw, but I’m not just coming to #RawReunion to see some friends, ol’ HBK is going to be joining commentary THIS Tuesday on #SDLive! #IveBeenPracticing”
Commentary is nothing new to Shawn Michaels as he already has a couple of matches behind the mic under his belt. Most recently, HBK did the commentary for the Triple H vs Batista match at WrestleMania 35 and he also voiced NXT’s Halftime Heat back in February.
Shawn now works at the WWE Performance Center and also helps backstage during NXT shows.
The single and two-day package tickets for Raw and Smackdown television tapings at Madison Square Garden are now available to purchase on Ticketmaster.com.
Single tickets are being sold from $51 to over $3,000 for official platinum tickets. Floor seats are going for over $300 and they increase to $800 for ringside. Plenty of seats remain for both Raw and Smackdown.
The two-day combo prices range from $142 to $412 for floor seats and those prices include tickets for both events.
While waiting to get your tickets through Ticketmaster.com, you can also check out NY Online Casinos where you can get tips and options to make bets on future WWE pay-per-views and events, such as NXT Takeover: Toronto and SummerSlam.
WWE has avoided doing television tapings at Madison Square Garden for the past decade and since the Barclays Center in Brooklyn opened up, it’s been WWE’s preferred destination, including hosting multiple SummerSlam events year after year.
High rent costs and union issues where WWE has to use MSG personnel for events, are the main reason why WWE has chosen to move away from the world’s most famous arena.
And with WWE not doing much events except for one to two non-televised house shows, the company lost its handshake agreement with The Garden for exclusivity. WWE holds its post-Christmas Day non-televised show at MSG every year and last year WWE held a second live event in July which also featured The Undertaker.
ROH/NJPW presented the sold-out G1 Supercard during the WrestleMania 35 weekend and Lucha Libre AAA will be hosting a show at MSG after WWE’s tapings on September 15. Tons of tickets remain available for the AAA show on Ticketmaster.com in every section of the arena and by the looks of it, half of The Garden will be empty for this show. AAA will also run at The Forum in Inglewood, California apart from the Madison Square Garden show.
The Garden, considered to be “the mecca” of pro wrestling, has been hosting WWE shows for over five decades. Several important events were held there including WrestleMania, WrestleMania 10, and WrestleMania 20, as well several Royal Rumble, SummerSlam, and Survivor Series events. The last time WWE held a television taping it was Raw in November 2009 and also did a WWE Network special titled Live from MSG: Lesnar vs. Big Show, which aired on October 2, 2015 with Brock Lesnar defeating Big Show and John Cena defeating Seth Rollins in a steel cage match as the two main events.
It looks like Cody Rhodes got his opponent for the All Out pay-per-view in Chicago next month: the self-proclaimed “Chairman” of All Elite Wrestling, Shawn Spears.
Spears was the subject of a sit-down interview from Jim Ross in the first episode of The Road to All Out series on YouTube.
During the interview, Spears called Cody a “leech” and recounted their history from their tag team days at Ohio Valley Wrestling. Spears said that Cody went through several tag team partners – including the likes of Damien Sandow, Ted DiBiase Jr., and others – and then asked Ross where these people are now.
Spears then challenged Cody at All Out and towards the end of the interview, WWE Hall of Famer Tully Blanchard walks in, tells something to Spears in private, and then tells Jim Ross that “this interview needs to be over.”
There are rumors that Spears will get his own manager and by the looks of it, Blanchard will be the one.
The 14-minute episode of Road to All Out can be seen below.
In a post on Instagram, Braun Strowman announced that he signed a new four-year deal with WWE.
“Here’s to 4 more years of being the hardest working and best big man in the whole damn industry and working for the greatest promotion in the world the @wwe,” Strowman wrote.
In the same post, Strowman used a hashtag alluding this is a million dollar deal, writing #ILikeMillionDollarDealsWheresMyPenBiatchImSigning.
The monster among men, now 35 years old, has been working for WWE since 2013 and joined the main roster in 2015 as part of the Wyatt Family. Apart from winning the Raw Tag Team titles with Nicholas at WrestleMania, he did not win any other WWE titles. He did win the 2018 Money In The Bank ladder match, the Greatest Royal Rumble, and the 2019 Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal though but none of those wins resulted in a title reign.
After five weeks of failing to break the 2 million viewer mark, Smackdown did 2,122,000 viewers for yesterday’s show, an increase of 269,000 viewers from last week’s broadcast. It was the most-watched show since the April 16 episode.
Smackdown was #1 in the top 50 cable chart among the 18-49 demographic and #7 in overall viewership for the night on cable. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
TMZ.COM posted additional details from the Jeff Hardy arrest during the weekend.
Hardy was found passed out in a public stairwell and was smelling of booze. Cops were called in and arrested the former WWE champion. Hardy admitted that he was drinking Vodka.
The incident took place at Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. He was later release on less than a $200 bond.
Jeff paid the $153 ticket for public intoxication and Myrtle Beach Police Department closed the case.
Hardy has been out of action since April 30 when he and his brother Matt vacated the Smackdown Tag Team titles due to a knee injury which required surgery.
The Smackdown Women’s title match for SummerSlam was decided yesterday on Smackdown Live.
Champion Bayley challenged fellow former NXT Women’s champion Ember Moon after the two teamed up together to defeat Sonya Deville and Mandy Rose.
Bayley told Kayla Braxton that she wants to get in the ring with someone who she never wrestled before and someone that if she eventually wins the match, she would respect the title. Moon accepted Bayley’s challenge and the match was made official after the broadcast.
This is the third match for SummerSlam so far, with the Universal and Raw Women’s title matches already on the card.
The post-Extreme Rules Raw did 2,453,000 viewers on average, up 102,000 viewers from last week’s show.
Hour one started with 2,379,000 viewers, followed by 2,503,000 viewers in the second hour, and then down slightly to 2,478,000 viewers in the third hour.
Raw was #1, #2, and #3 in the top 50 cable chart among the 18-49 demographic and #5 in overall viewership for the night on cable. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Drake Maverick’s honeymoon isn’t going too well as R-Truth showed up in his hotel room hidden in a cart pushed by a WWE referee dressed as a hotel employee to claim back his 24/7 title!
Maverick, who won the title from R-Truth backstage at Raw before he left for his honeymoon, has been posting photos and videos online of himself, his wife, and the title always prominently displayed, most of the time covering his wife’s face.
But last night on Raw, the reign came to an end. His wife Renee Michelle ordered champagne and delivering the goods was WWE referee Darrick Moore. As Maverick – with no clothes and the 24/7 title wrapped around his waist – went to get it, he realized who the man was…and Moore pulled a Superman and removed the hotel uniform to reveal a referee shirt underneath.
Maverick went crazy, looking under the bed and mattress to see who is hiding where but Truth came out from underneath the cart and rolled Maverick. The champ kicked out at two but a flying body cross on the bed later, Truth pinned the man formerly known as Rockstar Spud while his wife, in bed, screamed like crazy.
Wrestling is hugely popular. In fact, it becomes part of life for those who are a fan of the sport. The entertainment, the music, the atmosphere and more, all adds to its charm, so it is no wonder that it becomes a way of life for many.
However, you might find that you are dating someone who is a wrestling fan. If this is the case, then you are more than likely going to have to change the way in which you date. Despite this, there are some things that you are going to know will be true because you have seen it all first hand.
A Wrestling Move is Always Waiting For You
Wrestling fans love the sport but not just for the lively characters or the entrance music. Oh no. They also love the wild wrestling moves or finishing moves that add to the excitement. Therefore, you might find yourself on the receiving end of a wrestling move when you least expect it. Whether it is first thing in the morning or just before you go to bed, that wrestling move is always waiting for you. It might be the old-fashioned People’s Elbow made famous by the Rock or a Suplex, whatever it might be, you are going to feel it!
You Learn the Talk
Wrestling is full of references, phrases and terminology and so, you are going to have to learn the talk. This will more than likely help you to communicate on the same level as your partner. They live and breathe wrestling and so, their vocabulary is going to be filled with wrestling talk. Wait until you see them with your friends, then you will understand just what it is all about.
Forget About Dating on a Monday Night
In the diary of a wrestling fan, a Monday night for dating is an absolute no-go. Monday Night Raw will take over your Monday nights, which is why you might want to spend the other nights of the week dating. Failing that, you might want to make use of this site and other sites, to learn all about how to bring dating and wrestling together harmoniously.
They Can Never Get Enough Wrestling
If they are a true wrestling fan, then there is something that you need to know – there is more to wrestling than just WWE. It might be the most popular but there are many others out there and so, they can get their wrestling fix in many different ways. If they are a hardcore fan, then they will more than likely watch them all. This might seem like a lot and it probably is but never ask whether they have seen enough wrestling for the week because their reply will not be polite.
It will Grow on You
There is something about wrestling that non-fans find interesting. Whatever it might be, if you are around someone who loves it, then the chances are, you are going to find yourself watching it more and more. It might begin with a few minutes here and there and that will grow into watching an entire show before asking your partner questions about the wrestlers, their moves or other aspects of the sport. Whatever happens, the energy and the excitement will have you hooked.
For many, Wrestling is their life and it becomes part of them. Therefore, if you are dating someone who loves wrestling then you are going to know all about it. After all, they surround themselves with it which means that you too, will be consumed by it!
Ryan Satin of ProWrestlingSheet.com is reporting that Finn Balor will be taking some time off from WWE next month, most likely after SummerSlam.
Apart from when he was out with shoulder injury after winning the Universal title at SummerSlam a few years back, Balor has pretty much wrestled full-time with WWE going back to his NXT days. Satin adds that the request for time off was for two months, a request which has been granted by the company.
At a recent conference call, WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon stated that WWE Superstars can ask for an extended time off. “Anybody who wants time off can get time off,” McMahon said. Superstars such as Sasha Banks, Rusev, and Lana have not been seen on television for a couple of months although they remain part of the roster.
The former NXT champion lost the Intercontinental title at SummerSlam to Shinsuke Nakamura during the Kickoff show.
Former WWE Women’s and Divas champion Mickie James underwent ACL surgery today and the operation was a success according to her husband and fellow professional wrestler Nick Aldis. The surgery was done at the Andrews Sports Medicine & Orthopaedic Center in Birmingham, Alabama under the care of Dr. Jeff Dugas.
“Surgery was a complete success. I’m sure when she’s feeling up to it she’ll share more. Thank you all,” Aldis wrote in a tweet.
James has been out of action for a month and a half after tearing her ACL during a non-televised live event in a match against Carmella. While she has been wrestling during house shows, James has not appeared on WWE television since WrestleMania 35 and her participation in the WrestleMania Women’s Battle Royal. She was drafted to Smackdown during the Superstar Shake-up in April.
James is expected to be out of action for six to nine months.
WWE fans just can’t get enough of the intense drama when contestants face-off. But how do their heroes deal with passion of a very different kind?
Unusual WWE Couples of 2019
Available to millions of viewers and syndicated to over 50 countries around the world, it’s fair to say WWE is massively popular. Fans just can’t get enough of what is every bit as much entertainment as a sport, that latter issue being pretty much besides the point. So what if these titanic battles are choreographed, that doesn’t detract from their dangerous edge as these characters slug it out for the audience, like 21st-century gladiators! Nowhere is the captivating nature of WWE more apparent than in the combatants also happen to be romantically involved with other wrestlers. Here are some of the more exciting couples who like getting into action.
Kamilla Kaine and Braun Strowman
At first glance, they don’t make for a likely couple. Strowman made his debut on the main roster alongside those boo-inducing villains, The Wyatts, wearing a black sheep mask while being portrayed as a pitiless monster. Kaine must see a sensitive side to the thirtysomething from North Carolina. It’s a fairly established trend for WWE stars to keep their dating activities under the radar, especially when this involves someone outwith the company they’re attached to. So how did the news leak? Strowman proudly posted workout pics featuring Kaine as his enthusiastic gym partner. Kaine has since entered the wrestling business, albeit on the indie circuit. Eventually, she may well rise up the ladder and become a fully-fledged WWE star like her love interest. Like any other walk of life, WWE combatants deserve to find a perfect match, whether you track down your ideal partner on an appropriate website, or you share a passion for building muscles and slamming opponents around the canvas in front of a baying crowd!
Zelina Vega and Aleister Black
There’s a tragic back-story to WWE star Zelina Vega, a fiery fighter of Puerto Rican descent. When she was 10 years old she lost her father in the Twin Towers terrorist attack. She has stated this terrible experience sparked her with her passion for wrestling, not to mention getting involved in humanitarian projects. Fast-forward to the present and her coupling with Dutchman Black has caught a lot of commentators by surprise. How much of a surprise? Well, rather than photos being leaked of the courting couple enjoying each other’s company in the gym, WWE fans discovered they’d secretly tied the knot in a quiet, respectful outdoors ceremony. Currently, Vega is part of the SmackDown Live roster, performing under this stage name, while her partner features for SmackDown and also RAW. In-between all those frenetic bouts, they did find time to sneak away for a quick honeymoon!
Nikki Cross and Killian Dain
Although there was never much gossip filtering through to fans about this particular couple, this must be because they chose discretion over getting their names in the media. Glasgow-born Cross and Irishman Killian Dane had actually been dating for some time before marrying in January 2019. As well as their shared Celtic ancestry, the pair have a passion for WWE wrestling. Dain was drawn to the showy element, citing early heroes such as Sting or the late Ultimate Warrior. Hailing from Belfast in Northern Ireland, he has also stated how important wrestling was to him as a unifying sport, transcending the sectarian barriers which still exist in that part of Ireland. WWE competitions may be characterized by intense physical combat, but this only lasts until the bell is rung at the end of each bout, at which point the fighters will retire from the ring on good terms. Cross and Dain both wrestle for the Sanity stable, and are always on excellent terms!
After an in-ring absence of 11 months from WWE television, Bray Wyatt returned to Monday Night Raw last night and resumed his feud with Finn Balor. Wyatt, wearing his Fiend mask, took out Balor with the Sister Abigail after Balor lost his match against Samoa Joe.
Wyatt’s Firefly Fun House videos have been airing on Raw and Smackdown for the past two months and got great feedback from fans. Over the past few weeks, characters from the Fun House had been showing up on in the background during backstage segments which increased the speculation that Wyatt’s arrival was imminent.
Before leaving WWE for nearly a year, Wyatt was involved in a tag team with Matt Hardy and even won the Raw Tag Team titles. But after Hardy took time off due to injuries, the team was disbanded and Wyatt vanished from screens. He returned briefly to wrestle at the Starrcade non-televised live event in November and a couple of house shows but remained absent from television.
The Raw Reunion show for next week got even bigger with more names set to appear on the show on July 22.
WWE added 12 more names to the already-announced 19 which were revealed on Sunday. The new names are Alundra Blayze, Gearld Brisco, Kelly Kelly, Lilian Garcia, Mark Henry, Mick Foley, Pat Patterson, Rikishi, Road Dogg, Ron Simmons, Sid, and The Godfather.
These Superstars join Booker T, Christian, D-Von Dudley, Diesel, Eric Bischoff, Kurt Angle, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Jimmy Hart, Hulk Hogan, “Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase, Razor Ramon, Ric Flair, Santino Marella, Steve Austin, Sgt. Slaughter, Shawn Michaels, The Boogeyman, The Hurricane, and X-Pac.
WWE Hall of Famer and former Raw play-by-play man Jim Ross was also invited by Vince McMahon but refused the invitation due to his association with All Elite Wrestling. Bully Ray also said he was invited but did not indicate if he’s going or not.
Two matches for SummerSlam 2019 were announced on Raw last night.
Seth Rollins will get another shot at the Universal title after he lost it on Sunday when Brock Lesnar cashed in his Money In The Bank briefcase. Rollins won a 10-man battle royal which also included Baron Corbin, Braun Strowman, Randy Orton, Rey Mysterio, Cesaro, Big E, Roman Reigns, Bobby Lashley, and Sami Zayn to earn the title shot.
Meanwhile, Natalya also became the number one contender for the Raw Women’s title after beating Alexa Bliss, Naomi, and Carmella in a fatal four-way elimination match. With SummerSlam being in Canada, Natalya will surely have the home crowd support and who knows, maybe even some boos for Lynch!
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross revealed on Twitter that he was invited to attend the Raw Reunion show next Monday but chose to decline the invitation.
“I was cordially invited to attend #RAWReunion by Vince McMahon but I politely refused,” Ross tweeted. He also mentioned that AEW President Tony Khan left it up to him if he wanted to appear or not. “Nonetheless I hope the #RAWReunion is a ratings success.”
JR is an enormous part of Monday Night Raw history, having provided play-by-play commentary for several years. But the man in the black hat is now a full-time employee of All Elite Wrestling, returning to the broadcast booth to help with commentary.
WWE will be returning to Madison Square Garden for back-to-back television tapings on September 9 and 10, the first time that WWE will be doing TV at MSG in 10 years.
Tickets for each individual show will go on sale to the general public on Friday, July 19 at 10AM ET. A pre-sale for WWE Verified Fans will start tomorrow, Tuesday, July 16 at 10AM ET and for Chase Cardmember Preferred customers on Wednesday, July 17 at 10AM ET.
Tickets for a two-day combo, which will get you both Raw and Smackdown, will go on sale to the general public on Wednesday, July 17 at 10AM ET.
WWE last taped a television show at The Garden on November 16, 2009. They have since moved to the Barclays Center in Brooklyn for tapings in the area due to the high costs and union rules that come along to tape at the world’s most famous arena.
All tickets will be available through Ticketmaster.com.
WWE has announced the Superstars who will be part of the SummerSlam meet and greet weekend events leading up to the SummerSlam pay-per-view in Toronto. All talent is subject to change.
Platinum and Gold VIP: Kofi Kingston will be at 7PM on Friday, Becky Lynch at 10AM on Saturday and Seth Rollins at 3PM, and AJ Styles will be there at 10AM on Sunday.
Silver VIP: Alexa Bliss kicks it off at 5PM followed by The Miz at 7PM on Friday. On Saturday, it’s Charlotte Flair at 8AM, Finn Balor at 10AM, Randy Orton at 1PM, and Daniel Bryan at 3PM. Sunday will see Bray Wyatt at 8AM and Bayley at 10AM.
Bronze VIP: Drew McIntyre starts at 5PM with Dolph Ziggler following at 7PM on Friday. Saturday will have Lacey Evans at 8AM, Big E and Xavier Woods at 10AM, Samoa Joe at 1PM, and Paige, Asuka, and Kairi Sane at 3PM. On Sunday, the NXT champion and NXT Women’s champion will be appearing at 8AM and Rey Mysterio at 10AM.
General Admission: The Friday night session will have Titus O’Neil, Mojo Rawley, Natalya, The Iiconics, R-Truth, Andrade and Zelina Vega, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville and more. Saturday early morning session will include Sami Zayn, No Way Jose, Lucha House Party, Ricochet, Liv Morgan, Elias, Bobby Lashley and more. The afternoon session will include Naomi, The Usos, Cesaro, Matt Hardy, Shinsuke Nakamura, Carmella, Heavy Machinery, Aleister Black, Baron Corbin and more. The Sunday session will have Mark Henry, Drake Maverick, Viking Raiders, Kurt Angle, The B-Team, Zack Ryder & Curt Hawkins, Gallows & Anderson, NXT Superstars and more.
