Hulk Hogan will be making his first Monday Night Raw appearance since 2015 in two days as the WWE Hall of Famer will be on hand to honor his longtime friend Mean Gene Okerlund.
Hogan and Okerlund shared many backstage magic moments together throughout their careers with Hogan often always starting with “Let me tell you something, Mean Gene…” This week, Hogan wrote that he would always follow Okerlund and the two never had anything scripted when it comes to a backstage interview.
WWE is expected to have a big sendoff for Mean Gene on Raw, days after the iconic backstage interviewer passed away at age 76. Okerlund was a big part of the WWE family for many decades and was last seen on WWE television during the 25th anniversary episode of Raw a year ago. He interviewed WWE champion AJ Styles who also started his interview with, “Let me tell you something, Mean Gene!”
Hogan appeared briefly at the Crown Jewel pay-per-view in November in Saudi Arabia as the “host” of the show but did not appear on TV apart from the first segment where he had a short in-ring segment.
PEOPLE.com is reporting that Nikki Bella is now dating her former Dancing with the Stars partner Artem Chigvinstev. Back then, before they have their fame and career, the couple already knows each other at military dating and actually dating for several months. The duo danced during season 25 and remained friends ever since.
“They’ve been spending time together for a long time, but it’s nothing serious right now,” another insider told PEOPLE. “They have a strong attraction to each other, but they’re just having fun. They’re both extremely busy with their own careers, so they spend time together when they can.”
Her breakup with John Cena was often called a scam as fans thought the breakup was only done to further their Total Bellas television show. But the two WWE Superstars always claimed that their breakup was real and not part of a storyline. Nikki and John tried to patch things up after their wedding was called off but it was then decided that they should part ways for good. “I had a beautiful and loving 6-year relationship with a wonderful man,” Nikki said at the time. “I have the utmost respect for John, but I know this is what’s best for me.”
The 36-year-old Russian-American dancer was married once, to his dancing partner Giselle Peacock, from 2004 to 2005. He then dated with dancer Kara Tointon and Dancing With The Stars judge Carrie Ann Inaba. His last partner was actress Torrey DeVitto, who plays a doctor on the NBC medical drama Chicago Med.
The last Impact Wrestling episode on POP did a total of 151,000 viewers, the most-watched Impact episode since the October 18 show. Next week, Impact moves to The Pursuit Channel on Friday nights at 10PM EST. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Love is in the air at the WWE Performance Center as developmental talent Shadia Bseiso and Nasser Alruwayeh just got engaged.
The couple announced their engagement on their Instagram accounts where they wrote, “We’re so happy to share with you the news of our engagement! Wishing you and your loved ones the best year to come!”
Bseiso, from Jordan, and Alruwayeh, from Kuwait, were both signed in 2017 and became the first Arab woman and Kuwaiti man respectively to sign a WWE developmental deal. Shadia already appeared on WWE television as a backstage interviewer during the Mae Young Classic tournament in 2018 and was also one of the international social media correspondents for the Evolution pay-per-view. Alruwayeh still has to appear on TV but has wrestled during NXT non-televised live events.
New Japan Pro Wrestling will be traveling to the United Kingdom for one show on August 31.
The show will be held at The Copper Box Arena, a multi-sport venue used for the 2012 Summer Olympics, located in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in Hackney Wick, London. The arena hosts around 7,000 seats and considering the popularity of the promotion it should not be a problem to sell out.
In addition of the London show, NJPW announced several shows for the year 2019 starting with The New Beginning in Sapporo on February 2 and 3. On February 11 it’s The New Beginning in Osaka, followed by two shows in Niigata on March 23 and 24 for the New Japan Cup. There’s the already-announced G1 SuperCard with ROH at Madison Square Garden in New York for April 6 and an untitled show on April 20 in Aichi.
May 3 and 4 will be the Wrestling Dontaku in Fukuoka and the Best of the Super Jr. 26 will follow on June 5 in Tokyo. Four days later on June 9 there will be Dominion 6.9 in Osaka and the G1 Climax 29 will be held on July 6 in Houston. G1 Climax 29 continues on July 13 and 14 in Tokyo, on July 15 in Hokkaido, and on August 10, 11, and 12 in Tokyo again.
WWE Superstar Braun Strowman has launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County. In exchange for donations, Braun will participate in the Polar Plunge. Funds raised will all go to the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County.
“I am asking for donations to the Boys & Girls Club of Washington County and in exchange, I will go find a frozen lake, cut a hole in it and will jump in – all to support Boys & Girls Club,” Strowman wrote in the page. “I always say ‘Get These Hands’ but now I’m saying ‘Get Those Hands’ on your keyboard and donate!”
Here are the results from today’s Wrestle Kingdom 13 show which took place at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.
Togi Makabe, Toru Yano and Ryusuke Taguchi defeated Yuji Nagata, Jeff Cobb and David Finlay, Hirooki Goto, Beretta and Chuckie T, Minoru Suzuki, Lance Archer and Davey Boy Smith Jr., and Hangman Page, Yujiro Takahashi and Marty Scurll in a gauntlet match to determine the #1 contenders to the NEVER Openweight 6-Man Tag Team titles; Will Ospreay defeated Kota Ibushi to become the new NEVER Openweight champion; Los Ingobernables de Japon defeated Suzuki-gun and Roppongi 3K in a three-way tag team match to become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight Tag Team champions; Zack Sabre Jr. defeated Tomohiro Ishii to become the new RPW British Heavyweight champion; Los Ingobernables de Japon defeated Guerrillas of Destiny and The Young Bucks in a three-way match to become the new IWGP Tag Team champions; Juice Robinson defeated Cody to become the new IWGP United States champion; Taiji Ishimori defeated Kushida to become the new IWGP Junior Heavyweight champion; Jay White defeated Kazuchika Okada; Tetsuya Naito defeated Chris Jericho in a no DQ match to become the new IWGP Intercontinental champion; and Hiroshi Tanahashi defeated Kenny Omega to become the new IWGP Heavyweight champion.
All eight titles on the line switched hands at Wrestle Kingdom 13 with just two non-title matches on the card, including one which was part of the pre-show.
Brandi Rhodes, the wife of Cody, has been appointed the Chief Brand Officer of All Elite Wrestling, joining her husband in a corporate position in the newly-created promotion funded by Tony Khan.
Rhodes will have the same position Stephanie McMahon has in WWE, where she will oversee the brand image and represent the promotion at any events.
Brandi, who was a WWE ring announcer, said that it was always a dream of hers where she could marry her passions, combining her academic past and entertainment future.
“I’m so excited that I’ve been named Chief Brand Officer of AEW, and thrilled to continue to entertain inside and around the ring. 2019 is going to be amazing,” she wrote in a post on Twitter.
Apart from Cody and Brandi, The Young Bucks will also have EVP roles within All Elite Wrestling as members of The Elite will all have power positions in the company.
New Japan Pro Wrestling’s version of WrestleMania, Wrestle Kingdom 13, takes place in a few hours live from the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan. The full card is as follows:
Kenny Omega vs Hiroshi Tanahashi for the IWGP Heavyweight title; Chris Jericho vs Tetsuya Naito for the IWGP Intercontinental title in a no DQ match; Kushida vs Taiji Ishimori for the IWGP Junior Heavyweight title; Cody vs Juice Robinson for the IWGP United States title; Guerillas of Destiny vs Los Ingobernables de Japon vs The Young Bucks for the IWGP Tag Team titles; Kota Ibushi vs Will Ospreay for the NEVER Openweight title; Tomohiro Ishii vs Zack Sabre Jr. for the RevPro British Heavyweight Championship; Suzuki-gun vs Roppongi 3K vs Los Ingobernables de Japon for the IWGP Junior Tag Team Championship; Jay White vs Kazuchika Okada.
The pre-show will include a 6-man tag match in a gauntlet match to determine the #1 contenders match for the NEVER Openweight 6-man Tag Team titles featuring Hangman Page, Yujiro Takahashi and Marty Scurll vs Hirooki Goto, Beretta and Chuckie T vs Togi Makabe, Toru Yano and Ryusuke Taguchi vs Yuji Nagata, Jeff Cobb and David Finlay vs Minoru Suzuku, Lance Archer and Davey Boy Smith Jr.
Wrestle Kingdom 13 starts at 5PM Tokyo time with the pre-show an hour before. In the United States, it’s a 3AM EST and Midnight PST start time, while it’s an 8AM GMT and 9AM CET for those in Europe. It will air live on NJPW World and Fite TV and will air on AXS TV in three parts starting at 8PM EST, with two more two-hour broadcasts on January 11 and January 18 at the same time.
Personal photos of Mae Young Classic tournament winner Toni Storm leaked online, prompting the New Zealand-born Superstar to delete her Twitter and Instagram accounts.
Several photos, including naked ones and a video, were making the rounds on the Internet and social media websites. A #WeSupportToni hash tag was started on Twitter which received the support of many of her peers, including Paige, Mauro Ranallo, Renee Young, Tyler Bate, and many other WWE and NXT stars.
“It’s gonna be hard and people are gonna be mean because they don’t understand. But you’re a strong, talented woman. You’ll get through this,” Paige wrote in a tweet. The former Smackdown General Manager was the victim of a hack that unleashed tons of photos of videos of her that were not supposed to be for public consumption.
Several past and present WWE women were on the receiving end of hacks in the past, including Charlotte, Kaitlyn, Victoria, Maria Kanellis, and others.
More details emerged about the passing of WWE Hall of Famer Mean Gene Okerlund who sadly passed away yesterday at the age of 76.
TMZ is reporting that Okerlund fell at home last month and broke multiple ribs. His son, Todd, told TMZ that his father’s health had been in decline lately and the fall did not help. Just a few days ago, Okerlund was transferred to a nursing home. His stay there though lasted just four days as he was transported to a hospital after he had difficulty breathing. He passed away with his wife by his side.
Over the years, Gene underwent two kidney transplants and also had chronic kidney disease which led to swelling of one of his arms.
For the year 2018, the 52 episodes of Raw averaged 2,823,000 viewers, which is down 6% from 2017 which averaged 3,018,000 viewers per episode. This was one of the worst years for the show in terms of viewership.
Over a whole year, the show did over 4 million viewers once, which was for its 25th anniversary episode. Last year, with no milestone show, Raw never crossed 4 million viewers. Only 17 Raw episodes crossed the 3 million viewer mark in 2018, down from the 25 episodes which did over 3 million-plus viewers of 2017.
The most-watched show of the year was on January 22, a loaded three-hour show that celebrated 25 years of Raw from two different locations in New York which pulled in 4,530,000 viewers. The post-WrestleMania 34 Raw came in second with an average of 3,921,000 viewers on April 9. The following week’s Raw on April 16 came in third with 3,622,000 average viewers.
For 2017, Raw broke several records when it came to least-watched shows. The Christmas Eve episode pulled in just 1,775,000 viewers, the New Year’s Eve show did 1,968,000 viewers and the December 10 episode pulled in just 2,193,000 viewers. For comparison, the last time Raw fell on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve in 2012, those shows did 3,219,000 and 3,614,000 viewers respectively.
When it comes to individual hours, the December 24 first hour of the show had just 1,750,000 viewers which was the least-watched hour of Raw in well over 20 years. The first hour of Raw of the January 22 episode had 4,803,000 viewers which was the most-watched hour of Raw since March 30, 2015.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is back on network television starting tonight as host of The Titan Games, a new sports competition series produced by Seven Bucks Productions, A. Smith & Co., and Universal Television Alternative Studio.
The show will feature people from across the United States competing in an arena against one of six reigning “Titans” in a series of endurance-based mental and physical challenges. If successful, the competitor will become a member of the group of Titans, who will have to defend their title every week against new competitors in order to remain in the group.
The season finale will feature the remaining Titans challenge one another to determine the last male and female standing.
The Titan Games will have a total of 10 episodes with the first episode running for two hours between 8PM and 10PM EST while the rest of the episodes airing on Thursday nights at 8PM EST.
Smackdown beat Raw in the ratings for the second week in a row, pulling in 2,091,000 viewers for the New Year’s Day show, up 187,000 viewers from the Christmas Day episode. With a lot of college football competition, the show was #10 in the top 50 cable chart among the 18-49 demographic and #9 in overall viewership for the night. This was the first-time ever that Smackdown beat Raw in the ratings twice back-to-back. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
The mainstream media covered the death of WWE Hall of Famer Mean Gene Okerlund, who passed away yesterday at the age of 76.
News websites such as CNN, Fox News, ABC News, CBS, ESPN, TMZ, and many others all had stories about Okerlund, with news outlets like CNN giving the news a prime spot on the website.
According to an obituary published by the New York Times, Okerlund’s son Todd said that his father died at a hospital in Sarasota, Florida around a month after he fell.
Hulk Hogan, who was a close friend of Mean Gene, wrote on Twitter that he was the best partner he ever had and the two never rehearsed any of the interviews.
“Gene would ask me ‘Hey big man, what do you want to do?’ I would always answer, ‘Just follow you brother,'” Hogan wrote, adding that the formula worked from 1980 until their last segment together.
WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon also wrote a touching tribute on Twitter, just weeks after he wished him a happy birthday on December 19. “It was impossible not to crack a smile whenever “Mean” Gene Okerlund entered a room. He was the voice behind so many of WWE’s most iconic and entertaining moments, and the WWE family will miss him immensely.”
The New Year’s Eve episode of Monday Night Raw drew an average of 1,968,000 viewers, up 193,000 from the Christmas Eve episode. The last time Raw fell on New Year’s Eve in 2012, the show did an average of 3,614,000 viewers.
Hour one drew 2,035,000 viewers, followed by 2,026,000 viewers in the second hour, and then down to 1,843,000 in the third and final hour.
Raw was #4, #6, and #8 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)
Over the weekend, Seth Rollins appeared on The Nine on FOX2 in Detroit to promote this past Monday’s Raw and talked a little bit about Roman Reigns towards the end of the interview.
When asked if he could share a status update on the former WWE Universal champion, Rollins said, “Roman’s doing great…you know…obviously he spent the holidays home with his family…and he’s doing really good. He’s in a good position, he’s primed to make a comeback sooner rather than later but at the end of the day he’s just focused on getting healthy right now. But I will say he’s doing good.”
Reigns traveled to Fort Hood, Texas for the Tribute to the Troops show last month but never appeared on camera, instead focused on meeting the troops. He has not been on WWE television ever since he surrendered the Universal title and announced that his leukemia is back which was on October 22.
Tributes poured in immediately as soon as the news broke that WWE Hall of Famer Mean Gene Okerlund passed away. The many, many comments from past and present Superstars who worked with him shows you exactly what kind of character Okerlund was.
The popular backstage interviewer and occasional host passed away at age 76 today. Below are some of the tweets that his peers left to remember the one and only Mean Gene Okerlund.
Ric Flair: “You Will Forever Be MEAN BY GOD GENE!”
Jerry Lawler: “So sad to hear of the passing of our friend, Mean Gene Okerlund. I’ll always remember Gene with a smile on his face and a drink in his hand and always wanting to help. His was “The Voice” of @WWE”
Chris Jericho: “He was the greatest interviewer in wrestling history. He taught me SO MUCH about how to do a wrestling promo. He was a great guy, with a glint in his eye and a joke in his heart. He was @thegeneokerlund. Thanks for being the best in the world at what you do #MeanGene!!!”
Hulk Hogan: “Mean Gene I love you my brother”
Stephanie McMahon: “Gene Okerlund was an incredibly rare talent. He made everything and everyone better. #ThankYouMeanGene for all the incredible memories. Our condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Triple H: “A voice and sound track to an entire era of our industry. He was the star of some of @WWE’s most memorable segments. “Mean Gene” was beloved by all who got to work with him. Our thoughts are with his family at this difficult time.”
Bruce Prichard: “RIP Mean Gene Okerlund. Gene was the mold others aspired to be. Without a doubt one of the most talented individuals I have ever had the privilege to work with. Rest in Peace Gene and thank you for all of your wisdom and help throughout the years.”
Tony Schiavone: “Devastated to hear the news of my friend Gene Okerlund’s passing. He was, and will always be, pro wrestling greatest stick man.”
Michael PS Hayes: “So sad to hear of the passing of Mean Gene. What a classic and was in a category all his own. Will always treasure doing the Legends of Wrestling shows with him.”
Gerald Brisco: “The world off professional wrestling is sad today by the loss of the legendary Gene Okerlund one of the best to ever hold a microphone in any genre of sports entertainment.”
Hurricane Helms: “RIP Mean Gene! A voice that was powerful and as easy to recognize as any in the business. Gene was always the friendliest and nicest guy to me. Thx for the memories my friend.”
Jeremy Borash: “Growing up in AWA country, I never wanted to be a wrestler. I wanted to be Gene Okerlund. A wonderful friend and mentor for the past 20 years. There will never be another like him. RIP my friend.”
Steve Austin: “Just heard Mean Gene Okerlund has passed away. As an interviewer, pitch man, announcer, or host, he was untouchable. Simply the best. Total professional with quick wit, sarcasm, humor, and that golden voice. Condolences to his friends and family.”
The Iron Sheik: “Mean Gene was best man at my wedding. He sing, he dance, he always was there for me. Always leading the way at the bar with the legend. God bless him.”
Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase: “WWE universe has lost one of its greatest announcers and truly one of the nicest guys you’d ever know. “Mean” Gene Okerlund, RIP my friend.”
Jim Ross: “So sad today to hear of the sudden passing of my dear friend @TheGeneOkerlund I just saw Mean Gene in North Carolina at WrestleCade. It’s so true that our tomorrow’s are never guaranteed.”
Charles Robinson: “So sad to hear of the passing of one of the greatest voices in wrestling. Mean Gene you will be missed and we will continue to love you. What a true class act. I am very fortunate to work with you.”
WWE has announced that Hall of Famer Mean Gene Okerlund has passed away at age 76. The iconic backstage interviewer is survived by his wife Jeanne and son Todd.
No cause of death was published although he had some health issues years ago. He underwent two kidney transplants – in 1995 and 2004 – and also had a swollen arm due to the chronic kidney disease.
Okerlund had a long, fantastic career in the business that started in 1970 for the American Wrestling Association where he spent over a decade there before moving to the WWE.
In 1984, Okerlund joined WWE and became one of the industry’s top backstage interviewers, having several memorable highlights with the likes of Hulk Hogan, Randy Savage, The Ultimate Warrior, and others. He also hosted several WWE shows during his career there.
In 1993, Okerlund moved to WCW as the promotion started to give more competition to WWE. He stayed with WCW until the company was sold to WWE in 2001.
Okerlund was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006 and made sporadic appearances for the company before rejoining WWE hosting some shows. He was one of the cast of the WWE Network series Legends House and last appeared on WWE TV during the 25th anniversary episode of Raw interviewing AJ Styles.
AJ Styles became the new number one contender for the WWE title after he won a fatal 5-way match last night on the New Year’s Day episode of Smackdown.
Styles was joined in the match by Randy Orton, Mustafa Ali, Samoa Joe, and Rey Mysterio, with Styles pinning former WWE champion Randy Orton following a 450 springboard. AJ wrestled Bryan at the TLC pay-per-view last month but came up short after Bryan won clean with a roll-up.
Earlier in the night on Smackdown, Samoa Joe defeated Jeff Hardy for the final spot in the fatal 5-way match.
