Former TNA champion Ethan Carter III crashed the EVOLVE show yesterday, beating up NXT’s Johnny Gargano and then launching a verbal attack on NXT, Triple H, and former NXT head coach Bill DeMott.
Gargano – who is signed to NXT – was wrestling the TNA champion Drew Galloway when Carter interfered. “This man became a world champion on his own,” Carter said, pointing to Galloway. “I became a world champion on my own. You know who blew it? The King of Kings, that’s who blew it,” referring to Triple H.
He then made fun of NXT, which he was a part of when it was still in its early form. “Try surviving obstacle courses, getting slimed, real racists, six minute TV matches where you can’t do any of your cool moves and redemption points,” Carter said.
He added that Drew Galloway and himself are true success stories of independence and they did not cower to the machine, but succeeded despite the machine, referring to WWE.
Before signing off, Carter had one more attack, aimed at Bill DeMott, the former head coach at NXT. He said he had been endorsed by world champs and Hall of Famers, but then was destroyed by one obese sociopath. “Hey Bill, guess what? I won,” said EC3. DeMott relinquished his NXT post in March 2015 after several former students accused him of abusing them.
It will be interesting how this angle at EVOLVE will effect their partnership with WWE going forward. WWE has chosen EVOLVE to hold the US portion of the Cruiserweight Classic qualifying matches and regularly sends in talent and officials to their events.
WWE Superstars Kevin Owens and Tyler Breeze – who are both Canadians – have started a GoFundMe.com campaign to benefit the community of Fort McMurray in Alberta, Canada, which last week was rattled with monster fires that destroyed thousands of homes.
The campaign will donate the money to the Canadian Red Cross which is helping those in Fort McMurray relocate and distribute food and clothes to those who lost everything.
Both Owens and Breeze donated $100 each to start the campaign and anyone who match their donations will get a personal video message from both of them. Anyone who gives anything at all will get a follow on Twitter from both of them as well.
“It’s not much but this is about giving to those in need of help and with the crazy schedule we keep, it’s the best we can think of,“ Owens wrote.
The goal is set at $30,000 and it’s already around the $20,000 mark. It’s set to end on May 22, the day of Extreme Rules.
Thursday Night Smackdown! TV Report for May 5th, 2016 – “Alliances Clear”
Introduction Segment: Welcoming and Arena Promo
The regular Smackdown! video plays, the pyro goes off in the arena, and Mauro Ranallo greets us in Kansas City, Missouri! Our main-event tonight is a Tag-Team Match between The Usos – Jimmy and Jey – and Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows!
Chris Jericho makes his entrance and it is time for the “Highlight Reel!” After replays of his assault on Dean Ambrose from Raw, Jericho talks about why he did it. He moves on to his guest, Sami Zayn, who disputes “Y2J’s” claims of “riding” Kevin Owens’ “coattails” to WWE.
Intercontinental Champion The Miz and Maryse interrupt, and as he and Zayn argue, Jericho determines he doesn’t have to stay, so he walks off. Miz and Sami get into it, which leads our first match after the break!
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – Sami Zayn VS. Intercontinental Champion The Miz (with Maryse) (Non-Title)
Sami ties Miz up in a wristlock first, which Miz reverses into one of his own. Zayn flips out of it and hops over Miz in the corner out of a whip, and then gives him three armdrags! He starts to punch Miz against the corner, but the I.C. Champ slides out and releases Sami onto the turnbuckle face-first!
Miz takes control with numerous kicks in the corner and on the mat, but Sami hits back with a clothesline, then another that puts Miz to the floor! Zayn leaps onto the corner barrier and moonsaults onto Miz, but Kevin Owens suddenly walks out!
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Owens is now on commentary as Miz has taken over again. He clotheslines Sami in the corner, then jumps off the top turnbuckle with a double-axe-handle. Miz goes for the Skull-Krushing Finale, but Zayn reverses into a Victory Roll for a near-fall! He tosses Miz to the outside by the commentators, then follows with a soaring swanton dive! Sami and Kevin jaw, then Zayn goes back to work on Miz. Owens impulsively slides in the ring and starts to hit on Sami, causing a dq!
Winner via Disqualification: Sami Zayn
Post-match, both Miz and Kevin attack Zayn until Cesaro runs out for the save. He hits all with uppercuts, then goes to Swing Miz, but Maryse breaks it up. Miz, Maryse, and Kevin escape to the aisle while Zayn is still out on the canvas. Cesaro holds the I.C. Title to make a statement.
Segment #2: Locker Room Promo
A.J. Styles, Karl Anderson, and Luke Gallows are talking about the ending to Monday’s Raw. Gallows and Anderson are disappointed that A.J. didn’t swing a chair at WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns; they say that before WWE, he totally would’ve. Styles says that he has already technically beat Reigns twice, but Roman is still the champion because those times were by count-out and disqualification, which the title doesn’t change. Instead, “The Phenomenal One” decides to go find Roman and talk to him.
Commercials.
Match #2: Tag-Team – The Social Outcasts (Bo Dallas and Curtis Axel) VS. The Vaudevillians (Simon Gotch and Aiden English)
Gotch and English dominate, and finish the Outcasts with their Whirling Dervish!
Winners via Pinfall: The Vaudevillians (Simon Gotch and Aiden English)
Post-match, Colin Cassidy marches out and declares to beat up Aiden and Simon; he follows through and then plants Curtis with the East River Crossing spinning side-slam!
Up next, we will look at Raw’s control by Stephanie McMahon and Shane McMahon.
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Segment #3: Video Promo
The Raw Rebound features the drama surrounding who is in charge of Raw, which is now both Shane and Stephanie!
Natalya and Becky make their entrances!
Commercials.
Match #3: Tag-Team – Natalya and Becky Lynch VS. Emma and Women’s Champion Charlotte (with Ric Flair)
Charlotte and Natalya start out, trading holds until Nattie tags in Becky. They double-snapmare Charlotte and split her legs, and then Lynch gives her a couple of leg-drops. Natalya is back in and rolls Charlotte but the Women’s Champion kicks out and boots her! Emma and Charlotte double-team and control Nattie for a while.
Natalya eventually makes the hot-tag, and Becky is all over both Charlotte and Emma until Charlotte pulls Emma out of the ring. Emma hits Lynch as Becky was yakking at Charlotte; who is back in and rams Lynch’s head onto the mat!
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Becky fights back with many forearms but is hit with a boot by Charlotte. Emma is in and works over Lynch, then Charlotte knee-drops her and forearms Natalya off of the apron! Becky regains herself and makes the hot-tag to Natalya, who gets Charlotte into the Sharpshooter, but Charlotte is able to crawl enough to tag Emma, who hits Nattie from behind. Emma almost gets this after a corner-crossbody, but Becky breaks up the cover. Natalya turns Emma around in the Sharpshooter, forcing her to tap!
Winners via Submission: Natalya and Becky Lynch
Segment #4: Locker Room Promo
WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns is chatting with his cousins, The Usos, when A.J. walks in. Styles says he could’ve hit Reigns with the chair, but instead he “took the high road;” he vows that he won’t do that again. A.J. questions if Roman will be out there with Jimmy and Jey; Reigns concurs, citing family. “The Phenomenal One” says that he will too.
Commercials.
Segment #5: Video Promo
Darren Young is seeking a “Life Coach;” he inquires if Hall Of Famer Bob Backlund will be the one. Backlund obliges. “We’re going to make Darren Young great again.”
Match #4: Single – Rusev (with Lana) VS. Zack Ryder
Rusev completes this quickly with The Accolade!
Winner via Submission: Rusev (with Lana)
Post-match, United States Champion Kalisto runs out and attack sot get an advantage on his challenger!
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Segment #6: Backstage Promo
The Gorgeous Truth and Goldango faceoff, and agree to wrestle next week to complete their issues.
Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, A.J. Styles, The Usos, and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns make their entrances for the main-event, next!
Commercials.
Match #5: Tag-Team – Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows (with A.J. Styles) VS. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) (with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns)
Anderson and Jey begin, with Jey chopping Karl and almost taking this with a Samoan-Drop roll-up! Anderson takes over; Jimmy is in but doesn’t fair much better. Karl also boots Roman on the outside, so the WWE World Heavyweight Champion responds by attacking, and everyone brawls!
Winner: None due to Referee Stoppage
Post-match, several referees and agents have to separate the two sides. A.J., Karl, and Luke back up the ramp, but Styles wants to continue, insinuating a Six-Man Tag-Team!
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Match #6: Six-Man Tag-Team – Karl Anderson, Luke Gallows, and A.J. Styles VS. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey) and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns
A.J. and Roman are starting this! They lockup and A.J. grabs Roman in a standing side headlock, but Reigns shoulder-blocks back. He tosses Styles into the corner, but “The Phenomenal One” boots and kicks back, then turns Roman into a small-package for two! He tries a sunset-flip, but Reigns overpowers and uppercuts him quickly after. A.J. manages to run Roman into the corner, where Anderson is in and kicks in another corner.
Roman elbows out and kicks Karl,, then tags in his cousin. Jey almost gets this after a triple-team, and tags in Jimmy. The two give Luke a couple of leaping-forearms in the corner, but Gallows stops and boots Jimmy to the floor! He slams Jimmy’s head on the apron, then tags in Styles a bit later. A.J. eats an enziguri, and he and Jimmy make big tags!
Anderson and Reigns go at it, with Reigns getting the better of all three! Karl catches Roman and rolls him up for a near-fall, then one of the Usos rocket through the ropes onto Luke! Roman Superman Punches Anderson and gears up for the Spear, but is hit with a leaping-forearm by A.J.! Karl capitalizes, but Reigns gets his shoulder up twice! Anderson runs at Roman, but the WWE World Heavyweight Champion counters with the Spear! He covers and receives the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: The Usos and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns
Post-match, Styles and Reigns stare at each other in the ring while Mauro puts over their rematch at Extreme Rules to close the show.
End of Smackdown!
Reporter’s Rumblings
This was a pretty-good week; I liked the progression of most matches/storylines into Extreme Rules, and one of them is good right off the bat, better than I thought! Onto my Week-In-Review:
Excellence: promos by Steph and Shane (Raw); Cesaro, Miz, Kevin Owens (Raw); Dean Ambrose (Raw); A.J. Styles and Roman Reigns (Raw and SD!); New Day, Colin Cassidy (especially!), Vaudevillians (Raw); Charlotte, Charles Robinson, and Natalya (Raw)
Matches between Cesaro/Owens, in particular, a slightly creative finish and great feud (Raw); Becky and Emma (Raw); Battle Royale (Raw); A.J./Anderson/Gallows and Reigns/Usos (Raw and SD!); Sami/Miz (SD!); and Charlotte/Emma and Natalya/Becky (SD!)
Loving the continuing rivalries of Reigns and A.J. and companies. It is, again, another very old-school feud, that is slightly reminding me of Freebirds/Von Erichs; if booked properly and long-enough, these men all have capability to turn it up to that extent.
Shane and Steph’s control was actually pretty-decent; I’m glad they didn’t take up a lot of screen time with stupid bickering, but just did their own things. Let’s hope the story goes this way more, and I’ll be okay with it.
Natalya/Charlotte also very old-school and great! I was skeptical about Nattie, because she hasn’t really done much for the last couple of years, but she’s really brought her game for this one; Charlotte can definitely be a heel for all her career – she is better at that
Darren Young’s new “Life Coach” gimmick seems intriguing, and after reading Bob Backlund’s autobiography, happy to see him again. I hope he sticks around and gets over again!
See above for I.C. Title feud as well!
Bogus: not caring at all for R-Truth/Goldust’s “feud.” Baron Corbin should be dominating; hated that he lost the Battle Royale too – that also could’ve been a thing for claims – win a few of those up until the Rumble, and then he’d be the “odds on favorite” for the Royal Rumble next January, as they can declare he’s never lost a Battle Royal. He is very talented and has a great persona, so I don’t want to see him lose big matches.
The Eight-Man on Raw was a bit predictable, so could’ve done without that.
All-in-all, a good week, so let’s hope next week’s is even better! Until the next Raw, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Fans!
Vince Russo ripped on Stephanie McMahon for her Chyna comments, asking why Chyna had to die to be “sure” to go in the Hall of Fame.
Russo re-posted a video of Chyna’s manager calling WWE a couple of years ago asking to be put through someone in the legal or accounting department regarding royalties owed to Chyna and the receptionist tells him that she’s been told not to forward any calls that are related to Chyna.
“Honestly, mere words here cannot even start to describe how sad, pathetic and just out right disgusting that is,” Russo said about the TMZ video with Stephanie. “While she was on this planet Vince, Hunter and Stephanie didn’t even have the decency to treat her like a human being, let alone someone who contributed to their overall success over the years. But in her death…she is SURE to get in the Hall of Fame.”
Russo also posted a video of Triple H saying that Chyna would not be in the Hall of Fame due to her past, a video which was blocked by WWE on copyright grounds. It was taken from the Stone Cold Podcast from last year when Triple H made the comments.
“Just match up Stephanie’s comments to those of her husband’s a year back, and you understand TRULY what you are dealing with,” Russo said, adding that he would forever stand up for her regardless of the consequences.
Former Total Divas cast member and WWE Superstar Cameron said that the past few days were “pretty intense” to say the least, first showing her support to Ryback’s statement about equal pay and then getting released two days later.
Cameron thanked the fans for their outpouring love and support that she received yesterday however wants to release a full statement in a few days after she “takes this all in.”
After controversially backing Ryback’s statement, Cameron – real name Ariane Andrew – said that she was a victim of cyber bullying after fans keep harassing her for things she said on Tough Enough 5 years ago or for her botched pin attempt on Raw.
“My ‘Amen brother’ comment has seemed to bother some of the IWC who hasn’t taken the time to actually comprehend the substance of Ryback’s statement. I fully support my peers in WWE and I respect those who have the courage to stick up for what they believe in,” she wrote. “Regardless of whether I agree with his feelings or not, I applaud Ryback for standing up for himself and openly speaking his mind. If you don’t value yourself and believe in yourself there is no reason for anybody else to.”
The May 6 episode of Smackdown did 2,346,000 viewers, up 237,000 viewers from last week’s show. It was the second most watched program on cable behind the NBA playoffs game on ESPN.
Meanwhile, American Grit featuring John Cena as the host drew 1,766,000 viewers, with FOX beating only CW in prime time ratings. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
A TMZ paparazzo caught up with WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon in the streets of New York City and asked the billion dollar princess if Chyna will ever be inducted in the WWE Hall of Fame.
“I’m sure that we will see Chyna in the Hall of Fame at some point in the future,” Stephanie replied. “I’m not sure exactly what year that will be, but there’s no denying her contributions to WWE.”
Chyna often blamed Stephanie for breaking up the relationship she had with Triple H when their on-screen angle turned into a real life love story. Chyna also went on record saying that Triple H cheated on her with Steph while they were still together.
Up until her death, Chyna’s name was pretty much non-existent in the WWE due to her adult movies and during the Stone Cold Podcast last year Triple H said that Chyna’s chances of getting in the Hall of Fame are slim due to her line of work.
You can see the quick interview with Stephanie McMahon on TMZ below.
Some of the released WWE Superstars addressed their situation on Twitter after WWE.COM announced the several departures.
“Worry not my friends for the next chapter shall be even greater! It was a dream come true, thank you #WWE,” wrote Santino Marella.
Wade Barrett chose a longer option for his goodbye message and said that after nearly 9 years, today was his final day with WWE. He said it was a decision he made back in August not to re-sign once his deal expired in June 2016 but he reached an agreement with WWE to get out a few weeks earlier than expected.
“Thank you to everyone who has supported me over the years, especially the guys I’ve shared a ring & locker room with. I will miss them tremendously,” Barrett wrote. He said that he’s going to take a break from wrestling and expand his horizons but plans on returning when the time is right.
Hornswoggle wrote that he was the kid that was told could never play any contact sports after being paralyzed from spine surgery. “This small town kid wouldn’t listen. And for the past 10 years I have lived my dream since I was 4 years old,” he said.
He added that WWE gave him a life that no one would ever imagined he’d live and he’s grateful for the opportunity, experience, and people he met, especially those friend who will hold a place in his heart forever.
In a short Twitter message, El Torito said that every beginning has an end and thanked the WWE and the fans.
Damien Sandow is the latest victim of WWE’s Black Friday and the eighth Superstar to get the pink slip today.
Sandow started with the WWE in 2002 where he spent most of the time in developmental at Ohio Valley Wrestling. In 2006 he debuted on Smackdown as Idol Stevens but a year later was released.
He returned to WWE in 2010, first at Florida Championship Wrestling and then making his TV debut on Smackdown in 2012 as the Intellectual Savior of the Masses. He teamed up with Cody Rhodes later and the two used the name of Team Rhodes Scholars. In 2013 he won the Money In The Bank match, throwing his tag team partner off the ladder to steal the win. He is one of the two who cashed in the MITB briefcase and lost, with his chance coming at Hell In A Cell that year attacking John Cena after Cena defeated Alberto Del Rio.
In 2014 he started a gimmick where he impersonated several stars and then in August joined The Miz as his stunt double using the name Damien Mizdow. This gimmick got over big and fans were entertained by Mizdow doing the same moves as The Miz but outside the ring including taking bumps. The two broke off their alliance during the WrestleMania 31 Andre The Giant Battle Royal.
In 2015, Sandow teamed up with Curtis Axel as The Meta Powers, with Axel as Hogan and Sandow as Macho Man, changing his name to Macho Mandow. Hulk Hogan’s legal troubles and his departure from WWE spelled the end for The Meta Powers since WWE didn’t want to be associated in any way with Hogan anymore.
Sandow last appeared this past Monday on Raw where he competed in the battle royal with the winner getting a shot at the US title. In his time in WWE, Sandow won the Tag Team title once and two Slammy Awards.
Wade Barrett is the seventh WWE Superstar released today, a release which was not a surprise and was expected after Barrett handed in his notice several weeks ago.
The 35 year old British Superstar started with WWE in 2006 under the Ohio Valley Wrestling umbrella and then Florida Championship Wrestling. In 2010 he was part of the first season of NXT with Chris Jericho as his mentor, a competition that he won. In June of that year, Barrett led a team of NXT rookies who destroyed John Cena, CM Punk, the announce team, and everyone in sight in one of the most shocking angles of the year. As the leader of The Nexus and winner of NXT, he received his WWE title match at Night of Champions but was not successful. After splitting from The Nexus, he headed up The Corre with Justin Gabriel, Heath Slater and Ezekiel Jackson.
In 2011 he started the Barratt Barrage character and then perhaps his most popular gimmick, Bad News Barrett. In 2015 he won the King of the Ring tournament on the WWE Network and abandoned his BNB character for King Barrett. Unfortunately, as history shows, being King of the Ring is really not something you want and his career went downhill from there. He later joined The League of Nations with Rusev, Alberto Del Rio, and Sheamus, but unhappy with his character, he handed in his notice. At WrestleMania 32 he only had a supporting role in the 3 on 3 match with LON and The New Day and after the match he received Shawn Michaels’ Sweet Chin Music, Mick Foley’s Mandable Claw, and Steve Austin’s Stunner. The night after Mania, Barrett was kicked out of the League of Nations for his last WWE appearance.
During his WWE time, Barrett won the Intercontinental title 5 times and a Slammy Award for the debut of The Nexus.
The WWE UK Twitter account sent a tweet earlier today announcing that Bobby Roode would be wrestling during the upcoming NXT tour in the country however the tweet was then deleted.
“CONFIRMED: @RealBobbyRoode will be on the #NXTUK Tour this June!,” the tweet read, which also included a link to the LiveNation.co.uk website to purchase tickets and an image of Roode in front of the NXT logo as the graphic.
PWInsider.com is reporting that Roode is believed to have signed his WWE deal last week at the NXT tapings in Winter Park, Florida but there has been no official announcement yet and probably the WWE UK Twitter account jumped the gun.
NXT will be touring Belfast, Liverpool, Bournemouth, and Plymouth starting June 13 and prior to that from June 10 to 12 the NXT stars will be at the Download festival in Derby.
Following the release of Alex Riley, Hornswoggle, El Torito, and Zeb Colter, WWE also announced the departures of Santino Marella and Cameron.
Santino Marella had a memorable debut on Monday Night Raw in Milan, Italy, defeating the Intercontinental champion Umaga to win the title thanks to the assistance of Bobby Lashley. His debut in 2007 came two years after he spent two years at Ohio Valley Wrestling doing developmental for the company. His career in the WWE consisted mostly of comedy acts and even at one point as a women wrestler named Santina Marella, winning the Miss WrestleMania battle royal at WrestleMania 25. At the 2011 Royal Rumble he was in the final two at the Royal Rumble and nearly pulled an upset before being thrown out by the winner Alberto Del Rio. He retired in 2014 after three neck surgeries although he appeared sporadically on WWE television in non-wrestling roles. During his WWE time he won the Intercontinental title twice, the Tag Team title and the United States title once.
Cameron started with the WWE in 2011 with Tough Enough although her time on the show was cut short when she was the first one eliminated. After her dismissal she signed a deal and was sent to FCW to learn the trade. In 2012, she made her WWE debut along with Naomi as The Funkadactlys, the dancers for Brodus Clay. The partnership ended in 2014 and the two started singles competition. Cameron was featured in the Total Divas show cast for several seasons under her real name Ariane. She moved back to NXT to undergo more wrestling training but never made it out of there again. After Ryback released the statement earlier this week about his contract dispute, she supported him however she ended up on the receiving end of a lot of backlash from fans online.
It’s Black Friday at WWE today as 4 WWE Superstars have been released so far and more could be on the way out by the day is over. Those announced that have received the pink slip are Hornswoggle, Alex Riley, El Torito and Zeb Colter.
The 29 year old Hornswoggle, real name Dylan Postl, has been signed with WWE since 2006 and made his debut in May of that year under the name Little Bastard. Eventually the character evolved into Hornswoggle in early 2007, continuing his partnership with Finlay. In 2008 he was released as Vince McMahon’s illegitimate son in an angle that dragged on for a while and was originally planned for Mr Kennedy. In 2009, Hornswoggle joined D-Generation X for a while and a year later he was also revealed as the Anonymous Raw General Manager. He was suspended in September 2015 for failing the WWE Wellness Program and didn’t appear on television since then. He won the Cruiserweight title once during his WWE career.
Alex Riley has been with the WWE since 2007, first under a developmental deal and then making his debut on NXT with The Miz as his mentor. Most of his time in WWE, Riley spent his time shadowing The Miz and somewhat got his WrestleMania moment when he accompanied the then WWE champion The Miz for his match against John Cena at WrestleMania 27, interfering several times. He had a singles career in 2011 but wasn’t very successful in that position. He transitioned to a color commentator and worked on the Raw and Smackdown pre-show panels on the WWE Network for two years before returning to the ring at NXT in 2015. After a long time out due to an injury, the 35 year old returned to NXT in January of this year where he spent the remaining of his WWE days.
El Torito, now 34 years old, made his WWE debut in April 2013 slinging himself with the Los Matadores. He was an entrant in the 2014 Royal Rumble but was eliminated by Roman Reigns. At Extreme Rules that same year, he participated in the first ever WeeLC match against Hornswoggle after the two had a feud involving Los Matadores and 3MB. He has not appeared on WWE TV since Los Matadores were taken out to be repackaged.
Zeb Colter, who many know as Dutch Mantel, returned to the WWE in 2013 as the manager of Jack Swagger, portraying a character who advocated against illegal immigration and was created following the Tea Party movement. After a feud between Swagger and Rusev, Colter was written off TV and returned at Hell In A Cell 2015 as the manager of Alberto Del Rio, who had just returned himself. The two parted ways in December of that same year and Colter never appeared on TV again.
WWE Hall of Famer Bobby “The Brain” Heenan is currently in hospital after falling at home. The news was originally reported by his long-time friend Mean Gene Okerlund on Twitter yesterday.
Heenan’s wife Cynthia wrote that the legendary manager will stay in hospital for the next 72 hours due to low blood pressure and thanked all the fans for their support. Due to his hospitalization, Heenan will not be appearing at the planned SuperFriendsFanFest.com event in Milwaukee this Saturday.
The 71 year old Bobby had both throat and tongue cancers and is not able to speak. He looks completely different from his wrestling days due to reconstructive surgery on his jaw. Two years ago he fell and broke his hip just months after breaking his shoulder.
His last public appearance was at the Cauliflower Alley Club last month.
The upcoming WWE Global Cruiserweight Series tournament has received a new name and WWE is now marketing it as the Cruiserweight Classic.
Qualifying matches are currently being held at a few independent promotions in the United States and in the United Kingdom with the winners advancing to the 32-man tournament which will be filmed at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.
Two more qualifiers will be done on Saturday at EVOLVE’s show in Queens, New York, with Drew Gulak vs Tracy Williams and Fred Yehi vs TJ Perkins. So far there are 9 who have earned a spot in the Cruiserweight Classic and these are Rich Swann, Zack Sabre Jr, Jack Gallagher, Johnny Gargano, Tommaso Ciampa, Noam Dar, Akira Tozawa, Ho Ho Lun, and Lince Dorado.
During his latest podcast, Stone Cold Steve Austin revealed that the reason he’s not doing the Shane McMahon interview is because he’s still in a sling following shoulder surgery.
Austin had the injury for a while and his involvement at WrestleMania 32 didn’t help things. The WWE Hall of Famer underwent surgery following the show to repair the problem and decided it was better sit at home and fully recover before hopping on planes and start traveling. The Rattlesnake expects to be in a sling for another month before he can start doing things.
The Stone Cold Podcast has been one of the most popular series on the WWE Network and the most watched apart from the live events. So far he has interviewed Vince McMahon, Triple H, Paul Heyman, Paige, Edge & Christian, Brock Lesnar, Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Big Show and Mick Foley.
Mick Foley will be sitting in for Austin for the Shane McMahon interview on the WWE Network which will take place live after Monday Night Raw on May 23.
In an interesting turn of events, WWE Superstar Adam Rose deleted his doctor’s statement and all related tweets concerning the subject.
Rose published a statement this week from his doctor saying that he is suffering from ADHD and the drugs that failed him the Wellness Program test were prescribed by his doctor to combat ADHD. “He takes Aderall XR, which is an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD, and we have followed all standard of care protocols during this treatment, which has gone very well,” the statement read.
Rose retweeted several messages from fans who supported him and those who like him suffer from ADHD. All those tweets have been deleted from his timeline as well. He is suspended for 60 days for his second strike in the Wellness Program and admitted that posting his first statement and his doctor’s statement might eventually get him fired.
Impact on POP did 303,000 viewers yesterday night, down 31,000 viewers from last week’s show. It was the first dip in viewership in three weeks. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
The NXT show tonight on the WWE Network will feature the debut of former TNA champion Eric Young, who confronted the brand new NXT champion and old TNA colleague Samoa Joe.
Young, along with Bobby Roode, quit TNA on March 19 and both were expected to make the transition to WWE. While Bobby Roode has appeared at NXT Takeover: Dallas and even acknowledged on screen, he has yet to officially sign a deal. Last month he told his hometown newspaper that it’s the plan to sign with WWE and a deal will be done shortly.
There were no announcements that Young has actually signed a deal either so this could also be a deal similar to the one James Storm had where he appeared at NXT, wrestled a couple of times and then eventually left without signing on the dotted line, returning to TNA.
Eric Young worked three times for WWE in 2003, appearing twice on Velocity and once on Sunday Night Heat.
In a follow-up to his original letter after his Wellness Policy suspension, WWE Superstar Adam Rose released a letter from his doctor who said Rose, real name Ray Leppan, is being treated for ADHD.
“He has chronic signs and symptoms of ADHD, determined through a very thorough psychiatric exam on 4/30/15,” the letter says. “He takes Aderall XR, which is an FDA-approved treatment for ADHD, and we have followed all standard of care protocols during this treatment, which has gone very well.”
The doc added that the prescribed medication is complaint with his treatment recommendations.
Rose was suspended last moth for his second strike in the Wellness Program and was sent home for 60 days. He repeated the fact that he did nothing knowingly wrong and was only following protocol. After he was suspended he challenged WWE about his suspension which he called shocking.
