Tomorrow morning at 9AM EST, WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon will be appearing on CBS Sunday Morning to promote WrestleMania 32.
Joining McMahon will be Charlotte J Anderson, the Dallas Cowboys Executive Vice President & Chief Brand Officer. Taped interviews with WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones will air as well.
Stephanie will also be on ESPN SportsCenter on Tuesday at 10:30AM EST as the road to WrestleMania enters its final few days.
Funaki, the former WWE Cruiserweight and Hardcore champion, will be doing play-by-play Japanese commentary for NXT Takeover: Dallas, the Hall of Fame ceremony, and WrestleMania 32 for the WWE Network.
The 47 year old Tokyo native spent 12 years with the WWE, first as part of Kai En Tai and then moving ahead with a singles career. He was released in 2010.
The Japanese commentary will be available on-demand after the live broadcast. WWE announced a few days ago that starting from next weekend, WWE Network events will have multi-lingual commentary available in German, Spanish, Italian, French, and Japanese in addition to English.
Former WCW and WWE Superstar Vader is claiming that his Twitter was hacked and that’s how a photo of him in bed naked with his ermm…mini Vader taking front and center stage ended up on his feed yesterday.
“I want to apologize to everyone. My ExGirlfriend hacked my account and sent out an inappropriate picture. Please except my apology,” Vader tweeted afterward. The naked photo stayed online for around 10 minutes or so before it was taken down.
He then said that he has changed his password and his ex does not have access to his account anymore before apologizing again.
Vader will be at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony next week inducting Stan Hansen. Hopefully he’ll be fully clothed!
ESPN broadcaster Jonathan Coachman made a surprise in-ring appearance last night at the non-televised show at Madison Square Garden.
The Coach came out and said that Shane McMahon invited him over who told him that he will soon be running things at WWE. The former WWE commentator then introduced the Dudley Boyz for their tag team match against The New Day and The Usos. Coach asked the Dudley Boyz where are the tables, a question which the Dudleyz did not like.
Eventually Coach stuck around for the match, which was won by The New Day, and much to delight of the crowd then danced with Woods, Big E, and Kingston in the middle of the ring. He even tried to do the worm but only managed to do the first part of the move before he had to be helped by The New Day!
When a fan on Twitter told Coach that it was cool to see him back in a WWE ring, Coach replied, “Thanks. You all were so incredible to me. Thank you.”
You can see the video of him dancing with New Day below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TY0SeXdlQfE
The brand new T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, will play host to the Money In The Bank pay-per-view on June 19.
The arena, located behind the New York New York Hotel and next to the Monte Carlo Hotel, will be opening in 10 days and the new state of the art building is expected to take many of the business that the Thomas & Mack Center usually attracts.
Tickets for the Money In The Bank event are not out yet but according to the arena website they will be out soon.
The T-Mobile Arena will also host the mega UFC 200 pay-per-view on July 7.
Smackdown rebounded in terms of viewership this week as yesterday’s show pulled in 2,501,000 viewers, up 241,000 viewers from the previous week. It was the best rated episode since the February 4 show. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
John Laurinaitis, the former Raw General Manager and now a producer for WWE, got married to Kathy Colace yesterday. Colace is the mother of Nikki and Brie Bella.
The two got hitched on a yacht in Ft Lauderdale, Florida, during a ceremony which was attended by several family and friends including John Cena. Daniel Bryan didn’t appear in any of the family photos posted and it’s not known if he was at the ceremony.
Brie posted a photo on her Instagram with her sister and her mother all glammed up writing, “Congrats to my mom @kathycolace marrying the man of her dreams!”
Laurinaitis got engaged to Kathy in September of last year. You can see some photos from the wedding below.
Ryan Satin of ProWrestlingSheet.com is reporting that Brie Bella will be retiring following the Raw after WrestleMania.
While the retirement of Brie shouldn’t come as a surprise as she said she’ll hang up her boots after the Summer, her quick exit was not part of the plans. Satin reports that Daniel Bryan was removed from all upcoming appearances due to health issues and Brie is determined to take care of her husband start a family.
Sources close to the situation also added that Brie will still be part of Total Divas and will be showing up at Network shows but will no longer be a full-time wrestler, instead assuming the role of a brand ambassador for WWE.
Her final feud will be the one with Lana and it’s expected that Team Brie will take on Team Lana at WrestleMania.
Thursday Night Smackdown! TV Report for March 24th, 2016
Introduction Segment: Video Promo and Welcoming
The regular Smackdown! opener starts, the pyro goes off in the arena, and we are welcomed by Mauro Ranallo to Boston, Massachusetts.
Match #1: Single – Divas Champion Charlotte (with Ric Flair) VS. Sasha Banks (Non-Title)
(Note: Becky Lynch is on commentary.) Charlotte goes to the outside for an immediate break but Sasha take it to her quickly in the ring. Charlotte gains control with a neckbreaker, and wrenches her neck in a lock. They trade pin combos and then Charlotte puts Banks into the corner.
Sasha counters with an elbow, and a few forearms a bit later. She knees Charlotte hard in the face, and then knees her in the chest in the corner. She goes for the double-knee drop from the corner, but Charlotte slides out. She pushes Banks into Becky, then gives her a spinebuster in the ring. The Divas Champ goes for the Figure-8, but Sasha reverses into a small package for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Sasha Banks
Post-match, Becky comes in and gives both her competitors a T-Bone Suplex, then walks away. Banks gets up and drives Charlotte backwards with the Backstabber.
Later tonight, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman will be out to talk about Dean Ambrose; and The New Day are on their way out, next!
Commercials.
Match #2: Single – Tag-Team Champion/New Day member Kofi Kingston (with Tag-Team Champions/New Day members Xavier Woods and Big E.) VS. League of Nations Member Sheamus (with League of Nations members Wade Barrett and Rusev)
They start evenly, then Sheamus stomps away in the corner. Kofi furiously hits back with kicks and punches in the same corner, then dropkicks him to the outside and follows with a leaping forearm! Both teams stare at each other, but Sheamus swipes Kofi from the apron.
Ads.
Sheamus delivers “10 Beats of the Baron” against the ropes, and wears him down with a chinlock a bit later. Kingston fists out of it, but is turned around with a spinning-powerslam off a run. Sheamus mocks The New Day’s clap, but misses a kneedrop. Kofi capitalizes with a springboard axe-handle and a dropkick!
Kofi hits the Boom Drop legdrop, then flips over the top rope with a senton on Sheamus to the floor! He climbs the turnbuckle and soars off with a crossbody, but Sheamus just gets his shoulder up! “The Celtic Warrior” elbows out and plans Kofi with a Falcon Arrow Suplex; 1 – 2 – Kingston kicks out! Sheamus tears at the turnbuckle, but the referee stops him. Sheamus turns into a spin-kick, but Rusev places Sheamus’ foot on the ropes to break. Rusev backs up the ramp as Big E. and Woods chase, and Sheamus hits a hard Brogue Kick and covers for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Sheamus (with League of Nations members Wade Barrett and Rusev)
Commercials.
Match #3: Tag-Team – The Ascension (Konnor and Viktor) VS. The Usos (Jimmy and Jey)
Ascension dominate early with big hits and a chinlock, but The Usos make a comeback with a double-superkick on Viktor to finish this!
Winners via Pinfall: The Usos
Post-match, The Dudley Boyz – Bubba Ray and D-Von – were watching backstage, and The Usos take out a couple of tables. They climb to the top turnbuckle and double-splash Konnor and Viktor through!
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
Rene Young walks up to Bubba and D-Von, asking what they think about The Usos using tables. D-Von reiterates that the furniture doesn’t make people remember them. Bubba talks about The Usos family, and that they would beat all of them too. Roman Reigns walks up and wants to make them be quiet with a “fight.”
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Reigns VS. Bubba is official for later tonight!
Segment #3: Video Promo
Highlights from Shane McMahon’s career with comments from Hall of Famers and other wrestlers airs.
Dolph Ziggler and Sami Zayn make their entrances, and will be wrestling The Miz and Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens!
Commercials.
Match #4: Tag-Team – Dolph Ziggler and Sami Zayn VS. The Miz and Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens
Miz and Owens argue on who’s going to begin, and Miz ends up doing so. Zayn and he wrestle, with Miz tying Sami in a wristlock until Zayn flips out of it and gives him a couple of armdrags. Sami tags in Dolph who mat-wrestles Miz, then drops him with a neckbreaker and an elbow for two! Miz counters with a knee-to-the-gut.
Miz switches with Kevin who pounds away on Dolph, but doesn’t want to take on Sami, so he goes to walk away. Miz confronts him, which allows Zayn to dive onto them. Zayn hammers away then slaps hands with Dolph, who tries but is soon controlled by Owens and Miz. He is slingshot over the ropes as he went for the superkick!
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Owens senton-splashes Dolph, but is hit and has to tag in Miz. Sami is also back and is all over Miz until they run into each other with a double-crossbody! The I.C. Champ goes up the ramp and leaves Miz, but Zack Ryder, Stardust, and Sin Cara stop him and place him back in the ring. Miz gives his own partner the Skull-Krushing Finale, and Dolph and Zayn hit him with a Superkick and Helluva Kick for the completion!
Winners via Pinfall: Dolph Ziggler and Sami Zayn
Post-match, all seven Intercontinental Championship Ladder Match participants brawl and hit their finishers. Zack Ryder is the last to do so and celebrates with the fans!
Commercials.
Segment #4: Video Promo
Recap of Roman Reigns meeting WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H and Stephanie in the parking lot on Raw is shown.
Match #5: Single – Roman Reigns VS. Bubba Ray Dudley
Both punch each other on the outside, but Roman fastly gets the better of Bubba with a Superman Punch! He runs him into the corner barrier, but Ray shoves Roman into the ring post. He tries to slam Roman’s head onto the announce table, but Reigns reverses and rams Bubba multiple times onto the table! The referee calls for the bell though as Reigns didn’t look like he was going to stop.
Winner via Disqualification: Bubba Ray Dudley
Post-match, Roman continues, throwing Bubba into the steel steps and Superman-Punching D-Von who ran down to help. Reigns Spears Bubba and walks away.
Ads.
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Goldust is putting his makeup on when R-Truth walks in. Goldust reminds Truth that “we are not partners.” He paints “no” on R’s forehead, but Truth reads it as “on” in the mirror.
Segment #6: Backstage Promo
United States Champion Sin Cara is walking through the parking area when his Tag-Team partner Sin Cara joins. They both talk about their respective matches for titles at WrestleMania, and Cara reminds Kalisto to focus on his “biggest challenge yet, Ryback.”
Cara walks away and Ryback meets Kalisto. He makes fun of The Lucha Dragon’s size, comparing the two, and tells him “I deserve the spotlight.” Kalisto mouths back with “this ‘little guy’ will beat ‘the big guy.’”
Up next, A.J. Styles is in action!
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – Tyler Breeze VS. A.J. Styles
Breeze punches first, but A.J. uses his quickness to gain the advantage. Styles leaps back in the ring, but Tyler hits a knee. He kicks A.J. in the corner and places him atop the turnbuckle. “The Phenomenal One” slides under and trips up Breeze; he follows with the springboard-forearm and covers for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: A.J. Styles
Ads.
Segment #7: Arena Promo
Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar are out; Heyman puts over his client as “dangerous.” He warns Dean Ambrose about what Lesnar can do, then dares him to come out for a “fight.”
Instead of “The Lunatic Fringe” though, The Wyatt Family answers! Bray directs as Braun Strowman, Luke Harper, and Erik Rowan go onto the ring apron. Ambrose music suddenly plays, distracting everyone. Lesnar starts to take out The Family as Dean charges down with a kendo stick; he wastes Bray with it then clobbers Brock in the ring. “The Beast” hits back with a clothesline and hurls Ambrose with an F-5. He and Heyman leave Ambrose laying in the ring to close the show.
End of Smackdown!
WWE Shop is running a big sale this weekend with up to 30% off on all items using the code SAVEMORE at check-out.
Those spending over $40 will get 25% off while those who spend more than $75 will get 30% off, making this weekend an ideal time to buy your WrestleMania merchandise at a discount. Also, all replica title belts are 20% off. The sale runs through March 27 at 11:59PM EST.
To get started with shopping go to http://w-o.it/wweshopcom.
WWE.COM reported today that Australians Michael Nicholls and Shane Veryzer – known to wrestling fans as the tag team duo The Mighty Don’t Kneel – have signed with WWE.
Nicholls and Veryzer are relocating to Orlando, Florida, and will start at the WWE Performance Center in early April as part of a new NXT class.
The two have wrestled all over the world but have gained more recognition after moving to Japan and wrestle for Pro Wrestling NOAH. In 2013 the duo were voted as the top tag team by the Japanese media, the first time that non-Japanese competitors had won the award since 1998.
The second match moved to the WrestleMania Kickoff show is The Usos vs The Dudley Boyz tag team match, joining the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal on the two hour pre-show.
This means that for the third straight year in a row The Usos will miss being on the pay-per-view as at both WrestleMania 30 and 31 they performed in fatal 4 way matches, matches that aired only on the Kickoff shows.
The Kickoff show will start at 5PM EST on the WWE Network, WWE.com, the WWE App, Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest and Google+ while the second hour – which will feature the battle royal – will also air for the first time ever on USA Network.
ESPN SportsCenter will host several WWE personalities during WrestleMania week starting on Monday morning.
Brock Lesnar will kick things off on March 28 starting at 8:45AM EST and then at 10:30AM EST as well. Stephanie McMahon joins the broadcast on March 29 at 10:30AM EST, followed by her husband Triple H on the same day at 9PM EST. On March 30 then it’s Shane McMahon’s turn as he appears at 9PM EST.
Jonathan Coachman will be heading up these WWE duties, covering WrestleMania for ESPN.
WWE announced that on April 4 there will be a conference call starting at 3PM EST to reveal the new WWE Network subscribers number just a day following WrestleMania 32.
Chief Strategy and Financial Officer George Barrios will be hosting the conference call and the press release does not mention that Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon will be present. Usually McMahon is always present for these conference calls.
The WWE Network experiences its biggest growth during the WrestleMania period and most likely the number that will be announced will be the highest number for this year with subscribers going back to their usual levels a month or so after the show.
WWE is giving WrestleMania away for free to new subscribers for the first time since the WWE Network made its debut a few years ago. You can subscribe now by going to http://w-o.it/wwentwrk.
TNA announced the signing of five new additions to the roster including two former NXT talents.
The two former NXT talents are Thomas LaRuffa and Mikael Vierege who wrestled as Sylvester Lefort and Marus Louis. Both of them are French and formed the tag team The Legionnaires.
Joining them in TNA will be Jessie Guilmette who is known as Pepper Parks, Laura Dennis who is known as Cherry Bomb, and Marshe Rockett.
Hundreds of workers have started constructing the WrestleMania 32 set inside the AT&T Stadium and construction is set to go through all the way until a few days before the actual show.
The field has already been fully covered with the grass removed to allow trucks, other heavy vehicles, and tons of equipment to be moved in without damaging the surface.
Black curtains above the top nose bleed sections have gone up to block the light from the outside and steel cables from the rafters were dropped to start hoisting up screens, speakers and the Hell In A Cell structure. Certain parts of the stage can also be seen laying on the ground.
You can see a few photos from the construction inside the AT&T Stadium below.
Pictures courtesy of Instagram user celebritychefmayor.
Hulk Hogan, fresh off the biggest win of his life, started doing media rounds this week to talk about the Gawker case.
Hogan appeared on Inside Edition, TODAY, FOX411, The View, ABC News, and other shows. The six-member jury, four of which were women, also appeared on ABC News to discuss the trial saying that they made the correct decision.
In his interview with TODAY, Hogan broke down when discussing the tape and his relationship with Bubba “The Love Sponge.” When asked if he blamed Bubba as much as Gawker, he said that he blamed himself more as he allowed himself to be put in that situation. He also talked about going off using the N word and said people know he’s not a racist and it was a mistake and shouldn’t have even used the word in the privacy of his friends’ home.
You can see the interview with TODAY, FOX411, and the jurors’ interview below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC1EmAO82xs
Former WWE World Heavyweight champion Daniel Bryan has been removed from his scheduled WrestleMania Axxess autograph signing on April 2 and will no longer be appearing in front of fans.
Those who purchased the very expensive ticket to meet him will now instead meet Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels. Tons of tickets to meet Daniel Bryan at Axxess went up on secondary markets like StubHub and fans paid ridiculous amounts of money for the meet and greet. Unfortunately for those fans there’s no way to get their money back and their super extra expensive ticket will get them HBK instead.
Bryan was pulled from all scheduled events including tomorrow’s Daniel Bryan Appreciation Night at Madison Square Garden and the upcoming WrestleMania Revenge Tour in Europe. WWE has not given an official explanation yet why Bryan was pulled from all events.
The WWE app for iOS and Android devices got an update pushed out yesterday which revolves mainly around enhancing the WrestleMania experience.
Perhaps the most important part of the update is multi-lingual support for upcoming WWE pay-per-view events starting with WrestleMania. Apart from English, WrestleMania will be offered in five different languages with a new alternate audio option in the on-demand category.
This feature doesn’t seem to be available for the live broadcast unfortunately and it’s not known if the same feature will be available for Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV and other TV-connected devices.
WWE Network unveiled its WrestleMania week programming which will kick off on Monday, March 28.
Following Raw, the new WWE 24 episode titled Thank You Daniel will air, looking at Daniel Bryan’s farewell with behind-the-scenes look at what happened on that day leading up to his Raw announcement.
On Tuesday at 8PM EST it will be Legends with JBL featuring Michael Hayes, the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame inductee to discuss the upcoming induction with the Freebirds and his WWE role.
On Wednesday a new episode of NXT starts at 8PM EST, which is the final episode before the NXT Takeover: Dallas special event. Also on Wednesday it’s a brand new episode of Ride Along starting at 9PM EST featuring Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose in one car and Paige and Alicia Fox in another.
On Thursday at 10PM EST Stone Cold Steve Austin returns with the Stone Cold Podcast with a live interview from WrestleMania Axxess with the Hardcore Legend and fellow Hall of Famer Mick Foley.
On Friday starting at 10PM EST, NXT Takeover: Dallas, rocks the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center with Balor vs Joe and Bayley vs Asuka as the top two matches and the arrival of Shinsuke Nakamura.
On Saturday at 7PM EST the red carpet arrivals at the WWE Hall of Fame with Byron Saxton and Maria Menounos hosting. Following the red carpet special, the live Hall of Fame ceremony takes place at 8PM EST.
On Sunday, kicking off early at 5PM EST is the WrestleMania pre-show which will include the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal and possibly another match. Then at 7PM EST, the big one, WrestleMania 32 live from AT&T Stadium, an event which is expected to run over the four hour mark on its own.
The WWE Network is free for new subscribers and you can subscribe by going to http://w-o.it/wwentwrk to enjoy all these events free of charge along with your one month subscription.
