This week’s Impact on POP did a total of 331,000 viewers, up 24,000 viewers from last week’s show. The March 22 episode is also now the second highest rated show of the series since Impact moved to Pop, trailing only the January 26 episode. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
The New Day chosen to induct the Fabulous Freebirds in the WWE Hall of Fame
WWE announced that the current Tag Team champions The New Day will be inducting the Fabulous Freebirds into the WWE Hall of Fame come April 2.
This has come as a bit of a surprise since Kevin Von Erich was wildly expected to be doing the honors for group considering the history between the Von Erichs and the Freebirds. The New Day obviously have no history with the Freebirds apart from the fact that sometimes they use the “Freebird rule” where any two of the three members defend the titles.
For Stan Hansen, his one-time rival Vader will be inducting him while we still don’t know who the Big Boss Man and Jacqueline have. The APA will be doing the honors for their good friend The Godfather and Ric Flair will be inducting Sting.
Total Divas season 5 episode 10 rating
The good news for Total Divas is that the ratings went up. The bad news is that it barely went up. This week’s episode, titled No Retreat did 663,000 viewers, up just 13,000 viewers from last week. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Scott Steiner talks about his career and those he hate during one-man show in Manchester
“Big Poppa Pump” Scott Steiner did a one-man show at the Comedy Store in Manchester, England yesterday, the same place where other former Superstars such as Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, and more performed for their fans.
W-O reader Liam Johnson attended the event and said that the show was split into three parts – his time as a tag team with his brother Rick, his years as Big Poppa Pump, and a Q&A with those in attendance where nothing was off limits. His full report is below.
Highlights of the Steiner Brothers section were he thought Bill Watts screwed up WCW by bringing in stupid rules like not being able to go to the top rope so him and Rick left for the WWF. He was disappointed with his time in the WWF and only stayed for ten months because he was sick of the traveling which he thought was ridiculous. He had to fly from East Coast to West Coast on a regular basis mainly because Raw was at the Manhattan Center live every week at the time. He also said business was down and the steroid trial with Vince was going on. Jerry Jarrett was brought into the WWF as Vince wanted him to take over if he ended up going to prison (and it looked like he would at the time). So a combination of factors but mainly more money for less work is why the Steiners left for Japan and didn’t come back until shortly after WCW Nitro started.
His time as Big Poppa Pump was one of his favorite times in the business as he went solo just as the nWo angle was hot and business was booming. He blamed WCW’s demise on Ted Turner losing control of his own network after AOL merged with Time Warner. Turner lost a lot of sports and even the Atlanta Braves around this time, not just WCW. He didn’t go to the WWF straight away after WCW folded because he was holding out for the WWF to buy out his AOL Time Warner deal in full rather than a 50 cent to the dollar deal like some of the others took.
He hates Flair because he thinks he’s a mark for himself who should never have held 16 world titles. Also said that Flair legit cried backstage when he didn’t get his own way. He hates Triple H for similar reasons (being his own biggest mark). He doesn’t think HHH will retire until he’s surpassed Flair’s 16 time title winning tally and thinks he’d be a nobody if he wasn’t married to Stephanie who he doesn’t like very much either. He hated being told what to say in interviews by the likes of Stephanie and Brian Gerwitz and hates scripted promos. He also criticized Stephanie for giving him dietary advice for snacking on a Snickers bar while he didn’t think she was in great shape herself.
Steiner said that Vince has a monopoly on pro wrestling in the USA and can pay people what he likes a lot of the time. Steiner said that his friend Rey Mysterio quit WWE over things like being injured and still being expected to fly overseas and promote tours. Steiner didn’t seem to think that Vince had any respect for the well-being of the wrestlers. Interestingly, he had no problem with Shane McMahon.
He doesn’t like Hogan as Steiner was friends with Randy Savage and he remembers when Elizabeth went missing for over a week. According to Steiner, Linda and Hulk practically hid Liz away from Randy during this time. When Randy found out, he tried to confront Hogan and start a fight at the Meadowlands Arena but Hogan turned away and backed down. Steiner didn’t mention the black eye that Hogan had at WrestleMania 9 but I’m pretty sure Savage gave him that and that was mainly because of Liz being hidden from him.
Steiner’s version of the threat to Hogan story was he saw Hogan’s second wife at an airport. He asked Hogan’s wife to pass on a message that he had no business inducting Savage into the Hall Of Fame and that if he saw Hogan, Steiner would beat him up. Hogan called the police and claimed that Steiner had threatened to kill Hogan. CCTV footage at the airport couldn’t prove this though. Steiner says that Hogan lied and tried to put him in jail.
Steiner didn’t have much time for Dixie Carter either and mentioned the tweets about TNA that Dixie tried to sue him over. Steiner said he was just telling the truth.
Nick “Magnus” Aldis joined the stage for the final part of the show (The “Ask Me Anything” section). Jeff Jarrett appeared on the screen and asked him what he spent his $100,000 prize money on that he won in an 80s wrestling tournament (I thought that would’ve been a work). He answered with women but he didn’t use that term to describe them. Magnus mentioned that whilst some people in the business didn’t like people like Steiner for being outspoken, they should be aware that he’s only fighting for the rights of the boys.
Steiner went onto say that he blames Vince McMahon for the death of Gorilla Monsoon’s son referee Joey Marella because he believes that Vince’s exploitation of his employees was to blame for Joey falling asleep at the wheel which led to his death. Steiner got visibly upset when talking about this. Steiner ended the show by making more derogatory remarks aimed at Hogan and the size of his penis.
Overall, an entertaining show. Not for everyone but overall, worth the £19 admission fee.
Gawker hoping for “reversed or radically reduced” judgment in Hogan case
Gawker is bullish on the idea that the appellate court will either reverse or radically reduce the combined $140 million that the jury awarded Hulk Hogan during the two week trial over his sex tape.
Founder Nick Denton told CNN Money that the unsealed FBI documents had “increased our level of confidence” that appeals courts will side with Gawker eventually. Despite the fact that in theory it has a very good chance of happening, Gawker still has to put up $50 million in bond money to appeal and Denton didn’t want to talk about how they will pay if the appeals court sides with Hogan again.
Gawker and Hogan returns to court some time in May as the company starts its appeals. Judge Pamela Campbell, the same one who presided over the trial, will head up the hearing.
The former WWE and WCW champion Hulk Hogan is now doing media rounds to talk about the case and hoping to get back his WWE job. When a TMZ paparazzo caught up with Hogan in New York, Hogan jokingly said that he’d love to punch Vince McMahon in the nose!
Raw rating for 03/22/2016
The penultimate Raw before WrestleMania drew a total of 3,399,000 viewers, down for the fourth straight in a row. The show had 58,000 viewers less from last week’s broadcast.
Hour one started with 3,466,000 viewers, then dropped slightly to 3,416,000 viewers before going further down to 3,317,000 in the third and final hour.
Just for comparison reasons, Raw at the same time last year did 4,043,000 viewers, in 2014 it did 4,207,000, and in 2013 it had 4,580,000 viewers. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
WWE also pulls Daniel Bryan from European WrestleMania Revenge Tour
Apart from the canceled Appreciation Night at Madison Square Garden, WWE has seemingly pulled Daniel Bryan from the upcoming European WrestleMania Revenge Tour where he was supposed to do 5 appearances.
Last month WWE announced that Daniel Bryan would be appearing at the Smackdown tapings in London, England, on April 19 and even produced a video hyping his appearance to promote ticket sales. “A heartfelt goodbye does not mean farewell. Now you have the opportunity to prove to the ultimate underdog that the Yes! movement is strong,” the video said.
His name is no longer advertised on The O2 Arena website and his scheduled appearances in Belfast on April 20, Dublin on April 21, Sheffield on April 22, and Glasgow on April 23 have disappeared as well.
The Undertaker, who is doing five different shows during the tour is still advertised.
It’s still not clear what happened between Daniel Bryan and WWE and why all of a sudden he has been pulled from all the shows. He will be at WrestleMania Axxess doing the Sunday morning session which as of this writing is still on.
Daniel Bryan Appreciation Night at Madison Square Garden postponed
WWE has canceled – or as they put it, postponed – the Daniel Bryan Appreciation Night which was set for Madison Square Garden this coming Friday.
The actual event is still going to take place but the Daniel Bryan portion is not and Madison Square Garden is claiming a scheduling conflict in an e-mail to those who purchased a ticket.
“We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused and look forward to your continued support of the WWE and Madison Square Garden,” the e-mail reads. There were no offers of refunds as the e-mail hyped Triple H’s return to the ring at MSG after 5 years plus appearances from AJ Styles, Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, and more.
Total Divas episode preview for tonight: No Retreat
Total Divas on E! returns tonight with episode 10 of season 5 titled No Retreat.
The synopsis for tonight’s show reads, “Paige gets cold feet after agreeing to help a fan come out to his family, Brie is torn between her friends and Bryan when she takes them on a meditation retreat, and Eva is tasked with forming a tag team with rookie Mandy Rose.“
Last week the show rebounded a little bit in the ratings after seven straight weeks of decline however it’s still way beyond the average.
Sting “feeling good” and no surgery is required
Former WCW champion Sting told WWE.COM in an exclusive interview that he will not be undergoing surgery for his neck problem and that he’s “feeling good and completely normal.”
Sting said that he wouldn’t not go under the knife unless he absolutely has to and as long as he’s feeling good, he’s not doing it. “Two neurologists [Dr. Joseph Maroon and one in Houston] were saying the same thing. The side effects you’re supposed to have, I’m not really having any,” the Stinger added.
If he managed to get out of the Seth Rollins match uninjured, Sting said that he would have loved to do one more WrestleMania and then he would have been okay with retiring after that one. “The Undertaker match — that’s what I wanted to do,” Sting revealed. The Sting vs Undertaker match is probably one of the last dream matches that never happened and looks like it never will.
Despite the disappointment of the injury and his lack of participation in the ring at WrestleMania this year, Sting said his year and a half with WWE has been phenomenal and he has zero complaints as he’s been treated professionally by everyone. “Just world class, period. I’ve never worked for an organization like this. WCW in its heyday could not scratch the surface of this. Not even close,” Sting said.
When asked if we’ve seen the last of Sting in a wrestling ring competing, Sting didn’t completely shut the door. “I have to say it: The only thing for sure about Sting is nothing’s for sure.”
TMZ last week reported that Sting has decided to retire due to his neck injuries after doctors advised him not to wrestle again and said that he would be making his official announcement at the Hall of Fame ceremony, a ceremony that he will headline.
Another stipulation added to Shane vs Taker Hell In A Cell match
The Shane McMahon vs Undertaker match at WrestleMania has a new stipulation which will prevent The Undertaker from losing on purpose, giving Shane the advantage over his father.
While Shane McMahon will wrestle to take over Raw, The Undertaker will wrestle to keep his spot in future WrestleManias as Vince McMahon revealed on Raw that if Taker loses this match, he will never wrestle at another WrestleMania again. Shane will hand over his “lock box” to his father if he’s unsuccessful in defeating Taker and in storyline terms he would have no more leverage over his old man.
There were rumors that the Hell In A Cell match between the two might be placed in the main event spot at the show, replacing Triple H vs Roman Reigns as the top match of the card however it’s highly unlikely that the WWE World Heavyweight title match will not close the show.
Luke Harper injured and Braun Strowman hit by fan during post-Raw match
Luke Harper suffered an injury during the Raw dark match yesterday in Philly as the Wyatts went against Roman Reigns, Dolph Ziggler, Sami Zayn, and Dean Ambrose in an eight man tag team match.
The injury was somewhat of a freak accident as Harper was unloading fists on Roman Reigns as he was held in the enemy’s corner. All of a sudden Harper’s right leg buckled underneath him and went down. He immediately reached out to tag Bray Wyatt and exited the ring as one of the WWE medical personnel attended to him at ringside.
Eventually Harper was taken to the back in a wheelchair which was pushed by Wyatt. WWE has not acknowledged the injury as of yet.
In another incident during the dark match, Braun Strowman was struck by someone who was sitting at ringside while he was selling getting hit by Dean Ambrose. Strowman alerted the security who was sitting a few feet away from the fan and he was eventually ejected.
You can see a video of Harper’s injury and Strowman getting hit which is at the 1:30 minute mark below.
Kevin Owens to defend IC title in a ladder match at WrestleMania 32
The ladder match at WrestleMania returns with the Intercontinental title once again up for grabs as Kevin Owens defends his gold against six other WWE Superstars.
It was announced on Raw last night that Kevin Owens will take on Sami Zayn, The Miz, Stardust, Dolph Ziggler, Zack Ryder, and Sin Cara in a match that can potentially steal the show with the crazy spots considering the individuals picked for the match.
Last year the Intercontinental title was defended in a ladder match as well, a match which was won by Daniel Bryan. His win was short-lived however as Bryan was taken out a couple of weeks later due to a concussion.
Monday Night Raw TV report for 03/21/2016
Monday Night Raw TV Report for March 21st, 2016
A picture of a woman, Mary Katherine Stewart, with an unknown man (probably her father), is shown at the start, with her birth year and death at the bottom. (1994 – 2016). God rest her soul.
Introduction Segment: Video Promo and Welcoming
A recap of Roman Reigns’ attack on WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H from last week’s Raw airs, then Michael Cole, John “Bradshaw” Layfield greet us from Philadelphia.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
Stephanie McMahon struts out and says that her husband, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, is not at Raw due to business matters. She rips on the Philly fans for lacking “responsibility,” but is quickly interrupted by Roman Reigns. The number-one contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship warns Steph and the fans that he will beat down Triple H at WrestleMania, regain the WWE World Heavyweight Title and be “The Authority.”
Later tonight, an announcement regarding the Hell In A Cell match at WrestleMania between Shane McMahon and The Undertaker for control of WWE. Up next, Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens will face A.J. Styles in a rematch from last week’s Smackdown!
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – A.J. Styles VS. Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens (Non-Title)
Kevin grabs A.J. in a standing headlock to begin, but Styles breaks out of it with a wrist and hammer lock. Owens turns A.J. around into a headlock and takes him to the mat with it, wrenching at the back of the head. Styles elbows out, then hits a dropkick after whipping Owens against the ropes. He goes for a plancha, but Owens counters. A.J. tries a springboard move, but Kevin moves then chucks “The Phenomenal One” into the corner barrier.
Ads.
The I.C. Champ is in control with another headlock, but A.J. punches out until he is slammed to the canvas. Styles counters with an enziguri and quick hits. He runs with a low-forearm-clothesline, then a leaping-clothesline in the corner. He ducks a clothesline by Kevin and slams him facedown for a near-fall! Kevin moves from a Pele Kick try, and hits a fierce clothesline, spinning A.J. over. He drives him down again but only gets two!
A.J. manages a fireman’s carry-kneebuster, then props Owens on the top turnbuckle after a close fall! He climbs, but Owens pushes him off and gives him a great frogsplash! 1 – 2 – A.J. just gets his shoulder up! Owens goes for the Pop-Up Powerbomb, but A.J. grabs the ropes and elbows back on Kevin. Both slug away with elbows and punches, and Owens superkicks Styles while “The Phenomenal One” hits a Pele Kick!
Commercials.
A.J. is sat atop the turnbuckle and Owens chops away. Styles punches back, but so does Owens with a fist and chop. The I.C. Champ tries a top-turnbuckle move, but A.J. slides under and gives Kevin a Torture Rack Submission, then turns it into a spinning-powerbomb. They are both on the turnbuckle again, with Kevin being slammed down with a sunset-flip-powerbomb for a near-fall!
Calls of “A.J. Styles” are heard from Chris Jericho, who slowly walks to the ring. A.J. turns around, and is overall distracted enough for Owens to roll him up for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens
Post-match, Styles chases Jericho to the back, and Owens proclaims this “the Kevin Owens show.” He talks about WrestleMania and his potential I.C. Title match, but is stopped by Dolph Ziggler. He tells Owens that he wants to be the one to defeat Owens, but they are both halted by The Miz, who disputes Ziggler’s claim to be a number-one contender. They argue until Sami Zayn makes his presence known. He wants a shot at Owens too, but Owens himself denies all three the opportunity, but does change his mind “in the interest of fairness.” He says he will talk to The Authority about those three going at it in a Triple-Threat to determine a number-one contender.
Later tonight, Dean Ambrose meets Braun Strowman.
Segment #3: Video Promo
Dean Ambrose is at the Tavern Philadium of Philadelphia, and talks about Brock Lesnar having “quit” in his body. He is talking with legendary wrestler Terry Funk! The Hall of Famer and former World Heavyweight Champion puts over Ambrose for his toughness and says that “The Lunatic Fringe” has what it takes and more to defeat Lesnar. He gives him his chainsaw and walks away, and Ambrose uses it on a table.
Ads.
Segment #4: Office Promo
Owens talks to Stephanie about the I.C. Title situation, and she agrees to make a Triple-Threat Match tonight.
Segment #5: Video Promo
Legends and current wrestlers Mick Foley, John Cena, Michael Hayes, Booker T., Chris Jericho, Edge, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Ric Flair, and Jerry “The King” Lawler comment on Shane McMahon’s return, The Undertaker, and their match in Hell In A Cell at WrestleMania.
The New Day are walking through the backstage area, getting the assistants involved some dancing.
Commercials.
Match #2: Rusev (with League of Nations members Wade Barrett, Sheamus, and Alberto Del Rio) VS. Tag-Team Champion/New Day member Big E. (with Tag-Team Champions and New Day members Xavier Woods and Kofi Kingston)
Prior to the belt, both teams rip each other on the microphone and then brawl until the referee gets order.
The bell rings and both go to the outside. Big hits Rusev a couple times then throws him back in the ring. He stomps away a couple of times in the corner then runs at him with a knee. E. chokes Rusev under the bottom rope and gives him a big splash, bouncing off the apron to the floor!
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Rusev is now controlling, having Big E. in a rear chinlock. Rusev harshly hits away, but is slammed with three belly-to-belly suplexes! Big goes for a running splash, but Rusev blocks with his knees then spin-kicks E. He tries a run in the corner, but big one-arm-slams him for a two-count! Big goes for a run now, but is hit with a knee and subsequent hard-kick! 1 – 2 – Big gets his shoulder up!
Big backdrops Rusev then splashes him for a near-fall, but is kicked hard again after Barrett got his attention. On the outside, Xavier hits both Barrett and Del Rio, but Sheamus takes him down. Rusev sets Big up for The Accolade, but E. crawls out and Electric Chair drops him! Sheamus hops on the apron, but Big spears him to the floor, almost landing on his own head! Kofi kicks Rusev from the other apron, which allows Big to finish this with the Big Ending!
Winner via Pinfall: Tag-Team Champion/New Day Member Big E.
Segment #6: Video Promo
The Wyatt Family predict what Braun Strowman will do to Dean Ambrose later tonight.
Commercials.
Segment #7: Arena Promo
The Big Show is out, and poses with the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal trophy. He will be in that match, and puts over the legendary late-great Hall of Famer. As he goes to leave, The Social Outcasts walk out and say that Show will not win thanks to them. Show doesn’t give and starts to attack, but the numbers are too much as Heath Slater, Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas, and Adam Rose begin a beat down. They don’t get too far though, as Kane returns and saves Show, but after Show gives him a hug, Kane chokeslams him from the second turnbuckle!
Ads.
Segment #8: Video Promo
It is announced that Stan Hansen will be inducted into the Hall-of-Fame.
Match #3: Single – Fandango VS. Chris Jericho
Jericho dominates for most of this and drives Fandango into a Codebreaker to get the 1 – 2 – 3, despite A.J. Styles trying to distract him with calls of “Y2-Jackass.”
Winner via Pinfall: Chris Jericho
Up next, we will continue to look at Shane McMahon and The Undertaker.
Commercials.
Segment #9: Video Promo
Shawn Michaels, Ric Flair, Pat Patterson, Booker T., Edge, and Mick Foley talk about The Undertaker and Shane McMahon’s WrestleMania match.
Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens is shown talking to referees backstage. The Triple-Threat to see who will face him at ‘Mania is next!
Ads.
Match #4: Triple-Threat to determine the #1 Contender for the Intercontinental Championship
Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens is in the ring and announces the participants … Stardust, Sin Cara, and Zack Ryder! He has pulled a swerve, which is talked about with the commentary team. Those three wrestle legitimately until Sami Zayn, The Miz, and Dolph Ziggler walk out. they yell at Owens about what he’s done, then Ryder, Cara, and Stardust join in. They all beat on Kevin until he retreats.
Winner: No Contest due to Interference
Segment #10: Office Promo
Stephanie is on her cell phone, talking to Triple H about leaving Raw, when Kevin Owens walks in. He demands to know what she is going to do about the other guys attacking him, and she angrily accosts him for interrupting her phone call and books him in a 7-Man Ladder Match for the Intercontinental Championship at WrestleMania!
Commercials.
Segment #11: Backstage Promo
Stephanie meets Triple H and their limo goes to drive, but Roman Reigns is blocking the entrance. He attacks “The Game” again as Stephanie yells, but HHH is able to hop in the stretch-hummer and escape.
Ads.
Match #5: Single – Natalya VS. Divas Champion Charlotte (with Ric Flair) (Non-Title)
(Note: Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch are on commentary.) They circle each other then lockup. Nattie waistlocks and rolls Charlotte, then the Divas Champion shoves back and “whoos.” Natalya trips up Charlotte and places her in a surfboard-stretch. She clotheslines Charlotte on the floor as Charlotte was distracted by Lynch; Charlotte takes over back in the ring in the corner.
Charlotte’s attention turns again, allowing Nattie to sit-down-powerbomb her and trap her in the Sharpshooter! Charlotte works out of it and goes for the Figure-8, but Nattie reverses into a small-package for a near-fall! Charlotte fights back with the Natural Selection snapmare-facebuster and completes this!
Winner via Pinfall: Divas Champion Charlotte (with Ric Flair)
Dean Ambrose’s meeting with Terry Funk is re-aired.
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – R-Truth VS. Bubba Ray Dudley (with D-Von Dudley)
Bubba takes this one after a big boot!
Winner via Pinfall: Bubba Ray Dudley (with D-Von Dudley)
Post-match, The Dudleyz double-team Truth until Goldust runs out and helps. Bubba and D-Von drop him too, but The Usos run out and attack They set D-Von on a table, but Bubba pulls him out in time before he can get splashed by Jimmy and Jey!
Ads.
Segment #12: Arena Promo
Mr. McMahon is out and speculates on what will happen at WrestleMania. He threatens The Undertaker to win against Shane McMahon, or it “will be his last.”
Dean Ambrose makes his entrance for the main-event, next!
Commercials.
Match #7: Single – Dean Ambrose VS. Braun Strowman (with The Wyatt Family)
(Note: Paul Heyman is on commentary.) Dean starts out avoiding Strowman and then punching the big-man, but Braun takes over after punching him in the gut and shoulder-blocking Dean. “The Lunatic Fringe” battles back with a low-dropkick then a dive-through-the-ropes. He goes for a second, but Strowman blocks. He punishes Ambrose on the outside and takes over for a while, until running into the ring post.
Dean grabs a chair and swings away for the deliberate DQ.
Winner via Disqualification: Braun Strowman (with Wyatt Family members Luke Harper, Bray Wyatt, and Erick Rowan
Post-match, Dean fends off the rest of the Wyatt Family and even plants Braun with the Dirty Deeds DDT onto the chair, then gets in Heyman’s face to close the show!
End of Raw.
Hulk Hogan awarded an additional $25.1 million in punitive damages
After over three hours of deliberations, the 4 women and 2 men jury who last week awarded Hulk Hogan $115 million in his lawsuit against Gawker, came back with their punitive damages.
The three plaintiffs were ordered to pay $25,100,000 in total damages to Hulk Hogan on top of the $115 million. Gawker received a $15 million bill, its founder Nick Denton was handed a $10 million bill and AJ Daulerio, who has zero assets and is in $27,000 debt was ordered to pay $100,000.
After the verdict was read, judge Pamela Campbell ordered the sex tape sealed.
Gawker will be appealing the decisions and have a good chance of paying much less from the $115 million, if anything at all. They still have to post bond which will likely end up being around $50 million until the appellate court hears the case.
Fifth Harmony to sing America The Beautiful at WrestleMania 32
WWE.COM reported today that X Factor USA winners Fifth Harmony will be performing America The Beautiful in front of the largest wrestling audience ever in the United States at WrestleMania 32.
“We are so excited to be a part of this year’s WrestleMania!” the group said. “It’s such an honor to be chosen to perform at one of WWE’s biggest events. We can’t wait to see everyone in Arlington!”
Neil Lawi, Senior Vice President and General Manager, WWE Music Group, added, “WWE has a long tradition of attracting the world’s most popular artists to perform at our biggest event of the year. Fifth Harmony will continue this great tradition as we look forward to their much-anticipated performance at this year’s WrestleMania.”
The award-winning girl group was formed in 2012 on the second season of The X Factor USA and will release their new album in May. The group recently received the award for Favorite Group at the People’s Choice Awards and Favorite Music Group at the Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards. Last year they won multiple awards including being named 2015’s Billboard’s Women in Music’s Group of the Year.
Bobby Roode says it was time to leave TNA as product got stale
Speaking to the Peterborough Examiner newspaper, former TNA champion Bobby Roode said that his time in TNA was up and it was the right time to go.
The Peterborough native added that he has nothing negative to say about TNA as they had treated him very good over the past 12 years but it came to a point where he thought TNA wasn’t the right fit for him anymore as the brand “has been stale for the last little while and the growth wasn’t there as it was in the early years.”
Asked about maybe a jump to WWE, Roode said that he’s a free agent so he can do whatever and wherever, admitting that he received a few phone calls already but he’s not in a rush to do anything.
“This is my first 24 hours of freedom so I’m taking baby steps and enjoying some time at home,” he said. “The one thing I want to do is to find that passion again to wrestle. I kind of burnt out a little bit. Hopefully that will come back and you’ll see me somewhere else real soon.”
His time in TNA came to an end last week although he will still appear on the next couple of Impact Wrestling shows as TNA taped several episodes in advance.
WWE and Charity Buzz launch Superstars for Hope 2016 global auction
WWE and Charity Buzz have launched their yearly Superstars for Hope global online auction to benefit Boys & Girls Clubs of America.
Fans can visit charitybuzz.com/WWE through Tuesday, April 5 to bid on dozens of exclusive experiences and items including meet and greets, lunches, tours, and replica WWE titles featuring Superstars and Divas such as Triple H, John Cena, Sting, Wyatt Family, Randy Orton, Sasha Banks, Stephanie McMahon, and many others.
“WWE is dedicated to using the power of our brand to give back to the community in as many ways as we can,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “I am proud that this year’s Superstars for Hope campaign will support Boys and Girls Clubs of America to further enhance their efforts to build future leaders and positively affect the lives of our youth.”
Jury in Hogan/Gawker trial back in court to determine punitive damages
Hulk Hogan, Gawker, their respective legal teams and the jurors who last week award Hogan $115 million returned to the courtroom today to award punitive damages, if any, to Hogan.
In her instructions to the jury, Judge Pamela Campbell explained that these extra punitive damages are not meant to drive a defendant bankrupt or financially destroy them but simply meant to deter future similar incidents and punish the defendant for what they did.
Gawker’s attorney said that the $115 million the jury awarded to Hogan last week already exceeds the value of the company by around $30 million and that amount is already beyond what they can afford.
Gawker grossed $48.7 million last year while the net worth of Gawker Media founder Nick Denton stands around $121 million and AJ Daulerio, the man who posted the Hogan sex tape story has $27,000…in debt, and no assets.
The jury went back to deliberate and a result is expected within the next few hours.
Stan Hansen to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2016
The latest inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2016 is Stan Hansen, a Texas native who made his name in Japan. The 66 year old made his professional wrestling debut in January 1973 and retired in the same month of 2001.
He joined the WWWF in 1976 and had a feud with the then champion Bruno Sammartino just two months after he arrived. He had another stint with the company, which was then renamed WWF in 1980 which lasted a year.
After departing the WWF, Hansen moved to the AWA and then New Japan Pro Wrestling and All Japan Pro Wrestling where he spent most of his career. He had two stints in AJPW, first between 1981 and 1990 and then between 1991 and 2001.
He is best known for the Lariat clothesline and his clothesline was considered one of the stiffest in the business.
He won all the titles you can imagine at All Japan Pro Wrestling as well as several NWA titles and the AWA World title during his career.
Hansen told Tokyo Sports that he was surprised to be contacted by WWE as he didn’t think he would be chosen, calling it an honor to be part of it.
In 2010 Stan Hansen inducted Antonio Inoki into the WWE Hall of Fame.