Wooooo! Are you ready for another Ric Flair Hall of Fame speech? The two-time Hall of Famer announced on his podcast yesterday that he will be inducting Sting in the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2016 on April 2. The Nature Boy was the favorite to do the honors from the very beginning considering the long history the two had in WCW.
JBL and Ron Simmons are the only other ones confirmed to be inducting a fellow Superstar with the APA members inducting their good friend, the Godfather. Rumors are that the only surviving person of the legendary Von Erich family, Kevin Von Erich, will be the one inducting the Fabulous Freeboards. The Von Erichs and the Freebirds had a legendary feud that is still talked about to this day, making him the best and most qualified individual to induct the group.
WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash told ESPN yesterday that he will donate his brain and spinal cord to CTE research after his death with the CTE Center at Boston University and the Concussion Legacy Foundation run by former WWE wrestler Chris Nowinski being selected as recipients.
“Chris Nowinski started the program, and I’ve had several concussions throughout my life and had scans done and stuff and knew that somewhere down the line, I’ve already had short-term memory problems. I decided to go ahead. The only way you can diagnose this is after you’re dead,” Nash said. He added that he carries a card in his wallet that says his brain and spine goes to them and it’s also in his will.
The former WWE and WCW champion said that he made the decision to donate his brain six or seven years ago and has been working with the center at Boston University. While scans of his brain showed abnormalities, there has been no evidence of brain shrinkage. He also said he has been more emotional in recent years and that he has experienced short-term memory loss but isn’t sure if that is related to prior brain trauma.
Chris Nowinski said that it’s “powerful” when people like Nash are willing to pledge their brain for research and talk about it publicly. ”Brain donation is really driving our growing knowledge of CTE and the long-term effects of brain trauma. And so I’m hoping that we solve this problem before Kevin’s time comes, but Kevin announcing this means that other families are aware that this research is important and that if they lose somebody, they may think of the concussion legacy foundation.”
WWE has sent a letter to all of its stockholders announcing that the 2016 annual meeting will be held on April 21 at the Hilton Stamford Hotel with stockholders being asked to vote on six items, including the election of the ten Board of Directors.
In the proxy statement that was attached to the invitation, there were some interesting figures on how much certain people are being paid. Shane McMahon, who just made his return two weeks ago following a six year absence, will receive “in excess” of $120,000 for his services as a performer for the company. The statement says that no agreement has been reached at this time which is why an exact figure was not printed. The exact figure will be disclosed in next year’s proxy statement.
Vince McMahon, who is the Chairman and CEO of the company receives an annual salary of $3.3 million in 2015 while his son-in-law, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, received $3.1 million for his corporate job and as well as an on-screen performer.
Interesting enough, three other top executives earned more money in 2015 than Vince McMahon. Michelle Wilson, the Chief Revenue and Marketing Officer received $4.5 million, and so did George Barrios, the Chief Strategy and Financial Officer. The big winner however was Kevin Dunn, the Executive Producer and Chief Global Television Production who received a total of $4.7 million.
The earnings of Stephanie McMahon were not released.
Impact on Pop this week did 258,000 viewers, up 48,000 from last week’s record low rating. Despite the registered increase, it’s still one of the lowest rated episodes since moving to Pop, the third lowest to be exact, beating only the debut show by 3,000 viewers. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Two more matches were added to the upcoming Roadblock WWE Network event which will air on March 12 from Toronto at the Ricoh Coliseum.
The first match announced is for the NXT Tag Team titles with current champions The Revival – Scott Dawson and Dash Wilder – taking on the popular duo of Enzo Amore and Big Cass.
In addition to that, Brock Lesnar’s opponent on the show has also been named and that is Bray Wyatt. Wyatt was supposed to be wrestling Lesnar at WrestleMania but plans changed and Dean Ambrose was put in the Lesnar match instead, leaving Wyatt hanging without an angle leading up to the biggest show of the year.
These two matches join Triple H vs Dean Ambrose for the WWE title as the only matches made public so far.
Total Divas episode seven of season five with the title Hart of the Matter did a total of 591,000 viewers which is now the lowest rated show in the whole series. It suffered a huge drop of 186,000 viewers from last week and it’s down over half a million viewers from the season opener. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
The Undertaker will be sticking around for a few weeks after WrestleMania as he has been added to the WrestleMania Revenge Tour in Europe.
He is the second big name announced for the tour after WWE added Daniel Bryan to the schedule who will be appearing at shows in a non-wrestling role of course. The Undertaker will be wrestling on the shows that he is booked for.
The Undertaker will appear in London on April 19 for Smackdown, Newcastle on April 20, Brussels on April 21 April, Paris on April 22, and Malaga on April 23. Meanwhile, Daniel Bryan will be at the Smackdown in London on April 19, Belfast on April 20, Dublin on April 21, Sheffield on April 22, and Glasgow on April 23.
The two will be running on opposite shows apart from Smackdown.
In anticipation of his debut on AXS TV for New Japan Pro Wrestling, new commentator Jim Ross recorded an interview for The Voice Versus show which will air on AXS TV on Friday, March 4 at 8PM EST and serve as the lead-in for the NJPW show.
During the interview, JR was asked about his departure from WWE and the announcement from the company that he was going into retirement. “No, I got fired,” JR responded bluntly. When asked of how much of being fired had to do with the WWE 2K13 SummerSlam panel where Ric Flair crashed the show, JR said, “All of it.”
Ross said that Flair had not healed yet from the passing of his son and still needed to grieve but instead was thrown into the panel for the game. “Unfortunately I was the moderator,” Ross added. He said he didn’t want to make any excuses, but he didn’t have an ear piece, he didn’t have a production meeting, he didn’t have a producer, and didn’t talk to the talent beforehand because the talent were in the green room drinking.
Ross admitted that he let the whole thing “derail” but didn’t think he should have been fired for it and WWE could have easily let his contract expire and he would have disappeared. “Vince made it clear to his staff he was going to take care of this matter,” Ross said, revealing that McMahon’s assistant called him a few weeks later and told him that Vince wants to meet with him and JR felt that he’s going to get fired.
“The train went off the tracks, man, and I was the driver. He’s already told everybody he’s going to handle it. How can he keep face to his employees and his inner circle if he handles it by…what’s he going to do, scold me? I’m 60 years old,” Ross said.
As expected, the dig at Sunny on the Edge & Christian WWE Network show did not go down well with the former Diva and she unloaded on the two in several posts on Twitter.
“Those who matter in the WWE office called to check on me in the hospital a couple weeks ago. Edge and Christian are just douche bags,” Sytch wrote before suggesting that “the office” probably didn’t write it and Edge and Christian came up with it.
“Everyone knows I speak my mind. And I’ll rip them both new assholes without fail. It’s fine. Those two f**king ugly Canadians can say what they want. I WILL see them at a convention somewhere, you know I’m a ruthless bitch,” she added.
Before signing off, she had one last dig at them, saying that both of them had crushes on her when they first got hired and said that Carl DeMarco – the WWE Canada President at the time – can verify that information. She then said that they’re bitter because she “didn’t f**k them!”
Jury selection in the Hulk Hogan vs Gawker trial began yesterday, kicking off a trial that is expected to last three weeks. Nearly 500 potential jurors were summoned, all mostly from Hogan’s area, and around 100 of those were told to return today. The Associated Press reported that the jurors did not like the fact that the trial is going to last that long.
Before he entered the courtroom, the former WWE and WCW champion told his millions of Twitter fans that it’s time for the “real main event.” He said that he’s going to slam another giant and then wrote, “Watcha Gonna Do Gawker? Only Justice Brother.”
It’s the first time that a celebrity is suing for a sex tape publication and a victory for Hogan will create a precedent that will impact celebrity news websites when it comes to news.
Hogan is suing Gawker for $100 million after the website published parts of his sex tape video back in 2012, six years after it was recorded. Hogan is citing violation of privacy while Gawker is standing behind the First Amendment and saying that they were right to publish the video since Hogan talked about his sex life before, making the news of interest to the public.
During a radio appearance on The Gunz Show on 77 WABC Radio, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross revealed that fellow Hall of Famer Bret “Hit Man” Hart has beat cancer after the surgery was a total success.
Hart went public last month with the news that he is suffering from prostate cancer and underwent surgery on February 10. “They removed the cancer by removing his prostate. His cancer is a non-issue now, thank God,” Ross said, who added that, “all issues are resolved and addressed.”
Bret has yet to address the good news himself publicly.
Raw this week drew a total of 3,724,000 viewers with the brief return of the Undertaker, down 160,000 viewers from last week’s show which also featured another return, that one of Shane McMahon.
Hour one started strong with 3,961,000 viewers but then it dipped to 3,660,000 viewers in the second hour and even further down to 3,551,000 in the third and final hour. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
E! will air the seventh episode of season five of Total Divas tonight with an episode titled Hart of the Matter.
The synopsis reads, “Nikki’s championship reign is at stake when she faces an old foe. Nattie is torn over taking TJ’s last name or having him take hers. Paige struggles to keep her relationship with Kevin afloat. Brie has a romantic bone to pick with Bryan, and pregnant Rosa tries to find purpose at WWE.”
The show has not been doing good in the ratings lately and last week’s episode was the second lowest rated show of the whole Total Divas series so far.
WWE took a shot at former Diva and Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Sytch during the Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks Of Awesomeness on the WWE Network.
The show was presented by a fake sponsor called Sunny’s Miracle Drops and on the made-up box, the side effects listed included erratic behavior, cake fancer, and DUI’s.
The “side effects” listed are some of the legal problems that Sunny ran into over the past few years and WWE has refused to pay her rehab bills anymore after repeated trips did not help her get her life back in order.
Sony Pictures Animation and WWE Studios announced today an animated sequel to Surf’s Up, the 2007 Academy Award-nominated action-comedy about surfing penguins. It will be titled Surf’s Up 2: WaveMania and will be distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment with WWE Studios providing marketing support.
Both WWE and Sony are co-financing and producing the movie, which is expected to release in 2017, in time for the original film’s 10th anniversary.
“We are thrilled to be working with Sony Pictures Animation to bring Cody Maverick back to audiences for more adventures, paired with our WWE Superstars in what promises to be a fun animated film for the entire family,” said Michael Luisi, WWE Studios President.
The plot line reads, “Cody Maverick, hungry for a new challenge, convinces an infamous big-wave-riding crew known as The Hang 5, voiced by WWE Superstars John Cena, The Undertaker, Triple H, WWE Diva Paige and Mr. McMahon, to let him join them on their journey to a mysterious surf spot known as The Trenches, where, legend has it, they’ll find the biggest waves in the world. Cody soon discovers that the life he left behind might be more heroic than what any death-defying wave has to offer.”
Kristine Belson, President of Sony Pictures Animation added, “WWE has a proven track record with family audiences, and we couldn’t be more excited to partner with them and dive back into the fun world of our surfing penguins.”
WWE today announced that starting today the WWE Network is available for fans in Thailand and Philippines and the first month of service will be free. WWE Network in Thailand and Philippines will cost $9.99 per month, with no commitment and the ability to cancel any time.
Subscribers will have access to the U.S. English language version of WWE Network and get all 12 WWE pay-per-view events at no additional cost as well.
WWE Network is available in Thailand and Philippines on desktop, laptop and mobile devices. It will become available through Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Roku and Smart TVs in time for WrestleMania 32.
“WWE is committed to the global growth of our brand,” said George Barrios, WWE Chief Strategy & Financial Officer. “We are thrilled to offer WWE Network to our fans in Thailand and Philippines in time for our biggest event of the year, WrestleMania.”
El Rey Network announced today that Lucha Underground is now available on iTunes with the complete first season ready for download, along with new episodes of the current season two available the next day after they air.
The episodes are $1.99 for standard definition or $2.99 for high definition. The full first season can be purchased in full for $34.99 in SD or $44.99 in HD while a season two pass is available for $29.99 in SD and $39.99 in HD.
Lucha Underground content on iTunes includes all 39 episodes from season one, the first five episodes of season two. Starting today through March 28, fans can get the season two premiere of Lucha Underground for free. You can get them at itunes.com/LuchaUnderground.
Gabe Sapolsky of EVOLVE announced that NXT General Manager William Regal will be returning to the promotion for the live events on March 19 and 20 from Queens and Brooklyn, New York, respectively. Regal will be available for pictures and autographs at both events although prices for the meet and greet have not been announced.
While the two shows – EVOLVE 56 and 57 – will be on iPPV, Regal’s appearance will be for the live audience only and he will not appear on camera during the iPPV due to his contract with WWE.
WWE is continuing to strengthen its relationship with EVOLVE and WWNLive by sending its talent and executives to shows. In January, Triple H visited EVOLVE while they ran a show in Orlando during the Royal Rumble weekend.
The March to WrestleMania WWE Network event which will take place on March 12 from Toronto, Canada, has been renamed to Roadblock, and will now feature the main event of Triple H versus Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Heavyweight title.
The show – from the Ricoh Coliseum – will kick off at 8PM EST and will also feature Brock Lesnar, Chris Jericho, AJ Styles, Paige, Brie Bella, The Usos, and many other WWE Superstars and Divas.
Tickets are still available for this show including official platinum seats with prices going up to CA $1,050 at Ticketmaster.com.
It the rare leap year, with today being February 29th, so does that mean we’ll get an excellent Raw overall? Last week’s shows were pretty-good, but still had some flaws.
The biggest surprise of course was the return of Shane McMahon and the announcement that he will wrestle The Undertaker at WrestleMania for control of WWE! “The Deadman” is in the capital of Country Music tonight and should be responding to Mr. McMahon’s using of him to deal with Junior.
Also, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H beat the heck out of his challenger, Roman Reigns, on last week’s Raw, then gave him a verbal message too on Smackdown! Will Roman be able to retort, either orally or physically tonight?
Becky will wrestle Sasha Banks to determine who matches against Divas Champion Charlotte for the title at WrestleMania!
The road to WrestleMania continues with more matches and storylines being lined up for the show; as well, who will be the next person(s) to be inducted into the Hall of Fame Class of 2016?
All this and much more, so read on!
Monday Night Raw Report for February 29th, 2016 – “Enrage To Engage”
Introduction Segment: Video and Arena Promo
A recap of Triple H’s assault on Roman Reigns is shown, then the regular Raw video plays and the pyro goes off in the arena. WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, this time donned back in his suit, saunters out. He says that few people have “authority” and many don’t, so they have to follow it, and are scared to stand up for themselves because of what the “authority” could do. “The Game” says Roman is/was in the same situation.
Dean Ambrose interrupts and they mock each other at first, then challenges him for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship because he thinks Triple H knows he can’t beat Ambrose. HHH tells Dean that he’ll let him know by the end of the show, and in the meantime, Ambrose will be taking on Alberto Del Rio later!
Also, Stephanie and Vince will be in town to give their thoughts on the situation from last week involving their other relative, Shane.
Up next, the #1 Contender’s Match for the Divas Championship
Commercials.
Match #1: Single (#1 Contender’s Stipulation) – Becky Lynch VS. Sasha Banks
They tangle, trying to one-up each other at first. The fans are elated for both competitors as they keep on trading pin and finish holds. Sasha capitalizes on Lynch with a knee between the ropes, the runs her into the ring post.
Ads.
Banks and Becky still go back-and-forth, with neither gaining a big advantage. Lynch dives off the top turnbuckle with a front-dropkick and almost gets it; she elbows out of the corner, then repeatedly headbutts her. Sasha goes for a sunset flip but they both collapse and referee Mike Chioda counts to three with both wrestlers having their shoulders on the mat.
Winner: Draw
The referee officially declares this a draw.
Segment #2: Video Promo
“They say the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and over again and expecting a different result. Now that I think about it, maybe I am insane; or maybe, just maybe, my mind is the key to saving the entire world. It stars with an idea. // It’s simple; I know what I must do. Take my hand, join me, and I will give you eternal paradise. Defy me, and I promise you, you will end up like the rest of them – conquered. Run!”
Commercials.
Match #2: Single – The Miz VS. Dolph Ziggler
Dolph waistlocks Miz down, dropkicks, and splashes him in the corner. He whips Miz into the corner, but Miz reverses and rolls him up for the sudden 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: The Miz
Later, A.J. Styles and Chris Jericho meet Tag-Team Champions The New Day!
Ads.
Segment #3: Video Promo
A montage of the history of Vince and Shane McMahon airs.
Stephanie McMahon is shown walking through the halls and will be out next to talk about her reception of the Vincent J. McMahon “Legacy of Excellence” award.
Commercials.
Segment #4: Arena Promo
Stephanie McMahon walks to the ring and gives a prepared talk. She starts with one line, then pauses and holds the trophy. She is not pleased with fans who only want to have her brother out there. McMahon becomes enraged at her sibling’s position and lashes out, knocking over the table that held the award. She also rips on the crowd.
Ads.
Match #3 # Tag-Team – The Lucha Dragons (Sin Cara and United States Champion Kalisto) VS. The League of Nations (Rusev and Sheamus) (with League of Nations members King Barrett and Alberto Del Rio)
Cara and Sheamus begin with Sin flipping over Sheamus a couple times before he gets caught in the Irish Curse Backbreaker. Rusev throws Cara into the corner of the barricade, then works him over the in the ring. Sheamus tags in and pounds away on Cara, then gives him a big powerslam. Sin counters in the corner with double-knees and a Tornado-DDT, and manages the hot-tag to Kalisto. He springboards in onto Rusev a couple times, then almost gets this after the hurricanrana-facebuster.
All four take each other out and Rusev finishes this with a big kick to Kalisto!
Winners via Pinfall: The League of Nations
Commercials.
Match #4: Adam Rose (with Social Outcasts members Heath Slater, Curtis Axel, and Bo Dallas) VS. Ryback
Ryback tosses Rose around and shoves him down, but is given a jawbreaker with the top rope. Adam runs into a shoulder-tackle, but forearms and kicks back. He locks on a sleeper, but “The Big Guy” drops him and mount-punches quickly and viciously, then He slams him with The Shellshock for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Ryback
Segment #5: Video Promo
Recall of Lesnar and Ambrose’s confrontation from last week on Raw is broadcast.
Tag-Team Champions The New Day dance to the ring and will be wrestling A.J. and Jericho, next!
Ads.
Match #5: Tag-Team – Tag-Team Champions The New Day (Kofi Kingston and Big E.) (with Tag-Team Champion/New Day member Xavier Woods) VS. Chris Jericho and A.J. Styles
Prior to the contest, the champs cut a promo about being a legit brotherhood and not a “fake” one like Styles and Jericho.
Jericho and Kingston start, with “Y2J” getting the better then switching with “The Phenomenal One.” They double-team both Kofi and Big, then slingshot over the top rope to Langston and Kingston with planchas!
Commercials.
New Day are now dominating, giving Styles multiple stomps in the corner as Xavier yells form the outside. A.J. fights back with the Pele Kick and makes the hot-tag to Jericho. “Y2J” is all over Kingston until Big E. tries to break it up, but Styles soars back into the ring with the springboard-forearm! Kofi attempts a Trouble In Paradise Spin-kick, but Jericho catches his leg and traps him in the Walls of Jericho, forcing Kofi to give in!
Winners via Submission: Chris Jericho and A.J. Styles
Post-match, “Y2-A.J.” (as they are calling themselves again) issue a challenge to The New Day to wrestle for the Tag Titles next week on Raw!
Up next, The Undertaker will be out!
Ads.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
Lillian Garcia announces Mr. McMahon, who struts out and is dissatisfied with the reaction he received. A “lack-there-of” one. He then brings out the man he selected to take on Shane at WrestleMania, “The Phenom,” The Undertaker.
Clutching Vince’s throat, ‘Taker warns him sternly. “You know what’s going to happen when I close that door at WrestleMania. You know what I do. The blood of your son is going to be on your hands, not mine.” He walks away as Mr. McMahon declares that Shane is no longer his.
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – Jey Uso (with Uso partner Jimmy Uso) VS. Bubba Ray Dudley (with Dudley Boyz partner D-Von Dudley)
Jey is aggressive at first with kicks and uppercuts, but Bubba hits back with a clothesline. Uso fights back with more uppercuts, then gives Bubba a smacking superkick! He lines up in the corner, but D-Von distracts him with a table, chucking it into his brother. This allows Ray to get back together and give Jey a Full-Nelson Bomb for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Bubba Ray Dudley (with Dudley Boyz partner D-Von Dudley)
Segment #7: Locker Room Promo
R-Truth is getting ready when Goldust startles him. Truth has had enough and is not going to be a partner for Goldust, win or lose. “The Bizarre One” is upset and walks away.
Ads.
Match #7: Single – Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens VS. The Big Show (Non-Title)
Show dominates until Owens wiggles out of a slam attempt and pushes Big into the ring post. He climbs back in the ring as referee Chioda counts. Owens gives Show a Tornado-DDT from the ring apron to the floor and goes back in again, trying to get the count.
Big is up and gets a senton-splash for two, but is caught by the throat on the top turnbuckle and crotched on the top rope. Kevin tumbles to the floor and does not make it back in!
Winner via Count-Out: The Big Show
Segment #8: Backstage Promo
Rene Young interviews Brie Bella about her emotions after losing against Divas Champion Charlotte at Fastlane. She pumps herself up until a returning Lana walks in. She compares herself and Rusev to Brie and Bryan, insinuating their superiority over Bella and Daniel. Brie shoots back with a couple of verbal-jabs at Lana about her lack of in-ring competition and Rusev’s hairiness then walks away.
Commercials.
Match #8: Single – Brie Bella VS. Naomi (with Team B.A.D. partner Tamina)
Brie and Naomi start evenly until Tamina distracts Brie enough. Naomi capitalizes for a while, and grapples her in a crucifix-hold, making Brie tap!
Winner via Submission: Naomi (with Team B.A.D. partner Tamina)
Post-match, Lana walks out and claps mockingly.
Ads.
Segment #9: Video Promo
It is announced that The Freebirds – Michael “P.S.” Hayes, the late Terry “Bam Bam” Gordy, the late Buddy Roberts, and Jimmy “Jam” Garvin – will be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year!
Segment #10: Backstage Promo
Becky Lynch and Sasha Banks are having a friendly debate on who would’ve really won that match when Divas Champion Charlotte walks up with her father, Ric Flair. She tells them that they can try again this week on Smackdown!, then laughs at how they were acting and walks away.
Dean Ambrose makes his entrance for his match with Alberto Del Rio, next!
Commercials.
Match #9: Single – Dean Ambrose VS. Alberto Del Rio (with League of Nations members Rusev, King Barrett, and Sheamus)
It is all Del Rio until Ambrose gets a little upperhand. Just as he makes a comeback, Triple H’s music his and he walks out. The Nations attack Ambrose from behind, and “The Game” gives Dean a Pedigree. He tells him that he’s got his match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship!
As the C.O.O. walks away, “The Lunatic Fringe” says “thanks” into the microphone; this infuriates the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and he demolishes Ambrose almost like Reigns last week until referees ward him away to close the show.
