TNA will start their TNA Maximum Impact UK Tour tomorrow with several Impact tapings set to be held over a period of three days. A Lockdown version of Impact will also be taped while this tour is being billed as the Kurt Angle farewell tour with Angle wrestling his last matches with the company.
The tour kicks off on January 29 in Manchester at The Manchester Arena, and then moves to London at The SSE Arena in Wembley on January 30 and on January 31 the last leg takes place in Birmingham at the Birmingham Barclaycard Arena.
The Olympic gold medalist will be facing Drew Galloway, Bobby Roode and Bobby Lashley on the tour with Lashley being his last TNA match. Pretty much the entire TNA roster is on tour minus Jeff Hardy who cannot travel to the United Kingdom due to legal issues.
2K and WWE today announced that they have extended their partnership with a new multi-year exclusive agreement granting 2K the worldwide rights to develop and publish WWE video game properties across all major platforms and distribution channels.
In addition, 2K will continue to invest in WWE SuperCard, the breakout hit card-battling game developed by its Cat Daddy Games studio, which has been downloaded more than nine million times since its initial release. Financial terms of the new agreement were not disclosed.
“2K’s partnership with WWE over the past three years has resulted in a successful and important addition to the Company’s portfolio of profitable franchises,” said David Ismailer, Chief Operating Officer for 2K. “We are thrilled with the positive momentum of the WWE 2K series, including generating year-over-year growth, as well as the success of WWE SuperCard. We are very pleased to extend our partnership with WWE and look forward to many more years of collaboration.”
Casey Collins, WWE Executive Vice President, Consumer Products, said that 2K has been a perfect complement to WWE due to their leadership in authenticity, quality and overall brand dedication. “Our continued partnership ensures WWE remains at the forefront of global video game brands as we continue innovating and publishing our offerings on multiple platforms.”
The second Superstar of the four that have been rumored to be joining WWE – Shinsuke Nakamura – has been announced as making his WWE NXT debut at the upcoming NXT Takeover: Dallas event, during WrestleMania 32 weekend.
The announcement was made during yesterday’s NXT tapings at Full Sail University in Orlando when NXT General Manager William Regal played a video to the crowd hyping up the arrival of the former IWGP Intercontinental champion.
The King of Strong Style will be officially wrapping up his New Japan Pro Wrestling duties at the end of January and will then move to Florida to start training at the WWE Performance Center.
Nakamura will also be wrestling at NXT Takeover: Dallas and his opponent was revealed during the tapings.
Impact on Pop continues to grow as the show pulled in 339,000 viewers this week, registering a small but important 18,000 increase from last week’s show.
This is the third week in a row that Impact has grown in ratings since moving to Pop after starting at 255,000 viewers in week one. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Episode 2 of season 5 of Total Divas which was titled A SummerSlam Engagement did 939,000 viewers, down from last week’s season opener of 1.11 million.
That is just slightly below the average of what the show was doing throughout season 4 last year. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Ryan Satin from ProWrestlingSheet.com is reporting that Dave Bautista was backstage at the Royal Rumble after he was invited for a meeting with the boss, Vince McMahon.
According to sources, Batista was there because McMahon offered him a one-off deal for WrestleMania 32 in Dallas, Texas. It seems that the creative that was pitched to Batista wasn’t deemed good enough by the former champion as Batista turned down the offer. However the two sides reportedly left the door open to try and fit him in the show differently. Whether that will happen or not remains to be seen.
The timing of WrestleMania might also interfere with the filming of Bautista’s upcoming movie Guardians of the Galaxy 2.
WWE Shop is running a two day sale on nearly 200 t-shirts, 34 replica titles, and 28 DVDs with prices starting from $4.99.
Apart from that, you can save more money depending on how much you spend. If you spend $70 or more, you can use the code WWESAVE10 to get $10 off, if you spend $100 or more, use WWEAFF15 to get $15 off and if you go over $150, you can use WWEAFF25 to get $25 off. There is also a 25% off regular priced items if you use the code SNOW.
The sale ends tomorrow, January 28, at 11:59PM EST. To get started go to http://w-o.it/wweshopcom.
Former WWE Divas champion Nikki Bella underwent successful surgery this morning to repair a broken neck and a herniated disk. Nikki was accompanied to the hospital by her boyfriend John Cena, sister Brie, brother JJ, her mother and John Laurinaitis, who is dating her mother.
Earlier this week, she told E! News, “What makes mine a little bit difficult than most people is that I have some disk behind my vertebrae so with a lot of prayers we’re gonna pray that the doctors can get the piece behind my vertebrae with just a bone fusion.”
It will take around six months before doctors can figure out if Nikki can resume her wrestling career and if she does, the use of the Rack Attack finishing move will be out of the question as that was the source of her problem.
Her sister Brie tweeted earlier today that the surgery was done and it was successful. “Great news #BellaArmy Nikki’s surgery was successful she is sleeping soundly as we speak! Thank you all for your support,” she wrote.
We are on somewhat of a new path after the Royal Rumble; debuts, a championship change, a return, and a couple of new rivalries look to be ahead. I will not spoil for those who have not seen the show, and are still wanting to, but it was pretty-good.
Monday Night Raw TV Report for January 25th, 2016 – “’The Game’ Begins”
Introduction Segment: Video Promo and Welcoming
A recap of the Royal Rumble match is shown, then Michael Cole, John “Bradshaw” Layfield and Byron Saxton greet us from Miami, Florida.
Segment #2: Arena Promo
Vince and Stephanie McMahon parade out and are overjoyed with the results of the Royal Rumble. They berate both Roman Reigns and the fans for “believing” that he can do it and win the entire match. The McMahons move onto the new WWE World Heavyweight Champions, their son-in-law and husband, respectively, Triple H!
The C.O.O. walks out in his suit, gleaming with the gold around his waist. He is all too happy to be WWE World Heavyweight Champion again, but that is because he said he had too. “The Game” talks about the lack of respect Roman Reigns showed during his sway with the championship, defying Authority and being abusive to Vince. This is why he returned on Sunday and entered into the Rumble, so he could take the title from Roman.
Stephanie announces that all of tonight’s matches will be scrutinized by The Authority so they can determine who will be in the main-event of Fastlane on February 21st, which will then determine who will wrestle Triple H for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania!
Commercials.
Match #1: Single – Dolph Ziggler VS. Kevin Owens
Dolph hits a superkick immediately but Owens kicks out at two. They brawl on the outside and Kevin gets an advantage after chucking Ziggler into the side barricade. Dolph fights back inside the ring, getting him with a dropkick that sends Owens to the floor for a break.
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Owens is now in control, but he misses a shoulder-ram in the corner and hits the ring post; Ziggler capitalizes with a Famasser for a near-fall! He reverses a fireman’s carry lift into a sleeper, but Kevin breaks it in the corner. He goes for the cannonball, but Dolph moves. Owens snaps Ziggler back with a German Suplex, but Dolph catches him with another superkick right after!
The “Show-off” props Owens atop the turnbuckle and goes for a superplex, but Kevin shoves him to the mat. He boots Dolph as he ran at him, but Ziggler meets him up there. Owens counters and trips Dolph, then whips him off the ropes and Pop-Up Powerbombs him. Owens falls to the cover for the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: Kevin Owens
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
Jojo catches up with Roman Reigns in the halls. She recaps what Mr. McMahon said about him, but Reigns isn’t phased and warns Triple H and Vince that he’s sticking around for the announcement.
Commercials.
Segment #4: Arena Promo
The Social Outcasts are in the ring, and Heath Slater berates Flo Rida, who is sitting at ringside. Rida enters the ring and Slater challenges him to a rap-battle, but puts in Bo Dallas instead. Bo cuts a pretty-good rap, but Flo’s was boring. Rida then tells Slater, Bo, Curtis Axel, and Adam Rose that two of them will be facing the Dudleyz, right now!
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Match #2: Tag-Team – The Social Outcasts (Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas) (with Social Outcast partners Heath Slater and Adam Rose) VS. The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) (with Flo Rida)
Curtis and D-Von are wrestling until D-Von tags in Bubba and they double-flapjack Axel. Dallas gets Bubba’s attention, allowing Curtis to clothesline Ray from behind. He stomps away in the corner on Bubba, then switches with Bo. He gives Bubba a neckbreaker, then traps him a side headlock. Bubba reverses into a side suplex, and makes the hot-tag to his “brother.” He is all over Axel, and both “brothers” give him a backdrop and neckbreaker combo. Heath hops the apron and tries to distract, but Flo tips him into the ring. Bubba scoop-slams Slater and D-Von soars off the top rope with a headbutt. The Dudleyz finish this one with a 3-D on Axel!
Winners via Pinfall: The Dudleyz (with Flo Rida)
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Rene Young is with new WWE addition, A.J. Styles! She asks him what it was like to make his debut, but Chris Jericho walks up and interrupts soon. He puts A.J. over as “the hottest free agent,” but warns him about being where he is now.
Commercials.
Match #3: Single – Chris Jericho VS. A.J. Styles
They lockup and shove into the corner; both break it then lock up again. They turn each other around with head and wristlocks, then A.J. flips out of one and gives Jericho an armdrag, and poses. (Loud “this is awesome” chants already!) Jericho quickly puts A.J. to the canvas, but Styles hits back with a leaping clothesline from an Irish Whip. Chris gets control after clotheslining Styles in the corners, then giving him a springboard dropkick that knocks him from the apron.
“Y2J” suplexes Styles back in the ring, elbows him in the corner, then dropkicks him from the middle turnbuckle. A.J. counters with a couple of chops, then leapfrogs Jericho and hits a dropkick. He goes to the apron, but Jericho trips him up.
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Jericho is now wearing down Styles with a rear chinlock, but A.J. battles out with elbows. They both run into each other with a crossbody and are down! A.J. hits some quick elbows and a splash into the corner, but is almost caught in the Walls of Jericho before he spins Chris over. They move around each other and Jericho gets two with a Northern Lights suplex; they trade pin combos for two-counts, then Jericho hits a running-enziguri for another near-fall! A.J. springs off the top rope with a forearm, but Chris kicks out at two! A.J. gets caught in the Walls, but struggles and manages to clutch the bottom rope for a break.
Styles hits the Pele Kick, then goes to the top. He rockets off the turnbuckle with a Frog Splash, but Chris moves. “Y2J” springs off the middle rope with the Lionsault, but A.J. lifts his knees for the counter. He also reverses a pin combo into a sunset one of his own and receives the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: A.J. Styles
Post-match, A.J. wants to shake Jericho’s hand; Chris reluctantly does then holds on a little longer as a warning.
A limousine is shown pulling into the arena
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – Sasha Banks VS. Becky Lynch
Sasha shoves Becky, then Lynch sweeps her up and punches away. She kicks Banks in the corner, but Sasha jawbreaks her using the rope and throws her into the turnbuckle. Sasha stomps and slaps Becky, then wrenches her head. Lynch flips Banks around, then clotheslines her a couple times and hits a dropkick. She gains momentum, giving Sasha an exploder-suplex. She runs at Banks in the corner, but “The Boss” trips her into the turnbuckle.
Banks tries a suplex, but Lynch rolls through and traps her in the Disarmer. Sasha gets out of it and locks Becky in the Bank Statement, but Divas Charlotte suddenly interferes, throwing Banks to the floor and attacking Lynch too.
Winner: None due to interference
Post-match, Charlotte continues the assault on both women, leaving them in the ring.
Segment #6: Locker Room Promo
Goldust is searching for R-Truth and decides to listen to his music. Truth walks up and wonders what’s going on; Goldust tells him he wants “a new partner,’ meaning for a Tag-Team, but R takes it as a meaning of same-sex marriage. He informs Goldust that he’s already hitched, but is okay with how Goldust wants to live, then walks away. Goldust realizes his faux-pas.
Up next, Kane will take on Bray Wyatt.
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Match 5: Single – Bray Wyatt (with Wyatt Family members Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, and Braun Strowman) VS. Kane
Kane engages into a headlock, then gives Bray a shoulder-block. Wyatt is back up and slugs away, then Kane turns him around into the corner and does the same. He snapmares Bray and gives him a running-front-dropkick, then chokes on the apron. Wyatt counters by slinging Kane’s arm over the top rope then works him over.
Commercials.
Bray is still in control until Kane counters with a jawbreaker. Bray knocks Kane down again, but Kane gets up and gives Wyatt a DDT. He goes for the chokeslam but Bray stops it and slams Kane down. Kane gets back up and hits a big boot. Luke hops the apron, which allows Wyatt to spin Kane around with Sister Abigail to take this one!
Winner via Pinfall: Bray Wyatt (with Luke Harper, Erick Rowan, and Braun Strowman)
Post-match, The Wyatts continue to attack Kane, then pose over him.
Commercials.
Segment #7: Backstage and Arena Promo
Rich Brennan is outside the limousine and knocks on the door; out comes The Miz. He declares that it has been three weeks, which is too long for the “most-must-see WWE Superstar of all-time.” He doesn’t get too far when a truck screeches behind them. The real returning star is….
The Rock!
“The most electrifying man in sports-entertainment history” makes fun of Miz, The Big Show, Lana, and Rusev along the way to the ring. As usual, he hypes up the crowd until he notices a particular group. The Rock decides to “go off the script” and quickly talk to three guys who are dressed as The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, and the late-great “Macho Man” Randy Savage, respectively. Rock finishes with them and goes back to the ring.
He is soon interrupted by Tag-Team Champions The New Day, who put themselves over. Rock makes fun of them and their attire, and then challenges them to go at it in the ring. Xavier Woods decides not, but Rock brings out The Usos to help. They fight with Big E., Woods, and Kofi Kingston; The Rock helps and finishes Woods with a People’s Elbow.
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Match #6: Tag-Team – Team Bella (Brie Bella and Alicia Fox) VS. Paige and Natalya
Alicia and Natalya start out, switching locks then Fox flips over into a headscissors. She tags in Brie who clutches an arm and chin lock. Nattie elbows out but is slammed down for two. Brie kicks away at Natalya’s chest like her husband Daniel Bryan, then gives her a running-dropkick. She misses her running-knee and Nattie kicks Brie off then slaps hands with Paige.
The former “Diva of Tomorrow” gets Brie into the P.T.O., but it is broken by Fox. Natalya takes out Alicia, then Paige plants Brie with the Ram-Paige DDT and finishes this one!
Winners via Pinfall: Paige and Natalya
Commercials.
Match #7: Single – The Miz VS. United States Champion Kalisto (Non-Title)
The Miz is in the ring and says he has had enough of being cut off; it continues however as Kalisto makes his entrance. Miz furiously kicks Kalisto multiple times in the corner to begin, but Kalisto quickly takes over with his aerial attacks! The U.S. Champion continues the flips, and dives off the turnbuckle with a crossbody.
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Miz controls most of the contest until Kalisto kicks back. Miz almost takes this after a harsh-DDT, but the U.S. Champ has some more left in him. He reveres a Skull Krushing Finale attempt into the Solida-Del-Sol for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: United States Champion Kalisto
Up next is the main-event!
Commercials.
It is made-known again that Roman Reigns and Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose will be on Chris Jericho’s “Highlight Reel” this week on Smackdown!
Match #8: Tag-Team – Roman Reigns and Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose VS. The League of Nations (Sheamus and Rusev) (with League of Nations partners King Barrett and Alberto Del Rio)
Reigns is aggressive right away on Sheamus with punches and a clothesline, then tags in Ambrose who punches Sheamus against the ropes. He runs with a dropkick then switches with Reigns. Both he and Dean double-team Rusev, then “The Lunatic Fringe” soars off the top turnbuckle onto Sheamus and Rusev on the floor with an elbow drop!
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Sheamus now has control over Reigns with a chinlock. Roman gets out of it and clotheslines “The Celtic Warrior,” then crawls for the hot-tag to Dean! He is all over Sheamus with clotheslines and forearms, then he dumps him to the outside and follows with a dive-through-the-ropes. He jumps off the apron too, but Del Rio hurls him into the corner. Rusev now dominates, as does Sheamus for a bit.
Dean counters by spinning on the apron and clotheslining Sheamus on the outside. He makes the hot-tag to Reigns, who hits both Rusev and Sheamus numerous times. He gives Rusev nine clotheslines in the corner then an uppercut. Roman gears up for the Superman Punch, but The League distract. Rusev kicks him hard then switches with Sheamus who Brogue Kicks and covers Roman. 1 – 2 – Dean breaks it up! “The Lunatic Fringe” takes Rusev to the floor and Reigns hits a Spear on Sheamus then covers to receive the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Roman Reigns and Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose
Post-match, Dean rips off the top of the announce tables, then he and Reigns double-powerbomb Rusev from one table to, and through, the next! The friends are standing tall until Stephanie walks to the stage.
The Principle Owner is actually pleased with what she saw, then books the Fastlane main-event, which features Ambrose VS. Reigns VS. ….
Brock Lesnar!
Ambrose and Reigns look at each other to close the show.
The fallout from the Royal Rumble garnered a lot of interest with an average viewership of 4,098,000, up 600,000 viewers from last week’s show.
Hour one did 4,140,000 viewers, then increased to 4,183,000 with The Rock’s second hour, and then it went slightly down to 3,972,000 in the third and final hour with the big Fastlane main event reveal.
The show only lost 211,000 viewers from hour one to hour three, a big difference from last week’s drop of 650,000 viewers. This week’s Raw was the highest rated Raw since the February 23, 2015 edition. It also had the highest rated first hour since March 23, 2015, and the second highest rated second hour since January 19, 2015. (Ratings credit: Showbuzzdaily.com)
Austin, TX – January 26, 2016 – El Rey Network has released the first of four one-shot comic books in advance of the season two premiere of “Lucha Underground” the addictive, lucha libre wrestling series from Emmy Award-winning producer Mark Burnett, MGM, Robert Rodriguez and FactoryMade Ventures. The issue follows the international wrestling legend Rey Mysterio Jr.’s voyage to the “Lucha Underground” temple. The comic, scripted by Fabian Rangel Jr. with art by A.C. Osorio was released for free download today leading into the season two premiere of the EL Rey Network original on Wednesday, January 27th.
Next three comics will be released bi-weekly and will help bridge story lines in between seasons and offer new information into the lives of Vampiro, Catrina, Mil Muertes, and notorious owner and promoter Dario Cueto among others. Once all comics have been released they can be found on Scribd.com (https://www.scribd.com/book/296497798/Peace-Keeper)
Ancient tradition, extraordinary athleticism, and a flare for theatrics combine in El Rey Network’s wrestling series, “Lucha Underground”. The riveting original introduces American audiences to the high-flying aerial maneuvers, slingshot moves, dramatic masks, intricate, rapid-fire combinations and distinctive wrestling techniques of lucha libre, one of Mexico’s most popular sports. Fans will have a ringside seat as masked villains and heroes face off to battle for wrestling supremacy. It provides enthusiastic viewers with an incredibly visceral and explosive experience with a focus on the artistry, originality, intense action and over-the-top characters that have come to define this phenomenal fan-favorite. A celebration of lucha libre’s long-standing Mesoamerican heritage and culture dating back to 1863, this is programming that must be seen to be believed.
Global apparel company Under Armour announced yesterday that it has signed a long-term partnership with Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson to create a range of products across footwear, apparel and accessories as well as support Under Armour’s Connected Fitness initiatives.
This multi-faceted partnership will include the collaborative development of original content, inspired by the actor’s lifestyle, fitness regimen, and philanthropic initiatives. Johnson will play an integral role in the promotion of Under Armour’s Connected Fitness platforms including the recently debuted Under Armour HealthBox and Record application. Additionally, the brand will develop product capsules including footwear, apparel and accessories inspired by the films Johnson is currently working on. The first product capsule will feature a Rock-inspired backpack and duffle bag that will launch on UA.com and be available in select Brand Houses in the next few weeks.
“We wanted to empower as many people as possible to attack their goals, so we partnered with the best innovators in the health and fitness business. Together with Under Armour, we will deliver game changing products to help people get after it and chase greatness,” said Johnson.
If you noticed yesterday on Raw, Johnson was sporting an Under Armour shirt with the trademark Brahma Bull logo printed on it.
TNA announced that Jeff Hardy and The Wolves – Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards – have signed new deals with the company which will prevent all three from potentially jumping ship.
In recent interviews Jeff Hardy has said that a return to the WWE is not impossible and that he would love to main event WrestleMania before he retires. TNA received some additional money with new International television deals that is enabling them to lock down their talent rather than pay them on per appearance basis and risk the possibility of them going to WWE or somewhere else.
Hardy is on his second stint with the company, having first wrestled there between 2004 and 2006 and then returning in 2010. He’s a former 3 time TNA World champion.
The Wolves made their TNA debut in January 2014 after moving from Ring of Honor and have already won the TNA Tag Team titles five times.
The People’s Champion returned to Monday Night Raw last night and rocked the American Airlines Arena, first with a live one-shot segment where he interacted with The Miz, Rick Ross, Big Show, Lana, Rusev, and Pat Patterson before hitting the countdown to appear live in the ring.
The home town crowd welcomed The Rock with “this is awesome” chants before The Rock uttered a word in the middle of the ring. As Rocky got the fans pumped up for WrestleMania, The New Day quickly interrupted with their own entertaining segment.
A “Llama penis” chant later, The Rock invited the trio in the ring but The New Day had another idea – walk to the back. The Rock said plan A certainly didn’t work but plan B – family – will. The Usos then came out and beat up The New Day, who one by one got thrown in the ring and fed to The Rock. Xavier Woods was on the receiving end of two simultaneous super kicks and a spine buster followed by the people’s elbow.
It’s worth to note that Rocky went off script during his promo and decided to have some fun with four fans who were sitting at ringside dressed as The Undertaker, Hulk Hogan, Macho Man, and himself. “The weed is good in Miami tonight,” exclaimed The Rock after asking the guy posing as Hulk Hogan what his name. In case you missed it, the dude replied “Brother.”
The Rock later went on Twitter to thank everyone. “An electric and unforgettable night,” he said.
The main event for the Fastlane pay-per-view was set last night on Raw with three Superstars wrestling for a chance to co-main event WrestleMania 32 and also receive a WWE World Heavyweight title shot.
Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose and Brock Lesnar will be in a triple threat match for the number one contender spot and the winner will take on Triple H in Dallas at the AT&T Stadium.
At this point it seems that the WWE World Heavyweight title will not be defended until the biggest pay-per-view of the year comes around on April 3.
Fastlane will take place on February 21 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio and live on the WWE Network. The show will be free for new subscribers and if you do not have an account you can sign up now at http://w-o.it/wwentwrk.
Former WWE Diva Nikki Bella will be following the footsteps of her boyfriend John Cena, and walk right into neck surgery this coming Wednesday.
“I have basically a broken neck, a pretty bad herniated disk,” Nikki told E! News. “What makes mine a little bit difficult than most people is that I have some disk behind my vertebrae so with a lot of prayers we’re gonna pray that the doctors can get the piece behind my vertebrae with just a bone fusion.”
After surgery, assuming everything goes according to plan, Nikki will be in a neck brace for three months, stuck at home and avoiding car trips and plane rides. A final X-ray will follow in six months time to assess where she is in her recovery before doctors can tell her if she can resume her wrestling career.
Addressing the source of the problem, Nikki told E! News that her finishing move, the Rack Attack, will be retired. “I’ve been told by doctors to never do that again,” she revealed.
While the surgery could be career ending, Nikki said that she’ll always be part of the WWE family no matter what.
Nikki thanked her fans on Twitter for all their overwhelming love, support and prayers. “In life we hit bumps in the road, what we do with those bumps is what makes us. I have hit mine, and I will overcome it and become stronger,” she wrote. “This isn’t the end for me. This is the beginning of a new chapter, of a test of will and strength. This is my comeback.”
Pro Wrestling Sheet is reporting that WWE newcomer AJ Styles has kept full ownership of his name and other trademarks associated with him in his new multi-year deal with WWE.
Usually WWE is keen to take over any trademarks to protect their intellectual property however the deal allows them to use all of his trademarks – including The Phenomenal One and Styles Clash – and his name as long as he’s under contract plus retaining certain rights when it comes to video when he departs the company.
The website reports that the deal was sealed and signed last week, just a few days before the Royal Rumble.
In an interview with WWE.COM, Styles said he will be around for more Royal Rumbles in the future, confirming that he has a multi-year deal with the company.
Additional original programming is coming to the WWE Network with a new show starting tonight immediately following Monday Night Raw.
The first episode of Ride Along kicks off at 11:06PM EST. The 30 minute broadcast will give you a glimpse of what goes down in the car when Superstars and Divas drive from town to town for events. Tonight’s episode will be a drive from Boston to Philly with The New Day in one car and Dolph Ziggler and The Miz in another.
The new Edge and Christian’s Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness comedy show will start on February 21 immediately following the Fastlane pay-per-view. The preview shows some hilarious moments with the former tag team champions interacting with current and former Superstars.
The first glimpse of Camp WWE was also shown during the commercial at the Royal Rumble. Camp WWE is a new animated adult comedy series featuring the real voices of WWE Superstars and Divas. In the preview, Ric Flair, Vince McMahon, and Sgt. Slaughter are shown recording their voice overs.
And finally, more Stone Cold Podcasts will be recorded, some live, and some taped. No guests were announced but last year Austin signed to record a total of 12 podcasts for the Network.
Just a few days after posting an article on the TNA website about how AJ Styles actually signed a TNA deal in December and then backed out with the help of his lawyer, TNA made a 180 and acknowledged Styles’ debut in WWE on their Twitter.
“Congrats to TNA Original @AJStylesOrg on his debut tonight. Wish him all the best,” said a tweet posted after the Royal Rumble.
The TNA story earlier in the week sort of put the blame on Styles, Gallows, and Anderson for first meeting with Carter in December, agreeing on everything, signing a contract, and then change their minds to go to WWE. Styles’ agent Bill Behrens refuted TNA’s claims and said a final contract was never signed.
Styles came across as a huge Superstar when he came out as number 3 and the fans in Orlando were familiar with him. TNA ran shows in Orlando for a few years at Universal Studios where Styles was one of their major names. He had been with the company since May 2002.
The online betting companies once again nailed it as Triple H – who was favorite all week to win the Royal Rumble – came out as number 30 and outlasted the remaining Superstars in the ring, including WWE World Heavyweight champion Roman Reigns.
As soon as “The Game” hit the speakers, it was inevitable what was going to happen and Triple H eliminated Reigns, followed by a couple of DX crotch chops, and then went head to head with Dean Ambrose who was the other final Superstar standing tall. The crowd was firmly behind Ambrose however Triple H got rid of the Intercontinental champion to secure his 14th World Heavyweight title reign.
This was the first time that Triple H laced up his wrestling boots since WrestleMania 31 last year where he defeated Sting. Throughout the rest of 2015, Triple H stayed in his business suit although he took a couple of bumps here and there. Triple H stayed away from WWE television – apart from a cameo at NXT London – since the TLC pay-per-view where he was attacked by Roman Reigns.
Triple H won the WWE World Heavyweight title 9 times and the World Heavyweight titles 5 times, putting him one away from John Cena and two away from Ric Flair.
