The WWE 24 series on the WWE Network returns on Sunday, January 24 with a new episode immediately following the Royal Rumble pay-per-view at 11PM EST.
The newest episode will be a behind-the-scenes look at WrestleMania 31 in Santa Clara, California. The synopsis for the show reads, “Go behind the curtain from WrestleMania as Sting makes his debut, Seth Rollins wins his first WWE World Heavyweight Title, and much more!”
There are only four episodes of this popular series so far, titled WrestleMania 30, Booker T: Sentenced To Greatness, Roman Reigns: Never Alone, and NXT Brooklyn.
The office of the Mayor of Orlando has confirmed that the city has submitted a bid to host WrestleMania 33 in 2017 however they have no word yet on the outcome.
“We have not received any notification and are waiting to hear just like other cities,” said Heather Fagan, deputy chief of staff for Mayor Buddy Dyer to the Orlando Sentinel newspaper.
Reports earlier this week suggested that the city is now the favorite to host the event after WWE pulled out of Minneapolis which was favorite to get the show. Orlando hosted WrestleMania 24 back in 2008 and the state of Florida also got WrestleMania 28 in Miami in 2012.
WWE will be spending the weekend in Orlando next week for the Royal Rumble so if some kind of announcement is forthcoming, that would be the perfect place to do it. WWE usually announces the locality of the next WrestleMania a year in advance.
The WWE Hall of Fame 2016 ceremony is sold out as the last couple of block of tickets were snapped in no time yesterday during the general public sale on Ticketmaster.
The pre-sale kicked off two days earlier and the majority of the tickets were gone quickly as well, leaving only a limited number for yesterday’s sale. It’s likely that more seats will be added as soon as the set and production areas are figured out completely.
So far only Sting has been announced for this year’s Hall of Fame. Just his name alone managed to sell out the American Airlines Center.
The trial of “Superfly” Jimmy Snuka in Allentown, Pennsylvania, is being delayed as the judge now has to decide if the former WWE Superstar is mentally fit to stand trial according to The Morning Call newspaper.
Snuka’s attorney, Robert J. Kirwan II, told the judge earlier today in court that Snuka does not understand the charges brought against him and doesn’t remember being arrested. Snuka did not recognize his lawyer either.
Snuka is recovering from stomach cancer and six years ago was diagnosed with post-concussion syndrome and shows signs of dementia as he doesn’t remember his family members’ names or where he lives. The Chief Deputy District Attorney said he will challenge the motion brought forward by the defense as Snuka’s mental health issues were brought up earlier during the grand jury process and was deemed fit to stand trial.
The 72 year old Snuka is being charged with third degree murder and involuntary manslaughter from a case dating back to 1983 involving his mistress Nancy Argentino.
WWE and Hooked On Wrestling will be hosting Royal Rumble viewing parties in four different locations in the United Kingdom next week.
The viewing parties will be held in Brighton at Walkabout, Leeds at Shooters Sports Bar, London at the Walkabout Temple and Manchester at the Shooters Sports Bar. The events will start at 8PM local time and will end after the pay-per-view at approximately 4AM.
A Hooked On Wrestling Fancy Dress Contest will be held at each location with the winner receiving tickets to a live event in April during the European tour, a pub quiz, a promo competition, and a themed drink menu.
The website Pro Wrestling Sheet which is run by a former TMZ reporter revealed yesterday that Brad Dassey, the brother of Brendan Dassey who is featured in the Making A Murderer Netflix documentary, is trying to get a wrestler to visit his brother in jail.
Brendan was a big wrestling fan prior to the incarceration and can be heard during a phone conversation in the documentary saying that he wants to watch WrestleMania but he can’t since he’s in jail. His mom promised to record it for him.
Replying to the report, former D-Generation X member Sean “X-Pac” Waltman wrote on Twitter, “I’ll visit Brendan.” While most fans replied with their support, one particular fan told Waltman that he lives in a “world of make believe” and he should visit sick kids instead of murderers.
“You have no idea what I do for charity, because I don’t do it for a pat on the back, so you can Suck it,” Waltman replied, putting an angry face and a middle finger emoji at the end.
Royal Rumble is just 9 days away (from the time of this posting), but first we must get through another Smackdown!, which features a big championship rematch between NEW United States Champion/Lucha Dragon partner Kalisto defending against Alberto Del Rio. Will this be a very-short reign, or can Kalisto pull another upset?
Brock Lesnar made his presence known on Monday, taking out everyone that was in front of him, which included WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns. What are Brock’s intentions going forward? Will The Authority have anything to say about him?
Thursday Night Smackdown! TV Report for January 14th, 2016 – “A Table and A Title”
Introduction Segment: Video Promo and Welcoming
The regular Smackdown! opener plays and the pyro goes off, then Mauro Ranallo acknowledges us from the Cajundome. He and Jerry “The King” Lawler run down the card, which features the U.S. Title bout, a Tables Match between The Dudleyz and Wyatt Family, and Neville and Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose taking on Kevin Owens and Sheamus.
Segment #2: Backstage and Arena Promo
Rene Young is near the entrance to the building, awaiting IC Champ Dean Ambrose’s arrival. She says Dean has a “statement” to make, and doesn’t have to wait long. Ambrose rolls up in a pick-up, and tells Young that he wants to tell Kevin Owens something in person.
Dean goes o the ring and asks Kevin to meet him; Owens does not respond, which does not surprise Dean. “The Lunatic Fringe” then announces he wants to go against Kevin in a Last Man Standing Match at the Royal Rumble.
Instead of Owens though, Sheamus walks out and berates Ambrose for his actions and Roman Reigns taking the WWE Championship from him. Sheamus also wants to complete the brawl they engaged in on Raw, but before he goes further, Kevin Owens joins. He accepts Dean’s proposal for the Rumble, but warns him that he will not be mobile after the show.
Sheamus and Owens attack Ambrose until Neville makes the save and help Dean fend off Sheamus and Kevin.
Up next is the Tables Match!
Commercials.
Match #1: Tables (Tag-Team) – The Dudley Boyz (Bubba Ray and D-Von) VS. The Wyatt Family (Luke Harper and Erik Rowan)
Harper and Rowan appear in the ring when the lights come back on and hammer on Bubby and D-Von; Strowman is in their corner. Bubba makes a comeback with a clothesline on Rowan and then a backdrop and scoop-slam on Luke. He and D-Von gives Luke the “What’s Up” scoop-slam/headbutt combo, then bring a table into the ring. D-Von turns around into a superkick by Harper, then Rowan re-enters to get control again.
Ads.
Bubba is punched on the outside, then Rowan and Harper double-team D-Von. Both try to suplex D-Von through a table, but Bubba came back in and moved it. ray and D-Von regain momentum. Braun tries to interfere, but Bubba takes the Kendo stick from him and lets him run into the ring post. Rowan hits the steps, then Ray shoves Luke off the top turnbuckle through a table for the victory!
Winners via Putting Their Opponent Through A Table: The Dudleyz
Post-match, Strowman attacks and The Family begins to destroy the “brothers.” Braun hurls D-Von through two tables in opposite corners, then double-chokeslam Bubba into two tables on the outside by the commentator’s table. Bray Wyatt’s voice is heard over the speakers; “follow the buzzards.”
Clips of the United States Championship match from Raw are shown.
Segment #3: Backstage Promo
JoJo interviews the new U.S. Champ, Kalisto. He gives credit to the late-great Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio for achieving what they did in their careers with their relatively small size. He vows to still be U.S. Champ after Smackdown!
Commercials.
Match #2: Eight-Man Tag-Team – Goldust, Damien Sandow, Jack Swagger, and Zack Ryder VS. The Social Outcasts (Heath Slater, Bo Dallas, Adam Rose, and Curtis Axel)
Sandow and Slater start out, with Heath being put to the floor. Swagger is hot-tagged and all-over Dallas, hitting a clothesline and going for the Swaggerbomb splash. Bo puts his feet up but is caught in the Patriot Ankle Lock. Ryder is tagged, but quickly gets planted with the Running Bo-Dog (although, Bo seemingly accidentally kicks Slater off the apron during the move!); Dallas covers for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: The Social Outcasts
Ads.
Segment #4: Backstage Promo
Alberto Del Rio swears to defeat the Lucha Dragon and regain the belt.
Commercials.
Match #3: Single for the United States Championship – Kalisto (Champion) VS. Alberto Del Rio (Challenger)
Del Rio begins aggressively with punches and a snapmare. He kicks Kalisto a couple times then gives him a big side-backdrop. He props Kalisto atop the turnbuckle and tears at his mask. The U.S. Champ fights him off with a back elbow and front-missile dropkick, but Alberto hits back with a clothesline. Kalisto tries a little, but is taken down with a leaping armbreaker from the middle turnbuckle! he rolls to the outside, where Del Rio slams his arm a few times on the stairs, then rips at it with an armlock. Kalisto tries again, but runs into the ring post.
Ads.
King Barrett has joined ringside now as Alberto continues to work over Kalisto’s arm, then hangs him upside down in the corner. He boots him a few times, then climbs the turnbuckle. He is caught with a headscissors, and Kalisto
Kalisto is caught in an armbreaker, but struggles his way to the ropes. He dives through the ropes, but Del Rio moves and Kalisto eats the floor. Barrett distracts Kalisto, and he is put back in the ring and placed in the Cross Armbreaker to give Del Rio the submission and title!
Winner via Submission and NEW United States Champion: Alberto Del Rio (with League of Nations member King Barrett)
Commercials.
Segment #5: Video Promo
The highlight package of Sting’s career is recalled for his induction into this year’s Hall-Of-Fame!
Segment #6: Backstage Promo
Beck Lynch is with Rene Young and is inquired about her feelings towards Charlotte.
Ads.
Match #4: Single – Brie Bella (with Team Bella member Alicia Fox) VS. Becky Lynch
They lockup and Brie takes over by slamming Becky’s head into the canvas. Lynch turns it around in the corner, but Brie takes over again with a necklock. She kicks Becky multiple times in the corner, but Lynch counters and rams Brie’s head into the middle turnbuckle. Becky punches and clotheslines back, then is fired up for a running forearm. She tosses her over with a suplex, then rolls over a bit later into her Disarmer, making Bella give-in fast!
Winner via Submission: Becky Lynch
Commercials.
Match #5: Tag-Team – Sheamus and Kevin Owens VS. Adrian Neville and Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose
Sheamus and Neville start out, with Neville giving the big Irishman a headscissors quickly. He tags to Ambrose who punches away, but Sheamus punches back. He whips Dean off the ropes, but “The Lunatic Fringe” counters with a kick and dropkick. He puts Kevin to the floor and launches over the ropes with a slingshot-plancha, but is knocked down by Sheamus.
Ads.
Owens now in control, and the heels dominate for a bit. Ambrose soon counters with a swinging-neckbreaker, and then boots Kevin out of the corner. Neville springboards himself into the ring, and tries to German-suplex him, but Owens fight shim off. Kevin tags in Sheamus, who is superkicked. Neville goes for a move from the top, but Sheamus moves; Neville rolls to Kevin/Shamus’ corner, and then is taken over soon after.
Neville moves from a running Owens in the corner, then German-suplexes him! He gets the hot-tag to Ambrose who cleans house on Sheamus. He goes to the top and dives off with an elbow, but only gets two as Kevin breaks it! Dean knocks Owens down, and goes for a clothesline on Sheamus, but Kevin kicks him back. Sheamus drops Ambrose with White Noise, but only gets two!
Kevin is in and goes for his Pop-Up Powerbomb, but Dean reverses with a hurricanrana. He clotheslines Owens, who tumbles to the outside. Ambrose follows with a dive but does not hit it. Sheamus and Kevin ram Dean into the steps, then Kevin drops the cover of the announcer’s table onto him, causing a DQ.
Winners via Disqualification: Neville and Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose
Post-match, Sheamus and Owens continue the attack until Neville soars over the top with a twisting-plancha onto both! Ambrose gives Owens a Dirty Deeds DDT, and Neville rockets off the top with his Red Arrow Splash! Neville and Dean celebrate to close the show.
End of Smackdown!
Reporter’s Rumblings
This was on okay Smackdown; some of the wrestling was great, but overall, I thought the show was more-of-the-same.
Excellence: matches between Dudleyz/Wyatts, Kalisto/Del Rio, and Ambrose/Neville/Owens/Sheamus. I loved promos of Ambrose, Owens, Sheamus, Kalisto, and Lynch.
Bogus: I really hope that the ending to the Tables Match was the last of the Dudleyz/Wyatts feud; the four “monsters” need to move on. I wish Charlotte had returned the favor on Becky, and pounded her before the bout got going; would’ve amped up the rivalry just a little more. As my Dad pointed out, Tag-Team Champions New Day weren’t on the show – how come? Unfortunately, when they announced the immediate rematch for the United States Championship, I saw the return of the belt to Del Rio immediately. Kalisto should’ve been given the chance to run with it, at least until Sin Cara was healed and they could tag again. While I am enjoying the feud between Owens/Ambrose, didn’t like another DQ finish; Neville could’ve eaten the pin and I don’t think it would’ve hurt him too much. All of this falls into my “more-of-the-same” comment; let’s change it up next week for the better!
Stephanie McMahon was listed in Variety’s Digital Entertainment Impact Report: 30 Execs to Watch list which was published this week.
WWE’s Chief Brand Officer says that the goals for 2016 include growing the WWE Network, international expansion in India, China and South America, and re-launching WWE.com to enhance mobile, video and social usage.
“Thank U @Variety 4 including me in the impact list of execs 2 watch! I’m proud 2 be among this talented group,” McMahon tweeted.
It’s hard to imagine a WrestleMania in Texas without the Texas Rattlesnake being present in some way, shape, or form.
Stone Cold Steve Austin told Jim Ross on his 100th podcast that he’s “99% sure” that he will be in Dallas for WrestleMania 32 in a couple of months although what he will be there for remains to be seen. Austin said there’s one idea that he has which would sort of explain why he’s there but has not discussed any creative with WWE as of yet.
Austin did not attend last year’s WrestleMania even though he was officially invited and there were rumors that there were issues between him and Vince McMahon which is why he snubbed the invite.
The winners of the 2015 NXT Year-End Awards were revealed yesterday with Finn Balor and Bayley being the big winners.
Enzo and Cass won the tag team of the year while Bayley and Balor won the female and male competitors of the year. The NXT Takeover Brooklyn was announces as the Takeover event of the year and the match Bayley vs Sasha Banks at that same Takeover won the match of the year. Finn Balor then won the big one, the overall competitor of the year.
Triple H and William Regal presented the awards to all the winners. The award was a gold colored ring bell.
TNA has uploaded a teaser video of their new Knockout, Raquel, who is former WWE Tough Enough competitor Gabi Castrovinci.
The Brazilian born self-employed entrepreneur was the fifth person eliminated from season six of Tough Enough. “I will bring pleasure, I will bring pain,” she says in the video which is shot where she only appears in silhouette.
Castrovinci is not the only Tough Enough competitor who’s moving to TNA. Chelsea Green also made her TNA debut during the #1 contender gauntlet match at the One Night Only pay-per-view. Green was not originally selected for the show but was then brought in after another contestant quit.
She worked on WWE television before where she played the role of Megan Miller, a physical therapist for Daniel Bryan who was trying to break up his marriage with Brie Bella.
UFC President Dana White confirmed that former WWE champion will be fighting in his first ever UFC fight on the July 9 UFC 200 mega show in Las Vegas.
White confirmed this during an appearance on TSN’s Off The Record with Michael Landsberg and also said that Punk’s opponent will most likely be determined next month. An up-and-coming UFC fighter named Mickey Gall with a 1-0 MMA record, will be fighting Michael Jackson in the preliminary card at UFC 196 and if Gall wins, he will be Punk’s opponent. The 23 year old Gall called out CM Punk after he won his first fight.
CM Punk will be at UFC 196 to watch this fight and White described Gall as “holding a lottery ticket” who has big odds of winning that lottery if he goes through his UFC 196 opponent.
Punk, who has been training at Roufusport Martial Arts Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, signed with the UFC in December 2014.
PWInsider.com is reporting that Orlando, Florida is the now the likely candidate for WrestleMania 33 after WWE has passed on Minneapolis and its new U.S. Bank Stadium as the location.
Back in August, the Executive Vice President of the Minnesota Vikings stadium said that the city has locked WrestleMania for 2017 but that came with a swift response from WWE, denying that any announcement was ever made.
This would not be the first time that WrestleMania is held in Orlando as the city played host to WrestleMania 24 in 2008. Since then, the Citrus Bowl went under a $200 million renovation project which saw the entire lower bowl structure demolished and rebuilt. The stadium’s upper level seating were retained. 41,000 new lower bowl seats were installed along with other facilities.
Following the renovation, the Citrus Bowl now holds just over 65,000 fans. At WrestleMania 24, WWE had an attendance of 74,635.
Orlando, a major tourist city, is home to WWE’s NXT brand and will host the Royal Rumble later this month.
Hulk Hogan has a couple of busy days in court as his team and Gawker Media continue to battle it out in front of a judge as the trial set for March 7 looms closer.
Yesterday, Gawker’s legal team asked Judge Pamela Campbell to release all sealed documents in the case for public consumption as they try to fight the $100 million lawsuit by invoking the First Amendment. Gawker also filed a motion to dismiss the whole case, a motion that the Judge denied during today’s hearing.
Hogan’s career pretty much went up in smoke last July when the National Enquirer released audio conversations of Hogan using the N-word, audio recordings that Hogan’s legal team say that Gawker leaked to the media to dent his chances of winning the lawsuit. Hogan was fired from WWE and even removed from the Hall of Fame following the racial-filled recordings made it to the public.
Yesterday, the court heard excerpts from depositions of Hogan himself, his lawyer David Houston, Heather Cole (formerly Clam), Bubba “The Love Sponge,” a statement from Lori Ann Burbridge – who met with a sex tape broker to sell the tape on behalf of Matt “Spiceboy” Loyd – and saw an exhibit of a confidential polygraph examination report.
This week’s Impact on Pop increased its viewers over last week’s show, getting a total of 288,000, an increase of 35,0000 viewers from its debut episode.
While the show is still considerably down from what it used to pull on Spike, any uptick in viewership has to be seen as an improvement towards getting their old audience back. (Ratings credit: ShowBuzzDaily.com)
Several rumors started popping up online that Daniel Bryan is on the way of being released from the WWE, rumors which are completely false and comes with a denial from the company itself.
Apparently there was a website who pasted an e-mail supposedly from a WWE employee in the human resources department who said his colleague processed Bryan’s release papers which were dated January 18. The same website turned out to be the same one which posted a news story back in October from a person who allegedly met Daniel Bryan while he was on the way to Hell In A Cell to answer John Cena’s U.S. title open challenge. Oops!
Meanwhile, Bryan posted a photo doing weightlifting on Instagram writing, “Will I return to the ring? No matter what anyone says, I keep training like the answer will be #YesYesYes. #NeverGiveUp.” Bryan has been cleared by his doctor over his concussions but the WWE medical team has not done that yet.
Bryan will be part of recurring cast of Total Divas season 5 which begins again on E! on January 19.
WWE Hall of Famer Tammy “Sunny” Synch is selling her Hall of Fame ring according to TMZ and has put it up on eBay with a starting bid of $3,000. She was inducted in the class of 2011.
WWE gives out a ring to each Hall of Fame inductee and Sytch is not the first one to sell the ring. Abdullah The Butcher, Superstar Billy Graham, and the sons of Paul Bearer sold their respective Hall of Fame rings.
Addressing the news, Sytch said on Twitter, “Jimmy Hart sold his Hall of Fame ring a while ago, because he was getting a divorce, and no one said a word…”
According to TMZ, Sunny said that she wants to put her pro wrestling days behind her and getting rid of ring is a good start. “It’s time to let go of the past and selling my ring is the right way to get back on track,” she said.
Sunny has blasted WWE in the past for abandoning her and not helping her with her substance abuse trouble even though WWE paid on several occasions for her to go to rehab. Unfortunately, she always falls off the wagon and then blames other people about her problems. She currently is in and out of court due to DUI charges and is awaiting sentencing.
A search on eBay for her ring turned up short so it’s unclear if she sold it already or she took the listing off.
The pre-sale for the WWE Hall of Fame 2016 induction ceremony kicked off this morning on Ticketmaster.com and will end tomorrow at 10PM CST. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Friday at 10AM CST on Ticketmaster.com.
Those wishing to purchase a ticket can use the codes AACVIP or WWEVIP to unlock the pre-sale. Ticket prices are $29, $54, $79, $104, and $154 for floor seats. WWE Will once again utilize almost the whole arena except for behind the stage with all levels on sale.
WWE announced on Monday that Sting will be headlining the event on April 2 on the eve of WrestleMania 32. Sting will become the only wrestler to be inducted in both the TNA and WWE Hall of Fames.
While we are sold out of our official bus for the AT&T Stadium for WrestleMania 32, Wrestling-Online.com is teaming up with Rally Bus to offer additional transport to the event.
Rally Bus to WrestleMania 32 is a service that provides transportation to AT&T Stadium in Arlington using technology and local operators to offer round trip and one-way bus travel from a Rally Point near you to the event. A Rally Bus app for your phone is available to get real-time updates on trip status and bus location.
The roundtrip price from Dallas is $35. More cities are available to depart from and featuring different prices. You can find more information and booking details at http://w-o.it/WM32RallyBus . W-O is not in charge of the operation of this bus and Rally Bus has its own customer service department to deal with questions.
Monday Night Raw did 3,323,000 viewers this week, down quarter of a million viewers from last week’s show. WWE had some serious competition with college football on ESPN which drew a massive 25.6 million viewers.
Hour one did 3,536,000 viewers, followed by 3,206,000 in the second hour, before a bump to 3,228,000 viewers in third and final hour. (Ratings credit: ShowBuzzDaily.com)
