WWE Diva Natalya will be at the NBC Experience Store at 30 Rockefeller Plaza tomorrow, September 3, starting at 2:30PM for a Total Divas meet and greet.
The former Divas champion will be spending an hour and a half at the store and there will be no limit on people or tickets needed to attend the event. The store plans to “get through as many people” as they can according to a post on their Twitter.
Total Divas posters will be available there for autographs but fans can bring an item of their choosing if they prefer.
The Bella Twins were supposed to make it too but it will be Natalya flying solo due to a change in schedule.
After being left out of the St. Louis Rams from practice squad, WWE invited NFL defensive end free agent Michael Sam to Monday Night Raw next week.
Sam is trying to be the NFL’s first openly gay player and after he was cut, WWE was quick to offer an invite with a letter penned by WWE’s Chief Brand Officer, Stephanie McMahon.
“Exhibiting class and dignity rarely shown in professional sports, Michael Sam, WWE invites you to next Monday’s Raw to speak of your struggles to succeed, lessons you have learned along the way, the courage it takes to be yourself and the prospects of your continued journey,” wrote McMahon. “You are a role model, who, by example, can encourage everyone to stand up and openly be themselves.”
WWE has Darren Young who came out as gay last year just prior to SummerSlam, becoming the first openly gay active wrestler in the WWE.
After two weeks away, I have returned from vacation to a new month; September starts tonight! Also tonight, it is Monday Night Raw! We know that WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar will defend his title at Night Of Champions against John Cena, in a SummerSlam rematch. Will either be in the house tonight to further this feud along?
Both United States Champion Sheamus and Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler have had their share of beef with The Miz and Damien Sandow/Sand-Miz; who is going to get the better of the other tonight? As well, Cesaro is the #1 Contender to the United States Championship; how will he be involved?
Nikki Bella cut a much-better promo last week in her rivalry with Brie, so what happen between the two sisters tonight? Also, I am loving the feud between A.J. and Divas Champ Paige, so I am looking forward to the continuation of their “saga!”
All this and much more, so read on!
Monday Night Raw Report for September 1st, 2014 – “‘The Game’ Changes!”
Segment #1: Arena Promo
“Y2J” Chris Jericho is in the ring and puts over the town (Des Moines, Iowa), as well as today/tonight being Labor Day. He then puts down Randy Orton, for always being given what he wanted. Just as he’s about to bring out “The Viper,” C.O.O. Triple H’s music plays instead. “The Game” walks out first, flanked by the rest of The Authority (Seth Rollins, Kane, and Randy Orton.) Jericho is surprised to see the entire group, poking fun at HHH, Rollins, and Kane by calling them “sell-out” (Kane), suck-up (Rollins), and “schnoz.” (I’ll let you guess the obvious reference there!)
Triple H and Chris go back-and-forth with verbal jabs, then the Chief Executive Officer gets down to business. He talks about the situation and match between WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar and John Cena at Night Of Champions. HHH doesn’t think that bout would be “best for business,” so he’s thinking that a new #1 contender for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship would be more appropriate. Orton, Kane, Rollins (who receives a home-state pop), and Jericho all plead their case before the current #1 Contender makes his presence known. John Cena marches out and is ticked that Triple H is contemplating a new plan. Cena demands his match with Lesnar be kept, or he will sue “The Game” for breaking the “automatic rematch” clause. Cena threatens he will then be the new C.O.O. and look at Triple H to inform him “YOU’RE FIRED!”
HHH is against Cena for two reasons: becoming the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion is not “best for business” as well as Brock destroying John. Again, all wrestlers (other than Triple H) make their statements on why to be the #1 Contender and new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Another man who has been left out of this walks through the crowd; Roman Reigns proceeds to the squared circle. He faces off with Orton and orders him to “drop me.” Randy does nothing, as Reigns berates Kane and Rollins too.
“The Game” finally makes a somewhat-predictable decision, booking a Six-Man Tag-Team between Reigns, Cena, and Jericho taking on Orton, Rollins, and Kane. They all have to prove themselves in front of Triple H, who is going to be sitting at ringside. Rollins tries a sneak attack on Reigns, but it is countered as The Authority walk off while Roman smiles and waves.
Michael Cole, John “Bradshaw” Layfield, and Jerry “The King” Lawler run down the card for tonight, which includes a Tag-Team match between The Wyatt Family (Luke Harper and Erik Rowan) and The Big Show and Mark Henry. Also, up next, United States Champion Sheamus and Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler will face Cesaro and The Miz!
Commercials.
Match #1: Tag-Team – United States Champion “The Celtic Warrior” Sheamus
Ziggler and Cesaro start out with an even lockup until Cesaro gains control with an uppercut and repeated elbows. Dolph drops down out of a scoop-slam and hits a dropkick. He goes for The Miz, who hops off the apron and into a chair to get “touched up” with a make-up artist and Damien Sand-Miz. He actually comes in but is taken around the ring with a splash and hip-toss by Ziggler. Miz walks away again, but Sheamus chases and goes after. He rams his shoulder into Miz in the corner, then nails a clothesline off the ropes. Sheamus holds Miz against the ropes and delivers numerous “10 Beats Of The Bowron” fists. Miz gets a blind-tag to Cesaro, who comes in and hits a high-dropkick. (The fans are chanting “we want Ziggler” throughout this bit.)
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Cesaro is still in control, but Sheamus counters on the turnbuckle and soars off with a Battering Ram shoulder-block. He gets the (super) hot-tag to Ziggler. He is all over The Miz, with a splash and neckbreaker. Sheamus clotheslines both himself and Cesaro, but Miz kicks Dolph down. He orders Damien to get in the ring, so he does. As the referee and Ziggler (who also drives Damien down with The Zig-Zag) argue with Miz and Sand-Miz, the real Miz plants Dolph with the Skull-Krushing Finale to get the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: Cesaro and The Miz (with Damien Sand-Miz and Makeup Artist)
Lawler, Layfield, and Cole recap the match, and last week’s confrontation between Twin Sisters Nikki and Brie Bella.
Segment #2: Video Promo
Nikki talks about her life growing up with Brie, and how Brie stole her prom-date/boyfriend.
Commercials.
Match #2: Six-Women Tag-Team – Naomi, Summer Rae, and Layla VS. Cameron, Eva Marie, and Rosa Mendes
This match quickly breaks down into a brawl and the referee throws it out.
Winners: No Contest due to Referee Stoppage
(Other than cheaply-plugging “Total Divas,” pointless!)
Again, Cole, Lawler, and Layfield review footage from two weeks ago where Seth Rollins and Kane demolish Dean Ambrose through a cinder block; video is also shown of last week’s Raw where Rollins and Kane also gave it a go on Roman Reigns, but “The Superman” countered and instead chucked another cinder block at Rollins, hitting the ring post instead.
Up next, it is Rowan and Harper taking on Show and Henry!
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Match #3: Tag-Team – “The World’s Largest Athlete” The Big Show and “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry VS. The Wyatt Family (Luke Harper and Erik Rowan)
Henry and Rowan begin, with Mark dominating early. He shoves his shoulder into Erik’s gut, then clotheslines him shortly after in another corner. Henry continues to toy with Rowan, but Erik manages to switch with Luke who delivers a big-boot to Henry to a two-count!
Commercials.
Rowan is back in and controlling Henry now, then Harper is in again. The camera focuses on the aisle, where Lana and Rusev are slowly walking down. Henry boots Luke and gets the hot-tag to Show! He takes out both Wyatt Family members until Luke trips him up into the corner barricade. Show slides in before the ten-count, so Harper boots him again. Rusev and Lana are just standing ringside and staring at this contest. Both Wyatt Family partners work over Show, frequently switching in and out.
Big finally gets the hot-tag, so “The World’s Strongest Man” takes down both Harper and Rowan. Show comes back and shoves Rowan to the outside. They fight near the announce table, while Henry picks up Harper. He goes for the World’s Strongest Slam, but Rusev enters and kicks Mark in the head, causing the DQ!
Winners via Disqualification: “The World’s Largest Athlete” The Big Show and “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry
Post-match, The Wyatt Family want more, as does Rusev, but Show fends them off and helps his buddy up.
Segment #4: Video Promo
Nikki Bella talks about life with Brie again; this time how Brie stole her car/I.D. and got into a car crash.
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Segment #5: Arena Promo
Ring Announcer Justin Roberts asks us to welcome Paul Heyman. The man behind “the one-in-21” walks out to the stage, putting over his client, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar, and putting down John Cena. He speculates that John is not “listening to reason” because he wants to keep going at “The Beast Incarnate.” Heyman “applauds” Cena for his determination, but cites that the entire roster still equals less-than-half of what Lesnar is capable of.
Jack Swagger makes his way to the ring, followed by the return of Zeb Colter! Jack will be in action, next!
Commercials.
Match #4: Single – “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) VS. Curtis Axel
Elbow/collar tie-up begins between the two; then Jack turns Curtis around in the corner and chops him before throwing him across the ring. Again, a camera pans to the stage where Bo Dallas is with a bunch of chairs; he brings some people to occupy the seats. Axel takes control until Zeb gives his charge a pep-talk. Swagger gets the momentum back, setting up Curtis for the Swaggerbomb corner-splash. Axel puts his feet up, but Jack catches him and clamps on the Patriot Ankle Lock for the tap-out!
Winner via Submission: “The Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)
Post-match, Bo Dallas makes known the people who Swagger “let down” at SummerSlam by not defeating Rusev. First is Richie, who bet all his money on Jack. Angelo is an immigrate, who tanked his Citizenship Test, and is being sent back to Italy. Last is Jennifer, who’s son was a big fan of Swagger. Now, Jen’s son wants to be like Russian President Vladimir Putin. Bo says it could all be fixed, and invites Swagger and everyone, including his guests, to “Bo-Lieve!”
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Match #5: Single – Titus O’Neil (with Heath Slater) VS. Adam Rose (with The Rosebuds)
Rose tries to trick Titus with some roll-arounds until he is caught off the top rope with a fall-away-slam. O’Neil presses his knee against Adam in the corner, while Slater shoves The Bunny on the outside. “Peter Cottontail” (as Cole referred to him) then sweeps up Heath and punches away. Titus sees this, but not Rose who rolls him up for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winner via Pinfall: Adam Rose (with The Rosebuds)
Segment #6: Video Promo
Nikki delivers more “revealing” information on Brie’s “real” character, lastly how Nikki helped her in school, and even switched and wrote Brie’s exam.
Lana and Rusev are out again, with Rusev wrestling next.
Commercials.
Match #6: Single – “The Super Athlete” Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana) VS. “Long Island Iced-Z” Zack Ryder
(Prior to this bout, Lana cuts a promo putting down the Americans and Labor Day. She says that America and Labor Day “suck,” while Russia is celebrating an Intelligence Day today.) This one is over quickly, with Rusev kicking Ryder down and forcing him to give to The Accolade.
Winner via Submission: “The Super Athlete” Rusev (with “The Ravishing Russian” Lana)
Post-match, as Rusev and Lana are in the ring, Mark Henry charges to the ring. Rusev and Lana take off, while Henry remains in the ring and cuts a promo. He is afraid of what he’s going to do if he gets a hold of them. He calls both himself and America “the strongest,” then challenges Rusev to enter the “International Hall Of Pain.”
Segment #7: Office Promo
Triple H and Stephanie are discussing The Bella Twins. HHH wants her to back off, but Steph wants to try and help the sisters. “The Game” is enamored with McMahon’s gesture, and McMahon alludes to an announcement.
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Segment #8: Arena Promo
Stephanie comes to the ring and puts over Nikki Bella for speaking out against Brie. She asks Nikki to come out. Nikki gives Steph props, while Stephanie continues to be pleased with Nikki, so much so that she gives the Bella Twin a Divas Championship match.
Brie now walks and disputes them both. The Twins get into a verbal argument, with Nikki saying that it was always about Brie, but now she will be the proverbial “shining one” and Brie will be “just a memory.” She also predicts that Brie’s husband, Daniel Bryan, will come to the realization what the “true” Brie is as well and divorce her. Another Diva interjects, wanting her automatic rematch. A.J. Lee skips out and demands to be the one to take on Divas Champion Paige. The Champ herself has a response, as she too skips to the ring with her title. She goes for A.J. right away, engaging in a verbal spat. Nikki puts them aside and offers to forgive Brie, only if Brie quits WWE. Brie signals she doesn’t want to, which irates Nikki. Brie turns around and shoves Nikki into Paige, and they both crash to the canvas. Brie walks away, leaving Stephanie and A.J., who grabs the Divas Title, standing tall. Lee skips right into Stephanie, and is ordered to give her the title. A.J. smiles, hands it over, then skips away. Stephanie passes it back to Paige, who also skips away.
Commercials.
Cole, Lawler, and Layfield recap the previous segment, and Michael announces that Chris Jericho will face Bray Wyatt next week on Raw, in a STEEL CAGE!
Segment #9: Video Promo
Bray Wyatt appears on screen. He says that Chris Jericho has no where to run, locked in the walls with him. Wyatt declares that “the world will turn it’s back on” Chris Jericho inside the cage, and that he has to “pay for your sins.”
Match #7: Single – Tag-Team Champion Jimmy Uso (with Tag-Team Champion Partner Jey Uso) VS. Goldust (with partner/brother Stardust)
Prior to the contest, Goldust tries to apologize, but The Usos don’t fall for it and attack immediately. This gets under control and the bout begins. Goldust all over Jimmy, clotheslining him and locking on a grounding rear chinlock. Jimmy fires back with a couple clotheslines, a kick, and an uppercut. He hits a Samoan Drop, the runs at him with a rear-bump in the corner! Uso hits a superkick, but Stardust puts Goldust’s foot on the ropes. Jey and Stardust fight, and Jimmy rockets over the ropes with a splash! In the ring, Goldust cuts off Jimmy by the leg and finishes this match with the Final Cut (swinging neckbreaker/suplex combo.)
Winner via Pinfall: Goldust (with partner/brother Stardust)
Post-match, both Goldust and Stardust assault Jey Uso and his injured knee, slamming a steel chair against it and the steel post. Stardust yells at them “you’re time is up!” as they back away, smiling sadistically. The referee, Jimmy, and a medical technician come to the aide of an apparently injured Jey.
More recap of Rollins’ and Kane’s assault on Dean Ambrose two weeks ago is shown, as well as Roman’s revenge on both from last week. Kane, Orton, and Rollins are shown discussing backstage.
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Segment #10: Locker Room Promo
The Big Show and Mark Henry are talking about both Rusev and being a dominant tag-team. Show wants to be by his side, but Henry says he needs to do this by himself, both for himself and his country (U.S.A.) Big gives him respect and walks away.
C.O.O. Triple H and Principle Owner Stephanie McMahon make their way to the ring and take a seat by commentator’s booth. John Cena makes his entrance next, as the Six-Man Tag is up next!
Commercials.
Match #8: Six-Man Tag-Team – John Cena, Roman Reigns, and “Y2J” Chris Jericho VS. Kane, “Mr. Money In The Bank” Seth Rollins, and “The Viper” Randy Orton
Orton and Reigns start off, both evenly and back-and-forth. Roman headbutts Randy, then clotheslines him out of the corner. He slugs Kane off the apron and chucks Rollins into the ring. Reigns gives him fists and kicks of furry.
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Kane and Roman are now going at it, with Kane giving Reigns a DDT. Orton is back in and hits away, but Roman comes back again with another clothesline. He gives Orton a Samoan Drop, then goes for a corner ten-punch, but Orton slides out and drives Reigns off the turnbuckle with a modified backbreaker. Rollins (to the delight of the home-fan-base) is in and begins to work over Roman. Kane does the same, while the fans chant “let’s go Cena / Cena sucks.” Reigns drops Kane, who gets to Orton for a tag. “The Viper” stomps on the back of Roman, and methodically picks him apart. Reigns finally gets a hot-tag, but it is to Jericho.
“Y2J” takes out all three, and puts Rollins in the Walls Of Jericho submission. Seth almost taps, but Orton saves it. Reigns is in and nails the Superman Punch, but Kane chokeslams Reigns. Cena is in and gives “The Big Red Machine” an Attitude Adjustment, while Jericho nails Rollins with an enziguri. He hits him with a Codebreaker too before the break!
Commercials.
Rollins is back in control over Chris, chopping and punching him in the corner. Rollins runs and hits a forearm on Jericho in the corner, then ascends the turnbuckle. He flies off, but Jericho turns it into a dropkick! Jericho reaches, but Kane is in first and pulls him back. He gives Jericho an uppercut then a sidewalk slam for two! Jericho comes back with a couple of chops and a boot out-of-the-corner, but is given another uppercut as he leaped off the turnbuckle.
Orton is back in and picks apart Chris. He sits him atop the turnbuckle, but struggles to suplex him from it. Jericho counters, pushing him down and following with a diving crossbody! 1 – 2 – Orton kicks out! Kane is back in, but Jericho manages that long-awaited tag to Cena. He is all over Kane and Rollins, giving Seth a German suplex and an Attitude Adjustment to Kane right in front of “The Game” and Steph. He switches with Reigns, who gives a “War Cry” and spears Kane to get the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: John Cena, Roman Reigns, and “Y2J” Chris Jericho
Post-match, Rollins tries to attack Cena as he was proving it to Triple H and Stephanie. Cena counters and gives Rollins the Attitude Adjustment on the announce table, then celebrates with Reigns and Jericho in the ring, as the announcer’s plug next week, which includes the Steel Cage Match, former NFL Prospect and sensation Michael Sam maybe appearing, and a SummerSlam rematch between Roman Reigns and Randy Orton! This closes the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
For the most part, this was a pretty great Raw and felt it picked up where I left off after two weeks! Onto the analysis:
Excellence: A lot of the promos, particularly the opening one, Nikki’s, and Henry’s with Rusev. The Highlight Reel set up the night/main-event nicely (although somewhat predictable with everyone facing off, they just went into a slightly different direction via the six-man.), as well seriously putting into question with Lesnar and Cena will face-off again at Night Of Champions. Personally, I think they shouldn’t; it would be better for these two to face each other very few and far between times, and have another of the five wrestlers from tonight take on Lesnar at N.O.C., thereby enraging Cena and giving him a built-in feud after the September Pay-Per-View.
At first, I was critical of Nikki Bella on the mike; she seemed to bland. However, the last couple of weeks, she has really stepped it up and put more emotion into her voice. Yes, the video promos tonight were cheesy, but they did serve a bit of purpose to the storyline. Glad they also kept A.J./Paige up front too, since they are still currently feuding for the Divas Championship.
Loving Mark Henry’s “take-no-prisoners” attitude against Rusev, as well as his tag-team with The Big Show. I see Stardust/Goldust winning the straps (also loving their new heel turn), then Show/Henry being the next challengers.
Great match between Sheamus/Ziggler and Miz/Cesaro. Also loving this feud, and Miz’s new personality. Both Heyman and Bray were gold in their promos too, as usual!
I really like Swagger/Zeb/Dallas feud; going interesting places and Bo is definitely carrying it on the mike. Great for Jack to step up and become a huge face too in the last few weeks!
Bogus: Adam Rose/Titus could’ve been left off (although it did provide the line of the night with Cole saying “Peter Cottontail’s beating the hell out of Heath Slater!”); same goes with the Six-Women Tag-Team – that was just a badly done promo for “Total Divas.”
I’m not a fan most rematches from Pay-Per-Views; while Jericho/Wyatt kind of works because it’s the “rubber bout,” Reigns and Orton was special and they should not be facing each other next week, so soon after SummerSlam.
Rusev/Ryder was pointless, and also didn’t need to happen. Henry could’ve tried attacking him backstage instead.
My Dad had an awesome/smart point – if he ran the company, he would’ve built up an appearance from Sting big time, for next week! This would be to counter/compete with the ratings since the N.F.L.’s Monday Night Football kicks off. Dad said Sting wouldn’t even have to do anything, perhaps just even be in the rafters; but his appearance would get many more people to tune in and be curious, thereby boosting what will probably be a very low-rated number. I absolutely agree and wish this would’ve happened!
In general, I really liked this show and looking forward to next week, and the continuing build towards Night Of Champions. Until next week, as always, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts is doing slightly better after undergoing lung surgery to have him breathe better.
“He is breathing better but still on ventilator. In the moments of Jake being awake from sedation today he was telling jokes & messing with nurses! That is a good sign,” said his friend Nick Cvjetkovich, better known to wrestling fans as Sinn Bodhi or as Kizarny in the WWE.
Roberts has been in the hospital since this past weekend after falling ill while on a flight to Vegas to participate in an event for Bodhi. He had been suffering from a double pneumonia and an identified mass was also found in his head which is yet to be diagnosed.
As of this writing, all episodes from 1995 and 1996 of WCW’s flagship show Monday Nitro are available to stream on the WWE Network.
The episodes are from the first one, September 4, 1995 to December 30, 1996, with more expected to be uploaded for a total of over 100 hours. Nitro was a one hour show in the first couple of years so that would mean 2 years worth of shows.
In total there are so far 67 episodes of the show and they are oddly numbered, with the first ever episode titled Nitro 79.
All the WCW Monday Nitro episodes are in the Vault section of the WWE Network.
A photo of CM Punk and AJ Lee from their wedding day was leaked online on the day that several celebrities had their iCloud accounts hacked and several nude and personal photos were splashed all over the Internet.
Punk was none too happy about the photo being released and expressed his frustration in a Twitter message.
“Tweet that pic and I block you. Simple. And I block you because I can’t punch you in your disrespectful fucking face. Pigs,” he wrote. He later took down the tweet.
The photo shows a clean-shaven Punk smiling with his wife also smiling as they are posing with others but the photo is cropped to show only Punk and AJ in her wedding dress.
You can see the photo (not hosted by W-O so it might be removed anytime) below.
Trinity Fatu, the WWE Diva better known as Naomi, has been off WWE television lately and she explained her absence from TV in a message on Twitter.
“I had to have a minor procedure done to correct a problem from the orbital fracture, I’ll be back with a whole new feel,” she wrote.
The orbital fracture she is referring to is the one she received from Aksana earlier in the year while she was in a program with AJ Lee going after the Divas title. She refused surgery back then not to derail her chance of competing at WrestleMania XXX.
The former one half of the Funkadactlys returns on Total Divas next week.
The debut episode of WCW Monday Nitro will air on the WWE Network this Monday following RAW starting at 11:06PM EST.
WWE will make available the first two years of the show with over 100 hours of WCW’s flagship show available on-demand on the Network.
The first episode of Nitro came live from The Mall of America in Minneapolis, Minnesota with Eric Bischoff, Mongo McMichaels, and Bobby Heenan on commentary.
The one hour show had Flyin’ Brian Pillman vs Jushin “Thunder Liger; Sting vs Ric Flair for the United States title; and Hulk Hogan vs Big Bubba Rogers for the WCW World title. It also featured the surprise return of Lex Luger to WCW.
In a letter addressed to Bill Apter of 1Wrestling.com, Jake Roberts’ attorney Kyle Magee revealed that the WWE Hall of Hamer has an abnormality in his brain.
“The initial diagnosis is that this is from his time taking bumps as a wrestler, but Jake has a neurologist who is investigating,” Magee wrote. At this point, Jake’s condition is not known completely. It will take some time to find out the answers.”
Magee also wanted to clear up the rumors that drugs or alcohol had no bearing on the latest health issues.
“Jake was doing great and received a clean bill of health on his PET scan after his leg cancer procedure in May. Hopefully that is still the case now,” he said.
WWE’s Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon wrote a piece on the late Connor Michalek titled ‘An Angel on Earth’ which was published on the Huffington Post website.
McMahon detailed how she got to meet the 8 year old big WWE fan who was suffering from Medulloblastoma, a form of pediatric brain and spinal cancer, at the company’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, and her first conversation with him.
Connor was a friend of WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts and every Monday night the two would FaceTime each other. Connor’s favorite Superstar was Daniel Bryan, a man who kept constant contact with Connor’s family as his time on Earth was slowly fading away.
Unfortunately, Connor passed away three weeks after sitting ringside at WrestleMania XXX and watching his hero become the new WWE World Heavyweight champion. After he passed away, Stephanie McMahon and her husband Triple H opened Connor’s Cure fund with money raised going to help fund a cure for pediatric brain and spinal cancer. To date, the fund has over $100,000. You can donate at https://www.givetochildrens.org/CONNORSCURE.
The WWE-produced heartbreaking five minute video of Connor has already over 2 million views on YouTube.
You can read McMahon’s Huffington Post article here.
WWE’s newest YouTube original series titled ‘WWE Cheap Pops!’ has already been canned and the first episode was removed from both WWE.COM and the YouTube website.
The animated series was a production of LowBrow Studios and its Creative Director, Mike Parker, posted a message on Facebook announcing what seems to be the end of the series.
“Welp. I don’t know any details, but WWE had to take Cheap Pops down super fast. It was doing great, thanks for all the shares…but yeah. We’ll see what happens,” he wrote.
It was being promoted as the ‘most absurd WWE series ever’ and episode one had Kane getting a makeover, Adam Bomb visiting the doctor and Brock Lesnar going hunting. It also features cameos by Cena, Daniel Bryan, Stephanie McMahon, and the Berserker.
While WWE took down the 2 minute 15 second program down, it’s still available on YouTube through other users and if you’re wondering what the series is about you can see it below.
TNA issued a press release to announce that tickets for their Bound For Glory pay-per-view will go on sale this weekend at the Korakuen Hall Box Office during the scheduled show from Wrestle-1.
The company also announced the first names of TNA Superstars who would be traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun for the pay-per-view which currently include MVP, Samoa Joe, James Storm, The Great Sanada, EC3, Abyss, Davey Richards, Eddie Edwards, Bram, and Manik.
Notable misses are the current TNA champion Bobby Lashley and Jeff Hardy.
Team 3D – Bully Ray and Devon – will also be inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame that weekend. Bully Ray is out of a TNA contract and has already said his goodbyes in the locker room at a recent non-televised live event.
Bound For Glory will air on pay-per-view on October 12 and is the first TNA pay-per-view to be broadcast from outside the United States.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts has now been moved to a different hospital within the city of Las Vegas which is better equipped to handle his pneumonia and is fully awake after staying in and out of a coma for nearly 24 hours.
His lungs are filled with fluid so while it’s good news about the coma, work still needs to be done to treat his pneumonia.
There’s still no update on what the mass found in his head is and further testing is being done
The WWE Magazine department shut down its offices yesterday and left with several thank you messages on the @WWEMagazine Twitter account.
“It’s been a wild ride, from Flair’s fake photos to Vic Venom to the ’06 relaunch. And we somehow avoided Papa Shango’s voodoo for 31 years. Thank you for your support, WWE Universe. YOU made this fun. Leave the memories alone – we wouldn’t change a thing. Enjoy October’s issue,” a statement read.
The October issue features the former members of The Shield on the cover – Reigns, Rollins, and Ambrose – and carries a “Last Issue Ever” sticker on the front.
“Ladies and gentlemen, @WWEmagazine has left the building. Now, hit our music!” another message reads before a long list of thank yous was published.
Among those thanked were the Brooklyn Brawler, Tommy Dreamer, Beth Phoenix, Edge, Ambrose, Rollins, and Reigns, Damien Sandow, AJ Lee, Kaitlyn, and Daniel Bryan.
WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts’ health issues continue as he is currently in the intensive care unit at Desert Springs Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada, after he lost consciousness during a flight on the way to Vegas.
Roberts had a double pneumonia earlier this week according to several reports and was in a coma when he was transported to the hospital but his good friend Diamond Dallas Page said late last night that he was coming in and out of it.
When tests were being done, doctors found a mass in his head which is yet to be diagnosed. This year Roberts was declared cancer free after he underwent multiple surgeries to treat a skin cancer which was discovered weeks before his Hall of Fame induction at WrestleMania XXX weekend.
WWE Superstar Ryback posted a video on YouTube from a hospital bed dressed like he was ready for surgery.
“I’ve been injured for some time. Been wrestling for 7 months,” Ryback said, noting that he’s been suffering from strained groins and hernias.
The former Paul Heyman Guy said you can call him crazy and selfish but, “I do it for you guys God dammit,” and that’s their work and that’s what they do.
“I gotta get fixed, gotta get some stuff right,” he added, saying that he will come back in a big way and when he does, things are gonna go his way.
The weird video then ends as he says “Ryback Rules,” and then falls to sleep, or else, under the pretend effect of Anesthetic.
WWE was advertising Daniel Bryan for the upcoming WWE tour of Europe in November on the WWE.COM website but now his name has been removed from the advertising either not to spoil his return period or because they realized he won’t be ready for November either.
Bryan was supposed to undergo a second surgery this month but it was postponed for now and further tests were ordered. If the second surgery goes ahead as originally planned, it will push his comeback for a further three months.
The former WWE World Heavyweight champion has been out of action since the end of May and only defended the title once against Kane after his epic victory at WrestleMania XXX. He was forced to surrender the title after it was clear he would not recover in time.
Former WWE and ECW champion Rob Van Dam will be off WWE television for the next couple of months after this Friday’s Smackdown as his usual three month working deal with WWE wrapped up on Tuesday at the tapings.
It is not known when RVD will be back on television but it most likely be around Royal Rumble time as then he can work through WrestleMania 31 before taking off again. RVD has a very odd working agreement with WWE where he comes to work for three months and then disappears for that same amount of time if not more before resurfacing for another three month gig.
This was part of his agreement to return to WWE in July 2013.
Monday Night RAW this week drew a total of 3,974,000 viewers, the first time since May 26 that the show has dipped below the 4 million viewers mark. It was down 220,000 viewers from last week’s show overall.
Hour one did 3,859,000, followed by 4,057,000 in the second hour and then 4,005,000 in the third and final hour. (Ratings credit: PWInsider.com)
Austin, TX – August 27, 2014 – El Rey Network puts its spin on lucha with “Lucha Underground”, an original action-packed series from Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett’s One Three Media. Production will begin on September 6th in front of a live audience in Boyle Heights, Los Angeles. The character-driven, freestyle wrestling series is set to debut Wednesday, October 8th at 8:00 pm ET/PT.
On August 17th in Mexico City in conjunction with the TripleMania XXII produced by Lucha Libre AAA El Rey Network revealed the names of five Luchadores joining “Lucha Underground” directly from Lucha Libre AAA. They are: Blue Demon, Jr, son of the legendary original Blue Demon and is the first Mexican and the second masked wrestler to win the NWA World Heavyweight Championship; Sexy Star, who has held the AAA Reina de Reinas Championship and FILL Women’s Wrestling Championship; Fenix, the inaugural AAA Fusión Champion (March 2013) has also wrestled in Japan for Pro Wrestling Noah and Pro Wrestling Wave; Drago is a dead dragon, a character brought back to life as an immortal being, to protect La Parka in the last fight against his enemies; and Pentagon Jr. who has spread terror and fear in his adversaries without exception since his introduction in the 2012 War of the Titans. Additional Luchadores will be announced shortly.
“Not since ‘The Contender’ premiered has a new series combined this level of drama and athletic competition.” said executive producer Mark Burnett. “Our Luchadores are fantastic, the action will be intense – and this season is just the beginning.”
Scott Sassa, El Rey Network’s Vice Chair, said: “The ‘Lucha Underground’ franchise is perfect for El Rey Network. It features good versus evil, intense action, humor, drama, great characters and most important great stories from two of the best storytellers in the business- Mark Burnett and Robert Rodriguez. It’s the perfect time and they are the perfect team to bring lucha to America.”
Currently, Lucha Libre’s colorful world of freestyle wrestling is a huge draw in its home country of Mexico with over 85% of television audiences tuning into the high-flying antics of this popular franchise. Each week “Lucha Underground” will bring drama, excitement and action to U.S. audiences as the masked heroes and villains battle it out in the ring for wrestling supremacy.
“Lucha Underground” is produced by One Three Media in association with FactoryMade Ventures for El Rey Network. Executive producers are Mark Burnett, Eric Van Wagenen (also showrunner) and Brian Edwards of One Three Media; Dorian Roldán from Lucha Libre AAA; Alejandro Garcia and Antonio Cué Sánchez-Navarro; El Rey Network co-founder Robert Rodriguez; and FactoryMade Ventures and El Rey Network co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. The series will be distributed internationally by One Three Media.
