Jack Swagger’s road to WrestleMania – assuming it’s still on course – will take a detour on March 12 as he will be appearing in court to answer his charges of DUI, marijuana possession, and speeding.
Swagger was arrested on Tuesday night – one minute before Midnight – in Gulfport on Lorraine Road near Morningside Drive after he was pulled over by local sheriff deputies for speeding. A search in his car resulted in the discovery of marijuana.
Swagger didn’t spend much time behind bars and was picked up by an acquaintance according to local newspaper reports.
Former nWo member Scott Hall taped a message from Diamond Dallas Page’s place in Atlanta where he has joined Jake “The Snake” Roberts to try a different kind of rehab with DDP Yoga.
Hall talked about a video that DDP uploaded on YouTube – but later removed – where DDP phoned Hall to try and convince him to come to Atlanta. Hall was so drunk that he said he couldn’t even remember talking to DDP and Jake that day and when later DDP offered to take down the video, Hall gave the go ahead.
After arriving in Atlanta, Hall saw the video and heard the phone conversation for the first time. He said he doesn’t recommend that behavior and he’s not endorsing it.
“It’s been my story, and hm, I’m Scott Hall, and I approve this message,” Hall said, as the original video of the phone conversation followed.
USA Network will air a one hour compressed version of the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on Tuesday, April 9, starting at 10PM EST.
Last year the show aired on Monday serving as the lead in for the post-WrestleMania RAW however with RAW now already at three hours it would have added a fourth straight hour to the schedule.
In the past, the Hall of Fame aired on Saturday night, the same night of the actual ceremony however due to time constraints and speeches going way over the limit, WWE decided to move the broadcast to the following week to allow enough time to edit the show.
So far, Bruno Sammartino, Bob Backlund, Mick Foley, and Trish Stratus are announced for the ceremony which will be held at Madison Square Garden on the eve of WrestleMania 29.
Monday Night RAW this week fresh off the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view did a 3.3 rating with 4,662,000 viewers overall. That is up from last week’s 3.1 rating and around 400,000 viewers more in total.
Hour one kicked off with 4,818,000 viewers followed by 4,674,000 in the second hour and then the audience kept going down to 4,493,000 for the third hour. (Ratings compiled by Nielsen Media Research and put online by PWInsider.com)
The new WWE title which made its debut on RAW this past Monday night cost WWE more than $50,000 just in development.
In an article on WWE.COM, Stan Stanski, the Senior Vice President of Creative for WWE, said that he got the order to work on a new WWE title 18 months ago and it was up to him and his team to make it happen.
Orange County Choppers – from the hit TV show American Chopper – helped creating the title by 3D printing the big WWE logo which occupies the center plate of the title. Their technology and material helped reduce the weight of the title but keep its durability.
Legendary belt maker Dave Millican then took over to dress the rest of the newly created title.
TMZ.COM is reporting that Jack Swagger – who will be in one of the main events of WrestleMania wrestling for the World Heavyweight title – was arrested yesterday night in Mississippi for driving under the influence.
Local sheriffs deputies pulled over Swagger after he left the Mississippi Coast Coliseum in Biloxi following the Smackdown tapings and after searching his car they found out that he was in possession of marijuana.
The former World Heavyweight champion was charged with a DUI, marijuana possession, and speeding. He was released from behind bars later that same night.
2K, a wholly owned publishing label of Take-Two Interactive today officially announced the take over of the WWE video game license from THQ. 2K now holds the exclusive worldwide rights to publish the WWE video games across all major platforms and distribution channels.
Yukes will continue to develop the game in Japan and the THQ/WWE team who worked on the games before will continue to work on WWE ’14 for 2K.
“The WWE series is a great addition to our stable of triple-A titles, and we’re very happy with this exclusive agreement with our new partners,” said David Ismailer, Chief Operating Officer for 2K. “We look forward to capturing the excitement of WWE and marrying it with the same commitment to authenticity and entertainment that we give to our NBA 2K and MLB 2K franchises.”
2K is the team behind the popular NBA 2K series and Greg Thomas, Executive Vice President of 2K Sports, said that combining their background in developing the NBA game with the WWE franchise will result in the most authentic WWE video game experience on game consoles.
WWE and Paramount Pictures sent a press release announcing a promotional partnership to support The Rock’s upcoming feature films, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and Pain & Gain.
In addition to storyline integration on its TV broadcasts, WWE will utilize all of its assets, including live events, digital and social media to promote the films and engage millions of fans each week.
G.I. Joe was the co-presenting partner of the Elimination Chamber while Pain & Gain will have a big presence at WrestleMania 29 and during the Axxess events throughout WrestleMania week.
G.I. Joe will be released on March 29 while Pain & Gain will be released on April 26.
Even though the Road To WrestleMania began at the Royal Rumble, tonight, the non-stop highway starts, as the only thing between now and WrestleMania XXIX are seven (7) Raws! Last night’s Elimination Chamber was the final “in between” pay-per-view before the “Grand Daddy Of Them All,” so What implications will the results from 24 hours ago have moving forward?
I can only guess, as I don’t know who won, so here’s my main wishes: Alberto Del Rio is still the World Heavyweight Champion and will begin a WrestleMania program with Dolph Ziggler. Mark Henry or Jack Swagger won their Elimination Chamber bout, inserting themselves in the above W.H.C. match. (I could see a triple threat). And C.M. Punk reclaimed is WWE Championship gold, to begin another historic reign. (That one is probably really stretching it, but hey, dreams do come true!)
That’s enough speculation, on with Raw to find out the paths for all the wrestler'[\s to the biggest night of their careers!
Monday Night Raw Report for February 18th, 2013 – “Roads Divided”
Introduction Segment: Recap and Welcoming
According to the highlight package, I got two out of three wishes! Jack Swagger did win the Elimination Chamber and Alberto Del Rio did retain his World Heavyweight Title. Unfortunately, The Rock also kept his Championship, so now the WrestleMania main-event will be John Cena VS. The Rock, II, for the WWE Championship.
Segment #1: Arena Promo
The #1 Contender for the WWE Championship, John Cena, is out first. He recaps the happenings and previews the two championship bouts for WrestleMania. That is as far as he gets, as the former WWE Champion, C.M. Punk, interrupts.
Punk questions Cena about fighting The Rock at WrestleMania, as he claims that is the “easy way out.” He does admit that Rock beat him “fair and square,” but brings it back to the fact that Cena has never beat him.
John detests this, saying that both he and Rock earned their “tickets” to WrestleMania, winning the Royal Rumble and WWE Championship matches, respectively. C.M. protests, calling Cena’s ‘Rumble win “luck.” He calls the W.M. XXIX match a “re-run,” complete with Cena not being able to win the big one again. He then tells him to get out of his life and walk away.
Of course, Cena declines, saying that “I am not just going to hand away a ‘golden ticket’ to the main-event of WrestleMania.” However, their is a conundrum. Cena has his share of critics, who also say he doesn’t deserve to be in the main-event. So, he proposes a solution – John Cena takes on C.M. Punk for the right to go to WrestleMania!
The “Straight-Edge Superstar” converses with Paul Hyeman, then decides to go for it. Furthermore, he states some terms – next week. Punk walks off happy, high-fiving Heyman. Cena concurs, saying “next week, I will beat you. Next week I will go to WrestleMania. And at WrestleMania I will beat The Rock, and you (Punk) and all of you (fans) will know that the champ is here!”
Commercials.
Segment #2: Backstage Promo
Matt Striker is with Sheamus, discussing his loss with Ryback and John Cena against The Shield. Ryback is pacing back and forth, and the two get into it, blaming each other until Chris Jericho breaks them up. He says that “we have to do what it takes to save this company.” He proposes a rematch, this time with Jericho, and Ryback/Sheamus agree.
Match #1: Single – Sin Cara VS. “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry
Do I need deeply recap this? Nope, as “The World’s Strongest Man” dominates Sin Cara and finishes him off with “The World’s Strongest Slam.”
Winner via Pinfall: “The World’s Strongest Man” Mark Henry
Post-match, as Henry is going to give another slam to Cara, The Great Khali walks out. He enters the ring, but Mark backs away and mouths off to the 7-foot giant.
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Match #2: Single – The Miz VS. Antonio Cesaro (United States Champion) (Non-Title)
The Miz immediately sweeps up Cesaro and mount-punches him. He tosses Antonio to the floor, but gets hurled into the barricade. Antonio picks Miz up and runs him shoulder-first into the ring post. As it is “No-Disqualification” rules, the U.S. Champion brings out a steel chair and kendo stick.
He whacks it hard against Miz’s taped-up shoulder, then knees him in the corner. Miz reverses into a sunset flip pin for two, then Antonio takes control again.
He pulls Miz’s left arm through the chair, then locks on an armlock submission. Miz then gets shoved shoulder-first into the steel chair in the corner, then gets nailed with an uppercut. Cesaro runs at him again, but Miz hits him with a boot and drop toeholds him into the steel chair! Miz swings around and puts Cesaro in the Figure-Four leglock for the tap out victory!
Winner via Submission: The Miz
Segment #3: Video Promo
The “All-American-American” Jack Swagger and Zeb Colter spew an anti-immigration tirade and claim they will fix it.
Segment #4: Backstage Promo
Tag-Team Champions, “Team Hell-No” are arguing again about the results of last night’s Elimination Chamber. They both have singles matches and ask the other not to be involved.
Segment #5: Backstage Promo
Paul Heyman walks up to Vickie Guerrero and wonders why she wanted him. Guerrero promises a surprise, regarding Heyman’s career, but will announce it later in the ring, much to Paul’s dismay.
Commercials.
Match #3: Single – “Mr. Money In The Bank/The Showoff” Dolph Ziggler (with Big E. Langston and A.J.) vs. World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio (with Ricardo Rodriguez) (Non-Title)
Dolph slaps Del Rio quickly and hits a high dropkick, then pounds away at Alberto’s face. Del Rio counters with a gut-kick, and tosses Ziggler to the apron, then delivers a running Enziguri to knock him to the floor.
Ads.
Back live, Dolph is choking Del Rio across the bottom rope. Another high dropkick is it for a two-count. Langston takes a cheap shot while Scott Armstrong – the referee – is distracted. Ziggler clamps on a grounding rear chinlock, and soon after drops him with the Fameasser for a nearfall! He ascends the turnbuckle but gets crotched, and Del Rio brings Dolph down with a reverses suplex!
They slug back and forth, with Del Rio firing up with clotheslines and a tilt-a-whirl bakcbreaker. He goes for the Cross Armbreaker, but Dolph reverses it into a neckbreaker for another two-count! Ziggler misses and gets caught into the corner, allowing Alberto to hammer him in the lower back and pull back with a Backstabber.
Langston jumps on the ropes, but Del Rio gets ride of hi quickly. He turns around and turns a high-jumping DDT into the Cross Armbreaker. Ziggler gives in!
Winner via Submission: World Heavyweight Champion Alberto Del Rio
Post-match, Langston jumps Del Rio and plants him with the drop-down facebuster. He screams “it’s over for you,” then Dolph gets the idea to cash in his Money In The Bank briefcase. Just before though, Ricardo snatches the case and runs away. A.J. brings it back, but Del Rio already lays out Dolph with the Enziguri to keep his title!
Commercials.
Segment #6: Arena Promo
Intercontinental Champion Wade Barrett is in the ring, plugging the movie “Dead Man Down,” in which he appears. Sheamus, via Titantron, interjects, saying that Wade didn’t have any speaking an it’s not “his” movie. Sheamus tells him to wrap it up as they are out of time.
Match #4: Mixed 6-Person Tag-Team – Tensai, “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay, and “Funkette” Naomi (with “Funkette” Cameron) VS. Primo, Epico, and Rosa Mendes
The women begin, with Naomi pulling off some nice moves, including a springboard crossbody, and then a Hurricanrana on Epico! Tensai and Primo go at it, with clotheslines and an elbow drop by Tensai. Naomi baseball slides Epico and Rosa, then Tensai and Brodus double-splash Primo for the 1 – 2 – 3!
Winners via Pinfall: Tensai, “The Funkasaurus” Brodus Clay, and “Funkette” Naomi (with “Funkette” Cameron)
It was announced earlier today that New Orleans, Louisiana, particularly the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, will host WrestleMania XXX on April 6th, 2014!
Up next, The “All Real American” Jack Swagger will give a “State Of The Union Address.”
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Segment #7: Arena Promo
Complete with red carpet and podium, The “Real American” Jack Swagger talks about “our country,” America. He turns the microphone over to Zeb Colter to give the “State Of The Union Address.” He thanks the previous presidents for giving them the Bill Of Rights, particularly the first amendment to speak their mind.
He goes on another rant about the “millions and millions of people living in this country illegally,” berating them for stealing their jobs and abusing their medical system.
Since it is President’s Day in America, Colter wants to fix it. He says that Jack Swagger is prepared to say “no more.” He is going to accomplish two goals at WrestleMania – capture the World Heavyweight Championship and he’s going to “reclaim America.”
Daniel Bryan now walks down, and prepares for his match against the “Real American.”
Commercials.
Match #5: Single – The “Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter) VS. Tag-Team Champion Daniel Bryan (Non-Title)
Swagger has Bryan in a waistlock as we come back from break. Daniel turns it around and kicks Jack hard in the thigh. He gets a sunset flip for a one-count, then counters a run with a drop toehold into the second turnbuckle. Swagger rushes Daniel with a clothesline over the ropes but gets dropkicked to the floor. Bryan misses a diving knee off the apron, then gets slammed into the barricade by Swagger.
Jack chucks Bryan across the ring with an overhead toss, and later hits the Swaggerbomb for a two-count! He runs again at Daniel, who elbows Jack. He trips him over the ropes, then lands a suicide dive on Swagger to the outside! Bryan flies off the top rope with a front dropkick for a two-count! He reverses a cover into the No-Lock, but Swagger struggles and clinches the ropes.
Bryan misses a running knee in the corner, which gives Swagger the advantage again. He measures Daniel, running at him with a chop block. He stalks Bryan, then grips in the “Patriot Lock” Anklelock to seal this one!
Winner via Submission: The “Real American” Jack Swagger (with Zeb Colter)
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Segment #8: Arena Promo
Vickie Guerrero announces that she has a new assistant – Brad Maddox! However, that is not the surprise she had in store for Paul Heyman, who is also joining her in the ring. The real surprise, Mr. McMahon, appears on the Titantron. He reminds Heyman that since he granted Paul’s stipulation wish, then Heyman would do anything for him. So, next week, they will step into the ring for a fight!
Commercials.
Match #6: 6-Man Tag-Team – “Y2J” Chris Jericho, Sheamus, and Ryback VS. “The Shield” (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns)
Ryback and Rollins begin, with Ryback giving him shoulder-blocks in the corner. He switches up with Jericho, who now battles Dean. Suplex by Jericho then punches in the corner. Jericho elbows him, then dives off the second turnbuckle with a dropkick. A crossbody by Jericho nets a quick count, but Ambrose rolls to a tag to Reigns, who matches up with Sheamus now.
They slug it out, with Sheamus nailing hard clotheslines, a shoulder-block, and a high-running knee. Sheamus drops Roman with the White Noise, then calls out “Fella!” for the Brogue Kick. Rollins pulls Reigns out of the ring, but Ambrose eats the Kick instead.
Ads.
Back live, Reigns is back in control, hammering it out, then tagging in Seth. A front facelock is hitched on, then Rollins stomps away in the corner. He switches again with Reigns, who gets leveled with a clothesline by Sheamus. The Irishman tags in Ryback to a huge pop, and the “Man-Beast” cleans house on Rollins with a spinebuster and “Meathook” clothesline. Ryback attempts the Shellshock, but Reigns spears him. 1 – 2 – Ryback kicks out!
Ambrose is in and punches it out on Ryback, then tags in Reigns again. He switches with Rollins soon after, and they both isolate and dominate Ryback again. Reigns runs at Ryback in the corner, but misses and crotches himself on the ropes. Ryback crawls toward his corner and manages to tag in Jericho! “Y2J” is all over Ambrose and Rollins, hitting the running bulldog and Lionsault. 1 – 2 – Ambrose gets the shoulder up!
Jericho grabs Ambrose into the Walls Of Jericho, but Dean reverses into a small package for two! Jericho gets him again in the Walls, who sells like crazy, but Rollins flies in from the top rope with a knee-to-the-face! Ambrose capitalizes with the cover for the victory!
Winners via Pinfall: “The Shield” (Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns)
Commercials.
Match #7: Single – “The Intellectual Savior Of The Masses” Damien Sandow VS. Kofi Kingston
Prior to the contest, Damien retorts a promo about President’s Day. He recaps the Sandow Family history in advising former Presidents. He offers to save us from the “doldrums of your own self-imposed ignorance. You’re welcome!”
Right away, Damien attacks Kofi and punches away at him. He runs Kofi into the steel post shoulder-first then continues until Kingston’s past tag-team partner R-Truth returns, laying the “Savior” out with the Scissors Kick and “Lie Detector” spinning elbow. This brawl happens before Charles Robinson was able to signal for the bell.
Winner: No Contest due to No Official Start
Josh Matthews interviews two of The Rock’s co-stars in his next movie, “G.I. Joe: Retaliation.” They then air the movie trailer.
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Match #8: Single – “The Viper” Randy Orton VS. Tag-Team Champion “The Big Red Machine” Kane (Non-Title)
Randy begins with a side headlock but Kane knocks him down with a shoulder block. Randy punches him in the corner, but Kane uppercuts Orton, sending him to the floor.
Commercials.
Back live, Kane has Orton in a grounding rear chinlock, then delivers a big boot-to-the-face for a two-count! A huge DDT also gets the same result, then he clamps on another grounding rear chinlock. Orton fights out of it and punches Kane in the corner gain, then stomps away on his lower legs. Randy runs into a stiff uppercut, and Kane receives another nearfall.
Kane controls the contest for a while, hitting a sidewalk slam for two. He misses a top-rope diving clothesline, but managers to counter Orton’s slingshot DDT attempt. As Kane is gearing up for the Chokeslam, his Tag-Team Champion partner walks out. Bryan ends up distracting Kane, allowing Orton to sneak in with the R.K.O. and the victory!
Winner via Pinfall: “The Viper” Randy Orton
Commercials.
Segment #9: Arena Promo
“The Pride Of Acadia,” the University of Louisiana’s marching band, plays out The Rock, and the WWE Champion makes his entrance. He recaps the results of the last two pay-per-view results, where he beat C.M. Punk for the WWE Title.
The Rock says that in forty-eight days, he will be going to WrestleMania. However, the WWE Championship will not. He recaps his history and his family’s history in this business, then talks about the prestige and history of the WWE Championship itself. Which of course, brings us to (almost) eight years in the making ….
FINALLY …. the WWE Championship has come home. FINALLY, there is a NEW WWE Championship Title! It is all gold and diamond, strapped in black, with a huge WWE logo in the middle and the word “champion” underneath. The Championship looks really nice and much better!
The Rock speculates on who he will face, as per the events from earlier tonight, John Cena or C.M. Punk? The Rock wants to face…
John Cena’s music plays and he stands on the ramp, staring and making gestures at The Rock. From behind, C.M. Punk blasts Cena with the old WWE Championship, then chucks it down on the ramp. He points to The Rock and says “I want that one.” The Rock is hyped up and ready to fight, but Punk just glares at him then walks away to close the show.
End Of Raw.
Reporter’s Rumblings – By Moe Tapp
Once again, the WRESTLING on this show was the highlight. Hopefully this little trend continues. Even though I didn’t like a few of the matches themselves/3 hours worth is still too long, the bouts did play out well for the most part. Save for three main ones, the promos/storylines on the other hand were more lacklustre/been there, done that.
Excellence: Cena/Punk promo to begin the show. Loved the passion they both showed for wanting to be in the main event at WrestleMania and why they should both be WWE Champion. I love this swerve, and honestly, would love even more to see a Triple-Threat at ‘Mania XXIX – much more intrigue.
Jack Swagger/Zeb Colter. I am pleased with how they managed to “repackage” Swagger and was actually pleasntly surprised he is this quick in the World Championship match at WrestleMania. His new “form” fits beautifully. I also like Zeb Colter for his great promo skills. Right now, it is reminiscent of the late-great Eddie Guerrero and J.B.L. WWE Championship feud in 2004, only without the comedy. This is just serious. So far, they are playing this somewhat smartly, but they do have to be careful how far they can go. I hope it doesn’t go too beyond to be a detriment to Swagger. His match with Daniel Bryan was also excellent.
The 6-Person Mixed tag match was a little nice, and Naomi has some decent moves for a new Diva! My opinion on this is a turn-around from last week, but I just had “fun” with this one tonight.
The other 6-Man tag with “The Shield” was also well-executed, and I was/am surprised they gave the big win to the trio at Elimination Chamber.
Of course, the new WWE Championship. I am a big fan of this Title and do like the look. Yes, it is perhaps too much in the “shiny” department, but it does look much nicer and brings a little more “authenticity” to that Championship and all who wore it/fought for it.
Bogus: Mark Henry – I don’t like the fact that he came back superbly as a “badass,” and now he’s going into a sub-par, lower-card feud with The Great Khali. Waste of talent. He was my other pick for the Elimination Chamber.
Dolph Ziggler – this one sucks because it feels like he’s just holding the Money In The Bank briefcase for something to do, without placing importance on the aspect of what it means. The only way he can save himself now is to lose/do badly enough through WrestleMania, then decide to dump A.J. and Big E. the night after, and start fresh, ON HIS OWN!!!
Not into the Cesaro/Miz feud, especially when they don’t even get entrances and one of them is a CHAMPION!
The repeat feud between Kane and Daniel Bryan. Not looking forward to this again, and Kane/Orton was a match that could’ve been left off the cards.
Event though I felt it was an average show still, I am getting excited for WrestleMania and the potential tracks this year can take to the “show of shows!”
Until next week, Be Excellent Wrestling-Online Readers and Wrestling Fans!
TNA has announced that the March 28 live IMPACT will be taking place at the ASU Convocation Center in Jonesboro, Arkansas. A second set of tapings will be recorded immediately after the live broadcast ends which will air the following week.
Mayor Harold Perrin is holding a special event on Tuesday, February 26 at the Comfort Suites on 3404 Access Road with Matt Morgan making an appearance. Tickets for the show go on sale on the same day at tickets.astate.edu.
“The City Of Jonesboro has experienced tremendous growth in recent years, and we are very excited to have the opportunity to showcase our wonderful City to the World! This area is rich in wrestling history, and it is exciting to bring Hulk Hogan and the live IMPACT WRESTLING television show to Jonesboro,” stated Mayor Perrin.
Jake “The Snake” Roberts tweeted a photo of himself, along with Diamond Dallas Page greeting Scott Hall at the airport, welcoming him to their home to start the DDP Yoga rehab process.
Roberts has been sober for a while ever since he’s been living with Page and has lost a good amount of weight under the supervision of the former WCW champion.
The two then reached out to Scott Hall, whose countless trips to a WWE-sponsored rehab facility proved fruitless. Hall – sadly in a wheelchair – is seen giving the two thumbs up to the camera and Page and Roberts smile.
DDP has vowed to help the former nWo member if he abide by his rules and judging from Jake Roberts’ progress, it does seem that miracles do happen.
Last week, Roberts tweeted that Hall had been clean for 16 days and moving in with him will be the biggest move for either of them “Sharing road to health, sobriety and happiness. DDP Yoga will take us there just add hope, prayers, love,” he wrote.
You can see the photo of the three together at the airport below.
WWE has already started selling a replica of the new WWE title on the WWEShop.com website, less than 24 hours after it was revealed on television.
Selling for a whooping $449.99, the new belt weighs 7.4 pounds and 51 inches long in total, making it a perfect fit for up to a 46 inch waist. The strap of the title is made out of faux leather and the description says it’s the closest to the actual strap on the real belt that they have ever produced.
The side plates feature the WWE logo and not the customized brahma bull that the Rock currently has.
Meanwhile, several WWE Superstars commented on the new title on Twitter with WWE Hall of Famer Edge saying that it is way better than “that spinner shipwreck.”
The RAW crew will be leaving for a short three-day tour in Qatar and Turkey which will kick off on Thursday.
On February 21 and February 22, WWE will host two non-televised live events at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex in Doha, Qatar, followed by another non-televised live event on February 23 at the Ulker Sports Arena in Istanbul, Turkey.
Tours to these countries bring in a lot of revenue for WWE which is why even a short three-day tour across the other side of the world makes sense financially.
It was only a matter of time till the WWE jumped on the Harlem Shake bandwagon. The U.S. Marines did it. The U.S. Navy did it. The U.S. Army did it. Hell, even Pepsi and its cans digitally danced to it.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, there is a new version of the Harlem Shake – WWE style! WWE Superstars, Divas, and even referees got it on it to shake their stuff to the latest Internet craze.
The WWE spinner title that is attributed to John Cena is no more as a new WWE belt made its debut last night on RAW.
Taking a more “traditional” look than any of the past few WWE titles, the new belt features a very large center plate with a huge WWE logo and “champion” written in the bottom. The outer ring of the plate is all “diamonds.”
On each side of the big center plate are two other plates, which feature a brahma bull. Previous WWE titles featured 4 plates apart from the big center one, and one of them even had five, but the new title has only three just like the World Heavyweight title.
The spinner WWE title was introduced in 2005 after John Cena became the WWE champion. It remained the same since then except for when Edge was a champion and had his own Rated-R spinner title.
You can see a photo of The Rock posing with the new title below.
One of the pluses of having The Rock as the WWE champion is the added exposure that he gives to the WWE at the several media interviews he does to promote his upcoming movies.
In a sit-down interview to promote the G.I. Joe: Retaliation movie, The Rock showed up with the WWE title and even tweeted a picture of the title resting comfortably on his knee as the G.I. Joe poster stood in the background.
The photo was the first one for The Rock on his brand new Instagram account. “Rock. You. Instagram. We’re open for business… #InstagramGetsRocked,” wrote Rocky. You can see the photo at http://instagram.com/p/V2drXfoh0r/
In a press release issued today regarding WrestleMania XXX, it was revealed that the WrestleMania Axxess will be held at the New Orleans Morial Convention Center. This year’s Axxess is being held inside an arena – the IZOD Center – rather than in a convention center for the first time since the company started the concept at WrestleMania 18.
“WWE thanks the city of New Orleans and the Saints for welcoming our biggest celebration of the year for the first time to The Big Easy,” said WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon. “We can’t think of a better city or a more legendary venue than the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to host the 30th annual WrestleMania. Let the good times roll.”
RAW will be held at the New Orleans Arena however location for the Hall of Fame ceremony which happens the day before WrestleMania wasn’t announced. It is likely to be held at the New Orleans Arena as well.
“On behalf of our great city, we thank WWE for bringing their largest annual celebration to New Orleans in 2014,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. “We are proud to have played host to some of the greatest sports and entertainment events in the world over the past two years, and hosting WrestleMania is a great way to continue this unprecedented streak. We look forward to hosting WWE and its global fan base as they celebrate this historic milestone at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome.”
Ric Flair has filed documents asking the judge for a protective order against his fourth wife Jackie, who he claims she is an alcoholic who beat him several times.
In his response to her separation papers, TMZ.COM is reporting that Flair called his soon-to-be ex-wife “cruel” and “barbarous,” and her drunk antics during their marriage endangered his life. He mentioned that in 2010, she blasted him with a glass object, breaking it over his forehead, and had to seek medical attention. Flair also noted that Jackie was arrested for a DUI in the past.
Apart from the protective order, Flair wants the separation agreement that he signed in October 2012 void. In that agreement, he promised to pay Jackie tens of thousands of dollars. He said he can’t afford to pay her because she went on a badmouthing spree in the media which cost him endorsement contracts.
TMZ reached out to Jackie and said the allegations are 100% false and the former 16 time champion is just using them as a trick to avoid paying the money she’s entitled to.
WWE held a press conference at Noon today at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome to announce that WrestleMania 30 will be coming to New Orleans on April 6, 2014.
John Saboor, the WWE Senior Vice President of Special Events hosted the press conference and invited New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu to the stage for the announcement.
Landrieu said that New Orleans held 25 of the biggest events in the world in the past 14 months and then proceeded to announce that WrestleMania is coming to town. He then introduced WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, who said that this press conference will be a bit different than what most reporters are used to.
McMahon made that comment referring to Brodus Clay with Naomi and Cameron, kicking off the event dancing followed by R-Truth coming out to rap later on.
The Chairman said that he had a discussion with the company’s Chief Financial Officer a while back about his job description to which McMahon said that everyone’s job description in the WWE – from the mail man to the CFO – is to make people smile because “that’s what we do.”
The Owner and Vice-Chair of the New Orleans Saints NFL football team, Rita Benson Leblanc, came out next to put over McMahon and his company and said it was an honor that NOLA will be hosting this fantastic entertainment event.
Alan Freeman, the General Manager of the MB Superdome and of the New Orleans Arena came on stage next. He said that the city jumped at the opportunity to host WrestleMania and started working on the bid in 2009. In 2011, the WWE called and invited them to their headquarters in Connecticut for a face-to-face meeting and to sell their bid. During the meeting, Freeman said that Vince McMahon told them he “heard enough” and that they got WrestleMania…with one catch – that they can’t say anything till they announce it.
Stephanie McMahon was then introduced to talk about the power of WWE when it comes to reaching different people through TV and social media. She said when WrestleMania comes to town, WWE will be giving back to the community with WWE Superstars and Divas visiting schools, hospitals, and hosting charity events.
Steven Perry, the President of the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau said that the city will be happy to welcome people from all around the world for WrestleMania and mentioned how nervous he was sitting across Vince and Stephanie McMahon at that meeting in Connecticut fifteen months ago.
The Rock came out next with the WWE title and talked about his history in the city. He said that when he was 20 years old, he came with the University of Miami for a match against Alabama – which they lost – and how he had some amazing wrestling matches throughout the years in NOLA. He said he shot most of the new G.I. Joe movie here in New Orleans as well and said that WrestleMania will be a fun experience for New Orleans.
John Cena was the last person to take the stage and said that there’s no better place to celebrate the 30th birthday of WrestleMania than the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in the city of New Orleans. He put over the people of New Orleans for loving and taking care of their city even after disasters and promised that when WWE comes over next year, they will give everyone a celebration worthy of this great city.
After Cena finished, The Rock came out to shake his hand and pose for photos with the WWE title. Big Show, Mark Henry, Alberto Del Rio, Layla, Brodus Clay, Naomi, Cameron, and the Great Khali then came out to pose for photos as the press conference came to a close.
You can see photos from the press conference below.
The main event for WrestleMania 29 was set last night after The Rock defeated CM Punk to retain the WWE title, making last year’s WrestleMania not so “once in a lifetime” after all.
The Rock and Royal Rumble winner John Cena will go head to head for the second time in a row at a WrestleMania main event – the first time in WrestleMania’s 29 year history that such a thing is occurring.
“Congrats @TheRock …… I’ll see you at #thedance @WWE get ready for #WM29 4/7/13,” tweeted John Cena after yesterday’s Elimination Chamber.
