With Survivor Series taking place in less than two weeks, the latest update on Roman Reigns is that WWE officials are starting to make alternate plans in the event that he’s not medically cleared in time for the PPV.
Reigns has been out of action for several weeks due to the medical outbreak that sidelined Bray Wyatt and Bo Dallas, both of whom have since returned. The plan was for him to return to television next week on RAW, but PWInsider reports that Jason Jordan is being considered as a possible replacement for Roman Reigns. The storyline would be that Kurt Angle will be teaming up with his ‘son’ for the first time ever.
There is said to be concern that Reigns might be rushing back too soon and may not be in proper ring shape to resume working a full-time schedule.
If Reigns is able to return, the plan is for him to team with Captain Angle, Braun Strowman, Samoa Joe and Finn Balor to face SmackDown Commissioner & Team Captain Shane McMahon, Bobby Roode, Randy Orton, Shinsuke Nakamura and either Rusev or AJ Styles.
Expect several more members of Team RAW and Team SmackDown to be revealed following this week’s television tapings from the UK.
During a weekend press conference to promote New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 event on January 4th, IWGP United States Champion Kenny Omega spoke about competing against Chris Jericho at the show.
Omega spoke about a ceiling that exists in pro wrestling regarding how popular the athletes can become. “There’s a ceiling here. You can only get so famous. Pro wrestling can only get so popular. My dream is to break that ceiling. It always has been,” he said.
“Are we only big in Japan now? No. Everyone knows who we are. Everyone knows New Japan, but there’s still that ceiling. There’s still the image that we can never compete. Watch me compete.”
Omega was asked about WWE and stated that there’s not a single wrestler on the WWE roster that compares to what he can do in the ring.
“WWE, in general — you can quote me on this I don’t care — everyone there is so below me. No one can put together a performance like me from there. Anyone that’s copying anyone is copying me. I’m the trend right now. I don’t need to search anyone as an opponent. I don’t need the need to take on anyone from there to prove anything.”
Former WWE SmackDown Live Tag Team Champion Chad Gable recently did an interview with The Nottingham Post to promote the WWE’s current European tour. Gable discussed adapting to the WWE’s style when he signed with the promotion back in 2013, and teaming with both Jason Jordan and Shelton Benjamin. You can check out the highlights here:
Adapting to the WWE’s style upon signing with them in 2013:
“Coming in, I was big fan of technical wrestling but I quickly had to learn that is a small part of what we do. It took me a while to get to grips with that. I credit the Performance Center a lot of that. We had to do a lot of what we call promo classes and I was thrust in there from week one.
“I was thrown in front of 60 people I’d never met and it was just the most gut wrenching thing for me. It killed me every week. It was high and anxiety but like anything else, it gets easier week after week.”
Teaming with Jason Jordan and now teaming with Shelton Benjamin:
“I was disappointed in the fact we had a lot more to offer than we showed on Smackdown. We won the tag titles but that didn’t show what we are capable of. I’m very willing to try something new though. It also let me show what I can do as a singles wrestler.
“I hope me and Shelton get a chance to show our personality. The new team is something we’re working on. It so new to us and we have to get to know each other. We share the amateur background and that helps a lot. He’s considered a veteran now. He’s had a lot of success. He’s been stuck with a new kid and that could be frustrating for him, but we’ve had some success and he’s fully on board. I am too. Once we really get on the same page we’ll be formidable.”
You can read Gable’s full interview with The Nottingham Post by clicking this link here.
– A fan recently took to Twitter and called Karl Anderson a “sell out” for leaving Japan in favor of WWE. Here’s how Anderson responded to the comment:
Define “sell out”….. Just entertained thousands of fans all over Europe and Tuesday get to go home to my family.. I win, #NEEEERDhttps://t.co/oBWWtFItje
– Tonight’s episode of Monday Night RAW from England will feature a “Guitar On A Pole” match between Elias and Jason Jordan. WWE posted the following video of Elias’ message to Jordan prior to their match-up:
In the latest edition of the WWE Network’s Table For 3 special, former WWE World Champions The Shield reunited at the dinner table to share some memories about their run as a trio.
Seth Rollins, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose discussed several topics, including how Joey Mercury is the “fourth member” of the group due to all the great advice he provided them backstage.
Mercury was released by WWE back in January and returned wrestling on the independent scene shortly thereafter. He is the reigning MCW Pro Wrestling Heavyweight Champion.
Here are some highlights from The Shield’s Table For 3 appearance:
Rollins on Joey Mercury being the fourth member of The Shield for all his good advice:
“I was talking to an old mentor of ours, Joey Mercury, the other day,” Rollins said. “I miss Joey a lot too. I love him so much. Very, actually, integral part of The Shield. He should maybe be the fourth seat [at the Table For 3 dining table] because he was the behind-the-scenes Shield brother.”
Reigns on Mercury advising them to all stick together:
“A lot of it came from Joey. Remember, he told us… I know y’all remember he told us,” Reigns continued, “he told us, do you know what I mean, ‘you guys are going up together. I know [Ambrose] and [Rollins] worked together a lot. [Reigns] hasn’t really been around those two a whole lot, but y’all have to stick together. Y’all have to let the whole locker room, everybody needs to know that The Shield are like a legit unit, always together, walking the hallways, sit in catering together.’
“And we did that. We rode together. [Ambrose] slept on the floor the majority of the time and I owe [him] one for that one. Do you know what I mean? We trained together. We did everything together. I think that until we were able to break the tripod and get our own two feet for each man down, we leaned on each other until now and everybody leans on us, so that’s what Vince [McMahon] and Hunter [Hearst Helmsley] are looking for. [Rollins] remembers that talk. They want leaders.”
Bronson Mathews’ (real name Josh Bredl) time with the WWE has reportedly come to an end.
The ex-Tough Enough winner was handed his walking papers from the company last week per a report from PWInsider. Mathews won his WWE contract back in 2015, however, his career in NXT never really took off. He had suffered a concussion-related injury that prevented him from working live events since the summer of 2016 and hadn’t even been training at the performance center. He joins Sawyer Fulton and Leo Gao as NXT talent that were released last week.
Chad Gable spoke with The Nottingham Post to promote the current WWE European tour. Here are the highlights: Shelton Benjamin replacing Jason Jordan as his tag team partner: “I was disappointed in the fact we had a lot more to offer than we showed on Smackdown. We won the tag titles but that didn’t show what we are capable of. I’m very willing to try something new though. It also let me show what I can do as a singles wrestler. “I hope me and Shelton get a chance to show our personality. The new team is something we’re working on. It so new to us and we have to get to know each other. We share the amateur background and that helps a lot. He’s considered a veteran now. He’s had a lot of success. He’s been stuck with a new kid and that could be frustrating for him, but we’ve had some success and he’s fully on board. I am too. Once we really get on the same page we’ll be formidable.”
Adapting to the WWE style: “Coming in, I was big fan of technical wrestling but I quickly had to learn that is a small part of what we do. It took me a while to get to grips with that. I credit the Performance Center a lot of that. We had to do a lot of what we call promo classes and I was thrust in there from week one. “I was thrown in front of 60 people I’d never met and it was just the most gut wrenching thing for me. It killed me every week. It was high and anxiety but like anything else, it gets easier week after week.”
Another big name has been added to WWE’s Starrcade live event in Greensboro, NC. The 11/25 house show will now feature Ric Flair’s first WWE appearance since his health scare in August.
During a recent promotional interview with SoloWrestling.com, the WWE Hall of Famer’s daughter Charlotte announced that The Nature Boy will be in the house at Starrcade. Charlotte confirmed that her father will be there to watch her cage match with Natalya for the SmackDown Women’s Championship.
One of Flair’s most famous in-ring rivals, Ricky “The Dragon” Steamboat, is also booked to appear at the live event.
After Starrcade, Flair is next scheduled to appear at RAW’s 25th anniversary show on January 22nd. Other names booked for that big episode of RAW include Shawn Michaels, The Undertaker, and Kevin Nash.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WIcZbxC0Oo0
Here’s the updated card for WWE’s Starrcade live event on November 25th:
Steel Cage Match: WWE Championship
– Jinder Mahal (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Steel Cage Match: Smackdown Women’s Championship
– Natalya (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
– Luke Gallows & Karl Anderson vs. The Rock ‘n’ Roll Express
Triple Threat: United States Championship
– Baron Corbin (c) vs. AJ Styles vs. Rusev
Texas Tornado Match: Smackdown Tag Team Championship
– The Usos (c) vs. The New Day
RAW Superstar Finn Balor spoke with Sky Sports over the weekend during WWE’s ongoing tour of the United Kingdom and expressed his desire for the company to host a ‘major’ pay-per-view event in the UK.
“I love the idea of doing international pay-per-views and I don’t see why we should be anchored, so to speak, to the United States,” Balor said.
“The fans here deserve a pay-per-view in the United Kingdom. They haven’t had one since 1992 and that one went down as one of the greatest pay-per-views in WWE history.
“Why it hasn’t been done since then is beyond me. People above me will make excuses about how it’s not financially beneficial to the company but I think there are more important things beyond the bottom line and that’s giving the fans what they want at any cost.
Balor added that WWE talent is also on board with hosting a PPV from the UK, despite the logistical difficulties presented by the Greenwich Mean time zone.
Sin Cara was injured at Sunday night’s WWE live event from Madrid, Spain.
During a triple threat match also involving United States Champion Baron Corbin and Sami Zayn, there was a a spot that involved Corbin charging at Sin Cara, who ducked down and grabbed the top rope, sending Corbin to the outside. Corbin stepped on Sin Cara’s right foot while going over the top rope and Sin Cara’s ankle appeared buckle. Sin Cara was visibly in pain and had to be helped to the back after the match.
Tonight’s edition of WWE RAW will take place from Manchester, England at the Manchester Arena. The show will be taped in the afternoon (Eastern time) and we will have full spoiler results posted throughout the taping.
RAW will open with The Miz hosting a special edition of Miz TV with his guest, RAW General Manager Kurt Angle.
Matches announced for RAW include Braun Strowman vs. Kane and a Guitar on a Pole match betwen Elias and Jason Jordan.
WWE.com is also questioning if women’s Team RAW Captain Alicia Fox can find more Superstars to fill her Survivor Series team.
Join us here later tonight for WWE RAW Live Coverage.
The card for New Japan’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 event on January 4, 2018 is starting to take shape. New Japan announced on Monday that ROH World Champion Cody Rhodes will defend his title against Kota Ibushi.
Former WWE Intercontinental Champion Ryback was recently a guest on Colt Cabana’s podcast, The Art Of Wrestling, to talk about CM Punk’s past comments about him on the show. Ryback explained that he has no beef with Cabana over the incident, admitted that he is able to now sympathize with Punk after his own issues with WWE, and never having been good friends with Punk. You can check out the highlights from the appearance here:
Not having beef with Colt Cabana:
“I was taken aback by your even apologizing because you never – you were just there, you weren’t the one saying the things. It was never between you and me,” Ryback said. “I’m not the type of person where, just because you are friends with the guy where you aren’t the one that said it. Yes, it was your show, but it’s what it is. Not even once did I remotely think, ‘God damn, that Colt Cabana, I wish he didn’t go there with that.'”
Understanding where Punk was coming from:
“I remember when that whole thing happened, and even at the time I didn’t think it was that big of a deal, but he has such a following where he made some very valid points about the company and his frustrations, it kind of all lumped into one,” Ryback said. “Till this day, his followers and fans still hate the idea of me, which sucks because once you do get to know me, they think to themselves, ‘Oh, he’s not that bad.'”
Not ever being good friends with Punk:
“I always enjoyed being around you, and you were always good to me, so it was just one of those things, and I understand after going through my own things with WWE, everybody has their own personal story and what not, but at that period in time, he and I always going along before that,” Ryback said. “We were never friends but we were always civil with one another.
“He was in his own world and I was in my own world but we would talk occasionally and everything was always pleasant. I think also when you are dealing with that atmosphere and you are talking about top positions in that company, it is a very sensitive thing. The two guys that I ‘supposedly’ didn’t get along with were the two top guys at the time, and it makes sense, I understand it, and you can’t take anything personal.”
Now being able to understand Punk’s frustrations:
“But I too understand, after going through my own back and shoulder injuries, he was really beat up too during that time period and I am a power wrestler. I remember one night giving him a simple power slam and his back was really messed up and he was hurting,” Ryback said. “I didn’t really know what to do because the one thing with Vince is, if you are a bigger guy and it looks like you are throwing fluff, there’s nothing that will kill you off quicker, but at the same time you never want to hurt a guy that really is injured, so the things he said I think he was just really frustrated too. Again, being in a top spot, I just think it all got grouped together.”
You can listen to Ryback on The Art Of Wrestling by clicking on this link here.
WWE Hall Of Famer Ted DiBiase Sr. recently made an appearance on Jim Ross’ podcast, The Ross Report, to promote his new documentary. During their conversation “The Million Dollar Man” discussed not seeing anything special about The Undertaker at first, and how Roman Reigns can get a babyface reaction from the WWE Universe. You can check out the highlights here:
Not seeing anything special in The Undertaker at first:
“No, not right off the bat,” Dibiase admitted. “What did impress me was that when I watched him work that gimmick, because he had to move like [he was in] slow motion. And then, in moving like he did, like this half-dead character, to be able to have a match. It was pretty remarkable. I don’t think anybody envisioned how big he would get. Yeah, yeah, and long-term too.”
How Roman Reigns can get a babyface reaction:
“Well, I mean, it’s like it’s not what ultimately you want. It’s going to end up being whatever the office wants and you’re going to have to please them, ultimately. Whether it’s kind of like, for me, when I went to Ernie [Ladd] and said, ‘I’ve got this idea, ‘you’re looking for a heel, I think I could be that,’ it was great timing. In terms of Roman Reigns being a babyface or a heel, if the people want to like him, they’re going to like him. The reason, in our lingo, we call it, I was a ‘chickens–t’ heel, I was the bully heel. I’d talk real big and when somebody steps up to the plate, you become a coward. And you never get tired of seeing that guy get his butt kicked. But if you’re a ‘tough guy’ heel, you’re eventually going to be a babyface because everybody loves a tough guy.”
You can listen to DiBiase’s interview on The Ross Report by clicking this link here.
– WWE COO Triple H made a surprise appearance at a Insane Championship Wrestling show in the UK earlier today (Sun. November 5, 2017) alongside WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne. Here’s what “The Game” had to say during his appearance:
“This is where our business starts,” Triple H said. “Every single night in a place like this, with guys like this, and a group like ICW. That’s where it goes, ICW, PROGRESS, places like that, that’s where you see this stuff grow. That’s where you see it start. That’s where you see it boil up.”
– Former WWE Champion Kane (real name Glenn Jacobs) is currently running for mayor of his hometown of Knox County, Tennessee. Kane released two professional wrestling-inspired t-shirts for his campaign – the first being a RAW IS WAR inspired shirt, while the second looks an awful lot like The Bullet Club’s famous t-shirt. Check it out:
Here's a sneak peek at our two new shirts that will be available towards the end of next week for a donation of $25.
Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Shane Helms was recently a guest on the Pancakes And Powerslams Show to talk about his professional wrestling career. “The Hurricane” talked about his time working in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), why the original WCW-WWE Invasion angle was a flop, his issues with 205 Live, and much more. Here are the highlights:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r04OAqJxNhM
His time with WCW:
“Keep in mind that I am probably a little more positive than 95% in this business. I can be annoyingly positive, but anything that was bad I didn’t focus on it as much. I had a great time there in terms of exposure to the world my time in WCW did. I just took that opportunity and ran with it, and had a great time. Any of the bad stuff that you might hear the guys talking about I just didn’t pay any attention to it.
“I wasn’t part of any of the corporate decision making meetings, so there wasn’t anything for me to really worry about with what was going on behind the scenes. The only thing I was able to control was what I was doing inside the ring. That was the only thing I was able to focus on.”
Why the original WCW-WWE Invasion angle flopped:
“It made money, it didn’t flop necessarily. Could it have done a lot better with the top stars coming in? Absolutely! We didn’t bring the varsity team. We didn’t bring the true power like the nWo right away. The first thing was Lance Storm coming in, and then Booker T coming in, and of course they were two top talents, but they weren’t the top guys in WCW at the time. It wasn’t the Goldberg, it wasn’t the Sting, and that was what you needed in terms of when we are going head to head you bring your heavy hitters. I always tell people that, just like the Super Bowl, but if your starting lineup doesn’t show up you have to bring in the second string.
“There were still a lot of good moments that came out of that, and it gave a lot of talents the chance to show themselves to the WWF audience, because the WWF audience doesn’t know who the [heck] ‘Sugar’ Shane was, so it gave me an opportunity and I also want to point of to, that the top WWF stars at the time; Undertaker, Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Kurt Angle all these guys; WWF’s top guys had it going on, they were able to talk and work, and especially during that time they were outworking the top guys of WCW.”
His issues with 205 Live:
“[205 Live] doesn’t have the star power that the main roster has. If somebody does get popular in that division they take them out and sending a message to the audience that this division isn’t as important. They never seem to capture the magic of how it happens in MMA and Boxing. In MMA and Boxing, their biggest stars are 30-40 lbs smaller than me. WWE has struggled with that. I’m not talking about just small guys, usually smaller guys in that division against other guys.
“They’ve done great things obviously with myself, Rey Mysterio, AJ Styles, Finn Balor, but imagine how great that 205 Live division would be if AJ and Finn Balor were in it, but it has to be presented as an important division or else AJ and Finn Balor wouldn’t want to be part of it, and I can almost assure you that they don’t. If it’s presented as second tier then nobody wants to be on the B-Team, on the Junior Varsity; everybody there wants to be on the main side and be viewed as important so WWE has to present it as important. Guys there also have to step up. There are a lot of guys look exactly like 40-50 guys on the Indies. There isn’t any standout looks or personalities. Enzo [Amore] is at least bringing about attention, and that is what this business is about. It’s about bringing on attention.”
Neville and Austin Aries leaving WWE:
“You only live once, and if they were miserable there then leave. Go somewhere that makes you happy. There is no company in the world that is going to say no to Neville right now. He is incredibly talented, and always has been. If he is that miserable then yeah, why not? Me, I was there, because I mentioned before, I had a talk with Steve Austin one time and he always mentioned how I was always a happy guy, and I would say, yeah, I just don’t let it get to me. That is just how I am in life.
“No matter what I will never let things bring me down. I will work my butt off to find that silver lining, but I will find that silver lining. I will find a way to get to it, and in this business, like any job, your job will piss you off at some point. You have to find a way to make it happen. You have to find a way to make it right for you. That is what it is about. If you are miserable, then change. You can’t expect change to happen for you. You have to be the agent of change.”
His fallout with Impact Wrestling:
“Well, he [Jeff Jarrett] brought himself in. His wife, his buddy, which created a budget issue that he created. Because of that several guys were let go. My contract was up anyway, so was Al Snow’s, and Simon Diamond. Apparently to him longevity didn’t matter to him. He comes from a family that are kind of a carney family anyway so he is from that lineage. That is what it was; it didn’t matter that the people brought in weren’t as talented or successful as me and Simon Diamond worked, that didn’t matter, he was just going to bring in his buddies. The second I got released, my phone blew up. Everyone from that roster called me because I went above and beyond there from my duties as an Agent to help people out. Not just with their matches, but with their characters, their promos, I was a promo guy. I would have guys reading me their promos, and watching their entrances. I went above and beyond trying to see everyone their succeed. I caught heat because of the thing with the Hardy’s because they were my friends.
“To them it was bush league mentality and not professional, but that was just one person I had to deal with that issue. Impact Wrestling I had a great relationship with them, no heat there whatsoever. I wish them all the best. I am looking forward to Bound for Glory to see what they can do. I’m looking forward to Eli Drake. I told them back in the day that he is going to be ‘the guy’ to carry this company in terms of being a champion. I am a big fan of a lot of the talent there. I have nothing but respect and love for the roster.”
You can check out Helm’s full interview on the Pancakes And Powerslams Showhere.
WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne recently did an interview with The Mirror to talk about a number of professional wrestling topics. Dunne talked about a possible WWE UK show and Triple H’s reaction to him using the pedigree. You can see the highlights here below:
A lot of people will have followed your journey on social media and seen you at live events. You, Bate and Trent [aka British Strong Style] started mimicking Triple H’s entrance – spitting out bottles of water – with you carrying a sledgehammer and using his finisher the Pedigree at independent shows. How did that come about?
“I think it just came about, it was kind of the angle we had taken on at PROGRESS at the time, that we thought we were too good for the place and moving on, using PROGRESS as a platform to get to bigger and better things. It just all sort of came from that. The fans seemed to like it and even though they were supposed to hate us, I think a part of them found it funny. It was a bit of fun that we had. And Triple H found it pretty funny himself, so that was pretty cool.”
I was going to ask whether he had mentioned it to you.
“Yeah, he did. The first time he brought it up was pretty intimidating! But he found the humour in it, so it worked out pretty well, ha ha.”
Reports suggest WWE is pitching to broadcasters including ITV and Sky for the long-mooted weekly WWE UK show. What do you make of the speculation and are you confident we will see WWE’s UK talent compete together on a regular basis soon?
“I personally haven’t heard anything, but WWE haven’t exactly been quiet about the fact that their aim is to do a full time UK brand show. They have been quite open about that from the start. It’s still something I’m holding out for, that’s the ideal situation for me right now. A lot of people ask do I want to do NXT, or do I want to do main roster. I would love to be able to start something new and build a UK brand that we can all be proud of. I’m so proud of the tournament that we did and the tapings that we did in Norwich and the small part of NXT shows that we’ve had the chance to do stuff with. To be able to build something from the ground up, that would be really exciting to me. So fingers crossed. As of right now, I haven’t heard anything more that anyone else, but I’m still hopeful.”
You can read Dunne’s full interview with The Mirror by clicking this link here.
Former ECW and WWE Superstar Tommy Dreamer recently did an interview with The Whig to talk about a variety of professional wrestling topics. Dreamer discussed talents who work for his House Of Hardcore promotion before going on to work for WWE, streaming House Of Hardcore events on Twitch, and WWE allowing The Hardys to return to House Of Hardcore to finish their storyline following their return at WrestleMania 33. Here are the highlights:
Talent from House Of Hardcore going on to WWE:
“I forgot who brought it up, but 39 people so far — and we’re only at 34 shows — have worked for House of Hardcore and then went to WWE. It’s a situation Dreamer said that he is familiar with from his old days in ECW. I’m used to it from the original ECW. Men and women would jump from ECW to WWE and come back. Until I’m able to afford giving someone a weekly pay check, I’m okay with it.”
Streaming House Of Hardcore on Twitch:
“When I had the deal with FloSlam, or when I was doing my own i-pay-per-view, I would have to deal with who was illegally downloading the stuff and all of that. Now, this is how I feel we’re watching television. I no longer have cable. I have a smart TV, streaming devices, you download the apps, this you don’t even have to download the app, they’re partners with Amazon, so if you have Amazon Prime, you get it and you can watch it on your television, you can watch it on your computer, you can watch it on your phone … it’s available to everyone, all you have to do is subscribe to the channel and you get to watch it.”
The Hardys appearing at House Of Hardcore after WrestleMania 33:
“WWE allowed Matt and Jeff to fulfill their obligations to me, while they were the tag team champions. Yes, there were some hiccups along the way, but I understand WWE’s way. Triple H made that happen. I cannot thank Triple H enough for letting that happen. They could have been jerks and said no, they’re under contract.”
You can read Dreamer’s full interview with The Whig by clicking this link here.
Chris Jericho will be returning to Japan when he faces Kenny Omega at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 12 event on January 4, 2018 from the Tokyo Dome.
After weeks of back and forth trash talking on Twitter, this weekend’s NJPW Power Struggle show featured a video of package of Jericho challenging Omega (Video). Jericho said, “Let’s see who’s really the best, b*tch”
Since Jericho wrapped up his most recent run with WWE, Jericho has been touring with his metal band Fozzy and announced his Rock ‘n’ Wrestling Rager cruise, which will feature appearances by The Young Bucks, Marty Scurll, Jim Ross, Jerry Lawler, Diamond Dallas Page, Mick Foley, Rey Mysterio and matches featuring talent from Ring of Honor.
At this time it appears that Jericho is working as a free agent and it’s unclear what (if any) involvement WWE had with this appearance for the number two wrestling promotion in the world.
Jericho wrestled in Japan early in his career and competed in New Japan Pro Wrestling back in 1997-1998 when WCW had a working relationship with the promotion.
Chris Jericho posted the following on Instagram hyping the dream match:
Having had “unacceptable specimens and documents” rejected by the USPTO in May, PWInsider.com has reported that Matt Hardy increased his efforts to fight for the legal rights to the “Broken” gimmick which he used to reinvent himself before returning to WWE at Wrestlemania with his brother Jeff.
Jeff Hardy is currently recovering from a shoulder injury which required surgery to support a torn rotator cuff; so Matt Hardy has stepped into matches that haven’t involved a strong, continuous story-line or direction, and it appears as though he needs something new to reinvigorate himself. Putting the long-drawn legal battle with TNA to bed would surely give Matt, and the WWE creative team, some freedom to explore all avenues available to them.
That’s not to say that Matt Hardy has been floating and useless; matches with Braun Strowman and The Miz show a desire to stretch his abilities and continue to be the best he can. It is just unfortunate that the legal proceedings are having an impact on his current career and development in WWE.
Last week’s RAW saw Matt take on The Miz for the Intercontinental Championship, a potential idea that was suggested here.
To boost his legal efforts, a lawyer specialising in intellectual property has been added to the team representing Matt Hardy based in Nashville. Since the rejected documents in May, new evidence has been presented to the USPTO which they hope to clarify Hardy’s ownership of the “Broken” gimmick. The new evidence is a promotional poster from an event with CWF Mid-Atlantic Wrestling which has not been revealed to the public.
Opinion:
Whether Matt Hardy uses the Broken gimmick or not, it will be a relief for him when it is over, enabling him to concentrate on his future and not having to spend time arguing about his past.
WWE will add an AJ Styles collection to the network on Monday, and have revealed the matches and feuds that appear. Looking over the challenges and performances that The Phenomenal One has put on, it is hard to argue with the idea that he is the top superstar in the company at the moment; especially when you consider the fact that AJ Styles has been with WWE for less than 2 years.
Here is the introduction and list revealed by WWE, along with some clips:
Beyond Phenomenal Intro
‘Considered one of the greatest sports entertainers alive, the quest to be the best led AJ Styles straight to the bright lights of WWE. Relive the meteoric rise of The Phenomenal One with this WWE Network Collection and see why he’s been dubbed ‘The Face That Runs the Place’. From his rivalry with Chris Jericho to his first WWE Championship victory and action-packed encounters with the likes of Kevin Owens and John Cena! Join the club and be a part of the action with this “too sweet” Collection!’
11/6/17
A Phenomenal Debut
Royal Rumble 2016 – The WWE Universe is left in awe when AJ Styles makes his surprising debut in the 2016 Royal Rumble Match.
1/24/16
Instant Chemistry
RAW 1183 – Just a day after his surprising debut, AJ Styles finds himself going one-on-one with a new rival in Chris Jericho.
1/25/16
In the Fastlane
Fastlane 2016 – The rivalry between AJ Styles and Chris Jericho accelerates when they meet each other in singles competition.
2/21/16
A New Day for Y2AJ
RAW 1189 – The alliance between Chris Jericho and AJ Styles loses momentum when Y2AJ challenges The New Day for the WWE Tag Team Titles.
3/7/16
Welcome to the Grand Stage
WrestleMania – In his first appearance on The Grandest Stage of Them All, AJ Styles faces off against Chris Jericho.
4/3/16
Four Men, One Opportunity
RAW 1193 – AJ Styles battles Kevin Owens, Chris Jericho and Cesaro in a Fatal 4-Way Match for a shot at the Universal Championship.
4/4/16
Challenging the Roman Empire
RAW 1195 – With a shot to challenge Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship coming up, AJ Styles confronts the Roman Empire.
4/18/16
THE Guy and The Phenomenal One
Payback 2016 – AJ Styles looks to ascend to the top of WWE by challenging Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
5/1/16
Join The Club
RAW 1197 – AJ Styles forms a new Club by partnering with Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson to take on Roman Reigns and The Usos.
5/2/16
Going to Extremes
Extreme Rules 2016 – AJ Styles takes things to a new level by challenging Roman Reigns for the WWE World Heavyweight Title in an Extreme Rules Match.
5/22/16
Your Time is Up!
Money in the Bank 2016 – Worlds collide when AJ Styles takes to the ring to go one-on-one with ‘The Face that Runs the Place,’ John Cena.
6/19/16
The Chosen Battleground
Battleground 2016 – AJ Styles and his Club face off against John Cena, Enzo Amore and Big Cass in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.
7/24/16
A Clash of Styles
SummerSlam 2016 – The heated rivalry between John Cena and AJ Styles rages on in this incredible confrontation.
8/21/16
AJ Talks Smack
Talking Smack 889 – AJ Styles shows how he measures up verbally when The Phenomenal One addresses his upcoming battle with WWE Champion Dean Ambrose.
8/30/16
On the Fringe of Success
Backlash 2016 – AJ Styles sets out to make history by challenging Dean Ambrose for the WWE Championship.
9/11/16
Getting Crazy
SmackDown 893 – Dean Ambrose looks to reclaim the WWE Championship by challenging AJ Styles for the title.
9/27/16
Less Than Worthy
SmackDown 895 – Dean Ambrose serves as the Special Guest Referee when AJ Styles goes one-on-one with James Ellsworth.
10/11/16
A Dangerous Environment
TLC 2016 – AJ Styles puts the WWE Championship on the line against Dean Ambrose in a Tables, Ladders and Chairs Match.
12/4/16
Second Chances
SmackDown 905 – AJ Styles gives James Ellsworth the opportunity of a lifetime by defending the WWE Championship against him.
12/20/16
Overcoming the Odds
SmackDown 906 – As 2016 comes to a close, AJ Styles defends the WWE Title against Baron Corbin and Dolph Ziggler in a Triple Threat Match.
12/27/16
A Matter of Respect
SmackDown 910 – With John Cena set to challenge him for the WWE Championship, AJ Styles takes to the ring to demand the respect he deserves.
1/24/17
The Champ Who Runs the Camp
Royal Rumble 2017 – AJ Styles looks to cement his place in WWE history by defending the WWE Championship against John Cena.
1/29/17
Ego and Vengeance
WrestleMania – AJ Styles returns to The Grandest Stage of Them All to settle a score with SmackDown LIVE Commissioner Shane McMahon.
4/2/17
The House that AJ Styles Built
SmackDown 920 – With the landscape of WWE set to change in the Superstar Shakeup, AJ Styles lets the world know what his intentions are.
4/4/17
A New Opportunity
SmackDown 921 – AJ Styles faces Sami Zayn and Baron Corbin in a bout to name the Number One Contender for the United States Championship.
4/11/17
The Howl of a Lone Wolf
SmackDown 923 – While Kevin Owens watches from ringside, AJ Styles faces off against Baron Corbin in singles action.
4/25/17
An American Prize
Backlash 2017 – AJ Styles takes to the ring to challenge Kevin Owens for the coveted United States Championship.
5/21/17
Trying to Break the Bank
Money in the Bank 2017 – AJ Styles looks to seize the ultimate opportunity by competing in his first-ever Money in the Bank Ladder Match.
6/18/17
Phenomenally Patriotic
SmackDown 933 – AJ Styles sets out to reclaim gold by facing Chad Gable to qualify for a special Independence Day Battle Royal.
7/4/17
Gold and Old Friends
SmackDown 936 – Things get very familiar when AJ Styles faces Kevin Owens and a returning Chris Jericho for the United States Championship.
7/25/17
The Face of America
SummerSlam 2017 – With Shane McMahon officiating, AJ Styles defends the United States Championship against Kevin Owens.
8/20/17
“Stone Cold” Podcast
WWE Hall of Famer and Icon “Stone Cold” Steve Austin has a no-holds-barred live interview with “The Phenomenal” AJ Styles.
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently did an interview on the “Wrestling Reality with Justin LaBar” podcast to promote his new book. “Good Ole’ JR” discussed interacting with Vince McMahon following his WWE release, being the head of talent relations in WWE, Jinder Mahal’s WWE rise, and more. Here are the highlights:
Being the Head of Talent Relations:
“The run should be measured by the success earned. We took a roster and retooled a roster that had the company in position to contemplate bankruptcy. We were lucky on some of our highers because they connected; the roles started and then the company goes public. So, you go from a private company that’s having some troubling financial times, and a lot of us took financial cuts, but we endured, which I believe we endured because we had a strong talent roster, not just in the ring, but in the locker room and in the public with appearances and going above and beyond so I take a lot of pride in that. I approached that as a General Manager of a sports team, or a Recruiting Coordinator of a big Division 1 College where we started doing things that hadn’t been done before where we would organize scouting of amateur wrestling and football.
“I had meetings with the NFL. Gerald Brisco had scouted Brock Lesnar for two years and recruited him so that Brock Lesnar would know that we were waiting for him, and we could have signed him a year earlier, but we made an agreement with his Head Coach in Minnesota that we would leave him alone because he wanted to come back to win a National Championship, which I thought was great so we saved our money for that year but we ponied it up because we knew we were going to get him the following year. He was motivated by the dollar, he wasn’t a wrestling fan but he kind of thought that the lifestyle – guys like me and you may not have the benefits that Brock Lesnar gets, but if I could be Brock Lesnar, I’m in. I’ll take that deal, but the roster was big and we looked at it, and I always said that the key element, or trait for any talent that I ever signed was reliability.
“I don’t care if you are the greatest high flyer, or the biggest biceps, whatever your trade might be, if you aren’t reliable then I can’t use you because I don’t know if you are going to be here or not. Are you going to play? Are you going to be here early? Do you want to get better? Or, are you happy with your little midcard job making six-figures plus and don’t want any pressure or ruffle anybody’s feathers and decide that you don’t want to be the main eventer.
“I never wanted to hire anybody that didn’t have the dream of headlining a WrestleMania. Why would the Steelers ever draft a player that didn’t want to play in a Super Bowl? Why would you want that guy? I wouldn’t want that guy in my locker room. I don’t want a midcard, bottom feeder. Anybody can be a preliminary guy, but we are looking for main eventers, and all of a sudden you get that great competition in the locker room; you have deeper cards, and I think it’s the wave of the future.
“What they are doing in the Performance Center is really phenomenal. We have to develop new stars. Not everyone can come from Ring of Honor, or any other Independent federation it might be; they have to be able to find enough totally green new guys, totally new and I think they are doing a good job with that so I am a big advocate that the Performance Center gives me hope for the future in WWE.
“Here’s the other deal: you get the program, you last for a while and if you don’t make it you go out in the world like Drew Galloway. Drew Galloway didn’t get to where he wanted to be in the first run, he is now, and he will now.”
LaBar:
“Jinder Mahal.”
Ross:
“Boy, how about that? That is even more extraordinary. You never know, but guys that go through the Performance Center will be the backbone and the future of many phases in the business going forward whether that be in WWE or another company. They are going to learn the system and learn a new skill set with interviews, professionalism. They aren’t just going there and taking big bumps, there’s other intangibles, but that roster had a lot of guys that were very egocentric; my guys in the Attitude Era that all wanted to be the number one guy, closing the show, and I loved that. Depth is wonderful.
“Another way I look at that roster is a Hall of Fame careers and I look at millionaires. The guys that have had Hall of Fame careers because of the opportunities our departments were able to facilitate for them with Vince [McMahon] blessing because he let me pretty much hire who I wanted and it was going to be that way until I screwed it up.”
If Vince had a problem writing the foreword for his book:
“Absolutely not. Even when Vince let me go on September 11th, 2013, I got let go and we did that about five minutes and then we spent half hour shooting the breeze. Not a raised voice, not a curse word, nothing. I knew that he had to do what he had to do, and I knew that I had made an error judgement, but I knew that my drinking scenario had been misreported. I put myself in that position and I am a big boy and took it like a man. I walked out with my head held high, he gave me a big hug. We were never separated; Vince and I would text each other off and on the entire time I wasn’t working there.
“He and I are friends and have a lot of things in common. Neither of us were supposed to be in the wrestling business. His dad didn’t want him in the business and my parents didn’t even know how to get to Tulsa, Oklahoma much less getting in the wrestling business, so hell, we have a lot of things in common. He used to kid that, ‘If people only knew JR that me and you are just a couple of rednecks.’ He’s right; he’s a North Carolina redneck and I am a Oklahoma redneck so we got along fine, but we are just so strong in our opinions that we didn’t always agree, but I always knew how to communicate with the Chairman and I felt like and out of respect, and like he said, you have to know your audience. I learned so much from him and I am glad to be back. I still communicate with him. If I see something on television that jumps out at me, good or bad, I will let him know. It’s just an opinion, just feedback. He doesn’t ask for it, but afterwards he thanks me. “
Former WWE SmackDown Live Women’s Champion Becky Lynch recently did an interview with Digital Spy to promote the ongoing UK tour and the upcoming Starrcade live event later this month. Lynch discussed wanting to face Stephanie McMahon inside the ring and captaining the SmackDown Live Women’s team at Survivor Series. Here are the highlights:
Wanting to face Stephanie McMahon inside the ring:
“That would be amazing. I don’t think we’ve seen her in a ring – apart from that tiny altercation with Ronda Rousey [at WrestleMania 31] – since her match with Brie Bella. It was a great match and I think that was the match I was most excited for on that card at the time. It was great to see such a spotlight on the women and I think it was tremendous.”
Captaining the SmackDown Live Women’s team at Survivor Series:
“When I was the first Women’s Champion for SmackDown Live, it was a great source of joy and pride for me. It was my mission to make sure it was the better brand and that it had very engaging storylines and that people would get invested in whatever was going on. I wanted them to really care about the women we have on SmackDown Live – and of course the men.
“At Survivor Series last year we got the opportunity to showcase that, we really did, and we had that feeling that the fans were behind us. Maybe sometimes it seems like we’re not getting as many opportunities as they get on Raw so the fans root behind that – they feel sympathetic towards that.”
You can read Lynch’s full interview with Digital Spy by clicking this link here.
– Earlier this week, Triple H sent out a replica WWE Championship to the Houston Astros for winning the 2017 World Series. During the Astros parade in Houston on Friday afternoon, right fielder Josh Reddick showed off the gold and quoted the legendary “Nature Boy” Ric Flair.
– RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss, Intercontinental Champion The Miz, and Nia Jax were given a tour of UK Parliament in London from politician Tulip Siddiq. Here are some pictures:
WWE is currently overseas for a tour of the United Kingdom and fans in attendance at Friday’s live event from London made it clear they want to host a future WrestleMania.
In hopes of getting their message through to somebody who is in a position to make it happen, fans crowd chanted, “We Want Mania” and “We Want WrestleMania” during a match that saw Triple H once again teaming up with Shield members Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose.
Seth Rollins gave a microphone to Triple H, saying “that’s a question for this guy”. Triple H joked that he couldn’t understand what they were chanting before saying the ultimate decision maker unfortunately was not in attendance.
“There is only one guy that can make that decision for you, unfortunately he’s not here. If you are loud enough, maybe he can hear you on the other side of the pond”.
Rollins added that if it was up to him, he’d give the UK fans what they wanted.
WWE is expected to announce the location for 2019’s WrestleMania 35 next month, with New York and Philadelphia rumored to be the frontrunners.
