As we’ve been reporting, United States champion John Cena will be taking approximately 6-8 weeks off from WWE following Hell in a Cell later this month. The time off was requested several months in advance and is for ‘personal reasons.’
The current timeframe for Cena’s return is the annual post-Christmas live events tour.
Cena’s time off has been a topic of discussion behind the scenes in WWE in recent weeks. Cena has assured everybody he is fine and ‘people will see it as a good thing’ when they find out why he’s taking the leave of absence.
– 16 crushing ring post collisions are shown in the latest WWE Fury video on YouTube, which you can check out below.
– WWE Tag Team Champion Kofi Kingston responded to a fan who wrote about World Wrestling Entertainment not selling The New Day merchandise and memoriabilia at live events. Kingston tweeted the following:
I know…BUT the good news is that we've got some real cool stuff on the way very very soon… https://t.co/ZOmfYTT2DY
– The latest Canvas 2 Canvas video from WWE artist Rob Schamberger, which you can check out below, features one of the most decorated tag team duos in the history of sports entertainment; The Dudley Boyz.
Former NXT wrestler CJ Parker, now known as Juice Robinson, has signed with New Japan Pro Wrestling. NJPW has since confirmed he’s signed a full-time contract with the organization.
Robinson was part of WWE’s developmental system from 2011 until earlier this year, when he asked for his release.
He posted the following on Instagram announcing the signing:
As we have been reporting for a while now, WWE has been looking to sign and develop a top singles star specifically for the Hispanic market. In recent weeks, in addition to Carlito, current AAA Mega Heavyweight Champion and fellow former WWE Superstar Alberto El Patron’s name has come up.
Whether or not this means a line of communication has opened up between El Patron and WWE remains to be seen. Regardless, the latest word is that WWE is absolutely interested in re-signing El Patron if the right opportunity presents itself, despite all of their well-documented history, particularly the incident that led to El Patron and WWE going their separate ways.
With Lucha Underground confirmed now for a seconc season, a WWE return for El Patron seems unlikely.
After much speculation, top independent women’s wrestler Athena has arrived in NXT.
Athena made her debut last night in Winter Haven, Florida at the NXT live event that took place there. She teamed up with Gionna Daddio and ultimately lost to Peyton Royce and Alexa Bliss. Fans and spectators in attendance agreed Athena looked great in the ring.
Photos were shared on several Twitter feeds, a few can be viewed below:
– James Storm indicated that fans will be seeing more of him in NXT after his surprise appearance recently. Storm posted the following on social media:
https://instagram.com/p/8rJpQ4CATV/
– The latest WWE-endorsed “UpUpDownDown” YouTube video from Xavier Woods features Woods getting back into Five Night’s at Freddy’s 2, which is the second installment of 4 FNAF games:
– Tonight’s Reality of Wrestling TV taping, which is promoted by Booker T, will reunite some of the former WCW Nitro Girls. Booker’s wife Sharmell was better known as Nitro Girl Storm. Reality of Wrestling tweeted “#WCW Nitro Girls REUNITE for the first time ever at tonight’s LIVE TV TAPING! Tix available at the door, 6:30pm.”
– Tyler Breeze will be in St. Louis and Bloomington, Illinois this weekend while on the road with WWE’s main roster.
WWE performer Mark Henry recently spoke with the folks at Philly Voice to promote WWE’s current campaign with the Susan G. Komen Foundation. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
” On what he credits with his ability to recover from injuries throughout his career: “It’s hard work, man. It’s hard work and not accepting defeat. A lot of people, really anybody that’s ever had an injury, it’s always hard to rehab. It’s always hard to come back.
You know, I’m a product of the 80’s and seeing a guy get beat and seeing a guy get hurt and sucking it up and working hard to come back. That’s just a part of my being.”
On if he misses the Attitude Era: “I miss the Attitude Era to an extent. But just yesterday I was running around Philly and I went to a barber shop to get my head balded up, my beard trimmed, and a little kid walked up to me and said, ‘Mark Henry, I love you!’ I said ‘I love you, too, man. You keep watching!’ and he was jumping up in the air and everything. Turned to his mom and hugged her. That wouldn’t have happened during the Attitude Era.”
On how bad he wants to be on the WrestleMania card near his home next year: “That’s my home state, man. I’m getting long in the tooth, and each time I reach it [WrestleMania], I’m thankful for one more year. There may not be another one. So I’m definitely looking forward to it. I want to be there.
WWE Divas Champion Charlotte recently appeared on Busted Open Radio. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
Being Divas Champion:
“It’s been two weeks since the pay-per-view. I’m actually looking forward to all of the duties because I want to empower women,” Charlotte said. I want and I know, collectively, all the girls want to say we’re just not Divas. We are athletic, strong, intelligent. Yeah, we’re divas, but we’re also WWE superstars.”
Women On The Main Roster Headlining PPV’s:
“We have the capability to main-event just like Sasha and Bayley are in NXT this week. They deserve to main event. That will be a match of the year candidate. Sasha and I main evented (Philadelphia), then them main eventing a special, me being Divas Champion up here. I don’t know what the future holds, but I know that I have lofty goals and that I just want to open the doors for women as it pertains to main eventing on a bigger scale, the main roster, and what we’ve been able to do at NXT and gain the respect like we did at NXT on the main roster as well.”
NXT Women’s Champion Bayley posted this lengthy message on Twitter about her Iron Man match against Sasha Banks at NXT Takeover: Respect and the fans who support her:
Dean Ambrose recently spoke with Game Stop to promote the new WWE 2K16 video game. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On if having more public scrutiny makes his job harder: “Yeah, a lot of fans kinda take the magic away. But it’s been like this for years now, where they dig and search for every little bit of info and spend so much time deciphering everything and overthinking things. That’s just an outlet for their passion for wrestling, but it does take away the magic sometimes, so I almost wish people would stop doing that. But if you take a picture of somebody and post it online, you’re an asshole. I hate having my picture taken in general. And if I’m not allowing it… and it’s just gotten worse over time. I don’t understand pictures at airports. And I hate the word selfie. Any man that uses it needs to reevaluate a lot of their life.”
“I can’t imagine, I can’t get in the mind of a wrestling fan who wants to break news that spoils a surprise for somebody. Would you want a surprise spoiled? Say you saw Sting at the airport and tipped everybody off that Sting was going to make an appearance that night, and then you ruin the surprise for people who went out of the way not to get the surprise ruined. Would you want your surprised ruined? I’d be, “Don’t tell me, don’t tell me who you saw at the airport.” I like to live a spoiler-free life.”
On if that has ever made him wish he wrestled in a different era: “Oh yeah. Professional wrestling as I imagined it when I set out to be a pro wrestler is not the same thing as sports entertainment today. There are times I wished I was in 1983 in the Crockett territory. But the WWE today is also something that’s never been done before. Everything from the WWE network to video games, to be part of something like that and all the craziness that is the WWE today, is also cool to be a part of.
It’s not just a wrestling business now. WWE is an institution in entertainment. It truly is now like the NFL, the brand is there with them. It’s on a level it’s never been before.”
– Hulk Hogan is set to host a pool party at The Harrahs Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey on the evening of Saturday, October 10, 2015. “Epic Saturdays with Hulk Hogan” admission tickets start at $20. More details on the event can be found at NightOut.com.
– There is currently a contest on the WWE.com website where fans respond to a new poll which asks who is currently the funniest WWE Superstar or Diva. The options include The New Day, R-Truth, Dean Ambrose, Becky Lynch, Dolph Ziggler, and John Cena. The New Day took the lead with 46% of the almost 7,000 votes, followed by Ambrose at 20% and Becky with 10%.
– R-Truth is set to perform some of his rap songs in Charlotte, North Carolina at tonight’s Juggalo Championship Wresling event. The rap group Insane Clown Posse owns JCW and posted the following promotional item on their official Facebook page.
The Courier has a new article up about former WWE performer Joanie “Chyna” Laurer’s trip to Scotland with the Scottish Wrestling Entertainment promotion back in August. Unfortunately, Chyna’s agent is claiming that she was not paid for her trip and as a result, the two are now threatening legal action.
Several hundred fans reportedly showed up and waited in line to get autographs and pictures with Laurer, and then the former WWE star appeared in front of a crowd of about 1,300 fans at a SWE live event at Caird Hall in Dundee.
According to SWE boss David Low, Chyna received payment through the autograph session she did.
Chyna’s agent, Low, issued the following to The Courier, directed at Mr. Low:
“Chyna did a show in Scotland at the end of August. We have not been paid yet. Unless, I hear from David Low as to when he is going to pay, we will need to file a lawsuit.”
Low ended up responding with the following statement:
“I’ve just opened the email and I just don’t understand. When we book wrestlers they either ask for a few or work towards that fee with autograph sessions. It’s how it works every year. Chyna was hugely popular and she smashed her fee at the sessions.”
NXT interviewer Devin Taylor was released from her WWE contract this week, according to a report by Ryan Satin over at Pro Wrestling Sheet. Her Diva profile has already been removed from WWE.com.
Taylor had been with WWE since 2013 and wrestled occasional matches while serving as a backstage correspondent.
WWE has also released Cal Bishop, who wrestled a few times for NXT. His Superstar profile has also been removed from the WWE website.
No word yet on why they were released or what’s next for them.
Shortly after being suspended by WWE due to a violation of the company’s Wellness Policy, Hornswoggle took a nasty fall at the wedding of former WWE Superstar Curt Hawkins (Brian Myers). Myers and his fiancé Liz officially tied the knot last weekend, with a number of wrestlers in attendance.
Former WWE ring announcer Howard Finkel was also there – and introduced members of the wedding party to the guests. CM Punk of all people posted a video of Hornswoggle’s grand entrance:
During a recent Q&A session in Glasgow, Scotland, Sting provided an update on the neck injury he suffered at the hands of Seth Rollins at Night of Champions. A fan on Reddit who attended the event says that Sting said:
“I feel great, I feel normal. However the MRI’s are showing things and the doctors I’m speaking to are telling me I’m not great. Basically, it’s my neck, and I’ll have to get it dealt with.”
Sting said he lost all feeling in his arms first, then when he went to run the ropes the feeling started to go in his legs also. He said he hadn’t felt anything like it before and that he got the ‘fright of his life.’
You can read a full recap of the Q&A session here.
Earlier this week, Seth Rollins also commented on Sting’s injury, which took place when he power bombed the 56-year old legend into the turnbuckles. Rollins called it a freak accident and admits he feels terrible that Sting suffered a career threatening injury during their match.
After making a surprise appearance at Thursday’s NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University, it’s being reported by Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheetthat Storm has yet to sign a deal with WWE – and TNA is still very interested in bringing their former World Champion back in.
Last week TNA offered Storm a substantial pay increase, however Storm visited the NXT live event in Nashville last Friday and was then invited to Takeover: Respect on Wednesday. Storm spoke with WWE officials while there which led to his debut at last night’s taping.
Though there was no contract signed before or after last night’s match, WWE officials are reportedly interested in signing Storm to a deal similar to that of Samoa Joe’s, which would allow him to continue working independent shows.
WWE officials indicated they may in fact want Storm at the next set of NXT TV tapings set for later this month.
Storm is reportedly considering his options right now, as TNA officials reached out to Storm on Thursday morning after reports came out that he was at Takeover. TNA reportedly offered Storm even more money to re-sign this week, however he has yet to sign the dotted line.
– For whatever reason, WWE has pulled the NXT Takeover: Respect “Fallout” video from their official YouTube channel. The video featured Bayley and Sasha Banks reacting to their 30-minute “Iron Woman Match” on the show.
– The next episode of WWE Rivalries will premiere on the WWE Network on Tuesday at 5pm and will look at the legendary Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat rivalry. The official preview reads as follows:
“Opposite personalities with equal in-ring talent, Flair and Steamboat would battle in some of the greatest matches in history.”
– It appears as though former on-air RAW General Manager John Laurinaitis is the agent in charge of WWE’s current tour of Saudi Arabia. Below is a tweet that Laurinaitis posted during the event.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com and commented on the news that former TNA World champion James Storm made his NXT debut at last night’s tapings from Full Sail University.
JR commended WWE for bringing in the former TNA Champion and said his former Beer Money tag team partner Bobby Roode should be next:
“Great get by WWE to swoop up James Storm as he debuted at NXT Thursday night in Orlando. James is a top hand who can work on any roster against any opponent and most importantly can teach, coach and mentor the pups.
I’d love to see WWE hire Bobby Roode too as he’s a modern day Arn Anderson, high praise, and can do the same, positive things that the Cowboy can do. If NXT is going to become WWE’s third, touring brand then adding guys like Storm and Roode makes a ton of sense. James was my guest in Knoxville at RINGSIDE w/ Jim Ross Show and we discussed his possible tenure in WWE if an offer can through. I’m happy that it did.”
When Hulk Hogan appeared on Ric Flair’s “WOOOOO! Nation” podcast, The Hulkster spoke candidly about his current WWE Hall of Fame status.
You can listen to the full podcast here.
When Hogan was asked to name his most prized possessions in his career, he says the WWE Hall of Fame ring as being the most important to him. He also mentions several championship belts including the belt he used for the filming of Rocky 3.
“That Hall of Fame ring is my life,” Hogan said. “It’s just so sad that I’ve been taken out of the Hall of Fame and I don’t have a presence anymore in the wrestling business. But I’m going to cherish that Hall of Fame ring.”
The duo also competed against the team of Chad Gable and Jason Jordan for the October 28th episode. Tommaso Ciampa is still a free agent, according to F4Wonline.com. No official word yet on Gargano.
– Evie from New Zealand faced Nia Jax for next week’s episode
– Shazza McKenzie from Australia faced Emma for the October 28th episode
– Kay Lee Ray from Scotland faced Nia Jax, also for the October 28th episode.
Former WWE Superstar Rey Mysterio is the new Heavyweight Champion of Destiny Wrestling. He defeated PJ Black (Justin Gabriel) and Ricochet in a triple threat match at their latest event on October 3rd from Mississauga, Ontario.
The promotion is owned by former WWE Superstar Santino Marella.
Both TNA Impact wrestling and Ring of Honor saw significant increases in viewership for this week’s 10/7 shows.
– The post-Bound For Glory edition of TNA Impact Wrestling totaled 447,000 viewers, up over 100,000 from the previous week. This was the most-watched episode of Impact in 3 months, dating back to July 8th.
The first airing of Impact averaged 335,000 viewers, up from 275,000 viewers last week.
The West Coast airing / late-night replay did 112,000, nearly doubling last week’s 69,000.
Overall, a strong showing for TNA and a refreshing sign of momentum for the show.
– Ring of Honor did 175,000 viewers, up from 127,000 viewers last week.
The episode featured matches from MCU Field in Brookly, including Kazuchika Okada vs. Roderick Strong in the main event.
It was the most-watched episode of ROH since July 29th, the week they were bumped from prime time.
Donald Wood from Ring Rust Radio interviewed Lucha Underground Co-Executive Producer Chris DeJoseph this week about the upcoming second season of Lucha Underground.
It was revealed earlier this week that season two of Lucha Underground premieres on the El Rey Network in January with the first round of tapings scheduled for November 14th. Here are some highlights from the interview:
What it was like behind-the-scenes getting the show back on the air:
Chris DeJoseph: I will say that behind the scenes it was a tad bit stressful. I was kind of out of that portion since I handle mainly the creative parts of the show, storylines, and things like that. For me, it was a wait and see game, and I got the news the same time around everyone else did. For me it was exciting because I hadn’t moved on to work on another show and now it gives me the opportunity to come right back and get in the swing of things for Lucha Underground. It was real exciting; everyone behind the scenes is super excited. Talent has reached out to me to let me know how excited they are. We are bringing back a lot of the same crew and people that helped make a fun and magical first season of Lucha Underground. Starting from scratch with something like that you will never know if it’s going to have some type of success or if people will like it. For the most part people enjoyed the show and that’s why we are coming back for season two.
The possibility of Rey Mysterio joining Lucha Underground:
Chris DeJoseph: If Rey was in Lucha Underground at all that would be amazing. What can you say about that guy? He is a former world champion and probably one of the most popular Luchadores ever. That would be amazing. As far as other new talent, that’s something that we are still in the process of. I think we would like to keep it a surprise for people. I will tell you there are some new characters, new faces, and some recognizable ones you will see.
Lucha Underground’s creative process & longterm booking strategy:
Chris DeJoseph: I think that other companies don’t look at their show like a drama for TV. Something you could tune into for every week, they keep looking at it as wrestling. We didn’t want to look at it that way. In my situation here on this show, Mark Burnett and Robert Rodriguez and the El Rey network put their faith in us and trusted us and our opinions and let us do what we were hired to do. Sometimes, not naming names, but in bigger places there are too many people trying to get their input in and sometimes those people at the top don’t see things the same way or just may change their mind just because. I think major politics are in play in those situations too. Somebody could have a bad match at a house show then the next week their story line is killed on Raw. We didn’t have the problem on Lucha. On the start of the very first day I told all the talent, we want everybody to be a part of this show, we want everyone to have some input on this, and we have to make this show together. We don’t get to season two unless everyone works together on season one. We had fun doing it. Toward the end of my WWE time, and I know this is true for a lot of talent and people that work for them, it stops being fun anymore. That’s one thing that we wanted to try to keep going at Lucha. Everyone comes in and has a good time and puts on a damn good show every week. I don’t have all the answers or best ideas and sometimes mine aren’t the best. But if people can come in and give their input and feel free to do those things and be part of the creative process it helps the show in whole.
Wrestling writers leaking news to the media:
Chris DeJoseph: I think when I was there, there were suspicions of some people who were, but you never really could prove it though. I never had a relationship with anyone who wrote any dirt sheet. I was too scared probably to even think about that there especially in my beginning times. There your life is so sheltered, but I think some come from talent not so much creative. I am not really sure on that but I know I never did. Sometimes things would get out that were true, but the majority of the times things that are reported are completely false or they don’t have all the information.
Changes for Season 2:
Chris DeJoseph: I think it’s already out there that we are beginning taping on November 14th, if it isn’t, it is now. You will see a lot of the same characters, but you will also see some new ones. We teased a few at the end of last season; hopefully there will be a little injection of new. You always need that to be successful with any show. Especially in wrestling it’s nice to see new faces and new matchups. As far as the other stuff, I don’t want to give anything away to spoil it for anybody. I will keep my lips sealed as far as everything else and what’s happening.
Former WWE Champion turned Hollywood star Dave Bautista revealed that he will be on the cover of Muscle and Fitness Magazine for the third time next month.
Batista, who was married over the weekend, will be co-starring in the upcoming James Bond film Spectre, due out November 6th.
Paul Heyman’s Heyman Hustle website has released the full behind-the-scenes video from last weekend’s WWE Network special from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The video shows Heyman and Brock Lesnar leading up to the match with Big Show, including the two of them taking meetings with Vince McMahon and the Dolan family, which owns the Madison Square Garden Company. Also included is post-match footage.
