– WWE Superstar Randy Orton is scheduled to make his WWE in-ring return at this week’s non-televised live events.
– WWE stock was up on Tuesday by 1.36 percent, closing at $11.95 per share. The high for today was $12.22 per share. The low was $11.86.
– Below is a video of WWE Hall Of Fame ring announcer Howard Finkel promoting the new Mattel “Defining Moments” Hulk Hogan action figure.
– The next edition of the WWE Network original documentary series “WWE Rivalries,” which airs next Tuesday, will take a look at the Edge and Christian vs. Hardy Boys feud.
– Below is the latest “Top 10 WWE RAW Moments” video, which as the title says, shows off the top ten moments from this week’s Christmas-themed edition of RAW.
– As noted, former multiple-time WWE Tag-Team Champions Edge and Christian will be featured on Monday’s edition of WWE RAW — the final episode of the show of 2014 — as the “guest General Managers” of the evening. It has since been announced that the duo will appear on next week’s edition of WWE SmackDown as well.
– Speaking of advertised additions, this past Monday night’s RAW “guest General Manager,” Hulk Hogan, will be appearing at the upcoming WWE live event this Saturday night, December 27th, in Cincinnati, Ohio.
– For those unaware, in addition to Edge and Christian serving as guest General Managers for next week’s RAW, which is the final episode of the show for 2014, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar is also scheduled to appear. The show is scheduled to take place from the Verizon Center in Washington, D.C.
– WWE Diva and Total Divas star Eva Marie is featured on the cover of the latest issue of “Muscle & Fitness Hers” magazine. You can check out the cover photo below.
– Several of Adam Rose’s “Rosebuds” on Monday’s Christmas-themed edition of WWE RAW were independent pro wrestlers. Among them were Shelli Kapowski, Donnie Peppercricket and Shawn Nautilus. Also, Jaysin Strife, who was the solider that Rusev kicked back in October, played the chicken in Rose’s group on last night’s show.
– The latest edition of Roddy Piper’s “Piper’s Pit” podcast, which features an interview with Global Force Wrestling founder Jeff Jarrett, is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:
PP-Ep38 – Jeff Jarrett
“Jeff Jarrett’s about to turn the wrestling world on it’s head! The eleven-time world champion enter’s Piper’s Pit to reveal his plan for world domination with the launch of Global Force Wrestling. The founder of TNA talks to Hot Rod about the mistakes he made with Total-Nonstop-Action and why those hard lessons led him to launch a new worldwide empire. How will it stack up to TNA? Will it have Vince McMahon waking up in cold sweats fearing that the WWE’s days are numbered just like he was when the WCW went to war with him in the 90’s? Find that out all that and more on this episode of Piper’s Pit.”
You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.
As noted last week, part-time WWE Superstar Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson was scheduled for an appearance on “Live with Kelly and Michael” where he was advertised to perform a “Christmas Karaoke SmackDown.”
Below are photos from the taping, which features The Rock in Christmas attire singing karaoke on the show.
More photos on page two …
The Monday, December 22nd, Christmas-themed edition of WWE RAW, which features appearances by WWE Hall Of Famers Hulk Hogan and Roddy Piper, averaged 3.631 million viewers, according to Nielsen Media Research. By comparison, last week’s show averaged 3.531 million viewers.
The hourly viewership breakdown for Monday’s RAW is as follows:
Hour One: 3.632 million viewers
Hour Two: 3.907 million viewers
Hour Three: 3.354 million viewers
The final rating for the show will be out later today.
As we reported on Monday night after WWE RAW, an angle was shot involving Bray Wyatt and Dean Ambrose immediately after their “Miracle on 34th Street Fight” on the show.
The angle featured Ambrose diving off of a ladder onto Wyatt, which according to one fan report, resulted in Wyatt being injured, loaded into an ambulance and taken off to a hospital.
Apparently, Wyatt was loaded into an ambulance, however he was not taken to a hospital. It’s possible that this was filmed for next week’s WWE television, however that is purely speculation at this point.
For those who missed it, you can read the original report, which includes photos of the angle, by clicking here.
(Credit: PWInsider.com)
Global Force Wrestling issued the following press release today …
Global Force Wrestling Vice President of International Scott D’Amore said GFW founder and CEO Jeff Jarrett and the North American announce team will address the media as part of Wrestle Kingdom 9’s festivities the day before the big show at the Tokyo Dome.
Hall of Fame play-by-play man Jim Ross and Matt Striker will appear at the Jan. 3 “Grand Pro-Wrestling Festival 2015” news conferences at the Differ Ariake Arena in Tokyo, as will all of the NJPW stars, such as Tanahashi, Okada and Nakamura. The Bullet Club, which includes Jarrett, D’Amore, A.J. Styles and IWGP tag team champions Doc Gallows and “Machine Gun” Karl Anderson, also will be on hand. There will be autograph signings and meet-and-greets with Japanese and international fans in attendance between and after the news conferences. The festival even includes two matches.
“We’re pleased to be invited to attend the festival and to further the budding relationship between GFW and NJPW,” D’amore said. “When you have an event of this magnitude you always want to include the fans and do what you can to enhance their experience.”
GFW announced its partnership with NJPW in June and revealed that it would promote WK 9 in North America on Nov. 4. Ross came on board on Nov. 11, and Striker was added on Dec. 18.
“NJPW is one of the hottest promotions in the world right now, and all eyes will be on Tokyo for Wrestle Kingdom 9,” Striker said. “It will be an honor and a privilege not only to sit beside Jim Ross again but to call the action involving many of the best performers this business has to offer on such a grand stage.”
“GFW Presents New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Wrestle Kingdom 9” will air live in North America at 2 a.m. ET on Jan. 4, which is 4 p.m. in Tokyo. The four-hour telecast also will air in primetime in North America at 7 p.m. ET on DirecTV, Dish, AT&T U-verse, Comcast, Verizon Fios and all cable systems in the United States, and in Canada on Bell ExpressVu TV, Rogers, Shaw, Sasktel and Telus. Check your local listings for availability. The show also will be available on the Flipps app on iTunes or Android.
Wrestle Kingdom 9 will be the 24th consecutive year for the Jan. 4 dome event, which kicks off the year in Japan and annually is the largest wrestling show in the world outside of the United States, drawing in excess of 40,000 fans.
As promised, here are the top pay-per-view events from 2014.
8. NXT Takeover
This event started off sluggish but certainly ended with a string of entertaining matches. In particular, the match between Tyler Breeze and Sami Zayn featured solid in-ring work and highlighted why both of these guys could succeed if given the opportunity.
The real treat during this pay-per-view, however, was the final two matches of the evening. The match between Charlotte and Natalya for the vacant NXT Women’s Championship was probably the most technically sound women’s match I’ve ever seen, and the main event between Neville and Tyson Kidd was the perfect way to end the show. In my opinion, this was the event that made fans realize NXT is more than simply a developmental league for the main roster.
Worst Match: Adam Rose vs. Camacho
Best Match: Charlotte vs. Natalya
7. Payback
There was some worry heading into this one, largely due to the absence of the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. The event would carry on just fine without the title, however. It started off strong with a bruising contest between Sheamus and Cesaro.
From there, the Last Man Standing match was entertaining, even if it would have been nice to see Wyatt pick up the victory. With that said, this pay-per-view is all about the main event. It was an awesome 30-minute affair that featured memorable spots, brutal action, and a decisive Shield victory. This was also important because it would set up Seth Rollins’ heel turn the next night on Raw.
Worst Match: Bo Dallas vs. Kofi Kingston
Best Match: The Shield vs. Evolution
The following is a video clip featuring part of Hulk Hogan’s appearance on Monday’s Christmas-themed edition of RAW, which features Hogan fully dressed up as Santa Claus.
Below is a portion of last night’s “Piper’s Pit” segment from RAW, which featured Roddy Piper, Rusev, Lana and Ryback.
– For those who enjoy interesting trivia facts, it’s been pointed out recently that country music band Florida Georgia Line has made more WWE television appearances than Brock Lesnar since the Night Of Champions pay-per-view. Florida Georgia Line appeared at Night Of Champions, TLC and Tribute to the Troops while Lesnar has only appeared at Night Of Champions and last week’s RAW.
– Unless the January 1st edition of NXT on the WWE Network turns out to be a 2014 “Year-In-Review” type of show, Shoot Nation leader Chad Gable is scheduled to make his NXT in-ring debut, working against Tyler Breeze on the show.
– NXT Diva Dana Brooke, competing under her real name — Ashley Sebera — will be representing WWE in the 2015 “Fitness International” competition at the “Arnold Classic.” Below are some comments she made about the competition to WWE.com.
“My dreams are coming true. It’s like Christmas came early for me. I cannot feel more honored. This just shows how much WWE wants their athletes to succeed. I’m blessed. I will not let the WWE Universe down.”
– Below is a video of WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley going through a drive-thru dressed up as Santa Claus.
As a bit of a reminder, there will be no WWE television tapings tonight, as both Main Event and SmackDown were taped on Sunday in Sioux Falls, Iowa. Below are the matches scheduled for tonight’s edition of WWE Main Event, which airs on the WWE Network.
– Cesaro & Tyson Kidd vs. Los Matadores
– Brie Bella vs. Summer Rae
– Big E. vs. Stardust
– Luke Harper vs. Jack Swagger
For complete spoiler results of this week’s Main Event, click here.
The following are highlights of a recent online Q&A update by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On Naomi’s WWE push getting cooled off: “You’re right in that I have no idea nor am I concerned about Naomi as she’s got too much talent for me to worry about her future. Let’s not over think it so, in other worlds, just wait and see what develops.”
On Michelle McCool revealing details about Undertaker’s life and if he will ever wrestle again: “Sorry but I have not kept up with it nor do I know Taker’s thoughts on the business. I also don’t know if he’s going to wrestle again. I’m happy that they keep their personal life private. No one deserves to know what they do in their private time or if Taker’s coming back to the ring.”
On if all of the independent wrestling promotions should work together: “It would be great for all if they would only trust each other and be willing to compromise. That, however, is iffy.”
On the reason Brakkus didn’t last long in WWE: “Jacked up body builder type with a marketable accent and look but no natural skills for the WWE level of pro wrestling IMO. He lacked the aptitude unfortunately.”
On if turning Roman Reigns heel would help him become a legitimate main eventer: “I’m giving Reigns the time that he has to get ready if the main event at WM31 is indeed in his future of which I don’t know. Nothing I’m worrying about in December for an April event.”
Check out more of JR’s online Q&A at his website, JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
As noted recently, WWE Hall Of Famer Tully Blanchard suffered an injury while executing a run-in during his daughter Tessa Blanchard’s match at a recent Pro Wrestling Syndicate event.
Blanchard reportedly injured himself while getting in the ring for a run-in, but went on to perform multiple dropkicks.
The Pro Wrestling Syndicate promotion has reported that Blanchard suffered what is being described as a partially torn tendon in his left biceps. Tully commented, “It hurts to exert the muscle, but I’ll live.”
– The latest edition of the Steve Austin Show podcast, which is available right now, features a new interview with WWE Hall Of Famer Ivan Koloff. The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASc – EP179 – Ivan Koloff “The Russian Bear”
“”The Russian Bear” Ivan Koloff has plenty to say about winning the WWWF title from Bruno Sammartino, working tag with The Superstar Billy Graham, fighting the Iron Sheik on a commercial airplane, raising hell with Mad Dog Buzz Sawyer, and getting clean thanks to the help of Nikita Koloff! You’ll hear about kicking drugs, and starting his own ministry too!”
You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.
– The latest edition of “RAW Fallout,” which you can watch below, features The Miz furthering his angle with Naomi.
The following are highlights of a new Associated Press interview with CM Punk:
On closing the door on a return to WWE: “They didn’t like me long before I left and there’s no reason to pretend there needs to be any kind of working relationship.”
On a comparison to the UFC for not being featured in WWE main events: “Imagine if UFC took Conor McGregor and they just put him on Fight Pass prelims, and they wouldn’t let him main event the big PPV or a big show. That’s how I felt. I was the main event on all the house shows, I was the only guy that was touring live every single day. When it came time for the PPV main event, oh, someone else is coming in.”
Check out the complete interview at AP.org.
Due to the fact that the WWE Network was not free in Canada during the month of November like it was in the rest of the world, Rogers Cable will be putting the live stream of the WWE Network up for free on a couple of upcoming dates.
The WWE Network live stream will go up for free on Sportsnet 360 this Thursday, December 25th from 10am to 4pm Eastern Time, and again from 7pm to 1am Eastern Time.
Additionally, the WWE Network stream will go up for free on Friday, December 26th from 6am to Noon and on Thursday, January 1st from 6pm until Midnight.
WWE aired a vignette on RAW hyping The Ascension’s main roster debut next Monday night.
After a strong run in NXT using a “gothic” gimmick, the duo has been repackaged as an old school late 80’s “Road Warriors” style team. They’ve worked WWE live events in recent months and even competed on Main Event several weeks back, but this will be their first appearance on RAW.
At one point there was talk of pairing The Ascension with Bray Wyatt, but it looks like they’ll be flying solo for now.
New Japan Pro Wrestling’s “NJPWWorld” on demand service (their version of the WWE Network) achieved over 10,000 subscribers in its first 3 weeks of service, according to a report at Enuhito.com. This translates to approximately 1.2 million yen per year in income for NJPW.
NJPW Takaaki Kidani previously stated 30,000 subscribers was a realistic goal for the first year, but now it appears they will reach that much sooner.
The NJPW Documentary series is said to be one of the most popular features on NJPWWorld. The first two editions focus on Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada.
WWE Diva Natalya tweeted the following childhood photo of her husband Tyson Kidd on Monday. As you may know, Kidd owns several cats and has wrestled many times with images of cats spray painted on his ring gear.
I promised @kiddwwe I would never show anyone this school photo of his. I lied. ?? pic.twitter.com/vwEnSeg2ES
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) December 22, 2014
WWE Diva Natalya posted the following photo of former WWE star The Boogeyman on her Instagram account. The photo was taken last night at Raw.
– The first guest on Taz’s new “Human Podcast Machine” on January 7th will be none other than WWE Hall of Famer Edge.
https://twitter.com/OfficialTAZ/status/547213927822950400
https://twitter.com/OfficialTAZ/status/547224065627672576
After Monday’s WWE RAW went off the air, Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt continued to brawl. Ambrose brought another table out, which led to Wyatt offering a handshake. Ambrose hit him with Dirty Deeds instead and then put him on the table.
Ambrose climbed a ladder and dove onto Wyatt, which got a huge pop from the crowd.
Referees checked on Wyatt, who indicated that he was injured. After being tended to by medical staff, he was eventually taken out of the arena and ambulance. Wyatt was then transported to Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis.
We’ll post an update on the situation as soon as it becomes available.
Credit to Raj Giri of WrestlingINC.com for information used in this report.
