– As seen in the post-NXT video with William Regal yesterday, Curtis Axel has asked for a shot in NXT. Apparently he will get that shot against Hideo Itami in the main event of the January 1st edition of NXT on the WWE Network, unless that show ends up being a 2014 year-in-review special.
– ECW original Rob Van Dam will be featured in the new Kayfabe Commentaries “Timeline: The History of ECW – 1999” shoot-style DVD, which is set to be released on January 8th.
Chris Jericho is featured on the newest edition of “The JBL Show,” which you can watch below.
Below is the “Top 10 Moments” video for this week’s live “Super SmackDown” show.
– WWE will be taping the December 26th edition of SmackDown this coming Sunday in Sioux City, Iowa. If anyone is attending the show, feel free to send in a report.
– WWE recently posted the following video to their official YouTube channel, which looks at
NXT star and former linebacker at the University of Minnesota, Diggs Rawlis, made his in-ring debut at the NXT live event in Tampa, Florida this past Thursday night. Rawlis and his tag-team partner Cal Bishop lost to Shoot Nation’s Angelo Dawkins and Sawyer Fulton.
As noted in the past, the Shoot Nation stable now has five members — leader Chad Gable, Jason Jordan, Tucker Knight and the aforementioned Dawkins and Fulton. It looks as though the two main teams out of the stable will be Dawkins & Fulton and Gable & Jordan.
As noted in the past, WWE has been planning on having Roman Reigns win the Royal Rumble match in January and go on to defeat Brock Lesnar for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 31. At this point, however, there is beginning to be some skepticism regarding whether or not Reigns is ready for that big of a push.
Despite the fact that Reigns is viewed as someone who needs to work on his promo skills, and as someone who isn’t good enough to carry lengthy main-event singles matches on big shows, WWE is in need of a new top babyface star and the belief is that spot is his regardless.
While WWE has plans on continuing Randy Orton’s babyface turn, he is not a new star. Daniel Bryan is not what WWE wants in a top babyface star, no matter how fans react to him. Additionally, there’s uncertainties with Bryan due to his neck and arm injuries.
This leaves Reigns and Dean Ambrose as the two leading candidates for the top babyface spot. Ambrose is a better in-ring performer and delivers better promos, however he fits less into WWE’s mold of what they view as a top babyface star.
While Ambrose and Reigns both do strong merchandise numbers, including Ambrose’s new hoodie being number one during Thanksgiving week, neither are doing the type of numbers that a top guy traditionally does on a consistent basis.
Despite all of this, the belief is that WWE will stick with their plans for Reigns heading into WrestleMania, as he is still considered the top choice by the top people behind-the-scenes.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
After being attacked by Rusev on Tuesday’s live edition of WWE SmackDown, Ryback was helped to the backstage area by WWE officials. While he’s being helped to the back, there is a quick shot in the background of the person who played The Bunny, believed to be Hunico (aka Sin Cara) without his Bunny-mask on.
WWE has since edited the video to remove the shot of The Bunny sans-mask in the background, however it has been re-uploaded by a fan to YouTube in a video that you can check out below.
http://youtu.be/pIU3Se_1WAQ
Below are some screen shot photos of The Bunny without his mask on in the background from the above video.
WWE issued the following on Friday …
Beginning this Sunday, December 21, ’12 Days of Attitude’ will bring new video-on-demand content to WWE Network. Each day, WWE Network subscribers will be able to unlock new programming in their video-on-demand library from the Attitude Era. Full episodes of Monday Night Raw, SmackDown and Heat will be among content available. Also included are memorable moments from the Attitude Era such as training vignettes of Vince and Shane McMahon and the interview in which The Rock and Mankind discuss The Undertaker and Big Show being buried alive.
WWE Network features 24/7 scheduled programming, all 12 pay-per-view events LIVE and the most comprehensive video-on-demand library with more than 2,600 hours of content, including every WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-view, all for $9.99 per month with no commitment and the ability to cancel any time. WWE Network programming includes groundbreaking original programming, reality shows, documentaries, classic matches, exclusive coverage of special events and more. The U.S. English language version of WWE Network is available on an over-the-top basis in more than 170 countries and territories.
Like other digital subscription services, such as Netflix and Hulu Plus, fans are able to subscribe online by going to WWE.com and can watch WWE Network on their TV through connected devices such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku streaming devices, Sony Playstation 3, Sony Playstation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Smart TVs including Sony and Samsung.
The Tuesday, December 16th special live edition of WWE SmackDown on the USA Network scored a final cable rating of 1.51, according to Nielsen Media Research. The number was down a considerable amount from the previous week’s taped airing in the usual Friday slot on SyFy, which drew a 1.74 final rating.
Tuesday’s SmackDown “Super Show” averaged 2.027 million viewers, which was also down quite a bit from the average of 2.531 million viewers for last week’s show in the usual time slot.
The following are highlights of the latest blog by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On Roman Reigns as a main eventer for WWE: “Was asked today by Jason Powell for Pro Wrestling.net audio if I thought Roman Reigns was ready to be the man in WWE and become WWE World Champion. I don’t think Reigns is ready today but it’s not game day just yet but I do applaud WWE for attempting to add more ‘new’ into the upper card mix and taking a calculated risk on Reigns to be one of their centerpieces. Time will tell and I assure one and all that no one knows today. I’m optimistic.”
On Dixie Carter appearing on The Ross Report: “I’m going to have TNA/Impact Wrestling head honcho Dixie Carter on my podcast that will drop on Tuesday January 6 at 9:30 pm ET on podcastone.com. Indeed, Dixie Carter will be my first podcast guest of 2015 and I can’t wait. Dixie will have a great deal to discuss as her Impact Wrestling brand is moving networks in a few weeks and making some internal changes that the fans will see on their first broadcast on Destination America.”
On Josh Mathews joining the TNA broadcast team: “Congrats to Josh Mathews on replacing Mike Tenay on the broadcast team and who will join forces with Taz on the Impact TV show. Josh will bring a different approach and feel to the show but has big shoes to fill as it relates to Mike Tenay stepping away to fulfill another role or two in the company. Mike will also maintain his TV presence. Josh and Taz should be fun to listen to as they develop their chemistry. I wish both friends well.”
Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
As noted, Ryback was Chris Jericho’s guest on his “Talk Is Jericho” podcast this week. During the interview, Ryback addressed recent comments made about him by CM Punk on Colt Cabana’s “Art of Wrestling” podcast.
Below is an excerpt from the interview where Ryback talks about the subject.
“I went and heard part of it. Punk was always good to me when he was here and I felt I was good to him. He was never like that to my face and I felt we always had good matches for the most part on the live events. To leave and say the things he said, I try not to take anything personal anymore. So whatever he’s going through, if he feels the need to say that, I can tell you it’s not true.
It’s one of those things, it’s like, come on man. I don’t understand if it’s a personal thing with me. I don’t know but I have no ill feeling towards the guy, I wish him the best.”
You can listen to the full Ryback interview on Talk Is Jericho right now at PodcastOne.com.
– Kevin Owens made an appearance at the non-televised NXT live event in Tampa, Florida on Thursday night. He cut a heel promo talking about how he didn’t owe the fans any explanation for his recent attack of Sami Zayn and Adrian Neville.
– WWE Hall Of Famer Afa the Wild Samoan is at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida this week, working with some of the developmental talents.
One week after being attacked by Kevin Owens at the NXT Takeover: R Evolution special, WWE has posted a storyline injury update on NXT Champion Sami Zayn. WWE noted that x-rays of Zayn’s spine came back negative, as did a CT scan of his head.
WWE noted that Zayn was diagnosed with “cervical & thoracic muscle strains and held overnight at the Winter Park Memorial Hospital for observation.” They also noted that Zayn is “currently resting before beginning physical therapy at the WWE Performance Center. WWE said he’s expected back in 3-4 weeks.”
Next week’s edition of NXT on the WWE Network, which falls on Christmas day, will feature Charlotte defending the NXT Women’s Championship against Sasha Banks in a rematch from NXT Takeover: R Evolution. WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair will accompany Charlotte to the ring for the bout.
Additionally, next week’s edition of NXT will feature another NXT Takeover: R Evolution rematch, as the team of Finn Balor and Hideo Itami take on The Ascension.
USA Network issued the following press release this week …
USA NETWORK CONTINUES UNPRECEDENTED RATINGS STREAK WITH 9TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR AS #1 IN CABLE IN TOTAL VIEWERS
USA Ranks #1 Among Women in 18-49 And 25-54
WWE Powers USA To #1 In Cable Entertainment On Monday Nights for 2014 In All Key Demos
CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST Is A Top 20 New Cable Reality Series In Key Demos
NEW YORK – December 18, 2014 – USA Network will finish the year as the most watched ad-supported cable entertainment network for an unprecedented 9th consecutive year. Fueled by a strong stable of original series, the powerhouse WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW, and top-rated acquired series, USA’s winning streak continued with 2.14MM total viewers P2+, 7% higher than the closest competitive cable entertainment network.
USA is also cable’s top-performer with women, ranking #1 for the year in F18-49 (486,000, +8% over its closest competitor) and F25-54 (500,000, +8%). USA has been #1 in F18-49 since 2005 and in F25-54 since 2006—both unprecedented streaks among ad-supported networks.
“In an increasingly competitive landscape, maintaining our leadership position is a true feat and a testament to our quality programming,” said Chris McCumber, president of USA Network. “2014 was also a financial success for the network, as we once again achieved our most profitable year ever. I am excited to build on this momentum in 2015, as we roll out more new dramas than ever before, starting with the much-anticipated event series DIG.”
WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW – the most-watched, regularly scheduled program on cable, 52 weeks a year, delivered 4.68MM total viewers P2+, 2.15MM P25-54, and 2.08MM P18-49, making USA #1 Monday nights in 2014 for all three categories among cable entertainment networks. RAW made USA the #1 entertainment network in all of television Monday nights for M18-34.
Suits was among the year’s top 20 scripted series on cable, delivering 1.79MM P18-49, 1.95MM P25-54, and 4.37MM total viewers P2+. SIRENS was cable’s #1 new ad-supported comedy in 2014 in P25-54 (870,000). SIRENS returns for its second season premiere with a double dose of half-hour episodes on Tuesday, January 27 at 10/9c, followed by the continuation of the fourth season of Suits with all new episodes on Wednesday, January 28 at 10/9c.
The network’s buzzy, breakout reality series CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST ranks as a top 20 new cable reality series in 2014 in P18-49 and P25-54. The series debuted with a strong first season in April and was swiftly renewed for a second season, which aired its finale last night. In L7 measurements, season 2 to-date is averaging 1.17MM P18-49 (+24% over Season 1), 1.14MM P25-54 (+30%), 590,000 P18-34 (+7%), and 2.18MM total viewers P2+ (+29%). Season three will start production in the new year.
USA has three of the top acquired series in cable with Modern Family, NCIS and LAW & ORDER: SVU. SVU and NCIS are the top two acquired dramas on cable among P18-49, P25-54, P18-34, and total viewers P2+. Modern Family, which delivered a much younger and upscale audience to the network, was one of the year’s top ten acquired series among P18-49, P25-54, and P18-34.
USA recently renewed original dramas GRACELAND, Suits, SATISFACTION and Royal Pains to return in summer 2015; a second season for comedy PLAYING HOUSE; and a third season for the reality series CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST, to return spring 2015.
The network will premiere DIG on March 5, 2015. This thrilling ten episode event series is from executive producers Tim Kring (“Heroes”) and Gideon Raff (“Homeland”), and stars Golden Globe nominee Jason Isaacs (“Awake”) and Emmy Award-winner Anne Heche (“Save Me”). COMPLICATIONS, from Burn Notice creator Matt Nix, will bow this summer – an edge-of-your-seat drama about a reluctant hero, whose life is forever changed after making the split-second decision to intervene in a drive-by shooting to save a little boy’s life. Additionally, USA has a strong drama pipeline, with five pilots currently in production.
Note: Data reflects the most up-to-date M-Su 8-11p time period data with all DVR playback information available at this time, which includes Live+7 for all possible dates, Live+3 for dates when Live+7 is not available and Live+Same for dates when Live+3 is not available.
– EastLink in Canada is now carrying the WWE Network as a regular pay-per-view channel. WWE Network is available for $11.99 through EastLink, who now joins Rogers Communications as the only places providing the WWE Network service in Canada.
– Diamond Dallas Page recently posted the video below, showing some of the bloopers from his recent DDP Yoga Holidays commercial.
– The latest edition of Chris Jericho’s “Talk Is Jericho” podcast, which features Ryback, is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:
TIJ – EP101 – WWE’s Ryback
“Ryback is speaking about the CM Punk’s recent comments & he’s doing it right here on TIJ! Ryback’s also got a great Dusty Rhodes impression, the back story on “Skip Sheffield,” his very own WWF bell hammer, an update on the injuries that nearly ended his career, and words of wisdom he never actually heard from Arnold Schwarzenegger! ‘Feed Me More! Feed Me More!'”
You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.
– The latest edition of “WWE Inbox,” which you can watch below, features WWE Superstars and WWE Divas discussing the worst gifts they have ever received.
The future of the WWE went to school last night, and I’m here to grade their performance. Matches will be graded based on usual factors such as workrate, in-ring psychology, crowd involvement, and overall impact on the storyline. Important promos will also be graded based on entertainment value, believability, and originality.
While this is supposed to act as a weekly report and recap for NXT, more importantly, it’s a place for you, the SEScoops readers, to discuss this week’s episode, dole out your own grades, and discuss the future of the product. Without further ado, here is this week’s NXT Report Card.
Adrian Neville/Kevin Owens Opening Promo
This was a pretty good way to start the show and the crowd really seemed to be into it. Neville did his best to make amends with the fans and put over Sami Zayn, saying things like, “We went to war” and “The better man won.”
Neville isn’t the strongest promo man in the game, but he did his best, even if he can be a bit redundant at times. Owens, on the other hand, cut an intense and articulate promo that seemed to have the crowd on the edge of their seats. Overall, it was a good way to start the show and set up the main event between Neville and Owens.
Grade: B+
Bayley vs. Becky Lynch
This one started off a bit sluggish, with most of the early action consisting of Bayley throwing punches and not utilizing many wrestling moves. The action picked up toward the end, however, with the ending sequence being particularly impressive. The counter into Lynch’s finisher was fresh and it worked well with the in-ring psychology due to Bayley’s injured knee.
Grade: B-
Following this week’s edition of NXT on the WWE Network, NXT General Manager William Regal discusses Kevin Owens’ dominance and is asked for a favor by the returning Curtis Axel. You can check out the video below.
– Speaking of Owens and this week’s NXT, below is a video of Adrian Neville being stretchered out after being powerbombed by the NXT rookie.
– In a correction from a previous article, Brock Lesnar has apparently not been pulled from the advertising for the big “RAW Reunion” show on January 19th in Dallas, Texas. This is the show that features the returns of Hulk Hogan, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Shawn Michaels, and is also the “go-home” show for the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
– Tommy Dreamer and former WWE Diva Ashley Massaro are some of the latest names from the wrestling industry that have started using Diamond Dallas Page’s “DDP Yoga.”
The WWE Tribute to the Troops 2014 special from Wednesday, December 17th averaged 2.230 million viewers for the USA Network, according to Nielsen Media Research.
By comparison, last year’s Tribute to the Troops show drew 2.3 million viewers. In 2012, the special drew 1.31 million viewers.
The following matches aired during the live version of WWE SmackDown on the USA Network earlier this week.
– Roman Reigns vs. Fandango
– Luke Harper, The Miz, and Damien Mizdow vs. Erick Rowan and The Usos
– Nikki Bella vs. Naomi for the Divas Championship
– Kane vs. Adam Rose
– Dolph Ziggler vs. Seth Rollins in a non-title match
For those in international markets or for those who missed the live airing, you can read a full spoiler report of the show by clicking here.
During an interview with the Sioux City Journal, WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan explained why he still has the itch to get back in the ring at 61 years old.
“Triple H told me I’ve got nothing to prove, but the last time I wrestled was not with this company and I want my legacy to end with the WWE.”
Hogan said his ego “explodes” when he gets back around the wrestling ring is training like a mad man to make one last match a reality.
“I weigh 295. I’m in really good shape and I’m training like I’m going to get in the ring. I’m like a convict given a life sentence.”
“That’s what I want – one last match, one last run, one last title win, one last title retirement,” Hogan said.
Hogan returns to WWE RAW this Monday night.
TNA issued the following today …
Josh Mathews To Join Impact Wrestling Announce Team
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (December 18, 2014) – TNA, today, announced seasoned broadcaster Josh Mathews will join Taz to form the new IMPACT WRESTLING announce team. With Mathews doing play-by-play and Taz color-commentary, the new IMPACT WRESTLING announce team will debut during the LIVE broadcast of IMPACT WRESTLING on Destination America from New York City on Wednesday, January 7 at 9/8c.
“Josh Mathews is a dynamic talent who brings great energy and experience to commentating,” said John Gaburick, TNA’s Executive Vice President of Television. “I’ve had the pleasure to work with Josh for many years and know he, alongside Taz, will captivate fans and enhance the viewing experience.”
Raised in Indiana, Mathews moved to New York as a teenager to pursue his professional wrestling career and quickly established himself as a leading voice in sports entertainment and professional wrestling.
“I was amped up when I heard the news Mathews would be joining me to announce IMPACT WRESTLING on Destination America,” said Taz. “Our goal is to be the best announce team in wrestling today, combining Mathews’ work ethic and experience with mine alongside the best roster in wrestling. I am looking forward to sitting next to my friend and new announce partner on January 7 in New York City.”
“I’m elated to join TNA and be the new voice of IMPACT WRESTLING alongside my friend and three-time World Champion Taz,” said Mathews. “I’d like to thank Dixie Carter and John Gaburick for this incredible opportunity. Mike Tenay is a legend in this business and I am humbled to build on the body of work he has established over the past 12 years on IMPACT. To have my voice attached to the amazing athletes who do what they do better than anyone in the world is a dream come true.”
IMPACT WRESTLING debuts on Destination America with a special LIVE broadcast on Wednesday, January 7 from 9-11 PM ET, televised from New York City’s legendary Manhattan Center. IMPACT WRESTLING will move to its permanent time slot on Fridays from 9-11 PM ET beginning January 16 on Destination America. And, IMPACT WRESTLING: UNLOCKED with Mike Tenay premieres in its permanent time slot on Saturdays from 10 AM-Noon ET beginning January 17.
Former WWE Superstar turned UFC fighter CM Punk continued his media rounds on Thursday, taping an interview via satellite with Michael Landsberg of TSN’s Off The Record. As if his list of adversaries wasn’t long enough already, you can add Landsberg’s name to the list of people who rubs Punk the wrong way.
In the preview clip above, Punk gets heated with Landsberg, who he accuses of being two-faced and portraying a different persona on television than he does in real life.
“You want to play innocent and defensive when you’re not on camera and then when you get on camera, you want to act like you’re hot sh*t. I appreciate that. I like your gimmick, kid. No, I love it, I love it.”
The full interview airs tonight in Canada on TSN4 and TSN5 at 5pm (EST).
Sometimes things work out. Roman Reigns, Bray Wyatt, Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins.
Other times, things don’t. Adam Rose, Bo Dallas, Fandango.
After last week’s NXT Takeover: R Evolution special, which fans are still raving about a week later, it became crystal clear to me that WWE is developing a number of future Superstars that have the potential to lead the company into the next generation.
Today, we are going to look at ten current performers/acts in the NXT system that I feel have the best shot at achieving success on the main WWE roster. With that being said, lets jump right into the list at number ten….
#10. The Lucha Dragons
The Lucha Dragons — Kalisto and Sin Cara, two talents that as individuals could flourish, but as a unit, make up one of the best tag-teams in WWE’s developmental system. Their ring work is solid and entertaining. Crowd pleasing. The gimmick is another story, but unfortunately, with WWE being in the middle of their PG-era, gimmicks and characters such as these two are unavoidable.
With that being said, they are what they are, and that’s a great tag-team combination. They’re the Los Matadores, only better. That’s not a knock against them, despite the fact it could be seen as one. If they remain under their current gimmick, it’s pretty much a given that they’ll never reach past mid-card, comedy-team status, but like I said, we’re going to have that one way or the other. Since that’s the case, it might as well be two guys who are as talented as these two.
I think it’s a given that these two guys will eventually make it to the main roster, and equally as predictable is the way in which they’ll be used. They’ll be two guys in a tag-team division on the main WWE roster that isn’t worth much, but for whatever it is worth, these two guys have the potential to be among the top teams in the company. While that’s not saying much, it’s saying something, and in this day and age, you pretty much have to take what you can get if you’re an aspiring wrestler.
#9. Tyler Breeze
Much like The Lucha Dragons, I feel that Tyler Breeze is an extremely talented worker, but is unfortunately stuck in a lame-duck gimmick. On social media, I’ve read a lot of comments that makes it seem like fans are actually believers of the Tyler Breeze gimmick in the sense that it could actually go somewhere on the main roster.
I am not one of those believers.
I’m of the opinion that if Breeze jumps to the main roster and is used with the same exact character that he has now, it’s one that has a ceiling that comes with it. This type of character can only go so far. Think of talents like Fandango and Adam Rose and how they are positioned on the main roster, and you’ve got my opinion of how Breeze would be used in this type of role.
If they were to change his gimmick, he certainly has the potential to go further than this type of character would allow. He’s got the talent in the ring, he has a unique charisma about him and he’s got a great look. His promo work is decent, nothing to ride home about in my opinion, but he’s got enough tools to work with that if he was given a different type of character, it would be interesting to see how far he could take it. Maybe if they started a character-change in NXT and let it grow a bit, that would be the route to take in terms of preparing him for a call up to the big leagues.
Whether or not that ever happens is another subject entirely.
