The following matches are set for tonight’s edition of Lucha Underground on the El Rey Network:
– Pimpinela Escarlata vs. Son of Havoc (w/ Ivelisse)
– Famous B vs. Mil Muertes (w/ Catrina)
– Drago vs. King Cuerno
– Sexy Star and Fenix vs. Chavo Guerrero and Pentagon Jr.
For a video preview of tonight’s show, click here.
The following are highlights of a new Main Event Radio interview with TNA wrestler Abyss:
On Monster’s Ball Match Memories: “All the Monsters Ball matches. I’ve had so many of them. Me and Sabu, me and Rhino had some really good ones, me and Bully Ray, AJ Styles, all of them. I’m so proud of them. It’s kind of my match, it’s named after me and it’s neat to see all the different kind of matches that occurred in the Monster’s Ball. It’s going on 10 or 11 years that we’ve been doing it. It’s a pretty big thing and I love it. At Bound for Glory 2007, the 4-way with Samoa Joe, Rhino, and Brother Runt. In 2008, the only tag team Monster’s Ball that’s ever been done. Me and Matt Morgan, Team 3D, LAX, and Beer Money. That one is not one of my best memories, that one is one of the most extreme memories. That was probably the most pain I’ve ever felt and the most injured I’ve ever been after a match. Some good memories and some bad memories to it.”
On working with Bram: “He’s incredible. I just can’t rave enough about the guy. He’s such a physical wrestler, he’s cut out of my mold; reminds me of a young Bruiser Brody. An incredible wrestler, his ring awareness and his acumen in the ring is just above a guy his age. Those two matches we had – Stairway to Janice and the Monster’s Ball were incredible. I was so proud of it, they were physical matches and the fans enjoyed it. We took a lot of risks, he put his body on the line, I put my body on the line and the result is what ended up happening. He’s a star on the rise.”
On young talents: “TNA has a bunch of guys who are on the cusp of breaking through. Ethan Carter, EC3, I really think is a star. A guy who has great acumen and awareness. Everything he does he strives for perfection. The Bromans are two great athletes, an incredible tag team together. Rockstar Spud. We have a good group of young guys who are really making their mark and are going to continue to.”
Check out the complete interview at MainEventRadio.com.
The following are highlights of a new ImpactWrestling.com interview with TNA President Dixie Carter, conducted by TNA executive Jeremy Borash:
On 2014: Carter said she is proud of some of the overall changes they have made to the product and bringing back the six-sided ring. “I think it was a really good year, but it’s definitely a transitional year.” She said she was in negotiation mode during the second half of the year. “I’m proud, it was a good year,” she said.
On Spike TV: “I said to them I feel like we have to have something different. We can’t just be status quo going into a new deal. It can’t just be a two-hour Impact. We have to grow our brand and do some things differently and really shake it up. That was the tone of all my conversation with networks. I’m not really interested in someone picking up our two-hour show. I’m interested in having someone become a partner on a much bigger level.”
On her dealings with talent during the negotiations: “I never didn’t feel 100 percent support from everybody. There’s always an uneasiness when it comes to change… I was not going to let anybody down. It didn’t matter what it was going to take, I wasn’t going to let anybody down, but that didn’t mean we were going to take a bad deal.”
On breaking new news to talent: “I wanted to do it in person, obviously, but we weren’t able to do that. They were the first people I told when we all got on the conference call. The response was great. I had to have them open up the lines so I could just hear people talk, to make it much more casual and informal in the way we are. The great thing is I think everyone is supportive, I think everyone is excited about the potential, and they’re doing that without even knowing how just different it is going to be… I can’t wait for these meetings that we’re having and these conversations that were happening and some of these changes that are going to happen, that these get out and they start to see the support on a different level. So many things. There are a lot of announcements coming. I know sometimes we say stay tuned, but I really mean it, stay tuned. There’s a lot of stuff, a lot of changes.”
On the current talent: “I love this young roster we have right now. Looking back, this is probably the best, freshest group of young talent that we’ve ever had. I can’t say enough good things about him, I have to give credit to John Gaburick, our head of talent relations and television creative. That was a real focus of his, and Spike was very supportive of us taking a step back to take a major step forward in our future, and that is giving a lot of real estate on our show, a lot of television time, to kids who had never seen before. They have the best attitudes and are so great to be around and their work rate is incredible, and they do whatever is asked. They’ve been such a great addition, I think even to challenging the veterans. I love that they are coming in with such a confidence. They want a top spot and they are working really hard to get it. I think there have been some who have made massive strides in such a short period of time, and I don’t ever remember us having that kind of success with new talent in such a short time.”
On Kurt Angle: “I’ve always been very vocal in saying that I want Kurt to retire in TNA. He was our first massive signing. What he’s meant to this company from the very beginning I can’t even put into words. He’s carried the load and led. Obviously, his work rate is off the charts. He brings so much to this company. I want to see him with us for the rest of his career, and when he decides to hang up his boots, I would love to see him on the other side. There are very few brains, the psychology of wrestling, that are as fantastic as his. But I want to see him do some new and exciting things, represent us on different levels, which he’s done a little bit of in the past… He is so ready to get back in that ring. He’s in amazing shape. His head’s on straight. He’s so focussed, he’s so excited. This could be the year of Kurt Angle, it really could be. And he deserves it. He’s had some tough injuries to come back from, but he’s worked very hard and he deserves it.”
WWE issued the following today …
For Immediate Release
SETH GREEN SET TO GUEST HOST MONDAY NIGHT RAW® FEATURING THE 2014 SLAMMY AWARDS
STAMFORD, CONN., Dec. 3, 2014 – Film and television star Seth Green will guest host Monday Night Raw and WWE’s 2014 Slammy Awards this Monday live at 8 pm ET/7C on USA Network. The annual fan-voted Slammy Awards are WWE’s version of the Oscars, honoring the best of the year with its own golden statue. In addition to Monday Night Raw, the Slammy Awards will be presented across multiple platforms including digital, mobile, social and for the first time, WWE Network.
Green is the co-creator and executive producer of the Emmy Award-winning Robot Chicken and the Robot Chicken Christmas Special, which will air this Sunday at 11:30 pm ET on Adult Swim. Green is also a longtime WWE fan and previously appeared on Monday Night Raw on July 13, 2009.
Select Slammy Awards will be given out exclusively on WWE.com and for the first time, during the pre-show on WWE Network beginning at 7:30 pm ET this Monday.
The Slammy Award categories and nominees will be announced through WWE’s social media platforms including the WWE Twitter and Facebook accounts, beginning today at noon ET, and continuing throughout the week. The WWE Universe will have the opportunity to help select nominees in each category by using #Slammy.
Fans will also have the opportunity to vote for the winners on WWE.com beginning this Saturday for the WWE Network pre-show exclusive Slammy Awards and the WWE.com exclusive Slammy Awards. Voting for the Slammy Awards given out on Monday Night Raw will take place this Monday starting at 8 pm ET during the telecast exclusively through the WWE App.
Last year’s show received a record breaking 1.64 million votes, a 180 percent increase from 2012’s record-setting awards show.
Atlanta police have issued a warrant for WWE Supersatar Heath Slater (real name Heath Miller) stemming from a 2011 incident at the WrestleMania 27 afterparty at the Hyatt Regency hotel.
According to Atlanta’s FOX-5 television, Corinne Oliver, who was working security at the event, accuses Slater of putting her in a chokehold and attempting to get her into an elevator, with the intent of dragging her back to his room. She alleges to have suffered damage to five vertebrae in her back.
Oliver reported the incident to her supervisor on the morning of the incident and then waited nearly three months to file a police report. She claims that she waited for her supervisors at Allied Barton Securities to file a police report, which they never did.
She has also claimed that other wrestlers witnessed the incident and did nothing to help her. The police report described the incident as a “simple assault/battery.”
WWE attorney Jerry McDevitt issued a statement after the charges were filed, stating that the charges were filed against Slater individually and not WWE.
The El Rey Network sent out the following today:
LUCHADORES BATTLE FOR THE KEY TO BOYLE HEIGHTS THIS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 3rd AT 8PM ET/PT ON EL REY NETWORK
El Rey Network will air the sixth episode of their adrenaline filled original wrestling series “LuchaUnderground,” from Emmy Award®-winning producer Mark Burnett on Wednesday, December 3rd at 8:00PM ET/PT. In the brand new episode entitled “The Key,” Big Ryck signs a contract with Dario Cueto, Johnny Mundo steals a prized possession, and Sexy Star is back with Fenix to take on Chavo Guerrero and Pentagon Jr.
The new 39-episode series combines ancient lucha libre tradition, extraordinary athleticism and a flare for theatrics in each hour-long episode. Every Wednesday, viewers will have a backstage and ringside seat as masked villains and heroes tell their stories while facing off to battle for wrestling supremacy resulting in programming that is unlike anything else on the screen.
At Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings, it was announced that Intercontinental Champion Luke Harper will defend against Dolph Ziggler at TLC in a Ladder match. The match was announced by Santino Marella, who served as the guest General Manager for the show.
With that match set, here’s the updated card for WWE TLC 2014 on Sunday, December 14th:
TLC Match:
– Dean Ambrose vs. Bray Wyatt
Tables Match:
– John Cena vs. Seth Rollins
Chairs Match:
– Ryback vs. Kane
Ladder Match:
– IC Champion Luke Harper vs. Dolph Ziggler
WWE Tag Team Titles Match:
– The Miz & Damien Mizdow (c) vs. The Usos
Steel Stairs Match:
– Erick Rowan vs. Big Show
– John Cena tweeted the following on Wednesday in reaction to Steve Austin’s podcast interview with Vince McMahon from Monday night on the WWE Network:
The #StoneColdPodcast w/ @VinceMcMahon was legit. Agree with @steveaustinBSR that it's time 2 step up, WWE. #WWENetwork
— John Cena (@JohnCena) December 3, 2014
– The cast for the new James Bond film will be officially announced this Thursday. As previously reported, former WWE Superstar Dave Bautista has been in discussions for a major role in the film.
– Challenger Comics in Chicago announced that former WWE champion CM Punk will be signing at their store on 2/28/15. Punk will be there to promote his comic book writing debut for Marvel Comics, Thor Annual #1.
Jack Swagger was interviewed by Mike Jones of DC101 on Monday and commented on a number of topics, including Vince McMahon telling Steve Austin that the Attitude Era roster was more ambitious than today’s Superstars. Here are the highlights:
Vince Saying The Locker Room Is Not As Ambitious As The Attitude Era:
“This is an environment where literally hundreds of thousands of people want to be on this roster, and there’s what, 75 of us on top? To get here you have to be very ambitious but to stay here you need even more. It takes a lot of drive and a lot of hard work. I can only speak for myself that I have gotten hungrier. As far as the rest of the locker room, you know, it’s tough but you gotta see the finish line and sometimes that’s hard to do.”
The Wrestlers Training At NXT:
“I know they’re training hard, otherwise they wouldn’t be there. They have a sign on the wall that says ‘When one comes in, one has to go out.’ It’s very cutthroat down there and I know that they wouldn’t be there unless they wanted it.”
His Feud With Rusev:
“We had a very memorable matchup back in the summer, finishing up at Summerslam. And then last week he tried to go after Slaughter, now week he got Zeb. It’s time to stop all the jokes, stop all the talking and get down to who is tougher, and I got a feeling America will come out on top.”
Wrestling legend Kurt Angle has revealed to Vince Russo that he will be staying with TNA Impact Wrestling for the final year of his in-ring career.
Angle appeared on Russo’s podcast “The Swerve” over the weekend and spoke about a number of topics, including CM Punk’s podcast, working with Vince McMahon and Dixie Carter and more. After the interview, Russo said he received a direct message on Twitter from Angle, who told him to break the news about his in-ring future.
“Kurt basically tweeted me back today and he said, ‘Vince, it’s still unofficial, but I have no problem telling you or you announcing or you saying on your show that I’m going to go back to work for TNA,'” Russo said.
Angle was featured prominently on TNA’s promotional material for Impact’s move to Destination America next month. He had teased the possibility of “going home” and finishing out his career in WWE, but it the Olympic gold medalist will retire a TNA Superstar.
Hit up Page 2 below to read what Angle said about his experience working for Vince McMahon & Dixie Carter, if his relationship with Triple H was a factor in his final decision, CM Punk’s situation and more.
$9.99 a month.
We’ve heard it to death, but what do we actually get for that ten bucks?
Thus far, we’ve had a couple of cool shows — The Monday Night War and WWE Rivalries series, a couple of decent shows — WWE Countdown and WrestleMania Rewind, the pay-per-view events and NXT programming, as well as access to a bunch of old crap we’ve seen — and for the most part, can still see — 1,000 times on YouTube.
It sounds like a decent amount of programming when you list it out like that, but let’s be honest, the WWE Network isn’t what it could be.
Perfect example, last night’s live broadcast of the “Steve Austin Show” podcast with special guest, WWE Chairman — Vince McMahon.
Now THAT is how you get WWE Network subscriptions.
That was one of the first true examples of “must-see” programming on the WWE Network. Going in, you couldn’t know that ahead of time, although many expected it to be compelling programming, and luckily in this case, that’s exactly what it turned out to be.
Personally speaking, I think WWE should take notice of the feedback to the show, which has been universally positive and enthusiastic in nature, and offer similar content on as a consistent basis as possible.
We hear a lot about production costs and things of that nature making it hard to churn out content on the WWE Network, but for shows like last night’s Austin-McMahon special and the recent “ECW Exposed” specials, all you need is a room, two human beings, a microphone, a camera and some lights.
That can’t be that expensive.
I’m of the opinion that WWE should make the Austin-McMahon live podcast a regular staple on the WWE Network. Once every quarter, the WWE boss man checks in with “The Texas Rattlesnake” for somewhat of a “WWE State of the Union Address” type of deal, but produced and aired in similar fashion to last night’s special.
It’s inexpensive, basic and simple, but most importantly — effective.
If you offer that up every few months when there will no doubt be a plethora of items within the “WWE Universe” world to speak of, I believe fans will come in droves to tune in and make sure they’re watching it live, especially those who watched live — or even after the fact — last night.
Anyone who saw the Austin-McMahon live podcast had to of enjoyed at least some, if not all of it. I’m in the latter category, as I was glued to my monitor for the entire 70 minutes.
I was so into the program, in fact, that I’m not ashamed to admit I literally popped — out-loud — when Austin was telling McMahon that they were being wrapped up off-camera, only for McMahon to inform him that he owns this Network, and it’s going to continue for another ten or 15 minutes.
Anyone who is familiar with Austin’s weekly “Steve Austin Show” podcast at PodcastOne.com is aware of the fact that ole’ “Stone Cold” has some pretty superior skills in the interviewing department.
With that being said, I think it’s safe to assume that Austin doing a similar show to that in which we witnessed with McMahon last night, with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, would be just as intriguing and entertaining.
It’s cheap, it’s simple, it’s effective.
Key word — effective.
You can cut as many “for only $9.99 a month” promos you want. You can offer as many free months as you want. You can give us access to as much old crap you have laying around that you want, but stuff like last night is what is going to up your subscription count.
To date, I’d put last night’s Austin-McMahon show right up there with the Ultimate Warrior documentary as the single most compelling program to air on the WWE Network thus far. Unlike the Warrior documentary, there’s no reason why WWE can’t do something like last night on a consistent basis.
It’s times like last night that makes “the norm” so frustrating. Every once in a while, WWE will prove that “they still got it” (clap, clap, clap-clap-clap) only to turn around the next week and go back to the “same old sh*t” (same old sh*t! same old sh*t! same old sh*t!) and make me as a fan want to chant in their face “you f*cked up! you f*cked up! you f*cked up!”
It’s not rocket science, folks. Last night proved it. You want subscribers? You want the WWE Network to be a success? Start offering content that the people dig instead of lame, B-level “junk” that you have laying around.
“If you build it, they will come.”
Last night, WWE built a foundation and laid out a blueprint on how to make use out of this “over-the-top” digital service. And the fans came (I’ll spare the attempt at spinning that last line into a sexual-related, lame-ass joke).
Ryback wants to be “fed more,” and so do the WWE fans. Give them more stuff like last night’s show, and our collective appetites will be full.
THAT, for $9.99 a month? That’s a steal, my friends. I’ll gladly open up the billfold every 30 days for that type of programming.
Unfortunately, and I hate to be a glass-is-half-empty kind of guy on this one, but I’m afraid we’ll probably go back to our “regularly scheduled (lame) program” from here on out, and have to wait quite a while before we see something as cool as the live broadcast of the “Steve Austin Show” podcast on the WWE Network again.
But hey, that’s just one man’s opinion. What do you think? We’d like to know, and you can let us know by posting your feedback in the “Comments” section below. You can also follow me on social media for more news and views at Facebook.com/MattBooneWZR, and/or on Twitter @MBoone420.
In addition to the 12/15 date in Detroit posted earlier, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar is also advertised to appear on the December 29th edition of RAW in Washington, D.C.
As far as 2015, Lesnar’s initial early dates for television include the January 12th RAW in Minneapolis and the January 19th RAW in Dallas. While he is not yet advertised for the Royal Rumble pay-per-view in January, the expectations are that he will work the show, especially because he’s booked for the “go-home” RAW for the show in Dallas, as well as the post-PPV edition of RAW in Hartford.
As noted on Monday night, WWE removed Brock Lesnar from the advertising for next week’s edition of WWE RAW in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Apparently the decision was made among WWE executives during the week not to waste one of Lesnar’s dates on a show that already features the “Slammy Awards” theme, as well as special celebrity guest host Seth Green.
Lesnar had initially been booked and advertised for the December 8th RAW for over a month, but is now instead scheduled to return on the December 15th edition of RAW in Detroit, Michigan.
(Credit: F4WOnline.com)
– Vince McMahon tweeted the following after last night’s live “Steve Austin Show” podcast interview on the WWE Network:
Enjoyed talking about Then Now & Forever pic.twitter.com/BxGcpJSVNC
— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) December 2, 2014
– Steve Austin tweeted these out after the taping:
Just got back to the #brokenskullranch from Tulsa. Thanks @VinceMcMahon, @WWE, and @WWENetwork.
Safe travels to the next one. @PodcastOne— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) December 2, 2014
#OneMoreRound #steveaustinshow w @VinceMcMahon will drop soon on @PodcastOne Details soon. #AudioWhoopAss pic.twitter.com/Pjrnzv9fIG
— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) December 2, 2014
ENTER THE RING WITH THE OFFICIAL WWE® FITNESS SERIES FROM LIONSGATE HOME ENTERTAINMENT ON SALE TODAY!
SANTA MONICA, CA and STAMFORD, Conn., – December 2, 2014 – For the first time, fans will have the opportunity to work out with their favorite WWE Superstars and Divas as Lionsgate Home Entertainment and WWE debut WWE Power Series: Triple H and WWE Fit Series: Stephanie McMahon workout DVDs on sale today!
The WWE Power Series: Triple H and WWE Fit Series: Stephanie McMahon workouts are loaded with routines guaranteed to get any fan into top form. The all-new programs include custom workout capabilities and music only options and are available now on DVD and Digital HD at major retailers nationwide. The DVDs are available for the suggested retail price of $14.98 each.
WWE icons Triple H® and Stephanie McMahon lead two top-of-the-line workout programs created by world-renowned fitness coach, Joe DeFranco to provide official WWE fitness programs for total body transformation. Filmed at the elite WWE Performance Center, both systems allow fans to complete a full body workout, focusing on upper and lower body, cardio and flexibility from the comfort of their own homes.
Featuring 8-time WWE Champion and 5-time World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, WWE Power Series: Triple H includes a total body workout with exercises designed for the upper and lower body along with cardio and mobility moves to build a strong, ripped and fit body. The DVD will feature a four-week workout calendar that helps users stay on track and achieve results. The WWE Power Series: Triple H features the following regimens:
*Requires a set of light to heavy dumbbells
In WWE Fit Series: Stephanie McMahon, the WWE mogul and mother of three helps viewers achieve the sculpted, sexy physique of the extraordinary WWE Divas. Complete with a four-week workout calendar the system transforms and strengthens your entire body while shedding fat. The WWE Fit Series: Stephanie McMahon features the following workout routines:
*Requires a set of light to heavy dumbbells
Former WWE Superstar Alberto Del Rio recently sat down with the folks at WrestleTalk TV for an in-depth “shoot” style interview.
During the discussion, Del Rio spoke about CM Punk walking out on WWE.
“He went from driving 1000 miles to get 30 dollars, and he made it to the big stage,” said Del Rio. “But there was one day he wasn’t happy what was going on.”
The former WWE Champion also recalled how Punk’s walk-out affected him on the night that it happened.
“I had a match with Kofi Kingston that night for Raw, and it was only to be eight minutes,” said Del Rio. “[Referee] Mike Chioda approached me and said ‘We need for you to do another 14 minutes.'”
“He’s a guy that believes what he’s saying, what he’s thinking, and because of that he has all of the respect in the world (from me),” said Del Rio of Punk.
You can check out an excerpt from the interview where Del Rio discusses Punk’s WWE departure above.
TNA recently issued the following …
TNA’S JANUARY THREE-CITY UK TOUR TO BE INTERNATIONAL TELEVISED EVENTS
Glasgow, Manchester and London shows will be IMPACT TV events
Finalists of hit Challenge TV series British Boot Camp 2 added to roster
Fans can meet the British Boot Camp stars for FREE before each show
London (Monday December 1, 2014): TNA today announced it will tape its international hit TV show IMPACT WRESTLING, which broadcasts Sunday nights on Challenge TV in the UK, at the company’s live events in Glasgow, Manchester and London during the MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 Tour this January 29 – 31. Tickets to the events are on sale now.
The news comes hot on the heels of the announcement of TNA’s new partnership with Discovery Communications, who will broadcast IMPACT WRESTLING across the USA on Destination America beginning in January.
In a further announcement, the six finalists of popular Challenge TV series TNA Wrestling: British Boot Camp 2 will ALL star on the TNA January 2015 UK Tour.
Scottish standouts Grado, Noam Dar and Kay Lee Ray, Welshman Mark Andrews and England’s Dave Mastiff and Rampage Brown will join TNA’s international roster of stars.
The line-up will also include current TNA World Heavyweight Champion Bobby Roode, the UK’s first ever wrestling World Heavyweight Champion Magnus, the winner of British Boot Camp Season 1 Rockstar Spud, James Storm, MVP, Madison Rayne, Abyss, Eric Young and the three British Boot Camp judges – Al Snow, Gail Kim and Samoa Joe.
As a special thank you to the UK fans, the six Boot Camp finalists will hold a FREE meet & greet at each event – signing autographs from when doors open until the start of the show.
TNA President Dixie Carter said: “Our fans across the UK know TNA for the unmatched professional wrestling we deliver each week on Challenge. We are thrilled to once again showcase internationally, through our flagship program IMPACT, the energy and excitement of the rowdy UK crowds by televising all three of our MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 events in Glasgow, Manchester and London.
“After the incredible energy the UK fans gave the IMPACT shows broadcast from these three cities this past January, I decided we had to try and raise the bar even higher in 2015.
“Several talent such as Lashley, Bram, Angelina Love and TNA Knockouts Champion Taryn Terrell will be making their first appearance on a TNA UK tour or returning after several years’ absence.
“We also have some very exciting things planned for the tour and several surprises fans will not want to miss. Being able to meet the finalists of British Boot Camp before every show is an added bonus.”
MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 Tour tickets are available via www.facebook.com/tnawrestlinguk, www.gigsandtours.com/go/tna2015gen, www.ticketmaster.co.uk/TNA-Wrestling-tickets/artist/1008830 or direct from the tour venues. Full details of the UK events are:
Thursday 29 January 2015 Glasgow The SSE Hydro www.thehydro.com
Friday 30 January 2015 Manchester Phones 4u Arena www.phones4uarena.co.uk
Saturday 31 January 2015 London SSE Arena Wembley www.ssearena.co.uk
The full current roster for the TNA MAXIMUM IMPACT 7 UK Tour is Bobby Roode, Lashley, Magnus, Samoa Joe, James Storm, The Wolves, Mr Anderson, Eric Young, Gail Kim, Gunner, Abyss, EC3, Tigre Uno, Rockstar Spud, MVP, Bram, Taryn Terrell, Angelina Love, Kenny King, Al Snow, Grado, Noam Dar, Kay Lee Ray, Mark Andrews, Dave Mastiff and Rampage Brown. *
TNA IMPACT WRESTLING is broadcast on Challenge TV every Sunday night at 9pm.
* Line-up subject to change.
This week’s WWE SmackDown and Main Event tapings take place tonight from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
Main Event on the WWE Network will see WWE tag team champion The Miz vs. Jimmy Uso in singles action.
On SmackDown, United States Champion Rusev will face Dean Ambrose. It’s also expected we’ll see more matches announced for TLC, which takes place in less than two weeks.
Other top stars advertised for tonight’s tapings include IC Seth Rollins, Bray Wyatt, IC Champion Luke Harper, Erick Rowan and Kane.
As always, join us here later tonight for Main Event results and Live Coverage of the WWE SmackDown tapings.
The following are highlights of the latest blog by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On Vince McMahon addressing CM Punk during Steve Austin Show: “Was happy that VKM addressed the hot topic of the CM Punk matter and was surprised about the apology he made to Punk about getting his legal paperwork on Punk and AJ’s wedding day. Seems as if the door is open to resume talks some day if both parties are of that mindset. Punk’s overwhelming desire to close the show at a WrestleMania is admirable and if any one in the locker room doesn’t have that same goal every day of their professional life then they need to find another line of work.”
On dead crowd for RAW in Tulsa: “Thought Tulsa crowd could have helped out a little more. Perhaps they did and it merely didn’t come across well on TV.”
On the team of Cesaro and Tyson Kidd: “Something drew my eye to the team of Cesaro and Tyson Kidd as I think that both men are ‘this close’ to being in a spot to where they can better help WWE. Agreed with VKM that Cesaro needs to enhance his personality a bit but his physical skills are special. Being on Total Divas has helped Kidd gain confidence in utilizing his personality.”
Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
– Former WWE & TNA star Bully Ray tweeted the following on Monday night, calling out WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar:
I'm the 1 who can defeat the 1 who put the 1 in 21-1. @HeymanHustle @WWE #RawTulsa
— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) December 2, 2014
Paul Heyman, the 1 behind the 1 who put the 1 in 21-1, responded:
Easy, @REALBully5150. The idea is to work WITH fellow #PaulHeymanGuy s … dissension amongst the ranks defeats the purpose!
— Paul Heyman (@HeymanHustle) December 2, 2014
. @REALBully5150 Of course, though, we can discuss over 2am sushi. Meet me at da joint. You know the one. As in the 1 in 21-1. Ahem.
— Paul Heyman (@HeymanHustle) December 2, 2014
– Mr. Money in the Bank Seth Rollins tweeted the following late Monday night, perhaps in response to Vince McMahon talking about today’s WWE locker room not being as ambitious as the Superstars of the Attitude Era:
No better way to grab the brass ring then to take out the so-called last guy to do just that. #WWETLC #TablesMatch How's that for ambition?
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) December 2, 2014
– WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar is no longer being advertised for next week’s Slammy Awards edition of WWE RAW from Greenville, South Carolina.
Lesnar had been advertised for the Slammy RAW for several months, but has been pulled from ads on the WWE website and the Bon Secours Wellness Arena site.
– Former WCW President Eric Bischoff and former WWE producer Bruce Prichard will have a debate on The Monday Night Wars on January 25th in Philadelphia, PA. This is the same day and city as WWE’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
The event will take place at Dave & Buster’s on Columbus Boulevard at noon. There will be a one-hour meet & greet and the debate will feature questions from fans until 3pm. Fans attending the Rumble that night will have plenty of time to make both shows. Tickets for the event go on sale this week and RF Video will be releasing additional details.
The following is a detailed recap of Vince McMahon on Steve Austin’s podcast from Monday night, courtesy of PWInsider.com:
Austin welcomed Vince to the podcast,which is on the Network. Austin asked him how the Network was doing and Vince said it was doing great both from a subscription and a content standpoint. Austin asked him about the UK and Vince said it’s been a stop/start thing and they hope to have it wrapped up by the first of the year, but noted that wasn’t a promise.’
Austin asked him how in tune Vince was with the wrestling fans right now. Vince said that they don’t do wrestling but sports-entertainment. Vince said that not every match is going to “hit” and no one else does the content weekly that they do and then broadcast it worldwide. Austin said he’d like to see more in-ring over the course of the show and asked Vince if he’s wrong in wanting too much wrestling. Austin said that sometimes the early segments take too long. Vince acknowledged that and said that you do have to give the audience a hook or they won’t care about the matches.
Austin said that there are no other big leagues for other talents to go to and there are talents who are walking on eggshells afraid to do anything. Vince said, “Well don’t piss anyone off.” Vince said that there isn’t as much camaraderie and silliness backstage as there was in Austin’s era. Vince said the last guy to really try and reach for the brass ring was John Cena. He sees potential in Ambrose, Rollins and Reigns but they aren’t there yet. He said the talents don’t do what Austin did. Austin challenged the roster to take chances and try to get over. Vince said the roster is thin and he wants to see guys do it as well.
Vince was asked what he was looking for in Superstars. Vince said he’s looking for someone who’s hungry and wants to learn and keep learning every day. Austin told a story about a wrestler getting a bigger than usual pop at MSG and Austin pointed it out to Vince and Vince said that he hoped that person got over. That told Austin it wasn’t just Vince with a magic wand but Vince hoping guys took the reigns.
Austin asked why Cesaro hasn’t clicked yet. Vince said that perhaps it’s because he’s Swiss but he hasn’t shown the charisma but Vince hopes he does/ Austin pointed out that the momentum was lost for him via the booking and Vince said he doesn’t have all the answers and Cesaro isn’t being given up on.
Austin talked about the Creative Team and how different it was from the days of Vince working from his pool. Austin asked why creative got so complicated. Vince said that the company grew in leaps and bounds and went public and it’s not going to be a one man show. Vince said he can’t do it all and joked that he used to work Pat Patterson to the bone. He talked about how when people would come by his house, they’d end up in the pool because Vince loves ribs and described it being one of the funniest things in the world. Vince said you have to have fun to make fun. Austin told a story about Shane tossing Vince in the pool.
Austin asked where Shane McMahon is. Vince said he’s a happy camper and has his hands in a lot of pots. He said Shane’s departure was something of a mutual thing. He said being a family in business is difficult. Vince said he tried to do what was right for business. Vince said his dad didn’t want him in the business and he wanted his kids to do what they wanted to do.
Vince told the story of an announcer holding his father up for money and his father refusing, then deciding Vince would be the announcer with no experience, “and you’re going to do a good job.” Vince gave him a partner and it was Arnold Skaaland.
Skaaland was a man of few words so Vince asked him father for someone else to help him. There were a number of individuals who helped him.
Austin asked him if he wanted to talk about CM Punk. Vince said he wanted to personally apologize for him getting his termination papers on his wedding day. He said that in a company their side, the different areas of the company didn’t know what was going on. He said that he didn’t want to go through dirty laundry. Vince said there have been others who were disgruntled and they said things they later regretted and he hoped they would one day work together again. Vince said he didn’t listen to the Colt Cabana interview but heard Punk used a lot of expletives and things were said that were his side of things. He said that he had issues with Austin and Hulk Hogan but they eventually came back. Vince said he was willing to work with Punk again and admits that he has a big ego, but is willing to put it aside and work with him down the line. Vince later said Punk worked really hard for the company.
Austin talked about working with Vince and being in a similar situation. Vince said Austin was difficult to work with at times. They talked about Austin walking out when he was asked to put over Brock Lesnar, Austin said he was hard-headed and never returned Vince’s calls. Finally, Jim Ross sent him a card in the mail and offered to talk with Steve anytime Ross put them back in touch. Austin asked if there was someone who could bridge the gap between Vince and Punk. Vince said that unfortunately there is not and Punk is pretty much a loner and has a lack of communication. Vince said that when attorneys get involved it’s going to “hell in a handbasket.”
Austin told a story about Vince fining him $650,000 when he returned. Vince then told him what he thought was fair. He settled on $250,000. Vince said when you walk out, not on the company but the fans you have to do something or else the next time you don’t like the creative, you walk out again.
Vince said that Austin had the communications, perhaps not with Vince but with others and Punk was a loner. Vince admitted he himself can be introverted and shy and he understands it and talked about feeling uncomfortable when he was at political events for his wife and would often find himself talking to the bartender, who was more his kind of people.
Austin talked about watching The Undertaker losing at Wrestlemania. He asked about the background of ending the streak. Vince said that no one wants to give back to the business more than Mark Calaway. He said that it was time and when you look down the line on who he could work with, who else was it going to be. There was no one else it could be. He said that Brock was the one person that Mark felt was the guy. Austin challenged him and Vince admitted he made the decision to end the Streak.
Austin asked Vince why Brock Lesnar isn’t around more. Vince said you don’t want him around more, because he’s a special attraction.
Vince said Randy Savage would absolutely be in the WWE Hall of Fame. He said it would be soon but not perhaps this year. Austin cornered him and made Vince say yes.
On Sting, Vince McMahon said he made a great impression but he’s the type of character you don’t need to see every week but “I think you’ll see him at Wrestlemania.” Austin said that when he was hot, he was on every show and Vince said the business has changed and some of it is contracts.
They talk about the Monday Night War. Vince said he always felt WWE was more passionate and WCW having talent in charge of their own creative created chaos. Austin said they don’t have any real competition and Vince said that they compete with everything on TV. He said they and WCW were burning so hot and it was a question of who was going to burn out first. Vince always kept ideas in huis pocket. He said all the WCW issues eventually wore them down.
Continue reading on Page 2 Below: Vince talks about expanding the WWF in the 80’s, Jim Ross, the Austin-McMahon feud & more –
For those who have asked whether or not CM Punk was watching the “Steve Austin Show” interview with Vince McMahon — which included McMahon publicly apologizing to Punk for firing him on the day of his wedding — while it was happening live on Monday night, the former WWE Superstar made it clear in an indirect fashion that he was not.
While the interview was airing live on the WWE Network, Punk posted the following tweet, indicating that he was watching an NHL game as the Austin-McMahon show was airing.
This Habs/Avs game is bonkers. St. Patrick!!!!
— player/coach (@CMPunk) December 2, 2014
Whether or not Punk has watched the show since remains to be seen, however we will likely find out soon enough, as he is scheduled to return to Colt Cabana’s “Art of Wrestling” podcast for a Q&A with fans as part of a follow-up to his initial interview on the show, where he explained — in great detail — his departure from WWE.
– On this week’s edition of WWE’s “Cyber Monday” edition of RAW, a big match was announced for this week’s edition of WWE Main Event, which airs live on the WWE Network on Tuesday night. In singles action, Jimmy Uso of The Usos and The Miz of The Miz and Damien Mizdow will collide in one of the feature matches on the show.
– Also announced on the “Cyber Monday” edition of RAW was one of the main events for this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown, which airs in the United States on the SyFy Network. In singles action, WWE United States Champion Rusev will go one-on-one with “The Lunatic Fringe” Dean Ambrose.
