The power couple of the WWE, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, continue to make the media rounds to promote the biggest event of the year for the sports entertainment company, WrestleMania 34.
At this year’s event, Triple H and McMahon will team up to take on former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey and Raw General Manager Kurt Angle in a Mixed Tag Team Match.
Triple H and Stephanie recently spoke with Fox News to promote WrestleMania 34.
During the interview, they were asked by signing Rousey if it open the doors to other athletes outside to pursue a career in the WWE. Here is what they had to say: Triple H: “I do, you know the performance center and our recruiting efforts have sort of changed that perception outside of our world anyway. There’s been a lot of, whether it be NFL players or soccer globally or anything else that have had a desire maybe to try and want to do this but never had that pathway in front of them. The pathway is now there, I say it all the time: What I’m doing internationally with all these other markets is I’m trying to create pathways. I’m bringing a recruiting team there trying to create an environment where if somebody says “Man, I love that, and I’d like to try and do that,” there’s a way for them to do that. Ronda took that path that wasn’t there before. We created that path, she came to us; she approached us probably about the same time we approached her, but the pathway was there and I think now she will open a lot of eyeballs of athletes around the world to say “Well, why can’t I?” Stephanie McMahon: “We recruit from the Olympics; we recruit from rugby, football overseas; we recruit from everywhere. I do think Rhonda has brought heightened awareness. She is arguably one of the world’s greatest athletes. She is also just a tremendous star. She just exudes this energy and charisma that you can really connect to because you have to have the total package. Athleticism alone is not enough. And I think Rhonda speaks to the caliber of athleticism that is in WWE but it also speaks to the women’s evolution, and I can’t wait to see how her presence will give the women’s evolution even more weight.”
Triple H and McMahon also talked about WrestleMania 34, the experience of the event and more. You can read the entire interview here.
WWE created the Legacy Wing of their Hall of Fame back in 2016 and currently features 16 wrestlers.
Those wrestlers include Martin Burns, June Byers, Judy Grable, Dr. Jerry Graham, Haystacks Calhoun, Bearcat Wright, Rikidozan, Toots Mondt, Luther Lindsay, Art Thomas, Mildred Burke, George Hackenschmidt, Frank Gotch, Pat O’Connor, Ed Lewis and Lou Thesz.
There is a new group of wrestlers that will be added to that honorary club this year according to a new report by Pwinsider.com, which you can see here: – Former WWWF champion Stan Stasiak. – Lord Alfred Hayes. – Dara Singh. – Cora Combs – El Santo. – Jim Londos. – Rufus J. Jones. – Sputnik Monroe. – Boris “The Great” Malenko.
WWE holds their 2018 Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday, April 6th in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Smoothie King Center and will air on WWE’s streaming service, WWE Network. Bill Goldberg will headline the class.
Cody Rhodes made his name known while under the banner of the WWE. He signed with the sports entertainment company in 2006 and departed ten years later. Since he decided to leave the promotion and explore the wrestling business outside of the WWE bubble, he has become one of the most demanded names on the indie market and has made quite a name for himself as a singles competitor. Rhodes worked for promotions such as Impact Wrestling, New Japan Professional Wrestling (NJPW), and Ring Of Honor (ROH).
He was this week’s guest on X-Pac 1,2,360 to talk about various topics.
During the interview, he talked about reaching out to Kevin Owens before he left the WWE and how NXT inspired his career moves.
“I had a lot of time to prep… I kinda field tested all the resources I had. Kevin Owens for example is somebody I must have asked eight-hundred-thousand questions to. About everything from how travel is different from where to ask for more, where to not worry about the money. An absurd amount of questions, to timing, to the opponents, you name it, presentation, all of that. So, I had a lot of time to prepare. It was definitely this feeling of fear but I have this rule, that if it doesn’t scare you it’s not an adventure.” “NXT was also a huge inspiration for me to leave because NXT is just Hunter’s independent scene, it’s amazing. He hand plucked all these buzz-worthy talents and had them fight against each other and it’s just those were the guys that were getting the attention of the crowd, capturing their imaginations and I was very inspired by NXT. I know that doesn’t sound like it makes sense to then leave WWE but that’s what it did, it was seeing those guys that already had a brand and who already had buzz…something I had to do.”
As seen on this week’s episode of WWE NXT on the WWE Network, the finals of the WWE NXT Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic were held and turned into a no contest once NXT Tag Team Champions The Undisputed Era interfered.
This led to NXT General Manager William Regal officially announcing The Authors of Pain vs. Roderick Strong & WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne vs. The Undisputed Era taking part in a three-way match that will see the winners being crowned Dusty Classic winners and the NXT Tag Team Champions. With Bobby Fish being out of action with an injury, Adam Cole is going to have to replace him to team up with Kyle O’Reilly. Regal announced late in the show that Cole has a few options. Either he can take part in the Tag Team Title Match and forfeit his spot in the Ladder Match to crown the first-ever NXT North American Champion, O’Reilly can work the match alone, or Cole can work both matches. The NXT TakeOver: New Orleans event takes place on Saturday, April 7, 2018, in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Smoothie King Center and will air on the WWE Network. Here is the updated card: NXT Championship Match: Andrade Cien Almas (c) vs. Aleister Black NXT Women’s Championship Match: Ember Moon (c) vs. Shayna Baszler NXT Tag Team Championship: Roderick Strong & WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne vs. The Authors of Pain vs. The Undisputed Era NXT North American Championship Ladder Match: EC3 vs. Killian Dain vs. Lars Sullivan vs. Adam Cole vs. Velveteen Dream vs. Ricochet Johnny Gargano vs. Tommaso Ciampa
Former ROH World Champion Jay Lethal has made his name known while in the Baltimore-based promotion as he a record-setting two-time and longest reigning ROH World Television Champion.
Lethal spoke with Brian Fritz on Sporting News to talk about various topics. During the interview, he was asked about meeting Dalton Castle at a 2013 Ring of Honor tryout camp.
If you recall, On March 9, 2018, at Ring of Honor’s 16th Anniversary show, Castle successfully retained the title against Lethal.
“All he was looking for, in my opinion, was his character because I saw when he came to the Ring of Honor tryout, the ability was there,” Lethal recalled. “He was looking for something to capture the audience and he’s found that very quickly.
“He is the world champion for a reason. It’s not like someone said ‘look, Dalton’s doing really good, he’s stepped his game up’. No, I don’t think that was ever said. I think from day one Dalton has been amazing and someone maybe said ‘this guy is amazing, we’re going to recognize that.’ I don’t think it was a thing where we saw his growth. I think Dalton has always been amazing which is why he’s the world champion.”
Ring of Honor will hold their Supercard of Honor XIII event on Saturday night in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Lakefront Arena.
The event will air on traditional PPV outlets and the FITE TV app. He’s slated to team up with Hiroshi Tanahashi at the event.
“It’s an honor to team with Tanahashi but I would really love a singles match with Tanahashi,” he said. “The New Japan wrestling fan in me would really love a singles match with me and Tanahashi. Deep down inside, I want to wrestle anybody.”
Paul Heyman is no doubt one of the greatest managers in the history of pro wrestling/sports entertainment. He is right up there with the likes of Bobby Heenan and Freddie Blassie. Heyman’s friendship with the reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar started in the early 2000’s when Lesnar signed with WWE after he graduated from the University of Minnesota.
Lesnar, who is known to not be the greatest talker in the world, was paired up with Heyman after he was called up from OVW to the main roster. Heyman was his manager and mouthpiece. They truly are a good combination. Heyman talks while Lesnar backs up everything that his advocate has to say to hype the upcoming match.
When Lesnar decided to come back to the WWE in 2012, he came alone, and that resulted in a mistake being made by the company.
A few months into his second stint with WWE, the company signed Heyman and brought him back on television to be Lesnar’s manager. This was a wise choice as Lesnar is the biggest star that the company has right now.
Heyman recently spoke with NOLA.com (transcript via Pwinsider.com). During the interview, he talked about his relationship with the WWE Chairman as well as which ECW star leaving hurt the most. Here is what he had to say:
“Strictly platonic (laughs). It’s an honest answer (laughs). … I think Vince McMahon has begrudgingly accepted the fact that I am the greatest advocate in the history of this industry. And I have begrudgingly accepted his acceptance of that fact.”
“All of them. Because I had an artistic relationship with everyone who worked on that roster. We had a bond with each other, all of us together as one. We truly had a family atmosphere. We had each other’s backs. It was the most close knit team you will ever find in this industry or in any sport. So every defection hurt because we were losing a member of our family.”
The Impact Wrestling roster is gearing up for their head-to-head show with Lucha Underground this weekend but they have a taped show airing tonight as well.
This will be the 10th episode from the company’s January tapings in Orlando. The first episode from the tapings aired on February 1st, 2018.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ieNtbdVhew
Matches Confirmed for Impact Wrestling Tonight
Briefcase versus Briefcase Match Moose (World Title Shot) vs Eli Drake (Tag Team Title Shot)
Eli Drake was not happy he picked the briefcase with the tag-team title shot in it following Feast or Fired but he will get a chance to upgrade to a World Title shot if he can beat Moose tonight. That’s a fairly tall order, however.
Johnny Impact vs Taiji Ishimori
The former X-Division Champion, Ishimori, takes on the top-ranked Johnny Impact here in a match which could have future title shot implications.
Lashley Calls Out Brian Cage
Last week, Cage continued his undefeated streak by defeating former Impact Champion, Lashley with a Discus Lariat. This week Lashley will call out Cage.
Cage looks to be moving up the Impact rankings fast. If he continues at this pace, it might not be long before he is in title contention.
Allie “Summons” Su Yung
Knockouts Champion, Allie, has been haunted by a new undead force in Impact, Su Yung, as of late.
Tonight Allie calls out the undead bride as their rivalry continues to develop.
There is mounting evidence that the 52-year-old “Boy Toy” and “Heartbreak Kid” might be growing up. In a move which has shocked his legions of fans, Michael “Shawn Michaels” Hickenbottom has cut off his ponytail.
— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) April 4, 2018
Unfortunately, the below photo of Shawn after losing his ponytail seems to also indicate he might be having trouble finding his smile again. He only seems to get half of one out in the below photo:
Since late 2016, Michaels has been working as an instructor at the WWE Performance Center. According to a report from the Pro Wrestling Torch last year, he teaches the final of 4 stages of classes the students go through.
A fan on Twitter recently asked Cody why WWE doesn’t invite him to attend the finals of the Dusty Rhodes Classic which honors his late father. Cody’s response was as follows:
They always very kindly do. That's for Regal & the students. It's their moment. I personally can't honor him by standing next to a trophy(as beautiful as that trophy is). They do a great job promoting/protecting his influence/legacy. https://t.co/6cbbaP4fGh
WWE and Cody have had something of a tumultuous relationship since the 32-year-old left the company in 2016. As Cody had only ever performed under the name “Cody Rhodes” under WWE’s umbrella, the company and not Cody was able to claim ownership of the fictional last name “Rhodes”.
Cody and WWE also butted heads over the company using the name Starrcade for a show last year. On the other hand, Cody has generally been supportive of NXT using Dusty-created concepts, such as the return of War Games. He issued the below response after news of the match-concept returning broke:
I'm not mad. I was told. H worked for my Dad and then my Dad worked for him. They were friends. Care and effort will be placed into it.
WWE WrestleMania 34 will air live this Sunday from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans. The Kickoff Show will feature the Cruiserweight Championship match, the women’s Battle Royal and the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal. WWE will broadcast the Kickoff Show at 5 PM ET and the main show will begin at 7 PM.
Below is breakdown of the storylines and feuds that will be featured at WrestleMania 34. Join us on SEScoops Sunday night for live coverage of the event.
Who Will Win The Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royal?
Photo Credit: WWE.com
The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal has had some memorable moments at WrestleMania. New England Patriots Tight End Rob Gronkowski interfered in last year’s Battle Royal to help Mojo Rawley eliminate Jinder Mahal to win the match. The moment most people remember from previous Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royals happened at the very first one at WrestleMania 30. Cesaro showed off his incredible strength and lifted Big Show over the top rope for the victory.
Dolph Ziggler, Baron Corbin, Tyler Breeze, Fandango, Mojo Rawley, Dash Wilder, Scott Dawson, Goldust, Heath Slater, Rhyno, “Woken” Matt Hardy, Zack Ryder and Primo Colon have all been confirmed for the Battle Royal. WWE usually has some surprises up their sleeve and there will surely be an entrant or two that you weren’t expecting.
Baron Corbin and Mojo Rawley have already won the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal and are looking to do so for a second time. The winner may wind up being a Superstar flying completely under the radar and will surprise everyone with their own WrestleMania moment this Sunday.
Two Friends Will Battle For The Vacant Cruiserweight Championship
Photo Credit: WWE.com
Cedric Alexander and Mustafa Ali will battle for the vacant Cruiserweight Championship at WrestleMania 34. Alexander and Ali are friends, but both went all out in their match against each other on the January 23rd edition of 205 Live.
Newly appointed 205 Live GM Drake Maverick announced a week later that there will be a tournament to crown a new Cruiserweight Champion at WrestleMania 34.
Alexander defeated Gran Metalik, TJP and Roderick Strong to earn his way to this match. Ali defeated Jack Gallagher, Buddy Murphy and Drew Gulak. The finals will go down this Sunday, and Ali will look to avenge his loss to Alexander and capture the Cruiserweight Championship. Alexander will once again try to prove that he is the better Superstar at the biggest show of the year.
Bayley & Sasha Banks Will Meet In The Women’s Battle Royal
Sasha Banks and Bayley were best friends up until the first-ever women’s Elimination Chamber match. Bayley was climbing up one of the pods and Sasha Banks booted her to the steel floor surrounding the ring. The camera caught Sasha Banks with a grin on her face as she betrayed her best friend and it was an image that Bayley couldn’t get out of her head. Bayley refused Banks’ attempt to tag her during a match on the March 12th edition of RAW, which led to Sasha confronting Bayley the following week.
Things got worse on the March 26th episode of RAW between Banks and Bayley. Banks stated that she was sick of Bayley’s passive-aggressive nonsense. Bayley said that she thought Banks liked that she was passive and always put her first. Sasha had zero interest in apologizing for doing whatever it takes to get ahead and added that Bayley should do the same so that everyone doesn’t think she is a loser. A brawl eventually broke out between the two Superstars backstage.
On this past Monday’s episode of RAW, Bayley defeated Sonya Deville as Mandy Rose and Paige were ringside. After the match, Mandy Rose and Deville attacked Bayley from behind. Sasha Banks came down to the ring for the save and then demanded that Bayley raise her hand for helping her. Banks and Bayley started fighting again and Absolution capitalized. Rose and Deville beatdown Bayley and Banks as Paige cheered them on.
Bayley and Sasha Banks will both compete in the women’s Battle Royal this Sunday at WrestleMania 34. Natalya, Lana, Ruby Riott, Sarah Logan, Liv Morgan, Becky Lynch, Naomi, Mickie James, Mandy Rose, Sonya Deville and Carmella have also been confirmed for the women’s Battle Royal.
Who Is Braun Strowman’s Tag Team Partner?
Photo Credit: WWE.com
Sheamus and Cesaro have dominated the RAW tag team division as of late. They got a bit full of themselves and proclaimed that they had no competition on RAW anymore because they had run through everyone. On the March 12th edition of WWE RAW, Sheamus & Cesaro were set to battle The Miztourage. The RAW tag division decided to come down to the ring before the match and beat the hell out of Sheamus and Cesaro.
RAW GM Kurt Angle announced that there would be a Tag Team Battle Royal to determine who will face The Bar next. Braun Strowman wound up coming down to the ring and eliminated everyone else with ease. The problem with Braun winning was that Strowman didn’t have a tag partner and wanted to face The Bar by himself.
Strowman battled Cesaro on the March 19th episode of RAW and then faced Sheamus the following week. On this past Monday’s episode of RAW, The Bar came down to the ring and called out Strowman. Braun offered them a deal, he would go get his tag partner if either of them agreed to face him in a match. The Bar accepted the offer and Braun Strowman went backstage. Strowman’s music hit again and he came down to the ring as “Brains Strowman”. Braun beat up Sheamus and Cesaro for a bit and then posed in the ring. Braun’s mystery tag partner will finally be revealed this Sunday at WrestleMania 34, when they battle Sheamus & Cesaro for the RAW Tag Team Championships.
Will April 8th Be Known As Rusev Day?
Photo Credit: WWE.com
Bobby Roode and Jinder Mahal were in a rivalry over SmackDown’s Top 10 list. The list was supposed to reveal a weekly ranking of SmackDown Superstars as voted on by their peers. Mahal tried to get under Roode’s skin by poking fun at his ranking on the list and claimed that other Superstars didn’t respect him. Jinder then claimed to have stumbled upon Bobby Roode’s own top 10 list on the February 20th edition of SmackDown, in which he ranked himself first and didn’t have Orton in the top 10.
During this time, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan were still not on the same page. Shane McMahon announced later during the same show that Bobby Roode will defend his United States Championship against Randy Orton at WWE Fastlane. Daniel Bryan thought that Jinder Mahal also deserved an opportunity at the title, but Shane McMahon shot that idea down.
WWE Fastlane 2018 aired on March 11th. Randy Orton picked up the victory over Bobby Roode to capture the United States Championship for the first time in his career. Orton also became a Grand Slam Champion by winning the US Title.
Bobby Roode battled Jinder Mahal two nights later on the March 13th edition of WWE SmackDown. Jinder Mahal picked up the victory over Roode, making his case even stronger that he deserves a shot at the United States Championship. Bobby Roode still had his rematch clause, thus it was announced that Orton would defend his United States Championship against Jinder Mahal and Bobby Roode in a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania 34.
On the March 27th episode of WWE SmackDown, Jinder Mahal teamed up with Rusev to battle Randy Orton and Bobby Roode in a tag match. Rusev wound up pinning the United States Champion to earn the victory. Following the match, Jinder Mahal thanked Rusev backstage and stated that he could bring a guest to attend his Punjabi celebration after he wins the United States Championship at WrestleMania 34. Rusev wasn’t too fond of that idea and said that he was going to speak to SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan. Rusev felt that since he just pinned the United States Champion, he deserved to be added to the United States Championship match at WrestleMania 34.
It was announced later during the night that Rusev’s wish was granted and the US Title match at WrestleMania 34 was now a Fatal 4-Way. On this past Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown, Rusev defeated Mahal by connecting with a Machka Kick as Bobby Roode was on commentary for the match. US Champion Randy Orton rushed the ring after the match and planted Rusev with an RKO out of nowhere. Orton followed it up with an RKO to Aiden English as Bobby Roode got in the ring. In a sign of respect, Roode handed Orton his United States Championship and walked away.
Nia Jax Will Attempt To Squash Alexa Bliss Like A Bug
Photo Credit: WWE.com
Once upon a time, Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax were best friends. Bliss preyed on Nia’s insecurities about herself and manipulated her. Nia Jax lost to Asuka on the March 5th edition of WWE RAW. Jax was upset with herself and Bliss took this opportunity to insult Nia under the guise of a motivational speech.
Things got much worse on the March 12th episode of RAW. Nia Jax demolished a jobber as Mickie James and Alexa Bliss were shown backstage getting ready for a backstage interview. Bliss and Mickie were unaware that the cameras were rolling and proceeded to poke fun at Nia’s weight. Bliss stated that Nia was pathetic and admitted to manipulating Nia. Jax heard every single word from inside the ring and stormed backstage to take out her anger on Bliss and James. Mickie and Alexa were informed that the cameras were rolling and the two escaped just before Jax arrived. Nia tore apart the locker room out of frustration.
The following week, RAW GM Kurt Angle informed Alexa Bliss that she will be defending her RAW Women’s Championship against Nia Jax at WrestleMania 34.
On the March 26th episode of RAW, Nia Jax battled Mickie James while RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss was ringside. Jax picked up the victory, but was attacked from behind by Bliss. Alexa’s attempt at an attack didn’t phase Nia at all and Alexa scampered up the entrance ramp. Nia turned her attention back to Mickie James and planted her with a Samoan Drop.
On this past Monday’s edition of WWE RAW, Nia Jax sat down with Renee Young for an exclusive interview. Nia admitted that Alexa’s words hurt her, but then vowed to squash Alexa Bliss like a bug at WrestleMania 34.
Later on the show, Asuka & Dana Brooke teamed up to face Alexa Bliss & Mickie James. Asuka maintained her undefeated streak by submitting Mickie James via the Asuka Lock. After the match, Bliss and James attacked Asuka and Dana Brooke. Nia Jax came down to the ring and tried to get a hold of Alexa Bliss. Alexa made it to the ring apron before Nia caught her by her hair. Mickie James attacked Nia from behind and once again Alexa Bliss escaped. Nia slammed Mickie to the mat with a Samoan Drop and then stared at Bliss while she was retreating up the entrance ramp.
Can Seth Rollins Or Finn Balor Finally Capture The IC Title From The Miz?
Photo Credit: WWE.com
Back on the February 26th episode of WWE RAW, The Miz demanded to know his opponent for WrestleMania 34. The Miz boasted about being close to becoming the longest reigning Intercontinental Champion of all-time and took it as disrespectful that RAW GM Kurt Angle hadn’t notified him who will be challenging for the Intercontinental Championship. The Miz didn’t get the response he was looking for, as Kurt Angle placed him in a match against Seth Rollins. Angle noted that the match might sway his decision as to who The Miz will face at the biggest show of the year. After Rollins defeated The Miz, Finn Balor came down to the ring and defeated The Miz in a match as well.
The following week on RAW, The Miz hosted the The Mizzies and poked fun at both Balor and Rollins. Balor and Rollins then battled The Miz & The Miztourage in a Handicap match. Balor had The Miz set up for the Coup de Grace, but Rollins tagged himself in and delivered a Curb Stromp to The Miz for the victory. Immediately after the match, RAW GM Kurt Angle came out and announced that The Miz will defend the Intercontinental Championship against Rollins and Balor in a Triple Threat match at WrestleMania 34.
During an edition of Miz TV on the March 26th episode of RAW, The Miz attempted to trick Rollins and Balor by getting in an argument with The Miztourage. The plan worked for a moment, as Curtis Axel and Bo Dallas attacked Rollins and Balor from behind. Gallows and Anderson sprinted to the ring and battled The Miztourage all the way backstage. This left The Miz alone with Balor and Rollins in the ring. Balor planted The Miz with a Slingblade and the Intercontinental Champion rolled out of the ring. Finn then decked Rollins with a forearm to the face and posed with the IC Title in the ring.
On this past Monday’s episode of RAW, Finn Balor faced off against Seth Rollins as The Miz was on commentary for the match. The Miz displayed a new attitude and claimed that he was a changed man after the recent birth of his daughter. Rollins picked up the victory over Balor in an excellent match.
Kurt Angle & Ronda Rousey Will Fight The Authority
Photo Credit: WWE.com
Ronda Rousey made her WWE debut following the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match. Rousey got into the ring with Charlotte, Asuka and Alexa Bliss and pointed at the WrestleMania sign hanging above the ring. Rousey then approached Stephanie McMahon at the announce table and shook her hand.
At WWE Elimination Chamber, things got heated as RAW GM Kurt Angle revealed that Triple H and Stephanie McMahon only signed Rousey so that they could manipulate her. Angle claimed that they referred to Rousey as a “has-been” and wanted to get revenge for Rousey embarrassing them at WrestleMania 31. Triple H and Stephanie tried to play it off that Angle was suffering from an illness and had no idea what he was talking about. Rousey didn’t buy it and wound up slamming Triple H through a table.
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon tried to smooth things over the following night on RAW. Rousey demanded an apology from Stephanie McMahon and Stephanie obliged. Triple H then cracked Kurt Angle with a punch to the face out of nowhere and exited the ring with Stephanie McMahon.
Things escalated even further on the following week’s episode of RAW. Stephanie McMahon revealed her true colors and reminded Rousey that she was her boss. Rousey brought up the fact that she gets to choose her opponent for WrestleMania and chose RAW Commissioner Stephanie McMahon. Triple H and Stephanie claimed that Rousey didn’t have the power to make that match, but RAW GM Kurt Angle chimed in and stated that Triple H and Stephanie also have contracts as WWE Superstars. Angle wanted revenge on Triple H and the tag match was made official for WrestleMania 34.
Stephanie McMahon and Triple H got some revenge of their own on this past Monday’s edition of WWE RAW. Jonathan Coachman hosted a Q&A will the four competitors and things quickly fell off the rails. Coach asked everyone to take a “classy and respectful” photo before the match, but naturally a brawl broke out. Stephanie wound up slamming Ronda Rousey through a table just six days before WrestleMania 34.
Can The Usos Or New Day Stop The Bludgeon Brothers?
Photo Credit: WWE.com
The Usos defended their SmackDown Tag Team Championships against New Day at WWE Fastlane 2018. Their match was quickly interrupted by The Bludgeon Brothers. Harper and Rowan attacked both teams and then brought their mallets into the ring. Both The Usos and New Day were able to escape, but they would be nursing their injuries from the attack for weeks to come.
The Bludgeon Brothers attempted to systematically take out New Day and The Usos on episodes of SmackDown following WWE Fastlane. It was eventually announced that The Usos will defend their titles in a Triple Threat match against New Day and The Bludgeon Brothers at WrestleMania 34. The Usos have not been featured on the main card at WrestleMania up until this Sunday. They will somehow have to survive The Bludgeon Brothers and overcome the New Day once again at WrestleMania 34.
Will Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn Ruin Daniel Bryan’s Return To The Ring?
Photo Credit: WWE.com
Shane McMahon and Kevin Owens were already having their issues, but their rivalry reached a new level when Kevin Owens brutally attacked Vince McMahon on the September 12, 2017 episode of WWE SmackDown. Owens left Shane’s father bloodied and beaten down in the middle of the ring.
The following month, Kevin Owens and Shane McMahon were surrounded by steel at WWE Hell in a Cell 2017. Shane McMahon wanted to avenge his father and take Kevin Owens out for good. Shane set up Owens on the announce table and then scaled the 20 foot cage. Shane went for an Elbow Drop off the structure, but Owens’ longtime friend/enemy Sami Zayn dragged Kevin off the table.
Shane crashed through the announce table and Sami Zayn placed Owens’ hand over him to earn him the pinfall victory. Sami Zayn explained his actions the next night on SmackDown. Zayn was bitter about being passed by over and over again in WWE as Kevin Owens captured championships. He wanted to join Owens and take over SmackDown on Tuesday nights.
Shane McMahon simply could not get over what went down at Hell in a Cell and how he had been robbed of getting his revenge on Kevin Owens. Shane let his emotions get the better of him time and time again on SmackDown, he made it his mission to make Zayn and Owens’ life a living hell.
SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan called Shane McMahon out on his actions and then their relationship started to unravel. Shane thought Bryan was in Sami and Kevin’s corner because he was living vicariously through them. Bryan claimed that Shane McMahon was turning into his father, using his power in the company to dictate who receives opportunities on SmackDown.
AJ Styles defended his WWE Championship in a Six-Pack Challenge at WWE Fastlane against John Cena, Sami Zayn, Baron Corbin, Dolph Ziggler, Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn. At this point, even Owens and Zayn were not on the same page. Shane McMahon decided to sit ringside for the match and was inadvertently Superkicked by Kevin Owens. Shane once again let his emotions get the better of him and cost both Kevin Owens and Zayn the WWE Championship.
On the March 13th episode of SmackDown, Shane McMahon announced that Kevin Owens will face Sami Zayn at WrestleMania 34. Shane admitted that he had crossed the line at Fastlane and said that he was taking an indefinite leave of absence as SmackDown Commissioner. Owens and Zayn showed up and brutally attacked Shane McMahon.
WWE announced that Daniel Bryan was medically cleared to return to the ring on March 20th. Bryan came down to the ring and gave a passionate speech about getting to do what he loved again. Daniel added that he will address Owens and Zayn tonight about their attack on Shane McMahon.
At the conclusion of the March 20th episode of SmackDown, Daniel Bryan asked Owens and Zayn to come down to the ring. Bryan admitted that Shane was right about living vicariously through them, but noted that he did not understand why the felt the need to attack Shane after he said he was leaving. Daniel was left with no choice but to fire both Owens and Zayn. Sami and Kevin shook Daniel’s hand and went to exit the ring. Owens changed his mind and attacked Bryan. Daniel fought them off for a moment, but the numbers game caught up to him and Owens Powerbombed Bryan on the ring apron.
The following week on SmackDown, Daniel Bryan issued a challenge to Owens and Zayn. He proposed a tag match, Owens and Zayn versus Bryan and Shane McMahon. If Owens and Zayn win, they will be rehired on WWE SmackDown. If they lose, they will be gone from SmackDown forever. On this past Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown, Shane McMahon and Daniel Bryan settled their differences and hugged it out. Later on the show, Zayn and Owens invaded through the crowd and vowed to obliterate Bryan and Shane at WrestleMania 34.
Daniel and Shane came down to the entrance ramp and instructed everyone in the crowd to point their cellphones at Owens & Zayn because this is the last time they will be on SmackDown. Bryan and Shane then sang goodbye to Zayn and Owens as they marched up the arena steps.
Is Charlotte Ready For Asuka?
Photo Credit: WWE.com
Asuka won the first-ever women’s Royal Rumble match back in January. Asuka debuted as a RAW Superstar, so it was just assumed that she would face Alexa Bliss for the RAW Women’s Championship. That didn’t turn out to be the case, Asuka confronted Charlotte after she successfully defended the SmackDown Women’s Championship against Ruby Riott at WWE Fastlane 2018.
Asuka appeared on SmackDown once again on the March 13th episode to confront Charlotte. She stated that she chose Charlotte because she wanted to beat the best at WrestleMania 34. Charlotte remained confident and claimed that she was ready for Asuka.
On this past Tuesday’s episode of SmackDown, Charlotte defeated Natalya via the Figure Eight. Carmella came down to the ring to cash in her MITB contract but Charlotte booted the briefcase away. Asuka once again confronted Charlotte and stated that The Queen will bow down to the Empress of Tomorrow. Charlotte stated that The Queen bows down to no one and once again said that she was ready for Asuka. After SmackDown, The Miz and Asuka defeated Bobby Roode and Charlotte to win the Mixed Match Challenge tournament. Asuka will enter WrestleMania 34 undefeated and will look to capture the SmackDown Women’s Championship from Charlotte Flair.
Will The Undertaker Accept John Cena’s Challenge?
John Cena has spent the past few months desperately trying to earn a spot at WrestleMania 34. He has come up short every time and was down to his final option, challenge The Undertaker to a match.
John Cena continued to demand that The Undertaker answer his challenge on the March 19th episode of RAW. Instead of The Undertaker showing up, his brother Kane marched down to the ring and planted him with a Chokeslam.
Cena then battled Kane on the March 26th episode of RAW and defeated him. Following the match, Cena couldn’t believe that The Undertaker didn’t show up to answer the challenge. John called The Undertaker a coward for not showing up for the fans that have been chanting his name the whole time. Cena pleaded with The Undertaker to do something and warned him that he only had one week left to answer the challenge.
On this past Monday’s episode of RAW, Cena attempted to call out The Undertaker one final time. The Atlanta crowd chanted as loud as they could to try and summon The Undertaker but it did not work. Cena said that he will be attending WrestleMania 34 as a fan and once again insulted The Undertaker for turning his back on the fans. The Undertaker will most likely show up in New Orleans this Sunday and confront John Cena at WrestleMania 34.
AJ Styles Will Battle Shinsuke Nakamura In A Dream Match
Photo Credit: WWE.com
Shinsuke Nakamura won the men’s Royal Rumble match in January and immediately announced that he wants to face AJ Styles for the WWE Championship at WrestleMania 34. AJ Styles successfully defended his WWE Championship in a Six-Pack Challenge at WWE Fastlane 2018 to ensure that the dream match will happen.
Shinsuke Nakamura has spent the past few weeks trying to play mind games with AJ Styles on SmackDown. Shinsuke Nakamura saved AJ Styles from an attack from Rusev and Aiden English on the March 13th episode of SmackDown. AJ Styles thanked Nakamura backstage, but Shinsuke stated that he was going to take his WWE Championship with a knee to the face at WrestleMania 34.
Nakamura continued his mind games in the following weeks and even faked that he was going to hit AJ with a Kinshasa. Nakamura pulled up short and patted Styles on the head. AJ Styles teamed up with Shinsuke Nakamura in the main event of this week’s episode of SmackDown to face Gable and Benjamin.
AJ Styles hopped on the ring apron right next to Nakamura and delivered a Phenomenal Forearm to Chad Gable for the victory. After the match, Gable and Benjamin attacked Shinsuke Nakamura as AJ Styles was on the entrance ramp. Styles looked on for a moment before deciding to help Nakamura out. Styles then played mind games with Nakamura and made it seem like he was going to hit him with the Phenomenal Forearm. Instead, Styles pulled up short and patted Nakamura on the head.
Can Roman Reigns Survive The F5?
Photo Credit: WWE.com
Roman Reigns won the men’s Elimination Chamber match to earn a shot at the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 34. Brock Lesnar was supposed to be at the February 26th edition of WWE RAW but ultimately did not show up. Roman Reigns took offense to that and stated that everyone in the back was sick of Lesnar disrespecting the fans and the business. Reigns added that he does not respect Brock Lesnar and he damn sure does not fear that b****.
Brock Lesnar failed to show up once again on the March 12th edition of WWE RAW. Reigns accused Lesnar of being Vince’s boy and stormed backstage to confront Vince McMahon. Vince escorted Reigns to his office and later announced that Reigns had been indefinitely suspended.
The following week on RAW, Universal Champion Brock Lesnar finally showed up. Roman Reigns violated his suspension and entered the ring while RAW GM Kurt Angle was speaking. Reigns was in the process of being taken into custody but Lesnar decided to brutally attack him. Roman was loaded onto a stretcher but The Beast wasn’t done. Lesnar came back down to the ring and attacked Reigns some more before finally leaving.
Roman Reigns’ suspension was lifted before the March 26th episode of WWE RAW. Paul Heyman and Brock Lesnar came down to the ring and claimed that Roman Reigns didn’t show up. The Big Dog made his way through the crowd and confronted Lesnar in the ring. Reigns was still injured due to the attack from Brock and Lesnar took advantage. Reigns was able to get in some shots with a steel chair, but Lesnar overpowered him and beat him down with the steel steps in the ring. Brock put an exclamation point on the attack by connecting with an F5 to Reigns on top of the steps.
On this past Monday’s episode of WWE RAW, Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman once again came down to the ring to close the show. RAW GM Kurt Angle had spent the entire night pleading with Lesnar and Reigns to not fight tonight and to save it for the WrestleMania 34 main event. Heyman claimed that he would keep things civil, but quickly started insulting Reigns during his promo.
Roman tried to get to Lesnar in the ring, but Kurt Angle had instructed several WWE Superstars to prevent him from doing so on the entrance ramp. Reigns convinced the Superstars to let him through because they know that Brock Lesnar doesn’t respect them. Reigns got into the ring with Brock and the Universal Champion immediately retreated to the outside of the ring.
Brock decided to grab a steel chair and join Reigns in the ring. Roman then connected with five Superman Punches in a row and the Universal Champion was down. Lesnar then managed to regroup and planted Roman Reigns with an F5. Lesnar exited the ring as Paul Heyman shouted that the F5 kept Roman Reigns down.
Many have wondered if The Rock will make an appearance this Sunday at WrestleMania 34. The Rock didn’t appear last year at WrestleMania 33 because he was wrapping up filming Ballers in Los Angeles. The Rock did show up at WrestleMania 32 and was confronted by Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman and Erick Rowan.
The Rock wound up defeating Erick Rowan in an impromptu match. The Wyatt Family attacked The Rock after the match, but John Cena came down to the ring to make the save.
Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated has confirmed that WWE recently scrapped a segment that would have featured The Rock at WrestleMania 34. The musical segment would have featured Elias, Jeff Jarrett, The Rock and others. The Rock was reportedly going to perform a “Rock Concert” and that would have then the centerpiece of the segment.
Barrasso noted that the reason WWE scrapped the segment was because they could not get a definite commitment from The Rock. As of now, The Rock is not scheduled be a part of WrestleMania 34 unless there were renewed discussions with WWE.
We noted that on Tuesday’s edition of the Wrestling Observer Live, Bryan Alvarez stated that he thought The Rock was going to appear at WrestleMania 34 and perform a concert with Elias. It appears that those plans have fallen through for now.
Jeff Jarrett will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame this Friday night. Jarrett will join Goldberg, The Dudley Boyz, Ivory, Hillbilly Jim, Mark Henry and Kid Rock (celebrity wing) as inductees to the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2018.
WWE uploaded a video today featuring Jeff and Karen Jarrett. Jeff was asked who he was excited to reconnect with during WrestleMania weekend.
Jarrett explained that it was difficult to choose one person because he was thinking about the talent that was there when he was an active performer in WWE. Jeff also brought up the Superstars that he helped nurture along and the people behind the scenes that are still with WWE that helped him in his career.
Jeff then brought up reconnecting with Vince McMahon and got emotional. Karen asked him if he was nervous and Jarrett laughed and said that he was. Jarrett got choked up and stepped away for a moment to gather himself. Karen stated that everything has happened for a reason and has brought them to where they are now.
Jarrett returned and stated that at the end of the day, Vince McMahon did not have to this. Jeff became emotional again and repeated that WWE did not have to do this. You can check out Jarrett’s reaction to reconnecting with Vince McMahon in the video below.
It turns out that the current, reigning, defending, undisputed WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar will indeed be coming back to the UFC.
It’s been well documented that his contract is up with the WWE this month after WrestleMania 34 where he’s slated to defend his title against Roman Reigns in the main event.
When Lesnar signed with WWE and later made his main roster debut in 2002, he was a young prospect, who was pushed heavily.
He was an amateur wrestler and made the transition into pro wrestling very quickly. There are only a handful of guys that have made the transition and had major success. Lesnar is one and WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle is another.
Although he was pushed to the moon by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon and the WWE creative team, Lesnar was not one who liked to be on the road. In WWE, you are on the road for at least 300 days a year if not more.
That is taxing on someone’s body as well as the mind. Thus, Lesnar saw the exit door and took it following his match with Bill Goldberg at WrestleMania 20 in 2004.
After briefly competing in New Japan Pro Wrestling and having a successful run in the UFC, the current champion decided to return home.
Lesnar returned to WWE on April 2, 2012, on Raw by confronting and delivering an F-5 to John Cena. This move made sense for both sides. WWE needed star power, and Lesnar got paid extremely well for working a limited schedule.
Since he returned to the company, Lesnar has slowly but surely started working more events that include TV, PPV (pay-per-view) and house shows.
UFC President Dana White has confirmed that Lesnar will be returning to the UFC during Wednesday’s edition of “UFC Tonight” but didn’t know when or his opponent would be.
“Yeah, Brock Lesnar’s coming back. I don’t know when, but yes he is.”
NXT TakeOver: New Orleans will air this Saturday night on the WWE Network. Tonight’s episode of NXT was the go-home show for the PPV during WrestleMania weekend. The Authors of Pain battled Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong in the final round of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic tournament.
The team that wins the tournament will be granted a shot at the NXT Tag Team Championships at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. Bobby Fish of Undisputed Era has not been medically cleared to compete at NXT TakeOver. Kyle O’Reilly will defend the NXT Tag Team Championships on Saturday night, with his partner most likely being Adam Cole of Undisputed Era. Adam Cole is also a part of the Ladder match for the new North American Championship at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. This issue was brought up during tonight’s episode.
— Gzim Selmani / Rezar (@AlbanianPsycho) April 4, 2018
Undisputed Era Will Defend The NXT Tag Team Championships In A Triple Threat Match At NXT TakeOver: New Orleans
The finals of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic kicked off this week’s episode of NXT. Paul Ellering accompanied The Authors of Pain down to the ring. The new team of Roderick Strong and U.K. Champion Pete Dunne came down to the ring to a great reaction from the crowd. Dunne stopped at the top of the ramp to admire the Dusty Rhodes Cup that awaited the victors of the match.
Roderick Strong and Akam started off the match. Akam slammed Strong to the mat and quickly tagged in Rezar. Strong connected with a chop and retreated to the corner. Dunne didn’t back down from the challenge and tagged himself in. Dunne and Rezar locked up as NXT went to a commercial break.
When NXT returned, Akam tagged back in and beatdown Pete Dunne. Pete battled back with a couple of chops, but Akam shrugged them off and blasted Dunne with a few fists to the face. Akam applied a side Headlock but Dunne reached the ropes to break the hold. Akam kneed Dunne in the ribs a few times in the corner and tagged Rezar back into the match.
Rezar clubbed Dunne across the back and taunted Strong on the ring apron. Rezar kneed Dunne in the face and tagged in Akam. Akam went for the cover but Dunne kicked out at two. Rezar tagged in and stomped on Dunne’s face for another two count. Rezar bashed away at Dunne’s head for another two count.
Akam tagged in and lost focus for a moment and Dunne capitalized. Dunne snapped back one of his fingers and dove across the ring to tag in Strong. Roderick entered the ring fired up as Rezar tagged in at the same time. Strong knocked Akam out of the ring and sent Rezar to the turnbuckle.
Strong connected with a series of forearms to the face and then Dropkicked Rezar to the canvas. Strong hit a Dropkick through the ropes to Akam and followed it up with an Olympic Slam to Rezar for a two count. Strong kneed Rezar in the face and tagged in Dunne. Pete connected with an Enziguri and then climbed to the top rope. Dunne connected with a stomp to Rezar’s back for another two count.
Pete Dune went for the Triangle but Rezar lifted him up and Akam tagged in. AOP teamed up for a Neckbreaker on Dunne and went for the cover but Strong broke it up. Strong Clotheslined Rezar out of the ring and tagged back in the match. Dunne hit another Enziguri to Akam and followed it up with a Bitter End. Strong went for the cover but Rezar dove into the ring and broke it up at the last second.
Strong and Dunne knocked Rezar to the mat and then both booted Akam in the face. They then both ran into boots to the face by Akam and Rezar and all four Superstars crashed to the canvas as the crowd chanted “NXT!”.
Adam Cole and Kyle O’Reilly rushed the ring and attacked both teams. The referee called for the bell as Undisputed Era beatdown Strong & Dunne as AOP rolled out of the ring. It was then announced that the referee ruled this as a double disqualification as Undisputed Era retreated up the entrance ramp.
NXT GM William Regal came down to the entrance ramp and stated that Cole and O’Reilly were not smart enough. Regal then announced that Undisputed Era will now defend their NXT Tag Team Championships against Pete Dunne & Roderick Strong and The Authors of Pain in a Triple Threat match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans. Regal added that the winner of the match at TakeOver will win the Dusty Cup and the NXT Tag Team Championships.
Later on NXT, Cole and O’Reilly caught up with Regal outside Full Sail. Cole complained about being in a 6-man Ladder match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans and thought it was ridiculous that Regal expected him to compete in both matches. Regal said that they had 3 options:
Cole can compete in both matches
Cole can back out of the Ladder match for the North American Championship
Kyle O’Reilly can defend the NXT Tag Team Championships by himself
Kairi Sane faced Vanessa Borne on this week’s episode of NXT. Borne slammed Sane to the mat to start off the match. Vanessa shouted that Kairi wasn’t special and the two Superstars locked up.
Borne stomped on Sane’s foot and applied a Wrist Lock. Sane countered and threw Borne across the ring with an Arm Drag. Sane went for a roll-up for a one count. Borne responded with a Flap Jack and then elbowed Sane in the back of the head a few times for a two count.
Vanessa slammed Kairi’s head into the turnbuckle a couple of times and then bashed her head into the bottom turnbuckle for a two count. Sane ducked under a Clothesline and decked Borne with a Clothesline. Sane got fired up and connected with a sliding Clothesline in the corner. Sane climbed to the top rope and connected with a flying elbow for a two count. Sane quickly climbed back to the top but Borne tripped her up.
Borne went for a Superplex but Sane pushed her and Vanessa got caught up in the ropes. Sane delivered a Double Stomp and followed it up with the Insane Elbow Drop for the pinfall victory.
Lacey Evans made a statement and said that NXT GM William Regal needs to stop allowing “societal trash” in NXT. Evans brought up Nikki Cross and complained that she kept getting opportunities in NXT. Evans stated that NXT Women’s Champion Ember Moon has never made a difference in NXT and hasn’t shown the strength of a woman, other than jumping off the top rope.
A reporter brought up Dakota Kai and Evans dismissed her as if she was nothing. Lacey called Kairi Sane a “pathetic pirate princess” and said that she planned on taking Sane’s opportunity away from her.
It was later announced that Lacey Evans will face Kairi Sane next week on NXT.
Killain Dain & Lars Sullivan Were Interrupted By Dream, EC3, Cole And Ricochet
Lars Sullivan battled Killian Dain in the main event of this week’s episode of NXT. The two giant Superstars had a brief stare down before locking up in the ring. Dain connected with a right hand and Sullivan seemed to enjoy it. Sullivan clubbed Dain across the chest a coupe of forearms and Dain responded by booting Lars out of the ring. Sullivan slammed Dain into the ring apron as NXT went to a commercial break.
When NXT returned, the action had returned to the ring and Sullivan was still in control. Lars clubbed Dain with a flurry of forearms and then started bending Dain’s neck in the middle of the ring. Killian powered to his feet but Sullivan stopped his momentum with a knee to the midsection. Dain lifted Sullivan up in a Fireman’s Carry and dropped him to the mat.
Dain connected with a running Senton and went for a Vader Bomb, but Sullivan was able to get his knees up. Lars leveled Dain with a Clothesline and then made his way up to the top rope. Dain got up and punched Sullivan in the face. Killian joined Sullivan on the top rope and the two started trading punches. Dain and Sullivan connected with a headbutt at the same time and both Superstars crashed to the floor.
Velveteen Dream came down to the ring and climbed to the top rope. Adam Cole joined the party and got into the ring. Dream hopped down as Cole posed and shouted “Adam Cole baybay!”. EC3 came down to the ring and started barking at Dream and Cole. Sullivan and Dain got back into the ring as Ricochet’s music hit.
Ricochet sprinted down to the ring and flipped off the ropes and posed in the middle of the ring. The crowd chanted “Ricochet!” as NXT went off the air with the 6 Superstars staring at each other in the ring. Ricochet, EC3, Adam Cole, Velveteen Dream, Lars Sullivan and Killian Dain will compete in a Ladder match at NXT TakeOver: New Orleans this Saturday night to crown the first NXT North American Champion.
Former UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey is slated to team up with WWE Hall of Famer and current Raw General Manager Kurt Angle to take on Stephanie McMahon and Triple H in a Mixed Tag Team Match at WrestleMania 34.
Her signing with the sports entertainment company was spearheaded by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon’s daughter, Stephanie, and her husband, Triple H.
The former UFC champion appeared on ESPN today promoting WrestleMania 34. During the interview, she once again discussed her desire to work with CM Punk. Here is what she had to say (transcript courtesy of 411 Mania):
“I would really love to work with CM Punk. But um, I don’t know if that’s possible. No, I wish I did. I wish I was breaking the news right now that me and CM Punk are taking over the world together, but no, I’ve got no news to break. Just pleading eyes.”
WWE RAW Announcer Jonathan Coachman has made his feelings known about the potential return of Hulk Hogan to the sports entertainment company.
His latest run with the company was a short one. On February 24, 2014, on Raw, Hogan made his first WWE in-ring appearance since December 2007 to hype the launch of the WWE Network. At WrestleMania 30, Hogan served as the host and came out at the start of the show to hype up the crowd. Steve Austin and The Rock ended up coming out to have a memorable segment with him. However, he was later fired over racist remarks made in a leaked sex tape.
Coachman recently made an appearance on Busted Open and talked about the idea of Hogan returning as WWE has confirmed that they’ve been in talks with the former WWE Champion. Here is what he had to say:
“I think as far as the reason why Mark [Henry] and a big group of guys don’t want him to come back – or at least want him to be contrite – is at some point your seventh, eighth, ninth chance to come back and play a role should be enough,” Coachman said. “He’s a huge star, which is why he’s gotten so many different chances. But the bottom line is over the years Hulk has always asked for not the premium dollar, he’s asked for ridiculous amounts of money to come back and do something.”
“So, if he’s not contrite, he’s not apologizing, and he’s asking for a ton of money, again, I’m not privy to the conversations, but I know what he’s done in the past and if he’s asking for a ton of money, I don’t see the upside in bringing him back to do what? To be an ambassador? He’s had hip replacement surgery, he can’t work in the ring,” Coach said. “Yes, he has humongous star power, but is it positive star power? Is it star power that he would use to help somebody else? Because at this point you’ve got to give somebody the rub, you’ve got to pay it forward. You’ve gotta come back and you can’t be Hulk Hogan from WrestleMania I as the main eventer and that’s somebody that Hulk Hogan has never been. His track record speaks for [itself] when it comes to giving back or giving to another Superstar.” “I thought, at least in the trailers, for the Andre the Giant documentary he looks like he was very thoughtful and gives a lot,” Coachman responded. “I don’t think it’s ever too late for somebody to change, but he’s damn near 70 years old. Unless he’s going to come back and be a positive ambassador then I don’t believe WWE needs him.”
For many years, wrestling fans wanted to see Samoa Joe sign with WWE following his success in Impact Wrestling and Ring of Honor. Finally, he signed with the company in 2015. However, instead of being placed on the main roster right away like many fans thought would happen, WWE decided to place him in NXT. He was in NXT for nearly two years. He was later called up to the main roster. On the January 30, 2017, episode of Raw, Joe made his official main roster debut by attacking Seth Rollins from behind and aligning himself with Triple H.
The former NXT Champion recently did an interview with alarabiya.net to talk about various topics. During the interview, he opened up on his relationship with Vince McMahon.
“I’m terrible at small talk, so me and Vince’s relationship is? don’t want to say dispassionate, but when we have talks, they’re very brief, short, we lay out a few things, and I go from there. It’s not a lot of, ‘hey how are you doin’, how’s this, how’s that’. It’s calling the play, what do we need to get done, and I go out and get it done.”
Strowman is slated to challenge Cesaro and Sheamus for the RAW Tag Team Titles at WrestleMania 34. WWE has made it known that he will need a tag team partner in order to challenge for the straps. However, he has yet to say who he has chosen. Joe has been someone rumored to be his partner.
“Braun out here talking about how he doesn’t get along well with other people, but I’m terrible at it. That sounds like something that’s very enticing to the fans, but I’m sure two minutes in I’d be punching him in the head.”
WWE announced today that the Greatest Royal Rumble event will air live on the WWE Network on Friday, April 27th. The event will take place at the King Abdullah Sports City Stadium in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia and will air on the WWE Network at 12 PM ET. WWE Network will also broadcast an hour long Kickoff Show at 11 AM ET.
The incredible @WWE Greatest Royal Rumble event will stream LIVE on @WWENetwork Friday, April 27 at 12 PM ET, with a special one-hour Kickoff show starting at 11 AM! #WWEGRRhttps://t.co/SDYBleTGaB
WWE also announced seven titles will be defended during the show. The WWE Championship, Universal Championship. Intercontinental Championship, United States Championship, RAW Tag Team Championship, SmackDown Tag Team Championship and Cruiserweight Championship will all be on the line at the event.
Earlier this week, WWE announced Daniel Bryan, Big Show, Braun Strowman, Bray Wyatt and Kane will be competing in the 50-man Royal Rumble match.
Construction is underway for the stage and set up for WrestleMania 34.
Fans should expect the WWE to release a ‘set reveal’ video later this week as we’ve seen in recent years. This photo gives a good idea of what to expect this weekend.
WrestleMania 34 is set to be held on Sunday, April 8, 2018, at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. This event airs on pay-per-view (PPV) and WWE Network. It’s the most successful and longest-running professional wrestling event in history.
Paul Heyman will walk down to the ring alongside Brock Lesnar for the main event at WrestleMania 34 this weekend but if he has his way, he’d love the opportunity to work with his opponent Roman Reigns as well.
It’s no secret that Reigns has remained one of the biggest superstars on the WWE roster and fans generally feel passionately about him — either he’s beloved or he’s despised and there doesn’t seem to be much of a middle ground.
Perhaps one of the biggest shortcomings during Reigns’ WWE career has been his inability to really cut a solid promo, which is a staple for most athletes that transcend from superstar status to icon.
That’s why some have suggested that Reigns teaming up with Heyman would be the best thing for his career as the former ECW owner is typically regarded as the best talker and hype man in professional wrestling today.
If given the chance, Heyman would love to work with Reigns and he believes that the 32-year old veteran performer might already be the biggest commodity on the entire WWE roster if not for his current client who holds the WWE universal championship.
“Three years ago in the buildup to WrestleMania 31 I said straight to Roman Reigns’ face a comment that can be taken as both story line and as reality. Roman Reigns is the right guy, in the right place, at the wrong time,” Heyman told NBC Sports. “In any other time in history, Roman Reigns would be so dominant on top, both in a story line capacity and a box office capacity in WWE. No one would be in his stratosphere. He would absolutely be the Paul Heyman guy for I would be auditioning every single solitary day to define my role as a Roman Reigns guy. We would be sitting here talking about Roman Reigns approaching 1,000 days as the top champion in WWE. There’s no doubt in my mind about this. No one would be in his league.
“But the unfortunate thing for Roman Reigns is that he lives in a time period that is dominated by Brock Lesnar. Brock Lesnar is the only athlete who can go in-between WWE and UFC seamlessly at a top tier, main event level.”
“Working with Roman Reigns would be an absolute career defining moment for me” ~ Paul Heyman
Still given the chance to work together, Heyman believes that he could do great things alongside Reigns while serving as his ‘advocate’ on television.
It’s entirely possible that scenario plays out considering Lesnar is a free agent after WrestleMania 34 and there has been a ton of speculation that he’s considering a return to the UFC rather than signing a new long term deal with WWE.
If Lesnar exits, that could open the door for Heyman to team up with Reigns after WrestleMania 34 is finished.
“Working with Roman Reigns would be an absolute career defining moment for me,” Heyman stated. “I have nothing but the upmost respect and admiration for him as an athlete, a performer, and as a man.”
Would you like to see Paul Heyman team up with Roman Reigns after WrestleMania 34 is finished? Sound off in the comments and let us know!
Ring of Honor World Champion Dalton Castle has had a great run over the last few months and is now the top guy of the Baltimore-based promotion.
On December 15 at the Final Battle pay-per-view event, Castle defeated Cody to win the ROH World Championship for the first time. On March 9 at Ring of Honor’s 16th Anniversary show, Castle successfully retained the title against former champion Jay Lethal.
Castle recently spoke with Brian Fritz of Sporting News to talk about various topics. During the interview, he talked about winning the world title and offered high praise to Lethal. “Jay Lethal, in my opinion, is one of the greatest wrestlers in the world. It’s amazing that we have him on the roster at Ring of Honor. It’s incredible that I get to share the ring with him as often as I do. I have not got to face him as often I would like to. When I walked into Ring of Honor, my second match at Ring of Honor TV, was against him for his Television title. It was a short one, but it was not lost on me, the privilege is was being in the ring with him. Then I worked my ass off and here we are three years later, I now Ring of Honor World Champion and he was challenging me for my title. To be in the ring with a talent like him is great. To do it on such a platform and spotlight of the main event at the 16th anniversary show was beyond what I could have imagined happening four years ago. It was great. And to show the world that I can hang with such a talent like him and come out the victor, it’s just one step closer to showing everybody I am as good as I claim to be.”
Now, Castle is slated to make his next ROH World Title defense against Marty Scurll this Saturday night (April 7th) at Ring of Honor’s Supercard of Honor event in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Lakefront Arena. “I believe we wrestled each other a few months ago in San Antonio, Texas on a Ring of Honor tour show. We had a singles then. When Marty came in to Ring of Honor, I was his first match in the United Kingdom. It was his start moving forward. He had a really good run in his first loop of shows for us and ended up winning the Ring of Honor Television title on the final night of the tour. Then, we crossed paths a couple of times throughout the year. And here we are, me with the world title and him coming after me.” “It’s going to be great. Marty understands that it’s important to be entertaining. I never want to go out there and not have the best performance of my life. Everytime we’ve been in the ring together, I feel like it’s been a lot of fun but as far an opportunity goes, this is just an opportunity for him to perform on this stage. He’s not bigger than me. He’s not faster than me. He’s not stronger than me. He is not better than me but he definitely is a big star and this is going to be a big match.”
There is a lot of speculation about who will induct Kid Rock into the Celebrity Wing of this year’s WWE Hall of Fame class. Many believed that it could end up being The Undertaker due to Rock performing his theme song in the early 2000s.
According to Twitter account @WrestleVotes, the word is that Kid Rock’s WWE Hall of Fame inductor is also a WWE Hall of Famer. By looking at this tweet, the person behind the account noted that he’s expecting a can of whoop ass to be opened on stage Friday night.
That might be an indication that Steve Austin will do the honors. It should be noted that this is a rumor and not fact yet so please keep that in mind.
Austin will be in New Orleans this weekend to do autograph signings but has yet to be announced for anything WWE related.
Hearing Kid Rock’s Hall of Fame inductor is a former Hall of Fame headliner himself. Still not 100% on it, but I’m expecting a can of whoop ass to be opened on stage Friday night.
WWE holds their 2018 Hall of Fame ceremony on Friday, April 6th in New Orleans, Louisiana at the Smoothie King Center and will air on WWE’s streaming service, WWE Network. Bill Goldberg will headline the class. Here is the list of inductees and those who will do the induction speeches: Goldberg – inducted by Paul Heyman Ivory – inducted by Molly Holly Dudley Boyz – inducted by Edge and Christian Mark Henry – inducted by Big Show Hillbilly Jim – inducted by Jimmy Hart Jeff Jarrett – inducted by Road Dogg Kid Rock (Celebrity Wing) – inducted by TBA Jarrius “JJ” Robertson (Warrior Award) – inducted by Dana Warrior
– WWE is advertising Samoa Joe for the April 16th edition of Monday Night RAW at the XL Center in Hartford, CT.
The former NXT Champion has been out of action since suffering an injury back in January. It’s believed that Joe has been medically cleared to return, but WWE will wait until the RAW after WrestleMania for his television return.
He has been backstage at RAW for the past two weeks and is advertised for upcoming live events where he is slated to wrestle Roman Reigns.
– Stephanie McMahon is slated to team with Triple H to face Ronda Rousey and Kurt Angle in a Mixed Tag Team Match at WrestleMania 34. WWE’s YouTube channel has released this video of McMahon training for her in-ring return, which you can see here:
Tommy Dreamer’s House of Hardcore promotion is returning to this weekend with a new event.
The promotion will hold their 40th event this Saturday night (April 7, 2018) in New Orleans, Louisiana at The Sugar Mill. You can check out the updated card for this event here: Twitch TV Championship Tournament Semi-Finals: Swoggle vs. Alex Reynolds Willie Mack vs. Killer Kross Twitch TV Championship Tournament Finals – 3 Way Dance – Special guest referee Jerry Lynn: Sami Callihan vs. (Winner of Swoggle vs. Reynolds) vs. (Winner of Mack vs. Kross) Bourbon Street Fight: Killer Elite Squad vs. Tommy Dreamer & Billy Gunn The Rock N Roll Express & Mystery Partner vs. The Squad
The show will start after NXT Takeover: New Orleans ends at 11pm CST/Midnight EST. For those interested in attending the show, you can get tickets here.
– Congratulations are in order for WWE Superstars Maria and Mike Kanellis. WWE.com reports that Maria gave birth this morning to Fredrica Moon, a healthy 6-pound baby girl. Both Maria and baby Fredrica are both doing great after the delivery.
– Today marks 7 years since WWE Hall of Famer Edge wrestled his final match. The Rated R Superstar was forced into retirement due to a chronic neck injury, diagnosed as cervical spinal stenosis.
I watched @EdgeRatedR wrestle his last match behind the curtain as a fan, and a friend, 7 years ago today. His career was so special and I am grateful to have been a part of the lockeroom that he helped lead. #ThankYouAdampic.twitter.com/Ya3mtAT7I3
– For what it’s worth, Roman Reigns re-tweeted this article featuring a quote from Paul Heyman talking about managing Roman Reigns (should Brock Lesnar leave WWE for UFC).
