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Vince McMahon Upset With Steve Austin Over Latest “Stone Cold Podcast”

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As seen earlier this week, Steve Austin immediately downplayed the speculation about a possible WrestleMania 32 match with Brock Lesnar, and apparently there’s a very good reason for that.

According to the latest edition of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Austin vs. Lesnar will not be happening next year and part of the reason is because Austin and Vince McMahon have some issues. While the key issues aren’t specified, it is noted that McMahon was not happy with how Austin’s “Stone Cold Podcast” with Paul Heyman ended because it caused anticipation and excitement for a match that is not currently part of WWE’s plans for WrestleMania 32.

After the podcast ended, McMahon reportedly spoke to Austin and made it clear that he wanted the story to go away quickly and quietly, so he asked Austin to address it once and then move on, which is exactly what Austin ended up doing.

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

WWE Upset With ROH Over Owens Merchandise, How They Plan To Prevent Similar Situations

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Several top WWE executives were said to be very unhappy with Ring Of Honor and Figure Toy Company putting out a Kevin Steen action figure.

According to the latest issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, WWE is upset because a non-WWE company is the first to enter the marketplace with an action figure of WWE’s hottest new star. They were also upset at the fact that the look and character of ROH’s Kevin Steen and WWE’s Kevin Owens are essentially the same.

To avoid this happening again, WWE is putting pressure on Triple H and his department to get non-WWE talents with great potential signed to NXT with merchandising deals before they make it to a company like ROH or TNA that has their own merchandise and cable television deals.

Additionally, WWE is looking to create a pipeline to find the talents with potential before ROH or TNA does. The idea is not to sign talent from ROH or TNA for the main WWE roster and to get the word out to younger talents that if they have WWE aspirations, they shouldn’t sign with ROH or TNA, however there will always be exceptions to the rule for exceptional talent.

One of the worst parts about the Steen action figure situation is that most independent talent has signed five-year deals with Figure Toy Company, which in this case means ROH has the right to market Kevin Steen action figures for nearly five more years while WWE pushes him as one of their top new stars.

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

WWE To Change Slammy Awards?, Plans For More Live WWE Network Specials

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The plan right now in WWE is for the company to present live quarterly specials on the WWE Network in 2016, such as the Elimination Chamber, King Of The Ring, or the upcoming live special from Japan on July 4th.

Another plan right now in the company is for WWE to make the Slammy Awards a standalone event as opposed to an episode of RAW. The idea would be to air the special on the WWE Network and have it be similar to the annual WWE Hall Of Fame ceremony, where WWE rents a small theater type building instead of a major arena.

PHOTO: Is Ken Shamrock Taking STEROIDS Before Fight With Kimbo?!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

WWE Changes Original Plans For Matches At MITB & 7/4 WWE Network Special In Japan

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– Although WWE originally had The Miz scheduled as a third participant in the WWE Intercontinental Championship bout at this Sunday’s WWE Money In The Bank pay-per-view, for whatever reason they decided to make it a straight singles match between Big Show and Ryback.

– While Chris Jericho will be wrestling Neville on the July 4th live WWE Network special from Sumo Hall in Japan, it is not the original opponent he requested. Originally, Jericho specifically asked to work with Hideo Itami, however when he found out Itami was hurt, he asked for Finn Balor. For whatever reason, WWE decided to go with Neville vs. Jericho for the live special on 7/4, however it is believed that Jericho will be working Balor on the non-televised date in the same building on 7/3.

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

TNA Stars Get Married, Pope And Josh Matthews Break Down Destination X (Video), Grado Returns

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– The eighth annual Destination X special edition of Impact Wrestling airs tonight at 9e/p on Destination America and will feature two World Heavyweight Championship bouts, a Knockouts Championship match and three 3-way qualifying matches for the X Division Championship. Josh Mathews and The Pope break down the show in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dXbvvPYsdds

– Through Twitter, Grado is hyping his return to Impact Wrestling tonight.

– TNA stars Davey Richards and Angelina Love are now officially married.

The six-time Knockouts Champion announced her marriage to Richards Wednesday on Twitter, tweeting a photo of their wedding rings.

Richards and Love have been dating since early this year. The marriage is Love’s first.

Two TNA Production Workers Quit, James Storm Changes His Look

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– TNA production workers Simon Edwards and Eric Tompkins have reportedly given their notices to the company. Tompkins worked as a video editor and was considered one of the better editors TNA had. Edwards worked as a video producer and had been with TNA for nearly ten years.

– TNA star James Storm will apparently be debuting a new look in the near future. Storm tweeted the following photo on Tuesday after getting a major haircut.

https://twitter.com/JamesStormBrand/status/608419064432721920

(Partial Credit: PWInsider.com)

Diana Hart Smith Interview: Owen In WWE HOF, Bret & Davey Headlining SummerSlam 92

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Diana Hart Smith, the wife of the late Davey Boy, sister of Bret and Owen, and mother of Harry, appeared on IN THE ROOM with Brady Hicks, The Stro (former WCW wrestler), Kathie Fitz, Derrick McDonald, and Ray Bogusz this past Tuesday, June 9, 2015. This show can be downloaded at both vocnation.com and thebradyhicks.com.

Check it out as Diana talks her new book “Cauliflower Heart,” Davey’s own thoughts on never winning the WWE title, legendary Owen and Davey ribs (especially involving Lex Luger), comparing Harry to his father, and wrestling being “fake.” Plus, lots of talk about Hart family tragedies, the staff infection that almost killed Davey before SummerSlam ’92, and more. Here are some highlights from the interview:

Owen in the WWE Hall of Fame:

“I sure hope [Owen goes in]. I think the fans deserve it because they loved Owen. I know Martha [Hart] and her family have their reasons, but the ones who suffer in all of this are the fans. Regardless of Martha’s animosity for the WWE … With WWE putting Owen in the Hall of Fame, I don’t think they’re trying to disrespect Martha. I think that they’re trying to do the right thing. Martha has her feelings and – like all of us – we’re heartbroken when we lost Owen. We all did lose Owen. Not just one person or one family. We all lost Owen. I know it means a lot to the Owen Hart fans … I know Martha has her reasons [but] I really don’t know what the holdup is … I don’t think it’s tit-for-tat, I believe it’s a lot more complex than that … It has to be a melting on both sides. For a long time, I thought it was one side holding back and not the other, but I think that both sides need to work it out and do it for Owen’s fans. But I understand Martha’s position on it. There are things that need to be addressed before she’s ready to give it her blessing.”

Bret Hart’s IC Title Defense Against Davey Boy Smith Headlining SummerSlam 92:

“I think a lot of people were mad, not at all Vince McMahon or the people promoting the show. I thinks some of the wrestlers were mad that the Intercontinental belt was being showcased as the main event. I will go to my grave saying that … the main event was Davey and Bret. That’s why they put them as the main event. And part of the reason they broke the record … of selling over 80,000 seats in less than 11 hours was Davey and Bret … I think if you did a poll or a survey [asking] who are your favorites in 1992 at that time, it’s not Ric Flair, it wasn’t Curt Hennig, it wasn’t The Ultimate Warrior, it wasn’t the Legion of Doom … it was perfectly right to have Bret and Davey as the main event for that show. Even though it wasn’t a world championship match.”

Wrestling Dominating Her Life:

“It’s overwhelming when I’m not in wrestling. I’m a part of it in pretty much every exponent you could think. I’m a daughter of it, a sister, a wife, a mother, and I do a little bit of it myself. I didn’t wrestle [but] I … did the managing with Davey and Owen … I pretty well covered every aspect of it … I was really involved in it, and now I’m overwhelmed by what is the real world for other people. Sometimes I feel like I … can’t do anything outside of wrestling. I struggle with what is considered the normal life, trying to work a 9-to-5 job, work in an office, I just feel like I’m so far out of my element.”

In The Room airs live, weekly, Tuesday nights at 9 PM ET on the VOC Nation Radio Network (vocnation.com / thebradyhicks.com).

Tough Enough Training Camp Begins At The WWE Performance Center

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From more than 11,000 submission videos, WWE has selected 40 finalists to compete in a 3-day mini-camp at the WWE Performance Center.

The 40 finalists arrived at the WWE Performance Center on Wednesday morning to determine which 13 will earn the right to prove they are Tough Enough.

The journey of the final 40 will be chronicled on a WWE Network exclusive, WWE Tough Enough Competition Special, which airs Tuesday, June 16, at 8/7 C.

The new season of Tough Enough premieres on the USA Network on Tuesday, June 23rd. The winner of the show earns a one-year, $250,000 WWE contract.

Chyna Talks Living In Exile In Japan, Misconceptions Of Herself, Kickstarter Campaign And More

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In her first interview since arriving back to the United States, former WWE Intercontinental and Women’s Champion Chyna appeared on The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling podcast Chyna to discuss her Kickstarter campaign; The Reconstruction of Chyna a documentary that is giving her fans a look at how she plans on embarking on a journey to reclaim her life after living in exile in Japan. Highlights from the interview, which can be downloaded here, are as follows:

What Led To Spending The Last Few Years Living In Japan

“Initially I went to Japan with Antonio Inoki and ended up wrestling Masahiro Chono. It’s really the opposite end of the world there and I don’t think a lot of people really understood what was happening over there. I am Chyna in the Sports Entertainment world but then to go over into Japan and you just have a female wrestle Masahiro Chono, that was absolutely incredible. All the training I did with Inoki and mixed marital artists and some incredible guys. I just really loved Japan and it was so life changing that when I felt it was time to remove myself from all the chaos that was going on here and go away to the opposite side of the world. It’s a different culture, different language, just go and regroup and find myself a little more. Now the time is right to get back in the game and get some answers.”

What The Fans Mean To Chyna’s Career

“The fan base of professional wrestling gave me some of my happiest and the greatest days of my life. That is the base of the story. But there is definitely an arc 15 years later to where I am now and you can see the journey and it is all about being happy and finding happiness in making your mark.”

The Kickstarter Campaign For The Reconstruction of Chyna

“We wanted to do it on Kickstarter because it’s all about the fans. I am basically doing the movie with the fans and I want them to be a part of it and be a part of the movie. They are a part of my life story up to this point. That is the best way to do this and that is together. The fans can tell me more about my matches and the history that I didn’t know when it was actually happening and that is very cool.”

The Biggest Misconceptions Of Chyna

“I know about the truth and want to tell the story. There have been a lot of obstacles and a lot of great things that have been accomplished. I want that to be remembered because those are the important things and also just being happy and coming out the other side a happy accomplished person. I think that it is a story for athletes and for women and I think it is a good story. A story that needs to be told.”

5 Things John Cena Hasn’t Accomplished Yet, Rusev Continues To Taunt Lana & More

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– WWE.com has published a new feature looking 5 things John Cena has not yet accomplished yet in his career, including an IC Title reign, winning King of the Ring, matching Ric Flair’s 16 World Title reigns and more.

– After Tuesday night’s SmackDown tapings from Lafayette, Louisiana, Dean Ambrose defeated Bray Wyatt with Dirty Deeds.

– Rusev continues to taunt Lana on Twitter. She posted an update on her ankle and Rusev replied with the following:

– Vince McMahon has Tweeted the following to hype Tough Enough:

Ring Of Honor Promoting Samoa Joe’s Final ROH Appearance On June 20th

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Ring Of Honor issued a press release this week promoting Samoa Joe’s final appearance with the promotion at the June 20th “Aftershock” event in New York City.

Below is the release with all of the details:

Record setting former ROH World Champion Samoa Joe to make final appearance for Ring of Honor on June 20 in New York City!

The man known to the world as “The Samoan Submission Machine,” Samoa Joe, is set to make his final Ring of Honor appearance at Terminal 5 in New York City, teaming with current IWGP Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles. The duo will take on current ROH World Tag Team Champions The Addiction, Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian!

Samoa Joe is a bonafide legend within the ranks of Ring of Honor. He debuted in 2002 to much fan fare and steamrolled the competition with a hard hitting, intense in-ring ability that truly defined the Ring of Honor style. On March 22, 2003 he would embark on a record setting 645 day reign that stands as the longest reign in the history of the ROH World Championship. He would return to Ring of Honor in 2015 to face and defeat some of the very best.

He will be teaming with both a former foe and friend in AJ Styles and they will be taking on a team that has cemented a legendary legacy of their own in The Addiction. If you do not have your tickets already, you will want to get them now! Don’t miss out on your chance to witness the final match of “The Samoan Submission Machine” Samoa Joe in Ring of Honor. Witness this unique opportunity live in person on Saturday night June 20, 2015 in Manhattan, New York at Terminal 5. Click here to purchase tickets.

Ring of Honor
AFTERSHOCK
Saturday, June 20th, 2015
Terminal 5
610 West 56th Street – New York, NY
Doors open 5:30pm – Bell time 7:00pm

Details On The Production Setup & Catering From Monday’s RAW

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The local New Orleans ABC affiliate has a new “behind-the-scenes” article on Monday’s edition of WWE RAW. The article lists the following stats:

STATS:

* 33,000 Ft. of cable (roughly 6 miles)
* 16 Trucks
* 2 television trucks
* 1 satellite trucks
* 1 generator truck
* 9 crew buses
* 5 talent buses
* Set up begins at 8 a.m.
* Typically 100 plus local crew members are hired per show
* There are 80,000 individual bulbs in the HD set
* 12 cameras are used to shoot TV
* 48 speakers are part of the set
* WWE brings 2,800 pieces of pyro to each television taping and uses an average of 1,200 pieces each event.
* There is over one mile of pyro cable used for each TV taping.

FOOD:

* 65 cases of water
* 180 lbs of chicken
* 150 lbs of beef or pork
* 5 gallons of rice
* 15 gallons of soup
* 100 lbs of potatoes
* 6 – 8 cases of vegetables
* 40 cases of soda
* 500 cookies
* 10 cakes
* 6 pies
* 3 cases of energy drinks

Previews For Tonight’s NXT, ROH, Lucha Underground & TNA Shows

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The following are previews for tonight’s NXT, ROH, Lucha Underground and TNA shows:

NXT On The WWE Network (8 PM EST)

– Samoa Joe vs. Scott Dawson.
– Zack Ryder and Mojo Rawley vs. Mike Rallis and Elias Samson.
– Emma vs. Blue Pants
– Tyler Breeze vs. Bull Dempsey
– Becky Lynch vs. Jessie McKay
– Baron Corbin vs. Angelo Dawkins

Ring Of Honor On Destination America (8 PM EST)

– ROH Tag Team champions The Addiction vs. ReDragon
– IWGP Tag Team champions The Kingdom vs. Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson.
– Jushin Thunder Liger vs. Dalton Castle
– “Brutal” Bob Evans vs. Cheeseburger

Lucha Underground On The El Rey Network (8 PM EST)

– Cage vs. King Cuerno vs. Hernandez vs. Mystery Opponent (#1 Contender’s Match)
– The returns of Chavo Guerrero and Blue Demon Jr.
– A big announcement from Dario Cueto

TNA Destination X On Destination America (9 PM EST)

– TNA champion Kurt Angle vs. Rockstar Spud.
– Austin Aries vs. The Winner of Angle vs. Spud
– TNA Knockouts champion Taryn Terrell vs. Awesome Kong
– Low Ki vs. Manik vs. Crazzy Steve (Ultimate X Qualifier)
– Cruz vs. Grado vs. Kenny King (Ultimate X Qualifier)
– Tigre Uno vs. Mark Andrews vs. DJ Zema Ion (Ultimate X Qualifier)
– Ultimate X to determine new X Division champion

Details Behind Mickie James Being Written Off TNA TV

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Last week on Impact Wrestling, we saw James Storm lure Mickie James onto a train platform and bump her off the ledge, presumably onto the tracks. According to Wrestling Observer Radio, this was an effort to write Mickie James out of TNA storylines for the foreseeable future.

James has a series of autograph sessions that clashed with the next set of Impact tapings. James will be appearing at the Miami SuperCon from June 25th-28th, while the next set of TNA TV tapings and Slammiversary run from June 24th-28th.

There is a lot of uncertainty around her future right now, with Dave Meltzer stating she won’t be around for a while, and she might be done with TNA for good.

Mick Foley Undergoes Minor Back Surgery

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WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley noted on Facebook that he underwent another back surgery on Tuesday.

He noted that it was a minor procedure and he was hoping it would provide him “major relief.”

EAT, SLEEP, BACK SURGERY, REPEAT

I’m really hoping that today’s minor procedure will provide major relief. I wonder how a guy like me ended up with a bad back. Hmmm…

You can learn about this week’s signings in #Philadelphia #SixFlags New Jersey and #EternalCon on #LongIsland at realmickfey.com

Lineups For This Weekend’s First Global Force Wrestling Events

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The inaugural Global Force Wrestling shows take place this weekend in Jackson, TN and Knoxville, TV as part of their Grand Slam Tour of minor league baseball parks. Here are the lineups:

Friday, June 12 – Jackson, TN
The Ballpark At Jackson (Tickets)

Jackson, TN Meet and Greet
Jeff Jarrett, Karen Jarrett, Jim Cornette, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, “Bullet Babe” Amber Gallows, Chris “The Adonis” Mordetzky, Thea Trinidad, Dustin Starr

Sonjay Dutt vs. Jamin Olivencia

Lei’D Tapa vs. Thea Trinidad

Tate Twins vs. Best Friends

Kevin Matthews vs. Moose

The Bullet Club (Gallows/Anderson) vs. New Heavenly Bodies

Chris Mordetzky vs. Dustin Starr

Special guest: Jim Cornette

Saturday, June 13 Knoxville, TN
Smokies Stadium (Tickets)

Knoxville, TN Meet and Greet
Jeff Jarrett, Karen Jarrett, Jim Cornette, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson, “Bullet Babe” Amber Gallows, Chris “The Adonis” Mordetzky, Thea Trinidad, Devin Driscoll

Chris Mordetzky vs. Devin Driscoll

Sonjay Dutt and Chase Owens vs. Jamin Olivenica and Jason Kincaid

Tate Twins vs. Best Friends

Lei’D Tapa vs. Thea Trinidad

Kongo Kong vs. Moose

The Bullet Club (Gallows/Anderson) vs. New Heavenly Bodies

Special guest: Jim Cornette

WWE SmackDown Spoiler Results For June 11th

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WWE SmackDown tapings results from Lafayette, Louisiana:

– Later in the show, Randy Orton and Roman Reigns will face Kofi Kingston, Sheamus and Kane.

– Dean Ambrose kicks off the show. He talks about touring New Orleans with the WWE Championship and what went down with Rollins on RAW. Rollins came out and said he’ll come take his belt back if Ambrose won’t give it up. Ambrose lays the belt down and leaves, but Rollins discovers it’s a replica belt. Ambrose says he lost the title somewhere in New Orleans and the last few days have been a blur, but he’ll have the WWE Championship back by Sunday. Ambrose left. Kane came out and announced Dolph Ziggler vs. Rollins for later in the show.

– Ryback defeated The Miz with Shellshocked. After the match, Big Show came out and said he’s unimpressed. Show says he’s going to take the Intercontinental Title at Money In the Bank and Ryback is no match for him. Ryback tells Big Show to bring it.

– Backstage segment with Orton, Neville and Reigns talking MITB.

– King Barrett defeatd Jack Swagger with the Bullhammer. Truth was on commentary put on Barrett’s crown and cape during the match and danced on top of the announce table.

– They showed highlights from Michael Cole’s interview with Lana talking about how she has a good time with Ziggler. Rusev interrupts and says he wants Lana back. She tells him it’s over and he got angry. Rusev yells at Cole and starts hitting the chairs with his crutches.

– Seth Rollins defeated Dolph Ziggler with a roll up pin while grabbing Ziggler’s tights.

– Paige defeated Alicia Fox via submission.

– Reigns, Orton and Neville defeated Sheamus, Kane and Kofi Kingston by DQ. Neville grabbed the briefcase while everybody else were outside of the ring. Neville put the briefcase on the ground and left.

*Spoilers* WWE Main Event Taping Results For This Week

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The following matches were taped prior to the SmackDown tapings on Tuesday night for this week’s edition of WWE Main Event.

– Jimmy Uso is out on commentary for this show.

– Naomi & Tamina def. Emma & Layla in Divas tag-team action to kick off the show.

– A Stardust promo airs that shows him taunting Fandango.

– Stardust def. Fandango in singles action.

– Kevin Owens came out and spoke about making history by beating John Cena in his debut. He says this Sunday, he’s going to win the rematch as well. He issues an NXT Title Open Challenge and out comes Heath Slater to accept.

– Kevin Owens def. Heath Slater to retain the NXT Championship. The finish saw Owens score the pin after hitting Slater with his Pop Up Powerbomb.

– The Lucha Dragons def. The Ascension in a tag-team dark match after the Main Event taping.

RAW Rating & Viewership Declines Headed Into Money In The Bank

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The June 8th edition of WWE RAW did a 2.59 rating with 3.66 million viewers, down from last week.

RAW was ranked #2 on cable for the night behind Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup Finals on the NBC Sports Network.

Here’s the hourly breakdown:

  • Hour 1: 3.678 million viewers
  • Hour 2: 3.609 million viewers
  • Hour 3: 3.647 million viewers

Alexa Bliss On Being Influenced By Trish Stratus, Emulating Rey Mysterio & More

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NXT Diva Alexa Bliss recently spoke with 614Columbus.com to promote this week’s NXT live event in her hometown. Below are some highlights from the interview.

On what she’s learned about wrestling that she didn’t know before entering the business: “When I watching wrestling, I watched it for more of the moves and to see the drama of the show, but when you actually start wrestling, there’s so much that goes into it. It’s an artform. It’s a lifestyle, it’s an art that you have to master and there’s just so much to learn. You can do it for years and years and years, and still learn new things every single day. It’s seriously one of the most fascinating things I’ve ever participated in…[getting started] I had no idea what to expect. It was like, ‘Whoa, this is all happening so fast.’ I get down here. My first day, I watch practice. My second day, I learn how to do bumps [Ed. note: falling correctly to limit injuries]. I just remembered watching wrestling thinking, ‘I wonder if that ring really is as hard as it looks.’ It is. [laughs] It really is. It’s not soft. I remember taking bumps and being like, ‘Oh my gosh.’ I called my mom. I was laying on a bed of ice telling her how much pain I was in. I was just like, ‘My body is not prepared for this, and she’s like, ‘Well, you wanted to be a Diva!’ [laughs].”

On saying she emulates Rey Mysterio and who else she has studied: “Trish Stratus for sure. I really liked watching her. Me and my family loved the Hardyz and Lita. I tried to have a little bit of snappiness to my moves like Lita did, but mostly, I really liked watching Rey and how he moved because of his size. I knew if I ever wanted to do this, I was probably not going to be the tallest gal or the biggest one in the ring. I really looked up to Trish because she was also a smaller framed girl. I believe my size actually helps me because I like to go for the element of surprise [Laughs] where people don’t expect much of me because of my size and stature. I like to shock people as well with the over-the-top personality.”

On why she chose pro wrestling instead of a sports or entertainment field: “It was because I felt like I was kind of at home. [Wrestling] was something that me and my family always got together and bonded over, so when the opportunity came, I was like, ‘That’s what I should be doing.’ If any other opportunity like acting comes along, that’s great, but as soon as I saw this opportunity, I was like, ‘That’s what I’m meant to do.’ All of my cheerleading and gymnastics and bodybuilding and training prep have prepared me for what I truly believe in my heart was this.”

Check out the complete interview at 614Columbus.com.

Big Show Blogs About Working With The Special Olympics

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Big Show has been working with the Special Olympics as of late and will serve as a WWE Goodwill Ambassador for the 2015 Special Olympic World Games in Los Angeles in July. He has also been acting as co-captain of the first-ever Special Olympics Unified Relay Across America.

The WWE Superstar recently posted a new blog on HuffingtonPost.com, where he talks about working with the group and how it has been one of the most rewarding experiences in his life.

Below is an excerpt from the blog, which you can check out in full by clicking here.

“Throughout my 20-year career in WWE, I’ve worked with an incredible group of athletes that travel the world, headline major events and have tens of thousands of fans cheer (and sometimes boo) them. Their charisma, athleticism, larger-than-life personalities and ability to connect with an audience is incredible. But as great as they are, none can compare to another group of athletes that I’ve been working with lately, whose boundless energy, passion and dedication to training cannot be matched. These athletes are the true superstars.

WWE has supported Special Olympics for decades. I recently got involved and was immediately drawn to and inspired by the Special Olympics athletes. Over the past two years, I have participated in the Opening Ceremonies for Special Olympics USA Games, attended the Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games and made various appearances in support of local Special Olympics programs around the world. But no matter how much I could ever give, I get so much more in return from the athletes.

At every event, it is a joy to see their enthusiasm, courage, determination and sportsmanship as they are an inspiration to me and to all of the WWE Superstars and Divas. They motivate us to work harder and above all, to have fun while doing so. To be able to work with individuals who inspire everyone by their dedication and perseverance is an amazing testament to the human spirit. They have big dreams and I am honored to, in a small way, help those dreams become a reality.”

Total Divas Preview Videos, Mysterio/Foley Note, Update On The Kliq DVD

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– Rey Mysterio’s next match in the United States will be on Saturday, August 22nd. Mysterio will be working the Pro Wrestling Syndicate event in Sayreville, New Jersey. Mysterio will team with Habib from The Car Wash to take on the team of Matt Macintosh and The Amazing Red. Mysterio will also be taking part in a Meet & Greet with Mick Foley as well.

– The following matches will be included in WWE’s new “The Kliq Rules” DVD and Blu-ray set, which is scheduled to come out on July 28th.

Shawn Michaels and Diesel vs. The 123 Kid and Razor Ramon, WWF Action Zone 10/30/1994
The Bad Guys vs. The Teamsters, Survivor Series 1994 Elimination Match
Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and X-Pac vs. Kane, The Rock and Hulk Hogan, SmackDown 3/28/2002

– E! released the following new promotional videos for the return of WWE Total Divas. The new season of the show is scheduled to begin on July 7th.

https://youtu.be/dMCv7R2c1tA

https://youtu.be/inWzWoZCYaA

Kazarian Talks About His Problem With Tough Enough, Marriage To Traci Brooks

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Ring Of Honor star Frankie Kazarian recently spoke with Marc Madison of News Hub for an interview. Below are some of the highlights.

On his WWE run: “My time in the WWE was less than a year and all that had to do with me. I didn’t mature enough as a wrestler or a man to be there. It was the first time that wrestling became a business and not something I loved because I saw the business side of it. Now I realize that what it is and not then. I was like wow, the WWE is a giant machine that is the biggest company in the world and always will be. I just wasn’t ready to be there on a mental level personally or professionally.”

On Tough Enough: “Part of it pains me to see guys coming on and cutting their promos and saying I love this business and I would do anything to be in this business – then why haven’t you done that yet? It always kind of bugs me to see that. There are a lot of us that took the road and did the Indies and went to Japan and Mexico and busted our ass just for a chance to get looked at somewhere and all of a sudden a game show comes along where people can submit their tapes. I’m not going to fault anyone for getting a spot the way they get a spot. If you love this business and your willing to work hard then more power to you.”

On marrying former TNA Knockout Traci Brooks: “It’s great having somebody that has been there and done that. That knows what I’m going through. Being a wrestler’s wife is probably the hardest thing to do on this planet. I can’t imagine regular quote unquote women having to endure and put up with what we put them through but being somebody that did a lot in the business she understands what I go through. So it makes my job a lot easier and she’s very knowledgeable in terms of if I need to talk to somebody about something she’s there it makes my life a lot easier it probably makes her life miserable, so I’m sorry. I don’t she’d entertain the idea of coming back. She probably did more in this business than she ever thought she’d do. She had a very very successful career just being a farm girl from St. Mary’s, Ontario. She achieved a lot and she still has friends in the business. Her days in the ring are probably done but who knows if she might pop up on an appearance here or there. She has no regrets she has her career and she will always love the business but there is a time when you move on. She’s happy with that. She’s just happy to ride off into the sunset.”

Check out the complete interview at The-NewsHub.com.

Nasty Boys’ Brian Knobbs On Possible WWE HOF Induction, Today’s Wrestling Scene

Matt Boone
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Brian Knobbs, one-half of the legendary Nasty Boys tag-team, recently appeared as a guest on The Two Man Power Trip Of Wrestling podcast. Below are some highlights from the interview.

On who was a favorite tag team of the Nasty Boys to work against: “We had some of our best matches with The Rockers. We liked each other and trusted each other, they are the ones that innovated the different maneuvers that you didn’t see before like the double leap frogs, double drop downs, double hip toss, double elbow/pop up a lot of double stuff put together and that was all done by Shawn (Michaels) and Marty (Jannety). We were more of the brawlers. But we worked so fantastic together. I remember a match against them that still holds up in my head and it’s on one of the Coliseum Videos from the WWF. Nasty Boys against The Rockers at the Royal Albert Hall in England. We were the tag champs at the time and what a great match we had, we just clicked and you could see that. When you are in with a group where you are learning from them or and maybe a little older then you in the ring and you get along then you can see the work that happens in the ring and how smooth it works and how good everything looks.”

On working with Jimmy Hart as the Nasty Boys manager: “I consider him to be our true manager. He is the one that took us to the top and he is definitely one of the best managers out there. From Capt. Lou Albano to Bobby “The Brain” Heenan you’ve got a lot of different managers out there, but Jimmy Hart is the hardest working man in show business and he still looks fantastic. He is still out there doing his thing and he loves this business and was a true manager for us when we first broke into the business. When we got to WWE, he said that he would ride with us and get a room together and help us out. After 10 days we landed in Tampa and he said “Nasty Boys, I love you but you guys can handle it from here”, he lasted 10 days with the Nasty Boys and we weren’t rooming or riding together anymore. But those were the crazy days, what can I say?”

On the origin of the Nasty Boys look: “When we were in Memphis, we came out in black ladies rain coats that looked like leather and had these spandex gold tights and long boots and Jerry Lawler said “if you are supposed to be Nasty Boys you don’t look like you are from the streets.” So me and Sags went out and really became the first ones who decided to cover up their bodies. Our arms looked great but everything else didn’t look that great so we could cover everything else and if our arms got any smaller we would have just worn long sleeve sweatshirts. We started to cover up and added the splash with the Nasty Boys logo and actually the only thing I didn’t like was that he (Lawler) painted our face and that was the Road Warriors trademark so we got rid of that right before we left Memphis.”

On today’s wrestling scene: “I still love the wrestling business, but the only thing I dislike is there are not too many places for the younger guys to go work. When we were growing up if you were good enough there were other places you could go work to become the very best at what you do and work on your craft. Today, I think that is missing in the wrestling business but everything changes and you have to go with the flow.”

On possibly being inducted into the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame: “That would be the final liner in the Nasty Boys legacy to get actually inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. That would put the ultimate stamp on our careers and we are getting older, me and Sags are both 52 and that would be the honor of all honors to get inducted. So I hope people are out their rooting for us because it would be our highest honor.”

Check out the complete interview at Podomatic.com.

Update On WWE Tough Enough Filming, Rusev Threatens Lana, RAW Note

Matt Boone
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– The final 40 contestants for the new season of WWE Tough Enough are flying to Orlando today to begin filming at the WWE Performance Center. Talents were informed that the cameras will be rolling as soon as they arrive. The filming that is going on today will be included in the WWE Network special that will air on the show next week.

– WWE is scheduled to return to New Orleans, the site of last night’s edition of RAW, for another RAW show on January 11, 2016. A pre-sale for tickets is going on right now with the password: WWERAW.

– Following last night’s RAW angle where Rusev caused Lana to suffer an ankle injury, Rusev has taken to social media to taunt and threaten Lana. Check out Rusev’s tweet from Tuesday morning below.

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