Fresh off a trip to the hospital where he was given a clean bill of health, WWE Hall of Famer Scott Hall says Triple H has invited him to attend next Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings from Atlanta:
https://twitter.com/scotthallnwo/status/469952538868207616
The Thursday, May 22, 2014 edition of TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV scored a final cable rating of 0.87, according to Nielsen Media Research. The 0.87 final draw marks a pretty decent increase as compared to the 0.83 final rating that the show drew the previous week.
Thursday’s edition of Impact Wrestling averaged 1.07 million viewers, which as well was an increase when compared to the average viewership for last week’s show, which came in at 1.053 million viewers.
WWE Hall Of Famer Scott Hall noted via his official Twitter account that he had checked himself into Emery-Adventist Hospital in Smyrna, Georgia earlier today after reccomendations to do so from “his team.” We have been reporting for the past few days that Hall has been dealing with some personal issues.
Hall posted the following notes and photos on his official Twitter account after checking out of the hospital:
Several hours later after a complete battery of blood work and cardiac exams is was given clean bill of health. pic.twitter.com/oZqWNqdNwo
— Scott Hall (@SCOTTHALLNWO) May 23, 2014
@SCOTTHALLNWO: Following the recommendations of my team I checked into Emory-Adventist Hospital at Smyrna pic.twitter.com/QjKAEZVUSD
— Scott Hall (@SCOTTHALLNWO) May 23, 2014
WWE Hall of Famer Bret Hart remembers his brother Owen on the 15-year anniversary of his passing:
Hey Owen, can't believe it's been fifteen years since you left us. It still hurts the same and not a day goes by that I don't think of you
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) May 23, 2014
And smile. There are so many things I wish I could tell you but, most of all, I'd just tell you how much I miss you Brother.
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) May 23, 2014
Missing you Brother http://t.co/XLfvUTb3sD
— Bret Hart (@BretHart) May 23, 2014
Since arriving on the scene, the Bulgarian (now Russian?) Brute (formerly known as Alexander) Rusev has squashed a number of WWE competitors, with a few notable victims including Big E, R-Truth, Xavier Woods, and Kofi Kingston.
Maybe it is mere coincidence that Rusev has squashed nearly every African American superstar on the roster. Others believe that it is deliberate, with rapper Wale being one celebrity/fan to comment on the situation. Still, others believe that the storyline is a way to reboot the Nation of Domination stable that was popular during the Attitude Era.
Whatever the reason for Rusev taking down almost every African American superstar, the real question is whether a Nation of Domination reboot could work during the PG Era.
As most remember, the Nation of Domination was a stable during the Attitude Era that consisted of Faarooq, Kama Mustafa, D’Lo Brown, and the Rock during its most famous incarnation. Core values of the group included black power and supremacy, as they were loosely modeled after the Nation of Islam and the Black Panther Party.
The group’s extremist beliefs and promos were often controversial in an era that regularly featured characters such as pimps and porn stars, so one can only imagine how the group would be received in today’s youth-oriented product.
With that said, I think the group could still be successful if rebooted, but only if booked as a face group. During the Attitude Era, the group was primarily booked as a heel faction, leading to promos where the group would accuse others of racism, while also accusing other African American superstars of not “being black enough” to gain entry into the Nation. It also led to other promos that many believe exhibited overt racism, such as when DX painted their faces black in order to mock their rivals.
Instances such as the ones just described simply would not fly in today’s WWE, so the stable would have to be toned down a bit. Most importantly, they would have to be booked as a face stable that would not use accusations of racism as a way to draw heat.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:
WWE’s Stock: “Seems like many members of the IWC have become stock analysts. Where were you when I was evaluating my portfolio? I am NOT a stock analyst but I do honestly feel that WWE stock will eventually, and that’s sooner than later, be a solid, long term investment for those who partake in the market. ”
15-Year Anniversary Of Owen Hart’s Death: “Hard to believe that it’s been 15 years since the most impactful day of my career occurred when Owen Hart fell to his death at the Over the Edge PPV WWE produced in Kansas City. There isn’t a day that seemingly goes by that I don’t think about Owen and that tragic accident in some way. I will never be able to write an autobiography without talking about that night and I dread going back and watching it to be able to better write about it. I have yet to see a single second of footage from that event to this very day. Hopefully, Owen will take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame some day and I can only hope that I am around to see it happen.”
CM Punk’s Legacy “I was asked today by the Chicago Tribune if @CMPunk deserved to be in the top 25 of the all time great wrestlers. I said that all these “All Time Top” whatever lists are overly subjective but my list would be the talents who I would want in my company if I owned a wrestling organization. By the way, that will never, EVER, happen. Nonetheless, I’d absolutely want Punk on my team so therefore under my criteria he’s a top 25 guy. He’s too versatile, too skilled, an excellent hero or villain, can talk, has a great work ethic and is one of the smarter minds I’ve been around.
I was also asked if CM Punk abruptly leaving WWE would adversely affect his legacy. My answer, a simple “Hell, no.”
Former WWE NXT Star Mason Ryan recently appeared on the RCWR Show. Here are the highlights of what he said about:
Winning The FCW Championship: “It was all quite a whirlwind to be honest with you. I was wrestling in the U.K, got signed and just flew over here. I’m just a small town boy from a very small town in Wells, grew up there most of my life… seen most of the world. Coming over here was a big experience for me, it was a complete change of life and everything. I just remember fondly those times in FCW when I first came over here that everything was just so new and exciting for me. Got to work with some great people with Dr. Tom, Norman Smiley, Steve Kern down there. A lot of great guys came from there and it happened so quickly. It really was a whirlwind. I remember the night clearly, we were in a three way… it was Alex Riley and the now Fandango. I can’t remember the match too much, I just remember afterwards holding the the Florida heavyweight championship and looking at it—I was in awe of it because of the history and everything that went with that it as it meant a lot to me. It was an awesome experience.”
His WWE RAW Debut In January 2011: “To start off with that night was amazing. I only found out that day what was happening. I heard rumors and suggestions that I was going to join beforehand. When I was told that day I’d be doing what I was doing I was very excited as it just blew me away. To be interfering in CM Punk and John Cena’s match on Monday Night Raw was massive. It was actually in January and I was in my first year with the company. That wasn’t my first year with the company as I got here in January (the previous year before his Raw debut) and then the following year I made my debut. That was a phenomenal experience. I remember waiting beforehand cause I came in through the crowd just waiting and looking around, seeing the crowd cause the match was going on. Knowing I was going to be a part of this in a few seconds at that time was just fantastic. I was just kind of looking around thinking how great it was. It was an unbelievable experience, standing on that apron and having the eyes of the world on me and be a part of what those guys were doing and to go on to be in Nexus was awesome.
No Vignettes For His Debut: “There was no vignettes, I think it was pretty cool that they did what they did like that to just have me come from nowhere. It was kind of like no one really knew anything about me. I’d been down in FCW but no one really knew about Mason Ryan or anything about me. So just to come out like that and be the unknown and have that surprise aspect and kind of shock people was kind of a good way to it.”
Working With CM Punk: “There’s not many guys like him around. To be under his wing and have him around lots of time as we traveled together, just to be around him was awesome. He’s such a big star, just the way he carries himself and his matches. That was another huge thing as on the live events we got to be a ringside for a lot of these main events like with him and John Cena and stuff. We got to witness first hand as we had the best seats in the house watching, learning and seeing what these guys do and watching two people at the top of their of game. CM Punk is what what he puts out there, he is the best in the world, he’s phenomenal in the ring and on the mic. To be around him and witness how he does stuff was—you don’t get much of a better experience than that.”
If Punk Ever Offered Him Advice: “Yeah, he was always great. A lot of times we’d drive together and stuff and he’d ask us if we had any questions like me, Joe, who’s know Curtis Axel, Dave Otunga. We’d have other matches on the card and then he’d ask us how it went. Anytime we had any questions or sometimes he’d ask us if we had any questions for him, he always had time to answer questions and help us out which is great cause I’m sure he had a lot on his plate. Being a top guy in this business, there’s a lot of demands and you’re quite busy. So to have time for us all the time was really cool of him.”
If He Thinks CM Punk Will Return To WWE: “Hard for me to say really because I was back with NXT at that point. I wasn’t in the locker room so I can’t really tell you the feeling or whatever. I don’t know with this business it’s impossible to work anything out because it’s such an unpredictable business. I don’t anyone would have thought he’d walk away to start off with if you asked two years ago. Who knows in two years time or two months time what can happen you know. I personally have no idea.”
Working With Bray Wyatt (As Husky Harris In Nexus): “I’ve known Bray a long time. He was there when I first got to FCW. I always got along great with him, he’s a good guy. There was a group of us there that go out and have fun and he was one of those guys. I’ve known him a while and he’s a really cool guy to be around. I remember when him and Curtis Axel debuted with New Nexus, that was quite crazy seeing what they were doing and then to put of it myself alongside him and that. That night when he got punted we really didn’t know if that was the end for him or what ever. Turns out they didn’t but he went away and reinvented himself like I don’t think anyone has. To come back with the Bray Wyatt character that he has now which is phenomenal! To see the interviews he does, promos are unbelievable, they blow you away that there that good. Very cool to watch cause I came back down a little a bit after he was working on his character, just to see the development of it over months and months and what he put into it was really cool to see. He deserves all the success he gets.”
Is He Surprised In Bray Wyatt’s Transformation From Husky Harris? “Yeah that’s quite a u-turn isn’t it? I don’t think he himself expected that. I don’t think there’s any chance that when he got kicked in the head by Randy Orton that night that he’d come back and be Bray Wyatt. Have this cult following and be this mega star that he’s going to be…to see it from my viewpoint was just so cool because you get to see a little bit more. I was at WrestleMania this year and just to see him against John Cena — I can’t remember who it was but I just turned to someone and said he’s one of us and he’s there. I was so happy to see him there.”
Did WWE Pull The Plug On Nexus Too Early? “I don’t know. There was a few things going on at the time. Punk was our guy but he was involved in other angles. I guess it could have been a blow off but at the same time I always liked what we did. I always enjoyed the storylines and angles we were in. I can’t really say too much because I always think that they (WWE creative) know what they are doing. I wouldn’t say so to be honest.”
Developing A Leaner, More Athletic Body: “When I was on the main roster involved with Nexus I wasn’t wrestling as much, it was a lot of bodyguard type stuff. I put quite a bit of size on, it was close to 300lbs or maybe a bit more at one point. I wasn’t doing as much cardio and stuff like that. Then when I came back down I realized the size looked good but it wasn’t that practical. I wanted to be more of an athlete and be able to move and be athletic rather than just a big, bulkie guy who couldn’t move and just looked good. Still to this day I work on a lot on my athleticism, my agility, flexibility and all that stuff is important to me. It was a constant change in my part to improve myself. I kind of saw as well that times have changed these days. Obviously everything evolves and the product evolves, it’s more of an athletic product these days. Just being big and immobile isn’t suitable for today’s product. I saw a need for change and I wanted to change myself for the better to make myself a better performer.”
His WWE Release: “First and foremost I don’t know if anyone follows me on Twitter but I released a statement saying I had four great years in the WWE. I’ll be forever thankful for what they did to me. My experience in the last four years has been incredible. I’m just a small town boy from a little town in Wells, grew up there all my life. Just through luck got into wrestling and before I knew it I got a contract with the biggest wrestling company in the world and got to come over to America. I absolutely love it over it here. I’m very proud to be Welsh but this has become my second home and this is where I’ll be living. I’m so thankful for that and to get the chance to entertain the audiences and be part of this great, great industry we love so much. To travel the world on top of that on their dime and get paid for it was just—sometimes when I think about how lucky I was it’s just mind-blowing. I think it was just one of those things where I’d been there for four years and they didn’t really have anything for me and couldn’t see much for me at present. I left with the door wide open. I left with a lot of good relationships with everyone there as everyone was always so good to me. I have no reason not to leave that way. That was that and now I’m just concentrating on the future as all I can do is work hard and be me and try to be the best I can be and you know what? I’m looking forward to what the future holds and going down different avenues, trying different things, being part of the indie scene and hopefully traveling the world again and going to places I haven’t been. Obviously I love the WWE dearly and I loved being part of it but now it’s own to a new chapter.”
If He Would Wrestle For TNA: “Yeah well obviously I’m now a free agent. I’m going to be in this business, it ruins in my blood. I love it and I love being part of it so yeah I’m absolutely open to any offers. I have no idea what the future holds for me but like I said I’m a free agent right now.”
Due to the fact that TNA is already promoting Kurt Angle’s return to the company on television, many are under the impression that the company is confident that he will be re-signing when his current deal expires.
TNA has mentioned that Angle will be back in approximately five months, a time frame that will fall around mid-October, which would be after his existing contract is expired.
As of right now, there is no real definite word as to whether or not WWE has any interest in the former Olympic gold medalist.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
Update: The video was pulled from Youtube due to a copyright clalim
Erick Rowan and Luke Harper briefly won the WWE Tag Team Titles at yesterday’s live event from Belfast, Northern Ireland.
While they were celebrating with their newly won gold, Fit Finlay came out and explained to the referee that The Wyatt Family cheated to win, knocking out one of the Usos with the titles. The match was then re-started and The Usos retained.
Additional sources have recently confirmed our previous reports regarding plans for Ric Flair’s role on WWE television upon his upcoming return.
As noted, Flair requested to work with Dolph Ziggler. In a bit of an update, while it was noted previously that it would be unlikely, it can now be confirmed that the idea of Flair working with Ziggler was shot down by WWE.
We noted that there was a strong possibility that Flair would return and work with The Miz again, and it appears that those two will indeed be paired up again.
Flair is scheduled to undergo WWE medial testing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and will soon-after be brought back to WWE television to return as a regular weekly character.
The third installment of Mick Foley on Global Force Wrestling’s “The Journey” web-series, which features the WWE Hall Of Famer reflecting back on his work with CM Punk, Daniel Bryan, Colt Cabana and others during his Ring Of Honor appearances, is now available.
Watch part three of Mick Foley on “The Journey” above.
– The debut edition of Bill Goldberg’s “Who’s Next? with Bill Goldberg” podcast, which features an interview with NASCAR legend Tony Stewart, is now available at PodcastOne.com.
The official description for the show reads as follows:
Who’s Next w/ Goldberg – Ep01 – Tony Stewart
“NFL Stud-Turned Wrestling Legend Bill Goldberg kicks off his new weekly show with his buddy, Auto Racing Superstar Tony Stewart and some words of encouragement from the legendary voice of Pro Wrestling, Jim Ross.”
You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.
– Speaking of PodcastOne.com shows, the latest edition of Steve Austin’s “Steve Austin Show” podcast, which features an interview with TNA star James Storm, is now available.
The official description for the show reads as follows:
SASu – EP118 – TNA’s Cowboy James Storm
“TNA’s Cowboy James Storm stopped by 316 Gimmick Street with a 6-pack of Coors Light and a whole mess of squared-circle stories. He’s namin’ names too – favorite promo guy, favorite of all time, and who gave him his gimmick. Plus, hear about his call to WCW, why he’s partially blind in one eye, and which college offered him a scholarship to play basketball!”
You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.
Paul Heyman and other “surprise guests” have been announced for the NXT Takeover pre-show next Thursday night.
The NXT Takeover pre-show will be hosted by Renee Young, and will also feature “Nature Boy” Ric Flair and Rob Van Dam. Flair, as noted in the past, will be in the corner of his daughter Charlotte for her NXT Divas Championship match.
NXT Takeover airs on Thursday, May 29th, live on the WWE Network. The pre-show begins at 7:30pm EST.
– Sheamus granted three wishes through the Make-A-Wish Foundation at the WWE live event in Dublin, Ireland this past Thursday.
– Ric Flair, Matt Hardy, Jeff Hardy, “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase Sr. and others will be on hand at the Big Time Wrestling event on May 31st in North Charleston, South Carolina.
The following are some preview clips for this week’s edition of WWE Total Divas, which airs on E! on Sunday night:
The following are highlights of a recent website Q&A update by WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On how being as PG product impacts WWE: “Being PG or TV14 makes no difference if the roster isn’t performing at their highest level from top to bottom . Success is determined by the talent and not the TV rating.”
On Rosa Mendes joining Total Divas cast: “Perhaps she will add a spark to the show and will certainly be a new face. I’m guessing that this will be a good fit for her.”
On nationalistic story lines: “Politically charged, nationalistic storylines have to be cautiously crafted depending on today’s situation. In today’s PC world, they are especially sensitive.”
On if he considers CM Punk a “quitter”: “I do NOT consider CM Punk a quitter whatsoever and those that do I feel sorry for. I can’t speak for either party but I’d never say never in the pro wrestling biz.”
Check out more JR Q&A updates at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
WWE CFO George Barrios took part in a presentation at the Global Technology, Media & Telecom conference in Boston, Massachusetts this week. Below are some highlights.
– The “Monday Night War” series will debut on the WWE Network “in the fall.”
– If WWE loses their PPV revenue stream completely, they will need 1.3-1.4 million subscribers to the WWE Network to offset the losses that would generate. They believe they can reach 2-4 million subscribers globally within 2-3 years.
– The company is monitoring the quality of the WWE Network “by the second” due to some early rough patches.
– On March 30th, the company had “about” 500,000 subscribers for the WWE Network, but by WrestleMania XXX on April 7th, they reached the 667,000 subscriber number that became public. The company will continue to announce subscription numbers at every quarterly call.
– Apple earns 30 percent of the profits generated through every subscription that comes through them. The same type of deal exists for other platforms, such as Roku.
– They have discussed running advertisements on the WWE Network, but have not yet made a decision as to whether or not they officially intend to go that route.
– WWE does not maintain credit cards on file from WWE Network subscriptions, they have other partners who process that material.
– Next week’s edition of WWE Countdown, which airs on Tuesday night on the WWE Network, the subject of the top-ten list will be greatest factions of all-time. The show is timed in conjunction with the release of WWE’s new “Greatest Factions” DVD and Blu-ray, which is also available on Tuesday.
– The following is a video from the official UFC On FOX YouTube channel that features WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross appearing on “UFC Tonight.”
http://youtu.be/Bv5V_FOxYy0
– WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels will be featured on next week’s edition of WWE Legends House, which airs Thursday night on the WWE Network.
– WWE reportedly refused ABC sitcom “The Goldbergs” the rights to any footage of The Ultimate Warrior for their tribute show to the late WWE Hall Of Famer. Warrior and his family were reportedly big fans of the series, and his wife and daughter were said to be touched by the tribute episode. Warrior’s daughters were actually invited onto The Goldbergs set for the filming of an episode next season.
WWE is indeed apparently going ahead with a love triangle story line between Fandango, Layla and Summer Rae.
According to one source, WWE is looking at a possible Layla vs. Summer Rae match at the upcoming WWE Payback pay-per-view on June 1st, with Fandango serving as the special guest referee for the bout.
Apparently the idea behind that match would be to see who Fandango sides with, and further the aforementioned love triangle story.
The two have already been sniping at each other on Twitter:
What's the problem, @realsummerwwe? I can't help it that I got the job, fell in love, and am dancing with @WWEFandango? #blessed #Raw
— Layla El (@mslayel) May 20, 2014
I bet you did @mslayel – how much does a girl like you charge 'for a job?' Let me guess…cheap? #SingleDollarBaby #WWE #Raw
— Summer Rae (@DanielleMoinet) May 20, 2014
Oh yea U so care! U played Cheap tonight …I actually feel sorry for U JEALOUSY is an Ugly Disease…. Just Like U!!! @RealSummerWWE
— Layla El (@mslayel) May 20, 2014
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
AJ Lee is currently scheduled to return after she and WWE Superstar CM Punk get married next month. During her time off, AJ has been moving to Chicago and planning her wedding.
As of a few weeks ago, the plan was originally for Lee to be back either in late May or early June. She’s been out of action since taking time off after dropping the Divas Championship to Paige the night after WrestleMania XXX.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross will be appearing on tonight’s edkition of “UFC Tonight” on FOX Sports 1. The show is a weekly UFC news-talk program, and JR will be on tonight to discuss Saturday’s UFC 173 pay-per-view, as well as his boxing announcing debut for the Golden Boy Promotions event on FOX Sports 1 next Monday night.
JR tweeted about the appearance, writing the following on Wednesday afternoon:
Catch me on @UFCTonight later today at 8 eastern/ 7 central talking #UFC173 &. @GoldenBoyBoxing on @FOXSports1
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) May 21, 2014
Madison Square Garden has announced several huge matches the upcoming “SummerSlam Heatwave Tour” live event from New York City on Saturday, July 12th.
Tickets start at only $25. For discounted seats, visit Ticketmaster.com and use the code “SLAM.” You can also contact Cameron Nichols at (212) 631-5238 and [email protected].
Matches announced for the show include:
Street Fight for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship:
– Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Triple H
– John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt
United States Championship:
– Sheamus (c) vs. Randy Orton
Other stars advertised to appear include Dolph Ziggler, Mark Henry, The Usos, Ryback, Fandango, Big E and Santino.
As previously reported, Bill Goldberg was the guest on this week’s Jim Ross “Ross Report” podcast at PodcastOne.com. Goldberg revealed during the interview that he will soon be debuting his own new podcast at PodcastOne.com.
The show, which will be called “Who’s Next?” debuts at PodcastOne.com this Friday, with special guest NASCAR driver Tony Stewart. Goldberg tweeted the following about the new podcast:
Yes it's true……. The "WHO'S NEXT" Podcast debuts this Friday on @PodcastOne 1st guest is B-Day boy @TonyStewart !!!
— Bill Goldberg (@Goldberg) May 20, 2014
– This week’s edition of WWE Countdown, which premiered on the WWE Network on Tuesday night, featured a look at the top ten memorable debuts in history. You can check out a preview for the show, which is available right now on the WWE Network, below.
– This week’s WrestleMania Rewind, which also aired on the WWE Network on Tuesday night, looked back at the WrestleMania V main event between Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage. You can check out a preview for that one below.