NXT Diva Emma made her WWE RAW television debut on Monday’s WWE RAW. Prior to the Cameron and Naomi vs. AJ Lee and Tamina Snuka match, she was briefly shown in the crowd and was acknowledged by JBL on commentary.
Emma is the current #1 contender to NXT Women’s Champion Paige and worked this past weekend’s WWE live events, teaming with Natalya.
Here’s a photo of Emma in the crowd from RAW:
It was officially announced on Monday’s RAW that the Ultimate Warrior is the first member of the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2014.
This will be Warrior’s first WWE appearance in 18 years.
Shortly after the announcement, “Ultimate Warrior” was trending on Twitter at #1 worldwide.
WWE has added a new playlist of The Ultimate Warrior’s career highlights on Youtube.
The 2014 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony takes place on Saturday night, April 5th from the New Orleans Arena.
Prior to Monday’s RAW from Providence, Rhode Island, the following matches were taped for this week’s episode of WWE Superstars:
* Xavier Woods defeated Brodus Clay
* The Primetime Players defeated 3MB’s Jinder Mahal and Drew McIntyre
– There is a cage reportedly hanging above the ring at the arena in Providence, Rhode Island, the site of tonight’s live WWE RAW show. With the cage being set up for use, one would expect a cage match of some sort on tonight’s show.
– Earlier today, WWE announced that tickets for the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony from New Orleans go on sale this Saturday. To kickoff the ticket release, WWE is expected to announce the first inductee for the Class of 2014 tonight on RAW. Our friends at WrestleZone.com are reporting that the announcement will most likely be none other than the Ultimate Warrior.
While this doesn’t confirm anything one way or the other, the story earlier today that claimed WWE Superstar Chris Jericho would be returning at the March 8th live event at the MTS Center in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada is being denied by WWE.
WWE claims that the The Winnipeg Sun running the story in their newspaper was a mistake, and one that the company has asked the publication to run a correction on.
– WWE.com has published a new feature counting down the 10 “manliest” moments in WWE history.
– Paul Heyman’s Heyman Hustle site has released exclusive photos of the Bella Twins from last week’s WWE Network event from CES in Las Vegas.
– As reported earlier, the Winnipeg Sun newspaper ran a story today announcing that Chris Jericho will be appearing at the upcoming WWE Live Event from the city on March 7th. Reader Adam Lebow sent in word that he’s seen digital ads in the elevators of multiple buildings in Toronto hyping Chris Jericho’s return to Winnipeg at the 3/7 show.
The following are results from the WWE live event in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. The event was held on Sunday, January 12, 2014.
– Ryback & Curtis Axel def. Prime Time Players & 3MB in a triple-threat tag-team elimination match. 3MB was eliminated first, and then Axel and Ryback defeated PTP to win the match.
– Zack Ryder def. Bo Dallas in singles action. Dallas cut a promo talking about how he wouldn’t be defending the NXT title in this match.
– The Bella Twins def. Aksana & Alicia Fox in Divas tag-team action. This was a Fan’s Choice match, and the fans actually voted for a straight match instead of a dance competition.
– Alberto Del Rio def. Sin Cara in singles action. This was pretty much the same match they’ve been doing around the loop, including RAW last Monday night.
– Big Show def. Kane in singles action. Kane apparently worked the match in his old Kane gear, but without the mask or gloves, etc. After the match, Brad Maddox came out. He got in Show’s face too much and Show hit him with the KO punch.
– Fernando (with Diego & El Torito) def. Antonio Cesaro (with Zeb Colter) in a one-on-one match. There were a lot of comedy spots throughout this one.
– Goldust & Cody Rhodes def. Ryback & Curtis Axel in a tag-team match to retain the WWE World Tag-Team Championships. Ryback and Axel both ended up working twice in this show, as he worked this match and the opener.
– John Cena def. Randy Orton via DQ. With the disqualification, Randy Orton retained his WWE World Heavyweight Championship. This is the exact same match they’ve been doing for weeks now, with Orton low-blowing Cena on purpose just as he was about to lose.
The Winnipeg Sun is advertising former WWE Superstar Chris Jericho for the March 7th WWE Live Event from the MTS Center –
Chris Jericho is bringing the WWE to Winnipeg.
The World Tour is coming to MTS Centre March 7.
Other stars coming to Winnipeg include CM Punk, Big Show, R-Truth, The Miz and Daniel Bryan.
Tickets will be available on wwe.com and Ticketmaster, but are not yet for sale.
We cannot yet confirm the validity of this story, but this could be another “Batista is returning!” leak.
– WWE Superstar Kofi Kingston and WWE Diva Natalya will be hosting a WrestleMania Reading Celebration event today at the Harry Kizirian Elementary School in Providence, Rhode Island.
– The Los Angeles Times ran an article on their website recently covering the rumors that WWE Hall Of Famers “Rowdy” Roddy Piper and Hulk Hogan may be working at the upcoming WrestleMania XXX event in April. You can check out the article online at LATimes.com.
– Ryback continues to be the biggest Twitter troll in WWE. He tweeted the following today:
“New Ryback Rules. Eat Tweet Delete Repeat”
He then deleted the message. Oh Ryback, you so crazy!
– Paul Heyman’s HeymanHustle.com site has published exclusive photos of Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and Shawn Micahels from last week’s big WWE Network presentation from CES 2014 in Las Vegas.
– WWE.com has published a video playlist of Batista’s most dominating Royal Rumble eliminations.
– CNBC.com has published an article slamming the WWE Network, wrestling fans and predicting that WWE stock will take a big hit as a result.
“Good news for “professional” wrestling fans: No, it’s not actually real. However, now you can enjoy wrestling 24 hours a day, seven days a week from the comfort of your parents’ basement.”
Portfolio manager John Stephenson said:
“I think they’re already on the top rope after that 111% increase last year. There’s nowhere to go but down. The core business is just deteriorating. You don’t have enough young men looking at wrestling with its scripted program. You’re looking at a model that’s in decline and valuation is stupidly high.”
CNBC is owned by NBC Universal, the same company that owns the USA Network and is currently in negotiations over WWE’s TV rights fees.
– TMZ covered a story involving TNA star Jeff Hardy’s dog breaking a bone in its’ foot last week. Those interested in the story can check it out at TMZ.com.
– TNA has added a new video to their official YouTube channel featuring footage of “The Icon” Sting backstage at a TNA live event this past weekend. The “#IMPACT365” video, which can be seen below, is accompanied by the following description: “Backstage at the IMPACT World Tour Live Event in McMinnville, TN on Saturday night, several lucky fans has the chance to meet the Icon, Sting! Here is the exclusive video!”
http://youtu.be/o80zmi2lZKo
There is a lot of frustration among TNA staffers and office employees towards Dixie Carter. Apparently the feeling within the company is that the office workers aren’t appreciated for their hard work, nor has there been discussions of a raise in pay over the last several years.
Additionally, there is a feeling that TNA president Dixie Carter isn’t as approachable as she once was. It’s being said that Carter no longer goes out of her way to talk to anyone, with some noting that it seems like she’s in her own world these days, whereas she used to be a very approachable boss.
As reported last week, WWE scheduled a talent meeting for this afternoon where Vince McMahon would address the roster about how the WWE Network will be affecting them.
One of the main items that was going to be discussed is how PPV payoffs would be handled now that those events are moving to the WWE Network.
According to a source who is backstage at the site of tonight’s RAW – the meeting never took place. There is lot of confusion about why the meeting was called off.
Former WWE Diva Candice Michelle underwent surgery to repair a broken nose on January 9th and posted the following photo today of how she looks 4 days after the procedure. Her nose was broken 7 years ago after taking a headbutt from Beth Phoenix.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his Q&A section of JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
His personal opinion of Hulk Hogan:
“I’m not that close to Hogan and never have been. He’s a businessman. End of story.”
What Jake Roberts was like to deal with in WCW?:
“Great mind, challenging at times and he and Watts never seemed to get along.”
If he thinks Steve Austin will wrestling again, and The Rock wrestling someone other then Brock Lesnar or John Cena:
“No…on both fronts.”
Was the heat between The Rock & John Cena legit?
“I wasn’t there but likely it was two jocks enjoining each other in oneupsmanship.”
Do announcers get payoffs for big pay-per-view events like WrestleMania?
“Generally no. Occasionally, yes , in the past. I’m out of the loop.”
What do you think of Ryback’s recent twitter comments?
“Sorry but I haven’t read them but he’s got people talking so they must have worked.”
The following are highlights from a recent Miami Herald interview with WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On the WWE Network announcement: “I was very impressed with their presentation. I watched it on my iPad. I thought it looked great. I hope that fans are as excited about it as I am. I think the value of $9.99, $10 bucks you might as well say, is fantastic. You think of what you can take out of your daily, weekly, month routine to find that extra 10 bucks.”
On the content you get for the price: “There are quite a few things you can eliminate and find an extra $10 to get all this content…I like the fact that if you are in the mood or something specific from that genre, it’s accessible when you want… It’s just an amazing positive development. I think that is really a game-changer. I think it’s a terrific way of distributing the content. It will get the WWE in the genre of pro wrestling to potentially millions and millions of people.”
Check out the complete interview online at MiamiHerald.com.
WWE agent/producer The Road Dogg recently spoke with The Miami Herald to promote a January 31st WWE live event in Miami, FL. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
Advice To Aspiring Wrestlers: “I tell them to not party too much, especially nowadays. You know, back when I was living life crazy, cell phones were just coming out. Now everybody has got one and is filming you. When you are on top of the world, there ain’t nowhere to go but down. So I tell them to keep their head on their shoulders. I say if they want to live a long life and be prosperous and reap what they sow and live off the rewards, then they have to keep a good head on their shoulders and be smart about it. It’s not just a party. This is a career. I wish I would have looked at it as such 15-20 years ago, but I’m looking at it that way now. That’s what I tell them, and I ain’t afraid to tell them. Don’t party too hard and think about this as your career. This is your job.”
WWE’s Reinvigorated Tag Team Division: “The credit goes to the stars themselves for sure. I think it can also be attributed to the fact we focus a little more on the tag division. We have spent a little more energy and time in developing the tag team division. I think it was sorely missed when there weren’t prominent tag teams on the landscape. I think it’s been really appreciated now that their back. We got a lot of great teams that have stepped up in the last year and think will continue to step up this year. I think there are many things it can be attributed to, but just the fact that it’s thriving and successful is awesome, especially for me to watch, because I was a tag team wrestler and love tag team wrestling.”
2014: “The creative writing team is on point now. Everybody is working hard to get these guys to superstardom. I think you’ve seen 2013 look up. Business has picked up as J.R. [Jim Ross] would say. I just think 2014 is going to be on the upswing. I’m looking forward to it and think the WWE Universe will look forward to it as well.”
– WWE’s latest “30 Second Fury” video looks back at Jake Roberts’ DDT:
With Jake “The Snake” Roberts making a triumphant appearance on Old School Raw, we decided to feature the maneuver that he made famous; the DDT. Check out some of “The Snake’s” DDT and other WWE Superstars and Divas variations of his move.
– WWEShop.com is running a 1-day sale, with championship belts 20% off until midnight.
– Tickets for the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony (4/5) at the New Orleans Arena during WrestleMania weekend go on sale this Saturday. For more information, visit WWE.me.
Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW takes place from the Dunkin’ Donuts Center in Providence, RI.
With two weeks to go before the Royal Rumble, WWE will continue building to the upcoming Randy Orton vs. John Cena title match. Plus, with Batista’s returning next week on RAW, expect a lot of hype for that as well. Here are the top items teased by WWE’s 5-point preview:
* The top match advertised for RAW Daniel Bryan and Bray Wyatt teaming up against the The Usos.
* Randy Orton will confront The Authority on RAW tonight after Vickie Guerrero booked him against Intercontinental Champion Big E Langston on Friday’s SmackDown.
* After Paul Heyman accepted Big Show’s challenge on SmackDown to fight Brock Lesnar at the Royal Rumble, “Who will make the next move as the collision between these two goliaths?”
* After defeating CM Punk & The New Age Outlaws on Old School RAW, is the Shield back on the same page?
* More Royal Rumble entrants to be revealed.
Talent advertised to appear include Randy Orton, John Cena, Daniel Bryan, The Wyatt Family, The Shield, CM Punk, Big Show, Booker T, and The Authority (Triple H & Stephanie McMahon).
The dark match main event that takes place after RAW goes off the air will feature WWE World Heavyweight champion Randy Orton vs. John Cena.
* PHOTO: Saturday Night’s TNA Live Event From A Half-Empty High School Gym
Check out this photo from Friday night’s TNA live event from Bristol, Tennessee (Results). The ring announcer and the referee in the ring indicate that this is not one of those ‘photos taken before the show actually began.’
This week on Because Wrestling, we talk about Kaitlyn’s WWE departure, an update on Mae Young, Ryback on Twitter, and everything you need to know about the WWE Network!
The following are highlights from a new WWE.com interview with Jake “The Snake” Roberts:
On how his return at Old School RAW came about: “I got a call from [Diamond] Dallas [Page] on Saturday afternoon saying, “Dude, are you sitting down? Are you alone?” He told me WWE wanted to talk with me about an opportunity. At that point, I went completely blank. I couldn’t think, I couldn’t make sense of what was inside my head. It has been such a journey for me. They told me they were going to play it really old school by keeping it a secret from everybody, which was pretty cool. It brought back a lot of memories.”
On being hidden backstage at Old School RAW in Baltimore: “They said I was going to fly into a different airport so nobody saw me. I flew into Washington instead of Baltimore. They picked me up there and told me to call when I was 10 minutes away from the building so they could smuggle me in. I went to one of the busses and I stayed on there until about 10 minutes before the whole thing. I had no idea what we were going to do. At about five o’clock, after I had been there for about four or five hours, I was told what was going on. I was told to chill out and they’d bring me food and to call a number if I needed anything. It was a good, because it gave me time to reflect about where I’d been and what got me there.”
On his new level of respect for CM Punk: “I appreciate CM Punk so much more now than I ever have. He kneeled down over at the side, got completely out of the picture and allowed me to have that moment. It was incredible. It shows people what a true professional he is. He really raised himself up on my list of people that I respect. He didn’t have to do that. I’m the old fart who screwed up what I had. To be allowed to come back to WWE is the greatest gift that’s ever been given to me. Back in the day, I never appreciated what WWE had given me, because I was in too much disarray and too confused about my own life. I let opportunities foolishly slip through my hands. To be given this opportunity to come back and grab a small piece of what was, that’s very special.”
Check out the complete interview online at WWE.com.
The following are highlights from a new SLAM! Wrestling interview with WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes:
On not being pressured to go into wrestling by his family: “Wrestling was something I always wanted to do, maybe not all I ever wanted to do, but something I definitely wanted to do. I really had no pressure from my family.”
On his father Dusty Rhodes’ early advice: “When I told my dad I wanted to give wrestling a shot, he told me, after a good 10 minutes of silence, ‘If you’re gonna do it, you gotta do it to be the best.’ But wrestling is such a great thing. There’s no way to hide from getting the fans reaction. It’s really special.”
On who helps him backstage in WWE: “Sometimes, my dad’s advice is biased because he’s too close to the project. I usually stay away from getting advice from my family. My dad thinks I’m the best and this is not what’s gonna help me get better. Guys like Fit Finlay, JBL, Arn Anderson are the ones I ask for advice.”
On what led to his teaming with Goldust: “Nothing was supposed to lead this way. It’s just one of those things that caught fire. The thing you need to know about Dustin is that before his return, he had a behind-the-scene success. He’s a healthier person now. As Goldust, he has the best matches of his life. It’s like a Benjamin Button kind of story.”
“It’s a real trip. We both have a different style, but I really love it. It’s a very positive thing. I never thought it would happen. He started his career when I was a kid. We are closer together now and try to make it up for the lost time.”
“It’s an opportunity for us. We actually don’t talk that much of the ring when we are not in the ring.”
Check out the complete interview online at SLAM! Wrestling.
The following was issued today:
Mark Burnett Bringing Lucha Libre Wrestling to El Rey Network
The weekly hourlong wrestling series will feature a new lucha libre league and bow in the second half of 2014
Mark Burnett is expanding his empire to the El Rey Network.
The uber-producer behind Survivor and The Bible is teaming with Robert Rodriguez’s new Latino-themed network to create a weekly hourlong series featuring a new lucha libre league. The Mexican wrestling series will debut in the second half of 2014.
Burnett’s One Three Media will partner with Lucha Libre AAA — Mexico’s leading league — and FactoryMade Ventures. Antonio Cue Sanchez-Navarro and LatinoAmerica’s largest production group, Alex Garcia’s AG Studios, are also on board for the new venture.
“Starting this business with a new television series on a cutting-edge network like El Rey is very exciting,” Burnett said in a release announcing the news. “And it doesn’t end there. Wrestling is a billion-dollar business in the U.S., and with partners like Robert Rodriguez, Lucha Libre AAA and the rest of our great team, our new lucha libre league will make that market even bigger.”
Added Rodriguez: “El Rey Network is all about the unexpected which is why this is the perfect partnership. Our association with Lucha Libre AAA, FactoryMade and Mark Burnett’s One Three Media speaks to our commitment to create content that resonates for a culturally diverse generation — one that expects high impact and excitement from their entertainment programming.”
As part of the new pact, the group will develop monthly and quarterly specials, as well as pay-per-view lucha libre events. Merchandise, licensing and product integration opportunities for the league are also being explored.
The news comes nearly a year after Lucha Libre announced plans to explore scripted and unscripted TV with new partners FactoryMade and Starlight Runner Entertainment, who will help build the multiplatform world of heroes and villains.
In addition to Burnett and One Three Media, El Rey Network’s weekly series also will be executive produced by Rodriguez and by FactoryMade and El Rey co-founders John Fogelman and Cristina Patwa. One Three Media’s COO Brian Edwards will join the venture’s board with current board members Dorian Roldan from Lucha Libre AAA, Cue Sanchez-Navarro, Fogelman and Patwa.
Beyond his new El Rey venture, Burnett also has The Bible follow-up miniseries set up at NBC, CBS’ siege of Masada mini The Dovekeepers, NBC event series Plymouth as well as a space competition series, among other projects.
The El Rey Network, which launched in December, is a new 24-hour English-language network targeting the Latino 18-49 audience. Founded and curated by Rodriguez, the network has a national distribution agreement with Comcast. Scott Sassa serves as the network’s vice chairman.
– WWE Diva Cameron of The Funkadactyls was spotted in Los Angeles hanging out with hip-hop star Ray J this weekend. The two were reportedly followed by cameras while leaving a store in L.A. on Saturday.
– As previously reported, former WWE Superstar and UFC Hall Of Famer Ken Shamrock has taken a gig as the bodyguard of hip-hop star 50 Cent. In addition to the previously reported TMZ article, the official website for the Fuse TV channel also covered the story. You can check out their coverage online at Fuse.tv.
