– Expect to see a lot of tutorials on WWE television from Michael Cole on how to get the WWE Network on Roku, gaming consoles and other devices. Apparently these tutorials will replace the usual WWE App downloading instructions that Cole gives on a weekly basis.
– The following is a clip of former WCW star Buff Bagwell on the Showtime series, “Gigolos.” Bagwell’s appearance on the show is scheduled to air next week.
Diamond Dallas Page appeared on the ABC reality show, “Shark Tank” on Friday night. DDP was looking for $200,000 to develop a DDPYoga app, in exchange for five percent interest in his company. The investors on the show turned him down due to their belief that the business will decline
DDP tweeted the following about his appearance:
While they didnt invest in us, it's not 2late to invest in yourself #DDPYOGA #SharkTank #OWNYOURLIFE @ABCSharkTank http://t.co/nUEJSsYLRz
— Diamond Dallas Page (@RealDDP) February 22, 2014
BIG THANKS to @scalearc and @rackspace for making our Shark Tank appearance a HUGE success – our website handled the onslaught nicely
— Diamond Dallas Page (@RealDDP) February 22, 2014
– WWE Hall Of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart was forced to cancel some of his wrestling appearances that were scheduled for this weekend due to bad weather. Hart’s appearance for Pro Wrestling Syndicate has been re-scheduled for Saturday, June 7th. His appearance for The Wrestling Universe Store has been re-scheduled for Sunday, June 8th.
– The following is a trailer for WWE’s new “WCW’s Greatest Pay-Per-View Matches Vol. 1” DVD:
http://youtu.be/GMmBld1NLI0
– WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently shared his thoughts on Hulk Hogan’s return to WWE. JR tweeted the following earlier today:
I think it's great that @HulkHogan is returning to @WWE. Can fill many roles in a hall of fame manner. Great name identity. #TrueStar
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) February 22, 2014
JR also tweeted this one out about the second edition of his new “Ross Report” podcast:
Part 2 w/ @steveaustinBSR this Wed on ROSS REPORT podcast. Download at http://t.co/2RiHD7622k & iTunes.
A sincere thanks to all.
— Jim Ross (@JRsBBQ) February 22, 2014
– The official WWE website has a new article up counting down the 50 “coolest maneuvers” of all-time. Here are the top ten from the list:
10. Goldberg’s Spear
9. RVD’s Van Terminator
8. Scott Steiner’s Frankensteiner
7. Mr. Perfect’s Perfect Plex
6. Randy Savage’s Top-Rope Elbow Drop
5. Bret Hart’s Sharpshooter
4. Undertaker’s Tombstone Piledriver
3. Steve Austin’s Stone Cold Stunner
2. Evan Bourne’s Air Bourne
1. Jake Roberts’ DDT
You can check out the complete list at WWE.com.
– WWE Hall Of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin noted recently that UFC Hall Of Famer “The American Psycho” Stephan Bonnar will be a guest on a future edition of his “Steve Austin Show” podcast. Austin tweeted the following:
Shooting the breeze w The American Psycho @StephanBonnar tomorrow for #SAS in a high rise hotel. One of us may take the window….
— Steve Austin (@steveaustinBSR) February 22, 2014
The following are highlights of a new interview with WWE Superstar Damien Sandow:
On his character and who he patterns himself after: “Well, see, it’s funny, there have been so many characters throughout the history of the WWE that I think anyone that comes along can be compared to somebody else. I am a big fan of the history of this company, and I have been influenced by several superstars. You almost take bits… And it is an amalgamation of, actually, several people. As for the development of my character, I’ve gotten away from a lot of the Genius persona and everything like that because I think that’s necessary to stay in the WWE, is that you need to evolve.”
On how the WWE product has changed over the years: “Well again, our product is PG-friendly, our product is family friendly, in that you reach a wider spectrum of people. When you go to a WWE show, you see Grandma and Grandpa and everyone down to the kids. They all have a smile on their face, they’re all having a good time. The WWE Network, which is set to launch February 24th, is going to revolutionize the way people watch television. You’re going to get 300 pay-per-views… every pay-per-view that WWE, WCW and ECW have ever produced. You’re going to get all the WWE pay-per-views starting with WrestleMania, and it’s $9.99 a month with a six month commitment. Plus original programming. You’re going to get a Raw post show. For that low price you’re going to get so, so much, and you just can’t afford to pass up the deal.”
On this Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view: “Elimination Chamber will be coming live this Sunday the 23rd on pay-per-view. We have the six-person Elimination Chamber match, which is without the most dangerous match in the WWE. In addition to that, we’re going to have the Wyatt family taking on the Shield and the returning Batista squaring off against Alberto Del Rio and there’s going to be a lot more. Anyone that’s familiar with the WWE pay-per-view knows that it’s dollar for dollar the best show you’re going to get. As far as the network goes, for $9.99 a month where you’re going to have access to all of the WWE pay-per-views past and present, that’s another opportunity you’re not going to want to pass up.”
Check out the complete interview at ThisIsInfamous.com.
– As previously reported, Kane mentioned in a recent interview that Brock Lesnar will be at this Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Apparently Kane misspoke, as Lesnar is not expected to be at the show. He is, however, scheduled to be at RAW. Paul Heyman is scheduled for Monday’s RAW as well.
– The Miz, Mark Henry and Rey Mysterio have been announced as the “expert panel” for Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view “Kickoff Show.”
(Credit: F4WOnline.com)
– With Scott Hall possibly being inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame this year, many within the company are under the impression that Kevin Nash is a lock to be inducted as well.
– Apparently Vince McMahon has promised people in the company that he will not sleep at all during WrestleMania XXX week.
(Credit: F4WOnline.com)
According to one source, there is talk among the WWE creative team of making Hulk Hogan an on-screen authority figure for the company. Apparently there is a possibility that Hogan will become the new “General Manager” of RAW.
At one point, there was talk of Sting becoming the new GM, but apparently he has still not signed with the company, and due to his questionable status, the talk has switched to Hogan possibly becoming the GM.
(Credit: F4WOnline.com)
– According to reports, legendary manager Paul Bearer is expected to be announced as another inductee into the 2014 class of the WWE Hall Of Fame this coming Monday night on RAW.
Apparently The Undertaker, who has never appeared on-camera during the Hall Of Fame ceremony, is likely to be in attendance to personally induct his former manager.
– Speaking of Monday’s RAW, there are rumors floating around that claim a title change is expected to take place on the show.
(Credit: F4WOnline.com)
– Prince Devitt recently spoke to The Wrestling Mania show about possibly heading to WWE. You can check out that interview at TheWrestlingMania.com.
– The following is the latest two-part edition of the “SmackDown Fallout” YouTube show:
– Hulk Hogan has been added to the roster page on the official WWE website.
– WWE RAW and SmackDown replays will not be made available on the WWE Network. According to the WWE Network FAQ, only the “best of RAW and SmackDown from 2012 and 2013” will be available.
– The following is a promo from The Wyatt Family, where they send a final message to The Shield before their match at this Sunday’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view:
The Associated Press has published an article about Hulk Hogan’s return to WWE, including quotes from Hogan and WWE COO Triple H.
Hogan returns to WWE on Monday’s episode of RAW and will be the guest host of WrestleMania XXX on April 6th from the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Hogan said:
“I definitely want to stay here in the WWE. I just can’t see myself ever being anywhere else. This is home. It always has been home. In the twilight of my career, what a great way to be part of the final hurrah for Hulk Hogan and all the Hulkamaniacs.”
“It looks like this was always the direction I was going to go in. It’s like I drifted apart from home base for a while. But this time, everything seems to be a perfect fit.”
Despite his triumphant return to WWE, Hogan denies that he’ll be getting back in the ring at WWE’s biggest show of the year.
“Right now, it’s not in the plans. But like they say in the WWE, never say never.”
WWE COO Triple H also commented on Hogan’s return, stating:
“It’s time for him to come home.”
Hogan and Triple H met at a charity event late last year, which started to lay the groundwork for The Hulkster’s return. Despite his time away from WWE, Triple H said it was inevitable that he’d come home once again:
“I don’t think there’s ever been a doubt that Hulk Hogan was, in some way, a WWE commodity.”
Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling took a major hit in viewership.
The 2/20 episode of Impact did a 0.95 rating with 1.093 million viewers. The rating was down 20% from the previous week, while viewership was down 23%.
This was the lowest rating of 2014 and the lowest viewership since the January 2nd episode.
Once again, after showing a few weeks of momentum, Impact slid back to the low-end of their average range.
– The WWE Network has been added to Playstation 3, Playstation 4 and Roku devices. Of course, the service doesn’t go live until Monday, but you can download the dedicated apps on those devices now.
Here’s the official WWE Network app download page on Roku.com.
The WWE Network is still not available for Apple TV. It’s expected Apple TV will get the App, however there’s been no official word from WWE on the issue.
– Hulk Hogan has issued another statement regarding his WWE return. He tweeted on Saturday morning:
Well I guess it's that time again, I hope they are ready, this is gonna be the best run ever,it's great to finally be home,WWE4LIFE.ThankuHH
— Hulk Hogan (@HulkHogan) February 22, 2014
The following are highlights of a new Digital Spy interview with Big E.:
On his upcoming match at the Elimination Chamber PPV: “The Intercontinental Championship means a lot to me. I spent years training to get to this spot and it’s right before WrestleMania. I have every intention to walk into WrestleMania as Intercontinental Champion. I have a lot of respect for Jack Swagger and what he does and for being the former world champion, but I’ve trained too long far too hard to get to this point and just give it up.”
On who he’d like to work with at WrestleMania XXX: “I work with a lot of challengers. I guess if I had to pick a dream opponent – he’s not even really with the company right now – but I was such a massive Goldberg fan as a kid. It would really be a dream if he could somehow come back. To have a title match with Goldberg would be a dream fulfilled.”
On Hulk Hogan’s WWE return: “I think it’d be great for us. Hulk Hogan still has that aura, even though he’s obviously older now, and probably not quite in his prime. But I think he’d be great for us because I know people in their 40s and 50s who remember watching Hulk Hogan as a kid.
“People who may not watch wrestling now, if they heard Hulk Hogan was coming back they might tune in. That buzz that he creates, the buzz of Hulk Hogan, I think would be good for business, so I’d definitely look forward to it.”
On if he’d be surprised if CM Punk returned before WrestleMania XXX: “I think it’d be great. Obviously I’m not really aware of what’s going, but I think there’s a lot of people who desperately want him back, a lot of fans who would be excited to have him back.
“If that were to be the case, if he did return, I think there’d be a huge buzz around it. I think it would definitely be a positive thing. Like I said, I’m not sure particularly what’s going on, if there’s a chance or even a possibility or if it’s imminent. But I know if he did return there’d be a lot of buzz and a lot of happy fans as well.”
Check out the complete interview at DigitalSpy.com.
The following are highlights of a recent Phoenix New Times interview with WWE Superstar Kofi Kingston:
On the video where CM Punk calls him his “road wife”: “Yeah, we were each other’s road wives. With Punk, I consider him to be like a brother to me. He’s one of the guys who took me under his wing when I first came. So we’ve been able to maintain a good relationship. And there are very few people in the business that you can call true friends, so I consider Punk to be that and more. So yes, “road wife” is the term we used to sum that all up.”
On his take on the WWE Network: “Well, it’s definitely a huge, huge deal for us. We’ve been trying to get this network off the ground, it’s finally going to happen. There’s going to be a lot of content, I can tell you that straight up — high flyers, the Attitude Era and just the history of the business and the future. They have so many ideas and so many different concepts that I think a lot of people are going to look forward to getting to see — just a different side of WWE superstars and the WWE in general and how it’s presented. And it’s really inexpensive, like $10 a month, and you get so much material, including pay-per-views, for that amount.”
Check out the complete interview at PhoenixNewTimes.com.
WWE has added a four-part tour of the Performance Center in Orlando to their official YouTube channel. You can check those videos out below:
http://youtu.be/-XDDJoS2M8Q
The Pittsburgh CBS affiliate has a new article up on their website looking at Dr. Joseph Maroon. Maroon, who heads up the WWE medical team, spoke about WWE coming to him in 2006 to begin their partnership. “They came to me and said look, ‘We are interested in doing everything we can to protect our talent. It’s the lifeblood of our industry. We want to do the very best that we can and the best medicine that we can to protect them.”
Stephanie McMahon was also quoted in the article about the extensive medical program led by Maroon. “We do cardiovascular screening. We do ImPACT testing. We do blood work. There is a drug testing component. It’s really with the idea of having our athletes and our superstars have the best health possible.”
The article also talks about WWE’s drug testing process, which is handled by an independent third party. They note that drug testing is done randomly four times per year for every Superstar on the roster. If one is found to have a banned substance in their system, they are tested randomly seven times a year.
Check out the complete article at CBSLocal.com.
– WWE Superstar The Miz and former WWE Diva Maryse officially tied the knot on Thursday night. The two were married in a wedding ceremony that was held in the Bahamas. Several WWE Superstars, such as Dolph Ziggler, Zack Ryder, and former stars like Kelly Kelly and John Morrison were reportedly in attendance.
– Former WWE Diva Kaitlyn noted on Twitter recently that she is close to launching her women’s fitness apparel line, “Celestial Bodiez.”
WWE Superstar Xavier Woods is apparently pushing for his own show on the WWE Network. The show, called “Xavier Woods WWE 2K14 World Tour,” would feature Woods traveling around the country and playing fans on the WWE 2K14 video game. The fans who beat him would then be entered into a tournament for the possibility of being crowned champion during WrestleMania weekend.
For more on this story, check out CharlestonChronicle.com.
– As previously reported, long-time WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia recorded an in-studio interview for an upcoming “Steve Austin Show” podcast. Her interview on the show is set to air on next Thursday’s “Unleashed” podcast.
– Speaking of podcasts, WWE Diva Natalya’s appearance on Chris Jericho’s “Talk Is Jericho” show is now available. You can listen to that interview at PodcastOne.com.
– WWE Superstar David Otunga recently spoke to TheYBF.com about being one of a few African American stars in WWE. “It feels really good to be one of the WWE’s African American superstars and to know there are little kids looking up to me. So it’s very cool to represent for everybody.”
Check out the complete interview at TheYBF.com.
– Virginia-based independent pro wrestler Chase Ownes noted on his social media accounts recently that he will be working his second official match for TNA at the company’s upcoming live event at Freedom Hall in Johnson City, Tennessee on March 1st.
– Expect a couple more matches to be announced shortly for the upcoming TNA “One Night Only: Outbreak” event, which is a co-promotion with Wrestle-1, scheduled for March 2nd in Tokyo, Japan.
It’s official. WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan is back – and will be the host of WrestleMania XXX. Hogan will make his long-awaited return to WWE on Monday’s RAW and will also appear on WWE RAW Backstage Pass, airing live on the WWE Network immediately following RAW.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon commented on Hogan’s return:
“We are thrilled that Hulk Hogan has returned home to WWE. It’s fitting to have him help us celebrate 30 years of WrestleMania and usher in a new era with the launch of WWE Network.”
Hulk Hogan told WWE.com:
“Words cannot express how excited I am to be back in the WWE family. I only have one question for the WWE Universe: Whatcha you gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild as the host of WrestleMania 30?”
– Jeff Jarrett has released the latest video hyping his new wrestling promotion. The video is a teaser for a longer version that will be released on Monday:
– It was confirmed on last night’s episode of Impact Wrestling that the main event for TNA’s upcoming Lockdown pay-per-view will feature TNA World Champion Magnus defending against Samoa Joe.
There will also be a Team MVP vs. Team Dixie Lethal Lockdown match for “control of wrestling operations” in TNA. MVP and Bobby Roode will be the team captains.
TNA Lockdown takes place on Sunday, March 9th from Miami, Florida.