WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens appeared on CBS Radio 106.7 The Fan DC’s Chad Dukes Wrestling Show this past week to promote Sunday’s Live Event at the Verizon Center in Washington DC and of course, WrestleMania. Here are some highlights:
– Owens has wanted to be a pro wrestler since the age of 11 when he saw a tape of WrestleMania XI. To now be a part of the biggest WrestleMania of all time is a dream come true. He plans to make an impact and get people talking.
– He’ll be defending his IC title against not just one opponent at “KO Mania” but 6 – in a ladder match. He feels like he’s elevated the prestige of the belt over the past year and he understands that everybody wants to make a name for themselves off his hard work.
“That’s all well and good,” he said. “People might think that being a seven man ladder match for the Intercontinental Title works to my disadvantage but it’s just more bodies for me to attack with ladders and once I’m standing over them proudly with the Intercontinental title raised proudly above my head, I show everybody KO Mania’s all about, I feel like all those guys will realize what a mistake they made.”
– He does have some respect for AJ Styles. He said AJ is a tremendous performer, he’s a great athlete, but he’s got the same haircut as his aunt – and that’s unforgivable. “I’m sorry but it’s true. That’s the truth. My aunt’s like in her fifties and she’s a woman. AJ Styles is not a woman and he’s not in his fifties and I feel like that haircut’s unacceptable. But I feel like it could work to his opponent’s advantage once in a while because it gets in his eyes and he can’t see.”
– Owens’ WWE heel character shines on Twitter with his funny remarks and his frequent banning of fools who talk trash to him. “I block lot of people. As many people I respond to, I block way more people. Like anybody that says anything that I feel is disrespectful in any way, I block. I’ve blocked people for saying I was their second favorite wrestler. You’re blocked.” He added that blocking people gets them even more riled up. It’s a vicious cycle, but he enjoys it.
WWE announced on Friday that popular Australian tag team Michael Nicholls & Shane Veryzer, known around the world as The Mighty Don’t Kneel, signed with the company last month. The duo will report to the Performance Center in Orlando, FL in early April to begin training with a new class of NXT recruits.
Interestingly, the WWE announcement states that it’s currently unknown whether Nicholls & Veryzer will continue as a team or pursue singles competition in NXT.
TMDK took part in a WWE tryout last summer. They continued to work overseas until last month, when they finished up with Pro Wrestling NOAH.
Jerry “The King” Lawler recently joined Chris Jericho’s Talk In Jericho podcast to discuss his lengthy career. Lawler says he recognized that The Rock would be a star right away, but didn’t have such high expectations for Hulk Hogan. He shared a story about Hulk breaking into the wrestling business, revealing that even back then Hogan would try to get jobs for his friends. Lawler also touched base on something that came up in Hogan’s trial: A car that Jerry Jarrett had supposedly bought him.
“Hulk Hogan, he came right there and started with us. He had been playing bass guitar in a band down in Florida. Jerry Jarrett and I co-signed for his first car that he ever had when he was right there,” Lawler recalled. “He was nowhere near a polished worker yet and the thing that really held him back, I think the reason we kind of had to let him go, was because he was bound and determined for us to use this kid that he brought with him. He called him Dizzy Hogan, which I think may have turned out to be, I don’t know if it was Brutus Beefcake. And he was horrible! But that was the deal. If we used Hulk, we had to use this other kid, his best friend.”
Lawler was also there to see Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson break into the business. He said they could see his star potential right off the bat.
“The Rock, Flex Kavana, yeah, that was his name. He had a haircut [and] it looked like a pineapple. It was crazy. But, yeah, we knew that he had tremendous potential, simply because he was the son of Rocky Johnson and we had Rocky here. Rocky was a huge star in our territory down here in Memphis. But the funny thing was we didn’t play on that. We didn’t play that up. He was Flex Kavana. We didn’t even mention that he was Rocky Johnson’s son at that time. They didn’t do that until he got into WWE.”
You can listen to Jericho’s entire podcast featuring “The King” here.
WWE announced on Thursday’s episode of SmackDown that The Usos vs. The Dudley Boyz match, originally scheduled for WrestleMania 32, will take place on the kickoff show on WWE Network. Below is the current card for WrestleMania 32, which takes place on April 3rd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
WrestleMania 32 WWE World Heavyweight Title Match
Triple H (c) vs. Roman Reigns
Hell In a Cell for Control of WWE
Shane McMahon vs. The Undertaker
No Holds Barred Street Fight
Dean Ambrose vs. Brock Lesnar
Triple Threat for the Divas Championship
Charlotte (c) vs. Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch
Handicap Match for the WWE Tag Team Titles
The New Day vs. The League of Nations
WWE Network Kickoff Show Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal
Adam Rose vs. Curtis Axel vs. Heath Slater vs. Bo Dallas vs. Kane vs. The Big Show vs. Tyler Breeze
Recap of Lucha Underground Season 2 Episode 9 – Aztec Warfare II – March 23, 2016
Fenix enters the warrior’s gym and is met by Pentagon Jr. Catrina appears, “Your master may be teaching you about the dark parts, but you know nothing about the darkness. I don’t even know why you’re here. You never received an invitation to compete in Aztec Warfare. You lost your privilege when you put your hands on me.” Pentagon Jr. replies, “You don’t scare me and neither does Mil Muertes. You don’t tell me what to do. I only listen to one person and that person is my master. I am Pentagon Jr. and I have zero fear. Catrina replies, “The only reason you have zero fear is because you don’t know true fear. As for you Fenix, last week you barely survived, tonight you will have to take your last breath and Mil will take his title back.” Catrina disappears, Pentagon Jr. and Fenix stare each other down and walk away.
As we get our first look inside the temple tonight, the fans chant “Aztec Warfare!” A tribal band, in wild, extravagant headgear, feathers, and colorful garb play the drums and dance. Matt Striker and Vampiro tell us tonight, for the first time ever, the Lucha Underground Championship will be defended at Aztec Warfare. 20 men will compete, every 90 seconds another participant will enter, and the only way to be eliminated is pinfall or submission. Matt says “Not to stir the pot, Pentagon Jr. was not invited.” Vampiro says “That is wacked. You know it and I know it. But it is what it is.” Matt says “Let the drums beat and let Aztec Warfare begin.”
Melissa Santos introduces us to Aztec Warfare and the first participant hailing from Mexico City, Mexico is Fenix. Fenix enters, stands at the top of the stairs, and spits sprays. He is high-fiving the fans on the way to the ring, one week into his reign as Lucha Underground champion, the fans are clearly on his side. The second entrant, by random draw, from San Diego, California, Rey Mysterio. The roof might just blow off this place. The King of Lucha Libre, as they call him, enters the temple, and climbs in the ring at Lucha Underground for the first time ever. Fenix motions for Rey to take his due applause on the turnbuckle. The fans pop big. The two men shake hands in the middle of the ring. Fenix takes off his belt, looks at it and hands it to the referee who hoists it to the crowd. The fans chant “Animal!” Vampiro tells us that “Animal” is the cry of the Mexican warrior. The fans chant “Lucha Libre!” The bell rings and we are underway, the fans are excited to get going.
Fenix shakes Rey’s hand again and embraces him in a show of respect. The two men lock up in the middle of the ring. Fenix throws Rey off the ropes, leapfrog, Rey up and over again, Rey circling around the head neck and shoulders of Fenix, then spins off and the crowd applauds. Fenix hits the ropes, looks like Rey might hit a 619, but Fenix is to his feet and hits him with a superkick. Fenix does a handspring off the ropes and hooks Rey Mysterio with an inside arm drag, pin attempt, kickout, both men are up. Kick misses, then kick to the gut, Rey throws Fenix off the ropes, but Fenix catches himself and circles through with his feet, reversal Rey off the ropes, but Rey catches himself and circles through same move, then an armdrag before entrant number 3 comes out.
“The Hunter” King Cuerno makes his way to the ring. He delivers a forearm to Rey, a jumping kick to Fenix, Cuerno goes to the corner, but meets a boot from Rey. Rey comes out and does a somersault flip overtop of Cuerno, but catches the worst of it, and “the Hunter” poses with his imaginary bow and arrow. Cuerno hits the ropes for a suicide dive through the middle rope onto Fenix on the floor. The fans chant “Lucha!” Rey Mysterio gets up, a kick to Cuerno knocks him to the floor. Rey now sets up for a suicide dive and instead dives upwards through the bottom rope in a cool looking spot.
Next out is number 4, Argenis. Argenis hits the apron and meets Fenix with a forearm then a springboard hurricanrana off the rope. Fenix gets in a kick, springboards off the middle rope, but is met by a superkick from Argenis. Argenis kicks Rey in arse, kick again, then pin attempt but Rey kicks out at 2. Off the ropes, reversal action, Rey takes out Argenis, knocks Cuerno to the floor, and then hits the 619 on Argenis, climbs to the top rope, frog splash, the pin and Argenis is eliminated. Fans chant “Eddy!” Cuerno tries to get on the apron, but Fenix takes him out and then goes off the rope for a corkscrew plancha onto the floor (some really great rotation). The next competitor, number 5 is introduced, its Johnny Mundo, and we go to commercial.
Mundo and Rey meet in the ring. Forearms to Rey, uppercut, sends Rey to the turnbuckle, Rey up and over, Fenix in, sends Mundo’s kick into Rey, then Fenix connects with a kick. Mundo slams Fenix to the mat and then Fenix and Mundo trade lateral press pin combinations back-and-forth. The next competitor is introduced and it’s Joey Ryan. Ha! The sleazy Joey Ryan oozes and grinds into the temple with lollipop in mouth. He pulls a pair of handcuffs out of his trunks and handcuffs himself to the railing. Matt Striker says it’s a wise strategy, because he can’t be pinned while he’s handcuffed! Cuerno walks by and delivers a superkick to Joey Ryan. Famous B who is watching nearby from the crowd offers Joey money.
Number 7 is out and it’s Prince Puma. He takes out Mundo, Fenix, then Cuerno. Puma sets up and hits a springboard 450 splash onto all all of them. Fans chant “Holy s***!” Striker reminds us that Prince Puma won Aztec Warfare last year. Puma brings Cuerno back into the ring, hooks him by the neck, and sends him to the outside.
Number 8 is introduced, none other than Jack Evans. While Evans is coming down the ramp Rey Mysterio locks in an armbar submission on Cuerno and Cuerno taps. As everyone beats down Mundo, Evans springboards off the rope into the ring and misses everybody. Mysterio, Puma, and Fenix continue to beat him down. Johnny Mundo wants to join in on the fun and gets in a couple stomps in, before all three men decide to turn around and chop him to the outside. Rey Mysterio on the top turnbuckle, stands on Fenix’s shoulders, as they walk across the ring, Rey hits a diving splash onto Evans, pin attempt, but Mundo pulls Evans out of the ring to safety. Mundo turns to Evans as if to say wait, let’s see who’s coming next and here comes number 9, female wrestler Taya. She gets a huge pop from the fans, as well as Mundo and Evans.
The sides are evened up now, 3 rudos (heels), 3 technicos (faces), plus Joey Ryan who is still handcuffed to the rail. All six competitors brawl, Evans pulls down the top rope, and Puma goes to the outside, holding his knee in pain after he lands. Mundo throws Mysterio into the corner and bounces off the ropes for a kick. Taya and Evans stretch Mysterio out as Mundo stands over him and slaps him in the face. Number 10 comes out and it’s the power house Cage. Mundo gets hip blocked, Taya gets taken out, Evans goes for a dropkick that has no effect and then meets a clothesline from Cage. Cage picks up Evans throws him across the ring and we go to commercial.
After commercial, Cage goes to the outside catches Mundo goes for powerbomb but Taya jumps off, Cage catches her and then slams her to the floor. Mundo hits a superkick on Cage, Mundo jumps up on the ring apron and hits a spinning kick on Cage, then picks him up and throws him through the office window.
Number 11 is midget luchador Mascarita Sagrada. Sagrada comes in with some fast spinning twirling offense on Fenix, suicide dive to the outside, but Mundo catches him, then superkicks him. In the meantime, Cage has returned from the office window, spinning lariat nails Mundo, then delivers Weapon X face first to the floor. Cage throws Mundo back in the ring, Mundo gets caught with a running flip from Prince Puma and pinned, Mundo is eliminated. Jack Evans back in the ring with a corkscrew kick, Cage slams Laya into the ring apron.
Marty “The Moth” Martinez is out next. Marty gets in the ring, clotheslines Fenix, then Evans, then a running boot to Prince Puma. Cage gets up on the apron, but Martinez elbows him off. Sagrada goes after Martinez, slaps, kicks, hits the ropes, but meets a boot. Evans is up now, hits a spinning kick to the back of Martinez head, but Martinez stays on his feet and laughs it off. Evans hits the ropes, gets caught in a body scissors reversal, and Martinez slams him face first to the mat. Martinez grabs Evans by the mouth and stretches his mouth wide open, laughing maniacally. Evans bites his fingers, then throws him to the floor. Number 13 is Drago, the blue and white dragon, and we go to commercial.
Back from break and Drago is running down the steps. Jack Evans meets him with a cartwheel flip over the top rope, misses, lands on his feet, Drago delivers a kick. Drago goes to spray the green mist in Evans face, but Evans ducks and Joey Ryan gets sprayed instead. Drago throws Evans into the crowd. Rey Mysterio is in the ring working over Martinez, Sagrada joins in and Rey hits a diving splash and covers him while Sagrada flips over Rey and holds onto Martinez’s legs for the combined pin, Martinez is eliminated. Back on the outside, Jack Evans gets thrown from the first level of crowd seats onto the floor. Cage and Puma brawl on the outside.
Next number 14 is The Mack. Mack comes down kicks and delivers a stunner to Martinez on the floor. There are bodies everywhere. Mac enters the ring and stands toe-to-toe with Cage, they exchanged blows, Mac hits a flying knee strike on Cage, then stunner. Joey Ryan is still handcuffed. Prince Puma slaps him and then Fenix throws Sagrada into him.
Chavo Guerrero Jr. comes out as number 15. Taya beats down Sagrada, Drago delivers a powerbomb to Evans on the bleachers. Back in the ring, Sagrada goes for a crossbody but Chavo catches him, and slams him repeatedly into the turnbuckle, then tosses him to the mat. Cage delivers a backdrop on Rey. Chavo locks in the Camel Clutch on Sagrada, Vampiro says “That’s not called the Camel Clutch. That’s la de a caballo, invented by Gory Guerrero. Look, let’s not call it a horse or a camel, right now it’s more like a pony clutch!” and Sagrada taps. Cage sets up Rey for a powerbomb, but Rey sends his head to the middle rope. Rey sets up for the 619, but Taya holds the rope and Rey goes to the outside. With Cage still stationed on the ropes, Mundo brings out a cinder block and smashes it over Cage’s head. Taya crawls in the ring and covers him for the pin, Cage is eliminated. Prince Puma comes up behind and delivers a German suplex into a bridge pin and Taya is eliminated.
Out next number 16 is “The Darewolf” PJ Black. PJ delivers a standing suplex to Drago on the bleachers. Evans joins in, Drago fights out, delivers a backdrop to Evans and sends Black into the ring post. Jack Evans’ back is bleeding. Joey Ryan hanging by, still handcuffed to the railing.
Number 17 is Aero Star, who looks a lot like The Flash. The fans chant “Aero Star!” Evans and Drago go at it in the ring, pin attempt, but Black breaks it up. Aero Star on Black, Irish whip reversal, Aero Star gets caught by Jack’s elbow. Drago goes for hurricanrana, spins around Black, Black catches him and delivers a brain buster, while Aero Star drops Evans off the top rope onto his head. Simultaneous pins on Evans and Drago, 1-2-3, both men are eliminated.
Number 18 is out, it’s Dragon Azteca, Jr. Azteca jr. takes out Aero Star, spins Black around, then strike strike kick, enziguri sends Black to the floor. Head scissors dumps Mack to the floor, then swanton over the ring post to the outside on Mac. Azteca is flying everywhere. Texano is out next and we go to commercial.
Texano in the ring, hits the ropes, and flips over the top rope to the outside landing on all four men. Black brings a recovering Texano into the ring, delivers stomps to his back, pin attempt, Texano fights out and delivers a sitting powerbomb to Black, covers him, and Black is eliminated. Rey Mysterio back in the ring with Texano. Texano send Rey to the corner, forearm then walks away and goes outside to attack Chavo (apparently having lost interest in Mysterio).
And finally number 20 is Mil Muertes with Catrina, but coming through the crowd is Pentagon Jr! Pentagon Jr. comes up from behind nails Muertes with a chair to the spine, then chair shots repeatedly to the chest and shoulder. The fans pop huge for Pentagon Jr. Pentagon throws Muertes into the ring, Rey immediately hits a diving splash off the top rope, Puma helps with the pin and Muertes is eliminated.
Catrina is angry, Muertes is angry. Muertes heads off to the back after Pentagon Jr., while Catrina screams at the Vampiro to get up from the announce table. She yells at him to get out of here, slaps him, before Dario Cueto appears on the steps. “My name is Dario Cueto and this is my temple. Which means that I am in charge now. I’m the boss. So now, I announce there is one more entrance in Aztec Warfare, my brother, “The Monster” Matanza Cueto at number 21.” Matanza is massive. Matanza walks slowly, steadily towards the ring, wearing a black workman’s jumpsuit wearing and a black alien-looking mask. All 7 men circle him and try to attack, but he throws them off.
Fenix comes in, gets slammed to the mat, and pinned, 1-2-3. We are now guaranteed to have a new champion. Next Mack is in, gives him the double middle finger and stunner to no effect. The Monster hits a German suplex into a pin, The Mack is eliminated. Aero Star tries his luck, hits the ropes, meets a clubbing forearm to the back of the head, German suplex, pin 1-2-3, Aero Star is eliminated. Texano sneak attack from behind on Matanza, chokes him with the bull rope, but Matanza flips him over his back and Texano runs into an atomic bomb 1-2-3.
Matanza notices Joey Ryan on the outside of the ring (while Chavo hides out of sight). Matanza grabs Joey and rips apart the steel railing, setting Joey free. Matanza throws Joey into the ring, handcuffs still attached to his wrists, 3 rolling suplexes, pin, the ref rolls Joey out of the ring.
There are four men left on the outside, Mysterio, Puma, Chavo, and Azteca. They are all staring at The Monster, until Chavo turns and attacks everybody. Azteca Jr. gets thrown in the ring, ready to try Matanza now, delivers kicks forearms, but Matanza sends him to corner. Matanza goes for splash but misses and gets middle rope drop kicked by Azteca. Azteca comes off the ropes electric chair on the shoulder, tries for Sunset flip but Matanza catch him, can’t knock the big man off his feet. Azteca tries to go off the ropes again, but Matanza is too strong and catches him in chokeslam, 1-2-3. Azteca Jr. is eliminated.
The monster is dominating everyone. Chavo tries to strike a deal with Dario, enters the ring and tries to convince Matanza to team up, but Matanza hits him with a lariat, then a slam, and pins Chavo.
Puma and Mysterio climb into the ring together and they attack Matanza at the same time. They duck a double clothesline, get in some kicks, then forearms, then kicks, then double standing dropkick. Puma with a splash, Rey goes for a splash but gets caught and Matanza sends him to the outside. Puma goes for a kick, he gets caught, and meets a side suplex. The Monster suplexes him again and then German suplex bridge, 1-2-3, Puma is eliminated, and now Rey is the only one left against Matanza.
The fans chant cheer Rey on. Rey climbs into the ring slowly and Striker delivers the call, “We’re down to the last two men, here we go!” Each competitor sizing each other up, Rey runs in, but Matanza throws him back. Rey hits the ropes, Matanza nails a clothesline. Fans sing “Cueto” (similar to Pittsburgh Pirates fans mockingly singing “Cueto” at Cincinnati Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto in the 2013 National League Wild Card Game). Rey hits the ropes, slides underneath, and from his back delivers two kicks to Matanza’s head. The Monster catches his leg, but Rey connects with an enziguri to the back of head. Matanza is draped over the ropes, Rey goes for the 619, Matanza blocks it, picks him up on his shoulders, Rey slips out, drop toe hold onto the ropes, goes for a second 619 and connects as Striker yells “Booyaya booyaya booyaya!” Matanza stumbles to his feet, Rey goes for the driving hurricanrana, gets caught, Matanza throws him up in the air, and then a spinning power slam, 1-2-3. Monster wins.
Winner and NEW Lucha Underground Champion: “The Monster” Matanza Cueto
Dario grabs the belt and the mic and enters the ring. He hands the belt to Matanza and says, “There is the new Lucha underground Champion, my brother, ‘The Monster’ Matanza Cueto!” as the credits roll.
Order of participants:
1. Fenix
2. Rey Mysterio
3. King Cuerno
4. Argenis
5. Johnny Mundo
6. Joey Ryan
7. Prince Puma
8. Jack Evans
9. Taya
10. Cage
11. Mascarita Sagrada
12. Marty “The Moth” Martinez
13. Drago
14. The Mack
15. Chavo Guerrero Jr.
16. PJ Black
17. Aero Star
18. Dragon Azteca Jr.
19. Texano
20. Mil Muertes
21. Matanza Cueto
Order of elimination (eliminated by):
1. Argenis (Mysterio)
2. Cuerno (Mysterio via submission)
3. Mundo (Puma)
4. Martinez (Mysterio and Sagrada)
5. Sagrada (Chavo via submission)
6. Cage (Taya)
7. Taya (Puma)
8. Jack Evans (Aero Star – tie)
8. Drago (PJ Black – tie)
10. PJ Black (Texano)
11. Mil Muertes (Mysterio and Puma)
12. Fenix (Matanza)
13. The Mack (Matanza)
14. Aero Star (Matanza)
15. Texano (Matanza)
16. Joey Ryan (Matanza)
17. Azteca Jr. (Matanza)
18. Chavo Guerrero Jr. (Matanza)
19. Prince Puma (Matanza)
20. Rey Mysterio (Matanza)
Sheamus returned to Conan O’Brien’s late night TBS show on Thursday to hype WrestleMania 32. Conan complimented Sheamus’ mohawk and his braided bears. Sheamus said he’s always wanted to have the tallest hair in showbusiness.
Conan asked how the WWE Universe reacted to this look. As we know, fans completely rejected it and he’s regularly met with “You look stupid” chants.
They recapped the storyline when Sheamus made Dolph Ziggler kiss his arse. Sheamus joked that he’s always tried to be innovative with his offense. He did it because he likes humiliating his opponents and it was a chance to show his arse on live television.
Conan asked Sheamus about the time he pelted his opponent with potatoes. Sheamus recalled that Celtic Street Fight with Damien Sandow and Conan said he’s also thrown potatoes at people.
To finish the segment, they had a “Hawk Off” with Sheamus ‘giving Conan a mohawk.’
Last week TMZ reported that Sting would be retiring due to his neck injury from September, but the former WCW World Champion says his dream isn’t dead yet. In an interview with IGN to promote WrestleMania 32, Sting hinted that he is still hopeful of getting a match against The Undertaker.
“Uh, yeah. I’ve been very outspoken about that,” Sting said when asked if he still wants to face Undertaker. “Still a dream of mine.”
Sting suffered significant injuries during his match against Seth Rollins back at Night of Champions, but maintains that his dream to face The Undertaker lives on.
“[Retiring] is one of those rumors floating around, yes,” Sting continued, “TMZ put something out and, again, I still have a dream inside of me. And it’s not dead yet.”
Sting will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame on April 2nd, the day before WrestleMania 32.
Posted March 25th, 2016 in News, WWE. Tagged: Sting.
Ken Anderson appeared on the This is Awesome Wrestling Show podcast, hosted by Glenn Moore Steve Guy. Topics discussed include his recent “F**k TNA” remark, Bobby Roode and Eric Young leaving TNA, the differences between the WWE and TNA locker rooms, Hulk Hogan dropping the legdrop on Gawker, Triple H as WWE Champion and much more.
Here’s what he said about the “F**k TNA” comment and why it was taken out of context:
“It was taken completely out of context, for one. I was working a show in Scotland; it was an adult show. The crowd sorta reminds me of an ECW crowd. For a wrestling promotion called ICW. It’s huge in Scotland. And the crowd starting chanting, ‘F**k TNA’, at the top of their lungs. Five, six hundred people in the audience. And I was playing the role of a heel that night. A lot of times when I go out to the ring, I’ll get a good reaction from the crowd because they know my gimmick and they wanna sing along with it and they wanna do it. And so, I got that reaction when I went out there. And then they started chanting ‘F**k TNA’. So I just said, ‘Well, I don’t work for them anymore, so yeah, f**k TNA.’ At which point, they popped.”
After he made the remark, he then told the crowd, “But your opinion means squat to me, so f**k every each one of you too.” The video that we linked above didn’t include that last part, which he believes changes the overall message of what he was saying.
He also commented on the atmosphere in the WWE locker room, which he hasn’t been a part of since 2009.
“At WWE, I’ve seen guys walk around on eggshells, everybody is worried their going to lose their job tomorrow. You never know. Everybody is on edge. All the time. There’s sorta this jealous type of environment, that I think to some degree is encouraged. Because they want you to be competitive with each other. And at TNA, we are competitive, but it’s like you’re competitive against your own teammates, kind of. Everybody works together and helps each other.”
As for Bobby Roode and Eric Young, he likes both guys and can see them in WWE or New Japan Pro Wrestling.
TNA Wrestling issued a press release today announcing the signing of Pepper Parks, Cherry Bomb, Mr. M80 and former NXT stars Sylvester LeFort and Marcus Louis. Here’s the official announcement:
“IMPACT WRESTLING is proud to announce the signing of five fresh and new members to our active roster effective immediately. Jesse Guilmette, Laura Dennis, Marshe Rockett, Thomas LaRuffa and Mikael Vierge all signed their contracts with IMPACT WRESTLING earlier this month.
Jesse Guilmette and Laura Dennis are best known on the independent wrestling scene as Pepper Parks and Cherry Bomb. This real-life married duo caught the eye of IMPACT WRESTLING officials, and on a very emotional day for both Jesse and Laura, they signed their contracts together and look forward to entertaining the IMPACT WRESTLING fans very soon.
Marshe Rockett was born in Normal, Illinois and has earned the nickname “Mr. M80″ for his explosive offensive ability. Marshe impressed IMPACT WRESTLING officials at a recent tryout and was signed immediately. Marshe is someone who can make a quick impression on the IMPACT WRESTLING roster.
Thomas LaRuffa and Mikael Vierge, both born in France, have been competing all over the world for the past several years. Tom and Mikael want to be considered the benchmark for tag teams in IMPACT WRESTLING and their desire to be the best has set them apart from their peers. Following the career path of both Eli Drake and Bram, Tom and Mikael have extensive training inside the wrestling ring and look to bring their knowledge to IMPACT WRESTLING.
We welcome all five of these amazing athletes as the newest members of the TNA IMPACT WRESTLING roster and look forward to seeing them in action on IMPACT WRESTLING in the near future.”
The Undertaker and cake aren’t usually two things you’d associate together.
The Phenom of WWE is celebrating his 51st birthday today and received a special Hell in a Cell birthday cake from the folks at Onnit.
Next weekend, he’ll be locked inside the real thing when he squares off against Shane McMahon at WrestleMania 32. Based on clips we’ve seen of The Undertaker training for the match, he won’t have any problem knocking off these extra birthday cake calories.
STAMFORD, Conn., March 24, 2016 – WWE Network unveiled its WrestleMania Week programming line-up filled with a series of all-new episodes, specials and live coverage beginning Monday, March 28 and culminating with WWE’s pop-culture extravaganza, WrestleMania on Sunday, April 3, live at 7 PM ET/4 PM PT.
WrestleMania Week will include the premiere of WWE 24: “Thank You Daniel,” a new episode of Legends with JBL® featuring 2016 Hall of Fame inductee Michael Hayes, WWE Ride Along™ featuring WWE Superstars Dean Ambrose® and Roman Reigns®, and WWE Divas Paige™ and Alicia Fox™, andStone Cold® Podcast Live! featuring WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley. In addition, fans can also watch NXT® Takeover: Dallas, the WWE Hall of Fame 2016 Red Carpet and the WWE Hall of Fame 2016, along with WrestleMania Kickoff and the year’s main attraction, WrestleMania.
New subscribers can get all of this programming as part of a free month trial by signing up at WWENetwork.com now. The schedule of WrestleMania Week programming on WWE Network is as follows:
WWE 24: “Thank You Daniel” Monday, March 28 immediately following Monday Night Raw®
Witness Daniel Bryan’s emotional farewell, as WWE 24 cameras bring you unprecedented access inside the last day of his stellar career.
Legends with JBL: Michael Hayes Tuesday, March 29 at 8 pm ET
Host John Bradshaw Layfield, former WWE Champion and current Monday Night Raw analyst, presses the biggest and most influential names in WWE on the most controversial topics in sports entertainment history. JBL sits down with 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Inductee Michael Hayes and discusses the Fabulous Freebirds’ legendary career in the ring, his creative role behind-the-scenes, as well as the controversies surrounding him.
NXT Wednesday, March 30 at 8 pm ET
With only two days to go before his rematch for Finn Bálor’s title at NXT TakeOver: Dallas, Samoa Joe is in action against Bull Dempsey. Fans will also get an exclusive look at the upcoming NXT TakeOver match between NXT Champion Bayley and Asuka.
WWE Ride Along featuring WWE Superstars Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns and WWE Divas Paige and Alicia Fox Wednesday, March 30 at 9 pm ET
On WWE Ride Along, the WWE Universe rides shotgun with the Superstars and Divas as they travel from city to city on the tour that never ends. On the road to WrestleMania, Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose get chased by fans, while Paige and Alicia Fox engage in some Divas hijinks! Hear inside stories and witness over-the-top hilarity that can only take place within the confines of a car.
Stone Cold Podcast Live! featuring WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley Thursday, March 31 at 10 pm ET
WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin hosts a no-holds-barred interview with the Hardcore Legend, Mick Foley, LIVE from WrestleMania Axxess.
NXT TakeOver: Dallas Friday, April 1 at 10 pm ET
The biggest names in NXT face off in front of a sold-out crowd at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. NXT Champion Finn Bálor puts the NXT Championship on the line against Samoa Joe, NXT Women’s Champion Bayley will defend her title against Asuka™, and Jason Jordan™ and Chad Gable™ will face Blake™ & Murphy™ for the NXT Tag Team Titles.
WWE Hall of Fame 2016 Red Carpet Saturday, April 2 at 7 pm ET
Join host Maria Menounos and WWE announcer Byron Saxton from the red carpet at WWE’s most glamourous event of the year. Watch all the glitz and glamour as Superstars, Divas, Legends and celebrities tell all on the eve of WrestleMania.
WWE Hall of Fame 2016 Saturday, April 2 at 8 pm ET
Sting, The Fabulous Freebirds, Big Boss Man, Godfather, Jacqueline and Stan Hansen will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. The WrestleMania eve tradition will telecast from the sold-out American Airlines Center in Dallas.
WrestleMania Kickoff Sunday, April 3 at 5 pm ET
The WWE Universe prepares for the biggest event of the year with the annual WrestleMania Kickoff show. This year’s show starts the night off with one ofWrestleMania’s fastest-growing traditions, the third annual Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, featuring 20 Superstars.
WrestleMania Sunday, April 3 at 7 pm ET
An unprecedented sold-out crowd is expected at AT&T Stadium for WWE’s annual pop-culture extravaganza, WrestleMania. Triple H® will defend his WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar® takes on Dean Ambrose in a no-holds-barred street fight, Shane McMahon® returns to in-ring action for the first time in seven years to face Undertaker® inside Hell in a Cell and WWE Divas Champion Charlotte™ puts her title on the line in a triple threat match against Sasha Banks™ and Becky Lynch™.
About WWE Network
WWE Network is the only place to get all 12 WWE pay-per-view events, including WrestleMania, at no additional cost plus 24/7 programming featuring ground-breaking original series, reality shows, documentaries, classic matches, exclusive coverage of special events and the most comprehensive video-on-demand library with nearly 5,000 hours of content, including every WWE, WCW® and ECW® pay-per-view.
Like other digital subscription services, such as Netflix and Hulu, fans are able to sign up for WWE Network online by going to WWENetwork.com, and can watch WWE Network on their TVs through connected devices such as Sony PlayStation 3, Sony PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV and Roku streaming devices as well as Smart TVs including Sony, Samsung and Panasonic.
For a complete listing of WWE Network availability by country and device, please click here.
Wrestling legend Jake “The Snake” Roberts joined the In The Room podcast this week and spoke with Brady Hicks and company about never winning a championship in WWE, wrestling everyone from Hulk Hogan to Andre the Giant to Randy Savage, DDP helping him turn his life around and more. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
Turning His Life Around:
“I’ve got the world by the tail. And life is so good for me. Even beyond the WWE years … I’ve got the movie going on, the movie is going strong. It’s helped some people, the comedy thing I’m doing, which is me sitting down, having a blast telling old road stories. Everybody loves it. That’s awesome, too because the fans mean so much more to me now that I’m sober and cleaned up.”
Working with Snakes:
“I was terrified of [snakes], man. It just goes to show me how far I’ll go if you pay me enough.”
The Late Andre the Giant:
“[Andre] woke me up to some exciting things. He held me down once and farted on me for about 30 seconds, which was incredible, I might add.”
WWE’s marketing department has been working on new artwork for RAW and SmackDown, leading to renewed speculation that WWE is once again considering a brand split.
The RAW artwork features John Cena, Kevin Owens, Bray Wyatt, Alberto Del Rio, Charlotte and Nikki Bella
The SmackDown art features Roman Reigns, Dean Ambrose, The New Day, Dolph Ziggler and Paige.
None of these performers are advertised for both shows, so that could be what has people talking.
Additionally, artwork on the back of WWE’s newest action figures seems to specify certain Superstars being affiliated with RAW and others on SmackDown.
– On Wednesday, Chris Jericho called out Shinsuke Nakamura on Twitter, telling the Japanese star that he’s nothing in Jericho’s world. It’s now being speculated that Jericho is going after him to build towards a match that will take place this summer when WWE holds two showsfrom Tokyo’s Sumo Hall (July 1st & 2nd).
Shinsuke Nakamura makes his NXT debut against Sami Zayn next Friday night at NXT Takeover: Dallas.
– WWE has announced that next week’s episode of NXT will feature Samoa Joe vs. Bull Dempsey and Alex Riley vs. Apollo Crews. This is the “go-home” show before Takeover: Dallas.
– Finn Balor has renamed his Bloody Sunday finisher. It will be now known as 1916.
'1916' Named after the Irish Rising On Easter Sunday 1916. 100 years ago this week pic.twitter.com/t7oLdrUbAq
WWE Intercontinental champion Kevin Owens recently spoke with IndianExpress.com to promote WrestleMania 32.
The 31-year-old superstar is a longtime student of the game and is doing everything he can to learn from the two most powerful men in the industry. “I talk to Vince as much as I can,” Owens said. “He obviously is the busiest man I know. Vince, at any time on Raw, or SmackDown or on a pay-per-view, is thinking about a million things – running the show basically. I have a good relationship with him.”
He added that he’s still getting “I’m still getting to know him. I still feel like we are building a relationship.”
While Vince McMahon is naturally somewhat of a father figure to Owens, he is closer to Triple H. During his push to get signed by WWE, it was Triple H who ultimately made the call to bring him in. “I know him more on a personal level than I do Vince,” Owens said of Triple H. “We talk about our kids and stuff like that. They both are very different in a way but they have the same goal – of making WWE as entertaining as possible.”
Owens added that his favorite thing to do at RAW (besides performing) is sitting in the gorilla position to watch how Vince, Triple H, Road Dogg, Billy Kidman and the other agents make the show work. He even flirted with the idea of being an agent himself one day after his days in the ring are over.
A promo aired on this week’s episode of NXT teasing the arrival of No Way Jose. For those wondering, the vignette is setting the stage for the arrival of Levis Valenzuela Jr. He has been with NXT since May 2015 and has been using a dancing gimmick over the past several months.
Valenzuela Jr. is a Dominican wrestler based out of North Carolina who used the name Manny Garcia on the independent wrestling scene prior to signing with WWE. Here’s are a few videos of Valenzuela in action:
Daniel Bryan’s final remaining appearance for WWE has been cancelled.
Earlier this week, word came out that Bryan was pulled from Friday night’s WWE live event from Madison Square Garden, which had been advertised as Daniel Bryan Appreciation Night. He was later pulled from Saturday night’s live event from Trenton, New Jersey as well next month’s WrestleMania Revenue tour of Europe.
WWE issued a brief comment regarding Bryan’s situation, noting that he has requested time off and it was granted.
Late Wednesday night, it was announced that Daniel Bryan’s WrestleMania AXXESS VIP signing on Sunday, April 3rd has also been cancelled. WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will be replacing Bryan at the Sunday AXXESS session.
– While it seems likely that John Cena will appear at WrestleMania 32 in some capacity, the 15-time WWE World Heavyweight champion is not expected back in the ring any time soon. After undergoing shoulder surgery back in January, the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Cena isn’t expected to be medically cleared to wrestle until July. Cena recently hit the 350-hour mark in his physical rehabilitation. WWE Battleground takes place on July 24th, so he could be back by then in order to be part of SummerSlam the following month.
– WWE has not yet revealed what The Rock, Shawn Michaels & Steve Austin’s roles will be at WrestleMania, but all three are locked in for the show. There hasn’t been any mention of their WrestleMania appearances on WWE TV since January, other than a 30-second video package. It was originally believed they would need names lke Austin and Michaels to sell tickets for the April 3rd event, but they’re already almost sold out.
– WWE has informed pay-per-view providers that WrestleMania 32 could run until as late at 11:20 PM ET. The usual cut off time from the PPV providers is 11:00 PM.
WWE Divas Champion Charlotte recently spoke with USA Today High School Sports about “Girls Sports Month” and WrestleMania 32.
– It’s an honor having the Divas championship and there is lots of history behind it, but “this is 2016” and she still wants to bring back the Women’s Championship.
– Working as a heel makes it harder to be a role model for young girls, which was a big part of the Divas Revolution.
“I think Stephanie McMahon is who I’m trying mold myself after,” Charlotte said. “She is the biggest villain on TV, but there is no one who is more empowering for women than Stephanie McMahon.”
No matter if she’s portraying a hero or villain, she is athletic and still expects to earn fans’ respect..
– She gets goosebumps just thinking about WrestleMania. She sees the Divas championship match at WrestleMania as the big payoff for everything that’s happened in the women’s division over the past year.
– Not only does she want to get rid of the Divas championship belt, but she also sounds sick of the Divas moniker entirely.
“I’m hoping we’ll get the time and and be able to show the world on the grandest stage that we’re not divas, we’re superstars. This is an opportunity to treat women as women at WrestleMania and we’re going to steal the show.”
Sasha Banks recently spoke with The Press of Atlantic City to promote WrestleMania 32. Here are some highlights:
– Heading into her first WrestleMania, she can’t believe it was only 2 years ago that she was part of Triple H’s entrance at WrestleMania 30. She was very nervous but knew she’d be walking back on that stage by herself one day. Competing at WrestleMania has been a lifelong dream and she can’t wait to show the world that she’s the best. “I’m the baddest Diva there is. God, I am so excited.”
– Triple H has been the father figure to the NXT women and created the platform that allowed people like her to take women’s wrestling to the next level. “He’s beyond, beyond incredible and I can only think highly of him. He’s been absolutely amazing.”
– Sasha said it’s “so incredibly crazy” to be working with Becky and Charlotte at WrestleMania after their history in NXT. “It’s crazy how life, it legit comes full circle and it’s meant to be,” she said.
– She looking forward to Bayley getting called up to the main roster soon because, “I need her and I love our matches.”
Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and Charlotte will square off at WrestleMania in a triple threat match for the WWE Divas Championship.
Hulk Hogan appeared on The View on Wednesday morning, his first television interview since being awarded more than $140 million in his sex tape lawsuit against Gawker Media. Hogan explained that he was overcome with emotion when he heard how the Florida jury ruled in his favor so decisively.
Hogan’s racism scandal came up, with the hosts asking him about his liberal use of the N-word. “It’s probably the stupidest thing I ever said,” Hogan said. “The people who know me know I’m not a racist.” Hogan said he was married by an “Afro-American” minister and attends a predominantly “Afro-American” church.”
“Even the WWE knows I’m not a racist,” he continued. “They had to do what was best for business, for their company.”
Regarding the sex tape, Hogan said sleeping with his former best friend’s wife was the “worst decision I ever made in my life.” Hogan and his attorney David Houston vehemently denied speculation that Hogan conspired with Bubba The Lovesponge to get rich off the sex tape.
Hogan added that his children and his wife Jennifer have been very supportive throughout the entire ordeal and they know the type of person he really is, which is what matters most.
Gawker Media plans to appeal the $140 million ruling.
This week’s episode of TNA Impact Wrestling drew 331,000 viewers according to Showbuzz Daily. The episode featured Jeff Hardy winning a Gauntlet Match in the main event, and was the second week in a row that Impact viewership increased. The episode was up 8% in viewers from the previous week’s episode, which averaged 307,000 viewers.
However, the replay fell 52 percent, giving Impact a combined audience of 390,000 viewers, down nine percent from last week’s audience of 430,000 viewers.
This week’s show was ranked #127 on the Cable Top 150, up from last week’s #129 ranking.
In one of his most open and candid interviews in recent years, he spoke about a potential return to WWE, the drug problems in the past, how WWE deals with injuries now, what he thinks of Gable and Jordan, Shane McMahon, the different phases of his career and lots more. The full audio is available here. Here are some highlights of what Angle said about:
Returning to WWE:
“Well, for one, I don’t want to go back right now. Two, between 2008 and 2013, I got four DUIs. As a publicly traded company, it doesn’t matter if you’re Kurt Angle, Stone Cold Steve Austin or The Undertaker, when you get involved in that kind of trouble consistently, that’s the last thing they need. So when I did try and go back a year and a half ago, I think they were thinking “Let’s see how he pans out, let’s see if he can stay clean, let’s see if he got his shit together” so I think that’s part of it. I don’t blame them for that. I actually knew ahead of time that they were most likely going to say no. And I knew it was because of my own actions. But being clean now for three years and abiding by what I have to, I know that there will come a time where I will go back.”
Why he left WWE in 2006:
“There are a lot of reasons. The main reason was the work schedule. I was probably on the road over 300 days a year. I was getting injured quite a bit. I did have a problem with painkillers. When they brought me into ECW, I felt like it was a demotion. Even though it wasn’t. I don’t think they planned it to be. They didn’t mean to, but they set that company up to fail. And I felt like I was part of it.”
The drug problems in wrestling’s past:
“The whole drug thing – and I want you to make sure you print or say this – is not the WWE’s fault. You have to remember that we, as wrestlers, we know what we are getting into. Not only that, but the last thing that the company [WWE] wants is someone getting hooked on pills. They even have a drug programme and they have a policy and they do drug testing. I just think that we are all responsible. We are independent contractors and you’re responsible for your own actions.”
“I’ve talked about it publicly to help other people. I do a lot of speaking at rehab centers and stuff. But I know – as a public traded company – the best thing they need to do is make sure their talent is clean, for one, and healthy, for two.”
How WWE handles concussions and injuries now:
“It was different back then. Now, they have to abide by what the doctors tell them. When I got my neck surgery, I don’t even remember getting cleared to wrestle, I just came back. So the difference between now and then is huge and I have to commend the WWE because I think they are doing the right thing now. I feel bad for Daniel Bryan, but I think in the best thing is to abide by what the doctors say and that a straight up policy in the WWE should be “we’re going to do what we are told by the professionals and if you’re not cleared to wrestle, you can’t wrestle.” It wasn’t always like that but it is now and I think that that’s the right way to go.”
Being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame one day:
“Honestly? It’s not that important. I mean if they don’t induct me, that’s not going to kill me. To be honest with you, I would find it very hard to believe that they are not going to [laughs] especially with my talent, but it will come. Either way, I’m good with it. You have to remember that not only did I have those troubles in the past but I left the company high and dry. Now, I did it for my own reasons and I did it for health reasons. And I’m glad I did it because I don’t know where Kurt Angle would be right now if I had’ve stayed. So I did the right thing. And whether they understand that or not is up to them but the thing is I know that a lot of fans want me to go back and finish up where I started. And I think that just about every wrestler has been able to do that. I expect it to happen. For me, I don’t want to do it this year. I’m not even sure if they want to do it this year. But eventually it’s going to happen.
Jason Jordan and Chad Gable:
“For me to go back and, if I do go back I’d love to be able to wrestle, but I know I can’t do it full time. I’m 47 years-old. And that’s why those guys would be perfect as my team, like a Team Angle, because they could do the wrestling for me until the big one comes. So it would be kind of cool to have that. I’m not going to say those guys are going to be my guys, but they’re almost ready to come up – if not they are ready. I’ve watched them wrestle and they’re really good. It would be really cool to have a new Team Angle. I could do the big matches; the Summerslams and the Wrestlemanias. I think that would be a good mix. And it would also give them a great rub, a rub that they need. We’ll see if we do something like that, I don’t know if it’s on the cards, but you never know.”
It was announced on Wednesday afternoon that WWE tag team champions The New Day will induct the Fabulous Freebirds into the WWE Hall of Fame – not Kevin Von Erich, as previously announced. When asked about the situation on Twitter, Kevin responded that he wants to make the induction about the Freebirds, not him or the Von Erich family.
The 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony takes place on Saturday night, April 2nd from Dallas, Texas. The Class of 2016 includes Sting, The Fabulous Freebirds, Stan Hansen, The Big Bossman, The Godfather and Jacqueline.
– For some unknown reason, WWE just re-uploaded a 15-second clip of Vince McMahon explaining what’s missing from Cesaro’s act and why he hasn’t gotten over to the degree that may have hoped.
Cesaro has been out since undergoing shoulder surgery back in November and is scheduled to return to action during next month’s ‘WrestleMania Revenge’ European tour.
– Zeb Colter is taking credit for being the creator of “Wrestlers Court” – a tradition in the business where wrestlers who break protocol are put ‘on trial’ by their peers.
FOR THE UNINFORMED: YES I WAS THE CREATOR OF "WRESTLERS COURT" MADE FAMOUS BY THE UNDERTAKER & @JCLayfield IN @WWE@steveaustinBSR
– Chris Jericho took an unprovoked shot at Shinsuke Nakamura on Wednesday afternoon. After Nakamura tweeted a link to a Jushin Liger mask that is available for sale on a Japanese shopping website, Jericho told Nakamura that he means nothing in Jericho’s world.
Shinsuke Nakamura makes his NXT debut next Friday night against Sami Zayn at NXT Takeover: Dallas.