Archive for August, 2016

Eric Young Signing With NXT?, Bill Goldberg Reveals Surgery, More WWE Signings

– It’s believed that former TNA world champion Eric Young has signed with WWE and will be debuting soon. That signing has not been confirmed. Young made an appearance on NXT TV earlier this year and lost to Samoa Joe. (Source: PWInsider)

– Two new NXT signings that have been confirmed are Tommy End and Crazy Mary Dobson. They’re both expected to report to the WWE Performance Center in September.

– Despite some promotion hype teasing a possible match against Brock Lesnar, Bill Goldberg won’t be wrestling a match any time soon. The former WCW Champion told media in NYC this weekend that he had a double knee surgery about six weeks ago.

Possible Spoiler On Eva Marie’s SummerSlam Replacement

As noted, Eva Marie was pulled from tonight’s WWE SummerSlam PPV after violating the WWE Wellness Policy, resulting in a 30-day suspension.

It’s possible that her replacement for tonight’s tag match will be Nikki Bella, who was just cleared to return to the ring.

Nikki flew into New York City late last night after a busy day at Wizard World Chicago. Speculation has been that she’s going to the SmackDown brand with boyfriend John Cena and now there are rumors that she could return for tonight’s match, which will see Alexa Bliss, Natalya and a partner take on Carmella, Naomi and Becky Lynch.

Stay tuned for more SummerSlam updates today.

Prom Photos From Total Divas Filming, Finn Balor’s WWE SummerSlam Diary, More

– Former WWE employee Joey Styles tweeted Tommy Dreamer on Saturday and indicated that he wants to work some with Dreamer’s House of Hardcore promotion. As noted, Styles appeared at EVOLVE 67 yesterday and did commentary for the main event.

– Some main roster stars attended NXT Takeover: Brooklyn last night but as seen below, Sheamus, Gallows, Anderson, AJ Styles and Chris Jericho went out with TNA star Drew Galloway instead:

– WWE IC Champion The Miz and wife Maryse filmed a prom date for Total Divas while in New York City this week, apparently Maryse’s first prom ever. Apparently the date will air on the next season of the show. Miz tweeted these photos on Saturday:

https://twitter.com/mikethemiz/status/767185009514020864
https://twitter.com/mikethemiz/status/767190512654815233

– Below is the latest entry into Finn Balor’s SummerSlam diary with an appearance by friend & training partner Noam Dar of the Cruiserweight Classic:

Ember Moon Bayley Video, Aries On His New NXT Feud, Triple H – The Revival, More

– Former NXT Champion Finn Balor was sitting ringside for some of last night’s Takeover: Brooklyn event and tweeted this reaction:

– Triple H tweeted the following on NXT Tag Team Champions Dash and Dawson after their win over Gargano and Ciampa last night:

– The 10-day NXT tour of Australia and New Zealand is now confirmed as tickets go on sale in September. Details are in this video:

– Despite defeating No Way Jose at Takeover last night, Austin Aries is not happy. This backstage video features Aries fuming at Hideo Itami for interrupting a post-match attack and hitting him with the GTS. Aries says he will take care of Itami like he did Jose and Baron Corbin.

– Bayley is featured in this backstage video after her loss to NXT Women’s Champion Asuka last night. Bayley says she really prepared for the match and is just really disappointed at the outcome. Ember Moon interrupts the interview and praises Bayley for taking Asuka to the limit. Bayley congratulated Ember on her debut and said she believes Ember has a bright future ahead.

Bobby Roode Backstage Video From Takeover, Triple H On Roode’s Future, More

Former TNA World Champion Bobby Roode made his official in-ring NXT debut at Takeover: Brooklyn last night and defeated Andrade “Cien” Almas. Roode’s “glorious” entrance was all the talk on social media. Below is video of his entrance and comments from Triple H:

Triple H also commented on Roode’s future and posted this backstage photo of the two:

Finally, Roode appears in this backstage video to discuss his “glorious” debut. Roode says Takeover was step 1 in his quest to take NXT to the level as he looks to take the brand to a better place, clean it up and make it glorious.

Video – Hideo Itami Hits GTS On Austin Aries At Takeover

Hideo Itami “broke the internet” after finally hitting the GTS at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn last night. Itami saved No Way Jose from a post-match attack by Austin Aries and finished Aries off with the move formerly used by CM Punk. The announcers made a mention of Itami creating the move.

Below is video of the move and comments from Itami, who looks to be feuding with Aries now:

NXT Sanity Teaser, Ember Moon Takeover Videos, NXT TV Matches Taped, Pre-show Video

– NXT taped Tye Dillinger vs. Blake and TM-61 vs. The Authors of Pain before Takeover: Brooklyn last night. The matches will air on the 8/24 NXT episode.

– Below is the Takeover pre-show with Mauro Ranallo, Lita and Renee Young from last night:

– No word yet on who the “Sanity” teaser is for. Below is the mystery vignette that aired during Takeover last night:

– Ember Moon made her official NXT debut at Takeover and picked up a win over Billie Kay. Below are videos of the former Athena in action:

Triple H On Bayley & Asuka, Backstage Revival Video, Violinist Talks Nakamura Entrance

– Takeover: Brooklyn last night saw NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival retain their tag team championships over Gargano & Ciampa. Dash and Dawson react to their win in this backstage video, saying they have beat everyone else, declaring themselves to be the greatest team in the world.

– Violinist Lee England, Jr. made a bunch of new fans at Takeover as he led a special entrance for new NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. This video features England discussing the experience, noting that he met life-time wrestling hero Triple H as well.

– Triple H had props for Bayley and NXT Women’s Champion Asuka after their Takeover match last night. He tweeted the following backstage photos:

Nakamura Reacts to NXT Title Win, Fans Chanting His Theme After Takeover (Videos)

– There had been some speculation on Kota Ibushi wrestling at NXT Takeover: Brookyn last night but he obviously did not. He was shown backstage in Shinsuke Nakamura’s locker room with Funaki and later at ringside with other CWC talents.

– Speaking of Nakamura, Triple H tweeted the following on the new NXT Champion after Takeover:

– The celebration for Nakamura continued in the hallways of the Barclays Center last night. Below is video of fans singing Nakamura’s theme song, something they did often during the main event:

– Below are Twitter and backstage video comments from Nakamura following his big win. Nakamura calls the match against Samoa Joe one of the toughest he’s ever been in.

Video – Triple H Unveils WWE CWC Trophy

The winner of the WWE Cruiserweight Classic will receive a custom trophy made by the guys from Orange County Choppers, as seen in the video below.

The trophy was revealed earlier today by Triple H and the crew from OCC. The trophy will be presented live to the CWC winner on 9/14 from Full Sail University.

Spoilers – NXT TV Tapings For 8/24

NXT taped the following matches tonight in Brooklyn to air on this Wednesday’s episode, 8/24:

* Tye Dillinger defeated Blake

* The Authors of Pain defeated TM-61 with a double team

Video: Brock Lesnar On A Possible UFC Return, Focusing On WWE

TMZ Sports caught up with Brock Lesnar at the WWE 2K17 event in NYC last night and asked him about a possible return to the Octagon for UFC. Lesnar commented:

“I’ve got a few challenges to overcome before I can get there but I don’t know. For right now I’m going to focus on my WWE career. I wanted to step back into the Octagon and avenge my loss to diverticulitis. Sunday, I’m facing Randy Orton and really that’s all that’s on my mind.”

Lesnar admitted he’s on a “bumpy road” right now but said he will get through it. He also thanked his UFC fans and said maybe one day he will fight in the Octagon again.

Randy Orton On How Important Beating Brock Lesnar Would Be, SmackDown Being The Best

Inside The Ropes spoke to Randy Orton yesterday ahead of his main event with Brock Lesnar at SummerSlam tomorrow night. Below are highlights that they sent to us:

On how important pinning Brock Lesnar would be….

“Yeah you’re right its been a while, ever since the end of the streak against the Undertaker at WrestleMania. Everyone knows that Lesnar’s not around a lot and I don’t think that’s fair to the WWE universe. He comes and goes as he pleases and kinda runs things while he’s there and I don’t like it. I’m there every week, I will be from here on out. So what would a win mean for me? I think for me it’s what I need to cement myself as the guy right now with all these new guys coming up, to lead as an example for everyone else, it’s like the one thing I need, to be who I need to be, to be who I am to be the best ,when I’m in the ring wrestling the top guys. Brock’s a top guy and we’re gonna tear down the main event at SummerSlam.”

On what SmackDown has to prove and it’s former status as a B show….

“The whole A show B show thing is bullshit now. As far as I’m concerned SmackDown live is where its at. We’re more stacked than RAW. RAW has some impressive men and women especially the new comers Balor for example, very excited to work with him in the future hopefully on SmackDown live because SmackDown live is where it’s at. I might be biased but I think fans are seeing it that way too.”

Orton also talks about AJ Styles and who he’d like to work with on the SmackDown brand. The full interview is above.

NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II Results & Discussion

NXT Takeover: Brooklyn II aired live from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York on August 20th on the WWE Network.

Austin Aries def. No Way Jose: After the opening bell they go back and forth until they eventually take things to the outside and Jose gets the upper hand. Aries tries to escape through the crowd but Jose throws him back in the ring. Aries gets back in the match after dropping Jose’s throat across the top rope and hitting an elbow drop to the back of the head for a near-fall. The crowd starts “Woo”-ing at someone off-screen, who appears from a distance to be Ric Flair taking his seat in the front row. Aries hits a suplex on Jose and rolls through into the Last Chance. Jose crawls to the bottom rope to break the hold. Aries misses a rolling elbow and Jose picks him up and hits a TKO for a near-fall. Jose rolls to the outside and Aries hits a suicide dive through the middle ropes that crashes Jose into the fan barricade. Back in the ring, Jose reverses a suplex into a suplex of his own for another near-fall. Aries escapes another suplex attempt and gets Jose in the Last Chance an this time he taps. After the bell rings, Aries beats down Jose until Hideo Itami comes out for the save. Itami hits a kick to the head and then the Go 2 Sleep and stands tall over Aries to end the segment.

– We get a close up of “The Nature Boy” Ric Flair sitting in the front row with his significant other.

Ember Moon def. Billy Kaye: Billy Kaye controls the opening moments of the match and gets Ember in a Widows Peak-like submission move then drops her for a 2. They go back and forth with elbows and forearm strikes, then Ember comes back with a kick to the midsection and a suplex. Ember hits a somersault into a splash in the corner. As Billy is getting up to her feet, Ember comes off the top rope and and hits the Stone Cold Stunner on her form the air for the win.

Bobby Roode def. Andrade Almas: After some wrist locks and head locks early on, Almas takes the lead with a chop to the chest and a dropkick. Almas follows up with a hurricanrana that sends Roodes to the outside. Back in the ring, Roode crotches Almas on the top turnbuckle then stomps a mud hole in him in the corner. Almas dropkicks Roode to the outside then follows up with a springboard corkscrew plancha to the outside. Back in the ring, he hits a moonsault for a near-fall. Almas hits a spinning heel kick and a big boot, but Roode comes back with a spinebuster and a pumphandle powerslam for the win.

Scott Dawson & Dash Wilder def. Johnny Gargano & Tommaso Ciampa: The Revival’s tag titles are on the line in this one. The challengers get in lots of offense in the opening minutes. The champions roll to the outside and Gargano and Ciampa hit suicide dives in tandem on them. Back in the ring, the Revival double team Ciampa for a couple near-falls. Ciampa finally fights his way to Gargano who clears the ring. Gargano kicks Wilder to the floor and springboards through the ropes with a spear on Dawson for a near-fall. Ciampa tags back in and locks Dawson in an armbar, but Wilder breaks it up. After a series of close near-falls, Gargano and Ciampa hit a superkick and knee to the head in tandem for yet another very close call. The Revival starts working on Gargano’s knee. After laying out Ciampa on the outside, Dawson locks Gargano in a modified Texas Cloverleaf for the win via submission.

Asuka def. Bayley: Asuka controls the opening moments of the match with numerous knees and kicks to the head. Bayley comes back with a suplex and a series of clotheslines for a near-fall. Bayley hits a splash in the corner, then hits a Stone Cold Stunner on the apron. Bayley hits a springboard cross body off the middle rope for a 2 count. Bayley misses another cross body attempt and Asuka comes back with a Shining Wizard for a 2 count. Asuka slows things down with an ankle lock, then a series of kicks to the chest. Bayley blocks a clothesline and rolls her up for a near-fall. Bayley hits a Dominator for another near-fall, but Asuka quikly comes back with a Cross-face Chicken Wing. Bayley breaks out and hits a belly to belly suplex for a 2 count. Asuka kicks Bayley in the head but Bayley hulks up and comes back with a kick of her own. Asuka hits two more kicks to the head and pins Bayley for the win.

New NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura def. Samoa Joe: Joe’s NXT Title is on the line in this one. They block kicks from each other and Joe slaps Shinsuke in the fact. They wrestle around the mat until Joe gets him in an armbar. Shinsuke comes back with some knees and kicks. They take the action to the outside where Joe takes control. Back in the ring, Joe hits a splash in the corner and an enziguri. Nakamura comes back with a Pele kick and a knee to the head. He misses another knee attempt and falls to the floor, then Joe hits a suicide dive through the ropes onto Nakamura on the floor. Back in the ring, Joe hits a kick to the chest and an elbow drop for a near-fall. Joe locks Nakamura in a series of submissions, then a powerbomb into a Boston Crab, then an STF. Shinsuke comes back with an enziguri and both men are down. Nakamura hits a series of kicks, but Joe hits a big boot of his own. Nakamura hits some knees to the head, then goes for a splash in the corner but Joe catches him and slams him down. Nakamura hits a kick off the middle rope, then the two men start trading elbow shots and slaps. Nakamura goes for a triangle choke, but Joe gets out and puts him in the Texas cloverleaf. Joe hits a stiff knee to the head then starts choking out Nakamura, but he reaches the ropes. They trade more elbows, chops, and headbutts, until Nakamura hits a German suplex on Joe. Shinsuke goes for a big boot, but Joe catches him and hits a spinning powerslam for a near-fall. Joe hits Nakamura in the head then hits the Muscle Buster for another near-fall. Joe goes for another Muscle Buster, but Nakamura gets out and hits a Shining Wizard for 2. Nakamura hits a knee to the back of the head off the top rope, then another one to the face to win the NXT Title.

NXT Takeover Updates: Tag Team Arrives, Sasha Banks Predicts, Promos, More

The Barclays Center is filling up for tonight’s NXT Takeover: Brooklyn event and as seen below, the crowd is rowdy.

Bayley will face NXT Women’s Champion Asuka tonight and is very confident going into the match. She tweeted earlier:

Speaking of that match, WWE Women’s Champion Sasha Banks speaks to WWE reporters in the video below and predicts that Bayley will defeat Asuka tonight. Sasha says Bayley is the best but she hopes she joins her on RAW soon.

No Way Jose talks about his match with Austin Aries in this new video and says Aries can no longer run after tonight:

WWE posted this video of Gargano and Ciampa arriving for Takeover. They call tonight’s match against NXT Tag Team Champions Dash & Dawson the biggest night of their lives. Bobby Roode makes an appearance as well.

Eva Marie Issues New Statement On WWE Wellness Suspension

Eva Marie took to Instagram after NXT Takeover and issued a new statement on her WWE Wellness Policy suspension.

As reported earlier, she violated after testing positive for Adderall, which Roman Reigns recently failed for. Eva told TMZ that her prescription was legitimate and that she planned to appeal.

She posted the following tonight on Instagram:

I am disappointed that this suspension has occurred, yet understand and respect that WWE upholds their Wellness Policy to the letter and won’t compromise on its integrity. I violated policy by not turning in portions of required paperwork in the time frame wWE Medical deemed timely. I look forward to my return! Thank you for your support.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BJWoup6h4x3/

Violinist At NXT Takeover Tonight, The New Day Candy Coming Out, No Way Jose

– Triple H revealed on Twitter that violinist Lee England Jr. will be performing at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn tonight. He tweeted:

– Speaking of Takeover, WWE posted this video of No Way Jose greeting fans at the Barclays Center. Jose will be facing Austin Aries tonight and we will have coverage.

– The New Day’s BootyOs cereal must be selling well for WWE and FYE stores because they will be releasing “New Day Rocks” pop rocks candy in October. Big E tweeted this photo:

Finn Balor SummerSlam Diary, Paige – Total Divas News, WWE Stars Ring Closing Bell, WWE Rankings

– WWE Total Divas is filming a lot of footage for next season in New York City during SummerSlam weekend. Paige was featured prominently until news of her suspension broke. Next season will reportedly focus on Paige’s rehab and return to wrestling.

– WWE was on hand at the New York Stock Exchange this Friday, as Kane, Big Show, and Intercontinental Champion the Miz rang the closing bell. Below are photos courtesy of the Big Show:

– Below is the first part of Finn Balor’s multi-part SummerSlam Diary. Cameras will follow the “Demon King” around New York this weekend as he prepares for his Universal Championship match against Seth Rollins.

– This week’s WWE Power Rankings were headed up by WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dean Ambrose at #1, and finished with AJ Styles at #20:

Bayley Talks WWE Goals, Noelle Foley Predicts SummerSlam (Video), Dolph Ziggler, Zack Ryder

– The Four Horsewomen of Wrestling – Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Becky Lynch, and Bayley – were recently profiled by GQ, discussing their role in the recent women’s revolution of wrestling. The full article is at this link. Bayley said the following in regard to her goals in WWE:

“Trying to help mold the next generation, or the next crop of girls that are going to be taking over the division—that is my goal. If the girls in NXT can remember things that they’ve learned from me that helped them, that just keeps building women’s wrestling. We’re fighting to make us all equal.”

– Dolph Ziggler recently appeared on the Fox Business Show, Kennedy Nation, and it looks as though the “Show Off” could become a regular feature. Dolph tweeted the following:

https://twitter.com/HEELZiggler/status/766673138226724864

– WWE posted the following clip with former Intercontinental Champion Zack Ryder unboxing Mattel’s new retro SummerSlam figures:

– The following video courtesy of Ringside Collectibles features daughter to RAW General Manager Mick Foley, Noelle Foley, making her predictions for tomorrow night’s SummerSlam. She picks: Cesaro, WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day, WWE Women’s Champion Sasha Banks, WWE United States Champion Rusev, Apollo Crews, Enzo Amore & Big Cass, WWE Champion Dean Ambrose, AJ Styles, Finn Balor and Brock Lesnar.

Cody Rhodes Returns To Action, Big Show On Conor McGregor’s Comments, Finn Balor

– Cody Rhodes is back in the ring. He returned to action last night at EVOLVE 66 in Maryland against WWE Cruiserweight Classic Competitor Zack Sabre, Jr. Rhodes defeated Sabre in the main event with the “American Nightmare.” After the match concluded, the two shook hands and Cody discussed his passion for the professional wrestling business. He noted that he’ll continue working with EVOLVE, but will not be joining Drew Galloway’s faction.

– TMZ Sports recently spoke with the Big Show regarding UFC Fighter Conor McGregor and anti-professional wrestling statements made last week. Big Show says he’s still a fan of Conor, and respects what he’s done “in the ring.” He says Conor is a trash-talker and wishes him the best with everything he does, noting that he’s not sure if Conor was shooting an angle or not. Full video from the impromptu interview can be seen below:

– The clip below features former NXT Champion Finn Balor discussing his upcoming Universal Title match against Seth Rollins tomorrow night at SummerSlam:

Video: Brock Lesnar Says Goldberg Might Be Next, Says He’s Not A “Superstar”

In an interview with WhatCulture to promote Sunday’s SummerSlam 2016, Brock Lesnar was asked about what’s next for him. Lesnar said he doesn’t know what the future holds, and that it very well could be fellow former World Heavyweight Champion Bill Goldberg.

“If Bill Goldberg has the balls to step into the ring with me, where you at? Where are you? Let’s go,” Lesnar said. “That’s all I gotta say.”

Lesnar, who currently works a part-time schedule with WWE, was also asked if he actually enjoys being a wrestler or not. Brock answered that he does enjoy getting in the ring and competing, but reinforced that he’s his own entity and not an ambassador for the company. He says Vince McMahon brought him back because Brock is the “real f*cking deal.”

“I don’t view myself as a pro wrestler, I view myself as an athlete,” Lesnar said. “I’m not a Superstar, I’m an ass-kicker.”

As far as other future opponents go, Lesnar says the only factors he takes into consideration are the pay and the schedule.

Kevin Owens On Being Excited For WWE SummerSlam, His New WWE 2K17 Look

Kevin Owens spoke with IGN at Friday’s WWE 2K17 media event in New York City and said he doesn’t have much time to play video games. He said, “I really don’t have much time to play video games, and I really haven’t gotten to play 2K17 yet. But just seeing it was really cool. What I noticed was that by the time 2K16 came out, I’d been called up and was on the main roster, but the Kevin Owens they had in 2K16 was kind of like the NXT Kevin Owens. But I just saw what they had going for 2K17 and it’s got my main roster gear and main roster look. So it’s awesome to see. I mean, I’m in a video game and my son gets to play it. That’s the coolest part for me. I might not have the time to play it but he gets to play it. He loves it. He plays as me for the first few weeks and then he moves on to cooler guys. [laughs]”

Owens also talked about how excited he is for the SummerSlam tag match with Chris Jericho against Enzo Amore and Big Cass on Sunday. “I really don’t know how it’s gonna go. I’d be shocked if, at some point, there’s not a microphone in the ring,” Owens said. “It’s very exciting though. You know, Chris Jericho is someone I’ve looked up to for years. Enzo and Cass are guys who when they were in NXT I sort of gravitated towards because they were my kind of guys. Now, at SummerSlam, it’s going to be a very interesting mix in there and I’m excited for how it’s going to turn out.”

Owens also talked about staying on the RAW brand, Sami Zayn and more in the interview. Check it out at this link.

Orton Says He Expects To Take Lots Of Suplexes On Sunday, Speaks On His Idols, More

WWE’s Scott Standford interviewed Randy Orton on the PIX 11 Morning News in New York City today, where they promoted Sunday’s SummerSlam event and the idea that he’s never crossed paths with Brock Lesnar before.

Orton says he’s never gotten in the ring with Lesnar (he has) because Lesnar “took off.” Orton talked about Lesnar being “very successful” in the UFC, and said he wants to face Lesnar because he’s the biggest dog in the yard and Orton has something to prove. Orton admitted he’s fully aware he’ll be going to “Suplex City,” and feels he can survive 20 suplexes and hit an RKO for the finish.

Although SummerSlam this Sunday is in New York, Orton says his favorite place to wrestle so far is Seoul, South Korea. Orton says he’s never seen a crowd as lively as the ones there.

The Viper also talked about his influences in pro wrestling, saying that he idolized his father and Jake “The Snake” Roberts.

The Real Reason WWE Fired Joey Styles

It now appears that Joey Styles’ comments during a Facebook Q&A with Cathy Kelley are what got him fired by WWE. Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that WWE felt Styles’ comments sounded like he didn’t care what company higher-ups thought, and that’s a big no-no.

During the Facebook interview, Styles talked about Roman Reigns being pushed because kids and their mothers like him. The former ECW announcer also revealed that he doesn’t like the idea of the new Universal Title, and had joked that some of his comments may get him in trouble. He said the WWE.com team was unappreciated by the company, and may have said too many “inside” things for WWE’s liking.

The interview has now been pulled from all of WWE’s social media pages.

Styles most recently appeared at the EVOLVE 67 iPPV in New York City and received a big pop from his hometown crowd.

Randy Orton On The Secret To Beating Brock Lesnar At SummerSlam

Randy Orton spoke with TMZ while in New York City for SummerSlam this week, as seen above.

Orton says he is nervous about facing Brock Lesnar on Sunday, and he knows he will get tossed around but he also knows what it takes to beat The Beast.

The Viper talks about how he knows Lesnar better than anyone else in WWE, and how he will use that to beat Lesnar. Orton also knows the secret to taking down Lesnar – the RKO.