WWE Superstar John Cena is in negotiations to star in the big-screen adaptation of Duke Nukem, the 1990’s video game franchise about a politically-incorrect cigar-chomping alien killer on a mission to save Earth. The Hollywood Reporter was first to report the story.

The Duke Nukem movie is being produced by Paramount’s Platinum Dunes, the studio run by Michael Bay, Andrew Form and Brad Fuller.

Cena has worked with Paramount a few times already, having appeared in the Daddy’s Home franchise and the upcoming Bumblebee ‘Transformers’ spinoff produced by Bay.

Twitter users seem split on whether or not we need a Duke Nukem movie, but agree that John Cena is a great choice to portray the burly action hero.

John Cena has been scaling back his involvement with WWE over the past year as he takes on more movie and television hosting jobs.

• John Cena Expands Partnership With Nickelodeon: Hosting #KCA, Ninja Turtles, New Game Show

Below, you can check out a Twitter Moment curated by Twitter regarding the news of John Cena in talks to play Duke Nukem on the big screen:

https://twitter.com/i/moments/955704165635825665

On Monday WWE announced the suspension of Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore as a result of a sexual assault allegation made against him.

As a result, the planned Enzo Amore vs. Cedric Alexander match has been pulled from Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

WWE has yet to address the fate of the Cruiserweight Championship, but an announcement is expected as soon as today. It will be interesting to see how WWE addresses the title vacancy and Enzo’s absence on television.

Following up on our initial report on the Enzo story from Monday, Joseph Currier and Dave Meltzer provided this update on the victim’s allegation:

“According to Vince Lewis of the Phoenix Police Department’s Media Relations unit, Phoenix Police confirmed that on Monday, October 23rd, 2017, at around 2:30 p.m., Phoenix Police responded to a local hospital for a call of a sexual assault that had reportedly occurred on October 19th, 2017 at 401 West Clarendon Avenue.”

The Undertaker returned to WWE television on Monday’s RAW 25th Anniversary special, his first appearance since WrestleMania 33 last April. Undertaker appeared at the Manhattan Center 25 years after main eventing the first-ever episode of Monday Night RAW back in 1993.

Speculation was rampant about the nature of The Undertaker’s appearance. Would he appear as the Dead Man, the American Badass or out of character entirely? Was he there to formally announce his retirement, or begin a WrestleMania feud with John Cena?

In the end, the appearance was largely uneventful. Undertaker made no reference to his in-ring future, so the question of whether or not he’s wrestled his last WrestleMania match remains unanswered for now.

WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore has been suspended following an allegation that he sexually assaulted a woman back in October. A brief statement at WWE.com reads:

“WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving sexual harassment or sexual assault. Until this matter is resolved, Eric Arndt (aka Enzo Amore) has been suspended.”

A woman, who has not yet made her name public at this time, alleges Enzo Amore raped her back in October in

https://twitter.com/missgucciwitch/status/955496170414985216

She went on to provide more details on the alleged altercation.

Warning: The following contains sexually-explicit details:

“The original question TOOPOOR asked me was if I would suck Enzo’s dick. I said possibly but if I wasn’t down she said we could all just hang out. Then they got me way fucked up & they left knowing what was about to happen. When Enzo the WWE guy stared coming on to me I was passed out on the couch. I said “I want to get to know you first before doing anything.” He replied, “Bitch I have 1million followers on instagram…you should be begging for this dick.” & then he restrained me & it happened. I never would be this dramatic about something like this but I want you all to know that I would’ve left if I could. I was in psychosis- I had no idea what was going on. I remember bits &pieces & I have constant flashbacks..My mental issues have been the worst ever & i suffer from major PTSD from it.”

The Phoenix police department confirmed to Pro Wrestling Sheet that an investigation is underway.

– WWE Hall of Famer Scott Hall tweeted this photo from inside the Manhattan Center, one of the venues that will host tonight’s RAW 25th Anniversary special.

It’s nice to see WWE is going with a retro look for the Manhattan Center show and bonus points to Hall for the New Japan Pro Wrestling jacket.

https://twitter.com/scotthallnwo/status/955527007181393920

– Randy Orton’s wife Kim posted the following on Instagram and voiced her displeasure with the fact that Randy will be participating in tonight’s #RAW25 show.

WWE.com is advertising that Superstars from SmackDown will be in attendance, so it’s odd that Orton won’t be there considering his numerous ‘RAW Moments’ over the years.

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

Today (January 22nd) marks 10 years since Kofi Kingston made his WWE television debut.

After a series of memorable vignettes spotlighting his initial laid-back Jamaican charadter, Kingston made his debut on the 1/22/08 edition of ECW. It didn’t take long for the high-flying grappler from southern Ghana to become a fan favorite.

He’d go onto become one of the most decorated Superstars of his generation. Kingston is a 4-time Intercontinental Champion, a 3-time United States Champion and a 7-time tag team champion (with 5 different partners). At 36 years old, it’s safe to say Kofi Kingston probably even more championship gold in his future.

Kofi posted the following on Instagram looking back on his WWE journey:

Reflection: 10 years…

I was just a skinny kid from a small town with aspirations of becoming a pro wrestler. On January 22 of 2008 in Charlottesville, Virginia, I officially became a WWE superstar. I didn’t know where it would lead, but I knew that it was the most important step toward accomplishing my childhood dream.

I’ve seen many people come and go. I’ve even seen a few come back! I’ve made many close friends along the way. Some who’ve been alongside me from the beginning as our careers progressed together. Some who were very close, but through circumstance I have regrettably fallen out of their favor. I’ve made close friends with many who weren’t as fortunate to make it to the grand stage, but I’ve also had the joy of watching other grind relentlessly on their journeys for years and finally get their opportunity to shine.

I’ve had so many great teachers, including the rare opportunity to benefit from the tutelage of many of the very people I watched on tv who motivated me as a child to believe that I could actually achieve this fantasy.

This career has led me to interact with a lot of great people; from the famous, to fans, to social media hecklers, to people I met as they were child fans that I’ve watched grow into adult fans, to crew and employees who don’t get enough credit for their role in making WWE operate behind the scenes.

I am thankful for my family, who has backed me throughout my quest despite it’s unorthodox nature. I have an amazing and gorgeous Superwife who has been as supportive of me now as she was the day I told her that I wanted to chase this dream. She has given me two beautiful, healthy sons and without her Super-Momnipotence, I surely wouldn’t have been able to reach this point.

A full decade later, here I am, alongside my two brothers, biting on Booty O’s, ingesting ice cream, feasting on flapjacks, preaching positivity, making magic, while we commute upon unicorns. For that I am eternally grateful and there isn’t a single day that I take any of this for granted.

No matter how large or small the interaction, everyone with whom I have crossed paths has been a part of this journey. Thank you all for these last 10 years.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BePce7FDRQI/

Ahead of tonight’s RAW 25th Anniversary special, here are a few #RAW25-related notes:

– Several of WWE’s Champions, including AJ Styles, Roman Reigns, Charlotte and Alexa Bliss were on Wall Street in downtown NYC this morning to ring the opening bell on the New York Stock Exchange.

Turns out belts are a great accessory when you visit the NYSE, just ask @WWE Superstars @WWERomanReigns, @AJStylesOrg, @MsCharlotteWWE and @AlexaBliss_WWE pic.twitter.com/La0gcoc88h

— NYSE ? (@NYSE) January 22, 2018

– To celebrate #RAW25 invading New York City, the Empire State Building will feature red lighting tonight.

Our friend Abel helped us start the celebration right…tonight the @EmpireStateBldg will be red for #Raw25! #TopOfTheWorld @StephMcMahon @MakeAWish pic.twitter.com/4jb9LKRrh3

— Triple H (@TripleH) January 22, 2018

– Rusev tweeted the following about his favorite RAW moment, which took place back on Rusev Day:

Favorite #raw moment was when i beat Roman And Cena to become new WWE Champion ! #Raw25thAnniversary

— Miro (@ToBeMiro) January 22, 2018

– Curt Hawkins tweeted the following about which venue (Barclays or Manhattan Center) he wants to be at for RAW:

Everybody keeps asking me what building I’ll be in tonight for #RAW25 …I’ve asked @WWE officials to please send me wherever @BraunStrowman isn’t. That dude is DANGEROUS! He keeps telling me I’m gonna “get these hands” then hits me with a powerslam. That doesn’t even make sense.

— Brian Myers (@Myers_Wrestling) January 22, 2018

– WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley confirmed he will be unable to attend tonight’s RAW 25th Anniversary special.

https://twitter.com/realmickfoley/status/955476382540234753

– WWE Chairman  & CEO Vince McMahon tweeted the following ahead of RAW 25:

https://twitter.com/vincemcmahon/status/955490881611685889

– Ric Flair and Eric Bischoff revealed that they’ll be at the Barclays Center for tonight’s RAW:

Heading Over To The Barclay Center! WOOOOO! #RAW25 pic.twitter.com/6Gmo5ElsSx

— Ric Flair® (@RicFlairNatrBoy) January 22, 2018

https://twitter.com/ebischoff/status/955483631228739584

https://twitter.com/i/moments/955448941419663362

WWE Hall of Famer Sunny (Tammy Sytch) made some controversial remarks on her Facebook page over the weekend regarding inter-gender wrestling, certain female WWE Superstars being “too ugly” to be successful and why she doesn’t believe independent wrestlers bragging about the money they make if they never worked for WWE or WCW.

Here are some highlights of what she said about:

Intergender Wrestling:

“The most ridiculous stupid absurd most damaging thing to can ever happen to our business. That’s why it’s alll going to sh** in a handbasket so fast. Anyone who supports this should bury themselves alive.”

Former WWE, WCW and ECW performer Lance Storm chimed in on the topic of men wrestling women:

https://twitter.com/lancestorm/status/955477843688878080

Certain Women Being “Too Ugly” To Be Successful In WWE

In response to a comment about WWE signing Candice LeRae, Sunny managed to bury not only her but also got in a cheap shot on Bailey.

“And she was signed to ‘developmental’ right? Which means she’s too ugly to ever make the big show. Unless they give the girl some MAJOR plastic surgery. IE Bayley. Sorry. Had to be said.”

Wrestlers Making A Good Living Outside WWE

When a fan brought up Joey Ryan being able to make a good living while doing intergender matches, Sytch said she doesn’t believe wrestlers can make a lot on the independent scene if they never made it to the “big time.”

“Don’t you all realize that wrestling is a work and all wrestlers lie and exaggerate? I highly doubt he makes anywhere close to that. There is no money on the indies scene especially for someone who is 5’4″ and never made it to the big show. And no, TNA is NOT the big show. You’re forgetting who you’re talking to here. I’ve been around for 28 years.”

Newsweek has published an interview longtime WWE music producer Jim Johnston, who recently left the company after a 32-year tenure. Johnston is responsible for creating some of the most iconic theme songs in WWE history, including “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Rock, The Undertaker and countless others.

Johnston spoke with Tufayel Ahmed from Newsweek about how he came to work for WWE in the mid-1980’s, what it was like to work for Vince McMahon, how much input Superstars have into their theme songs and his next career moves.

“My last few years with WWE were sadly filled with a lot of politics. It was disappointing because I didn’t think I could contribute in the way I would have preferred. It was probably best I’m no longer there.” – Jim Johnston

Johnston’s role producing WWE theme songs was greatly scaled back in 2014 when the band CFO$ were brought on as the company’s resident composers. Johnston thinks today’s WWE entrance music sounds too generic and feels bad for the Superstars who are missing a key component of their characters.

“What’s being produced just feels too homogenous. It’s just music that plays—it doesn’t feel like each guy is really themed. All the women have a dance music kind of thing. And it’s lots and lots of loud sound effects.

What makes me the worst is not anything that happened to me, or any negativity towards those composers…I feel bad for the talent trying to build careers for themselves when I just don’t feel they’re being served well enough to become stars.”

Johnston used Steve Austin as a prime example of the impact music can have on a character. He says Austin’s ringmaster character was “dead in the water” but a couple of tweaks, different music, different attitude, and he went on to become one of the biggest stars in pro wrestling history.

“I’m wondering who is working currently at WWE who is an absolute superstar but, who, because they’re wrapped in a homogenous piece of clothing, they’re stuck and can’t break out?” said Johnston. “I would hope they would try to really brand each guy and each woman as an individual.”

Visit Newsweek to check out the full interview.

Ring of Honor announced on Monday that New Japan Pro Wrestling star Kota Ibushi has signed on to appear at the upcoming Supercard of Honor event during WrestleMania weekend.

The article at ROHWrestling.com touts that the 3-time IWGP Junior Heavyweight Champion holds wins over the likes of AJ Styles, Prince Devitt (Finn Balor), Tetsuya Naito and most recently Cody Rhodes at Wrestle Kingdom 12.

Other New Japan talent confirmed for the event include IWGP United States Champion Kenny Omega and IWGP Intercontinental Champion Hiroshi Tanahashi.

ROH Supercard of Honor XII takes place on Saturday night, April 7th from New Orleans, LA at the UNO Lakefront Arena.

• Tickets are on sale for ROH Supercard of Honor XII

Over the weekend, ABC News ran a story looking at the 25th Anniversary of Monday Night RAW. The article recaps the storied history of WWE’s flagship show and features quotes from Triple H, Hulk Hogan and Charlotte Flair.

While Hulk Hogan and Charlotte were in hype mode, Triple H actually covered some newsworthy topics, including rumors of Vince McMahon wanting to revive the XFL football league and the possibility of RAW changing networks when their TV deal is up with USA Network.

An XFL Reboot

Amid rumors that WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon is taking steps to revive his short-lived XFL league, Triple H doesn’t think Vince is ready to scale back his role with WWE any time soon.

“I don’t think there’s any sense of change,” said Triple H. “If anybody thinks they’re going to push him out or take this thing, there’s going to be a hell of a fight.”

The Possibility of RAW Switching Networks:

WWE’s television deal with the USA Network runs through 2019, but the company hopes to have a new deal locked in by this summer. There are rumors that UFC might be ending their relationship with Fox, which would make WWE programming a very appealing substitute for the Fox family of channels.

A bidding war between USA Network and Fox would send the value of WWE’s TV rights through the roof and Triple H sounds like WWE is willing to entertain offers.

“I can tell you that WWE is uniquely positioned so whatever way it goes, whatever way our fans are telling us to go, we’re there,” he said.

Triple H also commented on the importance of the Mr. McMahon character to the success of the Attitude Era. He says Vince doesn’t like to take credit for it, but is the “guiding force” of being a top heel and was never afraid to take risks.

Visit ABCNews.com to read the full article.

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair recently spoke with Atlanta’s Fox 5 news about his brush with death last summer, feeling lucky to still be alive and his struggle with alcoholism. Here are some quick quotes:

His health scare last August:

“I knew that something was going on because it really hurt. So, she [Fiance’, Wendy Barlow] took me and, sure enough, my intestines had ruptured.

Feeling lucky to still be alive:

“You have no idea. You want to know something? I am preoccupied with dying, does that make sense to you? I think about it every day.”

Abusing alcohol:

“I don’t carry a flask, I don’t drink at home, and I’m a social drinker. I mean my whole life, I never drank during the day. But at night, when I’m through working, yeah, I drank. I didn’t start ‘day drinking’ until probably right before my son [Reid Fliehr] died. And then, I really, after he passed away, it was 10 in the morning until 2 a.m. every day.”

You can watch Fox 5’s full segment with Ric Flair here:

Tonight, WWE celebrates the the 25th Anniversary of Monday Night RAW with a legend-packed show taking place from two separate venues in New York City.

WWE.com is hyping the following items for tonight’s shows from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center and the Manhattan Center, where Monday Night RAW began back on January 11, 1993:

• Roman Reigns defends the Intercontinental Championship against The Miz
• WWE Legends take over Monday Night Raw
• John Cena and SmackDown LIVE Superstars drop by Team Red
• How will Brock Lesnar and Kane respond to Braun Strowman?
• History in the making (final hype for Women’s Royal Rumble)

Join us here tonight four our WWE #RAW25 Live Coverage

Here’s the complete list of legends advertised for tonight. Don’t be surprised to see a few surprises in addition to these names:

• Stone Cold Steve Austin
• The Undertaker
• Ric Flair
• Scott Hall
• Chris Jericho
• D-Generation X
• Jim Ross
• Jerry Lawler
• The Million Dollar Man Ted DiBiase
• Christian
• Trish Stratus
• Torrie Wilson
• Jacqueline
• The Dudley Boyz
• Maria Kanellis
• The Bella Twins
• The New Age Outlaws
• Eric Bischoff
• Terri Runnels
• Ron Simmons
• JBL
• Kelly Kelly
• The Godfather
• The Brooklyn Brawler
• Michelle McCool
• Brother Love
• Boogeyman
• Teddy Long
• John Laurinaitis
• Harvey Wippleman
• Lilian Garcia
• Jonathan Coachman
• MVP
• William Regal
• Howard Finkel

Nia Jax spoke with UK publication The Mirror to promote next weekend’s WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view. Topics discussed include the possibility of Ronda Rousey wrestling for WWE, RAW GM Kurt Angle naming her as the favorite to win the Women’s Royal Rumble match and which surprise entrants she’d like to see. Here are the highlights of what she said about:

Ronda Rousey Joining WWE’s Women’s Division:

“Ronda actually started a women’s revolution outside of WWE. She was the first woman to main event a UFC pay-per-view. That’s huge. Her coming over to the WWE and showing our talent what she can do here and probably showing some of us how to do different things, it would be amazing, I would definitely welcome it, you know? I don’t know if she has ever faced anybody like some of our girls, who are extremely athletic and have insane talent, so I think it would kind of be an awakening for her as well.”

Kurt Angle Naming Her As A Favorite To Win The Women’s Rumble:

“Ha ha. Oh that’s awesome. I appreciate Kurt realising my talent and appreciating I am the most dominant woman in this company. But at the end of the day, there is not just one woman I have to go against, there is every woman in the division, plus whoever else gets to come. So, I’m definitely up for the challenge and I believe I could be the last woman standing in the Royal Rumble.”

A kick to my leg isn’t holding me back! I have my mind on the #RoyalRumble. Warming up in my squats at 225 lbs. ???? #TheIrresistableForce pic.twitter.com/Lgv6tZL6Hn

— Lina Fanene (@LinaFanene) January 20, 2018

The Surprise Entrant She Most Wants To See in the Women’s Rumble: 

“Oh there’s so many, but the one that I would love to see, that I would love to go up against, is Beth Phoenix. I would love for her to return. It would be something for me, kind of like a a childhood thing, growing up seeing her being such a dominant woman. I would love for her to show up and be in the ring with her.”

Check out the full Nia Jax interview at Mirror.co.uk.

Earlier this week WWE announced the signings of several top independent wrestlers, including former NJPW/Lucha Underground/PWG star Ricochet (Trevor Mann).

The NXT Twitter account posted a video from the Performance Center that gave a glimpse inside the training facility, with WWE PC Strength & Conditioning Coach Sean Hayes leading a “Hercules-inspired upper-body workout.”

Today’s workout at the @WWEPerformCtr moved the chains! NXT Superstars were out in full force this morning. Spot any of your favorites? #WeAreNXT #NowWithLowerVolume pic.twitter.com/dg56yoD102

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) January 19, 2018

Ricochet, who’s seen in the video doing a set of chin-ups with weighted chains wrapped around him, joked that he had to show the Street Profits “how it’s done” in the weight room.

https://twitter.com/KingRicochet/status/954463638714224640

WWE.com published an article promoting this playful (for now) rivalry. It’s worth noting that the article consistently refers to Ricochet by his birth name Trevor Mann with no references to the name Ricochet.

“Following the workout, Mann was overheard saying that he’s coming for the Combine crown in 2018, a reference to NXT’s annual strength-and-conditioning Combine, a competition in which Ford has always been one of the top performers. Could a budding rivalry between the two athletic wonders be shaping up before our very eyes?

RAW Superstar Sasha Banks recently spoke with TalkSPORT to promote Monday’s big RAW 25th Anniversary special and the upcoming Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

During the discussion, Sasha spoke about Bayley being one of her favorite rivals. In talking about their feud in NXT, she modestly stated that she is the greatest women’s wrestler of all time – adding, “it’s not arrogance, it’s confidence,”

“Over the past year I’ve been told if I was going to be heel or face and we kept going back and fourth on it. But that rivalry with Bayley is something I’d love to pick right back up because she actually has my number, which pisses me off because in my heart I know I’m the greatest women’s wrestler ever,”

She continued, “It’s about showing her and the world that I’m the best and it would be great to pick up that rivalry again with her. I’m in no rush; I plan to be with WWE for a very long time so we can tell that story anytime. Sasha Banks is all about being me and it’s not arrogance it’s confidence, I am the very best at what I do.”

With the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match taking place next weekend, there’s been a lot of buzz about which legends from the past will show up in the event. Sasha Banks has a few ideas about who she’d like to see turn up in the Women’s Rumble.

“I would love to see Trish [Stratus] and Lita, of course. Beth Phoenix, Molly Holly, Jazz, Jacqueline. Just all the women I grew up watching – Medusa, that would be amazing. Even girls from NXT would be amazing too. But the potential to see who’s going to be in it is endless because we only have about thirty girls across the brands, so we do need those little extra for the Rumble.”

Sasha added that if she was the first entrant in the Women’s Royal Rumble, the surprise appearance she would most want to see is Trish Stratus.

“Not only would I mark out as a fan, but also it would be something really cool. Her music is so iconic, she’s such a legend in this business that would be an amazing way to start off the Rumble.”

Other topics discuss include taking part in the first-ever Women’s wrestling match in the Middle East, her favorite career moment thus far and her cousin Snoop Dogg. Head over to TalkSPORT.com to check out the full interview.

Tonight is the UFC 220: Miocic vs. Ngannou pay-per-view from Boston, MA and we’ve got full coverage of the event over at our partner site, MMANews.com.

At Friday’s UFC Media Day from Boston, Massachusetts (which included the official weigh-ins on-sale press conferences for UFC 222: Holloway vs. Edgar and UFC 223: Ferguson vs. Nurmagomedov), UFC President Dana White commented on the possibilities of Brock Lesnar and CM Punk competing inside the Octagon this year.

During an interview with TSN, White was discussing the likelihood of UFC’s top box office draws competing this year, such as Jon Jones, Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey. When asked about the possibility of Brock Lesnar and CM Punk fighting in 2018, White said “Yes” to both.

Regarding Lesnar, White is confident we haven’t seen the last of Brock in the Octagon. “I think he’ll give it one more run,” White said. “I just think Brock loves to fight.”

As for CM Punk, White commented, “I like that guy. He’s a good dude,” White said. “He wants one more. He wants to get another shot. I’m going to give it to him.”

It’s definitely interesting that UFC is interested in working with Lesnar and Punk again despite the controversies surrounding each of their most recent fights.

You can watch TSN’s interview with Dana White here:

WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley spoke with ESPN this week to promote Monday’s RAW 25th Anniversary special, which he reportedly will not be attending due to a scheduling conflict.

Foley made his Monday Night RAW debut back in April of 1996. In the years that would follow, Foley was a key player during the Attitude Era, a period that saw WWE achieve its biggest audiences in company history.

Longtime fans have fond memories of Foley working with The Rock at the height of the Attitude Era and Foley explained to ESPN why they worked together so well.

“If you were an uninitiated viewer and tuning in, you’d say, ‘So wait a minute, the ugly guy with the mask and tattered shirt … he’s a good guy? And this other guy who looks like he’s carved out of marble, he’s the bad guy?’ But it worked. We played off each other.”

When he was first introduced on WWE television, Foley portrayed the boiler-room-dwelling freak, Mankind. He’d later introduce his alter egos tot he WWE Universe – the hardcore legend Cactus Jack and the irresistible ladies man, Dude Love. Each of his personas offered the fans something different to embrace.

When asked who would win in a hypothetical showdown between Mankind, Cactus Jack and Dude Love, Foley said the character he created back in his teen years would come out on top. “Dude hides under the ring and waits for the other two to wear themselves out, then takes advantage,” he joked.

Head over to ESPN.com to read the full interview, which also includes quotes from Jim Ross talking about Mick Foley’s WWE career.

This weekend, WWE is running the first-ever live events for the 205 Live cruiserweight division. The first of 3 scheduled shows got canceled due to ‘logistical’ reasons, but 205 Live will be in Lowell, MA tonight at the Lowell Auditorium and Poughkeepsie, NY on Sunday at the Mid Hudson Civic Center.

In addition to the Superstars of the Cruiserweight roster, special attractions advertised for the live events include “Woken” Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt and Nia Jax.

Drew Gulak recently spoke with ESPN this week to promote the 205 Live house shows and acknowledged that the 205 Live brand has experienced some “growing pains” in recent months. He also discussed what it’s like having WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore as the focal point of the show.

“If you could picture a nice lake, clean water, real clear, some fish in there. There’s seaweed, kelp, maybe even some coral. Then picture taking a bomb and dropping it into the middle of that and setting it off. That’s kinda what it’s like with Enzo. He’s the bomb.”

Gulak continued, “He’s such a crazy personality, and you can’t help but react to him. For us, we’ve had a couple guys come through who had a noticeably different fan base, a noticeably different set of production or time spent on [building them up] beforehand and being added to our group. Getting someone like a Neville, an Austin Aries or a Kalisto come in here. Enzo is like a neon version of those guys.”

SmackDown Live star Lana appeared on the Baby Huey & Bimbo Jimbo radio show earlier this week on 107.7 The Bone (San Francisco, CA). Topics discussed include the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble match, Rusev’s reaction to Lana joining the cast of Total Divas (and dropping her Russian accent) plus reports that she was in the WWE doghouse after news of her engagement went public while they were feuding on television.

You can listen to the full interview in the embedded audio player at the bottom of this article. Here are some highlights:

Women’s Royal Rumble

Lana said she’d “so, so, so grateful” to be a part of the historic event and was crying and screaming when she heard she’d be a part of it. She was overwhelmed with gratitude and relishes the opportunity to be part of such a positive milestone for women’s wrestling.

Rusev & Lana On Total Divas

“He definitely wanted to do it,” she said. “He fully supports me, and so he was excited to do it. He’s a character. He’s so funny. So, he’s just himself on that like ‘Sure if cameras want to follow me around that’s fine. I might just be naked at my pool. It’s not my fault the cameras are here.’ Which you guys are going to have to watch Total Divas. That might happen next week.”

Lana says she wasn’t worried about it damaging her WWE character because “we are storytellers.” When she is on WWE television, she portrays a Russian villain. On Total Divas, she is herself – and compares it to Hollywood stars who portray roles in movies.

“To me when just like when you watch a movie or you watch a TV show to me you know Nicole Kidman or Leonardo DiCaprio you know that they are actors, but also great actors find that extension of themselves. So, when I walk through that curtain I find the extension of myself of being the Ravishing Russian in there. We are actors, we are entertainers, and most of all we are story tellers…I was actually really excited because to me it’s giving the world the chance to see that we are story tellers.”

Reports That She Had Heat With Management After Her Engagement

Back in October 2015, TMZ broke the news that Rusev and Lana were engaged ‘in real life.’ Great news, except for the fact that the two were involved in a heated WWE storyline at the time that saw Lana aligned with Dolph Ziggler (who could forget those denim jackets?) and Rusev romantically linked to Summer Rae.

WWE scrambled to make sense of the situation, eventually acknowledging Lana and Rusev’s engagement. WWE.com wrote:

“The Ravishing Russian had been romantically linked to Dolph Ziggler in recent months and Rusev fielded a proposal from Summer Rae just last week, but it would appear that any lingering problems between the power couple have been resolved.”

There were reports that WWE management was understandably not happy about their storyline being undermined and there were reports that Lana had backstage heat as a result. In her chat with Baby Huey & Bimbo Jimbo, Lana set the record straight:

“The truth was that Vince McMahon just decided to go a different route, and that’s just what it was. Rusev and I were trending for like three days straight ‘Rusev and Lana are engaged’ He just made the decision at that time he goes ok I want to bring them back together…People are always going to talk. I think for 6 months after that the headline was Lana has nuclear heat, (laughter) and I am like great! You know, you’re talking about me.”

Check out the full interview here:

WWE legend Mark Henry appeared on Busted Open radio with Dave Lagreca and Bully Ray this week and confirmed that he has signed an “Ambassadors” deal with the WWE.

Producer Alexander Metz sent in a few highlights from the discussion, including Henry’s opinion on Daniel Bryan’s in-ring future and his favorite Superstars in WWE.

Regarding Daniel Bryan, Henry said Bryan is a bonafide Hall of Famer, but he doesn’t think Bryan has wrestled his last match. For that to happen in a WWE ring, Vince McMahon would need “definitive proof” Bryan would not suffer a catastrophic injury, because Vince could not live with that on his conscience.

"He's great, he's the Gale Sayers of wrestling. He should be in the Hall of Fame when he's done, but he's not done yet." – @TheMarkHenry tells @davidlagreca1 & @bullyray5150 that they will need definitive proof to clear @WWEDanielBryan #SDLive #RAW #WWEHOF pic.twitter.com/XRSNbQOS52

— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) January 18, 2018

As for which current WWE Superstars excite him, Mark Henry said he loves the “action” of Roman Reigns, and that he’s a tough guy that you ‘feel’ when he gets hit, because he expresses himself very well in the ring.

“As far as someone that when they come on the TV, I really want to watch what happens next: Finn Balor.”

Henry says he’d like to see Balor take a more prominent role, but that’s up to him. He thinks Balor needs to be ambitious. Henry says he and Bully Ray may need to sit down and tell Balor who he really is. He needs to believe himself to the point where it’s real. WWE fans think wrestling is real and the talent need to believe it’s real too. With Finn Balor, Henry thinks he’s still finding himself in that respect.

"To our fans, wrestling is real. He doesn't know yet just how real it can be." – @TheMarkHenry tells @davidlagreca1 & @bullyray5150 that @FinnBalor can be a top guy in #WWE #RAW #BalorClub pic.twitter.com/2mkay7HtUT

— SiriusXM Busted Open (@BustedOpenRadio) January 18, 2018

Busted Open with Dave Lagreca and Bully Ray can be heard weekdays from 9am-Noon ET with a replay from Noon-3pm ET only on SiriusXM Rush Channel 93 or any time On Demand on the SiriusXM App.”

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan was interviewed by Dan Gelson of the Associated Press this week and confirmed that he is not planning to be in attendance for Monday’s big RAW 25th Anniversary special. Even though he won’t be there in person, Hogan says he’ll be there in spirit, because Hulkamania inspired every legend we’ll see at RAW 25, including Vince McMahon.

Hogan’s bio is still gone from WWE.com after his summer 2015 release from the company due to the fallout from his sex tape & racism scandal. He’s been on the outside of the WWE Universe looking in for nearly 3 years now, but would return in a heartbeat if he got the call.

“I’m 64 years old and right now I could go out and tear WrestleMania down,” he said. “I might have that one more match where I really beat the hell out of Vince. I’ve still got one in me.”

Hogan’s ready to return, are WWE – and more importantly – their sponsors, ready for Hogan?

“I don’t know if they want me back,” Hogan admitted. “I think the fans want me back. I think that I’m part of that company from the ground up. Triple H I know is a huge fan of the guys that gave their blood, sweat and tears and their personal life to make this happen,”

He added, “I know Triple H would love to see me back on the inside again.”

Dan Gelston of the AP reached out to WWE about the possibility of Hogan returning. Unfortunately for the Hulkster, it wasn’t the response he was looking for.

“At this time, WWE remains committed to its decision.”

With a WWE return seemingly not in the cards, Hogan has expressed interest working with the Bullet Club in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Could we see Hogan don the black and white once again and stand beside the likes of Cody Rhodes, Kenny Omega and the Young Bucks?

“I’m about ready to jump on a plane and fly to Japan and get involved with that Bullet Club, man. I’m so excited about those kids,” Hogan said.

Other topics discussed include Hogan’s beach shops in Florida and why he’ll never do reality television again.

Head over to APNews.com to read the full interview.

WWE announced on Thursday that Kacy Catanzaro is now training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, FL.

Other notable names who began training at the WWE PC this week include Ricochet, tag team War Machine and Candice LeRae.

• Former Impact World Champion Also Spotted At WWE PC This Week

Catanzaro, 28, is an American gymnast who competed on NBC’s American Ninja Warrior series. Hailing from Glen Ridge, New Jersey, she was the first woman to complete a City Finals obstacle course on the show. She’s also made Sports Illustrated’s list of “Fittest 50” female athletes – twice.

During last summer’s Mae Young Classic tournament, it was announced that Catanzaro had signed with the company. She trained at the WWE Performance Center last January and obviously impressed WWE officials.

Samoa Joe will be out of action longer than initially anticipated. WWE announced that Joe injured his foot on the January 8th edition of RAW in a match against Rhyno. WWE Senior Ringside Physician Dr. Chris Amann evaluated Joe backstage at RAW that night and said it seemed Joe had a plantar fascia rupture, which is a thick tissue rupture under the foot.

Joe underwent an MRI later that week and will miss more than two months of action. According to the Wrestling Observer, Joe has been pulled from WWE live events through at least mid-March. There’s no good time to get injured, but it appeared Joe was once again on the cusp of starting a program with John Cena, a feud that would have elevated his position on the roster.

Hopefully Joe is back in time for a WrestleMania program, but the 38-year-old Samoan destroyer is at risk of being labeled injury prone by WWE officials, which would hinder his upside.

On SmackDown, Kevin Owens had been advertised to compete in the main event of this past weekend’s live events, but did not appear. He was backstage. The Observer notes that Owens is dealing with a nagging injury that is not considered to be anything serious.

Owens and Sami Zayn were also held off this week’s SmackDown Live episode. In all likelihood, WWE is letting Owens heal up before the 2-on-1 handicap match against AJ Style at the Royal Rumble on January 28th.

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