SportsBusinessDaily.com is reporting that the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) organization has signed a blockbuster multi-year deal with FOX broadcasting that will see UFC programming airing on FOX networks (Fox, FX, Fuse) for the next seven or eight years.
According to the report on SBD, the deal is worth as much as $90 million per year and as many as four live UFC events will air on Fox each year, marking the first time UFC will be broadcast on network television.
As part of the deal, most of the weekly programming that UFC has on Versus and Spike TV will move to FX starting in January. That includes UFC’s live Fight Night cards as well as the company’s hit reality series “The Ultimate Fighter.”
UFC had reportedly been negotiating with NBC/Comcast for several months, but those talks recently broke down.
As for what this means to the pro wrestling business – this is either great news for TNA or a very very bad sign. It’s no secret that Spike TV executives have considered totally re-branding the network, which has seen lackluster ratings from programming geared towards males 18-34. While UFC’s departure makes TNA Wrestling its highest rated content provider, this could push Spike in the direction of dropping wrestling as well in favor of shows that appeal more to women and families.
John Cena wrote the following on Twitter in response to comments from fans after last night’s RAW:
“CeNation. Amazing to see in times of crisis, and change, who your freinds are. Thanks to all of u who never give up…. And for those that wish for our demise, now is when we rise above the hate, and overcome. Can’t wait to get my hands on Del Rio. Yawn ..stop looking at this bizz in black and white. I am not a “heel” or a “face”, I am me. I find it comical that u truly believe. That archaic ideology still exists. Today, wwe fans cheer for who they please, which is why I love this company. I should mail u a pair of my shorts, because your stuck in 1993.
I thought I made it pretty clear at contract signing where I stood. I guess there’s a lot of folks out there whose capacity is as limited as “my offense”. :) I back those who back me. And those who back me, get ready for one Helluva few months! Rise Above Hate. This “soap box moment ” was brought to you by Fruity Pebbles. :) Thanks again to ALL those who never give up.”
Next year’s WrestleMania 28 from Miami could be the third WrestleMania to feature a boxing match, according to a report on BoxingScene.com.
Heavyweight boxer Monte “Two Gunz” Barrett, a good friend of John Cena, says he is interested in fighting David Tua for a third time at WrestleMania next April.
Barrett told the Boxing Scene that he plans to speak to Cena about putting the fight together. Barrett says he’s already exchanged text messages with Cena, who said he’d talk to WWE officials about it.
Barrett, who is currently dealing with a broken jaw suffered in his fight against Tua this weekend, says he wouldn’t mind having the match in a steel cage.
David Tua is a member of the Anoa’i family and is the nephew of WWE Hall of Famer Afa Anoa’i.
As previously mentioned, this would not be the first time a boxing match was featured at WrestleMania. WrestleMania 2 featured a worked boxing fight between Rowdy Roddy Piper and Mr. T, while WrestleMania XV featured a legitimate tough-man fight between Bart Gunn and Butterbean.
– Former WWE champions John Cena and CM Punk were said to be “ecstatic” with their match following Sunday’s Summerslam pay-per-view. After tearing down the house at Money in the Bank with a Match of the Year-caliber performance, Cena and Punk silenced critics that questioned whether they could follow up with another classic.
Overall, the general consensus in WWE is that SummerSlam was a great show.
– An SEScoops.com reader who attended SummerSlam said he didn’t see too many fans using the new “Live Commentary” radios that WWE began selling on Sunday, which allows fans to hear ringside commentary at live events.
– As reported earlier, the Young Bucks (former TNA tag team Generation Me) received a WWE tryout on Monday afternoon prior to RAW from San Diego. They reportedly worked a match against California indy wrestlers Joey Ryan and Scorpio Sky, who were also being evaluated for possible employment.
Scorpio Sky was one of the security guards that stopped CM Punk from getting to the ring where Kevin Nash was during RAW.
Matt Jackson of Generation Me wrote on Twitter that it was a “very interesting day” while his brother Nick asked his followers where the Young Bucks should wrestle next.
As you’ve read here in recent weeks, the head of WWE’s new talent development division, Triple H, is very interested in reviving the company’s tag team division. (Read More)
An insider source confirmed to us that WWE is interested in signing TNA tag team Beer Money – and now it appears another former TNA tag team could be headed to WWE soon.
Former TNA stars Nick and Matt Jackson (The Young Bucks, formerly Generation Me in TNA) received a WWE tryout on Monday afternoon prior to RAW from San Diego.
The high-flying young team worked a few matches in front of the WWE producers (not dark matches).
We are awaiting word on how the tryout went, but we’ll be sure to post a follow up as soon as we hear something.
Nick and Matt were among several other California based talents who received WWE tryouts during the company’s latest trip out to the west coast.
What do you guys think? Would you like to see The Young Bucks / Generation Me in WWE as part of a revived tag team division? Comment below and tell us what you think.
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon is said to be very impressed with The Miz in recent weeks, which many insiders are believing will lead to a big push for the former WWE champion.
“Vince really liked Miz’s promo last week on Raw, which sold SummerSlam even though Miz didn’t have an opponent named,” a reliable insider informed us, “and Vince thought Miz came across as a top heel at SummerSlam.”
The source continued, “But what Vince loved the most was Miz’s performance tonight endorsing Subway, because he did it in such an entertaining fashion, and Vince kept telling people that Miz’s performance is exactly what he’s looking for from WWE Superstars. Miz really raised his stock in WWE in the past week.”
With McMahon high on The Miz’s recent work, expect to see Miz elevated back into the main event picture in the coming weeks and months.
The Ballin’ Superstar From The 305 Posts A Fantastic Video From New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Annual Summer Tourney!
IWGP Intercontinental Heavyweight Champion MVP has posted a brand new video as part of his “Sessions” series, as the former WWE United States Heavyweight Champion updates his fans from the G-1 Climax Tournament in Japan.
Check out the video here:
Posted August 16th, 2011 in News, WWE. Tagged: MVP.
Wrestling legend Mick Foley, who is rumored to be on his way back to WWE, went to bat for John Cena on Monday night, tweeting several matches endorsing the former WWE champion’s work inside the ring and his model behavior in the locker room. Foley tweeted the following on Monday night:
“I really enjoyed the angry, serious tone of @johncena . Might be about time more fans started recognizing his legacy of amazing matches.
Sorry to disagree with so many of you, but go through your archives and look at how many good/great/amazing matches @johncena has had on PPV
You may not like the character, but @JohnCena is a workhorse, and hasn’t been in a bad PPV (that I’ve seen) in a long time. He CAN wrestle!
Come on, someone find me a bad @johncena PPV. He’s been a part of classic stuff with regularity for years. It’s NOT just the opponents guys.
Look, I was clearly more of an @WWE fan even when I was with TNA. I just call them like I see them…and I see Cena favorably.
I really appreciate all the feedback from everyone. I’ll grant you that his last Mania wasn’t great, but his match with @therock will be.
Good conversation, everyone. Remember when @johncena wrestled 10 minutes with Orton AFTER tearing his pec off the bone? THAT is HEART!”
Foley also posted recent a blog on his website titled, WHY IS MICK A MARK FOR JOHN CENA?” Foley explained that Cena is one of the best workers in the business today – having great matches with everybody from world class workers like Triple H, Edge and Kurt Angle to big-man slugs like the Great Khali and Bobby Lashley. Beyond what he does in the ring – Foley said the main reason he’s a John Cena fan is because Cena treats every wrestler on the roster with equal respect, something you don’t always see in the wrestling business.
The following live notes are compiled from several live reports sent in from fans who were at Monday’s WWE RAW from San Diego. If you attend a live WWE event, send an email to SEScoops [at] gmail.com.
– There was no dark match prior to the Superstars tapings
– Matches taped for Superstars:
Santino Marella vs. Primo
Zack Ryder vs. Drew McIntyre
– After RAW went off the air, John Cena called out Alberto Del Rio, who tried to leave the ringside area – but was caught by CM Punk (in street clothes), who chased the new WWE champion back into the ring. Both CM Punk and John Cena hit their finishers on Del Rio.
Ricardo Rodriguez tried grabbing the WWE championship and leaving the ring, but he was caught by Punk and Cena, who both gave him their finishers.
Punk gave the belt the Cena. A “Cena sucks” chant broke out and Punk received a huge pop and a “C.M. Punk” chant. Cena and Punk left the title belt in the ring to close the show.
CM Punk says he received some of the “most ridiculous offers from the most unbelievable sources” during his brief time away from WWE last month after the Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
During a radio interview with Mark Madden from last week, Punk acknowledged that he was brought back to television too soon and there were a “billion” scenarios that could have played out prior to his return. After acknowledging that WWE brought him back sooner than expected to give a jolt to business, Punk said:
“Now you’re getting into the numbers side of the business. Sure, I would have loved to drag it out. There’s a billion different scenarios you could have done. I could have went and worked indies. I had the most ridiculous offers from the most unbelievable sources. I’ll write a book some day and it’ll be a hell of a chapter.”
“It would have been fun to go do commentary for like Titan Fighting Championship, it would have been fun to maybe show up at a ROH show, or go bother Gabe at Evolve, do all kinds of fun stuff. The bottom line is we have a TV show and a pay-per-view to sell. Basically it’s the hottest thing and you just kind of ride it until the wheels fall off.”
Could it have been done in a more entertaining way? If everything is selling out and business is awesome, then yeah, maybe. Maybe.”
– With his big WWE Title win last night at SummerSlam, Alberto Del Rio becomes the first Mexican-born wrestler to hold the WWE Title. The late Eddie Guerrero was born in El Paso, Texas while Hall of Famer Pedro Morales was from Puerto Rico.
– Kevin Nash made a surprise return to WWE television a SummerSlam and destroyed CM Punk following his win over John Cena, allowing Alberto Del Rio to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and leave SummerSlam as WWE champion.
It’s worth noting that Nash’s official website lists several apearances for the Awesome Wrestling Entertainment promotion in September and October. It’s unknown at this time whether Nash will keep those dates, now that he’s a key piece in WWE’s top main event storyline.
New Age Outlaw BG James tweeted the following on Monday about being with Kevin Nash this weekend when he may have got the call from WWE to appear at SummerSlam:
“We were w/Nash this weekend and he did get a phone call at one point friday night that Billy and I thought was suspicious.”
Tonight’s episode of WWE RAW takse place from the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, California and will feature fallout from Sunday’s SummerSlam pay-per-view.
On last week’s RAW, it was announced that San Diego native Rey Mysterio would receive a WWE title shot against whoever the champion was after SummerSlam, which is Alberto Del Rio.
As for Rey Mysterio’s knee injury, f4wonline.com is reporting that Rey was scheduled to face The Miz at SummerSlam up until this weekend.
The decision was made at the last minute to make it a 6-man match with Alberto Del Rio, R-Truth, Kofi Kingston and John Morrison as a way to get Rey on the card without him having to
Last week, a new PETA campaign was unveiled featuring Hulk Hogan’s daughter Brooke, who posed nude (and in a cage) for the animal rights group’s latest ad.
The portrait was unveiled on Thursday night in Miami at Cafeina Lounge – and Brooke has gotten a lot of negative press after her father Hulk was photographed next to his daughter’s nude picture.
Brooke is fed up with the tabloid gossip about her and her father Hulk having an inappropriate relationship and says Hulk was there simply to show parental support.
Brooke tweeted over the weekend:
“[I’m] SO sick of people saying me and my dad are in some perverted relationship! Go home and do your own thing! Stop picking on me!”
During a recent interview with the Miami New Times, Brooke also explained why she is working with PETA for this controversial new campaign.
“I’ve always had a love for animals, and I’ve seen abuse firsthand. It ignited my passion for saving them even more … The worst part is that they are voiceless in our world, so it’s our job to stand up for them.”
– Cee-Lo Green was said to be very well liked with the WWE talents backstage at SummerSlam.
– WWE used several local independent wrestlers as “plants” during the ringside spot where Mark Henry and Sheamus crashed through the barrier into the crowd. The wrestlers, who work for the Pro Wrestling Guerilla promotion, were used to actual fans were not injured.
– WWE posted a backstage video of Sheamus following his loss to Mark Henry at SummerSlam, where Sheamus declares that his feud with Henry is “far from over.”
– The following WWE terms were trending worldwide on Twitter last night during SummerSlam: Alberto Del Rio, Kevin Nash, Big Daddy Cool, Big Sexy, Beth Phoenix, Stephanie McMahon, Kelly Kelly, Daniel Bryan, Ron Artest, Jimmy Hart, No Holds Barred, Christian, Edge, Justin Roberts and Sheamus vs. Mark Henry.
– The man that Kelly Kelly kissed at ringside last night during SummerSlam was NHL player Sheldon Souray, who plays for the Dallas Stars. Kelly noted on Twitter that Souray was in town with her mother and word is that the two are now dating. Kelly previously dated WWE star Justin Gabriel.
Newly crowned WWE Champion Alberto Del Rio has finally reached the top of the mountain in the world of professional wrestling – but it appears that Mexican superstar already has his plans for retirement in place.
During a recent interview with Mexican news agency Notime, Del Rio says he plans to retire in five years time – following a farewell tour that would finish in his home town of San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Del Rio said (translated):
“I already decided. I want to retire in five years and will make a farewell tour but not as many who do 250 fights. Seek a dignified farewell to a fight in San Luis Potosi, my native land and in the Arena Mexico, my home.”
“I decided to go full power and thus having managed to be the best Mexican fighter in this difficult race. I’m tired because it takes great dedication and sacrifice but also left me enormous satisfaction.”
Del Rio also talked about the significance of leaving a legacy in this business and representing his family with honor:
“To where I have arrived I have taken fully the name of my dynasty and know that my family is proud than I have done, so when the moment arrives for hanging the boots I will continue enjoying the place that I deserved myself.”
– WWE Champion CM Punk arrived at a WWE charity event in Hollywood tied in with the promotion for Summer Slam, and WWE Chairman Vince McMahon must have been surprised by Punk’s attire. To check out the controversial photos of CM Punk at the event with the WWE Title, check out Paul Heyman’s Heyman Hustle blog.
– Hulk Hogan posed with daughter Brooke by a big poster of Brooke’s controversial nude photo as the Hollywood paparazzi clicked away on Thursday night. Of course, even wilder was the fact Hulk was joined by his Brooke-A-Like wife Jennifer,whose hot dress left very little to the imagination. You can check out the hot photos of Brooke (and the pics of Hulk with Brooke. and the near-upsirts of the busty Mrs. Hogan as well), visit PopWrecked.com.
Sunday’s WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view saw the surprise returns of several notable names.
– Jimmy Hart did a backstage segment with R-Truth, where he offered Truth his managing services. After almost convincing him, R-Truth questioned with Jimmy was a Little Jimmy and stormed off before the deal could be made.
– Stephanie McMahon had a heated backstage segment with CM Punk, was shown consulting with husband Triple H prior to the main event and was seen exiting the dressing room of former WWE champion John Cena.
– Edge was announced as Christian’s surprise prior to his No Holds Barred match against Randy Orton for the World Heavyweight Championship. After getting a tremendous response from the crowd, Edge ripped into Christian for the way he won his championship (by disqualification) and the way he’s carried himself as champion. Edge bailed on Christian right before the match began.
– Kevin Nash made a surprise appearance, storming the ringside area through the crowd after CM Punk defeated John Cena for the WWE Championship. As Punk was celebrating, Nash attacked him – destroying him with a jackknife powerbomb and allowing Alberto Del Rio to cash in his Money in the Bank briefcase and leave SummerSlam as WWE champion. It should be interesting to see whether Alberto Del Rio had a hand in Nash taking out Punk and opening the door for an easy title win.
We will have tons of backstage news regardingt he returns of Stephanie McMahon and Kevin Nash here on SEScoops.com during the week – stay tuned!
– In a dark match that took place prior to Sunday’s WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view, Dolph Ziggler (w/Vickie Guerrero) defeated Alex Riley with the Zig Zag.
– After SummerSlam went off the air, Ricardo Rodriguez announced Alberto Del Rio as the new WWE Champion and put the belt around his waist. C.M. Punk was in the ring with the briefcase. He looked confused and sad. Punk got up and walked out to a mixed reaction. He picked up the case, set it down on the ring stairs, and walked up the ramp.
Punk’s music played as he walked up the ramp in disappointment. Punk saluted the crowd and headed to the back.
Justin Roberts then thanked everyone for coming to end the show.
Check out this new gameplay footage from WWE ’12 … Watch John Cena and CM Punk slug it out for the WWE Championship – a preview of tonight’s SUMMERSLAM!
Matt Hardy posted a message on Twitter on Thursday night updating fans about his time away from TNA – and addresses the rumors about he and Jeff refusing to enter rehab. Matt wrote:
“The time off from Impact Wrestling has been a blessing in disguise-it’s allowed me enough time at home to physically & mentally heal & completely clean up my life. It was needed. I feel great, & the old Matt Hardy feels alive & fresh!
Regarding the reports of TNA keeping the Hardy Boyz off television due to their refusal to enter rehab:
“And BTW, rumors will always circulate.. But I know the real deal about myself & Jeff when I look in the mirror, & I’m ecstatic about where we’re both at. Thanks to everyone who has always supported me-you guys are amazing & I love ya!”
WWE star Heath Slater has been accused of a violent assault on a female security guard during WrestleMania 27 weekend in Atlanta, according to the Atlanta Journal Constitution newspaper.
Corinne Oliver, a security guard who works for Allied Barton security, says Heath Slater approached her in the early morning of April 4th at the Hyatt Regency Hotel and allegedly put her in a chokehold and tried taking her into his hotel room.
Police are still investigating the matter and no charges have been filed against Slater yet.
“She basically said he [Slater] approached her and asked her to go to his room,” Oliver’s laywyer said. “She said no. He started telling her she was pretty and those type things. The next thing you know she was in a chokehold, and he was dragging her and bending her backward, trying to get her on the elevator to his room. She violently had to struggle to get his arm from around her neck.”
Oliver says she told her supervisor about the alleged assault immediately after it happened. After months of inaction by her bosses, the woman filed a police report on June 22nd. Her lawyer says she contacted police after supervisors told her for months they were going to handle it.
WWE is keeping distance from the situation. WWE spokesman Jerry McDevitt has commented:
“The alleged victim is making claims against Slater individually, and it’s being investigated. This has nothing to do with the WWE.”
Looking back at Heath Slater’s Twitter account, it appears that he did not make any tweetd during WrestleMania weekend. Slater returned to Twitter on April 6th with the following tweet:
“Just got home from a long, yet exciting,fun, and life changing week.. You have to love the WWE..”
We’ve got a first look at Brooke Hogan’s new ad campaign for animal rights group PETA – featuring Brooke without any clothes on.
The photo was unveiled on Thursday night in Miami – which also happened to be Hulk Hogan’s birthday.
While we are still waiting on a clear shot of the ad campaign – below is a preview of the Brooke Hogan ad – with daddy Hulk covering up Brooke’s private parts:
