Members of the Raw women’s division were not informed ahead of time that Stephanie McMahon was going to announce a women’s Royal Rumble match in the closing segment of Raw. This was done in an effort to ensure their reactions were genuine.
According to a report from the Pro Wrestling Sheet, only a handful of people were aware the match was going to be announced. This was reportedly done to keep the news from leaking.
Women’s Royal Rumble
So far, Naomi is the only female competitor officially announced for the Rumble match. While it has not been announced yet, the belief is the match will have 30 participants.
Ric Flair recently spoke with the Daily Star and indicated he wants his daughter to turn heel. He also commented on how he believes Charlotte is already the greatest women’s wrestler of all-time.
Ric Flair Interview Highlights
On Charlotte being the greatest:
“She (Charlotte) already is the greatest, by far. I don’t know who to compare her to.”
“That’s just my opinion and I’m biased but I’m also a guy that’s qualified to make that remark so let’s say she’s not my daughter and I was the father of another girl I would say to the other girl you better push if you want to be like her.”
“And I have tremendous respect. I think Sasha Banks is off the hook in terms of ability.”
How Sasha Banks, Natalya, and others compare:
“What separates Ashley is her size and her athletic ability. Sasha Banks is every bit of a performer that Ashley is, make no mistake. As are a couple of the other girls – Natalya is fantastic. They’re all good.”
“There’s a fine line between good and great and I just look at her and I’ve known them all.”
On a potential Charlotte Heel Turn:
“I wish they would use her on the other side.”
“I like her when she’s bad. She’s really good at enhancing other people’s work. As a heel she’s really good at that, that’s art in itself.”
WWE filmed an angle on Monday where Dean Ambrose’s arm was injured by the Bar and Samoa Joe. The decision to shoot the angle was apparently last minute and meant to explain Ambrose’s absence due to a legit injury he suffered earlier. Ambrose possibly has a torn tricep which may require surgery.
It is likely Ambrose will miss WrestleMania this year as the typical recovery time for a torn tricep is around 6 months.
INJURY UPDATE: An MRI has shown suspicion for a high-grade triceps tendon injury, so @TheDeanAmbrose is undergoing surgical exploration and most likely surgical repair of the torn triceps tendon. https://t.co/uMh8c72K6A
Ambrose’s injury also puts a damper on the Raw house show circuit as well. Currently, these shows are featuring the Shield vs. Joe and the Bar, and Matt Hardy vs. Bray Wyatt as the feature matches. Ambrose’s injury will require the lineup for the shows be shaken up somewhat.
Former WWE Cruiserweight Champion Kalisto was injured at the conclusion of this week’s 205 Live broadcast when a fan threw a water bottle that struck him in the face. The incident was shown on 205 Live and several fans posted video:
Update: Kalisto’s wife issued the following statement on the incident, noting that Kalisto required several stitches as as result of the assault, underwent and MRI and has a possible fracture.
31-year-old Emanuel Alejandro Rodriguez is better known to wrestling fans as Kalisto. He is a 2x United States champion and a former cruiserweight champion as well.
While Kalisto is billed as being from Mexico, he was actually born in Chicago and now lives in Orlando. He did live in Mexico City as a child for a few years, however, and became a big Lucha Libre fan during those years.
“Bad Boy” Tama Tonga, appears to be teasing an original Bullet Club reunion for September 2019. He posted the following to his social media accounts this morning:
For the OGs of Bullet Club to reunite in September 2019 either Bad Luck Fale and Tama Tonga would have to leave NJPW or Balor & Anderson would have to leave WWE.
NJPW contracts typically run for a year from January to January, so Tonga is most likely not insinuating he is leaving NJPW.
Prince Devitt, Bad Luck Fale, Karl Anderson & Tama Tonga were the original 4 members of the all-gaijin stable in 2013.
AJ Mendez-Brooks and EUE/Sokolow studios announced today plans to turn “Crazy is my Superpower” into a television program. The book was released in April this year under the full title “Crazy Is My Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules”.
The book covers her life, career, and battles with mental illness.
Crazy Is My SuperPower Press Release
“LOS ANGELES, December 19, 2017—EUE/Sokolow, an Emmy-nominated production company behind Nat Geo’s “Genius” franchise, and producer Jeff Fisher are bringing AJ Mendez’s New York Times Best Seller “Crazy is my Superpower: How I Triumphed by Breaking Bones, Breaking Hearts, and Breaking the Rules” to television. The bestselling book chronicles former WWE wrestler AJ Mendez’s unlikely rise to stardom after growing up in poverty and enduring years of abuse. Mendez will serve as an Executive Producer and writer on the project.
“Crazy is my Superpower” intricately details Mendez’s harrowing struggle to understand her demons and the mental illness diagnosis that helped her gain control over her life, and how she harnessed that strength to become an internationally-beloved professional wrestling superstar (known as AJ Lee). The three-time WWE champion fought against stereotypes, forced the men in her industry to view her with respect and inspired millions of fans with her fierce independent streak.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to work with this team to turn “Crazy is My Super Power” into a scripted show,” said AJ Mendez. “This is a story about the power of female strength and our incomparable ability to survive, persist and overcome. I knew that I would need partners that connected to that message, and Jeff and Sam’s bold vision was a perfect fit. I can’t wait to get started.”
“Jeff Fisher initially talked to me about this book and told me what an amazing story this woman had,” said Sam Sokolow, co-founder of EUE/Sokolow and executive producer of National Geographic’s first-ever scripted series “Genius.” “We’re so excited to get to work with AJ and tell her incredibly inspiring story.”
The book was originally released in hardcover, ebook and audiobook (narrated by Mendez) by Crown Publishing, April, 4, 2017 and will debut in paperback April, 3, 2018. Mendez is represented by literary agent Lisa Leshne at The Leshne Agency and attorney Alan Sacks at Frankfurt Kurnit Klein & Selz.
Recently, EUE/Sokolow produced “Genius,” with the series first season following the life of Albert Einstein with Academy Award winners Geoffrey Rush starring as Einstein and Ron Howard directing the pilot episode. Season One of “Genius” was recognized with ten 2017 Emmy nominations including Best Limited Series. “Genius” has been renewed for a second season and will follow the life of artist Pablo Picasso.
Beverly Hills-based EUE/Sokolow focuses on premium television programs including dramas, limited series, comedies and documentaries.”
Several top independent talents are believed to be on their way to NXT next month. According to a report from PWInsider, the word around the Performance Center is that a top cruiserweight and a top tag-team are expected in NXT for January and possibly another top female talent as well.
Hanson & Ray Rowe of War Machine and Ricochet are the wrestlers expected to debut in WWE soon. The top female talent name was not mentioned in the report, but Tessa Blanchard is a possibility. Blanchard was in the Mae Young Classic and is dating Ricochet. She does have independent dates booked for 2018, however, indicating she’s not headed to WWE soon.
Candice LeRae is another name which has been rumored, though she does have independent dates booked for 2018 as well.
War Machine and Ricochet
War Machine and Ricochet have been on WWE’s radar for some time. In the case of Ricochet, his Lucha Underground contract was preventing him from signing with the company. Now that season three has fully aired and his no-compete clause is up, the popular high-flyer is free to sign with WWE.
War Machine recently finished up with Ring of Honor at the last set of TV tapings.
Elias recently appeared on the Stone Cold Podcast with Steve Austin. While Elias and Austin talked a lot about music, other sports, and even blackjack, they also covered the genesis of the Elias character.
Elias revealed on the show he loves the character and has been working similar gimmicks since his time on the indies.
On Elias Character:
“I like to think Elias is (kind of) the culmination of everything I ever wanted to be and who I ever wanted to be so I’m very happy with that.”
On previous incarnations of the character:
“I can recall at one point I was “the Frontman” Logan Shulo, I came out with a mic stand, in my mind, I was this eclectic frontman rockstar. Then as it went on I became “Heavy Metal Jesus”.
On who came up with “Heavy Metal Jesus”
“It was a guy named Michael Facade out in Pittsburgh. One time we’re training, I just looked like it, I looked like Jesus you know, and he said “Heavy Metal Jesus”, he called me that. I said that’s the coolest nickname I’ve ever heard.
Sure enough, I would do bible verses in my promos and turn water into wine.”
WWE.com has revealed two matches for tonight’s Smackdown. The show will emanate from the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ.
Shelton Benjamin and Chad Gable will receive a Smackdown tag-team championship match against the Usos. Gable & Benjamin received a title shot against the Usos on the November 7th, 2017 edition of Smackdown and won via count-out.
Smackdown Tag-Team Division
The tag division on Tuesday nights has seen an influx of new teams. After the division had been largely dominated by the Usos and the New Day, several other teams are now in the mix as well.
Rusev & Aiden English recently pinned the champions in a non-title match, the Bludgeon Brothers are undefeated since returning, and Gable & Benjamin could easily be in-line for a push as well.
Last night on Raw, Dean Ambrose suffered a storyline arm injury. WWE.com issued a report indicating the former WWE champion is waiting for X-Rays and evaluation.
Normally such angles are done to explain a Superstar’s absence but Ambrose is not expected to miss any time. Ambrose is still advertised for all upcoming Raw house shows and next week’s Raw from Chicago.
WWE.com Statement on Ambrose Injury
“Dean Ambrose sustained an injury to his right arm during Raw’s Six-Man Tag Team Match, and the damage was exacerbated when his opponents, Samoa Joe and Raw Tag Team Champions Cesaro & Sheamus, assaulted The Lunatic Fringe in the trainer’s room. The attack culminated when Joe slammed a road case onto Ambrose’s arm, leaving him writhing in pain.
Ambrose was taken to a nearby medical facility for X-rays and evaluation, and more details on his condition should be available tomorrow.”
Cena will also be on the December 27th, 2017, Raw house show from the Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Uniondale, NY. The following night, Cena will be in Hartford, CT for a Raw house show at the XL Center. Next Friday the 29th, Cena and the Raw crew will be in Albany New York, followed by a Saturday show in Tampa Bay.
At this time, Cena is not scheduled for the Raw on January 1st, 2018 from Miami.
The movie “Ferdinand” features John Cena and Kate McKinnon in voice-over roles and has had the worst opening weekend ever in the history of its studio.
Blue Sky Animation (Ice Age franchise) produced Ferdinand. The film only grossed $13 million opening weekend, the lowest of any Blue Sky film thus far. The previous lowest-grossing opening weekend for a Blue Sky film was “Ice Age: Collision Course” which grossed over $21 million.
Ferdinand
The computer-animated feature is focussed on a bull from Spain named Ferdinand who is ridiculed by other bulls for being different. John Cena voices the bull. It cost the studio $111 million to make the movie.
Rich Swann was arrested for domestic battery and false imprisonment last week. He was suspended indefinitely by WWE as a result.
WWE has a zero-tolerance policy regarding domestic abuse and if Swann is found guilty he will likely be released from the company. Swann has retained legal counsel, however, and they are claiming he never touched the alleged victim during the altercation. This is in contrast to witness statements that allege he put her in a headlock.
Rich Swann Lawyer Statement
On December 15th, Swann’s lawyers made the following statement:
“At this point, no criminal charges have been filed officially against him so depending on how that process plays out will determine our scope of representation,” Swann’s lawyer, Ian Pickens, said Friday morning in a telephone interview.
“We’re hopeful for a fair and quick resolution on behalf of Mr. Swann, but ultimately the state attorney will make their decision (on potential charges) when they deem it appropriate.
“We’re working on the case now and things we may do to assist Mr. Swann. But as far as specifics, I can’t comment on that.”
The incident took place following a FEST wrestling event where Swann’s girlfriend, Vannarah Riggs (aka Su Yung), was performing. The couple got into an argument on their commute home which resulted in Riggs fleeing the car and Swann allegedly forcing her back in.
205 Live goes on a 3-day tour this January but WWE recently announced they won’t be going alone. In what could be a response to slow ticket sales, Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy have both been added to the shows.
205 Live Tour
WWE.com announced their inclusion on the tour recently:
“The war between Matt Hardy and Bray Wyatt reaches new heights, as these two bitter rivals will do battle during the WWE 205 Live Tour! Don’t miss the chance to see epic confrontations between The Woken Superstar and The Eater of Worlds, as well as all the action-packed excitement of the WWE Cruiserweight division, featuring WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore, Kalisto, Gentleman Jack Gallagher, Hideo Itami and more.
Friday, Jan. 19, 2018 – Kingston, RI – The Ryan Center
Saturday, Jan. 20, 2018 – Lowell, MA – Lowell Auditorium
The new stipulation comes on the heels of multiple incidents during the World Tag League final. Jericho attacked Omega at the event, drawing blood in the process, something NJPW is reluctant to use. Omega then attacked Jericho at the WK12 press conference the next day.
Stipulation matches in NJPW are rare but becoming more common with stables such as Suzuki-Gun and Bullet Club having utilized them in recent years.
Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho is expected to be the semi-main event for the show, with Kazuchika Okada defending his IWGP Heavyweight Championship against Tetsuya Naito in the main event.
Former WCW and WWE performer, Tom Zenk, has died at the age of 58. As of this writing, details regarding the cause of Zenk’s death are unknown. He passed away at the North Memorial Medical Center in his hometown of Robbinsdale, Minnesota.
Robbinsdale, Minnesota Legacy of Wrestling
Tom Zenk, Nikita Koloff, Rick Rude, Curt Hennig, Brady Boone (Battle Cat), John Nord (Berzerker) and Barry Darsow (Smash/Repo Man) all came from Robbinsdale, MN and were born in either 1958 or 1959. Most went to the same high school and all became wrestlers.
Sadly, despite all being under 60, 4 of the 7 of them have died.
Zenk was perhaps best known for his tag-team with Rick Martel in the 1980s, the Can-Am Connection as well as his time in Jim Crockett Productions as “the Z Man”.
UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Daniel Cormier, recently reacted to a clip of the Hung Bucks vs. Flip Gordon, Titan, & Dragon Lee from ROH’s Final Battle 2017 on Friday.
@philbaroni this is actually pathetic. This is what people wanna see? Go to a god dang gymnastics competition. Suplex, bodyslam, piledriver do some old school wrestling man. DDT, I remember when the frankensteiner was the most you’d ever see someone flip. I say Boo to this BS https://t.co/eF4pnCy0SA
Cormier’s comments are similar to those expressed recently by Vader (in response to the Best of the Super Juniors tournament last year), Randy Orton (…dive), and in storyline by Drew Gulak.
Jim Cornette has made his objection to such wrestling known for some time. He recently responded to a post the UFC’s Chase Sherman made in reference to the flippy dropkick spot from Friday:
Sadly, I agree with you, Chase. Pro wrestling was the blueprint for promoting fights & was the building block for the success of the @ufc . This horseshit is not pro wrestling. Grown men USED to do it & it worked. Grade school kids pretend fighting is why you guys have taken over https://t.co/407Rf6KVFp
U guys really like sensitive little kids huh? So everyone is supposed to like everything you do? Ur show is sold out, good. Mine is too. Who do you think ur talking to? No amount of your whining is gonna make me like that bs y’all did on that night. https://t.co/zijde9QYmv
It's not pathetic. The paying audience enjoyed it. UFC is thriving, and pro-wrestling has been going strong since 1920…besides most of y'all ask hunter for a job when the wheels fall off anyway and most are on the comp list at staples…so lay the fuck off. https://t.co/oqKto3a4TK
Come on Cody, don't encourage these ballet dancers. @ufc 's kicking pro wrestling's ass all over the world cause of shit like this. I know you have to work with these clowns but it's embarrassing. Grown men used to want to wrestle, now want to fight in UFC cause of this shit. https://t.co/Py9tirbvRd
Ring of Honor’s “Final Battle” runs tonight from the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Tomorrow the promotion will hold their final TV tapings for the year from the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia.
ROH Final Battle 2017 Lineup
ROH 6-Man Tag Team Championships
the Hung Bucks (c) (the Young Bucks & Hangman Page) vs. Flip Gordon, Dragon Lee, & Titan
ROH Tag Team Championships
The Motor City Machine Guns (c) vs. the Best Friends
Matt Taven vs. Will Ospreay
the Addiction vs. War Machine
Jay Lethal vs. Marty Scurll
ROH TV Championship
4-Way Elimination Match
Kenny King (c) vs. Punishment Martinez vs. Shane Taylor vs. Silas Young
New York City Street Fight
Bully Ray & Tommy Dreamer vs. the Briscoes
The Rock is serious about making a Presidential run. According to his recent comments, however, running for election in 2020 does not look to be a possibility anymore.
The Rock recently took part in an interview with Variety, where the topic of his potential Presidential run came up.
Rock Comments on Presidential Run on 2024
On “the people” urging him to run:
“It was never something that I trumpeted and beat my chest and ever said publicly, ‘This is what I’m going to do,’ but as that story picked up, Americans picked it up and there was this sentiment of, ‘We’re not joking, and we would really love the idea if you would run,’”
On not being able to run in 2020:
“Realistically, as we go into 2018, when you look at my slate as we’re developing and shooting into 2019 and 2020, the slate goes deep into 2021, so it feels like the realistic consideration would be 2024.”
On his motivations to run:
“In that, I knew I had to listen to the people and really, really think about it,” he continued. “That’s where I’m at right now — I’m well aware politics is not the business I’m in, so the best thing I can do is continuing to listen and learn as much as I can. I’m continuing to watch our presidency and watch how every new development is handled. I continue to watch our leaders in government, and like all Americans, I continue to be hopeful that our leaders exhibit poise, perspective and the ability to bring our country together during these tough times — which I don’t feel our presidency is currently doing — so that’s where I’m at.”
“I care deeply about our country, and I care deeply about our people – especially now,” he says. “Decency matters and being a decent human being matters, and character matters, and leadership matters.”
Luke Harper (Jon Huber) appeared last night on USA Network’s “Damnation”.
The role was written specifically for Harper:
Harper also appeared in 2017’s “Mohawk” as Lachlan Allsopp. Mohawk is also a period piece set back in 1812.
Luke Harper on Damnation
That Harper had a role specifically written for him by a TV Series airing on the USA Network can only be good for his standing in WWE. This is especially the case since WWE’s contract with the USA Network comes up for renewal in 2019.
Cody will look to defend his ROH World Championship tonight against Dalton Castle at Final Battle 2017. The PPV event will take place in the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City.
While doing media for the event, ROH officials surprised Cody with a new and updated version of the ROH World title belt. The championship belt will be displayed publicly to fans for the first time on tonight’s show. Some photos of it have leaked online, however.
New ROH World Championship Title Belt
Cody has defended the ROH World Championship 16x so far, which ranks 9th all-time. He will walk into Final Battle having held the belt for 172 days.
WWE has signed MMA fighter, Nick “Blanka” Salchow to a contract. It is believed the middleweight has already reported to Orlando and is said to begin his training in January.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPNZRKKlJMs
Nick Salchow
Salchow is 33 years old with a professional record of 6-1. His last fight was on July 13th. 2016 when he dropped a decision to Rex Harris. He finished 5 of his 7 opponents, earning 3 knockouts and 2 submissions.
Salchow was born in Brazil but fights out of Germany. He was one of several athletes who tried out at the Performance Center in June. Amongst others who were trying out for the company that day was former Impact Wrestling performer, Crazy Steve.
Triple H was recently interviewed by CBS Sports and threw cold water on rumors Ronda Rousey’s WWE signing was imminent. He does admit the two sides are talking but indicates that media reports regarding Rousey and WWE are inaccurate.
Triple H Interview Highlights
“It’s funny because every now and then I wake up and I look at either social media or the news and I see a report and it’s like, well, that’s news to me because I’m the one who would be having that conversation,” Levesque said to CBS Sports “So it’s interesting with ‘sources say.’”
“Everybody is very busy and I know that from Ronda’s side and her team, they are looking for an opportunity,” Levesque said. “I have made it very clear that an opportunity exists and it’s just a matter of us getting together and having conversations.
“I wish I had something more to tell you than that but we are just kind of talking and feeling where it goes and she is making movies and doing other things. But it’s exciting and there are a lot of interest on both sides so let’s see where it goes.”
Recently, Impact Wrestling has been looking to shed themselves of high-paying contracts which were signed by the Dixie Carter regime. Neither Bobby Lashley nor Ethan Carter III are expected to re-sign with the company when their contracts are up.
According to a recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, at least one if not both of them are on their way to WWE.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZM8SGVA3u-c
Impact Wrestling in 2018
The report does not mention which wrestler is more likely to end up in the promotion, however.
While Impact has been hesitant to re-sign anyone with a high-paying contract, they have signed other performers. Johnny Impact and Taya are both believed to have signed new deals with the promotion which will also allow them to film Lucha Underground. Brian Cage is another name which has been talked about as someone the company is looking at.
Triple H recently conducted an interview with CBS Sports and revealed his opinion of Chris Jericho facing Kenny Omega in NJPW.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F3Qp-Yy7WpQ
Triple H on Kenny Omega vs. Chris Jericho
Triple H seems happy for Jericho, Omega, and everyone involved. Here is what he told CBS Sports recently:
“I think it’s great. Good for Chris,” Levesque said. “It’s phenomenal. Good for Kenny, good for New Japan. We were aware. That was a conversation that was had.”
“It’s great, it’s good for him,” Levesque added. “Chris is one of the greatest talents in the history of the business, so I think it’s great. Good product is good product. I’m happy for them, happy for Chris and happy for everybody.”
Chris Jericho on Clearing the Match with Vince McMahon
Triple H also confirmed Jericho’s comments earlier this week regarding having cleared the match with Vince McMahon.
Jericho had this to say on the “Busted Open” radio program:
“I know [McMahon] wasn’t upset because I called him six weeks before and told him as soon as the deal was done,” Jericho said. “I would never surprise him like that. I didn’t ask him for his permission, but I didn’t have to. I told him what was going on — and to be quite frank for you guys, he was super excited about it.”
“If you know Vince, he loves wrestling. It’s what he knows, and it’s what he knows best. I think, obviously, his mission is to seek and destroy and kill every other company, but I think he secretly likes it when other companies do good, because it just makes it better for his company.”
