Mustafa Ali left Paris this weekend with a souvenir.
Ali needed multiple staples in his head to close a wound that he suffered during his match against WWE Cruiserweight Champion Cedric Alexander at the WWE live event at the AccorHotels Arena in Paris, France.
The Ali-Alexander match was described as “the best match on the show,” and one that took a while to get the crowd in Paris going, but once they did, there were “This Is Awesome” chants and other big pops throughout the closing moments.
Also of note, the fans chanted “We Want Petiot” during the match in reference to a French participant in the WWE Cruiserweight Classic Tournament, Clement Petiot. Both Ali and Alexander acknowledged the chants at one point and after the match, Alexander even took a fans Petiot sign and pointed / posed with it on the entrance stage.
After the match, Ali took to social media to post a photo of the staples he received. Check out that photo below.
Brock Lesnar might not be around for a couple of weeks.
The WWE Universal Champion is not currently advertised for tomorrow night’s post-Backlash edition of WWE RAW in Uniondale, New York, nor is his scheduled to perform at the WWE European tour the following week.
The belief is that “The Beast Incarnate” will resurface at the May 21st episode of WWE RAW in Albany, New York, however that is strictly a rumor at this point.
Lesnar’s next defense of the WWE Universal Championship is expected to take place at the WWE Money In The Bank 2018 pay-per-view in Chicago, Illinois on Sunday, June 17th.
When Will Brock Lesnar Defend His Title?
As noted, the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported that Lesnar is not currently under contract through the WWE SummerSlam pay-per-view in Brooklyn, New York on August 19th, however as we have seen with him in the past, anything is certainly possible.
When do you think we will see The Beast Incarnate resurface? Let us know by sounding off in the Comments section below.
As tonight’s WWE Backlash 2018 pay-per-view continues to draw closer, the odds continue to shift on the betting lines heading into the big event.
As things stand right now, AJ Styles is a -150 favorite to defeat Shinsuke Nakamura, who is a slight, +110 underdog for their third straight PPV encounter.
The biggest betting favorite heading into tonight’s PPV is Seth Rollins, as he is heavily expected to retain his WWE Intercontinental Championship in his showdown against former multiple-time champion The Miz. Rollins comes in at a -1200 (12-to-1 favorite) against The Miz.
Outside of The Miz, who comes in at +600 for his I-C title bout with “The Architect,” Alexa Bliss is the second biggest betting underdog for tonight’s show. The belief is Nia Jax will retain the RAW Women’s Championship when the two meet at tonight’s event at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
Before checking out the actual betting odds to find out who the favorites and underdogs are for tonight’s show, check out our SEScoopsWWE Backlash Staff Predictions for extensive expert analysis and predictions for each match on tonight’s card.
WWE Backlash 2018 Betting Odds
Featured below are the complete betting odds, as of Sunday afternoon, for tonight’s WWE Backlash 2018 pay-per-view.
WWE Championship (No DQ)
* AJ Styles (c) -150 vs Shinsuke Nakamura +110
WWE Smackdown Women’s Championship
* Carmella (c) -160 vs Charlotte Flair +120
WWE Intercontinental Championship
* Seth Rollins (c) -1200 vs The Miz +600
WWE U.S. Championship
* Jeff Hardy (c) -260 vs Randy Orton +180
Raw Women’s Championship
* Nia Jax (c) -900 vs Alexa Bliss +500
* Roman Reigns -530 vs Samoa Joe +350
* Daniel Bryan -300 vs Big Cass +220
* Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley -445 vs Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn +315
Kickoff Show
* Bayley -125 vs. Ruby Riott -115
Make sure to join us here this evening at SEScoops.com for live play-by-play results coverage of the WWE Backlash 2018 pay-per-view.
What do you think of the betting odds for tonight’s WWE Backlash pay-per-view? Who do you think are the biggest favorites and underdogs heading into tonight’s show? Let us know by sounding off in the Comments section below.
WWE returns to the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this evening for their WWE Backlash 2018 pay-per-view, which features action from both the RAW and SmackDown Live brands.
Tonight’s show will be headlined by the third showdown between AJ Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura, with the WWE Championship on-the-line. Also on the show is the battle between Roman Reigns and Samoa Joe, Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass, Braun Strowman and Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens and Sami Zayn, as well as U.S., I-C, SmackDown Live & RAW Women’s Championship action.
For extensive expert analysis and predictions for each match scheduled for tonight’s show, check out the SEScoopsWWE Backlash Staff Predictions.
WWE BACKLASH 2018
WWE Championship (No Disqualification)
* A.J. Styles (C) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE Intercontinental Championship
* Seth Rollins (C) vs. The Miz
WWE United States Championship
* Jeff Hardy (C) vs. Randy Orton
WWE RAW Women’s Championship
* Nia Jax (C) vs. Alexa Bliss
WWE SmackDown Live Women’s Championship
* Carmella (C) vs. Charlotte Flair
Singles Match
* Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Singles Match
* Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass
Tag-Team Match
* Braun Strowman & Bobby Lashley vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Kickoff Show
* Bayley vs. Ruby Riott
Make sure to join us here this evening for live play-by-play results coverage of the WWE Backlash 2018 event. Leave your comments on tonight’s show below.
Adam Cole recently stopped by the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast for an in-depth interview. During his appearance on the show, The Undisputed Era member spoke about surprising fans earlier this year as the number 23 entrant in the 30-man Royal Rumble match at the WWE Royal Rumble 2018 pay-per-view one night after losing to Aleister Black at the NXT TakeOver: PhiladelphiaWWE Network special.
Cole’s appearance in the Royal Rumble match marked the first time he worked on the main WWE roster on a high-profile show. The reigning NXT North American Champion performed well in the match, getting the crowd on their feet in spots before ultimately being eliminated by Rey Mysterio.
Being from Lancaster, Pennsylvania, which is near the site of the Royal Rumble match in Philadelphia that he made his main roster debut in, made the evening a special moment for the pro wrestling veteran.
“I found out last minute about the Royal Rumble,” Cole revealed during his appearance on the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast. “Second of all, the first pro wrestling show that I ever went to was in that building [Wells Fargo Center in Philadelphia], the first WrestleMania I ever watched was in Philly [WrestleMania XV], I trained to be a pro wrestler in Philadelphia … so many things mean that much to me coming out of Philadelphia, and to be able to make my Royal Rumble debut in Philadelphia it’s like, okay, great career Adam. That’s it.”
Adam Cole Soaks In Love From The Fans
Also during the interview, Cole spoke about taking a moment to enjoy the experience when his music hit the speakers and the WWE Universe in attendance reacted.
“I definitely made sure that I enjoyed that for what it was,” said Cole. “My favorite part was when the music hit and the people reacted and then when I came out they reacted because I was there, and then I stood there. I made sure to enjoy it as much as I could. I had the same feeling for when I debuted at NXT: TakeOver Brooklyn III when I ran in and attacked Drew McIntyre. I remember thinking, ‘God, I hope they care.’ ‘God, I hope they react in any capacity.’ This was the end of the event so I was just hoping they were really interested in what was going on. Both times they haven’t let me down. Both times have been great.”
Check out the complete Adam Cole interview from the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast at NotSam.com.
What did you think of Adam Cole’s surprise entrance in the 2018 Royal Rumble match? Sound off in the Comments section below.
– Randy Orton reached the six-million follower mark on his official Twitter page this weekend. “The Viper,” who is one of the longest tenured Superstars in WWE, can be found on Twitter @RandyOrton.
– WWE posted a special photo gallery to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, honoring some of the greatest luchadors in the history of the business. Check out the complete photo gallery at WWE.com.
Help celebrate Cinco De Mayo with the greatest luchadors in history! https://t.co/nO8DCTrrrx
– The son of boxing legend “Smokin'” Joe Frazier is apparently looking at taking a run at the world of professional wrestling. Zeus Frazier, son of the famous late boxing Hall Of Famer, has been training at the Heath Slater’s Atlanta, Georgia-based wrestling school. Slater tweeted the following photo of himself with Zeus, who he notes weighs 315 pounds and stands seven feet tall.
“We are proud to announce [Zeus Frazier] as the newest student at [Face 2 Face Wrestling School],” wrote Slater via his official Twitter page..”7′ tall 315 lbs, a professional boxer and son of one of the Greatest professional boxers ever, Smokin Joe Frazier! I am proud to have him join.”
WWE Hall Of Famer Booker T became the latest veteran personality from the WWE Universe to speak publicly about the possibility of Hulk Hogan coming back to the company.
“The only thing Hogan can do is apologize, atone for it, and we move forward,” Booker said during a recent episode of his Heated Conversations podcast. “Everyone deserves a second chance that’s just the way I am.”
As noted, TMZ Sports ran an article where they claimed Hogan returning to WWE is close to a done deal. Booker explains why he would be cool with the decision, noting “The Hulkster” helped him early in his career in WCW.
“I talk about Hulk Hogan being in my corner, back in the day and a lot of the boys they may look at me and say, ‘Why is Booker T talking to [Hogan]?’ Back in the day, if it wasn’t for Hulk Hogan, I don’t know if Booker T and Stevie Ray would have got the push that we got,” Booker said. “Back in the day, Sister Sherri was an intricate detail to Harlem Heat, and our success, and it was all because of Hulk Hogan. Saying ‘Hey man, those are the guys you need to put your money behind.'”
Booker T Breaks Down The Hogan Situation
From there, Booker got deep and spoke about Hogan using the “N-word” in the past and claimed that he won’t be part of a group that blacklists a fellow legendary wrestler who has given so much to the business.
“I’m taking that ‘word’ and put it over to the side, and let that man take his rightful place back, which is in this business,” Booker stated. “I’m not going to take that away from him. I’m not going to sit here and say ‘No, he should be blackballed or black listed from the game, forevermore!’ for saying something a lot of us say on a daily basis. I don’t myself, but a lot of us do. Let this man who has done so much for the wrestling business truly take his rightful place back in the WWE.”
What do you think about Hulk Hogan returning to WWE? How about Booker T’s take on the topic? Sound off in the Comments section below.
Since returning to the scene in WWE, Samoa Joe has picked up right where he left off. Having just recently returned, Joe is already setting his sights at the very top — the WWE Champion AJ Styles.
During a recent sit-down interview with ESPN, Joe spoke about his longstanding rivalry with Styles, which spans over two decades. According to Joe, a showdown with Styles in WWE is inevitable.
“I think at this point it’s beyond potential, and it’s something that’s gonna happen,” Joe told ESPN this past Tuesday morning, just hours before confronting ‘The Phenomenal One’ on SmackDown Live.
“People talk about the Kevin Owens/Sami Zayn relationship and how they’ll be fighting forever, but in reality when it comes to me and AJ Styles, I defy anybody to find two guys who have been battling against each other longer than us,” said Joe.
Samoa Joe Talks AJ Styles Rivalry
Joe, a former two-time NXT World Champion himself, went on to praise Styles and put over the fact that he is among the best the business has ever seen. At the same time, he made sure to prepare the WWE Universe for the fact that a Joe-Styles clash is something like they’ve never seen.
“AJ, his moniker speaks for itself,” said Joe. “He’s a phenomenal athlete, he’s been a fantastic champion and a superstar for WWE. A lot of the wider WWE universe hasn’t been able to experience what Samoa Joe-AJ Styles is, and if there’s one thing that we’ve always known about each other it’s that whenever we get in the ring, things get a little bit more intense. There’s just a little bit extra ‘oomph’ with everything that happens. That rivalry was started over a decade ago, and rest assured it will continue in WWE.”
Check out the complete Samoa Joe interview at ESPN.com.
What do you think about an AJ Styles-Samoa Joe rivalry in WWE? Sound off in the Comments section below.
The weekend is here and with it comes the latest joint-brand pay-per-view offering from WWE, as the company presents their WWE Backlash 2018 show from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey this Sunday, May 6th.
WWE Backlash 2018 will be the 14th event in the Backlash chronology, and the first Backlash since 2009 to feature both brands. The show will be headlined by a WWE Championship bout, with A.J. Styles and Shinsuke Nakamura squaring off for the third straight pay-per-view.
Also featured on Sunday’s card is a WWE Intercontinental Championship bout, with Seth Rollins defending against The Miz. The WWE United States Championship will be up for grabs in a singles match between Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton, and both the RAW and SmackDown Live Women’s Championships will be on-the-line, as Nia Jax defends against Alexa Bliss and Carmella defends against Charlotte Flair in one-on-one showdowns.
Ahead of Sunday’s PPV, a few of our top staff members have come together for a new ’roundtable predictions’ feature we’ll be doing for big shows moving forward. For this installment, Brad Davis, Ian Carey and Andy Ravens give their expert analysis and predictions for WWE Backlash 2018.
As always, hit up the Comments section of this article and share your own predictions.
WWE Backlash 2018 Card
Bobby Lashley & Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass
Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Carmella (c) vs. Charlotte Flair (SD! Live Women’s Title)
Nia Jax (c) vs. Alexa Bliss (RAW Women’s Title)
Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Randy Orton (WWE U.S. Title)
Seth Rollins (c) vs. The Miz (WWE I-C Title)
A.J. Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE Title)
WWE BACKLASH 2018 STAFF PREDICTIONS
Bobby Lashley & Braun Strowman vs. Kevin Owens & Sami Zayn
Brad Davis: Lashley and Strowman are two men you probably would never want to be standing across the ring from. Zayn and Owens are great wrestlers and all, but it’s hard to see how they can topple these two giants. Strowman has been on a rampage and that’s not ending any time soon. Lashley has been back only a matter of weeks. I pick Lashley and Strowman here. (Prediction: Bobby Lashley & Braun Strowman)
Ian Carey: It’s too soon after his return to pin Lashley and it’s too soon after his GRR win to pin Strowman. With that being said, there might be an outside chance of Lashley turning heel here and leading into a feud with Strowman. All the same though, it’s more likely Lashley and Strowman squash the Amazing French Canadians here. (Prediction: Bobby Lashley & Braun Strowman)
Andy Ravens: In my opinion, this one is an easy pick, which is Lashley and Strowman going over. Although Owens and Zayn need a win, I can’t see Vince McMahon wanting to have Strowman suffer a loss at this stage of his career due to the way that the WWE has been pushing him on TV. Plus, you have Lashley, who hasn’t lost since coming back to the company. (Prediction: Bobby Lashley & Braun Strowman)
CONSENSUS: Bobby Lashley & Braun Strowman (3-0)
Daniel Bryan vs. Big Cass
Brad: Big Cass has been attacking Daniel Bryan and eliminated him from the Greatest Royal Rumble. Will Daniel Brynan get his revenge? Not a chance. If WWE’s previous booking of Daniel Bryan is any indication, he’ll get dragged through the mud and beat down a lot more before he gets his shine. Big Cass gets the win. (Prediction: Big Cass)
Ian: Now that Bryan has been medically cleared, fans will finally get to see the Daniel Bryan vs Big Cass dream match they’ve always wanted…wait, what? Not sure why Big Cass was put up against Bryan here. Both are returning from long sabbaticals (Bryan’s longer than Cass’) and could use a win. I’m going to pick the underdog to score a huge upset win here. I think Big Cass defeats Bryan after a run-in by the Miz. This might make some fans say, “you think they are going to beat Bryan in his first big single’s match back?”. Well, yes, yes I do. (Prediction: Big Cass)
Andy: WWE fans need to understand that this idea of Bryan being pushed as a top guy right out of the gate since being medically cleared is not realistic. Vince sees Cass as a big star and most likely thinks that having Cass get a big win over Bryan in their first match would get him even more heat as a heel with the hardcore fans by beating their favorite star. Cass wins the match. (Prediction: Big Cass)
CONSENSUS: Big Cass (3-0)
Roman Reigns vs. Samoa Joe
Brad: Poor Roman. After having the rug swiped out from under him at WrestleMania and the Greatest Royal Rumble, it’s pretty clear WWE has soured on Roman as “the guy.” To continue pushing him as a top babyface – at the expense of Samoa Joe, would be a big mistake. Joe gets the win. (Prediction: Samoa Joe)
Ian: It seems unlikely WWE would have Roman lose again here. On the other hand, it seemed unlikely Roman would lose at WM and GRR but that’s what happened. Still, safe money says Roman wins here. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Andy: Is there any doubt in anyone’s mind about the winner of this match? Reigns has been on a losing streak in big matches as of late (obviously both to Brock Lesnar). Joe is on SmackDown Live now and with this being a one-off match and the plans looking like Vince is still going to push Reigns as the top guy going forward despite backlash from fans, Reigns goes over. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
CONSENSUS: Roman Reigns (2-1)
WWE SmackDown Live Women’s Championship Carmella (c) vs. Charlotte Flair
Brad: Charlotte is the far superior wrestler, which is why a win by Carmella will go a long way in establishing the SmackDown Women’s champion as a legitimate threat. For that reason alone, I have Carmella getting the victory in controversial fashion. (Prediction: Carmella)
Ian: Unfortunately for Carmella, I think Flair ends her reign with the title on Sunday. I just can’t see them giving Carmella the win over Flair without a great deal of interference. It’s possible the Iiconics get involved and cost Flair the match but I think its more likely Flair wins back the title. (Prediction: Charlotte Flair)
Andy: Although I could see either star win the match, you could make the argument that it’s way too soon to take the title off of Carmella considering that she recently won it and I would agree. Flair can be champion any time that the company believes she needs to be, but Carmella at least has one more month with the strap. Carmella retains. (Prediction: Carmella)
CONSENSUS: Carmella (2-1)
WWE RAW Women’s Championship Nia Jax (c) vs. Alexa Bliss
Brad: I’m enjoying this feud, which says a lot, since I’m really not a big fan of women’s wrestling. Nia Jax has come a long way and Alexa Bliss is one of the best characters in WWE. Like Carmella, Nia just got the belt and is she’s still being established as a credible champion. For that reason, Nia keeps the gold. (Prediction: Nia Jax)
Ian: I suspect Jax is going to hold the title along time, possibly until she turns heel and Ronda takes it off her. It’s possible she squashes Bliss here. (Prediction: Nia Jax)
Andy: Bliss had a good run with the title, but WWE is behind Jax right now, especially since she just won the title at WrestleMania. I see this match being very similar to their contest at WrestleMania 34 with the same outcome. Jax retains. (Prediction: Nia Jax)
CONSENSUS: Nia Jax (3-0)
WWE United States Championship Jeff Hardy (c) vs. Randy Orton
Brad: Two WWE veterans. Former world champions, both over with the crowd. And I really couldn’t care less about either of them at this point. Jeff Hardy and Randy Orton are Hall of Fame bound workers, but without much of a program to speak of, this one is as “filler” as it gets. Hardy retains. (Prediction: Jeff Hardy)
Ian: This is a tough one. Beating Jeff Hardy so soon after his return seems like a poor idea but Randy Orton is not a guy the company has lose too often. The wildcard factor here is Shelton Benjamin, who has been involved in this angle on Smackdown. I’m betting Benjamin gets involved, somehow costs Orton the match and allows Hardy to retain. (Prediction: Jeff Hardy)
Andy: Hardy being pushed as a singles star has been refreshing but what excites me, even more, is the potential heel turn from Orton, which was teased this past week on SmackDown Live. I see Hardy retaining the title in this match but with Orton turning heel either right after the match or the next episode of SmackDown to continue this feud. (Prediction: Jeff Hardy)
CONSENSUS: Jeff Hardy (3-0)
WWE Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins (c) vs. The Miz
Brad: Seth Rollins has been killing it as Intercontinental Champion. The Miz has also been doing some of the best work of his career, but I just don’t see him getting the IC title back any time soon. Rollin burns it down and continues his hot streak. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Ian: One thought is that the Miz will win the title so he can break Pedro Morales’ record in a few weeks. For that to happen, however, Miz would have to bring the IC title to Smackdown. The United States title is already on Smackdown and only Smackdown wrestlers will be competing for it at Backlash, however. If you go by the reasoning that the two mid-card titles have to be on sepearate brands, then Rollins should win this match. That might be want WWE wants us to think, however. This match all comes down to whether or not the Miz vs Daniel Bryan feud will involve the IC title. I’m voting that it will not and Seth Rollins retains the title here. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
Andy: Both superstars are on separate brands, and with the chances of the United States Title not going to Raw, it makes no sense for The Miz to win the title and have two mid-card titles on the blue brand. Rollins goes over and retains in an entertaining match. (Prediction: Seth Rollins)
CONSENSUS: Seth Rollins (3-0)
WWE Championship A.J. Styles (c) vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Brad: After coming up short at WrestleMania and Greatest Royal Rumble, I think this is where Nakamura captures the gold. Styles has been a strong champion and I have no doubt that he’ll be in the main event picture for years to come. Nakamura finally has some direction as a nut-cracking heel and I’m curious to see what he can do as WWE Champion. Nakamura makes history and wins the WWE Championship. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
Ian: I think Nakamura finally takes the title here. If not, it will be his 3rd unsuccessful title shot in a row against AJ and 5th total. Let us not forget he also dropped WWE Championship matches to Jinder Mahal at SummerSlam 2017 and then again at Hell in a Cell 2017. He’s 0-4 in WWE Championship matches but something tells me he’ll end the skid on Sunday. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
Andy: Styles and Nakamura have wrestled each other twice within the last month, and if WWE plans to keep this feud going for at least another month, they need to have a title change. I see Nakamura winning his first WWE Title as a result of this thinking, and we will get a fourth Styles vs. Nakamura match come June. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
CONSENSUS: Shinsuke Nakamura (3-0)
What do you think of our WWE Backlash 2018 predictions? Let us know by sounding off in the Comments section.
Impact Wrestling viewership took a bit of a hit this week.
According to Showbuzz Daily, the Thursday, May 3rd episode of Impact Wrestling drew 299,000 total viewers to Pop TV.
Rosemary vs. Su Yung headlined this week’s show, which dropped 3 percent in viewership (9,000 viewers) compared to last week’s show. Impact Wrestling last week drew 308,000 viewers for their post-Redemption show. It’s worth noting that last week’s show also faced stiff competition in the form of the NFL Draft.
Impact Wrestling finished number 124 on the Cable Top 150 list this week. The show placed number 118 on the same list last week.
2018 Impact Wrestling Viewership Tracker
Featured below is our 2018 Impact Wrestling viewership tracker:
January 4th Episode: 309,000 viewers January 11th Episode: 276,000 viewers January 18th Episode: 309,000 viewers January 25th Episode: 310,000 viewers (Genesis episode) February 1st Episode: 319,000 viewers (Reboot) February 8th Episode: 294,000 viewers February 15th Episode: 300,000 viewers February 22nd Episode: 262,000 viewers March 1st Episode: 365,000 viewers March 8th Episode: 325,000 (Crossroads episode) March 15th Episode: 350,000 viewers March 22nd Episode: 362,000 viewers March 29th Episode: 399,000 viewers April 5th Episode: 294,000 viewers April 12th Episode: 381,000 viewers April 19th Episode: 373,000 viewers April 26th Episode: 308,000 viewers (post-Redemption episode) May 3rd Episode: 299,000 viewers
2017 Total: 16.147 million viewers 2017 Average: 311,000 viewers per episode
Paige took to social media this weekend to reflect back on the last year of her life, and how so many things have changed in that span of time.
After being on the sidelines for a lengthy period of time due to Wellness Policy suspensions and various injuries, Paige finally returned to WWE earlier this year, only to suffer a career-ending injury.
In a new post on her official Instagram page this weekend, the SD! Live G.M. looked back at the last year of her life.
“I’ve posted this before but I’m feeling so happy and content with my life right now,” wrote Paige. “Everything hasn’t turned out perfectly but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Obstacles have made me the strongest and healthiest I’ve been in a long time.”
Paige continued, “A year can make a hell of a difference. Surrounding myself with positive and encouraging people have been extremely beneficial for my life. I didn’t think I would make it this far and now I can’t wait to see what my future holds! (still with the same roots though. Siisssss fix that shhh).”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BiIljnGHsV0/
What do you think of Paige’s comments on the last year of her life? Sound off in the Comments section below.
Posted April 29th, 2018 in News, WWE. Tagged: Paige.
WWE Hall Of Famer Bret “The Hitman” Hart reportedly set up a telephone call between Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Harry Smith Jr., son of the late WWE legend “The British Bulldog” Davey Boy Smith to settle the issues between the two.
As noted, Roberts and Smith Jr. were reportedly involved in an incident at the WrestleCon event that took place during WrestleMania weekend in New Orleans earlier this month.
According to multiple sources, Smith Jr. walked up to a table where Roberts was signing autographs and without being provoked, threw a cup of scolding hot coffee in Roberts’ face. This reportedly led to security quickly coming in and breaking things up before they escalated.
Following the incident, Roberts filed charges against Smith Jr., which he apparently dropped after the aforementioned phone call set up by Bret Hart.
Harry Smith Jr. Writes About Phone Conversation
“I’d like to announce publicly and officially that I spoke with Jake Roberts on the phone today and we squashed heat we have for what happened at the WrestleCon event,” wrote Smith Jr. about squashing his beef with Roberts. “I apologized and said I would apologize publicly as Jake agreed he would be dropping any charges pressed against me.
“I’m a man of my word and I’d like to say sorry to any fans that I stressed with this situation also,” Smith Jr. added. “I wish Jake all the best and glad that we squashed the heat. I actually had spoken to Roddy Piper before he passed away about the podcast Jake and he did. I’m certainly glad we worked things out, as Roddy died [not] long after.”
What do you think of the latest developments in the situation involving Jake Roberts and Harry Smith Jr.? Sound off in the Comments section below.
This Friday, WWE presents the Greatest Royal Rumble event from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia at King Abdullah Sports City stadium. The event is a part of a 10-year strategic multi-platform partnership between WWE and the Saudi General Sports Authority. In addition to the historic 50-man Royal Rumble match, all 7 men’s championships will be on the line.
Ahead of Friday’s WWE Network special (airing Friday at 12pm ET), several of our top staff members have come together for a new ’roundtable predictions’ feature we’ll be doing for big shows moving forward. For this inaugural installment, Brad Davis, Jon Fuentes and Ian Carey give their expert analysis and predictions for the Greatest Royal Rumble.
As always, hit up the Comments section of this article and share your own predictions.
Greatest Royal Rumble Card
Cedric Alexander vs. Kalisto (Cruiserweight Title)
The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The Usos (SD! Live Tag Titles)
Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy (RAW Tag Titles)
Jeff Hardy vs. Jinder Mahal (U.S. Title)
Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz vs. Samoa Joe (Ladder Match For I-C Title)
A.J. Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura (WWE Title)
The Undertaker vs. Rusev (Casket Match)
John Cena vs. Triple H
Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns (Steel Cage Match For Universal Title)
50-Man Royal Rumble
WWE GREATEST ROYAL RUMBLE STAFF PREDICTIONS
WWE Cruiserweight Championship Cedric Alexander vs. Kalisto
Brad Davis: This one really could go either way and I could see WWE wanting to open the show with an exciting title change. That said, I’ve really enjoyed Cedric’s work over the past few months and he’s a good champion to lead the cruiserweight division in this new era. I’m picking Cedric to retain. (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)
Jon Fuentes: Cedric has been doing some amazing work inside the ring lately. His match against Ali was phenomenal and he has been a good champion for 205 Live thus far. I think he retains after opening up the show with a great match against Kalisto. (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)
Ian Carey: Cedric Alexander should take this one. On 205 Live lately, Buddy Murphy is being built up as the top contender for Alexander. The story that Murphy missed weight is being given to push the match back, however. I just don’t see it likely WWE pulls the plug on Murphy vs Alexander by giving Kalisto the title win here. (Prediction: Cedric Alexander)
CONSENSUS: Cedric Alexander (3-0)
SmackDown Live Tag-Team Championship The Bludgeon Brothers vs. The Usos
Brad: I could see either team winning, but the Bludgeon Bro’s are still being solidified as a top team on SmackDown, so I pick them to retain. (Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers)
Jon: WWE likely wants to give the Saudi Arabian crowd an exciting show, and several title changes will do exactly that. The Usos have a tough mountain to climb if they want to overcome The Bludgeon Brothers, but I see them pulling it off and recapturing the SDL Tag Team Titles. (Prediction: The Usos)
Ian: I’m taking the Bludgeon Brothers here as it feels as though Harper and Rowan finally have the confidence of WWE’s creative team. A mildly interesting tidbit to this match is that Naomi has been involved in this storyline the last couple of weeks but won’t be in Jeddah. Harper and Rowan have been taunting Naomi and the Usos on social media as well. (Prediction: The Bludgeon Brothers)
CONSENSUS: The Bludgeon Brothers (2-1)
RAW Tag-Team Championship Sheamus & Cesaro vs. Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy
Brad: Woken Matt and Bray are one of the hot new acts on the RAW brand. Sheamus and Cesaro have proven themselves to be worthy champions, but I expect Matt and Bray to capture the gold and solidify their new DELIGHTFUL union with two gilded leather accessories. WONDERFUL! (Prediction: Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy)
Jon: Sheamus and Cesaro are over on SmackDown Live and I think that’s a good spot for them. Matt and Bray are just hitting their stride and having some titles around their waist will certainly help. I’m picking Matt and Bray to start their title reign here, and it will be DELIGHTFUL! (Prediction: Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy)
Ian: Bray Wyatt and Matt Hardy should win this match and take the titles with them to the Woken Universe. Something tells me the Raw tag-team championships might be defended sometime soon in a Final Deletion style match. Perhaps a sequel to “Tag Team Apocalypto” could be upcoming. Also, the Bar just got drafted to Smackdown, so its not clear what would happen to the Raw tag titles if they won in Jeddah. (Prediction: Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy)
CONSENSUS: Bray Wyatt & Matt Hardy (3-0)
WWE United States Championship Jeff Hardy vs. Jinder Mahal
Brad: Ever since Jinder Mahal’s WWE Championship reign, I’ve been part of the camp that believes he was much better suited for a US Championship reign. He was a good heel champion, but the top title in the company just wasn’t believable. I predict Jinder captures the gold, setting up potential feuds with RAW’s top mid-card babyfaces. (Prediction: Jinder Mahal)
Jon: Again, expecting some title changes to occur heavily and Mahal getting the United States Title back would definitely be a big shocker. I’m picking Mahal to get the cheap win thanks to some assistance from Sunil Singh at ringside. (Prediction: Jinder Mahal)
Ian: This is a tough one. Jinder and the United States championship seem like a good fit. Foreign Menaces and the patriotic US title tend to work well, as was the case with Rusev. While I’m not that confident in this pick, I’m going to say Jinder Mahal regains the US title at the Greatest Royal Rumble. Also, I think the remaining Singh brother might get involved. (Prediction: Jinder Mahal)
CONSENSUS: Jinder Mahal (3-0)
(Ladder Match) WWE Intercontinental Championship Seth Rollins vs. Finn Balor vs. The Miz vs. Samoa Joe
Brad: This is the match I’m most looking forward to on the entire card. With the United States Championship on RAW and two SmackDown Live stars competing in this match, it seems obvious that either The Miz or Samoa Joe will be walking out with the gold. The Miz will be working with Daniel Bryan on SmackDown (and probably aligning himself with Big Cass) – and that program doesn’t need a championship. Samoa Joe as the badass IC champion on SmackDown seems right – I’ve got Joe winning his first championship on the main roster here. (Prediction: Samoa Joe)
Jon: If Jinder Mahal is taking the United States Title back to Monday Night RAW, then the Intercontinental Title needs to go back to SmackDown Live. With that being said, Samoa Joe seems like the perfect candidate to capture the gold, and win the first singles title of his WWE career on the main card. This is going to be a tremendous match, and could likely steal the show. (Prediction: Samoa Joe)
Ian: My money is on the Miz here. Miz is only 20 days away from breaking Pedro Morales’ record as most days spent as IC champion, though he needs to win the belt back first. It seems likely that the IC title will end up on Smackdown when all is said and done so that the Miz can either hold it or chase it. That means either Joe or Miz are winning it in Jeddah. Joe is scheduled to face Roman Reigns at Backlash which makes it seem less likely he’ll have the IC title come then. (Prediction: The Miz)
CONSENSUS: Samoa Joe (2-1)
WWE Championship A.J. Styles vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
Brad: It was surprising that Nakamura came up short against Styles at WrestleMania, but his post-match heel turn refreshed his character and added a new dimension to this feud. I predict Nakamura captures the championship here. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
Jon: To some, Styles and Nakamura’s initial clash at WrestleMania was underwhelming, but expect these two to blow the roof off the place this time around after hearing the criticism. Nakamura is now a heel and has been doing a great job of getting heat on himself these past few weeks. I expect Nakamura to win the WWE Title here and continue his great feud with The Phenomenal One for a few more weeks. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
Ian: Shinsuke Nakamura will leave Saudi Arabia as the new WWE Champion. It seems likely that the turning point in this match will be Nakamura using his newly adopted heelish tactics. His CHAOS stablemate, Toru Yano, will be proud. (Prediction: Shinsuke Nakamura)
CONSENSUS: Shinsuke Nakamura (3-0)
Casket Match The Undertaker vs. Rusev
Brad: Perhaps the most obvious outcome on the show, this one is all about the Saudi Arabian fans getting a chance to witness The Undertaker in person. The casket match stipulation allows for The Undertaker to compete in a match with enough smoke and mirrors to not overtax his body. Expect Rusev to rest.. in.. peace. (Prediction: The Undertaker)
Jon: This match will likely be a short one as WWE simply wants to give the Saudi Arabian crowd a taste of The Deadman. Undertaker will certainly be going over on Rusev here. (Prediction: The Undertaker)
Ian: The Undertaker will bury Rusev at the Greatest Royal Rumble but this will be fun. Perhaps Chris Jericho will decide to get involved seeing as he was at one time scheduled to be in the match. Rusev could go with the tactics Yokozuna used in his casket match with Taker at Royal Rumble in 1994, that seemed to work well. (Prediction: The Undertaker)
CONSENSUS: The Undertaker (3-0)
John Cena vs. Triple H
Brad: It’s still amazing to me that WWE booked this match and has done virtually nothing to build it up or add backstory. Triple H wrestling a singles match is a big deal and this one was rumored for WrestleMania 34 before Ronda Rousey came into the fold. John Cena gets the feel-good win. (Prediction: John Cena)
Jon: A bit of a random pairing, however, it gives fans in Saudi Arabia a match from the past that they never had the opportunity to see live when these two were in their prime. Cena has been losing a lot lately, and maybe that will have a big payoff down the road. If that’s the case, I see Triple H getting the win here and Cena continues his difficult losing streak. (Prediction: Triple H)
Ian: I completely forgot this match was taking place. Has either Cena or Triple H cut a promo regarding it? John Cena should win this as there’s little reason to put Triple H over and Cena has lost a lot of matches lately. (Prediction: John Cena)
CONSENSUS: John Cena (2-1)
(Steel Cage Match) WWE Universal Championship Brock Lesnar vs. Roman Reigns
Brad: In the days leading up to WrestleMania, Vince McMahon made the call that New Orleans’ Superdome was not the time or place to put the title on Reigns. While it’s not guaranteed – the 75,000 fans at King Abdullah Sports City should be a lot more forgiving of a Reigns title win. Roman Reigns slaying the beast and being crowned Universal Champion over Brock Lesnar has been in the works for years. I’m not convinced that the concept has been scrapped all together, I think this is where it goes down. Roman Reigns gets the win. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
Jon: I have lost all hope for this feud. If WWE truly wanted to put the Universal Championship on Roman Reigns, WrestleMania was the place to do it – regardless of the crowd’s reaction. Everyone is expecting Reigns to win here thanks to the dirt sheets and speculation, and Vince has likely heard the rumblings. I think Lesnar retains here and we remain confused and scratching our heads as to who the hell is gonna take the title off this man – and when? (Prediction: Brock Lesnar)
Ian: While many of us want to believe WWE has pulled the plug on Roman, it’s unlikely that has happened. Roman will win here and go on to have a lengthy run with the title. (Prediction: Roman Reigns)
CONSENSUS: Roman Reigns (2-1)
50-Man Royal Rumble Match
Brad: The Greatest Royal Rumble will almost certainly have a winner that the crowd can be excited about. If there’s one man who encompasses pure joy and excitement, it’s Daniel Bryan. The visual of 75,000 fans going nuts with a Yes! chant to close the show is too good to pass up. Bryan gets the win and takes home the prestigious Greatest Royal Rumble trophy. (Prediction: Daniel Bryan)
Jon: This is going to be a fun match to watch, especially if they’re following the traditional Royal Rumble format of a Superstar coming out every few minutes rather than starting the match with 50 men in the ring. Daniel Bryan is one of the biggest stars in the world, and having a huge YES! chant in Saudi Arabia will certainly be something for the highlight reel. Bryan gets the win here and gets some major hype heading into his feud with Big Cass as we approach Backlash. (Prediction: Daniel Bryan)
Ian: To me, I think this match comes down to Daniel Bryan and Braun Strowman. I’m going to give the edge to Strowman as I think Vince McMahon will want to showcase one of his larger-than-life superstars at this spectacle of an event. WWE must know they owe the fans a Daniel Bryan Royal Rumble win at some point, however, I just think its more likely they save that for the 2019 Rumble in Phoenix. (Prediction: Braun Strowman)
CONSENSUS: Daniel Bryan (2-1)
What do you think of our Greatest Royal Rumble predictions? Let us know by sounding off in the Comments section.
WWE has announced two more title matches for next weekend’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view.
Dean Ambrose will defend the Intercontinental championship against Kevin Owens in a Last Man Standing match. Plus, Divas Champion Charlotte will put her gold on the line against Becky Lynch.
Of course these matches are in addition to the 30-man Royal Rumble match, with the winner walking out as WWE World Heavyweight Champion. As of this writing, there are 13 Confirmed Participants:
Roman Reigns
Brock Lesnar
Chris Jericho
Bray Wyatt
Erick Rowan
Luke Harper
Braun Strowman
Dolph Ziggler
Ryback
Big Show
Curtis Axel
Mark Henry
Stardust
Join us here on Sunday, January 24th for Live Coverage of the 2016 Royal Rumble PPV.
“Stone Cold” Steve Austin was Jim Ross’ guest this week for the big 100th episode of the Ross Report podcast over at PodcastOne.com. There were a ton of newsworthy topics discussed, here are the highlights:
– Austin said he’s “99% sure” he’ll be in Texas for WrestleMania. He said he can’t give specific details right now, but there’s one creative scenario being discussed that he’s excited about.
– He thinks there should be two NXT matches on the WrestleMania card – one featuring men and one featuring women.
– Austin thinks WWE should “absolutely” bring Bill Goldberg back for one match. He believes Goldberg is a sure fire Hall of Famer, even though his WWE run was somewhat of a bust.
– They spoke extensively about Roman Reigns’ push and WWE modeling Reigns after Stone Cold’s feud with Vince McMahon. Austin said there is a ton of pressure on Reigns right now, especially with John Cena and Seth Rollins out of action. With the WWE Championship on the line at the Royal Rumble, Austin says Reigns needs to retain and go into WrestleMania as the defending champion:
“Just for me, from a credibility standpoint, for him and his character development, I say leave the belt on him and put a hell of a challenger in there with him. And he doesn’t need to regain, he needs to hang onto it. That’s my two cents.”
Austin added, “Here’s the thing. If you indeed took the belt off of him at WrestleMania losing to Brock Lesnar, I don’t think that discounts the credibility [of Reigns]. Depending on that match, you can lose that match and gain people’s respect just by your performance in the match and how the story’s told. I don’t believe if he was to fight Brock Lesnar, that’s not a must win match for him, but it’s a must five-star performance for him.”
NXT Women’s Champion Bayley recently spoke with the The Green Bay Press Gazette to promote this weekend’s WWE live event in Green Bay, Wisconsin and spoke about her character, what the NXT Women’s Championship means to her and her thoughts on going to the main WWE roster. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On her character:
“I tell people that it’s not even really a character, because I’m still such a huge fan. (The gimmick) just happened randomly in a promo class. I was making all these promos about how much I love so-and-so, it just became really fun for me. So Dusty (Rhodes) and the writers really pushed me and helped the character a lot.”
On what the title means to her:
“The NXT women’s title means a lot to me. It’s surreal when I open up my suitcase to put my gear on and I have the championship belt in there with the WWE logo on it. So that’s really cool. For me to defeat Sasha Banks to win it is one thing, and for me to be able to carry it with the roster we have right now is another thing.”
On going to WWE’s main roster:
“I’m not hesitant. It’s just that I’m very proud of NXT, and I’m so happy that I’m able to be a part of it. I watched NXT grow from 12 people to me winning the championship in front of 16,000 people. I love NXT because I obviously have an attachment to it, but I want to get up there (main roster) because that’s what I’ve wanted since I was 11.”
WWE Superstar Kevin Owens recently spoke with CantonRep.com to promote this Sunday’s WWE live event at the Canton Memorial Civic Center. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On being in the WWE title picture:
“I think I’m already in consideration for that. I’m being put in the ring with guys like Roman Reigns, I’m main-eventing a lot of the live events, and I’ve only been here for seven months. I don’t think me becoming WWE world champion is at all out of the realm of possibility. It could happen at any time. I think it might be something that’s very shocking to a lot of people, but I’ve been doing this for 15 years. I feel like I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be, and I honestly think whether it’s sooner or later, I will be WWE champion.”
On trolls on Twitter:
“There’s a lot of disrespectful people on Twitter. A lot of people will say that it comes with what you do. You’re on ‘Raw’ and on ‘Smackdown,’ and you do some questionable things on television, so of course people are gonna come at you on Twitter, but I don’t see why I shouldn’t have the opportunity to answer. Some people are out of line. Some are just straight-up idiots. People get real powerful when all they have to worry about is typing little things on a computer or on a smartphone. They know they’ll never have to answer for the things they say. I’ve had some really awful things written about me, and my family, even. There’s a lot of disgusting people on there, but I for one don’t shy away from it. I like to expose it, because I feel like it’s almost the only way anyone receives any consequences for stuff they say. That’s just who I am. I was doing that before I got to WWE, and now that I’m here, I still do it.”
WWE Hall Of Famer Scott Hall recently spoke with Justin Barrasso of SI.com about the next goal in his career, Sting losing in his debut and potentially only WrestleMania match against Triple H, Roman Reigns being the WWE World Heavyweight Champion and more. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On the next goal in his career:
“Career-wise, I’d love to be working with the young guys at NXT. But I’m not going to sweat that–if it’s meant to happen, it’s meant to happen. I’ve been invited to go down there twice, but I wouldn’t mind a full time gig there.”
On Roman Reigns winning the WWE World Heavyweight Title:
“He’s getting a big push, but I just wish his work supported it. I don’t know, but I saw him commit to it and really go old-school and earn it in the fans’ eyes. The building that he won the Rumble in last year in Philly was the same building where he won the title and was cheered. In a year’s time, that’s pretty good.”
– The latest edition of WWE’s “This Week In WWE” YouTube segment, which you can view above, looks at the debut edition of WWE Monday Night RAW, where The Undertaker took on Damien Demento in the main event.
– John Cena is reportedly closing in on earning $10 million per year from WWE, according to a post written by Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline.com. The $10 million annual salary certainly puts Cena, who has had a rare run of over a decade in a main event position in the company, in a very elite class in terms of others who have earned money at that level from WWE.
– While out in Hollywood achieving success few WWE Superstars have ever had, Batista still manages to find time to engage in social media beefs with pro wrestling fans, as he recently had an exchange with a fan who got in a one-liner on him. A fan asked “The Animal” what role he would play if he was in the Titanic movie, to which Batista sarcastically replied, “The ship.” The fan then responded, “So just like your WWE career, you’d sink.” This led to a defensive Batista posting the following tweet listing his WWE credentials before closing with a quick dig at the fan.
Muscle & Fitness recently spoke with NXT Champion Finn Balor, who spoke about NXT going from being a basic development league for WWE to becoming the popular second brand owned by WWE.
“NXT has grown so fast that nobody really understands just how big it can get,” Balor said. “We are expanding into Europe. It’s not just a flash in the pan.”
Balor continued, explaining that it is the quality of the product that has connecting the audience to the brand in such a way that it has created its’ own identity.
“We’ve been consistently delivering night in and night out,” Balor said. “NXT has definitely created its own brand and is its own entity.”
WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair spoke with Jim Varsallone of The Miami Herald this week to promote his appearance at the Magic City Comic Con event this weekend at the Miami Airport Convention Center. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On inducting Sting in the WWE Hall of Fame:
“I would love to be that person… I haven’t been asked, but I would love to.”
On WWE using Reid Flair’s passing for an angle on RAW:
“It was said that I was upset, but I wasn’t. Those kind of things are going to happen periodically. The emotion is real. She and Reid were very, very close. I certainly wasn’t offended by what happened [on Raw]. I just don’t like to see her cry. That was somebody’s thought, and she ok’d it. They said, ‘[Charlotte], do you mind if we do this?’ And she said, ‘No. I don’t mind at all.’ It’s the business, and sometimes things that are real come across in a way that the people are mad about it, but if I’m not mad, and [Charlotte’s] not mad, and we’re the key players.”
On his podcast:
“[Podcasts] can be very lucrative. I’m heading down to do one right now with Chris Jericho. It’s fun, and you learn form them. My problem is I can’t critique the [WWE] show, because my daughter’s on the show, and I’m still actively working for the company. The other guys who do podcasts can critique the show, but I wouldn’t be caught dead doing that.
“Actually, I don’t have anything negative to say about it anyway, but if there was something I thought, I couldn’t possibly say it, because I would basically be cracking on the hand that feeds me. I don’t feel like there’s anything negative on the show anyways.”
WWE’s raid of the New Japan Pro Wrestling talent roster kicked off 2016 in a big way, but it’s worth noting that the negotiations with Shinsuke Nakamura, AJ Styles, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson were each handled individually and things just happened to work out around the same time.
Nakamura had talks with WWE in early 2015 but wound up re-signing with NJPW for another year. What many people don’t know is that Nakamura speaks English pretty well. He’s known for his showmanship and charisma and this apparently translates to his English promo ability.
WWE was planning to have AJ Styles debut in the Royal Rumble and we haven’t heard anything about that changing. The AJ Styles situation is an interesting one because he received an offensively low offer from WWE when he left TNA. He decided to work the independent scene and head over to Japan, where he raised his profile and was able to get considerably more money from WWE this time around.
Gallows and Anderson are expected to debut on NXT TV in early March. As we’ve covered previously, NJPW owns the name “Bullet Club” so they won’t be using that in NXT.
WWE Performance Center head coach Matt Bloom recently spoke with WWE.com about the rumors of top New Japan Pro Wrestling stars coming to WWE. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On the rumors of AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson leaving New Japan Pro Wrestling to come to WWE:
“It’s about time. WWE is the largest platform in the world to do what those guys love to do. They deserve to be here because they paid their dues, they worked really hard, and they made names for themselves. The best of the best come here to flourish. They’re gonna take all those years of experience, hard work and dedication, and now show it to the world on an even grander scale.”
On talking to Finn Balor about his former Bullet Club buddies possibly coming to WWE:
“He’s excited. He’s stoked. Finn is doing big things on his own right now, but I’m sure he knows that becoming the champion is difficult and staying the champion is even more difficult. He’s got an ace in his back pocket because he might have some friends coming in that have been known to watch his back. I’m sure that’s very comforting for Finn Bálor.”
On what to expect if The Bullet Club members show up in WWE:
“You hear the boss always say, “You need to reach for that brass ring.” The Bullet Club do things outside the box to continually reach for that brass ring. They’re not afraid to buck the system and be different. They’re not afraid of trying new things. The fans, the locker room, and us as coaches are very excited to see what The Bullet Club might do.”
As noted, WWE Divas Champion Charlotte recently appeared on her fathers podcast, “WOOOOO! Nation with Ric Flair” and spoke about her desire to rid WWE of the term “Divas” and bring back the old WWE Women’s Championship in place of the current belt. Below are some more highlights from the interview where she talks about her favorite wrestlers growing up, Vince McMahon pairing her with her father and more.
On who her favorite wrestlers were when she was a kid:
“I think Sting and Macho Man were my favorites [and] obviously Dusty was a favorite. And then, I guess my dad calls them ‘crushes’, I liked some of the guys when I was in high school and then I just never really thought about it in college.”
On who came up with the idea to pair her with Ric Flair on WWE TV:
“I think it was Vince’s idea. I think the idea was, ‘what could people at home relate to?’ and they can relate to a father/daughter relationship.”
On being more accustomed to being a heel after being a heel for most of her NXT run and having a tagline such as “genetically superior”:
“In NXT, I was a heel for the majority of NXT television and the babyface transition just kind of happened because I had dropped the [NXT Women’s Championship] title and I think the fans had kind of [grown] to respect me, so that’s kind of what made me the babyface. And then, debuting me on the main roster, from where I left off on NXT, I think it was challenging for me. Don’t get me wrong. I love being a babyface, but with my size, it’s not that I’m so much bigger than the other girls, but I find it easier to play that more dominant role. And also, the character itself, when you’re calling yourself ‘genetically superior’, I find that hard to be endearing.”
On John Cena’s injury and absence from WWE being an opportunity for others:
“In NXT, I was a heel for the majority of NXT television and the babyface transition just kind of happened because I had dropped the [NXT Women’s Championship] title and I think the fans had kind of [grown] to respect me, so that’s kind of what made me the babyface. And then, debuting me on the main roster, from where I left off on NXT, I think it was challenging for me. Don’t get me wrong. I love being a babyface, but with my size, it’s not that I’m so much bigger than the other girls, but I find it easier to play that more dominant role. And also, the character itself, when you’re calling yourself ‘genetically superior’, I find that hard to be endearing.”
The current plan is for The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar to both work against top heels. Kevin Owens, Alberto Del Rio, Bray Wyatt and Sheamus are all in the mix and could wind up in those slots.
Before John Cena went down with an injury, he was slated to wrestle The Undertaker in a battle of legends. Cena injury’s injury was so unexpected that WWE didn’t even have a backup opponent for The Undertaker, so his match is up in the air again.
WrestleMania 32 takes place on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.