TMZ Sports recently caught up with Triple H, Stephanie McMahon and Linda McMahon and asked about Vince McMahon’s workout regimen. In the video above, Triple H and Stephanie reveal that Vince hits the gym late at night after he leaves the office and is still “a machine.” When asked if he ever joins Vince for his workouts, Triple H answered “no, he’s too crazy.”
Vince’s wife Linda also declines to join the WWE Chairman in the gym, where she says you can find him “at least five days a week.” In the below video from TMZ Sports, Linda claims Vince would still put both Shane McMahon and Triple H to shame with his regimen.
Vince is scheduled to appear weekly on RAW right through WrestleMania season until May 23rd.
Former TNA World Champion and recent NXT signee Austin Aries says the last mountain for him to climb in his career is in the WWE Universe. In an interview on WWE.com, Aries explained why he’s excited to be in NXT right now and how he came to join the company.
“I became a free agent in the middle of last year. I was seeing what all my options were and had a lot of different opportunities on the table. But from the moment I became a free agent, the WWE opportunity was the one I wanted,” said Aries. “Obviously, there were strong plays made by some other companies, but in the end, when WWE offered me an opportunity, I could not turn it down.
“Frankly, it’s the only thing I haven’t done in my career. I’ve accomplished every goal I’ve set out to. I’ve traveled the world, I’ve competed in just about every promotion there is. The last mountain to climb was the one that resides in the WWE Universe. I’m excited to get that opportunity. The NXT brand is as hot as any brand in wrestling, and I’m excited to be a part of it.”
Aries says NXT has a certain energy to it because of their diverse roster. Aries, who is also a two-time ROH World Champion, says he’s happy drop some knowledge on the younger talent just starting their careers.
“There’s a certain energy to NXT, because there’s a mixture of young guys just starting their career who are hungry. Then, you have established guys like Samoa Joe and Finn Bálor,” Arties continued, “who have walked the same paths that I’ve walked, now trying to prove themselves on the biggest stage. I’m someone who’s been very passionate about the business and love to pass on the things that I’ve learned to the guys coming up. I think I’ll have the opportunity to do that.
“I look at is as an opportunity for Austin Aries to grow as a performer, while helping some of the younger NXT guys grow, too.”
The March 10, 2016 episode of WWE SmackDown averaged 2,186,000 viewers on the USA Network on Thursday night. This is down from the previous week’s average of 2,491,000 viewers.
Thursday’s episode of SmackDown was ranked #6 in the Top 150 cable shows for the night, one spot down from last week’s #5 ranking.
The show was headlined by Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler and The Usos vs. The Wyatt Family. The episode also featured Chris Jericho cutting a heel promo on AJ Styles and burning his “Y2AJ” shirt in the middle of the ring.
On a recent media appearance to promote WrestleMania 32, Kane was asked about his storyline-brother’s match against Shane McMahon scheduled for the April 3rd event. Kane told Talks Sport that The Undertaker will do what he does best every year at WWE’s biggest pay-per-view, and predicted that he will beat Shane.
“With Shane, you just have to weather his exuberance, for lack of a better term. He’s going to want to just let it all hang out and jump off the top of the stadium if he can,” Kane said.
“So I think that’s the most important thing – just let him do his deal. And then eventually, of course, what’s going to happen is – much like in a soccer or rugby match – that emotion’s going to wear off and from there the better team, or, in this case, The Undertaker, does what he does best.”
When asked why The Undertaker’s character would accept a match with Vince McMahon’s son, Kane said the match with Shane is just business, not personal.
“He has a challenge in front of him, and that’s what it is,” he explained. “I don’t know if there’s necessarily a nefarious back story or anything like that.”
The Undertaker will face Shane McMahon in a Hell In A Cell match at WrestleMania 32 in Arlington, TX.
Mick Foley says he’s going to try to add to the excitement of WrestleMania this year. In an interview with Sports Illustrated to promote his charity sweepstakes, Foley commented on rumors of an appearance at WrestleMania 32.
“There is a rumor that I will be participating in the show,” Foley said. “I’m not sure how just yet, but I’ll try to add to the excitement of WrestleMania.”
The first-ever WWE Hardcore Champion also revealed his favorite WrestleMania moment, and sang the praises of the late “Macho Man” Randy Savage.
“Savage-Steamboat from WrestleMania III,” Foley answered when asked about his favorite ‘Mania moment. “It had the ability to cast an impression that’s lasted thirty years. I haven’t mentioned Savage much, maybe because he came up in-between the Jimmy Snuka years and the Terry Funk/Bruiser Brody years, but when I entered pro wrestling, Savage was my favorite guy. I was really impressed, not only by his character, but also with his work ethic. I understood even at 19 years old that there was so much more to Savage than the character. He was an extremely hard worker, and I admired that.”
Foley is expected to be on RAW next week and appear on a live WWE Network Stone Cold podcast on the road to WrestleMania. WrestleMania 32 takes place on April 3, 2016, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Following up on earlier report about Ken Anderson leaving TNA, it turns out there’s actually a lot more to the story. Anderson wrestled for ICW in Scotland over the weekend and was met with a “F**k TNA” chant. Anderson told the crowd that he no longer works for TNA and he agrees – “F**k TNA.”
According to a report at Pro Wrestling Sheet, Anderson was released by TNA after failing a drug test and allegedly wrestling while impaired. Anderson worked against Eric Young that was supposed to air on the January 19th episode of Impact. The match was so bad due to Anderson’s condition that the company made the call to edit off the show. When he got backstage afterwards, he was drug tested and subsequently fired.
The situation is reminiscent of Jeff Hardy’s Victory Road 2011 match against Sting, although that match aired live on pay-per-view and Hardy wasn’t fired for it.
It should be noted that Anderson has not yet shared his side of the story, aside from “F**k TNA.”
The New Day is working on a huge entrance for WrestleMania 32 that would involve (what else) – flying unicorns. The New Day wants “fly around the stadium on unicorns,” the Wrestling Observer reports
Last week, Big E told Guidelife.com teased that the tag team champions have something cooking, but they’re not sure its going to come together.
“Woods and Kofi were already telling people to look out for our entrance. So, I suppose our WrestleMania entrance is the big plan,” Big E said.
“There’s a good chance that it all gets nixed, and people are very disappointed, but we have something cooking.”
New Day’s light-up unicorn horns are back in stock on WWEShop.com after selling out several times.
WWE’s new DVD set about Eric Bischoff titled Sports Entertainment’s Most Controversial Figure will hit shelves on June 7th in the U.S. and June 13th in the U.K. The first disc in the set is the documentary, the second disc features interview clips, and disc #3 features some of Bischoff’s most memorable TV segments. The Blu-Ray version of the set contains some additional features.
Below is the complete content listing for the DVD set, courtesy of Wrestling DVD Network.
DISC 1
MAIN FEATURE (DOCUMENTARY):
The Controversies
Cody
Detroit Bad Boy
Mentor
Tenacious, Relentless
The Model
AWA
Beer Branding
WCW
Executive Producer
Renegade
The Monday Night War
Answering the Hard Questions
The Downfall
Return
WWE
BHE
Memories
DISC 2
STORIES:
— Pop Bottles
— Hunting
— Grandma
— School Times
— Believability
— New Suits
— Travel Tickets
— The Television Character
— Entrepreneurial Spirit
— No Ticky, No Laundry
— Creative Control
— Flavor Profile
— Great-Grandfather Brewer
— Horseback Riding
— Spider Web of Life
SHOWS:
Legends with JBL: Guest Eric Bischoff (Part 1)
September 21, 2015
Legends with JBL: Guest Eric Bischoff (Part 2)
September 23, 2015
Eric Bischoff’s Top Ten Most Controversial Moments
September 23, 2015
DISC 3
Ninja Suit Man
AWA Superstars • April 26, 1987
Eric Bischoff and Greg Gagne Discuss Billy Robinson
AWA All Star Wrestling • January 1991
Eric goes into the Women’s Locker Room
Great American Bash • July 14, 1991
A Gift for Muhammad Ali
Halloween Havoc • October 23, 1994
Jackknife Bischoff
Great American Bash • June 16, 1996
Blind PowerBomb
nWo Bischoff
WCW Monday Nitro • November 25, 1996
Easy E
WCW Monday Nitro • January 20, 1997
Eric Fires Randy Anderson
WCW Monday Nitro • January 27, 1997
Randy Anderson Pleads For His Job
WCW Monday Nitro • February 10, 1997
Eric Bischoff Playing Eric Bischoff
For Control of Monday Nitro
Eric Bischoff vs. Larry Zbyzsko
WCW Starrcade • December 28, 1997
Eric Challenges Vince McMahon to a Fight
WCW Monday Nitro • May 11, 1998
It’s Good to Be King
WCW Monday Nitro • May 18, 1998
Late Night Imposter
nWo Nightcap
WCW Monday Nitro • July 20, 1998
Keeping a Secret
Eric Bischoff is Named General Manager of RAW
RAW • July 15, 2002
Billy and Chuck’s Wedding
SmackDown • September 12, 2002
Most Fun Ever
In the Skybox with Stone Cold
Judgment Day • May 18, 2003
No Script
Y2J’s Highlight Reel with Eric Bischoff and Stone Cold Steve Austin
Insurrextion • June 7, 2003
The Trial of Eric Bischoff
RAW • December 5, 2005
BLU-RAY EXCLUSIVES
Eric Interviews Sgt. Slaughter & Baron Von Raschke
ESPN Championship Wrestling • October 1, 1989
Eric Interviews Larry Zbyszko & Colonel DeBeers
AWA All-Star Wrestling • February 18, 1990
Eric Interviews The Steiner Brothers
WCW WorldWide • December 7, 1991
Eric Interviews Vader, Harley Race, & The Taylor Made Man
WCW WorldWide • February 1, 1992
Eric Interviews Vinnie Vegas & Harley Race
WCW WorldWide • February 22, 1992
Eric Interviews “Stunning” Steve Austin & Madusa
WCW WorldWide • April 13, 1992
Eric Gets a Tour of The Fabulous Freebirds Enterprises
WCW Power Hour • May 30, 1992
“Colonel” Eric Interviews Sid Vicious & Robert Parker
WCW Halloween Havoc • October 24, 1993
Eric Bischoff’s “Candid Camera” Gets the Dirt on DDP
WCW Pro Wrestling • March 6, 1995
Will the Real Sting Please Stand Up?
WCW Monday Nitro • May 12, 1997
Eric Bischoff vs. Vince McMahon
WCW Slamboree • May 17, 1998
Miss Elizabeth Tells the World Who the Real “Macho Man” Is
WCW Thunder • June 11, 1998
Eric Meets “The Great One”
SmackDown • July 18, 2002
Dueling GM’s Via Satellite
SmackDown • September 19, 2002
“You Will Bear Witness to the Elimination Chamber”
The dynamic between Vince McMahon and Triple H is reportedly something everyone is talking about internally in WWE. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Shane McMahon’s return, and recent changes to WrestleMania 32 storylines, have both lead to an increase in backstage chatter about the McMahon family drama. The Observer reports that Vince does not like being perceived as the old out-of-touch guy who needs to step aside so Triple H can take over.
The speculation within WWE right now is reportedly that if Shane does take on an executive role in the company, Vince could be playing him against Triple H and Stephanie. It gets hard to tell how much of the Vince-Triple H tension is exaggerated, but it is known that Shane did have issues with Triple H and Stephanie that lead to him leaving the company in 2009. Shane left WWE after he found out his sister and Triple H would eventually be taking over the company instead of him.
Shane’s entire promo on Monday’s RAW was re-written at the last minute to remove mentions of him wanting to fire Triple H and Stephanie from RAW should he win at WrestleMania 32. According to The Observer, the opening segment on RAW has been changing at the last minute lately at Vince’s request. Last minute script changes were blamed for Shane forgetting a line during his return promo on RAW, but it largely went unnoticed because Vince spoke up and covered for him.
Aside from any heat he may have with Vince and Shane, Triple H also reportedly drew criticism from some WWE employees for not “selling” his beating from Roman Reigns back in December. In the days after the angle with Reigns at TLC, Triple H was making appearances to promote NXT and not selling any injuries.
NXT has grown into a touring brand beloved by fans around the world, but WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon is not entirely sold on its potential. According to Dave Meltzer in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Vince is largely not convinced NXT talent are “stars” who can draw money in WWE. Meltzer wrote:
“Vince isn’t going to step aside, but there is a lot of concern about the rigid decision making and limited viewpoint on who can be real top stars. While publicly HHH will say Vince loves NXT, the internal perception is very different, seeing it as a touring brand filled with so many guys Vince doesn’t believe are money.”
Several of NXT’s top stars have publicly stated they are in no rush to join WWE’s main roster. Back in December, NXT Champion Finn Balor stated on the Sam Roberts Wrestling Podcast, “I feel like to get quote, unquote called up to the main roster would be, maybe, like a step back for my career right [now].”
NXT Women’s Champion Bayley echoed the same sentiment late last year, telling The Independent, “I definitely want to be a part of it but I’m not in any rush right now. NXT is so huge and we’re already doing something very special here, so if I was on the main roster right now I’d feel that I was missing out with what’s going on in NXT.”
The handling of Tyler Breeze on the main roster has been a big warning sign to NXT talent. After being a staple of NXT for years and being featured prominently on Breaking Ground, Breeze has been relegated to ‘enhancement talent’ since his debut.
Earning a spot on the main roster is still the ultimate goal of most in NXT, as it means big league money, global exposure and the fulfillment of a lifelong dream. However, it’s not without significant risk, at least under WWE’s current regime.
Vince McMahon is back on TV regularly while WWE is on the road to WrestleMania, and he’s shared on-air time with his son for the first time in over six years. The WWE Chairman told The Orlando Sentinel that it’s been awesome having Shane back, but that “it can be very difficult” working with his son.
“It’s been awesome. I was hoping that one day we might get back together. It’s difficult. Fathers and sons sometimes, in the same business at a certain stage, it can be very difficult,” Vince explained to Brian Fritz of the Orlando Sentinel. “You love each other just as much but you see things a little differently. You have the old bull and the young bull and the old bull is not ready to give it up, his horns are still sharp. It’s great that Shane is back. Whether or not there’s a corporate place, we’ll wait and see. From a performer standpoint, I so enjoy performing with him. And when the three of us are out there, Stephanie and Shane and me, and throw in Paul because that has happened in the past, oh my God! We could stay out there and entertain each other, much less the audience, for an hour. It would be easy. It’s just so much fun because we can ad-lib and entertain ourselves. I think if you are entertaining yourselves and you’re having fun, that projects and the audience is having fun with you.”
In the same interview, which took place after Tuesday’s WrestleMania 33 press conference in Orlando, Vince admitted he prefers working behind-the-scenes to being in front of the camera.
“I much prefer to produce and direct, much prefer that,” Vince said. “This storyline allowed me that opportunity and sort of pushed me that way. I don’t know how much you’re going to see of me because I’d rather be producing and directing. Again, there are only so many bumps and so forth that anybody can take. I’m willing to take them obviously. I always said to talent that I would never ask you to do anything that I wouldn’t do, which I’ve lived up to.”
Vince McMahon has high praises for currently-injured former WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena. In an interview with Brian Fritz of the Orlando Sentinel, McMahon talked about Cena missing this year’s WrestleMania, saying he’s a “real warrior.”
“John is Babe Ruth, he’s everything to us. And a real warrior,” McMahon said after Tuesday’s WrestleMania 33 press conference. “I don’t know how long he’s going to pursue this … I don’t know if it’s going to be 70 like me, but he’ll try.
It’s just in him and he loves it so much, even when he was a little kid. I don’t know if you’ve seen some of the videos where he’d have a mini-championship belt made out of cardboard and all that kind of stuff. And on top of it, he’s a hell of a guy.”
The road to WrestleMania continues on the March 10th, 2016 episode of WWE SmackDown taped in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
– The Miz comes out to host Miz TV to open the show. His guests are Sami Zayn and WWE Intercontinental Champion Kevin Owens. Neville interrupts and cuts a promo on Owens. Neville hits the ring to beat down Owens, and The Miz attacks Sami, leading to a tag team match.
– Sami Zayn and Neville def. The Miz and Kevin Owens: Owens refused to fight Zayn and abandoned The Miz. Zayn pinned Miz for the win.
– Brie Bella def. Summer Rae: Brie gets the win by submission. Lana was on commentary and attacked Brie after the match.
– Chris Jericho comes out to give a eulogy for his short-lived team with AJ Styles. Jericho cuts a promo on Styles and sets a Y2AJ shirt on fire in the ring. AJ runs in but The Ascension attacks him. Jericho retreats to the back while AJ clears the ring.
– King Barrett and Sheamus def. Sin Cara and Kalisto: Barrett hit Cara with a Bullhammer for the victory.
– Backstage, Ryback cuts a promo on Kalisto.
– Dean Ambrose, Dolph Ziggler and The Usos def. The Wyatt Family: Ambrose, Ziggler and The Usos get the victory in the main event, which was an eight-man tag. The babyface team celebrates in the ring together after what was described as a “really good match.”
At Tuesday’s WrestleMania 33 press conference from Orlando, FL, former WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena commented on his status for the biggest pay-per-view of the year. Despite his best efforts to defy science and prove his doctors wrong, Cena revealed that he will not be able to get medically cleared in time for April 3rd.
“For the first time in a decade in a half, this year I will be watching and not wrestling at WrestleMania … WrestleMania means the world to me.”
Cena underwent shoulder surgery back in January to repair a torn rotator cuff.
WWE confirmed on Tuesday that their annual Payback pay-per-view will take place at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. The event will take place on May 1st, 2016. Payback has been an annual WWE event since June 2013.
The pre-sale for early tickets is going on right now. You can get them at Ticketmaster.com with the password: CHICAGO
WWE’s Extreme Rules will take place the same month, on May 22nd at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.
WrestleMania is less than four weeks away as the March 7th episode of WWE RAW takes place live from Chicago, Illinois.
– RAW opens up with a video highlighting the recent history between Vince McMahon, Shane and The Undertaker.
– Here comes the money! Shane McMahon’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. Shane cuts a promo on Vince, calling him an “ego maniacal, miserable old bastard.” He says Vince has lost touch with his fans, and with Shane. Shane says he doesn’t know how yet, but he will defeat The Undertaker and fulfill his legacy by taking over Monday Night RAW. GONG! The lights go out for The Undertaker, but it’s a fake-out, they come back on and Vince McMahon’s music hit as the WWE Chairman struts onto the stage. Vince cuts a promo on Shane and gets lots of “CM Punk” and “What” chants from the Chicago crowd. Vince takes a photo of him and a young Shane, throws it down, and stomps on it. Vince tells security to kick out Shane. A couple members of Vince’s security hit the ring and Shane lays them out with punches and knees. Shane eventually makes his way to the back voluntarily.
– Backstage, Kevin Owens gets ready for a match against Neville.
– Kevin Owens def. Neville: Owens takes control early on and mocks Neville’s British accent. Neville puts his knees up to block a Senton bomb and comes back. Neville throws KO to the outside and hits a shooting star press from the top rope all the way down onto Owens on the ringside floor. Back in the ring, Neville hits a standing shooting star press in the middle of the ring for a 2-count. Owens eventually rolls up Neville with a small package rollup out of nowhere for the 1-2-3. Owens jumps Neville from behind after the bell.
– After the match, Owens goes to give Neville a piledriver on the outside, but Sami Zayn runs in for the save. Neville and Zayn high-five in the ring as Owens sells his beating and walks to the back.
– Backstage, Stephanie McMahon reminds Dolph Ziggler that she’s his boss. Ziggler mentions that if Shane wins at WrestleMania, she’ll be out of power. Stephanie books him in a tag team elimination match against three members of the League of Nations tonight, and he will get 0 partners on his team. Ziggler says he wouldn’t have it any other way.
– Summer Rae def. Brie Bella: Moments into the match, Lana’s music hits and she walks down to the ring. Summer uses the distraction to roll up Brie Bella in a small package for the win. Lana gets in the ring and jumps Brie after the match.
– Dean Ambrose comes out to cut a promo on Triple H. Triple H’s music hits and the WWE World Heavyweight Champion comes out to the stage to interrupt. Triple H talks about why the title belt is going to stay with him as long as he wants to it. Ambrose tells HHH to “suck it.” Triple H tells Ambrose he has to face Bray Wyatt later tonight.
– Sheamus, Rusev, Wade Barrett vs. Dolph Ziggler: The League beats down Ziggler in the opening moments. Ziggler manages to pin Barrett first for the elimination, leaving him with just Sheamus and Rusev to deal with. Sheamus hits the Brogue kick on Ziggler for the 1-2-3.
– Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch def. Naomi & Tamina: Sasha hits a backbreaker on Naomi and locks her in the Banks Statement for the tap out victory. After the match, Charlotte runs in and lays out Sasha and Becky.
– Backstage R-Truth delivers a Chicago deep dish pizza to Goldust. Goldust declines and Mark Henry sneaks in and takes the pizza.
– Big E and Kofi Kingston def. Chris Jericho & AJ Styles: Jericho and AJ take control early on and send both New Day members to the outside. Back in the ring, Big E tags in Kofi and they gain control over Jericho with some double team moves. AJ hits his moonsault reverse DDT on Kofi for the 2. Jericho goes for a codebreaker on Big E but Big E reverses into the Big Ending for the 1-2-3.
– After the match, Jericho lays out AJ with three Codebreakers. He grabs his “Y2AJ” shirt and shoves it in AJ’s mouth.
– Kalisto def. Tyler Breeze: Kalisto hits the Salida Del Sol on Breeze off the turnbuckle for the 1-2-3.
– Ryback def. Curtis Axel: Back and forth action between the two until Ryback turns the tides and pummels on Axel. He Hits the Shellshocked for the 3 count.
– Backstage, Vince is on the phone when he’s interrupted by Stephanie. They talk about Shane and how they’re going to handle him. Vince tells her not to worry, “I’ve got this.”
– Dean Ambrose def. Bray Wyatt via DQ: Wyatt gets in lots of offense early on. On the outside, Wyatt gives Ambrose a Rock Bottom into the guard rail and Ambrose falls to the floor. Back in the ring, Ambrose mounts a comeback but The Wyatt family interferes and beats down Ambrose.
– After The Wyatt Family beats down Ambrose, Triple H’s music hits and he makes his way down to the ring. Wyatt and Triple H have a stare-down before Wyatt and his crew leave the ring. Triple H prepares for a beat down on Ambrose, but Ambrose hops up and hits The Dirty Deeds on The Game. Ambrose holds up the WWE Championship as RAW goes off the air.
WWE released a special edition of their monthly magazine for WrestleMania 32, with a cover featuring Triple H, Roman Reigns, Brock Lesnar, Undertaker, Charlotte, Dean Ambrose and The New Day. Inside the magazine, they reveal two more inductees for the WWE Hall of Fame’s class of 2016.
Stan Hansen and Jacqueline Moore are now confirmed to be inducted into the Hall of Fame this year. WWE has yet to officially announce the two former stars for the Hall of Fame on the internet or TV. Jacqueline, formerly known as Miss Texas, has been a rumored inductee for weeks and Stan Hansen is from Texas.
This year’s WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony takes place on Saturday, April 2, the night before WrestleMania 32, at the American Airlines Center in Dallas at 6:30 PM local time. Sting, The Godfather, The Fabulous Freebirds and Big Boss Man are the other confirmed inductees as of press time.
Former WWE, ECW, and TNA wrestler Rhyno announced this week that he has filed to run as a State Representative for his district in Dearborn, Michigan. Rhyno recently spoke to Alex Marvez of FOX Sports about his campaign, and revealed Vince McMahon’s reaction to the news.
“I told Vince, ‘I hope I make you proud.’ He said, ‘You already have.’ He then followed up by saying if there was anything (WWE) can do to help to let them know,” Rhyno told FOX Sports. “He didn’t ask what party I was running for or this and that. The McMahons’ love for their country is just contagious.”
Rhyno indicated that he does not think his past as a pro wrestler will hurt his career in politics.
“I don’t think it will hurt me at all. I think candidates that run against me will try to make fun of it to discredit me so they can win the election, which is understandable. But I want to go out and discuss how we can make this state better, how we can make people’s lives easier and educate the kids.”
Rhyno last appeared on WWE TV at their TLC pay-per-view in December.
The March 3, 2016 episode of WWE SmackDown averaged 2.491 million viewers. This is up from last week’s 2.395 million viewers. Thursday’s viewership amounted to a 1.79 rating, which is up from last week’s 1.74.
SmackDown was ranked in the #5 spot in the Top 150 cable shows for the night. Last week it was ranked #4.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson launched something called “Project Rock” with Under Armour on Friday. The project is described as a motivational lifestyle brand to help people “achieve greatness by equipping them with the right tools to use along the way,” according to a press release. The official website is ProjectRockOfficial.com.
“I wanted to find a way where I can embark on a journey with others, to inspire them to constantly chase their greatness, no matter the intensity,” Johnson said in a statement. “That’s why partnering with Under Armour made so much sense. They embody the idea of this constant growth and progression, and together we want to help push people through their own ongoing pursuit of innovation: mind, body, spirit.”
The line’s items currently include two limited-edition duffel bags that are sold on Under Armor’s website. The two bag models retail for $99.99 and $124.99, respectively. Under Armour plans to release technology products, clothing and accessories under the Project Rock banner.
Sami Zayn is finally getting called up to the main roster. The former NXT Champion is scheduled to face WWE Intercontinental champion Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 32, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
Zayn will first be appearing at WWE Roadblock, which airs live on the WWE Network next weekend from Toronto. It seems that Zayn will be there to resume his rivalry with Owens.
From there, Sami Zayn will face the debuting Shinsuke Nakamura at NXT Takeover: Dallas.
After WrestleMania, Zayn is booked for WWE’s annual European tour.
WWE management has issued a new edict to the creative team regarding the opening segment of RAW each week.
The new rue is for the writers to work in references to major cultural events in the show opening promos, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The Super Bowl, The Grammys and the Emmys were all recently cited as examples that needed to be integrated into the script for the opening segment of RAW.
This isn’t the only new instruction the creative team has received lately. Last week, it was reported that they were working on making their television product “more edgy” for WrestleMania season.
There had reportedly been talk within WWE about whether AJ Styles would be allowed to use his Styles Clash finisher or not. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Vince McMahon found out about Yoshitatsu suffering a broken neck from the move and was concerned. As a result, the company decided the calf crusher would be AJ Styles’ new finisher.
Up until his Fastlane match with Chris Jericho, Styles had only used the Styles Clash one before, against Curtis Axel. According to The Observer, Jericho wanted the move in his match and the spot was approved by management.
It should be noted that the Styles Clash is not banned, but it won’t be AJ’s primary finisher.
Brock Lesnar was originally booked for the main event of WWE Roadblock on March 12th. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the WWE creative team planned on having Lesnar face both Dean Ambrose and Triple H in a triple threat match. According to those original plans, the match would have ended with Triple H pinning Ambrose for the win. At some point there was a change of plans, and the match was changed to a one-on-one title match between just Ambrose and Triple H.
The Observer Newsletter noted that WWE has taken of note of Ambrose getting over as a babyface, and has no plans to turn him heel.
WWE Roadblock takes place at the Ricoh Coliseum in Toronto, ON and airs exclusively on the WWE Network on March 12th at 8 PM ET.
As noted last week, Roman Reigns’ surgery looked like it was just a storyline, but he did really get surgery. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the angle where Triple H injured him on RAW was to cover for pre-existing surgery plans. The surgery may have been for a deviated symptom.
On Wednesday it was revealed that Reigns was pulled from advertising Monday’s RAW in Chicago. It could be a strategic move to avoid having Reigns booed on TV by the Chicago fans, who are known for being vocal. Reigns has been removed from The Allstate Arena’s website but is still listed on WWE.com. As we noted earlier, Reigns is still being advertised for next Tuesday’s SmackDown taping.
The Allstate Arena is advertising Triple H, Dean Ambrose and Shane McMahon for this Monday’s Raw.
