With WrestleMania 32 less than 5 months away, let’s take a look at where the card stands in light of a bunch of recent developments.
Originally, the top few matches were slated to be:
Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker
The Rock vs. Triple H
John Cena vs. Roman Reigns
The Rock will not be competing at WrestleMania due to his movie schedule and more specifically, movie studios having major concerns about whether they’d be able to get insurance for The Rock if he was to get back in the ring. Then things were looking like this:
Seth Rollins vs. Triple H
Brock Lesnar vs. The Undertaker
John Cena vs. Roman Reigns
At some point the decision was made to jump right into Lesnar vs. Undertaker at Hell in a Cell, apparently with the assumption that Vince McMahon had decided on alternate opponents for both men. Of course, Seth Rollins’ ACL/MCL surgery will keep him out of action well past WrestleMania, so he’s out of the mix now as well.
As of this week, these are the top two matches currently planned for WrestleMania 32 (via the Wrestling Observer Newsletter):
Brock Lesnar is being advertised to appear at the January 8th live event in Houston, Texas at the Toyota Center. This will be a non-televised event, unless WWE ends up making it a Network special.
This marks Brock Lesnar’s first time appearing in Houston in over 10 years. The arena is also advertising John Cena, Dean Ambrose, Kevin Owens, Sheamus, The Dudley Boyz, and Divas. Tickets start at $20.
– On the second episode of WWE Breaking Ground, WWE Senior Director Of Talent Development Canyon Ceman played the role of the executive who had to inform aspiring talent that they were being let go. In all actuality, Canyon was just brought in to fill that role on the show, as normally NXT Head Coach Matt Bloom is the guy who does that, according to PWInsider.com.
– Next Monday, November 16th, WWE will kick off “The Undertaker Week” on the WWE Network. WWE will soon be announcing full details on the special programming scheduled for the week long theme, which is expected to be similar to the recent “Brock Lesnar Week.”
– WWE confirmed via the official NXT Twitter account that the new “NXT: Greatest Matches Vol. 1” DVD and Blu-ray is scheduled for a March 8th release. Additionally, it was announced that Seth Rollins vs. Big E. for the NXT Championship will be on that set, and the NXT Women’s Championship match between Charlotte and Sasha Banks will be a Blu-ray exclusive.
– As noted, the deal to bring Alberto Del Rio back to WWE was done a few weeks prior to his return appearance at the WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view. Del Rio’s new deal was not known to most in the company, but many knew something was brewing and expected Del Rio back in the company no later than next year’s WrestleMania 32 event in Texas.
– WWE Network announced the following additions for November:
Relive Brock Lesnar’s destructive introduction and rise to the top of WWE, spanning March 2002 to March 2004, with the addition of more than 170 hours of Raw and SmackDown episodes to the award-winning WWE Network. Watch The Beast Incarnate’s first appearance on Raw, WWE Championship reign on SmackDown and much more anytime, anywhere on demand.”
– Lilian Garcia will not be doing the announcing for tonight’s WWE RAW due to the European tour, as she will be handling those duties for the SmackDown shows. Eden will instead handle the ring announcing for tonight’s RAW. Garcia tweeted the following:
Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with his thoughts on Brock Lesnar and The Undertaker bleeding at Hell in a Cell, Ronda Rousey stating she wants to be WWE Divas Champion one day and more.
Some fans have questioned if the blood was planned in advance and JR says it clearly was. “How the blood was derived may be another issue but the two talents taking matters into their own hands without approval isn’t too likely to have occurred. Their match was the best bout on the show Sunday in LA.”
Related: The Latest On Lesnar & Taker Bleeding At HIAC
During a recent interview with FOX Sports, UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey said she would like to be WWE Divas Champion one day. Reigning Divas champion Charlotte responded and offered Ronda Rousey a title shot anytime, anywhere. JR sees blockbuster potential from Rousey in a WWE ring and questions if the baddest woman on the planet would even qualify to be a Diva.
“Ronda Rousey and her camp, influenced by The Rock, are strategic in their thinking. Rousey has a huge payday awaiting her for a Wrestlemania story line down the road and they know it. No one ever makes too much money plus RR knows that she can’t be unbreakable forever inside the Octagon. It was timely of Charlotte to stand her ground and respond to Ronda recently but I would rather see RR versus a heel specifically Stephanie McMahon as I feel that’s the money. Plus, do you really want Ronda Rousey going for the WWE Divas Title? Is Rousey a Diva? Is the term Diva still relevant?
In any event, Ronda Rousey in a hot, personal issue interests me more than her going for the title at this time. The question is can Rousey and WWE come together for something BIG for the Texas WrestleMania?”
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross updated his official website blog recently with his thoughts on Sunday’s WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view and other current topics. Below are some of the highlights. For the complete blog, visit JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
On the WWE Hell In A Cell main event:
“Best match of the night was the ‘blow off’ bout to the Lesnar vs. Taker trilogy. It was a brawl with plenty of physicality from both men. The rare, blood sighting was timely and added drama to the presentation without fail. The use of blood needs to remain essentially rare but when the environment calls for it such as in HIAC or the Elimination Chamber it becomes something to consider but I don’t look for any more blood any time soon in WWE. Lots of basic MMA elements utilized in this main event which I enjoyed. Lesnar had to receive 9 staples in his head after the event to close his head wound we are told.”
On the post-match angle with Undertaker and Wyatt Family:
“Post match with Wyatt Family attacking a defenseless Undertaker, who had no one come to his aid which I ‘get’ but still found strange, may lead to an elimination tag at the Survivor Series with Taker’s team versus the Wyatt’s. I see a 4 versus 4 traditional, Survivor Series elimination tag. Taker, Kane, Sting (if healthy) and one young talent who WWE wants to get a ‘rub’ vs the Wyatt’s. Or two, young talents if Sting isn’t abe to join the presentation.”
On Alberto Del Rio’s WWE return:
“Not totally surprised to see Alberto Del Rio back in WWE after leaving Lucha Underground over ‘differences’ which usually concerns the two, C’s, cash and creative. ADR got a short, albeit decisive victory over John Cena, who’s taking some well deserved time off, to win the US Title. I’d suggest that WWE continue the US Title Open Challenge with ADR who takes on the task of continuing to rehabilitate the United States Title. It was a good way to start the show. If ADR turns on Zeb Colter then the WWE will have a better chance to run with Del Rio as a main event level fan favorite of distinction. This would be a nice in ring segment on RAW. “
As it turns out, Vince McMahon wasn’t that upset with The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar bleeding during their “Final Battle” inside Hell In A Cell at Sunday night’s WWE pay-per-view in Los Angeles, but rather how things went after the blood started pouring.
A source who was watching the situation unfold from the gorilla position last night noted to PWInsider.com that McMahon was not upset over the blood, even if he wasn’t thrilled to see it. What set Vince off was the fact that Lesnar shoved the doctor out of the way after Vince sent him to ringside to clean things up. Lesnar shoving the doctor was not at all a planned spot. Lesnar got frustrated that the doctor was interrupting the momentum of the match and took it upon himself to attack him.
When Lesnar and Undertaker returned backstage after the match, there was no incident with McMahon calling them into his office or talking down to them in front of everyone else in sight, despite reports to the contrary.
Both The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar were seen bleeding during the main event at the WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view. Taker and Lesnar’s injuries were not a result of blading, but rather they were both busted open. As seen during WrestleMania 31, Lesnar ran directly into the ring post whereas Taker’s injury was caused by Lesnar taking his glove off and throwing head punches.
An insider backstage texted Bryan Alvarez from F4WOnline.com as they caught Vince McMahon’s reaction to the blood. It was said that due to the no blood policy in WWE, Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn were freaking out as they watched backstage.
Kevin Dunn was reportedly flipping out, demanding WWE doctors go into the Hell In A Cell structure to calm down the situation, however when Lesnar shoved the doctor, he did not return and the match continued regardless.
The official WWE website posted photos of Brock Lesnar receiving nine staples to close cuts on his head that he suffered during his “Final Battle” Hell In A Cell match against The Undertaker.
Lesnar ran into the ring post during the match at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California on Sunday night, the same spot he did at WrestleMania 31 that resulted in him being busted open, to produce the blood that we saw during the match.
For a full photo gallery of Lesnar getting staples in his head backstage after the match, visit WWE.com.
WWE is focusing the advertising for the November 22nd Survivor Series pay-per-view on the fact that it will be The Undertaker’s 25th anniversary at the annual event. You can check out the video promo for Survivor Series 2015 below.
Based on the finish of last night’s Hell In A Cell pay-per-view, it looks like Undertaker will be facing the four members of The Wyatt Family in a traditional Survivor Series elimination match.
Last night’s show ended with Taker losing to Brock Lesnar in their “Final Battle” inside Hell In A Cell, and then Bray Wyatt, Braun Strowman, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan dragged “The Dead Man” to the back after attacking him.
The official WWE website has a new article up where WWE Hall Of Famer Howard Finkel and ECW Original Joey Styles offer their predictions for tonight’s WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view.
Below are the predictions “The Fink” offered for the Roman Reigns vs. Bray Wyatt and Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar matches.
On Reigns vs. Wyatt: “Their differences are varied by nature, but their goals are similar in scope: To do a number on their opponent. With no Wyatt Family members running interference, the advantage should favor Reigns. But I look for Wyatt to turn it up a few notches and score the victory! WINNER: Bray Wyatt”
On Undertaker vs. Lesnar: “There is no love lost between these two iconic figures. When the dust settles, Brock Lesnar will come out the victor, in what should be a match for the ages! WINNER: Brock Lesnar”
Check out more predictions from “The Fink,” as well as Joey Styles, by reading the full article at WWE.com.
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently updated his official blog with his latest thoughts and opinions on a number of current topics. Below are some of the highlights.
On John Cena’s U.S. Challenge on Sunday: “WWE has a golden opportunity, no pun intended, to do some water cooler talk-like business this Sunday at the HIAC event in Los Angeles in the US Title Open Challenge offered up by the title holder John Cena. The table is perfectly set for a challenger to take a giant step in becoming much more relevant if they defeat John Cena for the United States Title. Cena is and will remain WWE’s biggest, full time star no matter the outcome of Sunday’s US Title match but what Cena can do is elevate a talent into the much needed main event sphere of WWE. With Cena stepping away from WWE for a few weeks to apparently tape a new TV show for Fox, or so I’m hearing, giving another wrestler the ‘rub’ elevates the new champion and gives Cena a destination, if desired, when he returns.
I’d love to see WWE take a bold more on this matter come Sunday notwithstanding taking other calculated risks to move additional talents up the ladder. It’s not an impossible feat if one has the courage to pull the trigger and try a new, creative approach. How about Samoa Joe getting the valued, Cena ‘rub?'”
On Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar this Sunday: “Been asked a lot about the outcome of the Lesnar vs. Taker match inside HIAC Sunday and I see Brock winning. Could there be a strong piece of creative waiting in the wings for this match? Will another competitor, or more, get involved? Could Lesnar AND Taker both be left down at the end of Sunday’s show or does that simply defy logic? That could help ‘make’ multiple heels to a large degree. If Lesnar wins and there is an opportunity, do the two warriors shake hands at the end of their battle? No matter the extracurricular stuff than may transpire, I’ve got Lesnar winning the match.”
On Tyler Breeze’s SmackDown debut: “Enjoyed antagonist, Tyler Breeze’s debut Thursday night on Smackdown and the Lance Storm Wrestling Academy product has some viable, old school traits that WWE should be able to monetize. Would WWE be so bold as to have Breeze upset John Cena to become the new WWE Champion Sunday in LA? Stranger things have happened in the biz over the years.”
On Jesse Ventura’s recent comments about him: “Been asked to comment on Jesse Ventura’s recent statements on “Busted Open Radio about working with me. I dropped the ball on that matter and I’m man enough to admit it. I was jealous and frustrated over what Jesse was earning for a few hours of work a week while I was hitting it hard multiple days a week and earning less than half of what he was earning. Just reading that sentence back is embarrassing as I was unnecessarily pissed at the wrong guy. Jesse and I did not have the chemistry that he had with Vince McMahon or Gorilla Monsoon and I did not have the mojo with the Governor that I had with the King, Paul Heyman, Bob Caudle, Jim Cornette and others. I wish we had done better for the fans sake but the failure to do so is on me. I was burning out and the stress and pressure of WCW politics was getting the better of me I’m sad to admit. As a result of that scenario, I soiled the sheets. Life Lesson learned.”
Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
WWE is planning on releasing a new Brock Lesnar DVD and Blu-ray set in 2016, according to a new report from WrestlingDVDNetwork.com. The last Lesnar DVD, “Here Comes The Pain,” came out in 2003 and was re-released as a Collector’s Edition in 2012.
The new Lesnar DVD and Blu-ray fills one of the last two slots on WWE’s 2016 “Home Video” schedule. The set appears to be a compilation of matches and moments, with all-new documentary footage of Lesnar’s life and career.
As previously reported, WWE is also planning on releasing documentary sets on Eric Bischoff, Scott Hall, The Dudley Boyz and possibly Shane McMahon in 2016.
As noted, the match between The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar at this Sunday’s WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view in Los Angeles, California is scheduled to be their final battle.
The current belief is that Lesnar will defeat Undertaker to end their feud due to a run-in by whoever he will feud with next, possibly even the guy he will be feuding with heading into WrestleMania 32. There is no word yet if Lesnar will feud with anyone else between now and next year’s WrestleMania season.
Although no angle was shot between Steve Austin and Lesnar during Monday’s “Stone Cold Podcast,” there are still some clinging to the idea that there has to be a big match at WrestleMania because Vince McMahon wouldn’t blow off a major match like Lesnar vs. Undertaker at a smaller event like Hell In A Cell unless he had something bigger in his back pocket for WrestleMania.
Despite the fact that The Rock also rumored to be facing Lesnar next year, there is no word regarding The Rock appearing at Hell In A Cell on Sunday to shoot an angle.
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently updated his official blog with his latest thoughts and opinions on a number of topics. Below are some of the highlights.
On John Cena possibly losing U.S. title: “Big question is will John Cena anoint someone in the US Title Open Challenge? Great spot to do so with Cena leaving for several weeks after Sunday’s show. Cena will be on ESPN tonight with Jonathan Coachman at 9/8CT.”
On expectations for Hell In A Cell dropping: “This event Sunday has lost a fair amount of luster over the past several weeks build to it but that means that expectations are likely lower than expected which means it could be a sleeper show at the Staples Center.”
On Randy Orton’s injury: “Sorry to hear of Randy Orton’s shoulder issues but he’s had those lingering problems with his shoulder for years. Hopefully Randy can get it repaired in a more permanent manner even if it puts him on the sideline for a while which isn’t a bad thing.”
On Brock Lesnar’s appearance on Stone Cold Podcast: “Thought the Austin-Lesnar piece of business after RAW was good stuff. Both men very natural and at ease with each other which indicates significant mutual respect between to mega stars. If you heard it you heard both Austin and Lesnar being themselves which was refreshing. Organic, pro wrestling presentations are fleeting these days or so seems to me. Good conversation between two of our greatest signees. Great insight as to who Brock Lesnar the man truly is.”
– Austin wrote this one in response to a fan on Twitter who thanked him for not being focused on the hard camera side during his RAW segment on Monday night.
@faketonybasilio I never play to the hard camera. That's what the other guys are for.
The “Stone Cold Podcast” returned on the WWE Network on Monday night following WWE RAW, as “Stone Cold” Steve Austin interviewed “The Beast Incarnate” Brock Lesnar. Below, courtesy of F4WOnline.com is a recap of the show.
The Steve Austin Podcast with Brock Lesnar was interesting. It was an interview that made Lesnar come across as a blue collar guy who, at the same time, is also a smart businessperson while also being somewhat introverted. He said in the interview that he clocks in, clocks out and doesn’t go out of his way to make friends or politic. When going out to cook his favorite food, steak (the first fifteen minutes of the interview was off topic), he likes to see his land, and not any of his neighbors. It’s easy to see why Lesnar doesn’t do these kinds of interviews, so when he does it’s very interesting to see him in this light.
He talked about his early days, watching Little House on the Prairie on TV (no, really) and working on his parent’s farm in South Dakota. They talked about his wrestling days at University of Minnesota and assorted junior colleges. Lesnar talked about how Brad Rheingans broke him into the business once WWE were interested and how Curt Hennig and Big Boss Man taught him the business while on the road. They talk about his first run in the WWE, working with The Rock. In an interesting line, Lesnar said that it was The Rock that taught him to be selfish, and that it was a give and take business. He also mentioned that he was pressured into taking that shooting star press at WrestleMania XIX. Just because he could do something athletic, doesn’t mean he actually wanted to do it.
They talk briefly about the terrible WrestleMania XX match between him and Goldberg. Lesnar said they both wanted out and “didn’t give a shit”. Lesnar flat out said he used the NFL as a scapegoat to leave WWE. After skirting a question concerning the 2005 lawsuit between him and WWE (it’s all water under the bridge) they go into his UFC run for a bit. Lesnar said he met with Dana after entering the Octagon as a spectator after a Gonzaga/Couture match and said he wanted in. That seems like a bit of a stretch. He said he might be still fighting today in the Octagon if it wasn’t for the diverticulitis. He talked about getting sick in Canada and travelling back to the states to see a doctor.
They capped it off by talking about current WWE topics. Austin mentions breaking the streak and Lesnar said that some people didn’t like that, but did anyone else have the credentials to beat Undertaker? He’s not good at promos, but that’s what Heyman is there for – he’s gotta feed the Jew (his words, not mine). Austin asks about Hell in a Cell and Lesnar goes into kind of worked shoot mode, saying he has gripes with the Undertaker and didn’t like how their last match turned out, so he promises carnage at Hell in the Cell.
There were a few other topics discussing, including comparing Dana and Vince (which Lesnar really doesn’t do because Austin went to the next question rather quickly), a rant on millennials, getting sick in Canada and nearly requiring surgery, Austin’s walkout in 2002 and how that was maybe a two way street deal, and his fights with Heath Herring and Randy Couture. Again, a pretty interesting interview that’s worth your time. If you don’t like off topic banter, though, I recommend skipping the first 15 minutes or so.
– Chris Jericho and his band Fozzy are scheduled to begin a 22-date tour, most of which will take place in Europe and the U.K. Jericho took to Twitter to post the following regarding his WWE status after working the WWE tour of Mexico this past weekend.
Gracias #WWEMonterrey & thanks #WWEUniverse for being so damn amazing! Just had my last @wwe match for awhile,so goodbye…but only for now!??
– WWE posted the following video promo for tonight’s “Stone Cold Podcast,” which features Steve Austin and Brock Lesnar and airs on the WWE Network immediately following tonight’s WWE RAW.
– Above is the official preview for next week’s Stone Cold Podcast, with Brock Lesnar joining him backstage Monday night. This will air on the WWE Network following Raw.
– Before Raw in Rosemont, Illinois on Monday, Jack Swagger beat Adam Rose, and Stardust beat Fandango in matches for Superstars.
Former WWE Women’s champion Victoria was sitting ringside for most of the show.
Paul Heyman’s Heyman Hustle website has released the full behind-the-scenes video from last weekend’s WWE Network special from Madison Square Garden in New York City.
The video shows Heyman and Brock Lesnar leading up to the match with Big Show, including the two of them taking meetings with Vince McMahon and the Dolan family, which owns the Madison Square Garden Company. Also included is post-match footage.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:
WWE’s Booking of Seth Rollins:
“Funny how some people confuse Seth Rollins role of a chickens!t heel to being ‘booked weak.’ It’s obvious to me that Rollins is following a HBK path to some degree meaning that he will be a helluva fan favorite in time. Let’s not rush it.”
Brock Lesnar’s Appearance on RAW:
“Thought Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman were somewhat underutilized Monday night in a subdued, or so it seemed, Boston. Why can’t a disrespectful heel wanting to make a name for himself interrupting a Heyman promo and then Lesnar then takes matters into his own hands and woodsheds some poor bastard to provide the fans some hint of physicality? The Taker vs. Brock HIAC match is tepid at best since their Summer Slam match which had a unique finish that isn’t talked about enough IMO.”
The New Day:
“Big fan of the New Day trio and hope that they can become the heels WWE seemingly desires but it won’t be easy but it’s also not impossible. It’s going to take work and being smart especially on how the talents themselves execute in the ring.”
The Monday, October 5th edition of WWE RAW, which featured an appearance by Brock Lesnar and the fallout from the Madison Square Garden special, drew 3.378 million viewers.
By comparison, last week’s edition of RAW drew 3.333 million viewers.
WWE RAW finished third in the night on cable television, trailing SportsCenter and Monday Night Football.
The hourly viewership breakdown for this week’s show is as follows:
Hour One: 3.473 million viewers
Hour Two: 3.494 million viewers
Hour Three: 3.167 million viewers
In addition to the Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker “Final Chapter” match and the Seth Rollins vs. Kane match with the WWE title or Kane’s “corporate duties” on the line, WWE announced another title match for this month’s WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view.
In tag-team title action, The Dudley Boyz will look to become ten-time champions in WWE as they battle the current WWE Tag-Team Champions The New Day at the event scheduled for the Staples Center in L.A.
WWE Hell In A Cell 2015 takes place on Sunday, October 25, 2015 at the Staples Center in Los Angeles, California. Make sure to join us here on 10/25 for the best Hell In A Cell coverage on the web!
What went down behind the scenes this past Saturday night at WWE’s special live event from Madison Square Garden? We’re going to find out this Thursday, exclusively via Paul Heyman’s Heyman Hustle website.
Until then .. We get a preview, a glimpse at what the Heyman Hustle team cooked up in the hallowed halls of The Garden. Check back Thursday.
Alfred Konuwa of Forbes.com has an article looking at Brock Lesnar’s win over Big Show at the WWE MSG Network special last night, and the author calls the victory a “meaningful triumph.”
“WWE’s strong short-term booking of veteran talents has proven successful in the past,” he wrote. “The aforementioned Mark Henry was thought to have been finished in 2013. So much so, he delivered a convincing retirement speech before mauling John Cena, which led to a WWE Championship match at WWE Money in the Bank. That match helped the pay-per-view amass 199,000 buys, up from the figure of 188,000 from the year prior.
“Despite wrestling Big Show several times in the past, and Big Show being past his prime, the Lesnar-Big-Show tilt at Madison Square Garden still carried value. In a spot-on backstage interview prior to the match, Heyman hailed the match as special. With Lesanr set to appear on Raw multiple times in October, including tomorrow night in Boston, WWE should see a healthy rebound from record-low ratings last week.”