WWE has added the latest sit-down interview between Michael Cole and Triple H to their official YouTube channel. The official description for the interview, which you can view above, reads as follows:
“The WWE COO gives a preview of what to expect at NXT Takeover, including Charlotte vs. Natalya for the NXT Women’s Title and the NXT Championship Match between Adrian Neville and Tyson Kidd.”
– Triple H will be hosting a conference call on Wednesday to promote Thursday’s NXT Takeover special on the WWE Network.
– Former WWE Superstar Romeo Roselli will be playing one of the main characters in “Jersey Shore Massacre,” which is scheduled to hit theaters in late-August.
Currently there are three matches officially announced for the upcoming WWE Payback pay-per-view on June 1st in Chicago, Illinois. Those matches are The Shield vs. Evolution in a No Holds Barred Elimination match, John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt in a Last Man Standing match and Bad News Barrett vs. Rob Van Dam for the WWE Intercontinental Championship.
Other matches likely for WWE Payback include The Usos vs. Luke Harper & Erick Rowan for the WWE Tag-Team Championships, Paige vs. Alicia Fox for the WWE Divas Championship, Sheamus vs. Cesaro for the WWE United States Championship, Adam Rose vs. Jack Swagger, Rusev vs. Big E. and Summer Rae vs. Layla with Fandango as special guest referee.
As far as the No Holds Barred Elimination main event, a possible scenario being considered is one that would see Dean Ambrose and Seth Rollins eliminated early, leaving Roman Reigns to make a huge comeback on all three Evolution members by himself.
The match will be Batista’s final match in WWE for several months, and based on plans for the future, could be one of Triple H’s last for a while as well.
As previously reported, Stephanie McMahon recently did some sight-seeing in Rome, Italy, as she traveled overseas to be part of the current WWE European tour. McMahon actually worked an in-ring segment at the WWE live event in Rome earlier today, making a rare international live event appearance.
Meanwhile, back in the states, Triple H was in New York City, New York on Thursday to attend the NBCUniversal up-fronts and announce WWE’s new television deal.
It’s being said that Triple H is in kind of a rough position when it comes to talent relations for WWE. Basically, Vince McMahon is still the guy making all of the final calls, and because he’s known to change his mind so often, HHH is basically forced to go to talent multiple times, explaining that what he had told them previously was no longer happening.
Despite being in the rough situation, it’s being said that Triple H is still viewed as “one of us” to a lot of the talent in the company.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
– NXT stars Bo Dallas and Adrian Neville are on the current WWE European tour. Neville defeated Dallas at the live event last night in Glasgow, Scotland.
– Triple H and Stephanie McMahon arrived in Rome early on Wednesday to do some sight-seeing before the WWE tour kicked off with the live event in Glasgow.
– With Daniel Bryan off of the European tour, the new main event was scheduled to be Randy Orton vs. Roman Reigns in some markets and Big Show vs. Kane in a “Last Man Standing” in others. With Reigns suffering an injury last night against Orton, it’s unknown whether or not those matches will continue as planned.
The latest edition of Michael Cole’s sit-down interview series, which again features Triple H, has been added to the official YouTube channel of WWE.
In the latest installment, the WWE COO discusses the WWE World Heavyweight Championship situation with Daniel Bryan needing surgery, Kane’s recent attacks and the upcoming definitive confrontation between The Shield and Evolution at the WWE Payback pay-per-view on June 1st.
Hunter said “it remains to be seen” if The Authority swill vacate the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, but we’ll have a “definitive answer” on RAW, after Bryan’s neck surgery. He then knocked Bryan for not being an “A-Plus Player” and questioned if these are “the kind of rigors that a little B-Plus Player like Daniel Bryan can withstand.”
As previously reported, WWE has plans for a Cesaro baby face push in the future. The general consensus is that when Cesaro eventually splits from Paul Heyman, he will enter into a program with Brock Lesnar, one that could possibly take place as one of the main events at this year’s SummerSlam pay-per-view.
Another idea for SummerSlam, while not yet confirmed, and is actually up in the air based on how things turn out for The Shield, is a Roman Reigns vs. Triple H main event at SummerSlam.
The idea seems to be that Cesaro goes over on Lesnar and Reigns goes over on HHH at SummerSlam, with the mindset being it would help elevate them to top-tier baby face status.
It’s worth noting that when WWE maps things out that far in advance, that plans change a lot as everything is a moving target that tends to change on a month-to-month basis.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
The following are highlights of a recent Jim Ross Q&A update:
On the reason WWE is so overprotective of John Cena: “Protecting someone in Cena’s position isn’t something that is new but one could argue in hindsight that WWE might have gone too far with it on Sunday night.”
On the Daniel Bryan vs. Kane match at Extreme Rules: “Both men really worked hard and if one likes stunts and special effects of a match they provided it.”
On the team of Shelton Benjamin and Charlie Haas: “Very good in ring team who arguably were underutilized in hindsight.”
On whether or not guys like Triple H & CM Punk were pushed by WWE because they aren’t drug addicts: “It’s a common sense and professional matter….abusing drugs simply makes no sense and the unprofessional and childish behavior of the party boy group never helped any company. HHH was a model locker room talent from day one.”
Check out more JR Q&A updates at JRsBarBQ.com. You can also order JR’s Bar-B-Q products online at WWEShop.com.
The following are highlights of a new interview with Maria Kanellis:
On Triple H: “Anybody that wants to say it is the Yes Movement better also remember who the boss is, and who’s the one making the decisions now. And I think that Triple H doesn’t necessarily get as much credit as he deserves, because he is the on building up that NXT, he’s the one that has made it a hub and place for wrestling to grow and get better and better.”
On CM Punk: “Punk came in, changed everybody’s mind. Then management started listening. Management went, ‘Oh, he know’s how to get over.’ Because he knows the people, because he’s been working in front of the people for 9 years now.”
On Squashing the Feud with the Bella Twins: “I actually and done with that part of my life. I talked to Nikki the other day. We’re cool. Like its funny, I don’t think I knew all the facts. I think people were telling me things that weren’t necessarily true. I wanted to be done with it. So, one day I just texted her and was like, ‘hey, I don’t know what happened, but I’m sorry.’ And she responded back and she’s like ‘I understand, you know things happen.’ She was super cool about it. And we’re done with that. Like, I’m an honest person, and when I find out I’m wrong, I’m wrong.”
On Being Stranded on the Side of the Road, and Being Rescued by the Hardy Boyz: “I got pulled over on the way to a show, and the guy took my car away from me (she did not realize she had a speeding ticket out that had not been paid). Here I was with my rental car and they took it away from me, they said I couldn’t drive. I was like ok, cool. The cop leaves me on the side of the road. Me, my two big bags, and my dog Gemini. Here I am on the side of the road. Here comes the Hardy Boyz! Flying down the highway. I get a phone call, ‘Maria, was that you on the side of the road?’ Yeah, it was me. Matt was on the phone. Matt’s like, ‘We’re coming to get ya!’ I’m like, ‘Ok good!’ Here comes Matt, picks me up, and we keep going. So, The Hardy’s are my angels.”
On Nancy Grace: “The Nancy Grace’s of the world are so behind of the times. Holy crap. And how can you be so disrespectful? I mean, how can you be so rude? Like, here this man comes on to talk about a friend, and then you’re going to do that to him? I mean she’s just an evil, evil woman.”
Check out the complete interview at WrestlingOpinion.com.
According to one source, WWE has an offer on the table for Ric Flair to come back and appear on WWE television on a more frequent basis, but that Flair needs to “dot his I’s, cross his T’s and get his house in order.”
While it’s not exactly clear what that refers to, most assume it means Flair needs to tie up some loose ends in his personal life before becoming a regular on WWE programming again.
It’s being said that if Flair does end up coming back on a regular basis, it’s likely that he’ll be involved with guys like Triple H and Randy Orton going forward.
(Credit: PWInsider.com)
The latest WWE sit-down interview has been released on YouTube and features Renee Young talking to Triple H.
Young asks HHH about Kane’s recent actions, Ric Flair endorsing The Shield on RAW on Monday and Evolution’s upcoming battle at Extreme Rules this Sunday.
You can check out the complete interview above.
Following Monday’s Extreme Rules “go-home” edition of WWE RAW, here is your latest official WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view lineup for this Sunday night.
WWE World Heavyweight Championship
– Daniel Bryan (c) vs. Kane
Faction vs. Faction
– Evolution vs. The Shield
WWE Intercontinental Championship
– Big E. (c) vs. Bad News Barrett
WWE Divas Championship
– Paige (c) vs. Tamina Snuka
Steel Cage Match
– John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt
Handicap Match
– Alexander Rusev vs. R-Truth & Xavier Woods
Pre-Show “WeeLC Match”
– Hornswoggle vs. El Torito
Rumored
– Rob Van Dam vs. Cesaro vs. Jack Swagger
Make sure to join us here this Sunday night for the absolute best live WWE Extreme Rules results coverage.
– Episode four of Roddy Piper’s new “Piper’s Pit” podcast is now online. The official description for the show reads as follows:
PP-Ep4 – Joe V & The Grappler
“Rowdy Roddy Piper welcomes Joe V from Portland TV morning show “Good Day Oregon” and his buddy, The Grappler aka Len Denton. More wrestling stories and info on the book about The Grappler’s life and career as written by Joe V.”
You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.
– Triple H confirmed via his official Twitter account that WWE Hall Of Famer and former Evolution member Ric Flair will return on tonight’s edition of WWE RAW. HHH tweeted the following on Monday afternoon:
The greatest of all time…… Tonight
#RAW @RicFlairNatrBoy pic.twitter.com/mwJdbxoda0
— Triple H (@TripleH) April 28, 2014
– Triple H recently tweeted the following about last night’s NXT tapings and the upcoming NXT Takeover special, which airs live on the WWE Network on May 29th.
Thank you @WWENXT @FullSail …great night….great crowd
Now get ready…May 29 #NXTTakeOver LIVE on WWE Network
— Triple H (@TripleH) April 25, 2014
– The latest edition of the “JBL & Cole Show” has been added to the official WWE YouTube channel. You can check that out below.
– Next week’s edition of WrestleMania Rewind, which airs on Tuesday night on the WWE Network, will take a look back at the WrestleMania 24 match between Floyd Mayweather and Big Show.
– The following is a video of Triple H making the announcement for the second live NXT special, “NXT Takeover,” which will air live on the WWE Network on May 29th from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida.
– Below is a photo of Triple H holding his NXT talent meeting in Florida earlier tonight:
– The following is the WWE Extreme Rules “All Access Pass” video, which comes courtesy of WWE’s official YouTube channel:
The following is a non-spoiler match listing for this week’s edition of WWE SmackDown, which was taped on April 22nd in Hershey, Pennsylvania, and will air this Friday, April 25th on the SyFy Network.
– “The Great Debate” between Paul Heyman and Cesaro.
– Cesaro vs. Jack Swagger
– Natalya vs. Tamina Snuka
– Curtis Axel vs. Jey Uso
– Luke Harper & Erick Rowan vs. Goldust & Cody Rhodes
– Fandango & Layla vs. Santino Marella & Emma
– The Shield vs. 11 WWE Superstars
For a complete WWE SmackDown spoiler report for this week, click ahead to page two …
The key objective in WWE doing a feud between The Shield and the reunited Evolution faction is apparently to establish Roman Reigns as a top singles competitor and get him into a match with Triple H.
As previously reported, the original idea is for the rumored HHH vs. Reigns bout to take place at SummerSlam, although there is a possibility that it won’t happen until Hell In A Cell or Survivor Series, depending on how long the story between the two plays out.
(Credit: PWInsider.com)
The following are photos of the original “Kliq” members reuniting backstage at the WWE Hall Of Fame ceremony in New Orleans on Saturday night.
The Kliq reunited #WWEHOF
#wwe #WrestleMania #Axxess #WM30 #WrestleMania30 #KLIQ
@MBoone420 @RyanClarkWZR pic.twitter.com/qD2CHb9xla
— Jorge Romero (@Jromer0) April 6, 2014
Another candid photo of the Kliq backstage #WWEHOF
#WWE #WWENetwork #WrestleMania30 @MBoone420 @RyanClarkWZR pic.twitter.com/50tUFxKnd4
— Jorge Romero (@Jromer0) April 6, 2014
Additionally, here’s a shot of Hall backstage waiting to go out on stage at the WWE Hall Of Fame ceremony.
Scott hall looking on backstage #WWEHOF
#wwe #WWENetwork #WrestleMania30
@MBoone420 @RyanClarkWZR pic.twitter.com/TqM4pMBHVN
— Jorge Romero (@Jromer0) April 6, 2014
For a full report from the WWE Hall Of Fame 2014 ceremony, CLICK HERE.
– According to a recent draft, the matches that WWE is planning on giving ample time at WrestleMania XXX on Sunday are Triple H vs. Daniel Bryan, John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt and the WWE World Heavyweight Championship main event. The Brock Lesnar vs. Undertaker match will also likely receive a decent amount of time. According to the draft, Bryan vs. HHH is scheduled to go longer than any match on the show.
– The following is a photo of WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley in the ring at the WWE NXT event at WrestleMania Axxess in New Orleans this weekend:
Mick foley at NXT Event at #Axxess
#WrestleMania #WWE #WWEHOF #WrestleMania30 @MBoone420 @RyanClarkWZR pic.twitter.com/4xokkqflgJ
— Jorge Romero (@Jromer0) April 5, 2014
The following are highlights of a Best Of New Orleans interview with Jim Ross:
On what we can expect at his one-man shows on Thursday: “I’ll do a succinct open, to get everybody up to speed on my career, and then we go right into the questions-and-answers. Fans can ask any question they choose. No topic is off limits — I call it a no-holds-barred Q&A — and the questions lead to stories. I’m not a stand-up comedian, but a lot of the stories are organically humorous, so there will be a lot of laughs. The questions make every show different, and I think that’s better than a long monologue. Each show has its own personality, its own tone, tenor and uniqueness. I don’t work off a teleprompter or script. I’m still a wrestling fan, been one my entire life, so I like spontaneity and improvisation.”
“I think my story is motivational in spirit for some. I was raised as an only child on a 160-acre farm in East Oklahoma, not a child of privilege by any stretch of the imagination. A guy from Oklahoma, with a Southern accent, who had three Bell’s Palsy attacks that left me with paralysis around my mouth — that guy isn’t supposed to be successful, especially on television.”
“So we have comedy, history lessons, some motivation. And the audience is just as involved as I am, asking questions and stimulating banter. It’s gonna be a fun night. For the VIP ticket holders, after the show I’ll do a meet & greet and talk to them one on one. And you know I’m gonna bring down all the barbecue sauces, the mustard, ketchup, jerky, so we’ll have those on hand as well.”
On his pick for the sleeper match at WrestleMania XXX: “Because of what’s at stake and the two guys in it, I think the Triple H/Daniel Bryan match could very well be the show-stealer on that card. I expect that match to go on early, so the audience is going to be fresher, full of “P & V.” Then the fact that there’s something definitive at stake as relates to the winner. [The winner gets a title shot later that night.] You have a destination, you have a reason, you have two highly talented guys that have so much professional pride. I think that Triple H/Bryan match is one that will tell a very compelling story. It’s not the beginning or ending chapter; another chapter will be written later in the night. But it’s got a chance to be a great match.”
On his biggest learning curve while doing his podcast: “What I’ve learned is to have a basic outline of things that you want to address, but don’t work from a script. Leave yourself the flexibility to deviate from your GPS — you’re still gonna get to the destination. You want the podcast to be entertaining and informative, but don’t overscript; that takes the spontaneity out of it. It’s the same as my live shows. It’s better being more conversational, more one-on-one and personal. Podcasting has been a real fun venture. I’m enjoying it, it’s a good way to stay connected to the business.”
“When I left WWE in September 2013, I’d been there a little over 20 years, and in the business 40. I’m 62, I thought maybe I’ll slow down a little bit — but I enjoy being busy, being active, being around people.”
“The one-man shows, the podcasts, the project for Fox, the family brand of food products — it keeps me out of mischief.”
Check out the complete interview at BestOfNewOrleans.com.
WWE recently issued a survey to fans regarding new potential WWE video games that could be released online in the future. Details on those games are as follows:
1. Trouble always seems to find a way to the WWE Universe! Play as either John Cena or Daniel Bryan and go off on an adventure to rescue the Bella Twins, who have been kidnapped by the evil Mr. McMahon. Venture through 50 stages to rescue the Twins, grabbing extra powers and goodies over land, water, air, and fire along the way!
2.A turn-based combat role-playing game where you can assemble and lead teams of Superstars and Divas-your mission is to protect the WWE Universe from the clutches of evil wrestlers from another dimension!
3. You’re the boss! Manage the ultimate team of WWE Superstars. Pick your wrestlers, train them, and have them fight your friends and other opponents in the ring!
4. The WWE Universe is way too big for just one Superstar! Collect a series of WWE Superstar action figures, each with unique abilities that unlock certain challenges and portals, and bring them to life on the big screen via your game console. Only you can put the right Superstar against the right challenge to save the WWE Universe. Put the action figures “in the ring” and let the adventures begin!
5. Join an epic adventure with the Angry Birds in the WWE Universe! Use your favorite wrestling moves and slingshot your way through an action-packed journey from WrestleMania to Royal Rumble, facing the biggest WWE Superstars of all time! Can you become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion with the help of the Angry Birds?
– Independent pro wrestler Steven Walters, who frequently works for Anarchy Wrestling out of Cornelia, Georgia, has signed a developmental deal with WWE. He is expected to start with the company in Orlando in mid-April.
– Chris Harrington recently compiled a list of the 20 wrestlers who have appeared in the most WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-view matches in history. That list looks as follows:
1. The Undertaker 161
2. HHH 158
3. Big Show 156
4. Kane 155
5. Chris Jericho 149
6. Rey Mysterio 129
7. John Cena 124
8. Edge 123
9. Booker T 119
10. Randy Orton and Shawn Michaels 114
12. Chris Benoit 113
13. Ric Flair 105
14. Christian and Steve Austin 90
16. Dustin Rhodes aka Goldust 90
17. Sting 83 and Lex Luger 83
19. Hulk Hogan and C.M. Punk 82
– Part two of Chris Jericho’s two-part interview with Rob Van Dam on his “Talk Is Jericho” podcast is now available. You can check that out at PodcastOne.com.
– As previously reported, New England Patriots star Rob Gronkowski attended the recent WWE NXT television taping. The official WWE website has video of Triple H meeting the NFL star, which you can check out at WWE.com.
– Former WWE Diva and soon-to-be WWE Hall Of Famer Amy “Lita” Dumas has launched an official Facebook page. You can follow Dumas on Facebook at Facebook.com.