Bubba Ray Dudley recently appeared as a guest on Live Audio Wrestling and discussed possibly playing his heel character in WWE, The New Day, James Storm’s NXT debut and more. Below are some of the highlights.
Bringing Bully Ray to WWE:
“If WWE came to me and they told me that is something that they wanted to try out I would be more than happy to go down that road since I know I’ve done it in the past & I know I’ve done it in the past well. So I definitely think it could work.”
New Day balancing being entertaining and playing heels:
“I think when I go out there I go out there with a totally different mentality. My mentality is a little bit more old school and I think my mentality doesn’t exactly fit perfectly into what the WWE would want out of a ‘villain’ or ‘good guy’. What they want is entertainment and the New Day are entertaining and that’s the very first thing you need to be in the WWE. So if you’re entertaining and the people hate you that’s fine. And if you’re entertaining and the people love you that’s fine – as long as you’re entertaining.”
James Storm’s debut on NXT:
“Storm is a really great in-ring wrestler. He is really accomplished on the microphone. He is one of the guys that I worked with from Day One when I was in TNA. He was part of a very successful tag team. He did well on his own. He has a lot of years of knowledge & I think he can only help down there in NXT.”
Possible relationship between WWE and Team 3-D Academy:
“It’s definitely something that me and D-Von have thought about in the past. We’re very proud of our school, the Team 3-D Academy. Our school is a traditional school where if someone off the street wants to become a professional wrestler they come to us and we train them and hopefully they can move on to bigger things. Only 20 minutes away is the WWE Performance Center. So if they were ever interested in possibly getting together and having something like a minor league feeder system we would definitely be interested in talking to them about something like that.”
– WWE Diva and Total Divas star Rosa Mendes noted on social media on Tuesday night that the WWE television tapings this week was her last WWE event for a few months. Mendes is expecting her first child in February of 2016.
– James Storm sent Stephanie McMahon a random tweet on Tuesday, complimenting her on how her hair looks in the new WWE 2K16 video game. Storm’s original tweet read, “Your hair is on point,” and his newer tweet reads as follows:
There is still no confirmation from within WWE regarding who is scheduled to answer John Cena’s “U.S. Open Challenge” at tonight’s WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view, however the strongest rumor making the rounds is that Samoa Joe will be the man to challenge Cena.
At last word, Joe was in Sacramento, California for the NXT events at the Aftershock tour, but it would only take a quick flight to get him to L.A. for Hell In A Cell if necessary.
Tyler Breeze is another rumor, as it would set up Breeze vs. Dolph Ziggler for the U.S. title, which has been talked about.
With that being said, multiple WWE sources have claimed James Storm, Tyler Breeze and Samoa Joe will not be the ones to answer Cena’s “U.S. Open Challenge” this evening.
Another rumor is Sheamus, as Sheamus vs. Cena is currently being advertised for the WWE live events that Cena is booked to appear on after returning from his scheduled hiatus.
Finally, there has been talk going around that Daniel Bryan could be the man to answer the challenge, as he is rumored to be in Los Angeles today, and is rumored to be officially cleared to return to the ring.
Make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com later this evening for WWE Hell In A Cell live coverage.
The official WWE website recently spoke with former TNA Champion and new NXT star James Storm. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On how the conversation of him coming to NXT began: “It came about because I’m good friends with Road Dogg and Billy Gunn. They put it in Triple H’s ear that I was free and clear of all contracts, to see if there’s some interest there. I actually called Road Dogg to see if it was OK that I went up to the NXT Nashville show not too long ago. He said, “Yeah, just try to stay out of sight.” So, I stayed in the locker room. There were reports that I was sitting in the front row at an NXT show, and I didn’t deny that I was there. I just said, “I saw the reports and I’m sorry, but that was not me sitting in the front row.” [Laughs.]
Then, [WWE Performance Center Head Coach] Matt Bloom pulled me aside and asked if I was available to come down that Wednesday and Thursday to Orlando. I went down and talked to Triple H at the NXT TakeOver: Respect special. Then the next night, he asked if I was willing to appear, and I said yes.”
On what it was like walking into the NXT locker room in Nashville for the first time: “I really didn’t know what to expect because I didn’t know if these guys were looking at me, going, “Here’s a guy coming in, trying to take my job.” Basically, that’s what I’m doing. I’m trying to find me a spot. I learned a long time ago that you don’t have to worry about your spot if you’re doing your job right. But all the guys were so cool. All of them came up to me; a couple of them made me feel kinda old, like, “Hey, I used to watch you 10 years ago.” [Laughs.] But nobody said a negative word or gave me a dirty look, or anything like that. Everybody was super-cool and actually welcoming me in with open arms.”
On when we will see him back in NXT or even WWE: “That’s the million-dollar question. That’s not really up to me. My job is to go out and get myself over, as they say. And it’s up to what we call “the suits” to make the decision of whether to bring me back to NXT or the WWE main roster. I get so many people all the time saying, “We want to see you and Bray Wyatt go at it on the microphone.” I always say that you never know what’s going to happen in wrestling. And I just take one day at a time.”
WWE’s Canyon Ceman has been informing up-and-coming talent looking to make it to WWE that they should “make themselves an indy star.”
According to Ceman, talent will have a “low chance of getting in through a second tryout,” so they better make their first tryout (if they are lucky enough to get one) count.
Independent talent, at one time, was looked down upon within WWE with the feeling that the style didn’t translate to WWE’s style. Over the years this mentality has changed greatly due to fan’s preference. Originally the company would prefer to train the bigger and higher quality athletes from the get-go.
As seen on Wednesday night’s edition of NXT TV, former TNA World Champion James Storm made his official debut, defeating Danny Burch with the 8-Second Ride. It was mentioned on commentary that Storm has been “working the indies for the past 15 years.”
In the following video, Storm talks to Tom Phillips after making his debut. He says that the fans chanting that he belongs in NXT reminded him of his mom giving him support. He closes with his catchphrase, saying he’s in NXT now and if nobody likes it, “he’s sorry about their damn luck!”
James Storm confirmed via social media that the TNA World Title Series tournament was not planned ahead of time. Storm confirmed that fact when responding to a fake Jim Ross account on Twitter.
TNA had the tournament planned for a while. The matches were originally taped for a TNA One Night Only pay-per-view event, however when TNA managed to get an extension with Destination America, they decided to use those matches for Impact Wrestling instead. Unless they can get another extension, or reach a new agreement of some kind, they will be off the cable network in February.
WWE Hall of Fame announcer Jim Ross thinks former TNA star James Storm should jump on the opportunity to join WWE. He’s also working on his long-awaited autobiography. Here are some highlights from an entry in his blog where he discusses these subjects:
On WWE potentially signing James Storm and Bobby Roode:
I’d encourage James Storm to join WWE if the opportunity is there and not ever have to look back some day and say “What if?’ It’s smart of wWE to retain the services of a guy like storm and even a Bobby Roode to see if they can find their way onto the main roster and to help the younger talents to improve their in ring game. ‘Green’ can’t improve with working primarily with other ‘green’ talent. Guys like Storm and Roode, among others, can help build a better overall WWE brand by being there to work with the rookies. This process will take away some of the sting of not having wrestling Territories.
On his autobiography:
Working on our autobiography this week and we are in the territory stage of my career. Many good memories and quite the learning experience for me. The territory experience that I had established my foundation for which I built a 40 year career upon. The erosion of the wrestling territories has been a huge issue as it relates to the growth of pro wrestling and the startling lack of main event, ‘over’ talents in the business today. The Territories won’t return as in having a weekly schedule of towns, producing a local only, quality TV show. WWE is smart to be aligning itself with various indy groups to help them continue to find skilled talent to bring into NXT.
With TV ratings declining and Vince McMahon taking full control of his company once again, it appears he is opening up to the idea of putting TNA wrestlers on WWE TV. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that Vince has softened his stance on bringing in TNA talent, which as of earlier this year was that it would not be done.
With Samoa Joe and James Storm appearing on NXT, it appears the company is using the WWE Network-exclusive show as a platform to transition wrestlers from “TNA guys” to “WWE guys.” Storm is still appearing on TNA on cable TV, as the matches were taped back in July.
Joe and Storm are reportedly there to help add some experience to the upcoming NXT tours. You can expect to see them continue to be paired up with more inexperienced wrestlers in the ring. The two former TNA stars have yet to be earmarked for the main roster.
James Storm made an impact last week when he attended NXT Takeover: Respect and then made his NXT in-ring the following night at the NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University.
It turns out that it was actually Billy Gunn who was instrumental in Storm working with WWE. The two are good friends behind the scenes and as a trainer at the WWE Performance Center, Gunn helped open the lines of communication between the two sides.
There had been some reports that TNA made a last minute ‘big money’ offer to get Storm back, but PWInsider states that TNA simply reached out to Storm in hopes of getting him to join their upcoming tour of India, without any promises of a bump in pay.
Despite appearing at NXT TV tapings, ProWrestlingSheet.com is reporting that Storm has not signed a contract with WWE. WWE officials are trying to get Storm to sign a deal similar to Samoa Joe’s initial contract. WWE is interested in Storm working the next set of NXT TV tapings later this month.
There are two versions of TNA’s reaction to Storm’s NXT appearance once they got wind of it. One report has TNA offering Storm two seperate deals with two separate pay increases, while PWInsider.com reports that the company simply reached out in hopes of getting him to join their upcoming tour of India with no pay raise.
– James Storm indicated that fans will be seeing more of him in NXT after his surprise appearance recently. Storm posted the following on social media:
https://instagram.com/p/8rJpQ4CATV/
– The latest WWE-endorsed “UpUpDownDown” YouTube video from Xavier Woods features Woods getting back into Five Night’s at Freddy’s 2, which is the second installment of 4 FNAF games:
– Tonight’s Reality of Wrestling TV taping, which is promoted by Booker T, will reunite some of the former WCW Nitro Girls. Booker’s wife Sharmell was better known as Nitro Girl Storm. Reality of Wrestling tweeted “#WCW Nitro Girls REUNITE for the first time ever at tonight’s LIVE TV TAPING! Tix available at the door, 6:30pm.”
– Tyler Breeze will be in St. Louis and Bloomington, Illinois this weekend while on the road with WWE’s main roster.
After making a surprise appearance at Thursday’s NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University, it’s being reported by Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheetthat Storm has yet to sign a deal with WWE – and TNA is still very interested in bringing their former World Champion back in.
Last week TNA offered Storm a substantial pay increase, however Storm visited the NXT live event in Nashville last Friday and was then invited to Takeover: Respect on Wednesday. Storm spoke with WWE officials while there which led to his debut at last night’s taping.
Though there was no contract signed before or after last night’s match, WWE officials are reportedly interested in signing Storm to a deal similar to that of Samoa Joe’s, which would allow him to continue working independent shows.
WWE officials indicated they may in fact want Storm at the next set of NXT TV tapings set for later this month.
Storm is reportedly considering his options right now, as TNA officials reached out to Storm on Thursday morning after reports came out that he was at Takeover. TNA reportedly offered Storm even more money to re-sign this week, however he has yet to sign the dotted line.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com and commented on the news that former TNA World champion James Storm made his NXT debut at last night’s tapings from Full Sail University.
JR commended WWE for bringing in the former TNA Champion and said his former Beer Money tag team partner Bobby Roode should be next:
“Great get by WWE to swoop up James Storm as he debuted at NXT Thursday night in Orlando. James is a top hand who can work on any roster against any opponent and most importantly can teach, coach and mentor the pups.
I’d love to see WWE hire Bobby Roode too as he’s a modern day Arn Anderson, high praise, and can do the same, positive things that the Cowboy can do. If NXT is going to become WWE’s third, touring brand then adding guys like Storm and Roode makes a ton of sense. James was my guest in Knoxville at RINGSIDE w/ Jim Ross Show and we discussed his possible tenure in WWE if an offer can through. I’m happy that it did.”
Former TNA World Champion James Storm made his NXT debut Thursday night’s TV tapings from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. Click here to see video from the appearance. Storm tweeted the following after the show:
Former TNA World Heavyweight champion James Storm made his NXT debut at Thursday night’s TV tapings from Full Sail University. He competed against Danny Burch in a match that airs next Wednesday on the WWE Network.
Storm attended last night’s NXT Takeover: Respect event and it’s been reported that WWE is looking to use him in a player/coach type role.
WWE.com is now covering the story, referring to Storm as a top international star, an 18-year veteran and former heavyweight champion. WWE COO Triple H also acknowledged Storm’s debut:
– Although he hasn’t been a character on television in what seems like forever, Zeb Colter is still under contract to WWE. Colter is currently listed as “out of action” with the reason listed being that he is recovering from surgery.
– Former TNA star James Storm has been in talks with WWE as of late regarding a possible role as a player/coach kind of figure in NXT. If he were to get the job, he would be working matches as a talent in the company, but would also work to help some of WWE’s up-and-coming developmental talent.
– WWE has inked a new deal with Pez. The candy company is scheduled to make brand new Pez dispensers using the likeness of such WWE stars as John Cena, The Rock and The Undertaker.
Former TNA World Champion James Storm is at Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida — site of tonight’s NXT Takeover: Respect event.
Storm was spotted in the crowd at last week’s NXT live event from Nashville and there have been rumors going around all day that Storm has been spotted in Orlando.
Rob McCarron of the “Shake Them Ropes” podcast has since posted this photo of Storm arriving at Full Sail University with Billy Gunn. McCarron noted that other sources have backed up Storm being at Full Sail. No word on him making an appearance on camera, but his presence is certainly newsworthy.
Brian Fritz of the Sporting News previously reported that Storm requested to be released from his contract on June 25 in Orlando, Florida while taping upcoming episodes of Impact Wrestling and had it granted.
Storm had been with TNA since its inception in June 2002. He, along with Abyss, were the company’s only remaining original members.
Primarily a tag team wrestler, Storm has held 13 tag team championships during his time with TNA, winning the NWA World Tag Team Championship a record seven times and the TNA World Tag Team Championship a record six times. On October 18, 2011, Storm won his first and only world title when he defeated Kurt Angle to capture the TNA World Heavyweight Championship.
– Jeremy Borash took to social media to promote the new “Digital Originals” that TNA Wrestling will be releasing online. A commercial for the new online programs will air during tonight’s edition of Impact Wrestling on Destination America.
– Speaking of tonight’s edition of Impact Wrestling, the show will feature the return of Jeff Hardy, Brooke Tessmacher defending the TNA Knockouts Championship against Marti Belle, James Storm and Serena will team up to take on Mickie James and Magnus, Eric Young will go one-on-one with Chris Melendez, and we will have the TNA Hall Of Fame induction of Jeff Jarrett.
Former TNA star Nick “Magnus” Aldis recently appeared as a guest on the Jobbing Out podcast to talk about his TNA departure, among other topics. Below are some highlights from the interview.
On leaving TNA: “When I gave my notice, by the time we got off the phone, I felt like 100 lb weight has been lifted off my back.”
On the locker room: “To be honest, it’s been very turbulent.”
“There were certain things I heard in the conference call, where the talent said things like I’m disgusted by this, or we have the right to know…the thing you have to remember is nobody owes you a living. You don’t have a right to be guaranteed anything.”
On booking issues after Jeff Jarrett left: “He had a good idea of some fundamental parts of booking…When Jeff left, there were a lot of things that I felt that there was a struggle, that when Jeff was there, he would have nipped it in the bud.”
“Guys are undercutting each other…There are too many people willing to come in and take the same spot for less money.”
“You might look like you have this super-great attitude, but you’re f*cking everyone over, because you’re doing things for way too cheap. So now it’s harder for everyone else to justify our pay.”
On that attitude hurting TNA: “You can’t blame the guys paying the money, because their job is to get the best services for the lower prices, but you get what you pay for. And I think that’s something that TNA is experiencing now, and understanding now.”
On the feud with James Storm: “At the beginning, we had a great in-ring segment.We put in loads of great little subtle nuances, and I thought this would be really good…Suddenly we get the word that this is what they want to do with this train thing. I think some of it unfortunately tied in to that they knew I wasn’t going to stay. That was an issue. Nonetheless, when the train thing came about…I’m trying to be as positive as I can. This was one situation that when it was described, I couldn’t find a single person that liked it. I couldn’t find a single person, apart from the guy whose idea it was, that didn’t say “what the hell is that?”
– Former TNA wrestlers James Storm and Gunner are now accepting independent wrestling bookings through Bill Behrens at ShowBis@Aol.com. Gunner flies out of Greensboro, North Carolina, while Storm travels out of Nashville, Tennessee.
– TNA President Dixie Carter posted the following on Twitter last night, thanking fans for TNA’s ratings increasing.
THANKS @IMPACTWRESTLING fans! 4th wk in a row since the move to Wed we had big + 3 ratings gains across the board. We appreciate ur support!
There were major production issues during the TNA Slammiversary pay-per-view on Sunday evening.
After the James Storm vs. Magnus match, the audio on the pay-per-view completely died out. The commentators were cutting in and out for several minutes.
During the next match, which featured Ethan Carter III and Tyrus vs. Mr. Anderson and Bobby Lashley, when Anderson’s microphone came down from the ceiling, it didn’t work either.
Once Lashley made his entrance, the commentary finally came back. There has still been a few glitches in the commentary here and there, as it has dropped out a few times since fully returning, but for the most part, the production issues appear to be in the rear view mirror.
It looks like TNA’s roster is getting lighter as each day passes.
On Saturday, we reported that James Storm and Magnus asked — and received — their releases from TNA Wrestling. Additionally, Austin Aries, whose TNA contract recently expired, has also finished up with the promotion.
The latest TNA departures come from the Knockouts division, as both Awesome Kong and Taryn Terrell have also finished up with TNA.
Kong and Terrell’s contracts expired as of this weekend.
TNA stars James Storm and Magnus reportedly approached TNA management and requested their releases from the company.
PWInsider.com is reporting that the two TNA veterans requested their releases due to the fact that TNA is hardly running events anymore and as a result, talents are making a lot less money.
TNA reportedly understood both guys’ situation and granted their releases, letting them out of their contracts with the company. Their current plan is to have both wrestlers come back in the future and work television events.