– A new WWE Network Collection will be released in June. “The Rise of John Cena” will look at Cena’s debut against Kurt Angle through the WWE Championship win over JBL.
– Corey Graves tweeted the following and added to the speculation that announcers may be included in the upcoming WWE Draft. We already know there will be dual announce teams at PPV events and there are rumors of SmackDown having a more sportslike identity. Many believe Graves and Mauro Ranallo would be a perfect fit for Tuesday nights.
One of these days Mauro, you'll realize that I'm a genius….How does Tuesday sound? https://t.co/HVQDT1WTEv
John Cena talked WWE and more during a live Fast Company conference in Los Angeles this week. The Fast Company website has more coverage of Cena’s chat with Eric Alt at this link. Highlights are:
Why he has been looking for non-WWE opportunities:
“As a 39-year-old adult, I certainly would love to be a bad guy or to push the limits of the broadcast, but that is not my job. My job is to work for a company that produces PG television and do the best I can. In redefining my brand, I’m looking for opportunities outside of the WWE because I realize I have to play within certain goalposts. When I came in [to the WWE] in 2002, it was more like the Jerry Springer show and now it’s really a good family program. So I’ve had to change the tools in my toolbox and adapt to my surroundings yet stay authentic to myself. My experiences in the wrestling ring have set me up for what I’m trying to do outside.”
How involved he is with WWE:
“The first question I ask myself is, do I want to do it? I think the first question a lot of folks ask themselves is, is this good business? Does it pay me a lot of money? That is short-term success in life. I know [the WWE has] half a billion social followers. I know our business model to drive more people toward the network. I know our t-shirt sales. I know our consumer fan base. I know our attendance for live events. I know we’re not deep enough business-wise in China so I’m doing what I can to get us into China. I’m not just a dude who laces his shoes up and slides into the ring—I love the brand. And if I’m not active in the brand physically, I will be active in the brand mentally. And I do not align myself with properties that I don’t feel that passionate about. To me, that’s what being authentic is all about.”
– It looks like Bayley will be missing NXT Takeover: The End on June 8th after William Regal announced she was unable to compete this week. It’s believed this is just a storyline injury.
– Rosa Mendes, who gave birth earlier this year, apparently has a new cooking-related project in the works. Here’s a tweet posted from her fansite:
The big news of the week is obviously WWE’s announcement that the brand split is returning, with SmackDown moving to Tuesdays and going live every week starting July 19th. Here’s the latest on what is planned for this summer, courtesy of Wrestling Observer Radio:
– John Cena is expected to be the top star for Smackdown while Roman Reigns is expected to be on Raw.
– There will most likely be ‘world champion’ for each brand. The IC & US titles will be defended on separate shows and plans are still being finalized for the Women’s and tag team titles.
– Vince McMahon and Triple H will still run WWE creative but head writers Ed Koskey and Ryan Ward will pick up more power as the two teams will have more control.
– Some in WWE want a hard split of the rosters while others are campaigning for a soft split with top stars making appearances on the other shows, making for more unique booking on TV and PPV.
– WWE is officially saying many key questions will be answered over the next few weeks.
– It was reported on Wednesday that SmackDown will be going live on Tuesday nights on the USA Network starting July 19th. The show will also be airing live for UK fans starting on the same date. SmackDown will be airing live in the UK on Sky Sports on Tuesday nights.
– Former WWE champion John Cena took to Twitter today to comment on the news of Smackdown going live, along with splitting the roster between WWE’s two flagship shows. “This is incredible news for @WWEUniverse and for all @WWE superstars,” Cena wrote. “Opportunity is knocking, #NewEra indeed!!!!”
– The GoFundMe started by Kevin Owens and Tyler Breeze to benefit the victims of the Fort McMurray fires in Canada is about to wrap with right at $71,000 raised of their goal of $100,000. They have 2,277 people that have donated in 16 days.
– Chris Jericho appears in this backstage Raw Fallout video and reveals he had 69 tacks removed from his body after Extreme Rules on Sunday. Jericho also talks about winning at MITB and going on to become a 7 time World Champion.
– Below is a new vignette for John Cena’s Memorial Day Raw return:
– Carmella and Bayley also attended the Runway For Hope charity event in Orlando on Saturday with Finn Balor, to raise money for pediatric cancer. Here they are before the event:
– Kevin Owens and Tyler Breeze are extending their GoFundMe for the Fort McMurray fire victims in Canada until midnight tonight. They are about $30,000 from their goal of $100,000. Below is a new video from the two:
John Cena is on the cover of Men’s Health magazine this month (June 2016 issue) and made several surprising revelations. Cena, who returns to WWE RAW next week, revealed that he originally got into weight lifting as a result of being bullied as a child.
Cena’s career outside of WWE is flourishing. He’s had successful roles in comedy films Trainwreck and Sisters. He’s made several guest appearances co-hosting NBC’s “Today” morning show. He hosts the military-themed reality competition American Grit on FOX and will host ESPN’s ESPY Awards this summer. Naturally, there are some comparisons being made to another wrestling great who went on to big things in the entertainment world, Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Despite his own success, Cena is quick to distance himself from The Rock, who he says is in a league of his own.
“I’m not even close,” Cena said. “That’s a testament to Dwayne. … He’s truly re-defined what it means to be a multi-skilled entertainer on so many platforms. I would love to one day be grouped in a conversation with Dwayne Johnson, but that day is not today.”
During a rapid-fire Q&A portion of the interview, Cena was asked which board game best describes his nature. “Chess,” Cena said. “I’m a sucker for strategy. You’re trying to see things before they happen.”
John Cena spoke with ABC News to promote his gig hosting the ESPY Awards in July. Here are some highlights of what Cena said about:
Hosting The ESPY Awards:
“It’s going to be different. It’s not really my style to go into this and just trash everybody. That’s not the way I do business. I hope that’s not the way it works out. I appreciate these athletes and I know they are heroes to many people, including myself, and it’s not like I’m going to go in there trying to be too cool for school and try to be way smarter than the room. I’m going in there as appreciative of the athletes as everyone watching the show. I’m sure you’ll see good times and humor done as good as it can be, but most of it will be bouncing off of me.”
Turning 40 & How His Success Outside Wrestling Has Changed His Goals:
“My goals don’t change. It’s the same thing when I started in 2002, it’s to get the mainstream audience a better perception of what WWE does. I am so passionate about what we do and I’m so quick to promote the WWE as a brand because I’m so loyal and passionate about it and I want everybody else to feel the same way.
There are so many people that don’t watch our product at all and have preconceived notions about who our performers are and what they do, and my goal next month or five years from now is to change that perception. There are some very talented individuals that perform for our brand. I think our brand of entertainment is up there with anything as far as live experience. I want people to know that. It’s not uncool to do what we do.”
– John Cena’s first match back from injury takes place on the May 30th edition of Raw in Green Bay, Wisconsin.
According to the official website of the Resch Center, Cena will team up with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose to take on the team of AJ Styles, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. This will likely be a dark match.
– According to this week’s issue of the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, there is talk within WWE of finding a woman to team with Kalisto to face Rusev and Lana in mixed tag team matches. Lana has been wrestling more frequently at live events in case the idea transpires.
Lana made her NXT in-ring debut at last Friday’s show in Lakeland, Florida. Teaming with Mandy Rose, the blonde bombshells lost to Carmella and Daria Berenato.
John Cena has been named host of the 2016 ESPY Awards. The annual ESPN awards recognize greatness in professional sports and will take place on Wednesday, July 13th.
“It is truly an honor to be named host of the 2016 ESPYS,” Cena toldWWE.com. “Not only will the biggest names in sports and entertainment come together to recognize some of the most spectacular athletic performances of the year, but we’ll also raise funds for The V Foundation to further much-needed cancer research.”
This is a huge coup for WWE and John Cena, as he continues to branch out in mainstream sports and entertainment. It is another positive sign regarding WWE’s growing relationship with ESPN.
John Cena make his long-awaited return to WWE in less than two weeks, but that doesn’t mean he has 100% recovered from major shoulder surgery (or medically cleared to compete).
TMZ caught up with Cena and girlfriend Bella in New York City on Monday when they were in town for the NBCUniversal “upfronts” event. Despite physically rehabilitating the shoulder like a mad man, Cena admits that he’s currently around 70% healed from his injury.
“I’m probably 30 percent off what I was operating at November 2015, but being at 70 percent is still pretty damn good.”
Cena returns to WWE RAW on on Memorial Day, May 30th.
– Another stipulation has been added to the WWE Women’s Championship match at Extreme Rules on Sunday. While Ric Flair has been banned from ringside, it’s been announced that Charlotte will forfeit the title to Natalya if Flair even makes his way to ringside.
– Below is a video teaser for John Cena’s Raw return on Memorial Day:
– Since coming up short in the WWE Women’s Championship Triple Threat Match at WrestleMania 32, Sasha Banks’ on-screen role has been considerably deemphasized. In the weeks since the night after the event, where she beat Summer Rae in a singles match, she has only competed one other time on television (an eight-women tag team match on the April 18 Raw). It was her last appearance on television.
In the meantime, Banks continues to work a full-time schedule with WWE and has been competing at non-televised events. While she could pop up on television at any time, she is purposely being kept out of a program for “long-term storyline reasons.” This is according to Wrestling Observer Newsletter editor Dave Meltzer, who revealed her status Monday on Twitter.
After being asked, “whats up with @SashaBanksWWE? Injury? Any current plans for her or just dying on the vine for no reason?,” Meltzer responded, “Working a full schedule, just being kept off a TV program for long-term storyline reasons.”
Working a full schedule, just being kept off a TV program for long-term storyline reasons. https://t.co/uGjjtXp5nF
– The Bella Twins and John Cena represented WWE today at the NBC Upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. The traditional event is where NBC Universal stars and executives pitch their television portfolio to advertisers.
Here is a photo of the WWE Superstars together at the event.
– John Cena and the Bella Twins appeared on The Blue Carpet prior to this morning’s NBC Upfronts presentation in New York City. It was announced that Cena will be hosting NBC’s “Today” show on Monday May 30th prior to his return to WWE RAW later that evening.
– Adam Rose is scheduled to appear before Florida’s Hillsborough County Court on Tuesday, June 7th regarding his arrest last week for domestic battery and tampering with a witness. Rose has been suspended indefinitely while the criminal case is pending.
– Luke Harper dismissed reports of a torn ACL on Twitter this past week but tweeted the following today on his status:
Out with a lower body injury. RT @gavthyname: @LukeHarperWWE Luke when you back .
– John Cena has commented on the buzz that Seth Rollins will be returning to WWE television in the coming weeks. Cena, who has also been rehabbing a major injury and returns to RAW on May 30th, tweeted:
I have done my best to return to @WWE as fast as I can, but I hope people understand just how amazing @WWERollins recovery is #Respect#GG
– The Bella Twins and John Cena will represent WWE at the NBC Upfront presentation at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Monday. The WWE performers will be alongside NBC Universal executives as they pitch their television portfolio to advertisers.
– NXT Newcomer Nikki Storm wrestled her first singles match for NXT at Saturday’s live event in Jacksonville, Florida. Competing under her real name, Nicola Glencross, she lost to Adrienne Reese (a/k/a Athena). Storm made her in-ring debut in late April at a live event, where she and Mandy Rose lost to Liv Morgan and Aliyah in a tag team match.
– Actor Stephen Amell talks to entertainment reporter Chris Van Vliet in this video and says his WWE SummerSlam experience was one of the most frightening things he’s ever done. Amell also talks about having another match and says a part of wrestling fans always want the celebrities to fail when they appear, but he thinks he got through everything at SummerSlam.
– ABC News covered John Cena ‘s involvement with this year’s Invictus Games from Miami, where Cena is serving as a Jaguar Land Rover Ambassador and Wheelchair Rugby captain with actor Wilmer Valderrama. Cena also talks about being interested in working the 2017 games.Visit ABCNews.com to see the segment.
– John Cena, Roman Reigns, Charlotte, Emma, Sasha Banks, The New Day, Sheamus and Kevin Owens have been announced for the WWE tour of Australia and New Zealand in August – August 10 in Auckland, August 11 in Melbourne, August 12 in Adelaide and August 13 in Sydney.
– EVOLVE will host a “Flashpoint” event for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic on June 11 in Orlando. Johnny Gargano, TJP, Lince Dorado and Drew Gulak have been announced. The event will be a prelude to prepare fans and more details will be announced shortly.
– Luke Gallows vs. Roman Reigns was scheduled for Tuesday night’s Smackdown tapings but did not happen for some reason. Gallows and Karl Anderson faced The Usos instead.
– WWE stock closed at $17.43 per share today, up 2.17% after the First Quarter financial results.
– Sheamus, Alberto Del Rio, Mark Henry, Kane and Big Show were reportedly not brought to WWE TV tapings this week but they did work weekend live events, according to PWInsider. Sheamus mentioned on Twitter yesterday that he was given the day off.
– Rosa Mendes has penned a blog about being a new mother for WWE.com.
– John Cena co-hosted NBC’s Today show again this morning. He’ll be back on Friday.
Thanks @TODAYshow ! Headed now to #InvictusGames but will be back Friday. Any requests for suit color choice? (Unleash interweb humor here)
– The Third-Edition of the WWE Encyclopedia will be released on 10/24, with several of the biggest Superstars in history are featured on the cover. Noticeable omissions include Hulk Hogan and Triple H.
– John Cena is one of the Jaguar Land Rover ambassadors for the 2016 Invictus Games in Orlando and will be captaining the Wheelchair Rugby Exhibition teams with actor Wilmer Valderrama. Details are here.
– Asuka vs. Charlotte is being advertised for the WWE house show on June 29 in Honolulu, HI. Brock Lesnar vs. Kevin Owens and John Cena vs. Shinsuke Nakamura is also advertised, as we reported last night.
– Baron Corbin received props from Mick Foley on Facebook last night, seen here:
During Monday’s RAW, a commercial aired in Hawaii promoting a blockbuster double main event for WWE’s upcoming live event from Honolulu’s Neal S Blaisdell Arena on June 29th.
Top matches advertised for that card include:
Brock Lesnar vs. Kevin Owens
John Cena vs. Shinsuke Nakamura
WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte vs. NXT Women’s Champion Asuka
Other top stars WWE Champion Roman Reigns, Tag Team Champions The New Day, The Club (AJ Styles, Luke Gallows, Karl Anderson), Chris Jericho, Bray Wyatt, The Usos and Natalya.
– Despite working NXT shows over the weekend, Tyler Breeze will remain on the main roster and is not going back “down” to WWE’s developmental brand.
– Dana Brooke is scheduled to be the next female NXT talent to join the main roster, according to F4Wonline.com. As noted earlier, Dana is backstage at tonight’s RAW, but that doesn’t mean she will debut tonight.
– Here’s video of John Cena explaining the Delta Jet Drag and participating to benefit the American Cancer Society:
John Cena co-hosted NBC’s ‘Today’ show this morning and spoke about his upcoming return to WWE. Even though it’s only been 5 months since his extensive shoulder surgery, Cena feels like he’s been away for too long and is ready to get back in the ring. He credited his intense physical therapy routine (3x per day) with helping him get back so soon.
Cena returns to WWE RAW on Memorial Day, May 30th.
– Dave Meltzer noted on WO Radio that Ethan Carter III and Drew Galloway shooting on WWE during EVOLVE 61 this weekend was not meant to be a WWE vs. TNA angle, but it is supposed to feel like an anti-WWE storyline. The angle probably would not have happened if WWE had a problem with it and there was speculation that EVOLVE isn’t doing anything that WWE’s not signing off on right now.
– John Cena tweeted the following from Hard Knocks South today:
