– WWE will be holding a NXT live event tonight at the Venice Community Center in Venice, Florida. If anyone is attending the show, feel free to send in a report.

– WWE is also holding a live event tonight at the Greensboro Coliseum in Greensboro, North Carolina. The scheduled main event is John Cena vs. Rusev in a steel cage match, although it will likely end up being Cena vs. Kane in a cage instead due to the fact that Rusev is nursing an injury. As noted, Rusev’s status for Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber is still in question.

– Triple H showed off the next three days worth of food he plans to eat in a new photo posted on his official Twitter account. You can check out the picture below.

Growing ain't easy… #FoodFor3Days pic.twitter.com/kqXozCreoQ

— Triple H (@TripleH) May 29, 2015

• Ronda Rousey’s Next Opponent Goes Too Far With Suicide Comments!

WWE Superstar Neville recently spoke with Sky Sports to promote this Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Below are some highlights from the interview.

On working with the likes of John Cena and Seth Rollins: “I have been incredibly fortunate to be thrown into the mix straightaway and you can’t ask for more than that as a newcomer. It is such an opportunity to wrestle those guys, as well as Dolph Ziggler and Sheamus, and it is something I was adamant I was going to grab with both hands.”

On his ambitions over the next few months: “I want to keep seizing my opportunities. I still feel like I am in my introductory period in terms of making my name in WWE so want to keep my head down and work hard. I would also love to have a match with Daniel Bryan. I don’t know exactly what his health is like but if and when he does return it would be great to get in the ring with him.”

On who the biggest influences of his career were: “There are so many role models who I watched and idolised growing up, mainly guys with a similar athletic style to myself. I loved Dynamite Kid, Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio, as well as Japanese juniors like Jushin Liger, Ultimo Dragon and Tiger Mask. I always wanted to emulate those stars. However, other guys who have been more actively involved in my progression would be people like William Regal, Terry Taylor and Joey Mercury. Those great minds have really helped and guided me to where I am.”

On if he misses the atmosphere in NXT: “I do, yes. A different demographic of people watch NXT compared to Raw and Smackdown; NXT is followed by the real knowledgeable, hardcore internet audience whereas the main shows have a more family feel. The products, therefore, are very different but I am having a blast on Raw and Smackdown and the new challenges they bring.”

Check out the complete interview at SkySports.com.

• VIDEO: UFC Champion MARKING OUT In The Crowd At WrestleMania 31!

WWE Superstar Neville recently spoke with the U.K. Mirror to promote this Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Below are some of the highlights from the interview

On facing Seth Rollins on his second RAW appearance: “It’s crazy and I think to be given that opportunity so early on, it’s very, very flattering and I think it’s testimony to the faith they have in me. There are opportunities that I want to grab with both hands and run with and I feel like I did that to a certain extent. It’s very gratifying to be able to do that, to get an opportunity like that and to be able to perform well, on that level in front of the world, it’s really quite cool. For me personally, for my career, I think it was priceless. I’m very fortunate to get that chance.”

On his match with John Cena before Rusev interfered: “I know mate, it’s hard to believe. Honestly I have to pinch myself. I’m just trying to enjoy it – these are memories I will have for the rest of my life. I’m really just enjoying every step of the way and whether I beat John Cena or Seth Rollins or whoever, anytime I go out there I make the most of whatever is thrown at me and I’m going to enjoy it at the same time. It’s been the most incredible couple of months in my life. I’m just hoping it continues, it’s been quite unreal.”

On his feud with Bad News Barrett: “I was very happy to be able to do that. I’m a very proud Englishman, I came up through British wrestling, through the independents in Britain, and what we’ve seen in Britain is something really special. There is a lot of great talent out there so to be able to represent that on the big stage is something I take very seriously, something I’m very proud of, that is very important to me. To be doing it with someone like King Barrett who is an exceptional talent himself and has achieved a lot of success in WWE, I felt like it was a really good test for me. Also to represent England both of us together I felt was a real privilege and I think Barrett felt the same. We’re both very proud of where we’re from so it’s very cool to be able to do that.”

On his match at Sunday’s Elimination Chamber PPV: “I think Bo is certainly one of the most underrated superstars on Raw and SmackDown. I think a lot of the time maybe he gets overlooked because maybe he is a bit deluded and a bit of an eccentric character! But the fact of the matter is, when it comes to in-ring action, performing and competing, Bo can certainly go. We have a lot of history and I know what he is capable of. We had some really grueling matches in NXT that really tested me and I’m looking forward to doing the same on Sunday. I think we’re both ready for the challenge and we could both certainly do with the victory.”

On if he had any input in his ring entrance in WWE: “Yeah, I actually had a lot of input. That was a concept I came up with along with a few of the agents. We thought it would be cool. The concept is that it’s like every time I appear on the stage it’s almost as if I have been shot down from somewhere in space, like I’m a meteor that arrives on Earth. More than anything it’s a cool concept and then I got together with the production team and stage crew and we bounced ideas around. I don’t know if you’ve noticed the first few weeks we were kind of hashing around trying different things and I feel like now we’ve really got it down. We’ve got the pyro and the ziplines that look like the meteor hitting Earth and it’s a very cool visual that I’m very happy with.”

Check out the complete interview at Mirror.co.uk.

• VIDEO: UFC Champion MARKING OUT In The Crowd At WrestleMania 31!

NXT World Heavyweight Champion Kevin Owens recently spoke with TheWhig.com to promote this Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Below are some highlights from the interview.

On a conversation he had with Sami Zayn: “I remember a conversation I had with Sami Zayn, it must have been around 2003. We were travelling to a little show in Quebec City, which is about two hours from Montreal so we were somewhere between Montreal and Quebec City at a restaurant and he was telling me how wrestling for WWE was his dream. And I told him, ‘Yeah, well me too, but it’s not really a dream, it’s a goal.’ And he was like, ‘What do you mean by that?’ I said, ‘Dreaming of something is nice, but having it as a goal I think is different. I know it’s going to happen.’ I told him that. I said, ‘I know I’m going to get there.’ And he was kind of blown away by that perspective and that outlook on it.”

On his first day with WWE: “My first day was pretty interesting because I got the call that I was hired. I was going to start full time August 25 at the Performance Center, but my first day was actually before. A couple of weeks before, they brought me in so that I could visit the Performance Center, there was an NXT TV taping that week so I stayed for that. I had to find a house, so I found a house for my family to live in in Orlando. My first day was technically not an official first day, it was just more a bit of a sample of what I could expect. I got in the ring with Norman Smiley in his class. And of course there was the NXT TV taping, I saw that whole process. I met Triple H and I met Stephanie McMahon. It was just a really surreal experience because those are people I’ve been watching for years and years and years. To now get to see them and to get to talk to Triple H, who was basically welcoming me on board. He’s telling me, ‘Thanks for coming, thanks for accepting the invitation, thanks for coming on board.’ In my head, I’m like, ‘Well thank you for hiring me.’ That was pretty cool.”

On developing a relationship with Triple H: “You know, I feel like I’ve developed a bit of a relationship with Hunter throughout these last few months. It goes beyond the ring. We’ll talk about our kids, we’ll talk about life. He’s very good to me. To have him take time out of a very busy day, he’s busy on Raw, and he took the time to tell me to just make sure you are who you are. And I know that’s kind of the advice he gives everyone, but to hear it from him, it really means something because ‘Make sure you stay who you are’ means that who I am, he’s got faith in. That’s a big thing.”

“I wanted to make my kids proud, I wanted to make my wife proud, I wanted to make my parents proud, and I wanted to make Hunter proud because he took a shot on me. I’m not the typical WWE superstar. He hired me anyway and he saw something in me. And I want to deliver for him. I want to pay him back for that by delivering the way he thinks I can and I think I did.”

On facing John Cena on Sunday: “There’s no denying how big it is. There’s not a whole lot of people that walk into WWE, show up on Raw, lay out the top guy in the industry for the last 10 years and get to wrestle him two weeks later at a major event like Elimination Chamber, but I get to do that. That will literally never be taken away from me, no matter what happens from here on out.”

Check out the complete interview at TheWhig.com.

• VIDEO: UFC Champion MARKING OUT In The Crowd At WrestleMania 31!

Samoa Joe recently spoke with the official WWE website about his recent NXT debut, his aspirations in WWE, his history with John Cena and more.

Below are some highlights from the interview.

On signing with WWE: “I’m over the moon. It’s something I never really thought I would have the opportunity to do. To be here now, it’s an unreal feeling.”

On his history with John Cena: “I had the chance to work with John quite a bit in UPW and even beyond that. When John was just getting started, we hung out a lot. Being a trainer at the school, I taught the beginner course. John was the type of guy, who even though he was past the basics, he would come to the beginner class in the morning. I would see him at the advanced class at night, where I would go to get train and improve…”

On whether he thought John Cena would become the star he is today: “I had no doubt. It’s funny, I’ve been asked that before. He didn’t have to come to the beginner class. He didn’t have to come to all the practices. But John came to all of them; he did all of the work and extra work on top of that. He was so laser-focused on becoming a WWE Superstar, much more than anyone else from UPW who had gotten the opportunity to go to WWE at the time. There really wasn’t a question in my mind that he would become the star he is today.”

On what led to him coming to WWE: “I’ve had a great career up to this point. I’d pretty much wrestled everywhere in the world. The one place that eluded me was WWE. I had put out feelers to a few friends and confidants in WWE. They did some probing on my behalf. Slowly, but surely, a small glimmer of hope opened up. Talks progressed and the opportunity presented itself.”

On his WWE goals: “At some time, I would love to make a trip up to the main roster and wreak my brand of havoc. So many people I’ve come up with have succeeded in WWE. Though I thought the opportunity would never present itself, I’m here now. I’m in the best shape of my career and I’m more than happy to fulfill the destiny that has eluded me for far too long, and that’s to be the WWE World Heavyweight Champion.”

Check out the complete interview at WWE.com.

• VIDEO: UFC Champion MARKING OUT In The Crowd At WrestleMania 31!

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins recently spoke with the folks at Digital Spy to promote this Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Below are some highlights from the interview.

On his match with Dean Ambrose at Elimination Chamber: “Ambrose is a confident performer, like you said he got a couple of wins under his belt against me, but when the chips are down, always bet on Rollins when it comes to Rollins versus Ambrose. assume he thinks things will be different, but you look at the deck and it’s a little stacked against him. There’s really nobody that performs better in big match situations than me. That’s over the last two, three years, even if you go deeper into my career. Any time it’s a big match and there’s a lot on the line and I’m the guy who needs to hit the home run, I do it. I think Elimination Chamber is another one of those and actually every title match is one of those, and I’m looking forward to it.”

On Kevin Owens coming to the main roster: “No. You know, Kevin’s great. I’ve known Kevin for years and years and years. He’s an excellent talent. There’s a reason The Authority sees big things in him, there’s a reason the WWE Universe sees big things in him. But Kevin Owens is Kevin Owens and Seth Rollins is the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. So I’m not terribly concerned at this point in time. I think I earn my keep quite well. Maybe down the line we’ll have to consider other options, but that’s definitely not the case right now.”

On John Cena fading down in his career: “The end of John Cena is an interesting prospect. I think that John has given this company and this industry so much for the last 15 years that it’s gotta be taking its toll on him, physically speaking. He’s not a young man anymore and you get in there with guys like the names you’ve mentioned, all hungry, young, exciting performers with styles that he’s not accustomed to. I think that throws him a little off. He likes that challenge. I know John, he loves a new challenge and he looks forward every day in his whole life. The end of John Cena? I don’t know, but definitely the beginning of a new era in WWE for sure.”

On Brock Lesnar’s return: “The suspension is indefinite, luckily, so we’ll see how long it lasts. But I’m sure Lesnar’s got his eyes set on the prize, I don’t know why he wouldn’t. And I would be glad to give him a rematch, when the time is right. When the situation calls for it. Until then he can sit on the sidelines and enjoy his time at home.”

On ROH going to Destination America: “Great for Ring of Honor. It’s tremendous any time our wrestling industry continues to grow. That’s awesome for them. They were a breeding ground for a lot of talent that now exists [in the WWE]: Kevin Owens, myself, Sami Zayn, obviously Daniel Bryan, Cesaro. They have proven to be a valuable asset when it comes to cultivating great talent as far as moving guys up to the bigger ranks. It’s great – I’m super thrilled for them and I hope they can sustain and hopefully we see more talent coming out of there and into NXT and eventually into WWE. It’s a good time to be a wrestling fan, that’s for sure.”

On Samoa Joe in NXT: “I was very thrilled for Joe. He’s a guy who was an idol of mine growing up, someone I watched when I was in my formative teenage years. He’s someone whose style I emulated when I first started. There’s definitely pieces of Samoa Joe in the Seth Rollins repertoire so it’s cool he’s part of the company now – something you thought you’d never see. Like I say, it creates a lot of super-interesting match-ups, so it’s a great time to be a professional wrestling fan, a great time to be a WWE fan for sure.”

Check out the complete interview at DigitalSpy.com.

• PHOTOS: CM Punk Training For UFC Debut w/ Former Champions!

– Randy Orton and Big Show have purposely been kept off of WWE television because they are not booked in matches at this Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. Both Superstars are scheduled to return for the two weeks of build-up between the Elimination Chamber and Money In The Bank pay-per-views.

– The WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida is said to be very understaffed right now. The employees who work at the facility are said to be working endless hours because they have so many tasks and responsibilities. WWE is trying to keep NXT under a specific budget and while the brand and developmental system itself is a money loser, it’s considered necessary for the future of WWE.

– Below are some recent WWE and NXT attendance figures.

May 22nd in Manchester, NH drew 5,000 fans (John Cena tour)
May 23rd in Starke, FL for NXT drew a sellout of 225 fans
May 23rd in Worcester, MA drew 6,000 fans (John Cena tour)
May 23rd in Utica, NY drew 3,500 fans (Randy Orton tour)
May 24th in White Plains, NY drew 3,700 fans (John Cena tour)
May 24th in Binghamton, NY drew 3,700 fans (Randy Orton tour)
May 25th on Long Island for RAW drew 9,500 fans

• PHOTOS: CM Punk Training For UFC Debut w/ Former Champions!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

John Cena spoke with Caller.com this week to promote Sunday’s Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. (more…)

WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross recently updated his official blog with some of his latest thoughts and comments. Below are some of the highlights.

On tonight being the last ever RAW at Nassau Coliseum: “Hard to believe that after all these years that this will be the last Monday Night RAW ever held at the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale, Long Island, New York. This arena has amazing significance in WWE history and certainly was one of my favorite arenas in which to work largely because of it’s heritage plus it was a nice, easy drive from my home in Connecticut back in the day. I hope the fans that are in attendance know the significance of tonight and I’d love to see WWE show some Nassau Coliseum highlights throughout the three hour broadcast. I’ve already set my DVR to watch the show later tonight.”

On the TNA/Destination America situation: “Still confounded about the debacle that is the TNA/Destination America train wreck and still awaiting something from the network that apparently isn’t renewing TNA come September. I hope that the promotion is keeping their talents and the talent’s families informed as to what is going on regarding this unfortunate matter. Leadership at the top in both organizations is crucial during these days as rumors and finger pointing seemingly is running rampant. Unfortunately, it seems as if TNA is at yet another crossroads and I’m hoping that they come out on the ‘other side’ better than they were when this matter exploded last week.”

On Kevin Owens and John Cena: “If there is another John Cena and Kevin Owens segment tonight on RAW, and obviously there has to be, Owens needs to retain his ‘heat’. He’s not ‘over’ yet and needs momentum going into the Elimination Chamber. Loved what I saw out of these two last week.”

On Tammy Sytch porn rumors: “Contrary to what some have asked me on Twitter @JRsBBQ I have not been conversing with Sunny on Twitter about the possibility her doing porn. That ‘s a faux JR Twitter account she thought was me, apparently. We haven’t communicated since her WWE HOF induction and I find it none of my business if she does or does not decide to make a porn movie. It’s not against the law and people have to do what they can to earn a honest living. It’s an undesirable trait of many in the entertainment businesses that performers get themselves into a situation that they have to do things that they normally might not do to pay their bills after their ‘run’ has concluded. It takes me back to my ‘Plan B’ philosophy that so many talents rolled their eyes at when I used to preach that philosophy. Nonetheless, I wish Sunny the best no matter what her decision might be.”

Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com.

• Alberto Del Rio Makes Interesting Comments About Goldberg Fight Rumors!

Although it was unclear as of this weekend whether or not Kevin Owens would be on RAW tonight to promote his Elimination Chamber pay-per-view match with John Cena this Sunday, we can confirm that the NXT Champion is indeed backstage.

It’s worth noting that WWE has been hyping up the fact that Cena will be addressing what happened between he and Owens at last week’s RAW, so one would assume Owens will be part of that segment on tonight’s “go-home” show.

It’s also been confirmed that Cena will be holding another “U.S. Open Challenge” on tonight’s RAW.

Make sure to join us here at SEScoops.com later this evening for the best live RAW results coverage on the web!

• Alberto Del Rio Makes Interesting Comments About Goldberg Fight Rumors!

The WWE Elimination Chamber “go-home” edition of RAW takes place tonight, May 25, 2015, in Uniondale, New York.

WWE is billing tonight’s show, which is also the Memorial Day edition of the show, as the final RAW to take place at Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum.

WWE United States Champion John Cena is scheduled to address what happened with NXT Champion Kevin Owens on last week’s show, and is also confirmed to hold another “U.S. Open Challenge.”

Expect all of the storylines leading into this Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view to be wrapped up on tonight’s show.

Make sure to join us here tonight at SEScoops.com for the best live RAW results coverage on the web!

• Alberto Del Rio Makes Interesting Comments About Goldberg Fight Rumors!

– There’s no word yet if NXT Champion Kevin Owens will be appearing on Monday’s “go-home” edition of RAW to promote his match with John Cena on next Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. WWE is, however, teasing that Cena will address what happened with Owens last week for the first time on Monday’s RAW. Additionally, Cena will hold yet another “U.S. Open Challenge” on RAW.

– WWE performers Sheamus and Becky Lynch posted the following comments on social media about Ireland becoming the first nation to approve same-sex marriage.

Well done Ireland you #VotedYes! #MarRef #EqualityForAll

The #BananaRepublic now the #RainbowRepublic…

Righteous Warrior Nation.

— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) May 23, 2015

Bexcellent stuff Ireland #EqualityForAll #maidenireland

— Rebecca Quin (@BeckyLynchWWE) May 23, 2015

• Alberto Del Rio Makes Interesting Comments About Goldberg Fight Rumors!

Although Lana turned babyface and sided with Dolph Ziggler on television recently, she is still working alongside Rusev at non-televised WWE live events.

At the WWE live event on Friday in New Hampshire, Lana tried to assist Rusev during his steel cage match with John Cena, which Rusev ultimately lost. Lana ended up walking out on Rusev and he started yelling at her. At one point, Lana did help Rusev by slamming the cage door in Cena’s face, but in the end, she left him high and dry.

Lana and Ziggler had no interaction at the live event to follow up their television angle, as Ziggler is working a different live event tour this weekend.

In terms of the Lana/Ziggler storyline, WWE is teasing that we will find out what is next between the two on Monday’s WWE Elimination Chamber “go-home” edition of RAW.

• Alberto Del Rio Makes Interesting Comments About Goldberg Fight Rumors!

WWE United States Champion John Cena was the keynote speaker at the Cushing Academy graduation ceremony on Saturday. Cena graduated from the school 20 years ago before moving on to attend Springfield College.

Below are some comments and photos of Cena at the event.

It was an honor to speak at @CushingAcademy's commencement today. Wishing the very best to the class of 2015. #NeverGiveUp

— John Cena (@JohnCena) May 23, 2015

Senior class pic with keynote speaker @WWE @JohnCena '95 pic.twitter.com/711D37yNa9

— Cushing Academy (@CushingAcademy) May 23, 2015

Congratulations CA Class of 2015! #youmadeit #cushingalumni pic.twitter.com/oB4DV433pn

— Cushing Academy (@CushingAcademy) May 23, 2015

• Alberto Del Rio Makes Interesting Comments About Goldberg Fight Rumors!

WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair recently spoke with the folks at The Guide in Portsmouth, where he is currently taking part in his own one-man tour of the United Kingdom.

Below are some highlights from the interview:

On his career: “I could happily talk about my career all day long. I didn’t want to stop competing at all, but I think in terms of the direction the business was heading I saw it as a good time for me to step away from the ring. I’ve been blessed to have such a varied and successful career and I couldn’t have asked for a better final match than the one against Shawn. I couldn’t have asked to go out in a better way, to a better guy. He really is a true friend and if I had to lose to anyone I am glad it was him.”

On possibly returning to the ring: “I would love to get back in the ring, but they are scared I would steal the show every week. I’m just too god damn good. I can still go in the ring and take a suplex or two if I need to.”

On John Cena breaking his World Title record: “I don’t give the record a second thought, but if it was to be broken it couldn’t go to a better person than John.”

On possibly managing his daughter Charlotte: “I think she is one of the best athletes on the roster, but being a female it is always going to be hard in this industry. I have been asked before if I would go back into a management role with Ashley, but she needs me like a hole in the head. I wouldn’t boost her career, if anything I would hinder it.

“She is so talented it is scary. I am so proud of her but there is always going to be that part of me that worries about her development, if she will get injured and things like that.”

On the wrestling business today: “The business is a lot more political now and it is really hard for young wrestlers to work their way up the ranks. Personally I would find it very hard to work full-time now. I wouldn’t be able to do a show then go straight back to the hotel.”

Check out the complete interview at Portsmouth.co.uk.

• RONDA ROUSEY Worried About Nude Photos Of Her Leaking Online!

Former WWE, WCW & TNA writer Vince Russo has posted a new blog at the Chairshot Reality website talking about Vince McMahon forgetting how to create new stars, specifically as it relates to Kevin Owens’ WWE TV debut on Monday’s RAW.

Russo says that when Sami Zayn made his WWE debut answering John Cena’s US Championship Open Challenge, there was no impact – he was presented as “just another wrestler.” The Ascension’s debut was “so laughable you ‘almost’ have to think it was intentional” and Neville was in the same boat after his debut.

Russo explains why Owens didn’t come off as a star and Vince McMahon has lost his touch.

“Then of course, this week there was Kevin Owens. A guy who looked like he just came from Gleason’s Gym, where he was training to be a “rassler”. Owens didn’t look like a star, he didn’t smell like a star, as a matter of fact he looked like a guy that could have possibly jumped the guardrail. Which reminds me—I STILL REMEMBER Hillbilly Jim when he was “presented” as “somebody” the first time we saw him on WWE TV. And, Owens dropping Cena? That did nothing but make the 115th time World Champ look bad.

Save your hate mail. This isn’t a Kevin Owens thing, just like it wasn’t a Sami Zayn thing, just like it wasn’t a Adrian Neville thing, just like it wasn’t an Ascension thing. Those guys are strictly employees who get paid to do what the boss says to go out and do—that boss is Vince McMahon. Somewhere along the line, shortly after the Attitude Era (what a coincidence), Vince McMahon forgot how to make stars. He forgot how to create them, how to manufacture them, and how to getthem over. When you think about it, who has gotten over to SUPER stardom in the last fifteen years? I’m talking household names? In my opinion that list is quite small, as a matter of fact I’d put two people on it—-Kurt Angle and John Cena. OK, I’ll even allow you to put the beloved Daniel Bryan on there if you wish—but his success had NOTHING to do with creative, other than being given the platform to perform.”

He went on to say that over the past 15 years, we’ve seen lots of great performers in WWE, but none of them have gone on to reach the heights of Steve Austin, The Rock, Mick Foley, Undertaker, Shawn Michaels or Bret Hart. “What got CM Punk over to the level he was?,” Russo asked.  “Him sitting on the stage with a microphone and cutting a promo that only he could cut—there was no help there from Vince on that one.”

– Samoa Joe announced via Twitter that he will be providing a voice for one of the characters on the new “Game Of Thrones” video game. Joe tweeted the following:

Excited to announce I'm voicing a character for @telltalegames' @GameOfThrones! #pitfighter https://t.co/tRINbJgfog #WinterIsComing

— Samoa Joe (@SamoaJoe) May 20, 2015

– Longtime WWE Superstar Goldust posted the following message on social media regarding being sober for seven years.

“This is my greatest tweet of the year: Today I am 7 years clean and sober from the bondage of drugs and alcohol. I was ready and i asked for help, I worked my program and I persevered. You cannot do it alone. If you need help, ask for it. I was ready and I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. #IBelieveInYou #IBelieveInMyself ! Thanks for all your support.”

• Ronda Rousey BLASTS Floyd Mayweather Over His Past With Domestic Abuse!

– Chris Jericho announced that NXT star Finn Balor will be appearing on his Talk Is Jericho podcast at PodcastOne.com this week.

Jericho will be working with Balor in July for WWE’s live events tour of Japan.

This week on #TIJ:
Wed- #FinnBalor’s podcast debut! @wwebalor
Fri- @davidcoverdale of #Whitesnake @whitesnakeblog! @PodcastOne

— Talk Is Jericho (@TalkIsJericho) May 19, 2015

– NXT Champion Kevin Owens’ wife Karina posted the following video of their son Owen reacting to his father’s WWE TV debut last night on RAW.

For everyone wondering how Owen reacted to his dad and John Cena being in the same ring together #mindblown

https://instagram.com/p/22PFlyvYx8/

– Following his attack of WWE U.S. Champion John Cena on RAW last night, NXT Champion Kevin Owens wrote the following on Twitter about their upcoming Elimination Chamber match.

https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/600511311404003328

– In this week’s RAW Fallout videos, which you can see below, Dolph Ziggler reacts to kissing Lana and Neville comments on being attacked by Bo Dallas, as well as the Kevin Owens-John Cena situation.

• Ronda Rousey BLASTS Floyd Mayweather Over His Past With Domestic Abuse!

Reddit user “addictedsc2” has provided a translation of what Rusev was yelling in Bulgarian during his “I Quit” match with John Cena at Sunday’s WWE Payback pay-per-view.

When Rusev ordered Lana to sit in a chair near the announcers after the fans started cheering for her, Rusev said the following:

“This way! Get up from there! Get over here, this is where you will sit. Just don’t let me hear you!”

When Rusev was stuck in the STF with Cena at the end of the match, this is what Rusev was saying up until Lana grabbed the microphone and quit on his behalf.

“Ahhh no…ahhh I give up! Next time we will crush you! I give up! Stop! I told you! I’ll crush you Cena! Damn your old mother, Cena! I will crush you! That’s enough, I told you!”

• Ronda Rousey BLASTS Floyd Mayweather Over His Past With Domestic Abuse!

After he defends the NXT Championship against Sami Zayn this Wednesday at Takeover: Unstoppable, Kevin Owens will make his WWE in-ring debut against John Cena later this month at Elimination Chamber.

Owens made his WWE TV debut on RAW, interrupting John Cena’s US Open Challenge and leaving the United States beat down after a brutal attack.

WWE Elimination Chamber takes place on Sunday, May 31st live on the WWE Network.

WWE Hall OF Famer Jim Ross has updated his official website blog with thoughts on Sunday’s WWE Payback pay-per-view. Below are some highlights.

On the WWE Payback PPV: “Overall, I thought the show was solid…not great but certainly a solid show that had it’s moments. With the overall lack of main event depth in the business, I often wonder if it’s possible to have a successful run of ‘great’ shows from beginning until end within the PPV world. Nonetheless, Payback was solid and I’m happy that I got home in time to watch it live.”

On the Cena-Rusev “I Quit” Match: “Innovative conclusion of the Cena vs. Rusev ‘I Quit’ match and now I wonder what fan favorite is going to come to Lana’s aid as it’s relatively obvious that she and her burly associate are essentially done. I don’t think that we need to see to many more Cena vs. Rusev TV bouts especially considering Rusev has lost three in a row on PPV’s to Cena. The question is who’s next for Cena of which I’d assume we will find out Monday night. Breaking things and ‘stunts’ equates to today’s blood in a PG world of wrestling.”

On Bray Wyatt: “As I’ve said for a good while, I think that Bray Wyatt is a frog hair away from being a viable, ticket and merch selling, character baby face/fan favorite. Admirable that Wyatt & Ryback tried some new, risky content but was it really necessary? Tough booking as neither guy is hot and both are liked by various factions of fans which makes their matches against each other tough to successfully pull off. I do appreciate the effort of both men to work hard to deliver in a tough spot.”

On the WWE Payback main event: “The show did need a big finish and the Fatal Four Way WWE Title bout delivered that result. The fans certainly made their feelings known that they wanted the Shield to get back together. Will WWE listen or do they have a better plan in mind? I do feel that Reigns should be a villain without question which will subsequently foster him straight into the upper echelon as a fan favorite if executed soundly and logically. I had no problem with Rollins winning even though some fans via Twitter @JRsBBQ did but Rollins is still evolving and I say let him grow. As I’ve said on the Ross Report podcast, I’d keep Rollins as the champion including him dodging a Lesnar bullet at Summer Slam, Lesnar wins the Royal Rumble and then it’s Brock vs Rollins at WrestleMania in Texas where the ‘chasing’ fan favorite regains the championship.”

Check out the complete blog at JRsBarBQ.com.

• CM PUNK Says He Got MMA Advice From Batista — WILL Fight This Year

– Top independent wrestling star Biff Busick, who is a former CZW World Heavyweight Champion, is one of the independent wrestlers scheduled to attend the WWE tryouts at the WWE Performance Center in June.

– Longtime German WWE announcer Bernhard Wullf has parted ways with the company. Wullf has been replaced by Manu Thiele, a new, 22-year-old German announcer.

– Below are some recent WWE attendance figures:

May 8th in Broomfield, CO drew 2,900 fans (missing John Cena and Daniel Bryan)
May 8th in Largo, FL for NXT drew a sellout of 275 fans
May 8th in Louisville drew 7,500 fans (John Cena tour missing Daniel Bryan)
May 9th in Orlando for NXT drew a sellout of 400 fans
May 9th in Charleston, WV drew 6,500 fans (Roman Reigns, Randy Orton tour)
May 10th in Lexington, KY drew 2,500 fans (John Cena tour missing Daniel Bryan)
May 10th in Wheeling, WV drew 2,200 fans (Roman Reigns, Randy Orton tour)
May 11th in Cincinnati for RAW drew 9,000 fans

• Ronda Rousey The Latest Victim Of Celebrity Nude Photos Leaking Online?!

(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)

With all the things you can criticize WWE for these days, the company should be commended on doing an excellent job in elevating their secondary championships.

If you flashback to around this time last year, the WWE World Heavyweight Championship was virtually ‘on ice,’ only being defended on major pay-per-view events due to the champion at the time — Brock Lesnar — working under a special, limited-date contract.

Now, at the time, you could make sense of it, and even Vince McMahon himself did when asked about the topic during his interview on the short-lived “Steve Austin Show” live WWE Network podcast, as he pointed to the fact that having Lesnar defend the biggest title in the company on an infrequent basis made World Title matches feel that much more important.

Fast forward to the present day, and when it comes to championships in WWE — all systems are “go.”

First and foremost, we finally have a fighting WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Sure, the storyline surrounding Seth Rollins, the current world champion, is that he chickens away from ‘the big fight.’ At the end of the day, however, the bell eventually rings, the referee raises the golden belt up high, and two or more competitors end up vying for the richest prize in all of sports entertainment.

Now, move down one level to the two secondary championships. For the longest time, the WWE United States Championship and the WWE Intercontinental Championship, for all intents and purposes, were viewed as a total joke by the WWE Universe — and rightfully so.

Not anymore.

WWE came up with a great idea heading into WrestleMania 31 this year — put more significance behind their secondary titles. First, slap the U.S. title belt around John Cena’s waist. In a bit of irony, it was Cena who really launched his career off of his first U.S. title run, so in a story-telling fashion, his story comes full circle.

So, basically, WWE decided that now that they want to elevate some new blood into the top spots in the company, they decided to put one of their secondary titles — in this case the U.S. title — on arguably the biggest star in the company today.

On the flip side of the coin, when it comes to the WWE Intercontinental Championship, WWE decided to put that belt on the most popular wrestler in terms of the fans — the leader of the “Yes! Movement,” Daniel Bryan.

And that brings us to Monday’s WWE Payback ‘go-home’ edition of RAW.

After being unable to defend his WWE Intercontinental Championship against Bad News Barrett at the recent WWE Extreme Rules pay-per-view as originally scheduled, WWE played the waiting game to find out how the latest round of the Daniel Bryan injury-bug would work out. As it turns out, whatever Bryan is going through is serious enough that WWE felt they had no choice but to have him surrender the Intercontinental Title on live television, much like they had him do shortly after he won the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania XXX last year.

The idea behind his forefitting of the title last night was where the plan regarding secondary titles in WWE remains in tact. The reason given by Bryan, delivered in a passionate way I should add, was that the WWE Universe deserves a fighting champion. A top contender who deserves the right to bust his ass day-in and day-out, city-to-city, state-to-state, country-to-country and even continent-to-continent, all for the right to try and earn what is now once again slowly being viewed as a title of importance. One of value. One worth fighting to obtain.

Where WWE goes next with the Intercontinental Championship in particular remains to be seen in terms of how far they are willing to go to try and elevate the perceived importance of the title.

Basically put, the company can go one of two ways, as I see it. You can follow the mandate that they have been following since this year’s WrestleMania, which is find the most over performer with the fans, give him the I-C title, and try and get the belt over that way, so that in the future, the belt can make the man, as opposed to the current formula, where the man makes the belt.

Their second option is to try and do the opposite. Put the title on an up-and-comer who has the goods to deliver, but just needs something to put him over the edge so he is viewed as a bigger deal than he already is. Names like Neville and Sami Zayn come to mind.

Zayn, depending on his injury, would make a great impact on the main roster by giving U.S. Champion John Cena all he could handle — with an injury no-less, in his first high-profile match on RAW since having his run as NXT Champion in WWE’s developmental system, and then go on to win the next high-profile match he is in and become the brand new WWE Intercontinental Champion.

Keep reading on Page 2 …

– NXT will be hitting the road this weekend, with shows in Philadelphia, PA and Albany, NY. For ticket information, visit WWE.com.

– John Cena topped WWE’s weekly Power Rankings once again. Here’s this week’s Top 5:

5. Randy Orton
4. Seth Rollins
3. Dean Ambrose
2. Roman Reigns
1. John Cena

– Chris Jericho revealed on Twitter that he’s signed on to film a pilot for the History Channel.

Just finalized the deal for a cool pilot I’m filming for the @History Channel this week! Gonna be action packed & very creepy…stay tuned!

— Chris Jericho (@IAmJericho) May 10, 2015