Following his surprise return to WWE at Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, we reported earlier this week that Kevin Nash has signed a new “Legends” contract with World Wrestling Entertainment.
The former WWE and WCW champion went on Twitter on Tuesday night and explained the reason he’s decided to finish his career off in WWE – as Diesel. He also had some major praise for WWE chairman Vince McMahon, saying Vince is the man who was instrumental in making him the household name that he is today. Nash wrote:
“To explain why I want to retire as Diesel: Vince McMahon was the 1st person to ever see anything in me and believe in me. He gave me my 1st push and made me a star. Without Vince there is no Diesel. Without Diesel Kevin Nash is a mediocre basketball player from the University of Tennessee.”
Nash acknowledged the staggering crowd reaction he received at Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, saying that it was bigger than any pop he’s received in a long, long time.
“The biggest pop I’ve received since ’97 happened Sunday night. Diesel’s back, where he belongs. Circle of Life.”
A fan who was at Sunday’s WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view has posted this video clip of Kevin Nash’s return to WWE as Diesel. Nash wrote on Twitter that the crowd reaction he received was the loudest he’s received since 1997 and was one of the major factors that convinced him to sign with WWE and end his career as Diesel.
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog, which you can read in its entirety at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:
Kevin Nash & Booker T Returning To WWE: “Good to see that Kevin Nash might be working out something to remain associated with WWE to some undetermined degree. Nash is a good talker, a smart guy, and has name identity that can be utilized in a variety of marketing ventures within the company. As I previously wrote, Kevin Nash can help WWE in many ways even if he never wrestles again.”
“Booker T, who has talked of becoming a TV broadcaster in WWE for quite some time, would be potentially good in that role if he can master the skills that it takes at the ringside announce desk. The job is daunting but doable and Booker is a witty, glib guy who understands the business. At this stage of the game I see Booker T’s long term tenure with WWE as a ‘talker’ of which can take many forms and not as a full time wrestler.”
“Nonetheless I’m happy that apparently both Nash and Booker might wrap up their respective careers in WWE which seems to be fitting. Obviously any thing can happen that might alter that speculation but hopefully both men can return to the WWE fold and help the company in the aforementioned variety of ways.”
Sting To WWE? “Amazing that some fans actually swear that there is going to be an Undertaker vs. Sting match this year at Wrestlemania 27 in Atlanta. I would be shocked if that occurred but at the same time everyone has the right to fantasize about dream matches that they personally want to see. I still say that there would likely be a large part of the WWE TV audience that only watches WWE that would have to become familiar with the Stinger’s body of work. Not that it couldn’t be done, it could, but that matter would have to be addressed.”
“Cutting to the chase, I don’t see Sting in WWE any time soon and especially not in the ring vs. the Undertaker in the Georgia Dome. I do think that Sting would be well served to explore potential marketing opportunities with WWE especially considering that all his ‘greatest hits’ which were in WCW are now owned by WWE.”
Kevin Nash appeared on ESPN Radio’s Pro Wrestling Report last night and revealed some newsworthy details regarding his return to World Wrestling Entertainment.
Nash noted that WWE flew him out of Daytona Beach, Florida so he could appear at the Royal Rumble. He said if TNA would have flown him out of the state, he would have to have driven from his home to Orlando, 90 miles, opposed to the few miles when traveling with WWE. Nash talked about how nice his accommodations were while staying in Boston.
Nash said that upon arriving hat he signed paperwork and had a physical upon arriving to the arena. Nash said he spent about a half-hour with Triple H before shooting photos and video with WWE staff. He then met with Vince McMahon before hanging out with Triple H and Stephanie McMahon, where he went over plans for the Rumble with Triple H.
Nash also noted that he talked with people from THQ, makers of SmackDown vs. RAW and All Stars, while he was at the Rumble.
Nash said that he is signed to a Legends contract and will meet with WWE officials on Wednesday of this week to talk about what’s next. Under the Legends deal, Nash will likely be involved with things like action figures and DVD’s.
On Sunday night, Nash wrote on Twitter about his WWE return, sounding very content with his return to the organization that made him a top star. He wrote @RealKevinNash:
“I want to thank everyone at WWE. All the fans in Boston. For giving me a night I will never forget. (GroundHog Day) I’ll relive that 1 over
As long as WWE will have me in wrestling capacity and my body can handle it, I will wrestle. It’s what I do! Best decision of my life.
When Vince McMahon is the boss and your best friend and his wife run creative and you see each other and hug and there is true emotion….
Contracts aren’t needed. I will do whatever I’m asked. I was welcomed back into the Family. I wont make mistake of leaving again!”
There was much talk internally relating to the overwhelming crowd reaction both Kevin Nash and Booker T received last night at the Royal Rumble. Booker was originally slated to return as a manager who wrestled and coached, but based on his performance last night, many feel he can “still go.” A few ideas have been discussed for him involving top tier WWE talent. He has signed a long-term contract with the organization.
Nash is scheduled for no more than short-term run with WWE, but officials are open to using him as a trainer or coach. Wrestling, however, seems unlikely at this point.
— There was some confusion surrounding Alex Riley and his elimination during the Royal Rumble last night because he was not supposed to go out when he did. He was supposed to hang on to the ring ropes when he was thrown over. This explains why the announcers were asking about him after he had been eliminated. They didn’t call his elimination.
— As Kevin Nash was getting up from the ground following his elimination from the Royal Rumble, a referee told him something. He then stared down Big Show as he was exiting the arena. It’s thought that this may have been a backstage audible due to the crowd’s receptive reaction to him and WWE planning something for him going forward.
— The song used during the video promoting Randy Orton’s match against The Miz at the Royal Rumble is “Machine Gun Blues” by Social Distortion.
— Former TNA Wrestling production manager Randy Ricci noted on his blog that a ‘reliable source’ informed him that top brass such as Dixie Carter, Vince Russo and Eric Bischoff are very hopeful that the “They” storyline “saves the company.”
Ricci adds that the storyline is being built off Karen and Jeff Jarrett’s ‘real live heat’ with Kurt Angle and that any employee against the angle is considered to be working against the company and thus may be terminated.
— Sting, who is rumored to be returning to TNA Wrestling, is not scheduled for this week’s iMPACT tapings.
— Booker T and Kevin Nash were in negotiations to return to TNA Wrestling as late as last week, but both grapplers instead opted to return to World Wrestling Entertainment. Booker T personally informed company president Dixie Carter that he had declined TNA’s offer. Nash, however, did not. He verbally agreed to return to TNA and was slated to sign a contract this week. Carter discovered Nash bolting for WWE when the news broke online.
At Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, former TNA stars Kevin Nash and Booker T made surprise appearances that have caused major rewrites to TNA’s “they” storyline.
It’s been widely speculated that TNA’s recent “they are coming” storyline would culminate in the return of the Main Event Mafia. With Kevin Nash and Booker T being two of the key members of the Mafia, major changes had to be made to the storyline.
A TNA source said, “Big time rewrite mode this week due to their dumb asses writing a plot around guys who are not under contract.”
Before he opted to appear at the Royal Rumble PPV, Kevin Nash had been pencilled in as part of the angle. There was also speculating regarding Booker T because of his past connections to the group, but he had not yet been contacted about participating.
Following his surprise return as Diesel at Sunday’s Royal Rumble pay-per-view, former WWE champion Kevin Nash was interviewed by WWE.com. Here are some highlights of what Nash said about:
His WWE Return: “I wish I had a thesaurus, so I could explain it. It’s nice to be in a building with people [laughs]. When you get in this business, you strive to get to WWE, and when it’s time to hang up your boots, you definitely want to end up a Yankee. So, if this was my last one, I couldn’t be happier.”
“[It was] unexplainable to be back, a dream come true, a wonderful night. I was trying to think, What tops this? When I won the WWE Title against Bob [Backlund] at Madison Square Garden, I didn’t really realize what I had. There are definitely more years behind me than ahead of me, so you appreciate these things. It was special tonight. It was probably the best night for me.”
Was The Rumble His Final WWE Match? “I hope not. I know Randy Orton, he’s got pull around here [laughs]. I’d stay as long as they’ll have me, or as long as my body will hold on.
His Confrontation With The Big Show: “A lot of history there, either together or on the opposite side of the ring. I’ve probably had 200 matches with Big Show in my life. He’s still probably the most impressive physical specimen I’ve been in the ring with – by far the strongest, still the measuring stick. I’d like to give him another run for his money.”
Sunday’s Royal Rumble match saw the surprise returns of Kevin Nash (as Diesel) and Booker T. Both men looked to be in top physical shape, with Kevin Nash dying his hair and goatee black for the first time in many years to reprise his role as Big Daddy Cool.
As to whether they signed new WWE contracts or the appearances were just a one-night-only deal, it appears we will likely see more of both. Dave Meltzer reports that as of this weekend, Booker T is under some sort of WWE contract with but Kevin Nash is not. The feeling is that WWE may offer more work based on the huge reactions each of them got at the Royal Rumble. Both still have a great deal of star power and both have ties to WCW. Most have probably heard by now that WrestleMania is likely going to feature some sort of WCW tie-in, since WrestleMania is taking place from Atlanta, the former home of the now-defunct promotion.
Kevin Nash has spoken publicly about wanting to attend the upcoming WWE Hall of Fame ceremony. Following his appearance in the Rumble match, Nash wrote on Twitter, which seems to imply that there could be more to his WWE return:
“Absolutely the best night of my wrestling career. It’s so nice to be back in WWE family. Thanks Boston for making me feel so special.”
As for Booker T, he may end up doing anything from announcing to managing and working backstage. A role for Booker T on the return of Tough Enough has been brought up.
— Like Booker T, Kevin Nash was also scheduled to appear at this weekend’s New Orleans Comic Con, but pulled out. A convention attendee noted that personnel announced: “Kevin Nash never made it to the building. Sorry, guys.” Many in the estimated crowd of 100 fans were said to be very disappointed.
— WWE Champion Edge, who is in Los Angeles this weekend to film retakes for his upcoming WWE Studios film, stayed at the hotel WrestleReunion convention attendees stayed at. He was spotted at yesterday’s Ring of Honor event and notably paid attention to the Kings of Wrestling vs. Charlie Haas and Shelton Benjamin match.
— WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler wrestled longtime rival Bill Dundee tonight at TNA Wrestling’s original stomping grounds, the Nashville Fairgrounds. Dutch Mantel was the special guest referee.
Booker T and Kevin Nash are scheduled to appear as surprise entrants for tomorrow night’s 40-Man Royal Rumble Match, reports PWInsider.com.
Booker T was expected earlier based on recent talks with organization officials and his scheduled appearance at the New Orleans Comic Con this weekend being canceled. Company sources confirmed this morning he is set for the 40-Man Royal Rumble Match.
WWE sources have also confirmed that Nash is booked for the match and is scheduled to fly into Boston later today. He was in discussions with TNA Wrestling officials as late as yesterday to finalize a contract with the organization, but instead opted to return to World Wrestling Entertainment.
Meanwhile, TNA Wrestling sources have confirmed that discussions with Nash fell through. Both sides had been negotiating on and off with sources indicating at one point that a deal was finalized. An infuriated Nash then accused TNA personnel of leaking the information, which led to new rounds of negotiations. He admitted last week to a Puerto Rican newspaper that he was in talks with TNA regarding a return to the organization. The aforementioned discussions ended within the past 24 to 48 hours.
— WWE Hall of Famers Eddie Guerrero, Sgt. Slaughter and Jimmy “Superfly” Snuka have been confirmed for THQ’s WWE All Stars video game.
— The storied careers of Scott Hall and Kevin Nash were highlighted on last night’s episode of WWE Vintage Collection. The following segments aired:
* “Razor Ramon” vs. Savio Vega from WWF Raw on September 30th, 1996
* The Diamond Stud and Oz vs. Tom Zenk and Big Josh from WCW Main Event on August 25th, 1991
* Razor Ramon’s vignette from WWF Superstars on June 13th, 1992
* Razor Ramon vs. Paul Van Dow from WWF Superstars on August 15th, 1992
* Shawn Michaels introducing Diesel from WWF Raw on June 7th, 1993
* Diesel vs. Lex Luger from WWF Raw on July 18th, 1994
* Scott Hall invading WCW from WCW Monday Nitro on May 27th, 1996
* Scott Hall introducing Kevin Nash from WCW Monday Nitro on June 10th, 1996
* Eric Bischoff confronting The Outsiders from WCW Great American Bash 1996
* The Outsiders vs. The Nasty Boys vs. Meng and The Barbarian from WCW World War 3 in 1996
— WWE Champion The Miz appears tomorrow for an autograph signing at the Kmart located on Boardman-Poland Road in Youngstown, Ohio beginning at 5:00 p.m. A wristband policy is in effect for the first 300 attendees.
— Jeff Hardy’s court hearing today in Moore County Superior Court in Carthage, North Carolina resulted in another continuance, reports the Southern Pines Pilot. Warren McSweeney, the Assistant District Attorney, requested more time to review the case. Hardy’s next scheduled hearing is Feb. 16. The TNA star did not attend the hearing.
Hardy was expected to take a plea bargain today on charges stemming from his 2009 arrest on drug charges. The plea agreement would have been subject to the judge’s approval.
— Kevin Nash stated during an interview with La Nación in Puerto Rico that he is presently negotiating with TNA Wrestling regarding a return to the organization.
Sources close to both sides indicate he has negotiated on and off with the company since his contract expired last October. It was recently reported that he agreed to a deal, but stated that someone in the office said he would be returning before a deal could be reached.
Last Thursday on TNA iMPACT!, Amazing Red’s “little” brother (officially known as “Crimson”) put Abyss in a chokehold backstage and delivered a cryptic message to him: “They are coming.”
“They” will mark the return of the Main Event Mafia and will consist of Kurt Angle and Scott Steiner, and possibly Sting, Kevin Nash and Booker T.
Steiner returned to TNA at last Wednesday’s iMPACT! taping and participated in a cliff hanger ending. He donned a suit reminiscent of his time in the Main Event Mafia. Angle is penciled in for the group, and many within the organization expect Sting to be too.
Many in TNA presume that Nash is on board for the group. However, he adamantly said last week on Twitter that he is not because he is retired. Internally, many believe Nash is kayfabing his absence from TNA, but those close to him indicate he’s legitimately retired.
Booker T’s status remains unknown at this point, other than he wasn’t believed to have signed as of last week. Some were pleased with his departure from the organization in October 2009 as there were complaints about his performance, attitude, refusal to put over Matt Morgan in a match, and his own admission that he was using the company as a way to audition for acting roles.
Bobby Lashley has been mentioned by those in TNA as a possible member of the group. However, those affiliated with the mixed martial artist don’t believe he’s returning to the wrestling organization. Lashley is currently a free agent as his contract with Strikeforce expired following his loss to Chad Griggs in August. The only thing of note he has done since then is work a wrestling match for the Japanese promotion Inoki Genome Federation (IGF) in September. He is not tentatively not scheduled for any upcoming shows.
“They” would initially feud with Immortal and Fortune. The angle begins on the Feb. 3 iMPACT!.
Former WWE and TNA star Kevin Nash answered a fan question on Twitter this week about whether he will be part of the revived “they” angle in TNA. Nash, who parted ways with TNA in the fall after the two sides were unable to agree on money, wrote this:
“Not going back to tna. I’m retired. Wasn’t it leaked from tna office that I signed a month ago and I wasn’t?”
Nash gave Shawn Michaels a warm congratulations earlier this week and says he’ll be at the Hall of Fame ceremoney in April to see HBK’s induction. Nash wrote:
“I’ll be at HBK’s hof, if I’m not shooting a film in Costa Rica for 2 months. If I’m at the hof, I’ll be at Mania. Check @DavidHerro for info”
To read the latest tweets from people in the pro wrestling business, visit SEScoops.com/tweets (beta).
– Kevin Nash wrote the following on his Twitter yesterday about Shawn Michaels:
“Congratulations to @ShawnMichaels_ the greatest. Is the HOF even enough? Come on Vince. Bronze statue in the lobby?”
For what it’s worth, Sean Waltman, Nash and Scott Hall are all three saying they will be at the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony in Atlanta to see Shawn get inducted.
– As we reported on Tuesday, WWE developmental territory Florida Championship Wrestling will hold a tryout clinic from March 4th through the 7th. WWE star Joey Mercury will join Norman Smiley, Tom Prichard, Steve Keirn and Ricky Steamboat as the trainers for the clinic.
– The band Paramore visited Monday’s RAW as guests of CM Punk. MTV.com had an article up this week covering the visit.
– Former WWE creative team member Court Bauer revealed on yesterday’s Figure Four Daily radio show that he was in talks with WWE last spring about developing original programming for the planned WWE cable network. Bauer told the hosts that he had several meetings at WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT but decided not to take the job.
He mentioned that WWE’s vision about their cable network has changed many times from what they originally had planned, especially after they began to shop it around to potential cable partners.
— Regarding Eric Young’s contract holdout with TNA Wrestling last month, he indicated to friends that he believed WWE would show interest in signing him and thus he held out for a better deal than the Nashville based organization initially offered. There was apparently no interest on WWE’s part in Young’s services and he re-signed with TNA Wrestling for less money than he was looking for. He was, however, granted freedom to accept independent bookings without company approval.
— The Dec. 9 episode of TNA ReACTION did a 0.58 cable rating, with 775,000 viewers. The previous week’s show drew a 0.62 cable rating, with 780,000 viewers.
— Kevin Nash revealed on Twitter that he has an account on Facebook and is accepting friend requests.
He wrote, “I updated my fb and found my best childhood friend. Plenty of room for friends. www.facebook.com/kevin.s.nash. Thanks, Kevin.”
— Kevin Nash continues to deny reports that he has re-signed with TNA Wrestling. There is talk, however, that a deal is in place.
One company official not aware of whether Nash had re-signed, assumed it was only a matter of time if he had not.
“They are talking,” said the official. “He’s got somebody’s ear. And by somebody, I mean Dixie Carter.”
— In a battle of former tag team partners, Sarita squares off against Taylor Wilde on this week’s episode of TNA Xplosion. To view the match, click here.
— TNA Knockout Cookie is advertised to appear alongside former WWE Superstar Matt Hardy at Poitin Still Irish Restaurant and Pub (located on 774 Main St. Hackensack, New Jersey) on Saturday, Dec. 11 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
— Kevin Nash, a former WWE Champion, remarked the following on Twitter regarding The Miz winning the WWE Championship on Raw:
“WWE told the world that there sh*t is a work with the Miz as champ,” he wrote on Twitter.
— Former WWE stars Haku and Harvey Wippleman were backstage visiting colleagues last night in Orlando, Florida.
— This week marks the twentieth anniversary of the day The Undertaker debuted in World Wrestling Entertainment. WWE.com salutes his two decades of destruction with the following feature.
– TNA officials believe that Sting will once again re-sign with the company. Sting has been working on a year-to-year basis for several years now, with Spike TV often contributing to his expensive contract renewals. If he does decide to stick with TNA, he would be brought back in January with some of the other TNA headliners who have been off television, like Kurt Angle.
– There has been talk of Kevin Nash being brought back to TNA. Click here for more on his recent TNA departure and Nash teasing that he’d like to wrestle The Undertaker at WrestleMania.
– TNA’s EV 2.0 storyline has essentially run its course and was not originally booked to last this long. Many within TNA are pleased the ECW originals got as much exposure as they did, but it’s really time to move on.
– Tommy Dreamer’s reported wrist injury was originally feared to be a break, but ended up “only” being a ligament injury with deep bruising.
– TNA Reaction will not air after iMPACT! on 12/16. Spike TV’s programming schedule lists the shows 1,000 Ways to Die and Phowned! that evening.
— Kevin Nash disputed online reports that he has re-signed with TNA Wrestling.
“I did not sign with TNA wrestling co.” he wrote on Twitter.
Those spoken with in the company today regarding the report were not aware that he had re-signed, but couldn’t say for sure that he had not.
— Tara’s character has been tweaked to that of a “cougar.” Creative plans call for the 39-year-old to attempt to strike a romance with members of Generation Me, of which are 14 (Max) and 18 (Jeremy) years her junior.
— TNA Wrestling newcomer Winter (a/k/a Katie Lea Burchill) celebrates her 30th birthday today.
— Kevin Nash has reportedly signed a new deal with TNA Wrestling, thus ending his contract dispute with the organization.
The former World Champion last appeared for TNA on the Oct. 14 episode of iMPACT! where he and Sting announced they were walking away from the company rather than join Hulk Hogan and Eric Bischoff’s regime.
— Matches taped yesterday in Orlando, Florida for an upcoming edition of Xplosion were Sarita vs. Taylor Wilde and Rob Terry vs. Okada.
— TNA Wrestling’s Director of Public Relations, Steven Godfrey, recently got married in Monroe, Louisiana. An article on his marriage can be read here.
— Kevin Nash, who recently became a free agent after he and TNA were unable to reach terms on a new contract, went on Twitter on Monday night and pitched an idea to Vince McMahon for him to return to WWE .. Nash, who was a booker for WCW back in the early 2000’s, seems to have the perfect scenario lined up for his return:
“Vince let me in the Rumble if I win i get taker at mania.If I lose I’ll join the kiss your ass club the next raw…………….DEAL?”
– WWE has announced that Miss USA Rima Fakih will be the guest star of the November 29th episode of WWE’s Monday Night RAW. That 3-hour edition of RAW from Philadelphia, PA will feature the return of the King of the Ring tournament. Fakih will be there to promote the Pink Fund,” which helps breast cancer patients pay for their medical bills.
– The Great Khali is being advertised for several upcoming RAW live events, so it looks like Khali has been in India for a few months filming a reality TV show.