As noted, Eva Marie was pulled from tonight’s WWE SummerSlam PPV after violating the WWE Wellness Policy, resulting in a 30-day suspension.
It’s possible that her replacement for tonight’s tag match will be Nikki Bella, who was just cleared to return to the ring.
Nikki flew into New York City late last night after a busy day at Wizard World Chicago. Speculation has been that she’s going to the SmackDown brand with boyfriend John Cena and now there are rumors that she could return for tonight’s match, which will see Alexa Bliss, Natalya and a partner take on Carmella, Naomi and Becky Lynch.
– Fox Sports 1 has released a trailer for the upcoming 4-part documentary series focusing on the UFC debut of former WWE Superstar CM Punk. The first chapter of “Evolution of Punk” premieres this coming Monday, 8/15 at 9:30pm ET. The hype video features footage of Punk training, wife AJ Lee and more.
Punk is scheduled to fight Mickey Gall on 9/10 at UFC 203. For much more on CM Punk’s UFC debut, visit our partner site MMANews.com.
– The final rating for Monday’s RAW was a 2.05, down from last week’s 2.30 rating. This was the 3rd lowest RAW rating of 2016, next to the record low 1.87 on 7/4 and the 2.03 from 6/13 against the NBA Finals. As noted, this week’s show drew a new non-holiday low for the modern era – 2.911 million viewers, down from last week’s 3.338 million.
– Nikki Bella did a cover shoot for Pacific San Diego magazine on Tuesday and tweeted this sneak peek:
– As seen on the Stone Cold podcast with Dean Ambrose this week, the WWE Champion spoke of actual shields that The Shield were to debut with. The idea was nixed but just right before they were to go out and make their debuts. The WWE Archivist tweeted this photo of the shields:
– The latest episode of The Rock’s “Rock The Promo” show can be seen below, featuring Vickie Guerrero as a guest judge:
– Congratulations to WWE couple John Cena and Nikki Bella, who are celebrating their 4 year anniversary this week. Nikki is at home in the US doing work while Cena is down under with WWE in New Zealand and Australia. The two tweeted the following on their relationship:
– During a recent media conference call, RAW Superstar Kevin Owens shared his thoughts about the WWE Draft and RAW/SmackDown featuring separate rosters. Courtesy of Abu Dhabi’s The National newspaper, Owens said:
“I wrestled Dean Ambrose and Dolph Ziggler(both of who are now on SmackDown), just to name those two guys, 20 times over the past few months. I always enjoy getting in the ring with both those guys and we always put on really good matches but it is good to have new challenges, new opponents and fresh matches. I think as a fan, and that is one thing I would say I still am because I watch every Raw and everything else still, that makes me excited because I am going to see different guys on different shows and different matches that I haven’t seen before or haven’t necessarily seen in a long time.
– WWE Performance Center striking coach and MMA fighter Seth Petruzelli has been training at the Team Vision Dojo in Orlando.
– Goldust recently revealed to TMZ Sports that he wants to see Libertarian Party nominee Gary Johnson as the next President of the United States:
– This video features Triple H, Dolph Ziggler and Chris Jericho talking about WWE Legend Patterson to promote his new “Accepted: How the First Gay Superstar Changed WWE” book:
– NXT Takeover: Brooklyn will have three theme songs:
– John Cena appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert this week to discuss SummerSlam and share some of his workout tips.
– The final rating for this week’s SmackDown Live was a 1.86, down from last week’s 1.92 rating. Viewership is still way up since going live on Tuesday nights.
– Nikki Bella is expected to join the SmackDown roster when she gets cleared to return, which is not surprising considering her relationship with John Cena.
– Regarding WWE reaching out to former stars for returns, the Wrestling Observer Newsletterreports that a lot of lowball offers are going out. In addition to the recent returns of Rhyno and Jinder Mahal, several more familiar faces are expected back in the coming months.
Speaking of former WWE stars who would be prime candidates to return, MVP was backstage at this past weekend’s NXT live event from Houston:
The women of Total Divas have been busy this week shooting scenes for the upcoming season. Newlywed Lana and Renee Young are in the Caribbean, while Natalya and Nikki Bella are training with UFC fighter and SHIMMER wrestler Shayna Baszler at The Jungle MMA training facility in Orlando, FL.
Nikki also stopped by the WWE Performance Center for a session with NXT star Billie Kay.
Want to give a shoutout to @BillieKayWWE at @WWENXT She trained with me today & so excited for her future! She's incredibly talented! N
Back in January, Nikki told E! Online that she’ll no longer be performing the Rack Attack finisher, as it contributed to the deterioration of her neck. With Nikki training for her return after neck surgery earlier this year, don’t be surprised to see her incorporate jiujitsu submission holds into her offensive arsenal.
“For now the ‘Rack Attack’ will be officially retired. I’ve been told by doctors to never do that again so we do feel that because my injury is in such a unique place in my spine we do feel that it could’ve come the ‘Rack Attack’ so the girls in the future better watch out for my killer forearm because I might not be hitting them with the ‘Rack Attack’ but I’ll definitely be hitting them with that forearm.”
There’s no set date for Nikki to return to WWE television, but she started training at the WWE Performance Center last week.
Season 6 of Total Divas premiers the fall. The cast will include the Bella Twins, Eva Marie, Naomi, Natalya, Paige as well as series newcomers Lana, Renee Young, and Maryse.
– NXT Superstar Oney Lorcan spoke with Charly Caruso earlier this week after winning his TV debut against Tye Dillinger. Lorcan says NXT competition is only getting better, which means he has to get better and to do that, he’s going back to his roots.
– Below is new video from “The Late Late Show” with James Corden’s parents, Malcolm and Margaret, at the recent RAW in London. They meet Big Show, Sheamus, Maryse, The Miz and more.
– Nikki Bella has been at the WWE Performance Center this week taking bumps as she prepares for her in-ring comeback. She posted this video of herself training with Bayley.
– Nikki Bella has finally returned to the ring as she’s training at the WWE Performance Center. No word yet on when she might return to action for WWE. She tweeted the following today:
– John Cena was back on NBC this morning as a guest co-host of Today. Cena has appeared on the program several times in the last year as he continues to build his brand for a post-wrestling career.
– On a related note, Cena’s girlfriend Nikki Bella seems very confident about returning to the ring. We noted this past week that she received good news from the doctors and teased a visit to the WWE Performance Center. She tweeted another return teaser last night during WWE Battleground, seen below:
Nikki Bella revealed this week that she was undergoing an MRI to determine whether or not she’d ever be able to wrestle again after undergoing major neck surgery back in January.
On Thursday morning, she announced that she got good news from her doctor and her next stop is the WWE Performance Center, presumably to begin training for her return. Nikki was not drafted to RAW or SmackDown as a result of her uncertain future at the time, but it looks like we could see her back in the ring later this year.
It’s phenomenal news that means she’ll ultimately get to write the final chapter of her WWE career on her terms.
– A fight broke out at Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown from Worcester, MA involving Sin Cara and Simon Gotch of The Vaudevillains. The two got physical near the catering area, but we are awaiting further details on what what precipitated the altercation. Neither man wrestled on the show. Fortunately, the two will not have to work together any time soon, as Sin Cara was drafted to RAW while The Vaudevillains will be on SmackDown.
– Nikki Bella will be undergoing an MRI this week to determine if she’s medically cleared to get back in the ring after undergoing major neck surgery back in January.
– There’s speculation on Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman possibly appearing on RAW to capitalize off Lesnar’s UFC 200 win over Mark Hunt but Heyman won’t be there as he’s headed to the UK for his one-man shows with Inside The Ropes.
– Nikki Bella is still eyeing a WWE ring return later this year. She tweeted the following last night and revealed that her final CAT Scan is soon:
Final CAT scan on neck in a few weeks… So can't wait! ??? N #stayfearless
– Shane Thorne and Nick Miller, now known as TM-61, made their NXT debuts on this week’s episode. The Australian team, formerly known as Shane Haste and Mikey Nicholls of The Mighty Don’t Kneel(TMDK), and are regarded as a strong tag team and a good signing by WWE.
– A Day To Remember and BABYMETAL will be providing music for the NXT Takeover: The End event on 6/8.
John Cena and Nikki Bella attended Saturday night’s White House Correspondents Dinner on Saturday night. The annual dinner is hosted by the President and is attended by the national media that covers Washington, celebrities and more.
Here are some photos of Cena and Nikki from the event:
– John Cena and Nikki Bella have been invited to President Obama’s final White House Correspondents Dinner this Saturday, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
– WWE won 3 Cynopsis Sports Media Awards this past week, including best streaming content service, best mobile app and best social media campaign for Conor’s Cure. It was also announced this week that the WWE Network won a Webby Award for the best online sports channel/network.
– Rusev confirms that he’s done with the dissolving League of Nations stable:
I'm done with LON I'm gonna go so hard motherbrother wanna fine me….. What's another title for a BRUTE like me can you please remind me
– Alberto Del Rio is back on the road with and will be at Monday’s RAW from Brooklyn, NY. He was at last week’s RAW, but missed SmackDown and did not appear at this weekend’s live events.
– Nikki Bella is rumored to be appearing on Monday’s RAW from Brooklyn, NY. She revealed on Instagram yesterday that she no longer has to wear her neck brace full time. Based on recovery, she expects to be ‘the strongest she’s ever been’ this summer.
Brie, who is expected to finish up with the company after WrestleMania, will also be returning for the final build to WrestleMania. Brie was off WWE TV this past week, reportedly due to a health issue with husband Daniel Bryan.
– On Sunday Shinsuke Nakamura arrived in Orlando, Florida for his permanent move to the city. The former NJPW star will be training at the WWE Performance Center and debuts for NXT this coming Friday at NXT Takeover: Dallas.
ShowBuzzDaily reported that this week’s edition of WWE’s Total Divas reality show on E! drew 808,000 viewers for a key demographic rating of 0.38. This was down very slightly from last week’s show, which drew 810,000 viewers and a 0.41 key demographic ratings. While realistically, it’s flat compared to last week, technically speaking, it’s down, as it has been every week this season since the premiere, though it’s easily the smallest loss so far.
Meanwhile, WWE put up the preview clips for next week’s episode on their YouTube channel:
In the first clip, Rosa Mendes and Alicia Fox plan for Rosa’s baby shower…but Fox isn’t really into decorating like it’s a baby shower. As in she’s planning on decorating it like a Halloween party. Why? I guess we’ll find out Tuesday.
In the second clip, Nikki Bella talks to Rosa Mendes and Eva Marie about her neck and back injury. Her immediate concern appears to be that she “feels fat” because she can’t really work out.
The new episode, titled “End of a Friendship,” premieres Tuesday night at 9:00 p.m. ET on E!
– Steve Austin’s Stone Cold Podcast returns to the WWE Network this coming Monday. Immediately after Monday’s RAW goes off the air, Stone Cold will interview The Big Show live from from Anaheim, CA.
– WWE will be returning to New Zealand for the first time in over 5 years on August 10th from the Vector Arena in Auckland. Tickets go on sale Monday morning at Ticketmaster New Zealand website. Top stars advertised to appear include Roman Reigns, Sheamus, New Day, Kevin Owens, Ryback, Naomi, Tamina, and Sasha Banks.
– Just weeks after neck fusion surgery, Nikki Bella is already working out in a neck brace.
– The following Total Divas plot summaries have been released for the month of episodes on the E! Network:
2/9 – “Talk of The Town” – Nikki aims to be the next Maria Shriver of motivational speaking but Brie mocks her; Alicia finds out her new boyfriend has been lying to her; Mandy questions her choices.
2/16 – “The Truth About Cats and Divas” – Eva Marie returns and shakes up the Divas; Nattie throws a surprise party for TJ to cheer him up; the Bellas fight over an endorsement.
2/23 – “Come Reign or Shine” – Brie challenges Nikki on whether it is worth risking an injury for the chance to become the longest reigning Divas Champion; Alicia and Rosa argue over their visions for Rosa’s baby shower; Nattie questions whether Mandy has her priorities straight.
2/26 – “End of A Friendship?” – Brie pushes her sister away when she refuses to enable Nikki’s fear of being alone; Rosa stresses out about her religious mother meeting her atheist boyfriend; Alicia Fox thinks about ending her friendship with Paige
Earlier: Nikki Bella is undergoing a C6-C7 cervical fusion this morning. The 2-hour procedure will determine the fate of her in-ring career. During an interview with E! Online earlier this week, she explained that she basically has a broken neck, a pretty bad herniated disk. Nikki explained.
“What makes mine a little bit difficult than most people is that I have some disk behind my vertebrae so with a lot of prayers we’re gonna pray that the doctors can get the piece behind my vertebrae with just a bone fusion”
“There is a potential that this is career-ending,” Nikki explained. “We will only know that when I get out of surgery on Wednesday and then basically how the bone heals Wednesday. So that’s been tough but I truly have such hope that I will get to compete in that ring another day, I really do.”
Show your support on Twitter by using the hashtag #FearlessNikki.
January 27th: Nikki Bella is undergoing a C6-C7 cervical fusion this morning. The procedure is expected to last two hours. Show your support on Twitter by using the hashtag #FearlessNikki.
January 25th: Former WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella will undergo neck surgery on Wednesday and the procedure could spell the end of her in-ring career. In an exclusive interview with E! Online, the Total Divas star spoke candidly about the extent of her injury.
“I have basically a broken neck, a pretty bad herniated disk,” Nikki explained. “What makes mine a little bit difficult than most people is that I have some disk behind my vertebrae so with a lot of prayers we’re gonna pray that the doctors can get the piece behind my vertebrae with just a bone fusion.”
The bone fusion procedure will take two hours. She’ll spend a day or two in the hospital and then will have to wear a neck brace for three months. After 6 months, she will undergo yet another x-ray and only then will doctors know if she’ll be able to wrestle again .
“There is a potential that this is career-ending,” Nikki explained. “We will only know that when I get out of surgery on Wednesday and then basically how the bone heals Wednesday. So that’s been tough but I truly have such hope that I will get to compete in that ring another day, I really do.”
Nikki confirmed that her Rack Attack finisher has contributed to the deterioration of her neck and she won’t be performing the move even if she does eventually get medically cleared.
This isn't the end for me. This is the beginning of a new chapter, of a test of will and strength. This is my comeback.
Nikki Bella, the longest reigning WWE Divas Champion in history, has been out of action since the October 26th edition of RAW due to bulging discs in her neck. She has been posting photos on social media updating fans on her condition and revealing that she’s been using alternative rehabilitation therapies in an effort to avoid having to undergo neck surgery.
After Christmas, it was reported by Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet that the injury was a result of her performing the “Rack Attack” finisher. Since then, she’s been saying that her destiny will be determined in late January.
On Wednesday, she underwent a medical evaluation to determine if she’ll need neck surgery or not.
Paige recently spoke with TooFab.com to promote tonight’s Total Divas season 5 premiere on the E! Network.Here are some highlights of what he said about:
Her Fiancé Kevin Skaff & Being Petrified Of Marriage:
“We definitely have a conversation and then throughout the season we definitely have more conversations [laughs], all ups and downs. It gets juicy, but I definitely think you have to tune in … Marriage still petrifies me. It’s something that I don’t want to do for a long time [laughs]. I still feel exactly the same way. I don’t think that’s going to change for a long time.”
Total Divas Newcomer Mandy Rose:
“There’s a new girl this season called Amanda, which we were on a show prior to this together called ‘Tough Enough’ and I was a judge and she was competing to be a WWE superstar/Diva. So we definitely butted heads on that show because I felt like she had a terrible attitude and when she was welcomed on this show it definitely shocked me. But, you know, I’ve gotten to know her and she is awesome but we do clash sometimes.”
Praise For Nikki Bella:
“She just gets better and better every time she steps in the ring… She’s a deserving girl. I only have positive things to say about Nikki, so it’s hard to be mean about her.”
Nikki Bella and Paige are in Columbus, Ohio for tonight’s WWE RAW, according to Mike Johnson at PWInsider.com. They will probably be on RAW to promote tomorrow night’s season 5 premiere of Total Divas on E!
Both women have been out of action for several weeks due to injury. Nikki is dealing with a career-threatening neck injury, while Paige has been recovering from what she is calling a ‘slight’ concussion. Paige should be back in action within a matter of weeks while Nikki is using alternative treatment methods hoping to avoid major neck surgery.
Join us here tonight for our WWE RAW Live Results & Discussion.
Total Divas is back this Tuesday (January 19th) at 9:00 p.m. ET on E! Entertainment Television, which means that WWE has started to push out all sorts of promotional material for the show’s season premiere. For example, Paige revealing that she has a concussion was part of an interview promoting the premiere, E! is running more Total Divas content on their website again, and even In Touch Weekly’s website got in on the act by featuring a Rosa Mendes baby bump photo. Of course, it also means that WWE has released preview clips for the episode on their YouTube channel.
In the first clip, Brie Bella/Brianna Danielson (remember, Total Divas is weird about names) and husband Daniel Bryan/Bryan Danielson talk to someone about some business proposal of her’s. Somehow, Bryan’s gardening and jelly/jam-making hobby play into this. In the brief clip, he does talk about how there’s now the possibility that he may be done wrestling.
Then there’s the resolution to last season’s cliffhanger, as Dolph Ziggler/Nick Nemeth says he could give Nikki Bella/Nicole Garcia-Colace babies and marriage if they got back together. Then he tries to kiss her in front of her and John Cena’s bus. This does not go well.
Later, she finally tells Cena. It looks like it may not go well, but they cut it off before “it gets good.” I guess we’ll have to tune in to find out what happens next, unfortunately.
