It looks like former WWE CEO Linda McMahon may not be getting a position in Donald Trump’s Presidential cabinet after all. McMahon, a Republican who ran for the United States Senate twice, is reportedly under consideration for the post of Commerce Secretary. However, Politico now reports that billionaire investor Wilbur Ross is Trump’s leading candidate for that job.
Speaking of the President-Elect, a lot of fans have been waiting to see how and if WWE would address him winning the Presidential election. As a WWE Hall of Famer, you’d think WWE would want to capitalize on this tremendous accomplishment. On the flip side, Trump and Clinton’s campaigns were very divisive and WWE might be best served distancing themselves from somebody whom half the country opposes.
There was no mention of Trump on RAW, but his WWE Hall of Fame “Superstar” page has been updated to reflect his win. The bio runs down Trump’s longstanding relationship with WWE, putting him over as a “captivating billionaire” and alpha male. As for Trump’s political career, the following paragraph has been added:
“In November 2016, Trump culminated his campaign against key contender Hillary Clinton and was elected into office as the 45th President of the United States — the first time in history a WWE Hall of Famer would ever hold the distinguishing title of U.S. Commander-in-Chief.”
– WrestleMania has once again made the top 10 of Forbes’ “Fab 40: The World’s Most Valuable Sports Brands” events list for the third year in a row. WrestleMania came in at number five, behind the Super Bowl, the Summer Olympics, the Winter Olympics and FIFA’s World Cup.
Forbes valued WrestleMania at $180 million, a 5.9% change from one year ago. #5 is a very impressive showing for WWE, with Forbes valuing WrestleMania higher than the World Series, college football playoffs, the college basketball Final Four and the Daytona 500.
According to Forbes, WrestleMania 32 in Dallas generated $29.4M in live event, WWE Network and stadium merchandise revenue, 18% more than the previous year’s event in Santa Clara. For more information, click this link.
– WWE has announced that the November 16th NXT Live Event from The Theater at Madison Square Garden will be headlined by NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura teaming with Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano to take on Samoa Joe and the NXT Tag Team Champions The Revival. Other stars being advertised for this enormous event include NXT Women’s Champion Asuka, Roderick Strong, Eric Young, Ember Moon, Bobby Roode, No Way Jose, Tye Dillinger, Cedric Alexander, and Nikki Cross.
– Below are clips featuring WWE Intercontinental Champion Dolph Ziggler discussing Donald Trump, Hillary Clinton and the US Presidential Election:
– Above and below are videos of Kevin Owens and Sasha Banks arriving to the TD Garden in Boston for tonight’s WWE Hell In a Cell PPV. Owens says he will make tonight’s Universal Championship match unforgettable. The RAW Women’s Champion says she’s blessed, excited and ready for tonight, and it means the world to battle inside the Cell in front of her hometown.
https://twitter.com/WWE/status/792827114923757568
– As seen below in the photo with NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, Korn frontman Jonathan Davis attended Saturday’s NXT house show in Bakersfield, CA with his son:
– NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura will remain on WWE’s developmental brand for the foreseeable future, according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter. As we saw with Finn Balor, WWE likes having an established top babyface as the cornerstone of NXT as they continue expanding into new markets with live events.
At 36 years old, you’d hope Nakamura doesn’t spend as much time in NXT as Balor did. He’s almost unanimously regarded as one of the most charismatic and marketable wrestlers on any of WWE’s rosters. Nakamura would obviously be a tremendous acquisition for either RAW or SmackDown, but we might have to wait until 2017 to see which brand hits the jackpot with him.
– Mickie James’s WWE television return aired on this week’s NXT. The former WWE Women’s Champion sent a message to NXT Women’s Champion Asuaka ahead of their match at TakeOver: on 11/19. Mickie says Asuka has beat some challengers but she hasn’t beat her. Mickie warns Asuka that she’s coming for her title and that it will be an international incident at TakeOver.
WWE World Champion AJ Styles recently spoke to GameRevolution.com and expressed interest in a potential SmackDown feud with Randy Orton. AJ said:
“We’re both on Smackdown! Live, so eventually that’s gonna happen. I think that’s gonna be huge, that’s gonna be fun. So there’s definitely guys on the Smackdown! roster that I haven’t had the opportunity to wrestle, and the RAW roster, and the NXT roster. I think there’s all these matches that people are gonna wanna see, it’s gonna happen eventually. And I’m one of ‘em. I want these matches to happen as well.”
AJ also said he’s looking forward in having a rematch against his WrestleKingdom 10 opponent Shinsuke Nakamura in WWE. He said:
“I don’t know when, or where, but it will happen eventually. The WWE, they’re smart, they know what they’re doing. And when that time comes, everybody will be aware of it, and they won’t wanna miss it.”
– NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura was stretchered out of Full Sail after the beatdown from Samoa Joe last night.
– Rachael Ellering, daughter of WWE Legend and NXT manager Paul Ellering, is now using the name Rachel Fazio. She lost to Liv Morgan last night. No word yet on if she has signed.
– Speaking of Liv, it looks like she’s coming for NXT Women’s Champion Asuka. Below is video from last night’s post-match promo and a Twitter exchange with Asuka:
Channel Guide Magazine has published a new interview with NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura. Topics discussed include his experience in NXT and at the WWE Performance Center, his feud with Samoa Joe and wanting to face Brock Lesnar.
As a child growing up in Japan, Nakamura liked wrestling, but wasn’t really a fan of WWE. “Japan had a huge wrestling culture. So I was not really a fan of WWE as a child,” he said. “It was much different than the Japanese style before. We had foreign wrestlers who came from America, Europe. Everyone from all over also ended up going to WWE. I did like Andre the Giant. I can’t imagine what it would be like to fight with him. I want to fight like him.”
Nakamura is at the WWE Performance Center almost every single day. In training there, he’s had a chance to improve his skills by working with veteran trainers like Terry Taylor as well as some of NXT’s younger wrestlers. “I have gotten a chance to talk with Terry Taylor. His opinion has been very interesting for me. He knows there is a psychology and certain things American fans like. I really enjoy studying from him…Most NXT guys are young guys. They keep me young working with them. They challenge me in a different way. I can teach them and also can study. I learn from them.”
Takeover: Brooklyn II saw Shinsuke Nakamura defeat Samoa Joe to capture the NXT championship. They’ve been feuding for several months in NXT and Nakamura says he’s quite familiar with Joe and hsi style. “I know his technique. He has good technique. He has this rare technique that is strong with not only wrestling, but MMA fighting. I also know similar techniques, so it’s nice to face him in NXT. He is a big challenge.”
One WWE Superstar Nakamura would like the chance to work with is Brock Lesnar. The two actually wrestled once before in New Japan, with Brock Lesnar besting the Japanese sensation back in January 2006. When Nakamura makes it to the main roster, a showdown with Brock Lesnar is one of the biggest marquee matches WWE could promote. Nakamura’s into it.
“If I get a chance, I would be up for that. My body would need to be ready because he is tough. Ouch.”
– The WWE Cruiserweight Classic quarterfinals continue tonight with Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins and Noam Dar vs. Zack Sabre Jr.
– Tonight’s NXT episode will feature Asuka vs. Danielle Kamela, Ember Moon vs. Leah Vaughn, TM-61 vs. Tony Nese & Ariya Daivari and Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Steve Cutler.
– John Cena confirmed on Twitter that he will miss the first SmackDown exclusive PPV this Sunday, Backlash. Cena will be working the international tour instead. He tweeted:
– The recent Talking Smack segment featuring Daniel Bryan and The Miz was loosely scripted, but WWE officials were surprised with how it played out. Both men were given some leeway with what they could say, but few people expected it to get the attention it did. While The Miz cut one of the best promos of his career and showed a fire rarely tapped into by the Intercontinental champion, there’s also a feeling that it won’t lead to a real payoff since Daniel Bryan can’t wrestle.
– With Curt Hawkins returning to WWE television soon as part of the SmackDown brand, the former tag team champion stopped by the Performance Center in Orlando to check out the world class training facility.
What an awesome stop through the @WWEPerformCtr …That's truly a special place for anybody that loves professional wrestling. Fact.
– WWE has posted a new video looking at the 4 hottest free agents in WWE, including The Undertaker, The Rock, Luke Harper and Emma. As noted over the weekend, Luke Harper is headed to the Performance Center this week to see how his knee is doing after undergoing ACL surgery back in March.
– WWE has released two more 360 degree videos from NXT Takeover. Below, you can experience Bobby Roode and Shinsuke Nakamura’s entrances like never before. You can control the videos with your mouse or by tilting your mobile device.
– NXT Superstar Ember Moon turns 28 today while Mickie James turns 37 and Jeff Hardy turns 39.
– Tonight’s NXT episode on the WWE Network will feature Shinsuke Nakamura speaking as NXT Champion, Tye Dillinger vs. Murphy, Aliyah vs. Liv Morgan, Angelo Dawkins vs. No Way Jose and Kenneth Crawford vs. Steve Cutler.
– Tonight’s Cruiserweight Classic episode will feature the quarterfinals beginning. Matches include Rich Swann vs. TJ Perkins, Brian Kendrick vs. Kota Ibushi, Gran Metalik vs. Akira Tozawa and Zack Sabre, Jr. vs. Noam Dar.
– SmackDown GM Daniel Bryan will be the “Off the Top Rope” guest for Jonathan Coachman on ESPN SportsCenter tonight.
There’s been a lot of speculation on why top NJPW star Kazuchika Okada was backstage for NXT Takeover and WWE SummerSlam in Brooklyn but as he’s signed to a New Japan deal, he legally cannot talk with WWE.
Okada was reportedly there just as a guest of new NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura.
Below is a photo of the two hanging out with Hideo Itami at SummerSlam:
– WWE has reportedly applied to trademark the name “Demon King,” for use in clothing, toy production, and performance.
– WWE has officially announced 15,671 as the attendance for last night’s second annual NXT Brooklyn Takeover.
– Curtis Axel has since deleted the tweet, but at one point last night, the third generation star had this to say to new NXT Champion Shinsuke Nakamura:
“Congrats to the New @WWENXT Champion @ShinsukeN. I’d still whoop ur dumb ass and take that title from you!”
Below is a screenshot:
– The latest Canvas 2 Canvas featurette starring WWE artist Rob Schamberger is a tribute to WWE Hall of Famers Ric Flair and Sting:
– There had been some speculation on Kota Ibushi wrestling at NXT Takeover: Brookyn last night but he obviously did not. He was shown backstage in Shinsuke Nakamura’s locker room with Funaki and later at ringside with other CWC talents.
– Speaking of Nakamura, Triple H tweeted the following on the new NXT Champion after Takeover:
– The celebration for Nakamura continued in the hallways of the Barclays Center last night. Below is video of fans singing Nakamura’s theme song, something they did often during the main event:
– Below are Twitter and backstage video comments from Nakamura following his big win. Nakamura calls the match against Samoa Joe one of the toughest he’s ever been in.
It was confirmed at tonight’s NXT TV tapings that Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Samoa Joe for the NXT Title will headline the 8/20 Takeover: Back To Brooklyn event from the Barclays Center.
NXT GM William Regal made the announcement at tonight’s Full Sail tapings, in a segment that should air on 8/3.
– MizTV with Bob Backlund and Darren Young has been announced for this week’s SmackDown. The Miz will defend his WWE IC Title against Darren Young at the 7/24 Battleground PPV after winning a battle royal on RAW.
– Former WWE star Zeb Colter (Dutch Mantell) will appear at a stand-up comedy show in Nashville, Tennessee on 8/10 at Zanies. More information is available here.
– The Rock appears pretty close with the new UFC owners, as seen in this tweet. Rock is represented by WME, who along with IMG and investors are the new UFC owners after a $4 billion sale.
It was announced on this week’s episode of NXT that the highly anticipated Finn Balor vs. Shinsuke Nakamura dream match will take place on the July 13th episode of NXT.
It was expected that NXT would hold off on this match until Takeover: Brooklyn, especially after Triple H strongly hinted this on Twitter. It’s also worth noting that the July 13th episode of NXT takes place just days before the WWE Draft. Jus sayin’.
WWE will tape the next 3 weeks of NXT television on Friday from Full Sail, which will include the July 13th episode and Balor vs. Nakamura.
Four of NXT’s top competitors have been added to Sunday’s WWE live event from Orlando, Florida, a show Roman Reigns will miss due to his 30-day suspension for violating the company’s talent wellness policy.
Orlando’s Amway Center now is advertising a bonus NXT tag team match that is a pretty damn good consolation prize: NXT Champion Samoa Joe and Austin Aries will team up against Finn Balor and Shinsuke Nakamura.
Other top stars advertised to appear include Seth Rollins, Cesaro, Alberto Del Rio, Sasha Banks, Eva Marie and “Members of The Club.”
The NXT tag match comes just weeks before the WWE Draft, when up to a dozen NXT performers are rumored to be joining RAW and SmackDown. While Samoa Joe is still NXT champion and Nakamura/Balor appear to be on a collision course for NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, you’d be hard pressed to find anybody in NXT more qualified to be drafted than these four.
At Thursday night’s NXT TV tapings, the stage was set for an eventual showdown between Shinsuke Nakamura and former NXT Champion Finn Balor.
At the conclusion of the first show (airing next week), Balor cut a promo about NXT being a part of him, no matter what lies ahead. He was interrupted by Shinsuke Nakamura, who said he has to defeat Balor, an NXT icon, before becoming champion. Balor acknowledged a match with Nakamura was looming.
Triple H tweeted the following photo from backstage at the tapings, strongly hinting that this NXT dream match will take place at Takeover: Brooklyn during SummerSlam weekend:
– NXT will be taping the next several weeks of television tonight from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida. Join us here tonight around 6:30 PM EST for live spoilers. Based on Bobby Roode’s cameo at Takeover last night, don’t be surprised for him to make his NXT in-ring debut at the tapings.
– Natalya tweeted the following on Asuka and Nia Jax after last night’s Women’s Championship match at Takeover:
As per the JAW podcast; Kevin Owens has been billed as Shinsuke Nakamura’s opponent for WWE’s July 2nd show at Sumo Hall in Ryogoku, Japan.
WWE announced that they would be arriving at the famous hall for a two day stint a week after the announcement that Nakamura would be signing with the company.
Others advertised for the residency are: AJ Styles, Asuka, Roman Reigns, The New Day, Sheamus, Rusev, Chris Jericho and Paige.
Nakamura v Kevin Owens has been booked for the WWE Japan show on July 2nd.
Nia Jax won a Triple Threat on tonight’s NXT to become the new #1 contender to Asuka. They will face off for the Women’s Title at NXT “TakeOver: The End” on 6/8 at Full Sail University.
Austin Aries vs. Shinsuke Nakamura was also announced on tonight’s show. The two recently teamed together.
Previously announced for “The End” are Finn Balor vs. NXT Champion Samoa Joe in a steel cage and The Revival vs. NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha.
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.
– Shinsuke Nakamura’s new WWE t-shirt sold out immediately when released in Japan on May 2nd.
– For whatever reason, Adam Rose has deleted his tweets regarding his 60-day suspension from WWE, including his initial reaction to the Wellness policy violation as well as the doctor’s note he posted this week, which explained that he’s been legally prescribed Adderall to treat his Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD).
– Seth Rollins is getting close to being medically cleared to return to WWE. The former WWE World Heavyweight champion underwent reconstructive surgery back in November to repair ACL, MCL, and medial meniscus tears in his right knee. The injury was sustained during a match against Kane at a WWE live event from in Dublin, Ireland. You can see footage of the incident here.
Randy Orton’s recovery from shoulder surgery, however, going slower than expected. He’s recovering and could be at the WWE Performance Center to train for a ring return as soon as mid-June.
Sami Zayn and Shinsuke Nakamura had arguably the “Match of the Year” inside the WWE at NXT Takeover Dallas.
Fans all around the world were anticipating a spectacle, and both men delivered in a major way. Millions watched as Nakamura’s WWE NXT debut was everything they expected it to be, and more. It was also Zayn’s final match in NXT, which was a somber, but exciting moment.
What’s interesting is how the match came to be behind the scenes. On a recent episode of Talk Is Jericho, Sami Zayn revealed that he and Nakamura didn’t interact before their match at NXT Takeover.
“I think I met him literally once. And we’ve had very parallel careers. He started [at] the same time as me. I think I started two months before him or something. [Him] 14 years, me 14 years. He was in New Japan. I never worked New Japan, so we never worked. We’ve met maybe once. We never touched and I remember Matt Bloom, who’s head of the WWE Performance Center now was saying, ‘Hey, maybe you guys want to get in the PC and spar a little or something like that. I don’t want the first time you guys get in the ring ever, the first time you touch, to be at this big match.’ And unbeknownst to me, Nakamura said the same thing I said, ‘No, no, no. I prefer that,’ which is a dangerous thing, but it’s what I know. Yes, I prefer for the first time to be in the show, instead of a ‘Hey, lets feel it out in the ring’ [and] feel how this guy moves and stuff. So we ended up putting something together.’” – Sami Zayn
Knowing the back story to Zayn and Nakamura’s match at NXT Takeover Dallas immediately makes it more impressive.
It’s a known fact that there are wrestlers who don’t like to outline a match move by move. Clearly, neither of those men like to either and it was one of the greatest matches in NXT history.
– Shinsuke Nakamura is using the same finisher in NXT that he used in Japan, but the name has been changed. In Japan it was called the Bomaye, and in NXT it’s called the Kinshasa. According to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter, the change was made because a clothing company in the U.S. already has “Bomaye” trademarked.
– WWE talent now has a way to get out of WWE’s business casual dress code while on tour. The dress code is now either business casual, or Tapout brand athletic apparel. The Wrestling Observer reports that WWE owns part of Tapout and sees their stars promoting the brand as good business.
– Titus O’Neil will be on a new episode of Animal Planet’s Tanked tonight. On the show, a fish tank company called Acrylic Tank Manufacturing designs Titus a gator-themed tank that pays homage to his alma mater, the University of Florida.
