The Rock announced on Tuesday that his longtime girlfriend Lauren Hashian is pregnant with a baby girl. It will be their first child together. The Rock has a daughter, Simone, from his marriage to Dany Garcia. Congrats to The People’s Champ!
Former WWE star Batista spoke with WWE.com to promote the opening of his new James Bond movie Spectre. Here are the highlights of what The Animal said about:
Where are we more likely to see him with The Rock, on a movie set or in the ring at WrestleMania?
“That’s a good question. I would take either opportunity. At this point, you’re more likely to see us in the ring together. If you flash back to WrestleMania XX, that would be the only time. I don’t have any plans right now to return to the ring or to do a film with Dwayne, but I would jump at the chance for either opportunity.”
Does he think about returning to WWE one day?
“I miss it so much. What I really thought was so interesting is the way that Chris Jericho went back and did Live Events. Live Events are fun, man. It’s really just all about you and the audience. I always just loved that. I’m passionate about it. I’m proud to be a pro wrestler because I love it.”
You can read the full interview at WWE.com.
https://youtu.be/EufLcS67NpQ
Former WCW star Bill Goldberg recently spoke with the Huffington Post about his role in the new movie “Check Point.” During the discussion, Goldberg compares his acting career to The Rock’s, talks about his new movie and more. Below are some of the highlights.
On the emotional plot of Check Point:
“Terrorism, as a whole, is — I don’t want to say ‘taboo’ — but it is a very emotional subject. For the plot of the movie to be that it is homegrown. The fact that it happens on our own soil and at the hands of our own citizens is touchy. Not only is it a reminder of the harsh reality that terrorism exists, but that it can actually be carried out on somebody that was born in the United States.”
On why he was attracted to the project:
“With my involvement with the military, and always wanting to raise awareness, I thought it was a perfect project.”
On how this role varies from his usual ones:
“Is it stretching my acting legs? No — and yes. The part is an extension of myself, but any time I’m able to surround myself with experienced actors, I can do nothing but grow.”
On The Rock’s acting compared to his:
“‘The Rock’ has definitely set the bar. He’s in a class by himself, and he always will be, I believe. He’s an ‘entertainer,’ and always has been — in the ring and out. I’m more of a ‘competitor;’ I like to go in the ring and let people judge the competition.”
– Featured above is a preview for tonight’s episode of WWE Rivalries on the WWE Network. The latest episode features a look at the rivalry between John Cena and The Rock.
– The man who played the security guard for Tyler Breeze and Summer Rae’s “V.I.P. Section” on Monday’s RAW in San Diego was California-based independent wrestler Alexander Hammerstone.
– WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins tweeted the following regarding his upcoming title defense against the new number one contender, Roman Reigns.
This is the one I've been waiting for. #RollinsVsReigns Time to train til I die.
— Seth Rollins (@WWERollins) October 27, 2015
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson has landed yet another major endorsement deal. The WWE legend revealed on Thursday that he has launched a new partnership with Under Armour sports apparel to release a line of products for men, women and children. He noted that the partnership has been “years in the making.”
Related: The Rock Partners With Ford Motor Company
https://instagram.com/p/9Jy1paIh-r/
As noted, the match between The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar at this Sunday’s WWE Hell In A Cell pay-per-view in Los Angeles, California is scheduled to be their final battle.
The current belief is that Lesnar will defeat Undertaker to end their feud due to a run-in by whoever he will feud with next, possibly even the guy he will be feuding with heading into WrestleMania 32. There is no word yet if Lesnar will feud with anyone else between now and next year’s WrestleMania season.
Although no angle was shot between Steve Austin and Lesnar during Monday’s “Stone Cold Podcast,” there are still some clinging to the idea that there has to be a big match at WrestleMania because Vince McMahon wouldn’t blow off a major match like Lesnar vs. Undertaker at a smaller event like Hell In A Cell unless he had something bigger in his back pocket for WrestleMania.
Despite the fact that The Rock also rumored to be facing Lesnar next year, there is no word regarding The Rock appearing at Hell In A Cell on Sunday to shoot an angle.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
– The October 26th edition of WWE RAW in San Diego, California, which is the post-Hell In A Cell edition of the show, has sold just over 6,000 tickets. The arena in San Diego for RAW is actually set up for approximately 8,500 fans.
– The Rock posted the following teaser on his future plans for his “Ford Service” spokesman gig.
https://instagram.com/p/88g1W-Ih1I/
– WWE Diva and “Team Bella” member Alicia Fox recently took part in a photo shoot with photographer Chad Martel, her sister Christina Crawford and some additional models. Alicia’s sister is a former WWE developmental talent Caylee Turner. Below are some of the photos.
https://instagram.com/p/863K5Uxqdl/
https://instagram.com/p/865feyRqRO/
WWE announcer Tom Phillips recently spoke with Penn State News about his career. Below are some of the highlights.
On working WWE commentary: “It may sound cliché, but I watch the WWE Network constantly. It could be matches from 1991, 1970 or as recently as 2010. I just like to listen to the ways commentary has changed through the years. On commentary, we try to really bring what’s happening to life. So you have to know the product, the superstars and history. It’s not always easy. At first it was like trying to learn Chinese and having no knowledge of how to speak Chinese. The difficult thing was finding my own voice, and it feels like I’m competing with myself every week to get better.”
On his goal coming out of Penn State in 2011: “I told myself I want to be the greatest broadcasting alumnus Penn State has ever had. That’s a really tall task, but I pursue that every single day. It’s beyond important for me to represent my school and my family.”
On working with The Rock in Philadelphia earlier this year, one of his career highlights: “In classic Rock fashion, he tore me to pieces. In my head I’m thinking about all those times he’d done that to someone else. I’m just trying to stay focused.”
On his job with WWE: “My job is to bring viewers information. My job is to make sure the show goes smoothly, point out what happened last week, mention what’s coming next. That’s my job. My job is just to be the professional.”
Check out the complete interview at PSU.edu.
– The dark main event that took place after the WWE SmackDown tapings from Cincinnati saw Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns defeat Bray Wyatt and Luke Harper. The babyfaces celebrated afterwards in front of Ambrose’s hometown crowd.
– Xavier Woods got his nose busted open during The New Day’s match against Dean Ambrose and the Dudley Boyz at Tuesday’s SmackDown tapings
– The Rock, Kevin Owens, Bubba Ray Dudley and Tommy Dreamer had this exchange on Twitter on Tuesday evening:
@THETOMMYDREAMER Appreciate you TD! 9 Singapore Canes is straight ?. Thx for not stiffin me like @realbully5051 did with the canes
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) October 13, 2015
@THETOMMYDREAMER @BubbaRayDudley He's kayfayb'n again I see.. aren't we all.
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) October 13, 2015
@FightOwensFight @THETOMMYDREAMER @BubbaRayDudley Just found the name of our next movie.. "The Four Kayfaybers"
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) October 13, 2015
LOL 3 Of us have a problem w/ frontal nudity #NoBraDay #tshirtguys @FightOwensFight @BubbaRayDudley @TheRock https://t.co/kO9KkZg5Ij
— Tommy Dreamer (@THETOMMYDREAMER) October 13, 2015
@TheRock @FightOwensFight @THETOMMYDREAMER Remember when Dreamer played the Trans Am in "Smokey and the Bandit?" pic.twitter.com/PJG2xtnTaG
— Bully Ray (@bullyray5150) October 13, 2015
@BubbaRayDudley @FightOwensFight @THETOMMYDREAMER Jackie Gleason would appreciate this joke
— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) October 13, 2015
– There will be a special screening of “The Resurrection of Jake Roberts” tomorrow night at the Arclight Theater in Culver City, California. Roberts, Steve Austin and movie director Steve Yu will all be in attendance for the screening, and you can get tickets at jakethesnakemovie.com.
– PWInsider.com reports that a horror film called “The Temple” will be WWE Studios’ next project. Filmnig will begin in February 2016. No casting details have been announced yet.
– Former WWE champ The Rock begins filming season 2 of his HBO show Balers in three weeks time.
https://instagram.com/p/8wSXXUIh5_/
– John Cena indicated via social media that he will be competing in another “Beat The Clock Challenge” on tonight’s RAW. The WWE United States Champion wrote the following when talking about the Chicago fans, as tonight’s RAW emanates from Chicago this evening.
Few places get as loud as the @AllstateArena. Perfect place for #USOpenChallenge. #NGU #RAW @WWE
— John Cena (@JohnCena) October 12, 2015
– Former WWE performer Rodney Mack celebrates his 45th birthday today. Also celebrating a birthday today is Global Force Wrestling’s Karen Jarrettt, who turns 43.
– As we reported earlier this month, The Rock has signed on as the new spokesman for Ford’s service department. Below is the latest television commercial, which features The Rock and his team.
https://youtu.be/JTxE0TEOgT0
– Although he hasn’t been a character on television in what seems like forever, Zeb Colter is still under contract to WWE. Colter is currently listed as “out of action” with the reason listed being that he is recovering from surgery.
– Former TNA star James Storm has been in talks with WWE as of late regarding a possible role as a player/coach kind of figure in NXT. If he were to get the job, he would be working matches as a talent in the company, but would also work to help some of WWE’s up-and-coming developmental talent.
– WWE has inked a new deal with Pez. The candy company is scheduled to make brand new Pez dispensers using the likeness of such WWE stars as John Cena, The Rock and The Undertaker.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
The WWE Shop website recently moved The Rock from the “Alumni roster” to the “current roster,” and apparently this wasn’t a mistake.
There has been some speculation within WWE as of late, particularly since the television ratings started dropping, of WWE trying to bring The Rock back to television in an attempt to boost the numbers during NFL season.
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that WWE’s promotions department has been told that The Rock and company officials are in the middle of serious talks about doing something together before the end of 2015.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
– In the “Where Are They Now?” department, former WWE developmental talent Lindsay Kay Howard (Isis The Amazon, Aloisia) appeared on an episode of Grey’s Anatomy last week.
– Former WWE Superstar Christopher Nowinski, who is now running the Concussion Legacy Foundation, was backstage at WWE RAW in Boston, Mass. on Monday night. Below is a photo of Nowinski at the show with Natalya.
Awesome seeing @ChrisNowinski1 backstage at #Raw tonight. He's a great friend to me who has helped me immensely. ? pic.twitter.com/tCHv8c36rF
— Nattie (@NatbyNature) October 6, 2015
– The Rock recently did a photo shoot for Muscle & Fitness magazine and called it his “biggest and most intense photo shoot” so far. The Rock posted the following preview:
https://instagram.com/p/8evTMyoh6q/
Former WWE Diva Kelly Kelly recently spoke with Scott Fishman of Channel Guide Magazine to promote tonight’s “WAGS” season finale on the E! network. Below are some of the highlights from the interview.
On WWE not supporting the show: “My family and friends have been number one fans. They have watched every week. They are so supportive of it. The lead-in is ‘Total Divas.’ So it’s perfect because fans want to also know what it’s like after WWE and what life is like. It’s the perfect transition into that. You know WWE hasn’t been very supportive, so that’s kind of upsetting. I’ve gave them so many years. We’re on the same network. We are right after ‘Total Divas.’
“They just haven’t given any support whatsoever. They support when guys do other things outside of the business like The Rock and Steve Austin. They support them fully. For me, it’s like really? We didn’t have a falling out. I left on good terms. Now that I’m doing this on my own, and I’m on the same network, you could be more supportive. So that has been upsetting, but people I used to work with and a lot of the wrestlers watch it. So that’s great to have their support. Maryse came on this season, so that was cool. It has been good.”
On possibly starring as CJ Perry with The Rock in Baywatch: “That would be the role of a lifetime. I have kind have been talking to The Rock here and there. He is like, “I’m rooting for you. We’ll see what happens.” Every hot actress, model, athlete is going out for this role, but you never know how things. He was like, ‘You’d be perfect for it. I was like, ‘Yay! I’m going to try to use my Twitter following to my advantage. Let’s just put this out there.’”
Check out the complete interview at ChannelGuideMagBlog.com.
https://youtu.be/0ZY7qPIn2_E
The big announcement that The Rock has been hyping this week is a partnership with the Ford Motor Company, where he’ll serve as the corporation’s new Spokesman of Service. Here’s the press release from Ford:
Dwayne Johnson Accepts Leading Role with Ford Service
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 1, 2015 – Ford announced today its new advertising campaign for Ford service, “The Specialists at Ford” – featuring big-screen action hero, producer and business entrepreneur Dwayne Johnson.
“The Specialists at Ford” are an elite crew of Ford technicians led by Johnson. This dedicated team has all of the training, diagnostic tools and Motorcraft parts that make servicing your vehicle at your local Ford dealership the right decision.
In addition to Johnson’s on-screen presence and producing success, he is a longtime Ford fan, owning three Ford vehicles – his favorite being F-150. His genuine appreciation of the brand makes the alignment of Ford service and Dwayne Johnson a great partnership.
Television ads will begin running Monday, Oct. 12, followed by radio, digital and social spots. The multiyear deal will feature a continuous stream of new content being developed – with Dwayne Johnson and “The Specialists” keeping the campaign fresh and exciting.
– Former NXT head trainer Bill DeMott recently spoke to the Miami Herald about his departure from WWE following widespread allegations of misconduct on his part:
“It was just time to move on. Everything has a shelf life, and you have to realize what you’ve done, and if what you’ve done is more important than what you think you should be doing, then you have to make that decision. I’m proud of what I’ve done. I’m proud of the system.
“After 28 years, I don’t think you’re ever really done, and that’s why the seminars like on Oct. 2 at the Main Event Training Center are cool. I really haven’t spent too much time sitting, thinking about [WWE departure]. I just consider it another chapter in what I’m doing.”
– Several fans noted that The Rock’s WWE.com profile has been moved from Alumni to [current] Superstars.
– Speaking of The Rock, he’s teasing a ‘huge announcement’ coming this week.
https://instagram.com/p/8Mbrx0ohw1/
The Rock announced on social media that one of his puppies died this week after eating a toxic mushroom on his property. Brutus became Internet famous earlier this month after The Rock saved him from drowning. #RIPBrutus
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross has updated his blog at JRsBarBQ.com with his thoughts on various WrestleMania 32 rumors. Here are some highlights of what JR said about:
WrestleMania 32 Rumors:
“The online speculation on what the card will resemble at Wrestlemania Texas will become nauseating before it will all be said and done. This ‘Mania will do 100,000+ IMO but even with that success one has to wonder will today’s social media obsessed fans will be satisfied? I think that we all know the answer to that one.
Plans are coming together well for our WM32 weekend of activities. Our meetings in Dallas last week on our venue and our show schedule in Dallas plus a new pro wrestling project that we are exploring went very well.”
Steve Austin wrestling Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 32:
“Love the fact that Steve Austin definitively shot down the rumors of any chance that he would face Brock Lesnar at Wrestlemania Texas on April 3 in Arlington at AT&T Stadium. I said the same thing on my podcast this week after talking to Steve before recording it last week on the Bruce Mitchell episode. Nonetheless no matter what Austin or anyone else says many fans will remain hopeful and damn near sure that this match is going to happen. I can only say to that ” Let it go.”
I could see Lesnar winning the 2016 Royal Rumble and then facing the WWE champion and winning before 100,000+ fans at WM32. Time will tell as there are many ways to go with a star as talented as Lesnar.”
The Rock vs. Triple H at WrestleMania 32:
“Another rumor is Rock vs. HHH at Wrestlemania Texas. I could see that happening but only time will tell. These two could have a great build up and then deliver a stout, old school match.”
We noted late last week that The Rock is no longer being considered as Brock Lesnar’s WrestleMania 32 opponent. A WrestleMania showdown between Lesnar & The Rock has been rumored for years, but has been nixed time and time again for various reasons.
Of course after what transpired at this year’s WrestleMania with The Rock, Ronda Rousey and The Authority, there had been a lot of speculation that the four of them would be involved in a mixed tag team match. That was until Ronda Rousey revealed that her movie schedule will prevent her from being part of next year’s show.
The current plan is for The Rock to face Triple H in a singles match at WrestleMania, according to Dave Meltzer on Sunday’s Wrestling Observer radio.
We’re still 6 months out and a lot can change by WrestleMania season, but the absence of names like Steve Austin, Ronda Rousey, Hulk Hogan and possibly Sting make a high-profile match featuring The Rock even more necessary for WWE to ensure WM32 is a big success.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson posted the following on Instagram about the first time he met Vince McMahon back when he was only 11 years old.
My nightmare aka my very first TV “appearance” when I was 11yrs old.
At a WWE TV taping in Allentown, PA. Since my dad was always on the road wrestling, any father/son time we got in was great, so I was super pumped to travel with him.
It was backstage that I’d meet a man who years later we’d enjoy tremendous success together, and he’d become one of my strongest mentors in business – Vince McMahon. I’ll never forget he shook my hand, looked down at me and said “We gotta get you on camera tonight young man!”. I thought, “WHOA I’m gonna be on TV… can’t wait to tell my friends… AWESOME!”. So I’m sitting there in the crowd, the camera man comes over and tells me he’s getting ready to shoot so be ready. It was in that defining moment that I just realized something awful… I was just getting over a bad case of Chicken Pox (you can clearly see a few “post pox” on my face), and I thought “Holy sh*t this is terrible! The world will see me for the first time, and I look like someone set fire to my face and stomped it out with cleats”. Looking back at this gem of a picture, there’s two things I’ve learned: Things are never as bad as they seem (especially at 11yrs old) and instead of worrying about my Chicken Pox I should’ve been concerned with the world questioning whether I was a boy or a girl. Which, for the record happened all the time to me when I was a kid.
#PrePubertyWasABitch#StopWorryingSweatheart#GetYourLittleAssInTheGym #TBT
Roman Reigns recently participated in a Q&A session at Wizard World Comic Con in San Jose, CA. Here are some highlights of what he said about:
His Dream Matches: “I’ve been in a couple of tag matches against Triple H. I would love to have a singles match with him. Let’s go completely different ends of the spectrum. I’ll fight Triple H or Kevin Owens.”
Facing The Rock One Day: “I think it would have to be a very big match, not just a regular match. There would have to be a title, something that we are trying to win. That way you have true competition, not just between each other, but for something. And I think the WWE Championship would be the best thing to put that on the line for.”
Main Eventing WrestleMania 31: “It’s something I will cherish for the rest of my life. If I never get another opportunity [to main event WrestleMania], deep down in my heart, I know that I did my thing, I represented, and I just hope that everybody sees that”.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is expecting his first child with longtime girlfriend Lauren Hashian, according to Us Weekly.
A source close to the couple confirmed the news to the publication Wednesday, saying, “They are so excited!”
Johnson is already a father to a 14-year-old daughter Simone, with ex-wife Dany Garcia.
Johnson, who has been dating Hashian for approximately nine years — they reportedly met in 2006 while he was filming The Game Plan — mentioned her and Simone in an interview with Esquire in June, which is rare.
“I’ve lived with my longtime girlfriend, Lauren Hashian, going on, like, eight, nine years now,” Johnson remarked when asked if there was something he wanted to get off his chest. “She’s a singer-songwriter. We spend a lot of time with my daughter in Florida, Simone, who’s 13. We do these stories and we talk so much about the business end, the success end, but then Lauren isn’t mentioned and my daughter isn’t mentioned. I always like making sure we find the balance and my home life is in there and Lauren Hashian is in there and my daughter is in there.”
He continued, “You gotta get the better half in there. With all the cool shit and success that I’ve been lucky enough to get? That doesn’t happen unless the home life is solid.”
Former WWE writer Brian Gewirtz was named Senior Vice President of Development for Seven Bucks Productions, the production company owned by Dwayne Johnson and his ex-wife Dany Garcia, who recently appeared on an episode of Total Divas as the new business manager of Eva Marie.
When Gewirtz left WWE back in July, it was reported that he would be taking on an executive role in Johnson’s company.
Gewirtz was the lead WWE writer for several years, but was taken off of the writing team back in 2013, although he would continue to remain with the company through a consultant role. He would be brought back to the writing team whenever Dwayne Johnson would return as The Rock for WWE appearances, because Johnson would often use him to help write his material.
Gewirtz’s new role in Johnson’s company will be to oversee television content development.
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)
– WWE originally planned for Nikki Bella to drop the WWE Divas Championship back in July, so the fact that her current angle is centered around the fact that she is approaching AJ Lee’s record as the longest reigning Divas Champion in history was a change in plans.
– Eric Bischoff, who recently shot footage for WWE for the new WWE Network pieces and DVDs on The Monday Night War, is under consideration to be a guest on a future “Stone Cold Podcast” with Steve Austin on the WWE Network.
– WWE posted the following tweet to promote their latest “5 Things” video, which takes a look at five WWE Superstars who shockingly defeated The Rock.
Even #TheGreatOne has some bad days…
These 5 Superstars SHOCKINGLY defeated @TheRock! http://t.co/cpkVMtwR5a #5Things @TomPhillipsWWE— WWE (@WWE) September 9, 2015
(Credit: Wrestling Observer Newsletter)