For the rest of the NFL season, I’ll be doing a pro football round-up and how the pro wrestling world collides with the stars and teams of the National Football League.

Week 6 of the NFL had one WWE Hall of Famer stopping by the forthcoming WrestleMania 41 grounds in Las Vegas and an AEW star becoming the “Twelfth Man” for his homestate Seattle Seahawks. Plus there’s some “mojo” going down with Rob Gronkowski and the actor playing him. Let’s kick it off.

Rey Mysterio Rocks Raiders Silver & Black

While last week’s write-up showcased the Steelers heavily, this week we have Rey Mysterio to thank for the spotlight being shown on their opponent in the Las Vegas Raiders. WWE is revving up to crash the Las Vegas strip next year at WrestleMania 41, but before they do they teased the fans a little with a special appearance by Mysterio, Titus O’Neil and Samatha Irvin (who actually sang the national anthem before the game).

Mysterio took photos before kickoff with some of the players and later with the fans, but it wasn’t enough for them to thwart Pittsburgh, who made Aidan O’Connell and the Raider offense walk the plank 32-13.

Darby Allin Soars With The Seattle Seahawks

Pro wrestling became a factor in the very first game of week six when the Seattle Seahawks battled NFC East rival San Francisco in a Thursday night game. Considering AEW was in the area for their upcoming WrestleDream PPV on Saturday, AEW pillar Darby Allin popped by complete with his signature pink jacket. However, it was the 49ers who put the Coffin Drop on Seattle by winning 36-24.

Mojo Rawley ‘Gets Hyped’ For Gronk Actor In ‘Aaron Hernandez: American Sports Story’

Mojo Rawley (Dean Muhtadi) may not be grappling it up in the ring at the moment, but the former WWE star keeps busy being a notable TMZ personality. Rawley had some fun news to talk about this week as family and friendship collided this week in a viral moment involving FX’s dark story behind deceased NFL tight end, Aaron Hernandez. The show has created a lot of buzz with the portrayals of notable NFL names like Bill Belicheck and Robert Kraft, but a shining star is the one actor playing Rob Gronkowski.

Gronk notoriously has a history with WWE and is a former teammate of the aformentioned Rawley at the University of Maryland. However, both have ties to the actor playing Gronk, Laith Wallschleger. Laith is a former D1 from the University of Delaware (alma mater of Joe Flacco – Blue Hens!) before spending some time in the NFL until making the trip to Hollywood. He now finds steady work as a stuntman, voice actor and now got eyes as Gronkowski. During an interview with Kay Adams, Gronkowski actually revealed that Wallschleger is his acting double for everything he does and the two are good friends. Rawley noted that Laith is actually his cousin!

The good vibes from Laith didn’t translate for the actual Patriots on the field this week as they got stampeded by the Houston Texans 41-21.

Trevor Lee Celebrates A Ravens Win

Trevor Lee is currently a free agent in the world of pro wrestling, but he was flying to the moon during the Baltimore Ravens game against in-state adversary the Washington Commanders. For many, the game may have been tighter than expected, but the Ravens rode the legs Derrick Henry who trounced the Commanders in an effort to win by just a touchdown. Lee had a video of himself celebrating at the game following the team’s fourth straight win.

Wrestling Related Games Win-Loss Record

Not a good week for the teams with pro wrestling ties as three of the four teams took an L, with Trevor Lee’s Ravens getting the only W.

After four weeks, wrestling related NFL stories stand even at 9-9.

WWE Global Ambassador Titus O’Neil is featured on the song “I Am The Storm” by Vo Williams, which accompanied the highly praised segment between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns on the September 20 episode of SmackDown.

The cinematic confrontation, filmed at Reigns’ alma mater Georgia Tech, set the stage for the upcoming tag team match at Bad Blood, where Rhodes and Reigns will team up to face the new Tribal Chief Solo Sikoa and Jacob Fat of The Bloodline.

In the segment, the two top stars agreed to support each other in the upcoming match while teasing a potential renewal of their own rivalry, adding more depth to their dynamic. It’s still pretty surreal to see these former hated rivals working together against a common enemy, but this segment deserves the acclaim it’s received and this tag match is going to be something.

Titus O’Neil’s Involvement

O’Neil is credited with a guest spot on “I Am The Storm,” along with artist Sonya Bryson-Kirksey. The former Prime Time Player confirmed his involvement on social media.

Twitter user @Ucepenitentiary identified that O’Neil’s voice is used in the opening of the song.

Vo Williams says the streaming numbers were “wild” after the song premiered on SmackDown. He’s helped pioneer a genre that’s been dubbed Epic Hip Hop, which can best be described as anthemic hype songs that you’d hear at championship sports games.

WWE’s Titus O’Neil is giving two pit bulls a second chance after they were abandoned near a middle school in Tampa, Florida. O’Neil and volunteers were at Sligh Middle School donating various school supplies when they found the two dogs, a statement from the Humane Society of Tampa Bay shared. O’Neil contacted the HSTB, a group he is a longtime supporter of and they agreed to take the dogs and help them find homes.

The two pit bulls, now named Biggie and Betha, are believed to have been part of a dog fighting ring, Sherry Silk, executive director of HSTB, told FOX 13 News. That’s because their ears have been clipped, a common experience for fighting dogs as it prevents other dogs from latching onto them.

Silk added that Bertha appears to have had puppies, which she believes may have been why she and Biggie were dumped. This is unfortunately a common occurrence that Silk called “awful.” Biggie and Betha have also been dealing with ear infections but have since found a space of their own inside the shelter.

Biggie and Bertha have been through an awful experience but thanks to Titus, the HSTB and other volunteers, they will hopefully have a new forever home very soon. Once again, the WWE Hall of Fame Warrior Award recipient has shown his immense kindness, as he continues to be an ambassador for WWE and a role model to all.

Related: Titus O’Neil Donates More Than $100,000 To Tampa Bay Charity

WWE’s visits to Saudi Arabia always make headlines and their shows in the country are filled with memorable moments. Not all of these moments however are planned in advance.

Former WWE star Matt Hardy talked about his experiences of being part of some of the early WWE shows in the Kingdom on the latest episode of his podcast.

During the episode, he was asked about one such moment that Hardy got to witness firsthand, which was Titus O’Neil’s hilarious fall during his entrance in the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018. Hardy branded it as the ‘craziest most insane thing ever’:

“It was just the craziest most insane thing ever. I remember everyone saw him slide underneath the ring and everybody was like ‘he’s dead.’ I mean everybody felt like he slid into a portal and he’s now somewhere in the 15th dimension. It was just so crazy that he ran and slid.”

It Was So Crazy: Matt Hardy

Matt Hardy mentioned that Titus could have hit the steel posts beneath the ring and got seriously injured. The former Prime Time Player however, somehow managed to come out unscathed:

“In the middle of the frame, of the ring there’s like an iron or steel post that’s big and thick that goes to the floor. Everyone’s like ‘Oh my god, if he slid in and hit his neck on that thing, he broke his neck.’ He made it in and he got out unscathed, which was crazy.

It was so crazy. It was just like such a viral moment because if you would have planned that you couldn’t have done it in 1000 takes. It just happened on that one take and he was able to get in and get out unscathed and uninjured. It was crazy.”

Hardy was part of two WWE events in Saudi Arabia. He teamed with Bray Wyatt to win the Raw Tag Team Titles at the Greatest Royal Rumble in 2018 and competed in the 51 Men Battle Royal won by Mansoor at Super ShowDown in 2019.

WWE will be running their 11th PPV event from the country called King and Queen of The Ring from the Jeddah Super Dome today on May 25. You can check out the streaming details and full match card for the show here

The wrestling world was out in force for the premiere of Dune: Part Two which stars none other than WWE’s animal Dave Batista. 

Dune: Part Two is the sequel to 2021’s Dune. Both films are based on the 1965 novel of the same name from Frank Herbert’s Dune franchise. The films tell the story of Paul Atreides, whose noble family is thrust into war for ‘Spice’ the key to interstellar travel that can be found only on the dangerous sand planet Arrakis. 

WWE & AEW at Dune: Part Two

Dune: Part Two sees Batista return as the villainous Glossue Rabban, a psychotic warrior and nephew of primary antagonist Baron Vladimir Harkonnen. On Twitter, Titus O’Neil, a close friend of the Animal, shared a photo from the premiere in New York alongside Batista and MVP. 

Had a great time at the @dunemovie premiere in New York. Super proud of my brother @davebautista and the entire Dune cast on a Spectacular Performance all around. Looking forward to more of what’s to come ?? @davebautista THANK YOU, LOVE YOU TO THE MOON!!! #DreamChaser indeed ? pic.twitter.com/UYFfcF6yIH

— Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) February 26, 2024

AEW’s CJ Perr was also at the premiere of Dune: Part Two and had some fun on the red carpet with Ashley Yi and others. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/reel:C3y7Rf-OFMZ

The Animal on the Big Screen

The two Dune films are just some of the massive blockbuster projects that Dave Batista has been attached to. After a series of roles, the former WWE World Champion had his breakout moment in 2014 as part of Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy. The following year, he would go one-on-one with Daniel Craig’s James Bond as the villainous Mr. Hinx in Spectre. He once again shared the screen with Craig in 2022’s Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery and also starred in the 2023 psychological thriller Knock at the Cabin

Titus O’Neil has been with WWE for 13 years, after first signing for the promotion in mid-2009.

In recent years however, O’Neil hasn’t wrestled, and has spent his time working as an ambassador for the promotion.

O’Neil’s last match was on the November 9, 2020, edition of Monday Night Raw, where he lost to WWE United States Champion Bobby Lashley in a title match.

Titus’ Update

While it’s been nearly two years since Titus O’Neil’s last match, the former WWE Tag Team Champion hasn’t hung up his boots.

In an interview with Wrestling Inc earlier this month, O’Neil seemed confident that he will wrestle again, saying his return match will happen “at the right time.

Speaking with Fightful, O’Neil gave an update and said he does not have any timetable to return but is still planning on doing so.

Speaking to a source within WWE, Fightful also noted that O’Neil is not considered to be on WWE’s ‘active roster’.

Titus’ Career

Beginning in Season 2 of the original NXT, O’Neil would return for the show’s fifth season, before moving to the main roster in 2012.

Teaming with Darren Young as the Prime Time Players, the pair would win the WWE Tag Team Titles in 2015.

In May 2020, Titus became the inaugural WWE 24/7 Champion, winning the title in a battle royal, but was pinned shortly after by Robert Roode.

For his charity work, O’Neil was WWE’s Warrior Award recipient at the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony and would co-host WrestleMania 37 over the next two nights with Hulk Hogan.

Titus O’Neill has not wrestled for over 19 months but the former champion is now teasing an in-ring return in near future.

The 45-year-old recently had an interview with WrestlingInc. He talked about things such as his role as the Global Ambassador for WWE and more.

Speaking about his in-ring return, Titus claimed that he had been talking to the officials about it. He didn’t reveal the plans for his return to competition, claiming that it’ll happen ‘at the right time’:

“We’re [he and WWE] are talking about some things, I won’t say how soon but it’ll definitely happen at the right time. But I’m very, very committed to continuing to be the best Global Ambassador that I can possibly be.

Every situation that I’ve ever been placed in, in WWE, I’ve always strived to make the best of it.” said Titus O’Neil, “This is the most important role that I’ll ever have in the company, regardless of when I come back to the ring.”

• Titus O’Neil Offers Advice To Jordan Myles

The former Prime Time Players member has not wrestled since November 2020. He lost to Bobby Lashley in a short match during a Raw episode in his last outing.

O’Neil revealed earlier this year that he actually underwent knee surgery and has been rehabbing in the meantime. Though he claimed that he is not even close to retirement.

WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil (Thaddeus Bullard) and his middle school have made Academy Awards (Oscars) history.

On Tuesday, O’Neil appeared on ABC’s Good Morning America to reveal the nominees for the Best Animated Feature. The announcement was made live from the Thaddeus M. Bullard Academy at Sligh Middle Magnet School in Tampa, Florida. This was the first time Academy Award nominees were announced from a middle school.

“Today we not only got to celebrate the best in cinema, but we got to celebrate diversity and the first black producer in Oscar history,” Bullard said. “Our foundation is about providing opportunities to youths in our most struggling neighborhoods to inspire them and to show them that anything is possible.”

He added, “We continue to try to bring opportunities to these kids to level the playing field and expand their minds far beyond their circumstances. I can’t thank Will Packer and the Academy enough for this amazing opportunity for exposure which will surely lead to expansion for so many of these kids and families.”

The 94th Academy Awards take place Sunday, March 27, 2022.

Titus O’Neil: WWE Global Ambassador

Although O’Neil isn’t wrestling for the company consistently, he has contributed greatly as the WWE Global Ambassador. His employers has allowed O’Neil to help with their charity programs like Be A Star. However, he also continues work on his own charities and help his community in Tampa, Bay, Florida.

On Jul. 17, 2020, he was a named a finalist for the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. While he wasn’t the winner, the WWE honored him with the Warrior Award at the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame.

O’Neil continues to expand his legacy outside of wrestling for WWE. While his in-ring career may be over, he has accomplished great things as the company’s Global Ambassador.

Hulk Hogan was Corey Graves’ guest this week on After the Bell. Hogan talked about hosting WrestleMania this year and his relationship with Titus O’Neil.

“To come back here to my hometown and to have Titus with me, hopefully the new Mayor of Florida, who knows? But to have Titus with me, we’re coming in wide open, guns a blazing, to show everybody that the Super Bowl was cool but WrestleMania is the greatest show in the world.”

Hogan would continue to say that hosting WrestleMania in Tampa “tops his career off.”

“These people they know my history,” Hogan said of the people in Tampa. “They know the good, and they know the bad. They know I’m just a normal guy here running around Tampa.”

Hogan would continue to praise Titus O’Neil’s charity work during the interview.

“He’s the bomb dot com,” Hogan said about Titus when asked.

“When I started working with the Boys Club again, through the WWE, I got to work hand-in-hand with Titus,” Hogan continued. “I mean, this brother is for real. There is no holes in his boat, there’s no agenda. He straight-up actually cares about these kids and these people.”

“I live here and this is 24/7. He’s not messing around, he works with the community, he works with the town, I mean he’s involved in every aspect of making life better in the Tampa Bay area. For me to live here and see the local news and see the stuff that he does, it’s just amazing. I wish we had about 10,000 more just like him, the world would be a much better place.”

The recipient of the Warrior Award for the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame class will be Titus O’Neil. Fightful reported that was the plan as of February. With the Hall of Fame and WrestleMania being based around the city of Tampa this year in addition to O’Neil being heavily involved with charity throughout his life, the powers at be thought this was the right choice. 

Aside from his pro wrestling career, which saw him wrestle for FCW in the area for a couple of years, O’Neil played professional football for the Tampa Bay Storm in 2006. He hasn’t wrestled since dropping a loss to Bobby Lashley this past November. 

The ceremony is set to be filmed on Tuesday and Thursday of this week. The ceremony will air on April 6th on Peacock.

Batista, who is good friends with O’Neil, was supposed to be part of the 2020 class where he would’ve likely headlined. However, he has already confirmed that he won’t be able to make it due to a schedule conflict but plans to be inducted in the coming years. 

2020 Class

• The nWo
• John “Bradshaw” Layfield
• The British Bulldog
• The Bella Twins
• Jushin “Thunder” Liger

2021 Class

• RVD
• Kane
• Molly Holly
• Eric Bischoff
• The Great Khali

WWE has announced that Hulk Hogan and Titus O’Neil will co-host this year’s WrestleMania event. The company took to Twitter recently to announce that the two will be on-hand for both nights of this year’s festivities.

Tickets for the event are on-sale now. WWE is hoping to have 25,000 fans in attendance on each night.

Titus O’Neil and Hulk Hogan History

Titus O’Neil and Hulk Hogan’s names were linked together following Hogan’s return to the company in 2018. O’Neil expressed at the time that he did not feel Hogan’s apology for past remarks was sincere.

“Unfortunately, I must echo the sentiment and dissatisfaction expressed by many of my fellow contemporaries concerning Mr. Bollea’s apology and its lack of true contrition, remorse and a desire to change,” O’Neil said in a statement. “Mr. Bollea’s apology ‘that he didn’t know he was being recorded’ is not remorse for the hateful and violent utterances he made which reprise language that has caused violence against blacks and minorities for centuries.”

Titus O’Neil and Hulk Hogan Have A Private Conversation

O’Neil did have a private conversation later, however. O’Neil spoke about this on the WINCLY podcast.

“I had a private conversation with him long before the Be A Star Rally and heard from his perspective,” said Titus. “At that moment I realized the situation he was in where he clammed up and started rambling. He could have been more concise and contrite with his message. But at the end of the day, I’m not one to put anybody in a doghouse forever. I’m not saying he was in the doghouse with me, but I like for men to be men and women to be women and both be transparent, truthful and honest with me.”

“At the end of the day, we’re part of this WWE family and our job is to put smiles on people’s faces. Arguably he’s put more smiles on anybody’s face, young and old, than any other WWE Superstar in the history of the company.”

Thaddeus Bullard, better known to wrestling fans as Titus O’Neil, is one of the most charitable people to ever be in the wrestling industry. Today is “Giving Tuesday,” held the Tuesday after American Thanksgiving every year. It is a day where people are encouraged to donate to charities rather than spend their money on Black Friday or Cyber Monday sales.

Titus O’Neil and his Bullard Family Foundation have donated $127,500 to four different charities today.

A $100,000 donation was given to Metropolitan Ministries. This charity is based out of O’Neil’s hometown of Tampa Bay and helps at-risk populations and people experiencing homelessness in the region. The charity also provides meals for more than 40,000 families during the holiday season.

10K was also donated to Florida Sheriff Youths Ranches. Another 10K donation was made to the Machen Florida Opportunity Scholars Program from the University of Florida. Finally, O’Neil also donated $7500 to the MANNA FoodBank.

“I chose these four charities because their impact goes beyond just a donation. They invest in families so that they can change generations,” O’Neil said regarding the donations.  

Batista opted to post the following photo of him with Titus to help support the foundation:

Titus O’Neil’s inspiring story is available to read in book form. It can be purchased from Amazon here.

Titus O’Neil has been named as a finalist for the 2020 Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award. The award was formerly known as the Sports Humanitarian of the Year Award. It was renamed in 2017 to honor Ali.

The award is annually “given to an athlete whose continuous, demonstrated leadership has created a measured positive impact on their community through sports. The candidate must embrace the core principals that Muhammad Ali embodied so well, including confidence, conviction, dedication, giving and respect.”

Other finalists for the award this year include Nelson Cruz, Kevin Love, Devin & Jason McCourty, and Maya Moore.

Past winners of the award include Chris Long, Kevin Durant, Mark Giordano, and Chris Paul.

Titus O’Neil’s Life Of Hardship & Charity Work

O’Neil spoke to Sports Illustrated the wake of being named a finalist for the award. He talked about how a harsh upbringing helped make him the person he is today.

“For those that don’t know, I’m the product of sexual assault,” said O’Neil. “My mother was raped at 11 years old and had me at the age of 12 against the wishes of many. Life was very tough for me growing up impoverished in government housing, and I was mad at the world.”

“Slowly, I started to believe in myself, and that’s when I learned there were people in the world who wanted to help me for no other reason than to see positive outcomes.”

Titus O’Neil’s last WWE match was in April. He competed in the last chance MITB qualifying gauntlet match.

The full interview with SI.com can be read here.

• Titus O’Neil’s “There’s No Such Thing As A Bad Kid” On Sale Now

R-Truth’s SummerSlam meet and greet in Toronto yesterday was interrupted by multiple Superstars looking to win his 24/7 title. Truth was taking part in a SummerSlam event at the Metro Toronto Convention Center when both Drake Maverick and Titus O’Neil saw an opportunity to try and get the title back.

Video of the 24/7 title challenges taking place at Truth’s SummerSlam meet and greet can be viewed below:

Maverick approached Truth while dressed as a young John Cena fan. Truth then noted to those in attendance that he was a big Cena fan growing up (Truth is 5 years older than Cena).

Truth then kicked out from Maverick’s roll-up attempt and then again when Titus O’Neil attempted a pin as well. Maverick then expressed frustration with O’Neil who promptly tossed him in a trash can.

R-Truth and the WWE 24/7 Championship

Of the 17 people who have won the 24/7 title since its inception earlier this year, only 3 have held it for longer than a day. Truth has now held the title for 59 cumulative days, Drake Maverick for 16 and Maria Kanellis for 7.

• Maria Kanellis Reacts To Claim By Fan She Was Forced To Win WWE 24/7 Title

A pair of WWE Superstars had an interesting back-and-forth exchange on Twitter after watching a freestyle rap released by No Way Jose this weekend.

Things got started when No Way Jose released a freestyle rap about his intentions on coming for R-Truth and the WWE 24/7 Championship.

In the rap, which the WWE Superstar released in a video via his official Twitter page (@WWENoWayJose) on Friday evening, he mentions several of the recent title changes that happened in various settings, including the WWE flight to Saudi Arabia, a golf course and 205 Live General Manager Drake Maverick’s real-life wedding.

Titus O’Neil chimed in on his official Twitter page (@TitusONeilWWE) with a response to No Way Jose’s freestyle.

“This was EXCELLENT No Way Jose,” wrote O’Neil earlier this morning. “But you’ll have to beat me after I beat him, and unlike him I won’t run … I’ll fight you, him, them and all-y’all-stankin’-a** family members!”

No Way Jose & Titus O’Neil Get R-Truth’s Attention

The pair of tweets managed to capture the attention of the reigning eight-time WWE 24/7 Champion.

“You can’t stay on your feet long enough to fight,” wrote R-Truth via his official Twitter page (@RonKillings) today, before dropping a random “Lil Jimmy” mention. “I WILL bite both of y’all if Lil Jimmy said so!”

This lead to O’Neil posting another response with a GIF from the movie Friday that features “Deebo” intimidating some of the men in the neighborhood, along with a caption that read, “Shutcho…wait who TF you think you talkin’ too?!”

R-Truth would respond about 20 minutes later with a GIF of his own, as he posted a funny Kevin Hart facial expression from the actor / comedian’s stand-up comedy special. The WWE 24/7 Champion included a caption that again referenced “Lil Jimmy.”

“What does TF mean,” questioned Truth in his response. “I hope that’s not bad language.”

Truth concluded, “I don’t use bad language ’round Lil Jimmy.”

No Way Jose’s Rap Video, Titus O’Neil & R-Truth’s Tweets

Check out the interesting Twitter exchange, along with the initial No Way Jose freestyle rap video below.

SOUND OFF: What are YOUR thoughts on No Way Jose’s freestyle rap video and the interesting comments Titus O’Neil and R-Truth posted in response? Comment below!

Titus O’Neil was a guest on the most recent edition of the E&C Pod of Awesomeness recently. During his appearance on the show, O’Neil spoke about his charitable work, upbringing, and conversations he has had recently with Lars Sullivan.

Titus said that Lars’ comments were “oppressive and offensive” but noted he has had the chance to speak with Lars regarding them.

“Lars sought me out and he sought out other people,” Titus said. “I sat with Lars for about 35 minutes in talent relations, just me and him.”

“People automatically called for him to be fired, called for him to be ostracized,” Titus continued.

“I looked at a man that was humbled, very apologetic, really very misguided as well,” Titus continued. “We dwelled and we talked about some things. Not to say there is ever an excuse but until you know somebody’s story until you know someone personally, you can’t take it personally, and you can’t come up with your own conclusions. Because there is a conclusion and there is a reason why people get to a certain point and do certain things.”

Titus O’Neil On Lars Sullivan Situation

“I believe in my heart that this situation with Lars will be a teachable moment for everybody from all walks of life,” he continued. “And I’m willing to put my name on this situation, just going with my gut and my heart, simply because of how he came to me as a man and came to other people as a man.”

He would also say that he will continue to work with Lars.

“I’m going to do my best to help him not get past this but actually learn from it,” Titus continued.

It sounds as though Titus and Lars talked about how this situation is an opportunity for Lars to influence those he grew up around as well.

“I also want him to utilize this as an opportunity to grow other people around him. Maybe people he grew up with, maybe his Dad, Mom and Dad, brothers, whatever, everybody can learn from this based on how he responds to this,” Titus continued. “With guidance, I think this is going to be a very positive outcome.”

O’Neil’s comments about the Lars Sullivan situation begin at about the 49:30 mark.

• Titus O’Neil Accepts Lars Sullivan’s Apology, More Details On Situation

Titus’ book “There’s No Such Thing As A Bad Kid” will be released August 9th.

Titus O’Neil and Batista have been good friends for several years.

Thus, while doing a recent interview with the Gorilla Position podcast this week, O’Neil revealed that Batista was concerned about his return and possibly last match inside of the squared circle.

He takes part in a No Holds Barred Match against Triple H at WrestleMania 35. Batista was concerned about being rusty in the ring as it’s been a few years since he worked a match.

However, O’Neil assured him that he will be fine as he’s in the ring with Triple H and it’s at the biggest event of the year for WWE.

“He was a little concerned about being rusty,” Titus revealed. “But he’s in there with a professional like Triple H and they’ve gone to battle several times before. It’s on the grandest stage of them all, but he’s competed at this level on numerous occasions, and I think once he gets over the pre-match jitters and gets into the action, I think it’s going to be one hell of a fight. He’s definitely going in to try and end the career of Triple H.”

WWE presents the WrestleMania 35 pay-per-view event on Sunday, April 7, 2019 in East Rutherford, NJ at MetLife Stadium that will air on the WWE Network.

H/T to Wrestling Inc for the transcription

Batista & Titus O’Neil Reunite

Titus O’Neil recently noted that he was heading to Hollywood to possibly get some film work alongside his good friend and former WWE Superstar Batista. The pair recently reunited, and O’Neil shared the following photo on Twitter:

“No matter if we’re home in @CityofTampa or Out in Hollywood me and My brother @DaveBautista make time for each other, Uplift,Encourage,Support and Motivate one another and LOVE EACH OTHER!! Thanks for being a Friend and A Brother for Years!! Love ya. #DreamChaser”

No matter if we’re home in @CityofTampa or Out in Hollywood me and My brother @DaveBautista make time for each other, Uplift,Encourage,Support and Motivate one another and LOVE EACH OTHER!! Thanks for being a Friend and A Brother for Years!! Love ya. #DreamChaser pic.twitter.com/Ih38HBdN9G

— Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) January 13, 2019

“Always my brother! #love #Respect #onelife #onerace #DreamChasers”

https://twitter.com/DaveBautista/status/1084378406291030017

Batista has seen a tremendous amount of success in his acting career. He has picked up several high-profile roles, but none bigger than his role as Drax The Destroyer in Marvel’s cinematic universe. He even scored another big role recently, but it could affect his ability to participate in a match at WrestleMania 35.

Strowman Shares Roman Reigns Photo

As many of you know, Roman Reigns has been out-of-action for the past several months as he battles leukemia. Reigns was forced to relinquish the Universal Championship before taking his hiatus. One of his biggest on-screen rivals, Braun Strowman, shared a photo of himself with Reigns inside the ring.

In the photo, Reigns looks to be gearing up for a Superman Punch. However, Strowman’s arms are extended upwards, making it look like the iconic scene from ‘Dirty Dancing.’ Strowman captioned the photo with the film’s name. Check it out here:

https://www.instagram.com/p/BslH3ebF_ok/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_medium=loading

Titus O’Neil has been honored on the 2018 EBONY Power List. O’Neil attended the EBONY Power 100 Gala on Friday night.

Last night at the @EBONYMag #EbonyPower100 I had the opportunity to Sit&Enjoy what God has Done with my Life. I haven’t done anything outside of Being obedient to my Purpose,Love&Care 4others As others did for me&Above Everything else Unapologetically Be WHO GOD MADE ME TO BE!❤️ pic.twitter.com/eaccJs1kv7

— Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) December 1, 2018

“Last night at the @EBONYMag #EbonyPower100 I had the opportunity to Sit&Enjoy what God has Done with my Life. I haven’t done anything outside of Being obedient to my Purpose,Love&Care 4others As others did for me&Above Everything else Unapologetically Be WHO GOD MADE ME TO BE!”

O’Neil joins such honorees as the NBA’s James Harden and Stephen Curry, as well as tennis champion Venus Williams,” a WWE press release reads. “As an MVP honoree, O’Neil will be featured in the December/January issue of EBONY magazine and on EBONY.com.”

Titus O’Neil

O’Neil’s charitable work includes working with the United Way’s Walking School Bus program and providing scholarships for youth in his home city of Tampa Bay. He is also a Lightning Community Hero with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

His efforts with Titus Worldwide have not been as successful, however. In recent months, both Apollo Crews and Dana Brooke have left the faction. The 41-year-old generally wrestles on live events and episodes of Main Event now. In recent weeks he has been defeating Curt Hawkins and also Mojo Rawley on those shows. He defeated Rawley on main event in his last match on November 26th.

Titus O’Neil voiced his opinion about WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan in the past after Hogan gave his apology speech backstage at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view event earlier this year. He was reinstated into the WWE Hall of Fame after Hogan was fired from WWE in the summer of 2015 after racially charged comments from a sex tape came to light.

Hogan made his first appearance with the company in years once he appeared as the host of the Crown Jewel pay-per-view event last Friday at King Saud University Stadium in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

O’Neil spoke to SkySports about why he has no hard feelings towards Hogan in his return. “It’s not my decision who goes where, I support whatever decision the company goes with. But at the same time we are all independent thinkers; I have no ill will towards Hulk Hogan whatsoever. He’s a part of the WWE family and as a part of the WWE family we embrace him and we’ll make whatever we have to work, work.”

O’Neil continued by stating that they are entertainers, not politicians and that there’s not been one entertainer in the history of WWE who has been at a higher level of WWE than Hogan.

He continued, “Him going over to Saudi Arabia was a decision that was made solely on the basis of being entertaining and I know the princes and the fans over there ate it up. They wanted him over there before too and it was good for the fans there to see him and for him to get that rush of the crowd.”

– As seen this past Wednesday on the WWE Network, Mia Yim sent Kaitlyn packing from the Mae Young Classic by beating the former Divas Champion in a Second-Round Match. Yim scored the victory by forcing Kaitlyn to submit to the kneebar.

Following the match, Kaitlyn — real name Celeste Bonin — took to Instagram to reflect on her WWE comeback.

“My match with @miayimofficial was one of my favorite of all time. The match itself was so dope and Mia is such a powerful woman in so many ways,” Kaitlyn wrote.

“But For me, it was exceptionally meaningful to come back after so many years and to leave it all out there in the ring and offer my contribution to the evolution of women’s wrestling. The evolution of the division is parallel to my evolution as a person and as a competitor/performer. Man I love wrestling. Congrats to @miayimofficial. She deserves it. Much respect to her.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Boyz2TAlZis/

– Although Apollo Crews and Titus O’Neil have not appeared together on television since the night after SummerSlam, they’re still a unit.

Crews and O’Neil teamed up for the first time in four weeks at last night’s WWE live event in Syracuse, New York. Titus Worldwide teamed with Tyler Breeze to beat The Ascension and Mike Kanellis in a Six-Man Tag Team Match.

This was also O’Neil’s first match since September 15 (teaming with Crews at a live event), and Crews’ first since September 24 (beating Breeze in a match taped for WWE Main Event). Crews and O’Neil have not wrestled together on television since losing to AOP on Raw on August 20. It was also their last appearance on Raw.

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Michelle Obama has selected Titus O’Neil to lead two projects of hers.  Titus will be an official ambassador for “When We All Vote” and “Reach Higher.”

“When We All Vote” is a get-out-the-vote campaign.

“When We All Vote—a new national, nonpartisan not-for-profit—brings together citizens, institutions, and organizations to spark a conversation about our rights and responsibilities in shaping our democracy. Namely, the responsibility of registering and voting,” a description for the organization reads. Michelle Obama, Tom Hanks, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Janelle Monáe, Chris Paul, Faith Hill, and Tim McGraw serve on the board of the organization.

Reach Higher is another organization headed by Michelle Obama. The organization aims to encourage more young people to attend college.

.@MichelleObama I can’t thank you enough for having me as an Ambassador for the @WhenWeAllVote Campaign and Also @ReachHigher Campaign as well!!We’ve been Blessed for sure and part of that comes with Blessing others!!Proud to team with @KeeganMKey @PiperPerabo and Many More..?? pic.twitter.com/mHUwkCSxU5

— Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) October 1, 2018

“.@MichelleObama I can’t thank you enough for having me as an Ambassador for the @WhenWeAllVote Campaign and Also @ReachHigher Campaign as well!! We’ve been Blessed for sure and part of that comes with Blessing others!! Proud to team with @KeeganMKey @PiperPerabo and Many More.”

Titus O’Neil and Michelle Obama

Michelle Obama may see Titus as a great leader but some of his Titus Worldwide teammates may not. Dana Brooke recently left the group, stating she feels she would do better on her own. She Tweeted out the following last month:

Soooo finished … let’s see you do better when everyone screaming at you in different directions .. #PLAYTIMEISOVER #wwe https://t.co/cHXBnDjZyz

— Ash By Elegance (@Ashamae_Sebera) September 4, 2018

There are some sports fans currently upset with shoe-manufacturer Nike right now. The brand announced a partnership with former San Fransico 49er Quarterback, Colin Kaepernick. Evidently, this has led to some Nike customers boycotting the company and getting rid of their current Nike products.

Titus O’Neil is able to get those Nike shoes and clothes to people who could use them. He’s asking anyone who no longer want their Nike products to donate them to him.

Dear #BoycottNike folks,
Instead of Burning/Trashing send whatever @Nike Gear you no longer want to me at this address

2101 n Florida Ave
Tampa Fl 33602

and I will partner with @MetroMinistries @HCSOSheriff @TampaPD and other agencies to distribute them 2those in need.
Thx? pic.twitter.com/X3Xjp1mTVf

— Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) September 4, 2018

Titus O’Neil Charitable Work

O’Neil does a lot of charity work in the Tampa Bay area. He’s helped 245 student-athletes in the area get into college. Titus has also been involved in the United Way’s program to walk kids from high-risk areas to school every day. The program strives to make sure at-risk youth attend school and gain access to a healthy breakfast.

In 2015, he was given the MEGA Dad Award for “Celebrity Dad of the Year”.

Dana Brooke Gone From Titus Worldwide

Titus Worldwide lost a member this week. After she was distracted by her own teammates at ringside on Raw, Dana Brooke was rolled up and pinned by Sasha Banks.

Brooke has since decided it is time for her and Titus Worldwide to part ways. Following her loss on Raw, Brooke posted the following:

Bitter …sweet – but I must go on …ALONE… – sink or swim I will do it on my own.. I DONT WANT ANYONE TAKING BLAME OR PRIDE! In the past year I have loved & lost.. & grew stronger on my own.. let me channel this lesson into the ring! ?? @WWE #wwe #raw https://t.co/iWO7003wS4

— Ash By Elegance (@Ashamae_Sebera) September 5, 2018

It looks as though Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews are now on their own Monday nights.

Titus O’Neil Is Writing A Book

It appears as though WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil is writing a book. Before beginning his professional wrestling career, O’Neil was chasing a professional football career. He played high school football and earned a scholarship to do the same for The University Of Florida.

O’Neil played in the Arena Football League for four years. He played for teams such as the Utah Blaze, Tampa Bay Storm, Las Vegas Gladiators and Carolina Cobras. In 2009 WWE signed him to a developmental deal, thus sparking the beginning of his professional wrestling career.

A fan on Twitter asked O’Neil if he’d ever consider writing an autobiography about his journey. He revealed he’s actually in the process of doing that now and expects a Summer of 2019 release date:

I’m the process now of writing one. Summer 2019 arrival 👍🏾❤️✅ https://t.co/qYoMCXeBfM

— Titus O'Neil (@TitusONeilWWE) August 5, 2018

MTV Star Teases Interest In WWE Career

Another MTV star could be considering a career in WWE. The professional wrestling juggernaut struck gold when they signed The Miz off his appearance in MTV’s Real World in 2004. He has gone on to main event WrestleMania, win the WWE Championship and capture both the Intercontinental and United States Titles several times.

Johnny Bananas, who is the most successful participant in the history of MTV’s The Challenge, could be looking to mimic The Miz’s transition from reality TV to professional wrestling. A fan Tweeted Bananas and mentioned he could have a great deal of success in WWE if given the opportunity.

Bananas responded by admitting the idea is a compelling one:

https://twitter.com/MTV_iwan/status/1025894947428417542

https://twitter.com/MTVBananas/status/1026131753847664641?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw

AJ Styles Vs John Cena Full SummerSlam 2016 Match

WWE has released the full match between John Cena and AJ Styles from SummerSlam 2016 on their YouTube account and the bout can be seen in the video below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yPOtDStsLUU

This was the second match of their rivalry and the first big match for Styles after splitting up with the Club and being drafted to SmackDown Live during the 2016 drafts.

Styles scored a clean victory over the Leader of Cenation. This win eventually earned him a WWE Championship match against Dean Ambrose and is believed to be the start of AJ’s run as the face of SmackDown Live.

Raw Stars Work SmackDown Dark Match

We noted before how the dark match after SmackDown Live this week saw WWE Champion AJ Styles battling The United States Champion Shinsuke Nakamura in a Champion vs. Champion match.

However, this wasn’t the only dark match of the night and for the surprise of fans, two Raw Stars Titus O’Neil and Mike Kanellis worked a bout before the show.

The match saw O’Neil defeating Kanellis who has been off TV for a while. No word yet on why the company used these Raw stars on SmackDown Live but a speculation is that they used hometown star Titus to boost ticket sales for the show.