Jim Ross recently spoke with the Cult Of Whatever website to talk about WrestleMania 31 and promote his “An Evening With Jim Ross” one-man shows this weekend. Below are highlights from the interview.
On the Sting/Triple H match: “I’ve known Sting since his rookie year, I’ve known him his entire career, he is one of the most honourable, respectful and respected men in the business. This is his WrestleMania moment, at his stage of the game I don’t expect him to have another one, I think he will have one WrestleMania appearance and I’m hopeful that he wins his match on Sunday.”
On whether this will be Undertaker’s last match: “I have no idea and I’m guessing as is everybody else that says they know, the fact is they don’t know, the only person that knows is Undertaker. I think for him to have the opportunity to go out in his last match in his home state in a stadium that, for wrestling, seats over 100,000 people [WrestleMania 32 will be held at the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas ] is an amazing opportunity for his last match.”
On the Rusev/Cena match: “I think John Cena wins the United States title, and goes about his business of trying to regenerate his popularity, so I see Cena winning. If WWE is really serious about Rusev’s undefeated streak then Rusev would win perhaps by sportsman like means. I think from what I’ve seen and the build, John Cena is going to win and he will go about his business of helping add an additional shine to the luster of the United States title.”
On WrestleMania: “Everybody can complain and bitch and moan about the build up as if everybody is a booker and have done it before. Now we are talking about all of these things and we’re not sure what is going to happen, we had another card play just this week that Lesnar is staying with WWE, it makes everything so perplexing, it’s a very unique situation. The build may not have suited everybody but where we are today and leading into Sunday now is extremely intriguing and something I will certainly not miss for anything, I will be watching just like any other fan very intently and very closely.”
With WrestleMania only a few days away, it’s time for our final look at the greatest matches in the event’s history. The final decade would be a transitional period in many ways. Perhaps most importantly, the content would change dramatically after the company changed its events to PG rating following several controversies.
Additionally, old stars like Steve Austin and The Rock would largely ride off into the sunset and hand the reins to a new generation led by Randy Orton, Daniel Bryan, and of course, John Cena. Well, here we go, the top ten matches of the final decade of WrestleMania. As always, full videos of each match are included so you can relive the contest in its entirety. Enjoy!
10. Money in the Bank (WrestleMania 21)
This match would change the WWE pretty dramatically and has become a staple in the current era, so much that it now has its own pay-per-view. Supposedly developed by Chris Jericho, the match saw a title contract hanging above the ring in a briefcase, with the winner being able to cash it in at any time over the next year for a guaranteed title shot. Edge would win this first Money in the Bank contest that was filled with memorable spots, and later cash it in and become the “Ultimate Opportunist” in a move that would be mirrored by many later.
9. CM Punk vs. Chris Jericho (WrestleMania XXVIII)
All of the hype heading into WrestleMania 28 was around the “Once in a Lifetime” match between John Cena and The Rock. However, many feel that the best match of the night was actually the WWE Championship match with CM Punk and Chris Jericho. Following a lengthy hiatus, Jericho would return as a heel and challenge Punk for the title. It was a pure wrestling match and a treat for fans, with Punk eventually countering the Wall of Jericho into the Anaconda Vice for the win. This match would also be important because it was one of the factors that would lead to Punk departing from the company, as his dream was to headline a WrestleMania but never received that opportunity.
8. John Cena vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania 23)
John Cena was the new top dog in the company by the time Shawn Michaels challenged for the title at WrestleMania 23. During the contest, Michaels was relentless in his pursuit of the title, executing a piledriver onto the steel stairs at one point, while also trying to hit his patented Sweet Chin Music several time. In the end, he would fall to the leader of the Cenation after being forced to tap out to the STF. Overall, it was a solid match that helped Cena elevated himself into the role as the face of this era.
This was one of the most hyped matches in the history of the WWE, as the build began about a year prior to the event. With Rock coming back from his successful Hollywood career and John Cena being by far the company’s biggest moneymaker, the outcome was really a toss-up. Both superstars kicked out of multiple finishers, and it eventually ended with Cena going down after failing to hit the People’s Elbow and receiving a Rock Bottom. It may not have been “Once in a Lifetime,” but it was definitely one hell of a match.
6. Shawn Michaels vs. Vince McMahon (WrestleMania 22)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5KI8DPq_Vc
Anytime Mr. McMahon is involved in a match, one can expect some shenanigans, and this one was no exception. After being forcefully inducted into the infamous “Kiss My Ass” Club, Michaels wanted revenge and he got his chance in a No Holds Barred match against the boss. This featured some brutal action that truly felt personal. Michaels would eventually win after hitting an impressive spot that would see him drive an elbow through McMahon, a table, and even a trash can – all while driving from the top of a ladder.
– The “Bro Bible” website has an interesting new piece up that details ten stories “you’ve never heard about The Undertaker,” listing several unknown, or little-known facts about the legendary WWE performer. You can check that out at BroBible.com.
– WWE Hall Of Famer Abdullah The Butcher is selling his Hall Of Fame ring on eBay. The wrestling legend is asking for $19,999 for the item, which is available right now at eBay.com.
– Triple H and Stephanie McMahon mentioned on social media that they had a great meeting with executives from Paramount Pictures on Tuesday. As noted, WWE has a deal with Paramount that calls for promotion of the new Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, including imagery from the film being part of Triple H’s entrance at WrestleMania 31 this Sunday night.
– UFC Hall Of Famer and former WWE Superstar “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” Ken Shamrock is the guest on this week’s edition of Jim Ross’ “Ross Report” podcast. You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.
The big news of the day is obviously Brock Lesnar announcing on ESPN’s SportsCenter that he has signed a new contract with WWE and is officially retired from MMA. (Video Of The Announcement).
Lesnar declared, “My legacy in the Octagon is over. However, my legacy at WrestleMania this Sunday will not be my last” and told fans, “I’m going home with that damn belt!”
It’s expected that he will continue to work a part-time schedule. Lesnar told ESPN’s Michelle Beadle that Vince McMahon made him an offer he couldn’t refuse last night at RAW from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Vince tweeted:
– The latest edition of the Steve Austin Show podcast features a WrestleMania 31 preview from “Stone Cold” and former WWE writer Court Bauer. You can download the show right now at PodcastOne.com.
– Below is the promotional video package for the Sting vs. Triple H match at this Sunday’s WrestleMania 31 pay-per-view.
– Scott Hall posted the following on Twitter after the announcement was made on RAW that Kevin Nash will be inducted into the WWE Hall Of Fame 2015 class during WrestleMania 31 weekend this year.
Jim Ross is back with the latest edition of his online blog, sharing his thoughts on the WrestleMania 31 “go-home” edition of RAW and more. Below are highlights:
On Kevin Nash’s WWE Hall Of Fame Induction: “Congrats to my friend Kevin Nash on getting the nod to go into the WWE HOF This Saturday where he will be inducted by Mick Foley. Back in the early days of Kevin’s career in WCW many of the politically charged power brokers would not give the athletic 7 footer the time of day. I put him on my WSB Radio Show that aired on Sunday nights and he made an impact because he could talk, was glib and highly intelligent. It was at that point that the higher up’s discovered a side of Kev that they never took the time to to know and the rest is history. Kevin was one of the best “attraction wrestlers” of his generation and made an impact in front of and behind the camera in both WWE and WCW. I’m proud of him and even prouder to call him my friend.”
On the final segment on Monday’s RAW: “@HeymanHustle was once again stellar. Some folks liked the closing foreshadowing of the TV show with Lesnar and Reigns struggling over the WWE Title while others did not. Not my hill to die upon but I’m pleased that we did not see any physicality between the two main event talents in this Sunday’s WrestleMania. The build to WM31 has been a mixed bag with both good and not so good but it also seems to have become a predictable mantra for many fans to discuss. I’m of the mindset to watch the event from home and then judge the show on it’s actual merits and not on what I perceive the build to be. Could the build have been better? Absolutely. Does the build mean the actual presentation Sunday on the WWE Network is doomed for failure? Absolutely, not.”
On the Sting/Triple H angle on RAW: “Thought the Sting/HHH business was just enough and fully expect this match to exceed expectations. Can’t express how happy that I am for Sting to be getting his WrestleMania Moment which is well deserved to one of the best guys in the business. We go back to his Blade Runner days in Mid South with Cowboy Bill Watts.”
This week’s Raw was held in Los Angeles and was the last stop on the Road to WrestleMania. Sting once again made an appearance, Lesnar and Reigns finally came face-to-face, and the company did everything in its power to hype the biggest wrestling event of the year. With WrestleMania less than a week away, here are the pros and cons from this week’s episode of Raw.
Pros
Daniel Bryan vs. Dolph Ziggler with Dean Ambrose as the special referee? Count me in any time, any day. When you get two ring generals together, expect a technical affair and that’s exactly what fans were treated to. The two tested each other’s strength at the beginning, with Bryan coming out on top after focusing on Ziggler’s elbow. The Show Off quickly turned the tables, however, dropping a big elbow onto Bryan’s chest for a one-count as the Intercontinental Championship hanged over the ring. This resembled a puroresu match with slaps to the face, stiff moves, and fast-paced action. The show went to commercial after both men toppled into the timekeeper’s area. After the break, Ziggler had Bryan locked into a sleeper before Bryan drove him into the corner to break the hold. Bryan nearly picked up the victory with an awesome German suplex pin before heading to the top rope – a decision that quickly backfired after Dolph hit the ropes but failed to connect with a superplex. He’d quickly recover and drive Bryan’s face into the mat from the top rope for another two-count. In the end, Bryan hit his signature dropkick into the corner and went for a second before Ziggler countered with one of the stiffest superkicks you’ll ever see and followed it up with the Zig-Zag for the win in a superb match. The Lunatic Fringe didn’t let him celebrate his victory for long though, hitting Ziggler with Dirty Deeds before pulling out a ladder and attempting to retrieve the title from above the ring before all of the competitors entered the ring to brawl. This match was the highlight of the night, and the ladder match on Sunday will probably be the highlight of WrestleMania.
They really needed to ditch the boring opening segments featuring The Authority, and thankfully they did so tonight by having Sting open the show. The Franchise discussed all of the ways Triple H snaked his way to the top of the company, but conveniently left out sleeping with the boss’s daughter. He made it clear that he wasn’t “fighting for WCW,” but simply to “take Triple H down.” Stephanie McMahon confronted Sting and the two went back and forth, hurling insults at one another in an entertaining segment. After Sting blocked Steph’s attempted slap, The Game came to the ring to confront his opponent on Sunday, with Sting warding off the sledgehammer-wielding Triple H with his signature black bat. Overall, it was a great way to open the show, hype the match for Sunday, and it was nice to see them finally cut Sting loose on the mic.
Snoop D-O-Double-Gizzle doing his best Godfather impersonation before being interrupted by #Axelmania. The man himself finally made a completely unexpected appearance to confront his imitator. It was an awesome, hilarious segment. #Hulkamania
The Intercontinental Championship match was once again prominently featured, as four of the participants in Sunday’s ladder match competed in the first match of the night. Ambrose and R-Truth teamed together to face Luke Harper and Stardust with Bad News Barrett on commentary. Harper and Ambrose worked very well together to start the match, with Ambrose hitting a nice bulldog before clearing the ring with the help of his partner. After the break, Stardust worked over Ambrose and hit an Alabama Slam before once again ceding control to his partner. The commentary team was surprisingly entertaining during this one with Barrett and Booker T trading barbs. After taking a beating and kicking out of multiple near-falls, Ambrose came back with a tornado DDT and hit up R-Truth with the hot tag. The faces dominated from there and R-Truth picked up the victory via pinfall after hitting his leaping reverse STO finisher. Ambrose and Truth danced together after the contest to conclude an entertaining opening half hour of the show.
Finally, Nikki Bella offered a Divas Championship match to either Paige or AJ Lee in an attempt to create a divide between her opponents on Sunday. After much debate, Paige decided she would take the title shot. The Divas have been putting on some decent matches over the past few weeks, and they continued their streak of quality matches this week. This one featured a few believable near-falls, they were given a lot of time (by Divas standards), and the ending at least did something to create intrigue for the tag match on Sunday by having AJ cost Paige the title.
Variety.com has a new piece up today about WWE and NBC Universal’s new “For The Hero In All Of Us” ad campaign that was announced on Monday.
In the article, it is noted that Triple H’s “grand entrance” at WrestleMania 31 this Sunday in Santa Clara, California will feature imagery from the new Arnold Schwarzenegger film, “Terminator: Genisys,” which is scheduled for a July release.
Viacom’s Paramount division has partnered with WWE and NBC Universal under the new campaign to promote the movie, with WWE agreeing to promote the film until its’ July release.
– Tonight after RAW, the WWE Network will air Michael Cole’s interview with Triple H and Arnold Schwarzenegger from the Arnold Classic convention a few weeks ago.
– The 2015 WWE Hall of Fame induction ceremony will air on the WWE Network this Saturday night from 8-11pm eST. There will will be a 1-hour Red Carpet pre-show that kicks off at 7pm EST.
– Darren Young and Titus O’Neil worked out with NFL star (and former WWE prospect) Shawne Merriman in Los Angeles this morning.
– CM Punk noted on Twitter that he found a few urns in his garage, likely from his WrestleMania 29 feud with The Undertaker.
Found some urns in my garage. Y'all want this shit?
This morning, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon publicly reacted to “Wrestling Isn’t Wrestling,” a 24-minute “somewhat-mostly-accurate educational” parody film on Triple H by screenwriter and director Max Landis.
2 words Max…. That’s awesome!!!!!…. @Uptomyknees gets it
Landis was elated to receive their approval on the film. He posted the following in the “SquaredCircle” section on Reddit: “Triple H AND Stephanie tweeted me.
“I mean I’d been told something was coming but I never imagined they’d do it publicly. It’s a bizarre feeling, I have no real idea how to react.
“I’m not quite marking I’m just stunned. I’m too shocked to mark. I feel really happy but also just sort of dazed.
“When you make a tribute to someone’s art and they respond directly, it’s a bizarre, almost invasive feeling. I’m left feeling almost kind of exposed, you know? “I made a twenty minute short film about you.” “Yes, thank you, it’s awesome.” “WHAT YOU SAW IT WHAT THE FUCK NO THAT WAS MY PRIVATE TWENTY MINUTE SHORT FILM ABOUT YOU”
“Mind boggling.
“Thanks everyone on r/squaredcircle for helping it get out there, by the way. I decided to make the short after my r/squaredcircle thread asking if I should got such a positive response, so it’s really homegrown in that way.”
Landis clarified that the film is about the Triple H character, and not Paul Levesque.
“It’s about the character. He IS one of the all time greats. But what “greatness” means in wrestling isn’t…you know, what you think it means,” he wrote.
With WrestleMania only a week away, we continue our survey of the best matches in the event’s history by looking at the second decade of action. This was an important and transitional decade for the company, as they started the period relying on superstars such as Bret Hart, Diesel, and Shawn Michaels at the top of the card, while ending it with guys such as Triple H, Brock Lesnar, and of course, Steve Austin.
The content of the product also changed dramatically during this time period, with it starting as a family-friendly product during the “new generation” era, and we all know what went on during the Attitude Era after the company shifted focus due to pressure from rival WCW. With that said, here are the ten best matches from this era. Matches are judged based on workrate, in-ring psychology, pre-match build, and historical significance, and a full video of the match is included with each entry.
10. Chris Benoit vs. Kurt Angle vs. Chris Jericho (WrestleMania 2000)
Despite being billed as the greatest thing since electricity, WrestleMania 2000 was basically a bust. One of the few bright spots was the two-fall triple threat match between Benoit, Angle, and Jericho. The stipulation was unique in that both the Intercontinental and European Championships were on the line, with the first fall deciding the former and the second deciding the latter. Angle would go into the match holding both titles, but would unfortunately walk out with neither. Benoit won the first fall with a diving headbutt and pinning Jericho. Jericho would win the second by delivering a Lionsault and pinning Benoit. It featured fast-paced action with a ton of near-falls, and it told a great story by having Angle lose both of his titles without being pinned or forced to submit.
This was the first time Chris Jericho had the opportunity to headline a WrestleMania, and he came into the match aligned with Stephanie McMahon as a heel. It told a great story that featured a thorough build, and eventually ended with The Game winning the Undisputed Championship after hitting the Pedigree.
8. Chris Benoit vs. Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XX)
These guys were three of the best technical wrestlers in the game at the time. The match was entertaining, there were multiple near-falls, and in the end, the title changed hands after Benoit forced Triple H to tap out to the Crippler Crossface. After the match, Benoit’s best friend Eddie Guerrero came to the ring and the two embraced while confetti rained down from the rafters. It’s of course a little bittersweet due to what happened years later, but it is still an emotional moment and a great match nonetheless.
7. The Rock vs. Hollywood Hulk Hogan (WrestleMania X8)
This match seems to receive a mixed reaction from a lot of fans. In my opinion, it is one of the most entertaining and unpredictable matches in WrestleMania history, largely due to the crowd reaction. Going into the match, The Rock was the fan favorite while Hogan was booked as the heel. However, the crowd turned on Rock halfway through the match and started to cheer Hogan. The two improvised from there the match ended with Hogan once again turning face and celebrating with The People’s Champion after going down in defeat.
6. Steve Austin vs. Shawn Michaels (WrestleMania XIV)
Following his match with Bret Hart at the previous WrestleMania, Austin was undoubtedly the top dog in the WWE. It wouldn’t be until this night that he would finally capture his first WWE Championship, however. This wasn’t a technical affair by any means, largely due to Michaels wrestling with a severely injured back. With that said, it was still an entertaining contest that featured great in-ring psychology and one of the best builds of any main event in WrestleMania history due to the involvement of Mike Tyson. Austin would of course go on to win the title and start his run as perhaps the most successful superstar in WWE history.
With less than two weeks to go until WrestleMania 31, booking plans are in the process of being finalized and we’ve got some information regarding three of the top matches on the show. WWE insider ‘MetsFan4Ever’ has released some major details regarding what’s planned for the main event as well as the IC & US titles.
According to the Reddit user, the word going around Tuesday night’s SmackDown tapings is that Brock Lesnar is very close to signing a new contract with WWE. The deal would be similar to his current deal, with Lesnar presented presented as a special attraction making limited appearances.
The big news is that Triple H is reportedly trying to sell Vince McMahon on the idea of Brock Lesnar retaining the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania. This scenario would also have implications on two other WrestleMania matches.
If Brock retains, the plan is for John Cena to defeat Rusev for the Unites States Championship and Daniel Bryan to emerge victorious in the Intercontinental Championship Ladder match. With Brock Lesnar only making occasional appearances on WWE television, the idea is for John Cena and Daniel Bryan to headline various RAW, PPV and live events defending their titles, which would bring a great deal of prestige to both.
While things can change over the next week and a half, this is one the main ideas being considered.
– Joey Ryan recently tweeted the following, leading to speculation that he has been threatened by WWE lawyers not to speak out against Bill DeMott anymore.
– Former WWE performer Joanie “Chyna” Laurer deleted some of the controversial videos she posted on YouTube where she said she was “coming for Triple H” and called Stephanie McMahon a “total b*tch.” She posted the following video after deleting the others.
– WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair said during a Q&A held at “The Arnold” this past weekend in Ohio that he doesn’t know if John Cena will beat his record for the most reigns as World Heavyweight Champion, but he would be happy if he does because he feels Cena is a hard worker. One fan suggested that Flair wrestle Triple H at WrestleMania, to which Flair said he would love to do it, telling everyone that they should e-mail that idea to Vince McMahon.
– WWE Superstar Hornswoggle took a shot at Cody Rhodes on Twitter this week, which was said to come out of nowhere. He tweeted the following to the account that Rhodes uses separate from his official “Stardust” account.
Hey @PrinceCGR I'm sorry my daddy didn't give me my spot in the business. All the paint in the world won't cover up that growing forehead.
One in particular has to do with the Kevin Owens vs. CJ Parker match at the NXT Takeover: R Evolution event back in December. The match that we ended up seeing was the one that the three worked out together ahead of time.
Between not liking Owens, the big guy, doing a flip-dive and not working so many moves into the opening match, DeMott reportedly did not like the match.
Prior to the match, Owens reportedly complained to Triple H about what was planned, to which HHH told him to simply let Owens do what he wants.
This apparently led to some issues, as many felt that Triple H allows “his guys” to do whatever they want while the rest of the guys are said to be micro-managed and told not to wrestle the “independent style” of matches that they are used to.
Former WWE performer Joanie Laurer (aka Chyna) is back at it again.
The former WWE Intercontinental Champion resurfaced on YouTube recently with some bizarre videos where she takes some more shots at Triple H and Stephanie McMahon.
Laurer, who recently made headlines by accusing Triple H of physically abusing her in the past, is now calling HHH an “assh*le” and Stephanie McMahon “a b*tch, a total b*tch,” and is warning HHH that “she is coming for him.”
“Today at the ISHOF with Arnold and Evander Holyfield, Lenda Murray and Ed Coan – just this amazing cast of elite level sports figures, the whole thing was just surreal,” said “The Game.”
“It was very humbling and just a moment I’ll never forget” Triple H continued. “To have my wife and kids there was the best part. I listened to all these amazing people speaking before me, I thought about inspiration and what inspires people to do things. I thought about Lenda Murray, this amazing woman who transcended her sport, but at the time showed that women could do anything they wanted to – like being this elite, professional level bodybuilder if they wanted – she broke a barrier showing that women can compete in the same sport as men.”
HHH continued, “I’m listening to Lenda’s speech and I’m looking at my daughters in the front row and thinking about what it means to them to have someone in front of them that has already broken these barriers and telling them they can do anything, because the biggest thing I want to instill in them is that they can be whatever they want to be.”
Below is a video of HHH’s induction.
Additionally, here’s a video of Triple H with Arnold Schwarzenegger discussing the importance of the International Sports Hall Of Fame.
Finally, here are some tweets, including photos, from Stephanie McMahon and Vince McMahon regarding HHH’s induction.
Alberto El Patron recently spoke with The Troy Show, where he spoke about WWE Dr. Chris Amann suing CM Punk and Colt Cabana, Roman Reigns, Vince McMahon and more. Below are highlights from the interview.
On CM Punk being sued by WWE doctor Chris Amann: “I never had any issues with the WWE medical staff, I’ve had problems with other departments similar to that. I know CM Punk, I know he’s not lying… Hopefully Punk goes well with this lawsuit and hopefully we get to see him pretty soon.”
On if he feels CM Punk go to Lucha Underground: “You never know buddy. There will be more surprises will be coming in the next 3 to 4 weeks.”
On Roman Reigns: “Great guy, great talent. A lot of talent and a lot of potential.”
On Vince McMahon: “A great person. A gentleman. I have nothing but good words for him.”
On Triple H: “I’m going to reserve my comments on that one [laughs].”
During Friday’s edition of “Talk Is Jericho,” Chris Jericho asked his guest, Samoa Joe, whether or not he has any intentions of joining the WWE.
Joe mentioned that he wanted fans to know that there have been discussions between the two sides and that, “there’s some negotiations going on.”
Additionally, Jericho noted that Joe’s name came up when he was talking to Triple H a few years ago. Jericho said that HHH told him that he was a fan of Joe and his in-ring style.
You can download the latest edition of Jericho’s podcast at PodcastOne.com.
– WWE Hall Of Famer Hulk Hogan gave his endorsement of NXT talents Kevin Owens and Sasha Banks. “The Hulkster” tweeted a photo out on Saturday that features himself, Triple H and Jimmy Hart with the NXT champions and wrote, “This is why the WWE will live forever brother.”
– Jim Ross touched on the build to this year’s WrestleMania and the fan reaction to the push of Roman Reigns in his latest website blog. Below is an excerpt where JR comments on these two subjects.
“For those looking at the build to this WrestleMania as being not to their personal liking because of not enough hype and a lack of momentum in their eyes, I equate it to the Super Bowl. This year in the Super Bowl I did not have a horse in the race so I did not have an emotional investment to a high degree but I still watched the game with interest simply because I’m a NFL fan and it was, after all, the Super Bowl. Could that analogy apply to WrestleMania as it currently stands? I’m not jacked to the max today about WM31 but I promise you that I will be come that weekend and wouldn’t miss watching the show on the WWE Network for anything. Why? Because I’m still a true, wrestling fan. Let the show happen and then judge it as you choose.”
“Continue to get feedback from fans on Twitter or here at our Q&A’s that Roman Reigns “isn’t ready.” How many of you think that JYD was “ready” when Bill Watts made him the top star in Mid South Wrestling back in the day? Simply ask some of Dog’s opponents. But Dog had much of what many feel that Roman Reigns does. “Charisma” and a marketable look. Time will tell on that one but I say put Roman in the game and let’s see what’s in his heart when he knows he’s being relied on to pull the wagon. I’d enjoy seeing Reigns and Heyman put the screws to Brock this Monday in Pittsburgh on RAW whereby Lesnar goes into the main event at WM31 as a fan favorite defending his title against a stacked deck w/ Heyman ‘making’ a couple of villains by enlisting their help as “backup.” Just an idea much like Fantasy Football from my friends a @DraftKings.”
As you all know by now, WWE head trainer Bill DeMott “resigned” yesterday amid allegations of abusive, homophobic, and sexist behavior. I won’t go into the specifics, as we’ve covered the situation at great length here already.
What I would like to discuss, however, is the WWE’s culture of hypocrisy. For years now, the company has been affiliated with the Be A STAR campaign – an organization whose goal is to “ensure a positive and equitable social environment for everyone regardless of age, race, religion, or sexual orientation.”
Allegations have been levied against DeMott for years, with superstars apparently being fired for speaking out against the former trainer. It wasn’t until the story went viral this past week that the company took action though. In short, the company did not give a damn about DeMott’s actions; they simply wanted to avoid bad publicity.
To think that DeMott (I’d call him a has-been, but that would imply he was ever something to begin with) held unilateral power and ruled with an iron fist in the WWE is absolutely ludicrous. The higher-ups, including people like Vince McMahon, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon, were likely well aware of these accusations for years, but they simply did not care because they have fostered an abusive and hypocritical work environment.
The situation bears striking resemblance to the Penn State sex abuse scandal a few years back. Although Jerry Sandusky was the one who was guilty of molesting children, the school’s president, athletic director, and even Joe Paterno himself turned a blind eye to the situation in order to avoid bad publicity, instead allowing it to continue with hopes that the victims would not go public with the allegations.
That is not to say or insinuate that DeMott molested children, but he is like Sandusky in that he is the face of the problem, but he does not encompass the problem itself. Instead, it is those who wield actual power within the company who need to be held accountable. Simply letting someone go – likely with a “golden parachute” severance package – does not excuse the bogus investigation and the cover-up that occurred in the first place.
A few things are clear following this situation: 1. The WWE knew of the allegations for years and chose to do absolutely nothing (sorry, there was an unfruitful “investigation”), 2. Anyone who spoke out against DeMott was essentially submitting their resignation letter, and 3. Bill DeMott would still have a job today had major media outlets not picked up this story.
And finally, to anyone who has defended DeMott’s actions by saying something to the effect of, “This generation is too soft” or “Things were done differently back in his day,” all I can really say is that I’m sorry, but you’re delusional. Defending DeMott’s abusive behavior and attempting to justify it with the aforementioned excuses is akin to saying it’s still acceptable to lynch black people because your parents and grandparents did so in the 1950s. The cycle of ignorance needs to be broken somewhere, and I’m glad to see that someone finally stood up to this bully.
The campaign should not end here either. Bill DeMott walking out the door does not mean the culture he epitomizes will be accompanying him. The WWE should not be off the hook for ignoring this situation for years and conducting a phony investigation. One can only hope that more victims speak out about their experiences with the company and those who wield real power are held accountable. DeMott wrestled under the name Hugh Morrus for many years in WCW. Unfortunately, there’s nothing amusing about this situation or the WWE’s abusive, hypocritical culture.
– Triple H conducted an interview with 2015 WWE Hall Of Famer Arnold Schwarzenegger in Ohio this weekend. The interview is going to air on the WWE Network in the future. Triple H tweeted the following photo of the two together this weekend.