The following are highlights from a recent Wrestling 101 interview with Kurt Angle:
On wanting a match with Triple H: “The one that I wanted and still want is Triple H because when I was wrestling him I wasn’t very good and I know he had to do a lot of carrying me around when I first started. I would love to do a program with Triple H someday because he is that good, to be where I’m right now and where he is right now I can’t imagine what the match would be like but maybe that is something that can happen down the road.”
On whether or not he will return to WWE: “Yeah, I never say no, I love TNA, I love Dixie Carter, I’ve had a lot of fun here but I never count out going back to WWE. It is always there, the opportunity is there, a lot of people don’t want to retire unless they go out at WrestleMania, it is tough when you have the ability to do that it is hard to just walk away. I’m not saying it is going to happen soon but there is going to come a time where I will have to make a decision and I have to do what is best for Kurt Angle, as much as I love TNA I have to do what’s best for me and that’s what I’m going to do.”
On the current state of TNA: “It is tough, our attendances weren’t great on the road. I know it cost the company a lot of money but we didn’t have terrible crowd numbers, it was pretty good, it just wasn’t good enough to cover the costs. When that happens you can only go in debt so much before you have to say, okay, we need to regroup.”
Check out the complete interview online at Wrestling101.com.
As far as the timeline for Ultimate Warrior’s return to WWE, Triple H reportedly met with him the same day 2K Sports held a press event to announce Warrior for the WWE 2K14 video game.
As far as Vince McMahon is concerned, he met with Warrior for the first time during SummerSlam weekend in August. The two were scheduled to have a 30-minute meeting, but ended up spending several hours behind closed doors. The two worked out their issues and began working on a deal to bring Warrior in for the Hall Of Fame and WrestleMania XXX weekend. The deal was reportedly finalized in December, somewhere around Christmas.
WWE has added the latest sit-down interview with Triple H, this time conducted by Renee Young, to their official YouTube channel.
The video, which you can view above, is accompanied by the following description: “WWE COO Triple H addresses whether Randy Orton “made things right” on Raw, CM Punk as the first entrant into the Royal Rumble Match and the possibility of Batista being “The Face of WWE.””
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon visited the Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy over the weekend and trained with former WWE Diva Eve Torres and her husband, Rener Gracie.
The “Matt Hardy chokehold” is reference to a backstage altercation between Eve Torres and Matt Hardy several years ago (while WWE was touring Europe) that resulted in Hardy getting choked out by the former Divas champion. Hardy replied to Stephanie’s tweet:
WWE has added the latest sit-down interview between Triple H and Michael Cole to their official YouTube channel.
WWE COO Triple H addresses Randy Orton’s attack on John Cena’s father, The New Age Outlaws walking out on CM Punk, the decision to induct The Ultimate Warrior in the WWE Hall of Fame, Batista’s looming return and WWE Network.”
Triple H announced during Thursday’s NXT TV tapings from Winter Park, Florida that the February 27th NXT taping will air live on the WWE Network – head-to-head against TNA Impact Wrestling on Spike TV.
Two of the main events announced for the live NXT show on the WWE Network are:
* Bo Dallas vs. Adrian Neville (Ladder match for the NXT Championship)
* Sami Zayn vs. Antonio Cesaro(Best of 3 Falls Match)
As mentioned during the WWE Network announcement in Las Vegas, Nevada this past Wednesday, WWE NXT will begin airing on the WWE Network when it launches in February.
Triple H announced during the WWE NXT television taping for this week, which is taking place tonight in Winter Park, Florida, that beginning February 27th, WWE NXT TV will air live on the WWE Network from Full Sail University.
Make sure to check back here at the website on Friday morning for a complete report from the WWE NXT taping.
Triple H’s latest sit down interview with a giddy Michael Cole focuses on tonight’s groundbreaking announcement from the CES convention in Las Vegas.
Triple H would not give any hints about the nature of the announcement, but touted Vince McMahon’s track record of pioneering media industries, including cable television, closed circuit television and pay-per-view.
It’s no secret that tonight’s announcement will be the highly anticipated unveiling of the WWE Network.
WWE will be live streaming the WWE presentation at 9:30pm (Eastern) – make sure to check back at SEScoops.com tonight for our coverage of the big event.
Question 3 Now, we are going to randomly assign you 3 Superstars. Please tell us how you would like to see the below Superstars involved with WWE in the future (You can select more than one for each):
Wrestling regularly on Raw/SmackDown
As a regular commentator on Raw/SmackDown
Starring on a WWE reality show Starring on a WWE highlights show
Wrestling at WrestleMania or SummerSlam
Involved in the Raw/SmackDown storylines
Involved in the WrestleMania or SummerSlam storylines
Do not want him involved with WWE in future?
Question 4: In your household, how many kids ages 4 or older are fans of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE)?
Comment Below and tell us how you think the Legends & Superstars listed should be used – if at all.
(Thanks to SEScoops correspondent Noah Mark for sending in this info)
According to reports, Davey Richards and Eddie Edwards will not be returning at the next set of WWE NXT television tapings, nor will they be offered a contract by WWE.
Apparently Triple H didn’t want to sign the two after their recent WWE tryout due to their size. The feeling within WWE right now is that the company has enough talent that isn’t very big, but can “go” in the ring. Because of this mindset, the company was looking for guys who fit a different description in the most recent tryout camp.
A lot of people reportedly went to bat for Richards and Edwards, saying that not only should WWE sign them, but should immediately push them to the main roster. Ultimately, WWE decided not to sign the two.
In this week’s sitdown interview with Michael Cole, Triple H talks about 2014 being an epic year from WWE and the changing landscape of the main event scene, with the returns of Brock Lesnar & Batista.
The final WWE RAW show of 2013 ended with Daniel Bryan joining The Wyatt Family. The RAW main event featured Daniel Bryan facing Luke Harper first. If Bryan defeated Harper, then he had to beat Erick Rowan. If he defeated them both, then he could get his hands on Bray Wyatt. Bryan ended up beating them both. When Bray’s turn to face Bryan came up, he stopped himself from attacking Bryan. Bryan ended up telling Bray he was right. He said fans chanted “Yes!” in every building he went to, and “they” still didn’t care. Bray then hit Bryan with his Sister Abigail finisher, but the two still ended up leaving together. Bryan stopped at the top of the stage to think over his decision, but ultimately decided to do it anyway.
Also on RAW on Monday night, both Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman returned. The two returned as part of Triple H’s “blockbuster announcement.” They announced their intentions on becoming the WWE World Heavyweight Champion by defeating whoever wins the Royal Rumble main event between John Cena and Randy Orton. This led to Mark Henry coming out, only to get beat up by Lesnar. Lesnar speared Henry through the barricade on the floor and then hit him with an F-5 on the floor.
– Apparently the rumored WrestleMania XXX match between John Cena and Bray Wyatt will not necessarily serve as the actual main event for the show. It is a planned match as of this past Tuesday, but it may not be the actual main event.
– The official WWE website currently features a new video playlist that contains all of Triple H’s 13 World Title victories. You can check that out at WWE.com.
The following are highlights from a recent WGD Weekly interview with former WWE Superstar Marc Mero:
On his ex-wife Sable becoming a star while he was injured: “I had blown out my knee and needed total reconstruction on my knee, I was out for eight months and in that time off was when my ex-wife became very popular, you know going out there and selling merchandise and becoming a diva and so on. Then they came up with the storyline of me being jealous of her and I’m thinking ‘wow, what a great idea.’ I know a lot of wrestlers were saying, ‘That buried you, when a girl beats you up or something your never considered anything again,’ but, you know what, all that didn’t matter. They were backing up the Brinks truck to our house, so you really look at what is really important, its entertainment, its being an actor, and I’m being paid very well for it, and now, she is getting paid very well for it. So, all in all, you look back…I have no regrets…it all worked for us, like I said, there was nothing I would change.”
On leaving WWE, the Sable lawsuit and their relationship: “Unfortunately, the ending of the WWF didn’t go well. My ex-wife had some problems with the company and their was a lawsuit. I had three years left on a guaranteed contract…and I just decided to walk away, it just wasn’t fun any more. It was just a sad part of our lives…so, we left the wrestling arena and obviously the lawsuit was settled out of court between my ex wife and the WWF…its no secret, we got divorced in 2004 and she went on to marry Brock and I married an incredible woman that I have been married to for four years. So, we both went separate ways, but you know something that is amazing, we have never said a bad word about each other. I have nothing bad to say, you think about the good memories you had together. I have never been happier than I am now with my life.”
On his early days in WCW with Triple H: “Triple H was and is a talented wrestler, he was like a student of the game, you know. I really enjoyed working with him. We wrestled each other hundreds of times, because obviously we would tour for quite a while on the road and we would wrestle each other every night, and not only that, we wrestled in WCW several times. I believe his first belt he ever won was when he beat me for the Intercontinental title. You’ve seen what he has done in his career and the amazing heights he has risen to…but he was really good to work with, very similar to “Stone Cold” in their work ethic…they can make guys that weren’t as talented, I wasn’t as talented as a Triple H or a Stone Cold, and they made our matches look fantastic…my hat is off to that guy.”
On his friendship with Diamond Dallas Page: “It is no secret that Dallas and I are still great friends today. He is by far one of the hardest working people I have ever met, bar none. Just an incredible work ethic…When we were in our program together…we would go down to the Power Plant and work on our matches and moves…then all of a sudden, I get a call at like three o’clock in the morning…I’m saying ‘oh my gosh, who is calling me at this hour?’ Of course, I pick up my phone and its Dallas and he goes, ‘hey, brother, I wanna run by a spot,’ and I am going, ‘What, Dallas, its three o’clock in the morning.’ He goes, ‘I know, but I couldn’t sleep, I had to tell you this spot I want to do’… I’m thinking, ‘Are you crazy?’ But, that was his work ethic and I will tell you something, if you are ever going to bet on someone, bet on DDP, the guy…he has got that never die attitude and he never gives up…I just have such admiration for Dallas, not only as a friend, but just as a wrestler, as a human being, an entrepreneur…believe me, DDP Yoga is going to be a household word someday, you watch.”
– WWE’s long-running Authority storyline is currently scheduled to climax at WrestleMania XXX on April 6, 2014 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana, with Triple H facing CM Punk in a singles match. However, there is also the possibility of Roman Reigns facing “The Game” at the pay-per-view event spectacular, as the 28-year-old is currently slated as a “back-up plan.” In recent weeks, WWE has teased a Reigns babyface turn.
– Though most of WWE’s business metrics have either gone down or remained almost identical in recent years, traffic to the official WWE website has greatly increased. Through November, WWE.com has averaged 15.1 million viewers per month. This is up 31.3% from the year before, which averaged 11.5 million visitors on a monthly basis.
Despite the great increase in web traffic, this has not accordingly translated to sales increases on WWEShop.com. Merchandise sales are only up 3.5%, from 903 in 2013 to 935 this year.
– Antonio Thomas, who appeared for WWE in 2005 and 2006, discusses his tenure with the company and career on the independent wrestling circuit in the latest edition of Colt Cabana’s Art Of Wrestling podcast. The podcast also features a happy holidays message from CM Punk. The synopsis for the show is as follows: “One half of WWEs Heartbreakers. With just a short run on TV, its interesting to see how a wrestler recovers and continues in the wrestling industry. Antonio is still a force on the independent scene. Plus Colt, Cliff and Punk wish everyone happy holidays.”
Besides WrestleMania 29, which is annually WWE’s top video release, WCW nostalgia has been driving WWE’s DVD sales.
According to WWE business numbers released last week, WCW titles rank as the second, third and fourth top WWE video releases of 2013. Through the end of November, the most shipped DVDs have been WrestleMania 29 (174,000), The Best of WCW Monday Nitro, Vol. 2 (121,000), WWE: Goldberg – The Ultimate Collection (86,000), WCW War Games: WCW’s Most Notorious Matches (80,000), WWE: The Top 25 Rivalries in Wrestling History (64,000) and WWE: For All Mankind- The Life and Career of Mick Foley (59,000).
It should be noted that the Goldberg DVD had only been out for less than two months, with 74,000 sold in the first month. It greatly outsold the Triple H video released two weeks prior, Triple H – Thy Kingdom Come, which was not ranked as a top-seller.
As of late, actual sales have hovered around the 60% mark of total shipments.
The DVD market appears to be declining, with shipments of WrestleMania and other top WWE-themed titles being significantly down compared to the year before. The top WWE DVD releases at the same point in 2012 were WrestleMania XXVIII (236,000), The Rock: The Epic Journey of Dwayne Johnson (150,000), CM Punk – Best in the World (114,000, released in October), WWE: Undertaker – The Streak (102,000), WWE: The Greatest Superstars of WrestleMania (96,000), nWo: The Revolution (94,000, released in November) and Royal Rumble (89,000).
WWE has plans to release more titles featuring the best of World Championship Wrestling. WrestlingDVDNews.com reported last week that WWE’s upcoming WCW’s Greatest Pay-Per-View Matches Vol. 1 DVD and Blu-ray, which is scheduled for release on March 11, 2014, will be the first title released in a series highlighting the greatest WCW matches on pay-per-view.
The deal for Batista to return during WrestleMania XXX season is something he and Triple H have been working on for a few months. Batista is scheduled to work some television tapings, pay-per-views and even some of WWE’s non-televised live events. The deal calls for Batista to stick around for at least some time after WrestleMania XXX in April.
Before announcing his return on RAW on Monday night, the original plan called for Batista to return as a surprise entrant in the Royal Rumble. WWE had copy of the promotional materials that were scheduled to be sent to local arenas and apparently those were sent out prematurely without notice that Batista’s inclusion in them was to be held off until he officially debuted at the Rumble.
Apparently as a result of the information leaking early on official arena websites, among other places, WWE was quite upset. One source joked that it was a good thing Vnice McMahon was overseas visiting the U.S. Troops when the news leaked, or he may have killed someone.
One person who recently saw Batista this past weekend noted that he has put on a lot of size and muscle and appears to be more ripped than usual.
WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross has once again updated the Q&A section of his website. The following are some new highlights:
On calling the legendary Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat matches: “It was a honor to call them back when play by play was in fashion. Working w/ Bob Caudle was a privilege. Flair & Steamboat were….legendary. I was at right place at right time.”
On if he feels Tito Santana is underrated: “Tito was a great in ring talent. I don’t know who has underrated him. He was a star.”
On whether or not Triple H vs. Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania was the match of the year: “Thanks for your take. I have no dog in this hunt. There weren’t an overabundance of great matches in WWE in 2013 IMO ”
On Jeff Jarrett leaving TNA: “I’m not connected to TNA or Jarrett or to what their relationship together was or has been lately. I don’t know what his departure means to TNA. TNA has many fixable issues. I wish Jeff and his family well.”
On the overrun during WWE RAW on Monday’s: “Enhances the TV ratings minute by minute numbers.”
On a dream match at WrestleMania between Shawn Michaels and Sting: “At the right place at the right time it would have been terrific. A main event. The ship’s sailed on that one or so I think.”
On the possibility of the War Games concept being used by WWE: “Highly unlikely. I don’t see it happening. It wasn’t a WWE creation and the blood is a no-no.”
On Drew McIntyre’s future in WWE: “It’s all about the creative and the production and execution of such. Any one can be made to be relevant in the fictional world of pro wrestling.”
On the importance of Steve Austin during the Attitude Era: “In the Attitude Era, it was Stone Cold who was the straw that stirred the drink. But he was surrounded by some great talents as well.”
On the possibility of Brock Lesnar vs. Batista in 2014: “If both are around with enough TV availabilities I’d say it’s possible. It would be a nice attraction.”
On if the Hardy Boys would ever return to WWE: “I’d say never say never but I’d also guess it would likely be a long shot. Sometimes long shots come through.”
WWE Hall Of Famer Bruno Sammartino and current WWE executive Triple H will be featured in part two of “The Garden Transformed: Year Three,” a five-part series airing on MSG. The episode featuring Sammartino and HHH is scheduled to air on Saturday at 10:30pm E.T.
“Even around the world, this is how they know me,” said Sammartino. “In Argentina, in Brazil, I remember going to Australia, all the trips I did in Japan, you know how they’d advertise me? ‘From Madison Square Garden, Bruno Sammartino.’”
An advertisement for an upcoming WWE Live Event in February has spoiled some major news – former WWE Champion Batista is returning to WWE.
As announced Friday evening, the official website of the Thomas & Mack Center is advertising the Batista will be appearing at the WWE Live Event from Las Vegas, Nevada on Sunday, February 16, 2014
Sources in WWE are saying this is not an advertising error as he is indeed coming back.
Advertising was reportedly released prematurely, spoiling WWE’s planned surprise (which would take place in time for WrestleMania season).
Batista, who is now 44-years-old, had been contemplating a return to WWE since last spring in discussions with Triple H. However, his acting schedule prevented him from making a commitment until recently.
One source speculated that Batista will appear for WWE until he is called to promote Guardians, which is scheduled to be released in theaters on August 1, 2014.
Batista last appeared for WWE in 2010, with his final match resulting in a loss to John Cena. He later stated in media interviews that he left WWE due to unhappiness with the company’s family-friendly product. He did not, however, rule out a return to the organization as he has said that he would be interested in having another run.
Comment Below and tell us who you want to see Batista wrestle at WrestleMania.
WWE.com has published the latest weekly sit-down interview between Michael Cole and Triple H.
The interview this week focuses on a few different topics, including Randy Orton’s low-blow of Daniel Bryan during the RAW main event. The Game joked that Bryan “came up on the short end” in the match.
He also addressed CM Punk’s comments about him on the show. Based on what we’re hearing, this is the start of a feud that will culminate in a match at WrestleMania.
You can check out the complete interview online at WWE.com.
As previously reported, WWE is set to make a “major announcement” at the 2014 International CES trade show in Las Vegas, Nevada on January 4th.
Along with Vince McMahon, who will be on hand to make the announcement, “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Triple H, John Cena and Shawn Michaels will also be in attendance.
In the invitations sent out to those scheduled to attend, WWE is promising a “groundbreaking announcement,” which is rumored to involve the WWE Network.
– Former WWE Superstar Kizarny (Sinn Bodhi) is writing a new comedy action film that is set to star WWE Hall Of Famer Edge. The film, which will be called “Babies With Rabies,” will also feature Jake “The Snake” Roberts and actress Mindy Johnson.
– WWE has added a clip from the latest Triple H and Michael Cole sit-down interview to their official YouTube channel. The clip, which can be viewed below, is accompanied by the following description: “WWE COO Triple H calls the Champion of Champions bout between John Cena and Randy Orton at WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs the “biggest match ever”.”
Triple H sat down with Michael Cole yesterday for his weekly interview series at WWE.com. This week, Triple H spoke about the closing segment of Monday’s RAW, Sunday’s WWE title unification and Daniel Bryan’s popularity. Here are some highlights:
– Triple H once again guaranteed that “one man” will walk out of TLC as the Unified Champion and dubbed the match as the “biggest match in WWE history.” He said:
“I know what the future is. The future is that I guarantee one man will win this match at TLC. That man will become immortal. That man will become the Face of the WWE. And that man – that winner – will be the Champion of Champions.”
It’s really worth noting that after all these guarantees about “one man” being the new WWE Unified Champion – Triple H has yet to explicitly say that it will be either John Cena or Randy Orton. Wade Keller of PWTorch.com was the first wrestling journalist to publicly theorize that it will be Triple H who will somehow walk out of TLC as the Unified Champion. After watching the past several weeks of WWE television and these Triple H – Michael Cole interviews on WWE.com, it seems more than coincidental that they have not once said that it will be John Cena or Randy Orton who will be Unified champion .
– Triple H acknowledged Daniel Bryan’s tremendous popularity – but said Bryan is only a “good asset” – not “what’s best for business.”
– He did not respond to Michael Cole’s question about whether there there will be consequences after CM Punk struck him on RAW.
– He downplayed the final shot at the end of RAW, where John Cena stood tall with the Authority over Randy Orton.
– Triple H will appear on Friday’s SmackDown to hear Randy Orton’s apology for knocking down Stephanie McMahon on RAW.
– He said the brawl at the end of RAW was the result of a lot of people doing really stupid things in the heat of the moment.