– WWE Hall Of Famer Mick Foley has updated the prizes for his WrestleMania Dream Vacation Raffle for charity. You can check out the updated list at Rainn.org.
– The latest edition of The JBL & Cole radio show is now available online. You can check it out at Blubrry.com.
– Reader Daryl Johnson sent along word that former WWE Diva Mickie James will be on the Wrestling Marks Of Excellence Radio tonight from 9-30-10:30pm ET. For more information, visit BlogTalkRadio.com.
Top-Deal between WWE® and TELE 5: The flagship program of WWE®, Monday Night RAW returns to TELE 5 on April 10, every single Thursday at quarter past 10.
Two hours of non-stop entertainment on TELE 5: 25 years after TELE 5 was the first German TV-Station to air WWE® on Free-TV – we are celebrating the return of one of the most successful entertainment shows on the planet. In the United States Monday Night RAW is one of the longest weekly episodic primetime television shows and also one of the highest rated broadcasts on cable.
The season-kickoff of Monday Night RAW will air on TELE 5 on April 10 at quarter past 10 with the biggest edition of the year. The Monday Night RAW after WWE’s® biggest pay-per-view of the year: WrestleMania 30.
“Monday Night RAW is an entertainment phenomenon which fascinates people from around the world.” said TELE 5 CEO, Kai Blasberg. “Finally we can give people back what they’ve been asking for – a real highlight of the entertainment industry.”
“WWE® is really excited about the partnership with TELE 5”, said Stefan Kastenmüller, General Manager of WWE Germany. “Our team in Germany will accompany the television shows with numerous activities around the year at various live events and PPVs, ensure a steady presence on digital platforms and social media outlets and will be producing merchandise.”
WWE Hall of Famer “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase Sr. recently took some time to participate in an exclusive in-depth interview with PWMania.com. DiBiase, now retired from active wrestling, serves the public as a minister for Heart of David Ministry and had a lot to say about his new profession, wrestling, his family and more including Vince McMahon, Steve Austin, The Undertaker, WCW and the attitude era. Here are some highlights from the interview:
Vince McMahon & The Million Dollar Man Character: “It all has to do with marketing. The greatest marketing is word of mouth. Nobody can disagree that Vince is extremely good at marketing. He has marketed WWE so well and even the name Wrestlemania is synonymous with events like the Super Bowl. Now, this past Super Bowl was terrible. But, it’s a brand, just like WWE is a brand. People will still watch that brand. Wrestlemania will sell out because of its strength as a brand.”
Grooming Steve Austin: “I was really happy for him. I told him when I managed him the reason Vince put me with guys is because he hoped I would groom them. I told Steve at the time to keep doing what he was doing because what it is believable. You may not get over as fast, but you will last longer than guys who get over real fast and then their popularity dies out. Once you get over, you can do whatever you want. I don’t think anybody expected his character would grow to be as big as it did.”
The Attitude Era & Steve Austin: “But, as far as still managing him if I was still there, I wouldn’t be with him. As a Christian, I had an issue with the Attitude Era. If Stone Cold’s character was the heel, I’d be okay with it. But because he was drinking beer, flipping the bird and cursing…and getting cheered for it? And he becomes a babyface? That sends a message to teenagers that it’s ok to do all those things. That didn’t sit well with me.. The same thing was true with the NWO because we were the bad guys. But the bad guys were becoming the cool thing to be. There are good guys and bad guys in wrestling and I feel the story that should be told is that the good guys in the end win. If we send that message to kids, we are sending the right message. The Million Dollar Man character always got his butt kicked in the end.”
The Undertaker’s WrestleMania Appearances: “Regarding his once-a-year Wrestlemania appearances, I can only think “Mark, how many times can you do this?” Every year I think he would be getting closer to the end. But the fact that he only makes this one-time appearance is great because fans of the Undertaker will be there and will look forward to seeing him. One of the reasons Elvis Presley was famous is because the only time you ever saw him was when he walked on stage. He would walk on stage, would perform and literally left the building. It adds to the mystique. The less you see something you like, the more you want to see it.”
“The Million Dollar Man” also spoke more on Steve Austin and Vince McMahon, his future plans, WCW, WWF/E, Ted DiBiase Jr., being a minister among several other topics. You can read the in-depth interview in its entirety at PWMania.com.
The following are highlights of a new ESPN Front Row interview with WWE Hall Of Famer Jim Ross:
On Brad Nessler: “I think “Ness” is the best all-around play-by-play guy in the business. For a guy who [last season] was doing college football and then an NFL game [for NFL Network] and then another college game like he does shows his work ethic and his talent. And he’s just as well-versed in college basketball.”
On Jonathan Coachman and Todd Grisham: ““Coach” is as multitalented a person as I’ve ever worked with. Grisham? A tall, disillusioned Alabama fan! [Ross supports Oklahoma and revels in the Sooners’ 2014 AllState Sugar Bowl win over the Tide.] I’m proud of both of those guys. [Going to ESPN] was a wonderful career move for them. They’re better fits in ESPN’s world than they were in the WWE’s world.”
On working with E:60 for a future piece on WWE: “I’m expecting a masterpiece. [E:60 producers] were allowed crazy access. . . [Producer] Ben Houser became a student of the business. I was very impressed with Ben. He asked great questions.”
On what Kendrick Perkins and Ronda Rousey have in common: “Sometimes the Thunder is too nice. Would Perkins make a great WWE villain? Absolutely. Perk has the best facial expression and demeanor. The only person in sports right now that has a better facial expression than Kendrick Perkins is Ronda Rousey. When Ronda Rousey walks into the ring to fight, she has the greatest facial expression in sports. I think our girls [WWE female performers] would probably be scared to death [if Rousey joined the circuit].”
On helping The Rock and Brock Lesnar transition into pro wrestlers: ““The Rock” was a unique case because The Rock’s grandfather and father were both pro wrestlers. He had a familiarity with the business in general… He was a third-generation guy and was also had a college degree at Miami who was also broke. You had a bright, broke guy who was also very motivated. I signed The Rock and really felt like he was going to be exceptional from Day 1. The best example would be Brock Lesnar. He came out of the University of Minnesota as a national champion All-American wrestler. He came from a farm in South Dakota. He didn’t go to the ‘U’. He didn’t grow up in the sizzle world of pro wrestling. He was a dairy farmer’s son. So getting him to develop his personality and release his natural charisma was something that took a little bit effort on his part. . . The biggest thing you work on is their personality, their TV presence. He finally got it.”
On what he feels is an indeal scenario for Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania: “I would make sure Daniel Bryan left WrestleMania with his “moment.” Every star in WWE wants to have a WrestleMania moment – meaning some bucket list dream as a professional to go to WrestleMania and steal the show. In a perfect world, just for me , Daniel Bryan would leave WWE [as] World Champion. . . Right now, Randy Orton is the champion. As the deck is currently dealt, it would be Daniel Bryan somehow against Randy Orton.”
“Or, maybe, if you really wanted to have some fun with it, you’d make it a Triple Threat Match. You have two villains – Batista [versus] Randy Orton versus Daniel Bryan. Three guys against each other. First man to score a pinfall or submission wins. The two big villains and the smaller overachieving hero. In my storytelling world, we’d have a happy ending.”
Following rumors a couple of months ago that insisted there was a possibility that Shawn Michaels would come out of retirement to work a match at this year’s WrestleMania, the WWE Hall Of Famer once again reiterated at a World Of Wheels event in Chicago this weekend that he is in fact “done with in-ring wrestling.”
HBK appeared at the event, which took place on Saturday and featured approximately 750 fans in attendance.
WWE Superstar Dolph Ziggler cut another passionate WWE App promo. The following is a transcript of what Ziggler said:
“It was a bold move on my part. Batista, he’s been unstoppable but there’s one thing that can’t stop you in this business, in this day in age. No matter who says you’re guaranteed a main event spot at WrestleMania, no matter who says you come back and we’ll worship you, and kiss your feet and do everything in our power to make sure you’re there, you leave out the WWE Universe. I’m someone who has made my entire career based on the WWE Universe. I wasn’t supposed to be anybody, I was supposed to be a punching bag for guys on their way to the top. I was supposed to be someone who got laughed at and kicked in the face and people cheered. Somehow, someway, because of everything I’ve done, from 5 years old through high school, through college, everything I’ve ever wanted to be is the best. Whether I was in school standing up for other kids, I did it when I was in college as a captain of my team, I stood up for my team. Here in the WWE, I stand up for this entire roster. I can’t make them be the Superstars they want to be but I can make an example and tonight, I made an example of Batista.
Some people have been handed opportunities. Some people are told, ‘you’re going to WrestleMania, no matter what you do, no matter who you are, we worship you and you’re going to WrestleMania.’ Some people are told straight to their face that they don’t have what it takes, they can’t be a headliner at WrestleMania. Tonight, not only do I stand up for myself, I stand up for every single Superstar who was told there’s no room for you on WrestleMania. WrestleMania XXX, the biggest WrestleMania of all-time, people were told there’s no room. Tonight, I make an example and I make room. Tonight, I become the next man in WrestleMania.”
The following are highlights of a recent WWE.com interview with Hulk Hogan:
On his RAW return and if he still gets nervous: “Oh yeah, there were nerves. Even the night before, I couldn’t sleep. I was tossing and turning. I’m thinking, “How are these fans going to welcome me back?” But when I came out right at the top of the show and they saw me, it was almost like I had walked behind a 747 jet. The only way I can explain it to you is it was this energy and it was so loud it was like, “Woah!” It made me take a step back for a minute. I was like ‘Okay. Yeah, this works.'”
On how he was received by the wrestlers in the locker room: “You always hope for the best, but that thought of, “Who’s this new guy coming in?” will pass through your mind. A lot of these new Superstars weren’t born when I wrestled Andre the Giant at Shea Stadium, so, you never know. But it couldn’t have been a better welcome. I mean it was nothing but love. When you shook someone’s hand, they looked you right in the eye and they were serious. One Diva said, “Oh man. I’m a huge fan of yours. You’re the biggest Superstar ever!” I said, “Man, that’s cool. Thank you.” So it was really neat coming from a bunch of very good people.”
On how his WWE return came about: “Over the last couple years, there’ll be texts between Vince and I. “Happy birthday brother!” on August 24th, his birthday. Christmas, Thanksgiving. We’ll touch base like that. And then I guess the word got out that I was jobless. I didn’t know what I was going to do. I was thinking of going back to playing music or something. On a Tuesday, I was officially out of work. And Friday morning I was drinking my coffee and I hear my cell phone. And it was Triple H. “Hey brother, just checking on you.” I’m like, “Hey, dude, I’m just contemplating my navel here. I’m officially out of work, I’m unemployed.” And that started us talking. In my heart, I was hoping to come back here. I was hoping to put the period on the end of the sentence and it was the logical extension. It just made so much sense to come back.”
On his relationship with The Ultimate Warrior: “I don’t know. Triple H was giving me the broad strokes of The Ultimate Warrior and his concerns with Hulk Hogan. I said, “Triple H, I’m easy, brother. After everything I’ve been through, and everything I’ve learned, for me, it’s about this moment forward.” I said, “I understand that there might be a little situation, but you don’t have to worry about me.” I would love to shake his hand, look him in the eye and say, “Brother, nothing but love for you. Whatever I did, I apologize for it. I don’t even need for you to apologize if there was anything on your end. Whatever it is, brother, nothing but love for you, let’s do business.” And if we could be friends? Even better, because he’s a good guy.”
The following are highlights of a recent interview with WWE Superstar The Miz:
On his wedding with Maryse: “I wanted a wedding where I could actually be able to talk to everyone and just hang out and have fun. It was beautiful and wonderful and perfect.”
On getting to WrestleMania: “You always try to find your way into that main event category. It’s a little bit of everything (to get there). It’s doing everything the WWE needs to do, and hopefully the fans catch on and say, ‘Hey, this guy works harder than anybody. This guy has the talent and the ability, whether it’s on the microphone or in the ring.'”
On being a heel vs. being a babyface: “I do it because I want to entertain that audience the best that I can. I want reaction from that audience. They can boo me, they can cheer me. I don’t care which one it is. I just want that initial reaction. That’s what it’s all about, entertaining those families that are our fans.”
The following are highlights of a recent Source interview with R-Truth:
On recording music with Wiz Khalifa and whose album it will be on: “On mine, but if he’s doing something that he wants me to be a part of I would be glad to do so. That night was actually Wiz’s first WWE show and he was blown away. I got a chance to talk with him and told him I was working on my next album and asked him if he would be down to be part of it which he agreed – I asked him if he was down to spit a 16 on my next album, and he said “Let me know when, I’m ready” – I asked him if he would be down to walk down the ring with me at any given point he told me he was down for whatever, so that was huge for me. Especially being a fan of his music, the collaboration is going to be banging.”
On other rappers that may appear on his album: “I’ve spoken already with Juvenile. I’m in talks right now with DMX and MGK. I spoke a little bit with E-40 about doing something but thats not confirmed yet, but I’m still working on features. I already got John Cena on two tracks and thats banging already, so expect that.”
On his current WWE character and goals for 2014: “Right now the R-Truth character is pretty much going to the ring and handling business. Me personally, I’m working on this album and working on myself – perfecting my craft every week and everyday. I’m trying to get to that next level. I’m trying to have that talked about match at WrestleMania, if its not this WrestleMania it’s going to be the next WrestleMania because thats why you in this business for, to get into the main event – the Super Bowl of wrestling, and that is WrestleMania.”
Check out the complete R-Truth interview at TheSource.com.
Hogan, who as WWE announced will be returning to the company on Monday’s RAW, did not step foot inside a ring. He did, however, tour the facility and worked out a bit.
Speaking of Hogan, the WWE Hall Of Famer continues to express his excitement about his return to WWE on his official Twitter account. His latest tweet reads as follows:
The WRESTLEMANIA return of Hulkamania has turned into a monster already,I’m so grateful to be back home brother HH
– WWE has applied for trademarks for “NXT: Arrival” and “Yes Movement.”
– The first episode of WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross’ new Ross Report podcast is now online at PodcastOne.com. His first guest is “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, who talked about his career, why a match with Hulk Hogan never took place and more.
Austin noted that while he was at last week’s RAW from Los Angeles, nobody from WWE mentioned anything to him about appearing at WrestleMania.
– With the WWE Network launching next week, we’ve heard that 2 users will be able to use the same WWE Network account at the same time.
– In what appears to be a response to Goldust tweeting that he and his brother Cody will not be wrestling each other at WrestleMania XXX, Cody tweeted:
Don't let anybody tell you what is or isn't gonna' happen at @WrestleMania / bottom-line it aims to be the best of the best.
The following are highlights of a recent Newsday.com interview with former Spirit Squad member Mike Mondo:
On his first meeting with Vince McMahon: “‘He was like, ‘Haha! This is going to work. I like it.’ I understood that this was a character [The Spirit Squad] that was going to get heat. The wrestling was almost secondary.”
On his first WrestleMania and getting encouragement from Shawn Michaels: “I remember just looking around at the Squad members and thinking, ‘We made it to the dance. We made it to WrestleMania.’ He [Shawn Michaels] said to us while we were down there, ‘Welcome to WrestleMania boys.'”
On Dolph Ziggler’s success after The Spirit Squad gimmick ended: “The fact that he’s had a lot of success with the Intercontinental title, and winning the world title and the Money in the Bank, that’s really cool. So if was not going to be me, I’m glad the next guy in line was Dolph.”
Check out the complete Mike Mondo interview at Newsday.com.
The following are highlights from the new “30 Years Of WrestleMania” podcast interview with WWE Hall Of Famer Shawn Michaels:
On his “Mr. WrestleMania” name: “Honestly, the whole Mr. WrestleMania thing, it wasn’t anything that I said until WrestleMania 21, and it was just one of those silly lines you throw out there to just for the sake of sounding cool on a promo.”
On if Undertaker’s WrestleMania streak should end: “Oh, no. I think The Streak is The Streak. It can’t really be called The Streak if there’s a one in the loss column.”
On how he feels about Undertaker being the one to retire him: “I was thrilled about it, again, it’s certainly for me much like all of my career. There wasn’t a lot of planning, a lot of thought, the majority of what I did in my career was reactionary, because that’s when for me I hit the truest and most honest emotion out of myself. I think everybody in this industry loves to do everything in hindsight, and in hindsight everybody’s a genius, but the immediate reaction is what I go on. There was no planning that Undertaker would be the guy to end, none of those things were thought about. All of those things fell into place and I felt good about them and that’s what I based it on. I didn’t give it a lot of thought, it’s sort of like when you know something’s right you know it’s right and that’s how it was done.”
On his famous WrestleMania 12 ring entrance: “We wanted to start making my entrances a little grander, and I got a rope and I swung down from the top of the house that was on the entrance. And I vaguely recall Kevin Dunn mentioning that at WrestleMania we are gonna try and get you a pretty cool entrance and that’s all I knew of it. Then I got to the Anaheim Pond that day, and went walking out and Vince was standing there and said ‘You gotta try this!”
On who he would like to face at WrestleMania from today’s roster: “That’s an easy one for me, it would have to be Daniel Bryan. I’d throw in any of The Shield members. I think those boys are talented. Throw in (Dolph) Ziggler in there, throw in Damien Sandow, I think Bray Wyatt and the Wyatt Family are really good. There are a number of guys put in the right positions that you could just tear the house down with. And at the end of the day, that’s what it’s all about, it’s going out there and having a whale of a time making people yell.”
As previously reported, WWE has launched their first PodcastOne.com podcast with host Renee Young interviewing Shawn Michaels about WrestleMania. Company officials are apparently looking at expanding into more podcasts following the success of Steve Austin and Chris Jericho’s podcasts.
Additionally, following the success of Mick Foley’s live comedy touring act, WWE is looking at possibly doing some touring talk shows in comedy clubs.
– The RAW “Backstage Fallout” video for this week features several WWE Divas commenting on Amy “Lita” Dumas’ induction into the WWE Hall Of Fame. You can check that out below:
– WWE Hall Of Famer Sgt. Slaughter recently spoke with NOLADefender.com to promote the upcoming WrestleMania XXX event in New Orleans. During the interview, Slaughter jokingly predicted the main event for WrestleMania 40. Slaughter said, “I predict it will be in a spaceship going around Mars. Dolph Ziggler vs. Daniel Bryan. Or Shane McMahon’s children.”
– WWE has launched a new “30 Years of WrestleMania” podcast at PodcastOne.com, presented by the WWE Network.
“Since roaring onto the scene in 1985, WrestleMania has grown into a global pop culture phenomenon. Explore The Showcase of the Immortals from the perspective of the WWE Legends and Superstars who laid its foundation. Each episode, ring greats from the past and present join their host, WWE announcer Renee Young, to discuss their favorite matches, the upcoming 30th edition of WrestleMania, plus, the memories they look forward to reliving on WWE Network – WWE’s all-new 24/7 streaming network with a massive on-demand library.”
The first installment, hosted by “Mr. WrestleMania” Shawn Michaels, is now online at PodcastOne.com.
– Former WWE Superstar Lance Storm tweeted the following on Monday night, revealing that Naomi will in fact need surgery:
Damn just heard @NaomiWWE needs eye surgery, after that brutal knee drop last week. This really sucks. Get well soon.
The following are highlights of a recent VOC Nation interview with Matt Striker:
On what it took to stay relevant in the WWE for 8 years: “The first thing is to check your ego. Some guys honestly believe that they either really won that match or that they really are the champion. Everyone has a blog now, everyone has a radio show or podcast now; people need to put their ego in check and realize that they’re not that important. The business has gone on before them and it will go on after them. (While everyone was focused on being) the next John Cena, I focused on being the best backstage guy and the best promo guy, and seeing how many hats I could wear.”
On the CM Punk situation: “I’ve known Punk since I started; he and I are good friends outside of wrestling. There’s no sense in trying to dive into someone’s head…you’re going to be wrong nine times out of ten anyway. Everyone has an opinion, but the only thing anyone knows (for sure) is what they read on the Internet, and none of the Internet pundits are walking around backstage; it’s all second and third hand information. The only person that knows for sure is (CM Punk).”
On WrestleMania being headlined by part-timers: “The whole view of the WWE is, ‘what is the stock doing today?’ That’s all anyone cares about. The Rock headlining Wrestlemania the last two years was a business decision and was about putting the most amount of money possible in people’s pockets. (Batista being involved) is (best for business). He’s going to be featured in a Marvel movie that’s going to be released right around Wrestlemania. He’s going to put new eyes on the product, which gets them to buy the product and buy the network, and the stock goes up and people make money.”
On the WWE Network: “I think that the medium that the network is based on is interesting and unproven. Now there’s so much technology that you can watch your computer on your TV. WWE (has the chance) to catch lightning in a bottle. When MTV put on the Real World, everyone said it was a mistake, and now you can’t find a music video on MTV. I think WWE is going to do just fine. The original programming will carry the new viewer, and the classic stuff will carry the people who love wrestling.”
Check out the complete Matt Striker interview at VOCNation.com.
Regarding the inductees for the 2014 class of the WWE Hall Of Famer, as noted, Paul Bearer is considered a lock. Additionally, there is said to be a third star the caliber of Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Ultimate Warrior that will be going in this year as well.
There’s no definitive word right now as to whether or not WWE still plans on inducting the WrestleMania I main event match itself, as had been rumored in the past. The company is, however, said to be pushing for Mr. T, who was involved in the match, to accept the induction. Mr. T has turned down a WWE Hall Of Fame induction multiple times in the past.
Regarding the legendary Danny Hodge being inducted, the feeling is that if it doesn’t happen this year, it probably never will. Hodge was particularly a big star in New Orleans, where the Hall Of Fame ceremony will take place this year, in the 1960s.
Finally, another semi-big name that WWE is considering for this year’s Hall Of Fame class is Amy “Lita” Dumas.
– During an interview with New Orleans’ NOLA.com, Kofi Kingston spoke about his crazy spots at the Royal Rumble:
“The funny thing about it is that a lot of people think that I think about them year-round, and the past three years now, the idea hasn’t come to me until like 12 hours before the event. I don’t put any pressure on myself to come up with anything cool. I approach it like any other match. I don’t know if I’d put one (escape) above another. Like I always say, the greatest trick of all would be to actually win.”
– Rob Van Dam was asked by a fan on Twitter if he’ll be back in WWE before WrestleMania XXX. He responded:
The following are highlights of a recent SLAM! Wrestling interview with AJ Styles:
On his dream opponent: “Seriously, some (dream matches) for me are with guys that I may never get the opportunity to wrestle. I’d like to wrestle Rey Mysterio, I think he and I could really tear things up. There are definitely some guys in the Fed (WWE) that I think I could have good matches with, that would also be dream matches for the fans as well. But who knows if that ever comes or not.”
On Sting to WWE: “I hope to see Sting wrestle The Undertaker at WrestleMania. I don’t know if that’s going to happen, that may just be wishful thinking. But I can appreciate the (thinking).”
On TNA going out of business: “I’m not saying that they’re going under, but it sure does seem that way. They’re really saving a lot of money in places. If they’re so desperate to save money that they cut loose one of their top guys, the one guy that was known as the TNA guy, they must be hurting pretty bad. Either that or they think that loyalty means absolutely nothing to them, or they think I suck. I don’t know which one of those it is.”
Check out the complete interview online at Slam.Canoe.ca.
SESCOOPS.COM reader Neal Jones sent along the following:
Recap of Leilani Kai on In Your Head Wrestling Radio by Vic Schiavone
Host Jack E. Jones welcomed legendary ladies wrestler Leilani Kai to IYH Wrestling Radio.
Highlights included the following:
What was the build-up like for you for your match in WrestleMania I? Could you see how big this was going to be?: “I didn’t really realize it at first. I did a match with Wendi (Richter), and I retained the belt, but afterwards I had actually gone to Japan and I didn’t get back till probably two days before the actual event of WrestleMania. I didn’t realize how big it was until I got there. Once I was in the arena, there was so much excitement going on; people running around everywhere, and seeing celebrities and all. I didn’t realize how big it was, not at that moment I didn’t. I realized it afterwards; they had a big huge party and everybody was there and having a good time and dancing. It was a little bit different, but I didn’t realize really how big it was until I was there. I didn’t hear much talk about it when I was overseas…I didn’t really realize how big it was going to be, but it was the most exciting night of my whole life. I loved it; it was a lot of fun.”
Where did your hatred for Vince Russo start?: “It started when he wanted me to do mud wrestling. I had come to the event, I think it was Denver, Colorado, to wrestle a lady named Brandy Alexander, and they just changed it on me and wanted me to do mud wrestling on the show. I was like, ‘You’ve got to be out of your mind; I’m not going to do anything like that.’ Now that I think about it, I would do anything if I can let him get in the mud with me, maybe in a cage, and I’ll wrestle him and let him see what it feels like. I’d love to do that; get in a mud wrestling match with him in a cage. But that was an awful long time ago, and I just didn’t care for that at all. That’s not what I’m about, and it really upset me pretty bad; it wasn’t a very good scene. I really don’t think that he knew what he was doing, I really don’t. It didn’t do a lot for a lot of the young talent getting in the business; it wasn’t good for them at all. I don’t think they were treated right and he just messed it up with that cartoonish-type thing. I think it messed it up for a lot of the guys who were really trying to make it in the business and worked so hard to pave for pro wrestling. I just didn’t care for the way he pursued his characters or whatever cartoonish things he did. It really made me mad when he said that to me; I was really upset, I think I really went off on him.”
Other topics discussed included:
·Who are some of the younger female wrestlers that stand out to her?
·What does she think the differences are between women’s wrestling now and when she broke in?
·How did the match against Alundra Blayze at WrestleMania X come about?
·What is the difference in styles between wrestling in Japan and wrestling in the States?
·Why did they change her name in WCW to Patty Stonegrinder?
If you would like to book Leilani Kai, contact her booker, Steve Stasiak, at https://www.facebook.com/BookProWrestlersNow
You can check out the complete Leilani Kai interview below.
KABOOM! AND WWE® TEAM UP TO BUILD PLAYGROUND IN NEW ORLEANS DURING WRESTLEMANIA® WEEK
Washington, D.C. and Stamford, Conn., February 5, 2014 – KaBOOM!, the national non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children get the balance of active play they need to become healthy and successful adults, and WWE (NYSE:WWE) today announced a partnership to build a playground in New Orleans during WrestleMania® Week.
KaBOOM! and WWE are teaming up to build a new playground at Woodland West Elementary School in Harvey, Louisiana, which serves more than 700 children in grades K-5. To kick-off the project, WWE Superstar Kofi Kingston® hosted a Design Day at Woodland West Elementary today during which children had the chance to brainstorm, draw and design their dream playground. Elements from the drawings will be incorporated into the final design for the playground.
The children will have their final design come to life during WrestleMania Week on Friday, April 4, when WWE Superstars, WWE employees and community volunteers will spend the day mulching, shoveling and hammering together to build them the playground of their dreams. The playground build serves as part of WWE’s week-long lineup of community outreach activities leading up to WrestleMania 30 on Sunday, April 6 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.
“At KaBOOM!, we believe that play matters,” said KaBOOM! Founder and CEO Darell Hammond. “We recognize the importance of having access to a safe and engaging place to play – knowing that it has the power to transform children and communities to be healthier, happier and more resilient. We are honored to partner with WWE to help give the children of this community the childhood they deserve with this play space.”
“We’re proud to play a small role in the great work that KaBOOM! does to ensure kids have opportunities to stay active in safe environments,” said Stephanie McMahon, Chief Brand Officer, WWE. “Our partnership with KaBOOM! enables us to leave a lasting impact on children in New Orleans.”
WWE will utilize all its assets, including TV, live events, PSAs, in-arena, digital and social media to generate awareness of the KaBOOM! playground build and partnership.
Reports of Fans getting kicked out and CM Punk signs being taken away. NO!
CM Punk CM Punk took his ball and went home. The longest reigning WWE champion in the Modern Era, seemingly quit WWE last week after a meeting with Vince McMahon. We are now in the age of the crowd hijack, so as expected chants rang out and signs for CM Punk were all over the place. rang A CM Punk sign was viable with in the first few seconds of the Raw preview. My biggest fear was that this was going to take away from Daniel Bryan, and It did. Omaha isn’t a big market to begin with, and I feel energy was wasted chanting CM Punk’s name. CM Punk may have left for “the right reasons” but I fear that now Daniel Bryan has to share the spotlight with the absence of CM Punk. Time will tell. NO!
The Authority, Randy Orton I’m sick of Randy Orton and The Authority segments. I’m sick of Randy Orton. I’m sick of Triple H, who comes out to a moderate pop because, of course he is a very big star, and when you have Randy Orton out there whining and complaining, anything is better than Randy Orton. Stephanie McMahon saying “I can’t believe I’m saying this, Daniel Bryan might be the new face of the WWE.” Randy Orton will take on Daniel Bryan in a non-title match later tonight. As Triple H throws his hands in the air mimicking the yes chant. Michael Cole saying that he was leading the fans in the chant, nice try Cole. This segment could have been a 2 min promo backstage, it was a waste of time, and I was bored. NO!
Jerry The King Lawler with weaker content than BNB. NO!
Bad News Barrett & Jerry Lawler Wade Barrett, with a useless generic heel post superbowl “you stuffed your faces” corny promo. Yelling and screaming. Out of no where Jerry Lawler is on a mic cutting off Wade Barrett with the weakest retort I’ve ever heard from Jerry, saying “I have some bad news, maybe you won’t be here next week.” Crowd was just as confused as I was. That was it? Terrible NO!
The Shield vs. Rey Mysterio, Big E. Langston & Kofi Kingston Roman Reigns busted open the hard way in this match and required stitches after the fact. He will truely be a big star in the very near future, and it’s exciting to see him work. Dean Ambrose tagged Roman at the last moment to get a pinfall victory on Big E. Langston, after Roman did all the heavy lifting. This will further increase tension amongst The Shield, which is fine, but why does the Intercontinental champion have to take the fall? Can’t Kofi or Rey lay down? WWE continues to make their secondary champions look weak. However since Dean did get a pin-fall victory over Big E. perhaps this could set up a unification between the US and IC Championships, which needs to happen. After the Match The Wyatts cut a promo on the RawTron as the Shield looked on. YES!
Road Dogg should have caught Cody, but the match was a YES!
WWE Tag-Team Titles: New Age Outlaws (c) vs. Goldust & Cody Rhodes (Steel Cage Match) I enjoyed the tag team re-mach in a steel cage. However why in a match that has no disqualification would there be a requirement to tag in an out? #WWELogic I suppose. Cody Rhodes climbed the cage to deliver a moonsault much like The Moonsault he did In Madison Square Garden. However he missed, and I dont’ think he was supposed to, I think Road Dogg botched this move by not getting out in front of him. Billy Gunn would have been there to deliever his finisher if Cody hit the move, and the result would have been the same. I was fully expecting a Golddust beat down in the cage, so kudos to WWE for not being predictable. YES!
View Page 2 to find out more YES and NO from WWE RAW and our Overall Raw Rating