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Showing posts with label FCW. Show all posts
Showing posts with label FCW. Show all posts

November 11, 2016

Corey Graves On Transition To Announcing Being Tough


"To see the guys I came up with in the ring bothered me a lot worse before, but now, I think the familiarity lends itself to doing my job better. I was in the ring in FCW and NXT with guys like Seth Rollins and Bray Wyatt and that helps me, but it took a lot of time to get to this point. I don't think the love for being in the ring will ever go away and be completely gone, but it's a lot less. I'm enjoying being surrounded by guys I know so well."

October 21, 2016

Richie Steamboat Talks NXT Injury That Ended His Career, If He Might Return To The Ring


Former FCW Heavyweight Richie Steamboat was the latest guest on the Pancakes and Powerslams Show. During the interview he discussed the Hall of Fame career of his father, Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat, as well as his time in FCW. They sent us these highlights.

Watching tapes of old matches to hone his craft:

"To know where you're going, you have to know where you've been. In professional wrestling, even are far back as the 50s and the 60s, understanding the business and how far it's come, and the changes that have happened over the time... Going back to the territory days and watching film, I got a lot of my passion from [that]. As a young kid (I was born in 1987), and my dad retired in '94, so I didn't get a lot of years to watch my father live on TV, so I would go back through old footage and watch things. Not only his wrestling match, I would watch The Four Horsemen, Tully Blanchard, Harley Race, all the legends of our sport."

Being told to wear a mouthguard in Japan:

"I was 21 at the time, maybe 20. What a life-changing experience that wasn't a culture shock for me. Not just the wrestling aspect of it, but the whole Japanese culture. I have Japanese in my blood, my grandmother is full Japanese, and it was my first experience in Japan. What a wonderful time I had with the culture and the fans, and the friends that I made there. But the wrestling is much different than it is here in the states. It's on the front page of the paper, next to the sumo wrestling and the baseball. It's a real sport.

"I'll give you and example. The first thing they asked me when I got to the [Pro Wrestling Noah] dojo, I put my bags down, they asked me if I had a mouthpiece. Because every single night, every show I went to, there [were] multiple people getting knocked out, shoot knocked out every single night, and it is legit."

Why he was forced to retire from in-ring competition:

"The [back] injury couldn't have happened at a worse time in my career. It was really getting to the point where things were taking off, all the hard work I had done for so many years was paying off. I was having a feud with Kassius Ohno on NXT, and I injured my back doing a moonsault. I landed wrong and I lost feeling in everything from my chin down. I could still move everything, but I couldn't feel anything. Over the next few days, feeling started to come back to me, and I wrestled through it. I worked several more weeks and really kind of kept my mouth shut about it because I was given this position and I wanted to make the most of it, I didn't want to give up that opportunity.

"And it got to the point where my son at the time was like two or three and I couldn't even pick him up. I sat down and talked to the WWE doctors to discuss things with then and I flew up to Pittsburgh to see some specialists. The best idea for my career and my future would be to kind of put the breaks on for a little bit and get some things fixed in my back."

A possible return to the ring:

"I've always had that itch for wrestling. It's always been missing from my life... I feel good, my back feels good. I've really been listening to my body and how I feel. I weigh about 215. I love the sport of professional wrestling, I love all the fans, and I appreciate everyone so much and everything that they've given to me. Their cheers and everything that goes along with the sport. I just feel like I need to give back. I don't know, we'll see what happens."

Steamboat also talked about Ricky Steamboat's return to WrestleMania XXV, wrestling dozens of house show matches against Chris Jericho during WM and Backlash season, and more. You can check out the full interview here.

April 9, 2016

Bray Wyatt On His Relationship With Triple H, Moving On From Husky Harris, Being Patient


Bray Wyatt joined Doug Mortman and Dave LaGreca on Busted Open during WrestleMania week. They sent us these highlights:

Moving past his previous incarnation in WWE as Husky Harris:

"I explain the old guy as a shell of a man that never really existed at all because that's exactly what it was. It was 'the man' trying to make into something that they thought would be humorous for them, but it meant nothing to me. Never did and it never will."

The perspective he has that allows him to be patient:

"There's a level of understanding that comes with seeing it. I didn't just see the good times. I saw all the horribleness in-between and the drop-off when it ends. My mind has always been prepped to be here. That being said, there's no favors being done for me. When I was thrown away years ago, and I was. I was thrown away and no one ever thought I'd come back. I remember Hunter telling me something. Hunter told me, 'When you walk in the door, no one is going to look at you and go, 'This guy needs to be a world champion.' He's like, 'You have to find yourself and invent yourself and you have to grab them by the throat and make them watch, make them understand you'. That's where I came from and that's exactly what I've always tried to do and I think I've done a pretty good job of that. Not to mention adding five giants behind me has kind of helped with that."

Whether true faces and heels still exist in wrestling today:

"TV and movies have changed everything about that. Stone Cold Steve Austin, for instance. There still is, to me, the cliche 'good guy' and 'bad guy'. I really believe that, but there's also guys like me and Roman that kind of blur the lines… Deadpool has this wonderful thing, and I think this explains this wonderfully. He tosses a guy up and he sticks him with two swords and he goes, 'Hey, hold on. I know it looks like I'm a hero here, but I want you to know something. I am a bad guy' and he slices the guy in half. That's a great testament to, I think, what I am. I fight for what I believe in, but I'm not a good person. I never claimed to be and I'm not."

His relationship with Triple H:

"Me and Triple H, I think we have a love-hate relationship. I love him, he hates me. I'm just kidding.

"Hunter was there at the beginning of NXT. It was nothing, it was still FCW, it was a warehouse, and when he came in, everything started to change. It was a lot of cartoon characters. It was, I'm not going to name names, but a lot of goofs and, you know, guys just wearing trunks and going out there, baby oil all over themselves, and then there was me. When we started that first show, I was one of the first characters to ever come out and I was so different. No one understood that at that time because NXT was not what you see today with all these bright characters. Finn Balor coming out with all the, whatever, devil crap. It wasn't like that then. It was just cartoon characters and when I walked out, it was just a great feeling because people immediately accepted what I was doing. They didn't care about the other guy. They didn't want to know about how it happened. They were just happy it did. They were very receptive and Hunter was instrumental in that for believing in me when not too many other people did… He's carried me a long way and I owe him everything."

November 4, 2015

Tyler Breeze Talks When He Found Out He Was Being Called Up in WWE, Facing Jushin Liger, Creating His Character, Leaving NXT & More


WWE main roster newcomer Tyler Breeze recently spoke with Rolling Stone, and below are some interview highlights:

How did he find out he was getting called up to the main roster?

“I had heard some rumblings that they were looking to bring up someone. When you look at the roster of NXT, you kind of gauge yourself and figure out where you fit in, and I figured I’d be a possibility. Finally, I had a meeting with Triple H, and he said that I was given the green light, and we were going to start moving on it. We weren’t sure of all the details, but I knew it was happening. The next thing I know, I was sitting there, ready to go.”

Did he want to stay in NXT?:

“I’m always excited for every step along the way. My time in NXT was definitely fun though. If anything ever pops up and they want me back there, like for this U.K. tour coming up, I’m always on board to do anything with NXT, just because I’ve had so much fun with it. I’ve been almost like a pillar of NXT in terms of being there the whole time and now I’m moving on. It would be a cool thing if they brought me back for a few shows here and there, and I’d definitely be up for it.”

What was it like to wrestle Jushin Liger?

“It was awesome. That’s another thing that was a first. Nobody in WWE has ever worked with him on a WWE stage. So the fact that I was the first one to do that, and the only one to do that, is a huge honor. He’s a huge star, and it was fun to be the guy on the other side of the ring with him. He was a pleasure to work with, and I’d do that any day of the week.”

On the Creation of the Tyler Breeze character after being Mike Dalton in FCW:

“There are a few key players in it. Basically, it was one of those things where I was doing Mike Dalton for a while and it just wasn’t catching on. There wasn’t really anything for people to sink their teeth into – I was just kind of the faceless guy that was on the card. Finally it gets to a point where you’re either marketable or you’re not, and Mike Dalton just wasn’t marketable. So I had to come up with something that was marketable. I had the conversation about needing to come up with something else, and I immediately called Xavier Woods. I told him, “I don’t really know what to do, I need your help.” He said, “Let’s come up with 5 or 10 different characters and a bunch of different things at every end of the spectrum. We’ll have new names, we’ll have personalities for them, we’ll come up with bios for them. We’ll create videos and we’ll keep pitching until they like something.

September 15, 2015

Nikki Bella Comments On Breaking AJ Lee's Record, Thanks John Cena, Fans And Her Trainers


WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella, who is now the longest reigning WWE Divas Champion in history, posted the following on Instagram tonight after retaining her title on RAW:

I made history! Your Longest Reigning Divas Champion in WWE History! Words can't even describe how I feel right now! I am so beyond blessed and honored! Tonight goes out to my Pop Pop. He taught me so much. He taught me to always be a hard worker, be respectable and kind to others, put God first and family second, and always stay humble. He always told me he was proud of me, I'll never forget that. He lead by example. I wish I could call him right now and tell him about this moment but instead I'll look above me and pray and know he was watching and is listening. Never give up on your dreams because if you have heart and passion they will come true! Pop Pop I can just imagine your smile right now and the big south Philly hug I would have gotten! Thank you for teaching me to be a strong, hard working, independent woman! I love you so much, always and forever! As well as my #BellaArmy I would be nothing without you all! You created Nikki Bella, Team Bella and the Divas Revolution! None of this wouldn't exist without your voices! Thank you! And to my coaches from the beginning who taught me so much at FCW Steve Keirn, Dr Tom Prichard, and Billy Kidman! Thank you! And thank you to my Love @johncena for teaching me so much and my sister @thebriebella for always be being my side! Love you all! Omgoodness! Tears and chills! Trying to take all this in right now!

August 16, 2015

Paige Talks WWE and the Diva’s Revolution, Triple H’s Influence, Which Diva Does She See Having The Most Promise in WWE?


WWE Diva Paige recently spoke with Doug Mortman and (filling in for Dave LaGreca,) Larry Dallas, of Busted Open interviewed WWE Diva Paige recently.

Paige talks WWE and the recent “Divas Revolution”, Triple H’s influence on the movement, which Diva she sees with the most promise, and much more. You can hear Busted Open on SiriusXM Rush 93 and on the SiriusXM app. Visit BustedOpenNation.com. for all things Busted Open. Here are some highlights from the interview:

On HHH’s influence on the Diva’s Revolution:

Paige: Just seeing him come in and completely take what was then called FCW like under his wing and make it into this huge brand to the point where it sold out in Brooklyn – 15,000 people are coming to watch NXT – that’s MIND BLOWING … and it’s all because of that guy. He really wanted to make it a success and he really did, especially with the Divas. He really did give the Divas a chance in NXT – like me and Emma, the first network show that we did – he really gave us a chance on there and it just progressed. He killed it. He knocked it out of the park with it. We’re all extremely thankful for the opportunity that he gave every single one of us.

On which young Diva Paige sees having the most promise:

Paige: Even though she’s on the opposing team, I would say Sasha Banks. I’m a huge fan of hers. And I’ve always said it. I’ve always said Sasha Banks. She’s just the full package to me. She can promo, she can wrestle, she looks good … she definitely shows the most, I think.

On whether she sees either of the remaining two Divas on Tough Enough becoming a big name in NXT and eventually the main WWE roster:

Paige: As much as I like Sara Lee, and everyone thinks I pick on her, I would have to say Amanda – and it’s not being biased because you know how I’m like with both of them, I’m brutally honest with both of them. Amanda is kind of the full package too – she can talk, she’s really starting to get things in the ring, and she’s really embracing that heel role that she’s got going on. She really doesn’t care what people think of her and that’s cool to me, I like that, she doesn’t care about being liked or not. She’s not afraid of being different, she’s not afraid to be herself. She does great in the ring. She takes control as well, especially with her and Sara’s match she really took control of it. That’s cool. I like that about her.

On the winners of Tough Enough and their eventual transition to the NXT roster:

Paige: (laughs) It’s definitely going to be hard transition for them because they’re going to have to start working extra hard … especially because there are a lot of people on NXT that have worked their whole lives to get where they are. To be honest with you, they DO work hard, but they’re doing it on a reality show and then they get handed the contract at the end of the day. I can see a few jealous people [in NXT] but everyone is cool and cordial and they’ll be fine.

July 12, 2015

Ricky Steamboat Comments on the Future of WWE


Ricky Steamboat sounds like a proud father when discussing the current crop of WWE superstars. Along with his WWE Hall of Fame career, The Dragon had a hand in the early days of the company’s developmental system from Florida Championship Wresting to NXT.

“It’s very exciting for me to see the company make this very strong attempt for a third brand,” Steamboat said. “We have Raw, SmackDown and now NXT. I like it and am very excited for it because 99 percent of the staff and personnel come out of the school. We are putting our young kids on the road. I also like the fact they are sort of being initiated old school. Every night they go to the towns. They are doing a lot of driving. We were doing that back in the 1970s where it would be 2 or 300 miles a night without GPS. I always wondered how we made it with a map at night. I’m happy to see NXT grow. Everything they are doing, they are going in the right direction.”

For Steamboat, the future is bright and now.

“There is just so much new talent,” he said. “Look at the talent that has broken through. Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, Sami Zayn, Cesaro. There are a number of talents there. Everyone wonders if you give them the ball, are they going to score or are they going to fumble? Obviously, all the names I mentioned have scored very well. I got to help them while coaching at the school, which is great.”

January 24, 2015

God's Last Gift: How Seth Rollins became the future of WWE


The first people Seth Rollins brought to tears — before The Shield, before the WWE Universe, before anyone — were his mom and dad.

That’s a rough note to begin on, but it’s necessary because originally, we had planned to write about Seth Rollins in June 2014, and our story — his story, really — was going to be your usual underdog yarn about a guy who worked hard from humble beginnings, reached his goal, almost lost his goal, and eventually found himself sitting on the mountaintop through grit and hard work. Not entirely unlike Daniel Bryan’s tale. But that all turned on its head the night Rollins took out his fellow members of The Shield with a steel chair and set himself on a catapult career-trajectory that led to the Money in the Bank briefcase and helped him waltz right into a WWE World Heavyweight Championship Match against John Cena and Brock Lesnar at the 2015 Royal Rumble over about the course of six months.

Given all that, it seems appropriate to begin the story we’re telling now, the story Seth Rollins forced us to tell instead, with the fact that he had a penchant for defying expectations and breaking hearts —including his family’s — before he’d even formally laced up a pair of boots.

“When I told my parents and saw the look of disappointment on their faces, it was like a real moment,” said Rollins, recalling the uncomfortable night he sat his parents down as a teenager in Iowa and told them he would be pursuing a career in sports-entertainment. “I remember walking away from the dinner table and just being like, ‘Man, I don’t care what anybody says, I’m going to do this. I don’t care if anybody believes I can do this or not.’”

About the only one who believed he could succeed was Rollins himself, a lapsed Hulkamaniac who rediscovered his passion during the Attitude Era and had already proven himself a natural boundary-pusher in mock wrestling shows with his buddies where he created a character named “God.”

“[I wasn’t] the God, not a god of anything, just straight-up God,” laughs Rollins, who based the lighting-rod persona off the controversial antics of his favorite Superstars, Shawn Michaels and Triple H. “I wasn’t descending from the heavens or anything like that. It was just one of those deals where, ‘How am I gonna [tick] people off? Oh, I’ll just call myself God.’”...More?

source: wwe.com

June 29, 2013

FCW Closes It's Doors, WWE Developmental Heads to Orlando


WWE's developmental system began breaking down their materials and the rings at the FCW Arena in Tampa, FL yesterday. Everything that the company is taking to Winter Park, Florida for the new WWE Performance Center will be transported this weekend to the Center for their 7/8 opening.

As part of the transition, a number of FCW will be departing. Rob Naylor, who has gotten high marks working in the FCW creative side under Dusty Rhodes, will be departing the company. We've heard conflicting reports that trainer Norman Smiley will be leaving developmental as well.

WWE will hold an official grand opening for the Performance Center for invited media on 7/11.

June 20, 2013

Update on the FCW & NXT Websites


WWE has shut down the NXT and FCW websites. Both are now pointing to a new WWE NXT section of the WWE website, which you can check out by clicking here.

Changes Expected In WWE Developmental


There will be a lot of staffing changes in WWE developmental when the move is made for the new Performance Center. The belief is that Steve Keirn will no longer be involved once the move is made. There are some staffers who will be transferred to other positions or leaving the company altogether.

June 8, 2013

WWE seeking Performance Center GM, new "Talent Review System" to be implemented


Ahead of next month's anticipated launch of the "WWE Performance Center," WWE posted a new job listing Friday for a Performance Center General Manager.

Included in the job listing are more details on the Performance Center. Most notably, WWE plans to launch a "Talent Review System" later this year, which the General Manager will oversee. This suggests there will be more of a structured schedule within the Developmental system.

The job listing states: "The new Performance Center will give WWE the ability to train more potential performers than ever before through a comprehensive program including in-ring training, physical preparedness, and character development." Later, the job listing states: "Supervise the development and manage the day-to-day process of WWE’s Talent Review System that will be implemented in late 2013. The overall review process will entail working with senior leaders from Stamford and the WWE Performance Center on the execution of this bi-annual program focused on accelerating the development of our Orlando-based Superstars."

Currently, talent stays in Developmental indefinitely until one of two things happens - WWE finds a spot for them on the main roster or they are released. The indefiniteness of Developmental appears to be changing later this year.

The job listing also notes that talent will have access to money management, media training, and wellness education" as part of the Talent Relations program.

Also required will be "enhancing and managing" the relationship with Full Sail University for TV tapings and "other relationships" in the Central Florida region.

Job Listing - WWE Performance Center General Manager

June 7, 2013

WWE Trying Out Mainstream Athletes


Jim Ross is at WWE Developmental this weekend for tryouts. He responded to a couple of Twitter followers regarding the tryouts, stating that females will not be participating in this particular camp. Rather, he said "15-20 men from mainstream sports world" would be trying out.

May 24, 2013

Rumor Mill - WWE Expected to Release More Talents


After last week’s round of WWE developmental releases, it’s expected that more releases will be announced before the new WWE Performance Center opens on July 1st. There also may be some other developmental employees shifted around – some sent to WWE headquarters and some just released.

Word also is that WWE will be getting rid of a lot of talents who have been in their developmental system for a while without really doing anything in NXT or getting called to the main roster. Derrick Bateman’s release was a perfect example of that.

Out of the recent releases, the Audrey Marie and Briley Pierce cuts were the biggest shockers within WWE.

source: pwinsider.com

May 23, 2013

Rumor Mill - Morale Down in WWE Developmental


It was originally reported a number of months ago that the overall morale in WWE developmental was pretty good after Triple H took a more personal investment in it, but it's now being reported that the morale has gone down considerably.

It's being reported that a big reason for this is because of head trainer Bill DeMott who is said to be not as well-liked as former head trainer Tom Prichard who as released a while back. Tom Prichard also Tweeted the following:

"Guys trust me; Karma gets everybody. From the 'Lil Napolean to the Volleyball expert. Time will tell... Those who KNOW 'know' who Napolean and Mr. Volleyball are. 'Nuff said. And I have no dog in this fight. But facts are FACTS!"

(Volleyball refers to Canyon Ceman and Napoleon refers to Matt Martlaro, who earned that nickname because he reportedly developed a bad attitude after doing some work with Triple H, feeling like that made him better than his peers.)

May 17, 2013

WWE Releases Seven Developmental Wrestlers


With WWE on the verge of signing new developmental talent to coincide with the launch of its Performance Center in Winter Park, Florida, multiple talents situated in the developmental system were released today.

It has been confirmed that Derrick Bateman, Briley Pierce, Sakamoto, Percy Watson, Brandon Traven, Audrey Marie and Anya were let go by the sports-entertainment organization.

Bateman announced on his Twitter account that he is now available for independent bookings and then adding, "Welp see ya later @wwe @WWEUniverse #itsfine."

Pierce, who is the brother of WWE World Heavyweight Champion Dolph Ziggler, stated on his account, "I guarantee that was the funniest and most entertaining "You're released" phone call in WWE history. Bye, everybody!"

Sakamoto thanked WWE on his account for doing business with him, writing, "#WWE #NXT my friend thank you for everything SAYONARA."

Traven remarked on the social networking website, "Staying positive on a bad day..not the end only the beginning...things in life happen for a reason..just had a good lunch with good people. Not the end of the book just the end of the chapter..my journey is far from over

Though Watson, Marie and Anya have yet to publicly address their standing with WWE, PWInsider.com states that all three individuals have been let go. Lending credibility to the report, their respective profiles have been removed from the official websites of WWE (WWE.com) and NXT Wrestling (FCWWrestling.info).

Bateman, who had been under contract to WWE since 2008, appeared on the final season of NXT before the program was transferred to Florida. He last appeared on WWE programming late last year, and had been making infrequent appearances for NXT.

Briley had been in WWE's developmental system since 2011, the highlight of which was a Florida Tag Team Championship reign with Brad Maddox. He was shifted to the role of backstage interviewer for NXT last June, though would still continue to compete. However, he lost the majority of his matches from that point on.

Sakamoto was paired with Tensai last year before being demoted to developmental in November. Having been trained by Taka Michinoku at his Kaientai Dojo wrestling school in Japan, he joined WWE's developmental system in 2011.

Traven competed for various Midwestern independent organizations as Brian Beaker before being signed to a developmental contract last year. He was originally trained by WWE Hall of Famer Harley Race in Missouri.

Watson, a former professional football player, joined WWE in 2009 and would frequently appear on NXT. At times, he appeared on the brink of joining the main roster, but ultimately did not.

Marie had been under contract to WWE since 2011 and was a fixture in the developmental system's women's division.

Anya is a 6'1" Russian kickboxer and martial artist WWE signed last summer. She was recently sidelined due to a broken arm.

WWE Developmental Update, New Signing


PWInsider.com has confirmed that WWE has signed California-based independent wrestler Shaun Ricker to a developmental contract. He had been appearing as a featured heel for Championship Wrestling from Hollywood, where he was at one point managed by the late Percy Pringle (a/k/a Paul Bearer).

Ricker is thirty-years-old, 6' 1", 225 pounds and originally hails from Hagerstown, Maryland. It was announced last month that he would be appearing as a contestant on Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson's action reality series on TNT, The Hero, which brings "ten ordinary people together in an unexpected and dramatic setting, then assign them various missions that will test their brains, their brawn and even their morality." On the show, Ricker is billed as a "a struggling pro wrestler who has all the makings of a hero… honesty, strength, charisma. But does he have the compassion?"

The acquisition had been expected as the Wrestling Observer Newsletter reported last week that Ricker as well as fellow independent wrestlers Sami Callihan, Samuray del Sol and Mike Bennett had undergone medical testing required to be signed to WWE.

PWInsider.com also reports that when WWE shifts its developmental station to Winter Park, Florida in the beginning of July—officially billed as the "WWE Performance Center"—there may be as many as twenty to twenty-two more developmental acquisitions as well as changes to the developmental staff.

May 2, 2013

Update on NXT Possibly Returning to Television


It was previously reported earlier this week that WWE wants to have at least one more program on television, and that NXT was a likely candidate.

The word going around right now is that the SyFy Channel may once again be the home of NXT, although there is no word on what day it would be on or what time, but it's expected to be a one-hour program once again.

Also, look for WWE to start having more NXT talents on Raw and SmackDown live events and labeling them as NXT matches to help the NXT talents get more familiar with working in front of larger crowds.

source: wrestling observer

May 1, 2013

Update to WWE Live Events


WWE.com is now promoting NXT (developmental) live events on their official Live Events page.

April 29, 2013

WWE NXT Episodes To Air On United States Television This Fall?


The plan for NXT going forwared is to secure a United States television deal beginning this fall. WWE is keen to use the show as a way to introduce new developmental talents to WWE's TV audience, similar to the last ECW TV program was done.

Currently NXT airs overseas and WWE officials are high on the idea of making another $100,000 per week without any extra costs because NXT is already being taped.

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Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear