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June 23, 2016

Chyna Memorial Recap: X-Pac Vows To Fight For Chyna In WWE HOF, RVD Speaks, Messages From Top Stars


Yesterday was the Chyna Memorial in Redondo Beach, CA. The ceremony featured live music, art, speeches, a performance from Coolio and more. There was a video package shown of wrestlers stating that she should be in the WWE Hall of Fame, including Triple H's comments from the Steve Austin podcast (which was shown several times), Stephanie McMahon's comments to TMZ as well as endorsements from Mike Tyson, Billy Gunn, Jake Roberts, Coolio, Jennifer Tilly, The Headbangers, Al Snow, Greg Valentine, Lorenzo Llamas, Bushwhacker Luke and others.

Another video package was shown with comments from wrestlers remembering Chyna. Terri Runnels talked about how much she missed her and being a part of Chyna's WWF debut, noting that she felt it the next morning.

Mick Foley appeared and shared his favorite memory, which was Chyna watching over his daughter when she was a kid. Hulk Hogan said that he met Chyna years before she broke into wrestling, and that she had a great heart and they'll wrestle again someday. Kurt Angle talked about Chyna being revolutionary and said that she made an everlasting impression on himself and everyone she's met. Jeff Jarrett's was the last video message, and he noted that she was his last opponent in WWE, and he worked with her in her last match in TNA. He said that it was special every time he worked with her.

Sean "X-Pac" Waltman spoke for about 6 minutes. He noted that he had a "really rocky relationship" with her, but that he loved her until the day she died. He said that Chyna did more for the empowerment of women than Billie Jean King and others, and feels that she doesn't get the credit that she deserves for that. He said that Chyna might have been the most important member of D-X and was the glue of the group. He said that maybe we shouldn't give WWE a break, and it's time for WWE to induct her. He talked about how big her time in NJPW was.

"I'm really sorry, I hope you forgive me for not taking better care of you," Waltman concluded. "I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure that you end up in the WWE Hall of Fame where you belong."

Rob Van Dam was the last wrestler to speak. He talked about her being a pioneer and mentioned seeing her at a Q&A last year. He said that she was grateful that he respected her and he noted that of course he did, and joked, "she was the man!" He noted that guys would whisper backstage during Chyna's run about if they would be cool wrestling women, but it made men outside the business whisper that she would "beat the sh-t" out of them, and he agreed. He put over her impact on the business and said that people will always remember and, "and she doesn't even need a last name." He put her over for always doing things her way and being one of a kind.

CM Punk Officially Set To Fight At UFC 203


It's official -- CM Punk is scheduled for his first UFC fight, and it'll take place just under two years after he first signed with the UFC.

Punk announced on UFC Unfiltered that he'd be fighting Mickey Gall at UFC 203 in September.

"I've been laying low media-wise, because I have nothing to say," Punk told Matt Serra and Jim Norton. "You can't talk a bunch of s--t until you've been in there, and I haven't been. The instant I got cleared, I got on the horn and nailed everything down, and I'll be debuting September 10 in Cleveland."

Punk said that he had to take care of his injury issues before setting a date for his UFC debut, ones that he's dealt with for years.

"I'm happy to have a date, there's a light at the end of the tunnel. You keep training and keep training until you hit a wall, and that was the point I was at. I found out I've been walking around with a herniated disk for probably years," Punk said.

June 22, 2016

Backstage Update on WWE Contacting Past Names for the Brand Split, News on Changes Within NXT and the Performance Center, More


Numerous changes are expected to take place in WWE NXT and at the Performance Center when the brand split takes place next month.

Additionally, WWE has reportedly reached out to several names from the past regarding returns to the company for the brand split, and rumored names WWE has contacted include Goldberg, Carlito, Jeff Hardy, Kurt Angle, Tommy Dreamer, MVP, Rey Mysterio and more.

According to PWInsider.com, not all of the names WWE is contacting will be for in-ring roles, as Stevie Richards was a name mentioned however if he does return it will likely be in a coaching capacity at the Performance Center.

When the brand split does take place, it is expected that some of the coaches and Performance Center staff will be called up to the main roster, so there will be Performance Center spots which will need to be filled.

Seth Rollins Gets Role In Next 'Sharknado' Movie


Syfy's "Sharknado: The 4th Awakens" movie premieres on July 4th. The 4th installment in the franchise will feature Seth Rollins. Rollins will play a character named AstroTech Lopez, which a play on his birth name - Colby Lopez.

CM Punk Not Debuting For UFC This August?


It appeared CM Punk's UFC debut vs. newcomer Mickey Gall was set for UFC 202 in late August but according to MMA journalist Ariel Helwani, the fight will not be taking place during WWE's SummerSlam weekend.

Helwani tweeted that the fight date is far from a done deal but it's looking like it will happen at UFC 203 on September 10th in Cleveland. Helwani wrote the following on Punk, who signed with UFC in December 2014:

"Current plan at the moment is CM Punk vs. Mickey Gall at UFC 203, per sources. Far from a done deal but that's the direction as of this AM."

The Very Latest on the Paige – Money in the Bank Incident, Rumor Killer on Argument Between Paige and Alberto Del Rio


On the latest episode of MLW Radio hosted by Court Bauer, Mister Saint Laurent and Konnan, more light was shed on the recent Paige incident at WWE Money in the Bank, as Konnan is close friends with Alberto Del Rio.

According to the show hosts, after Money in the Bank this past Sunday night, Paige and Alberto Del Rio went to watch the Absinthe show in Las Vegas. While they were there, a drunk couple started heckling the real life couple and called them “fake wrestlers”, and an argument ensued which reportedly ended up with Paige being “accosted”.
Police were eventually called to the scene and they stabilized the situation, and that involved handcuffing everyone involved in the situation despite neither Paige nor Del Rio being arrested. After that, Paige was taken to an ambulance to make sure she was okay, and when it was determined she was, both her and Del Rio were released and were free to go.

Daniel Bryan and Mauro Ranallo to host WWE Cruiserweight Classic


It was five months ago when Daniel Bryan said his goodbyes to the WWE Universe, but now, the leader of the “Yes!” Movement is making his return to WWE television. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion will be joining Mauro Ranallo to host the Cruiserweight Classic this summer on WWE Network.

Ranallo brings a wealth of combat sports experience to the announcers’ table. In addition to serving as the voice of SmackDown, the Canadian has been one of the top play-by-play men in mixed martial arts, boxing and sports-entertainment.

Joining him as the color commentator is Bryan. As a Superstar who neared the 205 lbs. weight limit of the CWC throughout his career, Bryan made it his goal to defy those who deemed him too small to succeed on sports-entertainment’s biggest platform. The leader of the “Yes!” Movement did just that by capturing the hearts of the WWE Universe on his way to winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship at WrestleMania 30.

Bryan also brings a unique perspective to the announcers’ table, just months removed from his retirement as an active in-ring competitor. Not only does he know what it takes to make it with the WWE Universe watching, but Bryan is a contemporary of several CWC competitors. During his illustrious 16-year career, he trained with and competed against the likes of Brian Kendrick, Zack Sabre Jr., TJ Perkins, Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano.

Don’t miss Daniel Bryan’s return to WWE television when the Cruiserweight Classic kicks off on Wednesday, July 13 at 9/8 C, only on WWE Network. And be sure to tune into WWE Network on Wednesday, July 6 at 9/8 C for Cruiserweight Classic: Bracketology, a special look at the 32-man, 10-week tournament.

June 21, 2016

Xavier Woods Talks Breaking Stereotypes As A Gamer/Wrestler, The New Day Being ‘Geeky’, Their Wrestlemania 32 Entrance


WWE star Xavier Woods recently spoke with Phoenix New Times while promoting this week’s WWE events in Arizona.

Woods talks about video games, The New Day’s Wrestlemania 32 entrance, breaking stereotypes and more. You can read some highlights below:

Xavier Woods comments on breaking stereotypes by being a gamer and comic fan:

“I think a lot of people think that since we are professional athletes that we can’t have certain tendencies that other people might have, like they try to put people in a box and say, ‘You’re an athlete, which means you’re a jock,’ or ‘You like reading books, so you’re a nerd,’ so you can’t be more than one thing in a lot of people’s eyes,” Woods says. “Whereas I wrestled, I played football, I ran track but I also made straight As, and I also played through Final Fantasy VII like 900 times and I also love Street Fighter and I also love comic books.”

Woods responds to comments about The New Day going from positivity to geeky:

Uh … this word “gimmick” that you keep on using, I’m not sure what that is. When I go out on TV, I’m just myself, and I feel like my personality isn’t really any sort of gimmick the way that people might use the word. What we do, when our music hits, we go out and we just hang out with each other. We’re friends and that’s what we’re about, being friends and making sure that we have a good time. We’ve just been lucky enough that other people think that us having fun is funny.

Woods say he was behind the group’s Wrestlemania 32 entrance and gear:

The Dragon Ball Z-inspired gear was my idea, because I was thinking about some things and felt that I needed to dress up as Vegeta at some point in my life on the show and the largest WrestleMania ever seemed like the place to do it. And Kofi is a Dragon Ball Z fan as well and we’re breaking E into it, so we all sat down and we agreed that this was the best route to go. And then it actually happened and it kind of blew my mind.

Woods reveals why he’s a Mega Ran fan, comments on breaking the “black nerd” stereotype:

Oh, of course, of course … it’s always Mega Ran. Simply because of the [Black Materia: Final Fantasy VII] album and the song, “Dawn of the Slums.” He absolutely destroys it on that track, and he raps about a ton of stuff that I can relate to very easily because of a lot of things that we talk about and deal with and try to help kids specifically with the stigma of being a black nerd.

Growing up as like a black person, there’s so many things that you’re kind of labeled with, and people think that you should act a certain way and you should speak a certain way; that you should do certain things and it’s like, if you’re a nerd, coming up in that culture, people think, oh, that’s not you because you’re black, you need to be wearing backwards hats, you need to be listening to gangster rap. It’s like, “No, you can be whatever you want.” We want kids to know they can start with a blank slate, regardless if they’re black, white, green, purple … you know what I mean? So we try very hard to make sure that kids that were in our position while we were growing up understand that there are now adults who are just like them and they’re doing just fine in their lives.

Update On Paige Being Involved In Las Vegas Incident On Sunday Night, Her WWE Status, More


As noted, there has been speculation that Paige was arrested in Las Vegas on Sunday night after the WWE Money In the Bank pay-per-view due to an incident with boyfriend Alberto Del Rio. Leaked photos, seen below, appear to show a handcuffed Paige being led into an ambulance.

We later reported that no charges were filed and that Paige was not admitted into a local hospital as she wrestled on last night's RAW. We also reported that WWE was investigating the incident.

In an update, the Las Vegas Metro Police Department has confirmed that there was an unrelated incident late Sunday where they received a call about a woman behaving erratically. A woman was reportedly running trhough traffic and when they responded to the call, she was detained and taken to a local hospital by ambulance for a medical evaluation. The woman was soon released after the evaluation.

Vegas Police would not confirm that Paige was the woman taken to a local hospital due to privacy laws but they did confirm to PWInsider that the leaked photos are from that incident.

There is also no truth to reports of Del Rio being in any kind of trouble.

Paige is backstage for tonight's WWE SmackDown tapings in Tucson.

Roman Reigns Suspended By WWE For Wellness Policy Violation


WWE announced Tuesday that Roman Reigns (real name Joe Anoa`i) has been suspended 30 days effective immediately for his first violation of the organization's Talent Wellness Program.

Reigns issued a statement on Twitter this afternoon regarding his suspension.

"I apologize to my family, friends and fans for my mistake in violating WWE's wellness policy," Reigns tweeted. "No excuses. I own it."

UFC Reportedly Tells Employees That Report of $4.2 Billion Sale is False

June 20, 2016

Incident Involving Paige In Las Vegas


Photos were leaked online of Paige involved in an incident in Las Vegas. In one photo, she appeared to be handcuffed by police, and in another she is seen getting into an ambulance.

Paige was detained by police, however no charges were filed against her. She was taken to the hospital, however was released and was obviously cleared to wrestle on tonight's episode of WWE RAW.

The WWE is investigating the matter. There was speculation that the incident was being filmed for Total Divas or Swerved, however that is not the case.

WWE Draft Officially Announced, Date Revealed, Kevin Dunn Comments


WWE sent us the following today:

WWE®'S DESTINY LIVE ON SMACKDOWN®

NEW YORK and STAMFORD, CONN – June 20, 2016 – The destiny of all WWE Superstars will be determined on the first-ever live SmackDown on Tuesday, July 19 from 8-10 pm ET/PT on USA Network. A draft will be conducted by respective General Managers as to which talent will be chosen exclusively for Monday Night Raw® or SmackDown.

For the first time in history on back-to-back nights, these two distinctive brands (Monday Night Raw and Tuesday's SmackDown) will compete with each other for television ratings, live events, and pay-per-views.

"This is an exciting new era for WWE in which we will yet again reinvent ourselves by creating a second night of compelling live television," said Kevin Dunn, Executive Producer, WWE.

"We're already hearing the excitement among WWE fans for SmackDown's new live format, and our audiences are eagerly anticipating the live draft and what it means for their favorite Superstars," said Chris McCumber, President, Entertainment Networks, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment.

With 878 original episodes, SmackDown is the second longest-running weekly episodic program in U.S. television history, only behind Monday Night Raw at 1,203 episodes.

UFC Sale Reportedly Finalized For $4.2 Billion, News On Dana White's Future With The Company


What was once thought unimaginable appears to be a reality.

According to a report from FloCombat's Jeremy Botter, the UFC has accepted a bid of $4.2 billion to be sold to the ownership group of WME-IMG, the Dalian Wanda Group, The Kraft Group and Tencent Holdings, the owners of the largest internet portal in China. The sale hasn't been completed but isn't expected to be announced until after UFC 200 on July 9.

Many bids were submitted but it came down to two groups: the WME-IMG, the Dalian Wanda Group, The Kraft Group and Tencent Holdings team and the other was China Media Capital. FloCombat also reports the CMC's bid was short of what the UFC was looking for in the deal.

The website also reports that in 2015, Fox, which is their TV partner, made an offer to buy the world's largest MMA organization but the bid was denied when the offer came in at half of what the UFC was looking for.

The majority of the money to broker the deal is being put up by DWG and Tencent Holdings. WMG-IMG and The Kraft Group though would act as the faces of the group, particularly in North America.

Questions have surfaced on whether Dana White would remain in the UFC. FloCombat states that White will stay with the UFC. White owns slightly less than nine percent of the company and his shares will be sold as part of the sale, but he will be getting new shares to stay on as UFC President.

Backstage Notes On The WWE CWC


Most of the 32 WWE Cruiserweight Classic participants are in Orlando for the tapings that begin this Thursday. Some are also undergoing blood tests and physicals this week, according to PWInsider. WWE has reportedly brought in some extra talents in case they are needed as replacements fore the tournament. PWInsider adds that the 205 lb. weight limit for the tournament is being enforced and a very sport-like presentation for the tournament is expected.

Linda McMahon Talks Her Role in WWE Going PG, Vince Being a Forward Thinker, Has She Ever Met Anyone Like Vince?, More


Former WWE CEO Linda McMahon recently spoke with Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated’s Extra Mustard and below are some interview highlights:

If she’s ever met anyone like Vince McMahon:

“No, I’ve yet to meet anyone like him. I was the honors student and the civic leader in my hometown, and Vince was the local badass. There was a little bit of that bad boy aspect that I think was incredibly appealing, and it must have been–we’ll have our fiftieth anniversary this coming August. He’s one of the smartest people I know, and a very shrewd businessman.”

Vince being an extremely forward-thinker:

“Obviously you play a role on television. Stephanie is obviously not this overly aggressive, over-the-top, very bad women that she portrays on television. She’s this wonderful, gregarious, fantastic mom, accomplished professional, respected in many segments–it’s no different than any other actor who plays a role. Vince McMahon is as progressive a thinker as anyone.”

If she played a role in WWE going PG:

“That wasn’t me, so much, moving to a PG-rating. The development of WWE programming, over time, has mirrored the market place. During the time that WWE was in the ‘Attitude Era,’ which was TV-14–if you looked at television programming and movies that were produced, they were edgier during that same time frame. Then, as that opinion shifted, WWE’s opinion shifted, as well, and sponsors had different demands. It was more of a family-friendlier audience to come back to PG-TV.”

Jerry Lawler Domestic Assault Case Update


As noted, WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler and his fiancee Lauryn McBride were arraigned this morning following their domestic dispute early Saturday morning.

Lawler and McBride were ordered by Judge William Turner to "stay away from each other" while the case is ongoing.

"Those are standard bail conditions in a domestic violence case," said Mark Mesler, McBride's attorney. "No contact, no communicating, no texts, no phone calls."

Lawler declined to issue comment on the case. The next court date is July 1st.

Kurt Angle Says He'll Return To WWE, Reveals Recent Conversation With Triple H


Kurt Angle appeared on Mark Madden's radio show today in Pittsburgh and was asked if he had been contacted by WWE about a possible return to the company. While there has been no deal made, Angle seemed pretty confident that he will return to the company one day.

"Will I return? Yes," Angle replied. "I don't know when."

Angles said that he spoke to Triple H about six weeks ago, which was before the brand split was announced. Angle said that it was a good conversation, and that they are on good terms. He said that he was not contacted about the brand split, and that he's not expecting anything.

Angle said that he's fine if WWE contacts him again or not. He says he doesn't know when he'd return, but he once again said that he hasn't been contacted yet about returning for the brand split.

Angle was asked if he wanted to go back for one more match, and he confirmed that it what was he had talked with WWE about. He said that Vince McMahon and Triple H were great, and they had a great talk. He said that they told him that they wanted to push younger talent and they weren't looking for the older guys, "but then all of a sudden the brand split occurred."

He said that he doesn't know if WWE is in a position to need older talent and noted that he could still go in the ring.

Angle later admitted that he doesn't plan to wrestle for much longer. He said that he most likely want to go to WWE and wrestle part-time, before possibly moving on to managing. He said that he'd like to manage Chad Gable and Jason Jordan.

June 19, 2016

John Cena’s Previously Pulled PBR Shirt is Back

>br>It appears that WWE and Pabst Blue Ribbon beer have worked out there differences, as John Cena is once again sporting his PBR-inspired shirt heading into his Money in the Bank match against AJ Styles. The shirt was originally put out for Cena’s return to Raw on Memorial Day, but was pulled after the beer company threatened the 15-time world champ with a cease and desist.

June 18, 2016

Chris Nowinski Responds To Being Targeted For Being 'Too Cozy' With WWE


I am releasing a statement regarding the Concussion Legacy Foundation's outreach and recruiting efforts within the professional wrestling community. This is in advance of a reporter writing an article attempting to create controversy where there is none. This statement makes clear that we remain committed to improving health outcomes of professional wrestlers, and explains how we accomplish that within the broader scope of our mission.

Specifically, I have been informed that, in an upcoming article, a reporter is attempting to invent conflict by asserting that post-death brain donations among professional wrestlers have declined since CLF received an unrestricted gift from WWE in 2012 that has supported research aimed at accelerating a cure for CTE. These assertions ignore the facts; completely misunderstand the process and motivation behind CLF's brain donation recruiting and outreach; and disregard CLF's broad mission to advance research into CTE for all athletes and other at-risk groups, with a special focus on contact sports that millions of children play, as well as military veterans.

Scientific inquiry into CTE is complex. In the interest of providing the general public, as well as the professional wrestling community, with a better understanding of our brain donation initiatives and our broad research and education efforts, as well as to explain how these efforts benefit members of the professional wrestling community, I have prepared this summary. Be assured that the science remains independent, unrestricted and driven by our goals of advancing research toward detection during life as well as treatment and a cure for CTE, in addition to advancing public health.

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