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July 16, 2016

WWE Issues Statement Over Possible Brock Lesnar USADA Violation, Lesnar Still Set For SummerSlam?


From WWE.com:

The U.S. Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) has informed Brock Lesnar of a potential policy violation, stemming from an out-of-competition sample collected on June 28, 2016, according to a statement released by UFC on Friday afternoon and reported on by ESPN and other news sources.

Lesnar successfully returned to the UFC against Mark Hunt 12 days later on July 9 at UFC 200. The results of the sampling were received by USADA on July 14.

UFC released the following statement on the matter via Twitter



"Brock Lesnar has not performed for WWE since WrestleMania and is not scheduled to return until Sunday, August 21."

July 15, 2016

Brock Lesnar Flagged For Potential Doping Violation; UFC Issues Statement


The UFC announced on Friday that Brock Lesnar has been informed of a potential anti-doping violation by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency.

The possible positive test stems from an out-of-competition sample that was collected on June 28.

“USADA, the independent administrator of the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, will handle the results management and appropriate adjudication of this case,” the UFC said in a news release. “It is important to note that, under the UFC Anti-Doping Policy, there is a full fair legal review process that is afforded to all athletes before any sanctions are imposed. The Nevada State Athletic Commission also retains jurisdiction over this matter as the sample collection was performed in close proximity to Lesnar’s bout at UFC 200 in Las Vegas.”

The results of the test were received on July 14, five days after Lesnar defeated Mark Hunt in his return to the Octagon.

Lesnar will now await the results of a B sample to see if the positive test is confirmed.

Looking back, UFC 200 was supposed to be the biggest event in the history of mixed martial arts and has ended up being a complete disaster. Jon Jones was scratched from the card after he also tested positive for a banned substance. Jones’ fight against Daniel Cormier was supposed to be the main event, replacing the previous main event which was tossed out due to the embarrassing dispute between Conor McGregor and the UFC (read more about that here).

If Lesnar’s B sample confirms he tested positive for a banned substance, he’ll be suspended from future competition.

source: msn.com

WWE Sends Cease & Desist Letters To Indy Promoters


PWInsider.com is reporting that a variety of independent pro wrestling promoters received cease and desist letters from WWE today. The letters informed the promoters that they are utilizing WWE owned photographs on advertising materials to promote former WWE contracted talents. After speaking with one of the promoters who has received the WWE’s request I can confirm that WWE is giving the promoters five days to stop using the images.

Christy Hemme Compares Triple H To Hulk Hogan; Talks Working With Stephanie McMahon


Christy says HHH gives to everyone while Hulk Hogan is more about himself:

"Hulk is great for Hulk. Triple H is great for business. You know, as far as like, bringing people in, bringing people up...he was always giving to the people...Hulk is like an icon and he is legendary and he is building his own brand."

What it's really like to work with Stephanie McMahon:

"I really love her. She is so poised and so powerful and as a female...She had worked on a couple of my segments and I was always lost when she was talking to me in the moments because she is really one of those people that she's a really good producer...She's really good at connecting and pulling something out of you that she's looking for...but she's softer in like, she's a warm person. She's a strong person but she's a warm person and she's passionate about the females so she's always fighting for them"

July 14, 2016

Triple H On WWE NXT And The WWE Draft, Bret Hart's Recent Comments, Brock Lesnar, Shinsuke Nakamura


To hear Paul Levesque talk about NXT is akin to hearing a father beam with pride about his firstborn son.

By day, Levesque is the WWE's executive vice president of talent, live events and creative. By night -- though much more infrequently these days -- he's 14-time world heavyweight champion Triple H.

But for all intents and purposes, Levesque is the heart and soul behind NXT, WWE's developmental territory, which has grown to become a legitimate third brand, providing in-house competition for Raw and SmackDown.

Created in 2012, NXT was designed to develop new talent and, in Levesque's words, "bring in a new era of WWE." But even the father of NXT himself has been surprised at how quickly it has grown into something more.

"It's hard for me to imagine that just a few short years ago, NXT was kind of just a concept that we had," Levesque said. "How quickly it has become something so much more than that."

With an old-school feel to the way it's booked and presented, the brand has created a cult following, offering hard-core wrestling fans a much different product from what WWE has traditionally aired on television in recent years. In fact, Levesque outright refers to NXT as the "bedrock" of the WWE Network, where it exclusively airs.

In response to Thursday's announcement that 2K Sports is releasing a collector's NXT edition to their "WWE 2K17" video game, limited to just 50,000 copies on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Levesque took time to answer questions on a number of topics, including NXT's growth.

Cruiserweight Classic First Round Results

July 13, 2016

WWE Airing Draft Center Experience & Live Smackdown Pre-Show


WWE announced that they will be airing a special WWE Draft Center Live second screen experience during Tuesday's live SmackDown. There will also be a SmackDown pre-show on Tuesday at 7/6 C, followed by a SmackDown post-show at 10/9 C, both on the WWE Network.

John Cena Signs New Entertainment Deal


John Cena continues to make major strides outside of the ring. It was revealed today that Cena has signed a new development deal with Leftfield Entertainment for unscripted TV and online projects. Leftfield Entertainment had produced American Grit on FOX, which was hosted by Cena. Several projects are already under development between Cena and Leftfield, with Cena serving as an executive producer via his Hard Nocks South production banner.

"Whether I'm in the ring for WWE or on a TV or film set, I approach all of my work the same way – with focus, authenticity and total commitment," Cena said in a statement. "I'm eager to bring that same work ethic to the team at Leftfield, and to create new kinds of programming that can inspire and push people to be their best. I'm living proof of what you can accomplish when that happens."

"There's nowhere you can go with John Cena without eliciting respect, pure joy and excitement from everyone he meets," Leftfield Entertainment CEO David George added. "Beyond his physical strength and presence, his humor, strength of character and genuine desire to give back always comes through. That's an inspiring place from which to create entertainment content, so we're extremely proud and happy to be in business with John."

Val Venis Opens Up About The Chair Shot From Triple H That Changed His Life


You likely remember Val Venis from his time in the WWE. He worked for the company for over a decade from 1998-2009 in various roles. He is a European, Intercontinental and World Tag Team Champion with the WWE during his tenure. Since leaving the WWE, Val Venis has still wrestled independently along with owning his own Medical Marijuana business. In a heartfelt facebook post, he recently spoke about the chair shot that changed his life. It is a really detailed post about the brain injury he suffered as well as his recovery.
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Val Venis (real name Sean Morely) posted this on his Facebook page about the chair shot from Triple H that changed his life:

THE CHAIR SHOT THAT CHANGED MY LIFE

It was a November 2005 match against HHH where I took one of the most vicious chair shots to the head the wrestling industry had ever seen. This chair shot was a humbling and very scary experience. Prior to that chair shot, I felt indestructible. After that chair shot, I realized I was mortal. I never said anything to the staff, trainers, medics or any of my colleagues as I wanted to continue performing on the road and knew I would be pulled off the road if I mentioned anything about the chair shot rattling my brain into a heavy concussion. I did not even tell Lourdes at the time as I knew she would have called the office and spilled the beans. I spent almost 1 full year with one pupil dilated wide open while the other pupil was the size of a pin hole. I experienced nausea for about a month but it soon subsided. Ringing in my ears was the norm for quit a few months after this chair shot. I had many sleepless nights, found reading difficult as my focus was drastically reduced. Remembering spots or finishes became noticeably difficult for a few months after that chair shot. I remember feeding HHH and getting my hand up followed by looking up at the ceiling of the arena not knowing where I was or even what I was doing there. I’m guessing it took about 10 seconds or so before I realized I was performing in a match and I needed to finish out this segment. I do not recall taking the pedigree afterwards or even being back in the ring after said chair shot. My ears rang at a constant level for quite some time afterwards. Needless to say, in March 2010, I was joyful over the fact the WWE banned chair shots to the head. I would like to see all wrestling companies ban chair shots to the head. It’s just not worth fucking up your brain or your life. I can honestly say that chair shot to my head began one of the most difficult years of my life and I could not tell anyone. Brain injuries take a long time to heal if the brain ever does actually heal. I had taken many chair shots to the head prior to that one November 2005 match with HHH. None caused me any grief or noticeable injuries. That said, it only takes one heavy blow to the head where you feel the lasting, annoying and extremely frustrating effects that will throw a monkey wrench into everything that defines you as a human being. WWE absolutely did the right thing banning chair shots to the head. Performers who cling to the old school mentality of “if your not tough enough to take a chair shot, you should not be in the business” are putting their lives in serious jeopardy. It’s extremely difficult to put into words how it feels to have a severe concussion. It’s life changing. I do regret not speaking up and seeking treatment at the time and if I could go back in time, I would have sought treatment and not have worried so much about losing a spot on the roster. I appauld the WWE taking the initiative to ban chair shots to the head. The company did a tremendous favor to the current crop of WWE Superstars. Let’s hope other wrestling companies around the world follow the WWE’s lead and adopt the same policy. Hopefully, in the future I can appauld the WWE for changing their policy in regards to cannabis. Cannabis absolutely helps brain injuries. But that is another rant for another time.

Daniel Bryan On Triple H's Idea For CWC Being Annual, If WWE Should Bring Back Cruiserweight Title


Daniel Bryan recently took part in a media conference call to promote the WWE Cruiserweight Classic, which kicks off tonight on the WWE Network. The Fan Garage was on the call, here are a couple of questions that they asked:

If we could expect similar tournaments from WWE in the future:

"I can't say I know. But when Triple H had talked about it... he had mentioned that he wanted to make this an annual thing. He thinks that it's a great show for the Network to have, and I say why not? I mean it's a great concept.

"As for the tournaments, I don't know what the WWE wants to do going forward, but I have been a fan of tournaments for a long time, so we will wait and see. if this thing takes off, who knows... we may see another one on RAW (laughs)."

If WWE should bring back the WWE Cruiserweight title:

"You know, that's a fascinating question because so many of the top guys now would be considered cruiserweights back when WCW had the first cruiserweight matches those many years ago. The cruiserweight championship I remember was for 225 lbs and under (102 kgs) and the Cruiserweight Classic is 205 lbs and under.

"But if you look at the WWE roster today, everybody is a bit smaller because now, fans want more action which requires more mobility, which requires you to be a bit lighter.

"One of the things that I think we will see is that some of these guys who are say only 160 lbs., which might be 75 kgs, they are amazing and people want to see them. So, I wouldn't be surprised, especially with the brand extension set to come, that the WWE does restart the Cruiserweight championship."

Bryan also discussed if there are other wrestlers he would have liked to have seen in the CWC, Kota Ibushi and more. You can read more from the call by clicking here.

July 12, 2016

Meet the Cruiserweight Classic Alternates


Over the past month, the WWE Universe has become familiar with the 32 grapplers from around the world that will take part in the first-ever Cruiserweight Classic.

Anything can happen, however, during the 10 weeks the CWC will play out. The mat game is grueling, and injuries are always a threat to competitors, especially those with high-risk styles. Plus, the strict 205-pound weight limit for the tournament means that the wrong meal could lead to an early exit.

So, what happens if one of the initial 32 competitors can’t continue in the tournament? WWE officials prepared for the worst and have five alternates ready to step in, should the need arise. The WWE Universe may have seen them in training at the WWE Performance Center on social media, but WWE.com caught up with these elite competitors at the Cruiserweight Classic Combine to learn more about them and how they’re preparing in case their name gets called. Click here.

July 11, 2016

Dana White confirms $4 billion UFC sale to WME/IMG


UFC president Dana White confirmed late Sunday night the accuracy of a New York Times report that the company had been sold for approximately $4 billion to a group headed by talent agency WME/IMG.

White told Yahoo Sports via text message that he would remain with the company. The new group bought the shares of the company owned by Frank Fertitta (40.5 percent), Lorenzo Fertitta (40.5 percent) and White (9 percent).

The Abu Dhabi-based Flash Entertainment, which purchased 10 percent of the UFC in 2010, will keep its share for now. White said he will remain as an owner, president and head of day-to-day operations and the Fertittas have a minority interest in the new company, but he could not disclose specifics.

“I’m obviously bummed about not being in business with my best friend [Lorenzo Fertitta] and my partners of 20 years,” White said. “I am happy about the future of the UFC, the sport and my role moving forward.”

In 2001, White and the Fertitta brothers purchased the company for $2 million from Semaphore Entertainment Group. Each Fertitta had 45 percent at that point and White had 10 percent. In 2010, the Fertitta brothers sold 9 percent and White 1 percent to bring on Flash.

The UFC struggled in those early days and by 2004, the company was more than $40 million in the hole. It funded the entire cost of the first season of the reality series “The Ultimate Fighter” on Spike in a last ditch effort to save the company.

White has said the show was the Trojan horse that allowed the company to reach the 18-to-34-year-old demographic that would become its strongest constituency.

ESPN reported in May that the company was up for sale, which White denied. He said on “The Dan Patrick Show” the day after the ESPN report that the company wasn’t up for sale, but this time added, “if someone comes to us with $4 billion, we’ll talk.”

Last month, FloCombat reported the sale had been completed and that White would stay on. The UFC denied that report too, saying it had written a letter to its employees telling them it wasn’t true.

On Sunday, The New York Times reported that the WME/IMG group also included private equity firms Silver Lake and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts, and an investment company owned by Dell Computers founder Michael Dell.

WME/IMG is not expected to play an active role in running the company.

Ari Emanuel, the brother of Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, is close with the Fertitta brothers and has represented the UFC in the past. Former UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is represented by WME.

The sale is expected to close before UFC 202 on Aug. 20.

July 10, 2016

Brock Lesnar's UFC 200 Purse Revealed


Brock Lesnar's purse for defeating Mark Hunt in the co-main event of UFC 200 last night was $2.5 million, according to Kevin Iole of Yahoo Sports.

This is not only Lesnar's biggest UFC payday but the highest guaranteed pay for any UFC fighter in history. Conor McGregor was previously guaranteed $1 million in March for UFC 196.

Lesnar will also receive money for pay-per-view sales.

Triple H and Vince McMahon react to Brock Lesnar's win over Mark Hunt


Brock Lesnar hasn't competed in the UFC for over 4 years, but with his impressive win over Hunt, he managed to still cement himself well within the top 10 best heavyweights in the world. It was an incredible feat, and his performances also had his WWE colleagues excited about the news.

Moments after UFC 200, ESPN spoke to both Triple H and Vince McMahon about the victory.

"To come back after all this time, and put on that kind of performance, speaks to the once in a lifetime type of athlete that Brock is," Triple H said.

Vince McMahon on the other hand, stated that "Brock is the most formidable combat athlete in the history of the country."

Watch the clip above where former UFC contender Chael Sonnen also reacted to these statements. In case you missed the milestone UFC pay-per-view event, you can still watch video from the heavyweight contest here.

Brock Lesnar Victorious in Return Fight at UFC 200; Addresses Fans in Passionate Post-Fight Speech


The “Beast Incarnate” is back, and he is NOT messing around. Brock Lesnar, the former UFC Heavyweight Champion of the world, returned to MMA this weekend at UFC for his first fight since 2011, defeating “Super Samoan” Mark Hunt by unanimous decision after three rounds.

Wanting to avoid the stand-up game of a knock-out specialist, Lesnar spent the majority of the fight taking Hunt to the ground, reigning down with rights and lefts in the first round as the clock ticked down. The second round was fairly uneventful, with Hunt able to mostly avoid Brock’s ground game, and no significant damage being done. In the third and final round, Hunt came out strong with a right hook, but once again WWE’s most dominant athlete took him down, slowly destroying his opponent with a flurry of rights of rights and lefts to the head to cement his victory.

Following the fight, Lesnar shook off questions about a second fight, instead speaking passionately to the American people, rallying them to come together. Brock thanked the fans in attendance and the men and women in uniform all around the country stating, “from sea to shining sea, from one white boy to all nationalities, we gotta stand together.”

Does lawsuit mean Chris Nowinski is caught in the middle?


In the summer of 2007, soon after retired pro wrestler Chris Nowinski created a concussion research foundation he would affiliate with Boston University, a star wrestler named Chris Benoit strangled his wife, choked to death his 7-year-old son, and hanged himself.

The 40-year-old Benoit previously had told Nowinski he experienced “more [concussions] than I can count.’’

“I was certain Benoit had suffered from CTE [chronic traumatic encephalopathy],’’ Nowinski wrote in his book, “Head Games: The Global Concussion Crisis.’’

Nowinski and his then-partner, Dr. Bennet Omalu, wasted little time procuring Benoit’s brain to examine. And when Omalu diagnosed Benoit with severe CTE — the first confirmation of the degenerative brain disease in a World Wrestling Entertainment performer — Nowinski widely publicized the findings, helping to galvanize national concern about traumatic brain injuries and catapult his foundation to prominence.

Nine years later, Nowinski faces a possible dilemma. He has since split bitterly from Omalu and embraced WWE as a multimillion-dollar sponsor of his BU-affiliated Concussion Legacy Foundation. And as WWE fights a concussion lawsuit in part by challenging Omalu’s diagnosis of Benoit, the question arises: Were Nowinski compelled to choose sides, would he defend Omalu’s findings or support WWE, the largest benefactor that Nowinski’s foundation has publicly acknowledged?

July 9, 2016

Stephanie McMahon Makes Adweek ‘Most Powerful’ List


Stephanie McMahon was featured on Adweek’s “30 Most Powerful Women In Sports” list, which hit newsstands today. Other names making the list include Hannah Storm and Ronda Rousey; you can read Stephanie’s part of the article below:

Stephanie McMahon, chief brand officer, WWE

Stephanie McMahon is the woman behind—and in front of—the curtain at WWE. Over the organization’s 36-year history, few executives have been as important to its growth than McMahon, who is the daughter of CEO Vince McMahon. After starting there as an account executive, McMahon now sits on the WWE’s board of directors, following a two-decade rise through the ranks that has put her hands into virtually every facet of the business, including creative, talent relations, digital and her current role overseeing WWE’s brand efforts and brand reputation among investors, media, business partners and advertisers. And with her dad now in his 70s, McMahon, along with her husband Paul Levesque (better known as“Triple H”), could be poised to inherit the keys to the powerful WWE kingdom. —Tim Baysinger

Dana White on WWE Negotiations For Brock Lesnar, Vince McMahon, WWE Promotion on UFC Shows


UFC’s president Dana White spoke to members of the press tonight following the UFC 200 weigh-in for tomorrow’s massive event, live from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. In a fight many assumed would never happen, the “Beast Incarnate” himself Brock Lesnar will return to the octagon, squaring up against the “Super Samoan” Mark Hunt.

When asked how negotiations went with WWE and who he had to work with to make it happen, White spoke openly and noted that he had a lot of respect for Vince McMahon, despite calling him an “animal” at the negotiating table.

“It was Brock’s team, me, Vince and Triple H. Vince and I have had our ups and down, and Vince is a tough character to deal with. He’s an animal. It’s one of the things I respect about him, and I think he’s loosening up a little bit on the UFC.”

WWE.com streamed the entirety of Brock Lesnar’s UFC 200 weight-in, and has begun promoting the fight on social media heading into the bout. Dana noted that he will be returning the favor, and we will be seeing WWE advertising and promotion coming from UFC soon.

“Yeah. The fact that they did this – I wanted to reciprocate, so yes. And they’re doing [it too]. If you look today, Brock’s weigh-in will be on all social media for WWE. This deal couldn’t have worked out any better.”

July 8, 2016

Covers Revealed for New WWE Comic Book Series Featuring John Cena, Triple H, Sasha Banks and The New Day


As we noted yesterday, Boom! Studios and WWE are teaming up to produce new comic books and graphic novels, and three comic book covers have been revealed featuring The New Day, Triple H, Sasha Banks and John Cena.

No release date has been announced for either the graphic novels or the comic books, but WWE’s Executive Vice President of Consumer Products Casey Collins issued the following statement on the Boom! and WWE partnership:

“Boom! is one of the fastest-growing comic book publishers in the industry and their vision for the WWE brand showed us exactly why. We were blown away by the level of detail and creativity and are confident the WWE Universe and comic book fans will agree.”


More pics

July 7, 2016

TNA Announces Move To Thursday Nights, New Start Time Revealed


TNA announced that they are moving back to Thursday nights starting July 21st, two nights after WWE SmackDown moves to Tuesday nights.

It was also revealed that Impact Wrestling will now start one hour earlier at 8/7 CT.

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