Triple H recently spoke with the Gorilla Position podcast after making an appearance on this past episode of Raw. Here are some of the highlights:
Sasha Banks and Charlotte in the Hell in a Cell main event:
"We didn't give them the main event, they earned the main event. They earned it by knocking the ball out of the park each and every night. Vince [McMahon] had to have confidence that Charlotte and Sasha could close out Hell in a Cell inside Hell in a Cell, for the first time ever and make that entire event deliver."
The evolution of women's wrestling:
"We changed the business with a handful of girls in NXT - Paige, Emma, Natalya and Charlotte and then Sasha and Bayley. I am so proud of them. I feel like a dad - I am more nervous than when I walk out at WrestleMania. I have watched them become stars and represent themselves so well in interviews. When you build something from nothing and they deliver to that level it makes you so proud. They have come so far, so fast and will continue to get that opportunity because they deliver."
Charlotte / Sasha Banks / Becky Lynch at WrestleMania 32:
"You had all these things happening where women in athletics were becoming more prominent and accepted - Venus and Serena Williams, Ronda Rousey, the US women's soccer team. It was a perfect opportunity to put our athletes, who I argue are among the best in the world, out there in that manner - it made my job easy knowing they had the ability to steal the show."
Triple H also discussed his progression from full-time performer to working in a backstage role. You can hear the entire interview by clicking here.
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February 4, 2017
Triple H On Vince McMahon's Thoughts On Charlotte And Sasha Banks Headlining HIAC
Viewership For XFL Doc
Thursday's "This Was The XFL" ESPN 30 For 30 documentary drew 917,000 viewers for the premiere. The show ranked #8 for the night behind on cable. In comparison, a July 2016 30 For 30 on former MLB players Dwight Gooden & Darryl Strawberry drew 1.196 million viewers while a May 2016 30 For 30 on Cleveland sports drew 844,000 viewers and an April 2016 30 For 30 on the NBA's Orlando Magic teams of the mid-1990s drew 1.509 million viewers.
WWE Hall Of Famer Tammy Sytch Out Of Prison And Into Rehab
Tammy "Sunny" Sytch has been released from prison, according to Pro Wrestling Sheet.
Sytch was released this morning from the Carbon County Correctional Facility on parole.
Pro Wrestling Sheet previously reported that Sunny was taken into custody back in September for violating her parole. PWInsider reported that she was charged with possession of alcohol and being under the influence of alcohol — both of which violated the zero tolerance terms of her probation.
February 2, 2017
Percy Watson gets a second chance at living his dream in NXT
It’s rare in life when you get a second chance to pursue your dream. However, that is precisely the case for “Showtime” Percy Watson. Originally setting out to pursue an in-ring WWE career, Watson thought his dream was all but gone when he was released in 2013. However, it was a chance phone call that gave him another opportunity to live his WWE dream. This week, Watson sat down with WWE.com to talk about life after WWE, and his new role as a WWE NXT broadcaster.
WWE.COM: First off, congratulations on joining the NXT announce team. What has the experience been like thus far?
PERCY WATSON: I feel privileged and honored to be a new addition to the announce team. It's a lot of fun, but there’s a lot to learn. Nonetheless, I look forward to being around as long as I possibly can.
WWE.COM: You initially joined WWE in 2009 after playing in the NFL. How would you sum up your first stint with the company?
WATSON: It was a huge learning experience and the most fun I've ever had in my life. There's no business in the world like WWE. I felt like I had more to do as a wrestler, but things happen in life and you move on.
WWE.COM: Was it hard adjusting to life after WWE?
WATSON: It was tough at first. I loved being a sports-entertainer and there was literally nothing I could replace that feeling with. You're performing in front of 10,000-plus people. You walk down that ramp and your music is playing, people are screaming. There's so much energy in the arenas.
WWE.COM: What lead to your return after being away for more than three years?
WATSON: I’ve missed WWE since the day I left. I got a random call out of the blue and was offered the commentary opportunity, so I jumped at the chance.
February 1, 2017
Court Bauer Issues Statement Clarifying Lucha Underground’s Deal With Netflix; Talks Future Of Series On Netflix
I spoke with Court Bauer just now and he further commented on what he said on MLW Radio yesterday in regards to Lucha Underground beginning to feature previous seasons on Netflix later this month. Bauer had the following to say:
The Netflix deal is an extension of Lucha Underground’s broadcasting distribution model. Netflix will air Season One and Two with an opportunity to air future seasons thereafter on Netflix that have already aired on El Rey. Lucha Underground is not moving their programming exclusively to Netflix. This is just like any show on CW or NBC taking an earlier season or more and distributing it through digital platforms such as Hulu or Netflix. Lucha Underground is not for sale to the best of my knowledge. El Rey is very happy to the best of my knowledge with the series. It’s cornerstone programming that’s outperforming everything on the network. El Rey remains a minority partner in the venture which gives them a truly vested interest in seeing this succeed. The Netflix deal will bring Lucha Underground to additional regions beyond North America that will be revealed at a later date.
In the past Court has been attached to Triple A and Lucha Underground projects.
January 31, 2017
January 30, 2017
The Latest on Concussion Lawsuits Against WWE, Plaintiffs Attempting to Unseal Depositions Given By the McMahons and Triple H
According to PWInsider.com, a hearing has been set regarding the sanctions requested by Vince McMahon and WWE against attorneys Konstantine Kyros, Brenden Leydon, S. James Boumil, Anthony Norris, Erica C. Mirabella, and R. Christopher Gilreath. The hearing will take place on March 2nd in Hartford, CT at 10:30am.
Back in November 2016, WWE claimed that the attorneys had plagiarized some of the allegations against the company from a NFL-concussion lawsuit. Below are other claims made by WWE:
-The most recently amended complaint against the company includes facts that have already been proven false over the course of discovery.
-The complaint falsely claims WWE was aware of the effects of concussion-related disease such as CTE for decades.
-That WWE and Dr. Joseph Maroon have shot down claim and studies that several football players have been diagnosed with CTE.
-That WWE requested to examine the results and research on Chris Benoit’s brain.
-That WWE hid their knowledge of the dangers of CTE and other concussive effects from their performers.
On January 27th, WWE filed motions to fight requests to unseal depositions Vince McMahon, Paul Levesque and Stephanie McMahon Levesque gave in relation to the lawsuit. WWE argued that the request is premature in that the depositions have yet to be sealed.
Furthermore, WWE’s motion cited the following:
“Plaintiffs’ call for public dissemination of the confidential deposition testimony of WWE’s highest-ranking executives is their latest action in a protracted and abusive litigation campaign against Defendants. This Court has already repeatedly admonished Attorney Kyros for misrepresenting testimony and evidence in this case and for taking actions that are intended to generate negative publicity against Defendants. Such misconduct on the part of Attorney Kyros raises serious concerns about the potential misuse of the confidential deposition transcripts if the Court were to order them to be made public.”
January 29, 2017
OurMine Hacked Several WWE Accounts
Notorious hacker group OurMine is back at it, hacking social media profiles to let the world know just how easy it can be to get inside an account.
This time, the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) group is at the receiving end.
Several Twitter accounts affiliated with WWE, including those of WWE Universe, WWE NXT, wrestler and celebrity John Cena, WrestleMania, WWE Network and Summer Slam were hacked Saturday with the group OurMine claiming responsibility.
Some of the tweets have already been taken down, but others are still visible to the millions of people who follow WWE accounts. Additionally, WWE's official Tumblr page was also compromised.
As it has done in previous actions against Netflix and others, OurMine noted in its tweets that it hacked the profiles only to prove how poorly configured such high-profile accounts are typically.
Speaking with Mashable over email, a representative of OurMine claimed all the WWE accounts were linked to one profile. At the time of writing, WWE has not responded to Mashable's request for comment.
"We just hacked it using the head of WWE social media account," a representative said. "It is linked to all of WWE Superstars accounts — Twitter and Facebook."
This isn't the first time OurMine has hacked a high-profile account. Last month, it hacked several Marvel-owned Twitter accounts.
The group insists it is only testing security. However, on its website, it offers commercial services including testing social media and email accounts for vulnerabilities.
source: mashable.com
CM Punk ‘feverishly’ working to book his next fight in the UFC
CM Punk is anxious to get back in action after suffering a loss in his UFC debut this past September.
The former WWE superstar turned mixed martial arts novice suffered a heartbreaking defeat in his debut when Mickey Gall made short work of him with a first-round submission at UFC 203 in Cleveland.
Since that time, Punk and UFC president Dana White have hinted about his return to action, but four months later there’s still no word on when he will book his next fight.
According to Punk, who spoke with FOX Sports’ Carrlyn Bathe on Saturday, he’s been in contact with White, giving him names and dates in hopes of landing another fight in the near future.
“I am working on it feverishly,” Punk said. “I’m throwing names at Dana (White), opponents, dates. I don’t know if he’s waiting for a Chicago show or what the deal is but if it doesn’t happen in the UFC, it will happen somewhere else.
January 28, 2017
Corey Graves Leaving NXT Announce Team
Announced tonight on the NXT Takeover kickoff show, Corey Graves will be stepping away from his duties as NXT commentary and announcer following tonight’s big show in San Antonio. He will be replaced by veteran wrestler and former Ring of Honor announcer Nigel McGuinness, who made his debut for the company at the recent WWE UK Championship Tournament, and was praised for his work alongside Michael Cole.
Graves will maintain his role on WWE Monday Night Raw, as a part of the commentary team with Michael Cole and Byron Saxton.
WWE NXT Year-End Awards Results
BREAKOUT STAR OF THE YEAR: Billie Kay & Peyton Royce
MATCH OF THE YEAR: The Revival vs. DIY, NXT Takeover: Toronto
TAG TEAM OF THE YEAR: The Revival
FEMALE COMPETITOR OF THE YEAR: Asuka
MALE COMPETITOR OF THE YEAR: Shinsuke Nakamura
COMPETITOR OF THE YEAR: Shinsuke Nakamura
January 26, 2017
Shawn Michaels Says His Role At WWE PC Is Not Clearly Defined
Ring Rust Radio had WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels on the show this week, who was promoting The Resurrection of Gavin Stone:
Triple H recently talked about his vision for you at the Performance Center being someone who can put the final polish on talent before they're called up to the main roster. What interests you most when it comes to working with the NXT talent and what are you hoping to accomplish in your role?
"That's something that right now is in the early stages. I think to your point, I think we will have a better idea as we get it more clearly defined about what it is. Finish and polish, that's kind of a vague and broad description. What does that mean exactly? At certain times when it's convenient people talk in the broad sense and then you wait until you can get down into the details to find out what it exactly is. If certain things could be taught, we would teach them and they would just do them. There are some things that can't be taught.
"So I am waiting right now for it to get more clearly defined on what the role is. I have enjoyed the times I have gone down there to the training facility. There is nothing more enjoyable then seeing a student in that beginning process and the hunger they have. That's what they are down there for, to learn and to grow. Once you get to Raw or the main roster, there is a sense that you are done, you made it, and that sense of accomplishment is there. The worst thing is that greatness never feels like it has arrived, that it's there. The greats like Michael Jordan and LeBron James and other people that reached that status can continue to grow and get better. Working with talents at the performance center level and the NXT level, they know they haven't arrived so they are very pliable and willing to take direction. I think once you go to that next level; it's a little more difficult to teach at that point and becomes less fun. That's what I enjoy about the performance level and NXT level. They are still aspiring to get somewhere so they are very open and receptive to information."
January 25, 2017
John Cena On Pabst Blue Ribbon And Pulling His T-Shirt, Working Relationship With WWE, His Brand
John Cena recently spoke with ESPN about the business side of WWE and sports. The full interview is at this link and below are highlights:
WWE owning the trademark to his name and that not being a "complete forfeiture" of his rights:
"I see it as a joint venture. They give me a platform to showcase my brand in nearly 200 countries across the universe. We've become a global cultural phenomenon where people all over the world receive our product and are instantaneously aware of our story lines."
"There's actually a ton of room for individuality and for personally pushing for expansion of what I can be. Dwayne (The Rock) was a pioneer in that space."
Pabst Blue Ribbon telling Cena on Twitter to cease & desist use of a t-shirt that looked like their logo last year:
"We were well within our rights in terms of parody necessary, but we quickly turned around and changed the design within hours. It was pretty much social media suicide for them. What's funny is the brewery ultimately realized our power and actively reached out to establish an open relationship."
Social media success and his ability to drown out the hate:
"I run a successful individual brand. A lot of people chant for me and a lot of people chant against me, but you can't argue with the analytics and the relevance that I have."
Triple H and Stephanie McMahon Appear at Linda McMahon’s Confirmation Hearing, Senator “Challenges” HHH to a Trip to the Gym
Linda McMahon had her Senate confirmation earlier this morning to run the Small Business Administration in President Donald Trump’s administration. As seen in the photo below, Triple H and Stephanie McMahon were in attendance for the confirmation.
During the hearing, Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey had some fun with Triple H and Stephanie, joking that Stephanie is more intimidating than Triple H. Linda said Stephanie could give Booker a “mean hip toss”. Booker later joked that Triple H appears to be getting out of shape, and he challenged him to a trip to the Senate gym after the hearing.
January 24, 2017
Mickie James On If She Asked to Return to WWE, If It Will Be Difficult Working With John Cena, Says Kenny Dykstra Lied About Her to Sell Books
Returning WWE SmackDown Live Superstar Mickie James is the special guest on Lilian Garcia: Making Their Way to the Ring this week, talking about her past and future with WWE, answering whether she requested a return to the company, and much more. Mickie is asked if she wants husband Magnus to join her at WWE and if it will be difficult working with ex-boyfriend John Cena and Nikki Bella, while revealing why she believes Kenny Dykstra lied about their relationship.
Below are some interview highlights:
Mickie says she had been calling WWE in hopes of returning:
I had been doing that. About a year before that I had been doing that a couple of times. I think I talked to you about it a little bit too, and I’m just like, aw maybe they just don’t want me. Maybe it’s not my time kind of thing. It wasn’t until I just kind of let it go and…I’m sitting in Orlando airport, waiting for our flight and [Mark] Carrano calls me and I’m like , are you serious right now? Are you ribbing me?!
If it will be difficult working with John Cena:
We’re all adults, and you know obviously this business is what it is. We’ve all had our share of relationships failed. I think that being adults and being professionals…I would hope that, and I’m pretty sure that it’s going to be pretty awesome, because I’m sure that I’m going to have to work with Nikki in the ring and I know that we could do some really amazing stuff.
Her response to comments Kenny Dykstra made after they parted ways:
As far as that whole thing with Ken it was a shame that he went out and said the things that he did and did that, because I feel that a lot of it was a lie and it was mostly just kind of to help his book sales or whatever the case may be. But you know, it is what it is and you know, I’m a grown up.
January 23, 2017
Mike Goldberg opens up about ‘disappointing’ UFC departure: ‘I watched everything around me be shattered’
No one is more disappointed than Mike Goldberg about the way things ended between he and the UFC.
The longtime play-by-play voice of the Octagon unceremoniously parted ways with the UFC last month after spending 20 years as a mainstay of the company’s broadcast booth — exiting the UFC without even a tribute from the promotion itself. On Monday, speaking publicly for the first time his departure, Goldberg said was stunned to learn of the UFC’s decision to not renew his contract at the beginning of December, and explained that he simply resolved to close out the final three shows of his UFC career with the same level of professionalism as everything that came before.
“It was a shock,” Goldberg said on The MMA Hour. “I was speechless. I didn’t know what type of emotion to have, because I was just in a state of shock and disbelief.
January 22, 2017
Triple H Interview With IGN
Triple H spoke with IGN to promote WWE Studios new animated movie Surfs Up 2: WaveMania. During the interview he talks about the Royal Rumble and Kurt Angle, You can read the full article here. Highlights below:
On the Royal Rumble
This year’s Royal Rumble is one of the biggest, most star-studded Rumbles that I can recall. Just look at the people who have thrown their name into the Rumble so far. You’ve got Goldberg and Lesnar and the Undertaker. When you start to look at that level of talent and then also see the Bray Wyatts and the Randy Ortons and everyone else that’s going to be a part of it, it really is one of the biggest Rumbles I can think of. Sometimes there’s a year in the Rumble where you think “Okay, I can see this or that happening. This seems like where the Rumble might be headed.” But this year, it’s really tough to call. And I think that’s when the Rumble’s at its best, when you can’t really put your finger on what’s going to happen. I can see this year going a lot of different ways and I think it’s going to go in a way that nobody expects.
On Kurt Angle
I think it’s a very well deserved induction into the Hall of Fame. We’ve had an association with Kurt for a long time but when Kurt was here in the WWE, he was one of the most impactful and memorable and iconic characters probably ever. One of the things that always stands out for me is that I was here when Kurt was coming out of the Olympics and training. And having never done this before, he went from zero knowledge of our industry to being one of the most incredible performers in the ring in the time frame of the Attitude Era where, you know, he was in there with some of the best in the world. And he very quickly went from walking to the ring for the first time to being one of the best in the world himself. It happened faster than anyone else. And that’s what I do now mostly in my day to day job. Most of my day is focused on talent and recruiting and training and talent development. I don’t believe I’ve ever seen someone pick it up as fast as Kurt. Just on that basis alone, he should be inducted. But then you throw in all that he’s accomplished, that he’s accomplished since leaving WWE even, and will continue to accomplish. I’m really happy for Kurt as a human being. I’m also happy that he’s a really good place in his life right now.
January 21, 2017
January 20, 2017
