During a recent interview with Bloomberg, Stephanie McMahon commented on her brother, Shane McMahon, and his role behind the scenes in the sports entertainment company. Here is what she had to say:
“He is really a strong talent for us right now,” says Stephanie—though he isn’t, she points out, an actual executive at the company”
You can read the entire interview here.
"After WrestleMania, you'll get the best of both brands – Raw and SmackDown LIVE – every month, on every pay-per-view. Catch every event streaming live on the award-winning WWE Network.WrestleMania 34 - April 8, 2018WWE Backlash - May 6, 2018WWE Money in the Bank - June 17, 2018WWE Extreme Rules - July 15, 2018SummerSlam - Aug. 19, 2018WWE Hell in a Cell - Sept. 16, 2018WWE TLC: Tables, Ladders & Chairs - Oct. 21, 2018Survivor Series - Nov. 18, 2018WWE Clash of Champions - Dec. 16, 2018"
FDA authorizes marketing of first blood test to aid in the evaluation of concussion in adultsNew quick testing option to help reduce need for CT scans, radiation exposure for patientThe U.S. Food and Drug Administration today permitted marketing of the first blood test to evaluate mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI), commonly referred to as concussion, in adults. The FDA reviewed and authorized for marketing the Banyan Brain Trauma Indicator in fewer than 6 months as part of its Breakthrough Devices Program.Most patients with a suspected head injury are examined using a neurological scale, called the 15-point Glasgow Coma Scale, followed by a computed tomography or CT scan of the head to detect brain tissue damage, or intracranial lesions, that may require treatment; however, a majority of patients evaluated for mTBI/concussion do not have detectable intracranial lesions after having a CT scan. Availability of a blood test for concussion will help health care professionals determine the need for a CT scan in patients suspected of having mTBI and help prevent unnecessary neuroimaging and associated radiation exposure to patients.
WWE today announced that Rich Swann is done with the company. In a statement, they said that the two parties have mutually agreed to part ways.
"Rich Swann and WWE have mutually agreed to part ways as of today, February 15, 2018," WWE posted on their official website. "WWE wishes Swann the best in all of his future endeavors."
Swann was arrested and charged for false imprisonment/kidnapping and misdemeanor battery (touching or striking) after an incident with his wife Vannarah Riggs, who currently works for Impact Wrestling as Su Yung, in mid-December. Swann was driving a car with Riggs and apparently began to critique her performance at a wrestling show earlier in the night. Swann supposedly got angry and Riggs jumped out of the car because she was worried that the argument was going to escalate. Swann allegedly stopped the car in traffic and yelled for her to return before putting her in a headlock and dragging her back to the vehicle. The car was apparently not in park, and it crashed into a telephone pole. Swann denied physically touching Riggs and the couple reconciled shortly after.
At the Television Critics Association Winter Tour event in California in early January, Stephanie McMahon and Triple H said that Swann would be immediately terminated from the company if he was found guilty.
"We are just waiting on legal," Triple H said. "We have a zero tolerance policy on that, as you've seen, so he's suspended until it is determined legally one way or the other."
"And if he's convicted, he will be released," Stephanie stated.
Triple H added, "Immediately."
All charges against Swann were dropped in late January after prosecutors determined that there was insufficient evidence to move forward with the case.
CNN Money has posted an article about WWE's current financial success. WWE stock has been at an all-time high as of late, and according to the article, the company as a whole is now worth almost $3 billion.
The article mentions how the WWE Network has been a success for WWE so far, as well as WWE's incredible popularity on social media. The article also acknowledges that while Monday Night Raw and SmackDown Live television ratings aren't quite as high as they used to be, they both still averaged about three million viewers a week throughout 2017. Raw in particular draws about the same number of viewers as an NBA basketball game on broadcast television.
WWE's revenue is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, according to several of the experts who spoke to CNN Money.
Serena Deeb is back with WWE as a Women's coach at the WWE Performance Center. Deeb, 31, had worked for WWE from 2009 through 2010. During that time, she was a member of The Straight Edge Society with CM Punk and Luke Gallows. She returned to the company last year in the Mae Young Classic where she defeated Vanessa Borne in the first round before losing to Piper Niven in the second. In an interview with WWE.com, she said that her goal it to be teaching her own class at the Performance Center. She also was asked about her goals specifically as a teacher as someone who's just starting out as a coach.
"To really step up into this leadership role, which is a new thing for me," Deeb said. "I'm just looking forward to the set of challenges and rewards that are coming with this responsibility and getting to improve myself personally and professionally. I'm focused on how I can be a better person and a better coach. [I want] to give my best self to them so I can be a reflection of them and receive their best selves back. I think it's so important for the individual, regardless of the role you're in, to always be mindful of where you're at and always take your self-inventory so you can garner the best side of them as well."
WWE issued the following press release:
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– In recognition of their contributions to four years of record revenues and the successful transformation to a multiplatform business model, WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon announced today that George Barrios and Michelle Wilson have been promoted to Co-Presidents and appointed to WWE’s Board of Directors. Barrios and Wilson will continue to report directly to McMahon.
“The successful transformation of our business model has put us in a position to capitalize on all that the changing global media landscape has to offer,” said WWE Chairman & CEO, Vince McMahon. “I am confident that our executive management team, led by Michelle and George, will achieve continued success across key strategic initiatives and ensure our long-term growth.”
WWE Superstar and 16-time World Champion John Cena is reportedly writing a series of children's books, according to Mashable.com.
The first book from Cena is going to be called Elbow Grease, which is about a family of talking monster trucks. Cena gave the following statement about the book:
“With Elbow Grease and the books to follow, I want to offer kids a fun and engaging way to learn about the power of ambition, dedication, and heart.
“These concepts have been transformative in my life, from my childhood up to now, and it’s so important to me to pass the positivity on and help our youngest generation see that right mindset is key to achievement."
Corey Graves revealed that Triple H tipped him off that Graves would not be cleared to wrestle again, before the officially scheduled meeting where WWE management would tell him the news.
Graves, who retired from in-ring action in 2014 due to concussions and then made a successful transition to commentary for WWE, discussed the circumstances surrounding the end of his wrestling career during an appearance on a recent episode of E&C's Podcast of Awesomeness with Edge and Christian.
"Hunter, to his credit—at the time I hated him for it—a few days earlier kind of gave me a head up in the nicest way he possibly could. I got the initial heartbreak out of the way that day," Graves recalled.
The official meeting happened prior to an NXT taping at Full Sail University, at which Graves was told WWE doctors would not clear him to return to the ring after multiple concussions, he quickly shifted gears determined to find a new role with the company, saying:
"I imagine it must be what people feel like at any job that they put their time into and have a happiness in their life. Even being hurt and banged up and frustrated in NXT … I was still getting paid by WWE to wrestle. It was literally a dream job. So to have that dashed in such a quick period of time, it was hard to deal with but I also looked at it as, I've got a family to take care of. I'm still here. I don't think they're mad at me, I didn't do anything wrong, I didn't screw up. This is a really unfortunate thing. I just started doing anything and everything I could. ... The Monday following, I started working with the guys on production and learning how to play music at live events. I started paying my dues all over again from the ground up. Before the shows, I was running the cables under the ring for the speakers at the NXT live events. ... It was desperation, it was fear but at least if I'm doing nothing but production here [at NXT], I'm still with WWE."
Graves then found his niche on commentary and now finds himself commentating both Raw and Smackdown every week -- the only WWE broadcaster currently pulling that double duty.
Everyone knew the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match would make history. Few knew it would involve iconic mixed martial artist Ronda Rousey.
The former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion made her presence felt immediately following the 30-woman over-the-top-rope melee, walking to the ring to confront Women’s Royal Rumble Match winner Asuka, SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte and Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss.
Rousey, who was wearing the jacket of her close friend and namesake, the late WWE Hall of Famer "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, did not say anything at first, but pointed directly to the WrestleMania sign hanging in the rafters. When she offered a handshake to Asuka, her hand was slapped away. A few words were exchanged before Rousey pointed to the sign once more. She then waved goodbye to the three Superstars in the ring.
Outside, Rousey shared a handshake with Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and then exited.
According to a story published by ESPN.com following Rousey's appearance, the former MMA star has reportedly come to terms with WWE to be a full-time Superstar.
"This is my life now. First priority on my timeline for the next several years. This is not a smash-and-grab; this is not a publicity stunt," Rousey was quoted as saying. "When I first met with Triple H, I told him, 'There are other things I can do with my time that'll make way more money, but I won't enjoy nearly as much.' "
