A&E, WWE Expand Partnership With Competition Series

A&E is deepening its partnership with the WWE — including adding an in-ring competition to its roster of programming.

The cable network has picked up a series called WWE LFG, which will feature would-be pro wrestlers vying for a WWE contract while receiving training and coaching from in-ring legends Paul “Triple H” Levesque, the Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and others. (The “LFG” in the title stands for “Legends & Future Greats,” A&E says.)

Along with the competition series, A&E has also ordered a second new series, WWE’s Greatest Moments — which, true to its name, will break down iconic matches and events in the company’s history — and a fifth season of its docuseries WWE Rivals.

“Literally filled with blood, sweat, and tears, there’s never been a series that combines in-ring action, behind-the-scenes reality, high-stakes drama, and some of WWE’s greatest icons all in one package,” A+E Networks president of programming Rob Sharenow said in a statement. “From total unknowns to legends, LFG will give viewers a raw, ground-up, 360-degree view of what it truly takes to make it in the WWE. Our collaboration with WWE has clearly struck a chord with audiences, and we’re excited to continue producing premium content that resonates with a diverse viewership.”

Said Levesque, the WWE’s chief content officer, “A&E has proved to be an excellent home for WWE content, and we’re excited to partner with their fantastic team on these new show concepts and the latest season of WWE Rivals.”

LFG is reminiscent of Tough Enough, a competition series that aired in the early 2000s (and was briefly revived in 2010) that also put would-be WWE stars through their paces. The new show will also feature WWE greats Booker T, Mickie James and Bubba Ray Dudley mentoring the contestants, who will complete in weekly matches in addition to learning the behind-the-scenes aspects of the business.

Levesque, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Michaels and Jeremy Borash executive produce LFG for the WWE, with. Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson serving as EPs for A&E.

WWE play-by-play man Michael Cole will host Greatest Moments, which will feature past and current wrestlers looking back at some of the company’s defining matches. WWE’s Levesque, Fitting, Houser and Marc Pomarico exec produce with A&E’s Bryant, Abramson and Jonathan Partridge.

source: hollywood reporter

Top Names Set To Roast Booker T

The Roast of Booker T will take place on November 10th at Houston Improv in Houston, TX. The Dudley Boyz, Stevie Ray, Brother Love, MVP, Sharmell and others will be there to roast the WWE Hall of Famer. There will also be special video messages from The Undertaker, Chris Jericho, Rob Van Dam and Diamond Dallas Page.

The Dudley Boyz to ‘say goodbye’ tonight

One night after yet another miscommunication cost The Dudley Boyz a victory during the SummerSlam Kickoff, the most decorated tag team in sports-entertainment history will evidently be saying their farewells to the WWE Universe tonight, live on Raw.

For more than 20 years, Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley have been among the most dominant tag teams in the world. They returned to WWE one year ago to earn their 10th tag team championship in WWE—a quest that was ultimately and unfortunately unsuccessful. Nevertheless, there will never be another tandem in sports-entertainment like The Dudley Boyz.

WWE Tag Team Tournament Announced, Winners To Face The New Day

Shane McMahon announced on tonight's WWE RAW that there will be an eight-team tag team tournament to crown new #1 contenders for WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day.

The participants are The Ascension, Goldust and R-Truth, Curtis Axel and Heath Slater, The Lucha Dragons, The Dudley Boyz, The Vaudevillains, Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady and The Usos.

The first match took place tonight and saw The Dudley Boyz defeat Sin Cara and WWE United States Champion Kalisto.

ECW Original Returns to WWE on Raw Tonight to Assist The Dudley Boyz

Last night on Raw, ECW original Tommy Dreamer made his return to WWE and joined The Dudley Boyz to assist them in their fight against The Wyatt Family.

The three ECW legends took on the team of Braun Strowman, Luke Harper and Erick Rowan in a 6 man tag team match. The finish of the match came when the match broke down and the ref ruled it a no contest.

Bubba Ray Dudley Says WWE NXT Is The Best Of Both Worlds

"There's not one bad thing to say about NXT. There's no negative down there. Yes, it's a developmental system that's meant to mold up-and-coming talent, but it's also become its own promotion. That's the best of both worlds. It's great for rising wrestlers who are just getting their first taste of the business and it's also great for guys like a Samoa Joe or a James Storm because it's another place for wrestlers to go and work. Joe's been doing great there and I'm sure Storm will be amazing. And it seems like wrestling fans all over the world are really hot about NXT. It works on all levels."

Dudley Boyz Return to WWE

During last night’s episode of WWE RAW saw The Dudley Boyz returned to WWE television after ten years. The Dudleys returned as a huge surprise, and got a huge pop from the Brooklyn crowd as they took out WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day.

The Dudleys are back full-time with WWE and will be travelling with them on the road for live events, including their advertised Smackdown return this Thursday. It’s speculated, but still unconfirmed that the team has signed a multi-year contract with WWE.

According to reports, Bubba and Devon were hidden from everyone at RAW last night, and almost no one knew about the return until they were near the curtain to make their entrance. Several top WWE officials were some of the few to know beforehand, and then the production team knew as they cued up the video, music and pyro, as well as having merchandise already produced.

UFC President Dana White fires up fans and pro wrestlers

UFC President Dana White, in responding to a tweet from a wrestling fan who wanted to watch UFC 190 and noted how WWE PPV events are only $9.99, stated that he understood and added, "but fake sh*t should be $9.99." The fan then told White to try out some time and still use the term fake to which White responded, "Not disrespecting what they do. All the WWE guys I have met are awesome people but yes it's fake."

This fired up a number of wrestling fans with the comments making the rounds, sending many tweets White's way including those within the wrestling industry.

Seth Rollins: "Guys, cut @danawhite some slack. I mean he's had a million matches, so his opinion is super valid and should be taken as gospel."

Taz: "What's fake & what's predetermined? @danawhite my body is busted up from that "fake shit" - u think u train less?"

Bully Ray: "Good thing you had "FAKE" @BrockLesnar in @ufc to be your biggest PPV draw of all time. .@danawhite Sir, "do the right thing" and apologize to THE industry that laid the groundwork for YOUR industry. Have a great show tonight."

MVP: "Money doesn't buy class Dana."

Jeremy Borash: "Legit cancelled my UFC buy for tonight. Instead sending $50 to @NikBali, a UK wrestler paralyzed during a fake wrestling match. @danaWhite."

Bull Dempsey: "Hey @danawhite, come to the @WWEPerformCtr & see what we do EVERYDAY & tell me it's fake. Send your "ultimate" fighters too. How dare you."

White then wrote the following early Sunday morning to a fan.

"I pissed off wrestling fans? I respect wrestling and the people who do it. I was just responding to an idiot. It was a joke."

The comments didn't seem to phase WWE's Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon as she tweeted out a photo with Triple H and trainer Joe DeFranco wearing Ronda Rousey t-shirts, a tweet that Dana White later retweeted following Rousey's knockout win on Saturday night.

#andSTILL #Reppin4Ronda #UFC190 @DeFrancosGym @TripleH @RondaRousey pic.twitter.com/qKP3z1BWtj

— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) August 1, 2015

Conflicting Reports On Why Bully Ray Did Not Work Recent WWE NXT Live Events

We noted yesterday via The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE wanted to use Bully Ray for a May NXT live event in Philadelphia but changed their mind due to Bully appearing on TNA Impact Wrestling as a special referee.

PWInsider reports that WWE contacted Bully about working that weekend and he agreed to work the shows but before they happened, he suffered an ear injury. Bully reportedly called WWE officials and told them he couldn't work the events because the injury was affecting his equilibrium and he didn't want to have bad matches. PWInsider's story notes that WWE officials appreciated the heads-up and understood the situation, and that was it.

WWE Reportedly Nixes Plans to Bring Big Name in For NXT Appearance Due to Him Appearing on TNA TV

According to The Wrestling Observer, WWE wanted to bring Bully Ray in for the May 15th NXT Live Event which took place in Philadelphia.

WWE knew Bully Ray would get a big pop from the Philly crowd, but after he appeared on the May 8th edition of Impact Wrestling to referee a match between Kurt Angle and Eric Young, WWE nixed the idea to use Bully. The role went to Tommy Dreamer instead, and he ended up working an NXT match against Baron Corbin.

Despite recently returning to TNA as the new authority figure on Impact Wrestling, Bully Ray is still pushing for one last run in WWE with his tag team partner Devon. In a recent interview with The Fight Network, Ray said he thinks him and Devon are in their best shape

Team 3D inducted into the TNA Hall of Fame in Japan

Rumor Mill - WWE Targeting A Former TNA Name About A Return To The Company

The shakeups continue in WWE developmental. As we’ve seen over the last month, Joey Mercury was transferred as an NXT trainer to a main roster producer. This cleared the way for the hiring of Nick Dinsmore to replace him at the WWE Performance Center. The next guy in line for a transfer is Billy Gunn. Gunn is expected to join the main roster as a producer, which operates as a segue into our most interesting piece of information.

WWE has been in talks with Devon Dudley about possibly coming in as a developmental trainer. Devon has experience as a trainer as he a co-owner of the Team 3D Academy, which is also located in Florida. While many in WWE have said the Dudley Boyz would never be welcome back in WWE, it’s really Bully Ray that has the heat. Devon is seen as someone that is generally well-liked.

Triple H has said before he’d never bring the Dudley Boyz back because of his dislike for Bully Ray but he’s not opposed to Devon returning on his own as a trainer. Devon has told friends he doesn’t have interest in returning to TNA and he’s believed to be interested in WWE’s offer.