Steve Austin And Ric Flair On His Legacy, Vince McMahon And Triple H Relationships, Charlotte, More

Steve Austin's pre-recorded "Stone Cold Podcast" with Ric Flair kicks off on the WWE Network from Austin's Broken Skull Ranch in south Texas. Austin says it's hot as hell and he's got the greatest pro wrestler on God's green Earth in front of him. Flair jokes about how far out Austin's ranch is and asks how he went from Los Angeles to being 100 miles away from anything. Austin says it's relaxing and he dedicates two months to staying there and getting away.

Austin says he believes Flair is the greatest ever to lace up a pair of boots and Flair thanks him. Austin asks about Flair calling himself a "black market baby" in his book. Flair says he was "stolen" from a hospital and put into an orphanage. He's never met his original parents and never wanted to. He was adopted and moved to Detroit, later told at age 10 that he was adopted. Flair says it didn't bother him as a kid and he didn't think about it. He says he has an ex-wife who is still upset that he never looked into his real family. He says his mom and dad were great and probably didn't understand the kind of kid they were taking on. Austin asks if Flair was a little crazy growing up. Flair says in 9th grade, he was going to either private school or detention school. He was driving his parents' motorcycle and car around while they were away, and got caught trying to buy liquor. He went to a private school in Wisconsin and said within two days, he was handed a fake ID that said he was 18 years old.

Flair talks about selling life insurance before getting into pro wrestling. He sold a bunch of his friends $10,000 policies and was "riding high" or living good. Flair says still to this day, he has a hard time understanding what moderation means. Flair talks about trying pro wrestling out and says he quit after the first two days of training but Verne Gagne made him get back in and not give up. He wanted to use the name Ramblin' Ricky Rhodes and go as Dusty Rhodes' brother but Verne said that wasn't happening and he's been using Ric Flair from the beginning. He says he was making $1,000 per week within a month and back then, that was big money. Flair says he went and bought a black four-door Cadillac Fleetwood. Austin brings up the tragic plane crash in 1975 that broke Flair's back. Flair says they hit the ground going 230 mph and the seat belt held him but was part of what caused his back injury. Flair was back in the ring 8 months later after being told he would never wrestle again. He was still paid weekly by Crockett Promotions while at home in bed. Flair knew a a month and a half later he would return one day.

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Rumor Mill - Backstage News on the Controversial WWE RAW Angle with Paige and Charlotte, Was It Almost Nixed?

Regarding the controversial RAW ending with Paige and WWE Divas Champion Charlotte this week, where Paige took a shot at Charlotte's late brother Reid Flair, PWInsider reports that the idea to mention Reid was presented to Charlotte and she was able to give feedback on the angle, in terms of the verbiage she would use and the way the angle was being presented - as a way to give Charlotte some sympathy from the fans.

The original idea reportedly came from something Charlotte mentioned to WWE creative recently, about how her entire career is a tribute to Reid. Apparently some parts of the angle were dropped throughout the day and other parts evolved. Charlotte was not forced into the segment and was given time to prepare or give feedback during the day.

It was also noted that the angle was discussed a lot throughout the day and senior WWE creative members were against it. Some voiced their opinions to Vince McMahon, who ultimately made the call. There's talk that the angle was actually pulled before RAW went on the air but Vince made the decision to keep it on the show.

WWE Issues Statement On Controversial Charlotte And Paige RAW Angle

As noted, WWE was planning on releasing a statement in regards to the controversial RAW angle with Paige and WWE Divas Champion Charlotte, where Charlotte's late brother Reid Flair was insulted by Paige.

They issued this statement to F4Wonline.com this evening:

"Subject matter this personal is only approved as a result of the strong advocacy of the talent themselves. Notwithstanding that, WWE is ultimately responsible for what airs in its programming."

Rumor Mill - WWE To Issue Statement On Charlotte - Paige Angle

F4Wonline.com reports that WWE will be releasing a statement on the controversial RAW main event angle with Paige and WWE Divas Champion Charlotte soon. The statement will reportedly say that the idea came from Charlotte, and that it was taken out of the script but she insisted it be put in.

Ric Flair Talks About the WWE RAW Ending with Paige and Charlotte

This week's Monday Night Raw made waves, but perhaps not in the manner in which WWE wanted. The show closed with a controversial angle that saw Paige bring up Charlotte's deceased brother Reid. Many fans, wrestlers, and even Reid's mother thought it was in bad taste.

Ric Flair, Reid's father spoke out on his CBS Radio and Play.it Wooo! Nation podcast, about the controversy and said that he was never approached about his feelings regarding the angle.

Flair also said that his daughter Ashley, better known as Charlotte, was probably too afraid to shoot down the angle because she's not been on the roster very long.

"Obviously I have an opinion, but I'm afraid to voice it because I don't want anything to affect Ashley's career," said Ric. "I know that Hunter and Stephanie and Michael Hayes have her back. I don't think she feels she's comfortable enough to say 'no' to anything yet, she's only been up there three-months"

Flair mentioned that just because Charlotte is the current Divas Title holder, it's still tough for anyone to say no to storyline ideas on the WWE main roster.

"It's a pressure cooker, and a tough spot to be in," Flair explained. "If you're asked to do something, that's pretty much the way things operate up there. Everybody walks on pins and needles. Just because you're the champ, doesn't mean you say no. It's a very sensitive issue, it's very new. I know her mom is on fire. I'm not going out on a limb to say what I think."

Flair very clearly wasn't happy with the angle, and wasn't approached prior or after it happened on television, saying "I never heard a word about it. I started crying when I was watching." He reiterated that Triple H, Stephanie and Michael Hayes wouldn't do anything to intentionally hurt Charlotte.

Flair said that even though he wasn't approached, he doesn't think it would have mattered.

"I don't think that it would have made any difference. If they ask you to do something, what is she going to say? 'No, I quit?," Flair said, before asking his co-host what the fans on the internet thought

Flair also mentioned that he'd be in Atlanta for Survivor Series, and that he thinks this situation will be old news be then. You can hear the full, emotional podcast over at the Play.it podcast network this link.

Full 2015 PWI Female 50 List Revealed

Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s annual Female 50 issue has been released digitally, revealing the entire 2015 list.

As previously announced, Nikki Bella tops the list, followed by Paige, Sasha Banks, Santana Garrett and Gail Kim.

View the full list below. Last year’s placement is in parenthesis:

1. Nikki Bella (24)
2. Paige (1)
3. Sasha Banks (-)
4. Santana Garrett (15)
5. Gail Kim (3)
6. Charlotte (10)
7. Naomi (39)
8. Cherry Bomb (26)
9. Courtney Rush (8)
10. Taryn Terrell (36)
11. Bayley (19)
12. Brie Bella (16)
13. Sexy Star (-)
14. Cheerleader Melissa (4)
15. LuFisto (5)
16. Nicole Matthews (30)
17. Becky Lynch (41)
18. Kimber Lee (28)
19. Natalya (9)
20. Jessicka Havok (13)

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Ric Flair Talks ESPN 30 For 30 Special, Hurdles With WWE, Which Other Wrestler They Were Considering

Two-time WWE Hall Of Famer Ric Flair will be featured on an upcoming episode of ESPN's 30 for 30 series. Flair recently took to his podcast, WOOOOO! Nation, to share some details on the upcoming project.

According to 'the Nature Boy', the special will be a full 30 for 30 episode, unlike the 30 for 30 Shorts episode detailing the Von Erichs. Flair stated that his episode of 30 for 30 will cover his whole life, including his professional wrestling championships, his personal life, and more.

"Well, it's my whole life. It [has] a little bit to do with my airplane crash, of course, and then coming back from that. And then the titles and the championships and it touches a lot on my personal life, which has been up and down. Right now, it's perfect, but I had a couple rough years there. And it talks about my son, Reid. [ESPN] wanted to talk about him, how special he was to me. And then, a lot about Ashley, Charlotte, who is now the champion in WWE, the Divas division. And about my other two children, Megan and David. So, it was very nice. And then, it talked about where I am today".

Flair stated that the project has taken over a year and a half to come together and the main hurdle was getting permission from WWE to use its video footage.

"The WWE is very, very protective of their intellectual property," Flair claimed. "[The project] is mutually beneficial for all of us, but it just took a while to get everybody on the same page and to work on it diligently for, I guess, it has been a year and a half now. And all of a sudden, it's coming to fruition."

Flair said that six hours of interview footage has already been shot and another 12 or 13 hours of interviews are left to shoot.

"We shot the first six hours and we'll shoot another six or seven hours, which [WOOOOO! Nation co-host, Conrad Thompson] will be a part of, at [WWE] Survivor Series. And then, there will be another six hour shoot. And then, of course, all of the stuff [ESPN] will pull from the library in Stamford, Connecticut with the WWE to put together the whole film. So it'll be exciting!"

For Flair, being the subject of ESPN's 30 for 30 is a point of pride both as a fan of the series and as a legendary professional wrestler.

"For me, I love watching that show. I've seen, probably, 25 or 30 of the 30 for 30 [episodes] in the last couple of years. It's a great, great format and to be the first [professional] wrestler they've ever even considered doing it with, I know they were entertaining the idea of [doing an episode on] Andre the Giant, and how they arrived at me, I don't know, but I'm very proud of that fact. And, certainly, there are a lot of guys in our business that have been successful, but, at the same time, I guess they feel like I've kind of transcended pop culture and stuff like that. And all the years of entertaining myself have paid off!"

Also, on this episode of WOOOOO! Nation, Flair talked with former professional wrestling announcer, Tony Schiavone. Click here to listen to the podcast.

source: WOOOOO! Nation podcast

Nikki Bella Teases Big Celebration For Raw

Charlotte announced on Raw last night that The Authority has granted her petition and she will get her title shot against WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella on next week's RAW instead of at the Night of Champions pay-per-view.

Nikki noted on tonight's show that she will be having a special celebration on next week's RAW as she will be breaking AJ Lee's record then, if she can win the match against Charlotte.

It's possible they do a finish on RAW to where the match still happens at the pay-per-view.

TNA Announces Wrestler Has Been Arrested

TNA issued the following on Bram, who was previously married to WWE Diva Charlotte:

Bram Arrested in Florida, Suspended Indefinitely

TNA has been advised by the Gulfport, Florida Police Department that Thomas Latimer, known as Bram, has been arrested and charged with two felony counts of domestic battery and false imprisonment. TNA is working to gather facts and obtain additional information related to the arrest.

"The charges against Thomas Latimer are serious, and he is immediately and indefinitely suspended from any future TNA-sanctioned events awaiting the outcome of the case," said TNA Executive Vice President of Television and Talent John Gaburick.

Apparently Charlotte and Bram split earlier this summer. Latimer married Ashley Fliehr, a.k.a. WWE Diva Charlotte, in 2013. The couple is reportedly no longer married, and the incident didn't involve her. Latimer had been dating Ashley Allen, who was pushing Bram merchandise up until last week on Twitter.

WWE Announces First Ever Divas Beat the Clock Challenge for Raw Monday Night

WWE has announced the first-ever Divas Beat The Clock Challenge will take place on WWE Raw Monday night in Tampa. The match will feature Paige, Charlotte and Becky Lynch, and their opponents have yet to be named.

The rules of the match stipulate that the Diva who wins her match in the shortest amount of time will earn a shot at WWE Divas Champion Nikki Bella at the Night of Champions PPV.

Natalya Talks Her Relationship With Triple H

"Triple H...actually, I felt like I never really had a relationship with Triple H before I started going down to NXT; it's not his fault, he's a busy guy. But Triple H is the one who gave me all the time for that match [with Charlotte] to start with. I mean, I probably shouldn't say this, but he gave me no time limit. He actually said 'There is no time.' Most people don't know that, but he said 'Paint whatever picture you want on this canvas.' We all knew how special it would be."

WWE Taps Out ... On 'Submission Sorority'

The WWE fixed its colossal XXX mistake ... by dropping its Divas team name after it accidentally pointed fans toward tons of Internet porn.

According to the WWE, it changed Paige, Charlotte and Becky's Submission Sorority because its TV programming is PG -- and they didn't know the name had porn ties.

As we reported ... the search results for Submission Sorority turned up thousands of porn results.

During Thursday night’s episode of "SmackDown" the Diva team name was quietly changed to PCB on parts of WWE's website. Charlotte even started hashtagging with it.

source: tmz.com

WWE To Change Stable Name Due To Adult Website?

As noted, WWE has given Paige, Becky Lynch and Charlotte the "Submission Sorority" name for their stable. WWE did not do proper research and quickly found out that this is the same name of an adult website.

There's talk of changing the group name to The Submission Sisters. The idea of calling them the Horsewomen was also thrown around but that could be seen as stepping on Ronda Rousey's toes.

Paige And Steve Austin On Who Started The Divas Revolution, More

Austin brings up Triple H being a big influence on her and she says he's been a huge influence. She went through a stage where she had bad luck - a car wreck, surgery, had to be out of action for 3 months, her bank account got hacked and her dog got hit by a car. She was ready to go back home but Triple H worked with her and soon after she made history by winning the NXT Women's Title. She says the whole Divas Revolution really was started by Triple H. The next Twitter question asks if Paige she thinks she started it. Triple H was the one who started it with NXT. She brings up AJ Lee and says she looked up to her. She talks about how surprised they were when Triple H gave she and Emma 20 minutes at the first NXT special. She says he started it but her and Emma got the ball rolling. She says they opened the door for other Divas like Charlotte and Bayley but she gives huge props to trainer Sara Del Rey. She also gives props to Finlay and Dean Malenko, who she goes to a lot these days...More?

Video: Stephanie McMahon launches a revolution in the Divas division by introducing Becky Lynch, Charlotte and NXT Women's Champion Sasha Banks on Raw

Three NXT Divas Debut On Tonight's WWE RAW

Sometimes all you need is a spark to start a revolution. - Triple H

NXT Stars at the San Diego Comic-Con

The annual WWE and Mattel panel at the San Diego Comic-Con on Thursday, July 9th will feature Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, William Regal, Kevin Owens, Charlotte and others. Below is the official promotional blurb released:

"Once again, Mattel and WWE have teamed up to bring you an action-packed SDCC panel. WWE & NXT Superstars and Mattel personnel will discuss the tremendous growth in popularity of NXT, weigh in on the next generation of WWE Superstars, and give exclusive sneak peeks of Mattel's upcoming WWE figure releases. Incredible guest appearances by William Regal, Seth Rollins, Sami Zayn, Kevin Owens, Charlotte, and additional special guests."

This Day In Wrestling History: NXT Takeover Is Born

Today is the one year anniversary of the first ever NXT Takeover live event on the WWE Network. Charlotte defeated Natalya in an incredible match to become the new NXT Women’s Championship, and Andrian Neville successfully defended the NXT Championship against Tyson Kidd in the main event.

Natalya took to Instagram to comment on her excellent, critically acclaimed match with Charlotte for the NXT Women’s Championship.

Instagram @natbynature:

One year ago today I had a “WrestleMania moment” in front of 400 people in Winter Park, Florida. Everything I’ve ever learned from The Dungeon in Calgary, training in Japan, wrestling in England & of course WWE Developmental, were put to the test. All of the places I traveled to wrestling for very little money (OK 8 loonies) and sometimes very small crowds (9 people in Cold Lake, Alberta anyone? AND wearing a hideous fuchsia singlet my uncle Ross designed for me) proved to be invaluable experiences preparing me for a ‘moment’ like this. (I’ll save the rest of the sob stories, because we all have them across the board! Cry me a river and then get over it!) It was all worth it to be given the opportunity we were given at #NXT. We were afforded the TIME, the HYPE and most importantly the RESPECT of serious women athletes. It was surreal and unforgettable. And I wish so much I could experience more of this. That is a dream I have: That EVERY girl I work with, who has a real passion for this, gets a chance to paint their own masterpiece in the ring and feel on top of the world. 
#TBT to when @charlottewwe vs. @natbynature stole the show at the first ever #NXTTakeOver! Watch us now on the Award-Winning #WWENetwork!

'The Four Horsewomen' of NXT: Sasha Banks, Charlotte, Bayley and Becky Lynch on how they're changing women's wrestling

If you’ve watched WWE NXT any time in the past year (and you really should be watching WWE NXT), you’ve likely noticed something: The women’s division is really damn good.

Bolstered by out-of-nowhere performances by the likes of NXT Women’s Champion Sasha Banks and more, the ladies of NXT have blown up to main-level attractions under the guidance of WWE COO Triple H. As NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable approached, and just hours before Sasha and Ric Flair progeny Charlotte main-evented NXT’s first Live Event in Philadelphia, Charlotte, Sasha, Bayley and Becky Lynch sat down for a roundtable interview with WWE.com. The division’s “Four Horsewomen” opened up on how they got to where they are, where they see themselves going (hint: WrestleMania) and why someday they’ll tell the boys to “Follow that.”

So without further ado, sit back and enjoy some straight shooting from the show-stealin’, wheelin’-dealin’, high-flyin’, revolutionizin’, hug-givin’, match-winnin’ and (onetime) Irish-jiggin’ women — key word — of NXT. Click here.

Ric Flair Talks Wanting To See Triple H In The Ring More, If He Will Return As A Manager, More

WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair spoke to Tom Feaheny about his UK tour, his thoughts on WWE talent, his daughter Charlotte's current run in NXT and more. Below are some highlights:

Returning to the WWE as a wrestler:

"Physically I am more than able to return I don't think that's going to happen, Vincent Kennedy McMahon does not have me on the roster."

Returning to the WWE as a manager:

"I would love that I have been waiting on that for two years, but I don't anticipate that happening now, I understand that they have so many young guys, people they want to get established. I have no problem with it, but I don't think it will happen."

His daughter wrestling in NXT:

"I think she is going to be one of the biggest stars in the female division... I don't miss one of her matches, if I'm not there in person I am watching her on the network."

Triple H's role in WWE and NXT:

"I personally wish he was in the ring more because he is such a great performer. It's hard to maintain that edge when you are working part-time, I think he is doing a phenomenal job on a personal note, NXT is his baby and he has a lot to say about Raw and Smackdown and he is doing a great job, when you wrestle part-time the chances of injury can happen much easier."