Screenwriter Max Landis Releases “Wrestling Isn’t Wrestling” Parodying WWE And Triple H’s Career Feat. Dozens of Cameos

American screenwriter Max Landis (Chronicle) has released a new “educational parody” called Wrestling Isn’t Wrestling. The 24-minute film, which is available in its entirety below, covers the entire career of 13-time world champion Triple H and brilliantly discusses professional wrestling as a storytelling medium.

Wrestling Isn’t Wrestling features dozens of special appearances, including cameos from wrestlers Joey Ryan, John Hennigan (Morrison), Christopher Daniels, Kazarian, Chris Hero, Becky Bayless, former WWE announcer Justin Roberts, Colt Cabana, JTG and Shad Gaspard, Ryan Nemeth and many others, as well as Seth Green, David Arquette and more.

This Day In Wrestling History

Happy Birthday to Greg "The Hammer" Valentine
September 20, 1951

Happy Birthday to Arn Anderson (Martin Anthony Lunde)
September 20, 1958

Shawn Michaels became the first ever "grand slam" winner in the history of the WWF(E) (Heavyweight, I.C., European, Tag)
September 20, 1997

Shawn Michaels, Triple H and Chyna form D-Generation X.
September 20, 1997

Vince McMahon gave up the WWF(E) Heavyweight title and declared it vacant.
September 20, 1999

Shawn Michaels discusses D-Generation X and SummerSlam

SummerSlam Panel Series

Members of the WWE Universe can get closer to their favorite Superstars and Hall of Famers than ever before this summer when Club Nokia at LA LIVE in Los Angeles hosts the live SummerSlam Panel series Aug. 15-17. Tickets for the interactive events go on sale at AXS.com starting this Saturday, July 26, at 1 p.m. ET/10 a.m. PT.

The panels give the WWE Universe the opportunity to ask questions directly to their favorite WWE Superstars and Hall of Famers including:

Hulk Hogan on Friday, August 15 at 7 PM PT. The WWE Hall of Famer and pop-culture icon will talk about his legendary career in and out of the ring, as well as his recent return to WWE.

"WWE 2K15" Roster Reveal hosted by Stone Cold Steve Austin featuring John Cena, Hulk Hogan, Roman Reigns, Sheamus and Cesaro on Saturday, August 16 at 10 AM PT. In addition to speaking about their respective WWE careers, the panelists will reveal the official roster for 2K’s upcoming WWE 2K15 video game, which is available October 28. VIP Ticket holders will receive their photo opportunity with Roman Reigns for this SummerSlam Panel.

D-Generation X, featuring Triple H and Shawn Michaels on Saturday, August 16 at 7 PM PT. One of the most popular and controversial groups in WWE history will address their rebellious exploits and discuss their lasting legacy.

Stone Cold Steve Austin on Sunday, August 17 at 12 Noon PT. The WWE Hall of Famer will discuss his monumental rise to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history.

Each panel will feature a two hour discussion and Q&A with fans in attendance. VIP experiences will follow. Ticket prices per panel are $50 for lower balcony seating; $100 for floor seating, which includes an exclusive SummerSlam Panels collectible pre-signed poster; and $200 for a VIP experience, which includes priority floor seating, a professional photo with select panel Superstars and an exclusive SummerSlam Panels collectible pre-signed poster. For more information on the SummerSlam Panels, please visit www.SummerSlam.com.

Kevin Nash Talks About The Kliq, Triple H In DX, Hulk Hogan's Heel Turn, John Cena

Kevin Nash recently spoke with The Miami Herald to promote Florida Supercon. Below are a few highlights:

Hulk Hogan's nWo heel turn and heels today:
"[Hulk] was watching the show, and he saw the momentum really shifting. He saw Scott and I as heel personas were perceived as being cool. He thought if there was a time to switch, it was now, because he could see the momentum going with Scott and I. So when he jumped, it was a shock, but it was a tsunami that pushed the thing for almost three years. It’s so hard. You look at John Cena. He plays the guy in the white cowboy hat,” Nash said. “Our society has gone with the anti-heroes probably since Brandon Lee in ‘The Crow.’ Times have changed. It’s no longer waving the flag as much as it was. There’s a lot of disgruntled people in society. When you look at the demographic, you ask, ‘Where’s the money at?’ Well, the money’s in this kind of tweener guy -- a bad guy with a cool persona. One thing about Hulk. If he smells dollar signs. it doesn’t take him long to make a decision. He saw the way it was going and made the decision."

The nWo and DX in WCW and WWE:
"They both had members of the Kliq. DX is what really made Triple H. He was playing the blue blood, and then Triple H went away from that persona and kind of took over DX, and that’s when Paul Levesque got to be himself. That’s when I think he really took off because he’s got an incredible sense of humor, a really fun loving guy. They kind of took our [nWo] formula. They [DX] were younger guys, and they made it a little hipper. Anytime WWE produces anything it’s going to be produced better.

WWE Raw Box Set Announced

WWE will be releasing a "Raw 20th Anniversary Collection" containing 12 DVDs (or 10 blu-ray discs) that boast a full 20 episodes of Monday Night Raw, "uncut and unedited".

The box set is available for pre-order now through Amazon.com, and will be released on December 3rd in the United States for $79.99. They have also released a brief synopsis of the collection:

"Commemorating the 20th Anniversary of Raw, WWE presents 20 of the most memorable Raw episodes in history all in one all-new collector's set. For the first time ever, this collection will feature 20 COMPLETE EPISODES of Raw spread out over 12 DVD discs (10 Blu-ray). Each episode will be featured in chronological order, and were carefully selected to present a wide range that showcases all eras, several milestones and historic moments throughout Raw history. This collection is a must-own for WWE fans."

Both the WCW/WWF "simulcast" and "homecoming" editions of Monday Night Raw will be included in the set. It's worth noting that if the collection is true to its word, and will leave each episode "uncut and unedited", both episodes feature matches with Chris Benoit. Other episodes that have been confirmed include Mankind's WWF Championship title win, the very first Raw Roulette, the night Raw finally ended Nitro's ratings dominance, the DX Invasion and the original ECW Invasion.

Blast From The Past: DX and Cryme Tyme

Rumor Mill - DX/Chyna/Ultimate Warrior in the WWE Hall of Fame

Recently there was speculation that Degeneration X would headline the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame inductees with all the members of the group including Chyna being inducted together. However, now it appears the inclusion of Chyna is unlikely due to her recent and continued involvement with the porn industry. There was talk of induction for DX last year as a group but this never materialized due to reports that Triple H wanted to be inducted by himself. Furthermore, the growing speculation is that the Ultimate Warrior will headline the 2014 Hall of Fame class. It is unlikely that either Triple H or Shawn Michaels would want to play second fiddle to the Warrior nor would Warrior want to be pegged behind DX.

source: wrestling observer

Rumor Mill - WWE Inducting DX In The HOF With A Controversial Member Next Year?

It looks like DX as a group will be the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame headliners. They were going to go in this year until WWE worked out a deal with Bruno Sammartino.

The big news coming out of a possible DX induction is the return of Chyna to WWE TV. Word going around WWE is that she will be invited. Sources close to Chyna are also aware of a possible induction and there may have been some early communication between the two sides already.

One Year Ago Today: Raw 1000

This Day In Wrestling History

42,000 fans attended the WWF and Super World of Sports' WrestleFest event at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan.
March 30, 1991

Triple H kicks Shawn Michaels out of D-Generation X and becomes the leader of the group. Later that night X-Pac, Billy Gunn and Road Dogg join DX with Triple H and Chyna.
March 30, 1998

WWE issued the following:

World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. Closes Transaction With Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.

STAMFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 30, 2001--World Wrestling Federation Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE: WWF - news) today announced that it has closed its transaction to acquire certain assets of World Championship Wrestling (WCW) from Turner Broadcasting System, Inc.
March 30, 2001

Wrestlemania 24 takes place, featuring Ric Flair's final WWE match. Flair would retire after Wrestlemania, but later come back to wrestle on shows in Australia for Hulk Hogan and for TNA.
March 30, 2008

Rumor Mill - What Happened to the DX-Hall of Fame Induction?

Wrestlezone.com is reporting that prior to the announcement of Bruno Sammartino going into the Hall of Fame at Madison Square Garden that D-Generation X was the front-runner to join Mick Foley on top of this year's class. While that idea was certainly being discussed, it would have likely not happened, regardless of Bruno's involvement.

Vince McMahon was said to be the one really pushing for the DX induction this year. However, Hunter was said to be resisting that decision, for now. He wants to go into he Hall of Fame by himself before being inducted with D-Generation X. He would have likely won that battle in the end. There was no talk of putting Hunter in by himself this particular year, as he'll be working more matches in the future.

If Bruno Sammartino was not worked out for this year's HOF class, Kevin Nash most likely would have been the co-headliner along with Mick Foley.

WWE 'Shooting Straight' Panels Recap

It wasn’t long after Michael Cole politely reminded the members of D-Generation X that WWE is now in a post–Attitude Era during their “Shooting Straight” panel that Triple H fired out a word that would have had network executives pulling out their hair had it been uttered during a live Raw broadcast.

From that moment on, it was clear that WWE’s new “Shooting Straight” panels were going to be every bit as uncensored as the advertisements promised.

Introduced to the WWE Universe as part of Royal Rumble’s Fan Fest weekend, the three sessions — which focused on 1997’s Montreal Screwjob, D-Generation X and WCW — gave an intimate crowd of WWE fans the opportunity to hear inside stories about some of the most pivotal moments in sports-entertainment history from the men who lived them.

“I think it’s something we should have done a long time ago,” Booker T told WWE.com shortly after participating in Sunday’s WCW panel. “Letting our fans get a chance to ask those questions they’ve been wanting to ask for years and getting a true answer from someone who was there — I think it’s priceless.”

It was early Saturday night when WWE Hall of Famers Shawn Michaels, Bret “Hit Man” Hart and Jerry “The King” Lawler sat down with Michael Cole to discuss the infamous events of the 1997 Survivor Series. Although it has been nearly 16 years since the most notorious night in WWE history, it was clear that the controversies of that evening still resonate with WWE fans. As for HBK and Hart, both have matured considerably and have let go of any animosity. Still, The Excellence of Execution took pleasure in graphically describing the loogie he spit in Mr. McMahon’s face seconds after he was conned out of the WWE Title.

“That was like a 10 egg white omelet,” the “Hit Man” said with a laugh.

The next panel got just as messy as D-Generation X members Shawn Michaels, Triple H, X-Pac, Billy Gunn and The Road Dogg got together with Michael Cole to reminisce about the most anti-authority group in WWE history. In between crude jokes and bouts of riotous laughter, The Game revealed that he was nearly paired up with The Honky Tonk Man before DX took off. Another untold tale aired out for those in attendance was how, following DX’s infamous “attack” on WCW in Norfolk, Va., a subsequent invasion of WCW’s Atlanta headquarters nearly got the boys thrown in jail.

“They called the police and told them they were under attack from a militia group,” Triple H said, still in disbelief. “A hundred cops came with riot squads!”

The weekend’s final panel got underway on Sunday morning when former WCW competitors Booker T, Big Show, X-Pac and Kevin Nash talked with moderator Matt Striker about the rise of The New World Order and The Monday Night War. As expected, nothing was left unsaid as Nash revealed that Sting was nearly the third man to join the original nWo and that the reckless Goldberg was his least favorite competitor to face. On the topic of Goldberg, X-Pac added that the former WCW Champion wanted to call himself “The Hybrid” before his impressive winning streak began.

By the time the WCW panel ended, it was clear that WWE had taken a revolutionary step in inviting the audience behind the scenes. For the traditionally guarded world of professional wrestling, it’s a major shift, but one that is welcome.

“Whoever came up with this idea is an absolute genius, because the goal of WWE is to grow and I saw children out there who don’t remember The nWo and now they’re going to go back and learn about them,” Striker told WWE.com.

If you weren’t able to be in Phoenix for the first “Shooting Straight” panels, don’t fret. Chances are WWE will be bringing these innovative sessions to your town in the near future.

“I think it was a hit,” The Game said during the final moments of the DX panel. “And I think it’s something we’re going to do more often.”

source: wwe.com

Photos: DX Panel at Royal Rumble Fanfest

Photo: DX at the Royal Rumble Fanfest

Rumor Mill - Potential WWE Hall of Fame Inductees

There has also been talk of inducting either DX or The Kliq (Shawn Michaels, Triple H, Kevin Nash, Scott Hall and Sean Waltman) as one group, depending on who you talk to, but we can't confirm 100% which will happen - just that it's been discussed over the last week. My money is on DX.

Former WWF champion Bob Backlund was at WWE HQ in Stamford, CT last Friday as the company wants to induct him into their Hall of Fame. Backlund was actually scheduled to be inducted in 2004 but pulled out. We are told that Backlund has not yet accepted the honor for 2013.

WWE has reached out to James "Kamala" Harris about being inducted into the 2013 WWE Hall of Fame class Wrestlemania weekend. Kamala, worked as a main eventer in his house show run with Hulk Hogan in 1986 and 1987 as well as Undertaker's opponent at Summerslam '92 in Wembley Stadium. He was later turned into a comedic undercard babyface. Outside of WWF, he also had big runs in Memphis and several other territories and worked in WCW as a member of Kevin Sullivan's Dungeon of Doom. He is a worthy inductee.

The word within WWE HQ over the last week is that they hope to again reach out to Bruno Sammartino to ask him to accept being inducted into the Hall. It was believed by one source that HHH was going to offer to personally travel to Pittsburgh to talk to Bruno. It should be noted that when they first asked Bruno and he turned it down, Sammartino noted during an interview with me that he couldn't see himself going in as long as Vince McMahon was around.

source: pwinsider.com

DX-Kliq Reunion at NXT

Shawn Michaels comes out to the ring and puts over the entire NXT roster. Shawn talks about the NXT Tag Team Championship, saying he was once a Tag Team Champion and it’s one of the biggest honors of his career. Fans chant for Triple H and Michaels says he’s busy right now. Triple H comes out moments later, but heads to the back and comes back out to Degeneration X music. Michaels and Triple H exchange stories and talk about their hair problems. Kevin Nash comes out followed by Billy Gunn and X-Pac. Damien Sandow interrupted the DX-Kliq reunion. Triple H eventually apologizes to Sandow on behalf of them all and asks him to do his cartwheel so they can apologize and then end the event. Sandow takes off his robe and Triple H asks that the audience do a drumroll. Sandow does the cartwheel and is immediately hit afterwards with a Sweet Chin Music from Michaels. Everyone but Michaels leaves the ring. Michaels closes things out by saying if you’re not down with that, we got two words for ya and fans say “suck it!”.

This Day In Wrestling History

Happy Birthday to Jim Ross
January 3, 1952

Bruiser Brody defeats Fritz Von Erich to win the World Class American Heavyweight Title in Atlanta, Georgia, ending Von Erich's 13th reign, which lasted only four days.
January 3, 1977

The Monday Night War entered its final full year, with RAW is WAR defeating Monday Nitro solidly, 6.4 to 3.3.
January 3, 2000

WWF(E) RAW is WAR took place at the brand-new (it opened three days earlier) AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida. That night's RAW featured D-Generation X's "epic" Mankind-bashing film entitled "Have a Bad Day". The show also featured Triple H winning his second WWF(E) Title, defeating Big Show. That night's RAW also featured Stephanie McMahon declaring Chris Jericho and Chyna co-Intercontinental Champions, after their double-pin on the previous week's SmackDown!.
January 3, 2000

WWE Announces Royal Rumble Fan Fest In Phoenix, Arizona

WWE has announced that next month's 2013 Royal Rumble from Phoenix, Arizona will feature a Royal Rumble Fan Fest. Tickets go on sale this Thursday morning, with the fan fest taking place on Saturday, January 26th from the US Airways Center, the day before the Rumble.

The events will include three Superstar Panels, including one looking at the Montreal Screwjob, one focusing on DX and the other looking at the Monday Night Wars. Fans can buy tickets to the Royal Rumble Fan Fest, an "All-Access Experience" or the three individual panels. Here is additional information on each event from Ticketmaster.com:

WWE Royal Rumble Fan Fest

- WWE Ring with NXT matches
- Appearances by WWE Superstars, Divas and Legends (will not include autographs)
- Live Bands
- Food Trucks
- Local Sponsors

WWE Royal Rumble Fan Fest ALL-ACCESS Experience

- Street Fair Ticket for Saturday 1/26/13 12p - 4p only
- Located on 1st Street between Madison and Jefferson & on the USAC Plaza
- All 3 Fan Panels discussions with moderator plus WWE Superstars and Legends
- Located in the Casino Arizona Pavilion
- VIP reception in Blue Moon Club follows panel where fan mingle with WWE Superstars and Legends
- Includes food and beverage
- Commemorative Autographed Gift per person

Panel #1: Montreal Screwjob:

November 9, 1997: a day that will forever live in sports entertainment infamy. Over a decade later, the Montreal Screwjob still remains one of the most unforgettable moments in WWE history. Return to the scene of the crime, and revisit the whole story from the people who experienced it firsthand.

Panel #2: DX:

WWE Universe, ARE YOU READY??? From an era filled with rule-breakers, DX stands alone as the most uncontrollable, unpredictable, and undeniable force in WWE history. Get a first-hand lowdown on DX's most rebellious exploits and discuss the group's lasting legacy from DX members ready to tell it all.

Panel #3: WCW & Monday Night Wars

For 84 consecutive weeks during the Monday Night Wars, WCW defeated WWE in the ratings on the strength of the nWo phenomenon, the wizardry of the cruiserweights, and an almost unlimited budget. Hear from WCW's most influential personalities as they tell the in-depth story of the innovative thinking that led to WCW's meteoric rise and the embarrassing failures that ultimately led to its downfall.

Mike Tyson Comments On If He Would Wrestle For WWE, Thoughts On Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather, The Shield

ESPN has a new Q&A online with Mike Tyson to promote WWE ’13. Below are the highlights:

Would he wrestle for WWE:

If I’m healthy, and I am, I think, I would do it,” he said. “You have to be in shape. You can’t just come off the street and do this stuff. I did a little wrestling before in there during rehearsal, and you have to be in top shape. You gotta work out. You’re going to get hurt, so you have to be in shape that way you can make sure you limit the damage.

Before boxing, I was a WWF fan. It’s like a soap opera for men. That’s what poor, inner-city kids did, we watched these guys wrestle and we fantasized about being them and that glory and that fighting.

Thoughts on Big Show vs. Floyd Mayweather at Wrestlemania:

I was so mad when they did that s—. Floyd can’t beat no [expletive] Big Show. That’s bulls—. I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I forgot I was doing an interview, but he was fighting one of my boys.

What he thinks of The Shield:

I like them, but it’s tough getting used to all the new guys. Back in the day, these guys were around for 20 years, but now, they just don’t have long careers like they used to have. As far as entertainment, nobody beats Mick Foley. He must’ve broke every bone in his body. I saw him and Terry Funk fight one time and they should’ve died. They should’ve been dead. I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. They must be some hard-core guys.

Another guy I like is Randy Orton. He’s so different than his dad. Cowboy Bob Orton with the belly and the big old hat. Randy has the Superman physique, but his dad was that big-bellied guy who had a broken arm for like 10 years [laughs]. Times change, you gotta change with the times.

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