How Did The WWE Total Divas Season Premiere Do?

Tuesday's WWE Total Divas season 5 premiere on the E! network drew 1.115 million viewers and ranked #9 for the night on cable.

This is up 14% from the season 4 premiere, which drew 975,000 viewers. This is down 7% from the season 3 premiere, which drew 1.2 million viewers.

The season 4 finale back in September drew 1.158 million viewers.

Total Divas Season 5 Premiere Recap

Eva Marie Talks Negative Crowd Reaction Affecting Her Mentally, Speaking with Vince & Triple H About Improving, Retiring the Word “Diva”

WWE Diva and Total Divas cast member Eva Marie recently spoke with FanSided.com and below are some interview highlights:

The fan reaction is a big part of your career starting when you first debuted on Raw in 2013. However, when you continued to go out in front of the crowd the reaction was very negative. How do the boos and criticism affect you mentally?

When I first started, definitely. I would be lying if I said it didn’t just because I am human. Walking into the WWE I was brand new; I did not know how things worked. Deep down I wanted everyone to cheer and adore me but this is the WWE where it doesn’t work that way all the time. There’s a good guy and a bad guy, and I am pretty badass bad guy.

Now that I have the training behind me, I think that really shows I do have the skills and talent to become a well-rounded wrestler. I think it goes back to me asking Vince [McMahon] and Triple H on wanting to go back to NXT to hone my craft and learn the ropes. I feel extremely confident when I walk out there now and I embrace the boos and the craziness from the WWE and NXT Universe.

You mentioned speaking with both Vince McMahon and Triple H about your career and what you could do to help your wrestling skill set. Do you think you were brought up too soon to the main roster and that was extra pressure for you to succeed?

I don’t think I was brought up to soon. I mean, everything for me has come in so quickly. I got my developmental deal at the same time “Total Divas” was debuting. I was put in a position with an amazing opportunity and if anybody was given the same, you better take it and run. Did I have the wrestling training behind that? No I didn’t. For me I’ve always been an athlete and wanted to be the best at everything I do. Plus, with NXT and the facilities they offer, I would be silly not to take that on. Look at me now though, I am on the road and continuing to improve each and every day.

Her reaction to Charlotte wanting to retire the word “Diva”:

I mean, at the end of the day we are all women wrestlers. But we also all are entertainers. I feel if they call me a Diva or a wrestler I think it’s the same thing.

Triple H Congratulates The WWE NXT Year-End Award Winners With William Regal

The first-ever WWE NXT Year-End Awards were revealed on tonight's episode - Enzo Amore and Colin Cassady as Tag Team of the Year, Bayley as Female Competitor of the Year, Finn Balor as Male Competitor of the Year, Finn Balor as Overall Competitor of the Year, NXT "Takeover: Brooklyn" as Takeover of the Year and Sasha Banks vs. Bayley in Brooklyn as the Match of the Year.

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.

More?

WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Triple H’s Vision for NXT, Advice for WWE and NXT Divas, More

WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus recently spoke with Journey of a Frontman, and below are some interview highlights:

Her Advice To NXT Women:

“They have to challenge themselves and step out of the box every time they go out there. They have to stand out and give the fans somethng that intrigues them and will make them want to see more of them. I think people get used to their go-to moves and like staying in their comfort zone. But, even if its working, you still gotta mix it up. At the end of the day, it’s about going out there and making it the best damn two minutes you’ve ever made for yourself. Also spotting the opportunity to do that is important. us. I think right now is the time we are waiting for that big star from the women to break out.”

Triple H’s Vision For NXT:

“Well the thing about Triple H is he’s very smart and is a visionary really. As the person in charge of talent, his job is to recognize their abilities, spot their potential, then provide them with the opportunity that could elevate them that way they can make the most of them in the company. The cool thing is that he looked at the Divas division and he didn’t just see them as women, he saw these amazing athletes and characters that could do well on the show and connect with the fans. That’s what he did, he gave them the opportunity. Once the fans connect with them, they’re golden. It’s cool to see Triple H in this role, it’s no coincidence this vision is coming from a multi-time champion who knows a thing or two about what works in the ring.”

WWE Breaking Ground Season One Finale Recap

Triple H Announces First Ever WWE NXT Year-End Awards Will Air on NXT, Categories and Date of Show Revealed

Which NXT Superstar had the best 2015? What was your favorite NXT match of the year? You will be able to make your voice heard on these topics and more, starting tomorrow!

WWE COO Triple H announced on Twitter that the first NXT Year-End Awards in WWE history, recognizing the best NXT had to offer in 2015, will be presented on the Jan. 13 edition of NXT on WWE Network. The NXT Universe will be able to cast their votes exclusively on WWE.com, beginning New Year’s Day at 10 a.m. ET in six categories. The awards are:

Overall Competitor of the Year
Male Competitor of the Year
Female Competitor of the Year
Tag Team of the Year
Match of the Year
TakeOver of the Year

Polls for the inaugural NXT Year-End Awards open tomorrow, Jan. 1, 2016, at 10 a.m. ET on WWE.com and close on Jan. 6 at 10 a.m. ET. Don’t miss the chance to help your favorite NXT Superstars win these prestigious honors!

2015 Slammy Award Winners

Match of the Year

WINNER: The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar at Hell in a Cell

This Is Awesome Moment of the Year

WINNER: The Rock and Ronda Rousey confront The Authority at WrestleMania 31

Diva of the Year

WINNER: Nikki Bella

Surprise Return of the Year

WINNER: Sting returns, posing as Seth Rollins' statue, and attacks The Architect (Raw, Aug. 24)

Hero In All of Us

WINNER: John Cena

Superstar of the Year

WINNER: Seth Rollins

OMG Shocking Moment of the Year

WINNER: Kalisto's Salida del Sol through a ladder at WWE TLC

LOL Moment of the Year

WINNER: R-Truth for thinking he was in Money In the Bank

Breakout Star of the Year

WINNER: Neville

Rivalry of the Year

WINNER: The Undertaker vs. Brock Lesnar

Best Original WWE Network Original

WINNER: Stone Cold Podcast

Double Cross of the Year

WINNER: Damien Mizdow eliminates The Miz from the Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania

Extreme Moment of the Year

WINNER: Roman Reigns levels The League of Nations and Triple H at WWE TLC

WWE Tag Team of the Year

WINNER: The Usos

Best John Cena US Open Challenge

WINNER: John Cena vs. Cesaro (Raw, July 6)

Hashtag of the Year

WINNER: #SuplexCity

Celebrity Moment of the Year

WINNER: Stephen Amell dives onto Stardust at SummerSlam

"Tell Me You Didn't Just Say That" Moment of the Year

WINNER: Brock Lesnar coins "Suplex City" at WrestleMania

WWE NXT Takeover: London Results

Kimber Lee Soaks In Historic Victory

Back on July 13, WWE launched what it called a “divas revolution.”

Sasha Banks, Charlotte and Becky Lynch made the jump from NXT, WWE’s popular developmental territory, to its main roster. On NXT, Banks, Charlotte and Lynch, along with Bayley, broke down barriers for women’s wrestling by earning the same billing as the men by showcasing their in-ring prowess and captivating characters.

When the trio made finally made its way up to WWE, it created a buzz among the wrestling community, as it signaled what was supposed to be a shift in how WWE presented women’s wrestling from an uncoordinated cat fight to a technical showcase of skill that rivaled the quality of men’s matches.

While WWE considered what is was doing revolutionary, it wasn’t necessarily historic. Sure, Banks and Bayley became the first women to headline a WWE special event, but that was in NXT, not on one of WWE’s main shows.

However, something truly historic did occur at the 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on Dec. 5.

On that night, Seattle native and University of the Arts graduate Kimber Lee captured the CHIKARA Grand championship at the company’s season finale, Top Banana.

With the victory, Lee (or Princess KimberLee in CHIKARA) became the first woman to win the primary championship of a non-female promotion in the history of professional wrestling in the United States.

More?

Triple H Addresses Fan Frustration with the Current WWE Product, Explains Why Talents Like Finn Balor Are Not on the Main Roster, More

Triple H conducted an NXT Takeover London media conference call today, and the following are some more highlights from the call. You can listen to the full call audio in the player below.

On fan frustration with the current WWE TV product:

“We just have to become more disciplined and more Creative with how we do things, and how we operate the shows. We’ve had some unfortunate situations with injuries and everything else. It’s on us to be more creative and come up with a better format; a better show. We hear people’s frustrations and in a lot of ways feel the same way. It’s fixing it. And, trying to fix it. It is what it is. How we fix it, we’re not 100 percent sure yet. But, we will get there. Trust me.”

WZ Daily host Nick Hausman asked Hunter why talents like Finn Balor have yet to be called up to the main WWE roster, and Triple H responded with the following:

“The thing that I hate doing is, ‘Well, there’s a lot of injuries right now, so we’re going to pull this guy up,’ but then the injured guys will come back and then we’re not sure what we’ll do – now we have too many guys for the space.

I hate taking a guy as talented as Finn Balor and saying, ‘You’re the band-aid to hold us over until all these other guys come back and then we’ll see from there.’ If we don’t have that gameplan for when we call these guys up, especially for a Finn Balor, then it’s not the right time. You need to have something in your mind, and hopefully a long-term plan in place that gets them to where you want them to be. At least that would be the goal for me when guys come up.”

Full Content Listing for WWE's "NXT: Greatest Matches Volume 1" DVD and Blu-ray Set

Courtesy of WrestlingDVDNetwork.com, below is the full content listing for the "WWE NXT: Greatest Matches Volume 1" DVD and Blu-ray that hits stores on March 8th:

DISC 1

It Started as a Whisper

Creating the Future

NXT Championship Tournament Final
Seth Rollins vs. Jinder Mahal
NXT • August 29, 2012

WrestleMania 31

No Disqualification Match for the NXT Championship
Seth Rollins vs. Big E Langston
NXT • January 9, 2013

Chris Jericho vs. Bray Wyatt
NXT • May 1, 2013

Women’s Wrestling is Back!

NXT Women’s Championship Tournament Final
Paige vs. Emma
NXT • July 24, 2013

Best 2 Out of 3 Falls Match
Sami Zayn vs. Antonio Cesaro
NXT • August 21, 2013

William Regal vs. Antonio Cesaro
NXT • December 25, 2013

More?

Rumor Mill - Lana Reportedly Has “Nuclear” Backstage Heat in WWE

WWE Diva Lana currently has backstage heat in WWE for a number of reasons, one of them being her recent internet spat with Paige, which was not something that was a planned storyline.

According to this morning’s edition of Wrestling Observer Radio, Lana has “nuclear heat” backstage in WWE right now, as there’s a feeling she’s the one who leaked the news of her real-life engagement to Rusev. Officials are also not pleased with some of the recent, cryptic comments Lana has made on social media.

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.

WWE Announces WWE Week On USA Network With The Slammy Awards, Tribute To The Troops And More

WWE announced the following today:

'WWE Week' kicks off Dec. 20 on USA Network

NEW YORK and STAMFORD, Conn. — USA Network and WWE will kick off the holiday season with an action-packed "WWE Week." The week begins Sunday, Dec. 20, with "Santa's Little Helper," followed by Monday Night Raw and the 2015 WWE Slammy Awards on Monday, Dec. 21, a live SmackDown on Tuesday, Dec. 22, and a two-hour WWE Tribute to the Troops special on Wednesday, Dec. 23. The week will also include a daytime interviews with WWE Superstars and Divas.

On Sunday, Dec. 20, at 8 p.m. ET, USA Network will air "Santa's Little Helper," an original comedy from WWE Studios and 20th Century Fox. The film follows a fast-talking businessman who is given the opportunity of a lifetime to become Santa Claus' second-in-command. "Santa's Little Helper" is directed by Gil Junger and produced by Richard Lowell and features WWE Superstar The Miz and WWE Diva Paige. AnnaLynne McCord ("90210," "American Heiress") and Eric Keenleyside ("Godzilla," "The Interpreter") star.

On Monday, Dec. 21, at 8 p.m. ET, USA Network will air Monday Night Raw, live from Minneapolis, featuring the annual fan-voted Slammy Awards — WWE's biggest awards event of the year — honoring the best of the year with its own golden statue. On Tuesday, Dec. 22, at 8 p.m. ET, USA Network will air SmackDown live from Des Moines, Iowa. Both Raw and SmackDown will showcase a star-studded cast of WWE Superstars and Divas, and deliver a shot of adrenaline to viewers with over-the-top action, feats of athleticism and high-octane drama.

On Wednesday, Dec. 23, at 8 p.m. ET, USA Network will air the 13th annual holiday special, WWE Tribute to the Troops. In the tradition of Bob Hope, WWE brings together the best of sports-entertainment and pop culture with celebrity appearances and performances from music's most popular acts — performed for our servicemen and women — to honor their commitment and dedication to our country. This year, Grammy Award-winning rock band Train will perform. WWE Tribute to the Troops has become a holiday tradition and is considered TV's most patriotic and heartwarming show of the year. It will chronicle WWE's visit to Florida's Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena for military personnel and their families stationed at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Naval Station Mayport and Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. While in town, WWE Superstars and Divas will spend the day giving back to those who serve and their families with visits to each base, a Be a STAR anti-bullying rally and military outreach.

WWE also takes over USA Daytime from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday, Dec. 21, through Friday, Dec. 24, as host Cat Greenleaf conducts interviews from her iconic stoop with WWE Superstars and Divas.

WWE NXT comes to UCF in Orlando for a special WWE Network taping on Jan. 22, 2016

NXT’s Superstars and Divas are set to bring their exciting brand of sports-entertainment to an even bigger stage in Orlando, Fla. On Friday, Jan. 22, 2016, NXT comes to the CFE Arena on the campus of the University of Central Florida, for a special taping of the weekly WWE Network show that the world is talking about.

Fans have been cramming into Full Sail University for more than three years to catch a glimpse of WWE’s next generation up close. Now, even more members of the WWE Universe will get the chance to see why the future is now at this massive event. Don’t miss your chance to see NXT Champion Finn Bálor, NXT Women’s Champion Bayley, Samoa Joe, Baron Corbin, Enzo Amore & Colin Cassady, and more!

This special event is part of a huge WWE weekend in Orlando, capped off with the 2016 Royal Rumble at the Amway Center on Sunday, Jan. 24. If you’re going to be in town for WWE’s annual over-the-top-rope-extravaganza, make sure you catch the Superstars of Tomorrow in action.