Full Details On WWE Total Divas Returning

WWE announced today that Total Divas will return to E! on Wednesday, November 16th at 8pm EST. E! just issued the following announcement on the sixth season:

LOS ANGELES, CA - October 5, 2016 - E!, WWE(R) and Bunim-Murray Productions' "Total Divas" returns for its fiery sixth season onWednesday, November 16 at 8pm ET/PT. Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Eva Marie, Naomi (Trinity), Natalya (Nattie) and Paige will continue to give viewers an inside glimpse at the non-stop action of their professional careers and the drama of their everyday lives. In addition, season six will introduce fans to WWE Superstars Lana and Maryse and WWE announcer Renee Young.

This season, emotions are at an all-time high as all of the ladies come face-to-face with adversity and must grapple with separating their real life dilemmas from their in-ring careers. While rehabilitating an injury, Nikki Bella is determined to learn an entirely new style of performing in order to make a comeback and, against her sister Brie's wishes, she asks her recently retired brother-in-law Daniel Bryan(R) to coach her. While Brie might not agree with Nikki's decision to train with Daniel, she is plagued with her own difficult decision of retiring atWrestleMania 32 in order to start a family.

Despite how hard she has worked, Eva Marie is left confused about where she stands in her WWE career when she isn't scheduled for any television matches following WrestleMania 32. Now she has to cope with the possibility that her once red-hot career in WWE could be fizzling out. Nattie gets a shot to go for the WWE Women's Championship title, but the crowd doesn't know how to react to her new villain persona after years of being known as the good girl. She has to pull out all the stops to try and save her storyline. While Paige, who is dealing with an injury this season, Eva and Nattie are all going through major challenges with their respective careers, Trinity lands a role in WWE's newest film, The Marine 5: Battleground, where she will star as a biker assassin.

New cast member Lana is in full swing with the planning of her over-the-top circus-themed Malibu wedding to fellow WWE Superstar Rusev(R), but cultural differences within their families start to cause a rift when it's discovered that the nuptials will not be held in his native country of Bulgaria. WWE announcer Renee Young joins this season and takes on the role of mediator as she tries to help the group with their issues in and out of the ring, all while juggling her romantic relationship with WWE Superstar Dean Ambrose(R). Finally, all hell breaks loose when former two-time WWE Divas Champion and wife of WWE Superstar Mike "The Miz(R)" Mizanin, Maryse makes an unexpected return to WWE after a five-year absence. With all of the women longing to stake their claim as the top contender for the Women's Championship, Maryse worries that even as a returning veteran she will have to reestablish herself with the fans and in the locker room. She knows in order to be the top woman in WWE, it's not about being better than you were yesterday; it's about being the best, period.

Season six of E!'s hit "Total Divas" returns on Wednesday, November 16 at 8pm ET/PT. "Total Bellas" E!'s highly anticipated spinoff of "Total Divas" premieres tonight at 8pm ET/PT on E!

More?

Paige Issues Statement On Her WWE Status And WWE Wellness Policy Suspension

Paige posted the following on Instagram:

First, I'd like to thank all my fans for their love and support the last few weeks. Let me begin by saying that the rumors that I'm leaving WWE are completely false! I certainly look forward to returning back to action at some point, once my injury is treated and on a healthy return. Although I was disappointed by my suspension, I respect the WWE's Wellness Policy. However, let me be clear that I was not suspended for failing a drug test, it was merely due to a procedural issue. I took the test, I passed it. I arranged said test to happen after I wasn't at my home when Aegis contacted me. So I drove 200 miles to do it. Unfortunately I didn't do it in time, according to Aegis. Once again, thank you for all the love and support.

Rumor Mill - Paige Reportedly Quits WWE

MMA source and occasional WWE insider Front Row Brian has posted the following tweets claiming the Paige has quit WWE:

BREAKING. @RealPaigeWWE quit WWE this week and has hired legal representation.

— FrontRowBrian (@FrontRowBrian) September 8, 2016

Issue with @RealPaigeWWE is she has a contract with WWE that extends out several years. That's the major point of contention.

— FrontRowBrian (@FrontRowBrian) September 8, 2016

This announcement from Brian came just hours before WWE officially announced the release of Paige’s real life boyfriend Alberto Del Rio.

Paige Reportedly Hires Legal Representation, WWE Future Up In The Air

Paige's WWE future is said to be up in the air right now, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. While also dealing with injuries, she is still serving a 30-day suspension for her first violation of the WWE Wellness Policy and is under contract until 2019 but there has been a lot of heat over her relationship with Alberto Del Rio, and other issues, leading to speculation on her not coming back.

We noted last week via MLW Radio's "MSL & Sullivan" podcast that WWE's Mark Carrano approached Paige and Del Rio individually and harassed them about the relationship. It was indicated that the office wanted them to end the relationship, which is why they were split up in the WWE Draft. It was also reported that the company threatened to fire Paige if she didn't break up with Del Rio.

The Observer reports that WWE is denying the story - the harassment to Del Rio and Paige, and the threat to fire her. Apparently there is also a claim going around that Del Rio called Carrano on the subject but Carrano just went silent during the conversation.

For what it's worth, Paige has now reportedly retained legal representation and there's speculation on if she will stay with WWE or leave.

WWE Suspends Paige

From WWE.com:

WWE has suspended Saraya-Jade Bevis (Paige) for 30 days effective tomorrow, Thursday, Aug. 18, for her first violation of the company’s talent wellness policy.

The Very Latest on the Paige – Money in the Bank Incident, Rumor Killer on Argument Between Paige and Alberto Del Rio

On the latest episode of MLW Radio hosted by Court Bauer, Mister Saint Laurent and Konnan, more light was shed on the recent Paige incident at WWE Money in the Bank, as Konnan is close friends with Alberto Del Rio.

According to the show hosts, after Money in the Bank this past Sunday night, Paige and Alberto Del Rio went to watch the Absinthe show in Las Vegas. While they were there, a drunk couple started heckling the real life couple and called them “fake wrestlers”, and an argument ensued which reportedly ended up with Paige being “accosted”.
Police were eventually called to the scene and they stabilized the situation, and that involved handcuffing everyone involved in the situation despite neither Paige nor Del Rio being arrested. After that, Paige was taken to an ambulance to make sure she was okay, and when it was determined she was, both her and Del Rio were released and were free to go.

Update On Paige Being Involved In Las Vegas Incident On Sunday Night, Her WWE Status, More

As noted, there has been speculation that Paige was arrested in Las Vegas on Sunday night after the WWE Money In the Bank pay-per-view due to an incident with boyfriend Alberto Del Rio. Leaked photos, seen below, appear to show a handcuffed Paige being led into an ambulance.

We later reported that no charges were filed and that Paige was not admitted into a local hospital as she wrestled on last night's RAW. We also reported that WWE was investigating the incident.

In an update, the Las Vegas Metro Police Department has confirmed that there was an unrelated incident late Sunday where they received a call about a woman behaving erratically. A woman was reportedly running trhough traffic and when they responded to the call, she was detained and taken to a local hospital by ambulance for a medical evaluation. The woman was soon released after the evaluation.

Vegas Police would not confirm that Paige was the woman taken to a local hospital due to privacy laws but they did confirm to PWInsider that the leaked photos are from that incident.

There is also no truth to reports of Del Rio being in any kind of trouble.

Paige is backstage for tonight's WWE SmackDown tapings in Tucson.

Incident Involving Paige In Las Vegas

Photos were leaked online of Paige involved in an incident in Las Vegas. In one photo, she appeared to be handcuffed by police, and in another she is seen getting into an ambulance.

Paige was detained by police, however no charges were filed against her. She was taken to the hospital, however was released and was obviously cleared to wrestle on tonight's episode of WWE RAW.

The WWE is investigating the matter. There was speculation that the incident was being filmed for Total Divas or Swerved, however that is not the case.

'Total Bellas' coming to E!, new 'Total Divas' cast announced

E! has announced the new series “Total Bellas” with Nikki and Brie Bella, a spinoff of the network’s hit series “Total Divas.” The six, one-hour episodes will give viewers exclusive access into the lives of The Bella Twins and their significant others, John Cena and Daniel Bryan, as the WWE Superstars move in together and enter a new chapter of their lives, both professionally and personally.

After Nikki goes through delicate surgery on her neck and spine, her sister and brother-in-law move into the house she shares with Cena in order to care for her and keep her company during her long and protracted recovery. The Bella Twins will continue to appear on “Total Divas,” which concludes its fifth season tomorrow night at 9 p.m. ET.

“We are excited to build on one of our most successful franchises with this new series that goes exclusively inside the world of WWE fan favorites The Bella Twins,” said Jeff Olde, EVP, Programming and Development, E! “Nikki and Brie Bella have an undeniable charm and wit that matches their irrefutable beauty, and we are thrilled to get an intimate look into what it’s like to be in a relationship with some of the hottest sports entertainers in the world.”

Additionally, E!, WWE and Bunim-Murray Productions’ hit series “Total Divas” will return for its sixth season this fall. Brie Bella, Nikki Bella, Eva Marie, Naomi, Natalya and Paige will continue to give viewers an inside glimpse at balancing life in the spotlight and the non-stop action of their professional careers with the drama of their everyday lives.

In addition, Season 6 will introduce "Total Divas" fans to Lana, Renee Young, and Maryse, a former two-time WWE Divas Champion and wife of Mike “The Miz” Mizanin.

Total Divas Recap 04/12/16

Total Divas Recap 04/05/16

A Redefining Moment

Stephanie McMahon wrote the following for The Players Tribune:

For three straight days, during February of 2015, #GiveDivasAChance was a trending topic.

Three. Straight. Days.

The message from our fan base around the world during those 72 hours was resounding: They wanted to see our female performers in more prominent storylines, with deeper character development, and they wanted to see them compete in longer matches. This sentiment resonated so strongly throughout WWE that our Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon responded with a tweet of his own, “We hear you, keep watching #GiveDivasAChance.”

“Divas” is how WWE branded our female performers starting in 2008, in an effort to give them a more prominent role. As a point of reference, our male performers are known as Superstars. It was so successful, it led to the creation of a WWE reality show, Total Divas, and launched the careers of those who have become household names, like the Bella Twins, Natalya, Paige, Alicia Fox and Eva Marie.

Now, fast forward to Monday Night RAW on July 13, 2015. That night, when my music, “Welcome to the Queendom,” hit the arena, I strode to the ring with my shoulders back and head held high (versus my character’s normal villainous strut) because I knew I was about to make a historic announcement.

I began by speaking about the revolution around women in sports, referencing Ronda Rousey’s breakthrough success as the first UFC women’s champion, Venus and Serena Williams’ overwhelming popularity transcending tennis and the United States Women’s National Team’s World Cup-clinching victory garnering more viewers than any other soccer game in history. I made it clear that our female performers were going to have that same opportunity in WWE.

This “movement” became known as the Divas Revolution, and the truth is, it began long before I made that announcement. I simply had the privilege of bringing it to life by introducing to WWE’s main roster three of the four women who had been stealing the show as a part of our third brand, NXT, with their unrivaled athleticism, their ability to captivate the audience and their undeniable charisma. As I said their names, the crowd erupted and jumped to their feet. They were Charlotte, the daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair; the “Irish lass kicker” Becky Lynch; and “The Boss” Sasha Banks.

These were the same three women who competed tonight in front of a record crowd of more than 100,000 at our biggest event of the year, WrestleMania, in a triple threat match for the championship.

Only, they didn’t compete for the Divas Championship. Instead, they competed for the Women’s Championship. This blockbuster announcement was made, as a surprise to our audience, tonight at WrestleMania by WWE Hall of Famer Lita.

Lita made reference to all of the pioneers who have led the way for this transition, including “The Great” Mae Young, Fabulous Moolah, Wendi Richter, Sensational Sherri, Trish Stratus and recent Hall of Fame inductee Jacqueline. She spoke of her pride in the Divas Division, the evolution of the Women’s Division, and then she revealed the physical symbol of this transition: a brand new WWE Women’s Championship belt with the same aesthetics as the male WWE World Heavyweight Championship belt. This title belt represents the pinnacle of achievement in pro wrestling — and shows that in WWE, it isn’t about gender, race or ethnicity. It is simply about being the best at what you do.

The role of women in WWE has continued to evolve. For the first time in WWE history, Sasha Banks and Bayley became the first women to main event an NXT pay-per-view, and they tore the house down. In fact, their match the month before at NXT TakeOver was voted “match of the year” by our fan base. And earlier tonight, at WrestleMania, Charlotte, Sasha and Becky competed in a triple threat match, which ultimately saw Charlotte leave as the champion.

Our female performers are world-class athletes, actors, public speakers and philanthropists. They’re role models, inspiring and empowering women and girls to be confident and strong. They dedicate themselves to WWE, achieve great success and earn the same respect as their male counterparts.

Therefore, from this point forward, all of our performers – male and female – will be known as “Superstars.”

WWE Network Unveils WrestleMania Week Programming

Total Divas Recap 03/22/16

Total Divas Recap 03/08/16

Total Divas Recap 03/01/16

WWE Studios Releasing New Animated Movie, Triple H And Others Voice Characters

WWE Studios will be releasing "Surf's Up 2: WaveMania" soon with John Cena, Paige and WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H voicing characters.

I've done a lot of stuff...but voice Hunter the penguin? That's a first. Excited for Surf's Up 2: Wavemania! pic.twitter.com/NS3DD8szL8

— Triple H (@TripleH) March 1, 2016

Sony Pictures Animation and WWE Studios announced today an animated sequel to "Surf's Up," the 2007 Academy Award-nominated action-comedy about surfing penguins. The companies are co-financing and producing the movie, which is expected to release in 2017, in time for the original film's 10th anniversary. "Surf's Up 2: WaveMania" will be distributed by Sony Pictures Home Entertainment with WWE Studios providing marketing support by leveraging its extensive multi-platform reach.

Cody Maverick, hungry for a new challenge, convinces an infamous big-wave-riding crew known as The Hang 5, voiced by WWE Superstars John Cena, The Undertaker, Triple H, WWE Diva Paige and Mr. McMahon, to let him join them on their journey to a mysterious surf spot known as The Trenches, where, legend has it, they'll find the biggest waves in the world. Cody soon discovers that the life he left behind might be more heroic than what any death-defying wave has to offer. Genndy Tartakovsky's protégé Henry Yu (story artist on "Sym-Bionic Titan" and both "Hotel Transylvania" feature films) makes his directorial debut with this project, which is produced by Michelle Wong (production manager on "Hotel Transylvania 2") and features computer animation from Rainmaker Entertainment Inc. Abdul Williams ("Lottery Ticket") is writing the screenplay.

"We are thrilled to be working with Sony Pictures Animation to bring Cody Maverick back to audiences for more adventures, paired with our WWE Superstars in what promises to be a fun animated film for the entire family," said Michael Luisi, WWE Studios President.

"WWE has a proven track record with family audiences, and we couldn't be more excited to partner with them and dive back into the fun world of our surfing penguins," adds Kristine Belson, President, Sony Pictures Animation.

Total Divas Recap 02/23/16

Total Divas Recap 02/16/16

Total Divas Recap 02/09/16