Ronda Rousey Details NXT Being Stolen From Triple H

Writing in her new book Our Fight – available for pre-order now – Ronda Rousey detailed that turbulent time in WWE history and thinks it was McMahon’s “cronies” that made the move to take NXT out of Triple H’s hands:brbr NXT, which had been Triple H’s domain, had been caught in the ongoing family dispute between him and Vince McMahon. Vince’s unwillingness to give up any control made progress on the main roster all but impossible. But operating out from under Vince’s thumb, Triple H had built NXT into a brand that was not only developing WWE’s next generation but producing some of the organization’s best and most innovative wrestling.

People were excited about NXT in a way that they weren’t about Raw and SmackDown’s constant reliance on rehashing the same formulaic story lines over and over. As NXT grew and it became apparent that there was the potential to expand and profit from it, suddenly it became attractive to Vince. In fall of 2019, WWE launched a weekly NXT show—slated to go head-to-head on-air with AEW.

Now, NXT was on the up-and-up, but so too was AEW. Then Triple H almost died, suffering from heart failure and requiring surgery. He stepped away to deal with his health, and in his absence, Vince’s cronies saw an opportunity. NXT was losing the ratings battle to AEW, they whispered to Vince.

Ronda Rousey then took aim at former Head of Talent Relations John Laurinaitis who she claimed was running NXT in Triple H’s stead. It’s safe to say Rousey is no fan of Laurinaitis but says his failure running the brand was systematic of wider problems in the company:

Changes needed to be made. Which is how John Laurinaitis, a former wrestler turned WWE executive and all-around dirtbag, ended up running NXT. Laurinaitis had made a name for himself as an average but by no means outstanding wrestler before he moved into playing an in-ring authority figure type and then a producer. He looked and acted like an entitled sixty-year-old former frat boy. Tall, blondish, and with a cleft chin, he always appeared to be scowling, even when he smiled. His raspy voice earned him the nickname Johnny Laryngitis, which was one of the nicer things people called him.

Whereas Triple H looked for talent and potential in NXT prospects, it appeared John Laurinaitis looked for f*ckability. He further purged the NXT roster, firing it seemed like everyone over twenty-five and turning recruiting attention away from the indie circuits in favor of blonde sorority-types from places like the Universities of Florida and Tennessee.

Putting the blame for the decline on Laurinaitis—which Vince would basically try to do a few months later—would be easy but Laurinaitis was only a symptom of what was wrong within WWE. Honestly, the actual drama was so much better than anything WWE could ever script.

source: tjrwrestling.net

Triple H addresses controversial Ronda Rousey comments, success of WWE WrestleMania 36 event

Earlier this month, Ronda Rousey caused an internet stir when she labeled wrestling fans as "ungrateful" while explaining how they did not appreciate her. At the same time, Rousey said she would not return to WWE on a full-time basis in the future. The comments seemed out of left field, with Rousey having been off television for more than a year and her time in WWE being considered a great success by nearly all measures.

Then, the responses started, with seemingly everyone in the WWE women's locker room giving their two cents. As the tweets and quotes piled up, WWE began referencing Rousey's comments on weekly television programming as fans began to question whether Rousey's comments were legitimate or an elaborate beginning to a bigger Rousey storyline set to take place.

Speaking with CBS Sports HQ on Wednesday, WWE legend and executive vice president of global talent strategy and development, Paul "Triple H" Levesque, addressed Rousey's comments. He didn't provide much clarity on the matter, but said the world would have to "wait and see" if those comments were simply Rousey operating in promotional mode.

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Roman Reigns Wins First-Ever WWE Award At ESPN's ESPYS, Reigns Comments, Top WWE Stars In Attendance

Roman Reigns just won the first-ever Best WWE Moment award at the 2019 ESPN ESPYS from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Reigns won the award for his "triumphant return to Monday Night RAW" earlier this year following his second battle with leukemia.

The other nominees were Becky Lynch for winning the RAW Women's Title and SmackDown Women's Title at WrestleMania 35, Kofi Kingston for winning the WWE Title at WrestleMania 35, and Ronda Rousey for winning her first RAW Women's Title at SummerSlam 2018.

As we've noted, this was the first time that WWE had an award category at the ESPYS, under the Best Performance category.

"For to me just to be able to be healthy was the only award I needed. This is just so flattering for everyone to kind of lift me up and show me that support system and love from everybody," Reigns said in WWE's announcement on the award. "It was never about awards or anything like that. It was just about awareness, it was just about sharing my story and hopefully someone could use it for a little bit of hope."

WWE noted that Reigns was congratulated during during the red carpet special by Triple H, Stephanie McMahon, the RAW Women's Champion Lynch, and WWE Universal Champion Seth Rollins.

Exclusive Details On Harvard's WWE Case Study: Who WWE Sees As Their Main Competitor, Royalties

As previously noted, Harvard Business School's Business Of Entertainment, Media, And Sports class will include a case study on World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), beginning this fall. Course instructor, Professor Anita Elberse, has been gracious enough to provide me with an advance copy of the WWE case. Here are some highlights that may be of interest to professional wrestling fans:

WWE did not pay for the development of the case; however, a WWE designate approved of the case before publication.

The case takes place in January 2018 and focuses on the questions of whether WWE should try to sign retired MMA fighter Ronda Rousey, and, if so, how such a deal should be structured.

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WWE Receives Its Own Category At This Year's ESPYS

For the first time, WWE is getting a "Best WWE Moment" under the Best Performance category at this year's ESPYS, which will be hosted by Tracy Morgan on July 10 at 8 pm ET on ABC.

The nominees for the award are: Roman Reigns' return after his battle with Leukemia, Becky Lynch wins the WWE RAW and SmackDown Women's Championships at WrestleMania 35, Kofi Kingston wins his first WWE Championship at WrestleMania 35, and Ronda Rousey becomes WWE RAW Women's Champion.

Voting is done by the fans via ESPN's site, which you can do by clicking here.

WrestleMania to feature first-ever women's main event

For the first time in WWE history, a women’s match will be the main event of WrestleMania as the Raw Women’s Championship Match featuring Ronda Rousey vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Becky Lynch will take place on Sunday, April 7, in front of a capacity crowd at MetLife Stadium and streaming live on WWE Network around the world.  

Ronda Rousey is the current Raw Women’s Champion, Olympic medalist, the first female UFC Champion and the first woman to be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame. She is also an actress and New York Times bestselling author. Charlotte Flair is a seven-time Champion in WWE, a former Division 1 volleyball player, philanthropist and author. She is the daughter of two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair. Becky Lynch is the 2019 Women's Royal Rumble winner, a two-time SmackDown Women's Champion and was named Wrestler of the Year by both Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports in 2018. She was also the first woman ever to top ESPN’s WWE Power Rankings.

At WrestleMania 32 in 2016, WWE re-branded the Divas Division the Women’s Division and unveiled a new Women’s Championship title. Since that time, the women’s evolution has placed a greater spotlight on WWE’s female Superstars, including more prominent storylines and deeper character development that showcases their athleticism, charisma and star power.

Last October, WWE held it’s first-ever all-women’s pay-per-view event, Evolution, in front of a sold-out crowd and millions more watching on WWE Network.

Ronda Rousey Becomes First Woman Inductee In UFC Hall Of Fame

Ronda Rousey helped sell millions of pay-per-views during her MMA career and it helped transcend Rousey past her MMA roots into mainstream pop culture. She has acting and media appearances under her belt as a result of her MMA and Olympic fame. Signing with WWE brought her to a marquee match at WrestleMania 34 where she and Kurt Angle defeated Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in her first match with the company.


She is now a WWE Superstar and competing on the Raw Brand, but Rousey was awarded last night in her previous home because she is now a UFC Hall Of Famer. Matt Serra was inducted into the Pioneer Wing, Art Davie was placed in the Contributors Wing, and Rousey received the honor of being the latest to enter the Modern-Era Wing of the UFC Hall Of Fame.

Rousey is the first female inductee into this elite club of fighters, but during her acceptance speech, she hoped there will be more to come. She also praised everyone involved for the group effort it took to help move along the women's fighting revolution.

"Because of you I am the first woman standing up here accepting this incredible honor, may I be the first of many," Rousey said. "I look around and I see together we have built this. This division, this sport, this revolution. Together we have redefined what it means to be strong, to be sexy. We have changed what it means to fight like a girl."

"Rowdy" Ronda Rousey Entering UFC Hall of Fame Next Month

It's been announced that former Ultimate Fighting Championship Women's Bantamweight Champion, Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion, and current WWE Monday Night Raw Superstar "Rowdy" Ronda Rousey will be inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame next month.

Ronda will be the very first female fighter to enter the prestigious UFC Hall of Fame.

Video: Triple H and Stephanie McMahon train for WrestleMania

Triple H Talks New WWE NXT Title, Being Excited For Daniel Bryan, Training With Stephanie McMahon

Triple H recently spoke with USA Today's "For The Win" blog at this link to promote WrestleMania 34 and the match with Stephanie McMahon against Ronda Rousey and WWE Hall of Famer Kurt Angle, plus the WWE NXT "Takeover: New Orleans" event. Below are highlights:

Are you serving as Stephanie's coach or trainer as she's preparing for this match?

I mean, honestly, as a husband, do you really coach your wife on a whole lot? We're training a lot. We train together, whether that be in the gym or in the ring. We're trying to make sure she's as ready as possible.

I worked with her – it's an interesting thing that I've been there for so much of the evolution of her as a character, even prior to us having a relationship together. I've been there all along the way and I've put her matches together for a lot of them, almost all of them, with her. It's exciting to see this one come to fruition, but you know, she's also a little bit older, has a little bit more responsibility. She's got a lot going on, as we both do, but she wants to make sure her girls see her proud. So there's a lot of pressure on her right now.

The biggest story of the week in WWE was Daniel Bryan's return after being medically cleared. What has it been like watching him work behind the scenes to get back to where he is?

It's been an amazing process. One of the hardest things I've ever had to do is tell talent that they can't do this anymore. That you can't live your dream. And for somebody like Daniel, man, it was soul-crushing.

He went through *a lot* to try to get back to where he was, without any guarantee that it would ever work. But you take the advice of the doctors, the same doctors that told you he couldn't, tell you he can… man, it's like a second lease on life for him. Really excited, really happy for him. Watching him on TV the other night, just sitting at the monitor watching was unbelievable.

TakeOver: New Orleans will feature a six-man ladder match for the inaugural North American Championship. What do you hope this new title will represent for NXT?

I think it's part of a long-term strategic plan for the brand. You see with the UK title, the North American Championship, I think as we branch out and become bigger, [with more] opportunities in different places.

It allows for multiple events to take place with championships represented where I feel like, in locations across North America, Mexico, Canada, the North American Championship can be defended and be a main event-style match with the right players. The NXT Championship could be going internationally at that same period of time. It really depends, but it's part of a long-term strategic plan.

Source: USA Today

Ronda Rousey arrives in WWE, crashes Royal Rumble 2018 following first Women’s Royal Rumble Match

Everyone knew the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match would make history. Few knew it would involve iconic mixed martial artist Ronda Rousey.

The former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion made her presence felt immediately following the 30-woman over-the-top-rope melee, walking to the ring to confront Women’s Royal Rumble Match winner Asuka, SmackDown Women’s Champion Charlotte and Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss.

Rousey, who was wearing the jacket of her close friend and namesake, the late WWE Hall of Famer "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, did not say anything at first, but pointed directly to the WrestleMania sign hanging in the rafters. When she offered a handshake to Asuka, her hand was slapped away. A few words were exchanged before Rousey pointed to the sign once more. She then waved goodbye to the three Superstars in the ring.

Outside, Rousey shared a handshake with Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and then exited.

According to a story published by ESPN.com following Rousey's appearance, the former MMA star has reportedly come to terms with WWE to be a full-time Superstar.

"This is my life now. First priority on my timeline for the next several years. This is not a smash-and-grab; this is not a publicity stunt," Rousey was quoted as saying. "When I first met with Triple H, I told him, 'There are other things I can do with my time that'll make way more money, but I won't enjoy nearly as much.' "

Triple H On Ronda Rousey Being Interested In WWE, What WWE Can Learn From Mayweather Vs. McGre

WWE's Triple H recently made an appearance on ESPN's First Take to promote the Mae Young Classic Tournament. You can check out the highlights from "The Game's" interview here below:

What WWE can learn from the promotion behind Mayweather vs. McGregor:

"I think from a promotional standpoint they did a lot of things right. They found two personalities and that's really what this is all about. Floyd will be the first guy to tell you that it's personalities that sells fights, it's what he does, he changed himself from 'Pretty Boy Floyd' to 'Money Mayweather' and that was based around WWE and the culture of changing Hulk Hogan to 'Hollywood Hulk Hogan,' and reinventing yourself. He invented that persona. McGregor created a persona, a lot of it having to do around what, kind of, WWE does and also what Mayweather does.

"When you have personalities like that and you put them in a ring with that type of conflict - it's what we do no a daily basis. But they did it very well. It was a moment in time that I don't think you can replicate. The great things is, I think what people where afraid of was that it wouldn't deliver. I think it did deliver. I think people got an entertaining 10 round fight, it ended up where the educated person would imagine that it'd end up, but I think it was entertaining and it delivered on a lot of levels."

Who he thinks would have the biggest potential for WWE Superstardom: LaVar Ball or Rob Gronkowski:

"LaVar Ball certainly has a pension for winding people up and wanting to see people beat him. I think that's an important factor, but you never know what's going to connect to people. Those personalities - when you look at McGregor, you look at Ronda Rousey, you look at Gronk, you look at LaVar Ball - all those people, what connects them is personalities. Whether you love them or hate them, those personalities drive people. They create a connection and that's really what people pay to see. They're a very few pure boxing fans in the world, there are very few pure MMA aficionados in the world, there are very few pure WWE or NBA or NFL that really admire the intricacies of all that stuff. The personalities drive them, whether that be the team or the individuals."

What are the chances Ronda Rousey could end up in WWE and what could she bring to the table:

"Ronda has been a huge fan of WWE her whole life, she has been very adamant about that. She has done plenty of stuff with us before, I think you're watching a clip of her throwing me that I don't know why you're showing, but yeah she tends to throw me around when I see her - but she's a huge fan. I think she's a huge fan and I think it's something she's definitely interested - I'll throw it out right now, if she's interested I'll give her the opportunity. But we're all about personalities and that's what she brings to the table. I think she has shown it, and you have seen, she has shown it in Hollywood, she has shown it everywhere. Her personality would drive fan interest."

More?

Triple H Interview With Yahoo Sports

Ronda Rousey Suffers Stunning Defeat in Her Return Fight at UFC 207

UFC star Ronda Rousey returned at last night’s UFC 207 PPV at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, and faced Amanda Nunes for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship in the main event.

Nunes made quick work of Rousey, as she defeated the former Champion 48 seconds into the first round via TKO. Below are detailed fight results, courtesy of Sherdog.com:

Herb Dean is the referee for tonight’s main event, scheduled for five rounds in the women’s bantamweight division. The champion Nunes sticks out a hand to touch gloves, but challenger Rousey shows no interest. Nunes connects with her first combination, putting Rousey on her back foot, backing up to the fence. Nunes walks her down, digs into the body with more punches, then goes back upstairs. Rousey is on wobbly legs, staggering around as Nunes continues to tag her with right hands. Rousey tries to clinch, gets a one-two to the face, a left straight on the jaw, now a right hand on the temple. Rousey is out on her feet, still absorbing punches, when referee Dean steps in to stop the beating. Nunes circles the cage with a finger to her lips, shushing the stunned crowd. Rousey seems confused at first, ready to keep fighting, but her bloody face tells the story of the brief fight. Amanda Nunes retains her UFC 135-pound title with an impressive performance against the former champion.

Dana White Says Vince McMahon Is A “F**king Maniac”

UFC President Dana White appeared on this the latest edition of Ric Flair’s podcast. He was open in discussing his relationship with Vince McMahon who described as a "f**king maniac."

“I’ve been working, or trying to work with Vince for years. It was obviously very difficult Vince is a maniac. He’s a f**king competitor, man. That’s what he is. If you look at what Vince McMahon has accomplished in all of his years, and to still be on top, still doing it, the guy’s got enough money, he’s in it because he loves it. He’s in it because he’s passionate about it.”

White added, “I would say that this last Brock deal [for his fight at UFC 200], and when Ronda went over and did the WWE WrestleMania, I’d say those were the two, out of all the years of dealing with Vince and everybody, those were probably the two best experiences. I think that Vince, and definitely Stephanie and Triple H…Stephanie and Triple H are always great [and] always cool to work with. Vince has been very difficult in the past, but in the last several years he’s been much better.”

White has a respect for McMahon even though they are competitors on some level. He said, “He’s a f**king maniac, he’s an animal, he’s a competitor, he wants to win, and you know, that’s his nature, and I respect it.” Flair jokingly said that Vince does not delegate authority well.

Rumor Mill - “What a show! And what a shocker!” WWE boss Triple H reacts to Ronda Rousey’s shock defeat at UFC 193

RONDA ROUSEY’S defeat has sent reverberations around the world of sports and entertainment - shocking even the man who Rousey hip-tossed across the wrestling ring last summer.

Rousey made a guest appearance at the WWE’s landmark extravaganza WrestleMania, where she teamed up with The Rock to confront Stephanie McMahon and Triple H.

And following Rousey’s shock knockout loss to Holly Holm at UFC 193, the WWE’s executive vice president - real name Paul Levesque - sent a message to UFC president Dana White to express his shock.

Talking on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast during the flight home from Melbourne, UFC president White told commentator Rogan about the impact of Rousey’s defeat.

“I have this thing that reality is better than any script you can ever write,” he said.

“It’s so real. Like last night. You put on a fight with the best fighters in the world and reality’s gonna happen. And when you see it, it goes f*****g global and electric like it did last night.

“Even Triple H - your boy Triple H - hit me up last night and said:’WOW!’

“He goes: ‘What a show! And what a shocker!’ That’s what Triple H hit me with last night.

“When you do have that reality, and it goes off like it went off last night, it’s bigger than anything you can ever write.”

source: the sun

Ronda Rousey Knocked Out By Holly Holm At UFC 193

Ronda Rousey has been defeated, and the fight wasn't even close.

Each of Holly Holm's professional fights have been working towards a blue print to beat Ronda Rousey. Saturday night (technically Sunday) in Australia, Holm implemented that gameplan perfectly, and dominated Ronda Rousey on her way to become the new UFC Bantamweight Champion.

Early on, Holm was landing big strikes, exposing Rousey's defensive holes. Rousey had her hands down and chin up, exhausted by the ends of the first round. Early in the second, Rousey got rocked and knocked out by a head kick. Referee Herb Dean stepped in to stop the action.

The whole situation was very Mike Tyson vs. Buster Douglas-esque. Rousey's personal issues have been highly publicized: Her domestic abuse allegations, her mother trashing her coach, her controversial boyfriend outing their relationship, her coach filing for bankruptcy, her absurd media schedule. Many speculated that the mental and physical exhaustion of being Ronda Rousey would catch up to her, but it was truly Holly Holm's skill that took the fight.

Holm avoided a first round armbar and continued to a dominant round 1, by the time she claimed victory, she had the massive crowd at Etihad Stadium on her side. After the fight, she emotionally took to the microphone.

"I'm trying to take it in, but it's crazy!," Holm said. " I had so much love and support. I just felt like, how could I not do this with all that love? I have not spent any more time in the gym than any other fight I've ever had in my life."

Rousey's striking was worrisome. She threatened with clinch work a few times, but looked far too willing to stand and trade a with a championship boxer, despite being outclassed in every manner on the feet. Holm, who's been training with Jackson-Winklejohn for 16 years, made Rousey pay.

It's likely the two will be booked in a re-match, and you should probably expect a much different fight out of Rousey. Either way, the fight was one of the all-time greatest gameplans to help execute one of the all-time greatest upsets.

Stephanie McMahon Appears On UFC Embedded Show

UFC recently interviewed Stephanie McMahon for the UFC 193 Embedded episode for Ronda Rousey vs. Holm. Stephanie can be seen in this extended preview and in this photo that she tweeted.

Vince McMahon Praises John Cena And Roman Reigns

Vince McMahon offered the following on his Twitter account, praising Roman Reigns and John Cena for their social awareness.

Cena came in second on DoSomething.org’s “Athletes Gone Good” list, and Reigns came in at #13. Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list this year; Ronda Rousey also made the list at #14.

Click here for more information about Athletes Gone Good, including the full list of winners.

I'm proud of @JohnCena and @WWERomanReigns for using their voices for social causes. #AthletesGoneGood http://t.co/HBCvZyRP7a

— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) August 14, 2015

Ronda Rousey Brutally Knocks Out Bethe Correia, Thanks Rowdy Roddy Piper At UFC 190

Ronda Rousey was all out of bubblegum tonight.

We all waited hours for a 35 second fight at UFC 190. Few were complaining about it when it was over. Ronda Rousey knocked #5-ranked Behte Correia and retained her UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship. Not only that, she went to Correia's home country of Brazil and did it.

None of Rousey's last four fights have lasted longer than 70 seconds. This one went 34, as Rousey willfully traded punches with Correia. The champion ate several of those, pushed through and feigned a takedown. Correia fell anticipating it, and Rousey pounced. A huge knee to the body set up more punches from Rousey.

Correia face-planted into the mat, and that was a wrap. Ronda Rousey wins again.

The show itself took what seemed like an eternity. UFC had to add two more fights to the main card, as The Ultimate Fighter Brazil Finals were promised to be on Globo in Brazil. This led to a three-and-a-half hour wait for the main event that took little more than a half minute.

After the fight, Rousey thanked WWE Hall of Famer "Rowdy" Roddy Piper, who gave her his nickname.

"We lost a really close friend, 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, who gave me permission to use his name as a fighter. I hope he and my dad had a good time watching this today," Rousey said.

Rousey's father committed suicide as a child, something that caused a great deal of animosity between Correia and Rousey, as Correia had previously said she hoped that Rousey "wouldn't kill herself" after losing.

Rousey continues her reign of domination, and next up is a third fight with Miesha Tate, who has given her two of her toughest fights to date. Of the three Rousey fights to last longer than 70 seconds, Tate was in two of them.