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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April 23, 2020
Triple H addresses controversial Ronda Rousey comments, success of WWE WrestleMania 36 event
March 31, 2020
WrestleMania To Debut On PPV On Fox Sports
FOX Sports announced a new slate of WWE programming on their network. That new content will include the network's first-ever pay-per-view presentation of WrestleMania on the FOX Sports App and FOXSports.com.
This year's WrestleMania is set to be hosted by FOX Sports' Rob Gronkowski in a two-night affair. The event will also be held in the Performance Center in front on no fans.
The live stream of the WrestleMania pay-per-view will be available for $59.99 for both night on the FOX Sports and FOX NOW Apps via mobile and other connected streaming devices or at FOXSports.com. The WrestleMania Kickoff Part 1 and Part 2 will begin coverage this Saturday and Sunday night at 6:00 p.m. ET on FS1 and FOX Deportes, with a panel of experts breaking down the night's upcoming matches.
FOX Sports also announced additional programming. WWE Backstage will return to FS1 at 11:00 p.m. ET where host Renee Young and analysts Mark Henry, Booker T and Paige will give their predictions on WresteMania. The network is also set to air more than 22 hours of programming starting Tuesday night.
"FOX Sports will present 22 hours of timeless WWE content to air on Tuesday nights this spring, beginning with Royal Rumble 2020 tonight at 7:00 PM ET on FS1," FOX Sports announced in a press release. "Additional programming on FS1 includes one-hour editions of WrestleMania 31, WrestleMania 33 and WrestleMania 34, in addition to other specials from the 'WWE 24' and 'Ruthless Aggression' series. Content also includes WWE's brand-new series titled 'Best Of WWE' featuring 'Stone Cold' Steve Austin, Triple H, John Cena, Charlotte Flair, Ric Flair, Brock Lesnar, Becky Lynch, Shawn Michaels, Roman Reigns and The Undertaker."
President of FOX Sports, Mark Silverman said that he hopes this new programming can offer fans a positive outlet during this time.
"We're pleased to offer this new slate of WWE programming for viewers during these challenging times," said Mark Silverman, President, National Networks, FOX Sports. "We hope this lineup of sports entertainment programming serves as a much-needed relief for fans. We appreciate the hard work and creativity of the teams on both sides of our long-term partnership with WWE."
WWE Chief Brand Officier, Stephanie McMahon also discussed the further development of WWE's partnership with FOX that started with bringing Smackdown to FOX.
"Six months after our historic partnership brought Smackdown to its new home on FOX, we are thrilled to deliver even more premium programming, including WrestleMania, across the entire FOX Sports portfolio," said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. "In partnership with FOX Sports, it's a privilege to be able to entertain our fans each week and put smiles on their faces particularly during a time when they need it the most."
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
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Labels: Stephanie McMahon, Television Ratings, WrestleMania, WWE
March 30, 2020
Triple H on The Decision to Continue With WrestleMania, Competing Without An Audience
Triple H appeared on ESPN SportsCenter to discuss WWE’s decision to hold WrestleMania amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the difficulty of competing without a crowd and more. You can see some highlights and the full video below:
On if he’ll be making an appearance at WrestleMania 32: “Right now I am full-time office. It’s funny, ironically I wasn’t originally scheduled to be in this year’s WrestleMania anyways. Every year as time goes by this gets more and morehectic for me, and getting in the ring just becomes an added burden.”
On his favorite moments from WrestleMania: “God you know, it’s so hard. WrestleMania, it’s the one thing, I mean, this year will be WrestleMania 36 but every year there this epic moments. The [moments] themselves just kind of transcend theactual event and become these just epic moments that last through generations. And there’s these moments in time, pictures like Hulk Hogan slamming Andre the Giant at WrestleMania III or Shawn Michaels descending from the rafters on a skyline. Years later,I would have an end of an era match with the Undertaker, with Shawn Michaels as the special guest referee. And it was listed as “The End of an Era” because we were the last of our generation of talent and the last sort of epic clash of them that you wouldsee. And there’s a moment at the end of that match with the three of us, the Undertaker, myself, and Shawn Michaels are standing at the top of the ramp. And I’ll never forget it, it’s burned into my brain of the, just that moment in time of the three of us,the respect level that we all had for each other are all standing out over that sea of people. It’ll last with me forever.”
On the decision to hold WrestleMania amid the pandemic: “Well you know, in this time I think we believe, WWE, I think our talent, our staff, our crew that probably now more than ever, entertainment for people is a necessity. Our fans arethere for us year-round. They’ve been doing it for years, and we have a message in the WWE that is, we say what our jobs are every day is to put smiles on people’s faces all over the globe. And we truly believe that. And in this time, maybe more than any otherin my memory, people need those smiles right now more than anything. So you know, we choose to carry on and to try to be able to deliver those smiles.”
On competing without the energy of the audience: “It’s tough. I can tell you that that is very tough. The WWE Universe, our fanbase is sort of the secret sauce of what we do. We’re actually one of the very first interactive television shows,if you look at it that way, or products out there. We encourage fans to bring signs, they make their own chants. There’s a sense of community in the WWE with our fanbase, and that community, their energy, that’s what drives our performers to put on the showthat they do. And I can tell you that what we do is very physical. And that physicality hurts a lot more more when there’s no one there egging you on, and there’s no adrenaline from the the fans’ standpoint.”
On why WrestleMania needed two days: “I’m telling you right now, it’ll be something special. Gronk’s the host, you know that’ll be special, so it’s gonna get crazy, it’s gonna be fun and it’ll put a smile on your face.”
source: ESPN SportsCenter 411mania.com.
March 23, 2020
Triple H Cleverly Trolls Deontay Wilder During ‘WrestleMania 30’ Rerun
Well played, Hunter
I usually don’t like to lead this column by writing about just a single tweet, but look: there are no sports going on and this is a really good tweet.
ESPN is filling some of the gaps in its programming schedule over the next few Sundays by airing old WrestleManias, starting with WrestleMania 30 yesterday. It’s a smart move for ESPN. The network gets to fill four hours of the schedule with well-liked, pre-made, eye-catching programming. WWE and ESPN have also been rumored to be in discussions to air new pay-per-views on ESPN+, so this is a way to whet the audience’s appetite for wrestling.
If you’re trying to get people interested in current-day WWE, there’s no better place to start than with 2014’s WrestleMania 30. The show is most memorable for the match where Brock Lesnar snapped The Undertaker’s 21-match WrestleMania winning streak, a good John Cena-Bray Wyatt match and the crowning of lovable underdog Daniel Bryan as World Heavyweight Champion.
The event also featured an all-time great entrance by Triple H before his show-opening match against Bryan.
If it looks a bit familiar, maybe you’re thinking of heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder’s entrance before last month’s rematch against Tyson Fury. The music was different but Wilder’s costume was awfully similar.
Wilder ended up losing that fight and said part of the reason was because the costume, which was made of steel and fitted with LED lights, weighed 45 pounds and made his legs weak by the time he actually got to the ring.
Like Wilder, Triple H also lost his fight and he had a cheeky explanation for it during ESPN’s re-air.
When I first saw Triple H’s tweet, I thought, “Wow, that’s a good reference to something that happened a long time ago.” But the Wilder fight was only a month ago! It’s impossible to keep track of time these days. It’s still a great reference, though.
source: si.com/extra-mustard
March 20, 2020
ESPN To Air Classic WWE WrestleMania Events
ESPN is set to air classic WWE WrestleMania events to build to WrestleMania 36, according to Variety.
ESPN will air classic WrestleMania events over the next three Sundays, on their flagship cable network, and then on their mobile app.
The first showing will be this Sunday at 7pm ET as ESPN airs WrestleMania XXX from 2014.
Variety noted that this is the latest example of ESPN working to fill its schedule with "unorthodox content" in the wake of the nation's coronavirus pandemic, which has put a stop to many sporting events.
"This unique opportunity is a byproduct of the terrific working relationship we've enjoyed with WWE over the years and the unprecedented circumstances we all find ourselves in," said Burke Magnus, ESPN's Executive Vice President of Programming. "WrestleMania is one of the most popular global events in sports and entertainment and the spectacular content it provides will be a treat for fans."
March 18, 2020
WWE To Air WrestleMania 36 From Multiple Locations
WrestleMania 36 To Air As A Two-Night Streaming Event, Rob Gronkowski Announced As Host
WWE has announced that WrestleMania 36 will be a two-night streaming event for the first time ever.
WrestleMania 36 will air on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5 at 7pm ET on pay-per-view and the WWE Network. It will still air from the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, with no crowd.
WWE also announced that former NFL player Rob Gronkowski will be hosting The Grandest Stage of Them All this year.
Gronk, who will be on Friday's SmackDown to push the appearance, took to Twitter and commented on the big announcement.
"It's official! I'm hosting @WrestleMania this year...and it's gonna be too big for just one night. For the 1st time, #WrestleMania will be a [alarm emoji] 2-NIGHT [alarm emoji] event: Saturday, April 4 AND Sunday, April 5 on @WWENetwork! Tell you more this Friday night on #SmackDown at 8 ET on @FOXTV," he wrote.
Below is the full announcement WWE sent to us:
For Immediate Release
WRESTLEMANIA® TOO BIG FOR JUST ONE NIGHT
STAMFORD, Conn. – March 18, 2020 – WrestleMania, for the first time ever, will be held as a two-night event streaming on Saturday, April 4 and Sunday, April 5 at 7 pm ET on WWE Network and available on pay-per-view.
The two-night pop culture extravaganza will be hosted by three-time Super Bowl Champion Rob Gronkowski. Tune in to SmackDown this Friday at 8 pm ET on FOX to see what Gronk has in store for WrestleMania.
As previously announced, only essential personnel will be on the closed set during the production of WrestleMania.
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
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8:29 PM
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Labels: WrestleMania, WWE Network, WWE Performance Center
March 16, 2020
WWE Statement Regarding WrestleMania 36
In coordination with local partners and government officials, WrestleMania and all related events in Tampa Bay will not take place. However, WrestleMania will still stream live on Sunday, April 5 at 7 pm ET on WWE Network and be available on pay-per-view. Only essential personnel will be on the closed set at WWE’s training facility in Orlando, Florida to produce WrestleMania.
March 12, 2020
WWE Statement on Potential Impact of COVID-19
WWE today communicated perspective regarding the potential impact of COVID-19 on the Company's financial performance.
WWE has substantial financial resources, both available cash and debt capacity, which currently total more than $0.5 billion, to manage the challenges ahead. The fundamentals of the Company's business remain strong reflecting the passion of WWE's fans and the quality of its content. Management continues to believe the Company is well positioned to take full advantage of the changing media landscape and increasing value of live sports rights over the longer term.
The health and safety of WWE's fans, performers and employees are the Company's top priorities and management is monitoring the situation closely domestically and internationally.
The potential impact of COVID-19, and corresponding changes in the way WWE operates, may adversely impact the Company's business including, but not limited to, its live event ticket sales and the sale of merchandise at those events. It should be noted that the Company may be directed to cancel, postpone or relocate certain upcoming events and the number of these changes is unknown at this time. The Company is currently unable to quantify the potential financial impact of COVID-19, but the financial impact to the Company may be material. Accordingly, the Company is withdrawing its previously announced first quarter and full year 2020 guidance due to the increased uncertainty of the financial impact of COVID-19 to the Company.
"While we remain committed to hosting WrestleMania at Raymond James Stadium on Sunday, April 5, we are putting contingency plans in place in the event that it is cancelled by government officials, civil authorities and/or local venues," WWE said. "The health and safety of our fans, performers and employees are our top priorities and we are monitoring the situation closely with our partners and government officials in Tampa Bay."
Tampa City Officials Make Announcement Regarding WrestleMania 36
WWE's WrestleMania 36 will move forward as scheduled, at least for now.
As we've noted, top WWE officials and local officials met today in Tampa to discuss the status of WrestleMania 36 and the coronavirus pandemic. Local officials were also discussing the possible cancellation and changes to other events in the area.
With WrestleMania still 3 weeks away, officials have decided that they do not want to cancel the event just yet.
"Right now WrestleMania is out about three weeks," Hillsborough Commissioner Les Miller said this afternoon. "We came to the conclusion that at this point, we don't want to pull that plug. However we wanted to give it at least a week to see what was going to happen, if WWE was going to do anything at all. If they don't, at that point, I will suggest that we do come together for an emergency meeting to discuss what we do at that particular point in time."
It was noted that WWE and local officials will reconvene next week as we get closer to April 5, which is the day of the WrestleMania 36 pay-per-view from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa. WrestleMania 36 Week and the non-WWE wrestling events will begin in the area several days before that.
March 4, 2020
WWE Issues Statement On The Coronavirus And WrestleMania 36 Week
WWE is moving forward with WrestleMania 36 plans despite multiple confirmed cases of coronavirus in the Tampa, Florida area.
WWE issued a statement to ESPN this afternoon and said they are monitoring the coronavirus situation closely with partners and government officials in the Tampa Bay area. WWE confirmed that there are no current plans to cancel or postpone any upcoming events due to the virus.
WWE Held Talent Meeting Over Coronavirus Concerns At RAW
According to PWInsider.com, WWE held a talent meeting before RAW last night regarding the Coronavirus pandemic. It was noted that the company wanted to review the latest information on the disease and what talents could do to avoid contracting the disease on the road.
Last week, Stephanie McMahon and other WWE officials were in Tampa for a business luncheon and spoke with the Tampa Bay Times about growing concerns over the disease. McMahon said WWE puts the safety of their performers and fans first but they’ll act if it comes to that point. “The health and safety of not only our fan base, but also our superstars, really does come first. We don’t want to put anyone in a bad situation ever, regardless of the circumstance. Those are not risks worth taking.” McMahon added that the company will “enact those measures” if necessary.
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
at
7:24 AM
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Labels: News, Stephanie McMahon, WrestleMania, Wrestling News, WWE
November 11, 2019
WrestleMania 35 generated $165.4 million in economic impact for the New York/New Jersey region
WWE and New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy today announced that WrestleMania 35 generated $165.4 million in economic impact for the New York/New Jersey region this past April, according to a study conducted by the Enigma Research Corporation. This marks a more than 60 percent increase from the $101.2 million generated for WrestleMania 29 in New York and New Jersey, and the eighth consecutive year that WrestleManiagenerated more than $100 million in economic impact for its host region.
Over the past 13 years, WrestleMania has generated more than $1.3 billion in cumulative economic impact for the cities that have hosted the event. WrestleMania 35 also generated approximately $27.1 million in federal, state and local taxes.
“New Jersey is proud to have hosted WrestleMania35 in April, the fourth time our state has been host to this great event,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy. “This data underscores what we already knew -- bringing large-scale events that draw fans from all over the world brings significant economic benefits to our state and the region. I thank WWE for choosing New Jersey and hope to continue this partnership in the future.”
“We are thrilled that WrestleMania’s return to our ‘front yard’ generated a significant economic increase for our partners in New York and New Jersey,” said John P. Saboor, WWE Executive Vice President of Special Events. “This success would not have been possible without the tireless support of Governor Murphy, Barclays Center, NYC & Company, Meadowlands Chamber, New York Jets, New York Giants and the rest of our public and private sector partners throughout the region. We now turn our attention to next year for what will be a historic WrestleMania debut in Tampa Bay.”
A sold-out crowd of 82,265 fans from all 50 states and 68 countries attended WWE’s pop-culture extravaganza this past April, making it the highest-grossing entertainment event in the history of MetLife Stadium. Key highlights from the study include:
- $165.4 million in direct, indirect and induced impact derived from spending by visitors to the New York/New Jersey region for WrestleMania 35.
- 52% of fans that attended WrestleMania were from outside the New York and New Jersey region and stayed an average of 4.6 nights.
- $23.9 million was spent on hotels and accommodations within the New York/New Jersey region.
- The economic impact derived from WrestleMania Week was equal to the creation of 1,534 full-time jobs for the area.
- $6.6 million was spent by visitors to the region at area restaurants.
April 13, 2019
Rumor Mill - Sasha Banks And Bayley Reportedly Cause A Bad Scene Over WrestleMania Loss
Sasha Banks felt "blindsided" by the decision to put the WWE Women's Tag Team Titles on The IIconics and reportedly tried to quit the company. It was noted that she expected to have a strong run with Bayley and the titles. According to the report, which you can read at this link, Banks has been given time to think everything over before making a decision.
Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet took to Twitter today and reported that Banks and Bayley were laying on the floor of the locker room at Met Life Stadium on Sunday, "loudly making it known they were unhappy" about dropping the titles. It was also noted that they made a similar scene back at the WWE hotel.
"Heard from a few sources now saying Sasha Banks and Bayley were laying on the floor of the locker room on Sunday, and back at the hotel in front of one of their rooms, loudly making it known they were unhappy about losing the tag titles," Satin wrote on Twitter.
Satin defended his report and said he heard the same information from multiple sources. "This info is from four different sources I've spoken with the past day. All independent from each other and all came to me about it, not the other way around," he wrote in one tweet to a fan. He continued in another tweet, "Was told this by four separate people who have no relation to each other. There were a lot of people staying in the hotel during Mania weekend."
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
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11:14 AM
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Labels: Bayley, Rumor Mill, Sasha Banks, WrestleMania, WWE Womens Division
April 8, 2019
WWE Sets New MetLife Stadium Attendance Record For WrestleMania 35
At last night’s WWE WrestleMania 35 event, it was announced by WrestleMania host Alexa Bliss that WWE had set a new attendance record for MetLife Stadium thanks to the event.
It was announced that the new attendance record for the venue is 82,265.
March 26, 2019
Joan Jett To Perform ‘Bad Reputation’ For Ronda Rousey Live at WrestleMania 35
WWE has announced Joan Jett will be performing “Bad Reputation” live for Ronda Rousey’s ring entrance at WrestleMania 35.
Rousey will defend her Raw women’s title at WrestleMania 35 against Becky Lynch and Charlotte Flair. The match will main event the show.
Major Stipulation Added to Triple H vs. Batista Match at WrestleMania 35
During tonight's edition of WWE Monday Night Raw, it was revealed that in addition to the No Holds Barred stipulation for the Triple H-Dave Batista match at WrestleMania 35, Triple H's in-ring career will also be on the line as well.
November 12, 2018
WWE Announces WrestleMania 34's Major Economic Impact For New Orleans Area
November 5, 2018
Triple H Set To Undergo Surgery On Tuesday, Will Likely Miss WrestleMania
Triple H wrote on Twitter that he will be undergoing surgery on Tuesday morning. Triple H had suffered a torn pectoral muscle during his match at WWE Crown Jewel this past Friday, where he teamed with Shawn Michaelsto defeat Kane and The Undertaker.
As noted, the return time for other wrestlers with a torn pec has been anywhere from 5-9 months, although it is usually at least 6 months. If he is out of action for six months then he would miss WrestleMania 35, which takes place on Sunday, April 7, 2019. WWE had teased a match between Batista and Triple H at the event.
June 19, 2018
Several WWE Programs Included In Emmy Prelim Ballots
It is a rather long journey to actually get nominated for an Emmy Award. You must pass a couple different stages in the selection process first but it looks like a few WWE programs could be on their way to making the final nomination list.
The Emmy Prelim Ballot was recently released and it includes WWE programming in several categories. As we previously reported, WWE attended the For Your Consideration event and brought a lot of star power to the show. Not only did they have skits designed to entertain but they also brought a couple heavy-hitting programs to put up for a nomination.
The WWE Network's 24 Special "Empowered" is listed on the Prelim Ballot for Best Documentary or Non-Fiction Special. HBO and WWE Studio's joint project Andre The Giant is also in the same category.
WrestleMania 34 is getting some attention in the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category. Both Raw and Mixed Match Challenge are also listed in the Emmy Prelim Ballot for Outstanding Structured Reality Program. The Unstructured Reality Program category includes some WWE representation in the form of both Total Divas and Total Bellas.
Only time will tell if those WWE programs actually make it into the small list of nominees for an Emmy Award, but it's certainly a good start to see them on the list at this point.
Source: Emmys
~ Kayfabe by
Kaliqo~
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Labels: Andre the Giant, Celebrity, WrestleMania, WWE, WWE Network