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December 4, 2013
Chris Hero Talks About Getting Released by WWE, Current NXT Stars, the Indies and More
The Masked Man of Grantland.com has a lengthy new article up asking if indie wrestling can survive WWE. It features an interview with Chris Hero, formerly known as WWE NXT star Kassius Ohno. Here are some highlights:
The pressure of going back to the indies: "I'm the prettiest girl at the dance for the moment. I know it's not going to last forever. I have to be on my toes. One very real thing is people asking, "Does he still have it in him? Can he bring to the table what he brought to the table years ago?" It's inspiring for me. I want to show people that I have as much to offer as anyone in the history of wrestling. That sounds a little grandiose, but I feel like I have something different."
Whether WWE prefers homegrown talent to hiring wrestlers with indie buzz: "I don't think they give a shit about buzz. They only care about their own buzz, which makes sense. You can't solely cater to the niche fan base — it's a tricky demographic to deal with. But you can see somebody get over with those fans and think maybe they can do it in WWE, too. And they see someone who has the passion to chase the dream, traveling around the world. If you have passion, if you're a good performer, those are two of the most important things in wrestling, and they're things you can't manufacture. Some people are naturals. Take Big E Langston; he has such a perfect match of athleticism and charisma, and he looks like an action figure."
Being released by WWE: "I'd been employed for 21 months. They knew what I was. They had a certain perception of what I brought to the table, and I guess they thought I wasn't going to be called up anytime soon. They had a pecking order, and certain guys who were going to be the next ones called up, and I wasn't in that group. It was a little vague, but I was told, "This isn't good-bye forever; this is good-bye for now.""
"Getting fired sucks for anybody, even if it's a job you hate. So the gut instinct is to be mad, but none of that will serve me. None of that will put any money in my bank account. It's not hard to be positive because I do what I love. When I was 8 or 9 years old my mom would take me to Hara Arena in Dayton, Ohio, to see Ultimate Warrior versus Andre the Giant or to watch Demolition versus the Rockers or to see the very first Survivor Series in Richfield. It would be completely different if I landed on my head and got injured so I couldn't wrestle anymore — that would be hard to deal with. But what was taken from me? A weekly paycheck?"
His fellow developmental wrestlers: "The guys in NXT now — Sami Zayn, Adrian Neville, Tyler Breeze, Scott Dawson — when they get called up, they could set the world on fire just like Daniel Bryan did. But Bryan did more than that — he set the locker room on fire. He was in the ring in the main event every week with so much intensity that everybody else realized they had to step things up. Randy Orton, for instance. He looks like he's wrestling with a new inspiration, and he doesn't need to do that."
WWE Possible WrestleMania XXX Match for Triple H
There has been a lot of changes to WrestleMania XXX plans within the last week. Word now is that they are building to a Triple H vs. CM Punk match either leading up to WrestleMania or at the big event itself.
WWE Is Hosting A 2014 CES Event
World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), which in recent years has been pursuing technology and social media like never before, is planning some type of event at 2014 International CES, according to a “save the date” that went out to the media Tuesday night.
The invite, featuring the WWE logo, touts an “exclusive event,” hosted by WWE chairman and CEO Vince McMahon, which is set to take place Wednesday night, Jan. 8, at the Wynn Las Vegas, during the 2014 International CES (Consumer Electronics Show.)
It’s unclear if McMahon will be announcing some type of product or initiative at the annual electronics confab, although presumably some wrestling superstars will be present.
WWE has not had any type of major presence at CES in the last several years, although then-WWE superstar The Rock was on hand to help Bill Gates unveil the original Xbox, at CES back in 2001. And of course, WWE has held many memorable events in Las Vegas over the years, including Wrestlemania IX at Caesar’s Palace, in 1993.
December 3, 2013
Will Big Show vs. Triple H Happen?
WWE has dropped the idea of doing a Big Show vs. Triple H match and are “forgetting” about that feud for now. Show worked last night’s RAW but before that, the plan was for him to stay off WWE TV and make a return at the 2014 Royal Rumble.
Update on Sin Cara’s Future in WWE, Who Will Play Him?, Hunico News, Unhappiness with Mistico
The original Sin Cara, the lucha libre star known as Mistico in Mexico, did NOT work last night's Raw broadcast as Sin Cara, but rather Hunico dawned the mask and was working as the character he has played in WWE in the past.
In an update to this developing story, PWInsider.com reports the decision was made within WWE to move forward with Hunico as Sin Cara, and last night was somewhat of a re-introduction of the character as he got a big win over Alberto Del Rio, and WWE went back to using the old Sin Cara lighting for the bout.
The original Sin Cara, known as Mistico in Mexico, is currently at home in Mexico and the feeling in WWE is that he will not be brought back to the company and not re-signed when his deal expires. This has yet to be confirmed, however.
There has been an unhappiness with Mistico as Cara within WWE, and it established itself right from the get-go when Cara made his WWE debut. The feeling in the company is that he underachieved, did not bring his star power with him to WWE from Mexico, was too hurt too often, and carried himself backstage in WWE as a bigger star than he actually was. Because he was Triple H's first signing, however, there was a lot of pressure on Cara to make an impact in WWE.
In what's a very ironic situation, additionally, there was a story line battle between Hunico and Mistico for the Sin Cara name in WWE, and in real life, Hunico was actually given the name Mistico in Mexico before Mistico was given the name, so the roles have completely reversed in WWE.
December 2, 2013
Michael Hayes Update
According to prowrestling.net, Michael Hayes returned to work at the WWE Raw show today. Back on October 10th, Hayes took "a leave of absence for personal reasons." Rumor has it that Hayes was in rehab at the insistance of WWE.
Ring Of Honor Issues Statement Regarding Situation Involving Davey Richards
PWInsider.com has posted the following statement sent to them by Ring of Honor regarding the situation involving Davey Richards:
"Originally ROH had planned to announce a tag team match for Final Battle today, featuring Roderick Strong & Jay Lethal vs the American Wolves (Davey Richards & Eddie Edwards) at the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City, what was to be the final schedule appearance of the Wolves. This match was scheduled after two very competitive singles matches in Dearborn, Michigan, that saw Lethal take on Edwards, and Strong take on Richards; a tag team match. Four of ROH’s best going at it, not for titles, or even bragging rights, but for honor.
Both Richards and Edwards do not have any upcoming ROH appearances following Final Battle because of commitments and endeavors, that will prevent them wrestling full time for ROH.
However, due to recent events, Davey Richards has been removed from the Final Battle match by ROH management due to his unprofessionalism and unreliability with the company.
A mystery tag team partner is being searched for by ROH Matchmaker Nigel McGuinness to take Richard’s spot in the match. Nigel has guaranteed ROHWrestling.com that the replacement will not only meet the expectations of the American Wolves farewell match, but will raise the bar of the show. With so many limitless possibilities, who will Nigel choose for ROH’s biggest show of the year? He promises that the match WILL NOT disappoint. Fans, You can’t miss this one.
What should have been a farewell (for now) to the American Wolves, will now be one for 'Die Hard' Eddie Edwards. Will Final Battle be the last time we see the first man in ROH History to hold the World, TV and Tag Team Championships? Don’t miss your chance to Eddie LIVE at the Hammerstein Ballroom, order your tickets now by clicking here."
WWE proclaims the Shield as 2013 Rookies of the Year
WWE.com has a new article where they proclaim the Shield of Dean Ambrose, Seth Rollins and Roman Reigns the 2013 WWE Rookies of the Year. The Shield were in the running for the award alongside the Wyatt Family, Fandango, Curtis Axel and Big E. Langston.
To read the full article, click here.
December 1, 2013
More on Davey Richards' Status, Did WWE Tryout Play a Role In His Ring of Honor Departure
As noted, top WWE prospect Davey Richards announced on Facebook that he is done with Ring of Honor and will not be appearing at their December 14th Final Battle event. Word is that the WWE tryout that Richards and partner Eddie Edwards recently participated in has nothing to do with the ROH departure. Edwards is still booked for the event.
The statement from Richards on Facebook was something done on his own and not part of a planned ROH angle. Richards was removed from the last set of ROH shows in Ohio and Michigan after company officials were upset about comments he made in the UK's Total Wrestling Magazine about how the ROH titles were not as important as they once were. Richards was able to get himself back on the dates and made it a point to say in front of the locker room that his comments in the magazine were incorrect and taken out of context.
Richards tweeted this afternoon, making it clear that WWE did not have anything to do with his removal from Final Battle:
"To clarify, it was ROH offices decision to not have me at Finall Battle. Not mine or any other company's."
