Rumor Mill - AJ Lee In Hot Water Over Backstage Incident At Tribute To The Troops

Reigning WWE Divas Champion AJ Lee is reportedly in hot water with WWE management after "causing a scene" at last Wednesday's Tribute to the Troops event in Pierce County, Washington.

Wrestling Observer editor Dave Meltzer disclosed in a podcast (posted Sunday morning on F4WOnline.com, available here via subscription) that Lee saw NBC personality Michelle Beadle (who was on hand hosting the event) chatting with CM Punk backstage at the event and "freaked out." More specifically, Lee threw an obscenity-laced tirade at the popular television personality.

Meltzer says that a lot of people in the company were very embarrassed and angry at Lee over the incident, mainly for "coming off like her character in real life, and not in a good way." She is expected to be disciplined for her behavior.

A message Beadle posted the following day on Twitter appears to allude to the situation: "Lost another friend to CGFN....crazy girlfriend neutering. It's real people. Check your buddies. Affects everyone."

Meltzer noted that Punk is very upset with company officials over the matter. A message Punk posted Thursday evening on Twitter appears to allude to the situation: It's difficult to always try to do business the proper way with a company that refuses to practice the same standards."

Lee is scheduled to defend her WWE Divas Championship tonight at WWE TLC against Natalya.

source: f4wonline.com

MLB Star Thanks Vince McMahon

As noted last month, MLB presented Clayton Kershaw and Max Scherzer the Cy Young Award and issued both men a WWE-style replica belt. Vince McMahon later promised to send both players a real replica. Apparently the gift was received, as Scherzer posted the following tweet and photo with the belt and thanked Vince McMahon:

WWE sent me this for the CY. Gotta give a huge thanks to @VinceMcMahon #freakinsweet pic.twitter.com/3nL8lNM40H

— Max Scherzer (@Max_Scherzer) December 14, 2013

Video: Randy Orton apologizes to Triple H

Roman Reigns Comments on His Family, Winning a Slammy for His Spear, Spearing Triple H

The Houston Press recently spoke with Roman Reigns to promote Sunday's TLC pay-per-view. Here are some highlights:

Coming from the legendary Anoa'i family:

"It's a responsibility; I'm from such a prestigious linage. Multiple WWE Hall of Famers are in my bloodline. It's one thing to reach par, but I'm trying to hit hole-in-ones every single night."

Winning a Slammy for his spear:

"The spear speaks for itself, but it's nice to be on the same page as the fans. It was flattering."

Reigns also commented on who he wants to spear that he hasn't yet:

"Maybe Triple H. That would be pretty cool."

Vince McMahon Bringing Big Names with Him to Las Vegas for 2014 Announcement

WWE will be making a major announcement at the 2014 International CES, a consumer and electronics trade show, on January 8th in Las Vegas.

Besides Vince McMahon, it's now confirmed that Shawn Michaels, Triple H, John Cena and Steve Austin will also be appearing.

Speculation has been that WWE will make a Network announcement.

More On The Recent WWE Corporate Changes

Regarding the recent WWE corporate changes, Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon's noted to The Wrestling Observer in Santa Clara this week that since she is also a talent, she may have ideas at times but as far as working creative on a day-to-day basis, she will no longer be part of that process. Stephanie was always more of an administrator in creative than an idea person and the person running creative at the end of the day, the real head writer is, was, and for the foreseeable future, is Vince McMahon. Triple H will take over the administrative parts of the creative department.

Scooby Doo to investigate mysteries at WWE WrestleMania

Always wondered what Scooby Doo would look like in a wrestling singlet? Craved to see John Cena fist drop a giant bear that is on fire? Well get yourself down to a DVD bargain bin where you will soon find a copy of ‘Scooby Doo: Wrestlemania Mystery’.

Scooby and Shaggy will forgo haunted houses and abandoned schools for one night only in order to solve a case at WWE’s flasgship event, aided by wrestlers like John Cena, Triple H, Kane and more.

The straight-to-DVD animated movie is a different direction for WWE Studios, who usually make films where up-and-coming superstars point guns at things and disappointingly don’t suplex any henchmen.

The trailer sees Scoob co-opt The Rock’s ‘Just bring it!’ catchphrase and even enter the squared circle himself for a tag-team match, the mystery oddly being not ‘what is the appeal of John Cena?’ but ‘why has a massive flaming bear been put in a cage match?’

source: metro.co.uk

Photos: Triple H and Vince McMahon at Tribute to the Troops Taping

.@TripleH @VinceMcMahon backstage recording #TributetotheTroops right now! The set is a C-17! pic.twitter.com/kmYHuu4SV0

— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) December 12, 2013

@TripleH @VinceMcMahon @CHRIS_Daughtry @WWE #troops pic.twitter.com/7QI9mBGgXX

— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) December 12, 2013

WWE and DK Celebrate 50 Years of WWE History

DK Publishing is pleased to reveal WWE 50, celebrating 50 years of WWE history. WWE 50 delivers an unprecedented and in-depth look into the story of global entertainment powerhouse, WWE. With a multitude of interviews and imagery from all eras, no stone is left unturned as DK Publishing traces the evolution of the company from a regional promotion to a global pop-culture phenomenon.

Learn the real story behind all the key events in WWE history:

-- WWE's split from the National Wrestling Alliance

-- The sale of WWE to Vince McMahon by his father

-- WWE's national expansion

-- Innovations of WrestleMania, Raw, SmackDown, Survivor Series and more

-- Triumph in the Monday Night Wars

-- Taking WWE public

Plus, get an inside glimpse into today's WWE as it prepares for another 50 years of nonstop family-friendly entertainment. From the creators of the WWE Encyclopedia, WWE 50 gives you the inside knowledge to become the ultimate WWE fan.

Visit DK.com to purchase WWE 50. To request a review copy, please contact Katie Hemlock at katie.hemlock@bradygames.com.

WWE's George Barrios Talks Network Online vs. TV, New RAW and SmackDown Deals, More

WWE's Chief Strategy and Financial Officer George Barrios spoke at the UBS Annual Global Media and Communications Conference today. Here are some notes:

* If WWE were to leave USA Network, USA would go from #1 in prime-time to #4 or #5, which gives WWE leverage.

* Barrios said any top 50 network could pick up RAW or SmackDown and it would get them into the top 10

* WWE viewers watch their TV shows like a sports shows and sports are getting big increases in rights fees.

* They still may start the WWE Network on TV and not the internet. On the internet, WWE still needs 1 million subscribers per month to break even because there are additional costs they wouldn't have running a network on TV.

* They are hoping to sign new contracts for RAW and SmackDown by the end of April.

* Barrios noted that WWE gets one-fifth to one-tenth the money for their programming per viewer watching than NHL, NASCAR, NBA and MLB.

* They believe India will be huge for them long term.

* They believe their TV is more valuable than NASCAR, which gets six times as much money, because their viewer numbers are the same but NASCAR viewers are far more skewed over age 40.

* One year ago, WWE's data showed doing a network on the internet wasn't viable. Today they believe it is because of changing viewer habits.

Triple H Talks About Daniel Bryan's Reaction on RAW, Randy Orton Apologizing and More

WWE has posted their weekly interview with Triple H and Michael Cole. Here are some highlights:

* Triple H wasn't surprised by the reaction for Daniel Bryan on RAW. He said Bryan isn't what's best for business but is a great asset to the company.

* He said RAW got out of control and a lot of people did a lot of stupid things. He had a week to think if Randy Orton vs. John Cena is the biggest match in WWE history and it is. He says Orton vs. Cena might make Bret Hart vs. Shawn Michaels pale in comparison. He ignored a question about punishment for CM Punk.

* Stephanie is fine after getting knocked down on RAW. Randy Orton wants to apologize on SmackDown and Triple H will grant him that time. Triple H wants to see how sincere Orton is before he accepts the apology.

* Regarding John Cena being the new "flavor" and the way RAW ended on Monday with him and The Authority, Triple H said Cena has always been the face of WWE. He said he knows the future - the winner at TLC will become immortal, will be the champion of champions.

Vince Gives Huge Stock Gift to Linda McMahon

Vince McMahon made a gift of 8,500,000 shares of Class B WWE Stock to a Irrevocable Trust account that he created, which Linda McMahon is the beneficiary of. The trust account was created for "estate planning purposes."