UNLVTickets.com is advertising former WWE Champion Batista for WWE's 2/16 event in Las Vegas, NV, and according to PWInsider.com, sources within WWE have confirmed that Batista will indeed be returning to WWE and the advertisement is not a mistake.
The ticketing website released the promo for Batista's return prematurely, and spoiled WWE's planned surprise, which could be that the former Champ is returning at The Royal Rumble.
Wrestelzone.com reported back in July that Batista has been in talks with Triple H about a potential return to the company, as the wrestler-turned-actor does want to have one more run with WWE.
Furthermore, WZ spoke with a source in WWE this evening and we were told it's likely we will see promos begin to run promoting the return of Batista to WWE in the coming weeks.
It's being said that Batista will likely work with WWE until he is called to do promotional work for his upcoming movie Guardians of the Galaxy, which will be released in August of 2014.
*******************||Trending||*******************
December 21, 2013
Rumor Mill - Batista to Return to WWE
December 20, 2013
WWE.com Names The Best Match of 2013
WWE.com has listed the following matches as the top 5 of 2013:
5. Daniel Bryan vs. Antonio Cesaro (Raw; July 22)
4. Cody Rhodes & Goldust (w/Dusty Rhodes) vs. Seth Rollins & Roman Reigns (w/Dean Ambrose) (WWE Battleground)
3. The Undertaker vs. CM Punk (WrestleMania 29)
2. John Cena vs. Daniel Bryan - WWE Championship Match (SummerSlam 2013)
1. CM Punk vs. Brock Lesnar - No Disqualification Match (SummerSlam 2013)
December 19, 2013
200th Episode of WWE NXT
WWE NXT Updates
WWE Releasing Developmental Wrestlers Soon?, New Talents Starting With WWE In 2014
There will be three new talents starting at the WWE Performance Center when 2014 hits - "Trademark" Tommy Maclin from the Monster Factory, powerlifter and indie wrestler Brian Tannen and Shane Taylor, a 350-pound former football player who has been working the indie scene for years.
Regarding WWE releasing Knuckles Madsen from NXT this past week, he was signed in 2012 and had not made it to TV yet. With so many newcomers starting in early 2014, some of the talents who haven't reached the level officials would like them at are likely to be released.
Wrestler Now Working NXT Creative
NXT has removed Mickey Keegan from their roster page and he is now working as a creative assistant for WWE developmental.
WWE Quietly Releases NXT Wrestler, Update On Judas Devlin's Status
It was speculated recently that NXT star Judas Devlin may be joining The Wyatt Family after he posted some cryptic tweets and was brought in to a few WWE TV tapings. Devlin is still under contract but out of action with a spine injury. The belief among some is that his in-ring career could be over.
WWE quietly released Richie Steamboat recently. He had been out of action for a long time with a back injury.
Karaoke At WWE Performance Center
It was Karaoke Night at the WWE Performance Center last night with the NXT Superstars, Divas and trainers singing and letting loose before tonight's final FCW Arena show in Tampa, Florida.
December 18, 2013
Vince McMahon & WWE Stars Headed Overseas
WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, along with Big Show, R-Truth, Eva Marie and Alicia Fox, are all headed overseas to visit some of the U.S. Troops. It has not been disclosed which country the WWE crew will be visiting.
December 17, 2013
WWE Aims to Pin Down Rich New TV Rights Deals
If USA Network wants to retain its biggest hit, “Monday Night Raw,” it’s gonna have to pay.
Next month, for the first time, WWE will shop the rights to “Raw” and all of its shows at the same time — a list of weekly series that includes Syfy’s “Friday Night SmackDown,” “Main Event” on ION Television, the CW’s “Saturday Morning Slam” and reality show “Total Divas” on E!
The goal is to significantly increase the $139.5 million in TV licensing fees WWE earns each year for its shows, and attempt to get closer to the rich network deals that sports organizations like the NBA, NHL NASCAR, as well as soccer command.
In the past, deals for WWE’s series were brokered individually on a staggered timeline, usually every three to four years or so. But WWE has spent nearly two years quietly lining up rights to expire simultaneously in an effort to secure higher fees and appease shareholders who have grown increasingly frustrated that the company’s TV deals are not worth more at a time when live “event” programming is more valuable than ever.
Jim Ross On His Experiences Working For Vince McMahon
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross recently spoke to Total Wrestling Magazine about what it's like working for Vince McMahon:
"I had good days and bad days being produced by Vince. No one likes to be yelled at but after working for Bill Watts there was nothing that could be yelled at me by McMahon that I hadn't heard before."
"Vince is aggressive and a perfectionist and is set in his ways, by and large. Working as a broadcaster isn't easy and being overproduced can detract from a broadcast in my view. I survived aggressive producing better than some because I tried to not take it personally."
"Good producers should motivate and lead... not rant and rave."
WWE Diva Natalya Comments on Stephanie McMahon, Total Divas and Women “Taking Over” the Professional Wrestling World
WWE Divas Natalya was interviewed by the Miami Herald in a continuation on their series about women's wrestling, and the former Divas champ had some kind words to say about WWE executive Stephanie McMahon.
“In WWE, Stephanie McMahon, I would vote for her to be President of the United States. She is beautiful, intimidating and endearing, all at the same time. Women are taking over in WWE. People look at WWE and think it’s very male dominated, but really it’s not. There’s a nice blend and balance of women who are involved in WWE. You look at Stephanie McMahon and Vickie Guerrero and AJ Lee and this cast on ‘Total Divas.’ People are going, ‘Wow, I love watching Natalya on Total Divas. Oh my gosh. Did you see what the Bellas did?’ People are getting hooked on watching us.”
Natalya also answered questions on whether or not she would join the ranks of Sara del Rey, training WWE's future Divas in NXT and at the Performance Center in Orlando, FL.
“Although, I do really enjoy working with new talent, women and men, and I love training people. I think training people makes you better at your craft, but I don’t know. It will just depend on the situation, and if the right opportunity presents itself, but I can’t say what my future holds.”
Total Divas had its last episode of season one this Sunday, and a second season has been announced for March 2014.
December 16, 2013
AJ Styles Issues Statement on TNA Departure
Today for the first time in 11 years, AJ Styles awakes to find himself without a professional wrestling contract. I can't help but think how did I get here, what must I have done wrong, did I not deliver in the ring, etc. All of those are pertinent questions that any man or woman who finds himself or herself unemployed would ask.
I have always prided myself in being the wrestler that stays away from the things in this business that could easily destroy myself, my family, my marriage, and even my career. A wrestler who goes above and beyond to give the fans what they paid to see.
I move forward not bitter, but better for the blessings and memories that I have been a part of since TNA's inception.
When this contract renegotiation journey started several months ago, my wife and I began praying for God to close doors that needed to be closed and to open the doors that He wanted us to walk through. We asked him to prepare us for this journey and to help us to have the faith to be obedient to what He would have us to do. I am assured by the name Immanuel in Matthews 1:23 that I will never be alone. Hebrews 13.5, says He will never leave us or forsake us. There is a lot in this world that I am unsure of, especially in this moment, but there is one thing that I am certain. Contracts may expire, but the promise of Immanuel will never expire.
As my family and I move forward with my wrestling career, we will turn to Jabez's prayer found in 1 Chronicles 4:10.
Oh, that You would bless me indeed,
and enlarge my territory,
that Your hand would be with me,
and that You would keep me from evil.
My family and I are both grateful for the platform that TNA has allowed me to experience. TNA has been a blessing to our family for many years. We have made many friendships and many more memories. While you may not be seeing AJ Styles in TNA, you can be sure that he will be traveling the world and delivering many more Phenomenal matches. Visit AJStyles.org for a complete list of bookings.
Sincerely,
AJ Styles
