KENTA Talks About Why He's Been at the WWE Performance Center This Week

Pro Wrestling Noah star KENTA has blogged about why he was at the WWE Performance Center this week. Here is a translation from Japanese to English from yottsumepuroresu.blogspot.jp:

"I am sorry for having you all confused over the various information about my visit in the US.

As a matter of fact, I am in the States and enjoying the WWE training. But as for now, it’s not about getting a tryout or a contract.

It is indeed true that I have always been yearning for a spot in WWE, and I’ve always wanted to give it a try sometime. After all, you only live once. “I should have given it a try.” “I should have chosen another way.” I’ve had those regrets when I was in my middle and high school, and even after I got in to this business. I just did not want to regret later about something I haven’t tried, so I used my time off to participate in the WWE workout. The executives were at the workout, so perhaps I may have left a mark.

The place is full of competition and hungry guys. It’s not as simple as being good at Puroresu or having strength. There are so many guys with monster physique and guys who are way athletically superior to me. And even they don’t get into the big league. That’s how tough this place could be. I can easily imagine that surviving in this environment could be severe. And spending a few days in that environment became a really good experience for me.

I’m sorry to have caused the confusion, but one thing I can say for sure is that “I’m glad I came”. I would like to work even harder making use of this experience.

And lastly, I would like to thank [NOAH] President [Akira] Taue for letting me take this chance."

John Cena, Bret Hart, Shawn Michaels, Championship Ladder Match & More Advertised for WWE Network Debut of NXT TV, Special Gets Official Name

WWE is going all out for the live debut of NXT on the WWE Network February 27th. As we have known for quite some time, Antonio Cesaro will face Sami Zyan in a rematch of their epic 2013 match, where the winner must win two out of three falls to gain the victory. Also scheduled is an NXT Championship ladder match between champion Bo Dallas and Adrian Neville.

Tonight at the last NXT television taping prior to the live debut, a huge list of names both past and present was announced for the show. WWE Hall of Famers Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels will join WWE Superstars John Cena, Sheamus and the New Age Outlaws Billy Gunn and Road Dogg.

Additionally, the special will be titled “NXT Arrival.”

The WWE Network's Secret Weapon Suplex

When the WWE announced that it was creating its own digital network—and possibly charting a course for the future of television in the process—it was rightly received here and elsewhere as a Big Deal. But what didn't receive quite as much fanfare was Vince McMahon's secret weapon: A second screen experience that's both beloved and highly evolved.

Here's what we know about the WWE Network: It's for superfans. Or rather, it represents an insane value to people who consider themselves anything above a casual wrasslin fan. Remember, for just 10 bucks a month, you get access to 12 pay per views that normally cost around $55 a pop. For the right person, it's an outright steal. But outside of that fan base, it's a tough sell.

Here's what we don't know about the WWE Network: If there are enough of those people (a million, by WWE's own estimates) to make it sustainable. But today, we get our best hint yet that there are at least that many diehards ready to open up their homes to an endless stream of suplexes.

The WWE app, a second-screen experience that gives viewers access to bonus content, social feeds, notifications, and more, has officially been downloaded 10 million times. That's 10 million fans passionate enough to want an app that gives them the kind of immersive experience that would seem, frankly, a little unhinged to a casual fan. If just one out of 10 of those 10 million clicks "subscribe," the WWE Network is a hit...More?

source: gizmodo.com

CM Punk Being Unhappy About WrestleMania XXX, Vince and Triple H's Reaction

As we've noted this week, some of CM Punk's frustration had to do with being booked against Triple H in a match at WrestleMania XXX. Word is that Punk felt that a program with Triple H is not a "big feud and a big match" when he's stated numerous times that he wanted to main event the biggest show of the year.

Regarding Punk's future with WWE, it's said that Vince McMahon wants Punk back but Triple H has mixed feelings on the situation. Triple H reportedly feels disrespected by Punk but is letting Vince handle things.

More Backstage News On CM Punk Leaving WWE And His RAW Meeting With Vince McMahon

While CM Punk is still being advertised for Elimination Chamber and may appear on some other advertisements for upcoming live events, word is that he will eventually be pulled from those as well. In the last week, two different people with knowledge of Punk's situation have noted that he was "as good as gone" from WWE when his deal expired in July and one person said they didn't expect him to even last until July.

Regarding Punk talking to Vince McMahon at RAW before he went home, word now is that Punk didn't see Vince until 7:30pm. Earlier reports said that Vince had the creative team start re-writing RAW just after 6pm when he found out Punk was leaving. The reason the Kofi Kingston vs. Alberto Del Rio match on RAW went so long is because it came during the period that was laid out for Punk's segment and the match had to go a second segment to cover the time.

There has been a working assumption within WWE creative for several weeks that Punk was leaving in July and would not sign a new deal. Sheamus will be replacing Punk at all SmackDown tapings where Punk was largely advertised as the main star.

source: wrestling observer

WWE on Hulu Plus Update

WWE will continue to work with Hulu Plus to stream RAW, Main Event and SmackDown even though they will offer the same service with the WWE Network.

E! Sets “Total Divas’” Season Two Premeire Date For March 16, 2014

Blonde Bombshell And Feisty WWE Diva Summer Rae Joins The Cast Of E!’s Most-Watch New Series Of 2013, Documenting The Private Lives of The Biggest Female Names in WWE.

More?

Former WWE Star Matt Hardy and Wife Arrested in January, Details on the Fight and 911 Call

TMZ.com is reporting that Matt Hardy and wife Reby Sky, real name Rebecca Hardy, were arrested on January 1 at a motel in Virginia. At this link, there are graphic mugshots of both individuals seemingly after the incident, where both had lacerations of their faces.

During a 911 call from another guest at the hotel, she said "A guest just came down here and said somebody's beating the hell out of his wife a girl or something." The entire 911 call was released and can be heard here.

They were both released on 3,500 dollars bond and have been spotted numerous times together in good health and spirits. While in Pittsburgh this past weekend for a Ring of Honor show, Hardy and Reby were together in great spirits with fans in attendance. There have been many new pictures of the married couple online as of this past Sunday.

Rumor Mill - CM Punk Tells Vince McMahon He’s “Going Home”; Removed From Future Programming & Live Events

Bryan Alvarez of F4WOnline.com received the following information, which he shared with listeners live on the "Bryan & Vinny Show" earlier today:

"There may be a big change in that the WrestleMania match may be being changed to Triple H vs. Daniel Bryan, as opposed to Triple H vs. CM Punk. Which is why Bryan was written into a promo on Monday that happened to be a promo with Triple H … and there has been absolutely zero mention with CM Punk and Kane, their feud, or anything having to do with it. Bryan may be getting Punk's match."

The website is now reporting that WWE Superstar CM Punk told Vince McMahon personally that he was going home, and then got on a plane for Chicago. WWE.com has since removed Punk from all upcoming live events and house shows over the next few weeks including Monday Night Raw. At this time he is still being advertised for the Elimination Chamber PPV on February 23rd in Minneapolis, MN but it remains to be seen how long Punk will be gone.

This seems to fly in the face of other recent reports from the Observer that have stated that WWE had no plans of changing Daniel Bryan's WrestleMania match after a hostile Royal Rumble crowd, but plans are constantly changing in the company and anything is possible at this point, it would seem. CM Punk tweeted the following message on Monday morning:

Thanks for all the support. Keep being you guys, it's pretty cool.
— Coach (@CMPunk) January 27, 2014

Also keep in the back of your mind that with The Authority being both a real life managerial structure and an on-screen faction, it wouldn't be too crazy to assume that WWE wants this information getting out, so they can use Punk's absence in a future storyline.

We can only hope...I can't stand that guy...

Top Japanese Star Gets a WWE Tryout

Pro Wrestling Noah star KENTA was at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando on Monday, working out in the ring. Word is that he was brought in for a tryout this week and that William Regal suggested WWE look at him.

Sting-WWE Update

WWE has entered negotiations with former NWA, WCW and TNA champion Sting, the rare legitimate international star that never, ever worked for WWE over the course of his career.

We are told by a source close to Sting that discussions just opened up and that within the next several weeks, one way or another, they will be completed.

WWE has come close to signing Sting at several different points following the demise of World Championship Wrestling in March 2001. Sting has noted in past interviews with us that a big reason he didn't sign back then was concern over the WWE product at the time, since it was far racier than he was personally comfortable with as a Christian. Obviously, that would no longer be a factor.

The belief of those we've spoken to is that if the two sides come to terms, he would not be rushed into a Wrestlemania match this year, but that was not 100%.

With the advent of the WWE Network, Sting would be a great signing if for no other reason then to be the WCW representation in the company. He was the last true blue WCW star and was never considered a "WWE" guy, so who better to use to promote to lapsed WCW fans that they can now watch older PPVs and other WCW-related material?

Sting has also noted in past interviews with PWInsider.com that he would not be adverse to being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, despite his career being WCW-centric. Obviously, WWE would love to market and monetize Sting merchandise, DVDs, etc. if a deal is made. They have had interest in the past in releasing Sting DVDs and held off only because he was appearing on national TV for TNA and they didn't want there to be confusion in the marketplace.

source: pwinsider.com

WWE Network Is the First to Ditch Traditional Cable Will other entertainment brands do the same?

Sam Thielman of AdWeek.com is featuring an article on the upcoming launch of the WWE Network on 2/24 and how it could create a new path for other entertainment outlets to be successful with traditional television.

Jason Krebs of Marker Studios is quoted in the article adding, "It’s a courageous and brilliant opportunity. Everybody talks about how cord-cutting isn’t going to happen, but generally those are the same people who said that tablets weren’t going to be a meaningful consumer experience and that we’d never get to current levels of computing power."

To check out the full article, click here.