Triple H conducted a conference call this afternoon regarding the WWE NXT Arrival special airing live on the WWE Network tomorrow, and he also discussed the latest news regarding the WWE Performance Center. The following are conference call highlights:
Triple H opened the call stating that it's a great time to be a WWE fan with the Network launch, and with the NXT Arrival special tomorrow it's a great time to be a "wrestling" fan, as taboo of a word as that might be.
HHH recalled sitting on a plane with Hulk Hogan the other night and catching up on memories of the past 30 years in WWE. He said it's amazing that 30 years later WWE is once again rolling the dice with The WWE Network.
Tomorrow's NXT Arrival special will air completely live on the Network at 8pm EST, with a pre-show taking place at 7:30pm consisting of a panel including Bret Hart, Kevin Nash and Paul Heyman. HHH noted that he wanted legendary personalities to appear on the panel who are critical of pro wrestling and will offer their opinions of NXT from the heart, as opposed to what someone is telling them to say.
In terms of up and coming talent and the Arrival special tomorrow night, HHH praised Cesaro as an up and comer, and he's a name that fans can expect to see "explode." HHH also put over NXT star Sami Zayn (who Cesaro will be facing tomorrow night), and noted Zayn's rich history in pro wrestling.
As far as the NXT product is concerned, Triple H said that in general he likes to keep NXT simpler and more pure, focusing more on the in-ring aspect of the show.
The conference call was then opened up for a Q&A session. Click here are some of those highlights.
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February 26, 2014
HHH Conducts NXT Arrival & Performance Center Conference Call: Praises Cesaro/Zayn, Talks Arrival Special Details, How Developmental Works, What Happens When Vince is Done?, The Future of NXT & How Developmental Has Changed with the Launch of the Performance Center, More
WWE Returns to Madison Square Garden
WWE returns to Madison Square Garden for a WWE Live Event on March 8th. The updated card features Daniel Bryan vs. Kane with Triple H at ringside, John Cena and Batista vs. Bray Wyatt and Randy Orton and The New Age Outlaws vs. Cody Rhodes and Goldust vs. The Uso's.
February 25, 2014
MLBAM: WWE Network demand exceeded anything in history
Variety.com has a new article looking at the high demand of sign-ups for the WWE Network yesterday (2/24) on its launch. The tech partner of the WWE Network, MLB Advanced Media, said that the initial demand for the network far exceeded anything they had seen in their history and overloaded their e-commerce processing system. WWE and MLB Advanced Media reps both said that the problems were fixed with the processing system by mid-afternoon.
To view the full article, click here.
Update: John Cena injury part of storyline on 2/24 RAW
Multiple wrestling media sources are reporting that the John Cena knee injury during last night's 2/24 WWE RAW was not legitimate and instead part of a storyline. Cena leaving on a stretcher was originally planned for the segment and WWE wanted to push viewers to the WWE RAW post-show on the WWE Network to get a "medical update" on Cena instead of giving one during the live RAW broadcast.
WWE.com has yet to give an update on Cena as of this writing.
sources: pwinsider.com & pwtorch.com
February 24, 2014
WWE John Cena Reportedly Suffers Knee Injury During Wyatt Family Angle on Tonight's RAW
PWInsider reports that John Cena suffered a knee injury during the angle with The Wyatt Family on tonight's RAW from Green Bay. Erick Rowan reportedly grabbed Cena's leg and held it in one position as the weight of his body went the other way as the others attacked him.
After that, Cena, who gutted through the rest of the segment and waved off WWE doctors at ringside, was unable to put weight on his leg. It appeared he may have dislocated or hyper-extended his knee. He was taken out on a stretcher during the commercial and word is that it's not part of the angle.
Cole noted on commentary that Cena had a lot of swelling in the knee and was being evaluated by trainers.
Jake Roberts Issues Statement Before Having Cancer Surgery This Week, Thanks Fans
As noted earlier, 2014 WWE Hall of Famer Jake "The Snake" Roberts will undergo surgery to remove a cancerous tumor behind his knee this Tuesday. He released the following statement today:
"Thank for for all of the support and well wishes about my procedure tomorrow. The doctors are optimistic that the growth is contained and tomorrow's removal should take care of the problem. However, we will not know for sure until it is taken out and further tests are done. I am fine and just as optimistic as the doctors. Did my DDP Yoga this morning and looking forward to all of my upcoming appearances with the fans. I will keep you posted but no need to worry about the Snake."
New Synopsis for the Next Season of E!'s WWE Total Divas
OK! Magazine has released a new synopsis for the next season of E!'s WWE Total Divas, which premieres on March 16th at 9pm EST.:
Eva Marie starts up a friendship with new cast member Summer, who both bond over being the new girl. Eva Marie, who’s becoming more and more popular with WWE fans, also secretly eloped with her boyfriend and her family is not going to be too thrilled when they find that out. Brie, meanwhile, is planning her wedding to Daniel Bryan, which is getting overshadowed by her twin sister, Nikki, whose on a break with her ex, John Cena.
As for Nattie? She’s going to be in the center of lots of the feuds this season, one with Summer (Nattie doesn’t like how quickly she’s risen to fame), and another with Ariane, who confronts Nattie about acting inappropriate at the Bella twins’ birthday party. Uh oh."
New Data Released on Hulk Hogan's Popularity
The Marketing Arm’s Celebrity DBI released new data on Hulk Hogan's popularity today:
Hulk Hogan has a 96% awareness among a general population in the US This is one of the highest awareness levels of any athlete/celebrity in the US. Michael Jordan (98%); George Forman (96%); Lance Armstrong (96%). For additional context, Kobe has a 91% awareness, Peyton Manning 88%. Sylvester Stallone and Clint Eastwood also have 96% awareness in the US.
· He has become more Trustworthy since 2008
· Of the 96% of people that know Hulk, 56% think he’s an effective product spokesperson.
· He’s considered as appealing as Kobe Bryant and Tony Romo."
February 23, 2014
