Who Does Voiceovers for WM Rewind?

The man doing voiceovers on WWE Network's WrestleMania Rewind show is former New York Mets and current Baltimore Orioles announcer Gary Thorne. He appeared on WFAN's Beningo and Roberts Show this morning and said he had no connection to WWE before they called his agent to see if he was available to work on the Rewind show. He also said he was a fan of the "Killer Kowalski and Bruno Sammartino years."

More on Shawn Merriman to WWE

t was revealed on the latest JBL & Cole Radio Show that WWE has signed former NFL star Shawne Merriman to a deal. He will be working at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, likely in some kind of training role. Merriman worked some of the WWE Network panels during WrestleMania weekend and was at the Superstars For Kids party.

Ultimate Warrior Passes Away

From WWE.com:

WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE Superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior.

Warrior began his WWE career in 1987 and quickly went on to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history. Warrior became WWE Champion at WrestleMania VI, defeating Hulk Hogan in an epic encounter.

We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans. WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior’s family, friends and fans.

Warrior was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana and his two daughters.

From TMZ.com:

Officials tell TMZ ... Warrior collapsed outside an Arizona hotel at 5:50 PM on April 8th ... while walking to his car with his wife.

Warrior was transported to a nearby hospital ... where he was pronounced dead.

Latest on Shawne Merriman Appearing on the WWE Network

Shawne Merriman’s appearances on WWE Network could be part of something more. The company is high up on him and there’s been talk of offering him a position. There were erroneous reports last November that suggested Merriman had an in-ring tryout but he said he was merely visiting the WWE Performance Center.

WWE Takes Home Shorty Awards

WWE took home three awards at the 6th annual Shorty Awards, which recognize the year's best achievements in social media. WWE won awards for the Best Branded Mobile App, Best YouTube Channel and Best Use of Social Media in Sports.

In the highly competitive Branded Mobile App category, WWE beat MTV, VH1, Nike, Visa, Bleacher Report, Bravo, Comedy Central and others.

NXT Women’s Champion Paige def. AJ Lee to become the new Divas Champion

Facts are this: AJ has beaten every Diva that has lined up to face her on the main roster, and it would take a challenger from a wholly unexpected place to throw the Divas Champion off her game.

How about someone from NXT?

AJ’s post-WrestleMania “pipe bomb” left the WWE Universe smoldering when NXT Women’s Champion Paige made her first appearance on the main roster to offer up her congratulations to the self-proclaimed “Queen of the Divas Division.” AJ wasn’t all that appreciative and forced the newcomer into an impromptu match ... although her “post-WrestleMania treat” of a title defense turned sour very quickly when Paige reversed the Black Widow into her signature “Paige-Turner” to put AJ on the mat and claim the title for herself. Paige is now the youngest Divas Champion in history and holds both the Divas and NXT Women's title. Undisputed Divas Champion, anyone?

Vince McMahon Misses the WrestleMania XXX Main Event, More on The Undertaker's Streak

There were rumors among the talent backstage at WrestleMania XXX that The Undertaker was supposed to kick out or that the finish to his match with Brock Lesnar was botched but as we've noted, that's not the case. The finish was planned but was kept from people even very high up in WWE's marketing and production departments. WWE officials were very afraid of the finish leaking and it's said only a small circle of 4-6 people were aware.

Vince McMahon actually missed the WrestleMania main event and Daniel Bryan's big win because he left his post to ride with Taker to the hospital in the back of the ambulance. Vince left it up to Triple H and Stephanie McMahon to run the rest of the show, all while playing a role in the main event as well.

WWE stock takes a dive the day after WrestleMania XXX

WWE stock dropped down to $24.01 on Monday morning, a 14.3% drop overall, the day after Wrestlemania 30 and when subscriber numbers for the WWE Network were revealed. WWE touted 667,287 subscribers for the network just 42 days into the launch and that they were on track to reach 1 million subscribers by the end of the year.

source: thestreet.com

WWE Network On Track To 1 Million Subscribers

WWE today announced that WWE Network has 667,287* subscribers and is well on its way to reaching its goal of 1 million subscribers by the end of 2014 just 42 days after launching in the U.S., making it the fastest-growing digital subscription service. This announcement comes following a historic WrestleMania® 30, which aired live on WWE Network as well as on pay-per-view through satellite and cable providers from a sold-out Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.

WWE Network launched on February 24 in the U.S. and will be rolled out in Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Nordics in late 2014/early 2015.

WWE Network is the first 24/7 streaming network that provides access to live and scheduled programming, including all 12 live pay-per-view events, as well as the most comprehensive video-on-demand library. Available for only $9.99 a month – with a six month commitment – fans can subscribe to WWE Network at WWE.com. WWE Network is available on connected devices including Apple TV, Roku streaming devices, Sony PlayStation® 3, Sony PlayStation® 4 and Xbox 360. WWE Network is also available through the WWE App on iOS devices, including Apple iPad and iPhone, Amazon’s Kindle Fire devices and Android devices, as well as on desktops and laptops via WWE.com.

*Current subscriber number does not account for potential failures to comply with subscription terms and six month commitment

Update Regarding The Undertaker's Loss At WrestleMania XXX

The Wrestling Observer reports that the ending to Sunday night's WrestleMania 30 match between The Undertaker and Brock Lesnar was, in fact, the original plan that WWE and The Undertaker himself had set up from the beginning. The word is that this scenario was kept from pretty much everyone, but "betting odds started to change shortly before the match began."

They also note that back in 2010, The Undertaker was quoted as saying that he wanted Lesnar to be the one to end "The Streak" at WrestleMania.

The Wrestling Observer also reports what numerous other sources had reported regarding The Undertaker being taken to a local medical facility after it was feared that he suffered a concussion and neck injury, though as of this report, there are no updates as to whether or not The Undertaker suffered one or both of these injuries.

Jeff Jarrett Officially Announces "Global Force Wrestling" Promotion

After weeks of speculation and unprecedented internet buzz surrounding the hashtag #ItsComing … IT IS HERE!

Legendary performer and third-generation promoter Jeff Jarrett and his wife, Karen, are set to unveil Global Force Wrestling (GlobalForceWrestling.com), which promises to be the most fan-interactive and immersive wrestling experience in history.

“Because of new media, new technology and more ‘in-tune’ fans than we’ve ever had, wrestling is poised for another boom like it experienced in the mid-1980s and late 1990s,” Jeff Jarrett said. “What we’re going to deliver is a multi-platform, innovative brand that will engage fans in ways they’ve never experienced. It will provide a fresh perspective inside the business that fans have been clamoring for.”

Jarrett, the founder of TNA wrestling and a 12-time world champion who wrestled in WWE, WCW and numerous international promotions, and his wife, Karen, have been laying the foundation for GFW since January 2014.

“Jeff was born into this business,” Karen Jarrett said. “It’s his life’s passion. He saw a unique opportunity to fill a need in professional wrestling, and he has tirelessly devoted himself physically, mentally and emotionally to doing just that.”

Videos of the Jarretts previewing the new promotion attached to the hashtag #ItsComing have garnered more than a million views. Meanwhile, Jeff and Karen have been searching the United States and the international ranks in search of undiscovered talent. The response has been overwhelming, with more than 400 performers from across the globe already in the evolving GFW talent database.

“The reality is we want to build a brand in which fans are watching our wrestlers evolve from day one and are truly invested in the lives of our talent in and out of the ring,” Jarrett said.

Global Force Wrestling expects to make several more key announcements in the coming weeks. Stay tuned.

Ezekiel Jackson Announces Departure From WWE

Ezekiel Jackson has taken to social media to announce his official departure from WWE, as his contract with the organization has officially expired.

Below is Jackson's post from his official Instagram account:

"In July 2008 I made my #smackdown television debut with “Thee Brian Kendrick”… much love to TBK for seeking me out and choosing me. I was fulfilling a dream I had as an 8 yr old kid who saw and fell in love with professional wrestling for the first time through my neighbors window in #Guyana South America… On April 6th 2014 my contract expired so #WrestleMania 30 was #bittersweet. I thank God for all the blessings he’s bestowed upon me in the last 7 years. In my time in the #wwe I became the last #ECW Champion and a one time Intercontinental Champion… I’ve also traveled the world given the opportunity to do what I love. Encountering some of the most passionate and reliable fans in the world… I am deeply appreciative to Vincent McMahon and the #WWE for allowing a snotty nose lickle bai from Victory Valley Linden Guyana to live out my childhood dream on the highest level. #Godspeed to the company and all of my friends and colleagues. #beblessed Extremely excited for the next chapter in my life. I’m looking forward to this new season…. I’m still 290 pounds and #healthy. I can be reached for bookings, sponsorship and signings through my manager at: Rjsmanandco@gmail.com #Godbless"