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October 28, 2014
NXT Divas Impressing
Alexa Bliss is on WWE's radar, she is reportedly doing really well and impressed WWE officials and is likely a talent that will be called up to the main roster next year. Sasha Banks is also impressing despite being a little stiff in the ring which they are trying to break her out of but her overall attitude is said to be excellent. Ric Flair's daughter Charlotte is finding her way well and knows how to carry herself as a champion.
Battle Royal On WWE NXT
A tag team battle royal to crown new #1 contenders to Sin Cara and Kalisto has been announced for this week's NXT.
More Details Behind Undertaker’s New Role in NXT & WWE Developmental
We reported last week that The Undertaker would be working behind the scenes with the NXT brand in a limited capacity.
PWInsider.com has come out with some new information on the current deal in place. According to their report, Undertaker will be making occasional appearances at the Performance Center in Florida, and will have the freedom to choose his own dates, around his schedule. His job will essentially be to offer help to the developmental talent, answer questions, and teach them what will be expected of them if/when they are brought up to the main WWE roster.
Former NFL Player, Former MMA Fighter, Indy Wrestlers & More at Recent WWE Tryout Camp, WWE Posts Footage of Tryout Hopefuls
WWE.com has posted a new article covering the recent WWE tryout camp held at the Performance Center in Orlando.
The listed participants included were indy wrestler Rich Swann, strongman Michael Fierro, bodybuilder Justin Whitley, former NFL player Jason Shirley, Northern Iowa University wrestler Blayne Beale-McDonald, and former MMA fighter Sione Finau.
Finau was actually scheduled to face Batista in an MMA fight at one point, but the bout never took place. The recent tryout camp will be also covered in an upcoming Muscle & Fitness feature.
WWE has posted the following video, featuring an inside look at an actual WWE tryout at the Performance Center:
October 27, 2014
Randy Orton To Star In WWE Studios ‘The Condemned 2′
According to a report today by Variety, WWE Studios will be producing a sequel to the 2007 film "The Condemned," which starred "Stone Cold" Steve Austin.
Randy Orton stars in the latest installment, which is called "The Condemned 2: Desert Prey." Lionsgate will again co-produce and distribute the film, which begins production in New Mexico later this year.
"We are excited to be reteaming with the WWE on 'The Condemned 2,' after such a positive experience on the original film," said Lionsgate co-chief operating officer and motion picture group president Steve Beeks. "The combination of their brand marketing capabilities, creativity and deep lineup of dynamic onscreen talent result in a powerful partnership."
According to the article, the film "follows a former bounty hunter who finds himself on the run as part of a revamped Condemned tournament, in which convicts are forced to fight each other to the death as part of a game that's broadcast to the public."
Roel Reine ("Death Race: Inferno," "The Scorpion 3") will direct the movie from a script by Alan McElroy ("The Marine 4?). Orton reunites with Reine on "The Condemned" sequel after having previously worked together on "12 Rounds 2: Reloaded."
October 26, 2014
Triple H Is Focused On The Future
Triple H spent the entire day last Wednesday scouting talent at the Performance Center. It was out of the ordinary for Triple H to dedicate an entire day to up and coming talent, however, he considers it essential that the WWE NXT staff spot star power early on so they can give such talent special attention.
October 25, 2014
Rumor Mill - WWE Reportedly Dropping Elimination Chamber
According to Reddit user MetsFan4Ever, a former WWE employee who has broken several WWE stories in the past, WWE is planning to drop the Elimination Chamber pay-per-view. He wrote the following on Friday:
"Word going around backstage this past Tuesday at the SmackDown tapings are that the WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view will be no more. The early lead names going around to replace the Elimination Chamber name will be either WWE Fast Lane or WWE Fast Track."
"The reason is because there is only one WWE / World Champion right now. So they want to stay with the Rumble winner receiving the shot and have no Chamber even with the title holder in the match."
He noted that he expects the Elimination Chamber match to be kept around as a match for certain pay-per-views that call for it.
WWE Issues Statement On Billy Jack Haynes Lawsuit
In regards to the lawsuit filed against by WWE by former wrestler Billy Jack Haynes, WWE issued the following statement this afternoon:
"Billy Jack Haynes performed for WWE from 1986-1988. His filed lawsuit alleges that WWE concealed medical information and evidence on concussions during that time, which is impossible since the condition now called chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE) had not even been discovered. WWE was well ahead of sports organizations in implementing concussion management procedures and policies as a precautionary measure as the science and research on this issue emerged. Current WWE procedures include ImPACT testing for brain function, annual educational seminars and the strict prohibition of deliberate and direct shots to the head. Additionally, WWE has committed significant funding for concussion research conducted by the Sports Legacy Institute (SLI), leaders in concussion research, and WWE Executive Vice President Paul Levesque sits on SLI's Board."
Billy Jack Haynes wrestles WWE into federal court
Billy Jack Haynes wants to give World Wrestling Entertainment Inc.’s head-smacking, money-making “soap opera” a federal court body slam because of what he says is the international sports giant’s disregard for wrestlers’ safety.
Billy Jack — 61-year-old Gaston resident William Albert Haynes III — is suing WWE in federal court for “egregious mistreatment of its wrestlers for its own benefit, as well as its concealment and denial of medical research and evidence concerning traumatic brain injuries suffered by WWE wrestlers,” according to the 42-page lawsuit filed Thursday, Oct. 23, in Portland’s U.S. District Court.
Haynes is also asking the court to grant class-action status for what his lawyers say could be 500 people who suffered injuries while wrestling or performing in the WWE ring.
“Under the guise of providing ‘entertainment,’ WWE has, for decades, subjected its wrestlers to extreme physical brutality that it knew, or should have known, caused long-term irreversible bodily damage, including brain damage,” according to the lawsuit filed by Portland attorneys Steve D. Larson and Joshua L. Ross of the firm Stoll Stoll Bernie Lokting & Schlachter. “For most of its history, WWE has engaged in a campaign of misinformation and deception to prevent its wrestlers from understanding the true nature and consequences of the injuries they have sustained. WWE’s representations, actions, and inactions have caused its wrestlers to suffer from death, long-term debilitating injuries, lost profits, premature retirement, medical expenses, and other losses as alleged herein.”
WWE officials have not commented on the merits of the lawsuit. No court date has been set for the case.
Chris Jericho Talks About What Match He Can’t Watch Anymore
“What was voted the best match in Raw history by a lot of people, Jericho and Benoit vs. Triple H and Austin, so famous for being the night H tore his quad during the match, the crowd going bananas and the first time anybody had vanquished the evil Steve Austin and Triple H. It was a huge night in WWE history, a huge moment in the history of the Tag Team Championships and a huge moment in the history of my career, and I can’t ever see that match really. I can’t watch that match. I think I’ve watched it once and it’s good, it’s a great classic five star match, but it’s always tainted when I see Chris Benoit.”
