Triple H and NXT announcer Jason “Tensai” Albert came up with the idea to do individual, more diverse entrances with the NXT Superstars, which we saw more of at Takeover: R Evolution and the next set of TV tapings. This was done to differentiate the talents and bring a “big fight feel” to the matches, similar to what is done in Japan.
Finn Balor’s entrance at Takeover received rave reviews backstage and from WWE officials. The former Prince Devitt had everyone in the company talking about him. Officials are very high up on Balor and the excitement surrounding his character internally is “through the roof.”
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December 21, 2014
WWE’s Feelings on Finn Balor, HHH and Albert Bring “Big Fight Feel” to NXT
Hideo Doing A Weekly Column
WWE's Japan website will begin featuring a weekly column from NXT star Hideo Itami on December 26th. The column will follow Hideo's time in NXT with photos and more.
WWE Survivor Series Buys Revealed, Were Numbers Hurt by Free Month of WWE Network?
New data released by WWE's Corporate website this past week reveals that the 2014 Survivor Series pay-per-view, featuring Team Cena vs. Team Authority and Sting's WWE debut, drew around 100,000 buys on traditional pay-per-view.
This was during WWE Network's free month of November. It's worth noting that 100,000 fans still paid normal pay-per-view prices when they could have got the pay-per-view for free.
In comparison, the 2013 pay-per-view drew 179,000 buys before the WWE Network launched. The 2012 Survivor Series pay-per-view drew 208,000 buys and the 2011 Survivor Series drew 281,000.
Rumor Mill - Could WWE Be Considering Time Off For Wrestlers?
HHH refers to NXT as a place for rest…
WWE has a year-long schedule, and wrestlers do not get a break for many months at a time.
In recent years, it’s been suggested that a rotation system or some sort of regular time off would not only make lives better for wrestlers, it would be ultimately best for business as wrestlers wouldn’t burn out or get injured as much.
With the advent of the NXT training system, it seems like WWE could be getting closer to a Talent Rotation System/time off for wrestlers.
Triple H recently talked about NXT as a third brand where main roster wrestlers could come to Florida for a break from being on the road, while staying sharp at the Performance Center.
Triple H said:
(Being a third brand) also allows for guys to come off the main roster who have spent some time – if this is looked as a third brand – to take some time off Raw and Smackdown, come down here, and continue to work, but yet take a little vacation from the main roster and come back in a few months later… or, try something new down here. It’s a huge platform.
December 20, 2014
Naomi Reacts To Vince McMahon’s Comments On Steve Austin’s Podcast, Says Everyone Was Shocked
WWE Diva Naomi spoke with Chuck Carroll of The Turnbuckle Weekly about Vince McMahon’s recent comments on Steve Austin’s podcast where he said that the current locker room lacked ambition.
“Everyone was pretty shocked and taken back by it,” Naomi said. “I think we all see what the intent was and that’s just to light a fire and push everyone to work harder. I mean if it did nothing else, it definitely pissed us off to where we kinda want to go ten times harder than we were before. I think it’s a good thing, sometimes you have some negative and some positive, and I think that’s what Vince was trying to do to us all.”
Naomi then went on to say that there was “absolutely not” a lack of ambition with the Divas, and that they are all competitive and ambitious.
December 19, 2014
WWE Network to Unlock New Video On-Demand Content During “12 Days of Attitude”
WWE has sent in the following:
Beginning this Sunday, December 21, ‘12 Days of Attitude’ will bring new video-on-demand content to WWE Network. Each day, WWE Network subscribers will be able to unlock new programming in their video-on-demand library from the Attitude Era. Full episodes of Monday Night Raw, SmackDown and Heat will be among content available. Also included are memorable moments from the Attitude Era such as training vignettes of Vince and Shane McMahon and the interview in which The Rock and Mankind discuss The Undertaker and Big Show being buried alive.
WWE Network features 24/7 scheduled programming, all 12 pay-per-view events LIVE and the most comprehensive video-on-demand library with more than 2,600 hours of content, including every WWE, WCW and ECW pay-per-view, all for $9.99 per month with no commitment and the ability to cancel any time. WWE Network programming includes groundbreaking original programming, reality shows, documentaries, classic matches, exclusive coverage of special events and more. The U.S. English language version of WWE Network is available on an over-the-top basis in more than 170 countries and territories.
Like other digital subscription services, such as Netflix and Hulu Plus, fans are able to subscribe online by going to WWE.com and can watch WWE Network on their TV through connected devices such as Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Roku streaming devices, Sony Playstation 3, Sony Playstation 4, Xbox One, Xbox 360 and Smart TVs including Sony and Samsung.
For a complete listing of WWE Network availability by country and device, please click here.
USA Network Credits WWE
USA Network issued a press release on Thursday to announce that they are ending 2014 as the most watched ad-supported cable entertainment network for the 9th consecutive year. They said the following about WWE RAW:
"WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW – the most-watched, regularly scheduled program on cable, 52 weeks a year, delivered 4.68MM total viewers P2+, 2.15MM P25-54, and 2.08MM P18-49, making USA #1 Monday nights in 2014 for all three categories among cable entertainment networks. RAW made USA the #1 entertainment network in all of television Monday nights for M18-34."
Hulk Hogan On Why He Wants One Last WWE Match, What Vince McMahon And What Triple H Said
The Sioux City Journal has an interview with Hulk Hogan, who was promoting this Sunday's SmackDown taping at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, IA. We are looking for correspondents for the taping, so if you are attending it, please contact us by clicking here.
During the interview, Hogan talked about crashing and burning and returning to WWE "where it all started." He also talked about wanting to return to action, saying that he gets "the jones."
"Triple H told me I've got nothing to prove but the last time I wrestled was not with this company and I want my legacy to end with the WWE," Hogan said. "I weigh 295. I'm in really good shape and I'm training like I'm going to get in the ring. I'm like a convict given a life sentence.
"Vince (McMahon, the WWE founder) said, 'Never say never.' And that's what I want – one last match, one last run, one last title win, one last title retirement."
December 16, 2014
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
