Dixie Carter Comments On Recent Comments Made By Vince McMahon

During a recent interview with the UK-based Mirror, TNA Wrestling president Dixie Carter spoke out against comments made by WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon during his appearance on Stone Cold Steve Austin's podcast, in which McMahon stated that his roster is comprised of "millennials" who "aren't as ambitious" as individuals like John Cena.

Below is what Carter had to say:

"I can’t even comprehend that statement. It doesn’t sit with our group. My own roster’s completely different than that. I don’t have a complaint about anybody on my roster. The young guys are just as hungry … the young guys from 10 years ago are now the Bobby Roodes, Samoa Joes, James Storms. My main eventers, who were brand new young talent from 10 to 12 years ago, I’m proud of how far they’ve come. This young group of talent we have right now, they’re the hardest working, most positive team players around."

The Best Wrestling Show of the Year Wasn’t WWE’s ‘TLC’ … It Was ‘NXT Takeover: R Evolution’

Triple H Featured In McFarlane ICON Series

It is being reported that Triple H is the next WWE star to get featured in toy designer and Spawn creator Todd McFarlane’s ICON series statues.

The statue is 18 inches tall and hand painted, and features a Certificate of Authenticity signed by McFarlane. The statue also comes with “authentic ring memorabilia” and will be available in January 2015.

McFarlane has previously included Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Undertaker, and Macho Man Randy Savage in the ICON series.

Triple H & Stephanie McMahon Christmas Photo

Sean Waltman Has Message For Triple H's Critics

In the second part of Kevin Gill's interview with Sean Waltman, Waltman talks about his first meeting with Vince McMahon, his WWF tryout, Curt Hennig, working with El Generico, being bullied, hurting people's feelings, the state of independent wrestling and more. He also discussed Triple H and NXT.

"For all these supposed big time, know it all fans that want to say 'Oh, Triple H is burying this guy and that guy.' Then why is it when you let him have his own f--king thing (NXT), that Vince or nobody else has any say in, it's all Hunter," Waltman said. "Why is it that it's all those (Indy) guy's he's pushing. To all those guys who want to blame everything on him: f--k OFF!

"Hunter is very Pro Wrestler. Trust me. Everybody is worried about pro wrestling dying or whatever and saying 'Oh, it's sports entertainment blah blah,' trust me, Hunter is pro wrestling"

Rumor Mill - Backstage News on Low Morale In WWE Following Vince Interview, Triple H Gives Speech to Roster

It's said that morale in WWE, which wasn't good before, has been noticeably different since Vince McMahon's live interview with Steve Austin. The feeling is that Vince "crapped on just about everyone in the locker room" except for Seth Rollins, Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns and Bray Wyatt. There's also a feeling that Vince made it clear those were the only ones he sees that have top star potential.

Triple H actually gave a speech to the WWE roster after morale got bad due to the interview. His speech was described as an attempt at damage control that backfired.

As a general rule backstage, the talents in NXT love Triple H, but on the main roster, whatever he said in the speech lost him a lot of credibility, especially among those who have been with the company for some time.

Top WWE Star Out of Action Until 2015 with Injury, Backstage Note on the WWE Divas Title

AJ Lee is currently out of action with an injury. She had been working hurt so they could wrap up the feud with Divas Champion Nikki Bella.

WWE officials were planning on doing a significant injury angle to write AJ off TV but that was nixed for an unknown reason.

AJ being away is why Naomi and Natalya were moved into contendership for Nikki's title. Original plans had Naomi challenging Nikki but they may go with Natalya.

The belief within WWE is that AJ will be back in 2015 some time.

WWE Suspends Legends Contract Of Kevin Nash, More

WWE issued the following statement to The Daytona Beach News-Journal in regards to Kevin Nash and his Legends contract with the company:

“Kevin Nash has not regularly performed for WWE since January 2004. He is currently under a non-wrestling ‘legends’ contract, which has been immediately suspended until this domestic dispute is resolved.”

Port Orange attorney Michael J. Politis released a statement on behalf of the Nash family late Wednesday afternoon: “It's an unfortunate situation. They're a good family. I'm hoping the State Attorney's Office will receive my information and dismiss the charges. The kid was out of control, and the father was defending his wife. I'm pretty confident we will have a resolution in the next couple of months.”

More from The Daytona Beach News-Journal

Kevin Nash Arrested for Battery Bloody Fight with Son

Wrestling superstar Kevin Nash was arrested early Christmas Eve morning -- after getting into a bloody fight with his teenage son Tristen ... TMZ has learned.

The 55-year-old legend -- who is currently under contract with the WWE -- was taken into custody in Volusia County, Florida after cops received a call about a domestic incident just after midnight.

When cops arrived to the scene ... they noticed blood on Kevin's face and arrested Nash.

Two hours later, cops received another 911 call from a person claiming 18-year-old Tristen attacked his mother. He was also arrested for battery.

Cops tell TMZ alcohol may have been a factor.

Update:

TMZ just got the two police reports. As for Kevin's arrest ... the report says he told cops his son came home wasted and belligerent toward him and Kevin's wife, then spit in his face and elbow-checked him. Kevin told cops he pinned Tristen to the ground and that's when Tristen scratched his face.

But Tristen said Kevin was berating him over his relationship with his girlfriend. He says Kevin then choke-slammed him to the ground and, just like Kevin's signature move, Tristen says he hit is head so hard on the ground he blacked out.

Cops arrested Kevin because they felt he was the "primary aggressor."

As for Tristen's arrest two hours later ... Tristen's uncle told cops the young man -- who is 6'5" and 200 lbs -- was drunk and had "slung his mom around the kitchen" and tried attacking him as well.

Natalya Reacts to Vince’s Brass Ring Remark

During a recent interview with The UK’s Mirror to hype the new season of Total Divas, WWE Diva Natalya responded to Vince McMahon’s brass ring remark, and she also reacted to the quick match she had against Charlotte on Raw.

The following are some interview highlights:

What did you think of Vince McMahon’s recent [brass ring] comments?

When Vince McMahon made that brass ring comment, I think it was cool, it got everyone talking. It allowed us to analyse and say, this is what’s good, this isn’t working, maybe I’ll speak up, maybe I’ll be more aggressive.

But when I stop to look at it, I don’t think Vince McMahon meant every single solitary person that’s in the WWE right now. I think he meant that several people can grab the brass ring harder and I think when we look at Total Divas – I’ve done 40 episodes, I’ve put my life out there in ways I don’t think is even normal, and I’ve been willing to do this to help not only elevate the Divas division but show a human side to what we do. What we do in the ring is such a small part, we do so much – we work with different charities, we have anti-bullying campaigns, we work with sick kids.

For us girls, for the original cast members and the new cast members, for us to put our lives out there on blast for everybody, if that’s not grabbing the brass ring I don’t know what is. I don’t think just anybody could do a reality show and put their life out there and have no qualms about going, hey, I’m sharing something with you guys I’ve never shared with anybody and I’m doing it in front of the entire world. That, to me, is grabbing the brass ring.

WWE Powers USA To #1 In Cable Entertainment On Monday Nights for 2014 In All Key Demos

USA NETWORK CONTINUES UNPRECEDENTED RATINGS STREAK WITH 9TH CONSECUTIVE YEAR AS #1 IN CABLE IN TOTAL VIEWERS

NEW YORK - December 18, 2014 – USA Network will finish the year as the most watched ad-supported cable entertainment network for an unprecedented 9th consecutive year. Fueled by a strong stable of original series, the powerhouse WWE MONDAY NIGHT RAW, and top-rated acquired series, USA’s winning streak continued with 2.14MM total viewers P2+, 7% higher than the closest competitive cable entertainment network.

USA is also cable’s top-performer with women, ranking #1 for the year in F18-49 (486,000, +8% over its closest competitor) and F25-54 (500,000, +8%). USA has been #1 in F18-49 since 2005 and in F25-54 since 2006—both unprecedented streaks among ad-supported networks.

“In an increasingly competitive landscape, maintaining our leadership position is a true feat and a testament to our quality programming,” said Chris McCumber, president of USA Network. “2014 was also a financial success for the network, as we once again achieved our most profitable year ever. I am excited to build on this momentum in 2015, as we roll out more new dramas than ever before, starting with the much-anticipated event series DIG.”

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.

Suits was among the year’s top 20 scripted series on cable, delivering 1.79MM P18-49, 1.95MM P25-54, and 4.37MM total viewers P2+. SIRENS was cable’s #1 new ad-supported comedy in 2014 in P25-54 (870,000). SIRENS returns for its second season premiere with a double dose of half-hour episodes on Tuesday, January 27 at 10/9c, followed by the continuation of the fourth season of Suits with all new episodes on Wednesday, January 28 at 10/9c.

The network’s buzzy, breakout reality series CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST ranks as a top 20 new cable reality series in 2014 in P18-49 and P25-54. The series debuted with a strong first season in April and was swiftly renewed for a second season, which aired its finale last night. In L7 measurements, season 2 to-date is averaging 1.17MM P18-49 (+24% over Season 1), 1.14MM P25-54 (+30%), 590,000 P18-34 (+7%), and 2.18MM total viewers P2+ (+29%). Season three will start production in the new year.

USA has three of the top acquired series in cable with Modern Family, NCIS and LAW & ORDER: SVU. SVU and NCIS are the top two acquired dramas on cable among P18-49, P25-54, P18-34, and total viewers P2+. Modern Family, which delivered a much younger and upscale audience to the network, was one of the year’s top ten acquired series among P18-49, P25-54, and P18-34.

USA recently renewed original dramas GRACELAND, Suits, SATISFACTION and Royal Pains to return in summer 2015; a second season for comedy PLAYING HOUSE; and a third season for the reality series CHRISLEY KNOWS BEST, to return spring 2015.

The network will premiere DIG on March 5, 2015. This thrilling ten episode event series is from executive producers Tim Kring (“Heroes”) and Gideon Raff (“Homeland”), and stars Golden Globe nominee Jason Isaacs (“Awake”) and Emmy Award-winner Anne Heche (“Save Me”). COMPLICATIONS, from Burn Notice creator Matt Nix, will bow this summer – an edge-of-your-seat drama about a reluctant hero, whose life is forever changed after making the split-second decision to intervene in a drive-by shooting to save a little boy’s life. Additionally, USA has a strong drama pipeline, with five pilots currently in production.

CM Punk WWE Health Accusations Raise Doubts From Jim Ross

CM Punk was a hot topic for wrestling legend Jim Ross when he sat down with USA Today to discuss his take on the wrestling business — among other things — on December 19.

And most of what the voice of pro wrestling/BBQ connoisseur had to say probably won’t be embraced by the Straight-Edge Superstar.

Particularly “hard to believe” for Jim Ross were the comments that CM Punk (aka Phil Brooks) made regarding Vince McMahon and the expectations that he work hurt.

This statement did not seem right to the man who managed talent for McMahon for a number of years.

“I was very surprised to hear that because I know from experience that WWE has invested untold sums of money on their medical staff,” Ross said. “Full-time doctors, full-time certified trainers, CTE testing and things that are actually being followed by some of the other leagues.”

Ross said that he knew the “health of their performers is a high priority, and that anytime I ever had an issue that was job-related or in-the-ring, I always got excellent care and I communicated with the medical staff on a regular basis. They’d call me when I was home.”

Ross did his best not to call CM Punk a liar, but he did say he was “surprised” to hear that from the former WWE Champ.

“I’m not disputing his claim because I wasn’t there and haven’t seen the medical records, but the issue is that it seems like it comes back down to communication,” said Ross.

“If I was in Punk’s place – and maybe he did this, I don’t know – and I was displeased by the doctor’s feedback, I would have gone to Vince after that, and said I believed the diagnosis to be incorrect. I don’t know if that ever happened.”

Ross called Vince McMahon a “very bright” man and found it hard to believe that he would ever “jeopardize” his company “by figuratively holding the gun to a head of a talent.”

“I have a hard time understanding that. I really do. I booked guys and was in charge of talent rosters for many years. We’d have a guy who was rehabbing, and we’d fly him in for a promo, but not a physical role. That’s a different ballgame.”

Ross admitted that it would truly “shock” him if McMahon required a talent to return when he wasn’t ready or cleared by a doctor “on the record or off.”

“I just think there was a big breakdown in communication,” Ross added.

Something else CM Punk may not like about Ross’ comments, Cageside Seats notes, is that JR sounded “skeptical” when it came to Punk’s chances of making it in the UFC.

Of course, if he were to be upset with JR over that, he’d have to pretty much be at odds with the whole internet.