WWE NXT Star Possibly Out of Action for 6-8 Months

WWE NXT star Hideo Itami is reportedly out of action with a bad shoulder injury.

Itami is scheduled to face Finn Balor and Tyler Breeze in a Triple Threat #1 Contender match at Takeover on May 20th but word is that he could be out of action for 6-8 months.

Vince McMahon On Knowing Your Audience, Keeping WWE Successful, Using Social Media, More

Vince McMahon recently did a Q&A with Advisornet.org, which gives advice to veterans. Below are some highlights:

In your opinion, was it more difficult making WWE a success in the beginning, or keeping it a success today?

Both are challenging. At WrestleMania 1, we mortgaged everything we owned, hoping it would be a success. It was a huge gamble that paid off. Today, the challenge is to stay relevant, take advantage of new technologies and continue to evolve. The one constant is to approach every day like it's my first day on the job with fresh thinking and new ideas. But to answer your question directly, it is extremely difficult to get to the top but even more difficult to stay there.

What traits and attributes do you believe a veteran has to offer in your organization? Do you believe in recruiting experienced talent to fill roles, or do you like to train from the ground up?

Work ethic, leadership, communication skills and time management, as well as the ability to multi-task and work under pressure are traits I believe veterans can offer any organization. At WWE, we recruit experienced talent from a variety of industries and pride ourselves on promoting from within the company.

I'm starting a skateboard company. What are the most effective and low-cost marketing tactics you use for WWE?

Social media is today's "word of mouth" and an important part of WWE's success. Social and digital media provides us with an opportunity to engage our fans one-on-one and have a direct conversation with them. These same tactics apply to small businesses as well.

Hello Mr. McMahon! I'm sure there are countless aspects contributing to WWE's overwhelming success. Are there any attributes that you consider completely necessary?

It's important to know your audience, keep them engaged and always stay relevant. On a personal level, a strong work ethic and first day on the job thinking are two attributes that an employee must bring each day. It's also important to have a good sense of humor. Take your work, but not yourself, seriously.

Mr. McMahon, when did you realize the awesome potential for WWE to become a global brand and what advice do you have for veterans thinking of launching their own brand?

Brand building is an essential part of marketing. Make sure your brand is something easily understood by the public and make sure it is flexible enough to adapt to the ever-changing demands of the marketplace.

Hogan, Jericho, Paige and Daniel Bryan Headline New Season of Tough Enough

USA Network and WWE announced today that WWE Superstar Chris Jericho will be the host of the highly-anticipated series, WWE TOUGH ENOUGH, and will be joined by a panel of experts comprised of WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan®, WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan® and WWE Diva Paige™. The high-octane reality series premieres LIVE Tuesday, June 23 at 8pm ET/5pm PT on USA Network and around the world.*

This season of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH will combine the can’t-miss excitement of live television with reality-show drama, as WWE hopefuls vie for the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to become the next WWE Superstar or Diva. Unlike anything on television today, the lightning-fast hour of entertainment and competition will include live results every week, giving fans worldwide the power to decide who stays and who goes the very same night. Each week, one cast member will be eliminated until one man and one woman are considered “Tough Enough,” with each earning a one-year, $250,000 WWE contract.

Throughout the competition, the contestants will be trained by WWE Legends Booker T™, Billy Gunn™ and Lita™. Contestants will also come face-to-face with WWE icons including WWE Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Vince McMahon; Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative, Paul “Triple H®” Levesque; Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon; and WWE Superstar John Cena®, among others.

“These athletes, each with varying skill sets, will be put through a grueling boot camp that will test their physical, mental and emotional limits in a way that the series hasn’t done before,” said Jessica Sebastian, Vice President of Unscripted Series, USA Network. “Each week, their training and experience culminates in a spectacular live event where they will be put in front of their WWE heroes and an audience of fans. In this reimagined version of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH only the best will survive.”

“This season of WWE TOUGH ENOUGH will be the most innovative, unique and engaging series on television,” said Kevin Dunn, WWE Executive Producer. “A live global telecast, real-time voting with immediate results, and unprecedented use of digital and social media during and between telecasts will all lead to a groundbreaking viewing experience.”

To date, entrants from 113 countries have submitted videos, which have been viewed more than two million times on YouTube. To view play lists of entrants’ videos or to submit a new audition video, go to WWEToughEnough.com. For a compilation of entrants’ video submissions, click here.

On Monday, May 25, the WWE TOUGH ENOUGH App will be available for free download, giving fans even more opportunity to engage with this cutting-edge reality competition series. Through the App, viewers will receive access to exclusive content, learn more about the contestants, take part in social conversation between live telecasts and vote in real time. Fans around the world can also vote live each week for who stays and who goes via text (U.S. only), on Twitter @WWEToughEnough as well as on the WWE App, WWEToughEnough.com and USANetwork.com.

WWE TOUGH ENOUGH will emanate live from both the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., home to WWE’s developmental division NXT, and the innovative professional production studios at Full Sail University located in Winter Park, Fla. This launch will mark the inaugural use of the University’s latest high-caliber, on-campus production facility. In 2012, WWE and Full Sail announced an innovative partnership, which created a student scholarship fund, and also allows students of the university’s entertainment-focused degree programs, including Film, Show Production, Digital Arts and Design, Internet Marketing and Entertainment Business, to gain real-world experience alongside WWE’s professional production staff during WWE NXT tapings.

WWE TOUGH ENOUGH is produced by WWE, USA Network and Left Hook Media. Matt Odgers and Scott Teti are Executive Producers for Left Hook Media. Jessica Sebastian is Vice President of Unscripted Series for USA Network. Kevin Dunn is Executive Producer for WWE.

Be sure to join in the conversation at @WWEToughEnough @WWE @USANetwork and engage with your favorite WWE Tough Enough personalities @IAMJericho @ReneeYoungWWE @HulkHogan @WWEDanielBryan @RealPaigeWWE @BookerT5x @AmyDumas @BillyGunnWWE.

Bill DeMott Breaks Silence, Talks About Being NXT Head Trainer

Former WWE NXT head trainer Bill DeMott has broken his silence since resigning from the position over two months ago amid accusations of bullying, harassment, sexist and racist comments. DeMott appeared on Vince Russo's new podcast to talk about why the blame was cast in his direction:

"I always use the term it's never the quarterback, it's the coach," said Demott. "Millennials, I think right that's what this generation is called the millennials. I think it's in the whole world. So what I can say and what I will say is as a dad as you are, as I am, I try to figure that out to keep my children away from that entitlement."

WWE Chairman Vince McMahon infamously used the term "millennials" when expressing his frustration over the lack of ambition among the WWE roster while on an episode of Steve Austin's podcast. DeMott elaborated on his comments to a degree after Russo insinuated that DeMott had to coddle his students.

"I guess it's old school that you get what you earn and you try to earn what you want," said DeMott. 'I think that's all I am going to say about that because I think no matter what the case, Walmart, Publix, IBM, I always use IBM I don't know why, I go to a lot of management seminars and that's a lot of the conversation, the opening conversation: 'What do we do when they don't like that?' And I want to walk out because I'm not going to learn anything if I'm still trying to figure out. It's tough, it's going to be tough for whoever has to figure out what they want tomorrow."

ESPN E:60 WWE "Behind the Curtain" Recap

Chris Jericho Reveals His WWE Return, Why He's Working Live Events, Update on His WWE Podcast

Chris Jericho revealed on the latest episode of his Talk Is Jericho podcast that he will be working WWE live events this summer. Jericho will be working 19 live events in June, July and August.

Jericho noted that he will not be working TV or pay-per-view events on this run but could return to those events soon. Jericho said he's only working live events this run because he still has some Fozzy touring to do and some family vacations to go on this summer. Jericho said he is very excited to return to WWE and work with some of the newer talents. He said he pretty much already knows who he's going to be working with and will be revealing that soon. Jericho's dates are as follows:

* June 12: Springfield, Illinois
* June 13: Terre Haute, Indiana
* June 20: Las Vegas
* June 27: Boston
* June 28: Reading, Pennsylvania
* July 2: Singapore
* July 3: Tokyo
* July 4: Tokyo
* July 10: Philadelphia
* July 11: Pittsburgh
* July 31: San Diego
* August 1: Ontario
* August 2: Fresno, California
* August 15: Detroit
* August 16: East Lansing, Michigan
* August 21: Bridgeport Connecticut
* August 22: White Plains, New York
* August 29: San Juan, Puerto Rico
* August 30: Tallahassee, Florida

Jericho also revealed that due to how busy he is, there won't be another live WWE Network podcast for a while.

WWE Shoots Down Vince McMahon Rumors from RAW

There were rumors all over social media about Vince McMahon after a Reddit user who saw Vince come out for the post-RAW Pat Patterson Appreciation Night segment expressed concern over Vince's vision. The rumor was even brought up via a fan question on the latest episode of Wrestling Observer Radio but Dave Meltzer said he had not heard the rumor and would ask around about it.

The WWE responded with the following comment:

"We can confirm that the rumors are false."

Longtime WWE Employee Announces Their Departure

WWE seamstress Sandra Gray of Total Divas fame has left the company as she made the announcement on Twitter after last night's tapings in Ottawa. Gray has worked for WWE for more than 15 years and runs her own vintage clothing business. Raj Giri of WrestlingINC notes that Sandra recently took some time off after her husband became ill in January.

WWE hosted Pat Patterson Appreciation Night in Montreal

WWE honored the first Intercontinental Champion, Montreal native Pat Patterson after Raw concluded at the Bell Centre.

WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon kicked off the festivities by talking about the hardships the WWE Hall of Famer faced throughout his career and lauding his many accomplishments.

“Pat Patterson became one of the greatest Superstars of all time, selling out arenas throughout the world, including Madison Square Garden many times,” McMahon said.

Patterson came to ringside to a chorus of “Merci, Pat! Merci, Pat!” by the Montreal faithful. Bret Hart joined Patterson and McMahon to thank Patterson for being a “great friend and real hero.” Hart then presented him with a personalized Montreal Canadiens jersey, which Patterson immediately put on to the delight of the Bell Centre.

After a video of several Superstars and Legends thanking Patterson, Triple H led the locker room to the stage. The former WWE World Heavyweight Champion and current WWE Executive attributed his success to Patterson and praised him for working alongside Mr. McMahon for so many years.

“You’ve tried to retire numerous times,” Triple H said. “This is just in your blood. You are family. Vince said it, I will say it: You are my family. I love you.”

Triple H then presented Patterson with a plaque featuring the Intercontinental Championship and legendary pictures from his Hall of Fame career.

Patterson thanked the locker room and his hometown fans for their support before signing a heartfelt rendition of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way.”

After 15 years as a main eventer in San Francisco, Patterson joined WWE in 1979 and became the first Intercontinental Champion. His brutal matches with Sgt. Slaughter in the coming years brought “extreme” to sports-entertainment more than a decade before The Attitude Era.

He likewise became an unforgettable part of The Attitude Era as one of Mr. McMahon’s “Stooges,” alongside Gerald Brisco on camera. He also created the beloved Royal Rumble Match concept at WWE’s World Headquarters.

As for what Patterson has done for WWE, Mr. McMahon said it simply: “I would not be standing in this ring tonight if it were not for Pat Patterson.”

Backstage News on Sami Zayn's WWE Status

Regarding Sami Zayn's shoulder injury suffered on last night's RAW in Montreal, the injury apparently came before the match with WWE United States Champion John Cena even began. As Zayn was making his entrance, he was raising his arms to get the crowd hype and it looked like something happened to the shoulder then.

Zayn started showing signs of an injury then but worked the match anyway. As seen during the match, the referee threw up a "X" symbol and a WWE trainer checked on Zayn before he was allowed to finish. Sami did appear on the stage for the post-RAW Pat Patterson Appreciation Night segment but his shoulder was bandaged up.

Zayn will be having a MRI today to find out how bad the injury is. It should be noted that Zayn was away from the NXT ring with an injury until April 2nd with a shoulder injury.

Last night's match is being called Zayn's official RAW debut but we don't know yet if this means he is on the main roster for good. Zayn is scheduled for more upcoming WWE TV tapings but that could obviously change with the MRI results.

Big E Talks New Day Getting Over, Having 'Uphill Battle' After First Xavier Woods Promo

SLAM! Wrestling has an interview with Big E, who was promoting last night's RAW in Montreal. During the interview, Big E talked about the New Day gimmick starting to get over.

"It's cool because it feels very organic," Big E said. "I think a lot of times when you say, 'This is what a talent is and this is how we're going to push him in this direction and it doesn't matter what the crowd says or what they do,' sometimes you can make that work if you shove things down peoples' throats, but a lot of times there's resistance toward that."

Big E noted that it's been an uphill battle getting the group going since Xavier Woods first confronted himself and Kofi Kingston on RAW last July, which you can watch above at the 2:20 mark.

"If you remember the original promo with Woods in the red and white suit, that happens and then we disappear for a couple of months," Big E said. "I think there was some buzz with that, which we were all excited for, and then that kind of just disappears. And then when you see us again, we're in a different incarnation of what people thought we would be. For us, it was kind of an uphill battle to get things off the ground for the first several months, but I think more than anything, we believe in our talent.

"It's really cool to get to this point of things feeling organic, where we're not in a box that people are force fed, and that's something we're excited about. I think it's a cool thing to not necessarily have a strong label. But I do think we're going to start moving in a certain direction that'll make it pretty easy for people to figure where we're going."

Big E also discussed preferring WCW to WWE when he was growing up, his physique, joining WWE, power lifting and more. You can read the whole interview by clicking here.

ESPN Reporter Michelle Beadle Banned From Mayweather/Pacquiao Fight; Blasts Triple H & WWE For Supporting a “Serial Abuser”

ESPN reporter Michelle Beadle – who has been a huge supporter of pro wrestling over the years, and was the host of all kinds of WWE mainstream press during this year’s WrestleMania week blitz – has apparently turned in her fan card following Saturday’s big Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight in Las Vegas.

Beadle, who was in Vegas all weekend doing promotion for the fight through ESPN and HBO (a co-producer of the event) had her press credentials revoked by Team Mayweather/SHOWTIME, effectively banning her from the super fight. Along with CNN reporter Rachel Nichols (who was also banned), the duo has been outspoken against Mayweather’s history of violence against women, which spans over a decade and includes multiple convictions.

Michelle, who wrestling fans may remember was the ESPN host that sat down with Brock Lesnar for his shocking announcement prior to WrestleMania, has apparently had enough with WWE and Triple H’s public support of a “serial abuser”. She posted the following on her Twitter:

"I've loved @WWE for a long time. But @TripleH and his love for a serial abuser is too much. I'm turning in my fan card. #WasFunWhileItLasted"