The dark match before last night's WWE NXT TV tapings at Full Sail University saw top indie star Johnny Gargano lost to new WWE talent Uhaa Nation.
EVOLVE released the following statement today on Gargano:
"Johnny Gargano wrestled Uhaa Nation at last night's NXT taping in a dark match. Watch their first ever match at EVOLVE 27 here. We are very happy that WWE gave Gargano this opportunity. We have all traveled the road with Gargano and watched him go from the pre-show FRAY! on the first ever DGUSA event to his historic reigns as DGUSA Champion. If there is ever a WWN Hall Of Fame, Gargano is sure to be on the first ballot. It is only with your support that Gargano has accomplished all these things. Gargano remains under WWN contract. He will return to EVOLVE in New York on August 15th and 16th. We can already announce one of the huge matches he will be involved in that weekend. After what happened at EVOLVE 44, it'll be Gargano vs. Ethan Page in an Anything Goes Match at EVOLVE 47 in Queens, NY at La Boom."
June 19, 2015
EVOLVE Issues Statement On Johnny Gargano Working Last Night's WWE NXT Dark Match
USA Network Series WWE Tough Enough to Feature Daily Periscope Coverage
WWE will turn to Periscope, a new live streaming app, to give fans a look through the eyes of the competitors as the drama unfolds each week during training and competitions leading up to the weekly premieres of the new hard hitting reality series to air on USA Network, WWE Tough Enough. The @WWEToughEnough account on Periscope will also include guest appearances from the show’s host WWE Superstar Chris Jericho®, Tough Enough judges WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan®, WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan® and WWE Diva Paige™, as well as various other WWE Superstars and Divas.
Starting June 23, WWE Tough Enough will air weekly on Tuesdays at 8/7C on USA Network. Outside of the U.S., WWE Tough Enough airs live on OSN Sports 2 HD across the Middle East and North Africa, Ten Sports in the Indian subcontinent, Cielo in Italy and on YouTube around the rest of the world.
“WWE is already best in class when it comes to utilizing Twitter to engage with their massive global fan base,” said Danny Keens, Head of North American Sports Partnerships at Twitter. “Periscope allows anyone in the world to share and experience live video and now fans of WWE’s Tough Enough can further engage with talent from the show live in real-time. WWE is removing another barrier and allowing fans to have a deeper connection with their favorite WWE stars.”
“This new innovative partnership with Periscope will ensure that WWE Tough Enough never goes off the air,” said Lisa Fox, WWE Executive Vice President, Content. “This daily all-access content will bring our fans closer to the competitors, the action and the drama than in any other reality show.”
WWE Event In Japan Will Air In Its Entirety
Joey Styles confirmed on Twitter that the event from Tokyo, Japan on July 4th will be broadcast live in its entirety, and will be available on demand immediately afterward.
The event is scheduled to start at 6:00 pm in Japan, which is 5:00 am ET.
Below is the current card:
WWE NXT Title Match
Finn Balor vs. Kevin Owens
WWE Divas Title Match
Paige vs. Naomi vs. Nikki Bella
Brock Lesnar vs. Kofi Kingston
Chris Jericho vs. Neville
John Cena and Dolph Ziggler vs. Kane and King Barrett
The Lucha Dragons vs. Los Matadores
June 18, 2015
WWE Looking At Bringing In More Part Time Talents For NXT, Hoping To Book More Music Festivals
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the WWE is discussing the possibility of bringing in more part time wrestlers such as Samoa Joe and Rhino to help beef up their NXT touring shows.
The belief is that many of the brand's marquee stars will likely be on the main roster by 2016, and the company will need more fire power to carry a third touring brand. The report also says there are main roster talents willing to work the shows.
As we reported exclusively last week, NXT has been booked on the Louder than Life music festival for Louisville in October. The WWE is hoping to book NXT on more music festival events in the future.
June 16, 2015
WWE RAW Viewership Back Over Four Million
Monday's episode of WWE RAW, featuring the fallout from Money In the Bank, drew 4.114 million viewers. This is up from last week's 3.645 million viewers.
For this week's show, the first hour drew 4.095 million viewers, the second hour drew 4.249 million viewers and the final hour drew 3.997 million viewers.
RAW was #1 for the night on cable.
WWE Creates New YouTube Gaming Channel
WWE today launched UpUpDownDown, a new YouTube channel focusing on the world of video gaming, hosted by WWE Superstar and avid gamer, Xavier Woods®. Woods, also known to online players by his handle “Austin Creed,” will be joined by YouTube celebrities, WWE Superstars and video game editors who will star in daily programming about everything in the world of gaming – from current hits like “WWE 2K15” and “The Witcher” to classic series like “FIFA” and “Grand Theft Auto.”
“By leveraging WWE’s massive influence on YouTube and tapping into a content vertical that scores highly among our fans, we’re poised to make an immediate impact with this new channel,” said Lisa Fox, WWE Executive Vice President, Content. “We’re confident that UpUpDownDown will entertain not only WWE fans, but gamers everywhere.”
WWE has a powerful presence on YouTube, having served more than 5 billion video views in the last 12 months and boasting more than 6.4 million subscribers, making it the No. 1 Sports channel on the platform ahead of the NBA, MLB, NFL, NHL, ESPN and NASCAR.
Programming for UpUpDownDown will include:
• UpUpDownDown Plays (Mondays) – A “Let’s Play” style show featuring Woods and other personalities playing through today’s hottest titles.
• For the Lolz (Wednesdays) – Woods and others explore the vast worlds of popular sandbox games like Grand Theft Auto V, where just about anything and everything can happen.
• Jump Scares (Fridays) – Delving deep into the horror genre, players push their intestinal fortitude to the limit by creeping through the industry’s most bloodcurdling games.
• Superstar Savepoint (Saturdays) – Guests are tasked with jumping into a random game totally “cold,” and must help lead Woods to gaming glory in this unpredictable co-op experiment.
• Gamer Gauntlet (Sundays) – Woods and friends challenge each other for more than gaming bragging rights, with losers suffering pre-determined penalties.
Details on The Bill DeMott Tryout Training Camp with Mickie James, Magnus and Earl Hebner
The following was sent in:
Superstar Seminars
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE**
June 15th, 2015
Press Release
Superstar Seminars presents The Bill DeMott Tryout Training Camp. Aug 8th & 9th at the GXW Wrestling Academy in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, VA – Superstar Seminars, in conjunction with GXW Wrestling and The Bill DeMott Experience are pleased to present the Bill DeMott Tryout Training camp on August 8th and 9th at the GXW Wrestling School in Richmond, VA. This camp will give aspiring pro wrestlers a chance to be trained by one of the world’s most renowned pro wrestling trainers and experience first-hand the challenges that they will go through during a tryout for a major pro wrestling company.
Bill DeMott has over 25 years’ experience in the wrestling business, wrestling for ECW, WCW and WWE. Bill is well known as the former head trainer on the WWE series Tough Enough, and was the head trainer for the WWE Developmental programs Deep South Wrestling, Florida Championship Wrestling and most recently, NXT. Bill has been extremely influential in the rise to stardom of many of the current WWE Superstars as well as many WWE Superstars of the past decade.
As a member of the team who devised the testing and tryout process by which a current WWE hopeful is evaluated, Bill’s knowledge and expertise are incredibly valuable to anyone serious about making it in the world of Sports Entertainment. This camp will give students an authentic, first-hand experience of the tryout process, and Bill will teach all enrollees every aspect of how to be a better performer and provide the qualities that the big companies are looking for. The camp will cover many aspects including:
- - In-Ring technique and execution
- - Verbal skills
- - Conditioning
- - Character development and presentation
Assisting at the camp will be former WWE Women's, WWE Divas and TNA Knockouts Champion Mickie James, one of the most popular female performers of all time, Nick ‘Magnus’ Aldis, the first British Wrestler to hold the TNA World Heavyweight Title and former IWGP and GHC Tag Team Champion, and legendary senior referee Earl Hebner, who has decades of experience working with the biggest stars in the business.
The camp will take place at the GXW Wrestling Training Academy, a fully insured, air-conditioned, multi-purpose facility featuring a full-size ring, classrooms, green screen video room for promos/interviews and changing/restroom facilities. With easy access from major highways I-64, I-95 and I-295 and just 5 minutes from Richmond International Airport, the Academy is easily accessible for students from all over the US or Worldwide. Given the nature of the camp, we require that anyone wishing to attend must be at least 18 years of age with a minimum of 1 year experience in wrestling. Exceptions may be considered for applicants with a significant athletic background. Proper wrestling training attire is required. All enrollees will receive detailed instructions and information via email as well as video footage of their training for future reference upon completion of the camp.
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to be trained by the man who knows what the big leagues are looking for! Enrollment is $250. To apply, please visit www.superstarseminars.com and fill out the application form. If accepted, enrollment fee is required in full to secure your place. Enrollments are limited to a maximum of 30. Apply now to get your spot!
June 15, 2015
Lawsuit Against WWE And ESPN Dropped
A few months ago, we reported that the Gilbert family (specificially Tommy Gilbert as the executor of his son Eddie's estate and younger son Doug Gilbert on his own behalf) had sued both WWE and ESPN for using their likenesses without permission and not paying royalties. This is not the first time either company had been sued by a wrestler, with ESPN's victory over Kansas City wrestler Steve Ray being upheld on appeal about a week or so after news of the Gilbert lawsuit broke.
Today, a look at the case docket revealed that 11 days ago on June 4th, the Gilberts filed a Notice of Voluntary dismissal without prejudice. This means that they reserve the right to refile in the future. No word yet as to exactly why they dropped the case, though ESPN's continued success against Steve Ray was not a good sign.
It's worth noting that in the current issue of Fighting Spirit Magazine, Jim Cornette talks a bit about the idea of filing these types of lawsuits. Commonly, the wrestlers' arguments have been they worked without contracts. In the article, Cornette argues that this isn't quite as true as a lot of people think.
At TV tapings for Jim Crockett Promotions' television shows, there was a "sign-in sheet" where everyone had to sign in to get paid. That's how most wrestlers saw the sheet. In actuality, if anyone bothered to read it, they saw that it was a legal release against future claims. Many promoters also put a similar legal release against future claims above the signature line on wrestlers' paychecks.
WWE NXT takes over Louder Than Life festival in Louisville, Ky. this October!
In addition to four stages of music, Louder Than Life attendees can sample food and drink from more than 70 vendors helping to celebrate the region’s culture and cuisine.
NXT has become a must-see event whenever it comes to town, and the hard-hitting action is can’t-miss television every Wednesday on the award-winning WWE Network. The Superstars of Tomorrow have packed in fans throughout Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Albany, N.Y. and Ohio, along with a sold-out show in San Jose during WrestleMania 31 Week.
Louisville can expect the same high octane action when WWE NXT takes over Louder Than Life, Oct. 3 and 4 at Champions Park, near downtown Louisville. Ticket pre-sales begin now, with discounted tickets, VIP, hotel and camping packages available now at LouderThanLifeFestival.com. Regularly priced tickets will be available Friday, June 26 at 12 p.m. ET, also at LouderThanLifeFestival.com.
More Details on the New Season of Tough Enough
WWE Tough Enough is hosted by WWE Superstar Chris Jericho®, who will be joined by a panel of judges including WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan®, WWE Superstar Daniel Bryan® and WWE Diva Paige™. This season 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.
Every week, the three judges will each nominate one competitor they believe should be cut, and it will be up to the WWE Universe to vote and determine who they feel is “Tough Enough,” to remain in the competition. The competitor with the least number of votes will be eliminated. Throughout the season, each judge will have the ability to save one competitor from being sent home. Ultimately, one man and one woman will be considered “Tough Enough,” with each earning a one-year, $250,000 WWE contract.
Each week, the competitors will be coached by WWE Legends Booker T™, Billy Gunn™ and Lita™, and competitors will 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; and WWE Superstars John Cena®, Big Show® and Randy Orton®, among others.
The revolutionary WWE Tough Enough App is now available for download. This app will provide an unprecedented fan experience before, during and after the show by enabling fans to vote for who stays and who goes with results calculated in real-time during the final minutes of each episode. The app will also include competitor bios and video and social updates as the competition unfolds throughout the week.
