Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger to appear at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn

International wrestling legend Jushin “Thunder” Liger will appear at NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn! The blockbuster announcement was made by NXT General Manager William Regal at tonight’s NXT tapings at Full Sail University in Orlando, Fla and then via Twitter.

A legend in his home country of Japan, Liger is an innovator of the high-flying, hard-hitting style that defined cruiserweight wrestling. A true aerial artist, he is not only credited with the invention of the Shooting Star Press, but is also a dangerous striker, known for his devastating shotei palm strikes.

He brought that style to America in the early 1990s with WCW, where he captured their Light Heavyweight Championship from Brian Pillman on Christmas 1991. Liger and Pillman went on to have a classic battle at SuperBrawl II that is regarded as one of the best cruiserweight matches ever. Liger returned to Japan for several years before coming back to WCW for the debut episode of Monday Nitro in 1995, again squaring off with Pillman in a thrilling affair.

A decorated champion in Japan, Mexico and the United States, Jushin “Thunder” Liger will appear in WWE for the first time ever at Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Don’t miss your chance to see a rare appearance in the United States from one of the most revered highfliers of all time! Tickets for NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn will be available this Saturday at 12 p.m. ET!

Rumor Mill - Backstage News on Why Top WWE Executive Was Recently Released

WWE Executive Vice President of Content Lisa Lee Fox was recently fired from the company. Fox had worked with WWE since 1995 and most recently headed up the WWE writing team, reporting directly to Triple H and Vince McMahon. She also was one of the officials in charge of the WWE Network and TV content.

While the exact reason for her firing remains unknown, Fox was the point person for WWE’s bid on the old Paul Boesch Houston Wrestling tape library. It turns out that NWA’s Bruce Tharpe made the winning bid and got the library instead of WWE. This led to the NWA starting their own streaming service with many matches featuring WWE Legends.

While the NWA’s streaming service obviously won’t directly compete with the WWE Network, WWE did not want a similar service started by another wrestling company that features big name matches.

WWE Statement On Sending Belts To Athletes

Tech Times has an article about WWE sending replica belts to athletes and sports teams, including most recently Todd Frazier of the Cincinnati Reds and the United States women's national soccer team. WWE sent the site this statement regarding their tribute:

"WWE sends the WWE World Heavyweight Championship title to athletes and teams either through an individual athlete's representation or to team officials. WWE has sent the Championship title to various teams and athletes for a number of years. The WWE World Heavyweight Championship title signifies the pinnacle of greatness, and it is our honor to present it to those outside of WWE who have achieved this championship level status in their own field. We think it is a fitting tribute to the best of the best."

Potential Legal Issue Leads to TNA Dropping Wrestler & Causes Massive Changes to Impact Wrestling TV Series

An issue between TNA and Lucha Underground has led to a number of planned TNA TV segments being pulled from upcoming episodes of Impact Wrestling, storylines being dropped and one recent TNA signing being dropped from the company, PWInsider.com has learned

At the center of the controversy with Shawn Hernandez, who recently returned to TNA and became part of the Beat Down Clan after appearing on the first season of Lucha Underground on The El Rey Network.

TNA sources indicate that Hernandez was signed to a deal by the company after informing TNA that contractually, he was free and clear to do so. After Hernandez made a number of appearances at TNA TV tapings, Lucha Underground approached TNA and informed them that contractually, Hernandez was still their talent, signed to their series and that he was not released from his obligations to their promotion, therefore he could not legally appear on TNA broadcasts.

As you might imagine, this put TNA into a legally actionable position where they could be sued. With Impact Wrestling already pre-filmed well in advance as well, it put the company into a terrible situation where their storylines, which are worked out well in advance, would be useless.

I am told that TNA management attempted to work out an agreement with Lucha Underground that would allow the existing footage to be used, including offering to pay Underground for Hernandez' appearances. We are told that Underground turned down all those attempts. Given that the producers of the Lucha series come from a film and TV background, I was not surprised to hear that.

Since TNA cannot use the footage, the decision was made to pull anything involving the BDC. As of today, all of the current BDC storylines are completed and done as it would be impossible to edit around Hernandez.

I am told that starting tonight, TNA will be replacing those matches and vignettes with existing material, including some matches from the TNA Slammiversary PPV from a few weeks ago. TNA also intends to film material at their Orlando TV Tapings later this month that they can drop into the segments that are no longer available to be used.

The matches and segments that were filmed are (for now at least) completely scrapped and TNA will re-edit all of their TV.

Hernandez, obviously, is gone from TNA and he is now in a position where he's losing work as TNA wanted to use him and cannot. Lucha Underground is still working to finance a potential second season, so Hernandez is now stuck off TV until they pick up production again.

As far as the rest of the BDC, MVP, Kenny King, etc. are also effectively be off those TV episodes until TNA can get new material with those talents. So, through no fault of their own, a number of TNA talents are now off television suddenly until TNA can work them back in while talents who wrestled them also find their matches yanked.

Obviously, the TNA editing team has their work ahead of them.

source: pwinsider.com

Total Divas Recap 07/14/15

Blue Pants On Her WWE NXT Future, If There's Been Jealousy Over Her NXT Reactions, More

Leva Bates, known to WWE NXT fans as Blue Pants, recently spoke with Rolling Stone. The full interview is at this link. Below are highlights:

How did NXT happen? Did they contact you?

They have a recruiting page online, and I filled it out and they got a hold of me through that. Actually, my first time I did anything with WWE was being a Rosebud. So when they called me for NXT, I assumed it was another Rosebud gig, which I was all for. Then they told me I was going to be on NXT doing a match. That's kind of how it went down. They actually called me the day of the show, so thank God I was local. I ended up just leaving Universal and going straight there.

Are you surprised you've become a Full Sail favorite?

It was definitely unexpected. I didn't expect to be called Blue Pants, I didn't expect it to catch on like it did. And then when I got called back the second, and even third time, I didn't expect for the chants to keep happening. Whenever I get those "Blue Pants" chants, it just blows my mind. I think part of it was Carmella though, whenever her character would be disgusted with me, and then I'd come out all excited, the crowd just ate it up. It really was just right place, right time; the stars aligned, and now the sky's the limit.

Some wrestlers are concerned that if they are enhancement talent on a regular basis, that's what they become. Are you worried about that?

Not really. I'm getting a lot more attention now. I've gotten more opportunities in wrestling, my fans have increased, a lot of doors have opened for me. I still do a lot of things outside of NXT, and people get that. Some of my fans have actually gotten more upset about that than me. They talk about how I'm not Blue Pants, I'm Leva. But I really don't mind it. I have a lot of creative ideas, and I don't think Blue Pants will hinder those ideas, even if they get to know me as her.

Have you sensed any jealousy backstage in regards to the reactions you're getting?

No, not at all. I do hear a lot of disbelief that I'm as over as I am, but everyone has been really nice and supportive. One person even told me that I make superstars, or villains, which was really cool. Everyone has been super nice; they even celebrated my birthday the last time I was there. All of that caught me off guard. That was incredibly heartwarming. The thing is, if one person succeeds, it proves that success is possible. Everyone just stays positive there, which is great for me, since I'm a super-positive person.

I know that you've started to get used on the house shows for NXT, instead of just the TV tapings. Has there been any talk of getting a developmental contract?

We've talked about doing more house shows in the future, which is a lot of fun. I think I'm kind of creating something new with them. I'm sort of a free-agent regular. I can do my things, but also appear on their shows. If they do offer me something though, that would be awesome. If they don't, that's still great, because I get to live my dream. I get to work with WWE. That's always been a dream of mine. I'm just looking at everything positively. You have to enjoy the moment. I could be sitting here concerned about if they're going to be offering me a contract or not. Instead, I'm enjoying every time they're calling me. I can say I've won a WWE match now! I can cross that off my bucket list. I got to wrestle the NXT champion! I got be on Raw! Cross all that off my bucket list. Instead of worrying what comes next, you have to enjoy what you've accomplished so far. I think so many people, especially wrestling fans, are concerned about what comes next. I don't know what's going to happen, I just ride the moment. You never know when it's going to end. I've had an awesome ride.

Former Security Guard Suing 12 WWE Superstars Over 2013 Live Event Incident, WWE Responds

A former security guard at the Savannah Civic Center in Savannah, Georgia is suing WWE and several Superstars after he was hit with a steel chair at a WWE live event in 2013, according to Courthouse News Service. The complaint was filed in late June.

Troy Rivers says he was unexpectedly hit "about the head, neck and back" with a chair at the event. His suit names John Cena, Ryback, Dean Ambrose, Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins, Daniel Bryan, Cesaro, Fandango, Damien Sandow, Cody Rhodes, Kane and R-Truth. Rivers is unsure who actually hit him, believing it may be Ambrose, so his attorney is suing every Superstar who competed that night. His attorney Kevin Elwell said:

"We haven't reviewed the video from the event yet, so we're bringing in everyone on the card that night. Only one guy did it, but we don't know which one yet."

Rivers says the incident left him with "serious, significant and permanent personal injuries." River's wife Mary is also a plaintiff in the suit and claims that the incident has deprived her of "conjugal fellowship" with her husband. Troy also claims that because of gross negligence by WWE, he is suffering from "physical and mental anguish, diminishment of his earning capacity, and continues to suffer a loss of enjoyment of life."

The man is seeking unspecified punitive and compensatory damages. WWE issued a written statement in response and said they have no knowledge of "any such incident and the security company that hired the plaintiff doesn't have any record of this matter either. Furthermore, the plaintiff's attorney has admitted he has no basis to sue the individual defendants named in the lawsuit."

Global Force Wrestling Will Feature Four Divisions; Tournaments Announced to Crown New Champions in Las Vegas

Global Force Wrestling has announced that it will feature four unique divisions when the promotion heads to Las Vegas later this month for its first ever television taping. Additionally, four tournaments will kick off on July 24th at the Orleans Arena to crown the inaugural champions.

GFW Global Championship: This will be the company’s perceived top prize, defending all over the planet against names from anywhere in the world, making it a true “world championship”.

GFW Women’s Championship: The company will be looking to bring in the top female wrestlers from around the globe to create the ultimate women’s division.

GFW Tag Team Championship: Let’s be honest…how long before the Young Bucks have won these?

GFW NEX*GEN Championship: This is a division specifically set up to bring a focus to the “stars of tomorrow”. Up-and-coming names from all around the world will battle for a chance to make a name for themselves, providing the fans with a chance to acquaint themselves with fresh faces.

Video: Stephanie McMahon launches a revolution in the Divas division by introducing Becky Lynch, Charlotte and NXT Women's Champion Sasha Banks on Raw

Three NXT Divas Debut On Tonight's WWE RAW

Sometimes all you need is a spark to start a revolution. - Triple H

WWE Hall Of Famer Sunny Arrested

WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch was arrested back on May 30th for DUI in Lehighton, Pennsylvania, according to The Standard Speaker.

Arrest papers say state police stopped her in the parking lot of a local Walmart at 1:32am. She was stopped because police saw her enter the exit for the parking lot and hit a curb. Sunny reportedly failed a field sobriety test and had a blood alcohol level of .253.

Sunny lives in nearby Palmerton and was charged with two counts of DUI and two summary violations after the incident - one for suspended license and one for careless driving.

WWE Performance Center Celebrates Second Anniversary

Happy 2 year anniversary to the @WWEPerformCtr, home of @WWENXT & @WWEToughEnough! http://t.co/1Xt3y8lg1f pic.twitter.com/ku5FOISLCQ

— WWE NXT (@WWENXT) July 11, 2015