Brock Lesnar On His Relationship With Vince McMahon, Returning To WWE Over UFC, Fans, More

Brock Lesnar appeared on ESPN Radio's "Mike & Mike Show" this morning to promote WWE SummerSlam. Below are highlights:

* Brock said it's been good being back with WWE so far. He says not going back to UFC was a lifestyle choice and a lifestyle commitment. He was forced out of UFC because of his illness but when he was ready to come back he felt like he was cheated out of a few fights. Then it came down to a family lifestyle choice. He says WWE treated him well in 2012 when he came back and it's now refreshing to be back with the company. Lesnar added that he can come and do his thing when they need him and he's not always living life on the road. He said Vince McMahon welcomed him back and they see eye to eye now. He said their relationship is better than it has been.

* He said his homecoming at RAW in Minneapolis last night was great. He was asked about UFC 100 or WrestleMania being bigger and he said WrestleMania. Lesnar talked about how you're able to absorb the crowd in WWE but all he remembers from his UFC days is being a stone cold barbarian killer because it's a whole different mindset as you're out to hurt your opponent.

* Working as a heel comes very natural to Lesnar but he's getting cheered out of the arena now. He says connecting with WWE fans is just like any other sport - without the fans you have nothing.

WWE Launches 'Direct-To-Fans' Mobile Service on Vuclip

Vuclip to Stream WWE Video Clips to Fans in India, Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia

MILPITAS, CA--(Marketwired - August 18, 2015) - Vuclip, the leading premium mobile video on demand [VOD] service for emerging markets, has today announced a partnership with the World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Ltd. to engage WWE fans in emerging markets of the world with video clips on their mobile phones. Through this partnership, Vuclip will make available WWE's video clips on the Vuclip service in the markets of India, Africa, Middle East and South East Asia. WWE is NYSE listed and the global leader in sports entertainment.

Via this arrangement, WWE fans can stream the following mix of video clips on their mobile devices: match highlights such as Slam of the Week from both RAW and Smackdown; The Vault, a flashback to a monumental match; WWE Classics from legends of the past; and WWE Countdown which shows favorite superstars and match moments.

Speaking about this new service, Nikhil Naik, Director, Head of Distribution, Vuclip said, "For more than three decades, WWE has been entertaining its fans across the world. With emerging markets such as India and Africa seen as 'Mobile first' markets, Vuclip will help pave the way for engaging WWE's fan base in these countries along with deepening the engagement in the Middle Eastern and South East Asian markets. We are happy to offer WWE fans premium mobile entertainment in these markets."

WWE programming is broadcast in more than 150 countries and 35 languages and reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide. It hosts more than 300 live events annually and possesses 130,000 hours of content which is growing by 500 hours each year.

Jon Stewart to host SummerSlam

After 16 epic years as host of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” Jon Stewart has announced his retirement plans. What will Stewart do next? A trip to Disney? A run for President? A one-way trip to Mars? No, as first reported by USAToday.com, Stewart is set to host SummerSlam, this Sunday, Aug. 23, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT live on WWE Network.

Stewart, a longtime member of the WWE Universe, appeared earlier this year in an ongoing rivalry with now-WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins. After Stewart taunted Rollins on social media, Rollins appeared on “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart,” where he challenged Stewart to appear on Monday Night Raw to settle their score.

Most recently, Rollins appeared in a look-back segment during Stewart’s final few days on “The Daily Show.”

Stewart stepped down from his post as host of “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” on Thursday, Aug. 6. During his tenure, Stewart welcomed a wide array of high-profile guests, including President Barack Obama, former President Jimmy Carter, Clint Eastwood, Halle Berry, Ben Affleck, Jon Bon Jovi, Bruce Springsteen, Derek Jeter, Shaquille O’Neal, Bill Gates and many more.

Watch ESPN SportsCenter, live from SummerSlam

Start your SummerSlam Sunday off right when ESPN SportsCenter airs live from The Biggest Party of the Summer.

ESPN SportsCenter, live from SummerSlam, will air Sunday from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6-7 p.m. This broadcasts mark the first time ESPN's long-running sports-news franchise will be on-site for a WWE event.

Former WWE personality and current ESPN anchor "The Coach" Jonathan Coachman hinted at the developing news in a series of tweets over the weekend before it was formally announced on Raw.

More on Chyna Allegedly Confronting Triple H at Piper's Funeral

Dave Meltzer revealed on the Wrestling Observer message board that there was no real confrontation between Chyna and Triple H at Roddy Piper’s funeral last week despite claims by Sean "X-Pac" Waltman that she was nearly escorted away by police.

In fact, the exchange lasted no longer than about 20 seconds when Chyna approached Triple H after he left the service to apologize to him for things that had happened in the past.

Triple H was reportedly worried that someone might have been secretly filming him and Chyna for her upcoming documentary,

Photo: Triple H & Linda McMahon at the WWE Performance Center

Just got this great pic of 2 of my favorite people!!! @TripleH and @Linda_McMahon at the @WWEPerformCtr! pic.twitter.com/jDD3aWJrFJ

— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) August 12, 2015

Paige Talks WWE and the Diva’s Revolution, Triple H’s Influence, Which Diva Does She See Having The Most Promise in WWE?

WWE Diva Paige recently spoke with Doug Mortman and (filling in for Dave LaGreca,) Larry Dallas, of Busted Open interviewed WWE Diva Paige recently.

Paige talks WWE and the recent “Divas Revolution”, Triple H’s influence on the movement, which Diva she sees with the most promise, and much more. You can hear Busted Open on SiriusXM Rush 93 and on the SiriusXM app. Visit BustedOpenNation.com. for all things Busted Open. Here are some highlights from the interview:

On HHH’s influence on the Diva’s Revolution:

Paige: Just seeing him come in and completely take what was then called FCW like under his wing and make it into this huge brand to the point where it sold out in Brooklyn – 15,000 people are coming to watch NXT – that’s MIND BLOWING … and it’s all because of that guy. He really wanted to make it a success and he really did, especially with the Divas. He really did give the Divas a chance in NXT – like me and Emma, the first network show that we did – he really gave us a chance on there and it just progressed. He killed it. He knocked it out of the park with it. We’re all extremely thankful for the opportunity that he gave every single one of us.

On which young Diva Paige sees having the most promise:

Paige: Even though she’s on the opposing team, I would say Sasha Banks. I’m a huge fan of hers. And I’ve always said it. I’ve always said Sasha Banks. She’s just the full package to me. She can promo, she can wrestle, she looks good … she definitely shows the most, I think.

On whether she sees either of the remaining two Divas on Tough Enough becoming a big name in NXT and eventually the main WWE roster:

Paige: As much as I like Sara Lee, and everyone thinks I pick on her, I would have to say Amanda – and it’s not being biased because you know how I’m like with both of them, I’m brutally honest with both of them. Amanda is kind of the full package too – she can talk, she’s really starting to get things in the ring, and she’s really embracing that heel role that she’s got going on. She really doesn’t care what people think of her and that’s cool to me, I like that, she doesn’t care about being liked or not. She’s not afraid of being different, she’s not afraid to be herself. She does great in the ring. She takes control as well, especially with her and Sara’s match she really took control of it. That’s cool. I like that about her.

On the winners of Tough Enough and their eventual transition to the NXT roster:

Paige: (laughs) It’s definitely going to be hard transition for them because they’re going to have to start working extra hard … especially because there are a lot of people on NXT that have worked their whole lives to get where they are. To be honest with you, they DO work hard, but they’re doing it on a reality show and then they get handed the contract at the end of the day. I can see a few jealous people [in NXT] but everyone is cool and cordial and they’ll be fine.

DISH Network No Longer Airing ROH On Sinclair Stations, ROH Asks Fans To Contact DISH

ROH announced the following:

DISH Network Discontinues Ring of Honor/Sinclair Programming

Call DISH now to get us back!

As a result of an expired agreement between DISH Network and our parent company, Sinclair Broadcast Group, Dish will no longer carry Sinclair stations or programming, including Ring of Honor. At this time, we do not know if or when Dish will resume carrying our content.

We regret the inconvenience this is causing to Dish Network subscribers who want to continue to watch Ring of Honor on Sinclair stations.

We wish to remind these subscribers that numerous other means exist for receiving Ring of Honor programming, including DirecTV and at least one cable television company, for free over-the air, and on rohwrestling.com. You can also catch Ring of Honor every Wednesday at 11 p.m. ET on the Destination America channel.

If you are affected by this situation, we suggest that you contact Dish Network by calling them at (855)-318-0572, or through their website at dish.com/contact, Facebook at facebook.com/DISH, or on Twitter at twitter.com/dish, and let them know you want them to carry these local stations and receive their popular programming, including Ring of Honor.

Sasha Banks Talks Accidentally Hitting Vince McMahon Backstage The Night Of Her RAW Debut, Triple H

On a recent episode of Talk Is Jericho, current NXT Women's Champion Sasha Banks talked about Triple H's commitment to the future of professional wrestling and his involvement in the Divas Revolution. Also, Banks told a story about meeting Vince McMahon for the first time.

In the interview, Banks stated that Triple H "cares so much about the future" of professional wrestling and women's wrestling in particular. Banks said that Triple H is the reason that the female wrestlers get so much TV time and that she is afraid to let him down.

"We definitely don't want to let him down and we haven't," Banks said. "Every [NXT] Takeover, I have a little breakdown because I just don't want [WWE brass] to be like, 'this is the match, this is why [the Divas division] can't have time."

During the interview, Banks called meeting Vince McMahon for the first time a very nerve-racking experience and noted that he still scared her.

According to Banks, the night of her RAW debut, she accidentally hit McMahon backstage when she was talking with her hands while explaining something to her Team BAD partners, Naomi and Tamina. "And I was like, 'oh my God!' He's [Vince] like, 'are you guys excited [for Team BAD's debut]? Are you guys ready for this?'," Banks explained. "He's so intimidating!" she added.

In a wide ranging interview, Banks and Jericho talked about the late great Eddie Guerrero, how Banks came up with 'the Boss' gimmick, and many other topics. Click here to check out the entire podcast.

Vince McMahon Praises John Cena And Roman Reigns

Vince McMahon offered the following on his Twitter account, praising Roman Reigns and John Cena for their social awareness.

Cena came in second on DoSomething.org’s “Athletes Gone Good” list, and Reigns came in at #13. Soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo topped the list this year; Ronda Rousey also made the list at #14.

Click here for more information about Athletes Gone Good, including the full list of winners.

I'm proud of @JohnCena and @WWERomanReigns for using their voices for social causes. #AthletesGoneGood http://t.co/HBCvZyRP7a

— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) August 14, 2015

Finn Balor Recalls Meeting Vince McMahon for the First Time, Talks Winning the NXT Title, Dusty Rhodes’ Tutelage, HHH’s Leadership, More

WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor recently spoke with Sports Illustrated’s Justin Barrasso to hype next week’s NXT Takeover Brooklyn special, and below are some interview highlights:

On meeting Vince McMahon for the first time:

“The first official meeting I had with Vince McMahon was in San Jose two days before WrestleMania,” said Bálor. “I was wrestling against Neville in the main forNXT San Jose. Neville had just got to the ring, and I was standing behind the curtain ready to make my entrance. I could hear Neville’s music tapering off, and I heard a call, ‘Finn! Finn!’ I turned around and it was Hunter. He said, ‘Have you met Vince?’

“So I went over and Vince’s head popped out from behind the curtain and said, ‘How are you doing, son?’ I said, ‘Hello, sir,’ and shook his hand. As I shook his hand, the heartbeat of my music started and I started, ‘That’s my cue, gotta go.’”

On Triple H’s leadership:

“With regards to what you see on TV, you’re really only seeing the tip of the iceberg with Paul Levesque,” said Bálor about the man better known to wrestling fans as Triple H. “He has been an incredible leader here for the people at NXT, and not just for me, but he has time for everyone. He motivates people and inspires. He’s someone that is very approachable, very down to earth, and full of new and alternative ideas. He’s helped me adapt to my situation, which has been very different with learning the working style of WWE and life here in America.”

On Dusty Rhodes’ tutelage:

“Dusty would say, ‘Finn, your work in the ring is up here, but you’re talking is down here – you’ve got to balance them out,’” said Bálor. “He was always very straight to the point, and we had a great relationship together. I remember him saying one time, ‘Prince, you know I heard them talking about you before you came in here, and goddamn, I thought Lou Thesz was gonna walk in that door the way they talk about your work.’ I’ll never forget that, and I was very lucky to work with Dusty. He helped me incredibly with my communication, as he called it, and I learned a lot of lessons with him. ‘The Dream’ was someone who filled me with confidence the first time I walked in the door.”

On winning the NXT Title in Japan:

“That whole night was memorable for much more than winning the NXT championship.” Said Bálor. “Japan was a place that became my second home. That venue [Sumo Hall] is where I watched my first New Japan show and wrestled my last New Japan match. It was a year after I said goodbye to so many friends, and the fans were almost like family there, and I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see them again.

“To come back with WWE a year later to wrestle in the NXT championship match in a sold-out Sumo Hall against Kevin Owens, who came into NXT at almost the same time as me–and we became very close, experienced a lot of the same struggles–live on the WWE Network, the story couldn’t have been written any better.

WWE Sends Cease & Desist Order to Rapper

We noted before that rapper Meek Mill used The Undertaker's theme song in his response to rapper Drake during their recent feud and that WWE told TMZ, “WWE takes its intellectual property rights very seriously, and we’re looking into the matter.”

VH1 now reports that WWE lawyers sen a cease & desist order to Meek, forcing him to remove the song from Soundcloud this week.