WWE NXT Diva Kana is now being called Asuka. The following was posted on her Twitter yesterday, which is one of the very few tweets in English she has:
Starting today, KANA will be known as ASUKA The name of ASUKA means future. Toward the future with those who never stop loving WWE! ASUKA
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September 11, 2015
Kana Comments On Her New WWE Ring Name
September 10, 2015
‘Tough Enough’ Runner-Up Amanda Joining Cast of ‘Total Divas’
Total Divas will soon see the debut of a new cast member: Tough Enough runner-up Amanda.
PWInsider is reporting that Amanda has officially joined the cast, replacing Naomi, who confirmed her own Total Divas departure on Twitter yesterday.
For a week prior, Amanda was present alongside Total Divas cast members in various social media posts, fueling the speculation:
WWE Officials Reportedly Hold Meeting Regarding NXT Talent Pay Structure; Will They Start To Get Bonuses?
PWInsider.com is reporting there was a meeting at the WWE Performance Center last week that addressed the NXT pay structure.
Over the past several weeks and months, the idea of NXT talent getting pay similar to main roster stars has been discussed, more now since NXT is more of a third ‘brand’ and not developmental. One of the things discussed was live gate percentage bonuses, which will not happen, according to reports. Talent in NXT will still be paid based on their developmental contracts; one of the reasons is because NXT operates at as loss right now. Between coaches and staff salaries and WWE PC cost, there is not any money to share from live events.
It was mentioned that although NXT talents are on lower paid contracts, they do have travel costs paid for, and they do see money from merchandise, which was not available to developmental in the past.
Some talent was said to be unhappy with the decision, since they are selling out larger arenas, like the December tour of the United Kingdom. It is worth noting, and has been brought up before, that for every sellout show they run, there are a number of live events with lower attendance (like in Florida) which offset the profits and are a reason NXT still runs at a loss.
WWE Issues Official Statement on Controversial Social Media Posts From WWE NXT Diva Jasmin
Yesterday, we reported that WWE Diva Jasmin, real name Nhooph Al-Areebi, posted some controversial remarks on social media a few years back and they recently resurfaced online. You can read our original story at this link.
WWE has issued the following statement in response to the social media posts:
“WWE conducted a thorough investigation and has determined that Nhooph Al-Areebi’s (aka Jasmin) Twitter account was used without her knowledge when she was 16 and 17 years old. Jasmin remains apologetic for any offensive remarks that were made.”
September 9, 2015
WWE Tough Enough Competitor Replacing Naomi On WWE Total Divas?
Naomi indicated on Twitter today that she has been replaced on the next season of WWE Total Divas. This hasn't been confirmed but it appears WWE Tough Enough finalist Amanda Saccomanno could be replacing her. Amanda has been at several recent WWE tapings, as have Total Divas cameras, and there has been talk she was signed by WWE.
WWE NXT Diva Deletes Her Twitter Account After Racial Posts Surface Online
One week after Zahra Schreiber was released by WWE due to inappropriate and offensive remarks she made online years ago, another NXT talent is mired in a similar controversy.
On Tuesday night, racial remarks that 20-year-old NXT Diva Nhooph Al-Areebi allegedly posted on her Twitter account years ago surfaced on Reddit.com. In one of her tweets, dated February 11, 2012, she quoted a tweet reading "Ugh...f--king n--gers...that's why I chose white folk. Hmph" and wrote "word." It should be noted that she would have only been 17 years old at the time.
That same night, Al-Areebi wrote "why are black people so horny" in response to a user who tweeted this remark to her: "mind if I lick between your Toes to get the salt glue off baby mmmmmmm jam."
An additional tweet where she wrote "nigha lips" to a user was also revealed (dated September 22, 2011).
Al-Areebi had posted a photo on Instagram last year of herself and a black male wrestler where she referred to him as her slave.
"My slave Preston Myles needs to stop acting like I weigh 200 lbs!" she wrote in the summer of 2014. "Someone buy me a whip plz!"
In a separate Instagram post, which is still online, she wrote "And @prestonmyles is so black you can't see him."
Shortly after the posts began circulating online, Al-Areebi deactivated her Twitter account and removed the first Instagram photo.
Al-Areebi, who is from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, was among the international class of 11 recruits to begun training at the WWE Performance Center in April. Prior to joining WWE, Al-Areebi wrestled under the name Jasmin Areebi for various independent promotions in Canada and the United States including Pure Wrestling Association (PWA), Absolute Intense Wrestling (AIW), and New England Championship Wrestling (NECW). She has yet to make her in-ring debut on the NXT television show, but has been competing in non-televised matches under the name Jasmin. On August 29, 2015 at a non-televised event in Fort Pierce, Florida, she competed in the main event. Alongside The Vaudevillains (Aiden English and Simon Gotch), the trio defeated Alexa Bliss, Blake and Murphy in Mixed Tag Team Match.
Rumor Mill - Kurt Angle Not Re-Signing With TNA After Contract Expires This Year
Kurt Angle was interviewed by 105.9 The X out of Pittsburgh today. During the interview, Angle stated that he would not be re-signing with TNA when his contract expires at the end of the year. According to F4WOnline.com, Angle said that he would take a break from the business after his deal expires. Angle also stated that he would be at the TNA Bound for Glory pay-per-view on October 4th.
Angle signed with TNA in September of 2006, after receiving an early release from his WWE contract. He has held the TNA World Heavyweight Championship on six different occasions, most recently losing it to EC3 at the June Impact tapings for an episode that aired on July 1st.
September 8, 2015
WWE Divas Alicia Fox and Paige Involved in Steakhouse Melee
WWE Divas Alicia Fox and Paige took a break from inflicting pain upon each other and combined forces against a drunk bar patron.
A waiter at Supano's Prime Steakhouse, Seafood, and Pasta in Baltimore tells us the Divas were grabbing a drink late Sunday night when one of the regular barflies came in and began harassing them by taking pictures and videos.
We're told Paige and Alicia squared off against the lady ... and all hell then broke loose as drinks flew from both corners ... mostly margaritas.
Employees jumped in and stopped the fight ... the drunk lady and the Divas were all booted from the restaurant.
WWE is in Baltimore for Monday Night RAW ... hopefully they hide the glassware.
source: tmz.com
Read Triple H's introduction to the new book, "Ultimate Warrior: A Life Lived 'Forever'"
WWE is paying tribute to the amazing life and legacy of Ultimate Warrior in the new book, "Ultimate Warrior: 'A Life Lived 'Forever'". More than just a biography of the WWE icon, the immersive tome is a visual experience filled with unique bonus materials, including a recreation of Warrior's Oregon state wrestling license, the sheet music to his unforgettable theme music, and a replica of the mask he wore on his final Raw appearance. The book, which you can order now, also features touching introductions from Warrior's wife, Dana, and his friend, Triple H, which you can read below.
It was a night twenty years in the making. I stood with eager anticipation and looked over my shoulder to see one of the biggest legends in the history of our business, the Ultimate Warrior, right before he was inducted into the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame. Everyone expected intensity and for him to rant and rave in his speech, but in that moment I saw one of the toughest hard-as-nails men in this world standing there with a single tear rolling down his unpainted face. He was beaming with pride, because on each of his arms, escorting him to the stage, were his two beautiful daughters, Indy and Mattie. I walked over to him and whispered in his ear, “It was all worth it, just to see that.” He smiled back and simply said, “Thank you.”
It was a moment he thought would never happen, and a moment I will never forget. Warrior had a storied past with WWE, both in and out of the ring. He was unhappy with almost everything in WWE and incredibly outspoken about his opinions without any regard for the consequences. There was bad blood on both sides, and at one point, it was inconceivable that the Ultimate Warrior would come back to the WWE, let alone be inducted into the Hall of Fame.
Even my first impression of Warrior was not a favorable one. It was 1996 and Vince McMahon told me I would be competing in my very first WrestleMania against one of the most revered Superstars of all time, the Ultimate Warrior, who was returning to the WWE after being gone for many years. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, but the process wound up being less than positive. Warrior had blown me off all week, and I wound up actually meeting him for the first time on the afternoon of WrestleMania, after the show had already started and Vince McMahon had already gone to the ring to do commentary. The guy I met lived up to every bit of his horrible reputation.
He was paranoid, mistrusting, and abrasive, and it left a bitter taste in my mouth. But at the end of the day, the Ultimate Warrior was a huge part of WWE history, which is why I decided to reach out to him over a decade later.
I had heard rumblings that Warrior might be interested in having a conversation because he had just signed an independent deal with 2K to appear in the WWE 2K14 video game. I gave him a call, and we spoke briefly; we were both very guarded and careful with what we said. And when I heard about the press conference 2K was going to have to announce Warrior’s involvement, I knew I had to go. I went with the sole intention to meet with him face to face. I knew if there was ever going to be trust between the two of us, we needed to look each other in the eye.
Warrior later said the effort I made to look him in the eye meant a lot, and it was just the olive branch he needed. Don’t get me wrong, we didn’t hit it off right away, but after a long period of time, a mutual respect and friendship was born. We were both men who had grown beyond the business that had once defined us. We spoke about life, our families, and our children. We found a common ground and agreed that a man’s character is what defines him. I promised that I would always keep my word, and he promised to always shoot straight with me. When he finally signed his contract, he wrote, “Congrats, we did it! You did really good, Paul. You kept your word and stepped up. I appreciate it. Get me some hard copies to sign, and let’s get to work. It’s good to not be at odds with Vince and WWE anymore. Great to be back home! Consider me your ally from now on. Relay the same to Vince. Always Believe, Warrior.”
Warrior told me that his wife and children were absolutely everything to him, but that they didn’t know much about his career. They had never seen him wrestle and had never been exposed to WWE. He wanted them to know that he was more than just “Dad,” and for them to experience what the Ultimate Warrior meant to so many people. During the week of WrestleMania 30, they got their chance.
Warrior was inducted in the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame, he stood on the stage at WrestleMania 30 in front of 75,000 fans giving him a standing ovation at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans, and on Monday Night Raw, he reminded all of us that the Warrior spirit courses through our veins.
The very next day, Warrior shockingly passed away.
His story is almost poetic, this great man and icon who had come full circle in his life and reconciled with so many people personally and professionally. When I saw him at the end of WrestleMania week, he had this look of peace and happiness, like a huge weight had been lifted off his shoulders. It seemed he had found closure. And he did exactly what he said he was going to do, leaving behind a legacy that will live forever in the hearts and minds of not only the Warrior Nation, but also the most important people in his life—his wife and children.
Warrior was one of the most intense people I have ever met. He had an unwavering belief in himself and a passion for life. He signed the words “Always Believe” because he was creating a legacy of inspiration that would live forever. My experience with the Ultimate Warrior was one that I will never forget. He taught me a lot about life and forgiveness, and it will always mean a lot to me that he and I forged a special connection. But true to his words, the biggest takeaway of our friendship is that I will indeed “Always Believe.”
WWE Announces New Signing, Triple H Comments
WWE issued the following:
WWE® ANNOUNCES THE SIGNING OF KANA
STAMFORD, Conn., September 8, 2015 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) announced today the signing of international superstar Kanako Urai, aka Kana, to the NXT® division. Kana will officially report to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida in late September.
Over the course of her 11-year career, Kana has become one of the most exciting women ever to compete in Japan. She has appeared in many organizations throughout the country and has held multiple championships. Last month, Kana made a surprise appearance at NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, sitting in the audience ringside next to WWE Hall of Famer "Nature Boy" Ric Flair®.
"We are very excited to have Kana join the NXT roster," said Paul Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Creative and Live Events. "Her exciting in-ring style will make an immediate impact on the already impressive NXT women's division."
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
