WWE Superstars and Divas Accept 2015 SSFOA Commendation Award on Behalf of WWE

The Silver Star Families of America (SSFOA) proudly announces the 2015 recipient of the prestigious SSFOA Commendation Award, WWE.

WWE was presented with the SSFOA Commendation Award at Monday Night Raw in Kansas City, Mo. Superstars and Divas, including WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day, Divas Champion Charlotte, Becky Lynch and Ryback, were on hand to accept the honor. Previous commendation recipients include President George W. Bush, actress Ann-Margret, actor Gary Sinise and rock legends Mötley Crüe.

Following the most recent selection process, the SSFOA founders chose to bestow this year’s honor upon WWE for the organization’s unwavering support of the military through Tribute to the Troops, WWE’s annual television special that salutes America’s armed forces; entertaining troops overseas in locations such as Iraq and Afghanistan; coordinating visits by WWE Superstars and Divas to military hospitals and military installations; and donations and fundraising support to organizations that provide direct support to the nation’s veterans. WWE uses the power of its brand and platforms to support important social issues and partners with nonprofits including organizations such as Hire Heroes USA, USO Metro and Armed Forces Entertainment, that serve the critical needs of active military and veterans.

“WWE has a long history of being an organization that understands and appreciates the sacrifices made by members of our nation’s armed forces in protecting this great nation,” said Steve Newton, founder of the SSFOA. “We appreciate the selfless enthusiasm demonstrated by organizations such as WWE in leveraging their resources to support causes benefiting these great warriors.”

“That is why it is my distinct honor to recognize WWE as the 2015 recipient of the SSFOA Commendation Award,” Newton added.

A non-profit headquartered in Clever, Mo., the SSFOA’s primary mission is to support and recognize veterans who are wounded, injured, or have acquired an illness related to their service in a combat zone regardless of service branch or military conflict.

In keeping with this mission, the founders of the SSFOA review nominations and select the winner for the organization’s premier honor. The annual commendation may be awarded to military or civilian personnel, and departments or organizations that have positively affected the lives of wounded and ill veterans. Nominees must demonstrate one or more of the following:

* Taken action(s) which directly influence the care & well-being of the wounded/ill veterans
* Influenced policy that has improved or provided services to our nation’s wounded & ill
* Strived to increase the benefits provided our wounded & ill
* Engaged in activities of such a profound nature, they have actually prevented casualties & injuries.

For more information on the Silver Star Families of America, please visit www.silverstarfamilies.org.

WWE Thanks America’s Armed Forces With Tribute To The Troops Celebration

WWE announced that the 13th annual WWE Tribute to the Troops event will be held on Tuesday, December 8 at Veterans Memorial Arena for military personnel and their families stationed at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Naval Station Mayport and Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base. Tribute to the Troops will air on USA Network on Wednesday, December 23 from 8-10 PM ET.

In the tradition of Bob Hope, WWE brings together the best of sports entertainment and pop culture with celebrity appearances and performances from music’s most popular acts for our servicemen and women, to honor their commitment and dedication to our country. Tribute to the Troops has become a holiday tradition and is considered TV’s most patriotic and heartwarming show of the year.

While in Jacksonville, WWE Superstars and Divas will spend time giving back to those who serve and their families with Be a STAR® anti-bullying rallies, hospital visits and military outreach at the Jacksonville Naval Air Station, Naval Station Mayport and Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base.

Florida Governor Rick Scott said, “We can never thank our veterans and military members enough for their brave service to our nation. It is important to frequently honor our American heroes for the sacrifices they have made to keep our families safe. Florida remains the most military friendly state in the nation and we are proud to host this year’s Tribute to the Troops celebration.”

“WWE has gone above and beyond the call of duty in supporting the men and women of the U.S. Navy,” said Rear Adm. Mary Jackson, Commander, Navy Region Southeast. “We are very fortunate to have the upcoming Tribute to the Troops right here in Jacksonville, home to more than 22,000 Sailors and their families. I am hearing lots of excitement and energy about this event! This is also a special time for us to say thank you to WWE!”

“It is a privilege for WWE to entertain our military as a way to thank them for their commitment and sacrifice for our country,” said WWE Chairman & CEO, Vince McMahon. “Everyone at WWE looks forward to this annual celebration, and we are proud to partner with the U.S. Navy and Governor Rick Scott to put smiles on the faces of the servicemen and women and their families.”

ESPN Announces Weekly WWE Recap Segment; Highlights Of Seth Rollins Appearance On ESPN News Tonight

On ESPN News, former WWE personality and ESPN anchor Jonathan Coachman announced WWE and ESPN will feature a weekly segment recapping the “top moments” in the WWE Universe.

He did not say if the segments would rotate or return each week, but tonight’s topics were:

Top Line
Top Moments

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins also joined Coachman via satellite, and asked why he wasn’t featured in the highlights. They talked about Rollins’ feud with Kane, and Rollins called himself the New England Patriots of the WWE.

Rollins talked about making fun of Cleveland and Johnny Manziel, then Coachman asked him if there should be an age requirement in wrestling like other sports. Rollins said no he thinks people should be able to pursue their passion, then they talked about Chase Utley breaking Ruben Tejada’s leg. Rollins says accidents happen and it’s healthy competition, so he doesn’t think it was done maliciously. Rollins joked about breaking John Cena’s nose recently, then Coachman made a remark about the New York Mets not liking what was said, and thanks Rollins for being the first guest on the new segment.

WWE Moving Forward With NXT Kids Show

It looks like WWE is moving forward with the "NXT Kids" project. A new casting notice on Backstage.com reads like this:

PRODUCTION DESCRIPTION: WWE NXT is casting a pilot for a new wrestling show aimed at kids.

REHEARSAL AND PRODUCTION DATES & LOCATIONS: Production will be taking place monthly on Thursday nights at Full Sail University in Orlando, FL.

SEEKING TALENT: Males & Females, ages 7-14, All Ethnicities

ROLE DESCRIPTION: Announcers & Interviewers: (Supporting) with high energy. Must be personable, lively, quick on their feet and a good talker. Kids should have an understanding/familiarity with WWE, World Wrestling Entertainment programming. Kids will be acting as announcers/backstage interviewers/presenters.

Triple H Remembers Walter "Killer" Kowalski

Today would have been Walter "Killer" Kowalski's 89th birthday. Had he never laced up his boots...I wouldn't have. pic.twitter.com/z7R94c5EOC

— Triple H (@TripleH) October 13, 2015

Sami Zayn Announced For EVOLVE Shows

Gabe Sapolsky of WWN Live has announced WWE NXT Superstar Sami Zayn for their EVOLVE 49 and EVOLVE 50 iPPV shows in New York this weekend.

Zayn will be appearing in a non-wrestling role it appears and this is part of WWE working with WWN.

WWE NXT Specials on Hulu

WWE is now adding their NXT Takeover specials to Hulu. The recent "Takeover: Respect" special is now available. There may be a new agreement between WWE and Hulu as Takeover specials have not been available until now.

Alex Wright on Power Plant vs. Performance Center, Triple H, More

Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling sent this recap in.

Today get to know the man forever known as “Das Wunderkind” and join The Two Man Power Trip of Wrestling’s unofficial “International Summit” with former WCW Superstar Alex Wright. You will experience the absolutely incredible story about how an injury led to Alex having an extremely frightening surgery that almost proved to be not only career threatening but also life threatening. On a lighter not however, John and Chad get to sit back and listen to Alex Wright’s story from being merely a young man in a foreign land tackling the politics of a crazy world known as World Championship Wrestling to his triumphant return home to Germany to build a wrestling legacy with a new crop of talent. Get ready to dance and get ready to feel the beat of Alex Wright.

Rumors that he helped "make" Triple H while they worked together in WCW:

"I wouldn't put it that way that I "teached" him wrestling. He was a great talent and I really enjoyed working with him. I knew he was going to make himself a big name in the world or sport of wrestling but not that he was going to be the boss. If I knew that I certainly would have kept in touch more then I did now. Actually, I met him last year and talked to him about a lot of stuff with my promotion and they invited me over to the WWE Performance Center to train their talent and also see how it is and I was very happy they invited me over."

The WCW Power Plant vs. The WWE Performance Center:

"When I was at the Power Plant it was just a factory hall where they just used to put the stuff like old rings and stuff that they would just keep that if they didn't use it they would put it in there and somewhere between all that stuff there were two or three rings. They didn't really have showers or stuff like that but you really cannot compare it to the WWE Performance Center. The Performance Center is really top notch and professional and you get treated very well and the trainers are really good. At the time in WCW they had good trainers too but it was just tougher. I had to run the ropes eight hours a day and my back was swollen and they still said well keep going. A lot of people threw up and it was so hard and in one side it makes you hard but in the other it was a little bit too hard. Sometimes you got the feeling they tried to break you."

More?

Former UFC Fighter Matt Riddle Talks His Pro Wrestling Debut, Signing with EVOLVE, Reveals He Had a WWE Tryout and More

Former UFC fighter Matt Riddle recently joined The Roman Show to talk about his Florida wrestling debut, quitting MMA, cutting weight, signing with EVOLVE, and his NXT tryout. Riddle will make his Florida pro wrestling debut with Superstar Live Wrestling in West Palm Beach at 6 p.m. on Oct. 9, 2015. Click here for details, and below are some interview highlights:

The Ultimate Fighter contestant says making it to the UFC was faster compared to making it to the WWE. So far, he has signed with the respected independent wrestling promotion EVOLVE, and he also says he had a WWE tryout.

“I did a tryout with the WWE,” he said. “The tryout went extremely well went as well as it could. The wwe was nice enough to set me up with evolve and wrestle with them. It’s a process. From what I see it’s on the right track. It’s not like the transition I had with the UFC.”

Although the MMA fighter had a five year career fighting inside the cage, he says wrestling has been a career he has wanted to pursue. He started to train in professional wrestling at a high level back in November.

“When people see me wrestle I am not too bad,” he said. “I know what I am doing and I’ve been wrestling pro wrestling my entire life. I’ve had about 40 matches in front of a ring and a crowd but I probably had a couple of thousand in the backyard, you know what I mean. I’ve been doing it for a while just not at this level.”

James Storm Has Not Signed With WWE And TNA Is Making Plays, TNA Cancels House Show Tour

TNA has cancelled its "Hardcore Halloween" house show tour that was set to run between October 29 and November 1, according to a report from F4WOnline.com. The show on 10/30 was set to be a "One Night Only" pay-per-view taping, and all four events are still listed on the official TNA website as of this evening.

- Former TNA world champion James Storm has apparently not yet signed a contract with WWE, despite working last night's NXT taping event and the company making an official announcement about his debut. According to former TMZ Senior Producer Ryan Satin, TNA offered Storm a new contract last week to return to the company, and after officials heard he was at this week's NXT Takeover: Respect show in Orlando, they called him up offering even more.

If "The Cowboy" does opt for a run with WWE past this one-time appearance, he will likely be called into the next set of NXT tapings.

Devin Taylor & Another NXT Talent Released From WWE Contracts Today

NXT interviewer Devin Taylor has been released from her contract with WWE, according to former TMZ Senior Producer Ryan Satin. We have reached out to WWE for comment and will provide an official update when more information becomes available.

According to the source, developmental wrestler Cal Bishop has also been released.

Complete List of NXT Battle Royal Participants

NXT held a battle royal during last night’s TV tapings to name a new #1 contender to the NXT Title. The following talents will compete in the battle royal, which will air on next week’s edition of NXT:

Samoa Joe
Johnny Gargano
Tommaso Ciampa
Apollo Crews
Scott Dawson
Dash Wilder
Blake
Murphy
Rhyno
Baron Corbin
Enzo Amore
Colin Cassady
Bull Dempsey
Zack Ryder
Mojo Rawley
Tyler Breeze
Tye Dillinger