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February 18, 2016
February 17, 2016
Chris Nowinski Talks Daniel Bryan’s Retirement Due to Concussions, Comments on WWE’s Improved Concussion Culture and More
Former WWE Superstar Chris Nowinski, who co-founded Concussion Legacy Foundation, recently spoke with FOX Sports, and below are some interview highlights:
Daniel Bryan’s retirement due to concussions:
“I felt extraordinary sympathy for Daniel. It’s tough to walk away when you feel like you could still perform. In a sense, I was lucky because I had headaches I couldn’t kick and other problems that told me I shouldn’t go out and do (wrestling) again. He didn’t have that. He had to really dig deep to find the justification to walk away from the job he loved. It has been very interesting to watch the process. I’ve read that he was upset about WWE’s decision, but he saw other doctors and WWE really encouraged him to find another path because they recognized his brain was injured too much.”
WWE’s improved concussion culture:
“Superstars are more likely to report concussions. That’s big. Wrestling also has an advantage over sports in general because you can write wrestlers out of storylines or have them participate without physical exertion when they are recovering from concussions.”
February 16, 2016
Video: Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella Appear on “Good Morning America”
Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella appeared on a very newsworthy “Good Morning America” segment today, during which Brie revealed that her WWE retirement announcement should be coming sometime this summer.
The couple also talked Bryan’s concussions and seizures, and Triple H made an appearance as well. You can watch footage of the segment below:
ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos
Triple H Talks Plans For New WWE Cruiserweight Series, Recruiting Talents For The Tournament, More
As noted, WWE has officially announced that "WWE Global Cruiserweight Series" will premiere on the WWE Network Wednesday, July 13th at 9pm. They wrote:
For the first time ever, WWE invites cruiserweights from all over the world to compete in the inaugural Global Cruiserweight Series. Thirty-two of the greatest in-ring competitors under 205 lbs. will descend upon Full Sail University in Orlando and collide over 10 weeks to earn the right to call themselves the best cruiserweight in the world.
WWE is currently looking across the world for talents to fill those 32 tournament spots. Triple H spoke to PWInsider about the new show and said he's looking at this as a fan. He also commented on how excited he is:
"I'm excited about this. I really am. It's a really great opportunity for us to tap into what's a really exciting talent pool. I believe, sort of an underutilized talent pool. There are just numerous, numerous, numerous Cruiserweights around the world that are great performers that have not fully had the opportunity to be seen around the world and that's something that hopefully, WWE can give them."
Before the series airs, WWE will be featuring the talents on their website and social media as Triple H wants fans to get to know the talents. He commented on selecting wrestlers for the tournament:
"I would say the vast majority [of talents on the series] will be non-contracted or long-term contracted WWE talents. We haven't finalized the selection process, watching tapes and seeing who we want to work with and all of that. It's going to be a discovery process. Look, I want to have the best in the world. I don't want to negate anyone from that process because they are under contract to us. At the same time, I'm looking for the best in the world and the brightest around to give them a platform that they've never had. I'm certainly looking at the vast majority from being from the outside [of WWE.] When I say Global, I mean Global. We are recruiting from everywhere. UK, Japan, China, to find the best talent. That doesn't mean we are going to find someone everywhere, but we are really trying to turn things over and really find someone from every part of the globe to be part of this and show the world who they are and what they can do."
Triple H also commented on if this means the return of a full-fledged Cruiserweight division and title. He said:
"I think it is slightly the cart before the horse. I think.. I want this to be something that is repetitive. I would like this tournament to be a recurring thing where we take the best talent from around the world and let them do their thing. Does that morph directly into a Cruiserweight division right away? I don't know about right away...and it might...but we're clearly looking at all the guys in this tournament and saying, 'who do we want to work with long-term? Maybe we give this guy a year and we'll work with him long-term next year' and who are all these talents. I think where it lands is sort of a work in progress. If you look at this tournament, it's going to be a platform where somebody and it could be more than one person, is going to be seen as one of the best Cruiserweights in the world or the best Cruiserweight in the world. It's a hell of a platform and it's going to get bigger and better but just not sure 100% what that is."
WWE Network Adds to 2016 Programming Slate Including New Cruiserweight Series
– WWE Network continues to add to its already robust slate of original programming in 2016, with the newly green-lit show, Global Cruiserweight Series, a tournament which brings together more than 30 of the greatest in-ring competitors at Full Sail University in Orlando, to vie for the right to call themselves the best cruiserweight in the world. Global Cruiserweight Series is set to premiere Wednesday, July 13 at 9pm ET on WWE Network.
WWE previously announced three new original series for WWE Network including The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness, WWE Ride Along, and Camp WWE, along with new episodes of Stone Cold® Podcast Live!, the second season of Swerved, new episodes of Legends with JBL and more.
Reported Reason For Michelle Beadle ‘Burying The Hatchet’ With Triple H At RAW Last Night
Wrestlezone Radio regular and Pro Wrestling Sheet editor-in-chief Ryan Satin is reporting Michelle Beadle and WWE ‘buried the hatchet’ after Vince McMahon had called Beadle.
Sources told Satin that Beadle was contacted by McMahon a few months ago, and he was very understanding as to why Beadle stopped watching WWE. Beadle had announced she was boycotting WWE last year after Triple H had publicly endorsed Floyd Mayweather.
For those that don’t know, Beadle was very critical about the way Mayweather has been promoted, given his issues with domestic violence reports. Beadle wrote a detailed post about her feelings towards Mayweather and cited HHH’s social media role, noting she did not agree with him being a supporter of Mayweather while also being a public face of a company like WWE with such a strong push for anti-bullying and anti domestic violence policies.
According to Satin, Beadle then accepted an invitation to attend last night’s WWE RAW taping, feeling like enough time had passed and she could talk to Triple H about her issues. It was also noted that Beadle understands people won’t share her feelings about Mayweather, and the talk backstage between the two went smoothly.
Triple H and ESPN Personality Bury the Hatchet Backstage at WWE Raw Tonight
As you might recall, ESPN personality Michelle Beadle stated last year, via Twitter, that she would no longer be a WWE fan since Triple H supported Floyd Mayweather in his fight against Manny Pacquiao. She posted the following on Twitter in May 2015:
"I've loved @WWE for a long time. But @TripleH and his love for a serial abuser is too much. I'm turning in my fan card. #WasFunWhileItLasted"
Last night Triple H posted the following:
"Awesome to reconnect with old friends and bury the hatchet… Good things to come. @MichelleDBeadle @StephMcMahon"
And Michelle posted the following:
"Good friends. Great overdue conversation. Thanks @StephMcMahon & @TripleH"
February 13, 2016
Titus O'Neil Almost Fired Over McMahon "Arm-Grab" Incident; Triple H Intervened
“Ladies first” is a common phrase used by well-mannered men … but Pro Wrestling Sheet has learned that in the case of Titus O’Neil, those 2 words may have led to his recent suspension.
Multiple sources tell us O’Neil spoke with management following the grab on Vince McMahon‘s arm and explained he was only trying to allow Stephanie McMahon to exit the stage first.
Steph and Vince initially appear to be walking side-by-side in the video of the incident … so his explanation tracks. Plus, it appeared to be playful, as everyone pointed out from the start.
We’re told Titus claimed he was only saying “ladies first” when he tugged on Vince — with the strict intention of being polite — but understood the misunderstanding may have been perceived differently by others once it was all said and done.
According to PWTorch, Titus was going to be fired over the issue by McMahon. However, both Joey Mercury and Triple H talked him out of the firing, which is why the suspension was so high originally. Clearly it was reduced since then, but Vince was still ticked over the ordeal.
WWE Nominated for Digital Awards
WWE has been nominated for several CableFax Digital Awards, which will be revealed on March 26th in New York City at the Digital, Tech and Trailer Awards Breakfast. WWE has been nominated in these categories:
* Best App (for Smartphone): WWE Network and The WWE App
* Best App (for Tablet): WWE Network and The WWE App
* Best Digital Marketing Campaign (Programmer): WWE for WrestleMania 30
* Best Social Good Campaign: WWE for "Courage. Conquer. Cure."
* Best Social Media Campaign: WWE for WrestleMania 30
* Social Media Dream Team: WWE
* Best Use of Facebook: WWE
* Best Use of Twitter: WWE
