Australians Michael Nicholls & Shane Veryzer — who’ve competed around the world as The Mighty Don’t Kneel — have signed with WWE and will report to Orlando next month.
One of the globe’s most decorated tag teams is on its way to the WWE Performance Center.
Michael Nicholls and Shane Veryzer have signed with WWE and will report to the WWE Performance Center in early April to begin training as part of a new class of recruits, WWE.com has confirmed.
Hailing from Perth, Australia, the duo — known to fans as Mikey Nicholls and Shane Haste, aka The Mighty Don’t Kneel — has competed on their home continent and beyond, achieving their greatest notoriety in Japan under the banner of Pro Wrestling NOAH. While there, Nicholls & Veryzer trained in Japan’s rugged dojos, crossed paths with the likes of current NXT Superstar Hideo Itami and former ECW Champion Masato Tanaka, and won the league’s heavyweight tag team titles twice.
TMDK also developed a reputation for innovative double-team maneuvers, and were voted the top tandem of the year by members of the Japanese media in 2013. It was the first time that non-Japanese competitors had won the award since 1998, when Vader and soon-to-be WWE Hall of Famer Stan Hansen were honored. It is currently unknown whether Nicholls & Veryzer will continue as a team or pursue individual competition in NXT.
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March 25, 2016
Tag team specialists The Mighty Don’t Kneel sign with WWE
March 24, 2016
WWE Announces WrestleMania Week TV Appearances For John Cena, Stephanie McMahon, The Flairs, Others
WWE takes over the airwaves starting March 24 with Sheamus appearing on "Conan" on TBS at 11/10 p.m. C.
Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair and his daughter – WWE Divas Champion Charlotte – will appear on the March 25 episode of "Boomer & Carton" on WFAN and CBS Sports Network starting at 6/5 a.m. C.
The Celtic Warrior will also appear on the March 28 episode of "Men in Blazers" on NBC Sports Network and NBCSports.com at 11/10 p.m. C.
On March 27, WWE Chief Brand officer Stephanie McMahon will be featured in a special segment on "CBS Sunday Morning" at 9/8 a.m. C.
John Cena returns to NBC's "TODAY' as co-host during the 9 a.m. hour for three days beginning on March 28. Cena will also appear on "The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon" on Tuesday, March 29, at 11:30/10:30 C on NBC.
Also, starting on March 28 with an appearance by Brock Lesnar, WWE will be featured on ESPN throughout WrestleMania Week, including appearances by Stephanie McMahon, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, Shane McMahon and The Undertaker.
Eva Marie will appear on Hallmark Channel's "Home & Family" on March 28 at 10/9 a.m. C.
Check your local listings for exact times and channels.
IMPACT WRESTLING Welcomes Five New Athletes to Roster
IMPACT WRESTLING is proud to announce the signing of five fresh and new members to our active roster effective immediately. Jesse Guilmette, Laura Dennis, Marshe Rockett, Thomas LaRuffa and Mikael Vierge all signed their contracts with IMPACT WRESTLING earlier this month.
Roman Reigns Q&A Highlights: Talks Facing Triple H at WrestleMania, Overused Slang Words, His Biggest Pet Peeve and More
#1 Contender to the WWE World Title Roman Reigns recently did a Q&A with USA Today High School Sports to promote WrestleMania 32 and below are some highlights:
What’s your biggest pet peeve?
“Ooh there’s so many, but I’d have to say close-talking. I hate it when people get in my face. Sometimes fans will get a little too close in my bubble and, at the end of the day, we’re all human. Give me 5 feet; not with your hand either.”
What’s the most overused slang word or phrase out today?
“Oh there’s a ton of them! It took me forever to figure out what ‘bae’ was. I thought they were misspelling ‘babe.’ I think ‘bae’ is ridiculous!”
OK, we’ve got WrestleMania on April 3, it’s you, it’s Triple H… How are you gonna pull this thing off?
“Well, this is a classic case of an older lion taking on a younger lion. Triple H describes this business as his religion; I was born in it. It’ll be two phenomenal, heavyweight athletes going at it. He’s the authority so I wouldn’t be surprised if he’s able to do whatever he wants. I’m pretty much fighting a juggernaut, but it’s gonna be fun!”
“Family Guy” Hosting New WrestleMania In-Game Event
The following press release has been issued:
FAMILY GUY: THE QUEST FOR STUFF HOSTS “WRESTLEMANIA IN QUAHOG” WITH BRAND NEW IN-GAME EVENT
WWE Superstars John Cena, Triple H, Undertaker, Roman Reigns, and WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to be Featured in Hit Mobile Game!
San Francisco, CA – March 24, 2016 – FROM THE TOP ROPE! TinyCo is excited to announce the debut of the “WrestleMania in Quahog” update to FAMILY GUY: The Quest for Stuff mobile game, taking place in a special two week in-game event from March 24th through April 7th– FAMILY GUY: The Quest for Stuff is available to download for free on the App Store, Google Play, and the Amazon Appstore.
The “WrestleMania in Quahog” mobile game update introduces iconic WWE Superstars such as WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, John Cena, Undertaker, Roman Reigns, and WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to the world of FAMILY GUY: The Quest for Stuff. Reigniting a long-time, heated feud with the Giant Chicken, Peter challenges his nemesis to a match the city of Quahog won’t soon forget! Determined to save his town, Peter enlists his powerful friends John Cena, Roman Reigns and “Stone Cold” Steve Austin to aid him in his training.
Not to be out-done, the Giant Chicken has his own allies led by WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H. Throughout the in-game event, the citizens of Quahog are forced to choose sides, culminating with an epic Peter vs. The Giant Chicken showdown finale. Players have a ringside seat up to the final match and each WWE superstar will have their own personalized quests, tailored to show off their signature moves.
“WWE fanatics can jump in to the rich world of FAMILY GUY: The Quest For Stuff and tag-team the mobile game as both their favorite WWE Superstar and hilarious FAMILY GUY: The Quest For Stuff in-game character,” said Andrew N. Green, Head of Business Operations at TinyCo. “This is the one event fans from all around the world won’t want to miss!”
FAMILY GUY: The Quest for Stuff continues to engage with fans from around the world with new features and updates while maintaining its signature style and humor. The “WrestleMania in Quahog” in-game event is now live and runs through April 7, 2016. Download FAMILY GUY: The Quest for Stuff for free on the App Store, Google Play, and the Amazon Appstore
WWE About To Get Sued Over Royalties And The WWE Network?
The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that there is a potential class action lawsuit in the works over royalties and the WWE Network. Apparently many former WWE talents are aware of the suit and have expressed interest in getting involved.
The argument has to do with the WWE Network taking the place of DVDs and Blu-rays, causing the revenue from those sources to drop, and the feeling that wrestlers should be entitled to revenue from the replacement.
Doug Somers and Eddie Gilbert's family have unsuccessfully tried to get royalties from having clips shown on regular WWE TV but The Observer noted that this situation is different.
March 23, 2016
Eva Marie On Rebuilding Her Character, Why She Hasn't Clicked With Mandy Rose, Her Dedicated Fans
E! Online recently spoke with Eva Marie to promote the current season of WWE Total Divas. The full article can be found at this link. Below are highlights:
Her dedicated fanbase:
"We are in the entertainment business so the fans are everything and without them I pretty much don't exist. They mean the world to me, but at the same time I'm actually very happy that they've seen my progress from when I first came in to where I'm at now. It's just also one of those things like to put out there to any little girl or boy, anybody, that if you want something bad enough you have to just keep knocking down those doors and go for it, regardless of what anybody…whether it's a colleague, family member or whomever is telling you, 'No.' Just don't listen to that."
Why she hasn't clicked with Mandy Rose:
"I think it's because when I first came in it wasn't that welcoming. It's kind of a mean girl situation, which is pretty typical because you're a new girl and you're walking into new territory, so certain people feel a certain way because they've been in a place for so many years. So with Mandy, I've been there and I've been that girl, so I want to welcome anybody that's brand new and let their actions or whatnot let me determine how I feel about them. But I'm going to welcome anybody with open arms and embrace them because the last thing I want is somebody to feel not welcomed or out of place, because it is a scary world, especially when you're not born into wrestling."
Returning to the ring from injury on Total Divas:
"It's awesome. I'm really thankful for Triple H and our chairman Vince McMahon because when I came back from my surgery I basically was like, 'I want to be the face of this company and I want to bring something to the table.' And luckily we have NXT, a phenomenal developmental program, so I had asked to go back and train so that I could be the best I possibly could be."
"The last eight months have basically been me building the Eva Marie character into what it is now and I'm truly thankful for both Triple H and Vince McMahon to kind of give me the green light to go and experience that because it was a big gamble. I didn't know exactly what that was going to mean or what would happen, but I felt in my heart that I needed to go and do that."
Kaitlyn Talks Leaving WWE, Triple H And Stephanie Clothes Shopping, UpUpDownDown Appearance
Former WWE Divas Champion Kaitlyn was interviewed by WWE.com about her new Iron Man Magazine cover, as well as her new business. You can check out highlights below, and the full interview at this link.
The WWE taking her shopping:
"Here's a cool story. When I was Divas Champion, Triple H and [another WWE executive] basically, in the nicest way possible, told me I wasn't dressing myself the way I should and that they were going to take me shopping, get me some new looks and get some custom gear made. They really believed in me. So, for a few weeks in a row, I got to go to New York, and I had meetings with Stephanie [McMahon] and Hunter in Stamford at WWE Headquarters. They wanted me to be ready for any opportunity that was thrown at me."
Leaving WWE:
"When I left, I was on really good terms with everybody. I have a few friends who I'm still really close with. When I go there, it's nothing but happiness. It feels good to come back and say I had an amazing career here. It's part of why I am who I am, but I took everything I learned in my life here, and I turned it into something else, doing it on my own."
Being on UpUpDownDown:
"It was so much fun being on UpUpDownDown, because every time I go back there, it's like nothing has changed. I still act like an idiot with my friends. It's no secret that Big E and I are close friends. We have a joke that I'm the female version of him and vice versa."
You can see Kaitlyn on the newest cover of Iron Man Magazine, on newsstands now.
Sasha Banks Praises Triple H, Talks First WrestleMania Match And WWE NXT Feuds On The Main Roster
Sasha Banks recently spoke with The Press of Atlantic City to promote WWE’s WrestleMania 32. The full interview can be found at this link. Below are highlights:
What are your emotions like because this is going to be your first WrestleMania match?
“Oh God, it’s so crazy because I remember two years ago I got asked by Triple H to be a part of his entrance (for WrestleMania 30) and I remember before going out I was shaking (and) hoping I would not mess up. When we went out, all I saw was a sea of fans and I just knew in my heart that I want to be walking out on this stage one day. This has been a dream of mine since I was 10 and my emotions are set so high that I try not to cry because I try to use that to motivate me, go to the gym, eat healthy and just get ready because I want to steal the show and I want to show the world that, you know, I’m the best. I’m the baddest Diva there is. God, I am so excited.”
How instrumental has Triple H been for he’s done with NXT and even women’s wrestling?
“Oh man, he is our papa. He is like ‘Dad’ down there. Knowing that he believed in us and gave us that platform to perform. It was up to us to show that we could do it and we had to show him we could get these fans behind us and we could do these matches better than the guys and gosh he’s been absolute amazing. He’s beyond, beyond incredible and I can only think highly of him. He’s been absolute amazing.”
How special is it that the old NXT feuds are showing back up on the main roster? I mean, obviously with what you, Becky and Charlotte are hoping to do at WrestleMania, and hopefully soon with Bayley. But how special is it that those get to come full circle on the main roster?
“Oh God, it’s so incredibly crazy. To start out in the Divas Revolution and (Becky and Charlotte) were against me and on a different team. Now they’re on a different team and now we’re coming back and we’re all re-facing each other in something from NXT and that was our homegrown rivalry and where we started together. It’s crazy how life, it legit comes full circle and it’s meant to be. Hopefully one day Bayley is going to come up here really soon because I need her and I love our matches. But it’s actually unbelievable just to know that I’ll be in a match with them at WrestleMania. I’m beyond excited. I’m so excited knowing what all three of us can do in the ring, it’s going to be something special.”
March 22, 2016
Sting Speaks Out On His Current WWE Status, Reveals Who He Wanted to Face at WrestleMania 32, Did He Undergo Neck Surgery?, More
WWE.com recently spoke with Sting about his upcoming WWE Hall of Fame induction, and below are some highlights.
Sting revealed during the interview that he did not undergo surgery following the neck injury he sustained during his match against Seth Rollins at WWE Night of Champions last year. Sting revealed he spoke with 2 neurologists, one in Houston and WWE’s Dr. Joseph Maroon, and both told him he was not having the side effects commonly associated with his type of injury. He said as of now he is feeling completely normal.
WWE.COM: It had been reported that you were diagnosed with spinal stenosis. Is that diagnosis now inaccurate?
STING: I am not saying that is inaccurate. I’m agreeing there probably is spinal stenosis or cervical spinal stenosis. I have had certain doctors tell me, “You know, so many athletes of all ages, they’ve got this. They deal with it to some degree or another.” I had one doctor here tell me, “You’re fine, you’re okay — you don’t have anything to worry about.” And then wrestlers say, “I’d see this doctor.” “No, I’d see this one over there.” I’m telling you, it’s just craziness. So I’m thinking, as long as I’m feeling good, why am I going to do anything? And the one thing everyone has said is don’t go under the knife unless you absolutely have to.
WWE.COM: Had you not had this injury setback last September, do you think we would have you seen performing at WrestleMania this year? Or, is that just too tough a question to answer because of all the variables?
STING: Oh no, it’s an easy one to answer: Yes. If I had my way, yes, of course. I would have loved to have done one more WrestleMania and I would have called it quits at that point. The Undertaker match — that’s what I wanted to do.
WWE.COM: Had there been any early discussions prior to the injury of what your role could be at WrestleMania 32? Or, was it just something that you had in your mind?
STING: Yes, it was in my mind, of course, but everyone knew that I definitely wanted to have that one match. And, of course, WrestleMania would have been the place to do it. But, I got hurt and the rest is history.
