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March 30, 2016
March 29, 2016
WWE Off The Top Rope: HHH Talks Wrestlemania Moments, Working With Ultimate Warrior, Returning At MSG After His Quad Injury
The following is a recap of highlights from tonight’s new ESPN WWE Off The Top Rope segment with WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H:
Triple H talks about Wrestlemania 32 marking his 20th Mania match, and he says it feels like just yesterday where he was at Wrestlemania XI backstage. He talks about all of the pageantry back then with Jenny McCarthy and Pamela Anderson and how it changed the next year with getting his own match against the Ultimate Warrior. Coach asks about their relationship, and HHH says it’s mind-boggling because of Warrior’s passing, but his Mania debut doesn’t bother him like most people think. He says Vince asked him to work with Warrior, and now they built a relationship 20 years later with Warrior coming back for the WWE Hall of Fame before he passed. HHH says he stays close with Warrior’s family like it should have been, then Coach asked about HHH’s favorite Mania moment. He says Wrestlemania 28’s “End of an Era” match stands out, especially the moment at the end where they were on the stage together at the end of the night. He talks about how much it meant to him personally, and he made up plaques to mark the occasion, but it’s a night he won’t ever forget.
Coach asks about this Sunday’s crowd being bigger than the Wrestlemania III crowd, and Triple H says he’s just as nervous now as he was the first time. HHH says they may break the attendance record and him getting that type of moment one time is just really special. Coach talks about HHH’s quad injury and infamous return at Madison Square Garden, and HHH talks about how it all went down and fighting to come back. HHH says he stayed in an Alabama Embassy Suites and trained for nine months, and just worked to come back. HHH says they did return videos and hype his return, but once he made the return it clicked and it was one of the biggest nights of his career. He talks about being away for so long and having doubts, and you can’t get outside of your own and just hoped people would react the right way. He says WWE stars rely on the connection with the fans more than anything, and there’s nothing like it, so people keep coming back and hopefully that happens Sunday at AT&T Stadium.
TNA Announces New Partnership
TNA sent us the following today:
Comprehensive Global Content Partnership
Toronto – Fight Network, the world's premier 24/7 multi-platform channel dedicated to complete coverage of combat sports, and TNA Entertainment announced today they have entered into a comprehensive content partnership to seize a global digital audience for fight-based content.
Fight Network's over-the-top (OTT) app available on digital platforms will become the global home for TNA Wrestling content starting in the second quarter of this year. Fight Network and TNA Wrestling will collaborate to produce digital content and will also partner on cross-promotion and joint sales efforts in global markets, as well as in the U.S. and Canada.
Fight Network's OTT app is available on Apple TV, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Verizon Go90, Layer 3 and KlowdTV.
Fight Network is currently the home of TNA Wrestling programming in Canada, including its two hour flagship weekly program IMPACT WRESTLING, TNA Wrestling's Greatest Matches and TNA Xplosion. Fight Network will now also air select TNA Wrestling archive programming on its linear channels in select U.S. markets and in over 30 countries across Europe, Africa and the Middle East where Fight Network currently broadcasts.
"As a TNA Wrestling broadcast partner, we see the quality of the content, the viewer reaction and the potential to bring great programming to the world," said Leonard Asper, CEO of Anthem Sports & Entertainment Corp. "Our global OTT service now available on several platforms will be immeasurably strengthened by this partnership and we see this as just the first step in building global fight themed destination channel together."
"Our enhanced partnership with Fight Network to deliver new and archived content through linear and over-the-top platforms, as well as to bring TNA programming to new and emerging markets around the world, is a significant step in the execution of TNA's strategic plan," said TNA president Dixie Carter. "Fans are hungry for easily accessible content they can view on demand, and come this summer, the action of TNA IMPACT WRESTLING will be more available than ever."
For more information about the Fight Network OTT, visit fightnetwork.com.
WWE's Next Scooby-Doo Movie
Get ready...Scooby-Doo! and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon is coming this Summer to Blu-ray, DVD and DHD! pic.twitter.com/exrlCBs7YU
— WWE Studios (@WWEStudios) March 29, 2016
WWE Takes Over Dallas For WrestleMania Week
Fans from around the world will descend upon Dallas for a week-long lineup of festivities in celebration of WrestleMania, taking place in front of a capacity crowd at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on Sunday, April 3 and live on WWE Network at 7 pm ET/4 pm PT. WWE will also host more than a dozen community outreach events designed to give back to the local region. WrestleMania Week begins tomorrow, Wednesday, March 30, and includes the following events:
• WWE Community Caravan – Wednesday, March 30
WWE Superstars AJ Styles, Sin Cara and Sami Zayn and WWE Divas Paige, Naomi and Tamina will visit the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children and Children’s Medical Center Dallas.
WWE Superstars Mark Henry, Darren Young, Goldust and Jack Swagger and WWE Diva Eva Marie will visit Ronald McDonald House of Dallas and North Texas Youth Education Town.
WWE Superstars and Divas will visit children and families, take pictures, sign autographs and donate action figures, WWE 2K16 video games and WWE Network subscriptions for the facilities’ play rooms.
• Be a STAR TM Anti-Bullying Rally – Thursday, March 31, East Dallas Boys & Girls Club
Earlier this year, WWE and The Boys & Girls Clubs of America launched a multi-year partnership focusing on youth development and bullying prevention efforts around Be a STAR, WWE’s anti-bullying initiative (#BeaSTAR). WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon, WWE Superstars The Miz®, R-Truth and Sin Cara, WWE Diva Natalya®, WWE announcer Corey Graves and representatives from the Boys & Girls Clubs of America will speak about the importance of bullying prevention to members at East Dallas Boys & Girls Club.
• WrestleMania Axxess – Thursday, March 31 through Sunday, April 3, Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center
WrestleMania Axxess (#AXXESS) is the ultimate fan experience for the WWE Universe. This year’s WrestleMania Axxess will take place from Thursday, March 31 through Sunday, April 3, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center. Fans will have unprecedented access to meet their favorite WWE Superstars, Divas and Legends through a host of interactive fan experiences, including autograph signings and live NXT matches. For the first time ever, WWE will broadcast The Stone Cold Podcast with special guest Mick Foley from WrestleMania Axxess, which will air live on WWE Network Thursday, March 31 at 10 pm ET.
Stephanie McMahon Talks WrestleMania 32, The WWE Divas Revolution, Being The Boss's Daughter
In regards to what challenges Stephanie has faced in a male-dominated business, she said she also dealt with challenges being the boss's daughter. Stephanie said she's constantly had to prove herself but doesn't mind that at all because she doesn't want anything handed to her and wants to work hard for everything. Stephanie said she tries to earn people's respect every single day.
Stephanie was also asked about women in sports getting more recognition. She brings up the "#GiveDivasaChance" hashtag that fans had trending for three days last year. Stephanie said the WWE fans want to see more than eye candy and that's why they started the Divas Revolution. Stephanie said women's sports is on the rise and it was time for WWE to get with the times.
Storm also asked about WrestleMania 32 coming to AT&T Stadium and Stephanie revealed that Dallas Cowboys executive Charlotte Jones Anderson came and gave a big pitch to WWE. Vince McMahon was impressed and gave her the answer right there on the spot.
Triple H talks building a legacy entering his 20th WWE WrestleMania
As busy as Paul "Triple H" Levesque is these days, it's no surprise that he might neglect to stop and appreciate a career milestone.
On camera, Triple H is a sadistic and violent WWE world heavyweight champion, an extreme representation of abuse of power. He's preparing for a main-event showdown with Roman Reigns with the title on the line at WrestleMania 32, set for Sunday, April 3 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. That much on its own -- being relied upon to be one of the top performers in a show expected to break attendance records -- is a lot to deal with.
Away from the bright lights, Levesque is WWE's executive vice president of talent, live events and creative. In the simplest terms, he's in charge of the lifeblood of WWE: the wrestlers, the storylines, the overall experience of a live WWE show. Taking his eye off that ball could have very dire consequences for WWE.
So it's no wonder Levesque hadn't taken a beat to notice that he was about to cross an impressive threshold for an active WWE superstar. On April 3, Triple H will wrestle in his 20th WrestleMania match.
Only one other person -- The Undertaker, who will perform in his 24th WrestleMania match vs. Shane McMahon this weekend -- has ever crossed the 20-match mark at the biggest event of the year.
During a candid interview with CBS Sports, Levesque seemed a bit surprised to hear his match count was so high.
"I was unaware of my milestone," Levesque said. "Thank you for pointing it out."
Most wrestlers are lucky to have 20-plus active years in the ring, period. In the physical sense, Levesque's 20 WrestleMania matches mark an extraordinary achievement. Looking back at his list of opponents in past years -- names like Shawn Michaels, Undertaker, Ultimate Warrior, Owen Hart, The Rock and Sting, to name a handful -- Levesque feels appreciative.
"Starting out with Warrior [at WrestleMania XII in 1996], that being my first WrestleMania, and walking into the ring with the Ultimate Warrior?" Levesque began. "I don't know that the average person can put that into context for themselves, you know? 'Hey, it's your first WrestleMania. You want to work with one of the biggest stars ever in the business?' It's like, 'Yeah.' You know, all the way through to moments I had with Owen [Hart] and just ... it's just been an incredible ride."
At age 46, Levesque keeps himself in impeccable physical condition. He still can -- and does -- hold up his end of a great match, as displayed just a few weeks ago in his impressive title match against Dean Ambrose at WWE Roadblock. With his in-ring ability still at such a high level, Levesque said it feels odd to look back on his past.
"You know, it's funny that all of a sudden you find yourself at a point in your career where people are talking about your legacy," he said. "It's a weird thing.
"I've been lucky. I've been lucky to have a great career and a large number of very talented people to work with along the way at all of these different WrestleManias."
After all this time, Levesque said he's still awestruck by the magnitude of the so-called "Showcase of the Immortals."
"It is a pretty cool thing," he said. "I'm in the main event of WrestleMania in front of a record-breaking crowd in Dallas. That's gonna be amazing and mind-blowing to me."
Across the ring from Triple H will be Roman Reigns, a main-event babyface whose ascension to the top of the WWE ladder has been met by occasional resistance from fans. While Triple H is Reigns' hated adversary in storylines, Levesque has nothing but praise for the youngster.
"He's a great kid, and I'm really happy for his success and how well he's done," Levesque said. "But it's a tough road and a long road. That success has come fast. Sometimes that can be a blessing and sometimes it can be a curse. So I think he's done the best that he can with it."
As for the mixed crowd reactions for Reigns, Levesque chalks that up to the changing times.
"You know, the hardest thing in this business to do now is, as a character, to either make everyone love you or everyone hate you," Levesque said with a laugh. "The world is a divided place in politics, in music and everything. Choices now, and people's opinions, are front and center more than ever. The Internet makes that readily available to everybody. They know all of the machinations of everything and the behind-the-scenes of everything, you know.
"It used to be that the good guy was the guy that didn't cheat, you know what I mean? It was just very simple. The world has changed. I think [Reigns has] done a phenomenal job. He's, you know, from a behind-the-scenes standpoint, a great human being. I'm really happy for his success, as I am for all of them."...More?
source: cbssports.com
March 28, 2016
Snoop Dogg to be Celebrity Inductee in WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016
Snoop Dogg has sold more than 37 million albums worldwide, he’s the first artist to have his debut album top the Billboard charts, and he has won American Music, MTV Video Music and Source Awards. Now, Snoop can add another accolade to his lengthy resume: WWE Hall of Famer. The music icon will be the celebrity inductee in the Class of 2016, taking his place in the Hall this Saturday, live at 8 ET/5 PT on WWE Network.
Snoop’s contributions to hip-hop almost need no introduction. After bursting onto the scene as a collaborator on Dr. Dre’s solo debut album in 1992, Snoop Dogg branched out on his own. His 1993 solo debut, Doggystyle, produced hit singles like “What’s My Name?” and “Gin & Juice,” and helped Snoop establish himself as one of hip-hop’s most revered artists.
When he’s not laying down the hottest tracks in music, Snoop is an avid member of the WWE Universe, and has even joined WWE’s Superstars and Divas to create several memorable moments. He brought his unique flair to WrestleMania XXIV in Orlando, where he served as the Master of Ceremonies for what could only be described as a unique Lumberjill Match between Divas Maria & Ashley and Melina & Beth Phoenix. Coming to the ring in a custom Mercedes-Benz cart, Snoop led the Lumberjills to the squared circle and introduced the competitors in his inimitable fashion. Later, when Santino Marella tried to confront his ex-girlfriend Maria after the battle, Snoop leveled The Milan Miracle with a clothesline, then shared a smooch with the beautiful Diva.
Snoop returned to WWE in 2009 as the special guest host of Raw. Right off the bat, he showed he was more than willing to give the WWE Universe what they want, making a blockbuster matchup between John Cena and Triple H. The hip-hop icon showed that he wasn’t afraid to get physical, either, protecting Hornswoggle from a beating at the hands of Chavo Guerrero by stopping the third-generation grappler in his tracks with a huge spear.
Snoop Dogg keeps a close eye on WWE to this day, and is arguably the biggest fan of his cousin, “The Boss” Sasha Banks.
Now, the never-ending party that always follows Snoop Dogg joins the WWE Hall of Fame! How will Snoop keep the good times rolling in Dallas? Find out during the 2016 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, live and only on WWE Network this Saturday at 8 ET/5 PT.
Brock Lesnar Talks His First Run in WWE, Admits to Past Substance Abuse Problems and Leaving Wrestling to Save His Life, Talks UFC and More
When Brock Lesnar finally retires from athletic competition he will undoubtedly go down as one of the greatest crossover sensations the sports world has ever known.
Lesnar won an NCAA heavyweight wrestling championship at the University of Minnesota before pursuing a highly successful career in the WWE. From there he decided to try out for the NFL and made it deep into a training camp with the Minnesota Vikings.
Lesnar was asked about his decision to head to WWE straight out of college, and Lesnar said WWE made him a money offer that was too good for a “poor college kid” to turn down. He said he never watched pro wrestling growing up, and the hardest part about working in WWE was getting used to the lifestyle. He said he was not ready for it when he first started in WWE, and admitted to having substance abuse problems, mainly using Vicodin and vodka, while he was WWE Champion and on the road. Lesnar added he needed to get out of the wrestling business to save his life.
Lesnar then opted for a mixed martial arts career where he became a defending UFC heavyweight champion before eventually re-signing with the WWE where he remains one of the biggest stars in the professional wrestling world.
Lesnar then talked about his decision to try the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings, and how he got his start in UFC after Dana White wouldn’t take his phone calls.
But for all his accomplishments and accolades, Lesnar swears he's not concerned about the legacy he'll leave behind one day. In fact, Lesnar couldn't even locate his UFC titles if you asked to see them.
"I'm not much for legacy," Lesnar told "SportsCenter" on Monday. "I guess people have their way of remembering what I did. I'm not about accomplishments. I don't have a trophy room. I don't have any symbolic things. I'm not a sentimental guy. I couldn't even tell you where my UFC titles are or my WWE championships or my NCAA plaque, my heavyweight plaque. I don't even now where that is right now.
"But I do know one thing -- how much money's in my bank account."
Lesnar has already accomplished more than most athletes could ever dream but the fact that he's pulling in a hefty paycheck for his current work schedule seems to be what matters most to him.
During his days with the UFC, Lesnar was the biggest draw in the sport although he's surrendered that title to Conor McGregor and Ronda Rousey, who have recently pulled in massive numbers for recent pay-per-view offerings.
None of that seems to matter much to Lesnar these days as he's focused on his WWE career where he's preparing for WrestleMania 32 this weekend in Dallas, Tex. where he takes on Dean Ambrose in a "No Holds Barred Street Fight".
source: foxsports.com
Details On WWE Global Cruiserweight Series Tapings
The WWE Global Cruiserweight Series tournament will be filmed over five days during the week of June 20th from Full Sail University in Winter Park, Florida, according to PWInsider. As we've noted, tournament qualifying matches will be held at upcoming EVOLVE, PROGRESS and Revolution Pro indie events.
Triple H on the Cover of the April 2016 'Muscle and Fitness' Magazine
Always honored to be the cover of @muscle_fitness & Apr '16 is no exception. Great shoot w/1 of the best, Per Bernal pic.twitter.com/lGeufwn5xB
— Triple H (@TripleH) March 28, 2016
