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July 27, 2016
Brock Lesnar: No WWE Punishment ... for Failed UFC Drug Tests
Brock Lesnar will NOT be disciplined by the WWE for his UFC 200 drug test failures ... and WILL perform at SummerSlam as planned ... TMZ Sports has learned.
A WWE spokesperson tells us ... only full-time WWE performers are subject to the organization's wellness policy, which prohibits PEDs ... but since Brock isn't a full-time performer, he's essentially exempt.
"WWE’s talent wellness program does not apply to part-time performers such as Brock Lesnar," the spokesperson said.
We confirmed with the WWE that Brock has only performed in 19 matches over the past 3 years (4 in '14, 8 in '15, 7 in '16) ... and that the average full-time WWE superstar wrestles more than 200 matches per year.
One well-connected source broke down the situation like this -- WWE is show business, not a regulated athletic competition ... and the wellness program is only designed to keep the "full-time" performers healthy.
Bottom line -- Brock will be in the squared circle on August 21st ... no matter what happens to him in the UFC.
July 26, 2016
Shelton Benjamin is returning to WWE after six-year absence
One of the most athletically gifted and underrated WWE stars of the last decade is making a comeback. After six years wrestling in Japan and on the independent circuit after leaving WWE in 2010, former three-time Intercontinental Champion Shelton Benjamin is making a return.
Benjamin's comeback was announced in a promo on SmackDown Live Tuesday.
Multichannel News names Stephanie McMahon to their annual '40 under 40' list
WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon has been named to Multichannel News' "40 under 40" list of executives making an impact under 40 years old.
The 11th annual "40 under 40" list honrs a wide range of executives from various telecommunicatons backgrounds that have made an impact within their industry.
This year's list highlights McMahon's accomplishments as Chief Brand Officer but also throughout her career at WWE and the success she had brought to various departments. Additionally, the "40 under 40" list points out McMahon's work outside of WWE, such as establishing Connor's Cure for pediatric cancer research and being one of nine U.S. leaders chosen for the Eisenhower Fellowship led by General Colin Powell.
Earlier this year, McMahon was honored by Multichannel News as one of cable and telecommunications' Wonder Women. The Wonder Women Award honors female executives at the forefront of cable television and communications.
When asked by Multichannel News what she liked best about her job, McMahon said: “The opportunity to engage with the families who watch our programming and see the smiles on their faces as we create memories that will last a lifetime.”
July 25, 2016
Sasha Banks Wins WWE Women's Championship On Raw
Sasha Banks defeated Charlotte to become the brand new WWE Women's Champion.
The match was dubbed by Raw announcer Michael Cole as "what was likely the true main event of the evening."
This win marks Sasha's first reign as champion.
Finn Balor Debuts On Raw
Former WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor made his WWE RAW main roster debut on tonight's show from Pittsburgh and moved one step closer to becoming the first-ever WWE Universal Champion.
Balor won a Fatal 4 Way over Kevin Owens, Cesaro and WWE United States Champion Rusev, who he pinned after a Coup de Grace. Balor will now work the RAW main event against the winner of another Fatal 4 Way with the winner facing Seth Rollins for the brand new Universal Title at SummerSlam.
Stephanie McMahon and Mick Foley announce the creation of the WWE Universal Championship
With Dean Ambrose’s WWE World Championship taking up residence as the in-house title of SmackDown Live, Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon and General Manager Mick Foley opened their first show of the New Era by announcing the creation of the WWE Universal Championship, the first recipient of which will be decided at SummerSlam.
McMahon and Foley confirmed former WWE World Champion and first overall WWE Draft pick Seth Rollins as one of the Superstars who will contend for the new title at The Biggest Event of the Summer; The Architect’s opponent will be decided in Raw’s main event, which will be contested between the winners of two Fatal 4-Way Matches held throughout the course of the night.
Nia Jax Makes Raw Debut
Former WWE NXT Superstar Nia Jax made her RAW main roster debut on tonight's show from Pittsburgh. She defeated indie wrestler Britt Baker from AIW in a squash match.
July 24, 2016
Bayley's WWE Battleground Debut a "One Time Thing"
Sasha Banks blew the roof off a sold out Verizon Center in Washington D.C. tonight at WWE Battleground when she revealed NXT Superstar Bayley as her surprise partner to take on the team of WWE Women’s Champion Charlotte, and Dana Brooke.
Bayley later revealed that tonight’s appearance was “just a one time thing”, and that her main goal right now is staying focused on reclaiming the NXT Women’s title. While anything can and will happen in WWE, it would appear that the resident “Hugger” of NXT will be staying put in the hybrid developmental program for the time being.
Right now it looks like the company wants to keep all their major stars in place for next month’s NXT Takeover: Back to Brooklyn special, where Bayley will face Asuke for the women’s title, and Joe will defend against Nakamura. The crew will also be doing a big southern tour kicking off this week, and traditionally when NXT leaves the Florida area it’s an “all hands on deck” situation as they need all their major stars to sell tickets, make the promotional rounds and drive merch sales. Several reports have indicated that WWE is looking to do another round of call-ups in September or October after their current schedule dies down.
UFC Will Not Fine Brock Lesnar For Failed Drug Tests, Bonuses May Not Be Touched
Fines Brock Lesnar potentially faces for reportedly testing positive for clomiphene in drug tests related to his fight at UFC 200 will have to come from the Nevada Athletic Commission, and not from UFC itself.
According to an article by Marc Raimondi on MMAFighting.com, UFC vice president of public relations Dave Sholler stated the MMA promotion will not be fining Lesnar. Any fines will be left up to the state athletic commission.
The Nevada Athletic Commission's guidelines state the penalty for a first violation of its drug policy related to the use of anabolic steroids is 50 to 70 percent of the participant's purse. Whether or not the NSAC categorizes clomiphene as an anabolic steroid, its guidelines state, "We will continue to follow WADA's Prohibited List, for both prohibited substances and prohibited methodologies."
Clomiphene is specifically named as a prohibited substance by WADA. None of the other three drug categories in the NSAC guidelines (sedatives, diuretics, stimulants) seem like a more accurate fit for clomiphene.
Lesnar's publicly-disclosed purse for fighting Mark Hunt at UFC 200 was $2.5 million. He's likely due even more in pay-per-view bonuses. MMAFighting.com says the money Lesnar made beyond his disclosed purse is likely to go untouched. A fine on 50 to 70 percent of $2.5 million would come out to $1.25 million to $1.875 million.
It's unclear yet whether WWE, which he's under contract to, will take any action to penalize Lesnar.
Donald Trump Talks RNC Entrance, McMahon, WWE on Meet The Press
Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump sat down with Chuck Todd, moderator of “Meet the Press” on NBC, in the first network interview since the Republican National Convention. Trump, a WWE Hall of Famer, discussed his RNC entrance and the reaction from WWE Chairman and CEO Vincent Kennedy McMahon.
CHUCK TODD:
Let me tell you, you bring up Thursday night. I've got to ask you about your entrance. Before we get to Thursday, that Monday night entrance was something else. I know you’ve gotten a lot of feedback on it.
DONALD TRUMP:
I think I'm a little bit lucky, and a couple of people had that idea, and I went along with the idea. And everything just worked right. And it was so good that they wanted to do it on Thursday night. I said, “Never in a million years, because you’ll never get it that way again.”
CHUCK TODD:
I don't think I've seen that even on WWE.
DONALD TRUMP:
Yeah, I know. Well, Vincent’s a good friend of mine. He called me. He said, “That was a very, very good entrance.” But I didn’t want to do it a second time, because, you know, it never works out the second time.
And yes, it has been done before...
Excerpt courtesy NBC News - “Meet The Press”
