Triple H Says He’d ‘Dance One More Time’ With The Rock

Triple H was interviewed recently at the Mumbai Facebook offices and had the following to say about a possible match between he and The Rock:

About two years ago, he and I (The Rock) did a backstage promo with each other where we talked about WrestleMania, and the competitive nature of it and it lit up the internet about the possibility of it. It’s something we’ve discussed. It’s just making schedules work, he’s pretty busy I am too. But hey, right place, right time? I’ll dance one more time with The Great One, Rock. (Transcription credit: Sportskeeda)

Lita Reveals There's Been Talks About Tag Titles For The WWE Women’s Division

Lita has been in Paris taking part in a Q&A session on a number of topics such as the possibility of women's tag team titles in WWE:

"There has been talks of tag titles for the Women’s Division and I think that I love that they first introduced the MITB briefcase, that’s been a long time coming and that adds an element of surprise within the title picture. I would love to see these rumored tag titles appear sooner than later, but for that to happen, I hope they bring up these women that are already at NXT or some women they’ve seen on the Mae Young Classic and expand the roster."

Mickie James To Be Inducted Into Native American Music Awards Hall Of Fame

Native American Music Awards issued the following release today:

WWE® SUPERSTAR MICKIE JAMES™
TO RECEIVE SPECIAL HONORS AT THE SEVENTEENTH ANNUAL AWARDS

Mickie James To Be Inducted Into The N.A.M.A. Hall of Fame

October 2, 2017 – Niagara Falls, NY.  The Native American Music Awards & Association is very proud to announce that WWE® Superstar & SMG Recording Artist Mickie James™ (Powhatan) will be inducted into the Native American Music Awards Hall of Fame during the 17th Annual Native American Music Awards (NAMA) ceremony on Saturday, October 14th at the Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino in Niagara Falls, New York.

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Triple H defends NFL national anthem protest

For the second consecutive Sunday NFL stars around the US and London demonstrated during the American national anthem by taking a knee to highlight racial injustice.

Wrestling legend Triple H appeared on Sky Sports and claimed that taking a knee would probably not be a problem in WWE as they respect people’s right to freedom of speech.

But the multi-time world champion, who holds high rank in the company that presents itself as patriotic, would prefer this to be done in a way that wouldn’t offend anyone.

“I speak for myself, personally only, and if it was me I would stand for my national anthem. For my country I would stand,” the King of Kings told Sky Sports. 

“But I and WWE certainly respect the rights of everybody’s first amendment right of freedom of speech, their right to peacefully protest and do what is meaningful to them. Certainly we support that.

Colt Cabana Says Lawsuit From WWE Doctor Is Costing Him 'A Lot Of Money'

Colt Cabana already has a lot on his plate as a wrestler and sometimes-commentator for Ring Of Honor, but he's dealing with a bit of tumult outside the ring as well. Cabana is in the midst of a lawsuit from WWE ringside physician Christopher Amann for comments CM Punk made on his podcast, and he admitted it hasn't been easy on him.

In November of 2014, Punk was a guest on Cabana's The Art Of Wrestling podcast and said he was mistreated for a back injury and a concussion by Amann. Amann filed suit against Punk and Cabana, whose real name is Scott Colton, for the comments. Amann said Cabana had "affirmed and amplified" Punk's comments, according to the suit.

As a guest on the Live Audio Wrestling podcast, Cabana said the suit is still ongoing and he's not at liberty to discuss it.

"The update is that it's still going on, it's costing me a lot of money, and that's the extent that my lawyers will allow me to talk," Cabana said. "So nothing breaking here, but just do know that it's always on my mind, it's always a very sad thing. And I've talked to other podcasters... it's kind of changed the way that he's worked and realizing that this is a reality that you can host a show and get sued for it."

"It's always in the back of my mind now, which is a little upsetting," he continued. "But that's the way of the world, I guess."

Last month on SmackDown Live, Vince McMahon cut a promo on Kevin Owens where he belittled Owens for wanting to file a lawsuit against the WWE. Cabana admitted he did feel a little offended by the promo, but pointed out that he and Punk are the ones who are being sued.

"I watched it a couple days afterwards and a little bit of me wanted to make gifs and little videos of him saying something about lawsuits and that kind of stuff," Cabana said. "I mean, I don't know. Punk and I, we didn't do a lawsuit. We're getting sued. But it did hit a little home, and of course made me a little sad."

Shane McMahon Invested In Legal Marijuana Company

The New York Daily News wrote an article onShane McMahon investing $500,000 back in 2015 in a company called EnviroGrow that builds modules to assist in the growth of marijuana. The company sells their product only in states where the drug is legal for either medical or recreational use. The article also talked about Linda McMahon being include in the current administration's cabinet, and how Shane's investment is in contrast to the Attorney General Jeff Sessions' hard line stance against the drug.

News of this investment was revealed due to Shane filing a lawsuit last year to recoup his money. After making a visit to the company's production plant, he found it to be "nonexistent," and the owner of EnviroGrow refused to return Shane's investment.

WWE Hires Johnny Moss As Performance Centre Coach

Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that WWE has hired 37 year old Johnny Moss as a coach at the Performance Centre. Moss begins in two weeks not only training wrestlers but working backstage at live touring shows as well. Moss will report to Triple H, William Regal and Shawn Michaels. He will have his UK farewell match on October 4 against Joe Coffey.

Moss then turns over his School Of Hard Knocks and Hammerlocks to Josh Terry. Moss had a hand in training Finn Balor and Killian Dane

Moss had the following comments for The News and Star

“This is a lifelong dream fulfilled. I’ve been obsessed with wrestling since I was eight – it’s all I ever wanted to do – and to be offered this job with WWE is beyond anything I could ever have hoped for."

Triple H Explains Why He Takes Photos With Up and Coming Talent

Triple H poses for a photo with pretty much every new WWE signee, NXT champ or main roster call-up and the reason why has been explained by The Game himself onUproxx’sMcMahonsplaining podcast. Here is what he had to say:

“You know why I take pictures with everybody? Because I'm more famous. When I do that, and I take a picture, just on Twitter alone I got six million people that see it when I tap that picture. I make them something bigger, and that's the attempt.

When they don't need it, I don't stand next to them anymore. When people ask me, 'Well, why didn't you stand next to that guy when he won the title on SmackDown?' He doesn't need it. He didn't need that promotion. If I can help them, I help them. If I can take them to another level, I try to take them to another level. That's what this is all about, creating the future. If I can do that, and help create the future, then I do.

When I don't need to step into that, I'm happy to step out of it. Trust me, when they come to get me to shoot that picture when I'm pointing at the guy, it is the last thing I possibly want to do at that moment in time, is go take that picture, but I have to do it.”

Happy Birthday Stephanie

Stephanie McMahon Levesque
September 24, 1976

Ric Flair Talks Recent Health Issues Due To Years Of Alcohol Abuse, Says He Will Never Drink Again

PEOPLE Exclusive – Wrestling Legend Ric Flair Fighting for His Life After Decades of Alcohol Abuse: Health Scare Tamed 'Nature Boy'

(NEW YORK) – Wrestling legend Ric Flair may have once commanded the ring – but after the cameras turned off, things "just got out of control."

Decades of "social" drinking finally caught up with the 16-time pro wrestling world champion this year, landing him in the hospital and near death last month.

"I crashed in an airplane and broke my back, I've been hit by lightning," Flair tells PEOPLE in this week's issue. "But this is totally different. Anything I've been through before is nothing like this."

On Aug. 11, the 68-year-old was rushed to the hospital with stomach pains. Within hours, Flair was in the early stages of kidney failure and on the verge of congestive heart failure – the result of years of alcohol abuse.

Flair's family members were told he had only 20 percent odds of surviving, and he was placed in a medically induced coma while they – including daughter, pro wrestler Charlotte Flair – took to social media to asks fans for prayers.

Doctors subsequently removed part of Flair's bowel, and inserted a pacemaker. Now, in recovery at a convalescent center in Atlanta, Flair tells PEOPLE of the entire ordeal, "It scared the s— out of me."

He adds, "But I'm not out of the woods yet."

Now, the man once known as the "Nature Boy," needs a nurse to help steady his shaking hands so he can sip water from a glass. He admits, "I didn't think I was an alcoholic, but obviously I was."

Flair's problem with alcohol started while he worked to build a camaraderie with his fellow wrestlers during the early days of his career in 1972. It helped them "bond," he says, noting though, "I never drank when I was working."

"But as soon as work was over, I went right to the mill," he says, adding that he's long struggled to "do anything in moderation," and admitting to a failed rehab stint four years prior.

Alcohol also served as a tonic of sorts when it came to coping with his injuries and intense physical pain from his job. "I've never taken a pain pill in my life," he explains. "I'd just take a shower, flip my hair back and go to the best bar in town."

Now, the father of four says he is dedicated to doing better.

"I'll never drink again," says Flair. "I never want to go through this again."

WWE Starrcade Official Announcement

As noted, the Greensboro Coliseum announced today that the Saturday, November 25th live event will feature a Starrcade theme, the first since 2000. No word yet on if this will be a WWE Network special but we will keep you updated.

Below is WWE's official announcement on the event:

Starrcade returns to Greensboro this November

Starrcade is back, and for the first time in 30 years, it's coming home.

On Saturday, Nov. 25, during Thanksgiving weekend, Starrcade returns when the Superstars of SmackDown LIVE descend on Greensboro, N.C., for a historic event at the Greensboro Coliseum.

The premier event of the National Wrestling Alliance and, later, WCW, Starrcade got its start in Greensboro on Thanksgiving 1983 with a star-studded lineup that saw Ric Flair defeat Harley Race to win his second of 16 World Championships. Starrcade remained in Greensboro through 1986 and was the stage on which legendary performers like Dusty Rhodes, The Four Horsemen, Magnum TA, The Rock 'n' Roll Express and many more etched their names into sports-entertainment history.

As the calendar turned to the 1990s, a new generation of competitors emerged to take the Starrcade spotlight, like Sting, Vader and the nWo. The last edition of Starrcade under the WCW banner took place in December 2000.

Now, fans in Greensboro will get the opportunity to be a part of history, as Starrcade returns with an absolutely stacked card featuring two Steel Cage Matches. Matches announced* for the return of Starrcade include:

WWE Championship Steel Cage Match

Jinder Mahal vs. Shinsuke Nakamura

SmackDown Women's Championship Steel Cage Match

Natalya vs. Charlotte Flair

United States Championship Triple Threat Match

AJ Styles vs. Baron Corbin vs. Rusev

SmackDown Tag Team Championship Texas Tornado Match

The New Day vs. The Usos

Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens

Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler

The Hardy Boyz are also confirmed to appear at Starrcade in their home state of North Carolina, as are WWE Hall of Famers and Starrcade legends Ricky "The Dragon" Steamboat and The Rock 'n' Roll Express!

Tickets for Starrcade will be available starting Friday, Sept. 29, at 10 a.m. ET at Ticketmaster. Don't miss your chance to be a part of history as Starrcade returns!

*Talent and matches listed and depicted above are subject to change.

WWE Hall of Famer Bobby “The Brain” Heenan passes away

From WWE.com:

WWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer Bobby Heenan, regarded by many as the greatest manager in sports-entertainment history, has passed away at age 73. 

With a career spanning more than four decades, Bobby Heenan was the “The Brain” behind some of the most prolific Superstars in sports-entertainment history. Heenan plied his trade as their mischievous manager by running his mouth on their behalf with a sarcastic wit considered among the best in the business.

Heenan named competitors under his guidance as the Heenan Family, a moniker meant to show the strength of their alliance over any of their opposition. Members of the Heenan Family in the AWA and WWE read like the who’s who of sports entertainment, including legends and WWE Hall of Famers such as Nick Bockwinkel, the Blackjacks, Big John Studd, King Kong Bundy, "Ravishing" Rick Rude, "Mr. Perfect" Curt Hennig, the Brain Busters (Arn Anderson and Tully Blanchard), Harley Race, and of course, the first WWE Hall of Famer, Andre the Giant, whom Heenan led to the ring at WrestleMania III before 93,173 fans.

As impossible as it may seem, Heenan’s overwhelming success as a manager was matched by that of his announcing career. Heenan’s constant verbal jousts with fellow WWE Hall of Famers Gorilla Monsoon and “Mean” Gene Okerlund on USA Network remain among the most entertaining moments in sports-entertainment history. In fact, “The Brain” was so entertaining, that "The Bobby Heenan Show" had a brief run on USA Network as well.

In addition “The Brain” was part of the original broadcast team for Monday Night RAW in 1993, and also sat at the announcers’ table for both Raw and WCW Monday Nitro.