Triple H Calls Chyna The Real MVP of DX: She Is The Glue That Kept It Together

One of the most popular factions in WWE is D-Generation-X. The members of the iconic group were X-Pac, Road Dogg Jessie James, Badass Billy Gunn, former WWE World Champion Shawn Michaels, Chyna, and the Chief Content Officer Triple H. Recently, Paul Levesque [Triple H] named who he thinks was the MVP of the group.

While speaking on the Roommates Show, Triple H named the Ninth Wonder of the World, Chyna as the real MVP of DX.

“On DX, I would say Shawn, but there is part of me that would say Chyna. Shawn, only because, at the time when we first started and Shawn was in DX with me, I was learning so much from him on a day-to-day basis about the business. Chyna was the glue that held that together. If you look at the crew, I’m like the guy that doesn’t drink or do any other stuff, so I’m easy to deal with.

“Shawn is a mess. Road Dogg is a mess. X-Pac is a mess. Billy is a mess. The glue that sort of held that all together is Chyna because she kept everybody in line. There is only so much shit I can tell them and control them before they’re like, ‘F off,’ and we get in a fight about it. Nobody is going to give her a hard time, so whatever she says goes. She is kind of the glue there,” Triple H said.

[H/T Fightful.com]

EV investor Ideanomics files for bankruptcy to sell assets; Shane McMahon Exec Chairman

Electric vehicle tech company Ideanomics Inc. (IDEX.PK), opens new tab filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware on Wednesday to find a buyer for its wireless charging business and other technology investments.

Ideanomics entered bankruptcy with over $30 million in debt and just $189,000 in cash on hand, according to documents filed in Wilmington, Delaware bankruptcy court. Ideanomics said it has lost over $800 million in the past five years.

The company spent $320 million on electric vehicle technology investments between 2021 and 2023, but most of those investments were unprofitable. It has shut down all of its acquired businesses except the wireless charging company WAVE, and laid off all but 17 employees. WAVE, which Ideanomics purchased in 2021, will continue to operate during the bankruptcy, and its wireless charging technology is being used by the Antelope Valley Transit Authority in California, which serves commuters in the cities of Palmdale, Lancaster, and Northern Los Angeles County.

The WAVE system is built into routes on public roads and parking facilities, and it is designed to automatically charge buses during scheduled stops, according to court documents. Ideanomics has lined up an $11 million bankruptcy loan from Tillou Management and Consulting, an entity controlled by former wrestling executive Vince McMahon. McMahon is married to Linda McMahon, who U.S. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated as education secretary in his second administration.

Ideanomics plans to sell WAVE to Tillou unless another buyer steps in with a higher offer, according to court documents. Ideanomics saw its stock surge to over $600 a share in 2021 as retail investor interest in electric vehicles surged. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission later accused the company of misleading investors by overstating its financial performance. Ideanomics’ stock was de-listed from NASDAQ in July 2024, and it settled the SEC lawsuit in August.

Before its pivot to electric vehicles, Ideanomics operated in unrelated markets, providing video-on-demand services in China and later providing financial technology used for trading in petroleum and electronic components.

source: reuters.com

A&E, WWE Expand Partnership With Competition Series

A&E is deepening its partnership with the WWE — including adding an in-ring competition to its roster of programming.

The cable network has picked up a series called WWE LFG, which will feature would-be pro wrestlers vying for a WWE contract while receiving training and coaching from in-ring legends Paul “Triple H” Levesque, the Undertaker, Shawn Michaels and others. (The “LFG” in the title stands for “Legends & Future Greats,” A&E says.)

Along with the competition series, A&E has also ordered a second new series, WWE’s Greatest Moments — which, true to its name, will break down iconic matches and events in the company’s history — and a fifth season of its docuseries WWE Rivals.

“Literally filled with blood, sweat, and tears, there’s never been a series that combines in-ring action, behind-the-scenes reality, high-stakes drama, and some of WWE’s greatest icons all in one package,” A+E Networks president of programming Rob Sharenow said in a statement. “From total unknowns to legends, LFG will give viewers a raw, ground-up, 360-degree view of what it truly takes to make it in the WWE. Our collaboration with WWE has clearly struck a chord with audiences, and we’re excited to continue producing premium content that resonates with a diverse viewership.”

Said Levesque, the WWE’s chief content officer, “A&E has proved to be an excellent home for WWE content, and we’re excited to partner with their fantastic team on these new show concepts and the latest season of WWE Rivals.”

LFG is reminiscent of Tough Enough, a competition series that aired in the early 2000s (and was briefly revived in 2010) that also put would-be WWE stars through their paces. The new show will also feature WWE greats Booker T, Mickie James and Bubba Ray Dudley mentoring the contestants, who will complete in weekly matches in addition to learning the behind-the-scenes aspects of the business.

Levesque, Lee Fitting, Ben Houser, Michaels and Jeremy Borash executive produce LFG for the WWE, with. Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson serving as EPs for A&E.

WWE play-by-play man Michael Cole will host Greatest Moments, which will feature past and current wrestlers looking back at some of the company’s defining matches. WWE’s Levesque, Fitting, Houser and Marc Pomarico exec produce with A&E’s Bryant, Abramson and Jonathan Partridge.

source: hollywood reporter

WWE Granted Stay In ‘Ring Boy’ Lawsuit

WWE has been granted a motion to stay the lawsuit filed by former “ring boys” against the company as well as Vince and Linda McMahon. As you likely recall, a lawsuit was filed against the parties back in October by five former WWE “ring boys” who allege that Mel Phillips and Terry Garvin sexually abused them, and that Vince and Linda McMahon were aware of the abuse but did nothing to stop it. POST Wrestling reports that Judge James K. Bredar has granted a motion byu the company to stay the lawsuit pending a ruling by the Maryland Supreme Court’s decision on the Child Victims Act.

According to POST, the new Maryland removes the statute of limitations and allows victims to sue “non-perpetrator defendants whose negligence may have led to child sex abuse.” The Maryland Supreme Court is currently considering the constitutionality of the law in a consolidated case, with a decision expected before August 31st, 2025.

WWE filed their motion on Monday asking for the case to be stayed, and the judge agreed to do so. The judge wrote:

“The Complaint raises allegations regarding sexual abuse committed in the 1980s, and the timeliness of the claims depends on the Maryland Child Victims Act of 2023 (‘CVA’). As Defendants [WWE] explain, the viability of Plaintiffs’ [the ring boys’] claims ‘depends entirely on the constitutionality of the CVA’”.

Triple H Dubs Current WWE Era The Netflix Era, Says It's Bigger Than Attitude Era

WWE has been enjoying a new wave of popularity. The sports-entertainment juggernaut could gain more fans when the company makes the move to Netflix in 2025. "WWE Raw" will debut on the service on January 6, with the live crowd in the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California also getting the chance to see recording artist Travis Scott appear live. During a recent press event to promote the company's move to Netflix, WWE's Chief Content Officer Triple H believes that this new era the company is entering will surpass the popularity of the famed Attitude Era.

"I think the moment that we're going through right now, I was in the Attitude Era at the peak of it as you were. We didn't realize what it was in the moment. Having seen that, I see this, and I see it way bigger bigger. I see this as this different moment of time in the business, and it being something different." Triple H then turned to Michael Cole, who had mentioned that WWE was currently in 'The Triple H Era,' but The Game respectfully disagreed. "You mentioned it being the Triple H Era. I don't think it's that. I think at the end of it, it's going to be called the Netflix Era because that's where the big change is."

It isn't just Triple H who can feel it, as former WWE World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest mentioned after the conclusion of WrestleMania 40 that everyone in WWE can sense that a new era is on the horizon, and its one where they can do things that the stars of the Attitude Era could only dream of. 

Whatever the name of the new era, it has not been lost on Triple H, how important this move is to the company, and the wrestling business as a whole.

"It's mind-boggling to me, the moment of us hitting Netflix," Triple H said. "I don't think people truly understand what that means outside of the US when you have that moment where as a WWE fan, and everything has always been either you have to go find it or where is this programming, when is that programming? Where is the PLE going to be? Now it's this one-stop shop, where I think people are talking about it like 'wow, it's going to be great when Netflix gets [WWE].' I don't think they fully get that like the rest of the world 'we're getting everything,' on that date, all at once. Like I can watch anything at any given time. It's a game-changer."

The United States won't be getting every piece of WWE content right away due to contracts with other networks, meaning that in 2025, "Raw" will be the only show to broadcast live on Netflix. A number of other countries, including Canada and all of the United Kingdom, will get every WWE weekly show live on their service, as well as the monthly Premium Live Events and a select number of past events that have historical significance.

credit: Wrestling Inc.

Triple H Comments On People Who Prefer Older Style of Wrestling, Says He Can’t Book For Himself

In an interview with Greg and the Morning Buzz (via Fightful), Triple H gave some insight into his booking process for WWE and how he addresses complaints that WWE isn’t the way that it used to be. He noted that his friends sometimes text him to complain. He said:

“Nobody actually texts me during the show because they know I’m not going to answer, for the most part. It’s interesting the different points of view. I know guys across many different generations, and I think there are some older performers that look at the way kids perform today and they say, ‘They’re just not doing it right. They don’t need to do all this.’ I get that, but it’s the way kids consume it today. There is a saying about when things start to leave you in life. The first thing to go is music. How many people, as you see them get older, ‘Music today sucks. Back in my day, that’s when they made good music. People put their heart and their soul into it and there was real emotion there.’ No, you’re just old, dude. Yeah, the stuff was great in your generation and you learned it a certain way, but the kids today learn it a different way, and what they see and what they think is cool, then that’s what you need to give them. I can’t control that. I learned this 30 years the hard way. It is in no way shape or form about what I want. It’s about what they want. If it becomes about what I want, then the show will die. It is about what they want and that overall big picture.“

source: 411mania.com

The WWE Network Is Officially Shutting Down Ahead Of Netflix Move

The WWE Network has long been the home of WWE's library in international markets.

Here in the States, WWE's streaming channel had a run on its own before getting integrated into Peacock. The library of content includes WCW, ECW, and NWA content, most of WWE's PLEs, replays of weekly shows, and tons of original content. It's pretty amazing.

But, that all ends on January 1, when WWE Raw and WWE's extensive library of content move to Netflix. The following press release was sent to WWE Network's international users:

On January 1, 2025, WWE Network will no longer be available in your area. After January 1, Netflix will be the new exclusive home of WWE.

Netflix will bring WWE’s electrifying content all to one place, including weekly shows, Monday Night RAW, SmackDown and NXT, PLUS Premium Live Events (PLEs) such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam.

Many of WWE’s top moments, along with historic PLEs and select programming, will be available on Netflix beginning January 1.

The premiere live episode of Monday Night RAW on Netflix airing on January 6 will feature some of the biggest names in WWE such as John Cena, Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Bianca Belair, in addition to many other Superstars and guests including Travis Scott.

If you are already a Netflix subscriber, you’re all set. If you are not a Netflix subscriber, you will need to subscribe so you don’t miss a moment. We can’t wait for you to experience WWE on Netflix this January.

What does "select programming" mean? We'll have to wait and see.

source: si.com

Bobby Roode Praised For WWE Producing

PWInsider.com reports that WWE producer Booby Roode has been receiving a significant amount of praise for his work in recent months. Roode has been filling in for Michael Hayes, who is currently on leave for person reasons. The WWE Hall of Famer is expected to return at some point in the future.

Ari Emanuel Praises Triple H & Dana White’s Work With WWE & UFC, Talks Netflix/WWE Deal

Ari Emanuel is very happy with how Triple H and Dana White are doing with WWE and the UFC, respectively. Emanuel is the CEO of TKO, the parent company of both WWE and UFC, and he recently spoke on Bloomberg about the success of both companies, WWE’s deal with Netflix and more. You can see highlights below (courtesy of Wrestling Inc):

On the performance of the two companies: “I don’t think it’s Fight Club. I remember watching WWE — WWF, actually — when I was young. Paul [Levesque] has done an amazing job with the WWE, with ‘Raw,’ ‘SmackDown,’ PLEs, ‘NXT.’ And UFC is a sport that Dana [White] created over 30 years ago. Didn’t exist. [It was] His vision. You don’t have to explain the rules of the UFC to anybody in the world.”

On Triple H taking over WWE from Vince McMahon: “When you have guys that are visionaries, take whatever comes through on the cases with Vince McMahon who is no longer with the company, and now Paul, Triple H, is running that. They understand, kind of, the heartbeat. The skills I’ve maybe learned in the talent agency side have helped, but now we’re partners. So, now, that’s how I look at it. You just have to let the talent — and those guys are talent — do what they do and support them with all that they need.”

On WWE’s deal with Netflix: “You can see that Netflix wants to be in the live sports business. I think they [WWE] will perform very well for them. There’s a huge chunk of the audience that are WWE fans that are not right now, based on our research, Netflix subscribers. If they capture a portion of those, it’s a huge win for them and a huge win for us.”

On the potential of UFC moving to Netflix: “Listen, ESPN has been an incredible partner. First quarter we’ll see, that’s where we can start. We would love to be back in ESPN. They have been incredible to us.”

Linda McMahon's Lawyer Confirms Separation from Vince McMahon Amid Ongoing Lawsuits

The Washington Post has published a new feature piece discussing the ongoing lawsuits involving Vince McMahon and WWE. In the article, Linda McMahon's lawyer confirmed that Linda and Vince are separated.

As previously reported, President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Linda McMahon to serve as Secretary of Education.

Laura Brevetti, who represents Linda McMahon and also defended Vince McMahon in his 1994 criminal trial, stated that Linda and Vince are indeed separated. She also commented on the ongoing "ring boys" lawsuit, saying, “This lawsuit based upon thirty-plus-year-old allegations is filled with scurrilous lies, exaggerations, and misrepresentations.”

Trump taps former WWE CEO Linda McMahon to serve as education secretary

President-elect Trump announced on Tuesday night that he intends to appoint Linda McMahon, former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), to lead the Department of Education.

His announcement, which was posted on Truth Social, came hours after two sources told Fox News that McMahon was likely to be picked.

"It is my great honor to announce that Linda McMahon, former Administrator of the Small Business Administration, will be the United States Secretary of Education," Trump's statement read.

"As Secretary of Education, Linda will fight tirelessly to expand ‘Choice’ to every State in America, and empower parents to make the best Education decisions for their families," the press release added. "Linda served for two years on the Connecticut Board of Education, where she was one of fifteen members overseeing all Public Education in the State, including its Technical High School system."

McMahon, who served as administrator of the Small Business Administration in the first Trump administration, is the wife of Vince McMahon. The couple both co-founded WWE in 1980.

"Linda will use her decades of Leadership experience, and deep understanding of both Education and Business, to empower the next Generation of American Students and Workers, and make America Number One in Education in the World," Trump's statement concluded. "We will send Education BACK TO THE STATES, and Linda will spearhead that effort."

McMahon served in the Trump administration from 2017 to 2019. When she resigned, she wrote that the role had been "immensely rewarding."

"While it has truly been the honor of a lifetime to serve our country in this Administration, it is time for me to step down and return to the private sector," McMahon wrote in 2019. "I wish to thank the President and I will continue to be a strong advocate for him and his policies."

Trump has previously floated the idea of disbanding the Department of Education, which began operating in 1980. The agency's website says that its mission is to "promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access for students of all ages."

Former Education Secretary Betsy DeVos told Fox News host Martha MacCallum last week that the Department of Education "doesn't really add any value anywhere. DeVos advised that the opportunity for Trump to radically change the department is "wide open."

"Take the power away from the Department of Education, block-grant those funds, continue to invest in education, but get it down to a much more local level where better decisions are made on behalf of students," DeVos said. "The bureaucrats at the Department of Education aren't doing the job. They haven't done the job for more than four decades to close the achievement gaps — they've only widened." source: fox news

Mark Shapiro Praises Triple H, Nick Khan As ‘Experts In Storytelling’

TKO President Mark Shapiro praised WWE executives Triple H, Nick Khan as among those in the company who are “experts in storytelling” and creating rivalries. Shapiro spoke on the TKO Q3 financial results call and was asked why there haven’t been a lot of challenges with talent leaving the WWE and UFC. He answered by praising the executives in both companies at creating stars and memorable rivalries, noting talent wants to be there.

“The reason why you don’t hear about it a lot, and we say this in all modesty, you don’t hear about it because of the work of Paul Levesque, Dana White, Nick Khan, and Lawrence Epstein,” Shapiro said (per Fightful). “That’s just the fact of the matter. They are experts in storytelling. Period. They are experts in creating rivalries, period. They are experts, like David Stern was, in building and marketing stars. When your platforms, your businesses, your leagues become known for that, talent aspires to be with those leagues. We haven’t had those challenges as of late because, frankly, the talent wants to get to the UFC and WWE level.”

He continued, “We don’t take that for granted. We’re not arrogant about it, and we want to incentivize all of our fighters at UFC and all of our superstars at WWE to put out their best every day and aim for the top of the mountain. We’re prudent about it and we want to keep those costs under control. As long as we do our job of continuing with that storytelling, continuing to build our fanbase, continuing to surround ourselves with the right partners, then talent will gravitate towards the UFC and WWE.”

TKO announced their financial results on Wednesday with revenue of $681.2 million, a net income of $57.7 million, and adjusted EBITDA 1 of $310.0 million.