Paul and Stephanie at the WWE Raw Netflix Premiere

Triple H Responds To Criticism Of WWE Video

During the post-show press conference for WWE RAW on Netflix, Triple H discussed creating the RAW cold open video and their purpose behind it.

The three-minute cold open video featured the use of several “insider” terms, such as “heel,” “face,” “shoot” and “work,” and the WWE CCO explained how the goal was to provide something for everyone while also presenting WWE to new audiences.

You can check out some highlights from the media scrum below:

On their goal with the opening video: “I think when we first started talking about Netflix and this opportunity tonight. And you look at Netflix’s audience, it’s everybody. And it’s one of the things I think Netflix does so well, they have something there that appeals to everybody. They have something for young people, they have something for older folks like different products, different things, documentaries — they have everything under the sun on Netflix and there’s something for everybody. So when you have the opportunity to appeal to those people, you want to give them a little of everything. And we felt like it was important for us to sort of pay homage to the past, talk about what this business is. Like if you’ve never watched this, if you grew up and you never saw it, what is it?”

On criticism of the use of insider terms: “That was the intent, to capture the emotion — and let people know, ‘We’re not hiding what we do.’ You know, I saw a lot of chatter today from people saying like, ‘Oh my God, they said heel and face and shoot and work and one promo.’ Like, we’re not hiding what we do. That’s what we do. And to be honest, I think most of the world understands those terms and sort of now, they’ve almost transcended our business. I see people talking about that in other [venues], ‘He’s a heel, this guy.’ It’s transcended our business. It’s what it is, people know what we are. We talk about it, we’re not insulting anybody’s intelligence.

“But we’re an art form. Absolutely an art form that captures people’s emotions. It’s not — we don’t take ourselves as seriously as most other people take us. So it was all part of trying to capture that and say, ‘If you’ve watched, watch this and hopefully we honor what you love. If you’ve never watched this, watch this, we’ll explain to you what we are.’ That was the attempt.”

WWE Announces Vengeance Day Premium Live Event In Washington D.C.

WWE is bringing NXT to the Nation's Capital, as Vengeance Day will take place Saturday, February 15 at the Entertainment & Sports Arena in Washington, D.C.

The announcement comes on the heels on Monday night's successful Raw on Netflix premiere.

“Following a historic night, we are excited to bring the first premium live event to Washington, D.C. in nearly nine years with our great partners at Events DC,” said WWE Senior Vice President of Talent Development Creative Shawn Michaels. “We look forward to showcasing our extraordinary talent in front of a rich wrestling town come February 15.”

WWE is advertising that some of the biggest NXT Superstars will be in action including NXT Champion Trick Williams, NXT Women’s Champion Roxanne Perez, NXT North American Champion Tony D’Angelo and NXT Women’s North American Champion Fallon Henley.

Hulk Hogan Gets Booed During WWE’s Netflix Debut

Although WWE‘s Netflix debut was a hit, not everyone was met with a warm welcome.

During Monday Night Raw, Hulk Hogan made a surprise appearance to push his beer brand’s partnership with WWE, but his quick speech in front of an American flag largely attracted boos from the audience at the Intuit Dome in Los Angeles.

As the camera panned across the audience, thumbs could be seen pointed down as the booing intensified throughout his product plug.

“Well you know, brother, in the wrestling business, when you’re getting ready to draw some big money, you got to shoot an angle, put some hot spice on the feud,” he said on Fox News. “And when I had Trump in the back at the Garden, I said, ‘You know something? This Robert Kennedy Jr., he’s onto something with nutrition.’ But if you tag team us up as the mega powers, you know – the MAGA-powers, RFK Jr. and Hulk Hogan – he can get them eating the right food and I can get all of our kids in shape, brother.”

In addition to a star-studded audience, this week’s Monday Night Raw also featured appearances from Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and John Cena. source: deadline.com

Netflix Announces Several New WWE Shows Debuting On Their Platform On January 1

In addition to WWE Raw airing every Monday night on the platform, Netflix will be hosting a number of additional digital and other original WWE shows fans have seen, and some new ones. This week, Netflix announced the following list of WWE programming that will be debuting on their platform starting on January 1, 2025: WWE Top 10 “Monday Night Raw hosts some of the biggest and best matches in WWE history, featuring Superstars John Cena, Triple H, Becky Lynch and more.” WWE RAW Classics “Big E hosts this collection of most-see Raw matches and moments, featuring WWE Superstars and Legends including CM Punk, Becky Lynch and Triple H.” WWE Road to WrestleMania “The Road to WrestleMania goes through Raw, where WWE’s top Superstars raise the stakes in must-see matches and thrilling moments.” WWE Superstar Profiles “WWE Superstars step inside the squared circle in pursuit of championships and glory in front of the WWE Universe.” WWE Legends Profiles “Legendary Superstars of WWE make history with unforgettable matches and moments inside the squared circle.” As noted, WWE Raw debuts on Netflix starting on January 6, 2025 from the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, CA.

Why Kevin Nash Says Triple H Is A Better Fit To Run WWE Than The Rock

Recently, former WWE creative writer Vince Russo floated a conspiracy theory suggesting TKO board director Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson might replace Paul "Triple H" Levesque with his longtime collaborator Brian Gewirtz. While there doesn't appear to be any truth to this, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash addressed the possibility on "Kliq This." Nash felt fairly confident that Levesque wouldn't be going anywhere, and used a recent social media clip as proof he's better suited to run WWE's creative than perhaps anyone else. 

"They brought back [Shinsuke Nakamura] and they were working out his entrance," Nash began. "It was on Instagram. And they showed Paul walking the production people through what he wanted. 'I want it lit not so much on the top, but underneath.' And he walked them through this entire process of what he saw personally for this guy's entrance. And I was just like...that's what makes the difference between good and great: Detail. And he's dialing this f***in' in, and I'm saying to myself, Dwayne doesn't have the time for that."

Nash compared the respect WWE talent has for Levesque to the respect players had for legendary New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick, noting that both inspire their "players" to perform at their best.  

"It's the Triple H era because...people will run through f***ing walls for him," Nash said. "He gets it. And that's the intangible that Brian Gewirtz or Dwayne, they're not going to have."

At one time, Brian Gewirtz was high on the food chain within WWE's creative team, and was known as the architect behind many of The Rock's promos. Having formed a strong working relationship together, The Rock eventually lured Gewirtz away from wrestling to his Seven Bucks Productions entertainment company. 

Triple H Calls Rhea Ripley And Bianca Belair Superheroes: If They’re Not, I’m Not Sure Who Is

Business is booming in the world of professional wrestling. Especially when it comes to WWE, the company has been seeing huge profits in recent years. One of the key factors in this sudden surge in popularity is the fact that Triple H has taken charge. It is also to be noted that now wrestling is not the only profession for wrestlers. The art of professional wrestling also paves the way for talents to enter into the acting business.

Recently, WWE’s Chief Content Officer Triple H was a special guest on the Roommates Show. During the interview, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque shared his thoughts on wrestlers entering the world of Hollywood. He also mentioned that stars like the Original Tribal Chief Roman Reigns and former WWE Women’s World Champion Rhea Ripley would perfectly fit in an action movie. He also shared that he sees stars like Ripley, Bianca Belair, and Jade Cargill as Superheroes.

“Wrestling is accepted now. If somebody goes and does a movie or TV film, it’s so accepted to where it’s not, ‘What’s this wrestler doing in this movie?’ Now, they can sort of fit in and people are more accepted of it. I think over the years, you’ll see some of that. Guys like Roman Reigns, and some of our women too. Rhea Ripley or people like that. Especially with action movies and the superhero genre, if Rhea Ripley is not a superhero, I’m not sure who is. Bianca Belair is another. Jade Cargill. If they’re not superheroes, what is?” Triple H said.

[H/T Fightful.com]

Triple H Says Batista Was The ‘MVP’ of Evolution, Praises His Work Ethic

In an interview with The Roommates Show (via Fightful), Triple H praised how hard Batista worked in his career and said that the Animal was the MVP of Evolution. In addition to Triple H and Batista, the group also included Randy Orton and Ric Flair. Triple H said:

“The MVP in Evolution is Batista. Ric was established. I was established. Randy was established coming out of the group, but as we were forming the group, and Ric and I are the ones that put that together, solely. We were the ones that picked Randy and Dave. A lot of people had kind of written Dave off as ‘he’s never going to make it.’ Ric and I were adamant about putting him in the group. As we started to do the group, everybody kept saying, ‘Randy is the breakout.’ I kept saying, ‘You guys are wrong. It’s going to be Dave.’ He was a sponge. He got it. You might not have known it at that time, but the level he put into it and how hard he worked, for me, he was the MVP.”

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’”.