June 13, 2013
WWE's Paul Heyman: 'TNA Crossover Makes No Sense'
Paul Heyman has laughed off the suggestion that WWE and TNA should have a crossover event.
TNA boss Dixie Carter told Digital Spy last month that she "absolutely would" be up for a joint promotion, but Heyman - who represents CM Punk and Brock Lesnar - rejected the proposal.
"I'm sure that Dixie Carter would love to do a WWE versus TNA pay-per-view," Heyman told DS, speaking ahead of this weekend's WWE Payback pay-per-view.
"Why wouldn't she? A friend of mine who has way too much time on his hands just started a new beverage company here in the United States.
"It's called Shmuley's Soda Company and he's now distributed in three stores in the Bronx and two in Brooklyn."
He continued: "He would like to do a global promotion with Coca-Cola. I don't suggest that Coca-Cola would be profitable having to do a global co-promotion with Shmuley's Soda Company.
"In the same way it would make no sense for WWE with 95% global share to do an event with TNA with its 5% global market share!"
source: digitalspy.com
New NXT Champion Crowned
WWE NXT star Bo Dallas defeated Big E. Langston on this week's edition of NXT on Hulu Plus to become the new NXT Champion.
June 12, 2013
ION Television - WWE Main Event Nominated for a CableFAX Faxie Award
ION television has been nominated for a Faxie Award in the following category:
Marketing of a New Series or Show - Large Network
Cartoon Network - DreamWorks Dragons: Riders of Berk
The History Channel - Hatfields & McCoys
ION Television - WWE Main Event
Oxygen Media - Oxygen's The Face
Sundance Channel's Push Girls
TLC - Here Comes Honey Boo Boo
WE tv - Kendra on Top
www.cablefax.com
June 11, 2013
Justin Credible on first run with WWE, thoughts on Triple H
Justin Credible joined Inside The Ropes last Thursday for the first of a two part interview. Talking about his Aldo Montoya run, here are the highlights:
How he went from jobbing on RAW to getting a contract with the company in 1994:
"I live in Conneticut, I live 45 minutes from WWE headquarters and I was doing jobs (on TV) and one day the office called me and they said “We need you to come down to the office and work out with Mark, Undertaker. We have somebody coming in that’s gonna do a double Undertaker and we need to train him during the week to look like Mark and do his moves.” So basically they paid me $150 a day to go up there and be a crash test dummy for Brian Lee doing the impostor Undertaker. We did it all week and on Friday we did a dress rehearsal with Brian Lee in full Undertaker gear and Mark was sitting there and Vince and Pat Patterson, one of the bookers at the time, came down and saw the entire dress rehearsal and at the end Pat and Vince come up to me and started asking me questions about where I was from, who trained me but the next question they asked me was, what nationality I was. So I told Vince I was portuguese and he said “Ahhh, you’re portuguese, do you speak it?” I told him yeah absolutely and he laughed and said good and that was it. So low and behold I found out later they’d been fixing to do the Aldo Montoya gimmick anyway and they had it written up. So they were looking for a legitimate portuguese kid to come in and do the gimmick and I was just the in the right place at the right time."
Thoughts on Triple H:
"I was there when Hunter came in. I was his first set of matches around the loop. i was real close with Kev, Shawn, Scott and Pac. I remember, in 1996, we weren’t making much money so Hunter and I would share like a $40 room at Red Roof Inns across the country. I knew he had the passion, I knew he had ability. He just wasn’t.....His rise to stardom was very slow for a very long time. He just wasn’t getting over. That thing with the bow and the snob gimmick just was not getting over. The office was trying and trying, he was beating everybody, they were giving him storyline after storyline but the fans just weren’t biting. But Vince kept trying and you know the Kliq thing, the curtain call, Paul went out and he got put in the doghouse. Vince buried him on the road and on TV for almost a full year. For a long time, I didn’t think Paul was gonna get to where he is today that’s for sure. It’s just amazing, time heals all wounds, You know the persistance paid off. He’s a hard working guy, passionate about this business. For that I respect him."
Video: Mr. McMahon gives Triple H his match with Curtis Axel but The Game doesn't want it: Raw, June 10, 2013
June 10, 2013
Jim Ross Explains Why Some Talents Are Not Pushed In WWE
WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross recently talked with Hooked on Wrestling and explained what goes into giving some talents a push while others may not receive a push:
“I’m not going to start naming names of guys that have had issues telling the time, committing or paying attention,” Ross said. “But the company have to invest in guys that are reliable. Reliability comes in many forms, shades and colours that the average fan is not aware of.mIt’s not that the company are trying to hold someone back or keep someone down. That’s totally counter-productive. No businessman of any intellect is going to do that in any business. No matter what I say or you say, there will still be some people who still say ‘I still think so-and-so should be pushed’. That’s great. That’s your right to say it. But don’t live and die by it and let it upset your day. If it is meant to happen, it will happen.
“Look at The Shield. They are three guys that came in and they were prepared. They had no issue in developmental. They were very professional in all aspects in their preparation. They earned the opportunity for the ‘push’ that they are getting. They covered all the bases. The results are three guys getting quality minutes on television and maximising those minutes very well. They are starting to get over.
"If WWE didn’t want a guy to get over and didn’t want to use him, guess what they would do? They would release him. It’s simple. In the corporate world, you get job reviews for every job you do. If you are really successful, you get a promotion or a raise. You advance up the ladder to a new payscale and now the task in hand is to do that job very well and be successful. You don’t get into one role where you say, ‘I’m not going to work hard at this job because I don’t really like it. I’ll just wait for my promotion’.
“I’ve had wrestlers that I’ve watched their matches and Vince [McMahon] and I would brainstorm and say, ‘You know, so-and-so doesn’t look like his heart is in it, we need to have a little visit with him to see what’s wrong’. He might be hurt, he might have issues at home. I’ve had guys that have literally said to me, ‘Well I haven’t really been putting out a great effort. I’m waiting for my push’. So when you get your push, then we’ll get your great effort? I say, ‘Well, I think you’ve got it backwards. We need to see the difference now so that you earn your push’. It’s funny that you have grown adults, professionals, that have a chance to make an amazing amount of money for something they allegedly love to do, and they have that attitude. It makes no sense.”
June 8, 2013
WWE seeking Performance Center GM, new "Talent Review System" to be implemented
Ahead of next month's anticipated launch of the "WWE Performance Center," WWE posted a new job listing Friday for a Performance Center General Manager.
Included in the job listing are more details on the Performance Center. Most notably, WWE plans to launch a "Talent Review System" later this year, which the General Manager will oversee. This suggests there will be more of a structured schedule within the Developmental system.
The job listing states: "The new Performance Center will give WWE the ability to train more potential performers than ever before through a comprehensive program including in-ring training, physical preparedness, and character development." Later, the job listing states: "Supervise the development and manage the day-to-day process of WWE’s Talent Review System that will be implemented in late 2013. The overall review process will entail working with senior leaders from Stamford and the WWE Performance Center on the execution of this bi-annual program focused on accelerating the development of our Orlando-based Superstars."
Currently, talent stays in Developmental indefinitely until one of two things happens - WWE finds a spot for them on the main roster or they are released. The indefiniteness of Developmental appears to be changing later this year.
The job listing also notes that talent will have access to money management, media training, and wellness education" as part of the Talent Relations program.
Also required will be "enhancing and managing" the relationship with Full Sail University for TV tapings and "other relationships" in the Central Florida region.
Job Listing - WWE Performance Center General Manager
Jake Roberts Talks Royal Rumble Return, CM Punk, Turning RAW Around, DDP Yoga, Shane McMahon
Jake "The Snake" Roberts recently appeared on Wrestling Heels Radio. Here are some highlights:
Possibly returning at the 2014 Royal Rumble: "That's my dream. That's my dream. That's nothing they've said. I've been wanting to go back, man. Whenever I started losing the weight, whenever I started seeing the world again, whenever I started seeing progress in myself, when I seen – when I started dreaming again, man, dreaming of not so much getting back to the ring, at first. The dreams at first were taking a walk. I went and actually walked up Stone Mountain, man, few months ago, and I could not do that years ago even when, you know, I was in wrestling form, you know? It was a very tough experience."
Who he'd like to face in WWE: "I would wrestle Shane McMahon. I think I'd enjoy that, and I think it would be a match he could be proud of and that I could be proud of. There's lots of other guys – a few other guys. I say lots, but there's a few other guys I wouldn't mind being in the ring with. I think I could do something spectacular with [John] Cena, but here's the thing. I could do something spectacular with anybody 'cause Jake the Snake did that. I've proven that."
CM Punk's promos: "Well, he's trying to slow it down, but he doesn't get it yet. You know what, man? Here's the thing. We'll just throw this out here. WWE, Jake the Snake calling. I have a proposition, okay? Here's my proposition. You give me five weeks. Give me an hour a week with five guys, and I will significantly change not only them but I will change the look of Raw, in five weeks. I will do it by simply talking to them, by sitting them underneath the learning tree if you will and just casting it out there, letting them absorb what I give and I won't exactly remember everything I tell them that they'll get enough to change your product significantly. Trust me. Ta da."
DDP Yoga: "It's incredible, Bro. It is just incredible. I mean all the years I spent in gyms and, believe it or not, I did work out. I mean, there was a lot of sacrificing going to gyms. There's a lot of pain in trying to do too much weight 'cause you think that's going to make you bigger. No, it's going to – it might make you bigger for a short time until your injuries start to come up through it, but all those years, I was doing that stuff to my body and I didn't have a clue as to what I was doing, man.
"Back then, a workout you went in the gym and you pushed as hard as you could with as much as you could, and, of course, you supplemented that with powders and pills and steroids. You do get bigger, but at the same time, you're tearing your body apart, you know. See, god didn't make us to carry 300 pounds on are back. It's just been recently, in the last several years, that people have gotten into core strength, and that's the most important part, man. I mean, it was such idiots not to have learned it sooner because, I mean, the biggest part of your body is the trunk of your body, your chest and your waist and your abs.
June 7, 2013
Bad Sign For IMPACT Wrestling TV Rating
In a bad sign, TV By The Numbers has posted the cable TV ratings for last night, and Impact Wrestling is nowhere to be found. That means that the show didn't make the top 100 cable shows for adults 25-54, which is the first time that has ever happened.
WWE Trying Out Mainstream Athletes
Jim Ross is at WWE Developmental this weekend for tryouts. He responded to a couple of Twitter followers regarding the tryouts, stating that females will not be participating in this particular camp. Rather, he said "15-20 men from mainstream sports world" would be trying out.
Vince McMahon & Triple H Added to Raw After Payback PPV
A new line-up released for the June 17th Raw indicates that The McMahon Family drama will be continuing following the Paypack pay-per-view event. Mr. McMahon and Triple H were not on the original line up, but since then have been added.
WWE kicked off a McMahon Family Drama storyline on this week’s episode of Raw, which will play out throughout the summer as WWE attempts to counter the annual post-WrestleMania ratings swoon.
The story is that Triple H’s “concussion injury” and subsequent concern from Stephanie and Vince McMahon will create a family conflict that will be a key part of Raw events going forward
June 6, 2013
NXT Star Undergoing Back Surgery
According to The Wrestling Observer, WWE NXT star Richie Steamboat will be undergoing back surgery with Dr. Joseph Maroon in Pittsburgh in the very near future. Steamboat has been out of action for months, and with this current back surgery approaching, there is growing concern that his wrestling future might be in jeopardy.
June 5, 2013
Mike Tyson: Chael 'hands down' better trash talker than Ali, Vince McMahon could beat up Dana White
In case you've been wondering what Mike Tyson thinks about the burning issues of the day, UFC Tonight's Ariel Helwani caught up with him and got him to go on the record. Here's how MMA Mania summed it up:
What we know from Tyson's appearance is that WWE CEO Vince McMahon can beat up UFC President Dana White (settling this debate), Evander Holyfield's ear would have tasted a lot better with hot sauce on it, and UFC Light Heavyweight Chael Sonnen is a better trash talker than legendary pugilist Muhammed Ali.
Wait, what?
"Chael Sonnen," insisted "Iron" Mike. "Chael talks too much. I think Chael believes what he says. Chael hands down."
While I'm enjoying Iron Mike's middle-aged re-creation as a lovable old uncle for the UFC, anyone who really thinks Chael Sonnen even compares to Muhammad Ali as a personality or talker obviously is lying or never actually paid attention to Muhammad Ali back in the day.
Still Mike may be onto something regarding Vince McMahon vs. Dana White.
June 4, 2013
Latest on CHIKARA
The following statement was issued to PWInsider.com this morning:
"Some people have been attempting to distract from what happened on Sunday's iPPV by circulating rumors about an affair, a bitter divorce, or a dispute over the ownership of CHIKARA. All of these rumors are absolutely false."
A previous statement issued to PWInsider.com from CHIKARA's promotional end late last night claimed the promotion was liquidating its merchandise and that it would be selling off whatever physical assets (production material, etc.) off.
The idea fronted by the release was that the promotion had been struggling since their Joshimania events did not do well and they had been running in the red since late 2011. The implication was that the "parent company" had pulled the plug - literally, given the end of the show Sunday - on the promotion.
The statement claimed that all agreements with "third party vendors", such as their DVD deal with Smart Mark Video, would be honored through the end of 2013.
The canceled 7/21 date in NYC is now being filled by Kaiju Big Battel. Several of the CHIKARA "Wrestling Is..." sister promotions have already announced other dates that were formerly announced for CHIKARA as well.
As we move further down the rabbit hole, it certainly appears to be a completely massive angle, although what the end game on an angle that shuts down your company and potentially dilutes the brand name by splitting it across seven sister promotions remains to be seen.
History of WWE presentation added to Pro HOF weekend
The Thesz/Tragos Museum issued the following updated details on their National Pro Wrestling Museum Hall of Fame induction ceremony weekend:
History of WWE presentation added to Pro HOF weekend
WATERLOO, Iowa—The most recognized promotion in professional wrestling history will be the focal point of a special presentation during the George Tragos/Lou Thesz Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame weekend. Induction weekend is July 12-13 in Waterloo, Iowa, at the National Wrestling Hall of Fame Dan Gable Museum.
WWE Celebrating CT Special Olympics Partnership with Several Events This Week
This week, WWE will celebrate its official partnership with Special Olympics Connecticut (SOCT), an organization that provides year-round sports training and competitions for close to 15,000 athletes of all ages with intellectual disabilities and unified partners throughout the state.
WWE’s more than 700 employees headquartered in Connecticut will volunteer, become a coach or work one-on-one with athletes at Special Olympics Connecticut events in the area. In addition, WWE will make an annual financial contribution to the charitable organization.
WWE will also be a presenting sponsor of the Law Enforcement Torch Run, Special Olympics Connecticut’s largest grassroots, year-round fundraising and public awareness vehicle. As part of the Law Enforcement Torch Run initiative, more than 1,500 officers and athletes will run and carry the “Flame of Hope” across the state Wednesday through Friday.
The Torch Run will stop at WWE Headquarters in Stamford, Conn., Friday and will feature special guests WWE COO Triple H, Executive Vice President of Creative Stephanie McMahon, Superstar Mark Henry, Special Olympics executives and athletes, and local dignitaries. The final leg of the run will end at the opening ceremonies for the 2013 Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, which WWE will be part of.
“WWE will bring great joy and strength to Special Olympics Connecticut. WWE’s commitment to inspiring respect for all people and supporting Special Olympics Connecticut will help empower athletes of all ages and abilities to make great achievements and be recognized for their accomplishments,” Special Olympics Connecticut President Beau Doherty said.
WWE’s Big Show, Henry, The Bella Twins and WWE Hall of Famer Sgt. Slaughter will take part in the celebrations surrounding the 2013 Special Olympics Connecticut Summer Games in New Haven throughout the weekend.
“WWE is proud to support the Special Olympics Connecticut mission to inspire inclusion and respect for all people,” WWE Chairman and CEO Vince McMahon said. “WWE, its Superstars and more than 700 employees, look forward to being part of their important events and activities across our home state.”
