WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin supports gay marriage

WWE legend Stone Cold Steve Austin has been running a weekly podcast for the last year, and it’s a must-listen for any pro wrestling fan. On a show last year, Austin shared his thoughts on same-sex marriage, and offered a brash, profanity-laced take on the subject which is just now making the rounds.

Austin, who is married and has two biological and one adopted daughter by previous marriages, said that he adamantly believes that people should be able to marry whoever they want.

“What also chaps my [expletive], some of these churches, have the high horse that they get on and say ‘we as a church do not believe in that.’ Which one of these [people] talked to God, and God said that same-sex marriage was a no-can-do?”

You can listen to the segment from Austin’s podcast here.

Rumor Mill - WWE Executives Not Happy With Mick Foley

Several top WWE executives are reportedly upset at Mick Foley. This is due to the blogs and tweets he made in regards to the booking of Daniel Bryan around the Royal Rumble. Foley was very critical of the company during that time about how they were booking Daniel Bryan and not listening to the fans.

They're likely not happy about his latest blog, where he explains not signing a new Legends deal because he was disappointed with the payoffs on the past two video games.

Who is Featured on the Payback Poster?

DDP Says He Was Setup By Nancy Grace, Reveals What He Was Told the Show Would Focus On Before He Went On the Air

Diamond Dallas Page recently appeared on The Undisputed Wrestling Show and he spoke on a number of topics, including DDP Yoga and his now infamous interview with Nancy Grace.

The following are some highlights:

On Nancy Grace:

"First of all, I wanted to leave. Oh my god, this woman was so nice to me when I walked in there. Once she started hitting me with that deal, I got scared. I go 'Oh my god, she set me up, so should I get up and walk away? How is that going to make the business look?' I breathed, I focused on breathing.

"The only thing I could think of at that time was that WWE has the best wellness program, better than the NBA, NFL, MLB, so I think that is fighting for the company. I thought about firing back at her (Nancy Grace), but it was a really weird situation. I can't put that b—h over. I can't talk about her anymore, I want to strangle her. The last thing I want to be is in that position. The way it was told to me is that I saw four questions. I said 'I don't know about this' and Nancy Grace said 'No, it's gonna be a feel good piece.' When I walked in there, she was so sweet to me. She totally set me up."

On the graphic shown by Grace of wrestlers who died young:

"I never saw that! That totally blindsided me. I will never do that b—h's show again, I can guarantee you that!"

Rumor Mill - WWE Hall of Famer Booked to Return on Monday's RAW from St. Louis

Ric Flair has been booked to return to WWE on this coming Monday's RAW from St. Louis.

One would assume that Flair will be getting involved in the Evolution storyline because of his history with the group. As of two weeks ago, the plan was for Flair not to be involved in the reunited Evolution.

WWE NXT General Manager JBL Stripping Paige of Her NXT Women's Title

WWE will announce on tonight's NXT that NXT General Manager JBL will strip Paige of her NXT Women's Title because she can't hold that title and the WWE Divas Title at the same time. The segment will feature Paige initially refusing but finally agreeing.

The segment will be released online today and inserted into tonight's broadcast. It was likely produced at Monday's RAW.

A storyline that will crown a new NXT Women's Champion will kick off at tonight's tapings at Full Sail University.

"NXT Takeover" to Air Live on WWE Network

WWE today announced that NXT Takeover, a live, two-hour action-packed special, will air exclusively on WWE Network on Thursday, May 29 at 8 pm ET. Following the success of NXT ArRIVAL™, the special will once again showcase the best and brightest from WWE’s Performance Center and include appearances by WWE Superstars and Legends.

Thirty minutes prior to the event, the NXT Takeover pre-show will air at 7:30 pm ET and include exclusive interviews and appearances by NXT Superstars, WWE Superstars and Legends.

“As NXT continues to grow in popularity and our fans demand to see more of the next generation of WWE Superstars, we are going to deliver live, in-ring programs featuring up-and-coming talent on WWE Network,” said Paul “Triple H®” Levesque, Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative, WWE. “Our live NXT specials on WWE Network bring out the very best in our performers and make for must-see TV for the WWE Universe.”

On February 27, NXT ArRIVAL on WWE Network had 21 worldwide Twitter trends and was No. 3 in overall social mentions for primetime programs on both cable and broadcast. The event had more social mentions than American Idol, the Vikings premiere on History Channel, college basketball on ESPN and Vampire Diaries on CW.

Former tag team and X Division champion apparently no longer with the company

Former TNA Tag Team and X Division Champion Christopher Daniels is apparently no longer with the company. Daniels tweeted today, "I became a free agent & a published comic book writer on the same day!"

Stephanie McMahon to Apologize on Monday's RAW

WWE has announced that Stephanie McMahon will be on Monday's RAW to issue an apology to Daniel Bryan for the attack from Kane that took place on last night's show.

WWE Announces Top 10 Network Shows from Last Week

1. WWE Legends House
2. WrestleMania XXX
3. Ultimate Warrior's Greatest Matches
4. Warrior: The Ultimate Legend
5. WWE Main Event
6. Journey to WrestleMania XXX: Daniel Bryan
7. WWE RAW Pre-show
8. WWE NXT
9. Legends of WrestleMania: Warrior
10. RAW Backstage Pass

Triple H & Stephanie McMahon in the NOH8 Campaign

Total Divas Recap 4/20/14

New WWE Network Show

WWE Network will debut a new series, "Best of WWE Hall of Fame" this week, showcasing different Hall of Fame inductions from over the years.

Recap of Last Night’s “Warrior: The Ultimate Legend” Special – Vince McMahon, Sting, Triple H & Others Say Goodbye to the Ultimate Warrior

Thursday night WWE aired part three of their three-part Ultimate Warrior tribute series on the WWE Network, as a part of what they are calling "Warrior Week".

Part one focused on Warrior's greatest matches, while part two was centered completely around his epic confrontation with Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania.

This week's episode started out with footage of Warrior making his debut in the WWE, with commentary from him, Hulk Hogan, Kofi Kingston, John Cena, Batista, Stephanie McMahon and others. They then move forward through his career, including his WWE Championship match with The Hulkster at WrestleMania, to the point where Warrior was the highest merchandise pusher in the company.

The second part of the video followed Warrior and his family in New Orleans during WrestleMania 30 weekend. Sgt. Slaughter paid a visit to Warrior in his hotel room, followed by a discussion about dropping the title to Slaughter, and the iconic retirement match against "Macho Man" Randy Savage.

Also discussed was Warrior holding up Vince McMahon for $500,000, the litigation between both parties regarding the Ultimate Warrior persona, his run in WCW being a failure, and the infamous "Self Destruction of the Ultimate Warrior" DVD. Warrior revealed why he refused to shake Vince's hand, Hogan talked about being called into court during the dispute, and several other personal stories.

The final segment saw Warrior arrive at WWE HQ to talk about his return with Triple H. Then, in an extremely emotional moment, they showed Warrior meeting with Vince McMahon for the first time in years, backstage prior to the 2014 Hall of Fame ceremony. The episode ends with Vince McMahon, Triple H, and Sting giving their teary-eyed thoughts on the tragic passing of Warrior, with a few final thoughts from John Cena, Cesaro, and Hulk Hogan.

The entire episode, as well as parts one and two of the Warrior Week tribute videos, are available on the WWE Network right now.

WWE Reportedly Telling Current and Former Talents to Stay Away from Nancy Grace

TMZ reports that Nancy Grace has been blackballed by WWE over the way she covered the death of The Ultimate Warrior. WWE is warning current and former Superstars to stay off her show.

TMZ notes that while WWE hasn't issued any official memos yet, strong word is going around the company that anyone connected to the WWE brand should stay away from Nancy if they want to keep a working relationship.

The Kliq Members Scott Hall, Kevin Nash, Sean Waltman and HBK Discuss the MSG Curtain Call Incident

WWE.com has posted a new interview up with Kliq members Kevin Nash, Sean Waltman, Shawn Michaels and Scott Hall. The interview was conducted during the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony, and below are some highlights of the interview, which focuses on the famous MSG Curtain Call incident in 1996. Click here.

Major Network Expected to Make Play for Renee Young

ESPN is expected to make a major play for Renee Young soon. She has impressed a lot of the networks with her smoothness in her work with WWE since coming from The Score.

Triple H Reportedly Suffers Injury at WrestleMania

Triple H suffered some kind of muscle injury in the match with Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXX, which is why his leg was taped up the next night on RAW. The only thing being said is that there was noticeable bruising from a muscle injury.

Ultimate Warrior’s Wife Dana Issues Statement on the Death of Her Husband, Thanks WWE Stars for Raw Tribute

The official WWE website posted the following touching letter from The Ultimate Warrior's wife Dana today:

Dearest Warriors,

It is with an absolutely broken heart I reach out to you. Since the passing of my husband, I have been fortunate enough to insulate my sweet girls and myself from the outside world. In this bubble we have grieved and continue to do so. For a week, I did not allow any television or media to seep through our cocoon. I was told, though, of the outpouring of love for my beloved husband and support for, as he always called us, his Warrior Girls. I can only say thank you.

On Sunday night, I was told WWE would pay tribute to Warrior and so I set the DVR planning to watch it when we were ready. As the hour neared, I broke resolve and turned on every TV in the house to full blast and snuggled our daughters close to me on the couch, unsure what we would see. As the scene unfolded with that amazing roster of talent gathered donning Ultimate Warrior shirts and even his face paint, we cheered and sobbed simultaneously. To everyone who stood there, thank you. My girls will remember your bowed heads for the rest of their lives. You are not just Superstars; you are super people.

I cannot put words to what that video tribute meant. We watched it multiple times and, this morning, it was how I started my day; mornings are the hardest for me. I will treasure that song and those images more than anything I own. Vindication. ULTIMATE PERFECTION.

I was told it was reported WWE was "there" for us. "There" is the understatement of a lifetime. They were a warm blanket to us three and we were quickly absorbed into their family. Words are cheap; promises are forever. This family is one I'm honored to be a member of and will gladly be the warm blanket to any of them who need me next.

My husband's speech had so many highlights for me as I sat proudly in the audience looking on at his moment ... I most loved his request for the Hall of Fame to include the, as he called them, "true Superstars," those behind-the-scenes people who make the machine run. See, I'm the person who puts up the ring in our house. I'm the background person who makes things happen seamlessly. I am surrounded by performers in my husband and children, so I felt a kinship with all the people he wanted to shine a spotlight upon who make WWE work. He loved you all, and knew that each of you made his run there possible. Thank you!

To all the ULTIMATE WARRIOR fans: THANK YOU!! He told me when he shook the ropes it was him gathering strength from each of you. Warrior respected you and loved you as do the girls and I. I will reach out to the ropes for your strength to sustain me in the sad days that the girls and I face. UNWAVERING is what you've been. GRATEFUL is what we are.

The Undertaker and I have a lot more in common than you might think. You see, I had a bit of a streak of my own going for the last 20 years. Yes, Warrior and I would have matches of our own ... He would yell, I would cry, he would submit, I would win - always. My quivering chin and "pooched" lip was always more powerful than any clothesline or gorilla press slam. He'd laugh and shake his head and say,"you win, Pooch," but really we both did.

My streak was broken April 8, 2014 when he collapsed. I fought and screamed and cried for him not to leave me, but I wasn't to win this round. Heaven won and I lost, but I had the ULTIMATE love for 20 years and my children learned to be Warriors from THE ULTIMATE DAD. I wouldn't trade a moment of the life we shared, good or bad, for anything on God's green earth. He is the love of my life and gave me the gift of our beautiful, sweet, amazing girls. He was loyal and kind and strong and brave. He taught me to live by his creed,"Live Strong, Act Bold, Be Brave. Nothing's too hard to do, ALWAYS BELIEVE," and with that creed I will carry on and make him proud.

Streaks are broken but legends live forever.

Always Believe,

Dana A. Warrior

In lieu of donations to the family or flowers please make a donation to our wounded veterans and their families at www.operationfamilyfund.org. Our brave servicemen and women are our true warriors.

Hart Family Member Calls WrestleMania XXX Opener the Greatest In History, Praises Triple H

Smith Hart, uncle of WWE diva Natalya Neidhart and member of the legendary Hart family dynasty, has published a new column at PWMania.com. Hart gives his thoughts and reaction to WWE WrestleMania XXX. Here is an excerpt from his entry:

"As the pyrotechnics subsided the 75000+ were ignited immediately with the sounds of Hulk Hogan entering the Silverdome….ugh I mean Superdome. As Hulk stumbled to remember where he was, the crowd exploded as the glass shattered and the faithful were finally treated to the very first Hulk Hogan-Steve Austin face-to-face “showdown”. Despite fan’s hopeful anticipation of a good ole fashioned ass-whuppin’, the mood immediately shifted as Stone Cold Steve Austin engaged the audience in some jubilant laughter and a respective retrospect of the Immortal Hulk Hogan’s Wrestlemania legacy. As the two blew smoke up each other’s asses, the audience busted out of their seats as The Rock entered the Superdome and cut a promo for the ages proving once and for all, even amongst the Mount Rushmore of WWE, The Rock stood supreme. As the three greatest icons in history held court in the ring, not only were we treated to a WM moment, I would argue we were treated to the single greatest opening in the history of the grandest event in Sports Entertainment.

As I expected, Daniel Bryan and Triple H initiated the event. I would say that in terms of spectacle, Hunter`s Game of Thrones-influenced promenade was the top entrance of the evening, even eclipsing that of The Undertaker. This match was perhaps the best match to start the evening as it set a great pace without overshadowing anything later to come. Furthermore, Hunter did an amazing job creating “heat” on Daniel Bryan to give the fans the appropriate emotional reactions as to whether or not their faithful hero would in fact move on to the main event that evening."

WWE to be part of new AOL Premium Video Experience

AOL.com announced a new Premium Video Experience today and listed WWE among the premium content providers. Other providers listed includes ESPN, E!, HSN, Vanity Fair, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue and many more.

Record 1 Million U.S. Households Watch WrestleMania

WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced that WrestleMania 30 reached a record 1 million households in the U.S. alone on WWE Network and pay-per-view combined, the first time WrestleMania has eclipsed this mark domestically. With more than 667,000 WWE Network subscribers in the U.S. and nearly 400,000 domestic pay-per-view buying homes for WrestleMania 30, WWE is confident that it will reach its goal of 1 million subscribers by the end of 2014.

WWE Network launched on February 24 in the U.S. and successfully streamed six hours of live coverage of WrestleMania 30 on Sunday, April 6. Additionally, more than 7.1 million hours of video content was viewed on WWE Network during WrestleMania Week from Tuesday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 8.

WWE Network will be rolled out in Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong and the Nordics in late 2014/early 2015.

Evolution Reunites On Raw

Believe in Evolution... #RAW http://t.co/AsBVKa34Vw pic.twitter.com/bfSY1KBULh

— WWE (@WWE) April 15, 2014

2014 WWE Business Partner Summit Presentation

During WrestleMania Week, WWE presented the company's strategic plans at its annual Business Partner Summit.

Highlights from the Summit, found in the video above, include an introduction by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, special appearances by WrestleMania 30 host Hulk Hogan and WWE Superstar John Cena, and a discussion from senior executives about key growth areas.

WWE's senior management team spoke about these plans and highlighted the following:

"Then, Now, and Forever" - Recent Accomplishments, Immediate Plans for 2014, and the Future Where WWE is Poised For Success (Michelle Wilson, Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer & George Barrios, Chief Strategy & Financial Officer)

30 Years of WrestleMania, Brand Reach and WWE's Dedication to Community (Stephanie McMahon, Chief Brand Officer)

WWE Studio's Strategy, Extension & Successes, Partnerships and Movie Slate for 2014-2015 (Michael Luisi, President, WWE Studios)

International Growth, Reach & Partnerships (Gerrit Meier, Executive Vice President, International)

New Consumer Products (Casey Collins, Executive Vice President, Consumer Products)

Technological Innovations - WWE Network, WWE App, and Social Media Command Center (Perkins Miller, Executive Vice President, Digital Media)

The video can be viewed here.

WWE Is Entering A New Era Under Triple H's Leadership

How Triple H & Vince McMahon Handle The IWC On TV

According to PWInsider.com, Triple H is said to be very open to the idea of referencing the IWC and its fans on TV through creative and the way angles are booked, whereas Vince McMahon's M.O. has always been to ignore the internet.

Total Divas Recap 4/13/14

Ellen’s Interview with WWE Star Nominated for GLAAD Award

The episode of "The Ellen Degeneres Show" featuring an interview with WWE star Darren Young has been nominated for Outstanding Talk Show episode at this year's GLAAD Media Awards.

There will be a ceremony taking place for the awards on May 3rd in New York City.

Rumor Mill - WWE Reforming Former Stable To Take On The Shield?

The word going around backstage is that WWE will be reforming Evolution with Triple H, Randy Orton, and Dave Batista, at least for a short time, to take on The Shield. Ric Flair is not expected to return to the group but that could change.

If this does end up happening, look for a Shield vs. Evolution match to take place at the Extreme Rules pay-per-view.

source: wrestling observer

Ultimate Warrior's Widow Receiving Special Help From WWE

The WWE is helping Ultimate Warrior's wife cope with her husband's sudden death ... flying two senior WWE officials to Arizona to stand by and help her.

We're told the WWE sent the employees almost immediately after Warrior died ... their main task is helping his wife Dana handle little things -- grocery shopping, letting other family members know what's going on -- so she can focus on being with their daughters.

It's sounds bizarre ... top officials leaving their jobs to handle mundane chores, but that's how important Warrior was to the WWE.

As we previously reported, Warrior died outside an Arizona hotel Tuesday ... after suffering what officials called a "catastrophic medical event."

source: tmz.com

WWE to pay tribute to Ultimate Warrior on 4/14 RAW

WWE would be paying tribute to the late Ultimate Warrior on this Monday's 4/13 WWE RAW from Indianapolis. Warrior (Jim Hellwig) passed away on Tuesday after collapsing in an Arizona hotel after taking part in Wrestlemania 30 weekend in New Orleans and his induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.

Rumor Mill - More NXT Stars Getting Called Up

After Bo Dallas and Adam Rose come up to WWE's main roster, the next NXT stars in line to come up are Sami Zayn and NXT Tag Team Champions The Ascension.