Bob Backlund Comments on Triple H

“He’s done everything he said he would with me since I met him. I can’t say he’s Vince McMahon Sr, but you can’t judge somebody in a years time span. You gotta do business with them for quite a while before you could really know that he is that person you’re hoping that he is. So far, I believe he’s a very good person and I know he’s a good family man.”

Rumor Mill - Backstage Updates On Vince McMahon And WWE Creative

Vince McMahon was responsible for all of the creative at Saturday night's live WWE Network special from Madison Square Garden.

With all the talk of Triple H taking over things backstage, Vince is still very much the man in charge and all ideas or decisions still go through him. PWInsider notes that lately when new ideas are brought up, the response is something along the lines of "we'll have to check with Vince" or "see if Vince likes it."

As the WWE TV ratings slip, Vince is apparently micro-managing creative and overseeing all aspects of the company more than usual.

Daniel Bryan Says WWE Is Sending Him To A Third Doctor, Comments On Returning To The Indies

Daniel Bryan recently spoke with IGN to promote the upcoming WWE 2K16 video game. The full interview is at this link. Below are a few highlights:

His status:

"So, we don't know. I had a concussion in April, and obviously they're very hyper-sensitive about concussion stuff right now. One neurologist who specializes in concussions - who was the neurologist for the Super Bowl last year - cleared me with no limitations. All my testing came back excellent. But the WWE's medical doctor is skeptical, because of my history of concussions and that sort of thing. So they will not clear me. So now, we have two doctors: one saying no, one saying yes. They're going to send me to a third doctor at some point in the near future and that doctor will decide my fate."

"The WWE doctor Joe Maroon [is] amazing and highly respected in the concussion field, and if they send me to a third neurologist who's also highly respected in the concussion field and they say literally no...well, then is it really smart to go against two doctors? I get all fired up...and then I'm like, maybe that's not the best thing for me and my family going forward."

If he would work indies if WWE doesn't clear him:

"John Cena and I actually had this discussion. He said, 'if something were to happen to you and the WWE, would you go back to doing the indies?' Absolutely!"

Bryan said he's got a fascination with lucha and the idea of doing a mask vs. hair match is appealing to him as is main eventing a CMLL anniversary show.

CM Punk's UFC Debut Slightly Postponed Due to Injury Suffered While Training

ESPN reports that CM Punk's UFC debut has been slightly postponed due to an injury.

Punk's head coach Duke Roufus told ESPN that Punk has been sidelined for a few weeks after tweaking his shoulder while scrambling in training. Punk will see a doctor on October 14th and could be cleared then.

"He got caught in a scramble, so right now he's taking a little time off," Roufus told ESPN. "He was doing great before that. His progress has been good. He's got a great attitude and he's a hard worker. He got a place in Milwaukee where he lives all week when he's here training, so he's in it to win it. Our biggest thing is we want him to 101 percent before [we resuming training]. We don't have a hard date for his fight to force the issue, so making sure he's completely healthy is possible."

Roufus has stated multiple times that he wants Punk completely prepared before making his UFC debut. When asked how close Punk is to that point, Roufus told ESPN he's at 50%. He said:

"The UFC will probably book him a fight three to four months in advance -- a guy of his magnitude. We're probably looking at a fight in the next six to 10 months. The injury throws us back one month. We had a ballpark. We were looking at mid- to late-spring. Now, we'll just have to see how he comes back from the injury."

Top 10 NXT Matches

WWE's website has re-ranked the top 10 NXT matches in history and the list looks like this:

#10 Big E vs. Seth Rollins - NXT Championship Match — Jan. 9, 2013
#9 Sasha Banks vs. Becky Lynch - NXT Women's Championship Match — NXT TakeOver: Unstoppable
#8 William Regal vs. Cesaro — Dec. 25, 2013
#7 Adrian Neville vs. Bo Dallas (NXT Championship Ladder Match) — NXT ArRIVAL
#6 Neville vs. Sami Zayn vs. Tyson Kidd vs. Tyler Breeze - NXT Championship Match: NXT TakeOver — Fatal 4-Way
#5 Natalya vs. Charlotte (NXT Women's Championship Tournament Finals) — NXT Takeover
#4 Paige vs. Emma (NXT Women's Championship Match) — NXT ArRIVAL
#3 Sami Zayn vs. Cesaro (2-out-of-3 Falls Match) — Aug. 21, 2013
#2 Neville vs. Sami Zayn - NXT Championship Match — NXT TakeOver: R Evolution
#1 Sasha Banks vs. Bayley - NXT Women's Championship Match — NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn

UFC Responds To Allegations Of Drug Test Cover Up

UFC responded to a Deadspin report of a shaky drug test from Vitor Belfort that came to light from 2012 after UFC 192 Saturday night.

"I think one of the things to keep in mind with this particular topic is, any suggestion or inference that there was a coverup in regards to that was categorically false," said Dave Sholler, UFC public relations head.

"That period of time with TRT is one that was tricky for everyone: For the UFC, for athletic commissions for athletes alike. I think when everyone came to a conclusion it didn't have a place in the sport and was outlawed in 2014, we were quick to make sure that we followed suit, as Nevada has said," said Sholler.

Happy Birthday Linda

Linda E. McMahon
October 4, 1948

Shots Fired

WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor did a "crotch chop" outside of TNA headquarters this morning and posted the photo to Twitter. NXT is running a live event in Nashville tonight. TNA's Bob Ryder responded on Twitter, trying to insinuate that Balor came in and met TNA employees. Below are their tweets:

#NXTNashville pic.twitter.com/nP9MU4uQCO

— Finn Bálor (@wwebalor) October 2, 2015

@wwebalor Thanks for visiting the office. We were all happy to meet you. Please give @TripleH and @StephMcMahon our best regards.

— Bob Ryder (@brydertna) October 2, 2015

Video: Stephanie McMahon Interview | WWE History and Connor's Cure on Elvis Duran Show

Stephanie McMahon did a radio interview with Elvis Duran in New York City this morning and the show donated $20,000 to Connor's Cure.

Triple H And Stephanie McMahon Photoshoot

WWE is working with NBCUniversal on their "The More You Know Campaign," which is a cross-company initiative established in 1989, focused on education, internet safety, health, diversity and the environment. Triple H and Stephanie McMahon did a photo shoot for the campaign on Thursday, as seen below:

Spending the evening with @StephMcMahon @NBCUniversal #TMYK shoot. #BTS #WWE https://t.co/BLkcPgLOVJ pic.twitter.com/mhSfRRR4VY

— Triple H (@TripleH) October 1, 2015

New Details On The Rumored Dixie Carter - Destination America E-mail Incident

We noted back in May of this year that there were unconfirmed rumors going around saying Dixie Carter accidentally copied a Destination America executive on an e-mail where she was complaining about the network. At the time, sources in TNA weren't outright denying the rumor but they weren't confirming it actually happened either.

This e-mail incident really did happen, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. It turns out Dixie sent an e-mail to several unintended recipients. Whoever she was sending it to, the e-mail was mostly Dixie complaining about how Discovery doesn't send out information on the +3 ratings, since Impact Wrestling usually does 15% to 20% more viewers when DVR viewership over the following 3 days after it airs is factored in.

Dixie reportedly called Discovery President Mark Graboff some negative names in the e-mail and took a shot at his intelligence in some way. Besides the intended recipients, Dixie also sent the e-mail to Destination America Group President Harvey Schlieff and several other Discovery executives. Schlieff responded to Dixie and said he was sorry she felt that way about Graboff. Graboff was also copied on the e-mails, apparently by Schlieff so he could see what was happening. Obviously this did not go over well with the network and likely added to the problems that the ratings had brought on.

John Cena Taking Time Off From WWE Due To Personal Reasons

WWE United States Champion John Cena was pulled from several WWE live events in November as well as the upcoming European tour.

The reason he will be taking time off from WWE is because of personal reasons. WWE officials have confirmed Cena will not be appearing on any dates during the company’s upcoming European tour.

As of this writing, he is being advertised for their December shows.

Cena is scheduled to face Seth Rollins at Saturday’s WWE MSG live special show inside a steel cage.

Stephanie McMahon Headed Overseas

Stephanie McMahon may be missing some WWE TV time soon. The second part of her Eisenhower Fellows Multi Nation Program tour is scheduled from October 4th through November 22nd. Stephanie missed several weeks in May of this year as she went to Singapore, Beijing and Shanghai with the program.

NXT, WWE, and the Battle Between Indy Spirit and Big Wrestling Business

NXT, WWE's developmental circuit, puts on really good wrestling shows. So good, in fact, that main roster wrestlers are rumored to be in a state of near perpetual annoyance about being shown up by the less experienced NXT workers. These rumors are believable primarily because NXT wrestlers routinely do outshine the promotion's big names. NXT gives wrestlers a lot more creative freedom, something that might understandably rankle those higher up the food chain, mired as they are in heavily scripted promos and tepid storylines. When the men and women on the main roster wanted to become wrestlers—when most anyone wants to become a wrestler—they wanted the type of freedom NXT provides.

For all that, it's important to understand that NXT is not just, or even primarily, a wrestling show. NXT is, first and foremost, a factory with a street-facing window that's dedicated to smoothing the rough edges of the best indie wrestling talent out there. It then feeds the more-finished product into the sports entertainment machine that has left WWE's main roster—which now includes a good number of NXT graduates—feeling so chewed-up.

To efficiently manufacture these wrestlers for WWE, NXT (and its prior branding as FCW) needs a steady supply of raw material, sourced from independent and local wrestling groups around the world. Dean Ambrose came through after a career of working death matches. Seth Rollins worked his ass off in Ring of Honor before going to Florida. And on it goes: Luke Harper, Cesaro, Sara Del Rey, Samoa Joe. There is a mile-long list of former indie legends and erstwhile hotshots who've signed up to work in NXT and then moved up to the biggest of the big leagues when the higher-ups in Stamford decided they were ready.

WWE's appetite for talent is seemingly limitless. Legendary women's wrestler Kana (now Asuka) and the unbelievably talented Uhaa Nation (now Apollo Crews) are the latest to join NXT. They will not be the last. The whispers are already stirring around wrestlers like Ring of Honor champ Jay Lethal and Chuck Taylor.

The thing to remember here is that WWE is not just another wrestling company. It's the wrestling company, regardless of current or future quality. WWE doesn't just want to sign everyone; it can sign everyone. Take a long look at NXT, and you get a sense that this all may be exactly the McMahon family's plan...More?

source: vice sports

Triple H on the Cover of Fighting Spirit Magazine

Triple H is on the cover of the latest issue of Fighting Spirit Magazine, which features in-depth articles on NXT and Sasha Banks, with comments from people close to Sasha. You can purchase the digital issue for $3.99 from PocketMags.com at this link.

WWE Announces "Rise Above Cancer" Campaign with Susan G. Komen

WWE and Susan G. Komen will continue their partnership with WWE Superstars and Divas wearing co-branded Susan G. Komen and WWE apparel, and WWE platforms “going pink” in support of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month. As part of this year’s “Rise Above Cancer” campaign, WWE will donate to Komen 20 percent of the retail sales price of all co-branded merchandise sold on WWEShop.com and at WWE Live Events. Fans can also donate $1, $5 or $10 to Komen upon checkout from WWEShop.com.

To support Komen’s mission, WWE will utilize all its assets including WWE Network and TV broadcasts, Live Events, PSAs, digital and social media to generate awareness and encourage fans to get involved. Throughout the month, the WWE announcer table, entrance ramp and ring skirts will be co-branded and the middle ring rope turned pink to promote the fight against breast cancer. Fans will also have the option to turn their Facebook and Twitter profiles pink to show their support. In addition, a co-branded WWE and Susan G. Komen flag will be flown outside WWE’s corporate headquarters.

“We are so grateful for our partnership with WWE,” said Christina Alford, SVP of development for Susan G. Komen. “Their ‘Rise Above Cancer’ campaign reaches women in communities across the country, bringing awareness and helping us fund lifesaving research, and support to families living with breast cancer who need our help today.”

“WWE is exceptionally proud to continue our partnership with Susan G. Komen and its support of breast cancer research and awareness,” said WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon. “WWE remains deeply committed to this movement, as we utilize our global platforms to raise awareness and funds for a disease that impacts so many people around the world.”

Susan G. Komen and WWE have a history of success in raising awareness and funds for the fight against breast cancer. The partnership launched in 2012 and has generated more than $1.5 million for Komen to date. This past May, Komen and WWE teamed up again to support the Washington, D.C., Race for the Cure and National Women’s Health Week.

Susan G. Komen is the world’s largest nonprofit funder of breast cancer research, and funds community outreach programs, public advocacy and global programs. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in the United States. There are more than 3.1 million breast cancer survivors in the United States today. For more information about Susan G. Komen, breast health or breast cancer, visit komen.org/wwe or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

Norman Smiley on the Hardest Part About Being a WWE Coach, Top Stars He's Worked With, More

WWE's website recently spoke with NXT coach and former WCW star Norman Smiley. The full interview is at this link. Below are highlights:

Some of the talents he's worked with in the ring:

Well, after working for the WWE for almost eight years, you can imagine the quantity and quality of some of the students that I have worked with. There have been many students who came into developmental with prior experience, so I can't make a claim to exactly training them, but I would show them different options and enforce how we do things in the WWE. Bray Wyatt, Roman Reigns, Bo Dallas, Summer Rae, Big E, Konnor, who I have known for many years, and David Otunga I pretty much trained from day one. Sheamus, Alicia Fox, Adam Rose, King Barrett, just to name a few, are students that I spent time with helping them to adjust to the WWE style. I would estimate that I have worked with at least 80 percent of the present main roster to some degree.

The evolution of pro wrestling from him his perspective:

It has never been more evident than now that we are a television company, and it’s not a "rasslin’ show" that we produce. There is not one facet that is overlooked to give the WWE Universe the best possible product. One of the many hats I wear is that of a producer. As I am going over a match with my students, I always have in the back of my mind what would be the best camera angle to view this hold or move. Students at NXT have to be prepared for everything. Our guys and girls must all spend time in the gym, improve their speaking skills, and develop a character, all while learning the moves between the ropes. It is a full-time job with sacrifice, but it is also a dream job.

The hardest part about being a WWE coach:

I feel for those students that join NXT with no experience. Sometimes they think it will be an easy task to learn and that it is not as physical as one would think. Many students have a rude awakening of how difficult and physical it is to perform in the WWE. A professional in any sport can make it look easy. Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant and Serena Williams all make their respective sports look easy. However, all of these athletes have been playing their respective sports, every day, from the age of 5 or 6. WWE takes years to learn as well. John Cena can do a seven-minute promo, alone, live on television in front of 20,000 people and make it interesting and exciting. Why? Because he has done it thousands of times and he is a natural! I find that some students can be impatient and request an opportunity that they are not ready for.

Major Cable Network Working On Jimmy Snuka Piece

MLW Radio revealed on Twitter that a major cable network is currently working on an exposé piece on WWE Hall of Famer Jimmy Snuka. As noted, Snuka was arrested on September 1st for the 1983 death of then-girlfriend Nancy Argentino. He is currently facing third-degree murder and involuntary manslaughter charges.

NWA President Reportedly Meets With Spike TV Reps

NWA President Bruce Tharpe, who also works as a heel manager in New Japan Pro Wrestling, recently had a meeting with Spike TV officials in New York City about getting one of the world's oldest pro wrestling brands on the network.

Spike officials have stated there is some interest in bringing back pro wrestling but nothing is on the table right now, for the NWA or any other promotion. Tharpe was basically told the same thing, that right now Spike isn't making any moves with wrestling.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter notes that Spike is trying to run shows that have more appeal to women than pro wrestling does. With that said, Tharpe is looking at other options to bring the NWA to TV.

Corey Graves to Host the 2015 Concussion Legacy Impact Awards

The Concussion Legacy Foundation will honor former NFL Player Chris Borland with the Impact Award at the 8th Annual Impact Awards Dinner on Wednesday, Nov. 4, at the Revere Hotel in Boston.

The Impact Award recognizes individuals and organizations for their commitment to solving the concussion crisis. Borland led the San Francisco 49ers in tackles as a rookie linebacker in 2014, but retired from the NFL in March at age 24 after independently researching the long-term effects of repetitive head trauma, and deciding continuing to play was not worth the risk.

“Since his retirement in March, Chris Borland has been tirelessly working to share his knowledge and experience to raise concussion awareness,” said Concussion Legacy Foundation Executive Director Chris Nowinski. “His advocacy will help athletes and parents throughout the country make more informed decisions for themselves and their children.”

In addition, Margy McHale and her partner Marnie Abramson will be recognized with the Legacy Award, which is given to family members of a Legacy Donor (brain donor) who have honored their loved one’s memory by supporting the mission of the Concussion Legacy Foundation. Margy is the sister of former NFL lineman Tom McHale, who died in 2008 at age 45 and whose brain was donated to the Foundation and Boston University, where he was diagnosed with CTE.

The 2015 Impact Awards will be hosted by WWE announcer Corey Graves, and will include a special guest appearance by HBO Real Sports correspondent Andrea Kremer. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit Concussion Legacy Foundation’s advocacy, awareness, education and research programs. Last year, more than 225 supporters and distinguished guests from across the country attended the event and raised $300,000 to support Concussion Legacy Foundation programs.

Previous honorees include WWE, The Ivy League, the National Football League, neuropathologist Dr. Ann McKee, former soccer players Brandi Chastain and Cindy Parlow Cone, former NFL player Ted Johnson, former boxer Micky Ward, and former professional hockey player Keith Primeau.

Paul Levesque is on the Board of Directors of The Concussion Legacy.

Total Divas Season 4 Finale

WWE Top YouTube Channel Chart For August

The official WWE YouTube channel was viewed a whopping 456.4m times during the month of August which featured heavy promotion of SummerSlam, according to the latest chart of the online video service’s top channels.

The channel beat British children’s music channel Little Baby Bum, whose videos were watched 448.4m times and Turkish music channel netd müzik which ranked third in the chart with 433.6m views.

WWE have rapidly increased their viewership over the last few years, leaping from the 52nd most popular channel with 41.8m views in August 2013 to the 15th biggest channel on YouTube today.

WWE SummerSlam returns to Barclays Center in 2016 and 2017

Barclays Center, NYC & Company and WWE have agreed to a multi-year deal to bring SummerSlam, Monday Night Raw and NXT back to Barclays Center in Brooklyn in August 2016 and August 2017. This announcement comes on the heels of an extraordinary SummerSlam Week last month which saw WWE sell out Barclays Center for an unprecedented three consecutive nights with NXT Takeover: Brooklyn, SummerSlam and Monday Night Raw.

2016 Key Dates:

Saturday, Aug. 20 – NXT
Sunday, Aug. 21 – SummerSlam
Monday Aug. 22 – Monday Night Raw

2017 Key Dates:

Saturday, Aug. 19 – NXT
Sunday, Aug. 20 – SummerSlam
Monday Aug. 21 – Monday Night Raw

This year’s SummerSlam Week combined the best of sports and entertainment while leaving a lasting impact on the host community. Jon Stewart served as host of SummerSlam in his first public appearance since retiring as host of "The Daily Show," and "Arrow" star Stephen Amell teamed up with WWE Superstar Neville to take on WWE Superstars Stardust and King Barrett. ESPN’s coverage of SummerSlam included exclusive interviews with WWE Superstar Brock Lesnar, and ESPN’s SportsCenter broadcast live from SummerSlam throughout the day. In addition, WWE joined forces with Charity Buzz to raise more than $200,000 for Answer The Call, the New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children’s Benefit Fund, while hosting 10 community outreach events, including the record-setting 500th wish granted by WWE Superstar John Cena for Make-A-Wish.

"We are thrilled to build on the success of the 2015 SummerSlam and welcome WWE back to Brooklyn in 2016 and 2017. Big events like SummerSlam help cement New York City's appeal as a dynamic, high-energy destination," said Mayor Bill de Blasio. "We're thankful for WWE's commitment to Brooklyn, and look forward to a long partnership that benefits the City."

“We’re excited to be hosting WWE SummerSlam for the next two years,” said Brett Yormark, CEO of Barclays Center. “We had an incredible experience this past August and are looking forward to continuing our partnership with WWE and NYC & Company.”

“Barclays Center, NYC & Company and the City of New York have been incredible partners to WWE, and we are pleased that SummerSlam Week will once again take over New York City in August of 2016 and 2017,” said John P. Saboor, WWE Executive Vice President, Special Events. “We look forward to building on the success of this year’s event to take SummerSlam Week to even greater heights.”

SummerSlam, which is broadcast around the world live on WWE Network, features the biggest stars of WWE alongside other celebrities, entertainers and athletes. SummerSlam Week in Brooklyn will feature a series of activities including fan events, autograph signings, WWE’s Be a STAR anti-bullying rallies, hospital visits and other community outreach programs designed to leave a lasting impact throughout the region.

Ticket information for SummerSlam in 2016 will be announced in the near future.

WWE Suspends Hornswoggle

In accordance with its Talent Wellness Program, WWE has suspended Dylan Postl (Hornswoggle) for 30 days effective immediately for his first violation of the company’s policy.

ROH Bringing Back “Women Of Honor”

Ring of Honor announced they will be bringing back a new generation of the Women of Honor. The women will be brought back for the Reloaded tour starting this weekend. Below is the official announcement:

For over thirteen years, Ring of Honor has proudly showcased the best professional wrestling on the planet – period. Now the next generation of the Women of Honor is coming to the ROH RELOADED TOUR to show the world what they can do in an ROH ring! Following a precedent for excellence set by world caliber athletes like Sara Del Rey, Daizee Haze, McChif, and many more, these women are proud to represent the Women of Honor on September 25th in California, PA and September 26th in Lockport, NY.

On Friday the 25th right outside Pittsburgh, Mandy Leon and Taeler Hendrix are set to clash in an ROH ring! Leon has gained prominence among ROH fans for her work in the Inside ROH recaps you can catch every week during ROH TV, or watch any time on YouTube. Now Mandy Leon steps out of the studio and between the ropes to show what she learned at the ROH Dojo! Leon’s first Women of Honor match against the crafty Deonna Purrazzo has garnered views and attention from fans all over the planet, but she is no doubt prepared to follow it up with another Leonsault – and perhaps another win! Thanks to her place of prominence on every ROH broadcast, Mandy Leon is used to the pressures that come from standing in the spotlight. So while she may be relatively young in her professional wrestling career, this multi-talented broadcaster/athlete is far from intimidated by the huge challenge she faces on September 25th!

That challenge comes in the form of a woman who has very recently captured the attention of not just every single ROH fan, but also managerial sensation Truth Martini! Martini knows talent when he sees it. For him to place the HOT stamp of approval on Taeler Hendrix, he must be 110% confident in her talent and potential! Hendrix is a deceivingly cunning and powerful athlete, whose retro-inspired aesthetic lulls her opponents into a false sense of confidence! Hendrix’s unquestionable beauty and poise very often provoke her own opponents, and the opponents of her ringside charges, to be ensnared by her web. Once Hendrix follows up with one of her devastating kicks to the head, it’s over!

And on September 26th, Veda Scott was scheduled to square off against Cherry Bomb. Unfortunately, while competing recently, Cherry Bomb fractured her collarbone and will be out of action for the near future. Veda might count herself lucky for dodging Cherry THIS time, but ROH officials have confirmed that the in-demand star will be back in an ROH ring as soon as she’s healthy! Meanwhile, Veda Scott is an all-too-familiar face for ROH fans, who for the past 2 years have watched her “creative” disregard for the rules while advising her clients from ringside. But just like Hendrix, Scott is just as dangerous inside the ring as she is outside. She has developed a reputation for taking on both men and women, regardless of their size or experience advantage. But while Scott loudly insists she can bring the fight to absolutely anyone in the world, many have questioned if this brash overconfidence is going too far.

We’ll find out in Lockport when Veda Scott competes against SUMIE SAKAI! Sakai is a tenured veteran of professional wrestling who has competed around the world against some of the biggest stars of Japan and North America. Known for her quickness and agility, Sakai has been adding more grappling and submission-based fighting to her style, giving her an even more well rounded strategy. She is a familiar face to longtime ROH fans and a welcome addition to the WOMEN OF HONOR!

To get your tickets for the ROH RELOADED TOUR in California, PA on September 25th or Lockport on September 26th

More?

Eric Bischoff Confirms New WWE Project

Eric Bischoff confirmed on Twitter that WWE is producing a new DVD with documentary on him that will be released in 2016. WrestlingDVDNetwork.com notes that it may come out in April or May.

Update On Sunny's Legal Troubles

As noted, WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch appeared before a judge on Friday afternoon in Carbon County, PA in regards to the bench warrant issued for her earlier this month, that led to her arrest on Wednesday. Judge Joseph J. Matika set Sunny's bail at $2,000.

Sunny is now out of jail as she bonded out late Friday afternoon, according to PWInsider. Her trial date for that May 30th incident is December 7th.

Cody Rhodes And Goldust To Present Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic Trophy, Cody Rhodes Comments

Cody Rhodes spoke to TribLive this week, and announced that he and Goldust would be presenting the trophy to the winners of the Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic.

Rhodes noted that he hasn't appeared on WWE television in that role in quite a while since adopting the Stardust character in 2014.

"It's great though that you ask, because the Dusty Rhodes tag tournament taking place in NXT is something he would really be proud of because of all the platforms it gives to talent, including independent talent that came in for a shot to win the Dusty Rhodes tag tournament. I will actually be there myself, (as) me — for the first time a while on WWE programming — Cody Rhodes and my brother will be there to present the trophy, which I'm looking forward to seeing," said Rhodes.

Stardust has been Rhodes' main character for well over a year now. Many speculated he would ditch the gimmick after the passing of his father, but he posted a passionate response, saying that performing in the role was an homage to Dusty.

WWE has two more quarterfinal matchups in the tournament before the semifinals are set. Both the semifinal and final rounds will take place at NXT TakeOver: Respect on October 7. As of now, The Mechanics, Hype Bros, Enzo & Cass, Gable & Jordan, Baron Corbin & Rhyno, as well as Finn Balor & Samoa Joe remain in the tourney.

Fan Who Entered The Ring At WWE Night Of Champions Talks His Motive, Doesn't Spend 10 Days In Jail

As noted earlier, 37 year old Oscar Ramirez of Houston, who entered the ring at WWE Night of Champions last Sunday, was jailed and sentenced to 10 days in jail.

The Wrestling Mayhem Show actually chronicled spoke to Ramirez and chronicled his plan to charge the ring. Ramirez wrote on Twitter before the pay-per-view, "It's tempting. It really is... But my spare change is going towards the ppl who have had my back while I was homeless. It will be my last act before I take off with my family. (wwe universe)" The site asked Ramirez why he jumped into the ring.

"It is just a test to see how far I would go or what lengths I would go to for the WWE Universe," Ramirez said.

Ramirez also noted that there was no security around him when he hopped the rail. While Ramirez received a ten day sentence, he was actually out in three days for good behavior.

Sunny Arrested Over Bench Warrant, Currently In Jail

WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch was arrested on Wednesday, September 23rd due to the bench warrant issued on September 3rd after she missed previous hearings for her May 30th arrest.

Sunny is currently in jail at the Carbon County Correctional Facility in Nesquehoning, Pennsylvania.

Sunny is scheduled to go before a judge later today at 1:15pm EST. It is possible that she will be held until her trial date on December 7th.

Finn Balor Says NXT Is Getting A WrestleMania Weekend Show, Says He Might Not Want To Be On Mania

Finn Balor has had a pretty quick ascension to the top of NXT. Despite his huge success around the world and in New Japan Pro Wrestling, Balor was back wrestling in front of a few dozen people just a year ago.

The growth of NXT is something he says he holds close to his heart, as he's witnessed it all first hand. Balor talked to Title Match Wrestling last week about how the show has exploded in just the past year or two.

"For a lot of the boys at NXT, we feel like we've captured lightning in a bottle. A year ago we were wrestling in front of 30-40 people in Florida. Now we're in Texas and we're blowing the roof off," Balor said.

When asked about parlaying that success into a spot on WrestleMania 32, Balor said he wasn't that interested, and instead that NXT will have their own WrestleMania weekend show in Texas.

"A lot of us believe we're completely separate from what they're doing on the main roster, and some of us don't necessarily want to be on WrestleMania. We're going to have our own card, hopefully the night before. We'll sell out a building, and saying to the boys 'follow that.'," Balor said.

WWE Wins Awards

WWE won 2 W3 Gold Awards and 18 Silver Awards from the Academy of Interactive and Visual Arts this year - 5 total for the WWE App, 8 total for the WWE Network, 1 for WWEToughEnough.com, 2 for WrestleMania XXX, 1 for WWE.com video of The Boogeyman scaring employees at WWE headquarters and 3 total for WWE's social media platforms.