WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus recently spoke with Journey of a Frontman, and below are some interview highlights:
Her Advice To NXT Women:
“They have to challenge themselves and step out of the box every time they go out there. They have to stand out and give the fans somethng that intrigues them and will make them want to see more of them. I think people get used to their go-to moves and like staying in their comfort zone. But, even if its working, you still gotta mix it up. At the end of the day, it’s about going out there and making it the best damn two minutes you’ve ever made for yourself. Also spotting the opportunity to do that is important. us. I think right now is the time we are waiting for that big star from the women to break out.”
Triple H’s Vision For NXT:
“Well the thing about Triple H is he’s very smart and is a visionary really. As the person in charge of talent, his job is to recognize their abilities, spot their potential, then provide them with the opportunity that could elevate them that way they can make the most of them in the company. The cool thing is that he looked at the Divas division and he didn’t just see them as women, he saw these amazing athletes and characters that could do well on the show and connect with the fans. That’s what he did, he gave them the opportunity. Once the fans connect with them, they’re golden. It’s cool to see Triple H in this role, it’s no coincidence this vision is coming from a multi-time champion who knows a thing or two about what works in the ring.”
January 11, 2016
WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Triple H’s Vision for NXT, Advice for WWE and NXT Divas, More
Sting to Be Inducted Into WWE Hall of Fame
WWE announced today that Sting will be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame at a ceremony to be held on Saturday, April 2 at American Airlines Center in Dallas as part of WrestleMania® Week.
Sting is one of the biggest Superstars in the history of the sports entertainment industry and a multi-time WCW® and United States Champion. For more than 10 years, he was the face of WCW, competing in memorable rivalries against Ric Flair®, Steve Austin®, Mick Foley®, Vader™, The Four Horsemen™ and NWO®. In November of 2014, Sting made his long-awaited debut in WWE, and went on to have his first-ever WrestleMania® match against Triple H® at WrestleMania 31.
“We are truly honored to have Sting take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame,” said WWE’s Executive Vice President of Talent, Live Events and Creative, Paul Levesque. “His contributions to our industry are unprecedented and we look forward to celebrating his incredible career with fans all over the world.”
WWE Hall of Famer Pleads Guilty to DUI Charges, Will Be Sentenced Later This Month
WWE Hall of Famer Tammy "Sunny" Sytch has plead guilty to several DUI-related charges in Pennsylvania.
Sunny took a plea deal and plead guilty to a DUI charge for her May 30th, 2015 arrest in Mahoning Township, PA. This was the arrest that came after she was seen hitting a curb in a Walmart parking lot.
She also plead guilty to charges of DUI - General Impairment/Incapable of Driving Safely and DUI - Highest Rate of Alcohol (BAC .16+) and BAC .02 or Greater Second Offense. These charges were related to her arrest on June 1st, when she was pulled over by police for a vehicle code violation, and June 20th when she was arrested after wrecking her vehicle.
Sunny will be sentenced on January 29th at 9am EST in Carbon County.
Vince McMahon's Last Regional Takeover
Is global domination the true nefarious plan of all this? Not exactly, it's just an extension of Vince McMahon's true legacy. With no other land left to conquer, and with technology finally able to provide the proper weapons, he's set his sights on the second biggest wrestling market in the world. The actual talent he's picked up to do it is very much a secondary story...More?
source: cagesideseats.com
January 10, 2016
WWE Coach Robbie Brookside On Getting Hired By WWE, His Relationship With William Regal, More
The latest episode of Chris Jericho's "Talk Is Jericho" podcast features WWE Performance Center coach and wrestling veteran Robbie Brookside, who has been in the business for more than 30 years. The interview was actually recorded at the Performance Center in Orlando. You can listen to the full interview at this link.
Brookside said WWE originally brought him on for a six month trial period but just three months in, he was asked to stay another six months. That extra six months turned into two years. Brookside called working for WWE the greatest thing to happen to him in the last 20 years.
They also discussed WWE NXT General Manager William Regal, who Brookside said he has a lot to thank for. Brookside took Regal under his wing years ago in England and Regal repaid the favor by getting him work in WCW, and later WWE. Brookside said, "Darren, I call him Darren, is my best mate, without a shadow of a doubt. We've always kept in touch over the years through thick and thin. There've been times where he's needed a shoulder to cry on, and for someone to back him up, and I've done the same as well, and he's been there all the way. He's married and he's got three children, and I remember when Daniel was born. I was staying at their house before they were married, we go back that far. He's almost like an uncle, but I'm two or three years older. But I always feel ten years younger."
They also discussed Brookside's early days, his history with Jericho, Kevin Sullivan and more in the full interview.
January 8, 2016
How Did Last Night's WWE SmackDown Premiere On The USA Network Do?
According to ShowBuzzDaily.com, last night’s edition of WWE Smackdown, which was the show’s debut on USA Network, averaged 2.757 million viewers.
This week’s number is way up from the 1.658 million viewers Smackdown aired on New Years Eve. This week’s number is also up from the Super Smackdown episode, which averaged 2.264 million viewers. The final episode of WWE Smackdown on Syfy in its regular time slot averaged 2.332 million viewers, so this week’s number is an increase from that as well.
This week’s Smackdown ranked #2 for the night in viewership, behind The O’Reilly Factor on FOX News.
John Cena To Undergo Shoulder Surgery
WWE is reporting that John Cena will be heading to Birmingham, Alabama to undergo shoulder surgery.
Multiple sources are reporting that Cena is suffering from a torn rotator cuff.
Obviously, this surgery means that Cena will not be one of the participants at the upcoming Royal Rumble event this month. Unfortunately, it also means that Cena may also likely miss WrestleMania 32 in Dallas, Texas as well, where it was reported that he would be facing The Undertaker; however, as of this report, there is no word on exactly how long Cena will be out of action.
James Storm Reveals Why He Chose to Sign with TNA & Not NXT, Talks Fans Criticizing His Decision, Praises HHH, Is the Door Open for a WWE Return?
Returning TNA star James Storm recently spoke with Bill Apter for WZ and 1Wrestling.com, to talk Storm’s return to TNA Impact Wrestling, and below are some interview highlights:
On why he returned to TNA vs other promotions:
“You know to me I got unfinished business to do and basically to support my family. Thats what it came down to. I was in contract negotiations with different people and what it all boiled down to Impact Wrestling gave me the best offer.”
On people criticizing his decision to return to TNA:
“They can say whatever they want to say if they want to say negative stuff about me I don’t care. Because they don’t know the whole story. There’s a lot that went on behind the scenes.”
Storm then elaborates on the above comment, praises Triple H, reveals whether or not the door is open for a WWE NXT return and much more. Be sure to check out the entire interview in the video player below:
WWE Tapes NXT Kids Show
We noted a while back that WWE was moving forward with the "WWE NXT Kids" show that we saw a leaked pilot for. Possibly for airing on the WWE Network, WWE taped two matches for "NXT Kids" tonight at Full Sail University - Big Show vs. Heath Slater and Natalya vs. Becky Lynch. Bayley Superfan Izzy was featured with a group of kids and she also interviewed Big Show after his match, asking what he likes to eat and other "cute" questions.
EVOLVE Flyers at NXT
In the continuing saga of the potential EVOLVE-WWE relationship, flyers for the EVOLVE events in Florida over Royal Rumble weekend were given out at tonight's NXT taping. There's no way they would have been allowed to do that in and around the venue without WWE clearance. It would appear the two sides are continuing to build their relationship.
There's talk of WWNLive.com being added to some new platforms soon. I use Roku as my platform and it's always excellent.
EVOLVE is working on adding some Northeast dates in different States to go along with the 3/19 NYC return.
January 6, 2016
Muscle & Fitness Reveals Details On Vince McMahon's Workouts
Muscle & Fitness posted a new article looking at Vince McMahon's workouts. It was noted that Vince trains up to 7 days a week, sometimes doing 2 sessions per day if he knows he may miss a session due to the schedule he keeps.
Vince rotates through a split of chest, arms, legs, shoulders and back, which is his favorite body part to train and his strongest. After completing a body part, Vince goes on to a CrossFit-inspired workout with battling rope slams, sled drags, sledgehammmer swings and sprints. He then does a series of ab exercises and spends a total of around 90 minutes working out. Vince's workout partner and trainer Mike Monteforte commented:
"He has unbelievable strength in his back."
Big Backstage Update on Why James Storm Did Not Sign with WWE NXT, Details on Storm’s New TNA Deal, Possible WWE Return & More
As noted, James Storm made his official return to TNA last night at the Impact Wrestling debut on POP TV.
According to WZ Daily regular and ProWrestlingSheet.com’s Ryan Satin, sources noted that after months of negotiations, WWE was only willing to offer Storm a deal that would earn the former TNA Champion less than $100K a year. TNA, on the other hand, was offering 2 1/2 times more than that.
Money was the motivating factor for Storm, who signed a two year deal with TNA which will also see him get a cut of merchandise sales. The offer from TNA is said to be guaranteed money, and as for WWE, the door remains open for a possible return.
January 5, 2016
WWE Website Picks Up On Rumors Of AJ Styles And Other NJPW Stars Coming In
WWE's website has picked up on the rumors of New Japan Pro Wrestling stars AJ Styles, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and Shinsuke Nakamura possibly leaving NJPW for WWE.
It's rare that WWE's website covers rumors like these and they are promising updates. Below is what they wrote:
Are AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows coming to WWE?
The sports-entertainment world has been buzzing this week with speculation that WWE has signed four massive international Superstars.
Numerous media outlets reported Monday that AJ Styles, Shinsuke Nakamura, Karl Anderson and Luke "Doc" Gallows — most recently of New Japan Pro Wrestling — are in negotiations to compete under the WWE banner.
The office of WWE COO and EVP of Talent Relations, Triple H, declined to comment on the rumors for WWE.com.
Reports began circulating late Sunday that all four had reportedly given their notices to New Japan management. Fueling the rumors that Styles, Nakamura, Anderson and Gallows were WWE-bound was a series of tweets involving reigning NXT Champion Finn Bálor.
Until recently, Styles, Gallows and Anderson were all part of New Japan's Bullet Club faction, a stable formerly led by Bálor when he wrestled in Japan under the alias Prince Devitt. For months, Bálor has made it clear that he's still tight with the Bullet Club members, even tweeting photos of them wearing his "Bálor Club" T-Shirts. On Monday, Bálor stirred the pot again, tweeting an image of Anderson sporting trunks that bore Finn's "demon" design. Additionally, the official Twitter account for the Bullet Club tweeted the NXT Champion Monday, telling him to keep more Bálor Club shirts on hand in case they need them. That tweet has since been deleted.
Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion Returns To Company
Former TNA World Heavyweight Champion James Storm returned to TNA at tonight's show.
Storm had been wrestling on and off for NXT, but hadn't signed a deal with the WWE. Yesterday, Storm said that he was only going to the TNA tapings in order to have a meeting with the company. You can see a photo from his return below.
Rumors On WWE Possibly Hiring A New Japan Pro Wrestling Star To Work As A Trainer
There are rumors of New Japan Pro Wrestling star and former ROH Tag Team Champion Rocky Romero also leaving the company. This comes after the rumors of AJ Styles, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and Shinsuke Nakamura reportedly leaving for WWE.
Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Live today that apparently Romero was being discussed for a trainer role in WWE. No word yet if there's any truth to the rumors of him leaving NJPW for WWE.
We do know that Romero was in attendance for one of the recent WWE NXT TV tapings from Full Sail University. We'll keep you updated on his status and the reports of Styles, Gallows, Anderson and Nakamura coming to WWE.
New WWE Stable Put Together
It looks like WWE formed the 2016 version of The JOB Squad on tonight's RAW. Heath Slater formed his new "Social Outcasts" stable with Curtis Axel, Bo Dallas and Adam Rose, after they helped Slater defeat Dolph Ziggler.
Vince McMahon Makes Major Change to the WWE Royal Rumble Match
As seen at the end of WWE Raw last night, Vince McMahon announced that Roman Reigns will have to defend his WWE World Title in the 30 man over the top rope Royal Rumble match taking place at WWE Royal Rumble this month.
This will be the first time in WWE history that the WWE Title is defended in the Royal Rumble match.
The WWE Title was on the line in the Royal Rumble match back in 1992, but the title was vacant going into the match. The bout and title were won by Ric Flair that year.
Chris Jericho Returns to WWE on Raw, Makes Major Announcement
Chris Jericho made his return to WWE and interrupted a New Day promo.
Jericho then announced he is entering himself in this year’s WWE Royal Rumble match, and he added he will win the match and go on to headline WrestleMania 32.
Rumor Mill - WWE Reportedly Signs AJ Styles And Other Top NJPW Stars
WWE has reportedly signed New Japan Pro Wrestling stars AJ Styles, Doc Gallows, Karl Anderson and current IWGP Intercontinental Champion Shinsuke Nakamura, according to F4WOnline. We first exclusively reported in early December that WWE was interested in signing Nakamura. The group reportedly informed NJPW booker Gedo that they were finishing up before WrestleKingdom 10 this morning.
No word yet on when the four will begin work with WWE but Nakamura apparently is not leaving early as he will most likely drop his title before leaving.
F4W added that Anderson was reportedly also in talks with TNA and close to signing but the WWE deal came through instead. Anderson, Gallows and Nakamura are expected to honor their Ring of Honor dates for February and AJ is likely done with ROH going forward.
