New WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H set a record with his Royal Rumble win on Sunday - longest time between Royal Rumble match victories. Before Sunday's 2016 Rumble win, Triple H's last Rumble win came in 2002.
January 27, 2016
Triple H Sets New WWE Royal Rumble Record
Former WWE Ref Gives His Observations on his HHH’s Rise to Power
Jimmy Korderas, former WWE referee of 20 years, writes a blog every Wednesday for CSRWrestling.com. Today’s blog gives insight to the evolution of The Game Triple H. Here’s a sample:
The Royal Rumble is in the books and once again it is “time to play the game”. HHH is not only the COO of the company; he is your new WWE World’s Heavyweight Champion. This has wrestling fans almost as divided as the American electorate. (Yes, a Canadian taking a jab at US politics) This direction attained two goals. It generated heat from the target audience, casual fans while the hardcore faithful will be pissed off that the boss, literally made himself the champ. Mission accomplished!
That is not what I want talk about. Today’s blog is not whether or not this was a good decision. My friend and colleague Justin LaBar covered that in a recent article. Instead, I would like to give you my observations on his HHH’s rise to power in the WWE.
From his introduction into the WWE, you could sense that HHH was a deeply focused individual. He poured everything he had into making the most of the blue blood character Hunter Hurst Helmsley. He was and still is a student of the game. He took every opportunity to absorb as much knowledge as he could from legends like Gerald Brisco, Pat Patterson and a slew of others. He was the proverbial sponge taking everything in and constantly learning.
One difference between HHH and the majority (if not all) the rest of the roster at that time was that he was never the “partier”. This is not a knock on the roster back then or Hunter but the “Rock Star” lifestyle was prevalent in the 80s and into the 90s. On a recent episode of Legends with JBL, RoadDogg credited Edge and Christian with starting a shift in that dynamic. I would say that HHH was the guy of that era that made it OK to just hang out, or as the other Kliq members often referred to him as, “their designated driver.”
For the rest of Triple H from 1996 on, how he inserted Jimmy into a storyline and more—click here to read.
WWN Live Issues Backstage Details on Triple H Appearing at EVOLVE
WWN Live has issued the following:
January 27th: Paul “Triple H” Levesque is always making moves. The night before he won the WWE World Heavyweight Title for the 14th time, he decided to stop by EVOLVE 54. We have the full story on this historic visit. William Regal informed Gabe Sapolsky at about 12:30pm on Saturday that Levesque would stop by EVOLVE 54 that evening. Levesque arrived at 7:57pm, just before the card was set to begin. Sapolsky and WWN CEO Sal Hamaoui greeted him. Levesque positioned himself right in the middle of the locker room and was approachable to all of the roster and staff. He even asked to meet a few particular wrestlers. Levesque and Sapolsky were seen in a lengthy conversation. Levesque then took some time to watch EVOLVE action. The entire experience was very positive for Triple H and EVOLVE. We want to give him our deepest thank you for attending EVOLVE 54. When EVOLVE officials woke up last Saturday they never dreamed that the WWE EVP of Talent, Live Events and Creative would attend the event. It ended up being an unprecedented night. We are in uncharted waters and there is no telling what will happen next. Join us on this roller coaster ride as we head to EVOLVE back in the Northeast in March and in Dallas on April 1st-3rd.
Stephanie McMahon Recognized as a “Wonder Woman” by Multichannel News for 2016
The 18th annual Wonder Women celebration, honoring female executives at the forefront of cable television and communications, will be held at The Hilton New York on March 10, 2016.
The gala luncheon, co-hosted by the New York chapter of Women in Cable Telecommunications and featuring prominent TV personalities as presenters, has honored more than 200 women over the years, highlighting their accomplishments in the workplace and beyond. All honorees have paved the way for younger generations of women in a multi-faceted career sector.
This year’s Wonder Women class will speak about how they have excelled in their careers, the mentors and family members who’ve helped them and the value they place on helping others to achieve success, as well.
The class of 2016 will be profiled in the Jan. 25 edition of Multichannel News. A separate class of Women to Watch will also presented in that issue of the magazine and at the March 10th luncheon.
Linda McMahon received the same recognition for her role as CEO of WWE in 2007.
January 26, 2016
WWE RAW Viewership Back Over 4 Million With The Rock's Return And The WWE Royal Rumble Fallout
Monday's edition of WWE Raw which featured Royal Rumble fallout, AJ Styles', The Rock's return new WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H drew an impressive 4.098 million viewers, up on last week's 3.496 million viewers.
The first hour drew 4.140 million viewers, second hour drew 4.183 million viewers and the third and final hour drew 3.972 million viewers.
The episode received the highest audience for Raw since June 2015 which saw Brock Lesnar's first appearance after Wrestlemania 31.
January 25, 2016
Triple H is the only wrestler to have won every version of the WWE’s main event titles of the past 17 years
Triple H is the only wrestler to have won every version of the WWE’s main event titles of the past 17 years
Posted by The Game - HHH on Monday, January 25, 2016
January 24, 2016
Triple H won the 2016 Royal Rumble Match for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship
Triple H entered tonight's WWE Royal Rumble main event as the #30 entrant and ended up winning the match to become the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion. He did eliminate the defending champion Roman Reigns in the match, which came down to Triple H and WWE Intercontinental Champion Dean Ambrose.
Triple H is now a 14-time World Champion. Michael Cole confirmed that Triple H will be main eventing WrestleMania 32 with the title on the line.
AJ Styles Makes His WWE Debut At The Royal Rumble
AJ Styles made his WWE debut at tonight's Royal Rumble pay-per-view in Orlando. He came out as the #3 entrant in the 30-man Royal Rumble main event.
Styles came out to a huge pop right after #1 entrant WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns eliminated the #2 entrant, Rusev.
Entrant No. 3 in the #RoyalRumble Match is simply #PHENOMENAL! @AJStylesOrg has arrived in @WWE! https://t.co/fjpnn7f6kd
— WWE (@WWE) January 25, 2016
January 23, 2016
Triple H and More at EVOLVE 54
William Regal and American Alpha, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable, are scheduled to appear at EVOLVE 54. Other NXT members have also made their way to the event. Backstage at EVOLVE is Triple H, NXT trainer Robbie Brookside, and NXT superstar Simon Gotch. American Alpha signed items for fans before the show. You can see Triple H’s post below:
...everything evolves. @BookItGabe pic.twitter.com/7GiKT9hgrt
— Triple H (@TripleH) January 24, 2016
Triple H On WWE Being Like A Traveling Family, Matt Bloom On Expecting Results From Talents, More
George Diaz of The Orlando Sentinel recently did a story on the WWE Performance Center. You can see their video and the full article at this link. The story features quotes from Triple H, head coach Matt Bloom, WWE NXT Women's Champion Bayley and NXT star Tino Sabatellli, known to NFL fans as former Tampa Bay Buccaneers safety Sabby Piscitelli. Below are a few highlights:
Triple H on what he told Vince McMahon when asked to get more involved with the company and report back with his observations:
"I think the biggest gap we have is that we're doing all these amazing things to grow our business and our company, except: How are we finding these guys for the future? We're a victim of our own success. Territories don't exist; the outside places to do this are less and less. How do you want to do that?"
Bloom on the talents living in Orlando:
"They get paid well. We expect results. They do very well. I can tell you we take the hustle out of the game of the independent circuit where you have to live week to week and hope you get bookings. We now enable these men and women to come in and do what they love."
Triple H on the coolest thing about the business:
"The business has always been — I hate saying this — a traveling circus because I feel like most people say that in a derogatory way, but it's like a traveling family. They're all learning together at different levels and they are there to support each other, and that's what I always stress to the talent. The coolest thing about this business is that when you're a star, you can reach down and try to help a kid who is trying to become a star and help him or her."
Lucha Underground Producer Claims WWE Tried To Shut Them Down
Chris DeJoseph*, co-executive producer of Lucha Underground, was a guest on Wresting Mayhem Show 503, and he revealed how WWE came in pursuit of their entire roster and shut them down:
“They (WWE) basically tried to sign our entire roster, and pretty much tried to shut us down.”
“I think that’s what they (WWE) want to do – just take everybody, sign them into NXT and then wipe out companies. I know they tried to do it with TNA, and I’m sure Ring Of Honor too. It makes sense. They pay someone $750/week, put them into developmental and in the meantime, they try to take away a company’s roster. And they can just leave those guys down in NXT.”
Chris DeJoseph was Big Dick Johnson/former WWE creative writter.
AJ Styles' Agent Issues Statement On TNA Situation
In an update on the situation between TNA and the WWE-bound AJ Styles, Styles' agent and lawyer Bill Behrens issued the following statement to PWInsider:
No contract was ever finalized nor signed by the parties.
That I would need to be involved in the contract process was known by TNA prior to my involvement and understood by them.
TNA and its 1st lawyer did not present in a timely fashion a contract that accurately reflected previous discussions at all. That created great concern tied to past experiences. In that time and prior there was other interest and there were other firm offers on the table and other discussions.
TNA was aware of other interest and various conflicts. TNA was aware a final contract was required. It was creating that contract and controlled that timetable. Too much time passed early on. Other things came into play. No contract was ever finalized with TNA.
To suggest I make any decision for my clients is to misunderstand my role and diminish the role each talent has in making their own decisions, and insults the talent in the process.
When asked by Adam Martin of Wrestleview.com if the TNA press release will interrupt any scheduled debut plans and contract discussions with WWE, Bill responded, "I believe TNA has only looked stupid so far."
Big Backstage Update on the TNA – Bullet Club Situation, Why TNA Issued a Statement, Possible Legal Action, Details on TNA – AJ Styles Meeting
As we reported earlier this evening, TNA issued a statement via ImpactWrestling.com, which revealed they had been in talks with AJ Styles, Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson, and the talks lead to a deal signed by all three talents. The following is an excerpt from the TNA statement:
“[The deal] was agreed upon and signed by all. Start dates were determined, creative decided, merchandise designed and plane tickets purchased.”
Shortly after TNA released its statement, a representative from AJ Styles’ management team contacted WZ and issued the following, refuting TNA’s claim:
“No contract was ever finalized nor signed by the parties”.
According to PWInsider.com, talks between TNA and AJ Styles began sometime back in November, and Styles was a very high priority for TNA as they wanted him to return as the company was debuting on POP TV, to show the fans that TNA was turning things around. Talks between Styles and TNA continued through November and December, and those talks lead to the idea of Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson debuting in TNA alongside Styles. Gallows and Anderson were looking to leave New Japan Pro Wrestling, and at the time, Gallows was not under contract, and Anderson’s deal with NJPW expires on February 1st.
TNA, as they noted in their statement, bought Styles a plane ticket for the Impact Wrestling tapings in Bethlehem, PA, and one of the rumored return plans for Styles was to shoot vignettes at a local hotel, and then insert them into the Impact Wrestling broadcasts so that everyone would be surprised. Styles would have then made his in-ring return at the upcoming TNA tour of The UK, along with Gallows and Anderson.
The story currently making the rounds is that once AJ Styles’ agent Bill Behrens learned Styles, Gallows and Anderson had signed TNA deals without his supervision, he was not happy about it, and was against the deal. This prompted Behrens to begin communicating with TNA, who by that time already had their legal department working on long form contracts for the three talents.
TNA noted that discussions between Styles, Gallows and Anderson culminated on December 14th, at a meeting which took place in Dixie Carter’s home in Nashville. The meeting was reportedly attended by Carter, Styles, John Gaburick, Gallows, Anderson and others. The meeting reportedly “could not have gone better”, and following the meeting contracts were presented to the talents, start dates were locked in, logos were created, and story lines were worked on. The talents came back with amendments to the offered contracts, to which TNA agreed.
Shortly after the Christmas holiday, TNA stopped hearing from Styles, Anderson and Gallows, as phone calls were neither answered nor returned, and text messages were not responded to. Bill Behrens then reportedly contacted TNA and told them the deal was off, and all three talents would not be signing contracts. TNA officials were reportedly shocked to hear this news, as they were under the impression all three talents were already signed, and now the company’s big “reboot” plans were out the window. The creative plans in place for Styles and the others were reportedly going to take TNA through a significant portion of 2016, so it left them void of major creative plans. There was also a feeling in TNA that AJ Styles was the company’s “Sting”, the one TNA original that the company couldn’t live without, and they were unable to get him back.
TNA sources remain adamant, as evidenced by their statement, that all three talents signed deals with the company, and although no lawyers were involved, the thought was the talents were a lock. TNA has not heard directly from Gallows or Anderson, however it’s being said Styles did contact them to let them know he would be doing what’s best for his family.
TNA is said to be very frustrated with the communication stopping, and the wrestlers backing out of their deals, which is why they issued a statement via the TNA website. TNA feels the company did the right thing, however they were “wronged” by the talents involved, so they issued the statement because they didn’t want to look like a “patsy”, and didn’t want fans thinking the company let its “Sting” go to WWE without an attempt to get him back.
With regards to potential legal ramifications stemming from this entire ordeal, word is that as of late Friday no decision had been made yet as to whether or not TNA will pursue legal action. There’s also a lot of speculation that TNA might have timed its statement to potentially put an AJ Styles debut at the WWE Royal Rumble in jeopardy.
January 22, 2016
Former TNA Champion Debuts In NXT During Central Florida Taping
During the NXT taping in Central Florida, former TNA champion Austin Aries made his debut in NXT. Regal came out to introduce Aries. Aries came out and when he was walking down the ramp he was attacked by Baron Corbin. Corbin threw Aries into the apron and then hit the End of Days.
Management For AJ Styles Issues a Response to TNA’s Statement Regarding Contract Negotiations
In response to the statement just issued by TNA regarding negotiations with AJ Styles and other former NJPW stars, WZ was issued the following by Styles’ management team:
“No contract was ever finalized nor signed by the parties”.
TNA Claims They Had AJ Styles Agreed To A Deal, Issues Statement On Their Recent Talks
We noted before that TNA really tried to sign former World Heavyweight Champion AJ Styles for their Impact Wrestling premiere on POP TV earlier this month. That obviously didn't happen and AJ is believed to be WWE bound. TNA issued this statement on their talks with Styles about Doc Gallows and Karl Anderson coming into the company with him:
AJ Styles has always been synonymous with TNA and TNA synonymous with AJ Styles. AJ helped build the foundation of IMPACT WRESTLING, and his phenomenal body of work lives in our rich history - something we are very proud of.
In the last few weeks, rumors have swirled about AJ Styles, his future and TNA Wrestling. Fans have asked for the status and wrestling media have made numerous inquiries.
For the past several months, AJ and TNA were involved in serious discussions to bring him back home to TNA. Creative discussions escalated and two additional wrestlers, Drew Hankinson and Chad Allegra, were enthusiastically added.
These discussions culminated on December 14th in Nashville, Tenn., where all attended a meeting at Dixie Carter's home. A handshake and written deal between AJ, Drew, Chad and TNA was agreed upon and signed by all. Start dates were determined, creative decided, merchandise designed and plane tickets purchased.
Over the Christmas holiday, and after the lawyers finalized the long form agreement, all communication with TNA stopped.
AJ's lawyer contacted TNA and stated the wrestlers had changed their mind and would not be honoring their commitment to TNA.
Lex Luger Talks His Relationship With Vince McMahon, Sting's WWE Run, WWE Departure Regrets
On episode 101 of The Ross Report, legendary professional wrestling broadcaster Jim Ross spoke with 'The Total Package' Lex Luger. Among other things, Luger talked about his relationship with Vince McMahon and he shared his thoughts Sting's WWE run.
During the podcast, Luger was asked about his relationship with McMahon. Luger admitted that the two had a very close relationship at one point and regrets how he handled his WWE departure. Luger said he did not handle leaving WWE to return to WCW with the honesty and integrity that he should have.
"We actually got along very well. We used to work out together. He had me over [at] the swimming pool at his house and made us tuna fish sandwiches. I think that my unannounced return to WCW, I think in the way I handled that, without giving notice and everything, which, of course, in retrospect now, I never would have done that if we had do overs in life, right Jim? I never would have handled it that way. But the way I did that, really, I felt hurt him deeply [and] personally, as much as anything. And we had a very good relationship. He really gave me great opportunities while I was there [in WWE] and I think he was truly shocked when I walked out there at Mall of America [on WCW Monday Nitro] and didn't even give him the courtesy of a phone call. No doubt about it."
Luger claimed that he and McMahon have remained cordial and McMahon would periodically check in on Luger to see how he was doing and ask whether he needed anything.
"We spoke a couple of times. We've bumped into each other at the airport and he's, of course, very polite. He shook my hand and even to show you what kind of guy he is, he checked up on me at my worst times through a mutual friend." Luger added, "so that shows you a lot about his character and what Vince McMahon is all about."
When asked for his thoughts on Sting's move to WWE, Luger stated that he would have liked his longtime friend have had a better win-loss record in WWE, but Luger remains happy for Sting.
"Sting has had such an iconic career, as they say, and he's such a great personal friend to me and he always was, no matter what, even through the worst of times. What a friend." Luger continued, "I'm so thankful for his friendship. I was very, very excited for him to go there [to WWE]. No matter if he won or lost, I thought, 'what a great way to cap off and finish just an amazing career'. Not too many guys have had a career like him and I was and still am very excited that he made the decision to get involved [with WWE] and have some matches in WWE. It was about the only thing he hadn't done."
In addition to these topics, Luger discussed his present health status, his run with The Four Horsemen, and more. Click here for the podcast.
source: The Ross Report and Wrestling Inc.
Oderint Dum Metuant: Let Them Hate As Long As They Fear
