The mid-Nineties were a particularly bad time for WWE. Hulk Hogan and Randy Savage defected to WCW, goofy characters like Doink the Clown and Tatanka felt childish and out of touch and freshly minted faces like Diesel and Lex Luger couldn't quite capture the zeitgeist or enthusiasm of the previous decade. The company had become boring, smug, bereft of star-power – and they had nobody to blame but themselves.
Meanwhile, unsatisfied diehards were in search of their pro-wrestling fix, and they found it in the bleak industrial parks of South Philadelphia. Extreme Championship Wrestling never had the funding to cross into popular culture – it was mostly broadcast in the witching hour on microscopic cable channels up and down the East Coast – but its followers were loyal and its reputation was hard-earned. ECW was violent, it was angry, it was vengeful; it was everything mainstream wrestling wasn't in the mid-Nineties. It's where the Dudley Boyz dropped their first 3D, where Rob Van Dam became a star, where Tommy Dreamer and Brian Lee wrestled a terrifying, irresponsible and utterly incredible "Scaffold Match," where Cactus Jack and Terry Funk asked for chairs and watched the ring get buried in a sea of steel. The message was clear: we don't follow the rules in ECW.
Pro wrestling eats its young, and eventually Extreme Championship Wrestling was absorbed by the bigger budgets and higher ceilings of the WWE. First-ballot hall of famers like Eddie Guerrero, Chris Jericho and Rey Mysterio all wrestled fantastic matches in ECW, but they happily signed lucrative contracts with the big show. In 2001, left without a budget or a competitive roster, ECW was forced to close its doors – leaving behind a small pile of ashes in the warehouses and gymnasiums it had conquered.
This was particularly bad news for Rob Feinstein and his company, RF Video. ECW VHS tapes – and, later, DVDs – were their primary export, and all of a sudden he needed something to sell. In 2002 he broke ground on Ring of Honor, a new Philadelphia-based promotion that served as a torchbearer for that gritty, barbed-wire tradition. In the years since, ROH has slowly but surely established itself as worthy successor to ECW, and like its forefather, has started to catch the attention of the elephant in the room.
"The major company in our business is of course the WWE – I'm not going to Voldemort them and say, 'He who has no name,' because we very much respect their organization," says Joe Koff, Ring of Honor COO. "But what's interesting is that over the last two years all their champions and key people have been Ring of Honor people. They have a developmental program, which is a fine, fine program, but where were their champions coming from?"...More?
source: rollingstone.com
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February 12, 2016
Ring of Honor's Declaration of Independence: How one indie promotion changed the face of today's WWE, and continues to thrive in the face of overwhelming odds
Sean Waltman Comments On Roman Beating Up Triple H
Former WWE Superstar Sean Waltman was a on a recent edition of The Ross Report with Jim Ross. During his appearance he spoke candidly about Roman Reigns’ push and his attack on Triple H after the WWE TLC PPV:
WWE did wonders in a two-day period between the last pay-per-view and I was here in Philly when Roman won the title in the exact building in Royal Rumble that they booed him out of the building. I might get heat for this but him beating the hell out of Hunter, that almost didn’t happen. Hunter had to fight really hard to get that to happen and they tried to put an edge on Roman and it did work.
Hulk Hogan, Vince McMahon And Roddy Piper Talk WWE WrestleMania I For MSG Network
The MSG Network will air a special on WWE's WrestleMania I tonight at 10:30pm, as detailed below. The special is narrated by actor Ben Stiller and will feature the late Roddy Piper, Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, Mean Gene Okerlund, Cyndi Lauper and others. The following was issued:
"THE GARDEN'S DEFINING MOMENTS" SERIES CONTINUES WITH "WRESTLEMANIA I" PREMIERING FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 12 AT 10:30PM
New York, NY (February 11, 2016) – MSG Networks (NYSE: MSGN) continues the special 20-part television event "The Garden's Defining Moments" presented by SAP with - "WrestleMania I." The event that launched the WWF (now WWE) into the stratosphere and married sports and entertainment for the first time, set a then record for pay-per-view buys in the United States.
"The Garden's Defining Moments: WrestleMania I," narrated by Ben Stiller, premieres Friday, February 12 at 10:30 pm on MSG Network, following MSG's telecast of the Rangers \ Kings game. Interview subjects include Vince McMahon, Hulk Hogan, the late Roddy Piper, Cyndi Lauper, Mean Gene Okerlund and more.
WWE NXT Star Knocked Unconscious During Live Event Match, Suffers Possible Injury
According to live reports, WWE NXT star Riddick Moss suffered a possible injury during a 6-man tag team match featuring Dawson, Dash and Moss vs Sami Zayn, Enzo Amore and Big Cass at tonight’s NXT live event in Jacksonville, FL.
Moss appeared to suffer the injury following a 6 man suplex spot. Following the spot, Moss remained unconscious for about a minute, and the referee threw up the “X” sign. Paramedics tended to Moss until he eventually regained consciousness and was helped to the back.
February 11, 2016
Visit the WWE Experience at the 2016 Arnold Sports Festival
For action and entertainment, there’s no better spot than the WWE Experience at this year’s Arnold Sports Festival in Columbus, Ohio, taking place Saturday, March 5, and Sunday, March 6.
Enjoy live matches and meet-and-greets with the Superstars of WWE NXT during autograph signings, as well as guest appearances, Q&A sessions, giveaways and more.
Plus, you can see what it takes to become a WWE Superstar when you watch a live tryout. Will any of these recruits become the next breakout Superstar?
Better yet — will you? If you’re serious about a future in sports-entertainment, stop by the WWE Experience recruiting booth.
The WWE Experience at the 2016 Arnold Sports Festival in takes place on Saturday, March 5, from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, March 6, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Stop by for your chance to meet:
Aiden English
Alexa Bliss
Apollo Crews
Asuka
Baron Corbin
NXT Women's Champion Bayley
Billie Kay
Chad Gable
Dan Matha
Dana Brooke
NXT Tag Team Champion Dash Wilder
Dylan Miley
Emma
Eva Marie
NXT Champion Finn Bálor
Hugo Knox
Jason Jordan
Johnny Gargano
King Konstantine
Kishan Raftar
Nia Jax
Peyton Royce
Riddick Moss
Sami Zayn
Samoa Joe
NXT Tag Team Champion Scott Dawson
Simon Gotch
Tino Sabatelli
Tom Kingdon
Tommaso Ciampa
Tye Dillinger
Tickets for the 2016 Arnold Sports Festival are available now at Ticketmaster.com/Arnold. Get yours today so you don’t miss out on the WWE Experience!
Updated WWE Network Subscriber Count
WWE announced today in their fourth quarter 2015 financial report that WWE Network had 1.22 million paid subscribers, representing a 49% increase from the fourth quarter of 2014. They also announced that WWE Network hit an all-time high of 1.24 million average paid subscribers for the quarter.
In October WWE reported 1.173 million subscribers for the third quarter of 2015. WWE finished the third quarter with 1.233 million paid subscribers. Before that, WWE announced 1.156 million subscribers for the period ending June 30th.
WWE Conference Call: Vince McMahon discusses the fourth quarter financial report
ince McMahon and members of senior management served as the hosts of a conference call pertaining to the 2015 fourth quarter financial report that was released on February 11, 2016. The following are the highlights of the call. Refresh the page for the latest updates.
-The call is hosted by WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, WWE Chief Strategy and Financial Officer George Barrios, and WWE Investor Relations Michael Weitz.
-Vince said they produced a record year with $659 million in revenue. He touted the success of WWE on Youtube and the WWE Network. Vince said the average WWE Network subscriber watches more hours of content on the network than any cable network.
-Barrios ran through the highlights of the earnings report presentation. Barrios said they are continuing to work on network launch plans in their three remaining markets China, The Philippines, and Thailand.
-Live events profits are up 9 percent in attendance and 13 percent in ticket prices. NXT becoming a touring brand was touted as one of the factors in the increase.
-Barrios also boasted about the company’s social media success.
-Barrios stressed that WrestleMania will occur on April 3, meaning that it will fall in the second quarter rather than the first quarter as it did last year.
-WWE will release the next WWE subscriber count the day after WrestleMania.
-Once Barrios finished, they opened it up for calls.
Why TV Ratings Aren't As Important To WWE Now
Vince McMahon noted during today's Fourth Quarter 2015 earnings call that the company isn't as worried about TV ratings like they once were.
An investor asked about WWE TV ratings being down for several quarters now and Vince said the ratings are down but not as much as other programming on the networks they work with. Vince talked about how people aren't watching TV as much as they used to. Vince said TV is still extremely important to WWE but when you add in their digital and social content, their audience is consuming content when they want to and how they want to. Vince said that is important to WWE.
Vince added that WWE is not just about TV ratings anymore. He acknowledged that the company used to "live and die by" ratings but that was before the era of new media.
WWE posted an infographic touting the following 2015 stats after today's strong Fourth Quarter 2015 earnings report:
A closer look at @WWE’s record breaking year. $WWE pic.twitter.com/QSALQIdAk0
— WWE Investor (@WWEinvestor) February 11, 2016
TNA Knockout Says She Was Assaulted During Match; Talks If She Will Press Charges, Being Warned
New TNA Knockout appeared on last night's episode of TMZ on FS1 and claimed to have been assaulted during a match at a WXW event in Miami over the weekend.
"I really got assaulted, I didn't expect it," Raquel said. "Although I was warned that it was going to happen, but I never thought that it would be at that level."
Raquel noted that she cracked her tooth and had to get a root canal and a crown on her tooth. She also had "a little hairline fracture" on her jaw and multiple bruises.
Raquel noted that she does not intend to file charges out of respect to her coach, and that the person who had warned her does not want to come forward.
She believes that the incident happened because she "became very successful in wrestling and got a huge contract with Impact Wrestling."
Raquel also stated on Twitter that she would not let the ordeal affect her and that she was already back training. She also posted the following on her Instagram, writing, "I'm fearless, I don't complain. Even when horrible things happen to me, I go on."
Titus O'Neil Suspension Changed, WWE On If Suspension Was Racially Motivated, Titus' Text To WWE
The New York Post reports that WWE changed Titus O'Neil's suspension, and Titus will now be suspended for 60 days instead of 90 days, which would still have him out of WrestleMania.
As noted, Titus O'Neil tugged at Vince McMahon following Daniel Bryan's post-RAW retirement celebration, as seen in the video below. PWInsider.com first reported today that WWE suspended Titus O'Neil for unprofessional conduct for the incident.
The Post article is actually titled "Fans call Vince McMahon a racist for suspending black wrestler," and contains many messages from fans complaining that the suspension was racist motivated.
"The suspension of Titus O'Neil had nothing to do with race and everything to do with unprofessional conduct," WWE told the Post in a statement. They added that Titus "acknowledged the gravity of his mistake" in a text message, writing:
"I feel like s--t now so if you have to let me go, I understand. Stupid mistake."
WATCH: Titus O'Neil & #VinceMcMahon Altercation Video that has Since Been Removed by the #WWE Network pic.twitter.com/pgLPrdtNbd
— Cheap Heat Wrestling (@CheapHeatTweets) February 10, 2016
February 10, 2016
WWE Hires PR Firm For Stephanie McMahon
WWE has reportedly hired a high-powered PR firm to help promote Stephanie McMahon in her role as WWE's Chief Brand Officer as a friendly public face for the company. Stephanie's recent appearance on ABC's "Good Morning America" was the first gig the new firm landed her but they continue to try and land her mainstream media appearances. They also want Stephanie to be recognized for her philanthropic efforts, similar to Dallas Cowboys Chief Brand Officer and Executive Vice President Charlotte Jones Anderson.
Zack Sabre Jr Talks Meeting Triple H, More
Zack Sabre Jr recently spoke with Sports Illustrated Extra Mustard‘s Justin Barrasso, discussing his career path, meeting Triple H during the EVOLVE show on WWE Royal Rumble weekend, his wrestling influences, and much more. You can read a few excerpts below:
Zack Sabre Jr on meeting Triple H:
“He’s huge. I felt like a child in comparison, but he was very approachable, very friendly, and it’s so inspiring how much he loves the business. For someone who has had such a long and decorated career, and he’s coming down to an indie Evolve show in Orlando the night before the Royal Rumble–where he obviously had such an important night ahead of him–and he was there talking to everyone. When someone like that, who is at the top of the business with so many responsibilities, comes down with that type of attitude, it sets such a great example.
I introduced myself and spoke briefly to him. I’m good friends with [WWE talent scout/NXT trainer] Robbie Brookside, so I had a good catch-up chat with him, and I also met [William] Regal for the first time.”
Batista Says He Told Titus O'Neil To Request His WWE Release Following Suspension
It's no secret that Batista and Titus O'Neil are good friends, going back to before Titus got signed by WWE. Batista played a big role in Titus getting into the wrestling business.
Batista says he called Titus and told him to ask to be released from his WWE contract today. This comes after Titus was suspended for a reported 90 days due to unprofessional conduct. The incident that got him suspended was when Titus grabbed Vince McMahon in a "playful but physical" way at the end of the post-RAW Daniel Bryan retirement celebration.
When asked if he could call WWE and straighten the situation out, Batista replied on Twitter: "I did something better! I called @TitusONeilWWE and told him to ask to be released. #onelife"
As noted via Wrestling Observer Live, word backstage is that several WWE talents have "been riding the line" lately when it comes to following company rules. The feeling is that Vince suspended Titus to send a message to the roster, that he wants them to act professional and stop "messing around" so much.
Rumor Mill - Backstage Talk On Vince McMahon Suspending Titus O'Neil To Send A Message To The WWE Roster
As noted, Titus O'Neil was suspended for 90 days due to unprofessional conduct this week. The suspension happened because Titus grabbed Vince McMahon at the end of the Daniel Bryan retirement celebration on the WWE Network after Monday's RAW went off the air.
Bryan Alvarez noted on Wrestling Observer Live today that Vince suspended Titus to send a message to the locker room, that they need to stop "messing around" and be professionals. Word is that there have been several talents who have "been riding the line" in terms of following the company rules lately.
Vince wants WWE to be a professional organization and it was explained to Alvarez by a source that while Titus was just messing around with Vince, it was "one messing around too many" and Titus was used to make an example, and was the fall-guy.
WWE officials do like Titus and with John Cena out, he is their number one guy for work in the community. They broke The Prime Time Players up so Titus could be pushed as a singles star. While it wasn't acknowledged on TV, Titus went undefeated for almost three months until the loss to Adam Rose on Monday. No word yet on how the suspension will hurt any future push.
CM Punk to Undergo Surgery, UFC Debut Fight Delayed Yet Again
According to MMAFighting’s Ariel Helwani, CM Punk will be undergoing surgery to repair a herniated disc in his back, and subsequently his UFC debut fight against Mickey Gall will be delayed.
Punk had the following to say to Helwani, noting that his back has always been something that bothered him, likely stemming from his pro wrestling days:
“It got bad enough to the point where I couldn’t do anything the week before I went to train with the New Jersey Devils last month. One day I could manage, the next day I couldn’t. I’ve been in agony for almost a month. Chiropractor, acupuncture, massage, cryotherapy, nothing worked,” Punk told MMA Fighting.
Titus O’Neil Suspended By WWE For Unprofessional Conduct; Likely To Miss WrestleMania 32
WWE Superstar Titus O’Neil was sent home from last night’s WWE Smackdown tapings shortly after arriving. It’s being said that he has been suspended for unprofessional conduct.
His unprofessional conduct allegedly occurred during the end of the Monday Night RAW taping in Seattle, WA. After RAW had stopped going live on the USA Network the feed kicked over live to the WWE Network to continue coverage of Daniel Bryan’s retirement. During the live streaming WWE Network portion of Bryan’s retirement the WWE locker room came out to greet him at the top of the ramp. Included in the group of Superstars at the top of the ramp was the Chairman of the Board Vince McMahon.
Once Bryan had passed his fellow Superstars at the top of the ramp they began to return to the back. While this was going on Titus O’Neil grabbed Vince by the arm in what is being described as a “playful, physical way.” Vince responded in kind by shoving O’Neil away from him and playfully threw his arms up and laughed at Titus.
It’s being said that McMahon was angry that he was grabbed by Titus the way he was and that is what led to Titus’ suspension. As soon as O’Neil arrived at Smackdown he was told that he was going home. The word going around is that the suspension could be for up to 90 days. That would put Titus out of action for WrestleMania 32.
There has got to be more to this story...
Daniel Bryan Talks Retirement, Explains His Injuries, Reveals How Many Concussions He’s Had, Talks Medical Testing & More
The following is a recap of ESPN's WWE Off The Top Rope segment, featuring special guest Daniel Bryan.
Jonathan Coachman starts the show by playing highlights of Daniel Bryan’s retirement speech from WWE RAW, then welcomes Bryan to the show. Coach asks how difficult it was for Bryan to make his speech in his hometown, and Bryan talks about trying not to cry and getting emotional in front of his family.
Coach asks about his injuries and Bryan says they have ten documented concussions, but it’s impossible to define each one. Coach then asks about how Bryan found out about his career being over, and Bryan says he went to New York for some EEG tests, and this one measured electrical brain activity while doing reflex testing. Bryan says it’s a newer form of the test, but he wanted evidence to support his petition to come back to wrestling. Bryan says his other EEG and MRI test were great, but this one showed he had some slowing, and evidence of “a small or subacute or chronic lesions” in the area of his brain that causes seizures. Bryan says he has had post-concussion seizures that he hid and it was unknown why, but now they found out something to link the symptoms. Bryan says he’s learned that you need to report concussions, and you need to heal your brain before returning to a contact sport like wrestling or football. He says it’s about the responsibility you have to yourself and your family.
Coach then asks about the YES chant, and Bryan says it caught on, but Bryan started it to be annoying. He says it looks great when people in the arena do it, and it really propelled his career forward. Coach talks about last night’s speech and the locker room being their for him, and Bryan says the coolest thing about last night was he could feel the reaction when he closed his eyes, and it was unbelievable.
Coach asks how Bryan made it to the top despite his size, and Bryan says he likens it to a writer, and he can’t explain it, but the audience connected with him. Bryan says he is very fortunate, then Coach asks about his favorite moment. Bryan says he mentioned it last night, but the Seattle Slammy Awards show where the fans hijacked the show and his father seeing him wrestle again was his favorite.
Coach asks if Bryan thought about what’s next, and Bryan laughs and says he’s had time to think, but he’s not sure. He says he wants to do something to help people and the world, and he might get involved with concussion awareness. He says working with WWE allowed him to do some great charitable things, and mentions Connor’s Cure, and says he wants to help with stuff like and just needs to figure out what’s next.
Coach asks how Bryan would like to be remembered, and Bryan says he doesn’t necessarily need to be remembered himself, but he wants people to remember the experience of just going to the show together. Bryan tells a funny story about his family going to a show and the Ultimate Warrior pantsing Rick Rude, and says that is still a great story in his family. He says it means a lot for a family that isn’t a wrestling fan family, and he hopes everyone remembers good times about going to wrestling shows.
