Director Max Landis made waves last year with his impressive Wrestling Isn't Wrestling short, a parody biopic about the career of Triple H. The short ended up getting over 2.1 million views and according to Landis, earned him a spot in WWE.
"Here's a secret, I've been a consultant on WWE Raw for the last year," Landis said on Table Talk. "I would occasionally say stuff like 'add another member to the Wyatt Family,' or 'make it so the NXT divas come up,' but I think other people were saying that s--t too."
Landis voiced his displeasure with the direction of some of WWE's programming, saying that there needs to be a little more variety to the interaction of WWE Superstars and Divas.
"I would say it needs to be cohesive, where each segment blurs into the next segment, and what happens at the beginning of the show affects every character. It needs to be cohesive. You can't have only the women interacting with the women, the midcard guys only interacting with the midcard guys, the nobody guys only interacting with the nobody guys, and the top guys only interacting with the top guys, because that creates a vortex of boredom," Landis said. "The best episodes of that show is where one thing happens at the start and it starts a ripple effects through the entire thing. They don't do it often."
Landis also revealed his contract status, and said he isn't opposed to remaining with the WWE. Landis also said that NBC Universal contacted him about the position after he made Wrestling Isn't Wrestling. He mentioned that he has a call with WWE tomorrow, and joked he might get fired for saying that.
"I think my contract's finally coming up, and lord knows they don't listen to me," he said. "I might end up continuing to work with them. They're their own thing. When I brought in there was a sense of 'Why should we listen to him?'"
February 21, 2016
'Wrestling Isn't Wrestling' Creator Says He's Been A Consultant For WWE For The Past Year
February 19, 2016
Former WWE Star Says Daniel Bryan Might Still Be Wrestling If It Weren't For 'Concussion Lawsuits'
Former WWE and WCW star "Big" Vito Lograsso, who is one of several former talents currently involved in the "concussion lawsuits" against WWE, posted the following statement on Facebook.
It should be noted that WWE was getting involved in concussion research and awareness long before Vito and other wrestlers brought suits against WWE.
"My thoughts on this week so far are something to talk about. People are now starting to get in the know on CTE. If it wasn't for this lawsuit, Daniel Bryan would be going to Wrestlemania. Who knows what would have happened if he kept wrestling. I am happy he will be OK. The fear on losing your spot is real. Are you hurt, NO. You keep going. It was the culture. All the people now sharing concussion stories. All the awareness. But a year ago, this lawsuit and everything about concussions, CTE, was laughed at, made fun of, thought it was a load of crap. Now, it is reality. The education you are getting now, but what about back then ? Now people want to step up and be spokesmen and help. No one could care or donated there time last year. They could care less. Glad I made this possible for all to see. I speak for me, the others and the guys not here no more. My wish is for this to settle and make this a great thing. Right now it's a pissing contest instead of working together. Make things right and go for the gold on this. Waste your money on fighting something that is true won't get you any votes. Just prolonges what will be. Do it classy and not as a must. -Merit- , is what we have, the facts are there. Daniel Bryan moves on to have a family and keep his head together, a real positive here. If not for me taking this on , who knows what would have been. #fightvitofight"
EVOLVE Talks Involvement with the WWE Network
EVOLVE has issued the following:
February 19th: The mind-blowing 2016 continued with WWE’s announcements of the Global Cruiserweight Series coming to the WWE Network in July. Triple H mentions EVOLVE in this article as a promotion they are looking to work with to secure talent. This is going to make things even more interesting as the stakes continue to grow! What names on the upcoming EVOLVE cards do you want to see in the Global Cruiserweight Series? Tweet using hashtag #WWNLive and let us know!
Mike Quackenbush On Working At The WWE PC, Trading Holds With Chad Gable, Feeling Validated Now
As noted, indie veteran and CHIKARA owner Mike Quackenbush was recently at the WWE Performance Center for a guest coaching gig. Quack also owns The Wrestle Factory school in Philadelphia and revealed that graduates Cesaro and Sara Amato (Sara Del Rey) were instrumental in WWE contacting him for the guest gig. His week with WWE just wrapped up but "Quack" also worked backstage as a producer for NXT live events. He spoke with WWE's website about working with the company. You can read the full interview at this link. Below are highlights:
What the week consisted of:
I got do a bit of observing, and then I got to do some coaching and training with beginners, intermediates and the advanced players —those that are getting ready to depart NXT and go to the main roster. I got to do in-ring technique, one of my favorites. I got to oversee presentation class. I got to oversee the sessions where the guys and girls review their past performance and we give constructive criticisms and feedback.
Who were some of the WWE NXT talents he worked with:
One of the best things I got to do was spend some one-on-one time with specific talent that wanted to develop certain areas of their game. There was nothing I enjoyed more than having an hour in the ring with Chad Gable, who is simply one of the most outstanding performers I've ever been able to share a ring with. To trade holds and moves, to teach him and learn from him was such pleasure.
Feeling validated after working at the Performance Center:
I recall a study that was done a couple years ago where wrestling fans were asked to name any organization other than WWE. Less than two percent of them could do that. Less than two percent! If that's true, then I've spent my entire adult life laboring in relative obscurity. The things that I do, the things that I make, the theories I espouse, everything I've created, by and large, based on that study, has been in complete obscurity. Oftentimes, especially when it's something you're passionate about , you wonder, "What am I doing? Does it really have value? Does it have any influence?" You want to impact people and make a difference. To be down at the Performance Center and see how openly everything I believed about the art form was not just received, but embraced and celebrated, by people I knew, people I don't know or just met, even people I idolized, like Terry Taylor or Matt Bloom, it gave me a tremendous sense of validation.
February 18, 2016
Global Force Wrestling Lands First TV Deal
Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling appears to have landed its first TV deal, as New Zealand state broadcaster TVNZ is launching a new channel called DUKE that will be geared at a male audience. The DUKE website recently released a ‘launch promo’ which includes footage from GFW’s “Amped” series.
Liv Morgan is livin’ the dream in NXT
Regular viewers of NXT may have noticed her penchant for wearing a baseball cap and sneakers to the ring, or perhaps her football jersey, which pays homage to her home state of New Jersey.
With an unabashed sense of individuality, Liv Morgan has arrived on the scene of NXT. Also bringing with her a glowing excitement and an affirmative outlook, she realizes just how lucky she is to be competing under the NXT banner.
“To have made it here is completely humbling and beyond anything I could have imagined,” she told WWE.com. “I wake up every day excited to learn.”
After being discovered at Joe DeFranco’s Gym in Wyckoff, N.J., Liv began training at the WWE Performance Center in October 2014. It’s an experience she describes as a childhood dream come true.
“I grew up a huge wrestling fan,” she said. “My mom was a single parent raising six kids, and she worked very hard to provide whatever she could for us. We didn't have fancy material items, but we had cable, which meant we had WWE broadcasting multiple times a week. That completely took over our lives. I fell in love with it the first moment I watched.”
Liv’s love of WWE consumed her so much that she and her four older brothers built a makeshift ring in the backyard of their Elmwood Park, N.J., home.
I feel best when I'm in sweatpants, a pair of J's and a snapback.
- Liv Morgan
“We dug four poles into the ground and put lawn chairs in front of them for buckles,” she explained. “We tied three pieces of industrial rope around the corners, and the only mat we had was a stacked-up pile of lawn chair cushions. When we finished, we thought it was the most awesome thing ever, and my house instantly became the after-school spot for all of my brothers’ friends.
According to the fiery NXT rookie, it didn’t take long for her to channel her inner competitor.
“I would literally take Pedigrees and powerbombs like it was my job,” Liv said. “I always pretended to be Lita. All the Divas were so glamorous and girly, and I was such a tomboy and didn't have nice clothes. When I saw Lita come out in baggy pants and sneakers, wrestling the boys, I thought she was the coolest thing ever. I related to her and thought she could be my friend.”
Liv’s lawn chair-laden ring has since been replaced by WWE’s 20- by-20 squared circle, where she gets to train and compete inside every week. One might suggest the timing of her ascent is perfect, as many aficionados credit WWE’s much-publicized Divas Revolution as the starting point for the next golden age for women’s wrestling.
“Seeing the spotlight on all the women in the company is empowering,” she said. “Not only girls want to see the women wrestle, but men want to, as well. The fact that Bayley vs. Sasha Banks in [TakeOver:] Brooklyn was acknowledged as NXT’s Match of the Year is just as telling as what the female talent is capable of, and I cannot wait to be a part of it.”
Liv Morgan Emma
At 21 years old, Liv freely admits that she has a long road ahead to prove herself in NXT. Yet, she credits a deeply personal motivation with driving her to succeed.
“The passing of my dad really took a toll on everyone, especially my brothers,” she revealed. “They didn't have that father figure anymore, and started constantly getting into trouble. I definitely believe I learned from all their mistakes, which I am so grateful for.”
It was through those hard times that Liv realized who and what she needed to be.
“Growing up, I knew that I wanted and needed to be different,” she said. “I took it upon myself to be the one to do something great — not only for myself or to make my family proud, but to be able to give them all a better life.”
And to give her family a better life, Liv promises to stay true to herself every step of the way.
“I don't know how to be anything other than myself. I'm not a fan of makeup or dressing up,” she said. “I feel best when I'm in sweatpants, a pair of J's and a snapback. I grew up heavily influenced by hip hop music and pop culture, and I'd choose pizza over everything. There is nothing like individuality and to feel alive in your own skin. I want people that grew up struggling like me to know that no matter what circumstances you live in, even when you feel it’s hopeless, if you work hard and believe in yourself, you can and will achieve anything. No dream is too big.”
February 17, 2016
Chris Nowinski Talks Daniel Bryan’s Retirement Due to Concussions, Comments on WWE’s Improved Concussion Culture and More
Former WWE Superstar Chris Nowinski, who co-founded Concussion Legacy Foundation, recently spoke with FOX Sports, and below are some interview highlights:
Daniel Bryan’s retirement due to concussions:
“I felt extraordinary sympathy for Daniel. It’s tough to walk away when you feel like you could still perform. In a sense, I was lucky because I had headaches I couldn’t kick and other problems that told me I shouldn’t go out and do (wrestling) again. He didn’t have that. He had to really dig deep to find the justification to walk away from the job he loved. It has been very interesting to watch the process. I’ve read that he was upset about WWE’s decision, but he saw other doctors and WWE really encouraged him to find another path because they recognized his brain was injured too much.”
WWE’s improved concussion culture:
“Superstars are more likely to report concussions. That’s big. Wrestling also has an advantage over sports in general because you can write wrestlers out of storylines or have them participate without physical exertion when they are recovering from concussions.”
February 16, 2016
Video: Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella Appear on “Good Morning America”
Daniel Bryan and Brie Bella appeared on a very newsworthy “Good Morning America” segment today, during which Brie revealed that her WWE retirement announcement should be coming sometime this summer.
The couple also talked Bryan’s concussions and seizures, and Triple H made an appearance as well. You can watch footage of the segment below:
ABC Breaking News | Latest News Videos
Triple H Talks Plans For New WWE Cruiserweight Series, Recruiting Talents For The Tournament, More
As noted, WWE has officially announced that "WWE Global Cruiserweight Series" will premiere on the WWE Network Wednesday, July 13th at 9pm. They wrote:
For the first time ever, WWE invites cruiserweights from all over the world to compete in the inaugural Global Cruiserweight Series. Thirty-two of the greatest in-ring competitors under 205 lbs. will descend upon Full Sail University in Orlando and collide over 10 weeks to earn the right to call themselves the best cruiserweight in the world.
WWE is currently looking across the world for talents to fill those 32 tournament spots. Triple H spoke to PWInsider about the new show and said he's looking at this as a fan. He also commented on how excited he is:
"I'm excited about this. I really am. It's a really great opportunity for us to tap into what's a really exciting talent pool. I believe, sort of an underutilized talent pool. There are just numerous, numerous, numerous Cruiserweights around the world that are great performers that have not fully had the opportunity to be seen around the world and that's something that hopefully, WWE can give them."
Before the series airs, WWE will be featuring the talents on their website and social media as Triple H wants fans to get to know the talents. He commented on selecting wrestlers for the tournament:
"I would say the vast majority [of talents on the series] will be non-contracted or long-term contracted WWE talents. We haven't finalized the selection process, watching tapes and seeing who we want to work with and all of that. It's going to be a discovery process. Look, I want to have the best in the world. I don't want to negate anyone from that process because they are under contract to us. At the same time, I'm looking for the best in the world and the brightest around to give them a platform that they've never had. I'm certainly looking at the vast majority from being from the outside [of WWE.] When I say Global, I mean Global. We are recruiting from everywhere. UK, Japan, China, to find the best talent. That doesn't mean we are going to find someone everywhere, but we are really trying to turn things over and really find someone from every part of the globe to be part of this and show the world who they are and what they can do."
Triple H also commented on if this means the return of a full-fledged Cruiserweight division and title. He said:
"I think it is slightly the cart before the horse. I think.. I want this to be something that is repetitive. I would like this tournament to be a recurring thing where we take the best talent from around the world and let them do their thing. Does that morph directly into a Cruiserweight division right away? I don't know about right away...and it might...but we're clearly looking at all the guys in this tournament and saying, 'who do we want to work with long-term? Maybe we give this guy a year and we'll work with him long-term next year' and who are all these talents. I think where it lands is sort of a work in progress. If you look at this tournament, it's going to be a platform where somebody and it could be more than one person, is going to be seen as one of the best Cruiserweights in the world or the best Cruiserweight in the world. It's a hell of a platform and it's going to get bigger and better but just not sure 100% what that is."
WWE Network Adds to 2016 Programming Slate Including New Cruiserweight Series
– WWE Network continues to add to its already robust slate of original programming in 2016, with the newly green-lit show, Global Cruiserweight Series, a tournament which brings together more than 30 of the greatest in-ring competitors at Full Sail University in Orlando, to vie for the right to call themselves the best cruiserweight in the world. Global Cruiserweight Series is set to premiere Wednesday, July 13 at 9pm ET on WWE Network.
WWE previously announced three new original series for WWE Network including The Edge and Christian Show That Totally Reeks of Awesomeness, WWE Ride Along, and Camp WWE, along with new episodes of Stone Cold® Podcast Live!, the second season of Swerved, new episodes of Legends with JBL and more.
Reported Reason For Michelle Beadle ‘Burying The Hatchet’ With Triple H At RAW Last Night
Wrestlezone Radio regular and Pro Wrestling Sheet editor-in-chief Ryan Satin is reporting Michelle Beadle and WWE ‘buried the hatchet’ after Vince McMahon had called Beadle.
Sources told Satin that Beadle was contacted by McMahon a few months ago, and he was very understanding as to why Beadle stopped watching WWE. Beadle had announced she was boycotting WWE last year after Triple H had publicly endorsed Floyd Mayweather.
For those that don’t know, Beadle was very critical about the way Mayweather has been promoted, given his issues with domestic violence reports. Beadle wrote a detailed post about her feelings towards Mayweather and cited HHH’s social media role, noting she did not agree with him being a supporter of Mayweather while also being a public face of a company like WWE with such a strong push for anti-bullying and anti domestic violence policies.
According to Satin, Beadle then accepted an invitation to attend last night’s WWE RAW taping, feeling like enough time had passed and she could talk to Triple H about her issues. It was also noted that Beadle understands people won’t share her feelings about Mayweather, and the talk backstage between the two went smoothly.
Triple H and ESPN Personality Bury the Hatchet Backstage at WWE Raw Tonight
As you might recall, ESPN personality Michelle Beadle stated last year, via Twitter, that she would no longer be a WWE fan since Triple H supported Floyd Mayweather in his fight against Manny Pacquiao. She posted the following on Twitter in May 2015:
"I've loved @WWE for a long time. But @TripleH and his love for a serial abuser is too much. I'm turning in my fan card. #WasFunWhileItLasted"
Last night Triple H posted the following:
"Awesome to reconnect with old friends and bury the hatchet… Good things to come. @MichelleDBeadle @StephMcMahon"
And Michelle posted the following:
"Good friends. Great overdue conversation. Thanks @StephMcMahon & @TripleH"
February 13, 2016
Titus O'Neil Almost Fired Over McMahon "Arm-Grab" Incident; Triple H Intervened
“Ladies first” is a common phrase used by well-mannered men … but Pro Wrestling Sheet has learned that in the case of Titus O’Neil, those 2 words may have led to his recent suspension.
Multiple sources tell us O’Neil spoke with management following the grab on Vince McMahon‘s arm and explained he was only trying to allow Stephanie McMahon to exit the stage first.
Steph and Vince initially appear to be walking side-by-side in the video of the incident … so his explanation tracks. Plus, it appeared to be playful, as everyone pointed out from the start.
We’re told Titus claimed he was only saying “ladies first” when he tugged on Vince — with the strict intention of being polite — but understood the misunderstanding may have been perceived differently by others once it was all said and done.
According to PWTorch, Titus was going to be fired over the issue by McMahon. However, both Joey Mercury and Triple H talked him out of the firing, which is why the suspension was so high originally. Clearly it was reduced since then, but Vince was still ticked over the ordeal.
WWE Nominated for Digital Awards
WWE has been nominated for several CableFax Digital Awards, which will be revealed on March 26th in New York City at the Digital, Tech and Trailer Awards Breakfast. WWE has been nominated in these categories:
* Best App (for Smartphone): WWE Network and The WWE App
* Best App (for Tablet): WWE Network and The WWE App
* Best Digital Marketing Campaign (Programmer): WWE for WrestleMania 30
* Best Social Good Campaign: WWE for "Courage. Conquer. Cure."
* Best Social Media Campaign: WWE for WrestleMania 30
* Social Media Dream Team: WWE
* Best Use of Facebook: WWE
* Best Use of Twitter: WWE
JBL on Being Named Beyond Sport Ambassador
Olympians, CEOs and even a former prime minster; these are the people who have the honor of being named Beyond Sport Ambassadors, and now John “Bradshaw” Layfield is one of them. The WWE announcer and former World Champion was recently named an Ambassador of Beyond Sport, a global organization that commits itself to using sport to cause a sustainable social change.
“Beyond Sport, to me, is one of the best organizations in the world,” JBL told WWE.com. “They use ‘Sport for Change’ as the catchphrase that goes around the world for all different programs, but they’re all doing phenomenal work. They change the lives of, predominately, disadvantaged kids.”
A longtime supporter of Beyond Sport, JBL first connected with them in 2010 while he was in Cape Town, South Africa for the World Cup. He was introduced to some of their programs, which gave him insight into how sports can be used to benefit disadvantaged children.
Being introduced to Beyond Sport prompted JBL to create his own organization, Beyond Rugby Bermuda. Along with providing a homework academy for after school help and rugby training, BRB also offers family support services through Family Center Bermuda.
“It’s a tremendous honor; all the ambassadors have done remarkable work.” JBL told WWE.com when asked about his new role as an official ambassador. “It’s such an honor to be there but it’s an honor of what I represent, not of me. What I’m recognized for is not my own personal achievements, but for what the program has done for Bermuda.”
Additionally, JBL has climbed several mountains in support of his Seven Summits for Kids campaign, including Pikes Peak and Mount Kilimanjaro. Just yesterday, JBL finished a 9 hour climb to the top of Quandary Peak, moving one step closer to his goal.
Sami Callihan Explains Why He Asked For NXT Release
Sami Callihan spoke with Sports Illustrated for a new interview. See some excerpts below:
On why he asked for his NXT release: “Everyone’s like, ‘You left NXT, and NXT is so hot,’ but I have no hard feelings against NXT. Hopefully I’ll be back there one day. But when I went in, a couple things happened–I got injured at one point, and I was just not being used. Now that I’m 28, I wanted to have the chance to leave and show them why they hired me in the first place. I’m still young enough to go back, so that’s what I’m doing now. I’m one of the only guys ever to walk up to WWE and quit, but I didn’t do it to be a badass. I needed to roll the dice, and it may pay off one day and it may not. But no matter where I am, whether it’s WWE or someplace else, I’m still a professional wrestler. At the end of the day, that’s all that matters to me.”
On if he gave notice to Triple H: “I gave my notice in the office on a conference call. I left on no hard terms, and they knew I was miserable at the time. People said to me, “But you were making so much more money with WWE,” but it’s not always about the money–it’s about quality of life. Triple H showed up at the Evolve show [the night before the Royal Rumble], and that was the first time I got to see him face-to-face and talk with him. He said, “Man, I know how good you are, and to quit the top company in the world takes balls. You left on good terms and did it professionally, so if a spot opens, it’s yours.” I did everything by the book, and I want to be back, but at the end of the day, I realize WWE isn’t the only place that is professional wrestling. I can be a professional wrestler anywhere in the world. If my journey takes me back to WWE and WrestleMania someday, then that’s freakin’ awesome. But my career could take me to the Tokyo Dome or someplace else, and that’s why I left when I did. I have the chance to go out and do what I want to do.”
On his post-WWE goals: “My first goal is to show WWE exactly what they had in me. I don’t believe they truly knew what they had. If you look at me in regular clothes, I’m a 5’8″ white kid that’s a nerd. But when I go out there, I become something different, something you can’t teach people. That factor makes me different from everyone else. My goal now is to become ‘The Man’ on the indies, and I also want to prove why WWE hired me in the first place. Before I got to WWE, I had the same accolades as Finn Balor and Samoa Joe, but things didn’t work out. So now I want to show them exactly why I got hired in the first place, show them why I have the cult following that I have, and to prove, truly, why I am the best professional wrestler walking this planet today. If there’s any wrestler out there who disagrees with me, work a show with me and we’ll see who has the better match.”
February 12, 2016
WWE Stock Falters on O’Neil Suspension, OTT Miss
World Wrestling Entertainment stock has taken a hit over the past few days in the wake of a 60-day suspension of an African-American wrestler who playfully grabbed CEO Vince McMahon’s arm briefly during a telecast, and a drop in subscribers at its online service WWE Network.
The twitter-verse lit up Wednesday night after WWE suspended wrestler Titus O’Neil for what it called “unprofessional conduct” after the wrestler grabbed McMahon’s arm during a taping of WWE’s Monday Night Raw in Seattle. The incident was not shown on the official broadcast – subscribers to its WWE Network were able to catch a glimpse though – and after news of the suspension hit, several versions of the video were widely available on the Internet.
Many fans saw the suspension – initially a 90-day suspension that was reduced by 30 days – as a racist move by the controversial CEO. WWE denied the suspension was racially motivated.
“The suspension of Titus O’Neil had nothing to do with race and everything to do with unprofessional conduct,” the company said in a statement to the New York Post.
The WWE also sent the post a copy of a text they said O’Neil sent the organization “‘I feel like sh** now so if you have to let me go, I understand. Stupid mistake.’”
O’Neil (his real name is Thaddeus Bullard) graduated from the University of Florida and played football for the Gators (1997-1999) as a defensive tackle under head coach Steve Spurrier. He is well-known for his charity work and is one of the more well-liked wrestlers on the circuit.
The O’Neil move likely played a role in WWE’s stock dipping on Feb. 10 – it fell 4.4% (72 cents each) to $15.75 per share from $16.47 the previous day.
While the incident did keep social media humming for awhile, the real hit to the stock occurred the following day (Feb. 11) when shares dipped as much as 10% after WWE revealed that subscribers for its WWE Network fell to 1.2 million in the fourth quarter from 1.3 million in the previous period. The stock finished the day at $14.94 per share, down 5.1%. WWE shares closed at $16.40 each, down 2%, (30 cents) on Feb.12.
The weak WWE Network numbers overshadowed what was otherwise a strong quarter for the content company – revenue was up 18% and the company reported $3.4 million in net income, compared to a loss of $600,000 in the previous year.
source: multichannel.com
