MMA Journalist Ariel Helwani Thrown Out of UFC 199 Tonight & Banned For Life After Breaking Original Brock Lesnar Story

MMA journalist Ariel Helwani took to Twitter last tonight following an incredible UFC 199 pay-per-view, stating that he and his MMAFighting.com crew had been escorted out by security prior to the main event, and stripped of their credentials. The reason? Helwani was the writer responsible for breaking the news that Brock Lesnar was close to signing a deal to fight at next month’s UFC 200 event; a breaking news report that has now been confirmed and made official.

Photographer Esther Lin and video director E. Casey Leydon were apparently caught in the crossfire, and were also removed with Ariel.

WWE Issues Official Statement on Brock Lesnar UFC 200 Fight, Announces When Lesnar Will Return to WWE TV

In the wake of the Brock Lesnar UFC 200 fight announcement, WWE has issued the following statement:

Brock Lesnar remains under contract to WWE, however, he has been granted a one-off opportunity to compete at UFC 200. Following this milestone event on July 9, Brock will return to WWE for SummerSlam on Sunday, August 21, live on WWE Network.

Brock Lesnar Officially Announced For Fight at UFC 200

In what may end up being the biggest shock in MMA and pro wrestling news this year, Brock Lesnar has been officially announced to fight at next month’s UFC 200 pay-per-view.

The rumors began circulating early Saturday afternoon when MMA journalist Ariel Helwani broke the news that Lesnar was close to signing on the dotted line for his first fight since 2011. This came as a major shock to fans, as the former UFC Heavyweight Champion is currently one year into an extremely expensive three-year deal with WWE. Speculation arose that Lesnar had fought for an addition to his contract prior to WrestleMania – a rumor we are still trying to verify – which would allow him to fight for UFC at a future event.

According to the UFC announcement at 199 tonight, Lesnar is slotted in the co-main event on the card, and his opponent has yet to be named. While the loss of the highly anticipated Diaz/McGregor title fight (which has been moved to 202 in August) was a major blow to what may end up being the biggest show in UFC history, the addition of Brock Lesnar, possibly the sport’s highest drawing PPV star, is massive.

UFC 200 will be main evented by a Light Heavyweight title unification bout between Daniel Cormier and Jon Jones. Miesha Tate will defend her title against Amanda Nunes, while the rest of the card is stacked with huge names, including Diego Sanchez, Jose Aldo, Cain Velasquez, Johnny Hendricks, TJ Dillishaw and Frankie Edgar.

Dana White Addresses Brock Lesnar UFC 200 Rumors

Ariel Helwani of MMAFighting.com is reporting Brock Lesnar is “in serious talks” to compete at UFC 200, and earlier tonight, during UFC 199, Dana White addressed the rumor which you can watch in the video below.

White attributed what he called a misleading rumor to UFC accidentally adding Brock Lesnar to the company website as an active fighter instead of an alumni. After the internet picked up on the error, White feels the Brock Lesnar UFC 200 rumor began and speculation started that Lesnar might be competing at the big event.

“[Brock Lesnar] is under contract with the WWE…for some reason there was a story connected to UFC 200 about Brock because he was in UFC 100 and that thing popped up…Lesnar had a great run here, he retired, I think at the right time, and he had a good run. Now he’s with the WWE and when he signed that deal with WWE I felt that was the right thing to do.”

Seth Rollins explanation of how his Money in the Bank cash-in happened shows he's all about the game (and how you play it)

Seth Rollins was a featured panelist at Wizard World Philly yesterday (June 2). He fielded questions from fans for about forty minutes on everything from his love life to post-retirement plans.

It's the usual mixed bag that these things are, but there are a few moments - Seth somewhat snarkily shooting down a question about scripted promos by saying he's never seen the guy asking backstage, saying there was some truth to his return promo because people who called him a weak champ before his injury were suddenly his biggest supporters while he was out - stuff like that.

One that jumped out at me was his "abridged version" of how his championship win at WrestleMania 31 happened.

The questioner asks how Seth "or The Authority" decided he'd cash-in his Money in the Bank briefcase, so we're in a weird 'Reality' Era place from the jump. Rollins answer is still wide open for interpretation, however:

I kind of saw the writing on the wall, actually, a few months before the Royal Rumble in Philly. Maybe like a month or two ahead of time, I had a feeling the way this wonderful city would respond to Roman Reigns during the Royal Rumble. I had a feeling that would carry over to WrestleMania. I knew how I was gonna perform in the Triple Threat match with John Cena and Brock Lesnar. And I just felt like I was gonna have a lot of momentum, and I also felt looking at the landscape moving forward that the most opportune time would be at the end of WrestleMania. And so, ya know, I put my two cents in and a few months later, I'm standing at the top of the ramp in San Francisco with the World Heavyweight championship.

So, obviously there's a lot more detail, but that's the abridged version. It was something that I wanted from the moment I won the briefcase and I kind of hedged my bets on it for a few months and so, thank you, Philadelphia for helping me out.

You don't need to read too much between the lines to see how the fans' reaction to Reigns played a role. One read of this is - that negative response gave Seth an opening to start politicking to be the guy appearing on The Today Show the morning after Mania rather than Roman.

Of course, Rollins is a heel, and even hinting that he lobbied to take the top spot from his former Shield brother fits right into his character as a backstabber who's top priority is always his own standing within the company.

Either way, it's a good answer - and explains why Triple H would tap this guy as his kayfabe, and maybe backstage, protégé.

source: cagesideseats.com

Karl Anderson Talks Transitioning To WWE, Earning Respect Working With Cena & Reigns, The Brand Split, His Dream WWE Opponent, More

Amarillo.com released an interview with WWE Superstar Karl Anderson ahead of WWE’s live event in Amarillo, TX this coming Sunday. You can find some excerpts from the interview below:

■ How is the transition into the WWE? “It’s been unreal. This is where we wanted to be. To be able to come in and make an impact like we have in the WWE with two of my best friends (Luke Gallows and A.J. Styles) and working together like this has been cool. To do things with John Cena and when we worked with Romans Reigns has been surreal. It’s something we knew we could do and it’s been amazing.”

■ You feel like you’ve gotten respect by working with top guys like John Cena and Roman Reigns so early into your WWE run? “We had confidence in ourselves to be able to come in and be able to do it. It has been cool to have the opportunity to work with guys like Roman and guys like Cena. They’re superstars. They’re are the ones carrying the WWE to where we are. So it’s been great to work with them.”

■ WWE will be airing Smackdown live on Tuesday’s starting in July to counter Raw on Mondays. With the talk of splitting the roster for each show do you feel that it’s a new opportunity for WWE superstars? “The brand extension is going to offer different opportunities. What they did back 2001 or 2002 or whenever it was I think John Cena ended up on Smackdown and ended up turning himself into a global superstar. One of my best friends Finn Balor is in NXT and when he gets up to either Raw or Smackdown we’ll get to see him. He’ll be amazing and there are other superstars from NXT that will get to come up that the world needs to see. There is a ton of depth on the roster and we’re all excited for the opportunity. It’s going to give everyone a chance to grow.”

■ Do you have a dream match in WWE? Whether it’s a tag team match or singles competition? “Being in the WWE is a dream in itself. Being in the ring with John Cena on Monday night was something crazy. I’d love to get in the ring with Randy Orton. Roman was cool to be in the ring with, Dolph Ziggler would be really sweet. But I think Randy Orton right now would be pretty cool for me.

Boxing legend Muhammad Ali dies at 74

Muhammad Ali, widely hailed as the greatest heavyweight boxer in the sport’s history, died late Friday night after being hospitalized in Arizona a day earlier with a respiratory issue.

Ali, 74, had suffered from Parkinson’s disease since the 1980s.

“After a 32-year battle with Parkinson’s disease, Muhammad Ali has passed away at the age of 74. The three-time World Heavyweight Champion boxer died this evening,” family spokesperson Bob Gunnell said in a statement.
story from Tourism Australia and Virgin Australia

Ali died at Scottsdale Osborn Medical Center, where the scene outside was quiet. Law enforcement sealed off entrances and news media was station across the street. Earlier Friday family members arrived at the hospital.

"I don't get it yet. I don't think it's hit me yet," Khalilah Camacho-Ali, one of Ali's ex-wives, told USA TODAY Sports.

Camacho-Ali had four children with Ali, with whom she was married for 10 years. "The only thing I'm worried about right now is my children. I wish I was there with them (in Scottsdale) to support them because I know they're taking this very hard."

Ali's prowess in the ring and his personality and social activism make him one of the most recognizable sports figures of the last century.

He secured an Olympic gold medal in the 1960 Summer Games and became one of the youngest heavyweight champions of all time, stunning the boxing world with a knockout of Sonny Liston to claim the title in 1964 at 22.

It marked the first of three times Ali would win the heavyweight title.

By the end of Muhammad Ali's legendary boxing career, he had become the first three-time heavyweight champion. See his most iconic moments from inside the ring.

Shortly after the native of Louisville defeated Liston, Ali became a cog in both the civil rights and anti-war movement. Ali changed his name from Cassius Clay after he joined the Nation of Islam, and he was convicted of draft evasion in 1967 after he refused to fight in the Vietnam War because of religious beliefs.

His opposition to the Vietnam War cost him the belt and led to a three-year ban from boxing. His conviction for dodging the Vietnam War draft was overturned by the Supreme Court in 1971.

Ali's death is “sad, and yet, here was a person who probably did more to transform what people thought about race and religion and about peace, both in the United States and the world," Bob Arum, who promoted Ali in the 1960s and 1970s, told USA TODAY Sports. "I really believe that he even had more of an impact, because he had been this great boxer, and because he had made this tremendous sacrifice, giving up his career for what he believed in for 3½ years, that he had more of an impact than even Martin Luther King. I really believe that.”

Ali returned to the ring in 1970 and suffered his first pro loss a year later in a title bout against Joe Frazier, who won via unanimous decision.

It was the first of three memorable fights against Frazier — with Ali winning the last two.

Ali reclaimed the heavyweight belt against George Foreman in one of the most storied events in sports history, "The Rumble in the Jungle" in 1974. Ali employed the "rope-a-dope," in which he allowed Foreman to tire himself out as Ali absorbed punch after punch, before he claimed the bout in Zaire — now known as the Democratic Republic of the Congo — with a knockout.

In 1978, a clearly overweight Ali lost his title to Leon Spinks but won it back in a rematch six months later, making him the first fighter to win the heavyweight title three times.

Ali retired from boxing in 1981 with a 56-5 record, three of the losses coming in his final four fights. He had 37 knockouts.

Ali was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease three years after his retirement. Family members believed his years of boxing contributed to the disease.

After his retirement, he concentrated on philanthropy and social activism.

He was admitted for medical treatment several times in recent years, including to treat pneumonia in December 2014.

WWE also issued a statement which says in part:

Ali also made history for his historic boxer vs. wrestler match against WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki in Tokyo on June 26, 1976. The fight is regarded as a precursor to modern mixed martial arts.

In 1985, Ali made his mark in WWE history when he was one of the special guest referees for the main event of the first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden. The bout featured WWE Champion Hulk Hogan and pop culture icon Mr. T against “Mr. Wonderful” Paul Orndorff and “Rowdy” Roddy Piper. During the contest, Ali climbed up onto the ring apron and took a swing at Piper.

WWE Breaking Ground Special

After Takeover goes off the air, a special "WWE Breaking Ground: Reloaded" episode will air with the Superstars featured on the first season. The description reads like this:

"Catch up with the Breaking Ground cast and witness the highs and lows of their quest to WWE during a historic WrestleMania weekend."

Triple H Hits Social Media Milestone

Triple H recently hit 3 million followers on Twitter. He is the fifth most followed WWE personality on the social network site. Below is a list of the top 10 WWE personalities with the most followers.

1. Dwayne Johnson - 10.2 M
2. John Cena - 8.07 M
3. Randy Orton - 4.55 M
4. Steve Austin - 3.36 M
5. Shawn Michaels - 3.2 M
6. Triple H - 3.1 M
7. Chris Jericho - 2.8 M
8. Daniel Bryan - 2.7 M
9. Sheamus - 2.4 M
10. Dolph Ziggler - 2.2 M

It should be noted that Triple H’s account is only three years old while the accounts of the others have been around for longer.

Randy Orton Confirmed For TV Show

WWE has confirmed that Randy Orton will be appearing on new USA Network thriller "Shooter" soon. They announced the following:

Randy Orton's next move may feel to some like it's coming "outta nowhere." That's because USA Network announced Friday The Viper will join its upcoming thriller "Shooter" in a guest starring role. Orton's involvement with the upcoming series arose earlier in the day, thanks to a tweet by "Shooter" star Ryan Phillippe.

"On set with WWE Superstar Randy Orton showin him the ropes," Phillipe said in a tweet.

Orton will play the role of James Richards, a former Navy SEAL and leader of a militia group who comes into contact with Phillipe's character.

The "Shooter" cast also features Omar Epps, Shantel VanSanten and Cynthia Addai-Robinson. The series is based on the best-selling novel "Point of Impact" by Stephen Hunter and a 2007 film adaptation starring Mark Wahlberg. Wahlberg joins Emmy Award winner Stephen Levinsion as executive producers on "Shooter."

"Shooter" will premiere on USA Network on Tuesday, July 19.

Judge overseeing WWE concussion lawsuit makes big ruling

After a weekend and holiday to review a full week of back-and-forth between WWE’s attorneys and the attorneys for Vito LoGrasso and Evan Singleton, judge Vanessa L. Bryant issued a four-paragraph order Tuesday in the U.S. District Court of Connecticut regarding aspects of the concussion litigation.

Judge Bryant granted one of the motions set for by the LoGrasso/Singleton camp (plaintiffs) and denied other motions. Included was Judge Bryant ordering that WWE (defendant) comply with a request to provide documentation in a specific area.

Judge Bryant said WWE is “under an obligation to disclose such documents” that pertains to whether WWE had “knowledge of a link between wrestling activity and permanent degenerative neurological conditions.”

Judge Bryant noted in her order: “The sole remaining claim (from the Plaintiffs) concerns an allegation of fraudulent non-disclosure of knowledge of a link between wrestling activity and permanent degenerative neurological conditions.

“To the extent there are documents within the categories identified by Plaintiffs Motion to Compel, including documents related to the use of helmets, the elimination of wrestling moves, the implementation of the Wellness program, or the hiring of specific personnel and the adoption of specific protocol, or the incidences of concussions among WWE talent which reflect a specific knowledge of OR an appreciable risk of a link between wrestling activity and permanent degenerative neurological conditions, then WWE is under an obligation to disclose such documents,” Judge Bryant wrote. (The above text was bolded in the ruling.)

However, Judge Bryant denied the Plaintiff’s requests for additional cooperation from WWE pertaining to “concussion prevention.” She set the parameters that LoGrasso/Singleton cannot request documents that relate to common injuries as part of the job.

“To the extent information within the identified categories merely reflects a general desire to limit or prevent head injury to WWE talent, or the occurrence of head injuries among WWE talent, such information is irrelevant to the claim at hand and is not discoverable,” she ruled.

Judge Bryant also denied two motions to obtain documents prior to 2005 and the medical records of Big Vito and Singleton.

“Plaintiffs have not presented any factual predicate whatsoever entitling them to discover documents or information dated prior to the year 2005 and absent such a factual predicate Plaintiffs motion to compel is denied on that issue,” Judge Bryant ruled.

“Lastly, Plaintiffs demand for WWE to disclose Plaintiffs own medical files is denied in as much as it seeks production of information within Plaintiffs control and access and permissibly gathered by WWE at Defendants own expense.”

The deadline for discovery was scheduled for Wednesday (June 1), which is also when WWE personnel were scheduled to be disposed. Judge Bryant noted at the end of the order that both parties have two weeks to provide additional documentation showing they have complied with the court order.

“The Court will permit the parties to supplement their discovery responses no later than fourteen days after the discovery deadline to provide the information they have each been compelled to disclose,” Judge Bryant closed the ruling.

source: pwtorch.com

Goldberg discusses WWE 2K17 and his WrestleMania moment with Brock Lesnar

Playing games represents a kind of pastime in the WWE Universe, for conniving Superstars or dedicated players of 2K’s venerated series of WWE video games.

For Goldberg, however, video games offer a chance to reintroduce a once-in-a-lifetime competitor like himself to a new era of WWE fans. His legend is supported by a resume which includes an unparalleled 173-match winning streak to start his WCW career and two World Heavyweight Championship reigns. His star power continues to shine brightly, fueled by his meteoric rise in WCW and continued success in WWE, all achieved in only eight years in sports-entertainment.

Now that 2K has presented him as WWE 2K17’s Pre-Order bonus character, legions of fans can start asking “who’s next” to battle the man they call Goldberg for virtual supremacy. As for the man himself, Goldberg recently spoke with WWE.com about his involvement with 2K, his WrestleMania showdown with Brock Lesnar and whether he has one match left in the tank.

WWE.COM: How did you find out that you were 2K’s choice for this WWE 2K17 exclusive?

GOLDBERG: I just got the phone call. It was something that we had been in talks off and on over a number of years. As a father and an ex-wrestler, it's a dream come true. To be able to come back and be included in WWE 2K17, it's a huge honor. That the people would even want me back after such a long hiatus is another honor...More?

New Details And Video On WWE - Scooby Movie

Above is the trailer for "Scooby-Doo and WWE: Curse of the Speed Demon," which will be released on August 9th via Blu-Ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD. The movie features The Undertaker, Paige, Sheamus, Triple H, Vince McMahon, Stephanie McMahon, Lana, Rusev, The Miz, Kofi Kingston and Goldust as characters.

Jimmy Snuka Declared Not Competent To Stand Trial

A judge in Lehigh Valley, PA ruled today that WWE Legend Jimmy "Superfly" Snuka is not competent to stand trial in the 1983 death of then-girlfriend Nancy Argentino. A new hearing will be held in 6 months to re-evaluate competency but Snuka's lawyers argued that his condition won't be any better.

Netflix Orders GLOW Episodes

We noted earlier this month that GLOW (Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) owner Ursula Hayden had announced a deal for a full new season of GLOW TV on Netflix, to be executive produced by Jenji Kohan, creator of Netflix's "Orange Is The New Black" series. The Wrap reports that Netflix has ordered 10 episodes of GLOW, which will focus on a 1980s female wrestling promotion

The show, which was co-created by Liv Flahive of Homeland and Carly Mensch of OINTB, is inspired by the real story of GLOW and will be set in Los Angeles. The fictionalized story features an out-of-work actress who finds one last attempt to live out her dreams in the form of a weekly series about female pro wrestlers.

Big Show Says He Will Always Have A Home In WWE, Talks Current 'Changing Of The Guard', His Future

Big Show recently spoke with The Miami Herald to promote the June 28th WWE SmackDown tapings at the AmericanAirlines Arena. The full interview is at this link and below are highlights:

His current WWE role:

"We've got a lot of young, new, great talent deserving of TV time; they're building their brand. New storylines for them. It's a changing of the guard. I came in as the youngest in the locker-room by 10 years in 1995, and now I'm one of the old ones still out there. I get to go out on weekends and do the live events and help some of the younger kids not make the same mistakes that I made and help them along."

His future and retirement:

"All great things come to an end. So for me I'm looking at projects outside of WWE and maybe moving into something else in the future, but my heart is with WWE. I love helping the younger talent. I love representing WWE like with Make-A-Wish, Be a STAR, Special Olympics. I think I'll always have a home in WWE."

"I've had a great career and had a lot of fun. So whatever happens in the future, I'm gonna take it. If I get a phone call tomorrow, and Vince [McMahon] says, 'Thank you very much. I appreciate everything you've done.' Well, that said, I can hold my head high and go on and do other things. I don't want to ever look back and say, 'I wish I could have,' or 'I wish I would have.' I'm just a guy who is very thankful. I still have my health, and I still get a chance to do something I love every now and then."

Ric Flair Says WWE Has Been Proven Right About Roman Reigns

Recently on Talk Is Jericho, two-time WWE Hall Of Famer, Ric Flair spoke with 'Y2J' Chris Jericho about WWE World Heavyweight Champion, Roman Reigns.

According to Flair, one of Reigns' core competencies is his versatility.

"You really don't know what the crowd is going to do until you go out there through the curtain, right? You can have something all planned out and they're not going to buy it. I mean, that's the great thing about having Roman [Reigns]. I think they struggled with him at first, but with Roman, they've got the best of both worlds. They've got a guy that one day can wrestle Seth Rollins and be the hottest bad guy in the [professional wrestling] business, which that match will be huge when they have it or he can go out and wrestle Hunter and whatever, right? He's good! Yes, [he is versatile], which is a good thing, I think."

Also, Flair is of the opinion that WWE brass has been proven right in backing Reigns all along and that it is impossible for fans to boo him now.

"Look at the match him and AJ [Styles] had [at WWE Payback]. Holy cow! What a match. Start, restart, start, restart. And you know, AJ flies around. [Jericho] should know. He works [Jericho's] style of work, but Roman hung right there with him for 30 minutes. Roman [has] got legs. It makes him a better performer. You can't [boo him] anymore. But he just had to work hard to win them over. But the company just proves everybody right. They did the right thing. Bret [Hart], I just saw Bret the other day, but Bret was hammering the company for the way they treat Roman. Roman's as happy as can be. Bret's fine now too! As long as he can put the Sharpshooter on me, he's happy."

WWE Announces the Next “Performance Center: All Access” Event

WWE has issued the following:

See how Superstars are made with a WWE Performance Center: All Access pass this July

Do you want to know what it takes to become a WWE Superstar? Have you ever wondered what goes into putting together a WWE Live Event? Now you can have the incredible opportunity to experience all that and more, when you go behind the scenes at WWE Performance Center: All Access!

WWE is opening the doors to its state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Fla., on Monday, July 25, giving a limited number of WWE Universe members the chance to experience NXT like never before. The unique event will present the opportunity to gain knowledge from the best in the business, become part of a private NXT Live Event and rub elbows with some of your favorite NXT Superstars.

More?

Sheamus Takes You Onto the Set of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles”

Go behind the scenes of “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows” with Rocksteady himself, Sheamus:

WWE Cancels Sales of New Pabst Blue Ribbon Inspired John Cena Gear, WWE Rep Comments

According to Ryan Satin of Pro Wrestling Sheet, WWE will no longer sell John Cena‘s new Pabst Blue Ribbon inspired shirt, despite the company feeling they did nothing wrong in the first place.

A rep for WWE says, “As a content creator, WWE respects trademarks and intellectual property, and therefore will not proceed selling the merchandise, despite it being an original design clearly within fair use.”

WWE issued a Tweet featuring Cena’s new gear yesterday, and Pabst reacted with a Tweet which seemed to threaten WWE and Cena with a cease and desist. You can check out Pabst’s Tweet below, and WWE has deleted its original Tweet featuring photos of the new Cena gear:

A message to @JohnCena & the @WWE: We have a chokehold called the Cease & Desist. Pretty sure we see you🖕 pic.twitter.com/AKWjUEXiUj

— Pabst Blue Ribbon (@PabstBlueRibbon) May 27, 2016