Glad I could be a part of it. Best of luck on the west coast @Wale... #SeeYouAtStaples #BlessUp https://t.co/E9NVVeLf9S
— Triple H (@TripleH) June 18, 2016
dat boy @wale got 'Triple H' on his tape 💪🏽
— Yung Rénzél (@rickyrozay) June 18, 2016
As noted, WWE Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler was arrested this morning on domestic violence charges and was subsequently suspended by WWE.
WMC Action News 5 interviewed Lawler while he was in jail, and the 66 year old Smackdown announcer claims he had returned home from a wrestling event which was “ironically [titled] A Night At The Slammer.” He said that his fiancee McBride, 27, returned home a little later intoxicated from a friend’s house after watching Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
“We got into a little bit of a shouting match and then she wanted to leave,” Lawler said. “I was not going to let her leave in the car, because she was just not in any condition to drive. She got more and more upset, she called 9-1-1 and scratched my face in the process. The police came in and said that this was a domestic dispute and that they were ‘going to have to take both of you guys downtown’.
“It’s just an unfortunate situation. Nobody was hit and nobody was hurt. It’s just something that happened as a result of drinking too much,” Lawler said.
Lawler denied reports that he hit McBride in the head and pushed her against the stove. Lawler confirmed that he had an unloaded gun and McBride was threatening to kill herself. He said that she got the gun and threw it to him. He said that he might have put the gun on the counter, but he didn’t tell her to kill herself.
He said that he only has issues with McBride when she drinks, and said that she had an incident last week while she was intoxicated at the CMA Awards and got into a fist fight with her aunt.
“It’s an unfortunate situation as a result of somebody drinking too much. I’m saddened by it and hope we can get past this,” Lawler said.
Jerry Lawler was arrested at his home Friday morning by the Shelby County Sheriff's Office in Memphis, Tenn.
According to WFSB.com, the couple got into an argument that turned violent and involved a gun. McBride told police that Lawler held her against the kitchen counter, hit her in the head, pushed her against a stove, then put a gun on the kitchen counter and told her to kill herself.
Lawler told police the argument started when Lauryn lied about where she had been. Lawler said McBride scratched him in the face, threw a candle at him and kicked him in the groin. He also claimed she was drunk and threatening to kill herself.
Both were arrested when police were unable to determine who started the problems. They were booked into the Shelby County jail around 1am today.
WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving domestic violence, and per our policy, Jerry Lawler has been suspended indefinitely following his arrest.
WWE issued the following:
WWE® and PPTV Announce Exclusive Multi-Year Partnership in China
WWE Live Event Returns to Shanghai in September; WWE Signs First-Ever Chinese Talent to Developmental Contract
WWE ushered in a new era in China today, announcing an exclusive multi-year content distribution agreement with PPTV; the return of a WWE live event to Shanghai on Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 7 pm; and Bin Wang as the first-ever Chinese talent signed to a developmental contract. The historic announcements were made today at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai by WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer Michelle D. Wilson, WWE Superstar John Cena®, WWE Vice President & General Manager of Greater China Jay Li, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul "Triple H®" Levesque, Vice President of PPTV, General Manager of PPTV Sports Stephen Zhang and CEO of Shanghai Expo Development Ltd. Ding Hao.
"Today's historic announcements further demonstrate WWE's long-term commitment to China," said WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon. "Partnerships with PPTV and Expo Group, as well as the signing of Bin Wang, will enable us to engage our fans in China like never before."
PPTV
As part of WWE's commitment to its fans in China, the company announced an exclusive multi-year agreement with PPTV to deliver its flagship shows Raw® and SmackDown® in Mandarin.
Starting June 28, for the first time ever, fans in China will be able to stream all three hours of Raw and two hours of SmackDown on demand exclusively on PPTV and PPTV Sports. Fans can download the PPTV App and watch Raw and SmackDown on Smart TV's, set-top boxes, mobile devices and tablets, as well as on PPTV.com and Sports.PPTV.com. In addition, WWE short-form content will be available on PPTV's digital platforms and PPTV will leverage popular digital and social platforms, including WeChat and Sina Weibo, to share WWE content with fans throughout China. PPTV will also launch and manage a new WWE website in China.
"There's a long history between PPTV Sports and WWE in programming distribution. Now with the new exclusive partnership, these joint efforts will bring passion and family-friendly fun of WWE programing to millions of fans here in China just like in the U.S.," said Stephen Zhang, General Manager of PPTV Sports.
WWE LIVE EVENT
WWE returns to China with its first live event in more than three years with WWE Live 2016 China on Saturday, September 10 at 7 pm at the Mercedes-Benz Arena. Tickets for WWE Live 2016 China will go on sale this Saturday, June 18 at 12 pm and can be purchased online at gewara.com and wesai.com, or by calling the Gewara ticket hotline at 1010 1068. WWE Superstars scheduled to appear include current WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns, current WWE Women's Champion Charlotte and WWE Superstars John Cena, Seth Rollins and Sasha Banks.
"WWE's China debut rocked Shanghai Expo in 2010, and now we are excited that deafening cheers from WWE fans will be heard again in 2016 at the Mercedes-Benz Arena," said Ding Hao, CEO of Expo Group.
BIN WANG
WWE made history today by signing Bin Wang to a developmental contract, giving him the opportunity to train to become the first-ever Chinese Superstar in WWE history. At 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, the 22-year-old from Anhui has been training for the past two years in Japan at Inoki Genome Federation (IGF), a wrestling and MMA promotion founded by WWE Hall of Famer Antonio Inoki.
Wang will relocate to Orlando, Florida this Sunday, June 19, where he will begin training out of the state-of-the-art WWE Performance Center. With seven training rings, a world-class strength and conditioning program and cutting-edge edit and production facilities, the Performance Center will allow Wang to develop his skills through a comprehensive program that includes in-ring training, physical preparedness and character development.
"It is an honor to be the first-ever Chinese talent in WWE history," said Bin Wang. "There are no fans in the world that show the same passion as the WWE Universe, and I look forward to training and developing my skills so I can perform for them in the future."
Stephanie McMahon participated in a Facebook Q&A this afternoon. You can check out the highlights below:
- She says her favorite thing about being in the WWE is getting to interact with the fans.
- Her favorite promo was the one she cut on Shane McMahon while getting the Legacy of Excellence Award, saying it was 'challenging.' Getting to slap Roman Reigns was also 'impactful and challenging.'
- Brie Bella 'packs a wallop' in her slap, according to Stephanie.
- Stephanie says it was a privilege to be in the ring with Dusty Rhodes and said that he challenged her in the ring on the mic. She says it was a moment that she'll never forget.
- She wanted to write a book to let people know what is so special about the WWE, and wanted to entice and entertain those people who haven't found it yet.
- She's excited to share her moments with Andre, dinner with wrestlers, her mom making Mr. T liver, and her love story with Triple H.
- She says she enjoyed her programs with Trish Stratus, Brie Bella, Lita and Jacqueline Moore. Having the privilege to get in the ring without being a wrestler is an honor to her. She says the decision to get back in the ring isn't up to her, it's up to the 'decision maker.' She says that as long as it helps get somebody over, that's the ultimate goal of her character.
- Being a heel is her preference over being a babyface. Heels getting their comeuppance is her favorite part, according to her. She cited Sable and Chris Jericho as doing that.
- Stephanie McMahon says the reason that she and Triple H train at midnight is because it's the only time they really have to train.
- She briefly considered a career as a dance choreographer and a marine biologist.
- She really enjoys helping grow the brand, and says she's wanted to be involved in the WWE her entire life.
- One of her biggest takeaways from the Eisenhower Fellowship is that people are all the same, regardless of country. She says it shouldn't have been that much of a surprise, but it was.
- Stephanie spends her free time with her children and husband doing movie night or game night.
LiveNation posted this video of Triple H accepting the Spirit of Lemmy Award and paying tribute to his friend Lemmy Kilmister at the UK's Download festival this past weekend.
Shine Wrestling announced two updates to their Shine 35 event in Ybor City, FL this Friday night.
Shine is now advertising a triple title match featuring the Shine Champion versus Shimmer Champion versus TNA Knockouts Champion, with the person taking the fall losing their title. It was previously advertised that TNA Knockouts Champion Jade would defend her title if she made it through this week’s TNA Impact Wrestling tapings as champion, but she did lose to new champion Sienna at TNA Slammiversary.
**With TNA taping multiple shows this week it is always possible for Jade (Mia Yim) to regain the Knockouts title, but as of now Shine 35 will feature:
SHINE Champion vs SHIMMER Champion vs TNA Knockouts Champion
– Participant who is pinned/submitted will lose their belt!
“Money In The Bank Match”
Kellie Skater versus Mia Yim versus Santana Garrett versus Nicole Matthews
According to live reports from tonight’s Impact Wrestling TV tapings in Orlando, TNA Knockout Gail Kim was announced as the next inductee into the TNA Hall of Fame.
After gathering the TNA roster at the top of the stage, TNA President Dixie Carter announced Gail Kim would be the 2016 inductee of the TNA Hall of Fame; the induction ceremony will take place during TNA Bound For Glory weekend in October.
Gail Kim has been a five time TNA Knockouts Champion and a TNA Knockouts Tag Team Champion, and she has competed for TNA since 2005. Her first run was from 2005 to 2008, then following a return to WWE she has been back with TNA since 2011.
NXT Women's Champion Asuka was interviewed by Enuhito about her transition to American wrestling. You can see highlights below, or the full interview at this link.
The coaching at the Performance Center:
"Coaches here are teaching me a lot of things I didn't know in Japan. Basics to advance techniques. Some of it is similar to what I was doing in Japan but rhythm or timing is little different in the States, so how I mix Japanese and American techniques to my style is what I need to work on."
Her relationship with other Japanese WWE stars:
"I am in the same promo class with Hideo. We need to do promos in front of other superstars and coaches, but it always turns out to be like a comedy show. Shinsuke took me out to the beach with other superstars. Shinsuke gives me advices after checking my matches."
What she eats in the U.S.:
"Now a day, I only eat Japanese food here! I miss Japanese food! Not so many good Japanese restaurants in Orlando. It's difficult to find authentic Japanese restaurant."
This past Saturday morning TNA’s Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer Dean Broadhead put up a post on his personal Facebook page saying he had to, “secure interim financing,” within a twelve hour window in order for, “production trucks to roll,” for this weekend’s events.
He wrote that between Thursday and Friday of last week he had logged over eighty phone calls on his personal cell phone to different attorneys, vendors, bankers and employees. He, again, noted that he only had a twelve hour timeframe in which to deal with all of these people that were spread out all over the world. He also said, “Maybe it’s time to retire. But maybe not until everything is in it’s right place.”
According to sources that PWInsider spoke with, if Broadhead were to follow through with retiring it would be a major loss for TNA. It’s being said that Broadhead’s financial management is a major reason that the company has been able to exist the way it has for the last few years.
PWInsider notes that Aroluxe had been handling the financial end of TNA’s TV production so it may have been a case of TNA having to reimburse Aroluxe in order to move forward with producing Slammiversary and TV tapings. They also note that over the weekend Billy Corgan came close to or has already come on board as a new minority owner in the company. Corgan’s investment may have helped TNA salvage the weekend.
PWInsider finishes by noting that they are told there are three potential suitors that they could strike a deal with soon.
Monday's WWE RAW, the go-home episode for Sunday's Money In the Bank pay-per-view, drew 2.97 million viewers. This is down 9% from last week's 3.255 million viewers. The show faced stiff competition from Game 5 of the NBA finals.
For this week's show, the first hour drew 3.043 million viewers, the second hour drew 3.109 million viewers and the final hour drew 2.758 million viewers.
RAW was #3 on cable for the night in viewership, behind Rizolli & Isles, Major Crimes and The O'Reilly Factor, and #1 in the 18-49 demographic.
Adam Rose's legal troubles are behind him -- for the time being at least.
TMZ Sports has reported that prosecutors have opted to drop the domestic violence case against the former WWE Superstar. Rose and his wife will be getting professional help in order to help out with their marriage.
Rose was arrested last month when he allegedly grabbed his wife by the face, and pulled the phone away from her as she tried to call 911. Later in court, Rose's wife asked the judge to take it easy on him and that he'd been undergoing counseling.
Unfortunate news hits the wrestling world, as news has emerged that Chris Warren, the lead singer of the "DX Band" has died at age 49.
Few details are known at this time, but Warren passed away on Sunday. A funeral service will be held this weekend.
Warren contributed vocals to several WWE themes, including the iconic D-Generation X "Break it Down" song. Warren also was featured in X-Pac's theme, as well as the intro do the late 1990's edition of WWF Superstars. Triple H's "My Time" was also performed by Warren.
Warren performed at WrestleMania 14, with a controversial rendition of America The Beautiful, in addition to playing Shawn Michaels to the ring for the main event. Warren would go on to lead the band Bro-Kin, and contribute several songs to TNA Wrestling events.
His obituary reads as follows:
Christopher P. Warren of Valley Cottage, NY, passed away suddenly on Sunday, June 12, 2016 at the age 49. Christopher was born in Huntington, Long Island, NY on May 27, 1967 to Christopher J. and Barbara Warren.
He was employed by Local 638 NYC as a Steam Fitter for many years. Music was his passion. He was very artistic and was a singer for the band Bro-kin.
Christopher is survived by his mother, Barbara Spector, his three brothers, Steven (Lena) Spector, Andrew (Jill) Spector and Danny (Margit) Spector and his sister, Laura Spector. He is also survived by many nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.
"Christopher was very well liked and will be greatly missed by all that knew him".
He was predeceased by his father, Christopher J. Warren and step father, Paul Spector.
Visiting hours will be Friday, June 17 from 2 to 4 pm & 6 to 9 pm at the Joseph W. Sorce F.H. Inc.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 am on Saturday, June 18 in St. Ann's Church, 16 Jefferson Ave., Nyack, NY. Burial will be in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Hawthorne, NY.
Joseph W. Sorce F. H. Inc.
As seen below, WWE has announced all 32 competitors for The Cruiserweight Classic that starts taping from Full Sail University later this month on June 23rd:
* Kota Ibushi
* Tajiri
* Gran Metalik
* Zack Sabre Jr.
* Noam Dar
* Da Mack
* Zumbi
* Clement Petiot
* Harv Sihra
* Gurv Sihra
* Fabian Aichner
* Brian Kendrick
* Rich Swann
* Cedric Alexander
* Akira Tozawa
* Jack Gallagher
* Tony Nese
* Johnny Gargano
* Tommaso Ciampa
* Ho Ho Lun
* TJ Perkins
* Drew Gulak
* Anthony Bennett
* Tyson Dux
* Lince Dorado
* Sean Malura
* Raul Mendoza
* Kenneth Johnson
* Alejandro Saez
* Damien Slater
* Ariya Daivari
* Jason Lee
Smashing Pumpkins frontman and TNA's Senior Producer of Creative & Talent Development Billy Corgan is set to be TNA's new minority owner.
Corgan started working with TNA in April 2015 but is now moving into a new role after purchasing a minority stake in the company. PWInsider notes that some sources say the deal is done while another says it's moving in that direction but not 100% complete.
Dixie Carter will retain majority ownership, something that she did not want to budge on during negotiations.
The night his professional wrestling career went bad, Chris Nowinski took a brain-rattling kick to his chin from a 325-pound brawler. Pain seized him, and his world turned gauzy.
Nowinski performed many nights after his 2003 concussion, absorbing a rat-a-tat of blows to his skull for the entertainment of millions.
Before he launched his pioneering career procuring the brains of dead athletes for medical research, Nowinski suffered the kind of debilitating head injuries that damaged countless other professional wrestlers and helped inspire him to expose the hidden perils of the body-slamming entertainment and sports industries.
Nowinski, a former Harvard football player whose star turn in the World Wrestling Entertainment arena was cut short by his brain injuries, is nine years into a campaign to try to solve the concussion crisis in sports, entertainment, and the armed forces — an effort he dedicated in part to former WWE colleagues such as Rene Goguen, who performed as Rene Dupree.
But Goguen and other professional wrestlers said in interviews that they believe Nowinski has sold them short because his Waltham-based Concussion Legacy Foundation has forged a financial bond with WWE, a billion-dollar corporation that has fought concussion-related lawsuits from its former performers.
Since 2013, WWE has agreed to donate $2.7 million to the foundation, making it the largest benefactor the nonprofit has publicly acknowledged. During that period, Nowinski and his foundation staff have reached out to the families of 12 deceased athletes to acquire their brains for researchers to study for links between repetitive head blows and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, a degenerative brain disease that has been diagnosed in hundreds of sports and military veterans, many of whom have committed suicide or succumbed to drug overdoses.
But none of those brains belonged to a professional wrestler, despite nearly 100 of them dying since the WWE’s initial gift to Nowinski’s foundation. Many of those wrestlers died before the age of 50, including some of Nowinski’s fellow performers.
The curiosity that has always been Brock Lesnar's MMA career took another turn on Monday morning when it was announced that Mark Hunt, perhaps the hardest puncher in the UFC, would be his opponent at UFC 200.
The announcement and Lesnar's claim he's coming back due to being unsatisfied with how he was robbed of the prime of his career by diverticulitis came at a convenient time - right before UFC 200, and after Conor McGregor was pulled from the show. UFC 200 was going to do well with a Daniel Cormier vs. Jon Jones light heavyweight title fight, but it may not have challenged the all-time records.
Lesnar claimed the conversations for his return went back three months, saying he made the first call to Dana White long before the UFC pulled the McGregor vs. Nate Diaz fight from the show.
It's a unique situation because it's the first time Vince McMahon, the billionaire owner of the WWE, has ever put one of his top attractions in a situation totally out of his control. Lesnar, who works a part-time schedule for WWE, mostly big events and does regular television appearances building those events, is next scheduled for SummerSlam, on Aug. 21 at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn. A UFC win by Lesnar would absolutely strengthen his image and name value to WWE with the eyes that are on UFC 200.
But what about a loss? And there are different types of losses. The intrigue with Hunt, is that he may not be the best fighter in the heavyweight division, but he also may have the highest chance of delivering the worst kind of loss, the walk-off knockout that is his specialty.
From a pro wrestling standpoint, the worst kind of loss opens up unanswered questions. This is uncharted water. Nothing like this has happened in modern American pro wrestling or MMA so there's no precedent as to how the worst kind of loss would resonate to the pro wrestling audience.
You can officially add Tony Nese to the list of wrestlers qualified for the WWE Cruiserweight Classic.
After making his case at Friday’s Evolve 62 event, Nese was added to an elimination match at Saturday’s Evolve 63 featuring TJP, Lince Dorado, Drew Gulak and Johnny Gargano – the other members of the Evolve roster qualified for the upcoming WWE tournament – with the stipulation that if Nese won the match, he would earn his spot.
Nese has been wrestling for nearly 11 years, with stints in TNA and championships in Dragon Gate USA, FWE and PWS. He will join Rich Swann, Tomasso Ciampa, Johnny Gargano, Zack Sabre Jr., Noam Dar, Ho Ho Lun, Akira Towaza, Lince Dorado, Jack Gallagher, TJ Perkins and many, many names still unnanounced when the WWE Cruiserweight Classic kicks off on June 23rd.
