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Post by randomone on Mar 31, 2015 19:50:59 GMT -6
It's one of those things where he wasn't going to go any further than he was with that gimmick. I was entertained by it actually, but he was essentially used as an enhancement talent who had a gimmick.
Good terms, he could come back eventually, repackaged & potentially do something.
Breaking Kevin Owens' nose with the palm strike of the year was his most memorable moment with that gimmick.
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Post by November KS on Apr 1, 2015 11:16:37 GMT -6
The WWE Hall of Fame show was not received well by WWE Management. While many viewers enjoyed the show, WWE Management felt the show ran far too long and that it wasn’t exciting enough.
– Due to the show running long, it was requested that Kevin Nash, Shawn Michaels and Ric Flair shorten their speeches.
– WWE pushed hard to have Kevin Nash go into the WWE Hall of Fame as Diesel but Nash fought that. Nash wanted to go in under his real name, partly because the narrative (even from WWE) was that Diesel was one of the worst drawing WWF champions.
– Several executives, including Vince McMahon, were not happy about the talk that Kevin Nash changed the business with the guaranteed contracts. This was because the feeling at the time was that WCW was trying to put WWF out of business, and Vince McMahon took that personally.
– The company wasn’t happy with Shawn Michaels’ speech during the ceremony. Michaels did actually tear up his prepared speech and spoke from the heart when inducting Nash. Management was reportedly not happy that he used the words “strap” and “wrestler,” and was also upset (as mentioned) over his comments that Nash changed the business with the guaranteed contracts
– The company loved The Bushwhackers speech. The feeling was that it was the perfect mix of their “on camera” characters and telling old stories.
Credit: Pwinsider.com
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Post by November KS on Apr 2, 2015 10:37:29 GMT -6
- Former WCW, WWE and TNA star Scott Steiner was reportedly banned from the WWE Hall of Fame ceremony on Saturday night. According to reports, Steiner was in an altercation with Hulk Hogan’s wife Jennifer on an airplane that was described as “an ugly incident”. WWE posed security guards at all entrances on Saturday and were specifically told not to allow Steiner in. The following has also made it onto Twitter, showing that photos of Steiner were posted around the venue so security would recognize him.  |
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Post by Positivity Peeps on Apr 2, 2015 11:14:18 GMT -6
The big WWE NXT live event in San Jose this past weekend was a major success, both in terms of crowd reaction and the financials. While early figures put ticket sales in the ballpark of 4,000 sold, and some predicting they could do as many as 4,500 the actually attendance was closer to 4,7000, a legitimate sell-out for the San Jose State events center.
The show grossed over $200,000 in ticket sales alone, and that’s for an NXT event that wasn’t advertised as anything more than a WrestleMania weekend house show, with zero matches announced beforehand.
As we noted, Vince McMahon was backstage watching the show, which was the first time he had ever been to a live NXT event. According to F4WOnline.com, while he loved the electric crowd and how well they reacted to literally everything on the three hour card, he wasn’t happy with some of the anti-WWE chants including “better than RAW” and “better than WrestleMania”. On a positive note, he did give the go-ahead to extend the show to 1:03am after they were told that because of union costs they had to be done before midnight.
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Post by November KS on Apr 2, 2015 12:08:59 GMT -6
Sheamus Accused of Working Reckless Against Daniel Bryan During WWE SmackDown Match
Posted By: Ben Kerin on Apr 02, 2015
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
WWE Superstar Sheamus who made his return on Monday's Raw with a new look is reported to already have heat on him following his in-ring return match against WWE Intercontinental Champion Daniel Bryan which took place during Tuesday's television tapings.
Sheamus is accused of working reckless against Bryan and not providing him with enough protection during several spots in the match.
Bryan was busted open during the match and required 7 stitches to close a cut on his forehead, although some reports note that the cut was caused by Barrett.
The match will air on tonight's WWE SmackDown broadcast.
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Post by Positivity Peeps on Apr 2, 2015 16:03:23 GMT -6
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Apr 2, 2015 18:26:21 GMT -6
It is. I've always had somewhat of a gross feeling seeing all of this Connor stuff the last year because it always seemed a bit too self serving for me. Reading this reinforced my thoughts. What really matters though is in the end, Connor got a great experience - regardless of the motives at hand. |
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Post by November KS on Apr 2, 2015 20:14:19 GMT -6
Epsilon @wwebige · 36m 36 minutes ago
The New Day eagerly awaits the next segment from the wig-wearing Jigaboo Johnson. Or any other "tasteful" Tyler Perry knockoff. #SmackDown
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Post by Danny Busch on Apr 2, 2015 20:22:58 GMT -6
What???
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Post by Positivity Peeps on Apr 2, 2015 20:23:20 GMT -6
It is. I've always had somewhat of a gross feeling seeing all of this Connor stuff the last year because it always seemed a bit too self serving for me. Reading this reinforced my thoughts. What really matters though is in the end, Connor got a great experience - regardless of the motives at hand. Exactly. Something good has come from it. |
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Post by Positivity Peeps on Apr 2, 2015 20:24:26 GMT -6
Epsilon @wwebige · 36m 36 minutes ago The New Day eagerly awaits the next segment from the wig-wearing Jigaboo Johnson. Or any other "tasteful" Tyler Perry knockoff. #SmackDown Was there a Titus O'Neil segment on Smackdown? |
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Post by November KS on Apr 2, 2015 20:33:07 GMT -6
I have no idea. Just thinking that "Jigaboo" may not go over very well.
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Post by Danny Busch on Apr 2, 2015 20:34:39 GMT -6
Did WWE use that name? Thats going to go over about as good as Reigns.
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Post by randomone on Apr 2, 2015 23:22:39 GMT -6
I just watched Smackdown, there was a Prime Time Players promo (the kind where they cut to the crowd as its going on the big screen) on New Day saying how they're awful. Titus sprayed himself in the face with water making fun of Big E saying he talks like he has a possum in his throat (burn?). Made fun of Kofi for having a weird chest (double burn?). And Woods for having bad hair.
They said something along the lines of "If your hair is nappy, ain't no one happy."
Then did the NEW DAY chant to the literal sound of crickets (the only funny part of the promo)
Yeah don't like where this is going. Not sure they want to take this route though.
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Post by randomone on Apr 3, 2015 11:59:11 GMT -6
Big E hasn't deleted the tweet yet. Meanwhile Titus, Kofi & Woods are getting some good shots in on each other. Unless New Day turns heel, this Twitter back & forth will be the best part to come out of this little feud.
@truekofi · 3h 3 hours ago
.@titusoneilwwe you remind me of my dog. He likes me a lot too, even if no one understands what he’s saying. He’s also a stupid bastard.
Titus O'Neil @titusoneilwwe · 29m29 minutes ago
@truekofi: You're a College Graduate..Albeit via online courses like @xavierwoodsphd you still should act like one. I didn't start #NewDay
Xavier Woods @xavierwoodsphd · 11m11 minutes ago
.@titusoneilwwe I graduated from Furman University w/ 2 degrees while wrestling & reached my main goal @wwe - How was your NFL run?
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Post by Positivity Peeps on Apr 3, 2015 12:19:15 GMT -6
That was a pretty good shot by Xavier.
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Post by November KS on Apr 3, 2015 14:50:26 GMT -6
– Daniel Bryan spoke with Title Match Wrestling and said he pitched the idea of a WWE vs. NJPW match between him and Shinsuke Nakamura for WWE’s upcoming tour of Japan. He said that he doesn’t think anyone in WWE bought the idea. Shinsuke Nakamura ✔ @shinsuken @wwedanielbryan anytime,anywhere I say " #YES "  11:10 AM - 3 Apr 2015 |
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Post by Positivity Peeps on Apr 3, 2015 15:42:12 GMT -6
WWE Responds: “It is offensive to suggest that WWE and its executives had anything but altruistic intentions in honoring Connor and his legacy with The Warrior Award. In conjunction with Connor’s father, Connor’s Cure was established by Stephanie McMahon and Paul Levesque to raise awareness and funds for pediatric cancer, and to honor a boy that so many people within the WWE family came to love. The fund is managed by the Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation and has already raised more than $200,000 for pediatric cancer research. In addition, following the Ultimate Warrior’s impassioned Hall of Fame speech last year encouraging WWE to recognize its unsung heroes, the Warrior Award was established in his memory to honor those who exhibit unwavering strength and perseverance, and who live life with the courage and compassion that embodies the indomitable spirit of the Ultimate Warrior. With the full support and input of Ultimate Warrior’s widow, Dana Warrior, Connor Michalek was the first recipient of the Warrior Award, and moving forward the award will be given annually to acknowledge other unsung heroes among WWE’s employees and fans. WWE is proud to use our global platforms to raise awareness for important social causes, including Connor’s Cure as well as our longstanding partnership with Make A Wish, our on-going partnership with Susan G. Komen, which has resulted in more than $1.5 million in funds raised, and our international partnership with Special Olympics.” |
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Post by November KS on Apr 3, 2015 15:52:48 GMT -6
I'm hearing that AJ Lee has retired.
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Post by Positivity Peeps on Apr 3, 2015 15:54:52 GMT -6
WWE ✔ @wwe
Follow
BREAKING: AJ Lee (April Mendez) has decided to retire from in-ring competition with WWE. We wish AJ the very best.
4:32 PM - 3 Apr 2015
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Post by November KS on Apr 3, 2015 15:56:40 GMT -6
Not surprising in the least.
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Post by Positivity Peeps on Apr 3, 2015 15:57:33 GMT -6
Nope.
I was stunned she came back again for Mania.
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Optimisn
Moderator
The Voice of Reason
Posts: 33,710 
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Post by Optimisn on Apr 3, 2015 16:27:42 GMT -6
Divorced within the year.
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Post by randomone on Apr 3, 2015 16:49:07 GMT -6
I'm not surprised. I don't like the whole Twitter rant she did about #GiveDivasAChance like a month ago, only to essentially get a Mania payday (smart though) and bail. Granted there was nothing really left for her to do anyway. Still kinda shitty.
Assume she'll do things in comics maybe? No clue.
Charlotte gets called up soon to fill the void I'm guessing.
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Post by randomone on Apr 3, 2015 17:01:20 GMT -6
Thinking about it more, I'm surprised she didn't do it sooner considering the position she's in with Punk. Have to think if she wasn't married to him she'd still be wrestling.
So I guess I understand her sticking around for one final Mania payday & bailing. I am kinda disappointed that they could've used another Diva in that match to build off of instead of AJ.
That would mean WWE would be looking forward to the future involving their Divas division. Something they haven't done in 5-10 years
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Optimisn
Moderator
The Voice of Reason
Posts: 33,710
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Post by Optimisn on Apr 3, 2015 21:32:18 GMT -6
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Post by cij79 on Apr 4, 2015 12:32:29 GMT -6
You can't really shit on the E for the way they treat their Divas really. Look at the women that they've pushed to the moon and just bail on the company. Sable got the rub after she was just a nobody and she split
same with Stacy Keibler
Torrie Wilson
Eve
Lita
now AJ.
These chicks all maxed out with what a 5 year run tops. AJ basically had her biggest push when she was a whore bouncing around from Kane to Cena to Punk to Daniel Bryan to Ziggler.
Gone no big deal
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Post by November KS on Apr 5, 2015 11:07:56 GMT -6
- It is being reported that Vince McMahon was legitimately furious with Byron Saxton’s commentary work on Monday’s Raw. When Saxton returned backstage following Raw, McMahon reportedly ignored him. Michael Cole worked the gorilla position and tried to coach Saxton through the show, but there is no heat on Cole for Saxton’s performance. Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn reportedly feel Saxton was given a major opportunity, but that he did not “grab the brass ring.”
While McMahon and Dunn were not impressed with Saxton’s performance, they are said to be very high on Renee Young. WWE wants to keep her doing backstage interviews for now, but the feeling is that she could be brought up to the Raw announce team at some point.
Credit: MetsFan4Ever via wrestlezone.com
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Post by November KS on Apr 5, 2015 22:10:31 GMT -6
BY RICHARD DEITSCH Posted: Sun Apr. 5, 2015 It was the announcement heard round the WWE universe. On March 24, after months of speculation, former UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar announced that he had ruled out a return to mixed martial arts and would instead re-sign a three-year deal with the WWE. But what might have been the most interesting thing was the venue Lesnar announced the decision: SportsCenter, the flagship news program for ESPN. That did not happen by accident. The WWE worked with Lesnar’s management team (who worked with ESPN) on the reveal. The talent interviewing Lesnar were also pro wrestling supporters: ESPN’s Michele Beadle, an unabashed wrestling fanatic who has long supported WWE stars appearing on her vehicles, conducted the interview where Lesnar announced his decision. Wrestling Inc. had a good piece on how much Beadle knew about the announcement prior to Lesnar making it official. Lesnar was later questioned by ESPN’s Jonathan Coachman, a former broadcaster for the WWE. Getting such a powerful entity to push its news could not have gone better for McMahon Land. Of course even back when it was the WWF, the WWE has long attempted to court the mainstream sports media. But the buildup to WrestleMania 31 appeared – at least anecdotally -- to have more mainstream outlets (including this column) discussing the WWE than we’ve seen in some time. (Writer Ty Duffy amusingly compared the in-house WWE Network to the in-house NFL Network). How would the WWE define its efforts this year to place and push its talent toward mainstream sports media? “Mainstream media outreach and the ensuing coverage is an ongoing part of business for WWE, including coverage from sports and entertainment media.” said Brian Flynn, a senior vice president of Marketing & Communications for the company, in an email. Flynn cited the first WrestleMania at Madison Square Garden in 1985 when wrestling (Andre The Giant, Hulk Hogan, Paul Orndorff and Roddy Piper) collided with Hollywood (Liberace and Mr. T), music (Cyndi Lauper) and mainstream sports (Muhammad Ali and Billy Martin) to create significant mainstream coverage. “Since then, WWE's iconic superstars such as The Rock, Stone Cold Steve Austin, Triple H and John Cena among many others have continued to draw the attention of mainstream media, including sports,” Flynn said. “WWE has also continued the tradition of connecting athletes and other celebrities, including Lawrence Taylor, Mike Tyson, Floyd Mayweather, Donald Trump, Hugh Jackman, Shaquille O'Neal, Kim Kardashian, LeBron James, The Muppets and Jon Stewart to our events in order to draw additional attention from all types of mainstream media.” I was curious about whether there was a point person at ESPN who pushed (or had been pushing) for the intersection between the company and professional wrestling. Along with Lesnar’s SportsCenter announcement, there was an appearance by the WWE mic-speaking maestro Paul Heyman on SportsNation, NFL analyst Jon Gruden predicting on WWE.com who would win the Andre The Giant Memorial Battle Royale, a SportsCenter feature on previous WrestleManias as well as a SportsCenter report on Seth Rollins winning the WWE’s heavyweight title from Lesnar (in heel-like fashion). The SportsCenter Twitter and Facebook account -- with millions of followers -- also sent out live WrestleMania results. What else? The week prior to WrestleMania 31, Bill Simmons (whose Grantland site writes regularly about wrestling) served as a guest announcer on USA Network’s RAW for a match. Even CBS Sports got into act on Saturday when it ran a graphic featuring analyst Charles Barkley’s favorite wrestlers of all time. Fox Sports personalities pushed out content and there were a ton of media people who tweeted wrestling information during the lead-up to WrestleMania 31 as well as during the actual event. ESPN's E:60 show will have an hourlong behind-the-scenes look at WWE NXT, premiering May 5 on ESPN. It's a show ESPN producer Ben Houser has worked two years on. When I contacted ESPN management this week regarding professional wrestling appearing more frequently on its mediums, ESPN spokesperson Josh Krulewitz said the increase was not the result of one person’s initiative. (Bummer, because I would have given that person King Kong Bundy-sized praise in this space.) Krulewitz said it was mostly a series of independent one-offs, helped by in-house connections. For instance, the Gruden WWE piece was suggested by a former Monday Night football production staffer who now works in production for WWE. “While there were examples related to WrestleMania across different ESPN shows, it was more a series of one-off opportunities, each with individual circumstances, and not necessarily a larger concerted effort,” said the ESPN spokesperson. “With that said, we had athletes we’ve covered regularly (Ronda Rousey, Lesnar), along with the news value of the Lesnar announcement, and entertaining video that sports fans were talking about and connect with our shows’ audiences.” What the ESPN spokesperson did not say was that collectively, this was a very smart business play for ESPN -- and one I’d recommend other sports outlets of all mediums follow more regularly. But let’s get it out of the way: No, the WWE is not a sport. There are terrific athletes and entertainers working there but this is sports entertainment with outcomes pre-determined. No one would suggest that ESPN or CBS Sports Network cover the WWE like the NFL or MLB. Yes, I recognize there are plenty of smart people who think pro wrestling is ridiculous. No, I don’t believe the debates on ESPN2’s talk shows are legit all the time, either. But outlets (and I include SI here) would be wise to cater to WWE fans when appropriate given its demos. The RAW episode that aired following WrestleMania drew 5.4 million total viewers including 2.4 million adults 18-49 and 2.4 million adults 25-54. (The average SportsCenter gets under a million.) The WWE audience is also very active on social media. Website editors and writers will tell you that wrestling content on sports sites draw a ton of page views. The interest exists. Using ESPN as an example, the network often brings in entertainers and musicians to do its circuit of radio shows and debate TV. They’ve even given some actors (Ken Jeong) an actual gig on SportsCenter. How great would it be to see Heyman do a regular spot on ESPN Radio’s Mike and Mike? (You know Mike Greenberg would call him “The Great Paul Heyman”) or Daniel Bryan doing a regular gig for Fox Sports Live (which would be a lot more entertaining than some of the athletes there). As someone who enjoys the WWE, I hope this intersection grows. As someone who writes about sports media, I think the mainstream outlets that push this connection are going to get rewarded. www.si.com/more-sports/2015/04/05/media-circus-wwe-ufc-brock-lesnar-espn-sportscenter?page=2&devicetype=default |
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Post by November KS on Apr 5, 2015 22:12:00 GMT -6
^^ Paul Heyman @heymanhustle 2m2 minutes ago ^^
An absolutely superb story by @richarddeitsch on @wwe and @espn. Unbiased, well-researched, accurate. My compliments
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