"100,001" Replies (Wrestling Forum)

[GD]

If it weren't for the brand split, guys like John Cena, Mr. Kennedy, MVP, Kofi Kingston, CM Punk, Eddie Guerrero, Chris Benoit etc. would've never attained the amount of success that they did.

[Evil Vito]

I think a brand split with the champions all being cross-branded could work just fine in theory but I doubt WWE would execute it properly. I'm imagining Reigns mostly working on Raw, feuding with say Chris Jericho. Then that feud ends and he happens to start something on SmackDown and then starts showing up there more frequently. And when Reigns isn't on Raw, they make the IC Title feud going on a focal part of that show along with focusing on non-belt related feuds.

That's actually how they ran it during the early days of the brand extension, in fact they outright said back then that Raw and SmackDown would alternate #1 contenders so it made sense that the floating champion didn't always have to be on both shows even though he technically could.

But again I have my doubts that WWE would do that. Raw would need a larger roster with the extra hour to fill and I'd bet Vince is just of the mindset that the World champion always needs to be on Raw. So that would mean re-splitting the belts which is an idea I just can't support now.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm thinking about starting a hypothetical brand split thread. How we would go about splitting titles, one World Champ or two, whether the ladies and tag teams are spread out or together, where does Ambrose go, etc. I think they should do it, and I think I have an idea of how. I think it helps fix a lot of depth problems, actually, despite conventional wisdom probably being to the contrary. I think it spurns on proper usage of some good workers who currently are kind of flopping or at least takes the pressure off them to compete in the same sphere, and compete more parallelly...if that's a word (Sheamus, Rusev, Del Rio, The Colons, The Dudleyz, The Usos, Bulletproof, The Vaudevillains, Cody Rhodes, Kalisto, etc.).

[slik]

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; ██████████relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BD3tHnks5he/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Extremely rare apperance by Mohammad Hassan with me at Wrestlecon this past weekend. Thank you @wrightwayphotography for the pic.</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Daivari (@sdaivari) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-04-06T19:22:55+00:00">Apr 6, 2016 at 12:22pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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[Mr. Nerfect]

I think a brand split with the champions all being cross-branded could work just fine in theory but I doubt WWE would execute it properly. I'm imagining Reigns mostly working on Raw, feuding with say Chris Jericho. Then that feud ends and he happens to start something on SmackDown and then starts showing up there more frequently. And when Reigns isn't on Raw, they make the IC Title feud going on a focal part of that show along with focusing on non-belt related feuds.

That's actually how they ran it during the early days of the brand extension, in fact they outright said back then that Raw and SmackDown would alternate #1 contenders so it made sense that the floating champion didn't always have to be on both shows even though he technically could.

But again I have my doubts that WWE would do that. Raw would need a larger roster with the extra hour to fill and I'd bet Vince is just of the mindset that the World champion always needs to be on Raw. So that would mean re-splitting the belts which is an idea I just can't support now.

That's my thing. I totally get the idea of one World Champion, I do. The thing is, if you want them to be separate entities -- completely separate entities -- why would they recognise another's World Champion? And if you have them write separately to create the idea of competition, then how do you go about rostering champions?

You could do something where one month RAW gets the World Champ and SmackDown gets the Women's Champ -- an attempt to make them equal -- but you box yourself into month-long programs. Having two "World" Champs creates a dynamic where each show has a top guy that gets to carry house shows and such, but isn't pressured with carrying the whole company. And that worked fine until they decided to have two World Champs on one show. That's when that shit became too much.

Having two separate shows where the idea is to get hot over the other brings everybody up, and I do think that requires complete isolation. You have your guys and gals, and we have ours. May the hottest program headline. RAW can focus on the RAW stars and champs, and SmackDown can focus on SmackDown. Plus, you can then go back to having Money in the Bank feature two Ladder Matches, which means that you don't get 8 guys that are too big for it in one match. The Rumble gets some mystique back as guys that don't usually fight end up fighting. King of the Ring can not feel not like it's excluding a whole bunch of guys that should be in it, etc.

[slik]

"I got a tweet for all you fat, basement-dwelling neckbeard slobs." - How I imagine Rick Rude in 2016.

[Rammsteinmad]

What the fuck Hassan seems to be getting younger!

[GD]

<blockquote class="instagram-media" data-instgrm-captioned data-instgrm-version="6" style=" background:#FFF; border:0; border-radius:3px; box-shadow:0 0 1px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.5),0 1px 10px 0 rgba(0,0,0,0.15); margin: 1px; max-width:658px; padding:0; width:99.375%; width:-webkit-calc(100% - 2px); width:calc(100% - 2px);"><div style="padding:8px;"> <div style=" background:#F8F8F8; line-height:0; margin-top:40px; padding:50.0% 0; text-align:center; width:100%;"> <div style=" background:url(data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACwAAAAsCAMAAAApWqozAAAAGFBMVEUiIiI9PT0eHh4gIB4hIBkcHBwcHBwcHBydr +JQAAAACHRSTlMABA4YHyQsM5jtaMwAAADfSURBVDjL7ZVBEgMhCAQBAf//42xcNbpAqakcM0ftUmFAAIBE81IqBJdS3lS6zs3bIpB9WED3YYXFPmHRfT8sgyrCP1x8uEUxLMzNWElFOYCV6mHWWwMzdPEKHlhL w7NWJqkHc4uIZphavDzA2JPzUDsBZziNae2S6owH8xPmX8G7zzgKEOPUoYHvGz1TBCxMkd3kwNVbU0gKHkx+iZILf77IofhrY1nY FnB/lQPb79drWOyJVa/DAvg9B/rLB4cC+Nqgdz/TvBbBnr6GBReqn/nRmDgaQEej7WhonozjF+Y2I/fZou/qAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC); display:block; height:44px; margin:0 auto -44px; ██████████relative; top:-22px; width:44px;"></div></div> <p style=" margin:8px 0 0 0; padding:0 4px;"> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BD3tHnks5he/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Extremely rare apperance by Mohammad Hassan with me at Wrestlecon this past weekend. Thank you @wrightwayphotography for the pic.</a></p> <p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A photo posted by Daivari (@sdaivari) on <time style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;" datetime="2016-04-06T19:22:55+00:00">Apr 6, 2016 at 12:22pm PDT</time></p></div></blockquote>
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http://waitingforhassan.ytmnd.com

#HassanManiaIsRunningWild

http://hassanator.ytmnd.com

[Evil Vito]

I respect the shit out of Hassan for how he handled his post-WWE life. I mean he was pretty much the biggest heel and the company and then had to be written off through no fault of his own. And rather than try to repackage himself, he just went out on a high note because he knew he'd never be able to get something as over as what he already had.

[slik]

Don't you dare be sour...


- WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day were the #1 merchandise movers during WrestleMania 32 Week. - wrestlinginc.com



<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Less than a year ago, we had to damn near beg for a single item on shop. This Wrestlemania week, The New Day was #1 in Merch sales.</p>&mdash; ShinigamE (@WWEBigE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEBigE/status/721864410025836545">April 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Thanks to everyone who decides to wear a phallus on their head, buy a box of fictional cereal, and wants wrestling to be fun.</p>&mdash; ShinigamE (@WWEBigE) <a href="https://twitter.com/WWEBigE/status/721865671433457665">April 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
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[GD]

lol phallus

[Simple Fan]

The thing about a brand split is Raw is always going to be superior. If they made Smackdown a lower level brand like a step above NXT I think it could work. Don't think it needs,a world title either. Maybe even brand it something else besides WWE Smackdown. Maybe bring back the WCW name and run it as a separate brand along with WWE and NXT. Or make Smackdown live 3 hour show.

[slik]

On Facebook r/n WWE is promoting that Roman Reigns is walking the red carpet for RAW.

Red Carpet lol so dumb.

[Fignuts]

The thing about a brand split is Raw is always going to be superior. If they made Smackdown a lower level brand like a step above NXT I think it could work. Don't think it needs,a world title either. Maybe even brand it something else besides WWE Smackdown. Maybe bring back the WCW name and run it as a separate brand along with WWE and NXT. Or make Smackdown live 3 hour show.

It doesn't have to be. During the early days of the brand split, Smackdown was argueably the superior brand. Over the years, for whatever reason, they just stopped trying, and smackdown became a secondary show.

[GD]

There was a period during the late '00s when Smackdown became the elite show again. It was clearly better than Monday Night RAW at the time.

[Poit]

Still a fucking idiot for doing that running knee in the corner in fucking Chicago and the nap-time pose. Way to get people to shit all over your rebuilding phase, bro.

Of everything Ryback has done in the past couple months, that was my favorite.

[Emperor Smeat]

https://49.media.tumblr.com/282f3e0d18ad80ad71dd2d64eaf9aa8e/tumblr_o4m9n7mx3J1sodzggo1_500.gif

[Simple Fan]

Of everything Ryback has done in the past couple months, that was my favorite.

Same here.

[drave]

https://49.media.tumblr.com/282f3e0d18ad80ad71dd2d64eaf9aa8e/tumblr_o4m9n7mx3J1sodzggo1_500.gif


The masked dude (I don't watch, sorry) has shown up in NXT with a buddy.

[Emperor Smeat]

TNA might be screwed beyond repair if the rumors of who the new investors are ends up being true.

TNA's supposed to make an official announcement very soon and according to F4W/Observer, the Harris Brothers and their company is likely the investors picked. TNA had two options with both wanting control of the company but the Harris Bros company already had experience running TNA last year.

What might have swayed the decision to go with the Harris Bros is Dixie likely keeping some control of the company which the other investors might not have wanted (and everyone else in the past who was interested).

Ron & Don Harris, twin brothers and retired wrestlers who've worked for ECW and several other companies as the Bruise Brothers and WWE as the Blu Brothers and Grimm Twins, currently are officers of Nashville-based Aroluxe. That marketing company likely fronted the money for both the last and next Impact tapings in Orlando, and it's believed they or a company they own are the third-party firm which took over production last year when TNA had issues paying their staff and crew.

The hold-up reportedly remains Dixie Carter's insistence in retaining a 51% share of the company. But without any backing from Panda Energy and little upfront money in their contract with POP TV, it's said debts are mounting and Carter will have to do whatever is necessary to secure more financing.

That includes selling control of the company to Aroluxe. More news, one way or the other, is expected in the next couple of days.
http://www.cagesideseats.com/tna-impact/2016/4/18/11453690/ron-don-harris-are-reportedly-tnas-investors-and-potential-buyers

For some reference, last time the Harris Bros were brought in, they ended up not caring about how late paychecks were and their idea of solving any potential issue was to threaten people with firings.

A seemingly good week wasn't all sunshine and rainbows for TNA Wrestling apparently, as The Sporting News is reporting that the company is behind on production payments yet again.

During a production meeting on Thurdsay, Ron and Don Harris passed down information that checks for the company's May tapings wouldn't be out until at least July 25. The Harris Twins recently returned to the company and were put in charge of the TNA production team.

The Sporting News says that The Harris Twins said "If you're not happy, just shake our hands and walk away." After a period without payment last year, several production team members refused to work until they were paid.

"I don't blame (the Harris Twins). They're back after 10 years and don't know what's going on," one long-time production employee told the site. Another said "It's the same old TNA bullsh-t."

The standard in the industry is to pay freelance production workers within 30 days of service. This is at least the third time in the past year it's happened with TNA.

[drave]

Hopefully the talent involved there can find a respectable wrasslin job elsewhere. But it is time to let it go.

[Emperor Smeat]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A wrestling team called The New Day are guest editing The New Day newspaper and being fed grapes by the staff. <a href="https://t.co/tbg0FLfoQ7">https://t.co/tbg0FLfoQ7</a></p>&mdash; Jim Waterson (@jimwaterson) <a href="https://twitter.com/jimwaterson/status/721988899623542785">April 18, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Fignuts]

lol so tna is now being run by a couple of legit racist nazis. Great.

[Fignuts]

But at this point, I fully believe that a ressuected hitler could take control of the company, and make a roster consisting only of aryan midgets, and they would still hang on.

[Fignuts]

The nuclear holocaust could finally take place, destroying all life as we know it, and tna would still be running shows in some irradiated desert somewhere.

[Seth82]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">&quot;Let's make Nakamura look like he's suckin' a dong through a glory hole.&quot;<br>&quot;Hell of an idea man&quot; - Real conversation <a href="https://t.co/ifolg8x7Zb">pic.twitter.com/ifolg8x7Zb</a></p>&mdash; Chuck Taylor (@SexyChuckieT) <a href="https://twitter.com/SexyChuckieT/status/722213901362937857">April 19, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Volare]

ctfu!!!!!!!!!!

[Jordan]

lol hot

[Mr. Nerfect]

The Harris Brothers buying TNA? Fuck.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

The masked dude (I don't watch, sorry) has shown up in NXT with a buddy.

Aw, really? He's fantastic, but he's 5'10" so I can't see him doing great there.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Speaking of guys taking shit gimmicks and making them gold: How about Paul Burchill as the pirate? He owned that shit. If they had brought up Katie Lea to be his wench, it would have been US Title level.

I don't know that that would've worked, honestly. I think Vince got a glimpse of him with the gimmick and ended it because he had no idea what "Pirates of the Caribbean" was.

[DAMN iNATOR]

Wow @ TNA article. If these guys were opening the company up to untold numbers of wrongful termination lawsuits by threatening to fire people who only wanted the money they were owed last time something like this happened and it starts happening again, they may as well just #ShutItDown right now.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't know that that would've worked, honestly. I think Vince got a glimpse of him with the gimmick and ended it because he had no idea what "Pirates of the Caribbean" was.

It was pulled entirely when Vince worked out what POTC was. He was en route before then.

[erickman]

The Harris Brothers buying TNA? Fuck.

where did they get money, i would rather have matt and jeff hardy buy the company

[Jordan]

TNA is so tarnished. It's unfuckingreal how they are even "alive" today. I just want this nightmare to end.

[Evil Vito]

Yeah that TNA are at nearly 14 full years of existence is astonishing to me. They've been around longer than fucking WCW.

[Jordan]

Goddamn that is just not right.

[Simple Fan]

From what I've read the company the Harris Bros work for Aroluxe has an opportunity take over control of TNA if TNA doesn't make a payment that they agreed to. At that point Aroluxe would probably sale the company to make up for the missed payment. So Aroluxe is not really an investor they are just footing the bill for Impact and expecting to be paid later.

[Black Widow]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cgaa2nzVAAAN8tD.jpg:large

Ha!

[DAMN iNATOR]

It was pulled entirely when Vince worked out what POTC was. He was en route before then.

I know. Vince is like that one person's dad whom is well-intentioned, but despite that, manages to ruin fucking everything.

[Evil Vito]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q6TkJ2OgLs0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Uhhh..........has Shane McMahon ended the PG era?

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I don't think it counts if its animals. Discovery Channel shows are PG arent they?

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

It was pulled entirely when Vince worked out what POTC was. He was en route before then.

Right. He had no idea that it was the biggest thing the box office at the time along with getting all the Academy Award nominations.

"What?! People can't actually like this! Shut it down!"

[erickman]

From what I've read the company the Harris Bros work for Aroluxe has an opportunity take over control of TNA if TNA doesn't make a payment that they agreed to. At that point Aroluxe would probably sale the company to make up for the missed payment. So Aroluxe is not really an investor they are just footing the bill for Impact and expecting to be paid later.

too bad wwe already had the repo man, that would be cool as hell tv the harris bros repo men kicking Dixie out of the company to prepare for the new kafab owner

[Droford]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q6TkJ2OgLs0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Uhhh..........has Shane McMahon ended the PG era?

Says PG right up in the corner

[Emperor Smeat]

http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/gallery_img_l/public/2016/04/156_RAW_04182016jg_1246--8c1292ffc4b04fd8c772d0b8782dac6f.jpg

[Emperor Smeat]

Dirtsheets sponsored by Random Finn Balor gif:
https://49.media.tumblr.com/ba711dc1eab24738808c8e393944344c/tumblr_o547zwV1nC1v7sduio1_500.gif

Wyoming: Parts Unknown

Across 50 nifty United States — from 13 original colonies — only one state can claim all of WWE’s strangest Superstars, from The Ultimate Warrior to Demolition. With no competitor hailing from Wyoming, it’s clear the Cowboy State is home to Parts Unknown.
Part of a recent WWE article on which wrestler was the best or most well known from each state in the US. www.wwe.com/article/50-superstars-50-states

Since January 2016, TNA has been working with Aroluxe, a marketing and production company based in Tennessee that has taken over TNA's production as part of a deal that, according to multiple sources, sees Aroluxe handle all of the expenditures for TNA tapings and then sees TNA reimburse them for expenses as well as pay them for their services. Aroluxe is the company that former pro wrestlers Ron and Don Harris (then known as The Bruise Brothers) have been involved with. It provides TV Production, social media management, media buying, web management and other services to clients.

The word that has made the way around TNA performers in the past week is that a payment to Aroluxe is due imminently (one version of the story is that the payment is due today, another is that it is due Wednesday) and that based on TNA's contract with Aroluxe, if the payment is not made, Aroluxe would then be able to claim majority ownership of TNA Wrestling, leaving Dixie Carter a minority owner. We have not been able to 100% confirm that but that version of the story has made it's way around a big portion of the company's roster over the last seven days.

So, where things stand based on what we have heard appear to be going in one of two directions - TNA reimburses Aroluxe and things remain at their status quo or Aroluxe takes over the reigns of the company. It would appear that should the latter happen, Dixie Carter would remain in some capacity, although what this would mean for the remainder of the TNA officials, staff, roster, etc. remains up in the air.

It should be noted that there have been others interested in TNA in the past and even in recent weeks, there's been talk of multiple interested parties), but Carter has previously turned down all sale offers. Depending on how the week goes, she may no longer be in that position.
According to the Observer, if TNA can pay off the money owed in the terms, Dixie will still keep majority ownership and control of the company (51%). Also her even having a chance to remain as majority owner is all dependent on if an investor will either allow it to happen or not change their mind whenever official paperwork starts. At the moment, Harris Bros would only act as temporary majority owners from whenever a failed payment happens till TNA pays it off.

“My Oklahoma friend Toby Keith had a legit interest in buying TNA in the past and he and I discussed my potential involvement, of which I was interested working with Toby,” Ross revealed. “He was ready to write a check, but he had to have full control with no restrictions regarding creative, etc. and that was not on the table.”

Now, Ross believes that TNA is at a critical spot where certain members of management have to give up control in order for the company to stay afloat.

“Apparently a new investor or buyer is at play for the struggling company,” Ross said. “Without significant, live event revenue, and a viable, PPV component in the revenue mix it will not be surprising to hear of any pro wrestling company being in financial peril. I hope that the eventual fate of TNA is much different than those within the company and others close to the matter are saying. Nonetheless, it is somewhat obvious that the next few months are going to be crucial in determining the future of the company.”

Ross added that he thinks a complete overhaul of the company’s brand and image would be necessary to be successful in the U.S. wrestling industry.

“As I’ve said before, it may be best for the company to re-brand themselves and move on from the public perception that the brand currently has in the marketplace. New name..new philosophy..new approach to their presentation based on the talents that they have to work with on a regular basis,” Ross wrote.
http://www.pwtorch.com/site/2016/04/18/jim-ross-reveals-key-issues-facing-tna-following-toby-keiths-attempted-investment/

Going against the NBA playoffs and with a taped show, Raw last night broke a new record for the least watched episode on its regular night outside of football season with 3.32 million viewers.

The show fell victim to a big third hour drop which led to it falling below the previous low mark set on 2/1 at 3.37 million viewers ...

The first two hours were in the same range as last week, so the record low was entirely due to the big third hour drop.

The three hours were:

8 p.m. 3.49 million viewers
9 p.m. 3.54 million viewers
10 p.m. 2.98 million viewers

Taped or not, really bad sign for the sub-3 million hour numbers to happen this early after Mania week.

A new show from the E! Network called Total Bellas is coming. The show will feature not only Nikki and Brie and their romantic interests, John Cena and Bryan Danielson respectively, but also the Bellas' mother who is married to former WWE talent "Big" John Laurinitis, as well as their brother and his wife. Not to worry, Total Divas isn't going anywhere as they are currently filming the sixth season of the show, and the Bellas will in fact be a part of both shows.

On Monday, Ring of Honor and The Fight Network announced a new deal that would give ROH weekly exposure throughout Canada.

The Canadian based combat sports network will begin airing ROH starting on Tuesday, April 26 at 11 PM EST with repeat showings throughout the week. ROH will be part of a Tuesday night wrestling block with TNA Impact at 9 PM EST, ROH at 11 PM EST, and AAA at midnight EST.

The Fight Network is carried nationally on all major cable, satellite and telecom systems in Canada.

ROH and New Japan Pro Wrestling bring join up on Sunday May 8th for GLOBAL WARS, LIVE on pay-per-view from Chicago Ridge. This massive event kicks off a busy week for the stars of ROH and NJPW, who are hitting the road from there to Dearborn, Toronto, and New York City ...

ROH announced Jay Lethal vs. Colt Cabana as the main event for Global Wars on 5/8 in Chicago. They also announced Tama Tonga & Tanga Roa, the IWGP tag team champions, as well as Jushin Liger and Gedo to the previous list of New Japan talent for the show including IWGP champion Tetsuya Naito, ROH TV champion Tomohiro Ishii, IWGP jr. champion Kushida, and former IWGP champions Hiroshi Tanahashi and Kazuchika Okada.

WWE Hall of Famer Scott Hall recently spoke with Title Match Wrestling about former New Japan Pro Wrestling stars Karl Anderson and Doc Gallows, who worked with Hall's son Cody Hall in the Bullet Club, defecting to WWE.

"I'm happy for Anderson and Gallows. Anderson is kind of like Arn, the mannerisms in the ring. Gallows was Festus before, and he did that pretty cool. He's talented, I like him. Anybody who shows love for my kid, I got love for. Cody told me that a lot of time sponsors take them out and he holds court, he's so funny."

Hall also spoke about how he's happy that his son is around top guys, such as AJ Styles, who don't drink or do drugs, something he points out wasn't the same when he was coming up in the business.

"I'm really happy that Cody got to hang out with (AJ Styles). AJ's one of those guys that don't drink, don't do drugs. Like the Young Bucks. I'm just happy that my son is around guys on top who do that. They still go out and have fun, but I came up in an era where all the top guys drank and did drugs."

"It was way too long. That match should have been 15 minutes. I mean, from bell to bell, 15 minutes, and, that being said, all the bells and whistles and action that needed to happen within that 15 minutes. And just, this is a deal where, okay, if it's Bret Hart and Shawn Michaels and you're out there, hey, give them 30 [minutes] because they can go 30 [minutes]. But here's a case, and Triple H can go any amount of time you want him to go. But what needed to happen on this, just to make Roman, because if you're going to let Roman go over clean in the middle of the ring, shine him up like a million bucks. Let him bounce Triple H all over kingdom come. Finally, let Triple H just get a frog's hair of heat on him. And then boom, big finish, bam, 1-2-3. Make an impact with that match. Make an impact with the finish. And make a statement for the kid! It's about getting this kid over and at least within the confines of the 20 x 20, being the ring, and then you've got all the other things to deal with, whether it's people resent him or this, that, or they think he [has] been pushed too hard too soon. You're trying to make Roman Reigns. I don't think you make him in a 28-minute chess match. This match needed to be all about excitement, explosion, and testosterone out of Roman and that's how I think they should have booked it. Making Roman Reigns work this long exposed more holes in his game than we've already known that exist."
Austin's views on Mania's main event from a recent Stone Cold podcast episode.


Some other sheet news includes:

Renee Young recently revealed she will not be traveling with the rest of the WWE on their current European tour due to visa issues.
Due to a recent major earthquake in Japan, NJPW announced they have canceled an upcoming event originally planned to occur at the end of this month. http://www.f4wonline.com/japan/njpw-cancels-ppv-due-kumamoto-earthquakes-211231
NJPW also announced money earned from the now canceled event related merchandise will be donated to the Kumamoto earthquake relief fund.
During a recent interview, Sasha Banks revealed she has no desire to ever be a cast member for Total Divas and rather be focused on her in-ring career instead. https://www.instagram.com/p/BEYwv4ZyWDd/
WWE's website had a recent interview with Carmella with some highlights including her reaction to Enzo & Big Cass main roster debut and her plans in NXT for the near future. http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/carmella-exclusive-interview?sf24593376=1
In a "WWE Did You Know" type fact, Kofi Kingston recently broke a WWE record for most days combined as a WWE tag team champion with 574+ days although the record itself only goes back to 2002 and not to the original World Tag Team belts (1971). Needs around another 358 days to break the all-time tag team record for days held by Mr Fuiji.

[Droford]

Hard to believe there's never been a wrestler from Wyoming

[VSG]

Now you know what you must do, Droford.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Gotta say I think Austin nailed it on his take of the mania main event.

[Jordan]

I can't wait for Seth Rollins and John Cena to come back. John Cena is gonna have amazing matches with AJ Styles. Seth Rollins is gonna have amazing matches with Sami Zayn.

Wouldn't it be cool if WWE decided to try something other than an on screen authority character. At least one that doesn't appear on TV often like Jack Tunney.

[Jordan]

Gotta say I think Austin nailed it on his take of the mania main event.

Honestly if it was more or less a "dramatic squash" that would have been better. Though in defense of the match, there weren't many opportunities to showcase old school wrestling and it was so refreshing to watch Triple H, he was by far the best wrestler on the show.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Hard to believe there's never been a wrestler from Wyoming

Rulon Gardner.

AND



<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gGY1J9XTXuw" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Honestly if it was more or less a "dramatic squash" that would have been better. Though in defense of the match, there weren't many opportunities to showcase old school wrestling and it was so refreshing to watch Triple H, he was by far the best wrestler on the show.

I thought H did fine in the match and don't think it was terrible. But a 15 minute brawl with Reigns controlling the match at a 60/40 clip would've been better suited.

[Gerard]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gLKT6XnGBj4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The hebner triple h segment is pretty good. :lol:

[#1-norm-fan]

I thought H did fine in the match and don't think it was terrible. But a 15 minute brawl with Reigns controlling the match at a 60/40 clip would've been better suited.

This will be an unpopular opinion but... I seriously think a quick, Warrior-esque squash (but more brutal. Maybe closer to Lesnar demolishing Cena) would have been perfect.

First, I don't think a lot of people really cared about seeing the "war" WWE was building it up to be. Secondly, it would have made Reigns look like a beast instead of an underdog which is exactly what they should have been going for all along. Thirdly, no one would have seen it coming and I feel like the crowd would have actually been into Reigns at the end. And fourthly... it would have been hilarious.

Seriously, imagine Stephanie cutting that intense promo, the match starting, and Reigns just demolishing Triple H in a few minutes. lol

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Not a bad idea.

[GD]

That's a dope video, Gerard.

[Black Widow]

https://45.media.tumblr.com/468f21081fbfa5ab91809374e953dc1d/tumblr_nkhbmreyyI1r89qoso1_500.gif
https://45.media.tumblr.com/dbf06d4f56fc892b4309f45effd6c7a5/tumblr_nkhbmreyyI1r89qoso5_500.gif

Damn!!!

[Big Vic]

Michigan: Rob Van Dam
Although he built his legacy in Philadelphia bingo halls, Rob Van Dam’s first appearance on WWE TV came when he kissed The Million Dollar Man’s foot (http://www.wwe.com/videos/wwe-superstars-as-kids-5-things-september-30-2015) at a Live Event in his hometown of Battle Creek, Michigan.
Jeff Laboon is not a fan.

[Emperor Smeat]

http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/gallery_img_l/public/2016/04/019_Show_04152016ca_481--676110b0fd27357829e023da46d78641.jpg

[slik]

Adam Rose has CENA NUFF of the WWE



Adam Rose issued the following statement: I was not going to respond to my suspension but I feel I have to. I have two sons that will one day read that news about there daddy and a sister that died from complications related to a life long battle with heroin. So I feel the absolute need and right to respond and let the truth be known. I am pretty sure this response will meet nowhere near the publicity that my suspension did and that this response is tantamount to career suicide. But I feel for my sons my sister and rest of my family... you the Wwe universe have the right to the know the truth over my suspension and what it was for. I will also quote my Dr in my response as he was as shocked and appalled by this suspension. I can say right now I did not do anything knowingly wrong and was taking prescribed medication that my Dr and I followed all the correct protocol on. My actual response and Doctors response will be coming soon. So before you judge, know the facts. My family and I are still collecting ourselves from this blow. I have zero anger or animosity against the WWE. But feel the administrators over the WWE Welnness policy were just simply not right in taking this action. But I feel facts are the facts and my family and I will will be the ones putting our lives back together after this mess. My response will be up soon along with my Doctors.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Jeff Laboon is not a fan.

Did Lockjaw get a job in the WWE as Jeff Laboon?

[Fignuts]

Jesus christ @ adam rose. Posting that was incredibly stupid.

How about just sucking it up and dealing with it internally, so you can keep your job and provide better for your family. Should be worried more about your children's future, than their opinion of you. What is he going to do when his kids ask about it? "Oh go look on the internet son. I made a post about it back in 2016." If your kid adks about it later down the road, why not just talk to your kid about it, you stupid fuck.

God, fucking idiot.

[#1-norm-fan]

I'm not as mad at Adam Rose as Fignuts seem to be. But I do wish him the best in his future endeavors.

[Poit]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Dean Ambrose beats Triple H with Dirty Deeds �� <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WWENewcastle?src=hash">#WWENewcastle</a> <a href="https://t.co/JaFdGPArd1">pic.twitter.com/JaFdGPArd1</a></p>&mdash; KD Sweets (@ProjectKenny) <a href="https://twitter.com/ProjectKenny/status/722900613915238400">April 20, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Poit]

DID YOU KNOW? Triple H's previous non-PPV singles match loss via pinfall was exactly seven years ago, to Randy Orton.

(Credit to /u/stormeaglex1 on the reddits)

[Blonde Moment]

Jesus christ @ adam rose. Posting that was incredibly stupid.

How about just sucking it up and dealing with it internally, so you can keep your job and provide better for your family. Should be worried more about your children's future, than their opinion of you. What is he going to do when his kids ask about it? "Oh go look on the internet son. I made a post about it back in 2016." If your kid adks about it later down the road, why not just talk to your kid about it, you stupid fuck.

God, fucking idiot.

How would you feel about being wrongly accused of a crime that will have a long term effect on your reputation?

[Maluco]

He is a filler guy, who was on the very bottom rung and now, with two strikes, they are even less likely to invest in him and his character.

I am not a fan, but if he feels aggrieved and that he has been harshly treated, now is the time to show some courage and try and defend himself and get it looked at.

He has nothing to lose at this stage, in the position he was in, with two strikes.

[Emperor Smeat]

Dirtsheets sponsored by Mr Perfect's best selling book "The Perfect Art of Ridiculous Selling"
http://i.imgur.com/U21Uopb.gif

Recently on Sam Roberts' Wrestling Podcast, The New Day talked about a number of topics such as Big E's extremely loose hips, whether Vince McMahon has ever had to tell the trio to rein in their antics, and how the Booty-O's cereal box came to be.

According to Big E, he did not know his hips were so flexible until he started gyrating as part of his professional wrestling theatrics. Moreover, McMahon seems to be fine with Big E's dancing, as he has not told the big man to stop.

"I'll be honest. I didn't know I had that in me. I don't dance. Like, I don't dance at all. I don't do any of that. And then, I don't know when it started, but it just felt right. I was like, 'oh, I'm going to try this' and it felt so right. And now it's getting out of hand!" Big E added, "I can't remember the first thing that was said, but the cool thing is Vince loves the nonsense. We always get reports that, like, we'll have a writer or someone in Gorilla and they'll tell us that Vince is doubled over laughing. He loves the nonsense and that's really cool" ...

On the subject of Booty-O's, Woods said that the idea had been in the works since November of last year.

"I think it was, like, last November. We were just in the car. We always try to push and see, like, what we can do. And so, we came up with the idea, like, 'oh, maybe like a cereal. It's like, Booty-O's. We can make a cereal called Booty-O's.' And so, I contacted a guy on Twitter who's a very good artist and commissioned him to draw up what it would look like if we had a cereal box. And then, the next day on [WWE Monday Night] RAW, we just said, 'Booty-O's! They make sure you ain't booty.' Just said it. And then, we got two things of fan art, whatever, on Twitter. And then, that Friday, we released the picture that the guy drew, that we had the guy draw. Then, we said it again the next Monday. Then, that next week, tons of fan art. Then, they came to us, like, 'eh, what's this Booty-O's thing? We need to do something.' And it's like, we literally willed it into existence and it feels real good."

Evolve has announced most of their lineup for Evolve 60 for May 6th in Joppa, MD. Chris Hero vs. Zack Sabre Jr., tag champions Drew Gulak & Tracy Williams vs. TJ Perkins & Fred Ye, Lio Rush vs. Caleb Konley, Matt Riddle vs. Anthony Nese, Drew Galloway vs. Ethan Page, Johnny Gargano vs. Marty Scurll, and more have been announced. The tag match will have implications for the WWE Global Cruiserweight tourney qualifier the next night in Queens, NY.

Roberts, who has gained some notoriety of late thanks to the success of his documentary, “The Resurrection of Jake the Snake,” spoke to SI about the state of the WWE, and more specifically, champion Roman Reigns.

“They’re shoving Roman down everybody’s throat, and that’s not working too well," said Roberts. "It’s a shame, because he’s a great athlete and a great guy, but they went at it the wrong way.”

Roberts sees overflowing potential with Reigns, but wishes the WWE champion would add another element to his promos and work in the ring. Unfortunately, Roberts is unlikely to have the opportunity to work with him.

“It doesn’t look like I’m going to get the opportunity to help any of these guys, though I wish I would,” said Roberts. “I’m more than available, but they’ve got their little formula they want to stick with.

“If they did bring me back, I’ll be the first to say, I’d probably do something really stupid and piss everybody off. I’m really stuck on the way I believe, so if someone wasn’t listening to me, I’d probably give him a, ‘What if?’ and throw something out there that would get a charge out of everybody.
Part of a longer interview with Jake Roberts including praising DDP for his efforts to get his life back and WWE having no role in the development of his film since it dealt with the nasty side of the wrestling industry. http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016/04/20/week-wrestling-jake-snake-johnny-manziel-wwe

There is a behind-the-scenes mind set in the WWF right now regarding HHH, that he may have gotten as far as he can as far as moving up the ladder and doesn't have the working ability and attitude to past those higher on the ladder. There is a feeling the guys on top, such as Austin and Undertaker, would have been back for Survivor Series, for instance, with the same knee injury, and even that X-Pac, who is limited somewhat by size but is the best worker in the ring in the company, may have already surpassed HHH as the singles star of the DX group even though HHH is both bigger in a promotion where that usually matters a lot, and the stronger interview. However, it's doubtful HHH would leave WWF, based not only on comments he's made, but because friends of his in WCW who are making huge money, far more than he'll likely be offered if WCW sends him an offer, are always claiming to be miserable and wanting to get out when their contracts are up.
Triple H story from back in the day and a possible reason why Triple H never bothered to jump ship during the Attitude Era (prior to him becoming a big star) to join his Kliq buddies. https://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/4fo6gw/interesting_and_ironic_comments_about_hhh_from_a/


Some other sheet news includes:

Cat breeder and professional wrestler Teddy Hart had an interview on a recent episode of the Kevin Gill podcast show with some highlights including WWE's upcoming cruiserweight tournament, cats, and John Cena. https://soundcloud.com/kevin-gill-show/teddy-hart-episode-88-kevin
Promo poster for the next WWE European tour set to occur this November was revealed to include the first time ever Scotland will be the host for a RAW and Smackdown show (November 7th and 8th). http://i.imgur.com/B9fUOea.png
WWE's Social Outcasts revealed Viktor as their newest member of the group during a recent WWE house show. https://twitter.com/WhatCultureWWE/status/722883318228779011
Newest episode of Botchamania was recently released: https://vimeo.com/163220758
In a "WWE Did You Know" type fact, today is the 17th anniversary of Rick Rude's passing
In a recently deleted tweet, Chavo Guerrero revealed he was not a fan of Sasha Banks' Eddie tribute at Mania this year. https://www.reddit.com/r/SquaredCircle/comments/4fofww/chavo_guerrero_didnt_like_sasha_banks_eddie/
WWE's website had a recent interview with newest signees TMDK involving their plans and goals for NXT. http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/article/the-mighty-dont-kneel-interview?sf24701078=1
Recent episode of Talk Is Jericho podcast had Karl Anderson and Luke Gallows as his guests. http://podcastone.com/pg/jsp/program/episode.jsp?programID=593&pid=1644549
Rolling Stones had a recent interview with Lucha Underground's Catrina with some highlights including Lucha Underground in general, the development of her character, and Dusty Rhodes being a positive influence for her career. http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/lucha-undergrounds-queen-of-death-on-licking-faces-and-kicking-asses-20160420

[Evil Vito]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cggyr55XIAAp91X.jpg:large

[Jordan]

Pretty cool finish to Triple H and Ambrose.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

This will be an unpopular opinion but... I seriously think a quick, Warrior-esque squash (but more brutal. Maybe closer to Lesnar demolishing Cena) would have been perfect.

First, I don't think a lot of people really cared about seeing the "war" WWE was building it up to be. Secondly, it would have made Reigns look like a beast instead of an underdog which is exactly what they should have been going for all along. Thirdly, no one would have seen it coming and I feel like the crowd would have actually been into Reigns at the end. And fourthly... it would have been hilarious.

Seriously, imagine Stephanie cutting that intense promo, the match starting, and Reigns just demolishing Triple H in a few minutes. lol

To bre fair, there sounds nothing wrong with doing something between your idea and Austin's. Not enough heat in the feud for a back and forth war. Could have booked something "shocking" like a quazi squash to at least muster something from the amount of time they put into the angle.

Match was technically totally fine, but it was too straight forward and not dynamic enough for a mania main event. It lacked anything close to a special feel. Could have been a tv main even barring the time it was given.

[Emperor Smeat]

Chyna supposedly passed away very recently according to her official twitter account.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr"><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/RipChyna?src=hash">#RipChyna</a> ������ all of us on team Chyna love you and will love you forever babe. <br><br>Felix <a href="https://t.co/jOfbHUAI2j">pic.twitter.com/jOfbHUAI2j</a></p>&mdash; Chyna (@ChynaJoanLaurer) <a href="https://twitter.com/ChynaJoanLaurer/status/723002666834497536">April 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Seems to be drug related based on very early reports and something she was battling with recently.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Full report in case the site crashed for you: <a href="https://t.co/MCR32G70jO">pic.twitter.com/MCR32G70jO</a></p>&mdash; Trask (@traskbryant) <a href="https://twitter.com/traskbryant/status/723006262112210945">April 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Source of the report is from Pro Wrestling Sheet's website that is getting hammered with traffic at the moment: http://prowrestlingsheet.com/chyna-found-dead-at-home-dies

[Tom Guycott]

Wouldn't it be cool if WWE decided to try something other than an on screen authority character. At least one that doesn't appear on TV often like Jack Tunney.

President Jack Tunney rep

[Disturbed316]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gLKT6XnGBj4" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

The hebner triple h segment is pretty good. :lol:

What was up with the Midnight Express/Headbanger thing?

[Emperor Smeat]

http://i2.wp.com/www.thecubsfan.com/cmll/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/20160420lu_3_2.gif

[Mr. Nerfect]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/q6TkJ2OgLs0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Uhhh..........has Shane McMahon ended the PG era?

WWE presents "Bug Hugs"...

[Mr. Nerfect]

Viktor joining The Social Outcasts? I'm a fan. I expect Adam Rose and Konnor to be released.

[Emperor Smeat]

Dirtsheets sponsored by The Boss Appreciation Thursday:
https://33.media.tumblr.com/aeed906237c694a2c4969c5b1b1a5950/tumblr_nk06bv6foQ1qlmfquo1_500.gif

WWE Superstar Triple H has paid tribute to "ground breaking pioneer" Joanie 'Chyna' Laurer after she passed away aged 45 ...

Speaking to the Mirror during the current WWE tour of the UK, he said he was still coming to terms with the sad news.

Triple H said: "It is obviously tragic and clearly my well-wishes go out to her friends and family.

"Brilliance sometimes, and that ability to push barriers and boundaries and be a pioneer, is often connected closely with other things that aren't so positive sometimes, and demons, and unfortunately that is the case.

"Man, [she was] just a great person, an amazing talent, a ground breaking pioneer, that was never afraid to go out on a limb and blaze her own trail through life.

"She never took, and when you're choosing a path [you can say] 'hey here is a path let's go down that one' or you can blaze your own path and burn it up and create something for others to follow, and that's what she did, and that star shone bright, but unfortunately burned out way too fast" ...

Asked today if he would like to see Chyna posthumously inducted, Triple H told the Mirror she 'definitely warranted' a place.

WWE's executive vice president of talent, live events and creative said: "You know it's not my decision, but I definitely think, as I have said before, that what she did in her life certainly warrants it ...

"It's certainly warranted and I'm sure at some point when the time is right, hopefully, that could happen."
Part of a longer interview Triple H had with Mirror UK on coping with the passing of Chyna and possible future induction to the WWE Hall of Fame. http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/other-sports/wrestling/triple-h-says-former-wrestler-7804686

Wyatt was injured on the first night of the European tour on 4/14 in Milan ... He suffered an undisclosed calf injury and the severity was not released, but he was pulled from the rest of the tour. The WWE largely kept everything quiet but the word going around on tour was it was a pulled muscle and he’d be out four to six weeks, so it’s not nearly as bad as first feared.

Steve Austin suffered a torn rotator cuff, some of that taking place at WrestleMania. Jim Ross wrote on the subject that Austin had injured the shoulder prior to Mania and then the injured rotator cuff had a complete tear from his first punch to Rusev in the brawl
Injured Guys stable claims another wrestler.

Kofi Kingston flew home from the WWE tour yesterday as his wife is expecting the second child any day now.

The Asbury Park Press reported that the death of Jon "Balls Mahoney" Rechner does not have a cause of death and it could take a few months for all the reports to be done, which means there is no cause pending toxicology test results. The coroner reported no suspicious behavior, which means ruling out foul play of any kind, which was never suspected in the first place.

"I'm a 38-year-old man," he says. "I'd much rather it be a program geared toward me, whether that's TV-14 or sometimes even more graphic than that, which is what I like. For one thing, profanity brought fire out of people with personalities that backed the language. It's very difficult to say, 'Oh, you're being poopy,' especially when they're meant to be fighting words. And now, if someone starts to bleed, the referee intervenes to stop the bleeding. But before, you'd just let it fly. Blood is one of the things that made fights cool. Like, you knew it had gotten serious. I understand why we don't do it anymore. Vince has been a coach to me, a father figure, a boss and a friend, and his goal and my goal are the same: to make the company be as big as it can be. But, yeah, the blood is one thing I miss."
From a longer interview John Cena had with Rolling Stones in regards to his opinion on the PG era of the WWE, how divisive his character has become over the years, his daily life, and why he wanted to become a wrestler. http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/why-john-cena-cant-lose-20160421

David Johnson is the CEO of Aroluxe, he started his career with Sinclair Broadcasting Company (the parent company of ROH); former WWE, WCW and TNA performers Ron and Don Harris are also employees of the company. They started doing production work with TNA last year. What may be a cause of concern if Aroluxe takes over is that they reported a revenue of only $2 million for 2015.

Dixie Carter has been looking for different investors, reportedly going to international television partners such as Sony Six in India, Challenge TV in the U.K. and The Fight Network in Canada with proposals of selling 10 percent to each entity with the idea they would help fund the company. There were no takers.

Carter is still looking for a deal with a different company, which would provide funding, but allow her to maintain control of the company.
Update to the Harris Bros as TNA's newest investor news in regards to how much funding they could provide for TNA. Also Dixie failing miserably trying to find a new investor that would let her keep majority control of the company. Nobody wants to be used as just a cheap source of funding while getting almost nothing back in return for control and/or investment. http://411mania.com/wrestling/new-details-on-tnas-possible-investorsbuyers/

One thing notable is that the TNA television show has been pretty much devoid of graphics of late because the graphics were handled by an outside company that is no longer working with them.

Will Ospreay has already been offered a regular contract which would make him just about the quickest guy without an international name to get one. He got the offer after one match with the promotion. He’s probably being tugged in different directions. In his case, it’s really Japan and WWE that would be the directions. If WWE really wants him and makes a big offer they’ll get him. WWE usually offers guys of his level a lot less than they make on the indies. The feeling is they’ll come at the low number starting out because there’s more of a shot at the high number down the line. It’s essentially the same deal as Ricochet, who on paper can make far more with the new offer he got from Lucha Underground, which would allow him to work New Japan as well as indies, but WWE is still WWE. For Ospreay, the advantage is he can live in the U.K. if he wants to with New Japan, but would have to move to Florida for WWE. That kept Finn Balor for years from making the move.
NJPW's Tanahashi recent praise of Ospreay might have also played a role in him getting a good contract with the company.

There were two incidents at the WrestleCon indie convention in Dallas during WrestleMania 32 weekend - one involving Karen Jarrett and Lucha Underground's Melissa Santos, the other involving former WWE talent Stacy "The Kat" Carter and Tessa Blanchard, daughter of WWE Hall of Famer Tully Blanchard.

No word on what caused the incident between Tessa, who recently appeared on WWE NXT TV against Nia Jax, and Carter, Jerry Lawler's ex-wife but it had something to do with Carter telling Tessa she wasn't showing respect. Word is that the argument would've ended in a fight but Tessa's boyfriend Ricochet stepped in as the peacemaker.

Santos was complaining about not having a chair to sit in and somehow Karen, who was criticized by many in attendance, spat on her, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. This led to an argument and observers thought they were about to come to blows but things calmed down.

The announcement on 4/18 of The Fight Network in Canada picking up ROH is the first deal closed among many current negotiations to expand the pro wrestling content on the station.

The Fight Network is currently in talks with AXS TV regarding the Canadian rights to New Japan Pro Wrestling’s broadcasts with Jim Ross and Josh Barnett as announcers; as well as with CMLL in Mexico, ICW in Scotland and Progress Wrestling in England about adding to their pro wrestling lineups.


Nobody knows what will happen with TV rights fees in a few years when WWE’s contract with USA next comes due, past the feeling secondary sports may have trouble because primary sports will get first dibs on money. There are those who think even sports like the NBA could be in trouble and get a big downgrade when its new deal is up. But people predicting sports rights fees will burst have constantly been wrong but there are signs that things can’t keep going like they are. Fewer people have cable and the cable companies have less revenue to spend.

However, even with the big decline in WWE ratings, their value to USA is stronger than ever one could argue because USA no longer has the kind of hit programming that made the network No. 1 for so many years. At one point, USA could have lost WWE and still remained No. 1 on cable. But now, for the week after WrestleMania, USA Network was No. 3 in the prime time rankings (it was No. 5 the week before). If you remove Raw and Smackdown, they would fall all the way to 11th place (removing WWE they would have been in 13th place the week before).

In 2005, when USA made the deal to bring Raw back, they didn’t want any other wrestling shows but Raw because they didn’t want to be known as the wrestling network. Now they are clearly a falling network that is being carried by wrestling. But WWE also needs them, because as the last negotiations showed, nobody else was willing to spend big money to get WWE programming. The problem is that if numbers that are out are correct, which indicate USA Network getting about $90 million per year in ad revenue sales off Raw and Smackdown combined, and them paying about $150 million for the rights, that isn’t the best of math.
Possible sign of things for WWE's next tv contract. Right now USA Network is at a big net loss between whet they pay for the WWE and what they get back in ad revenue.


Some other sheet news includes:

This week's episode of Lucha Underground contained an Easter Egg related to the missing LU wrestlers from Season One including El Patron (Alberto Del Rio): https://twitter.com/DeathToAllMarks/status/722977792871288833
In a "WWE Did You Know" type fact, Lance Storm and Observer's Dave Meltzer revealed outside of a few people, the WWE kept the plans for the first WWE Draft a big secret with the majority of wrestlers only finding about their future as the show happened or on WWE's website afterwards. https://twitter.com/LanceStorm/status/723287082014101504
Observer recently debunked rumors of Adam Cole leaving ROH soon due to being pulled from future events. Whole thing is just a new storyline ROH has for Cole and his actual contract still has at least a year left.
The developer of the Fire Pro Wrestling series, Spike Chunsoft, is currently considering the idea of making a new wrestling game. https://twitter.com/SpikeChunsoft_e/status/723047151933132800
Being rumored at the moment a big reason why the WWE picked Scotland for their next European tour is for them to go right after UK's ICW market right before their own big ppv event of the year. Wouldn't be a case like with Evolve where both sides benefit from cross-promotion but instead WWE leeching off of ICW's market at ICW's expense.
WWE recently teased the idea of MMA star Connor McGregor signing a deal with them in the near future since he teased at being a free agent at the moment.
Rumors going around the net at the moment hinting POP TV might be upset with TNA getting the Harris Bros as possible investors due to their alleged Neo-Nazi ties. The boss of the network is Jewish.

[Mr. Nerfect]

That stuff between the girls fighting sounds crazy. Animalistic. Tessa is hot, good for Ricochet. She looked soft as shit at the recent NXT show though. I hope she gets a chance to come back and do a bit better.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Lol at USA Network spending more money on WWE than they're making. Whoops. Is that a normal thing in television?

[Jordan]

Just thought about the idea of Joe vs Cena, it's gonna happen. It's gonna be fucking incredible.

[Jordan]

We're totally gonna get AJ a rag tag crew to face off against Balor and The Club. Maybe even a trio of AJ, Reigns and Ambrose. Perhaps it would be better with an up and coming team like Jordan and Gable.

[Jordan]

You know we're bound to get some Joe/Aries NXT action as well. Damn things are looking so good right now.

[Simple Fan]

Probably right and I'm not a fan. Would really like to see AJ with them but not sure WWE will go that way.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Just thought about the idea of Joe vs Cena, it's gonna happen. It's gonna be fucking incredible.

I just made a big post about this in the Samoa Joe thread. Cena would love to work with Joe, I'm sure, and the match would be phenomenal. I'm hoping we see it as early as SummerSlam and they use it as an impetus to give Cena one last run in the main event (for commercial reasons) before he drops the title to a heel Roman Reigns with Joe as a top babyface challenger.

[Jordan]

Didn't Joe train Cena?

[Mr. Nerfect]

A random thought that sprung off those Joe ones: I wouldn't be opposed to giving Brock one last run with the WWE Title, then after he loses it at Mania, he can be a special attraction in his own universe. He's no longer a part of WWE canon, in a sense. They promote shows based entirely around his persona. To give it a different feeling, you can actually have Heyman book them.

The first one can be Brock vs. Joe, and actually call the Network Special that: "Paul Heyman Presents: Brock vs. Joe". The undercard can feature guys that Heyman wants to take a look at, or guys that would compliment the rest of the card. For example, maybe Curtis Axel gets a match as a former Paul Heyman Guy and a dude that Brock likes to travel with and sharpen his skills against. Maybe he can face an Uso in singles competition or something? Sort of a "Camp Lesnar" vs. "Camp Joe" match. You can feature some guys from NXT that Heyman likes. Mauro can be called in to do commentary with Corey Graves. Give each show their own feel and run separate from WWE PPVs. It at least takes away the problem of needing to explain why Brock isn't World Champion all of the time.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Didn't Joe train Cena?

I think he trained with Cena. I have a feeling they broke into the business via UPW together, but I'm not 100% sure on that, I'm just regurgitating it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Renee Young's name on Twitter is "Donkey Kong Daddy." It's not quite "Titty Master," but props to her. :y:

[Mr. Nerfect]

I just realized that Cesaro won't win the IC Title at Payback. He won't be able to do his suit rip-off entrance that they are in love with. I imagined him having the belt under the suit, but that would look weird or require ill-fitting suits. Sorry, Tony.

[Mr. Nerfect]

WWE has a poll asking whether fans enjoyed this week's episode of SmackDown. It has a 59% approval rating. This sounds pretty bad for people that have the WWE on Twitter since they value that social media audience, but I can see them twisting it into a "WWE Did You Know" fact that SmackDown has a higher approval rating than Barack Obama.

[Mr. Nerfect]

A rumor going around about why The Undertaker didn't go on the European tour is that he was worried about terrorist attacks. He just wants to be ready when the rest of the roster explodes. Taker vs. Renee Young in a 180-Minute Iron Man Match on RAW, baby.

[Volare]

Michelle McCool as well or no go.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Trying to figure out if HHH is the most disingenuous dipshit (Dastardly Dale Newstead ALLITERATION) that has ever lived or if his change of tune is any kind of remorse.

I'm going to go with shameless pathetic PR tactics.

[GD]

Wondering if Stardust can be still salvaged.

[Big Vic]

Possible sign of things for WWE's next tv contract. Right now USA Network is at a big net loss between whet they pay for the WWE and what they get back in ad revenue.But this is fine right CyNick?

[#1-norm-fan]

USA execs just need to pop cheaper bottles of champage while they high five each other. No biggie.

[Ultra Mantis]

Renee Young's name on Twitter is "Donkey Kong Daddy." It's not quite "Titty Master," but props to her. :y:

It's just her gamertag / nickname on Xavier Wood's youtube channel. Nothing to do with dongs.

[Evil Vito]

I have no doubt that Raw will always find a place on TV but just hypothetically...what the fuck would happen if it got dropped EWR-style?

[Lock Jaw]

It's just her gamertag / nickname on Xavier Wood's youtube channel. Nothing to do with dongs.

Why would anyone think it has to do with dongs?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Just noticed the most recent 2 Botchamanias have Jeff Jarrett in the intro with SEND GOLD NOW on it.

[Lock Jaw]

https://gorillapressonline.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/rollins-kane-pressie.gif

[#BROKEN Hasney]

https://gorillapressonline.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/rollins-kane-pressie.gif

Kane cut a hole int side of the box. Clever.

[Ultra Mantis]

Why would anyone think it has to do with dongs?

I dunno, that NoidPost seemed to be making some correlation to Dean Ambrose's "titty master" nickname. Tits and dongs, Lock Jaw, tits and dongs.

[GD]

This is the most hilarious thing that I've seen today

<iframe src="https://vid.me/e/CyR9?stats=1&amp;tools=1" width="720" height="400" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen webkitallowfullscreen mozallowfullscreen scrolling="no"></iframe>

[Volare]

CANADA!!

[Rammsteinmad]

Did Jericho say "You're the *fucking* donkey"? Further proof that a brand split wouldn't work any more as WWE truly doesn't give a fuck about Smackdown.

[drave]

It just wouldn't be Smackdown! Without the Donkey show.

[Innovator]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/1vjOgi7o1gs" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Fignuts]

Thats awesome

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Looks like he almost broke his neck on the last one.

[Jordan]

Nick Jackson will be the next teen to kill a child using pro wrestling moves

[Emperor Smeat]

https://49.media.tumblr.com/246e85698a32c460d319b43dcb463d69/tumblr_o600qmrKTa1rrvy2po1_250.gif

[Jordan]

I don't really like Apolo Crews. He has that "IM SMILING SEE VINCE IM SMILING" look on his face all the time. No character. He just looks so happy to be there, so grateful. What a gimmick.

[Disturbed316]

Nick Jackson will be the next teen to kill a child using pro wrestling moves

:shifty::shifty::shifty:

[Vastardikai]

Kane cut a hole int side of the box. Clever.

I thought "dick in a box" before I saw your reply.

[Lock Jaw]

http://www.wwe.com/f/styles/wwe_16_9_xxl/public/2016/04/042_Belfast_04202016rf_1457--c7f0eb861ca6127a9fb8a1d255d765a5.jpg

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

I don't really like Apolo Crews. He has that "IM SMILING SEE VINCE IM SMILING" look on his face all the time. No character. He just looks so happy to be there, so grateful. What a gimmick.

Yeah WWE signed another guy with internet buzz maybe without doing full due diligence.

:D

[#1-norm-fan]

I love Apollo Crews. Most of the internet gets to love a shitload of guys with wrestling skills and no personality. I get to have one, Goddammit

[Wishbone]

Gotta agree with fan here. I like Apollo Crews. He has a great look, he's great in the ring, and he's got a true love for what he's doing. Everyone needs to remember that Daniel Bryan started out as a very bland babyface as well after he was axed from the Nexus, and it took him quite a few years to develop the personality and character that set the wrestling world on fire.

[#1-norm-fan]

Not to mention he's built like a brick shithouse and can move like a cruiserweight. Sets him apart from the rest and makes him not "just another guy". I dig it.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Still not doing him any favors debuting on Raw before at least having some semblance of a personality. It's like Reverse Roman.

[Wishbone]

Not really. Roman doesn't have the ring skills or the personality. At least Crews has the ring stuff down.

P.S. I'm not saying Roman is the worst thing ever in the ring so don't none of y'all assholes go telling me off for being a smark or some shit. I'm just saying Apollo has incredible ring skills and had them from the get go. Roman was greener than goose shit at the start, and while he's grown into his own style in the ring he's still just average at best.

[Wishbone]

Not to mention he's built like a brick shithouse and can move like a cruiserweight. Sets him apart from the rest and makes him not "just another guy". I dig it.

Yeah, that's something him and Neville have going for them that a lot of the high flyers and internet darlings don't. The two just need to be booked right and have some character development done to them. Give them a few years of that to sharpen them up and you could probably have two massive stars on your hands (even if they never got to say main event levels, and even then never say never.)

[Emperor Smeat]

Dirtsheets sponsored by a Random Renee Young image:
http://41.media.tumblr.com/4fd7919ce5fa1fe059f67684d90ddeb2/tumblr_msuv7ggTmI1sf2tlmo1_1280.jpg

A plan is underway to turn Chyna's brain over to the doctor played by Will Smith in "Concussion," the wrestler’s manager and best friend told the Daily News Friday.

"We want to donate her brain. We want to know what made Chyna tick," manager Anthony Anzaldo said.

He said lawyers reached out to him long before Chyna's death Wednesday to test her interest in joining a brain injury lawsuit against the WWE. They didn't want any part in litigation but were intrigued by the science, he said ...

Anzaldo said Chyna didn't discuss suffering concussions during her time with the WWE, but she endured physical injuries and is an interesting candidate for other reasons too, including her history with domestic violence, he said.

The pioneering pro-wrestler, born Joan Laurer, was exploring deep emotional issues in a documentary titled "The Reconstruction of Chyna" that was still in production when she was found lifeless inside her Redondo Beach apartment at age 45, Anzaldo said.

It was Anzaldo who actually found her, and he said the cameras were rolling when he walked in to check on his close friend and client, unaware that a tragedy had unfolded ...

Anzaldo said he found Chyna in her bed with two prescription bottles in the room — one for Ambien and one for an anti-anxiety medication similar to Xanax.

"There was nothing illegal. No alcohol. It was just those two prescriptions she was legally taking," he told The News. "I saw no indication of foul play, no vomit, no blood. She was just lying there peacefully. Of course she's had issues and posted things (online), but I just don't think it was intentional."
http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/chyna-brain-examined-cte-damage-wwe-career-article-1.2611620

In our lead story today, the death of Joanie "Chyna" Laurer is believed to be from an accidental drug overdose. The belief is that she was dead for probably 2+ days when she was found on Wednesda ynight. Nobody had seen her since Sunday, but she did tweet on Monday morning. She was surrounded by prescription medication, but there were pills left in the bottles which would seem to rule out suicide.

The multi-million dollar investment company who bought and sold Segway are in talks with TNA Wrestling to become their official partner … this according to multiple sources.

Our sources tell us one of the organizations discussing a possible partnership with TNA is Summit Strategic Investments, and the deal could be huge for the wrestling company.

SSI has a successful track record and is known for “transforming troubled assets" ...

The CEO of SSI is named Roger Brown. His brother, Jason Brown, is the CEO of Aroluxe Media … the outsourced company TNA uses to help produce Impact Wrestling.

We’re told Aroluxe Media are simply the production arm of Aroluxe Marketing — the company initially pin-pointed as a potential investor — and our sources say neither are in talks to buy a stake in TNA.

However, former WCW wrestlers Ron Harris and Don Harris do indeed work for Aroluxe Media … and we’re told if the deal between SSI/TNA goes down, they’ll likely keep their current roles.

We made multiple attempts to find out how much stake in the company Summit Strategic Investments is looking to purchase, but so far haven’t had any luck getting the answer.

EIGHT-MAN TAG TEAM MATCH

BULLET CLUB (IWGP World Heavyweight Tag Team Champions G.O.D. and The Young Bucks) vs. MOTOR CITY MACHINE GUNS, REBORN MATT SYDAL, & IWGP Jr. Heavyweight Champion KUSHIDA
One of the matches recently announced for the upcoming ROH-NJPW Global Wars ppv on May 8th.

New Japan has interest in Moose for later this year because he got a cult following with the “Moose” chant when he came to Japan in February for the ROH/New Japan joint shows. They’ve been slow in announcing the card because they didn’t know, and don’t know, whether Kenny Omega and Katsuyori Shibata will be getting their U.S. working visas in time but right now they have to go with the idea they won’t

Jay White is scheduled to start in ROH as a regular late in the year. New Japan is really high on him so they are sending him to live in the U.S. for an excursion and ROH is high on him as well, so I expect he’ll be used well

“The History of the Hardcore Championship: 24/7” has now officially been scheduled — the anticipated Home Video release is due to hit the UK and Europe first on September 5th, following just one day later to fans in the United States on September 6th.

This one will be jam-packed with more than 50 different matches and moments, with a total Blu-ray runtime not far off 9 hours! Between some of the content there’s also slated to be documentary-like video packages looking at milestones in the title’s tenure (think 24/7 and WrestleMania X-Seven) and of course its most Hardcore holders (think Steve Blackman and Crash Holly).

The Hardcore Championship was active between 1998 and 2002, thus the new DVD/Blu-ray set will feature matches from those five years.

WWE announced Noam Dar vs. Josh Bodom as a Global Cruiserweight Series qualifying match on the Revoluton Pro Wrestling show on May 1 in London at The Cockpit.

WWE 2K 17 will be filming a TV commercial and are looking for a male or female 25-50 who can look credible as a police officer in a dangerous situation, and a stung person 25-40 with training and credits. Pay is $500 per session.
Possible early preview on the theme for this year's commercial. WWE 2k16's theme that eventually became the Sting concert was leaked around this same time last year.

American Grit, which I heard radio promotion for all day Thursday, did 2.170 million viewers last night on FOX, down from week one. Of the four major networks, the show was the lowest rated in prime time by a substantial margin. In fact, Smackdown on USA beat it.
Another swing and miss for Cena's new tv show.

Obviously, when he leaves the WWE, it'll be extremely difficult for Vince McMahon to find a replacement. For instance, he's very good with the long view. At one point, he says that, like his dad, his "life is just one big continuous dick joke," but ask him to provide a sample and he demurs. "When I'm allowed to unleash me," he says, "my humor would be grossly inappropriate to 99 percent of the WWE audience. So, it is very protected. And you're not going to see it. See, I think about every decision I make. I don't just knee-jerk."

The WWE has tried positioning new superstars over the years, but so far none of them has passed muster. And yet changes are no doubt on the way. As Cena himself says, "I've already overstayed my welcome."
Another part from the recent Rolling Stone interview they had with John Cena http://www.rollingstone.com/sports/features/why-john-cena-cant-lose-20160421?page=6


Some other sheet news includes:

In a "WWE Did You Know" type fact, Nakamura's NXT theme recently became the first WWE theme to pass 1 million views on WWE's official Youtube music channel.
In another "WWE Did You Know" type fact, Samoa Joe became the first wrestler ever to win the NXT, ROH, and TNA heavyweight championships. If he adds a future WWE championship, would also become the first guy to do that as well for belts won.
Playing off the speculation from his title loss, Finn Balor recently teased the post-NXT Lowell house show crowd about showing up soon on the main roster. https://twitter.com/connorja_/status/723520499456856064
Marvel comics artist Simon Williams recently paid tribute to Chyna's passing: https://www.facebook.com/RealMickFoley/photos/a.150133228350157.28288.126269440736536/1287285521301583/?type=3&theater
NXT's Bayley also recently paid tribute to Chyna during a recent house show: https://www.instagram.com/p/BEeyPgFh1nl/
For those interested, Lucha Underground recently uploaded the full match from this week's main event between LU champ Mantanza and Mil Muertes. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4zMw_Kc4NzE

[Jordan]

On Apollo Crews....

He's incredibly athletic and can do cool high spots. I would give him a very high likelihood of becoming a great wrestler, but he hasn't show me very much emotion or psychology in the ring.

I'd say take Triple H in the main event at Wrestlemania for example or even last year against Sting. Triple H can do the most basic of match but everything he does is like 10x better than anyone else. He's just got the ability to sell with emotion, and Apollo isn't anywhere close to that yet. But he is a better athlete and obviously more agile. But there are no flip flops you can show me that I haven't seen before, real emotion however always becomes a moment.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

I think he has a natural charisma about him. That "it factor". He looks and carries himself like a star. The key will be for him to try and tap into some personality and use it to really connect.

I believe he has it in him.

[Volare]

https://49.media.tumblr.com/246e85698a32c460d319b43dcb463d69/tumblr_o600qmrKTa1rrvy2po1_250.gif

FEAR Y2KO!

[Emperor Smeat]

http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m6z8f7S88E1rnpaqeo1_500.jpg

[Fignuts]

50 matches for the hardcore dvd? 9 hours?

Seems like that kind of effort would have been better served on the AWA or WCCW dvds.

[Black Widow]

https://49.media.tumblr.com/f10e450a759b056f39fd9a2055036f9c/tumblr_o5zlndjTgu1uvyu9yo2_400.gif

[Jordan]

never forget

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DKTrQWRSqL8" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Jordan]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AG3BNYTyPGU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Would love to see Scott Hall with some kind of on screen role in WWE, so glad he's back to life.

[Jordan]

I'm honestly proud of Scott, really elated he's at this point.

[Juan]

50 matches for the hardcore dvd? 9 hours?

Seems like that kind of effort would have been better served on the AWA or WCCW dvds.

To be fair, most hardcore title matches were like 30 seconds long

[GD]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/TRnDTYRxGrk" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[#BROKEN Hasney]

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/AG3BNYTyPGU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Would love to see Scott Hall with some kind of on screen role in WWE, so glad he's back to life.

If Cody keeps on developing the way he is, no way are they not going to sign a 6'8" ripped dude to WWE. They'll probably bring Scott back for at least an angle or two then I'd guess.

[Simple Fan]

Cody will definitely be in WWE eventually. Think it was his decision to learn different styles around the world befor coming to WWE. Wonder if they call him Razor Jr. or Cody when he come in though.

[Damian Rey 2.0]

Scott Ramon.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Should just call him either Cody hall or Scott hall Jr., otherwise he will die a Joe hennig esque death

[Ultra Mantis]

Scotty Raze

[Lock Jaw]

Corey McGillicutty

[Ultra Mantis]

Kevin Paul Hickenbottom.

KP Hickenbottom for short.

Hickenbottom when they shorten him to one name for marketing value.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

I haven't seen any of Cody Hall since his earlier work where he was very new to wrestling, how has his work improved since his tenure began in Japan?

[Ultra Mantis]

Neville vs Hickenbottom with special guest ref Teddy Long. Hot Harry Potter feud.

[Jordan]

Cody has Ortonesque qualities but is not as good of an athlete, but is a huge guy so that's understandable. I think if he can create a solid character for himself then he is gold. He's got to stop wearing his Dad's tights though. Looks so cheap.

[Optimus Bone 69]

Just Back from Wwe Live in Glasgow, where they announce Raw and Smackdown would be live for the first time ever from The Hydro
Bought my tickets right then
Buzzing

[Emperor Smeat]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cgl0y4SWYAAo8lL.jpg

[Tom Guycott]

I think he has a natural charisma about him. That "it factor". He looks and carries himself like a star. The key will be for him to try and tap into some personality and use it to really connect.

I believe he has it in him.

The problem would be if WWE (Vince) believes he has it in him. All the potential in the world isn't going to mean squat if a) he gets the "we're bored now" treatment and taken off of tv, jobbed to hell, or both, b) he gets saddled with some dumbass, unsalvagable gimmick or angle that is a total dead-end, or c) he remains as-is, with no feuds or adversity to help advance some kind of character... which actually is a combination of a and b.

Remember the company philosophy; if he's over, it's because WWE made him. If he fails, it is totally 100% his fault for not connecting with fans.

[Tom Guycott]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cgl0y4SWYAAo8lL.jpg

Television Champion can do whatever the hell he wants!

DEGENRATION-KH!!!

[Lock Jaw]

Wonder if Rusev will be fined and have to issue a public apology for his heinous actions

[VSG]

Just some time in the local doghouse.

[Ruien]

Just some time in the local doghouse.

You mean some additional time in the dog house right? Figured that was what LoN was.

[drave]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cgl0y4SWYAAo8lL.jpg


This is showing up as blank.... what happened?

[Lock Jaw]

Rusev took a picture crotch-chopping beside a sign that said "keep off the grass", while having one foot on the grass in an act of defiance.

He was fined $10,000 and suspended for 50 days, and WWE had to issue a full apology for his heinous actions.

People really need to know what to post on social media, and what not to post. :nono:

[Emperor Smeat]

This is showing up as blank.... what happened?

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a guy <a href="https://t.co/ZQaYkL8Czg">pic.twitter.com/ZQaYkL8Czg</a></p>&mdash; Connor (@ConnorJA_) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConnorJA_/status/723237729157419008">April 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

[Droford]

I feel really stupid but I got the new down with the machine Wyatt family shirt and the thing holding the lantern is a nun..so sister Abigail is a nun..

[Droford]

Shirt was only $15 on Amazon shipped with prime. Dont know why WWE would swell stuff on Amazon same price as WWE Shop when they charge ridiculous shipping

[Lock Jaw]

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15//sh0.08/e35/12917927_570875809747352_2101035957_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTIzNDMyMzc2NTM1ODY3ODA2Mw%3D%3D.2

[Lock Jaw]

http://i.imgur.com/skhSTsh.gif

[Hanso Amore]

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15//sh0.08/e35/12917927_570875809747352_2101035957_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTIzNDMyMzc2NTM1ODY3ODA2Mw%3D%3D.2

My mind just fucking exploded. Jo jo! Daaaaaaaaaaaaaaamn

[Tom Guycott]

Just some time in the local doghouse.

If I could still post pictures here, I would totally update that doghouse pic.

[Tom Guycott]

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15//sh0.08/e35/12917927_570875809747352_2101035957_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTIzNDMyMzc2NTM1ODY3ODA2Mw%3D%3D.2

Etor Epsilon has the correct facial expression looking ANYWHERE on Jojo.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

still wanna hear more about Cody Hall's performances in Japan. What's been his best match so far?

[Juan]

Is it just me or does Maryse look like she's had some work done on her face? She looks a little different. Something seems off

[XL]

I feel really stupid but I got the new down with the machine Wyatt family shirt and the thing holding the lantern is a nun..so sister Abigail is a nun..

I always assumed she was a nun or a nurse, hence the Sister. Did anyone think differently?

[#1-norm-fan]

I always took it as just an old-timey southern thing. Referring to ones siblings as "sister _____" or "brother _____".

[Optimus Bone 69]

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">What a guy <a href="https://t.co/ZQaYkL8Czg">pic.twitter.com/ZQaYkL8Czg</a></p>&mdash; Connor (@ConnorJA_) <a href="https://twitter.com/ConnorJA_/status/723237729157419008">April 21, 2016</a></blockquote>
<script async src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Looks like Celtic Park?

[James Steele]

I always took it as just an old-timey southern thing. Referring to ones siblings as "sister _____" or "brother _____".

It's a Southern Protestant church thing. People in the same congregation call each other Brother or Sister followed by their first names. I assume they do it up north too, but it sounds better with a Southern accent. That shit would be mad annoying in a Boston accent.

[SlickyTrickyDamon]

Is it just me or does Maryse look like she's had some work done on her face? She looks a little different. Something seems off

She used to have an orange tan maybe it's that?

[Simple Fan]

still wanna hear more about Cody Hall's performances in Japan. What's been his best match so far?

Being a new guy in NJPW he hasnt really had a lot of success other than being with Bullet Club. Mostly wrestles in 6 and 8 man tags and takes the fall. Worked a singles match with Micheal Elgin recently. Got his first singles win on April 2nd against Hirai Kawato.

[Jari]

https://giant.gfycat.com/DisastrousShinyKinkajou.gif

[Simple Fan]

Here's the Elgin match I guess it was his first singles match.
pgHdoya9B1I

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

Cody's put on some size. Looks like much more of a bruiser. Good solid hard hitting big man much albeit a bit clunky at times. Definitely MUCH improved, has way more of a presence about him. I like him.

[Volare]

2nd Gen Kliq :) He will be fine.

[Simple Fan]

Zack Sabre Jr. and Jack Gallagher, two of the United Kingdom’s brightest stars, earned their way into the WWE Global Cruiserweight Series by winning qualifying matches at a PROGRESS Wrestling event, WWE.com has confirmed.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Cody's put on some size. Looks like much more of a bruiser. Good solid hard hitting big man much albeit a bit clunky at times. Definitely MUCH improved, has way more of a presence about him. I like him.

Add in that he's a former army man who had an active deployment and Vince will jizz himself once he's made aware of him.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

is the frowny face because you don't like Cody?

[#BROKEN Hasney]

is the frowny face because you don't like Cody?

Embarrassed. Due to the thought of Vince jizz.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

figured you'd be desensitized to vince cum by now. It's what he does.

[slik]

http://www.kayfabenews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/flair-beats-charlotte.jpg

Dirtiest player in game betrays daughter to snag Women’s Championship


Legendary professional wrestler Ric Flair has once again lived up to his monicker as the “dirtiest player in the game” by sneak-attacking his own daughter, Charlotte, to win the WWE Women’s Championship. For months, Flair has pretended to be Charlotte’s most loyal advocate and co-conspirator, but it seems that was all an elaborate subterfuge to ensure Charlotte would let her guard down. At a WWE live event last night in Tallahassee, Charlotte issued an “open challenge to anyone in WWE” to face her for the Women’s Championship.

Flair, exploiting a new loophole in WWE — that female wrestlers are now “Superstars” instead of “Divas,” thus allowing impromptu intergender matches — slid into the ring and clobbered his daughter from behind with a pair of brass knuckles that had apparently been concealed in his underpants. After pinning Charlotte (surreptitiously using the ring ropes for leverage), Flair strutted about the ring with the Women’s Championship around his waist, mocking his heartbroken daughter.

Flair is scheduled to defend his championship against Becky Lynch this Monday on Raw.

http://www.kayfabenews.com/dirtiest-player-game-betrays-daughter-claim-womens-championship/

[Emperor Smeat]

http://i.imgur.com/uBdPugc.gif

[Lock Jaw]

"Kurt Angle is not moving! He is down and ou- OH MY GOD HE JUST BOUNCED HIMSELF TO LAND STANDING ON TOP OF THE CAGE!! WHERE IS HE GETTING THIS?!"-"This is so bizarre!"

[Evil Vito]

a man in his mid-40s should not be taking fucking moonsaults from the top of a cage. especially not when everybody knows the move is not going to connect.

[Lock Jaw]

How do you know he did a moonsault after? Maybe he just climbed out after he jumped up there.

[Blonde Moment]

Looks like he might have had a little too much to drink

[Mr. Nerfect]

On Apollo Crews: I like him better on RAW than in NXT. He's a good enough talent to be able to sponge on the road. Give him shorter stuff and he can develop that personality over time. He's good in small amounts, and that's all they will probably give him. Have him win, and win, and win, and win. Not everything needs to be an angle. Just let him build momentum until he finally loses.

To be honest, and I know this won't be met with universal agreement, I think he will really develop into something as a heel. His over-the-top "I'm so happy to be here, listen to my life story, I'm born to be a champion" thing is so...forced. Who doesn't want to be a champion in WWE? There's some egocentric about it that I can see working into Rocky Maivia-style heat in time. His flips and shit could easily be presented as too "show-boaty" and disrespectful to his opponenets. Put him in $500 plain shirts he bought personally off a rap mega-star and he's an instant heel.

[Mr. Nerfect]

https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15//sh0.08/e35/12917927_570875809747352_2101035957_n.jpg?ig_cache_key=MTIzNDMyMzc2NTM1ODY3ODA2Mw%3D%3D.2

Jojo's body is out of this world. They need to give her some sort of personality on TV. I'd be fine with her a cheerleader for The New Day, not that they need her though.

[Mr. Nerfect]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cgl0y4SWYAAo8lL.jpg

Rusev is a great man. Seriously think he has got major babyface potential down the line.

[Mr. Nerfect]

On Sister Abigail: I thought it was explained in early NXT promos that Sister Abigail was some sort of nun? She found him and nursed him back to health and taught him the true way of the world. I always imagined her that way anyway.

But that being said, I think it is also NXT canon that Bray Wyatt confessed to killing his own father by trapping him on a burning boat, so there's that too...

[Mr. Nerfect]

The Usos are facing Anderson & Gallows on RAW tomorrow night. Am I the only one who hopes that this a complete and utter squash match? Something competitive won't do anything for the mystique of the newcomers. Let them dominate The Usos here.

[Mr. Nerfect]

And they have to turn on AJ Styles at Payback, don't they? They just have to.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Ambrose beats Jericho, Reigns beats Styles, The Club attacks Styles, AJ calls in Finn Balor to help at Extreme Rules. Jericho goes on to bitch about how he's the greatest IC Champion of all-time and challenges Cesaro. Ambrose is confused as Reigns selling out, which leads to him being put into the title picture after cutting some promos on how Reigns' turn has ripped his heart out. Here is my hopeful Extreme Rules card:

* Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Title (Extreme Rules?)
* The Roman Empire vs. AJ Styles & Finn Balor
* Cesaro vs. Chris Jericho for the Intercontinental Title
* Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch (vs. Sasha Banks?) in a Ladder Match for the Women's Title
* The New Day vs. Enzo & Cass for the Tag Team Titles

And I've got a feeling there might be some variation on Shane McMahon vs. Triple H.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

where is RAW tomorrow? Hopefully in front of a smarter crowd. Anderson and Gallows need it.

[Mr. Nerfect]

It's in Hartford, Connecticut.

[Mr. Nerfect]

What's the bet we get an Authority/Shane segment? I'm happy for them to do a brand split at this point in time. I'll also lol if Triple H adds himself to the Roman Reigns/AJ Styles match. It actually wouldn't suck, although I think the match is doing fine.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I love Cesaro and Jericho and Ambrose, but they really need to do something to get me there for their upcoming matches. Jericho needs to really cut that hook promo. Why does he really hate Ambrose? The Miz needs to slow the comedy down and really dress down Cesaro to push the fans behind him more.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Half the card is really well built though.

[ClockShot]

It's in Hartford, Connecticut.

Was considering going to this at the last minute. But decided against it.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

What kind of crowd do we usually get in Hartford?

[Mr. Nerfect]

I don't know them to be particularly rowdy, and they've probably got a lot of "homestate" pride in the product. I imagine it might be quite marky. But maybe not.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I think it will be good for Anderson & Gallows get some genuine heat, to be honest.

[Emperor Smeat]

Observer and/or Jack Swagger recently debunked rumors of Swagger leaving the WWE very soon.

Apparently a tweet he sent during the European tour ended up being the source of confusion with people implying the "last day" meant his last day for the company. Instead he only meant it as the last day of the tour for him since RAW is back in the US this week.

Been rumored for a while his time in the WWE is coming close to an end or whenever rumors of a roster spring cleaning pops up.

[Mr. Nerfect]

There is a good case to letting Swagger go. As the Squared Circle Gazette guys said on their podcast (I think it was John G. Chase), having him as a former World Heavyweight Champion detracts from the prestige of the top title. I wish they'd use Swagger better, but they seem to view him as enhancement. There are probably worse jobs in the world.

I'd still be on board for a Swagger Wyatt Family run. Bray could "save" him from a crumbling career and all the expectations of being such a blue chip athlete. Swagger & Harper as the primary team of The Family would be pretty great. Swagger has this way of enhancing all the partners he is with (Ziggler, Cesaro, etc.). Either that or a stint in NXT where he's the big dawg stepping down to try and rediscover his killer instinct could be cool. Joe vs. Swagger is far from the worst match they could do. Swagger vs. Balor has some charm to it too.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Hugo Savinovich is a boss. Just listened to him on MVP's podcast, and he seems like such a cool guy with a lot of knowledge about the business. The tour he just put on in Chile sounds pretty amazing. Would love to see him get a bit of traction and get something on the TV here with Rey Mysterio, MVP, Carlito, Bobby Lashley, Matt Hardy, Santana Garrett, Taya, Johnny Mundo, Chris Masters, Pentagon, Jr., Drago, etc.

[screech]

I could get on board with Joe vs Swagger on NXT for sure.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Would you like to see the Zeb Colter pairing re-visited, or is that done and dusted now?

[Lock Jaw]

MVP gonna be at local rassling show I am covering on Friday....

[Mr. Nerfect]

Sick. Always liked MVP. Don't love him, but the guy is pretty good and seems like a rad individual. :y:

[drave]

Would you like to see the Zeb Colter pairing re-visited, or is that done and dusted now?


Hell no. They can reunite and claim they are going to "Make WWE Great again!" and do The Donald Trump thing. It would still work. Still never forget how I was called racist for cheering Swagger :lol:

[Mr. Nerfect]

Holy shit, Trump Supporter Swagger would be amazing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

In fact, I motion for him to be made the United States Champion immediately.

[Mr. Nerfect]

The WWE have really flattened Sheamus and Del Rio, haven't they? I have no clue where they go with these guys from here. I imagine the League of Nations will be feuding soon and Rusev will be a babyface, but I'm not sure how much momentum he will really get from beating Sheamus and Del Rio.

[drave]

Holy shit, Trump Supporter Swagger would be amazing.


They wouldn't even have to officially support Trump, just use his mannerisms and shit he says. He has history in WWE and with Vince, they could really build SOMETHING out of it and it would be different.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I've got an odd feeling that if they do a King of the Ring tournament this year, Rusev wins it and calls himself "Rusev the Great."

[Mr. Nerfect]

They wouldn't even have to officially support Trump, just use his mannerisms and shit he says. He has history in WWE and with Vince, they could really build SOMETHING out of it and it would be different.

Oh yeah, you wouldn't actually mention Trump, but the obvious connotations would be there.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Swagger would probably just the hold the title until Cena gets back, but it's something for the guy.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Random WrestleMania 33 thought: I think we might get Triple H vs. Shinsuke Nakamura at Mania in Orlando. It seems ridiculous to not include Nakamura on the PPV, and with limited spots, I can see him being the opponent Triple H fights to get.

[Droford]

Hell no. They can reunite and claim they are going to "Make WWE Great again!" and do The Donald Trump thing. It would still work. Still never forget how I was called racist for cheering Swagger :lol:

Bring back the Great American Bash

[Simple Fan]

Random WrestleMania 33 thought: I think we might get Triple H vs. Shinsuke Nakamura at Mania in Orlando. It seems ridiculous to not include Nakamura on the PPV, and with limited spots, I can see him being the opponent Triple H fights to get.

Wouldn't be a bad match. Brock vs Nakumara really sounds good though. Think I read some where they were both added to a Hawaii show that might be a network special so might get it befor WM.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Hmm. I don't see that working for the casual fan, just visually. Nakamura feels too "new." I know they have wrestled before, but I just can't see the WWE going that route. And I think Triple H's ego is going to put him in there with someone that is going to have eyeballs on them that he gets to "make." My mind went to AJ first, then to Balor, and then I thought "Of course it's going to be Nakamura."

I see Brock around the title at Mania. I'd love to see the Shield Triple Threat, but I have a feeling they're going to go in with Reigns and try and give the Reigns vs. Brock match a conclusion. The only other thing really for Brock is Orton, and I'm not sure how keen Orton would be on that match, or just how much genuine interest there is in it. That's not a knock on them, but it feels like Babyface Orton is someone you don't want to see get punched in the head repeatedly by Brock, and Heel Orton isn't much of a threat once he's destroyed by Brock. There's not much of a "rub" gained by either man. I dunno, never been high on that match just due to how I see them matching up chemistry-wise.

The time for Cena vs. Taker came and went, I feel, but I'm sure they're going to try and do whatever they can to make sure it happens. That leaves Rollins and Ambrose without opponents. I can see them automatically being matched up. Maybe some sort of "ultimate rivalries" tag team match? Whoever the heels are align to face whoever the babies are. Maybe Vince, Shane or Triple H do something sadistic and put Owens & Zayn on the same side against Ambrose & Rollins? A "fuck you, this is WrestleMania, so we know how hard you'll fight even though you hate your partners" sort of thing. Orton is left without an opponent then, so I can see him being put with AJ Styles, who seems the next highest up. As I said in another thread, I can see The Wyatt Family and The Balor Club facing off in a six-man for the ages. You're probably going to repeat you 7 guy Ladder Match for the IC Title to build that "tradition." I imagine this is where Cesaro, Dolph Ziggler, Adrian Neville, Kalisto and Del Rio end up. There's two more spots, and I can see them giving one to Sheamus since he's a featured guy. Rusev would be the next most important guy, but I see him being given Battle Royal shine, alongside Big Show, Baron Corbin and Samoa Joe. Apollo Crews for the Ladder Match, actually. Enzo & Cass could be given shine on the Kickoff Show to hype people up, win a tag team match, then appear in the Battle Royal. The Usos will probably be in there too, given that they haven't been featured on the main card yet. I thought they might put them against Big Show & Kane in a sort of "nightmare becomes reality" moment to try and make them look like hoss-beating giant killers, but I don't see them featuring that main card. Maybe on the RAW After Mania.

Obviously a lot can happen between now and then, but those are my current standing predictions.

[Wishbone]

Ambrose beats Jericho, Reigns beats Styles, The Club attacks Styles, AJ calls in Finn Balor to help at Extreme Rules. Jericho goes on to bitch about how he's the greatest IC Champion of all-time and challenges Cesaro. Ambrose is confused as Reigns selling out, which leads to him being put into the title picture after cutting some promos on how Reigns' turn has ripped his heart out. Here is my hopeful Extreme Rules card:

* Roman Reigns vs. Dean Ambrose for the WWE World Title (Extreme Rules?)
* The Roman Empire vs. AJ Styles & Finn Balor
* Cesaro vs. Chris Jericho for the Intercontinental Title
* Charlotte vs. Becky Lynch (vs. Sasha Banks?) in a Ladder Match for the Women's Title
* The New Day vs. Enzo & Cass for the Tag Team Titles

And I've got a feeling there might be some variation on Shane McMahon vs. Triple H.

I like it. Unfortunately that means WWE won't do it... Honestly I do think they'll turn on Styles to cost him the match, but I don't think Roman will be involved in any way, shape, or form. Then at Extreme Rules we'll probably get stuck with Roman vs Sheamus or some other nonsense that makes no sense.

Also I don't feel like Enzo and Cass are getting the win in the tournament either. With New Day being face now they're almost certainly going to throw the Vaudevillans at them, likely to get eaten in the process.

I hope I'm wrong, but given the current product I'm not holding my breath.

[Mr. Nerfect]

So you'd get:

* Reigns vs. Brock for the World Title
* Taker vs. Cena
* Triple H vs. Nakamura
* Charlotte vs. Sasha vs. Becky vs. Bayley for the Women's Title
* Andre Battle Royal
* Owens & Zayn vs. Ambrose & Rollins (possibly a 4-Way for the US Title?)
* Orton vs. Styles
* The Wyatts vs. The Balor Club
* Ladder Match for the IC Title: Cesaro vs. Ziggler vs. Neville vs. Kalisto vs. Sheamus vs. Del Rio vs. Crews

[Mr. Nerfect]

I like it. Unfortunately that means WWE won't do it... Honestly I do think they'll turn on Styles to cost him the match, but I don't think Roman will be involved in any way, shape, or form. Then at Extreme Rules we'll probably get stuck with Roman vs Sheamus or some other nonsense that makes no sense.

Also I don't feel like Enzo and Cass are getting the win in the tournament either. With New Day being face now they're almost certainly going to throw the Vaudevillans at them, likely to get eaten in the process.

I hope I'm wrong, but given the current product I'm not holding my breath.

Honestly, I can see that. I think the turn might come after the match, actually. Reigns beats Styles clean, and The Good Brothers attack because out of disappointment because AJ didn't want their help.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I could honestly see them putting Jericho over Ambrose at Payback somehow in order to build him up for a title shot. Either that or some sort of Triple Threat against Jericho and Ambrose for the title at Extreme Rules.

[Emperor Smeat]

Based on recent tapings, Season 3 might end up as a curse for Lucha Underground just in terms of people getting hurt.

Ivelisse, Mantanza, and Angelico all got seriously injured during tapings. Ivelisse from the last set of tapings and the other two guys from the current set.

Plus Aero Star got hurt in their first live show tour last month separate from the tv tapings.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Not to be cynical, but with some of their recent politics, these injuries and such, I can see a huge exodus from Lucha Underground soon, and the company kind of being left high and dry. I think it will get a Season 4, but it wouldn't surprise me if they take it one season at a time after that.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Not to be cynical, but with some of their recent politics, these injuries and such, I can see a huge exodus from Lucha Underground soon, and the company kind of being left high and dry. I think it will get a Season 4, but it wouldn't surprise me if they take it one season at a time after that.

Only if WWE raids them. The contracts appear to be for 7 seasons, but if there's no news of it being renewed by the end of the final set of tapings, they can get out of their contracts pretty easy which is why there were season 1 leavers. Virtually all of the season 2 cast should be back for season 3.

It's probably a good gig, because I think they do 4 weeks of TV in a night, so the seasons filming doesn't last long other than doing backstage stuff and pickups, then they're free to work anywhere else in the meantime.

Not sure what is meant by politics though. I've not been following the backstage stuff too much recently.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Apparently there are a few people disgruntled at MVP being let go for trying to get some publicity for the company, and a few guys want out to pursue other things, but the company's got them locked down with the 7 season stuff.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Just like NXT has become the fed that Jim Cornette envisioned ROH to be, this Global Cruiserweight Series is probably going to tap into the thunder that Lucha Underground has and be a seasonal little show featuring high octane stuff. I can imagine guys like Pentagon, Jr., Drago, Fenix and Ricochet all ending up there eventually.

[#BROKEN Hasney]

Apparently there are a few people disgruntled at MVP being let go for trying to get some publicity for the company, and a few guys want out to pursue other things, but the company's got them locked down with the 7 season stuff.

Ah yeah, did some googling and just read about the MVP stuff. That's a bummer, still a fan of his and didn't even know he'd signed.

Just like NXT has become the fed that Jim Cornette envisioned ROH to be, this Global Cruiserweight Series is probably going to tap into the thunder that Lucha Underground has and be a seasonal little show featuring high octane stuff. I can imagine guys like Pentagon, Jr., Drago, Fenix and Ricochet all ending up there eventually.

I dunno, I think it will be a great show for the in ring matches and I can't wait to watch it, but I've ended up watching Lucha for the storylines as much as the in ring product. I just love that everything has progression, even if it is this silly supernatural thing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Yeah, I think he was doing agent stuff. Apparently Paul London works there too.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm curious to see the format this GCS takes. I doubt it will just be tournament match, tournament match, tournament match, tournament match, etc. I imagine guys that lose will stick around and compete in tag team bouts, and get involved in storylines as they look for redemption and that sort of thing.

[Mr. Nerfect]

I'm glad Jack Gallagher has qualified. He looks like a real man's man.

https://pbs.twimg.com/profile_images/657502537805885440/3xZGmLlT.jpg

[Mr. Nerfect]

<iframe width="420" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jW9cnAbiyrA" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

[Mr. Nerfect]

Curious to see how the WWE presents Zack Sabre, Jr. too.

[Mr. Nerfect]

Random thought: People might think I'm insane and that the man should never turn heel, but if he does I see Sami Zayn being insanely good in the role. One of the best "actors" on the roster.

[Evil Vito]

The WWE have really flattened Sheamus and Del Rio, haven't they? I have no clue where they go with these guys from here. I imagine the League of Nations will be feuding soon and Rusev will be a babyface, but I'm not sure how much momentum he will really get from beating Sheamus and Del Rio.

A video just got posted on WWE.com with Del Rio saying that the League of Nations was now disbanded. WWE couldn't even be bothered to give them an on-screen breakup to try to do anything with it.

Good thing they got the win at WrestleMania, then.

[Evil Vito]

The entire situation with Del Rio has been completely baffling, honestly. He's a great wrestler but not once since he returned have I gotten the impression that he actually gives a shit.

He's basically just cashing in on the shitload of money WWE gave him to return and is riding out his last year or so before retirement onc ruise control.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

After how they treated him before I don't blame him for a second.

[Evil Vito]

I don't either. I'd be doing the same thing. I'm more just baffled that WWE even bothered to make the investment. They had to have known what they'd be getting.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

as "good" as he is, he's never really done anything before other than go through the motions, so I don't know how they expected anything different. He's Mexican Orton.

[Simple Fan]

His time off as Alberto El Patron was way better than anything WWE has done with him since.

[Evil Vito]

As for the League of Nations...just toss it on to the ever growing pile of evidence that WWE really have no idea how to do any long-term planning for anything other than the main event scene, and even that is highly suspect. Everything and everyone in the midcard has been stopped and started so much that it's just impossible to care about any of it.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

TBH though RAW has been much better the past couple of weeks. I ignored last week's raw but I think we're gonna have a solid few weeks of live raw before we go back through the motions and I stop watching again :p

[Big Vic]

As for the League of Nations...just toss it on to the ever growing pile of evidence that WWE really have no idea how to do any long-term planning for anything other than the main event scene, and even that is highly suspect. Everything and everyone in the midcard has been stopped and started so much that it's just impossible to care about any of it.
WWE makes a ton of money on their TV rights fees so I don't think they are concerned.

[Ol Dirty Dastard]

USA Network popping bottles of champagne and highfiving etc.

[Volare]

So how long before Del Rio goes after Kalisto for the US title?