December 2020 – Page 14

The following are highlights of a new TheWhig.com interview with NXT Champion Kevin Owens:

On a conversation he had with Sami Zayn: “I remember a conversation I had with Sami Zayn, it must have been around 2003. We were travelling to a little show in Quebec City, which is about two hours from Montreal so we were somewhere between Montreal and Quebec City at a restaurant and he was telling me how wrestling for WWE was his dream. And I told him, ‘Yeah, well me too, but it’s not really a dream, it’s a goal.’ And he was like, ‘What do you mean by that?’ I said, ‘Dreaming of something is nice, but having it as a goal I think is different. I know it’s going to happen.’ I told him that. I said, ‘I know I’m going to get there.’ And he was kind of blown away by that perspective and that outlook on it.”

On his first day with WWE: “My first day was pretty interesting because I got the call that I was hired. I was going to start full time August 25 at the Performance Center, but my first day was actually before. A couple of weeks before, they brought me in so that I could visit the Performance Center, there was an NXT TV taping that week so I stayed for that. I had to find a house, so I found a house for my family to live in in Orlando. My first day was technically not an official first day, it was just more a bit of a sample of what I could expect. I got in the ring with Norman Smiley in his class. And of course there was the NXT TV taping, I saw that whole process. I met Triple H and I met Stephanie McMahon. It was just a really surreal experience because those are people I’ve been watching for years and years and years. To now get to see them and to get to talk to Triple H, who was basically welcoming me on board. He’s telling me, ‘Thanks for coming, thanks for accepting the invitation, thanks for coming on board.’ In my head, I’m like, ‘Well thank you for hiring me.’ That was pretty cool.”

On developing a relationship with Triple H: “You know, I feel like I’ve developed a bit of a relationship with Hunter throughout these last few months. It goes beyond the ring. We’ll talk about our kids, we’ll talk about life. He’s very good to me. To have him take time out of a very busy day, he’s busy on Raw, and he took the time to tell me to just make sure you are who you are. And I know that’s kind of the advice he gives everyone, but to hear it from him, it really means something because ‘Make sure you stay who you are’ means that who I am, he’s got faith in. That’s a big thing.”

“I wanted to make my kids proud, I wanted to make my wife proud, I wanted to make my parents proud, and I wanted to make Hunter proud because he took a shot on me. I’m not the typical WWE superstar. He hired me anyway and he saw something in me. And I want to deliver for him. I want to pay him back for that by delivering the way he thinks I can and I think I did.”

On facing John Cena on Sunday: “There’s no denying how big it is. There’s not a whole lot of people that walk into WWE, show up on Raw, lay out the top guy in the industry for the last 10 years and get to wrestle him two weeks later at a major event like Elimination Chamber, but I get to do that. That will literally never be taken away from me, no matter what happens from here on out.”

Check out the complete interview at TheWhig.com.

VIDEO: UFC Champion MARKING OUT In The Crowd At WrestleMania 31!

It was noted earlier this week that WWE officials have changed their interest level regarding bringing AJ Styles into the promotion. Originally, WWE wasn’t that interested in bringing him in, however after the success of many of his peers in NXT, and eventually on the main roster, WWE is reportedly more interested in Styles than they were in the past. It is worth pointing out, however, that nothing is expected to happen any time soon due to the fact that Styles has a contract with New Japan Pro Wrestling through the end of the year.

Speaking of WWE’s interest in acquiring established talent, company officials are reportedly in the process of trying to find out when the contracts of a couple of TNA’s top talents expire. According to F4WOnline.com, WWE is interested in signing a few of TNA’s bigger stars, but only for the NXT brand for now.

Photos: Ronda Rousey Turns Heads With Revealing Outfit At Entourage Premiere!

WWE issued the following today:

WWE Tough Enough’s 13 finalists revealed

Meet the finalists who will compete on the new season of WWE Tough Enough.

After a grueling, three-day tryout, 13 competitors will now advance to the new season of WWE Tough Enough. These seven men and six women will fight to live out their dream and become the next WWE Superstar or Diva, starting with the show’s premiere on Tuesday, June 23, on USA Network:

Alexander Frekey, Dallas, Texas

He once caused an earthquake in a “Planet Fitness” commercial, but does Alexander Frekey have what it takes to be Tough Enough? His day-job title of Regional Sales Director doesn’t exactly inspire fear in the masses, but the towering Frekey isn’t just an unusually big office drone. Having played college basketball before appearing in “John Wick” and NBC’s “The Blacklist,” the tough-guy bonafides of this 6-foot-5 Russian are enviable. Now, in the toughest athletic environment there is, he faces a test that will truly shake him to the core.

Amanda Saccomanno, Yorktown Heights, N.Y.

When you’re 5-foot-4 and can lift 225 pounds, you’re bound to turn some heads. Now it’s time to see if this fitness entrepreneur from Yorktown Heights can thrive on WWE’s bright stage. An athletic powerhouse who stays in shape with dance, yoga, Pilates and CrossFit, Saccomanno’s physical prowess could make her a welcome addition to the Divas division. Ironically enough, her childhood nickname was “Hamburgers,” but even that fact may turn out to be appropriate: Underestimate her and she’ll eat you for lunch.

Daria Berenato, Los Angeles

Ever hear of The Jersey Devil? Well that’s Daria Berenato, a 5-foot-7 mixed martial arts fighter nicknamed after the famed beast and looking to make her mark in WWE. Currently a co-host of the YouTube show “UFC AfterBuzz,” Berenato has been training in one form of fighting or another since age 16. Rest assured, if she fights her way to a WWE contract, everyone from the Pine Barrens to Full Sail University will be put on notice.

Dianna Dahlgren, Spokane, Wash.

If you’ve seen the cover of “Oxygen,” “Muscular Development” or “Muscle & Fitness,” at some point you’ve probably seen Dianna Dahlgren. A Monster Energy spokesperson and model, Dahlgren boasts a “shredded” physique that can give most potential Divas a run for their money, not to mention a social media following (290,000-plus followers on Facebook and Instagram) that would make most Superstars jealous. Her love of the extreme led her to WWE. Will we see her on Monday Night Raw next?

Gabi Castrovinci, Southington, Conn.

What’s there to know about Gabi Castrovinci? Born in Brazil, she grew up practicing Jiu-Jitsu and is a professional athlete for World Beauty Fitness & Fashion. An avid surfer and snowboarder, Castrovinci is a self-employed entrepreneur who sells Brazilian leggings online. If she wins Tough Enough, she’ll be trading in Brazilian leggings for Indian Deathlocks in no time.

Giorgia Piscina, Brisbane, Australia

The farthest-flung of WWE Tough Enough’s contestants, Giorgia Piscina comes to the Performance Center on a wing and a dream. An eight-year gymnastics veteran and Bikini Dive competitor for the WBFF, Piscina’s “toughest” moment came when she crossed the finish line on a 400-meter race with a broken ankle. Now facing down her biggest opportunity yet, she’s got plenty to carry her over the finish line, but can she capitalize on the opportunity?

Hank Avery Jr., Macon, Ga.

Looking for a new “Face of WWE”? Well, Hank Avery Jr. was literally a poster boy for Mercer University football from 2012 to 2013. Standing at 6-foot-4 and topping 270 pounds, with a lingering fear of frogs, this gridiron veteran, husband and father makes his living as a pool maintenance manager. But it’s only a matter of time before he’s making a splash on a far bigger stage. Just no frogs, please.

Joshua Bredl, Thornton, Colo.

What do Thor and the Yeti have in common? They’re both nicknames of Josh Bredl, a physical specimen and NFL free agent most recently signed by the Green Bay Packers. One of the top 15 Colorado high school prospects upon his graduation, Bredl recorded 34 tackles and six sacks as a defensive lineman at Colorado State University – Pueblo. Having rampaged his way down to the Performance Center, he now looks to make the big jump into WWE and show the Cheeseheads what they’re missing.

Mada Abdel Hamid, Los Angeles

Ever wonder how Khal Drogo from “Game of Thrones” got so big? That’s because Mada Abdel Hamid trained him. A personal trainer for actor Jason Momoa, Abdel Hamid’s story is almost as fantastical as “Thrones” is: Born in Egypt and fluent in Arabic, he played professional basketball until he fled the country in the midst of the 2011 Egyptian Revolution. WWE Tough Enough is merely the latest chapter in a life well lived. If he makes it through, does a chapter at WrestleMania await?

Patrick Clark, Jr., Washington, D.C.

To some, WWE is more than a dream, it is an escape. That’s what it was for Patrick Clark, a 19-year-old wrestling coach from Washington, D.C., who found refuge in sports-entertainment after the death of his father. Clark’s drive led him from 10 years of JROTC to the mats of amateur competition, where he wrestled for Forestville Military Academy from 2011 to 2013. He’s currently a competitor in the Mid Atlantic Wrestling Association, and a coach. Does a jump from the mat to the ring await?

Sara Lee, Hope, Mich.

A pure athlete looking to take her skills to the ring, Sara Lee boasts one of the most unique backgrounds of WWE Tough Enough’s hopefuls. While studying to become an ultrasound technician, Lee is also a power lift competitor who trains six times a week and can squat 230 pounds and bench press 140 pounds. Introduced to WWE by her older brother, she is “in love” with The Bella Twins. Should she prove tough enough, Nikki and Brie might have themselves a new ally … or enemy.

Tanner Saraceno, Boiling Springs, S.C.

Looking for a fighter? Look no further than Tanner Saraceno, a tattooed mixed-martial arts fighter with the beard of a wildman and a resume that would make most opponents shrivel in fear. An 11-year wrestler with high school and college experience, Saraceno was named the team captain and MVP of his college team after walking on as a freshman. His hobbies are oddly tame — cooking and brushing his hair — as is his profession: tree trimmer. Rest assured, however, in WWE Tough Enough, he has one goal with relation to his fellow contestants: chop them down and take the contract for himself.

Zamariah “ZZ” Loupe, Bayou Bluff, La.

Zamariah Loupe wrestles alligators. He’s even got one for a pet, “Mr. Gator,” who he calls his blood brother despite the fact that big bro once bit through Loupe’s hand. The youngest of WWE Tough Enough’s contestants at age 18, Loupe currently plays linebacker for Nicholls University when he’s not wrestling alligators. Loupe’s as charitable as he is unique, passing out Beanie Babies to the children and the elderly in his town while dressed as Santa Claus. WWE Tough Enough would seem like a big step for such a young man, but, again: He wrestles alligators. His fellow humans have their work cut out for them.

BREAKING NEWS: @WWEToughEnough cast released! pic.twitter.com/zYVWGImDM4

— WWE (@WWE) June 12, 2015

PHOTO: Is Ken Shamrock Taking STEROIDS Before Fight With Kimbo?!

Former WWE Superstar and current part-time TNA Wrestling star and Bellator MMA fighter Bobby Lashley won his 15th professional MMA bout on Friday night, improving his overall pro MMA record to 13-2.

Lashley, who competed in the third-to-last bout on the Bellator 138: “Unfinished Business” card from St. Louis, Missouri, which aired live and free on Spike TV, defeated late-replacement opponent Dan Charles (9-3) via third-round TKO.

The main event of the show that Lashley fought on featured fellow former WWE Superstar Ken Shamrock, who came out of retirement at age 51 to fight street-fighting legend turned MMA and boxing fighter Kimbo Slice, as the two were originally scheduled to fight for the now defunct EliteXC promotion approximately seven years ago, when Shamrock was forced to pull out of the fight on the day of the show due to suffering a cut while warming up for the bout backstage just hours before the show began.

For complete results, click here: Bellator 138 Results.

Below is a recap of the Lashley-Charles bout, which comes courtesy of Rajah.com MMA sister-site, MMANews.com.

Bobby Lashley (239 lbs.) vs. Dan Charles (228 lbs.)

Round 1: Alright folks, the pre-taped preliminary bout from earlier in the show has finished. After some promotional video packages, we shoot back live to the cage. Out first fighter making his way out to the Bellator cage is the man who is replacing the originally scheduled James Thompson, Dan Charles. His opponent for tonight, part-time pro wrestler from TNA Wrestling (and formerly WWE) and part-time MMA fighter (most recently with Bellator MMA) Bobby Lashley makes his way out to a nice reaction from the St. Louis audience.

The bell sounds and it’s Lashley who comes out pushing the action and forcing Charles to back and circle. Within seconds, Lashley shoots in with a fast takedown. He gets it. Charles, however, pops back up just moments later. Charles throws a sloppy flying knee that doesn’t do much — if any — damage. Lashley gets Charles’ back against the cage and takes him right back down. If the fights goes at this page for the next two-and-a-half rounds, we’re looking at a long night. Lashley scoop-slams Charles down with another powerful takedown.

Lashley has Charles stuck against the cage now and is working some knees. Charles uses the cage to get back to his feet, so Lashley starts slamming his knees into the thighs of Charles. Lashley hoists Charles way up in the air and slams him down. He goes to do it again once Charles pops back up, but this time Charles avoids being slammed down. Lashley could be using a lot of unnecessary energy by constantly powering Charles up and slamming him down repeatedly. Time will tell, but thus far, Lashley is completely dominating the action, although it hasn’t been the most exciting fight thus far.

Lashley hoists Charles up and again slams him back down to the mat with force. If this fight somehow makes it to the third round, we’ll see how Lashley’s cardio has — or has not — improved, as he is using a lot of unnecessary energy here in the first round. With ten seconds left, Lashley tries to pick him up and slam him again but Charles avoids it. That will end the round. MMANews.com scores the round 10-9 for Bobby Lashley.

Round 2: The secound round begins much the same way round one did, with Lashley simply rag-dolling Charles all over the place. The second Lashley gets a hold of Charles, he — in old Quinton “Rampage” Jackson PRIDE days — is using a ton of energy to scoop his opponent up and use a ton of energy to slam him down — over and over (and over …and over …and over) again.

Finally, Lashley has Charles against the cage and is working some ground and pound. Charles works his way back up so within seconds, Lashley scoops him up and slams him down yet again. Not a lot to cover here, as the entire fight has looked completely and totally identical thus far. Lashley uses a ton of energy to pick up Charles and slams him down. Charles then finds a way to get back to his feet, so Lashley hoists him up and power-slams him back down. That has been the entire fight from the word “go.”

The ref is taking a close look now as Lashley works some ground and pound, although it’s not like it’s vicious shots or anything, but I guess the referee finally saw enough so he called it off. Not an impressive performance by Lashley at all, unless you consider an enormous wrestler take someone down over and over and over and over and over again.

Bobby Lashley def. Dan Charles via TKO (strikes) at of Round 2.

VIDEO: Bobby Lashley vs. Dan Charles From Bellator 138 (FULL FIGHT — FREE)

Global Force Wrestling has posted a new video that features Karen Jarrett discussing Jeff Jarrett’s TNA return at Impact Wrestling earlier this week. She also talks about TNA President Dixie Carter, the upstart GFW promotion and more.

Karen said, “All the tweets, everything on social media, all the different wrestling websites, people continue to talk about this being a storyline… this is not a storyline.”

She continued, “This isn’t something that somebody pitched to the company. This is our real life. How did it feel stepping back into the impact Zone? Amazing. Backstage, seeing everyone and all the love the have for Jeff and myself. You know you miss people but you don’t realize how much you miss them until you see them in person.”

Check out the complete video interview below.

NEW PHOTO GALLERY: CONTROVERSIAL Pics Of RONDA ROUSEY In SKIMPY Outfits

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan is still itching to get back in the ring, telling Sean Fewster of Australia’s Adeliade Now publication that it’s been “very, very hard” for him to follow the business from the sidelines.

“I’m ready to jump out of my seat and say ‘you can do it better’ or ‘your timing is off’ or ‘that was really good … It just feels like my spirit wants to jump out of my body.

But you have to look in the mirror and say, ‘You’re 61, you’ve had surgeries, it’s not your time.’ It’s been hard for me to accept that. It’s coloured my principles. But I’ve found peace, I’ve found a lot of happiness, in the fact that I’ve been offered a job as the ambassador.”

Hogan said he met with Vince McMahon shortly after WrestleMania 31 and pitched the idea of getting back in the ring at next year’s WrestleMania 32 next year from Arlington, Texas.

“I had a run-in with Vince McMahon after the last WrestleMania. I saw him in the lobby and said: ‘I know what’s going on. Next year, WrestleMania is in Dallas and you’re going to try to break my attendance record. Let me tell you something, brother, there’s no way you’re running that show next year without me on the card! Whether it’s for my last hurrah, my retirement match, my next run, or to beat whoever the champion is and be champion again!’ Vince shook my hand and said, ‘I look forward to it.'”

Hogan said his current role with WWE would not be possible if not for Triple H, who reached out to him after Hogan finished up with TNA.

“This ambassador position means I can still be a part of the big show, and I thank Triple H for that. If not for him, this thing between Vince McMahon and I – this heat – would still be bad,” Hogan said. “Vince made me feel so welcome when he explained to me I’m the glue that bonds the father, the son and the grandson that watch wrestling.”

Hogan will be joining WWE for next month’s live events tour of Australia. He’ll serve as the guest General Manager for all three shows in Brisbane (8/6), Melbourne (8/7), and Sydney (8/8).

* The Latest On WWE’s Current Plans For WrestleMania 32

Global Force Wrestling’s television show will be titled Amped, GFW founder Jeff Jarrett announced on Thursday.

The first set of Amped tapings are scheduled for July 24th from Las Vegas, Nevada.

Jarrett explained:

“Why is it ‘Amped?’ I’m amped to not write stories, but document stories. I’m amped to see the action, whether it be Lucha Libre, the strong style from Japan, or the pageantry from the U.S. We have international stars from around the globe. And I’m amped to get this program out,”

* View Here: The Official Global Force Wrestling AMPED Logo

For the first time since having to relinquish the NXT Championship this August, Karrion Kross is returning to in-ring action.

WWE has announced that Kross will return to the ring on NXT this coming Wednesday (December 16). His opponent for the show hasn’t been revealed.

After his return was teased at NXT TakeOver: WarGames, Kross appeared on NXT this week and attacked Damian Priest. Priest had insulted Kross and Scarlett earlier in the episode.

NXT Champion Finn Balor opened this week’s NXT with a promo before being interrupted by Pete Dunne, Kyle O’Reilly, and Priest. Scarlett then also confronted Balor. Balor told her to tell Kross that whenever he’s ready, Balor’s ready.

Priest then asked Scarlett if she usually tells Kross to wait in the car while she handles his business. Priest said if Kross wants to pick a fight, all he has to do is step up to Priest like a man. Kross later ambushed Priest and put him through a table.

Kross won the NXT Championship from Keith Lee at TakeOver XXX this August but had to relinquish the title just days later due to suffering a separated shoulder during the match where he won the title. A four-way Iron Man match between Balor, Adam Cole, Johnny Gargano, and Tommaso Ciampa was then made to decide the new champion. It ended in a tie between Balor and Cole, leading to a singles match where Balor defeated Cole to become NXT Champion.

O’Reilly is facing Dunne in a number one contender’s match on this coming Wednesday’s NXT to decide Balor’s challenger for New Year’s Evil. New Year’s Evil is taking place on Wednesday, January 6 and will be the first NXT episode of 2021.

Leon Ruff & Kushida vs. Johnny Gargano & Austin Theory is also set for this coming Wednesday’s NXT. Prior to the angle where Kross returned and attacked Priest, it was initially said that Priest would be teaming with Ruff in that match.

Click:

ROH and TNA numbers were down this week after spiking last week for some of their best numbers in recent memory.

Ring Of Honor drew a record low 80,000 viewers for their initial airing at 8pm EST, while Impact Wrestling drew one of their lower numbers, as 293,000 viewers tuned into the first airing of the show at 9pm EST.

The following are the Wednesday night ratings for this week:

* ROH at 8 p.m. 80,000 viewers
* TNA at 9 p.m. 293,000 viewers
* ROH at 11 p.m. 89.000 viewers
* TNA at midnight 72,000 viewers

SPOILER: TOP WWE Legend Set For SURPRISE RETURN At Monday’s RAW!

– The following preview clip for WWE Total Divas features The Bella Twins proposing a new business venture to their family.

– Renee Young and WWE Hall Of Famer “Mean” Gene Okerlund were in New York City this past weekend filming content for the WWE Network. Renee posted the following photo of the two together on Instagram.

Found 'em!! @thegeneokerlund #vintage

A photo posted by Renee Young (@reneeyoungwwe) on Aug 14, 2015 at 8:56am PDT

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