December 2020 – Page 23

Vince McMahon, Bella Twins & Others Comment On "Earth Day" Holiday

Posted on December 4, 2020 by bamdj

Treat nature like the gift it is… #EarthDay #EarthDay2017@IAmJericho @TheDeanAmbrose @WWERomanReigns #HighlightReel pic.twitter.com/pAxoKnxbz5

— WWE (@WWE) April 22, 2017

With Saturday, April 22nd marking “Earth Day,” various members of the WWE Universe have given a tip of the cap to nature on social media.

Among those who have taken to Twitter to acknowledge the holiday include WWE Chairman Vince McMahon, as well as a number of current and former WWE Superstars such as The Bella Twins, Trish Stratus, Natalya, Cathy Kelley, Carmella and others.

Below are some of the tweets posted by WWE personalities regarding the “Earth Day” holiday on Saturday. Follow more WWE social media action via the promotion’s official Twitter page: @WWE.

We only have one Earth, let’s take care of it. Happy #EarthDay.

— Vince McMahon (@VinceMcMahon) April 22, 2017

Happy #EarthDay pic.twitter.com/4teC0gAbwG

— Nikki & Brie (@BellaTwins) April 22, 2017

Happy Earth Day!

Today during lunch Max and I talked about how the trees help the Earth and what… https://t.co/G2eM7x5Uw2 pic.twitter.com/MrRvWyDgok

— Trish Stratus (@trishstratuscom) April 22, 2017

Hit the ground running in Kalamazoo! Grateful for such a beautiful day. #EarthDay … pic.twitter.com/BLLUpv4Vl1

— Nattie (@NatbyNature) April 22, 2017

Happy #EarthDay, Earth! pic.twitter.com/6DMw54u93d

— Cathy Kelley (@catherinekelley) April 22, 2017

Be the change you wish to see in the world. Happy #EarthDay pic.twitter.com/v2V3Sx38CH

— Carmella (@CarmellaWWE) April 22, 2017

WWE adds Ciampa vs. Thatcher to NXT TakeOver: WarGames

Posted on December 4, 2020 by bamdj

WWE has rounded out the card for NXT TakeOver: WarGames.

It was announced on tonight’s episode of NXT that Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher will take place at TakeOver: WarGames this Sunday. This is the fifth match that’s been confirmed for the event.

Ciampa first confronted Thatcher on NXT two weeks ago, but Thatcher said he had no problem with Ciampa and backed away. The confrontation came after Thatcher defeated August Grey and then attacked him following the match.

Ciampa then brought out a chair and sat at ringside for Thatcher’s match against Kushida last week. Thatcher was distracted by Ciampa, leading to Kushida getting the win by submitting Thatcher with the Hoverboard Lock. Ciampa looked into the camera and said that maybe Thatcher has a problem with him now.

On tonight’s NXT, Thatcher presented a Thatch-as-Thatch-can session in the ring. The subject of the session was dealing with distractions. Ciampa appeared and Thatcher again insisted that he has no problem with Ciampa. Ciampa called Thatcher a disappointment. Thatcher said he wasn’t going to be goaded by Ciampa, but he then took Ciampa down. Ciampa fought back and dropped Thatcher with a punch, but Thatcher’s student started brawling with Ciampa. Thatcher took advantage of that by attacking Ciampa and putting him to sleep.

Thatcher was then interviewed backstage and was asked if he set up Ciampa. Thatcher claimed that he didn’t know his student was going to do that and said he was impressed by his student taking initiative. Thatcher said Ciampa learned about distractions tonight — and Sunday at TakeOver he’ll learn about respect.

Here’s the updated card for TakeOver: WarGames:

WarGames match: Undisputed Era (Adam Cole, Kyle O’Reilly, Roderick Strong & Bobby Fish) vs. Team McAfee (Pat McAfee, Pete Dunne, Oney Lorcan & Danny Burch)
WarGames match: Team Shotzi (Shotzi Blackheart, Ember Moon, Rhea Ripley & NXT Women’s Champion Io Shirai) vs. Team Candice (Candice LeRae, Dakota Kai, Raquel Gonzalez & Toni Storm)
NXT North American Champion Leon Ruff defends his title against Johnny Gargano and Damian Priest in a triple threat match
Strap match: Dexter Lumis vs. Cameron Grimes
Tommaso Ciampa vs. Timothy Thatcher

Ryback Reveals Why WWE Has Been Hesitant To Turn Roman Reigns Heel

Posted on December 3, 2020 by bamdj

During the latest episode of his “Conversation With The Big Guy” podcast, former WWE Superstar Ryback (The Big Guy) addressed what he feels is one of the main reasons why WWE hasn’t turned Roman Reigns heel despite the negative crowd reactions he has been receiving over the past couple of years.

According to The Big Guy, Reigns’ merchandise sales likely has something to do with WWE’s hesitation to turn Reigns heel.

“If you remember correctly, fans were cheering the f*ck out of him when he was part of The Shield,” said the former ‘Ryback.’ “So here’s another theory, and like, fans though… the more successful you are, the more people hate you. But, I do feel, like [Ryback and podcast co-host Pat Buck] talked about, you have to acknowledge them on a certain level, but the reason, if they haven’t done it yet, it’s probably because of the merchandise numbers that he’s pulling in [are] probably very, very strong. Oh, I know so.”

The Big Guy continued, “I would guarantee it, guarantee it. And that’s by design. They know that they’re marketing to the masses with him, that audience. They could turn him heel and play to that small part, but then you’re going to lose out a little bit on the merchandising end on him and stuff.”

As the former WWE Superstar continued, he explained why turning Reigns heel would likely ultimately result in him becoming a bigger babyface in the long run.

“I look at it though, if you did acknowledge them and turn him heel at the right time, you could make him an even bigger babyface,” said Ryback. “You could get those people to actually really like him if you did that and took a step back, which they might do. You never know. He’s in their little inner circle, so anything’s possible with him. I love Roman. I think he’s awesome.”

Check out the full episode of Ryback’s “Conversation With The Big Guy” podcast at AudioBoom.com.

Triple H Talks More About NXT TakeOver Being NXT's Version Of WrestleMania

Posted on December 3, 2020 by bamdj

WWE COO Triple H spoke with the folks at Planeta Wrestling to promote tonight’s NXT TakeOver: Orlando special and Sunday night’s WrestleMania 33 pay-per-view.

During the interview, “The Game” was asked about the perception of NXT TakeOver being the NXT brand’s version of WWE’s annual WrestleMania classic.

“I agree. It’s funny to hear people say that this is NXT Takeover’s Wrestlemania,” Triple H said. “This is the second one at Wrestlemania. The year before it was just a live event that we did last minute in San Jose. The growth has been extremely quick and impressive. This year in Orlando is taking a whole other step. There’s a lot of anticipation for the event and it’s great.”

Triple H continued, “When I look at the upper-end of that card, it has the potential to steal the weekend or the week. [Shinsuke] Nakamura and Bobby Roode, I can’t say enough of how special they are as talents. When you talk about it being the Wrestlemania of NXT, it absolutely is. I know the talent sees it that way. The whole world will be watching. More people now than ever before, by far, watch Wrestlemania and all the surrounding activities around it. It’s the fifth biggest sports franchise on Forbes. That’s following the Super Bowl, Soccer, The Olympics. It’s amazing. When you talk about the WWE Network and the amount of people that will watch on the WWE Network, it’s just an unbelievably amazing opportunity for these talents to make a name for themselves to the world. Not just to NXT, to WWE, to the world. It doesn’t get any bigger than that.”

Check out the complete Triple H interview at YouTube.com.

Photo: Brooke Adams Engaged After Boyfriend Surprises Her With Proposal

Posted on December 3, 2020 by bamdj

On Tuesday, former TNA Knockouts Champion Brooke Adams took to social media to share some exciting news regarding her personal life.

Adams, who returned at the Impact Wrestling television tapings back in January, but wasn’t present for the most recent set of TV tapings in March, announced via her Instagram page that she and her boyfriend, Weston Wayne, are engaged to be married.

The TNA Knockout formerly known as Miss Tessmacher was surprised by an unexpected marriage proposal by her longtime boyfriend and father of her son who was born last September. As she wrote on her Instagram page (see full post below), “I said yes!”

“Wow! I am in total shock. I am marrying my best friend!!!!! I can’t believe he pulled this off in front of all my closest friends and family without me knowing. I am lost for words!!”

Wow! I am in total shock. I am marrying my best friend!!!!! I can't believe he pulled this off in front of all my closest friends and family without me knowing. I am lost for words!! #futuremisspiper #isaidyes #proposal

A post shared by BROOKE ADAMS (@realbrookeadams) on Apr 4, 2017 at 6:43pm PDT

Rumored Matches for WWE Payback; Alberto Targets HHH in Another Rant

Posted on December 3, 2020 by bamdj

With Payback being in San Jose, Bayley will be involved in one of the key matches and it appears WWE is building towards a multi-woman match that will also feature Nia Jax, Sasha Banks, Alexa Bliss and possibly Mickie James as well.
Other matches scheduled for the event are Kevin Owens vs. Chris Jericho for the U.S. Title, Neville vs. Austin Aries for the Cruiserweight title and the Hardy Boyz vs. Sheamus & Cesaro for the Raw Tag Team titles. It’s also a virtual lock that Seth Rollins will take on Samoa Joe as well.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Subscription information & prices available at f4wonline.com

— Alberto El Patron was on Periscope again, ranting as usual. After previously going on tirade against Triple H without actually naming him, this time he does it again but references him directly. Some highlights:

“Some people was saying stupid stuff about us, and about me saying stuff about Triple H, Triple H you are a f*cking p*ssy, and I don’t have to be drunk to say this, you’re a p*ssy”. You just married well, that’s all you did. You married well and you’re a p*ssy.”

— He also insulted patrons at his new restaurant, calling them “dumb” for not speaking two languages and further insulted WWE, saying they are bullies and discriminate. Paige looked uncomfortable during most of this and at one point reminded Alberto that she still works there.

Hornswoggle Reveals WWE Storyline He Wishes He Could Do Over Again

Posted on December 3, 2020 by bamdj

Former WWE Superstar Hornswoggle (Dylan Mark Postl) recently spoke with the Sports Illustrated “Extra Mustard” blog for an interview. Below are some of the highlights.

On which WWE storyline he wishes he could do over: “I would love to do the whole “Anonymous General Manager” storyline again. The way it was supposed to turn out was that I was supposed to be this almost mob-boss style character with this Napoleon complex, throwing his power around while running Raw. Obviously things didn’t work out that way.”

On the biggest match of his career: “The night of the WeeLC match was the biggest match of my career. That gave me a ton of amazing memories that will never be able to be taken from me.”

Check out the complete interview at SI.com.

Nikki Bella On John Cena's WrestleMania 33 Proposal, Their Wedding Date

Posted on December 3, 2020 by bamdj

WWE Superstar and Total Bellas star Nikki Bella recently spoke with Redbook Magazine on a Facebook Live stream for an interview. Below are some of the highlights.

On John Cena proposing to her in the ring at WrestleMania 33: “I loved it. I guess because, WWE is our home, it’s where we met. That wrestling ring is home for me, it’s my passion. I love what I do. And, so, it’s kind of was like the ending story to my Prince Charming, right? Here I met him at work, we’ve had this amazing ride, it’s [had its] ups and down and then just to complete it in that ring, in front of all those people – especially, I guess, because John is very private – I never would have thought he would have done that.”

On their wedding date: “We don’t know a date, there’s a few that I’m looking at, but I’m not going to say which date, yet. More than likely, you’re gonna see [the wedding] on TV.”

Check out the complete Nikki Bella interview below or via the official Redbook Magazine Facebook page.

Mike Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. fight could exceed 1.2 million PPV buys

Posted on December 3, 2020 by bamdj

All these years later, Mike Tyson can still draw on pay-per-view.

Boxing Scene’s Dan Rafael reported that Saturday’s Tyson vs. Roy Jones Jr. exhibition match brought in 1.2 million buys on linear/satellite TV and through Fite.TV. MMA Fighting reported that number could end up being even higher — a massive win for Triller, a new social media platform that promoted the show.

The year’s biggest combat sports event in terms of PPV buys is July’s UFC 251, headlined by welterweight champion Kamaru Usman vs. Jorge Masvidal topping an overall strong main card. The ESPN+ exclusive brought in a reported 1.3 million buys which means the Tyson-Jones Jr. fight is in striking distance of surpassing it.

It also would make it the biggest boxing PPV of the year ahead of Tyson Fury vs. Deontay Wilder II that did in the range of 800,000-850,000 buys.

The fact the 54-year-old Tyson is still a draw decades after he routinely drew over 1 million buys with the likes of Lennox Lewis, Evander Holyfield, Frank Bruno, Bruce Seldon, and even Peter McNeeley in his first fight after getting out of prison is impressive. Following the draw with the 51-year-old Jones Jr. Saturday, he promised he would do more exhibitions and has frequently talked about a third fight with Holyfield. It was his first time in the ring since June 2005.

On the pro wrestling front, Tyson appeared to be building toward an AEW match with Chris Jericho as they got into a pull-apart brawl in May. Since then, the angle hasn’t been revived but AEW could be waiting until fans can be in attendance at shows again.

The $50 PPV also featured YouTube star Jake Paul vs. former NBA player Nate Robinson, additional boxing matches, and musical performances by Snoop Dogg and Wiz Khalifa. Paul’s brother, Logan, was also part of a 1 million+ buy boxing pay-per-view when he faced musician KSI in 2018.

Another Reason WWE is Having Orton vs. Mahal Headline a PPV

Posted on December 3, 2020 by bamdj

One of the reasons that WWE is okay to move ahead with a Randy Orton vs. Jinder Mahal main event is because of the change in their model from a PPV event to a WWE Network special.
If this was a traditional PPV where fans were going to be paying $50+, the event would collapse but because a lot of fans see this as “a $9.99 event”, there is less pressure to deliver and the company is confident enough to experiment more with their matches.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Subscription information & prices available at f4wonline.com