CM Punk Will Appear At Starrcast III

Starrcast III just made a big announcement for All Out weekend in Chicago — CM Punk will be making an appearance at the convention.

The AEW-connected convention dropped the news on Thursday and fans will surely continue speculating about the possibility of Punk making an appearance at All Out now.

Starrcast did not specify what Punk will be doing at the convention in the announcement.

Chris Jericho talked about the possibility of CM Punk joining All Elite Wrestling in a recent interview with Collider Live. “Do we need him? No. Would it be a huge pop to get him? Yes,” Jericho explained during the conversation.

Watch the Starrcast III announcement below.

https://twitter.com/StarrcastEvents/status/1151923037400436737

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Tully Blanchard Has A “Multi-Show Agreement” With All Elite Wrestling

As seen on the first episode of  “Road to All Out,” Tully Blanchard is now advising Shawn Spears — and AEW has shed some light on his role in the company.

According to a press release from All Elite Wrestling:

Effective immediately, Blanchard has entered into a multi-show agreement with Spears and AEW.

The announcement also includes a statement from AEW President Tony Khan.

“Given the challenge that Shawn has issued to Cody for a match at ALL OUT as well as the long, bitter history between Tully and the Rhodes family, plus Shawn’s recent behavior in AEW, it appears that Tully Blanchard has a great deal of influence over Shawn’s intents and actions,” Khan stated. “This indicates that going forward Shawn Spears will be one of the most feared and unpredictable wrestlers in AEW.”

Watch Tully’s AEW debut in the video below.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE Launches New Talent Brand Management Department

WWE recently established a Talent Brand Management department to help develop the individual brands of their Superstars. They are now hiring a Vice President to run the department and a Director to help. The Director would report to the Vice President, and the Vice President would report directly to WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon.

Both jobs are based at WWE HQ in Stamford, CT. You can see WWE’s job listings for the new positions at this link and this link.

WWE described the new Talent Brand Management department like this:

“Talent Brand Management is a division of WWE that has 360-degree oversight of Superstars’ individual talent brands and is focused on positioning and growing these individual brands inside and outside WWE platforms.”

It sounds like the employees for these new roles will work with talents at WWE events as the job involves traveling 25% of the time.

You can get a good idea of what the new department will be doing by this list of Key Responsibilities and Requirements listed on the Vice President job listing:

Key Responsibilities:

* Work across the organization, including the Executive team and WWE Superstars to establish a clear brand identity for each individual talent brand

* Set strategies to grow individual talent brands inside and outside of WWE’s ecosystem

* Identify and evaluate opportunities for Superstars to help grow talent and reach new audiences based on individual talent brand strategies

* Manage external agencies/parties representing WWE talent

* Ensuring key messaging for both WWE as well as Superstars is well represented in the marketplace

* Establish KPIs to track the growth of individual talent brands

* Establish rate card and standardize practices around external opportunities for talent

* Oversee tracking and communication of individual talent activities

* Clearly communicate messaging and brand positioning across the internal organization

* Leverage your network to bring in new opportunities for talent and WWE

* Partner with key internal departments including, but not limited to: Brand, Communications, Marketing, Sponsorship, Consumer Products and Talent Relations

* Work closely with Executive Directors for RAW, SmackDown and NXT to ensure alignment with short- and long-term storylines and character bibles

* Report out on status to Executive Team and Chairman’s office, as needed.

* Encourage best practices and procedures to ensure appropriate decision-making protocols are followed, and proactively identify areas for improvement that promote efficiency, innovation, and better communication internally

* Support continued growth of Talent Brand Management department as WWE’s talent roster continues to grow around the world

Requirements:

* A minimum of 10 years of leadership experience in Business Development or Brand Management within the entertainment industry

* Solid understanding of the entertainment industry and media landscape including evolving industry trends, key players, terminology.

* Highly organized and detail-oriented.

* Strong executive presence with excellent written and verbal communication skills.

* Ability to work well with multiple stakeholders across company and externally across partners/agencies.

* Proven leadership and management skills, ability to grow and motivate a team.

* A “can-do” attitude, positivity and high energy.

* Must fit into WWE culture; outside the box thinker, sense of humility, flexible, adaptable to changing conditions, and be an excellent team player.

* Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

* Must be flexible with working nights, weekends, and holidays.

* Bachelors degree in Business, Communications, Marketing, or related field of study preferred.

* MBA or JD is required.

Below are the Key Responsibilities and Qualifications for the Director job:

Key Responsibilities:

* Work across the organization to oversee the development and execution of individual WWE Superstar brand strategies

* Serve as point of contact for talent to seek feedback/ideas and review new opportunities that align with talent’s personal interests and/or larger brand growth strategy

* Partner with Creative Services and Television Production teams to develop marketing materials for individual talent

* Help evaluate opportunities Superstars to help grow talent and reach new audiences based on individual talent brand strategies

* Work with key internal departments including, but not limited to Brand, Communications, Marketing, Sponsorship, Consumer Products and Talent Relations, to track any potential/upcoming/completed opportunities for assigned talent

* Work closely with Executive Directors for RAW, SmackDown and NXT to ensure alignment with short- and long-term storylines and character bibles

* Partner across the organization to solicit meaningful opportunities for assigned talent

* Establish and track KPIs to monitor growth of brands on on-going basis, create and distribute reports internally to key stakeholders

* Ensure rate card and standardized practices around external opportunities for talent are being followed

* Research and develop strategic plans that include proper positioning of individual talent brands

* Clearly communicate messaging and brand positioning for individual talent across the internal organization

* Provide support, research, feedback and insight to the VP, Talent Brand Management as needed

* Provide onsite support at events and activations as needed

Qualifications:

* 7+ years of related experience, preferably from a promotions/sports marketing agency; including working directly with athletes or celebrities

* Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including verbal, written, and presentation

* Exceptional project management, organizational, and time management skills, with the ability to lead multiple projects in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment

* Self-motivated with a positive, can-do attitude; poise and grace under pressure

* Professional in always maintaining the highest degree of discretion and confidentiality

* Willing and able to work a flexible schedule including late nights and weekends on a regular basis

* Able to travel for business as needed (approximately 20-25%) and work a flexible schedule including nights, weekends, and holidays as needed

* Proficient in MS Office suite, especially PowerPoint and Excel

* Bachelor’s degree required, MBA or JD is a plus

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Kevin Owens Reportedly Working Without A Script On WWE TV

Kevin Owens has been cutting his recent promos without a script, according to a new report from Sports Illustrated.

While Owens has been working with no script as of late, he is working off of bullet points, given to him by the SmackDown writers.

WWE is currently pushing Owens as a babyface, something they had planned months ago before he had to turn heel to make up for the WrestleMania 35 injury to Daniel Bryan. It’s been reported that WWE gave Owens the Stunner as a finisher to help get him over as a strong babyface. WWE allowing Owens to work without a script shows that they have a lot of faith in the former Universal Champion.

There’s no word yet on where WWE is going with the current Owens vs. Shane McMahon feud, but speculation is that the program will end at SummerSlam with a match between the two. As noted by SI, WWE could really advance the push of Owens by having their SummerSlam match end with Owens making “short work” of McMahon.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Paul Heyman Reportedly Looking To Change How Promos Are Done On WWE RAW

Since being named the new executive director of RAW, Paul Heyman’s influence has started to get noticed. Whether it be physical segments involving talent or the Mike and Maria Kanellis segments, the man who innovated ECW is looking to do the same with WWE’s flagship show.

That apparently also includes promo work.

According to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Heyman has been trying to make backstage interviews come across as more realistic. Similar to what we saw with Drew McIntyreand Cedric Alexander on Raw this past Monday, Heyman wants there to be consequences to everyone’s actions and for the atmosphere to feel authentic.

In the past, Heyman has worked with a number of wrestlers when it comes to in-ring and promo work including Charlotte Flair, Ronda Rousey and Aleister Black. Rousey had publicly talked in the past about Heyman working with her, including with some of her promos on Becky Lynch.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Shawn Michaels Returning To WWE SmackDown Next Week For Commentary

WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels will make his return to SmackDown on next Tuesday’s episode from the American Airlines Arena in Miami, Florida.

Michaels took to Twitter today to reveal that he will be doing commentary on Tuesday’s SmackDown.

He wrote, “I’ve had a lot of …ahem.. fun times on Monday Night #Raw, but I’m not just coming to #RawReunion to see some friends, ol’ HBK is going to be joining commentary THIS Tuesday on #SDLive! #IveBeenPracticing”

Michaels, who turns 54 on Monday, will also make an appearance on Monday’s RAW Reunion special from Tampa.

https://twitter.com/WWE/status/1151863117355409411

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Eric Bischoff Not Involved With The WWE SmackDown Creative Process?, More On His New WWE Role

New WWE SmackDown Executive Director Eric Bischoff is not expected to be involved with the blue brand creative process, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. It was noted in the latest issue that right now, those in WWE creative were told that Bischoff will most likely not be involved with the creative process.

With that said, it looks like Bischoff’s job will be to interface with the various departments in the company, and Fox. Bischoff is still to be the leader of the SmackDown side of things. The Observer noted that the brand currently has no leadership and runs off Ryan Ward and other writers pitching ideas off Vince McMahon.

Bischoff had no influence on this week’s SmackDown episode.

Bischoff appeared on the latest edition of the “After 83 Weeks with Christy Olson” podcast, recorded on Tuesday night, and said he had arrived in Stamford, and was watching the show that he will be taking over.

“I’m actually watching SmackDown as we speak, I’m boning up, I’m doing my research and getting familiar,” he said.

Bischoff visited WWE HQ on Wednesday, but said he will really get started next Monday and Tuesday.

“I’m kinda getting oriented [on Wednesday] and starting the process and getting familiar. I’m kicking it off on Monday and Tuesday next week,” he added.

Bischoff also admitted, during another recent “After 83 Weeks” podcast, that he has a lot to learn.

“The honest answer is, I’ve got a lot to learn between now and the time I actually am fully integrated into the process, because the audience has changed. Television has changed. So much has changed over the last five or seven years that I’ve got some catching up to do. I’m not going to sugarcoat it,” he said when discussing what’s different about producing wrestling for TV these days.

Bischoff is scheduled to appear on TV for the RAW Reunion special from Tampa on Monday.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Braun Strowman Signs New Multi-Year WWE Contract

“The Monster Among Men” Braun Strowman has signed a new WWE contract.

Strowman made the announcement via Instagram, writing:

Well I’m sure more than a few of you will like this announcement!!!!!!!! Here’s to 4 more years of being the hardest working and best big man in the whole damn industry and working for the Greatest promotion in the world the WWE.

The larger than life performer first signed with WWE in 2013 and made his main roster debut two years later as part of the Wyatt Family.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

News On FOX Meeting About WWE – SmackDown Live, NXT On FS1

Fox officials hosted a summit meeting on Wednesday to talk with their affiliates about the fall schedule, according to the Wrestling Observer Newsletter. WWE was included in this summit.

Since SmackDown will be part of the Fox sports block every Thursday to Sunday in the fall, the network reportedly wants WWE to be promoted as a legitimate sport that is a choreographed sports presentation, although the outcomes of the matches are predetermined. SmackDown will air 51 weeks per year on Fox, and will be preempted for the World Series. It’s possible that SmackDown airs on FS1 for that one week.

Fox will also air a one-hour launch show in late September to build to the live Friday night debut on October 4 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles. The idea is that the one-hour special will introduce WWE and the Superstars to the Fox audience. WWE and Fox are planning a major promotion that will see WWE Superstars take a moving truck to various sized markets to promote the network change. A digital primer is also being planned, which will allow viewers to get a behind-the-scenes look at the WWE product. This primer will teach viewers some of the insider terms, according to the Observer.

Fox is also in talks to bring the WWE NXT brand to TV. There’s been speculation on NXT airing on FS1, head-to-head with AEW’s weekly TNT show, but that has not been confirmed. As previously reported, FS1 will also air a weekly WWE studio show on Tuesdays with Renee Young as the host.

It’s believed that the SmackDown 20th Anniversary special will air as the premiere episode on Fox, on October 4. WWE will begin promoting that special in mid-September. It was noted at the summit that there will be a lot of surprises on that show.

Sources: Wrestling Observer Newsletter and Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 7/17/19

NXT, streaming tonight at 8 ET on WWE Network.

* NXT Champion Adam Cole gets to work

* Apollo landing: Crews next to take on the Kushida challenge

* First-round finale: Bronson Reed collides with Dexter Lumis

* Original Bro squares off with Arturo Ruas

* What’s next for The Sultans of Swag?