Author: John Bass

Hulk Hogan Says He’s “Looking Forward To Going To Saudi Arabia With The WWE”

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The date of Crown Jewel is rapidly approaching and Hulk Hogan dropped an interesting quote in a new interview that might fuel speculation over a surprise appearance.

Hogan was interviewed by the Orlando Sentinel and the topic of his recent return to WWE was touched upon. “There are a lot of plans in the works,” Hogan told them.

Adding, “I’m looking forward to going to Saudi Arabia with the WWE, looking forward to WrestleMania — but yeah, we’re moving forward at a rapid pace. It’s exciting to have this opportunity again after all these years where I was there and gone.”

WWE’s current contract with the Saudi Arabian government is a long-term deal, so Hulk could just be speaking generally. As of this writing, there’s been no announcement from WWE saying Hulk will be at Crown Jewel. However, they have been heavily promoting his upcoming nWo reunion event.

Hogan finished the interview saying he’d like to be WWE’s Babe Ruth and used as a “hood ornament” for the company going forward.

“I sure would love to be a part of the WrestleManias and the big events and the grand openings and the new conquests of the WWE,” he explained. “Saudi Arabia! Hong Kong! China! Antarctica! The North Pole! Whatever it is, I’d like to be part of the ongoing growth of the wrestling business, and be with WWE the whole time, that’s the only place to be.”

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE Announces Crown Jewel Will Continue As Planned

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Despite growing concern regarding WWE‘s relationship with Saudi Arabia, the company just confirmed Crown Jewel will continue on as planned.

As WWE announced their Q3 earnings today, they also addressed the status of their November 2nd event. In their 2018 business outlook, WWE stated:

“WWE has operated in the Middle East for nearly 20 years and has developed a sizable and dedicated fan base. Considering the heinous crime committed at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul, the Company faced a very difficult decision as it relates to its event scheduled for November 2 in Riyadh. Similar to other U.S.-based companies who plan to continue operations in Saudi Arabia, the Company has decided to uphold its contractual obligations to the General Sports Authority and stage the event. Full year 2018 guidance is predicated on the staging of the Riyadh event as scheduled.”

As we previously reported, four U.S. senators called for WWE to re-think their relationship with the Saudi government. Pre-show panelist Sam Roberts also spoke out, saying the event should be moved.

For those unaware, Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi was reportedly assassinated in the Saudi consulate in Turkey over two weeks ago. The team of people who allegedly murdered him reportedly dismembered his body with a bone saw at the order of the highest levels of the Royal Court.

This prompted WWE to release a statement saying they were monitoring the situation.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Samu Anoa’i Reveals Battle With Liver Cancer, Comments On Roman Reigns’ Leukemia Battle

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Former WWE, WCW and ECW star Samu Anoa’i announced on Facebook today that he is battling with stage four liver cancer. He is currently awaiting a liver transplant.

Samu’s announcement comes days after his cousin Roman Reigns announced his battle with leukemia on WWE RAW. Samu’s Facebook post, seen below, addressed complaints made by fans over “Anoa’i Strong” t-shirts he’s been selling, which some people criticized as being exploitative due to Reigns’ announcement. The shirts were first released long before Reigns’ made his announcement.

You can read the full post from the former WWE Tag Team Champion below:

I want to take a minute to address the situation with myself and that of my family.I recently have posted I am selling shirts “Anoa’i Strong”

These shirts have been for sale for many years and in light of the current situation that has struck myself and my family, I have decided to change the shirts to various colors for cancer.

My cousins news has struck the world and we are all devastated at this time. What many of you may or may not know is I am also dealing with stage 4 liver cancer and am currently waiting for God’s grace to help me get a transplant.

I am an elder member of my family and in no way am I or my family attempting to profit from any serious sickness. Instead, I want to use our name in order to help doctors and researchers find ways to cure this evil sickness.

I do not endorse or will I ever endorse profit on the misfortune of others or myself or that of my family.

I want all of my friends, family and fans to know we will always remain “Anoa’i Strong.” and these shirts will remain for sale and we will be speaking with various cancer organizations on how we can help.

Until you can stand in the shoes we stand in you will never know the pain and the struggle we endure daily.
Respectfully
Samu Anoa’i

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE 205 Live, NXT And Mae Young Classic Preview 10/24/18

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Below are previews for 205 live, NXT and the Mae Young Classic airing on the WWE Network beginning at 7/6 C.

 

Tonight’s WWE 205 Live was taped last night at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

* Mike Kanellis vs. Lince Dorado

* Falls Count Anywhere Match: Mustafa Ali vs. Hideo Itami

 

Tonight on NXT:

* The aftermath of Aliester Black’s surprise return

* Major NXT Championship announcement for NXT TakeOver: WarGames

* Mia Yim vs. Aliyah

* What’s next for Undisputed ERA?

* EC3 vs. Adam Cole

*  Kassius Ohno vs. Justin Xavier

 

Semi-Final matches of the 2018 Mae Young Classic:

* Io Shirai vs. Rhea Ripley

* Meiko Satomura vs. Toni Storm

Backstage News On Dean Ambrose’s Heel Turn, Who Knew About Roman Reigns’ Announcement, More

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Regarding Roman Reigns announcing his battle with leukemia on Monday’s WWE RAW, PWInsider reports that 99% of those in the company h ad no idea what Reigns was going to announce before he went out to the ring. The upper-level officials in the company, likely the McMahon family’s inner circle and Talent Relations, were the only ones who knew before the announcement was made on Monday that Reigns was ill, along with members of Reigns’ family. The announcers were not clued in to what the announcement was before it was made.

On a related note, Vince McMahon was not in attendance for Monday’s RAW.

Reigns taking time off and dropping the WWE Universal Title obviously changed some creative plans. PWInsider adds that most plans for the WrestleMania 35 main event picture are now “out the window” but as noted recently, the main event was not locked in. Reigns was still expected to be a part of one of the top matches.

Reigns’ announcement did not push up the heel turn by new RAW Tag Team Champion Dean Ambrose. That turn was planned for the future but officials decided to pull the trigger early. PWInsider adds that this was not a creative plan made at the last minute due to Reigns’ announcement but the turn was moved up.

Source: WrestlingINC

Latest Update On WWE Crown Jewel Plans

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In a story that could change at any moment, as of this morning, tickets have still not gone on sale for WWE Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia on November 2.

Some WWE staff members are expected to travel to the area within the next day though, according to PWInsider. Crown Jewel has obviously been a major talking point this week within the company and staff members haven’t been told of new plans by WWE management as of right now.

The report continued if WWE is looking to make any type of location change, they will have to do so very soon.

Tweeted out yesterday, WWE officials were reportedly scouting new locations for the Crown Jewelevent, according to Robbie Fox of Barstool Sports.

As noted, Dave Meltzer reported on Wrestling Observer Radio that the WWE creative team was told on Monday that John Cena would not be making the trip to Saudi Arabia for WWE Crown Jewel on November 2, seemingly confirming at least part of the report made on Monday by Barstool Sports’ Robbie Fox, that Cena and Daniel Bryan had told officials they were not going. Meltzer did not have an update on Bryan. WWE officials were reportedly looking to replace Cena in the World Cup tournament but he was still being advertised on RAW and he’s still listed for the event today.

Meltzer also noted that the entire Crown Jewel event is currently in jeopardy as the chances of the show happening as scheduled are looking worse than they did last week.

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE SmackDown Live Preview 10/23/18

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey with the final hype before Sunday’s Evolution pay-per-view.

* AJ Styles & Daniel Bryan clash with The Usos in a SmackDown 1000 rematch

* Rey Mysterio to appear on “Miz TV”

* Rusev to do battle with Aiden English

* Naomi and Mandy Rose clash for the first time ever

* What will be the fallout of Charlotte and Becky’s WWE PC altercation?

WWE Mixed Match Challenge Preview 10/23/16

WWE MMC Week 3 Preview (10/2/2018)

Tonight’s WWE Mixed Match Challenge will take place from the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey.

It’s week 6 of the WWE Mixed Match Challenge series.

The MMC season two continues this evening on Facebook Watch at 10pm EST., immediately following WWE SmackDown Live on the USA Network.

* The Miz & Asuka vs. Jimmy Uso & Naomi

* Bobby Roode & Natalya vs. Finn Balor & Bayley.

News On John Cena & Daniel Bryan Refusing To Go To Saudi Arabia For WWE Crown Jewel, Event In Jeopardy

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It was reported on Monday that John Cena and Daniel Bryan are refusing to work the WWE Crown Jewel event in Saudi Arabia on November 2nd by Barstool Sports’ Robbie Fox. Cena is one of the eight Superstars to compete in the World Cup tournament, while Bryan is scheduled to face AJ Styles for the WWE Championship.

In an update to those reports, Dave Meltzer reported on the most recent edition of Wrestling Observer Radio that while he hasn’t heard anything about Bryan, the WWE creative team was told on Monday afternoon that Cena wouldn’t be taking part in the tournament and needed to be replaced. It’s not known if something had changed since then or if they feel that Cena will change his mind if the location is changed, but Cena was once again advertised to compete in the World Cup tournament on RAW later that night.

Meltzer also noted that the Saudi Arabia event is in jeopardy, and said that as things stand, it is a lot less likely to happen than it was last week. Tickets for the show were scheduled to go on sale last Friday, but never did.

WrestleVotes, who has broken several WWE scoops in the last year or so, reports that the show is back in “wait & see” mode. Regarding Cena being advertised for the World Cup on RAW last night, WWE may have kept Cena in the promos because officials want him to reconsider his decision or because Cena would end up being a part of the event if they decide to move locations. You can see their tweets below.

We will keep you updated on any developments regarding the status of WWE Crown Jewel.

Source: WrestlingINC