Category: WWE

Zelina Vega Fired From WWE

The news of Zelina Vega’s abrupt release from WWE on Friday caught the attention of labor union leaders and politicians, and was covered by mainstream media outlets.

Vega reportedly failed to comply with the third party edict handed out by WWE last month and proceeded to open a new OnlyFans account, which did not help her case among WWE brass, according to Dave Meltzer on the latest Wrestling Observer Radio.

Meltzer noted that Vega was adamant in her position to continue with her Twitch account and the backstory is that she was among “a couple of women who were making more money through social media than their WWE contracts.” Vega was supposedly “making a lot of money on Twitch” prior to WWE asking talents to cease activity on third party platforms.

For Vega, it boiled down to choosing between WWE and Twitch, and she chose the latter, according to Meltzer.

“She made her choice and WWE had no option but to fire her,” he said.

Meltzer mentioned that since the old way of making money in WWE through house shows and PPV paydays is no longer available to talents, they are looking at other revenue sources while working only 5-6 times a month since the start of the pandemic.

Previously, talents who had low guarantees on their contracts were heavily reliant on paydays from house shows and PPVs. While talents who signed contracts pre-AEW are most unhappy due to lower guarantees, talents who got bigger contracts post-AEW have been less vocal about the developing situation.

With WWE taking away the talents’ ability to make money off streaming platforms, there is growing resentment in the locker room, added Meltzer.

“With no house shows or PPVs, they need a way to augment the past money and WWE took it away from them.”

On the flipside, WWE maintains that it should get a slice of the revenue that talents make by utilizing their WWE names, albeit in third party platforms.

WWE is reportedly in the process of doing their own Twitch deal and giving a percentage of that revenue to talents. The percentage will be counted against downside guarantees, which is another bit of information that hasn’t sat well with some talents.

Vega returned to her Twitch feed on Friday within a few hours of her WWE release. She is presently serving the customary 90-day non-compete clause, which prevents her from appearing on TV for any other wrestling promotion until mid-February 2021.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SmackDown Preview 11/13/20

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will feature more build for the upcoming Survivor Series pay-per-view.

For the second week in a row WWE has not announced a SmackDown preview to open Friday morning with. No matches or segments have been announced for tonight’s show.

It’s likely that more members for Team SmackDown will be revealed tonight. The men’s team currently has Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins, Jey Uso and King Baron Corbin with one member to be revealed, while the women’s team h as Bianca Belair and Ruby Riott with three members to be revealed.

The new feud with Carmella and SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks will also likely continue tonight. Lars Sullivan is expected to be in action after two weeks of sitdown interviews, and Daniel Bryan is rumored to return after being attacked by Jey Uso two weeks ago, while WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns watched.

Backstage News On WWE Moving On From House Shows Post COVID-19 Era

During recent contract negotiations, a number of talents in WWE were told that the “old way of touring” and doing house shows is not coming back, even after the U.S. bounces back from the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, according to the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter.

Dave Meltzer noted that the recent releases of close to a dozen employees, including long time ring announcer Tony Chimel, was another indication that WWE was possibly moving on from live events, which was a significant revenue source for the company in the past.

With WWE setting record profits even without doing house shows, the company is gradually moving toward the mindset that it no longer needs to tour for 300 days a year. Furthermore, Meltzer highlighted that the live events division, which started over the past year, was often “a money loser” and had become dispensable for WWE in the longer scheme of things.

Meltzer noted that with the economics of the wrestling business different than they’ve ever been, house shows are now viewed by WWE as a place where they can sell merchandise and give exposure to inexperienced talents. “What they found out is that with no house shows, all of a sudden WWE shop merch numbers skyrocketed and the total merch sales ended up being almost identical to when there were shows, which shocked everyone,” wrote Meltzer.

The pandemic era has seen lesser travel, exhaustion and wear-and-tear, and thus fewer injuries, which has been seen as a positive by WWE brass.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 11/11/20

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network airing from the Capitol Wrestling Center will feature NXT Tag Team Championship and NXT North American Championship matches.

* Johnny Gargano will defend his NXT North American Championship

* NXT Tag Team Championship: Oney Lorcan and Danny Burch (c) vs. Breezango

WWE Tribute To The Troops Returning To TV This Year?

WWE may be bringing back Tribute To The Troops for TV next month.

There has been a lot of internal talk about bringing back the TTTT TV special over the last week, according to PWInsider. There’s no word yet on when or where the 2020 Troops Tribute special would air from, but it would air some time in December.

WWE’s Tribute To The Troops has been held annually as a TV special since December 2003, except for last year. WWE actually taped matches and segments with top Superstars and Marines last December at the Marine Corps Air Station New River and Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, North Carolina, for the 17th annual TTTT special, but it was not taped for TV. Last year marked the first time that the TTTT was taped at a Marine Base.

WWE has aired Tribute To The Troops on either UPN, NBC or the USA Network since 2003. There were rumors on the event possibly airing on the WWE Network last year, but WWE never aired the footage that was taped in North Carolina as it was for locals only. It was seen as very interesting that WWE and the USA Network would pass on airing the event last year as it usually draws more than 1 million viewers on a slow holiday week, plus it brings the kind of PR that WWE goes for.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Reportedly Considering Domed Stadium For Temporary Home, Update On Amway Center Contract

WWE officials are reportedly looking at possibly setting up The ThunderDome at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida.

As we’ve noted, WWE’s current contract with the Amway Center in Orlando was extended to Tuesday, November 24, but WWE has to find a new home because the arena has to prepare for the ECHL and the NBA’s Orlando Magic. In an update, it was noted on Wrestling Observer Radio that WWE was given around two more weeks, now putting their out-date at around Friday, December 4.

It was also reported that Tropicana Field has been discussed as a new temporary home during the COVID-19 pandemic. WWE is also looking at other indoor buildings in the Florida area.

Tropicana Field is a domed stadium located in St. Petersburg, which is around 1.5 hours from the Amway Center in Orlando. Tropicana Field is the current home of MLB’s Tampa Bay Rays, and has a seating capacity of 42,735. The Trop has been rumored to host WrestleMania a few times over the years, but that obviously never worked out.

It was previously reported that WWE was looking for their next venue home to run into February, which means the 2020 Royal Rumble pay-per-view would be held wherever they decide to go. In addition to other venues inside the state of Florida, it’s been reported that WWE has also looked at potential locations in North Carolina, Illinois and Texas. There is no word yet on exactly which venues were being considered, but WWE needs to find an arena where no sports teams are playing, and one that can accommodate the weight and power requirements of the ThunderDome setup. A major travel hub city is also needed because the WWE crews will be flying in and out each week.

Regarding Tropicana Field, Jon Alba noted on Twitter that the venue would give WWE the flexibility to run bigger events, but it would be a downgrade in terms of facility quality, and there is an issue with electricity as power has gone out multiple times during Rays games over the past few years.

Survivor Series on November 22 will be held at the Amway Center in Orlando. The next WWE pay-per-view after Survivor Series is TLC on December 20. WWE has not announced a date or location for the 2020 TLC event or the 2021 Rumble event.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Rey Mysterio Gives A Timeline On When He Would Like To Retire

Following in his uncle’s luchador footsteps, Rey Mysterio began to study the technique at just 14 years old. In an interview with Lilian Garcia, he recalls all the sacrifices he made in the first two years while studying the art of Lucha Libre.

“So, at the time, I was living in San Diego. My dad would go to Tijuana to work on a daily basis. I would go to Tijuana to train,” Rey began. “But then, the roles switched. Now, my parents decided to move to Tijuana, and I was crossing every morning to go to school, and then go to work after school, and then take the trolly back to the border, get picked up, go home, do homework, and then go to wrestling school. I did this for almost two years. When I got my first opportunity to wrestle at the auditorium in Tijuana, I was like, ‘Wow, I’m finally here.'”

Thirty years later, from the first time he stepped in the ring, Rey created a worldwide presence that forever changed the industry as we knew it. Now that he’s pushing towards 45 next month, he admits that he has enough gas in his remunerative tank to last another five years or so before hanging his boots up for good.

“I’ll be 45 in December. And I don’t see myself going past 50, that’s for sure,” he admitted. “My body feels great right now. I’ve been doing new methods of therapy – STEM cells, hyperbaric chambers, cryo chambers, CBD’s, you know, a lot of things that benefit me. I think that has given me more longevity.”

He also adds that he would like to retire officially in WWE.

“Definitely, yes,” he replied on if he wants to retire in WWE. “Once you enter here, you can’t go any higher than this. This is where I’ve always envisioned myself finishing my career.”

While it’s still far yet from when he retires, Rey hasn’t put any thought as to who he’d like to have his retirement match with. Although the most obvious answer could be his son Dominik, he still doesn’t want to jump the gun just yet.

“Um, I really haven’t put thought to it, no,” he answered. “There are a lot of choices, though.”

You can watch Rey Mysterio’s full interview here. 

Source: Wrestling Inc. with credit to Lilian Garcia -Chasing Glory

WWE RAW Preview 11/9/20

Tonight’s WWE RAW on the USA Network will feature more build for the upcoming Survivor Series pay-per-view with Second Chance Qualifying.

The Second Chance Qualifier will feature Jeff Hardy, Riddle and Elias going at it in a Triple Threat to determine the final member of the Men’s Team RAW. The winner will earn the fifth and final spot, joining AJ Styles, Keith Lee, Sheamus and Braun Strowman.

RAW will also feature “A Moment of Bliss” with host Alexa Bliss tonight. Her special guest will be Drew McIntyre, to continue the storyline between McIntyre, “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt and WWE Champion Randy Orton. WWE noted in their official RAW preview that The Fiend will use the segment to deliver his own message to McIntyre on behalf of Bliss.

WWE has not announced any further matches or segments for tonight’s RAW.

WWE SmackDown Preview 11/6/20

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will feature more build for the upcoming WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view.

WWE has announced just one match for tonight’s show – Bayley vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks. The title will be on the line for this match as this is Bayley’s rematch from her recent loss at Hell In a Cell.

There will also be a follow-up to last week’s heel turn by Jey Uso. Last Friday’s show saw Uso attack Daniel Bryan as WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns looked on. Uso then attacked Bryan again after the show went off the air.

Tonight’s show will likely see more Superstars qualify for Team SmackDown at Survivor Series, but WWE has not announced any qualifiers as of this writing, or any kind of preview for the show.

WWE Announces The Undertaker’s Final Farewell For Survivor Series

WWE has officially announced The Undertaker for the upcoming WWE Survivor Series pay-per-view.

WWE just announced that Taker will make his Final Farewell at the November 22 pay-per-view, wrapping his legendary 30 year career.

There is no word yet on if this appearance will lead to one more match for The Deadman, possibly at WrestleMania 37.

Taker will speak with WWE Hall of Famer Steve Austin on “Broken Skull Sessions” right after Survivor Series goes off the air on the WWE Network. This interview will be the final part of the “30 Days of The Deadman” celebration of programming that kicked off last month. WWE noted in today’s announcement that the celebration also includes Taker photos, videos and features on the WWE website, a Taker challenge on Tik Tok, Instagram and Snapchat filters, exclusive Funko items from Amazon, feature space in 2,300 Walmart stores for an exclusive Mattel action figure, national media appearances, and more.

Stay tuned for updates on Taker’s WWE future. Above is a new promo for the Survivor Series appearance, and below is the full announcement sent to us today by WWE, along with a new logo for Taker’s 30 year anniversary:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNDERTAKER®’S FINAL FAREWELL SET FOR WWE® SURVIVOR SERIES®

#ThankYouTaker

STAMFORD, Conn., November 6, 2020 – Undertaker’s Final Farewell will take place at Survivor Series on Sunday, November 22 at 7 pm ET streaming live around the world on WWE Network, capping off The Phenom’s legendary 30-year career.

One of the most iconic Superstars in WWE history and a pop culture phenomenon, Undertaker made his WWE debut at Survivor Series on November 22, 1990. From his debut with Brother Love to his critically-acclaimed match vs. AJ Styles® at this year’s WrestleMania®, Undertaker has participated in some of the greatest matches in history against Hall of Famers such as Hulk Hogan, Ric Flair®, Triple H®, Shawn Michaels® and Mick Foley®; had multiple WWE Championship reigns; and held an unmatched and astounding undefeated streak at WrestleMania that lasted 21 years.

As part of Undertaker’s Final Farewell and 30th anniversary, WWE is celebrating “30 Years of the Deadman” throughout November, including recently debuted documentaries “Meeting The Undertaker” and “WWE Untold: The Phenom and The Legend Killer” on WWE Network as well as “The Mortician: The Story of Paul Bearer” premiering this Sunday, November 8 and “Brothers of Destruction,” which premiered in October at the Austin Film Festival, and will stream on WWE Network on Sunday, November 15. In addition, Undertaker will be a special guest on “Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Sessions” immediately following Survivor Series.

Activation will also include special Undertaker photo galleries, video highlights and features on WWE.com, Undertaker Tik Tok Challenge, Instagram filter and Snapchat lens, two exclusive product opportunities with Funko only available at Amazon, feature space in 2,300 Walmarts including an exclusive Mattel action figure, national media appearances including The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and blocks of primetime programming from WWE’s distribution partners around the world dedicated to Undertaker.

In addition to Undertaker’s Final Farewell, WWE Survivor Series is the one night of the year where Raw® squares off against SmackDown®. Current matchups are highlighted by: WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns® taking on WWE Champion Randy Orton®; Raw Women’s Champion Asuka® vs. SmackDown Women’s Champion Sasha Banks®; Raw Tag Team Champions The New Day® against SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Street Profits®; United States Champion Bobby Lashley® vs. Intercontinental Champion Sami Zayn®; as well as men’s and women’s 5-on-5 Survivor Series Elimination matches.

Source: Wrestling Inc.