Category: WWE

WWE And Facebook Announce New Mixed Match Challenge Show

mixed match challenge wwe facebook live watch

WWE announced today that they’ll be producing a new 12-week series on Facebook called Mixed Match Challenge.

According to WWE.com, the show will debut on January 16 and stream live on Facebook Watch when SmackDown Live goes off the air.

WWE issued the following:

Facebook and WWE today announced a new in-ring series, Mixed Match Challenge, that will stream live in the U.S. exclusively on Facebook on Tuesday nights beginning Jan.16 at 10 p.m. ET/ 7 p.m. PT. The 12-episode series will air on Facebook Watch and feature WWE Superstars from both the Raw and SmackDown LIVE rosters competing in a single-elimination mixed tag-team tournament to win $100,000 to support the charity of their choice.

Check out the Mixed Match Challenge Facebook page

Each 20-minute episode will reflect a progressive approach to production, with elements optimized for mobile consumption, experimentation and social interaction, including the ability for the WWE Universe to engage with Superstars during the show. In addition, fans will have the opportunity to select matchups, match stipulations and more, on Facebook.

“As we continue to expand our strategic partnership with Facebook, this new series, Mixed Match Challenge, jointly reflects our innovative approach to content distribution and fan engagement,” said Michelle Wilson, WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer. “This show will deliver the action and excitement our passionate fan base is accustomed to while offering new production elements and social experiences that only Facebook can provide.”

“As a leader in entertainment innovation, WWE is an ideal partner to demonstrate how the live sports viewing experience can be reimagined on Facebook Watch,” said Dan Reed, Facebook Head of Global Sports Partnerships. “Mixed Match Challenge is a new competition produced specifically to take advantage of the reach, interaction and ongoing engagement enabled by our platform. Fans will be able to directly influence and interact with the in-ring action, follow the rivalries and storylines in between events, and connect with one another as the drama unfolds. We’re excited for the WWE community to come together on our platform to watch some of the biggest Raw and SmackDown Live Superstars and engage with WWE like never before.”

“Mixed Match Challenge demonstrates WWE’s flexibility in creating and producing compelling content across platforms in a media landscape that is evolving each day,” said Jayar Donlan, WWE Executive Vice President, Digital & Social Content. “The social interaction leading up to and during each show will connect WWE Superstars with our massive fan base on Facebook in more ways than ever before.”

Mixed Match Challenge Participants

Mixed Match Challenge is a Raw vs. SmackDown LIVE tournament where male and female Superstars team up to determine which combination of strength, skill, athleticism and experience reigns supreme.

Fans will have the opportunity to vote on Facebook for the final competitor from the Raw roster, as well as which tag team member of The New Day will be added to the SmackDown LIVE roster. Teams will be announced beginning Thursday, Jan. 4.

Monday Night Raw                                     SmackDown LIVE

Alexa Bliss      Becky Lynch
Alicia Fox      Bobby Roode
Asuka      Carmella
Bayley      Charlotte Flair
Braun Strowman      Jimmy Uso
            Enzo Amore      Lana
Finn Bálor      Naomi
Goldust      Natalya
Nia Jax      Rusev
Sasha Banks      Sami Zayn
The Miz      Shinsuke Nakamura
Final Fan Vote      Final Fan Vote

(A member of The New Day)

The unique storylines for Mixed Match Challenge will continue between episodes across WWE’s Facebook Pages with short-form videos and social content. WWE will also promote the series across its extensive digital and social footprint, including a new Facebook Watch show Page dedicated to Mixed Match Challenge. A promotional sizzle reel for the show can be found here.

WWE is a powerhouse on social media with more than 825 million followers globally. WWE has nearly 500 million likes across all Facebook Pages, and WWE’s main Facebook Page has more than 38 million likes. WWE Superstar John Cena is the No. 1 most-followed active U.S. athlete on Facebook with more than 45 million likes.

Facebook Watch is a new platform for shows on Facebook where brands can build and engage with a community of fans. Facebook Watch is available on desktop, mobile and connected TV apps. Fans can follow Mixed Match Challenge to add episodes to their personal Watchlists.

 

WWE 205 Live Preview 12/12/17

Tonight’s WWE 205 Live will take place from the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio.

* Enzo Amore is thinking about Nia Jax

* Cedric Alexander is poised to change the course of WWE 205 Live

SmackDown Live Preview 12/12/17

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, Ohio with the final hype for Sunday’s WWE Clash of Champions pay-per-view.

Shinsuke Nakamura clashes with Kevin Owens this Tuesday on SmackDown LIVE

* WWE Champion AJ Styles and Jinder Mahal come face to face tonight on SmackDown LIVE

* The Riott Squad battle Carmella, Tamina & Lana

* The Usos take on Rusev & Aiden English

* Breezango pay tribute to The Ascension in A Very Special Fashion Files

Rich Swann Update Following Weekend Arrest Over Domestic Incident With Wife, WWE Removes RAW Match

rich swann suspended wwe arrest

As noted, WWE has suspended Rich Swann after he was arrested for false imprisonment/kidnapping and misdemeanor battery (touching or striking) following a weekend domestic incident with his wife, Vannarah Riggs, who works the indies as Su Yung. You can read full details on the incident at this link.

Swann was released on his own recognizance from the Alachua County Jail in Gainesville, FL on Sunday, according to PWInsider. A stipulation of Swann’s release is that he will abide by an order that says he will have “no direct or indirect hostile contact” with his wife, which will also prevent them from living together. Swann was also ordered to contact court services within 24 hours of his release. A judge has been assigned to the case but no court date has officially been set.

No word yet on Swann’s future with WWE but he will be immediately terminated if he’s convicted of the charges. Swann was suspended indefinitely this weekend due to the company police on domestic abuse. Swann was set to face Drew Gulak on tonight’s RAW to determine the new #1 contender to WWE Cruiserweight Champion Enzo Amore but WWE removed all mentions of the match from their website and no replacement plans have been announced but we will keep you updated.

Source: WrestlingINC

RAW Preview 12/11/17

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio.

* Who is Raw’s true monster?

* The Shield battle The Bar and Samoa Joe in three singles matches

* Absolution move in on Asuka

* Bray Wyatt faces “deletion” at the hands of Matt Hardy

WWE Suspends Rich Swann Following Arrest For Battery And False Imprisonment

rich swann suspended wwe arrest

WWE issued the following statement on Rich Swann’s arrest.

“WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving domestic violence, and per our policy, Rich Swann has been indefinitely suspended following his arrest.”

Yesterday morning at 12:09am in Gainesville, Florida, 205 Live Star Rich Swann was arrested and charged with Kidnapping and False Imprisonment: Adult, a third-degree felony in Florida that is punishable with up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine, if convicted. Swann was also charged with Battery (touching or strike), a first degree misdemeanor that is punishable with up to one year in jail or 12 months probation and a $1,000 fine, if convicted.

The Gainesville Police tweeted out Swann’s mugshot and the police report, due to the numerous national media requests. According to the report, the victim was pro wrestler, Su Yung (Vannarah Riggs). Swann was driving a car and apparently began critiquing Riggs’ performance at a wrestling show, earlier in the night. Swann was said to get angry and Riggs “got scared that the argument was going to escalate” and eventually jumped out of the car. The report continues Swann stopped the car in traffic, yelled for her to return, ended up putting her in a headlock and dragged her back to the vehicle.

Two witnesses filed what they saw in the police report below, which gives full details on what happened.

Due to numerous national media requests…mugshot and arrest report for Rich Swann can be found here: https://t.co/PvQj5B7A7n

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Reportedly Interested In Signing Top Impact Star Facing Possible Departure, Note On Contracts

Image result for Lashley, EC3 and Eddie Edwards

We noted before how Bobby Lashley and Ethan Carter III could be leaving Impact Wrestling when their contracts expire soon. The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that former World Heavyweight Champion Eddie Edwards may be joining EC3 and Lashley as his contract expires in February 2018.

Regarding contracts moving forward, word is that the company will only be offering the new per-day contracts instead of significant guaranteed money deals, which Lashley, EC3 and Edwards are currently signed to. There’s a good chance these three veterans may be leaving because of this, just like James Storm. Storm recently left the company as he was signed to a high-paying contract that the company did not want to renew as they are looking to stop losing money.

No word yet on Eddie’s future plans but the belief right now is that WWE and ROH do have interest in signing him. WWE’s interest is for the WWE NXT brand, according to The Observer.

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Considering Australian Global Warning PPV In 2018

Image result for WWE Officials Considering Australian Global Warning PPV In 2018

Pro Wrestling Sheet has learned there have been serious internal discussions within WWE regarding a possible Global Warning pay-per-view event that would take place next year in Australia.

For those who don’t remember, WWE Global Warning Tour 2002 took place in Melbourne and over 50,000 people attended the live event. We’re told officials want to top that in a big way next year.

Sources with direct knowledge say WWE have discussed running Global Warning II in October at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, which holds 100,000 people. This time, however, they want to broadcast the event on PPV and the WWE Network.

Nothing official has been set quite yet, but The Sheet was told things are headed in the right direction.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Jim Ross Verbally Agrees to Contract Extension With AXS TV

According to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter, Jim Ross and AXS TV have verbally agreed to a contract extension, and the new contract is being finalized. Since Ross isn’t appearing on WWE TV (he was signed for the UK project, which hasn’t launched), WWE didn’t stand in the way of the deal. Aldo, his WWE deal allowed him to continue doing existing work.

Source: 411Mania

Ronda Rousey Signing With WWE Is Reportedly ‘Imminent’

According to USA Today, Ronda Rousey is finalizing details that will bring the former UFC Champion into the world of WWE. Although not yet officially announced by WWE, it appears as if Rousey will be making her way to the squared circle in the near future.

Rousey has made appearances at WrestleMania 31 (with The Rock), the Mae Young Classic, and in November, at an NXT live event to meet with fans. Along with the other Four Horsewomen members, Rousey has been training in the ring (at times at the WWE Performance Center), which was shown in a December 1 video that was previewing her personal website.

During the Mae Young Classic, WWE teased a confrontation between the two Four Horsewomen groups, with talk of having a match (Charlotte Flair, Becky Lynch, Sasha Banks and Bayley vs. Ronda Rousey, Shayna Baszler, Jessamyn Duke and Marina Shafir) at WrestleMania 34. There was also a rumored match against just Charlotte, but no word yet on if or when that could happen.

Last month, in an interview with Good Morning Britain, Triple H spoke about WWE’s mutual interest with Rousey.

“She is very interested in our business, always has been a huge fan, that’s where the ‘Rowdy Ronda’ came from,” Triple H said. “I think she’s interested in the opportunity, I’m interested in offering her the opportunity, so we have some talking do.”

If Rousey is finished with Mixed Martial Arts, her record will stand at 12-2, losing the final two fights to Holly Holm and current UFC Women’s Bantamweight Champion, Amanda Nunes. Her final fight with Nunes was in December of last year.

Source: WrestlingINC