Category: WWE

WWE RAW And SmackDown GMs Revealed?, How Brand Split May Benefit WWE

Source: WrestlingINC

In case you missed it, before kicking Teddy Long out of the building in a backstage segment on last night’s RAW, Stephanie McMahon claimed that she would be in charge of SmackDown, which would presumably leave Shane McMahon in charge of RAW. It’s not clear if that was the official announcement, or the start of an angle between Stephanie and Shane on who would run the show.

“My father wants someone in charge [of SmackDown] who is intelligent, who is young, who is vivacious, who is smart, who has business acumen, someone who is going to bring in the New Era right!” Stephanie said. “That’s not my brother Shane McMahon, I’m going to let you in on a little secret Teddy… it’s going to be me!”

 

Joseph Bonaccorso has an article at Seeking Alpha looking at how the brand split can boost WWE’s bottom line. It noted that it can attract older fans who no longer follow the product, as well as lead to excitement with the current fan base. It also noted that the shows can deliver better content with the separate rosters, and can lead to an increase in WWE Network subscriptions.

WWE reportedly interested in UFC’s Paige VanZant

At just age 22, Paige VanZant is arguably one of the best fighters in the ever growing Strawweight division. With just two losses under her belt in her professional MMA career many would say she’s the next huge crossover star.

She’s already been endorsed by Reebok and was in the finals of Dancing with the Stars this past season, and now according to MMA Junkie the biggest company in professional wrestling known as the WWE has an interest in “12 gage”

VanZant has reportedly been in talks with the WWE about appearing at their biggest PPV of the summer, SummerSlam, says her manager Mike Roberts.

No word has been said what type of role PVZ will play in the PPV if she does indeed appear. Still it’s interesting to think about especially with the news that broke this past weekend of WWE’s Brock Lesnar competing at UFC200. Let’s not forget the appearance by Ronda Rousey at WrestleMania 31.

All of this begs the question of could it be possible that the WWE and the UFC be in some type of under the table partnership? We here at WNB sure think so. 

RAW Preview: 6/6/16

Source: WWE.com

Does John Cena belong in The New Era?

Are Becky Lynch & Natalya poised to dominate the Women’s division?

Will Seth Rollins’ mind games continue?

Who will earn ‘Money’ momentum?

Has Titus O’Neil put Rusev on notice?

WWE Names New Vice President Of Brand That Will Report Directly To Stephanie McMahon

WWE issued the following:

WWE® NAMES JULIA JENSEN VICE PRESIDENT, BRAND

STAMFORD, Conn., June 6, 2016 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced the appointment of Julia Jensen as Vice President, Brand. Jensen, a global brands and communications executive with more than 20 years of experience, will report directly to WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon.

As Vice President, Brand, Jensen will work across WWE’s business units to help drive revenue and further enhance the company’s brand reputation among key constituencies including advertisers, business partners, media and investors.

Prior to WWE, Jensen spent more than 15 years at Mattel, most recently as Vice President of Global Brands Communications. In this role, she was responsible for overseeing global communications across all businesses and driving brand engagement and relevancy for iconic Mattel brands, including Barbie. Jensen also spent time as Mattel’s Vice President of International Communications where she oversaw a team across 34 markets, responsible for executing communications programs supporting Mattel’s businesses and corporate initiatives around the world.

Before Mattel, Jensen’s agency experience included Ketchum and Fleishman-Hillard, where she provided creative program development and created marketing, advertising and public relations campaigns for global brands including Clorox, Proctor & Gamble, Levi’s Jeans, Cabbage Patch Kids, Maxwell House and Celestial Seasonings.

Jensen holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Syracuse University.

Brock Lesnar’s UFC 200 Opponent Revealed; Lesnar Talks SummerSlam, UFC Return, More

Source: WrestlingINC

Brock Lesnar’s return to the UFC is set, and so is his opponent. As announced this morning on ESPN SportsCenter, Lesnar will take on Mark Hunt in his return.

Lesnar last fought in 2011, taking on Alistair Overeem. Lesnar battled diverticulitis throughout his career, missing long stretches of action. Last year, Lesnar re-signed with the WWE for three years, and said that he closed the door on a UFC return.

“I couldn’t live with that decision, that decision has haunted me for the last 15 months,” Lesnar said. “I’m a big believer in facing your fears and facing the reality of not sitting 20 years ago saying ‘Son, you should have done that.’ I was on UFC 100, so why not UFC 200?,” Lesnar said.

Lesnar said that this was his idea, and he immediately regretted not making a return to the Octagon.

“I lost to diverticulitis, that’s who beat me. My performance was because of the illness. I feel a thousand percent, I wouldn’t step in the Octagon if I didn’t. I’m not faking it, this is for real,” Lesnar said.

When Lesnar announced that Mark Hunt would take him on, he noted that he’s never turned down a fight in the UFC. “Why not (Mark Hunt), I don’t care,” Lesnar said.

“It’s taken some time for things to play out, but I said ‘What are the chances of having Brock Lesnar at UFC 200?,” Lesnar said. “I’m a crossover athlete, I’m the modern day Bo Jackson, and I couldn’t be more excited that both companies have the faith in Brock Lesnar to return to the Octagon.”

Lesnar said that he spoke to Vince McMahon about the idea and hashed it out. He said that he doesn’t know what the plans for SummerSlam are, but isn’t sure what the plans are for him on the card.

Interviewer Hannah Storm asked about the UFC banning Ariel Helwani over breaking the story of Lesnar’s return, but Lesnar said that he’s not on Twitter and isn’t familiar with Helwani. Lesnar was also asked about the late Muhammad Ali, and said the two shared a handshake and said he felt something powerful in Ali.

Lesnar closes the interview by saying he isn’t sure what any of this means for his legacy, but has to do what’s best for himself and his family.

Jake “The Snake” Roberts On Inventing The DDT

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Hall of Famer Jake “The Snake” Roberts recently spoke Joshua Maloni of Niagara Frontier Publications to promote his weekend appearance at the Niagara Falls Comic Con. The full interview is at this link.

Inventing the DDT:

Yeah, it was an accident. I was in the ring wrestling. I had a front facelock on a guy. He stepped on my feet and we fell backwards. He went on his head. I went on my back. And the fans went “OOOOHH.” I went, “Wait a minute; I’ve got something here.” And I started working on it, and come with it, and named it after the poison that everybody outlawed. I picked up the paper one day, and the front page was “DDT outlawed.” I was like, “Wait a minute. Very cool.” They had … “DDT poison to the brain.” I said, “Way cool.”

Bayley Says She Wants To Come To The Main Roster, Talks Her Future, Her Character Being Popular

Source: WrestlingINC

Former NXT Women’s Champion Bayley was recently interviewed by Nashville Scene. You can see some highlights below, and the full interview at this link.

Her character:

“It’s cool because that is what I wanted to do. I wanted kids to feel like I felt when I attended wrestling shows. I wanted them to be involved and be excited and look forward to not just John Cena. It’s the big kid in me. I am just acting like myself when I was 10 years old. It’s so cute how passionate kids can be. And there is also a responsibility to the parents, who thank me for being a role model. I have to make sure I keep my head on.”

Her future:

“Well, I am excited to come to Nashville. It’s one of my favorite towns and the crowd was so amazing last time. And I want to join the WWE (main roster). I really wanna have a match with Natty. She’s been there and she’s been a women’s champion. And Nikki Bella after she comes back.”

SmackDown Preview: 6/2/16

Source: WWE.com

Dean Ambrose & Sami Zayn vs. Kevin Owens & Alberto Del Rio

Will SmackDown see a New Day of payback on The Club?

Becky Lynch vs. Charlotte

The Golden Truth vs. The Dudley Boyz

Will Baron Corbin be hunting Dolph Ziggler?

WWE Money In The Bank Ladder Match Change

Source: WrestlingINC

As of right now, there will not be a 7th participant in the Money In the Bank Ladder Match later this month. WWE originally planned on 7 Superstars in the match but as of now, there will only be 6.

SmackDown Brand Extension Note

Source: WrestlingINC

Plans for the WWE Draft and Brand Extension are still up in the air but it’s now official that SmackDown will run live events every Monday night while RAW is airing live. The blue brand is set to run live events on Saturdays, Sundays and Mondays, then go live Tuesdays.