Category: WWE

Stephanie McMahon To Publish Memoir

WWE announced the following today:

Stephanie McMahon to publish memoirNEW YORK — Regan Arts has announced that they will publish a memoir by WWEChief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon. The book will provide an unprecedented look inside WWE’s incredible history and remarkably contemporary approach to media.

Stephanie’s inspirational memoir reveals her life growing up behind the scenes in WWE and the story of her journey to becoming Chief Brand Officer — including her successes and failures in the business world — and valuable advice for anyone working in a challenging industry today. She is also candid about balancing her family life with the instense schedule and demands of WWE.

“Growing up in the world of WWE has been an incredible journey that has really only just started,” McMahon said. “I’m thrilled to be able to fulfill a lifelong dream and share an inside look into WWE in my upcoming memoir.”

Judith Regan, CEO of Regan Arts said, “Stephanie McMahon is one of the great visionaries behind the continuing success of WWE and has navigated the entertaining, treacherous, and awe-inspiring world of Superstars, egos, and drama with style, tremendous skill and dynamic feminine force. And that’s just dealing with her family. That family encompasses everyone in the WWE family worldwide. Her story is Shakespearean in its drama and comedy, and she is in a unique position to share an inside view of one of the world’s most successful organizations. Her story will also motivate you to get off your butt and make magic happen. I love her and you will too when you read her book.”

Lilian Garcia NOT released. Takes time off for sick father 

We have learned via pro wrestling sheet that despite speculation WWE announcer Lilian Garcia has not been released by WWE.

She is however taking time off to spend time with her father who has been battling cancer and who has had complications in the past month. 

Sources close to Lilian say her father was having major complications in his battle with cancer and WWE not only approved her emergency leave, but the company has been constantly checking in since.

You can read Lilian’s full statement on the matter here 

Imagine my surprise today when I woke up to find out that I was among the top trends in the world on twitter! What for, I said to myself….wait, does that say “Lilian Garcia released from WWE”?? That’s when I knew I had to set the story straight. As you know, I have been absent from TV for the past few weeks missing “WWE Payback” & two “WWE Monday Night Raw’s”. I mentioned on twitter that it was due to a family member being ill. Well, that family member is my father. He has been battling bladder cancer and multiple Myeloma (blood cancer) and due to a reaction to the chemotherapy, he became very ill these past two weeks. On top of that, he had to go into two emergency procedures on his kidneys. To say he has had it tough is an understatement. However, he is a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army, being a Veteran from the Korean and Vietnam Wars, so his spirit is that of a fighter. I am so inspired by how he has taken on this disease and continues to battle it with all his might. He has allowed me to share this story as he hopes his journey will inspire anyone else who is battling cancer. Luckily he is doing much better now and gearing up for a new treatment next week. As you can imagine, my entire family has been through a rollercoaster of emotions and cherishing all the time we have with him. I truly believe in the power of prayer and ask all of you to please pray for him and also my mother. They have been married for 62 years, so you can imagine the bond they share together.  

 

I want to thank all of you for the many messages you have tweeted & FB’d me when you thought I had been released. It truly shows me how much I matter to you, and right now more than ever, I needed to know that. Above all, I want to thank the WWE for all their support & love during this hard time. They have been constantly checking in on me and also given me the time I needed to get my father strong again. I feel so proud to work for a company that cares so much. 

 

So, on to Monday, I will be back on RAW and couldn’t be happier as I have missed you all very much!! Thank you and I love you!!!

 

Xoxo,

Lilian

We here at WNB would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Lilian and her family. 

AJ Styles Pulled From WWE Live Events, Dealing With Nagging Injuries

Source: WrestlingINC

AJ Styles did not wrestle at Tuesday’s WWE SmackDown tapings because he’s suffering from some nagging injuries, according to PWInsider.

WWE officials reportedly want Styles healthy and rested up for the Extreme Rules match against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Roman Reigns at the May 22nd Extreme Rules pay-per-view.

Styles has now been pulled from this weekend’s WWE live events so he can heal and rest up. Styles was scheduled for Friday’s show in Greenville, SC; Saturday’s show in Raleigh, NC and Sunday’s show in Columbia, SC.

SmackDown Preview: 5/12/16

Source: WWE.com

Dean Ambrose will be kicking off SmackDown.

The Usos vs. Gallows & Anderson: Roman Reigns & AJ Styles are banned from ringside

Cesaro & Sami Zayn vs. The Miz & Kevin Owens

Dana Brooke makes WWE in-ring debut against Becky Lynch

Rusev vs. Sin Cara

Backstage News On Ryback’s WWE Contract

Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter via WrestlingINC

As noted, Ryback and Adam Rose were two names on internal lists of WWE releases going around last week but they were obviously not cut.

In the case of Ryback, he is not expected to be back to work for the company but it’s easier to let his contract expire than to release him. His current deal expires later this summer.

The decision on Ryback’s future was actually made before the May 1st Payback pay-per-view, where he lost to United States Champion Kalisto on the pre-show. As noted, Ryback was sent home from RAW the next day after a meeting with Vince McMahon over his contract.

A number of issues led to Ryback being sent home but they were said to be very far apart on money. Ryback wanted hotels paid for when traveling and wanted road expenses paid for. Ryback also wanted his contract to be guaranteed for the full term, that way if he was released for any reason, he’d still be paid in full for the length of the contract. While some WCW stars had similar deals years ago, that has never been an option in WWE.

On a related note, it was reported that Cameron was not on the internal list of releases but she got cut anyway. Cameron’s tweet in support of Ryback’s “equal pay” blog was seen as a major political mistake internally. She took the tweet down but the damage had been done.

 

Adam Rose Update, Bond Issued, How His Wife Prevented Restraining Order

Source: WrestlingINC

TMZ reports that Adam Rose faced a judge in Hillsborough County, Florida this morning. The judge wanted to put a restraining order on Rose, keeping him away from his wife, but she begged the court to reconsider so he can come home and help raise their special needs child.

Rose, was brought in wearing shackles and an orange jumpsuit, is facing misdemeanor domestic battery and felony tampering with a witness charges after the Wednesday arrest. His lawyer argued that his actions were “not aggressive or painful” but “more of a passionate, ‘Hey, let’s talk about this.'”

Rose was accused of grabbing his wife’s face while screaming at her during an argument. He then took the phone from her when she went to call 911 for help.

The judge mentioned another domestic incident between the two that happened in March, and was concerned about a pattern of abusive behavior.

The judge ended up changing his mind on the restraining order and setting a bond of $1,000. The Hillsborough County sheriff website has not updated to show that bond yet but Rose could be out by the end of today. He was ordered to see his pastor once a week for counseling. His next court date is in June.

 

WWE Released Christian From His Performer’s Contract, Backstage News On More Releases

Source: WrestlingINC

Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that not only The Brooklyn Brawler, Damien Sandow, King Barrett, Hornswoggle, El Torito, Alex Riley, Zeb Colter, Santino Marella and Cameron were released but Christian was released from his performer’s contract.

Christian’s release did not have to do with his agreement to do The Edge and Christian Show and is more of a technicality of no longer having an active performer’s contract, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Christian hasn’t wrestled since his last concussion in March 2014 and WWE decided to stop using him due to his history of concussions. He remained under a performer’s contract until now but he is still affiliated with the company.

The Observer reports that several internal lists were going around last week and two names on the list were Ryback and Adam Rose. Rose had been serving a 60-day suspension due to his second violation of the WWE Wellness Policy until he was arrested for misdemeanor domestic battery and felony tampering with a witness this week in Florida. WWE then announced he was suspended indefinitely but it’s possible he’s released soon as he was already on the bubble. Cameron, who was not on the list, ended up being released.

WWE Statement On Adam Rose’s Arrest & Indefinite Suspension, Rose Still Held Without Bond

WWE.com has confirmed that Adam Rose is suspended indefinitely following his arrest in Hillsborough County, Florida early this morning after an incident with his wife. WWE previously announced the suspension via The Wrap with a statement that said they have zero tolerance for domestic abuse.

Here is WWE’s full statement On Rose’s arrest:

Raymond Leppan (a.k.a Adam Rose) arrested, suspended

TAMPA, Fla. — Raymond Leppan (a.k.a. WWE Superstar Adam Rose) was arrested at his home this morning by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office in Tampa, Fla.

According to a police report, Leppan was taken into custody and booked on alleged charges of tampering with a witness, a felony, and battery domestic violence, a misdemeanor. He is currently being held without bond.

WWE has zero tolerance for matters involving domestic violence, and per our policy, Raymond Leppan has been suspended indefinitely following his arrest.

Longtime WWE Employee Released

Source: WrestlingINC

Longtime WWE wrestler and employee Steve “The Brooklyn Brawler” Lombardi has been released from the company, according to PWInsider.

Brawler’s release came last week but was not announced by the company. He had been with the company for 30 years and most recently worked as a backstage producer.

Below are some of Brawler’s tweets since last week, which may or may not be related.

NXT Preview: 5/11/16

The following is scheduled for tonight’s 5/11 WWE NXT on the WWE Network:

Finn Balor vs. Elias Samson

Shinsuke Nakamura vs. Alex Riley

Alexa Bliss vs. Rachael Ellering

NXT Tag Team Champions American Alpha vs. John Skyler and Corey Hollis