Last night on RAW Seth Rollins called out the alter ego of Finn Balor – The Demon King and he made his presence known by answering the call, coming out to the ring and mixing things up with Rollins, getting the better of him. Rollins backed up the ramp looking scared.
Below is video posted by WWE:
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
Some idiot attending Monday Night RAW ran into the ring during Seth Rollins‘ promo tonight … but as you can see in the video, security swiftly handled the situation.
A fan in attendance at the American Bank Center in Texas somehow managed to catch the aftermath on video, and it shows security take the dumb fan to the ground moments after his face-to-face with Seth. The man was only seen on TV for a split second and appeared to be wearing a helmet.
This isn’t the first time Seth has dealt with a fan run-in. Last year, a guy hopped the security wall and attempted to walk with him to the ring also during a taping of RAW.
Police says the security guard was bitten on his forearm by the fan — 23-year-old Edward Ferrero — but did not require medical attention.
He was eventually arrested for assault and criminal trespass.
Below are a couple of fan video’s of the incident:
2016 WWE SummerSlam is coming up this Sunday, SportsBetting Dime has an article looking at the betting odds along with their predictions.
Below are some of the betting odds and their predictions:
Thanks to the WWE Draft, both men are now wrestling for two different brands, Orton for Smackdown Live, and Lesnar for RAW, so this match is brand vs. brand; Stephanie McMahon (RAW) vs. Shane McMahon (Smackdown Live). Expect this one to have some fireworks.
This has a big time main event feel to it and I appreciated the MMA-style booking of this bout, which fits Lesnar perfectly.
“The Beast Incarnate” is coming off a win over Mark Hunt at UFC 200, but with that win came a failed drug test for estrogen blockers. Lesnar escaped any discipline from the WWE due to the fact he’s already a part-time performer, but will he be knocked down a peg or two by WWE brass at Summerslam? Let’s not pretend that the failed drug test didn’t embarrass the organization who recently suspended Roman Reigns for violating their wellness program.
Randy Orton has been on the shelf for almost a year recovering from a shoulder injury. The 12-time world champion came back and invaded RAW with an out of the blue RKO on Lesnar that was a thing of beauty. Orton is so over and it’s well overdue. He might not be everyone’s cup of tea, but he’s a very bankable star that has become a huge internet sensation over the last couple of years. It’s something the WWE can build upon.
So does it make sense to have Orton come back from a long layoff only to job to Lesnar? I’m sure that was the original plan, but something smells like the WWE could be looking to send a message to the locker room and Lesnar. They might not be able to suspend him, but they can definitely briefly damage the beast’s unbeatable aura and send him packing until the fall. Especially since Brock’s voice piece Paul Heyman is currently without a WWE contract.
Will it be Suplex City or Viperville? It might be best for business to see Lesnar win, but maybe things have changed in the Lesnar, WWE relationship. Somehow, Orton picks up the victory, maybe through interference or some other unclean finish. I see Lesnar’s run coming to an end for now. Take the upset here.
Winner: Randy Orton.
I am not going to get used to saying “Universal” Championship, but that’s what the new belt is being called on the re-branded Monday Night RAW. Two fantastic workers will get a chance to show off their talents to see who gets to be the first man to wear the brand spanking new title.
There is so much buzz and expectations regarding this match, will it live up to the hype? Finn Balor’s stellar days in NXT are done, and after rushing onto the WWE scene, will the organization put the strap on him this fast? Balor is definitely a megastar in the making if he isn’t one already. Yet this is a match that is really hard to call.
Rollins is already a company cornerstone that doesn’t necessarily need a title but it’s really easy for the WWE to make him the first Universal Champion to build his legacy even more. He will most likely wear gold around his waist numerous times in his budding career.
Balor, though, is world-renowned, the most successful NXT Champion of all-time, and a fantastic in-ring performer. Whether Balor remains a face or turns heel, this has all the makings of a bold WWE move. Balor wins the WWE Universal Championship and puts a stamp on his career, proving the “New Era” in the WWE is legit.
Winner: And the very first WWE Universal Champion – Finn Balor.
This is going to be a hot match full of athletic ability, big moves, and hopefully great storytelling. Babyface vs. babyface rarely works, and this one sort of feels forced upon us. But these two are extremely hard workers who could definitely steal the show.
Many have wanted to see Ziggler in the main event spot for a long time, but something tells me his time as a babyface could be nearing an end. Will we see a heel turn at SummerSlam? Some of his best work in the past was as a heel. In my mind, it would be the right move here, and after a great match, maybe it extends this feud with Ambrose. We shall see. Regardless, it’s not Ziggler’s time for a belt.
Expect Ambrose to retain his title so the WWE Smackdown Live brand can continue to push Ambrose as a big face for the company, especially with John Cena on a part-time schedule.
Winner: And still WWE World Champion – Dean Ambrose.
I was a bit shocked that Sasha Banks took the women’s title off of Charlotte on Monday Night RAWback in July. Why not save that big win for Summerslam? Not sure why they needed to rush that booking because it kind of makes this pay-per-view match fairly predictable.
In what will be an ongoing feud, expect Banks to defend her title successfully and not relinquish it anytime soon. I’d be shocked if they swerve here and put it back on Charlotte, but Vince McMahon does like his legacy champions, so there is a small chance we see another title flip. But that’s just conspiracy talking.
Winner: And still the WWE Women’s Champion – Sasha Banks.
Source: WrestlingINC
WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels is now running the “finishing class” at the WWE Performance Center, previously ran by Terry Taylor. Taylor, who is still with the company, underwent neck surgery recently and that is why Michaels was hired for the job.
Michaels will be working full-time at the Performance Center and has reportedly relocated to Orlando.
Source: WrestlingINC
Bill Goldberg will be in New York City for WWE SummerSlam weekend, according to PWInsider. Goldberg is set to make appearances for the company but they are likely related to the WWE 2K17 video game. Goldberg is not currently scheduled to appear at the WWE TV tapings and there’s been nothing said about him appearing at SummerSlam.
Source: WWE.com
Lesnar to address The Viper
Can Roman Reigns spoil Rusev’s night yet again?
Seth Rollins to deconstruct The Demon King
How will The New Day retaliate against Gallows & Anderson?
Do cheaters like Titus O’Neil and Darren Young prosper?
Charlotte goes solo
Source: WrestlingINC
Donald Wood from Forbes and Bleacher Report recently interviewed TNA star Aron Rex, f.k.a. Damien Sandow.
On Thursday’s episode of Impact Wrestling on POP TV, you made your debut and created a genuine buzz around the product. What was that moment like for you and did you feel any nerves getting back on television?
“Ok, so this is funny, as a performer I would never get nervous. When I first started, I was a teenager and of course you are nervous when you hit the ring and trying to get the timing and to get all the moves right. As I got more and more seasoned, I would never get butterflies. This was true even up to WrestleMania. I never truly got nervous because I would always go out, know who I am and do my thing. I said this to Dixie right before I went through the curtain, I had not had butterflies in 10 years, but today I do. I think the reason for that was because to me, it was a new version of me. It was a far more real version of me. I wasn’t playing a character on that episode. That was probably the most heartfelt promo I have ever done. I really didn’t know what I was going to say when I went out there. Knowing how great Impact Wrestling is, I kind of had an idea of what to say. I just wanted to go out there and talk to the fans and number one thank them for supporting me.
“I wanted to also thank Impact Wrestling for bringing me in because I had no plans on ever wrestling again. I did some autograph signings here and there and called it the “Thank You Tour.” It essentially was me going around, taking some shots, doing some autographs and personally thanking fans since I was moving into other projects. When I got the call from Impact and started talking to some of my friends that were there and some of the officials there, my philosophy changed, and I decided I wasn’t going to rule it out. The atmosphere at Impact Wrestling is one that I have never been around, and I have been doing this since I was 16 years old. The locker room is great; the management is wonderful. They allow the talent freedom to use the platform of the television show and the ring to paint their own picture. When I was given no direction outside of “Go out there and let the fans know you are here,” that meant the world to me. I am a loyal member of Impact Wrestling now. People can say what they want about my promo whether it was groundbreaking or buzz worthy, but it was just a guy talking to the people, the viewers at home and the fans at the arena. I know that can be lost in our business sometimes, but at Impact Wrestling the talent is given that chance for genuine interactions with fans.”
During your first promo for TNA, you spoke about your former employer and how good it was to essentially have the handcuffs removed now. How important was it for you to get that off your chest and what kind of feedback have you received following your debut promo?
“To me, my former employer, I really have nothing bad to say about them. They gave me a platform, and if it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t have the street cred, so to speak. With that being said, my role in that company was very specific. I was labeled as entertainment and that’s fine. Here, I can work throughout the whole spectrum. It wasn’t a shoot, it wasn’t a negative, it was expressing how Impact Wrestling has taken some chances and is changing the game. I am proof of that.”
You mentioned that you’ve been passed over for opportunities for being too entertaining. What are your thoughts on scripted vs. non-scripted promos, and were there any discussions with TNA about how much creative freedom or input you’ll have moving forward?
“This is on pretty much a night-to-night thing, let’s see what it works, go do it, and in my opinion, that’s how the wrestling business should be. That’s how the form of entertainment we do should be done. You have a live audience and a TV audience, there is also that Shakespearean element to it and there is also the element of improv. The coolest stuff sometimes will catch on and I think you need that. I was never a guy that you hand me a piece of paper and tell me to go out there and recite it. If I’m not feeling it, it’s going to come across as scripted. You have to feel it. You have to believe everything you are saying. If someone writes something and I believe it, I’ll go out there and recite it verbatim. If I’m not, then we will see if we can make some changes and that’s on a case-by-case basis.”
Many wrestlers who leave WWE talk about having a chip on their shoulder. Are you looking to prove the doubters wrong and how much did that impact your decision to sign with TNA?
“As far as I am concerned, anyone that doubts me, that is their opinion. I have to live with myself, and in terms of a performer in the WWE, my fans reactions spoke for themselves. Regardless of what I was doing, if you aren’t in the world title picture, but you’re getting a world title response as a performer, that’s on me and that’s OK with me. I was completely at peace with it and that’s why I didn’t know if I would still wrestle since other opportunities have come up. As far as guys having a chip on their shoulder, I can’t think of anyone like that, and I know the guys like ECIII, Lashley and Galloway. There is no chip on their shoulders and they are going out there and doing their job and making waves. Impact Wrestling in the last few months, you can’t tell me they haven’t changed the ways the industry has presented itself. They are exploring new venues and operating off a new template. They are taking risks, and it’s not just from a production standpoint, it’s from a TV standpoint. It’s working. It’s absolutely working. I would put Impact Wrestling against any other wrestling show on TV today.”
Wrestling fans are excited about your start in TNA, but let’s talk about the future. What are your long-term goals with Impact Wrestling and do you feel you can be a cornerstone of the brand moving forward?
“I never really thought about it like that. You are talking to the most left brained professional wrestler you will ever speak to with goals and everything. Short term goals, every time I am out there, I am out there to make the audience feel like they got their money’s worth, to make the viewer feel the time they invested to tune into and watch Pop TV, that their time is well spent. There are a lot of guys with that philosophy in Impact Wrestling. When you have a team atmosphere back there, and this isn’t just talent, this is management, talent and everyone working together, and giving everyone freedom and collaborating together it is such an awesome process. It is such a process and it is really starting to translate on TV. It has been a long time since I have been excited for professional wrestling and about the future. I honestly thought months ago my best days in the wrestling business were behind me, but after last night I can guarantee you they are ahead of me. There are a lot of guys I can say that for. This TV show, this company, is growing, it’s changing and it’s awesome.”
The Impact Wrestling roster is stacked with talented performers. How did the other wrestlers react to you signing with TNA, and who are some of the guys you are most excited to step in the ring against?
“From an executive standpoint, John Gaburick I have known him for a long time. That was just kind of like, “Oh hey great to see you again.” Dixie couldn’t have been nicer. I met her and her family for the first time yesterday. This is coming from a guy who spent his whole career in the WWE. It’s just an instant sense of family. I felt so welcomed by everyone there. Even guys I have never met before would come up and just tell me they were so glad to have me there. I cannot say enough good things about how I was received on every level of the company. The agents and producers are so great and they are so passionate about it.
“You look at our talent roster for example and see a guy like Moose. He is a former NFL star and competed at the highest level of football that there is in the world, and now he is here with us and doing great. He is so passionate about this. He stepped away from a NFL career to do this because he loves it. The list goes on and on. There are guys that can go out there and entertain and put on great matches and a great TV show. Who would have thought the Hardy’s could spend the rest of their career as the Hardy’s in terms of what you get from them? They are doing stuff that is absolutely crazy and is changing the way the business is operating. I think this is some of the best stuff Matt Hardy has ever done. With me one thing that never went away was this: Whenever I stepped through that curtain, whether it was with the WWE at WrestleMania, a live event, an independent show or Impact, whenever I am performing in front of people, I had no choice but to love it. It is just the way I am wired. I put everything I have into it. That’s what I said last night and it might have been a little off the cuff, but I can’t remember verbatim. What hit me was how positive and upbeat everyone is about creating the product. How everyone’s input is taken into consideration.
“I left a lot of friends in the WWE locker room, but I have a lot of good friends here too so everything is a tradeoff. For me, and I actually said this to Dixie today, as far as timing goes, I couldn’t have picked a better time to come into Impact Wrestling. We really are on the cusp of some awesome stuff happening and everyone is on the same page. I really feel blessed to be here at this time.”
Impact Wrestling ended with a stare down between you and Bobby Lashley. What are your thoughts on Lashley and a potential match for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship?
“You don’t step into the ring unless you are trying to be the best. Bobby Lashley is as good of an athlete that is out there. He is an extremely high level amateur wrestler, MMA fighter and pro wrestler. You look at him and watch him compete and that says it all. I have known Bobby for a long time and I look forward to getting in the ring with him.”
Wrestling fans are excited about your start in TNA, but let’s talk about the future. What are your long-term goals with Impact Wrestling and do you feel you can be a cornerstone of the brand moving forward?
“Everyone in the TNA locker room right now, everyone on the TNA management team, from what I have seen, is only looking to compete with what they did on the last show. TNA gets better with every single show. Our competition is to make sure that it snowballs. Our competition is to create a unique product that has never been seen before using the platform of professional wrestling while showcasing the athletes to put on the best show on earth.”
Source: SE SCOOPS
The following contains spoilers for TNA Impact Wrestling:
TNA taped another round of Impact Wrestling shows on Friday night form Orlando and the King of the Mountain championship is no more. The shake-up comes after the Billy Corgan has been promoted to the new President of Impact Wrestling.
TNA World Champion Bobby Lashley officially unified the KOTM title with the World Heavyweight Championship, effectively retiring the King of the Mountain title.
A new “Grand Championship” belt was unveiled – and the belt has its own set of rules unlike anything we’ve ever seen in pro wrestling. Similar to UFC and mixed martial arts, matches for the Grand Championship will go 3 rounds, with a team of judges choosing a winner based on points, if the match goes the distance.
The events that unfolded are expected to air next week on Impact.
So this is the NEW IMPACT Grand champion belt (replacing the KOTM title-wtf) matches will have mma style rules
pic.twitter.com/V1ILoQgAld
— HazardF5 (@HazardF5) August 14, 2016
Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet
Smashing Pumpkins singer Billy Corgan is the new President of TNA Wrestling, but his boss Dixie Carter isn’t leaving the company … in fact, she’ll still be his superior.
TNA officials announced Corgan’s new position Friday and the press release states that Carter, the current President, will become Chairman and Chief Strategy Officer of IMPACT.
The company explained, “As President, Billy Corgan will be responsible for leading day-to-day operations for IMPACT and its affiliated brands. As Chairman, Carter will focus on long-term planning, strategic partnerships and global growth.”
Last month it was reported that Billy had purchased a stake in TNA. Our sources say that’s not accurate, however. We’re told he was simply promoted to a greater role within the company.
Dixie praised Corgan’s dedication to the company in the press release … saying, “In working with Billy over the last 16 months, he has impressed me to the point that I’ve been in discussions with him to take an elevated strategic leadership role within the company. The more we discussed our vision for the organization, the clearer it became that position needed to match his commitment.”
As expected, Damien Sandow made his TNA debut on Impact Wrestling tonight. Sandow came out to his old “Hallelujah” theme and revealed that his new name is “Aron Rex.”
Here is more from Sandow’s debut, from WrestlingINC’s Impact Wrestling live coverage:
“Aron Rex” is in the ring and grabs the mic. He says he finally has a chance to have a live mic. He says he is not going to talk about his former employer and brass rings. He looks into the camera and says to his former employer “Don’t worry, I won’t talk about you”. Rex says what he does is about the fans. He states that some people thought he was too entertaining to be a main eventer. He is going to prove them wrong. Rex then begins to talk about opportunity and what TNA represents. TNA is the place where you can succeed based on talent alone. He then lists proof of all the top stars in TNA stars that have been given a fair chance in TNA like Drake, EC3 and even Broken Matt Hardy. Fans start chanting that “Aron” is a genius. Rex tells them that that was his old act and that he’s never had his IQ tested. He then goes on to say that he is going to prove himself at TNA because this is an even playing field. He names himself officially Aron Rex and says his new home is Impact Wrestling.
