Tag: WWE

‘Fire Vince’ Chant Breaks Out During Commercial Break On WWE NXT

Vince McMahon’s divisive return to WWE in recent months is now starting to spill over into its live audience’s reactions. Wrestling Inc. has independently confirmed reports that the “WWE NXT” crowd began chanting “Fire Vince!” during commercial breaks of Tuesday night’s episode.”‘Fire Vince’ chants on NXT programming … if that isn’t a wake up call to Ari Emanuel and Endeavor I don’t know what is,” one fan tweeted, referencing the company WWE was sold to this week. At least two other users who appeared to be in attendance at the show also shared posts that said “Fire Vince!” chants broke out.

McMahon returned to WWE as its Chairman in January, according to a recent SEC filing, resulting in this week’s sale of the company. His return has sparked concern among a fanbase that had overwhelmingly been in favor of the iconic 77-year-old pro wrestling promoter stepping back from leading the company’s creative direction last year. McMahon initially announced his retirement last summer following the revelation that he made $17.4 million in hush money payments to several women who accused him of sexual misconduct. In doing so, McMahon ceded creative control to his son-in-law Paul “Triple H” Levesque, who took over as WWE’s new Chief Content Officer.

But since the turn of the year, McMahon has brazenly retaken control of the company he built ahead of its sale to Endeavor, reclaimed his position as chairman, and has appeared more and more frequently backstage — culminating in reports that he took firm creative control of this week’s “WWE Raw,” and leaving many fans concerned for WWE’s creative future.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Talent Morale Sinking Backstage In WWE, Reaction To Vince McMahon, RAW Changes

There were some big changes made to both WrestleMania 39 and Monday night’s episode of RAW.

Fightful Select is reporting that talent morale took a huge blow backstage Monday night on RAW. Many talents were frustrated after noticing how firmly Vince McMahon was back in control of WWE creative, especially considering that Triple H and Nick Khan held a meeting immediately before RAW promising that nothing would be changing.

Vince McMahon rewriting RAW before the show went live and even while it was airing, as well as being in gorilla position all night and having his own office at the venue struck fear in the heart of the locker room.

Some talent didn’t even necessarily consider that the creative decisions were poor, just that the whole matter was handled dishonestly after what Triple H had informed talent at the meeting, and that McMahon has a dirty history of firing so many wrestlers on the current roster.

Female talent grew increasingly demoralized and frustrated after WWE scrapped the mini-tournament to determine the #1 contender to the RAW Women’s Title. Many resented Vince McMahon’s return to creative considering how smoothly the past several months have been under Triple H.

Omos vs. Elias was a last-minute addition, as Omos wasn’t even planning on wrestling and was in catering and scrambled to get his ring gear ready.

The Cody Rhodes – Brock Lesnar tag team angle was finalized on Monday morning.

The report suggests that talent morale hit its lowest point since before WrestleMania 38 when it reached near all-time lows. Some talent opined that WrestleMania weekend was a passage for Vince McMahon to get himself back in control, with Friday’s SmackDown after WrestleMania already being eyed as a crucial event to determine how involved McMahon was at RAW and whether his involvement was a one-off scenario or the new normal.

At least two top WWE Superstars cited that they might request their releases if things continue like Monday. Many wrestlers are already looking into their options if Vince McMahon does indeed continue to be heavily involved with respect to the creative and overall WWE product.

Source: eWrestlingNews

Bushwhacker Butch (Robert Miller) Dead, WWE Hall Of Famer’s Passing Announced By Tag Team Partner

WWE Hall of Famer Robert Miller, best known for his wild in-ring persona as Butch – one-half of the legendary Bushwhackers tag team – has died at the age of 78. The news was confirmed by his longtime partner Luke’s daughter Jackie on Monday afternoon across social media.

“Our dear Bob has passed away,” Luke’s daughter wrote. “Those we love never truly leave us. There are things that death cannot touch. We will always love u uncle Bob Miller until we meet again.”

After breaking into the business in the mid-1970s as the Sheepherders, the duo would grow to become beloved fan favorites after signing with the World Wrestling Federation in 1988, with Butch often serving as the mouthpiece of the partnership when they weren’t busy licking the faces of each other and those at ringside.

Before arriving in the WWF, the Sheepherders were renowned for violent bloodbaths in the territory days, most notably winning the Florida version of the NWA United States Tag Team Championship during a bitter rivalry with The Fabulous Ones, Steve Keirn and Stane Lane. It made their transition into loveable kid favorites in the WWF all the more unique. The Bushwhackers quickly became stalwart attractions on WrestleMania and pay-per-view undercards during the company’s “Golden Era.” Butch last wrestled for WWE at WrestleMania X-7, taking part in the Gimmick Battle Royal. Luke and Butch were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015. 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Wrestling News Blog extends its sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Robert Miller.

‘Worst Raw’ Trends As Wrestling Fans Fume The Night After WWE WrestleMania 39

Last night’s post-WrestleMania 39 “WWE Raw” trended like it does every year, except this time, for all the wrong reasons. The sentiment of “worst Raw” spread around quickly on Twitter, with thousands of WWE fans voicing their displeasure about the show. In the past, the “Raw” following WWE’s biggest show of the year was filled with surprise returns, debuts from new wrestlers, the start of new stories or new chapters in existing ones, and even sometimes, a WrestleMania-caliber main event. Instead, WWE fans were treated to just one return, that being Matt Riddle, who WWE reportedly suspended in December after a second drug test failure. Riddle’s return was also arguably marred by the sexual assault allegations against him.

Not only did fans not witness any debuts, but the marquee main event tag team match they were promised repeatedly for over two hours proved to be a bait and switch tactic, as Brock Lesnar viciously attacked Cody Rhodes prior to the match starting. Lesnar continued beating Rhodes down for nearly ten minutes, leaving both fans watching at home and in the arena stunned.

Add to the mix reports of Vince McMahon being fully in charge of WWE creative last night, and the morale among both WWE talent and fans following the most financially successful WrestleMania in company history has quickly plummeted. This comes less than a day after McMahon himself said that he wouldn’t be getting back into the weeds like he used to, with reports now suggesting he was changing creative last night as talent walked out from the Gorilla Position. Many of the tweets surrounding the trend of “worst Raw” featured photos of McMahon from the CNBC interview, mocking him and calling him out due to his seeming dishonesty.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Vince McMahon Reportedly ‘Firmly Back In Charge’ Of Creative During WWE Raw

Vince McMahon told CNBC over the weekend that he’d no longer be “in the weeds” as it pertains to WWE creative, and that he’d only get involved with “higher level” decisions. However, that wasn’t the case during last night’s “WWE Raw,” the fallout episode from WrestleMania 39 and the first television taping since Endeavor’s acquisition of WWE.

According to PWInsider, McMahon was “personally and heavily involved” with Monday’s show, and ordered “a number of late rewrites” for the show about 15-20 minutes before “Raw” went live on the air. Furthermore, the changes were described as not a “feeling” that talents and staff had come to expect under the regime of Paul “Triple H” Levesque.

The report added that changes to the “Raw” script were made even after the show went on air and that they “came directly from McMahon,” who had his own office, just as he did before his “retirement” last July. 

It was further noted that although last night’s show began with Levesque on the headsets, McMahan became “more and more involved” as the point person running the show as the night progressed. For most of the night, McMahon was in Gorilla position, “directly overseeing the proceedings,” PWInsider added. This was not the case during WrestleMania 39, where he was on the headset only producing a few segments, but not involved with all decision-making. 

Among talents PWInsider spoke with, there was a “negative shift in morale” as they realized that operations had reverted to “exactly where they were” before Levesque took over as WWE’s creative team. One source said the “place felt nuked” and the feeling was that McMahon would likely be “overseeing everything again” going forward, leaving the creative to his “whims and sensibilities.”  

Other talents were less disheartened by McMahon’s return to Gorilla, noting that they always suspected “all roads” would eventually lead to his return to WWE’s creative process. There was also optimism that McMahon’s heavy involvement was likely a one-off, seeing as Triple H still holds the title of WWE’s Chief Content Officer. Regardless, multiple sources confirmed to PWInsider that McMahon was “firmly back in charge following the Endeavor acquisition of the company.” This was expected after Endeavor CEO Ari Emanuel stated that he wasn’t going to let McMahon retire and that he wanted the iconic promoter to remain at the helm of WWE.

Source: Wrestling Inc

RAW After Mania Highlights

This years Raw After Mania was very disappointing. Probably the worst Raw After Mania ever. It was lacking in the big surprises that usually occurs. The only so called surprises was the return of Matt Riddle and Brock Lesnar turning heel, assaulting Cody Rhodes.

Below are a few of the highlights form WWE Raw After Mania.

WWE RAW Preview 4/3/2023

Following a successful and entertaining WrestleMania 39 two-night premium live event at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, CA., WWE returns to the Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, CA. for the post-WrestleMania Raw show.

The road to WWE Backlash 2023 begins tonight

On tap for tonight’s edition of the weekly three-hour WWE on USA Network television program is the fallout from WrestleMania Goes Hollywood and the start of the build towards WWE Backlash 2023.

What will be the fallout of Cody Rhodes failing to finish his story against Roman Reigns? Who might make the move up from WWE NXT after a big WWE NXT Stand & Deliver 2023 show on Saturday, which closed with Carmelo Hayes defeating Bron Breakker for the WWE NXT Championship, freeing up the former champion for a potential move.

Things are always bigger and better on the post-WrestleMania edition of WWE Monday Night Raw every year, and tonight should be no exception!

Triple H Confirms Shane McMahon Tore His Quad At WrestleMania 39

Triple H has disclosed the nature of Shane McMahon’s injury, which he suffered in his match against The Miz at WrestleMania 39. 

Triple H revealed on the post-WrestleMania 39 press conference that Shane tore his quad in the match. “Unfortunately, Shane, tearing his quad early in the match — not that it was going to be a long match, probably — but going down with a torn quad,” said Triple H.

Shane returned to WWE for the first time since the men’s Royal Rumble match in 2022, where he reportedly put himself ahead of the rest of the wrestlers, and was sent home by his father, Vince McMahon. Shane’s return was a surprise to most at the SoFi Stadium and he received a rapturous ovation from the fans when his music hit. Snoop Dogg — the co-host of WrestleMania 39 — brought him out to face his fellow co-host The Miz, just like he had done on night 1 of WrestleMania 39 when The Miz faced Pat McAfee.

But, McMahon’s return ended as quickly as it started as he tore his quad when he leapfrogged The Miz and had to be escorted away by WWE’s medical team. Snoop Dogg, who was ringside, returned to the ring and became McMahon’s replacement to face The Miz and landed his version of The Rock’s People’s Elbow to get a win over the former WWE Champion. 

Snoop’s quick thinking to save the day earned special praise from Triple H.

“My hats off to Snoop. You know, just picking it up and just like, ‘Oh, man, he’s hurt? Alright, I’ll fix that.’ He’s a natural-born entertainer. I’ve known Snoop for years in this environment and what kind of a fan he is, but, man, tonight he put himself, from a respect factor for me, he put himself in a different playing field for me.”

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Sells To Endeavor, Announces Merger With UFC

After being initially reported by CNBC on Sunday, it has now been made official: WWE has been purchased by Ari Emanuel’s Endeavor Group and will join with UFC to form a new publicly-traded company, holding a supposed collective value of more than $21 billion. Former WWE CEO Vince McMahon, who re-joined the company’s Board of Directors as executive chairman in January, reportedly to help facilitate a sale, called the move “the best outcome for our shareholders and other stakeholders.”

“Together, we will be a $21+ billion live sports and entertainment powerhouse with a collective fanbase of more than a billion people and an exciting growth opportunity,” McMahon said. “I, along with the current WWE management team, look forward to working closely with Ari and the Endeavor and UFC teams to take the businesses to the next level.”

Under the terms of the acquisition, McMahon will continue to serve as executive chairman of the board, while Emanuel will lead the company as CEO and Mark Shapiro will be President and COO “of both Endeavor and the new company.” Dana White and Nick Khan are set to maintain their respective roles as President of UFC and President of WWE.

“This is a rare opportunity to create a global live sports and entertainment pureplay built for where the industry is headed,” Emanuel said. “For decades, Vince and his team have demonstrated an incredible track record of innovation and shareholder value creation, and we are confident that Endeavor can deliver significant additional value for shareholders by bringing UFC and WWE together.”

The deal sees Endeavor take ownership of 51% of WWE, while the company’s existing shareholders retain 49%. The new company will list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “TKO.” The transaction values WWE at $9.3 billion, which was McMahon’s reported asking price back in February (though WWE stock is down in pre-market trading, indicating that investors disagree with the valuation) and comes the day after the conclusion of WrestleMania 39.

The full SEC filing for WWE’s merger can be found here, whilst WWE and UFC’s joint press release can be found here.

An all-hands-on-deck meeting has been called for WWE employees later this afternoon.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE WrestleMania 39 Night Two 5/2/2023 (Results)

Brock Lesnar vs. Omos

Women’s Tag Team Fatal 4 Way
Ronda Rousey & Shayna Baszler def. Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez, Natalya & Shotzi and Chelsea Green & Sonya Deville

Triple Threat for the WWE Intercontinental Title
GUNTHER (c) def. Sheamus and Drew McIntyre

RAW Women’s Title Match
Bianca Belair (c) def. Asuka

Now the co-hosts of WrestleMania appear in the ring. The Miz dances as Snoop Dogg music plays. He announces 81,395 fans in attendance tonight for a two-night total of 161,892.

The two banter back and forth about Pat McAfee and George Kittle and the impromptu match last night. Miz complains that they ruined his expensive suit. Snoop Dogg ends up making another match for him tonight.

“HERE COMES THE MONEY!”

Shane McMahon’s theme hits and out he comes for an unscheduled bout against The Miz.

The Miz vs. Shane McMahon/Snoop Dogg

The bell sounds and we’re off-and-running. Miz complains that tonight’s suit is more expensive than last night’s. Shane gets emotional and says how much it means to be here tonight.

The bell sounds and within seconds we see Shane down clutching his knee after a leap frog gone wrong. A couple people come in to check on him as he stays down. Snoop Dogg ends up filling in, entering the ring and blasting Miz with two punches an hitting a People’s Elbow for a pin fall victory.

Winner: Snoop Dogg

Hell In a Cell
Edge def. “The Demon” Finn Balor

Undisputed WWE Universal Title Match
Roman Reigns (c) def. Cody Rhodes

The Ref ejected Solo Sikoa after hearing him hit Cody with Cody’s weight belt.

After the ref got knocked out The Uso came down and attacked Cody. Kevin owens and Sami Zayn then came down and clrar Usos out of the ring. Kevin hits Roman with a Stunner after The Usos are cleared from the ring. Sami hits his Helluva Kick in the corner as well. Kevin and Sami head out to the floor to continue beating down Jimmy and Jey Uso. They fight over the barricade and through the crowd.

Cody was set to finish Roman, Paul Heyman distracts the ref, Solo comes back in and hits Cody with a Samoan Spike. Reigns hit Cody with a Spear and covers him for a 3 count. Reigns retains the titles.