Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will feature two major “game-changing” announcements from NXT General Manager William Regal.
Tag: WWE
Why WWE Network Is Moving To Peacock, News On WrestleMania Going Back To One-Night Format
WWE President and Chief Revenue Officer Nick Khan recently spoke with Joe Reedy of The Associated Press to promote the WWE Network move to Peacock in the United States. Khan revealed that WWE had discussions about the future of the Network long before the COVID-19 pandemic hit.
WWE realized over the past few years that trying to maintain the WWE Network infrastructure could come at the expense of programming. That led to the relationship with NBCUniversal’s Peacock platform.
“The big question internally was how much can you invest and keep pace with the technology? It would be a massive investment,” Khan said.
The WWE Network averages 1.5 million subscribers but will now see a huge jump in potential viewers as Comcast reported 33 million sign-ups to Peacock in their Q4 2020 reports. While all of these are not active viewers, Khan said the entire deal was a no-brainer.
“We can drop the price in half (WWE Network was $9.99 per month, while Peacock will be $4.99 per month) and add their technical support. Ultimately it became a no brainer, especially with their reach,” Khan said.
The WWE Network move to Peacock also gives WWE a financial boost during the pandemic as they will see an average of $200 million per year during the 5 year contract.
The Associated Press piece also mentioned how WWE does not expect live event touring to return until at least July due to the pandemic. The summer of 2021 has been a rumored return date for touring going back to last summer.
WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon was also interviewed by The AP. She commented on WrestleMania 38 taking place at AT&T Stadium near Dallas while WrestleMania 39 is scheduled for SoFi Stadium near Los Angeles, the original area they had booked for this year’s WrestleMania 37 event. Stephanie noted that logistical challenges and building commitments are why the Los Angeles area must wait two years.
It was noted how WrestleMania 38 and 39 are scheduled to be one-night events like WrestleMania shows were in pre-pandemic years. Stephanie said the move to two nights for WrestleMania 36 proved popular, but trying to do two nights in the future might be more difficult due to the many events held during the week barring a pandemic.
“I suppose anything in life is possible, but this format is unique to the times,” McMahon said of the two-night WrestleMania events.
John Laurinaitis Returns As WWE’s Head Of Talent Relations
John Laurinaitis finds himself back in a familiar role. According to Dave Meltzer of the Wrestling Observer, Laurinaitis is back in the role of WWE’s Head of Talent Relations.
WWE has yet to officially announce Laurinaitis’ promotion. The former WCW and All Japan star first started as WWE’s Head of Talent relations in 2004 after Jim Ross stepped down.
Under Laurinaitis’ tenure WWE signed future stars like Daniel Bryan and CM Punk.
Laurinaitis resigned from the position in 2012, but he has remained in WWE since, working as a producer / road agent. He is also remembered for his run as an authority figure on WWE TV, where he largely lampooned his real life position.
Meltzer also states that WWE’s talent relations will now be split into talent management and talent branding. The latter department will focus on opportunities for talent outside of WWE. This would include movies, TV shows and other appearances.
There is no word on the status of Mark Carrano, who had previously served as Head of Talent Relations.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Molly Holly Revealed For WWE 2021 Hall Of Fame, Ceremony Details
WWE has announced that the Hall of Fame induction ceremony will return this year during WrestleMania 37 Week.
The ceremony will stream live on Tuesday, April 6 on the WWE Network/Peacock in the United States, and on the WWE Network for fans around the world. For the first time ever two classes will be inducted – the 2020 class and the 2021 class.
The 2020 class was never inducted due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Names being inducted in that class are Batista, The Bella Twins, JBL, The British Bulldog, Jushin “Thunder” Liger and the nWo (Hulk Hogan, Sean Waltman, Scott Hall, Kevin Nash).
The first name announced for the 2021 class is former WWE Women’s Champion Molly Holly. WWE producer Shane Helms appeared on The Bump this morning to announce her induction.
Stay tuned for more on the WWE Hall of Fame.
Below is WWE’s full announcement on Holly’s induction, along with a clip from The Bump:
Molly Holly to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2021
Molly Holly, a true pioneer of women’s wrestling, is the first inductee in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2021. She was surprised with the news of her induction by her former associate The Hurricane on WWE’s The Bump.
Holly will take her place in sports-entertainment history on Tuesday, April 6, during the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. The special, which will stream on Peacock in the United States and WWE Network everywhere else, will feature the induction of both the 2020 and 2021 classes.
After training under “The Man of 1,000 Holds” Dean Malenko, Holly broke into the wrestling business in 1997 and first appeared on television for WCW in 1999 alongside fellow Hall of Famers “Macho Man” Randy Savage and Alundra Blayze as part of Team Madness. Donning a glittering blue dress and sash, Holly looked like a beauty queen but was ruthless inside the ring.
She made the jump to WWE in 2000 and immediately became embroiled in a bitter family rivalry between her cousins — Hardcore Holly & Crash Holly — and The Dudleys. But a romance bloomed between Molly and Spike Dudley, as they quickly became the Romeo & Juliet of WWE.
Holly then embraced her inner superhero, turning into Mighty Molly as she joined forces with The Hurricane. Her newfound superpowers helped her win the Hardcore Championship at WrestleMania X8 in 2001.
After her turn as a caped crimefighter, Holly got serious — and a little self-righteous — and set her sights on WWE’s biggest female stars, starting with Trish Stratus. She defeated Stratus to win the WWE Women’s Championship for the first of her two reigns at King of the Ring 2002. Holly took on all comers during her two turns as champion, although her attitude came back to haunt her as her second reign ended, and she was shaved bald by Victoria at WrestleMania XX.
Holly left WWE in 2005 but returned to take part in the first-ever Women’s Royal Rumble Match in 2018, as well as the 2020 edition of the over-the-top-rope melee. Her impact on women’s wrestling has been felt to this day, as she is consistently cited by today’s Superstars as an inspiration. After a legendary career, Molly Holly is more than deserving of induction into the WWE Hall of Fame.
Don’t miss Molly Holly enter the WWE Hall of Fame during the 2021 Induction Ceremony on Tuesday, April 6! Stay tuned to WWE programming and all of WWE’s digital platforms as WrestleMania Week approaches for more information on the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
Pro Wrestling Events With Fans Could Return To The State Of Maryland Soon
Pro wrestling events could return to the state of Maryland with fans in attendance soon.
Maryland Governor Larry Hogan has eased some of the state’s COVID-19 restrictions, announcing that large indoor venues and outdoor venues can now operate at 50% capacity.
While venues are able to run at 50% capacity, coronavirus safety protocols and the mask mandate must be followed, according to The Baltimore Sun.
The new capacity limits will go into effect this Friday at 5pm.
It will be interesting to see if WWE, AEW and other promotions start to book shows with larger crowds now that many states are re-opening from COVID-19 shutdowns.
Ring of Honor operates out of Maryland and will run their 19th Anniversary Show later this month from the from the UMBC Event Center in Baltimore, on Friday, March 26. It will be interesting to see if they put tickets on sale for the event. You can click here for the current ROH 19th Anniversary Show card.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE Announces WrestleMania 37 Tickets, Prices And Pre-Sale Revealed
WWE WrestleMania 37 tickets will go on sale Tuesday, March 16 at 10am ET.
WWE announced last night during RAW that limited combo and single tickets will go on sale one week from tomorrow, via Ticketmaster.
Tickets will range from $35-$2,500. A pre-sale sign-up linked is being offered here.
WWE is now using the “Back In Business” tagline for WrestleMania 37.
The Grandest Stage of Them All takes place on Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida. As we’ve noted, WrestleMania 37 seats will be socially-distanced and all COVID-19 protocols will be followed. There’s no word yet on how many tickets will be sold.
Below is a promo for the tickets and the full announcement from WWE:
WrestleMania tickets on sale next Tuesday, March 16
WWE today announced that a limited number of tickets to its two-night pop culture extravaganza, WrestleMania presented by Snickers, will go on sale next Tuesday, March 16 starting at 10 a.m. ET. WrestleMania will take place Saturday, April 10 and Sunday, April 11 at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay and stream live exclusively on Peacock in the United States and on WWE Network everywhere else.
Ticket prices for WrestleMania range from $35-$2,500 and can be purchased here. Two-day combo tickets will also be available. All tickets are subject to service charges and facility fees.
Fans interested in an exclusive WrestleMania presale opportunity can register here.
WWE is coordinating with local partners and government officials regarding safety protocols for WrestleMania and will share details in the coming weeks. Information on additional WrestleMania Week events is forthcoming.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE RAW Preview 3/8/21
Tonight’s WWE RAW will feature more build for the upcoming Fastlane and WrestleMania 37 pay-per-views.
WWE has announced that tonight’s show will feature the Almighty WWE Title Celebration hosted by WWE Champion Bobby Lashley and the rest of The Hurt Business. Lashley will be celebrating last week’s big title win over The Miz, and ushering in The Almighty Era.
WWE also announced that Braun Strowman will be on tonight’s RAW to demand an apology from Shane McMahon for how The Monster Among Men has been treated as of late. It’s believed that this will lead to Strowman vs. McMahon at WrestleMania but that has not been confirmed.
WWE has not confirmed any other segments or matches for tonight’s RAW but it’s possible that RAW Women’s Champion Asuka returns on tonight’s show after being away since taking the stiff kick to the mouth from WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Shayna Baszler. Asuka was recently called out by her partner Charlotte Flair, who wants a WrestleMania title shot.
WWE SmackDown Preview 3/5/21
Tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX will feature more build for the upcoming Fastlane and WrestleMania 37 events.
WWE NXT TakeOver To Be A Two-Night Event During WrestleMania 37 Week?
The next WWE NXT Takeover special may be a two-night event during WrestleMania 37 Weekend.
Earlier this week, a WWE Network pop-up revealed that a NXT Takeover event was scheduled for Thursday, April 8, which is the Thursday before Night 1 of WrestleMania 37 on Saturday, April 10. PWInsider has since confirmed that the next planned Takeover special is scheduled for that Thursday before WrestleMania.
There has been talk of this being the first-ever two-night Takeover event. The idea is that Night 1 would air on the USA Network that Wednesday night as the weekly NXT TV episode, while Night 2 would air that Thursday on the WWE Network.
There is no word on if WWE will go ahead with the two-night Takeover event as the idea could change or evolve with more than a month to go.
There’s also no word on if both nights would take place from the Capitol Wrestling Center at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando.
Source: Wrestling Inc.
WWE NXT Preview 3/3/21
Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will feature Nia Jax and Shayna Baszler defending the WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles.
- Nia Jax & Shayna Baszler put WWE Women’s Tag Team Titles on the line against Raquel González & Dakota Kai
- NXT Tag Team Champions Danny Burch & Oney Lorcan set to face Tommaso Ciampa & Timothy Thatcher in non-title bout
- The Way head to therapy tonight on NXT
- The storyline between Adam Cole, the rest of The Undisputed Era, and NXT Champion Finn Balor will also likely continue on tonight’s show.
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