Tag: WWE

Triple H Confirms Upcoming WWE Draft, Teases That Stars May Be Drafted From The Main Roster To NXT

As seen in the video below, Triple H confirmed in his NXT TakeOver: XXX Media Call on Wednesday that a WWE Draft will be held later this year. Triple H also teased a major change in the draft format, hinting at the possibility of RAW and SmackDown stars moving to NXT in the annual shake-up of the rosters.

During the call, which was joined by Wrestling Inc.’s Nick Hausman and Justin LaBar, Triple H was asked about his shift in mindset with regard to NXT stars moving up to the main roster, especially after the Black & Gold brand moved to USA Network on Wednesday nights.

“That mindset has definitely changed. There are different protocols and procedures now around moving an NXT wrestler to the main roster, and you’ll see that in the upcoming draft later this year. You definitely have to think about the changes a lot more now.

“Now, wrestlers have the opportunity to wrap up their runs on RAW or SmackDown and move to a completely different brand with a different style in NXT. Maybe refresh, get a fresh coat of paint, or try something different. You can start over with a different character, and [moving to NXT] definitely gives them the ability to do that,” Triple H said.

Furthermore, Triple H said that with all three shows, RAW, SmackDown, and NXT having their own prime time TV slots, it is more critical to balance all three rosters rather than just taking talent away from NXT.

“With all three shows having their own prime time TV slots, all three brands are very important and you can’t just take away from one to support the other,” Triple H said. “You have to support all of them.”

The likes of Finn Balor, Charlotte Flair, Tyler Breeze, and Fandango have previously moved back to NXT after runs on the main roster. Earlier this year, there were rumors of Randy Orton possibly moving to NXT to start a feud with Tommaso Ciampa. Triple H addressed the possibility of Orton joining NXT.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 8/19/20

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will feature the final build for Saturday’s “Takeover: XXX” event.

WWE ThunderDome For SmackDown Quickly Reaches Capacity, Rules For Fans Revealed

WWE ThunderDome registration went live last night and capacity was quickly reached for the debut that will come with Friday’s SmackDown on FOX episode from the Amway Center in Orlando, which will be the SummerSlam go-home show.

WWE announced on Twitter shortly after registration for SmackDown opened, “#WWEThunderDome has reached maximum capacity for #SmackDown this Friday. Stay tuned for your chance to register for virtual seats in the WWE ThunderDome at #SummerSlam!”

WWE will have rows of fans shown on almost 1,000 LED boards for the new state-of-the-art viewing experience. ThunderDome will be used for all upcoming RAW, SmackDown and pay-per-view events for the foreseeable future.

The rules for ThunderDome registration notes that seats are selected on a first-come, first-served basis. WWE reminded fans that they will be on a live TV show, asking them to be camera-ready.

WWE also noted in the rules that they reserve the right to remove any fan from the live stream for inappropriate conduct or technical issues.

“We reserve the right to terminate your participation at our sole discretion if your attire contains any immoral graphics, images or text, any political statements, slogans, logos, graphics or other commercial identification of third-parties other than the WWE, its athletes and sponsors,” the rules note.

Below are part of the registration rules issued to fans:

All registered fans are further selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Please make sure you are camera ready. Remember, you will be appearing on a live show.We reserve the right to remove you from the live stream at any time, for any reason. The audience will be refreshed throughout the night and you may not be included in the entire broadcast. In addition, we may remove you from the live stream for any inappropriate conduct or technical issues. Watch the show through the stream on your device.

Position yourself in front of your camera from your midsection up, leaving a little room above your head. Make sure you have good lighting.

Only one fan permitted per seat.

Your attire must be appropriate and must remain on at all times.

Officially licensed WWE clothing is preferred, if available.

We reserve the right to terminate your participation at our sole discretion if your attire contains any immoral graphics, images or text, any political statements, slogans, logos, graphics or other commercial identification of third-parties other than the WWE, its athletes and sponsors.

 

Source: Wrestling Inc.

Renee Young Reportedly Leaving WWE

Renee Young is reportedly leaving WWE.

Young reportedly gave her notice to the company one week ago, according to PWInsider. The news was first reported by OutKick.

There is no word yet on when Young’s final date with the company will be.

Young took some time off earlier this summer after testing positive for COVID-19. She has appeared via video for some WWE programming since then, and recently revealed plans for her first cookbook.

WWE first hired Young in 2012. She has worked on several shows since then, including as the host of Talking Smack and a cast member of Total Divas. She also hosted FS1’s WWE Backstage show earlier this year until it was nixed by the network. Young became the first full-time female member of the WWE RAW announce team in August 2018, before she was moved to SmackDown as a special contributor in October 2019.

Young is married to AEW World Champion Jon Moxley. There is no word yet on what her next move is, but it’s likely that she will continue to have interest from other wrestling and media organizations.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE RAW Preview 8/17/20

Tonight’s WWE RAW episode will feature the go-home build for Sunday’s SummerSlam pay-per-view.

* Shawn Michaels appears to address Randy Orton

* Will Rey Mysterio return?

* Natalya returns to the ring

* The final red brand build for SummerSlam

Details On “WWE ThunderDome” Amway Center Residency With Virtual Fan Wall

WWE will be bringing fans back into the arena via live video on massive LED boards for their residency at the Amway Center – in what they’re calling the “ThunderDome.”

The company sent out a press release on Monday which explains:

WWE® BRINGS THE THUNDER

STAMFORD, Conn., – August 17, 2020 – WWE ThunderDome™, featuring a state-of-the-art set, video boards, pyrotechnics, lasers, cutting-edge graphics and drone cameras, will take WWE fans’ viewing experience to an unprecedented level starting this Friday, August 21 on FOX, kicking off SummerSlam® Weekend.

“WWE has a long history of producing the greatest live spectacles in sports and entertainment, yet nothing compares to what we are creating with WWE ThunderDome,” said Kevin Dunn, WWE Executive Vice President, Television Production. “This structure will enable us to deliver an immersive atmosphere and generate more excitement amongst the millions of fans watching our programming around the world.”

With the debut of WWE ThunderDome, WWE will take residency at Amway Center in Orlando and virtually bring fans into the arena via live video on massive LED boards, in conjunction with The Famous Group and its proprietary technology, for every Monday Night Raw®, Friday Night SmackDown® and WWE pay-per-view event. Starting tonight, fans can register for their virtual seat to be part of upcoming shows via www.WWEThunderDome.com or at WWE’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter pages.

“As WWE takes residency at the world-class Amway Center, we have reimagined our live event experience for today’s environment,” said Brian Flinn, WWE Chief Marketing & Communications Officer. “In partnership with The Famous Group, we will virtually bring our fans back into the show and recreate the interactive in-arena atmosphere that has been a staple of WWE events for decades.”

WWE Event Schedule for August:

• Friday, August 21 – Friday Night SmackDown®, Amway Center, 8 pm ET on FOX

• Saturday, August 22 – NXT TakeOver® XXX, Full Sail Live, 7 pm ET on WWE Network

• Sunday, August 23 – SummerSlam, Amway Center, 7 pm ET on WWE Network

• Monday, August 24 – Monday Night Raw®, Amway Center, 8 pm ET on USA Network

• Wednesday, August 26 – NXT®, Full Sail Live, 8 pm ET on USA Network

• Friday, August 28 – Friday Night SmackDown, Amway Center, 8 pm ET on FOX

• Sunday, August 30 – Payback®, Amway Center, 7 pm ET on WWE Network

• Monday, August 31 – Monday Night Raw, Amway Center, 8 pm ET on USA Network

WWE’s Amway Center residency will continue for the foreseeable future and Raw, SmackDown and pay-per-view programming will be produced on closed sets with only essential personnel in attendance. WWE will continue to administer its health and safety protocols for talent, crew and employees in conjunction with each production, including PCR testing for COVID-19, social distancing and wearing masks.

Man Arrested On Kidnapping Charge Outside The Home Of Sonya Deville

Phillip A. Thomas II, 24 from South Carolina, was arrested outside of the home of Sonya Deville (real name, Daria Berenato) early Sunday morning, according to the Tampa Bay Times. He’s charged with aggravated stalking, armed burglary of a dwelling, attempted armed kidnapping, and criminal mischief. Thomas is being held without bail.

According to police, Thomas had begun planning the abduction eight months ago. Early Sunday morning, he waited on the property for three to four hours, where he cut a hole in the patio screen to listen and watch until the homeowner went to bed. He then entered through a sliding glass door, which activated an alarm.

Police said Thomas was spotted by the homeowner, who left with a guest in a car, and also called 911.

The report continued that Thomas was still on the property when police arrived and “was carrying a knife, plastic zip ties, duct tape, mace and other items, and told deputies he was planning to take the homeowner hostage.”

“Our deputies are unveiling the suspect’s disturbing obsession with this homeowner who he had never met, but stalked on social media for years,” Sheriff Chad Chronister said in the news release. “It’s frightening to think of all the ways this incident could have played out had the home alarm not gone off and alerted the homeowner of an intruder.”

Sonya Deville took to Twitter to release the below statement about the harrowing incident:

Thank you everyone for your love and concern. A very frightening experience but thankfully everyone is safe. A special thank you to Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office for their response and assistance.

https://twitter.com/SonyaDevilleWWE/status/1295164230593843200

Deville is scheduled to face Mandy Rose in a Hair vs. Hair Match at this Sunday’s SummerSlam.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE Reportedly Has More Positive COVID-19 Tests Come Back

WWE reportedly had another round of positive COVID-19 tests last week.

There were issues at the WWE Performance Center TV tapings on Tuesday, August 4. WWE had plans to tape multiple episodes of SmackDown and 205 Live, but ended up taping just one episode of each show. It was noted then that the delays were due to problems with organization, and possibly with how late the RAW taping ran the night before. The delay led to WWE holding another taping yesterday, August 13, for tonight’s SmackDown and 205 Live episodes.

Last week’s delay was reportedly due to more people testing positive for the coronavirus.

It was reported by PWInsider, via three different sources, that the second SmackDown taping scheduled for last week was nixed at the last minute because more positive COVID-19 test results came back.

WWE implemented additional COVID-19 protocols and put significant effort into preventing the spread of the virus after the large outbreak in June. There is no word yet on who tested positive in this latest round of tests, or if more wrestlers tested positive than other employees. However, it was reported last week that some talents who were booked for the tapings had to be pulled at the last minute, which also contributed to the delay. Two of the wrestlers who were reportedly pulled from the SmackDown taping were Killian Dain and Danny Burch, but they both wrestled on this week’s WWE NXT episode. It’s possible that they were pulled due to creative reasons.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE SmackDown Preview 8/14/2020

The Road to WWE SummerSlam will continue with tonight’s WWE SmackDown on FOX episode.

* Big E vs. John Morrison

* Braun Strowman promises a monstrous confrontation with “The Fiend” Bray Wyatt

* Alexa Bliss sit-down interview to discuss her recent interactions with The Fiend

* Tri-Brand Battle Royal to determine who will challenge WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Bayley for her SmackDown Women’s Title at SummerSlam

WWE Expected To Announce Amway Center In Orlando As location Of SummerSlam, May Hold Other Events and TV Tapings At The Site, Virtual Fans

WWE is expected to announce the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida as the location for the SummerSlam pay-per-view on August 23. They’re also looking at the venue for other upcoming events and TV tapings.

It was reported on Thursday, via PWInsider, that WWE was considering the use of virtual fans for SummerSlam, something FOX has done for recent MLB broadcasts. Now @Wrestlevotes reports that WWE has a much bigger interactive experience planned for the Amway Center.

It was noted that WWE is about to begin a “new long term residency” at the Amway Center, indicating they have signed a lease with the venue, which has been “officially” closed until 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This residency includes a new interactive experience that will see fans appear live on the show via LED boards. The interactive experience will be hosted by WWE Superstars and Legends.

The interactive experience will be shown in the arena with more than 2,500 square foot of LED boards.

WWE should be announcing details on the interactive experience soon as it was noted that applications for people to appear on screen will open next week.

UPDATE

WWE production trucks have arrived at the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

Local reporter Jon Alba tweeted the following video of WWE loading their equipment into the building today.

WWE is set to tape upcoming pay-per-view and TV events from the Amway Center. You can click here to read our recent report on a very interesting new “interactive experience” WWE has planned for the venue, in which fans will be shown on large LED boards.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter reports that the return to live TV will begin with next Friday’s SummerSlam go-home edition of SmackDown on FOX. If everything goes smooth with SummerSlam Weekend, the idea is to host as much live TV as possible from the Amway Center for the forseeable future.

The idea is that WWE really wants to get out of the Performance Center as far as filming goes. They are putting part of the blame for the drop in TV ratings on not being live and the darkness of the Performance Center, according to The Observer.

The return to live programming outside of the Performance Center will mean an increase in production costs that the company has saved on while filming at their own facility. It will also mean talent and staff will be traveling twice as much, assuming they stay with live programming, and effectively ignoring the 14-day quarantine mandates set by states like Connecticut and New York.

The WWE NXT brand will not be impacted by the main roster move to the Amway Center as the current plan for the black & yellow brand is to remain at the NXT Arena on the campus of Full Sail University in Winter Park, FL.

Source: Wrestling Inc.