Tag: WWE

CM Punk Reportedly Turned Down Big Money Offer From AEW, Punk Is Signed To A FOX Deal, Not WWE

CM Punk reportedly turned down significant money from AEW, according to Bryan Alvarez on Wrestling Observer Live.

Punk did actually have talks with AEW, despite what has been said in the media, and he met in person with AEW President & CEO Tony Khan, according to Alvarez. There’s no word yet on details of AEW’s offer, but Khan reportedly offered “a lot of money” to the former WWE Champion.

There’s been no update on Punk possibly returning to the ring for WWE, but turning down the AEW deal could be a sign that he has no plan for an in-ring future.

Punk is signed to a FOX deal, not WWE. It’s been reported that Punk’s agents contacted FOX a few months back, which led to the initial tryout in Los Angeles, where the show is filmed each week. WWE did give their blessing to the hire, but this was a FOX decision.

As seen in the tweet from FOX Sports PR below, “CM Punk” and “WWE Backstage” trended #1 and #2 worldwide on Twitter. The return had more than 5.5 million video views across the FOX Sports social media platforms, and counting. This was also the most re-tweeted post of the year on any FOX Sports account.

As we’ve noted, Punk appeared at the end of this week’s Backstage episode after being introduced by host Renee Young. It was later announced that the former WWE Champion will appear as a Special Contributor and Analyst beginning next week, making “select appearances” in the studio alongside host Renee and analyst WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.

Source: Wrestling Inc.

WWE NXT Preview 11/13/19

Tonight’s WWE NXT episode on the USA Network will feature more on the road to WWE Survivor Series and NXT “TakeOver: WarGames.

  • Lio Rush defends the NXT Cruiserweight Championship against Angel Garza
  • Mia Yim and Io Shirai to clash in a Ladder Match for the WarGames advantage
  • Will Killian Dain still be on the warpath?
  • Will the takeovers continue?

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin To Interview The Undertaker On The Broken Skull Sessions Series Premiere, Streaming Nov. 24 On WWE Network

“Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s new WWE Network series “The Broken Skull Sessions” will premiere November 24 at 11 pm ET / 8 pm PT, immediately after Survivor Series on WWE Network. The guest will be The Undertaker.

The show will feature no-holds barred, one-on-one conversations with current WWE Superstars, legends and celebrity guest each month.

WWE issued the following:

WWE’s favorite hellraiser is returning to WWE Network with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin: The Broken Skull Sessions, a monthly original series premiering Sunday, Nov. 24, at 11 p.m. ET.

Hosted and executive produced by WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, The Broken Skull Sessions will feature no-holds-barred, one-on-one conversations with the biggest names in WWE history, including Legends, Superstars and celebrity guests.

On the debut episode, Austin welcomes The Undertaker for a rare long-form interview, giving the WWE Universe unprecedented insight into one of the most prolific and enduring WWE icons of all time. From his early days in the ring to the night his WrestleMania Streak ended, The Phenom opens up about his storied career like you’ve never heard before.

“I’ve raised hell all over the world inside the ring while with WWE. Now with The Broken Skull Sessions, I get to raise hell outside the ring, shooting the breeze with Superstars from the world of sports-entertainment,” Austin said.

Filmed at Austin’s home studio in Southern California, each episode of The Broken Skull Sessions will contain more than an hour of engaging, candid conversation with guests who’ve accomplished success similar to the decorated six-time WWE Champion. The series joins other must-see WWE Network originals, including WWE: 24, WWE Untold and WWE Chronicle, among others, which provide fans deeper access to WWE Superstars and stories.

Saddle up alongside “Stone Cold” and The Undertaker when The Broken Skull Sessions premieres after WWE Survivor Series on Sunday, Nov. 24, streaming exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network.

Johnny Gargano Ruled Out Of NXT TakeOver: War Games Due To Neck Injury

Johnny Gargano is unable to wrestle at NXT TakeOver: War Games due to a neck injury.

Pro Wrestling Sheet‘s Editor-in-Chief Ryan Satin first reported the news on tonight’s edition of WWE Backstage on FS1.

According to sources, WWE management was hoping to have Gargano wrestle against Finn Balor at the event taking place during Survivor Series weekend.

However, due to the neck injury, that won’t be possible.

The severity of the injury is unclear at this time.

Gargano last appeared on NXT TV in a segment involving Finn Balor landing his finisher on Johnny on the ramp to launch a heel turn.

Sin Cara Requests Release From WWE

WWE star Sin Cara has announced he’s requesting his release from the company.

The wrestler made the announcement via social media with a lengthy statement in Spanish, which we’ve translated below:

Last night, after praying and considering it a lot, thinking about my children and their future, I made one of the most difficult but sensible decisions I have had to make in my professional wrestling career; I have asked for my WWE release.

Since I was a child, all I wanted to do was fight and all my life I have taken decisions and sacrifices to put myself in a position to fulfill that dream. There are 20 long years of experience and total dedication to my sport that I love and respect. I have traveled the world, met incredible people and fought for the incredible fans of the WWE Universe.

I am so grateful for the opportunity they gave me, however, I realized that I am stuck in a place where I am not valued as an athlete or talent. I have worked hard and honestly for many years to polish my trade, I have been loyal, respectful, a team player, support and I have waited patiently for the opportunity to show the world everything I can do. Unfortunately, after all these years, that opportunity never came or I feel that it will ever come while I remain where I am.

The best years of my professional wrestling career are coming and I think the best is yet to come! I am a healthy, disciplined man, respectful of my profession and its environment, of my companions and mainly of the public who has never failed. This is not the end, on the contrary, this is the beginning of the next chapter and I am excited for what the future holds!

I want to thank WWE for this incredible chapter, I will always be grateful. Most importantly, thanks to the WWE Universe for its unwavering support and to all my public that in all parts of the world has supported me and showed its affection, the only way I can correspond is by continuing to provide with all the narrow, passion and professionalism that I have Always shown. Thanks from the bottom of my heart.

Sin Cara had been off television for some time before recently returning to Raw after the draft. The wrestler began a program with Andrade upon his return and was paired with a masked female wrestler named Carolina to combat Zelina Vega.

The wrestler currently playing the role of Sin Cara is Jorge Arias aka Hunico. He permanently replaced the original wrestler under the mask in 2013.

Arias has been with WWE since 2009.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

CM Punk Appears On WWE Backstage

CP Punk appeared at the end of last night’s WWE Backstage. Punk will be on next week.

“It’s as simple as this, just when they think they’ve got the answers, I change the culture,” Punk said to the camera. “I’ll see you here next week.”

FOX’s Twitter announced Punk will be “appearing periodically” on the show. Punk originally left WWE in 2014.

At the end of last month, Punk had commented in an interview that he hadn’t heard back since his tryout, however FOX was obviously happy with how it went.

“I did the FOX thing,” Punk said last month. “They asked me to come out and I was already in LA, so I went into the FOX studios. I guess you could call it an audition? I haven’t heard a thing.

“Renee Young and Booker T, I haven’t seen either of them in five+ years. I think Renee is great, that’s the kind of thing she is built for. Booker, to me, he’s Booker; he’s always laughing and he’s good for that kind of role.”

Punk has also noted that a deal for the show would be with FOX Sports and not WWE.

You can check out Punk’s appearance in the video below.

https://twitter.com/WWEonFOX/status/1194479818215051264

WWE.com posted the following:

After a nearly six-year absence from WWE TV, CM Punk made a shocking, unannounced appearance on Tuesday night’s episode of WWE Backstage, FS1’s new weekly studio show.

The two-time WWE Champion arrived during the show’s final moments, entering to the sounds of Living Colour’s “Cult of Personality,” Punk’s entrance music during his storied in-ring career.

“It’s as simple as this: Just when they think they’ve got the answers, I change the culture,” Punk told the camera, before adding, “I’ll see you here next week.”

Within minutes, the WWE on FOX Twitter account confirmed that Punk will make periodic appearances on WWE Backstage beginning next Tuesday.

Punk left an unforgettable legacy during his WWE career, including holding the WWE Championship for a remarkable 434 days. Since parting ways with WWE, Punk has gone on to author comic books for Marvel, compete in UFC and, more recently, star in the horror film “Girl on the Third Floor,” released in theaters last month.

Don’t miss Punk’s headline-making return to WWE Backstage next Tuesday at 11 p.m. ET on FS1.

PWInsider reported that Punk’s surprise appearance was kept a secret to the other on-air talents, except for Renee Young, who introduced Punk, in order to prevent leaks. As we previously reported, Punk’s deal is with FOX only, and not WWE. The decision to sign Punk was a FOX call, but WWE obviously gave their blessing. PWInsider added that while Punk and FOX have been in talks, the deal was only finalized in the last few days.

WWE’s official press release on Punk joining the show noted that he will appear as a Special Contributor and Analyst beginning next week, making “select appearances” in the studio alongside host Renee Young and analyst WWE Hall of Famer Booker T.

WWE RAW Preview 11/11/19

Tonight’s WWE Friday Night SmackDown will take place at the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England as the Road to Survivor Series continues. The show was pre-taped on Friday.

WWE RAW TV Taping Cancellation, WWE To Hold RAW Double Taping

The December 17 taping of RAW at the Tyson Events Center in Sioux City, Iowa was cancelled due to a scheduling conflict. That show was scheduled to air on December 23 as WWE talent was reportedly going to get some time off during the holidays from December 22 until December 26.

The Well Fargo Arena announced it will host two episodes of RAW on Monday, December 16, with the second episode airing the following week on the 23rd.

Below is the full announcement:

WWE Fans! Wells Fargo Arena will now host two episodes of WWE Monday Night RAW on Monday, December 16th, moving the event start time up to 5:45pm, with doors at 4:15pm. That’s two shows for the price of one! Follow the ticket link below to purchase your tickets today!

For no additional charge, fans going to the event can end up sitting through six hours of TV tapings.

WWE Using Different RAW And SmackDown Sets This Week In England (Photos)

WWE is taping tonight’s SmackDown and Monday’s RAW from the Manchester Arena in Manchester, England today.

WWE is using a different set for today’s double tapings, as seen in the fan tweet below. The more elaborate sets that recently debuted on RAW and SmackDown are not being used.

https://twitter.com/Bluepeter1979/status/1192858732969037824

Hulk Hogan To Undergo Back Surgery Next Week

In an interview with Sports Illustrated, WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan revealed he would be undergoing back surgery next week.

“I’m going in for another back surgery next Tuesday. They’re going to fuse six levels together, so we’ll see how I feel after that.”

There is no timetable for how long the recovery will be for Hogan. Hogan had been floating around the idea as of late of doing one last match at WrestleMania 36 in Tampa, Florida, his hometown.

Source: WrestleView