Last night in the opening segment of RAW, Triple H announced that NXT Stars – Ricochet, Aleister Black, Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa would debut on RAW later in the show.
Video packages were played to hype each competitor.
The footage WWE shared on social media was captioned “Triple H introduces WWE’s newest Superstars” and Michael Cole welcomed them to WWE, so it sounds like a permanent call up. No word on what this will mean for Ciampa’s current NXT Championship run and Gargano appeared on RAW as the NXT North American Champion.
Ricochet teamed with WWE Intercontinental Champion Finn Balor to defeat Bobby Lashley and Lio Rush in tag team action. The match was made after Ricochet saved Balor from a double team by Rush and Lashley. The match saw Ricochet get the pin on Rush after hitting the 630 from the top rope.
Johnny Gargano teamed up with former DIY partner Tommaso Ciampa to defeat the RAW Tag Team champions The Revival.
Aleister Black interrupted Elias then went on to defeat him in a singles match.
WWE and ESPN have confirmed that DX will be going into the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame class during WrestleMania 35 weekend. It will be Chyna, Sean “X-Pac” Waltman, Billy Gunn, “Road Dogg” BG James, Triple H and WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels going in together as a group.
“I think it’s the most meaningful for us all to go in together and to be recognized together,” Triple H told ESPN. “Because I think both groups were [just] as impactful.”
Triple H told ESPN that the idea to induct DX as a group had been “swirling around” for some time before a few key events and decisions allowed everything to slide right into place.
“It’s a funny thing, because DX was something that, before Kevin [Nash] and Scott [Hall] left, at the time we all talked about using ‘The Kliq’ as it was — kind of morphing that into television, since it was so out there anyways,” Triple H said. “But things worked out the way they did — they left, and the timing was right. Shawn and I still wanted to do it. Vince saw the value in it, I guess, and finally let us go at it. By that point in time I was looking for a heater, and we had brought Chyna.”
ESPN noted how fans have wanted Chyna’s role in WWE history to be better recognized, and how her induction with DX is a major step forward in that regard. Triple H said Chyna absolutely deserves to be in the Hall.
“Look, people believe what they want to believe. When I said a few years ago on the Austin podcast, or show, or whatever you want to call it, there’s complexities around it,” said Triple H. “But absolutely, definitely deserves to be in there. It’d be tough to pick a female that was more impactful on the business. She did something that was completely so out of left field that it wasn’t even being considered when we first brought it up for her to come in. It wasn’t even a consideration… it wasn’t an easy thing, and against all odds she did all of that. She earned everybody’s trust. She won over the fans. She won over the boys. She did all of it. From that standpoint, absolutely 100 percent deserves to be in the Hall of Fame, and should probably be more than once — as a group, but individually as well. There’s more complexity to that than meets the eye, but here we are. I’m just happy that it’s here. I’m happy for her family, the people that she was close to, that hopefully this is super meaningful to them. I know it would be to her. It’s a great thing — very deserving.”
Below is WWE’s full announcement on the induction:
D-Generation X to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019Are you ready?
As first reported by ESPN, D-Generation X, the most rebellious group in WWE history, are the first inductees in the WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2019. As first reported by ESPN, Triple H, Shawn Michaels (who now joins Ric Flair as a two-time inductee), Road Dogg, Billy Gunn, X-Pac and the late Chyna will take their place in sports-entertainment history during the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, April 6, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y., during WrestleMania 35 Week. Tickets for the ceremony will be available starting Friday, Feb. 22, at 12 p.m. ET.
DX was born out of the friendship between Shawn Michaels and Triple H, along with Chyna and their “insurance policy,” “Ravishing” Rick Rude. The two pals were lewd, rude and in-your-face, bucking authority and letting anyone in their way know that they had two words for them. Their penchant for crossing the line with regularity led to Bret “Hit Man” Hart calling Michaels “nothing more than a degenerate,” which HBK embraced, sparking the idea behind the alliance’s name.
When Michaels went on a hiatus from the squared circle following WrestleMania XIV, Triple H expanded the membership of the group, welcoming in The New Age Outlaws, Road Dogg & Billy Gunn, and the cocky X-Pac. Though you might not think it would be possible, the new DX turned up the irreverence to 11 and helped lead WWE into the Attitude Era. DX’s defiance wasn’t just limited to WWE. In one of the most infamous and groundbreaking moments of the era, the rebels hopped aboard a tank and drove from Monday Night Raw to rival WCW’s Monday Nitro, launching one of the biggest attacks in The Monday Night War.
The group eventually went their separate ways, but the DX name would not be limited to the history books after that. Following a long rivalry against each other, Michaels and Triple H patched things up and donned the green and black once again. The reunited DX may have only been the tag team of The Game & HBK, but that did not stop them from making Mr. McMahon’s life a living hell. The two troublemakers were a thorn in the side of the WWE Chairman, subjecting him to a flurry of pranks, even going so far as to vandalize Mr. McMahon’s personal limo and jet, and leaving their mark on the façade of WWE’s world headquarters. But it wasn’t only fun and games for Michaels & Triple H, as they also captured the WWE Tag Team Championship along the way.
Even though they disbanded once again and moved on to other roles within the industry, the DX Army maintained a close bond, and the tight-knit unit got the band back together for special occasions like Monday Night Raw’s 25th Anniversary, where they shared a “too sweet” moment with the Bálor Club.
And now, D-Generation X will enter the annals of sports-entertainment history. What will the rebels have to say when they take their place in the WWE Hall of Fame? Find out during the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony on Saturday, April 6, at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, N.Y. during WrestleMania 35 Week. Tickets for the ceremony will be available starting Friday, Feb. 22, at 12 p.m. ET. Don’t miss your chance to witness history!
Iconic stable D-Generation X (DX) look to be the headliners of the 2019 WWE Hall of Fame ceremony … and Chyna appears to be going in with them.
An advertisement apparently aired locally in the New York area, seen below, which states the popular group will be inducted this year and tickets go on sale Friday.
Shawn Michaels, Triple H, X-Pac, Road Dogg, Billy Gunn and Chyna are all featured in ad.
Chyna’s mother and friends have been on a public mission to get the deceased wrestler inducted into the Hall of Fame ceremony this year. Based on the advertisement, it looks like they achieved their goal.
This will also be the first inductions for Triple H, the New Age Outlaws and X-Pac.
After successfully running Phoenix, AZ’s Chase Field this year – staggeringly selling over 5000 more tickets than the arena was configured for, if official figures are to be believed – WWE will be returning the Royal Rumble to a baseball stadium for next year’s event.
WWE announced via the Houston Chronicle and during last night’s Elimination Chamberpay-per-view that Royal Rumble 2020 will take place at the city’s 41,168 capacity Minute Maid Park, current home of the Houston Astros, on 26 January.
WWE Executive Vice President of Special Events John Sabor commented:
“We had a wonderful experience at Chase Field, and that underscored our excitement with the decision to place the 2020 Royal Rumble at Minute Maid Park,” said Saboor, the company’s executive vice president of special events.
“We want to expose the WWE brand and its events to as many people as possible, and the size of facilities in which we present our major events is a key catalyst.”
Apparently, discussions to bring the Rumble back to Houston for the first time since 1989 began last summer. The event twenty years ago, won by Big John Studd, was held at The Summit. Today, the venue is used as a megachurch.
Fans at Sunday’s Elimination Chamber at Houston’s Toyota Center, had the opportunity to sign up for a Royal Rumble 2020 pre-sale.
Women’s Tag Team Championship – Elimination Chamber: Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose vs. The IIconics vs. Nia Jax & Tamina Snuka vs. Riott Squad (Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan) vs. Naomi & Carmella – Winner and First-Ever WWE Women’s tag Team Champions: Bayley & Sasha Banks
After the match, Ronda and Charlotte Falirstood face-to-face and “The Man” Becky Lynch came in on crutches and attacked Charlotte with a crutch. It looked like Becky was going to let Ronda beat Charlotte with a crutch but Becky then attacked Ronda with a crutch. Becky was escorted out by security.
WWE Championship – Elimination Chamber: (C) Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton – Winner: Daniel Bryan
The WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view takes place this coming Sunday, February 17 from the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas 7 ET/ 4 PT, Kickoff Pr-show begins at 6 ET/3 PT. Below is the current card:
WWE Championship – Elimination Chamber: (C) Daniel Bryan vs. AJ Styles vs. Jeff Hardy vs. Samoa Joe vs. Kofi Kingston vs. Randy Orton
Women’s Tag Team Championship – Elimination Chamber: Bayley & Sasha Banks vs. Sonya Deville & Mandy Rose vs. The IIconics vs. Nia Jax & Tamina Snuka vs. Riott Squad (Sarah Logan & Liv Morgan) vs. Naomi & Carmella
SmackDown Tag Team Championship: (C) Shane McMahon & The Miz vs. The Usos
RAW Women’s Championship: (C) Ronda Rousey vs. Ruby Riott
Intercontinental Championship – Handicap Match: (C) Bobby Lashley & Lio Rush vs. Finn Balor
No DQ: Baron Corbin vs. Braun Strowman
(Kickoff) WWE Cruiserweight Championship: (C) Buddy Murphy vs. Akira Tozawa
TMZ reports thatJimmy Uso was arrested after a drunken dispute with cops in Detroit this week.
Jimmy and wife Naomi were reportedly pulled over near downtown Detroit after Naomi was driving the wrong direction on a one-way street, according to police. Cops say Jimmy and Noami were driving a 2018 Dodge Journey that reeked of alcohol. They ordered Naomi out of the car and while talking to her, Jimmy got out of the car and took off his shirt & jacket, then squared up with police like he wanted to fight, despite commands from police to stay where he was.
A police officer reportedly pulled out his taser because he feared for his safety. Jimmy ended up settling down and complied with the commands from police. He was handcuffed and arrested for disorderly conduct & obstruction. Jimmy was taken to jail and later released on bond.
WWE issued the following statement on Uso’s arrest this afternoon:
“Jonathan Fatu is responsible for his own personal actions.”
This statement is similar to the comments WWE issued in January 2018 when Jey Uso was arrested for DUI in Texas. That statement read, “Joshua Fatu is responsible for his own personal actions. We are investigating the matter and awaiting information from local law enforcement officials.”
This is Jimmy’s third arrest since signing with WWE. He was arrested on DUI charges in March 2013 and September 2011.
The Usos are still scheduled to challenge SmackDown Tag Team Champions The Miz and Shane McMahon at Sunday’s WWE Elimination Chamber pay-per-view.
A fan on Twitter said they had been checking Twitter all day to see if Naomi was okay and the WWE Superstar responded, “Yes dear, we are safe and ok, thank you and love y’all.”
Steve Austin made an appearance on MMA Tonight and spoke about the comparisons between himself and Becky Lynch and why he thinks her “The Man” gimmick is money. Austin was asked what he thought of people comparing Lynch’s current run to his “Stone Cold” persona and felt like if that’s what the people believe, then it’s true.
“Well, I guess she is, if everybody is saying she is,” Austin said. “She does remind me a lot of myself. If you line up that women’s roster and you lineup that roster back in the day when I was still in the ring, and you said, ‘Hey, I need you to pick out my next breakout Superstar.’ I don’t think your gonna pick out Becky Lynch and I damn sure know you wouldn’t pick me out of that lineup.”
Lynch won this year’s 30-woman Royal Rumble and challenged WWE RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey the next night on RAW. Earlier this week, Lynch got her knee cleared after she was suspended by Stephanie McMahon until she did so. After attacking both Stephanie and Triple H, once Lynch got her knee cleared, she then had to apologize to get her match. After doing so, it seemed like all was good until Vince McMahon came out and suspended her again, adding Charlotte to the match against Rousey, instead.
Austin spoke about how Lynch has worked her way to the top over the last couple months.
“She has willed herself, she has worked her ass off, “Lynch said. “Studied the game, she got hot, then been cooled off. She’s got a little bit of attitude behind her, got a little ticked off and said, ‘Hey man, I’m gonna be a star.’ Vince McMahon wants everybody there to be a star, he’s going to set you up and he’s going to give you opportunities. She’s made the most of the opportunities and when they tried to slam the door she just kicked the door down and burst right through it.”
Austin not only gave a thumbs up to the comparisons between himself and Lynch, but he thought her current gimmick is “money.”
“I’ve loved what she’s done, I love what she’s doing,” Austin said. “I like her swagger. And she’s the hottest thing going right now. She’s not a person who’s dwelling on this being the most athletic match in the world, she’s a great worker in the ring, but it’s character driven. ‘The Man’ I love this gimmick, if you’re a young lady, calling yourself ‘The Man’ just like Ric Flair used to be—’To be the man, you gotta beat the man’—but, this is a whole different entity with the way Becky presents it, and obviously, she’s a female, it’s an awesome gimmick and it’s money.”
You can listen to Austin’s comments in the clip below.
