Tag: WWE

WWE Launches UK Performance Center

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The new WWE UK Performance Center was officially launched today in London by Triple H, Charlotte Flair, Finn Balor, WWE UK Champion Pete Dunne, WWE Hall of Famer Shawn Michaels, WWE NXT UK Women’s Champion Rhea Ripley, WWE PC Head Coach Matt Bloom, Coach Robbie Brookside, NXT UK General Manager Johnny Saint and many others.

The 17,000 square feet facility features two training rings, world-class equipment and more. This is the first of what will be many WWE Performance Centers outside of the United States.

Below is the full WWE announcement along with video from the press conference and photos from the launch:

WWE ushers in the opening of the state-of-the-art UK Performance Center WWE announced the opening of the groundbreaking UK Performance Center, its first world-class training facility outside of the United States and a significant step in WWE’s efforts to localize its content around the world, at a press conference today in London.

With 17,000 square feet, two training rings, world-class strength and conditioning equipment, and versatile content creation infrastructure, the UK Performance Center will enable WWE to train athletes utilizing a comprehensive program, including in-ring training, physical preparedness and character development.

The facility is the first of what will be many Performance Centers outside of the United States, WWE EVP of Talent, Live Events & Creative Paul “Triple H” Levesque said.

“It’s about going the world over and finding the greatest athletes and the greatest performers in any market we can,” he said. “It’s an incredible undertaking, looking for the greatest athletes from around the world, bringing them to places like this that will be set up around the world to train that next generation of Superstars.”

Superstars Charlotte Flair, Finn Bálor and WWE United Kingdom Champion Pete Dunne all spoke of the overall importance of the facility and the resources it will offer to athletes who train there.

“Embrace every opportunity with everything you have, because I promise you there is everything in this facility to become a WWE Superstar,” Flair imparted to the NXT UK roster members in attendance.

“This Performance Center creates a clear path in the United Kingdom to becoming a WWE Superstar,” Bálor advised. “To the young hopefuls that are going to be knocking on the door … take full advantage of this incredible facility and I’m sure I’ll be seeing you guys in a WWE ring very soon.”

“Every time we step in this ring, we are proud to represent this brand,” Dunne said. “With this amazing facility, we have a chance to train together and develop together, and that only increases the feeling of being part of a winning team.”

More than 30 of the best European talent signed to the NXT UK brand will train at the UK Performance Center and can be seen weekly on the NXT UK program that streams every Wednesday at 3 p.m. ET/8 p.m. GMT on the award-winning WWE Network.

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WWE Announces “Worlds Collide” With Talent From Multiple Brands

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WWE today officially announced the WWE Worlds Collide Tournament during Royal Rumble weekend as part of Axxess. The tournament will feature talent from the NXT, NXT UK and 205 Live brands. The tournament will start as a 15 man battle royal on Saturday, which will determine the first round matches for the tournament beginning later that day. The winner of the battle royal will receive a bye in the first round.

The tournament will conclude on Sunday at the final Axxess session. The winner of the tournament will be awarded a future title shot.

You can check out the full announcement below:

The Superstars of NXT, NXT UK and 205 Live are set to battle in the first-ever WWE Worlds Collide Tournament, one of the most unique tournaments in sports-entertainment history, and it all goes down at Royal Rumble Axxess in Phoenix.

Brand-versus-brand dream matches will become a reality as 15 Superstars in total — five from NXT, five from NXT UK and five from 205 Live — will compete over the course of two days, with the tournament winner receiving a future NXT, NXT UK or 205 Live Championship Match of their choosing. That means anyone can become a champion on any brand!

The WWE Worlds Collide Tournament, which will be taped for a WWE Network special, kicks off with a 15-Superstar Battle Royal on Saturday, Jan. 26, at the 8 a.m. session of Axxess. The order of elimination in the Battle Royal will then determine the First-Round Matches for a 15-Superstar, single-elimination tournament beginning later that session. The Battle Royal winner will receive a first-round bye.

The tournament will continue at Saturday’s second session of Axxess, taking place from 1-5 p.m., before concluding at the final Axxess session on Sunday, Jan. 27, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. Featuring a veritable who’s who from all three brands, the tournament will include the following Superstars:

From NXT

From NXT UK

From 205 Live

Given the format of the tournament, there’s no telling who will fight whom when the brands collide. Which Superstar will rise to the occasion, beat out the best of his brand (and others), and claim a future title opportunity — and what championship will he choose to go after?

Royal Rumble Axxess, which takes over the Phoenix Convention Center Friday, Jan. 25, to Sunday, Jan. 27, will also feature NXT UK tapings on Friday and Sunday, as well as Superstar meet-and-greets, the WWE Superstore, photo opportunities, other live matches and much more throughout the entire weekend. Tickets are available now at Phoenix.Ticketforce.com.

Backstage News On Chris Jericho’s AEW Contract, AJ Styles Speculation

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Chris Jericho’s new contract with All Elite Wrestling is reportedly for 3 years, according to Dave Meltzer on Wrestling Observer Radio. Meltzer said Jericho revealed that this is the best contract of his career.

As noted before, Jericho talked with WWE and AEW up until the last minute, signing his AEW contract just recently. It came down to AEW offering Jericho a better deal. Jericho will be allowed to work New Japan Pro Wrestling and his cruise, which are stipulated in the contract.

It’s no secret that AEW and WWE are getting aggressive when it comes to signing top talents to contracts. AEW is expected to pursue WWE talents when their contracts expire. Cody Rhodes and The Young Bucks have friendly relationships with many of the WWE talents, which will help with potential negotiations. One top WWE Superstar who has a contract coming up that they are familiar with is AJ Styles. Meltzer speculated on WOR that Styles has a lot of leverage right now because he’s a top WWE talent and AEW would offer him a significant deal with an easier schedule. Styles is making a lot of money with WWE right now but AEW potentially could beat that. AJ turns 42 this year and if he really wants an easier schedule with good money, he could get that from AEW.

Meltzer noted that no one is in a better position between WWE and AEW right now other than Styles, except for maybe Kenny Omega. Omega’s future has not been confirmed but it’s still believed that he will end up with AEW after his New Japan Pro Wrestling contract expires on January 31.

It was also noted that AEW is offering good money to wrestlers right now. During the recent Double Or Nothing rally, Cody talked about how AEW wanted to change the wrestling economy and how they wanted to pay wrestlers good money because happy, paid wrestlers translates to happy fans. Some of the AEW contracts are totally exclusive but others are being allowed to work elsewhere. AEW officials are wanting to make everything beneficial for all talents. There’s no word yet on what talents like “Hangman” Adam Page are earning from AEW but WWE made a strong offer to Page and he turned them down.

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Announces Official Cookbook

 

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Celebrity chef Allison Robicelli teased a new WWE project earlier this week. WWE announced that project today – The Official WWE Cookbook. Insight Editions will release the cookbook on Tuesday, March 19. It will feature more than 75 recipes with full-color photographs. The 8×10 hardcover book will include 128 pages.

You can pre-order the cookbook at a sale price via this link. Below is WWE’s announcement on the book along with the cover art:

“WWE: The Official Cookbook” available this MarchInsight Editions today announced “WWE: The Official Cookbook” featuring a collection of recipes and dishes inspired by your favorite WWE Superstars and Legends.

“WWE: The Official Cookbook” gives fans a guide to creating a variety of fun dishes and drinks including recipes like The Rock’s Jabroni Macaroni Salad, John Cena’s Fruity Pebbles treats, and Nacho Man Randy Savage.

Featuring more than 75 recipes and striking, full-color photographs, “WWE: The Official Cookbook” contains separate categories for food and drinks — from appetizers to desserts — creating the ultimate recipe collection for the WWE Universe.

“WWE: The Official Cookbook” is in stores Tuesday, March 19 and available for pre-order now.

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE SmackDown Live Preview 1/8/19

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, FL as the road to the Royal Rumble continues.

* Triple Threat Match to decide who will square off against Asuka for the SmackDown Women’s Title at Royal Rumble

* The Usos to battle The Bar with a SmackDown Tag Team Championship opportunity on the line

* AJ Styles to confront WWE Champion Daniel Bryan

* Who will gain momentum heading into the Men’s Royal Rumble Match?

* Will Rusev be looking for retribution?

“Mean” Gene Okerlund Obituary & Funeral Information, WWE Network – Okerlund Collection Note

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The obituary for WWE Hall of Famer “Mean” Gene Okerlund is now online from Dignity Memorial at this link.

The obituary notes that Okerlund passed away at Sarasota Memorial Hospital in Sarasota, FL on January 2, 2019. He was 76. Gene is survived by his wife, Jeanne, and their sons Todd (wife Patricia) and Tor (wife Dana), and grandchildren Henry, Arthur & Brady. His wife was at his side when he passed.

As noted before, Gene’s son Todd told TMZ that his father suffered a “nasty fall” back in December. The fall triggered a rapid decline in his health, which led to his passing. Okerlund had been in “frail health” but the fall made things much worse. He was admitted into a nursing home just four days before his death. Gene had trouble breathing last Wednesday morning and was rushed to the hospital. He passed away later that morning.

The obituary noted that Okerlund “had many friends in life and enjoyed spending time and socializing with them” and it talked about how he cherished his wife. The obit also talked about how Gene loved boating and spending time at his summer cabin on Big Sandy Lake in Northern Minnesota. It was also written that Gene “lived a very full and happy life.” They included the following on Gene’s pro wrestling career:

“Gene was driven to succeed and advanced his career by moving into selling advertising for WTCN TV in Golden Valley, MN in the early 1970s. It was at WTCN TV that Gene got his first break as a wrestling announcer when Vern Gagne of the AWA asked him to fill in for a missing announcer. His wrestling career grew from that point on. During his career as a wrestling announcer he also became a partner at Cohen Okerlund Smith Advertising in Minneapolis. Gene worked for the AWA until 1984 when he began working for World Wrestling Federation, which eventually became the WWE. Gene continued to work right up until he became ill. Gene recorded his last show in December of 2018. Gene was recognized for his contributions in creating the industry leading WWE with his induction into WWE’s Hall of Fame in 2006. He truly loved his career!”

A private service for the family will be held on Wednesday of this week in Sarasota. Funeral arrangements are being handled by Robert Toale & Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park in Sarasota. The family asks that people make donations to the PKD (Polycystic Kidney Disease) Foundation of Kansas City, in lieu of flowers.

A new WWE Network Collection on “Mean” Gene was scheduled to go live at 10am ET this morning, Tuesday.

Source: WrestlingINC

Hulk Hogan & WWE Pay Tribute To “Mean” Gene Okerlund

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WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan returned to TV on tonight’s RAW in Orlando, his first appearance since the Crown Jewel event from Saudi Arabia back in November and first time on RAW since his release in 2015. The Hulkster led a tribute to his good friend, WWE Hall of Famer “Mean” Gene Okerlund.

The RAW segment began with a 10-bell salute for Okerlund led by Mike Rome, followed by Hogan’s entrance. Hulk then got serious and said he only came out in character because it’s what Gene would’ve wanted.

Hulkster then setup a video package on “Mean” Gene’s career.

After the video was over, Hogan said he thinks he can speak for everyone in saying “we loved you, brother.” Fans chanted “thank you Gene” and Hulk randomly asked a fan wearing one of his shirts in the crowd if he should “do it one more time.”

Hogan then talked about what Okerlund is doing in heaven and name-dropped “Macho Man” Randy Savage, Andre the Giant, Mr. Perfect, Ultimate Warrior, Mae Young and Fabulous Moolah.

You can check out the videos below:

WWE RAW Preview 1/7/19

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Amway Center in Orlando, Florida.

The first RAW of 2019 will be a loaded show with John Cena’s red brand return, WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan returning to honor “Mean” Gene Okerlund, and Braun Strowman returning with WWE Universal Champion Brock Lesnar to promote their Royal Rumble match. It’s also being reported that WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair will join Hogan to honor Okerlund. Alexa Bliss’ new “Moment of Bliss” talk show with RAW Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey as the first guest

* Hulk Hogan returns to RAW to celebrate the life of longtime friend “Mean” Gene Okerlund

* The Beast and The Monster under the same roof

* John Cena is back

* Elias takes on Baron Corbin

* The Revival vie for Raw Tag Team Titles in a Lumberjack Match

* “A Moment of Bliss” debuts

* Is the “old” Seth Rollins back?

Hulk Hogan Returning To Raw To Celebrate The Life Of Longtime Friend “Mean” Gene Okerlund

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The wrestling world was stunned when it was announced that Gene Okerlund passed away this past Wednesday.

One person who had a long friendship with “Mean Gene” was Hulk Hogan. He recently took to Twitter to honor the former backstage interviewer.

Now, he will be given a proper platform to honor the WWE Hall of Famer.

WWE announced that Hogan will return to RAW to talk about the life of Okerlund. This will be the first time Hogan has been on RAW since 2015 and his second public appearance with WWE since his scandal where he was caught making racist remarks. His first appearance was at Crown Jewel in Saudi Arabia back in November.

WWE issued the following announcement:

“Let me tell you something, ‘Mean’ Gene …”

So began many of Hulk Hogan’s most memorable proclamations, making interviewer and backstage personality “Mean” Gene Okerlund a cornerstone of Hulkamania in the 1980s. Now, in the wake of Okerlund’s recent passing, Hogan returns to WWE programming this Monday night on Raw to honor his longtime friend.

In a Twitter post Tuesday night, Hogan called “Mean” Gene “the best partner I ever had” while describing their incredible off-the-cuff chemistry during their backstage interviews. That synchronicity even led to an unusual tag team partnership when Hogan and Okerlund battled George “The Animal” Steele and Mr. Fuji in 1984. Their training sessions before that match, which can be seen below, were perhaps even more entertaining than the bout itself.

Hogan and Okerlund’s friendship spanned the decades, from WWE to WCW and back to WWE. On Monday night, Hogan honors his brother.

Don’t miss this milestone moment on Monday Night Raw, beginning at 8/7 C on USA Network.

WWE NXT Superstars Finish Up With The Brand At TV Tapings, When They Might Debut On The Main Roster

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It looks like Nikki Cross, Tucker Knight & Otis Dozovic of Heavy Machinery, EC3 and Lacey Evans finished up with WWE NXT at last night’s TV tapings. These 5 Superstars are headed to WWE’s main roster soon along with Lars Sullivan, who did not work the tapings.

These were the final tapings before the “Takeover: Phoenix” event during Royal Rumble weekend, indicating that the call-ups could come to RAW or SmackDown after the Rumble pay-per-view. There’s speculation on Lars being in the men’s Rumble match.

Cross and EC3 wrestled what appear to be their final TV matches to air next Wednesday. Cross faced Bianca Belair while EC3 faced Adam Cole. Evans faced Xia Li in a match that should air on January 16.

Heavy Machinery took part in the dark main event of the tapings. That match started after The Undisputed Era attacked Aleister Black and NXT North American Champion Ricochet after the tapings ended. Heavy Machinery made the save and then the babyfaces won an eight-man tag match.

Cross and Heavy Machinery all had post-match farewell moments, but EC3 and Evans did not.

Below are photos of the outgoing Superstars:

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Source: WrestlingINC