Tag: WWE

WWE On Vader Passing Away

Image result for Big Van Vader

As noted, former World Heavyweight Champion Leon White, Vader aka Big Van Vader passed away at the age of 63 on Monday night. His son noted on Twitter that he passed away due to complications from pneumonia.

WWE remembered Vader with the following announcement on their website:

Vader passes awayWWE is saddened to learn that Leon White, better known to WWE audiences as Vader, passed away Monday night at the age of 63.

White began his sports-entertainment career in the mid-1980s after retiring from the NFL due to injury. He rose to national prominence in Verne Gagne’s American Wrestling Association before joining New Japan Pro Wrestling as the masked Big Van Vader. He went on to become one of the promotion’s biggest stars and most feared competitors.

Vader then transitioned to World Championship Wrestling, where he would make the biggest mark of his career. He engaged in memorable rivalries with the likes of Sting and Ron Simmons, becoming a dominant, three-time WCW World Champion in the process.

In 1996, Vader joined the WWE roster, where he squared off against Superstars such as Shawn Michaels and The Undertaker. He also found success on the small screen with a recurring guest role on the popular 1990s television program, “Boy Meets World.”

WWE extends its condolences to White’s family, friends and fans.

ROH Loses Madison Square Garden Debut Date After MSG Has Talks With WWE

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It looks like WWE may be trying to repair any damage done to their relationship with Madison Square Garden in New York City as Ring of Honor has lost the date for their MSG debut in 2019, according to PWInsider. It was believed that ROH may have debuted at MSG during WrestleMania 35 Week in April 2019 but that was never confirmed.

As we’ve noted, MSG officials recently reached out to wrestling promotions about working together after they were not happy over how WWE had been using the Barclays Center in nearby Brooklyn, and how none of the WrestleMania 35 Week events were booked at MSG. ROH COO Joe Koff spoke to PWInsider today and confirmed that they lost the date after MSG had talks with WWE.

“You know, I’m going to tell you Mike because you are asking. I’m not going to discuss beyond this statement because I am not going to litigate this in the press,” Koff told PWInsider’s Mike Johnson. “We had a deal with [Madison Square] Garden and they then told us they were backing out after communications from the WWE. We are not able to get any other dates in any kind of discussion. I’m expecting that our lawyers will be contacting all the parties involved and the best we can hope is that we can find a resolution, so we can bring the kind of energy and excitement that ROH and our partner New Japan to a bigger audience and to bigger arenas and to the fans of New York City. ”

When asked if there was the possibility of ROH having a date on the books at MSG, Koff responded, “There is no date and the discussion is going to end here on that.”

No word yet on if Mexico’s AAA promotion still has MSG dates booked for this fall. WWE will return to MSG on July 15th with a live event, featuring The Undertaker and Ronda Rousey.

Source: WrestlingINC

Reasoning Behind Big Cass’ WWE Release

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As reported, WWE announced that Big Cass has been released from the company. Apparently, per Dave Meltzer of F4WOnline, Vince McMahon held a meeting Tuesday prior to SmackDown Liveairing, and made the decision to let Cass go.

According to Justin Barrasso of Sports Illustrated, a major issue was Big Cass excessively drinking during most of the European tour, and having attitudes with others while drunk. Moreover, being intoxicated while in public is something the WWE does not condone, which is why they were sour on Cass.

Regarding Cass’ backstage demeanor, former WWE wrestler Simon Dean (Mike Bucci) shared a story on Facebook where he recalled Cass acting in a rude manner. According to Bucci, Cass “big-dogged” a former co-worker who was backstage, and forced him out of the locker room.

“A former wrestling co-worker of mine from back in my WWE days was backstage at a show about a year ago and Big Cass big dogged him and asked him to leave the locker room,” Bucci wrote on Facebook. “If their paths cross again on the indys, I hope I’m there to see my old buddy return the favor.”

According to a source that WrestlingINC’s  Chris Featherstone had reached out to, Cass could have been getting too comfortable with his character and getting in conflict with people backstage, and these are situations that usually get wrestlers in hot water. The source added that Cass could have been trying to make up for offending others by “playing politics,” and it was probably a case of “keeping it real going wrong.”

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Releases Big Cass

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WWE has announced the release of Big Cass, just two days after his loss to Daniel Bryan at WWE Money In the Bank.

We will have more on the release soon but below is WWE’s announcement:

Big Cass releasedWWE has come to terms on the release of William Morrissey (Big Cass).

It’s worth noting that WWE did not wish Cass the best in his future endeavors.

Source: WrestlingINC

SmackDown Live Preview 6/19/18, Debut Of SAnitY

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the Huntington Center in Toledo, Ohio with the fallout from WWE Money In the Bank.

* Gauntlet Match to determine who will challenge WWE Champion AJ Styles at WWE Extreme Rules

* SAnitY debut against The Usos

* Becky Lynch takes on Billie Kay

* Is another Mellabration in the works?

 

Several WWE Programs Included In Emmy Prelim Ballots

It is a rather long journey to actually get nominated for an Emmy Award. You must pass a couple different stages in the selection process first but it looks like a few WWE programs could be on their way to making the final nomination list.

The Emmy Prelim Ballot was recently released and it includes WWE programming in several categories. WWE attended the For Your Consideration event and brought a lot of star power to the show. Not only did they have skits designed to entertain but they also brought a couple heavy-hitting programs to put up for a nomination.

The WWE Network‘s 24 Special “Empowered” is listed on the Prelim Ballot for Best Documentary or Non-Fiction Special. HBO and WWE Studio’s joint project Andre The Giant is also in the same category.

WrestleMania 34 is getting some attention in the Outstanding Variety Special (Live) category. Both Raw and Mixed Match Challenge are also listed in the Emmy Prelim Ballot for Outstanding Structured Reality Program. The Unstructured Reality Program category includes some WWE representation in the form of both Total Divas and Total Bellas.

Only time will tell if those WWE programs actually make it into the small list of nominees for an Emmy Award, but it’s certainly a good start to see them on the list at this point.

Source: WrestlingINC

RAW GM Kurt Angle Suspends Ronda Rousey For 30 Days, WWE Confirms Her Return Date

Image result for RAW GM Kurt Angle Suspends Ronda Rousey For 30 Days after attacking Alexa Bliss, Angle and referees

RAW General Manager Kurt Angle announced on this week’s show that Ronda Rousey has been suspended for 30 days. Rousey interrupted this week’s RAW opening segment to confront new RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss and ended up assaulting Bliss, Angle and a few referees. Angle then suspended Rousey as punishment. Rousey made it clear that she will be going for Bliss when the suspension is up, champion or not.

Below is WWE’s announcement on the storyline suspension along with a post-show tweet from Angle and an apology from Rousey:

Ronda Rousey suspended from Raw for 30 daysRonda Rousey has been suspended from Monday Night Raw for 30 days after attacking Raw Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss, two WWE officials and Raw General Manager Kurt Angle.

The incident occurred one night after WWE Money in the Bank, where Bliss caused Rousey’s Raw Women’s Championship Match against Nia Jax to end in disqualification. The Goddess then cashed in her newly won Money in the Bank contract on The Irresistible Force to claim the title.

Jax will challenge Bliss for the title in a rematch at WWE Extreme Rules. Rousey, meanwhile, will be barred from Monday Night Raw until Wednesday, July 18 — three days after that event.

Stay with WWE.com as this story develops.

@therealkurtangle I sincerely apologize for my behavior tonight…. Though you were the first to put hands on me, I shouldn’t have let my temper get the best of me….Despite the fact I was cheated, provoked, and disrespected by Alexa… i shouldn’t have been willing to go through you to get to her. I’ll gladly serve my suspension … but Alexa, know that every moment you don’t see me i am thinking of you and preparing for your comeuppance. So you in 30 days #LittleMissBish

Source: WrestlingINC

Kenny Omega And The Young Bucks Tease Potential Match With The New Day On ‘Being The Elite’ (Video)

new day being the elite match teased kenny omega young bucks

WWE’s The New Day appeared alongside Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks in the latest episode of Being The Elite … but if that wasn’t enough to work you into a frenzy, a potential wrestling match between the two teams was also teased.

Kofi Kingston, Big E, and Xavier Woods are involved in a standoff with Omega and The Bucks ahead of their Street Fighter V showdown at EC3 at the top of this week’s show.

The most interesting moment happens at the end of the video, however, as Omega touts his victory over New Day and Nick Jackson questions if there’s something “better” they can defeat them at.

“The fans want it.  I know I want it,” Nick tells Kenny and Matt.  “We’re three athletes: think about it.  We can beat them at something else.”

“It would have to be neutral ground,” Kenny responds.

Matt mentions a wrestling match … but the video ends and we’re left hanging!

It’s worth noting Triple H said last week that WWE would be open to inter-promotional opportunities with other companies.  WWE also hyped The Bucks and Omega on their social channels last week.  Is this impossible dream match becoming more probable?

Watch the latest episode of Being The Elite below. The match tease happens in the last minute or so.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

NXT UK Show Announced, Two New Championships To Be Introduced

nxt uk wwe royal albert hall new series

NXT UK — a new show that will tape its first episode next month — was announced by Johnny Saint and Triple H during tonight’s show at Royal Albert Hall.

The show will feature a men’s division, women’s division and tag team division, with new belts being introduced for the latter two.

NXT UK will be taped over a series of 8 live events filmed on the following dates:

  • Saturday, July 28, and Sunday, July 29, at the Corn Exchange, Cambridge
  • Saturday, Aug. 25, and Sunday, Aug. 26, as part of Insomnia, the U.K.’s biggest gaming festival, at NEC Birmingham
  • Saturday, Oct. 13, and Sunday, Oct. 14, at Plymouth Pavilions
  • Saturday, Nov. 24, and Sunday, Nov. 25, at Liverpool Olympia

Triple H is quoted on WWE.com as saying, “This is the next step in our ongoing strategy to create localized content and further develop our brand globally.”

Watch the announcement video below:

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

RAW Preview 6/18/18

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Van Del Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan with the fallout from Money In the Bank.

* Will Alexa Bliss pay for cashing in?

* Does The Monster in the Bank have a plan for Brock Lesnar?

* How will Rollins’ rivalry with Elias play out in the wake of the WWE Money in the Bank controversy?

* Who will dare meet The Big Dog in his yard?