Tag: WWE

Backstage News On The Expected Undertaker Vs. John Cena Match At WrestleMania

Image result for John Cena vs The Undertaker WrestleMania 34

As seen on RAW this past Monday night, The Undertaker did not respond to John Cena’s challenge for a match at WrestleMania. The bout had been expected for months, with Taker’s wife, Michelle McCool, even posting videos of The Undertaker training.

If the match ends up taking place as expected, it would be the first time that a major WrestleMania match would take place that had been built up without ever being announced on television. Either way, Taker will clearly be at WrestleMania in some form, whether it’s for a match with Cena, or a segment which leads to a physical altercation between the two.

Dave Meltzer reported in the latest edition of The Wrestling Observer that Vince McMahon believes that the audience knows that Taker will be showing up this Sunday, so this is the story to bring him back to get his revenge on Cena. A source told the Observer that there is the belief that announcing the match in advance won’t lead to additional network subscriptions, since the fans who would want to see it will be watching the event on the network anyway. The source said that the storyline is McMahon’s and he’s happy with it, and that, “I think part of it is that Vince McMahon can say, ‘people are invested in the mere chance Undertaker will show up!”‘

While it’s not known if the Cena – Undertaker segment at WrestleMania will be an actual match or a confrontation to build to a bout next year, Meltzer noted that it was scheduled to be a match several months ago.

As noted, WWE posted the following blurb regarding the Cena – Undertaker storyline after RAW this past Monday night:

So, what now for Cena? With The Undertaker offering no answer to his challenge, perhaps the showdown between the two iconic Superstars is simply not meant to be. Is Cena destined to experience this year’s Showcase of The Immortals as a spectator? Will he aid another Superstar to victory or perhaps offer his expert knowledge of The Grandest Stage of Them All as a guest commentator? Or, is there still a chance that a match between John Cena and The Undertaker may take place? Find out this Sunday at WrestleMania, streaming live on WWE Network at a special start time of 7 ET/4 PT!

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Remembers Johnny Valiant After Sudden Passing

johnny valiant dead dies passes away wwe hall of fame

As noted, WWE Hall of Famer Thomas Sullivan, a.k.a. “Luscious” Johnny Valiant, was killed after being struck by a pickup truck Wednesday morning in Ross Township, Pennsylvania. He was 71 years old. According to WPXI, Valiant was crossing a busy road and was not in a crosswalk.

 WWE remembered Valiant with the following announcement:

WWE Hall of Famer Johnny Valiant passes awayWWE is saddened to learn that WWE Hall of Famer “Luscious” Johnny Valiant reportedly passed away this morning at the age of 71.

Valiant began his sports-entertainment career in 1969 in the Detroit territory owned by WWE Hall of Famer The Sheik, setting up rings, refereeing and competing. After learning the basics in the Motor City, he spent years competing in more than 20 territories across North America, including WWE.

In 1974, The Valiant Brothers “Luscious” Johnny and “Handsome” Jimmy captured the World Tag Team Championships and held them for more than one year. In 1979, Johnny teamed up with “Gentleman” Jerry Valiant to capture the tandem titles again, this time managed by WWE Hall of Famer Captain Lou Albano.

Soon after, “The Luscious One” followed in Albano’s footprints and became a manager of tag team champions himself. After guiding some of the biggest names in the AWA, Valiant returned to WWE in 1985. “Luscious” Johnny led the Dream Team of Greg “The Hammer” Valentine & Brutus Beefcake to the World Tag Team Championship with a win over Barry Windham and Mike Rotundo. Canadian strongman Dino Bravo and Demolition were also managed by Valiant for a portion of their WWE tenures.

Valiant proved he was multi-faceted by also doing color commentary for WWE before returning to the AWA in 1989 as a manager. In 1996, “Luscious” Johnny and “Handsome” Jimmy were immortalized when then were inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame.

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

Shawn Michaels Cuts Off His Long Hair

Shawn Michaels had his long hair cut off.

A local barber in Florida posted pics of HBK’s new hairdo with the following caption:

Today i had the honor of meeting a childhood hero of mine Shawn Michaels, and getting him ready for Wrestlemania this weekend. Shawn has had the pony tail for over 20 years, and today he had me cut it off and give him a new look. Such a genuine and down to earth guy it was such a privilege being trusted with the famous locks.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

WWE Hall Of Famer Johnny Valiant Killed After Being Hit By A Truck

johnny valiant dead dies passes away wwe hall of fame

WWE Hall of Famer Thomas Sullivan, a.k.a. “Luscious” Johnny Valiant, was killed after being struck by a pickup truck Wednesday morning in Ross Township, Pennsylvania. He was 71 years old. According to WPXI, Valiant was crossing a busy road and was not in a crosswalk.

“We do have witnesses. There was other traffic on McKnight at the time, so we were able to speak with people who actually witnessed the accident,” Ross Township Det. Brian Kohlepp said. “The driver of the truck stayed here on the scene. There’s no indication that this was anything other than a terrible accident at this point, but we’re still investigating.”

Valiant won the WWWF Tag Team Championship on two occasions. After his in-ring career was over, Valiant had a successful career as a manager. After managing Hulk Hogan in the AWA, he signed with the WWF and managed superstars like Brutus Beefcake, Greg Valentine, Dino Bravo and even Demolition. He left the promotion in 1988 and finished his wrestling career in the AWA.

Source: WrestlingINC

Johnny was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 1996 with “Handsome” Jimmy Valiant as The Valiant Brothers.

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Samoa Joe Return Update

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Samoa Joe is apparently ready to return to action imminently, as he has been added to the WWE RAW taping a week from this Monday on April 16th from the XL Center in Hartford, CT. Joe has been out of action since suffering a right foot injury during a match with Rhyno on the January 8th episode of RAW.

Source: WrestlingINC

Is Rusev Bringing His Tank To WrestleMania 34?

Image result for Is Rusev bringing his tank to New Orleans?

In the video below, Rusev is talking to Dasha Fuentes after this week’s WWE SmackDown Live win over Jinder Mahal. Regarding Sunday’s WWE United States Title Fatal 4 Way at WrestleMania 34 with champion Randy Orton, Jinder and Bobby Roode, Rusev says it’s now time to take back what is his. He also teases that he may dust off the old tank he used for his entrance at WrestleMania 31.

“Augmented Reality Experiences” Planned For WrestleMania Weekend

wrestlemania weekend augmented reality virtual video

WWE is planning to create “augmented reality experiences” and virtual reality content for those who are unable to attend WrestleMania weekend in New Orleans.

WWE Exec VP/Digital and Social Content Jayar Donlan told Sports Business Daily:

We are going to have some augmented reality experiences with WWE superstars. We are going to be having a lot of live look-ins with one of our popular shows, “WWE Now.” We’ll have original content like video diaries. We’ve even had an alligator predict WrestleMania matches. One of the bigger things we’re doing is our new partnership with NextVR — we are going to be creating WrestleMania virtual reality content, which will be sponsored by Snickers, at the WrestleMania Axxess fan festival.

No further details were given on their VR plans this weekend, but it’s safe to assume they’ll be rolling out all the information ASAP.

Read the full interview for more on WWE’s social media philosophy, working on social media presence with Superstars and the experience of making Mixed Match Challenge for Facebook.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

SmackDown Live Preview 4/3/18

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, TN with the final show before Sunday’s WrestleMania 34 pay-per-view.

* AJ Styles & Shinsuke Nakamura to face Chad Gable & Shelton Benjamin

* Rusev battles Jinder Mahal days before U.S. Title Fatal 4-Way

* Charlotte Flair faces Natalya in a rematch from two weeks ago

* Shane McMahon to return ahead of WrestleMania

WWE On The Undertaker – John Cena And WrestleMania 34

Image result for John Cena vs The Undertaker WrestleMania 34

Last night on WWE RAW The Undertaker did not appear and give John Cena an answer to his challenge for WrestleMamia 34.

WWE did post the following match preview for the unconfirmed match after RAW ended:

Will The Undertaker return to battle John Cena at WrestleMania?After coming up short in several attempts to secure a WrestleMania bout, including the Royal Rumble Match, a career-altering contest inside Elimination Chamber and a WWE Championship Six-Pack Challenge Match at WWE Fastlane, John Cena has seen his Road to WrestleMania hit a dead end.

However, before accepting his fate and preparing to go to The Showcase of the Immortals as a member of the WWE Universe, The Leader of the Cenation decided to exhaust one more option and challenged The Undertaker to a one-on-one match on The Grandest Stage of Them All.

Unfortunately for the 16-time World Champion, no response came one way or the other, prompting the frustrated Superstar to employ drastic measures and actually call The Deadman a coward! Though this resulted in Cena being assaulted by Kane before defeating him in a No Disqualification Match the following week, there was still no word from The Demon of Death Valley.

Finally, on the final Monday Night Raw before WrestleMania, Cena seemingly lost hope that the epic contest would take place, delivering a somber and, at times acidic, final message to The Deadman before walking up the ramp.

So, what now for Cena? With The Undertaker offering no answer to his challenge, perhaps the showdown between the two iconic Superstars is simply not meant to be. Is Cena destined to experience this year’s Showcase of The Immortals as a spectator? Will he aid another Superstar to victory or perhaps offer his expert knowledge of The Grandest Stage of Them All as a guest commentator? Or, is there still a chance that a match between John Cena and The Undertaker may take place? Find out this Sunday at WrestleMania, streaming live on WWE Network at a special start time of 7 ET/4 PT!

Stephanie McMahon Puts Ronda Rousey Through a Table on Raw (Video)

On the go-home Raw just days away from WrestleMania Stephanie McMahon put her opponent Ronda Rousey through a table. Watch the video below!