Tag: WWE

Austin Aries Released By WWE

WWE announced that they have released Austin Aries. No other details were made available. Below is their full statement:

“WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Superstar Austin Aries. WWE wishes Aries the best in all of his future endeavors”

Aries officially signed with WWE in January of 2016 and debuted on NXT on the March 2nd episode. He suffered a large orbital socket injury at the hands of Shinsuke Nakamura during a NXT live event last October which put him out of action for nearly five months. He re-surfaced on the main roster as a commentator for Cruiserweight matches, before making his main roster debut as a Cruiserweight this past March.

Aries went on to challenge Neville for the Cruiserweight Championship at WrestleMania 33 in a pre-show match, which Neville won. Aries’ last WWE match was a losing effort against Neville at WWE Extreme Rules on June 4th, 2017. Aries appeared on 205 Live the following week and said that he had been dealing with knee and neck injuries, and has not appeared on WWE television since.

“I’ve got some stuff going on, but just to be fair you could probably say that for a lot of the locker room,” Aries said on Busted Open Radio last month. “It’s kind of part of what we do, I don’t think anyone is ever 100%. So I got a couple things going on and obviously at this point it might be a good time to take a little break which really could consist of two days to just adjust some of those things, try and get my mind and my body right and then come back and figure out what’s gonna be next and what the direction’s gonna be.”

Source: WrestlingINC

Shortly after WWE announced Aries’ release, Aries posted the following tweets:

WWE Great Balls of Fire (RAW) 7/9/17

WWE RAW exclusive pay-per-view Great Balls of Fire takes place this Sunday night at American Airlines Center, Dallas, Texas.

CARD:

WWE Universal Championship: (C) Brock Lesnar w/Paul Heyman vs. Samoa Joe

Ambulance Match: Roman Reigns vs. Braun Strowman

RAW Women’s Championship: (C) Alexa Bliss vs. Sasha Banks

Seth Rollins vs. Bray Wyatt

RAW Tag Team Championship (30-Minute Iron Man Match): (C) Cesaro & Sheamus vs. The Hardy Boyz

Intercontinental Championship: (C) The Miz w/Maryse & Miztourage (Bo Dallas & Curtis Axel) vs. Dean Ambrose

Enzo Amore vs. Big Cass

(Kickoff) WWE Cruiserweight Championship: (C) Neville vs. Akira Tozawa w/Titus O’Neil

WWE Responds To Report Of Massive Data Leak Exposing Personal Information Of Over 3 Million Users

Forbes published a story today stating that Bob Dyachenko, from security firm Kromtech, uncovered a WWE database that was unprotected that contained the personal information of over 3 million users. Anyone who had the URL would have been able to search the data, which included birth-dates, ages, email addresses, ethnicity, educational background, earnings and even customers’ children’s age ranges and genders. The data was stored in plain text.

Another WWE database was also leaking on Amazon’s hosting service that contained addresses, telephone numbers and names of European fans. It was noted that this database may have been from an online WWE store as “the network doesn’t require a mobile number.”

WWE was alerted about the leak by Dyachenko on July 4th, and they moved the database so it is no longer accessible.

WWE issued the following statement regarding the report:

“Although no credit card or password information was included, and therefore not at risk, WWE is investigating a vulnerability of a database housed on Amazon Web Services (AWS), which has now been secured. WWE utilizes leading cybersecurity firms Smartronix and Praetorian to manage data infrastructure and cybersecurity and to conduct regular security audits on AWS. We are currently working with Amazon Web Services, Smartronix and Praetorian to ensure the ongoing security of our customer information.”

Source: WrestlingINC

WWE Confirms 2 More Names For Mae Young Classic

WWE has confirmed 2 more names for the upcoming Mae Young Classic.

20-year-old Australian phenom, Team 3-D Academy alumna added to Mae Young Classic

WWE’s inaugural Mae Young Classic just added two more names to its impressive list of competitors. Australian phenom Rhea Ripley and fierce veteran Sage Beckett have been announced as part of the 32-woman tournament that will stream exclusively on the award-winning WWE Network, beginning Monday, Aug. 28.

Ripley and Beckett join an impressive group of entrants that already includes Kairi Sane, Tessa Blanchard, Abbey Laith, Taynara Conti, Jazzy Gabert, Kavita Devi, Toni Storm, Princesa Sugehit, Lacey Evans, Sarah Logan, Bianca Blair, Piper Niven and Dakota Kai.

Just 20 years old and already sporting a resume full of in-ring accolades, Rhea Ripley is a wrestling prodigy. The hard-hitting Australian was a standout soccer player in her youth, making her uniquely prepared for a career of throwing hard kicks.

In addition to having competed in her home country of Australia and Japan, Ripley is also a two-time Riot City Women’s Wrestling Champion.

Sage Beckett is as tough as they come. The in-ring veteran of 10 years not only trained under ECW Originals Bubba Ray & D-Von Dudley at their Team 3-D Academy, but she has taken the hardcore philosophy to heart while revitalizing her squared-circle career.

Beckett found considerable success competing in various promotions like WXW Elite and Shine before deciding to retire in 2012. Still yearning to do battle between the ropes and unleash pain on her opponents, she made her return in 2014, coming back 130 pounds lighter. Behind her new lean and mean appearance, Beckett is making the most of her second squared circle go-around that she hopes will crown her the inaugural Mae Young Classic winner.

 

Jerry Lawler Reacts To President Trump’s CNN Wrestling Meme, ‘Everyone Just Needs To Lighten Up’ (AUDIO)

meme president trump donald jerry lawler lighten up reaction meme video cnn fnn

President Donald Trump’s use of a wrestling meme has the country buzzing this week … but Jerry Lawler, whose voice was featured in the clip, thinks people took it way too seriously.

King discussed the tweet on his latest podcast and said, “To me, it was pretty cool, no matter who the President is. It’s the President of the United States and they put out a tweet and you’re in it. I mean, c’mon! There’s not many people that can say that happened to them, so I just thought was kinda cool.”

For those who missed it … Trump furthered his never-ending battle with the news network this weekend by tweeting a video of his clothesline to Vince McMahon at WrestleMania 23, but with the CNN logo photoshopped over Vince’s head.

As for the backlash Trump received, Lawler stated: “Everyone just needs to lighten up. That was a funny tweet. You gotta admit, whether you like Donald Trump or whatever, it was the President of the United States putting out a funny tweet. C’mon, lighten up. What is wrong with that?”

Check out his comments below:

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

Paige Appears To Have Sat Ringside At Slammiversary For Alberto El Patron’s Match … Wearing A Lucha Mask

lucha mask paige slammiversary ringside

WWE superstar Paige appears to have been in attendance to support her fiancé Alberto El Patron at Slammiversary XV… even if she had to wear a lucha mask to do it.

Paige was spotted in the front row during the  Slammiversary main event last night sporting the mask of lucha libre star Dos Caras — El Patron’s dad — to avoid being seen on camera.

El Patron went on to win the unified Impact and GFW Heavyweight Championship, then reportedly cut a promo against his former employer, aka Paige’s current employer, for the live audience.

For those who aren’t convinced that’s her, another Twitter pic (which has now been deleted) showed a visitor badge appearing to say Saraya Bevis … her real name. While Paige’s contract might stop her from being seen at competing wrestling events, it looks like she may have found a loophole.

Or she just doesn’t care about the consequences.

Source: Pro Wrestling Sheet

SmackDown Live Preview 7/4/17

Tonight’s WWE SmackDown Live will take place from the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ.

* John Cena to return to SmackDown LIVE on the Fourth of July

* Naomi to defend SmackDown Women’s Title against Lana this Tuesday

* The New Day and The Usos square off in a Rap Battle this Tuesday on SmackDown LIVE

* Independence Day Battle Royal on SmackDown LIVE to determine United States Champion Kevin Owens’ WWE Battleground opponent

RAW Preview 7/3/17

Tonight’s WWE RAW will take place from the Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix, AZ with the final hype for Sunday’s WWE Great Balls of Fire pay-per-view.

* Samoa Joe scorches Brock Lesnar before WWE Great Balls of Fire

* Can The Boss knock “The Goddess” off her pedestal?

* Will Roman Reigns get payback against Braun Strowman?

* How will Enzo Amore rebound?

Other Wrestlers Added To Mae Young Tournament

Kairi Sane (formerly Kairi Hojo) of Japan will be joined by two other international wrestlers, Dakota Kai of New Zealand and Piper Niven of Scotland, as well as NXT star Bianca Belair in the Mae Young Classic. Belair defeated Aliyah to earn a spot in the tournament.

Mae Young Classic field widens with addition of international sensations, including Japan’s Kairi Sane

An internationally feared pirate has set course for NXT and the Mae Young Classic.

Twenty-eight year-old Kairi Sane, nicknamed “The Pirate Princess” in her home country of Japan, where she is one of the most celebrated women’s wrestlers of the modern era, announced today that she has signed with NXT and will compete in this summer’s global women’s tournament.

Sane broke the news via a video message that played on the big screen inside Ry?goku Kokugikan Sumo Hall, the site of today’s WWE Live Event in Tokyo.

Formerly known by the alias Kairi Hojo, Sane has wrestled for five years and was a multi-time champion in the Japanese organization Stardom. Her pirate persona is inspired by her elite background in yachting: Before entering the mat game, Sane competed in the yachting world championship and was considered an Olympic hopeful. Though Sane has often carried a spyglass to the ring, it’s her highlight reel-worthy diving elbow drop — thought by many to be the most beautiful in the world — that has navigated her to many milestone victories.

Sane, however, is not the only new blockbuster entrant confirmed for the Mae Young Classic. Joining her are two other international sensations, Dakota Kai of New Zealand and Piper Niven of Scotland, as well as NXT Superstar Bianca Belair, who won a Qualifying Match to earn her berth in the Mae Young Classic.

Auckland, New Zealand’s Dakota Kai has held titles not just in her native country, but also in Australia, Japan and the United States (including the SHIMMER Tag Titles with NXT Superstar Ruby Riot). The 10-year veteran, also known as “The Captain of Team Kick,” is famous for her wide variety of strikes, including a running Yakuza kick that, in GIF form, has taken on a life of its own among wrestling fans. She came into WWE’s orbit once before, in a 2015 loss to Nia Jax on NXT. Two years later, she is now a recruit at the WWE Performance Center and looking to prove she belongs for good this time.

Hailing from Ayrshire, Scotland, Piper Niven (photo courtesy of Dod Morrison) is an experienced powerhouse who has competed across numerous promotions, including Shine, SHIMMER and Glasgow-based Insane Championship Wrestling. Drawn to sports-entertainment at an early age thanks to the likes of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin and Chyna, Niven played contact sports in her youth, setting the foundation for her eventual in-ring debut in 2008. She is revered for her high-impact offense, which includes senton splashes, powerslams and a signature Michinoku Driver.

Bianca Belair, of Knoxville, Tenn., qualified for the Mae Young Classic with a recent victory over NXT Superstar Aliyah. (Watch the match in its entirety, below.) Calling herself the “EST of NXT,” Belair claims to be the strongest, fastest and toughest woman on the Performance Center roster. Before joining WWE in 2016, she competed in track and field at University of South Carolina, Texas A&M and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, and she is a regional CrossFit competitor who has been featured in RX Magazine. Prior to making her NXT debut, she shined in last year’s inaugural Performance Center Combine, putting up amazing numbers such as a 400-pound trap-bar deadlift and a 2.07-second 10-yard sprint.

Today’s additions bring the total number of confirmed Mae Young Classic entrants to 13. The tournament, which will be announced by WWE Hall of Famers Jim Ross and Lita, debuts on WWE Network on Monday, Aug. 28.

Source: WrestlingINC

Paige – Total Divas Update, More On Split With Alberto Del Rio, SmackDown Star Added To Total Divas

Paige will not be appearing on the upcoming season of Total Divas. Dave Meltzer reported in the latest issue of Wrestling Observer Newsletter that Carmella will be joining the cast, joining fellow newcomers Alexa Bliss and Nia Jax in replacing Paige, Renee Young and Eva Marie.

Paige has been on the cast of Total Divas since the third season, which premiered in September of 2014. Her last season on the series focused on her relationship with Alberto Del Rio, however that aspect was never pushed on WWE programming.

As we reported Paige and Del Rio broke up on Saturday night. Someone who saw the breakup said that Alberto reportedly said that “enough was enough” and that he reached his limit and knew that it was time to break up. Meltzer noted in the Observer that one of Del Rio’s close friends told him about the breakup, and that “it’s always possible they could get back together, but it did happen.” He added on Wrestling Observer Radio last night that while it could change, they were broken up as of Tuesday.

Paige has been out of action since suffering a neck injury in June of 2016. She was drafted to the RAW brand the following month but has yet to appear on the show. Since then she has had two Wellness violations. She has been training for a WWE return, and is expected to be back in action this summer.

Source: WrestlingINC