We noted earlier this week that Attractions Management magazine was reporting that a WWE restaurant was on its way to Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, and would replace NBA City at Universal CityWalk. The Orlando Business Journal reports that the former NBA City location may actually host a Universal-themed concept, not a WWE restaurant. It was noted to “take any rumors on that location with a grain of salt, since Universal has yet to reveal its plans for NBA City’s replacement.”
Tom Anstey of Attractions Management Magazine reports that “a WWE-museum-cum-restaurant” is on its way to Universal Studios in Orlando, FL, and will be open by March 2017, in time for WrestleMania 33.
According to the report, the restaurant would include some sort of physical Hall of Fame, and would replace NBA City at Universal CityWalk. The facility will feature screens showing WWE programming, and would include a retail area.
WWE opened a restaurant in Times Square in 1999 called WWF New York, which was later renamed The World. The restaurant closed in 2003 and was taken over by The Hard Rock Cage in 2005.
WWE announced Monday that the Big Boss Man will be the next inductee into the company’s Hall of Fame. CBS Sports’ Adam Silverstein first reported the news of his induction.
Boss Man joins Sting, The Godfather and the Fabulous Freebirds in this year’s class.
WWE issued the following:
Big Boss Man to be inducted into WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2016
The WWE Hall of Fame now finally has its law and order. As first reported by CBSsports.com , the newest inductee to the WWE Hall of Fame is The Big Boss Man.
Boss Man, a former Cobb County, Ga., corrections officer turned sports-entertainer decked out in full police uniform, first debuted in WWE in the late ’80s. Managed by the legendary Slick, the ruthless Boss Man gained notoriety for not only defeating his opponents with ease, but also handcuffing them to the ropes and then bashing them with his patented nightstick. Though he had no trouble muscling opponents around, Boss Man was also deceptively quick and agile for a performer who weighed over 300 pounds, often being heralded as one of WWE’s best, and most unique, athletes. He had memorable encounters with the likes WWE Hall of Famers Randy Savage, Koko B. Ware and Shawn Michaels, and he also joined forces with another monstrous Superstar, Akeem, to form the titanic tag team known as The Twin Towers.
Though he initially displayed a warped view on justice, the former cop eventually showed that he did have morals. When “The Million Dollar Man” Ted DiBiase attempted to procure his services, The Big Boss Man declared that he couldn’t be bought. The bold move led to Boss Man becoming one of the WWE Universe’s most beloved Superstars, an enforcer of law and order who made evildoers pay for their transgressions. This new demeanor from the Boss Man led to his participation in some of the more unique matches of the 1990s, such as a Jailhouse Match against The Mountie at SummerSlam 1991, where the loser spent the night in a New York City jail, and a Nightstick Match with ex-con Nailz at Survivor Series 1992.
Boss Man went on to compete around the world for several years in the mid-’90s, including a stint in WCW, before returning to WWE in 1998. Adorned fully in black riot squad gear, Boss Man became Mr. McMahon’s personal security detail in the villainous Corporation. He faced off with “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, Mick Foley and The Undertaker, as well as captured the World Tag Team Championship and, on four occasions, the WWE Hardcore Championship. The Big Boss Man also engaged in infamous rivalries with Big Show and Al Snow, the latter of which resulted in one of the more notorious matches in history, the Kennel from Hell Match, at Unforgiven 1999.
Although the Boss Man passed away in 2004, the memories he created for the WWE Universe will surely live on forever. Because of that, he will be rightfully celebrated as the newest member of the hallowed WWE Hall of Fame on April 2, the night before WrestleMania 32!
Shane McMahon’s WWE return and match against The Undertaker at WrestleMania 32 for the control of RAW got a lot of fans talking about a potential brand split happening again.
Fans aren’t the only ones talking about a brand split as there have been rumblings within WWE for several weeks now, even before Shane returned, according to PWInsider. No word yet on exactly what is being discussed or how close they might be to actually executing the idea but there has been at least talk of doing some kind of split with RAW and SmackDown.
It will be very interesting to see if WWE could pull off a brand split with the way business is today. It doesn’t sound like NXT would be involved but that wasn’t stated in the report. There’s also no word on if the stipulation for Hell In a Cell at WrestleMania would tie into the split but it seems like that would be the easiest way to get there.
(Kickoff) – 2 of 3 Falls Match for the WWE United States Title: (C) Kalisto VS Alberto Del Rio
Winner: Kalisto
Sasha Banks & Becky Lynch VS Naomi & Tamina
Winners: Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch
WWE Intercontinental Title Match: (C) Kevin Owens VS Dolph Ziggler
Winner: Kevin Owens
Erick Rowan, Luke Harper & Braun Strowman w/ Bray Wyatt VS Kane, Big Show & Ryback
Winners: Ryback, Big Show and Kane
WWE Divas Title Match: (Charlotte w/Ric Flair VS Brie Bella
Winner:Charlotte (Figure Eight)
AJ Styles VS Chris Jericho
Winner: AJ Styles (Calf Crusher)
R-Truth VS Curtis Axel
Winner: Curtis Axel
Triple Threat #1 Contender’s Match – Winner faces Triple H at WrestleMania 32 for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship: Brock Lesnar w/Paul Heyman VS Roman Reigns VS Dean Ambrose:
In the age of the Internet we often find footage that can make us smile for hours on end and that’s to the official WWE Facebook page we have one of those videos.
Tonight NXT took place from Indianapolis and women’s champion Bayley had plans to cheer up the NXT Champion FinnBalor
She came out to his music, leather jacket and all mimicking his every move proving that she would be a perfect fit in his club.
She’s meets Finn in the ring who’s smiling from ear to ear although on cruches. They embrace in a hug causing them to tumble over. It seriously is the cutest thing ever. Don’t believe us? Check it out for yourself.
WWE officials met with Lucha Underground back in December but nothing came of the meeting, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
WWE was represented by Triple H and Senior Director of Talent Development Canyon Cemen. There was some discussion about talent but the talks went nowhere.
On a related note, TNA recently reached out to Lucha Underground. The company floated the idea of doing a joint show in Dallas during WrestleMania 32 weekend but Lucha Underground turned the offer down. The feeling was that it would be a bad mix.
It is being reported that WWE Divas Champion Charlotte is scheduled to hold on to the Divas Title at least until WrestleMania 32. Her current feud with Brie Bella is set to rap up at the FastLane PPV.
Many fans believe that a Sasha Banks vs Charlotte match for the title at WM32 is what we’ll see but according to PWinsider it looks like we may be getting a triple threat involving Chatlotte, Sasha Banks and Becky Lynch.
There is no word yet on how this may all come about. Like they say only time will tell. It makes you wonder though what about the 4th woman in the WWE’s version of the 4Horsewomen? Can all of this mean we may have a Bayley main roster debut on the horizon? Possibly the night after Mania? I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
