| Emperor Smeat |
01-14-2016 10:08 PM |
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First report is under spoiler tags due to current rumored Rumble and Mania plans for those that don't want to be spoiled early:
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Originally Posted by Observer
We have gotten an update that as of now, Dwayne Johnson is not wrestling at WrestleMania over the same insurance issues regarding the “Baywatch” movie that we’d written about. That still hasn’t changed at this point. This isn’t to say it won’t be worked through but right now they have a card and he is not wrestling on that card, although he is a key part of the show in some form. As of right now, the WrestleMania main event is scheduled as Reigns vs. HHH, so perhaps Johnson will be involved to counteract the McMahons in some form. Apart from that, Jericho’s return timing looks great. Undertaker and Lesnar are likely the other two main events, not against each other, with each needing an opponent, so you can go down your list of heels and plug them in for those two opponents, whether you have Sheamus, Strowman, Rusev, Del Rio or Owens in the slots. I suppose it’s possible for Lesnar to go against another face, but it’s not going to be Reigns or Undertaker. If Cena comes back early, and he seems to always do that with his mutant healing powers, then Cena vs. Undertaker can always be done. After Rollins went down, taking the HHH vs. Rollins match away, the Cena vs. Reigns match was changed to Reigns vs. HHH. Cena vs. Undertaker, pushed as The Battle of Legends was absolutely on the books when Cena went down. Because nobody expected a Cena injury, there were no thoughts to a backup plan for Undertaker. At the Brooklyn Raw, they did do a Reigns vs. Cena tease that was dark, so there was still an idea for that at some point.
Owens has thrown his name into the hat as far as Undertaker goes. “WrestleMania is synonymous with the Undertaker. Regardless of what’s happening with the streak, I’d like to throw my name in the hat and see if he’s still the phenom that he claims to be.” We did hear that as of last week, Owens was not ever suggested when it comes to a Lesnar opponent.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by F4W
Steve Austin, WWE's biggest peak drawing card in its history, has indicated that he will probably make an appearance at WrestleMania this year.
Austin, as a guest on Jim Ross' 100th podcast this week, categorized it as 99 percent that he would be appearing on the show on 4/3 at AT&T Stadium. He will not be wrestling on the show. He said that he had an idea that he's interested in but said he's yet to talk to creative.
He indicated even if they don't agree to do his idea, he would be at the show appearing in some form.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Observer
Davey Richards on Twitter wrote that he’s not taking any indie bookings after 5/1. His current TNA contract, which allows indie bookings (as long as they aren’t ROH, Lucha Underground or WWE), expires on 4/30.The only place one would go that doesn’t allow indie bookings would either be a full-time ROH deal, and he left ROH with a lot of heat over the nature of his departure, or a WWE deal. While he obviously can’t sign with WWE until after his TNA deal expires, given the type of performer Paul Levesque is trying to get for NXT, Richards fits the bill and a number of sources are all but saying he made that clear on the belief that’s where he’s headed. There is no word right now on Eddie Edwards, whose contract with TNA also expires on 4/30.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Observer
There is no indication of WWE involvement in the title not changing hands in the ring, even though the situation is similar to that of Alberto Del Rio. Del Rio was the AAA Mega Heavyweight champion when he signed with WWE, and never returned to drop the title. In his situation, at first AAA thought he would return and drop the title, but it was made clear immediately that even if he did return (which it ended up that he never did), that WWE would not allow him to lose. The difference is Del Rio had won the U.S. title, so in old school mentality, WWE wouldn’t let one of their champions job on somebody else’s show for their title. Another difference is Del Rio’s contract with AAA had expired a month earlier and he actually had signed with WWE, while Nakamura’s contract didn’t expire until 1/31 and he has not actually signed a WWE deal and couldn’t legally do so until after his New Japan deal ends. From a WWE standpoint, this is different because Nakamura doesn’t hold a WWE title, and may not even be using the same name. With Prince Devitt, there were no issues with his booking, nor has there been with other WWE talent that hadn’t officially signed but everyone knew they were leaving (Kevin Steen) and them losing some matches on he way out, even on high profile indie shows.
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In regards to NJPW's decision to strip Nakamura of the IC title.
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The IC title situation is the most interesting. The original idea was to put Tanahashi & Elgin as a regular team, to allow Tanahashi to heal up until he’s needed for big singles main events later this year. But he looks to be the only logical guy who can face Omega, both for the prestige of the title, but also for Omega to beat to elevate him. The problem is that would make two losses in a row for Tanahashi, and maybe three, because the next thing is the New Japan Cup, a single elimination tournament, where either Tanahashi wins the tournament or suffers another singles loss. If Tanahashi is to win the New Japan Cup, that goes right back to Okada vs. Tanahashi in April at Invasion Attack. That’s one of the few viable Sumo Hall main events they have. But it also feels like overkill for the company’s two biggest stars to headline again. But there’s no great idea that can avoid some kind of booking issue or another due to the departures.
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Had Nakamura decided to stay the extra 2 weeks, it would have been Omega vs Nakamura for the IC belt. Also had Nakamura stayed until at least the upcoming ROH ppv, it would have been him vs Dalton Castle for the event.
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Originally Posted by Observer
Regarding Tyler Breeze going from WWE NXT to the main roster, Triple H reportedly really wanted to protect Breeze and saw him as a heel on the level of Dolph Ziggler. Vince McMahon agreed and started Breeze at that level but then wasn't convinced and ended the push immediately.
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Would explain how poor his debut to the main roster has been so far.
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Originally Posted by Observer
The current word we’re getting is that Doc Gallows & Karl Anderson will debut on NXT at television in early March. Regarding ownership of names, New Japan owns the name Bullet Club. Drew Hankinson (Doc Gallows) owns the rights to the name Biz Cliz. WWE just filed for a trademark on the name Balor Club.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Observer
Rocky Romero decided to stay with New Japan. It’s been reported that he signed a two-year contract. The direct word we got is only that he has committed to stay two at least two more years. He had been at least up for a job as a player/coach at NXT. Bad Luck Fale has signed a new contract as well. Tama Tonga was claiming at press time that he was still a free agent. Fale likes living in New Zealand, which wouldn’t be possible working for WWE, but is, working for New Japan.
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Observer
Paragon Pro Wrestling from Las Vegas, which lost its spot on Pop TV when they signed up with TNA, will start on MSG Cable on 1/16 in a Saturday at 5 a.m. Eastern time slot. The company had previously announced starting on MARKT, a Dish Network exclusive channel, but that deal fell through.
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Similar to TNA, Paragon Pro Wrestling wasn't being paid by POP TV for the tv spot on the network.
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Originally Posted by Observer
TNA is starting to increase money on talent spending and is making offers to talent again as well as looking at resigning talent and upgrading merchandise. We do know that WWE has had contact with some TNA talent whose contracts have expired, but WWE isn’t offering anything money wise. The Storm situation is not unique to Storm but also to others where deals are due coming due and talent would be considering leaving because TNA has the feel of being dead, but TNA’s offers are considerably higher than WWE’s.
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Originally Posted by Observer
There is more talk as of late about the introduction of a Sister Abigail character. It’s been talked about forever but apparently the talk has gotten more serious about doing it.
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Originally Posted by Observer
Even though the show is supposed to be PG and Maddox was fired for using the word “pricks” in a promo, Vince McMahon on the 1/4 Raw show flipped off the fans who were booing him. There will always be a different set of standards for the ruling class.
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Quote:
“I was there and obviously involved in his match at WrestleMania last year,” said Hall. “We’re rehearsing the match in Cali last year at Levi Stadium, and it’s the Kliq and the New Age Outlaws out there, and we all know each other. And then there’s Sting, who doesn’t know anybody. He’s an outsider. I just think he never felt comfortable there. Being hurt was answered prayer for him–just let it end.
“You need to remember that Vince is never going to go with something he didn’t create. But we didn’t get anything done at the rehearsal the night before, so WrestleMania day, there were tents in the parking lot set up with rings for rehearsal. So we’re all in there again, and I’m next to Hulk on the ring apron and Triple H is going over the match and then he goes, ‘OK, he’ll break the sledgehammer, then I’ll hit him with the sledgehammer, and cover him, 1-2-3.’ I looked at Hulk, and Hulk looked at me, and I was thinking, ‘Sting, what kind of lawyer do you have, bro? You’re coming in the door doing a job? You weren’t even guaranteed to go over?’ That’s Vince just reminding you who won, even if he’s going to make money the other way.”
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Story from Scott Hall about last year's Sting vs Triple H Mania match. Part of a longer interview with Sports Illustrated. http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2016...-wwe-new-japan
Quote:
Originally Posted by Observer
There will be a fund raiser for Connor's Cure on 1/24 at The Lounge Bar in Luton, England at 10:30 p.m. to 4:30 a.m. with a Royal Rumble viewing party. Rock Bottom Radio is putting this on and they encourage fans to dress like your favorite wrestler.
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Figured that might be interesting for TPWW UK or anyone in the area during that time.
Some other sheet news includes: - According to reports, Orlando is currently the front runner to get Mania 33.
- Tommaso Ciampa still has yet to sign an actual WWE deal but has been confirmed for a few more dates in NXT (at least for house shows).
- According to the Observer, WWE had no backup plan to Taker vs Cena once Cena went out with an injury. Still undecided on who Taker's opponent will be at Mania at the moment.
- According to reports, Sting will be inducted by Ric Flair for this year's WWE Hall of Fame show.
- WWE recently released a video involving the creation of The Rock's theme by Jim Johnson. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOtkosnM2lo
- For those interested, a Jake the Snake documentary film called "The Resurrection of Jake The Snake Roberts" was recently released.
- In a "WWE Did You Know" type fact, comic superhero Batman once had a match in the WWE. The match occurred in 1969 with Batman and Bruno Sammartino defeating Killer Kowalski and Lou Albano in a tag match.
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