New HHH Interview: Talks Bryan & Kane at End of Raw, Says Investigation Will Take Place, Announces Orton’s Next Two Opponents from wrestlingzone.com
WWE has posted the latest sit down interview with Triple H and Michael Cole, and during the interview HHH addressed the following topics:
-HHH says WWE will be launching an internal investigation as to why Kane came down to ringside at the end of Raw this week.
-HHH maintains that Kane defended himself against the assault from Daniel Bryan on Raw, but an investigation will decide whether or not either side needs to be punished.
-HHH announces Randy Orton's next two WWE opponents.
-Michael Cole asks HHH to address Bryan's performance on Raw this week, and HHH says hats off to Bryan for beating Orton, and he says maybe Orton didn't give the performance fitting of the face of the company.
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Kaboom! & WWE Team Up to Build Playground During WrestleMania 30 Week, Kofi Kingston Hosting Event from wrestlingzone.com
The following press release has been issued:
KABOOM! AND WWE® TEAM UP TO BUILD PLAYGROUND IN NEW ORLEANS DURING WRESTLEMANIA® WEEK
Washington, D.C. and Stamford, Conn., February 5, 2014 – KaBOOM!, the national non-profit organization dedicated to ensuring that all children get the balance of active play they need to become healthy and successful adults, and WWE (NYSE:WWE) today announced a partnership to build a playground in New Orleans during WrestleMania® Week.KaBOOM! and WWE are teaming up to build a new playground at Woodland West Elementary School in Harvey, Louisiana, which serves more than 700 children in grades K-5. To kick-off the project, WWE Superstar Kofi Kingston® hosted a Design Day at Woodland West Elementary today during which children had the chance to brainstorm, draw and design their dream playground. Elements from the drawings will be incorporated into the final design for the playground.The children will have their final design come to life during WrestleMania Week on Friday, April 4, when WWE Superstars, WWE employees and community volunteers will spend the day mulching, shoveling and hammering together to build them the playground of their dreams. The playground build serves as part of WWE’s week-long lineup of community outreach activities leading up to WrestleMania 30 on Sunday, April 6 at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome in New Orleans.“At KaBOOM!, we believe that play matters,” said KaBOOM! Founder and CEO Darell Hammond. “We recognize the importance of having access to a safe and engaging place to play – knowing that it has the power to transform children and communities to be healthier, happier and more resilient. We are honored to partner with WWE to help give the children of this community the childhood they deserve with this play space.”“We’re proud to play a small role in the great work that KaBOOM! does to ensure kids have opportunities to stay active in safe environments,” said Stephanie McMahon, Chief Brand Officer, WWE. “Our partnership with KaBOOM! enables us to leave a lasting impact on children in New Orleans.”WWE will utilize all its assets, including TV, live events, PSAs, in-arena, digital and social media to generate awareness of the KaBOOM! playground build and partnership.
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Explanation For The Miz’s Brief, “Angry” Promo on Raw, Possible Tag Team?, Matches Taped for Main Event Tonight by wrestlingzone.com
The Miz's Raw Promo This Week
According to F4WOnline.com, the reason why WWE had The Miz come out during the Titus O'Neil match on Raw this week and cut a quick, "angry" promo is because it will likely be setting The Miz up for a tag team with Dolph Ziggler.
WWE planted the seeds for the team with Ziggler as well, when he cut a backstage promo for the WWE App during which he vented about not being used properly in WWE. The idea behind the Miz/Ziggler tag team is they will be "disgruntled angry man" wrestlers who are upset with not getting the push they deserve.
WWE Main Event Preview
The following matches have been taped for tonight's edition of WWE Main Event:
-The Miz vs. Fandango
-Alberto Del Rio vs. Zack Ryder
-Intercontinental champion Big E Langston vs. Curtis Axel
Also appearing are Triple H, Santino Marella and Emma
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Top Indy Star Trying Out to Be MLB Announcer by wrestlingzone.com
Top Indy Star Trying Out to Be MLB Announcer
MJK Public Relations has issued the following press release:
World Champion Pro Wrestler taking a shot at the Big LeaguesHe was listed by the San Diego Padres as applicant 362, but much of the world knows him by a different moniker – “Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce.Men and women from across the country and from all walks of life –baseball fans and aficionados and radio professionals and everything in between – flocked to Petco Park on January 25th to audition to become the new Public Address Announcer for the San Diego Padres.Pearce, a resident of San Diego, was one of nearly a thousand prospective applicants that turned up, but comes from a very different background – it appears he was the only world champion professional wrestler in the bunch.A five-time NWA World’s Heavyweight Wrestling Champion, the 35-year-old Pearce bucks most of the stereotypes associated with pro wrestling. Sure, he sports a bald head, goatee, and an athletic 245-pound frame that could conjure memories of “Stone Cold” Steve Austin, but there’s more than meets the eye. With a degree in Communication, Pearce has also worked as a television producer and director, film maker, model, and public speaker in addition to trotting the globe for the last 18 years as the villainous “Scrap Iron”. Last December he worked as a coach and trainer with the developmental talent for World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), the multi-million dollar wrestling empire owned by Vince McMahon.One of his duties as coach: Speaking.“The majority of stories told in television pro wrestling are through the spoken word,” says Pearce. To that point, Pearce’s speaking is easy and free, and on top of it all, Pearce has that distinct voice – the most obvious of necessities one would assume the Padres are looking for in a PA announcer. “My resume is probably the most unique among the applicants,” said Pearce. “I can’t imagine there are many pro wrestlers sitting behind the mic for a big league team. I’ve had a wonderful career, but this is a baseball fan’s dream job. Why not me?”The Padres have reportedly narrowed the field down to 20 finalists, all of which will compete for the job once again at Padres FanFest on Saturday, February 8 with the Top 3 to be decided by fan voting online via social media (#PadresPA).“Scrap Iron” Adam Pearce is one of those finalists.“It’s an honor,” says Pearce. “The fact that the Padres would open this opportunity up to virtually everyone speaks to their commitment to the community and finding a voice that represents it. It’s exciting, and I like being the dark horse in the race. I literally have nothing to lose.”
Jim Ross Q&A: Daniel Bryan vs Kurt Angle, How WWE Will Handle Chicago Fans, Current Fan Reaction to Batista by wrestlingzone.com
A new Jim Ross Q&A has been posted over at JRsBarBQ.com, and below are some highlights:
Hey J.R., have you ever thought of a Daniel Bryan vs Kurt Angle match?
I feel if they are given 25 – 30 minutes they can deliver an all time classic. Your thoughts ? If both were healthy and the match was creatively presented as it should, there is no doubt that those two wouldn't have a great performance.
How do you think WWE should handle the RAW in Chicago?
I mean they refuse to handle the fans now so what are they going to do when 15,000 fans are screaming for CM Punk? The show must go on and hopefully it will have enough good content to help some fans move on so as to not to negatively disrupt the broadcast to an unwatchable degree.
Hey JR, what do you think is the reason for all The Batista hate?
I'd guess it was merely the fall out of the Daniel Bryan situation and not directed directly at Batista.
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How Does the WWE Locker Room Perceive a HHH WrestleMania Match?, Mark Henry Black History Month Video, WWE Looks at ROH by wrestlingzone.com
WWE Looks at ROH
WWE.com has posted a new article focusing on Ring of Honor, and the piece features WWE Superstars Antonio Cesaro, Seth Rollins and Daniel Bryan about their time spent in ROH. The article also contains comments from Colt Cabana and former ROH booker Gabe Sapolsky.
How Does the WWE Locker Room Perceive a 'Mania Match Against HHH?
According to PWInsider.com, despite CM Punk feeling that a match with Triple H might not be "high profile" enough for him, many of Punk's co-workers backstage in WWE feel very differently, as they look at a WrestleMania match with Triple H as a very big deal.
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Bischoff to Host Weekly Talk Radio Show, Evan Bourne Update, More on KENTA Working Out at Performance Center by wrestlingzone.com
More on KENTA's Performance Center Workout
According to F4WOnline.com, Pro Wrestling NOAH star KENTA recently worked out down at WWE's Performance Center in Orlando, and upon returning to Japan he gave the impression that he's "Pro Wrestling NOAH for life," which is likely an indication that WWE did not make him an offer.
It's also being said that KENTA's trip to Orlando was more of an informal visit to the Performance Center, and a chance to use the facilities and work out in the ring, as opposed to an official WWE tryout.
Bischoff to Host Weekly Talk Radio Show
According to BroadcastingCable.com, Bischoff Hervey Entertainment and Paul Anderson Media Agent have partnered on a new weekly talk radio show which will be hosted by Eric Bischoff. The following is an excerpt from the announcement:
The platform will feature Bischoff's views on multiple topics as well as multiple guests."I have always enjoyed the freedom and improvisational nature of radio, and look forward to bringing an unfiltered and unique perspective and conversation to the table," said Bischoff. "This is going to be a fun ride."Bischoff is the author of Controversy Creates Cash and has appeared as an on-air character with Vince McMahon on WWE Monday Night Raw.
Evan Bourne Update
With speculation as of late that he will be making his WWE TV return soon, Evan Bourne posted the following tease on Instagram:
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WWE Doing Network Testing, Listen to Chavo Talk Benoit & Eddie on Y2J Podcast, Jarrett Teasing New Project by wrestlingzone.com
WWE Doing Network Testing
According to PWInsider.com, WWE has begun in-house beta testing for the new WWE Network to make sure all bugs are worked out before the launch on 2/24. We noted before Raw this week that WWE was filming something with Booker T, Alex Riley and Tensai, and speculation it was WWE testing out the Raw pre-show which will be launching along with the Network.
Listen to Chavo Talk Benoit & Eddie
LOS ANGELES, February 5, 2014 – Due to an ongoing demand by his fans, Chris Jericho will now be airing Talk Is Jericho twice a week, every Wednesday and Friday atPodcastOne.com. This week’s guest is famed member of the Guerrero wrestling family, Chavo Guerrero, who sits down with Jericho for an intimate interview about his life, his career and the final days of Eddie Guerrero and Chris Benoit.
Available at http://podcastone.com/Talk-Is-Jericho, Wednesday’s episode with Guerrero offers a revealing discussion about the life of Chavo’s uncle Eddie Guerrero, the days that lead up to his death and the emotional scene that took place in the hotel bathroom.
Friday’s episode continues the conversation as Chris and Chavo discuss the tragic loss of their dear friend Chris Benoit. For the first time, Guerrero speaks publicly about Benoit’s final days and the tragic murder-suicide that rocked the wrestling world.
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WWE Extreme Rules PPV Location Revealed, Is it in Seattle?, More on Stacy Keibler Potentially Returning to WWE by wrestlingzone.com
WWE Extreme Rules PPV Location Revealed
WWE has revealed the location for the 2014 Extreme Rules PPV, and it is not in Seattle, as previously rumored. The PPV will take place on May 4th at The IZOD Center in East Rutherford, NJ.More on Stacy Keibler Potentially Returning to WWE
As we reported on Monday night, WWE is making a serious effort to bring former Diva Stacy Keibler back to the company, and PWInsider.com is now reporting the company wants to bring her in especially for WrestleMania XXX weekend and for a Hall of Fame induction.
As for her role at WrestleMania, WWE has been discussing the idea of a backstage correspondent type role, as opposed to an in-ring role. As of this writing, it has not been confirmed whether or not Keibler has agreed to return to the company, but after Stephanie McMahon met with her in NYC awhile back, her name was talked about a lot last week as a way for WWE to legitimize itself at WrestleMania.
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Former ECW Champion Disappointed With RAW Steel Cage Match, Talks WWE Ratings & More by Wrestlingzone.com
Former ECW Champion and WWE Superstar Justin Credible has published a new column at PWMania.com. Credible reacts to Monday's RAW, looking at both good and bad points from the show, discusses WWE ratings and more. This week Justin Credible talks about staying in shape on his Pro Wrestling 101 video series. Here are some highlights from his article:
"The Tag Title match between The New Age Outlaws vs The Rhodes Bros in a steel cage was a huge disappointment for me. I really like both teams, and they are capable of better than this especially with the cage. You know it’s bad when it’s deadly silent, and then the fans started the CM Punk chants. I hope these guys step it up for their ppv match, which I assume they will have.
I waited to publish this report until I got the ratings for Raw. After weeks, and weeks of bad decisions, and bad TV Raw lost over 500,000 viewers from last week. Not a good sign that fans are turning off, so close to the launch of the WWE Network. WWE can’t be too happy with the non ratings impact of the returning Batista. In a way this could be a good thing. The WWE fans are obviously not happy with the direction of the WWE. In my opinion, as a fan, the WWE has been dropping the ball since Summer Slam. I think that this number will put them on notice, and I hope that they come back with a more compelling show."
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WWE superstar CM Punk is QUITTING the organization, TMZ Sports has learned ... and sources tell us it's all because he's PISSED over the way the company wants to use him at "WrestleMania."
Sources close to the situation tell TMZ Sports ... Punk was livid when he learned officials scripted Batista to win the Royal Rumble ... because he feels Batista isn't in great wrestling shape and shouldn't be featured in the title match at the upcoming WrestleMania (the biggest event of the year).
We're told Punk feels he earned the right to be in the main event at WrestleMania -- because he's been wrestling tirelessly over the past year from house shows to overseas events. Punk was angry when he found out he'd be wrestling Triple H at WrestleMania instead of squaring off in the title match.
Sources say ... Punk -- whose contract is up in July -- made the decision to leave WWE after "Monday Night Raw" -- and we're told that right now, he's very serious about his decision and has no plans to return.
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Matt Hardy's Wife -- NOT DUMPING HUSBAND ... After Violent Hotel Incident by TMZ.COM
Matt Hardy's wife Reby Sky is standing by her husband after a violent incident between the couple at a Virginia hotel ... and doesn't want to end the marriage ... sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ Sports.
We broke the story ... both Reby and her ex-WWE superstar husband were arrested on Jan. 1 for assault and battery after attacking each other inside their hotel room.
Now, sources tell us ... the whole fight started when Reby asked a seemingly intoxicated Matt if he had been drinking or using other substances that night.
FYI -- Matt has had substance abuse issues in the past ... and once completed a WWE-sponsored rehab program.
We're told Matt didn't take kindly to Reby's accusation and the situation escalated into a full blown fight.
After the incident, the two talked out their issues and decided they wanted to try to make their relationship work. They've made several public appearances together since the arrest ... and we're told they're both committed to their marriage.
Interesting note -- the day after the incident, Reby posted a tweet that read ... "Sometimes what doesn't kill you doesn't make you stronger. Sometimes it just makes you wish it had."
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Dana White -- Brock Lesnar Wants to Fight in the UFC Again by TMZ.COM
UFC prez Dana White tells TMZ Sports ... Brock Lesnar wants to RETURN to the Octogon ... and White says he'd LOVE to have him back.
Dana was in NYC today getting ready for UFC's Super Saturday ... and told us Brock's still bummed his fighting career ended short due to injury ... and says "he'd like to take another run" in the UFC.
The former UFC heavyweight champ left the world of MMA in 2011 ... after a string of losses that he chalked up to his battle with a potentially life threatening case of diverticulitis (a digestive disease).
Lesnar recently returned to the WWE ... but White says that doesn't mean UFC is off the table -- "I think he wants to do both. When his schedule opens up I think he'd like to fight."
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New Changes To WWE Kids Magazine, Tonight’s Matches on WWE NXT by wrestlingzone.com
New Changes To WWE Magazine
WWE will be improving their WWE Kids Magazing, beginning in February. With a brand new look and design, the magazine will also have cardstock playsets to cut out, paper figures and posters that can be torn out. For ten subscriptions, the cost is $19.99.Matches For Tonight's NXT
Below are the matches that will be aired on WWE NXT:
-Tyson Kidd vs. Aiden English
-Sin Cara vs. Alexander Rusev
-Corey Graves vs. Adrian Neville
-Mason Ryan vs. Sylvester Lefort
-Emma vs. Alicia Fox
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TMZ Picks Up On CM Punk Story, Offers Primary Reason Why Punk Quit WWE, Steve Austin To Discuss Latest WWE Drama by wrestlingzone.com
TMZ – CM Punk Story
The breaking CM Punk story has been picked up by TMZ.com, who claims they have "exclusive details" about the CM Punk's departure from WWE. TMZ is stating that Punk left primarily due to Batista winning the Rumble, going on to main event WrestleMania 30, and the fact Punk wouldn't be.
TMZ.com reports: "Punk was livid when he learned officials scripted Batista to win the Royal Rumble … because he feels Batista isn't in great wrestling shape and shouldn't be featured in the title match at the upcoming WrestleMania (the biggest event of the year)."
Steve Austin To Talk WWE Drama
Steve Austin said that he'll be discussing all the "latest drama at WWE", including CM Punk and Daniel Bryan, on his podcast next Monday. "Stone Cold" tweeted the following today:
What Happened After Tonight’s Smackdown Tapings?, WWE Pulls Network/Apple TV Comment
by wrestlingzone.com
What Happened After Smackdown?
Thanks to Jay for sending in the following:
After the main event on Smackdown tonight, Randy attacked Christian, and Daniel Bryan eventually made the save.
The dark match main event then took place, and was Daniel Bryan vs Bray Wyatt. Bryan won via DQ when "The Family" interfered in the match. Bryan then took a beating, but The Usos made the save. The faces then cleaned house, traded off each other's chants with the crowd, to send the fans home happy.
WWE Pulls Network/Apple TV Comment
Yesterday we reported that a reader had asked WWE, via its Facebook page, if the WWE Network would be available on the Apple TV, and WWE responded by saying that the Network would be available on later generations of the device.
The WWE Facebook page has since been updated to delete the comment about the Apple TV, but the original question from Josh Markovitz remains. You can read more atMacRumors.com.
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Main Event Announced for Raw Next Week, History Channel Producer Offers WWE Network Opinion by wrestlingzone.com
Main Event Announced for Raw Next Week
It was announced during tonight's Smackdown tapings that next week's edition of WWE Raw will be headlined by Randy Orton vs John Cena in a non-title match.History Channel Producers Comments on WWE Network
Kevin Burns, the Executive Producer and writer of “Ancient Aliens” on the History H2 Channel, joined the VOC Nation Radio Network to discuss his beliefs on the Ancient Astronaut Theory, his vision for the show, and how he sees the future of television content distribution.
The entire interview can be heard at http://vocnation.com on the “Searching for Answers” program.
On Internet programming (like the WWE Network) replacing what we know today as cable television:
"Yes and no. In my lifetime, I’ve seen a greater and greater democratation of programming. With YouTube and facebook, everyone is becoming their own writer and producer. The challenge is in supporting 24 hours a day. It takes a tremendous commitment. People want varied programming. Some people will watch wrestling 24 hours a day, but not enough people will support it (to make it a huge success)."
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The Latest on Plans for Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania 30, More on John Cena’s Injury by wrestlingzone.com
Latest Brock Lesnar WrestleMania Plans
As we reported yesterday, with CM Punk walking out on WWE and the crowd reacting to stars like Batista, Cena, Orton and Bryan the way they have been, original WrestleMania 30 plans are currently in a state of flux, and the WWE creative team has been in meetings all of last week discussing plans.
The only thing said to be a "lock" for the PPV as of now is John Cena, and while it was previously a "lock" that we would see Brock Lesnar vs The Undertaker at the PPV, the live reaction to Batista might change those plans. PWInsider.com notes there could be something teased between Lesnar and Batista on Raw tonight in case WWE decides to go in that direction for WrestleMania.
More on Cena's Injury
While the severity and nature of John Cena's injury is unknown at this point, he was replaced at last night's WWE live event, and according to live events from Friday night's event, Cena was apparently poked in the eye at one point in the match and had to be checked on by trainers in the middle of the match.
According to PWInsider.com, Cena was pulled from the live event due to an eye related injury, and it was reportedly WWE's decision to keep him out of the ring last night.
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WZ Readers React to the CM Punk Situation; Plus, A Complete CM Punk WWE Walkout Timeline of News & Events! by wrestlingzone.com
Naomi Posts Injury Photo
WWE Diva Naomi (real name: Trinity Fatu) posted a photo of her eye injury sustained in a match against Aksana and Alicia Fox on this week's episode of Monday Night Raw.
Almost lost my eye last night but I got the WIN! My message to Aj is clear, I'm coming for the Divas Championship pic.twitter.com/UOHNoG1Iee
— Trinity Fatu (@NaomiWWE) February 4, 2014
Kurt Angle Update
As we have been reporting, former WWE Superstar and current TNA wrestler Kurt Angle has been in pretty rough shape recently, working through injuries. He is lined up for surgery, and posted a status on Twitter updating his condition. Angle denies being in "bad shape" – it's worth noting that Kurt has worked through numerous pains and injuries in his career, and generally keeps them to himself.
Kurt says i am not in bad shape .
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Possible Attendance Issues w/ Tonight’s WWE Smackdown Taping by wrestlezone.com
Attendance Issues at Smackdown?
A Wrestlezone reader in Des Moines, Iowa sent in word that there are still plenty of tickets available for tonight's WWE Smackdown taping at the Wells Fargo Arena. More importantly, a winter storm warning has been issued in the area, leading to schools being closed and people being warned against travelling. With the likely exclusion of John Cena, the recent departure of CM Punk and the weather playing a factor, it will be interesting to see how many people show up to tonight's WWE Smackdown event.
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by TMZ
WWE Diva Nikki Bella is about to become the hottest real estate agent ever ... but don't worry wrestling fans, she's not quitting her day job.
Nikki's been taking prep classes at a San Diego real estate school to get prepared for the licensing exam -- and her classmates say she was super down to earth.
We're told Nikki has no intention of leaving wrestling anytime soon ... she's just trying to make some extra dough on the side during breaks.
Everyday she's hustlin'
Nikki's been taking prep classes at a San Diego real estate school to get prepared for the licensing exam -- and her classmates say she was super down to earth.
We're told Nikki has no intention of leaving wrestling anytime soon ... she's just trying to make some extra dough on the side during breaks.
Everyday she's hustlin'
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WWE Deletes Apple TV - Network Post, WWE Stock Takes A Hit, AJ Lee At Comic Con (Reports Wanted) by wrestlinginc.com
Just a reminder that AJ Lee will be appearing at the Wizard World New Orleans Comic Con located at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center this Friday, February 7th from 4:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. You can get more details at this link. We would appreciate a report for her Q&A, so if you are attending it, please send us a report by clicking here.
- On a day when the U.S. stock market was up, WWE stock dropped 4.49% to $22.99.
- MacRumors.com reports that WWE confirmed on their Facebook page that the WWE Network would be available on Apple TV when it launches on February 24th. However, WWE has since deleted the post, although the original question from user Josh Markovitz remains. WWE had originally replied [sp]:
"Hi Josh, thank you for reaching out to us. In order to experience WWE Network on an Apple TV, you must have a second generation or later (black) Apple TV and be a WWE Network subscriber. Once WWE Network is available, you will be able to launch the WWE Netowrk app directly from your Apple TV. Let us know if you have further questions! Thank you."
MacRumors has a screenshot of WWE's original response before it was deleted at this link. WWE.com has yet to add Apple TV on the list of devices carrying the Network. A number of other media outlets are reporting today that the Network will be available on Apple TV, however they are using WWE's deleted Facebook post as the source.
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WWE Superstar Ryback Dominates Wing-Eating Competition
BY TMZ STAFF
WWE Superstar Ryback took his catchphrase "Feed Me More" to the next level during the halftime of the Super Bowl ... by devouring the competition in a local wing eating contest.
Ryback posted video of the competition during yesterday's game ... and based on the footage, "The Big Guy" was clearly hungry -- 'cause he annihilated poultry like the Chinese in a Bird Flu scare.
The best part ... ya gotta watch Ryback's celebration in the restaurant after his commanding victory.
Chicken domination.
Ryback posted video of the competition during yesterday's game ... and based on the footage, "The Big Guy" was clearly hungry -- 'cause he annihilated poultry like the Chinese in a Bird Flu scare.
The best part ... ya gotta watch Ryback's celebration in the restaurant after his commanding victory.
Chicken domination.
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Wrestling fans have seen the heel authority figure storyline over and over.
It generally plays out in a similar way. The authority figure supports a heel wrestler, targets a face wrestler or both. Then, the heel wins the title, and the authority figure does a lot to try to help him keep the title.
And for a while, The Authority storyline has played out exactly that way. On Monday's WWE Raw, however, it took a bit of a turn.Watch WWE RAW February 10 2014
At the beginning of the show -- as Randy Orton was ranting about how he was being mistreated, and that as the face the company, he should be treated better -- The Authority came out.
It had been teased over the past few weeks that there might be dissension between Orton, Triple H, and Stephanie McMahon, but Monday night was the first time that it was acknowledged directly.
McMahon said that maybe he wasn't good enough to be the face anymore, and maybe the WWE needed a new face, which could, yes, possibly be Daniel Bryan. She decided that, over the next few weeks, Orton would have to face all five of his Elimination Chamber opponents in singles matches, starting with a match against Bryan later in the night.
This sent two very odd forks in the typical storyline.
For one, The Authority seemed less like true heels, and more like tweeners. They've acted that way in the past, but it always came off as them poorly trying to trick whatever wrestler they were going against, whether it was The Rhodes Brothers, Bryan or CM Punk.
This time, though, it was hard to see Triple H leading the "Yes!" chant and not wonder exactly where they were trying to go with it. While it's illogical for Bryan to get their support, it could be a case of art imitating reality, as they might be getting their hand forced when the Seattle Seahawks are tweeting “Yes! Yes! Yes!” after their Super Bowl win. That makes it very hard, both in reality and in a storyline, to keep ignoring Bryan.
Also, the running of the gantlet (not a gauntlet match, but just having all of these matches in successive weeks) is something that a heel very rarely has to do. Occasionally, you'd see it if a heel champion is forced into it by a face authority figure, but never in this situation.
And as Orton is, for the most part, overcoming these obstacles -- and doing it cleanly -- it makes him actually look better in the process. It got to a point where Jerry Lawler, who, if you remember, is the face analyst, was questioning if Orton was being treated unfairly.
So the blurred lines are seeping into all parts of the show.
Bryan ended up getting the pin cleanly in the match, even after Kane came out and tried to distract him. Kane's attempted interference, and then subsequent beatdown of Bryan after the match, likely signifies that The Authority is still firmly against Bryan, and possibly with Orton, but the waters, for now, are still murky.
A couple months ago, there were rumors that Vince McMahon wanted to blur the lines more between the faces and heels. While many people wrote it off at the time, this storyline may be showing that there is something to that, and it's something that we may need to expect more often.
The rest of Raw
-- There were a good amount of CM Punk chants throughout the night. No sign of him, and very little mention of him, outside an odd moment when The Miz came out during a match and complained about not being on the show before storming away, which many people took as a thinly-veiled shot at CM Punk. At one point, it seemed like they turned down the crowd mics in response to the CM Punk chants.
-- The New Age Outlaws retained their titles in a cage match against The Rhodes Brothers. At the end of the match, Cody Rhodes did a blind moonsault off the top of the cage and crashed and burned when he barely got any of The Road Dogg. First, I absolutely hate the blind moonsault as a move. Off the turnbuckle it's dangerous enough, and we've seen miscommunications between him and his opponent in the past. But doing it off the top of the cage is crazy. He wasn't lined up perfectly with The Road Dogg -- and never realized it because he never looked back -- and then he moved even farther off with the jump and over-rotated. It's almost better that The Road Dogg didn't catch him flush, because Rhodes' knee would've been driven right into his head. It was simply an unbelievably dangerous move that should have never been attempted. So far I haven't heard anything about Rhodes' well-being, so hopefully he was just shaken up a little, but it wouldn't surprise me if it was more than that.
-- The Shield beat Rey Mysterio, Big E Langston and Kofi Kingston in a six-man tag team match. Roman Reigns was going for a spear on Langston, and Dean Ambrose tagged himself in to get the pin. As they bickered, The Wyatt Family came onto the big screen and had another of their rambling promos. If you missed Smackdown, they made a six-man tag team match between the two, and Bray Wyatt hinted at a possible War Games match. Tonight, Luke Harper was actually allowed to talk a little, and even Erick Rowan got to say one word, “Run.” Later, The Shield replied after The Wyatt Family beat R-Truth, Xavier Woods and Dolph Ziggler. This feud is interesting, as it's the rare heel/heel feud that actually seems to be gaining traction with the crowd.
-- Christian beat Jack Swagger in a rematch from Smackdown. On last week's episode of Smackdown, both Christian and Antonio Cesaro qualified for the Elimination Chamber. After this match on Raw, both Zeb Colter and Cesaro showed displeasure in Swagger, though they didn't make any move to split the team yet.
-- Speaking of teams breaking up, Titus O'Neil turned heel on Smackdown and beat down his partner, Darren Young. He came out with new music as a heel on Raw, and beat Zack Ryder in a squash match. Just a quick note here, recently Smackdown has become much more interesting as far as storylines go. I'm not sure whether it's a conscious effort to make Smackdown more relevant, or a consequence of unifying the titles, but it's refreshing to see Smackdown be used as more than a time-filler.
-- Batista came out to cut a promo, but before he could start talking, Alberto Del Rio came out and ran him down verbally. He then started attacking Batista. Batista cut him off, and went for a Batista Bomb, but Del Rio escaped up the ramp. It looks like we'll be getting that match at Elimination Chamber.
-- Emma made her “official” debut in a dance-off competition against Summer Rae. It seemed like it was going to be Fandango against Santino Marella in the dance off, but he decided to bring Emma out of the audience instead. The fans seemed somewhat confused by Emma's quirky dancing, and that kind of hurt her debut. But trust me, when you get a chance to see her in the ring, you'll be impressed. She can definitely add something to the Divas division.
-- Sheamus beat Curtis Axel as they continue to build him up since his return.
-- Alexander Rusev had a taped segment, where his valet, Lana, sounded like Bridgette Nielsen in Rocky IV and said “Rusev hits, Rusev crush.”
-- Bad News Barrett was doing a segment, and then Jerry Lawler interrupted him. I really hope this isn't the start of a feud between the two.
-- Naomi pinned Aksana with AJ Lee on guest commentary.
-- Betty White will be the special guest star next week.
-- Finally, be on the lookout later this week for a special interview with former WWE Diva and TNA Knockout Mickie James before she returns to Maryland for the MCW show Saturday.
