Random WWE News Thread

As noted, John Cena has been added to the advertised lineup for the Smackdown branded WWE Battleground pay-per-view in Philadelphia on July 23rd.

While it’s still unknown what Cena’s role will be, the Wells Fargo Center website posted the following to advertise the appearance:

Wells Fargo Center is excited to announce the addition of “Free Agent” John Cena to WWE Battleground on Sunday, July 23. Now in its fifth year, WWE Battleground has turned into one of WWE’s most exciting events. What will WWE have in store when this year’s SmackDown LIVE-exclusive pay-per-view comes to the City of Brotherly Love?

Cena is now advertised for the following appearances, starting off with his Smackdown return on July 4th in Phoenix:

    SmackDown Live – July 4th (Phoenix, AZ)
    SmackDown Live – July 11th (San Antonio, TX)
    SmackDown Live – July 18th (Birmingham, AL)
    Battleground PPV – July 23rd (Philadelphia, PA)
    SmackDown Live – July 25th (Richmond, VA)
    SummerSlam PPV – August 20th (Brooklyn, NY)
    WWE live event – August 21st (Albany, NY)
    WWE live event – September 17th (Shenzen, China)
    Survivor Series PPV – November 19th (Houston, TX

source: wrestlezone.com

Super Luchas is reporting that one of Smackdown Live’s tag teams The Colons have requested their release from WWE.

According to Super Luchas some suspicions were raised when a shirt appeared on Pro Wrestling Tees for Orlando Colon (aka Epico).

WWC based out of Puero Rico and owned by the Colón family retweeted the story.

Despite reports last week that injured WWE star Paige and Impact Wrestling star Alberto Del Rio have broken up, the two appeared together at today’s Combate Americas 15 weigh-in. While the photo does not confirm that the two are back together, it could be assumed given the fact that they are appearing together in public.

It was reported earlier this week that Paige and Alberto Del Rio reportedly broke up, following a “blowup” in Orlando which resulted in Del Rio calling it quits on the relationship.

-- According to online reports, the Colons - Epico and Primo - may have recently asked for their WWE release or it's possible they may already be released.

-- The rumors started a few days ago when Pro Wrestling Tees tweeted and posted on a new t-shirt design for Orlando Colon (Epico) which in itself is telling as WWE contracted wrestlers are not legally able to have any merchandise for sale anywhere except for on WWEShop.com.

-- A site located at Superluchas.com ran a story about this rumor and to make matters more interesting, the promotion World Wrestling Council (WWC) - which is owned by Primo's father, Carlos Colon - retweeted the story fueling even more rumors.

-- There is no official statement yet from WWE on this matter, so stay tuned.

The Wrestling Observer Newsletter is reporting that these are the top ten most watched shows for the WWE Network in the last week:

    1. Ride Along with Jericho & Owens (which aired after Raw)
    2. Money in the Bank
    3. NXT on 6/21
    4. WrestleMania 33
    5. Table for 3 with Maryse, Eve Torres and Kelly Kelly
    6. Ride Along with Gallows, Anderson & R-Truth
    7. Extreme Rules PPV
    8. 1992 Beach Blast PPV Steamboat vs. Rude Iron Man, Cactus Jack vs. Sting falls count anywhere
    9. Talking Smack
    10. Ride Along with Miz, Maryse, Bliss and Carmella

Haha, 205 Live isnt in the top ten even. Crazy stuff.

Does it provide numbers of viewers?

Does it provide numbers of viewers?

No it does not unfortunately. I'd like to see those number also

There were rumors last week that Steve Austin might have been at WWE Raw at the Staples Center in LA, but the Hall of Famer cleared up his status on the most recent edition of his podcast:

“There has been word on the street, on my Twitter account, on all the sheets, ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin has indeed been spotted at the Staples Center. Well I can vouch for you or I can clarify that right now; if somebody thought they spotted me, they was wrong.

I’m at 316 gimmick street in Marina del Rey. Staples Center is about 20 miles from my house, I ain’t nowhere in sight, I ain’t wearing camo, you can’t see me, because I ain’t there. I’m here at the house laying down an open for this damn podcast.”

Billi Bhatti of The Dirty Sheets podcast has released the following video, during which he reveals the surprising amount of money toy Punjabi Prisons are selling for on EBay.

As noted, Randy Orton will challenge Jinder Mahal for the WWE Title inside the Punjabi Prison at the July 23rd WWE Battleground PPV:

Wale Signs with Titus Worldwide

WWE has issued the “breaking news” alert below, announcing former TNA President Dixie Carter will be appearing on the WWE 24 documentary about Kurt Angle airing after Raw Monday night.

The interview will also feature interviews from Vince McMahon as well as Kurt Angle’s colleagues and close friends.

The special will mark the first time Dixie Carter has appeared on WWE TV:

Pretty neat. Look forward to what she will say.

Very interesting. Will be the first time they have even acknowledged her existence I believe.

Very interesting. Will be the first time they have even acknowledged her existence I believe.

I think on the Stone Cold Podcast on the WWE network they acknowledged Dixie when AJ was on it.

More news on the Paige and Alberto "break up". Was an argument, which was recorded by passerby's.  There's also this peice of news.

The anonymous witness who recorded the incident involving Alberto Del Rio and Paige at an airport last weekend has come forward. The woman, who chose to remain anonymous, says that Paige's version of the story is not what she saw.

“They were arguing back and forth, screaming at each other,” stated the witness. She says Paige screamed that Del Rio had been "doing coke for two-days straight."

“He was soaked and [Paige] was saying, ‘You’re such an abusive husband, I hate you. You’ve ruined my life, you’ve ruined my career,’” the witness continued.

As Paige was walking away from Alberto, the witness claims that he said out loud in the airport, “Check her bag, she’s got all the coke in it, it’s all hers.

The witness maintains that Del Rio wanted to call the police on Paige for allegedly assaulting him. She says an airport security guard with a K-9 stayed with Del Rio “because they could smell the alcohol.”

I'm so tired of hearing about Del Rio and Paige. They are turning into the wrestling Kardashians.

Update on Shelton Benjamin

Earlier today, it was reported by The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that rumors of Shelton Benjamin re-signing with WWE were false, and he had not signed a new deal with the company yet.

Despite this, Pro Wrestling Sheet’s Ryan Satin is reporting this claim is false, and Benjamin HAS in fact signed a deal with WWE.

Which one is it? They were all ready to bring him back last year... I hope they can get a deal done. Alot of circumstances can change in a year though.

Rhonda Rousey was in attendance at the Mae Young Classic tapings.

Why Jeff was able to use the "obsolete" reference on Raw

Last Monday on Raw, Matt and Jeff Hardy were cutting a promo to discuss their Raw Tag Team Championship Ironman match at Great Balls of Fire, and the direction of the team going forward. During the promo, Jeff stated that some assumed that they “would fade away and classify themselves as obsolete.”

As seen of various occasions, anything relating to the “Broken Hardys” gimmick, due to the IP tie-up with Anthem/GFW is at a standstill. WZ reported the Jeff Jarrett conference call in which he stated, “The ownership always lies with the publisher, and that’s not new to this industry, or intellectual property law.” However, the reason why Jeff was able to use that line, according to PWInsider, is because he wrote the song. As a result, he could use that as simply reciting lyrics.

Kevin Owens Nude?

Apparently in the last twenty-four hours there was a rumor that flared up on-line that nude photos had been leaked on-line of Kevin Owens.

Owens has responded to the rumors with the following:

"Just landed in Birmingham and saw these ridiculous claims. How laughable! There's some incredibly pathetic people out there. Get a life!"

HAHAHAHAHA

Darren Young Returning

According to PWInsider.com, WWE star Darren Young is expected to return to the ring sometime next month.
Young suffered an elbow injury during a match against Epico taped for WWE Main Event back in January of this year, and subsequently underwent surgery to repair the injury. The PWInsider report added Young is expected to receive medial clearance sometime next month, however it’s unknown at this time when WWE plans to bring Young back to television.

Didn't even know he was injured. Is he gonna come back great again?!?!? Probably not.

AJ Styles on Southpaw

AJ Styles appeared on the most recent edition of The Sam Roberts Wrestling podcast, and during the show the WWE U.S. Champion revealed he will have a role on the next season of Southpaw Regional Wrestling.

Styles revealed his character on the show, named Malibu Al, will be a car salesman who becomes a sponsor of Southpaw Regional Wrestling. Styles added he is excited to be part of the show, and said the next season is going to be great.

As if Southpaw couldn't get any better! Can't wait for season 2. Its gonna be a riot!

WWE to broadcast in Columbia

WWE® AND CANAL 1 ANNOUNCE AGREEMENT TO TELEVISE RAW® AND SMACKDOWN® IN COLOMBIA

BOGOTA, COLOMBIA and STAMFORD, Conn., August 8, 2017 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) and Canal 1 today announced a new agreement to broadcast WWE’s flagship programs Raw® and SmackDown® in Colombia on Canal 1 beginning Saturday, August 19.

Every Saturday at 3 p.m., Canal 1 will televise a one-hour edition of Raw followed by a one-hour edition of SmackDown at 4 p.m., both with Spanish commentary. In addition, beginning August 20, WWE Experience®,which airs weekly highlights of current WWE storylines, will broadcast on Sundays at 3 p.m.

“We’re pleased to have Canal 1 join us as our first national over-the-air broadcast partner in Colombia,” said Michelle Wilson, WWE Chief Revenue & Marketing Officer. “This partnership allows us to expand our reach in Colombia and deliver our unique blend of action-packed, family friendly entertainment to WWE fans throughout the country.”

“Keeping our promise to deliver a channel that is relevant and different from what Colombians are accustomed to seeing, it is a pleasure to partner with one of the biggest brands in entertainment, WWE,” said Felipe Boshell, President, Canal 1. “WWE is very popular in Colombia, and we are proud to be the first national over-the-air television channel to bring the best of WWE to our viewers.”

About WWE

WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE programming reaches more than 650 million homes worldwide in 20 languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium network that includes all live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently available in more than 180 countries. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich and Tokyo.

Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/

About Canal 1

The new Canal 1 was created to offer a new television experience based on the values of inclusion, closeness, diversity and independence that reflects the tastes and interests of all Colombians.

More than 30 talent and renowned executives in Colombia have joined this new independent television project inviting everyone to change to 1.

Plural Communications is made up of four partners with a great experience in the sector: RTI, the dean of television in Colombia; CM& and NTC, the most prestigious news producers in the country; and the U.S. media group entertainment expert Hemisphere Media Group.

Plural Comunications is the only Canal 1 concessionaire that operates on RTVC’s public network, which reaches more places than any other channel and with the best quality.

Most Views Profiles on ESPN

Despite his polarizing character, Roman Reigns is not losing steam in the buzzworthy department. According to Andrew Feldman of WWE on ESPN, Roman Reigns has been the most viewed profile since WWE became a feature on the site nearly a year ago. Number 2 and 3 are Alexa Bliss and Sasha Banks, respectively.

People still love them some Roman.

Naom Dar Returns to 205 Live

Noam Dar returned to WWE 205 Live last night and picked up a win over Mark Thomas, who was played by indie wrestler James Steele (James Liberty). This was Dar’s first appearance since losing the “I Quit” match to Cedric Alexander on July 11th.

WWE Raw Rating Goes Up

According to ShowBuzzDaily.com, this week’s edition of WWE Raw, featuring a Last Man Standing match between Roman Reigns and Braun Strowman, averaged 3.240 million viewers. This is up from last week’s 3.163 million viewership average. It was also announced ahead of time, albeit only a few hours before Raw, that Bayley would be appearing on the show to comment on her injury and being pulled from WWE SummerSlam.

Below is the hourly breakdown for this week’s WWE Raw:

-The first hour drew 3.263 million viewers
-The second hour drew 3.314 million viewers
-The final hour drew 3.144 million viewers

This week’s edition of WWE Raw ranked #1 in viewership for the night on cable and #2 in the 18-49 demographic, behind Love & Hip-Hop.

GFW Knockout Sienna calls out Charlotte

Current GFW Knockouts Champion Sienna took to Twitter to call out Charlotte Flair, as Sienna feels Flair is copying her in-ring look and mannerisms. Sienna Tweeted the following, and while Charlotte has yet to respond, she did post another #teatime photo this morning:

I ignored the feathers & the makeup, but the pinky? Really? If you need anything else from me, let me know. @MsCharlotteWWE #PinkiesUp ?☕️

Honestly I doubt Charlotte even knows who Sienna is haha! Its not like Sienna invented wearing feathers and make up.

I mean, Charlotte is emulating her father, so clearly she's not ripping off some woman in TNA.