Week in Wrestling #45
Wrestling News From the week of
June 24th - July 1st, 2016
June 24th - July 1st, 2016
WWE Battleground Update
For Battleground on 7/24 in Washington, DC, the official stuff is Ambrose vs. Reigns vs. Rollins for the WWE title and Owens vs. Zayn. It’s pretty clear it’s New Day vs. Wyatts for the tag title and Cena vs. Styles in some form of stipulation match. Charlotte vs. Banks will be happening soon, whether it’s this show or held off for SummerSlam (the original idea), not sure. Rusev vs. O’Neil is still being pushed as an issue so unless it’s blown off this week and they move to someone else, that would also be on the show along with Lynch vs. Natalya.
For Battleground on 7/24 in Washington, DC, the official stuff is Ambrose vs. Reigns vs. Rollins for the WWE title and Owens vs. Zayn. It’s pretty clear it’s New Day vs. Wyatts for the tag title and Cena vs. Styles in some form of stipulation match. Charlotte vs. Banks will be happening soon, whether it’s this show or held off for SummerSlam (the original idea), not sure. Rusev vs. O’Neil is still being pushed as an issue so unless it’s blown off this week and they move to someone else, that would also be on the show along with Lynch vs. Natalya.
Cruiserweight Classic
WWE brought in both name wrestlers and almost complete unknown from around the world this past week to tape the first round of the Cruiserweight Classic, a sports type presentation unlike anything the company had ever done before.
They tried to produce the show like it was MMA, taking things from both the U.S. and Japan, with an opening ceremony, although unlike in MMA with it being everyone on the stage, this was introducing them individually in the ring giving their backgrounds. The referee would give instructions before the match and ask the guys to shake hands. After the match, both competitors were brought to the center for the boxing/MMA style raising of the hand.
Kota Ibushi and Zack Sabre Jr., were the biggest name stars involved to the crowd as far as outsiders went, but it was those who were in NXT, Tommaso Ciampa, Rich Swann and Johnny Gargano, who got the biggest reactions. Most of the matches were good, but there were said to be some people that nobody could understand how they made the cut. It was said that the talent gap was huge, with great wrestler and guys who offense looked really bad. The ones who weren’t good were mostly weeded out and when they get down to the final four and give the matches more time, it’ll probably be great.
Overall the guys who ended up the most over after their matches were Gargano, Ciampa, Ibushi, T.J. Perkins, Sabre Jr., Swann and Jack Gallagher. The guys who were said to have sucked were Ho Ho Lun and Kenneth Johnson, while of guys who won, Drew Gulak, Tony Nese and Noam Dar didn’t get over in the building since the fans didn’t know them and they didn’t have standout matches.
All of the winners advanced to the second round of the tournament on 7/14 at Full Sail University. The next round will be 8/26, and that leads to a two-hour live special on 9/14.
WWE brought in both name wrestlers and almost complete unknown from around the world this past week to tape the first round of the Cruiserweight Classic, a sports type presentation unlike anything the company had ever done before.
They tried to produce the show like it was MMA, taking things from both the U.S. and Japan, with an opening ceremony, although unlike in MMA with it being everyone on the stage, this was introducing them individually in the ring giving their backgrounds. The referee would give instructions before the match and ask the guys to shake hands. After the match, both competitors were brought to the center for the boxing/MMA style raising of the hand.
Kota Ibushi and Zack Sabre Jr., were the biggest name stars involved to the crowd as far as outsiders went, but it was those who were in NXT, Tommaso Ciampa, Rich Swann and Johnny Gargano, who got the biggest reactions. Most of the matches were good, but there were said to be some people that nobody could understand how they made the cut. It was said that the talent gap was huge, with great wrestler and guys who offense looked really bad. The ones who weren’t good were mostly weeded out and when they get down to the final four and give the matches more time, it’ll probably be great.
Overall the guys who ended up the most over after their matches were Gargano, Ciampa, Ibushi, T.J. Perkins, Sabre Jr., Swann and Jack Gallagher. The guys who were said to have sucked were Ho Ho Lun and Kenneth Johnson, while of guys who won, Drew Gulak, Tony Nese and Noam Dar didn’t get over in the building since the fans didn’t know them and they didn’t have standout matches.
All of the winners advanced to the second round of the tournament on 7/14 at Full Sail University. The next round will be 8/26, and that leads to a two-hour live special on 9/14.
Roman Reigns Suspension
WWE ordered Reigns to go into the locker room last week to apologize to everyone before he was flown home. There were mixed reactions to it. The person who first told me about it said that Mark Carrano ordered Reigns to do it, which means it came from Paul Levesque and not Vince McMahon’s side. They felt there was no need to humiliate him like that but others didn’t have the same reaction. I think it’s the group that likes him because he’s still one of the boys even though you can easily get a big head when they build everything around you vs. the people who have the natural issue of feeling he was lucky based on his look and that Vince and HHH loved him and pushed him early and kept doing it even when it wasn’t working.
Since people have asked about WWE suspensions, when talent like Reigns is suspended, they don’t get paid any of their wrestling pay during the period of their suspension. So in his case, given what he earns, it likely cost him around $100,000 or more, since he was booked in the main event of every house show on his tour as the top guy. The one thing is his biggest payoffs would be for the PPVs and he’s not missing any PPV shows or else it would be significantly more. Wrestlers do get paid based on merchandise sold while they are suspended, and any royalties, but don’t get their wrestling checks, obviously aren’t paid on houses they aren’t working, and don’t get paid for 30 days (or 60 days) of their downside guarantees.
WWE ordered Reigns to go into the locker room last week to apologize to everyone before he was flown home. There were mixed reactions to it. The person who first told me about it said that Mark Carrano ordered Reigns to do it, which means it came from Paul Levesque and not Vince McMahon’s side. They felt there was no need to humiliate him like that but others didn’t have the same reaction. I think it’s the group that likes him because he’s still one of the boys even though you can easily get a big head when they build everything around you vs. the people who have the natural issue of feeling he was lucky based on his look and that Vince and HHH loved him and pushed him early and kept doing it even when it wasn’t working.
Since people have asked about WWE suspensions, when talent like Reigns is suspended, they don’t get paid any of their wrestling pay during the period of their suspension. So in his case, given what he earns, it likely cost him around $100,000 or more, since he was booked in the main event of every house show on his tour as the top guy. The one thing is his biggest payoffs would be for the PPVs and he’s not missing any PPV shows or else it would be significantly more. Wrestlers do get paid based on merchandise sold while they are suspended, and any royalties, but don’t get their wrestling checks, obviously aren’t paid on houses they aren’t working, and don’t get paid for 30 days (or 60 days) of their downside guarantees.
Kurt Angle not Returning
WWE officials stated this week that Angle is not coming back. The company right now is extremely squeamish about anyone who may cause any bit of controversy after recent news stories regarding Reigns, Lawler and Adam Rose. Angle said, after being asked about the statement, “In response to some of your questions today regarding the WWE, and all of the media fanfare about it the last few days. I want to, once again, say that our confidential conversation never discussed the brand split. A few wrestling sites seem to have put a spin on this by twisting some words around to fit their agenda, something that I have no control over. What I can control is my own life, and my life isn’t only wrestling. I do not expect to be in wrestling much longer. I am excited about my future. Thank you.”
Angle did an interview with Sports Illustrated where he said, “I had a talk with WWE. It’s confidential. I will not be returning for the draft. Possibly in the future, most likely next year, but that is not a guarantee. It was a loose conversation but I will be in touch with HHH in the future.”
If by some reason Angle does come back in July, then this would be a swerve by the office, but most likely, given other decisions that have been made about talent in recent weeks, the decision not to use Angle at this time is consistent with other decisions they’ve made.
WWE officials stated this week that Angle is not coming back. The company right now is extremely squeamish about anyone who may cause any bit of controversy after recent news stories regarding Reigns, Lawler and Adam Rose. Angle said, after being asked about the statement, “In response to some of your questions today regarding the WWE, and all of the media fanfare about it the last few days. I want to, once again, say that our confidential conversation never discussed the brand split. A few wrestling sites seem to have put a spin on this by twisting some words around to fit their agenda, something that I have no control over. What I can control is my own life, and my life isn’t only wrestling. I do not expect to be in wrestling much longer. I am excited about my future. Thank you.”
Angle did an interview with Sports Illustrated where he said, “I had a talk with WWE. It’s confidential. I will not be returning for the draft. Possibly in the future, most likely next year, but that is not a guarantee. It was a loose conversation but I will be in touch with HHH in the future.”
If by some reason Angle does come back in July, then this would be a swerve by the office, but most likely, given other decisions that have been made about talent in recent weeks, the decision not to use Angle at this time is consistent with other decisions they’ve made.
Best in the World PPV
Ring of Honor ran its Best in the World PPV on 6/24. The show saw all three champions, ROH champion Jay Lethal, whose reign has passed one year; tag champs Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian, The Addiction, and TV champ Bobby Fish retain.
Every match was good. Aside from a late segment involving the formation of a new heel group, The Cabinet, which is Kenny King & Rhett Titus & Caprice Coleman doing a spoof on a presidential cabinet, it was easy to watch. But so much of wrestling today is viewed based on crowd response (and it should be given the goal should be garnering interest in the show so people care, and then working a match to accentuate that as much as possible), and if you were looking for that, this show didn’t come across as a hot show.
The show drew 800 fans to the Cabarrus Arena, which holds nearly 3,000, so that wasn’t a strong showing for a PPV. TNA drew 1,800 last year for Bound for Glory in the same building, although much of that was papered.
Ring of Honor ran its Best in the World PPV on 6/24. The show saw all three champions, ROH champion Jay Lethal, whose reign has passed one year; tag champs Christopher Daniels & Frankie Kazarian, The Addiction, and TV champ Bobby Fish retain.
Every match was good. Aside from a late segment involving the formation of a new heel group, The Cabinet, which is Kenny King & Rhett Titus & Caprice Coleman doing a spoof on a presidential cabinet, it was easy to watch. But so much of wrestling today is viewed based on crowd response (and it should be given the goal should be garnering interest in the show so people care, and then working a match to accentuate that as much as possible), and if you were looking for that, this show didn’t come across as a hot show.
The show drew 800 fans to the Cabarrus Arena, which holds nearly 3,000, so that wasn’t a strong showing for a PPV. TNA drew 1,800 last year for Bound for Glory in the same building, although much of that was papered.
WWE Bringing in Talent
Regarding different names that have been reported that WWE has called to come back, the two names on lots of lists that we’ve gotten confirmation who haven’t been called are Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio. WWE knows both are under contract elsewhere.
WWE is aggressively scouting indies right now. The key thing they are looking for is people who they consider coachable. That’s the current key phrase. I guess that means athletic people who are good listeners. They are also going to be very strict when it comes to background checks. Prospective WWE talent should sure to clean out social media accounts of anything that could be embarrassing.
They are also specifically targeting talent from Lucha Underground that can contractually leave.
Regarding different names that have been reported that WWE has called to come back, the two names on lots of lists that we’ve gotten confirmation who haven’t been called are Jeff Hardy and Rey Mysterio. WWE knows both are under contract elsewhere.
WWE is aggressively scouting indies right now. The key thing they are looking for is people who they consider coachable. That’s the current key phrase. I guess that means athletic people who are good listeners. They are also going to be very strict when it comes to background checks. Prospective WWE talent should sure to clean out social media accounts of anything that could be embarrassing.
They are also specifically targeting talent from Lucha Underground that can contractually leave.
Ricochet
The hotly-debated question regarding the future of Prince Puma aka Ricochet was made clearer last week. The story from backstage was that Ricochet is going to accept the WWE offer rather than sign a new contract with Lucha Underground. He was offered a lucrative deal to stay, which, with his other income from working indies and New Japan, would have made him higher paid than the vast majority working WWE, and without the road expenses. It’s not known what WWE offered to get him, but it was known they wanted him bad and were looking at raiding the promotion for anyone not under a long-term contract.
As things stand right now he will be going to WWE when he’s legally allowed. As noted before, the standard contracts for Lucha Underground performers don’t allow them to work for another television promotion until six months after the last episode they appear in airs. In theory, that would be the end of 2017, because the 6/26 show taped show was at last word scheduled to air sometime next summer. My gut is that he’ll be able to get out sooner than that just because it’s pretty much unfair to make him wait that long, plus in WWE, he won’t be going as a masked wrestler so it’s not a confusion in the marketplace issue. He will be taking indie dates and continue to work for New Japan until the time he is allowed to sign with WWE. This also limits how much New Japan would want to invest in him, even with his talent.
The hotly-debated question regarding the future of Prince Puma aka Ricochet was made clearer last week. The story from backstage was that Ricochet is going to accept the WWE offer rather than sign a new contract with Lucha Underground. He was offered a lucrative deal to stay, which, with his other income from working indies and New Japan, would have made him higher paid than the vast majority working WWE, and without the road expenses. It’s not known what WWE offered to get him, but it was known they wanted him bad and were looking at raiding the promotion for anyone not under a long-term contract.
As things stand right now he will be going to WWE when he’s legally allowed. As noted before, the standard contracts for Lucha Underground performers don’t allow them to work for another television promotion until six months after the last episode they appear in airs. In theory, that would be the end of 2017, because the 6/26 show taped show was at last word scheduled to air sometime next summer. My gut is that he’ll be able to get out sooner than that just because it’s pretty much unfair to make him wait that long, plus in WWE, he won’t be going as a masked wrestler so it’s not a confusion in the marketplace issue. He will be taking indie dates and continue to work for New Japan until the time he is allowed to sign with WWE. This also limits how much New Japan would want to invest in him, even with his talent.
Randy Orton Update
The update on Orton is that he’s about a month or so away from training for a return. The original time line was that he was going to be in Orlando in mid-June, train a few weeks and be ready right about now. His shoulder is still not 100% although it is improving. This was the third operation on the same shoulder and they did an extensive surgery with the hope it will fix the problem so it wasn’t as simple a recovery as in previous operations. There is still a neck issue but the doctors told him a few months ago he doesn’t need the neck surgery right now.
The update on Orton is that he’s about a month or so away from training for a return. The original time line was that he was going to be in Orlando in mid-June, train a few weeks and be ready right about now. His shoulder is still not 100% although it is improving. This was the third operation on the same shoulder and they did an extensive surgery with the hope it will fix the problem so it wasn’t as simple a recovery as in previous operations. There is still a neck issue but the doctors told him a few months ago he doesn’t need the neck surgery right now.
WWE Changes due to Brand Split
Right now the new rule is that the WWE title is no longer being called the WWE world title, just the WWE title. This likely is to set up the creation of the other brand belt as the world title, which is expected to go on Smackdown, although these things change weekly.
Also the new plan is no longer to call the people running the brands “General Managers,” but either COO’s of the brand.
For the brand split, the idea is a different crew on both shows, meaning different writing teams, different referees, different colored ropes and different sets.
Based on the NXT tapings this past week, it appears Finn Balor, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable are coming up. The situation with Bayley and whether to bring her up or not was going back-and-forth all week and the hints were that if they did Asuka vs. Bayley at the tapings and she lost, that she’d be called up, but if they didn’t do that match and she won her matches, they’d do the match in Brooklyn and she wasn’t coming up right away.
Right now the new rule is that the WWE title is no longer being called the WWE world title, just the WWE title. This likely is to set up the creation of the other brand belt as the world title, which is expected to go on Smackdown, although these things change weekly.
Also the new plan is no longer to call the people running the brands “General Managers,” but either COO’s of the brand.
For the brand split, the idea is a different crew on both shows, meaning different writing teams, different referees, different colored ropes and different sets.
Based on the NXT tapings this past week, it appears Finn Balor, Jason Jordan and Chad Gable are coming up. The situation with Bayley and whether to bring her up or not was going back-and-forth all week and the hints were that if they did Asuka vs. Bayley at the tapings and she lost, that she’d be called up, but if they didn’t do that match and she won her matches, they’d do the match in Brooklyn and she wasn’t coming up right away.
Total Bellas
The “Total Bellas” show, that he’s one of the stars of, will debut on 10/5 on E! in a Wednesday at 8 p.m. time slot. It will be a six-week series taped with the idea that Bryan and Brie Bella have moved to Land of Lakes, FL to live in Cena’s mansion and all the problems when you have the two sisters with different value structures living under the same roof. In reality, they just filmed segments of them living together.
The idea is that Bryan & Brie are vegans (Bryan is no longer a vegan) and free-spirited while Nikki is super materialistic (not exactly untrue) and Cena is a neat freak (also not exactly untrue). The idea is that when this was filmed, Brie is the only healthy one as Nikki had neck surgery, Bryan had to retire due to concussions, Brie had just retired, Cena had shoulder surgery (I know Brie’s retirement and Cena’s being nearly recovered was at the same time but that’s the script).
The “Total Bellas” show, that he’s one of the stars of, will debut on 10/5 on E! in a Wednesday at 8 p.m. time slot. It will be a six-week series taped with the idea that Bryan and Brie Bella have moved to Land of Lakes, FL to live in Cena’s mansion and all the problems when you have the two sisters with different value structures living under the same roof. In reality, they just filmed segments of them living together.
The idea is that Bryan & Brie are vegans (Bryan is no longer a vegan) and free-spirited while Nikki is super materialistic (not exactly untrue) and Cena is a neat freak (also not exactly untrue). The idea is that when this was filmed, Brie is the only healthy one as Nikki had neck surgery, Bryan had to retire due to concussions, Brie had just retired, Cena had shoulder surgery (I know Brie’s retirement and Cena’s being nearly recovered was at the same time but that’s the script).
G-1 Climax tournament
The 26th annual G-1 Climax tournament, which in the last few years, has gained more international interest as the period with a large percentage of what will be the year’s best matches, was officially announced this past week.
New Japan announced the format, identical to last year, with 19 shows over 28 days, split into A block and B block shows. A.J. Styles, who competed in the 2014 and 2015 tournaments, called it the most physically difficult and professionally rewarding thing he’d ever done. All 19 shows are scheduled to air live on New Japan World.
As of right now, the first show on 7/18, and the final three shows on 8/12, 8/13 and 8/14, will be broadcast in both English and Japanese with Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino as announcers.
Each wrestler will have nine singles matches, and on the days when their block doesn’t have singles matches, will be working tag team matches. While there will be some short matches and some matches that aren’t physically arduous, there are the exceptions to the rule, as, particularly on the big shows, expectations are high to produce PPV main event quality bouts.
The cast of characters is similar to last year. Newcomers this year are Kenny Omega, Tama Tonga (the only American in the tournament), Seiya Sanada, Evil, Yoshi-Hashi, and NOAH wrestlers Naomichi Marufuji and Katsuhiko Nakajima. While good, from a quality standpoint they can’t match the level of those who departed.
It’s notable that even though ROH is not running any shows during the tournament, nobody from ROH is in the tournament, not even heavyweight tag team champions Mark & Jay Briscoe. The junior heavyweights are usually not put in the tournament, although many expected Kushida, as champion, in and that didn’t happen.
The only non-regulars are Marufuji and Nakajima, as well as Toru Yano, who had been a regular until a few months ago. All three have been working with NOAH. While Marufuji is a name star, and Nakajima is likely to have excellent matches, it’s notable that they didn’t bring back Minoru Suzuki, who has had sensational matches in years past (most notably his 2014 match with Styles), nor Takashi Sugiura or Go Shiozaki, who are NOAH’s top singles guys of late. Shiozaki not being there makes sense, because NOAH wouldn’t want their champion to be losing singles matches.
Like every year, it’s divided into two blocks. Everyone in the block has a singles match with everyone else. The top point-getter in each block, based on two points for a win, one point for a draw (30 minutes) and zero for a loss, double DQ or double count out, meet in the championship match. If there is a tie, and there often is, like in all Japanese tournaments, the person going to the finals is based on head-to-head-records against the others who are tied. If that still ends up even, there would be a playoff.
The A Block has Kazuchika Okada (IWGP heavyweight champion, 2012 and 2014 winner), Tanahashi (2007 and 2015 winner), Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto (2008 winner), Togi Makabe (2009 winner), Satoshi Kojima (2010 winner), Bad Luck Fale, Tonga, Sanada and Marufuji.
The B block has Michael Elgin (IC champion), Katsuyori Shibata (Never Open weight champion), Tetsuya Naito (2013 winner), Kenny Omega, Yuji Nagata, Tomoaki Honma, Evil, Yano, Yoshi-Hashi and Nakajima.
The 26th annual G-1 Climax tournament, which in the last few years, has gained more international interest as the period with a large percentage of what will be the year’s best matches, was officially announced this past week.
New Japan announced the format, identical to last year, with 19 shows over 28 days, split into A block and B block shows. A.J. Styles, who competed in the 2014 and 2015 tournaments, called it the most physically difficult and professionally rewarding thing he’d ever done. All 19 shows are scheduled to air live on New Japan World.
As of right now, the first show on 7/18, and the final three shows on 8/12, 8/13 and 8/14, will be broadcast in both English and Japanese with Kevin Kelly and Steve Corino as announcers.
Each wrestler will have nine singles matches, and on the days when their block doesn’t have singles matches, will be working tag team matches. While there will be some short matches and some matches that aren’t physically arduous, there are the exceptions to the rule, as, particularly on the big shows, expectations are high to produce PPV main event quality bouts.
The cast of characters is similar to last year. Newcomers this year are Kenny Omega, Tama Tonga (the only American in the tournament), Seiya Sanada, Evil, Yoshi-Hashi, and NOAH wrestlers Naomichi Marufuji and Katsuhiko Nakajima. While good, from a quality standpoint they can’t match the level of those who departed.
It’s notable that even though ROH is not running any shows during the tournament, nobody from ROH is in the tournament, not even heavyweight tag team champions Mark & Jay Briscoe. The junior heavyweights are usually not put in the tournament, although many expected Kushida, as champion, in and that didn’t happen.
The only non-regulars are Marufuji and Nakajima, as well as Toru Yano, who had been a regular until a few months ago. All three have been working with NOAH. While Marufuji is a name star, and Nakajima is likely to have excellent matches, it’s notable that they didn’t bring back Minoru Suzuki, who has had sensational matches in years past (most notably his 2014 match with Styles), nor Takashi Sugiura or Go Shiozaki, who are NOAH’s top singles guys of late. Shiozaki not being there makes sense, because NOAH wouldn’t want their champion to be losing singles matches.
Like every year, it’s divided into two blocks. Everyone in the block has a singles match with everyone else. The top point-getter in each block, based on two points for a win, one point for a draw (30 minutes) and zero for a loss, double DQ or double count out, meet in the championship match. If there is a tie, and there often is, like in all Japanese tournaments, the person going to the finals is based on head-to-head-records against the others who are tied. If that still ends up even, there would be a playoff.
The A Block has Kazuchika Okada (IWGP heavyweight champion, 2012 and 2014 winner), Tanahashi (2007 and 2015 winner), Tomohiro Ishii, Hirooki Goto (2008 winner), Togi Makabe (2009 winner), Satoshi Kojima (2010 winner), Bad Luck Fale, Tonga, Sanada and Marufuji.
The B block has Michael Elgin (IC champion), Katsuyori Shibata (Never Open weight champion), Tetsuya Naito (2013 winner), Kenny Omega, Yuji Nagata, Tomoaki Honma, Evil, Yano, Yoshi-Hashi and Nakajima.
Batista Interview
Batista appeared on the MLW podcast and talked about his last run with WWE. He said his last run started out bad because they wanted him back to be the top babyface and he thought he should be a heel. He said he argued with Vince and creative every day he was there. He said the return broke his heart because he’d been thinking about it for years and that he was interested in coming back in conjunction with the release of “Guardians of the Galaxy.” He said he talked to both HHH and Stephanie about returning when the movie was released.
He said that the day after Mania when they told Bryan not to sell any of his injuries from the day before, that it pissed him off. He also hated when they split up The Shield at the time they did, saying they had made The Shield hot by putting them over so strong and then they immediately split them instead of giving them the top run. He said they should have waited for The Shield to start to lose steam and then do the split.
He also said that he and Ziggler had great matches but fans missed out because they were so intent on chanting for C.M. Punk and it hurt his feelings. He said it became trendy to boo him but it felt like a personal attack and that the crowd confused him because he didn’t come back and ask for a lot of money, and was willing to do house shows and put over anyone they asked. He said when WWE started doing movies, he asked if there would be an opportunity for him but they showed no interest. Actually he was to star in one of the bad movies but his contract was running out and when he hadn’t signed a new contract, they gave the role to HHH.
Batista appeared on the MLW podcast and talked about his last run with WWE. He said his last run started out bad because they wanted him back to be the top babyface and he thought he should be a heel. He said he argued with Vince and creative every day he was there. He said the return broke his heart because he’d been thinking about it for years and that he was interested in coming back in conjunction with the release of “Guardians of the Galaxy.” He said he talked to both HHH and Stephanie about returning when the movie was released.
He said that the day after Mania when they told Bryan not to sell any of his injuries from the day before, that it pissed him off. He also hated when they split up The Shield at the time they did, saying they had made The Shield hot by putting them over so strong and then they immediately split them instead of giving them the top run. He said they should have waited for The Shield to start to lose steam and then do the split.
He also said that he and Ziggler had great matches but fans missed out because they were so intent on chanting for C.M. Punk and it hurt his feelings. He said it became trendy to boo him but it felt like a personal attack and that the crowd confused him because he didn’t come back and ask for a lot of money, and was willing to do house shows and put over anyone they asked. He said when WWE started doing movies, he asked if there would be an opportunity for him but they showed no interest. Actually he was to star in one of the bad movies but his contract was running out and when he hadn’t signed a new contract, they gave the role to HHH.
Moose Not Signed
The situation with Moose changed in the past week as well. WWE backed off on signing him at this moment due to a 2009 domestic violence allegation which led to him being suspended for a game when he was in the NFL. He was actually told not to worry by WWE with the idea it’s just a timing situation (given the recent situations with Adam Rose and Jerry Lawler) and not a closed door.
He was originally expected to be part of their September NXT introduction class with guys like Tommy End and Big Damo and most likely Roderick Strong, who did finish up here over the weekend. Moose has had offers from Lucha Underground, TNA, which offered the most money of anyone ($100,000 per year) and the door is open to staying here as well. Those at ROH view his future here as something that has changed a few times and it may or may not change again. Right now they are going with the idea it could go either way. But the plans aren’t booked right now with him as a key part of things. T
he impression we have is it is most likely he will be elsewhere soon which rules out WWE as well. He was beaten a few times on TV and the PPV because he may be gone and was expected to be gone when the shows were first laid out. But the door is open for him to stay. The TNA offer was always the best one money-wise, but there is the feeling that if you go to TNA, you fall off the radar. Plus, nobody knows the future of TNA.
The situation with Moose changed in the past week as well. WWE backed off on signing him at this moment due to a 2009 domestic violence allegation which led to him being suspended for a game when he was in the NFL. He was actually told not to worry by WWE with the idea it’s just a timing situation (given the recent situations with Adam Rose and Jerry Lawler) and not a closed door.
He was originally expected to be part of their September NXT introduction class with guys like Tommy End and Big Damo and most likely Roderick Strong, who did finish up here over the weekend. Moose has had offers from Lucha Underground, TNA, which offered the most money of anyone ($100,000 per year) and the door is open to staying here as well. Those at ROH view his future here as something that has changed a few times and it may or may not change again. Right now they are going with the idea it could go either way. But the plans aren’t booked right now with him as a key part of things. T
he impression we have is it is most likely he will be elsewhere soon which rules out WWE as well. He was beaten a few times on TV and the PPV because he may be gone and was expected to be gone when the shows were first laid out. But the door is open for him to stay. The TNA offer was always the best one money-wise, but there is the feeling that if you go to TNA, you fall off the radar. Plus, nobody knows the future of TNA.
TNA Updates
There is a lot of unhappiness surrounding the 8/11 to 8/14 tapings date that is on the schedule although not announced. Abyss, Jade, Andrew Everett and Drew Galloway were all booked on a tour on the U.K. during that period. I think there may have been another person as well because five TNA talents were pulled from a series of events where they would have earned considerably more than at the tapings. But they all have deals where TNA tapings come first. The promoters were hoping something could be worked out but it didn’t happen.
Not every contract signed of late has TNA in control of the talent’s bookings. The attempt has been made with the top guys that have been mentioned for that, but some talents have been given different deals. However, that is the stip for the Hardys, Drew Galloway and Ethan Carter III, who have been offered new deals and at this point have not signed them.
There is a lot of unhappiness surrounding the 8/11 to 8/14 tapings date that is on the schedule although not announced. Abyss, Jade, Andrew Everett and Drew Galloway were all booked on a tour on the U.K. during that period. I think there may have been another person as well because five TNA talents were pulled from a series of events where they would have earned considerably more than at the tapings. But they all have deals where TNA tapings come first. The promoters were hoping something could be worked out but it didn’t happen.
Not every contract signed of late has TNA in control of the talent’s bookings. The attempt has been made with the top guys that have been mentioned for that, but some talents have been given different deals. However, that is the stip for the Hardys, Drew Galloway and Ethan Carter III, who have been offered new deals and at this point have not signed them.