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UFC 182 Does Huge Buyrate, Junior Dos Santos Surgery, Paige VanZant Booked, Title Fight Set

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– UFC 182 hit big on pay-per-view according to MMA Fighting and Wrestling Observer’s Dave Meltzer. Initial estimated put the show between 740,000-820,000 buys, which is the most in the company in over a year.

UFC President Dana White had projected a 750,000 buy show, but after said all indications pointed to a higher number. 2014 was a down year for PPV in the UFC, but if the most optimistic projections end up being true, UFC 182 outsold the previous three company PPV’s combined.

– After missing over a year from the Octagon it appears former UFC Heavyweight champion Junior dos Santos won’t be returning any time soon. The Brazilian heavyweight had surgery to repair his knee and nose, and there’s no timetable for his return.

“I would like to let you know that I just had a knee and nose surgery and that went very well,” dos Santos said on his Instagram page. “There are some people that a simple thank you doesn’t seem to be enough to show them how thankful you are for their help. But I still want to give a special thank(s) to doctor Moisés Cohen and his crew who one more time are taking care of me and doctor Sergio Miranda and his crew who did my nose surgery and his daughter Maria Vitoria. Thank you!”

– UFC Strawweight Champion Carla Esparza is set for her first championship defense, as she’ll take on Joanna Jedrzejczyk at UFC 185 in Dallas, Texas. Esparza became champion in December after a one-sided victory over highly touted Rose Namajunas.

– Speaking of standout strawweights, Paige VanZant has also been booked, as she’ll take on Felice Herrig at UFC on Fox 15 on April 18.

VanZant received heavy mainstream coverage after her UFC debut, which was a “fight of the night performance” over Kailin Curran at UFC Fight Night 57 in November. Despite the bout appearing on UFC Fight Pass, the 20-year old Californian made front page news the following week on Yahoo. She’s also getting press from the likes of Vogue and Sports Illustrated.

Hulk Hogan Talks Randy Savage, Making Up With Him, Their 2004 Altercation At TNA Show

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Hulk Hogan appeared on Chris Jericho’s Talk Is Jericho podcast last week and spoke at length about his career.

Hogan’s stories have been somewhat criticized as plenty seem untrue, but the Hulkster didn’t shy away from speaking about soon-to-be Hall of Famer Randy Savage. He said the two made up shortly before Savage’s death.

“It freaked me out,” Hogan said, citing the years of Savage calling him out. “We had a little run-in at Universal (studios), and he wasn’t feeling well. I saw Scott Hall and he was like ‘Hey Hogan, Mach is in there, what are you gonna do about it?'” in regards to Savage threatening him on his rap album.

Hogan said that the incident (which happened in 2004) escalated when he tried to shake Savage’s hand. Savage, who was with Kevin Nash and Brian Adams, and he responded with an expletive. Hogan offered to fight him and Savage didn’t respond. Hogan assumed it was a work.

Hogan then said that Savage had dropped a considerable amount of weight since Spider-Man, incorrectly claiming Savage was 290 pounds then.

Years later, Hogan said he was preparing for another surgery and was awaiting an EKG when Savage came through the doors. Hogan introduced Savage to his wife, and said he looked healthy and happy. Hogan’s wife Jennifer then invited Savage to a cookout they were having. Savage declined but said they could start with a phone call.

“We talked a couple of times, and his mom had been having some troubles since his father passed away. I was on an independent show somewhere with Lanny and we called Randy and we’d planned a cookout, and he passed away before it could happen,” Hogan said.

WWE Tough Enough Return Confirmed

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It was announced at The Critics Association Winter Press Tour event in Los Angeles today that WWE and the USA Network will be producing a new season of Tough Enough.

The show will feature a completely new format as well as elements that will make it live and interactive.

We noted last year that Tough Enough was scheduled to return to the WWE Network but plans were nixed due to budget cuts.

Here is the full statement from USA Network President Chris McCumber at the event, via the WWE Facebook page:

“I am pleased to announce that USA is bringing back TOUGH ENOUGH, the action-packed competition reality show from the ratings juggernaut WWE. The show will have a COMPLETELY NEW format, with live elements that will truly make this EVENT television.
WWE remains a cornerstone of USA programming… After signing another multi-year deal for WWE Monday Night Raw and SmackDown, this is the perfect time to bring back the series and capitalize on the enormous audience appeal of sports entertainment.”

WWE Smackdown Results for 1/15/15

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Thanks to “FoleyIsGod” for the following WWE SmackDown spoilers from tonight’s tapings in Baton Rouge, Louisiana…

* Jerry Lawler, Byron Saxton and Michael Cole are on commentary. Lawler got a big pop.

* Byron Saxton interviewed Daniel Bryan in the ring.

* Daniel Bryan defeated Kane by DQ when Joey Mercury and Jamie Noble hit the ring. Big Show and Seth Rollins went to attack Bryan but he retreated. Roman Reigns came out and stood next to Bryan for a face off with the heels. Triple H came out and announced a six-man main event for later.

* Damien Sandow, The Miz and Alicia Fox defeated Naomi and The Usos. Sandow got a pop almost as big as Bryan.

* Paul Heyman comes out. Heyman talks about what happened on RAW but Seth Rollins comes out to confront him. Rollins is heated and wants to cash in on Brock Lesnar tonight but he’s not here. Heyman cut an awesome promo and the two teased working together after the Royal Rumble.

* Natalya defeated Nikki Bella in a non-title match.

* IC Champion Bad News Barrett retained over Sin Cara in what was said to be a very fun match.

* Dean Ambrose, Daniel Bryan and Roman Reigns defeated Kane, Big Show and Seth Rollins in a really good main event. The babyfaces all got big pops and everyone worked hard. SmackDown ended with the faces celebrating.

After the match, Triple H came out and announced that Bryan will face Kane on RAW. If Bryan loses to Kane, he will lose his spot in The Royal Rumble.
Also during the taping, Kane and Big Show were announced for the 30-man Royal Rumble match.

Kevin Nash Comments On WWE Suspending His Deal, NXT Star Taking Acting Lessons, DVD News

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– WWE NXT star Mojo Rawley is the latest WWE talent to take acting lessons from coach Howard Fine, according to The Wrestling Observer Newsletter. Roman Reigns previously took classes under Fine while he was out of action with an injury.

– WWE recently did a switch with DVD release dates. The “Monday Night War Volume 1: Shots Fired” DVD and Blu-ray was pushed back from March to June with “The Road Is Jericho: Epic Stories & Rare Matches from Y2J” taking its place. Jericho’s DVD is scheduled to hit stores on March 10th while the Monday Night War DVD is scheduled for June 30th.

– As noted earlier, Kevin Nash said on Twitter that he probably won’t be returning to WWE TV once his domestic incident was cleared up. He then announced yesterday that all charges have been dismissed. Nash tweeted the following last night about WWE’s decision to suspend his Legends deal:

Kevin Nash ✔ @RealKevinNash
The WWE had no other action than the suspension that was placed apon me. Just difficult to always be guilty until proven innocent.

More Details On WWE Airing Santino Marella’s Royal Rumble Lottery Spectacular Next Week

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As noted, next Tuesday’s WWE Main Event will be replaced by Santino Marella’s Royal Rumble Lottery Spectacular at 8pm EST on the WWE Network.

WWE’s website notes that Santino will give us a unique look back at the Royal Rumble’s most entertaining moments. It’s also believed that Superstars will get to pick their Rumble numbers out of the tumbler. WWE wrote the following for the special:

“What does the Italian braggadocio have in store for the WWE Universe as the 28th annual Royal Rumble fast approaches on Sunday, Jan. 25, on WWE Network and pay-per-view?”

Kevin Nash Assault Charges Dropped, Nash Comments

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Kevin Nash noted on his Twitter today that all charges against him have been dropped. Nash was arrested in December after a confrontation with his son, 18-year-old Tristen. Nash wrote:

“To those that have sent you’re love and support words can not express what you mean to me. As of 3:30 pm EST all charges have been dropped”

Nash was originally scheduled for this Monday’s RAW, but was pulled after WWE suspended his legends contract until the “domestic dispute is resolved.” With the charges being dropped, WWE could technically have Nash appear at Monday’s show, although Nash did write this morning that he doesn’t see himself “returning to WWE programming” following his suspension.

Original Plans For AJ Lee’s Return To WWE TV, Indie Wrestlers Used On RAW, WWE Attendance

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Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter

– While AJ Lee is scheduled to return to WWE live events during Royal Rumble weekend this month, there was a plan to bring her back on the first RAW of 2015. WWE wanted to bring her back with a surprise return on the January 5th RAW but it was nixed due to her neck injury.

– As noted, the man who played Dean Ambrose’s psychiatrist on Monday’s RAW was Louisiana indie wrestler Mike Dell. He works for Luke Hawx’s WildKat promotion. Most of the Rosebuds used were fro WildKat as well – Spade, Wild Card J, Curt Matthews and Purple Haze. The wrestlers that The Ascension squashed, Socoro and Bu Ku Dao are also from WildKat. Bu Ku Dao was the one who took the bigger bumps and he was under a WWE developmental deal last year but got cut.

– Below are some recent WWE attendance figures:

* January 9th in Chattanooga, TN drew 4,600 fans
* January 10th in Montgomery, AL drew 5,300 fans
* January 10th in Sacramento, CA drew 6,000 fans
* January 10th in Fort Pierce, FL for NXT drew 500 fans
* January 11th in Mobile, AL drew 2,500 fans
* January 11th in Shreveport, LA drew 4,000 fans
* January 12th in New Orleans, LA for RAW drew 9,500 fans

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