Source: F4WOnline
TNA officials were not happy with Spike TV pushing the final two episodes of Impact Wrestling to late nights. TNA expected to stay in primetime for their last two episodes on the network.
It’s worth noting that there was no mention of TNA going to Destination America or leaving Spike TV on Wednesday’s final broadcast.
Bellator President Scott Coker confirmed to MMAFighting.com that they have reached out to Brock Lesnar. Coker said that there haven’t been any negotiations, and that it was more of their way of “saying hello” and that they are interested in signing him.
“There hasn’t been any serious dialogue,” Coker said. “But when the time comes to have serious dialogue, we’ll be right there.”
Lesnar’s WWE contract expires shortly after WrestleMania 31.
The Orlando Sentinel has an article up on Kevin Nash’s domestic incident with his son earlier this week. Nash commented on Thursday:
“We’re not the Capones. We just opened presents and we went out to dinner last night.”
Read: WWE Suspends Kevin Nash’s Contract, Video Of Nashs’ In Court, Nash’s Wife Changes Story, 911 Calls
Nash also said he didn’t mean to hurt Tristen when he took him down for being “out of control.” Nash added:
“I’m a big, old guy. I could have hit him anywhere.”
This week’s show begins in typical fashion, with the usual pyro and ballyhoo. After the formalities subside, we head down to ringside.
Titus O’Neil vs. Justin Gabriel
Tom Phillips reminds us that Justin Gabriel is a three-time tag champ, which is a stat that’s pretty easy to forget because they really don’t play it up that much. The bell sounds and Gabriel sounds out Titus before O’Neil hauls off and chucks him into the corner. Gabriel comes back and tries to counterO’neil’s power with some high flying and fast-paced moves, O’Neil succeeds in slowing Gabriel down, hitting a big backbreaker, clubbing on him a bit and then bringing him to the middle of the ring for a bear hug.
Gabriel eventually fires things back up, wearing down Titus with some kicks and hi-octane material but O’Neil signals the beginning of the end with a big boot, ultimately landing “Clash of the Titus” for the win.
Result: Titus O’Neil defeats Justin Gabriel via pinfall
We get a look at Eva Marie on the cover of Muscle and Fitness and then WWE re-racks Hulk Hogan’s appearance on Monday Night Raw. From there, we check out the IC title rematch between Dolph Ziggler and Luke Harper and then we go back to the squared circle for more action.
Erick Rowan vs. Cesaro
The big guys lock up and grapple but it isn’t long before Rowan gets on top of things. Cesaro gets planted into a turnbuckle and stages a brief comeback until Rowan puts him on the mat. Big Red takes it to the Swiss Superman in the corner and Cesaro turns the tables with a thumb to the eye.
Rowan gets things in hand again, landing a fall-away slam on Cesaro, followed by a bodyslam. Cesaro knocks Rowan outside the ring, regaining control for a lengthy stretch. The “Cesaro Swing” is the highlight of this portion of the match and although Cesaro is largely dominant, he can’t seal the deal with a submission or pinfall. Rowan gets another shot at a win and the two battle back and forth but Rowan ultimately carries the day, putting Cesaro away with a big full-nelson slam and the pinfall.
Result: Erick Rowan defeats Cesaro via pinfall.
To round out the show, we get a replay of the Dean Ambrose/Bray Wyatt “Miracle on 34th Street Fight” and then this one’s in the can.
According to internet MMA personality and host of the FRB Show Front Row Brian, CM Punk has selected Roufusport as the training facility and team for his MMA career.
Front Row Brian, who has broken numerous stories in the past, said that Punk will begin training on January 5th. Roufusport is based in Milwaukee, a 90-minute trek from Punk’s home in Chicago.
Roufusport is home to UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis, as well as other notable fighters Ben Askren, Sergio Pettis, and Erik Koch. The camp is renowned for it’s innovative striking, but with the aforementioned Askren also has Olympic-level wrestling coaches.
Roufusport was in the news recently after former team members Rose Namajunas, Pat Barry and former coach Eric Shafer accused the team of utilizing overtraining and bullying tactics. Head coach Duke Roufus was singled out as verbally abusing his lesser-known fighters. The camp addressed those claims by saying their training methods have been improved in previous years.
Source: Rolling Stone
Rolling Stone recently interviewed WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley, who was promoting his I Am Santa Claus, which is now available on Netflix. Below are some highlights:
If he at times wishes he could still wrestle:
“No, I exceeded my wildest expectations in wrestling and really feel good about the legacy I left behind. I find that I get most of the same things I loved about performing in the ring when I do my live shows around the world. I also find it when I don the red suit and become an ambassador for Santa [laughs].”
His current favorite wrestlers on the WWE roster:
“I like those really multidimensional characters like Dean Ambrose and Bray Wyatt. I’ve really seen Seth Rollins come on strong in the last few months. I actually love the Damien Mizdow character [laughs], he has become must-see TV. When I hear the words, ‘Dad, Mizdow’s on TV!’ I move quicker than you would expect. I would be very remiss not to include Dolph Ziggler, Cesaro and some of the NXT guys on the rise like Sami Zayn.”
His daughter Noelle training to become a wrestler:
“She was training and she loves it. I would like her to be a wrestling personality as opposed to a wrestler, just because as a dad I don’t want to see my daughter go through the things that I did. The absolute worst way to ensure that somebody will not listen to you is to try to force them, so I’m going to support her in whatever she does. I’m just trying to find the best possible training for her.”
Foley also discussed NXT, if WWE should bring Sami Zayn up, if Santa Claus is the fourth face of Foley and more. You can read the full interview by clicking here.
Source: JR’s BBQ
Jim Ross posted his latest blog at JRsBarBQ.com. Here are some highlights:
The New Day:
“Really curious as to how ‘New Day’ is going to be accepted by the fans once they are launched officially IE in earnest. Today’s fans don’t seem to be too willing to provide second chances. I’d surmise that dressing in Carolina Blue and espousing such positivity that today’s wrestling fan may be a little hard on the talented trio who I happen to like personally and professionally. These three need to be special and draw positive attention to themselves by what they do in the ring and how they present themselves. If it’s the same old stuff, it won’t work. This sis where talents need to brainstorm and strategize on what they can do differently while they are being repackaged.”
The Ascension vignettes on RAW:
“Interesting Ascension vignettes…almost Road Warrior-esque which will be interesting to see how the audience accepts. WWE needs a hot, fan favorite tag team for Ascension to come in and ravage to get the fan’s attention.”
His latest podcast with Vader:
“Leon [White, a.k.a. Vader] has had an amazing career both in North America and abroad especially in Japan where he was one of the most prolific wrestlers to ever perform in that country. It’s hard to say if there has ever been a more athletic big man ie super heavyweight than Big Van Vader. I think that you will find Leon’s story very interesting.”
Much more is contained in Ross’ latest blog, including his thoughts on last Monday’s RAW, Ziggler vs. Harper, and much more. You can check out the full entry by clicking here.
Source: Wrestling Observer Newsletter
As noted, WWE creative has been working on a new main roster gimmick for NXT star Adrian Neville and the gimmick could be inspired by the legendary character character Mighty Mouse.
There were suggestions within WWE this past week about putting a mask on Neville and making him a kids character based on Mighty Mouse.
The gimmick is not set in stone but after The Ascension, Neville is scheduled to be the next NXT talent brought to the main roster as they are working on ideas for him.
