We noted before that Rey Mysterio, who is dealing with a hand injury, recently had his WWE contract renewed by Vince McMahon for one more year, even though there was no option period for one year in Rey’s contract. This was done because WWE contracts can be frozen in the event of an injury.
Apparently there is more to the situation than Rey’s deal simply being renewed for another year and there’s a potential legal situation that has yet to play out. Rey was actually looking at leaving when his contract expired a month ago when Vince renewed it for another year.
Rey is still listed on WWE’s injury list and there’s been no talk about when he might be back.
Regarding Sting’s status with WWE, word came out this week that the deal that WWE offered him ultimately ended up being similar to the standard $10,000 Legends contract without any other guarantees.
Talks between the two sides were going very smoothly and it’s said that they are still in negotiations.
– Ric Flair finally went to Pittsburgh on June 2nd for his WWE medical testing. If he passes the tests, Flair is expected to return to WWE TV as a regular TV character, not a wrestler.
– Brock Lesnar vs. Daniel Bryan for the WWE World Heavyweight Title was not penciled in for SummerSlam but there was one idea going where Lesnar would win the title at SummerSlam, only to see Money In the Bank winner Cesaro cash in and take the title from Lesnar. Obviously everything is up in the air with Bryan’s status for Money In the Bank on June 29th but word this week is that Bryan vs. Lesnar is indeed one of the long-term plans right now for a SummerSlam main event. The Lesnar vs. Cesaro feud, which would be part of Cesaro’s babyface turn, would take place after the Bryan match at SummerSlam.
– Things are moving slowly when it comes to the return of WWE Tough Enough. Filming was supposed to begin the first week in July at the Performance Center in Orlando but word is that could change. The key talents that WWE officials wanted on the show are not locked in and timing is becoming an issue.
– WWE has reportedly quietly put money into Diamond Dallas Page’s efforts to help Jake Roberts and Scott Hall by paying for people who are experienced with rehabilitation to help out if any problems come up with the two. It’s a daily battle for both Hall of Famers.
Jake worked indie shows in Oregon this past week and was invited to a strip club by some of the wrestlers after the show. Jake turned down the invite and said if he went, he knows what would happen next.
Jake has also reportedly been in contact with Bray Wyatt, giving him advice at times on his character.
– Thomas Golianopoulos spent a day with Tiny Lister a.k.a. Zeus last month and profiled him for his latest story on ESPN’s Grantland, which you can check out here. In the piece, Hulk Hogan talked about accidentally busting Lister’s nose during the filming of No Holds Barred. Lister also noted that he was never interested in a wrestling career and revealed how Vince McMahon convinced him to join the company.
“Vince McMahon was a great negotiator,” Lister said. “He would already wire the money into my account before he even started [negotiating]. Who’s going to say no? You’re going to take $56,000 out of your checking account?”
– WWE took a shot at CM Punk via his official WWE Facebook page. The top post is a link to a playlist looking at people walking out of the company with the text: “Superstars who threw in the towel.”
– WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin commented on Rusev on his Twitter earlier this week. He wrote:
“The kid has a good luck and lots of potential. I like the gimmick. We’ll see how it goes. #dontrush”
– Speaking of Austin, part two of his podcast with Vader drops this Thursday at Podcast One.
– Below are comments from Prince Devitt’s interview with the Low Blows podcast where he talks about the decision to leave New Japan Pro Wrestling. Devitt also commented on the WWE rumors:
“There has been a lot of talk and speculation about me doing TNA, WWE, and NASA projects but at the moment I’m happy doing my thing at home. There is a possibility that I might go to the States in the future for a potential opportunity there but until then, it’s all just rumors and speculation unfortunately.”
The angle with Seth Rollins turning on Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose at Monday’s RAW was not written into the script that was used several days before the pay-per-view. It could have been that WWE officials wanted to keep it off the books or it could be that the angle was something they just decided on at Sunday’s Payback pay-per-view. Brian Grey says, I’ll go with the latter.
The script that was used at Monday’s RAW had Kane vs. John Cena in the main event position and the turn with Rollins wasn’t even hinted at.
It was reported back in 2012 that WWE filmed 10 episodes of Legends House. If that is correct, the season finale would air on June 19th as episode #8 airs this week.
It was reported in January of this year that the cast of Legends House was in Orlando to film additional footage and we know that they filmed some sort of reunion show but it looks like the first season of Legends House could be done before the end of this month.
– WWE Hall of Famer Sunny was scheduled to appear at the Cauliflower Alley Club weekend this week but is apparently not coming in now. Sunny was scheduled to host a seminar for months but stopped returning any correspondence from the club recently.
– Brian Blair of Killer Bees fame is the new President of the Cauliflower Alley Club as WWE Hall of Famer Nick Bockwinkel has stepped down due to health reasons at the age of 79.
– “Ironman” Rob Conway defeated Satoshi Kojima at the Cauliflower Alley Club Reunion in Las Vegas this past Monday to regain the National Wrestling Alliance World Heavyweight Championship. The victory begins Conway’s second reign with the championship. His first began when he defeated the Tokyo Monster Kahagas at an NWA Branded Outlaw Wrestling event in San Antonio, Texas on March 16, 2013. It came to an end at the hands of Kojima at New Japan Pro Wrestling’s “Wrestle Kingdom 8” event in Tokyo on January 4 in Kojima’s second attempt at capturing the title, having unsuccessfully challenged Conway on April 7, 2013.
– At a press meeting earlier this week in Las Vegas, Nevada the National Wrestling Alliance announced the promotion of James Beard to Director of Operations and Head Referee. Beard had previously acted in the role of Director of Talent Relations, occasionally refereeing high profile NWA matches. Beard is a 30-plus year veteran in professional wrestling world wide as a referee and behind the scenes as a television writer, creative consultant, booker, talent agent and promoter. The NWA also made official Chris Ronquillo’s position as Chief Executive Officer. Though unannounced, Ronquillo had been acting in that capacity since early 2013.
– Jon Jones is finding out first-hand that once you place something on the internet, the odds of it disappearing forever are slim-to-none. Jones, the reigning UFC light heavyweight champion tried to delete a video he posted in which he stated it is “his career” and he can do what he wants. You can see the entire 16-second clip above.
Jones made the video and immediately deleted it from his account. It was in response to all the criticism he has faced since word got out that he wants to meet Daniel Cormier and not Alexander Gustafsson next. Gustafsson has already signed to face Jones in August, but “Bones” has yet to put pen to paper.
He makes his case by saying that Cormier is “an undefeated, Olympic wrestler and former Strikeforce champion,” while adding that he has “already beat Gustafsson.”
– According to a report by Yahoo! Sports, the drug test results from Vitor Belfort’s surprise testing will be released later this month. Belfort must appear in front of the Nevada Athletic Commission to obtain his fight license, and executive director Bob Bennett is almost positive the commission will ask him about the test.
“The test results will be made public,” Bennett said. “If Mr. Belfort appears at his hearing, which I’m sure he will, the commissioners will get to question him about any topics they want and I’m sure that will come up.”
Belfort was scheduled to face Chris Weidman earlier this year, and was given an unplanned test when he appeared in Nevada. He has previously failed a post-fight drug test in the state. Recently, “The Phenom” was tabbed to replace Wanderlei Silva and meet Chael Sonnen at July’s UFC 175 event.
– An injury has forced UFC officials to scrap the planned Conor McGregor-Cole Miller main event fight for UFC Fight Night: Dublin. In Miller’s place will step Diego Brandao, officials announced recently.
The event goes down July 19 on UFC Fight Pass from Dublin, Ireland and the O2 Arena. Miller suffered torn ligaments in his thumb, forcing his exit.
McGregor (14-2) is coming off knee surgery and has won each of his two Octagon fights. Brandao (18-9) has had each of his last two planned fights canceled due to injury, and is a former winner of The Ultimate Fighter.
Read more at http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2014/0604/576680/jon-jones-deletes-gustafsson-response/#g0Mu9UyveQLpDS9E.99
