Random comments and suchlike

[Guest]

I'm sure he posted that on April's Fools and that's what it is.

[DC 536]

It might be, although that was taken from WWE.COM.

[Guest]

Yeah, I think they have an article up with Instagram photos of the week. I guess we'll have to see tonight on the podcast. :)

[DC 536]

There are some great shots in the Instagram article.

[Guest Inno]

It's an April Fool. It's a baaaad bad photo shop and he's since posted more shots with Batista and with his daughter with full quiff in place.

[Guest bigmatt]

Upfronts: USA Network Grabs ‘SmackDown,’ Loads Up on Scripted Development

USA Network is doubling down on WWE, bringing “SmackDown” over from Syfy next year as part of an effort to hike the volume of live programming on NBCUniversal’s flagship entertainment cabler.

 

The move of “SmackDown,” a slew of development projects, new programs featuring the Chrisley clan and summer scheduling announcements were unveiled Tuesday morning at USA Network’s press upfront gathering held at 30 Rock’s Rainbow Room.

 

USA Network president Chris McCumber made it clear in his presentation that the cabler is shifting the focus of its original programming to court a millennial audience. He noted that the generational shift of millennials now making up the largest component of the 18-49 audience is well under way. USA’s new shows are built around stories and characters that exhibit “bravery, optimism, self-reliance and hope” — all themes that resonate with millennials, per McCumber...

 

“SmackDown” will move to USA in the first quarter of next year. USA already carries “Monday Night Raw,” and NBCU cable execs decided it made sense to put all of its WWE fare under one roof. Syfy had carried “SmackDown” since 2010.

 

USA and WWE are in the midst of a splashy new image campaign — tagline: “For the Hero in All of Us” — designed to make the WWE’s raucous brand of live entertainment more palatable to advertisers who have shunned it in the past.

 

 

Peter Lazarus, USA’s ad sales chief, said it is now focused on “educating the marketplace about WWE’s positive attributes,” including the fact that it is mostly DVR proof through its live weekly airings and continuing storylines, and that it draws a healthy amount of family viewing. The push to polish up the WWE reflects the wide-ranging new deal that NBCU and the wrestling giant struck last year, one that gives NBCU more control over advertising sales for the programs.

 

Also returning to USA is “Tough Enough,” the reality series revolving around the WWE’s search for new grappler talent. The series has been revamped with a new format that builds in live elements.

http://variety.com/2015/tv/news/upfronts-usa-network-grabs-smackdown-loads-up-on-scripted-development-1201467458/

[Guest]

More random stuff: PWG From Out Of Nowhere; excellent as usual but the Best Friends vs. Beaver Boys tag match is hilarious. From the *cough*rag as socko, to the grenade in the trunks and John Silver being powerbombed to the moon and back, amazing match. Get it seen, kids!

 

Watched this yesterday, how freakin' small is John Silver?! Also ACH and AR Fox messing around with the rag too was hilarious.

 

The Young Bucks vs. the Monster Mafia was awesome too!

[Guest Inno]

Watched this yesterday, how freakin' small is John Silver?! Also ACH and AR Fox messing around with the rag too was hilarious.

 

The Young Bucks vs. the Monster Mafia was awesome too!

 

When they come to do an Alpha Flight movie, John Silver has to be Puck

[Evil Gringo 279]

AJ Styles is still the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, he recently beat Kota Ibushi in a cracking match and the finish was beautiful, which you'd expect from those two guys.

 

Also on the same show, Michael Bennett & Matt Taven won the IWGP tag titles from Gallows and Anderson where the finish made Anderson look like a right pudding involving Maria and Rocky Romero & Barreta beat the Bucks to win the IWGP Jr. Tag titles as well.

 

Plus Kenny Omega faced Máscara Dorada in a quasi-dream match for some over the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title.

[Guest]

Some NXT/Perfomance Centre news.

 

http://www.wwe.com/shows/wwenxt/wwe-performance-center-welcomes-new-class-of-recruits-27287363

 

WWE Performance Center welcomes new class of recruits

 

STAMFORD, Conn., April 13, 2015 – WWE (NYSE: WWE) today announced that a new, international class of 11 recruits, including former collegiate athletes, bodybuilders and talent from the independent wrestling circuit, from seven countries have begun training at the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. The WWE Performance Center is the home of NXT®, the developmental division for WWE. With seven training rings, a world-class strength and conditioning program and cutting-edge edit and production facilities, the Performance Center will allow the new class to hone their skills through a comprehensive program that includes in-ring training, physical preparedness and character development.

 

“The global reach of WWE is reflected in the diversity of this class of NXT recruits,” said Paul “Triple H” Levesque, WWE Executive Vice President, Talent, Live Events & Creative. “Talent is the most important natural resource we have, and these individuals will have every opportunity to hone their skills and fulfill their dream of becoming a WWE Superstar or Diva at the WWE Performance Center.”

 

The new NXT class includes:

 

Australia:

• Cassie McIntosh (Born in Sydney, resides in Melbourne, Australia) – Trained with Pro Wrestling Alliance in Sydney since 2011. In 2012, was trained by Lance Storm, a former WWE Superstar who now runs the Storm Wrestling Academy. Proficient in dance and acrobatics.

 

• Jessica McKay (Sydney, Australia) – Since 2008, has trained with Pro Wrestling Alliance in Sydney, as well as Ring of Honor.

 

Canada:

• Nhooph Al-Areebi (Toronto, Ontario, Canada) – Trained with Squared Circle since 2011 and was a member of the Toronto Circus School from 2008-2012. Also trained in rhythmic gymnastics. Speaks English and Arabic.

 

Germany:

• Axel Tischer (Dresdan, Germany) – Trained with GWF Wrestling in Berlin since 2006. Served in the German Army from 2005-2007, achieving the rank of Private First Class.

 

Mexico:

• Oscar Vasquez (Ciudad Juarez, Mexico) – Trained in Juarez in Lucha Libre style of wrestling. Worked with CWF Mid-Atlantic. Dual citizen of Mexico and the U.S.

 

Serbia:

• Radomir Petkovic (Belgrade, Serbia) – European Vice Champion at the 2010 European Wrestling Championships and was a two-time bronze medalist at 2009 Mediterranean Games in Greco-Roman and Freestyle. Speaks Russian and English.

 

United Kingdom:

• Peter Howard (Exeter, England) – Played collegiate Rugby in the UK and was a regional Discus Champion.

 

United States:

• Kenneth Crawford (Chicago, Illinois/Anson County, North Carolina) – Served in the US Marine Corps for four years and accumulated a perfect 300 score in the United States Marine Corps Physical Fitness Test. Holds the North Carolina South Piedmont and Anson High School records in the 200 meter, 400 meter and 4 X 4 relay. Anson High School Athlete of the Year in 2007.

 

• Thomas Kingdon (Traverse City, Michigan) – Competed in Amateur Bodybuilding and won the Super Heavy Weight Class at the 2013 NPC Central States Competition.

 

• Sesugh Uhaa (Atlanta, Georgia) – High School Soccer, Football and Track & Field star. Began training in 2009 and worked for Dragon Gate USA.

 

• Levis Valenzuela Jr. (Durham, North Carolina) – Trained with CWF Mid-Atlantic in 2013. Proficient in dance and won various awards for collegiate ballroom dancing. Holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from UNC Charlotte. Grew up in the United States, lived in South Korea from 2011-2013 and speaks Spanish.

 

The new class will join a group of 55 men and women training out of the state-of-the-art, 26,000 square-foot WWE Performance Center. The venue offers a full training experience with real time feedback from WWE coaches, trainers and doctors, giving performers the resources they need to develop their talent both athletically and creatively. Additionally, recruits will be immersed in WWE’s Professional Development program that focuses on four key pillars of development – Life Skills, Education, Wellness and Career Success.

 

The news about Axel Tischer joining makes me sooo happy. I'm also pretty excited to see where Uhaa goes but damn looking at that picture, he looks small next to those other huge muscled up guys.

[DC 536]

Uhaa should do well... but then we said the same about Willie Mack.

[Guest bigmatt]

WWE star undergoes surgery

Tuesday, 14 April 2015 14:26

 

 

 

Jey Uso (Joshua Fatu) underwent surgery for the shoulder injury he suffered a month ago and led to him being taken out of the WrestleMania match a minute into the match.

 

He is expected to be out of action for the next six months.

 

The WWE web site is going with the storyline that the injury took place at WrestleMania but it was actually several weeks prior.

http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/118-daily-updates/42088-wwe-star-undergoes-surgery

[Guest]

AJ Styles is still the IWGP Heavyweight Champion, he recently beat Kota Ibushi in a cracking match and the finish was beautiful, which you'd expect from those two guys.

 

Also on the same show, Michael Bennett & Matt Taven won the IWGP tag titles from Gallows and Anderson where the finish made Anderson look like a right pudding involving Maria and Rocky Romero & Barreta beat the Bucks to win the IWGP Jr. Tag titles as well.

 

Plus Kenny Omega faced Máscara Dorada in a quasi-dream match for some over the IWGP Jr. Heavyweight title.

 

I watched this too with a mate on Friday. I'm so getting into Roppongi Vice, that was a fun little match against the Bucks.

[Omega 354]

Noam Dar favourited one of my tweets... sploosh.

[The Fury 65]

Tna could be touring China next month....wasn't expecting that

[Guest]

In more exciting news, the Briscoes vs. Okada and Nakamura has been confirmed for War of the Worlds.

[The Fury 65]

And add strong vs tanahashi to that too :)

[Guest]

 

[dsrchris 190]

That Finn Balor one is fantastic!

[Kam 243]

From the Wrestling-Online Newsletter:

 

TNA COUPLE GETS ENGAGED AFTER TWO MONTHS DATING

 

- There’s a new wrestling couple waiting to tie the knot as TNA’s Angelina Love and Davey Richards announced that they are now engaged. Richards was the first one to break the news on Twitter, saying, “I'm officially the luckiest guy in the world. I get my marry my dream girl @ActualALove thanks everyone for the nice words!” Just a few minutes later, the former six time Knockout champion posted a photo of the ring on her finger and the words, “‘I give my hand to you with all my heart…’ I said YES!!! I love you @RichardsWesley” Their boss, TNA President Dixie Carter, congratulated the couple on their engagement saying that she’s happy for the two of them. The two have been dating since February of this year.