Guess Who’s Back: Vince McMahon Returns to WWE

“I would like to be clear that unless I have direct involvement and input as Executive Chairman from the outset, I will not be able to support or approve any media rights deals or strategic transaction” – Vince McMahon 12/31/22

This response above is the loaded gun Vince McMahon threatened the WWE Board of Directors with to facilitate his return to the company. And he’s not coming alone. Michelle Wilson and George Barrios, former company co-presidents and WWE Network architects McMahon fired three years ago, are coming with him.

This follows Thursday’s news by the Wall Street Journal that McMahon was plotting his return to WWE in order to pursue a sale and be involved in the company’s upcoming media rights deals.

Continue reading “Guess Who’s Back: Vince McMahon Returns to WWE”

Yeah, That Was Stupid

Two weeks removed from the most poorly conceived Money in the Bank cash-in of all time, one thing is clear.

No one misses Vince McMahon more than Austin Theory.

Seventeen years of MITB (Money in the Bank) winners found the opportune moment to vie for the world championship. Win or lose, wrestlers endured a brutal ladder match for a guaranteed title shot exclusively on their terms. Well, Paul Levesque tried adding a new wrinkle to the MITB concept.

Continue reading “Yeah, That Was Stupid”

WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Great Muta set for New Year’s Day Clash

Pro Wrestling NOAH announced on Sunday that WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura will face The Great Muta at their Budokan Hall show on New Year’s Day.

Keiji Mutoh, otherwise known as The Great Muta, is in the process of setting up his retirement tour, with his final match scheduled for February 23, 2023, at the Tokyo Dome.

Most American fans were first introduced to Muta during his days in the NWA/WCW, where he debuted in 1989. Muta had a memorable feud with Sting, where he won the Television Title before dropping it to Arn Anderson on his way out of the promotion.

Continue reading “WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura vs. The Great Muta set for New Year’s Day Clash”

WWE SummerSlam 2022 (Review)

Paul Levesque’s body of work in NXT suggested his creative style was more pro wrestling than sports entertainment. That couldn’t have been further from the truth, as he struck the perfect balance on Saturday to produce a SummerSlam for the ages.

Roman Reigns closing out the show #AndStill champion could signify the shroud of Vince McMahon looming over the new era of WWE. One could be forgiven for conjuring such an idea. After all, wrestling has embedded the art of “the worfans’ minds of fans everywhere.

Bianca Belair’s victory over Becky Lynch, followed by Bayley’s reemergence along with Io Shirai and Dakota Kai’s introduction to the main roster, set a pronounced pace and tone to open the show.

It was a statement that things are going to be different.

Continue reading “WWE SummerSlam 2022 (Review)”

Vince McMahon Retires from WWE

Unless he contributed to this week’s episode of NXT, Raw on Monday was the last piece of pro wrestling content Vince McMahon will ever create. 

July 22, 2022, will be a day-long remember when the biggest announcement in the history of the industry occured. At 4:05 PM Friday, Vince McMahon announced his retirement from WWE on Twitter.

The company followed up with a full statement issued by McMahon confirming his complete retirement from WWE, including the head of creative. Stephanie McMahon and Nick Kahn will assume the role as the new co-CEOs of the company.

We’re also one week away from SummerSlam.

Continue reading “Vince McMahon Retires from WWE”

WrestleMania 33 Preview & Predictions Show

 

It’s the biggest day of the year in professional wrestling as WWE unleashes the ultimate thrill ride, WrestleMania 33. The show will emanate from the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL.

Atlee Greene and Adam Kohn breakdown all 13 matches on the card including the Universal Championship Match between Goldberg and Brock Lesnar. Also, Randy Orton challenges Bray Wyatt for the WWE Championship.

The rumors are circulating that Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns could mark the last time the Deadman makes that walk down down the asile. If so, will Taker rule the day or fall to the Roman Empire?

Sit back, relax, press that play button and enjoy the show.

 

Clarity, Ladders and Al Roker added to WrestleMania 33

It’s WrestleMania week and the go-home editions of Raw and SmackDown brought about some clarity to this Sunday’s ultimate thrill ride. Seth Rollins signed the contract making his non-sanctioned match with Triple H official.

I found it funny that a half hour after the match was made, a video package aired highlighting their feud. We all knew that Rollins was going to sign on the dotted line, however, can’t the production of the show at least pretend to be surprised? I guess that doesn’t really matter because wrestling-isn’t-real.

The triple threat match for the Raw Tag Team Titles got quite the upgrade in what will now be a ladder match. Reigning champs Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson blindsided Ceasro and Sheamus and later did the same thing to Enzo and Cass.

Their weapon of choice? A ladder, which was completely random at first. Now, it makes perfect sense. This stipulation was a gift from the heavens for these six wrestlers because no one cared about this match beforehand. Now, it could steal the show.  Continue reading “Clarity, Ladders and Al Roker added to WrestleMania 33”

Is Shinsuke Nakamura Ready for WWE’s Main Roster?

If you’re an NXT fan, there is one question that comes up in every conversation: “when will Shinsuke Nakamura make his WWE main roster debut?” Those who appreciate the work of this ultra-charismatic and super talented superstar want to see him on either Raw or SmackDown, sooner rather than later.

Conventional wisdom says that Nakamura should be on the main roster by now. He’s a great worker who, unlike most Japanese wrestlers. is tailor made for WWE and the showmanship it requires to be one of their performers. I mean, come on…anyone who can dress as a hybrid of Michael Jackson and the Statue of Liberty, and make it work, is a performer through and through. Continue reading “Is Shinsuke Nakamura Ready for WWE’s Main Roster?”

Thought’s on Rumored WrestleMania Plans

Now that the Royal Rumble is in the rear view mirror, everyone wants to know what’s going to happen on April 2 when WrestleMania 33 WrestleMania emanates from the Camping World Stadium in Orlando, FL.

The rumored card, and I stress rumored, card has made its way online with several web sites and various sources confirming what WWE creative (i.e. Vince McMahon) has planned for this year’s showcase of the immortals.

As of right now, only one half of a match is officially confirmed. Royal Rumble winner Randy Orton will face the WWE Champion. John Cena is the current title holder, but another wrestler is heavily rumored to hold the gold by the time WrestleMania rolls around.

Continue reading “Thought’s on Rumored WrestleMania Plans”

A Near Death Experience with Ken Shamrock

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Ken Shamrock at UFC 45 – 2003

Ken Shamrock almost ran me over once… There is no punch line here. “The World’s Most Dangerous Man” came within an eyelash of running me down with his basil colored rental car, and it was entirely my fault.

The reckless pedestrian in me darted across the street in pursuit of autographs as wrestlers entered the Fleet Center for that evening’s WWF house show. At the moment of near impact, I went from sheer terror to pure joy when I realized who my would-be killer was.  Continue reading “A Near Death Experience with Ken Shamrock”