Booker T Says UFC Star Ronda Rousey Won't Compete In WWE

Booker T mentioned during an interview at the C2E2 convention in Chicago that he thinks Ronda Rousey won’t wrestle for WWE after her appearance at WrestleMania 31 back in March.

“You know, I see Ronda doing what she does in the UFC. She does it better than anybody. I don’t see her coming into a WWE ring. I don’t think she would have any fun at all in a WWE ring.”

You can watch the interview below:

Rusev Injured At WWE SmackDown Tapings

We noted in our SmackDown spoilers that former United States Champion Rusev may have injured his foot or ankle in the match against Ryback.

Rusev was helped to the back by trainers after the match abruptly ended. Fans noted after the tapings that Rusev was spotted in a wheelchair with a brace on his leg. Below is a pic of him in a wheelchair.

With this injury coming just a few days before the Elimination Chamber PPV, it would be hard for Rusev to compete in the Intercontinental Title Elimination Chamber match.

Backstage Heat For Dolph Ziggler, NXT Diva Upset About Fake Nudes

* We noted before that Dolph Ziggler had to get 10 stitches after his match with Sheamus at WWE Payback. Ziggler had heat backstage after busting himself open with headbutts. Word is that WWE officials thought it was “dumb and reckless.”

* WWE NXT Diva Alexa Bliss is upset about some fake nude photos going around. She tweeted the following:

The risqué photos on the Internet supposedly of me are totally bogus.

* After this week’s Raw went off the air on Long Island, Dean Ambrose and Roman Reigns eventually made their exit before Randy Orton made his way out for the dark main event. Orton reportedly received one of the biggest pops of the night.

Orton faced Bray Wyatt and defeated him with a RKO after countering Sister Abigail. Orton greeted fans at ringside and took selfies with some to end the show and send the crowd home happy.

With the Nassau Coliseum closing soon, Orton vs. Wyatt is the final wrestling match to take place in the venue.

Real Reason For Daniel Bryan's Return At Elimination Chamber, Original Plans for Owens - Cena

* Daniel Bryan will be appearing on the WWE Elimination Chamber Kickoff Pre-show in a MizTV segment with The Miz. Bryan’s new WWE DVD comes out next Tuesday so that’s likely the main reason for the appearance. 

* WWE originally wanted to do the Kevin Owens vs. John Cena program later this summer but it was rushed to Elimination Chamber, which allowed them to also promote the NXT Takeover: Unstoppable event with the free month of WWE Network in May. WWE obviously has big plans for Owens.

* The man who payed the camera man on last night’s WWE RAW in the angle with Dean Ambrose was Ring of Honor regular Will Ferrara.

Kurt Angle Having Issues With Triple H ?

The Mirror in the UK recently spoke with current TNA World Heavyweight Champion Kurt Angle, who is set to defend his title against Ethan Carter III at Slammiversary, to promote the upcoming Slammiversary pay-per-view. Below are the highlights of the questions asked regarding him contacting WWE for a contract last year:

Last year you openly discussed your plan to finish your contract with TNA in September and re-sign with WWE to finish out your career. Can you clear up what happened there?

You know what, when it came down to it, I talked to both companies and it was an easy decision. From every perspective, from amount of dates, to the amount of money, to the amount of interest, it wasn’t a hard decision – TNA trumped the WWE. And for whatever reason, maybe the WWE didn’t think I could still go, maybe they just wanted to start grooming younger talent, although they’ve obviously hired Sting, brought in Batista and brought guys back like Jericho… I don’t know the full story, it could be anything, but when it came down to it I had my options open. I never said I was going to leave TNA and I never said I wouldn’t go back to WWE, but when I looked at the best scenario for me, hands down it was TNA. It wasn’t something I had to sit down and think about for hours, the writing was on the wall. It was TNA for one more year.

It’s been reported in some quarters that you didn’t want to work a full-time schedule. It’s also been suggested it was a case of personal differences between you and Triple H, after you approached Vince McMahon rather than him. Is that true?

I don’t think so, I don’t think that Triple H and I have any problems with each other, I’ve always liked him. He’s always treated me with respect and I’ve always treated him the same. No, I don’t think it was that. There was a point when my manager talked to them and I believe they did say ‘he would have to wrestle full-time’. That is not an option for me, not at this point in my career. So, whether that was part of it, honestly I just don’t think they had that much interest in signing Kurt Angle at that point. For whatever reason, it could have been my mishaps in my past, it could have been that they didn’t think I was healthy enough to go – and obviously I am – but we never got a full answer of why they couldn’t give me what I wanted. And it wasn’t just what I wanted, it was a reduced schedule, but there was no option.

Dixie Carter gave me exactly what I wanted and it wasn’t a hard decision. I wasn’t upset, I was excited about signing another year with TNA. I think they did an incredible job this year. They had to refocus, they had to re-group, they had some issues in the past, and I think they’ve done an incredible job of making their way back. Are they back to what they were? No. But they’re on their way and they’re doing so many good things right now that make me excited about being part of the company.

Veteran Talent Leaving TNA, Bad News For Ryback, Samoa Joe - Main Roster News

* Christy Hemme has reportedly given notice to TNA and will be leaving soon. She will reportedly be working a great job outside of pro wrestling. Hemme has been with TNA since 2006, most recently working with creative. There was some speculation that she may still work a role at TV tapings but that’s not confirmed and most people believe she’s leaving altogether.

* TNA has a meeting scheduled for this afternoon where they may discuss the reports on Destination America but as of this morning, Dixie Carter had not addressed them yet. There have been several people within TNA unhappy because nothing has been said past the e-mail statement that TNA issued before.

* There has been some concern over Ryback’s ribs and word is that he was either scheduled for x-rays or has already had them. It was said that things “didn’t look good” after an initial assessment.

* Latest reports suggest that Samoa Joe could be using the same name on the main roster as well.

Kevin Nash Wants A Proper Retirement Match

WWE Hall Of Famer Kevin Nash noted on Twitter that he wants to have one more match in WWE & that would be his official retirement match.

Below is what Kevin Nash tweeted:

Would love to do a real retirement match. With a build up on the Network training, like a 24/7 HBO deal. WWE put me out of my misery.

Kevin Nash was last seen on WWE TV at WrestleMania 31 when he along with Scott Hall & Hulk Hogan came out as the nWo to save Sting from DX.

Nash's last WWE match was in 2011 when he faced Triple H in a Sledgehammer Ladder match at TLC 2011 PPV on December 18. 

Scott Hall Working With WWE NXT In The Future?

We noted over the weekend that Al Haft, who has ties to the “I Believe In Wrestling” dojo that WWE Hall of Famer Scott Hall works with, sent word that Hall may be done with Jeff Jarrett’s Global Force Wrestling due to WWE. Here’s what Haft sent to us:

“There was some talk at Jersey Championship Wrestling that Scott Hall was pulling out of Global Force Wrestling due to the size they were becoming and not wanting to upset WWE especially after Hall’s WrestleMania appearance.”

It appears there may be more to the rumors of Hall working for WWE soon. This weekend I spoke with promoter Ricky Otazu, who put on the event in New Jersey that an intoxicated Hall was escorted out of earlier this month. Otazu says one of the reasons he was begging Hall to leave the event in New Jersey was because Hall had previously told them that he was going to work for WWE NXT in the coming weeks and they didn’t want him to jeopardize that.

Otazu added that Sean “X-Pac” Waltman and other people were pleading with Hall to leave the event in Jersey because any negative news could cost him his spot with WWE. Of course TMZ broke the story that weekend but we haven’t heard anything about heat from WWE yet.

Cesaro & Tyson Kidd To Get A Push As Singles Wrestlers

The tag team of Tyson Kidd and Cesaro may be splitting up later this year but it could be best for business, literally. Triple H has reportedly been trying to get Vince McMahon to open his mind to the fact that Kidd and Cesaro are so good and over enough that they should be pushed as singles wrestlers by the end of the summer.

This could mean that Kidd is going for a secondary title but it would still be a singles push. Regarding Cesaro, talk for over a year has been that it’s “now or never” with him but he’s still well-liked backstage and it could be the right time to run with a big babyface push for Cesaro.

WWE Officials Working On A Match Between Seth Rollins & Triple H

WWE officials have begun planting seeds for a possible Triple H vs Seth Rollins feud according to The Wrestling Observer. During Monday’s RAW when Triple H and Stephanie McMahon threw a celebratory party for Rollins, Triple H said he sees the reflection of himself in Rollins. With that being said and Rollins adopting the Pedigree as his finisher there is talk of the two Superstars clashing in the future in a high profile bout.

Since this match won't happen anytime soon, it likely won't be for the WWE World Heavyweight Championship as Rollins is scheduled to lose the title this summer. Seth Rollins - Triple H feud would likely happen some time in 2016. As far as Rollins's title defence against Dean Ambrose at Elimination Chamber goes he's expected to retain the title as current plans have Rollins walking into SummerSlam as the WWE World Champion.

So expect Rollins to retain the title at Elimination Chamber, Money in the Bank & Battleground pay per view as well. Current plan for this year's SummerSlam main event is for Seth Rollins to defend the WWE Title against Brock Lesnar. There have been talks of adding Roman Reigns to the match as well.

WWF Legend Not Coming Back to WWE after all ?

After speculation regarding Kurt Angle could potentially jump ship back to WWE, the TNA Hall of Famer has now re-signed with Impact Wrestling, according to Vince Russo.

Following an interview with Angle on his podcast “The Swerve”, Russo revealed that Angle told him that he will return to TNA despite a WWE comeback was potentially in the cards.

“Kurt basically tweeted me back today and he said, ‘Vince, it’s still unofficial, but I have no problem telling you or you announcing or you saying on your show that I’m going to go back to work for TNA,'” Russo said.

TNA has also released promotional material that includes Angle’s name, per Discovery Communications.

Brock Lesnar Pulled from Next Week’s RAW

WWE’s website is no longer listing WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar for next week’s Slammy Awards RAW from Greenville, South Carolina. Lesnar had been advertised for a few months now.

The Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville has also pulled Lesnar from their website listing for RAW.

WWE Asks Steve Austin If He Will Wrestle Again, Wants to Ask Vince About CM Punk Tonight

WWE’s website has a new interview with Steve Austin to promote tonight’s live podcast with Vince McMahon on the WWE Network after RAW goes off the air.

Austin commented on how podcasting is different than working the microphone in WWE:
“Interviewing somebody is a lot different than being handed a stick in a 20,000-seat arena and trying to sell tickets. You’re very green when you start. I’m still learning things to this day. I’m decent at interviews now, but man, getting people to buy tickets is the easiest thing in the world for me. We’ve already set the hook, so I’m on cruise control. For the openings of my show, I’m sitting at my house with a Zoom H4n Recorder and a Shure microphone and I stop and start up to 15 or 70 or more times, because I didn’t feel like the material was good enough. What I love about podcasting is it’s guerilla radio. I don’t have to stick to anybody’s protocol or format. I can operate my show just like I want to, but at the end of the day, it’s just a can of audio whoopa**. My show is built to entertain.”

Austin was asked the one thing he wants Vince to answer tonight. He replied:
“Nothing is off limits. There’s a line that I won’t cross, but that’s for my standards — nothing that WWE has told me. There are many things I’d like to ask him. I’d like to know what’s going on with CM Punk. I’d like to know how Daniel Bryan’s health is. I’d like to know whose idea it was in Atlanta [that made me] take my ball and go home in 2002. I reacted the worst way possible, but I want to know who came up with that masterpiece of an idea. Guys like me come along very seldom in the wrestling business. You can count ’em on a couple of fingers.”

 Austin was also asked if he will be returning to the ring. He replied:
“As we speak right now, no.”

On This Day In Wrestling - July 16, 2006

On July 16, 2006, former NWA and AWA star Bob Orton Sr. died aged 76. Orton competed in several NWA promotions across his career, winning championships in the Midwest, Central States, Florida, Texas, Mid-South, Western States & St Louis territories. He also had a stint in the WWWF, teaming with Buddy Rogers. However, it is perhaps his legacy rather than his championships that is best remembered in today’s wrestling world. He was one of the first wrestlers to utilize the Piledriver move & was instrumental in the popularization of the move. He also innovated the move that we today know as ‘The Pedigree’. Orton only retired from the ring in 2000 after a near 50 year career, living out his life in Las Vegas, before passing of a series of heart attacks. Orton’s descendants continued his legacy in the wrestling business; his sons Bob Jr. & Barry both competed for the WWF, & grandson Randy Orton is a 12 time World Champion.

On This Day In Wrestling - July 16, 2001

On July 16, 2001, former NWA & WCW Tag Team Champion Terry Gordy(right one in the pic) died aged just 40. Gordy began his career in 1975 as ‘Terry Mecca’, but quickly reverted to using his real name, & alongside Michael Hayes, founded The Fabulous Freebirds. The duo (later trio, after Buddy Roberts joined the group) competed as top heels in several southern NWA territories throughout the 1980′s. Gordy also found singles success, winning championships in the Southeastern, & Mid-South territories. In the early 90′s, he competed in Japan alongside Steve Williams as ‘The Miracle Violence Connection’, with the duo eventually becoming 5-time AJPW Unified Tag Team Champions. Throughout the rest of the 90′s, Gordy competed in all of the big 3 promotions, though did not last long in any of them. He passed of a heart attack caused by a blood clot.

On This Day In Wrestling - July 16, 1988

On July 16, 1988, Frank Goodish, better known as Bruiser Brody Brody, was in the locker room before his match with Dan Spivey in Bayamón (a city near San Juan, Puerto Rico), when José Huertas González, a fellow wrestler and booker, asked him to go into the shower to discuss business. Brody entered the shower stall and a few minutes later a scuffle ensued, followed by two groans, loud enough for the entire locker room to hear. Tony Atlas ran to the shower and saw Brody bent over and holding his stomach. Atlas then looked up at González and saw him holding a knife. When the paramedics arrived, Atlas carried Brody downstairs to the waiting ambulance, as, due to Brody's enormous stature, paramedics were unable to lift him. Brody's last words (as told to Atlas) were, "Tell my little son I love him, and tell my wife I love her, too." González, who always maintained his innocence, was initially charged with first-degree murder but was later reduced and tried for involuntary homicide. Dutch Mantell received his subpoena after the trial was over and Tony Atlas, who had given a statement and said he witnessed what had happened was never called to give his version in court and without his testimony the District Attorney had no case. Some wrestlers (the Youngbloods) were scared to death and made no declaration to the police at the time of the events. However, Tony Atlas who declared what he saw to the police came back to Puerto Rico several years later to work with the promotion. In January 1989, González was acquitted on all counts, citing self-defense. Carlos Colón testified against Brody during the trial. Brody, a true legend in the business, particularly in Japan, was 42 years old.

Early SummerSlam Promotion Leaks Hyping the Main Event

A short video was uploaded to Vimeo today from user “TheRussianPolice” that looks to be a promotional package for this year’s WWE SummerSlam event. In the video – featured below – it hypes 15-time World Champion John Cena facing former UFC Champion and former WWE Champion Brock Lesnar, a match that has been rumored for the past month.

The final frame of the video shows that the commercial is from MTS, which is a Canadian PPV provider.

We're trying to find a way to prove this isn’t legit, but we can’t see one. It’s clearly got the guy who does all their other PPV voice-overs, looks professionally made, and has recent footage of WrestleMania and Cena winning the title for a 15th time, so it isn’t an edited version of their 2012 Extreme Rules match. By this point everyone knows this match is happening next month, it's just surprising to see that WWE doesn’t have better quality control, as they still have a PPV to promote for this Sunday.

Video : SummerSlam 2014 Main Event

CM Punk Addresses WWE Departure

WWE removed CM Punk from their main roster to their Alumni roster, indicating that he is officially done with the company.

Punk tweeted the following this evening:

“Nope, thank YOU.Thanks for all the help and support through the years. Health and happiness above all.Don’t ever take any shit from anybody.”

Sting teases a Big Match for WrestleMania 31 before he Retires

Wrestling legend Sting spoke to Mirror.co.uk this week to hype his involvement in the upcoming WWE 2K15 video game. Sting spoke about a variety of topics, including why he decided to finally work with WWE after all these years, if he’s interested in joining the WWE Hall of Fame, memories of his former tag team partner The Ultimate Warrior and his desire to wrestle The Undertaker at WrestleMania 31.

Here are the highlights of what Sting said about:

Finally Working With WWE: “Why now? It’s a now or never thing. I’ve done so many things in the wrestling business but the one thing I’d never done was wrestle or be a part of the WWE family I didn’t want too hang it all up and retire and disappear again without having done that in some capacity.”

Joining The WWE Hall Of Fame: “Obviously it would be a great honour to be inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame. It’s nothing that I would say no to, that’s for sure.”

Memories Of The Ultimate Warrior: “Now I can look back and realise just how amazing it all was. It’s remarkable really that both of us ended up taking it all as far as we did.”

“It would seem like every three, four, five years or so we’d bump into each other. He called me twelve years ago, he needed some help with some stuff and of course I was there to help him out as much as I could. We never really kept in contact, but it was always friendly when we did. With his resurgence with WWE I was really looking forward to reconnecting with him again, and maybe even working with him in some capacity through WWE.”

Wanting To Wrestle The Undertaker: “I’ve made it clear I’d love to have one last hurrah, one last big match hopefully. And of course I’ve been outspoken about Undertaker being the opponent. I know what happened at Wrestlemania where Brock Lesnar broke his streak. I think, or at least I’m hoping, that Taker’s still going to come back and that he’s not done. If he’s not done, and he would consider doing it, I’d love to work with him one time.

“I’d love to wrestle him one time before I call it quits. Undertaker maintained a status in wrestling and the WWE that is second to none. He’s a phenomenon,”

“How about San Francisco, 2015, in April?”

Update on World Title Belt Status

As we reported last night, the status of the World Heavyweight Title “Big Gold Belt” is unknown, as it seemed like WWE might have retired it last night when John Cena handed the title to Ric Flair.

PWInsider.com is reporting while no official announcement has come from WWE regarding the status of the belt, Ric Flair did give it back to WWE backstage at Raw last night and he did not leave the building with the title.

UPDATE: Several fans have sent in word that WWE has removed the “Big Gold Belt” from the Champions section of WWE.com. Before, both championship belts were pictured underneath John Cena’s photo, but now only the WWE Title is present, and the World Title has been removed.