Eden Announces Her WWE Departure

WWE announcer Eden tweeted the following tonight:

"What I've been teasing for weeks: I've been offered a new opportunity outside of WWE!! So I've decided to part with WWE after tonight. BeingBrandiRunnels.com will continue! Check it out soon for updates on my new career life! Doing things my way! #RhodesStrong"

Dusty Rhodes statue unveiled at WrestleMania Axxess

The late WWE Hall of Famer Dusty Rhodes was officially ushered into immortality at WrestleMania Axxess with the unveiling of a bronze, life-size statue of “The American Dream.”

The WWE Universe in attendance at the first night of WrestleMania Axxess, alongside the entire Rhodes family and NXT roster, were the first to witness the statue’s presentation, which drew the raucous adulation of the crowd in Dallas’ Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center.

“I looked to him as a mentor and an inspiration and a creative force behind the scenes. I cannot put into words how much he meant to me and how much he meant to this industry,” said WWE World Heavyweight Champion Triple H, who emceed the presentation after an introduction from Corey Graves and Tom Phillips.

“[He’s] already a Hall of Famer in every way possible,” said The Game of Rhodes, who, along with Triple H, helped to mentor the Superstars and Women of NXT to stardom. “This is just another step to immortality.”

“The American Dream’s” entire family shared the ring with The Game at the time of the statue’s unveiling, which Triple H performed alongside Rhodes’ sons, Dustin and Cody.

“It’s been a tough year for our family,” Dustin said after the unveiling. “Dad was an amazing man, but to us he was just ‘Pops.’ And he was a common man who became ‘The American Dream’ because he had a dream and he captured his dream. I want to say thank you to the fans who supported our father one hundred and ten percent over the years and continue to support Cody and myself.”

“Right now,” he continued, “I can guarantee you Dad is in Heaven getting funky like a monkey with the angels, looking down, very proud of all this.”

Brandi Rhodes, who performs as WWE ring announcer Eden, followed up.

“I only had the opportunity to be one of Dusty’s daughters for about two years,” she said, before thanking the rest of the family for allowing her to share in their moment. “It’s an awesome thing that he was able to be shared with all of us collectively.”

An emotional Cody closed out the proceedings with a pair of stories. One was a fun anecdote about Rhodes’ WWE Hall of Fame induction. (Question: “Who’d you ever beat?” Answer: “Everyone on that stage, baby.”) The second was a more heartfelt one about the elder Rhodes’ time running a promotion and calling up to offer condolences to a performer whose father had passed and made time to ask about what kind of man he’d been.

“Dusty Rhodes was famous for talking but he was a hell of a listener,” said Cody. “If you come to this statue, take a picture. Don’t be shy. Talk to him. Tell him how your day is going. Tell him who you think is going to win at WrestleMania. Tell him everything, because I have to believe that this special group of people that comes to WrestleMania, comes to Axxess, comes to NXT, people that love sports-entertainment, that echoes in heaven and earth.”

As Triple H departed to leave the Rhodes family alongside their father figure’s monument, the strains of Dusty’s theme song, the iconic “Common Man Boogie,” played “The American Dream” off into eternity.

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Justin Roberts’ Replacement Announced, New Smackdown Ring Announcer

Joey Styles tweeted out early today that a the new RAW and Smackdown ring announcers have been named. Veteran RAW ring announcer Lilian Garcia, who has been the most recent Smackdown ring announcer, will take over for Justin Roberts, and Eden Stiles will be the new Smackdown ring announcer. Both will start their new roles this week; Garcia moves back to RAW after long time RAW ring announcer Justin Roberts departed the company last week.

Rumor Mill - Roberts's WWE Replacement Reportedly Named

PWInsider.com is reporting that Eden, the wife of current WWE Superstar Cody Rhodes/"Stardust," may be the replacement for recently released WWE ring announcer Justin Roberts on Raw, according to word coming out of WWE this week. The decision involving Eden was reportedly finalized sometime this week, but plans are always subject to change.

As of late, Eden has been taking part in "second-screen" backstage segments with Tom Phillips on the WWE App.

There had been speculation from fans that Lilian Garcia would be replacing Roberts; however, word is that she will remain on SmackDown and at WWE live events. Byron Saxton will fill in for Garcia at live events when she is not present.

The Very Latest on Justin Roberts’ WWE Release: Reportedly Seen Arguing with Cole, Ring Announce Changes Expected, Y2J Podcast

According to PWInsider.com, below are the latest updates on the WWE release of Justin Roberts:

Roberts was informed of his WWE release right after Raw last night, and he was told by WWE Exec Kevin Dunn. With Roberts gone, it is expected that Lilian Garcia will handle ring announcing for Raw and Eden might be brought in to do ring announcing for Smackdown.

There was talk amongst fans on social media last night that Roberts could be seen arguing with Michael Cole during the Randy Orton vs Dolph Ziggler match, and at one point Roberts “flipped Cole off.” Whether or not the incident was a catalyst for Roberts’ release is unknown.

Roberts will be the special guest on Chris Jericho’s “Talk is Jericho” podcast on Friday.