What We Talk About When We Talk About Kayfabe

Rumor Mill - Vince McMahon Reportedly Orders Huge Budget Cuts for WWE

The Wrestling Observer reports that Vince McMahon has ordered major budget cuts across the board in WWE, even more than the cuts that have already taken place. The amount McMahon is said to be looking to cut is in the eight figure range.

The cuts are meant to offset the losses involved in starting the WWE Network and offsetting the amounts involved in the new TV deal because the company promised a larger number prior to finalizing their current deal.

Kevin Nash Talks About The Kliq, Triple H In DX, Hulk Hogan's Heel Turn, John Cena

Kevin Nash recently spoke with The Miami Herald to promote Florida Supercon. Below are a few highlights:

Hulk Hogan's nWo heel turn and heels today:
"[Hulk] was watching the show, and he saw the momentum really shifting. He saw Scott and I as heel personas were perceived as being cool. He thought if there was a time to switch, it was now, because he could see the momentum going with Scott and I. So when he jumped, it was a shock, but it was a tsunami that pushed the thing for almost three years. It’s so hard. You look at John Cena. He plays the guy in the white cowboy hat,” Nash said. “Our society has gone with the anti-heroes probably since Brandon Lee in ‘The Crow.’ Times have changed. It’s no longer waving the flag as much as it was. There’s a lot of disgruntled people in society. When you look at the demographic, you ask, ‘Where’s the money at?’ Well, the money’s in this kind of tweener guy -- a bad guy with a cool persona. One thing about Hulk. If he smells dollar signs. it doesn’t take him long to make a decision. He saw the way it was going and made the decision."

The nWo and DX in WCW and WWE:
"They both had members of the Kliq. DX is what really made Triple H. He was playing the blue blood, and then Triple H went away from that persona and kind of took over DX, and that’s when Paul Levesque got to be himself. That’s when I think he really took off because he’s got an incredible sense of humor, a really fun loving guy. They kind of took our [nWo] formula. They [DX] were younger guys, and they made it a little hipper. Anytime WWE produces anything it’s going to be produced better.

Renee Young Gets Promoted To WWE Superstars, Triple H Comments

WWE's website announced today that Renee Young has officially joined the WWE Superstars commentary team, beginning with today's new episode. She will be working the show with Tom Phillips. This makes Renee WWE's first full time announcer in more than a decade. Renee commented to WWE.com:

"I feel there is definitely a certain amount of pressure, not only as a performer and broadcaster but representing women who may not even know this is something that they want to do. I can show other women that if you're not a Diva and you still want to be involved in WWE, there's so much you can do. It's definitely really cool to be in the position to create a bit of a niche for myself and other women."

Triple H also commented on the promotion:

"It has nothing to do with her being a female or not, it has to do with her being the right person for the job. She's got a great voice that cuts through the clutter. She is very knowledgeable about WWE, about its history, about the talent and she is really willing to step up and do her homework."

5 Keys to the WWE's Hugely Successful Social Media Strategy

Stephanie McMahon, the Chief Brand Officer of World Wrestling Entertainment, is a fourth-generation wrestling promoter. Her great-grandfather, Roderick James McMahon, booked boxing and wrestling matches at New York's Madison Square Garden and started Capitol Wrestling Corporation in 1952. Her grandfather Vince McMahon Sr. took his father's company over in 1954. Stephanie's father Vince McMahon bought the family regional grappling business in 1982, built it into the global entertainment company that took in over $500 million in revenue last year, and remains its chairman and CEO.

Today, the WWE airs its weekly live events in 150 countries and reaches 650 million homes worldwide, and has a total of 360 million social media followers across its wrestlers' and its own Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. WWE trends worldwide every week on Twitter, and, says Stephanie McMahon, the company's followers have increased 120 percent in the last 12 months.

You don't have to be an analytics expert to know that means WWE's content is constantly going viral. USA Today's top trending article earlier this week, currently clocking in at 38,000 shares and rising, was a GIF of WWE wrestler Dean Ambrose superplexing Seth Rollins off a ladder during Sunday's pay-per-view event "Money In The Bank."

"WWE's mission is all about putting smiles on people's faces," McMahon says. "There's so much power in making someone smile and to share those smiles across social media is one of my goals."...More?

source: inc.com

Backstage Reaction to WWE Releasing & Reinstating Emma, Possible Reasons Why She Was Reinstated

According to F4WOnline.com, the release of Diva Emma from WWE today surprised many in the company, especially since other talents have committed offenses deemed much worse than Emma's and they did not lose their jobs.

As far as the decision to bring Emma back on the same day she was fired, it's being said the past legal troubles of Cameron and Jack Swagger were brought up, and it was noted neither of those talents were fired.

There was also plenty of negative fan reaction to the release of Emma, which is another factor that might have lead WWE to reconsider releasing the Australian native.

New WWE YouTube Show Coming Soon

WWE will be premiering a new YouTube show called WWE Insider on July 7th, next Monday. Apparently Alicia Fox will be hosting. WWE wrote on Twitter:

"Superstar & Diva dirty laundry? @AliciaFoxy reveals their secrets on #WWEInsider, premiering July 7 on @WWEonYouTube!"

Chris Jericho Reveals How His WWE Return Happened, How He Stayed Hidden In Hartford, More

Chris Jericho spoke about his return to WWE on RAW this week during his latest Talk Is Jericho podcast, which also features Vinnie Paul from Hellyeah.

Jericho said Fozzy is his priority but when there's time, when he ideas work out and everything else works out, he returns to WWE. Jericho said he's always in talks with WWE but wanted a purpose for this return. He talked with WWE earlier this year and late last year about wrestling Daniel Bryan at WrestleMania XXX but obviously that didn't work out. Jericho was also interested in working with Bray Wyatt but he was feuding with John Cena.

Jericho said he got a call a month ago and one of WWE's writers wanted to speak with him. Fozzy was planning to work a tour this summer but they didn't get on it, so he had free time. WWE mentioned working with Bray Wyatt again and Jericho was into it. He said three weeks went by and he didn't hear back from them. Jericho supplied WWE with dates he was free and finally got the call to return on Friday, just a few days before RAW.

Jericho flew into Boston on Monday to keep it a secret. He drove to Hartford and arrived around 5:30pm to the arena. He waited until fans outside of the arena left before driving down to enter the building. Jericho sat in a production bus for over 4 hours, meeting with agent Dean Malenko to go over ideas for the angle. Malenko took some of Jericho's ideas back to Vince McMahon for approval. Jericho said he then met with The Wyatt Family and The Miz to go over some things before going to the gorilla position.

Jericho said the whole deal for his return was made in about 5 minutes with Triple H on Friday.

Police Called to WWE Headquarters Today for a Suspicious Package

The Stamford Advocate reports that police were called to WWE headquarters in Stamford, CT today after reports of an unknown white powder. Police investigated and cleared the building of any danger.

"WWE received a suspicious package at its headquarters today and contacted local law enforcement to investigate," said Tara Carraro, a WWE spokeswoman. "All WWE personnel are safe, and business is being conducted as usual."

Police did not immediately respond to the Advocate for more information on the incident.

WWE Reinstates Emma

From WWE.com:

Upon further evaluation, WWE has reinstated Tenille Dashwood (WWE Diva Emma) but will take appropriate punitive action for her violation of the law.

WWE Releases Emma Follwoing Her Arrest On Monday

From WWE.com:

"WWE has come to terms on the release of WWE Diva Emma as of today, July 2, 2014. WWE wishes Emma the best in all her future endeavors."

WWE have made the decision today to release Emma after she was arrested on Monday for stealing a $21 iPod case

Yesterday, WWE released a statement stating that Emma "was responsible for her own actions". After mainstream sites such as TMZ have picked up the story.

John Cena Playing a Villain In Tina Fey and Amy Poehler's Comedy Movie The Nest

Deadline.com reports that WWE World Heavyweight Champion John Cena will be starring in Tina Fey & Amy Poehler's comedy movie The Nest, about two sisters who throw one last party in their parents’ soon-to-be-sold house. Cena will reportedly be playing a villain role.

In addition to Fey and Poehler, the movie will also star James Brolin, Ike Barinholtz, Maya Rudolph and John Leguizamo.

Cena is currently filming Judd Apatow’s Amy Schumer movie, Trainwreck. Cena is being represented by ICM Partners in filming for The Nest, which is scheduled for a December 18th, 2015 release.

Rumor Mill - Triple H's "Plan B" Reference

As seen on last night's episode of Monday Night Raw, Triple H threatened John Cena by saying that he had a "Plan B", which prompted Seth Rollins to come out with the Money in the Bank briefcase behind Cena on the entrance ramp. Although it may have appeared as though Triple H was referring to Rollins and the MITB contract, it's being reported that Triple H's "Plan B" could turn out to be "The Beast" Brock Lesnar.

There's been a lot of speculation over the past few days that a Title match between Cena and Lesnar could eventually take place, possibly at SummerSlam.

WWE Diva Arrested for Shoplifting

WWE Diva Emma (Tenille Dashwood) was arrested in Hartford, CT last night, just a few miles outside of the location for Monday Night Raw. She was charged with 6th degree larceny – or, shoplifting in the amount of no more than $250.

According to a report by The Hartford Courant, Emma appeared in community court this afternoon, and according to her lawyer was told to do some sort of community service. The lawyer – Hubert Santon – also claims the shoplifting incident was a mistake, as the WWE star was using the automatic check-out system at Walmart, and accidentally forgot to pay for "a case for an electronic device."

WWE Issues Statement on Emma's Arrest

"WWE is aware that Tenille Dashwood (WWE Diva Emma) was arrested for shoplifting. Ms. Dashwood is ultimately responsible for her personal actions."

A.J. Lee Returns To Raw, Wins Divas Championship

A.J. Lee has just made her return to Monday Night Raw and defeated Paige in an impromptu match for the Divas Championship.

A.J. is now a two-time WWE Divas Champion.

This segment/match seemed to turn Paige into a heel and A.J. into a babyface.

The Miz and Chris Jericho Return on Raw

As was advertised, a former WWE Champion has just returned to Monday Night Raw. After much speculation as to who this returning Superstar would be, it was revealed to be The Miz.

In a shocking turn of events, Chris Jericho returned to WWE Monday Night Raw immediately after the return of another former WWE Champion, The Miz. Jericho interrupted The Miz's mid-ring return promo.

After Jericho disposed of The Miz, The Wyatt Family appeared out of nowhere and attacked Jericho, finishing him off with a Sister Abigail from Bray Wyatt.

Bad News Barrett Update, Status Of I.C. Championship

Ringside commentators Michael Cole, Jerry "The King" Lawler and John "Bradshaw" Layfield just provided an update on Wade "Bad News" Barrett on Monday Night Raw. The four-time Intercontinental Champion will be out of action for a number of months after suffering a shoulder injury on this past week's episode of Friday Night SmackDown. The Intercontinental Championship is now officially vacant and the new Champion will be crowned through a Battle Royal at the upcoming Battleground pay-per-view.

Is something funky with the Funkadactyls? Total Divas' Naomi and Cameron may be breaking up soon

Update on the current status of Daniel Bryan

Daniel Bryan stating last night at the WWE Money in the Bank PPV that he may need a second surgery on his neck is said to be the truth according to a report by Mike Johnson. Bryan has not seen strength return in one of his arms since the initial surgery he had on his neck back in May and at times, that arm has seen its strength even weaken from where it was prior to the surgery. Bryan is currently undergoing physical therapy, but if the therapy is not enough and if Bryan needs to undergo a second surgery on his neck, Bryan could be at for at least another 6 months, depending on the procudere he undergoes.

source: pwinsider.com

Stephanie McMahon Praised Backstage After Raw Segment

F4WOnline.com is reporting that Stephanie McMahon was praised backstage by many WWE officials. It was said to be somewhat of the second coming of Vince McMahon, with how she reacted in the Vickie Guerrero segment.

Stephanie McMahon Says WWE Is Just Getting Warmed Up, Talks Vince, Connor's Cure, BU

The WWE is set to make history at the Garden tomorrow night. A new champion will be crowned in the main event of the “Money in the Bank” pay per view production, but the night will stand out for another unique reason. It’s a homecoming for Stephanie McMahon.

The 37-year-old McMahon, WWE’s Chief Brand Officer, spent much of her childhood in South Yarmouth.

“I actually grew up on the Cape,” she said. “My parents owned the Cape Cod Coliseum, which was the sort of the beginning of the WWE as we know it today, so I’m happy to be home.”

McMahon fell in love with Boston, and like her brother Shane before her, decided to study communications at Boston University. Over the past 15 years, McMahon has perfected her role as an on-air character, where she plays an evil boss, and credits BU as a big reason for her success.

“From film production to television production to creative writing to public speaking to marketing to advertising,” she said, “BU is basically a school to help prepare you for all of the many facets of WWE.”

McMahon graduated from BU in 1998, and still remains connected to the school. She is a member of the Distinguished Alumni of the School of Communication, and had the opportunity to teach a master’s class — “Being Your Own Brand” — last year.

She learned first-hand how to build a brand from her parents, Vince and Linda McMahon. Together, they transformed WWE from a regional wrestling promotion to a sports entertainment juggernaut, a global brand broadcast in 150 countries in 650 million homes worldwide. As a fourth generation McMahon promoter, she touched on her father’s contributions to the business.

“My father coined the phrase, ‘sports entertainment,’” said McMahon. “Vince let the world in on that, yes, this is actually predetermined and, yes, we are having fun. He was the one who created this live action-adventure soap opera.”

But Stephanie McMahon has also paved her own road in the family business.

She and her husband, WWE executive vice president Paul Levesque — better known to wrestling fans as “Triple H” — just announced the creation of their new fund, “Connor’s Cure.” The fund was named in honor of the late Connor Michalek, a devoted WWE fan who died at the age of 8 as a result of brain cancer.

“This is all about developing and donating for pediatric brain and spinal cancer research,” said McMahon. “We’re trying to help fund the research to help stop the cancer.”

McMahon is the proud mother of three girls.

“My favorite title is, ‘Mom,’” she said. “It’s what I’ve always wanted to be most, ever since I was a little girl.”

In addition to pay per view, tomorrow’s “Money in the Bank” card can also be watched on the WWE Network. While McMahon is proud of the company’s accomplishments, she cannot wait to unveil the future of the business.

“WWE continues to grow and expand at a rate faster than anyone can possibly imagine,” she said. “We have over 360 million social media followers, and we have over 12 million downloads of our app. But I have to say, even given all that, we’re just getting warmed up.”

source: bostonherald.com

Ambrose not just Good, he's great

Jonathan Good may be living a charmed life in professional wrestling nowadays, but life wasn't always easy for the man better known as Dean Ambrose.

Good, who grew up in the area known as the East End in Cincinnati, is evasive when asked if he had a rough upbringing.

"Who doesn't have their own story?" he asked. "I grew up in Cincinnati, the east side of Cincinnati. I don't really have any kind of heartbreaking sob story, just a regular old lower class American upbringing."

Turning the focus away from his formative years and onto the beginnings of what could some day be a hall of fame wrestling career, he described his beginnings."I started wrestling when I was 16 and (I spent) a lot of years on the road and a lot of years wrestling in every bingo hall and armory and bar and night club imaginable to get here," Good said, referring to his current wrestling home, World Wrestling Entertainment. "I've travelled the entire world, put my body through a lot of abuse, (gaining) a lot of experience in becoming the guy I am today."

Then the focus turns back to his early life.

"Mine might be a little bit different than most people, but everybody's got their own story and that's what makes you the person that you are."

One thing Good is comfortable talking about when it comes to his youth is his lifelong love for pro wrestling.

"For me, wrestling was like an escape," he answered when asked about what his earliest memories of the business are...More?

source: slam wreslting

Big WWE Signing Expected Next Month

Tokyo Sports in Japan is reporting that WWE will officially announce that former Pro Wrestling NOAH star KENTA has signed with the company during their tour of Japan next month with a press conference on 7/12.

The signing had been expected for some time.

"Celebrating Champions: 2014 Special Olympics USA Games" to Air on FOX Sports 1 This Monday, June 30 at 7 PM ET

The Rise & Fall Of Vince McMahon: Get Him Away From Daily WWE Content Decisions

NXT programming is becoming consistently better than WWE.

I can't call NXT competition because it's the developmental system, and those who run WWE can manipulate NXT if they wanted.

Many of the big names involved with the WWE main roster aren't controlling NXT week to week. Many who control NXT are guys who should be, but haven't been involved as much in the main roster of WWE.

That is the major advantage of NXT. Vince McMahon and Kevin Dunn don't have their hands in NXT, which is huge.

McMahon has grown the WWE brand far beyond what anybody could have envisioned 30 years ago. A lot of people have made a lot of money on his watch. That can never be taken away.

However, while he can be king of the boardroom, I think he's lost a major touch in his abilities to lead the creative direction of specifics for his programming.

Dunn has been the executive in charge of WWE television for a long time. He's a driving force in aiding McMahon's questionable views of what is entertaining. I preach and remind a lot of people that WWE is an entertainment brand, with their main stage being what we know as a wrestling ring. Even I have to say Dunn's reputation of hating wrestling and loving anything else ridiculous he can fill the segment with often is out of control.

NXT is terrific to watch. It reminds me of an old-school territory in how intimate the crowd is and how many of them are repeat customers coming to so many of the shows at Full Sail University. It makes the talent have to work harder at getting over in front of the same live crowd.

NXT is like an indy show with a six-figure production budget.

Not everything we see on NXT will instantly succeed once it gets in the hands of McMahon, Dunn or the 15,000-seat arenas for RAW and SmackDown. Case in point — Adam Rose.

McMahon and Dunn stay away from NXT, but the street is two ways. There are guys who have more influence on NXT than they ever do the main WWE product that are secret weapons to have.

William Regal, Joey Mercury, Billy Gunn and Sara Del Rey are a few. Their knowledge stemming from foot work, timing, facial expressions and psychology of constructing a character is impossible to measure.

The sad reality of it all is it only matters so much.

Natalya and Charlotte had a phenomenal match on NXT. As great as it was to watch and as great as those two are, the rules of what succeeds on the main roster under the current decision-makers are much different.

As long as McMahon and Dunn run the show, we'll never see Natalya and Charlotte do that match on RAW, SmackDown or Main Event.

I can hear the creative meeting now — “Who wants to see two hot blondes in a back and forth wrestling match or 20 minutes? Somebody tell them they got three minutes bell-to-bell and then we're making them have a food fight.”...More?

source: triblive.com

Rumor Mill - Backstage Update on the WWE Network & Talent PPV Bonuses

One of the major questions coming out of the WWE Network launch back in February was how the Network would affect the PPV bonuses regularly given to the talents who worked the monthly events. This topic was said to be a major issue for CM Punk, and WWE's failure to inform talent as to how their pay may or may not change was one of the reasons why he decided to leave the company.

According to PWInsider.com, word coming from backstage in WWE is that nothing has been said to talents yet regarding their the Network and their pay. We are four months into the launch of the Network, and no one truly knows how PPV bonuses will work as it relates to PPV events airing on the Network.

Rumor Mill - WWE Holds Talent Meeting, Reinstates Dress Code & More, Have Talents Been Paid For WM30?

WrestleZone.com is reporting that WWE talent relations held a meeting with all the wrestlers in the past week or so and instituted a dress code again, which is a sore subject with the talent considering the brutal schedule they've been on.

Fines will be levied for any violation of the dress code.

Wrestlers were also told there is a zero tolerance rule in effect for showing up to Raw or Smackdown after the designated call time, which is usually 2pm eastern time for Raw and 2pm local time for Smackdown. Needless to say, with WrestleMania checks and video game payments still not distributed, the talent in WWE is, according to one source, "jittery" to say the least.

WNS Column: HHH In, Vince Out?

Redskins Name Debate Makes WWE Raw

Stephanie McMahon, Triple H announce 'Connor's Cure' charity fund in honor of Connor Michalek

WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon and WWE Executive Vice President of Talent, Creative and Live Events, Paul “Triple H” Levesque have announced the formation of “Connor’s Cure,” a charity that they have personally funded through Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh Foundation named in honor of Pittsburgh native Connor Michalek. Connor passed away at age 8 earlier this year from Medulloblastoma, a rare tumor that affects the brain and spinal cord. Donations to Connor’s Cure will provide funds for pediatric brain and spinal cancer research, and medical care for children and their families.

Through the love of his family and Children’s Hospital of Pittsburgh of UPMC, Connor persevered over his affliction. His fighting spirit made him a local celebrity in Pittsburgh, including getting Superstar treatment from both the Pittsburgh Pirates and WWE. Although Connor lost his battle to cancer, his message of light and love continue to thrive.

Donations can be made by visiting: www.givetochildrens.org/CONNORSCURE.

Vickie Guerrero "Fired" On RAW

Vickie Guerrero was "fired" by Stephanie McMahon on tonight's RAW. We've noted that Vickie has been planning on taking a lengthy absence from WWE and there is no timetable for a return yet.

Total Divas Coming To WWE Network

WWE announced on Monday night's edition of RAW that the first season of Total Divas will begin airing on the WWE Network this coming Thursday night.