Month: January 2021

WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon was not in attendance for last night’s Royal Rumble go-home edition of RAW, according to Ringside News. While Vince was not at the venue, he was in regular communication with Triple H, Bruce Prichard and Kevin Dunn as they were in charge this week, and he was making tweaks to the show.

Last night’s RAW marked the second show in a row that Vince has missed as he also missed Friday’s Superstar Spectacle and SmackDown taping. As noted before, Vince’s older brother Rod McMahon passed away last week.

WWE Hall of Famer Edge was also not at Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg for last night’s RAW show, according to PWInsider. The pre-recorded promo announcing Edge’s ring return for Sunday’s 30-Man Royal Rumble Match was filmed inside the wrestling ring that he keeps on his property in North Carolina.

For those who missed it, you can see the promo from Edge in the video above.

The post Vince McMahon And Edge Notes From Last Night’s RAW appeared first on Wrestling Inc..

To start off his recent episode of his podcast ARN, WWE Hall of Famer and AEW coach Arn Anderson, 62, opened up about his battle with COVID-19. Anderson stated that he had previously been tested three times, and all three tests came back negative. However, he detailed his experience with COVID-19 where he was in bed for a week and experienced hallucinations.

“I got really really sick a couple of weeks ago for about 10 days,” Anderson revealed. “Thank God it was during the period we were off in AEW, and I wasn’t exposed to anybody and quarantined in my house. I know the symptoms vary from person to person and age group, but let me tell you, I got sick as hell. It scared me to death.

“I was in the bed for probably a week. I couldn’t drink anything. I couldn’t eat anything. I was hallucinating. I was looking at my ceiling, and I saw ice forming on my ceiling. I had one day there for a minute where I couldn’t catch my breath. It was a lot of things I hadn’t experienced in my life that scared me to death.”

Anderson took the time to tell his podcast listeners similar remarks that President Joe Biden has stated where while there is a vaccine out, the pandemic could get worse due to the flu season. Anderson urged his audience to encourage everyone to take the proper precautions against COVID-19 like wearing a mask and social distancing. He also encouraged his audience to be nice to the people around them and help out others if they can.

“So what I want to do is reiterate to everybody out there, guys, this thing is bad,” Anderson said. “It’s really bad, and it varies from person to person. We have not 1000% turned the corner in this getting better. If anything, we’re getting into that peak season where people are starting to talk flu and all that.

“So I’m begging you, as a member of our family (his podcast audience), tell everybody you know, wear a mask, do the social distancing, just take care of yourself in general. Try not to get a cold, try not to get the flu. If you don’t have to go somewhere, don’t, and I know there’s a huge huge hangover in this country with all of our nurses, and doctors, and police officers and you name it, everybody out there on the frontlines have been pulling 80-90, I’m sure 100 hour shifts, so do something for those people.

“Do something nice for a stranger. Do something nice for a family member. If you can afford to make a house payment for them, or a car payment or take them grocery shopping. We are in a situation here that’s unprecedented, and if we don’t look after each other, as citizens, it’s not gonna get done.”

Anderson also revealed that his last test showed that he had the antibodies that shows that he did have the coronavirus. However, he reiterates that he did not ever test positive. He encouraged everyone to work together to get through the pandemic.

“This past Wednesday morning, all of a sudden, I had the antibodies for having COVID, which meant I had had it, but at no point did I test positive for it,” Anderson explained. “So what was going on in my bedroom for a week was absolutely COVID, and it was brutal. It was hard to deal with because all I could do — you go days without drinking water hardly because you can’t get it down.

“You go a week without food. It’s tough, so all I’m asking is listen to some common sense. Go the extra mile. For those of us that can do it, do something nice for a stranger. Do something nice for a family member. Do something nice for a friend and let’s get this thing knocked out.”

If you use any quotes from this article, please credit ARN with a h/t to Wrestling Inc. for the transcription.

The post Arn Anderson Reveals Recent Battle With COVID-19 appeared first on Wrestling Inc..

Matt Cardona (fka Zack Ryder) is bringing back a new podcast version of his popular “Z! True Long Island Story” YouTube series that was a major hit several years ago during his WWE run.

Cardona and Brian Myers (fka Curt Hawkins), who are both currently working for Impact Wrestling, have announced an extension of their Major Wrestling Figure brand – their new Major Pod Network.

The launch includes two new original podcast series – the “MC! True Long Island Story” show to premiere on Wednesday, February 17, and the “Extreme Conversations with Brian Myers” show to premiere later this year.

“Thanks to our fans, the 30-minute podcast we started in August 2018 has turned into a brand. We have a YouTube channel, merchandise, action figures, live shows, and more,” Cardona said in a press release. “Our fans demanded more content, and we will give it to them with The Major Pod Network!”

A teaser promo for Ryder’s new podcast show can be seen above. The official press release included the following description of the show, which notes that Cardona will explain the controversy regarding WWE’s involvement in the original “Z! True Long Island Story” series and how he lost the rights to it:

“This podcast will be a deep-dive into Cardona’s groundbreaking YouTube series, ‘Z! True Long Island Story,’ which pioneered the use of social media to develop a wrestling character and promote storylines–a practice now typical across professional wrestling companies. Cardona, along with co-host Sterling and occasional guests from the show’s history, will rewatch all 100 episodes of “Z! True Long Island Story” and discuss the concept behind the series. Each week, they will tackle one episode, providing a behind-the-scenes look at scripting, casting, and production–all while placing it in the broader context of Cardona’s career and the wrestling business at the time. And of course, Cardona will go in-depth into the controversy regarding WWE involvement in the show and his eventual loss of rights to the series.”

Stay tuned for more on the new projects from Cardona and Myers. You can read their announcement with full details below:

Professional Wrestlers Matt Cardona and Brian Myers Launch Podcast Network and 2 New Original Series

Professional wrestlers Matt Cardona and Brian Myers (formerly known as Zack Ryder and Curt Hawkins, respectively) are launching their own podcast network, The Major Pod Network, to expand upon the success of their flagship show, The Major Wrestling Figure Podcast, and its several media platforms. The launch includes two new original podcast series that will be must-listens for any professional wrestling fan.

Over the past three years, Cardona and Myers—along with producer Mark Sterling—have built a strong following for The Major Wrestling Figure podcast, its merchandise, and its YouTube, Twitch, and Patreon channels through their passionate discussions of wrestling figures, collectibles, and memorabilia. As lifelong wrestling fans and collectors, the trio’s mission is to share their love for professional wrestling, collecting, and nostalgia. The Major Pod Network builds upon that vision by expanding to six podcasts total and broadening the brand’s scope to other collectibles and topics beyond wrestling. As part of the network’s launch, The Major Wrestling Figure Podcast’s existing YouTube and Twitch channels will now carry The Major Pod Network name, to reflect the broader mix of content to come.

“Thanks to our fans, the 30-minute podcast we started in August 2018 has turned into a brand. We have a YouTube channel, merchandise, action figures, live shows, and more,” Cardona says. “Our fans demanded more content, and we will give it to them with The Major Pod Network!”

The Network is especially excited to announce the Feb. 17 launch of a new original podcast series, MC! True Long Island Story. This podcast will be a deep-dive into Cardona’s groundbreaking YouTube series, “Z! True Long Island Story,” which pioneered the use of social media to develop a wrestling character and promote storylines—a practice now typical across professional wrestling. Cardona, along with co-host Sterling and occasional guests from the show’s history, will rewatch all 100 episodes of “Z! True Long Island Story” and discuss the concept behind the series. They will tackle one episode each week, providing a behind-the-scenes look at scripting, casting, and production—while placing it in the broader context of Cardona’s career and the wrestling business at the time. And of course, Cardona will discuss in-depth the controversy regarding the WWE’s involvement in the YouTube show and his eventual loss of rights to the series.

The Network is also thrilled to announce the launch of another new original podcast series, Extreme Conversations With Brian Myers. Each episode of Extreme Conversations explores a historic moment from classic ECW, with interviews from the very wrestlers involved and other insiders—while weaving in Myers’ own memories. In the pilot episode, Myers discusses ECW’s infamous Heat Wave 2000 event and the brawl that broke out between rival promotions. Former ECW wrestlers Francine, Justin Credible, Nova, and Steve Corino share their memories of the chaotic night. This pilot episode is already available, and more episodes will be released later this year with a bingeable, short-season format.

The flagship Major Wrestling Figure Podcast, MC! True Long Island Story, Extreme Conversations With Brian Myers, and the Network’s three other podcasts—Figure Wrestling Federation, Off the Hop Rope, and The Game Marks Podcast—will each have their own feed wherever podcasts are found. For more information or interview requests, contact majorpodcast@gmail.com.

The Major Pod Network’s full slate of podcasts includes:

* The Major Wrestling Figure Podcast: Join Matt Cardona (former WWE Superstar Zack Ryder) and Brian Myers (former WWE Superstar Curt Hawkins) as they talk about one of their favorite hobbies—collecting wrestling toys! Each week these two wrestlers chat about the latest news, upcoming releases, toy history, vintage collecting, and much more! As lifelong wrestling fans and wrestling memorabilia experts, they have plenty to say about the world of wrestling collectibles. They started the obsession as kids and continued it through adulthood, and now as professional wrestlers, they have their own figures and merchandise, plus an insider’s look at the wrestling figure business. If you collect anything wrestling, this is the podcast for you! For more information: https://majorwfpod.com or @majorwfpod on Twitter.

* MC! True Long Island Story: This podcast will be a deep-dive into Cardona’s groundbreaking YouTube series, “Z! True Long Island Story,” which pioneered the use of social media to develop a wrestling character and promote storylines–a practice now typical across professional wrestling companies. Cardona, along with co-host Sterling and occasional guests from the show’s history, will rewatch all 100 episodes of “Z! True Long Island Story” and discuss the concept behind the series. Each week, they will tackle one episode, providing a behind-the-scenes look at scripting, casting, and production–all while placing it in the broader context of Cardona’s career and the wrestling business at the time. And of course, Cardona will go in-depth into the controversy regarding WWE involvement in the show and his eventual loss of rights to the series. Launch date: Feb. 17, 2021.

* Extreme Conversations With Brian Myers: Each episode explores a historic moment from classic ECW, with interviews from the very wrestlers involved and other insiders—while weaving in Myers’ own memories. In the pilot episode, Myers discusses ECW’s infamous Heat Wave 2000 event and the brawl that broke out between rival promotions that night. Former ECW wrestlers Francine, Justin Credible, Nova, and Steve Corino share their memories from the chaotic night. This pilot episode is available now, and more episodes will be released later this year. Find episode 1 here.

* Figure Wrestling Federation: The Figure Wrestling Federation podcast is the wrestling entertainment every fan has ever dreamed of. In season 1, wrestling stars Brian Myers and Matt Cardona draft Attitude Era wrestling figures—such as Stone Cold Steve Austin, The Rock, and other iconic superstars. Each week they “book” and present wrestling shows for their respective brands, called “Thrill Zone” and “Turmoil,” in their battle for brand supremacy! Tune in each week for their Wednesday night wars presentation, which leads to a blowout “pay-per-view” event. Season 1 will soon be available in full and free wherever you can find podcasts.

* Off the Hop Rope: This nearly 3-year-old podcast will be relaunching with a new format as it joins The Major Pod Network. This watch-along podcast is a gem for any fan of wrestling and wrestling nostalgia—especially those who rewatch iconic matches while holding a beer. It’s a time-honored tradition to enjoy a brewski with your wrasslin’, and hosts/wrestlers Mark Sterling (producer of The Major Wrestling Figure Podcast), “Top Shelf” Troy Nelson, and Nick Stapp believe you should be drinking the perfect beer with the perfect match. In the show’s new format, each season will cover a historic period or theme in wrestling history—it could be the rise of Stone Cold Steve Austin, or a look back at other legendary wrestlers or infamous feuds. In each episode, the co-hosts will rewatch a match from the period in focus, and carefully select the perfect beer to go with it—enlightening fans not only on wrestling lore, but of some tasty brews to discover. Steve Austin’s Broken Skull IPA while watching Stone Cold versus Bret Hart in their famous 1997 “I Quit” match from Wrestlemania 13? Oh hell yeah. For more information: Check out @offthehoprope on Twitter or find it on Apple podcasts or wherever you can find podcasts.

* The Game Marks Podcast: Join George Feis and Johnny Clash each week as they do a deep dive into the good, the bad, and the awesome of wrestling video games. Do your favorite games stand the test of time, or are you playing them with nostalgia goggles? Listen each week as George and John let you know if they would “Play It Forever,” or if it’s just a “Future Endeavor.” New episodes are available every Monday, wherever podcasts can be found. For more info: Check out @GameMarksPod on Twitter, or find it on ‎Apple podcasts or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

BREAKING! As first reported by @MajorWFPod at #MajorFest, #MCTrueLongIslandStory is coming to the brand new @MajorPodNetwork! pic.twitter.com/OZksfN5rXK

— Matt Cardona (@TheMattCardona) January 26, 2021

The post Matt Cardona Announces New Version Of “Z! True Long Island Story” appeared first on Wrestling Inc..

WWE Universal Champion Roman Reigns recently spoke with Brent Brookhouse of CBS Sports to promote Sunday’s Last Man Standing match against Kevin Owens at the WWE Royal Rumble pay-per-view.

Reigns also discussed his relationship with Paul Heyman. Reigns talked about how Heyman is a pleasure to be around, and how Heyman really has been there for him.

“He’s just a pleasure to be around,” Reigns said of Heyman. “Not only that, to be able to work with him? A lot of people just look at him as this creative genius and someone who is masterful on the microphone. But, the attention to detail is in every area, from anything that I need. This man has gotten me towels from the hotel to make sure they’re big enough, to picking me up custom steaks from the butcher last week. This guy does not cut his corners, he really is all hands on deck.

“It’s not just what he does from a creative standpoint or on camera, and he’s the greatest of all time with what he does in promoting and selling his athletes and how much demand he puts on the matches he’s involved in. He really does anything under the sun to make sure that the talent he’s working with is completely comfortable and focused on what they’re doing. It’s been a pleasure to work with him.”

It was noted that with Reigns and Heyman on TV, Heyman’s swagger is gone for the most part as he is usually seen desperately looking to please Reigns, while fearing his wrath. Their off-screen relationship is “wildly different” but Reigns said it’s quickly built to the point where he can’t see a place in the future where he does not have Heyman by his side, even if they’re not paired on TV.

“If something happens and we’re no longer on screen together, I don’t think I’ll ever want to work without him one way or another,” Reigns said. “Even if we’re not a pairing on television anymore, I will still want and need him at television to work with me. Even throughout the week. We’ll start texting throughout the week to get ideas and figure out the message we want to get across. It’s a weekly battle where we don’t always get our way, but we try our best to do that. It’s definitely a really neat scenario as far as brainstorming and creative spitballing in trying to push the envelope and create the most sophisticated narrative every week.

“We say it every week: attention to detail. Those details are what make the product and hook people. We don’t want to insult our audience and make them think we feel they’re stupid; we know they’re not. Especially our hardcore fanbase, they’ve been watching professional wrestling and sports entertainment for a long time, they’ve seen it all. So we constantly think about what we can do to be different. What we can do to be better. And what we can do to achieve greatness every single week.”

The post Roman Reigns Comments On His On-Screen Future With Paul Heyman appeared first on Wrestling Inc..

The WWE Superstar Spectacle event will air this morning at 9:30am ET via the WWE Network, and on Sony TV in India.

The event was taped at Tropicana Field last week to air in India as the company hopes to secure a weekly TV show in that country.

You can click here for full spoilers from the Superstar Spectacle tapings.

Stay tuned for updates from Superstar Spectacle. WWE has announced the following matches for today’s event:

* The New Day’s Xavier Woods and WWE Intercontinental Champion Big E host a special Bhangra dance performance with The Street Profits

* WWE NXT Champion Finn Balor vs. Guru Raaj

* King Baron Corbin, Cesaro, Shinsuke Nakamura and SmackDown Tag Team Champion Dolph Ziggler vs. Rey Mysterio, Ricochet, Giant Zanjeer and Dilsher Shanky

* AJ Styles vs. Jeet Rama

* Sareena Sandhu and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Charlotte Flair vs. Bayley and Natalya

* Jinder Mahal and The Bollywood Boyz vs. WWE Champion Drew McIntyre and Indus Sher

* Appearances by WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair, Triple H and more

The post WWE Superstar Spectacle Matches For Today’s Event appeared first on Wrestling Inc..

As seen in the video above, former WWE Tag Team Champions The Headbangers, Mosh and Thrasher, appeared on The Wrestling Inc. Daily podcast recently.

During the interview, Mosh revealed that the legendary tag team had aspirations of returning to a major promotion in the near future. They are currently the Atomic Revolutionary Wrestling [ARW] Tag Team Champions.

“I want to do as little as possible,” said Mosh [laughing] when asked about their plans. “We’re doing it [wrestling] as much as we want to do it. If someone calls us, and if we’re available, and the pay is satisfactory, we go.”

Mosh admitted that The Headbangers would love a brief run in NWA or even AEW.

“I’d love to go do a run in NWA, something like that would be fun for a little bit,” he said. “It is what it is now. As for AEW, if the opportunity was good for us, sure. Never say never.”

During the podcast, The Headbangers also delved into the backstage atmosphere after The Montreal Screwjob at Survivor Series 1997.

“For me, I didn’t really catch anything beforehand,” recalled Mosh. “Because we kind of stayed away. We were actually playing with Bret’s kids backstage. I knew there was a little bit of friction going on, but I’m not a big gossiper. As far as really knowing what was going on, I was clueless.”

Thrasher chimed in, “We kinda kept to ourselves, more or less. When Vince was making his way back that way, we were in vicinity and saw him walk in and walk out. Other than that, it was a normal day. I mean, by then, pretty much everyone knew Bret was leaving.”

When asked how The Headbangers eventually made it WWE TV in November 1996, Thrasher explained why it was a completely different era of wrestling back then.

“We got there [to WWE] with the help of Jim Cornette,” recounted Thrasher. “We had territories, took a different path [to get to WWE]. I think we weren’t handled right. Do I still have a chip on my shoulder after all these years? Absolutely.”

Thrasher assured that The Awakening (fka The Ascention) will see a different side to them on Feb. 19 when The Headbangers face them at ARW’s fourth anniversary show.

“All I know is on February 19, The Awakening are going to have a very rude awakening. Because I’m tired of this [narrative] that The Headbangers are a fun and happy-go-lucky guys. I’m tired of that s–t. It’s time to get down and kick the fucking teeth of these people.”

Meanwhile, Mosh recalled the amount of time the team spent on the road, in their car and in hotels without making any money.

“We did that for four years,” he said. “Today, you spend a few years on NXT and go to the main roster. If The Awakening spent four years in NXT, that’s their fucking problem. The amount of time we spent in the territories was more valuable than the time they spent in NXT.”

When asked what it was like to work the territories en route to the WWE, Thrasher said it was “awesome” and prepared them for the big time.

“I mean look who we got to wrestle against? The Rock n Roll Express, The Thugs and other great tag teams that we looked up to when we were coming up as youngsters.”

Thrasher continued, “It’s funny, when we started at Smokey Mountain, Cornette goes, ‘here watch the tapes of Midnight Express and this is what we’re looking for.’ We did that. It was a totally different time. I still prefer the way we broke into the business because we wrestled 5-6 nights a week in various places instead of just Full Sail all the time.”

As noted, The Headbangers defend their ARW Tag Team Championships against The Awakening (fka The Ascension) on Friday February 19th. You can find more info by following ARW on Twitter @WrestlingAtomic.

The post Mosh Of The Headbangers Reveals Which Promotion He Could See Them Returning To appeared first on Wrestling Inc..