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WWE Quick News Hits – Week of May 9
Friday, May 13
– WWE top star John Cena wrapped up a run of three “Today” show appearances this week on NBC. Included was a bit about Casual Friday.
– WWE International president Gerrit Meier talked to Arabian Business publication about WWE’s storytelling reaching globally, the company’s international expansion plans, especially in the Middle East, and other topics.
– The Miz is scheduled to take part in the 44th Annual Los Angeles Police Memorial Golf Tournament. The celebrity-filled event is scheduled for May 21 at Rancho Park Golf Course. (Press Release)
– WWE’s website released a Q&A with NXT wrestler No Way Jose playing up his rise in NXT. Jose talked about what inspires his wrestling career and striving for an NXT Title shot against Samoa Joe.
– Zap2it.com published a sneak-peek of the next “Camp WWE” episode airing Monday, May 16 on WWE Network following Raw. (Video Feature)
Thursday, May 12
– WWE ring announcer Lilian Garcia says she hopes to return to WWE TV on Monday following an absence. Garcia says she has been tending to a sick family member.
https://twitter.com/LilianGarcia/status/730782728292073475
https://twitter.com/LilianGarcia/status/728613198329339904
– Donald Nemeth, the brother of WWE star Dolph Ziggler, appeared in Cleveland court on Wednesday to plead not guilty in the murder of Marine Corps veteran Joshua Mascol, reports the Cleveland Plain Dealer.
Nemeth is accused of murdering Mascol when a drug deal went wrong at a Cleveland hotel. Another man who police have yet to identify is wanted in the drug deal. Nemeth is currently being held on $1 million bond after being indicted by a grand jury on May 6.
– WWE has released more than 100 episodes of WWE Smackdown from 2000 to 2002 on WWE Network. WWE is marketing the library additions as the rise of Triple H and Stephanie McMahon to power.
– WWE and JCPenney are discounting Tapout gear by 40 percent through this Sunday, May 15, WWE announced.
Wednesday, May 11
– Adam Rose was arrested and charged with domestic violence early Wednesday morning. (Full Report) (Jim Ross essay on Rose’s situation)
– ABC News talked to John Cena at a Wheelchair Rugby practice for the Invictus Games in Orlando. (Video Link)
– Luke Gallows talked to Cult of Whatever about his journey from WWE to TNA to New Japan and back to WWE. Plus, working with C.M. Punk, Finn Balor, Karl Anderson, A.J. Styles, The Young Bucks, and other colleagues through the years.
Gallows also commented on carrying over Bullet Club elements from New Japan to WWE. “In that group we had some of the best talent in the wrestling industry today – A.J. Styles, Karl Anderson, and The Young Bucks. It was unbelievable to be a part of it in Japan and now we are doing something similar in WWE.”
– Long-time WWE veteran Steve Lombardi (Brooklyn Brawler) is no longer with WWE, reports PWInsider. Lombardi was a backstage producer for many years.
Former WWE executive Jim Ross blogged about Lombardi’s exit in his latest blog at jrsbarbq.com: “Surprised to hear of Steve Lombardi aka The Brooklyn Brawler and WWE no longer doing business together after a 30+ year professional relationship. Brawler was always great to work with while I was in WWE and I hope that he lands on his feet at the tender, young age of 55. Steve has likely got a helluva WWE related book in him if he choose to write one as he was in the company through it all. When I contacted Brawler he was in good spirits and he was positive which was refreshing.”
– WWE Hall of Famer Bob Backlund, 66, explained why he is returning to WWE TV in a recurring role as Darren Young’s “life coach.”
“When I got put into the Hall of Fame in 2013, I told Triple H I would like to get back in the business and put a little bit more in it and I was serious about it. I don’t know if he is ever going to take me up on the offer. I do think about it every now and then. I would like to get back in there and have a war,” Backlund told Donald Wood of Ring Rust Radio.
– Former WWE women’s wrestler Victoria (Lisa Marie Varon) identified wrestlers from the current roster she would like to face if she ever returned to WWE.
“I love Charlotte she would be so much fun to wrestle and I am a huge Sasha Banks fan. She’s got it, the reaction she gets from the crowd is amazing and she is going to go far in this business,” Victoria told Total Wrestling Magazine in a new interview. “I’d have to say though Paige is a given for me. I’d love to wrestle her. I’m friends with her mom but I think there are a lot of little subtle similarities between us and I’m sure we would have a great match.”
– ESPN is planning a “30 for 30” documentary on the XFL following the recent 15-year anniversary of the one-and-done WWE football league.
– Linda McMahon is heading to the Republican Party National Convention in Cleveland this summer as a delegate representing Connecticut in support of Donald Trump, reports the Hartford Courant. Vince & Linda McMahon have been Trump’s top individual donors over the past decade. It’s also a way for Linda to stay involved in politics after unsuccessful Conn. Senate campaigns in 2010 and 2012.
– Over at Shane McMahon’s day job, You On Demand announced Monday a strategic partnership with GoLive TV, which is expected to increase YOD’s video distribution reach in China. On Wednesday, YOD announced expanded distribution with a handset device company.
– WWE executives Triple H and Stephanie McMahon spent the day doing a photo shoot for WWE’s investment apparel brand Tapout.
#BehindTheScenes shooting with @TripleH for @TapouT @WWE #BTS pic.twitter.com/cibIp5l8WT
— Stephanie McMahon (@StephMcMahon) May 11, 2016
Tuesday, May 10
– Full WWE Financials Report Coverage.
– WWE Smackdown TV taping Coverage.
Monday, May 9
– John Cena has been named an ambassador for the Invictus Games sponsored by Jaguar Land Rover. Cena will captain one of two teams of wounded military service members competing in a rugby match.
“It’s an honor to be a part of the Invictus Games this year,” said Cena in a press release. “These men and women represent some of our nations bravest and I can’t wait to celebrate them in the upcoming Games.”
– Cena appeared on Monday morning’s edition of NBC’s “Today” show pulling a plane to raise money for the American Cancer Society. And…. he appears to be cleared to wrestle again.
.@JohnCena helps pull a plane to raise money for @AmericanCancer Society: https://t.co/pkjo3YrSND pic.twitter.com/3A035HthRe
— TODAY (@TODAYshow) May 9, 2016
– Former WWE Smackdown GM Teddy Long talked to Under the Mat radio about learning how to play the Vince McMahon Game to stay in WWE for 15 years. Long added that Vince was the easiest McMahon Family member to work with because he figured out how to get along with him. Long also said he believes there will eventually be an African-American WWE champion.
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