Finn Balor Reveals Original Royal Rumble Plans
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Tag: career
Charlotte Claims She Would Beat Ronda Rousey In A Wrestling Match
Charlotte recently spoke to Noelle Foley for Ringside Collectibles. Here are some highlights from the interview:
Possibility of holding the NXT, RAW and Smackdown Women’s titles in her career: “Honestly, I wouldn’t have the opportunity or the ability if it wasn’t for all the amazing women that I work with. I mean, it means a lot to me, it’s crazy, I don’t know. It’s my passion, it’s what I love doing and I literally dedicate almost every second of the day thinking about work.”
Wrestlemania match with Ronda Rousey: “Well, I would say that I would still have the undefeated PPV streak, but Bayley crushed that. I would win, and I would show her who the real Four Horsewoman is.”
Mae Young Classic: “I sat in the audience – both days – and watched every single match. It made me want to work that much harder, I was so inspired. Especially [because] I had a different background and to watch these women who have traveled all over the world, living their dream and then seeing them in the NXT ring, knowing that their dream is being fulfilled. It’s one more step in the women’s revolution, but it’s also showing the world that we could have a full show of just women. The stories and the impact, aggression, athleticism, and Superstar power is just as evident in women, as it is in men.”
You can check out the interview embedded below:
Why Brock Lesnar Must Become A Free Agent
Rumours have been circulating this week that Brock Lesnar will return to UFC. There is also an accompanying rumour that Lesnar will not resign his contract after Wrestlemania 34. Even if these are simply rumours WWE and Vince McMahon must be scared. Lesnar is sports entertainment’s biggest draw bar none. He is a mega star and a huge asset to the company. However, his career is winding down and there is still infinite value in Lesnar over the next year or two. His value will be used best though if he becomes a free agent and here’s why.
More Dream Matches
Samoa Joe vs Brock Lesnar was a legitimate dream match. WWE capitalised on this feud and booked it perfectly from Extreme Rules all the way to Great Balls of Fire. This feud proved Joe to be a superstar and also that Brock Lesnar dream feuds are a necessity. Dream matches with Brock Lesnar create superstars. They give wrestlers a career defining match as well fans exactly what they are desperate for.
That said, there are not that many dream feuds left for Lesnar on RAW. The only real one is Finn Balor which is as dream worthy as Samoa Joe was. Behind Balor is – at a stretch of the word dream – Bray Wyatt and even Braun Strowman. These feuds must happen in Lesnar’s time left in WWE without a doubt, particularly with Balor. On Smackdown Live however there are more. Three legitimate dream matches face Lesnar on Smackdown Live. Kevin Owens, AJ Styles and of course there is also Shinsuke Nakamura. On a smaller level there is also stars like Corbin and Zayn who would likely be excellent opponents for Lesnar.
Heyman can simply announce the Beast Incarnate will do what he wants and go where he wants. This opens the door for so many feuds and matches that WWE must capitalise on. Especially now that Lesnar is likely in the very end of his WWE career. With Lesnar fighting only a limited number of times a year, now is the time to do this. If not for the wrestlers opposite Lesnar, then for us the fans.
Bobby Fish Reacts to His NXT Debut
Bobby Fish spoke with WWE.com. Here are some highlights:
If he thought he’d make it to WWE: “At times, yes, and at times, no. I remember a conversation I had with Kevin Owens in a hotel gym in Chicago a few years back. We were both working for Ring of Honor, and at that time, it seemed like Kevin was headed toward the next step in his journey. I have immense respect for Kevin and all that he’s been through to find his success. He is not the prototype for what was rumored to be ideal here and neither am I. Understanding his drive to succeed here through that conversation made me think that if I want that — which I believe, in some way, anyone who laces up the boots to do this, does on some level — then I will create a similar opportunity for myself. So yeah, I did think I’d be here one day.”
NXT debut: “Somewhat surreal because much of this has come together very quickly. I watched the success of former co-workers and peers, such as Roderick Strong, Kassius Ohnoand Hideo Itami, make that very same walk at Full Sail. At this point, I feel so prepared for this new challenge. In my opinion, this life is about the journey, and when mine ends, I expect that this vessel, my body, will be banged up, battered and beaten, which will be a clear indication of a life well lived. NXT represents the next step in my journey.”
Wrestling in Japan: “Japan will always hold a special place in my heart. It was the place where I received the first big break of my career when I was selected to travel to the island and begin competing for Mitsuharu Misawa’s Pro Wrestling NOAH at the end of 2006. I worked eight years with NOAH and developed much of my style there. I learned from and tallied matches with Japanese legends like Misawa himself, Kenta Kobashi and Jun Akiyama. I was also afforded the opportunity to develop alongside my Japanese peers like Hideo Itami, Atsushi Aoki and Naomichi Marufuji. In 2014, I left NOAH with their blessing to pursue a career with New Japan Pro Wrestling. There is no question in my mind that this is the place where I truly rounded out my skillset. I cannot thank [New Japan matchmaker] Gedo enough for the opportunity he gave me when I was invited there to compete. I shared the New Japan ring with a living legend in Jushin “Thunder” Liger, UFC Hall of Famer Kazushi Sakuraba, Yuji Nagata, Shinsuke Nakamura and Hiroshi Tanahashi. The list is endless, and I am forever grateful. I am a better wrestler because of my time with New Japan Pro Wrestling.”
Kurt Angle Homecoming: A Touching Story About An Olympic Hero
WWE Network finally released the WWE 24 special involving Kurt Angle. I was unable to tune in last night so I watched it this afternoon, and there was no disappointment here. Goosebumps popped up on my arms and tears ran down my eyes. It was a whirlwind of emotion about the career of one of the greatest to ever lace a pair of boots. Life has came full circle for out Olympic Hero.
While watching the program, the memorable moments Kurt gave us over the years ran through my head. You all remember the milk truck correct? Or how about the Sexy Kurt song? Heck, even the miniature cowboy hat was hysterical. He was pure gold during his segments and his matches. However, Kurt’s career wasn’t all sunshine and roses.
Television has a way of portraying a normal individual as a superhero, but reality steps in and shows how destructive they really are. WWE 24 did a fabulous job of describing the demons Kurt faced throughout most of his adult life. Some of you may remember that Kurt broke his neck just weeks before Wrestlemania XIX. It was the second time he broke his neck, but the first time inside the WWE. Painkillers helped Angle battle some of the pain, but they took control of his life. He became addicted to them just like many others do. There was even an instance where Angle took around twenty-five at once and hoping he wouldn’t wake up. Angle would then go on explaining how he broke his neck again at Wrestlemania XX and eventually asking for his release just a couple of years later.
This is when the next chapter in Angle’s illustrious career takes a different path, one to the Impact Zone. Here is where Angle would put on some phenomenal matches against guys like AJ Styles and Samoa Joe. Even though Angle was in TNA, he kept hoping a certain McMahon over at WWE would see his work and realize that he was still a great wrestler. His time in TNA was longer than his time in WWE, but he always wanted to come back to his home.
Angle still battled his addiction with painkillers, and added alcohol to that addiction as well. It became so bad that his wife, Giovanna, was close to leaving him and taking the children with her. Sometimes all it takes to straighten you up is a caring woman. Angle would enter rehab and stayed thirty days before leaving and being clean. He’s been clean ever since, and you can tell it too by the way he looks and acts.
Now that Angle was clean and was a changed man, he knew the next stop in his redemption tour was the WWE.
Things started happening fast. Kurt became inducted into the Hall of Fame and now he is the Raw General Manager. Sure Angle burnt some bridges, but they always say that everyone can make their way back to the WWE. Angle is proof of that. The man made mistakes, but overcame them and is now doing much better. Will we ever see Angle compete inside a WWE ring again? Only time will tell, but rest assured that Angle is content with the role he is playing now. He has a loving wife, five beautiful children, and a job working for a man who was always like a father to him.
Life is great for Kurt Angle these days, and he has plenty more great days ahead of him.
Bayley Says She’s In A “Weird Spot” In Her Career
Bayley was called up to the main WWE roster from NXT at last July’s Battleground pay-per-view. She was a standout down in NXT, having one of the best matches of 2015 against Sasha Banks at NXT TakeOver: Respect.
While appearing as a guest on Steve Austin’s podcast, “The Huggable One” said that while she felt that she could do anything in NXT, she’s still figuring out WWE fans a year later.
“With NXT I felt I can do anything. I knew exactly what they wanted and how they were going to react to me and my opponent, no matter who it was. I knew what they can do to get a reaction and what I can do to get sympathy or anything. But with this crowd I’m still kind of figuring them out with WWE.
“I think it has a lot to do with, I don’t know, in this day and age the crowds are… it’s so different than back then and they all want to cheer for the wrong person or they’re on their Twitter. That can mess with your head too, just reading tweets and people telling you this and you start to believe it. And you’re like ‘wait…’
“I’ve had to stay off Twitter before for a while because that can definitely mess with your head. I’ve seen it happen to people and I hear people talk about it. It shouldn’t matter because we’re doing our job and what we’re told to do and what we love.”
She added that while she’s in “a weird spot” right now, she’s “still figuring it out.”
“But I’m still kind of figuring them out. I feel right now I’m kind of in a weird spot with my career. So when I first came I felt like “Alright, I’m still from NXT.” I felt like I knew exactly what I was doing. But now I’m just… you know how we were talking a couple of months ago and you were helping me out with matches and stuff and how I need to go about certain things, I’m still figuring it out. I’m at a weird spot right now.”
Jim Ross Seriously Doubts Daniel Bryan Will Ever Wrestle Again
As noted over the weekend, Daniel Bryan teased on social media that he could possibly return to Ring of Honor and challenge Cody Rhodes for the ROH Title once his contract with WWE expires. Jim Ross took to his blog on JrsBarBq.com and made the following remarks regarding Bryan possibly returning to the ring again:
“Seems as if Daniel Bryan is having some fun trolling social media as he teases a return to the ring which I seriously doubt will or should ever happen. If his existing medical condition put DB in a higher risk category, then he needs to be the responsible husband and father and refrain from lacing up his boots again. Don’t get me wrong, if DB could safely resume his career I’d be all for it as he is one of the great talents in recent memory.”
Shelton Benjamin Not Returning to WWE?
It was reported earlier this week via Pro Wrestling Sheet that WWE and Shelton Benjamin are in talks about a possible return to the company, however that may not be the case.
Shelton Benjamin addressed rumors about his return to WWE in a new video message. He mentioned that he has an upcoming commitment on June 30th for Great North Wrestling. He brought up how everywhere he looks, people are speculating on where his career is heading. He then proceeded to cut a promo on his opponent Amanuel Hassan without any indication or hints that he would be returning to WWE.
You can check out his video message below:
It is still very possible that the two parties are in talks about a return. If that is the case they are just trying to keep it a secret. We will keep you updated if we hear anything else regarding the situation.
Hideo Itami Leaving WWE This Year?
During the mailbag segment on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Radio, Dave Meltzer was asked about the rumors of Hideo Itami leaving WWE once his contract is up this year. Meltzer mentioned that he didn’t know for sure if Itami would leave, but he could see it happening. Meltzer explained that Itami has a lot of family in Japan and he could see him leaving WWE to head to New Japan.
As many of you are aware, Itami has had several injuries since coming to WWE several years ago. He seems to get hurt every time he builds any momentum on the NXT brand and it sets him back. Several of his peers that joined NXT around the time he did are already on the main roster doing big things while he is still trying to overcome the developmental system. It should be interesting to see how his career plays out in WWE with his contract nearing expiration this year.