Justin Barasso of Sports Illustrated indicated that Enzo Amore’s rape accusations were not the only reason WWE had to re-write parts of the RAW 25th Anniversary show this past week.

Barasso reports that RAW wasn’t finalized until 5PM ET because Jimmy Fallon was unable to show up early enough for the pre-tages and segments with the WWE Legends. Plans for backstage segments with Fallon, including the general manager segment, ultimately became introductions and waves to the crowd.

The post WWE Makes Additional Last Minute Re-Writes to RAW 25th Anniversary Show appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

While appearing on MLive, Kevin Owens talked about the reaction he receives from the crowd and mentioned that someday he hopes to have the same kind of response that John Cena and Roman Reigns receives.

“I just try to listen to strong reaction. To me the best reaction is a mix of both boos and cheers. John Cena and Roman Reigns get insane reactions where half the crowd loves them and half the crowd despises them. When you’re in the ring waiting for your opponent, whether it’s John or Roman, you get hit by this crazy noise. It’s people almost competing with each other. The guy who’s booing one of them is trying to be louder than the guy cheering. It makes for a special atmosphere. That’s really what I’m striving for.”

You can listen to the complete interview here.

The post Kevin Owens Striving to Receive Reaction Similar to John Cena & Roman Reigns appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

Dolph Ziggler recently spoke with NBC Sports to promote tonight’s Tribute To The Troops show. Here are some highlights from the interview:

His gradual downward spiral in WWE: “It was very gradual. It went from ‘Wow, we have something special here with Dolph. The crowd is feeding off of him whether he’s a good guy or a bad guy.’ But after a while, a really good match here and there or a special moment here and there is not enough to create a star. So after a big match and then just going back to being Dolph, it’s hard to not be Dolph.

“I’ve been very lucky in that I’ve been able to make the most out of those situations. Anytime people see me or the character, you can kind of see how they mesh together and I’m pretty sure there’s nobody who blends that gray area with the character better than me. And that’s a fact.”

Things he is looking to explore with his meta-type character in WWE: “We’ve opened the fourth wall a lot with this business and we’ve let reality become a huge part of it, which is awesome. Being able to interact with fans every single day gives them the ability to know what’s going on behind the scenes a little bit and you can actually use that as part of your character.

“It would be stupid to let them in on all of these different aspects of the show and then pretend that I win every night because then we’re basically calling them stupid for believing that. But if I go ‘Hey I don’t win all of the time, but I’m really good and you know this and I know this’ and one of the nights could be the time that we go with it and that’s very realistic in this world. It’s one thing to joke around with fans, but to disregard huge aspects of a career would be a mistake.”

What he would like to change about his current character: “Yeah I’d be about three inches taller, so I could be a 10-time world champion (laughs). I’m a big 80s hair metal guy, like a David Lee Roth or someone like Nikki Sixx or Vince Neil to where I could put on a big show and be awesome at wrestling, but in this character right now where I focus on throwing that all away because I see the transparency in characters and my character hates on them.

“It’s a special place that I get to go and I walk to the ring with disdain for the fans knowing that they sit there and bury everything that we do, but then they cheer for who their supposed to because they’re such hypocrites it’s so great.”

The post Dolph Ziggler Says If He Was Three Inches Taller He’d Be A Ten Time World Champion appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

During the WWE Live Event in Lima Peru, the crowd broke into a “Lana” chant during Rusev’s match. This prompted Aiden English to grab a microphone and tell that crowd that he’s the “new Lana,” before he got them fired up by saying, “It’s RUSEV day!”

You can check out footage of the segment below:

The post Aiden English Says He’s The “New Lana” appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

Charlotte Flair has penned a letter to her father on the Players Tribune. Here is an excerpt:

“Dear Dad,

It’s that moment when you appear from behind the curtain.

Every single night, before I perform, I think about what you told me. That the single most important part of any match is when you walk out onto the stage — and the crowd sees you for the first time.

“Whether it’s 50 people in an auditorium or 100,000 in a stadium,” you said. “The instant they see you, they can tell right away whether or not you really believe in yourself.”

I remember my first match, standing in the dark, listening to my heart racing. I knew the crowd was just waiting — not waiting for me, but waiting to judge the next person they saw emerge onto the stage. I knew my peers were watching on the monitor just a few feet away. I felt the walls closing in. I could barely breathe. It was like I had forgotten everything I had learned about wrestling up to that point.

People were going to think I was a fraud — that I was just trying to piggyback a career off of your name. I wasn’t Charlotte Flair yet. I was still just Ric Flair’s daughter. I feared the worst.

I mean, how could I really be prepared? How could anyone live up to the legacy of Ric Flair? The Nature Boy! The limousine-ridin’, jet-flyin’, etc. etc. — Ric Flair! One of the most decorated superstars in the history of sports entertainment. It was an impossible expectation to live up to.

In that moment, I actually feared that I wasn’t made for WWE. Quitting wasn’t an option … but how was I going to commit 100 percent when I was afraid of my own shadow?

I was nervous about the fans in the crowd. I was nervous about the Superstars in the back. But most of all, I was nervous about one very specific thought.

I couldn’t bear the thought of disappointing you.”

The post Charlotte Pens Heartfelt Tribute To Her Father appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

Dave Meltzer indicated in the latest installment of The Wrestling Observer Newsletter that WWE could be planning a double turn for Rusev and Tye Dillinger on the SmackDown Live brand soon.

Meltzer said that the company “tested” the double turn during last week’s WWE Live Event in Raleigh and mentioned the crowd completely went with the double turn.

Meltzer wrote, “It started out like you would expect. Then they did a double turn in the match. The crowd completely went with the double turn. So this had to be a market test for both. As we’ve noted, it’s just time for Rusev to turn.”

While Rusev is currently working a program with The New Day, it is very possible that in the near future they book Dillinger & Rusev on WWE television and do the turn then.

The post WWE Planning Double Turn for Rusev & Tye Dillinger appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

Summer Rae took to Instagram and released the following statement regarding her release from WWE:

“They say you’ll never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory. Well that wasn’t true in this situation. I knew the value of this moment, I knew the magnitude of this moment. I hear some of you say “but you didn’t become champ”, “you didn’t get the push you deserved”, “you didn’t get a title run”. But see, I got MY title. I became a WWE Diva.

In this picture above, my in ring debut on TV, I knew the value of that moment. In that moment I became a WWE Diva. I could take a small, very small breath of relief because I did it! For so many years I dreamt of stepping onto that main stage of Monday Night Raw & then getting into that ring with these strong, beautiful, smart & courageous women. I wanted to be one of them. I knew I could be one of them! I felt it SO deep down in my heart. Once it happened I of course set more goals for myself within the company & trained harder to reach them. But the people that flood my comments with these things that I ‘should have’ gotten — you guys are missing the overall dream that I achieved. That I went to Monday Night RAW as a fan & sat in the crowd & watched the girls & wanted that more than anything I had ever felt in my body ever before. Then, I did it. I did it. I’ve wrestled in over 15 countries on 4 continents & made friends in fans all over the world. I have had the opportunity to live out my dream! And that is because God blessed me with obtaining my dream through hard work & determination. So please don’t fight with one another about me & start boards about Justice for Summer Rae. Know that I DID IT! I am a WWE Diva, a WWE Superstar. And no one will ever be able to take that away from me! “

They say you'll never know the true value of a moment until it becomes a memory. Well that wasn't true in this situation. I knew the value of this moment, I knew the magnitude of this moment. I hear some of you say "but you didn't become champ", "you didn't get the push you deserved", "you didn't get a title run". But see, I got MY title. I became a WWE Diva. ———- In this picture above, my in ring debut on TV, I knew the value of that moment. In that moment I became a WWE Diva. I could take a small, very small breath of relief because I did it! For so many years I dreamt of stepping onto that main stage of Monday Night Raw & then getting into that ring with these strong, beautiful, smart & courageous women. I wanted to be one of them. I knew I could be one of them! I felt it SO deep down in my heart. Once it happened I of course set more goals for myself within the company & trained harder to reach them. But the people that flood my comments with these things that I 'should have' gotten — you guys are missing the overall dream that I achieved. That I went to Monday Night RAW as a fan & sat in the crowd & watched the girls & wanted that more than anything I had ever felt in my body ever before. Then, I did it. I did it. I've wrestled in over 15 countries on 4 continents & made friends in fans all over the world. I have had the opportunity to live out my dream! And that is because God blessed me with obtaining my dream through hard work & determination. So please don't fight with one another about me & start boards about Justice for Summer Rae. Know that I DID IT! I am a WWE Diva, a WWE Superstar. And no one will ever be able to take that away from me!

A post shared by Summer Rae (@daniellemoinet) on Nov 1, 2017 at 7:42pm PDT

The post Summer Rae Reacts to WWE Release appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

A video package highlights The Shield reuniting last week and The Miz recruiting Braun Strowman for his team at WWE TLC this Sunday night.

We go live to Portland where Michael Cole welcomes us to the show. The arena is decked out with tables, ladders and chairs ahead of the PPV on Sunday.

RAW GM Kurt Angle is out first to kick off the show tonight. Angle welcomes the Portland crowd to Monday Night RAW. He says it is safe to say The Shield is back together. Angle plus The Shield taking on The Miz, Cesaro, Sheamus and Braun Strowman at TLC this Sunday. He said that is this Sunday and he wants to focus on tonight.

The Shield music hits. They are all decked out in the old Shield gear. Huge reaction in Portland. Roman Reigns, Seth Rollins and Dean Ambrose enter through the crowd and jump the barricade. All three surround the ring staring down Angle and get inside. A loud “THIS IS AWESOME” chant starts up among the crowd tonight in Portland.

The Shield comes out with their old look on tonight's #WWE #RAW Results – https://t.co/hdExhpybDT pic.twitter.com/EvupdCluat

— Ringside News (@RingsideNewscom) October 17, 2017

Angle asks if Portland wants to hear from The Shield. They cheer. Angle, with a concerned look on his face, hands over the mic to Roman Reigns. Reigns says that is a good choice because when The Shield comes down you have two choices: leave the yard or get your ass beat. Rollins tells Reigns to take it easy and says it feels good be out here. He said it’s amazing how things come full circle and how The Shield had its first match at TLC five years ago. Angle exits the ring. Rollins said they dominated that night. He said one day that all went away. “But I am proud to stand here five years later in this ring with my brothers because The Shield is back and better than ever baby!” Ambrose grabs the mic and talks about tables, ladders and chairs. He said Miz, Sheamus, Cesaro and Strowman should be scared to go to war with the masters. Ambrose says no one divides and conquers like The Shield does. He said his comments last week about taking any number of people on may not have been smart, but he’d say it again. Ambrose calls Miz, Sheamus, Cesaro and Strowman out to the ring.

Sheamus, Cesaro, Braun Strowman and The Miz walk down the ramp. Angle quickly stops this and says we are getting this match on Sunday. He says they will make history tonight, but on his terms. Angle reminds Sheamus and Cesaro that they will challenge Rollins and Ambrose tonight for the RAW Tag Team Championships, while Reigns will take on Strowman inside a Steel Cage match later tonight. He calms them all down and plugs tonight.

Braun Strowman will join MizTV later tonight before the Steel Cage match.

-Commercial Break-

We return live with Elias inside the ring joined by Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson. Anderson asks if they can warm up their vocal chords a bit. Gallows sings about nerds. The Club starts singing the Honky Tonk Man theme song as Elias plays it on the guitar.

They are interrupted by Jason Jordan, Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews heading to the ring.

Elias, Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson vs. Jason Jordan, Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews

We start with Luke Gallows working over Titus O’Neil in the corner with body shots. Titus with a big chop to Gallows with a clothesline over the top rope. Jordan and Crews join in on Anderson and Elias clearing the ring as we head to a break.

-Commercial Break-

Back live, Elias has the tag working over Crews who got the tag. Elias kicks Crews away from the corner. Crews fires back with a big boot off the ropes. Anderson gets the tag to cut off a hot tag by Crews. Crews counters and tags in Jordan. Jordan with clotheslines to Anderson followed by a big dropkick. Jordan repeatedly slams Anderson in the corner and follows with an overhead suplex. Titus with a boot to Elias. Gallows with a boot to Titus. Crews takes out Gallows. Anderson knocks Crews out. Jordan with a spear to Anderson in the corner. Crews gets the tag and hits his spinning sitdown powerbomb for the win.

Winners: Jason Jordan, Titus O’Neil and Apollo Crews

Cole, Graves and Booker T hard sell the WWE Network and TLC this Sunday.

WWE Champion Jinder Mahal will issue a special Survivor Series tomorrow night on Smackdown Live. Also set for the show is Bobby Roode vs. Dolph Ziggler.

-Commercial Break-

A video package hypes the main roster debut of Asuka at TLC on Sunday.

Backstage, Renee Young is with Emma. She wants to know why the attention isn’t on her. Emma says she was the one to start the women’s revolution. “I am a social media superstar. What has Asuka done around here?” RAW Women’s Champion Alexa Bliss walks up and says she gets it. She agrees Asuka hasn’t done anything. Bliss wants to thank Emma for starting the women’s revolution. She calls what Emma is doing refreshing compared to what Mickie James is doing at the moment. “The younger superstars are the future.” Bliss suggests teaming up with Emma tonight against James and whoever decides to partner with her. Emma agrees to team up with Bliss tonight. They both walk off smiling.

A video package airs showing Jack Gallagher turning on Cedric Alexander on 205 Live and working with The Brian Kendrick. We see the new alliance between the two.

Alexander vs. Gallagher is up next.

-Commercial Break-

Cruiserweight Division
Cedric Alexander vs. Jack Gallagher

Alexander with a big elbow early to Gallagher and follows it up with a big dropkick. Kendrick is up on the ring apron distracting Alexander. Swann pulls him down. Gallagher attacks Alexander quickly off the distraction and throws big elbows. Gallagher catches Alexander with a dropkick and kick to the back. Alexander blocks a kick and throws a big back elbow. Alexander with a huge kick to the head flipping off the ropes. Swann with a diving DDT to Kendrick off the steel steps. Alexander bounces the back of Gallagher off his knees and gets the pinfall.

Winner: Cedric Alexander

Cole plugs Cedric Alexander and Rich Swann vs. Jack Gallagher and The Brian Kendrick in a tag team match at the TLC PPV this Sunday night.

The post WWE RAW Results – October 16th, 2017 appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

WWN Live announced that Cedric Alexander will be replacing Davey Richards at weekend EVOLVE events near Detroit and Chicago.

Alexander is scheduled to face EVOLVE Champion Zack Sabre Jr. in a non-title match at EVOLVE 92 on Friday in Livonia, Michigan. He will then face Fred Yehi at the following night in Summit, Illinois. Both matches will be for the live crowd only.

More details on the event can be found here.

The post WWE Superstar Working EVOLVE Event This Weekend appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

As seen at Sunday’s WWE Battleground event, the crowd was noticeably quiet for a majority of the evening with. Someone would argue it would have a lot to do with the show being one of the worst pay-per-view events of 2017 and even some are saying in recent WWE history.

Roman Reigns took to his Twitter account to react to the crowd reactions the event received. He sent out the following tweet:

Told yall I'm The Big Fight. Heard Philly was a little quiet tonight, better bring their best when we return!! #Raw #MyYard #B2R https://t.co/dETfoN2sXe

— Roman Reigns (@WWERomanReigns) July 24, 2017

The post Roman Reigns Reacts to Dead Crowd at WWE Battleground appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.