Alberto El Patron Detained At Orlando Airport After Domestic Violence Incident
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Tag: independent
Randy Orton Explains His “Dive” Tweets
While appearing on Hot 104.1 last week in his hometown of St. Louis, Randy Orton explained why he made his tweets about “dives” on Twitter that got everyone talking. Here is a transcript of what was said:
“I’m putting over AJ [Styles] strong, right? AJ, he has dives. A lot of guys that I work with do dives. I’ve been dived on a lot. I don’t have a problem with dives out of the ring, but when a lot of these guys, who don’t have anything to fall back on, and they’re not making any money doing it, they’re going around town wrestling on these independent shows — which is awesome, by the way. A lot of our guys, like AJ, Kevin Owens, Seth Rollins wouldn’t be here without the indie scene. But they’re smart. A lot of these guys are going to go out there and they’re going to break their neck at 23 years old, doing stuff they shouldn’t be doing.
“It’s a display of athleticism, no doubt, but … I’m not going to watch gymnastics. I want to go watch a story, a fight between a good guy and a bad guy. How many flips they do each, I’m not keeping a tally … But do you know who had my back on it? Guys like AJ. Guys that do dives and know what they’re doing … Kurt Angle texted me after that. He didn’t do dives. If he did, he would put it where it should have went … he wouldn’t have done it just to do it …
“If that’s where our business is going, to where it’s just a preconceived, choreographed match with a bunch of acrobatics — back flips, front flips, gainers off the top rope, shooting star presses, moonsaults to the floor — then I don’t want to be a part of it. But I’ll tell you what: I don’t think that’s where it’s going.”
Here is footage of Orton’s appearance on the show:
Bischoff on Wrestling Recap – WWE’s Aging Fanbase, Free Agent John Cena, Cornette vs. Russo, More!
Bischoff comments on the Sports Business Journal’s recent report, which suggested that the median age of wrestling fans has grown to 54 years old. In his opinion, the median age of wrestling fans is closer to mid 40’s, based on some research that he has seen over the last couple of years. Either way, that’s probably a higher number than WWE would like.
He points out that some people still wish that WWE would return to a more mature style of programming, but sponsors write the cheques, and they want WWE to target a younger demographic. Younger audiences are always preferable for sponsors, because older people don’t spend money as freely. As long as the sponsors demand WWE to continue with PG programming, that’s exactly what they’ll do.
Bischoff points out that IMPACT Wrestling’s audience is made of up mostly older male viewers. Because of this, he says that sponsors can probably get commercial time on PopTV for $49 a spot during an IMPACT showing. Older audiences, specifically males, simply don’t spend money.
Bischoff comments on the fact that ICW from Ireland has pulled their video library from the FITE TV app, and they’re the first independent promotion to be announced as moving their library to the WWE Network. Bischoff thinks this is very interesting, because WWE has always ignored all of their competition in the past. He’s intrigued to see how this relationship plays out.
WWE Reveals Four Names for the Mae Young Classic
WWE announced the first four names for the July 13th and July 14th Mae Young Classic tournament. They wrote the following on their website:
Toni Storm is the first and reigning PROGRESS Women’s Champion in the United Kingdom. Already an eight-year veteran, Storm has carved out a reputation worldwide: Born in New Zealand, raised in Australia and based in the U.K., she wrestled in 13 countries before age 20, capturing championships along the way.
Lacey Evans, of Parris Island, S.C., is a familiar face to WWE Network subscribers. A newcomer inside the yellow ropes of NXT, Evans joined the WWE Performance Center in April 2016. Prior to pursuing sports-entertainment, she served in the U.S. Marine Corps for five years, including time spent as military police and a member of the Special Reactions Team, which is the Marine equivalent of a SWAT Team.
Sarah Logan is an NXT competitor and recruit at the Performance Center. She began her in-ring career on the U.S. independent scene in 2011, and quickly gained notoriety for her rough-and-tumble fights. She refined her skills in Japan under former WWE Light Heavyweight Champion Taka Michinoku before signing with WWE in October 2016. Logan, who has also won Olympic powerlifting competitions, made her NXT TV debut earlier this year.
Princesa Sugehit, from Monterrey, brings 20 years’ experience to the Classic. Since turning professional in 1996, Sugehit has earned countless accolades while competing in her home country’s top organizations, CMLL and AAA. Not only that, but she has claimed the masks of numerous rivals over the year, which is considered the ultimate sign of triumph in lucha libre. She is also the current Mexican National Women’s Champion.
We revealed seventeen names the other day for the event, which you can read here.
Buff Bagwell Retirement Tour Announced
The following press release was sent in:
BYE BYE BUFF DADDY
1990-2018 Retirement Tour
Woodstock, GA, May 31, 2018– Approaching his 28th year in the world of professional wrestling and sports entertainment, Marcus “BUFF the STUFF” Bagwell, or as many have referred to him over the years as his entrance music shouts “BUFF DADDY”!!! has made a definitive decision that as of May 2018 he will lace up his boots for the last time and put the block buster to rest.
When asking Buff about the retirement decision he simply said:
“When going with the Buff Daddy character I knew it was going to be a blessing and a curse.” The blessing was, it was always an over exaggerated part of me so it was easy and a lot of fun to do, but when you call yourself BUFF!! You better damn sure live it and be in that gym 4-5 times per week.
Going into my 28th year in ring performing and with injuries and a few major surgeries over these last few years I really wanted to end my in-ring career still looking and performing like Buff Bagwell.
Anchor Marcus Buff Bagwell is one of the most professional workers currently on the independent wrestling scene. His dedication to the professional wrestling world and the Buff Bagwell character goes unmatched by anyone currently working independent dates. This former 5 time WCW tag team champion and former NWO member is not only a very recognized draw to any promotion throughout the world, but goes above and beyond giving the fans and the promotion an experience to reflect on for many years to come.
For booking inquiries on Buff Bagwell, please contact MEP Worldwide Office at (330) 837.1697 or email at [email protected].
