Russo is joined on today’s show by his co-host Jeff Lane and Glenn Gilbertti (Disco Inferno).

Lane mentions that Triple H defeated Jinder Mahal in India last weekend and became the first opponent to kick out of Mahal’s finisher. Gilbertti points out that a bunch of wrestling fans were livid about this online, when a few weeks ago those same people were complaining about Mahal being the WWE Champion. He adds that Mahal was only elevated to the main event picture within the last year, so perhaps WWE thought he wasn’t ready to pin Triple H yet.

Russo argues that from a business perspective, WWE should have wanted Mahal to look strong which would have captivated his hometown audience and helped their business in India. Instead, they beat Mahal clean. Gilbertti mentions that Triple H is still a bigger star than Mahal, even when they’re in India, and Mahal can’t be having that big of a positive influence on WWE’s business in India because they actually had to cancel one of the live events there.

Lane mentions that a former soap opera writer who worked for WWE for 5 years recently parted ways with the company. The writer went on the record saying that Vince McMahon would get lost when he tried to pitch year-long story arcs to him. McMahon wanted 3-month arcs and nothing longer. Russo says that his experience writing for McMahon was very similar.

The post Vince Russo’s The Brand Recap – Triple H Beats Mahal, WWE Burying Elias, Rhodes Clears 7 Figures, More! appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

Triple H defeated Jinder Mahal when the company toured India last week. Triple H discussed his victory over Mahal with NBC Sports and indicated that he was more over in the country which is why he went over in the match.

“I often think it’s funny to me that people in America, who have never been to India, put their thoughts and their beliefs onto other people, ‘like clearly that’s the truth.’ (Laughs). It’s totally different there!” Triple H said. “The way they see things and react to things is very different. There are certain guys that once they reach a level there, it’s a whole different ballgame; Undertaker, [John] Cena. It’s just a different level of stardom.

“When we were over there a few months ago having business meetings, to hear the people who are running television studios or Internet companies say to me ‘I watched you when I was a teenager. You were like the biggest guy in the world.’ I met a massive Bollywood star the other day who told me that I was his entire childhood. He got suspended from school for telling someone to ‘suck it.’ At a time in ’96 when there were like three channels there, we were on one of them all of the time.

“It’s not to say Jinder wasn’t ‘over’ there. He was! You have to understand the market. It’s not like everyone just went, ‘Oh my God he’s Indian! He looks like us so we love him.’ They are a savvy market. They understand that he’s [playing] a bad guy [on television]. Even though he got a massive reaction, he still needs to earn their respect. He’s still growing and still new. You know what I mean?”

Triple H also mentioned that Mahal will emerge from the match a bigger star.

“Just even being on this tour will help him. The reaction he got at the beginning of the night was much different than the reaction he got at the end of the night. It just grew. Their appreciation of him grew. It was all handled in the right way and done in the right manner. Over time he’s going to grow and become a cultural icon for them.”

The post Triple H Reveals Why He Went “Over” Jinder Mahal In India appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

X-Pac opens today’s show speaking about WWE’s suspension of Rich Swann amidst domestic violence allegations. He hopes that the reports aren’t true because if they are this is a terribly tragic situation for many reasons. He recalls WWE suspending Kevin Nash for a similar set of circumstances right before his Hall of Fame induction a couple of years ago, so there’s no denying that WWE is steadfast when it comes to their zero tolerance policy regarding domestic violence.

X-Pac thought the recent interaction between Chris Jericho and Kenny Omega in Japan did wonders in building hype towards their match at WrestleKingdom 12. He wonders if we’ll see a rematch between these two when NJPW visits the United States in the new year.

He points out that Sasha Banks and Alexa Bliss made history last week by wrestling a match in India. The women have been doing incredible things over the last couple of years and they continue to break down barriers. Being the first two women to wrestle in India must have been an amazing feeling for those two women.

The post X-Pac 1, 2, 360 Recap w/ Konnan – Women’s Wrestling in Mexico, Returning to Impact, Young Bucks in Lucha Underground, More! appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

WWE is at the US Bank Arena in Cincinnati, OH for tonight’s episode of SmackDown Live. Here are some highlights from the show:

* AJ Styles opens up the show talking about his title match against Jinder Mahal at Sunday’s Clash of Champions. The Singh Brothers interrupt. They say they won’t be introducing Mahal. Replay is shown of Mahal’s attack on them. AJ invites them down to the ring, so they can hung it out. The Singh Brothers announce they are done with Mahal and they want to be in AJ’s corner on Sunday. AJ calls them out for being in Jinder’s corner over the weekend at the event in India.

The Singh Brothers announce they are done with Mahal and they want to be in AJ's corner on Sunday.#WWE #SDLive Highlights – https://t.co/bJrpNODGbU pic.twitter.com/oAoc92qkkm

— Ringside News (@RingsideNewscom) December 13, 2017

* Out comes Jinder Mahal. Styles says he’s not buying it and he wants his match at Sunday a one-on-one match. He then attcks The Singh Brothers and toss them out of the ring. Mahal steps up on the apron while Styles taunts him to come into the ring. “Jinder Sucks” chants break out. One guy yells, “I Love You Jinder.” Jinder checks on The Singh Brothers. Styles holds up the WWE Title as Jinder looks on.

Mahal comes out but Styles says he's not buying it. He attacks The Singhs.#WWE #SDLive Highlights – https://t.co/bJrpNODGbU pic.twitter.com/WLQSBaXV9x

— Ringside News (@RingsideNewscom) December 13, 2017

* Charlotte defeats Ruby Riott by disqualification. After the match, Charlotte is attacked by The Riott Squad. Noami makes the save.v

Charlotte defeats Ruby Riott by disqualification. After the match, Charlotte is attacked by The Riott Squad.#WWE #SDLive Highlights – https://t.co/bJrpNODGbU pic.twitter.com/Cw1vQFzBc5

— Ringside News (@RingsideNewscom) December 13, 2017

* Dolph Ziggler defeats Baron Corbin by disqualification when Bobby Roode comes in and takes them both out. The entrances were longer than the match.

* The Bludgeon Brothers defeat two enhancement talents.

The post WWE SmackDown Live Highlights – December 12th, 2017 appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

Sportskeeda‘s Riju Dasgupta recently spoke with The Undertaker while he was promoting the upcoming WWE Live Event in India. Here are some highlights from the interview:

How he felt about beating the Undertaker at WrestleMania:

What it means for him to become the Intercontinental Champion:

” It was extremely important for me. Not just a checklist of holding all the titles, working towards the grand slam achievement, but just the fact that it is known as the ‘workhorse title’. That title has been known to be present at every single TV, every single live event. I don’t care who I’m wrestling. As long as someone’s willing to get in there, compete and push me, I believe iron sharpens iron. If you want to get in there with me, just be willing to step up. That’s the thing. I’m a fighting champion.”

Becoming a Grand Slam champion:

“It’s really neat. I’m so driven at this point that it feels really good, but I still know that there’s another out there. Even though, with the new generation, the new era, you can switch it up due to creative and storyline but that Universal Championship is still very important to me. Right now, the most important thing and priority is to represent this Intercontinental title. That’s my goal, to make it ‘the’ title, not only on RAW, but in WWE. It’s what everybody wants to see. Everybody wants to see Roman Reigns defend the IC Championship. That’s what I want. That’s the reputation of this title.”

His message for Indian fans:

“I just want to say, last time I came, they were excellent. I felt that, it was real. I felt goosebumps being there, it gives me goosebumps thinking about it right now. I just want to say thank you for the way they received me last year. We’re going to come there and we’re going to give it our all. That’s all we can do. It’s going to be a great show, and I hope they can enjoy it. We’re looking forward to it. Can’t wait to get there.”

The post Roman Reigns on How It Feels to Retire The Undertaker appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

The Belfast Telegraph recently spoke with Brie Bella. Here are highlights from the interview:

WWE signing the first women from India and the Middle East: “I think it’s incredible. I just love when you see how the world is becoming more open, and you’re seeing women in WWE especially breaking these barriers. We’re literally witnessing history. It’s open to any country in the world to now be a part of WWE.”

WrestleMania event featuring only women: “I feel like for women, we’re on the way to main eventing WrestleMania. I feel like we’re on the way to where it won’t even be about the women and the men, but just Superstars. I really love that, and I couldn’t be more proud of the women in WWE.”

WWE as a platform to inspire young woman: “There is nothing like a strong, confident woman for young girls to look up to. I am so grateful I have a daughter who in the future can turn on WWE and see these women, and follow them and see that they’re good people, to see them doing all these things for charity, but also to see how confident they are. I think that’s so important, to teach young girls confidence. The fact they can look up to these WWE wrestlers, and be like ‘I’m going to stand up for myself.’ We’re so lucky to have this many women in WWE, for young girls to look up to.”

The post Brie Bella Believes Women Will Main Event WrestleMania appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

Bryan Alvarez discussed Jinder Mahal’s Title defense at the upcoming WWE Hell in a Cell event on today’s installment of Wrestling Observer Live and indicated that Mahal probably won’t be dropping the title anytime soon.

Alvarez speculates that the only way he could see Nakamura going over Mahal at Hell in a Cell is if the upcoming tour of India is a WWE Network special and Mahal wins the WWE Title back in front of the live audience overseas. The belief is that it would have been a huge waste to put the title on Jinder, only for him to lose the title before the company heads overseas.

Alvarez said that the original plan was always for Mahal to hold onto the WWE Title until next year’s WrestleMania 34 event. It was mentioned that plans could always change if Vince McMahon decides to switch things up, but it’s very unlikely at this point that he will be changing his mind.

When WWE does decide to have Jinder Mahal drop the title, who do you think should be the one to defeat him??? Sound off in the comment box below…

The post Reason Jinder Mahal Won’t Be Dropping The WWE Title Anytime Soon appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

PWInsider reports that the RAW brand will have two WWE Live Events in December in New Delhi, India at the 16,000 seat Indira Ghandi Indoor Stadium. This is the first time the company has toured that country since launching its localized weekly series WWE Sunday Dhamaal in Hindi.

WWE will hold it’s events at the stadium on December 7th and December 8th. The tour will also include WWE’s return to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates on December 6th, running the Zayed Sports City Tennis Stadium.

It’s very possible that WWE adds Jinder Mahal and the Singh Brothers to these events, even though it’s a RAW-brand event.

The post WWE Touring India This December appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

WWE Champion Jinder Mahal recently had an interview with NBC News, where he talked about his personal life, how he was shy talking in front of people and how he was made fun of for wearing a turban when he was young. Mahal told NBC how he prepared himself by training, gave attention to his diet, to get ready for the opportunity.

“I’m very down to earth, quiet. I’m kind of a homebody. I have a little dog. She keeps me company,” Mahal told NBC. “I just like to train and diet and get my rest so my body can recover so I can wrestle.”

“It’s an entertainment industry, and I know you have to turn up the volume, which I’m now comfortable doing,” he added. ”At first I was very shy to talk into the mic and to talk in front of people.”

Mahal became the 50th WWE Champion by defeating Randy Orton two months ago at Backlash. Soon after becoming the champion, Mahal has gone on to ask the WWE Universe to denounce racism.

“People would always make fun of me,” he said. “But it’s important to always stay true to yourself and not let that get to you.”

“Our fans there are very passionate,” he added. “WWE Universe India is one of our most special places. … I’m very proud of my heritage and hope to make everybody proud.”

Mahal said that he wants to make an impact on the youth. Mahal is a part of WWE’s Be A STAR anti-bullying campaign and Make-A-Wish Foundation. He plans to set up a wrestling school, and help the community.

“I was fortunate enough to have great trainers growing up,” Dhesi said. “I just want to give the youth the same opportunities that I had. I want to pass it forward. Often the kids are neglected and they find themselves getting into trouble.”

You can check out the full article here.

The post Jinder Mahal Reveals He Was Shy Talking In Front of People appeared first on Wrestling News & WWE News, Rumors & Spoilers.

Photo: ROH

Ring of Honor Wrestling (ROH) has signed a new television deal to broadcast their product in India. The deal was made with Discovery Communications and their new DSPORT television network in India.

Obviously, India has been a hot topic in the wrestling world of late. The WWE Championship was put on Jinder Mahal in part due to WWE’s desire to expand into the country of 1.311 billion people. Impact Wrestling is currently preparing for a series of television tapings in the country. Representing roughly 17 percent of the entire world’s population, India is a huge untapped market for North American wrestling.

The DSPORT Network, which has been on the air for less than one year, is currently available in around 70 million homes in India. In addition to their eventual ROH coverage, the network also airs other sports from the U.S., China, Brazil, Portugal, the U.K., and Ireland. Notably, DSPORT airs the U.S. PGA Championship, the British Open, the LPGA, Rugby Six, and horse racing. It is considered a premium sports network.

DSPORT’s viewership base of 70 million homes is less than have access to the USA Network (WWE) in the United States (95 million). However, it is an in-road to a huge market with lots of growth potential.

(Thanks to Top Rope Press reader Himanshu D. for assisting with this report.)

The post Ring Of Honor Wrestling Lands India Television Deal appeared first on TopRopePress.com – Wrestling News, WWE News, TNA News, Wrestling Results.