WWE announcer and NXT Interviewer, Cathy Kelly, is leaving the company. The Kelly announced on Instagram that she made the decision.
PWInsider is reporting that Kelly asked for her release a few weeks ago and the company has decided to respect her decision to leave.
Kelly joined WWE in 2016 and had become the face of WWE on social media for much of that time.
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02/10/2020
STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. and WWE® (NYSE: WWE) are proud to announce that SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park in Los Angeles will host WWE’s pop-culture extravaganza, WrestleMania, on Sunday, March 28, 2021.
“There is nothing quite like WrestleMania Week,” said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti. “It is a one-of-a-kind event that provides an economic boost to the region — and fans from around the world will find a city that is ready to host them and welcomes the spectacle.”
“The city of Inglewood is thrilled to say that WrestleMania will add to the growing number of national and internationally followed events that will be hosted in our city over the next eight years,” said Inglewood Mayor James T. Butts Jr. “WrestleMania brings excitement and is followed by almost every age demographic. With the scheduling of this marquee event, we can say without contradiction, the only thing that has changed in Inglewood is…everything.”
“WrestleMania is one of the world’s most-watched events, and we are proud to welcome WWE to the Inglewood community,” said Jason Gannon, Managing Director, SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park. “WWE’s commitment to community is consistent with our mission to provide a lasting positive impact in the community. We look forward to making a difference with WWE.”
“On behalf of everyone at WWE, we are excited to bring WrestleMania back to Los Angeles,” said Vince McMahon, WWE Chairman & CEO. “WrestleMania will set the bar for future sports and entertainment events held at SoFi Stadium as we add this facility to the list of iconic venues that have hosted our pop-culture extravaganza.”
WrestleMania is more than just a one-day event; it’s a week-long celebration. In addition to WrestleMania 37, other events include Friday NightSmackDown®, NXT® TakeOver™ and Monday Night Raw® at Staples Center, WrestleMania Axxess, WWE’s interactive fan festival at the Los Angeles Convention Center, as well as the 2021 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. WWE will also host more than a dozen community outreach events, including hospital visits and Be a STAR® bullying prevention rallies, designed to give back to the local region.
Over the past 13 years, WrestleMania has generated more than $1.3 billion in cumulative economic impact for the cities that have hosted the event. This year, WrestleMania 36 takes place Sunday, April 5 from Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay and streams live around the world on WWE Network.
About WWE
WWE, a publicly traded company (NYSE: WWE), is an integrated media organization and recognized leader in global entertainment. The company consists of a portfolio of businesses that create and deliver original content 52 weeks a year to a global audience. WWE is committed to family-friendly entertainment on its television programming, pay-per-view, digital media and publishing platforms. WWE’s TV-PG, family-friendly programming can be seen in more than 800 million homes worldwide in 28 languages. WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 over-the-top premium network that includes all live pay-per-views, scheduled programming and a massive video-on-demand library, is currently available in more than 180 countries. The company is headquartered in Stamford, Conn., with offices in New York, Los Angeles, London, Mexico City, Mumbai, Shanghai, Singapore, Dubai, Munich and Tokyo.
Additional information on WWE (NYSE: WWE) can be found at wwe.com and corporate.wwe.com. For information on our global activities, go to http://www.wwe.com/worldwide/.
Trademarks: All WWE programming, talent names, images, likenesses, slogans, wrestling moves, trademarks, logos and copyrights are the exclusive property of WWE and its subsidiaries. All other trademarks, logos and copyrights are the property of their respective owners.
Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to various risks and uncertainties. These risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks relating to: entering, maintaining and renewing major distribution and event agreements; WWE Network (including the risk that we are unable to attract, retain and renew subscribers); our need to continue to develop creative and entertaining programs and events; the possibility of a decline in the popularity of our brand of sports entertainment; the continued importance of key performers and the services of Vincent K. McMahon; possible adverse changes in the regulatory atmosphere and related private sector initiatives; the highly competitive, rapidly changing and increasingly fragmented nature of the markets in which we operate and greater financial resources or marketplace presence of many of our competitors; uncertainties associated with international markets including possible disruptions and reputational risks; our difficulty or inability to promote and conduct our live events and/or other businesses if we do not comply with applicable regulations; our dependence on our intellectual property rights, our need to protect those rights, and the risks of our infringement of others’ intellectual property rights; the complexity of our rights agreements across distribution mechanisms and geographical areas; potential substantial liability in the event of accidents or injuries occurring during our physically demanding events including, without limitation, claims alleging traumatic brain injury; large public events as well as travel to and from such events; our feature film business; our expansion into new or complementary businesses and/or strategic investments; our computer systems and online operations; privacy norms and regulations; a possible decline in general economic conditions and disruption in financial markets; our accounts receivable; our indebtedness including our convertible notes; litigation; our potential failure to meet market expectations for our financial performance, which could adversely affect our stock; Vincent K. McMahon exercises control over our affairs, and his interests may conflict with the holders of our Class A common stock; a substantial number of shares are eligible for sale by the McMahons and the sale, or the perception of possible sales, of those shares could lower our stock price; and the volatility of our Class A common stock. In addition, our dividend is dependent on a number of factors, including, among other things, our liquidity and historical and projected cash flow, strategic plan (including alternative uses of capital), our financial results and condition, contractual and legal restrictions on the payment of dividends (including under our revolving credit facility), general economic and competitive conditions and such other factors as our Board of Directors may consider relevant. Forward-looking statements made by the Company speak only as of the date made and are subject to change without any obligation on the part of the Company to update or revise them. Undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. For more information about risks and uncertainties associated with the Company’s business, please refer to the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and “Risk Factors” sections of the Company’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, our annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q.
PWInsider is reporting that the XFL beat both WWE Raw and Smackdown! viewership at 4 Million total viewers. WWE’s flagship programs get around 2.5 million viewers on a weekly basis. The XFL also beat the ratings of the Alliance of American Football’s debut as well.
The XFL has better TV clearance than the AAF (And WWE Monday Night Raw), so it will be interesting to see how the ratings hold up week over week.
WWE’s flagship show Monday Night Raw has had numerous announce team changes since October 2019. Tonight, WWE has announced that former Friday Night Smackdown (formerly known as Smackdown! Live) Tom Phillips is replacing former NXT Announcer, Vic Joseph.
There has not been any reason announced for Joseph’s removal from the Raw broadcast team. The official announce team for RAW will be Tom Phillips and Jerry ‘The King” Lawler.
Former WWE Superstar, Nikki Bella is having one hell of a 2020. She announced on Instagram today that she is engaged and has been since November.
AEW has released the following news releasing. Looks like Arn Anderson is officially back in the wrestling business.
Cody Hires Wrestling Legend Arn Anderson as Personal Advisor and Head Coach for 2020 Season
(December 30, 2019) –Since AEW exploded onto the wrestling scene just one year ago, it has consistently dazzled fans with its groundbreaking shows, world-class roster, inclusive attitude and impactful announcements. To wrap AEW’s inaugural year, Cody today announced that legendary wrestler Arn Anderson will be Cody’s personal advisor and head coach for the 2020 season, starting with the New Year’s Day DYNAMITE show in Jacksonville, Fla.
A member of the world-renowned Four Horsemen and Dangerous Alliance, Anderson holds multiple tag team titles and was a longtime road agent for some of wrestling’s biggest stars. This past August, Anderson made a surprise appearance at ALL OUT when he nailed Cody’s opponent, Shawn Spears, with his signature spinebuster. Cody ultimately defeated Spears, who is coached by Anderson’s Four Horsemen teammate Tully Blanchard.
Anderson will be ringside with Cody as he begins the 2020 season with a rematch against Darby Allin on Wednesday, Jan. 1, at Daily’s Place in Jacksonville. Back in June, Cody and Allin fought to a time-limit draw at FYTER FEST. Cody granted Allin a rematch with the stipulation that Allin team up with him against The Butcher and The Blade. Cody and Allin emerged victorious, and are now on opposite sides of the ring in this highly anticipated match-up.
“2019 was the most successful year I’ve had in pro-wrestling,” said Cody, EVP of AEW. “Beyond the superfluous financial, it’s been incredibly rewarding on a spiritual level to be able to engage so many fans with a like-minded place in their hearts for the sport.
“That said, one of my greatest fears came true as I lost the opportunity to wrestle for the World Championship again. But, on the other side of that fear is freedom to chase every other accolade outside of that title. I still want to collect all the accolades I can and dominate the singles division. That’s why I’m bringing in Arn Anderson as my personal advisor and head coach. He has been in business with my family for over three decades. Having been a wrestler throughout so many different generations of talent, he understands what ingredients it takes to look beyond the horizon and produce the best content and results.”
AEW’s first live event of 2020 is DYNAMITE on TNT this Wednesday, Jan. 1, in Jacksonville, Fla, at Daily’s Place. Tickets for all AEW live events are available at www.AEWTIX.com.
About AEW AEW is a new professional wrestling promotion headlined by members of The Elite (Cody & Brandi Rhodes, Matt & Nick Jackson, Kenny Omega and Hangman Page) and Chris Jericho and Jon Moxley. For the first time in many years, AEW is offering an alternative to mainstream wrestling, with a growing roster of world-class male and female wrestlers who are poised to bring new spirit, freshness and energy to the industry. The inaugural event under the AEW banner was DOUBLE OR NOTHING in Las Vegas, followed by FYTER FEST in Daytona Beach, FIGHT FOR THE FALLEN in Jacksonville, ALL OUT in Chicago, FULL GEAR in Baltimore, and REVOLUTION in Chicago. AEW: DYNAMITE is a two-hour weekly show airing on Wednesdays from 8 to 10 p.m. ET on TNT. The action-packed matches take place in different cities across the nation each Wednesday. For more info, check out @AEWrestling (Twitter), @AllEliteWrestling (Instagram), / AllEliteWrestling (FB), AllEliteWrestling (YouTube).
After months of back and forth negotiations, IMPACT Wrestling has released Killer Kross. In a statement made on their website, IMPACT Wrestling announced the release with the following:
IMPACT Wrestling has come to terms on the release of Kevin Kesar (Killer Kross).
In an interview with me at Starrcast, Kross commented on his relationship with the company.
TAZ is leaving his CBS Radio show. The radio host announced today on twitter that this is his last week on the TAZ & The Moose Show after 2 years.
Listeners of @TazAndTheMoose for past 2 years…awhile back, I decided to leave the show & this is my last week on air. THANK U @CBSSportsRadio the boys @MikeBballDrives @PeteTheBody @MarcMalusis @AndrewBogusch & the GREAT audience who enjoyed the show! #TheTazShow will continue!
— TAZ (@OfficialTAZ) December 16, 2019
PWInsider is reporting that former WWE Champion, Kofi Kingston, has signed a new 5-year contract with WWE. According to the report, Kingston claims he “just” signed the new deal.
Kingston’s new contract will keep him with WWE thru 2024.
Kingston started in WWE in 2006 and has had incredible runs as Tag Team, Intercontinental, US, and World Champion.
NXT review 12/11/19
This weeks NXT was a highly entertaining and hard hitting affair, bookended by 2 amazing matches that really brought the house down. Let’s get right into it shall we. We started off with Adam Cole hyping the main event and saying that none of the three men have done anything to earn a shot at his gold. Adam Cole is money.
The first match to open the show featured Angel Garza getting his shot at the NXT Cruiserweight Championship against defending champ Lio Rush. This match started off with a bang before the introductions were even done, as Lio immediately rushed Garza with a smash mouth series of punches more reminiscent of an MMA or hockey fight. Lio was obviously still upset about how Garza treated his wife at ringside weeks ago. Lio came out looking very aggressive until Garza managed to face plant Rush into the apron in a rather nasty looking spot. The sound alone made me fear for Lio’s health. It was a nasty looking drop. It wasn’t the only nasty looking spot either as Lio’s neck snapped hard on the top rope only a few minutes later. The back and forth in this one was crazy, with neither man getting too far ahead. All the while Garza was playing up his cocky persona. There were many memorable spots in this match, from Lio hitting a springboard moonsault to the outside from the INTERIOR second rope, to Angel Garza hitting a beautiful avalanche spanish fly from the top rope. This match also featured a lot of “anything you can do I can do better” as Garza especially went out of his way to hit Rush with his own signature moves. At one point Rush went for his Come Up springboard cutter only for Garza to sidestep it and hit his own version of the Come Up. At one point the match even devolved into a straight up slap fight, followed by dueling kicks which ended with both men face down on the mat. At this point the crowd was insane. Lio wound up hitting Garza with his own finisher the Wing Clipper, but it only amounted to a 2 count. The final match sequence involved Lio hitting the Final Hour, but as he was reaching for the cover, Garza managed to escape the ring by ditching his pants. Lio attempts a second Final Hour to Garza on the outside, only to get a couple knees to the chest for his efforts. Garza sends Lio back into the ring and hits the Wing Clipper, but Rush kicks out at 2 and 3 quarters. At this point Garza doubles down on the Wing Clipper but instead of hitting it again, transitions it into a submission move in which Lio Rush has no choice but to tap out. Your winner and new NXT Cruiserweight Champion: Angel Garza
Final Thoughts: This match was awesome from bell to bell. It really shows the faith that NXT has placed in both Lio Rush and Angel Garza. Since Lio has returned from his hiatus he has done nothing but demonstrate exactly what he can do. The talent he possesses is on another level and I’m so glad he was able to get through whatever demons were holdng him back. If this is what we can expect out of him going forward, I’m all in on Lio Rush. On the other hand, Garza also showcased why he is one of the fastest rising stars in NXT history. This match felt like it should have been on a Takeover. Also, Angel Garza even proposed to his girlfriend during the break after the match. She said yes!
Shayna Baszler cut a promo hyping up her match next week with Rhea Ripley and going down the long list of women that she has dominated since recapturing the gold from Kairi Sane. Also Shayna, like myself, is a fan of good old American muscle cars.
Next we had a revenge match between Raul Mendoza and Cameron Grimes stemming from Grimes’ attack on Mendoza last week. This was a pretty short match, with Mendoza actually getting in a flurry of offense as soon as the bell rang. Normally this is Grimes’ calling card but Mendoza beat him to the punch. Kushida eventually comes to ringside, causing a distraction with his mere presence. Raul Mendoza manages to hit a victory roll on Grimes and gets a rare win. Kushida then steals Grimes’ top hat and makes for the back.
Final Thoughts: This match wasn’t so much an upset win for Mendoza as it was a device to further the growing Kushida-Cameron Grimes feud. I think it’s fair to say that Raul Mendoza will be back to being mostly enhancement talent in the near future.
Next we have another quick match between Jaxson Ryker of the Forgotten Sons and NXT UK’s Travis Banks. Ryker showcased his power early but eventually Banks chopped him down with a series of strikes and kicks into the corner. Eventually he hits the Slice of Heaven and gets the win.
Final Thoughts: This match was mainly on the card to hype up the upcoming World’s Collide event pitting NXT vs NXT UK. It was a sample size of what both of these guys can do but ultimately they were both holding back for a bigger match potentially down the line. Travis Banks did suffer a nasty looking cut above his left eye during the match.
Next up we have Mia Yim vs Dakota Kai. Kai comes out still brandishing the knee brace of Tegan Nox. Yim immediately took control in this one with a dropkick and a flurry of offense. This was a pretty back and forth match in which both women looked decent enough. They hit many of their signature maneuvers to near falls, at one point Mia Yim hits Protect Ya Neck on Kai, only for Kai to roll out of the ring to avoid the pinfall. Dakota eventually grabs the aforementioned knee brace, intending to use it as a weapon. The referee intervenes and takes the brace. When his back is turned Kai removed the turnbuckle padding which led up to Mia Yim eating a face full of exposed buckle. Dakota Kai gets the win. Then the real fight started. Mia attacks Kai after the match, eventually leading them into an elevated production area, whereupon Mia Yim proceeds to back suplex Dakota from the elevated area, through a table on the floor.
Final Thoughts: This match did everything it was supposed to do in building a good rivalry. Heel gets the cheap win, then the babyface follows up with a devastating sequence. I especially am loving this newly minted heel Dakota Kai. Even down to her moves, which have largely stayed unchanged, but are now delivered with a more vicious authenticity. When Kai hit her version of the Helluva Kick in the match, it honestly looked like she was going to kick Yim’s head straight off her body. This match made both women look strong and I look forward to this rivalry continuing, at least until Tegan Nox returns for some well deserved revenge.
Next up there was a short, but entertaining tag match betweeen Breezango and The Singh Brothers (Bolly Bolly Bolly!). Breezango came out dreesed like tv doctors. Both teams showcased what makes them both entertaining, with Fandango eventually hitting the Last Dance for the win.
Final Thoughts: The crowd was chanting for a dance off before the bell, and I’m sad that it didn’t happen. Fandango had to be the MVP of this match though. At one point hitting falcon arrows on both Bollywood Boys and almost killing Sunil Singh with an apron powerbomb. Kudos to Sunil for always doing his best to make moves like that look as brutal as possible.
Next up we had the Rhea Ripley side of things hyping up the title match next week. This was a great package showing how far Rhea has come in a short amount of time. Also they are doing a great job of actually building Rhea Ripley to be the most credible threat to Shayna in a long time. I honestly think that Rhea may win next week. Either way it should be a great match.
Next up we had the one time Lacey Lane, now dubbed Kayden Carter, taking on the EST of NXT, Bianca Belair. There were a few memorable spots in this one, mainly where Belair deadlifts Carter from the mat and drives her back down face first, but in the end after a few minutes Bianca hits the KOD for the 1-2-3.
Final Thoughts: Despite the commentary really trying to play on Carter’s strengths, and bringing an air of hype to her, this match was clearly an exhibition of Bianca Belair’s skills. Carter has a lot of potential, but if they want to build her up naturally you can’t have her getting squashed by Bianca so early on.
Finally we get to the main event. Adam Cole takes postion on the elevated balcony to observe the triple threat match. Of course the winner of this match will be named the new number one contender. I’d also like to point out that all three competitors had really good hype packages throughout the night going into this match giving it a real big fight feel. Like the opening match, this one felt like it could’ve been a Takeover match.
So onto the match itself. We have Finn Balor vs Keith Lee, vs Tommasso Ciampa for the right to challenge Adam Cole (Bay Bay!) for the NXT Championship. This match was crazy. Featuring the best stuff from all three of these guys. Ciampa went for his draping DDT, aka Willow’s Bell, early on both opponents but missed. Keith Lee also hit a springboard crossbody on both men going into commercial, and continued to dominate throughout the break. Ciampa at one point hit Lee with a blatant thumb to the eye, which was odd because he has been working straight babyface since his return from injury. Everyone seemed to get their shots in, all the while Finn played the opportunist. Finn used a lot of hit and run tactics, mainly using his double stomps to capitalize whenever he could. Ciampa eventually hits Willow’s Bell on both men at the same time, but couldn’t manage to pin either man. Keith Lee also hits his Limit Breaker jackhammer on Ciampa, and attempts one on Balor but it ends up in a reversal. The craziest spot of the match involved Ciampa setting Balor up for an Air Raid Crash from the top rope, only for Lee to come up from under putting Ciampa into the Electric Chair drop, sending all three men down to the canvas. Ciampa also displays a crazy amount of strength in managing to hit an Air Raid Crash on all 350 pounds of Keith Lee. In the end, Lee hits Ciampa with the Spirit Bomb, but Finn Balor from out of nowhere hits Lee with the Coup de Grace’ for the win. Finn Balor will face Adam Cole for the NXT title next Wednesday in what is sure to be a match of the year contender (on paper that is).
Final Thoughts: All three men brought their A games and showed why NXT is the brand to watch. Keith Lee is talented on an otherworldly level. A big man that can move like a cruiserweight. Also, Keith Lee is perfect on the mic cutting promos as well with way that he overenunciates every word to perfection. Give that man the mic more often. Ciampa excelled at doing exactly what he has been doing for years, and that is proving why he belongs in the title picture. Ciampa is sports entertainment. As for Finn Balor… what can I say? This is the Finn that I’ve been waiting for since he debuted. I never wanted smiling, happy Finn. As cool as the Demon is, I can live without it for a while. This is the true face of Finn, or Prince Devitt if you’re nasty. If you have ever watched New Japan, then you know that this is one of the best heels in the business. You may love the demon king, but this is the Finn Balor we deserve. Expect amazing things from him in the coming year.
So that is my review and opinions. All in all, this was a great edition of NXT and it sets up a lot of great matches to come. Let’s all look forward to next week with those two big title matches.