Category:
Wrestling
TNT Orders “Rhodes to the Top” – A Look Inside the Lives of
AEW Power Couple Cody & Brandi Rhodes
As They Add a New Chapter – and Member – to the Rhodes Family Legacy
New Unscripted Series Goes Behind-the-Scenes of AEW
LOS ANGELES (March 24, 2021) – Tonight’s action-packed episode of “AEW DYNAMITE” delivered another special announcement for soon-to-be parents Cody and Brandi Rhodes. TNT has ordered a new unscripted series, “Rhodes to the Top,” from Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Shed Media, that will go inside the lives of Cody and Brandi as they navigate their growing family while building AEW’s global wrestling empire.
Each 30-minute episode will take viewers behind-the-scenes as the powerhouse couple manage their ever-busier lives inside and outside the ring, all the while surrounded by a colorful and often hilarious motley crew of wrestlers, family and friends who both support and test them at every turn. Married in 2013, Cody and Brandi have been on an unprecedented path to wrestling greatness, but will now face their newest and possibly biggest challenge yet.
“I’ve witnessed firsthand the passion and dedication that Cody and Brandi put into every facet of their life and know how much that plays an instrumental role in the success and expansion of AEW,” said Sam Linsky, Co-Head of Scripted for TBS, TNT and truTV. “Now the world will get an inside look at how they balance their personal wrestling careers, their training center, and their executive roles at AEW as they venture into one of the most intimidating chapters of life, parenthood.”
Corie Henson, EVP, Head of Unscripted for TBS, TNT and truTV added: “AEW fans know Brandi and Cody inside the ring, and ‘Rhodes to the Top’ will peel back the curtain of their lives off the mat. Running a business together as the stars of ‘Dynamite,’ juggling friends and family, and introducing a new baby into the Rhodes dynasty is sure to be a wild ride.”
“Since the late 1960s, the Rhodes family has been in one spotlight or another,” said Cody and Brandi Rhodes. “People think they know us, but this show is the first true look behind the curtain and beyond the ring. They’ll see us fail and succeed, but most importantly, they’ll see us bet on ourselves as we travel the Rhodes to the top.”
“I’m thrilled to expand AEW’s relationship with WarnerMedia and TNT, and Rhodes To The Top will represent a new outlet in which our fans can further connect with characters they already
love, and new viewers can discover these personalities for the first time,” said Tony Khan, Founder, CEO, GM & Head of Creative of AEW. “With our flagship show Dynamite and now Rhodes To The Top, in addition to our third hour of wrestling programming coming to TNT later this year, 2021 will be a historic year for AEW and our partnership with WarnerMedia.”
As the son of the legendary Dusty Rhodes, and brother to Dustin Rhodes, Cody has been at the epicenter of wrestling royalty since birth. In addition to serving as EVP at AEW, Cody is a two- time TNT Champion, and has been involved in some of the most spectacular matches in AEW history. This includes Cody’s larger-than-life bout against Shaquille O’Neal and his jaw-dropping moonsault from the top of a steel cage against Wardlow. In addition to serving as EVP at AEW, Cody is also a judge on TBS’ most extreme reality competition series “Go-Big Show.”
AEW’s Chief Brand Officer and soon-to-be mom Brandi Rhodes is also a professional wrestler, actor, former competitive figure skater, and host of her own cooking show “A Shot of Brandi.” Brandi is also the first Black woman to hold an executive position in a professional wrestling company.
“Starting a family is one of the most rewarding challenges that a couple encounters, and we’re excited that ‘Rhodes to the Top’ will give us a glimpse at Cody and Brandi beyond their success in the AEW ring,” said Dan Peirson and Lisa Shannon, Senior Vice Presidents of Programming and Development, Shed Media. “We’re thrilled to be working alongside our amazing partners at AEW and TNT, who have built a top-notch, must-see destination for wrestling fans which has allowed us to help expand the league’s universe.”
“Rhodes to the Top” is a production of Warner Bros. Unscripted Television in association with Shed Media. The series executive produced by Dan Peirson and Lisa Shannon of Shed Media, Bernie Cahill and Jon Kanak of Activist Artists Management, and Tony Khan, CEO, GM and Head of Creative of AEW. Cody and Brandi Rhodes are repped by Hyperion, Activist Artists Management, and Morris Yorn Barnes Levine Krintzman Rubenstein Kohner & Gellman.
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About TNT:
TNT, a WarnerMedia brand, is watched by more people than any other cable network and known for big, lean-forward television that gives viewers the best seat in the house for electrifying stories, dynamic characters and thrilling events. TNT is home to some of television’s most popular original series including “Snowpiercer,” “The Alienist: The Angel of Darkness,” “Animal Kingdom” and “Claws. TNT is expanding its programming to include premium unscripted with the docuseries “ShaqLife.” TNT also presents popular shows such as “Bones” and “Castle,” in addition to primetime specials and sports coverage, including the NBA and NCAA Division I Men’s Basketball Championships and the professional wrestling league All Elite Wrestling (AEW), which has exploded onto the scene with “AEW Dynamite,” premiering as the night’s #1 wrestling show. Website: www.tntdrama.com
Watch the trailer:
WWE’s Chief Brand Office, Stephanie McMahon, says that there is no one person who can replace her father and current CEO, Vince McMahon.
There will come a day when the elder McMahon will no longer be running the WWE. For many years, fans of the wrestling company speculated that Stephanie McMahon and her husband Paul Levesque would take over the company.
“I don’t think there will ever be a person-to-person replacement for Vince McMahon. He does too much. The landscape would look different however it shakes out,” Stephanie McMahon, who has been both a performer and business exec for WWE for over 20 years and currently serves as the promotion’s chief brand officer, said on the “Bloomberg Business of Sports” podcast Saturday. ‘
“I do think a lot of the institutional knowledge is important, particularly with regards toward the core content. But it’s also surrounding our business with strong, smart executives,” McMahon said. “And that’s exactly what we have. So I do think it’s the marriage of institutional knowledge, the incredible production value, the creation of talent IP and storylines and really strong business executives to help us expand. I think it’s a combination of things.”
Vince McMahon has spent the last 10 years building an executive team that could handle all the business of the WWE. About a year ago, McMahon’s core team left the company forcing McMahon to start over.
Now, you have a great team of executives running WWE and possibly for the future. Nick Kahn is currently the President of WWE and was a key negotiator in WWE’s deal with NBCUniversal’s Peacock streaming service for the WWE Network. Paul Levesque is heading up WWE’s creative process. Stephanie McMahon is overseeing WWE’s branding initiatives.
Rumors of a possible sale of the WWE have been circling the internet for a while now. NBCUniversal has been rumored to be interested in purchasing WWE.
A&E released the following:
On “Stone Cold” Steve Austin Day (3/16), A&E is giving fans an extended sneak peek of the upcoming 2-hour special “Biography: ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin.” Born out of the “Austin 3 16” catchphrase, the day marks the wild success of one of the most iconic WWE Legends of all-time. In this sneak peek, Austin talks about his road to creating and crafting the Stone Cold persona as well as some of the additional names he was given in his early WWE career but turned down. Premiering Sunday, April 18 at 8pm ET/PT on A&E, the two-hour biography provides an intimate look at the stories behind the Legend and is part of a 10-week programming partnership between A&E and WWE. #WWEonAE Subscribe for more A&E shows: http://aetv.us/subscribe-ae
Sneak Peak of the Stone Cold Steve Austin Biography
Kurt Angle posted a video to his instagram in which it showed the Olympic wrestler gearing up. Paul Wight (Formerly the Big Show in WWE) teased on Wednesday Night’s AEW Episode that a “Hall of fame” worthy signee is coming to AEW. Tony Khan confirmed Wight’s comments.
Angle has been retired from in ring action for a few years now. Check out the video posted to Angle’s Instagram below.
WWE Released the following information about a new series coming to A&E.
EIGHT TWO-HOUR BIOGRAPHY FILM SPECIALS REVEAL THE INTIMATE,
PERSONAL STORIES BEHIND THE SUCCESS OF WWE’S MOST MEMORABLE LEGENDS
NEW SERIES “WWE’S MOST WANTED TREASURES” GOES ON THE HUNT FOR ICONIC WWE MEMORABILIA THAT HAS BEEN LOST FOR DECADES
*Join the conversation by following @TreasuresWWE and using #WWEonAE*
New York, NY – February 23, 2021 – A&E Network and WWE Studios are giving fans an exclusive look behind the curtain in an all-new Sunday night programming partnership. With unprecedented access to WWE’s archive, the ten-week programming block features eight original two-hour documentaries under the award-winning “Biography” banner showcasing the stories behind some of the most memorable WWE Superstars of all time including “Stone Cold” Steve Austin®, “Macho Man” Randy Savage®, “Rowdy” Roddy Piper™, Booker T®, Shawn Michaels®, Bret Hart, Mick Foley and Ultimate Warrior. The new “Biography” specials are helmed by some of the industry’s top directors and storytellers to chronicle the success of these WWE Legends and their lasting mark on both sports entertainment and popular culture. Each special will air weekly at 8pm ET/PT beginning Sunday, April 18.
Following at 10pm ET/PT, the brand-new series “WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures,” led by WWE’s Stephanie McMahon and Paul “Triple H” Levesque launches a hunt for some of WWE’s most iconic missing memorabilia including Kane’s original mask, Ric Flair’s Butterfly Robe, Andy Kaufman’s neckbrace, Andre The Giant’s passport and more. In order to find these quintessential relics, the team will join forces with WWE Legends including Undertaker, Ric Flair, Mick Foley, Booker T and more to bring these items home to the WWE Archives.
“For more than two decades, ‘Biography’ has been the home for premium non-fiction storytelling and we are excited to expand upon that with this all-encompassing partnership with WWE,” said Elaine Frontain Bryant, EVP and Head of Programming, A&E Network. “This one-of-a-kind collaboration gives viewers the ultimate ringside seat as we chronicle the journeys of these cultural icons and the memorabilia that follows.”
“We are thrilled to unveil the stories behind some of the greatest Legends and moments in WWE history,” said Stephanie McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer. “Together with A&E, we’ve created an incredible slate of programming steeped in nostalgia that will inspire and entertain audiences worldwide.”
Biography Lineup – Premieres Sunday, April 18 at 8pm ET/PT
“Biography: “Stone Cold” Steve Austin” – Directed by Jake Rogal and Executive Produced by Jason Hehir (“The Last Dance,” “Andre The Giant”), this film traces the story of the man who became WWE’s biggest star in the 90s. “Stone Cold” Steve Austin’s authentic, fiery personality epitomized WWE’s “Attitude Era” and transformed him into a pop culture icon. After nearly being paralyzed by a neck injury, Austin made one of the greatest comebacks in WWE history. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2009.
“Biography: “Rowdy” Roddy Piper” – Directed by Emmy and Peabody Award winner Joe Lavine (ESPN 30 for 30 “Playing for the Mob,” HBO “Namath”), this film focuses on “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, who is universally considered one of WWE’s greatest villains. During his Hall of Fame career, he played the role of the antagonist against a who’s who of WWE greats, while amassing more than 30 championships.
“Biography: “Macho Man” Randy Savage” – Produced by Billy Corben and Alfred Spellman (“Cocaine Cowboys,” “Screwball,” ESPN 30 for 30 “The U”), this film will tell the larger-than-life story of one of the most colorful and charismatic Superstars to ever step foot inside the ring. With two WWE Championships, four WCW® World Championships and a 14-month reign as Intercontinental Champion, Savage became known for his famous catch phrases, larger-than-life personality and the enormous, flashy robes he wore into the ring.
“Biography: Booker T” – Directed by Emmy and Peabody Award winner George Roy (“The Curse of the Bambino”, “Mayweather”), this film showcases one of the greatest Superstars in sports entertainment history. Booker T is an 11-time WCW Tag Team Champion, a six-time World Champion, winner of the 2006 King of the Ring Tournament, and a two-time (2013 and 2019) inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame. In addition to his Hall of Fame career in the ring, Booker T also went on to become a color commentator for WWE’s weekly programming.
“Biography: Shawn Michaels” – Directed by Joe Lavine (“Rowdy” Roddy Piper, ESPN 30 for 30 “Playing for the Mob,” HBO “Namath”), this film chronicles the wild life of one of WWE’s greatest performers and most enduring villains. After drug addiction nearly cost him his life, Shawn Michaels, aka “The Heartbreak Kid,” made one of the most improbable late-career comebacks in WWE history. He was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2011.
“Biography: Ultimate Warrior” – Directed by Daniel Amigone (“24/7 Red Wings: Maple Leafs – Road to the Winter Classic,” “Chain of Command,” “The Circus: Inside the Greatest Political Show on Earth”) and Executive Produced by Jake Rogal and Jason Hehir (“The Last Dance,” “Andre The Giant”), this film shares the story of Ultimate Warrior, a WWE Hall of Famer who inspired an entire generation of fans living by his mantra of “always believe.” With his colorful face paint and equally colorful interviews, Ultimate Warrior is perhaps best remembered for defeating Hulk Hogan at WrestleMania VI to become both the WWE Champion and the Intercontinental Champion.
“Biography: Mick Foley” – Directed by Thomas Odelfelt (24/7 “Mayweather-Marquez,” 24/7 “Penguins-Capitals: Road To The NHL Winter Classic,” HBO “Courtside At The NBA Finals”) and Executive Produced by Jake Rogal and Jason Hehir (“The Last Dance,” “Andre The Giant”), this film follows the unique, multifaceted career of Mick Foley, a 2013 WWE Hall of Fame inductee better known as “Mankind.” A fan favorite during WWE’s “Attitude Era,” Foley shocked audiences in 1998 during a career defining match as he was thrown off the top of the Hell in a Cell by Undertaker.
“Biography: Bret “Hitman” Hart” – Directed by George Roy (“Booker T,” “The Curse of the Bambino,” “Mayweather,” HBO “Mantle”), this film tells the story of Bret Hart, one of the greatest technical athletes in WWE history, earning him nicknames “The Hit Man” and “The Excellence of Execution.” Throughout his storied career, the five-time WWE title holder famously defeated “Rowdy” Roddy Piper, Ric Flair and Yokozuna, and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame in 2006.
The WWE “Biography” documentaries are produced by WWE Studios for A&E Network. Executive producers for WWE Studios are Kevin Dunn, Chris Kaiser, Susan Levison, and Richard Lowell. Executive producers for A&E Network are Elaine Frontain Bryant and Brad Abramson. A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights.
“WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures” – Premieres Sunday, April 18 at 10pm ET/PT
“WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures” takes viewers on a journey to find some of WWE’s most iconic, lost memorabilia. In each of the nine episodes, WWE’s Stephanie McMahon and Paul “Triple H” Levesque lead a team of collectors, WWE Superstars and Legends as they investigate, negotiate, bid and travel across the country to hunt down and reclaim some of the most elusive WWE collectibles. Throughout history, WWE’s action-packed storylines have spawned iconic, one-of-a-kind memorabilia, most of which have gone missing. Superstar in training, AJ Francis will head out on the road alongside some of the most famous WWE Legends of all time including The Undertaker, Ric Flair, Charlotte Flair, Mick Foley, Kane, Big Show, Mark Henry, Jerry “The King” Lawler, Booker T, Greg “The Hammer” Valentine, Brutus “The Barber” Beefcake, Jake “The Snake” Roberts and Sgt. Slaughter. The series will unearth these rare items in the hopes of preserving and sharing the legacy behind the memorable moments in WWE history.
“WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures” is produced by WWE Studios for A&E Network with Susan Levison, Ben Zierten, David Carr, Stephanie McMahon and Paul “Triple H” Levesque serving as executive producers. Elaine Frontain Bryant, Dolores Gavin and Jonathan Partridge serve as executive producers for A&E Network. A+E Networks holds worldwide distribution rights for “WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures.”
About “Biography”
The celebrated “Biography” brand continues to highlight newsworthy personalities and events with compelling and surprising points-of-view and remains the defining source for true stories from some of the most accomplished non-fiction storytellers of our time. Extensive on-air and branded digital content, including short form, will roll-out on all platforms, including Biography.com, the home to hundreds of profiles of notable cultural figures and influencers.
About A&E Network
A&E leads the cultural conversation through high-quality, thought provoking original programming with a unique point of view. Whether it’s the network’s distinctive brand of award-winning disruptive reality, or groundbreaking documentary, A&E always makes entertainment an art. The A&E website is located at aetv.com. Follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/aetv and Facebook at facebook.com/AETV. For more press information and photography please visit us at press.aenetworks.com.
About WWE Studios
Headquartered in Los Angeles, WWE Studios is WWE’s multi-platform content division that develops and produces scripted and non-scripted series, documentaries and feature films. More than 50 films and series have been released to date by WWE Studios, including partnerships with Netflix, Warner Bros., Sony Pictures, MGM, and Paramount, among others. Upcoming premieres include new non-scripted series WWE’s Most Wanted Treasures, along with eight documentaries showcasing some of the most iconic WWE Superstars of all time, under the award-winning Biography banner, both on A&E as part of an expanded partnership with A&E Networks. Additionally, WWE Studios has teamed up with Paramount Animation for the upcoming animated feature film, Rumble. Recent WWE Studios premieres include: The Big Show Show, a live-action comedy series for Netflix; The Main Event, a feature film for Netflix; and Fight Like A Girl, a non-scripted series for Quibi. WWE Studios is also behind hit shows Total Bellas on E! and Miz & Mrs on USA Network, as well as Andre the Giant, an Emmy-nominated documentary in partnership with HBO.
PWInsider is reporting that WWE is freezing promotions and pay raises to their employees.
It is believed that WWE made this decision a few weeks ago leading to the most recent financial releases. According to the report, performance based bonuses are still on the table for some employees.
WWE currently has many employees doing multiple jobs as they have laid staff off, made furloughs, or just haven’t hired the staff needed to keep up with the day-to-day WWE business. Moral is said to be down in the WWE workforce.
There was no timeline as to when the freeze will be lifted.
John Cena says we “Can’t See Him” at WrestleMania this year.
John Cena spoke with Sports Illustrated and said he would not be at this year’s WrestleMania.
Cena will be filming a new HBO MAX series, Peacemaker, in Canada. Currently, filming is scheduled through the summer.
“Currently, I’m in Vancouver shooting Peacemaker, the series for HBO Max,” Cena told SI’s Justin Barrasso “Given the quarantine regulations, if I were to leave Canada, upon return I would have to quarantine for another two weeks. Essentially, that would shut production down. Strictly based on the letter of the law right now, there is no logistical way I can be there. We film now until July.”
Peacemaker was picked up to series in 2020 for 8 episode series.
Edge, 47, returned to WWE and won the 30 Man Royal Rumble match, entering at number 1!
MultiMediaMouth.com would like to congratulate Edge on his win at the WWE Royal Rumble!
The Hall of Fame wrestler returned to WWE after being injured in May and won the Royal Rumble match. Edge has wrestled a total of 4 matches since coming back to WWE in 2020. Edge now guarantees himself a match at WrestleMania in Tampa Bay, FL.
Edge is a former multi-time WWE Champion and has won the Royal Rumble once before.