Hey Scott.  Long time listener, first time caller... or something like that. I've got an Elimination Chamber question for you.  I was just wondering how much practice, if any, the wrestlers get in the actual chamber before the pay-per-view.  Do they have that thing set up somewhere in secret, so the guys can test out some of the biggest spots, or do the wrestlers just talk it over before the show and hope everything works out? I'm thinking about moments like when Rey Mysterio is thrown towards the wall, only to catch himself like Spider-Man and bounce right back at his opponent.  That seems like something Rey would want to try out ahead of time, just to make sure he could reliably do it. But then in a recent interview HHH said something along the lines of "First timers often have plans for big spots, but then early on in the actual match they take a bump over the ropes and onto the steel floor, and they're so shocked by how much it hurts that they end...

The Rock in the WWE Hall of Fame in 2015? As of right now, the Rock is the leading candidate to head the 2015 Hall of Fame class. The only holdbacks are if he can fit it into his schedule and if he wants to be inducted. Credit Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Wall Street High on the WWE? Despite the fact that the WWE declared a loss at their Earnings Conference Call, their stock closed at $24.74 a share yesterday after starting the day at $23.00 Credit Dave Scherer, PWInsider.com Brock Lesnar and Paul Heyman to Appear on RAW this Monday They will join the Undertaker and Hulk Hogan as those appearing on the show Credit Dave Meltzer, F4WOnline.com WWE.com Article Listing Cesaro's Eight Greatest Matches http://www.wwe.com/inside/cesaro-8-best-matches/ CIMA off Dragon Gate USA Shows This Weekend Dragon Gate USA announced that CIMA would not be making it over from Japan this weekend. The promotion will be explaining why today and Trent Baretta ...

Impact Wrestling Date: February 20, 2014 Location: Manchester Arena, Manchester, England Commentators: Mike Tenay, Tazz Reviewed by Tommy Hall We're still in Manchester and the big story is the announcement of Lethal Lockdown between Team MVP and Team Dixie for control of the company in two and a half weeks. Last week's show saw a huge emphasis on the MVP vs. Dixie story with very little else getting extended TV time so hopefully things are given more room to breathe tonight. The main event is Gunner cashing in his Feast or Fired case on Magnus for a World Title shot. Let's get to it.

In honor of Black History Month, I have selected not three but four African-Americans who have contributed greatly to the wrestling shoot interview genre. All four shoots are entertaining, some more so than others, but all good interviews that are worth a watch. So, here are your choices: Ahmed Johnson http://www.rfvideo.com/shootwithahmedjohnson.aspx Brickhouse Brown http://www.rfvideo.com/shootwithbrickhousebrown.aspx Koko B. Ware http://www.rfvideo.com/shootwithkokobware.aspx New Jack (2013) http://www.rfvideo.com/newjack-liveanduncensoredshootinterview.aspx Vote by clicking on the link below. Voting ends Saturday at 8pm. http://poll.pollcode.com/9634193

Matches for tonight include: Gunner vs. Magnus for the World Heavyweight Championship The American Wolves vs. Bad Influence Madison Rayne vs. Gail Kim in a Street Fight

http://whatculture.com/wwe/10-controversies-wwe-network.php This is a really, really well-written and researched article about all the stuff that could go wrong with the Network.  Figured some people here might enjoy the hard numbers counterpoint to the usual "It'll be awesome!" stance.  

I was looking at a synopsis of the Buyrates for HIAC, Survivor Series and TLC over the last 5 years. Interesting to me that HIAC 2013 with Bryan/Orton blew 2012 with the first Punk/Ryback out of the water. About 30,000 more buys and the largest HIAC buyrate since 2009. At the time, I was far more interested in that match, given Rybacks winning streak and heat, than I had been in quite a while for a middling PPV main event. Then, Survivor Series did horribly in comparison with Orton/Show in the main and Bryan w Punk against the Wyatts. I know Cena returned against Del Rio at HIAC as well. But it seems that the D-Bry chase may have been drawing some. Your thoughts? Sent from my iPhone Considering that Battleground is the lowest buyrate of the modern era, I'd say that it was Cena that popped the number for HIAC.  Although TLC then flopped, showing that it was probably just a fluke for his return.  

When a caller asked about Punk's status with the company, Vince replied with the following: "As far as CM Punk is concerned, one of our performers is taking a sabbatical, let's just put it that way." http://www.f4wonline.com/more/more-top-stories/3-news/35532-wwe-first-quarter-and-annual-business-conference-call-report-including-quote-from-vince-mcmahon-on-cm-punk

This was filmed on January 2, 2014 inside of the home of AJ Styles in Gainesville, GA. The interview runs at two hours and twelve minutes long.

WWE Network Update While the first week is free, you will need a credit card to sign up and the subscription will automatically renew until cancelled. Credit Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter Rey Mysterio Update Mysterio's deal is set to expire in a couple of months. The WWE has not been aggressively working on a new deal for him either. Credit Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter WWE TV Update In 2013, it was estimated that the WWE took in about $170 million in and slightly over $100 in domestic rights fees. The WWE is currently looking for more than $280 million in television revenue from the U.S. market. Also, despite the fact that RAW is among the highest rated shows on the USA Network, it garners the lowest ad rates per viewer on the station. Credit Dave Meltzer, Wrestling Observer Newsletter TNA House Show Update More often that not, TNA has to write a check to the building after the show because the money they took in was not enough...

Hey scott a couple of quick questions 1. I was just watching the Austin Kane first blood title match from KOTR 98 and was baffled by the booking. You put Austin in a match in which he basically is guaranteed to lose based on Kane's mask, but then the next night you put the title right back on him? Was this to test the waters with Kane as champ and they changed their mind quickly or was it some sort of weird punishment for Austin? The booking was just plain odd. 2. It appears as though Roman Reigns is the next big star of the company, however I believe Dean Ambrose has just as much ability and just seems so much more seasoned. Do they have big plans for him? I truly believe he would make an amazing heel WWE champion but for some reason I get the feeling the WWE isn't as high on him. 3. I just heard the WWE is going to edit out chair shots from all old pay per views on the network? What the hell is that about? 1.  They tried to pop a big rating, and they sure ...

> Hi Scott, > > What are some of the best near falls that you can think of? Like when you brought the preceding events as the finish or ones that had you leaping out of your chair in relief or frustration. Off the top of my head I think Undertaker kicking out of the tombstone at WM27 against HHH might be my favourite. Pretty much everyone in the arena buys it as the end of the streak and JR's commentary ("What did we just see?!") sells the moment wonderfully. > > Keep up the good work! > > Don Caboose Hmm, you immediately stole mine. I'd also add Shawn kicking out of the tombstone at WM25, Hogan kicking out of the Rock Bottom at 18, and a bunch of Cena-Punk ones from MITB 11 that had me losing my mind.

NXT Date: February 19, 2014 Location: Full Sail University, Winter Park, Florida Commentators: Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton, Tensai Reviewed by Tommy Hall It's the go home show for Arrival, meaning I wouldn't expect much of interest tonight. The main stories are Neville vs. Dallas for the NXT Title in a ladder match and Cesaro vs. Zayn in a 2/3 falls match because HHH wanted it to happen. Hopefully the boss isn't around to impose his will on a promotion that doesn't need him at all. Let's get to it.

In the third episode of The Kevin Kelly Show, the Voice of Ring of Honor remembers Nelson Frazier (Mabel/Viscera/Big Daddy V) and talks about the upcoming Elimination Chamber show and the end of the pay-per-view era with the WWE Network launching. Kevin also talks HonorCon, Ring of Honor’s 12th Anniversary and speaks with 2014 ROH Top Prospect Tournament winner Hanson. As always Kevin takes your #AsKKevin Twitter questions as well! http://placetobenation.com/the-kevin-kelly-show-episode-3-featuring-hanson/ The Kevin Kelly Show is available on iTunes and Stitcher by searching for Place to Be Podcast and can be downloaded and listened to below. You can find the complete archive of Kevin Kelly at Place to Be Nation  here  including past episodes featuring  Adam Cole  and  AJ Styles . Email the show at  kevinkellyshow@placetobenation.com  and send questions to Kevin ( @realkevinkelly ) on Twitter using the hashtag ...

The SmarK Rant for WWE NXT – 02.19.14 Taped from Orlando, FL Your hosts are Tom Phillips, Byron Saxton & Tensai

From the most recent RAW Rant re: The Shield--" Shame they’re breaking up because they’re all coming into their own as workers and talkers."  Isn't that actually the best possible scenario?  Each of them becomes their own unique force and they have a great blow-off at Wrestlemania before moving on to becoming three upper-Mid to Main Event players? Furthermore, imagine if they were one of the few stables to have a great blow-off without becoming diluted and/or limping around forever.  A few years from now you could have some storyline that brings the three back together for a legitimate "grown men mark out" moment unlike every tedious nWo or DX reunion. I'd be fine with swapping out Reigns and replacing him with someone from NXT like Adrian Neville, or ideally Chris Hero if he hadn't left, but it feels like there's still a ton of juice left in the original gimmick, much like D-X getting reinvented in 1998.  Spl...

Hey Scott, I break down the pros and possible cons of the WWE Network, as well as how pissed I am to be graduating and missing years of watching during classes. http://temple-news.com/arts/corrigan-joys-casualties-wwe-network/ Six days left!  Although I'm way less excited now than I was on announcement day, which I maintain was a major boner on their part.  They should have had that sucker ready to go 48 hours after announcing it.  They get fans whipped into a frenzy, mainstream publicity follows for a bit, and then BAM, one million subs locked in for six months.  Now, I'm not so sure what the interest level will be.

Nostalgia FTW! http://imgur.com/a/66WXB The second pic is epic.  Kerry with milk and PS with the Jack. Yeah, pretty sure I had all of those.  Like, literally, almost all of them from the Weston group shown there.   Also, Tommy Rich on the cover of the World's Sexiest Wrestlers seems like a strange way to sell magazines.  Maybe Jim Barnett was the audience?  

Monday Nitro #156 Date: September 28, 1998 Location: Blue Cross Arena, Rochester, New York Attendance: 10,523 Commentators: Mike Tenay, Tony Schiavone, Bobby Heenan, Larry Zbyszko Reviewed by Tommy Hall We're four weeks away from Halloween Havoc and things aren't exactly looking up. The big news is Disciple joining Warrior to close out last week. I'm not exactly sure why that's big news but Tony Schiavone said it was a huge moment in our sport and Tony would never lie to me. Let's get to it.

Howdy BOD'ers! Taking this from the thread a few weeks back when we got another look at HBK's tremendous "Who's Your Daddy Montreal" promo, I was wondering if you guys had any personal favorites spots when it came to trolling crowds. I'll throw this one up, even though it went a minute too long, the first line was just great and had me rolling.