WWE

Dwight Howard Has Eyes Set On Joining WWE

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TMZ Sports recently caught up to Dwight Howard, the 18 year NBA vet who is currently a free agent after playing with the Lakers last season. During the run in, Dwight was asked if he was interested in joining the WWE . He responded that he would go to wrestling if the deal was good.

“Of course,” Howard responded. When asked if he would leave basketball for wrestling, he responded “whatever opportunity is the best.”

This comes just a few days after WWE legend and Chief Content Officer Triple H commented on Howards future with the company, saying that if the former Laker wanted to join the WWE then they would make something happen.

“The ball’s in his court,” Triple H said. “It’s a funny thing, Dwight, in the conversations we had was like, ‘You know, I really want to do this. I’m serious, I really want to do this.’ We hear that a lot, and there’s a difference between saying, ‘I want to do this,’ and putting in the grind and doing the work to get there.”

Triple H continued, “[He] came by our tryouts in Nashville, was incredibly entertaining. Jumping in promos by himself and then with others, incredibly entertaining. Really driven to want to do this, it’s just a matter for him, he’s got a lot of things going on, right? So when he says,’ Hey I want to give this a shot,’ he’s got my phone number. All he’s gotta do is call me, and we’ll see what can happen. And if he’s willing to put in the grind and the drive that guys like Logan Paul, and Bad Bunny and Tyson Fury are willing to put in, then let’s go.”

Back in July, Howard was a surprise participant at the WWE tryouts in Nashville, TN. He apparently surprised people with his entertaining solo and group promos.

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SOURCE SPORTS: WWE to Host WrestleMania 40 in Philadelphia

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Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney, the Philadelphia Eagles, the Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau, PHL Sports, and WWE are pleased to announce that WrestleMania 40, WWE’s annual celebration of popular culture, will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia on April 6 and 7, 2024.

Additional events will include Friday Night SmackDown, the 2024 WWE Hall of Fame Ceremony, and Monday Night Raw at the Wells Fargo Center, in addition to other fan activities in the Pennsylvania Convention Center. In order to support the neighborhood, WWE will also hold a number of community outreach activities, such as hospital visits and Be a STAR® bullying prevention rallies.

“We are proud to welcome WWE fans from around the world to Philadelphia to be a part of the historic 40th WrestleMania in 2024,” said Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney.  “The week-long series of events will help put a global spotlight on our great city while also generating a major impact for our local economy.”

“Philadelphia is excited to host WrestleMania for the first time in 25 years,” said Philadelphia Convention and Visitors Bureau President & CEO Gregg Caren.  “The combination of Philadelphia’s passionate fans joining forces with WWE’s worldwide fan base will create an incredible electricity throughout the city for the events at Lincoln Financial Field, Wells Fargo Center and the Pennsylvania Convention Center.”

“The Philadelphia Eagles are thrilled to partner with WWE as WrestleMania makes its much-anticipated return to Philadelphia in 2024,” said Philadelphia Eagles President and PHL Sports Chair Don Smolenski. “We are excited to help showcase the industry’s most iconic event in front of a global viewing audience and look forward to providing WWE fans in attendance with a first-class experience at Lincoln Financial Field.”

“On behalf of WWE, we are thrilled to bring WrestleMania back to the City of Brotherly Love,” said WWE Executive Vice President of Special Events John Saboor.  “We thank all of our local partners who were integral in making this long-awaited return a reality.”

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WWE Board of Directors Investigating Millions Paid in Settlements Due to Misconduct by Vince McMahon

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Wrestling titan Vince McMahon is under investigation by the World Wrestling Entertainment Board of Directors after revealing a secret $3 million settlement. According to the Wall Street Journal, McMahon agreed to pay an employee as she left the company. The employee allegedly had an affair with McMahon.

The employee was hired as a paralegal for McMahon in 2019. The legal agreement was created in January 2022, forbidding the former employee to discuss or talk against the WWE executive.

The investigation into McMahon and the agreement has revealed additional nondisclosure agreements involving McMahon and his friend and head of talent relations at WWE, John Laurinaitis. The initial belief is that the previous agreements included payouts in millions.

The board is represented by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP in the investigation and has already discovered McMahon used personal funds to pay the employees. McMahon’s attorney is aligned with the personal funds being used, citing “WWE did not pay any monies” to the former employee.

In an email to the board, McMahon is accused of hiring the paralegal at $100,000 per year, which would double once she engaged in a sexual relationship with him. McMahon then allegedly “gave her like a toy” to Laurinaitis.

On the board of directors is McMahon, daughter Stephanie McMahon, who is currently on a leave of absence, Paul “Triple H” Levesque, and the McMahon family is believed to hold the controlling shares of the company. The full report of payouts and more in the introductory emails to the Board of Directors can be read here.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Stephanie McMahon Takes a Leave Of Absence From WWE

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The billion-dollar princess of the WWE is stepping away for an extended amount of time. WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon is taking an indefinite leave of absence to focus squarely on her family.

“As of tomorrow, I am taking a leave of absence from the majority of my responsibilities at WWE,” McMahon tweeted. “WWE is a lifelong legacy for me and I look forward to returning to the company that I love after taking this time to focus on my family.”

This most likely refers to the fact that her husband, WWE legend Triple H, suffered a cardiac event last summer that resulted in a near-death experience. Currently, Triple H is back with WWE behind the scenes on a limited basis right now.

READ MORE: SOURCE SPORTS: Sharmell Set to be Inducted in WWE Hall of Fame

Stephanie and her father, Chairman and CEO Vince, are the only McMahons currently still with WWE. She has largely been the one in the family always in from of the press and public appearances for the WWE. She began her time with the company back in 2000 working on the writing team and worked her way up to Executive Vice President of Creative before transitioning to her current role in 2013.

WWE President Nick Khan will assume most of Stephanie’s duties in her absence, according to Wrestlenomics’ Brandon Thurston.

According to PWInsider’s Mike Johnson, “no one but the most inner circle” of the company knew Stephanie’s announcement was coming.

Johnson added that most people in WWE he spoke to were “completely shocked” and “taken aback” by McMahon’s decision.

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73-Year-Old ‘The Nature Boy’ Ric Flair Announces Wrestling Final Match

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“The Nature Boy” Ric Flair is ready to lace up his boots and put on his majestic robe one last time. One of the greatest wrestlers in history will have one last match, set for July 31 according to ESPN.

The 73-year-old legend is set to wrestle at Nashville Fairgrounds for an independent show that will stream on FITE TV. Flair‘s last match was in Sept 2011 for Impact Wrestling against Sting. His last match for wrestling flagship company WWE was in 2008 against Shawn Michaels.

“I’m going to walk that aisle one last time to prove once and for all that to be the Man, you’ve got to beat the Man,” Flair said in a statement to ESPN.

Recently, Flair has released videos of running ropes and practicing with current All Elite Wrestling star Jay Lethal. In Summer 2017, Flair had kidney failure and dialysis after complications from bowel surgery.

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SOURCE SPORTS: Sharmell Set to be Inducted in WWE Hall of Fame

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Queen Sharmell is headed into the WWE Hall of Fame. Complex notes Sharmell is the latest inductee announced for the WWE’s 2022 Hall Class.

Sharmell is known to fans as the valet and manager of her husband and two-time WWE Hall of Famer Booker T. In addition to her work in WWE, she is a dancer, actress, and businesswoman. During her WWE stint, she worked alongside her husband in one of the most influential runs of his career, including winning the World Heavyweight Championship and the King of the Ring tournament, in which she became the Queen in Booker’s reign.

“I was so happy,” said Sharmell to Complex. “I didn’t even know what to say. It was an unexpected, great surprise—a welcome surprise.”

You can learn more about Sharmell and read the rest of her reaction to being included in the 2022 Class here.

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SOURCE SPORTS: WWE’s Big E Breaks Neck During Latest ‘Friday Night Smackdown’ Broadcast

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WWE superstar Big E suffered a broken neck live on air during the latest episode of Friday Night Smackdown. Big E was teaming with Kofi Kingston against Sheamus and Ridge Holland when he took an overhead belly-to-belly suplex from Holland, landing on his head.

After the match, fans expressed their concern for the former WWE champion on social media, with the wrestler then posting a video where he gave an update on his condition and confirmed he had suffered a broken neck.

“can move all of my digits,” he said while wiggling his fingers at the camera. “you see that that’s nice, that’s always a good thing. Strength feels fine.

“But unfortunately, right now, they tell me my neck is broken. So there’s that. But, once again, thank you, everybody, I’m going to be all right. I’l lbe good, don’t worry, go to sleep, don’t worry about old me. But, for real, thank you. And I appreciate all of you, for real.”

Big E has subsequently posted another update revealing that his C-1 and C-6 discs are fractured. Still, there is no damage to his spinal cord or ligaments, meaning no surgery is necessary, and he remains upbeat.

“As bad as a broken neck sounds, they don’t always require surgery,” says Sutterer. “Depending on where the fracture is… sometimes they can simply be treated by wearing a hard cervical collar, which we saw Big E already wearing.”

No timetable as to if or when Big E will return to the ring. WWWE’sbiggest show of the year, WrestleMania, is three weeks away. Big E’s involvement in that show seems to be unlikely.

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Machine Gun Kelly Named Executive Soundtrack Producer of ‘WWE 2K22’

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WWE 2K22 Soundtrack

Machine Gun Kelly has been named the Executive Soundtrack Producer for WWE® 2K22, according to 2K. Machine Gun Kelly, a longtime WWE fan and multitalented music, film, and fashion sensation, will also be playable in a post-launch downloadable WWE 2K22 content pack.

“Machine Gun Kelly has been an integral part of the WWE family for more than a decade including performances at WrestleMania and Tribute to the Troops, soundtracking our premium live events with his music, and making frequent storyline appearances on WWE programming over the years,” said Neil Lawi, Senior Vice President and General Manager, WWE Music Group. “He has curated a unique soundtrack for WWE 2K22 that includes not only his own music but a diverse array of artists from The Weeknd to KennyHoopla. The 12-track soundtrack is the perfect complement to this edition’s enhanced gameplay.”

Machine Gun Kelly features in many WWE 2K22 marketing campaign films, conversing with WWE Legend The Undertaker and a variety of other colorful Superstars, in addition to his roles as Executive Soundtrack Producer and playable character.

You can see the entire tracklist below.

Machine Gun Kelly – “Concert for Aliens;”
Machine Gun Kelly ft. YUNGBLUD & Bert McCracken – “Body Bag;”
Wu-Tang Clan – “Protect Ya Neck;”
Motorhead – “Iron Fist;”
Poppy – “Say Cheese” (Live NXT version);
Royal Blood – “Typhoons;”
Bring Me The Horizon – “Happy Song;”
The Weeknd – “Heartless;”
Turnstile – “I Don’t Wanna Be Blind;”
Asking Alexandria – “The Final Episode (Let’s Change the Channel);”
KennyHoopla – “Hollywood Sucks.”

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SOURCE SPORTS: Undertaker Named First Inductee of the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame Class

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According to the New York Post, The Undertaker is the inaugural inductee into the WWE Hall of Fame’s Class of 2022. During the 2022 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, which will take place during WrestleMania Week, The Deadman will be inducted into the sacred hall.

The Undertaker hovered over the WWE landscape like a terrifying shadow, foreshadowing disaster for those who dared to cross him during his three-decade reign. The famous Phenom operated on his own level, possessing supposedly magical skills and uncanny in-ring skill.

In his career, The Undertaker won numerous championships including the WWE and World Heavyweight Championship and tag team titles. He also won the 2007 Royal Rumble. Undertaker also ushered in matches like the Casket Match, Buried Alive Match, and Hell in a Cell. He also ran off an impressive streak of 21 straight Wrestlemania wins.

The Undertaker’s legendary career came to an end at Survivor Series on Nov. 22, 2020, when The Deadman announced his retirement, ironically 30 years after he first stepped into a WWE ring.

The WWE Hall of Fame at a ceremony will take place Friday, April 1 at American Airlines Center in Dallas as part of WrestleMania Week. 

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Bad Bunny Got Body-Slammed By Brock Lesnar At The WWE Royal Rumble

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Bad Bunny should really be taking it easy. He’s got his Último Tour del Mundo starting on February 9th in Denver and his World’s Hottest Tour of North and South American stadiums starting in August. If he keeps entering the wrestling ring to grapple with a WWE savage like Brock Lesnar, though, he might not make it to either of those.

That statement might sound preposterous, but that’s exactly what happened this past Saturday night (January 29th) at WWE’s Royal Rumble in St. Louis, Missouri. You see, last year, the Puerto Rican reggaeton star and reigning Spotify streaming king merely performed his song “Booker T” at the event, but this year he actually got in the ring, and it wasn’t pretty. Bad Bunny was first body-slammed by the eventual Royal Rumble champion Brock Lesnar, who then tossed over the ropes like yesterday’s laundry.

The Royal Rumble is a last-man-standing competition, so you have to throw everyone out of the ring to be crowned the victor. Lesnar had just eliminated a wrestler when Bad Bunny knew he was surely next and he retreated to a corner of the ring, looking visibly freaked out. “Did you see the look on bad Bunny’s face?” one announcer says. Before the other announcer shouts, “Jump over the rope Bad Bunny! You got two tours! You got fans, you got music to make!” But it was too late. Lesnar made quick work of Bad Bunny and here’s hoping Bad Bunny has.. .errr… recovered, in time for his tours (wink, wink).

Watch the video of Brock Lesnar “decimating” Bad Bunny above.