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Friday, February 9, 2018
Cody Rhodes On How The Stardust Character Affected His WWE Departure
conclusion of his tenure having a run as Stardust. The Stardust character was formed following Cody and Goldust experiencing a losing streak after a successful tag team run, and Cody admonishing his brother to find another tag team partner. Goldust would team with a list of people, but would eventually team with his brother again under the Stardust character.
The two turned heel against the Usos, and won the WWE Tag Team Championships again. After dissension between the two, Stardust turned on his brother and commenced a singles career. While Stardust had moments such as teaming with The Ascension as the Cosmic Wasteland, competing in the ladder match at WrestleMania 31 for the Intercontinental Championship, competing against John Cena for the United States Championship, and feuding with Stephen Amell, he never peaked past a midcard level.
Regarding never reaching a main event status, Cody defended WWE by admitting that an opportunity was presented.
"In WWE, you're always given the opportunity," said Cody. "They have such a large brand — you're on the (WWE) Network, you're on YouTube, you're on USA Network, you're on so many platforms. I just think it didn't feel right. I don't know what specifically."
Rhodes expressed to FOX Sports how the Stardust character affected his departure from WWE.
"Maybe I just wasn't meant to do Stardust as long as I had done it, so it didn't feel right. I remember putting some concept art together for what I would look like as just Cody Rhodes, as just Cody, the wrestler," said Cody. "And it really just appealed to me in such a way that if I couldn't do it in WWE, I thought well, I've saved my money, I know a little bit about the game, I'm going to go and do it on my own and see how I do. And it ended up being the best decision I've ever made.
Now, Cody has spent his time competing in the independent circuit, as well as Ring of Honor, New Japan, and briefly Impact Wrestling. He won the Ring of Honor World Championship and held it for six months before losing it to Dalton Castle last December. He explained that he is experiencing a significant level of freedom being able to compete in different promotions.
"It's total freedom. And I don't think it's fear. I don't think that New Japan and Ring of Honor are afraid of the Bullet Club, they're aware," said Rhodes. "Particularly Being the Elite — they're aware that it's only a good thing, because it's a platform for talent to succeed."
Cody revealed to FOX Sports that the popular "Being the Elite" YouTube series is currently in discussions with a number of companies interested in purchasing the show's streaming rights. He also explained why the rift in Bullet Club occurred between him and Kenny Omega.
"I'm not capable of being in a group where I'm not the leader. I did it once earlier in my career with Legacy, and that was cool because I was young and green and a rookie in the industry, but now no more," expressed Cody. "After a world title run you can't really call someone else your leader. And I think that is this natural tension, that very really exists, because here [Omega] is with this reputation of being the best wrestler in the world and here I am with that mainstream appeal that helped gain a bunch of new fans for the Bullet Club. And the fact that I think Matt likes me more, and Nick likes Kenny, it's all real. So why not have a match? Why not make it real?"
Cody will be facing Kenny Omega at Ring of Honor's Supercard of Honor pay-per-view on April 7th in New Orleans.
Source: FOX Sports
Regarding never reaching a main event status, Cody defended WWE by admitting that an opportunity was presented.
"In WWE, you're always given the opportunity," said Cody. "They have such a large brand — you're on the (WWE) Network, you're on YouTube, you're on USA Network, you're on so many platforms. I just think it didn't feel right. I don't know what specifically."
Rhodes expressed to FOX Sports how the Stardust character affected his departure from WWE.
"Maybe I just wasn't meant to do Stardust as long as I had done it, so it didn't feel right. I remember putting some concept art together for what I would look like as just Cody Rhodes, as just Cody, the wrestler," said Cody. "And it really just appealed to me in such a way that if I couldn't do it in WWE, I thought well, I've saved my money, I know a little bit about the game, I'm going to go and do it on my own and see how I do. And it ended up being the best decision I've ever made.
Now, Cody has spent his time competing in the independent circuit, as well as Ring of Honor, New Japan, and briefly Impact Wrestling. He won the Ring of Honor World Championship and held it for six months before losing it to Dalton Castle last December. He explained that he is experiencing a significant level of freedom being able to compete in different promotions.
"It's total freedom. And I don't think it's fear. I don't think that New Japan and Ring of Honor are afraid of the Bullet Club, they're aware," said Rhodes. "Particularly Being the Elite — they're aware that it's only a good thing, because it's a platform for talent to succeed."
Cody revealed to FOX Sports that the popular "Being the Elite" YouTube series is currently in discussions with a number of companies interested in purchasing the show's streaming rights. He also explained why the rift in Bullet Club occurred between him and Kenny Omega.
"I'm not capable of being in a group where I'm not the leader. I did it once earlier in my career with Legacy, and that was cool because I was young and green and a rookie in the industry, but now no more," expressed Cody. "After a world title run you can't really call someone else your leader. And I think that is this natural tension, that very really exists, because here [Omega] is with this reputation of being the best wrestler in the world and here I am with that mainstream appeal that helped gain a bunch of new fans for the Bullet Club. And the fact that I think Matt likes me more, and Nick likes Kenny, it's all real. So why not have a match? Why not make it real?"
Cody will be facing Kenny Omega at Ring of Honor's Supercard of Honor pay-per-view on April 7th in New Orleans.
Source: FOX Sports
Sean Waltman On Why He Didn't Want To Be WWE Lightweight Champion, Shelton Benjamin Loaded Gun Story
The latest episode of Sean Waltman's X-Pac12360 podcast dropped this week. You can watch it in the video above, or download the podcast version on iTunes. They sent us these highlights:
Waltman on Shelton Benjamin finding a loaded gun in his rental car:
"Here's the thing, in all the years of traveling around and trying to rent cars like we do. There have been a few times when you find things leftover from the last person that rented the car, but come on man, a loaded gun?! Who freaking forgets something like that... Let's just use our imaginations and think of all the bad scenarios that could come from something like that."
Not wanting to be pigeon-holed in the lightweight division:
"I was the very last WWF Light Heavyweight champion. I fought a long time to not have to have that belt. One time, I got my payoff and I gave him [Jim Ross] a call. It was a SummerSlam payoff and I asked him if they were paying me by the pound? So that's how I felt about the pay scale there. That you were paid by the pound sometimes, and it's not really, but you can get that being in the WWE at times. I didn't want that. There was no way I wanted that. That was a pay cut for me. So that was the issue."
The episode also contains an interview with Johnny Gargano, who talked about his NXT Takeover match with Andrade "Cien" Almas, goals for 2018 and more.
"Here's the thing, in all the years of traveling around and trying to rent cars like we do. There have been a few times when you find things leftover from the last person that rented the car, but come on man, a loaded gun?! Who freaking forgets something like that... Let's just use our imaginations and think of all the bad scenarios that could come from something like that."
Not wanting to be pigeon-holed in the lightweight division:
"I was the very last WWF Light Heavyweight champion. I fought a long time to not have to have that belt. One time, I got my payoff and I gave him [Jim Ross] a call. It was a SummerSlam payoff and I asked him if they were paying me by the pound? So that's how I felt about the pay scale there. That you were paid by the pound sometimes, and it's not really, but you can get that being in the WWE at times. I didn't want that. There was no way I wanted that. That was a pay cut for me. So that was the issue."
The episode also contains an interview with Johnny Gargano, who talked about his NXT Takeover match with Andrade "Cien" Almas, goals for 2018 and more.
New Japan opening US Dojo?
NJPW announced the opening of their U.S. based Dojo in Los Angeles, California with two five-day camp sessions to those with and without wrestling experience. The first is from March 19-23 and the second is March 26-30 for $500 a session. In the FAQ, NJPW notes that "NJPW decision makers will be present. NJPW is always on the lookout for new talents to join their ranks." No word yet on if they will be running a full-time US Dojo or if they will just hold mini-camps like the ones in March
AUSTIN ARIES' IMPACT STATUS, SONJAY ANNOUNCING, TWITCH 'BRACE FOR IMPACT' SPECIAL, WHAT HAPPENED WITH REY AND MORE IMPACT WRESTLING NEWS
During his media call yesterday promoting Impact Wresting, Impact champion
Austin Aries noted he is not currently under contract to the company. His
discussions to return began as soon as he was a "free agent" but they initially
began as talks of Aries working behind the scenes to get involved to help "right
the ship." When the new team became in charge, those talks turned to him
returning as an in-ring talent. Aries said he didn't feel pressure being the
nucleus of the company as they try to rebuild. He said that one of the aspects
of the return that interested him was the ability to continue to work
independently and go off to different companies and "collect belts." He came
off very well as a rep for the company, as did Braxton Sutter and Allie last
week.
In regard to Rey Mysterio, the word that has made the way among the talents in the company is that the company had negotiated a deal with Mysterio for him to debut, but once Konnan (who reps Rey) got involved to seal the deal, something went wrong leading to the agreement never getting finalized and signed. Thus, Rey's debut was canceled. That explains why we heard travel was set at one point. There was hope of trying to get him to debut in April at the TV taping, but with Mysterio making it clear that he and WWE are in a courtship phase of trying to work something out, he obviously won't be coming into Impact unless something falls through with WWE. The big sticking point with WWE and Rey is that they want him back full-time, but he, at 43 and with an infinite number of knee surgeries under his belt, wants to work part-time.
Sonjay Dutt replaced Jeremy Borash as the lead announcer on last night's edition of Impact Wrestling. He was very good and since he is the one writing the TV shows right now, it's a smart move to have him in the booth as he above all will know exactly what he's trying to highlight and get over, similar to how Bill Watts knew exactly what to say when he did color commentary alongside Jim Ross in Mid-South Wrestling. With Dutt having a long rehab before he can return the ring, I think the best think Impact can do is keep him in the booth until then, then run an angle setting up his return. That gives them someone obviously very good in the lead announcing role until they decide on someone else, as opposed to scrambling to replace Borash.
Josh Mathew was also on commentary last night. The plan had been to replace Mathews with Don Callis, so we will see if that continues.
With no venue announced and no tickets on sale for Toronto, it's becoming more and more likely the April Redemption PPV and post-PPV tapings will be back at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. A number of talents are actually hoping that's the case as they'd rather spend a week in Florida obviously, especially if they are going to bring their families.
Tonight's Impact Wrestling's Twitch channel will debut "Brace for Impact" the 2/3 WrestlePro event from Rahway, NJ that drew in excess of 1,000 to the Rahway Rec Center at 8 PM Eastern. Pat Buck and his promotion are excellent in local promotion and have some great young talents. Buck is actually one of the most underrated bookers out there. The lineup for the show, when it took place, featured:
*Tenille Dashwood (fka Emma) vs. Angelina Love
*Fallah Bahh vs. Alberto El Patron
*Bobby Wayward vs. Eddie Edwards
*Chris Payne vs. Matt Sydal
*Johnny Impact vs. Danny Maff
*Braxton & Allie vs. Nikos Rikos and Nikki Adams
Next week's Impact Wrestling will feature Impact Wrestling champion Austin Aries vs. Eli Drake, Hijo del Fantasma challenging X-Division champion Taiji Ishimori, Rosemary vs. Hania the Huntress and the debut of Brian Cage.
Rosemary, while keeping in character, acknowledged this week on Twitter that she had suffered an injury while wrestling Jessicka Havok over the weekend for AAW in Illinois.
Hania the Huntress, who debuted yesterday, is already done with the company, as previously noted, so don't get used to her on TV.
There's been zero contact between Impact and Jeff Jarrett to the best of my knowledge.
Impact's social media channels are now being run by Garrett Kidney, a long-time Impact Wrestling fan. It was a smart move to hire him as one can feel the legitimate excitement from the person handling the social media in the postings.
In regard to Rey Mysterio, the word that has made the way among the talents in the company is that the company had negotiated a deal with Mysterio for him to debut, but once Konnan (who reps Rey) got involved to seal the deal, something went wrong leading to the agreement never getting finalized and signed. Thus, Rey's debut was canceled. That explains why we heard travel was set at one point. There was hope of trying to get him to debut in April at the TV taping, but with Mysterio making it clear that he and WWE are in a courtship phase of trying to work something out, he obviously won't be coming into Impact unless something falls through with WWE. The big sticking point with WWE and Rey is that they want him back full-time, but he, at 43 and with an infinite number of knee surgeries under his belt, wants to work part-time.
Sonjay Dutt replaced Jeremy Borash as the lead announcer on last night's edition of Impact Wrestling. He was very good and since he is the one writing the TV shows right now, it's a smart move to have him in the booth as he above all will know exactly what he's trying to highlight and get over, similar to how Bill Watts knew exactly what to say when he did color commentary alongside Jim Ross in Mid-South Wrestling. With Dutt having a long rehab before he can return the ring, I think the best think Impact can do is keep him in the booth until then, then run an angle setting up his return. That gives them someone obviously very good in the lead announcing role until they decide on someone else, as opposed to scrambling to replace Borash.
Josh Mathew was also on commentary last night. The plan had been to replace Mathews with Don Callis, so we will see if that continues.
With no venue announced and no tickets on sale for Toronto, it's becoming more and more likely the April Redemption PPV and post-PPV tapings will be back at Universal Studios in Orlando, Florida. A number of talents are actually hoping that's the case as they'd rather spend a week in Florida obviously, especially if they are going to bring their families.
Tonight's Impact Wrestling's Twitch channel will debut "Brace for Impact" the 2/3 WrestlePro event from Rahway, NJ that drew in excess of 1,000 to the Rahway Rec Center at 8 PM Eastern. Pat Buck and his promotion are excellent in local promotion and have some great young talents. Buck is actually one of the most underrated bookers out there. The lineup for the show, when it took place, featured:
*Tenille Dashwood (fka Emma) vs. Angelina Love
*Fallah Bahh vs. Alberto El Patron
*Bobby Wayward vs. Eddie Edwards
*Chris Payne vs. Matt Sydal
*Johnny Impact vs. Danny Maff
*Braxton & Allie vs. Nikos Rikos and Nikki Adams
Next week's Impact Wrestling will feature Impact Wrestling champion Austin Aries vs. Eli Drake, Hijo del Fantasma challenging X-Division champion Taiji Ishimori, Rosemary vs. Hania the Huntress and the debut of Brian Cage.
Rosemary, while keeping in character, acknowledged this week on Twitter that she had suffered an injury while wrestling Jessicka Havok over the weekend for AAW in Illinois.
Hania the Huntress, who debuted yesterday, is already done with the company, as previously noted, so don't get used to her on TV.
There's been zero contact between Impact and Jeff Jarrett to the best of my knowledge.
Impact's social media channels are now being run by Garrett Kidney, a long-time Impact Wrestling fan. It was a smart move to hire him as one can feel the legitimate excitement from the person handling the social media in the postings.
JUSHIN LIGER TRAINING SEMINAR ANNOUNCED FOR LAS VEGAS
Future Stars of Wrestling in Las Vegas, will be hosting a seminar with
Japanese Legend Jushin Liger, Sunday March 11th, at 12pm.
Cost of the Seminar is $75 and open to all wrestlers and students. The seminar will be limited to 30 partcipants.
Payment must be made thru PayPal to Joe DeFalco at lvfuturestars@yahoo.com. For more info contact Joe, at lvfuturestars@yahoo.com
Cost of the Seminar is $75 and open to all wrestlers and students. The seminar will be limited to 30 partcipants.
Payment must be made thru PayPal to Joe DeFalco at lvfuturestars@yahoo.com. For more info contact Joe, at lvfuturestars@yahoo.com
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