“The Boys” supervising sound editor Wade Barnett calls his 2023 Emmy nomination an “exciting moment,” and it’s one he’s experienced before as he was also nominated for Amazon Prime Video’s comic-book drama in 2020. This time around Barnett is up for his work on the Season 3 finale, “The Instant White-Hot Wild,” which streamed last July. Watch the exclusive video interview above.
One of the reasons the finale was chosen to be submitted to Emmy voters is because it “had a lot of really good sound design moments,” the artisan tells us. “But also the story kind of all wraps up, so overall it’s just a really solid episode.” He adds that it’s a “really tough” choice to pick just one, because “these episodes are almost kind of like mini-movies.”
SEEErin Moriarty teases ‘The Boys’ Season 4: ‘It’s going to cause a lot of gasps’ [Complete Interview Transcript]
Other installments...
One of the reasons the finale was chosen to be submitted to Emmy voters is because it “had a lot of really good sound design moments,” the artisan tells us. “But also the story kind of all wraps up, so overall it’s just a really solid episode.” He adds that it’s a “really tough” choice to pick just one, because “these episodes are almost kind of like mini-movies.”
SEEErin Moriarty teases ‘The Boys’ Season 4: ‘It’s going to cause a lot of gasps’ [Complete Interview Transcript]
Other installments...
- 7/26/2023
- by Marcus James Dixon
- Gold Derby
Consider This: Conversations highlight television’s award-worthy productions through panel discussions with the artists themselves. The above video is in partnership with Amazon Prime Video, produced by IndieWire’s Creative Producer Leonardo Adrian Garcia, and hosted by TV Deputy Editor and Critic Ben Travers.
One of the innate challenges to making “The Boys” — Amazon Prime Video’s superhero satire — is making the impossible feel real.
“You try to find that grain of reality in everything, and that can be very hard to do,” VFX Supervisor Stephan Fleet said in a panel discussion with IndieWire. “You could have a sentence that’s like, ‘We want the Boys to crash into this whale, but it needs to look as real as possible’ — or, ‘We want this giant dick monster to wrap around Mother’s Milk’s neck, but it has to feel real.”
The combination of absurdity and authenticity is exactly what...
One of the innate challenges to making “The Boys” — Amazon Prime Video’s superhero satire — is making the impossible feel real.
“You try to find that grain of reality in everything, and that can be very hard to do,” VFX Supervisor Stephan Fleet said in a panel discussion with IndieWire. “You could have a sentence that’s like, ‘We want the Boys to crash into this whale, but it needs to look as real as possible’ — or, ‘We want this giant dick monster to wrap around Mother’s Milk’s neck, but it has to feel real.”
The combination of absurdity and authenticity is exactly what...
- 6/9/2021
- by Ben Travers
- Indiewire
WWE.com
The Wrestling Observer have offered up a theory as to why Wade Barrett isn’t planning on signing an extension to his WWE contract once it runs out in mid-2016. According to Dave Meltzer, there’s a chance that Barrett is interested in becoming a football analyst. That is ‘soccer’, not American Football. Further to this, it’s theorised by the Observer that he could do so from the United States, rather than moving back to his homeland of England.
Wade Barrett stands at a billed 6ft 7 inches, and has a wiry, muscular frame that makes him look like he could actually be handy in a fight. He’s also extremely well-spoken, most Americans can understand him despite his English accent. The man’s promos and in-ring performances are both fine, so why hasn’t he ever received a sustained top-line push or even been given a chance over the past few years?...
The Wrestling Observer have offered up a theory as to why Wade Barrett isn’t planning on signing an extension to his WWE contract once it runs out in mid-2016. According to Dave Meltzer, there’s a chance that Barrett is interested in becoming a football analyst. That is ‘soccer’, not American Football. Further to this, it’s theorised by the Observer that he could do so from the United States, rather than moving back to his homeland of England.
Wade Barrett stands at a billed 6ft 7 inches, and has a wiry, muscular frame that makes him look like he could actually be handy in a fight. He’s also extremely well-spoken, most Americans can understand him despite his English accent. The man’s promos and in-ring performances are both fine, so why hasn’t he ever received a sustained top-line push or even been given a chance over the past few years?...
- 2/19/2016
- by Jamie Kennedy
- Obsessed with Film
wwe.com / wikipedia
Wade Barrett’s reason for leaving WWE could be to pursue a career in soccer punditry. Dave Meltzer notes in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter “I do know that Barrett had been interested in being a soccer analyst in the U.K. after his wrestling days were over.”
As a passionate Preston North End fan, and having grown up in the same region as massive clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United, Barrett is very knowledgeable on all things soccer. While punditry jobs are filled with big names in the UK, he could perhaps have a career talking about soccer on the major Us networks. He’s a confident speaker and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t make a go for it if he has the ambition.
He’s also a big Rugby Union fan, which could be another avenue of sports analysis for him to work in.
Wade Barrett’s reason for leaving WWE could be to pursue a career in soccer punditry. Dave Meltzer notes in the latest Wrestling Observer Newsletter “I do know that Barrett had been interested in being a soccer analyst in the U.K. after his wrestling days were over.”
As a passionate Preston North End fan, and having grown up in the same region as massive clubs like Liverpool and Manchester United, Barrett is very knowledgeable on all things soccer. While punditry jobs are filled with big names in the UK, he could perhaps have a career talking about soccer on the major Us networks. He’s a confident speaker and there’s no reason why he shouldn’t make a go for it if he has the ambition.
He’s also a big Rugby Union fan, which could be another avenue of sports analysis for him to work in.
- 2/18/2016
- by Grahame Herbert
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
It looks like Wade Barrett’s WWE career is coming to an end.
Last night, ProWrestlingSheet.com’s Ryan Satin broke the news that WWE’s resident King – sorry Jerry – has opted not to renew his WWE contract that expires this summer.
The reason behind the purveyor of Bad News’ departure seems to be down to an issue with WWE’s fabled creative teams. Barrett is unhappy with the way he’s being booked and wants out. He isn’t the first, and certainly won’t be the last to succumb to this fate.
It’s a real shame that Barrett’s run in WWE has come to this. On two separate occasions it has looked like he’d been set for stardom. His initial run as the leader of the Nexus propelled him into the main event scene, battling the likes of John Cena and Randy Orton...
It looks like Wade Barrett’s WWE career is coming to an end.
Last night, ProWrestlingSheet.com’s Ryan Satin broke the news that WWE’s resident King – sorry Jerry – has opted not to renew his WWE contract that expires this summer.
The reason behind the purveyor of Bad News’ departure seems to be down to an issue with WWE’s fabled creative teams. Barrett is unhappy with the way he’s being booked and wants out. He isn’t the first, and certainly won’t be the last to succumb to this fate.
It’s a real shame that Barrett’s run in WWE has come to this. On two separate occasions it has looked like he’d been set for stardom. His initial run as the leader of the Nexus propelled him into the main event scene, battling the likes of John Cena and Randy Orton...
- 2/17/2016
- by Ross Tweddell
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
In June, Wade Barrett will be done with WWE unless there’s drastic changes. He’s reportedly not happy with how he’s being pushed, and who could blame him? He has the look, the in-ring skills and the poise of a main event talent. Hell, the man Did main event mutliple pay-per-views in 2010. But that was six years ago, and his current incarnation as King Barrett means almost nothing to the company.
Unless there’s something big we don’t know about Barrett behind-the-scenes, then this is all on WWE. For a company starving for top stars, they’ve given him so many start-and-stop pushes that it’s maddening to watch, let alone live through. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a great talent has felt forced out of the company. Sure, they could stay employed for years, watching others leapfrog them on the roster, or...
In June, Wade Barrett will be done with WWE unless there’s drastic changes. He’s reportedly not happy with how he’s being pushed, and who could blame him? He has the look, the in-ring skills and the poise of a main event talent. Hell, the man Did main event mutliple pay-per-views in 2010. But that was six years ago, and his current incarnation as King Barrett means almost nothing to the company.
Unless there’s something big we don’t know about Barrett behind-the-scenes, then this is all on WWE. For a company starving for top stars, they’ve given him so many start-and-stop pushes that it’s maddening to watch, let alone live through. Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time a great talent has felt forced out of the company. Sure, they could stay employed for years, watching others leapfrog them on the roster, or...
- 2/17/2016
- by Andrew Soucek
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
One story dominated SmackDown this week, an angle revolving around the friendship between Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. The pair underwent a testing night, including several incidents that will surely throw their alliance into question as we approach Fastlane.
The pair are, of course, scheduled to face Brock Lesnar in a triple threat Number One Contender’s match at the February 21st pay per view.
Elsewhere on the show, Kevin Owens attempted to destroy Us Champion Kalisto, the New Day and Social Outcasts fought in heel vs. heel action, and Aj Styles squared off against The Miz after the pair came to blows on Raw. One man actually left the match with fewer teeth than before!
Add Goldust, R-Truth, and Ryback into the mix, and you’ve got a perfect recipe for a night of ‘Wtf’ moments.
17. Roman Gets Confused By His Own Fist WWE.com
This week,...
One story dominated SmackDown this week, an angle revolving around the friendship between Roman Reigns and Dean Ambrose. The pair underwent a testing night, including several incidents that will surely throw their alliance into question as we approach Fastlane.
The pair are, of course, scheduled to face Brock Lesnar in a triple threat Number One Contender’s match at the February 21st pay per view.
Elsewhere on the show, Kevin Owens attempted to destroy Us Champion Kalisto, the New Day and Social Outcasts fought in heel vs. heel action, and Aj Styles squared off against The Miz after the pair came to blows on Raw. One man actually left the match with fewer teeth than before!
Add Goldust, R-Truth, and Ryback into the mix, and you’ve got a perfect recipe for a night of ‘Wtf’ moments.
17. Roman Gets Confused By His Own Fist WWE.com
This week,...
- 2/5/2016
- by Jack G King
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
This past week on Smackdown, Alberto Del Rio regained the United States Championship from Kalisto, giving Kalisto a one-day reign as champion (2 or 3 days in air time depending on whether you watched Smackdown on Wednesday or Thursday). Kalisto’s reign as champion is one of the 30 most inconsequential title reigns in WWE history, but where does it fit amongst other inconsequential title reigns?
The criteria for this list are that these are one-time-only singles champions (so Wade Barrett needn’t fear an inclusion on this list for his five separate inconsequential Intercontinental title reigns), and we are relegating this list to Intercontinental, United States, and European Champions. Whether or not the reign was inconsequential or not, if you win the WWE or World Championship, it means something. The Hardcore Title changed hands so often (which was the point of the title) that it could have its own list.
This past week on Smackdown, Alberto Del Rio regained the United States Championship from Kalisto, giving Kalisto a one-day reign as champion (2 or 3 days in air time depending on whether you watched Smackdown on Wednesday or Thursday). Kalisto’s reign as champion is one of the 30 most inconsequential title reigns in WWE history, but where does it fit amongst other inconsequential title reigns?
The criteria for this list are that these are one-time-only singles champions (so Wade Barrett needn’t fear an inclusion on this list for his five separate inconsequential Intercontinental title reigns), and we are relegating this list to Intercontinental, United States, and European Champions. Whether or not the reign was inconsequential or not, if you win the WWE or World Championship, it means something. The Hardcore Title changed hands so often (which was the point of the title) that it could have its own list.
- 1/17/2016
- by Justin Seagull
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Wade Barrett has been a WWE television character for five-and-half-years now. That’s an awful lot of time, but what has Wade done with it or, more to the point, what has WWE creative done with him?
He’s been an Nxt contestant (back when it was a wildly inconsistent pusedo reality show), Nxt winner and Nexus leader, an Intercontinental Champion and leader of the ‘Barrett Barrage’, he’s delivered bad news from a giant podium, he’s been a King and, presently, he’s a member of the League of Nations stable.
Actually, he’s presently pinned to the sidelines, denied in-ring competition due to a neck injury that WWE officials fear could be serious. Injuries are nothing new to Barrett, his WWE career having been stopped and started many times over due to wear-and-tear as much as haphazzard creative.
Indeed, Barrett’s career has been nothing if not consistent.
Wade Barrett has been a WWE television character for five-and-half-years now. That’s an awful lot of time, but what has Wade done with it or, more to the point, what has WWE creative done with him?
He’s been an Nxt contestant (back when it was a wildly inconsistent pusedo reality show), Nxt winner and Nexus leader, an Intercontinental Champion and leader of the ‘Barrett Barrage’, he’s delivered bad news from a giant podium, he’s been a King and, presently, he’s a member of the League of Nations stable.
Actually, he’s presently pinned to the sidelines, denied in-ring competition due to a neck injury that WWE officials fear could be serious. Injuries are nothing new to Barrett, his WWE career having been stopped and started many times over due to wear-and-tear as much as haphazzard creative.
Indeed, Barrett’s career has been nothing if not consistent.
- 1/3/2016
- by Lewis Howse
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
The past twelve months weren’t exactly a banner year for WWE. Poor ratings and even worse creative left the company in something of a funk going into the Christmas period. Match quality, though, is not something that the WWE roster struggles to maintain. There are A-grade performers on every rung of WWE’s talent ladder and just about every wrestler the company employs is capable of putting on a standout match when the stars align.
Some of the best WWE matches of the year are those that have been overlooked by many since they initially took place. These ten bouts have been criminally underrated across the board, but should be held up as prime examples of the best in-ring work that WWE has to offer.
10. Neville vs. Bad News Barrett (King Of The Ring) WWE.com
It would be tough to find anyone willing to argue that...
The past twelve months weren’t exactly a banner year for WWE. Poor ratings and even worse creative left the company in something of a funk going into the Christmas period. Match quality, though, is not something that the WWE roster struggles to maintain. There are A-grade performers on every rung of WWE’s talent ladder and just about every wrestler the company employs is capable of putting on a standout match when the stars align.
Some of the best WWE matches of the year are those that have been overlooked by many since they initially took place. These ten bouts have been criminally underrated across the board, but should be held up as prime examples of the best in-ring work that WWE has to offer.
10. Neville vs. Bad News Barrett (King Of The Ring) WWE.com
It would be tough to find anyone willing to argue that...
- 12/28/2015
- by Tom Beasley
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Whatever you think of the current state of WWE, there are a few things that seem to make repeat appearances amongst most common criticisms of the product: there are a lot of brilliant athletes not being used to their full potential, the storylines aren’t quite as captivating as they could be, and there’s an unpredictability about the weekly shows sorely lacking compared to years gone by.
It’s for those reasons and more that we put it to you that it’s time to officially re-instate the WWE Hardcore Championship. “But it’s a PG era!” we hear you cry. We’ll get to that, and any other questions you may have, in this handy, ten-point guide to why bringing back the funnest WWE title in history is a guaranteed ratings-smasher.
Let’s do this…
10. It’d Give Some Underused Talent Some Extra Screen Time WWE.
Whatever you think of the current state of WWE, there are a few things that seem to make repeat appearances amongst most common criticisms of the product: there are a lot of brilliant athletes not being used to their full potential, the storylines aren’t quite as captivating as they could be, and there’s an unpredictability about the weekly shows sorely lacking compared to years gone by.
It’s for those reasons and more that we put it to you that it’s time to officially re-instate the WWE Hardcore Championship. “But it’s a PG era!” we hear you cry. We’ll get to that, and any other questions you may have, in this handy, ten-point guide to why bringing back the funnest WWE title in history is a guaranteed ratings-smasher.
Let’s do this…
10. It’d Give Some Underused Talent Some Extra Screen Time WWE.
- 12/10/2015
- by Merlin Alderslade
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Two further matches were added to WWE’s TLC card on last night’s Raw. This Sunday’s pay per view will now feature an eight-man elimination tables match between the Wyatt Family and the Ecw originals, a team made up of the Dudley Boyz, Tommy Dreamer, and last night’s returner, Rhyno.
Additionally, a title match has been announced for Alberto Del Rio’s Us Championship. The Mexican champion will take on Jack Swagger, with whom he’s built a rivalry over the past few weeks, in a chair match.
This is not necessarily Sunday’s final card, and WWE could well attempt to fit some more superstars onto the bill. Current glaring omissions include Rusev and Wade Barrett (the remainder of Sheamus ‘League of Nations’ posse), Tyler Breeze and Dolph Ziggler.
The updated card reads as follows:
WWE World Heavyweight Title – TLC Match
Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns...
Two further matches were added to WWE’s TLC card on last night’s Raw. This Sunday’s pay per view will now feature an eight-man elimination tables match between the Wyatt Family and the Ecw originals, a team made up of the Dudley Boyz, Tommy Dreamer, and last night’s returner, Rhyno.
Additionally, a title match has been announced for Alberto Del Rio’s Us Championship. The Mexican champion will take on Jack Swagger, with whom he’s built a rivalry over the past few weeks, in a chair match.
This is not necessarily Sunday’s final card, and WWE could well attempt to fit some more superstars onto the bill. Current glaring omissions include Rusev and Wade Barrett (the remainder of Sheamus ‘League of Nations’ posse), Tyler Breeze and Dolph Ziggler.
The updated card reads as follows:
WWE World Heavyweight Title – TLC Match
Sheamus vs. Roman Reigns...
- 12/8/2015
- by Jack G King
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
It’s fair to say that pro wrestling fans do an awful lot of complaining nowadays. On one side of the coin, that shows people really care about the industry. On the other, it proves that almost everybody feels they could book World Wrestling Entertainment more effectively than the folks actually employed to do so.
Wrestling fans should be passionate, and they should care about what goes on week-to-wee in WWE. However, that’s not to say that the people are always correct. As shocking as it may sound, there are occasions when both hardcore and casual grappling enthusiasts want things that simply wouldn’t work out in the long run. The reasons for this are varied, and this article explores many of them.
This list may seem like a thinly-veiled attack on those who give a damn about WWE’s product. In truth, it’s not, it...
It’s fair to say that pro wrestling fans do an awful lot of complaining nowadays. On one side of the coin, that shows people really care about the industry. On the other, it proves that almost everybody feels they could book World Wrestling Entertainment more effectively than the folks actually employed to do so.
Wrestling fans should be passionate, and they should care about what goes on week-to-wee in WWE. However, that’s not to say that the people are always correct. As shocking as it may sound, there are occasions when both hardcore and casual grappling enthusiasts want things that simply wouldn’t work out in the long run. The reasons for this are varied, and this article explores many of them.
This list may seem like a thinly-veiled attack on those who give a damn about WWE’s product. In truth, it’s not, it...
- 10/21/2015
- by Jamie Kennedy
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Earlier this week, Raw managed to buck the trend of successive lowest-ever ratings, dragging itself above the previous week’s effort (partially thanks to the appearance of Brock Lesnar at the beginning of show). However, if this worrying decline has inspired Vince McMahon and the Raw writers to try things a little differently, the idea hasn’t quite filtered through to Smackdown yet.
In terms of actual in-ring action, this week’s episode was incredibly mundane. Not a single match stood out as particularly noteworthy or exciting when the card was announced, and it lived up to its mediocre billing. That’s right, not even Neville vs Wade Barrett could pull this show from the doldrums.
Fortunately, as much as this week’s Smackdown was lacking in conventional entertainment, it was still packed full of Wtf Moments for us all to enjoy – from the hilarious to the head-scratching,...
Earlier this week, Raw managed to buck the trend of successive lowest-ever ratings, dragging itself above the previous week’s effort (partially thanks to the appearance of Brock Lesnar at the beginning of show). However, if this worrying decline has inspired Vince McMahon and the Raw writers to try things a little differently, the idea hasn’t quite filtered through to Smackdown yet.
In terms of actual in-ring action, this week’s episode was incredibly mundane. Not a single match stood out as particularly noteworthy or exciting when the card was announced, and it lived up to its mediocre billing. That’s right, not even Neville vs Wade Barrett could pull this show from the doldrums.
Fortunately, as much as this week’s Smackdown was lacking in conventional entertainment, it was still packed full of Wtf Moments for us all to enjoy – from the hilarious to the head-scratching,...
- 10/9/2015
- by Jack G King
- Obsessed with Film
wwe.com
WWE’s Nxt is generally considered the best weekly wrestling show on television. In my opinion, it is.
The storylines are logical, the characters are engaging, the championships matter and the women’s division is outstanding. The locker room is comprised of some of the most talented young wrestlers from around the globe and they are all hungry and motivated to deliver the best matches possible.
Nxt is awesome, yes, but that hasn’t always been the case.
Many will remember when Nxt originally aired in 2010, and the so called “Rookies” were paired up with their “Pros”. It was apparent early on that WWE hadn’t put much thought into it. The rookies competed in ill-conceived “challenges” like carrying a keg around the ring and cutting promos on moustaches.
Wade Barrett would “win” the contract, but then the other Rookies joined him on the main roster anyway as the Nexus,...
WWE’s Nxt is generally considered the best weekly wrestling show on television. In my opinion, it is.
The storylines are logical, the characters are engaging, the championships matter and the women’s division is outstanding. The locker room is comprised of some of the most talented young wrestlers from around the globe and they are all hungry and motivated to deliver the best matches possible.
Nxt is awesome, yes, but that hasn’t always been the case.
Many will remember when Nxt originally aired in 2010, and the so called “Rookies” were paired up with their “Pros”. It was apparent early on that WWE hadn’t put much thought into it. The rookies competed in ill-conceived “challenges” like carrying a keg around the ring and cutting promos on moustaches.
Wade Barrett would “win” the contract, but then the other Rookies joined him on the main roster anyway as the Nexus,...
- 9/16/2015
- by Chris Smith
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Last Monday night, Ryback rolled up Seth Rollins to score a victory over the WWE Champion. Although a non-title match, it demonstrated just how far the big guy has come – especially since acting as one of Wade Barrett’s more underwhelming Nexus lackeys.
But Ryback’s WWE career stretches much further back than his time in Nxt. He’s been affiliated with the company for over a decade now, accumulating all sorts of experience along the way. Ryback’s love of the wrestling industry stretches back to childhood, and although he’s come under a certain amount of criticism throughout his time in the business, it’s always nice to see a bonafide fan achieve their dream of making it in the WWE.
Here are 10 surprising facts you may not know about ‘The Human Wrecking Ball’, starting off with an explanation for his immense physique.
10. He’s Worked...
Last Monday night, Ryback rolled up Seth Rollins to score a victory over the WWE Champion. Although a non-title match, it demonstrated just how far the big guy has come – especially since acting as one of Wade Barrett’s more underwhelming Nexus lackeys.
But Ryback’s WWE career stretches much further back than his time in Nxt. He’s been affiliated with the company for over a decade now, accumulating all sorts of experience along the way. Ryback’s love of the wrestling industry stretches back to childhood, and although he’s come under a certain amount of criticism throughout his time in the business, it’s always nice to see a bonafide fan achieve their dream of making it in the WWE.
Here are 10 surprising facts you may not know about ‘The Human Wrecking Ball’, starting off with an explanation for his immense physique.
10. He’s Worked...
- 9/9/2015
- by Jack G King
- Obsessed with Film
"Go-home show" had more than one meaning in Minneapolis. Not only was it the final Monday night before SummerSlam (in case that failed to register amid Triple H and Stephanie's lengthy opening address), it was also Brock Lesnar's chance to bask in the adulation of his adopted home state. Side effect: The Undertaker got pooped all over, as did the Divas and anyone else in the final few segments who wasn't Brock Lesnar.
But hey, let's not dwell on the more controversial aspects of a fine show.
After all,...
But hey, let's not dwell on the more controversial aspects of a fine show.
After all,...
- 8/18/2015
- Rollingstone.com
WWE.com
As great as Nxt is as a weekly TV show, it remains WWE’s developmental territory where they groom talent to one day be called up to the main roster. In the three years it’s been the feeder system for WWE, it’s given us a great deal of stars such as Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins, and Neville.
But it wasn’t always the primary proving ground: before there was Nxt, there was Florida Championship Wrestling.
After WWE severed ties with Deep South Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2007 and 2008, respectively, they started up the developmental promotion. In fact, many of the main roster members of today graduated from there including Sheamus, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler, and Wade Barrett, though it’s worth noting only one them held the Fcw Heavyweight Championship, the territory’s top title at the time.
Usually when a promotion gives their lead championship to a wrestler,...
As great as Nxt is as a weekly TV show, it remains WWE’s developmental territory where they groom talent to one day be called up to the main roster. In the three years it’s been the feeder system for WWE, it’s given us a great deal of stars such as Bray Wyatt, Seth Rollins, and Neville.
But it wasn’t always the primary proving ground: before there was Nxt, there was Florida Championship Wrestling.
After WWE severed ties with Deep South Wrestling and Ohio Valley Wrestling in 2007 and 2008, respectively, they started up the developmental promotion. In fact, many of the main roster members of today graduated from there including Sheamus, Kofi Kingston, Dolph Ziggler, and Wade Barrett, though it’s worth noting only one them held the Fcw Heavyweight Championship, the territory’s top title at the time.
Usually when a promotion gives their lead championship to a wrestler,...
- 8/17/2015
- by Graham GSM Matthews
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Wade Barrett is apparently no more because WWE has decided to drop the idea of using his first name.
Wrestling Observer Radio reports the news and it’s probably no surprise to anyone who has watched WWE tv regularly as his first name was dropped for the Bad News Barrett gimmick last year which transitioned to King Barrett a couple of months ago.
WWE.com
There’s was no specific reason as to why it was done, but WWE has done that sort of thing in the last few years with guys like Cesaro losing Antonio as a first name and Big E dropping Langston as a last name. When Neville got called up to the main roster, they stopped calling him Adrian Neville too.
This name drop is a bit more peculiar since he’s been a part of WWE’s main roster for five years, so...
Wade Barrett is apparently no more because WWE has decided to drop the idea of using his first name.
Wrestling Observer Radio reports the news and it’s probably no surprise to anyone who has watched WWE tv regularly as his first name was dropped for the Bad News Barrett gimmick last year which transitioned to King Barrett a couple of months ago.
WWE.com
There’s was no specific reason as to why it was done, but WWE has done that sort of thing in the last few years with guys like Cesaro losing Antonio as a first name and Big E dropping Langston as a last name. When Neville got called up to the main roster, they stopped calling him Adrian Neville too.
This name drop is a bit more peculiar since he’s been a part of WWE’s main roster for five years, so...
- 7/19/2015
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
Let freedom ring! After months of anticipation, carefully seeded #GiveDivasAChance memes and arbitrary merry-go-rounds of contenders for Nikki Bella's title, the revolution was finally televised. All hail WWE, as the glass ceiling has at last been lifted! Ok, it wasn't quite that groundbreaking, but the introduction of Sasha Banks, Becky Lynch and Charlotte to the main roster (we assume) was a nice kick in the knickers. Not that there wasn't plenty of other brouhaha before all was said and done in Hotlanta, notably surrounding what's suddenly the company's hottest commodity,...
- 7/14/2015
- Rollingstone.com
wwe.com
The untimely death of Dusty Rhodes has resulted in an outpouring of grief from nearly every contracted WWE talent. The various tweets and facebook posts from the wrestlers are all indicative of a man who was vitally important in teaching the next generation of superstars.
His work at the Performance Center was particularly focused on the art of a promo. Sharing his memories of Dusty, Sami Zayn recounts a funny story about the ‘Dream’ and Kevin Owens (then called Kevin Steen). It was Owens’ first week and Dusty had a terrible habit of getting names wrong. When he called up ‘Kip Stern’ to come to the front of the class to cut a promo, Owens just stared blankly. William Regal then nudged him, “you better get up there.”
Owens has since changed his name to ‘Kip Stern’ on Twitter as a personal tribute to Rhodes.
Other superstars also...
The untimely death of Dusty Rhodes has resulted in an outpouring of grief from nearly every contracted WWE talent. The various tweets and facebook posts from the wrestlers are all indicative of a man who was vitally important in teaching the next generation of superstars.
His work at the Performance Center was particularly focused on the art of a promo. Sharing his memories of Dusty, Sami Zayn recounts a funny story about the ‘Dream’ and Kevin Owens (then called Kevin Steen). It was Owens’ first week and Dusty had a terrible habit of getting names wrong. When he called up ‘Kip Stern’ to come to the front of the class to cut a promo, Owens just stared blankly. William Regal then nudged him, “you better get up there.”
Owens has since changed his name to ‘Kip Stern’ on Twitter as a personal tribute to Rhodes.
Other superstars also...
- 6/12/2015
- by Grahame Herbert
- Obsessed with Film
wwe.com
The just-held King of the Ring 2015 will be remembered as the night we crowned Wade Barrett as king. However, look back 17 years ago to June 28, 1998’s 1998 King of the Ring tournament and no, Ken Shamrock’s victory via submission over The Rock is not what you’re remembering most.
Eleven times out of ten, it’s that one time, two times, three times, no, make that like five different times that The Undertaker nearly legitimately killed Mankind.
See, Undertaker versus Mankind on one level was a Hell in the Cell booked in order to add a darker veneer to The Undertaker’s character. Just one month prior, Mankind was Dude Love, a comic foil to Mr. McMahon who was bent on winning the WWF Championship from Steve Austin. One month later, he was shirt-and-tie wearing Mankind, being sent after an Undertaker that Vince McMahon had challenged to be a meaner and angrier wrestler.
The just-held King of the Ring 2015 will be remembered as the night we crowned Wade Barrett as king. However, look back 17 years ago to June 28, 1998’s 1998 King of the Ring tournament and no, Ken Shamrock’s victory via submission over The Rock is not what you’re remembering most.
Eleven times out of ten, it’s that one time, two times, three times, no, make that like five different times that The Undertaker nearly legitimately killed Mankind.
See, Undertaker versus Mankind on one level was a Hell in the Cell booked in order to add a darker veneer to The Undertaker’s character. Just one month prior, Mankind was Dude Love, a comic foil to Mr. McMahon who was bent on winning the WWF Championship from Steve Austin. One month later, he was shirt-and-tie wearing Mankind, being sent after an Undertaker that Vince McMahon had challenged to be a meaner and angrier wrestler.
- 5/8/2015
- by Marcus K. Dowling
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
Without doubt, the recent spur-of-the-moment King of the Ring tournament could have been handled infinitely better – as in actually advertised, built up and given significance in the weeks prior – but all is now said and done and we have a new King in the form of Wade Barrett.
Barrett may have been the predictable choice for the crown, but he was also likely the best choice out of the superstars involved in the two-night tournament. With his Intercontinental Title match pulled from the recent Extreme Rules show due to Daniel Bryan’s injury situation, winning King of the Ring was a decent compensation prize for the Englishman.
The former leader of both the Nexus and the Corre has had an up and down WWE career to date, having had his time in the main event scene, held multiple mid-card titles, yet had various unfortunate injury setbacks that seem...
Without doubt, the recent spur-of-the-moment King of the Ring tournament could have been handled infinitely better – as in actually advertised, built up and given significance in the weeks prior – but all is now said and done and we have a new King in the form of Wade Barrett.
Barrett may have been the predictable choice for the crown, but he was also likely the best choice out of the superstars involved in the two-night tournament. With his Intercontinental Title match pulled from the recent Extreme Rules show due to Daniel Bryan’s injury situation, winning King of the Ring was a decent compensation prize for the Englishman.
The former leader of both the Nexus and the Corre has had an up and down WWE career to date, having had his time in the main event scene, held multiple mid-card titles, yet had various unfortunate injury setbacks that seem...
- 4/29/2015
- by Andrew Pollard
- Obsessed with Film
Don Feria/AP
The legitimacy of the mainstream – of sport, celebrity and big business – is something that, for all his bluster, Vincent Kennedy McMahon has aspired to for three decades or more. All of his failed commercial ventures – the World Bodybuilding Federation, the Xfl, WWE New York and Niagara Falls, some would say WWE Studios – have been attempts to diversify his company’s business out of the niche market of professional wrestling. Now we have the Network, an online streaming service working as a foundation for control of the cable television broadcast of WWE-owned product.
In the same way, when it come to the wrestling business WWE have always been keen on hyping their performers by bigging up their sporting exploits prior to joining the company. In recent years they’ve exploited the legitimate credibility of Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Steve Blackman, Kurt Angle, Shelton Benjamin, Jake ‘Jack Swagger’ Hager,...
The legitimacy of the mainstream – of sport, celebrity and big business – is something that, for all his bluster, Vincent Kennedy McMahon has aspired to for three decades or more. All of his failed commercial ventures – the World Bodybuilding Federation, the Xfl, WWE New York and Niagara Falls, some would say WWE Studios – have been attempts to diversify his company’s business out of the niche market of professional wrestling. Now we have the Network, an online streaming service working as a foundation for control of the cable television broadcast of WWE-owned product.
In the same way, when it come to the wrestling business WWE have always been keen on hyping their performers by bigging up their sporting exploits prior to joining the company. In recent years they’ve exploited the legitimate credibility of Ken Shamrock, Dan Severn, Steve Blackman, Kurt Angle, Shelton Benjamin, Jake ‘Jack Swagger’ Hager,...
- 4/3/2015
- by Ben Cooke
- Obsessed with Film
There were a lot of quick finishes and long soliloquies last night, which isn't necessarily a bad thing. There was also a legends panel and a Raw reunion, not all of which was necessarily great. But all anyone will remember is Sting staring down Triple H and Brock Lesnar launching Big Show like he was a duffel bag stuffed with down.
So without either of my feet touching the floor, here are the five things I took away (in addition to some sidebar observations) from the January 19, pre-Royal Rumble edition of Raw.
So without either of my feet touching the floor, here are the five things I took away (in addition to some sidebar observations) from the January 19, pre-Royal Rumble edition of Raw.
- 1/20/2015
- Rollingstone.com
WWE.com
Chris Jericho just wrapped up his most recent run with WWE. It seems that the charismatic first-ever Undisputed Champion is in a constant state of coming and going. After returning to the company in June, Y2J immediately embarked on a feud with Bray Wyatt and his Wyatt Family. Following a series of matches, which culminated in a cage match loss on Raw, Jericho moved on to an extremely brief rivalry with Randy Orton.
While Jericho just departed the company following Night of Champions, it seems there’s a chance that Y2J may be returning to the WWE sooner rather than later. The master of the Walls of Jericho and Codebreaker is currently advertised to appear for the promotion during its upcoming European tour.
As of this moment, Jericho is listed for the November 10th live event in Bournemouth, England and the November 15th live event in Frankfurt,...
Chris Jericho just wrapped up his most recent run with WWE. It seems that the charismatic first-ever Undisputed Champion is in a constant state of coming and going. After returning to the company in June, Y2J immediately embarked on a feud with Bray Wyatt and his Wyatt Family. Following a series of matches, which culminated in a cage match loss on Raw, Jericho moved on to an extremely brief rivalry with Randy Orton.
While Jericho just departed the company following Night of Champions, it seems there’s a chance that Y2J may be returning to the WWE sooner rather than later. The master of the Walls of Jericho and Codebreaker is currently advertised to appear for the promotion during its upcoming European tour.
As of this moment, Jericho is listed for the November 10th live event in Bournemouth, England and the November 15th live event in Frankfurt,...
- 10/1/2014
- by Douglas Scarpa
- Obsessed with Film
A biopic about the life of wrestler Les Kellett is in development.
Director Harvey Auzorst has written the screenplay, and is currently seeking a producer to help bring the project to the screen.
William Regal and Wade Barrett: 'WWE needs an English champion'
Auzorst has undertaken an unprecedented level of research into the wrestler's life, having the support of WWE Superstar William Regal.
Prior to writing the script, Auzorst interviewed those who lived, worked and toured with Kellett.
"My finished screenplay deals with Les, warts and all. He was a complicated man, to put it mildly," the director explained.
"The film deals with how the old-skool deal with changing times, or indeed how they fail to deal. It is not so much a wrestling film, as a drama which happens to focus upon wrestling."
If you're a fan of 60's & 70's British Wrestling then please follow @KellettFilm.
— William Regal...
Director Harvey Auzorst has written the screenplay, and is currently seeking a producer to help bring the project to the screen.
William Regal and Wade Barrett: 'WWE needs an English champion'
Auzorst has undertaken an unprecedented level of research into the wrestler's life, having the support of WWE Superstar William Regal.
Prior to writing the script, Auzorst interviewed those who lived, worked and toured with Kellett.
"My finished screenplay deals with Les, warts and all. He was a complicated man, to put it mildly," the director explained.
"The film deals with how the old-skool deal with changing times, or indeed how they fail to deal. It is not so much a wrestling film, as a drama which happens to focus upon wrestling."
If you're a fan of 60's & 70's British Wrestling then please follow @KellettFilm.
— William Regal...
- 8/26/2014
- Digital Spy
It was a rough week in professional wrestling, probably worse than most people were expecting. It was the financial equivalent of Chyna vs. X-Pac in a tickle fight. The two major companies in the United States both received some bad news, and not the fun kind like Wade Barrett delivers. The next few weeks could be a scary time, and some hard-working people are now out of a job with perhaps more to follow. Well, let’s look on the bright side for a moment, at least we had a miniature bull hitting a man in the groin! That’s always good for a laugh!
In other news, Cesaro traded in his tornado siren theme song opening noise for an ambulance one, The Hardy Boyz teamed up on TV for the first time in three years and Tna also gave away a visual spoiler on-air of Dixie Carter going through a table next week.
In other news, Cesaro traded in his tornado siren theme song opening noise for an ambulance one, The Hardy Boyz teamed up on TV for the first time in three years and Tna also gave away a visual spoiler on-air of Dixie Carter going through a table next week.
- 8/3/2014
- by Andrew Soucek
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
WWE put on a great show on Thursday with Nxt Takeover, so it comes as a little bit of a shock that a show for the main roster the following night could be so bad. SmackDown was almost a complete wash this week with only two bouts really standing out above the rest.
Sheamus defeated Wade Barrett in the match of the night and Jimmy Uso couldn’t answer the 10-count against Bray Wyatt in the main event Last Man Standing Match. Everything else on the show was either some kind of comedy segment, a terrible match or something barely worth watching to begin with.
I typically try to focus on the positive aspects of SmackDown and WWE in general, but shows like this make it difficult not to sound jaded. WWE definitely has the right idea trying to appeal to all age groups, but even little kids...
WWE put on a great show on Thursday with Nxt Takeover, so it comes as a little bit of a shock that a show for the main roster the following night could be so bad. SmackDown was almost a complete wash this week with only two bouts really standing out above the rest.
Sheamus defeated Wade Barrett in the match of the night and Jimmy Uso couldn’t answer the 10-count against Bray Wyatt in the main event Last Man Standing Match. Everything else on the show was either some kind of comedy segment, a terrible match or something barely worth watching to begin with.
I typically try to focus on the positive aspects of SmackDown and WWE in general, but shows like this make it difficult not to sound jaded. WWE definitely has the right idea trying to appeal to all age groups, but even little kids...
- 5/31/2014
- by Chris Mueller
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
It appears as though WWE is planning on turning Tyson Kidd into a masked wrestler, according to a recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The soon to be 34-year-old Kidd has already had a mask designed by a man who makes Lucha Libre masks, according to reports. The feeling within WWE is that Kidd is a talented wrestler, but they’ve marginalized the Tyson Kidd character for so long that there’s nothing they can do with him past the preliminary level.
The idea seems silly considering Kidd has been a part of the Total Divas show since its inception due to his wife Natalya being featured as a diva on that show. Their wedding aired in the season final of the first season. Fans have known about Kidd for many years from WWE and they also see him on Total Divas, yet WWE wants to put a mask on his face?...
It appears as though WWE is planning on turning Tyson Kidd into a masked wrestler, according to a recent report from the Wrestling Observer Newsletter.
The soon to be 34-year-old Kidd has already had a mask designed by a man who makes Lucha Libre masks, according to reports. The feeling within WWE is that Kidd is a talented wrestler, but they’ve marginalized the Tyson Kidd character for so long that there’s nothing they can do with him past the preliminary level.
The idea seems silly considering Kidd has been a part of the Total Divas show since its inception due to his wife Natalya being featured as a diva on that show. Their wedding aired in the season final of the first season. Fans have known about Kidd for many years from WWE and they also see him on Total Divas, yet WWE wants to put a mask on his face?...
- 5/29/2014
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
This week’s WWE programming came from London, England and for once, embraced the different crowd and acted accordingly. The results weren’t quite as effective as when WWE did it in Chicago in February, but it did produce some different television to the norm.
Payback took a little bit more shape but still feels very much like an unknown quantity, partly due to Daniel Bryan’s neck surgery which was also addressed on Raw as the champion received an ultimatum. The main two feuds, Evolution versus The Shield and Bray Wyatt versus John Cena, continued to roll forward while a new number one contender was crowned for the Intercontinental Championship.
Two Europeans formed a rivalry while overseas as Sheamus and Cesaro developed an issue, and Hulk Hogan made his first WWE appearance in London in 20 years. He even brought a surprise guest along for the ride in Jimmy Hart.
Payback took a little bit more shape but still feels very much like an unknown quantity, partly due to Daniel Bryan’s neck surgery which was also addressed on Raw as the champion received an ultimatum. The main two feuds, Evolution versus The Shield and Bray Wyatt versus John Cena, continued to roll forward while a new number one contender was crowned for the Intercontinental Championship.
Two Europeans formed a rivalry while overseas as Sheamus and Cesaro developed an issue, and Hulk Hogan made his first WWE appearance in London in 20 years. He even brought a surprise guest along for the ride in Jimmy Hart.
- 5/25/2014
- by Philip Frazer
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
May has been a tough month for WWE. They have been dealt blow after blow. The stock price dropped significantly, their TV deal renewal wasn’t nearly what they had hoped for, the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan had to have neck surgery meaning they likely have to go in another direction and Monday’s Raw rating was very poor. It feels like Wade Barrett is saying “I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news” over and over concerning anything WWE related right now.
The Payback lineup that is set for June 1st in Chicago has the potential to be great thanks to the Shield vs. Evolution No Hards Barred elimination match, John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt in a Last Man Standing match and Sheamus vs. Cesaro for the Us Title. They should all be very physical battles. Obviously the WWE Title is missing, but...
May has been a tough month for WWE. They have been dealt blow after blow. The stock price dropped significantly, their TV deal renewal wasn’t nearly what they had hoped for, the new WWE World Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan had to have neck surgery meaning they likely have to go in another direction and Monday’s Raw rating was very poor. It feels like Wade Barrett is saying “I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news” over and over concerning anything WWE related right now.
The Payback lineup that is set for June 1st in Chicago has the potential to be great thanks to the Shield vs. Evolution No Hards Barred elimination match, John Cena vs. Bray Wyatt in a Last Man Standing match and Sheamus vs. Cesaro for the Us Title. They should all be very physical battles. Obviously the WWE Title is missing, but...
- 5/24/2014
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
“I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news…”
Who would have thought that a gimmick like Bad News Barrett would be such a great direction for Wade Barrett to be in? When thinking about it, the gimmick is basically Wade standing on top of a podium banging a gavel and delivering bad news that half the time isn’t even all that bad to begin with. So why does it work? Why do the fans love saying the line “I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news” every time Wade says it? Why did Barrett get such a huge pop when he won the Intercontinental Championship at Extreme Rules?
Because love him or hate him, Barrett has a certain look, a certain “it factor” that the fans want to see every week on television. Some talent has it while others don’t, and somehow Wade has managed to...
Who would have thought that a gimmick like Bad News Barrett would be such a great direction for Wade Barrett to be in? When thinking about it, the gimmick is basically Wade standing on top of a podium banging a gavel and delivering bad news that half the time isn’t even all that bad to begin with. So why does it work? Why do the fans love saying the line “I’m afraid I’ve got some bad news” every time Wade says it? Why did Barrett get such a huge pop when he won the Intercontinental Championship at Extreme Rules?
Because love him or hate him, Barrett has a certain look, a certain “it factor” that the fans want to see every week on television. Some talent has it while others don’t, and somehow Wade has managed to...
- 5/17/2014
- by Tom Gibbs
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
The WWE European Live tour roared into Newcastle on Thursday the 15th of May.
It appeared that the show had sold much better than the previous WWE visit to Newcastle back in November of 2013, which is what you would expect coming off the interest of WrestleMania season. The arena was full but for a few patches of seats, so an estimate of over 8,000 paying fans is a safe bet (with the average tier seats costing an expensive £50). The key selling point was of course the new WWE Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan, who ended up not appearing on the show due to his sudden need for neck surgery. This is the second time in the last seven months that WWE have advertised Bryan for Newcastle only for him to not appear. Last time he was bumped over to the Smackdown taping and this time it was obviously more unavoidable with the injury,...
The WWE European Live tour roared into Newcastle on Thursday the 15th of May.
It appeared that the show had sold much better than the previous WWE visit to Newcastle back in November of 2013, which is what you would expect coming off the interest of WrestleMania season. The arena was full but for a few patches of seats, so an estimate of over 8,000 paying fans is a safe bet (with the average tier seats costing an expensive £50). The key selling point was of course the new WWE Heavyweight Champion Daniel Bryan, who ended up not appearing on the show due to his sudden need for neck surgery. This is the second time in the last seven months that WWE have advertised Bryan for Newcastle only for him to not appear. Last time he was bumped over to the Smackdown taping and this time it was obviously more unavoidable with the injury,...
- 5/16/2014
- by Grahame Herbert
- Obsessed with Film
On October 19, 1999, World Wrestling Entertainment became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange. Their initial public offering sold enough shares to ultimately make Mr. McMahon, at that point, the chairman of a billion-dollar company. However, as WWE’s stock price plummeted, so did his billionaire status.
But, with recent launches of the WWE Network, as well as capital investments in online promotion, mobile apps and talent development yielding dividends, Forbes Magazine – for the first time ever – recently listed Vince McMahon as being worth $1.2 billion. In examining the moves that took McMahon to taking his company to billion dollar status, and now himself into the billionaire’s club, there are valuable lessons that any 21st century entrepreneur can use in order to match Mr. McMahon’s ultra-rich status.
We’ve listed them for you…
10. Embrace Globalism
WWE.com
Evolving from Nikolai Volkoff and Outback Jack to Aldo Montoya...
But, with recent launches of the WWE Network, as well as capital investments in online promotion, mobile apps and talent development yielding dividends, Forbes Magazine – for the first time ever – recently listed Vince McMahon as being worth $1.2 billion. In examining the moves that took McMahon to taking his company to billion dollar status, and now himself into the billionaire’s club, there are valuable lessons that any 21st century entrepreneur can use in order to match Mr. McMahon’s ultra-rich status.
We’ve listed them for you…
10. Embrace Globalism
WWE.com
Evolving from Nikolai Volkoff and Outback Jack to Aldo Montoya...
- 5/4/2014
- by Marcus K. Dowling
- Obsessed with Film
When Thq took to nostalgia to revitalise their stagnating WWE video game franchise with the “Attitude Era” mode in WWE 2K13, they struck gold. All of a sudden the games weren’t just designed with current fans of the product in mind but now they were also designed to be as equally appealing to those who were a part of the most exciting time in the history of this business, but who at some time in the past decade or so moved on or grew out of wrestling.
What this smartly allowed the game makers was to market more than one generation of fans. Those who grew up with Stone Cold Steve Austin’s heated employee/owner feud with Vince McMahon in the late 90s and the brothers of destruction, The Undertaker and Kane, fighting over a sibling rivalry with their mentor Paul Bearer and the rise of D-Generation X...
What this smartly allowed the game makers was to market more than one generation of fans. Those who grew up with Stone Cold Steve Austin’s heated employee/owner feud with Vince McMahon in the late 90s and the brothers of destruction, The Undertaker and Kane, fighting over a sibling rivalry with their mentor Paul Bearer and the rise of D-Generation X...
- 5/3/2014
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
The WWE roster is as big as ever these days. At WrestleMania 30, there were 66 performers that were part of the matches on the show as long as you count the pre-show. There’s absolutely no way that WWE can push all of them and they never will be able to do that, but they can definitely do a better job of utilizing some of the talented performers that are doing nothing right now.
What these guys need is a character reset. By character reset, what we mean is that a performer needs to completely change the way he acts and looks or simply needs to change something to make him feel fresh. That’s what WWE is doing now with Wade Barrett, who was stuck in midcard purgatory for years and is now getting pushed as “Bad News Barrett” the possible next Intercontinental Champion. Can he move higher up the card?...
The WWE roster is as big as ever these days. At WrestleMania 30, there were 66 performers that were part of the matches on the show as long as you count the pre-show. There’s absolutely no way that WWE can push all of them and they never will be able to do that, but they can definitely do a better job of utilizing some of the talented performers that are doing nothing right now.
What these guys need is a character reset. By character reset, what we mean is that a performer needs to completely change the way he acts and looks or simply needs to change something to make him feel fresh. That’s what WWE is doing now with Wade Barrett, who was stuck in midcard purgatory for years and is now getting pushed as “Bad News Barrett” the possible next Intercontinental Champion. Can he move higher up the card?...
- 4/29/2014
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
A lot of people have been talking about Benjamin Morris’ 538 piece, “Are Pro Wrestlers Dying at an Unusual Rate?”
Like Morris, I am neither an actuarial scientist nor a demographer. So, our interpretations of the data should be taken with a grain of salt. My results were somewhat different from Morris’ due to a difference data set and changes in how we calculated actuarial predictions.
Differences in methodology from Morris
I also used Social Security Actuarial Life Tables, but my “expected mortality rates” for the age groups were not the same as Morris’. For each wrestler, I calculated what their age would have been as of today. Then, based on gender, I looked up the number of lives (out of 100,000) that were expected to still be alive and converted that to a percentage. His analysis looked at wrestlers who were on 20+ WWF PPVs through 2002. I went with a...
A lot of people have been talking about Benjamin Morris’ 538 piece, “Are Pro Wrestlers Dying at an Unusual Rate?”
Like Morris, I am neither an actuarial scientist nor a demographer. So, our interpretations of the data should be taken with a grain of salt. My results were somewhat different from Morris’ due to a difference data set and changes in how we calculated actuarial predictions.
Differences in methodology from Morris
I also used Social Security Actuarial Life Tables, but my “expected mortality rates” for the age groups were not the same as Morris’. For each wrestler, I calculated what their age would have been as of today. Then, based on gender, I looked up the number of lives (out of 100,000) that were expected to still be alive and converted that to a percentage. His analysis looked at wrestlers who were on 20+ WWF PPVs through 2002. I went with a...
- 4/22/2014
- by Chris Harrington
- Obsessed with Film
We are on our way to Extreme Rules, the annual WWE show where feuds are heated up, often with anything goes stipulations added to the matches. The post-WrestleMania content that WWE produces is important and sets the tone for the rest of the year before the “Road to WrestleMania” begins again.
We are live from Baltimore, Maryland tonight, and with feuds such as Bryan/Kane, Evolution/Shield and the Intercontinental Title Contender Tournament to keep our eyes on, it should be an interesting night. My thoughts go to Daniel Bryan also, who lost his father this past week. After experiencing such professional and personal highs in the past fortnight, with his winning of the WWE World Title at ‘Mania, and his marriage to Brie Bella, this must have been a huge blow. Bryan still worked this Raw, which is testament to his respect for the fans, who I’m sure...
We are live from Baltimore, Maryland tonight, and with feuds such as Bryan/Kane, Evolution/Shield and the Intercontinental Title Contender Tournament to keep our eyes on, it should be an interesting night. My thoughts go to Daniel Bryan also, who lost his father this past week. After experiencing such professional and personal highs in the past fortnight, with his winning of the WWE World Title at ‘Mania, and his marriage to Brie Bella, this must have been a huge blow. Bryan still worked this Raw, which is testament to his respect for the fans, who I’m sure...
- 4/22/2014
- by Chris Cummings
- Nerdly
WWE.com
With WrestleMania XXX just days away, fans all across the world are making their final predictions for this year’s Showcase of the Immortals.
In keeping with the age-old formula of pro wrestling booking, the show invariably sees the bad guys meet their comeuppance with heroes coming out on top. But as we witnessed at WrestleMania X-Seven, among others, this is not always the case.
So could we be in for some similar surprises come April 6 in New Orleans?
Given the card that the WWE have put together, it’s certainly not out of the question. This article rounds up 10 of the most significant swerves that we might see at WrestleMania XXX.
10. Nxt Up And Comer Debuts
WWE.com
Aside from Alexander Rusev, no one on the Nxt roster has been given any mention as we head towards WrestleMania XXX. But that doesn’t mean that we won...
With WrestleMania XXX just days away, fans all across the world are making their final predictions for this year’s Showcase of the Immortals.
In keeping with the age-old formula of pro wrestling booking, the show invariably sees the bad guys meet their comeuppance with heroes coming out on top. But as we witnessed at WrestleMania X-Seven, among others, this is not always the case.
So could we be in for some similar surprises come April 6 in New Orleans?
Given the card that the WWE have put together, it’s certainly not out of the question. This article rounds up 10 of the most significant swerves that we might see at WrestleMania XXX.
10. Nxt Up And Comer Debuts
WWE.com
Aside from Alexander Rusev, no one on the Nxt roster has been given any mention as we head towards WrestleMania XXX. But that doesn’t mean that we won...
- 4/3/2014
- by Elliott Binks
- Obsessed with Film
WWE.com
WrestleMania week is upon us and with it comes several opportunities to meet hundreds of wrestlers if you’re in the New Orleans area this weekend. World Wrestling Entertainment is holding its annual Axxess session from Thursday through Sunday with every superstar appearing as well as some legends too.
There’s also a Wrestlecon event right nearby featuring a lot of legends like Bret Hart, Sting, Kevin Nash, current Tna star Kurt Angle and many others. In addition to all of that, there are other companies like Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate having events in the area as well. It’s cool to meet wrestlers even if you have to pay $30 for a photo to do. Want an autograph too? It might be $50 for those.
If you go to Axxess, it costs about $45 to get in, your ticket is good for four hours and there aren’t additional charges.
WrestleMania week is upon us and with it comes several opportunities to meet hundreds of wrestlers if you’re in the New Orleans area this weekend. World Wrestling Entertainment is holding its annual Axxess session from Thursday through Sunday with every superstar appearing as well as some legends too.
There’s also a Wrestlecon event right nearby featuring a lot of legends like Bret Hart, Sting, Kevin Nash, current Tna star Kurt Angle and many others. In addition to all of that, there are other companies like Ring of Honor and Dragon Gate having events in the area as well. It’s cool to meet wrestlers even if you have to pay $30 for a photo to do. Want an autograph too? It might be $50 for those.
If you go to Axxess, it costs about $45 to get in, your ticket is good for four hours and there aren’t additional charges.
- 4/1/2014
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
WrestleMania is always a time of reflection for WWE. It’s about building the stars of tomorrow while also acknowledging those from the past. That doesn’t just mean a Hall of Fame ceremony either. It’s about incorporating legends in storylines once in a while as well as putting them on camera simply to draw a nice reaction from the fans watching at home.
A new report from Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com suggests that WWE plans to bring back some legend at WrestleMania 30: “WWE has reportedly contacted several major names for cameo appearances at WrestleMania XXX, including ‘every megadraw’ of the last three decades that is still alive.”
The first name that immediately comes to mind is Steve Austin. He’s the biggest WWE name that hasn’t really been on WWE TV for a few years now. It would be a welcome sight to see...
A new report from Dave Meltzer of F4Wonline.com suggests that WWE plans to bring back some legend at WrestleMania 30: “WWE has reportedly contacted several major names for cameo appearances at WrestleMania XXX, including ‘every megadraw’ of the last three decades that is still alive.”
The first name that immediately comes to mind is Steve Austin. He’s the biggest WWE name that hasn’t really been on WWE TV for a few years now. It would be a welcome sight to see...
- 3/28/2014
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
WWE: The Best Of Raw And Smackdown is out to own on DVD and Blu-ray now. We have three copies of the Blu-ray to give away to our readers, courtesy of FremantleMedia International.
WWE’S landmark 50th year of Sports Entertainment proved to be one of the greatest in its illustrious history. A year that began with The Great One’s return for one last championship run concluded with WWE’s most prestigious prizes hanging in the balance awaiting the ascension of a true Champion of Champions.
Along the way, a scrappy, bearded underdog challenged the status quo and captured the hearts of the WWE Universe, much to the chagrin of the malicious Authority, An evil genius concocted a new stable of minions, a giant faced an uphill battle for respect, and several new faces burst onto the scene looking to leave their mark in WWE. Relive all this and...
WWE’S landmark 50th year of Sports Entertainment proved to be one of the greatest in its illustrious history. A year that began with The Great One’s return for one last championship run concluded with WWE’s most prestigious prizes hanging in the balance awaiting the ascension of a true Champion of Champions.
Along the way, a scrappy, bearded underdog challenged the status quo and captured the hearts of the WWE Universe, much to the chagrin of the malicious Authority, An evil genius concocted a new stable of minions, a giant faced an uphill battle for respect, and several new faces burst onto the scene looking to leave their mark in WWE. Relive all this and...
- 3/10/2014
- by Matt Holmes
- Obsessed with Film
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Prince_Devitt.Jpg
One of the most highly-talked about wrestlers in the world is reportedly in the negotiation stage with WWE. His name? Prince Devitt.
The 32-year-old Irishman has been one of the top performers for New Japan Pro Wrestling and has been highly lauded for his in-ring work, charisma and personality.
The report from PWInsider states that he has been talking to WWE for several months with WWE going so far as making him an offer, but he hasn’t accepted yet.
Should Devitt sign with WWE, he would likely have to move to America and likely join Nxt because that’s generally what everybody who has been successful anywhere else usually has to do.
Part of the reason that he hasn’t jumped to WWE yet could be because he would have to leave Ireland and Japan for a part of the world...
One of the most highly-talked about wrestlers in the world is reportedly in the negotiation stage with WWE. His name? Prince Devitt.
The 32-year-old Irishman has been one of the top performers for New Japan Pro Wrestling and has been highly lauded for his in-ring work, charisma and personality.
The report from PWInsider states that he has been talking to WWE for several months with WWE going so far as making him an offer, but he hasn’t accepted yet.
Should Devitt sign with WWE, he would likely have to move to America and likely join Nxt because that’s generally what everybody who has been successful anywhere else usually has to do.
Part of the reason that he hasn’t jumped to WWE yet could be because he would have to leave Ireland and Japan for a part of the world...
- 1/30/2014
- by John Canton
- Obsessed with Film
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