Money in the Bank Contract Ladder Match

Winning the Money in the Bank Ladder Match can change a Superstar’s career, instantly launching him into the WWE World Heavyweight Championship picture. The likes of Edge, Daniel Bryan and Seth Rollins have graduated from future star to WWE World Heavyweight Champion, thanks to the contract.
On June 14 at Columbus, Ohio’s Nationwide Arena, seven Superstars — Dolph Ziggler, Kofi Kingston, Neville, Randy Orton, Roman Reigns, Sheamus and Kane — have been announced for the battle to secure WWE’s equivalent of a winning lottery ticket, earning a future date anytime, anywhere with the champion.
With three former Money in the Bank winners and four former World Champions in the field, a new face could take a massive step toward his first WWE World Heavyweight Championship.
Get WWE Network to watch Money in the Bank 2015 | Full show coverage
Ziggler won the briefcase in 2012 and cashed in the night after WrestleMania 29, but a concussion abruptly cut his long-awaited World Heavyweight Title reign short. Two years after his dream reign turned into a nightmare, Ziggler can finally right that wrong.
Kingston always wows the WWE Universe and his competition with his in-match acrobatics and improvisation with a ladder. But after five appearances, the eight-year WWE veteran has never competed one-on-one for a World Championship.
WWE’s newest Superstar, Neville knows plenty about Ladder Matches, considering he captured the NXT Championship in one. Despite a lack of experience, The Man That Gravity Forgot aims to stun his much more seasoned competition.
With three Money in the Bank appearances under his belt, Orton knows the dangerous bout as well as anyone. He followed his lone win in 2013 by joining The Authority and unifying the WWE and World Heavyweight Championships.
Kane won the Ladder Match in 2010, before becoming the first Superstar in history to cash in his coveted contract on the same night that he captured it - taking home the World Heavyweight Title.
Reigns had to watch “Mr. Money in the Bank” Rollins leave WrestleMania 31 with the WWE World Heavyweight Championship, stealing his storybook moment. Money in the Bank 2015 represents his first step in rewriting history.
A three-time WWE Champion, King of the Ring and Royal Rumble Match winner, Sheamus hopes to add another accolade to his resume with a Money in the Bank victory — while also proving WWE is the “land of the giants.”
Watch the always chaotic, always exciting matchup when WWE Money in the Bank airs live on WWE Network, on Sunday, June 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. P.T

 

Divas Champion Nikki Bella vs. Paige 

In light of the controversial conclusion of last week’s Divas Championship Match, Nikki Bella will defend her title against Paige this Sunday at Money in the Bank. The Diva of Tomorrow claims that Nikki and her sister Brie are holding the entire Divas division back. Whether she can dethrone the established order, however, remains to be seen.
The Bellas went into their bag of tricks on the June 1 edition of Monday Night Raw, when Nikki successfully defended her title against Paige utilizing Twin Magic against the Anti-Diva. In response, the disgruntled challenger voiced her distain for the twin siblings’ actions on SmackDown, accusing them of hogging the spotlight for themselves since coming to WWE – in contrast to the current #givedivasachance initiative.
Paige is no stranger to The Bellas’ antics. At WWE Elimination Chamber, she (and Naomi) fell short against Nikki in a Divas Championship Triple Threat Match. Before that, she and AJ Lee bested The Bellas at WrestleMania 31.
Despite being able to hold onto the butterfly-emblazoned championship, Nikki can’t afford to take Paige lightly. In her relatively short time in WWE, The  former two-time Divas Champion has proven  she is more than capable of conquering any opposition thrown her way. She has promised to change the Divas division, and she has the potential to do just that. That said, Nikki won’t make it easy on her.
The Bella Twins have described themselves as the Diva standard bearers of WWE and for good reason. Multiple-time Slammy Award winners, Divas Title holders and stars of E!’s award-nominated “Total Divas,” it’s arguable that Nikki and Brie have made their mark in WWE history unlike any women before them. Since winning her second Divas Title at Survivor Series 2014, Nikki has taken on all challengers (by hook or crook). Like her or love her, there is no arguing that the star of “Total Divas” has scratched, clawed and fought to earn her place on the mountain top.

Will Paige overcome Nikki at WWE Money in the Bank? Find out live this Sunday at 8 p.m./5 p.m. PT on the award-winning WWE Network.

 

Intercontinental Champion Ryback vs. Big Show

Two colossal forces collide this Sunday at WWE Money in the Bank as new Intercontinental Champion Ryback squares off against Big Show.
Less than 24 hours after his brutal title victory inside the career-altering Elimination Chamber, Ryback was set to go to battle with The Miz on the June 1 edition of Monday Night Raw. However, before the bell could ring, The World’s Largest Athlete stormed back into WWE and paced stoically toward the squared circle.
Standing silently opposed to both champion and challenger, Big Show loaded his fist for a potential KO Punch in the face of Ryback, then suddenly switched course and connected with the brutal blow to the A-Lister. The giant then made it clear that he will be the one to dethrone The Big Guy for the Intercontinental Title.
Get WWE Network to watch Money in the Bank 2015 | Full show coverage
The showdown for the coveted championship between the two Superstars promises to be an intense encounter. Prior to his sabbatical, Big Show won The Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal at WrestleMania 31, once again establishing himself as one of the most dominant Superstars on the roster. However, during the giant’s absence, The Human Wrecking Ball has taken on all challengers, culminating with his victory inside the steel confines of the Elimination Chamber to claim his first singles championship in WWE.
Will Big Show deliver a fatal blow to The Big Guy’s first title reign? Find out at WWE Money in the Bank, live this Sunday at 8 p.m ET/5 p.m PT on WWE Network.
Click here for more info on WWE Network

WWE World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins vs. Dean Ambrose (Ladder Match)

Seth Rollins will try to repossess his WWE World Heavyweight Championship from Dean Ambrose when he faces Ambrose in a dangerous championship Ladder Match at WWE Money in the Bank 2015. The first Superstar on June 14 to scale a ladder and grab WWE’s top prize from high above the ring will be declared the victor.
Though Ambrose and much of the WWE Universe may already consider The Lunatic Fringe the rightful WWE World Heavyweight Champion following the events of WWE Elimination Chamber, Rollins remains the titleholder on record. Ambrose pinned Rollins in a thrilling but controversial match that saw two WWE referees issue contradictory rulings. Ultimately, the official decision was ruled a disqualification win for Ambrose, meaning Rollins retained the title.
Get the award-winning WWE Network today! | Watch Ambrose take off with the title
Unsatisfied with the outcome, however, the WWE Universe’s most beloved outlaw absconded with the championship.
Ambrose’s needling of The Authority’s poster boy is reminiscent of last year, when The Lunatic Fringe hijacked Rollins’ Money in the Bank briefcase. In that instance, Ambrose stole the coveted briefcase because Rollins and The Authority metaphorically stole the Money in the Bank Ladder Match victory from The Lunatic Fringe in the first place, with Kane assisting Rollins and preventing Ambrose from winning.
Since The Shield’s breakup, Ambrose and Rollins have gone at it hammer and tongs (and ladders) in a variety of dangerous matches, with each conflict raising the stakes and intensity of the one before it. What will happen at Money in the Bank when Ambrose again sets his sights on the Superstar who betrayed him?
Will The Lunatic Fringe finally make Rollins pay the ultimate price, the WWE World Heavyweight Title? Or will Rollins, so obsessed with regaining his title, rise to the challenge of the unpredictable Ambrose? Watch Money in the Bank live on WWE Network Sunday, June 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT to find out!
Click here for more info on WWE Network

R-Truth vs. King Barrett (Kickoff Match)

R-Truth will battle King Barrett on the WWE Money in the Bank Kickoff, live on June 14 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on WWE Network, WWE.com, the WWE App, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Pheed.
The rapping Superstar has been on the hunt for WWE gold through the first half of 2015, vying for the Intercontinental Championship in an 8-Superstar Ladder Match at WrestleMania and inside the Elimination Chamber at the end of May. He’s come up short thus far, but he’ll look to build momentum against the hard-hitting Barrett in Columbus, Ohio.
Get WWE Network to watch Money in the Bank 2015 | Full show coverage
Barrett holds the advantage against his Kickoff opponent, though, defeating him in the semifinals of the 2015 King of the Ring Tournament, before capturing the crown. The five-time Intercontinental Champion hopes to continue his roll.
Watch Money in the Bank Kickoff on June 14 at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, live on WWE Network and streamed for free on WWE.com, the WWE App, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+ and Pheed.

WWE Tag Team Champions The New Day vs. The Prime Time Players

At WWE Money in the Bank, The New Day will go head-to-head with The Prime Time Players for the WWE Tag Team Championship live on WWE Network June 14.
The showdown will take place in the wake of the first Elimination Chamber Match for the coveted championship. Of the five explosive teams who challenged the reigning titleholders, Titus O'Neil & Darren Young were the last tandem eliminated. This is quite a feat considering that the entire New Day trio – Kofi Kingston, Big E & Xavier Woods – were granted permission to compete in the contest and use the numbers game to their advantage.
Eager to finish the job, the “millions of dollars” duo triumphed in a Triple Threat Match on SmackDown, overcoming the high-flying Lucha Dragons and the dangerous Ascension to become No. 1 contenders.
While the tandem of O’Neil & Young looks impressive, no one should underestimate the power of positivity. Like them or hate them – and quite honestly, most people hate them – the combination of Kingston, Big E & Woods have proven to be quite cunning since seizing the WWE Tag Team Titles. Not only does each possess his own unique skills, but they have adapted the idea of “Freebird Rules” in their matches, meaning their challengers never know who in the team they will be facing.
Find out who will emerge from WWE Money in the Bank with the WWE Tag Team Championship in their grasp, live Sunday, June 14, at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on WWE Network.

John Cena vs. Kevin Owens

The unthinkable happened when NXT Champion Kevin Owens defeated John Cena at WWE Elimination Chamber. At Money in the Bank 2015, The Champ will get the opportunity to redeem himself when he faces Owens in a highly-anticipated rematch.
Though Owens has only been in WWE since December, he has made the most of the past six months. He debuted in impressive fashion at NXT TakeOver: R Evolution, only to bulldoze his longtime friend Sami Zayn. Two months to the day after, he destroyed Zayn to capture the NXT Championship, then pummeled Zayn into the canvas in their rematch at TakeOver: Unstoppable.
In the midst of all that, Owens made his way up to the main roster and stepped up to the biggest dog in the yard, flooring Cena with his devastating Pop-up Powerbomb on several occasions.
For his brash display of aggression, The Authority rewarded the NXT Champion with a one-on-one bout against Cena at Elimination Chamber. And though Owens had never stepped in the ring with a competitor like John Cena, the NXT Champion showed no nervousness in the ring, answering everything Cena threw at him. Kevin Owens shocked the world when he drove The Champ into the canvas with the Pop-up Powerbomb to pick up the biggest win of his 15-year career.
See photos from their first encounter
As cameras broadcast the shocked reactions of the Cenation live to the world, Owens stood in the ring and followed up on his career-making victory with a bold statement: “It’s time for John Cena to go.”
Can Owens prove that his victory at Elimination Chamber was no fluke, or will Cena make the NXT Champion eat his words? Find out at Money in the Bank, live Sunday, June 14, on the award-winning WWE Network!

 

 

 

 

 

Download the official WWE Tough Enough App

WWE’s revolutionary reality TV series WWE Tough Enough returns Tuesday, June 23, and you can help determine who stays and who packs their bags by participating in real-time voting on the official WWE Tough Enough App, available to download now!
With the app, you can also view audition videos — the good, the bad and ugly; contenders and pretenders alike — and share them across social media.
Visit WWEToughEnough.com today to submit your video application
Additionally, the app is the perfect companion for Tuesday nights as the home of WWE’s second-screen experience, a stream of original content you can’t find anywhere else that’s synchronized to the hardest-hitting competition reality show on TV.
You’ll also have the ability to directly tweet WWE Tough Enough coaches, get breaking-news updates, view episode highlights and photos, and receive up-to-the-minute live show results.
Just who is “tough enough” to step in the ring against the Superstars and Divas of WWE? Download the WWE Tough Enough App now, and you can decide!

 

Daniel Bryan Apparently Pulled From WWE European Tour
 

Daniel Bryan has apparently been pulled from the rest of the current WWE European tour. The most recent advertising for the rest of the tour has Bryan removed from the remaining shows.We noted earlier this week that Dave Meltzer mentioned on Wrestling Observer Radio that Bryan has been working hurt. Bryan has been competing mostly in six-man matches, and has only worked two singles matches since winning the Intercontinental title at WrestleMania 31 earlier this month. He hasn't wrestled on RAW the past two weeks.Bryan did work last night's SmackDown taping in London, teaming with John Cena. We hope to have more shortly. Follow Raj Giri on Twitter at @RajGiri_303. Got a news tip or correction? Send it to us by clicking here.

WWE surpasses NBA as YouTube's No. 1 sports channel

STAMFORD, Conn. — With more than 4.2 billion video views in the last 12 months, WWE has become the No. 1 sports channel on YouTube ahead of the NBA, MLB, the NFL, the NHL, ESPN and NASCAR. WWE on YouTube has more than 5.2 million subscribers, which is more than those six channels plus MLS and NBC Sports combined.
WWE continues to remain a leader in social media, with more than 450 million combined social media followers globally. During the past year, WWE’s social media channels added more than 194 million followers, a near 75 percent increase year-over-year. WWE’s network of Facebook pages has more followers than the NFL and its 32 teams’ pages combined, and WWE Superstar John Cena is the No. 1 most-followed active American athlete on Facebook, with more than 36 million “Likes.”
Since launching in 2008, WWE’s YouTube channel has featured award-winning original short-form programming, including popular shows such as WWE Inbox, WWE Fury, 5 Things and WWE Top 10. WWE also uses its YouTube channel to promote its monthly WWE Network and pay-per-view and events by airing live Pre-Shows that include exclusive matches and commentary.

 

Seth Rollins invades 'The Daily Show' and challenges Jon Stewart to come to Raw this Monday

Click here for more info on WWE Network

Continuing the war of words that he started last Monday night, Seth Rollins boldly interrupted “The Daily Show” to confront its host, Jon Stewart, on his home turf.
“Real tough talk, Stewart,” said Rollins, cutting into the Comedy Central program during its closing segment, “The Moment of Zen.” “Why don't you shut your mouth and bring it, pal?”
Relive the rivalry between Rollins and Stewart from the beginning
Mr. Money in the Bank incited this rivalry after claiming that he could take over as host of “The Daily Show” when Stewart steps down and “make it watchable.” Once Stewart fired back with a video response, Rollins offered to meet the political satirist face-to-face to settle their differences at either a WWE event or on “The Daily Show” itself. Clearly not content with waiting for another reply from the Emmy Award-winning talk show host, an impatient Rollins took this escalating battle right to Stewart’s doorstep. But the real surprise was still to come in the form of the "Future of WWE's" shocking invitation.
"How about you show up, this Monday night on Raw?" Rollins said, hurling down the gauntlet at the famed talk show host's feet.
What are Rollins' intentions for this invitation and what could transpire on Raw? Stay with WWE.com as this story develops.
Click here for more info on WWE Network
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Tyson Kidd & Cesaro def. The Usos to win the WWE Tag Team Championship

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Cesaro & Tyson Kidd are the new WWE Tag Team Champions — fact.
The dynamic pair captured their first WWE Tag Team Championship at WWE Fastlane, dethroning Jimmy & Jey Uso and ending the brothers’ second reign as titleholders.
Cesaro & Kidd address "bandwagon jumpers" | See photos of the WWE Tag Team Title Match
The fact-dropping, European uppercutting challengers headed into the contest riding a wave of momentum, having defeated Rikishi’s twin sons in both singles competition and a non-title Tag Team Match. Though Kidd’s wife, Natalya, originally had high hopes of keeping the bad feelings between her husband and Jimmy Uso — whose wife Naomi is Natalya’s “Total Divas” co-star — contained to the ring, her efforts proved futile, especially when an ill-fated double date ended with a punch being thrown.
As such, both Divas accompanied their respective husbands to the ring at WWE Fastlane, where the WWE Universe witnessed a fast-paced showdown that epitomized the thrills of tag team competition.
Jey Uso got off to a fiery start against Kidd, connecting with a hard forearm, but once Jey tagged in and Cesaro took him down with a chop block from behind, the challengers launched into a slew of double-team maneuvers that targeted the champion’s left knee. After taking control with a short leg scissors, The Swiss Superman upped the ante, spinning Jimmy round with a one-legged variation of the Cesaro Swing.
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Once back in the match, Kidd applied even more punishment to the weakened knee, but Jimmy Uso courageously shook off the cat-loving Superstar and tagged in his brother, setting off a flurry of offense between the two tandems. A deadlift superplex/springboard elbow drop combo by Cesaro & Kidd resulted in a near fall before the match spilled to the floor, with Jey soaring over the top with a dive and Jimmy eventually hitting Kidd with a pulverizing Samoan drop into the ring barricade.
Before the referee finished administering a 10 count, the competitors climbed back into the ring, where Jimmy, now the legal man, attempted a top-rope splash, only to connect with a pair of knees. A subsequent attempt by Kidd to lock in the Hart family’s legendary Sharpshooter, however, was broken up when Jey superkicked him in the back of the head.
As concerned looks befell Naomi and Natalya at ringside, Kidd quickly regained control, this time dropping Jimmy Uso with a swinging fisherman suplex out of nowhere for the three-count. Now that they’ve grabbed the elusive brass rings by capturing the WWE Tag Team Titles, what’s next for the lethal combination of Kidd & Cesaro?

 

WWE Raw results, February 23, 2015: Bryan and Reigns bury the hatchet while Orton and Rollins form uneasy alliance

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — All jokes aside, Randy Orton’s unexpected return at WWE Fastlane really was — ahem — outta nowhere. But the surprise of seeing Orton back in action and RKO’ing anyone whose name began with a “J” had nothing on Stephanie McMahon’s reaction to the return of the Superstar she ordered to be destroyed the last time he showed his face. She welcomed him right back.
Photos: Orton returns to Raw
Incredulous as it sounds, McMahon — flanked by Kane, Big Show and Triple H — was more than willing to allow the former WWE World Heavyweight Champion to rejoin The Authority and take his place as The Face of WWE once more. Even more incredulous was Orton’s eventual reaction to the offer: a tentative, if somewhat sinister-sounding, commitment to attend a backstage "business conference" to formally cement his re-induction via a tag-team bout against Daniel Bryan & Roman Reigns, with Seth Rollins as his partner.

 

WWE Network celebrates first birthday with free 24-hour marathon on WWE.com and the WWE App

In celebration of WWE Network’s first birthday, fans around the world can sample WWE Network with a 24-hour “Best Of” programming marathon streamed for FREE on WWE.com and through the WWE App with no WWE account or credit card required.
WATCH FREE NOW!

WWE Fastlane predictions                            

@JoeyStyles: Despite being the WWE Tag Team Champions, it’s hard to believe the twin sons of soon-to-be–WWE Hall of Famer Rikishi are not experiencing self-doubt. After all, they were defeated on SmackDown by the makeshift team of WWE Fastlane opponents Roman Reigns & Daniel Bryan. If Jey & Jimmy psych themselves out and hesitate for just a moment at the wrong time while facing the brass-ring-reaching dynamic duo Cesaro & Kidd, they will find themselves former WWE Tag Team Champions by the time their father gets inducted. The King of Swing and the cat-loving fact-dropper have become a surprisingly cohesive team worthy of being champions. That said, The Usos will be focused and will retain their twin titles. WINNERS: The Usos
@HowardFinkel: I believe The Usos have gotten pretty comfortable as WWE Tag Team Champions; they’ve done well for themselves. Still, sometimes two Superstars who are not gaining any momentum individually get together to see where they can go collectively. Tyson Kidd & Cesaro did just that, and at WWE Fastlane, they have the opportunity to unseat The Usos and gain the tag team gold. I really like the Kidd-Cesaro team. They’re making the most of the opportunity afforded them, and I see new WWE Tag Team Champions being crowned. WINNERS: Cesaro & Tyson Kidd
Photos: 50 tag teams you might've forgotten | WWE tag team gold: An Anoa'i family tradition
Jeff Laboon: Cesaro & Tyson Kidd are the hottest team in WWE at the moment. The new pairing’s double-team style is reminiscent of the great tag teams of the ’90s. WINNERS: Cesaro & Tyson Kidd
Mike Murphy: I just don’t see how The Usos leave WWE Fastlane with their WWE Tag Team Titles. The twin brothers have been suffering loss after loss of late, including a couple to the No. 1 contenders themselves. On the flipside, Cesaro & Kidd are on such a hot streak that it seems like a WWE Tag Title win isn’t just a prediction, it’s a fact. WINNERS: Cesaro & Tyson Kidd
John Clapp: It’s not the dynamism of Cesaro & Tyson Kidd, whose fine-tuned teamwork harkens back to The British Bulldogs, that should worry Jimmy & Jey Uso most. Rather, The WWE Tag Team Champions should be concerned about how desperate Cesaro & Kidd are to show the world why they believe they’re among WWE’s elite. I predict the challengers will stop at nothing to capture the tandem titles. WINNERS: Cesaro & Tyson Kidd

WWE Fastlane 2015 predictions

As WWE races toward WrestleMania 31, no event before The Show of Shows holds as much intrigue or importance as WWE Fastlane, which airs live Sunday on WWE Network.
New subscribers: Sign up to WWE Network now and watch WWE Fastlane for FREE!
The fabric of WrestleMania’s WWE World Heavyweight Title main event will be determined when Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan joust for the top-contender spot. Also at WWE Fastlane, four titles will be defended, brothers will duke it out and three of WWE’s most popular Superstars will take aim at The Authority’s handpicked wrecking crew.
But who will win? Check out these WWE Fastlane predictions by WWE Hall of Fame announcer Howard Finkel, “The Voice of Extreme” Joey Styles and WWE.com editors, and add your own in the comments section below.

 

Paul Heyman to appear on ‘Miz TV’ during WWE Fastlane Kickoff  

          

Before the action at WWE Fastlane gets underway, Paul Heyman will join The Miz on “Miz TV” on the WWE Fastlane Kickoff to talk about Roman Reigns, Daniel Bryan, his client, WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar, and the WrestleMania main event. The hourlong Kickoff will be live Sunday, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on WWE Network, WWE.com, the WWE App, YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, Google+, Pheed and Pinterest.
For complete Fastlane coverage, click here.
Sign up and get WWE Network, including WWE Fastlane, FREE for February 
Click here for more info on WWE Network

 

Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan (Winner faces Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania)

Roman Reigns may have won the 2015 Royal Rumble Match, but Brock Lesnar’s opponent at WrestleMania won’t be known until Feb. 22, when Reigns and Daniel Bryan square off at WWE Fastlane for the right to challenge the beastly WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
New subscribers: Get WWE Network — including WWE Fastlane — free for February!
WWE Fastlane’s huge matchup was made on the Feb. 2 Raw after WWE COO Triple H — in an effort to address The Rock’s controversial involvement in Reigns’ Royal Rumble win “head-on” — proposed that Lesnar’s WrestleMania challenger be decided in a bout between Reigns and the winner of that night’s match between Bryan and Seth Rollins. The WWE Universe’s favorite “Yes!” Man went on to defeat Mr. Money at the Bank, thanks in part to The Big Dog Superman Punching Rollins. With that, two of WWE’s most popular Superstars will meet one-on-one at WWE Fastlane, with the coveted title opportunity up for grabs
For Reigns, the 2014 Superstar of the Year, the bout marks perhaps the penultimate hurdle on his quest to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion, an accomplishment that some suggest is almost a birthright. Born to the iconic Anoa’i family— a sports-entertainment dynasty that counts The Rock and WWE Hall of Famers Yokozuna and The Wild Samoans as members — the Superstar with the Superman Punch has been touted as a future main eventer since arriving in WWE as a member of The Shield in November 2012.
Relive Daniel Bryan's WrestleMania 30 journey | Anoa'i family photo gallery
Bryan, however, is every bit as hungry for a WWE World Heavyweight Title Match at WrestleMania, if not more so. The bearded warrior shocked the world when he captured the WWE World Heavyweight Title at last year’s WrestleMania, but a serious neck injury sidelined him just as his title reign was getting underway, prompting The Authority to strip him of the championship without being beaten. Now, Bryan hopes to bring the “Yes!” Movement to even greater heights by defeating Reigns en route to challenging The Beast Incarnate.
Which WWE fan favorite will rise to the occasion in WWE Fastlane’s game-changing match? Will the juggernaut Reigns Spear his way past the absurdly skilled and double-tough underdog? Or can the fiery Bryan scratch and claw his way into the WrestleMania title match for a second year in a row?
Find out when WWE Fastlane airs live Feb. 22 on WWE Network, which is FREE for February to new subscribers!

United States Champion Rusev vs. John Cena

United States Champion Rusev has torn through every Superstar thrown his way, but at WWE Fastlane, the rookie monster will try the most decorated opponent imaginable: John Cena. The Authority announced the match on Twitter on Jan. 26.
After finishing second in the Royal Rumble Match, eliminated by eventual Rumble winner Roman Reigns, an irate Rusev stormed the set of Royal Rumble Fallout and interrupted a backstage interview with the Cenation leader. Cena did not take kindly to the act, and within seconds the altercation erupted into a pull-apart brawl.
Video: John Cena comes face-to-face with Rusev
Now that the match is official, it will not be long before the WWE Universe finds out if even Cena is strong enough to stop the mighty Hero of the Russian Federation.
Rusev has yet to be pinned or made to submit in the year since he debuted. Will the 15-time World Champion, undoubtedly looking to rebound from his loss in Royal Rumble’s instant-classic Triple Threat Match, stop the unapologetic Super Athlete in his tracks and win the U.S. Title in the process? Or will Rusev only further demonstrate his dominance, this time taking down the WWE Universe’s perennial favorite in the process?
Don’t miss this exciting first-time encounter when WWE Fastlane airs live on WWE Network Sunday, Feb. 22.

Sting accepts Triple H’s challenge to meet face-to-face at WWE Fastlane

Sting has officially accepted Triple H’s challenge to meet face-to-face at the inaugural WWE Fastlane, live on WWE Network Sunday, Feb. 22.
Sign up to WWE Network and watch WWE Fastlane for FREE!
The vigilante has been a thorn in the side of The Authority since Survivor Series 2014, when he caused the WWE COO and his wife Stephanie McMahon to lose control of WWE, albeit temporarily. The onetime Franchise of WCW made matters worse on Jan. 19, when he made his first Raw appearance, causing a distraction that paved the way for Dolph Ziggler, Ryback and Erick Rowan to be rehired.
An irate Triple H then challenged Sting to appear at WWE Fastlane for a “conversation,” an invitation Sting finally accepted in typically mysterious fashion on the Feb. 9 Raw, with the words “Triple H, I accept,” appearing on the TitanTron.
How will The Game greet Sting when the two legends stand in the same ring for the first time since the seismic events of Survivor Series? Will Sting explain his recent actions, which seemed squarely targeted at The Authority?
Find out at WWE Fastlane, which airs live on WWE Network Sunday, Feb. 22.

 

 

As SmackDown drew to a close Thursday night, the “Yes!” Movement was in full effect, a celebratory moment that could very well be a sign of things to come at WWE Fastlane if Daniel Bryan overcomes Roman Reigns and punches his ticket to the main event of WrestleMania. However, even though The Big Dog and The Beard were seemingly on the same page when they stood triumphant after Tag Team Turmoil on SmackDown, Reigns isn’t about to just hand over the opportunity he earned by winning the 2015 Royal Rumble Match.
As WWE Fastlane approaches, both Superstars will be looking to gain important momentum in anticipation of their high-stakes battle, live on WWE Network. How are these ring warriors preparing for battle, and what does The Authority have in store for them on Raw? WWE.com has some ideas

John Cena guest stars on NBC's 'Parks and Recreation'

WWE Universe, don't miss John Cena on NBC's "Parks and Recreation" Tuesday at 8/7 C! The critically-acclaimed hit comedy that follows the Parks and Recreation Department in Pawnee, Ind., is celebrating its final season. The show stars Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari, Nick Offerman and Chris Pratt, who has already faced a WWE Superstar before in Batista in "Guardians of the Galaxy."
 

Hard times: The trials and triumphs of the legendary Rhodes family

“You don’t know what hard times are, daddy.”
So said “The American Dream” Dusty Rhodes on the Oct. 29, 1985 edition of Mid-Atlantic Wrestling in a passionate address to his rival, then-NWA World Heavyweight Champion Ric Flair. In that historic speech, Rhodes spoke of a changing economic climate, troubles facing the common man across the United States and the “hard times” Flair had put upon the Rhodes family.
Yet it was always in those “hard times” that the Rhodes family has thrived and persevered, largely thanks to the guidance of its indomitable patriarch. This Monday on Raw at 8/7 C, The American Dream will attempt to ease the recent tension between his sons, the face-painted duo now known as Gold & Stardust. As history has shown, Dusty might be the only man capable of restoring peace between the warring siblings.
Watch Rhodes family highlights | More on Dusty’s Raw intervention
Dusty’s incomparable career, including savage bouts against the likes of Abdullah the Butcher, Harley Race and longtime nemesis The Nature Boy, was fraught with obstacles, both personal and professional. Yet, The American Dream would never be denied, thrice becoming NWA World Heavyweight Champion and cementing himself as one of the most beloved in-ring competitors of the 1980s.
View photos from Dusty’s historic career | Dusty’s sons induct him into the WWE Hall of Fame
After a stint in WWE, Rhodes eventually transitioned to a behind-the-scenes role as one of the creative forces behind WCW as his son, Dustin Rhodes, set out to continue the family legacy. Sporting a fringed vest that looked like it had come right out of his pop’s wardrobe, Dustin introduced himself to the WWE Universe at large during the 1991 Royal Rumble event, in a tag team match against The Million Dollar Man and Virgil. The father-and-son tandem lost that bout, but Dustin would find greater success in WCW, capturing the United States Championship in 1993. However, he was ultimately fired from the Atlanta-based organization, and it was a phone call from Vince McMahon that would transform Rhodes’ life forever.

SmackDown Results: Reigns & Bryan overcame friction to outlast six dangerous combinations in a history-making Tag Team Turmoil Match

The best show on Thursday night opened with Kane and Big Show addressing WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos, Los Matadores, The Miz & Damien Mizdow, Titus O’Neil & Heath Slater and The Ascension. The teams learned the incredible news that they’d be competing in a WWE Tag Team Turmoil Match — a concept borrowed from WWE Hall of Famer Pat Patterson.
As for the rules of the contest, two tag teams would start things out, with the winning combination facing another tag team, the winner of that contest facing another, and so on, until one tag team reigned supreme. While the teams would be picked at random for the most part, Kane made it clear that Roman Reigns would begin the match alongside his opponent at WWE Fastlane, Daniel Bryan!

How will The Authority choose to deal with Big Show?

On Thursday night SmackDown, it seemed as if The Authority had finally found a way to dismantle Daniel Bryan & Roman Reigns, heading into WWE Fastlane. But just when it looked like Kane & Big Show were going to pick up the pieces on their war-torn adversaries in the final moments of a fierce Tag Team Turmoil Match, things completely broke down and Big Show KO’d his own partner.
SmackDown exclusive videos | SmackDown highlights
Now the question becomes: How will Triple H and Stephanie McMahon deal with dissension in their ranks? In any leadership position, it is important to send a quick and decisive message. By that logic, punishing The World’s Largest Athlete is absolutely necessary.
If there are repercussions, though, exactly what form will they take? In the past, The Authority has had no problem using Big Show’s job and financial future against him. Or could the misstep lead to another epic clash of the titans between Big Show and Corporate Kane, in an attempt to settle Authority business in-house? Could the giant be outright fired? Fined? Would the often self-critical Big Show, upset over letting his temper get the best of him, pull a Tiger Woods and choose to suspend himself?
On the other hand, might treading lightly in the gigantic Superstar’s path be what’s “best for business”? Never forget, before Survivor Series, Big Show was a powerful force against The Authority. It was only when he betrayed John Cena and his team that the threat was squished. Does The Authority really want to reawaken that humongous hazard — just more than 40 days before WrestleMania? If WWE history shows one thing, you do not want to see the angry side of Big Show.
Find out the answer to The Authority’s gigantic problem on Monday Night Raw at 8/7C on USA Network.

 

 

 

SmackDown Five-Point Preview: Feb. 5, 2015

Will there be an A-list altercation on “Miz TV”?

Get your popcorn and soda ready, because the most must-see “Miz TV” episode to date — and that’s saying a lot — will kick off SmackDown tonight at 8/7c. Roman Reigns and Daniel Bryan will both be guests on The Awesome One’s always-tumultuous talk show, as they get ready for their historic matchup at WWE Fastlane on Feb 22.
How will Reigns react? | Watch: Reigns' giant Spear on Big Show
Despite The Big Dog lending a helping hand to The Beard in his contest against Seth Rollins on Raw, make no mistake, both these men are clearly prepared to put it all on the line for the chance to main event WrestleMania 31. With so much at stake between two of WWE’s most competitive Superstars, don’t be surprised if the action starts three weeks early, especially since The Miz will most certainly do his best to stir the pot. Plus, what part if any, will Damien Mizdow play in his new role as Miz’s personal assistant? In other words, you’re not going to want to miss a second of “Miz TV.”

 

 

What is Roman Reigns’ state of mind after accepting The Authority’s WWE Fastlane challenge?

 

On Raw, The Authority dropped an all-out bombshell, opting to quell controversy over Roman Reigns’ Royal Rumble Match victory by pitting him against Daniel Bryan or Seth Rollins at WWE Fastlane — in a match where Reigns would need to once again earn his previously guaranteed WrestleMania main event against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar. Reigns accepted The Authority’s challenge and now looks toward Feb. 22 and an all-important clash with Bryan at Fastlane. Now, a huge question remains: How does Reigns feel about the past 24 hours? And how will it affect his match with WWE’s “Yes!” Man live on pay-per-view?
Reigns chose his fate on Raw, yet one has to assume that the powerful Superstar must feel nothing short of absolute rage over Triple H and Stephanie McMahon’s decision. With or without The Rock, Reigns’ Rumble win earned his title opportunity at The Showcase of the Immortals — now jeopardized by a predicament created by The Authority. Does he feel regret? Angst? Has the scenario affected his confidence? (The emphatic Spear to Big Show at Raw’s end would suggest otherwise.)
Rather, could Reigns actually welcome the match against Bryan? Deep down, would a Superstar of Reigns’ character really want to compete at WrestleMania without beating Bryan outright? A victory over the former World Champion in the wake of such controversy would certainly legitimatize his Rumble triumph, leaving little doubt that he deserved his spot on The Grandest State of Them All. A decisive win over Bryan might also bring the WWE Universe firmly into his corner. But, how might the startling turn of events affect Reigns’ mentality and, with it, his approach heading into a collision with the leader of the “Yes!” Movement?
Any man would feel cheated. Embittered. But how will Reigns channel that feeling into ferocity to ensure his trip to Santa Clara for the headline bout at WrestleMania 31? The Big Dog’s Fastlane opponent, Bryan, has dealt with similar obstacles and risen above them time and time again. The WWE Universe has seen the “Yes!” Man preserve. For his part, however, the already intense Reigns — fueled by injustice — may just be unstoppable. He will not just be out to beat his bearded opponent, but to send The Authority a distinct message to stay out of his affairs.
Though The Authority’s actions have created an incredible WWE Fastline main event, Roman Reigns’ intensity is sure to send shockwaves throughout WWE in the turbulent weeks to come.

Raw GIF of the Night

  

Monday wasn’t an easy night for 2015 Royal Rumble Match winner Roman Reigns. Not only did the powerhouse essentially lose his guaranteed WrestleMania 31 bout against WWE World Heavyweight Champion Brock Lesnar — an opportunity he must now defend against Daniel Bryan at WWE Fastlane — but he also suffered defeat at the gargantuan hands of Big Show.
At the end of the Raw, however, Reigns had the chance to vent his frustrations with The Authority in a major way, hitting The World’s Largest Athlete with one of the biggest, most incredible Spears we’ve ever seen on Raw. The move evened the odds for Bryan, who finished off Seth Rollins with a running knee to earn a high-stakes match against Reigns at WWE Fastlane on WWE Network Feb. 22.
Relive this giant-slaying maneuver again and again with the Raw GIF of the Night!

Stone Cold' grilled The Game on a LIVE Podcast on WWE Network

  Stone Cold” Steve Austin played The Game on the second-ever live edition of “The Steve Austin Show” on WWE Network, and the WWE Universe reaped the benefits, receiving unprecedented insight into the inner workings of WWE during The Texas Rattlesnake’s interview with WWE COO Triple H. The reunion of the Two-Man Power Trip did not disappoint in the slightest, as the WWE Hall of Famer pulled no punches with the WWE executive, and Triple H was a straight shooter. Speaking as one of WWE’s chief creative minds and not the villainous character he plays on TV, Triple H answered questions concerning his work at WWE NXT, Mr. McMahon’s infamous “Brass Ring” comments, Chyna  and, yes, the controversial ending to the 2015 Royal Rumble. See below for a sampling of questions, and be sure to watch the full replay on WWE Network, which is free in February for new subscribers.

 

Roman Reigns vs. Daniel Bryan (Winner faces Brock Lesnar at WrestleMania)

Roman Reigns may have won the 2015 Royal Rumble Match, but Brock Lesnar’s opponent at WrestleMania won’t be known until Feb. 22, when Reigns and Daniel Bryan square off at WWE Fastlane for the right to challenge the beastly WWE World Heavyweight Champion.
New subscribers: Get WWE Network — including WWE Fastlane — free for February!
WWE Fastlane’s huge matchup was made on the Feb. 2 Raw after WWE COO Triple H — in an effort to address The Rock’s controversial involvement in Reigns’ Royal Rumble win “head-on” — proposed that Lesnar’s WrestleMania challenger be decided in a bout between Reigns and the winner of that night’s match between Bryan and Seth Rollins. The WWE Universe’s favorite “Yes!” Man went on to defeat Mr. Money at the Bank, thanks in part to The Big Dog neutralizing Big Show’s attempted interference. With that, two of WWE’s most popular Superstars will meet one-on-one at WWE Fastlane, with the coveted title opportunity up for grabs
For Reigns, the 2014 Superstar of the Year, the bout marks perhaps the penultimate hurdle on his quest to become WWE World Heavyweight Champion, an accomplishment that some suggest is almost a birthright. Born to the iconic Anoa’i family— a sports-entertainment dynasty that counts The Rock and WWE Hall of Famers Yokozuna and The Wild Samoans as members — the Superstar with the Superman Punch has been touted as a future main eventer since arriving in WWE as a member of The Shield in November 2012.
Relive Daniel Bryan's WrestleMania 30 journey | Anoa'i family photo gallery
Bryan, however, is every bit as hungry for a WWE World Heavyweight Title Match at WrestleMania, if not more so. The bearded warrior shocked the world when he captured the WWE World Heavyweight Title at last year’s WrestleMania, but a serious neck injury sidelined him just as his title reign was getting underway, prompting The Authority to strip him of the championship without being beaten. Now, Bryan hopes to bring the “Yes!” Movement to even greater heights by defeating Reigns en route to challenging The Beast Incarnate.
Which WWE fan favorite will rise to the occasion in WWE Fastlane’s game-changing match? Will the juggernaut Reigns Spear his way past the absurdly skilled and double-tough underdog? Or can the fiery Bryan scratch and claw his way into the WrestleMania title match for a second year in a row?
Find out when WWE Fastlane airs live Feb. 22 on WWE Network, which is FREE for February to new subscribers!

 

 

 

WrestleMania 31

WrestleMania 31 will be the thirty-first annual WrestleMania professional wrestling pay-per-view (PPV) event produced by the American professional wrestling promotion WWE. It is scheduled to take place on March 29, 2015, at Levi's Stadium in Santa Clara, California.^[1]
It will be the first WrestleMania event to be held in the San Francisco Bay Area and the sixth to be held in the state of California (2, VII, XII, 2000, and 21). It is the first WrestleMania to feature the new WWE logo.

 

WWE SmackDown Results: Daniel Bryan Vs. Kane, Bray Wyatt, Cena - Rusev, The Ascension 

 

Tonight's WWE SmackDown opens up with Byron Saxton, Michael Cole and Jerry Lawler on commentary. They announce Roman Reigns vs. Big Show tonight. Also, the Casket Match between Kane and Daniel Bryan.

- We go to the ring and Eden introduces Triple H. Out he comes by himself to a mixed reaction.
Triple H jokingly welcomes us to Monday Night RAW but corrects himself. He talks about the snow storm and how WWE was forced to postpone RAW. Fans boo and Triple H agrees with them. He says WWE doesn't like to be told what to do. Triple H brags on the WWE Network's 1 million subscribers, which gets mostly cheers from the crowd. Triple H has two words for the subscribers... thank you. Triple H welcomes Hartford to Thursday SmackDown and gets a big pop. Triple H says it's been a controversial week coming out of the Royal Rumble. He brings up the "Deflategate" and the NFL Super Bowl. Triple H says apparently Roger Goodell and the NFL have a problem with their balls. Triple H jokes about balls. Triple H says one thing about WWE, they have never had a problem with their balls. Triple H says unlike Goodell, when he has a problem he handles it. He says he's going to deal with a current problem at WWE Fast Lane - Sting. Sting's name gets a big pop.
Triple H promises he will go face to face with his problem at Fast Lane and resolve it. Triple H says there is other controversy coming out of the Rumble. Fans boo. Triple H says the match with Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena vs. Seth Rollins was one of the best matches he's ever seen. He says Rollins proved he's the future of the industry. Fans boo John Cena's name. Triple H says Cena proved to the world he's the past. Triple H says Lesnar proved he's The Beast and is still the WWE World Heavyweight Champion. Triple H says that match wasn't the problem, the problem was the Rumble match itself. He says the building was rumbling and he'd never felt anything like it in his life. He says fans were going crazy, going nuts, it was electric. He said the next day, it got worst and everyone was talking about it, it was all over the news. Triple H says if you don't know what he's talking about... we see a video of how Roman Reigns eliminated Big Show and Kane at the same time, The Rock returned to help and then Reigns won by eliminating Rusev. We come back to some boos. Triple H says he's going to put an end to the controversy this Monday at RAW. He will make an announcement that will likely shake the WWE Universe to its core. Roman Reigns' music hits and out he comes through the crowd to a mixed reaction but it sounds like mostly cheers.
Reigns comes face to face with Triple H. The boos start when Reigns starts talking. He says he sees no controversy because he won the match and is going to WrestleMania. Triple H says yes, you won that match but let's see if you win this one... out comes Big Show as we go to commercial.
Roman Reigns vs. Big Show
Back from the break and the match is underway. Reigns dodges and moves. Show takes him to the corner but misses a splash. Reigns comes back with clotheslines in the corner. Reigns goes for a suplex but Show counters with one of his own. Show scoop slams Reigns and takes him back to the corners. Show keeps control and tosses Reigns across the ring. Reigns counters a move and takes Show's knee out. Reigns mounts Show with right hands in the corner and there is a big mixed reaction. Reigns works on the leg and Show pushes him off. Show takes back control but Reigns clotheslines him over the top rope as we go to commercial.