About Simon Bucci

Simon Bucci has an extensive background in the industry of pro wrestling specializing in setting up and breaking down the wrestling rings that the most famous wrestlers compete in.

roman reigns returns
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WWE News Today 4/16/17 – Roman Reigns Returns Already, Charlotte Flair vs Nikki Bella, Finn Balor Status

WWE News and Rumors April 15, 2017

  • Charlotte Flair responded to Nikki Bella’s thinly veiled challenge. Nikki had originally mentioned being able to have a match with Flair who recently was moved to Smackdown.

  • Due to an injury, Finn Balor has been removed from this weekend’s Raw live events. Balor is also not being advertised for Raw this Monday in Columbus, OH. Finn is next advertised this Friday in Rapid City, South Dakota, although there is no guarantee he will be cleared to appear by that time.
  • Roman Reigns returned to action in Providence, RI Friday Night though he didn’t wrestle a match. Instead, after Braun Strowman hit the ring and taunted the audience that Roman wouldn’t be wrestling him that not, as Reigns was not medically cleared. Roman then showed up and after a brawl performed a Superman Punch and a Spear through a table.
  • Now available at WWE Shop are commemorative plaques celebrating this year’s Wrestlemania moments including the [clink id=”62″ target=”_blank”]Undertaker’s Final Match[/clink], [clink id=”65″ target=”_blank”]John Cena proposing to Nikki Bella[/clink] and of course the victories. These come with an actual piece of canvas used at Wrestlemania that these moments occurred in. Each piece is limited to 250 pieces and is $64.99. A non limited version without the canvas is being offered at $29.99. Current best sellers in order are [clink id=”62″ target=”_blank”]Undertaker Retiring[/clink], [clink id=”63″ target=”_blank”]Bayley retaining the Raw Women’s Title[/clink] and [clink id=”64″ target=”_blank”]Mojo Rawley winning the Andre the Giant Battle Royal[/clink].
  • Jim Ross’ current WWE deal involves 40 appearances over a 2 year deal. We will being seeing a lot of Ross, mostly on PPV events.
  • Brock Lesnar is expected to be more active as Universal Champion than he has been over the past few years, but is currently not expected to appear at Payback.

new-day-championship-belt-wwe-shop
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WWE News Today 4/15/17

WWE News and Rumors April 15, 2017

  • Big E will be officiating weddings in the near future as he was recently ordained online. E says this was an easy process. His decision to begin this side hustle is rooted in knowing he would have time off eventually and likes to keep busy. He will offer entertainment as part of the wedding officiating package.
  • WWE Shop briefly had a Replica Tag Team Championship with a New Day themed leather. These sold out within a few hours due to a limited production. WWE Shop promises these titles will be back in stock within a few weeks.
  • Because of Kofi Kingston’s injury, PWInsider reports that The New Day may not appear on Smackdown Live until Kofi is ready to return. He will be out 2-4 weeks.
  • Booker T will be replacing David Otunga as a Raw commentator. Otunga was recently drafted to Raw and will debut after filming the WWE Studios Film “Katrina”.
  • There was concern among wrestling fans that Charlotte may have been hurt in a match with Nia Jax on RAW. She spoke to USA Today and revealed that while the stunt looked “nasty” to the viewer, she was not hurt in any way and missed no live events.
  • Right now the women’s landscape for Payback if looking to be Bayley vs Nia Jax for the Championship and Alexa Bliss vs Mickie James vs Sasha Banks in a Triple Threat Match.
  • Although a reformation of the Lucha Dragons was speculation with Kalisto moving to Raw, joining the cruiserweight division seems more likely.
#AngleStrong
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WWE News Today 4/14/17

WWE News and Rumors April 14, 2017

  • In an interview with Wrestling INC, Kurt Angle spoke of WWE now being PG as a positive, his possibility of wrestling again and if he has taken a physical yet. Kurt was asked by Raj Giri about the #AngleStrong App, a tool for providing support and maintaining sobriety after rehab. Listen to the interview – http://www.wrestlinginc.com/wi/news/2017/0412/625218/kurt-angle-on-if-he-has-taken-the-wwe-physical/
  • John Cena has been featured in 2 new commercials for Crocs. Drew Barrymore, YOONA and Henry Lau are also in this commercial.
  • Paige and Alberto Del Rio claimed to have purchased a new home.
  • Both the Boston Logan Airport and the TSA have issued apologies to Lana of her experience at that airport. She described the incident as being violated.
  • WWE.COM has revealed that Renee Young and Dean Ambrose were indeed married and we now know it happened on Sunday.
  • Congratulations to expecting father Apollo Crew.
  • David Otunga’s Raw debut will be delayed for 6 months due to filming the first new WWE Studios franchise of action films.
  • WWE.COM has announced Roman Reigns injuries sustained in an attack by Braun Strowman Monday night. Cracked Ribs, internal injuries and a separated shoulder. Roman Reigns is set to work live events for WWE this weekend.
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Bets Being Taken For If WWE Will #FireJBL

The following European Market odds are from Paddy Power. Wagers are not available from all countries. Visit Paddy Power by clicking here. 

With the impressive amount of mainstream press related to JBL’s involvement in Mauro Ranallo’s sudden departure from longtime employer WWE, coupled with outcry from supporter’s of Mauro for JBL to be fired over this, Paddy Power has posted betting odds on if JBL will indeed be released from the WWE.

The odds have shifted and JBL is now favored at 8/15 to keep his job after all, or at least last until July, a 65% chance of keeping his job. This could be the result of several factors, the first being JBL being kept on television this week on Smackdown. One would think if the WWE was concerned about the situation that JBL would at least not be appearing while the controversy cools off. Instead, it’s business as usual.

Another factor is the recent news of Mauro’s management being in talks with WWE about a settlement with Mauro. It is rumored that part of the settlement would be a non-disclosure agreement meaning Mauro wouldn’t be able to publicly talk about the JBL situation or negatively about the WWE. If there was a plan to terminate JBL’s contract, would the WWE really be discussing a settlement?

Will JBL Still be Contracted to the WWE on July 1st 2017?

Will JBL Still Be Under Contract on 7/1/17? April 15
YES 8/15
NO 11/8

The WWE appears to have no plans of removing JBL from his various duties in the WWE as they have not taken him off of television yet. He continued his regular task of being a commentator for Smackdown Live on Tuesday nights this week and there seems to be no plans to punish him for accusations that JBL bullied Mauro into not showing up for his bookings as a broadcast partner with JBL. Ranallo is not expected to be returning to the company and many are blaming JBL.

Threat of canceled subscriptions to the WWE Network by irate critics of JBL along with continued coverage by mainstream media may cause the WWE to reconsider keeping JBL employed. Ultimately WWE answers to it’s stockholders and if having JBL on the payroll hurts the company’s stock, there may be no choice but to release him from his contract.

It will be very interesting to see what outcome will be backed by gamblers. July is almost two months away and these odds could potentially move significantly in wither direction. Unfortunately for JBL, these odds being posted by Paddy Power will only serve to keep this public relations nightmare for what already is looking to be a story that won’t die. The longer this situation remains in the headlines the worse JBL’s chances of staying out of the unemployment line become.

 

Source: Paddy Power

[huge_it_forms id=”1″]

 

dean ambrose and renee young
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WWE News Today – 4/13/17

WWE News and Rumors March 14, 2017

  • On Smackdown, many fans notices both Dean Ambrose and Renee Young wearing wedding rings. The couple was recently married and this is how they let the world know.
  • Lana lashed out at the TSA on Twitter yesterday. She also thanked an American Police Officer for helping her.

  • A Roman Reigns supporter set up an online petition calling for the firing of Braun Strowman for his attack on Reigns at Raw. Strowman responded on twitter.

“To the WWE we the WWE Universe are not please with Strowman’s Actions tonight on Raw following his brutal attack on Roman Reigns. Me and a lot of the WWE Universe Want Strowman Fired effective immediately he crossed the line tonight following the attack on Roman and now Roman is in the hospital with injuries. If this is what you call Entertainment YOU Failed Miserably. I don’t care if he goes to SD Live We want him OFF of Raw or Fired from the WWE. I have been a fan of Raw for years and out of everything that I have seen happen this was by far the absolute Worst.”

https://twitter.com/BraunStrowman/status/852291051016638464

  • Nikki Bella teased a return to Smackdown to face Charlotte Flair. Nikki has this to say on twitter:

  • There were complaints against Paige online for having a Donald Trump calender. Paige responded that she didn’t support The President and that the calender is actually making fun of him.

 

kurt angle shirt
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It’s True. It’s Damn True! New Kurt Angle Tee Shirt Available Now.

 

After over a decade away from the WWE, Kurt Angle has returned. What started as one of the greatest inductions in the WWE Hall of Fame segued into a position as the GM of Raw.

60 World championships won in the WWE. 6 World Championships won in TNA/Impact Wrestling. Kurt has even won the IWGP Championship in New Japan Pro Wrestling. Did we mention Angle is an Olympic Gold Medalist and that he won it with a broken freakin’ neck?

Now, the Hall of Famer is contributing to Raw as General Manager and has quickly become one of the most popular Gms in WWE history. In the recent WWE Superstar Shakeup Angle was able to snatch away The Miz, Dean Ambrose, Bray Wyatt, Charlotte and Mickie James.

This also led the next Raw Branded PPV, Payback, to gaining a WWE Championship match with the new Raw addition Bray Wyatt bringing his mandatory rematch against Randy Orton for the title to Raw. Kurt also managed to keep Seth Rollins on Raw and had to butt heads with Raw Commissioner Stephanie McMahon to get it done.

You can celebrate this deserving comeback with the brand new Kurt Angle tee shirt. This is official WWE Wear and is available in Men’s and Women’s sizes. There are even plans for Angle to wrestle again provided he can pass a physical.  This is a navy blue shirt with Kurt’s famous catch phrase. It’s True. It’s True. It’s Damn True.

[clink id=”59″ target=”_blank”]Kurt Angle “It’s Damn True” Tee Shirt For Men[/clink]

[clink id=”60″ target=”_blank”]Kurt Angle “It’s Damn True” Tee Shirt For Women[/clink]

 

 

 

highest paid wwe wrestlers
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WWE News Today 4/12/17

WWE News and Rumors | April 12, 2017

  • Forbes recently released a list of the top 10 highest paid WWE Wrestlers. These are estimates from the calender year of 2016. Brock Lesnar tops the list this year.
  1. Brock Lesnar – $12 million
  2. John Cena – $8 million
  3. Triple H – $3.5 million
  4. Roman Reigns – $3.5 million
  5. Dean Ambrose – $2.7 million
  6. AJ Styles – $2.4 million
  7. Shane McMahon – $2.2 million
  8. The Undertaker – $2 million
  9. Seth Rollins – $2 million
  10. Randy Orton – $1.9 million
  • After the 4/10 episode of WWE Raw from Long Island went off the air Chris Jericho was attacked by Samoa Joe with Seth Rollins making the save. This led to a tag team match between Seth Rollins and Chris Jericho vs Samoa Joe and Kevin Owens. Rollins pinned Joe with a jumping knee.
  • Finn Balor was banged up after his match with Jinder Mahal on Raw and may be out of action indefinitely.
  • Simon Gotch will be wrestling a few dates in the United Kingdom this July. A 90 day Wwe mandated no complete clause will be expired by this time. And will doing matches 7/22 for XWA Wrestling and 7/28 Pro Wrestling Pride.
  • WWE is interested in Lio Rush who is no longer with ROH and showed up backstage for Raw the night after Wrestlemania.
  • Former WWE talent Victoria has closed her wrestling themed sports bar known as the Squared Circle. The establishment had been located in Chicago and it will be missed by wrestlers traveling through that city.
  • Kane has announced his bid for Mayor of Knox County as a Republican and is focusing his platform on Education and Business, along with keeping taxes low.
wwe hardy boyz shirt
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New Release – Hardy Boyz First WWE Shirt Since Wrestlemania Return

Matt and Jeff Hardy have made their return at Wrestlemania 33 and received not only a returning heroes welcome, but managed to win the Raw Tag Team Championships in their first outing. Announced by the Wrestlemania Hosts the New Day as a surprise entrant in a ladder match also featuring the champions Anderson & Gallows and challengers Cesaro & Sheamus and the team of Enzo Amore & Big Cass. Relive this moment on the WWE Network.

The first piece of merchandise offered with the shocking return of the Hardy Boyz is a retro tee available in men’s, women’s and youth sizes. The classic Hardy Boyz symbol in a purple and green gradient on the front and a full color rendering of the side profiles of Matt and Jeff on the back. This shirt is the only way to truly know this epic return of a legendary tag team is real.

[clink id=”56″ target=”_blank”]Click For Hardy Boyz Shirt for Men[/clink]

[clink id=”58″ target=”_blank”]Click For Hardy Boyz Shirt for Women[/clink]

[clink id=”57″ target=”_blank”]Click For Hardy Boyz Shirt for Youth[/clink]

wwe superstar shakeup
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WWE News Alert 4/10/17

WWE News and Rumors April 10, 2017

  • Wrestlemania 33 set a new record for the highest grossing event at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
  • The current plan is for Kurt Angle to wrestle again in the WWE but he would have to pass a physical.
  • Alberto Del Rio went on several drunken Periscope rants recently, often targeting WWE and Triple H in particular. Much of this was obscenity laced and Paige tried to end the video several times.
  • Jim Ross, despite his multi-appearence deal with the WWE, will continue to announce for NJPW.
  • Jonathan Coachman will no longer be covering WWE on ESPN due to commitments to other projects. Coachman was covering WWE on a voulenteer basis and no longer has the time to be involved.
  • Mauro Ranallo will not be returning to the WWE. He was away from his duties with illness and will continue working outside the WWE. The two parties have severed ties on social media.
  • Rumored plans for this week’s “Superstar ShakeUp” involve New Day, Charlotte being moved to Smackdown. Alexa Bliss and AJ Styles would then make the move to Raw. Other names being bandied about are Roman Reigns and Sasha Banks possibly moving to Smackdown.

 

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What is Bray Wyatt’s House of Horrors Match?

The next Smackdown branded WWE PPV Backlash on May 21, 2017 at the Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Illinois. That give 7 weeks of build for this event, which has been unheard of for decades. There will be a RAW branded PPV in the interim, Payback in San Jose, CA on April 30.

Despite this stretch until Backlash, Smackdown already seems to be building towards the main event, a Wrestlemania rematch. Bray Wyatt is invoking his rematch clause against Randy Orton for the WWE Championship. Cryptic as ever, Wyatt has challenged Orton to a unique specialty match that no one seems to know the rules to but Bray himself.

“I want to fight in a different kind of match.

One that will not only push your body,

but it will push your mind as well.

I promise I’m going to drive you to a new level of insanity.

You will be twisted far more than you’ve been twisted before.

Not just mentally, but physically as well in what I like to call a House of Horrors match.”

  • Bray Wyatt, Smackdown 4/4/17

Randy has readily accepted, despite not knowing the nature of this match. What will be revealed about this mysterious bout in the weeks leading to Backlash? It’s worth mentioning that though the challenge has been accepted, it has not been officially announced for Backlash as of press time. There has been much speculation about what exactly a “House of Horrors” match will entail.

Some early speculation is that this will be very similar to an “Asylum Match”, innovated by Dean Ambrose against Chris Jericho at Extreme Rules last year. This match saw a cage with weapons suspended above for the taking. This seems like a non-creative route to go for a main event match. The Asylum Match was not a main event and it wasn’t exactly praised as a match concept.

Could this be a match held outside of the arena in a remote location like a haunted mansion or even a return to to the Wyatt Compound? Probably not.

This match could very well be inspired by the WCW Halloween Havoc 1991 opener of Sting, El Gigante, & The Steiner Brothers (Rick & Scott Steiner) Vs. Big Van Vader, Cactus Jack, Abdullah The Butcher, & The Diamond Studd. The climax here saw Abdullah being electrified after being strapped into an electric chair that descended into the ring. [clink id=”2″ target=”_blank”]You can actually watch this match on the[/clink] WWE Network [clink id=”2″ target=”_blank”]by clicking here[/clink].

The most likely scenario with what we currently know is this will be a special effects match. Expect similar pageantry to the light effects the encapsulated the canvas at Wrestlemania or Wyatt’s ability to teleport. It’s an experimental match type that could fail miserably, but is a risk worth taking because it could end up being well received as part of the evolution of pro wrestling.

WWE Backlash is a Smackdown Branded  Special Event taking place 5/21 on the WWE Network

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