SPOTLIGHTED PODCAST ALERT (YOUR ARTICLE BEGINS A FEW INCHES DOWN)...
Torch Today – December 18, 2015
AFTERNOON UPDATE
– Posted at PWPodcasts.com – three new podcasts recaps including Colt Cabana talking to Abyss about interesting pre-TNA stories, “We Watch Wrestling” live PWG All-Star Weekend thoughts, and Wednesday’s PWTorch Livecast NXT post-game show hosted by Pat McNeill.
Also, be sure to check out birthday boy “Stone Cold” Steve Austin on Thursday’s PWTorch Livecast with Torch editor Wade Keller extending their conversation from this week’s “Stone Cold Show” podcast.
– Smackdown TV ratings were up the highest point since August. (Read the Full Ratings Report)
– John Cena has officially grown up. (Read GQ Interview Report)
– Triple H says the NXT Midwest tour dates in January are sold out after going on-sale Friday.
It's official… #NXTMilwaukee SOLD OUT. #NXTChicago SOLD OUT. #NXTPittsburgh SOLD OUT. #NXTDetroit SOLD OUT. #ThankYou #WeAreNXT @WWENXT
— Triple H (@TripleH) December 18, 2015
– New Smackdown announce hire Mauro Ranallo will have a big January 7. Former MMA fighter Bas Rutten announced that he is starting a podcast with Ranallo that debuts on Jan. 7, the date of the first Smackdown broadcast called by Ranallo.
– WWE delayed plans for a Shane McMahon DVD because Shane would not have been involved in the project, reports WrestlingDVDNetwork.com, so WWE felt the project would not be as strong. Instead, WWE is going for a U.S. Title DVD release in 2016.
– Final tally for ROH TV on Destination America Viewership in 2015.
MORNING UPDATE
– WWE top star John Cena noted that he is still filming “American Grit” for Fox. Filming was scheduled to wrap on Wednesday, but Cena made it sound like filming will continue into next week before his in-ring return in New York City the day after Christmas.
A fantastic #AmericanGrit is winding down. Ill have just enough time to see #Sistersmovie with santa then race to @TheGarden on 12/26.
— John Cena (@JohnCena) December 18, 2015
– The Washington Post liked John Cena’s supporting role in the new “Sisters” movie out in theaters today. Cena plays a serious, but sensitive drug dealer. Cena’s attempts at comedy in the role were endorsed by the reviewer at WashingtonPost.com.
– WWE launched an NXT Takeover pre-sale for WrestleMania Weekend in Dallas on April 1, 2016.
Be there for the takeover…Use the pre-sale code NXTLIVE @Ticketmaster to get tickets for #NXTTakeOver: Dallas @WrestleMania weekend.
— Triple H (@TripleH) December 18, 2015
– Jim Ross covered several interesting subjects in his latest blog at jrsbarbq.com. Ross noted that his autobiography is on-track for this time next year and they have received positive feedback from the literary world thus far. … Ross reviewed the NXT Takeover special. … Ross commented on Roman Reigns “not needing to be a Stone Cold or Rock re-make” to be successful.
“I’d suggest trying that plus Roman becoming more invested in the creation of his own verbiage,” Ross wrote. “Rightly or wrongly, many fans will expect more next week. Reigns being force-fed to the fans is a slow, painful death for all involved and may not be so slow.”
– Results from an eventful New Japan “Road to Tokyo Dome” Show at Korakuen Hall in Tokyo on Friday.
– WWE Divas champion Charlotte appears on the next cover of “Muscle & Fitness: Hers,” which is now available on newsstands. The magazine cover works in a promotional spot for WWE’s joint partnership with the re-branded Tapout. Notably, Triple H is on the editorial advisory board for M&F.
We're so excited @WWE's @MsCharlotteWWE is on the cover of our January/February issue, on newsstands now! pic.twitter.com/RmYTtYF9kA
— Muscle&Fitness Hers (@mandfhers) December 18, 2015
– Syfy’s post-Smackdown series, “Haven,” concluded its run on Thursday. Former WWE star Edge (Adam Copeland), who took a more prominent role in recent seasons, commented on the end of the series.
Ah #Haven the spunky little town that provided amazing life-changing times for me in so many ways. And even better friendships made
— Adam (Edge) Copeland (@EdgeRatedR) December 18, 2015
Thanks to everyone esp. @TheLucasBryant @EmilyroseLA @ERICBALFOUR @ShawnPiller for taking a chance with me & holding my hand along the way
— Adam (Edge) Copeland (@EdgeRatedR) December 18, 2015
– WWE Diva Cameron (Ariane Andrew) has released her Top 10 Tips for maintaining nutritional balance and healthy weight during the holiday season. Top #1: “It’s okay to over indulge with sweets but add 5-10 minutes of cardio the next day.” (Read more about Cameron at ArianeAndrewNow.com.
– Should two of the best young golfers in the world square off inside a wrestling ring? Rory McIlroy was asked during a Facebook chat who would win a wrestling match with 2015 phenom Jordan Spieth. McIlroy said he thought he would win.
Spieth is from the Dallas, Texas area, where WrestleMania will be held in April, making it seem like an obvious location for such a special attraction to be held, especially with the golfing world trying to play up a rivalry between Spieth and McIlroy. Notably, McIlroy has a WWE connection through Shane McMahon, who was an investor in McIlroy’s sports management team at one point.
Yesterday @McIlroyRory said he'd beat @JordanSpieth in a wrestling match. Who would you bet on? RT/Rory Like/Spieth pic.twitter.com/t9RwyfZ7WV
— Pete Pappas (@PGAPappas) December 17, 2015
– The team from 2K Sports has released video of King Barrett joining them for a “WWE 2K16” Live Stream.
I didn’t even recognize Charlotte! What a horrible photoshop job!