• ESPN Comments On WWE Bringing Back Brock Lesnar Despite Legal Issues
WWE’s ESPN era will kick off this Saturday with the Wrestlepalooza premium live event. During the media call for this PLE, Jon Alba asked ESPN executives about Brock Lesnar’s WWE return and The Beast’s involvement in Wrestlepalooza despite being named in Vince McMahon’s active lawsuit against Janel Grant.
ESPN executives noted that WWE controls their storylines and wrestlers, and that ESPN has not requested WWE to bring in any talent.
Below is the match-card for Wrestlepalooza:
– Brock Lesnar vs. John Cena
– AJ Lee & CM Punk vs. Women’s Intercontinental Champion Becky Lynch & World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins
– Undisputed WWE Championship Match: Cody Rhodes (c) vs. Drew McIntyre
– Vacant Women’s World Championship Match: IYO SKY vs. Stephanie Vaquer
– The Usos (Jimmy & Jey Uso) vs. The Vision (Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed)
NOTE: Joe Tessitore has confirmed that the final match between Lesnar and Cena will be the main event of this PLE.
• “This is utter BS” – TNA Stars Frustrated With NXT Homecoming
WWE NXT Homecoming aired from Full Sail University last night. It featured a lot of big names, including Triple H, Shawn Michaels, Finn Balor, William Regal, Bobby Roode, Rhea Ripley, Shayna Baszler, Stephanie Vaquer and Sami Zayn.
A lot of TNA stars were not happy with the show for different reasons. Many felt there wasn’t enough TNA representation, while others openly called for a fight with the white and gold brand. Below are reactions to NXT Homecoming from multiple TNA stars:
Matt Hardy sent out the following two tweets:
“Looking forward to checking out #NXTHomecoming tonight. But looking more forward to finally bringing the @ThisIsTNA title back home where it belongs. Tired of a @WWENXT talent thinking he runs TNA just cuz he holds our title.”
“Trick vs Oba is set up for the TNA Title at #NXTHomecoming?!? Even tho Trick is a @WWENXT talent who currently holds the @ThisIsTNA Championship, he shouldn’t be defending against a NXT talent. This is utter BS – It’s a TNA title & should always be defended against TNA talent!”
Matt Cardona (fka Zack Ryder) tweeted:
“I can’t be the only one who is sick of Trick Williams and his reign as @ThisIsTNA World Champ. I’m also sick of how @WWENXT treats TNA. Should I drive over to Full Sail? I’m only 30 minutes away. #NXTHomecoming”
TNA commentator Matthew Rehwoldt (fka Aiden English) tweeted:
“I owe a lot to #NXT
Cheers to #NXTHomecoming
…but make no mistake I’m team #TNA all the way right now “
Former NXT interviewer McKenzie Mitchell tweeted:
“Many of us at @ThisIsTNA are former #WWENXT talent….You know I love @_trickwilliams but it just doesn’t feel right that he’s the only representation of TNA tonight at Full Sail…”
Léi Yǐng Lee, who was Xia Li in WWE, sent out the following 3 tweets:
“TNA deserves better. Who else is tired of this? #NXTHomecoming”
“Sick of @WWENXT acting like they own wrestling. Stop disrespecting @ThisIsTNA
# NXTHomecoming”
“Trick vs Oba — Title for Title?! This is the LAST STRAW. NXT thinks they can rewrite the rules and drag TNA down with it? NO WAY #NXTHomecoming”
TNA Knockouts World Champion Ash By Elegance (fka Dana Brooke) made the following two tweets:
“What’s this #NXTHomecoming without me… I started there… finished there… came back around and made HISTORY there… & still no invite… I should be the HOMECOMING QUEEN tonight … @WWENXT”
“Alright alright .. I’ve heard enough @WWENXT.. seen enough … now I need one of the @ThisIsTNA males on the roster I don’t care who .. to show up and take what’s ours back!!! #NXTHomecoming”
Killer Kelly tweeted:
“So far, #NXTHomecoming is just making me want to pick a fight and show what @ThisIsTNA and your favorite killer is all about…”
“… AND NOW THE @ThisIsTNA WORLD HEAVYWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP IS UP FOR GRABS BETWEEN TWO @WWENXT PEOPLE? I thought this was a partnership and not some bullsh*t
# NXTHomecoming”
Eddie Edwards tweeted:
“Funny how @WWENXT thinks they can just offer up OUR championship in a title vs title match acting like @ThisIsTNA has no say in the matter
Truth is We’ve let this type of stuff happen for too long
Time for a change
# NXTHomecoming
TRUST
THE
SYSTEM”
Frankie Kazarian had the following to say:
“What @WWENXT and everyone there needs to realize is this…When it comes to @ThisIsTNA , you don’t get to call the shots. Only I, the reigning and forever #KingofTNA gets that honor. #NXTHomecoming”
Former WWE star Persia Pirotta, now known as Steph De Lander, stated:
“Wow @WWENXT really thinks they control @ThisIsTNA ! Don’t forget I still live right around the corner… Maybe it’s time for a different type of homecoming #NXTHomecoming”
Trey Miguel tweeted:
“The only Representation TNA saw tonight was Trick… man that stings. I’m going to the treehouse #NXTHomecoming”
A popular name from NXT’s past, Eric Young, tweeted:
“@WWENXT don’t think for a second that the cleanse is only happening at @ThisIsTNA ! I ran that company once I brought a level of chaos and violence rarely seen ILL BE WATCHING! @_trickwilliams you have what I need and have been warned!!!!#NXTHomecoming”
John Skyler tweeted:
“.@WWENXT rejected me. @ThisIsTNA ACCEPTED me. I bleed TNA.
Time for us to take back what is ours.
# NXTHomecoming #WWENXT #TNAiMPACT”
TNA Director Of Authority Santino Marella tweeted:
“This is getting to be too much, honestly, I’m very close to … whatever, I’m just saying it’s getting to be too much #NXT #TNA”
Zachary Wentz tweeted:
“Once upon a time I called NXT my home and I get no invite for homecoming? Looks like TNA ain’t getting love around here… somethings gotta give. #NXTHomecoming”
Steve Maclin (fka Steve Cutler) tweeted:
“NXT remembers me. I don’t FORGET. Lines keep getting crossed and now, you’ll answer to me. #HoldTheLine
@ThisIsTNA #NXTHomecoming”
Former WWE commentator Tom Phillips, now known as Tom Hannifan in TNA, also expressed his frustration:
“Our World Title is not an accessory. Wtf just happened”
Jessica McKay (fka Billie Kay), another former WWE star who’s now in TNA, stated:
“Wowwww, @WWENXT really thinking they can do whatever they want with @ThisIsTNA … you gotta be joking me!! #NXTHomecoming”
Cassie Lee (fka Peyton Royce) sent a warning to NXT Head Booker Shawn Michaels:
“Sick to death of @NXT running roughshod over @TNA like there are no consequences. You’re playing with fire @shawnmichaels”
Santana tweeted:
“After the week I’ve just had.
To be honest, I JUST DGAF!
I don’t care who shows up to #TNABoundForGlory as champion…just make sure you’re ready.
All my pain becomes purpose.
I don’t plan on my daughter leaving the arena heartbroken again…
You’re ALL f**ked.
# NXTHomecoming”
Masha Slamovich tweeted the following:
“NXT develops talent. TNA creates legends.
# NXTHomecoming
@ThisIsTNA @WWENXT”
Jordynne Grace, who made the jump from TNA to WWE, responded the following to Masha:
“All right let’s all just calm down before something gets started”
TNA Champion Trick Williams vs. NXT Champion Oba Femi is set in a Winner Takes All Match for next week. It seems like a TNA invasion will happen during or after the match.
NXT Homecoming Results: 15 WWE Main Roster Stars Appear, Multiple Returns, Finn Balor Appears As Babyface, Triple H vs. Shawn Michaels Teased
