WrestleMania 33 reception
Despite its largely criticized card, WrestleMania 33 proved to be a success. New records were set during the Ultimate Thrill Ride. According to a press release from WWE, the five day event was attended by 165,000 and the titular pay per view was broadcast into 1.95 million homes. It also upped the ante from its last visit to Orlando from a merchandising standpoint. $3.7 million was sold during the extravaganza compared to its previous take of $2.3 million.
JR’s Back!
Jim Ross returned to commentary during WrestleMania 33 to call the Undertaker vs. Roman Reigns match, which proved to be the icon’s farewell. The Undertaker requested that Good ol’ JR call the match, which is even more noteworthy given the recent tragedy in Ross’s life. Jim has announced that he and WWE have come to terms for a two year return to broadcasting. He revealed that talks began in November and intensified leading up to WrestleMania.
WWE Release of talent
WWE has released Simon Gotch, one half of the Vaudevillians. The tag team was initially successful after being brought to the main roster from NXT but they seemed to have gotten lost in the shuffle. The separation was announced as mutual. The split is even more noteworthy because multiple reports and accounts have surfaced that Gotch had become a malcontent due to being late to assignments, leaving early during house and live events, and behaving egotistically. It remains to be seen what will become of Aiden English, the other Vaudevillian.
WWE Diva News
Paige and Alberto El Patron (aka Alberto Del Rio) continue to make waves, especially in light of the former’s being victimized in the one of the biggest celebrity hacks in years. The two announced that they were going to officially wed this past Wednesday but it’s rumored that the two had already wed privately. Alberto has also taken to social media supporting Paige and released some videos on Periscope showing him bashing the WWE and Triple H specifically, while appearing to be intoxicated. He also claims to know who leaked the footage that not only featured Paige but Xavier Woods of The New Day and former WWE employee Brad Maddox. Maddox has been suspected by some as the person responsible for leaking the salacious pictures and video. He is under further scrutiny because he was married at the time the pictures and footage was made. Alberto has also raised eyebrows with claims that WWE has contacted him about returning. Given the bad blood and recent social media attacks, it seems unlikely to say the least.
Bully Alert!
John Bradshaw Layfield (JBL) has a rumored reputation for being a bully in the industry but recently, his reputation appears to have been confirmed. His behavior has been reported by Deadspin, Forbes, Fox Sports, and other outlets. JBL’s bullying is thought to be the main reason behind Smackdown Live announcer Mauro Ranallo’s absence and imminent departure from Smackdown upon the expiration of his contract. Former WWE announcer, Justin Roberts alleges in his new book, “Best Seat in the House: Your Backstage Pass through My WWE Journey” that JBL once stole his passport. This account was recent confirmed by former WWE star, Johnny Nitro, who now wrestles for Lucha Underground as Johnny Mundo. In an interview with Deadspin, Johnny recounted when he and Joey Mercury, who were the tag team, MNM, were approached by JBL to steal Roberts’ passport. Nitro and Mercury didn’t comply but feared the potential blowback from their choice, since JBL was a main eventer at the time. Roberts also claims that a bullying culture is encouraged. This and other accounts could well have serious repercussions for JBL for the following reasons:
• JBL responded to Justin’s book by calling him an idiot on Twitter, which could be perceived as suspicious.
• WWE is a major figure in the growing number of organizations that speak out against bullying. Bill DeMott was famously fired in 2015 for bullying that was worse than what JBL is accused of, at least so far as anyone knows. DeMott was accused of multiple racist and sexual harassment incidents.
