Tag: candice michelle

Daily Update: WWE auctions, Candice Michelle, Luca Crusifino

Posted on by Joseph Currier

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This Week’s Wrestling Observer Newsletter

Among the topics covered:

  • Preview and business notes on AEW Revolution
  • Updates on WrestleMania, how we got to Rhodes vs. Orton and feuds that are starting
  • A look at the UFC White House show and how we got here
  • Full UFC 326 coverage including the most viewers of a TV UFC show since Paige Van Zant vs. Michelle Waterson
  • A look at the new AEW streaming service
  • NXT Vengeance Day coverage and poll results
  • Odds on upcoming pro wrestling matches
  • Logan Paul’s grandstand challenge to football players gets several takers, including some big names, but nothing can transpire and how it ended
  • Full coverage of the 16 Carat Gold tournament in German featuring many of the best independent wrestlers in the world
  • A complete look at the TV ratings from all the pro wrestling shows over the past week, including breakdowns in various categories, placings, how Raw did on Netflix, competition and more
  • CMLL’s lineup for its No. 2 show of the year next week
  • Full rundown of the CMLL all women’s show onFriday
  • Konnan news
  • Behnid the Nino Hamburguesa firing
  • Rey de Reyes notes
  • Stardom Cinderella tournament news
  • New Japan Cup and anniversary show news
  • Pro wrestler and MMA star looks back at a fixed fight and more comments including the Japanese attempt to get a major WWE star to job in an MMA match to theri guy
  • Notes on a new promotion debuting
  • Attendance updates for future WWE, AEW, TNA and other shows including Ronda Rousey vs. Gina Carano.
  • Giant weekend in Europe including the two big Eve shows and the controversy
  • TNA future direction
  • Notes from the Tony Khan media call
  • Putting recent Collision numbers into perspective
  • How Zuffa boxing’s biggest show did
  • Rousey vs. Carano and Rousey’s promotional tactics as well as responses from other fighters
  • Lots of new UFC fights
  • Jake Paul’s women’s boxing group makes ESPN deal
  • Changes to the WWE writing team
  • ESPN reporting side does exactly what they said they wouldn’t do regarding pro wrestling
  • More vacant WWE titles

This Week’s Back Issue

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Thursday Update

American Gladiators logo
Logo for Amazon’s “American Gladiators” revival. (Image credit: Amazon)

WWE

  • Sports Business Journal reports that WWE is revamping its online auction platform and will be offering more event-used items:
    • WWE is revitalizing its auction platform with event-used products, starting by auctioning off a Stone Cold Steve Austin event-worn knee brace from WrestleMania 38 — the site of his final match. That piece sold for $58,000. The new auction platform will give fans access to purchase historically relevant and impactful products. WWE plans to auction more exclusive content during WrestleMania 42 weekend, set for April 16-20 in Las Vegas. More unique products will be announced at a later date.
  • In an Instagram post, The Miz wrote about how honored he is to be the host of Amazon’s American Gladiators revival:
    • If you grew up in the 80s and 90s like I did… you watched American Gladiators.
    • As a kid, there was nothing bigger than WWE and American Gladiators. The Superstars and the Gladiators were larger than life.
    • So to not only be a @wwe Superstar for the past 20 years… but to now be the host of this reboot… I’m incredibly proud and honored.
    • And let me tell you, this was a true team effort.
    • From the absolute powerhouse Gladiators… to the contenders with stories you’ll fall in love with…to @crose127 on commentary bringing the perfect mix of professionalism and humor…and @rocsidiaz absolutely knocking it out of the park.
    • Everyone brought their best to honor what you remember… and take it to a whole new level.
    • It’s a privilege to be part of it.
    • American Gladiators premieres April 17th on @primevideo.
    • Trust me… this is most must-see.
  • One week after his new persona was unveiled in a vignette, Luca Crusifino, a former member of the D’Angelo Family in NXT, was interviewed on WWE Evolve this week. Crusifino called himself the life of the party and said his rave-inspired character is all about PLUR (Peace, Love, Unity, and Respect).
  • WWE Vault uploaded a full house show that took place at the Boston Garden on March 8, 1986. It featured Hulk Hogan & Junkyard Dog facing off against Terry Funk & Dory Funk Jr.

Other Wrestling

  • Tommaso Ciampa shared footage of his daughter Willow performing his entrance before AEW Dynamite last night:
    • Willow has been asking for weeks if she could perform my entrance… well, last night the crew went above and beyond to make her wish come true.
    • And she CRUSHED it!
    • Not only did the kid have no fear at all, but she even came up with an entire ‘dance routine’ to go along with each beat. The air guitar was my personal favorite.
    • After filming her full rehearsal with music and lights (no fire)… I was able to bring Willow into the truck to see how everything works behind the scenes. And they even surprised her once again by placing her name on the lower third graphic.
    • When I say, I found my wrestling home, I’m 100% sincere. I love this family.
    • I may have peaked, guys. Hard to top this.
  • FTR filed a trademark for their logo on March 18.
  • Zayda Steel was the guest on AEW Unrestricted this week.
  • Ricochet’s wife Samantha Johnson (Samantha Irvin) shared more of the death threats she’s gotten in the wake of his social media controversy.
  • On Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Candice Michelle said she hopes her new backstage role as an agent in TNA leads to her making an in-ring comeback for the company as well:
    • Being called to TNA as an agent, I think was a hope spot for me. And it brings me longevity. And when I can get in there and help these men and women win their dreams and their championships, that lasts a lifetime for me. And I always believe, like, when I teach my kids something, I don’t ever tell them to do something I’m not willing to do. And so if I get to have the opportunity to start over again and have a comeback, it will be one hell of a comeback.
  • Zack Sabre Jr. will compete at Effy’s Big Gay Brunch in Las Vegas on April 18.
  • Persephone has been announced for Maple Leaf Pro Wrestling’s event in Vegas on April 17.
  • Busted Open Radio interviewed Killer Kross.
  • WRESTHINGS has an interview with Cedric Alexander.
  • Former WWE wrestler Michael Tarver appeared on the F’Yall Podcast.

Candice Michelle reflects on scary WWE broken collarbone injury

Posted on by Rosanne Raphael

On the latest edition of Insight with Chris Van Vliet, Candice Michelle reflected on the scary fall that led to her broken collarbone during a match against Beth Phoenix on WWE Raw in 2007. She also revealed how John Cena and Randy Orton have shaped her view of the industry.

Michelle echoed Cena’s words on the brutal honesty of the business and admitted her instinct was always to rush back to the ring instead of focusing on healing. That perspective changed when she later viewed how Orton would use injuries as a time to recharge his batteries while out of action.

“[Cena] said the business goes on with or without you and I remember, going through that injury, and when wrestlers get injured, and when I was injured, I was doing everything to get back as fast as I could,” she said. “And actually, I learned after the fact, a little too late. I think Randy Orton has mastered that, because he went through a lot of injuries, but when he went on injury, and I don’t know this, it’s just how I see him, it’s like, he’s gonna go take his break, he’s gonna go heal up until he’s fully healed, have some time with his family, and come back when he’s ready.” 

Michelle was asked about her Women’s Championship match against Beth Phoenix on an October 2007 edition of Raw. An accident led to the bout being cut short when Michelle took a fall from the top rope.

“Well, we were overseas, and we were putting together this match, and this is when Arn Anderson and Ricky Steamboat started to really train me. So, you see how really towards the end of my wrestling career is when I really felt like I was getting the knowledge,” she said. “It was the first time I understood that there’s a philosophy to the match. I literally had no idea. I was never taught it or anything. And there was something in me and Beth that resonated with Ricky and Arn Anderson, and they really stepped up to the plate, and they said, ‘This is how you got to start working this.’ And the fans were really getting behind us.

“And overseas, we’re having these great matches, and we had this move where I was going to — it was supposed to be, how you open your legs on the top rope and fall in. Just, I’m not that flexible, like I think about it to this day, I just saw somebody in TNA do this move, and I was like, yep, that’s not for me, right? So, I was like, I’ll do my knees instead. That seems a little less flexible.”

Michelle added how the pre-planned move went awry and led to a scary situation. In addition to the broken collarbone, she suffered a “massive” concussion.

“And overseas, I did it one time, and I came back and all the boys were worried because I landed on my neck. I didn’t feel it. It didn’t phase me. I was not injured. I wasn’t hurt, and so I didn’t really think much of it. But we’re on like a 7-10 day tour over there, not much sleep. We fly back to Nebraska. We’re going to kind of do this match again, and my boot catches that rope, and I wasn’t allocated that little extra space, and I landed on my head,” Michelle said.

“I was knocked out. I don’t remember it. The first thing I remember is being on the stretcher, and Stephanie McMahon was leaning over me, and they’re going into Gorilla, and she goes, ‘Don’t worry, we’re flying your husband out.’ I was like, they don’t fly your husband out. So, instantly I was worried. I had a massive concussion, and I broke my collarbone, so I just had one break in it, and flew home and started the rehab journey for that.

“And the hard part is, you know, it came at a time where we weren’t really educated with that kind of injury, and so being dragged to the center of the ring after that happened, if that was my neck, it would have paralyzed me.”

Michelle also went into detail about the rehab and recovery journey. After the incident, she returned in January 2008. However, a few months later she re-broke her collarbone in a tag team match with Maria Kanellis against Jillian Hall & Victoria. That required subsequent surgery forcing her to be out of in-ring competition again for most of that year.

It was recently announced that Michelle has returned to pro wrestling in a backstage capacity, signing a contract with TNA Wrestling for the new role.

TNA signs Candice Michelle for backstage role

Posted on by Joseph Currier

Candice Michelle recently resurfaced in TNA Wrestling — and it’s now been confirmed that she is officially under contract with the promotion.

TNA posted a video today with Carlos Silva and Tommy Dreamer presenting Michelle with her contract. In the clip, Silva — the president of TNA — said Michelle will be part of the TNA team and working behind the scenes.

“Candice, it’s so great that you’re going to be part of the TNA team, be behind the scenes with us as a former champion, bringing all of that experience to all the women here at TNA,” Silva said. “It’s going to be great. We’re just so happy. I’ve got your contract here. I think it’s got everything that we talked about, and we just look forward to building this together.”

Michelle said she didn’t know that professional wrestling would come back into her life like this, but she’s happy to be back home in the industry. Dreamer reached out to her about the opportunity — and she’s looking forward to helping out.

“To give me a platform so that I can help build this with you guys and be a small little piece of that and see where I can fit in there on any angle, it’s just really a dream come true,” she said.

Michelle was a one-time Women’s Champion for WWE during the 2000s. She was shown in attendance at TNA’s AMC premiere this January and has been backstage at other shows since.

Former WWE Women’s Champion announces TNA No Surrender appearance

Posted on by Shounak Chakrabarti

Former WWE Women’s Champion Candice Michelle recently opened up about her upcoming TNA No Surrender appearance as well as how she can “best serve” the company.

Recently present at the East Coast Autograph Auctions, Michelle confirmed her upcoming TNA appearances on February 13th in Nashville, Tennessee, for the No Surrender event (H/T to Fightful).

“I will be there with TNA on the 13th and the 14th. Two really great shows that we’ll be filming there.”

Michelle made a televised appearance during TNA’s AMC debut, where she was introduced by Gia Miller. Shortly after, Michelle would start promoting TNA shows via her social media profiles.

In the same appearance, she further opened up about her efforts in serving her best to TNA Wrestling.

“I always think of the story when I signed with WWE and they basically signed me to, they said, ‘Pretty-up the business’ back then, and when I signed the contract, I wanted to be the Women’s Champion, and so, as I have an opportunity with TNA, I look at this as a platform, and how can I best serve the company, how I can best serve everybody,” she said. “The talent that’s there, whether I’m behind the scenes or in front of the scenes, so I’m looking forward to hopefully a little bit of both. But we’ll see what happens.”

Michelle’s exact role with TNA Wrestling is not known yet. Her last in-ring match dates back to 2017, where she earned a victory against Lisa Marie Varon.

Candice Michelle admits to missing wrestling

During the same appearance, Michelle also opened up and admitted to missing wrestling.

“Do I miss wrestling? I do. I do. When I came to TNA, I didn’t know really how I would feel and that first moment standing by the ring, I mean, it wasn’t even a second where I thought, ‘wow, I just really miss it’ and so, yeah, it’s got a deep place in my heart but once you get close to the ring, it seems to have a deeper place than I think I thought. And just perfect timing for me to come back and explore and be a part of the company and see what I can do there, so I’m excited for that opportunity.”

Mark Henry, Candice Michelle appear in crowd during WWE Raw

Posted on by Bryan Rose

Two former WWE stars appeared in the crowd on Raw.

Mark Henry was shown in the Austin, Texas crowd on Monday with his son Jacob, who is part of the wrestling team at the University of Oklahoma. On commentary, Michael Cole noted that Jacob had signed an NIL deal with WWE.

This was the first WWE televised appearance for Mark Henry since his departure from the company in 2021, ending a 25-year run with WWE to join AEW as part of their broadcast team. Henry announced in May that he would not be renewing his contract. He currently is a part of Busted Open Radio.

Another former WWE star, Candice Michelle, appeared in the crowd during the show. 

The former Women’s Champion was part of WWE from 2004-2009, first appearing as part of the 2004 Diva Search. She made a cameo appearance during WWE’s Raw Reunion episode in 2019, briefly winning the WWE 24/7 Championship before losing to Alundra Blayze.

Nine 24/7 title changes at WWE Raw Reunion

Posted on by Bryan Rose

The WWE 24/7 title changed hands nine times during Raw tonight.

The title changes started when R-Truth was rolled up by Drake Maverick while he was talking to Maverick’s wife Renee Michelle backstage. Maverick then went to his locker room to grab his things, but was distracted by The Boogeyman, who put worms in his luggage. Pat Patterson then walked into the room, kicked Maverick a few times as he fell to the floor in shock then pinned him to win the title.

Off screen, Patterson was attacked by Gearld Brisco, who ended up pinning him. He was celebrating in the back when he walked up to Kelly Kelly, who kicked him in the gut then pinned him to win the championship.

Later, Kelly walked up to Candice Michelle, Melina and Naomi. Melina mentioned that in the last few years she has been working on getting her referee’s license. Michelle then attacked Kelly and pinned her, with Melina as the referee, to win the title. Alundra Blayze struck soon after and submitted Michelle with a choke to win the championship.

Blayze later walked over to the announcer’s table, ready to throw the title in the trash. However, Ted DiBiase came out and offered to buy the title from her, which she accepted. DiBiase got into his limo to leave when he was attacked inside by Drake Maverick, who walked out of the limo with the title.

Maverick was finally set to leave the arena with his wife, who was already in the limo ready to go. R-Truth, however, rolled up Maverick and won back the title for the tenth time. He hopped in the limo with Renee Michelle and left, leaving Maverick behind.