Chris Jericho On AJ Styles Adjusting To WWE

In his latest podcast Chris Jericho went in to detail about the debut of AJ Styles, their match and Styles needing time to adjust:

I think the big buzz of the night and one of the big, huge surprises was the debut of AJ Styles in the WWE, which was a huge, huge get for us. We’ve been waiting to have him for a long time. One of the hottest free agents in the world today finally in the WWE and it was really cool because in the first night, in the Rumble, I came in the ring. He and [Roman] Reigns were the only ones in there. All three of us just kind of stood there and it was a really good buzz. When he in to the dressing room, I felt a little bit, not bad for him, but I understood what he was going through because he shows up there when we’re having the meeting for the Royal Rumble, because he was probably hiding all day or whatever it was, and he comes into the meeting and he knows some people, but he’s standing in the back and kind of being quiet and doesn’t want to step on anybody’s toes.

We worked the next night on RAW, which was another surprise. And when it was pitched to me, it was pitched to me one way and then I had an idea to kind of go another way, so, hopefully, if things keep going the way we hope, you might see another Jericho/Styles match, so we’ll see.” Jericho continued, “I was really happy with [the match]. It was fun. It was fun to get in there with a new guy and kind of suss each other out a little bit. And now, it will only get bigger and more intense as we go forward.

When you come to WWE, you’re basically starting from scratch, but he’s going to do great in the WWE. It just takes a month or two [for] the acclimating to the way that we do things, which is different from New Japan, which is different from Ring Of Honor, which is different from TNA. I have no doubt that AJ Styles is going to be over big time in the WWE. He already is, just from his fans that he [has] got, but there [are] a lot of people who have never heard of AJ Styles and don’t know who he is or what he brings to the table. And at the Royal Rumble, we let them know a little bit and we let them know a little bit more on RAW. I love that people were like, ‘Jericho said, ‘welcome to the big leagues, kid’. He [has] been in TNA.’ Listen, I agree. He [has] been all over the world, but the WWE is the big leagues! That’s the truth. It’s not being arrogant or being dismissive of his past, but the WWE is the big leagues. It’s where everybody wants to be if you’re in the [professional] wrestling business. I don’t care what you say. Everybody wants to be in the WWE because this is the big leagues. This is the big time. The biggest pro wrestling company in the world, ever, in front of the biggest stage, the biggest crowds, the most worldwide influence. You go from being the biggest worldwide independent star and in two nights, more people know who AJ Styles is right now than they did for the entire 15 years of his career up to it, so that’s not demeaning. That’s the truth and if you don’t like it, you’re just living in dreamland because nothing beats being in the WWE.

Speaking of Styles WWE have already released his theme song by in-house producer CFO$ and it’s made its way up the iTunes chart.

The beat is somewhat of a clone of DMX’s Ain’t No Sunshine, but it obviously isn’t him rapping. Here are the lyrics:

No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
They looking scared no they don’t really want none…
We some southern boys
With the farmer strength
Ain’t nobody man enough to feel the pain
And you could be next
You better give respect
Cause ain’t nobody breaking this red neck

No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
They looking scared no they don’t really want none…

I’m a mack truck
Don’t get run over
We some country boys working over time for it
Kings of the south
We never had nothing
Blue collar boys do it with our hands muddied

No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
They looking scared no they don’t really want none…

No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
No, they don’t want none
They looking scared no they don’t really want none…

Sheamus’ Arm In Cast

Sheamus is out with some kind of injury and has his arm in a cast. It’s not however believed to be broken.

You know the celebrations went well when you wake up in a cast… any ideas how it got there? pic.twitter.com/dyxPUNch6X

— Sheamus (@WWESheamus) January 28, 2016

WWE and 2K Extend Video Game Partnership

2K and WWE Announce Multi-Year Extension for WWE Video Game Properties

New York, NY and Stamford, Conn. – January 28, 2016 – 2K and WWE® (NYSE: WWE) today announced that the companies have extended their partnership with a new multi-year exclusive agreement granting 2K the worldwide rights to develop and publish WWE video game properties across all major platforms and distribution channels. WWE® 2K, the simulation-based flagship series developed by 2K’s Visual Concepts studio and Yuke’s, will continue a successful 18-year tradition established by past WWE titles, including the recently released WWE® 2K16. In addition, 2K will continue to invest in WWE® SuperCard, the breakout hit card-battling game developed by its Cat Daddy Games studio, which has been downloaded more than nine million times since its initial release. Financial terms of the new agreement were not disclosed.

“2K’s partnership with WWE over the past three years has resulted in a successful and important addition to the Company’s portfolio of profitable franchises,” said David Ismailer, Chief Operating Officer for 2K. “We are thrilled with the positive momentum of the WWE 2K series, including generating year-over-year growth, as well as the success of WWE SuperCard. We are very pleased to extend our partnership with WWE and look forward to many more years of collaboration.”

“2K’s leadership in authenticity, quality and overall brand dedication has been a perfect complement for WWE,” said Casey Collins, WWE Executive Vice President, Consumer Products. “Our continued partnership ensures WWE remains at the forefront of global video game brands as we continue innovating and publishing our offerings on multiple platforms.”

Ted DiBiase Defends Hogan

WWE Hall of Famer Ted “Million Dollar Man” DiBiase recently discussed the Hulk Hogan racism saga with Ring Rust Radio:

Recently he has been through a lot of stuff. The whole deal with his family and the divorce, but I will tell you right now: he’s the guy who tried to hold that family together. He did everything he could to make it work. This most recent thing is just a bunch of garbage. Hulk Hogan or Terry Bollea, is no more racist than you or I. As a matter-of-fact when the news broke, the next day I was at an autograph signing with Ron Simmons and he looked at me and said, “I’ve known that guy ever since I was in the business and what a bunch of baloney.” We have all said things in anger in a moment that we don’t mean. Especially when you are in a situation where you think it’s safe and certainly you don’t think you’re being recorded. Not to mention the fact that it was how many years ago. I understand and I think that the WWE is in a situation where we live in this age of political correctness, which I absolutely hate, but there are somethings I guess you just have to do. WWE is not owned by Vince McMahon anymore, it’s a publicly held company and I think that they didn’t have a choice in doing what they did. I hope at some point in the future that could be rescinded because he doesn’t deserve it, he really doesn’t deserve it. Anybody black or white that knows him personally for any length of time can tell you he is in no way racist.