Evan Bourne Released From Japanese Prison

Matt Sydal (the former Evan Bourne) was released from a Japanese prison this week, where he has been since September for marijuana possession. He was caught with a liquid form of the drug, which carries high penalties in the country.

He will now be unable to return to Japan to wrestle or visit.

Back from Japan – 'Let's meet in the USA' #freesydal pic.twitter.com/Y1LUVhpWVB

— Matt Sydal (@findevan) December 12, 2016

Mother Shoots On Kevin Owens

A mother of a young Roman Reigns fan thinks Kevin Owens went too far when he taunted the kid at the Lowell, MA, house show on Saturday.

She wrote a lengthy post on social media, and you can see the Universal Champion’s response beneath it:

My heart is shattered. What started off as an amazingly awesome night ended in my 7 year old being completely heartbroken. My son is a huge WWE fan and a fan of just about every wrestler on the roster. He has a drawer full of everyone’s shirts but he chose to wear a Roman Reigns shirt since he has been a fan of his ever since he started watching. All night he was getting high fives from other wrestlers and was all smiles but for some reason when Kevin Owens came out he singled out my son and commented on who’s shirt he was wearing then told him “you should get this shirt. Actually don’t get this shirt I don’t want you to ever wear my shirt. Don’t you ever try to touch me.” All because my 7 year old wanted a high five and wasn’t wearing his shirt. My heart sank. He became visibly upset, sat down and kept staring at the gate. I couldn’t help it I started crying. He loves wrestling. He has a drawer full of just about everyone’s shirts, over 100 figures, so many accessories and just loves watching and going to events. The worst part is he was going to be getting a Kevin Owens shirt and hat for Christmas but now he doesn’t want anything to do with him. Kevin Owens was actually one of my sons favorites but now he says “he’s not even on the list of who I like.” This was finally an event that my whole family was able to attend: myself, my son, my mother who has been suffering from leukemia, and my father and we were all having a great time until that happened. For a show that is supposed to be family friendly Kevin Owens really crushed a huge fans spirits last night. My son is 7 not 15 or 16 where they can take someone they idolize talking to them like that but 7. We have been to many events: TLC, Smackdown, Hell in a Cell, NXT, and the draft. He doesn’t want to go anymore. He had previously asked me if the wrestlers who appear mean would ever do or say something to a kid and I said absolutely not they know better. Kevin Owens made me a liar and just showed everyone last night how much of a jerk he really is. To top all of this off after Kevin Owens lost to Roman Reigns and he was walking away from the ring my son was just standing there on his seat watching and Kevin Owens jumped towards him and yelled at him “I am your father” which made no sense but with the sudden movement and loudness made all of us jump and my son almost fell of his seat. My son is crushed and whenever he talks about it he tears up. I can’t believe a wrestler would actually treat a 7 year old fan this way. Shame on you Kevin Owens and WWE.

"A wrestler told my son not to not to touch him. I'm completely heartbroken…Well, not really but if I complain maybe I'll get free stuff!" pic.twitter.com/VbXjLzLYOg

— Kevin Owens (@FightOwensFight) December 12, 2016

WWE’s Expected Network Subscriber Numbers

WWE Reaffirms Fourth Quarter 2016 Adjusted OIBDA and Operating Income Guidance

Raises Expectations for Fourth Quarter 2016 Average Subscribers

STAMFORD, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– World Wrestling Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:WWE) today announced that the Company has raised the low end of its projected range of average paid WWE Network subscribers for the fourth quarter 2016 and reaffirmed its 2016 Adjusted OIBDA and Operating income guidance.

Specifically, the Company announced that it expects at least 1.40 million average paid subscribers to WWE Network for the fourth quarter 2016. The Company reaffirmed its projections for fourth quarter Adjusted OIBDA of approximately $20 million to $24 million (Operating income of $12 million to $16 million). For the full year, the Company anticipates 2016 Adjusted OIBDA of $80 million to $84 million (Operating income of $54 million to $58 million) and average paid subscribers to WWE Network of approximately 1.42 million representing growth of 25% for the full year.

Note: Reconciliation of Q4 2016 and full year 2016 Operating Income to Adjusted OIBDA can be found in the Supplemental Information in this release.