Rob Gronkowski is an entertainer, plain and simple. While playing for the New England Patriots, Gronk cemented himself as one of the greatest tight ends to ever play the game. He was also a massive party animal who loved to have fun and make jokes at his own expense. Add in his physique and you're left with a man who was made for the WWE. Athletes from other sports have gotten into wrestling before so Gronk's recent exploits with "The Company" shouldn't come as that much of a surprise.
Last night, was the fanless WrestleMania 36 that everyone was anticipating. Considering the fact no one was in the stands, it ended up being a fantastic event with a lot of risks being taken. One of those risks involved Gronk who was acting as a ringside reporter in the 24/7 match. While looking at the carnage below, Gronk jumped off of a small balcony and took out every single wrestler on the floor.
From there, he got off a pin and was crowned the 24/7 champion. To think, Gronkowski won another championship before Belichick or Brady. If this doesn't signify the end of the Patriots dynasty, we don't know what does.
As for Gronkowski's foray into WWE, we can be sure to expect a lot more from him in the future.
John Cena & Bray Wyatt’s Firefly Fun House Match Was An Acid Trip
John Cena and Bray Wyatt deserve Oscars for their performances at WrestleMania 36.
John Cena and Bray Wyatt were tasked with putting on a show at WrestleMania 36 and they didn't disappoint as they offered up perhaps one of the most entertaining matches we have ever seen. Of course, due to the Coronavirus, there were no fans at Wrestlemania 36. This meant the WWE needed to get creative as a way to supplement fan excitement. Well, Wyatt did exactly that as he helped orchestrate the Firefly Fun House match, starring his signature character, The Fiend.
This match had numerous callbacks to Cena's past, including his infamous character, the Doctor of Thuganomics. The fight was more of a production than anything else as there were multiple sets and a whole lot of antics from both wrestlers. It was easily the closest thing the WWE has done to a full-on acid trip.
In the end, Wyatt came away with the victory although thanks to all of the effects and production value, the results were a tad ambiguous, and certainly secondary to what we had all witnessed. Following this match, the WWE received widespread praise from fans who felt like they took a huge risk that paid off immensely.
All things considered, this was a great event and the WWE put on a wild show despite the unfortunate circumstances.
Roman Reigns Rips Fans To Shreds For Wrestlemania Criticism
Roman Reigns dropped out of Wrestlemania due to concerns surrounding the Coronavirus.
Wrestling fans have been looking forward to Wrestlemania all year although it's going to be very different due to COVID-19. There won't be any fans in sight and some of the matchups have been affected. Last week, Roman Reigns revealed that he would be dropping out of his Universal Championship match against Goldberg due to concerns surrounding the Coronavirus. Reigns has battled Leukemia which means his immune system is compromised, thus making him more vulnerable to the virus.
Fans were very angry at his decision and let him know on social media. In light of this, Reigns took to Instagram where he ripped the fans who have been bad about him. Reigns went on to say that no matter what, no one wins in this situation and that many fans need to dig deep and do better.
View this post on InstagramPer Reigns:
"You already know what’s going on. It’s all over the news, the dirt sheets — whatever you want to call them — that I pulled out of WrestleMania. And it’s funny because, for years now, man — years — people were like, ‘Don’t show up to WrestleMania, we don’t want you in it.’ You know what I mean? There’s like a nice handful of dudes and haters that didn’t want me there, but the moment I make a choice for me and my family, I’m a coward, I’m a sissy, a lot of different things that I am now. But you don’t know the whole story. All you know is what you think. ‘Oh, well, his health and this and that.’ But you don’t know what else is going on in my life. You don’t know if I have newborns, you don’t know if I have family in my household — older family. So, yeah, just like the old saying, man. Go and flip that cover open and read a few pages, get into a few chapters before you really start running your mouth. And just take this time to better yourself, be present, and make the most out of this. Because if we can’t grow in a time like this, I don’t think we have a chance."
With Reigns out of Wrestlemania, it's clear the event won't be as entertaining. Regardless, at least it will be a nice injection of entertainment in these dark times.
Roman Reigns Pulls Out Of WWE WrestleMania Due To Coronavirus
Roman Reigns was set to battle Goldberg for the Universal Championship, but he will be pulling out of the match due to his health concerns.
Roman Reigns is one of the most famous WWE Superstars around but, because of very valid and legitimate reasons, he will be missing the biggest show of the year. The Big Dog was scheduled to face off against Goldberg for the Universal Championship at WrestleMania 36, where many expected him to win the belt, but because of his history with leukemia, he has decided to back out of the match.
The news broke Pro Wrestling Sheet, reporting that the star would no longer be participating in the match. Dubbed as a "Spear vs. Spear" fight because of both wrestler's finishing maneuvers, the WWE will be tasked with finding a replacement for Reigns. Apparently, Braun Strowman is being thrown around as one Superstar that could potentially be added to the match.
Jon Kopaloff/Getty ImagesRoman Reigns has expressed uncertainty about participating in any more of the Performance Center showcases that the company has been putting on in Florida, noting that he is immunosuppressed because of his past battle with cancer and does not want to risk catching COVID-19 since he is at risk.
WrestleMania 36 is set to take place over two nights with no fans in attendance for the first time ever. The Showcase of the Immortals will happen on April 4 and 5 on the WWE Network. Will you be tuning in?
WWE’s Big Show Addresses Old Shaq Wrestlemania Rumors
Big Show hashes out 20 years’ worth of online rumors, including the Wrestlemania matches with Shaq and Hulk Hogan that never happened.
WWE legend Big Show recently took part in the company’s online series, “If It’s On The Internet” during which he was asked about 20 years’ worth of online rumors about his career. This includes the stipulations of his original WWE contract in 1999, the nickname he almost received from WCW officials, and the high profile Wrestlemania matches that never happened.
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Speaking on his potential Mania moments, Big Show confirmed that he nearly went one-on-one with NBA Hall of Famer Shaquille O’Neal at Wrestlemania 33 in 2017, but the plans fell through. In regards to that potential clash with The Diesel, Show simply explained, “True. People way above my pay grade couldn’t put that deal together.”
Additionally, Big Show confirmed that there were, in fact, talks of him going one-on-one with Hulk Hogan at Wrestlemania 23 in 2007: “That’s true. But that was mostly rumors I heard from the office. I really didn’t get any specifics on it but it was heavily talked about.”
Show also revealed that he wanted to play the role of The Undertaker’s stalker in 2001, but that gig was ultimately given to Diamond Dallas Page. Check out the full episode of “If It’s On The Internet” in the video embedded below.
John Cena, Goldberg Rumored Wrestlemania Opponents Revealed
John Cena and Goldberg will have matches at Wrestlemania 36, but they won't be facing the opponents many expected.
WWE's biggest pay-per-view event of the year, Wrestlemania, is rapidly approaching and rumors continue to swirl regarding which matches will be on the card. The Undertaker essentially confirmed his Wrestlemania 36 opponent during WWE's Super ShowDown event in Saudi Arabia on Thursday, but there are two other legends who still need dance partners for The Show of Shows.
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First, we'll start with 16-time WWE Champion John Cena, who is scheduled to make his return to SmackDown this Friday. Initial reports suggested that Cena would be appearing to set up a match with Elias at Wrestlemania 36, although it no longer appears that will be the case.
According to Wrestling Observer Radio's Dave Meltzer, WWE is currently planning for Cena to go one-on-one with "The Fiend" Bray Wyatt on April 5th. Wyatt, who had been rumored to defend his title against Roman Reigns, unexpectedly dropped the Universal Championship to Goldberg at Super ShowDown.
Speaking of Goldberg and Reigns, Meltzer notes that the two former college football players will go head to head at Wrestlemania 36. Reigns wrapped up his beef with Baron Corbin today in Saudi Arabia and is in need of a fresh feud as the road to Wrestlemania nears its end. It remains to be seen how they'll set up a clash between the new Universal Champion and The Big Dog, but we'll likely find out sooner than later as we're roughly five weeks away from the show.
Tyson Fury Challenged To WWE Intercontinental Title Match
WWE's Intercontinental Champion Braun Strowman looking to put his title on the line against boxing champ Tyson Fury.
Deontay Wilder isn't the only man looking for a rematch against boxing's Heavyweight champion, Tyson Fury.
Immediately following Fury's dominant, seventh round victory over Wilder on Saturday, WWE Intercontinental champion Braun Strowman took to twitter to offer his congratulations and issue a challenge for his IC title.
Fury and Strowman first got into it during SmackDown Live's premiere episode on FOX in early October which led to an official match later that month at the "Crown Jewel" event in Saudi Arabia. Fury "knocked out" Strowman for a count out victory during that bout, but that surely won't be the last time we see Fury in a WWE ring.
Prior to Fury-Wilder II, reports surfaced that WWE was planning to include Fury on the Wrestlemania 36 card if he were victorious. With that box officially checked off, and Strowman quickly laying the groundwork for their rematch, it shouldn't surprise anyone if The Gypsy King at least makes an appearance at Raymond James Stadium on April 5th.
Strowman has been feuding with former IC champion Shinsuke Nakamura and his posse as of late, which seems to suggest that they'll have a big payoff at Wrestlemania. However, if Vince McMahon and the WWE have an opportunity to pit The Monster Among Men against boxing's Heavyweight champion at their biggest show of the year, you know they'll do everything in their power to cash in on the momentum.
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Ronda Rousey Trolls WWE Fans After Missing Royal Rumble
Rousey didn't return at the Rumble, but she could be back any day now.
WWE's annual Royal Rumble event opens the door for surprise returns from wrestling legends and injured superstars on the road to Wrestlemania, and the 2020 Rumble was no different. For example, Hall of Famer Edge made his in-ring return for the first time in nine years, as did Naomi, who had been out for months due to injury.
One WWE superstar that was rumored to return but was nowhere to be found during the 30-woman Royal Rumble, was none other than Ronda Rousey. After the 30th and final Royal Rumble entrant was announced as NXT star Shayna Baszler, Rousey took to twitter to troll all the WWE fans who thought they were going to hear Joan Jett's "Bad Reputation" on Sunday night.
Charlotte Flair went on to win the Women's Royal Rumble, but it remains to be seen which title holder she'll challenge at Wrestlemania 36. Becky Lynch retained the Raw Women's Championship against Asuka at the Rumble, while SmackDown Live Women's champ Bayley defeated Lacey Evans.
If Flair opts for Bayley, which makes sense considering their both on the SmackDown roster, WWE could pick up the Ronda Rousey-Becky Lynch feud right where it left off. Lynch defeated both Flair and Rousey in a Triple Threat Match during the main event of Wrestlemania 35, but fans are still waiting for the Rousey-Lynch singles match.
Rousey broke her hand during that bout last April, and has not been seen on WWE television since, although rumors suggest she could be back in the fold any day now.
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Hulk Hogan Debuts New Look For Wrestlemania Season
The Hulkster shares post-surgery update, still eyeing Wrestlemania.
WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan just recently underwent his 10th back surgery - and he is already back in the gym preparing for one last Wrestlemania run. The Hulkster took to social media this week to provide an injury update, as well as to show off his brand new white beard that has him looking like a juiced up, leg-dropping, shirt-shredding Kris Kringle.
He captioned the post:
"They said 4 months light weight then 6 months I could train slowly again after back surgery number 10, buuuttt at 7 weeks 4days my MANIACS can see I’m on the grind with my pizump on brother! I mean PLIZEASE Wrestlemania is right around the corner Brother!"
Back in October, the 66-year old wrestling legend told the Los Angeles Times' Arash Markazi that he is angling for one final match, hopefully at Wrestlemania 36 in Tampa Bay this April.
“I talked to Vince [McMahon], and I said I really don’t know if I could live with myself knowing my last match was with TNA [Total Nonstop Action Wrestling],” he said. “If I can get fixed, I pray I can have one more match. I told Vince, ‘When I get through this back surgery, I’m going to get in the best shape of my life and we’re going to talk about me having one last retirement match.’ “
“I’d love for it to be against Vince,” Hogan said. “I had such a great time with him in the ring at WrestleMania 19. I had no idea what to expect from him, but he’s a great bad guy. His timing is great. I loved wrestling him, but everything he does hurts. When you’re in the ring with someone and they’re hurting you, you kind of pinch them on the wrist, and the whole match I was doing that to Vince. I was like, ‘Vince, take it easy!’ Everything he does hurts, but I’d like to get in the ring with him one more time for my last match. That would be perfect.”
Whether or not Hogan gets his wish remains to be seen, but we do know that he'll be featured during Wrestlemania weekend as the nWo gets inducted into the Hall of Fame on the Thursday before the PPV event.