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Official Wrestling News Thread

WWE is running London's O2 Arena for WWE Money in the Bank, exciting UK fans, but leaving some with questions.

Fightful spoke to WWE sources about the announcement this week, and asked about the decision to run O2 as opposed to a stadium. With the success of Clash at the Castle, WWE would likely easily sell out a stadium for what they consider one of their "big 5" shows. One WWE source said that they view O2 Arena as the "MSG of England" and it was a venue they wanted to travel to.

Another source indicated that running a show of this magnitude helps establish the importance of MITB as one of their biggest PPVs. There had been rumors that the show would go away altogether, but are told that wasn't seriously considered. Also, contrary to rumors, it was reiterated to us that no booking plans are set for that show.

While Nick Khan got credit for many of the dates, locations and venues that ended up being successful for WWE in 2022, we're told it was a collaborative effort this go around.
 
tomorrow

The tease on Hall’s website gives us more of an indication of how Rose’s release will be discussed:

Tamron has an exclusive interview with former WWE’s MANDY SACCOMANNO addressing her controversial firing from the WWE. Five-time Grammy and Emmy nominee, actress and comedian MARGARET CHO stops by to chat about her new comedy tour “Live and LIVID.” Plus, an All-New Shop Tam Fam!!
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Former WWE NXT Champion Mandy Rose Saccomanno appeared on today's edition of the syndicated Tamron Hall talk show.

Hall noted that Mandy was originally scheduled to wrestle tonight on the USA Network (the originally scheduled bout against Roxanne Perez) but was let go by the company for posting "nude photos" on her subscription fan site.

Mandy said it's been crazy the last few months, but she's grateful and blessed for everything that has happened to her.

Hall reviewed that she was released on 12/14. Rose said that anything can happen and changed. She was planned to defend the title tonight but plans changed. She was champion for 413 days. She said that when she received the call to go to NXT, which was their developmental brand, she saw it as an opportunity, not a demotion. Hall explained that she had climbed through the ranks of the company.

Rose was asked to explain how things work with the predetermined nature of WWE. She explained it's sports-entertainment and "some things" are planned but the physicality is very real. Hall noted that she's been to Tampa and seen how hard the training was when she saw Dwayne Johnson perform and that there's a real injuries.

Hall noted that Mandy's title reign was scripted to end and was asked if she knew why. Rose said she didn't know. They were coming off the momentum of a PPV event and anything "can happen." She admitted she was shocked that she was losing the title when she did, but there was some "inclination" as to something going down.

Hall asked Rose when she was told losing the title was due to material she posted on her fan subscription site. Rose said that she was "never told that." Rose said that regardless "there is some confidentiality" but as the professional woman that she is, when she's told she's to drop the title, that's what she's going to do.

Hall asked when she was told this was about what she was posting online. Hall noted that her fiance Tino Sabbatelli was in the audience and there was some provocative material. Rose said that whatever she does in the privacy of her own home and showing her fans some "action, whether it be photo shoots, my every day personal life, nothing is wrong with that and that's what I was doing."

Hall joked they were showing the audience life as a couple and noting it was a morning show, noted some "hot' content. Rose said that you also have to remember that you can't believe everything you see on the Internet as not everything is accurate. She said that when she shows sexy photos on that platform, just as she has done on her Instagram page, there's nothing wrong with that.

Hall said there were reports that WWE warned her to take down the material on her subscription site and asked whether that was true. Rose noted that "again, there is confidentiality and I can't really address that, but there was one warning to take it down and I complied."

Hall noted that WWE claimed they are family-friendly "environment" but still posted a sexy picture of Rose just wearing two WWE title belts and nothing else. Hall asked Rose if that was hypocrisy on WWE's part. The audience reacted as if they felt it was. Rose said she has no control in how the company runs their business and what they think is right or wrong. Rose said there was never any full nudity on her subscription site and would never post anything "that would harm her brand." She reiterated there was no full nudity. Hall explained that WWE re-posted a photo that had implied nudity.

Hall asked her why she was targeted by WWE. Rose said she doesn't think she was targeted and everyone has their own opinion.

Hall asked her if she was wronged by the company. Rose said that everything happens for a reason and with everything that has happened, she can't say she was wronged. She said she's forever grateful for everything WWE has presented her with. She said, "I'm very hurt, 100%. No one wants to get that call that they are being fired from any job." She said she was very hurt and very disappointed. She said that over the last year and a half, she was champion for 413 days and unified the WWE NXT and NXT UK Women's Champion. She was the third-longest reigning NXT Women's Champion. She created a must-see faction with two younger woman that she "brought up" and she got two see two other women who were younger than her in the beginnings of their careers. That was really rewarding to her. Losing the title was a gut-punch but "at the end of the day, her purpose was gone" and she felt confused.

Rose said that driving home, a lot of things were going through her mind. There are always unanswered questions but she loved WWE and the platform and what it presented her with, so she's forever grateful to them.

Hall said they asked WWE for comment from WWE, but did not hear back.

After a commercial break, they showed some video clips from Rose's subscription site.

Hall brought up that Mandy's brother Richie recently passed away at 40 years old. Hall asked how that played into losing her dream job. Rose said it was really difficult but her brother was her guardian angel and she believes he's looking over her and is giving back now. She said that he dealt with mental health issues when he was alive and she tried to really be there for him. She said that she feels that he's looking over her and telling her it's going to be OK. Hall noted Mandy's family was with her today.

Hall asked her if he was OK, noting her fans want to know if she's OK. Mandy said she is OK and that's why she wanted to come on the show and tell her fans she was grateful for the outpouring of support. She said that she was a trending topic on Twitter that day and it was nice to see. Rose said we are all human and we have our moments, but we are OK. She's ready for the future and for what's to come, because all of this made her the strong woman she is today.

Hall noted that she was let go from her dream job but didn't know this talk show was coming. Hall asked if there was a scenario where Mandy could return to WWE and take back what she's earned. Rose said she's not looking on and saying, "That's her past." She's saying "Never say never." She doesn't know what the future holds. She has not taken down her fan site. Hall asked her if she would take it down as part of a condition to return to WWE. Rose said it, "would have to be a conversation."

Hall asked if it was true if she made a million dollars. Rose responded, "In two and a half weeks." The audience applauded. Hall joked that perhaps she was in the wrong business. Hall asked her if she could make that level of money in WWE. Rose said, "Long-term. It would take me awhile, for sure." She made more on the site than she could in the immediate future with WWE.

She said that money isn't everything. Hall said that "owning her brand and image" is. Rose said holding those is valuable. She said that what the future holds for her is that she can have complete brand and creative control and self-monetize while having a direct relationship with her fans. She said that you could be here today and gone tomorrow in show business and you have to prepare.

Hall congratulated her on taking steps to take care of herself.
 
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