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Vader blazed a trail for dynamic big men in the world of pro wrestling
Big Van Vader broke the mold for what a superheavyweight could do in the world of professional wrestling, from his high-flying repertoire that included moonsaults to his ability to perform as a dynamic world champion against smaller opponents.
Courtesy of WWE
Leon White, pro wrestling's Vader, dies at 63
Leon White, who spent more than 30 years in professional wrestling as Vader with one of the most iconic looks in the history of the business, has died at 63.
Mae Young Classic 2018
The second annual Mae Young Classic will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 8 and Thursday, Aug. 9 at Full Sail Live. The 32-woman tournament will feature performers from 12 different countries taking part in a single-elimination tournament. Mae Young Classic 2018 will reveal its roster of talent and other pertinent information in the coming weeks.
SmackDown Live
Happy Rusev Day
Happy Rusev Day! Rusev becomes No. 1 contender
Rusev outlasted Daniel Bryan, The Miz, Samoa Joe and Big E to become the new No. 1 contender -- a role he's deserved for way too long.
Rusev trying to be more than the 'stereotypical foreign bad guy'
Rusev spent his first few years in the WWE playing the same foreigner heel role as plenty of others before him, but his new efforts with Rusev Day are helping him turn a corner and build a path for others to follow.
WWE
U.K. Championship Tournament
WWE U.K. Championship Tournament Night 2 recap: New tag champs, Dunne defends
On the second night of the second edition of the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament, Tyler Bate and Trent Seven defeated Undisputed Era to become NXT tag team champions, Pete Dunne closed out the show, and a 205 Live superstar returned to action.
WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament Night 1 recap
The second edition of the WWE United Kingdom Championship Tournament crowned a winner Monday night, but the biggest news of the night came in the from of the official launch of the NXT U.K. brand.
WWE
WWE wrestlers play tug-of-war against lion
0:19
Monday Night Raw
Recap and results
Ronda Rousey has her best night as a WWE superstar
Ronda Rousey was angry, physical and defiant on Monday Night Raw. Exactly what she needs to be to succeed as a WWE superstar.
Monday Night Raw
Rousey snaps on Kurt Angle, Alexa Bliss
Ronda Rousey shows her frustrations by attacking Alexa Bliss and Kurt Angle. Rousey slams Bliss through a table before storming off.
0:44
In the opening match of Monday Night Raw, Dolph Ziggler picked up a shock win over Seth Rollins to win the WWE Intercontinental championship. This makes Ziggler a six-time IC champ — tied for third-most of all-time with Jeff Jarrett and Rob Van Dam, behind only Chris Jericho and The Miz.
WWE
205 Live
Braun and Alexa
Exclusive after MITB
Alexa Bliss and Braun Strowman reflect on their Money in the Bank victories
On a big night for both Braun Strowman and Alexa Bliss, the two Money in the Bank victors offer insight on what their victories mean moving forward.
0:31
Braun Strowman in being the "Monster" in the Bank and the experience of being buried under a pile of ladders at Money in the Bank.
1:05
Alexa Bliss on winning the women's Money in the Bank ladder match, and the experience of attacking Ronda Rousey and Nia Jax to cash in the briefcase on the same night she won it.
Money in the Bank
MITB Recap: Bliss and Braun win ladder maches, Bliss cashes in and wins
Alexa Bliss quickly cashed in her Money in the Bank victory and became the new Raw women's champion while on the men's side, Braun Strowman became even more dangerous to Brock Lesnar with his victory.
Rousey shines, but Alexa Bliss spoils match
Ronda Rousey impresses at Money in the Bank, but Alexa Bliss spoils the match and eventually cashes in her briefcase to become Raw Women's champion.
0:33
Bliss cashes in during Rousey-Jax match to win WWE Raw Women's Championship
As Ronda Rousey prepared to lock in an armbar on Nia Jax, Alexa Bliss interfered and cashed in her Money in the Bank contract to win the WWE Raw Women's Championship.
WWE2K19
AJ Styles
AJ Styles named cover superstar for WWE2K19
Reigning WWE champion AJ Styles was announced Monday as the cover superstar for WWE2K19, this year's edition of WWE's annual video game set for release in October.
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WWE2K19 cover superstar AJ Styles traces his love of wrestling video games all the way back to the Nintendo Entertainment System, before he ever owned a console of his own.
0:36
AJ Styles' initial thoughts on how he'll handle his role as part of the WWE2K19 Million Dollar Challenge.
WWE
0:32
What would 8-year-old AJ Styles think if he found out he'd be on the cover of a WWE video game?
WWE
NJPW G1 Climax
The 20 participants for the G1 Climax 28 and the layout of Block A and Block B were announced by New Japan Pro Wrestling over the last couple of days. The two most notable elements of this release were newly-crowned IWGP heavyweight champion Kenny Omega and Golden Lovers partner Kota Ibushi being in the same block, and Adam "Hangman" Page's inclusion in the field. All 19 days of shows, which will air live on NJPW World, will feature live English commentary. The shows will run from July 14 through Aug. 12.
NXT TakeOver: Chicago II
Recap: Round 2 goes to Tommaso Ciampa, all champs retain
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa returned to settle tensions a full year in the making, and that they did in an epic match where Ciampa found an improbable victo in the second edition of NXT TakeOver: Chicago.
Courtesy WWE
NXT TakeOver: Chicago II
1:05
Ricochet walks through THAT jump and going face-to-face with Velveteen Dream, from the challenges of landing on his feet to the fan reaction that still continues.
2:17
Nikki Cross on her memories of her Last Woman Standing match against Asuka, working solo instead of as part of a collective and the state of the NXT women's division.
0:49
Aleister Black on having to prove versatility with an opponent like Lars Sullivan at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II.
WWE
Money in the Bank
Best of WWE's Money in the Bank
Check out the most memorable moments of WWE's Money in the Bank event over the years.
2:39
The best WWE Money In The Bank cash-in moments
The Money in the Bank cash-in attempt is one of the highlights of the WWE calendar. We look at five of the most memorable efforts since the briefcase's debut in 2005.
Courtesy of WWE
Money in the Bank
Breaking down key stats for three featured bouts at WWE Money in the Bank
WWE's unofficial fifth "major" of the year, Money in the Bank, offers one of WWE's signature matches and a format that lends itself well to a statistical breakdown.
Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns wants feud with Daniel Bryan, talks turning heel
Roman Reigns enjoys the gray area that his character owns, but knows there's a few potential storylines -- like one with Daniel Bryan -- that could greatly change that perspective.
Reigns reveals why he wants to face Daniel Bryan in the ring
WWE's Roman Reigns reveals his dream match would be against Daniel Bryan and why he feels he shouldn't necessarily turn heel.
4:15
Reigns: I helped make Strowman a monster
WWE superstar Roman Reigns tells ESPN why Braun Strowman was his favourite rivalry and how he finds the balance between work and personal life.
3:48
TakeOver: Chicago
How Ciampa and Gargano crafted the perfect NXT rivalry
The saga of Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa began three years ago when the two hadn't even been signed to WWE. Gargano gives his perspective on how everything fell into place ahead of NXT TakeOver: Chicago II.
The titles are on the line at NXT TakeOver: Chicago II, but the focus is on Ciampa and Gargano
Move over NXT championship, women's championship and tag team championship matches. This Saturday's NXT event is all about revenge and the second installment in the Tommaso Ciampa and Johnny Gargano feud.
Gaming and Wrestling
Kenny Omega and Xavier Woods bring worlds together with Street Fighter V showcase at E3
In a clash three years in the making, best friends and bitter enemies Kenny Omega brought together the worlds of gaming and pro wrestling (as well as the worlds of WWE and NJPW) during the E3 Street Fighter V clash between New Day and The Elite.
Wrestling
Cheap Heat Discusses Money In The Bank
Rosenberg is on his way to MITB but first him and SGG talk about CM Punk's debacle and MITB.
New Day vs. The Elite at E3
Kenny Omega and The Young Bucks taking on Xavier Woods and The New Day in Street Fighter at E3.
There's quite a crowd assembled for the Street Fighter V battle at E3 between The New Day and The Elite. There's also over 29,000 live viewers (and counting) on the WWE's UpUpDownDown YouTube channel. (Photo c/o Ryan Garfat/ESPN)
SmackDown Recap
SmackDown keeps the focus in the ring in final sendoff before Money in the Bank
Though any changes in story trajectory were simply minor shifts, a focus on three key matches that delivered in the ring gave SmackDown an appropriate sendoff heading into this weekend's Money in the Bank pay-per-view.
WWE
Red carpet reactions heading into Money in the Bank
During WWE's red carpet for their first Emmy "For Your Consideration" event in North Hollywood, California, wrestlers past and present reflected on a variety of topics ranging from Money in the Bank to Braun Strowman's feats of eating.
Raw Recap
Braun and Ronda stand tall ahead of Money in the Bank
The two biggest matches on Monday Night Raw offered a glimpse of what may come at Money in the Bank and created interesting dynamics that will likely impact the futures of the biggest players in each division.
Rousey makes Nia Jax tap out
Ahead of her title match on Sunday, Ronda Rousey puts a submission hold on Raw Women's champion Nia Jax and makes her tap out.
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CM Punk
Coming full circle: CM Punk, Money in the Bank, UFC 225 and Chicago
As Money in the Bank gets set to return to Chicago on Sunday, a look back at CM Punk's once-in-a-lifetime moment in 2011 and how much has changed for him and the WWE over the last seven years.
Kevin Mazur/WireImage/Getty Images
WWE
Curt Hawkins
Despite being 0-for-his-last-200, Curt Hawkins still loves living the WWE dream
Since returning to WWE in late 2016 Curt Hawkins has won just three matches and carries an active losing streak of 200. But between living out his WWE dreams, spending time with his daughter and teaching at his wrestling school, Hawkins remains positive.
Money in the Bank
WWE Money in the Bank 2018 results, news and information
Everything you need to know about WWE Money in the Bank 2018 -- match cards, results, news, features, history and more from ESPN.com.
MMA
Rousey to be first woman in UFC Hall of Fame
The UFC's first female champion, Ronda Rousey, will be the first woman inducted into the sport's Hall of Fame.
WWE U.K. Tournament
Rey Mysterio in NJPW
Rey Mysterio ready for his moment in NJPW at Dominion
For decades, Rey Mysterio has traveled the world and shined on all of wrestling's biggest stages -- except for one. That changes when he makes his debut with New Japan Pro Wrestling at Dominion, the latest step as he bounces among promotions.
New Japan Pro Wrestling
Three title matches have been announced for New Japan Pro Wrestling's G1 Special in San Francisco show on July 7. Fresh off of winning the IWGP heavyweight championship, Kenny Omega will make his first defense against Cody. EVIL and SANADA will get a tag title rematch against the Young Bucks, and Juice Robinson will challenge Jay White for the IWGP United States championship. Also announced was a tag team match pitting Kazuchika Okada and Will Ospreay against Tetsuya Naito and BUSHI. (Photo co AXS TV/NJPW/TV Asahi)
Kenny Omega defeated Kazuchika Okada 2 falls to 1 in the main event of New Japan Pro Wrestling's Dominion show — ending the longest IWGP heavyweight championship reign (720 days) and longest string of title defenses in NJPW history. After Okada took the first fall with a deep roll-up, Omega won two straight falls; the second with a pair of One-Winged Angels and a V-trigger. All told, the match lasted over 65 minutes. After splitting their first three matches, Omega wins the decisive contest to become IWGP heavyweight champion. (Photo c/o NJPW World/TV Asahi)
jackson defeats CM PUNK
White on CM Punk loss: He should 'call it a wrap'
UFC president Dana White said CM Punk should "call it a wrap" in MMA after the ex-WWE star was dominated by Mike Jackson and fell to 0-2 in his pro MMA career.
CM Punk gets dominated in second UFC bout
Twenty-one months after losing his Octagon debut, CM Punk loses a one-sided unanimous decision to Mike Jackson at UFC 225 in Chicago.
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White: CM Punk's MMA career 'should be a wrap'
UFC president Dana White says CM Punk showed "a lot of heart" but shouldn't fight again, while heavily criticizing opponent Mike Jackson.
1:09
Okada-Omega
Okada and Omega set to settle epic rivalry Saturday as part of stacked NJPW Dominion card
NJPW's Dominion show is anchored by the deciding match between Kazuchika Okada and Kenny Omega for the IWGP heavyweight championship, but the rest of the card is stacked with the likes of Chris Jericho, Rey Mysterio and several major title confrontations.
Cheap Heat
Rosenberg Flips Through The Rolodex And Calls Some Friends
Before breaking down the week in wrestling with SGG and Zach Linder, Peter ran through the Rolodex to see how Corey Graves, Renee Young, and Tom Phillips really feel about him. Plus mailbag and MITB talk.
CM Punk
With court case behind him, CM Punk ready for UFC 225
Former WWE superstar CM Punk will look for his first MMA win on Saturday night at UFC 225. But before that, he had to hear the verdict of a court case and make an appearance at the Chicago Cubs game. He allowed ESPN to take it all in.
CM Punk: I'm going to fight again after UFC 225
CM Punk tells Brett Okamoto that he's focused on winning at UFC 225 and regardless of outcome, he'll want to fight again.
1:47
NHL
A world championship just isn't complete without one of these. WWE sending the Capitals a championship belt.
WWE
1:57
Shawn Michaels explains how he became a part of the team at the WWE Performance Center, the parts of the job that drew him in and how he can take the lessons he's learned and teach the next generation. He also gets into the different stages of the evolution of the wrestling business. (Courtesy of Farbod Esnaashari)
NXT recap
Gargano and Ciampa continue to escalate rivalry, Cross steps up as first serious challenger to Baszler
Johnny Gargano and Tommaso Ciampa continued to escalate their blood feud -- quite literally, in this instance -- on NXT TV Wednesday night. Nikki Cross also made a statement in laying NXT women's champion Shayna Baszler out.
WWE
Women take center stage as Carmella takes down Asuka, Lynch bests Flair on SmackDown
With less than two weeks to go until Money in the Bank, the focus shifted to the SmackDown women's championship rivalry between Carmella and Asuka. New Day also came through with their second stellar performance in as many weeks in Tuesday's main event.
205 Live
Monday Night Raw
For a variety of reasons, Money in the Bank can't come fast enough
While Raw struggled once again, a number of small positives steps taken offer a glimpse of the silver lining coming after Money in the Bank.
XFL
Oliver Luck leaving NCAA to be XFL commish
Oliver Luck is leaving his leadership role at the NCAA for a new job as commissioner and CEO of the XFL, which begins play in 2020.
WWE
It's time for Brock Lesnar to lose the Universal championship
At 425 days and counting, Brock Lesnar's stretch as Universal champion has grown to historic levels -- but his absence on a week-to-week basis has become a weight dragging down the rest of the stars of Monday Night Raw.
NXT comic books
BOOM! Studios has taken the on-screen world of WWE and filled in the gaps with some dynamic backstories for some of the most iconic moments in WWE history. On Monday they announced, in conjunction with WWE, an NXT comic book series starting in September that will dig into every era of the brand dating back to 2012. From the origin story with Triple H and Dusty Rhodes, all the way to modern day, this weekly series will start telling deeper NXT stories in the world of comic books. Writer Dennis Hopeless and artist Jake Elphick will helm the story, with cover art from Lucas Werneck, Aaron Dana, David Nakayama and Audrey Mok. There will also be variant covers (including the one pictured below) by Marco D'Alfonso.
The weekly NXT event comic book series will cover everything from Triple H and Dusty Rhodes launching the brand, to the starts of NXT icons like Paige, Big E, Kevin Owens, Charlotte Flair, Finn Balor and Samoa Joe, through the modern era. "The Superstars of NXT are responsible for some of the greatest moments in sports entertainment history and we're thrilled to show readers the secrets behind the rise of WWE's third global brand," said Chris Rosa, Editor, BOOM! Studios. "From Seth Rollins to Shayna Baszler, each of your favorite NXT superstars will get their moment to shine in this weekly event." (Art by Aaron Dana)
Cheap Heat
Back State Side Dishing Out Takes
Rosenberg is back in the country and the guys have a lot to break down inside and outside the ring.
WWE on ESPN resources
- Nick Laham/ESPN
WWE profiles
Profile pages for every active member of the WWE roster
- Courtesy of WWE
WWE championship history
Trace the lineage and history of every active title in the WWE
- ESPN SportsCenter
Off the Top Rope archive
ESPN's Jonathan Coachman goes 1-on-1 with the WWE's biggest superstars
- Courtesy of WWE
Title watch
All of the current champions in WWE and the most significant contenders for each title.
