WWE highlights Wrestlemania week network programming

I'm absolutely loving the WWE Network and recommend it to anyone with even a passing interest.  Today, I noticed the WWE released its network specific programming in regards to Wrestlemania this sunday and thought it deserved a share.

STAMFORD, Conn., March 31, 2014 – WWE Network, the first-ever 24/7 streaming network, has unveiled its programming lineup for WrestleMania Week, which includes the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, an expanded two-hour WrestleMania pre-show and concludes with WrestleMania 30, all live from New Orleans.  Fans can subscribe to WWE Network by signing up exclusively at WWE.com, clicking on the WWE Network button on the top right corner of the navigation bar and creating an account.

Upon signing up, fans will instantly have access to live and scheduled programming as well as the most comprehensive video-on-demand library.

 The WrestleMania Week programming line-up on WWE Network includes:

WrestleMania 30 – Sunday, April 6 at 7 pm ET

 WWE’s annual pop-culture extravaganza, WrestleMania 30, will air live on Sunday, April 6 at 7 pm ET. More than 70,000 fans from all 50 states and more than 30 countries are expected to converge on the Mercedes-Benz Superdome. Current WWE Superstars will be joined by a host of WWE Legends for a celebration 30 years in the making. Featured matches include the first-ever Andre the Giant Memorial Battle Royal, The Undertaker® defending his epic WrestleMania winning streak against Brock Lesnar™, John Cena® battling Bray Wyatt™ and Randy Orton® defending the WWE World Heavyweight Championship against Batista® and the winner of a showdown between Daniel Bryan® and Triple H®.

  WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony – Saturday, April 5 at 9 pm ET

 For the first time ever, the 2014 WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will air live in its entirety on Saturday, April 5 at 9 pm ET from the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans. On the eve of WrestleMania 30, a new class of inductees will join WWE Legends from the past as they are enshrined into the WWE Hall of Fame. This year’s inductees include The Ultimate Warrior®, Jake “The Snake” Roberts™, Lita, Razor Ramon, Paul Bearer, Carlos Colon and Mr. T. At 8 pm ET, one hour prior to the WWE Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony, WWE Network will air a live red carpet arrival show hosted by Michael Cole and Renee Young. The show will consist of interviews with WWE Legends, Superstars and Divas as they arrive to celebrate history and welcome in the new inductees to the WWE Hall of Fame.

  WrestleMania 30 Pre-Show – Sunday, April 6 at 5 pm ET

 WWE has expanded its WrestleMania pre-show to two hours for the first time ever. The first hour will simulcast across all WWE platforms, including WWE Network, WWE.com, WWE App, YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pheed beginning Sunday, April 6 at 5 pm ET. During the second hour, WWE Tag Team Champions The Usos™ will defend their titles in a Fatal 4-Way match against Los Matadores™, Ryback® and Curtis Axel™ and The Real Americans™, which can be seen exclusively on WWE Network. WrestleMania Press Conference – Tuesday, April 1 at 11 am ET Before WWE takes over New Orleans and Randy Orton defends the WWE World Heavyweight Championship in a Triple Threat match against Batista and the winner of Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H, all four WrestleMania headliners will come face-to-face on Tuesday, April 1 at 11 am ET at the Hard Rock Café in New York City live on WWE Network. They will be joined by WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon, WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon, WrestleMania 30 host Hulk Hogan and WWE Superstar John Cena® to offer a preview of this year’s historic event.

  WrestleMania Today LIVE – Thursday, April 3 – Saturday, April 5 at 6 pm ET

 WrestleMania Today will premiere with three nights of live coverage on Thursday, April 3 through Saturday, April 5 at 6 pm ET originating from WrestleMania Axxess. Hosted by WWE’s Josh Mathews™, Booker T™ and Alex Riley™, the two-hour show will welcome in-studio guests including WWE Legends and Superstars as they analyze the biggest matches at WrestleMania 30. WWE reporters Renee Young, Byron Saxton and Tom Philips will cover all the action live from the Axxess floor.

  WrestleMania Weekend Marathon – Friday, April 4 – Sunday, April 6

 The weekend will be highlighted by a marathon of WrestleMania themed programming from Friday, April 4 through Sunday, April 6. On Friday, April 4, WWE Network will air a replay of WrestleMania 25 from Houston, TX at 2 pm ET. Then, on Saturday, April 5 and Sunday, April 6, fans can see blocks of WrestleMania Rewind™ from 6 am – 9 am ET, a show that takes a comprehensive look back at the most groundbreaking matches and dramatic moments in WrestleMania history. Immediately following WrestleMania Rewind on Saturday, WrestleMania 26 airs at 9 am ET and WrestleMania 27 at 1 pm ET. WrestleMania 28 and WrestleMania 29 air Sunday, April 6 at 9 am ET and 1 pm ET, respectively.

Legends of WrestleMania – Friday, April 4 at 10 pm ET

 Legends of WrestleMania premieres on Friday, April 4 at 10 pm ET featuring a round table discussion with WrestleMania Legends as they look back at their greatest WrestleMania moments. Fans will hear never-before-told stories about WrestleMania as well as commentary on the biggest matches at WrestleMania 30.

I'm back!

After a few crazy weeks and an impromptu trip to Louisiana, it appears I'm back for the time being.  I'll have some posts up when possible.

Dungeons and Dragons Day 3: What was the first dungeon you explored as a character?

I have fond memories of the first dungeon that was explored as a character.  It seems as though it was yesterday.  Wait, it was just a month ago, so there shouldn't be much memory loss regarding the character.

However, I can't share too many details because is from a Pathfinder Society scenario named "The Confirmation," which was recommended to me as a perfect starting point within the world of organized play.

The dungeon itself wasn't very large, but we did meet several types of enemies.

Eventually we solved the problems given to us and defeated the enemies to make it back outside and finish out the scenario.  

It is quite unfortunate that I can't tell more about what happened, but it is quite easy to find out for yourself as this scenario is being run almost constantly, at least among the places I frequent.

Dungeons & Dragons Day 2: The first person you introduced to D&D

Well, this is going to be a short entry, as I have not actually introduced anyone to the game as of yet.

Over the course of two nights I did show my girlfriend the basics of the game, and designed a characters.  However, she does not have an active interest in playing.

However, the next time I return to my hometown, I do expect to run a few games to show friends there the game.  As they are all avid Magic: the Gathering players, I believe they're ready for that next step.

Dungeons & Dragons Day 1: Who introduced you to the game?

Truthfully, I have not played a game of actual Dungeons & Dragons.  However, I am currently learning to play Pathfinder, which is an expanded/perfected version of D&D 3.5.

It has been a long process to find the game.  Although tabletop games garnered some interest during my teen years, there were never any actual games to be played in rural Louisiana during the 1990s.  Alas, my gaming up until recently was relegated to the realm of video games and an occasional begged game of Magic: The Gathering.

Also, those types of games during that period of my life had little interest.  Music was my biggest occupier of time.  Nonetheless,  I had a box set featuring the world of Robert E. Howard's Conan, which was liberated from an older brother's garage sale entries.  It seemed interesting, but other than myself there was no interest.  Eventually, I acquired source books for Marvel Super Heroes, Shadowrun, and Vampire: The Masquerade.

Fifteenish years later, life was different.  My location is now Austin, Texas, a wonderful city bustling with activity.  There were a number of factors, mostly involving this city, that led to my foray into gaming.

Firstly, there is a wonderful library system.  One day, while browsing the shelves I came across a few sourcebooks and checked them out.  They were all consumed with fierce voracity.

There is also one friend who has experience running campaigns, and told me about Pathfinder and it being a modified/improved version of D&D 3.5, his personal favorite versions.

My new place of residence has a number of fantastic comic book and gaming stores.  Upon my initial visits to Dragon's Lair I noticed quite a few advertisements for the Pathfinder Society and on January 4, 2014, I took the plunge with a scenario named "The Confirmation."

I was immediately hooked.  As stated in other entries, ChupacabraCon just solidified that fact.  It may have taken a long time, but I'm glad the aforementioned plunge was taken.

February: A month long celebration of D&D's 40th year

It's official.  I am going to try out the Dungeons and Dragons 40th Anniversary blog hop during the entire month of February, and detail a number of my feelings and thoughts despite my being new to the games.  Not every day can have a solid entry, but it will have an entry nonetheless.

I'm so looking forward to this.

Sting reportedly close to WWE deal

One of the rumors that pops up occasionally in the pro wrestling world is that of the ever-popular Sting headed to the WWE.

The story is always a big deal, because Sting is quite simply the biggest pro wrestling name to have never appeared on the "big stage" of the world's largest federation.

Speculation has come in the form of comments by Matt Hardy and Ring of Honor's Rob Feinstein.  Of course, a more reputable opinion comes in the form of Dave Meltzer, who also states the wrestler is close to a deal.

Inking this deal is good for both the wrestler and WWE.  First, as mentioned above, Sting is the wrestler who never hit the big time.  Although he is at least a decade past his prime, this will allow several big time, money generating matches against other legends such as The Undertaker or HHH.  Also, Sting is easily a Hall of Fame quality wrestler, especially with his years at WCW being those when they were most competitive with the WWE.

Please note that this is a common rumor, and one that has never materialized before.