Latest news with #ECW
Metro
17 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
WWE 2K25 icon claims new update is 'moment of completion in video game industry'
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It's a big day for WWE 2K25, as the game gets a major new update and comes to a new format. As well as the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2 version of the record-breaking game, the Fearless DLC pack for WWE 2K25 is available today, featuring New Jack, Penta, and Jordynne Grace amongst the new characters being added to the game. New Jack is a fascinating one for fans, having built a fierce legacy in ECW as one of the boldest, most violent and most controversial figures in wrestling. ECW maestro and WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman exclusively told Metro why today's DLC is such an important release for the series. 'This is a moment of completion in the entire video game industry,' he said. 'You cannot deny New Jack's influence in sports entertainment/pro wrestling culture, nor should you deny his influence on video games.' Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning. Heyman pointed out how a lot of people working in the business today grew up as fans of ECW and WWE during their childhood. 'Most of the people that are writing the codes that then become the video games were ECW or WWE fans,' he added. 'And I mean, are you telling me that those who make Grand Theft Auto weren't influenced by New Jack? Come on!' New Jack is part of this week's Fearless DLC, with he, Penta and Jordynne Grace joined by Hall of Famer Bull Nakano, and YouTuber KSI in a Prime bottle costume. The Hardcore Icon gets special treatment too, when it comes to players using him in one-on-one, no disqualification-type matches such as Extreme Rules and Falls Count Anywhere. For those mode, New Jack will come out carrying a guitar and trash can full of weapons (including a crutch) which he'll spill in the ring ready to use when the bell rings. As if that wasn't enough, his entrance music will keep playing throughout the bout, which fans will remember well from his heyday. Heyman, 58, noted how including him in the roster for WWE 2K25 – which is the highest rated franchise title in Xbox history, with the same game now available on the Switch 2 – is a befitting way to honour his legacy. He said: 'Oh my God! What a fantastic idea to pay tribute to someone that has been such an influence on not only the culture of pro wrestling, but on the culture of video games, because of the influence that we've had on those who write the games.' In this year's WWE 2K25, Heyman takes centre stage in the Showcase mode, which Switch 2 gamers will be able to play as they explore the history of Roman Reigns and The Bloodline. More Trending 'I approached it with the respect for the history of the entire industry and for that family that anyone that understands or has studied the history should have. I approached it with great reverence,' he said of his role as a narrator in the mode. 'There are so many gamers now that are going to learn about an actual education within a video game. Imagine that! So if you want to go to a wrestling college, or you want to go to WWE University, your professor's name is Paul Heyman.' WWE 2K25 is available now for the Nintendo Switch 2. New Jack is available as part of the Fearless DLC pack. WWE SummerSlam airs on Netflix on August 2 and 3. Got a story? If you've got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@ calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we'd love to hear from you. MORE: 007 First Light interview – discussing the women, the music, and the cars MORE: New Nintendo Switch 2 bundle announced as console breaks another sales record MORE: Switch 2 owners discover Nintendo can remove games from your console at any time
Newsweek
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
WWE Hall of Famer Kane Addresses Potential In-Ring Return
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. For decades, Glenn 'Kane' Jacobs dominated the WWE ring, but it has been years since "The Devil's Favorite Demon" has competed. In a recent interview, the WWE Hall of Famer addressed whether he has any plans for a final farewell match, suggesting that fans have likely seen the last of him in the ring. Appearing on Busted Open Radio, Jacobs was asked about a potential send-off. He acknowledged that the pace of modern wrestling may be too much for him at this stage of his life. "That May Have Left Me Behind" When asked about a final match, Kane was candid and realistic about his in-ring future. He laughed off the idea, stating that keeping up with today's superstars would be a major challenge. "[Laughs] I don't know about that, man. Oh man," Kane said (H/T to SEScoops). "Brother, we were just talking about athleticism and movement and keeping up with the pace of people nowadays. That may have left me behind, guys." Kane last appeared in the ring during the 2021 Men's Royal Rumble match. While some fans hope to see him return one last time, his comments suggest he is content with his career being over. WWE From Demon To Mayor A major reason for his absence is his successful career in politics. Since 2018, Glenn Jacobs has served as the Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee. His focus has shifted entirely from the squared circle to public service, making appearances on WWE programming a rarity. His full-time political career is a stark contrast to his on-screen persona. It's a testament to the intelligence and dedication of the man behind one of wrestling's most terrifying masks. A Legendary Career Of Destruction The Kane character is one of the most protected and iconic creations in WWE history. He debuted at the Badd Blood pay-per-view in 1997, ripping the door off the first-ever Hell in a Cell structure to confront his storyline brother, The Undertaker. For years, Kane was an unstoppable monster, defined by his mask, his control of fire, and his silent, destructive rage. Throughout his career, Kane became a WWE Grand Slam Champion, holding the WWE, World Heavyweight, ECW, Intercontinental, and Tag Team Championships. For over a decade, he held the record for the most eliminations in a single Royal Rumble match. While a final, story-driven send-off may not be in the cards, "The Big Red Machine's" legacy as one of WWE's greatest and most unique characters will last forever. For more WWE news, check out Newsweek Sports.
Forbes
16-07-2025
- General
- Forbes
After Devastating Floods, Back To Learning In Nigeria
As Nigeria looks to rebuild after catastrophic flooding, an innovative program delivered by UNICEF with funding from Education Cannot Wait is getting internally displaced children back into the classroom. Fatima, 15, in her classroom in Maiduguri, Nigeria. The bursting of the Alau Dam in September 2024 impacted more than 40 percent of the city of Maiduguri, displacing people into surrounding areas and destroying health and education infrastructure. UNICEF and Education Cannot Wait are helping students get back to learning. Funding from Education Cannot Wait fuels UNICEF's innovative learning programs for students caught in emergencies Fatima, 15, lost her school uniform, her bag and even her shoes in the floods that ripped through Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria, last September. Her life and her future washed away in a disaster that displaced millions across northeastern Nigeria. With support from a UNICEF-delivered program, Fatima has returned to the classroom, along with 10,000 other girls and boys like her who were impacted by the floods. Even more learners will benefit from the supports of a Multi-Year Resilience Program delivered by UNICEF and a consortium of partners with funding from Education Cannot Wait (ECW), the global fund for education in emergencies and protracted crises hosted by UNICEF. 'We cannot fail the children who are maimed and abducted, nor girls forced into child marriage and subjected to sexual violence. We can change all that by financing both protection and recovery through a holistic quality education.' In all, approximately 18 million children are out of school in Nigeria. In the North East — where years of armed insurgency by Boko Haram and other terrorist splinter groups have caused widespread devastation — the challenges are even more pronounced. 'North East Nigeria has suffered for far too long," says Yasmine Sherif, Executive Director of Education Cannot Wait. "We cannot fail the children who are maimed and abducted, nor girls forced into child marriage and subjected to sexual violence. We can change all that by financing both protection and recovery through a holistic quality education. The international community needs to scale up funding in response to the massive education crisis in Nigeria.' Learn more about how UNICEF helps children in Nigeria After flooding in northeastern Nigeria in September 2024, a girl wades through floodwater carrying her belongings on her head. The number of internally displaced people registered at nearby IDP camps increased to nearly 400,000 within a week. Before the floods, Fatima attended the Iman Secondary School in Maiduguri. She lived a normal life, attending to her classes, helping out with household chores and spending time with her friends and family. Then came the floodwaters, destroying her home and collapsing her school. Now she attends informal classes in the Gubio IDP Camp: far from home, far from her old friends and far from hope. 'There was nothing left of our belongings," Fatima says. "My father moved us here because there was nowhere else to go. I really missed school. People are helping us here, but I would love it if we could get support to return to our house.' Students seated on the floor take part in a lesson delivered by radio in Gubio Camp, Maiduguri, Borno State, Nigeria. Volunteer teachers and radio learning classes help displaced students resume their studies Fatima is making friends in the camp, and radio learning classes — provided by UNICEF in collaboration with the Borno State Government and the Unique Care and Support Foundation — are helping her continue her studies. 'The subjects available through radio learning are mathematics, English language and basic science," Fatima says. "My favorite subject is basic science because I want to become a medical doctor.' 'My favorite subject is basic science because I want to become a medical doctor.' To ensure holistic education supports for the girls and boys who lost everything in the floods, UNICEF is also providing dignity kits, writing materials and other learning supplies. In all, more than 100 volunteer teachers have been recruited to support the children in continuing their studies and finding new hope in their world turned upside-down. 'On my first day in the class, I was pleasantly surprised," says Fatima. "I had never taken a radio learning class before. We learned about the skeletal system, and I found it interesting." A teacher helps Fatima, left, continue her education in an IDP camp in northeastern Nigeria. Lessons are broadcast by radio. Supporting access to education for children with disabilities ECW investments in Nigeria have reached close to 600,000 children with quality education supports. This includes more than 125,000 IDPs, 440,000 host community children and thousands of refugees and children with disabilities. The work is delivered through a consortium approach to resources and partners. 'I lost my wheelchair and my school uniform in the floods, and we eventually ended up in Gubio [IDP] Camp. My dream is to become a lawyer when I finish school.' Sixteen-year-old Hauwa has a disability that confined her to a wheelchair. The program not only got her back to learning, it also provided her with a new set of wheels so she can get to classes in the informal learning center. 'I am living with a disability," Hauwa says. "I lost my wheelchair and my school uniform in the floods, and we eventually ended up in Gubio Camp. My dream is to become a lawyer when I finish school.' In a classroom in Maiduguri, 16-year-old Hauawa sits in her wheelchair, provided by UNICEF with funding from Education Cannot Wait. Being out of school puts children at heightened risk of child labor and child marriage Nearly a quarter of a billion children had their schooling disrupted by extreme climate events including heat waves, cyclones, floods and storms in 2024. In fragile contexts, prolonged school closures make it less likely that students will be able to return to the classroom and place them at heightened risk of child marriage and child labor. Evidence shows that girls are often disproportionately affected, facing increased risks of dropping out of school and gender-based violence during and after disasters. To address these challenges, ECW is scaling up its climate investments worldwide. This is a global investment in climate resilience, disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation. Perhaps most importantly, it's a global investment in providing children a lifeline in a world torn apart by conflict, climate change and other protracted crises. Learn more about how UNICEF supports every child's right to a quality education. Your contribution to UNICEF is more important than ever. Please donate. Right now, the lives of the most vulnerable children hang in the balance as conflicts and crises jeopardize the care and protection that they deserve. Dependable, uninterrupted and effective foreign aid is critical to the well-being of millions of children. Please contact your members of Congress and urge them to support ongoing U.S. investments in foreign assistance.
Newsweek
07-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Former WWE Superstar Is Reportedly Back With The Company
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Another member of a legendary wrestling family may be back with WWE. According to a new report, former WWE Cruiserweight and ECW Champion Chavo Guerrero is back with the company in an official capacity. The report from Fightful Select claims that Guerrero was backstage at the recent WWE-AAA Worlds Collide event. Sources allege that Guerrero was telling people at the show that he had returned to WWE. A Potential Return To WWE While Guerrero was present backstage, his exact new role with the company is not yet known. WWE has not officially confirmed his return at this time. Guerrero has remained semi-active in the wrestling world in recent years, including a match on an episode of TNA Impact earlier in 2025. This news comes as another member of the Guerrero family, Vickie Guerrero, has also reportedly claimed she will be back on WWE programming in the near future. The potential return of two Guerreros would be a welcome sight for many long-time fans. The Guerrero Family Legacy Chavo Guerrero is a third-generation superstar and a member of one of the most respected families in professional wrestling history. His father, Chavo Guerrero Sr., was a legendary performer, and his uncle, the late, great Eddie Guerrero, is a WWE Hall of Famer and one of the most beloved superstars of all time. HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. HOUSTON, TEXAS - MARCH 11: A general stadium view during WWE Monday Night RAW at Toyota Center on March 11, 2024 in Houston, Texas. Chavo Jr. has carried that legacy with pride throughout his own celebrated career. During his most prominent run in WWE from 2001 to 2011, Chavo achieved significant success. He first became a fan-favorite alongside his uncle Eddie as the tag team Los Guerreros. Their mantra of "We Lie, We Cheat, We Steal" and their entertaining backstage vignettes made them a highlight of SmackDown's "SmackDown Six" era, during which they captured the WWE Tag Team Championship. More news: WWE News: Steve Austin Reveals Real-Life Vince McMahon Confrontation A Decorated WWE Champion As a singles competitor, Chavo Guerrero was a cornerstone of the cruiserweight division. He is a multi-time Cruiserweight Champion, having memorable feuds with stars like Rey Mysterio and Gregory Helms. He also reached a world championship level under the WWE banner, becoming the final ECW Champion in 2008. After leaving WWE in 2011, he went on to have notable runs in TNA, Lucha Underground, and most recently a brief stint in AEW as a manager. The potential return of a veteran with his experience and pedigree could be a major asset for WWE, whether in an on-screen role or as a backstage producer. More WWE News: For more on WWE, head to Newsweek Sports
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'That Continues to Cheer for Him'– ECW Legend Points Out a Chink in John Cena's ‘Heel' Armor
John Cena (Image via X/@WWE) John Cena 's heel turn at Elimination Chamber 2025 was really a turning point in professional wrestling folklore. Many compared it to the generation-defining turn of Hulk Hogan back in 1996, and for good reason. The 17-time world champion has been the poster boy and the evergreen good guy for the WWE for over 20 years. However, the twist in his final year of in-ring action has surely generated massive buzz. And with such a turn, that famous 'heel heat' is the dream of every superstar. But ECW legend Tommy Dreamer believes that Cena's heel turn has not worked the way it should have. But why? Tommy Dreamer Says John Cena Has Not Been Able to Adapt the 'Heel' Side of Things In a recent episode of Busted Open Radio, Dreamer explained his take: 'I still don't think the heel turn has worked because they just cheer for him…But it has given him different opponents. He is going out there and doing his best, and it's you, the fan, that continues to cheer for him." He admitted that this reaction would not have erupted if it was anyone other than Cena. 'If there was someone just coming up, if it was Austin theory – not that they're just coming up — and/or Grayson Waller doing the same thing John Cena was doing, they'd probably be the biggest heels in the business. But because it's John Cena, they are reacting that way." by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sharp Design, Smoother Drives. Toyota Glanza Learn More Undo The former ECW champion is right on point. Cena's recent rivalries with Randy Orton and CM Punk have garnered praise and immense pop from the crowd, even though the WWE champion vows to 'ruin wrestling' forever and claims to be 'the last real champion'. His recent iteration of Punk's famous 'Pipebomb' promo from 2011 on SmackDown garnered ballistic reactions from the crowd. Dreamer even mentioned that Cena should stay in his heel persona both on and off the screen. "Here's a difference, the thing that John can't do that I would do… Like I would stop doing the things that I do. If somebody approached me in a grocery store, I would heel them. I would go 100% all in on social media. I even said this, I probably would quit this show, because why would I want to talk to people?… I couldn't say, 'John Cena, stop doing all these commercials. '… His social media is still uplifting. I don't think he can do that." It is safe to say that the veil of the professional wrestling setup has already fallen and it is nowhere near in terms of being secretive as it was in the 1990s and even the late 2010s. Everyone knows that it is a work and so fans are paying their tribute to perhaps the greatest wrestler of all time. And yes, even as a heel! Also read: John Cena shares hilarious meme on social media to spread awareness about skin cancer Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
