Nick Piccone

Nick Piccone is a Pro Wrestling Contributor for PhillyVoice.com. Nick was the founder of the popular sports and pro wrestling blog Bleed Philly before joining Philly Influencer as Editor and Writer in 2015. He's hosted a weekly pro wrestling podcast with Vaughn Johnson, The Straight Shooters, since 2015. Nick also does editing, writing, and audio engineering for the only sports betting radio station in Philadelphia, Fox Sports Radio The Gambler. Nick graduated from nearby Neumann University after growing up in south Philadelphia and southern New Jersey. His family history is entrenched in Philadelphia culture, as Nick's great aunt Dolly's house was used as Rocky's and Adrian's new home in Rocky II. Nick is a huge Philly sports fan, and he has watched professional wrestling since he was five years old; he has not only a strong passion, but also an abundance of knowledge about the industry. Follow Nick on Twitter: @_piccone.

August 20, 2016

Wrestling

Straight Shooters Podcast 55: Jim Ross previews SummerSlam

by Nick Piccone

On this week's edition of The Straight Shooters wrestling podcast, WWE Hall of Famer Jim Ross joins Nick and Vaughn as they preview Sunday's SummerSlam event. The guys go over the top matches on the card and also preview NXT TakeOver: Brooklyn II.

August 18, 2016

Wrestling

2016 WWE SummerSlam preview: Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Orton headlines stellar card

by Nick Piccone

The build to SummerSlam looked strong out of the gate from WWE’s brand extension in late July, but it swiftly took a downward turn in the weeks after. The stage was set rather early, so there was almost nothing to do for a few weeks except wait for the biggest event of the summer.

August 17, 2016

Wrestling

WWE suspends Paige, Alberto Del Rio 30 days each for wellness violations

by Nick Piccone

WWE announced today that they’ve suspended Paige – real name Saraya-Jade Bevis – for 30 days for her first violation of the company’s wellness policy. Paige has been on television dealing with injuries to her shoulders and neck which are keeping her off WWE’s recent tours of Australia and New Zealand.

August 17, 2016

Wrestling

WWE SmackDown rundown: Randy Orton sends clear message to Brock Lesnar

by Nick Piccone

On Tuesday night, it was time for SmackDown’s go-home show to SummerSlam live from the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas. It was the last chance we’d see how WWE planned to book the show’s top two feuds heading into the biggest event of the summer. We also got a glimpse into the best of the best in the tag team division with a big match and Eva Marie’s long-anticipated debut.

August 16, 2016

Wrestling

WWE Raw roundup: The Demon King debuts on the main roster

by Nick Piccone

It was the go-home to SummerSlam edition of Raw in Corpus Christi, Texas on Monday night, and the electricity felt in the arena might have been slightly caused by the electricity on the outside of the building.

August 10, 2016

Wrestling

WWE SmackDown rundown: The Ambrose-Ziggler feud is heating up

by Nick Piccone

The Rabobank Arena in Bakersfield, Calif. Tuesday night was the host for SmackDown as we inched closer to SummerSlam in Brooklyn on August 21.

August 9, 2016

Wrestling

WWE Raw roundup: Cesaro, Rusev get chance to shine in main event

by Nick Piccone

With two weeks left to go until SummerSlam in Brooklyn, WWE brought Monday Night Raw to the Honda Center in Anaheim, Calif. this week. While this episode of Raw seemed even lesser on par with the show from last Monday, it was still an okay show. It wasn’t bad. It just wasn’t great. It was barely good.

August 3, 2016

Sixers

WWE SmackDown rundown: We’ve got Styles vs. Cena II

by Nick Piccone

The Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. hosted the third edition of SmackDown Live on Tuesday night, and I’d have to say it was a lot better than the previous week’s edition. Tuesday’s episode was meant to give meaning to the upcoming Dean Ambrose vs. Dolph Ziggler match at SummerSlam for the WWE World Championship, but Bray Wyatt stepped in to try and throw Ziggler’s journey off course.

August 2, 2016

Wrestling

WWE Raw roundup: Brock Lesnar returns, gets bitten by The Viper

by Nick Piccone

Atlanta’s Philips Arena had hosted many editions of WWE’s Monday Night Raw, but on Monday night, it was the first time this venue was hosting a Raw in the New Era. And that New Era included the return of the Beast Incarnate, who has been absent from television since the New Era began.

July 28, 2016

Wrestling

WWE’s Cruiserweight Classic: Round 1, Week 3 results

by Nick Piccone

WWE’s Cruiserweight Classic aired its third episode on the WWE Network Wednesday night, and we finally got to see Anthony Bennett in action. If you’ll remember, Bennett was a guest on Episode 45 of The Straight Shooters podcast talking about his story and what it meant for him to be chosen to participate in this tournament.