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.

May 2, 2016

Wrestling

WWE Payback: Reigns retains in a wildly entertaining main event

by Nick Piccone

WWE’s Payback pay-per-view on Sunday night was a really good show and almost hit a home run if it wasn’t for the fact that only three of my eight predictions heading into the event came true. The beginning of the show got off to a rocky start because nothing made sense. The booking was terrible. Especially with the first two preshow matches. If you had a chance to see them, I feel bad for you.

April 30, 2016

Wrestling

Straight Shooters Podcast 38: Previewing Payback, Eric Young in NXT

by Nick Piccone

This week, the guys preview Payback, which airs this Sunday. Will there be a big angle to close the show? Will AJ Styles walk away with the title? The guys talk about it!

April 29, 2016

Wrestling

WWE SmackDown rundown: The journey to Payback winds down in spectacular fashion

by Nick Piccone

Manchester, N.H., was the site for the last show before Payback on Sunday evening. The Verizon Wireless Arena hosted the festivities for SmackDown, and it featured one of the best endings to a television program before a pay-per-view I’ve seen in a long time. Teasing physical interaction between the main eventers was brilliant, and the storyline has been brilliant. The New Day took over commentary and Apollo Crews is quickly ascending with some great matches. This Smackdown was, in one word, awesome.

April 28, 2016

Wrestling

WWE Payback preview: Styles gets his first chance at WWE gold

by Nick Piccone

The Allstate Arena in Chicago [for all intents and purposes] will host Sunday’s Payback pay-per-view that will see Roman Reigns make his first title defense since winning the WWE World Heavyweight Championship earlier this month at WrestleMania. AJ Styles gets the honor of being the first superstar Reigns will defend against, and there’s already some shenanigans going on with the debut of Luke Gallows and Karl Anderson on WWE television. Will they play a part in the main event Sunday?

April 26, 2016

Wrestling

WWE Raw roundup: Does Styles need help against Reigns at Payback?

by Nick Piccone

The XL Center in Hartford, Conn. hosted the go-home edition of Raw on Monday night to Payback, the next WWE pay-per-view coming this Sunday. I’ll have my preview ready later this week, and if you weren’t really looking forward to Payback, Monday night’s episode of Raw did its best to try and change your mind.

April 22, 2016

Wrestling

Samoa Joe captures NXT Championship at house show

by Nick Piccone

Samoa Joe captures NXT Championship at house show

April 22, 2016

Wrestling

WWE SmackDown rundown: Owens, Jericho win battle against Zayn, Ambrose

by Nick Piccone

WWE SmackDown rundown: Owens, Jericho win battle against Zayn, Ambrose

April 21, 2016

Wrestling

Former WWE superstar Chyna passes away at 45

by Nick Piccone

Joanie Laurer, known to wrestling fans around the world as Chyna, the 9th wonder of the world, has passed away. The news broke overnight with various news outlets reporting her death.

April 19, 2016

Wrestling

WWE Raw roundup: It’s become personal between Styles and Reigns

by Nick Piccone

London’s O2 Arena was the host for Raw on Monday night as WWE is currently touring in Europe. While they tour Europe around this time of year every year, Monday’s Raw had a bit of a different feel to it. Not only did we have a lot of new talent taking center stage, but the tag team tournament also took an interesting turn. It may have even been somewhat unexpected. But it was good. Really good.

April 16, 2016

Wrestling