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Goldenboy Santos Says WWE Passed On Him After 2025 Tryouts

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WWE is always on the hunt for new talent to join its roster, but that doesn’t include Goldenboy Santos at this time. On social media, Santos shared that he was not signed by WWE after participating in a series of tryouts earlier this year.

Santos tore his calf during tryouts in London, England, but was invited back for the tryouts in New Jersey over SummerSlam weekend. Santos said that the news was “The hardest video I’ve ever made,” and was grateful to learn from some of the best during his tryouts.

Santos was met with a ton of support in the comments of his video. One fan was confident that Santos “will get there” and encouraged the wrestler to stay positive. Another said that Santos is “the pride of Brazilian Wrestling,” while a third called the WWE rejection “just a setback on a path that is still beginning.”

Santos has been wrestling for several years in promotions around the world. He is known for his time in Ireland’s OTT, the UK’s Revolution Pro Wrestling and Germany’s wXw promotion. Earlier this year, he held the OTT European Championship, defeating Charlie Sterling at the company’s Reckoning show in May.

Santos’ openness about his WWE experience demonstrates that he wants his fans to know about his wrestling journey every step of the way. While these tryouts did not result in a WWE contract, he remains determined to be a success in pro wrestling.

Dax Harwood Says He & His Family Are Being Targeted By A Stalker

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FTR’s Dax Harwood and his family have been dealing with a stalker for over a year and a half on social media, the AEW wrestler has shared. On his Instagram Stories, Harwood shared the worrying news and said that he and AEW will be working with the authorities to put an end to this.

“Unfortunately, over the last year and a half, myself, my mom, and now my wife have all been either stalked, threatened, or verbally attacked by an individual on Instagram. AEW and I will be working with authorities to put this matter to rest. They know your name, who you are, and where you live.

“Please be fans, but leave it at that. I try to be as polite as I can to people waiting in hotels and airports, and even ignore the ones who hate me. However, when you bring my family into it, we have to draw the line.”

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Harwood is sadly not the first wrestler to deal with a stalker. A man accused of stalking Liv Morgan is expected to stand trial in November of this year. In 2020, Sonya Deville was the victim of an attempted kidnapping, which resulted in her taking months off of WWE TV to deal with what had transpired. In early 2025, Deville through her support behind stricter stalking laws in the hope that others will avoid what she had to face.

Harwood’s message demonstrates why fans should always be respectful, whether it be in person or online. We can only hope that after a year and a half, Harwood and his family won’t have to deal with this stalker for much longer.

Watch: Former WWE Champion Pitches Match With John Cena After SmackDown

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There were some interesting developments that happened after this week’s episode of SmackDown from SAP Center in San Jose, California, went off air.

The main event of this week’s episode of the Blue Branded show saw Cody Rhodes defending his WWE title against Drew McIntyre in an impromptu match, after Jacob Fatu was attacked backstage.

The bout ended in DQ after Cody attacked McIntyre with the title belt. The ending of the broadcast saw General Manager Nick Aldis still trying to regain control of the situation, with the security struggling to keep the two WWE stars apart.

What Happened After SmackDown

There were two dark matches that took place after the show went off air. Natalya squared off against Ivy Nile in the first match, while Sheamus faced Greyson Waller in the second dark match of the night.

This was Natalya’s first match under the WWE banner since the AAA x WWE Worlds Collide event last month, and after reports that she hadn’t been backstage for recent shows. Sheamus on the other hand, had not wrestled since the Clash In Paris PPV in August.

After picking up the victory in his bout, the Celtic Warrior took the mic and challenged John Cena for one final match before the end of his retirement tour:

Sheamus had a rivalry with the Cenation Leader early in his career. The Irish Star actually defeated Cena to win his first WWE Championship back in December 2009.

John Cena has only 4 dates left in his retirement tour, including Survivor Series and Saturday Night’s Main Event. It’d be interesting to see if the two old rivals actually meet in the ring before this.

John Cena Won’t Extend Farewell Tour, Will Retire In December

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John Cena will keep his word to retire this December, putting to rest any speculation of extending his farewell tour. Taking to social media, John reiterated that his farewell match will come on December 13, 2025, at Saturday Night’s Main Event. Cena made clear that any “speculation or rumors” to the contrary are without merit.

“Despite any speculation or rumors, on July 6, 2024 I announced I would retire from WWE in ring participation. I am far from perfect but strive to be a person whose word has value. 12/13/25 will be my final match. I am beyond grateful for every moment WWE has given me. I am excited for 12/13 & look forward to seeing all of you one last time.”

Cena has just four confirmed dates left on his WWE farewell tour, including Saturday Night’s Main Event. John’s retirement tour has seen him win his 17th WWE World Championship, headline WrestleMania for the last time, and face the likes of Randy Orton, CM Punk, Brock Lesnar, and Logan Paul, among others.

With only a handful of appearances left, speculation is growing about what John’s farewell will look like. It has been reported that WWE is considering Cena Vs. Dominik Mysterio for the Intercontinental Title at Survivor Series this November. The Intercontinental Title is the one championship keeping John from completing WWE’s Triple Crown as well as the WWE Grand Slam.

While fans may wish to see more of John Cena in the ring, that simply will not happen. Instead, John has vowed to keep his word and end his career on December 13.

Jacob Fatu Written Off WWE TV Amid Reports Of Major Injury

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Fans shouldn’t expect to see Jacob Fatu in the ring any-time soon after the former WWE U.S. Champion was written off TV during SmackDown. During the October 17, show, Nick Aldis announced that the main event between Fatu and Drew McIntyre would be a number one contenders match for a shot at the Undisputed WWE Championship.

Before the main event, however, Fatu was seen backstage pinned to the ground under a bunch of production equipment. The Samoan Werewolf was also bleeding from the mouth and was in no state to compete.

This segment comes after reports that Fatu is dealing with an injury, one that will keep him out of action for the rest of this year and well into 2026. This is a non-wrestling-related injury, according to Bodyslam.net, who noted before SmackDown that this setback would force WWE to change plans for the McIntyre match.

Instead of Fatu, McIntyre faced Cody Rhodes in the main event and got a DQ victory over the Undisputed WWE Champion. McIntyre denied attacking Fatu though Rhodes didn’t buy his claim.

Fatu has been a major force in WWE since his debut in 2024, and captured the United States Championship at WrestleMania 41 this past April. Now, the Samoan Werewolf will have to watch the happenings of WWE from the sidelines.

Ilja Dragunov Returns to WWE SmackDown, Captures United States Championship

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On the October 17, 2025 episode of WWE SmackDown, Ilja Dragunov made a dramatic return after more than a year away recovering from injury. Dragunov answered Sami Zayn’s open challenge for the United States Championship in San Jose, California, shocking the crowd as his entrance theme hit.

The match saw Dragunov deliver a hard-hitting performance reminiscent of his NXT days, culminating in him defeating Sami Zayn to capture the United States Title in his first match back. His comeback ended a 404-day absence from WWE television caused by a knee injury suffered in late 2024.

This victory marks Dragunov’s first championship win on the main roster, continuing his reputation as one of WWE’s most intense competitors.

Corey Graves Returns To WWE SmackDown Commentary

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Corey Graves has officially made his return to the WWE Friday Night SmackDown commentary desk. After a multi-week absence due to a storyline attack by Brock Lesnar, Graves was back in his familiar seat alongside Michael Cole on the October 17 broadcast from the Kia Center in Orlando.

His return was a quiet one, with no special segment or fanfare. Instead, he was simply seen back at his post during the opening segment of the show, which featured Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis. During his time away, WWE Hall of Famer Booker T had filled in on commentary, but the familiar voice of Graves is now back on the blue brand.

The storyline reason for Graves’s absence was a brutal assault at the hands of “The Beast Incarnate” Brock Lesnar on the September 13 episode of SmackDown. The attack was positioned as a final, violent statement from Lesnar as he headed into his clash with John Cena at the WrestlePalooza Premium Live Event.

The assault effectively wrote Graves off of television for several weeks, leaving fans to wonder when and how he would return. The quiet nature of his comeback suggests that the angle involving Lesnar is likely concluded, and the focus for Graves will be returning to his role as the lead color commentator for SmackDown.

Ilja Dragunov Returns, Wins WWE US Title

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After nearly a year on the sidelines, Ilja Dragunov has made his return to WWE. The “Unbesiegbar” superstar appeared on the October 17 episode of Friday Night SmackDown at the SAP Center in San Jose, California, making an immediate impact by answering an open challenge for the United States Championship. Dragunov had been out of action since September of last year with a significant knee injury, and his return provides a major boost of intensity and star power to the SmackDown roster.

The show featured a segment where United States Champion Sami Zayn, frustrated with not having a scheduled match, came to the ring and issued an open challenge for his title. His challenge was first answered by The Miz, who complained about the prevalence of open challenges. However, before The Miz could officially accept, he was run off by Carmelo Hayes.

Just as it seemed Hayes might be the challenger, Ilja Dragunov’s music hit, and he made his way to the ring to a loud reaction. The match was made official, marking Dragunov’s first televised appearance in almost a full year. Dragunov’s last run on the main roster before his injury saw him come up short in key opportunities. He competed in a fatal four-way match on Raw to determine the number one contender for the Intercontinental Championship but was defeated. Later that month, he unsuccessfully challenged GUNTHER for the World Heavyweight Championship at a live event shortly before being sidelined with his injury.

In his return match against Sami Zayn, Dragunov went over to win the United States Title.

The Young Bucks Name The Teams That Have “Helped Spark” AEW Tag Division

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AEW was founded on the strength of its tag team division, and two of the company’s founders, The Young Bucks (Matthew and Nicholas Jackson), recently shared their thoughts on the current state of tag team wrestling in AEW. Over the past year, several new teams have emerged as major players in the division, bringing new styles and fresh matchups to the forefront. The multi-time former AEW World Tag Team Champions have taken notice of this influx of new talent and believe it has been a significant positive for the entire roster.

During a recent appearance on The Takedown on SI, Matt and Nick Jackson were asked about the recent changes to the tag team division. Matt Jackson specifically singled out two teams that he believes have made a major impact in 2025.

“You know who’s really just caught my eye and the rest of the world’s eye it seems like, is a team like JetSpeed, a team like Brodido, who are the current champions. They came out of nowhere and it has been so fresh. I think the addition of those two teams specifically have really helped spark the tag division in 2025. It’s really helped us out because it’s given us new teams to play with.”

The teams mentioned have both had a major breakout year. JetSpeed, the duo of “Speedball” Mike Bailey and Kevin Knight, have impressed fans. The current AEW World Tag Team Champions, Brodido, the unique pairing of Brody King and Bandido, captured the championships at the Forbidden Door pay-per-view in August. Their reign has brought a new dynamic to the top of the division.

The Young Bucks are set for a match of their own at the AEW WrestleDream pay-per-view tomorrow night, Saturday, October 18. The brothers will go up against the reunited Jurassic Express (Jack Perry and Luchasaurus).

WWE Tag Team Set For Pro Wrestling NOAH Sunny Voyage Event

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WWE NXT will be expanding its influence beyond its own promotion as two Superstars from the silver brand are heading to Pro Wrestling NOAH. Hank Walker and Tank Ledger have been announced for Pro Wrestling NOAH’s Sunny Voyage event on October 26 in Kasukabe, Japan. The former WWE NXT Tag Team Champions will battle Dragon Bane and Alpha Wolf at the event, which will stream live on Wrestle Universe at Midnight ET (Sunday afternoon in Japan).

The NOAH show provides a golden opportunity for Hank and Tank in what has been a huge year for the pair. The popular duo captured the NXT Tag Team Titles at Stand & Deliver this past April and held them until August when they lost to Dark State.

Hank and Tank are the latest pair of Superstars to appear for NOAH. In 2024, Josh Briggs and Tavion Heights took part in NOAH’s prestigious N-1 Victory Tournament. WWE NXT’s Charlie Dempsey has also competed for NOAH while Shinsuke Nakamura was part of the promotion’s first event of 2025.

This latest partnership once again demonstrates how WWE are more willing than ever to work with other promotions, whether it be NOAH, Bloodsport, or TNA Wrestling. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Hank and Tank, both in WWE NXT and beyond.

Shinsuke Nakamura References Hiroshi Tanahashi At WWE Japan Event, NJPW Star Responds

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Shinsuke Nakamura stirred up plenty of intrigue during a WWE live event in Japan with a reference to New Japan Pro Wrestling’s Hiroshi Tanahashi. At the Tokyo event, Nakamura and Jey Uso teamed to defeat Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker.

After the match, Nakamura spoke about WWE being back at Ryogoku Kokugikan and hopes to bring WWE back to Japan in 2026. After firing up the crowd, Nakamura ended his speech with Hiroshi Tanahashi’s signature closer, declaring “Yaaao!”

This single word prompted a response from Tanahashi. On X, the NJPW star teased that he heard what Nakamura had to say at the WWE live event.

Tanahashi will retire on January 4, 2026, at Wrestle Kingdom 20 inside the Tokyo Dome. In the comments of Tanahashi’s post, fans speculated on Nakamura being part of Hiroshi’s retirement tour, potentially as his final opponent.

WWE has partnered with New Japan in the past, as they allowed Karl Anderson to be a part of WrestleKingdom in 2023. Time will tell whether Nakamura Vs. Tanahashi is in the works, but there’s plenty of support behind the idea.

Blake Monroe Explains Why She Prefers Starting In WWE NXT

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Blake Monroe has shared her perspective on why she is happy to be starting her WWE journey in the NXT brand rather than being immediately called up to the main roster. In a world where many new talents are eager to get to Raw or SmackDown as quickly as possible, she sees NXT not as a developmental stepping stone, but as a platform with a large viewership where she can build her brand, introduce herself to the fans, and utilize the resources available at the WWE Performance Center.

Speaking in a recent interview with The Ringer Wrestling, Monroe detailed her reasoning for wanting to make NXT her home.

“I mean to date, NXT has the highest viewership of any show I’ve been on. I think as well, you have to consider that WWE is so huge, the amount of tv equity that Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Charlotte Flair, they have millions of followers and all of this TV equity. I know I can go toe-to-toe with them, but I feel like, why wouldn’t I go to NXT to continue to build my brand, continue to introduce the WWE universe.”

She continued, noting wanting to learn from the legends who are now coaching the next generation of superstars.

“They may know me, they probably don’t, I don’t think any of these kids know me or anything. Tell them who I am and also make NXT my brand because I truly feel like I am doing that and can do that. Why wouldn’t I take that opportunity and get that TV equity, build up myself in WWE, use the resources and be able to talk to Shawn, Matt Bloom, and all of these amazing coaches.”

WWE Announces Holiday Tour Dates Including 7 Raw and SmackDown Tapings

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WWE has revealed its annual Holiday Tour schedule, featuring seven televised Raw and SmackDown episodes alongside 10 live events spanning from early December through early January.

The tour kicks off December 5 with SmackDown in Austin, Texas at the Moody Center and concludes January 5, 2026 with Raw in Buffalo, New York at KeyBank Center. Notable television tapings include Raw from Hershey’s GIANT Center on December 15 and SmackDown from Brooklyn’s Barclays Center on January 2.

The live event circuit features multiple shows on December 27 and 28, with WWE running split tours across Florida, Pennsylvania, and New York markets. Orlando’s Kia Center will host Raw on December 29, while the traditional New Year’s Day show returns to Syracuse at Upstate Medical Arena on January 1, 2026.

Presale tickets become available Wednesday, October 22 at 10 a.m. local time using code WWETIX on Ticketmaster.com. The presale window runs through Thursday, October 23 at 11:59 p.m. local. General ticket sales begin Friday, October 24 at 10 a.m. local time.

The 17-event tour represents WWE’s largest holiday schedule in recent years, with a concentrated focus on the Northeast and Florida markets during the final week of December.

Complete Schedule:

  • Friday, December 5 – SmackDown at Moody Center in Austin, Texas
  • Friday, December 12 – SmackDown at Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania
  • Monday, December 15 – Raw at GIANT Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania
  • Friday, December 19 – SmackDown at Van Andel Arena in Grand Rapids, Michigan
  • Friday, December 26 – WWE Live Holiday Tour at CFG Bank Arena in Baltimore, Maryland
  • Saturday, December 27 – WWE Live Holiday Tour at Benchmark International Arena in Tampa, Florida
  • Saturday, December 27 – WWE Live Holiday Tour at PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
  • Sunday, December 28 – WWE Live Holiday Tour at VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena in Jacksonville, Florida
  • Sunday, December 28 – WWE Live Holiday Tour at Blue Cross Arena in Rochester, New York
  • Monday, December 29 – Raw at Kia Center in Orlando, Florida
  • Tuesday, December 30 – WWE Live Holiday Tour at Hertz Arena in Ft. Myers, Florida
  • Tuesday, December 30 – WWE Live Holiday Tour at Little Caesars Arena in Detroit, Michigan
  • Thursday, January 1, 2026 – WWE Live Holiday Tour at Upstate Medical Arena in Syracuse, New York
  • Friday, January 2, 2026 – SmackDown at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York
  • Saturday, January 3, 2026 – WWE Live Holiday Tour at DCU Center in Worcester, Massachusetts
  • Sunday, January 4, 2026 – WWE Live Holiday Tour at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut
  • Monday, January 5, 2026 – Raw at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York

Steve Austin Teases Return Of Broken Skull Sessions

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WWE Hall of Famer “Stone Cold” Steve Austin has hinted at a potential return of his WWE series, Broken Skull Sessions. The wrestling legend has sparked speculation after a recent social media interaction with a fan.

Austin officially retired from in-ring competition in 2003 following his match against The Rock at WrestleMania XIX, citing an accumulation of injuries. Despite his retirement, “The Texas Rattlesnake” has remained a fixture in WWE, making sporadic appearances over the years.

One of his post-retirement ventures was the “Broken Skull Sessions” podcast on the WWE Network. The popular interview series, which ran from 2019 to 2022, suddenly stopped producing new episodes, leaving fans to wonder about its status.

Recently, on his Instagram account, a fan asked Austin if a new episode of the podcast was coming soon. In response, Austin reportedly told the fan to give him a “couple of weeks,” immediately fueling rumors that the “Broken Skull Sessions” is set to make a comeback.

While the return of his podcast is an exciting prospect for fans, there is also continued speculation about another in-ring return. After 19 years of retirement, Austin competed in a No Holds Barred match against Kevin Owens at WrestleMania 38, proving he can still perform at a high level.

Since that acclaimed return, Austin has teased that he may not be done with professional wrestling. Reports have also indicated that there is significant interest from Saudi Arabia in having Austin compete at a future event in the country, with the government reportedly willing to offer a substantial payday for legends.

AEW WrestleDream 2025 Preview: Matches, How to Watch

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AEW WrestleDream 2025 airs live this Saturday, October 18, from the Chaifetz Arena in St. Louis, Missouri. This third-annual pay-per-view pays tribute to Antonio Inoki, NJPW founder, and brings together AEW’s biggest stars for an action-packed night.

High Stakes, Major Matches

This year’s WrestleDream is stacked with must-see title bouts and heated rivalries. “Hangman” Adam Page puts his AEW World Championship on the line against Samoa Joe in a high drama main event. In a grudge-filled “I Quit” match, Jon Moxley and Darby Allin look to settle a dangerous score. For the Women’s World Title, Kris Statlander defends against “Timeless” Toni Storm in a rematch of their All Out showdown. The tag team and TNT titles are also up for grabs, alongside grudge matches and big-money incentives.

Full Match Card

MatchStipulation/Championship
“Hangman” Adam Page (c) vs. Samoa JoeAEW World Championship
Jon Moxley vs. Darby AllinI Quit match
Kris Statlander (c) vs. “Timeless” Toni StormAEW Women’s World Championship
Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Mark BriscoeAEW TNT Championship
Brodido (Bandido & Brody King) (c) vs. Okada & TakeshitaAEW World Tag Team Championship
Jurassic Express vs. The Young Bucks$500,000 Cash Tag Team Match
Jamie Hayter vs. TheklaSingles Match
The Demand vs. The Hurt SyndicateTornado Trios Match

Match Previews

“Hangman” Adam Page (c) vs. Samoa Joe
World title clash as Page tries for his fifth defense. Tensions boiled after Page’s show of sportsmanship was met with a sucker punch. Samoa Joe looks to expose what he calls “a pretender” in the champion.

Jon Moxley vs. Darby Allin, “I Quit” Match
Their feud escalates with AEW’s second-ever “I Quit” bout. Darby’s fire and Moxley’s ruthlessness collide after months of wild attacks and epic stunts on both sides.

Kris Statlander (c) vs. “Timeless” Toni Storm
Statlander ended Storm’s 217-day reign at All Out. Both competitors have mutual respect, but neither will hold back as Statlander’s new era faces Storm’s relentless challenge.

Kyle Fletcher (c) vs. Mark Briscoe
Experience meets youth—the agile Fletcher defends the TNT title against a crafty Briscoe fresh off a big win over MJF at All Out.

Brodido (Bandido & Brody King) (c) vs. Okada & Takeshita
Tag team gold is up for grabs as the hard-hitting Brodido duo face Okada and Takeshita of the Don Callis Family. A replay of their intense ROH encounters, with Bandido working through injury.

Jurassic Express vs. The Young Bucks
Luchasaurus and “Jungle” Jack Perry reunite against the Bucks, with a hefty cash prize on the line. The Bucks seek redemption after recent casino woes and championship setbacks.

Jamie Hayter vs. Thekla
Personal animosity spills over as both seek to rebound from Women’s four-way disappointment and recent violent backstage brawls.

The Demand vs. The Hurt Syndicate
Tornado Trios rules—a tie-breaking bout after both sides exchanged pinfall wins in previous chaotic encounters.

How to Watch

  • Date/Time: Saturday, October 18, 2025, 8 PM ET / 5 PM PT.
  • Venue: Chaifetz Arena, St. Louis, Missouri.
  • Platforms: PPV.com, HBO Max, Sling, YouTube, and Amazon Prime in the US. Internationally, available on TrillerTV and selected streaming partners.

Don’t Miss SEScoops Coverage

Stay tuned to SEScoops.com for wall-to-wall AEW WrestleDream 2025 coverage: live results, match recaps, exclusive backstage news, and post-event fallout all weekend long.

Mercedes Moné Breaks Record, Now The Longest-Reigning AEW TBS Champion

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Mercedes Moné has added another accolade to her impressive wrestling career by becoming the longest-reigning AEW TBS Champion in history. Moné has now held the gold for 509 days, breaking the record of the inaugural champion, Jade Cargill.

Moné won the gold at AEW Double or Nothing 2024 in her first match as part of the AEW roster. Since then, she has competed in 22 successful defenses, though Cargill defended the gold 25 times before her loss in 2023.

Moné’s reign has seen her retain against the likes of Skye Blue, Hikaru Shida, Britt Baker, Mina Shirakawa, Nyla Rose, and Riho, among others. She also holds a title defense victory over Kris Statlander, the current AEW Women’s World Champion.

The TBS title is just one of ten championships currently held by Moné across multiple promotions worldwide, tying her with Ultimo Dragon, who famously held ten belts simultaneously back in 1996. On October 19, Moné will take on Jody Threat for the Winnipeg Pro Wrestling title at the Rumble in the Bert event.

Moné’s post-WWE run has solidified her as one of the most decorated and influential women in professional wrestling today. As she continues breaking records and building her empire, one question remains, who can stop The CEO?

Maria Kanellis-Bennett Promises Wrestling Return After Baby #3

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Maria Kanellis-Bennett will soon become a mother for the third time, but that doesn’t mean she’s finished in the world of pro wrestling. While the prospect of three children may leave some hanging up their boots for good, Maria made clear on X that she’ll be looking for a new ‘wrestling home’ once she and Mike’s next child arrives.

Maria’s post spawned a flurry of responses as fans shared their excitement for her eventual return to pro wrestling. Some argued that Maria should return to TNA Wrestling, where she is a former Knockouts Champion. Others pitched GCW or Major League Wrestling, while some suggested a return to WWE should be in order.

In April 2018, Maria and Mike welcomed their first child, a daughter named Fredrica “Freddie” Moon Bennett. In February 2020, the couple welcomed their son Carver Mars Bennett into the world. It was in June 2025 that Maria shared that she was pregnant with the couple’s third child.

Maria made her wrestling debut in 2004 as part of WWE’s Divas Search and has been a presence in the industry ever since. While she is currently focusing on her upcoming child, as well as her battle with skin cancer, fans haven’t seen the last of her in pro wrestling.

Dwayne Johnson & Benny Safdie’s ‘Lizard Man’ Lands At Amazon MGM Studios

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Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Benny Safdie will be teaming up once again for their next major project ‘Lizard Music.’ The film has landed at Amazon MGM Studios’ United Artists and will see Safdie writing the script as well as directing.

Speaking to Variety, Courtenay Valenti, head of film, streaming and theatrical for Amazon MGM, was excited to partner with Johnson and Safdie again.

“Everyone at Amazon MGM and UA is deeply inspired by their previous collaboration on the critically acclaimed ‘The Smashing Machine.’ We are so excited to now collaborate with them on this imaginative, entertaining and cinematic story; ‘Lizard Music’ is a tale that feels both timeless and unique. We are very fortunate that they have trusted us to be their studio partners.”

The film will follow a boy who opens a ‘hidden door’ where he stumbles upon a secret late-night broadcast of lizards playing music. His search for answers will lead him to the 70-year-old Chicken Man (Johnson) and his 111-year-old chicken named Claudia.

Safdie and Johnson previously tag-teamed for the Mark Kerr biopic ‘The Smashing Machine.’ While the film received positive reviews, it underdelivered at the box office, giving Johnson his worst-ever opening weekend in the United States. The Smashing Machine was smashed as it went up against Taylor Swift’s The Official Release Party of a Showgirl, a cinematic tie-in to the release of her new album Life Of A Showgirl.

While The Smashing Machine wasn’t a box-office success, Johnson and Safdie are eager to team up once more. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Johnson’s acting projects.

WWE’s Omos Partners With Zaharoff To Release IBÈRÈ Fragrance

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WWE Superstar Omos is getting into the world of fragrances by releasing a brand-new scent for the market. On his YouTube channel, Omos shared that he’s partnered with Zaharoff to release his fragrance named IBÈRÈ. In the description of the video, Omos shared who IBÈRÈ is for.

“This is my peice of me that I am sharing with you all. It is for those who on their journey called life are bold enough to take that leap of faith of to achieve their dreams. It is also for those who are still discovering who they are . In short, Its for everyone.”

The name IBÈRÈ comes from the Yoruba language, which is primarily spoken in Omos’ native Nigeria. The Ibere is a clan in Nigeria and the term itself can mean “beginning” or “order.”

Zaharoff describes itself as “a luxury brand defined by Modern American style rooted in the classic.” In addition to fragrances, Zaharoff provides clothes and accessories for men.

Omos’ new fragrance comes at an interesting time in his wrestling career. Omos recently returned to in-ring competition in WWE by defeating Lexis King at a WWE NXT live event. The match was Omos’ first WWE match since April 2024. He has also teased aligning with Seth Rollins after the World Heavyweight Champion was betrayed by The Vision.

Omos is ready to kick butt in WWE and smell good while doing so. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Omos both in and out of the ring.

Omos Offers To Join Seth Rollins After The Vision Betrayal

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Seth Rollins was betrayed by The Vision on the October 13, episode of Monday Night Raw, ending his alliance with Bronson Reed and Bron Breakker. While Rollins is without a group at this time, that may not be the case for long.

On X, Becky Lynch reacted to her husband being betrayed, noting how bad things happen to Seth when “I’m gone for one week.” In response, Omos made clear that his services are available, an offer that intrigued the WWE Women’s Intercontinental Champion.

Omos recently returned to in-ring competition in WWE by defeating Lexis King at a WWE NXT live event. The match was Omos’ first WWE match since April 2024, and he has since teased facing off with former NXT Champion Oba Femi.

Omos knows what it means to be a team player, as he arrived on the scene in WWE in 2020 as an ally of AJ Styles. At WrestleMania 37, the pair captured the WWE Raw Tag Team Championships in Omos’ first match on the main roster.

Questions remain as to what’s next for Rollins, as a worrisome injury has left his immediate in-ring future in doubt. Should Rollins’ return come soon, however, he could soon find himself with some giant back-up.

Samantha Irvin Warns Fans Of Imposter Facebook Page

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Former WWE announcer Samantha Irvin has warned fans about a Facebook page that falsely claims to be her. On X, Irvin shared a link to this page and made clear to fans that the Facebook page is not hers.

The fake Irvin has amassed 237,000 followers, showing how people can easily fall for these imposters. The page includes several photos uploaded by the real Irvin on her actual social media pages, to give the impression that this account is real.

Samantha Irvin isn’t the only wrestling personality dealing with an imposter. WWE Tough Enough alum Maven Huffman recently confronted a scammer who tried to use Maven’s identity to scam fans out of hundreds of dollars. A scammer used Alexa Bliss’ identity to con Alfred Mancinelli out of $1 million, as well as his granddaughter’s college fund.

Irvin parted ways with WWE in 2024 and has been active in her music career ever since. While fans have ways of reaching out to her on social media, this Facebook page is a complete phony.

Nick Khan Calls Saudi Arabia WrestleMania a “Natural Next Step” in WWE’s Global Evolution

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World Wrestling Entertainment is making history by taking its flagship event, WrestleMania, to Saudi Arabia in 2027, marking the first time WrestleMania 43 will be held outside of the United States or Canada. WWE President Nick Khan discussed the landmark decision at the JOY Forum 2025 in Riyadh, emphasizing the company’s commitment to becoming a truly global brand.

A Natural Evolution for WWE

Speaking at the forum, Khan described the Saudi Arabia partnership as an organic progression for the company’s international strategy. “It was a natural next step for us,” Khan stated. “In WWE, we realized a number of years ago that we can’t simply pipe American product out globally and hope to be a global product. You actually have to have boots on the ground.”

This philosophy has already transformed WWE’s event calendar. According to Khan, approximately half of the company’s Premium Live Events now take place outside of the United States, reflecting a deliberate shift toward international engagement rather than simply broadcasting American content worldwide.

The move to Saudi Arabia follows another historic milestone: the Royal Rumble in January 2026 will also be held in Saudi Arabia, marking the first time that event has taken place outside North America.

Building on Strong Relationships

Khan emphasized that WWE’s decision-making process is fundamentally relationship-driven, particularly highlighting the company’s long-term partnership with Turki Al-Sheikh, Chairman of Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority.

“WWE had received a number of different offers from entities outside of the US, and to me, as I try to help lead the company, it’s all about relationships,” he explained. Khan praised the partnership with Al-Sheikh as one built on mutual trust and direct collaboration.

The negotiations proved remarkably smooth. “When Turki expressed interest in having it here, we got together for a couple of different meetings, worked out the deal in short order, and had the good fortune of announcing it the day before Canelo-Crawford, our first fight together in Las Vegas,” Khan revealed. He described the process as respectful and productive, with both sides quickly finalizing the agreement.

A Star-Studded Spectacle in the Making

WWE is approaching this historic WrestleMania with significant confidence and ambition. “We’re excited. We think viewership is going to be strong. We think people will come to the Kingdom to see our show and we’re going to put on a spectacle,” Khan said, emphasizing the company’s commitment to delivering a spectacle-level show that will attract global fans to Saudi Arabia.

The Saudi partners are reportedly pushing for the “most star-studded show ever,” with speculation about potential appearances or matches from legendary figures. Reports suggest that Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson is being heavily pursued for a main event role, potentially facing either Cody Rhodes or Roman Reigns. Other legendary names like “Stone Cold” Steve Austin have also been discussed for the historic event.

Why 2027?

The timing of WrestleMania 43 holds special significance for Saudi Arabia. According to reports, WWE originally wanted to host the event in 2028, but Saudi Arabia pushed for 2027 to celebrate the 300-year anniversary of the founding of the first Saudi state, making the event part of a broader national celebration.

Nick Khan’s Leadership Vision

Under Khan’s leadership, WWE has experienced unprecedented global expansion and financial success. Since joining the company in 2020, Khan has been instrumental in negotiating major media deals and expanding WWE’s international footprint. His philosophy of prioritizing relationships and maintaining “boots on the ground” in key markets has proven successful, with the company regularly breaking attendance and revenue records.

The company’s optimism appears well-founded, given Saudi Arabia’s demonstrated enthusiasm for major sporting and entertainment events. The Kingdom has been actively pursuing high-profile international events as part of its Vision 2030 initiative to diversify its economy and establish itself as a global entertainment destination.

Looking Ahead

WrestleMania 43’s expansion to Saudi Arabia represents more than just a business deal—it signals WWE’s evolution from an American wrestling promotion to a global entertainment powerhouse. By prioritizing on-the-ground presence over simple content distribution, WWE is betting that authentic international engagement will build lasting connections with fans worldwide.

As the 2027 event approaches, all eyes will be on whether this bold move sets a new standard for how major entertainment properties expand their global footprint. With the Royal Rumble 2026 serving as a precursor to this historic WrestleMania, WWE and Saudi Arabia are poised to reshape the landscape of professional wrestling’s biggest stages.

Jacob Fatu Sidelined With Major Injury

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Jacob Fatu, who returned to WWE television on the September 26 episode of SmackDown, is reportedly dealing with a significant injury that could keep him out of action for an extended period. A new report from BodySlam.net indicates that Fatu has suffered a non-wrestling-related injury.

According to sources cited in the report, the issue is serious enough to potentially sideline the “Samoan Werewolf” “well into 2026.” This development provides context to earlier speculation, including a cryptic tweet from CodyWhodes of BodySlam, who posted a GIF of Fatu with the message, “The bug strikes another.”

Fatu was recently in a feud with Drew McIntyre, which included a brawl on the October 10 episode of SmackDown. A match between the two was being promoted for the October 17 edition of the show, but sources now say Fatu’s injury has forced WWE to change its plans quietly. WWE has not made a formal comment on the situation.

The injury is a setback for Fatu, whose return was met with anticipation from fans. His connection to the Anoa’i family and his unique presence positioned him as a key figure in future WWE storylines. It remains to be seen how this lengthy absence will affect his momentum upon his eventual return.

WWE Releases Another Star From ID Contract

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Another name has been added to the list of recent departures from WWE’s developmental system. WWE ID talent Bryce Donovan announced that he is no longer with the company. This follows a number of recent releases of NXT wrestlers and other developmental talents.

Donovan had been a regular feature on WWE Evolve as a member of the faction known as the Vanity Project. His final storyline saw him turn on his stablemates to set up a match against Evolve Champion Jackson Drake. The match, which aired Wednesday night, saw Drake retain his championship.

Following the match, Bryce Donovan announced his exit on social media. “Finale. I will no longer be with WWE ID or Evolve Thanks for the good time everyone,” he wrote. “Learned a lot especially from @TheRealXPac who’s the best coach anyone could ask for I’ll let you know what’s happening next when I decide or maybe I won’t idk yet.”

Donovan’s departure comes shortly after that of another Vanity Project member, Zayda Steel, who was also released from her WWE ID contract. A new group of ID signees is expected to debut on Evolve soon.

Stu Hart Memorial Bridge In Canada Honors Wrestling Family Patriarch

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A new bridge in Canada has been named after Stu Hart in tribute to the wrestling legend and patriarch of the Hart wrestling family. The Stu Hart Memorial Bridge on highway 8 in Alberta had its name confirmed during a live ceremony. Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart, one of Stu’s children, spoke at the event.

“It’s really special for everybody in my family. When I think of something being named after my dad, it’s a bridge. It leads to bigger and better things. It’s always a way of moving forward. And the fact that it’s rock solid and so sturdy speaks to my father and the way he was as a man.”

Stu Hart made his wrestling debut in 1943 and would remain an active talent until his official retirement in 1986. During his life, he helped train several wrestlers, including his sons Bret, Owen, Smith, Bruce, Keith, Dean, and Ross. Other trainees of Stu include Chris Jericho, Mark Henry, Edge, Christian, and Jushin ‘Thunder’ Liger.

Outside of his dreaded ‘Dungeon,’ Stu appeared several times in WWE, often in the crowd supporting Bret. Stu died in 2003, joining his wife of 54 years Helen, who had passed two years earlier.

Already a WWE Hall of Famer and a recipient of the Order of Canada (the nation’s highest civilian honor,) the Stu Hart Memorial Bridge is the latest accolade for the wrestling legend. Even to this day, the impact that Stu Hart had on the professional wrestling world continues to be felt worldwide.