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AEW Removed From Britt Baker’s Social Media Bios

Thomas Lowson
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AEW Removed From Britt Baker’s Social Media Bios

Britt Baker was the first woman signed to an AEW talent contract in 2019 and for a while, was the top star of the women’s division. Baker’s days on top are now a distant memory, and her recent social media activity may have teased a bold move.

Baker has removed all references to AEW in her Instagram bio, distancing herself from the All-Elite promotion. On X, Baker’s bio is similarly AEW-free and makes reference to her role as a wrestler and a dentist.

Britt Baker Social Media

Baker’s alterations come amid an interesting time in the DMD’s career. Baker hasn’t competed since November 2024, and has competed just five times over the past year. Baker remains active on social media though rarely makes reference to AEW.

Interestingly, her latest reference to AEW on social media saw her throw support behind Saraya following the British wrestler’s exit from AEW.

Baker’s absence has left fans wondering as to whether her time with AEW may also be coming to an end. In January, Chris Jericho cast doubt on the idea that Baker will leave AEW, following reports of alleged heat on the former Women’s World Champion.

If Baker does end her time with AEW, fans can expect WWE to make an effort to sign Baker who could also see interest from promotions overseas such as STARDOM. Whatever’s next, Britt Baker remains a talking point among wrestling fans, even with her hiatus from AEW growing day-by-day.

10 Matches We Need to See If Britt Baker Jumps to WWE

Matt Cardona Reacts To Fan Support At Night of Champions Post-Show

Thomas Lowson
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Matt Cardona Reacts To Fan Support At Night of Champions Post-Show

Matt Cardona has yet to return to WWE, but the former NWA World Champion is certainly garnering plenty of attention. During the post-show segment at Night of Champions 2025, Cardona’s name was chanted by the fans during a discussion with Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque.

No one on stage acknowledged the chant, but the crowd’s enthusiasm was unmistakable. On X, Cardona made clear that the love being shown from the fans has not gone unnoticed.

The former Intercontinental Champion has been referenced multiple times on WWE programming in recent weeks, including during John Cena’s ‘pipebomb’ on CM Punk. Cardona has often teased returning to WWE but has said he would not come back as his previous Zack Ryder character.

After being released in 2020, Matt Cardona has gone on to become one of WWE’s biggest post-release succcess stories. Whether he returns or not remains to be seen but fans clearly haven’t forgotten about him.

Triple H On CM Punk In Saudi Arabia: ‘People Grow, People Change’

Solo Sikoa Offers Title Match To Jacob Fatu, On One Condition

Thomas Lowson
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Solo Sikoa Offers Title Match To Jacob Fatu, On One Condition

The Night of Champions Premium Live Event saw Solo Sikoa defeat Jacob Fatu to capture the United States Championship, giving Sikoa his first taste of gold on the main roster. Now, the new U.S. Champion is ready to put the title on the line, but only if Fatu makes ammends.

During the Night of Champions post-show, Solo Sikoa was asked what Jacob Fatu would need to do to earn a rematch. Solo stated that Fatu must first apologize and return to the family.

“If he says sorry and he comes back to the family—then everything will go back to normal. Yes, he has to apologize to get a rematch. He’ll have to say, ‘I’m sorry for trying to step outside of the family, I’m sorry for leaving the family, sorry for turning on you at Money in the Bank, I’m sorry for kicking you in the face, Solo.’ What about that? There’s a lot of things he can say sorry about.”

Sikoa’s victory came about thanks to interference from Tonga Loa and a debuting Hikuleo, giving Solo another soldier to his Bloodline. As for whether Fatu apologizes in order to earn a title match, time will tell…

Triple H On CM Punk In Saudi Arabia: ‘People Grow, People Change’

Triple H Responds To ‘One More Match’ Fan Chant

Thomas Lowson
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Triple H Responds To ‘One More Match’ Fan Chant

A health issue forced Triple H to retired from in-ring competition, culminating in an official farewell at WrestleMania 38. While WWE’s CCO remains in impressive shape, an in-ring return remains off the table.

Fans in Saudi Arabia were electric for Night of Champions 2025 and during the post-event conference, fans began chanting “One more match!” at Triple H. After taking a moment to hear the crowd, he responded with clarity.

“Chant all you want—there’s not another match in there.”

His statement drew a strong reaction, with fans replying with chants of “You still got it!” and “Thank you Hunter!” Although many fans would love to see Triple H return to the ring, he made it clear that this is not an option.

Instead, the Game is content with his current role in WWE. While he may have wrestled some incredible matches in WWE, there will not be one more.

Triple H On CM Punk In Saudi Arabia: ‘People Grow, People Change’


Triple H On CM Punk In Saudi Arabia: ‘People Grow, People Change’

Thomas Lowson
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0
Triple H On CM Punk In Saudi Arabia: ‘People Grow, People Change’

CM Punk’s role in Saudi Arabia has garnered plenty of interest and debate given his infamous 2020 tweet aimed at The Miz. The tweet, which encouraged Miz to “go suck a blood money soaked d*** in Saudi Arrabia.” Despite this post, Punk competed in Saudi Arabia at WWE Night of Champions, though he received a hostile response from the local fans.

On the post-show panel, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque discussed Punk appearing in Saudi Arabia. Given his post and his past bad blood with WWE, Levesque noted that this seemed impossible in the past.

“If you’d have told me 10 years ago that CM Punk would be here in Saudi for the WWE, I would have thought you’re out of your mind. But people grow, people change, people evolve, and they learn, and they learn a lot in life.”

The topic of growth has been core to Punk’s return to WWE as he and Levesque were able to make ammends in 2023. Once at odds with CM Punk, WWE’s CCO is pleased to see this development.

“I was privileged to watch him grow as a human being, to step out here and apologize to the people of Saudi, to just cherish where he is at in life and his career and the things he gets to do and the opportunities that he has. And I was incredibly proud of him.”

Punk didn’t leave Saudi Arabia as Undisputed WWE Champion, but with the endorsement of Levesque, fans could be seeing him in the country again down the line.

CM Punk Praises ‘My MVP’ Liv Morgan After Shoulder Injury

Canadian Man Faces Federal Stalking Charges In Liv Morgan Incident

Andrew Ravens
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Canadian Man Faces Federal Stalking Charges In Liv Morgan Incident

A Canadian professional wrestling fan is facing federal charges after an alarming stalking incident where he allegedly attempted to break into the Florida home of WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan.

According to a recently unsealed FBI affidavit, 41-year-old Shawn Chan of Scarborough, Ontario, was captured on surveillance video on May 31 trying to enter Morgan’s home. The affidavit states Chan flew to Orlando on May 26 and, four days later, arrived at Morgan’s residence. The footage reportedly shows him circling the property, trying the front door handle multiple times, and searching for a spare key.

After failing to gain entry, Chan allegedly found an air rifle that had been left on the porch and was seen on video holding the weapon. The affidavit identifies the weapon as a “Sig Sauer MCX .177 air rifle capable of firing metal pellets at 600 feet per second.”

After more than two hours, Chan left a handwritten note near the front door that included his name and contact information, stating, “I came here to pay just a friendly visit, nothing more.”

On June 3, Chan appeared at the WWE Performance Center, where Morgan was present for a taping. Security personnel, who had been alerted and shown the surveillance footage, recognized Chan and notified authorities. He was taken into custody, and during a search, officers reportedly found two bottles of liquid on his person, which Chan described as “medicines, one of which was to treat injuries such as bleeding.”

Morgan informed police that she did not know Chan. He has been indicted on one count of interstate domestic violence and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Orlando on July 18.

Liv Morgan Undergoes Successful Surgery

Andrew Ravens
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Liv Morgan Undergoes Successful Surgery

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan is officially on the road to recovery after undergoing successful shoulder surgery. The news was confirmed by sports physical therapist Kevin Wilk, who posted a photo with Morgan on his Instagram account.

Morgan suffered a dislocated shoulder on the June 16 episode of Monday Night Raw during a match with Kairi Sane. Wilk revealed that he will be assisting with her rehabilitation and praised her work ethic. The surgery was performed by the renowned Dr. Dugas at Andrews Sports Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama.

“Awesome honor & pleasure to be helping @wwe superstar @yaonlylivvonce with her shoulder rehabilitation… ? Fantastic athlete, dedicated & great to work with ! ? This @wwe superstar will be back & back even better ! ? ? Outstanding athlete ! ? Surgery performed by @dugasmd1 of @andrews_sports_medicine,” Wilk wrote on Instagram.

The injury came at an unfortunate time for Morgan, who was reportedly scheduled to challenge Iyo Sky for the Women’s World Championship at Night of Champions. Previous reports have indicated that Morgan could be out of action for up to six months. We wish her a full and speedy recovery.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kevin Wilk, DPT, FAPTA (@wilk_kevin)

Opening And Closing Matches For WWE Night Of Champions Revealed

Andrew Ravens
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Opening And Closing Matches For WWE Night Of Champions Revealed

With the Night of Champions Premium Live Event just hours away, the opening match for the show has reportedly been revealed.

According to a report from PWInsider, the King of the Ring tournament final between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes will be the opening match for the event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two had an intense promo on the June 27th edition of Friday Night SmackDown, with both men determined to win the crown and earn a world title match at SummerSlam.

The show will be headlined by John Cena defending his Undisputed WWE Championship against his longtime rival, CM Punk. The full lineup for today’s show is as follows:

WWE Night of Champions 2025 Internal Match Lineup:

  • King of the Ring Final: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton
  • Street Fight: Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley
  • Singles Match: Karrion Kross vs. Sami Zayn
  • United States Championship Match: Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa
  • Queen of the Ring Final: Jade Cargill vs. Asuka 
  • Undisputed WWE Championship Match: John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk

3MB Reunites As Raj Dhesi Weds Wife

Thomas Lowson
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3MB Reunites As Raj Dhesi Weds Wife

From 2012 to 2014, 3MB entertained fans as part of WWE progamming, even if the self-proclaimed rock band struggled to pick up wins. The group split following Raj Dhesi and Drew McIntyre’s releases from WWE but now the band is back together.

McIntyre shared a photo on X featuring himself alongside Dhesi and Heath Slater, marking a rare 3MB reunion. All three wore traditional Indian sherwani as they celebrated Dhesi’s wedding to his wife Priya.

This comes amid McIntyre’s ongoing absence from WWE TV, and it is reported that he is not expected back anytime soon. He has been off television since his loss to Damian Priest at Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24. While his comeback date remains uncertain, many fans are ready to see the three-time former WWE World Champion back on screens.

We here at SEScoops would like to congratulate Raj Dhesi and his wife on their marriage.

Raj Dhesi Is ‘Off to Tie The Knot’ With Partner Priya

Karrion Kross Addresses Rumors of Him Refusing To Bump

Anutosh Bajpai
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0
Karrion Kross Addresses Rumors of Him Refusing To Bump

Karrion Kross says he just laughs at the rumors about him and moves on.

The former NXT Champion has seen a growth in his popularity recently but his screentime on WWE TV has not increased in proportion. Many fans wondered if there was some backstage issue preventing him from being pushed, and recently, a rumor emerged that the wrestling star refuses to take ‘flat back bumps.’

The WWE star addressed these rumors during an interview with The National promoting Night of Champions. He claimed that this was the weakest story that has been fabricated about him in recent times. Karrion Kross then went on to reveal another rumor that he recently heard about himself:

“I thought out of all the crazy articles that are fabricated about me every week, that was the weakest. There was another wild one I saw last week that was even funnier.

It said something like, ‘Karrion Kross is going to come to Monday Night Raw and he’s going to quit and do a shoot promo live, and then walk out.’ I thought that was a good one. But I don’t really respond to any of them. There’s a crazy one about me every week or two. You just kind of have to laugh.”

Latest backstage updates also indicate that the report about Karrion Kross refusing to take bumps is false and producers who have worked with the heavyweight star have denied the allegations.

It appears that the officials are also slowly accepting Kross’ popularity and incorporating him into their plans. The former Final Testament leader is scheduled to compete in his first PPV match since WrestleMania 40 at Night of Champions this Saturday, where he will face Sami Zayn.

John Cena Considered His Recent Promo To Be A ‘Pretty Good Failure’

Anutosh Bajpai
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0
John Cena Considered His Recent Promo To Be A ‘Pretty Good Failure’

John Cena has branded one of his recent promos as a failure.

The Cenation Leader has been the focal point of SmackDown for the last few weeks. Not only has he been involved in the storyline with CM Punk, but he has also interacted with competitors from the King of The Ring tournament. The winner of the tournament is set to receive a world title shot at SummerSlam.

One such segment came during the June 13 episode of SmackDown when Cena opened the show. He cut a promo for a few minutes before being interrupted by LA Knight, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton one by one.

During a recent appearance on The Breakfast Club, the 17-time world champion was asked when was the last time he truly ‘bombed’ at something. John Cena brought up the specific segment in response, saying that it was a real hard spot for him:

“I had a pretty good failure two weeks ago, I think. I was out in front of a live audience, not Grand Rapids, where were we — Lexington, Kentucky. I’d opened the show.

I had five minutes to speak before three other performers came out and that’s a real hard spot to be in because I can’t do any action yet, you kind of got to tell people what my purpose is and my character is not someone to rile up the audience, it’s somebody against the audience.”

They Fucking Hated It: John Cena

John Cena noted how he took the route of being the evil mastermind and used the five minutes to explain his plan to the audience. In his mind, the Hollywood star thought the promo was well constructed, and he was dropping easter eggs for the fans. The reaction he got, however, was completely unexpected:

“They fucking hated it. The great thing is, they loved when the next three guys came out, so the bit itself worked. But man, it was crickets. I know the noise. I really cannot wait for this to be over, I really thought this was going to work.”

Though a report from Fightful Select noted that this was Cena’s own self-diagnosis of the segment instead of being the backstage perception. So it appears that the officials were not as critical of the whole thing.

The WWE Champion will be defending his title against CM Punk at the Night of Champions PPV from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Saturday.

Date WWE SmackDown Moves To Two Hours Confirmed

Thomas Lowson
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Date WWE SmackDown Moves To Two Hours Confirmed

WWE SmackDown moved to three hours in late 2024, a move that many fans have taken issue with ever since. While the extra hour, in theory, allows for more talent to be featured, many believe it has simply led to filler segments and has left audiences facing ‘viewer fatigue.’

A recent report shared that WWE would be moving SmackDown to its traditional two hour format very soon. During the June 27, episode of the blue brand, Michael Cole confirmed that SmackDown will be a two-hour show once more beginning with the upcoming July 4, episode. On social media, the USA Network threw out a graphic, also confirming the news.

image

As for the third hour, that will be filled by a new series called ‘The Rainmaker,’ which is based on the best-selling John Grisham novel. For WWE fans, the move back to two hours is a welcome one, and it remains to be seen how WWE adapts to the change.

Blake Monroe Makes WWE In-Ring Debut At NXT Event

Thomas Lowson
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0
Blake Monroe Makes WWE In-Ring Debut At NXT Event

The WWE NXT ring got glamourous at a live event in Fort Pierce, FL on June 27, as Blake Monroe made her in-ring debut for the brand. Monroe, who debuted in WWE NXT mere weeks earlier, defeated Laney Reid in singles competition.

This wasn’t just Monroe’s in-ring debut for WWE, but her first match in three months. The last time Monroe competed, she was Mariah May an part of AEW. Her final match for the promotion saw her lose to AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm at the Revolution 2025 pay-per-view.

Now, May is Monroe and has already set sights on the WWE NXT Women’s Championship. Her match with Reid will be the first of many as she looks to bring glamour to all of WWE.

How Sabrina Carpenter Inspired Blake Monroe’s WWE NXT Arrival

CM Punk Is ‘Basic Punkanomics’ Ahead of Cena Showdown

Thomas Lowson
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CM Punk Is ‘Basic Punkanomics’ Ahead of Cena Showdown

The Juune 27, 2025, edition of SmackDown fell 14 years to the day CM?Punk delivered his iconic “pipe bomb” promo, a segment that remains iconic to this day. During SmackDown, Punk delivered another standout performance ahead of his Night of Champions showdown with John Cena.

In the ring, Cena was set to deliver a promo when fans were met with some all-too-familiar music, Cena’s ‘Basic Thuganomics’ theme song. Punk arrived wearing a Chicago Cubs jersey with his own name on the back. Channelling ‘Basic Punkanomics,’ Punk delivred an entire rap promo that echoed Cena’s former persona, including calling Cena a “Temu Maclemore.”

Punk vowed victory in their WWE Championship showdown, going as far as to call Cena the Drake to his Kendrick Lamar. As the hype builds toward Night of Champions, Punk has clearly brought intensity and flair back to SmackDown.

Watch: Everything That Happened During SmackDown Broadcast Outage

Anutosh Bajpai
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Watch: Everything That Happened During SmackDown Broadcast Outage

WWE faced an embarrassing moment during the latest SmackDown broadcast.

The company presented the the Blue Branded Show from Saudi Arabia this week. The show opened with King of the Ring finalists Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton coming face to face before their big match at the Night of Champions PPV.

Halfway through this segment, however, the Netflix international feed went out, and a message saying that the broadcast would be back online soon was displayed for almost half an hour before the show resumed.

PWinsider reports that the broadcast issue was a result of a power outage in Riyadh that affected WWE production. Both the control room and the gorilla position were affected and the officials lost the ability to control the show.

What Happened During SmackDown Outage

A fan posted a two-hour video that covers the Main Event tapings that happened before SmackDown went on air, as well as how things played out during the power outage. The video shows the big screen above the ring glitching halfway through the Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton segment.

Though the two continued their war of words despite the issues. There was no physicality in the segment, and it ended with The American Nightmare leaving the ring. The Viper was informed of the outage by this point and he stayed around.

His music played in the arena as the Legend Killer went around the ringside greeting the fans for a while to kill time. Cody then made a second entrance as Orton headed to the back. The WWE Quarterback told the fans about the technical difficulties and started working the crowd.

Carmelo Hayes then made his entrance in his street clothes and cut a promo on the former Undisputed Champion. Cody ended the segment with a CrossRhodes on the former NXT star. Both the competitors then left the ring before the feed came back on with the backstage segment of JC Mateo and Solo Sikoa.

Tony Hinchcliffe to Host WWE SummerSlam Comedy Show

Michael Reichlin
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Tony Hinchcliffe to Host WWE SummerSlam Comedy Show

Tony Hinchcliffe, the boundary-pushing stand-up comedian with a growing reputation among wrestling fans, is set to return to the WWE stage for a one-of-a-kind event: WWE Late Night during SummerSlam weekend. The show is scheduled for 11 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, August 2, at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ.

Unlike WWE’s traditional televised spectacles, this exclusive, in-person event promises a night of raw, unfiltered comedy, surprise guests, and a unique crossover between the worlds of stand-up and sports entertainment.

A Familiar Face Returns

Hinchcliffe isn’t a stranger to the WWE universe. He previously made headlines hosting the WrestleMania roast, where his sharp-tongued jokes generated a lot of heat on social media.

According to WWE, the show will feature “top comics and WWE Superstars,” all curated by Hinchcliffe, who is best known for his hit podcast and live show, Kill Tony. WWE describes the event as an “unforgettable night of laughs and huge surprises,” with a lineup of comedians, entertainers, and wrestling personalities yet to be announced.

Why This Event Matters

WWE Late Night represents WWE’s ongoing efforts to expand its cultural reach and experiment with new forms of fan engagement. Hinchcliffe’s return will bring a night filled with edgy humor, unexpected cameos, and the kind of unscripted energy that only live events can deliver. For fans who love both comedy and wrestling, it’s will be a highlight of SummerSlam 2025 weekend.

Matt Riddle Deletes Scathing Tweet Aimed At CM Punk

Andrew Ravens
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0
Matt Riddle Deletes Scathing Tweet Aimed At CM Punk

The bad blood between Matt Riddle and CM Punk boiled over on social media today, with Riddle posting and then quickly deleting a scathing tweet aimed at the “Best in the World” and his fanbase. The post came just moments after Punk was booed during the WWE Night of Champions Kickoff show in Saudi Arabia.

Riddle took aim at Punk’s supporters, referencing the recent viral video of Punk pushing away a young fan who was trying to get a photo.

“To the real ones that pay everyone else’s bills and out work most people in their professions much respect ?? but to all of the C**’s that literally can’t even pay rent let alone support themselves have a voice/opinion. You can all suck my big ? and keep supporting a dude that literally pushes random kids, can’t win a fight and botches every other second in the ring ? also a lot of people are making accusations and I’d say I have no criminal record and any claim I made was 100% true hence I don’t have one you p******! Ask the FBI and Internal Affairs!”

The now-deleted tweet is the latest in a series of shots Riddle has taken at Punk. He recently blamed Punk for damaging AEW’s momentum and called him a “b*** to work with in the back.”

matt riddle unloads on cm punk and his fans in deleted post after saudi arabia fan backlash 42

The tirade came just hours after Punk had publicly apologized during the same kickoff show for a controversial 2020 tweet where he made a crude remark about The Miz and Saudi Arabia.

Internal Reaction To CM Punk Being Booed In Saudi Arabia

Internal Reaction To CM Punk Being Booed In Saudi Arabia

Andrew Ravens
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Internal Reaction To CM Punk Being Booed In Saudi Arabia

The negative reaction CM Punk received during the Night of Champions Kickoff show in Riyadh was not a surprise to WWE officials. According to a report from Fightful Select, the company anticipated the backlash and had “prepared accordingly” for the situation.

The boos from the live crowd were a direct response to an infamous, since-deleted tweet from 2020 in which Punk made a crude remark directed at The Miz that referenced “blood money” and Saudi Arabia. Punk used the kickoff show platform to address the controversy head-on, offering an apology to the fans in attendance and to The Miz.

“This guy wants me to apologize for a mean tweet I wrote six years ago. Hey, listen—legitimately, it had nothing to do with Saudi Arabia. I woke up and I was crabby, and I wrote a mean tweet to The Miz. I apologized to The Miz, and sir, Muhammad, I sincerely apologize to you and all of Saudi Arabia.”

Despite the direct apology, the crowd continued to voice their displeasure, a reaction WWE was reportedly expecting. Now, with the air cleared, the focus shifts to Punk’s Undisputed WWE Championship match against John Cena at Night of Champions, where the atmosphere is sure to be electric.

John Cena Names His Favorite Star Wars Movie

Anutosh Bajpai
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0
John Cena Names His Favorite Star Wars Movie

John Cena has picked his favorite Star Wars movie.

The Cenation Leader recently took part in a Q&A session at FAN EXPO Dallas 2025. He answered questions about things such as his favorite WrestleMania entrance, his love for K-pop and more.

When asked to reveal his favorite movie from the Star Wars franchise, Cena first noted how there are many impactful moments from the series that he admires. He then mentioned Joseph Campbell’s book A Hero’s Journey before naming Episode V as his favorite:

“What I love about the Star Wars movies is it truly is like Campbell’s A Hero’s Journey. They do great job with storytelling. Actually, because of that, I would like to say Empire Strikes Back.”

Long Term Storytelling: John Cena

John Cena went into detail of the reasoning behind his pick. He explained that committing to the idea of long-term storytelling and not resolving the story by the end of the movie was a brave move:

I think everyone in this room will probably have their opinion and give their answer of why. I think it’s brave to do a whole movie and not have the ending you want. Commit that it is a piece of the journey. Like you want to talk about long-term storytelling.

Setting a movie up as a standalone piece of like, ‘Yo, this is the middle and we’re cool with that.’ I thought that was very brave at the time and I still remember it as a kid, so I’m going with that.”

The 17-Time World Champion is set to compete at the upcoming Night of Champions PPV from Saudi Arabia. He’ll be defending his title against CM Punk at the event set for this Saturday, June 28.

Batista Invited to Join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Michael Reichlin
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Batista Invited to Join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Former WWE Champion Dave Bautista has achieved a major Hollywood milestone, receiving an invitation to join the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The organization, which awards the Academy Awards (Oscars), has officially invited Bautista to become a member of its actor’s branch.

Bautista was among 33 prominent names invited to join the actor’s branch of the Academy, alongside notable 2025 Oscar winners and nominees including Mikey Madison, Kieran Culkin, Monica Barbaro, Yura Borisov, Ariana Grande, Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, and Fernanda Torres.

Academy Recognition Based on Prestigious Film Work

The Academy’s invitation was based on Bautista’s work in two critically acclaimed films: “Dune Part Two,” which received a Best Picture nomination at the 2025 ceremony, and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” the sequel to the 2020 Best Original Screenplay nominee “Knives Out.”

These 33 actor invitees were part of a larger group of 534 entertainment industry professionals invited to join various Academy branches, including Animation, Director’s, Writer’s, and Producer’s divisions.

Breaking the Mold in Hollywood

Since transitioning from WWE wrestling to acting, Bautista has deliberately avoided being typecast as just an action movie star. His diverse filmography includes dramatic roles that have showcased his range as a serious actor, ultimately leading to this Academy recognition.

As an Academy member, Bautista will gain the prestigious right to vote on Oscar winners and participate in various Academy programs including educational initiatives, film preservation projects, and industry panels.

Paving the Way for WWE Stars

This Academy invitation represents a significant achievement not just for Bautista personally, but for professional wrestlers transitioning to legitimate acting careers. His success has opened doors for other WWE talent to pursue serious roles in major Hollywood productions.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences membership is considered one of the highest honors in the entertainment industry, validating Bautista’s evolution from WWE superstar to respected Hollywood actor.

WWE Stars Arrive in Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions Despite Middle East Tensions

Michael Reichlin
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0
WWE Stars Arrive in Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions Despite Middle East Tensions

WWE has confirmed that talent have successfully arrived in Saudi Arabia for this weekend’s major events, as the company moves forward with Night of Champions 2025 and Friday Night SmackDown despite recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Event Proceeds as Scheduled at Kingdom Arena

Night of Champions will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, featuring wrestlers from both the Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. The premium live event represents a significant milestone as it marks John Cena’s final Night of Champions appearance and his last pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia as an active in-ring performer, due to his planned retirement at the end of 2025.

The event will be available to stream on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix for international viewers, marking another first for WWE’s global distribution strategy.

Historic Tournament Finals Set for Night of Champions

The event will host the finals of both the 24th King of the Ring and third Queen of the Ring tournaments, with the winners receiving championship matches at SummerSlam.

The King of the Ring final will feature an all-SmackDown showdown between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes, while the Queen of the Ring final pits Raw’s Asuka against SmackDown’s Jade Cargill.

“The winners of each tournament receiving a match for the world championship of their respective brand at SummerSlam” – WWE Tournament Announcement

Championship Matches and Bloodline Civil War

The main event will feature CM Punk challenging John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship, in what promises to be one of Cena’s most significant matches during his farewell tour. The championship bout was set up after Punk confronted Cena on a June episode of Raw, challenging him to put the title on the line in Saudi Arabia.

Another major storyline will culminate with the Bloodline civil war, as Solo Sikoa defends the WWE United States Championship against his cousin Jacob Fatu. The tensions between the family members have been building since Sikoa lost the Anoa?i family’s Ula Fala necklace to Roman Reigns during Raw’s Netflix premiere in January, leading to Fatu’s betrayal of Sikoa at Money in the Bank.

Overcoming Regional Challenges

WWE’s decision to proceed with the Saudi Arabia shows comes after careful consideration of recent Middle East tensions. Reports indicated that some production crew members were initially stranded in neighboring Qatar due to regional conflicts, but the company has successfully coordinated travel for talent and staff.

The Night of Champions event represents the 11th iteration of the pay-per-view and will be the 13th event WWE has held in Saudi Arabia as part of their ongoing partnership with the Kingdom. Tonight’s Friday Night SmackDown will also emanate from the same venue, setting the stage for tomorrow’s premium live event.

With major championships on the line, tournament finals to determine SummerSlam challengers, and John Cena’s farewell tour continuing, Night of Champions 2025 promises to be a historic event for WWE and its global fanbase.

Beth Phoenix Teases In-Ring Return Ahead of Evolution 2

Michael Reichlin
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0
Beth Phoenix Teases In-Ring Return Ahead of Evolution 2

WWE Hall of Famer Beth Phoenix has gotten wrestling fans talking by posting Instagram photos that appear to tease a potential in-ring return. Seen below, the imagery of Phoenix inside a wrestling ring has everything thinking the same thing: Evolution 2.

Phoenix parted ways with WWE last year after her contract ended, leaving fans wondering if the legendary competitor would ever step back between the ropes. Her recent social media activity suggests that possibility may be closer than many expected.

Social Media Tease Generates Buzz

Phoenix’s post caught the attention of current WWE Superstars, with Natalya, Ivy Nile, and others reacting to the images.

The timing of these posts, coming just weeks before Evolution 2, has fueled speculation about a potential surprise appearance.

Perfect Timing for Evolution 2

WWE’s Evolution 2 Premium Live Event is scheduled for July 13, 2025, live from Atlanta, Georgia. The all-women’s wrestling event would provide the perfect platform for Phoenix to make her return, especially given her legendary status and connection to women’s wrestling history.

The original Evolution event in 2018 was a groundbreaking moment for women’s wrestling in WWE, featuring multiple generations of female performers. Phoenix’s potential involvement in Evolution 2 would add significant star power and nostalgia to the card.

Two Years Away From the Ring

Beth Phoenix last competed at the 2023 Elimination Chamber Premium Live Event, where she teamed with Adam Copeland (formerly Edge) to defeat Finn Balor and Rhea Ripley in a mixed tag team match. Since then, fans have been eagerly awaiting any sign of her potential return to active competition.

The Hall of Famer’s departure from WWE came after her contract expired, leaving the door open for future opportunities. Her recent social media activity suggests she may be ready to step back between the ropes after more than two years away from in-ring action.

All Eyes on Evolution 2

Phoenix’s tease has opened the door for endless possibilities regarding her role at Evolution 2. Whether as an active competitor, special guest, or surprise appearance, her involvement would undoubtedly elevate the event’s profile and give fans a memorable moment.

As one of the most accomplished women’s wrestlers in WWE history, Beth Phoenix’s return would represent a significant moment for the company and its fans.

With Evolution 2 rapidly approaching, the wrestling world will be watching closely to see if the “Glamazon” will make her highly anticipated comeback.

John Cena Reveals His Favorite WrestleMania Entrance

Anutosh Bajpai
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John Cena Reveals His Favorite WrestleMania Entrance

John Cena has revealed which of his WrestleMania entrances he likes the most.

The Cenation Leader made an appearance at the Fan Expo Dallas recently and took part in a Q&A. He answered questions about things such as his line about Aquaman in Peacemaker season 1, the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson fight and more.

During the session, he was also asked about his favorite WrestleMania entrance of all time. John Cena first claimed that it would be his entrance from the Show of Shows this year. He explained that he started doing special entrances after seeing JBL doing one for his very first Mania main event.

It made him want to do something special for fans. Now that everyone has started doing special entrances however, he enjoyed flipping the script and doing a very plain entrance this year:

“I really liked the spectacle he made of the entrance. So, I was like, ‘Man, if nobody is doing special stuff…’ That’s WrestleMania. That is an event that is a big ask for you as a fan.

I wanted to make it special and unique. now, tons of people do special and unique entrances. So, this year I just wanted to flip it and go like as barebones simple as I could. So, I like this one.”

There’s Nothing Like The View: John Cena

Though the 17-time world champion then took his words back. John Cena later said that being able to share his entrance with Make-A-Wish kids at WrestleMania 39 has to top the list:

“I got to take that back. Sorry, got to take that back. I had a chance to bring 50 kids from the Make-A-Wish Foundation on the stage for WrestleMania.

There’s nothing like the view out of the tunnel when you look at the stadium and it’s just bananas. So, the fact that I got to share that moment with some close friends that day, that was a big opportunity,”

John Cena is set to defend his WWE Championship at Night of Champions from Saudi Arabia this Saturday on June 28. He’ll be facing his arch rival CM Punk in their final encounter.

Top TNA Star’s Contract Expires This Year

Andrew Ravens
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Top TNA Star’s Contract Expires This Year

TNA Wrestling has seen plenty of roster turnover this year, but one of its top stars, Steve Maclin, isn’t going anywhere—at least not yet.

According to a report from Fightful Select, the former TNA World Champion is signed with the company through December 2025. With several talents having departed TNA at the end of 2024, Maclin’s contract status is a key piece of information as the company approaches what is expected to be another major contract period at the end of this year.

Since arriving in TNA in 2021 following his WWE release, Maclin has established himself as one of the promotion’s most dangerous and featured competitors. Known for his no-nonsense, smash-mouth style, he has been a consistent presence in TNA’s main event scene.

Maclin reached the pinnacle of the company by winning the TNA World Championship in 2023. He is the current TNA International Champion, continuing his run as one of the promotion’s top stars. With his contract set to expire in just six months, his future will be a hot topic as the end of the year approaches.

Rhea Ripley Addresses Claims of Taking Women’s Wrestling Back 20 Year Over Viral Clip

Anutosh Bajpai
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Rhea Ripley Addresses Claims of Taking Women’s Wrestling Back 20 Year Over Viral Clip

Rhea Ripley has responded to the criticism of her viral clip.

The former Women’s Champion spoke to Chris Van Vliet for an interview recently. She talked about things such as a terrifying incident of a fan showing up at her house, the back injury she has been living with for years and more.

During the discussion, the Mami also opened up about the viral clip of her giving stinkface to Nia Jax during a house show in March 2024. Rhea Ripley revealed that the idea was pitched by Jax herself and she had no idea it would explode on social media like it did:

“I knew it was gonna be big, but that sh*t exploded. It wasn’t even my idea. It was Nia’s idea. She’s like, ‘Yeah. And then you stink face me.’ I’m like, ok, if you want. It still pops up on my Twitter, it’s wild. I got so much publicity off that, but I also got so much like, negativity. I was like guys; you need to calm down.”

Am I Not Allowed To Have Fun?: Rhea Ripley

When asked what kind of negativity she is talking about, Rhea Ripley revealed that some fans have criticized the spot, saying that she is undermining the evolution of women’s wrestling. The former champion however, said that it was just a fun moment that shouldn’t be taken seriously:

“Just people were saying that I’m taking the women’s division back 20 years. And I’m like, That’s not what’s happening. It’s a fun moment, and it’s a house show. Am I not allowed to have fun? If it was anyone else, you’d be supporting it.

I feel like people love to hate Rhea Ripley. And you know, the more you talk about me, the more you act like a fan, so continue talking. It wasn’t even my idea, Nia wanted to take my ass to her face, just trying to make the wishes come true.”

Apart from this, Rhea Ripley discussed how she came up with her ring name, the origin of her finisher Riptide and more. You can check out her full interview below:

Rhea Ripley Reveals Terrifying Fan Encounter At Her Home

Anutosh Bajpai
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Rhea Ripley Reveals Terrifying Fan Encounter At Her Home

Rhea Ripley has revealed a recent scary interaction with a fan.

WWE stars encountering overzealous fans has become a problem in recent times, with people invading the privacy of wrestlers at airports and hotels. It’s been a cause for concern for female talents especially, with incidents such as potential stalkers getting arrested from outside of WWE Performance Center or someone sharing Roxanne Perez’s home address with a threatening message.

During her recent interview with Chris Van Vliet, Rhea Ripley revealed that she faced similar harassment recently when a fan showed up at her house unannounced and stayed there for a long time:

“I’m sorry if you’re watching this lady, but you were terrifying. She was scary, she rang the doorbell, she got real close to it and just [smiles creepily]. Then she looks at her phone and she [smiles again], and she did this for so long.

She was there for like 10 minutes, and then she left, came back, did it again, and then she left, and then she came back wearing something different and rang the doorbell.”

What Could Have Happened: Rhea Ripley

Rhea Ripley noted how wrestlers are normal people outside of their work, and they like their privacy. She said that they also like their normal humanity, and this kind of incident is crossing a line that people shouldn’t be doing.

Thankfully the Mami or her husband and fellow wrestler Buddy Matthews was not at home at the time. Though the former Women’s Champion noted how the whole thing was still very scary and anything could have happened if she was there:

“I was just like this lady really thinks that we’re home, the cars are there because we left them there. If I was home, I wouldn’t know what to do. If I opened the door and she was just standing there, what could have happened?

She could have done anything, I don’t know you; you could have attacked me, and I don’t know how she got her car in the gate. We have a gated community, no one lets you in, terrifying.”

Ripley later discussed how a number of such incidents have taken place in recent times. Rhea explained that people need to understand that wrestling is their work, and what you see on TV is not how they are in real life. She stated they are normal people and asked the fans not to stalk them or threaten them over WWE storylines.

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