Conor McGregor recently shared insights into a hypothetical boxing match with Logan Paul during an interview with The Schmo. While the fight never materialized, McGregor explained the reasoning behind the idea, referring to it as a “business savvy” move during his downtime from the UFC.
“It was business savvy and business sense to make the fight happen. Or should I say the glorified spar happen,” McGregor said.
“In between this wait… before I can get back to the Octagon, it made perfect sense on the calendar to go ahead with it. The UFC weren’t into it. I’m not sure the WWE, what their interest was. I just knew the UFC weren’t into it.”
McGregor has not competed since suffering a broken leg in July 2021 against Dustin Poirier. Although his return was planned for a bout against Michael Chandler—promoted heavily on WWE Raw—it was delayed due to a toe injury.
In addition to addressing the Logan Paul fight, McGregor has also pitched a “TKO KING TITLE,” a concept he previously tied to an abandoned matchup with Jake Paul. While neither fight came to fruition, McGregor’s comments underline his ongoing ability to generate interest, even in hypothetical bouts.
TKO Group! UFC vs WWE. There is levels to this, a big sloppy novice is going to find out! TKO KING TITLE ? #BiggestGenerator#KingofNumbers#Streams#PPV I hold every record and I am coming back to KO this novice and rack in more numbers for the company. #StockMarketIndia…
Cora Jade’s pursuit of the TNA Knockouts World Championship will lead her to competing on a future episode of TNA iMPACT. After this week’s show, TNA filmed next week’s episode of their weekly flagship show. During the taping, the former NXT Women’s Tag Team Champion took on TNA Wrestling’s Hyan.
This match marked Jade’s first time competing for TNA Wrestling, but not her first time competing for the company. In 2019, Jade competed as Elyana Black against Havok during the TNA Prelude to Glory event. Jade, again as Elyana Black, has also competed for AEW, making her one of a select few to compete in the three major wrestling promotions in the United States.
Jade appeared at TNA Genesis where she confronted Masha Slamovich after the TNA Knockouts World Champion retained her gold against Rosemary. Jade was also a part of this week’s iMPACT, where her distracting presence would cost Slamovich and Spitfire in six-woman tag-team action.
Cora Jade had shared her intent to win the TNA Knockouts World Title, which if successful would be a historic first between the two parties. With a match between Jade and Slamovich seeming inevitable, it remains to be seen whether it’ll be the champion or the challenger who has the home-field advantage.
In late 2024, Zaria exploded onto the scene in WWE NXT after a high-profile run in the Australian wrestling scene. Now, the powerhouse is set to take a break from wrestling, but has assured fans that it’s only a temporary break.
Y’all are funny. Life happens and you have to take a step back for a bit. I’ve got a whole career ahead of me, 5 weeks isn’t gonna hurt. Have patience little ones.
Zaria gave no word why she is taking a five-week break, but fans are already eager to see her back in the ring. The Australian’s most recent match came at a December 20, NXT live event where she, Gigi Dolin, and Shotzi came up short against Fatal Influence.
Zaria currently boasts a 3-3 record since arriving in NXT, with her most recent victory coming over two months ago against Wren Sinclair. This has come as a surprise to fans given that WWE made a big deal upon her arrival on the silver brand. Zaria is one of three high-profile female signings WWE NXT made in 2024, alongside Stephanie Vaquer and Giulia.
The Australian powerhouse’s arrival in WWE NXT may not have gone as many would have predicted but fans remain excited to see what’s to come. Though Zaria won’t be in action just yet, it’s only a matter of time before she is back showcasing her physical dominance in the ring.
Sting has announced that he’ll be retiring his iconic Stinger look and face paint soon after the end of his active wrestling career last year.
The Icon competed in his retirement match at the 2024 Revolution PPV. While having the option of a singles match, the wrestling veteran chose to team up with his protege Darby Allin one last time to defeat The Young Bucks in a tornado tag team match.
Despite hanging his wrestling boots at the March PPV, Sting has continued donning the iconic face paint for various meet & greet events. Though the WCW veteran confirmed that 2025 will be his last year of doing so in a new social media post:
“I have enjoyed meeting fans at events around the world. As much as I have loved interacting with you all in the traditional Stinger war paint, I’ve decided that 2025 will be my last year appearing in full gear. I guess it’s 2025 or never. Wow. Tough to speak that out.”
I have enjoyed meeting fans at events around the world.
As much as I have loved interacting with you all in the traditional Stinger war paint, I’ve decided that 2025 will be my last year appearing in full gear.
Sting made his in-ring debut for Tony Khan’s promotion at the Revolution 2021 event, so his 2024 retirement match brought his run with the company to a full circle. In his 3-year run with the company, the 65-year-old wrestled a total of 29 matches and remained undefeated in the end.
The former world champion has since signed a legends deal with AEW and he also made an appearance at the 2024 All In: London PPV.
On the January 22, edition of AEW Dynamite, Christopher Daniels shared that his in-ring career is over following a brutal Texas Death Match against “Hangman” Adam Page on the previous Collision. On X, Daniels shared that his family went all out to celebrate his career now that “The Legend Has Retired.”
The tribute incudes images from Daniels’ time in various promotions including Ring of Honor, AEW, and TNA Wrestling, as well as earlier in his career. The tribute not includes plenty of images of Daniels, but also the character Curry Man, who Daniels portrayed during his tenure with TNA.
Future For Christopher Daniels
While Daniels’ has signalled that his days in the ring are over, that may not be the case. Dave Meltzer shared on Wrestling Observer Radio that people have said though Daniels isn’t wrestling “for now,” AEW is “shooting an angle and [he] may wrestle again later.” During Daniels’ announcement on Dynamite, Page looked concerned that he’d ended another man’s career, teasing that there may be more to come with the Cowboy and the Fallen Angel.
For the time being, Daniels has hung up his boots, but he remains with AEW as the company’s head of Talent Relations. Whether fans see him in the ring again remains to be seen, but the love and respect for Daniels shared by his family can’t be denied.
Current WWE Speed Champion Dragon Lee has announced the birth of his third daughter.
The high-flying star had addressed his absence from WWE programming in recent times in an Instagram post earlier in the week. He revealed that his wife was in the final stages of pregnancy and he had been home helping her during this time.
Lee had noted that the little one could arrive as soon as this week and he confirmed the birth of his daughter in a social media post late on Thursday:
Dragon has a previous daughter from his first marriage and he also has another daughter from his second relationship as revealed in his previous post.
The 29-year-old Mexican luchador left AAA to join WWE at the start of 2023. Lee held the NXT North American Championship during his time in the WWE developmental, notably having a feud with ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio over the title.
He joined the Latino World Order under the leadership of Rey Mysterio upon his main roster debut in April last year and Dragon Lee has been a part of the group ever since.
The masked star has not wrestled for WWE since the December 16, 2024 episode of Main Event and a timetable for his return is not known.
SEScoops would like to congratulate Lee and his partner on the occasion.
There had been speculations about the status of the wrestling veteran despite being praised for his work at the last show in December, especially after the recent return of Hulk Hogan. Ventura however, powerbombed all rumors with a post on on X, confirming that he will in fact return to the airwaves as scheduled.
“So very excited for Saturday Night’s Main Event this weekend in San Antonio. The Body returns to Texas this Saturday Night!”
Jesse Ventura signed a new legends contract with WWE and returned to the promotion last year, putting his long-standing grudge against the company aside. At the time it was announced that the veteran wrestler and broadcast personality will be calling 4 shows for the company every year.
His status for the January 2025 event became questionable again however, when WWE announced a new partnership with Hulk Hogan’s beer company and brought him in for an appearance at Raw’s Netflix premiere on January 6.
The former governor of Minnesota has long been at odds with Hogan since learning that the latter exposed his efforts of forming a wrestling union to Vince McMahon in the late 80s.
Many believed that Hogan will be making an appearance at the NBC exclusive event after his return but after Ventura’s announcement, it’s safe to say the Hulkster will not be at the show.
The company presented a special live episode of its weekly flagship show Impact Wrestling from San Antonio, TX for the first time in eight years this Thursday. The show featured a number of surprise appearances with both NXT stars and free agents making their presence felt.
New TNA World Heavyweight Champion Joe Hendry opened the show. Hendry first cut a promo about his title win before proclaiming that he’ll be a fighting champion and then announced an open challenge for his title on the same night.
TNA’s Director of Authority Santino Marella then came out to announce Hendry’s opponent for the night – Matt Cardona. Cardon a came out with a big smile to end the segment.
The title match main evented the show. Frankie Kazarian who won the Call Your Shot Gauntlet match previously was on the commentary for this bout. Cardona played the typical heel role from the beginning doing things like poking Hendry in the eye and mocking the crowd.
The Indy God accidentally knocked the referee out towards the end of the bout and used the opportunity to low blow the champion. He then went outside to grab the TNA title belt but JBL came out. The WWE Hall of Famer delivered a Closethline from Hell to Cardona, leaving Hendry confused.
Matt Cardona still managed to hit Joe Hendry with the title later on but it didn’t prove to be enough. In the end, the champion delivered the Standing Ovation to retain the title.
It appears that Cardona’s return was a one-night-only affair. Though there was another former champion who returned to the company tonight and announced a new contract with the promotion. You can check out more about it here.
Ricky Starks hasn’t appeared for AEW since March of last year, with the former Tag Team Champion in the dark about the reason for his absence. While there’s still no sign of when fans will see the ‘Absolute’ wrestler again, AEW has made efforts to distance themselves from Starks on their merchandise website.
AEW has pulled all merchandise for Ricky Starks from their online ‘Global’ store. Web archives show that as of September 2024, AEW listed seven t-shirts on their site. An error message on Starks’ profile reads:
“While this AEW wrestler’s merchandise isn’t available on Global ShopAEW just yet, you can discover their incredible collection and more at ShopAEW USA!.”
Going to AEW’s U.S. based store, fans will find just one shirt for Starks, another downgrade from what was previously available for the wrestler.
Starks has reportedly requested his release from AEW, a request that Tony Khan turned down despite not using him. Starks’ AEW situation has affected his work outside the promotion, including being pulled from GCW events by Khan. This move is said to have happened after a comment made by EFFY about Khan’s father at an event.
While Starks continues to compete on the independents, questions remains as to when, if ever, he will appear for AEW again. In the meantime, AEW will continue to produce events and merchandise, but fans will have to go elsewhere to find shirts of the missing Ricky Starks.
For months, speculation has run rampant about Malakai Black and the status of the former AEW Trios and WWE NXT Champion. On AEW programming, the House of Black has teased moving forward without Black, who is reportedly officially done with Tony Khan’s promotion.
Mike Johnson of PWInsiderElitereports that AEW sources have confirmed Black has finished with the promotion, with no discussions regarding a final appearance. Black had joined AEW in 2021 and had formed the House of Black with Brody King and Buddy Matthews the following year. The group later recruited Julia Hart.
While Black’s exit has left fans excited about a potential WWE return, don’t expect to see Black on programming just yet. The report noted that Black will not be a free agent in time to participate in next week’s Royal Rumble event. However, he is expected to be available sometime in February or March.
Black had been with WWE for four years after debuting in 2017. In addition to being a former NXT Champion, he is also a Dusty Rhodes Tag Team Classic winner. A return to WWE would allow Black the chance to spend more time with his wife, Zelina Vega, who is employed by WWE.
WWE is already home to AEW alum including Cody Rhodes, Jade Cargill, and Ethan Page, and now Malakai Black could be set to join that list. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Malakai Black and what’s next for him in wrestling.
In a historic moment for professional wrestling, the January 23, 2025 episode of TNA Impact featured the first-ever defense of a WWE-sanctioned championship on TNA programming. NXT Tag Team Champions Fraxiom (Nathan Frazer & Axiom) successfully retained their titles against The Rascalz (Trey Miguel & Zachary Wentz) in a match that showcased the growing collaboration between WWE and TNA Wrestling.
Fraxiom secured the victory with a dynamic Flying Spanish Fly and Phoenix Splash combination on Miguel, but the finish wasn’t without controversy. Wes Lee, along with Tyson Dupont and Tyriek Igwe, interfered by taking out Wentz, creating a critical opening for the champions to retain their titles.
This groundbreaking match was made possible by the multi-year partnership between WWE and TNA, announced on January 16, 2025. The agreement allows talent from NXT and TNA to appear on each other’s programming and premium live events, ending decades of rivalry between the promotions.
The successful defense of the NXT Tag Team Championships on TNA Impact marks a pivotal milestone, signaling a new era of collaboration and opportunity for the wrestling industry. This partnership opens the door for unprecedented crossovers that could reshape the sport’s landscape.
Mustafa Ali announced during Thursday’s live episode of TNA Impact that he has officially signed with TNA Wrestling. This move marks Ali’s return to the promotion, where he previously made a significant impact by winning the X-Division Championship in 2024.
As part of his new agreement, Ali is scheduled to appear at six TNA Wrestling events across February and March 2025. His return coincides with TNA’s exciting new multi-year talent exchange partnership with WWE, signaling a collaborative future for both promotions.
Outside of the ring, Ali is focusing on personal projects, including the launch of his Chicago Wrestling Center, which is set to begin training classes in January 2025.
Mance Warner has officially debuted in TNA Wrestling alongside Steph DeLander, who had the TNA Digital Media championship with her.
This surprise debut follows a controversial series of events, including former champion PCO’s actions at GCW’s The People vs. GCW event, where he destroyed a replica of the championship belt with a sledgehammer.
Since his debut in 2015, Warner has become a well-recognized name in independent wrestling. He has claimed numerous championships (GCW, AAW, CZW), solidifying his reputation as a top-tier performer.
TNA Digital Media Championship Controversy
The TNA Digital Media Championship storyline escalated after PCO’s dramatic outburst at The People vs. GCW on January 19, 2025. PCO, whose contract with TNA had ended in late 2024, destroyed what appeared to be the championship title and delivered a scathing promo against TNA before being cut off.
TNA responded swiftly, removing PCO from their roster and distancing the promotion from his actions.
Warner’s Role in TNA
Warner’s arrival coincides with significant changes in TNA Wrestling, including the company’s recently announced multi-year partnership with WWE, which allows for talent crossover opportunities.
Making his TNA debut alongside Steph DeLander, Warner enters the promotion as part of a new power couple in wrestling, generating considerable buzz among fans.
With Warner’s history of success and a high-profile entrance into TNA, expectations are high for his contributions to the promotion’s evolving landscape.
Nikki Bella could be on the verge of making a return to the wrestling ring. TMZ Sports reported on Thursday that the former WWE Superstar is in talks with the company about a potential comeback. According to the report, discussions have recently begun, and Nikki has already started training in anticipation of a possible agreement.
This development is fairly new, as talks between Nikki and WWE reportedly began after her appearance at Raw in Los Angeles a few weeks ago. While there is no confirmed timeline for her return, the possibility of seeing Nikki back in the ring has sparked excitement among fans.
Nikki and her twin sister, Brie Bella, left WWE in 2023, rebranding themselves as the Garcia Twins. When asked about a potential WWE return on the red carpet of the Raw on Netflix premiere, Nikki teased the idea.
“Will we ever see the Bella Twins back? Good question,” she said. “I just may be here looking at my competition soon, so stay tuned.”
Nikki officially stepped away from in-ring competition in 2019, citing health concerns, including a career-threatening neck injury. She announced her retirement shortly thereafter and was inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame alongside her sister in 2020. Their contributions to WWE, particularly in elevating women’s wrestling and bridging it with mainstream entertainment, remain influential.
Outside the ring, Nikki has built a thriving career. As the star of reality shows like Total Divas and Total Bellas, she helped bring mainstream attention to WWE’s women’s division.
If a deal is finalized, Nikki’s return would mark a significant moment for WWE fans and a potential new chapter in her legendary career.
Global music icon and Grammy winner Bad Bunny is known for breaking boundaries in both music and entertainment. On a recent episode of Hot Ones, the Puerto Rican superstar sat down with Sean Evans to tackle spicy wings while sharing captivating insights into his WWE journey, cultural representation, and the unforgettable moments that defined his wrestling appearances.
From his passion for the squared circle to his pride in showcasing Puerto Rican culture on a global stage, Bad Bunny’s WWE appearances are far more than celebrity cameos—they’re a love letter to his heritage and a testament to his dedication.
The Perfect WWE Entrance
One of the standout moments of Bad Bunny’s WWE career was his electrifying entrance at Backlash 2023 in Puerto Rico, where he walked out to his hit song “Chambea.” Bunny revealed that he had envisioned using the track for years.
“Since the first time that I dreamed of being in WWE, I always knew that [‘Chambea’] was the perfect song,” he explained. “When they went to Puerto Rico, I said everyone in Puerto Rico knows this song, and it’s going to be like shaking the stadium.”
The crowd’s thunderous reaction during his San Juan Street Fight entrance cemented the moment as one of the most memorable of his career. “That entrance was one of the best moments of my life. I was like, wow, it was a beautiful moment.”
Learning the Ropes and Iconic WWE Moments
Bad Bunny’s dedication to his WWE appearances goes far beyond entrances. He committed to intense training to ensure his in-ring performances were nothing short of spectacular. One of his most iconic moments came at WrestleMania 37, where he executed a flawless Canadian Destroyer, which was later dubbed the “Bunny Destroyer.”
“That was a John Morrison idea,” Bunny said. “He was like, ‘You should do the Canadian Destroyer, and we’ll call it the Bunny Destroyer.’ We practiced it, and I really learned a lot from him, Damian Priest, and all the guys coaching me.”
Not everything about his WWE experience came easy, though. Bunny recalled a painful initiation courtesy of Damian Priest during training.
“Damian Priest hit me with the kendo stick. I always heard people say, ‘Oh, the kendo stick doesn’t hurt.’ That hurt. Like, a lot,” he laughed.
Sean Evans couldn’t resist praising Bad Bunny’s wrestling skills, declaring him “the best celebrity wrestler ever in WWE.” Bunny modestly replied, “That’s your opinion?” to which Evans insisted, “No, it’s a fact.” Bunny cheekily agreed, “I think that’s true.”
Puerto Rican Pride and WWE’s Global Stage
For Bad Bunny, stepping into the WWE ring wasn’t just about fulfilling a childhood dream—it was also an opportunity to represent Puerto Rican culture.
“It’s not only about me. It’s about every one of us. It feels like I’m bringing a little bit of Puerto Rico to all these places,” he said.
His use of “Chambea” as an entrance track and his celebration of Puerto Rican pride during WWE appearances resonated deeply with fans worldwide. “The energy, the melody—it’s crazy,” Bunny explained. “Everyone in Puerto Rico knows this song. I knew it was going to shake the stadium.”
Reflecting on his WWE journey, Bunny expressed gratitude for the platform to showcase his heritage to a global audience.
“That entrance… was one of the best moments of my life,” he said.
Catch the full interview with Bad Bunny on Hot Ones, where he dives deeper into his WWE experiences, music career, and more—all while tackling some of the spiciest wings out there. The episode is available now on YouTube.
A new report has come out detailing why plans for Alexa Bliss’s WWE return have been shelved. Originally, Bliss was slated to make her comeback several weeks ago during Raw in San Jose, with creative involving The Wyatt Six faction reportedly pitched as part of her return. However, all plans for Bliss were abruptly dropped, even though the faction itself was moved to SmackDown—where it has yet to debut.
The decision to halt Bliss’s return was not due to creative issues or her readiness to compete. Despite being prepared to return, Bliss is not currently featured in any creative pitches, including for the upcoming Women’s Royal Rumble match. Complicating matters is her contract status: Bliss remains under an older deal that predates her time off to have her first child.
According to Mike Johnson of PWInsider, Bliss has been seeking a new contract with improved terms, while WWE has pushed for her to return under the terms of her existing agreement, which had been extended to account for missed time.
The belief within WWE was that Bliss would make a surprise return at the January 13th episode of Raw in San Jose, resuming her role as a regular member of the Raw roster. However, just before the event, representatives for Bliss reportedly contacted WWE to request a new contract with better compensation and perks.
WWE, taking a firm stance, insisted she return under her existing deal, leading to a standoff. When Bliss’s camp held their ground, WWE responded by pulling all creative plans for her return and freezing her storyline involvement indefinitely.
The situation remains unresolved, with both sides at an impasse. Notably, Bliss removed all references to WWE from her social media bios on January 14th, further fueling speculation about the strained relationship between the two parties.
TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO), the parent company of WWE and UFC, hit a new all-time high of $153.89 in trading today, driven by a combination of strong insider activity, strategic growth prospects, and bullish analyst outlooks.
Price Target Upgrades
Several prominent analysts raised their price targets for TKO stock:
Guggenheim increased its target from $142 to $170, reaffirming a “Buy” rating.
Canaccord Genuity also raised its target, citing positive financial trends and strong company performance.
Insider Buying Activity
The stock’s surge was partly fueled by significant insider purchases. Major shareholders acquired $50.3 million worth of TKO stock, signaling confidence in the company’s growth trajectory.
Strategic Growth Drivers
Market optimism is further supported by several key factors:
Media Rights Renewals: Analysts expect the renewal of UFC and WWE Pay-Per-View deals with Peacock to deliver substantial value, with UFC rights potentially doubling in value.
Operational Synergies: The merger between WWE and UFC has yielded over $100 million in cost savings, with projected revenue synergies exceeding $250 million.
Sports Rights Market: A competitive landscape for sports broadcasting rights has generated significant interest in UFC, enhancing TKO’s market positioning.
These factors collectively demonstrate TKO’s ability to capitalize on strong industry trends and operational efficiencies, bolstering investor confidence and driving today’s record stock performance.
Shelton Benjamin has explained how the end of Hurt Business in WWE was mentally challenging for him.
The former WWE star was the most recent guest on Talk is Jericho. He discussed things such as his first WWE run, his experience working for NJPW in Japan, his tag team with Chad Gable, and more.
Benjamin also detailed his feelings about The Hurt Business’ time in the company. The Gold Standard first discussed how he had only been used in odd spots since his return to the promotion in 2017 and never given a proper chance to showcase his talents. The formation of the Hurt Business in 2020 was finally a storyline that could have elevated him so it was a big blow when the group was disbanded:
“In my opinion, Hurt Business and Roman Reigns carried the WWE during the pandemic era. And I felt a bit betrayed because I come here every week. I’ve never complained. I risked my life, just like everybody else. When other people wanted to stay home, you never had to question whether or not I will come to work.
So for us to, bear that burden….and mind you, obviously, we’re not the only ones. We’re not the only people, but the fact that we were always willing and we were actually producing for you, to just immediately turn around and just kill it….like what the fuck man.”
Shelton Benjamin also revealed that he approached Vince McMahon directly when he first got the news of The Hurt Business’ end, and to this date he has gotten no clear answer on why their run was cut short:
“His comment to me was, ‘We’ve gone as far as we can with Hurt Business.’ The Hurt business was around for eight months before he pulled the plug. When he said that, it was almost like you want to cry inside.
Because it’s like, nothing I can do for this person seems to help, nothing’s good enough. I was really just insulted, I knew then, like, I don’t really have a future here. At this point this is just a job where I’m just collecting a check.”
The current AEW star noted that he’s always wanted to be the guy that helps build the momentum for the place he’s working in instead of taking advantage of other people’s work. The abrupt ending of the Hurt Business however, made it clear to him that he’ll never be afforded that chance in WWE.
The 2025 Royal Rumble is less than two weeks away, and fans are excited to see who punches their ticket to WrestleMania 41. For the eighth consecutive year, the event will feature two Rumble matches on its stacked card, a 30-Superstar contest for the men and a 30-Superstar contest for the women.
As more confirmed entrants for this year’s Royal Rumble matches are announced, fans are eager to see who’ll enter the most unpredictable match of the year. Winning the Royal Rumble means earning the right to challenge for a championship of their choosing at WrestleMania and in many instances, a chance to headline the biggest show of the year. Stay updated on every confirmed participant as WWE builds the buzz leading up to this year’s spectacle.
If history is any indication, this year’s Rumble matches will be full of dramatic moments before the final person is eventually eliminated. The Final Four of each year’s Royal Rumble match can often be as exciting as the entrants, and over the years, this late stage in the match has produced some iconic moments in WWE history.
It’s almost time to RUMBLE!
Adding to the pre-Rumble excitement, WWE has released a new playlist on its YouTube channel highlighting, “Every Royal Rumble Match Ending of the Last 20 Years.”
As we head into the final stretch of the Road to the Royal Rumble, SEScoops will keep you informed on every twist, turn, and update. Make sure to bookmark us and stay tuned for breaking news, match previews, and in-depth analysis on the 2025 WWE Royal Rumble.
WWE Royal Rumble Winners
Here are the Royal Rumble winners from 2024 to 2005, and the people they eliminated.
2024: Cody Rhodes eliminated CM Punk to win the Men’s Rumble, while Bayley eliminated Liv Morgan to win the Women’s Rumble
2023: Cody Rhodes eliminated Gunther to win the Men’s Rumble, while Rhea Ripley eliminated Liv Morgan to win the Women’s Rumble
2022: Brock Lesnar eliminated Drew McIntyre to win the Men’s Rumble, while Ronda Rousey eliminated Charlotte Flair to win the Women’s Rumble
2021: Edge eliminated Randy Orton from the #1 position to win the Men’s Rumble, while Bianca Belair eliminated Rhea Ripley to win the Women’s Rumble
2020: Drew McIntyre eliminated Roman Reigns to win the Men’s Rumble, while Charlotte Flair eliminated Shayna Baszler to win the Women’s Rumble
2019: Seth Rollins eliminated Braun Strowman to win the Men’s Rumble, while Becky Lynch eliminated Charlotte Flair to win the Women’s Rumble
2018: Shinsuke Nakamura eliminated Roman Reigns to win the Men’s Rumble, while Asuka eliminated Nikki Bella to win the first-ever Women’s Rumble
2017: Randy Orton eliminated Roman Reigns to win the Royal Rumble
2016: Triple H eliminated Dean Ambrose to capture the Royal Rumble and WWE Championship
2015: Roman Reigns eliminated Rusev to claim the Royal Rumble victory
2014: Batista eliminated Roman Reigns to emerge victorious in the Royal Rumble
2013: John Cena eliminated Ryback to win the Royal Rumble match
2012: Sheamus eliminated Chris Jericho to secure the Royal Rumble victory
2011: Alberto Del Rio eliminated Santino Marella to win the 40-man Royal Rumble
2010: Edge eliminated John Cena to triumph in the Royal Rumble
2009: Randy Orton eliminated Triple H to win the Royal Rumble match
2008: John Cena eliminated Triple H to claim the Royal Rumble victory
2007: The Undertaker eliminated Shawn Michaels to win the Royal Rumble
2006: Rey Mysterio eliminated Randy Orton to capture the Royal Rumble
2005: Batista eliminated John Cena to emerge victorious in the Royal Rumble
GCW promoter Brett Lauderdale is unsure of what to make of the PCO incident.
The 57-year-old wrestling veteran made headlines over the weekend with his appearance at the People vs. GCW event. PCO who was the reigning TNA Digital Media champion brought the belt with him at the show and destroyed it in front of the public using a sledgehammer. At first, people thought that it was part of a storyline but multiple reports since then have claimed that TNA officials had no knowledge of it beforehand.
Lauderdale talked about the incident on the Game Changer Weekly podcast and mentioned that PCO is a longtime friend of his who he has a lot of respect for. Discussing his knowledge of the incident in question, he claimed that he was under the impression of the whole thing being a work:
“What happened and what I thought was gonna happen were slightly two different things, and I thought we were kind of doing him a favor by letting him advance a storyline and returning to GCW at the same time, so I only kind of realized that it was more than that after the fact when I started reading reports that he may or may not have done that on his own.”
I Think There Is A Storyline Going On: Brett Lauderdale
PCO was one of the many names who had his TNA deal expire at the end of last year and per reports, he was supposed to finish up with the company at their next taping. After the incident, however, TNA has removed both PCO and the Digital media title from their website, and the former WCW star is not expected to be brought back for any more shows.
Though despite these claims, Brett Lauderdale is not entirely sure of the legitimacy of the whole thing and he still believes that it could be a work:
“No. I know a lot of the people at TNA, so I feel like I would have been contacted if there was any major issue that would have been on us or if they had questions about it.
That’s why I think maybe there is still a storyline going on with it because I feel like maybe if there wasn’t, after the fact, they would have said, ‘Hey, what happened?’
TNA is set to follow up the January 19 Genesis PPV with a live Impact taping from San Antonio, TX this Thursday, January 23. Whether or not the whole thing is really a work should become clearer after this show.
Baron Corbin is excited about the freedom of a post-WWE career.
The former WWE star recently had an interview with Chris Van Vliet. He talked about things such as his most recent GCW appearance, wanting to compete in NJPW and more.
Corbin departed WWE in November last year ending his 12 year run with the company when the officials did not renew his contract. When asked what he wants to do now that he’s no longer in the Endeavor-owned promotion, Corbin explained that he’s been smart with his money so now he can do whatever he wants:
“Now I’m gonna have an opportunity where I don’t have to ask permission to do something. I’ve also been smart with all of my money that I’ve made over the years with WWE because I’ve watched how quickly it can end.
When I left the NFL it’s like no more paychecks, and you go oh man, it ends that quick. I was playing ping pong, and now I don’t have a job, it’s crazy. So I put myself in a position now that I can literally just do the things I want to do.”
The former US Champion real name Thomas Pestock, recently displayed one of his skills outside the wrestling world by winning a gold medal in an international jiu-jitsu competition. Discussing other post-WWE ambitions, Baron Corbin noted that he had his iron in a lot of fires even when he was under a WWE contract.
The wrestling veteran explained that with the newfound freedom he can do whatever he wants and revealed his interest in pursuing an acting career in particular:
“I want to do movies, I want to do TV shows, and I want to do horror movies or thriller movies or darker action kind of films, anything in that world. Whether it’s television, it’s Netflix, it’s Hulu, or it’s the B rate horror movies that are amazing, just like guilty pleasures, I love them, that’s the world I want to dive into.”
Corbin appears to be interested in balancing his acting career with his continued presence in the world of wrestling. The former WWE star recently filed a trademark which potentially revealed his post-WWE ring name. You can check out more about it here.
Tom Pestock, formerly Baron Corbin, has opened up about his future in the ring, including what he plans on changing going forward. On the Insight podcast, Pestock shared that the next chapter of his career would take him oversees.
“I would love to go to New Japan for multiple reasons, and the door never closes with WWE either.”
Many former WWE Superstars have found their ways to AEW, including top names including Cope, Jon Moxley, Swerve Strickland, and Toni Storm. While Pestock won’t rule out an ‘All-Elite’ future, he believes that his WWE past would play a factor in things.
“If I went there, out of respect for that world, I wouldn’t want to be just another WWE guy that came there because they left WWE. I would rather go and do New Japan for a year or more.”
Further alluding on wanting a fresh start, Pestock shared that “Baron Corbin is dead as far as we know.” Moving on from his WWE past, Pestock is excited to use a “new name, new moniker, new character.” This week, Pestock filed a trademark for Bishop Dyer, a potential new name for this new chapter of his career.
Pestock, a foirmer WWE U.S. and NXT Tag Team Champion, recently competed under his real name at GCW Bloodsport, where he fought Josh Barnett. Though Pestock came up short in their showdown, the ex-Superstar remains excited to establish his own name outside WWE.
Frankie Kazarian has posted an emotional tribute to Christopher Daniels after the latter announced his retirement from in-ring action.
The Fallen Angle entered the ring one last time at last week’s Collision when he squared off against Hangman Page in a Texas Death match. Daniels then addressed Page on this week’s episode of Dynamite, confirming that his match on Saturday was his retirement bout.
Kazarian who has long history with the former SCU teammate shared a photo collage showing the two through the years. He claimed that CD’s contributions to the world of pro wrestling will never be realized:
“There’s no way to articulate what @facdaniels means to me. As an opponent, a tag team partner, or most importantly as a best friend and brother. His contributions to our sport will never be realized. I love you CD. Bad Influence, The Addiction or SCU. I loved every single minute.”
There's no way to articulate what @facdaniels means to me. As an opponent, a tag team partner, or most importantly as a best friend and brother. His contributions to our sport will never be realized. I love you CD. Bad Influence, The Addiction or SCU. I loved every single minute. pic.twitter.com/Obk0VzmpVW
The first overlap of Kazarian and Daniels’ careers happened in TNA back in 2009 when Christopher took over the role of the masked wrestler Suicide upon Kazarian’s injury. The duo started working as a tag team under the name of Bad Influence in 2012 and remained assosiated with each other for the next decade.
With Scorpio Sky joining them in 2018, the group known as SCU became one of the hottest acts of the indie wrestling scene. Together with The Elite, the trio revolutionized the pro wrestling business by helping start All Elite Wrestling.
Kazarian has since left AEW while Sky and Daniels remain part of the company. Daniels also serves as the head of talent relations behind the scene and it’s a role he’s expected to continue after his retirement from active competition.
Kamaru Usman has established himself as a name in UFC for years, and now the fighter has shown interest in WWE. On X, WWE Chief Content Officer Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque shared that Usman recently visited WWE’s headquarters in Connecticut.
Levesque’s post got plenty of attention by fans, many of whom hope to see Usman transition from the Octagon to the squared circle. One fans noted that “I speak for EVERYONE when I say We want Usman vs Bad Bunny,” pitching a match that’d feature the Grammy award-winning artist. Another fan added that “WWE and UFC collab is all we want to see” while a third asked if this was a sign Usman is coming to WWE.
Like many Superstars competing in WWE today, Usman boasts a background in amateur wrestling, where he became a NCAA Division II national champion. In UFC, Usman is a former Welterweight Champion. His most recent fight came at UFC 294 in October 2023.
WWE And UFC
In 2023, WWE and UFC came together under TKO Group Holdings, merging two of the biggest names. Quickly, names from both sides began appearing for the other, demonstrating the synergy within TKO. WWE names have become regulars at UFC events while Michael Chandler was on Raw in 2024 with a message for Conor McGregor.
Indi Hartwell has started preparing for an in-ring return ahead of her free agency.
The young star was released from her WWE contract in November last year, ending her 5-year-run with the company. Hartwell, who still had time left on her deal has to serve a 90-days non-compete period before becoming a free agent.
Based on the announcement of her release, Hartwell is expected to become a free agent in February. Before the impending free agency, the former champion seems to be getting her ring rust off at Ace Steel’s Foundation wrestling academy as revealed by Steel in an Instagram post:
Indi Hartwell had a successful run in NXT from 2019 to 2023 before she was moved to the main roster. The female star was one of the members of Johnny Gargano & Candice LeRae’s The Way faction and she had runs with both the NXT Women’s Title and NXT Women’s Tag Team Titles during her time in the developmental.
Her release while not linked directly, was part of a wave of surprising departures from WWE in 2024. Other names in the list include former champions such as Bobby Lashley, Jinder Mahal and Baron Corbin.
Hartwell has not been announced for any matches outside of WWE so far, but the former champion is scheduled to be in the Indianapolis area during the Royal Rumble weekend for a Wrestlecon signing.
