2025 is set to be a landmark year for WWE, with major events such as WrestleMania 41 and Raw’s highly anticipated move to Netflix. Adding to the excitement, next year will mark the end of John Cena’s legendary in-ring career, with his farewell tour extending far beyond the United States.
During a recent appearance on the Sports Business Journal Sports Media podcast, WWE EVP Chris Legentil revealed that Cena’s farewell tour will have a global reach.
“He’s gonna do a full year-long tour with us. And that’s gonna be worldwide… the opportunity for the people to see John Cena one last time all around the world is going to be quite powerful.”
Cena is already confirmed for WWE Elimination Chamber, set to take place on Saturday, March 1, in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. While no other international Premium Live Events (PLEs) for 2025 have been officially announced, a substantial global tour during WrestleMania season has been confirmed.
No specific matches for Cena’s farewell tour have been announced yet, but the WWE locker room is buzzing with anticipation. Former rivals like Randy Orton and The Miz have expressed their eagerness to face Cena one last time. Meanwhile, reigning Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker has also thrown his hat in the ring, as a match with Cena could serve as an opportunity for the WWE legend to achieve the coveted Grand Slam.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on John Cena’s farewell tour, which promises to take the WWE icon and Hollywood star across the globe for his final in-ring appearances.
Big E’s recent appearance on WWE Raw may have reignited fans’ hopes of seeing him return to the ring, but the former WWE Champion has yet to be medically cleared for in-ring competition. Speaking on The Mike Broomhead Show, Big E provided an update on his health, more than two years after his career-altering neck injury.
“I still haven’t been cleared. Thankfully, I feel great and don’t have any issues… I’m grateful to have no issues, no pain, nothing like that.”
Big E’s presence on the December 2 episode of Raw saw him attempt to mediate the growing rift between his New Day teammates, Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods. However, the duo turned on him, accusing Big E of not caring about the faction and ultimately ousting him from the group. While fans are hopeful that Big E will eventually exact revenge in the ring, his return hinges on receiving medical clearance.
Outside the squared circle, Big E has remained an active presence in WWE, contributing to pre-show and post-show panels for Premium Live Events. The former champion has also expressed contentment with the possibility that his in-ring career may be over, hinting at aspirations to serve as a talent scout for the promotion.
Still, fans yearn for Big E to deliver retribution against Kingston and Woods for their betrayal. For now though, that dream remains on hold as Big E continues to wait for the all-clear to return to physical action.
Ring of Honor (ROH) has made significant strides in the world of professional wrestling, especially with the introduction of its streaming service, HonorClub.
This platform not only allows fans to watch live events but also provides access to a vast library of past matches and exclusive content. Here’s everything you need to know about signing up, pricing, and what you can expect from HonorClub.
What is HonorClub?
HonorClub is an over-the-top (OTT) streaming service owned by Ring of Honor. Launched on February 19, 2018, it was designed to cater to wrestling fans who want easy access to ROH’s extensive catalog of matches and events.
Initially, it offered a tiered pricing model similar to other wrestling networks, but following the acquisition of ROH by AEW’s Tony Khan in 2022, the service underwent a significant relaunch in December 2022.
How to Sign Up for HonorClub
Signing up for HonorClub is straightforward. Fans can visit the official website and choose a subscription plan that suits their needs. The current subscription fee is $9.99 per month, which provides access to all content without any tiered options.
This change has made it more accessible for fans who want to enjoy ROH programming without the burden of higher costs associated with pay-per-view events.
Steps to Sign Up
Visit the Official Site: Go to WatchROH.com.
Select Subscription: Choose the monthly plan at $9.99.
Create an Account: Fill in your details and payment information.
Start Watching: Once registered, you can immediately access live events and archived content.
Pricing Details
The pricing structure for HonorClub has been simplified since its relaunch. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Plan Type
Price
Features
Monthly Subscription
$9.99/month
Access to all live events and archived content
Annual Subscription
Not available
N/A
This pricing model is competitive compared to other wrestling streaming services, especially considering that major pay-per-view events can cost upwards of $39.99.
What Can You Watch on HonorClub?
HonorClub offers a rich selection of content for wrestling enthusiasts:
Live Events: Starting with Final Battle 2023, all ROH events will be streamed live on HonorClub at no additional cost
Weekly Series: The weekly ROH show resumed airing on March 2, 2023, exclusively on HonorClub, featuring matches that highlight both established stars and rising talent
Historic Matches: Subscribers gain access to over 2500 hours of classic ROH moments and matches, showcasing the promotion’s rich history
Why Subscribe to HonorClub?
HonorClub is an essential platform for fans who want comprehensive access to ROH’s offerings. With its competitive pricing and extensive library, it stands out as a valuable resource for wrestling aficionados looking for both current programming and historical content.
Benefits of Subscribing:
Cost-Effective Viewing: Enjoy all live events without high pay-per-view fees.
Exclusive Content: Access special tribute shows and unique matchups not available elsewhere.
Rich Archive: Explore a vast collection of classic matches that have defined professional wrestling over the years.
TNA X-Division Champion Moose has addressed the fake news that’s been going around about the Anthem-owned company the last few days.
The return of Tessa Blanchard to the company has garnered mixed reaction from fans and there have been all kind of rumors about how it has affected morale behind the scenes. Adding to the negativity was the rumor about the officials retiring the coveted X-Division title at the most recent TV tapings.
The current champion addressed both of these topics in a new X post calling them fake news. He urged the fans to tune in to AXS TV to find out the future of the TNA belt:
A lot of Fake News on Twitter.
1. X Division championship being retired
2. Bad morale in TNA locker room
Guys stop getting your news from twitter.
Regarding what’s going to happen to the X division championship tune in to @AXSTV Thursday at 8pm EST and order GENESIS…
The X Division championship was originally introduced back in October 2002 as a secondary title for the company. With names such as AJ Styles, Samoa Joe, and Kurt Angle being on the list of former champions, the title holds a special place in the history of the wrestling industry.
Tessa Blanchard exited TNA back in 2020 under mysterious circumstances. The company had terminated her contract and stripped her of the Impact World Title, resulting in all kind of rumors about her departure.
The former champion returned to the company during the Final Resolution PPV last week. She made a surprise appearance, targeting former Knockouts champion Jordynne Grace during her match with Rosemary.
‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio was robbed of his first big pay check by his own family.
The 20-year wrestling veteran recently detailed all the struggles of his childhood in an interview with No Contest Wrestling podcast. He mentioned how he had to grow up fending for himself on the hard streets of San Diego. Despite all the success of Rey Mysterio he only bought his son a BMW when Dom asked for a Mercedes.
His home life wasn’t any better and as per Dominik, his mother made him do hard labour like doing his own laundry without pay. Even when he went out and earned his keep, he never got to see any of that money:
“To make matters even worse when I did do stuff here in WWE for like SummerSlam and I ended up getting paid for that, I never knew where the money went. I need to talk to her about that.
I bought one bike and my mother said ‘Oh there goes your money’ and I said ‘I did three pay-per-views, how many weeks of TV and you’re telling me one bike is [it]…and I’m done?’ This wasn’t Toys R Us Prime. This was like a little off-the-rack bicycle. I’m pretty sure it still had the training wheels on.”
Dominik Mysterio made his official wrestling debut at the young age of 8 back in 2005. He was the center figure for the feud between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio leading to their famous SummerSlam ladder match.
Apart from this, Dirty Dom also talked about things such as his reaction to the passing of his real dad Eddie Guerrero, being CM Punk’s first match after his WWE return and more. You can check out the full SummerSlam match below:
Sami Zayn has revealed why the Johnny Knoxville match may be his favorite of all time.
The Honorary Uce recently spoke to The Five Star podcast to promote the upcoming Raw tapings from Charlotte NC on February 17. He discussed things such as reuniting with The Bloodline, what the Netflix move means for WWE and more.
When the topic of his favorite match came up, Sami Zayn noted how he has been lucky to have many great matches throughout his career. The one match that stands out to him, however, is the WrestleMania 38 encounter with the Jackass star because they were able to defy all expectations:
“I’ve had a lot of really great matches that I’m really proud of. The Knoxville one jumps out at me because for so many reasons, I think. For starters expectations were low. Anytime you can take people on that kind of ride when they’re not really expecting to be taken on that kind of ride. To me that’s all wrestling really is.
It’s like a ride. An emotional ride, a ride of different reactions. It’s going left and it turns right and it’s up and it’s down and the next thing you know you’re just caught up in it. It’s a great feeling to be caught up in it.”
Sami Zayn noted how they were able to put together a really entertaining match that got them a standing ovation from a lot of fans. He is particularly proud of this performance because he was the only pro wrestler involved in the bout:
“I think that’s the remarkable thing that we were able to do in that match is get people completely caught up in what we were doing. Particularly proud of it because Johnny Knoxville is not a wrestler.
He went out there and to his credit, as much as I don’t like to give him credit for anything, he went out there at age 50 and put 20 minutes in at WrestleMania and had people on their feet. There’s [not a lot of] people on Earth that can do that. He was part of that. So very proud of that match.”
Apart from this, Sami Zayn also mentioned his matches against AEW’s Pac and Claudio Castagnoli as some of his favorite outings.
This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown was pre-taped at the XL Center in Hartford, Connecticut, following last week’s show. The decision to tape the episode in advance gives the WWE roster additional time off for the Christmas season.
Matches and Segments
The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, and Tama Tonga) vs. LA Knight, Andrade, and Apollo Crews
This heated six-man tag team match stems from The Bloodline’s attack on Apollo Crews, which has only escalated tensions in recent weeks.
Women’s Tag Team Championship Match: Bianca Belair and Naomi (c) vs. Nia Jax and Candice LeRae
Belair and Naomi will defend their titles against the dominant Nia Jax and crafty Candice LeRae. Will the champs retain, or will new challengers claim the gold?
Kevin Owens Addresses the WWE Universe
Kevin Owens is set to address the crowd after his controversial actions at Saturday Night’s Main Event (SNME). Following his loss to Cody Rhodes, KO attacked Cody and made off with the Winged Eagle Championship. Owens, who has been parading around with the stolen title, has even declared that he’ll defend it next week during the WWE holiday tour.
Braun Strowman vs. Carmelo Hayes (Rematch)
Braun Strowman and Carmelo Hayes will face off in a highly anticipated rematch. Last week, during The Grayson Waller Effect, Strowman appeared dressed as Santa Claus, but things took a chaotic turn, leading to this showdown.
Johnny Gargano vs. Alex Shelley
Johnny Gargano, riding a wave of momentum, takes on Alex Shelley in a singles match. However, Shelley is looking to settle the score after Gargano’s shocking heel turn.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest WWE SmackDown updates as the road to the big WWE Raw Netflix debut on Monday, January 6, continues
For WWE fans, securing an autograph from their favorite Superstar is often a dream come true. However, some fans take things to unexpected levels, as revealed in a recent WWE interview where Superstars shared the strangest items they’ve ever been asked to sign. Here are some of the highlights:
Bayley: Paramore Merch and Foreheads
Bayley isn’t a member of Paramore, but that hasn’t stopped fans asking her to sign some merchandise of the popular band the Role Model is a fan of. Bayley added that she’s also been asked to sign foreheads, which is her favourite thing to autograph.
Damian Priest: Underwear
Keeping his response family-friendly, Damian Priest admitted to signing “undergarments.” The Archer of Infamy refrained from revealing more details but left fans to speculate whether it was men’s or women’s underwear that earned his signature.
Sami Zayn: A Prosthetic Leg/Body Parts for Tattoos
Sami Zayn was befuddled when a fan asked him to sign their prosthetic leg, while others have asked the Honorary Uce to autograph their bodies so they can be tattooed. Zayn shared that when first asked for a tattoo-related autograph, his reaction made clear that he didn’t like the idea, but he’s trying to get better at hiding how he feels.
Kevin Owens: Body Parts for Tattoos
The self-professed ‘Real’ WWE Champion, like Zayn, has signed body parts for fans who plan to immortalize his signature in ink. While he considers it an “incredible honor,” Owens shared his nervousness about the possibility of his autograph becoming a permanent flaw on someone’s body.
Rey Mysterio: $100 bills
Rey Mysterio shared a story about fans wealthy enough to have him sign $100 bills. The WWE Hall of Famer cleverly incorporates his signature 619 move into the design, transforming the bill into a “619-dollar bill.”
Dominik Mysterio has reflected on the passing of Eddie Guerrero and what it means for him to have worked with the legend after entering the business himself.
The WWE star recently had an interview with No Contest Wrestling podcast. He discussed things such as his love for chicken nuggets, working with CM Punk, and more.
Coming from the legendary Mysterio family, Dirty Dom has been around wrestling all his life. When asked which was the first storyline that really broke his heart as a kid, the former NXT North American Champion recalled watching the tribute package for Eddie Guerrero after his passing:
“[Back in] ’05 when I was still young at the time but when Eddie passed and just seeing the community. I don’t remember showing emotion as a kid unless I was like physically hurt…cause never nothing really [bothered me]. I always kept to myself.
I remember when we were watching at home when Eddie had passed and the video package that they played with the Three Doors Down song. I just remember I started crying as a kid watching this and remembering him. Just what he had done with me and just everything that we had gone through in that angle. So I remember that as a wrestling fan that got me. Because I knew I wasn’t gonna see him again.”
The storyline between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio over the custody of Dom was one of the last feuds for the wrestling legend before his untimely passing. It was also the first time Dominik had gotten involved in a WWE angle.
Now that he has entered the business himself, the 27-year-old cherishes the time he got to spend with Guerrero even more. According to him, seeing Eddie’s work makes him realize how special the time was:
“Then now as an adult being in the business, it kind of sucks even more. Cause not only did I know him as a person and I got to be in the ring with him but I get to appreciate his work so much more now. Because it’s just…I’m living through it, trying to honor it. Looking at his matches and seeing how good he was, it just really…it makes me appreciate so much more the time I did get to spend with him.”
Dominik Mysterio is one of the wrestlers who continues to honor the legacy of Eddie Guerrero in various ways. This includes paying tribute through his gear and look as well as incorporating Eddie’s signature moves like the Three Amigos into his matches.
Drew McIntyre is gearing up for an intense clash with Cody Rhodes, in a program that promises emotional and physical turmoil for both Superstars. During a recent TikTok livestream, the Scottish Warrior hinted at major developments on the horizon.
“I don’t want to give too much away. It’s going to be significant when the time comes… The world is going to be along for the ride. Feelings will be hurt, bodies will be,” McIntyre teased.
Drawing parallels between their careers, McIntyre noted that both he and Rhodes left WWE at different points, only to return as larger-than-life Superstars. McIntyre highlighted that he “redefined what independent wrestling meant” during his time away, while Rhodes made waves by co-founding AEW.
“Cody and I, it’s going to be big when it happens.”
The two share a history as a tag team, having briefly held the WWE Tag Team Championships in 2010 for a 35-day reign, which was cut short by the unlikely duo of John Cena and David Otunga. More recently, McIntyre secured a victory over Rhodes on the February 19, 2024, episode of WWE Raw.
Currently, both Superstars are entrenched in high-profile storylines—McIntyre with the OG Bloodline and Rhodes with Kevin Owens. However, McIntyre’s words suggest that fans won’t have to wait long for these two top-tier talents to collide once again.
Matt Cardona says he is beyond proud of Chelsea Green.
The female star made history becoming the first-ever Women’s United States Champion at Saturday Night’s Main Event. This opportunity didn’t come easy for Green who had to work hard to get the recognition she deserved for years. She kept at it even after getting released from WWE once in 2021 and finally started becoming a fan favorite after returning to the company in 2023.
The Deathmatch King who married Chelsea Green in 2021, expressed his feelings on her big win in a new video. Matt Cardona said that he can’t put his feelings into words:
“Chelsea Green, new first ever women’s United States champion. Beyond proud of her. I can’t even put into words how proud of her I am. I wish I was there, Long Island. But I’m here, I’m working. She understands that.”
Cardona who has ample experience of the WWE system himself, highlighted the struggles of his wife through the years. He also thanked Green for paying tribute to his Zack Ryder character during the championship match with Michin:
“I saw this girl, like get rejected from WWE, had to beg for tryouts, then got a job, then got fired, and worked her ass off on the indies, then got back. So, she’s earned this. So, I’m beyond proud. And she wore like one-legged tights, Zack Ryder style. Did the Rough Ryder on Long Island. So, thanks babe, appreciate you.”
Chelsea Green has already declared herself the longest reigning Women’s US Champion and called out a big name to come challenge her. You can check out more about it here.
Jinder Mahal is not rushing to sign a new contract.
The former WWE star recently spoke to MuscleManMalcolm at WrestleCade. He discussed things such as his WWE title win, which talents he would like to face in 2025, his Waffle house order and more.
When asked if he’s open to signing a contract in wrestling, Mahal who goes by the name Raj Dhesi mentioned how he’s enjoying his time as an independent wrestler. He noted that he is not opposed to signing a new deal somewhere but the opportunity will have to be the right one:
“For the right opportunity, yes. Obviously, it’s wrestling business and we’re open for business. But all things have to be right. I don’t mind what I’m doing. I pick my own schedule, wrestle whoever I want. I’m open to do things outside of wrestling. Which is a big thing. But again, for the right opportunity, the right time, anything is possible.”
Speaking about the new WWE ID program, the Modern Day Maharaja said that he’s happy to see a program that can help young indie wrestlers get more opportunities:
“I’m really happy that WWE created the ID program. An opportunity for independent wrestlers to get some brand power with WWE. Help them pursue other opportunities and then one day end up in WWE. I think it’s a great initiative. I think it’s balances well with the NIL program.”
Mahal also talked about his 2018 feud with Roman Reigns and their match at Money In The Bank in Chicago. He revealed that WWE had considered the idea of making it a Punjabi Prison match.
WWE’s global reach is set to expand even further in 2025 as the company intensifies its focus on international markets. Chris Legentil, WWE’s executive VP of talent relations and head of communications, shared insights this week on the Sports Business Journal Sports Media podcast, discussing WWE’s evolving approach to premium live events (PLEs) and its groundbreaking partnership with Netflix.
“This year alone, we did more than half our (premium live events) outside the U.S.”
A major component of this international strategy is WWE’s collaboration with Netflix, which will now host PLEs for fans outside the U.S. Legentil explained that the partnership will influence the selection of future event locations.
“We’re going to be working with them [Netflix] hand-in-hand to select locations across the world where we can grow our audience and hopefully gain some subscribers for them.”
In 2024, WWE staged eight main-roster PLEs outside the United States, with notable events in Germany, Scotland, France, Australia, Canada, and Saudi Arabia. The trend continues in 2025, with Elimination Chamber confirmed for March 1 in Toronto, Canada. Meanwhile, UK fans eagerly await news of a potential WrestleMania, following John Cena’s tease during Money in the Bank 2023.
As WWE cements its status as a global wrestling powerhouse, fans can look forward to even more international PLEs in the years ahead. For the latest updates on WWE’s premium live events, stay tuned to SEScoops, and visit our Events hub for all upcoming show details.
At TNA Final Resolution, Tessa Blanchard made her much-anticipated return to the promotion, marking her first appearance for TNA in over four years. However, her comeback has sparked widespread criticism online, with many fans voicing disapproval over TNA’s decision to bring back the controversial former World Champion.
Lance Storm, who works as a producer for TNA Wrestling, was backstage during Final Resolution. Speaking to Figure Four Daily, Storm shared his observations on the backstage atmosphere.
“I only saw positive responses and interactions. Most people don’t want to make a scene, so if there were people who weren’t happy about it, they kept quiet.”
Blanchard’s previous departure from TNA (then known as Impact Wrestling) in 2020 followed accusations of bullying and the use of racist language. In 2023, she and La Rosa Negra—the wrestler who alleged Blanchard had directed a racial slur at her—were seen together smiling, suggesting the pair had reconciled.
We are human and our responsibility in this world is to do better and/or be a better person to those around us.
— La Rosa Negra ??????? ?? (@LaRosaNegraPR) April 3, 2023
Storm also shared his personal perspective on Blanchard’s return. He believes the second-generation wrestler deserves a second chance but feels her refusal to apologize for past allegations has only prolonged the controversy.
“People deserve second chances. I don’t know if mistakes—no matter how bad—should follow you for the rest of your life.”
Blanchard’s return to TNA began with a dramatic attack on Jordynne Grace, igniting a feud between the two. Reports suggest that Grace was initially reluctant to work with Blanchard. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on Tessa Blanchard’s comeback and her evolving storyline in TNA Wrestling.
Drew McIntyre is happy to have more places in wrestling where talents can make a living.
The Scottish Warrior returned to WWE during the December 2 Raw after going on a hiatus following the October 5 Hell In A Cell PPV. McIntyre has referred to the sacrifices he has made for his wrestling career in the promos he has cut since his return.
The former WWE Champion was asked for his thoughts on AEW during a recent TikTok live workout session. Drew McIntyre revealed that he spent his time off catching up on various wrestling promotions other than WWE.
“I’m happy to watch all wrestling, especially when I’m off. When I was out that three months, when one person called me the entire time I was out, that’s the time for me to catch up on everything. IMPACT, AEW, New Japan, the independents.”
So Many People Making Full Time Living: Drew McIntyre
When Drew McIntyre was released from his WWE contract following the 3MB stint in 2014, he had to rebuild himself from scratch. Starting off in IWC in Scotland, the wrestling veteran slowly re-established himself as a serious performer on smaller stages before getting a big break again.
The WWE star referenced this period of his career while discussing AEW and how it has provided a second chance to a lot of people that he didn’t get in 2014. He said that it’s great to see so many of his friends getting to make a full time living in other companies:
“I’m happy to see so many people I’m friends with making a full-time living. That wasn’t the case when I was fired in 2014 and reinvented what it meant to be a professional wrestler, using social media as I still do to this day at the top level.
It’s been going since 2014. To rebrand myself, to see how much the industry grew in those three years, and it led to so many places and so many people making a full-time living. It’s awesome.”
Drew McIntyre has reignited his feud with The OG Bloodline since returning to TV. After defeating Sami Zayn at Saturday Night’s Main Event, McIntyre proclaimed that there were ‘4 more’ opponents to go.
As AEW approaches the new year, they will be getting back one of its top stars who has been absent from television.
Adam Copeland has been sidelined for several months with a broken leg, sustained during a daring dive off a steel cage at Double or Nothing. During his recovery, Copeland worked on a film project and was medically cleared to return to action several weeks ago.
During Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite, FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) announced their plans to confront the Death Riders on the January 1, 2025, edition of Dynamite. This episode will be taking place in FTR’s hometown of Asheville, North Carolina.
FTR has a score to settle after being attacked by the Death Riders on the December 14 episode of Collision. While the duo will be medically cleared to wrestle at Fight for the Fallen, they hinted that they wouldn’t be coming to the January 1 showdown alone.
This has led to speculation Copeland may join them due to his alliance with the tag team and him living in the area. According to Fightful Select’s Sean Ross Sapp, Copeland’s return is expected imminently.
Fans are buzzing about the possibility of Copeland teaming with FTR, especially in their shared hometown, which would undoubtedly make for an unforgettable moment in AEW history.
Kenny Omega is inching closer to his return to AEW television, as hinted at during Wednesday’s episode of AEW Dynamite. A new hype video aired, teasing Omega’s comeback, with commentator Excalibur stating, “We hope to see him back in AEW very soon.”
Omega has not wrestled since December 2023, following a diagnosis of diverticulitis and subsequent surgery. His in-ring return is confirmed for Wrestle Dynasty on January 5, where he will face Gabe Kidd. According to Fightful Select, the match was approved by AEW CEO Tony Khan, who viewed it as a goodwill gesture to strengthen the company’s relationship with New Japan Pro Wrestling (NJPW).
There had been some internal discussion about Omega making his AEW return at Full Gear. However, sources claim that no concrete plans were ever set for the event. Reports now suggest that Omega is likely to make an appearance in AEW before traveling to Japan, possibly as soon as the World’s End pay-per-view on December 28. While his exact role remains unclear, there is optimism within AEW about his impending involvement.
Fans are eagerly awaiting Omega’s return, both for his match at Wrestle Dynasty and his eventual return to AEW, which promises to be a major moment for the promotion.
This week’s ROH Final Battle will mark Billie Starkz’s second consecutive challenge against Athena, following her narrow defeat in last year’s main event. In an interview with SEScoops‘ Ella Jay, Starkz reflected on her growth since her previous encounter with the Forever Champion.
“Genuinely just being able to be in the AEW environment. Being around all these women and learning over the last year, I feel like I’ve grown as a competitor. I’m 10 times the monster that I was at the last Final Battle.”
Before their rivalry intensified, Athena served as a mentor to Starkz during their time in ROH. However, the champion’s mistreatment of her “minion” ultimately ended their partnership. While Starkz is determined to dethrone Athena this week, she acknowledged the champion’s influence on her career.
“She’s a great mentor. She’s one of the smartest brains in wrestling and she’s been doing this for over a decade. I feel like Athena is willing to help out women’s wrestling but in the most narcissistic way.”
Athena’s self-assuredness is not without merit. Since capturing the ROH Women’s World Title in December 2022, she has defended it 25 times against competitors such as Starkz, Marina Shafir, and Willow Nightingale. Athena not only holds the record for the longest reign as ROH Women’s Champion but also the longest reign of any ROH Champion in history, regardless of sex.
ROH Final Battle 2024 will take place on December 20, from the legendary Hammerstein Ballroom in New York City. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from the show, and whether Starkz can do what no woman has been able to when stepping in the ring with Athena.
WWE’s resident Final Boss, The Rock, did not hold back when preparing for his much-anticipated return to the ring at this year’s WrestleMania. On Night One, The Rock competed in his first full-length match in over a decade, while Night Two saw him make a high-profile appearance in the main event between Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns.
In an interview with PEOPLE, the Brahma Bull reflected on the grueling preparation required to get back into peak ring-shape.
“It’s incredibly hard. The training becomes really extensive, and the training camp becomes extensive. I went [to] training camp for WrestleMania, which was about an eight- to nine-week training camp.”
Despite the intensity, the Hollywood A-Lister successfully powered through the rigorous training. Along the way, he had support from the NXT trio Gallus, who ensured his in-ring performance met fans’ high expectations.
Appreciate all the effort, ideas and hard work boys. Til next time. Keep kicking ass and see ya down the road. – Final Boss
The WWE Universe last saw The Rock during his surprise cameo at WWE Bad Blood, where he reignited his feud with Cody Rhodes. Speculation has since swirled about a potential appearance when WWE Raw debuts on Netflix, though no confirmation has been made.
With his WrestleMania comeback deemed a success, fans are already looking forward to seeing The Rock back in action in 2025, with a role at WrestleMania 41 looking increasingly likely. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on The Rock, who is holding nothing back to ensure he’s at his very best in the ring.
Dominik Mysterio didn’t hold back his thoughts on CM Punk’s in-ring performance after their match at a WWE live event on December 26, 2023. This marked Punk’s first WWE match since the Royal Rumble in 2014, a significant moment for wrestling fans. Despite the historic nature of the bout, Mysterio seemed unimpressed by Punk’s approach in the ring, taking aim at the wrestling icon’s repertoire of moves—a term that has become a meme in recent weeks.
Speaking on No Contest Wrestling with O’Shea Jackson Jr. and TJ Jefferson, Dominik offered a sharp critique:
“I had the great dishonor of welcoming Punk back after ten long years. It was everything I expected it to be—just an old man trying to do his thing. Thinks he’s still got it. He went out there in some plain black underwear. Didn’t even have his gear. It was definitely a sight to see.”
– Dominik Mysterio
He went on to reflect on their shared history, referencing Punk’s feud with Rey Mysterio and a moment when Punk sang Happy Birthday to Dominik’s sister:
“I’m sure he remembers. He cornered my whole family back when he had that shitty long black hair. Now that I’m my own man, I’d love to get my hands on him again. I’ve seen what he can do—it’s nothing special. I know his moveset.”
– Dominik Mysterio
The term moveset has become a running joke in wrestling circles, spurred on by CM Punk’s recent dig at AEW rival Hangman Page’s use of the word. Punk mocked the term last week, leading to widespread commentary from wrestlers and fans alike. Mysterio’s jab is the latest in the ongoing meme-driven discourse surrounding Punk’s wrestling style.
Punk’s return to WWE has been a hot topic since his surprise appearance at Survivor Series 2023. While his match with Mysterio rekindled nostalgia for some, Dominik’s comments suggest not everyone is convinced of Punk’s current capabilities.
Punk’s next match is set for January 6, 2024, where he will face Seth Rollins during the WWE Raw on Netflix premiere. Fans eagerly await whether Punk can silence his critics or if the chatter about his moveset will persist.
Conor McGregor is feeling immensely confidence as he continuues to tease a potential showdown with Logan Paul, promising not just a win but a knockout of the “novice.” Taking to X (formerly Twitter), McGregor showcased his trademark bravado to hype up the possible fight.
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…
Earlier this week, McGregor revealed discussions with the wealthy Ambani family about hosting a boxing exhibition in India against WWE’s resident “Maverick.” The MMA star has been out of competition since 2021, with a planned return to the octagon earlier this year canceled due to a broken toe. Meanwhile, Logan Paul recently suffered a defeat to LA Knight at SummerSlam 2024 in his most recent WWE appearance.
A Paul vs. McGregor bout would undoubtedly draw massive attention, but it could also spark controversy given both competitors’ histories. McGregor was recently found liable in a civil rape case involving Nikita Hand, resulting in a $250,000 payout to the victim, though the fighter intends to appeal. Paul has faced his share of scandals as well, both prior to and during his WWE tenure.
Paul has kept quiet about McGregor’s request for a match, but recently shared a screennshot of McGregor’s tweet with the ‘eyes’ emoji. The Prime viral sensation is at least entertaining McGregor’s trash talk, because he knows the value of keeping his name out there even if this never gets past the hype stage.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on the hypothetical Conor McGregor vs. Logan Paul fight, a possible collision between two of the biggest names in combat sports and entertainment.
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) have announced a new media rights agreement that will make AEW’s programming available across more platforms. Beginning January 1, 2025, AEW content will expand to include streaming on the Max platform in addition to traditional TV broadcasts.
Key Highlights of the New Agreement
Continued Broadcasts on TBS and TNT
AEW Dynamite will remain on Wednesdays on TBS, while AEW Collision stays on Saturdays on TNT.
Streaming on Max
U.S. subscribers of Max will, for the first time, have the option to stream Dynamite and Collision live, with episodes available on-demand after their initial broadcast.
Content Library Expansion
Max will add AEW’s content library, including episodes of Dynamite, Collision, Rampage, and pay-per-view events from 2019 through 2024. The rollout will include highlights such as Dynamite’s inaugural year and the most recent two months of programming.
Special New Year’s Events to Launch the Partnership
AEW Dynamite: Fight for the Fallen: Premiering on Wednesday, January 1, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET, this special event will air live on TBS and Max from Asheville, NC. Proceeds will support Hurricane Helene relief efforts in the region.
AEW Collision: The first Saturday broadcast under the new deal will air live on January 4, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET from Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, NC, on TNT and Max.
Pay-Per-View Integration on Max
Starting later in 2025, AEW pay-per-view events will also become available on Max. Additional details, including pricing, will be announced closer to the launch.
This agreement is a significant move to increase AEW’s accessibility and integrate its content into Max’s slate of live sports and entertainment programming.
Magnum TA feels it’s been a long time coming for his stepdaughter, Tessa Blanchard to make her return to a premier American wrestling product like TNA.
On the upcoming episode of “Straight Talk With The Boss: Magnum TA & Greg Gagne” I asked Magnum what he thinks of Tessa’s return to American wrestling, something she’s been unofficially blacklisted from following allegations made against her regarding an altercation between her and La Rosa Negra. Negra and her have long since mended fences and Magnum talks about that in addition to her return.
“To be on a program and have an impact when you get that chance is a very special thing for us in the wrestling industry and Tessa had an opportunity and I mean not only hit a home run, but She hit a grand slam. Perfect interview after, the whole deal, set the tone.
So many people have been running their mouths for so many years now and ignorance is a motivator for a lot people to say a lot of things when they don’t know the whole story.”
TA commented how Tessa trail-blazed the wrestling industry in TNA by becoming the first woman to ever win a men’s World Championship.
“She’s there to take no prisoners. It’s gonna be good.”
Magnum added that the ratings have been impressive for TNA and it should put NXT and AEW on notice. A great credit to that is the Knockouts division. Magnum noted how big of an influence Gail Kim, Tommy Dreamer and Anthem overall has been in making the product grow.
The new episode will drop at 6:05 PM ET on Four Horsemen Network and wherever you get your podcasts by searching “Four Horsemen Network” which includes new episodes of Arn Anderson.
Tito Santana has opened up about the mistreatment of stars under the old WWE regime.
The WWE Hall of Famer recently had an interview with VOC Nation’s Wrestling with History podcast. He discussed things such as signing a new legends deal with the company, appearing at Saturday Night’s Main Event and more.
Discussing how the old management treated its stars, Santana claimed that they were not very nice. He noted how a lot of talents from their time went broke because of poor financial management:
“They weren’t very nice (to us). I’m doing ok, thank God. I had another career, and I didn’t blow my money away. But so many of my friends, you know, were just left in the dust… I gave Vince my notice – not too many people give Vince their notice – I gave Vince my notice in ’93.”
Tito Santana had three different runs with WWF through his active years. The longest of the three runs lasted from 1983 to 1993. During this time, he became the first Mexican American wrestler to win the Intercontinental Championship.
The wrestling veteran also wrestled in the opening match at the very first WrestleMania from MSG in 1985 where he defeated The Executioner.
Speaking about his time in the company, the 71 year old claimed that the officials should have paid them a lot more than what they got:
“Should Vince have done a lot more with Tito Santana? I feel like, yeah. But I could have also done a lot worse without Vince McMahon. I appreciate everything he did. I was there longer than anyone else…
I got there before Hulk in 1983, and I was there when he left…Him and I were the only ones that were there for Wrestlemania one through nine…I think we should have gotten paid more than what we did, especially for our merchandise.
This new company is paying us more than what the WWF was paying us. They could have taken (better) care of the boys, but I don’t really hold any grudges.”
Santana also revealed that the new WWE management had tried to bring him in for appearances on multiple occasions in the past but he had declined the offer.
While this year’s Survivor Series War Games match was, on its surface, a battle between two different versions of The Bloodline, the last minute addition of CM Punk to the team captained by Roman Reigns reframed the narrative. The story largely came down to Punk and Reigns as uneasy partners, bound by being two of the most successful Paul Heyman Guys.
The unlikely duo did wind up successfully coexisting, but it nonetheless returned a spotlight to the concept of Paul Heyman Guys and who among the celebrated cast of elite stars The Wise Man has helped along the way really is the best. We’ll never have a definitive answer, but it is interesting to compare the top contenders.
Bully Ray
Bully Ray is probably the most surprising act to appear on a list of the most successful Paul Heyman Guys, but when one stops to think about it, it’s both pretty remarkable what the former Bubba Ray Dudley has accomplished and how unlikely his story was had Heyman not put him in a position to succeed.
Though Bully Ray never had a main event singles run in ECW, he was nonetheless one of the promotion’s top stars, a heatseeking missile who drew nuclear reactions from the live crowds. Moreover, the opportunities afforded to him in ECW laid the foundation for his legendary run with D-Von Dudley as one of the greatest tag teams of all time, across ECW, WWE, TNA, and elsewhere.
It was in TNA where Bully Ray realized his full potential, booked as the leader of the Aces and Eights faction, world champion, and the definitive top heel in the promotion for the better part of the year. While he never broke out in WWE, this run proved what he had inside of him as a talker, worker, and wrestling mind, making good on everything Heyman had seen in him from back in their days in Philly together.
CM Punk
CM Punk was an indie darling but ran into a brick wall after signing with WWE. Upper management didn’t see a lot in him, but Paul Heyman did.
Heyman’s role running developmental at that point set him up to work closely with an eager Punk who sat under Heyman’s learning tree while further honing his craft. Against the odds, The Straight Edge Superstar did rise to prominence on the main roster in time. He did some of his best work as a long-reigning WWE Champion, with Heyman serving as his Advocate. Though Punk never needed a mouthpiece, Heyman certainly added to his presentation.
Punk’s resume since first collaborating with Heyman speaks for itself. He is, to date, a two-time WWE Champion, three-time WWE World Heavyweight Champion, WWE ECW Champion, rare two-time WWE Money in the Bank winner, and two-time AEW Champion. It’s a record that places him among wrestling’s most accomplished stars of his generation.
Roman Reigns
Roman Reigns was Vince McMahon’s final hand-picked face of WWE, but it wasn’t until Reigns dropped the white meat babyface persona The Chairman had saddled him with and turned heel alongside Paul Heyman that he broached God Mode.
His positioning as the top babyface placed Reigns as a regular rival to Brock Lesnar, which gave him his first opportunities to collaborate with Heyman. Things went to an entirely new level when Heyman and Reigns formalized their partnership though, with the duo collaborating closely behind the scenes just as Heyman played The Wise Man on screen for Reigns and his Bloodline faction.
Since partnering with Heyman, Reigns enjoyed a historic three and half year reign as WWE Champion that cemented his place as the face of the company and probably the tip-top star of his generation. That’s not to mention that Reigns just won his second Survivor Series War Games main event and the smart money has more world title glory, WrestleMania main events, and other elite accolades in front of him.
Brock Lesnar
(via WWE)
Brock Lesnar was an exceptional amateur wrestler and one of the few talents to succeed at the highest levels of pro wrestling and MMA alike. While The Beast’s real life combat credentials have little to do with Paul Heyman, his WWE journey was largely molded by his relationship with his advocate.
The generally accepted story is that most of the people advising Lesnar early in his career encouraged him to work like a standard big man who worked a slow pace, hit power moves, and never left his feet. Heyman saw bigger things in taking advantage of Lesnar’s natural speed and agility to lead to The Next Big Thing he’d become. Add in Heyman as a necessary mouthpiece and Lesnar became one of the biggest stars WWE has ever seen.
Stone Cold Steve Austin
The year was 1995 and nobody believed in Steve Austin. Austin had been let go from WCW out of a combination of his attitude issues and injuries, combined with a new focus on established imports from WWE. As for WWE, while they would end up signing Austin, it was for the explicit purpose of being a mechanic who could put over stars they were actually invested in in good technical matches.
It was Heyman who put a live mic in Austin’s hands and, in so doing, paved the way the way for the Texas Rattlesnake fans would come to know and love as Stone Cold Steve Austin. Like he did for many others, Heyman gave Stone Cold an opportunity to experiment and spotlight his strengths. Yes, Heyman would also manage Austin in WCW for a spell, and back him up as part of The Alliance in 2001, but it was Austin’s ECW run that permanently branded him as a Paul Heyman guy, and he went on to some of the most explosively successful years in pro wrestling history.
