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WWE Had Plans In Place For Ricky Starks’ Debut Before His AEW Departure

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WWE was reportedly planning Ricky Starks’ debut before his departure from AEW earlier this week. On Monday, PWInsider reported that Starks had left AEW and was free to perform elsewhere.

The following night on NXT, Starks surprised fans by making an unexpected appearance. He cut a promo but was not recognized by name, leading to speculation that WWE and Starks had either not agreed on terms to use his name or were in the process of deciding on a new one.

According to Wrestling Observer Newsletter‘s Dave Meltzer, WWE had originally planned for Starks to debut at a major NXT event later this year. However, those plans were accelerated as soon as he became available.

Meltzer wrote, “Even before his release, WWE had plans for Starks to debut in NXT at a major event later this year, but sped up the process as soon as he was available.”

It has been confirmed that Starks has been added to WWE’s internal roster under his current ring name. However, there is still a possibility that his identity could change.

Despite his talent and strong fan support, Starks struggled to reach the main event scene in AEW before being sidelined for nearly a year.

Big E To Star In “F+” Movie With Randy Couture

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Big E has landed another movie role, this time teaming up with former UFC champion Randy Couture (The Expendables), Tommy Davidson (In Living Color), and Jennifer Esposito (Crash) in the family comedy F+.

Deadline.com reported the news today. Premiere Entertainment Group has licensed North American rights to the project, while Swen Studios produced the film. The story follows a group of young teenagers who plan the perfect heist by breaking into their middle school to alter their failing test grades.

Big E is joined in the cast by Wells Rappaport, Lily Jane, James Williams Jr., Lilly Tricano, and Cade Clark. Kenny Beaumont directed the film based on an original screenplay by Jonathan Davenport. Eli Lipnik produces for Swen Studios, with Jason M. Murphy producing for In The Dark Entertainment. Executive producers include Murray Lipnik, Amber Wilkins, Tim Wilkins, Dimiter Nikolov, Elias Axume, and Carlos Rincon for Premiere Entertainment.

While Big E is primarily known for his successful WWE career, he has also ventured into acting. He appeared in Escape the Undertaker (2021), a Netflix interactive movie featuring Big E alongside his New Day teammates Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods as they attempt to survive a night in the Undertaker’s haunted mansion.

Big E reacted to the news by tweeting, “Blessed to be a part of this wonderful family film written by the absurdly talented @TheRealDavenpoe.” The former WWE Champion has been out of action since breaking his neck on SmackDown in March 2022.

Gunther to Defend Against CM Punk, Seth Rollins in Steel Cage Matches Before WrestleMania

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Gunther, the reigning WWE World Heavyweight Champion, is gearing up for a challenging road to WrestleMania 41, with multiple steel cage title defenses scheduled before his showdown with 2025 Royal Rumble winner Jey Uso.

Steel Cage Match vs. Seth Rollins in Germany

Gunther vs Seth Rollins before WrestleMania 41

As part of WWE’s European tour in March, Gunther will defend his championship in Germany against Seth Rollins inside a steel cage. The announcement was made via WWE Germany’s social media, adding another high-stakes battle to Gunther’s schedule.

CM Punk to Challenge Gunther in Austria

Gunther vs CM Punk before WrestleMania 41

Gunther will also put his title on the line against CM Punk in Austria, marking a rematch from a previous live event main event. This matchup will take place in Gunther’s home country, making it a highly anticipated showdown for Austrian fans.

WrestleMania 41 Title Match Still Set

Gunther vs Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41
Can GUNTHER make it to WrestleMania 41 as champion?

Despite these upcoming defenses, Gunther is still scheduled to defend the World Heavyweight Championship against Jey Uso at WrestleMania 41. However, with two major challengers ahead, his path to the grand stage remains uncertain.

Michelle McCool Confirmed for WWE Hall of Fame Class of 2025

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WWE legend Michelle McCool is the second entrant of the WWE Hall of Fame class of 2025, as announced on ESPN’s Get Up.

The announcement was made by WWE creative head Triple H as both Michelle and her husband The Undertaker appeared at the show. The Game first discussed how Taker was involved in surprising him with the news of H’s own HOF induction earlier.

The King of Kings joked that as the head of the company, he has the opportunity to get the last laugh, before announcing Michelle for the 2025 class:

“I wanted to come here today to take a moment to say, Michelle, The WrestleMania season is upon us, which means the Hall of Fame season is upon us. And I would like to tell you right now that you’ll be inducted into the 2025 Hall of Fame.”

Triple H credited McMcool’s influence on the advanced state of women’s professional wrestling, calling her “one of the women that transformed what we do.”

Michelle McCool’s WWE Career

Michelle McCool is a WWE veteran who is considered a trailblazer for women’s wrestling. A multi-time woman’s champion, the wrestling icon is the idol for many of the current WWE stars.

Having found her way into the business in 2004 through Divas Search, McCool quickly became a fan favorite. She was considered one of the top female stars of the Ruthless Aggression Era before she retired from active competition in 2011.

The retired wrestling star made history when she became the inaugural WWE Divas Champion at the 2008 Great American Bash event. Not only did she have a long reign with the title, but she also went on to win the Women’s Championship in 2009. Michelle then unified both the belts, securing her name in the history books as the first and so far, the only Unified Divas Champion.

SEScoops would like to congratulate Michelle McCool on the well-deserved induction.

Listen to Indi Hartwell’s New Theme Song from Downstait, ‘Hart Won’t Quit’

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Rock band Downstait has released “Hart Won’t Quit,” a new song that will serve as Indi Hartwell’s entrance theme.

Hartwell (Samantha De Martin) was released by WWE in late 2024 after approximately five years with the company. During her time there, the Australian star held the NXT Women’s Championship and the NXT Women’s Tag Team Championship alongside Candice LeRae.

In a video on her new YouTube channel, Hartwell revealed she was blindsided by WWE’s decision to release her. “I didn’t see it coming at all, especially since I’d been on TV pretty regularly,” she said.

Despite the shock, Hartwell expressed gratitude for her WWE journey, saying, “It’s a bit bittersweet, but I’m choosing to focus on the good memories.”

She remains committed to professional wrestling and will feature Downstait’s “Hart Won’t Quit” as part of her presentation in the next chapter of her career.

Johnny Gargano Shares Heartfelt Farewell to Indi Hartwell

Report: WWE and Netflix Developing New Docu-Series for 2025

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A new WWE docu-series may be coming to Netflix next year, according to a report from WWE insider Wrestlevotes. While neither WWE nor Netflix have officially announced the project, the report suggests that the series—described as a “modern-day vlog show”—will premiere in Spring 2025. The alleged focus will be WWE’s transition to Netflix and an inside look at the lives of its superstars, both in and out of the ring.

WWE recorded hours of behind-the-scenes footage at the Intuit Dome during the first weekend of January, potentially for use in this project. Additionally, current Women’s United States Champion Chelsea Green is reportedly among the featured talent.

WWE’s collaboration with Netflix began earlier this year with Monday Night RAW moving exclusively to the platform in the U.S., while international markets gained access to WWE’s content library. If accurate, this rumored docu-series would expand that partnership further.

As of now, WWE and Netflix have not publicly commented on the project. We have reached out to Netflix for confirmation and will provide updates as more information becomes available.

Michelle McCool Discusses Fan Harassment At Airports: People Just Don’t Have Boundaries

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Michelle McCool has opened up about her own experience of dealing with obsessive fans at the airports.

The transgression of fans when approaching talents in public has been a topic of discussion recently. Especially for female talents it has become a huge problem in recent times. Stars such as Asuka have had to publicly condone such actions, making people concerned about their well-being.

The wrestling veteran also opened up about facing such troubles during a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet. Michelle McCool called such fans awful and noted how people don’t leave stars alone even when they’re with kids:

“People recognizing we were traveling on the road all the time. But man, it’s crazy. People just don’t have boundaries. It’s like, you appreciate and love the fans. You hear it from even the superstars today, but when you’re getting chased or followed and your kids are around, especially, it’s just like, Dude, come on.”

The former Women’s Champion is not the only one who has spoken about such issues in recent time. Sonya Deville who was victim of an attempted kidnapping in 2020 recently discussed how stalking laws don’t provide a lot of protection to celebrities and called for a change.

Apart from this, Michelle McCool also talked about the early backstage reactions to her relationship with The Undertaker and expressed regret on being part of a cruel WWE storyline. You can check out what she said about the matter here.

Mickie James Replies to Roxanne Perez’s Dream Match Challenge

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Veteran wrestler Mickie James has responded to NXT star Roxanne Perez naming her as a dream WrestleMania opponent, hinting that she may step back into the ring.

While James hasn’t competed in WWE since the 2022 Royal Rumble, she has made multiple backstage appearances at recent shows. Speaking with No Contest Wrestling, Perez listed several wrestling legends—AJ Lee, Lita, Trish Stratus, Chyna, and Mickie James—as her dream opponents. She specifically noted that matches against Stratus and James could be possible in 2025.

James acknowledged the mention on Twitter, playfully responding:

“You gonna make me dust off my working boots @roxanne_wwe ?”

The six-time WWE Women’s Champion last wrestled in September 2024, appearing for IWR on September 12. Meanwhile, Trish Stratus recently made her in-ring return at the 2025 Royal Rumble, where Perez delivered an impressive iron-woman performance.

With both Stratus and James potentially available for a future match, a high-profile showdown with Perez could be on the horizon.

Has A High Opinion Of Himself: AEW Personality Reacts To Ricky Starks’ NXT Surprise

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Ricky Starks was presented as a game-changer upon his surprise NXT debut this week. While many are already seeing the former AEW talent as a future superstar, wrestling veteran Jim Ross is taking a more patient approach.

The AEW personality talked about things like the recent WWE releases, signing The Big Show to WWE and more on the latest episode of his podcast.

Speaking about Starks’ NXT debut only a day after his AEW release, Ross claimed that he has a unique opportunity ahead. He mentioned that Ricky has a big personality but cautioned talents who think signing with WWE as their end goal:

“Well, he’s a high-motor guy. I don’t know if he’ll be the next Shawn Michaels at his size, but he has a unique future. He’s got a big personality, so hopefully, he’ll do well and live his dream. It seems like the dream for a lot of talents is to make it to WWE and call it a day. That’s not where it ends, that’s where it begins.”

He’s Got A Lot Of Abilities: Jim Ross

Ricky Starks ended his 5-year run with Tony Khan’s promotion when he was let go earlier this month. While originally considered a future main eventer for the company, the former FTW champion had spent most of 2024 on the shelf with all kind of rumors about his status.

Speaking about his move from AEW to NXT, Jim Ross claimed that the 34-year-old ‘has a high opinion’ of himself. Whether he’s able to live up to the hype or not, is yet to be seen:

“So, I saw the episode of NXT last night [and was] surprised to see Ricky Starks. [I] don’t know how he’s going to do. He’s got a high opinion of himself, and he’s got a lot of abilities. There’s no doubt about that. So we’ll see how it works out for him. It’s never easy to get over, and hopefully, he can get over and stay over as a top star. It remains to be seen. Let’s see how it goes.”

While the former champion was presented as a star upon his debut, WWE avoided mentioning his name on TV. You can check out the potential reason behind this caution here.

Nic Nemeth Suspended from TNA for 4 Weeks After ‘Accidental’ Superkick

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TNA has storyline-suspended Nic Nemeth for four weeks without pay after he accidentally superkicked Director of Authority Santino Marella during TNA iMPACT!.

Last night, Joe Hendry successfully defended his TNA World Championship against Jake Something. Following the match, Nemeth entered the ring to assist Hendry, but in the ensuing chaos, he inadvertently struck Marella with a superkick.

Backstage Apology Falls Short

Nick Nemeth Apologizes to Santino Marella Backstage
Santino wasn’t convinced by the Wanted Man’s apology

After the incident, Nemeth and his brother Ryan Nemeth met with Marella backstage, where Nic immediately apologized. He insisted that the kick was accidental and reminded Marella of their long history together in OVW.

“Hey, hey, hey, you okay buddy? I am sorry, man. Listen, listen, that wasn’t meant for you. You know that was an accident. Look at me, we go way back. OVW, we were there together. You know that was an accident… I’m sorry. From the bottom of my heart, you know I did not mean that. I’m sorry,” Nemeth said.

Ryan Nemeth also defended his brother, stating that mistakes happen. However, despite their explanations, Marella remained firm in his decision.

Marella’s Verdict: Four-Week Suspension

Marella acknowledged their history but emphasized that he had to protect the integrity of his authority in TNA.

“Look, you know I have the utmost respect for you and your family. And we do go back. At least 20 years. That’s why, this is going to be a difficult decision, okay? I can’t have this kind of behavior flying all around. You almost broke my jaw. That’s why…

It’s not even about me, okay? It’s about this… I have to protect and respect the authority. I’m going to have to suspend you for four weeks, I am sorry, without pay. Okay? Before I decide to press the charges, just leave it at that. Okay?” Marella stated.

With Nemeth now sidelined, the suspension introduces uncertainty regarding his future in TNA. Fans will be watching closely to see how this situation unfolds when he eventually returns.

Tiffany Stratton Wants Sabrina Carpenter for WrestleMania Entrance & WWE Biopic

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WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton would love to do something with Sabrina Carpenter, whether it be in WWE or on the big screen. Speaking to Adrian Hernandez, Stratton was asked who should play her in a movie and picked the Espresso star.

 “It is only fitting to have Sabrina Carpenter play me in a future movie. Just because I get so many comparisons. A lot of my gear is inspired by her so there.”

When Hernandez teased Carpenter appearing at WrestleMania 41 and performing for Stratton, the WWE Women’s Champion made her plea to the music star.

“Sabrina Carpenter, if you are listening, sing my entrance music for me, or at least ‘Espresso,’ please, please, please. Like I don’t even care, whichever one you want, you can do it. If you want, we can totally match our outfits together. So yeah, Sabrina Carpenter, if you’re listening, please.”

Carpenter or no Carpenter, Stratton will have a key role at WrestleMania with all signs pointing to a showdown with Charlotte Flair. Taking on WWE’s most decorated woman of all time will certainly be a huge match for Stratton’s debut WrestleMania, and she’s hopeful that Carpenter will add some pizzazz to her arrival in Vegas.

Samantha Irvin: Vince McMahon Wouldn’t Have Kept Me As An Announcer

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Samantha Irvin would have not remained as a ring announcer in WWE if Vince McMahon was still running things, according to the announcer/musician. Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Irvin speculated as to how her WWE career could have been different had McMahon not been absent for much of her tenure.

“Vince would have taken her off of ring announcing. He would have been like, ‘Put her somewhere else and have her do something else.’ In my head, I always thought that’s what would happen.”

Irvin’s belief is that McMahon would have forseen a role for her bigger than ring announcing. Instead, WWE’s current administration only saw her as an announcer, which played a large role in her decision to leave in October 2024. Irvin herself has said that she hoped that announcing would lead into a role as a manager or General Manager, but that didn’t pan out.

While her time with WWE is over, Irvin shared on the show that “I’m not done with wrestling at all” but is focusing on projects outside the squared circle for the time being. This week, Irvin will release ‘Make Me,’ her first piece of music to be released since 2020.

Though many have suspected that Irvin will find her way to AEW alongside her fiancee Ricochet, that has yet to happen. Nevertheless, Irvin remains optimistic for a future in wrestling beyond ring announcing, and believes that would’ve happpened already under WWE’s previous adminstration.

Jordynne Grace Teasing Ex-TNA World Champ in WWE? “See You Soon Bro”

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Jordynne Grace has arrived in WWE, and now the former TNA Knockouts World Champion is excited at seeing her “bro” very soon. On X (formerly known as Twitter) Josh Alexander reflected on his jorney in wrestling and being signed to TNA Wrestling in 2019. In the comments, Grace shared that she couldn’t wait to see Alexander in the near future.

Grace’s comment spawned speculation that Josh Alexander could be the next high-profile name to siggn with WWE. One fan said that Alexander was needed “in NXT’s men’s division desperately” while another was excited at the idea of Alexander facing fellow powerhouse Bron Breakker.

Alexander’s contract with TNA Wrestling will expire on February 15, with this week’s iMPACT being promoted as hosting his final match with the promotion. The match saw Eric Young get the victory on the ‘Walking Weapon’ who remained laid out as TNA iMPACT went off the air.

A potential run in WWE opens up a lot of possibilities for Alexander, including a potential reunion with Ethan Page as The North. Whether it be in NXT or on WWE’s main roster, Alexander would be a huge acquisition for WWE, though there’s other options for him, including AEW or elsewhere.

On the Straight Talk Wrestling podcast, Alexander recently shared that he was supposed to appear for NXT last year but plans ultimately fell through. With Grace hoping to see Alexander soon, it remains to be seen if fans will see the former World Champion in a WWE ring in 2025.

The Undertaker Has Flimsy Defence On Recent Public Outing With Vince McMahon

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The Undertaker has defended his recent meeting with Vince McMahon.

The former WWE owner recently made a rare public appearance, being spotted at the Super Bowl event. He wasn’t the only wrestling name at the show. Both The Dead Man and Shane McMahon were seen hanging out with the boss during the night. A lot of people were critical of this outing in light of Vince’s ongoing legal battle with ex-employee Janel Grant.

During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, the Hall of Famer tried to defend his meeting with the former WWE chairman. The Undertaker admitted that he was a guest of Vince McMahon at the event. Speaking about the horrific accusations against his former boss, the retired wrestling star claimed that he does not know anything about it:

“Look, I’m gonna get hate for that. Listen, I don’t know. I don’t know. People think, ‘Oh, you guys are so close you know [everything.]’ I don’t know what has been done, what hasn’t been done. We don’t talk about those things, right? But he is a friend of mine.”

That’s The Way It Is: The Undertaker

The Undertaker discussed how Vince gave him an opportunity to make something of his life and the two became very good friends over the years. He also advised people critical of his continued friendship with McMahon to ‘get off their high horse’:

“So, I don’t know everything that’s happened, what’s going on, and I’m not the judge on this case. I’m not the judge. There’s only one judge. That’s the man upstairs. He’s gonna give us all whatever we deserve at the end, and that’s what it [is]. I think people in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.

And I think if you really look at your life and people who get off their high horse and their righteousness on social media and everything else…I don’t have to agree with everything that people do. It doesn’t change the fact that I love somebody, and I’m friends with somebody. It doesn’t mean I’m gonna do the same things. But that’s the way it is.”

The former World Champion noted that the last time he met Vince was in Saudi Arabia right after the latter’s back surgery. Per Taker, the longtime wrestling executive looked ‘much better’ this time around and was more like the ‘old Vince’ he has known through the years. Addressing the people critical of him over the meeting, the Attitude Era star said that he doesn’t ‘give a shit’ about their opinion and said ‘I don’t conform, if you’re my friend, you’re my friend.’

Nic Nemeth Hit With Storyline ‘Suspension’ After TNA iMPACT Superkick

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Nic Nemeth may be one of TNA Wrestling’s biggest names, but the ‘Wanted Man’ has been ‘suspended’ for four weeks after an incident on iMPACT. The drama unfolded on the February 13, 2025, episode of iMPACT after Joe Hendry retained the TNA World Championship against Jake Something. After the match, Nic and Ryan Nemeth arrived with Ryan demanding a title opportunity for his brother.

Things quickly spiraled out of control when Nic accidentally superkicked Jake Something, inadvertently taking out Santino Marella in the process. After the commercial break, TNA shared that Nic Nemeth has been suspended for four weeks due to striking Santino, TNA’s on-screen Director of Authority.

With Nemeth benched for the time being, it remains to be seen who’ll fill his place and challenge Joe Hendry for the TNA World Championship next. It also begs the question as to what Nemeth will be like once he is back, as his efforts to have a shot at the gold have been snuffed out for the time being.

Nemeth won the TNA World Championship in July 2024 and held the gold until Hendry dethroned him at Genesis last month. While Hendry is proudly representing TNA, both in and outside of the promotion, fans are eager to see what’s to come for the former champion after his four-week suspension is up.

Sexyy Red Turned Down a Full-Time WWE Role, Compares Wrestling To Rap

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Sexyy Red had the opportunity to step inside the WWE ring as a full-time wrestler, but she ultimately had to turn the offer down. Dazed Digital reports that WWE offered Red a “permanent role as a wrestler,” but due to her busy schedule, she had to decline. It was noted that Red “couldn’t find the time to train properly, so settled for a cameo instead.”

Despite not making the jump to in-ring competition, Red has shown nothing but love for WWE. In 2024, she made several high-profile appearances for WWE, including hosting WWE NXT Battleground in June. The show saw the first-ever Women’s North American Champion be crowned in Kelani Jordan, a title Red revealed to the world. Speaking to Dazed Digital, Red shared a comparison between wrestling and rapping.

“Rapping and wrestling are pretty much the same. It’s not quite acting, but it’s kind of acting too, right? Because when we go home and take off all our jewels and gold and remove the costumes we wear, we then have to go right back to reality with our families.”

Sexyy Red may have passed on a full-time WWE career for now but other celebrities have seen immense success in the ring. Grammy Award-winning artist Bad Bunny has impressed fans in his matches with WWE while Logan Paul is a former United States Champion with several high-profile matches to his name.

Whether Sexyy Red appears for WWE again or not, her impact has already been established in the promotion. Stay tuned for SEScoops for the latest on Red’s role with WWE as well as other celebrities eager to get involved with the sports entertainment juggernaut.

Reason Ricky Starks Was Not Referred By His Name On NXT

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Ricky Starks’ strange WWE debut has kept people guessing about his identity in his new home but latest reports suggest that the answer to it might not be as exciting.

The former AEW star made his surprise debut for the Endeavor-owned promotion during this week’s Vengeance Day go-home episode of NXT. To the curiosity of fans, Starks was not mentioned by name during his appearance, making many believe that he might be getting a new moniker in the company.

A new report from Fightful Select suggests an alternate reason for holding off his formal introduction, however. The site noted that WWE works on sync agreements with performers that allow them to utilize names and other trademarks not belonging to the company.

Since Starks’ debut was put together on very short notice after his AEW release, the belief is that the two sides were still working on that deal when the former FTW champion made his NXT appearance.

Though the company is listing him as Ricky Starks internally and with the wrestling star owning the trademark for his name, there seems to be no reason why a deal cannot be reached sooner than later.

The newest WWE signee cancelled a scheduled indie appearance for the weekend after his NXT debut, and it’s believed that he’ll be part of Saturday’s Vengeance Day special from CareFirst Arena in Washington D.C.

Demolition Signs WWE Legends Deals, Ending Years of Estrangement

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Legendary WWE tag team Demolition, consisting of Ax (Bill Eadie) and Smash (Barry Darsow), is finally returning to WWE after decades of estrangement.

According to PWInsider, the fearsome duo has officially signed Legends contracts. These deals will provide the groundbreaking tag team with financial benefits for years to come and open up licensing opportunities that will see Demolition represented through WWE’s video games, action figures, and merchandise.

This signing marks a significant reconciliation between WWE and one of its most dominant tag teams from the 1980s. Previously, Eadie and Darsow were involved in legal battles with WWE, including a CTE lawsuit and a dispute over the Demolition name in the mid-90s.

This mending of fences is expected to culminate with a long-overdue WWE Hall of Fame induction for the face-painted powerhouses.

Michael Perman Joins CW Sports to Lead WWE NXT and Live Events

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The CW Network has appointed Michael Perman as Senior Vice President of Sports, where he will oversee all sports programming, including WWE NXT. Perman, a veteran sports media executive, will manage strategy, programming, and media rights as The CW continues expanding its live sports lineup.

Leading WWE NXT on The CW

With NXT now airing on The CW following its October 2024 debut, Perman’s leadership will be key in growing WWE’s presence on the network. The CW has committed to nearly 400 hours of annual sports content, featuring NXT, NASCAR, college sports, and Inside The NFL.

“Mike Perman is the perfect leader to help shape CW Sports as we continue building NXT and other premier live events,” said Brad Schwartz, President of The CW Network.

Perman, formerly with NBC Sports and the NBA, expressed excitement about delivering top-tier sports entertainment and further cementing NXT as a marquee attraction on The CW.

Hulk Hogan “Couldn’t Understand a Word” of Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl Half Time Performance

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WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan has weighed in on Kendrick Lamar’s Super Bowl halftime show during an appearance on Fox News. Lamar received a mixed response

https://x.com/FadeAwayMedia/status/1890072937706975441?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1890072937706975441%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&ref_url=safari-reader%3A%2F%2Fnodq.com%2Fnews%2Fhulk-hogan-says-he-couldnt-understand-a-word-during-kendrick-lamars-super-bowl-performance%2F

While discussing the performance, Hogan admitted he struggled to understand the rapper’s lyrics.

“Bro, I couldn’t understand a word that was being said, man,” Hogan said. “I had my volume turned up. I had a bunch of people yelling and screaming at the house, and I really didn’t know what was going on, man. I was waiting for Willie Nelson to come out, man, and sing America the Beautiful or something.”

When asked if he would like to see Nelson perform at a Super Bowl halftime show now that Donald Trump is president, Hogan responded, “Yeah, that would be great!”

The Hulkster and his beer company are being sued by an Ohio woman who claims to have suffered a severe injury after being struck in the head by a thrown beer can at a promotional event. Where is Mark Yeaton when you need him?

Chris Bey Celebrates 29th Birthday Walking After Devastating Spinal Injury

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In a moving social media post on his 29th birthday, professional wrestler Chris Bey shared his inspiring journey of recovery following a life-threatening injury that occurred during a TNA wrestling event in Detroit on October 27, 2024.

During a match with Ace Austin and The Hardys, Bey suffered a severe neck injury that left him temporarily paralyzed in the ring. He underwent emergency surgery for spinal cord fusion (C6-C7 and C6-T1) and spent a week in ICU, followed by 50 days at a spinal cord rehabilitation facility in Detroit.

“Will I ever wrestle again? Never say never. I’m just so grateful to be alive.”

Initially given only a 10-25% chance of walking again, Bey has defied the odds. After three weeks of intensive rehabilitation, he reports being able to leave his wheelchair and take steps independently. Throughout his recovery, he received support from the wrestling community, his family, TNA colleagues, and his girlfriend Brittnie Brooks.

In his message, Bey expressed profound gratitude to his supporters and medical team, crediting them with helping him maintain hope during his darkest moments. While acknowledging that his recovery journey continues with ongoing pain and challenges, he remains optimistic about his future, though uncertain about returning to wrestling.

“Nothing is impossible, you just have to believe and do the work,” Bey wrote, concluding his message with characteristic determination and gratitude for being alive.

The news is particularly poignant as Bey celebrates this milestone on his birthday, marking both his survival and remarkable progress in just a few months since the injury.

Chris Bey’s Statement

Here’s the complete transcript of Chris Bey’s message:

“Today I turn 29… Blessed to see it

On October 27th, 2024 I suffered a life altering injury in Detroit at a TNA event while sharing the ring with my partner Ace Austin and some of my idols, The Hardys. This would be the scariest moment of my life as I’d try to get up to my feet and finish the match only to realize I couldn’t move. I was laid out paralyzed in the middle of the ring. I was ashamed for not being able to finish the match, I was embarrassed and I was scared. Thanks to our incredible ringside doctor and team at TNA I was rushed to a nearby hospital and quickly underwent a surgery fusing my neck c6-c7 and a spinal cord fusion c6-t1. If it weren’t for TNA and their quick reaction to the accident I may not be here today. They’ve been so helpful throughout this entire journey.

When I woke up the next day I was overwhelmed with the amount of love around me and the amount of love from the wrestling community. I was devastated with the idea that my lifelong dream and 8 year wrestling career was over. I sat there paralyzed from the neck down with no promises of ever walking again. Specifically I was told it wouldn’t be likely with a 10-25% chance. I also had no usage of my hands which is why I didn’t post or respond to anything. I spent about a week in the ICU, then 50 days in a spinal cord rehab facility in Detroit doing therapy 6 days a week for 3 hours a day, sometimes longer. December 28th I was able to go home.

Since I’ve been home I’ve been in therapy working as hard as I can. I’ve had an incredible support system. There’s so many people I want to thank but if I can narrow it down to a few I must thank my family, my TNA family, the dedicated staff in Detroit, my brother Ace Austin for never leaving my side, and my amazing girlfriend Brittnie Brooks for being there every single step of the way while I was at my absolute lowest. If you’ve reached out, donated, bought merch, said a prayer, or did any little thing even as simple as sharing a thought about me, thank you. I’m eternally grateful for every single one of you. Because of you even on my hardest days I’ve never given up. Because of you I’ve lived my dream and in my opinion helped inspire others to do the same. There’s so much more to the story and I will be telling all the details soon, but please allow me the time to get there.

Today you see me celebrating life and taking the steps they said would be unlikely. For 3 weeks I’ve been out of my wheelchair learning to walk again. Nothing is impossible, you just have to believe and do the work. I thank god every second. I thank you every second. Will I ever wrestle again? Never say never. I’m just so grateful to be alive. I don’t know what my purpose is, but I know there’s something meant for me to do. For now I just hope to continue to heal as my body is still in a lot of pain. It’s going to be a long road, but I will not give up. This will be the Greatest Story Ever Told. I love you all.

– Chris Bey”

Samantha Irvin Tried to Join WWE Creative, Was Turned Down as a Referee

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Samantha Irvin became one of WWE’s most recognizable voices, but she recently admitted that ring announcing was never her passion. Speaking on Busted Open, Irvin revealed that announcing was just a way to break into the company, and she had ambitions to take on other roles—including refereeing and writing.

“When I said, ‘I don’t like announcing. That’s not really what I want to do,’ it’s hard… it’s a real job that I’m honestly not good at,” Irvin admitted.

“Because I’m gonna cry if Shawn Michaels comes out, so I’m not good at this.”

She expressed appreciation for WWE allowing her creative freedom but always wanted to explore different opportunities.

“I just wanted the opportunity to challenge if maybe it wasn’t just the ring announcing people loved. Give me a chance to see if maybe it’s just Samantha. Put me in some other positions.”

Irvin even pitched the idea of becoming a WWE referee but was turned down.

“At one point, I asked if I could referee, and they were like, ‘No!’” she recalled with a laugh.

She was also interested in writing for the company, revealing that before she officially took the ring announcer job, she had been interviewing for a different department within WWE.

“I wanna be an old lady, an old, smart lady who knows everything and makes sht happen.”*

One of the few people who recognized her ambitions was Michael Hayes, who saw her drive to learn.

“He was like, ‘You wanna learn everything don’t ya?’ And I was like, ‘Yeah.’”

While Irvin didn’t get the chance to transition beyond announcing in WWE, she’s now returning to her first love—music. She will release her debut single “Make Me” on February 14, marking the start of a new chapter in her career.

Samantha Irvin Says She Lost Her Professionalism Announcing Cody Rhodes’ WrestleMania XL Win

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Samantha Irvin had one of the most memorable calls in WWE history when she announced Cody Rhodes as the new Undisputed WWE Champion at WrestleMania XL. However, she now looks back on that moment with regret, saying she let her emotions take over and felt she failed as an announcer.

“I was not there for work. I was literally there, like, just as me, just Sammie,” Irvin admitted on Busted Open.

“I started crying before the finish. I started crying when The Undertaker came out. And then Cody winning… it all just came crashing down. Every sad thing, every crazy thing, all the stuff in wrestling that you can’t talk about. It just all came out in that moment.”

Irvin felt so overwhelmed that she immediately questioned whether she belonged in the role.

“I felt absolutely terrible. I said—okay, I have to leave now, obviously. I’m done. Because I’m a terrible announcer. Because I prioritized being a fan in that moment.”

Her emotional delivery resonated with fans, making her one of WWE’s most beloved voices, but for Irvin, it was a sign that her future lay elsewhere.

Having moved on from WWE, she’s returning to her roots in music, with her debut single “Make Me” dropping on February 14.

Ric Flair: Charlotte & Rhea Ripley Are in a League of Their Own

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WWE Hall of Famer Ric Flair offered candid thoughts on the women’s division during a recent appearance on Gabby AF, placing his daughter Charlotte Flair and Rhea Ripley in a class of their own.

“She’s so much better than… and that’s not to say the other girls aren’t good, but she and Rhea right now are the two best in the business,” Flair stated, highlighting Charlotte’s elite status.

While acknowledging former WWE star Sasha Banks (now Mercedes Moné), Flair maintained that with her departure, Charlotte and Rhea have emerged as the division’s clear standouts.

A two-time Royal Rumble winner and decorated champion, Charlotte made her return to WWE in January after recovering from injury. Flair revealed he watched her comeback match from a sports bar, overcome with emotion at seeing his daughter back in action.

Ric Flair Shocked to Learn He Suffered a Recent Heart Attack

“The Match to Make”

The Nature Boy particularly praised Charlotte’s WrestleMania 39 encounter with Ripley, declaring:

“They haven’t had a match like that in the women’s division that I’ve seen on TV anywhere since that match.”

Looking ahead to WrestleMania 41, Flair advocates for another Charlotte-Rhea confrontation, calling it “the match to make.” He also expressed interest in potential matchups with Bianca Belair and the long-anticipated showdown with Becky Lynch.

As WWE’s premier event approaches, the question remains whether the company will capitalize on Charlotte and Rhea’s proven in-ring chemistry.

WrestleMania 42 Expected to Return to New Orleans in 2026

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WWE is gearing up for WrestleMania 41 in Las Vegas on April 19–20, 2025, but attention is already shifting to the location of WrestleMania 42 in 2026. While Minneapolis was initially considered for WrestleMania 41, WWE ultimately awarded the city SummerSlam 2026 instead.

According to WrestleVotes, WWE plans to host WrestleMania 42 at the Caesars Superdome in New Orleans, Louisiana. This would mark the third time the stadium has hosted the event, following WrestleMania 30 (2014) and WrestleMania 34 (2018). WWE is expected to officially announce the 2026 location before WrestleMania 41 takes place.

Long-Term Planning for New Orleans WrestleMania

A report from Fightful Select indicates that New Orleans has been in WWE’s long-term plans for WrestleMania 42 since Vince McMahon’s tenure leading the company. However, given the unexpected shift in plans for WrestleMania 41, some speculated whether this decision might change.

Additionally, WWE has reportedly informed some of its business partners about its 2026 plans. the The UK and Saudi Arabia are both eager to host WWE’s biggest spectacular of the year, but fans in those regions shouldn’t expect anything before 2028.

Meanwhile, WrestleMania 41 will feature Jey Uso challenging Gunther for the World Heavyweight Championship after his Royal Rumble victory, while Charlotte Flair, the winner of the women’s Rumble, will also compete for a championship. The event will also mark John Cena’s final WrestleMania as an in-ring competitor before his planned retirement at the end of 2025.

With an official announcement expected soon, WWE looks set to bring WrestleMania back to one of its most iconic venues in 2026.