Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes, along with WWE Raw stars Seth Rollins and Becky Lynch, attended the premiere of Moana 2 at the Lanik?honua Cultural Institute in Kapolei, Hawaii on November 21.
The reason behind so many wrestling stars at the premiere? Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson reprised his role as Maui in the film, the shapeshifting demigod who accompanies Moana on her journey.
Moana 2 is set to release in theatres on November 27, but premieres are being held in various locations. In Hawaii, Cody Rhodes attended the event with his wife Brandi and their three-year-old daughter, Liberty. You can check out the family’s photos below:
Becky Lynch and Seth Rollins were also there with their four-year-old daughter, Roux. WWE President Nick Khan was in attendance too, and so was Disney CEO Bob Iger. The Rock, who is currently filming the live-action Moana in Hawaii, was present at the screening.
During the premiere, Johnson shared a touching moment with his mother, Ata, and showcased a traditional dance that highlighted the cultural and family themes central to the Moana films.
Though the live-action Moana film is still years away (set for July 2026), a sneak peek of the live-action version of Maui, played by Johnson, was recently shown.
In related news, Cody Rhodes recently commented on The Rock’s role at WrestleMania 41, suggesting he could play a key part in the event. Meanwhile, Seth Rollins was rumored to appear in the latest trailer for Captain America: Brave New World, though he denied the speculation, saying the masked character who resembled him was not him.
The Great Khali has claimed that he made Big Show cry during a real-life altercation.
The former World Champion recently had a lengthy interview with Indian publication The Lallantop. He talked about things such as his political career, his social media posts, life after wrestling and more.
During the talk, Khali was also asked about his real-life altercation with Big Show. He mentioned that the fight happened after a six-man tag in Puerto Rico. Show was apparently mad at Khali for doing his move where the Giant chopped his opponent after shoving them into the ring corner:
“We had a match in Puerto Rico, we had a six-man tag. The reaction I got for my corner chop; he didn’t get it. So he thought that it was because I did his move. He started arguing with me when we got back into the locker room. I said let it go, it’s not what we’re after. People do each other’s moves every day.”
This fight has also been detailed in Chris Jericho’s Best In The World autobiography. Y2J corroborates most of the details given by Khali, although with a more neutral stance. He even mentions Khali withstanding the first punch thrown by Show that caught the Indian star right in the Jaw.
The details vary when it comes to the ending of this brawl, however. While Jericho says that Big Show tripped over a chair, Khali claims that he knocked the fellow Giant out and the loss got him crying:
“I started saying things back to him. I took off my shoe, and then he came to punch me. I leaned back. I got up and leaned again for the second punch. When I punched him, he got knocked down and I got on top of him.
After 2-3 punches, all the people in the locker room pulled us apart. Afterward, he started crying. He thought he could impress the young talent by taking me out, but it backfired on him.”
The true account of the backstage altercation will probably never be known as each person telling the story has his own biases. The different perspectives of any backstage incident makes it hard to come up with one coherent narrative that fits all accounts.
It’s still fascinating to know that among the many backstage altercations WWE locker room has witnessed over the years, there was one that included two of the biggest heavyweights the sport has ever seen.
The quotes in this article have been translated from Hindi and edited for clarity
This week’s WWE SmackDown broadcasts live on the USA Network at 8/7c from Salt Lake City, Utah. Here’s what’s on tap for the penultimate episode before next weekend’s Survivor Series pay-per-view:
Cody Rhodes vs. Kevin Owens Face-Off
The Undisputed WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes, is set to confront Kevin Owens following last week’s attack on Owens, that resulted in him being hospitalized from a Piledriver. SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis initially restricted Owens’ participation in WWE events but later sanctioned this face-to-face showdown ahead of their clash at Survivor Series.
Women’s United States Championship Tournament
A tournament to crown the inaugural Women’s United States Champion begins this week.
First Round Three-Way Match: Bianca Belair vs. Chelsea Green vs. Blair Davenport. The stakes are high as all three competitors aim to make history. Bayley has already advanced to the second round, and the winner of this match will join her.
The Latest Chapter in the Bloodline Saga
After Bronson Reed aligned himself with the New Bloodline last week, tensions are boiling. How will Roman Reigns and the Original Bloodline respond? And who will be named as the final member of their WarGames team to even the odds at Survivor Seriers?
After these wild brawls on #SmackDown and #WWERaw, the only way to settle things is in WARGAMES! The chaos WILL continue on SmackDown at 8/7c on USA Network! pic.twitter.com/rVsoeqAkJr
WWE is making significant changes to its content distribution starting January 1, 2025. The WWE Network streaming service will cease operations in international markets, with Netflix becoming the new exclusive home for WWE content outside the United States.
International viewers will have access to WWE’s full programming slate on Netflix, including flagship shows Monday Night RAW, SmackDown, and NXT. The streaming platform will also carry Premium Live Events (PLEs) such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam, along with select historic content.
In the United States, the distribution model will be split. While Peacock remains the exclusive home for WWE PLEs, Monday Night RAW will transition to Netflix, with its first episode scheduled for January 6, 2025.
As this major shift approaches, details regarding the extent of historical content availability on Netflix are still emerging. The move represents one of WWE’s most significant changes in content distribution strategy, with more information expected to be revealed as the launch date nears.
Statement sent to WWE Network Subscribers:
On January 1, 2025, WWE Network will no longer be available in your area. After January 1, Netflix will be the new exclusive home of WWE.
Netflix will bring WWE’s electrifying content all to one place, including weekly shows, Monday Night RAW, SmackDown, and NXT, PLUS Premium Live Events (PLEs) such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam.
Many of WWE’s top moments, along with historic PLEs and select programming, will be available on Netflix beginning January 1.
The premiere live episode of Monday Night RAW on Netflix airing on January 6 will feature some of the biggest names in WWE such as John Cena, Undisputed WWE Champion “The American Nightmare” Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, CM Punk, Bianca Belair, in addition to many other Superstars and guests including Travis Scott.
WWE Network Timeline
The Network Era
Launched February 24, 2014 as a “$9.99/month” streaming service
Early Growth:
Hit 500,000+ subscribers by March 2014
Reached 667,000 by April 2014
Needed 1 million subscribers to break even
Peak Success:
Achieved approximately 1.5 million subscribers by October 2020
Faced ongoing subscriber turnover challenges
Peacock Partnership:
Early 2021: Announced move to NBCUniversal’s Peacock platform
Charlotte Flair appear to be signaling her imminent WWE return after nearly a year away, and fans couldn’t be more excited.
The multi-time World Champion shared a ten-second video on X depicting a block of ice bursting into the shape of a diamond. It reveals Charlotte’s image, logo, and name. The accompanying caption includes three diamond emojis.
The Nature Girl hasn’t stepped into a WWE ring since the December 8, 2023 episode of SmackDown, where she faced Asuka. During that match, Charlotte suffered a severe left knee injury, tearing her ACL, MCL, and meniscus. She underwent surgery in January 2024, keeping her on the sidelines ever since.
At the time of writing, Charlotte has not competed in a single match in 2024. Unless she returns next month, this will be the first year of her decade-long WWE career without in-ring activity.
Recovering from injuries of this magnitude typically takes around nine months. That would have been around September, but more recent reports suggest she might not be back until 2025. Charlotte’s teaser, however, is an encouraging sign.
In an October appearance on the Forever Young Podcast, Charlotte spoke candidly about her recovery. She admitted feeling as though her “life was over” after the injury but saw the hiatus as an opportunity to grow. She used the time off to reflect on her career and plan how to evolve her character.
WWE has begun announcing prospects to its new Independent Development (ID) program. WWE ID seeks to provide a path for independent wrestlers to join the promotion, while strengthening the independent scene.
WWE has partnered with several leading professioal wrestling schools across the United States to help identify top rising prospects. Contracted WWE ID prospects receive assistance with training and mentorship, access to world-class training facilities, athletic trainers and more.
Zayda Steel made her in-ring debut in 2022 and has been scouted from Combat Zone Wrestling. She has also worked for MLW and Beyond, and most recently for Marigold Wrestling, who have a partnership with WWE. Her most recent match saw take part in the Gauntlet match that saw the entire Marigold roster take on Giulia in her final match before joining WWE. Learn More about Zayda Steel
With close to a decade in the ring to his name, Bryce Donovan joins WWE ID with a background from CZQ, Ring of Honor, WrestlePro and many more.
From 2021 to 2022, Bryce competed in AEW where he worked with the likes of MJF, Jake Hager, Wheeler Yuta, and The Acclaimed. He served as enhancement talent and left with a far-from Elite 0-5 win/loss record.
From Coffeyville, Kansas (the same city that gave wrestling Mildred Burke and Trevor Murdoch), Cappucino Jones has been competing since 2022. The ‘Cold Brew’ grappler competed on AEW Rampage in February of this year against The Young Bucks and took on the Cage of Agony in July as part of Ring of Honor.
Jack Summit (formerly Jack Cartwheel) is known for high-energy performances, an innovative move-set, and his signature cartwheels. The Sacramento native made his wrestling debut in 2019 and has already made his presence felt in Game Changer Wrestling, Ring of Honor, Lucha Libre AAA, PWG, and All Elite Wrestling. Cartwheel unsuccessfully challenged Blake Christian for the GCW World Championship back in February at GCW: Feel No Ways.
Zakher has only been wrestling since last year, but has already made an impact on the independent scene competing against both the women and the men. She was recruited from California-based Millenium Pro Wrestling. The ‘Petite Powerhouse’ has also been seen in GCW, Tokyo Joshi Pro Live, and West Coast Pro.
Legacy has been wrestling since 2017 and has worked in promotions including West Coast Pro, Pro Wrestling NOAH, and Pro Wrestling Revolution. AEW Dark fans may remember him from a September 2020 edition of the YouTube series, where he came up short against ‘Powerhouse’ Will Hobbs.
It is an absolute honor and a privilege to be one of the first-ever WWE ID prospects and the only one from Georgia, but l'll be honest – job's not finished yet. ?? #Super#WWEIDhttps://t.co/bb1mj1Kgfe
Aaron Rourke is an emerging star in the Northeast independent wrestling scene, recognized for his impactful presence and contributions to the LGBTQ+ community. He is known for his signature moves, including the Bridging Figure-Four Leglock and Cradle DDT.
CONGRATULATIONS to Create A Pro’s own Aaron Rourke for joining #WWEID !
Aaron Roberts is billed at 6’4″ and 420 pounds from Dyersburg TN. He wrestles for Memphis Wrestling and is known as “The Baddest Mane Walking Both Sites of the Mississippi.”
Arguably the biggest name confirmed for the WWE ID program, Kylie Rae has experience competing for AEW, TNA Wrestling, and GCW. In December 2022, Rae competed under her real name Brianna Rae on an episode of WWE Main Event.
When the topic of technology was brought up, Paquette joked that she lives in a divided home because Moxley refuses to switch over to an iPhone
“I live in a house divided where I’m an iPhone [while] my husband is an Android user, and this green text…it just causes me a lot of pain and anguish. But there’s no changing him. The man is set in his ways. It is what it is. So I can never leave him a proper voice memo. If I’m on a plane I cannot communicate with him. It’s very frustrating.”
He Wants Nothing To Do With The Cloud: Renee Paquette
The hosts mentioned that many people take the green bubble vs blue bubble difference very seriously and couples have even broken up over it. Renee then said that she doesn’t generally care about it but it does get frustrating when she can’t get hold of her husband in a WiFi only situation:
“People are very unhinged about this and while of course there are times…Listen my love for this man, what a bright light but it just gets dimmed a little when the green texts come in or it’s not even the green text, I don’t really care about that.
it’s not being able to get a hold of you if I’m in a WiFi only situation. That’s the problem. This is the father of my child. Sometimes I need to talk to him. I’m not just talking to him to ask how the day is. Sometimes I need information and I can’t get it.”
When asked if she has tried to convince Mox to switch over, Renee Paquette revealed that the AEW World Champion does not trust the cloud system:
“He wants nothing to do with the cloud. He’s not interested. He doesn’t trust it. I think he thinks something shifty is up with Apple and their products. So he’s not interested but I also think that he comes from an entire family of green texters so….it’s an inherited thing.
It’s very stressful. What if I had to tell him something? I’ve had to email him. I have to email my husband sometimes like ‘From the desk of Renee Paquette.’ What the f*ck?”
Jon Moxley will be defending the AEW title against Orange Cassidy at Saturday’s Full Gear PPV. You can check out the updated match card for the show here.
Renee Paquette says she steers clear of Jon Moxley’s path when the couple goes to work for AEW.
Mox has been leading a new Death Rider faction in AEW. After taking Bryan Danielson out with a brutal attack and taking the AEW World Title from him, the wrestling veteran has declared war on AEW roster. His aim is to rid the company of its problems.
Jon’s new mission puts Renee in an awkward position as she is generally on good terms with the AEW roster. Most of the people who have been resisting the Moxley takeover are good friends of the AEW announcer.
The female star addressed the conflict during a recent interview with Busted Open Radio. She claimed that she tries to stay away from Mox’s business as much as possible:
“I don’t know, I kind of just steer clear. The truth of it is, when Jon and I go to work, we’ve always been like this, he does his job, I do my job. We’ve always been like that. I honestly don’t even see him most of the day. He’s off doing his thing, I’m doing mine.”
Renee Paquette claimed that she respects the work of her husband and it helps her understand the business better. She also loves watching Jon’s work but sticks to her own job when they’re in the arena for any show:
“I immensely respect what he does and I think that’s another level that helps me understand more of the wrestling business and always has is my relationship with him obviously.
I love watching him do what he does. But my job is different and I also really love what I get to bring to the table. So I just kind of stick to my job, I let him do his and then we reconvene at the end of the night.”
Jon Moxley is set to defend the AEW World Title against Orange Cassidy at this Saturday’s Full Gear PPV. Renee is also expected to be a part of the show. You can check out an updated match card for the event here.
Dustin Rhodes would love for Tony Khan to launch an AEW talent recruitment program with the independents, similar to the new WWE ID program. In an interview with WFAA.8, Rhodes shared his enthusiasm for the idea.
“I would love for Tony to do that with us where we have a little type thing. That would be kind of cool for some of our schools.”
Rhodes isn’t just a wrestler for AEW and Ring of Honor, but also has worked as a behind-the-scenes coach. While he certainly has the experience to be a part of the WWE ID program, he doubts his school, the Rhodes Wrestling Academy, will be approached by WWE.
“That’s probably the reason they haven’t reached out, right, because I’m contracted with All Elite Wrestling.”
Though Rhodes’ Wrestling Academy isn’t an official partner of the WWE ID program, Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Academy is. Other schools attached to WWE ID include Seth Rollins Black & Brave Academy and Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling.
WWE ID
WWE ID has seen several names from the independent wrestling scene sign with WWE as ‘Prospects’ of the new talent development program. Prospects will receive access to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, as well as training from the promotion’s various coaches and staff. Ring of Honor/Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky is overseeing WWE ID, ensuring that Prospects learn from the very best in how to develop as in-ring talents.
For the latest on the WWE ID program, as well as which stars are Prospects, check out our WWE ID central hub.
Kylie Rae is the latest name confirmed for the WWE ID program, a fact revealed at Freelance Wrestling’s Thursday Night Slammasters event. On X, Gabe Sapolosky, who will oversee the WWE ID program, was pleased to have secured the “Best worker on the indies” to WWE’s latest recruitment tactic.
Rae is considered one of the very top independent wrestlers competing today, so her arrival in the WWE ID program is certainly a huge deal. Arguably the best-known name confirmed for WWE ID, Rae is arriving with experience wrestling for AEW, TNA Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling, and many more promotions. The reigning Freelance Champion also wrestles as Briana Ray on WWE Main Event in December 2022, with fans hopeful at the time that she’d be signed.
Like her fellow signings, Rae will have access to WWE’s resources, including the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Sapolsky will be just one of the key figures involved in WWE ID, ensuring that the signings get advice and wisdom forged from Sapolsky’s decades in the business.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.
Gracie Pugh, the daughter of Jay Briscoe, has shared details of her recovery, over a year after the tragic car accident that took her father’s life. Briscoe was killed in the accident in January 2023, mere minutes from his home in Laurel, Delaware. His daughters Gracie and Jayleigh were seriously injured in the crash.
Speaking with the Central Worship Center, Gracie, the elder daughter, spoke about her recovery, and being told that a year after the accident, her nerves would stop healing. Undeterred, Gracie, with her family’s encouragement, pushed to recover beyond the one-year milestone and has been able to return to her passion for cheerleading.
“I could start to jog again and then I tried to tumble more and like even two weeks ago, I could go back up on my toes.”
Gracie’s faith has played a large part of remaining positive in her recovery, as has her knowledge in what her father would want for her if he was still alive.
“I just had to remember that my dad would never want me to be in a wheelchair… He would want us to keep pushing through.”
Instead of life in a wheelchair, Gracie Pugh can not only walk, but is jogging, tumbling, and rebuilding her life after the most difficult of circumstances. Our thoughts remain with Gracie an the Pugh family at this time.
Goldberg has provided an update on his physical condition before his final match which is expected to take place sometime in 2025.
The former Universal Champion talked about things such as Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul Fight, the cancellation of the TV series Roadkill, and more on the latest episode of his CarCast podcast.
Speaking about his final match, Goldberg claimed that preparation is always much harder than the actual performance. Compared to his other recent matches, he is getting a lot more time to prepare for a showdown this time around:
This time, I’m actually getting some prep time and the ability to get ready. Comparatively, even though I’m at the age that I’m at, I will have five times as much time to prepare than I have for any other match.
If I can’t get ready in that period of time, with what I have to offer, then it’s not going to be enough. I do believe that I’ve set my standards quite high and at the end of the day, I think people will be pleasantly surprised by the outcome and my performance.”
A date or an opponent has not officially been confirmed for the 57-year-old’s last match. Though after his run-in with World Champion Gunther at Bad Blood in Atlanta, it’s not hard to imagine that the wrestling veteran will love to get his hands on the Ring General before he hangs his boots for good.
The former WCW Champion admitted that he is dealing with plenty of nagging physical issues including neck and knee issues. The worst part of his anatomy according to Goldberg however, is his torn-up shoulder which is still feeling a lot better than it has done in a long time:
“I’m able to do things right now with that torn-up shoulder that I haven’t been able to do in ten years. This is prior to a number of matches that I’ve wrestled. My shoulder is in a better position months before I have to perform than it was days before leading up to matches in the past. That is a huge change.”
Goldberg revealed that he couldn’t even lift his arm properly the last time he entered the ring for a match. Now he feels that he’s way ahead of the curve and he knows that he will be much better prepared for his next match than he has been in the past.
AEW President Tony Khan is interested in the groundbreaking ‘WWE ID’ program, but is holding off judgment for the time being. The program will see WWE partner with independent promotions and allow signed talent (deemed ‘Prospects’) access to WWE’s training facilities, including the Performance Center in Orlando, Flordia.
Speaking on a media call ahead of this weekend’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view, Khan said it’ll be “interesting” to see how things work out when AEW attempts to bring in a WWE ID prospect.
“I have some thoughts on it, but I will reserve my judgment until I actually test such a mechanism. I only know what I’ve read about them, but it’s interesting.“
Several names have already been confirmed for the WWE ID program with others yet to be publicly revealed. WWE ID Prospects are still being allowed to compete outside the promotion, though many are wondering if WWE’s openness will extend to allowing talent to work for the promotion’s chief rival.
Other Interview Highlights
Khan was asked about much more than just the WWE ID program. Other topics covered in the media call include:
Khan believes that reports of Toni Storm’s ‘retirement’ have been exaggerated, and is confident she’ll have a career in wrestling to come.
While AEW Rampage isn’t included in the new Warner Bros. Discovery package, Khan is looking into other options for where the show and other AEW content could go.
When asked about AEW running smaller venues, Khan spoke of the recent crowd in Cedar Park, Texas and the “amazing” atmosphere brought on by the smaller setting.
Khan praised Harley Cameron’s energy, promo skills, and athleticism and called the Australian a prime example of a rising talent.
The former WWE CEO took to Twitter to repost the statement from President Trump, and wrote that she is looking forward to working with students and educators to strengthen the US education system:
“I look forward to working collaboratively with students – educators – parents and communities to strengthen our educational system; ensuring every child regardless of their demographics is prepared for a bright future.”
Linda’s daughter and former WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon was the first member of their family who congratulated the female politician on her new role:
Thank you Mr. President for your trust in me to serve as Secretary of Education and I am hopeful of Senate confirmation. I am deeply honored and humbled for this opportunity and I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure every student has access to a quality education.
Congratulations @Linda_McMahon on being nominated for United States Secretary of Education. Your grandchildren will know you as a two-time cabinet member! What a legacy for us all! I am so proud of you Mom! pic.twitter.com/LuUJbOVnbp
Linda McMahon previously served as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration between 2017 and 2019, during Trump’s first term.
She played a crucial role in getting the Businessman-politician re-elected. McMahon was one of the top donors of the 2024 Republican campaign and she was also named the co-chair of Trump’s 2024 transition team.
There has been a lot of chatter about how Linda’s appointment and Trump’s re-election will affect the ongoing federal investigation against former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon over sexual trafficking charges.
Though Linda’s attorney has claimed that she is separated from the billionaire wrestling promoter and our analysis suggests that Trump will not be able to pardon all of Vince’s legal woes away.
WWE Hall of Famer Glenn ‘Kane’ Jacobs has advised Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson from entering politics, especially given the ongoing toxic climate. Sitting down with Going Ringside, Jacobs, the current mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, argued that Johnson would only hurt his brand if he entered the political ring.
“Everybody likes Dwayne, no matter where you are in the political spectrum, because he’s a great entertainer… gotta remember that no matter what you say in politics, 50% of the people are just gonna knee-jerk disagree with you.”
Johnson has yet to enter politics but it is something that WWE’s Final Boss has been mulling over for some time. Examples include:
The premise of Young Rock was Johnson recapping his life and formative years during a campaign for President.
During the 2020 presidential election, Johnson endorsed Joe Biden, who defeated Donald Trump in November of that year.
While several wrestling names have entered politics, including Jesse Ventura, Matt Morgan and Trump’s pick for Education Secretary Linda McMahon, it remains to be seen if Johnson makes the move. While Jacobs is against the idea, and Johnson himself has said running for the highest office is off the table, we all know that politics, like wrestling, is an unpredictable game.
Konosuke Takeshita will defend his AEW International Championship against Ricochet at Full Gear 2024 this Saturday, November 23, in Newark, NJ. The announcement, made by AEW President Tony Khan on Thursday, comes after weeks of escalating tension between the two competitors.
Takeshita captured the championship at AEW WrestleDream in a triple-threat match against Will Ospreay and Ricochet. Ricochet reignited their rivalry on the November 6 episode of AEW Dynamite by pinning Takeshita during a tag team match, setting the stage for this high-stakes encounter.
Khan confirmed the match on Twitter, calling it “the fight that the AEW fans want to see.” With Takeshita’s dominance as champion and Ricochet’s recent momentum, the bout is expected to deliver edge-of-your-seat action.
With the rivalry running red hot for weeks on @AEWonTV, the International Title will be at stake in the fight that the AEW fans want to see: Takeshita vs Ricochet THIS SATURDAY! pic.twitter.com/waLSjbK1DW
Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal recently revealed the secrets of how wrestlers hide under the ring, sharing the details during an appearance on fellow WWE alumnus Maven Huffman’s YouTube channel.
According to Mahal, performers slip under the ring during commercial breaks or video packages when the arena goes dark. These moments coincide with routine ring crew maintenance, making the movement less noticeable to the audience.
The space beneath the ring, known as “the bed,” is more accommodating than fans might expect. Mahal described finding a designated mat for comfort, along with WWE technician Nick Daw, who maintains a position there with broadcasting equipment. The area is stocked with refreshments including water, Diet Coke, and Red Bull.
The technician monitors the show via a screen and stays connected to producers through a headset, ensuring precise timing for any spots involving under-ring appearances.
Wrestlers Hiding Under the Ring
Wrestlers hiding under the ring is a classic WWE tactic to create surprise appearances. Notable matches featuring this element include:
The Undertaker and Kane: Both wrestlers have famously utilized the space under the ring for dramatic entrances.
Bray Wyatt: Wyatt often used this tactic to enhance his eerie character, appearing unexpectedly during matches.
Hornswoggle: As the illegitimate son of Vince McMahon, Hornswoggle’s gimmick involved hiding under the ring, popping out unexpectedly, and distracting opponents.
CM Punk is gearing up for his next Hollywood venture, as Variety reported today that the wrestling icon will join the cast of Revival, a televised horror series set to air on Syfy. The series, currently filming in New Brunswick, Canada, is an adaptation of the acclaimed Image Comics series of the same name.
Details about Punk’s character and the show’s release date remain under wraps. This announcement follows news from last month that Punk has secured a key role in the horror film Night Patrol.
The official description of Revival teases an intriguing storyline:
“On one miraculous day in rural Wisconsin, the recently deceased suddenly rise from their graves. But this is no zombie story as the ‘revived’ appear and act just like they once were. When local officer and single mother Dana Cypress (Scrofano) is unexpectedly thrown into the center of a brutal murder mystery of her own, she’s left to make sense of the chaos amidst a town gripped by fear and confusion where everyone, alive or undead, is a suspect.”
This marks another significant step in Punk’s acting career. Earlier this year, he appeared in the film Let’s Start a Cult and had a recurring role in the wrestling drama series Heels, which is now streaming on Netflix.
In the summer, Punk signed with Paradigm Talent Agency to expand his presence in the entertainment industry. His growing Hollywood portfolio suggests he’s making good on that commitment.
While Punk’s wrestling future remains uncertain following his win over Drew McIntyre in October’s Bad Blood Hell in a Cell match, his focus on acting has taken center stage.
WWE has unveiled its list of the top merchandise sellers for 2024, highlighting the performers who engaged fans both in the ring and at the merchandise stands. Leading the pack is Cody Rhodes, whose “American Nightmare” branding continues to resonate strongly with WWE’s audience.
Second place belongs to Roman Reigns, the face of the “Bloodline” storyline and a dominant figure in WWE’s programming. Making a splash in third is the returning CM Punk, whose surprise comeback reignited interest from his devoted fanbase.
The Top 10 List
Cody Rhodes
Roman Reigns
CM Punk
Jey Uso
John Cena
Liv Morgan
Rhea Ripley
LA Knight
Randy Orton
Damian Priest
Other names rounding out the list include Jey Uso, whose breakout year solidified his status as a solo star, and perennial favorite John Cena, whose limited appearances still drive significant sales. Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley represent the women’s division.
US Champion LA Knight, “The Viper” Randy Orton, and the Judgment Day’s Damian Priest also made the cut, showing a mix of established veterans and surging new talent. This diverse list underscores WWE’s ability to create marketable stars across all divisions.
Jey Uso, in an exclusive interview with Peter Rosenberg for Rosenberg Wrestling at ComplexCon 2024, provided insights into Paul Heyman’s continued importance to the Bloodline storyline, even as Heyman remains absent from WWE television.
Jey reassured fans that Heyman’s influence transcends his on-screen presence, describing the “Wiseman” as an indispensable figure in the family’s WWE journey. “The Wiseman is really the Wiseman to my family. He’s been around my family more than 50 years,” Jey revealed, emphasizing Heyman’s deep-rooted connection to the Anoa’i family.
Heyman’s behind-the-scenes contributions remain vital, according to Jey, who highlighted his mentor’s role in refining promos, strategizing storylines, and advocating for the family’s success.
“Even when he’s not on TV, he’s there. All the backstage stuff—‘Say this. Maybe say it like this. Do this. Do that.’ He’s a big player to vouch for you and push for you. Any problem we have, we go to him. He makes it happen for my family. We love him.”
– Jey Uso on Paul Heyman (via Rosenberg Wrestling)
Heyman’s Absence Fuels Speculation
The Wiseman Paul Heyman and Jey Uso (WWE TV)
Paul Heyman’s absence was notably spotlighted during the November 15 episode of SmackDown. In a key segment, Roman Reigns attempted to contact Heyman, only to encounter a “number not in service” message. This led to widespread speculation among fans about Heyman’s status within the Bloodline.
Jey dispelled concerns about Heyman’s position, clarifying that his lack of on-screen appearances does not detract from his crucial behind-the-scenes involvement. “He’s still very much a part of everything we do,” Jey affirmed.
Future Return and Survivor Series
While no definitive timeline for Heyman’s return to television has been provided, Jey’s remarks hint at his continued influence on the ongoing Bloodline narrative. This has only heightened intrigue surrounding the faction’s upcoming Survivor Series WarGames match on November 30.
Jey Uso and the Bloodline are set to face a formidable lineup, including Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Bronson Reed. Whether Heyman will make a surprise appearance remains uncertain, but his behind-the-scenes contributions to the storyline continue to solidify the Bloodline’s dominance in WWE.
Netflix has unveiled a first look at WWE RAW as anticipation builds for the wrestling juggernaut’s debut on the streaming platform. The move marks a significant milestone for WWE, with the iconic Monday Night RAW set to air live on Netflix starting January 6, 2025.
The premiere live episode will broadcast from the newly built Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, at 5 PM PT/8 PM ET. As part of the collaboration, Netflix also announced that WWE fans outside the U.S. will gain unprecedented access to weekly shows like RAW, SmackDown, NXT, and major events such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam.
Netflix will also begin streaming classic RAW episodes and select historical Premium Live Events on January 1, 2025.
In a statement accompanying a promotional “Sneak Peek” video, Netflix emphasized the significance of this partnership.
“This marks a new era for WWE fans,” the announcement read. “With live weekly programming airing 52 weeks a year, viewers can expect non-stop action like never before.”
As January approaches, fans eagerly await how this partnership will reshape the viewing experience for one of wrestling’s most beloved shows.
? WWE is coming to Netflix UK/IE from Jan 2025, including:
? Weekly episodes of RAW, SmackDown and NXT ? All Premium Live Events such as WrestleMania and Royal Rumble ? Select programming and historic PLEs from the archive
In a recent interview with Peter Rosenberg for Rosenberg Radio at ComplexCon last weekend, Rey Mysterio addressed why his daughter Aalyah has not pursued a career in professional wrestling. Despite having a notable presence on WWE television in 2020 – including prominent storylines with Buddy Murphy and Seth Rollins – Aalyah’s focus remains on her studies and her aspiration to enter the medical field.
“She also loves it as much as Dom did. We played wrestling a lot, but for some reason, she was more on my wife’s side. She was the one who liked to study and was very dedicated, always getting A’s. To this day, she’s still very focused on her education. On the other hand, she’s now pursuing her medical career,” Mysterio explained.
Currently attending medical school at the University of California in San Diego, Aalyah has chosen a different path than her brother Dominik, who has become one of WWE’s top stars. While Vince McMahon saw potential in her for a full-time wrestling career during her television appearances, Rey expressed pride in her decision to prioritize education. He noted that while he would be willing to train her if she ever decides to step into the ring, he fully supports her dedication to becoming a doctor.
At 48 years old and 35 years into his legendary career, Rey continues to deliver outstanding performances in WWE, proving that the Mysterio legacy in professional wrestling remains strong through both his own contributions and his son Dominik’s rising success.
On AEW Dynamite’s go-home episode for AEW Full Gear, scheduled for this Saturday, an interesting announcement was made. The Costco Guys, Big Boom A.J. and Big Justice, revealed in a backstage interview with Renee Paquette that The Rizzler will make an appearance at the event.
What will The Rizzler do? He’s set to serve as the guest timekeeper during A.J.’s match against QT Marshall on the Full Zero Hour pre-show.
You can check out the segment in the video below:
RIZZLER CONFIRMED! A.J, Big Justice & The Rizzler bring the BOOM this Saturday night at #AEWFullGear ZERO HOUR!
For those scratching their heads, let me explain. If you are living under a social media rock, you wouldn’t know who The Rizzler is. The Rizzler is a seven-year-old social media sensation who has amassed a massive following—750,000 followers on Instagram and 1.3 million on TikTok.
The Rizzler, whose real name is Christian Joseph, is best friends with AJ’s son, “Big Justice.” Despite being only in third grade, he rose to fame after a viral video of him dressed as Marvel’s Black Panther captured hearts online. Since then, he has teamed up with social media stars The Costco Guys and regularly makes appearances on shows such as The Tonight Show.
AEW Full Gear 2024
Full Gear takes place this Saturday, November 23, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. As one of AEW’s flagship events, it boasts a stacked card featuring the promotion’s biggest stars. You can check out the full card of the event and preview here.
Rey Mysterio has not given up on a potential reconciliation with son Dominik Mysterio, but he knows that it’s going to be very hard to achieve.
The WWE Hall of Famer recently had an interview with Rosenberg Wrestling. He talked about things like what he thinks about potential retirement, playing golf and more.
On the topic of Dominik having mega heat with the audience, Rey was asked how much he thinks it’s because of his own status as a longtime beloved babyface. The Master of 619 explained that it was a trigging point for fan’s reaction at the start of Dom’s heel run but joked that now it’s all because of his Mustache:
“I think it was definitely a triggering point at a certain part of his career or his turn but then after that I think now it’s mainly based on the Mustache. I think the Mustache is what really is what the fans hate.
I mean I hate it. I don’t know about you. [It’s] gotta be the Mustache. Not so much the hatred that he has on his father, it’s the Mustache, yeah.”
The former World Champion was also asked about the possibility of reconciling with his son sometime in the future and potentially teaming with him again. Rey Mysterio said that it’s something a father would always be open to. He hopes that one day Dirty Dom will be able to see the bright side of being on the same team:
“That’s something that as a father they always would love to have with their kids. To be able to reconnect. End off how you started, on the good side. So I don’t know if that’s going to happen over the years.
People change – sometimes for good, sometimes for bad. Hopefully one day Dom can see the bright side of being on the Mysterio side and just being family overall. But I think that’s going to be very hard.”
Elsewhere in the interview, Rey claimed that his story with Dom is not over and he would be open to facing his son in another match as well.
Former AEW Women’s World Champion Saraya has teased her return to television, with a brand new character in store for fans. The 32-year-old star last competed on the October 8 Dynamite: Title Tuesday, where she was on the losing end of a four-way Women’s World Title Eliminator won by Willow Nightingale.
On X, Saraya reposted footage of herself at the 11th Annual Reality Television Awards. Teasing big things to come, the British wrestler told fans to “wait until this version” of herself is back on AEW Dynamite.
Saraya’s suggestion that she’s been working on an evolution of her on-screen persona intrigued fans, many of whom shared their excitement about a return and a new character in the comments. Earlier this month, Saraya rejected a claim that she has been out with an injury, and has instead been working on this new side to her character.
Saraya’s time in AEW has already seen dramatic changes, as she debuted as a face in 2022, and had the fans behind her thanks to her emotional return to the ring. In 2023, Saraya transitioned into being a heel, though unsurprisingly had the crowd on her side when she won the AEW Women’s World Title in her native England at All In: London. More recently, Saraya has been aligned with Harley Cameron, and despite being heels, their character work and chemistry has proven popular with many fans.
Now, fans can await a new side to Saraya when she returns to TV, though it remains to be seen when that’ll be. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Saraya as she prepares for her return to All-Elite programming.
