Orange Cassidy believes AEW is still figuring out its unique identity in the pro wrestling industry and it just needs to continue evolving.
The former International Champion recently spoke to amNewYork Metro to promote Saturday’s Full Gear PPV from Newark, New Jersey. He talked about things such as growing up as a wrestling fan and more.
Addressing the recent troubles of AEW, Cassidy claimed that it’s because the company’s fast growth. He explained that the Tony Khan promotion right now is in it’s ‘middle school age’:
“It’s tough for AEW because of how fast the company grew and for how successful it has been in just under, we’re talking five years.
We’re growing and we’re changing, and we’re going through that weird middle school age of figuring out who you are and do you want your hair short or long. It’s important that AEW just takes the natural evolution, and we don’t try to force anything.”
Orange Cassidy also praised the AEW President as someone who has an incredible eye for talent. He claimed to feel secure in knowing that Khan will continue recruiting the best talents across the board:
“Tony Khan has an incredible eye for talent, and he’s an incredibly generous person that understands professional wrestling.
And no matter what changes we go through; I feel very secure in the fact that I know that Tony Khan will make sure that the best are wrestling for AEW.”
The 40-year-old discussed his feud with Jon Moxley as well. He recalled their encounter at the 2023 Full Gear event and said that going to war with the AEW World Champion has actually changed him.
Talking about their upcoming match, Cassidy claimed that he is not worried about what Mox may do before or after the bell on Saturday, and he’s focused on winning the contest that’ll take place in between.
You can check out the updated Full Gear match card featuring Orange Cassidy vs. Jon Moxley and more here.
During the November 22 episode of AEW Rampage, tensions escalated between QT Marshall and Big Boom! AJ during their weigh-in ahead of their scheduled match at AEW Full Gear: Zero Hour.
Marshall criticized AJ’s abilities, stating that he lacked the necessary skills both two decades ago and in the present. He further taunted AJ by suggesting he would “power-boom” him through the ring and requested that The Rizzler, serving as the special guest timekeeper, ring the bell when this occurred.
The weigh-in revealed Marshall at 229 pounds, while AJ’s weight was humorously displayed as 550 pounds, leading to accusations from AJ’s son, Big Justice, that the scale had been tampered with. The confrontation turned physical when Marshall delivered a Diamond Cutter to AJ, intensifying the animosity between the two ahead of their upcoming match.
The action between Big Boom AJ and QT Marshall has tipped off before #AEWFullGear Zero Hour!
This altercation adds to the anticipation for their bout at AEW Full Gear: Zero Hour, where AJ, accompanied by Big Justice, will face Marshall in a match that has garnered significant attention from fans.
NXT star Gigi Dolin has returned to action after spending most of 2024 on shelf due to an unfortunate knee injury.
Dolin had been out of action since March this year. Her last match before the injury came during the March 12 episode of NXT where the female star lost a singles bout to Arianna Grace.
The 27-year-old finally returned to action during Friday’s NXT Live Event from Lakeland, FL. She came out after Cora Jade claimed that no one was strong enough to challenge her. Gigi Dolin then pinned Jade in her return match to pick up the victory:
Dolin took part in the 2018 Mae Young Classic and was signed to a contract in 2021. Before her WWE signing, she made a couple of appearances for AEW as well.
Prior to her injury, the NXT star was involved in a storyline with Arianna Grace who wanted to give her a makeover. Gigi was supposed to get the makeover after she lost the bout to Grace but the storyline was dropped due to her hiatus.
In her absence, NXT has brought on names such as Giulia, Zaria, and Stephanie Vaquer. There is no word on when Gigi Dolin will make her return to TV but it’s sure that things will not be easy for her whenever she makes her on screen comeback.
Paul Heyman made a shocking return on this week’s episode of WWE SmackDown, revealing the fifth member of The OG Bloodline for the upcoming WarGames Match at Survivor Series. The OG Bloodline, consisting of Roman Reigns, The Usos (Jey and Jimmy Uso), and Sami Zayn, will take on The Bloodline—Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa—and Bronson Reed.
Reed’s inclusion in the match comes amidst his ongoing feud with Seth Rollins on Raw over the past few months. Speculation had been growing that Rollins might join the OG Bloodline, as the group made one last attempt to convince him to reconcile with Reigns.
As Reigns began addressing the audience in a promo segment at the end of SmackDown, he was interrupted by Paul Heyman, who delivered his iconic “Ladies and gentlemen” line. Heyman humorously acknowledged his “math error,” referencing the time he was put through a table at Madison Square Garden, and pointed out the obvious: WarGames cannot be a 4-on-5 match. To even the odds, Heyman announced that he had found the OG Bloodline’s fifth member: CM Punk.
Punk’s return electrified the arena as he stormed to the ring to assist the OG Bloodline in taking down The Bloodline faction. The show closed with the babyfaces standing tall in the ring, leaving fans buzzing about the showdown set for next Saturday at Survivor Series: WarGames.
This week’s episode of WWE SmackDown opened with The Bloodline, but an unexpected twist involving Jade Cargill quickly became the show’s focal point.
During a Women’s United States Championship Triple Threat qualifying match featuring Bianca Belair, Chelsea Green, and Blair Davenport, a shocking moment unfolded. Midway through the match, the arena’s video screen revealed that Belair’s tag team partner, Jade Cargill, had been attacked backstage. The footage showed Cargill’s head slammed into a car windshield, leaving it visibly shattered.
Mystery Surrounds Cargill’s Attacker
The identity of the attacker remains a mystery, though speculation suggests it could involve someone linked to the ongoing match. Shortly before the footage aired, Davenport extended the match by kicking out of a pin attempt from Belair. Distracted by her partner’s condition, Belair rushed backstage, leaving an opening for Green to secure a pinfall victory over Davenport. This win advanced Green to the next round of the tournament, where she is set to face Bayley. The tournament finals are scheduled for Saturday Night’s Main Event on December 14, 2024.
Many fans suspect Piper Niven, Green’s tag team partner, may be involved in the attack, but no confirmation has been provided.
Survivor Series: WarGames Heats Up
The attack on Cargill adds a layer of intrigue to the upcoming Survivor Series: WarGames Premium Live Event. A blockbuster Women’s WarGames Match is set for November 30, 2024, at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada. The match features Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Naomi, and Iyo Sky against The Judgment Day (Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez), Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae.
With tensions escalating, all eyes are on SmackDown’s next episode for answers about Jade Cargill’s mysterious attack and the potential fallout heading into Survivor Series.
Cody Rhodes may be the WWE Champion and Roman Reigns may be the OTC, but neither star can compare to the social media presence of ‘The Rizzler.’ The alter ego of child social media personality Christian Joseph, The Rizzler has been a viral sensation in 2024, and as seen in the Google Trends chart below, is dominating WWE’s two top Superstars.
Cody Rhodes and Roman Reigns fighting over #2 while the 7 year old Rizzler is the Google search champion
The Rizzler’s viral influence is being felt in the world of professional wrestling, as are the similarly popular Costco Guys. At this weekend’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view, The Rizzler will serve as the special guest timekeeper when A.J. Befumo takes on QT Marshall.
Who Is The Rizzler?
The Rizzler is a seven-year-old social media sensation who has exploded onto the scene in 2024. Currently, The Rizzler has amassed over 750,000 followers on Instagram and has surpassed 1.3 million followers on TikTok.
The popularity of The Rizzler, the Costco Guys, and others goes to show how celebrity culture has changed, and how one doesn’t need to be on TV each week like Rhodes and Reigns to become a globally-recognizable name. WWE is well aware of this, as Logan Paul was a huge name with his online videos before he stepped foot in the ring.
Whether The Rizzler has a greater role to play at AEW Full Gear beyond his timekeeping duties, that remains to be seen. But no matter what happens at this weekend’s pay-per-view, expect The Rizzler’s involvement to generate a ton of buzz on social media.
Former Ring of Honor (ROH) star Cheeseburger recently shared his experience facing Bobby Lashley during Lashley’s dominant AEW in-ring debut on November 20, 2024. In a handicap match alongside Joe Keys, Cheeseburger endured a powerful Dominator from Lashley, while Keys succumbed to the Hurt Lock.
Bobby Lashley’s AEW in-ring debut
Reflecting on the encounter during an appearance on Fightful Overbooked’s Coexisting, Cheeseburger expressed admiration for Lashley’s strength, describing him as “an insanely strong human being” and “a mountain of muscle.” He humorously noted his relief at avoiding the Hurt Lock, stating, “Thankfully, I didn’t get put in the Hurt Lock like my partner, Joe Keys. I got the Dominator… and I had to be the victim of it.”
Despite the physical toll, Cheeseburger appreciated the opportunity to perform in Pennsylvania, a state with deep ROH roots. He remarked, “It was awesome. I’ve worked in that area a lot… and obviously Ring of Honor having its roots in Pennsylvania and Philadelphia… it was really cool that people there… I never expect people to know who I am at all. So to come out and get that reaction was amazing.”
Known for his vibrant persona, Cheeseburger also discussed his choice of eye-catching gear, designed to capture the audience’s attention. He explained, “I made the conscious decision to wear that sparkly green-and-black set with a giant Cheeseburger on it… it just kind of draws people’s attention.”
Currently active on the independent wrestling scene, Cheeseburger continues to entertain fans with his unique style and charisma.
Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson made a memorable appearance at the Hawaiian premiere of Disney’s Moana 2, joined by his daughters, Jasmine (7) and Tiana (5). The trio spoke with Terri Seymour from Extra, where Jasmine and Tiana enthusiastically shared their experiences as “Moana-Be’s” contributing to the film.
Jasmine humorously gave her father some recording booth advice, prompting “The Final Boss” to joke, “Two minutes of acting and already better than Daddy.” Both daughters expressed their love for Maui’s new song, “Can I Get a Che Hoo?” from the sequel’s soundtrack, showing their excitement for their dad’s iconic role. Listen here:
Moana 2’s Empowering Message
Johnson emphasized the empowering message of Moana 2, highlighting its importance for audiences of all ages. He shared how the movie inspires viewers to rise above challenges and believe in themselves: “It empowers little ones and big ones all at the same time,” he explained.
The actor also reflected on the deeply personal journey of filming Moana, mentioning that he recently wrapped production for the live-action adaptation of the original movie in Hawaii. Recalling his teenage years in the same area, he said:
“It’s a full circle moment… 15 miles that way, I was getting arrested when I was 15 years old… to now be able to come and bring live-action Moana here.”
Paul Walter Hauser, celebrated for his roles on television and his work inside the wrestling ring, is confirmed to appear during the AEW Full Gear: Zero Hour pre-show this Saturday. AEW announced the news via their official social media accounts.
Hosted by Jeff Jarrett, RJ City, and Renee Paquette, Zero Hour serves as the kickoff to the highly anticipated AEW Full Gear pay-per-view.
Hauser is no stranger to professional wrestling or AEW. He previously appeared on the January 23, 2023, episode of AEW Rampage, where he was on the receiving end of a guitar smash courtesy of Jeff Jarrett. Following that moment, Hauser expressed a desire to complete his AEW storyline, fueling speculation about potential developments during his upcoming appearance.
Outside of AEW, notable moments from his wrestling career include a victory over Matt Cardona in a celebrity-themed “Slammy Vs. Emmy Winner Take All” match. In June 2024, he demonstrated his stamina and commitment by competing in two matches on the same night at REVOLVER Cage of Horrors 3.
AEW Full Gear will take place on Saturday, November 23, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Stream the show live on Triller for just $49.99.
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
