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AEW Full Gear: Updated Match Card for 11/23

Michael Reichlin
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Bobby Lashley will make his in-ring debut for All Elite Wrestling later this month,. On Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, Lashley and the Hurt Syndicate were confronted by former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland, who issued the challenge to Lashley. MVP accepted the challenge on Lashley’s behalf, and the match was confirmed later in the show.

Here is the updated card for All Elite Wrestling’s upcoming AEW Full Gear pay-per-view:

Main PPV Card Matches:

  • Orange Cassidy challenges Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship
  • Kris Statlander challenges Mercedes Moné for the AEW TBS Championship
  • Jay White vs. Hangman Adam Page
  • Bobby Lashley vs. Swerve Stricland
  • MJF will face either Adam Cole or Roderick Strong

AEW Full Gear Zero Hour Kickoff Show:

  • AJ From Costco Guys vs. QT Marshall

AEW Full Gear 2024 takes place Saturday, November 23 from Newark, NJ at the Prudential Center. Stay tuned to SEScoops for additional match announcements in the weeks ahead.

Malakai Black: I’m Not Injured, Retiring, or Leaving AEW

Michael Reichlin
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All Elite Wrestling star Malakai Black is setting the record straight about his health and status with the company. Following a hard-fought loss to Adam Cole on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite, Cole extended a his hand for handshake. Black took a moment, and instead embraced his longtime rival with a big hug.

Cole took a microphone and declared that Black is one of the best wrestlers he’s ever faced. The show of respect prompted a standing ovation from the live crowd. Fans immediately took to social media and speculated this signified Black is either taking another extended absense, or leaving the company entirely.

Malakai Black’s Statement

On Thursday morning, Black posted a video on Instagram to provide his side of the story. He expresses frustration about the rumors concerning his health and career, and urges fans to be respectful of his situation.

“I’m not injured nor am I retiring or am I leaving,” Black said. “I feel this happens every match I have, and I don’t understand how many times you’re going to say these things and then them not happening and people are still going to fall for that. I haven’t been injured in more than three years… I’m fine, I’ve been fine for the longest time. I would really appreciate it if that stuff stops, man.

If I’m going to retire, you’re going to hear it from me and not after Adam just cuts a promo just as a thank you for the match. Because that’s all it was. So, thank you.”

– Malakai Black

Malakai Black has kept an active schedule this year, and has wrestled 23 matches for AEW, most of which have been tag matches with his partners in the House of Black.

WWE 2K25 Set to Release Before WrestleMania 41

Michael Reichlin
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The next installment in WWE’s long-running video game franchise, WWE 2K25, is officially set for release ahead of WrestleMania 41.

Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. shared the news in its fiscal second quarter (Q2 2025) earnings report on Thursday. The company reported robust financial performance, with improvements in net income, net bookings, and reduced operating losses compared to the previous year.

One of the major contributors to Take-Two’s success this quarter was Grand Theft Auto V and its online component, Grand Theft Auto Online. GTA V has now sold over 205 million units, adding 5 million units just this quarter.

WWE 2K25 Release Date

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Take-Two’s earnings report also included an updated release schedule for upcoming projects, listing WWE 2K25 for Q4 of Fiscal 2025. Since Take-Two’s fiscal year ends on March 31, 2025, WWE fans can look forward to playing the new title before WrestleMania 41, scheduled for April 19-20, 2025.

For context, WWE 2K24 was released on March 8, 2024. Be sure to check out our exclusive WWE 2K24 review, where we rated it an impressive 8.5/10.

RVD Says “I’ll Be Back” Following NXT 2300

Michael Reichlin
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Rob Van Dam is channeling “The Terminator” to describe future appearances with WWE NXT. Van Dam made a few appearances at NXT’s 2300 Special on Wednesday, held at the former ECW Arena in Philadelphia, PA.

He first had a segment with Kelani Jordan, who was practicing his signature ‘Van Dam stretch’ by doing a split on two folding chairs. Later in the show, the Whole F’N Show was attacked backstage by Wes Lee. He’d exact revenge later in the evening. 

During Lee’s match against Je’Von Evans, RVD came out and distracted his attacker. This allowed Evans to get the victory, and they celebrated together in the ring .

A fan on social media says he wishes Van Dam had wrestled a match on the show, which prompted an agreeable response: “Me too. But I’ll be back.”

Austin Theory on Working with Brock Lesnar, Steve Austin, John Cena and The Rock

Michael Reichlin
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Just three and a half years after making his main-roster WWE television debut, Austin Theory has already worked with some of the biggest names in wrestling history.

The 27-year-old grappler from Atlanta, GA is the latest guest on Chris Van Vliet’s Insights podcast. Theory has been “obsessed” with WWE from a young age. He didn’t give himself a fallback plan, despite skepticism from his friends. His first break into the industry came when he met former WWE trainer Bill DeMott at an MMA gym.

Here are highlights of what he shared with CVV about working with legends including Stone Cold Steve Austin, Brock Lesnar, The Rock and John Cena.

His WrestleMania Feud with John Cena

Theory worked closely with Cena, who pushed him to be more authentic during their promo battles. He recalls it being a challenge to incorporate Cena’s feedback while staying true to his character and his instincts.

Taking a Stunner from Stone Cold Steve Austin at WrestleMania

He was honored to take a Stunner from Stone Cold at WrestleMania, and jokes that he envisioned sharing a beer with Austin backstage afterwards (didn’t happen).

Ring Moment with The Rock:

Theory says it was an unforgettable experience when he had a segment with The Rock on WWE SmackDown. He was notified about the segment at the last minute, but says he felt an almost ‘telepathic’ connection with the Final Boss, who “signaled” to him when to speak during their interaction.

Brock Lesnar F-5’ing him Off An Elimination Chamber Pod

Theory took an absolutely crazy bump at Elimination Chamber 2024, when Brock Lesnar hoisted him onto his shoulders and flung him off the top of one of the pods. He says Vince McMahon hand-picked him for the spot, and Lesnar was ‘intense and unpredictable.’

AEW Rampage Spoilers Airing November 8, 2024

Michael Reichlin
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All Elite Wrestling taped Friday’s AEW Rampage prior to this week’s Dynamite from Manchester, New Hampshire at the SNHU Arena.

Dynamite and Rampage are in Bridgeport, CT next week as we continue on the road to AEW Full Gear, scheduled for Saturday, November 23, 2024.

AEW Rampage Tapings Results (11/8)

  • Hikaru Shida def. Viva Van
  • The Undisputed Kingdom (Mike Bennett & Matt Taven) def. The Dark Order (Alex Reynolds & John Silver) and The Infantry (Carlie Bravo & Shawn Dean). After the match, the winners were confronted by Brian Cage and Lance Archer, who attacked them. Roderick Strong came out to make the save.
  • Top Flight (Dante Martin & Darius Martin) def. Beef & JD Drake.
  • Lio Rush pinnned Komander in their rematch, evening the series to 1-1.

AEW Rampage Preview: Lio Rush vs. Komander Rematch

Michael Reichlin
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All Elite Wrestling has announced the lineup for this week’s AEW Rampage, airing Friday on TNT at 10/9c. The main event will see high-flying stars Lio Rush and Komander “run it back” after the masked luchador picked up the win last week.

We’ll also see former Women’s World Champion Hikaru Shida in action, along with five tag teams hoping to make some noise in hopes of climbing the ranks to challenge the division’s new champions, Private Party.

AEW Rampage Preview: Nov. 8, 2024

Confirmed matches include:

  • Lio Rush vs. Komander 2
  • Tag Team 3-Way: Undisputed Kingdom vs. Dark Order vs. The Infantry
  • Hikaru Shida vs. Viva Van
  • Top Flight vs. JD Drake & Beef
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Taz Responds to Christian Cage’s Death Wish On AEW Dynamite

Bishal Roy
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AEW commentator and wrestling legend Taz has made it clear: he’s still alive and kicking.

Christian Cage spoke about Taz during this week’s edition of AEW Dynamite. He addressed his son, HOOK in a promo segment. The former AEW TNT Champion hurled insults at HOOK’s father for crumbling under the pressure in WWE and taking up the role of an announcer. Cage also wished death on his father. Taz set the record straight on social media, letting Christian know that he’s keeping tabs on what he’s upto.

Taz was last seen on AEW when Hook officially retired the FTW Championship at AEW Dynamite: Grand Slam and presented it back to his father. Ahead of the fifth anniversary of AEW Dynamite, the wrestling legend revealed that he’d be stepping from his role as an announcer as he was set to undergo total knee replacement surgery.

Earlier this year, he said that he required both of his knees and both of his shoulders replaced. The Human Suplex Machine had revealed that he was going to keep trying regenerative procedures and dealing with the pain. He also made it clear that the issues were not from bumps he took in the ring but it was caused due to heavy-weight training during his career.

Following his surgery, the former ECW star also provided an update on his health. He said that the surgery went well but “now the work begins.” The veteran wrestler had also expressed his disappointment that he wasn’t given room 13, which was his signature number.

Dudley Boyz Give Trick Williams a Pep Talk After NXT 2300

Bishal Roy
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NXT Champion Trick Williams recently received some words of wisdom from WWE legends Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley following NXT 2300.

NXT held its November 6th edition of show at the famous 2300 Arena and fans witnessed some epic moments with the return of several ECW originals.

WWE dropped a video clip on YouTube in which Trick Williams was speaking with Bubba Ray Dudley and D-Von Dudley after their team lost. Trick Williams said that he was angry with the outcome and that he was better than that. D-Von Dudley then told the NXT Champion Williams that he needed to learn from the loss. D-Von further told him that he would see a lot of success in the future and advised him to keep his head up despite the loss.

“Listen, we all lose. We’ve lost many a times. We’ve been successful at it, and when I mean success, even though we’ve lost, we’ve had a lot of successful matches after that. You’re young, you’re hungry and you’re a hell of a talent, so keep your head up and don’t you dare look down.”

Bubba Ray Dudley had teamed up with Trick Williams to face Ridge Holland and “All Ego” Ethan Page. The final moments of the match saw Ridge Holland winning by rolling up Trick Williams. Following the match, Ridge and Ethan attacked Trick, but Bubba helped fight them off. The duo then hit some classic Dudley Boyz offense with D-Von Dudley returning after the match as well.

WWE Salaries: Kevin Nash Compares Reported Paydays Today to the New Generation Era

Jake Skudder
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In the ever-evolving world of professional wrestling, few topics generate as much interest and debate as the salaries of WWE superstars.

Recently, WWE Hall of Famer Kevin Nash shed light on this subject, offering a fascinating comparison between the reported earnings of today’s wrestlers and those from the New Generation Era of the 1990s.

The New Generation Era: A Different Financial Landscape

Nash’s Early Career Earnings

Kevin Nash, a prominent figure in wrestling history, began his journey in the industry during the New Generation Era. He recently revealed that his initial contract with WWE (then WWF) in 1993 guaranteed him $75,000 per year.

This base salary, while substantial for the time, pales in comparison to the figures we hear about today.

The Significance of House Shows

During Nash’s early years, wrestlers heavily relied on house show earnings to supplement their income. Nash explained that these non-televised events were crucial for boosting a wrestler’s paycheck, with top performers potentially earning an additional $1,000 to $1,500 per show.

Modern WWE: A New Financial Era

Reported Salaries of Current Stars

Fast forward to the present day, and the financial landscape of WWE has transformed dramatically. Nash pointed out recent reports suggesting that current WWE stars like Roman Reigns are earning around $15 million annually:

“I saw a list, and I don’t know how accurate it is or not, but it had the salaries of the top 10 salaries in the WWE, and Roman was at 15 million dollars. I was talking to Hurricane we were going back and forth. I said, ‘F**k, Roman made more than the entire crew in ’93.'” 

The Shift in Revenue Streams

The substantial growth in wrestler salaries can be attributed to WWE’s expanded revenue streams. Today, the company benefits from lucrative television deals, streaming rights, and global merchandise sales, allowing for higher guaranteed contracts.

Best ECW Tribute Shows Ever Following NXT 2300 Arena

Jake Skudder
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WWE NXT’s recent tribute show at the iconic 2300 Arena in Philadelphia on November 6, 2024, has reignited fans’ passion for the extreme wrestling era. This event not only honored the legacy of Extreme Championship Wrestling (ECW) but also showcased the ongoing evolution of professional wrestling.

Let’s explore this memorable show and other notable ECW tribute events that have left an indelible mark on the wrestling world.

Read More – NXT 2300 Results from Philadelphia’s ECW Arena

NXT Takes Over the ECW Arena

WWE NXT’s special episode at the 2300 Arena, formerly known as the ECW Arena, was a nostalgic journey for wrestling fans. 

The show featured a good blend of NXT’s current roster and ECW legends, creating an electric atmosphere that paid homage to the extreme wrestling roots.

Francine’s Surprise Appearance

One of the highlights of the event was the return of Francine, the “Queen of Extreme.” Her presence in the crowd during the main event added a layer of authenticity to the tribute, reminding fans of ECW’s glory days.

Francine’s cameo was particularly significant given her long absence from wrestling, making this appearance a true treat for longtime ECW supporters.

Star-Studded Main Event

The show’s climax was a thrilling 10-woman tag team match that showcased NXT’s deep and talented women’s roster. 

This match not only paid tribute to ECW’s legacy but also highlighted the evolution of women’s wrestling, demonstrating how far the industry has come since the ECW era.

Other Memorable ECW Tribute Shows

While NXT’s 2300 Arena show was exceptional, it’s not the only tribute that has captured the essence of ECW. Let’s look at some other notable ECW tribute events that have left their mark on wrestling history.

ECW One Night Stand 2005

This pay-per-view event was WWE’s first official ECW reunion show. It featured original ECW stars and recreated the promotion’s unique atmosphere. Matches like Masato Tanaka vs. Mike Awesome and the main event featuring The Dudley Boyz against Tommy Dreamer and The Sandman perfectly encapsulated the ECW spirit.

ECW One Night Stand 2006

Building on the success of the previous year, this event saw ECW alumni clash with WWE superstars. The show is particularly remembered for Rob Van Dam’s WWE Championship victory over John Cena in a highly charged atmosphere that epitomized the ECW fanbase’s passion.

Hardcore Homecoming 2005

Organized independently by Shane Douglas, this event brought together numerous ECW originals for a series of hardcore matches. It served as an alternative reunion for fans who wanted a more authentic ECW experience outside of WWE’s production.

WWE Survivor Series 2024 Match Card Predictions: WarGames and more

Jake Skudder
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As WWE’s final premium live event of the year approaches, fans are eagerly anticipating the action-packed card for WWE Survivor Series 2024. Set to take place on November 30 at the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, this year’s event promises to deliver thrilling WarGames matches and intense championship bouts. Let’s dive into our predictions for the WWE Survivor Series 2024 match card.

Men’s WarGames Match: The Bloodline Civil War

The ongoing saga of The Bloodline is set to reach its boiling point at Survivor Series. With the faction now split into two warring factions, the stage is set for an epic WarGames showdown.

Predicted Teams:

  • OG Bloodline: Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, Jey Uso and Sami Zayn
  • New Bloodline: Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga and Tonga Loa

This match promises to be a star-studded affair, with The Rock’s potential involvement adding an extra layer of excitement. The inclusion of Cody Rhodes on the OG Bloodline side could plant seeds for future storylines, potentially leading to a clash with Roman Reigns down the line.

Women’s WarGames Match: Team Bayley vs. Team Nia Jax

The women’s division is not to be outdone, with another WarGames match featuring some of WWE’s top female superstars.

Predicted Teams:

  • Team Bayley: Bayley, Bianca Belair, Jade Cargill, Naomi, and Michin
  • Team Nia Jax: Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, Chelsea Green, Piper Niven, and Blair Davenport

This match will not only showcase the incredible talent in the women’s division but also add intrigue with the possibility of Tiffany Stratton potentially cashing in her Money in the Bank contract during or after the grueling battle.

World Heavyweight Championship: Gunther vs. Damian Priest

Gunther’s dominant reign as World Heavyweight Champion is likely to face another test at Survivor Series. With a Fatal 4-Way match announced on Raw to determine his next challenger, we predict Damian Priest will emerge victorious and earn a shot at the title.

This match would be a rematch from their encounter at SummerSlam, where they displayed strong in-ring chemistry. While Priest is unlikely to dethrone Gunther, their clash promises to be a hard-hitting affair that could steal the show.

WWE Women’s Championship: Nia Jax vs. Naomi

With Nia Jax firmly established as a dominant force in the women’s division, a title defense against the recently returned Naomi seems like a perfect fit for Survivor Series. Naomi’s popularity with fans and her seven-year drought from singles gold make her a compelling challenger, potentially setting the stage for an emotional title change.

United States Championship: Triple Threat Match

The ongoing rivalry between Carmelo Hayes and Andrade could culminate in a Triple Threat match for the United States Championship, with current champion LA Knight defending his title. This match would not only provide a fitting end to the Hayes-Andrade feud but also showcase three of SmackDown’s most exciting performers in a high-stakes encounter.

Additional Potential Matches

  • Bronson Reed vs. Seth Rollins
  • Undisputed WWE Tag Team Championship: Judgment Day vs. The Street Profits
  • Singles Match: Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens

Liv Morgan Is A Tag Title Win Away From Wrestling’s Greatest Year

Thomas Lowson
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Liv Morgan is closing in on the greatest year in WWE history if she and Raquel Rodriguez can capture the Women’s Tag Team Titles. Speaking to TMZ Sports, Morgan was asked if the only thing keeping 2024 from being the greatest year of her career is winning tag-team gold.

“For sure, for sure, 100% and that’s exactly what I’m going to do.”

On this week’s WWE Raw from Riyadh, Morgan and Raquel came face-to-face with Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. A challenge for a title match was made and Morgan is immensely confident in her chances of becoming a double champion.

“If you think I’m annoying now, if you think you hate hearing me laugh and the sound of my voice now, then wooo. Let me tell you, I’m never, ever, ever gonna shut up.”

Later on Raw, Morgan and Rodriguez interfered in a battle royal to determine Liv’s next challenger and eliminated Belair and Cargill. In the interview, the 30-year-old Superstar isn’t surprised she’s run afoul of the EST and the Storm.

“Everyone wants a piece of Liv Morgan. Lucky enough, there’s enough of me to go around. And lucky enough for me, I have the most dominant group in WWE watching my back, the Judgement Day, and I also have Raquel Rodriguez.”

Should Morgan win the tag titles with Rodriguez, she’ll become the fourth double-champion in WWE’s history of women, behind Asuka, Sasha Banks, and Bayley. Morgan is already a two-time Tag Team Champion with 55 days with the gold to her name.

Liv Morgan’s 2024

With or without a Women’s Tag Title win, 2024 has been a huge year for Morgan. After making it to the final two of the Women’s Royal Rumble match, Morgan won the Women’s World Title in June at King And Queen of the Ring. Morgan’s ‘Revenge Tour’ has also seen her take the Judgment Day and Dominik Mysterio from Rhea Ripley and win the Crown Jewel Women’s Title earlier this month.

Ric Flair Says “Learn To Love It!” After Donald Trump’s Victory

Thomas Lowson
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Those opposed to Donald Trump will just have to “learn to love it” according to Ric Flair, following Trump’s re-election to President of the United States. The 78-year-old billionaire bested Democratic nominee Kamala Harris earlier this week, winning both the Electoral College and the popular vote.

On X, Flair shared his clear support for Trump and gave some advice to those not on board the Trump Train.

Flair isn’t the only wrestling personality backing Trump, as Hulk Hogan has repeatedly endorsed the Republican party leader. Jake Hager also shared several comments supporting Trump on election night, in addition to claiming Tony Khan is a “communist” who threatened to fire him for supporting the President-Elect. Hager has deleted several of his tweets and has yet to provide proof of his claims.

The election news comes as a crushing blow to many in the wrestling world, with Trevor Lee saying he’s disappointed in the U.S. for electing its first convicted felon President. Mick Foley and Dave Bautista had endorsed Harris ahead of this year’s election, while Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson endorsed the Biden/Harris ticket that defeated Trump and then-Vice President Mike Pence in 2020.

Clearly, this election didn’t go the way many had hoped, though Flair, Trump, and others in wrestling could not be happier. It remains to be seen what awaits the United States in Trump’s second term, which will see Linda McMahon play a crucial role in the transition.

Tiffany Stratton Talks Possible WWE TV Future With Ludwig Kaiser

Thomas Lowson
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Tiffany Stratton has certainly earned her place on WWE TV since her main roster call-up, but don’t expect to see her alongside real-life partner Ludwig Kaiser. While several real-life romances have played out on WWE screens, that hasn’t been the case for these two Superstars. Speaking to the Daily Mail, Stratton was asked for her opinion on possibly being aligned on TV with her German boyfriend.

“I don’t know, if it happens, sure, if the timing and storyline is right then yeah, why not? We are not in a rush to be together on screen, we are on separate brands but, if the time comes, I am down, we don’t see each other too often. We have like two days together, but we make those days count.”

Though not on WWE TV, the pair can be regularly spotted together on Tiffany Stratton’s TikTok which highlights the pair’s respective lives as Superstars and workout routines. Like Miss. Money in the Bank herself, the channel has proven exceptionally popular and is closing in on half a million followers.

@tiffanystrattonwwe

Day in the lifeeeeeeee! Featuring my new apartment! Eeekkkkk

? original sound – Tiffany Stratton

As for TV, Stratton appears poised for a breakout moment soon enough, with the ‘Buff Barbie’ still in possession of the Women’s Money in the Bank contract. Recently, Stratton teased cashing in on her ‘friend’ Nia Jax at Crown Jewel, but Stratton didn’t leave Riyadh with the WWE Women’s Championship.

As for Kaiser, he remains the loyal ally of GUNTHER though has fallen short of his efforts to eliminate Sheamus, much to the chagrin of the World Heavyweight Champion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Kaiser and Stratton and their roles both on and off TV.

Shawn Michaels Welcomes Yoshiki Inamura & NOAH To WWE NXT

Thomas Lowson
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WWE’s collaborative relationship with Pro Wrestling NOAH picked up some serious steam this week when Yoshiki Inamura visited the Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. On X, WWE NXT head Shawn Michaels hyped up the arrival of the 31-year-old wrestler to clips of his time at the PC. Michaels added that Inamura “is going to be a problem for anyone he steps in the ring with” to footage of him wrestling in the Performance Center.

WWE has seen a strong collaboration with NOAH in 2024, as part of the Sports Entertainment juggernaut’s willingness to work with others under its current administration. In May, Yasuaki Okamoto spoke of strengthening NOAH’s relationship with WWE after being appointed the new President of CyberFight Inc, the parent company of NOAH.

It didn’t take long for Okamoto’s plans to come to fruition, as AJ Styyles would compete at NOAH Destination in July. In August and September, NXT’s Josh Briggs and Tavion Heights were part of the  NOAH N-1 Victory 2024 tournament, making this growing relationship between WWE and NOAH more significant. In January 2023, WWE’s Shinsuke Nakamura was granted the opportunity to face The Great Muta at a NOAH show as part of the latter’s retirement tour. 

As for what Yoshiki Inamura’s future with NOAH and WWE NXT looks like, that remains to be seen. Nevertheless, fans are excited to see what the Japanese star will do and what other crossovers we could see from both sides of this budding partnership.

NXT 2300 Results from Philadelphia’s ECW Arena

Michael Reichlin
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Here are the quick results from the NXT 2300 special on the CW network, November 6, 2024:

1. Lola Vice vs. Jaida Parker (Hardcore Match): Vice defeated Parker with a DDT onto a chair.

2. Je’Von Evans vs. Wes Lee: Evans secured the victory after delivering a springboard cutter.

3. Tony D’Angelo vs. Nunzio (NXT North American Championship Match): D’Angelo retained his title against Nunzio.

4. Ten-Woman Tag Team Match: Roxanne Perez, Cora Jade, Jacy Jayne, Jazmyn Nyx, and Fallon Henley defeated Jordynne Grace, Giulia, Stephanie Vaquer, Zaria, and Kelani Jordan when Perez pinned Zaria following Pop Rox.

5. Trick Williams & Bubba Ray Dudley vs. Ethan Page & Ridge Holland: Williams and Dudley won after Williams hit the Trick Shot on Page.

Additionally, NXT General Manager Ava announced the introduction of the NXT Women’s North American Championship, with a tournament set to begin next week to crown the inaugural champion.

AEW Dynamite Results (11/6/24)

Michael Reichlin
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Here are the quick results from the November 6, 2024, episode of AEW Dynamite:

• Darby Allin & Orange Cassidy vs. Claudio Castagnoli & PAC: Allin and Cassidy won via disqualification due to interference from Wheeler Yuta, Marina Shafir, and Jon Moxley.

• Fight Without Honor Trios Match: The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Kyle O’Reilly, and Tomohiro Ishii) defeated The Learning Tree when Ishii pinned Chris Jericho after a brainbuster.

• Jamie Hayter vs. Penelope Ford: Hayter secured the victory with a lariat.

• Konosuke Takeshita & Kyle Fletcher vs. Ricochet & Mystery Partner: Ricochet and his partner, revealed to be Rey Fenix, won after Fenix pinned Fletcher following a Black Fire Driver.

• Adam Cole vs. Malakai Black: Cole emerged victorious with the Last Shot.

Additionally, The Hurt Syndicate (MVP, Shelton Benjamin, and Bobby Lashley) appeared, with Lashley accepting Swerve Strickland’s challenge for a match at Full Gear.

HOOK and Christian Cage had a face-to-face confrontation, escalating their ongoing rivalry.

Bobby Lashley’s AEW In-Ring Debut And More Set For AEW Full Gear

Andrew Ravens
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AEW has announced two exciting new matchups for the upcoming AEW Full Gear 2024 pay-per-view event.

In a highly anticipated bout, Mercedes Moné will defend her AEW TBS Championship against Kris Statlander. The match was set following Statlander’s challenge on AEW Collision, which AEW CEO Tony Khan later confirmed on social media. This contest marks a chance for Statlander to reclaim the TBS title after her loss a year ago at Full Gear, where Julia Hart defeated her in a three-way match also featuring Skye Blue. Mercedes Moné, who won the title from Willow Nightingale at AEW Double or Nothing 2024, is expected to deliver an intense defense against the determined Statlander.

In another big showdown, Swerve Strickland will face Bobby Lashley after last week’s brutal attack by The Hurt Syndicate, which left Strickland seeking retribution. Strickland issued the challenge, and MVP accepted the match on behalf of his client Lashley, setting the stage for a fierce clash.

The AEW Full Gear 2024 pay-per-view is set for Saturday, November 23 at the Prudential Center in Newark, NJ. Here’s the updated match card:

  • AEW World Heavyweight Championship: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Orange Cassidy
  • AEW TBS Championship: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Kris Statlander
  • Jay White vs. Hangman Page
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Bobby Lashley
  • MJF vs. Adam Page or Roderick Strong
  • AEW Tag Team Championship: Private Party (c) vs. TBA (fatal 4-way match)
  • Zero Hour: Costco Guy AJ vs. QT Marshall

With a lineup filled with title matches and rivalries, AEW Full Gear 2024 promises to be a thrilling night for wrestling fans.

Several ECW Originals Appear On WWE NXT

Andrew Ravens
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This week’s episode of WWE NXT brought nostalgia and excitement to fans with appearances from several ECW Originals, including both scheduled and surprise guests.

Among the highlights, RVD helped Je’Von Evans secure a win, while NXT Champion Trick Williams teamed up with Bubba Ray Dudley in a tag team match against Ethan Page and Ridge Holland. In a hardcore match between Jaida Parker and Lola Vice, Dawn Marie took on the role of special guest referee, adding to the ECW flavor of the evening.

Another standout moment featured Robert Stone venting his frustrations to the fans, only to be interrupted by ECW legend Rhyno, who stormed out to deliver a crowd-pleasing Gore. The former ECW Champion’s appearance brought a huge pop from the diehard fans in attendance.

In a backstage segment, ECW veterans Tony Mamaluke and Nunzio expressed their displeasure over recent disrespect from The Family. Nunzio assured Rizzo he had set up a match for her against Nikkita Lyons for next week. For himself, Nunzio announced a special bout: he would challenge Tony D’Angelo for the NXT North American Title.

The episode’s ECW tributes and unexpected moments created an electrifying atmosphere, celebrating classic wrestling while setting up exciting storylines for the weeks to come.

D’Von Dudley also made an appearance to give Williams a pair of glasses after he and Bubba picked up a win and put Ethan Page through a table.

WWE NXT Deadline Date & Location Announced

Andrew Ravens
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WWE has officially announced the details for this year’s NXT Deadline premium live event, including the date, location, and the return of a fan-favorite match format. On this week’s episode of WWE NXT, General Manager Ava revealed that the Iron Survivor Challenge will return at NXT Deadline, which will take place on Saturday, December 7, at The Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Tickets are set to go on sale on November 13.

Last year’s Deadline event was held at Total Mortgage Arena in Bridgeport, Connecticut, and featured a main event where Ilja Dragunov defeated Baron Corbin to retain the NXT Championship. Dragon Lee, accompanied by Rey Mysterio, also claimed the NXT North American Championship by defeating “Dirty” Dominik Mysterio.

The Iron Survivor Challenge matches made its return at last year’s Deadline, bringing a unique 25-minute format where participants competed to determine the #1 contenders. In the Women’s Iron Survivor Challenge, Blair Davenport triumphed over Tiffany Stratton, Lash Legend, Kelani Jordan, and Fallon Henley to secure a title opportunity at New Year’s Evil. In the Men’s Iron Survivor Challenge, Trick Williams emerged victorious over Dijak, Josh Briggs, Bron Breakker, and Tyler Bate, paving his way to the NXT title picture.

Fans can look forward to the return of these intense, multi-participant challenges, which are set to bring even more excitement to this year’s NXT Deadline.

RVD Assists Je’Von Evans To Secure WWE NXT Win At ECW Arena

Andrew Ravens
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This week’s episode of WWE NXT saw a surprise appearance by wrestling legend Rob Van Dam (RVD) at the iconic ECW Arena in Philadelphia. However, things didn’t go as planned for Wes Lee.

Earlier in the night, RVD was featured in a backstage segment offering advice. But Lee caught RVD off guard, striking him in the back of the head with a chair and taking down the former ECW Champion. It was presumed that RVD had left the arena to seek medical attention after the attack.

Despite the incident, RVD made a triumphant return during Lee’s match against Evans, walking out to a roaring reaction from the Philadelphia crowd. Seizing the opportunity, RVD helped Evans avoid another attack from Lee, ultimately leading Evans to victory. In a nod to his classic move set, Evans secured the pinfall with RVD’s signature frog splash. After the match, RVD endorsed Evans by raising his hand in front of the enthusiastic crowd.

Following his recent work with AEW, RVD has signed a WWE Legends contract, making appearances on WWE TV, including recent episodes of SmackDown. The WWE Hall of Famer’s return to NXT brought an extra layer of excitement, especially for fans of his ECW days.

WWE Revenue Jumps in Q3, TKO Raises Full-Year Outlook and Expands Internationally

Michael Reichlin
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TKO Group reported its Q3 2024 results today, highlighting a 14% year-over-year increase in WWE revenue, UFC sponsorship growth, and raised full-year guidance, alongside a focus on international expansion and new media partnerships. TKO Group Third Quarter 2024 Earnings can be viewed in their entirety at investor.tkogrp.com.

Performance Breakdown

WWE Segment

WWE reported strong growth with Q3 revenue reaching $326.3 million, up 14% year-over-year, largely due to increased media rights, live events, and sponsorships.

Sponsorship revenue was a notable success, with TKO emphasizing its potential as an underappreciated revenue stream. The upcoming Netflix deal is expected to further boost WWE’s sponsorship and site fees.

WWE expanded its international presence, holding 18 events outside the U.S., including the successful “Bash in Berlin” event in Germany.

UFC Segment

UFC’s Q3 revenue totaled $354.9 million, contributing significantly to TKO’s overall revenue. This marked an 11% decline year-over-year, driven by fewer marquee events, though sponsorship revenue increased by $10.2 million.

Strategic Highlights and Future Outlook

Synergies: TKO reported progress in achieving cost synergies post-merger, which was a focal point in the earnings call.

Future Guidance: TKO raised its 2024 revenue guidance to $2.745 billion.

Acquisitions: The company is preparing to integrate Professional Bull Riders (PBR) and other Endeavor sports assets.

Q&A Highlights:

UFC TV Rights: Mark Shapiro noted that TKO is looking to maximize UFC’s TV rights value, with ESPN+ subscriptions and ratings performing well.

PPV Model: Shapiro emphasized the strength of UFC’s PPV model both domestically and internationally, stating that many networks are interested.

Boxing Expansion: Shapiro downplayed Dana White’s comments about entering boxing, clarifying that any potential entry would be through partnerships rather than acquisitions, with a goal to modernize boxing’s business model.

UFC Fight Pass: TKO is seeing international growth in UFC Fight Pass subscriptions and plans to keep it separate from other media deals.

Netflix Sponsorships: TKO is exploring new WWE sponsorships globally, including a partnership involving Netflix and Minute Maid.

Talent Retention: Shapiro expressed confidence in talent retention, stating that WWE and UFC are seen as prime destinations, with cost control remaining a priority.

Endeavor Assets: TKO does not plan to pursue further acquisitions beyond recent additions like PBR, focusing instead on optimizing current assets.

Carmelo Hayes Struck With ‘Survivor’s Guilt’ Over a Recent WWE Release

Michael Reichlin
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Carmelo Hayes says he’s felt “survivor’s guilt” after Baron Corbin’s recent release from WWE. The two worked together closely in NXT last year.

Corbin marked his return to the developmental brand in May 2023 by ambushing Hayes, who was the NXT Champion at the time. They had an intense feud, with Hayes emerging victorious. They wrestled once again on SmackDown during this year’s King of the Ring tournament. Hayes tells Metro that Corbin’s firing hit him especially hard.

“It’s kinda like a survivor’s guilt, you know what I mean? After a day or two, you’re like, “Man!” You just hate to see that for them.”

– Carmelo Hayes on Baron Corbin’s WWE release

Hayes says Corbin took a liking to him, and helped him tremendously by offering all sorts of advice – about wrestling, personal finances and life in general. Those lessons will serve him for years to come, and he’ll always hold a special place for his one-time onscreen rival.

“I’m forever indebted to Baron Corbin, he adds. “Super talented, and I hate to see him go. That was one of those ones that really kinda hurt.”

– Carmelo Hayes on Baron Corbin’s inflence

QT Marshall Recalls Discouraging Talk With WWE Before Returning to AEW

Andrew Ravens
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Earlier this year, QT Marshall met with WWE, exploring the possibility of joining the rival promotion after several years with AEW. Though he left AEW in November, he returned to the company in an executive role as announced on February 14, 2024.

In addition to his AEW duties, he co-runs the Nightmare Factory in McDonough, Georgia alongside Cody Rhodes. During an interview with SI Wrestling, Marshall reflected on his brief period as a free agent, and his brief talks with WWE.

“I had one conversation with somebody that doesn’t even work there anymore,” Marshall said about the WWE meeting.

“I just got rubbed the wrong way during the conversation. It was like, ‘Hey, yeah, oh yeah, that’s great. All right.’ And I told him, ‘Yeah, all right, we’ll stay in touch.’ But to me, it was like, ‘I’m not staying in touch.’”

The Nightmare Factory, which opened in 2020, was recently recognized as an official member of the new WWE’s ID program, joining five other training schools. However, Marshall clarified that he is unaware of WWE’s specific arrangements with the school, as he chose to step back from coaching a few months ago.

Marshall has a big match against MJF coming on December 15 for Boca Raton Championship Wrestling.

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