On a night that marked Stephanie Vaquer’s WWE NXT in-ring debut, she also set the stage for a major tag team match later this month. During this week’s episode of NXT, Vaquer scored a quick victory over Wren Sinclair, finishing the match with her signature move.
However, following the bout, Roxanne Perez and Cora Jade launched a surprise attack on Vaquer, only for Giulia to rush out and make the save. The confrontation escalated when Giulia challenged Perez and Jade to a tag team match at Halloween Havoc, which will take place at the GIANT Center in Hershey, PA, on Sunday, October 27, 2024.
The challenge followed Jade’s recent interference in Giulia’s attempt to win the NXT Women’s Championship from Perez.
Vaquer’s NXT debut had been highly anticipated after she made waves earlier this year. She first garnered WWE’s attention when she dropped the NJPW Strong Women’s Title to Mercedes Moné at Forbidden Door in June.
Vaquer then participated in WWE house shows in Mexico this past July, solidifying her status as a top prospect in the company.
Less than a week after announcing she was medically cleared, AEW star Thunder Rosa has made her in-ring return. Rosa had been sidelined for over a month, with her last match taking place on the August 31st edition of AEW Collision.
Rosa recently revealed that her absence was due to a concussion, addressing speculation that suggested other reasons. Now fully recovered, the former AEW Women’s Champion expressed her readiness to step back into the ring.
Rosa confirmed her medical clearance during a recent episode of Busted Open Radio, where she also expressed her gratitude to the AEW medical team for their support throughout her recovery.
Back in action
Wasting no time, Rosa returned to the ring on October 15 at Riot Cabaret Thunder Road, where she faced Nina Samuels in the main event. Rosa emerged victorious, winning the Riot Cabaret Women’s Championship.
Rosa should be back in the mix on Dynamite and Collision soon.
All Elite Wrestling (AEW) has filed two new trademarks, hinting at an upcoming special edition of its Dynamite show. On October 15th, AEW submitted trademarks for “Fright Night Dynamite” and “AEW Fright Night Dynamite” with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, indicating plans for a Halloween-themed broadcast.
The trademarks are registered for entertainment purposes, with the description reading as follows:
“Entertainment in the nature of wrestling contests; Entertainment services in the nature of live professional wrestling performances; Entertainment services in the nature of production of professional wrestling programs and events; Entertainment services, namely, production and distribution of ongoing television programs in the field of professional wrestling.”
AEW is known for producing special holiday-themed episodes of Dynamite, and with Halloween falling on a Thursday this year, it seems likely that this will be the focus of an upcoming show. As of this writing, AEW has not officially confirmed the Fright Night Dynamite special, but an announcement could be imminent.
This week’s episode of Dynamite promises an action-packed card, following the recent WrestleDream event. Stay tuned for more updates, including the full match lineup.
Here’s what’s on tap for tonight’s WWE NXT on The CW at 8/7c:
NXT Championship #1 Contender’s Match: Ethan Page, Wes Lee, and Je’Von Evans will face off in a Triple Threat Match. The winner of this bout will earn the right to challenge Trick Williams for the NXT Championship at NXT Halloween Havoc on October 27.
In-Ring Debut: Stephanie Vaquer makes her NXT in-ring debut against Wren Sinclair. This match is anticipated to showcase Vaquer’s abilities in the NXT women’s division.
Championship Celebration: Tony D’Angelo, now the NXT North American Champion after defeating Oba Femi, will celebrate his victory with The Family.
Return to the Ring: Nikkita Lyons returns from injury, facing off against Lola Vice. This marks Lyons’ first televised match since the January 9, 2024 episode of WWE NXT. Lyons recently returned to action at an NXT live event was sporting a brace on each knee.
Grudge Match: Riley Osborne will take on Ridge Holland, possibly looking to settle scores or prove themselves in the ring.
Gentleman’s Duel: Oro Mensah and Lexis King will engage in what’s being called a Gentleman’s Duel. Expect Shenanigans, especially when this is one of the participants:
Another day means another opportunity to prove I am the BETTER man! I had my girlfriend do my hair like Legolas because he was a great hero that always did the right thing, just like I’m going to do tonight on @WWENXT@TheCW ?#WWENXT#longlivelexiskingpic.twitter.com/Q3dObl3VYX
The wrestling world is in mourning after the passing of former Ring of Honor COO Joe Koff. In August, he made the decision to discontinue treatment in order to enhance the quality of time he had left with his family. Mike Johnson of PW Insider reports that Koff had been privately battling cancer for some time. On behalf of SEScoops, we express our deepest condolences to Joe Koff’s family and friends.
MLW is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Ring of Honor COO Joe Koff. On behalf of MLW, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
Joe always led with honor, integrity, and a passion for the sport we all cherish. His legacy will live on in… pic.twitter.com/JNY7g2ILHG
Koff became Senior VP of Training and Development for Sinclair Broadcast Group in 2003, and became ROH’s COO when the company was purchased by Sinclair in 2011. As COO, Koff oversaw several major developments, including announcing a streaming service for the promotion in November 2017. The service, later named Honor Club, was unveiled on February 2, 2018, and launch on February 19.
While Koff joined ROH as part of the Sinclair deal, his involvement in the wrestling world was not merely business. A lifelong fan, Koff attended WWWF events with his father in the original Madison Square Garden. Decades later, it’d be the efforts of Koff and others that would bring ROH to the World’s Most Famous Arena for the G1 Supercard in April 2019. The show became the first non-WWE entity to run the arena in decades, a claim that stands to this day.
Koff’s time with ROH came to an end in 2022 when the promotion changed hands and was acquired by Tony Khan, but his love of wrestling continued long after that.
The AEW & Ring of Honor Family, along with the wrestling world mourn the passing of Joe Koff. Our thoughts are with his family and his friends. pic.twitter.com/0pFBXyd5mP
We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Ring of Honor COO Joe Koff. We’re grateful for his contributions to professional wrestling and offer our sincerest condolences to his friends and family. pic.twitter.com/sNoS74sSJr
MLW is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former Ring of Honor COO Joe Koff. On behalf of MLW, we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family and loved ones.
Joe always led with honor, integrity, and a passion for the sport we all cherish. His legacy will live on in… pic.twitter.com/JNY7g2ILHG
The wrestling world has been abuzz with speculation about Brock Lesnar’s potential return to WWE amid recent controversies and cryptic teases on RAW. This article delves into the latest developments surrounding the Beast Incarnate’s status with the company, the impact of the Vince McMahon lawsuit, and what fans can expect moving forward.
Recent RAW Teases
WWE has been dropping subtle hints about Lesnar’s possible comeback on recent episodes of Monday Night RAW. While the company has not explicitly mentioned Lesnar by name, several segments have featured references that longtime fans associate with the former UFC Heavyweight Champion.
Cody Rhodes and Seth Rollins both alluded to Brock during the Monday, October 14th 2024 episode of RAW, and fans did not miss it:
They (WWE) mentioned Brock Lesnar’s nickname ‘THE BEAST’ not 1 but 2 times on Raw is not a coincidence.
The recent lawsuit filed against Vince McMahon has cast a shadow over Brock Lesnar’s WWE future. While Lesnar is not explicitly named in the legal documents, the allegations have implications for his status with the company.
Allegations and Implications
The lawsuit, filed by former WWE employee Janel Grant, alleges that McMahon shared explicit content with a “former UFC Heavyweight Champion and WWE talent” in 2021. This description has led many to speculate about Lesnar’s potential involvement, and he was named during the Netflix series Mr McMahon.
Despite the initial reaction, WWE’s Chief Content Officer Triple H has recently provided insight into Lesnar’s status with the company.
“Not Gone from WWE”
Following Night 1 of WrestleMania 40, Triple H stated that Brock Lesnar is “not gone from WWE” and is simply “home being Brock”. This comment suggests that the door remains open for Lesnar’s return, contrary to earlier speculation.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill are brimming with confidence and they want challengers to step up.
Belair and Cargill had reclaimed the tag team titles at WWE Bash In Berlin after defeating The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn). Since then they have defended their titles against the likes of former champs, The Unholy Union and Meta-Four (Jakara Jackson & Lash Legend). Last night on WWE Raw, they defeated Damage CTRL (Kairi Sane & IYO SKY) after Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson interfered.
Speaking on Raw Talk after Monday’s WWE Raw, Belair and Cargill were asked about Lash Legend and Jakara Jackson sticking their nose in their match.
Bianca Belair: “Listen, they came to SmackDown, and they put up a good fight, they really should have been proud of themselves. They did, but instead of going back to NXT and working on their skills and getting stronger and faster, they decided to to show up to Raw tonight and get in our business?”
Jade Cargill: “[They] embarrassed themselves if you asked me. They made enemies tonight out of IYO and Kairi. Out of everybody, why would you do that? But I love that for this tag team division.”
Belair: “I do. You know what, I love the confidence, I have to say that. But they’re making enemies. But you know what, it’s making this whole tag team division interesting.”
Cargill: “That’s what we were trying to do from the beginning. But these are our belts.”
Belair: “It is, but I love competition, so this is fun for me.”
Cargill: “We love competition. Like we said, Raw, SmackDown, NXT, come get it. We welcome it. Come apply, baby.”
Belair: “Everybody wants our titles.
Cargill: “Yes. Come to SmackDown and get that smack down.”
Belair: “Whoever want it. Raw, NXT, SmackDown.”
Damage CTRL recently became the latest challengers who were unsuccessful in dethroning Cargill and Belair. The final moments of the match saw the IYO SKY getting in a verbal spat with Jakara Jackson and Lash Legend who were ringside. Jackson pulled back her hair and Legend hit a big elbow to her face. When SKY got back inside the ring, Belair hit the KOD to get the pinfall victory.
Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill have become one of the dominant tag teams in the women’s division. They have been thriving as the champs and are on an unstoppable title reign. They have had quite the run as a tag team despite the pairing was not in the plans.
R-Truth seemingly can’t get over the fact that he and The Miz are not friends anymore.
On last night’s edition of WWE Raw, R-Truth secured a victory over his former tag team partner The Miz. ‘The A-Lister’ was distracted after Karrion Kross and The Final Testament walked out to ringside. This gave Truth the advantage who capitalized and rolled him up for the win. The former WWE Champion was visibly angry with the outcome and launched a brutal attack on R- Truth following the match. In a Raw Exclusive, Cathy Kelley asked R-Truth about his victory over The Miz. Here is what he said:
“I’m looking for Miz, he’s supposed to be in my corner. I have a big match tonight.”
Cathy Kelley then said that Truth won the match, and The Miz was against him. Truth added:
“CK, I think you’re the one that’s confused. Me and Miz are friends, amigos, compadres, pals, bosom buddies, you feel me?”
Kelly then helped R-Truth remember that he got attacked following the match, and Truth asked her who did it. Kelly decided not to clarify and instead urged the ref to help him go to the medical facility.
Last month, R-Truth returned to the programming from an injury and teamed up with The Miz. They squared off against Authors of Pain. During the match, The Miz left Truth alone in the ring after hitting a big boot to his face. AOP capitalized on the situation and won the match. Following the match, the former one-half of the World Tag Team Champions broke his silence.
For weeks, Karrion Kross had been manipulating The Miz. The former WWE Champion has now embraced his darker side and has proven that he has close ties with The Final Testament.
All Elite Wrestling’s new series on Fox Sports Mexico, All Elite Show, premiered Monday night on Fox Sports 2. The weekly show will bring fans inside the world of All Elite, and got off to a strong start based on the buzz generated on social media.
The hosted by Jimena Sánchez, Beto Rojas and Natalia Rivera. Sánchez, a 40-year-old journalist, host, and model from Mexico City who is already going viral for her work. WWE fans in Mexico may be familiar with this trio, as they have also hosted WWE Saturday Night which focuses on WWE TV and PLEs as well as live events in Mexico.
What to Expect
AEW All Elite Show airs on Mondays at 8 PM on Fox Sports 2. The first episode highlighted some of the premier Mexican athletes in the promotion, including Komander, Thunder Rosa, Hologram, Rush, and The Beast Mortos.
The show’s presentation is akin to what viewers may expect from SportsCenter and allows for an in-depth look at a mix of All-Elite talent. The company’s focus on Mexican wrestlers could certainly help the promotion establish a foothold in the country and potentially other Latin American markets.
Attorneys for Janel Grant filed a memorandum in Connecticut Superior Court on Tuesday in opposition to Dr. Carlon Colker and Peak Wellness to dismiss the bill of discovery complaint she filed in July.
Grant’s filing, a memorandum in law in opposition to plaintiff’s motion to dismiss, challenges several claims in Colker’s motion.
Grant’s memorandum in opposition claims McMahon was in contact with Colker during Grant’s treatment at Peak Wellness, from Nov. 22, 2019 to April 15, 2022.
The motion says the bill of discovery is necessary to see if there’s reason for Grant to file a suit against Colker and Peak Wellness in Connecticut Superior Court. It also reiterates claims from her bill of discovery complaint that Colker and Peak Wellness ignored requests for her electronic medical records and only sent incomplete forms on paper in violation of four different federal laws.
“Defendants (and Vince McMahon) have gone to great lengths to block Ms. Grant from accessing these documents relating to her own medical care,” the statement said.
Colker’s motion said. the bill of discovery complaint violated the stay requested by the FBI and other investigators in her civil case, which is paused until December. The judge in the federal civil case denied a motion to stop the bill of discovery complaint in federal court and said the court wasn’t the correct venue.
Grant’s counsel claims Colker’s attorney’s motion to dismiss was improperly filed and should have been a motion to strike; that Connecticut Superior Court has jurisdiction to hear the bill of discovery complaint; Grant’s bill of discovery has probable cause; McMahon, Laurinaitis and WWE are non-parties to the state action; any procedural issues mentioned by Colker’s counsel weren’t fact or have been fixed; Colker and Peak Wellness don’t dispute they were timely notified of the bill of discovery complaint; Connecticut precedent says courts should make every effort to adjudicate Grant’s action on its claims over procedural matters (Worth v. Picard).
“Ms. Grant filed this bill of discovery for the purpose of investigating potential claims of civil conspiracy, aiding and abetting, fraud, assault, battery, RICO, RICO conspiracy, and/or breach of fiduciary duty against Dr. Colker and Peak Wellness,” Grant’s motion said.
Grant filed the bill of discovery complaint in June claiming Colker and Peak Wellness refused to send her medical records and other information earlier this year for discovery in her federal civil suit against Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and World Wrestling Entertainment.
Colker and Peak Wellness filed a motion to dismiss the discovery complaint on Aug. 29 stating the discovery complaint wasn’t verified under Connecticut General Statute; the complaint is for a federal case and not a Connecticut state case; and Grant’s motion ignores “the very different and unique procedures for statutory bills of discovery.”
Colker and Peak Wellness counsel sent marshal to serve Grant personally
Grant’s motion of opposition states hours after the Federal judge refused to block her bill of discovery, Colker’s counsel had Grant served personally with their own bill of discovery instead of going through her counsel.
“In a move calculated to cause Ms. Grant extreme emotional distress, Defendants sent a marshal to effect personal service of their petition on Ms. Grant at her home, despite knowing she was represented by counsel,” the motion said.
Colker and Peak Wellness withdrew its bill of discovery after Grant’s counsel filed a motion to strike.
In press release, Grant’s counsel listed their discovery requests from Peak Wellness and Colker.
Ms. Grant’s electronic medical records, including all associated metadata;
Dr. Colker and Peak Wellness’ recordkeeping and billing procedures;
Payment records relating to Ms. Grant;
Dr. Colker and Peak Wellness’ payment arrangements with McMahon and/or WWE;
The purpose of Ms. Grant’s prescribed treatments;
The substance of Ms. Grant’s prescribed treatments;
Any communications between Dr. Colker and McMahon relating to Ms. Grant; and
Dr. Colker’s involvement in recommending Ms. Grant’s attorney for negotiation of the purported non-disclosure agreement.
“Imagine being at your most vulnerable, and the doctor you are told to see only makes you feel worse,” said Ann Callis, attorney for Janel Grant. “Our filing today makes clear that Dr. Colker violated ethical and medical standards when he injected unknown substances into Janel’s body and directed her to take unlabeled pills while dismissing her basic questions about those drugs. Peak Wellness owes Janel Grant answers and the clinic’s secrecy and evasion must come to an end.”
Callis, attorney Erica Nolan and SKDK firm spokesperson Kendra Barkoff Lemy will have a press call on Tuesday at 11 a.m.
The Godfather says he doesn’t remember much of what happened after Owen Hart’s tragic accident at the 1999 Over The Edge PPV.
The late star was supposed to be lowered down from the rafters through a grapple line for his entrance. Owen was set to challenge the WWE Hall of Famer for the Intercontinental Championship on the show. During the entrance, however, the quick-release mechanism of the grapple line failed and Hart fell to his death.
The Godfather talked about the unfortunate accident during a recent interview with Chris Van Vliet. The former WWE star said that he remembers spending the day with Owen and someone telling him that he fell during his entrance:
“I don’t remember. I remember spending the day with Owen. I remember talking with the girls and then Owen was coming out. I’ve never seen it. But when that happened, I was behind the curtain with the girls going through it. [I said] ‘Don’t worry if you mess up, if you fall, I’ll do this.’
I was telling them that then whoever it was, it might have been Bruce Prichard, I don’t know who was sitting at the table. I know it wasn’t Jim Ross. He goes ‘Owen fell!’ And then I’m like, what? He goes, ‘Owen just fell!’”
According to the wrestling veteran, he doesn’t remember much of what happened once he saw the body of Owen Hart. Everything after that is a blur to him:
“We were looking at the monitors and then it all went down. I just remembered what Owen looked like when he came through the curtain. And other than that, I don’t [remember]. I called my wife right away and she tells me a lot of things that I said that I don’t remember.
But she tells me you said this and you said that. And then I’m like well, I don’t remember that. So it was a blur after that. I don’t remember how or when I found out that there was no match or what’s going on. I really don’t remember.”
The Godfather also discussed being paired with Road Dogg for a match the next night on Raw and Vince McMahon telling them that they didn’t have to work if they didn’t want to. Both the wrestling stars, however, decided to smoke a joint together and wrestle the match to honor their friend.
The Undertaker also talked about wrestling on the PPV after Hart’s fall earlier this year. He detailed the locker room reaction to the whole incident saying that they were not ready to believe it. You can check out his comments on the matter here.
Since returning to WWE in the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match, Chelsea Green has flexed her performing chops on TV, often with hilarious results. Recently, Green got down and dirty in a dumpster match with Michin on SmackDown but now the self-professed Hot Mess has an acting project in the works outside of the squared circle.
On Twitter/X, Green shared a photo from her first day on the set of Blue Ridge, where she will play the character of Shelby Hughes.
Blue Ridge premiered its first season in April of this year on the Cowboy Way Channel and on Amazon Freevee. The show follows Justin Wise (Johnathon Schaech), who takes up the role of Sherrif of a small town to be near his ex-wife and their daughter. Over the course of the show, it becomes clear that this small, quiet town harbors some dark secrets. The show is produced by INSP, who Green tagged in her post.
Acting Wrestlers
Green isn’t the only name in wrestling who has made a foray into acting in 2024. Earlier this year The Killer’s Game saw the feature film debut of Drew McIntyre who shared the screen alongside WWE alum Batista. More recently, AEW’s MJF has been filming scenes for Happy Gilmore 2 and is said to have a significant role in the Netflix-produced sequel to Adam Sandler’s comedy classic.
It remains to be seen what kind of role Shelby Hughes will be for Chelsea Green and whether this will open the door to future acting projects. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Chelsea Green and her foray into the world of acting.
Tony Khan has become a prominent figure in the world of sports and entertainment, making waves in professional wrestling, football, and beyond. This article delves into various aspects of Khan’s life and career, exploring his net worth, involvement with Fulham FC, his famous father, age, and the recent controversy surrounding CM Punk.
Tony Khan’s Background and Age
Born on October 10, 1982, in Champaign-Urbana, Illinois, Antony Rafiq Khan is currently 42 years old. He grew up in a family that would later become known for its business acumen and sports investments.
Khan graduated from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign in 2007 with a Bachelor of Science degree in finance.
Net Worth and Business Ventures
While Tony Khan’s exact net worth is not publicly disclosed, it is reported that he is worth around $1.5 Billion as of 2024. is
Khan involved in several lucrative business ventures that contribute to his wealth:
All Elite Wrestling (AEW)
Khan is best known as the founder, co-owner, president, CEO, and head of creative for All Elite Wrestling (AEW). Launched in 2019, AEW has quickly become a major player in the professional wrestling industry, competing with WWE for market share and talent.
Tony Khan holds executive roles in two prominent football organizations:
Jacksonville Jaguars: He serves as the chief football strategy officer for the NFL team owned by his father.
Fulham FC: Khan is the vice-chairman and director of football operations for the English football club.
Other Ventures
Khan is also involved in TruMedia Networks, Activist Artists Management, and Ring of Honor (ROH).
Shahid Khan: Tony’s Billionaire Father
Tony Khan’s father, Shahid Khan, plays a significant role in his son’s business endeavors and success:
Background
Shahid Khan was born in Pakistan and came to the United States at the age of 16. He started from humble beginnings, working as a dishwasher while studying at the University of Illinois.
Business Success
Shahid Khan built his fortune in the automotive industry through his company Flex-N-Gate. His success has led to a number of high-profile investments in sports teams.
Sports Ownership
Shahid Khan owns both the Jacksonville Jaguars (NFL) and Fulham FC (English football). He is also the lead investor in AEW, supporting his son’s venture into professional wrestling.
Wealth Ranking
As of the latest Forbes list, Shahid Khan ranks 144th among the world’s billionaires. This immense wealth has undoubtedly provided Tony Khan with significant resources and opportunities in his various business pursuits.
Fulham FC Involvement
Tony Khan’s role at Fulham FC has been both prominent and occasionally controversial:
Achievements
During Khan’s first full season as vice-chairman, Fulham earned promotion to the Premier League.
Challenges
The 2018-2019 season saw Fulham make expensive signings but ultimately face relegation. Khan faced criticism for his management decisions and a public spat with a supporter1.
Current Status
Despite past challenges, Khan continues to play a crucial role in Fulham’s operations as vice-chairman and director of football operations.
The CM Punk Controversy
One of the most talked-about incidents in recent wrestling history involves Tony Khan and former AEW star CM Punk:
CM Punk’s AEW Run
CM Punk joined AEW in 2021 to much fanfare. His tenure included multiple reigns as AEW World Champion.
The Backstage Incident
Reports suggest that a backstage altercation occurred between CM Punk and other AEW talent, leading to tension within the company.
Termination and Aftermath
In a surprising turn of events, Tony Khan fired CM Punk from AEW. This decision has been a topic of heated debate among wrestling fans and industry insiders ever since.
Jimena Sánchez, the popular Mexican sports journalist and television host, has made a splash as the new face of All Elite Wrestling (AEW) coverage on FOX Sports Mexico. The debut of the “All Elite Show” has garnered significant attention, with Sánchez’s presence contributing to its early success.
FOX Sports Mexico has expanded its wrestling coverage by introducing the “All Elite Show,” a program dedicated to AEW content. This move marks a significant step in AEW’s international expansion and its efforts to capture the Spanish-speaking market.
Jimena Sánchez Takes Center Stage
At the helm of this new venture is Jimena Sánchez, a veteran sports journalist known for her work with FOX Sports Mexico and FOX Deportes.
Sánchez, who has previously hosted WWE-related content, brings her expertise and charisma to AEW coverage.
Sánchez’s Background in Sports Broadcasting
Jimena Sánchez has built a reputation as a versatile sports broadcaster, covering a wide range of events and leagues for FOX Sports Mexico.
Extensive Experience in Wrestling Coverage
Prior to her involvement with AEW, Sánchez was no stranger to professional wrestling content. She has hosted the wrestling news program “WWE Saturday Night” alongside Vero Rodríguez and covered several editions of major WWE events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, Monday Night Raw, and SmackDown.
Diverse Sports Portfolio
Sánchez’s experience extends beyond wrestling. She has covered major sporting events such as:
NFL Draft
MLB All-Star Game
World Series
Super Bowl
This diverse background in sports broadcasting has prepared her well for the multifaceted world of AEW.
Fans have expressed enthusiasm for Sánchez’s hosting style and her ability to bring AEW content to the Spanish-speaking audience. Her presence has been noted as a draw for both wrestling fans and sports enthusiasts in general.
Impact on AEW’s International Strategy
The introduction of the “All Elite Show” on FOX Sports Mexico, with Jimena Sánchez as its host, aligns with AEW’s broader international expansion strategy.
Targeting the Spanish-Speaking Market
By partnering with FOX Sports Mexico and utilizing Sánchez’s popularity, AEW is making a concerted effort to connect with Spanish-speaking wrestling fans. This move could help the promotion establish a stronger foothold in Mexico and potentially other Latin American markets.
With his injury coming so soon after his return, some have speculated as to whether this situation is a ‘work’ to build towards something big. When a fan shared that opinion on Twitter/X, Styles made clear that this situation is very real.
It’s called a Lisfranc injury. Look it up, it sucks! I thought when I took off my boot. I would have a bone sticking out of my foot. https://t.co/7eEHiHC0Zg
A separate fan brought up how this injury can derail careers, as it did with Cam Newton of the Carolina Panthers in 2016. Styles acknowledged the seriousness of the matter with some lingo from ‘the kids.’
A Lisfranc injury occurs when one of more of the metatarsal bones in the foot are displaced from the tarsus. The injury is named after Jacques Lisfranc de St. Martin, a French surgeon who noticed the injury amongst cavalrymen in the early 1800s.
While easily mistaken for a sprain, a Lisfranc injury is much different. Even a simple injury is a severe setback and may require surgery and months to heal, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Styles’ recovery time will depend on how severe the injury in his foot is. If there are no fractures or dislocations and the ligaments are not torn, then non-surgical treatment may be all that’s needed with a recovery window of six to eight weeks. If surgery is required to realign the joints and return the fractured bone fragments, this could keep the wrestler out for many more months. The overall recovery process for resuming all activities may take 6 months to 1 year in some patients, according to the Academy.
We here at SEScoops are wishing Syles a full and speedy recovery. We’ll continue to monitor his situation for further updates.
In 1992, wrestling fans were introduced to the cryptic and creepy Papa Shango, a voodoo practitioner who used hexes to play mind games with his opponents. Less than two years after his introduction, Shango vanished from screens, and it was a very real-life situation that brought an end to the supernatural persona.
Speaking on the Insight podcast, Charles Wright, also known to fans as The Godfather, was asked about the character’s exit and shared that his real-life problems ended Papa Shango.
“Papa Shango went through a very, very ugly divorce. My second wife. I went through an ugly divorce, I was in a very, very bad place.”
Wright added that this ‘bad place’ resulted in him getting into fights which led to WWE ultimately ditching the character.
“I was getting into a lot of fights, real fights and ‘Taker was pulling me off for people, and it was getting ugly. So I went in there with Vince and Mark and we decided it would be best if I went home and got my mind right before somebody got hurt.”
While the Shango character was axed, WWE did plan on bringing the character back in 1997, before giving Wright the persona of ‘Kama Mustafa.’ The Shango character has also been used by Wright outside of WWE, including as recently as April of this year at an event for Australia’s Battle Championship Wrestling. While Papa Shango may not have gone far in WWE, Wright said he is in a far better place now, and the character’s legacy lives on in the minds of the fans.
Brock Lesnar last appeared on WWE programming at SummerSlam 2023 when he lost to Cody Rhodes in a hard-fought contest for both men. Lesnar has vanished from WWE due to his alleged involvement in the Janel Grant lawsuit, but WWE certainly had the Beast Incarnate on the brain during the October 14, episode of WWE Raw.
In a backstage segment, Seth Rollins tried to persuade General Manager Adam Pearce to give him a one-on-one match with Bronson Reed. During his promo, Rollins made reference to conquering a ‘beast’ in the past. This was a nod to Lesnar who Rollins dethroned as WWE Universal Champion at WrestleMania 35 in 2019.
In the ring, Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes came face-to-face with World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER ahead of their showdown at WWE Crown Jewel. While Rhodes acknowledged GUNTHER being a ‘beast’ since arriving in WWE, he also touted his own accolades including having previously conquered a beast, i.e. Lesnar.
While Lesnar was not mentioned by name, these nods to the former WWE Universal Champion did not go unnoticed by fans. On Twitter/X, Lesnar’s name trended as thousands of posts were shared discussing these references and a potential return.
Brock Lesnar’s WWE Hiatus
Lesnar is alleged to have been one of the men Janel Grant was trafficked to during her tenure in WWE. It’s alleged that Vince McMahon trafficked Grant to Lesnar in order to secure a deal with the Beast. McMahon has denied all wrongdoing.
In July, WWE COO Paul Levesque said he’d be open to a conversation with Lesnar about a return if and when the Beast decided to initiate talks. Grant’s lawsuit is currently on hold as the Department of Justice launched a federal investigation on McMahon on May 30. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Brock Lesnar and his status as a WWE Superstar.
Joe Hendry will not be changing homes anytime soon despite recent speculations.
The TNA star has been going viral in recent months for his songs but he made headlines earlier yesterday for a different reason.
While responding to a fan claiming Hendry had fallen off the radar, the 36-year-old declared that the tweet will age very poorly ‘in about 4 months.’
With WWE’s continued interest in the Scottish star, many believed that this was an indication of Hendry making an appearance at Royal Rumble from Indianapolis, Indiana on February 1, and potentially even signing with the company.
While the former may still be something that is in the works, the latter is not possible as Joe Hendry’s current TNA contract runs at least until late 2025 per Fightful Select.
TNA officials have even come to an agreement that allows Hendry to train at the WWE PC but there is no indication that they’ll let him out of his deal early. According to the report, Hendry is expected to be the focal point of their shows in 2025.
Joe Hendry is set to challenge Nic Nemeth for the TNA World Heavyweight Championship at the upcoming Bound For Glory PPV on October 26. Many within the promotion are pushing for him to win the title.
His last NXT match came at the No Mercy special on September 1 where Hendry unsuccessfully challenged Ethan Page for the NXT title. There is no word on when the former ROH star may make his return to the brand.
During the latest edition of WWE Raw, Rhea Ripley was part of the opening segment that included Tiffany Stratton, Liv Morgan, and Raquel Rodriguez. Soon after, Ripley would accidentally drop on the top of Stratton’s heel head-first after a brutal big boot from Rodriguez.
While the vast majority of fans showed concern that landing head first could have been an injury, there was a select number of trolls that were hoping Ripley got hurt. On her Instagram Stories, Ripley had some choice words for these particular ‘fans’ of wrestling.
The main event of Raw saw Ripley team with Stratton to face Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. This match ended in a no-contest due to an interruption from Nia Jax. During the show, the WWE Women’s Champion vowed that Stratton would cash in her Money in the Bank contract on Liv Morgan when the time is right, which came as a surprise to Stratton herself.
While wrestling fans have the freedom to support or not support who they wish, wanting a wrestler to get injured in the ring is a step too far. Hopefully, these ‘fans’ of wrestling will reflect on what they want after having their comments shared with Ripley’s 4.5 million followers on Instagram. In the meantime, Ripley will continue to be one of the very top Superstars in WWE and be featured regularly on programming.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from Rhea Ripley as the Eradicator continues to be a force to be reckoned with on WWE programming.
WWE WrestleMania 41 is coming to Las Vegas next April, and even without a match announced, anticipation is high for the event. Now, On Location has announced the details for their Priority Pass to take the WrestleMania experience of fans to the next level.
Priority Pass tickets come in several different levels. Those who purchase the Silver level for $1,500 receive:
2 Night Ticket: Upper-Level Seating
WrestleMania Kickoff Party with On-Stage Appearance by Cody Rhodes!
WWE World & Superstore Access
Dedicated Priority Pass Entrance
Professional On Location On-Site Support Staff?
Those who purchase the Gold level for $5,000 receive:
2 Night Ticket: Lower Level Seating
All-Inclusive Hospitality with On-Stage Appearance by John Cena!
Exclusive WM41 x Priority Pass Gifting
WWE World & Superstore Access
Dedicated Priority Pass Entrance
Professional On Location On-Site Support Staff
And those fans ready to go all in will receive the following by spending $7,000 on the Champion pass:
2 Night Ticket: Premium Floor Seating
Ringside Photo Op at WrestleMania 41?
Topgolf with The Miz
All-Inclusive Hospitality with on stage Appearance by John Cena!???
WWE World & Superstore Access???
Exclusive WM41 x Priority Pass Gifting
Dedicated Priority Pass Entrance
Professional On Location On-Site Support Staff?
Fans of WWE Hall of Famer The Undertaker can spend $9,995 for the ‘Undertaker Squite by the Seat’ and receive the following:
2 Night Ticket: Premium Suite with All Inclusive Food & Beverage
In-Suite Undertaker Appearance
Authentic Undertaker Championship Title and Urn Photo Op
Topgolf with The Miz
WWE World and Superstore Access
Exclusive Undertaker-Themed Gifting
Dedicated Entrance
Professional On Location On-Site Support Staff
And the Elite Experiences pass includes:
Premium Ringside Seating
In-Ring Photo Op at WrestleMania 41??
Post-Show Press Conference Access & Desk Photo Op
Superstar Walkout Experience on WrestleMania Stage
All-Inclusive Hospitality with Appearance by John Cena!
WWE World & Superstore Access
Premium WrestleMania 41 ELITE Gifting
Expedited Entry at Dedicated Priority Pass Entrance
ELITE Concierge Services
WrestleMania 41
No matches have been confirmed for WrestleMania 41, though fans can expect The Rock at the show despite some recent rumors to the contrary. WrestleMania 41 will take place on April 19, and April 20, from Allegiant Stadium, marking WWE’s sixth two-night WrestleMania. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on WrestleMania 41 as the road to the biggest show of the year continues.
Jimmy Uso may have reunited with Roman Reigns at WWE Bad Blood, but winning over his brother Jey is proving to be far more difficult for ‘Big Jim.’ During the October 14, episode of WWE Raw, the Intercontinental Champion saved the New Day from a beatdown by Bron Breakker, but returned to his locker room only to find Jimmy waiting for him. Jimmy tried to start a conversation, but Jey wasn’t interested. Without a word, Jey turned and walked off, clearly not ready to reconcile.
Later in the night, Jimmy made another attempt to talk to Jey, but this time Jey was visibly frustrated. He angrily told Jimmy to get out of his face, making it clear that their tension, which has been brewing since Jey’s departure from The Bloodline, isn’t likely to ease anytime soon.
Jimmy tried to get Roman Reigns to bring in Jey on the latest SmackDown, only to get a “No Yeet!” from the Original Tribal Chief. While having the Intercontinental Champion on board would certainly be huge for Reigns and Jimmy in their war with Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, Jey Uso wants no part of their family civil war.
The Viking Raiders are back, but this time under a familiar name: The War Raiders. The duo, formerly known as War Machine during their time in NJPW and ROH, first debuted in WWE’s NXT under the War Raiders moniker before becoming The Viking Experience and later The Viking Raiders on the main roster.
It has been several months since both stars were last in action due to injuries. Erik was sidelined following successful neck fusion surgery last November, while Ivar has been recovering from a spinal injury suffered earlier this year. Their return marks a significant moment for the team and their fans.
WWE RAW Return
On this week’s episode of WWE RAW, the War Raiders made their highly anticipated return in a match against Alpha Academy as part of the #1 Contender’s Tournament for the WWE Tag Team Titles. The War Raiders wasted no time making an impact, decisively defeating Otis and Akira Tozawa to advance in the tournament.
Fans are excited to see what’s next for the rebranded War Raiders as they seek to reclaim dominance in the tag team division.
At Bad Blood, Triple H unveiled the Crown Jewel Championship belt, and in so doing announced that the November Crown Jewel PLE from Saudi Arabia would feature head-to-head matches between both the men’s and women’s world champions of each main roster brand. While the belt itself looks impressive, the response from fans has been underwhelming.
The concept ostensibly seems to revisit the brand warfare days of Survivor Series or the Bragging Rights PLE, each of which produced some good matches over the years but tended to fall flat from a storytelling perspective because of the lack of stakes. After all, no one’s title reigns were actually at risk, and by the nature of separate brands, talents typically didn’t continue their storylines past the one-off show at hand, making them almost feel like non-canon, house show-style events.
Is it possible, however, to make the Crown Jewel Championship mean something, both this year and on an ongoing basis—the foundation for a new WWE tradition? There is some potential.
Cody Rhodes Makes The Crown Jewel Championship Credible
Ask any casual fan who won the first two Royal Rumbles, and the odds are they won’t know. That’s because the victors were perennial mid-carder Jim Duggan and then Big John Studd, who never wrestled another PLE match after his Rumble win. In each of these cases, the Rumble finish was a crowd pleaser, but carried no consequences.
That narrative changed the following two years when Hulk Hogan became the first back-to-back Royal Rumble winner. Even though it would be another year before the Rumble had stakes—with the world title or a world title shot at WrestleMania henceforth on the line—Hogan winning elevated the match to be something the tip-top stars in the company cared about. It’s little wonder the Royal Rumble victory started feeling like one of the most prestigious things a wrestler could accomplish from that point on.
As the most recent back-to-back Royal Rumble winner, the most recent WrestleMania main event winner, and the reigning WWE Champion, Cody Rhodes is now the de facto face of WWE. As such, being the inaugural Crown Jewel Champion marks an opportunity to immediately lend credibility to that title. In contrast to Braun Strowman winning the Greatest Royal Rumble and its symbolic championship belt, then getting released a few short years later, only to return as a mid-carder, The American Nightmare is a bona fide marquee star. There’s no gamble around whether this victory will be an effective stepping stone for him. Rather, he’s the man who can make the championship.
Gunther Winning The Crown Jewel Championship Stands To Elevate Him
WWE finds itself in a win-win situation, in which either man who might win the Crown Jewel Championship already has marked credibility. Cody Rhodes could legitimize the title. There may, however, be even greater mutual potential in a Gunther victory.
Gunther has been one of WWE’s most consistent performers since arriving on the main roster and, particularly in terms of match quality, he has thrived as World Heavyweight Champion. Crown Jewel could mark a unique opportunity, though, for him to beat one of the few undeniably bigger stars than himself, without disrupting The American Nightmare’s WWE Championship reign.
A victory for Gunther and a closing shot of him holding the Crown Jewel Championship over his head, while defeated Rhodes lies on the mat, can sell the idea that he truly is WWE’s top champion and mark one of the final pieces in the puzzle of pushing him forward from world championship status to the kind of guy who could credibly main event a WrestleMania. Moreover, this victory, more so than Rhodes winning, could plant the seeds for WWE to revisit this feud with either world title on the line, properly, down the road.
Tiffany Stratton Cashes In
There’s only one Money in the Bank briefcase currently in play. Given Tiffany Stratton’s immense talent and potential, it looks as though there’s a good chance she will ultimately become a champion when she chooses to cash in.
Some folks online are getting a little carried away in prognosticating that she might cash in on both Liv Morgan and Nia Jax and win both their titles as well as the Crown Jewel one. The logistics are quite fuzzy on whether that would canonically make sense (could cash-ins really happen on two champions at once on a whim?). WWE can always fudge the rules, but if Stratton were to cash-in, it seems more feasible she would do so on one champion or the other post-match.
Another unconventional possibility, though, would be for Stratton to cash-in for the Crown Jewel Championship itself, either by turning the match for that title into a Triple Threat, or by claiming it off the winner immediately post-match. While, on paper, this choice wouldn’t make much sense, it would be a way of immediately establishing this prize in not just ceremonial, but rather is desirable enough for a Money in the Bank holder to think it was worth a cash-in.
The most likely scenario in which this solution would work would probably be if Morgan were to either win or be very close to it, only for Stratton to take that prize from here without rushing her brewing issue with Jax.
WWE Can Stage Classic Matches For The Crown Jewel Championship
Without getting too complicated around the booking, one of the most surefire ways to make the Crown Jewel Championship feel important would be for the matches for it to be great in and of themselves.
That doesn’t necessarily seem like a likely outcome on the women’s side. Liv Morgan has done outstanding character work and is a good in-ring performer. It nonetheless seems unlikely she can compensate enough to pull a great match out of Nia Jax (who has shown improvement bell-to-bell, but still isn’t someone anyone’s expecting match of the year candidates out of).
By contrast, on the men’s side of things, Cody Rhodes and Gunther are both talented enough, with enough investment from management that an instant classic does feel possible. If both these marquee stars go all out and have the time put on a classic, they could go a long way toward putting this championship on the map.
In the end, the Crown Jewel Championship probably isn’t going to become a profound part of WWE lore, though. There are opportunities to make it feel meaningful in the short term, or for it to at least be at the center some fun action in November.
For years, WWE fans in the UK have wished for WrestleMania to come to the country, which up until recently seemed like it was an impossibility. At Money in the Bank 2023, John Cena shared his intentions to bring WrestleMania to London, and Cody Rhodes is among those eager to see such an event take place.
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live to promote WWE’s ongoing tour of the UK, the Undisputed WWE Champion reflected on Cena’s statement and the sway the WWE icon carries.
“I don’t know if that was on the books anywhere. I don’t know if that was something that had been, I don’t know where that was. But when the greatest of all time as we like to call John, goes out there and says it, it almost wills itself into existence.”
Rhodes believes that a UK-based WrestleMania should, and could happen, and brought up Paul Levesque’s meeting with London mayor Sadiq Khan. Later in the interview, the American Nightmare gave a timeline as to when fans could expect WrestleMania in the UK.
“If I’m aiming, it would be cool to get it [in the UK] in the next five years. There’s some really big venues over here that could host a WrestleMania.”
Hiroshi Tanahashi, widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time, has announced that his retirement will be taking place in 2026 when he appears at Wrestle Kingdom that year. As fans prepare to bid farewell to the “Ace” of New Japan, it’s the perfect time to revisit some of his most memorable matches.
Here, we highlight some of the must-watch bouts that showcase Tanahashi’s incredible talent and legacy in professional wrestling.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Shinsuke Nakamura – G1 Climax 25 Final (2015)
This match is a masterclass in storytelling and in-ring psychology. Tanahashi and Nakamura, two of the most charismatic wrestlers in the industry, delivered an electric performance that had fans on the edge of their seats.
The bout featured intense mat work, devastating kicks, and high-flying maneuvers, culminating in Tanahashi’s victory with his signature High Fly Flow.
Tanahashi vs. Kota Ibushi – G1 Climax 28 Final (2018)
This G1 final between Tanahashi and Kota Ibushi truly is a testament to Tanahashi’s ability to create magic in the ring, and it certainly helped having a talent the caliber of Ibushi across the ring from him.
The match was a perfect blend of striking exchanges and high-flying action, with both wrestlers pushing each other to their limits. Tanahashi’s resilience and fighting spirit were on full display as he overcame Ibushi’s devastating attacks to secure the win.
Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada – Wrestle Kingdom 10 (2016)
This match is a prime example of Tanahashi’s ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. The bout was a culmination of their long-standing rivalry, with Tanahashi showcasing his technical prowess and unwavering determination.
The match is remembered for its intense back-and-forth action and dramatic near-falls.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kenny Omega – Wrestle Kingdom 13 (2019)
In this clash of wrestling philosophies, Tanahashi proved why he was still considered the ace of New Japan.
The match was a perfect representation of Tanahashi’s ability to adapt to different styles while maintaining his core wrestling principles. His victory in this bout cemented his legacy as one of the greatest IWGP Heavyweight Champions of all time.
Tanahashi vs. Minoru Suzuki – King of Pro Wrestling (2012)
This match, often cited as one of Tanahashi’s best, is a brutal and intense affair that showcases his toughness and resilience. Suzuki’s sadistic style pushed Tanahashi to his limits, resulting in a match that kept fans on the edge of their seats throughout. The bout is a perfect example of Tanahashi’s ability to tell compelling stories in the ring.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. AJ Styles – King of Pro Wrestling (2014)
While not as highly rated as some of his other matches, this bout against AJ Styles demonstrated Tanahashi’s versatility. His ability to adapt to Styles’ high-flying, fast-paced style while maintaining his own style made for an exciting and memorable match.
The Okada Saga
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada – Invasion Attack (2013)
This match is considered one of the best in their storied rivalry. The bout showcased Tanahashi’s technical skills and his ability to counter Okada’s devastating Rainmaker finisher.
Thie match is a must-watch for anyone looking to understand the depth of Tanahashi’s use of in-ring psychology.
Hiroshi Tanahashi vs. Kazuchika Okada – King of Pro Wrestling (2013)
Another highly-rated match in their rivalry, this bout further cemented Tanahashi’s status as one of the best big-match performers in wrestling history. The match is filled with dramatic near-falls and innovative counters, demonstrating Tanahashi’s creativity and ring awareness.
