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Every WWE Royal Rumble Final Four from 1988 to 2024

Jake Skudder
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Every WWE Royal Rumble Final Four from 1988 to 2024

The Royal Rumble is one of WWE’s most anticipated annual events, featuring the 30-person battle royal where the last wrestler standing earns a championship opportunity at WrestleMania.

While the winner takes the spotlight, the final four competitors often create some of the most memorable moments. Let’s take a journey through history and explore the final four of every WWE Royal Rumble from its inception in 1988 to the most recent event in 2024.

The Early Years (1988-1995)

1988 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Don Muraco (entered at 11)
  • Dino Bravo (entered at 17)
  • One Man Gang (entered at 19)
  • ‘Hacksaw’ Jim Duggan (entered at 13, winner)

1989 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Rick Martel (entered at 29)
  • Akeem (entered at 23)
  • Ted DiBiase Sr. (entered at 30)
  • Big John Studd (entered at 27, winner)

1990 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Hercules (entered at 29)
  • Rick Rude (entered at 28)
  • Mr. Perfect (entered at 30)
  • Hulk Hogan (entered at 22, winner)

1991 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Davey Boy Smith (entered at 14)
  • Brian Knobbs (entered at 28)
  • Earthquake (entered at 22)
  • Hulk Hogan (entered at 24, winner)

1992 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Randy Savage (entered at 21)
  • Hulk Hogan (entered at 26)
  • Sid Justice (entered at 29)
  • Ric Flair (entered at 3, winner)

1993 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Rick Martel (entered at 26)
  • Bob Backlund (entered at 2)
  • Randy Savage (entered at 30)
  • Yokozuna (entered at 27, winner)

1994 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Fatu (entered at 28)
  • Shawn Michaels (entered at 18)
  • Lex Luger (entered at 23)
  • Bret Hart (entered at 27)

1995 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Lex Luger (entered at 19)
  • Crush (entered at 30)
  • The British Bulldog (entered at 2)
  • Shawn Michaels (entered at 1, winner)

The (Just before the) Attitude Era and Beyond (1996-2010)

1996 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • The British Bulldog (entered at 29)
  • Kama (entered at 23)
  • Diesel (entered at 22)
  • Shawn Michaels (entered at 18, winner)

1997 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • The Undertaker (entered at 30)
  • Fake Diesel Glenn Jacobs (entered at 23)
  • Bret Hart (entered at 21)
  • Stone Cold Steve Austin (entered at 5, winner)

1998 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Dude Love (entered at 28)
  • Faarooq (entered at 27)
  • The Rock (entered at 4)
  • Stone Cold Steve Austin (entered at 24, winner)

1999 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • D’Lo Brown (entered at 28)
  • Big Boss Man (entered at 22)
  • Stone Cold Steve Austin (entered at 1)
  • Vince McMahon (entered at 2, winner)

2000 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Kane (entered at 28)
  • X-Pac (entered at 30)
  • Big Show (entered at 26)
  • The Rock (entered at 24, winner)

2001 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • ‘The One’ Billy Gunn (entered at 28)
  • The Rock (entered at 13)
  • Kane (entered at 6)
  • ‘Stone Cold’ Steve Austin (entered at 27, winner)

2002 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Stone Cold Steve Austin (entered at 19)
  • Mr. Perfect (entered at 25)
  • Kurt Angle (entered at 26)
  • Triple H (entered at 22, winner)

2003 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Batista (entered at 28)
  • Kane (entered at 22)
  • The Undertaker (entered at 30)
  • Brock Lesnar (entered at 29, winner)

2004 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Chris Jericho (entered at 25)
  • Kurt Angle (entered at 19)
  • Big Show (entered at 24)
  • Chris Benoit (entered at 1, winner)

2005 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Rey Mysterio (entered at 8)
  • Edge (entered at 7)
  • John Cena (entered at 25)
  • Batista (entered at 28, winner)

2006 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Rob Van Dam (entered at 20)
  • Triple H (entered at 1)
  • Randy Orton (entered at 30)
  • Rey Mysterio (entered at 2, winner)

2007 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Randy Orton (entered at 16)
  • Edge (entered at 5)
  • Shawn Michaels (entered at 23)
  • The Undertaker (entered at 30, winner)

2008 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Kane (entered at 20)
  • Batista (entered at 8)
  • Triple H (entered at 29)
  • John Cena (entered at 30, winner)

2009 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Ted DiBiase Jr. (entered at 10)
  • Cody Rhodes (entered at 15)
  • Triple H (entered at 7)
  • Randy Orton (entered at 8, winner)

2010 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Shawn Michaels (entered at 18)
  • Batista (entered at 30)
  • John Cena (entered at 19)
  • Edge (entered at 29, winner)

Recent History (2011-2024)

2011 Royal Rumble Final Four (40-Man Rumble)

  • Wade Barrett (entered at 30)
  • Randy Orton (entered at 39)
  • Santino Marella (entered at 37)
  • Alberto Del Rio (entered at 38, winner)

2012 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Big Show (entered at 30)
  • Randy Orton (entered at 28)
  • Chris Jericho (entered at 29)
  • Sheamus (entered at 22, winner)

2013 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Dolph Ziggler (entered at 1)
  • Sheamus (entered at 11)
  • Ryback (entered at 30)
  • John Cena (entered at 19, winner)

2014 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • CM Punk (entered at 1)
  • Sheamus (entered at 17)
  • Roman Reigns (entered at 15)
  • Batista (entered at 28, winner)

2015 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Kane (entered at 24)
  • Big Show (entered at 29)
  • Rusev (entered at 15)
  • Roman Reigns (entered at 19, winner)

2016 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Sheamus (entered at 29)
  • Roman Reigns (entered at 1)
  • Dean Ambrose (entered at 19)
  • Triple H (entered at 30, winner)

2017 Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Chris Jericho (entered at 2)
  • Bray Wyatt (entered at 21)
  • Roman Reigns (entered at 30)
  • Randy Orton (entered at 23, winner)

2018 Men’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Finn Bálor (entered at 2)
  • John Cena (entered at 20)
  • Roman Reigns (entered at 28)
  • Shinsuke Nakamura (entered at 14, winner)

2018 Women’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Sasha Banks (entered at 1)
  • Brie Bella (entered at 28)
  • Nikki Bella (entered at 29)
  • Asuka (entered at 25, winner)

The Greatest Royal Rumble (50-Man Rumble) Final Four

  • Kevin Owens (entered at 46)
  • Daniel Bryan (entered at 1)
  • Big Cass (entered at 49)
  • Braun Strowman (entered at 41, winner)

2019 Women’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Bayley (entered at 27)
  • Nia Jax (entered at 29)
  • Charlotte Flair (entered at 13)
  • Becky Lynch (entered at 28, winner)

2019 Men’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Andrade (entered at 19)
  • Dolph Ziggler (entered at 28)
  • Braun Strowman (entered at 27)
  • Seth Rollins (entered at 10, winner)

2020 Women’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Natalya
  • Beth Phoenix
  • Shayna Baszler
  • Charlotte Flair (winner)

2020 Men’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Randy Orton
  • Edge
  • Roman Reigns
  • Drew McIntyre (winner)

2021 Men’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Braun Strowman
  • Seth Rollins
  • Randy Orton
  • Edge (winner)

2021 Women’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Natalya
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Rhea Ripley
  • Bianca Belair (winner)

2022 Men’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Matt Riddle
  • Shane McMahon
  • Drew McIntyre
  • Brock Lesnar (winner)

2022 Women’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Shayna Baszler
  • Bianca Belair
  • Charlotte Flair
  • Ronda Rousey (winner)

2023 Men’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Seth Rollins
  • Logan Paul
  • GUNTHER
  • Cody Rhodes (winner)

2023 Women’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Nikki Cross
  • Asuka
  • Liv Morgan
  • Rhea Ripley

2024 Men’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Drew McIntyre
  • GUNTHER
  • CM Punk
  • Cody Rhodes (winner)

2024 Women’s Royal Rumble Final Four

  • Tiffany Stratton
  • Jade Cargill
  • Liv Morgan
  • Bayley (winner)

Omos Opens Up On Wrestling In Japan, Culture Shock & Food

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Superstar and GHC Tag Team Champion Omos is enjoying his time in Japan and recently opened up about his experience overseas. This week, the Nigerian Giant was stopped for an impromptu interview in which he gave insight into his time abroad.

Favorite Thing: Omos appreciates how people in Japan have been “super nice” to him since he arrived in the country.

Dealing With Food: It took Omos some time to handle the Japanese cuisine given that this is his first time in the country. Omos is now “beginning to figure it out” and now loves yakiniku. The term refers to bite-size pieces of meat and vegetables that are grilled.

Culture Shock: The biggest shock for Omos has been that there are a lot of social rules in Japan compared to his time in the U.S. Adapting to Japan’s gyms, which feature both indoor and outdoor facilities, has also proven to be different for the seven-foot wrestler.

Highlight Of The Trip: Unsurprisingly, the highlight of Omos’ time has been wrestling at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. At Wrestle Kingdom 19, Omos captured the GHC Tag Titles with Jack Morris, making him the first-ever active WWE talent to hold gold in Pro Wrestling NOAH. Omos also hyped up his upcoming matches as part of the Japanese promotion.

Omos’ time with NOAH demonstrates the current management of WWE being far more open to working with other promotions. It remains to be seen when we’ll next see Omos in a WWE ring, but the GHC Tag Team Champion is certainly making waves in Japan.

WWE Raw Debut On Netflix Replaced With Edited Episode: What’s Changed?

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Raw Debut On Netflix Replaced With Edited Episode: What’s Changed?

The debut episode of WWE Raw on Netflix currently available on the streaming juggernaut is not the same as the episode fans saw live this week. Fans who watch the show on Netflix now are greeted with a message, noting that this show has been “Edited from a previous live stream.”

One significant change made is that explicit language has been scrubbed from the show. During his opening promo, The Rock cursed, but these words have been removed. Similarly, the “F*** you Solo” chants inside the Intuit Dome have also been edited out of the broadcast.

While certain responses from the fans have been nixed from the broadcast, the boos for Hulk Hogan during his appearance remain intact. The Hulkster was resoundingly jeered as he spoke about his love for the fans and promoted his Real American Beer. The beverage will serve as an in-ring sponsor of WWE shows going forward, despite the hostility to the controversial two-time Hall of Famer.

WWE Raw Sets Viewership Records with Netflix Debut

The edited Raw is also far shorter than the live show fans saw this week. While the live version of the show clocked in at just over three hours (not including the post-show press conference) the edited version is around 2 hours 20 minutes. This is because commercial breaks have been removed.

Previously, the unedited version of the Raw premiere but it has now been replaced with this edited version of the show. Nevertheless, fans will be able to enjoy the epic moments from this week’s historic debut on Netflix, even if what they’re seeing isn’t entirely what happened.

Samantha Irvin Dropping New Music On Valentine’s Day

Thomas Lowson
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Samantha Irvin Dropping New Music On Valentine’s Day

Former WWE ring announcer Samantha Irvin is embracing her future outside of wrestling with new music coming next month. To celebrate her birthday, Irvin took to Instagram to share that her newest musical project will be released on Valentine’s Day (February 14). Irvin’s announcement also saw birthday wishes in the comments from the likes of Nia Jax, Saraya, and more.

Irvin parted ways with WWE in October 2024, and shared shortly after that she planned on pursuing her career as a musician. Though she has no interest in returning to wrestling as an announcer, Irvin has teased being a manager. The role is one WWE wished to hold in WWE, and realizing that the company never saw her as anything more than a ring announcer played a role in her decision to leave.

Irvin is no stranger to music, with notable highlights of hers including.

  • 2011–2015: Performed as the lead female vocalist in the Michael Jackson tribute show Thriller – Live.
  • 2015: Competed in season 10 of America’s Got Talent, auditioning with Aretha Franklin’s “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”; advanced to the semi-finals.
  • 2015: Headlined the show Home at the Zeiterion Performing Arts Center in New Bedford, showcasing her talents in singing, whistling, dancing, storytelling, and flute playing.
  • 2016: Released an EP titled 27Underground, featuring the debut single “Jump High,” with backing vocals from her siblings.
  • 2016: Played the role of Betty Rizzo in a production of Grease at the New Bedford Festival Theatre.
  • 2020: Appeared on FOX’s I Can See Your Voice, performing Lizzo’s “Good as Hell” while playing the flute.

Irvin continues to make waves in entertainment, even with questions remaining about her future in the wrestling industry. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Samantha Irvin and her projects in and out of the ring.

New X Division Championship To Be Introduced At TNA Genesis, Updated Card

Anutosh Bajpai
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New X Division Championship To Be Introduced At TNA Genesis, Updated Card

The debut of a new X Division Championship belt and multiple new title matches have been confirmed for the upcoming TNA Genesis PPV later this month.

The X Division Champion Moose had a segment on the January 9 episode of Impact. He claimed that the current title belt design was the ugliest he has seen. The current champion then had Alisha Edwards toss the title belt aside and announced that he’ll be debuting a new design fit for the face of the franchise at the upcoming PPV.

The episode also saw the confirmation of Tessa Blanchard’s in-ring return match. After Blanchard once again attacked Jordynne Grace, Santino Marella made the bout between the two female stars official. The upcoming match is expected to be Grace’s last for the company.

TNA Genesis 2025 Updated Match Card

Apart from this, the company also confirmed the TNA Knockouts championship match and several other bouts for their PPV during Impact. Here is the updated match card for the show:

  • X Division Championship Match: Moose (c) vs. Ace Austin
  • TNA Knockouts Tag Team Championship Match: Spitfire (Jody Threat and Dani Luna) (c) vs. Ash by Elegance and Heather by Elegance (with The Personal Concierge)
  • Singles Match: Josh Alexander vs. Mike Santana
  • Singles Match: Jordynne Grace vs. Tessa Blanchard
  • TNA Tag Team Championship Match: The Hardys (Jeff Hardy and Matt Hardy) (c) vs. The Rascalz (Trey Miguel and Zachary Wentz)
  • TNA Knockouts Championship Match: Masha Slamovich (c) vs. Rosemary
  • TNA World Championship Match: Nic Nemeth (c) vs. Joe Hendry

TNA Genesis this year will be taking place on Saturday, January 19, 2025, from Curtis Culwell Center in Garland, Texas

Black Bart, Wrestler, Trainer Of JBL, Dies Aged 76

Thomas Lowson
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Black Bart, Wrestler, Trainer Of JBL, Dies Aged 76

Black Bart, a veteran of the wrestling business has died at the age of 76. On social media, Bart’s wife Linda shared the sad news of his passing.

“You might know him as Black Bart but to me he was my husband Ricky. He left us this morning . He was pronounced at 5:26 this morning. He is Resting In Peace.”

Bart shared on Facebook in March 2023 that he had been diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer that had spread to his liver. Last month, Dutch Mantell shared on his storytime podcast that Bart was back at home after a stay in hospital, as his insurance had ran out. It was also shared that Bart would no longer be undergoing chemotherapy treatment.

image 4
Scott Norton, JBL, and Black Bart (right) at The Big Event fan fest in November 2021.

Bart began his career in the 1970s and competed across the territories and in Japan. In 1990, Bart arrived in the WWF, where he faced several names, including a young Dustin Rhodes in what’d be the future Goldust’s WWF debut. A year later, he joined WCW, where he’d formed the ‘Desperados’ stable alongside Mantel and Deadeye Dick.

After retiring from the ring in 2022, Bart wrestled one more time in 2006 but spent his post-in-ring career as a trainer. His most notable trainee is WWE Hall of Famer John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield, though he also trained former ROH star Necro Butcher.

Our thoughts are with Bart’s family and those who knew him at this sad time.

Seth Rollins Explains His Reaction To CM Punk’s WWE Return

Anutosh Bajpai
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Seth Rollins Explains His Reaction To CM Punk’s WWE Return

Seth Rollins has explained why he was unhappy with CM Punk’s Survivor Series return.

The Straight Edge star shocked the wrestling world when he made his return to WWE at the 2023 Survivor Series event. Apart from his shocking comeback, the thing that made the most headlines on the night was The Architect’s viral reaction to Punk’s entrance where he had to be held back by officials so he wouldn’t jump on the returning star.

The former Shield member explained his reaction in a new interview with Chris Van Vliet. Seth Rollins mentioned that the night was supposed to be about Randy Orton who had returned to action after more than 18 months on the shelf due to his back injury. CM Punk’s comeback however, instantly overshadowed The Viper’s big moment:

“You know what I wasn’t happy about was Randy had just come back from a long hiatus. That was his moment. It was a great moment. The reaction for him when he came through the curtain was unreal.

We went out there, there was 10 of us out there, and we went out there and had a hell of a contest. [We] just didn’t really need him, but you know, it was Chicago, it’s his city, it’s just the most classic make everything about me CM Punk moment I’ve ever seen.”

Don’t Worry, He’s Not Selfish: Seth Rollins

Seth Rollins and Orton teamed up with Cody Rhodes, Jey Uso, and Sami Zayn at the show to defeat The Judgment Day and Drew McIntyre in a brutal WarGames match.

The former Champion discussed how his adrenaline was through the roof after the bout and he was busy celebrating the big win with his teammates. Punk’s return however rendered all their hard work meaningless and the night at the All State arena became all about the one thing:

“Then that happens and it’s no longer about the performance. It’s no longer about Randy. It’s no longer about what you had done to get to that point. It’s just, hi guys, it’s about me. Remember I’m the guy that you that you miss, remember me, guys? So yeah, just another kind of throw that on the pile of disgusting CM Punk moments. But don’t worry, he’s not selfish. He’s in it for helping everybody else.”

Seth Rollins suffered a loss at the hands of CM Punk during Raw’s Netflix premiere episode on January 6. In the post-match press conference, Punk recalled his long rivalry with Drew McIntyre and expressed the belief that Rollins would not let go of his animosities so easily even after the defeat.

Mercedes Mone Had Panic Attack Before Her Tokyo Dome Debut

Anutosh Bajpai
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Mercedes Mone Had Panic Attack Before Her Tokyo Dome Debut

Mercedes Mone has opened up about suffering a panic attack before her most recent championship match.

The CEO faced Mina Shirakawa in a double championship match earlier this month. The Wrestle Dynasty bout coming from Tokyo Dome was her first match ever in the legendary arena. The AEW star talked about this bout in the most recent edition of her newsletter and revealed that she suffered a full-blown panic attack on the morning of the January 5 show:

“Though I have nerves and butterflies for all my big matches, my match at the Tokyo Dome against Mina was somehow different. From the moment I landed in Japan, where I actually bawled my eyes out with both disbelief and gratitude, to the morning of the event, where I had an actual panic attack, making history was the last thing on my mind.”

Female Athletes Deserve Prominent Recognition: Mercedes Mone

Mercedes Mone noted that it was her lifelong dream to have a match at Tokyo Dome. She claimed that to her Japan feels like a second home. Though the current TBS Champion was not only excited but also petrified cause she didn’t want to let anyone down and do a good job of representing female athletes:

“I didn’t want to let the promoters down. I didn’t want to let the fans down. I didn’t want to let Mina down. I especially, and as always, didn’t want to let the women wrestlers of today AND tomorrow down. I want New Japan, and all promotions, globally, for that matter, to know that we female athletes deserve prominent recognition and a prominent place on the card. “

Mone defended her NJPW STRONG Women’s Title against Mina’s RevPro Undisputed British Women’s Championship at the PPV match. The American star came out victorious in the bout, adding another title to her prestigious collection.

WWE’s Cathy Kelly Among Thousands Displaced by LA Wildfires

Anutosh Bajpai
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WWE’s Cathy Kelly Among Thousands Displaced by LA Wildfires

WWE star Cathy Kelly has revealed that she’s one of the thousands who have been affected by the Los Angeles wildfire disaster.

The broadcast star revealed the news while replying to a X post showing the destruction caused by the wildfire. Kelly revealed that she’s one of the people who have had to evacuate their homes due to it:

“Friends have lost homes, countless more displaced—witnessing the LA fires and devastation they’re continuing to leave behind is beyond heartbreaking. Just evacuated my own home. I can’t even begin to comprehend or put into words this feeling”

A series of wildfires devasted the Los Angeles area on Tuesday fuelled by powerful winds and unusually dry conditions. As of Thursday, at least seven people had been killed by the fires while more than a thousand structures have been destroyed.

More than 180,000 people have been under evacuation orders while more than 100,000 people have had to evacuate their homes. So far, the fires have reportedly burned an area equal to 17,200 acres or almost 27 square miles.

The real scope of damages can not be realized fully until the fires have been contained completely. You can check out a Washinton post guide on how to help victims and how to find help if you’ve been affected here.

Chelsea Green Eager For Match With Actress Vanessa Hudgens

Thomas Lowson
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Chelsea Green Eager For Match With Actress Vanessa Hudgens

Chelsea Green is riding high after becoming the inaugural WWE Women’s United States Champion and is ready to take on all-comers. While speaking to The Wrestling Classic, Green discussed her future in the ring, and had some celebrity opponents in mind.

“I keep seeing Miss Vanessa Hudgens. I want to give myself a match with Vanessa Hudgens and a match with Cardi B. Those are my dream celeb matches right now.”

Green challenged Cardi B shortly after her title win at WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event in December 2024. The ‘feud’ between the two goes back much further though, with Green wanting to face the music artist back in 2023.

Hudgens is a known WWE fan and even Yeet-ed with The Usos and Cody Rhodes after last week’s SmackDown. During the show, Hudgens shared her respect to the first-ever Women’s U.S. Champion, which caught the attention of Green on X.

The actress, best known for her break-out role in High School Musical, was seen in the crowd during this week’s historic Raw on Netflix. Time will tell whether fans one day see Hudgens in action against Green and if the (by default) longest-reigning, most dominant Women’s U.S. Champion of all time, gets her match with Cardi B.

Von Erichs Have Signed With AEW

Andrew Ravens
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Von Erichs Have Signed With AEW

Ross Von Erich and Marshall Von Erich are officially All Elite, signing contracts with AEW. The duo began appearing for AEW in November 2023, making their presence known on Dynamite, Rampage, and ROH programming.

The Von Erichs shared the news on their Claw podcast, with Marshall stating:

“Today, on this day, we can officially say that Ross and Marshall Von Erich are officially signed with AEW. The 12-year journey, it’s not an expensive hobby anymore.”

Ross added:

“This is kind of the thing we’ve been working towards our whole careers. We knew it would be on a big major scale, and this meets every parameter with that. It means a lot for the Von Erich family and, not to kiss Tony [Khan’s] butt, but he kind of single-handedly is keeping the Von Erich name and dream alive for us. He’s going to have our loyalty forever because of that. More than anything, we’re super excited for this day.”

Ross and Marshall are currently two-thirds of the ROH Six-Man Tag Team Champions, alongside Dustin Rhodes. However, they have been off television since September due to an injury to Marshall. With their official signing, the Von Erichs are poised to make an even greater impact within AEW.

Braun Strowman Lost 36 Pounds This Week Due To Illness

Andrew Ravens
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Braun Strowman Lost 36 Pounds This Week Due To Illness

Braun Strowman has been sidelined at the start of 2025 due to a serious illness.

It was revealed via an Instagram post that Strowman has been battling a severe illness, which left him recovering in a hotel room and caused significant weight loss—over 30 pounds in just a week. Strowman shared the following update on social media:

“We’ll see if people read what I post or not. Or just look at the cool pix. 2025 has been off to a ruff start for me. I picked up some kind of a bug last week and it had absolutely whipped my ass. I laid in a hotel room for four days, three with a fever of 102 or higher. A week later, I am finally over what I think is the hump. My sever[e] body aches are finally easing up. Today is the first day I have been able to move around and really do anything. I have lost 36 lbs this week. Had tests taken, and all they could determine is that it was a very bad flu, thankfully. I hate I have had to miss last week’s SmackDown, the premiere of Raw on Netflix, and I will miss TV again this week. This is yet another speed bump in the road. I will be back bigger, stronger, and badder than ever!!! There hasn’t been anything this life has thrown at me that I haven’t been able to OVERCOME, and this sure as hell isn’t gonna stop me from having one of my best years to date!!!!! 2025 your ass is mine!!!!”

Strowman hasn’t wrestled since late December at a SmackDown event. Strowman’s determination and resilience remain evident as he works toward recovery and plans his eventual return to WWE programming.

Ronda Rousey Welcomes Second Daughter with Travis Browne

Michael Reichlin
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Ronda Rousey Welcomes Second Daughter with Travis Browne

Ronda Rousey and her husband, Travis Browne, have welcomed their second daughter together. Born on Thursday, January 9, the baby girl has been named Liko’ula Pa’uomahinakaipiha Browne.

The couple previously celebrated the arrival of their first daughter, La’akea Makalapuaokalanip, in September 2021. Browne also has two sons from a previous marriage, making this a growing family of six.

Ronda Rousey in WWE

Rousey, a former WWE and UFC star, has had a storied career in professional wrestling. She made her WWE debut at the 2018 Royal Rumble, famously pointing at the WrestleMania sign to declare her arrival.

Her first match came at WrestleMania 34, where she and Kurt Angle defeated Triple H and Stephanie McMahon in a mixed tag team bout that received widespread acclaim.

During her WWE career, Rousey achieved significant milestones. She captured the Raw Women’s Championship at SummerSlam 2018 and later added two SmackDown Women’s Championship reigns to her resume. Teaming with Shayna Baszler, Rousey also became one-half of the Women’s Tag Team Champions, further cementing her legacy in the wrestling world.

Rousey’s most recent WWE appearance was at SummerSlam 2023, where she faced Shayna Baszler in an MMA Rules match. The bout received mixed reactions, with Rousey later reflecting on it as a bold statement to cap off her WWE tenure.

As much as she enjoyed aspects of her time as a WWE Superstar, Rousey said it was unsustainable for her to continue wrestling when she was more focused on motherhood

Big congratulations to Ronda Rousey, Travis Browne and their growing family.

Every WWE Royal Rumble You Can Watch on YouTube for FREE

Jake Skudder
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Every WWE Royal Rumble You Can Watch on YouTube for FREE

The Royal Rumble is one of WWE’s most anticipated annual events, featuring thrilling over-the-top-rope elimination matches that determine who will go on to headline WrestleMania.

For fans looking to relive the excitement or catch up on past Rumbles, YouTube offers a treasure trove of free content. Let’s explore the Royal Rumble matches and highlights available on the platform.

Read More – Most Shocking WWE Royal Rumble Eliminations Ever (Ranked)

Full Royal Rumble Matches

While complete matches aren’t always the norm on YouTube due to copyright restrictions, there are quite a few exceptions that fans can enjoy in their entirety from the official WWE YouTube channel:

Alexa Bliss Joining Netflix’s Sakamoto Days Anime

Thomas Lowson
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Alexa Bliss Joining Netflix’s Sakamoto Days Anime

WWE Superstar Alexa Bliss is set to expand her role in entertainment with a voice-over role in the upcoming Sakamoto Days anime. Bliss will provide the English voice for the character Obiguro, the Anime News Network reports.

Sakamoto Days tells the story of Taro Sakamoto, a retired legendary hitman who has settled into a quiet and mundane life as a family man. When a bounty is put on his head, Sakamoto must keep himself and his family alive while observing his wife’s no-killing rule. Bliss will portray one of the several assassins seeking the bounty.

Alexa Bliss’ Roles

Though best known for her time as a WWE Superstar, Bliss has had her fair share of on-screen roles outside of the ring. These include:

Total Divas (2015–2019)

  • Role: Herself
  • Details: Bliss appeared as a guest in seasons 4, 6, 8, and 9, and was a main cast member in season 7 of this reality TV series that offers a behind-the-scenes look at the lives of WWE female wrestlers.

Walk the Prank (2017–2018)

  • Role: Herself
  • Details: She appeared in two episodes of this children’s TV show that combines scripted comedy with real pranks on unsuspecting people.

Carpool Karaoke: The Series (2018)

  • Role: Herself
  • Details: Bliss featured in an episode where celebrities sing along to their favorite songs while driving.

Punky Brewster (2021)

  • Role: Herself
  • Details: She made a guest appearance as her wrestling persona alongside fellow WWE wrestler Charlotte Flair in this revival of the 1980s sitcom.

The Masked Singer (2023)

  • Role: Axolotl
  • Details: Bliss competed as the character “Axolotl” in the ninth season of this singing competition show, where celebrities perform in elaborate costumes to conceal their identities.

The Queen of Villains (2024)

Role: Voice of Maki Ueda
Details: Bliss provided the English voice for wrestler Maki Ueda in this Netflix series based on Japanese pro wrestling legend Dump Matsumoto.

Alexa Bliss Sakamoto Days 1
Bliss will voice Obiguro, a master assassin who is an expert in karate who targets Taro Sakamoto.

Bliss hasn’t competed in WWE for nearly two years, but rumors of a return to the ring continue to circulate. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on Alexa Bliss as she expands her star power both in and out of the ring.

Most Shocking WWE Royal Rumble Eliminations Ever (Ranked)

Jake Skudder
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Most Shocking WWE Royal Rumble Eliminations Ever (Ranked)

The Royal Rumble is one of WWE’s most anticipated annual events, known for its surprises and unexpected moments. Among these, shocking eliminations stand out as some of the most memorable aspects of the match. Let’s dive into the most jaw-dropping Royal Rumble eliminations, ranked.

5. Beth Phoenix Eliminates The Great Khali (2010)

In a moment that combined shock with strategy, Beth Phoenix used an unconventional method to eliminate The Great Khali.

The future Hall of Famer planted a kiss on the giant, distracting him long enough to pull him over the top rope. This clever and surprising elimination demonstrated that in the Royal Rumble, brains can triumph over brawn in unexpected ways.

4. Santino Marella’s Record-Breaking Elimination (2009)

While not shocking in terms of WHO was eliminated, Santino Marella’s self-elimination in 2009 was surprising for its brevity. Marella holds the dubious distinction of the fastest elimination in Royal Rumble history, lasting just one second before being tossed out by Kane.

This lightning-quick exit showcases the unpredictable nature of the Royal Rumble and how even the briefest appearances can become legendary.

3. Hulk Hogan’s Unexpected Exit (1992)

The 1992 Royal Rumble, often cited as one of the best ever, featured a surprising moment when Hulk Hogan, one of wrestling’s biggest stars, was eliminated by Sid Justice.

This unexpected turn of events not only shocked fans but also set the stage for Ric Flair’s historic victory. Hogan’s elimination demonstrated that even the most popular superstars aren’t safe in the chaotic environment of the Royal Rumble.

2. Roman Reigns’ Surprise Exit (2016)

Roman Reigns, who was the reigning WWE Champion at the time, entered the 2016 Royal Rumble match with a target on his back as the winner of the Rumble match would become the WWE Champion, something that ironically had not occurred since the ’92 Rumble.

However, few expected him to be eliminated, especially given his status as the company’s top star. His shocking elimination by Triple H sent the crowd into a frenzy and set the stage for a dramatic finish to the match between Hunter and Dean Ambrose.

1. Maven Eliminates The Undertaker (2002)

Number one is undoubtedly the moment when Tough Enough winner Maven shocked everyone by eliminating The Undertaker in 2002. The Deadman had been dominating the match and was caught off guard by Maven’s perfectly timed dropkick, sending him tumbling over the top rope.

The look of disbelief on The Undertaker’s face, mirrored by the crowd’s reaction, solidified this as an unforgettable Royal Rumble moment.

Mark Henry Claims Hulk Hogan’s Made No Effort to Address Racist Comments

Thomas Lowson
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Mark Henry Claims Hulk Hogan’s Made No Effort to Address Racist Comments

Hulk Hogan was resoundingly booed during this week’s Raw, the show’s debut episode on Netflix. Many attribute the negative response to lingering backlash over racist comments Hogan made, which Mark Henry believes the Hulkster has not adequately addressed.

Speaking to TMZ, Henry, who received a far warmer reception during his recent return to WWE, shared his thoughts on the fan reaction to Hogan.

“With the social climate and the things [Hulk’s] said and done and his lack of effort to try and fix it, people are gonna come down on it.”

Hogan was fired from WWE in 2015 after a leaked video revealed him making racist comments. In the footage, Hogan expressed disgust at the idea of his daughter dating a Black man, repeatedly used the n-word, and admitted to being “a racist, to a point.”

According to Henry, Hogan made little effort to genuinely reflect or grow from the incident, instead seemingly hoping the controversy would fade over time.

“He never wanted to go forward and fix it. That’s what happens when you think everything is gonna go away. It’s not gonna go away.”

WWE reinstated Hogan in 2018, though fan reactions have been mixed since his return. Upon rejoining the company, Hogan held a backstage meeting where he apologized for his comments and for damaging WWE’s image. However, his apology also included a cautionary message to others about being recorded without their consent.

Hulk Hogan Booed On RAW: Hulkster Reacts & Future Plans

Hogan has been featured in promotional material for this month’s WWE Saturday Night’s Main Event, though questions remain as to whether he’ll appear in person. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates on the controversial Hall of Famer, whose actions outside the ring continue to shape his legacy among fans.

WWE Reaches Multi-Year Deal With Cosm For Shared Reality PLEs

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Reaches Multi-Year Deal With Cosm For Shared Reality PLEs

WWE is stepping into the ring with Cosm in an innovative partnership to deliver premium live events (PLEs) within a shared reality.

These events, including WrestleMania, SummerSlam and the Royal Rumble, will be delivered in Shared Reality at Cosm’s experiential venues in Los Angeles and Dallas. Those in attendance will be transported ringside and granted a front-row view of the PLEs, starting with next month’s Royal Rumble 2025 event.

Peter Murphy, Senior Vice President of Media and Content, Cosm, shared his excitement about the partnership.

“At Cosm, we bring fans together to experience the biggest and best events in the world, wherever those events may be taking place. Now, we get to showcase the WWE in Shared Reality, delivering another incredible way for fans to experience their shared passion.”

Alex Varga, Co-Head of Revenue, WWE, was similarly amped to partner with Cosm, who they said was redefining the future of fan experience.

“WWE Premium Live Events are larger than life, and with such an innovative partner in Cosm, we will collectively bring the energy of our biggest moments to an expanded WWE universe.”

Cosm launched in Los Angeles in July 2024 and opened its second venue in Dallas’ Colony’s Grandscape the following month. Last year, plans were announced for a third location in downtown Atlanta and a fourth venue will be located in downtown Detroit.

This partnership highlights WWE’s constant efforts to develop its viewing experiences, as seen with the recent highly successful launch of Raw on Netflix. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE and its technological developments.

WWE Raw Sets Viewership Records with Netflix Debut

Michael Reichlin
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WWE Raw Sets Viewership Records with Netflix Debut

WWE’s Monday Night RAW debuted on Netflix to a historic reception, garnering 4.9 million Live+1 global views. This milestone marks a strong start for the program under WWE’s partnership with TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO).

In the U.S., the premiere averaged 2.6 million households (Live+SD), more than doubling its 2024 average of 1.2 million households and achieving the highest viewership for a RAW episode in five years. The debut also saw significant growth in the Adults 18-49 demographic, with audience numbers more than doubling compared to the previous year.

The event, held at the sold-out Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, set records as the highest-grossing WWE arena event of all time. It also achieved the highest merchandise sales for a non-Premium Live Event in WWE history.

Netflix’s partnership with WWE has positioned RAW for continued global success, with this debut signaling a promising future for the Monday night staple.

Here’s the official press release:

WWE ‘RAW’ WRESTLES UP 4.9M GLOBAL VIEWS FOR NETFLIX DEBUT

Netflix (NYSE: NFLX) and WWE®, part of TKO Group Holdings (NYSE: TKO) today announced that the debut episode of RAW on Netflix got off to a strong start, with the Monday night program capturing 4.9M Live+1 views* globally.**

The inaugural event on Netflix averaged 2.6 million households (Live+SD) in the US, according to VideoAmp, which is 116% higher than RAW’s average 2024 US audience of 1.2 million households, and higher than any other Monday Night RAW broadcast in the past five years. The event also more than doubled the A18-49 audience vs. last year.

On X, as soon as the event started, #WWERaw was the #1 trending topic in the US, Brazil, Australia, and the UK.

  • #WWERaw trended #1 for 14 hours straight in the UK and occupied six of the top 7 trending topics in the US.
  • #RAWonNetflix and #WWEonNetflix also trended in Brazil, Canada, Mexico, Spain, and the US.

 

The debut of RAW on Netflix, which took place at a sold-out Intuit Dome in Los Angeles, set a company record as the highest-grossing WWE arena event of all time. Additionally, the event set a merchandise sales record, becoming the highest-grossing non-Premium Live Event of all time.

The event saw Rhea Ripley reclaim the Women’s World Championship with a win over Liv Morgan, Roman Reigns topple Solo Sikoa in a tribal combat match, CM Punk best Seth “Freakin” Rollins in a highly anticipated grudge match and Jey Uso with a win over Drew McIntyre. Monday’s event also featured appearances from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, The Undertaker, Logan Paul, Travis Scott and John Cena, who officially kicked off his year-long farewell tour which will be featured prominently on Netflix. 

In January 2024, WWE and Netflix struck a landmark deal to bring WWE’s flagship weekly program, RAW, to Netflix beginning in 2025. Netflix is now the exclusive home of RAW in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia and Latin America, among many other global territories. Netflix is also the exclusive home of SmackDown, NXT, archive content and all WWE Premium Live Events – including WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, SummerSlam and more — in most international markets.

Maxxine Dupri Names The Most Uplifting Person In WWE Locker Room

Anutosh Bajpai
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Maxxine Dupri Names The Most Uplifting Person In WWE Locker Room

Maxxine Dupri has explained why the whole WWE locker room is genuinely happy for Chelsea Green over her Women’s US Title win.

The duo of Dupri and Cathy Kelley recently appeared on Lightweights Podcast. They discussed things such as WWE Raw moving to Netflix, the upcoming Royal Rumble event, Tiffany Stratton’s Money In The Bank cash in, and more.

During the interview, the duo was asked about the most uplifting member of the locker room and Maxxine named Chelsea Green without any hesitation:

“I think for me, definitely Chelsea. Chelsea is someone that, and I’ve seen it time and time again with people that she’s close with, people that she’s not close with. If someone needs something or is struggling, that girl will call the President of the United States, and be like, ‘I have the girl for you.’ She will uplift you.”

She’s So Secure: Maxxinne Dupri

Maxxine Dupri went on to tell a story about how Chelsea lent her wrestling boots for last year’s Royal Rumble. She explained that Green’s personality is the reason why everyone is happy for her on becoming the Inaugural Women’s US Champion:

“Literally, we were texting today. This is my favorite. We were texting today about the rumble, and she’s like, oh, I have the perfect boots for you that you could wear,’ Like her wrestling boots.

And she did that for me last Rumble. Last rumble she let me wear her boots because they matched my gear. She just has no sense of jealousy. She’s so secure in who she is, rightfully so, she’s 10 out of 10 human in all categories.

But it makes it so fun to be such close friends with her, because she constantly lifts everyone up around her. I think that’s the reason that you see the entire roster is so happy for her. It’s not just like, one person. We are all like, ‘She’s so, so deserving of this moment.'”

Seth Rollins Says Fewer WWE Live Events Will Extend His In-Ring Career

Thomas Lowson
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Seth Rollins aims to wrestle far longer than he first envisioned, thanks to WWE scaling back on their live events schedule. On the Insight podcast, Rollins reflected on WWE Superstars not spending as much time taking bumps in the ring.

“Live Events, non-televised events have kind of dissipated, which for guys like me, I’ve wrestled over 2,000 matches in my career, that’s nice for me.”

In late 2024, TKO President Mark Shapiro shared that WWE planned on cutting back on the number of untelevised events. This change is already being felt, with WWE’s first live event of 2025 not coming until March 15, in Dortmund, Germany as part of the upcoming European tour.

With fewer live events, Rollins is less at risk of getting injured and has more time to recover from knocks in the ring. Looking to the future, the former World Champion believes this lighter schedule will extend his time in the ring,

“I feel like I’ll be able to extend my career probably longer than I thought I was going to and then it just depends on where I want to go from there.”

Though Rollins is pleased to be competing at fewer events, not everyone in WWE shares his opinion. In September 2024, Liv Morgan shared her sadness at the change, saying that the ‘house shows’ are “so much fun” for the talent involved. Morgan shared that it was at live events that she really honed her craft, and is sad that future talent won’t get that same opportunity.

Seth Rollins Scenes Cut From Marvel’s Captain America: Brave New World

Thomas Lowson
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Fans eager to see Seth Rollins in Captain America: Brave New World will be disappointed when the highly anticipated Marvel film hits theaters next month. On the Insight podcast, Rollins confirmed that, despite filming scenes for the movie, he is not included in the final cut.

“It releases in February. I wish it the best, but I am not a part of that film… hopefully it’s successful, but it will be sans Seth Rollins.”

Rollins did not elaborate on why his role was cut, emphasizing that any explanation he provided would be speculative and not official. The former WWE World Champion also hinted at the presence of a non-disclosure agreement (NDA), limiting what he could reveal about his involvement in the film.

“The script went through a lot of rewrites and reshoots so what I was there to do, essentially my role got either repurposed or completely erased.”

Photos from the set showed Rollins wearing a dark robe, leading fans to speculate that he was involved with the villainous Serpent Society.

Seth Rollins Denies Being Spotted In Captain America 4 Trailer

Interestingly, this marks the second time a member of Rollins’ family has been cut from a Marvel film. Becky Lynch, Rollins’ wife, her post-credits scene for The Eternals removed, reportedly for being “too depressing.”

Although Rollins’ Marvel debut didn’t materialize, the Monday Night Raw Superstar continues to thrive in the wrestling world. Following his unforgettable Raw on Netflix main event against CM Punk, fans are excited to see what’s next for the “Visionary,” both in and out of the ring.

Captain America: Brave New World will be released on February 14, 2025.

Current Movies Starring Pro Wrestlers: In Theaters & In Production

Brie Bella Teases WWE Return: “It’s Always Hard To Say No”

Thomas Lowson
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Brie Garcia, formerly known as Brie Bella in WWE, has opened up about the possibility of returning to the ring following Nikki’s appearance at Raw’s debut on Netflix. During an appearance on the We Got Time Today show, Brie said that while the drive to compete is always there, time is not on their side.

“The hard thing about getting older, is that there’s that person inside you who, it’s like, ‘I would do anything to go back ten years to compete in the ring against the women today.”

Brie hasn’t competed in years, but admtted on the podcast that both she and her sister discuss potential promos they could cut, should a return happen. Even with her full-time career a distant memory, Brie remains closely attached to WWE.

“You still are always there. So any time if WWE calls and is like, ‘Hey, ladies, we want you back,’ it’s always hard to say no.”

Brie recently celebrated her husband Bryan Danielson’s AEW World Championship win at AEW All In London 2024, but clearly is open to a return to WWE. With both sisters last competing in the 2022 Women’s Royal Rumble, it remains to be seen if they can still bring the action three years later, possibly in the Rumble match on February 1.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Brie Garcia, as her days in the ring may not be over just yet.

Malakai Black Announced For Rare Indie Appearance Amid WWE Speculations

Anutosh Bajpai
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Malakai Black Announced For Rare Indie Appearance Amid WWE Speculations

AEW star Malakai Black has been announced for a rare indie appearance amid his unexplained absence from TV and rumors about his future.

Coastal Championship Wrestling in Tampa Florida has announced that the former NXT Champion will be making his debut for the promotion at their HAVOC & HAZE 9 event this Saturday, January 11.

While an opponent for Black has not been announced, the company has confirmed that the All Elite Wrestling star will indeed be in action at the show from Magnanimous Brewing in Tampa, FL:

Malakai Black is still listed on AEW’s official roster but he has not wrestled for the company since November. He last wrestled in a fatal four-way tag team championship match at Full Gear where Private Party retained the tag titles.

During the most recent January 8 Dynamite, Will Ospreay cut a promo on Black’s faction member Buddy Matthews after defeating him in a singles match. Ospreay urged Matthews to ‘step out of’ the shadow of Black, fueling speculations that Buddy could be leaving the faction soon and starting a singles run.

The CCW announcement serves as a confirmation that Black is fit to perform despite not being used by AEW. This, coupled with reports of Black’s AEW contract has fuelled speculation about the 39-year-old potentially being on his way back to WWE.

Buddy Matthews Responds to Will Ospreay Amid Malakai Black Reports

Thomas Lowson
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Buddy Matthews Responds to Will Ospreay Amid Malakai Black Reports

Will Ospreay’s intriguing comments for Buddy Matthews didn’t go unnoticed, as questions remain about the future of the House of Black. During this week’s Dynamite, Ospreay encouraged Matthews to step out of the shadow of Malakai Black.

Ospreay got the win in their singles match, and after the show, Matthews admitted that 2025 had not kicked off as he had hoped. The Australian, who hopes to compete at Grand Slam next month, then turned his attention to Ospreay.

“Will, even though you put a hiccup in my 2025, your words tonight didn’t go to deaf ears.”

Ospreay’s comment about Matthews stepping away from come at an interesting time, with reports that Black is finishing his time with AEW. The Dutchman hasn’t competed for AEW since November’s Full Gear pay-per-view, where he was on the losing end of a four-way tag team match with Matthews.

Matthews has been associated with Black since his arrival in AEW in 2022, and the prospect of the Australian going solo has intrigued fans. With his wife Rhea Ripley seeing huge success on her own in WWE, many are hoping to see Matthews do the same in AEW, if his time working with Black is indeed at an end as rumored.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Buddy Matthews and his status going forward in AEW, potentially as a singles performer.











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