Home Blog Page 18

WWE Hall Of Famer Set To Appear On Raw

Andrew Ravens
-
0
WWE Hall Of Famer Set To Appear On Raw

WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus is in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, the site of tonight’s episode of Monday Night Raw, and is expected to appear on the broadcast. According to a report from PWInsider.com, Stratus is there to initiate a new storyline.

The purpose of her appearance is reportedly to set up a program that will culminate in a match at the upcoming Evolution 2 Premium Live Event on July 13.

Stratus’s most recent run in WWE took place in 2023, where she turned heel and entered into an extended feud with Becky Lynch. That storyline, which saw Stratus align with Zoey Stark, concluded with Lynch defeating Stratus in a steel cage match at the Payback PLE last September.

Her potential return comes on a night where Raw GM Adam Pearce and SmackDown GM Nick Aldis are already scheduled to make a joint announcement about the Evolution 2 event.

WWE Raw Preview: Night of Champions Fallout with Early Start Time

The Rock’s Involvement In “WWE: Unreal” Revealed

Andrew Ravens
-
0
The Rock’s Involvement In “WWE: Unreal” Revealed

New details have been learned about the upcoming Netflix docuseries, ‘WWE: Unreal’, which is set to provide an unprecedented look behind the scenes of the sports entertainment giant. The five-episode series, co-produced by Peyton Manning’s Omaha Productions and NFL Films, will be released on July 29.

A source close to the production compared the series to HBO’s popular ‘Hard Knocks’ and provided POST Wrestling with the following breakdown for each episode:

Episode 1: A focus on the WWE Raw premiere on Netflix from this past January, highlighting the main event between CM Punk and Seth Rollins, with a spotlight on Punk, Cody Rhodes, and Rhea Ripley.

Episode 2: This episode will center on the men’s Royal Rumble match, the feud between Cody Rhodes and Kevin Owens, and Jey Uso’s Royal Rumble victory.

Episode 3: An episode heavily featuring the women’s division, including Chelsea Green’s United States title win, Charlotte Flair’s return from injury, the women’s Royal Rumble and Elimination Chamber matches, and a spotlight on Bianca Belair. Both Rumble-focused episodes are said to feature a visually compelling continuous sequence following one wrestler throughout the match.

Episode 4: This episode will cover John Cena’s shocking heel turn at Elimination Chamber in March, the secrecy surrounding it, the men’s Elimination Chamber match, and The New Day’s heel turn. This is reportedly the only episode to feature comments from WWE President Nick Khan, along with appearances by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Brian Gewirtz.

Episode 5: The WrestleMania 41 episode, spotlighting the matches between GUNTHER and Jey Uso; CM Punk, Seth Rollins, and Roman Reigns; Iyo Sky, Rhea Ripley, and Bianca Belair; and Cody Rhodes vs. John Cena.

Paul “Triple H” Levesque is said to be a central figure in the series, providing narration and an introduction. It was also noted that Dwayne Johnson’s team provided notes for the episodes in which he appears.

While the series will feature footage from writers’ meetings and the Gorilla position, a large portion will be dedicated to wrestler profiles and match breakdowns. Filming reportedly began around WrestleMania 40 last year and ramped up significantly last November. A second batch of five episodes is already being filmed for a planned release in early 2026.

Maria Kanellis-Bennett And Mike Bennett Announce They Are Expecting Their Third Child

Andrew Ravens
-
0
Maria Kanellis-Bennett And Mike Bennett Announce They Are Expecting Their Third Child

Wrestling veterans Maria Kanellis-Bennett and Mike Bennett announced some happy personal news this morning. In a video posted to their Instagram accounts on Monday, the couple revealed they are expecting their third child.

Maria and Mike, who have been married for over a decade, have two other children: a daughter, Freddie, born in 2018, and a son, Carver, born in 2020.

Mike Bennett is currently signed with AEW, where he competes on the ROH roster as a member of The Kingdom alongside his longtime tag team partner, Matt Taven. He also competes on the independent circuit.

Maria departed from AEW earlier this year and is currently a free agent. She has stated that she is not focused on an in-ring return at the moment unless the right opportunity arises. This news comes after Maria navigated a difficult health situation last year, where a mass found on her adrenal gland was thankfully determined not to be cancerous.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Maria Kanellis (@mariakanellis)

CM Punk’s Saudi Arabia Apology Divides Wrestling Fans

Michael Reichlin
-
0
CM Punk’s Saudi Arabia Apology Divides Wrestling Fans

CM Punk’s public apology to Saudi Arabia during WWE Night of Champions weekend has become one of the most talked-about stories in pro wrestling, generating massive discussion across social media and wrestling forums about redemption, career evolution and even hypocrisy.

The controversy stemmed from Punk’s infamous 2020 tweet directed at The Miz, where he told the former WWE Champion to “go suck a blood money covered d**k in Saudi Arabia.” When confronted by a fan named Mohammed during the Night of Champions kickoff show, Punk took accountability for his past actions.

“This guy wants me to apologize for a mean tweet I wrote six years ago,” Punk said on the WWE Night of Champions kickoff show. “Listen, legitimately had nothing to do with Saudi Arabia. I woke up and was crabby, and wrote a mean tweet to The Miz. I apologize to The Miz. Mohammed, I sincerely apologize to you and all of Saudi Arabia.”

Punk continued, explaining his mindset: “I am not perfect by any means. Sometimes, as human beings, we screw up. The beautiful thing is everything is a lesson learned. Now here I am, and you have invited me to your country, and I’m grateful to be here.”

WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H praised Punk’s maturity during the post-show, stating he was “incredibly proud” of Punk’s growth as both a performer and person. The apology has sparked intense debate among wrestling fans about whether Punk’s change of heart represents genuine growth or career-driven pragmatism.

WWE Raw Preview: Night of Champions Fallout with Early Start Time

Michael Reichlin
-
0
WWE Raw Preview: Night of Champions Fallout with Early Start Time

WWE Monday Night Raw returns tonight with a special early start time as the company presents the fallout from Night of Champions 2025. The show will air live from the PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, beginning at 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT – two hours earlier than the usual start time.

The early scheduling comes as WWE prepares to tape this week’s SmackDown episode in advance, giving the roster time off for the upcoming July 4th holiday.

Tonight’s Raw promises to be a stacked episode dealing with the aftermath of Saturday’s premium live event from Saudi Arabia, where several major storylines advanced and new feuds were ignited.

With major announcements regarding WWE Evolution 2025 on tap and multiple championship implications stemming from Night of Champions, tonight’s show is positioned as a must-watch episode for the WWE Universe.

Confirmed Matches & Segments

Opening Segment: Rhea Ripley Kicks Off Raw

Fresh off her victory over Raquel Rodriguez at Night of Champions 2025, “Mami” Rhea Ripley will open tonight’s show. Fans are eagerly anticipating what Ripley will have to say following her dominant performance in Saudi Arabia, and whether she’ll set her sights on championship gold moving forward.

WWE World Tag Team Championship Match

The New Day (Kofi Kingston & Xavier Woods) defend their WWE World Tag Team Championships against The Judgment Day’s Finn Bálor and JD McDonagh. This high-stakes title defense promises to be a showcase of both teams’ in-ring abilities, with The New Day looking to continue their championship reign against the always-dangerous Judgment Day faction.

Sheamus vs. Rusev – Years in the Making

Two powerhouse veterans collide as Sheamus faces off against Rusev in singles competition. This encounter marks Rusev’s first high-profile Raw match in months and represents a feud that has been reignited over recent weeks. The match could potentially set the tone for Rusev’s standing on the red brand in the post-Night of Champions landscape.

Tag Team Action: Sami Zayn & Penta vs. Bron Breakker & Bronson Reed

An intriguing tag team matchup features Sami Zayn, who is now 3-0 at premium live events from Saudi Arabia following his Night of Champions victory over Karrion Kross, teaming with the high-flying Penta to take on the powerhouse duo of Bron Breakker and Bronson Reed.

World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER Appearance

The World Heavyweight Champion GUNTHER is advertised to appear on tonight’s show, likely to address his championship status and potential challengers moving forward from Night of Champions.

Major WWE Evolution 2025 Announcements

Raw General Manager Adam Pearce and SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis will appear together to deliver “major announcements” concerning the upcoming WWE Evolution 2025 premium live event. These announcements could significantly impact the women’s division and set the stage for the next major WWE spectacle.

Tonight’s WWE Raw looks poised to deliver on multiple fronts. With Evolution 2025 announcements on deck and a strong card, the June 30 episode of Raw is shaping up to be an eventful one as we head into the holiday weekend.

WWE Monday Night Raw airs live tonight at 6:00 PM ET/3:00 PM PT on Netflix from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Matt Cardona Reacts To Fan Support At Night of Champions Post-Show

Thomas Lowson
-
0
Matt Cardona Reacts To Fan Support At Night of Champions Post-Show

Matt Cardona has yet to return to WWE, but the former NWA World Champion is certainly garnering plenty of attention. During the post-show segment at Night of Champions 2025, Cardona’s name was chanted by the fans during a discussion with Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque.

No one on stage acknowledged the chant, but the crowd’s enthusiasm was unmistakable. On X, Cardona made clear that the love being shown from the fans has not gone unnoticed.

The former Intercontinental Champion has been referenced multiple times on WWE programming in recent weeks, including during John Cena’s ‘pipebomb’ on CM Punk. Cardona has often teased returning to WWE but has said he would not come back as his previous Zack Ryder character.

After being released in 2020, Matt Cardona has gone on to become one of WWE’s biggest post-release succcess stories. Whether he returns or not remains to be seen but fans clearly haven’t forgotten about him.

Triple H On CM Punk In Saudi Arabia: ‘People Grow, People Change’

Solo Sikoa Offers Title Match To Jacob Fatu, On One Condition

Thomas Lowson
-
0
Solo Sikoa Offers Title Match To Jacob Fatu, On One Condition

The Night of Champions Premium Live Event saw Solo Sikoa defeat Jacob Fatu to capture the United States Championship, giving Sikoa his first taste of gold on the main roster. Now, the new U.S. Champion is ready to put the title on the line, but only if Fatu makes ammends.

During the Night of Champions post-show, Solo Sikoa was asked what Jacob Fatu would need to do to earn a rematch. Solo stated that Fatu must first apologize and return to the family.

“If he says sorry and he comes back to the family—then everything will go back to normal. Yes, he has to apologize to get a rematch. He’ll have to say, ‘I’m sorry for trying to step outside of the family, I’m sorry for leaving the family, sorry for turning on you at Money in the Bank, I’m sorry for kicking you in the face, Solo.’ What about that? There’s a lot of things he can say sorry about.”

Sikoa’s victory came about thanks to interference from Tonga Loa and a debuting Hikuleo, giving Solo another soldier to his Bloodline. As for whether Fatu apologizes in order to earn a title match, time will tell…

Triple H On CM Punk In Saudi Arabia: ‘People Grow, People Change’

Triple H Responds To ‘One More Match’ Fan Chant

Thomas Lowson
-
0
Triple H Responds To ‘One More Match’ Fan Chant

A health issue forced Triple H to retired from in-ring competition, culminating in an official farewell at WrestleMania 38. While WWE’s CCO remains in impressive shape, an in-ring return remains off the table.

Fans in Saudi Arabia were electric for Night of Champions 2025 and during the post-event conference, fans began chanting “One more match!” at Triple H. After taking a moment to hear the crowd, he responded with clarity.

“Chant all you want—there’s not another match in there.”

His statement drew a strong reaction, with fans replying with chants of “You still got it!” and “Thank you Hunter!” Although many fans would love to see Triple H return to the ring, he made it clear that this is not an option.

Instead, the Game is content with his current role in WWE. While he may have wrestled some incredible matches in WWE, there will not be one more.

Triple H On CM Punk In Saudi Arabia: ‘People Grow, People Change’


Triple H On CM Punk In Saudi Arabia: ‘People Grow, People Change’

Thomas Lowson
-
0
Triple H On CM Punk In Saudi Arabia: ‘People Grow, People Change’

CM Punk’s role in Saudi Arabia has garnered plenty of interest and debate given his infamous 2020 tweet aimed at The Miz. The tweet, which encouraged Miz to “go suck a blood money soaked d*** in Saudi Arrabia.” Despite this post, Punk competed in Saudi Arabia at WWE Night of Champions, though he received a hostile response from the local fans.

On the post-show panel, Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque discussed Punk appearing in Saudi Arabia. Given his post and his past bad blood with WWE, Levesque noted that this seemed impossible in the past.

“If you’d have told me 10 years ago that CM Punk would be here in Saudi for the WWE, I would have thought you’re out of your mind. But people grow, people change, people evolve, and they learn, and they learn a lot in life.”

The topic of growth has been core to Punk’s return to WWE as he and Levesque were able to make ammends in 2023. Once at odds with CM Punk, WWE’s CCO is pleased to see this development.

“I was privileged to watch him grow as a human being, to step out here and apologize to the people of Saudi, to just cherish where he is at in life and his career and the things he gets to do and the opportunities that he has. And I was incredibly proud of him.”

Punk didn’t leave Saudi Arabia as Undisputed WWE Champion, but with the endorsement of Levesque, fans could be seeing him in the country again down the line.

CM Punk Praises ‘My MVP’ Liv Morgan After Shoulder Injury

Canadian Man Faces Federal Stalking Charges In Liv Morgan Incident

Andrew Ravens
-
0
Canadian Man Faces Federal Stalking Charges In Liv Morgan Incident

A Canadian professional wrestling fan is facing federal charges after an alarming stalking incident where he allegedly attempted to break into the Florida home of WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan.

According to a recently unsealed FBI affidavit, 41-year-old Shawn Chan of Scarborough, Ontario, was captured on surveillance video on May 31 trying to enter Morgan’s home. The affidavit states Chan flew to Orlando on May 26 and, four days later, arrived at Morgan’s residence. The footage reportedly shows him circling the property, trying the front door handle multiple times, and searching for a spare key.

After failing to gain entry, Chan allegedly found an air rifle that had been left on the porch and was seen on video holding the weapon. The affidavit identifies the weapon as a “Sig Sauer MCX .177 air rifle capable of firing metal pellets at 600 feet per second.”

After more than two hours, Chan left a handwritten note near the front door that included his name and contact information, stating, “I came here to pay just a friendly visit, nothing more.”

On June 3, Chan appeared at the WWE Performance Center, where Morgan was present for a taping. Security personnel, who had been alerted and shown the surveillance footage, recognized Chan and notified authorities. He was taken into custody, and during a search, officers reportedly found two bottles of liquid on his person, which Chan described as “medicines, one of which was to treat injuries such as bleeding.”

Morgan informed police that she did not know Chan. He has been indicted on one count of interstate domestic violence and is scheduled to appear in federal court in Orlando on July 18.

Liv Morgan Undergoes Successful Surgery

Andrew Ravens
-
0
Liv Morgan Undergoes Successful Surgery

WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion Liv Morgan is officially on the road to recovery after undergoing successful shoulder surgery. The news was confirmed by sports physical therapist Kevin Wilk, who posted a photo with Morgan on his Instagram account.

Morgan suffered a dislocated shoulder on the June 16 episode of Monday Night Raw during a match with Kairi Sane. Wilk revealed that he will be assisting with her rehabilitation and praised her work ethic. The surgery was performed by the renowned Dr. Dugas at Andrews Sports Medicine in Birmingham, Alabama.

“Awesome honor & pleasure to be helping @wwe superstar @yaonlylivvonce with her shoulder rehabilitation… ? Fantastic athlete, dedicated & great to work with ! ? This @wwe superstar will be back & back even better ! ? ? Outstanding athlete ! ? Surgery performed by @dugasmd1 of @andrews_sports_medicine,” Wilk wrote on Instagram.

The injury came at an unfortunate time for Morgan, who was reportedly scheduled to challenge Iyo Sky for the Women’s World Championship at Night of Champions. Previous reports have indicated that Morgan could be out of action for up to six months. We wish her a full and speedy recovery.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Kevin Wilk, DPT, FAPTA (@wilk_kevin)

Opening And Closing Matches For WWE Night Of Champions Revealed

Andrew Ravens
-
0
Opening And Closing Matches For WWE Night Of Champions Revealed

With the Night of Champions Premium Live Event just hours away, the opening match for the show has reportedly been revealed.

According to a report from PWInsider, the King of the Ring tournament final between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes will be the opening match for the event in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The two had an intense promo on the June 27th edition of Friday Night SmackDown, with both men determined to win the crown and earn a world title match at SummerSlam.

The show will be headlined by John Cena defending his Undisputed WWE Championship against his longtime rival, CM Punk. The full lineup for today’s show is as follows:

WWE Night of Champions 2025 Internal Match Lineup:

  • King of the Ring Final: Cody Rhodes vs. Randy Orton
  • Street Fight: Raquel Rodriguez vs. Rhea Ripley
  • Singles Match: Karrion Kross vs. Sami Zayn
  • United States Championship Match: Jacob Fatu (c) vs. Solo Sikoa
  • Queen of the Ring Final: Jade Cargill vs. Asuka 
  • Undisputed WWE Championship Match: John Cena (c) vs. CM Punk

3MB Reunites As Raj Dhesi Weds Wife

Thomas Lowson
-
0
3MB Reunites As Raj Dhesi Weds Wife

From 2012 to 2014, 3MB entertained fans as part of WWE progamming, even if the self-proclaimed rock band struggled to pick up wins. The group split following Raj Dhesi and Drew McIntyre’s releases from WWE but now the band is back together.

McIntyre shared a photo on X featuring himself alongside Dhesi and Heath Slater, marking a rare 3MB reunion. All three wore traditional Indian sherwani as they celebrated Dhesi’s wedding to his wife Priya.

This comes amid McIntyre’s ongoing absence from WWE TV, and it is reported that he is not expected back anytime soon. He has been off television since his loss to Damian Priest at Saturday Night’s Main Event on May 24. While his comeback date remains uncertain, many fans are ready to see the three-time former WWE World Champion back on screens.

We here at SEScoops would like to congratulate Raj Dhesi and his wife on their marriage.

Raj Dhesi Is ‘Off to Tie The Knot’ With Partner Priya

Karrion Kross Addresses Rumors of Him Refusing To Bump

Anutosh Bajpai
-
0
Karrion Kross Addresses Rumors of Him Refusing To Bump

Karrion Kross says he just laughs at the rumors about him and moves on.

The former NXT Champion has seen a growth in his popularity recently but his screentime on WWE TV has not increased in proportion. Many fans wondered if there was some backstage issue preventing him from being pushed, and recently, a rumor emerged that the wrestling star refuses to take ‘flat back bumps.’

The WWE star addressed these rumors during an interview with The National promoting Night of Champions. He claimed that this was the weakest story that has been fabricated about him in recent times. Karrion Kross then went on to reveal another rumor that he recently heard about himself:

“I thought out of all the crazy articles that are fabricated about me every week, that was the weakest. There was another wild one I saw last week that was even funnier.

It said something like, ‘Karrion Kross is going to come to Monday Night Raw and he’s going to quit and do a shoot promo live, and then walk out.’ I thought that was a good one. But I don’t really respond to any of them. There’s a crazy one about me every week or two. You just kind of have to laugh.”

Latest backstage updates also indicate that the report about Karrion Kross refusing to take bumps is false and producers who have worked with the heavyweight star have denied the allegations.

It appears that the officials are also slowly accepting Kross’ popularity and incorporating him into their plans. The former Final Testament leader is scheduled to compete in his first PPV match since WrestleMania 40 at Night of Champions this Saturday, where he will face Sami Zayn.

John Cena Considered His Recent Promo To Be A ‘Pretty Good Failure’

Anutosh Bajpai
-
0
John Cena Considered His Recent Promo To Be A ‘Pretty Good Failure’

John Cena has branded one of his recent promos as a failure.

The Cenation Leader has been the focal point of SmackDown for the last few weeks. Not only has he been involved in the storyline with CM Punk, but he has also interacted with competitors from the King of The Ring tournament. The winner of the tournament is set to receive a world title shot at SummerSlam.

One such segment came during the June 13 episode of SmackDown when Cena opened the show. He cut a promo for a few minutes before being interrupted by LA Knight, Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton one by one.

During a recent appearance on The Breakfast Club, the 17-time world champion was asked when was the last time he truly ‘bombed’ at something. John Cena brought up the specific segment in response, saying that it was a real hard spot for him:

“I had a pretty good failure two weeks ago, I think. I was out in front of a live audience, not Grand Rapids, where were we — Lexington, Kentucky. I’d opened the show.

I had five minutes to speak before three other performers came out and that’s a real hard spot to be in because I can’t do any action yet, you kind of got to tell people what my purpose is and my character is not someone to rile up the audience, it’s somebody against the audience.”

They Fucking Hated It: John Cena

John Cena noted how he took the route of being the evil mastermind and used the five minutes to explain his plan to the audience. In his mind, the Hollywood star thought the promo was well constructed, and he was dropping easter eggs for the fans. The reaction he got, however, was completely unexpected:

“They fucking hated it. The great thing is, they loved when the next three guys came out, so the bit itself worked. But man, it was crickets. I know the noise. I really cannot wait for this to be over, I really thought this was going to work.”

Though a report from Fightful Select noted that this was Cena’s own self-diagnosis of the segment instead of being the backstage perception. So it appears that the officials were not as critical of the whole thing.

The WWE Champion will be defending his title against CM Punk at the Night of Champions PPV from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia this Saturday.

Date WWE SmackDown Moves To Two Hours Confirmed

Thomas Lowson
-
0
Date WWE SmackDown Moves To Two Hours Confirmed

WWE SmackDown moved to three hours in late 2024, a move that many fans have taken issue with ever since. While the extra hour, in theory, allows for more talent to be featured, many believe it has simply led to filler segments and has left audiences facing ‘viewer fatigue.’

A recent report shared that WWE would be moving SmackDown to its traditional two hour format very soon. During the June 27, episode of the blue brand, Michael Cole confirmed that SmackDown will be a two-hour show once more beginning with the upcoming July 4, episode. On social media, the USA Network threw out a graphic, also confirming the news.

image

As for the third hour, that will be filled by a new series called ‘The Rainmaker,’ which is based on the best-selling John Grisham novel. For WWE fans, the move back to two hours is a welcome one, and it remains to be seen how WWE adapts to the change.

Blake Monroe Makes WWE In-Ring Debut At NXT Event

Thomas Lowson
-
0
Blake Monroe Makes WWE In-Ring Debut At NXT Event

The WWE NXT ring got glamourous at a live event in Fort Pierce, FL on June 27, as Blake Monroe made her in-ring debut for the brand. Monroe, who debuted in WWE NXT mere weeks earlier, defeated Laney Reid in singles competition.

This wasn’t just Monroe’s in-ring debut for WWE, but her first match in three months. The last time Monroe competed, she was Mariah May an part of AEW. Her final match for the promotion saw her lose to AEW Women’s World Champion Toni Storm at the Revolution 2025 pay-per-view.

Now, May is Monroe and has already set sights on the WWE NXT Women’s Championship. Her match with Reid will be the first of many as she looks to bring glamour to all of WWE.

How Sabrina Carpenter Inspired Blake Monroe’s WWE NXT Arrival

CM Punk Is ‘Basic Punkanomics’ Ahead of Cena Showdown

Thomas Lowson
-
0
CM Punk Is ‘Basic Punkanomics’ Ahead of Cena Showdown

The Juune 27, 2025, edition of SmackDown fell 14 years to the day CM?Punk delivered his iconic “pipe bomb” promo, a segment that remains iconic to this day. During SmackDown, Punk delivered another standout performance ahead of his Night of Champions showdown with John Cena.

In the ring, Cena was set to deliver a promo when fans were met with some all-too-familiar music, Cena’s ‘Basic Thuganomics’ theme song. Punk arrived wearing a Chicago Cubs jersey with his own name on the back. Channelling ‘Basic Punkanomics,’ Punk delivred an entire rap promo that echoed Cena’s former persona, including calling Cena a “Temu Maclemore.”

Punk vowed victory in their WWE Championship showdown, going as far as to call Cena the Drake to his Kendrick Lamar. As the hype builds toward Night of Champions, Punk has clearly brought intensity and flair back to SmackDown.

Watch: Everything That Happened During SmackDown Broadcast Outage

Anutosh Bajpai
-
0
Watch: Everything That Happened During SmackDown Broadcast Outage

WWE faced an embarrassing moment during the latest SmackDown broadcast.

The company presented the the Blue Branded Show from Saudi Arabia this week. The show opened with King of the Ring finalists Cody Rhodes and Randy Orton coming face to face before their big match at the Night of Champions PPV.

Halfway through this segment, however, the Netflix international feed went out, and a message saying that the broadcast would be back online soon was displayed for almost half an hour before the show resumed.

PWinsider reports that the broadcast issue was a result of a power outage in Riyadh that affected WWE production. Both the control room and the gorilla position were affected and the officials lost the ability to control the show.

What Happened During SmackDown Outage

A fan posted a two-hour video that covers the Main Event tapings that happened before SmackDown went on air, as well as how things played out during the power outage. The video shows the big screen above the ring glitching halfway through the Cody Rhodes-Randy Orton segment.

Though the two continued their war of words despite the issues. There was no physicality in the segment, and it ended with The American Nightmare leaving the ring. The Viper was informed of the outage by this point and he stayed around.

His music played in the arena as the Legend Killer went around the ringside greeting the fans for a while to kill time. Cody then made a second entrance as Orton headed to the back. The WWE Quarterback told the fans about the technical difficulties and started working the crowd.

Carmelo Hayes then made his entrance in his street clothes and cut a promo on the former Undisputed Champion. Cody ended the segment with a CrossRhodes on the former NXT star. Both the competitors then left the ring before the feed came back on with the backstage segment of JC Mateo and Solo Sikoa.

Tony Hinchcliffe to Host WWE SummerSlam Comedy Show

Michael Reichlin
-
0
Tony Hinchcliffe to Host WWE SummerSlam Comedy Show

Tony Hinchcliffe, the boundary-pushing stand-up comedian with a growing reputation among wrestling fans, is set to return to the WWE stage for a one-of-a-kind event: WWE Late Night during SummerSlam weekend. The show is scheduled for 11 p.m. Eastern on Saturday, August 2, at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood, NJ.

Unlike WWE’s traditional televised spectacles, this exclusive, in-person event promises a night of raw, unfiltered comedy, surprise guests, and a unique crossover between the worlds of stand-up and sports entertainment.

A Familiar Face Returns

Hinchcliffe isn’t a stranger to the WWE universe. He previously made headlines hosting the WrestleMania roast, where his sharp-tongued jokes generated a lot of heat on social media.

According to WWE, the show will feature “top comics and WWE Superstars,” all curated by Hinchcliffe, who is best known for his hit podcast and live show, Kill Tony. WWE describes the event as an “unforgettable night of laughs and huge surprises,” with a lineup of comedians, entertainers, and wrestling personalities yet to be announced.

Why This Event Matters

WWE Late Night represents WWE’s ongoing efforts to expand its cultural reach and experiment with new forms of fan engagement. Hinchcliffe’s return will bring a night filled with edgy humor, unexpected cameos, and the kind of unscripted energy that only live events can deliver. For fans who love both comedy and wrestling, it’s will be a highlight of SummerSlam 2025 weekend.

Matt Riddle Deletes Scathing Tweet Aimed At CM Punk

Andrew Ravens
-
0
Matt Riddle Deletes Scathing Tweet Aimed At CM Punk

The bad blood between Matt Riddle and CM Punk boiled over on social media today, with Riddle posting and then quickly deleting a scathing tweet aimed at the “Best in the World” and his fanbase. The post came just moments after Punk was booed during the WWE Night of Champions Kickoff show in Saudi Arabia.

Riddle took aim at Punk’s supporters, referencing the recent viral video of Punk pushing away a young fan who was trying to get a photo.

“To the real ones that pay everyone else’s bills and out work most people in their professions much respect ?? but to all of the C**’s that literally can’t even pay rent let alone support themselves have a voice/opinion. You can all suck my big ? and keep supporting a dude that literally pushes random kids, can’t win a fight and botches every other second in the ring ? also a lot of people are making accusations and I’d say I have no criminal record and any claim I made was 100% true hence I don’t have one you p******! Ask the FBI and Internal Affairs!”

The now-deleted tweet is the latest in a series of shots Riddle has taken at Punk. He recently blamed Punk for damaging AEW’s momentum and called him a “b*** to work with in the back.”

matt riddle unloads on cm punk and his fans in deleted post after saudi arabia fan backlash 42

The tirade came just hours after Punk had publicly apologized during the same kickoff show for a controversial 2020 tweet where he made a crude remark about The Miz and Saudi Arabia.

Internal Reaction To CM Punk Being Booed In Saudi Arabia

Internal Reaction To CM Punk Being Booed In Saudi Arabia

Andrew Ravens
-
0
Internal Reaction To CM Punk Being Booed In Saudi Arabia

The negative reaction CM Punk received during the Night of Champions Kickoff show in Riyadh was not a surprise to WWE officials. According to a report from Fightful Select, the company anticipated the backlash and had “prepared accordingly” for the situation.

The boos from the live crowd were a direct response to an infamous, since-deleted tweet from 2020 in which Punk made a crude remark directed at The Miz that referenced “blood money” and Saudi Arabia. Punk used the kickoff show platform to address the controversy head-on, offering an apology to the fans in attendance and to The Miz.

“This guy wants me to apologize for a mean tweet I wrote six years ago. Hey, listen—legitimately, it had nothing to do with Saudi Arabia. I woke up and I was crabby, and I wrote a mean tweet to The Miz. I apologized to The Miz, and sir, Muhammad, I sincerely apologize to you and all of Saudi Arabia.”

Despite the direct apology, the crowd continued to voice their displeasure, a reaction WWE was reportedly expecting. Now, with the air cleared, the focus shifts to Punk’s Undisputed WWE Championship match against John Cena at Night of Champions, where the atmosphere is sure to be electric.

John Cena Names His Favorite Star Wars Movie

Anutosh Bajpai
-
0
John Cena Names His Favorite Star Wars Movie

John Cena has picked his favorite Star Wars movie.

The Cenation Leader recently took part in a Q&A session at FAN EXPO Dallas 2025. He answered questions about things such as his favorite WrestleMania entrance, his love for K-pop and more.

When asked to reveal his favorite movie from the Star Wars franchise, Cena first noted how there are many impactful moments from the series that he admires. He then mentioned Joseph Campbell’s book A Hero’s Journey before naming Episode V as his favorite:

“What I love about the Star Wars movies is it truly is like Campbell’s A Hero’s Journey. They do great job with storytelling. Actually, because of that, I would like to say Empire Strikes Back.”

Long Term Storytelling: John Cena

John Cena went into detail of the reasoning behind his pick. He explained that committing to the idea of long-term storytelling and not resolving the story by the end of the movie was a brave move:

I think everyone in this room will probably have their opinion and give their answer of why. I think it’s brave to do a whole movie and not have the ending you want. Commit that it is a piece of the journey. Like you want to talk about long-term storytelling.

Setting a movie up as a standalone piece of like, ‘Yo, this is the middle and we’re cool with that.’ I thought that was very brave at the time and I still remember it as a kid, so I’m going with that.”

The 17-Time World Champion is set to compete at the upcoming Night of Champions PPV from Saudi Arabia. He’ll be defending his title against CM Punk at the event set for this Saturday, June 28.

Batista Invited to Join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Michael Reichlin
-
0
Batista Invited to Join Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Former WWE Champion Dave Bautista has achieved a major Hollywood milestone, receiving an invitation to join the prestigious Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. The organization, which awards the Academy Awards (Oscars), has officially invited Bautista to become a member of its actor’s branch.

Bautista was among 33 prominent names invited to join the actor’s branch of the Academy, alongside notable 2025 Oscar winners and nominees including Mikey Madison, Kieran Culkin, Monica Barbaro, Yura Borisov, Ariana Grande, Sebastian Stan, Jeremy Strong, and Fernanda Torres.

Academy Recognition Based on Prestigious Film Work

The Academy’s invitation was based on Bautista’s work in two critically acclaimed films: “Dune Part Two,” which received a Best Picture nomination at the 2025 ceremony, and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” the sequel to the 2020 Best Original Screenplay nominee “Knives Out.”

These 33 actor invitees were part of a larger group of 534 entertainment industry professionals invited to join various Academy branches, including Animation, Director’s, Writer’s, and Producer’s divisions.

Breaking the Mold in Hollywood

Since transitioning from WWE wrestling to acting, Bautista has deliberately avoided being typecast as just an action movie star. His diverse filmography includes dramatic roles that have showcased his range as a serious actor, ultimately leading to this Academy recognition.

As an Academy member, Bautista will gain the prestigious right to vote on Oscar winners and participate in various Academy programs including educational initiatives, film preservation projects, and industry panels.

Paving the Way for WWE Stars

This Academy invitation represents a significant achievement not just for Bautista personally, but for professional wrestlers transitioning to legitimate acting careers. His success has opened doors for other WWE talent to pursue serious roles in major Hollywood productions.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences membership is considered one of the highest honors in the entertainment industry, validating Bautista’s evolution from WWE superstar to respected Hollywood actor.

WWE Stars Arrive in Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions Despite Middle East Tensions

Michael Reichlin
-
0
WWE Stars Arrive in Saudi Arabia for Night of Champions Despite Middle East Tensions

WWE has confirmed that talent have successfully arrived in Saudi Arabia for this weekend’s major events, as the company moves forward with Night of Champions 2025 and Friday Night SmackDown despite recent geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.

Event Proceeds as Scheduled at Kingdom Arena

Night of Champions will take place on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at the Kingdom Arena in Riyadh, featuring wrestlers from both the Raw and SmackDown brand divisions. The premium live event represents a significant milestone as it marks John Cena’s final Night of Champions appearance and his last pay-per-view event in Saudi Arabia as an active in-ring performer, due to his planned retirement at the end of 2025.

The event will be available to stream on Peacock in the United States and on Netflix for international viewers, marking another first for WWE’s global distribution strategy.

Historic Tournament Finals Set for Night of Champions

The event will host the finals of both the 24th King of the Ring and third Queen of the Ring tournaments, with the winners receiving championship matches at SummerSlam.

The King of the Ring final will feature an all-SmackDown showdown between Randy Orton and Cody Rhodes, while the Queen of the Ring final pits Raw’s Asuka against SmackDown’s Jade Cargill.

“The winners of each tournament receiving a match for the world championship of their respective brand at SummerSlam” – WWE Tournament Announcement

Championship Matches and Bloodline Civil War

The main event will feature CM Punk challenging John Cena for the Undisputed WWE Championship, in what promises to be one of Cena’s most significant matches during his farewell tour. The championship bout was set up after Punk confronted Cena on a June episode of Raw, challenging him to put the title on the line in Saudi Arabia.

Another major storyline will culminate with the Bloodline civil war, as Solo Sikoa defends the WWE United States Championship against his cousin Jacob Fatu. The tensions between the family members have been building since Sikoa lost the Anoa?i family’s Ula Fala necklace to Roman Reigns during Raw’s Netflix premiere in January, leading to Fatu’s betrayal of Sikoa at Money in the Bank.

Overcoming Regional Challenges

WWE’s decision to proceed with the Saudi Arabia shows comes after careful consideration of recent Middle East tensions. Reports indicated that some production crew members were initially stranded in neighboring Qatar due to regional conflicts, but the company has successfully coordinated travel for talent and staff.

The Night of Champions event represents the 11th iteration of the pay-per-view and will be the 13th event WWE has held in Saudi Arabia as part of their ongoing partnership with the Kingdom. Tonight’s Friday Night SmackDown will also emanate from the same venue, setting the stage for tomorrow’s premium live event.

With major championships on the line, tournament finals to determine SummerSlam challengers, and John Cena’s farewell tour continuing, Night of Champions 2025 promises to be a historic event for WWE and its global fanbase.

1...171819...3,386Page 18 of 3,386