Former Hurt Business member MVP has confirmed that the faction that also comprised of Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander, is no more.
The former Hurt Business faction has had a remarkable run in WWE and the members won several championships. However, it appears that they won’t be going by that name anymore. MVP recently made it clear in the comment section of one of his Instagram posts that The Hurt Business is ‘Dead.’
He replied to one of the fans claiming that Hurt Business is still in business. The former WWE United States Champion said while the name is ‘dead,’ the business continues to live on. MVP let him know, “The Hurt Business is dead. BUT, our BUSINESS lives on.”
The Hurt Syndicate
Bobby Lashley, MVP and Shelton Benjamin could be back together. However, that could be outside WWE. It is being speculated that they will now go by ‘The Hurt Syndicate’, judging by a trademark filing last month.
A trademark filing was made for the term The Hurt Syndicate for use in pro wrestling and entertainment services. Totally Harmless Concept LLC filed to trademark “The Hurt Syndicate” a few weeks ago. it comes following the filing for trademarks on other MVP-related phrases and names.
As the only promotion to truly compete with WWE in the late 20th century, World Championship Wrestling (WCW) remains a crucial and beloved part of pro wrestling history. Some of the biggest names in the sport passed through WCW, the promotion that officially began under that name in 1988, initially owned by Ted Turner.
We’ve already highlighted WCW’s legendary wrestlers like Ric Flair, Sting, Hulk Hogan, and Booker T, but what about the matches? Below, we dive into the iconic matches that defined WCW and still resonate with fans and critics today.
Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk – Great American Bash 1989
Ric Flair and Terry Funk are two titans of wrestling, and their 1989 feud gave us some of the best matches in WCW history. At the Great American Bash, Flair defended the NWA World Heavyweight Championship against Funk in a hard-hitting battle that showcased Flair’s versatility as a babyface. Though Flair is often more associated with his heel work, this match stands as one of his finest in-ring performances, solidifying 1989 as perhaps the greatest year of his career.
Sting’s Squadron vs. Dangerous Alliance (WarGames) – WrestleWar 1992
WarGames matches in WCW were often hit-or-miss, but the 1992 showdown between Sting’s Squadron and the Dangerous Alliance was an undeniable hit. Featuring a stacked roster—Sting, Steve Austin (before he was Stone Cold), Ricky Steamboat, Rick Rude, and more—this match is remembered as one of the greatest WarGames bouts ever. It’s an explosive two-ring, steel cage brawl that perfectly captures the intensity and spectacle WCW brought to the table.
Ric Flair vs. Terry Funk – Clash of the Champions IX (I Quit Match)
Returning to Flair and Funk, their epic 1989 feud culminated in an “I Quit” match at Clash of the Champions IX. This was no ordinary TV event; WCW’s Clash shows delivered pay-per-view quality action for free, and this match was no exception. The intensity and emotion on display brought a fitting conclusion to one of wrestling’s greatest rivalries, proving that Flair and Funk’s chemistry could elevate any card to legendary status.
Eddie Guerrero vs. Rey Mysterio – Halloween Havoc 1997
The Cruiserweight division consistently stole the show in WCW, and the mask vs. title match between Eddie Guerrero and Rey Mysterio at Halloween Havoc 1997 was a masterclass in high-flying, fast-paced wrestling. Guerrero spent much of the match trying to unmask Mysterio, but Mysterio’s quickness and innovation kept him one step ahead. The match ended with Mysterio reversing a hurricanrana into a pin, securing his victory and cementing this bout as one of the greatest Cruiserweight matches of all time.
Ricky Steamboat vs. Ric Flair – Clash of the Champions VI (2-out-of-3 Falls)
One of the greatest trilogies in wrestling history is undoubtedly Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat in 1989. Their 2-out-of-3 falls match at Clash of the Champions VI showcased the endurance and technical brilliance of both men. Running nearly an hour, this bout was an epic for its time, offering free TV audiences a match worthy of any pay-per-view. Though often regarded as the “worst” of their trilogy, it’s still an all-time great, illustrating how high the bar was set by these two legends.
Ricky Steamboat vs. Ric Flair – WrestleWar 1989
The third and final match of Flair and Steamboat’s 1989 trilogy took place at WrestleWar, where Flair regained the NWA World Heavyweight Championship. Though it wasn’t their best outing, it was still a stunning example of in-ring storytelling. The aftermath was equally memorable, as Terry Funk attacked Flair after the match, setting the stage for another iconic feud. WrestleWar 1989 is a standout in WCW history, bringing a close to one of wrestling’s most celebrated rivalries.
Ric Flair vs. Ricky Steamboat – Chi-Town Rumble 1989
The first match in the Flair-Steamboat trilogy at Chi-Town Rumble is considered by many to be the pinnacle of professional wrestling. If we were ranking the greatest matches in the history of the sport, this one could easily top the list. The pacing, the in-ring storytelling, and the pure athleticism on display were revolutionary. What makes this match even more impressive is that much of it was called on the fly, showcasing the incredible chemistry and skill of both men. Chi-Town Rumble remains a must-watch for any wrestling fan.
These matches represent the peak of WCW, a promotion that pushed the boundaries of professional wrestling during its heyday. From high-flying Cruiserweight action to grueling heavyweight rivalries, WCW’s legacy is cemented in these unforgettable moments.
The Rock has opened up about the passing of his father.
The Great One has always been honest about the difficult relationship he had with his dad. The late great Rocky Johnson had to go through many hardships in his life from a very young age. It was reflected in the life of The Great One in the form of tough love from his father.
When asked about his father’s passing in 2020 and if he was prepared for it, The Rock explained that he wasn’t. He opened up about how they had an argument only weeks before, and the former WWE Champion got emotional discussing how he never even got the chance to say goodbye to his dad:
“No, I wasn’t prepared for it because my dad died suddenly—just like that. An embolism travelled up and ended his life. It happened suddenly; I didn’t get a chance to say goodbye. And here’s the thing, and brother this is just…it’s life.
A month before he died, we got into the biggest fight we have ever gotten into. We never had a chance to reconcile that. It was brutal, it was during Christmas time as well. So Christmas was just tainted. I felt like shit, he felt like shit, my mom was involved and admittedly I was angry. Three weeks went by, we didn’t reconcile. He died, and that was it.
You asked me if I was prepared. No one’s ever prepared for that—even if, God forbid, you have a loved one who is transitioning out. You can prepare as best you can for their transition, or in my case, they say goodbye just like that, without saying goodbye. So, I never had a chance to say goodbye and never had the chance to right that thing that I wish I did. So that was tough one.”
The Rock also discussed what the untimely passing of his father taught him. He mentioned how we are always told that anything can happen anytime but you don’t realize the true meaning of it until you experience it firsthand:
“The lesson, though I realized is – we hear this all the time: You never know what’s around the corner. Hug your loved ones, hug your little ones. I do a lot of work with Make-A-Wish, and every time I do, it’s so important. When you leave those meetings with Make-A-Wish, you see these kids who are so strong, you see the parents who are being so strong too. You go home and hug your kids tighter—that’s just what you do.
We hear it all the time: Hug your kids, take care of [and] hug your loved ones. You never know what’s around the corner. But until you go through something like that, that’s when those words really hit home. And I realized that man, I wish I had a shot just to hug my dad one more time or say, maybe he’s listening now, hug and say ‘It’s all right; we’re good.’ I never had a chance to do that.”
Rocky Johnson had a lengthy wrestling career spanning almost three decades. He started wrestling in 1964 and won championships in many NWA territories as well as in WWF. He passed away on January 15, 2020, at the age of 75.
WWE is the leading name in professional wrestling and despite recent competition from the likes of AEW, has remained in this top spot for decades. While WWE’s influence can be felt across the wrestling landscape, basketball legend Derek Fisher feels the promotion’s impact is being felt in the wider world of sports.
Speaking to Bryan Scott’s Fast Break podcast about how the NBA and basketball has changed, Fisher said that the sports has become far more about putting on an entertaining show than focusing on the game. The five-time NBA Champion compared this change to the WWF’s transformation into WWE in 2002 and the fan-centric experience of the modern-day product.
“When I watch the NBA today, I sometimes compare it to [when] the WWE was WWF, World Wrestling Federation, and then it shifted to World Wrestling Entertainment… you listen to guys that have played before and coached before. It’s a different game, and it’s not a negative thing. It’s just built more for the entertainment value maybe than the competitive value.”
Fisher went on to say that this isn’t just a basketball matter, but that all sports have made efforts to become more fan-centric like WWE. The promotion’s new era has certainly favored the experience of attendees, with smaller stages allowing for more fans to attend weekly episodes of Monday Night Raw and SmackDown.
The NBA and WWE
Though two very different industries, many in the NBA have taken notice at the efforts of WWE and its roster. In April of this year, Charles Barkley gave props to The Rock and his work as the ‘Final Boss’ since returning to WWE. During this week’s WWE NXT, Tyrese Haliburton appeared with some of his Indiana Pacers allies in his latest appearance for WWE. While Haliburton focused mostly on NXT and its plans for the October 1, premiere on the CW, he couldn’t help but take aim at the Orlando Magic, eliciting boos from the crowd.
Since 2015, WWE has made a conscious effort to take women’s wrestling more seriously, with the ‘Women’s Revolution’ proving to be a hit with fans. Earlier this year, NXT brought in WWE’s first women’s mid-card title with Kelani Jordan’s North American Women’s Championship, and could this happen on the main roster?
Speaking to the Battleground Podcast, Women’s Tag Team Champion Bianca Belair added her voice to those calling for a women’s mid-card title on WWE’s main roster. Belair, who’s also a former Raw, SmackDown, and WWE Women’s Champion, believes such a title would be a net benefit for the women’s division.
“Our roster is so stacked… everybody’s trying to fight for a spot on the card. I feel like another title would really highlight the true talent of our division.”
There have been discussions within WWE about introducing women’s mid-card titles to the main roster, Fightful Select reported back in July of this year. While there are no current plans to introduce new titles, it is something that a number of talent have pushed for over several years.
During the interview, the former World Champion was asked about his relationship with Vince McMahon. Talking on the subject, he told a story about how the former WWE chairman helped him learn to respect the business. He mentioned that he was making $150K per year in his first contract with the company. When his career took off, the boss called him to renegotiate his deal:
“He wanted to renegotiate my contract about two to three years in. A couple of wrestlers at that time had their own agents, but I chose not to have an agent. He said, ‘Are you going to have an agent? Are you looking for an agent?’ I said ‘I’m not. I’d like to negotiate with you directly. And how we met was with a handshake—and I believe how we’re going to do this is with a handshake.’
Handshakes are very important to me, as I know everybody in this room. So, I always say my handshake is better than anything I ever sign—it’s right here.
So he said, ‘Great, I love that. I respect it. What are you thinking?’ I said, ‘Who’s the highest-paid if you don’t mind me asking. Between us, who’s the highest-paid on the roster?’ He said, ‘Stone Cold Steve Austin.’ I said, ‘Okay. If you don’t mind me asking, what’s his guarantee?’ He said, ‘A million dollars.’ I went, ‘Okay, I want two.’ Oh, I know the balls of that kid [laughs].”
After hearing the figure The Rock wanted, McMahon made an unexpected move. He asked the former World Champion to work with one of the company executives to learn the operating costs of the business:
“So he said, ‘Two million?’ I said, ‘Yes,’ ‘Guaranteed?’ I said ‘Yes’ And he said, ‘I’m just curious—where do you get that from? What are you figuring out in your mind?’ I said, ‘Well, I love Steve; I respect him. But if he’s getting a million dollars, where I see myself going is past a million dollars. I think it should be two.’
He went, ‘Okay, I understand that logic.’ He said, ‘Here’s what I want you to do: I’m going to put you in contact with one of our executives. I need you to take a couple of months, if it takes that long—because I was on the road, I need you to understand the business—I need you to understand this side of the business—from top to bottom, all the economics.
I want you to understand that—I want you to understand our cost, overhead. I want you to look at what’s allocated to the [boys]… I want you to take the time and put in the work that you say you’re committed to in the ring. Yes, I expect that from you. But now, I want you to learn the business. Once you learn this business, then you come back to me, and then we’ll talk about the renegotiation.”
The biggest surprise for the People’s Champion came after this, however, when he went back to Vince McMahon. According to The Rock, the former WWE owner offered him a contract worth a lot more than what he was asking:
“[I learned] what the overhead costs are, what the costs are for every venue we go into, what the cost of the venue is, what the state tax is, what the allocation for all the wrestlers is going to be—that percentage of what the gate is that particular night.
I didn’t take three months—I mean, maybe it was just two weeks. It was baptism by fire, and I learned to absorb as much as I could about the business. I went back to Vince, thanked him, gave him a big hug, and said, ‘I understand now. I’d like to match it at a million dollars—what Steve is getting. Thank you for taking me through it.’
We had a great conversation. He said, ‘How much do you think you’re going to make this year?’ I said, ‘Well, if my guarantee is a million, I’ve been averaging about 50% over my guarantee, so maybe 1.5 million.’ He went ‘ok, now that you’ve taken yourself through that, now you understand the business. You’re gonna make $15 million a year.”
In 2022, Dominik Mysterio and Rhea Ripley began an on-screen relationship that would last until Dirty Dom’s betrayal of ‘Mami’ at WWE SummerSlam 2024. Away from WWE, Ripley recently tied the knot to her real-life partner Buddy Matthews who has had some choice words for the treacherous Mysterio.
During an Instagram Live stream, Matthews was asked about a potential showdown between himself and Dominik Mysterio. The former AEW Trios Champion was immensely confident, and suggested the only way Mysterio would have a chance was if Matthews was one of Dominik’s favorite foods.
“Dom and me would be one on half. Only way Dom would beat me is if I was a chicken tender and he was hungry.”
Matthews joined AEW the same year that Ripley and Dominik became an on-screen item, though this relationship wasn’t an issue for the real-life couple. In August of this year, Ripley said that there is “a level of respect” between herself and Matthews, and since he’s in the wrestling business, he knows that what airs on TV shouldn’t be taken as real.
WWE is not the only company with stars whose contract is set to be up soon and latest report suggest that the current AEW deal of Dustin Rhodes is also close to expiration.
Dustin himself confirmed earlier this year that his contract with Tony Khan’s promotion was up in September and that he was nowhere near being done with wrestling.
With the wrestling veteran recently winning gold in ROH, many assumed that his status with the company may have changed.
Latest reports from Fightful Select indicated however that this is not the case and as of the All Out PPV on September 7, his deal was still set to expire in the fall.
Dustin Rhodes has been signed to AEW since their very first show in Double or Nothing in May 2019. He faced his brother Cody Rhodes in a highly praised match at the show.
The 55-year-old has been an integral part of the company since then. He not only works as a performer but helps coach people behind the scenes as well.
While the former Goldust has not won any AEW titles during his run, he has had matches with the likes of CM Punk, Samoa Joe, and Kenny Omega proving that the promotion holds him in a high regard.
The AEW star has most recently been involved in a storyline with The Von Erichs and Sammy Guevara. He won the ROH Six Men Tag Team Championships with the Von Erichs during the AEW Battle of The Belts XI event in July.
The highly anticipated dream rematch between Will Ospreay and Ricochet has been made official for the October 2 episode of AEW Dynamite.
The company will be celebrating the 5-year anniversary of their flagship weekly show in two weeks time and they have begun to build up the card for the event.
Ospreay had told Ricochet last week that he needed to stack some wins up in order to challenge for the International Title and give fans the match they want.
This week’s episode of the Wednesday night show then saw the newest AEW signee picking up a singles win over The Beast Mortos with Vertigo.
Ricochet was approached by Will Ospreay backstage later on. The former NXT star revealed that Tony Khan has granted him a title shot against his ‘little bro’ at the upcoming show:
October 2nd: #AEW Dynamite 5 Year Anniversary!#AEW International Title Match ?? Will Ospreay vs. Ricochet ??
A rematch between the current AEW International Champion and the former WWE star has been teased ever since the latter made his AEW debut at the All In PPV last month.
These two stars have clashed a number of times in the indies. They first stepped in the ring with each other at back in 2013 during a RevPro show in the UK.
The one bout that everyone remembers, however, is their Korakuen Hall encounter back in May 2016. The NJPW match went viral for its fast-paced action and gravity-defying moves, dividing the opinions of wrestling fans all across the world.
The duo has not had a chance to dance together since 2017. Both the stars have gone through an incredible transformation since then. It’d be interesting to see how they fare against each other after so many years.
The Outrunners (Truth Magnum and Turbo Floyd) have proven to be a hit with AEW/Ring of Honor fans as of late, as fans can’t get enough of The Youngest Men Alive. Now, The Outrunners are set to show their talent out of the ring as part of ‘The Luchador: 1,000 Fights of El Fuego Fuerto.’
The pair have been confirmed for the podcast’s second season which will drop in winter 2024. A description of the podcast reads:
“The mighty Lucha Libre champion of Mexico City does battle in and out of the ring with deadly vampires, dangerous mobsters, and the ethical complications of maintaining a rigid moral philosophy. A biweekly fiction adventure series created by Daniel Valero Fletcher, starring a Latinx lead cast and special guest stars from the real world of professional wrestling.”
— The Luchador: 1,000 Fights of El Fuego Fuerte (@theluchadorpod) September 19, 2024
The Outrunners won’t be the only AEW names to appear for the latest season of The Luchador as Mina Shirakawa has also been confirmed.
The show’s first season launched in 2021 with a five-episode run and saw guest appearances by Danhausen, Raven, Luchasaurus, Colt Cabana, Effy, Lufisto and more. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on The Outrunners as they prepare to demonstrate their talents outside of the squared circle.
Janel Grant, the former World Wrestling Entertainment employee suing Vince McMahon, John Laurinaitis and WWE in federal civil court, has hired an additional representation firm.
In a press release first published on Twitter by Brandon Thurston of Wrestlenomics, SKDK (also known as SKDKnickerbocker) announced it would join Grant’s representation team. The Agency Group, which has represented Grant since she filed her federal suit, will also continue working with Grant.
The firm has worked with victims in other high-profile sex assault cases, including Jeffrey Epstein and Harvey Weinstein. Most of its work has been with Democratic party politicians.
The firm said in the announcement it would begin working for Grant ahead of the Vince McMahon documentary scheduled to debut on Netflix on Sept. 25.
When asked if Grant or a member of her team would now participate in the documentary, one of her representatives said no and provided a statement from the documentary’s announcement, stating Netflix approached Grant for an interview but wasn’t taking part.
SKDK’s managing director, Kendra Barkoff Lamy, was the former spokesperson for Joe Biden when he served as Vice President under Barack Obama.
“SKDK has a proven track record of uplifting survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking,” attorney Ann Callis said in the statement. “We look forward to our partnership in seeking justice for our client Janel Grant.”
Grant’s civil case was paused at the request of district attorneys in federal court earlier this year. A Wall Street Journal report earlier this year said Vince McMahon was being investigated by a federal grand jury for rape, sex assault and other crimes.
Since opening its doors in September 2023, The Sphere in Las Vegas has played host to several notable concerts and sporting events. Last weekend, UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili, an event attended by WWE Superstars, took place inside the 20,000-seat venue, but could a professional wrestling event be next?
As AEW’s Director of Business Development and former head of TNA Wrestling, Jeff Jarrett knows about putting on a show. On his My World podcast, however, Jarrett explained why The Sphere may not be home to pro wrestling anytime soon.
“I heard the number was 20 million… it ain’t cheap. When I put on my promoter cap and really look at the [return on investment] on what do you have to charge, and I know you’re not gonna get it back on the live event, it’s just I would say impossible.”
An event would need to make a “boatload” of revenue in The Sphere, according to Jarrett, just to break even. Jarrett reiterated that he doesn’t see wrestling coming to The Sphere at least within the next 12 months but is willing to be proven wrong.
Pro Wrestling In Las Vegas
While a wrestling event may not be in The Sphere’s future, there’ll be plenty of sports entertainment in Las Vegas next year. WWE WrestleMania 41 will take place in Sin City in April 2025, marking the second WrestleMania to air from Vegas (after WrestleMania IX.) If history is any indicator, the arrival of WWE’s flagship show will also attract other wrestling promotions, eager to attract fans in Vegas to their respective events.
Rikishi remains very active on social media and on Wednesday, the WWE Hall of Famer posted a message that has fans hoping the best for Jimmy Uso.
One of the legends of the Samoan dynasty posted on X asking people to keep Jimmy in their prayers and in turn asked God to give him strength during this time. Included in the post was a video of Jimmy and a voiceover reciting a prayer.
“Dear GOD pray for strength and health to continue #JimmyUso #WWE #Bloodline #Anoai #Fatu. Stay prayed for my boy #JonathanFatu.”
There currently is no further details on the status of Jimmy Uso as he was written off WWE television months ago when Solo Sikoa and the new Bloodline attacked him, effectively kicking him out of the group.
It would be unfair to assume that Rikishi’s post is storyline based, but Jimmy Uso’s past could cause pause for a lot of fans. Back in July of 2019, Uso was charged with a DUI before a jury found him not guilty. Two years to the month after that, Uso was arrested for a misdemeanor DUI after allegedly failing a sobriety test.
Back in a 2023 interview with Ariel Helwani, Jimmy mentioned how he faced the noise with that arrest and continued to remain professional in the WWE work enviroment.
“Everybody has their issues outside of work. Everybody is human and makes mistakes as they go through it. As long as you face the noise, that’s something we always did.”
This week’s episode of AEW Dynamite will hail from the eastern side of Pennsylvania in Reading, PA where four matches have been announced for the program. Several banner names are on tap to compete including Chris Jericho, Will Ospreay, The Young Bucks and Ricochet.
AEW Dynamite Tonight
Here is what has been announced to occur on tonight’s show
The Young Bucks & Kazuchika Okada vs. Will Ospreay, Kyle Fletcher & Konosuke Takeshita
Chris Jericho vs. Orange Cassidy
The Beast Mortos vs. Ricochet
Mariah May & Serena Deeb vs. Queen Amanita & Yuka Sakazaki
The Young Bucks find two new adversaries in Ospreay and Fletcher who won the Tag Team Casino Gauntlet last week to earn a shot at the AEW World Tag Team Titles.
Jericho ambushed Orange Cassidy on Saturday’s episode of AEW Collision which has heated up their feud even further. Cassidy did happen to pay Jericho his $7,000 back by dumping a whole bunch of loose change onto Chris’ new Bentley and now the two will finally clash tonight.
From a storyline standpoint, fans will have several elements to sink their teeth into as Nigel McGuinness has been quite the button-pusher online as he continues to take jabs at Bryan Danielson before their slated match at AEW Grand Slam.
Additionally, there still remains plenty of uncertainty when it comes to Jon Moxley’s plans as he, Marina Shafir, Claudio Castagnoli and PAC have waged war on a lot of the locker room.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for our continued coverage of Dynamite.
Nigel McGuinness has revealed the real reason he retired from pro wrestling back in 2011 and it once again emphasizes the importance a company like AEW has for the betterment of pro wrestling.
The AEW star spoke to TV Insider for a new interview following his long-anticipated in-ring return after 13 years at the All In 2024 event. He wrestled in the Gauntlet match at the show. Competing against the top talent of the company, Nigel showed why he was considered one of the best back in the day.
During the talk, McGuinness was asked about his return to the ring and if he was thinking about his previous injuries while taking a bump again. The 48-year-old claimed that he didn’t think much of it before mentioning how there is a lot of misinformation on why he was forced to retire:
“There is a lot of confusion and misinformation. The truth of the matter is when I stepped away from wrestling, it was purely because I couldn’t make a living as a wrestler anymore. I could have gone back to Ring of Honor and wrestled that style, but I wouldn’t have made enough money to even afford health insurance, let alone save for the rest of my life.”
Nigel McGuinness recalled how WWE had passed on signing him because of an old injury and he didn’t want to go back to TNA because of past differences. Without the presence of an alternative like AEW, he had no other option to make a sustainable living in wrestling.
The former World Champion revealed that he agreed to the 2013 The Last of McGuinness documentary partially because he was hoping that it would catch on and someone would tell the rest of his story. Little did he know that it would be over a decade before it happened:
“Little did I know it would take until now with Tony Khan and AEW. I didn’t step away because of concussions. I didn’t step away because of hepatitis. I was perfectly okay to wrestle. So it’s all not a factor going in.”
Apart from this Nigel McGuinness also said that he has been training for an in-ring return for over 18 months, ever since he found out about the first AEW All In event from Wembley Stadium in 2023.
Nigel has challenged Bryan Danielson for a match at the upcoming Grand Slam special of Dynamite on September 25. The match has not been confirmed yet as the AEW World Champion is not cleared for action.
Bryan Danielson has revealed that his current neck issues are very similar to his issues leading up to his career-defining WrestleMania XXX victory and subsequent retirement.
The AEW World Champion recently had a lengthy interview with Justin Barrasso of Undisputed. He talked about things such as how his priorities in life have changed, the AEW title belt being one of the heavyweight he’s ever held and more.
During the interview, Bryan recounted the similarities between his famous WrestleMania victory and his win at All In 2024 including things such as having a great opponent and the support of fans.
Another thing that’s unfortunately very similar for Bryan is his battle with health issues leading up to the big event. He remembered how in December 2013, only months before the Show of Shows the doctors had told him that a neck surgery was inevitable:
“I was able to get through WrestleMania. I’d been getting this horrible, shooting nerve pain down my right arm. But as long as I still had strength in my right arm, that meant I didn’t need surgery yet.
I Didn’t Have Strength To Turn The Key: Bryan Danielson
While Bryan Danielson was able to get through the big Mania match despite hiccups, the former WWE star’s symptoms worsened right after. He remembered the time he didn’t even have the strength in his arm to turn on his car:
“So I won the title, and the day before my first title defence, which was like a falls-count-anywhere match, I got into my car to make the drive. When I went to unlock my car door, I didn’t have the strength to turn the key and unlock the door. That was a bad sign.”
Bryan noted that his current health issues are very similar and that he’ll have to undergo surgery sooner or later, it’s just a question of when:
“So the neck issues are very similar. Sooner rather than later, I’ll need neck surgery. I’m not losing strength, so I don’t need it just yet.”
The current AEW star defeated Randy Orton and Batista in the main event of WrestleMania XXX to win the WWE World Heavyweight Championship. His reign however was cut short due to injuries. While Bryan continued wrestling for another year, he had to take time off frequently due to his condition and he eventually stopped wrestling altogether for 3 years.
Nigel McGuinness has challenged Bryan Danielson for a match at the upcoming AEW Grand Slam event from Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York on September 25, 2024. The match is currently not confirmed because Bryan’s health status is up in the air.
Kota Ibushi is set to make his return to GLEAT for their show in Osaka on October 6th. GLEAT has announced on social media that Kota Ibushi will be competing at the show against an opponent to be announced soon. A (translated) GLEAT tweet reads:
Back at Edion Arena Osaka for the first time in about three years Participation decision Kota Ibushi’s heart is burning
This marks one of the first matches he’s had since making his in-ring return. Ibushi recently competed for GLEAT in July 2024 in an exhibition match against Daisuke Sekimoto at their Tokyo Dome City Hall show.
Kota Ibushi’s last appearance in AEW took place November 15 episode of Dynamite last year. He teamed with Kenny Omega, Chris Jericho, and Paul Wight to defeat Brian Cage and The Don Callis Family in an eight-person Street Fight.
Ibushi, who called AEW his home, remains under a contract with the promotion. Tony Khan’s promotion also allows him to compete in GLEAT as part of their collaboration.
GLEAT is a relatively new promotion that was established on August 20, 2020, by LIDET Entertainment. GLEAT combines elements of martial arts and traditional strong-style pro wrestling. AEW’s newest member Ricochet is also scheduled to compete at the show on October 6th.
Speaking with me on “1 Of A Kind With RVD,” Van Dam said he and Forbes actually hung out by Rhodes’ tour bus. Cody apparently had a set-up like a camp out by his bus with fold out chairs. Rhodes happened to pass by on more than one occassion before his big WWE Title match against Solo Sikoa.
“Me and Katie hung out there for awhile and he came by a few times and just was like super cool and even gave us a bottle of vodka. He was just really cool.”
Van Dam added that Dustin Rhodes has always been really cool and making everyone laugh. He recalled a time when Dustin would do a “vomit” trick with passerbys, but RVD would no-sell it.
Cody Rhodes: Apart Of The Positive Vibe In WWE
Before RVD changed subjects, he noted how different the WWE dressing room was from the days of his past. Earlier in the show Rob mentioned that there was a refreshing energy with the company and Van Dam reiterated that by running into Cody.
“Cody definitely was part of that vibe … in general the boys don’t look so tired anymore, you know? They look legitimately happy to be there, happy to be part of something, having fun and it used to be a different kind of vibe of a long drawn out day of tired people while trying to get to the end of the day and it didn’t ring true to that so much this time and I’ve heard a lot of people tell me, ‘Oh, you just gotta see how it’s changed,’ but I gotta say, they wasn’t lying.”
You can catch new episodes of “1 Of A Kind With RVD” every Monday at 4:20 PM ET.
Netflix has a new documentary series titled The Queen of Villains, focusing on the life and career of Dump Matsumoto, a central figure in women’s professional wrestling during the 1980s.
Queen of Villains explores the untold story of Dump Matsumoto, played by comedic actress Yuriyan Retriever. Matsumoto, known as Japan’s most infamous wrestling heel, was instrumental in the surge of women’s wrestling in Japan during the 1980s.
Unlike her contemporaries of the time, she gained fame through her brutal wrestling style and flamboyant personality, becoming a cultural phenomenon alongside the iconic tag team duo, the Crush Gals. The series also features Erika Karata and Ayame Goriki, who portray members of this legendary tag team.
How did one girl become hated in Japan and whip everyone into a frenzy? One ordinary girl went on to captivate all of Japan. Now, the story of her viciously vile fight for survival is about to begin!
Get a first look at shocking scenes of Dump Matsumoto versus the Crush Gals! A girl named Kaoru Matsumoto works tirelessly to realize her dream of becoming a professional wrestler. However, she is oppressed by both her employers and her father, and starts to lose her sense of belonging. In time, she channels her sorrow and rage toward all of Japan, transforming into a villainous heel dreaded by everyone.
This set the stage for the Hair vs. Hair Death Match between the nation’s darling Chigusa Nagayo and enemy of the people Dump Matsumoto — a legendary women’s pro wrestling match that is still talked about to this day. Follow the lives of girls who were once nobodies, witness the sheer excitement they sparked, and discover what these wrestlers, who fought with all their might through a bygone era, are asking us in the present day.”
Described as a “fictional story based on real people and real events,” The Queen of Villains blends dramatic storytelling with elements of Matsumoto’s life. The series delves into her journey, highlighting the challenges faced by women in the male-dominated wrestling industry.
QOV promises to combine intense wrestling action with introspective storytelling, making it a highly anticipated release for wrestling fans and those intrigued by women’s contributions to sports history.
Stay tuned for our continued coverage of The Queen of Villains, premiering September 19, 2024 on Netflix.
Bryan Danielson, also known as Daniel Bryan in WWE, is of course widely regarded as one of the greatest professional wrestlers of all time. Throughout his illustrious career spanning multiple promotions, Danielson has consistently delivered exceptional in-ring performances.
Here, we’ll explore some of the best Bryan Danielson matches across his tenures in Ring of Honor (ROH), WWE, and All Elite Wrestling (AEW).
Ring of Honor (ROH) Classics
Bryan Danielson vs. KENTA – ROH Glory By Honor V
Considered by many to be Danielson’s magnum opus, this match against KENTA (also known as Hideo Itami in WWE) at ROH Glory By Honor V is a masterclass in professional wrestling.
The bout featured a perfect blend of technical wizardry, high-flying moves, and hard-hitting strikes. As ROH World Champion, Danielson put on a clinic against the undefeated KENTA, showcasing his versatility and cementing his status as one of the best in the world.
Bryan Danielson vs. Nigel McGuinness – ROH Unified 2006
Another standout performance came against Nigel McGuinness at ROH Unified in 2006. This title unification match was a grueling, physical encounter that pushed both men to their limits.
The technical prowess on display, combined with the intense rivalry between the two, created an unforgettable spectacle that still holds up as one of Danielson’s finest outings.
WWE Milestones
Daniel Bryan vs. John Cena – SummerSlam 2013
Danielson’s WWE run, under the name Daniel Bryan, produced numerous memorable matches. His clash with John Cena at SummerSlam 2013 stands out as a career-defining moment.
The match saw Bryan near the height of his popularity, challenging for the WWE Championship. The in-ring chemistry between the two was palpable, resulting in a thrilling contest that culminated in Bryan’s first WWE Championship win.
Daniel Bryan vs. Triple H – WrestleMania 30
The opening match of WrestleMania 30 saw Bryan take on Triple H in a high-stakes bout that would see the winner go on to the main event of the night.
The intensity and storytelling in this match were off the charts, with both men delivering one of the best WrestleMania openers of all time. Bryan’s victory set the stage for his triumphant main event later that night, making this match a crucial part of his WWE legacy.
Daniel Bryan vs. Brock Lesnar – Survivor Series 2018
In what many consider one of the best WWE matches of the past decade, Bryan faced off against Brock Lesnar at Survivor Series 2018.
This David vs. Goliath encounter showcased Bryan’s resilience and technical prowess against Lesnar’s raw power and intensity. The match’s use of psychology and storytelling were exceptional, with Bryan’s performance elevating him even in defeat.
AEW Showstoppers
Bryan Danielson vs. Kenny Omega – AEW Grand Slam 2021
Danielson’s AEW debut match against Kenny Omega at Grand Slam 2021 lived up to the immense hype surrounding it.
The 30-minute time limit draw was a wrestling clinic, featuring two of the best in-ring performers of their generation. This match set the tone for Danielson’s AEW run and reminded fans of his world-class abilities.
Bryan Danielson vs. “Hangman” Adam Page – AEW Dynamite (January 5, 2022)
Following a time limit draw in their previous encounter, Danielson and Page delivered an instant classic on the January 5, 2022 episode of AEW Dynamite.
The match was a bloody, intense affair that showcased both men’s technical skills and storytelling abilities. This bout further solidified Danielson’s status as one of AEW’s top performers.
Bryan Danielson vs. Zack Sabre Jr. – AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door 2023
At the cross-promotional event Forbidden Door, Danielson faced off against British technical wizard Zack Sabre Jr. The match was a masterclass in mat-based wrestling, with both men showcasing their vast repertoire of holds and counters.
This encounter highlighted Danielson’s ability to adapt to different styles and deliver world-class performances against a variety of opponents.
As the biggest wrestling promotion in the world, WWE boasts one of the largest and most impressive rosters with talent from across the globe. WWE has re-signed many top names this year alone and now the company reportedly has approached three of its top women from its main roster.
WWE has approached Rhea Ripley, Liv Morgan, and Nia Jax about new contracts in recent weeks, PW Insider reports. The company has also reportedly approached talent who still have plenty of time left on their contracts as part of a “very aggressive” strategy to lock talent into new deals.
WWE has locked in several prominent names into new contracts in 2024, keeping the ‘Renaissance Era’ stocked with top-tier talent. In April, Drew McIntyre re-signed with WWE, putting to bed fan speculation that he would be signing with AEW. McIntyre’s re-signing not only saw the Scottish Warrior get a new contract, but also a sword gifted to him by TKO board member and WWE’s ‘Final Boss’ Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson.
More recently, Randy Orton confirmed reports that he has re-signed with WWE with a deal that should keep him around until 2029. While Orton could have seen his previous deal frozen due to his time away due to his back injury, WWE reportedly felt it was fairer to let Orton negotiate a new deal given how much the handling of contracts has changed.
Earlier this week, it was confirmed that Sheamus has signed a contract extension with WWE. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on WWE and its effort to keep top talent with new contracts.
When asked how she feels about Rey now after being betrayed by Dom herself, Ripley explained that she won’t go back on her words. She still believes that the young star needed to get out of his father’s shadow even if they’re not together anymore:
“I’m not gonna be immature like Dom and contradict everything I’ve done in the past and said in the past what he has been doing in every single interview. He has been playing me out to be this bad guy, this villain in his life—which I wasn’t. I cared for him, and I loved him.
So I’m not gonna do that about this situation either. I’m gonna stand on everything I said back then. I do think that Dom had to get out of Rey’s shadow. I do believe that. Rey was picking Edge over his own son—a man who literally speared Dom in the middle of the ring, looked at him, went ‘uh,’ and then ran after Finn Bálor. That man did not care about Rey Mysterio’s son.
So why is Rey picking Edge over Dom? So I’m not gonna contradict myself and say that I do think Rey was in the right. Because I do think Rey was in the wrong. But at the same time, I think that Dom has hurt me in a bigger way than Rey ever hurt me. So he’s more in my good books than Dom is right now.”
Dirty Dom turned on The Mami at SummerSlam and he aligned himself with Liv Morgan instead. One of the reasons Dominik has given for this turn is that Morgan helped him beat his dad in a match, something Rhea Ripley never did.
When asked if Dom has daddy issues, the former Women’s World Champion explained that Mysterio has family issues. She also fired back at him for saying that he didn’t come up with The Mami nickname:
“You can tell a man has daddy issues when he gets so excited about getting called Daddy. He got family issues let’s be honest cause now he’s saying that I made him call me Mami and he never liked calling me Mami. You got problems my dude because you came up with that by yourself. I didn’t make you do crap.”
Dominik Mysterio most recently faced off against Damian Priest in a one-on-one match on Monday’s Raw. While he lost the bout, the Judgment Day swarmed the ring immediately afterward, delivering a brutal beatdown on both the Terror Twins.
In late 2019, Otis and Mandy Rose entered an on-screen romance with the powerhouse aiding Rose in matches, including the 2020 Women’s Royal Rumble. After sealing their relationshipwith a kiss at WrestleMania 36, the pair continued to be an on-screen duo until Rose was traded to Raw in September that same year.
While countless men would love to have been in Otis’ shoes for the angle, it was Rose who pitched the angle with the future Alpha Academy member. On the Insight podcast, Otis shared how the angle came to be.
“She was definitely the ignition for sure. Because you can it pitch all day long. Mandy, she’s like, ‘I’ll talk to Vince’… she definitely was like, Hey, we gotta do this.”
The angle proved to be a hit with fans, and Otis recalled Google incorrectly listing the pair as a married couple due to their on-screen romance. While Otis had a lot of fun working with Rose, it was a ‘test’ for him to keep things professional.
“I’m gonna kiss the world champion bikini model. Behave yourself. Every day was a test. We could never do a pre-shot. It was always live.”
Rose’s tenure with Otis may have come to an abrupt end, but the former Raw Tag Team Champion has fond memories of his time as part of WWE’s hottest couple. Rose was controversially released from WWE in December 2022, but with Rose seemingly open to a WWE return, fans can’t count out a reunion for Otis and his ‘peach.’
Since Vince McMahon’s resignation from WWE in January 2024, many names have condemned the billionaire who is accused of sexual harassment of Janel Grant. While McMahon is persona non-grata on WWE TV, some current Superstars have spoken about their former boss. Cody Rhodes has called the situation a “dark cloud” while Seth Rollins has said that if the claims are true, he hopes everyone involved gets what they deserve.
One name that worked closely with McMahon for years is Mick Foley who has not been among those condemning the 79-year-old billionaire. At a Q&A panel at Comic-Con Northern Ireland, Foley shared his take on the McMahon situation.
“I feel really bad that someone I care about got into something that seems pretty unsavory. I’m gonna hold off judgment until I see the [Mr. McMahon Netflix docuseries.]”
Foley went on, saying that regardless of “whatever he did or did not do,” the McMahon scandal won’t “mess with our memories” of the former WWE CEO.
“He was instrumental in creating some of those memories, so I’m choosing to appreciate him until I learn more about what may have gone down.”
This isn’t the first time Foley has taken something of a softer approach to McMahon compared to his contemporaries. During a February 2024, edition of his Foley is Pod show, the former World Champion again expressed his hope that fans remember the good from McMahon despite the disturbing allegations.
“I hope it doesn’t take away from people’s amazing memories of all the things that Mr. McMahon created or helped create including my character and the programs that I was in.”
That same month, John Cena shared his love for McMahon despite the “super unfortunate” allegations against him, but added he’s an “advocate of accountability.” McMahon has consistently claimed that McMahon’s relationship with Janel Grant was consensual, and his legal team has gone as far as to say McMahon was her ‘best friend’ in WWE.
Interrupting Punk’s segment on the show, The Prodigy spoke about Punk being one of her favorite wrestlers but admitted that she always preferred Punk’s wife AJ Lee. Perez added that she wished she’d grown up as a Drew McIntyre, who Perez is confident will end Punk’s career at WWE Bad Blood inside Hell in a Cell.
These comments caught the attention of McIntyre who mocked Punk’s psuedo-parental relationship with Perez. On Twitter, McIntyre said he was proud of the reigning WWE NXT Women’s Champion, but only a freak would see her as a daughter figure.
Perez will defend her NXT Women’s Championship against Giulia at the October 1, show that will also mark NXT’s premiere on The CW Network. The show will take place in Chicago, Illinois, and will also see an appearance by Punk. The Chicago-Made star will return to his hometown to officiate the NXT Championship match between Ethan Page and challenger Trick Williams.
Just days later, Punk will step into Hell in a Cell against McIntyre at Bad Blood. This match will be Punk’s first Hell in a Cell match since 2013 and McIntyre’s first since 2021. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Drew McIntyre and his war with CM Punk that will see both men enter Hell on October 5.
