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How WWE Champions Feel About Being Left Off Big Events

Bishal Roy
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Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were left off some of the recent WWE Premium Live Events and the superhero-like pair has addressed the matter.

Belair and Cargill are the reigning WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions, and they want to elevate the titles. While speaking on The Masked Man Show, Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill were asked how they felt when they were excluded from premium live events. The former AEW star said that she is looking at it as motivation. She said that they are reviving the tag team titles and want to take the gold to new heights. That being said, she does want to get featured on more PLEs.

“It’s motivation. I would say it’s motivation for us to go out there and perform and have our fans go and beg for us to be on these PLEs like they’ve been doing. If we go out there and we continue to crush our matches, they’re going to do nothing but want more and more of it.

Right now, I believe that [Bianca] and I are reviving these belts and wanting to elevate these belts to new heights. So our job is to continue to elevate the women’s division. As far as the tag team division, [we want to] get on more PLEs, and we just performed, people loved that. We’re gonna continue to perform and be on more and more and more. The motivation is there.”

On the other hand, ‘The EST of WWE’ said she did not take offense to being left off of the PLEs. She spoke about the talented women’s roster and tag team division and felt that other talents needed the opportunity to perform on the shows. The former WWE Women’s Champion explained:

“I want to be on as many PLE’s as possible, but at the same time, it’s a dog-eat-dog world out here, and so many people, so many talents that want to be on these PLEs, and there’s not a lot of matches right now. So I don’t take offense to it when we aren’t on them, but I just know I’m rooting for the girls when it’s their turn on it. Because I know it’s gonna be our turn, we’re gonna want them to root for us, so we’re just gonna keep doing our thing and take these titles to as many places as possible.”

Jade Cargill and Bianca Belair recently defeated The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre & Isla Dawn) to reclaim the women’s tag titles which they had dropped in June. On the season premiere edition of Raw on September 9th, the Unholy Union challenged yet again for the gold but they were unsuccessful.

The Women’s tag team division hasn’t been thriving despite efforts from the likes of Damage CTRL and the newly formed Pure Fusion Collective. Belair and Cargill have been a top act in the women’s division but they need more credible opponents to pose a challenge for the titles. The powerhouse duo is having quite a run as a tag team but Cargill previously said that it was initially not in the plans.

MVP Reveals How WWE Pulled Off “Terrifying” Inferno Match with Kane

Thomas Lowson
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At WWE Armageddon 2006, MVP, one of the hottest rising stars on SmackDown, got too hot for his own good when he met Kane in an Inferno match. The fourth and final Inferno match (to date) saw Kane finally win in the fiery stipulation as he set MVP’s back aflame to open the SmackDown pay-per-view.

18 years on, MVP still has vivid memories of being burned by the Devil’s Favorite Demon. Speaking during a virtual signing for K & S WrestleFest, MVP revealed how WWE was able to pull off the dangerous stunt.

“I had a flannel suit that was dumped in this like freezing cold gel, and on top of that I had a dry one, and then the seamstress had to sew the top and bottom together.”

Ironically, the unique outfit left MVP so cold that his prostrate retracted, the former WWE U.S. Champion joked during the signing. MVP added that the match was “terrifying” to be a part of and not just because of the fire. After selling one move, MVP inhaled the gas that was being used for the flames and couldn’t breathe for a few seconds, which left the young Superstar even more scared.

What’s To Come?

MVP has wisely kept away from competing in fiery matches ever since and recently made clear that he’s not finished in the ring just yet. After parting ways with WWE earlier this year, MVP’s return to the ring will come this November when he takes on Josh Barnett at Bloodsport XII. The 50-year-old confronted MVP at Bloodsport XI earlier this year, setting up a fight between the two.

Brie Garcia Told “Scared & Rattled” Nikki To End Marriage After Alleged Violence

Thomas Lowson
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In late August 2024, Atem Chigvintsev, the husband of WWE Hall of Famer Nikki Garcia, was arrested and charged with domestic violence. Garcia, best known to wrestling fans as Nikki Bella, has since filed for divorce and seeks to end the couple’s marriage two years after tying the knot.

Brie Garcia encouraged her sister to leave the marriage, a source has told Entertainment Tonight. Brie, who is also a WWE Hall of Famer was said to be “very worried about Nikki and her son” and is of the belief that “any sort of violence does not fly.” Nikki and Chigvintsev welcomed their son Matteo into the world in 2020. Before her marriage to Chigvintsev, the topic of kids proved to be an issue between Garcia and John Cena, who has said he does not want to have kids due to fears of being an absent father.

Nikki and Chigvintsev are “not living under the same roof” the source added, who went on to say that Garcia has been left “scared and rattled” by the ordeal. Garcia is seeking full custody of Matteo though is open to Chigvintsev having visitations with the four-year-old, People reported earlier this week.

Nikki Garcia, Artem Chigvintsev
Artem Chigvintsev’s mugshot and Nikki Garcia and Artem Chigvintsev

Chigvintsev was released on a $25,000 bail on August 29, the same day he was taken to jail in Napa Valley, California. The source told “Entertainment Tonight” that the dancer “feels unprepared to deal with everything coming his way.” The couple celebrated its second anniversary just days before Chigvintsev’s arrest.

‘He’s Followed Through’ WWE Legend Believes Roman Reigns Has Proven Himself As One of The Best

Anutosh Bajpai
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Kurt Angle believes WWE made the mistake of pushing Roman Reigns too early but the Tribal Chief has followed through and proven why he is one of the best in the world.

The Head of The Table has been operating on a whole new level since his heel turn in 2020. With his character work, Reigns has led the company into a boom period like it hasn’t seen since the Attitude Era.

During a recent K & S WrestleFest virtual signing, Angle was asked if there is any current WWE star he would have loved to get in the ring with. The Olympic Gold Medallist unsurprisingly named the former world champion:

“Roman Reigns. I’m not gonna lie to you the kid’s been on fire. I will say this – he earned every bit that he’s gotten. I do believe the company pushed him a little too early and the fans didn’t wanna accept that but he’s followed through. He’s proven that he’s one of the best in the world right now.”

They’re All Extremely Good

Kurt Angle was also asked about the work of Jacob Fatu. The wrestling veteran praised Fatu as well before mentioning how the whole Anoa’i family is filled with great wrestling talents:

“Yeah he’s doing really well too. All those guys [are] extremely talented. They all come from the same family, the same Samoan background but yeah, they’re all extremely good. They’ve always been. You look at Rikishi and the ones in the past. They have a great reputation of being great workers.”

Apart from Roman, Kurt Angle also praised a number of other current stars including Chad Gable, Seth Rollins and the current World Heavyweight Champion Gunther.

The WWE Hall of Famer said that the Ring General is a throwback to the past and he is as good in the ring as Eddie Guerrero or Chris Benoit.

#WeWantRicky: Fans Rally Behind Kevin Owens’ Latest Betrayed Ally

Thomas Lowson
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On the September 13, edition of WWE SmackDown, Kevin Owens was set to team with a mystery partner to face A-Town Down Under. When Owens’ original partner Randy Orton was late to the show, the Prizefighter brought out a last-minute replacement named Ricky. Just before the match began though, Owens learned that Orton had arrived in time, and quickly ended his make-shift partnership with Ricky.

Gibson is the latest name on the ever-growing list of men Kevin Owens has betrayed, and fans have rallied behind the would-be tag-team partner of the former Universal Champion. On Twitter, the hashtag #WeWantRicky trended after his appearance on SmackDown and several fans shared their support for Gibson.

On Instagram, fans flocked to Gibson’s account and shared messages in support of him after his appearance on WWE SmackDown.

https://twitter.com/mrpllenty/status/1834780500784804154

The well of support for Ricky has continued to grow since SmackDown, so much so that Owens himself has chimed in, sharing his thanks to Ricky for filling in for Orton, and an apology for the stunner.

https://twitter.com/FightOwensFight/status/1835098616295281026

Ricky Gibson

Gibson began his wrestling career in 2005 and has competed for DEFY, West Coast Pro, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and Ring of Honor. In January 2023, Gibson appeared for AEW Dark: Elevation and AEW Dark where he lost in tag-team matches. Gibson was also part of a six-man tag-team match before the May 15, 2024, edition of AEW Dynamite but lost to the Dark Order.

Update On Matt Riddle And AEW

Anutosh Bajpai
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Don’t expect to see Matt Riddle in AEW anytime soon.

The former WWE star was one of the hottest commodities in pro wrestling when he was released from the Endeavor-owned promotion last year. Unlike most who leave the company, however, there has never been any rumblings about the Superking of Bros joining their biggest rival.

Riddle recently gave his own reason for not wanting to make the move, stating that he wanted to avoid the pressure of live TV for a while. Though it might not be the only reason why we haven’t seen the former US Champion in AEW.

According to Fightful Select Tony Khan has not shown any interest in bringing the former UFC Champion in through the years. The fact that AEW talents work with Matt Riddle only in Mexico and almost never in US Indies further suggests that the AEW President doesn’t want to associate his brand with the controversial star.

Matt Riddle’s Post-WWE Career

The 38-year-old was released from his WWE contract in September last year, following a viral incident at the JFK Airport. He has been active in the indies ever since and regularly competes for promotions such as MLW and NJPW.

By his own admission, Riddle took a lot of indie dates after his departure from WWE. The scheduling conflict is the reason why he hasn’t appeared on TNA programming despite having talks with the company.

Though the former champion is not hopeless about his future in wrestling. He believes that if CM Punk can be welcomed back into the fold, then a WWE return for him is not completely out of the question either.

WWE NXT Stars Appear At Latest TNA iMPACT Tapings

Thomas Lowson
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The relationship between WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling has proven to be a hit this year with fans excited to see who steps through the ‘prohibited portal.’ At the latest tapings of TNA iMPACT, this partnership was on full display as more names from WWE NXT made appearances for the other promotion.

Kendal Grey and Carlee Bright from NXT participated in the latest TNA tapings. Bright signed with WWE in November 2022 while Grey inked a deal with the company two months later in January 2023.

The appearance of Grey and Bright comes shortly after TNA Victory Road which saw even more of the NXT-TNA partnership. On the show, NXT’s Wendy Choo unsuccessfully challenged Jordynne Grace for the TNA Knockouts World Championship. The two have been at odds on TNA and NXT programming with Choo recruiting Rosemary to her side.

Victory Road also saw NXT’s Arianna Grace appear as the official liaison of the WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling partnership. Grace was able to share a segment with TNA’s on-screen authority figure (and her real-life father) Santino Marella.

Grace tried to remain professional, despite her very excited father’s delight at seeing her succeed in WWE NXT. On Twitter, the official TNA-NXT liaison again tried to keep things all-business with her dad.

The partnership between WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling will continue forward, as Zachary Wentz will compete in a street fight with Wes Lee on WWE NXT’s debut on The CW. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from NXT, TNA, and this popular alliance.

Hell Frozen Over: JBL Hints At New Wrestling Faction With MLW Fightland 24 Appearance

Anutosh Bajpai
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JBL has continued his indie tour with his latest stop being one of the most surprising locations for the wrestling veteran considering his history with WWE.

Major League Wrestling or MLW presented their latest Fightland 24 event on Sunday, September 14 from the Center stage in Atlanta, Georgia. The event featured stars such as KENTA, Mistico, Matt Riddle, and more.

One of the matches during the bout saw the Anderson brothers, Brock Anderson and C. W. Anderson taking on The Bomaye Fight Club consisting of Alex Kane and Mr. Thomas.

The ending of the bout was full of chaos. After the referee got knocked down, Bobby Fish and BRG came out to help the Andersons. The newest MLW roster member Kevin Knight took exception to this and he took out the entire faction by himself.

The Fight Club couldn’t capitalize on this opening, however. Just as Mr. Thomas was looking to win the match, JBL made his surprise MLW debut. The former WWE Champion took out Thomas with a Clothesline from Hell.

He then whispered something in Brock Anderson’s ear before leaving. This allowed the second-generation star to get the pin for his team.

JBL’s Independent Tour

John Bradshaw Layfield had not made a non-WWE appearance since 1995. This streak was broken after almost 29 years when he accompanied Nic Nemeth at the Triplemanía XXXII: Mexico City event last month on August 17.

The WWE Hall of Famer has made a number of mysterious indie appearances since then including his GCW debut and a couple of appearances for TNA wrestling.

His MLW appearance is especially surprising considering the company had been involved in a bitter legal battle with WWE until earlier this year. The wrestling giant decided to settle the anti-trust lawsuit at a massive price tag of $20 Million.

Very similar to his actions tonight, JBL had whispered something in the ear of Nemeth during his TNA debut at last month’s Emergence PPV. He then helped the fellow WWE alumni retain his TNA World Title at Friday’s Victory Road 2024 PPV. His GCW appearance was to help Mance Warner retain the GCW title.

Now this latest adventure suggests that the former WWE Champion has a purpose behind his moves and we may see him managing a faction dominating the indie scenes in the coming times.

Rey & Dominik Mysterio Appear Separately At UFC 306

Thomas Lowson
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In September 2023, WWE and UFC officially came together as TKO Group Holdings in a blockbuster move for both companies. Since then, fans have seen WWE Superstars at UFC events, and that was the case last night at the UFC 306 show.

UFC 306: O’Malley vs. Dvalishvili took place inside the Sphere in Paradise, Nevada, with a total of ten fights taking place. WWE’s very own Rey and Dominik Mysterio were spotlighted at the event, though were seen separately. The two have been at odds since September 2022 when Dominik turned on his Hall of Fame father at WWE Clash At The Castle in Cardiff, Wales.

image 15
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WWE And UFC

WWE Superstars can often be spotted at UFC events in examples of cross-promotion branding. During UFC 302, WWE’s Rezar threw out the challenge to fight some UFC heavyweights so fans may be seeing the former Tag Team Champion in the Octagon soon enough. In February, Bianca Belair, Montez Ford, and “retired welterweight” CM Punk appeared at UFC 298.

WWE NXT Battleground was at the UFC Apex on June 9, the first time any WWE event has been held at the venue. Ironically, that show saw WWE work with yet another company, as TNA Knockouts World Champion Jordynne Grace was on the card. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE and their work with UFC.

Ex-NFL Cheerleader Danielle Sekelsky Joins WWE After WrestleMania Tryout

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Superstars come to the promotion from all kinds of backgrounds, with some having no wrestling experience before inking a contract. Danielle Sekelsky has proved her athletic skills for years as a professional cheerleader but now she’s ready to step into the squared circle. On Instagram, Sekelsky shared that she was part of the tryouts over WrestleMania week and now, she is officially a part of WWE.

Sekelsky previously worked as a cheerleader for the Tennessee Titans and is a former World Cheerleading Champion. WWE confirmed Sekelsky’s arrival on Twitter with photos of her alongside other recruits.

WWE’s Grappling Cheerleaders

Sekelsky isn’t the first cheerleader to make it to the squared circle. Before joining WWE in 2013, Carmella spent three seasons cheering for the New England Patriots (2008-10) and was a member of the Los Angeles Lakers dance team during the 2010-11 season.

Naomi may be best known for her time in WWE, but she was once part of both the Orlando Magic cheerleading squad and dance team. Maxxine Dupri is a former Phoenix Suns dancer and Los Angeles Rams cheerleader, a career that helped her get very familiar with performing in front of live fans.

Megan Thee Stallion Teases WWE Involvement

Dominic DeAngelo
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WWE SmackDown has a new residence in USA Network and a new intro song courtesy of Megan Thee Stallion, but the rap artist may have more planned.

SmackDown on USA kicked off in a big way with a Steel Cage Match for the Undisputed Championship but the show first fired off with “Neva Play” by Megan Thee Stallion and RM.

Both Michael Cole and Corey Graves put over the new tune during the show on the same program where Cole also made a Steely Dan reference regarding Kevin Owens “surprise” tag team partner Ricky Gibson.

An hour into SmackDown, Megan went onto social media to say she should maybe step into the ring now, “I think it’s finally time I make my debut lol.”

Megan Thee Stallion already had some pro wrestling ties before this new SmackDown song dropped. Back when she was SmackDown Women’s Champion, Bianca Belair was shown pictured with the artist and just this year, she and Mercedes Mone were shown together at the Crunchyroll Anime Awards where the TBS Women’s Champion hoped to get Stallion in the ring “very soon.”

Stallion, however, isn’t the only mainstream pop artist paying tribute to pro wrestling. Weeks back at Lollapalooza in Chicago, Chappell Roan was all decked out in a lucha libre themed set during her performance which prompted an open invite from All Elite Wrestling. Additionally, NWA owner Billy Corgan has typically had a “pro wrestling skirmish” go down during his Smashing Pumpkins performance who is currently on tour with Green Day.

2 Matches Announced for Monday’s WWE Raw

Michael Reichlin
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The September 16, 2024 edition of WWE Raw broadcasts live on the USA Network at 8/7c from the Moda Center in Portland, Oregon. The venue has hosted several premium live events over the years, including WWE Unforgiven in 2004, WWE No Mercy in 2008 and NXT TakeOver: Portland in 2020.

Matches:

On Saturday, Raw General Manager Adam Pearce announced two matches for the show:

  • Former World Heavyweight Champion Damian Priest will face former Judgment Day teammate ‘Dirty’ Dominik Mysterio in a grudge match.
  • “Big” Bronson Reed collides with Braun Strowman in a battle of the big men.

CM Punk Returns

In addition to these two matches, the show is being built around CM Punk’s return. Punk was viciously attacked by Drew McIntyre two weeks ago. Their heated rivalry will culminate inside Hell in a Cell at WWE Bad Blood.

We’ll post an updated preview for Monday’s WWE Raw when the card is finalized.

How Daniel Garcia’s AEW Contract Status Influenced Recent Match Outcome

Bishal Roy
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AEW star Daniel Garcia is yet to sign a fresh deal with the promotion while his contract set to expire next month. It has come to light that his contract status played a huge role in the outcome of the match against MJF at AEW All Out pay-per-view.

Daniel Garcia was written off the storylines at AEW Dynamite: Beach Break a few months ago. We reported that he was written off until he decided to re-sign. Garcia returned at AEW All In: London as he distracted MJF and cost him the ‘American’ Championship against Will Ospreay. Garcia went on to face ‘The Salt of The Earth’ in a losing effort at AEW All Out. Garcia was initially considered to win his match against MJF at All Out, but his hesitance to re-sign led to a change in the outcome.

“Garcia was considered for the win, and that those in AEW say he’s not signed a new deal. Garcia has been offered a new deal, and AEW were hopeful he’d sign it before All Out, which didn’t happen.”

– Fightful Select

MJF vs Daniel Garcia kicked off AEW All Out. The final moments of the match saw MJF hit a low blow followed by a Jacknife Pin to secure the victory as he pulled off his his signature heel tactic. Following the match, Garcia exacted revenge on the champ, who tried to attack him after the bell. The former ROH Pure Champion would intercept MJF’s kick and hit a low blow of his own. He then hit a piledriver from the second rope on MJF.

Daniel Garcia has also drawn interest from WWE and there is a huge possibility that he could jump ship to AEW’s rival promotion. In recent months, a handful of AEW stars have moved to WWE and Garcia could certainly follow suit.

WWE Star Lyra Valkyria Is Engaged

Dominic DeAngelo
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Two more pro wrestlers have gotten engaged as Lyra Valkryia got quite the proposal to kick off the weekend. While in New York City, the former NXT Women’s Champion happened to walk into a hotel room adorned with rose pedals and photos of her and her long-time boyfriend LJ Cleary. Rose pedals were laid out on the bedspread asking Lyria, “Will you marry me?”

Valkyria clearly said yes as Cleary took to Instagram to share the big news that also shows Valkyria wearing a beautiful engagement ring.

“Yes. 10 years together celebrated by getting engaged to the person I will be spending the rest of my life with, and she is the love of mine.”

Several names like Scotty Too Hotty, Flash Morgan Webster and Pretty Deadly’s Kit Wilson all took a moment to congratulate Cleary and Valkyria on the happy news.

Valkyria was just showcased on WWE Raw as she teamed with a returning Natalya in Calgary to defeat the Pure Fusion Collective in a six-woman tag match.

Congratulations to Lyra Valkyria and LJ Cleary on this exciting news!

Who Is LJ Cleary?

While Valkyria has been busy on WWE Raw since after WrestleMania, LJ Cleary has been honing his wrestling craft overseas both in Ireland and NOAH. Cleary just actually celebrated his one year anniversary in being with NOAH, but back in June made his debut in New Japan. Just a week ago, Cleary competed in London under the NOAH & Progress banner taking on Amakusa.

WWE Teases Chelsea Green Competing In Forgotten Stipulation Match

Anutosh Bajpai
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WWE is teasing the return of a forgotten stipulation match for Chelsea Green that might get a mixed reaction from fans on its revival. The company brought in a number of veterans for last night’s SmackDown season premiere on USA Network including RVD, Ron Simmons, Teddy Long, and Vickie Guerrero.

The show also featured a singles match between Piper Niven and Michin with Green being at the ringside. When Chelsea confronted Michin during the bout, the female star took the diva out with a kendo stick. Michin went on to win the match but Green attacked her after the bell rang. After Niven landed a senton on her opponent, Green finished the segment off by bringing out a garbage can and delivering an Unprettier to Michin on the top of the can.

In a SmackDown lowdown segment after the show, Vickie Guerrero praised Green and suggested that she should face Michin in a Dumpster match.

Green didn’t take the suggestion kindly. She went off on Vickie claiming that the former GM didn’t even belong there. The current SmackDown GM Nick Aldis who was around heard the whole conversation, however, and he thought that it was a fantastic idea.

Dumpster Matches

A Dumpster match is very similar to a Casket match. It’s a no-disqualification hardcore match where the sole purpose is to force your opponent into a dumpster and close the lid.

The first Dumpster match took place at WrestleMania XIV in 1998. Cactus Jack teamed up with Chainsaw Charlie for the bout and they defeated the New Age Outlaws to win the WWF Tag Team Championships.

A match of this type has not been seen on WWE programming since April 2017 when Braun Strowman defeated Kalisto during an episode of Raw.

Another Stipulation Match Returning

WWE’s regular calendar features several stipulations matches, including the Royal Rumble, WarGames and Money in the Bank. With Chelsea Green teasing the return of the dumpster match, another rare and unusual match type is making a comeback: the Bull Rope Match.

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes will soon compete in a Bull Rope Match, one of several concepts devised by his father, the late “American Dream” Duty Rhodes.

The Great Khali Gives His Perspective On Debate Of Wrestling Being Fake Or Real

Anutosh Bajpai
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The Great Khali is not interested in engaging in debates of wrestling being fake or real and he believes that if you’re a fan you should ignore others and just enjoy the sport.

The Punjabi Playboy recently sat down with RJ Rohan for an interview. He discussed topics such as if he misses the life of WWE, his new restaurant in Punjab, and more.

When asked about the constant debate about wrestling being fake vs real, Khali said that it all depends on your own mindset. He explained that wrestlers have to train for years and they go through many hardships. If someone still calls it fake, you should ignore them and enjoy the sport:

“What do you think? I believe it is as you think it is. If you think it’s fake then it’s fake. It’s fake for you but for me it’s real. If you think it’s fake then I’m saying it’s fake. See you have to spend many years on this. You have to spend a lot of time; a lot of injuries happen. It’s the toughest game. I say it’s alright if people still think it’s fake, just enjoy it.”

I Can’t Change Your Perspective: The Great Khali

The former World Heavyweight Champion mentioned how it’s fruitless to try to convince someone that wrestling is real. He explained that wrestling is one of the most popular sports in the world watched by millions.

Even if you think it’s fake, you should leave the wrestlers who make their livelihood from it and fans who enjoy it alone. He also joked that anyone who is still not convinced can get into the ring with any of his CWE wrestlers and find out:

“If you think it’s fake then I can’t change your perspective. I have CWE. My wrestler will come and powerbomb you four times. He’ll give you a tombstone like Undertaker. If you still get up it’s fake, if you stay down then it’s real. It’s simple.”

Continental Wrestling Entertainment or CWE is a wrestling school and independent promotion in Punjab, India which was founded by the WWE alumnus in 2015 after he returned from America.

The former WWE star has also gotten into politics and acting since returning to his home country. He has starred in a number of Bollywood and regional movies since retiring from active competition.

If you use any quotes from the article please credit Anutosh Bajpai of SEScoops.com for transcription and translation

This article has been edited for clarity

New WWE SmackDown Logo: How the Design Ranks Against the Classics

Jake Skudder
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WWE SmackDown, one of professional wrestling’s most iconic weekly shows, unveiled a new logo ahead of its premiere on the USA Network. This redesign marks a significant moment in the show’s visual identity, prompting fans and visual design-heads alike to examine how it stacks up against its predecessors.

The New SmackDown Logo: A Closer Look

The new WWE SmackDown logo features a bold, modern design that sets it apart from previous iterations. The most striking element is the stylized “S” and “D” that form the centerpiece of the logo.

Key Design Elements

  • Stylized S/D: The logo’s focal point is a cleverly designed “S” that seamlessly transitions into a “D”.
  • Color Scheme: While the full color palette hasn’t been revealed, the logo appears to maintain SmackDown’s signature blue hues.
  • Typography: The word “SMACKDOWN” is presented in a strong, angular font that complements the stylized initials.

Fan Reception

Initial reactions to the new logo have been mixed. Some fans appreciate the modern approach, while others find it less appealing than previous designs. One Reddit user commented that the logo could be read as “CMACKDOWN” or “SMACKSOWN,” highlighting potential legibility issues.

Evolution of the SmackDown Logo

To truly understand how the new logo ranks against the classics, it’s essential to look back at the evolution of SmackDown’s visual identity over the years.

The Original (1999-2001)

SmackDown’s first logo was a product of its time, featuring an edgy, graffiti-inspired design that perfectly captured the attitude era of professional wrestling.

image 10

The Fist Era (2001-2008)

The “Fist Era” of SmackDown from 2001 to 2008 had a sleeker design than the more Attitude Era focused one from before, but it wasn’t anywhere near as iconic.

The HD Era (2008-2016)

As WWE transitioned to high-definition broadcasts, SmackDown’s logo became sleeker and more modern, featuring a metallic 3D effect. There was also a SmackDown X design to celebrate ten years of the show.

SmackDown Live Era

The SmackDown Live era from 2016-2019 had a more minimalist look, with a lot of emphasis on the word LIVE being thrown in there.

The Current Era (2019-2024)

The most recent logo before the current redesign featured a bold, all-caps “SMACKDOWN” with a slight tilt, giving it a dynamic feel.

Comparing the New Logo to the Classics

When ranking the new SmackDown logo against its predecessors, several factors come into play:

Visual Impact

The new logo certainly makes a statement with its bold design. However, it may lack the immediate visual punch of the Original logo, which many fans consider the gold standard.

Brand Recognition

One of the strengths/weaknesses (depending on your view) of the new logo is its unique “S/D” design, which could become instantly recognizable over time. However, it may take some getting used to for long-time fans who are accustomed to more traditional designs.

How Does It Rank?

Ranking the new SmackDown logo against its classic predecessors is subjective and will likely vary among fans. While it may not have the nostalgic appeal of the original logo or the energy of the fist era logo, the new design brings SmackDown firmly into the modern era…kind of.

Its unique approach means that it will probably stand out in the crowded media landscape, and its simplicity should serve it well across various applications. However, its true test will be how it’s received by fans over time and how effectively it represents the SmackDown brand in the years to come.

Having said that, it isn’t the best logo, but it arguably isn’t the worst, but it screws more towards the bottom end of the overall ranking.

Our Ranking:

  1. The Original (1999-2001)
  2. Fist Era (2001 – 2008)
  3. Ten Year Anniversary (2009 – 2010)
  4. 2008 – 2009
  5. 2015 – 2016
  6. New 2024 Logo
  7. 2010 – 2014
  8. 2019
  9. SmackDown Live (2016 – 2019)
  10. SmackDown Live (2016)
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WWE RAW Netflix: Start Date, Deal, Airtime and more

Jake Skudder
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In a groundbreaking move that’s set to reshape the landscape of professional wrestling entertainment, WWE’s flagship show RAW is making the leap from traditional television to streaming. This transition marks a significant milestone in WWE’s history and Netflix’s foray into live sports programming. Let’s dive into the details of this monumental deal and what it means for wrestling fans worldwide.

The Netflix Deal

Start Date and Duration

WWE Raw is slated to debut on Netflix in January 2025. This multi-year agreement is reportedly a 10-year deal, signaling a long-term commitment from both parties.

Financial Details

The deal between WWE and Netflix is valued at approximately $5 billion over the contract’s duration. This translates to roughly $500 million per year, doubling the value of WWE’s current agreement with NBCUniversal.

Global Reach

Initially, the Netflix deal will cover the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America. However, there are plans to expand to additional territories throughout the contract’s lifespan.

Content Included in the Deal

WWE Raw

As the centerpiece of the agreement, Raw will stream live on Netflix every week. This marks the first time in its 31-year history that Raw will leave linear television for a streaming platform.

Additional WWE Programming

While Raw is the headline attraction, the deal also includes international rights to other WWE content outside the United States. This encompasses:

  • SmackDown
  • NXT
  • WWE’s premium live events (including WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble)
  • WWE’s award-winning documentaries
  • Original series and forthcoming projects

Airtime and Format

Show Length

There has been speculation about potential changes to Raw’s format once it moves to Netflix. While the show recently announced a temporary shift to a two-hour format on USA Network, it’s currently expected to return to its three-hour runtime on Netflix.

Streaming Flexibility

One of the advantages of moving to a streaming platform is the potential for more flexible runtime. Netflix could potentially allow the show to run slightly under or over three hours as needed, without the strict time constraints of traditional TV broadcasting.

Live Streaming

RAW will continue to be broadcast live, maintaining its status as one of the longest-running weekly episodic television shows in the world.

Impact on WWE and the Wrestling Industry

Viewership Potential

Raw consistently draws significant viewership, with WWE reporting that it attracts 17.5 million unique viewers annually on USA Network. The move to Netflix, with its vast global subscriber base, has the potential to expand this audience significantly.

Revenue Boost

Combined with its other media rights deals, WWE is poised to earn up to $800 million annually for its U.S. rights alone starting in 2025. This influx of revenue could lead to increased production values and (hopefully) talent compensation.

Advertising Opportunities

The move to Netflix opens up new advertising avenues for WWE, particularly during intervals not previously available on traditional TV. This could create additional revenue streams for both WWE and Netflix.

What This Means for Fans

Accessibility

For Netflix subscribers in the covered territories, accessing Raw will become more convenient than ever. No cable subscription or additional pay-per-view purchases will be required to watch WWE’s flagship show and other included content.

Potential for Innovation

The streaming format could allow for more interactive features or supplementary content that enhances the viewing experience.

International Availability

While the initial rollout covers specific regions, the plan to expand to more territories over time means that more international fans may gain easier access to live WWE content.

Challenges and Considerations

Adapting to Streaming

Both WWE and Netflix will need to navigate the transition from traditional TV to streaming for a live weekly show. This includes ensuring stable streaming quality for live events and managing potential technical issues.

Content Strategy

WWE will need to balance its content strategy across different platforms, as SmackDown and NXT will remain on traditional TV networks in the U.S. while moving to Netflix internationally.

Fan Adaptation

Some fans may need to adjust to the new platform, particularly those accustomed to watching Raw on cable television for decades.

WWE PLE Schedule 2024: Bad Blood, Survivor Series WarGames and more

Jake Skudder
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WWE has an electrifying lineup of Premium Live Events (PLEs) scheduled for the rest of 2024, including the return of a classic PPV name we haven’t seen in over 20 years.

Read More – WWE RAW Schedule: Dates, Venues and more

WWE Bad Blood

On October 5, 2024, it’s the return of WWE Bad Blood from Atlanta, GA.

Historically, Bad Blood has been known for brutal matches, including the first ever Hell in a Cell match between The Undertaker and Shawn Michaels way back in 1997.

CM Punk vs Drew McIntyre has been confirmed for inside the HIAC structure, and it should be an absolute barnburner.

WWE Crown Jewel

Rounding out the currently announced PLEs, WWE Crown Jewel is scheduled for November 2, 2024, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Crown Jewel has now become a staple in WWE’s annual schedule, featuring marquee matches and star-studded lineups for the live crowd in Saudi.

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames

WWE Survivor Series: WarGames returns on Saturday, November 30, 2024 from Vancouver, B.C. at the Rogers Arena.

This page will be updated as WWE announces the remaining shows of the year.

WWE NXT (10/8) Moved From St. Louis To Smaller Chesterfield Venue

Thomas Lowson
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In October, WWE NXT will move to The CW, ending a five-year tenure on the USA Network. WWE has been stacking the card for the first two weeks of WWE NXT in its new era, but one of these shows has now undergone a significant change.

The second episode of WWE NXT on The CW was scheduled to take place at the Enterprise Center in St. Louis on October 8, but that show has since been moved. WWE has confirmed that the event will now take place at The Factory at The District in Chesterfield, Missouri.

Fans who had already purchased tickets for the St. Louis event can seek refunds or exchanges. Tickets for the relocated event in Chesterfield will go on sale on September 18th at 12 PM CT via Ticketmaster.

For concerts and basketball, the Enterprise Center can hold 22,000 fans, while The Factory at The District has a capacity of 3,000 fans. Though WWE has not confirmed a reason for the move, the promotion will have an easier time filling the much smaller venue where the October 8, edition of WWE NXT will now take place.

WWE NXT – October 8

Wherever the show takes place, the October 8, edition of WWE NXT will be an exciting two hours for fans. When the show had been announced for St. Louis, it was announced that Randy Orton would be appearing in front of his hometown crowd.

The October 8, episode will also deal with the fallout from the previous week’s premiere episode of WWE NXT on The CW. That show will see the NXT and NXT Women’s Titles on the line, as well as an appearance by CM Punk in Chicago, Illinois. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on WWE NXT and its move to The CW.

Roman Reigns’ In-Ring Return Match Confirmed For Bad Blood

Anutosh Bajpai
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Roman Reigns will be teaming up with an unlikely ally for his WWE return match against Bloodline at the upcoming Bad Blood PLE event.

The SmackDown season premiere on USA Network opened with Cody Rhodes defending the Undisputed WWE Championship against Solo Sikoa in a cage match.

The Bloodline didn’t like it when Cody managed to beat Solo once again with a Cross Rhodes to retain his title. The group attacked the American Nightmare once the bell rang. After Jacob Fatu landed a moonsault off the top rope, Sikoa ordered him to get to the top of the cage.

Before Fatu could fly, however, Roman Reigns’ music hit, and the Original Tribal Chief came out to a huge pop. He brawled with the Bloodline for a bit and took out the group with help from Cody. The two stood in the ring unsure of each other to end the segment.

Later in the episode, Nick Aldis revealed that Solo Sikoa & Jacob Fatu have challenged Rhode & Reigns for a match at the upcoming PLE. At first Cody declined the offer saying that he was done with The Bloodline and they were Roman’s problem.

Roman Reigns Gets A Unlikely Partner

The final segment of the show saw Roman Reigns taking the contract from Aldis and declaring that he didn’t need a tag team partner to take care of family business. Reigns proclaimed that he remains the Tribal Chief and that the WWE ring still belongs to him.

Cody Rhodes took an exception to this claim. He came out to tell his WrestleMania 40 opponent that WWE is not his anymore since he got dethroned at the Show of Shows. Solo Sikoa then came out with Jacob Fatu while Tanga Loa and Tama Tonga tried to take out Rhodes and Reigns from behind.

Roman and Cody sent the two crashing before Reigns signed the contract. Cody stared at him for a second before extending his hand to ask for the papers. The WWE Champion signed it as well, making the Head of the Table’s return match official.

WWE Bad Blood will take place at the State Farm Arena in Cody’s hometown of Atlanta, Georgia on Saturday, October 5. You can check out the other matches announced for the show here.

Watch: What Happened With Roman Reigns After (9/13) SmackDown Went Off Air

Anutosh Bajpai
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The first night of WWE SmackDown’s return to USA Network was pretty eventful with Roman Reigns’ big return opening the show and a big Bad Blood match being made official at the end of the episode.

The Original Tribal Chief made his return to confront the Bloodline after Cody Rhodes scored another victory over Solo Sikoa in the cage match. He made the save for the Undisputed WWE Champion and the two worked together for a bit to take out the faction.

Nick Aldis then announced that Cody and Roman will be teaming to take on The Bloodline at the upcoming WWE PPV. The American Nightmare declined the offer at first, claiming that he was done with the group.

The main event of the show then saw a confrontation between the two top stars being cut short by an attempted sneak attack from Tonga Loa and Tama Tonga. Realizing that he had no other choice, Rhodes finally agreed to the tag bout, signing the contract to end the broadcast.

WWE released a video of Roman Reigns after the show went off air. The former champion was the first to exit the ring and his expressions say that he is still not sure about the team up:

This wasn’t all that happened after SmackDown however as fans also got to witness a SummerSlam rematch before the night was over.

The World Heavyweight Champion Gunther was in the house and he successfully defended his title against Damian Priest to end the night.

Latest On The Motor City Machine Guns Amid WWE Reports

Thomas Lowson
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WWE is home to some of the most talented tag-teams in the world, with The Bloodline, the Judgment Day, Nathan Frazer & Axiom, and Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair currently holding gold. Now, the promotion is set to welcome one of the most successful tag teams in history which has held gold in several promotions.

The Motor City Machine Guns have signed with WWE, several sources within the promotion have confirmed to both PW Insider and Fightful Select. The reported plan is for the pair to debut by the October 1, edition of WWE NXT, which will serve as the gold brand’s debut on The CW.

The team of Chris Sabin and Alex Shelley became free agents in April of this year after finishing their time with TNA Wrestling. After their departure, it was speculated that the pair would join AEW, two years after competing at the infamous All Out 2022 event. PWN reports that there were talks between the two sides for a short time, but talks had fallen through.

In July, it was reported that Shelley and Sabin ha been in talks with WWE, and Shelley himself hinted as much on social media. In an Instagram post, Shelley spoke of spending July 4, competing in what’d be his final match for Beyond Wrestling “for a while” fuelling speculation that he’d signed somewhere that wouldn’t let him on the indies (WWE.) Days later, Shelley told fans at a West Coast Pro event that “I might not be coming back here” and called the announcement a “spoiler alert” on his future.

Shelley and Sabin are considered one of, if not the greatest tag-teams in TNA history and the pair have held the company’s tag gold multiple times. Both men are also former X-Division and World Champions with Sabin becoming World Champion in 2013 and Shelley in 2023. Now, fans can expect the pair to bring their skills as a tag team and as individual talents to WWE NXT.

WWE NXT – October 1

Should the Motor City Machine Guns debut on NXT’s debut on The CW, they will be just one part of a stacked show. Here is the current lineup for the much-anticipated event next month.

  • NXT Championship Match: Ethan Page (c) vs. Trick Williams
  • NXT Women’s Championship Match: Roxanne Perez vs. Giulia
  • Street Fight: Wes Lee vs. Zachary Wentz
  • Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair appear
  • CM Punk appears
  • The Miz hosts an episode of Miz TV
  • Possible: The Motor City Machine Guns debut

TNA Victory Road 2024 Results: New Champions, JBL

Michael Reichlin
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TNA Wrestling presented Victory Road 2024 on Friday night. The sold-out show was TNA’s highest-attended U.S. event of the year, another great sign of momentum for the company. Here are the results

KUSHIDA defeated Slater: Both wrestlers traded early offense, with KUSHIDA focusing on submission holds. Slater gained control with an enziguri but missed a high-flying move. KUSHIDA turned things around with a Spanish Fly into an armbar, forcing Slater to tap out for the win.

Hammerstone & Jake Something defeated Eric Young & Steve Maclin: The match began with a brawl before the bell. Hammerstone and Something took control early, but Young got the hot tag, firing up the crowd. A blind tag allowed Hammerstone to hit the Into the Void to win.

The Hardys defeated First Class (AJ Francis & KC Navarro): The Hardys controlled much of the match, countering First Class’s attempts to mock them. Jeff Hardy hit a top-rope Swanton Bomb on Francis for the win.

“Speedball” Mike Bailey defeated Zachary Wentz to become X-Division Champion. A back-and-forth contest saw Wentz targeting Bailey’s arm. Bailey responded with high-impact moves and ultimately hit the Flamingo Driver to capture the gold.

Spitfire defeated Masha Slamovich & Tasha Steelz: Spitfire’s Jody Threat and Dani Luna were initially isolated but made a strong comeback with double-team maneuvers. They won the match and we’ve got new Knockouts Tag-Team Championships.

Joe Hendry defeated Josh Alexander: Alexander dominated with submissions and power moves, but Hendry fought back. After some interference and near-falls, Hendry applied an ankle lock, forcing Alexander to tap out.

The System (Eddie Edwards & Brian Myers) defeated ABC (Ace Austin & Chris Bey): The System utilized frequent tags to isolate Bey. Despite ABC’s attempts to rally, Alisha Edwards’ interference led to a Boston Knee Party, allowing The System to recapture the TNA Tag-Team Championships.

Jordynne Grace (c) defeated Wendy Choo: Grace maintained control despite Choo’s tactics. After a series of power moves, Grace hit the Juggernaut Driver to retain the Knockouts title.

Nic Nemeth (c) defeated Moose: In a chaotic main event, JBL made a surprise appearance and unleashed a few Clotheslines from Hell. This distraction led Moose to gain a near-fall, but Nemeth eventually hit his Danger Zone finisher to retain the World title to end the show.

WWE SmackDown Video Highlights: Sep. 13, 2024

Michael Reichlin
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Here are highlights from Friday’s WWE SmackDown premiere on the USA Network:

New SmackDown Intro Video

Triple H welcomes us to SmackDown’s new era:

Steel Cage Match: Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes vs. Solo Sikoa

Randy Orton is Kevon Owen’s’ Mystery Partner against A-Town Down Under

Nia Jax’s Bad Blood Chaleneger

Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes

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