Home Blog Page 187

New ‘AEW Shockwave’ Trademark Hints At One of Company’s Impending Announcements

Anutosh Bajpai
-
0

A new trademark filing may have revealed one of the announcements Tony Khan has been teasing for All Elite Wrestling in recent weeks.

The AEW President claimed that the most important announcements in his company’s history ‘were looming large’ earlier this month.

Now it has been revealed that on September 6, the promotion filed a new trademark application with USPTO for ‘AEW: SHOCKWAVE’ for ‘Entertainment services in the nature of production of professional wrestling programs and events.’

It’s unknown what the officials intend to use the trademark for at this point, but the naming scheme suggests it to be a special similar to NXT: Heatwave instead of a weekly show.

AEW’s New TV Deals

AEW’s current TV deal with WarnerBros Discovery is scheduled to expire later this year. The company’s media rights renewal has been a hot topic of discussion among fans.

There have been many reports of positive talks between the wrestling company and its TV partners but so far there has been no solid development in the matter.

President Tony Khan has teased some big announcements for the company a number of times. While addressing the crowd after last night’s Collision, Khan said that he thinks AEW on TNT and TBS was ‘here to stay.’

One of the things people are expecting to see with the new deals is the inclusion of a streaming agreement which will finally provide a home to the promotion’s tape library.

While not confirmed, it’s possible that the new trademark is in preparation for a media rights renewal announcement. It can be used for specials on streaming platform or TV, that gets announced alongside the new media deal.

AEW TV Deal: Promising Update Before All Out

Dominic DeAngelo
-
0

Tony Khan has to be feeling confident when it comes to the future of All Elite Wrestling on Turner broadcasting as the AEW President had some promising words for the live crowd in Chicago.

AEW Collision aired live last night ahead of ALL OUT this Saturday and while the action in the ring was set to go down, Khan made his usual appearance in front of the live crowd. Khan is going back to his classic look with a clean shave and glasses which could be a callback to the days of AEW old, but he did make some interesting statements to the live audience regarding AEW’s future with TBS and TNT. Khan was amped up in his hometown of Chicago as he commented on the potential of a forthcoming television deal with the promotion’s longtime TV partner.

“I feel pretty good to say, AEW on TBS and TNT, I think is here to stay!”

There’s been a lot of thought that a new television deal between WBD and AEW has been well in the works, but Khan has been much more vocal about it in recent days. During the ALL OUT media call on Thursday, Khan was asked about a new deal update and praised the relationship that AEW has had with Turner and their president David Zaslav. He even brought the relationship up unprompted later on during the call before actually saying that AEW is in “the redzone” with the new deal, they just gotta put the ball into the endzone, using a NFL reference.

Adam Copeland Sees Wrestling Potential in Sting’s Son

Bishal Roy
-
0

Former TNT Champion Adam Copeland is confident that wrestling legend Sting’s son Steven Borden could handle the pressure if he entered the pro wrestling business.

Steven and his brother Garrett both appeared during Sting’s retirement match at AEW Revolution earlier this year. Sting teamed up with Darby Allin and defeated The Young Bucks. Steven came out as Wolfpac Sting, and even performed a Stinger Splash that garnered massive praise. Borden has been training with Darby Allin and had a training session with Allin, Copeland, and FTR. There has been speculation that Steven could follow his father’s footsteps.

The Rated R Superstar told Sports Illustrated’s The Takedown that he feels Steven is eager to be a part of the business, especially after AEW Revolution in Greensboro. He said:

“I think at Revolution there in Greensboro, he got a bit of the itch. He felt what it is. And once you feel that, man, it’s hard to walk away from that. It’s hard to go, ‘Wait, that wasn’t cool.’ You’re going to go, ‘That was really cool and really fun.’”

Copeland praised the 6’3 powerhouse for his physique and believes he has similarities with his legendary father in conducting himself. He added:

“It’s a great gig. So I think he felt that. Also in terms of his physicality, I mean, he’s 6-3. He’s about 230 pounds. He’s probably sitting about eight percent body fat. He looks the part. He’s got a good head on his shoulders, very similar to his dad in how he conducts himself, which is a great thing.”

There have been some second-generation wrestlers who couldn’t live up to the expectations of the fans. On the other hand, some have thrived in the business. The former TNT Champion admitted that there would be a lot of pressure on Steven should he enter the pro wrestling business. However, Copeland reckoned that the former college football player has what it takes to handle it. He said:

“I think now it’s really up to him. What does he want to put into it? Does he want to put in the work that it will take? Because you got to figure it. You might look at it and say, ‘Ok, an easier pathway into the business.’

“But once he’s in the business, there’s going to be a big spotlight on him, and with that comes extra pressures. You’re Sting’s son and trying to break out of that. But, he’s smart. He’s smart, and I think if he wants to do it, he absolutely could do it.”

Adam Copeland is recovering from a fractured leg that he sustained at May’s AEW Double or Nothing pay-per-view. He was stripped of the TNT Championship and he has since been on the sidelines recuperating. While Copeland feels better, a timeline for his return is still not clear.

Hulk Hogan On Adam Copeland’s Scary Dive: “He Didn’t Need That”

Giovanni Vinci Comments On Shocking SmackDown Debut Loss

Bishal Roy
-
0

Former Imperium member Giovanni Vinci made his SmackDown debut last night. However, he shockingly suffered a loss within seconds and feels the referee is at fault.

Vinci returned to in-ring action against Apollo Crews. After getting in the ring, the Italian wrestler began taunting the crowd. As soon as the referee rang the bell, Crews rolled him up for the three count as Vinci looked shocked. In a SmackDown Exclusive, Giovanni Vinci shared his thoughts on his defeat. He blamed the ref for not checking whether he was ready. He said if Apollo Crews wants to come from behind then ‘we can play that way.’

“Don’t even ask the question. I got a question for you. When is the last time you’ve seen a match get without the referee checking both competitors if they’re ready. I haven’t seen it either. So Apollo wants to come up behind me, clearly, I still have half my entrance gear on, and roll me up, if he wants to play that way, alright. We can play that way. We can play that way.”

– Giovanni Vinci on his SmackDown debut loss

Ahead of last night’s edition of SmackDown, Vinci had wrestled his last match on April 22 episode of Raw. He had teamed up with former Imperium teammate Ludwig Kaiser to face Kofi Kingston and Xavier Woods in a losing effort. Kaiser then brutally attacked and ousted Vinci from Imperium.

After being away from the programming for months, Vinci started teasing his return through various vignettes. The former Imperium member made his comeback last night but things didn’t go in favor of the Italian wrestler as he might have planned.

Sheamus In Advanced Talks For New Long-Term WWE Deal

Bishal Roy
-
0

Sheamus has reportedly inked a new long-term contract with WWE.

WWE has been negotiating with the talents regarding their contract renewals and a handful of stars have already inked new deals. There has been a lot of speculation regarding Sheamus’ future earlier this year. But it seems that the multi-time World Champion is the latest star to extend his contract for a few more years.

PWInsider has reported that the former WWE Champion has committed his future with WWE. He is negotiating a fresh multi-year deal with the company and it’s said to be in the final stages. The report suggests that the deal is “very close to being done or was just completed.”

It was further added that internally, it is believed that ‘The Celtic Warrior’ will be sticking around with the company for at least another three to five years.

Sheamus returned to WWE following WrestleMania 40 PLE and has been featured regularly on Raw. He is currently involved in a feud with his former Brawling Brutes teammate Pete Dunne. He has had some great matches against some top stars of the company since his return. Recently, he faced Ludwig Kaiser and Braun Strowman in the Intercontinental Title No. 1 Contender’s Tournament.

Recent WWE contract signings

In April, Drew McIntyre signed a new contract with WWE. In the next month, Seth Rollins followed suit and inked a new deal. Veteran star Randy Orton also signed a five-year deal. In the women’s division, Shayna Baszler and Asuka both have signed new deals with the company. 

Stephen P. New Hits Out At Jim Ross’ AEW Tenure, Tony Khan Responds

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Earlier this week, former AEW talent Brent & Brandon Tate, as well as Kevin Kelly, filed a lawsuit against AEW, alleging defamation and misclassification. During a recent edition of his Grilling JR podcast, Jim Ross described the lawsuit as “frivolous” and expects the suit to not go as the claimants hope.

“Kevin Kelly and those guys, they’ll run out of money before Tony Khan does. I don’t hold out much hope they’re going to get any kind of settlement, whatsoever.”

In response, Stephen P. New, who is representing the Tates and Kelly, fired back during an appearance on House of Kayfabe. New had strong words for Ross, who worked for years in WWE’s Talent Relations department.

“This is not a frivolous lawsuit. You’re part of the problem. You, Jim Ross, are part of the problem because you fed the guys in WWE as Talent Relations these crap contracts for a quarter of a century. You told these guys that it was the take-it-or-leave-it deal.”

New went on to say that Ross has been paid “a lot of money to do nothing for about five years now” by Tony Khan. On Twitter, the AEW President responded to New’s comments on Ross who has served as a commentator for the All-Elite promotion since the start.

This lawsuit claims that the Tates were defamed by Khan who claimed they were fired for no-showing events. Kelly alleges that he was defamed by Ian Riccaboni and that he has been struggled to find work since his AEW exit earlier this year. In the meantime, AEW will host its All Out pay-per-view this evening from the NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on this lawsuit as well as live results from tonight’s AEW All Out pay-per-view.

Tenille Dashwood & Mike Rallis Are Expecting A Child: “Over The Moon!”

Thomas Lowson
-
0

In September 2023, Mike Rallis and Tenille Dashwood were among those released by WWE in the first wave of talent cuts of the TKO era. Now, the couple are celebrating as the pair have shared that they are expecting a baby.

Dashwood took to Instagram to share a heartfelt video of the moment they found out they were going to become parents. Given the excitement of the couple, some of Dashwood’s language had to be censored.

In the caption to her post, Dashwood shared that there is much more to the story of the couple’s pregnancy but that will come out at a later date.

Baby Rallis coming 2025 ? This is the raw unedited version of us finding out the amazing news. Unedited other than the beeps over my language… my apologies ? Could you tell how nervous I was to look? I didn’t even answer Mike’s questions! In fact, there’s more to this story that I’ll explain at a later date. For now we wanted to share our news and how over the moon we are to be parents and welcome our little one into the world ??

Pro Wrestling’s Baby Fever

Dashwood and Rallis aren’t the only wrestlers who’ll be changing diapers and warming up bottles soon enough. During an April edition of AEW Rampage, Ruby Soho revealed that she is pregnant and celebrated in the ring with her now-husband Angelo Parker. Days later, fellow Riott Squad alum Valhalla shared that she and Viking Raider Erik are also expecting their second child.

At San Diego Comic-Con, former WWE RAW & SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey shared that she is expecting her second child and revealed her baby bump at the convention. Rousey and her husband Travis Browne welcomed their daughter La’akea into the world in September 2021.

We here at SE Scoops would like to send our congratulations to Dashwood and Rallis on their joyous news!

MVP: I Never Said Triple H A Racist, Hulk Hogan Is One

Thomas Lowson
-
0

In June of this year, MVP responded to a handful of social media posts about Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque and his decision not to reunite the Hurt Business when he had the chance. Some fans believed MVP was implying that WWE’s Chief Content Officer was racist, but now MVP has made his views crystal clear on the matter.

Speaking to K&S WrestleFest, MVP addressed his previous comments regarding Triple H and his decision not to bring back the popular group of black Superstars. While some may have believed MVP was implying Triple H is a racist, that was a term MVP never used.

“I never said that word [Racist.] I never said that. You show me the quote or the caption where I said that. Somebody made a comment on my social media about how he books black talent. I just said, ‘Ah, you see it.’ I never said he is racist.”

MVP added that his opinion on how Levesque books black wrestlers is a “different conversation” but reiterated that he never called WWE’s CCO a racist. The former WWE U.S. Champion then acknowledged a different legend of WWE who he does believe to be a racist.

“Hulk Hogan is racist. He said it himself, ‘I’m a little bit racist.’ He said that. As far as Triple H, I don’t know that he is.”

Hogan’s racist comments came to light in 2015 and WWE fired him shortly after. This year, Hogan once again came under scrutiny after making a ‘joke’ about the race of Kamala Harris which came after he spoke about bodyslamming the Vice President. Hogan quickly backtracked and blamed his comments on “the beers talking.” Hogan has since inked a new multi-year deal with WWE.

Update On The WWE Contract Status Of Shayna Baszler

Thomas Lowson
-
0

WWE boasts a stacked roster of some of the most talented wrestlers in the world who compete each week on TV and at live events. Since 2017, Shayna Baszler has been with WWE and has dominated in NXT and the main roster, and fans can expect to see much more from the Queen of Spades.

Baszler, a former NXT Women’s Champion and WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, has re-signed with WWE, Fightful Select reports. Baszler’s previous contract was set to expire this year, but a new deal was recently finalized which is said to be a multi-year deal.

Bazler is currently appearing on WWE Monday Night Raw and recently aligned with Sonya Deville and Zoey Stark as part of the Pure Fusion Collective. Baszler was in action during this week’s episode of WWE Raw where she defeated Zelina Vega.

One longtime WWE staffer told Fightful that Baszler approaches her work with the company without any ego, and is always easy to work with. One WWE higher-up added that Baszler has long been helpful in many ways with newer talent as well.

WWE’s 2024 Re-Signings

Baszler is just the latest big name that WWE has locked down with a new contract in 2024. Drew McIntyre signed a new contract with WWE in late April, and was gifted a sword by TKO board member Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson. The following month, Seth Rollins inked a new deal with WWE. More recently, Randy Orton signed what’s reported to be a five-year deal with WWE, ensuring the Viper’s involvement with the promotion until at least 2029.

Giovanni Vinci Loses (9/6) WWE SmackDown Return In Seconds

Thomas Lowson
-
0

After weeks of build-up, Giovanni Vinci made his return to the ring on this week’s SmackDown. Unfortunately for the Italian Superstar, his first match since the April 22, 2024, edition of Monday Night Raw did not go as he’d hoped.

Vinci arrived wearing a tracksuit adorned in the colors of the Italian flag for his match with Apollo Crews. As Vinci was removing his entrance attire though, the referee started the match and Crews rolled up the Imperium alum to pin him in seconds.

Giovanni Vinci Speaks

Vince was understandably frustrated with this loss which he feels came about unfairly as he wasn’t ready. Speaking in a WWE Digital Exclusive after his surprising defeat, Vinci questioned the validity of the referee’s actions.

“Don’t even ask the question. I got a question for you. When is the last time you’ve seen a match get without the referee checking both competitors if they’re ready. I haven’t seen it either. So Apollo wants to come up behind me, clearly, I still have half my entrance gear on, and roll me up, if he wants to play that way, alright. We can play that way. We can play that way.”

Vinci’s return to WWE programming did not go how he wanted and came close to five months after he was ousted from Imperium by Ludwig Kaiser. After being drafted to SmackDown shortly after, Vinci now has a chance to change his fortunes on the blue brand. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Giovanni Vinci after his unfortunate return to TV this week.

Cody Rhodes Vs Solo Sikoa Steel Cage Match Set For SmackDown Premiere On USA Network

Bishal Roy
-
0

Cody Rhodes will defend his Undisputed WWE Championship against The Bloodline’s Solo Sikoa in a Steel Cage Match on next week’s SmackDown premiere on USA Network.

Last night’s SmackDown marked the final edition of the show on FOX. Cody Rhodes is coming off a successful title defense against Kevin Owens at Bash In Berlin PLE. However, his arch-rival Solo Sikoa still has his sights set on the title.

Sikoa was unsuccessful in challenging Rhodes for the title at last month’s SummerSlam which saw the shocking return of Roman Reigns. Last night on SmackDown, Solo Sikoa once again demanded for a title match against ‘The American Nightmare.’

However, the champ refused and offered a title shot to The Bloodline member Jacob Fatu. Fatu turned down the opportunity and instead endorsed Sikoa for the shot at gold.

SmackDown General Manager Nick Aldis then confirmed that Cody Rhodes will put his title on the line against Solo Sikoa on the September 13 edition of SmackDown. However, that will be contested in a Steel Cage to ensure The Bloodline members don’t interfere.

Two more matches added for SmackDown premiere

WWE is certainly trying to make SmackDown premiere on USA Network star-studded. A couple of more matches have also been added to the show. Andrade and Carmelo Hayes are set to battle in a rubber match for their Best of Five Serie as both men are tied with two wins.

On the other hand, A-Town Down Under (Grayson Waller and Austin Theory) will face Kevin Owens and a partner of his choosing. Waller challenged KO to this match during a conversation with SmackDown GM Nick Aldis backstage on last night’s show.

Possible New SmackDown Logo Shown on USA Network Website

Thomas Lowson
-
0

WWE SmackDown is set to return to the USA Network next week after a five-year stint on FOX, and expectations are high for the blue brand’s future programming. Adding to the excitement, fans have noticed what could be an alternate logo for SmackDown displayed on the USA Network’s website.

New WWE SmackDown Logo on USA Network Website
SmackDown returns to USA on September 13, 2024 – part of WWE Week, before NXT moves to The CW

This alternate WWE SmackDown logo has not appeared on any of WWE’s promotional materials for the September 13 premiere. This most recent SmackDown on USA ad continue to feature the current logo, further suggesting that the new design may not be finalized.

SmackDown’s return to the USA Network is part of a major $1.4 billion deal with NBCUniversal, set to last five years. In addition to weekly programming, WWE will produce four primetime specials annually for NBC. Reports earlier this week suggest that WWE is preparing to announce its return to NBC primetime within the coming days.

For the remainder of this year, WWE SmackDown’s commentary team will consist of Michael Cole and Corey Graves. In 2025, Pat McAfee will return to WWE programming and will reunite with Michael Cole.

WWE NXT makes its live debut on The CW on Tuesday, October 1, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET.

WWE Raw premieres on Netflix on Monday, January 6, 2025, ending its three-decade run on cable television.

Roman Reigns Explains How WWE Content Could Change with Raw’s Move to Netflix

Bishal Roy
-
0

Former WWE Undisputed Champion Roman Reigns recently reunited with WWE Hall of Famer Paul Heyman for a non-WWE appearance. ‘The Tribal Chief’ joined Heyman on-stage for Bloomberg Power Players New York and discussed WWE’s flagship show, Monday Night Raw finding a new home on Netflix, starting January 6th, 2025. Roman Reigns said that Raw airing on Netflix is the biggest deal of all time.

“I think this is the biggest deal of all-time, to be honest.”

– Roman Reigns on WWE’s deal with Netflix

The former WWE Undisputed Champion feels that after leading the live television for decades, the show moving to the streaming network is a huge milestone and a great opportunity to showcase their product. He said:

“… But the thing that changes the whole landscape for us is that we’ve been on linear television for decades now, and we’ve been the leader of that episodically. So, to take our program and to put it on a streaming network like Netflix, it’s just unheard of.

To go all the way back through our history to see where we are now and the growth that we’ve had really since 2020, when the world was upside down has just really been amazing. So it’s a big opportunity for us to not only showcase our product, but just what we’ve mastered with live television.”

– Roman Reigns

Roman Reigns enjoys challenges of PG content

Reigns also shared his thoughts on WWE potentially leaning into edgier content on Netflix. The 39-year-old wasn’t in favor of WWE going beyond PG limits with its move to Netflix. He noted that while WWE made a reputation of edgier content back in the day, he enjoys the challenges that comes with PG rating. He said:

“If we allow Paul to do Hall of Fame speeches non-stop, we’ll definitely push that envelope. But for me, I don’t know. I have always enjoyed the challenges of being PG and no offense to our predecessors and the people who came before us and the ratings that they revolved around, but to me, it’s a, it’s more challenging to be able to tell these stories. It also allows you a broader audience to connect to which I just really feel like. It’s always the goal.”

– Roman Reigns

He believes that there will be a room for experimenting but reckoned that WWE should stick to its core values and morals. He added:

“We want to reach as many people as possible. And I think there’s a fine limit to when you can cross that threshold where you push people off from the product. So I think there’s a nice, there’s going to be a nice little range there that we can play with. And, push the envelope in certain senses. But I think we need to stick to our values and the morals that we’ve set in place in the culture that we have now.”

– Roman Reigns

Raw will join Netflix in January next year and the agreement between the two parties spans ten years and exceeds $5 billion. The exclusive hosting of Raw on Netflix will begin in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Latin America, with additional territories to be added eventually.

Netflix is set to become the home for all WWE shows and specials outside the U.S., including Raw, SmackDown, NXT, and Premium Live Events such as WrestleMania, SummerSlam, and Royal Rumble. WWE’s documentaries, original series, and the forthcoming projects will also be made available on Netflix internationally starting next year.

AEW Hit with Lawsuit By Ex-Talent Over Defamation & Misclassification

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Since launching in 2019, AEW has been home to several wrestlers and on-screen personalities, though not everyone is still with the company. Now, three former members of the All-Elite promotion are filing legal action against AEW, alleging defamation and misclassification.

Kevin Kelly and brothers Brandon and Brendon Tate filed the lawsuit on August 30 in the Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas, The Wrestling News reports. The suit alleges that AEW misclassifies its wrestling talent as independent contractors rather than employees. If successfully challenged, this could have wide-reaching implications for the wrestling industry.

The Tate Brothers, better known to ROH fans as Dalton Castle’s ‘Boys,’ were released from AEW in April 2024 and their departure was first explained as due to budget cuts. Tony Khan later stated that the release was due to the brothers no-showing several events, a claim the brothers have denied. Now, this claim by Khan has become the basis for their defamation claim.

As for Kevin Kelly, he’s seeking monetary damages from AEW, alleging that the promotion breached his contract and has interfered with his ability to find work elsewhere. Kelly joined AEW in June 2023 and was fired from the promotion in March of this year. Kelly’s termination came about after a series of social media posts in which he spoke critically of AEW and Ian Riccaboni. The lawsuit also names Riccaboni, accusing him of defamation for allegedly linking Kelly to the far-right QAnon conspiracy theory on social media.

In a statement, attorney Stephen P. New, who is representing the trio alongside Benjamin Bear, said the following:

“I applaud the bravery of these plaintiffs in bringing this long-overdue action, challenging the misclassification of pro wrestlers as independent contractors instead of employees. We know we are in for a long, hard fight, but in the end, I believe justice always prevails.”

This lawsuit has the potential to bring about significant changes in wrestling, especially concerning how talent are classified and compensated. As of writing, AEW has not publicly commented on the lawsuit or the potential ramifications. We here at SEScoops will continue to follow this lawsuit for further updates.

Dr. Carlon Colker Withdraws Petition Against Janel Grant Amid WWE Legal Battle

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Dr. Carlon Colker has withdrawn his litigation against Janel Grant, in which he sought evidence from the former WWE employee who is suing the promotion, Vince McMahon, and John Laurinaitis. Last month, Colker filed a potential that appeared to be a precursor to a possible defamation lawsuit against Grant. In July, Grant filed a petition in Connecticut state court in which she sought to obtain her medical records in support of her lawsuit.

Grant alleges she was directed by McMahon to visit Colker’s clinic, Peak Wellness, in Greenwich where she received treatment without being told what medicines or supplements she was being given. She added that the medical records that have been provided by Colker have been inconsistent and incomplete so far. Colker claimed that Grant had launched a smear campaign against him and that he had suffered damages due to the media spotlight on him and his clinic.

Now, Colker has withdrawn his petition for information from Grant, POST Wrestling reports, including any potential communication she or her representatives may have had with the media. In a statement to POST Wrestling, Ann Callis, Grant’s attorney, had the following to say:

“Unsurprisingly, Dr. Colker has withdrawn his baseless motion. In the same vein as Mr. McMahon’s recently struck down motion, this was filed simply as yet another frivolous attempt to intimidate Ms. Grant.

“Ms. Grant remains steadfast in her right to seeking documents and information relating to her own medical records, meta-data, Dr. Colker’s prescribed treatments, and any communications between Dr. Colker and other parties concerning Ms. Grant or Ms. Grant’s medical treatment.”

Grant is suing WWE, Laurinaitis, and McMahon, alleging that she was sexually abused and trafficked during her time with the promotion. McMahon has denied that their relationship was not consensual and his representatives have gone as far as to call McMahon Grant’s “best friend” during her time with WWE. This scandal, among others, will be referenced in Netflix’s Mr. McMahon docuseries that will be released later this month.

How AEW Pulled Off (9/4) Dynamite’s Fiery Closing Segment

Thomas Lowson
-
0

The feud between ‘Hangman’ Adam Page and Swerve Strickland has been one of AEW’s hottest angles in years, and that term became quite literal this week. On Dynamite, Page burned down the childhood home of Strickland which had been highlighted in the show, all while Swerve watched on in horror from the ring in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

This fiery climax to Dynamite has been praised by fans but AEW ensured that safety was a top priority during the scene. According to a report from Fightful Select, professional supervision was in place at all times while filming. Sources in AEW shared their happiness with how the angle was executed and the response it has garnered so far.

The burning of the house had been planned for months and AEW opted to coincide the segment with Strickland recently announcing a new deal with AEW. While Strickland reportedly had over half a year left on his deal, AEW saw an opportunity to bolster his storyline by having a new deal publicly confirmed, and for Strickland to mark the signing by purchasing his childhood home.

Plans for the burning of the home were kept a closely guarded secret in AEW, though there have been clues teasing the fiery segment ever since Page returned as a heel. Numerous wrestlers both in and out of the company reached out to Swerve to congratulate him on the purchase, unaware of what was to come. One wrestler told Fightful that Strickland ‘kayfabed’ them by thanking them after they congratulated him.

What’s to Come?

After committing arson on nationally broadcast programming, many would suspect that Page would be in jail or at least arrested for what unfolded on Dynamite. Fightful adds that there are “storyline reasons planned” as to why Page hasn’t faced any repercussions so far. The two will face off at this weekend’s All Out pay-per-view in a Steel Cage match that will reportedly headline the show. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on AEW All Out including live results and breaking news.

Lawsuit Claims WWE Stole Creative Ideas, Paid Hush Money By AEW Stars

Thomas Lowson
-
0

As the global juggernaut of professional wrestling, WWE is no stranger to lawsuits ranging from the serious to the downright bizarre. Now, the promotion has been hit with a suit alleging, among other things, that WWE stole ideas without proper compensation.

Leland Owens filed a lawsuit on September 3 in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, alleging that WWE failed to pay him for ideas he submitted for their programming. A portion of the filing reads:

“I gave the WWE ideas and never got paid. I also told Daniel Bryan (at the time what I was going to do with my earnings with said ideas and the World Wrestling Entertainment tried to get in front of it because Vince thinks of this as competition. We have a verbal agreement in which was supposed to talk about at the time I receive my payment for my ideas.”

Among the ideas Owens allegedly provided include a unique cage match stipulation as well as the Premium Live Event name ‘Stomping Grounds.’ WWE’s first, and to date, only Stomping Grounds PLE took place in June 2019 in Tacoma, Washington. Owens allegedly pitched ideas over Instagram to WWE CCO Paul ‘Triple H’ Levesque.

Hush Money Payment

In addition to the alleged idea theft, Owens claims in the lawsuit that Daniel Bryan (now AEW star Bryan Danielson) and Mercedes Moné (formerly known as Sasha Banks in WWE) sent him a $100,000 check described as “hush money.” This payment was intended to keep Owens quiet after an inappropriate comment about Owens’ daughter was allegedly made by Stephanie McMahon, the filing adds. McMahon stepped down from her WWE role in early 2023 but has made sporadic appearances for the company, including at WWE SummerSlam last month.

WWE has not publicly responded to the suit at this time. This week has also seen WWE hit by a lawsuit regarding alleged improper use of Cody Rhodes’ ‘American Nightmare’ nickname. Stay tuned to SEScoops for updates on these lawsuits and other developments in WWE’s legal affairs.

Cody Rhodes & WWE Face Lawsuit Over ‘American Nightmare’ Copyright

Thomas Lowson
-
0

Cody Rhodes is the unquestionable top babyface in WWE today and has a legion of fans who have supported him throughout his ‘story.’ Rhodes

On Wednesday, September 4, Punk rock musician Wesley Eisold filed a lawsuit against Rhodes, WWE, and the promotion’s merchandising partner Fanatics. The complaint, filed in federal court in California, alleges trademark infringement, breach of contract, and intentional interference with contractual relations.

Eisold is the co-founder and lead singer of the band ‘American Nightmare‘ which has been active off and on since 1998. According to a USPTO filing, Eisold has held a trademark for American Nightmare for use in music, clothing, and entertainment services since 2016. In addition to recovering attorneys fees, Eisold is seeking damages of at least $150,000, as well as treble damages of up to $300,000 related to federal trademark infringement.

Cody Rhodes & Wesley Eisold 

In March 2019, Rhodes applied for a trademark on ‘The American Nightmare‘ for the use in wrestling that Eisold opposed. The pair agreed to a settlement in March 2021 which allowed for Rhodes to use the term. Rhodes was with AEW at the time but has since returned to WWE where he continues to go by the nickname.

Under the settlement, Rhodes was allowed to use “American Nightmare” on merchandise under the condition that Rhodes’ name, likeness, or wrestling-related imager was at least 75% larger than the American Nightmare term, differing it from Eisold’s own merch. Eisold claims that Rhodes, WWE, and Fanatics have violated that agreement by selling merchandise that doesn’t fit that requirement.

Eisold’s suit claims that WWE is selling several items through Fanatics with the American Nightmare term that doesn’t fit the previously agreed criteria. Eisold specifically references Rhodes’ ‘Crown T-Shirt design’ that does not contain Cody’s name or an image of him. The only wrestling-related image on the shirt is a WWE logo that is on the sleeve and not the main design.

image 1

Eisold’s complaint also alleges that the confusion on social media is evident. m

“Fans of WWE and wrestling continue to frequently tag [social media accounts for the musical band] the American Nightmare in Facebook and social media posts… Fans attending American Nightmare concerts and other events—including in California and specifically this judicial district—wear both the Runnels [Rhodes] clothes and the Eisold clothes.”

Eisold’s legal representatives reached out to Rhodes’ lawyer in 2022 about the Crown shirt, but didn’t receive a reply, the suit adds. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on this developing story.

Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart Confirmed For 9/9 Raw Season Premiere In Calgary

Thomas Lowson
-
0

The September 9, episode of Monday Night Raw will be the red brand’s season premiere and WWE is doing all it can to deliver a stacked three-hour show. Raw will take place from the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada so it’s fitting one of wrestling’s greatest Canadians will be on the show.

Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart will be a part of the season premiere of Raw from his beloved Great White North. The arrival of the Excellence of Execution was confirmed by Jackie Redmond.

WWE RAW – September 9, 2024

Here is what WWE has confirmed for its season premiere of Monday Night Raw next week in Calgary:

  • Two-time WWE Hall of Famer Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart to appear
  • WWE Women’s Tag Team Championships: Jade Cargill & Bianca Belair (c) vs. The Unholy Union (Alba Fyre and Isla Dawn)
  • WWE Intercontinental Title Contenders Match: Braun Strowman vs. Jey Uso vs. Pete Dunne vs. Ilja Dragunov
  • Eight-Person Street Fight: The Wyatt Sicks vs. American Made (Chad Gable, Brutus & Julius Creed, and Ivy Nile)

Rich Swann Guilty, Receives Probation Following Public Intoxication Incident

Thomas Lowson
-
0

TNA Wrestling’s Rich Swann is no stranger to controversy and has had run-ins with the law in the past. Earlier this year, the former Impact World Champion was arrested and charged with disorderly public intoxication and causing a disturbance, and there’s now been an update in his case.

Swann appeared in court this week and submitted a “no contendere plea,” an alternative to pleading guilty or not guilty, PW Insider reports. The term means he neither admitted guilt nor contested the charges. The court subsequently found Swann guilty, issuing a fine of $203 and placing him on six months of probation. He was also ordered to pay an additional $285.38 in related fees. Upon completion of his probation and the payment of all fines, the case will be officially closed.

Swann’s arrest on June 9, 2024, occurred after he attempted to enter a nearby apartment, mistakenly believing it to be his own. The armed homeowner confronted Swann before he left the property but opted not to press charges. Additionally, a woman reported that Swann followed her to her door after she had asked him to stop.

Following his arrest, TNA Wrestling suspended Swann pending the legal investigation into that night and said in a statement that Swann was “responsible for his own personal actions.” Swann has voluntarily entered into a substance abuse rehabilitation program.

Rich Swann’s Previous Issues

Swann was charged with the same offense in September 2022 after he allegedly caused a disturbance while intoxicated at his apartment complex. In 2017, Swann was arrested in Gainesville, Florida and charged with false imprisonment, a felony, as well as simple domestic battery, which is a misdemeanor. Those charges were dropped due to insufficient evidence, but Storm was released from WWE two months later.

How AEW Foreshadowed Hangman Page Burning Down Swerve Strickland’s House

Thomas Lowson
-
0

On this week’s episode of AEW Dynamite, ‘Hangman’ Adam Page took his heated rivalry with Swerve Strickland to a shocking new level, setting fire to Strickland’s childhood home. The dramatic moment left fans in disbelief though this act of arson is one fans should have seen coming for a long time.

Strickland and Page have been at war for months now and plenty has been said between the two former AEW World Champions. In a promo that now seems eerily prophetic, Page vowed that he would burn Strickland’s world to the ground, hinting at what was to come.

It’s not just what Page has had to say that should have led fans to predict the fiery conclusion to this week’s AEW Dynamite. Since turning heel, Page has used a new entrance theme, complete with a new video. Early into the theme, the image of a burning building can be seen. Later on, more fires can be seen.

The feud between the two former AEW World Champions will reach its climax this Saturday at AEW All Out 2024, where they are set to face off in a highly anticipated Lights Out Street Fight. Following this week’s episode of Dynamite, AEW President Tony Khan announced the match stipulation, ensuring that the company won’t be held accountable for whatever chaos ensues.

AEW All Out 2024 will take place on September 7, at Hoffman Estate’s NOW Arena. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest updates, including live coverage and results.

Vince McMahon Claims, “No One Really Knows Me” In Netflix Docuseries Trailer

Thomas Lowson
-
0

WWE fans have caught their first glimpse of Netflix’s Mr. McMahon docuseries that will focus on the historic rise and dramatic fall of Vincent K. McMahon. The six one-hour episodes will delve into the life of the 79-year-old billionaire when it hits the streaming juggernaut on September 25. McMahon himself was interviewed for the docuseries, as the trailer shows right from the start as he declares,

“People have wondered who I really am. There’s this portrayal of me as a bad guy, but no one really knows me.”

– Vince McMahon in ‘Mr. McMahon’ (Netflix)

Some of the biggest names in wrestling history are involved, with appearances from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Hulk Hogan,”Stone Cold” Steve Austin, John Cena, Bret Hart, Bruce Prichard, Eric Bischoff, and McMahon’s son-in-law and Paul “Triple H” Levesque.

As we see in the trailer, this docu-series won’t shy away from controversy and touches on the 1994 steroid trial, the double-murder suicide of Chris Benoit in 2007, and alleged sexual misconduct. While it was the latter that ultimately ended McMahon’s reign on top of wrestling’s empire, Janel Grant has not participated in the series.

Produced by Bill Simmons and Tiger King executive producer Chris Smith, Mr. McMahon has been in development since 2020. The project was reportedly reworked to reflect the allegations against McMahon, including his departure from WWE.

WWE’s Move to Netflix

This highly anticipated docuseries about McMahon and WWE is just a taste of what’s to come for the streaming giant. This coming January, Monday Night RAW will move to Netflix, marking an end to over 30 years on broadcast television. John Cena has been confirmed for RAW’s premiere on Netflix as the WWE icon will kick off his retirement tour.

Fans in the U.S. will have access to Monday Night Raw each week, while those outside of the States will receive Raw, SmackDown, WWE NXT, and Premium Live Events. Netflix will not cover monthly PLEs in areas where deals are already in place with other distributors, such as India. 

AEW All Out 2024 Odds: Favorites Revealed Ahead of PPV

Jake Skudder
-
0

The betting odds for AEW All Out 2024 have been released, revealing the favorites for each matchup ahead of the highly anticipated pay-per-view (PPV) event. As fans eagerly await the outcomes of these exciting matches, the odds provide insight into who the bookies believe are most likely to win.

Top Favorites for AEW All Out 2024

The odds for AEW All Out 2024 have been published by the betting site betonline.ag, with several wrestlers marked as strong favorites. Here’s a breakdown of the key matchups:

  • Hangman Page (-300) vs. Swerve Strickland (+200): Hangman Page is the favorite in his match against Swerve Strickland. With odds of -300, bettors would need to risk $300 to win $100. Meanwhile, Swerve Strickland, as the underdog, offers a potential return of $200 on a $100 bet.
  • Will Ospreay (c) (-10000) vs. Pac (+2000): Will Ospreay, the defending champion, is a massive favorite against Pac. With odds of -10000, he is expected to retain his title, while Pac, with odds of +2000, is a long shot to win.
  • Bryan Danielson (c) (-10000) vs. Jack Perry (+2000): Similar to Ospreay, Bryan Danielson is heavily favored to defend his championship against Jack Perry. Bettors would need to place a significant wager on Danielson for a modest return, while a bet on Perry could yield substantial rewards due to the +2000 odds.

Other Notable Matchups

  • Kris Statlander (-200) vs. Willow Nightingale (+150): Kris Statlander is favored to win her bout against Willow Nightingale. However, this match is expected to be more closely contested compared to others, with a more modest spread between the favorites and underdogs.
  • MJF (-175) vs. Daniel Garcia (+135): MJF is slightly favored to win his match against Daniel Garcia. The odds suggest a competitive battle, with Garcia not far behind in the eyes of the oddsmakers.
  • Mercedes Mone (c) (-10000) vs. Hikaru Shida (+2000): Mercedes Mone is heavily favored to retain her championship against Hikaru Shida, mirroring the significant odds seen in other title matches.

Another Long-Term WWE Employee Leaving

Bishal Roy
-
0

Long-time WWE lead Production Designer Jason Robinson is reportedly parting ways with the company. Robinson is leaving the company and the belief is that Robinson either finished up at the Bash in Berlin PLE or will be done this week, according to Mike Johnson at PWInsider.

Robinson was reportedly, “highly thought of and was considered incredibly talented by those he worked with.” Having a background in theater and opera in terms of creating and designing, he eventually moved into the television realm.

The veteran was considered “a Kevin Dunn guy” during his run with the company. He has been with WWE for over 23 years and was involved in creating about every modern major event and television set.

“There were a lot of people shocked that he was exiting, noting he was as important as one can imagine when it came to designing the look and feel of WWE’s broadcast product.”

– Mike Johnson (PWInsider) on designer Jason Robinson’s WWE exit

TKO Group Holdings was formed in September last year and shortly after, over 100 people were cut from WWE’s offices. Several long-tenured employees associated with WWE have also departed the company. The list includes Kevin Dunn, who had been the promotion’s director of production. Reports suggest that WWE reportedly was hopeful for Dunn to stay on as far as WrestleMania 40 but he departed in December 2023. He was then replaced by Lee Fitting.

The biggest departure in WWE over the past year is of former Chairman Vince McMahon, who exited earlier this year following the Janel Grant lawsuit which was filed in January earlier this year.

Will Ospreay Gives Kenny Omega His Flowers with a Passive-Aggressive Twist

Bishal Roy
-
0

AEW International Champion Will Ospreay praised Kenny Omega for his contribution to pro wrestling but that doesn’t change his personal feelings for him.

Ospreay told Kenny McIntosh of Inside The Ropes Magazine what Kenny Omega means to AEW. ‘The Aerial Assassin’ stated that Omega represents what AEW initially was. He became a huge star alongside the likes of The Young Bucks and Hangman Adam Page and helped set up AEW. While he respects Omega as a professional, it doesn’t mean they will become friends. He said:

“I think he represents the identity of what AEW initially was. He didn’t need the machine to make himself a big superstar, he made himself a star along with The Bucks, along with Hangman, and everyone else that helped to set up the company. There was an identity about AEW that was different to what American TV was accustomed to.

Those guys really set the bar for what wrestling could look like. It could have a different image and it could have a different identity. Especially when it comes to TV-style wrestling. Those guys completely shifted what it looked like to be TV wrestlers. He’s one of the best and I give him all the flowers in the world, but that doesn’t mean I like him [laughs]. Other than that, he’s a pr—k.”

Kenny Omega and Will Ospreay are two of the greatest wrestlers in pro wrestling. Over the years, they have been involved in feuds and even took personal shots. What could be labeled a dream match, the pair collided at Wrestle Kingdom 17. This marked Omega’s first match in NJPW since 2019 and ‘The Cleaner’ dethroned Ospreay to win the IWGP United States Heavyweight title.

Omega and Ospreay once again battled for the title at last year’s AEW x NJPW Forbidden Door. It was Ospreay who emerged victorious in a match that went on for 40 minutes and walked out of Scotiabank Arena as the IWGP United States Heavyweight Champion.

Will Ospreay is currently enjoying his AEW International title run after he recently reclaimed his title by beating MJF at last month’s AEW All In: London. ‘The Aerial Assassin’ will defend his title against Pac at this weekend’s AEW All Out pay-per-view. On the other hand, Kenny Omega is working hard to make his return to the ring.

1...186187188...3,319Page 187 of 3,319