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The Lucha Bros Won’t Be In WWE Any Time Soon

Dominic DeAngelo
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Wrestling fans excited to see The Lucha Bros. crossover to the WWE Universe will have to wait a while before that comes to fruition. Recent reports that Pentagon Jr. and Rey Fenix had signed multi-year contracts with WWE, and merchandise was already being created, were false — they both remain under contract with AEW.

Due to Rey Fenix missing ring time due to various injuries in recent years, Dave Meltzer reports that Tony Khan is tacking on nearly a year to Fenix’s existing contract to make up the lost time.

As for his older brother Penta, his contract still has a few months remaining before it expires. Negotiations with WWE haven’t taken place yet, but Penta intends to explore that option once he’s able to.

WWE has reportedly sent overtures to Penta that they’ll make competitive offer, solidifying his decision to leave AEW. Penta has expressed that his primary goal is to provide for his family as he moves into the later stages of his career. Meltzer also noted that Penta’s departure is driven by several factors, including growing frustration with AEW.

Both Fenix and Penta have recently trademarked three different properties, fueling further speculation about their AEW futures.

While Penta has remained quiet about his contract status, he has stated that he is currently enjoying his time with All Elite Wrestling. However, back in August, Fenix withdrew from an independent wrestling appearance, leading many to believe that he may be WWE-bound.

Swerve Strickland Overpaid? “We Shake the Foundation of Things”

Michael Reichlin
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Swerve Strickland says he’s worth every penny that he earns, and thinks its kind of funny that these “overpaid” labels get thrown around with people of color.

The former World Champion of All Elite Wrestling recently put pen-to-pater on a new multi-year contract with the organization. He signed the contract at Wembley Stadium on the AEW All In London kickoff show, just hours before he’d lose the title against Bryan Danielson. Shortly thereafter, it was rumored that WWE was interested in signing Strickland, but felt AEW overpaid and offered a sum that was far above market value.

In a candid interview with The Breakfast Club morning radio show, Strickland did not hold back, pointing out how conversations around athlete pay often change when it involves a Black performer.

“They only complain when a Black person gets paid, I will say that. We shake the foundation of things like that,” Strickland remarked.

He went on to challenge WWE’s stance, questioning why his contract was even a topic of discussion for a company that had parted ways with him two years ago.

“‘Oh snap, wait. That’s not what we would pay.’ Then why are you calling me? Why are you asking me? If I’m not your concern, then don’t worry about it. Don’t worry about my pockets and our money.”

Strickland made it clear that he holds no grudges towards WWE, acknowledging their decision not to renew his contract previously. Instead, he emphasized his determination to continue succeeding in the wrestling world.

“We’re good. You have your talent. You made your decision with me two years ago. No hard feelings from me. I keep it moving and I’m going to figure my way out and I’m going to build myself up.”

Strickland’s comments highlight a broader conversation about fairness and representation in sports contracts, particularly regarding Black athletes.

Trick Williams Discusses Potential Alliance with Former Partner Carmelo Hayes

Bishal Roy
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NXT star Trick Williams is open to the idea of possibly joining forces with his former partner, Carmelo Hayes.

After NXT was rebranded to NXT 2.0 back in 2021, Trick Williams and Carmelo Hayes started teaming up. During their run together Hayes thrived as champion while Williams was a star in the making. Williams tried to come out of Hayes’ shadow and went after gold as well.

However, things started to heat up between the two and they split at NXT Vengeance Day when Hayes turned on his best friend. This led to a grudge match at NXT Stand & Deliver which Williams won. Eventually, Hayes was called up to the main roster while Williams is enjoying his run at NXT.

Trick Williams recently spoke to Going Ringside about the idea of burying the hatchet with Hayes. The former NXT Champion stated that Hayes was always the one with the issue. However, Willims assured if Hayes needs help, he has got his back.

“I mean, to be honest with you, I never had a problem with Melo. He had a problem with me. But, of course (there’s a chance we could rekindle that friendship). If I tell you, ‘You’re my boy, you’re my brother,’ I mean that all the way thick and through so, man, I can see us having room to — you know, if he needs my help, I got his back.”

Trick Williams will have another opportunity to reclaim the NXT Championship. NXT is set to premiere on the CW Network in Rosemont, Illinois on October 1st and Williams will challenge Ethan Page for the NXT title. It has been also announced that CM Punk will serve as the special guest referee.

WWE News: The Rock and Mankind’s ‘This Is Your Life’ Turns 25

Michael Reichlin
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On September 27, 1999, Mankind (WWE Hall of Famer Mick Foley) hosted a special “This Is Your Life” segment on WWE Raw in honor of his close friend, The Rock.

Mankind introduced several figures from The Rock’s past. Among the guests were The Rock’s high school sweetheart, sparking a hilarious moment when he reminisced about her parents’ couch. Another notable guest was The Rock’s former football coach, which led to The Rock humorously recalling how he was forced to run sprints after delivering a DDT to an opposing quarterback.

The Rock had the audience in the palm of his hand, effortlessly delivering his iconic catchphrases while roasting each of Foley’s special guests.

The segment showcased both The Rock and Mankind at their comedic best and remains a prime example of how entertaining “sports entertainment” can be when it’s done right.

WWE has attempted to recreate this magic through subsequent “This Is Your Life” efforts, none have quite captured lightning in a bottle like that unforgettable night on 9/27/99.

The Rock ‘and’n’ Sock Connections Most Memorable Moments (Playlist)

Zachary Wentz Reflects On Short-Lived TNA X Division Title Run

Bishal Roy
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Zachary Wentz held the TNA X Division Championship for just a couple of weeks, but the high-flying wrestler remains proud of his brief title reign.

Wentz won the Ultimate X match to capture the TNA X Division Championship at TNA Emergence. He even appeared as the X Division Champion at NXT No Mercy, where he defeated his former Rascalz teammate Wes Lee. However, his reign came to an end at TNA Victory Road when he was defeated by ‘Speedball’ Mike Bailey.

In an interview with 3W-Wrestling, Wentz shared what the title run meant to him. He explained that the X Division, known for its high-flying, high-risk, and fast-paced matches, perfectly aligns with his wrestling style. He also expressed his belief that the X Division has significantly impacted the broader world of professional wrestling.

“I mean, it [TNA X Division Title] means a lot because if you look at my style of wrestling, it is very much X Division Championship-style wrestling,” Wentz said. “I feel like the X Division is the division in professional wrestling, and its style has completely influenced professional wrestling as a whole. If you look at matches now, they’re very much X Division-type matches. So, it definitely meant a lot to me.”

Wentz also reflected on the significance of the title beyond its duration.


“Especially, like I said before, look at all the legends that have held the title—not just them, but my brother Trey [Miguel], he’s held that title. And he was a great champion, so it meant a lot to me. Sure, it may have been a short reign, but that’s okay because I made history. At the end of the day, people aren’t going to focus on how short it was. They’re going to remember that I made history as the first X Division Champion to be featured on WWE television. So, it means a lot to me.”

Wentz recently ignited a feud with NXT’s Wes Lee after the latter betrayed his Rascalz teammate. The two are set to clash at the NXT on CW premiere on October 1st.

Bron Breakker Opens Up About NXT Segment With The Undertaker

Anutosh Bajpai
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Bron Breakker has opened up about his segment with Undertaker in NXT.

The October 10, 2023 date saw the renewal of an old rivalry in wrestling as NXT went head-to-head with AEW Dynamite once more since the end of the Wednesday night wars. WWE took the competition very seriously and booked a number of big names for the show, including none other than The Undertaker.

The former NXT Champion recently had an interview with 99.5 WKDQ radio to promote Monday’s Raw from Ford Center in Evansville, Indiana. He discussed things such as losing the IC title to Jey Uso, his rivalry with Carmelo Hayes and more.

When asked about his experience of working with the Undertaker, Bron Breakker revealed that the Phenom actually sat down with him after the show and they have developed a relationship since then:

“We sat and we talked for a long time after that show. He just gave me a lot of great advice. That sort of started a little bit of relationship with him and I since then. Every time I see him in the building, or when he comes around, I always go up, we have conversation. Undertaker’s the best. He’s great.”

Absolute Honor For Me: Bron Breakker

The segment in question came after a match between Breakker and Carmelo Hayes. Hayes had John Cena in his corner while Paul Heyman joined Bron. Hayes won the match in the end. The second-generation star didn’t like the result and he continued his assault on Melo.

This is when the Dead Man showed up and he delivered a chokeslam to the young star. According to Bron Breakker, it was an experience he’ll never forget:

“Absolute honor for me to even be in that position with him, with such a legend. It was an incredible night. That’s a night I’ll never forget. That’ll probably be some sort of poster or picture that’s on my wall forever. So surreal moment between me and him, and [I’m] just so thankful I got to be a part of it. He’s awesome. Love that dude.”

Apart from Cena and Taker, the October 10 NXT also featured names such as Cody Rhodes, Asuka and LA Knight. With the star-studded lineup, WWE’s third brand managed to crush AEW’s flagship show in ratings, drawing 921,000 viewers compared to 609,000 viewers from their competitors.

SmackDown Preview: Solo Sikoa’s Return, 3 Matches

Michael Reichlin
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Tonight’s WWE SmackDown airs live on the USA Network at 8/7 from the Bon Secours Wellness Arena in Greenville , SC.

The road to WWE Bad Blood continues, with less than two weeks until the upcoming premium live event.

Matches and Segments for tonight:

  • Solo Sikoa Returns: The Tribal Chief returns ahead of his big tag match with Jacob Fatu against Cody Rhodes and roman Reigns next weekend.
  • Michin vs. Piper Niven: This bout was signed after Niven attacked Minchin with a trash can after lsat week’s broadcast on SmackDown LowDown. This singles match adds fuel to Michin’s ongoing rivalry with Chelsea Green, whom she’ll soon will battle in a Dumpster Match.
  • #1 Contender’s Match: Bayley will take on Naomi, with the winner earning a shot at the WWE Women’s Championship.
  • Match 6: Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes: In their ongoing series, Andrade leads 3-2 and looks to close out the rivalry against Carmelo Hayes

What happened last week?

Catch up on all the action from last week’s show, with the Top 10 Moments and the SmackDown Lowdown post-show:

Michin suffers a brutal attack while Carmelo Hayes and Giovanni Vinci issue strong statements following Friday Night SmackDown.

AEW Rampage 9/27: House of Black, Takeshita, Willow Nightingale in Action

Michael Reichlin
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All Elite Wrestling announced that the main event for Friday’s September 27th episode of AEW Rampage on TNT.

Brody King & Buddy Matthews of the House of Black will square off against the high-flying team of Lio Rush & Action Andretti. We’ll also see Konosuke Takeshita, Willow Nightingale, The Acclaimed and more in action.

Here is the updated lineup for tonight’s AEW Rampage (9/27):

  • House of Black (Brody King & Buddy Matthews) vs. Lio Rush & Action Andretti
  • Konosuke Takeshita vs. Angelico
  • Anna Jay vs. Robyn Renegade
  • Willow Nightingale vs. Taya Valkyrie
  • The Acclaimed (Max Caster & Anthony Bowens) in action

Watch AEW Rampage Fridays at 10/9c on TNT.

Highlights from last week’s AEW Rampage:

How Wyatt Sicks WWE Debut Came Together

Bishal Roy
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Wyatt Sicks their highly-anticipated debut on June 17th edition of WWE Raw and some major details on how it came together has been revealed.

After months of teasing with cryptic vignettes and QR codes, Uncle Howdy and the Wyatt Sicks appeared on the red brand by attacking production personnel and Alpha Academy leader Chad Gable in the backstage area.

Jason Baker, who is a practical effects guru at Collosum Studios has revealed some backstage details to Metro on how the debut was performed. Baker, who has a history of working of late WWE star Bray Wyatt, revealed that the whole setup of the segment was completed in 15 minutes.

“Let me think of the best way to say this without getting in trouble,” he laughed. “It was amazing being part of a night where WWE was firing on all cylinders. We had that whole thing set up in like, 15 minutes. Paul [Levesque, Triple H] came in earlier that day and was like, ‘This is what we should do.’ Everybody was like, ‘Yes, sir, we’re going to do it and it.’ The fraction of error is so – when you actually step back and think about it, that is insane, to do that long of a tracking shot with so many variables and so many people and so many things, and do it live in one take.

Baker said that WWE Chief Content Officer Triple H had ‘faith’ in the talent and the crew was trusted to pull off the memorable segment. He said:

“We all know that he has that faith in us. So by proxy, everybody wants to do the best job that they can humanly possible, because having a boss that actually cares about you. You want to return that tenfold.”

The Wyatt Sicks is led by Uncle Howdy (Bo Dallas) and other members include former Wyatt Family member Erick Rowan, Dexter Lumis, Nikki Cross, and Joe Gacy. They recently had a feud with Chad Gable and American Made (Julius Creed, Brutus Creed and Ivy Nile). Since their victory, the Wyatt Sicks have continued to tease fans with more QR codes on WWE Raw.

WWE 2K25: Will NXT and TNA’s Collaboration Extend to the Game?

Thomas Lowson
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In 2024, WWE NXT’s collaboration with TNA Wrestling has excited fans and allowed for talent from both sides to step through the ‘prohibited portal.’ NXT Superstars have become regulars on TNA programming and vice versa, and could this partnership be represented in WWE’s next video game, WWE 2K25?

During a recent Q&A on Fightful Select, Sean Ross Sapp was asked if TNA talent could be included in WWE 2K5. Sapp explained that it would require approval from TNA, as well as separate agreements with both 2K and WWE.  As independent contractors, TNA talents cannot be licensed without proper approval from the appropriate bodies.

TNA’s last video game was 2011’s TNA iMPACT on iOS and Android devices, while the company’s most recent console release was also TNA iMPACT, released in 2010. With that said, Jordynne Grace, who’s proven to be pivotal in the NXT-TNA collaboration, provided mocap for Ivy Nile in WWE 2K23 and described the American Made member as “dope.”

WWE 2K4 was released in March of this year to positive reviews by critics and players alike as the hit series continues to deliver a stacked roster and new features. While it remains to be seen if Grace, Joe Hendry, Moose, or The Rascalz appear in the next installment, WWE’s partnership with TNA has shown that no idea is off limits to Paul Levesque and his team.

Jade Cargill Reveals What She’s Most Proud Of After A Year In WWE

Anutosh Bajpai
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Jade Cargill didn’t think the WWE fans would accept her the way she has been accepted since her debut for the promotion.

It has been one year since the former TBS Champion reported to the WWE performance center in September 2023 and about 9 months since she made her in-ring debut for the company at Royal Rumble in January.

The former AEW star spoke to Sports Business Journal recently. Looking back at her first year in her new home, the premier athlete explained how the WWE fanbase has surprised her:

“This year went by so quick; the WWE fan base surprised me in all kinds of ways. I didn’t think that I was going to be accepted the way I was accepted. They came in with open arms. I did the Royal Rumble. The crowd was electrifying. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

What Jade Cargill Is Most Proud Of

The former Basketball player has achieved a lot in her relatively short tenure in the biggest sports entertainment company of the world. Apart from winning the Tag Team Championships with Bianca Belair, she has also wrestled on PPVs such as WrestleMania XL, Bash In Berlin, and Clash At The Castle: Scotland.

The thing she is most proud about during this time period, however, is incredibly personal. Jade Cargill revealed that her mother passed away this year and being able to do all she has done while dealing with the loss is what she is most proud of:

“My mother passed away this year. I’m sorry, and it’s OK. And it was a hard moment for me, but I pushed through it, and I talked to my mother, I used to talk to my mother every morning about my family, my daughter, what to do if she got sick.

If she got a cold, you talk to your mother, and she wasn’t there for me this year. So, I would say the thing I’m most proud of is that I was able to push through that, to just strive through parts.”

Cargill noted that she is proud of being able to continue to push the envelope through this time and setting an example for her daughter to do major things.

The WWE star along with her partner Bianca Belair are currently scheduled to make an appearance at NXT’s CW premiere from Allstate Arena in Chicago on October 1.

Check out our exclusive interview with Jade Cargill from SummerSlam weekend:

Latest TNA Tapings Affected By Hurricane Helene

Anutosh Bajpai
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TNA has been forced to re-schedule its latest TV taping from Spartanburg, S.C. due to disturbance caused by Hurricane Helene.

The wrestling promotion was set to record the latest set of its weekly TV shows from the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium this Friday, September 27 & Saturday, September 28.

The company released a statement, however, announcing that due to severe weather forecasts throughout the Southeast, the tapings will now be held on Sunday, September 29, & Monday, September 30.

TNA fans can use the tickets for Friday and Saturday’s tapings on Sunday and Monday respectively. A start time for the re-scheduled events will be announced on their social media pages.

Names such as Nic Nemeth, Jordynne Grace, Joe Hendry, Eric Young, Ash By Elegance and Moose are expected to appear at the TV tapings.

Latest On Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene is a category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 140 mph. Helene made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region at about 11:10 p.m. on Friday, according to NBC News.

61 out of Florida’s 67 counties have declared a state of emergency because of it. Florida Highway Patrol is reporting that a driver was killed in Tampa on Friday night after a sign fell onto the driver’s car.

President Joe Biden has approved the emergency declaration in South Carolina and ordered for federal resources to be made available to deal with the Hurricane. Almost 700,000 homes and businesses are said to be without power as authorities continue the rescue efforts.

Affected personnel can contact the State Assistance Information Line (SAIL) at (800) 342-3557 for details on resources and assistance. The Florida Governor’s office has also released an update on the response efforts which can be found here.

Sonya Deville Details Fight to Restore Her Confidence After ACL Surgery

Thomas Lowson
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Sonya Deville returned to WWE TV in May of this year in a backstage segment with Shayna Baszler and Zoey Stark, a precursor to the Pure Fusion Collective. While Baszler is officially back after suffering an ACL tear in July 2023, the former Women’s Tag Team Champion is still struggling to regain her confidence in the ring.

Althought Baszler had optimistically hoped she’d just suffered a nasty sprain, a trip to the bathroom mere days after her injury made clear to her how serious her situation was. Speaking to WWE – Die Woche, Deville shared that she wouldn’t wish an ACL injury on anyone and described her recovery as a long, treacherous recovery process.

“You think you’re gonna get the surgery and then a couple of months are gonna go by and you’re gonna feel great, but it takes a very long time.”

Deville, WWE’s first openly lesbian Superstarin the promotion’s history, admitted that she’s still trying to find her place in the ring, despite being back for months.

“To get back into full-blown wrestling shape, it took a long time, and I’m still getting my confidence back in the ring. It’s still a forever-evolving process, but all is well. No pain, knock on wood. We’re good.”

Deville’s comments underscore how for wrestlers, a recovery from a serious injury can be just as much a mental process as much as it is about physical wellbeing. Not only did the injury rattle Deville’s confidence in the ring, but it also ended her time as a WWE Women’s Tag Team Champion, her first title reign in nine years with the promotion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Sonya Deville as the former MMA fighter continues to find her place on WWE’s roster after her grueling ACL injury.

Paul Walter Hauser Returning To MLW, Issues Warning To JBL

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Hall of Famer John ‘Bradshaw’ Layfield has been making his presence felt in the wrestling world as of late with appearances in TNA, GCW, AAA, and beyond. Recently, the self-professed ‘Wrestling God’ arrived in MLW to assist Brock Anderson and has caught the attention of Emmy Award-winning actor Paul Walter Hauser.

On the latest MLW Pit-Fighters, Hauser made clear he has no love for JBL, who he said “came back from the dead.” He added that Layfield has no place in MLW, stating that “I know he’s one of the boys, but he’s not one of our boys.”

Hauser, perhaps best known for his role in Blackbird, confirmed that he will return to MLW in Chicago later this year and had a stark warning for the former WWE Champion.

“If JBL sticks his nose or his clothesline into my business, I will knock his ancient ass to the ground. And when he wakes up, he’ll think he’s back in Connecticut wearing a cowboy hat with his boss’ ass on his breath. So stay clear, Temu Stan Hanson.”

JBL, who is still under a WWE Legends contract, has explained his recent resurgence, stating he didn’t want his ill-fated alliance with Baron Corbin to be the end of his pro wrestling legacy. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on the WWE Hall of Famer as he continues to capture the attention of fans with his appearances outside WWE.

MVP Says AEW Run Is ‘Quite Possibly The Final Chapter’ Of His Career

Anutosh Bajpai
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MVP says the newest chapter of his wrestling career is quite possibly the final chapter of his illustrious run in the sports entertainment world.

The former WWE star made his highly anticipated AEW debut during the Dynamite: Grand Slam special this Wednesday. He interrupted a segment with Prince Nana and looked to make acquaintence with the former AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland.

The newest AEW signee commented on his arrival in a new video on Instagram. He claimed that he is the same MVP, just conducting business in a new place:

“Cat’s out of the bag. By now I’m sure many of you know – and if you don’t, you’re about to find out – that I’ve embarked on an exciting new chapter for my professional wrestling career.

And I’m excited because this new chapter is quite possibly the final chapter. And I’ve got some really cool things in store. So if you’ve been a fan of mine for this long, come hang out for just a little bit longer. Same MVP, just conducting business in a new location. MVP is AEW. See you next week.”

MVP’s Last Run?

Managing the Hurt Business was the highlight of MVP’s second WWE run from 2020 to 2024. The group consisting of Bobby Lashley, Shelton Benjamin, and Cedric Alexander ruled the Raw brand during the pandemic era.

While the group disbanded in early 2022, the fans believed that there was a lot more the company could have done with them. WWE even teased a reunion for the faction in early 2023 but the idea was quickly dropped.

Three of the four members of the Hurt Business have since left WWE with MVP himself departing in August this year after his contract expired. Cedric Alexander is the only star who is still with the company, having signed a new contract recently.

MVP has been talking about the reunion of the faction in recent months. Fans who paid close attention to his AEW debut will know that it also teased the arrival of the group on Tony Khan’s promotion.

Saraya Re-Signs With AEW

Michael Reichlin
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Saraya has reportedly signed a new contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW), according to Fightful. This news comes two years after Saraya made her debut with AEW at Dynamite Grand Slam 2022.

Saraya is a former AEW Women’s World Champion, and has wrestled 10 matches this year. She currently leads the Outcasts with Harley Cameron.

At AEW All In, Saraya was confronted by Jamie Hayter. The two have been feuding ever since and they’ll square off this Saturday night on AEW Collision (TNT, 8/7c).

Saraya’s upcoming book, Hell in Boots: Clawing My Way Through Nine Lives, will be released March 25, 2025.

MVP Has Hurt Syndicate On His Mind In AEW

Dominic DeAngelo
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MVP could be AEW’s literal MVP soon enough if his new business card indicates anything.

The former proprietor of The Hurt Business made his All Elite Wrestling debut at AEW Grand Slam to confront Prince Nana about the injured Swerve Strickland. Nana, a hometown New Yorker, received a warm recepetion from Arthur Ashe Stadium, but he wasn’t warmly received by MVP.

MVP praised the AEW World Title reign of Swerve and the legacy he’s already carved in the company, but went on to question the focus and intention of Nana. MVP thinks Nana was just their to dance and sell coffee, but MVP has bigger plans for Swerve. Nana then is handed MVP’s business card who wants Swerve to get a hold of him for his services.

At a closer glance, one can look at MVP’s card and see that under his three signature intials is indeed the “Hurt Syndicate” title.

Could Swerve Strickland be MVP’s latest client and could he be joining the ranks of some very familiar faces? Reports have been that MVP had plans to join AEW and now that we’ve seen him in the mix, it certainly opens up possibilites of Bobby Lashley and Shelton Benjamin joining alongside MVP in AEW. Both talents are notoriously free agents as Lashley uncerimoniously left WWE and Benjamin was released from the company back in September of 2023.

Lashley has expressed after the fact that he has no plans to hang up the boots and it would only make sense from a storyline standpoint that he reunites with MVP.

CM Punk Eyes New WWE Rivals After Drew McIntyre Feud

Michael Reichlin
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CM Punk’s current feud with Drew McIntyre is set to culminate at WWE Bad Blood, where the two will clash in a Hell in a Cell match. After this rivalry, Punk is already eyeing new opponents, starting with World Heavyweight Champion Gunther.

The former WWE & AEW World Champion spoke with 103.5 KISS FM this week, and expressed interest in facing a mix of familiar rivals and fresh competitors.

Among his past adversaries, he named:

  • Rey Mysterio
  • John Cena
  • Randy Orton
  • Cody Rhodes.

As for new opponents, Punk is eager to step into the ring with:

  • GUNTHER
  • Chad Gable
  • Ludwig Kaiser
  • Dominik Mysterio
  • Liv Morgan
  • Damian Priest

What CM Punk Expects When Raw Moves to Netflix

In addition to his in-ring aspirations, Punk commented on WWE Raw’s upcoming move to Netflix in January 2025. He downplayed the likelihood of significant changes to the show’s content, emphasizing that it will largely stay the same.

While nostalgia is powerful, many fans are advocating for a more edgy product in the hopes of recapturing the magic of the R-Rated Attitude Era. However, Punk warned that fans anticipating a return to mature content—such as excessive profanity or lingerie pillow fights—will be disappointed. Reflecting on the Attitude Era, he pointed out that pushing boundaries often resulted in unsustainable, lower-quality programming over time.

WWE Hell in a Cell takes place next Saturday, October 5 from Atlanta, GA at the State Farm Arena. The premium live event will stream live on Peacock.

Artem Chigvintsev Says “Truth Has Prevailed” As DV Charges Are Dropped

Thomas Lowson
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In July, Artem Chigvintsev, the husband of Nikki Garcia, was arrested and charged with corporal injury to a spouse, a felony that could’ve seen him face years in prison. This week, it was confirmed that Napa County District Attorney Allison Haley has declined to file criminal charges, after a thorough review of the investigation.

In a statement to PEOPLE, Chigvintse, best known for his work on Dancing with The Stars shared his relief that he will not be facing charges over what allegedly transpired in August.

“I am incredibly relieved and grateful that the domestic violence charges against me have been dropped. This has been an extremely difficult time for me. I am thankful that the truth has prevailed. My focus has always been and will always be, our son Matteo. He is my world, and being his father is the greatest blessing in my life. All along, my main concern has been for him. I am committed to continuing to provide him with the love, support, and care he needs as we move forward.

“I am hopeful that securing an equal custody arrangement will help us move on. I want to express my deepest gratitude to my family, friends, and legal team for standing by me during this challenging time. Your support has been invaluable, and I am thankful to everyone who believed in me and saw the truth for what it was. I look forward to moving past this chapter and focusing on what truly matters—continue being the best father I can be.”

Chigvintsev’s attorney, Ilona Antonyan, also provided a statement, adding that the goal now is to focus on a 50/50 custody schedule of Matteo between Artem and Garcia. Chigvintsev has been seeking joint custody of his and Nikki’s son, while she has sought sole custody with Chigvintsev being given visitation rights.

Antonyan adds that the investigation has proven that Chigvintsev was not the aggressor in the incident that led to his arrest.

“My understanding of the investigated facts surrounding the 8/29/24 incident have led me to conclude from the beginning that Artem was not the primary aggressor. I believe that to be true even if the burden of proof would be the preponderance of evidence, which is the standard of proof in family court. He was protecting himself and Matteo.”

A representative for Nikki Garcia, known to WWE fans as Nikki Bella, did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment. While the couple intends to divorce, the hope now is that both sides can do what is best for seven-year-old Matteo.

First Look: John Cena Guest Stars in The Simpsons Season 36 Premiere

Thomas Lowson
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John Cena is heading to Springfield. The 16-time WWE World Champion will guest star on The Simpsons Season 36 premiere, airing this Sunday on FOX.

We have a first look at Cena’s animated character, which has been anticipated ever since his guest spot was announced back at San Diego Comic-Con. He joins an already star-studded season, with Danny DeVito, Tom Hanks, and former Simpsons writer and late-night host Conan O’Brien also making returns.

Cena’s guest spot on The Simpsons continues a longstanding tradition of celebrity cameos in the series. Notably, he’s not the first WWE Superstar to visit Springfield.

That honor goes to Bret “The Hitman” Hart, who appeared in Season 8’s The Old Man and the Lisa (air date: April 20, 1997). In the episode, Hart purchases Mr. Burns’ mansion after the billionaire loses his fortune, despite his initial hesitation due to the “old man stink!” lingering in the house.

For Cena, this animated appearance is another milestone in his post-WWE career, where he has successfully transitioned into film and television.

Best known for his role as Peacemaker and as Jakob Toretto in the Fast and Furious franchise, Cena continues to expand his entertainment footprint with this stop on one of the most beloved television shows in history.

Cardi B Celebrates WWE SummerSlam In NYC With Bianca Belair

Dominic DeAngelo
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AEW may have had New York City last night as the host of Grand Slam, but WWE will take a bite out of the Big Apple next summer. On Thursday, WWE announced that the company will have a full weekened residence at MetLife Stadium on August 2 and August 3.

WWE released a press release breaking the news, but they also put together a promotional spot featuring Bianca Belair and hip-hop sensation Cardi B. In the video, Bianca gets a phone call and it’s Cardi on the other line and the package features one of her songs. Cardi B posted on X to share her excitement for the news and offered the following comment.

“Here’s to the Streets.. and to my girl Bianca Belair! SummerSlam. 2Nights. MetLife Stadium. August 2nd and 3rd”

WWE has been making the most of their wrestlers and their ties to rap artists who are also wrestling fans. Just two weeks ago, Megan Thee Stallion was revealed to be the new musical voice of the WWE SmackDown intro. Stallion even took to social media to tease a potential debut for WWE down the line.

The ironic aspect of these specific artists hitching their wagon to WWE is that both stars are admirers of Mercedes Mone who is neck deep in a massive contract with AEW. While on The Breakfast Club earlier this week, Mone revealed that there were match plans with Stallion, but now that she’s with AEW those plans are off. Surprisingly enough, Mone was not a presence on AEW Grand Slam.

Shane McMahon Flies With AEW’s Young Bucks in “Coincidence Meeting”

Thomas Lowson
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In July of this year, wrestling fans were shocked as Shane McMahon, the prodigal son of WWE, met with Tony Khan at an airport in Arlington, Texas. This week, McMahon was once again in an airport, and once again, his time traveling left the 54-year-old feeling very ‘Elite.’

On Twitter, the Young Bucks shared that they bumped into McMahon at an airport with the AEW World Tag Champions saying they had an “interesting flight today.”

McMahon has said that it was sheer “coincidence” that he and the Bucks were on the same flight, Cultaholic reports. The trio were seen speaking and laughing together before boarding their flight in New York. All three sat in first class, with McMahon sitting behind the reigning AEW World Tag Team Champions. It’s added that the two parties didn’t interact much during the flight, as the Bucks slept through most of the journey to Salt Lake City.

McMahon and Tony Khan had a “really nice” meeting in which they discussed their mutual fondness for wrestling and “possibilities moving forward.” Their meeting came after Conrad Thompson claimed that McMahon had spoken to some in AEW about the possibility of joining Tony Khan’s first promotion. It was later clarified that Shane was not making a formal pitch to join AEW and was simply stating that it would be an interesting moment in wrestling

What Does The Roster Say?

Shane McMahon and Tony Khan
Tony Khan and Shane McMahon

Shane McMahon joining AEW would certainly be huge and has the backing of AEW World Champion Bryan Danielson, who’s open to working with Shane in AEW. McMahon and Danielson were once authority figures on SmackDown and teamed together at WrestleMania 34 in 2018.

MJF on the other hand has warned Shane to stay away from him, citing that it’s in the best interest of Shane’s health if the pair were kept at a distance. MJF has also mocked McMahon’s WrestleMania 39 quad tear, commenting that the ‘apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,’ a nod to Vince McMahon suffering the same injury in 2005.

What’s Next?

While Shane has yet to appear on AEW programming, this chance encounter with the Young Bucks will add fuel to the rumors that he could be joining. Although a McMahon being All-Elite would’ve seemed impossible just a year ago, fans likewise once felt it was impossible that Vince McMahon would leave WWE, never mind doing so twice.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest on Shane McMahon as fans continue await what the future holds for him, and whether his future is in AEW.

WWE to Host First 2-Night SummerSlam at MetLife Stadium in 2025

Michael Reichlin
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New Jersey will host the first-ever two-night WWE SummerSlam next year.

WWE SummerSlam 2025 will take place Saturday August 2 and Sunday, August 3 from MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ.

In a press release, WWE and the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) provided the additional details. Peter Dropick, TKO Executive Vice President of Event Development and Operations, touted NJ Governor Governor Phil Murphy and the NJSEA team as being, “phenomenal to work with.”

General on-sale ticket information will be announced soon, but fans who are looking to attend SummerSlam 2025 can visit WWE.com to sign up and be one of the first to receive exclusive-presale information.

SummerSlam Going Big

Open Air Football Stadium at Sunset
WWE SummerSlam can no longer be contained in 20,000-person basketball arenas

This year’s WWE SummerSlam took place from Cleveland Browns Stadium in Ohio. During the post-show press conference, WWE exec Paul “Triple H” Levesque said this was likely the last one-night SummerSlam for a while.

Following today’s announcement, we know WWE SummerSlam will be two-night stadium-event weekends for the foreseeable future.

WWE SummerSlam 2025

  • Dates: Saturday, August 2 and Sunday, August 3
  • Venue: MetLife Stadium
  • Location: East Rutherford, NJ

WWE SummerSlam 2026

  • Dates: Saturday, August 1 and Sunday, August 2
  • Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium
  • Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota

Big Bill’s Premie Nephew Could Win Baby Of The Year

Dominic DeAngelo
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Despite being seven-foot-tall, Big Bill knows what it’s like to fight from underneath and his baby nephew Connor is doing the same after only just being born at 28 weeks.

Big Bill, real name William Morrissey, who is nearing five years of sobriety, spoke with me ahead of his trios tag match involving The Learning Tree taking on The Congolmoration on the upcoming episode of AEW Collision.

Big Bill is no stranger to Arthur Ashe Stadium as Queens, NY is his almost literal backyard, but did give details about Connor who is now home after spending nearly three months in the neonatal unit for premature babies. Bill mentioned Connor was nominated for the 2024 Good Housekeeping Baby Of The Year Award and if Connor wins, the family will take home $25,000 to benefit his future. Big Bill also said how appreciative he is for the wrestling fans and the support they’ve already shown for baby Connor.

“No matter what side you’re on, or who you love or who you hate, the wrestling community always comes together for something like this so put it out there and a lot of people have responded so I’m really, really appreciative of that.”

You can vote for Baby Connor by going here (deadline is Sept. 26 at 7 PM Pacific Standard Time)

Big Bill Has Learned From Chris Jericho

Big Bill is also appreciative of his Learning Tree branches in Bryan Keith and Chris Jericho Bill mentioned Chris helped donate to Connor and planned on thanking him at Arthur Ashe, but did say what he’s actually learned from Jericho. A big takeaway is always playing it straight no matter how ridiculous a segment can be.

“I agree with him. No matter how goofy things may seem, no matter how silly, no matter how much you think someone may look at that and be, ‘Oh, that is so stupid.’ As long as you play it straight, you believe it and you believe it’s real, it’s going to work and I feel like that’s what we’ve been doing.

“The thing with a character like that is yeah, you can be funny, but when things get real you gotta lock in and I think we’re also very good at that.”

As for Keith, Bill knows that he’s one mean man, and “The Bad Apple” conveys viciousness, but has the charisma factor as well.

“T-shirt material. He’s got all these things that he says that can all be t-shirts. He’s killing it.”

The full conversatoin with Big Bill is below:

Shawn Spears Explains Reason Behind AEW Departure

Anutosh Bajpai
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Shawn Spears has explained that his AEW departure wasn’t caused by any disputes or frustrations and that he simply left because he wanted to contribute more.

The Chairman recently appeared on Chris Van Vliet’s Insight podcast. He discussed things such as his classic ‘stan’ segment with Shawn Michaels, returning to WWE, his friendship with Cody Rhodes and more.

While talking about his departure from Tony Khan’s promotion in January this year, the former AEW star explained that he wanted to contribute a little bit more both on camera and behind the scene:

“I think it just came down to a personal want, in terms of wanting to contribute a little bit more, both in front of the camera and behind the camera. I had a wonderful time in AEW.

I have and have had a great relationship with Tony Khan. You’re never going to hear me say anything bad about that guy. Same thing with a lot of EVPs, talent, everything. I had a wonderful time.”

My Time There Was Special: Shawn Spears

Shawn Spears mentioned that his time in AEW helped him become a better businessman. He learned things like having faith in your own ability and putting your foot down when needed:

“My time there was special, getting to work with all the top guys based on a lot of storylines that I was in with Max and FTR and things like that. So a lot of things that I would have never gotten to do, I think in my career, I was very fortunate enough to do there.”

While Spears didn’t win any titles during his four years with All Elite Wrestling, the wrestling veteran shared the ring with the likes of Cody Rhodes, MJF, Chris Jericho, and many more.

The 43-year-old made his return to the NXT brand in February this year. He has been a featured star on the brand ever since and has competed in many high-profile matches.

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