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Dustin Rhodes Advocates For AEW Equivalent To WWE ID Program

Thomas Lowson
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Dustin Rhodes would love for Tony Khan to launch an AEW talent recruitment program with the independents, similar to the new WWE ID program. In an interview with WFAA.8, Rhodes shared his enthusiasm for the idea.

“I would love for Tony to do that with us where we have a little type thing. That would be kind of cool for some of our schools.”

Rhodes isn’t just a wrestler for AEW and Ring of Honor, but also has worked as a behind-the-scenes coach. While he certainly has the experience to be a part of the WWE ID program, he doubts his school, the Rhodes Wrestling Academy, will be approached by WWE.

“That’s probably the reason they haven’t reached out, right, because I’m contracted with All Elite Wrestling.”

Though Rhodes’ Wrestling Academy isn’t an official partner of the WWE ID program, Cody Rhodes’ Nightmare Academy is. Other schools attached to WWE ID include Seth Rollins Black & Brave Academy and Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling.

WWE ID

WWE ID has seen several names from the independent wrestling scene sign with WWE as ‘Prospects’ of the new talent development program. Prospects will receive access to the WWE Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, as well as training from the promotion’s various coaches and staff. Ring of Honor/Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky is overseeing WWE ID, ensuring that Prospects learn from the very best in how to develop as in-ring talents.

For the latest on the WWE ID program, as well as which stars are Prospects, check out our WWE ID central hub.

Tony Khan On WWE ID: It’ll Be Interesting If They Work With Us

Kylie Rae Is Feeling Blessed As The Latest WWE ID Prospect

Thomas Lowson
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Kylie Rae is the latest name confirmed for the WWE ID program, a fact revealed at Freelance Wrestling’s Thursday Night Slammasters event. On X, Gabe Sapolosky, who will oversee the WWE ID program, was pleased to have secured the “Best worker on the indies” to WWE’s latest recruitment tactic.

On X, Rae, who reached three years sober last month, spoke of past mistakes and is blessed to be given another chance.

Rae is considered one of the very top independent wrestlers competing today, so her arrival in the WWE ID program is certainly a huge deal. Arguably the best-known name confirmed for WWE ID, Rae is arriving with experience wrestling for AEW, TNA Wrestling, Game Changer Wrestling, and many more promotions. The reigning Freelance Champion also wrestles as Briana Ray on WWE Main Event in December 2022, with fans hopeful at the time that she’d be signed.

Like her fellow signings, Rae will have access to WWE’s resources, including the state-of-the-art Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. Sapolsky will be just one of the key figures involved in WWE ID, ensuring that the signings get advice and wisdom forged from Sapolsky’s decades in the business.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE ID as the promotion’s hunt for future breakout Superstars continues to influence the independent wrestling world.

Jay Briscoe’s Daughter Defies Odds In Recovery From Tragic Accident

Thomas Lowson
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Gracie Pugh, the daughter of Jay Briscoe, has shared details of her recovery, over a year after the tragic car accident that took her father’s life. Briscoe was killed in the accident in January 2023, mere minutes from his home in Laurel, Delaware. His daughters Gracie and Jayleigh were seriously injured in the crash.

Speaking with the Central Worship Center, Gracie, the elder daughter, spoke about her recovery, and being told that a year after the accident, her nerves would stop healing. Undeterred, Gracie, with her family’s encouragement, pushed to recover beyond the one-year milestone and has been able to return to her passion for cheerleading.

“I could start to jog again and then I tried to tumble more and like even two weeks ago, I could go back up on my toes.”

Gracie’s faith has played a large part of remaining positive in her recovery, as has her knowledge in what her father would want for her if he was still alive.

“I just had to remember that my dad would never want me to be in a wheelchair… He would want us to keep pushing through.”

Gracie and Jayleigh attended AEW Dynamite in January of this year to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the tragedy. The pair were brought out by their uncle Mark Briscoe, who has continued to wrestle in honor of his late brother. Earlier this year Gracie gained a cousin as Mark and his wife welcomed a son named Jamin, named after Jay’s real-life identity.

Instead of life in a wheelchair, Gracie Pugh can not only walk, but is jogging, tumbling, and rebuilding her life after the most difficult of circumstances. Our thoughts remain with Gracie an the Pugh family at this time.

Goldberg Says People Will Be ‘Pleasantly Surprised’ By His Final Match

Anutosh Bajpai
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Goldberg has provided an update on his physical condition before his final match which is expected to take place sometime in 2025.

The former Universal Champion talked about things such as Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul Fight, the cancellation of the TV series Roadkill, and more on the latest episode of his CarCast podcast.

Speaking about his final match, Goldberg claimed that preparation is always much harder than the actual performance. Compared to his other recent matches, he is getting a lot more time to prepare for a showdown this time around:

This time, I’m actually getting some prep time and the ability to get ready. Comparatively, even though I’m at the age that I’m at, I will have five times as much time to prepare than I have for any other match.

If I can’t get ready in that period of time, with what I have to offer, then it’s not going to be enough. I do believe that I’ve set my standards quite high and at the end of the day, I think people will be pleasantly surprised by the outcome and my performance.”

This Is A Huge Change: Goldberg

A date or an opponent has not officially been confirmed for the 57-year-old’s last match. Though after his run-in with World Champion Gunther at Bad Blood in Atlanta, it’s not hard to imagine that the wrestling veteran will love to get his hands on the Ring General before he hangs his boots for good.

The former WCW Champion admitted that he is dealing with plenty of nagging physical issues including neck and knee issues. The worst part of his anatomy according to Goldberg however, is his torn-up shoulder which is still feeling a lot better than it has done in a long time:

“I’m able to do things right now with that torn-up shoulder that I haven’t been able to do in ten years. This is prior to a number of matches that I’ve wrestled. My shoulder is in a better position months before I have to perform than it was days before leading up to matches in the past. That is a huge change.”

Goldberg revealed that he couldn’t even lift his arm properly the last time he entered the ring for a match. Now he feels that he’s way ahead of the curve and he knows that he will be much better prepared for his next match than he has been in the past.

Tony Khan On WWE ID: It’ll Be Interesting If They Work With Us

Thomas Lowson
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AEW President Tony Khan is interested in the groundbreaking ‘WWE ID’ program, but is holding off judgment for the time being. The program will see WWE partner with independent promotions and allow signed talent (deemed ‘Prospects’) access to WWE’s training facilities, including the Performance Center in Orlando, Flordia.

Speaking on a media call ahead of this weekend’s AEW Full Gear pay-per-view, Khan said it’ll be “interesting” to see how things work out when AEW attempts to bring in a WWE ID prospect.

“I have some thoughts on it, but I will reserve my judgment until I actually test such a mechanism. I only know what I’ve read about them, but it’s interesting.“

Several names have already been confirmed for the WWE ID program with others yet to be publicly revealed. WWE ID Prospects are still being allowed to compete outside the promotion, though many are wondering if WWE’s openness will extend to allowing talent to work for the promotion’s chief rival.

Other Interview Highlights

Khan was asked about much more than just the WWE ID program. Other topics covered in the media call include:

  • Khan believes that reports of Toni Storm’s ‘retirement’ have been exaggerated, and is confident she’ll have a career in wrestling to come.
  • While AEW Rampage isn’t included in the new Warner Bros. Discovery package, Khan is looking into other options for where the show and other AEW content could go.
  • When asked about AEW running smaller venues, Khan spoke of the recent crowd in Cedar Park, Texas and the “amazing” atmosphere brought on by the smaller setting.
  • Khan praised Harley Cameron’s energy, promo skills, and athleticism and called the Australian a prime example of a rising talent.

Linda McMahon Issues Statement After Being Named Next Secretary of Education

Anutosh Bajpai
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0

Linda McMahon has issued her first statement since being named the next US Secretary of Education by President-elect Donald Trump.

The former WWE CEO took to Twitter to repost the statement from President Trump, and wrote that she is looking forward to working with students and educators to strengthen the US education system:

“I look forward to working collaboratively with students – educators – parents and communities to strengthen our educational system; ensuring every child regardless of their demographics is prepared for a bright future.”

Linda’s daughter and former WWE Chief Brand Officer Stephanie McMahon was the first member of their family who congratulated the female politician on her new role:

Linda McMahon’s Political Career

Linda McMahon previously served as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration between 2017 and 2019, during Trump’s first term.

She played a crucial role in getting the Businessman-politician re-elected. McMahon was one of the top donors of the 2024 Republican campaign and she was also named the co-chair of Trump’s 2024 transition team.

There has been a lot of chatter about how Linda’s appointment and Trump’s re-election will affect the ongoing federal investigation against former WWE Chairman Vince McMahon over sexual trafficking charges.

Though Linda’s attorney has claimed that she is separated from the billionaire wrestling promoter and our analysis suggests that Trump will not be able to pardon all of Vince’s legal woes away.

Kane Warns The Rock Against A Brand-Hurting Future In Politics

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Hall of Famer Glenn ‘Kane’ Jacobs has advised Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson from entering politics, especially given the ongoing toxic climate. Sitting down with Going Ringside, Jacobs, the current mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, argued that Johnson would only hurt his brand if he entered the political ring.

“Everybody likes Dwayne, no matter where you are in the political spectrum, because he’s a great entertainer… gotta remember that no matter what you say in politics, 50% of the people are just gonna knee-jerk disagree with you.”

Johnson has yet to enter politics but it is something that WWE’s Final Boss has been mulling over for some time. Examples include:

While several wrestling names have entered politics, including Jesse Ventura, Matt Morgan and Trump’s pick for Education Secretary Linda McMahon, it remains to be seen if Johnson makes the move. While Jacobs is against the idea, and Johnson himself has said running for the highest office is off the table, we all know that politics, like wrestling, is an unpredictable game.

Championship Match Added to AEW Full Gear This Saturday

Michael Reichlin
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Konosuke Takeshita will defend his AEW International Championship against Ricochet at Full Gear 2024 this Saturday, November 23, in Newark, NJ. The announcement, made by AEW President Tony Khan on Thursday, comes after weeks of escalating tension between the two competitors.

Takeshita captured the championship at AEW WrestleDream in a triple-threat match against Will Ospreay and Ricochet. Ricochet reignited their rivalry on the November 6 episode of AEW Dynamite by pinning Takeshita during a tag team match, setting the stage for this high-stakes encounter.

Khan confirmed the match on Twitter, calling it “the fight that the AEW fans want to see.” With Takeshita’s dominance as champion and Ricochet’s recent momentum, the bout is expected to deliver edge-of-your-seat action.

Updated AEW Full Gear 2024 Card

  • AEW World Championship Match: Jon Moxley (c) vs. Orange Cassidy
  • AEW TBS Championship Match: Mercedes Moné (c) vs. Kris Statlander
  • AEW TNT Championship Match: Jack Perry (c) vs. Daniel Garcia
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship Four-Way Match: Private Party (c) vs. The Outrunners vs. Kings of the Black Throne vs. The Acclaimed
  • AEW International Championship Match: Konosuke Takeshita (c) vs. Ricochet
  • MJF vs. Roderick Strong
  • Jay White vs. “Hangman” Adam Page
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Bobby Lashley
  • Will Ospreay vs. Kyle Fletcher

Zero Hour Pre-Show Match:

  • “Big Boom!” A.J. vs. QT Marshall

Stay tuned to SEScoops for complete coverage of AEW Full Gear this weekend.

How WWE Wrestlers Hide Under the Ring During Live Shows

Michael Reichlin
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Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal recently revealed the secrets of how wrestlers hide under the ring, sharing the details during an appearance on fellow WWE alumnus Maven Huffman’s YouTube channel.

According to Mahal, performers slip under the ring during commercial breaks or video packages when the arena goes dark. These moments coincide with routine ring crew maintenance, making the movement less noticeable to the audience.

The space beneath the ring, known as “the bed,” is more accommodating than fans might expect. Mahal described finding a designated mat for comfort, along with WWE technician Nick Daw, who maintains a position there with broadcasting equipment. The area is stocked with refreshments including water, Diet Coke, and Red Bull.

The technician monitors the show via a screen and stays connected to producers through a headset, ensuring precise timing for any spots involving under-ring appearances.

Wrestlers Hiding Under the Ring

Wrestlers hiding under the ring is a classic WWE tactic to create surprise appearances. Notable matches featuring this element include:

  • The Undertaker and Kane: Both wrestlers have famously utilized the space under the ring for dramatic entrances.
  • Bray Wyatt: Wyatt often used this tactic to enhance his eerie character, appearing unexpectedly during matches.
  • Hornswoggle: As the illegitimate son of Vince McMahon, Hornswoggle’s gimmick involved hiding under the ring, popping out unexpectedly, and distracting opponents.

CM Punk Joins Syfy’s “Revival” Series

Andrew Ravens
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CM Punk is gearing up for his next Hollywood venture, as Variety reported today that the wrestling icon will join the cast of Revival, a televised horror series set to air on Syfy. The series, currently filming in New Brunswick, Canada, is an adaptation of the acclaimed Image Comics series of the same name.

Details about Punk’s character and the show’s release date remain under wraps. This announcement follows news from last month that Punk has secured a key role in the horror film Night Patrol.

The official description of Revival teases an intriguing storyline:

“On one miraculous day in rural Wisconsin, the recently deceased suddenly rise from their graves. But this is no zombie story as the ‘revived’ appear and act just like they once were. When local officer and single mother Dana Cypress (Scrofano) is unexpectedly thrown into the center of a brutal murder mystery of her own, she’s left to make sense of the chaos amidst a town gripped by fear and confusion where everyone, alive or undead, is a suspect.”

This marks another significant step in Punk’s acting career. Earlier this year, he appeared in the film Let’s Start a Cult and had a recurring role in the wrestling drama series Heels, which is now streaming on Netflix.

In the summer, Punk signed with Paradigm Talent Agency to expand his presence in the entertainment industry. His growing Hollywood portfolio suggests he’s making good on that commitment.

While Punk’s wrestling future remains uncertain following his win over Drew McIntyre in October’s Bad Blood Hell in a Cell match, his focus on acting has taken center stage.

WWE Shop Reveals Top Merch Sellers of 2024

Michael Reichlin
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WWE has unveiled its list of the top merchandise sellers for 2024, highlighting the performers who engaged fans both in the ring and at the merchandise stands. Leading the pack is Cody Rhodes, whose “American Nightmare” branding continues to resonate strongly with WWE’s audience.

Second place belongs to Roman Reigns, the face of the “Bloodline” storyline and a dominant figure in WWE’s programming. Making a splash in third is the returning CM Punk, whose surprise comeback reignited interest from his devoted fanbase.

The Top 10 List

  1. Cody Rhodes
  2. Roman Reigns
  3. CM Punk
  4. Jey Uso
  5. John Cena
  6. Liv Morgan
  7. Rhea Ripley
  8. LA Knight
  9. Randy Orton
  10. Damian Priest

Other names rounding out the list include Jey Uso, whose breakout year solidified his status as a solo star, and perennial favorite John Cena, whose limited appearances still drive significant sales. Liv Morgan and Rhea Ripley represent the women’s division.

US Champion LA Knight, “The Viper” Randy Orton, and the Judgment Day’s Damian Priest also made the cut, showing a mix of established veterans and surging new talent. This diverse list underscores WWE’s ability to create marketable stars across all divisions.

Cody Rhodes Sued Over ‘American Nightmare’ Trademark Dispute

Jey Uso Discusses Paul Heyman’s Key Role in WWE’s Bloodline Despite TV Absence

Michael Reichlin
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Jey Uso, in an exclusive interview with Peter Rosenberg for Rosenberg Wrestling at ComplexCon 2024, provided insights into Paul Heyman’s continued importance to the Bloodline storyline, even as Heyman remains absent from WWE television.

Jey reassured fans that Heyman’s influence transcends his on-screen presence, describing the “Wiseman” as an indispensable figure in the family’s WWE journey. “The Wiseman is really the Wiseman to my family. He’s been around my family more than 50 years,” Jey revealed, emphasizing Heyman’s deep-rooted connection to the Anoa’i family.

Heyman’s behind-the-scenes contributions remain vital, according to Jey, who highlighted his mentor’s role in refining promos, strategizing storylines, and advocating for the family’s success.

“Even when he’s not on TV, he’s there. All the backstage stuff—‘Say this. Maybe say it like this. Do this. Do that.’ He’s a big player to vouch for you and push for you. Any problem we have, we go to him. He makes it happen for my family. We love him.”

– Jey Uso on Paul Heyman (via Rosenberg Wrestling)

Heyman’s Absence Fuels Speculation

Paul Heyman and Jey Uso
The Wiseman Paul Heyman and Jey Uso (WWE TV)

Paul Heyman’s absence was notably spotlighted during the November 15 episode of SmackDown. In a key segment, Roman Reigns attempted to contact Heyman, only to encounter a “number not in service” message. This led to widespread speculation among fans about Heyman’s status within the Bloodline.

Jey dispelled concerns about Heyman’s position, clarifying that his lack of on-screen appearances does not detract from his crucial behind-the-scenes involvement. “He’s still very much a part of everything we do,” Jey affirmed.

Future Return and Survivor Series

While no definitive timeline for Heyman’s return to television has been provided, Jey’s remarks hint at his continued influence on the ongoing Bloodline narrative. This has only heightened intrigue surrounding the faction’s upcoming Survivor Series WarGames match on November 30.

Jey Uso and the Bloodline are set to face a formidable lineup, including Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and Bronson Reed. Whether Heyman will make a surprise appearance remains uncertain, but his behind-the-scenes contributions to the storyline continue to solidify the Bloodline’s dominance in WWE.

Cody Rhodes Compares Paul Heyman To Legendary Director

Netflix Gives WWE RAW Sneak Peek Ahead of January 2025 Launch

Michael Reichlin
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Netflix has unveiled a first look at WWE RAW as anticipation builds for the wrestling juggernaut’s debut on the streaming platform. The move marks a significant milestone for WWE, with the iconic Monday Night RAW set to air live on Netflix starting January 6, 2025.

The premiere live episode will broadcast from the newly built Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, at 5 PM PT/8 PM ET. As part of the collaboration, Netflix also announced that WWE fans outside the U.S. will gain unprecedented access to weekly shows like RAW, SmackDown, NXT, and major events such as WrestleMania, Royal Rumble, and SummerSlam.

Netflix will also begin streaming classic RAW episodes and select historical Premium Live Events on January 1, 2025.

In a statement accompanying a promotional “Sneak Peek” video, Netflix emphasized the significance of this partnership.

“This marks a new era for WWE fans,” the announcement read. “With live weekly programming airing 52 weeks a year, viewers can expect non-stop action like never before.”

As January approaches, fans eagerly await how this partnership will reshape the viewing experience for one of wrestling’s most beloved shows.

Rey Mysterio on Aalyah’s Career Choice: Education Over Wrestling

Michael Reichlin
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In a recent interview with Peter Rosenberg for Rosenberg Radio at ComplexCon last weekend, Rey Mysterio addressed why his daughter Aalyah has not pursued a career in professional wrestling. Despite having a notable presence on WWE television in 2020 – including prominent storylines with Buddy Murphy and Seth Rollins – Aalyah’s focus remains on her studies and her aspiration to enter the medical field.

“She also loves it as much as Dom did. We played wrestling a lot, but for some reason, she was more on my wife’s side. She was the one who liked to study and was very dedicated, always getting A’s. To this day, she’s still very focused on her education. On the other hand, she’s now pursuing her medical career,” Mysterio explained.

Currently attending medical school at the University of California in San Diego, Aalyah has chosen a different path than her brother Dominik, who has become one of WWE’s top stars. While Vince McMahon saw potential in her for a full-time wrestling career during her television appearances, Rey expressed pride in her decision to prioritize education. He noted that while he would be willing to train her if she ever decides to step into the ring, he fully supports her dedication to becoming a doctor.

At 48 years old and 35 years into his legendary career, Rey continues to deliver outstanding performances in WWE, proving that the Mysterio legacy in professional wrestling remains strong through both his own contributions and his son Dominik’s rising success.

Rizzler Confirmed: A.J. and Big Justice Bring Backup to AEW Full Gear

Rayan Sayyed
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On AEW Dynamite’s go-home episode for AEW Full Gear, scheduled for this Saturday, an interesting announcement was made. The Costco Guys, Big Boom A.J. and Big Justice, revealed in a backstage interview with Renee Paquette that The Rizzler will make an appearance at the event.

What will The Rizzler do? He’s set to serve as the guest timekeeper during A.J.’s match against QT Marshall on the Full Zero Hour pre-show.

You can check out the segment in the video below:

Who is The Rizzler?

For those scratching their heads, let me explain. If you are living under a social media rock, you wouldn’t know who The Rizzler is. The Rizzler is a seven-year-old social media sensation who has amassed a massive following—750,000 followers on Instagram and 1.3 million on TikTok.

The Rizzler, whose real name is Christian Joseph, is best friends with AJ’s son, “Big Justice.” Despite being only in third grade, he rose to fame after a viral video of him dressed as Marvel’s Black Panther captured hearts online. Since then, he has teamed up with social media stars The Costco Guys and regularly makes appearances on shows such as The Tonight Show.

AEW Full Gear 2024

Full Gear takes place this Saturday, November 23, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. As one of AEW’s flagship events, it boasts a stacked card featuring the promotion’s biggest stars. You can check out the full card of the event and preview here.

For more on Full Gear, check out our full guide on how to stream the event in the U.S. and internationally, along with the pay-per-view price. Also, don’t miss SEScoops’ expert predictions for the big event.

Rey Mysterio On Reason For Dominik Mysterio’s Mega Heat: ‘It’s Gotta Be The Mustache’

Anutosh Bajpai
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Rey Mysterio has not given up on a potential reconciliation with son Dominik Mysterio, but he knows that it’s going to be very hard to achieve.

The WWE Hall of Famer recently had an interview with Rosenberg Wrestling. He talked about things like what he thinks about potential retirement, playing golf and more.

On the topic of Dominik having mega heat with the audience, Rey was asked how much he thinks it’s because of his own status as a longtime beloved babyface. The Master of 619 explained that it was a trigging point for fan’s reaction at the start of Dom’s heel run but joked that now it’s all because of his Mustache:

“I think it was definitely a triggering point at a certain part of his career or his turn but then after that I think now it’s mainly based on the Mustache. I think the Mustache is what really is what the fans hate.

I mean I hate it. I don’t know about you. [It’s] gotta be the Mustache. Not so much the hatred that he has on his father, it’s the Mustache, yeah.”

That’s Going To Be Very Hard: Rey Mysterio

The former World Champion was also asked about the possibility of reconciling with his son sometime in the future and potentially teaming with him again. Rey Mysterio said that it’s something a father would always be open to. He hopes that one day Dirty Dom will be able to see the bright side of being on the same team:

“That’s something that as a father they always would love to have with their kids. To be able to reconnect. End off how you started, on the good side. So I don’t know if that’s going to happen over the years.

People change – sometimes for good, sometimes for bad. Hopefully one day Dom can see the bright side of being on the Mysterio side and just being family overall. But I think that’s going to be very hard.”

Elsewhere in the interview, Rey claimed that his story with Dom is not over and he would be open to facing his son in another match as well.

Saraya Hints at AEW Return With A New Character

Thomas Lowson
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Former AEW Women’s World Champion Saraya has teased her return to television, with a brand new character in store for fans. The 32-year-old star last competed on the October 8 Dynamite: Title Tuesday, where she was on the losing end of a four-way Women’s World Title Eliminator won by Willow Nightingale.

On X, Saraya reposted footage of herself at the 11th Annual Reality Television Awards. Teasing big things to come, the British wrestler told fans to “wait until this version” of herself is back on AEW Dynamite.

https://twitter.com/Saraya/status/1859442581614018583

Saraya’s suggestion that she’s been working on an evolution of her on-screen persona intrigued fans, many of whom shared their excitement about a return and a new character in the comments. Earlier this month, Saraya rejected a claim that she has been out with an injury, and has instead been working on this new side to her character.

Saraya Takes Out Phoenix Suns Mascot With A Powerful Suplex

Saraya’s time in AEW has already seen dramatic changes, as she debuted as a face in 2022, and had the fans behind her thanks to her emotional return to the ring. In 2023, Saraya transitioned into being a heel, though unsurprisingly had the crowd on her side when she won the AEW Women’s World Title in her native England at All In: London. More recently, Saraya has been aligned with Harley Cameron, and despite being heels, their character work and chemistry has proven popular with many fans.

Now, fans can await a new side to Saraya when she returns to TV, though it remains to be seen when that’ll be. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Saraya as she prepares for her return to All-Elite programming.

Saraya Takes Out Phoenix Suns Mascot With A Powerful Suplex

Ricardo Rodriguez Opens Up About Alcohol Addiction Following WWE Career

Anutosh Bajpai
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0

Ricardo Rodriguez has opened up about his alcohol addiction and how Drew McIntyre helped him get into rehab through WWE.

The former WWE manager had an interview with Chris Van Vliet. He talked about things such as his run with Alberto Del Rio, his WWE release in 2014, and more.

During the session, Rodriguez went into length talking about his alcohol addiction. He mentioned that he got used to the grind during his time in WWE. After leaving the company, however, he had nothing to fill his time with and he turned to alcohol.

The 38-year-old revealed that he was chugging whole boxes of wine by himself at a time before he finally realized that he had a problem. He then put out a tweet asking for help and got a reply from a gentleman named Christopher Dreisbach. Rodriguez later contacted his friend Drew McIntyre to help him get in touch with WWE:

“WWE has this really cool wellness program part where if you’ve been with them and you encounter a similar situation, they can help you out, they’ll figure something out.

So I got in contact with WWE, and this is where a good friend of mine Drew McIntyre comes in. I sent Drew a message, and I was like, ‘Hey, can you find out the information of the wellness policy, who’s in charge or something.'”

Drew Was A Big Part In Making That Connection: Ricardo Rodriguez

The Mexican-American pro wrestler recalled always being angry and bitter during his addiction. He admitted to pushing a lot of his close friends away when they tried to help him because he didn’t care about anyone. It was the conversation with McIntyre that finally led to him getting the help he needed:

“So then he dug around, and he got me the info. I contacted WWE because of that, and it just yeah, it became a thing and that’s how we got connected. I had talked to WWE, and I told who had contacted me up here in Lancaster.

And he’s like, oh, and we’ve done stuff with them before. Go ahead and set it up, and we can figure out the details later. So yeah, Drew was a big part of making that connection.”

Rodriguez mentioned that something like that never goes away but he has learned to manage his addiction better. It remains a daily battle for him but he has learned to be grateful about things in life. He now tries to take a pause when something upsets him instead of reacting instantly and spiraling back into his old habits.

You can check out our exclusive interview with Ricardo on the 10th anniversary of his WWE exit below:

Watch Captain Insano’s Surprise Appearance at the 2024 CMAs

Bishal Roy
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AEW star Paul Wight, under his ‘Captain Insano’ moniker recently made a surprise appearance at the Country Music Association (CMA) Awards on Wednesday in Nashville, Tennessee.

Wight donned his Captain Insano attire from the 1998 Adam Sandler movie “The Waterboy” and turned up on stage during Bailey Zimmerman’s performance of “New to Country.” The 52-year-old star was part of the set as he stood near a beer pong table. Wight picked Zimmerman on his shoulders at the end of the song and the two walked around.

Captain Insano at 2024 CMAs

AEW had trademarked the name “Captain Insano” back in March 2021. Paul Wight has been eager to bring the character into AEW and made an appearance once in character in a backstage segment. A couple of years back, he also made a surprise appearance in a music video for The Acclaimed.

Wight was last competed in January as part of the Jericho Cruise and recently stated that he was hopeful to return to the ring “real soon” after recovering from partial knee replacement surgery. The veteran star has aimed to return at February’s AEW Grand Slam in Brisbane, Australia. However, he has revealed that his next run will be the last of his decorated career.

Before joining AEW in 2021 as a commentator, Paul Wight had a run in WCW followed by his lengthy career in WWE where he won multiple titles.

Dustin Rhodes Reveals He Has Set Some Goals For AEW All In Texas

Bishal Roy
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AEW veteran star Dustin Rhodes recently said that he wants to be a part of AEW All In Texas. AEW All In took place at the iconic Wembley Stadium for two consecutive years and the show is now headed to Texas in 2025, as the event will take place at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on Saturday, July 12th.

Speaking with WFFA 8, Dustin Rhodes stated that he wants to be a huge part of the show next year. Here is what he said:

“Yeah, I have some goals in mind. It’s a build to get there, I mean I’m gonna keep that kind of to myself, but I hope to be a huge part of All In Texas. This is our first US stadium show, which is gonna be huge.”

Dustin Rhodes recently celebrated 36 years of his debut and he has continued to be an integral part of AEW. He brings a lot of experience to the table, having been with the promotion since its inception. Dustin Rhodes doesn’t seem to slow down despite being in the latter stages of his career and he is trying to bring this energy to Texas next year.

AEW All In: Texas 2025 will mark the promotion’s first time hosting the event outside of London, England.

Tony Khan opens up on AEW All In Texas 2025

Recently, AEW President Tony Khan told Dallas Morning News that they have a chance to break the attendance record in Globe Life Field. He said:

“We think we have a chance to set the all-time attendance record. That would be pretty cool.”

Globe Life Field is currently the home of the Texas Rangers and opened its doors in 2020. Country artist Morgan Wallen holds the attendance record of the venue as 43,958 fans turned up to watch him live in 2022. Khan also revealed that he was excited about bringing the show to Arlington.

“AEW All In is such an important event in sports and it’s one of the most marquee nights in pro wrestling… The location is very special to us and Arlington, Texas. It’s a very special place.”

AEW have already held multiple shows in Arlington as episodes of AEW Collision and ROH Death Before Dishonor 2024 were held in the Texan city.

Jon Moxley Says Bryan Danielson Had A ‘Beautiful Funeral’ At WrestleDream

Anutosh Bajpai
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Jon Moxley says taking out Bryan Danielson was nothing more than an objective that needed to be completed.

The AEW World Champion has shown a completely new side of himself since returning to the promotion in August. Leading the Death Riders into a spree of violent attacks on various AEW talents, Mox proclaims to rid the company of all its problems.

The most gruesome of these attacks came at the WrestleDream PPV. Moxley not only defeated his former friend Bryan Danielson for the AEW title at the show but he also took out the American Dragon for good in a brutal post-match attack. Bryan had to be taken out on a stretcher afterwards and he is not expected to make an AEW appearance anytime soon.

A Beautiful Funeral

Speaking about the attack during a new interview with TVInsider, the AEW World Champion claimed that Danielson had to be taken off the board as part of the big picture. To him, Bryan was nothing more than a thing on a checklist:

“To me, it was a beautiful funeral. His mom was in the front row as I was squeezing his neck as his mom screamed that she loved him, and he screamed it back to her. I’m not sure if that was caught on camera, but that was quite a powerful moment to see up close.”

Jon Moxley mentioned how it is very easy to get emotionally attached to a match of Bryan Danielson. He reiterated however that he has no time to feel sad about it despite Bryan being one of his best friends and training partner for a good part of his career:

“A lot of guys’ careers will end in the hospital or their phones will stop ringing. It won’t be on their terms. Bryan was able to do very much to end this stage of his career on his terms. He did not verbally submit or tap out, but I felt the spirit of the American Dragon leave his body and feel that he can now rest.”

The former Shield member also claimed that the potential of AEW is ‘fucking huge.’ He said that their roster is stacked to a ridiculous level and there are many talents who haven’t gotten the chance to showcase what they’re truly capable of.

Tony Khan Hits Back At “Disingenuous” Feedback From Non-AEW Fans

Thomas Lowson
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Tony Khan isn’t going to stand by and listen to fan criticism of AEW, especially if the ‘criticism’ is entirely “disingenuous.” Sitting down with Iridian Fierro for WGN Radio, Khan said that while fans often give good feedback on his shows, there are plenty of examples when that isn’t the case.

“Sometimes, if it’s disingenuous, there’s nothing you can do. Sometimes it’s fans of a different promotion that don’t really have anything positive to say.”

One such example Khan brought up was AEW’s two All In: London events, as the attendance figure for the 2023 show came under scrutiny. Whether it was the initially announced 81,035 or the 73,000 figure many now believe, Khan finds it “insane” that some ‘fans’ see this as anything but a roaring success for his brand.

“That’s more people than were at the Mike Tyson/Jake Paul fight, and people were trying to say that, like, it was a bad number for AEW.”

Tony Khan Talks AEW’s Max Streaming Deal, Media Landscape

Other Interview Highlights

Khan broached many topics on AEW during the interview, including:

  • Khan is excited to use the song November Rain to recap stories heading into Full Gear. He pointed out that while ECW used the song, AEW is the first wrestling promotion to have the rights to the song and does things “by the book.”
  • Fans can expect an exciting time when AEW comes to the Hammerstein Ballroom in New York. The legendary arena, which hosted ECW events, will also host ROH Final Battle 2024.
  • Khan spoke highly of Chicago and spoke of AEW’s connection to the city. He said it’s “very fitting that we keep coming back here to this great city.”

Rick Martel Pushing For WWE Hall of Fame Induction

Thomas Lowson
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Wrestling legend Rick Martel is eager to take a place in the WWE Hall of Fame in recognition of his accomplishments in the squared circle. When the ’80’s Wrestling’ account on X asked its followers if Martel deserves a spot in the Hall of Fame, Rick himself made his views clear.

Martel also re-tweeted a post asking fans if he deserves a spot in WWE’s Hall of Fame. Many fans were all for the idea for both his work inside the promotion and in other territories.

Rick Martel: WWE Hall of Famer?

Martel certainly had a fulfilling career in the ring before he officially retired in March 1999. Martel is a former AWA World Champion, WCW TV Champion and three-time WWF Tag Team Champion. Martel also held gold in the NWA, Puerto Rico’s WWC, Georgia Championship Wrestling and Stu Hart’s Stampede Wrestling. In 2011, Martel’s accomplishments were recognized as he was inducted into the New England Pro Wrestling Hall of Fame, and was inducted into the Professional Wrestling Hall of Fame four years later.

The WWE Hall of Fame selection often comes under scrutiny by fans, with many names inducted seen as ‘undeserving’ of the accolade. Similarly, many names fans hoped to see inducted have yet to be given the nod, including the likes of William Regal and the late Owen Hart. As for whether ‘The Model’ gets a nod, time will tell, but Martel is ready to make an acceptance speech if WWE gives him a phone call.

Peacock Scrubs Controversial Carlito Line From WWE Raw Episode

Thomas Lowson
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A controversial comment by Carlito made during the October 21, 2024, edition of WWE Raw has been removed from Peacock’s upload of the show. The comment, made during a segment with Adam Pearce saw Carlito say “I gotta learn Chinese” after IYO SKY and Kairi Sane left the room.

Many took issue with the line, believing it played on harmful stereotypes about Asian people, as SKY and Sane are both Japanese, not Chinese. On Peacock, the segment has been edited and now Pearce simply asks Carlito what he wants, without the comment from the Judgment Day member.

The line was not scripted, with those who heard it within WWE’s production said to have been in disbelief over what was said. This line and backlash came about during a time when Triple H’s creative direction had come under great scrutiny by fans. The WWE CCO was criticized for his  his answer on the lack of representation of black talent on WWE Premium Live Events.

Peacock Removing Content

This isn’t the first time Peacock has edited WWE content that it feels may not reflect its values. Other examples of WWE content you won’t find on Peacock include:

  • DX’s parody of the Nation of Domination, which included the use of blackface.
  • Vince McMahon’s use of the N-word in a segment with John Cena and Booker T.
  • Roddy Piper painting half his body black for his feud with African-American wrestler Bad News Brown.
  • Mickie James licking her hand after grabbing Trish Stratus’ crotch at WrestleMania 22.

Now, Carlito’s controversial line has been cut from Peacock, years after a ‘fan’ told SKY during a WWE NXT match to ‘Go Back to China.’ Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from WWE.

Bobby Lashley Teases More Members For Hurt Syndicate

Anutosh Bajpai
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Bobby Lashley has teased an expansion of Hurt Syndicate.

The newest AEW signee recently had an interview with The Lame Guys Wrestling podcast. He talked about things such as his run-ins with Swerve Strickland, his future plans, and more.

The former world champion also explained his decision to join AEW after his departure from WWE. He revealed that one of the things that convinced him was Tony Khan’s promise of allowing him to work on other projects:

“Part of it is because Tony did tell me that I had opportunities to do other things also. So If I do want to tackle that fight and do another fight, whether it’s boxing, bareknuckle, MMA, I think he’ll give me the opportunity to. Then, all my other projects also that I’ve been working on.”

We Are Good For The Company: Bobby Lashley

The 48-year-old also noted that he wants to go out on his terms, an opportunity he didn’t get in WWE. He wants to work with his friends MVP and Shelton Benjamin again while helping young talents on his way.

Bobby Lashley explained that taking out the whole Hurt Syndicate might not be a realistic goal for an up-and-coming talent but they can benefit from working with different members of his group. The heavyweight star then teased bringing other members to the faction:

“I was like, ‘If I’m going to go out, there are certain ways that I want to go out.’ I didn’t get an opportunity to go out the way that I wanted to with putting guys over and having a feud with those guys. Another avenue I could be happy with is to be able to work with P and Shelton again, being able to run with that and have fun with it.

Ultimately, we are a group that is good for the company. We have the ability to be able to build talent. If you go into a feud with us or you’re on the mic against P, you have Shelton, me, whoever else we bring on. You have a lot of obstacles.”

When asked which are some names he would like to bring into the Hurt Syndicate fold, Lashley mentioned that he would like to have Lio Rush around him again. Other names that were mentioned during the conversation included Ricochet and HOOK.

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