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John Cena Plans To Serve As WWE Ambassador After Retirement

Tyriece Simon
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WWE icon and Hollywood box office heavyweight John Cena has plans for his career after he officially retires from WWE active competition in December 2025. Cena has wrestled for WWE since his debut in 2002 in a match against Kurt Angle. While he still looks in great shape and has competed sporadically for the company in recent years, he does not want fans thinking he’ll come out of retirement after his final match. Cena appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live this week (August 13) and said:

“I know sometimes retirement in wrestling are liquid. They happen, and they renege on that. I am 100% done. December 2025 is the last time I will perform in a ring, said Cena.

– John Cena on Jimmy Kimmel Live

John Cena: WWE Ambassador

Cena plans to be part of the WWE family for years to come, and feels that he can continue contributing by serving as a Brand Ambassador for the world’s premiere sports entertainment company.

“I’ll still be part of the WWE family as an Ambassador, but the time has come to close the physical performing chapter of my life, and I’m at peace with it, which is why 2025 is going to be awesome. It’s going to be fun. It’s not going to be sad, but that’s it.”

– John Cena on Jimmy Kimmel Live

When Cena becomes a WWE Ambassador, he’ll join the likes of other legends like The Undertaker and Lex Luger, who represent the promotion outside the ring. The company would have the accomplished film superstar make special appearances for various promotional events. Cena’s new role will continue to allow him to take on acting roles while being a representative for WWE when needed.

The former 13-time WWE Champion has already shown he can be a great ambassador from his involvement with the Make-A-Wish Foundation and media appearances throughout his career. Another example of his dedication to being a great spokesperson is how much he cares for the WWE fanbase. An old video has resurfaced online regarding Cena’s signing 3,000 photos in the lead-up to WrestleMania 26 in 2010, showing his commitment.

Cena’s new role in WWE would be an excellent way for him to stay connected with the company and continue his journey of becoming a successful box-office attraction in his acting career. Next year will mark the end of Cena’s accomplished wrestling career, but his comments on the Jimmy Kimmel Show show that he still wants to be involved with WWE’s future. 

CM Punk Makes Surprise Appearance At Rancid Concert in Chicago

Thomas Lowson
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WWE Superstar CM Punk has taken a break from beefing with Drew McIntyre to appear at a Rancid concert in his native Chicago. As seen in footage shared online, Punk embraces the band, consisting of Tim Armstrong, Matt Freeman, Lars Frederiksen, and Branden Steineckert, and poses with Armstrong.

The show was just the latest stop of the band’s ongoing tour of North America which will see Rancid perform in Minneapolis, Milwaukee, and Atlanta in the coming days. As for Punk, his future could be in Germany, as it has been reported that a rematch with Drew McIntyre could happen at WWE Bash in Berlin on August 31.

Wrestlers Outside of the Ring

Punk’s involvement at the Rancid concert is hardly the only wrestler to make waves at a gig recently. Over in AEW, Darby Allin (Punk’s first All-Elite) opponent, was launched into the crowd during a concert from Brody King’s band God’s Hate.

In June, WWE Women’s World Champion Liv Morgan showed her skills outside the ring when she threw the opening pitch at a Boston Red Sox game. Last week, Randy Orton also threw out a first pitch, this time at a game for his local St. Louis Cardinals. Clearly, WWE Superstars have appeal outside of the squared circle, and appearances in other forms of entertainment have proven especially popular. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on CM Punk, both in and out of the ring.

John Cena: ‘I’ve Been Preparing For My Retirement For A Long Time’

Thomas Lowson
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John Cena’s announcement of his in-ring retirement may have only come recently, but it’s something that the WWE icon has been working on for some time. Speaking to Denise Salcedo at the premiere of his new movie Jackpot, Cena addressed his impending exit from the squared circle.

“It’s something I’ve been preparing for, for a long time. If you backtrack interviews, I started talking about that in maybe 2019 so I’m ready for it and I think now is the perfect time to do it.”

Cena went on to share his appreciation to WWE who have been “awesome” working around his schedule. While some will be sad to see the 16-time WWE World Champion step away from the ring, John himself is feeling immensely positive about what’s to come.

“I feel great. It’s a happy thing. I’m not going to tell anyone how to feel because I don’t believe in that but I am going to approach it with an upbeat attitude.”

John Cena’s Retirement Tour

As one of the biggest names in wrestling history, it’s hardly a surprise that several wrestlers have put themselves forward for Cena’s farewell tour. CM Punk hopes to team with John before the latter calls it a career while The Miz is hoping to get one last match with Cena after previously headlining WrestleMania 27 in 2011.

New WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker is ready to defend his title against Cena next year. The title in question is one of the few accolades John has not obtained in WWE and the only title Cena needs to complete the Grand Slam. Talent outside of WWE are also interested with Matt Cardona wanting a match while WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam is hoping for a One Night Stand 2006 rematch with Big Match John.

Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on John Cena and his final year in the ring.

AEW Dynamite Preview (8/14): Two Title Matches and More

Tyriece Simon
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Tonight’s All Elite Wrestling Dynamite episode will take place at the Chartway Arena in Norfolk, Virginia. It will be the last Dynamite in the United States before the company heads overseas on the road to All In on August 25.

AEW Dynamite Tonight

Here is what has been announced to occur on tonight’s show

  • Jay Lethal vs. Adam Page
  • Three-Way Match for the Number One Spot In Casino Gauntlet At All In: Roderick Strong vs. Orange Cassidy vs. Kyle O’Reilly
  • Swerve Strickland vs. Wheeler Yuta
  • AEW TBS Championship Match: (C) Mercedes Moné vs. Hikaru Shida
  • AEW World Tag Team Championship: (C) The Young Bucks vs. The Acclaimed

Plus, Dynamite will also feature:

  • Hook to appear
  • A Flim By Mariah May segment
  • Kazuchika Okada & Claudio Castagnoli Face to Face

The Acclaimed Finally Get Their Title Opportunity

The Acclaimed (Anthony Bowens & Max Caster) are set to challenge The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson & Nicholas Jackson) for the tag titles. The fan-favorite duo earned the opportunity after defeating the champions in an eliminator match on the June 19 episode of AEW Dynamite. After nearly two months of building to their rematch, both teams will try to settle their differences and end the episode with the AEW World Tag Team Championships.

AEW Dynamite Mone vs. Shida
(AEW)

Mercedes Moné Puts Title On The Line Ahead of All In

In preparation for her match against Dr. Britt Baker, DMD, at All In, Moné puts her title on the line against Shida. The matchup will be the “CEO” fifth time defending the AEW TBS Championship since winning it at Double or Nothing on May 26.

Strickland vs. Yuta
(AEW)

Swerve Strickland Faces Wheeler Yuta In Non-Title Match

Elsewhere in the episode, Strickland takes on Yuta in a non-title match to get ready for his title defense at All In. Bryan Danielson will be in the corner of his Blackpool Combat Club ally and get a preview of what to expect from the champion at the upcoming pay-per-view.

AEW Dynamite: Three Way Match
(AEW)

Number One Spot In Casino Gauntlet Will Be Determined

Another important match on tonight’s episode is the three-way match to determine who will have the number one spot in the Casino Gauntlet. Strong, Cassidy, and O’Reilly will push each other to their limit to gain an advantage in the featured All In match.

What Happened On Last Week’s AEW Dynamite Episode

Before tonight’s episode, here is a recap of what happened last week.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for our continued coverage of Dynamite and the upcoming AEW All In 2024 PPV on Sunday, August 25.

Report: AEW Working On Australian Stadium Show For 2025

Thomas Lowson
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All Elite Wrestling could be heading down under next year with a stadium show in Australia, it has been claimed this week. The Sporting News reports that AEW is planning on hosting a stadium event in Australia in 2025 and that plans are already in motion.

Venues reportedly being considered for the show include Sydney’s Allianz Stadium (max capacity of 42,500), Melbourne’s Marvel Stadium (56,347), and Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium (52,500). Entertainment company TEG is believed to be supporting the event. AEW talent from Australia include Buddy Matthews, Mark Davis, and Kyle Fletcher.

AEW and Stadiums

AEW will host its second stadium show, All In: London 2024, later this month from England’s Wembley Stadium. Last year’s event will also soon receive a showcase, thanks to the upcoming AEW Stories episode that will give a behind-the-scenes look at All In 2023.

AEW has yet to host a stadium-sized event in the U.S. though fans are hoping that changes. When asked about such an event during the ROH Death Before Dishonor media scrum, Tony Khan said not to underestimate the promotion and that it could happen in the future.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fcCMnPXaNoA&pp=ygUKYWV3IGFsbCBpbg%3D%3D

Pro-Wrestling & Australia

Australia has been home to several large-scale events, including 2018’s WWE Super ShowDown. The event saw a (disputed) 70,309 fans fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground to see The Undertaker and Triple H compete in their final one-on-one match. In February of this year, WWE hosted its Elimination Chamber PLE in Perth, Australia. The show was headlined by Australia’s own Rhea Ripley retaining the Women’s World Championship against Nia Jax.

Australia is also home to its own promotions, including Riot City Wrestling. Popular wrestler DELTA recently wrapped up her time with the promotion amid reports that she has signed with WWE. DELTA recently shared a photo of her suitcase from Adelaide airport and a message of goodbye, as she prepares to embark on the next chapter of her career in the United States of America.

AEW All In 2024 Matches Ranked by Hype Levels

Jake Skudder
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As AEW’s biggest event of the year approaches from Wembley Stadium in London, England, on August 25th, fans are eagerly anticipating what could be the best PPV of All Elite’s entire year.

AEW All In 2024 is building into an electrifying card with some of the most highly anticipated matches in recent history. Here’s a look at the matches, ranked by their hype levels.

AEW All In Confirmed Matches

Bryan Danielson vs. Swerve Strickland – AEW World Championship Match

Hype Level: Sky-High

AEW All In 2024 Swerve vs Danielson
Image Copyright: AEW

The main event between Bryan Danielson and Swerve Strickland is undeniably the most anticipated match on the card. With Danielson announcing his retirement if he loses, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This storyline has captivated fans, making it the emotional centerpiece of All In 2024 and potentially the sendoff of one of the greatest to ever do it.

Toni Storm vs Mariah May – AEW Women’s Championship Match

Hype Level: Sky High

AEW All In 2024 Toni Storm vs Mariah May
Image Copyright: AEW

The feud between “Timeless” Toni Storm and Mariah May is being hailed as one of the best-built rivalries in AEW history, and for good reason. This match has the potential to elevate both women, particularly May, who will be wrestling in front of a hometown crowd but likely to be booed against the extravagant and beloved Storm. This match has been built for a long time and we can’t wait to see it.

MJF vs. Will Ospreay – AEW United States Championship Match

Hype Level: High

AEW American Championship

The feud between MJF and Will Ospreay is one of the most talked-about matchups heading into All In 2024. Their rivalry has been brewing for months, and the recent developments at the RevPro at York Hall have only intensified the anticipation after Maxwell put a beating on Ospreay’s friend Michael Oku. This match is expected to be a hard-hitting and emotionally charged battle, with both men having a lot to prove on AEW’s biggest stage.

Mercedes Moné (c) (with Kamille) vs. Dr. Britt Baker, D.M.D. – TBS Championship Match

Hype Level: Moderate

AEW All In 2024 Mercedes Mone vs Dr Britt Baker
Image Copyright: AEW

This SHOULD be a great match between two of the best performers in All Elite, but the build has been bizarre. The backstage heat between Baker and MJF seems to have caused more uproar than the actual feud on television itself, and Mone’s recent promos have not gone down well with fans. This could steal the show, but it could also just be another match. The crowd will be a big factor in how well this goes, but unfortunately right now it’s just kind of…there?

Orange Cassidy or Roderick Strong or Kyle O’Reilly vs. TBA – Casino Gauntlet match for a future AEW World Championship match

Hype Level: Low

All three currently confirmed talents in this match are great and this should be a good match on the PPV, but it does feel like it could’ve taken place on a random Dynamite, so the hype level just isn’t there for us.

The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch, and Nick Wayne) (c) (with Mother Wayne) vs. Bang Bang Gang (Juice Robinson, Austin Gunn, and Colten Gunn) vs. House of Black (Malakai Black, Brody King, and Buddy Matthews)

Hype Level: Low

Whilst this could easily be a good match on the card, it could’ve been saved for a special episode of Dynamite. All three teams have been solid on television over the last few months, but this isn’t going to be one of the featured matches on the card. Hopefully, they can surprise us and pull off something great.

Kris Statlander and Stokely Hathaway vs. Willow Nightingale and Tomohiro Ishii

Hype Level: Low

Willow Nightingale is one of the best babyfaces that AEW has, period, and Kris Statlander is great in her role as the friend who betrayed the sweet and innocent all-conquering star. Stokely Hathaway deserves comeuppance and he has proven that he can antagonise a crowd at the top; Tomohiro Ishii is a legend and more than worthy of being on this card. But does this match have any hype at all? No. Zero. It’s a real shame because more could’ve been done with this, but the pay off of seeing Willow and Ishii getting their hands on Statlander and Stokely isn’t going to be anything more than an “ok that happened” on a massive card.

AEW All In Expected Matches

Kazuchika Okada vs. Claudio Castagnoli – AEW Continental Championship

Hype Level: High if it does get confirmed

Kazuchika Okada defending the AEW Continental Championship against Claudio Castagnoli is another match that would fans on the edge of their seats. The face-off between these two wrestling titans has been brewing, and their hopefully impending clash is set to be a technical masterpiece in Wembley. This is easily a dark horse for match of the weekend if it does take place.

Chris Jericho vs. Hook – FTW Championship

Hype Level: Not major

Jericho vs Hook will likely be added to the card in the coming weeks, but the storyline between them has fallen flat. Although the ‘Learning Tree’ gimmick has brought flashes of the glory years of Jericho back to television, it hasn’t done much at all for Hook and he is still languishing.

Jeff Jarrett vs. Hangman Page

Hype Level: High if it does get confirmed

Considering what Jeff Jarrett has done in his career he more than deserves a match of this magnitude at Wembley. The contest isn’t confirmed, but we think there’s a good chance it will be added and be a great brawl on PPV.

The Young Bucks vs. FTR vs. The Acclaimed – AEW Tag Team Championship

Hype Level: Approaching High if it does get confirmed

The AEW Tag Team Championship match at All In is expected to be a triple threat between The Young Bucks, FTR, and The Acclaimed. This match has all the ingredients to steal the show, with three of AEW’s top teams vying for the titles.

Current AEW Champions: AEW World Title, TNT, TBS, Women’s World Title and more

Jake Skudder
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AEW/All Elite Wrestling has had numerous Championships created and brought to television since the company’s inception in 2019, but who are the current champs?

Here’s an overview of the current AEW champions, including those holding the AEW World Title, TNT Title, TBS Title, and more.

Current AEW Singles Champions

AEW World Championship

The AEW World Championship is the pinnacle of AEW’s men’s division. Swerve Strickland is the current champion, holding the title since April 21, 2024, when he defeated Samoa Joe at the Dynasty event in St. Louis, Missouri. This marks Strickland’s first reign as AEW World Champion.

AEW TNT Championship

The TNT Championship, AEW’s secondary men’s title, is currently held by Jack Perry. He captured the title on June 30, 2024, at the Forbidden Door event in Elmont, New York, winning a ladder match against multiple competitors after the title was vacated due to an injury to the previous champion, Adam Copeland.

AEW International (American) Championship

Originally known as the AEW International Championship, this title was unofficially rebranded as the AEW American Championship by its current holder, MJF.

MJF won the title on July 17, 2024, defeating Will Ospreay at Dynamite 250 in North Little Rock, Arkansas.

AEW Continental Championship

Kazuchika Okada is the reigning AEW Continental Champion, having won the title on March 20, 2024, in Toronto, Ontario, by defeating Eddie Kingston. This title is defended under unique “Continental Rules,” emphasizing strict adherence to wrestling regulations.

AEW Women’s World Championship

In the women’s division, the AEW Women’s World Championship is held by “Timeless” Toni Storm. Storm secured her record-tying third reign by defeating Hikaru Shida at Full Gear on November 18, 2023, in Inglewood, California.

AEW TBS Championship

The AEW TBS Championship, a secondary title in the women’s division, is currently held by Mercedes Moné. Moné won the title on May 26, 2024, at Double or Nothing, overcoming Willow Nightingale in Paradise, Nevada.

Current AEW Tag Team Champions

AEW World Tag Team Championship

The AEW World Tag Team Championship is held by The Young Bucks (Matthew Jackson and Nicholas Jackson). They are in their record third reign after winning the titles on April 21, 2024, at the Dynasty event by defeating FTR (Dax Harwood and Cash Wheeler) in a Ladder match, which was the final of a tournament for the vacant title.

The titles were vacated after Sting’s retirement led to the former champions, Sting and Darby Allin, relinquishing the belts.

AEW World Trios Championship

The AEW World Trios Championship, a title contested by teams of three wrestlers, is held by The Patriarchy (Christian Cage, Killswitch, and Nick Wayne).

They won the titles on July 20, 2024, by defeating The Bang Bang Gang on the Collision episode after the previous champions were stripped due to an injury to Jay White.

Oba Femi Issues Another Open Challenge After Successful Title Defense

Bishal Roy
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NXT North American Champion Oba Femi has yet again put the NXT and main roster locker room on notice. He has issued an open challenge after Otis failed to dethrone him.

On the latest edition of NXT, Oba Femi held an Open Challenge for the NXT North American Championship. Alpha Academy member Otis had answered his challenge. However, he couldn’t get the job done. WWE dropped a video on social media in which Femi boasted his successful title defense against Otis and feels nobody can dethrone him. He said:

“Another successful title defense. With all due respect to Otis, he couldn’t get the job done tonight. I challenge anyone from NXT and anyone from the main roster to come here and give me a challenge. Because if Otis couldn’t do it, I don’t think anyone can.”

Oba Femi was in attendance On this week’s Raw and he had a stare down with Otis. Soon, the Alpha Academy member accepted Femi’s open challenge. Otis pushed Femi to his limits early on in the match. However, the champ managed to turn the table soon. In the final moments of the match, Femi hit a devastating powerbomb on Otis and secured a pinfall victory.

Oba Femi has been a dominant champion. After winning NXT Breakout tournament, he cashed in his contract on Dragon Lee earlier this year. Since then he has been defending his title against open challenges. He has defended his NXT North American title against the likes of Dragon Lee, Brooks Jensen, Lexis King and Duke Hudson. With the win against Otis, the Nigerian powerhouse has extended his winning streak.

WWE’s Latest Trademarks Give Hint At Promotion’s Future Plans

Thomas Lowson
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A series of trademarks filed by WWE has given wrestling fans a hint at what the promotion may have planned in the coming weeks and months. Over the past week, WWE has filed trademarks for ‘The Wyatt Sicks,’ ‘The Pure Fusion Collective,’ ‘Pure Fusion’ and ‘Fatal Influence.’ The terms have been filed for the use in entertainment services and broadcast media.

The Wyatt Sicks

WWE has already been using the term The Wyatt Sicks for some time now as the Uncle Howdy-led faction has proven to be a force to be reckoned with so far. The group recently made its in-ring debut with a win over the Creed Brothers and Chad Gable. The Olympian was ‘killed’ by the faction during its arrival in June and has been at odds with the group ever since. Outside of WWE, The Wyatt Sicks has also been targeting The Pat McAfee Show.

The Pure Fusion Collective

The Pure Fusion Collective is the name of the new faction consisting of Shayna Baszler, Sonya Deville, and Zoey Stark. So far, the group has feuded with Damage CTRL and an attack on Dakota Kai has written her off TV. The Kiwi Superstar is dealing with a torn meniscus and could miss up to ten weeks of action.

Fatal Influence

So far, WWE has not used the term Fatal Influence on TV, leaving fans to speculate if it is a new faction, an event name, or something else entirely. The name does highlight WWE’s new era contrasting with its previous administration under Vince McMahon. The former WWE CEO reportedly had strict rules against certain words, including anything that made reference to killing or a loss of life.

Francine: ‘There’s Always Talk About Unionizing But Talent Might Be Scared’

Thomas Lowson
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There is always discussions about unionizing in professional wrestling, according to ECW alum Francine, who believes that for all this talk, talent may be scared to do so. On her Eyes Up Here podcast, Francine discussed the possibility of whether a union in wrestling will ever happen.

“There’s always been somebody saying, ‘you know we really should start a union.’ and it never ever happens. It never happens.”

Francine recalled being approached recently by “somebody who has a bit of clout” about possibly forming a union. The ECW alum was approached as this ‘somebody’ wanted names to support the idea. Since then, Francine hasn’t heard anything about this latest attempt to unionize and isn’t entirely surprised.

“I don’t know if the boys are scared to do it because they might not get work, but I don’t know it’s a touchy subject.” 

Wrestling & Unions

Jesse Ventura tried to forge a union in professional wrestling in an act that ultimately cost him his job in the WWF. For years, including on a recent media appearance, Ventura has claimed that Hulk Hogan ‘tattled’ on him to Vince McMahon and that the Hulkster was opposed to unionization benefitting others.

In 2020, talk of unionization sprang up again as WWE clamped down on talent engaging in third-party deals without their involvement. Mere minutes after Zelina Vega shared her support for unionization, she was released from WWE in a move that spawned backlash among fans. Vega was rehired by WWE the following year and remains employed to this day.

When Freddie Prinze Jr. shared intentions to launch his own wrestling promotion, he claimed that talent would be welcomed into the SAG-AFTRA union for actors. In the years since then though, Prinze’s promotion has yet to launch, though the former WWE writer continues to give updates on a planned broadcast deal.

Netflix’s ‘The Queen of Villains’ Trailer Gives First Look At Japan’s Scariest Heel

Thomas Lowson
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A new trailer from Netflix has given wrestling fans their first look at The Queen of Villains, a new project about the life and career of Dump Matsumoto. The Queen of Villains will premiere on September 19, on the streaming juggernaut. You can check out the trailer below.

This project was announced back in July with a teaser poster showing Matsumoto’s iconic facepaint and chain with some blood splatter for good measure.

Who is Dump Matsumoto?

Matsumoto terrified Japanese women’s wrestling as a heel during the 1980s and was world-renowned for her brutal style in the ring. With her larger-than-life persona as a villain, Matsumoto became a leading figure in All Japan Women’s Pro Wrestling and she would become something of a cultural phenomenon.

Matsumoto led the notorious Atrocious Alliance stable, which introduced fans to wrestlers such as WWE Hall of Famer Bull Nakano. Her rivalry with the popular Crush Gals, particularly Chigusa Nagayo, remains the stuff of legend and Matsumoto is still regarded as one of the most influential in the history of Japanese women’s wrestling.

Pro-Wrestling and Netflix

The Queen of Villains is just one of Netflix’s forays into the world of professional wrestling. For years, the popular GLOW series gave fans a look into the iconic women’s promotion and the glamorous and not-so-glamorous side of 80s wrestling.

Next year, WWE RAW will move to Netflix as part of a ten-year deal estimated at approximately $5 billion. At this time, the only name confirmed for the debut RAW on Netflix is John Cena, as the show will mark the first stop of his retirement tour.


AEW Stories To Give Behind-The-Scenes Look At All In: London 2023

Thomas Lowson
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A new show from All Elite Wrestling will give fans a deep-dive look into last year’s All In mega-show, ahead of the promotion’s return to London. AEW Stories will premiere on AEW’s YouTube channel this coming Monday and promises to give fans a behind-the-scenes look at the promotion’s largest event to date.

All In: London 2023 took place on August 27, from Wembley Stadium in London, England and saw over 75,000 fans fill the venue for AEW’s first show outside North America. The event saw Saraya win her first championship in close to a decade, while MJF retained the AEW World Championship in the main event against Adam Cole.

AEW All In: CM Punk & Jack Perry

The show was unfortunately overshadowed to some degree by a backstage altercation between CM Punk and Jack Perry. After Perry made a comment about using real glass for his match with HOOK, Punk confronted him and the pair got physical. Punk would later compete against Samoa Joe but both he and Perry would be suspended after the event. Punk would be fired mere days later while Perry’s suspension would only come to an end in 2024. It remains to be seen to what extent, if any, AEW Stories will address this situation which was aired on an episode of Dynamite earlier this year.

Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on AEW Stories as the All-Elite promotion prepares to return to the UK for its second All In pay-per-view.

AEW Star Says WWE Had Interest in ‘Dynamite Kid’ Tommy Billington

Bishal Roy
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AEW star Dax Harwood has revealed a rising talent, ‘Dynamite Kid’ Tommy Billington was offered an AEW contract despite interest from WWE.

Reports recently emerged that ‘Dynamite Kid’ Tommy Billington signed with All Elite Wrestling. He is the nephew of Tom Billington, who was one-half of the iconic British Bulldogs and teamed up with Davey Boy Smith.

Dax Harwood spoke about the youngster during an Instagram live. He revealed that Tommy Billington received an AEW contract offer the same night as his match against Harwood. The next day WWE called close aides of Billington to check whether he had an interest in joining WWE. However, Billington decided to sign with AEW.

Billington has had a couple of impressive outings against veterans Konosuke Takeshita and Dax Harwood in recent months. His match against Dax Harwood gained traction. Though he lost the matches, he was able to put up impactful performances.

Fans speculated about his contract status and Fightful reported that “according to talent close to Tommy, they say that he’s been signed by AEW.” While WWE and NXT also expressed their interest Tommy was determined to sign with AEW. The 23-year-old star Tommy Billington is undoubtedly a promising talent and he has a bright future ahead. After starting his career in 2018, he has competed in several independent promotions including RCW, WPW, DEFY.

We will have to wait and see how he performs in AEW in his future matches.

Dominik Mysterio On How Netflix Move Will Affect WWE Programming

Anutosh Bajpai
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Dominik Mysterio is excited to see what boundaries they can push with the move to Netflix.

WWE Raw is set to leave traditional cable TV and move to Netflix in a monumental deal at the start of next year. There is a lot of chatter about how this will change the landscape of professional wrestling.

The Judgment Day star was the most recent guest on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast. He discussed things such as his storyline with Rhea Ripley, working with Eddie Guerrero and more.

When the topic of the Netflix deal came up, Paul explained how wrestlers will be able to take advantage of the global reach to expand their personal brand. Dirty Dom mentioned that he hasn’t thought about the move in that manner and his focus is on putting out the best performance he can:

“To me I just want to wrestle. I just want to go out there and put on the best performances as possible. But on the business side of it, which I feel like a lot of, it’s newer for us wrestlers to like kind of do it that way.

Cause like I said, I feel like we just kind of want to go out there and wrestle and perform and give the best to the fans. So this is, bringing it to Netflix, it’s gonna, a whole new set of eyes, different crowd, you can get new people involved. It’s going to be…I want to see what boundaries we can push with it for sure.”

Out of Nowhere

WWE has slowly moved towards more edgier programming in the past couple of years. Angles such as Dominik’s storyline with Rhea Ripley and Liv Morgan have been testing out the limits of what’s allowed on cable TV.

When asked how he thinks the programming will adapt to streaming which will have even fewer restrictions, Mysterio mentioned that fans would expect them to go all out with explicit content. The former champion, however, explained that you have to restrict the amount of mature content in order to make it meaningful:

“I think people are going to expect us to go in there and just…first episode of Raw on Netflix I think people are gonna expect you know freaking blood and tables everywhere, titties. Like Edge and Lita where they had the live sex show.

I’m sure people are going to expect things like that but I feel like in order for stuff like that to be special and meaningful you can’t have it all the time. It’s gotta come like an RKO out of nowhere. It’s like you don’t expect it and then it’s like, boom – titty!”

Dominik Mysterio is currently scheduled to team with Liv Morgan to take on Rhea Ripley and Damian Priest in a mixed tag match at the Bash In Berlin PPV on August 31.

Penta El Zero Miedo Calls Out Fake News, Clarifies His Status With AEW

Bishal Roy
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Lucha Brothers’ Penta El Zero Miedo recently refuted the rumors of him possibly jumping ship to WWE.

WrestlePurists reported that Penta would be in Orlando at some point this week, indicating his signing with WWE. However, Penta El Zero Miedo took to social media and cleared the air on his future. He urged the outlet to stop posting fake news and said that he is currently signed with AEW.

“Please stop posting fake news !! My present is AEW !!”

In another tweet, Penta wrote:

“no more gossip! my present is aew!”

Reports started to float that former AEW World Tag Team Champions The Lucha Brothers (Penta El Zero Miedo and Rey Fenix) are expected to part ways with AEW after their contracts their contract expire later this year. They both have reportedly drawn interest from WWE. It was previously reported that Penta’s contract with AEW will end between August and September.

On August 1, Penta El Zero Miedo filed trademark for the names of “Cero Miedo,” “Zero Miedo,” and “AN1MO” for the meaning of entertainment purposes. Meanwhile, Rey Fenix filed for “King Fuego,” “Rey Fuego,” and “Fuego” all on the same date for the same reason. This further fueled speculation about their future.

Rey Fenix withdrew from an indie appearance which implied that he had signed a deal with WWE. New Era Wrestling confirmed Fenix’s withdrawal from their event which is scheduled for September 2nd. While Penta El Zero Miedo has snubbed the rumors, Rey Fenix has remained tight-lipped about his future.

Multiple Title Changes Shake Up WWE NXT On 8/13 Episode

Thomas Lowson
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The latest episode of WWE NXT saw the gold brand receive a dramatic shake-up with not one but two titles changing hands on the broadcast. The show marked NXT’s return to the USA Network after two weeks of hosting its Great American Bash special on SyFy.

WWE NXT Title Changes

In our opening contest of the night, Tony D’Angelo put his Heritage Cup on the line against Charlie Dempsey. This match was secured by Wren Sinclair, who earned the opportunity for the No Quarter Catch Crew last week with a victory over Kendal Grey (a victory that also earned her a spot in the faction.)

D’Angelo got the first pinfall of the contest in round two, but Dempsey fought back. Once again, Sinclair paid dividends for the NQCC as it was her interference, knocking D’Angelo off the top role that allowed Dempsey to get the decisive third pinfall of the match.

In our main event, the NXT Tag Team Championships were on the line as Nathan Frazer and Axiom defended against Andre Chase and Ridge Holland of Chase U. In the end, it was Holland who got the win for his team after planting Axiom with Northern Grit.

Chase U rushed the ring to celebrate with Chase and Holland as confetti filled the arena. This ends the title reign of Frazer and Axiom at 126 days. This is the second reign for Chase, who previously held the gold with Duke Hudson in a reign that lasted 21 days. This is Holland’s first NXT Tag Title reign and first taste of any WWE gold since joining the promotion in 2018.

MuscleManMalcolm Makes In-Ring Debut at MCW Dynamo Runs The Show

Thomas Lowson
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SE Scoops’ very own MuscleManMalcolm has taken his next step in the wrestling industry after making his debut as an in-ring competitor. Malcolm competed at the MCW Dynamo Runs The Show event this week which took place at the RJ Meyer Arena at Joppa Grand Market in Joppa, MD. In footage shared on Facebook, Malcolm can be seen holding his own against two opponents, and using some unique offense after declaring “I’m gonna hit them with my butt!” Malcolm also hits an impressive-looking Samoan drop in the footage recorded at ringside.

Speaking in a YouTube video ahead of the show, Malcolm shared how he went from ring-side attendee to in-ring talent. After being confronted by some heels at a previous MCW event, Malcolm played a role in the pair losing a match, setting up a tag-team encounter at MCW Dynamo Runs The Show.

Malcolm may have triumphed during his in-ring debut, but he is best known in the world of wrestling for his insightful interviews with top wrestling names. Carmelo Hayes, Tiffany Stratton, Chad Gable, and Otis are just some of the names to have been interviewed by Malcolm over his years in the industry.

What’s to Come?

After making a successful in-ring debut, fans can expect to see Malcolm back in the ring within a matter of days. Malcolm will face TNA Digital Media Champion in a Special Attraction Match at the Battle Club Pro Jobber Slam IV event. The show will take place in Brooklyn, New York on August 24.

John Cena Shares Number of Dates For WWE Retirement Tour

Thomas Lowson
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WWE icon John Cena has revealed how many appearances for the promotion he will make next year as he embarks on his retirement tour. Speaking to Collider, Cena said that work on his Peacemaker series will keep him busy for the rest of 2024, but he has fully committed 2025 to WWE.

“It’s gonna be right around 36 dates around the world to pay thanks and gratitude to the WWE audiences around the world. So, that’s what I’m doing in 2025.”

Cena confirmed at the WWE Money in the Bank 2024 PLE that he will be retiring from in-ring competition next year and no amount of money will change his mind. This isn’t the first time John has spoken about his farewell tour being an international matter as he hopes to compete in the United Kingdom at least one more time before calling it a career.

John Cena’s Retirement Tour

As one of the biggest names in wrestling history, it’s hardly a surprise that several wrestlers have put themselves forward for Cena’s farewell tour. CM Punk hopes to team with John before the latter calls it a career while The Miz is hoping to get one last match with Cena after previously headlining WrestleMania 27 in 2011.

New WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker is ready to defend his title against Cena next year. The title in question is one of the few accolades John has not obtained in WWE and the only title Cena needs to complete the Grand Slam. Talent outside of WWE are also interested with Matt Cardona wanting a match while WWE Hall of Famer Rob Van Dam is hoping for a One Night Stand 2006 rematch with Big Match John.

Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on John Cena and his final year in the ring.

Jacob Fatu Returning to WWE TV Soon After Injury Scare at SummerSlam

Michael Reichlin
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The Bloodline will be back in full force very soon after a recent injury scare threatened the group’s solidarity at a critical time. Jacob Fatu recently burst onto the scene as the newest member of The Bloodline.

The former MLW World Champion immediately aligned with Solo Sikoa, adding another highly combustible element to the group. Fatu wasted no time, winning the World Tag Team Championships with Tama Tonga and playing a significant role in Sikoa’s WWE Championship match against Cody Rhodes at SummerSlam.

Jacob Fatu’s WWE Return

Unfortunately, Fatu’s high-risk offense backfired at SummerSlam when he dove off the top rope onto Cody Rhodes, who was sprawled on the announcer’s table at ringside. Fatu connected, but it was immediately apparent that something went wrong. He was writhing in pain, assisted backstage by WWE officials, and later spotted wearing a protective boot on his foot in the hours following the event.

According to PWInsider, Jacob Fatu is scheduled to return to WWE television by the end of this month. This is excellent news because a more serious diagnosis could have necessitated surgery, derailed storylines, and jeopardized his future mobility. Fatu and Tonga won’t have to surrender the tag titles, and The Bloodline will have ‘all hands on deck’ as they deal with Roman Reigns, the recently returned Original Tribal Chief (OTC).

Bobby Lashley AEW: Top 3 Matches We Need To See

Jake Skudder
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As Bobby Lashley’s time in WWE appearing to be nearing its end, the wrestling world buzzes with speculation about his next move.

Many believe the “All Mighty” will head to AEW, including those supposedly close to the former WWE and ECW Champion.

Here are the top three matches we need to see if Lashley makes the jump to AEW.

Read More – Latest On Bobby Lashley’s WWE Status Amid Ongoing TV Hiatus

1. Bobby Lashley vs. Powerhouse Hobbs

A Battle of Behemoths

Powerhouse Hobbs has long been touted as a future AEW World Champion. A match against Bobby Lashley would not only be a hard-hitting affair but could also serve as a major turning point in Hobbs’ career.

Hobbs, who has been struggling with creative direction in AEW, could find new momentum by facing a decorated veteran like Lashley.

This clash could also potentially set the stage for faction warfare, especially if Lashley reunites with MVP and Shelton Benjamin in AEW, creating an intense rivalry with the Don Callis Family.

2. Bobby Lashley vs. Swerve Strickland

A Clash of Styles

Swerve Strickland is one of AEW’s most dynamic and unpredictable talents. His innovative in-ring style would mesh well with Lashley’s power and aggression, making for a compelling match between the ropes.

The contrast between Strickland’s agility and Lashley’s brute strength could create a unique showdown that highlights both competitors.

A win for either man would solidify their position in AEW’s hierarchy, making this a must-see encounter, likely after Swerve has lost the AEW Championship.

3. Bobby Lashley vs. Darby Allin

The Ultimate Underdog Story

Darby Allin has made a career out of defying the odds, and a match against Bobby Lashley would be the ultimate underdog story.

Lashley’s overwhelming power against Allin’s resilience and never-say-die attitude would tell a captivating story in the ring.

Allin attempting to survive the onslaught of one of wrestling’s most physically imposing figures could establish Lashley as a threat in All Elite early on and this match could easily become one of AEW’s most memorable David vs. Goliath encounters.

Chad Gable On The Wyatt Sicks, Shorty G, Kurt Angle Comparisons

Thomas Lowson
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WWE RAW Superstar Chad Gable recently sat down with the Insight podcast to discuss a variety of topics. Gable re-signed with WWE earlier this year and has been a prominent player on Monday Night Raw throughout 2024.

On The Wyatt Sicks

As of late, Gable has run afoul of the Wyatt Sicks and was seen motionless and bleeding from the head when the group arrived on the main roster. This led some to joke that Gable had been killed off. On the podcast, Gable said the reaction from fans was “insane” and recalled a young fan approaching him about being ‘killed’ while at church.

“He’s like ‘Where did it [the wound] go?’ I’m like, ‘Well, I mean, I fixed it bud, I went to the hospital and stuff, it was bad.’ And he’s like ‘What did they do to you?’ I’m like, ‘You’ll have to tune in tomorrow night.'”

On Bray Wyatt

The Wyatt Sicks is obviously inspired heavily by Bray Wyatt who tragically passed away in August of last year. Gable recalled working with the the three-time WWE World Champion upon joining WWE’s main roster in 2016.

“I learned a lot from Bray in that time and just gained the utmost respect for him. Because he’s one of those guys that when he speaks his mind or gives you feedback you listen. Nothing he says feels like he’s just saying it.”

On Not Having A Bad Match

Gable has been commended among fans and his peers as a reliable athlete who is seemingly incapable of having a bad match. This “feather in my cap” is one Gable takes immense pride in as he intends to give his best no matter his position.

“[A match] could only be like 90 seconds or two minutes at times. Some people might write that off and be like, well, it’s just a two-minute match, let’s just go do it. It’s like no, man, I have two minutes tonight, let’s see just how good we can make two minutes.”

On Kurt Angle Comparisons

With a background in Olympic wrestling and an unbridled intensity in the ring, Gable has often found himself being compared to Kurt Angle. Speaking on the podcast, Gable said it was an “honor” to have his name mentioned alongside WWE’s first Olympic Gold Medalist.

“Kurt is the man dude, he’s been so cool. throughout everything we’ve done with him. I got to wrestle him, which was insane.”

On Shorty G

In 2019, Gable’s character was dramatically changed and much was made of his height. The unpopular changes also saw Gable’s name be changed to Shorty G, a name change that on-screen was presented as Gable’s own idea. The storyline came at a “low point” for Gable, who at the time was desperate for any opportunity on WWE TV. Thankfully, Gable’s time as Shorty G would end, and he believes it showed WWE that he was a team player.

“I did the most I could with it. I think what it showed was that I am willing to contribute in whatever manner, if it’s down here, or up here, I’m willing to contribute whatever I can and whatever is asked of me.”

On Not Holding Singles Gold

For all his years with WWE, Gable has yet to hold a singles championship, a fact alluded to during his IC Title pursuit and feud with GUNTHER. The Olympian is hopeful that singles gold will soon be his and is disappointed that it didn’t happen during his program with Sami Zayn.

“We’ve got one piece of the puzzle left to fill in… it’s still on the table.”

Swerve Strickland Drops ‘Motion Sickness’ Album Ahead Of AEW All In

Thomas Lowson
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AEW World Champion Swerve Strickland has released a brand new album, mere days ahead of arguably the biggest match of his career. Strickland’s eleven-track album ‘Motion Sickness‘ features Flash Garments and is hosted by DJ Whoo Kid. The album also features his Big Pressure Trill Mix with Westside Gunn and Bun B.

Strickland’s release comes mere days ahead of his AEW World Championship match with Bryan Danielson at All In: London 2024. For Strickland, the first male African American AEW World Champion, the match will be his biggest title defense to date with tens of thousands of fans expected to fill Wembley Stadium.

Bryan Danielson has promised to retire if he does not win the gold in London. Danielson’s contract with AEW expired earlier this month though he has continued to make appearances for the promotion. Last year, Danielson embarked on his final year as a full-time talent in the ring. AEW President Tony Khan has said he hopes for Danielson to remain with AEW for a long time to come.

Swerve Strickland’s Music

When not making history in the ring, Swerve Strickland performs as part of the hip-hop group Swerve City and also performs solo as Swerve the Realest. Earlier this month, Strickland released a music video for Big Pressure Trill Mix. The video blends Strickland’s passion for music and wrestling and sees the reigning AEW World Champion with his title.

Strickland’s multi-faceted efforts in entertainment have enamored him to wrestling fans and hip-hop fans alike. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on Swerve Strickland

AEW World Champions Ranked: CM Punk, Jon Moxley, Swerve Strickland, and More

Jake Skudder
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AEW has had eight World Champions in the company’s history. From 2019 to now, there have been some big names holding the World Championship at the pinnacle of All Elite Wrestling, but who is the best and who is the worst?

Here, we rank seven of the Champions up to Swerve Strickland, as it is unfair to rank his run fairly yet until it has finished. So, here are the AEW World Champions ranked from worst to best.

AEW Champs Ranked

7. CM Punk: A Controversial Reign

cm punk aew all in 1

Number of Reigns: 2
Combined Length of Reigns: 90 days
Best Defense: vs Jon Moxley, All Out 2022

CM Punk’s time as AEW World Champion was marked by both triumph and turmoil. His return to wrestling was highly anticipated, but injuries and backstage drama cut his reign at the top of AEW short. Despite the controversies, his feud and subsequent match with Jon Moxley at All Out remains a highlight of his run in the company.

6. Samoa Joe: A Dominant Presence

samoa joe aew worlds end 1

Number of Reigns: 1
Combined Length of Reigns: 113 days
Best Defense: vs Adam Page and Swerve Strickland, Revolution 2024

Samoa Joe’s reign, though brief, was impactful. His matches were intense, and his promo work remained solid at a time that the company really needed at the time.

5. ‘Hangman’ Adam Page: The Anxious Millennial Cowboy

Hangman Adam Page

Number of Reigns: 1
Combined Length of Reigns: 197 days
Best Defense: vs Bryan Danielson, Winter is Coming 2021

Adam Page’s journey to the top was a story of perseverance and his victory over Kenny Omega was a defining moment for AEW.

However, his reign was somewhat overshadowed by the issues stemming from his on and off screen issues with CM Punk.

4. MJF: The Reign of a Heel

MJF won the AEW championship at Full Gear last November

Number of Reigns: 1
Combined Length of Reigns: 406 days
Best Defense: vs Bryan Danielson, Revolution 2023

MJF is the longest-reigning champion in AEW history as of writing, known for his cutting promos and psychological warfare against his challengers.

His reign featured some of the best matches in AEW to date, including an epic Iron Man match against Danielson.

3. Chris Jericho: The Inaugural Champion

Chris Jericho
AEW World Champion Chris Jericho

Number of Reigns: 1
Combined Length of Reigns: 182 days
Best Defense: vs Cody, Full Gear 2019

Chris Jericho was the first AEW World Champion, bringing legitimacy and star power to the-then brand new title.

His reign laid the foundation for AEW’s success, though his popularity has waned in recent years due to backstage allegations and claims from some fans of him being a “talent vortex” and stopping the pushes of young talents.

2. Kenny Omega: The Best Bout Machine

Kenny Omega
AEW World Champion Kenny Omega

Number of Reigns: 1
Combined Length of Reigns: 346 days
Best Defense: vs Orange Cassidy and PAC, Double or Nothing 2021

Kenny Omega’s reign is often considered the pinnacle of AEW’s success so far and the most exceptional that the in-ring product has been.

His run as champion included some of the most memorable matches in the company’s history, cementing his legacy as one of the greatest AEW World Champions to date.

1. Jon Moxley: The Ace of AEW

Jon Moxley
(via AEW)

Number of Reigns: 3
Combined Length of Reigns: 347 days
Best Defense: vs Mr. Brodie Lee, Double or Nothing 2020

Despite Omega having such an incredible run, Jon Moxley has been AEW’s go-to champion in times of crisis, holding the title a record three times.

His gritty, hardcore style and fierce rivalries have made him a cornerstone of the promotion, and he has to be considered the greatest top title holder they have had thus far in the company.

Cody Rhodes Teasing Surprises For WWE Bad Blood 2024 in Atlanta

Thomas Lowson
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The first WWE Bad Blood PLE in over two decades could be a night of surprises if Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes is to be believed. The show will take place on October 5, from the State Farm Arena in Atlanta, Georgia. It will be WWE’s fourth Bad Blood event and the first show under the name since June 2004.

Speaking with Variety, Rhodes shared his excitement for Bad Blood, which will mark WWE’s first PLE in Atlanta since Day 1 2022, and Rhodes’ first PLE in his hometown since returning to WWE. The American Nightmare also teased some surprises in store for the October event.

“Atlanta has always influenced culture… Bad Blood could be the biggest Premium Live Event since WrestleMania and we have some surprises in store.”

The announcement of WWE Bad Blood 2024 saw Rhodes share the screen with music artist Metro Boomin and the pair engaged in a ‘stakeout.’ In the interview, Boomin shared his excitement for WWE Bad Blood 2024 and gushed over getting to work with the American Nightmare.

“As a lifelong fan of the WWE it was an honor to work with the legend and undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes… Cody’s story is inspiring to me, as I’m sure it is to millions of others.”

No matches have been confirmed for WWE Bad Blood 2024, though many fans are predicting a Hell in a Cell match. The three previous events in the show’s history have all featured matches in the barbaric structure with Triple H winning two of those three matches (and having an outside role in the other.) Stay tuned to SE Scoops for all the latest on WWE Bad Blood and the career of Cody Rhodes as WWE’s top name.

Paul Heyman: ‘Every Single Day With ECW Was An Honor & A Blessing’

Thomas Lowson
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It’s been over 20 years since the original ECW closed its doors, but Paul Heyman still remembers his time with the promotion very fondly. Speaking to Newsweek this week, the WWE Hall of Famer and former owner of ECW recalled his time leading the tribe of extreme.

“Every single day of it was just an honor and a blessing and a dream job.”

Heyman’s tenure with ECW turned the promotion from an Eastern-based territory to a violent, counterculture, cult-followed entity that was among the three biggest promotions in its heyday. In 2001, ECW closed its doors in the face of immense financial strain. Heyman would depart the company shortly before the company went under and would appear as a WWF commentator, replacing Jerry ‘The King’ Lawler.

Paul Heyman Today

These days, Heyman remains part of WWE and his influence has bolstered talent from CM Punk to Brock Lesnar to Roman Reigns. Speaking about what’s to come in wrestling, Heyman was optimistic about the future.

“An era more of continued transparency. Intelligent discussion of the product itself. Authenticity, in terms of the characters. And just great stories.”

Heyman hasn’t appeared on WWE TV since being attacked by Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline, though he was backstage at SummerSlam and was seen conversing with Roman Reigns. This has led fans to speculate that Heyman’s return is imminent, though Reigns was by his own on last week’s SmackDown. Stay tuned to SE Scoops for the latest on Paul Heyman as the ECW magnate continues to be am important figure in wrestling.

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