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Dave Meltzer Names the Worst Investment Tony Khan Has Made in AEW

Dylan Bowker
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0
Dave Meltzer Names the Worst Investment Tony Khan Has Made in AEW

Dave Meltzer had a less than flattering characterization of a former TNT champion in the context of Tony Khan least advisable financial decisions while helming AEW. The wrestler in question is Miro who eventually left the All Elite Wrestling fold to return to WWE under his prior moniker, Rusev. Reports around Miro while he existed within the AEW cannon was that he became a bit of an issue creator backstage with insinuation centred on the idea that he was averse to putting people over with any regularity.

Those aforementioned creative differences and some injury hurdles created a fairly start and stop run for Miro in the company during an episode of Wrestling Observer Radio, Meltzer said:

“That was the most ill-spent money Tony Khan probably ever did, or among them. I shouldn’t say the most, but among them was that one.”

“because it’s like this guy wouldn’t do anything in AEW and then he goes to WWE and he’s putting over Dominik you know? I mean, he wouldn’t put over guys twice as good as Dominik in AEW.”

Miro leaving AEW, the Rusev loss to Dominik, and the path since returning to WWE

The post-AEW journey of Rusev has been a curious one as he got back into the company fold on the heels of WrestleMania 41. Curiously enough, Rusev also seemed to encounter some issues in his WWE return that were reportedly issues while in AEW insofar as not being thrust into significant, prevalent storylines.

The 39-year-old suffered a loss recently, which was mentioned by Meltzer above, to Dominik Mysterio where Rusev fell short in his pursuit of capturing the intercontinental title following some chicanery in the former of a low blow from ‘Dirty Dom’ which led to his win. The native of Bulgaria seems to now be on a path toward that IC gold and a program with Mysterio considering the nature of how their WWE Raw match wrapped up this past Monday and how the last few weeks of episodic programming has played out between the two.

WWE SmackDown Preview: Orton & Rhodes Team Up, Sami Zayn’s Open Challenge

Michael Reichlin
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WWE SmackDown Preview: Orton & Rhodes Team Up, Sami Zayn’s Open Challenge

Tonight, Friday, October 3, 2025, WWE SmackDown broadcasts live from the Heritage Bank Center in Cincinnati, Ohio, starting at 8 PM ET on the USA Network in the United States and streaming internationally on Netflix.

Storylines are focused on building toward Crown Jewel, including more potential appearances from Seth Rollins, Drew McIntyre’s revenge arc, and a strong focus on the developing tag team and women’s division storylines.

Matches and Segments (October 3, 2025)

Main Event Tag Team Match: Cody Rhodes teams with Randy Orton to face Bronson Reed & Bron Breakker (The Vision). This comes after Orton helped Rhodes clear the ring of these challengers last week, building momentum toward Crown Jewel.

Sami Zayn’s United States Championship Open Challenge: Zayn, who has successfully defended his title in a string of open challenges, will issue another open challenge for the U.S. Championship tonight. Previous challengers have included John Cena, Rey Fenix, Carmelo Hayes, and Je’Von Evans. The new challenger will be revealed on the show.

WWE Women’s Champion Tiffany Stratton Appearing: After defeating Nia Jax and Jade Cargill last week, Tiffany Stratton will address her Crown Jewel opponent, Women’s World Champion Stephanie Vaquer, and set her sights on further championship dominance.

Damian Priest in Action: After an ongoing feud with Aleister Black, including backstage attacks, Damian Priest is scheduled for an in-ring match. Speculation is that Kit Wilson could be his opponent, with Aleister Black possibly interfering.

Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest WWE news on the road to WWE Crown Jewel Perth next weekend.

Bully Ray Believes Seth Rollins Is Missing An “Emotional Connection” With Fans

Andrew Ravens
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Bully Ray Believes Seth Rollins Is Missing An “Emotional Connection” With Fans

WWE Hall of Famer Bully Ray has offered a critical assessment of World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins’s connection with the WWE Universe, stating that he believes Rollins is currently lacking the emotional bond with fans that is necessary to reach the absolute highest levels of superstardom.

Bully compared Rollins to top stars like Cody Rhodes, Roman Reigns, and CM Punk, arguing that while Rollins is undoubtedly talented, he struggles to draw the same genuine, passionate reactions from the audience. Speaking on a recent episode of Busted Open Radio, Bully Ray broke down what he feels Rollins is missing from his character.

“I always go back to what it truly has to do with, and this is old school 101, emotional connection to an audience. People genuinely love Cody. Children love Cody, thus, the parents love Cody. Roman has a god-like aura to him. You feel like you are amongst royalty when Roman comes out. Plus, he has that Samoan heritage and bloodline, which we respect so much in wrestling, but respect even more in the WWE. Punk, the consummate rebel, the guy who has always been the voice of the voiceless and the people’s guy. All three of those guys have a unique emotional connection. Emotion, that’s all this f—ing business is about. The emotional manipulation of the fan base and how you can get them to love you or hate you anymore. That’s it. Seth doesn’t have that level of emotion yet, and he’s been around for a long time.”

He then critiqued Rollins’s elaborate attire and presentation, suggesting it makes him appear as if he is trying too hard to connect with the audience.

“You’re not as quick to say ‘is pro wrestler’ as you were the other three. That is the microscopic nuance of the emotional connection to Seth, where when you see the get-ups every week, it’s almost like he’s trying so hard. Forget about how I feel about the suit, Cody wears a suit on the beach. Roman looks like he could be walking into a gym or the grocery store, and Punk looks like your regular everyday guy. They could be wearing those clothes anywhere. Seth is putting on this garb to go stand in the middle of the ring. He’s putting Seth Rollins on on Monday night and taking it off on Tuesday morning.”

Cody Rhodes Is Performing His Own Stunts In Street Fighter Movie

Thomas Lowson
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Cody Rhodes Is Performing His Own Stunts In Street Fighter Movie

Cody Rhodes has been busy filming Street Fighter, where he will play the role of series regular Guile. Now, the Undisputed WWE Champion has given fans a taste of what they can expect from his performance.

Speaking on The Pat McAfee Show, Rhodes shared that the physicality of Guile came naturally to the six-foot-two, 22lb wrestler. While the film will feature plenty of stunts, Rhodes was adamant that he do as much for the character as possible.

“I was adamant that anything that’s a stunt, I’m gonna do it. If that requires me being on these wires, I wanna do it.”

Rhodes spoke highly of the film’s stunt coordinator ‘JV,’ who is surrounded by “a great team” that gave him the chance to try a couple of stunts. Teasing what fans can expect, Rhodes shared that Street Fighter will be a love-letter to fans of the popular video game franchise.

“If you ever played the game, especially Street Fighter II — what he’s done as the director is unbelievable. It’s fan service. You got Ryu, Ken, Chun-Li, the real final boss in that game, it’s just a wonderful cast.”

That wonderful cast includes Rhodes’ WWE adversary Roman Reigns, who will play Akuma. Other notable names include NJPW’s Hirooki Goto as E. Honda and Jason Mamoa as Blanka.

Guile debuted in 1991’s Street Fighter 2 game, and is a pilot in the United States Air Force. He is seeking to avenge the death of his Air Force buddy Charlie at the hands of the villainous dictator M. Bison. One of the franchise’s most popular characters, Guile was played by Jean-Claude Van Damme in the 1994 Street Fighter live-action adaptation.

Street Fighter is scheduled to be released in the United States by Paramount Pictures on October 16, 2026


Jordynne Grace Slams Showdown Snub, TNA Champion Responds

Thomas Lowson
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Jordynne Grace Slams Showdown Snub, TNA Champion Responds

WWE NXT and TNA Wrestling will collide at the upcoming ‘Showdown’ event, but as it stands, Jordynne Grace will not be a part of the event. For Grace, a name associated with both brands, this snub cannot stand. In a video shared to social media, Grace made her views clear when addressing NXT GM Ava, and TNA’s Director of Authority Santino Marella.

“I was trying to bite my tongue, but I just can’t anymore. There is no NXTNA without Jordynne Grace… There is no Showdown without me setting the stage for it two years ago.”

It’s unclear if Ava or Marella have responded to Grace’s comments, but Kelani Jordan certainly took notice. The NXT star, who will represent TNA as Knockouts Champion at Showdown, poked fun at Grace for being left out.

Grace’s frustration carries weight. In 2024, while holding the TNA Knockouts Championship, she made a surprise appearance in the Women’s Royal Rumble match. Later that year, she appeared in WWE NXT—while still under TNA contract—helping launch the groundbreaking partnership between the two promotions.

With only days to go before Showdown, questions remain: will Grace force her way onto the card, and after being snubbed from Team NXT, where will the Juggernaut’s loyalties lie if she does appear?

Jordynne Grace On Crazy Year, WWE Signing Doubts

Chris Jericho Marks 35 Years in Wrestling, Says Career Isn’t Over

Thomas Lowson
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Chris Jericho Marks 35 Years in Wrestling, Says Career Isn’t Over

Chris Jericho is a bona fide legend in the wrestling world, and the Canadian star isn’t finished in the ring just yet. On X, Jericho revealed he recently marked 35 years since his very first match—a bout with Lance Storm in front of just 85 people. Looking back with gratitude, Jericho made it clear his career “AIN’T OVER YET!”

In recent years, Jericho has been a cornerstone of AEW, where he became the company’s first-ever World Champion. Before joining All Elite Wrestling, he had a decorated run in WWE, where he was crowned the first Undisputed WWE Champion. With stints in WCW, ECW, New Japan Pro Wrestling, and Ring of Honor, the 54-year-old has built a career most wrestlers could only dream of.

Jericho’s insistence that he isn’t done will be bittersweet for some fans. At AEW events, “Please Retire” chants have been heard, with some feeling his time has passed. Jericho, however, isn’t fazed. Earlier this year, he even suggested turning the chants into merchandise.

Still, the multi-time World Champion has spoken about his eventual retirement. He’s confident he will know when it’s time to step away but maintains that, for now, he can still deliver the best match on any card.

Speculation continues to swirl about a possible WWE return, with many believing it would be a fitting place to close out his legendary career. Until that day comes, Jericho has no plans of slowing down, determined to keep giving his all inside the squared circle.

Tony Khan Delivers Heartfelt Praise for Chris Jericho, Addresses AEW Future Speculation

Matt Riddle Teases Political Future In Florida: It’s Time For A Change

Thomas Lowson
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0
Matt Riddle Teases Political Future In Florida: It’s Time For A Change

Matt Riddle has established himself in the world of wrestling, and competed in MMA before that, and now the ‘Original Bro’ has teased a future in politics. During his TMZ’s Inside the Ring appearance, Riddle threw his name into the political ring, teasing that he could run for governor of Florida.

“It’s about time for a change. I think I’m very relatable. I feel like right now the country is so separated in two. We need to meet in the middle.”

Riddle described himself as living in the “gray area” between Republican and Democrat, a space he believes most people occupy. While Florida is generally seen as a Republican stronghold, he argued the state is more politically diverse than it appears.

“there’s a lot of rural areas that are more conservative. You got the cities that are definitely very liberal… Florida is very diverse.”

Though he has no experience in public office, Riddle would not be the first wrestler to pursue politics. Glenn “Kane” Jacobs currently serves as Mayor of Knox County, Tennessee, while Jesse “The Body” Ventura stunned the political world when he was elected governor of Minnesota in the late 1990s.

Since leaving WWE in 2023, Riddle has stayed active in wrestling, including a run as MLW World Champion. With that reign ending in September 2023, the question remains: could the Original Bro shift from winning matches to winning votes?

Matt Riddle Pays Back Deposit After UK Promotion No-Show Dispute

Danny McBride Expanding MLW Role as Production Ramps Up for Weekly Series

Michael Reichlin
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Danny McBride Expanding MLW Role as Production Ramps Up for Weekly Series

Major League Wrestling is significantly expanding its production capabilities and on-air talent roster, with actor Danny McBride’s existing partnership taking on a more prominent role.

SEScoops has learned that McBride will become a regular fixture on MLW broadcasts going forward, with his Don Gato character featured in ongoing vignettes throughout programming. The expanded presence also includes McBride’s Don Gato Tequila being served at upcoming MLW events.

The increased visibility for McBride coincides with major behind-the-scenes developments at the promotion. MLW is actively staffing up its post-production team amid rumors of a new weekly series project in development. Sources indicate the promotion is currently seeking backstage correspondents specifically for the rumored weekly programming.

McBride, known for his work on HBO’s “Eastbound & Down” and “The Righteous Gemstones,” has maintained a relationship with MLW through his Don Gato character. The expanded role suggests MLW is leveraging McBride’s mainstream entertainment credibility as the promotion positions itself for a programming upgrade.

The simultaneous production expansion and talent search strongly indicate MLW is preparing for a significant increase in content output. While the promotion has not officially confirmed plans for a weekly series, the infrastructure buildout and elevated star power point to ambitious expansion plans in the works.

NJPW Reportedly Scaling Back US Shows

Andrew Ravens
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NJPW Reportedly Scaling Back US Shows

A new report has shed light on the reasons behind New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s significant reduction in live events held in the United States in 2025. After a period of aggressive expansion into the American market, particularly during and after the COVID-19 pandemic, the legendary Japanese promotion has notably scaled back its stateside presence this year.

This shift in strategy has been a topic of discussion among fans, and a new report from Fightful Select has provided insight into the factors that led to the decision. According to the report, the decision to run fewer shows in the United States stems from two key issues: declining ticket sales and a reluctance from some of the Japan-based roster members to make the long trip for the events.

“We’re told that declining attendance, and some NJPW roster members not wanting to make the trip for the shows is what led to their sudden decline.”

The data supports this report, as NJPW has only held three standalone events in the US so far in 2025, with their most recent being the Resurgence show in May. This is a significant drop from the six US shows they had run by this point in 2024 and the eight they presented in 2023. The company’s US expansion was largely built around the NJPW STRONG brand, which was created during the pandemic to feature its US-based talent. While the weekly STRONG television show was discontinued in early 2023, its championships have remained active on the US shows.

Cody Rhodes On John Cena Matches: “The Long Game Is The Game”

Andrew Ravens
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0
Cody Rhodes On John Cena Matches: “The Long Game Is The Game”

Undisputed WWE Champion Cody Rhodes has shared his perspective on his two-match series with John Cena in 2025, explaining that he views the widely criticized WrestleMania 41 main event and the highly praised SummerSlam rematch as two parts of the same story. Speaking on the Pat McAfee Show, Rhodes acknowledged the fan disappointment surrounding their first encounter but explained that the “lack of a match” at WrestleMania was essential to the beauty and success of what they were able to create at SummerSlam.

The two matches had drastically different reactions from fans. Their first encounter at WrestleMania 41 saw John Cena defeat Rhodes to capture his historic 17th world championship, a result that was met with widespread criticism from fans who felt it was a bad match. Their rematch at SummerSlam, however, was a completely different story. In a match that is considered a contender for Match of the Year, Rhodes defeated Cena to win back the Undisputed WWE Championship.

“I hate saying this, but part of the beauty of how great that match is, was the lack of a match that really took place at WrestleMania in a sense,” Rhodes said. “Sometimes the long game is the game. I treat them as they were the same match, and then we just got to use all the bells and whistles”.

When host Pat McAfee asked if he was saying the two matches were like the “first half and second half” of a game, Rhodes confirmed that was his perspective. “Yeah, exactly. I don’t wanna quote Mr Heyman here, but the chapters, the innings, all those things. It’s a long game,” he replied.

Rhodes is set to take on the reigning World Heavyweight Champion Seth Rollins to determine the 2025 Men’s Crown Jewel Champion at Crown Jewel.

Mercedes Moné Booked for Big Sophomore CMLL Title Defense

Dylan Bowker
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Mercedes Moné Booked for Big Sophomore CMLL Title Defense

Mercedes Moné has her next CMLL championship defense lined up in her looming return to Mexico. CMLL Informa officially announced the return of the prolific belt collector to their ring as Moné will enter Arena Mexico on October 17th. The multi-promotion champion will aim to defend her crown against Persephone. The news about this matchup was also imparted by the champion in question through her Moné Mag newsletter.

Moné initially captured the CMLL strap in June and has since notched one defense of that specific strap since garnering the gold in the Summer. The former singles and tag team champion from WWE captured the CMLL title from Zeuxis at the AEW Grand Slam Mexico show. The first defense of the CMLL strap came in a matchup with La Catalina. That was a matchup that transpired a mere two days after first capturing the hardware and lucha libre enthusiasts will presumably be elated for the CMLL champion’s return months later.

Mercedes Moné, Persephone, and the road to this CMLL title bout

Mercedes Moné has so much hardware now that the AEW standout has her own belt boys to display how many promotions she is simultaneously helming. Beyond her TBS and CMLL straps, Moné also the RevPro British women’s title, the Queen of the Southside Championship, the Owen Hart Cup, the EWA Women’s Championship, the Prime Time Wrestling Women’s Championship, the BestYa Wrestling Women’s Championship, and the Discovery Wrestling Scottish Women’s Championship.

Now known to some as Mercedes nine belts, she presently holds an amount of titles that is equal to the cumulative amount of reigns that the former Sasha Banks had during her WWE tenure.

Persephone and Moné have previously shared a ring together and in an AEW specific context. This came at August’s Forbidden Door card as the two comprised half of a four-way matchup for the TBS championship. The other two participants in that championship showdown was Alex Windsor and Bozilla with Moné leaving the cross-promotional Summer card still in possession of the TBS crown.

Gail Kim Claims AEW Alum Agree With Her Riho Comments

Thomas Lowson
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0
Gail Kim Claims AEW Alum Agree With Her Riho Comments

Names formerly associated with AEW agree with Gail Kim’s recent comments about Riho, according to Kim herself. The TNA Hall of Famer recently made headlines when she shared that she felt uncomfortable watching Riho, saying that camera shots of the Japanese star often seem improper.

Kim later stated that she is into believable wrestling and that it was hard to believe that the diminutive Riho could hold her own against other female wrestlers. This earned Kim a backlash among some fans who felt her comments were unfair to AEW’s first Women’s World Champion.

Appearing on the Huge POP podcast, Kim once again discussed the Riho situation. Kim claimed that names who had been with AEW agree with her stance.

“I actually had former AEW people who worked there, say to me, ‘I agree with you. I would be backstage and I felt the same way.’”

Kim once again shared that she felt uncomfortable when watching a match of Riho’s, recalling that the “cameraman shot up her skirt,” and said that Riho “dressed in that match as a little girl.” For Kim, that moment colored her view of the rest of the match.

“When I said she wasn’t very believable in that match, that’s because I wasn’t comfortable from the start.“

Kim concluded by saying that Riho is a believable wrestler in the current day, but admitted to not seeing enough of the Japanese star’s in-ring work. While some, including AEW’s Kenny Omega, have spoken against her, Kim isn’t backing down from what she believes.

Gail Kim Reveals She Pitched TNA Match Against Mercedes Mone

The Beautiful People Reflect on Ratings Success Before TNA Hall of Fame

Thomas Lowson
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The Beautiful People Reflect on Ratings Success Before TNA Hall of Fame

Velvet Sky and Angelina Love, collectively known as the Beautiful People, will soon be TNA Hall of Famers, an honor only a select few have obtained so far. During a recent appearance on Busted Open Radio, the duo discussed their influence on TNA Wrestling and how they proved more popular than some of wrestling’s greats. Love said:

“Kurt Angle was in TNA. Sting. Christian. Hall. Kevin Nash. Booker T. They’re all there. And we were getting the highest-rated segments.”

Love recalled seeing on a weekly basis that she and Sky had the highest-rated segments, describing the feeling as “unbelievable.” Sky added that rather than being jealous or resentful, the men on the roster were thrilled to see the pair shine.

“The guys weren’t like, ‘These girls are stealing our shine.’ They were like, ‘Hell yeah, girls. Hell yeah!’… We had the support of everyone.”

Sky and Love will be inducted at Bound for Glory 2025 alongside Mickie James, marking the first-ever all-female class of inductees. All three are former TNA Knockouts Champions and worked multiple times with one another.

Though known as the Beautiful People, the influence the pair had on TNA proves they were much more than titilation. TNA Bound for Glory 2025 will take place on October 12, 2025, at Tsongas Center in Lowell, Massachusetts.


TNA Wrestling Nears Major TV Rights Deal for 2026 Launch

Michael Reichlin
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TNA Wrestling Nears Major TV Rights Deal for 2026 Launch

TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva has confirmed the company is actively finalizing a significant television rights agreement set to begin in January 2026. Speaking on the Battleground Podcast, Silva revealed the deal has progressed beyond preliminary discussions.

“We’re no longer just talking. We’re now in the middle of the deal,” he stated, adding that both parties are enthusiastic about the partnership.

“We just kind of got to get through the paperwork, understand certain deal terms and push and pull from both sides.”

TNA Making an Impact in 2026

The timing proves crucial for TNA’s strategic planning. “The deal that we’re contemplating starts at the beginning of 2026. Being October 1st, the timing is great. We can get some things done, dot the I’s, cross the T’s, and then really put our efforts around marketing and packaging,” Silva explained.

The new agreement comes as TNA expands its operational model for 2026. Silva confirmed plans to increase live programming while maintaining some taped content. “We’re going to continue to do more live in 2026,” he said, noting the company is studying successful models like WWE’s NXT Performance Center to balance live weekly programming with operational efficiency.

Silva emphasized TNA won’t rush to full weekly live broadcasts immediately but aims to grow strategically. “I don’t think we’ll be going live 52 weeks a year in 2026 yet, but certainly we want to be live every week,” he stated.

TNA President Addresses Joe Hendry’s Status Amid Expected WWE Jump

Michael Reichlin
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TNA President Addresses Joe Hendry’s Status Amid Expected WWE Jump

TNA Wrestling President Carlos Silva has clarified Joe Hendry’s contractual status following recent speculation about the breakout star’s relationship with WWE.

During an appearance on the Battleground Podcast, Silva directly addressed questions about Hendry’s future.

“He’s still a TNA guy,” Silva confirmed.

Silva praised Hendry’s contributions across both promotions. “Joe’s been great for us, Joe’s been great with WWE and NXT. We’ll continue to work through that together as good partners do,” he explained, before reiterating Hendry’s current status: “He is [TNA], until he’s not, but you know, he is.”

The clarification comes amid TNA’s expanding partnership with WWE and NXT. Silva described the relationship as a long-term strategic play rather than short-term collaboration.

“We entered into the partnership to make it bigger than just the way it starts. You start dating, you go to the movies, you go to dinner; it takes time,” he noted.

Despite the crossover success, Silva emphasized TNA’s commitment to maintaining its distinct identity. “We’re playing the long game here. Inside of all of that, though, we’re still TNA and we’ve always been TNA,” he stated. “WWE and NXT both understand that TNA is its own property. Everyone’s got to have your own property because that’s how you build the foundation.”

Joe Hendry and the TNA-NXT Connection

Joe Hendry’s crossover appearances in WWE NXT served as a crucial precursor to the ongoing TNA-NXT Invasion storyline. After his viral NXT debut in June 2024, Hendry became an increasingly prominent figure, competing in both TNA and WWE events. His appearances included challenging for the NXT Championship at No Mercy, entering the Royal Rumble as the first reigning TNA champion to compete, and sharing the WrestleMania 41 stage with Randy Orton, where he made a surprise appearance as Orton’s mystery opponent. These high-profile NXT and WWE showings helped establish Hendry as a key link between the two promotions, laying foundation for the Invasion angle that would see TNA and NXT rosters collide in 2025.

Orange Cassidy Says ‘Blame Sting’ for their Viral AEW Moment

Dylan Bowker
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0
Orange Cassidy Says ‘Blame Sting’ for their Viral AEW Moment

Orange Cassidy has been a fixture in AEW since their inception and heading into an AEW title bid on the sixth anniversary of AEW Dynamite, OC has a lot of iconic moments to reflect back on. One of those moments involved an encounter with the legendary Sting with Cassidy’s playful interaction with the former TNA and WCW champion turning into a viral clip online.

During a recent interview with The Sportster, the former AEW international champion covered several subjects as Cassy steps into the ring in pursuit of Kyle fletcher’s TNT title on tonight’s milestone Dynamite episode. Touching on the widely popular moment with the since retired Sting that blew up the internet wrestling community when it happened, Cassidy said,

“I didn’t tell Sting anything, and Sting just did it. He made our locker room better. He was a great leader, and for him to play with me was an honor. I didn’t tell him to do anything. He’s the one who did it. Blame him. Blame him for that.”

Orange Cassidy Reflects on AEW Journey and Dynamite’s 6th Anniversary Match

Orange Cassidy was one of the earlier signings in the company’s nascent days in 2019. Right away, the sloth-like persona juxtaposed with a high octane in-ring style connected with fans of All Elite Wrestling and Cassidy really vaulted into the broader consciousness of the pro wrestling world during AEW’s run at Daily’s place during the COVID-19 global pandemic.

Reflecting on how beneficial that period of time was to his development, in that same interview with The Sportster referenced above, as he heads into an opportunity tonight to add even more AEW gold to his resume, Cassidy stated,

“We spent a year and a half or two years, I don’t even remember at this point, in Florida during the pandemic. To me, Jacksonville and Daily’s Place is like, I think the first time I really felt like I was wrestling weekly.”

Cassidy credits an AEW legend with helping establish him as a household name.

“That program with Chris Jericho, it defines some of my career, so I’m grateful for those moments, and it’ll be nice to get back to give the Florida fans and the state of Florida who were there to support us during that time.”

Backstage News On Andrade’s AEW Return

Andrew Ravens
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Backstage News On Andrade’s AEW Return

A new report has shed light on how Andrade El Idolo was able to make his shocking return to All Elite Wrestling on last night’s Dynamite, less than three weeks after his release from WWE. According to a report from PWInsider.com, Andrade did not have the standard 90-day non-compete clause that is typical for main roster talent departing WWE.

This allowed him to become an immediate free agent and sign with another promotion. The absence of this clause is what enabled his surprising comeback to happen so quickly. The report, citing multiple WWE sources, states that Andrade was “cut outright” from the company due to what was described as “numerous WWE Wellness violations over the last year.”

Because of the nature of the release, WWE reportedly chose not to pay him for the 90-day non-compete period, thus making him free and clear to perform elsewhere immediately. The report also suggests that this situation confirms what many have suspected for some time: that WWE is no longer publicly announcing Wellness Policy suspensions for its main roster talent.

Andrade made his return on the sixth anniversary episode of AEW Dynamite, appearing after the opening six-man tag team match. Following a victory by the team of Kenny Omega and the AEW World Tag Team Champions, Brodido, the lights in the arena went out. When they came back on, Andrade was in the ring. He attacked Kenny Omega and then shook hands with Don Callis, officially aligning himself with the Don Callis Family faction.

Andrade El Idolo Returns To AEW

Linda McMahon Recalls Going Bankrupt: “We Lost Everything”

Andrew Ravens
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Linda McMahon Recalls Going Bankrupt: “We Lost Everything”

Linda McMahon, a co-founder of Titan Sports, Inc. and a key architect in the global expansion of WWE, recently opened up about one of the most difficult periods in her and her husband Vince McMahon’s life: the time they went into bankruptcy.

While many might assume their financial struggles were related to the inherent risks of the wrestling business, Linda clarified that the bankruptcy was the result of a failed outside investment. Her story provides a candid look at the challenges they faced in the early 1980s, just as they were beginning to transform WWE from a regional territory into a national powerhouse.

Speaking in a recent interview with Sage Steele, Linda McMahon was asked if she ever worried that their ambitious plans for WWE wouldn’t work out. She explained that the company’s financial ruin came from a different venture entirely.

“No, because we were building as we went. However, during that time, we did have an accountant who suggested that we were putting all of our eggs in one basket, and we should diversify a little bit. He made some suggestions that we should invest in a construction company. We knew absolutely nothing about it. We put money into some construction accounts, co-signed on some loans. That went belly up, which eventually put us into bankruptcy. It wasn’t the wrestling side of what we were doing, but it was the other side that we invested in, outside of what we were doing with wrestling. We lost everything. My house was auctioned off. My car was repossessed in the driveway. I was pregnant with Stephanie. I know what it’s like to lose everything.”

Linda McMahon later went on to have a successful career in public service, most notably serving as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019.

Ahmed Johnson Okay After Collision With Drunk Driver

Thomas Lowson
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0
Ahmed Johnson Okay After Collision With Drunk Driver

Former WWE Superstar Ahmed Johnson is recovering after being involved in a collision with a drunk driver. As shared by Book Pro Wrestlers on Facebook, Johnson, real name Tony Norris, was involved in a collision on September 29. Though the back of Johnson’s vehicle was wrecked, he survived the crash, and shared the following statement.

“When you have the Lord on your side nothing can harm you.”

Johnson debuted in the WWF in 1995 and became the first African-American Intercontinental Champion the following year. 1996 also saw Johnson headline In Your House 9: International Incident, as part of a six-man tag-team match. He left the WWF in 1998 and later wrestled in WCW as ‘Big T.’

Thankfully, Johnson is okay, but this situation could have gone very differently. This situation shows why nobody should ever get behind the wheel while intoxicated.

Jake Roberts: Ahmed Johnson Was Hurting Guys Every Single Night

Kickstarter Launched For Hulk Hogan Biography Book Series

Thomas Lowson
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Kickstarter Launched For Hulk Hogan Biography Book Series

A new series of books chronicling the life and career of Hulk Hogan could be coming if a Kickstarter campaign reaches its goal. The campaign is being launched by Guy Evans, who shared that people reached out to him about a book following Hogan’s passing in July 2025.

“In the wake of Bollea’s death, however, it became clear to me that my untitled book – tentatively known as The Hulk Hogan Story – couldn’t be adequately confined to a single volume. It is thus now my intention to develop a biographical trilogy on this most important subject – the first of its kind in the genre. That’s right…three full-length books on the life, career and unparalleled cultural impact of Hulk Hogan!”

If successful, the series will feature more than 100 exclusive interviews. It will be available in paperback, audiobook, and e-book formats. Kickstarter backers will also receive access to an exclusive hardcover version.

Evans is well-equipped to tackle the project. In 2018, he published NITRO: The Incredible Rise and Inevitable Collapse of Ted Turner’s WCW. The 590-page book earned praise for its accuracy and depth, and it remains one of the most detailed non-fiction wrestling books to date.

The Kickstarter campaign has not yet launched, but fans can sign up to be notified when it goes live. Though Hogan may no longer be with us, the legacy he left behind continues to shape the wrestling world.

Bret Hart On Hulk Hogan: “He Never Helped Anybody”

AEW Talent Take To Social Media Over Lack Of Opportunities

Thomas Lowson
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AEW Talent Take To Social Media Over Lack Of Opportunities

AEW has a massive roster, which means that not everyone can be prominently featured every single week. On X, Queen Aminata shared that she wants more promo time, and made reference to ‘TK’ (Tony Khan) in her post. Aminata would also like to be in more mixed tag-team matches going forward.

Aminata isn’t the only star who isn’t thrilled with their current position in AEW. In a reply, Deonna Purrazzo shared that like Aminata, she hopes to do much more in Tony Khan’s promotion.

Purrazzo signed with AEW in January 2024. Given her past as a former Knockouts Champion and a top name in TNA, many expected big things for her as an All-Elite star. Instead, Purrazzo has been absent from TV for much of her AEW career, and has spoken openly about a lack of TV time.

Purrazzo has had just three matches for AEW in 2025, all of which she lost. Her most recent match saw her lose to Harley Cameron during a February edition of Dynamite. Her most recent victory was during the ‘Winter is Coming’ edition of Rampage in December 2024.

Whether Tony Khan takes their requests on board, time will tell. For now, both Aminata and Purrazzo remain wanting much more in their roles as part of the AEW roster.

AEW Talent Growing Frustrated Over Lack Of Creative Opportunities

Tessa Blanchard Makes CMLL Return, Match Confirmed

Thomas Lowson
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Tessa Blanchard Makes CMLL Return, Match Confirmed

Tessa Blanchard made her return to CMLL during the October 1, episode of CMLL Informa. During the show, it was stated that while Blanchard is under contract with TNA, her deal allows her the chance to compete in CMLL.

It was confirmed that Blanchard will be in action for CMLL on October 10, though it is unclear who she will be facing. Blanchard last competed for CMLL in November 2024, where she lost to Persephone.

In July of this year, following her return to TNA Wrestling, Blanchard claimed on Refin It Up that she had been told that she could not perform for both TNA and CMLL. At the time, Blanchard was told that ‘alliances’ were the reason why she couldn’t work for both companies, though that has clearly changed.

While fans can expect to see Blanchard in CMLL, she has been absent from the ongoing storyline between TNA and WWE NXT. Blanchard has yet to appear at any invasion of WWE NXT programming and, despite being a top star in the Knockouts division, was not selected to represent TNA at the upcoming Showdown event.

Blanchard remains a source of controversy among many fans, but both CMLL and TNA Wrestling are ready to work with her. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Blanchard’s work in the ring.

Chelsea Green and Tessa Blanchard Controversy Explained: The Full Story

Ash By Elegance Situation Not A Work, Says Tommy Dreamer

Thomas Lowson
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Ash By Elegance Situation Not A Work, Says Tommy Dreamer

At TNA Victory Road, Ash By Elegance forfeited the Knockouts Championship, announcing that she is stepping away from in-ring competition. With details about her situation unclear, some have speculated that her departure from TNA programming is merely a ‘work’ but that isn’t the case.

Speaking on Busted Open Radio, Dreamer, who works both on and off screen for TNA, confirmed that Ash’s situation is legitimate. Dreamer added that “people shouldn’t speculate” about her situation. Dreamer compared the situation to Seth Rollins’ worked injury, though their situations are much different.

“If it’s a work, you’re not going to hand in your title. the Seth Rollins thing, people were speculating… But with Ash… things changed because she stepped down and it sucks.”

Ash’s setback comes mere weeks after she won the TNA Knockouts Title, her first major singles title in her wrestling career. Now, the title is once again in the hands of WWE NXT as Kelani Jordan captured the vacated gold.

Ash’s situation wasn’t the only major change to the Knockouts Title scene at Victory Road. Originally, Ash had been set to defend against Masha Slamovich. That match was pulled following allegations that Masha had been abusive during a previous relationship with independent wrestler AKIRA.

It remains to be seen what’s next for Ash, who spent much of her wrestling career as Dana Brooke in WWE. While some may believe (or at least, hope,) that her injury is just part of an elaborate ploy, the reality is much worse.

Ash By Elegance: I Considered Leaving Wrestling After WWE Exit

Kevin Kelly & Tate Twins Lose AEW Appeal, Case Stays in Arbitration

Thomas Lowson
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Kevin Kelly & Tate Twins Lose AEW Appeal, Case Stays in Arbitration

Kevin Kelly and the Tate Twins have hit a serious roadblock in their legal battle with AEW. This week, The 11th Circuit Court dismissed their appeal to overturn a ruling that forced their case into private arbitration. This ruling seemingly closes the door on any chance of a public trial.

The lawsuit, first filed in August 2024, accused AEW, Tony Khan, and commentator Ian Riccaboni of breach of contract and defamation. The appeals court upheld Judge Harvey Schlesinger’s prior decision, citing a “classic delegation provision” in AEW’s talent contracts. With the appeal denied, the case will stay behind closed doors in arbitration, away from the fans and media scrutiny.

Kevin Kelly claimed he was wrongfully branded a QAnon supporter by Riccaboni after posting about The Sound of Freedom, and that the controversy ultimately cost him his AEW job. Meanwhile, the Tate Twins alleged Tony Khan damaged their reputations by questioning their professionalism following their April 2024 release. Khan claimed that the pair had missed dates for AEW.

With the matter to be handled through arbitration, it remains to be seen what kind of decision both sides come to. Nevertheless, fans shouldn’t expect a public spectacle in this matter now that this appeal by the plaintiffs has been rejected.

Brandon Tate Of The Boys Combats Tony Khan’s Reason For Their AEW Release

Sareee Makes Surprise Ring of Honor Debut at October 1 TV Tapings

Michael Reichlin
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Sareee Makes Surprise Ring of Honor Debut at October 1 TV Tapings

Japanese wrestling star Sareee made her Ring of Honor debut on Wednesday at the promotion’s TV tapings, which took place just before AEW Dynamite’s 6th Anniversary show went live.

The 29-year-old veteran brings significant international experience to ROH’s women’s division. Sareee began her career at age 15 in Japan, working primarily with World Woman Pro-Wrestling Diana from 2011 to 2020, where she became a two-time Diana World Champion.

In 2020, WWE signed Sareee, and she performed on the NXT brand under the ring name Sarray from 2021 to 2023. Her WWE tenure ended due to creative differences, and she departed in March 2023.

Since returning to Japan, Sareee has worked across multiple promotions including Seadlinnng, Stardom, and Dream Star Fighting Marigold, where she became the inaugural Marigold World Champion. She currently holds both the IWGP Women’s Championship and the Sukeban World Championship (as Sareee Bomb), making her one of the most decorated active wrestlers on the independent scene.

Her ROH appearance marks a potential expansion into AEW-affiliated programming and could signal additional U.S. bookings for the multi-time champion.

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