Tonight’s WWE SmackDown broadcasts on the USA Network at 8/7c. The show was taped last week from Brooklyn, NY at the Barclays Center due to the WWE crew being in Saudi Arabia for Crown Jewel.
Here are the confirmed matches for SmackDown:
The Street Profits vs. Pretty Deadly – The Profits look to earn their way back into the WWE Tag Team Title pPicture.
Cody Rhodes & Randy Orton vs. Imperium – The American Nightmare teams up with The Viper to face members of Imperium ahead of their respective matches at Crown Jewel.
Liv Morgan vs. Tiffany Stratton – Stratton tests her might against the Women’s World Champion
Fatal 4-Way Match – Involving IYO Sky, Lash Legend, Piper Niven and Bianca Belier, one-half of each team competing in the Women’s Tag Team Championship Match at Crown Jewel.
Bayley & Naomi vs. Indi Hartwell & Candice LeRae – Women’s tag team action.
Additionally, we’ll see segments including:
Roman Reigns, Jimmy Uso, and Jey Uso will appear to discuss their reunion and match against The Bloodline at Crown Jewel.
Liv Morgan and Nia Jax will give their final remarks before they vie for the coveted Women’s Crown Jewel Championship.
WWE’s annual extravaganza in Saudi Arabia is set to take place on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at the Mohammed Abdo Arena in Riyadh. Crown Jewel 2024 promises to be an action-packed event featuring some of the biggest names in professional wrestling. Let’s break down every match scheduled for this premium live event.
Roman Reigns, Jey Uso & Jimmy Uso vs. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga and/or Tonga Loa)
The main event of Crown Jewel 2024 will see the long-awaited reunion of Roman Reigns and The Usos as they face off against the new iteration of The Bloodline led by Solo Sikoa.
This match is the culmination of months of tension within the Samoan dynasty, with Solo Sikoa taking control of The Bloodline during Reigns’ post-WrestleMania absence and reshaping it in his own image.
The outcome of this match could have significant implications for the future of The Bloodline storyline and may potentially set up a WarGames match at Survivor Series later this month.
Championship Matches
WWE Crown Jewel Championship: Cody Rhodes vs. Gunther
For the first time ever, Cody Rhodes and Gunther will clash in a one-on-one match, competing for the inaugural WWE Crown Jewel Championship. Both superstars have been dominant forces in recent months, with Rhodes holding the WWE Championship and Gunther reigning as the World Heavyweight Champion.
This highly anticipated match will see two of WWE’s top talents go head-to-head in what promises to be an intense battle.
WWE Women’s Crown Jewel Championship: Nia Jax vs. Liv Morgan
The women’s division will also see its inaugural Crown Jewel Champion crowned as Nia Jax takes on Liv Morgan.
This match pits the powerful Jax against the cunning Morgan in what should be an intriguing clash of styles.
United States Championship Triple Threat: LA Knight (c) vs. Andrade vs. Carmelo Hayes
LA Knight will defend his United States Championship in a triple threat match against Andrade and Carmelo Hayes. This high-stakes contest could see the title change hands in unpredictable fashion, given the nature of triple-threat matches.
WWE Women’s Tag Team Championship Fatal 4-Way – Bianca Belair & Jade Cargill (c) vs. Damage CTRL (Iyo Sky & Kairi Sane) vs. Meta-Four (Lash Legend & Jakara Jackson) vs. Chelsea Green & Piper Niven
The Women’s Tag Team Championships will be on the line in a chaotic Fatal 4-Way match. With four teams vying for the gold, this match promises to be full of fast-paced action and unexpected twists.
Non-Title Matches
Seth Rollins vs. Bronson Reed
In a highly personal grudge match, Seth Rollins will face off against Bronson Reed. This feud has been brewing for weeks, with Reed leaving Rollins coughing up blood after a vicious attack. Both superstars have a lot to prove in this non-title bout.
Randy Orton vs. Kevin Owens
Two of WWE’s most seasoned veterans will collide as Randy Orton takes on Kevin Owens. This match pits The Viper against The Prizefighter in what should be a hard-hitting contest between two of the company’s top performers.
At 30 years old, Liv Morgan has reached the pinnacle of WWE and is dominating on Monday Night Raw as Women’s World Champion. Morgan has found a ‘family’ for herself as part of The Judgment Day, and has shared her future plans if she ever becomes a parent.
On the ImPaulsive podcast, Morgan spoke about how many of the women she competes with balance work with being a mom. While Morgan is impressed by these mothers, she doesn’t see a return to the ring happening if she ever has a child.
“All the mums at work I’m just like wow you’re incredible because I imagine myself when I have a baby, I’m home, I’m not coming back to work. I’m going to stay at home. So I think they’re so just incredible how they just do both because I could never.”
WWE has several moms currently competing, including reigning WWE Women’s Tag Team Champions Bianca Belair and Jade Cargill. Alexa Bliss has yet to return to action after giving birth to her daughter Hendrix in late 2023, and the same is the case with Carmella who became a mom in November 2023 after previous issues.
As for Morgan’s more confirmed future, she will face Nia Jax at WWE Crown Jewel this weekend to determine the first-ever WWE Crown Jewel Women’s Champion. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Liv Morgan and her plans in and out of the ring.
In 2025, John Cena will end his in-ring career in WWE, finishing one of the most iconic and influential wrestling careers in the industry’s history. Speculation has been running rampant as to what Cena’s final 12 months in the ring will look like, and Zilla Fatu is ready to be a part of it.
While speaking to MuscleManMalcolm, Zilla Fatu expressed how much he would love the chance to wrestle John Cena before John hangs up his jorts for good.
“I have met John Cena before, plenty of times. I would love to wrestle John Cena. Who wouldn’t? Just to have the bragging rights to say you wrestled John Cena. I think that’s dope. I don’t care if I, well, nah, I do care if I win. But he’s a legend, definitely a Hall of Famer. So, I would love to put him on my resume, for sure.”
Cena is no stranger to facing those in Zilla’s family, including John Cena, The Rock, and more recently, Solo Sikoa. In early 2007, Cena faced Zilla’s father Umaga in back-to-back pay-per-views and was able to end the undefeated streak of the Samoan Bulldozer.
Zilla Fatu’s Path to WWE
This week has also seen WWE launch its WWE ID program which will give independent wrestlers a more direct path to a future in the promotion. With Booker T’s Reality of Wrestling (where Fatu is currently a champion) already linked, WWE ID could be the method by which Zilla officially becomes a WWE Superstar. Booker has already endorsed Zilla as a future WWE signing, as the two-time Hall of Famer/NXT commentator has high expectations for the 25-year-old.
Cena’s Retirement Tour
Cena is expected to make several appearances for WWE in 2025, including as part of Monday Night Raw’s move to Netflix. Zilla Fatu is not the only name who hopes to step in the ring with John before the WWE icon calls it a career.
As larger-than-life names who appear on TV, WWE Superstars are huge celebrities, and sadly, that means scammers will use a talent’s name and likeness with ill intent. Alfred Mancinelli was just one of several people who fell victim to scams, and it cost the now-deceased grandfather $1 million and much more.
This week, Chris Mancinelli, Alfred’s son, spoke to the New York Times about his father who died last summer at the age of 79. Chris shared that Alfred had been conned by an account pretending to be Alexa Bliss, and gave up $1 million in in retirement savings and his granddaughter’s college fund. When Chris stepped in to try and protect his father’s remaining $100,000, Alfred sued him as his loyalty was to the scammer he knew as ‘Lexi.’
“There was nothing we could do to convince him… I believe they crafted stories that pulled on those heart strings.”
The fake Bliss claimed that she’d been humiliated by Vince McMahon after ‘she’ refused his advances, and often claimed to be hospitalized for bad menstrual periods. After Alfred sued Chris to get his remaining $100,000 back in February 2023, the money was gone within a month. In the interview, Chris shared that his father’s problem with the scammer was well-known in the family.
“If he didn’t pass, he would have kept going. The girls [Chris’ daughters] all knew that their grandpa was getting scammed so they were already on alert for suspicious activity.”
Bliss herself has spoken numerous times about people falling victims to scammers impersonating her online, and sadly, Alfred Mancinelli lost both money and his relationship with his family before passing. His story, like others, reminds fans to be careful on social media, and if something like your favorite wrestler DMing you out of nowhere seems to good to be true, that’s because it almost certainly is.
Another Halloween has come and gone, and for the Superstars of WWE, they once again have had the chance to dress up for the season. The Superstars are hardly strangers to portraying colorful characters on TV every single week and that has been the case with this year’s Halloween costumes.
On X, WWE showcased some of the Superstars in this year’s costumes. Otis and Akira Tozawa made quite the pair of Dudley Boyz while Maxxine Dupri portrayed the ‘Duchess of Dudleyville’ Stacey Kiebler. R-Truth dressed as his childhood icon John Cena while Chelsea Green and Piper Niven did their take on WWE GMs Nick Aldis and Adam Pearce.
Mia Yim channeled her inner Lita while Zelina Vega represented her LWO ally Rey Mysterio from his WCW days post-unmasking. Byron Saxton gave a royal replication of King Booker and, Indi Hartwell learned how to be Chelsea Green from the self-prescribed Hot Mess herself.
Halloween is always a fun time in wrestling, with WWE leaning into the spooky season with the recent NXT Halloween Havoc Premium Live Event. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from WWE as the company prepares for major changes, including Raw’s move to Netflix, in the coming months.
In April, Ruby Soho revealed to the world and Angelo Parker that she was pregnant with the couple’s first child. The following month, the pair officially tied the knot and this week, the duo became proud parents to a baby girl.
On Instagram, Soho shared that the couple’s daughter Evie arrived into the world a few days earlier than expected. Soho added that she and Parker are full of love for the newest addition to their family.
“Trick or Treat! We’re PARENTS! A few nights ago, Evie arrived a few days early and perfect in every way. We love her more than anything in the world and we are so very happy!”
Several names from wrestling sent their congratulations to the couple including Alexa Bliss, Cassie Lee, and Jessica McKay, all of whom became parents in recent years. Dakota Kai, who wrestled as Evie before coming to WWE, was especially pleased with the name.
Soho and Parker aren’t the only notable names that experienced baby fever this year. Mere days after Solo shared that she was pregnant, fellow Riott Squad alum Valhalla shared that she and War Raider Erik are also expecting their second child.
At San Diego Comic-Con, former WWE RAW & SmackDown Women’s Champion Ronda Rousey shared that she is expecting her second child and revealed her baby bump at the convention. Rousey and her husband Travis Browne welcomed their daughter La’akea into the world in September 2021.
Congratulations to Soho and Parker on their joyous news.
Logan Paul and Dominik Mysterio could form an impressive tag team, and both are on the record expressing interest in joining forces.
Mysterio recently shared his enthusiasm during an interview with The Schmo: “I’m a fan of the Paul brothers. I did Logan’s podcast. I’d love to be in a tag team with Logan one day because we’d be the most hated tag team.”
Paul himself has taken steps toward making this dream a reality, revealing that he pitched the idea to Triple H. In an interview with Liv Morgan, the former United States Champion said, “I pitched Triple H a ‘me and Dom’ tag team. I’ll just say it.”
When asked about Triple H’s reaction, Paul jokingly told Morgan, “It didn’t seem like it was off the table. I just wasn’t sure if there was room for you in that tag team.”
Logan Paul’s Previous Comments
Both Dominik Mysterio and Logan Paul share unique qualities that could make their partnership intriguing. Despite their relative inexperience in professional wrestling, both have managed to capture audience attention and thrive under the spotlight. Their status as outsiders who defied expectations to succeed in WWE adds to their appeal.
The mutual interest from both performers suggests that this potential tag team could soon become a reality. Now, what would their team name be?
Watch Dominik Mysterio’s recent appearance on Impaulsive:
Liv Morgan will be a WWE Superstar for many years to come. Morgan, born Gionna Daddio, joined WWE a decade ago in October 2014. She was initially discovered when a WWE-affiliated strength and conditioning coach saw her working at at Joe DeFranco’s gym. She was on WWE television just a few months later and debuted at NXT Takeover: Rival in February 2015. She portrayed an enthusiastic fan who jumped the barricade to hug wrestler Tyler Breeze, and is now one of the biggest stars in the industry.
Morgan appeared on Logan Paul’s Impaulsive podcast this week, where spilled the news about her new longterm contract. Asked about her “5-year plan,” she replied:
“I just signed a new five-year deal, so my five-year plan is WWE.”
Morgan has enjoyed a breakout year, highlighted by feuds with Rhea Ripley and Becky Lynch. She won the vacant Women’s World Title at King and Queen of the Ring back in May, and has been at the center of one of WWE’s most popular storylines.
Unfortunately, her feud with Mami will be put on hold due to Ripley fracturing her orbital bone last week’s Raw. Morgan will battle Nia Jax this weekend in Saudi Arabia to determine the inaugural Women’s Crown Jewel Champion.
Dustin Rhodes’ contract with All Elite Wrestling (AEW) recently expired and could theoretically show up on WWE television any time.
The Natural has been with AEW since day one. The company has evolved a great deal since 2019, but Rhodes remains one remaining ‘originals’ who has seen it all. The 55-year-old veteran has had an active year wrestling for AEW and Ring of Honor. He’s a dual champion in ROH, holding the World tag titles with Sammy Guevara and the Six Man Titles with the Ross and Marshall Von Erich.
Over the summer, he confirmed his contract was set to expire in September, and refuted speculation that he was gearing up to leave AEW and join his brother Cody in WWE.
“Yes my contract is up in September, and No, I am absolutely NOT DONE. Having the best matches of my life and hopefully, God willing I will get to retire on my own terms, respected with a full heart. Hopefully Negotiations go well because I am damn worth the world.
The only things that matter to me are: taking care of my family first and foremost, and finishing up when I am ready, and how I envision my retirement. So hold off guys, This biz is my life and I love doing it for you, while still having fun and able.”
Free To Explore Options
Dustin Rhodes and AEW are actively negotiating a new contract, according to Fightful. He’s spoken very highly about his time there, calling it ‘good for his soul.’ However, his contract expired over a month ago and they’ve yet to agree to terms.
Eric Bischoff is heading to Major League Wrestling’s upcoming event from New York City on December 5, MLW One Shot.
Bischoff’s latest guest on his 83 Weeks podcast is Paul Walter Hauser, as the accomplished actor who has been heavily involved with MLW over the past few months. During their discussion, Hauser turned the tables on Bischoff, asking him if he ever gets the itch to get back in the business. Bischoff said that the feeling comes and goes, but he does particularly enjoy working in a backstage role and in the production realm of the business.
Hauser noted that he has MLW CEO Court Bauer in his phonebook and decided to call him on the spot. Bauer picked up, Hauser caught him up to speed and asked if he’d be open to working with the outspoken former wrestling executive.
“Without hesitation, the answer is absolutely yes. Dude, ERic going to enemy Territory in one place where he’s never promoted a show, new york city, for one night, calling the shots. That to me sounds like money.”
MLW President Court Bauer open to working with Eric Bischoff
Bauer then made the pitch for Bischoff to attend MLW One-Shot on December 5. Hauser, playing the facilitator, made clear he’d get the two in a group text to hammer out the details. On Thrusday afternoon, MLW confirmed Bischoff will be on hand.
The event is now being billed as, Eric Bischoff’s One-Shot: An Eric Bischoff Production. Tickets are now on sale at Eventbrite.
Both Tony Schiavone and Bruce Prichard worked for MLW both in production and commentary years back right as their podcasts began taking fire courtesy of Conrad Thompson. Bischoff has previously said he wouldn’t get involved with AEW, stating that the environment wouldn’t be fun for him.
AEW may soon be welcoming back one of its top stars after a lengthy absence. Wardlow was backstage at last night’s AEW Dynamite event from Cleveland’s Wolstein Center, according to PWInsider. He was said to be “looking healthy” but there’s no official word on when he’ll return to television.
Wardlow last competed on March 13 during an episode of Dynamite, where he faced then-AEW World Champion Samoa Joe in a match that ended in a referee stoppage.
On the Stick to Wrestling Podcast, Matt Taven shared that Wardlow is dealing with a knee injury, noting that injuries can be unpredictable and that Wardlow is considering the best treatment plan to aid his recovery.
Wardlow was previously sidelined after he challenged Samoa Joe for the TNT Title on the New Year’s Smash edition of AEW Dynamite on December 28, 2022 in a short match due to an injury. Throughout his time in AEW, whether it be due to injury or lack of creativity, Wardlow has fallen victim to inconsistent booking.
The Young Bucks’ recent loss of their AEW World Tag Team Championship to Private Party was more than just a dramatic conclusion to their third title reign—it was a planned move to write them off television.
Nicolas and Matthew Jackson’s final match was a ‘match-of-the-year’ contender that showcased some of the best tag team wrestling you’ll find anywhere. After the bout, their villainous tenancies were set aside. They handled the loss with class by presenting the new champions with their titles and offering warm congratulations.
According to PWInsider, the Bucks will be off television for an extended period, allowing other tag teams to take center stage amid Jon Moley’s ongoing campaign of chaos in AEW. Although their absence will be significant hit to AEW programming, they remain under longterm contracts and will be back eventually.
Private Party Looks Ahead
For now, a new era begins for Private Party and the wide-open AEW tag team division the division. Isiah Kassidy and Marq Quen were congratulated by another AEW executive, Tony Khan, backstage after their victory.
Congratulations to the new AEW World Tag Team Champions @ZayKassidy@Marq_Quen Private Party!
On Thursday morning, after having a few hours to reflect on the biggest moment of their careers, Kassidy posted a photo of his new hardware and wrote, “5 years in the making… We finally did it.”
Rhea Ripley made a special appearance on this week’s WWE NXT, where she addressed several stars in the women’s division, including ZARIA, who made her in-ring debut for the company. Prior to the main event, we saw a disturbing backstage scene of Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez armed with baseball bats, viciously attacking Mami.
The camera followed as Ripley was found lying next to her car, showing a cut on her head with fake blood pouring from the wound. WWE later announced on Wednesday evening that due to the attack, Ripley had suffered a fractured right orbital socket.
WWE frequently uses injury storylines to write talent off television for various reasons, such as allowing performers to recover from real injuries or focus on outside entertainment projects.
According to the Wrestling Observer, Rhea Ripley is legitimately dealing with a fractured orbital bone and will be sidelined for the foreseeable future. Although she could potentially return in a non-physical role before being cleared for competition, WWE often opts to keep talent off-screen until they are fully recovered.
How the Injury Occurred
The belief is that Rhea Ripley’s orbital bone was fractured on the October 21 episode of WWE Raw during a spot that involved her head-butting Liv Morgan.
SEScoops wishes Rhea Ripley a full and speedy recovery.
Adam Cole wishes he could have worked with Bryan Danielson during their time in All Elite Wrestling (AEW), but he’s happy he got to share a ring with the American Dragon once.
Cole was back in action on Wednesday’s AEW Dynamite and picked up a hard-fought win against Malakai Black of the House of Black. It was his first match in 423 days, and the former NXT Champion showed little signs of the dreaded ‘ring rust.’
They both debuted for AEW on the same night, during the conclusion of the All Out 2021 pay-per-view. Unfortunately, each man battling respective injuries prevented them from doing much together in the ring. Cole spoke with the Stick to Wrestling Podcast and admitted he’s disappointed they never wrestled a singles match in AEW.
“Bryan is so universally loved, respected and admired. Not just by fans, but literally by every wrestler I’ve ever met. I mean, Bryan is without question one of the greatest of all-time to ever do this and I look back at the one match we had on SmackDown and I think back so fondly of that night and that moment.”
Holding Out Hope
Cole looks back fondly on their AEW debuts, and the excitement he felt sharing a ring with Danielson, even in a non-wrestling capacity.
“It was an honor to step into the ring with Bryan Danielson so, I got so excited at the idea because we both debuted the same night here at AEW and I thought, oh my God, we’re gonna get the chance to do it again and at AEW in front of the AEW fans, I can’t wait.”
Danielson is now out of action indefinitely and facing another possible neck surgery later this year, if stem cell therapy does not treat his ailments. Cole is happy Danielson is focusing solely on his health, but is hoping they do meet one day day down the road.
“So at least now for the time being, it seems like that probably won’t happen so of course, that’s a bummer for me but Bryan’s health and Bryan’s safety and Bryan’s legacy is the most important thing so I’m glad that Bryan is able to rest and heal and again, Bryan’s one of the greatest to ever do it and selfishly, I do wish I could have stepped into the ring with him again but who knows? Never say never. Maybe someday, maybe someday.”
Adam Cole and Bryan Danielson’s sole singles match took place in November of 2019 on an episode of WWE SmackDown.
This week’s AEW Dynamite: Fright Night edition saw Adam Cole back in action, taking on Buddy Matthews in his first match since breaking his ankle last year. Cole turned on MJF at Worlds End before taking a hiatus, only to return at Double or Nothing, where an in-ring confrontation with MJF led to Cole being written off TV again. Most recently, Cole returned at WrestleDream, this time fully medically cleared.
Now, both Cole and Roderick Strong are competing to become the first man to win three consecutive matches, securing a shot at MJF at Full Gear. Cole emerged victorious in his match against Matthews, despite teasing that he might give up due to his ankle. After the match, he shook hands with Matthews, only for the lights to go out, revealing Malakai Black standing ominously in the ring.
In a backstage promo following the match, Cole acknowledged Matthews’s toughness as an opponent and hinted at Black’s interest in him. With humor, he commented that he’s being “thrown into the fire” — exactly how he likes it. Cole also addressed MJF directly, saying he doesn’t blame him for breaking his ankle or for being a poor friend who never checked on him. However, he does hold MJF responsible for pretending to be a friend in the first place, saying he always knew MJF would turn on him. Cole ran down MJF’s history of turning on allies, stating that MJF would be foolish to think he wouldn’t see it coming.
Cole made it clear that he cares about AEW and is determined to face MJF at Full Gear, vowing to teach him a lesson in the ring. This potential showdown brings new layers to Cole and Malakai Black’s shared history; the two were known for their fierce rivalry in WWE’s NXT, where Black, formerly Aleister Black, defeated Cole in an Extreme Rules match at NXT TakeOver: Philadelphia on January 27, 2018. Both wrestlers were pivotal during NXT’s peak era.
ADAM COLE VS MALAKAI BLACK NEXT?!
Cole shook Buddy's hand, then Malakai showed up shaking his hand. This was so freaking cool. pic.twitter.com/nR3my0rsIf
Earlier this year, CJ Perry confirmed that her time with AEW had come to an end after debuting for the promotion in late 2023. Perry has yet to resurface in the world of professional wrestling, but a social media post this week has sparked speculation of a reunion with herself and Miro.
Dressed as Tiffany from the Child’s Play series, Perry shared an Instagram video of herself attempting to ‘resurrect’ Rusev, the character Miro played for years as part of WWE. Perry also spoke in a Russian accent, a nod to her own WWE tenure as Lana, and asked fans if they wanted to see Rusev and Lana back together on TV.
This video is certainly an interesting one from Perry, who separated from Miro earlier this year. The couple tied the knot in 2016 and in the video, Perry referred to the Bulgarian as her ex-husband. Miro has been a part of AEW since 2020 though is seldom used, with just seven matches over the past two years and none in 2024.
Rusev and Lana proved to be a popular duo in WWE, with support for ‘Rusev Day’ earning the Bulgarian a WWE Championship match at Extreme Rules 2018. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from both Perry and Miro in the world of professional wrestling.
During this week’s WWE NXT, Rhea Ripley was seen laid out in the infamously dangerous NXT parking lot, the victim of an attack by baseball bat-wielding Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez. Fans were taken aback by how much blood was shown during the segment, and it’s now reported that the Australian Superstar is dealing with a legitimate injury.
A real injury resulted in this angle being produced, according to PW Insider, but no specifics were given as to what is wrong with Rhea Ripley. Earlier this year, Ripley missed three months of action earlier this year after suffering a shoulder injury during a segment with Liv Morgan. That injury resulted in Ripley vacating the WWE Women’s World Championship, a title that Morgan now holds.
WWE is reporting that Ripley suffered a fractured right orbital socket, which will put Ripley out of action for an undisclosed amount of time. On X, Ripley shared some X-rays and warned Liv Morgan and Raquel Rodriguez that they had made a fatal error in judgment.
This is a huge setback for Ripley who is one of the very top Superstars on Raw and has appeared for both SmackDown and NXT in recent weeks. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Rhea Ripley as we wish her a full an speedy recovery.
On the October 30, edition of AEW Dynamite, Bobby Lashley made his long-awaited AEW debut by confronting and attacking Swerve Strickland. Lashley’s arrival comes after months of reports and speculation about him coming to Tony Khan’s first promotion and now the two-time former WWE World Champion is ready to make an impact on AEW programming.
Lashley has been under contract for some time now, but his debut with the promotion was delayed. Initially, his first appearance was set to be at AEW WrestleDream earlier this month. Plans changed as AEW wanted to focus on Jon Moxley’s faction angle and the end of Bryan Danielson’s full-time in-ring career.
Lashley officially signed with AEW in September, shortly before AEW Grand Slam: Dynamite in September, according to Fightful. That show saw the debut of MVP while Shelton Benjamin arrived on the five-year edition of Dynamite. Benjamin was a part of Lashley’s debut as he and the All Mighty attacked Strickland while MVP held Prince Nana at bay. Strickland had previously made clear that he would be sticking with Nana rather than take on MVP as a manager.
Lashley’s arrival is a huge coup for AEW as Tony Khan now has one of WWE’s biggest stars in recent years. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Bobby Lashley now that the All Mighty former World Champion is now All Elite.
At AEW WrestleDream, Private Party put up a valiant effort against The Young Bucks in their World Tag Team Title match but ultimately fell short to the EVPs. On this week’s Dynamite, the two teams did battle again, and this time, it was Private Party who emerged victorious.
The stakes were raised for the rematch, as Quen and Zay had vowed to disband for good if they lost to the Bucks on Dynamite. Zay was busted open during the match, but that didn’t keep Private Party down, as the pair hit stereo 450 splashes on the Jacksons, but they weren’t able to get the pinfall.
The finish of the match saw Matt Jackson hit the One-Winged Angel on Zay but Quen broke up the pinfall at the very last second. Private Party was able to nail Gin & Juice to get the win and their first tag titles since joining AEW back in 2019.
THEY DID IT! PRIVATE PARTY ARE THE NEW #AEW WORLD TAG TEAM CHAMPIONS!
This win marks the end of the latest tag title reign for the Young Bucks, who had held the titles since AEW Dynasty in April. The pair hold the record for the most title reigns (3) and the most days as AEW World Tag Team Champions (523 days.) After their loss, the Bucks told Christopher Daniels that they’ll be working from home from now on.
It remains to be seen when The Young Bucks will be back, as they don’t plan on wrestling anytime soon if this comment is to be believed. Stay tuned to SEScoops for all the latest from AEW and the new World Tag Team Champions Private Party.
In the main event of the October 30, edition of Dynamite, Swerve Strickland took on Shelton Benjamin, another name brought in by MVP. In the climax of the match, Swerve nailed a Liger Bomb and a Swerve Stomp to get the win, his first in over two months.
After the match was over, MVP got his phone out and he made a call. Then the lights went out and Bobby Lashley made his way to the ring. Fans chanted “holy s**t” as Lashley arrived and with MVP holding back Prince Nana, Lashley and Benjamin double-teamed Swerve Strickland.
MVP grabbed the microphone after everything was over, and yelled, “Guess who’s back in business?!” Lashley’s arrival is a huge coup for AEW as Tony Khan now has one of WWE’s biggest stars in recent years.
Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Bobby Lashley now that the All Mighty former World Champion is now All Elite.
On this week’s AEW Dynamite, Orange Cassidy officially challenged Jon Moxley for the AEW World Championship, setting the stage for an anticipated showdown at AEW Full Gear 2024. Known for his laid-back style, Cassidy surprised fans with a rare intensity, directly calling out Moxley.
Orange Cassidy makes a challenge to #AEW World Champion Jon Moxley!
Cassidy’s challenge goes beyond personal ambition, expressing a commitment to preserving AEW’s spirit amid recent upheaval from Moxley’s faction. This title match will not only test Cassidy’s skill but also serve as a proving ground against one of AEW’s most relentless competitors.
Fans and wrestlers alike are buzzing on social media, noting Cassidy’s evolution from comedic persona to serious contender. His performances as AEW International Champion have shown he can handle high-stakes battles, raising questions about his strategy against Moxley’s aggressive style.
There’s the cliche that it’s a “fine line between love and hate” but that line Jim Cornette drew between he and Donald Trump is wider than the Mississippi River his home state rests alongside.
A rightful WWE Hall of Famer, Cornette clearly despises Trump, a 2013 celebrity inductee, who aims to reclaim the Oval Office once again this November. With Election Day less than a week out, there’s a fine line between politics and pro wrestling, and while an immense amount of hate is harbored from Cornette to Trump, Donald pulls quite a bit of promotional tactics from the world of wrestling. The distinct difference is one is just selling merchandise, the other is doing that and campaigning to be the next leader of the free world.
Two well-known no-no’s in the wrestling business have been to steer clear from politics and religion. If you’re currently in the ring or under a promotion’s umbrella, that notion (for the most part) still holds true. Very rarely do you see an AEW name, a WWE name or a “name your promotion” name take a political stand because when you’re in between the ropes, your goal should be to unite the people in an effort to make money.
The late great George Carlin said division is what makes the government run off the backs of the lower and middle classes. “It’s a big club and you ain’t in it,” unless you buy a ticket to take the ride, something those classes do in droves for pro wrestling. While the First Amendment gives everyone the right to speak their mind, doing such under a wrestling company’s eye could garner some repercussions. Good or bad, you’re not just representing yourself, but the promotion you work for.
That doesn’t stop the retired names from talking, however. Dave Bautista made it known he’ll be voting for Kamala Harris. She got the Venn diagram of pro wrestling and Juggalos with ICP’s support. Mick Foley shot a video believing America will have a “Nice Day” if you go to the polls for Harris/Waltz. Same goes for Kevin Nash, always an outspoken Clinton Democrat, “sidewalk slams” Trump’s bluster on a weekly basis. However, his fellow NWO member Hulk Hogan notoriously tore off his shirt for Trump and JD Vance at the Republican National Convention. Right after Bautista voiced his vote, Trump literally sat in between Undertaker and Kane for a TikTok video. “The Brothers Of Destruction” called out “The Animal,” making it known they’ll be voting for Donald on November 5. Trump was then the next guest on Undertaker’s podcast.
Jim Cornette Pulls No Political Punches
While Jim Cornette has never been one to mince words, he makes a point to saw off the end of the double barrel and fire away at anyone who evokes the name of Trump. He did just that with Undertaker and Kane.
“Another former great wrestler on the list of alien pod people duped by the world’s most repugnant con man. Mark & Glen, you made it this long with everyone admiring you, then in the end you ruin your reputations AND try to destroy the country along with them. I’m ashamed FOR you.”
Cornette was so motivated by many of his colleagues speaking their minds, the legendary manager ended up doing the same. Very rarely does Jim Cornette put himself on video (his podcast clips are mostly adorned with Hannah-Barbara like illustrations), but he made clear that “we’re all idiots” if we as a country put Trump back in office.
Cornette has been out of the mainstream pro wrestling spotlight for years, but has created his own relevancy via his podcasts and his undeniably astute takes on the business. Because of his brashness, particularly when it comes to AEW, Jim Cornette has created a fine division amongst the cesspool that is social media. Jim has cultivated his own “Cult of Cornette” that backs him and there are plenty of wrestlers (plenty) that agree with his philosophy on the business. I too find myself nodding along in agreement with a good deal of his thoughts. Granted, how he sometimes expresses said thoughts can cut deep and raise eyebrows, but that’s always been what made Cornette the legend he is in the business.
In a lot of ways that willingness to verbally flamethrow is what helped his ultimate heel become president. Before he was ever a primetime factor on “The Apprentice”, Trump’s ties to the WWE have been long-standing since WrestleMania 4. Lavie Margolin’s “TrumpMania” does an in-depth job at showing Donald’s continuous ties to pro wrestling before he became the 45th President covering his beef with Rosie O’Donnell, the potential influence of Dutch Mantell’s Zeb Colter. For basically a decade now, the “cult of personality” conjured up Donnie’s own passionate fanbase, filled with all types of wild merchandise to show your MAGA support.
However, there is a very distinct difference between Trump’s rise to power and Jim Cornette’s impact on the business. Cornette has been a bricklayer for how the house of pro wrestling has been presented while Trump is the result of a broken system courtesy of both parties. The lack of attention to the middle class in favor of what’s going on overseas, gave Americans an ax to grind and a division that is fiercer than anything ever exemplified in our lifetime.
Many Legends Don’t Let Politics Divide
While Cornette is more than willing to draw a line in the sand between he and his colleagues, others aim to not torch their longstanding relationships over political sides. On his podcast, Nash said despite Kane fully putting the “red” behind “Big Red Machine” he didn’t bury him alive for his stance, same with Hogan, who “Big Sexy” checked in on following Hurricane Milton. In Mick Foley’s ballot backing for Kamala, Mankind didn’t throw his friendship with The Undertaker off the cell either despite disagreeing with him, but much like Cornette did to him, Undertaker took a light jab at Bautista for backing Harris and Waltz.
Pro wrestling fandom sure has its fair share of tribalism and the political contention is quite thick between everyone with less than a week away.
“I can count on one hand the number of friends I lost over politics. Friendships are stronger, family is stronger, the things that draw us together are so much more meaningful than the things that divide us,” Foley said in an interview with CNN, noting how much respect he has for Undertaker despite their political differences.
“When I see him for the next time, we’ll hug it out, we’ll agree to disagree and we’ll do the best we can to keep a 30 year friendship going strong.”
Bo Dallas states that there are bigger things to come for the Wyatt Sicks and it’s all in honor of Bray Wyatt.
Speaking with Shakiel Mahjouri of CBS Sports, Dallas, who has greatly remained a mystery since returning as Uncle Howdy, gave fans a bit of a teaser as what wrestling fans can expect for the future of his very cryptic faction.
“There are going to be ups and downs. We’ll come back more explosive than ever and keep the vibe and feeling that everyone has seen. It’ll take turns no one saw coming. I think the future is very exciting and looks very, very bright for the Wyatt Sicks.”
Since Dallas’ group had its memorable and near frightening debut on WWE Raw, the Wyatt Sicks are very much removed from the supernatural aspect that Bray Wyatt’s “The Fiend” once had. Instead, all members of the group have been very humanized, yet blended with Bray’s ‘Firefly Funhouse’ characters.
“Family” has been a theme since their debut as they first targeted Chad Gable, who turned his back on ‘The Alpha Academy’. After they won the feud against American Made, the Wyatt Sicks set their sights on The Final Testament, who has caused fracture in the relationships between Awesome Truth and The New Day.
The familial aspect of the faction makes plenty of sense for Dallas, who says how the formation of the group is in honor of his late great older brother, but will develop all the personalities involved.
“The Wyatt Sicks, I have no fear or problem saying we have no worries about standing on our own. This beginning part is the main tribute to Bray, and it will all come around. Everybody in the Wyatt Sicks is in the Wyatt Sicks for a reason.”
Cody Rhodes appeared on the Flagrant podcast this week. the Undisputed WWE Champion spoke with hosts Andrew Schulz and Akaash Singh ahead of Crown Jewel, where he’s scheduled to battle Gunther for the Men’s Crown Jewel Championship.
Here are some highlights of what the American Nightmare said about:
His WWE Contract: The contract that Cody signed when he returned to WWE before WrestleMania 38 was worth 15 times more than what he was making when he left the company in 2016.
Brandi and Tony Khan: There were “so many factors” that went into his decision to leave AEW and return to WWE. It has nothing to do with his wife Brandi’s relationship with AEW President Tony Khan, despite rumors to the contrary. Cody confided that his relationship with (at least some of) his AEW co-founders had soured, and felt it was best to depart in order to preserve their longterm relationships.
“It was just a situation that felt icky. This is how I look at it in the end, I had really great memories with all of them, all the way back to All In. I had a really beautiful experience for a while, and I wanted to keep the memories good.”
Cody Rhodes on leaving AEW
Vince McMahon’s Role in His Return: Cody revealed how Vince McMahon learned of his departure from AEW not being a storyline but real, leading to McMahon making a personal visit to his home in Atlanta to get him signed.
The ‘Cody Lie’: There was a mention of a “Cody Lie,” a self-aware acknowledgment of how ‘charming’ he can be, and pro wrestling blurring the lines between fact and fiction.
Career Journey: He spoke about his evolution from being underutilized as Stardust, his time at AEW where he helped establish the company, to returning to WWE. He highlighted the financial gamble he took when leaving WWE, how he and his wife Brandi managed during lean times, and his motivation to honor his father Dusty Rhodes’ legacy.
Other topics discussed include the emotional impact of becoming a father, the process of putting together wrestling matches are put together and the powere of connecting with the audience through genuine moments.
