Eric Bischoff is ready to have some fun this coming Tuesday when the WWE Hall of Famer comes to WWE NXT. On his 83 Weeks podcast, Bischoff gave fans a taste of what they can expect to see during this week’s edition of the silver brand.
“You know how I like to have fun… It’s been a little chaotic over at NXT, so I thought I’d drop in and say hello, and show up in person next week. So yeah, it’s gonna’ be fun.”
Bischoff appeared on the Titantron during last week’s episode of WWE NXT after Ridge Holland declared that “controversy follows me.” Bischoff, the author of 2006’s Controversy Creates Cash, shared that he wants to see what makes Holland and Trick Williams ‘tick’ ahead of their NXT Championship match at NXT Deadline on December 7.
WWE NXT – December 3, 2024
Here’s what fans can expect to see on this week’s WWE NXT, the go-home show before NXT Deadline.
WWE Hall of Famer Eric Bischoff to appear
Karmen Petrovic Vs. Nikkita Lyons
Eddy Thorpe vs. Lexis King vs. Axiom vs. Cedric Alexander (Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match)
Jaida Parker vs. Wren Sinclair vs. Cora Jade vs. Kelani Jordan (Iron Survivor Challenge Qualifying Match)
Tag Team Battle Royal to become the #1 Contenders for the NXT Tag Team Championship
NXT Deadline will take place from the Minneapolis Armory in Minneapolis, Minnesota on Saturday, December 7. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from Deadline including breaking news and live results.
Two years ago Lee Moriarty set a goal to have his own art exhibition. The dream becomes a reality as the Ring of Honor Pure Champion prepares to have his first public showcase during Miami Art Week. Moriarty, 30, will be at the NADA (New Art Dealers Alliance) booth, part of the wrestling publication Orange Crush’s presentation
For the emerging talent, art was a way to express himself out of the ring. His parents encouraged him to continue pursuing a creative outlet. He’d draw off Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon cards, as well as Dragon Ball Z VHS tapes and issues of Game Informer Magazine. Although he took graphic design at the community college, Moriarty was largely self-taught.
“I’ve been an artist longer than I was a wrestler,” Moriarty said. “One of my goals was to have an art exhibition. I didn’t have in mind what this series was going to be at first. The more I painted, it became about professional wrestling life outside the ring. A lot of people associate professional wrestling with just violence and combat. People don’t realize the serene peaceful life a lot of us live, especially me.
“I’m a person who is closed in and keeps calm and relaxed. I like walking my dog, going out in the nature world, painting, and playing tennis, which is one of the paintings. This was a big opportunity that came to me by Adam Abdulla to have the exhibition at NADA. From December 3 through the 7th, my art will be on display for the first time. Nobody has ever seen my art outside of photos and things. To see this in person, I’m excited about it.”
Moriarty has combined two of his passions through the exhibition. A collection that presents an endearing and vibrant display of wrestlers in repose. The paintings are a tribute to the sport he loves, capturing the duality of wrestling.
“Originally when I was painting luchadors, one of my favorite aesthetics is luchadors with suits and tuxedos,” Moriarty said. “Back in the day El Santo, Blue Demon, all these guys would have really nice suits combined with the masks, which I think is so unique when it comes to professional wrestling that you won’t see anywhere else.
“I wanted to capture that with my artwork. I wanted to paint beyond just luchadors in suits. Then it became walking the dog, grilling and barbecuing, and things like that and I decided to keep the Lucha Libre wrestlers in the mask aesthetic. That is the universal imagery when it comes to professional wrestling, even if you don’t watch professional wrestling. You see a mask, and you know this guy is a pro wrestler.”
Moriarty works hard to fit art into his busy schedule as a traveling entertainer. When the traveler flies somewhere or in hotel rooms before a show, he’d get out his tablet and draw and brainstorm. The star would then put those ideas on canvas.
“I also use my tablet for graphic design,” Moriarty said. “I’ve designed all of my shirts. I’ve designed the logo you’ll see on my trunks sometimes. The tiger was a design I had before I debuted for AEW or Ring of Honor. I’m always drawing and painting. I have a camera. I’ve done photography. I like making my own scenes. I just like expressing myself creatively and building this world outside of my head.”
Moriarty appreciates the support he felt from the locker room and company. “[AEW] is very supportive of outside ventures that help the person grow as individuals and as brands. I’ve had nothing but support from the first day I posted a painting. Among those colleagues is stablemate Shane Taylor, who he’d watch on his first or second independent show. Taylor’s opponent just happened to be a future trainer in Brandon K. “I knew who [Shane] was and his story and work ethic and have a lot of respect for him,” he said.
The exciting athlete is proud of the progress he made over the past three years. Moriarty feels he got more comfortable with promos and in the ring on television. He has also put on some muscle weight, going from 175 to approaching 200. The student of the game is always looking to grow and improve.
“There was a period I was learning from Jon Moxley for a while,” he said. “There was a period I was learning from Claudio when we were donig the Texas shows. For three straight weeks, I was getting advice from him. Orange Cassidy is someone I would go to a lot. Serpentico, Jon Cruz, those guys I learned from a lot. So many people.
“I trained at Malakai Black’s school for a point. I’m very grateful and can’t express how much it meant. Even when Nigel McGuinness came back to the ring, I was in the ring training with him. I can’t express the appreciation I have that these guys are giving me the time to learn from them.”
Moriarty welcomes the latest signings in AEW with The Hurt Syndicate’s MVP, Bobby Lashley, and Shelton Benjamin arriving on the scene. Three who he sees as an example of how to build a career.
“I think they are three of the most valuable talents in the world,” he said. “They have the total package. The presentation, athleticism confidence. They inspire me to do what I’m doing in professional wrestling and my art. It’s to not settle and not just be comfortable in the spot I’m in but continue to grow as a business and brand.”
Much like pro wrestling, he has hopes for his artistic aspirations. Moriarty looks to step into more product designs from bottles to shoes. “I know AEW believes in me and hopes to help AEW expand with my art talents, I don’t have an end game when it comes to my art. It has been wherever it takes me ….I’m going to keep going and see how far I can get.” For more information or two purchase tickets for NADA Miami 2024, visit https://nada.artsvp.com/73ace8?link=website.
Nikki Garcia attempted to make her marriage to Artem Chigvintsev appear much better than it was, the WWE Hall of Famer has revealed. The pair, who tied the knot in 2022 after a whirlwind romance sparked on Dancing with the Stars, ended their relationship this year following Chigvintsev’s arrest at their home in Napa, California.
Returning to her Nikki and Brie podcast, Garcia opened up about the relationship, which saw cracks long before their issues were brought to the public’s attention.
“Things haven’t been great for a long time. I really played it up that things were a lot better than what they were.”
Chigvintsev was arrested over an alleged domestic violence incident, though the Napa County District Attorney’s Office opted not to press charges. Chigvintsev has claimed that he was not aggressive and that Garcia shared false claims resulting in his arrest. On the podcast, Garcia shared her side of the story.
“When you know the truth, nothing else matters. Because I know the truth and I actually lived it… People don’t know what I’ve gone through, what I am going through.”
Garcia’s return to the podcast comes after she “needed to disconnect” and focus on the “protection and privacy” of the couple’s four-year-old son Matteo. Looking back, Garcia believes that what happened in August could have been avoided as the pair “weren’t bringing out the best in each other” for a long time.
“We probably should have walked away a long time ago so in the end what happened, would not have happened.”
Addressing the end of her marriage, Garcia “never saw it coming” and described it as a “great love story turned terrible” that has left her “heartbroken and sad. Now, the former WWE Divas Champion’s focus is on herself and Matteo.
“I want to remain strong for Matteo. I’m over hiding, and I just want to live my life.”
The couple agreed to a divorce settlement in November, avoiding a trial that was set to begin in December. Following the arrest, Chigvintsev was not invited back to Dancing With The Stars, something he allegedly knew before the incident in late August. Chigvintsev made an appearance as a guest in the studio audience for the show’s 500th episode, at the invitation of an executive producer.
All Elite Wrestling’s Kota Ibushi is at the proverbial limit of his career, but won’t stop competing in the squared circle just yet. Speaking to Tokyo Sports this week, Ibushi discussed his career and the toll his body has taken over the years.
“My legs are at their limit and it could end at any time. I wanted to keep going before I can’t do it anymore… I’m really at the limit, but I want to contribute to the world of professional wrestling before I end my career, so I’m currently appearing in various places.”
Ibushi’s career has seen several injuries occur, including injuries to both of his ankles at a NOAH event in January of this year. While Ibushi finished the match, which saw him defeat Naomishi Marufuji, he was taken to a hospital shortly after. Ibushi returned to action in August for DDT Pro Wrestling, where he was on the losing end of an eight-man tag-team match.
One of the “various places” fans hope to see Ibushi compete is AEW as he signed a contract with the promotion in November of last year. Ibushi is currently 3-1 in the company, with his most recent match coming that same month. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Kota Ibushi who isn’t ready to say goodbye to the ring yet, despite the toll his body has taken.
Roman Reigns and CM Punk have once again cemented their place as top draws in WWE with impressive social media numbers on various platforms. At Survivor Series: WarGames, the pair forged an uneasy alliance as the OG Bloodline with Punk defeated Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline with Bronson Reed in the main event.
Across WWE’s social media platforms, clips involving Punk and Reigns amassed a reported 204 million views in the 24 hours after the show. One Instagram Reel, which sees Reigns block Punk’s entry into the match has hit 91 million views, a reported record-breaking figure for any IG Reel from the promotion within the time window.
Other highlights of this social media dominance include:
Reigns blocks Punk’s entry – 13.6 Million views on TikTok
Roman Reigns scales the WarGames cage – 10.8 Million views on TikTok
Punk enters when Reigns intended – 7.4 Million views on TikTok
The OG Bloodline Win WarGames – 7.4 Million views on TikTok
Punk saves Reigns from Bronson Reed’s Tsunami – 18 Million views on Instagram. 3.1 Million views on TikTok
The pair are also dominating on Instagram and YouTube, with clips featuring Reigns and Punk being the most viewed from Survivor Series: WarGames. The event came one year after Punk’s shocking return to WWE, which also broke records in terms of viewership.
These numbers highlight the immense star power both Roman Reigns and CM Punk bring to WWE’s table and bodes well for the promotion’s long-term plans. In the build to Survivor Series: WarGames, Punk was promised a favor from Paul Heyman, with fans speculating that this favor could see Punk share the ring with Reigns again, this time as adversaries. Heyman and Punk embraced after the WarGames main event, though the WWE Hall of Famer did not embrace Roman Reigns.
Reigns has confirmed his role in WWE Raw’s debut on Netflix, a show that Punk is also expected to be a part of. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on CM Punk and Roman Reigns as the pair continue to be bonafide draws on WWE programming.
Rhea Ripley’s unique look at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames came about thanks to a blend of horror effects talent and All-Elite inspirations. For the latest WWE PLE, Ripley arrived wearing a protective face mask as she is still dealing with the effects of her orbital socket fracture. This mask, however, was given a macabre twist, complete with horns attached to give ‘Mami’ a demonic look.
Ripley’s mask was created by horror effects legend Jason Baker, who took to X to speak about his experience making the Australian’s unique look. Baker was challenged to work around Ripley’s protective face mask and was appreciative to his team for ensuring the mask that he designed and painted was finished in time for the show.
“Even in Hell, Mami is always on top!” Protective mask for @RheaRipley_WWE#survivorserieswargames. Sculpted and painted by me. Such a unique challenge incorporating Rhea’s actual protective face mask into something elaborate and still functional. A huge thank you to my awesome… pic.twitter.com/z4qGD2IYZJ
Baker is WWE’s go-to individual when it comes to crafting epic masks for use on programming. In addition to Ripley, he worked with Bray Wyatt for the design of The Fiend and has created masks for Triple H, Asuka, Cody Rhodes, The Wyatt Sicks, and others. Outside of wrestling, he has worked with major horror movie projects including the Terrifier franchise and has been working with the metal band Slipknot.
During the match, Ripley removed her mask, revealing war paint underneath, complete with a red slash just above her eye. On Instagram, Ripley shared that this look was inspired by her husband, All Elite Wrestling’s Buddy Matthews.
Ripley is far from finished with Liv Morgan, but is waiting for IYO SKY to have her earned title match with the Women’s World Champion before she makes her next move. In the meantime, fans can expect plenty of Rhea Ripley on WWE TV after her impactful return to the ring at Survivor Series: WarGames.
At Turning Point, Matt Riddle debuted in Wrestling as the mystery man in a six-man tag-team match. With Trey Miguel unable to make the show, Riddle filled in and teamed with Zachary Wentz and KUSHIDA. Unfortunately for the Original Bro, his TNA debut was not a successful one as his team lost to TNA World Tag Team Champions The Hardys and ABC’s Ace Austin.
TNA only found out that Miguel would not be able to appear on Friday afternoon, Fightful Select reports, mere hours before the show began that same day. Riddle reportedly found out not long before the show that he was needed and ended up making the trip to the Benton Convention Center in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Backstage Reaction
Sources in TNA said that the situation was far from ideal, but they were not worried about finding a replacement for Miguel. That’s because Turning Point was a part of the WrestleCade event, and there were “a hundred or so possible replacements” for Miguel.
Those in TNA were said to be pleased with the reaction Matt received, but would not commit to using him again at this time. Riddle has yet to be advertised for any future TNA pay-per-views of TV events.
Riddle was released from WWE in September 2023, and was one of the most high-profile names cut following the launch of TKO Group Holdings. The former U.S Champion’s exit came after a series of controversies, including a stint in rehab, a cocaine-related suspension, issues backstage with multiple wrestlers, and allegations of sexual assault, though the case against him was later dropped. Shortly after his release, Riddle made a scene at JFK Airport, with sources at the scene suggesting that he was drunk.
Whether fans see Riddle in TNA Wrestling again or not remains to be seen, but the Original Bro certainly made an impression when he arrived. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest on Matt Riddle and his next steps in the world of pro wrestling.
Nia Jax is pleased to have evoked an emotion from fans, even if that emotion was critical of her performance at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames. At WWE’s most recent Premium Live Event, Jax teamed with Liv Morgan, Tiffany Stratton, Raquel Rodriguez, and Candice LeRae inside WarGames. The quintet would lose to the face team of Rhea Ripley, Bianca Belair, IYO SKY, Naomi, and Bayley.
Jax earned a reputation during her first run with WWE as someone who injured opponents, which greatly affected the Irresistible Force. Jax has said that after her release from WWE in 2021, she felt like she deserved it based on what fans said about her online. Jax would make a one-off return in the 2023 Women’s Royal Rumble match and return to the promotion in full later that same year.
With Survivor Series: WarGames out of the way, Jax’s attention will turn back towards her Women’s Championship and her potential challengers. With Tiffany Stratton teasing a cash-in during the Women’s WarGames match, Jax will need to keep her eyes peeled for a potential betrayal by her ‘friend’ as well as a challenge from the stacked roster on SmackDown.
The New Day stands as WWE’s longest-reigning tag team champions, a remarkable achievement that only scratches the surface of their revolutionary impact on professional wrestling. What began as a struggling three-man team in 2014 evolved into one of wrestling’s most successful factions, with Kofi Kingston, Xavier Woods, and Big E transforming themselves from audience punching bags into record-breaking champions and cultural phenomena.
Their decade-long journey represents one of wrestling’s most compelling reinvention stories. After facing brutal rejection from fans during their initial run as positive-minded babyfaces, The New Day made a pivotal decision that would alter their trajectory forever: they embraced the negativity and transformed it into their greatest strength.
The group’s initial struggles in late 2014 quickly gave way to innovation when they turned heel in April 2015. Fans’ mocking chants of “New Day Sucks” became part of their identity, and within months, they captured their first WWE Tag Team Championship from Tyson Kidd and Cesaro at Extreme Rules. This victory marked the beginning of an unprecedented run of success.
Their mastery of entertainment reached new heights during their second championship reign, which began at SummerSlam 2015. The 483-day reign set a WWE record and introduced iconic elements like Francesca the trombone and Booty-O’s cereal, transforming what could have been simple comedy props into memorable pieces of wrestling history.
The faction’s influence extended beyond tag team competition. In 2019, Kofi Kingston’s WWE Championship victory at WrestleMania 35 marked a historic moment, while 2021 saw Big E claim his own WWE Championship and Xavier Woods win the King of the Ring tournament. These individual achievements demonstrated the group’s ability to succeed both collectively and separately.
WWE
Despite facing challenges and brand splits threatening their unity, The New Day’s bond has remained unbreakable. However, tragedy struck in March 2022 when Big E suffered a career-threatening broken neck during a match on SmackDown. The horrific injury occurred when a belly-to-belly suplex went wrong, fracturing his C1 and C6 vertebrae. While Big E has maintained his characteristically positive outlook throughout his recovery, his in-ring future remains uncertain, marking one of the darkest moments in the group’s decade-long journey.
Their resilience continues to show through recent storylines, with Kingston and Woods engaging in a compelling program with The Final Testament, proving their ability to remain relevant and evolve after a decade of competition.
The numbers tell an impressive story: 12 WWE-branded tag team championships and numerous individual accolades. However, The New Day’s true legacy lies in their ability to consistently reinvent themselves while maintaining their core identity. From embracing fan negativity to pioneering new forms of wrestling entertainment, they’ve created a blueprint for longevity in modern professional wrestling.
Explore WWE’s December 2024 schedule, featuring RAW, SmackDown, live events, and special shows. Don’t miss NXT Deadline,the return of Saturday Night’s Main Event, the annual holiday tour and more.
Televised Events
RAW
December 2: Angel of the Winds Arena, Everett, WA
December 9: Intrust Bank Arena, Wichita, KS
December 16: TD Garden, Boston, MA
December 30: Toyota Center Houston, Houston, TX
SmackDown
December 6: Target Center, Minneapolis, MN
December 13: XL Center, Hartford, CT
December 27: Amalie Arena, Tampa, FL
Premium Live Events
December 7: NXT Deadline at The Armory, Minneapolis, MN
December 14: Saturday Nights Main Event at the Nassau Coliseum, Long Island, NY
Non-Televised Events
Holiday Live Events
December 26: VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena, Jacksonville, FL
December 26: Madison Square Garden, New York, NY
December 27: PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA
December 28: Kia Center, Orlando, FL
December 28: CFG Bank Arena, Baltimore, MD
December 29: Allstate Arena, Chicago, IL
December 29: Kaseya Center, Miami, FL
December 30: Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI
Special Events
December 13: Undertaker 1deadman Show at The Factory in Deep Ellum, Dallas, TX
December 14: Undertaker 1deadman Show at 713 Music Hall, Houston, TX
December 15: Undertaker 1deadman Show at Emo’s Austin, Austin, TX
Big Boom A.J. Befumo of the Costco Guys stepped away from the ring years ago after reaching the heights he wanted to reach in pro wrestling. Befumo and his family have been viral stars on social media with their food reviews of products from Costco. The buzz around the channel would see Befumo sign a one-match deal with AEW and defeat QT Marshall at Full Gear.
Befumo competed for years in wrestling before hanging up his boots in 2005, though showed very little ring rust at AEW’s latest pay-per-view. On Hey(EW!), A.J. explained his decision to step away from wrestling 19 years ago.
“At the time, I went as far as wrestling as I really wanted to go, without being on the road so many days a year.”
Had Befumo reached his social media popularity during his first in-ring run, he likely would not have hung up his boots, the viral star shared during the interview. Now with over 1 million followers on TikTok, Big Boom A.J. certainly has a large enough fanbase to make a fully-fledged return to the ring viable, should he choose to go down that route.
In the meantime, Befumo, Big Justice, and the family will continue to make viral content on TikTok and nurse the injury he fought during his match on the Full Gear pre-show. With Tony Khan offering an open invitation to Befumo to return, fans may not have to wait another 19 years to see A.J. bring the boom in the squared circle again.
Penta El Zero Miedo has become a free agent as of December 1 after his contract with All Elite Wrestling has expired.
The future of both the former Impact World Champion and his brother Rey Fenix has been a matter of heavy speculation over the last few months, with reports suggesting that both the AEW stars were looking to leave the company for WWE.
Fightful is now reporting that at least Penta will be able to make the move if he chooses as the former Lucha Underground Champion’s contract has expired and he has become a free agent.
Unfortunately for the Mexican star, his brother won’t be joining him in his next adventure anytime soon. Injury time has been added to Fenix’s contract and his deal now extends well into next year.
While Rey Fenix remains under AEW contract, there are no creative plans in place for him at the moment. The Death Triangle was once considered to win the Trios Titles at All In this year but things changed after the officials learned that Penta had been in contact with WWE.
The big question now is whether Penta will follow through on his original plans and sign with WWE or he’ll wait until his brother becomes a free agent as well.
The former AAA star is already drawing interest from the indies and he can continue working for smaller promotions for the next few months if he chooses.
Sami Zayn is privileged to be a part of the Bloodline saga, a story that eclipses what many Hall of Famers accomplished according to the Honorary Uce. Zayn joined the Bloodline storyline two years into the narrative in 2022 and would feud with the faction the following year.
At WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, Sami reunited with Roman Reigns and The Usos, and aligned with CM Punk to defeat Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline in the show’s main event. Speaking on the post-show press conference, Zayn shared his bold statement that this angle has gone beyond what many legends of the ring were able to accomplish.
“I’m extremely proud of being a part of all this. There are Hall of Famers who have won multiple championships, who’ve headlined WrestleMania, had Hall of Fame careers, who never got to tell a story this good.”
Being a part of the Bloodline saga is a “privilege beyond what I can put into words,” Zayn added, flanked by Jimmy, Jey, and CM Punk. The angle has received praise from wrestling fans for its use of longterm storytelling and emotional payoffs, two aspects of wrestling that many fans felt that WWE had been lacking in until this popular angle.
Questions remain as to where the group goes from here, especially with Zayn, Punk, and Jey Uso being contracted to Monday Night Raw. There’s also the question of the favor that Paul Heyman now owes CM Punk which was alluded to both on the go-home SmackDown and at Survivor Series: WarGames. One thing that’s clear is that the Bloodline saga is far from over, and Sami Zayn could not be happier about that.
Sami Zayn says The Bloodline alliance is never really going to end.
The OG Bloodline reunited at tonight’s Survivor Series 2024 PPV to take on Solo Sikoa and his cousins. After having defeated the new Bloodline at the show, however, the big question on everyone’s mind is if this reunion is going to continue.
Zayn was asked this question while appearing on the post-show media scrum. The Honorary Uce said that the closest thing he can compare The Bloodline to is his never-ending feud with Kevin Owens:
“I think the bloodline thing, because of the length of time for how long it’s gone on now, and for the level of fan investment over the last few years, I feel like the closest thing I can kind of compare it to is like my story with Kevin Owens, for example, wherein it’s sort of a story that I think is always going to be there.”
Sami Zayn mentioned how someone else asked Jey Uso about potentially going back into a tag team with his brother Jimmy. Just like Jey, the former NXT Champion had no definite answer on what he’ll do next, but he noted that it’s definitely not the end of their story together:
“So, you know, the previous question was asking, you know, Jay obviously has been doing tremendous things on his own. Does he want to go back into a team? Does he want to go do this? What’s the future for all the Bloodline members? I don’t know, right?
I don’t know, but I think even if we all sort of drift in different directions, it’s become this thing where you can always just sort of float back to the mothership. You know, much like me and Kevin, have been telling a story for over 20 years, and somehow, we always find each other in our crosshairs, and we’re very diligent.
Just as I think, with the bloodline, with regards to how we tell this story, we’re very diligent about how we do it, to make sure it’s always peaking the fans interest. So I don’t have a definitive answer for you. I don’t know, but it’s definitely not the end. I don’t know if this is like we’re back and we’re running it just like we did two years ago, but it’s, it’s never really going to be over, because it’s family.”
Jimmy Uso suffered a minor injury while competing in the WarGames main event during tonight’s WWE Survivor Series 2024.
The former tag champion was involved in one of two big dive spots of the bout. He went to the top of the cage to deliver a Uso Splash to Jacob Fatu through the table, taking him out of the fight.
The OG Bloodline and CM Punk would go on to pick up the victory in the match after everyone delivered their finishers to Solo Sikoa and Roman Reigns got the pin.
All the winning team members except Reigns took part in the post-show press conference. As they were heading out, Sami commented that ‘Jimmy’s hurt, not that bad.’
Jey Uso then went on to reveal that the injury was the result of the big dive spot, saying ‘Yeah my brother broke his toe, on his big splash tonight.’
Bronson Reed was the other star who attempted the dive off the cage during the show. He tried to deliver a Tsunami to Roman Reigns but CM Punk pulled the Tribal Chief out of harm’s way at the last minute.
Unfortunately for Reed, he didn’t come out of the spot unscathed either. You can check out an update on his health following the show here.
The WWE ID program will help talent navigate the “very difficult” independent wrestling scene, according to WWE CCO Paul Levesque. The program has seen WWE partner with several wrestling schools and sign various independent talent as ‘prospects.’ Thsoe signed will receive access to WWE’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida, as well as training overseen by Dragon Gate USA founder Gabe Sapolsky.
Speaking at the Survivor Series: WarGames post-show press conference Levesque shared how WWE ID will help talent in the difficult, often cutthroat world of independent wrestling.
“The independent scene is very difficult. That’s a long hard road. We’re trying to make that easier.”
WWE ID will pay attention to the indie talent with the most potential, Levesque added, who will also be financially supported by the program. With that said, WWE ID will not be a permanent role for prospects, whether they show the necessary progress or not.
“If somebody is working really hard and busting their ass every week and they are progressing and continuing to grow, they stay in our system until it’s time for them to outgrow that system. If they are not, we’ll make moves and change some people around.”
Several talents have already been announced as prospects, with more names expected to be confirmed. Click here to check out SEScoops‘ hub on the WWE ID program.
‘Big’ Bronson Reed suffered legitimate damage during his big WarGames spot.
The heavyweight star had promised to go viral when he entered the match beyond as part of Solo Sikoa’s team in the main event of WWE Survivor Series 2024.
Reed did not disappoint as he went all the way to the top of the cage in an attempt to deliver a Tsunami on Roman Reigns through a table. CM Punk ended up saving the OG Tribal Chief at the last minute from the catastrophe and Bronson went through the table all by himself.
The former NJPW star was effectively taken out of the match with the spot and latest reports suggest there was good reason for it.
BRONSON REED HIT A TSUNAMI FROM THE TOP OF THE CAGE.
According to a new report from Fightful, Reed suffered real damage in the spot. While the dive was always going to take him out of the match, they’re told that Bronson Reed suffered damage to one or both of his ankles upon the landing.
In the post-Survivor Series media scrum, WWE CCO Triple H noted that Reed’s status was questionable following the bout and hinted that we might not see him on TV for a few weeks.
Bronson Reed wasn’t the only one who attempted such a spot. Jacob Fatu was also seen favoring his knee following a failed Moonsault attempt. You can check out an update on his health here.
Damian Priest wasted no time in seeking revenge on Finn Balor after being screwed out of the World Heavyweight Title at Survivor Series: WarGames. During the Vancouver PLE, Balor attacked Priest during his match with GUNTHER, which proved pivotal in the Ring General retaining his title against the man he dethroned at SummerSlam. Despite the assist, GUNTHER made clear that he didn’t want the help and attacked Balor at ringside.
After Survivor Series: WarGames went off the air, Priest attacked Balor in the parking lot at the Rogers Arena. Although Priest got the jump on his former friend, The Judgment Day would soon arrive to attack Priest while Raw General Manager tried to re-establish order.
It’s clear that the issues between Priest and Balor are far from over, despite Priest’s victory over Finn at WWE Bad Blood in October of this year. Stay tuned to SEScoops for the latest from this feud as the personal issues between the two are only going to get uglier from here.
Jacob Fatu is said to be ok after his Survivor Series WarGames spot.
The Samoan Werewolf was the X factor for Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline going into the brutal WarGames match against Roman Reigns and his team.
Fatu was the third entrance from his side in the match and he proved his worth by taking out several members of the opposing team.
His dominance continued until Fatu missed a spot. The former MLW star landed awkwardly while attempting a moonsault off the top rope on CM Punk. He was seen favoring his leg for the rest of the match, making fans wonder if the spot was planned.
Corey Brennan of Fightful provided an update on Jacob’s status. He claimed that Fatu was not supposed to sell his leg so heavily, but he was not really hurt from the spot:
Jacob Fatu was not planned to sell his leg so heavily following his moonsault but is NOT hurt and is all ok.
— Corey Brennan Of Fightful.com (@CoreyBrennanFF) December 1, 2024
Jacob Fatu continued the match after this spot. In the end, he was taken out by the combined efforts of The Usos. The twins first delivered a 1D on Fatu and Jimmy then went on top of the cage for a Uso Splash on him through a table.
Bronson Reed was also effectively taken out of the match during one such spot. He attempted a Tsunami from the top of the cage on Roman Reigns but CM Punk pulled Reigns out of harm’s way at the last minute.
Solo Sikoa found himself at a disadvantage after both the powerhouses from his team were taken out. This allowed the OG Bloodline to finally pick up the victory.
WWE Intercontinental Champion Bron Breakker could be the next ‘Paul Heyman Guy’ following his win at Survivor Series: WarGames. At the Vancouver PLE, Breakker retained the gold in a brutal triple-threat match that saw him defeat both Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser.
On the post-show press conference, Breakker was asked if he would be interested in working with Paul Heyman, who recently returned to WWE programming.
“I definitely think that there’s a possibility of that happening at some point, maybe down the line… The door is definitely open. We’ll just have to say ‘never say never’ on that.”
Breakker is no stranger to working with Heyman, as the Wiseman was loaned by Roman Reigns to Bron for the October 10, 2023, episode of WWE NXT. The star-studded show, which bested AEW Dynamite in the war for ratings, saw Breakker, with Heyman, come up short against the John Cena-endorsed Carmelo Hayes.
Breakker’s comments come after Heyman named the second-generation Superstar as a potential ‘guy’ of his. The 2024 WWE Hall of Famer also has his eyes on GUNTHER, Damian Priest, Rhea Ripley, and Liv Morgan in what Heyman believes to be the deepest roster of talent WWE has ever seen. Breakker has long been considered a future top star, and aligning with Heyman could be what it takes to move the reigning Intercontinental Champion into a much bigger picture.
Roman Reigns and CM Punk may have been on the winning side at WWE Survivor Series: WarGames, but the pair of WWE icons struggled to stay on the same page. In the main event of the Vancouver PLE, Reigns, and Punk, alongside Sami Zayn and The Usos, emerged victorious inside WarGames, besting Solo Sikoa’s Bloodline and ‘Big’ Bronson Reed.
Tensions In the Cage
As seen on SmackDown, there was plenty of animosity between the two former World Champions going into the match which played out in Canada. When Punk tried to enter the match, Reigns was quick to establish dominance by blocking him and sending Sami Zayn into WarGames instead. Later on, Punk got payback, as when Reigns decided it was time to join the match, Punk barged in front of the OTC, visibly irritating his ally.
When Reigns eventually entered the match (after CM Punk,) Sikoa’s Bloodline did what it could to block the arrival of the Head of the Table. Sikoa locked the cage to keep Reigns out but Roman would scale the cage and arrive via a dive from the top, setting the tone for the dominance he would dish out in his second-ever WarGames match.
Moments of Cooperation
Tensions between Punk and Reigns continued to boil in the ring, with Paul Heyman pleading to his Tribal Chief and the Best in the World to co-exist for the night. Sure enough, the pair proved to be able to work together, as seen when Punk saved Reigns from Bronson Reed’s attempted Tsunami off the cage.
While Reigns and Punk tried to get along and co-exist inside WarGames, the chaos of the match saw Reigns accidentally spear Punk when attempting to level a member of Sikoa’s team. The move only served to show the lack of coordination in Reigns’ group, in stark contrast to the well-oiled machine Sikoa has honed since taking over the Bloodline back in April.
After the Match
The finish of the match saw Solo Sikoa eat the finishes of the OG Bloodline and Punk and Reigns shared a handshake once their team emerged victorious. Not only did the pair shake hands, but the two posed with their allies after the match, both in the ring and at the entrance stage.
CM Punk left a lasting impression in his first WarGames match, and reminded Paul Heyman of the favor he now owes the Chicago-Made star. The nature of this favor remains a mystery at this time, but with Heyman’s involvement, Survivor Series: WarGames may not be the last we see of CM Punk and Roman Reigns sharing the same ring.
Rhea Ripley is feeling “pretty good” regarding her fractured orbital bone following her victory inside WarGames at Survivor Series. Inside Vancouver’s Rogers Arena, Ripley joined IYO SKY, Bayley, Naomi, and Bianca Belair to defeat Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Nia Jax, Tiffany Stratton, and Candice LeRae.
The match was Ripley’s first in close to two months as she has been out with a fractured orbital bone injury. At the post-Survivor Series press conference, Ripley, who donned a horned mask inside WarGames, was asked for an update on her condition.
“Honestly, I can’t see it, so I don’t know. But it feels pretty good.”
Ripley’s orbital bone hasn’t prevented her from seeking revenge on Morgan and Rodriguez, who on WWE TV, caused the injury with an attack at the October 29, show. While she may not be fully recovered, Ripley has her sights set on the pair, as well as former ally Dominik Mysterio should he try to get involved.
“Revenge seems to be the topic of conversation of me and Liv. Dom is in that conversation now. I’m not done with Liv. If Dom wants to stick his nose where it don’t belong, then I’m not done with Dom either. If he’s going to come out and interfere, of course, I’m going to put my hands on him.”
Ripley will have to wait for another shot at Morgan’s Women’s World Championship as IYO SKY is the current number one contender for the gold. Nevertheless, the Australian is far from finished with Morgan, as made clear inside WarGames.
Shinsuke Nakamura didn’t just win the WWE U.S. Champion at Survivor Series: WarGames, but the new champion joined a very elite club as well. The Japanese star won the gold for the third time in his career at WWE’s latest PLE with a win over LA Knight. The Megastar had held the title since WWE SummerSlam in August, ending the lengthy reign of Logan Paul.
With his win, Nakamura has become the fourth wrestler to win the United States Title in both the United States and Canada. The King of Strong Style joins a legendary list of Superstars, including:
Ricky ‘The Dragon’ Steamboat: Charleston, South Carolina, and Toronto, Ontario
Bret ‘Hitman’ Hart: Salt Lake City, Utah, Fargo, North Dakota, Chattanooga, Tennessee, Phoenix, Arizona, and Toronto, Ontario
Rey Mysterio: Hartford, Connecticut, Rosemont, Illinois, and Calgary, Alberta
H/T to @WWEStats for uncovering this stat. Stay tuned to SEScoops for more interesting wrestling facts and statistics.
Nakamura’s win comes mere weeks after his return to WWE TV following a lengthy hiatus in 2024. Now, the Japanese star is ready to bring his new, eerie persona to WWE SmackDown and PLEs as the brand-new United States Champion.
WWE Survivor Series: WarGames
WWE Survivor Series: WarGames is taking place from the Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The card for the show is as follows:
Team Belair (Bianca Belair, Rhea Ripley, Bayley, IYO SKY, and Naomi) def. Team Jax (Nia Jax, Liv Morgan, Raquel Rodriguez, Candice LeRae, and Tiffany Stratton) (Women’s WarGames Match)
Shinsuke Nakamura def. LA Knight (c) (WWE United States Championship)
Bron Breakker (c) def. Sheamus and . Ludwig Kaiser (WWE Intercontinental Championship)
GUNTHER (c) def. Damian Priest (WWE World Heavyweight Championship)
Roman Reigns, The Usos (Jey Uso and Jimmy Uso), Sami Zayn, and CM Punk (with Paul Heyman) def. The Bloodline (Solo Sikoa, Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, and Tonga Loa) and Bronson Reed (Men’s WarGames Match)
WWE Survivor Series 2024 was the return of one of the company’s ‘Big Five’ PPV/PLE events, with some massive matches on the card.
The two headliners would be the Women’s and Men’s WarGames matches respectively, with Team Rhea Ripley vs Team Liv Morgan and Team OG Bloodline vs The New Bloodline bookmarking the show from Rogers Arena in Vancouver, Canada.
Survivor Series Results
Here are the full results from WWE Survivor Series WarGames:
Women’s WarGames Match – Rhea Ripley herself would take the win for her team after hitting a Riptide on Liv Morgan from the top rope through a table.
United States Championship Match: Shinsuke Nakamura b. LA Knight – Nakamura would take the win after hitting the Kinshasa to become the NEW United States Champion.
Intercontinental Championship Match:Bron Breakkerb. Sheamus and Ludwig Kaiser – Breakker would get the win after hitting a Spear on Sheamus for the 1, 2, 3, but not before he hit a hellacious version of the move on Kaiser.
World Heavyweight Championship Match:Gunther b. Damian Priest – Gunther would retain the title after Finn Balor screwed Priest out of ANOTHER title match, hitting the Coup de Grace on the outside. The Champ rolled Priest back into the ring, hit him with a Powerbomb and then sent him to sleep, completely out cold, with a modified rear choke.
Men’s WarGames – OG Bloodline would take the win after the whole team hit their finishers on Solo Sikoa, with Roman Reigns hitting his Spear to get the 1, 2, 3.
The WWE Universe witnessed an epic clash at Survivor Series 2024 as the Original Bloodline faced off against the new Bloodline faction in a high-stakes WarGames match.
OG Bloodline would take the win after the whole team hit their finishers on Solo Sikoa, with Roman Reigns hitting his Spear to get the 1, 2, 3.
The Bloodline Civil War
The Bloodline saga has been a cornerstone of WWE storytelling for the past few years, and the civil war within the faction has taken center stage in recent months.
Roman Reigns, the self-proclaimed “Head of the Table,” found his authority challenged by his own family member, Solo Sikoa, who declared himself the new Tribal Chief during Reigns’ absence.
Formation of the New Bloodline
Solo Sikoa’s bold move led to the creation of a new Bloodline faction, consisting of Jacob Fatu, Tama Tonga, Tonga Loa, and the powerhouse Bronson Reed.
This group quickly established themselves as a formidable force in WWE, setting the stage for an inevitable confrontation with the original Bloodline members.
Roman Reigns made a dramatic return at SummerSlam, sporting an “OTC” (Original Tribal Chief) shirt, signaling his intention to reclaim his position at the head of the Bloodline.
This unexpected comeback set the wheels in motion for the WarGames match at Survivor Series.
Reuniting the Original Bloodline
In the lead-up to Survivor Series, Reigns managed to reunite key members of the original Bloodline.
The Usos, Jimmy and Jey, put aside their differences to stand with their cousin. Sami Zayn, the former “Honorary Uce,” also made a surprise return to the fold, adding an element of unpredictability to the team dynamics.
CM Punk’s Shocking Alignment
In a twist that stunned the WWE Universe, CM Punk was revealed as the fifth member of the Original Bloodline team for WarGames.
This unexpected alliance, orchestrated by Paul Heyman, added a new layer of intrigue to an already complex situation.
